man it is to be taken for many for instance Cant. 3. 8. Every man had his sword on his thigh Mic. 4. 4. Every man shall sit under his Vine 1 Cor. 4. 5. Every man shall have praise of God Now consider every man in the world had not a sword to wear nor a Vine to sit under neither shall every man have praise of God so every man is not to be taken for every man in the world particularly but if it were granted that Christ tasted death for every man particularly and that all have some Benefit by the death of Christ viz. Their natural lives and the possession of the creatures yet it doth not follow if he tasted death for every man that therefore he suffered the wrath of God for every man and the punishment due to all for their sins Mat. 27. 34. He tasted the vinegar mingled with gall but he would not drink it and may there not be some mysterie held out thereby to the point in hand you that are spiritual Judge Quest Doth not God give to every man some Talent or Talents which if a man did improve should be increased Answ Yea and there is no man that doth avoid so much evil and do so much good as he ought and might consider that to some the Lord doth give natural Talents as Wisdom Wealth Art c. And to other spiritual Talents or Gifts as to Pray Prophesie Interpret and God may very justly damn men for not improving what he gâ—ves them therefore we read that the very Heathen that had but the very Light of Naâ—ure and walked not up to that will be inexcusable at the day of judgement but withall consider this that to sin against the Law of Nature only is enough to damn men yet the improvement of the Law of Nature is not sufficient to save men for there is a Knowledge of Christ Faith in him and Obedience to him required as absolutely necessary to salvation John 17. 3. John 3. 36. Luke 19. 27. Compared with Rom 1. 20 21. Rom. 2. 15. These Scriptures compared together will prove the whole answer to this question Quest How came the Sabbath day to be changed from the seventh day to the first and from a Sabbath day to the Lords day Answ By divine authority as may appear by the practice of our Saviour Christ and his Apostles John 20. 19. compared with Act. 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 1 2. This is the day they preached prayed brake bread and collected for the poor And so it came to be called the Lords day Rev. 1. 10 Because the special dedication thereof was to the Lords service So then this day was changed from the seventh to the first and from a Sabbath to a first or Lords day because it might serve for a thankful memorial of Christs resurrection for as God rested from his Labour on the last day of the week so Christ ceased from his labour and afflictions on this day Matthew 28 1. compared with Gen. 2. 1 2. As the one therefore was specially sanctified in regard of the Creation of the world so was the other in respect of the restauration and redemption of the world which of the two is a greater work then the Creation So then the sourth Commandment doth not require a seventh day from the Creation but a seventh day in general so then it doth not hence follow that we should rest the same day the Lrod rested but that we should rest from our works one day in seven as he rested from his which day under the Law he appointed to be the last day of the week so nothing hindereth but by his special appointment under the Gospel it may be the first day and yet the substance of the Commandment nothing altered if any reply and say why doth not the new Testament mention this change I answer because we read of no question moved about the same in the Apostles time so then a Sabbath day the Lords day or the first day of the week which is all one is constantly and perpetually to be observed and never to cease till it be perfectly consummated in the heavenly Sabbath Heb. 4. 9 10. The Jews were to work six daies and rest the seventh day first work then rest but now we are to rest the first day and work the following dayes first enter into rest and then work as an effect of that rest We read John 10. 27. And Christ said my sheep hear my voice Quest How are believing man and women said to be his sheep Answ First we are said to be his by donation God gave us to Christ 2. We are said to be his by purchase he bought us with a dear price 3. We are said to be his by Covenant 4. We are said to be his by Covenant 5. We are said to be his by Marriage 6. We are his by birth we are born from above Quest Whether a godly man ought to pray when he hath not the fresh gales of the spirit drawing him forth thereunto Answ Then is the principal time to pray but not the only time for he is to pray also at other times first we are commanded to pray at all times Luke 18. 1. Luke 21. 36. Secondly we have example as well as precept to prove this truth Psalm 119. 25 154. David in the midst of deadness fals to prayer for quickening saying quicken me according to thy word Quest Whether it be the duty of a wicked man to pray seeing we read Prov. 15. 8. That the Sacrifices of the wicked is an Abomination to the Lord Answ It is undoubtedly the duty of a wicked man to pray and the Priviledge of a Christian that he can do it though they that have no faith cannot seek Christ as they ought yet it is their duty to pray and to seek after Christ Psal 79. 6. Pour out thy wrath upon the Heathen that have not known thee and upon the Kingdoms that have not called upon thy name So again Jer. 10. 25. If the not calling upon the name of God be a sin then to call upon the name of God is a duty Hence Peter calls upon Simon Magus Acts 8. 22. Though an unbeliever to pray The Pharisee and the Publican both went to the Temple to pray Luke 18. 10. So again Ephraim Jer. 31. 18. Yet not converted prays unto the Lord to turn him Again we may see 1 Kin. 21. 27. Ahab humbled himself and rent his cloaths and put sack-cloath upon his flesh and fasted ver 29. I will not saith the Lord bring the evil in his daies but in his sons daies I will bring the evil upon his house So then it doth plainly appear that it is the duty of all men to pray only it is the priviledge of the regenerate they can pray in the spirit and with understanding too a Christians seeking of God is the effects of Gods seeking of him and a mans praying before faith is the effect of the common
for answers or rendring praise for mercies received Psal 5. 3. Luk. 2. 37. The motives to encourage us to pray PRayer is a jewel of grace bequeathed by Christ unto us Luke 11. 2. Again it is the hand of Faith the Key of Gods treasury the souls Solicitor the hearts armour-bearer the minds interpreter Mat. 7. 7. Ephes 6. 18. It procureth all blessings preventeth all curses 2 Chron. 7. 14. Further it sanctifieth all creatures that they may do us good 1 Tim. 4. 5. seasoneth all crosses that they can do us no hurt 2 Cor. 12. 18. Lastly it keepeth the heart in humility the life in sobriety strengthneth all graces overcometh all corruptions subdueth all temptations maketh our duties acceptable to God our lives profitable unto men and both life and death comfortable to our selves Act. 9. 11. Ephes 6. 18. Iude 20. Acts 4. 24. What shall I say more for our encouragement to pray unto God but only this consider and that seriously the Lord is never worse but many times better then his word Solomon did only ask in prayer for wisdom 1 King 3. 11 12. And the Lord gave him more wisdom then he did ask and riches and honour to boot Again we read 1 Sam. 1. Hannah prayed but for a son and the Lord gave her a son and a Prophet too for her son Samuel was a great Prophet So again for our encouragement to pray we read Gen. 17. That Abraham prayed saying Oh that Ishmael might live before thee ver 19. And God said Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed and thou shalt call his name Isaac and as for Ishmael I will answer thy prayer and make of him a great Nation ver 20. Again we read that Jacob prayed Gen. 28. 19. and said O Lord if thou wilt give me raiment to put on and bread to eat thou shalt be my God and the Lord gave him all that he desired and much more Gen. 32. 10. For with my staff said he came I over this Jordan but now I am so exceedingly encreased in goods that I am become two bands See Gen. 33. 4 5 6. Again we read Mat. 18. 24 26. Of one that was in debt ten thousand talents and the mony being demanded the debtor desired but dayes of paiment and the Lord forgave him the whole debt ver 27. Shall I crave leave to instance only in one more then consider that place Acts 3. 3 4 5 6 7 8. A certain man lame from his mothers womb asked an alms of Peter and Iohn and they gave him a mercy above and beyond what he asked yea a mercy to him worth more then the whole world they healed him of his lameness insomuch that he leaped and rejoyced and praised God ver 8. The means to be used to obtain the gift of prayer FIrst labour to get some true feeling of thy misery for sense of misery breeds desires of mercies Mat. 15. 22. when the soul panteth most the heart prayeth best and increase in knowledge that the head may guide the heart 1 Cor. 14. 15. For what we know is worth the having we will not lose for want of asking Pray for the Spirit of Prayer which helpeth and healeth our infirmities and teacheth us both for manner measure and matter to lay open all our necessities Rom. 8. 26. Luke 11. 13. Of the Lets and hinderances of prayer THe sensuality of the men and women living in pleasure drowning all their desires in delights and their prayers in pleasures 2 Tim. 3. 4. These men are lovers of pleasure more then lovers of God and therefore pray not to him Another hinderance is that state of stupidity of worldlings that think they have no need of praying but of carking and caring toyling and moyling in the world Luke 12. 17 18. Phil. 3. 19. Who mind only earthly things Again roving imaginations inordinate affections dulness of spirit weakness of Faith coldness in feeling faintness in asking weariness in waiting too much passion in our own matters and too little compassion in other mens miseries Mar. 9. 24. Isa 38. 13 14. Several sorts of Prayer never answered 1. HE that prayeth and yet regardeth iniquity in his heart the Lord will not hear his prayer Psal 66. 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear my Prayer 2. He that prayeth and yet hateth to be reformed drawing neer with the lips but having his heart far from him Isa 29. 13. 3. Those that pray and yet turn their â—ars from his precepts he turneth away his ears from their prayers Prov. 28. 9. 4 Those that pray and yet continue in unbelief their prayers shall not be answered Jam. 1. 7. letnot that man so much as think he shall receive any thing from the Lord. 5. Those that pray and yet continue in senseless impiety so that the cry of our sins unrepented of drowns the voice of their prayers Zech. 7. 13. 6. Those that would neither hear nor answer God when he called and cried unto them see Prov. 1. 24. 28. Mich. 3. 4. 7. When we either cause or suffer the afflicted to cry without hearing the Lord hearing us cry in our afflictions without helping Gen. 42. 22. How many wayes doth the Lord answer the Prayers of his people 1. HE doth answer many times in giving the very thing we ask So Solomon did ask wisdom and the Lord gave it So Hanna prayed for a Son and the Lord gave her a Son So also Acts 10. 30 31. Dan. 9. 19 20 21. Acts 12. 13 14. 2. The Lord doth answer the prayers of his people in giving them faith to believe and patience to wait the Lords leasure till he doth give the mercy prayed for So Heb. 5. 7. 2 Cor. 12. 8 9 10 11 12. 3. The Lord doth many times answer our prayers although he doth not give us the very thing we ask but a better in the room of it Gen. 17. 18 19. Psalm 35. 13. 4. He doth answer our prayers many times in giving as full Satisfaction to the soul in the absence of the mercy prayed for as if it had received it Hab. 2. 3. Another stanning Ordinance of the Gospel is thanksfiving or Singing of Psalms and Spiritual Songs making melody to the Lord in our Hearts PRaise or thanksgiving is a reverent acknowledgement of his mercies the heart being cheared with some taste of his goodness acknowledgeth all to come from his mercies goodness wisdom and power which makes the Soul as in Psal 32. 11. to rejoice in the Lord and to shout for joy Psal 107. 8 15 21 31. O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men This is to be done with the Spirit and with understanding 1 Cor. 14. 15. As prayer and petition ariseth from the feeling of our miseries so doth praise from feeling of Gods mercy petition beggeth what we want and praise acknowledgeth what and wheuce we have it Rev. 15.
3. 1 Chron. 29. 12. 1. This puts the Soul upon speaking good of his name to others Psal 40. 9 10. 2. It puts the Soul upon resolving to bestow all for his honour and service 1 Chron. 29. 2 3. This praising of God must be with a single not with a double heart Psal 145. 18. This must be done in the best manner suting his several properties with their due Praises according to the nature of the present blessing Exodus 15. 2 3. Psalm 144. 1 2. This praise must be continually as long as we live as long as his mercy endureth and our lifelasteth Psal 146. 2. 1 Thes 5. 18. It is a good comely and pleasant thing to praise the Lord Psal 147. 1. It is his will thus to be honored 1 Thes 5. 18. It is a duty of Saints and Angels both here and hereafter Luke 2. 13 14. It fits the heart for other graces and provokes the Lord to fresh mercies That we may set about this work in good earnest dwell much upon these things following 1. Seriously consider what great things God hath done for us 1 Sam 12. 24. 2. Rest content with thy allowance and estate wherein he hath set thee Phil. 4. 11. 3. Often compare thy estate with others of Gods Saints who want many things that we enjoy and feel many Sorrows which we fear not Psal 147. 20. 4. Be faithful in all talents and fruitfull in all graces and this will be a great means to make us praise God for all his mercies Mat. 25. 13. Phil. 1. 11. That Singing of Psalms Hymns and spiritual Songs is a Gospel-command which ought to be performed unto the Lord and practised in and by the Church of Christ and by every particular believer as occasion requires by singing I understand a lifting up of the voice with joy see 1 Chron. 15. 16. Isa 51. 3. 52. 8 9. and by singing of Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs a praising of God by lifting up of the voice Psal 51. 14. Psal 8P 1. Psal 105. 2 3. By Psalms I understand the Psalms of David or such as are contained in the book of Psalms By Hymns I understand Songs of praise unto God Mat. 26. 30. Mark 14. 26. Col. 3. 16. By spiritual Songs I understand such songs the matter whereof is divine and Spiritual and heavenly Rev. 15. 3. these spiritual Songs are mentioned also in Eph. 5. 19. Col. 3. 16. and were framed at first by the immediate motion and inspiration of the Spirit of God upon some special and extraordinary occasion that singing is a Gospel-command or one principal part of Evangelical Gospel worship is proved from Pauls injunction thereof unto the Churches Eph. 5. 19. Col. 3. 16. James likewise doth urge the practise of it by way of command Jam. 5. 13. and we have the example also of our blessed Saviour and his Apostles Mat. 26. 30. Mar. 14. 26. and of the Apostles Paul and Silas Acts 16. 25. That it ought to be practised in the Church I mean the Assembly of the Saints is evident from that Eph. 5. 19. Col. 3. 16. Where the Apostle exhorts the Church of Ephesus to speak to themselves in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs and the Church at Coloss that they teach and admonish one another in Psalms Himns and spiritual Songs singing with grace in their hearts unto the Lord which were altogether impossible to be done if this ordinance or command of the Lord Jesus was not to be practised in the Church and I find the Prophet David exciting and stirring up the Saints to the practise of this so heavenly an exercise Psal 30. 4. Sing unto the Lord O ye Saints of his and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness and Psalm 145. 5. Let the Saints be joyful in glory let them sing aloud upon their beds and withall I find several Gospel prophecies which seem to point out the mutual and joint performance of this duty as â—sa 52. 8. thy watch men shall lift up the voice with the voice together shall they sing and Psal 132. 16. I will also cloath her priests with Salvation and her Saints shall shout aloud for joy and it was prophecied of our Saviour Christ saying I will declare thy name unto my brethren in the midst of the Church will I sing praise unto thee Heb. 2. 12. Isa 35. 10. Jer. 31. 12. therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Sion and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord c. That it ought to be practised by every believer as occasion requires and as the Spirit is drawn forth thereunto is very evident from Jam. 5. 13. 1 Cor. 14. 15. That the Psalms of David ought to be sung will appear by these reasons 1. Because I find no other Psalms mentioned in the Scriptures then the Psalms of David and such as are contained in that book of Psalms 2. Because where there is mention of Psalms in the new Testament either by Christ or his Apostles I find that they refer or relate to the Psalms of David or that book of Psalms as may be collected from these among other Scriptures Luke 20. 42. Luke 24. 44. Acts 1. 20. Acts 13. 33 35. 3. Because I find contained in the Book of Psalms variety of excellent spiritual and heavenly matter which upon all occasions may draw forth the souls of the Saints in this way of a holy rejoycing before the Lord. That our Singing ought to be performed with a cheerfull heart and that they only ought to sing whose hearts the Lord hath made glad the Scriptures do evidently declare It s said in 2 Chron 29. 30. That the Levites sang praises with gladness Jer. 31. 7. Sing with gladness for Jacob Isa 65. 14. Behold my Servants shall sing for joy of heart And it is the express rule of the Apostle James Is any merry let him sing Psalms How shall we sing the Lords Song in a strange Land said the captive Jews who were required to sing when they were weeping by the rivers of Babylon and their Spirits overwhelmed with grief Psal 137. 1 2 3 4. That our singing ought to be with grace in the heart is evident from Col. 3. 16. that is I conceive either with a heart full of the sense of Gods pardoning and justifying grace or as it is regenerated renewed and Sanctified by the spirit of grace this is the root of all true Spiritual and heavenly rejoycing and this hath made the Saints to sing aloud for joy Psal 71. 23. my lips shall greatly rejoyce when I sing unto thee Psal 145. 7. Isa 12. 2. 35. 2. And lastly that our singing ought to be performed with the spirit and understanding is very clear from 1 Cor. 14. 15. I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with understanding also our singing as all other religious actions and services will be very unpleasing and unacceptable unto God if they be not carried on in the
of their Creed and so fall to judging railing and condemning men for not doing as they do contending for Cummin and Annis putting off a hat and wearing ribans c. and not only so but also hate malign and most bitterly and uncharitably censure all those that differ from them Reader I shall here in this Book present thee with all that I have learned or at least with the sum and substance of all that I have gained this four and twenty years by reading the Scriptures hearing of Sermons conferring with Christians and perusing their writings together with several things that God hath immediately darted in upon my heart but I have not received as I know of nor here presented any of the mediate or immediate teachings save that and only that which is agreeable to the word of God as far as I understand his mind therein neither have I made it my work to contend for or cry up any particular interest but rather it doth much grieve my heart to see what a state most menare in here each tugging for his interest and so whilst they are contending for the garment the power of Religion is much abated I would intreat thee Reader to weigh things in the ballance of Righteousness love and impartiality and then I am confident that there will be none that hath the work of grace upon their souls unless they be under some violent fit of temptation but in the main will sweetly own and spiritually bless God for the revelation of the precious things contained in this little Book here being something of every thing needful to be known and practiced for the obtaining of which I have imitated the Bee that goes forth of the hive and gathers hony from several sorts of flowers and hearbs and sometimes from weeds And for the compiling of these things together as they have a connexion and dependance one upon another I have borrowed a little time from my particular calling and from my sleep and recreation If I have done this work well it is that which I desired but if slenderly and meanly it is because I could do it no better I must confess I rather lisp then speak plain in the things of God wherefore cover all my imperfections with a mantle of love for it hath been compiled in the midst of many personal tryals if thou find any imperfections yet let not the truth of God suffer through my weakness to the Law and to the testimonies wherein I come short of writing according to that rule it is for want of light I hope I shall be content to decrease so the glory of God in the gift of Christ and Covenant of grace may increase let my name perish so his may flourish let me cut off like a Weaver and dye so his name and glory may live I shall no longer detain thee from the thing it self which treats of that which is of great concernment to all in the reading of which if thou shalt receive any light or reap any spiritual benefit give all the praise to the Lord and pray for him who is a lover of all that fear the Lord under what form soever they be or by what name or title soever they are known ROB. PURNEL A Table of the principal heads in general and the connection of these points together and dependence of them one upon another OF God the Father Of God the Son Of God the Holy-Ghost Of Gods decrees Of Election Of the Creation Of Angels Of Man Of the Sou l. Of Mans fall Of Providence Of Mans recovery Of Vocation Of the Covenant of Grace Of Justification by Grace alone Of Sanctification or a holy Conversation Several strong reasons why the Saints should walk holily Of Justification and Sanctification wherein they differ and wherein they agree Of Faith Of Repentance Of Sin the nature of it Of Knowledge First Of God Secondly Of our selves Of Experience Of Enjoyment Of the grace of love 1. First to God 2 To his People Of the Grace of hope Of Perseverance Of the several gifts and Graces of the Spirit Of the several Ordinances oâ— the Gospel 1. Of the assâ—mbling of our selves together 2. O preaching and prophecying 3. Of Prayer and supplication 4. Of singing and praising God together 5. Of the Ordinance oâ— Baptism 6. Of the Ordinance oâ— the Lords Suâ—per 7. Of the Collection or the poor 8. Of reading the Scriptures 9. Of Admonition private and publike 10. Of Suspension 11. Of Excommunication Of Assurance of Salvation Of the difference between the Law and the Gospel and of the several sorts of Laws Of the ten Commandments and what each of them doth prohibit and enjoin Of the Lords prayer and the several petitions therein contained Of the World Flesh and the Devil the three great enemies of man Of afflictions and why the Lord doth afflict his own people When a man may be said to suffer for well-doing and when for ill-doing The Lord is many times better then promise never worse Mercies and deliverances are many times nearest to us when we think they are farthest of The Lord doth hand forth mercies by the rule of contraries He doth not despise the day of small things The order of causes how the Lord comes down-ward from the causes to the Effects and how we must go upward from the effects to the causes Mans life is or should be guided by seven vertues Several Divine Sentences Divers knotty questions answered and seeming contradictions reconciled and many scruples of conscience removed Of the shortness of mans life and of the misery that doth attend every age thereof Of the misery attending both body and Soul at the hour of Death Of a Bill of inditement at that time brought against us Of the sad condition and misery of all out of Christ after death Of our preparation for death that we may be ready when it comes Death to a Christian is but a house a bed a sleep The great and terrible day of the Lord is near proved 1. By the testimony of the Prophets 2. By the testimony of the Apostles 3. By the testimony of Angels 4. By the immutability of Gods decree 5. By the infallibility of his promises 6. By the impartiality of his justice There are four things that Christ hath already done and five things he is now doing and six things more that he will do when he comes Of the resurrection of the dead at Christs second coming Of the first and second resurrection Whether there be any such things as the personal reign of Christ and if so what it is Of the last judgement 1. The signs that go before it 2. What is meant by it 3. Oâ— the place where it shall be 4. Of the person who it is that shall judge the world 5. Of the time how long the judgement shall last 6. Out of what all people shall be judged 7. The day of judgement will be a great day The sad condition of all Christless after
him he also sets his love upon him and manifests it unto him So that as election to life is by God the Father and redemption by God the Son so justification sanctification and restauration into the Image of God is by the Holy-Ghost So that in the unity of the God-head there be three of one substance power and eternity God the Father God the Son and God the Holy-Ghost the Father is of none other begotten nor proceeding the Son is eternally begotten of the Father the Holy-Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son See Math. 3. 16 17 28. 19. 2 Cor. 13. 1 4. 1 Joh. 1. 14. And that the Holy-Ghost is God will appear by these Scriptures Act. 5. 3 4. Peter reproving Annanias for lying said he did lie to the Holy-Ghost and so he lyed not to men but to God so again Isa 6. 9. I heard the Lord speaking which place Paul expounds of the Holy-Ghost Act. 28. 25. Of Gods Decrees WHatsoever God doth in time that did he decree to do from all eternity So that Gods decree is that whereby he hath from all eternity set down with himself whatsoever shall come to pass Ephes 1. 11. If any ask what things are decreed by God I answer 1 all things 2 with their causes 3 with their effects 4 circumstances and 5 manner of being Act. 2. 23. 4. 27 28. Ephes 1. 11. 1. This decree is most wise Rom. 11. 33. 2. Just Rom. 9. 13 14. 3. Eternall Ephes 1. 4 5. 1 Cor. 2. 7. 4. Unchangeable Heb. 11. 17. 5. Most free Rom. 9. 18. 6. The cause of all good Iam. 1. 17. Now the parts of this decree is two-fold first concerning Angels Secondly concerning man and of this decree concerning man there be two parts First Election Secondly Reprobation 1 Thes 5. 9. Iudg. 4. 5. As concerning Angels they also are of two sorts First good Secondly bad First good or excellent 1. For their nature 2. For their gifts 3. For their offices 4. For their estate Secondly bad or evill Angels God from all eternity hath determined of all things together with their causes effects circumstances of place and time means manner and end to the manifestation of his own glory Psal 99. 4. Mat. 10. 29. Rom. 9. 20 21. 11. 36. Pro. 16. 4. Of Election ELection is the decree of God of his free love and grace and mercy choosing some men to Faith holiness and eternall life for the praise of his glorious mercy 1 Thes 1. 4. 2 Thes 2. 13. Ephes 1. 4 5 6. Rom. 8. 29 30. The causes of election was none other but his meer good will and pleasure Luk. 12. 32. Rom. 11. 5. 9. 11. 16. Ephes 1. 5. 2 Tim. 1. 9. The end of election is the manifestation of the riches of his grace and mercy Rom. 9. 23. Ephes 1. 6. Quest Was not Christ and faith and holiness the causes of election Answ No the sending of Christ faith holiness and eternall life are only the effects of Gods love by which he manifesteth the infinite riches of his grace Ioh. 3. 16. 1 Ioh. 4. 10. Acts 13. 4. Titus 1. 1. Col. 1. 12. Rom. 6. 23. God â—eerly out of his good pleasure without the fore-fight of any good in the creature according to his unlimited soveraignty elected a certain number by name unto eternall salvation and he hath decreed to effect all the wayes and means for them and in them to bring them thereto see 2 Tim. 1. 9. 1 Pet. 2. 8. So some are elected unto life out of all sorts of people Mat. 20. 16. Rom 9. 24. Rev. 7. 9. That unto which God hath elected them is 1. To the Adoption of Sons 2. Sanctification of life here 3. And eternall life hereafter The first and only moving cause of Election is the good pleasure and love of God Ephes 1. 5. Rom. 9. 18. Ephes 1. 11. So that Faith is not the cause but the effect of election Act. 13. 48. God is no respecter of persons and yet he elected some and left others when he found no difference A man may come to know in time that he was elected before time 1. We come to apprehend this by Faith 1 Thes 1. 4. 2. By our effectuall calling 3. By our justification 4. By our sanctification Rom. 8. 30. 5 By the testimony of Gods Spirit Rom. 8. 9 16 17. 1 Cor. 2. 10 11 12. 2 Pet. 1. 2 3. 2Cor 1. 21 23. Of Reprobation REprobation is the wise just and absolute decree of God passing by and leaving some men unto themselves to suffer them to fall and to enflict upon them eternall punishment deserved by their sins for the praise of his unspeakable great justice Rom. 9. 11 13 22. Iude 4. Ier. 6. 30. The causes of this decree is the absolute will and good pleasure of God Mat. 11. 26. Rom. 9. 13. The end of this decree is not the condemnation of the creature 〈…〉 â—â—â—ifestation of Gods Justice Rom. 9. 22. Yet election and reprobation in a sense are not the causes of salvation and damnation but Christ is the proper and meritorious cause of salvation and sin the proper and meritorious cause of damnation Election and reprobation they are but precedent acts or decrees and the causes of salvation and damnation they come in between the causes and the execution thereof It is the fore-appointment of certain Angels and men unto everlasting dishonour God of his own free will determining to pass them by refuse or cast off and for sin to condemn and punish them with everlasting death Prov. 16. 4. Exod. 9. 16. Rom. 9. 17. 2 Tim. 2. 20. Mat. 25. 41. Of the Creation ALthough God made man of the dust of the earth yet he could have made him of nothing as he made all things else of nothing in six daies Heb. 11. 3. Exod. 20. 11. 1. In the first day were created the heavens and the earth and light Gen. 1. 1 2. Iob 38. 7. 2. In the next day was the out-spreading firmament or heavens the division of the waters above from the waters beneath Gen. 1. 6 7. 3. In the third day there was a two-fold work first a gathering of the waters in one place secondly a bringing forth of hearbs Gen. 1. 9 10 11 12. 4. In the fourth day was made the Sun Moon and Stars to give light on the earth and to be for signs and seasons and for dayes and years Gen. 1. 14 15 16 17. 5. In the fift day there was a twofold work the creation of all sorts of fish in the sea and fouls in the air Gen. 1. 22 23. 6. In the sixth day there was also a twofold work the creation of all sorts of beasts upon the earth and the creation of man whom the Lord made in his own Image Gen. 1. 24 25 26 27. 7. The seventh day the Lord made a Sabboth of rest and blessed that day above all other dayes and did also sanctifie it The
causes of this great work of creation was first his love to man and the shewing forth his own glory and the fulfilling of his decree to the end that God may be known and honored of his creatures c. his eternall power and God-head is seen in raising all things out of nothing By his word alone Isa 40. 12. Rom. 1. 20. Ier. 10. 12. 51. 15. And his infinite wisdom is made known by them Psal 104. 24. Of Angels ANgels are spiritual creatures compleat and immortall yet finite Heb. 1. 13 14. Col. 1. 16. Mat. 4. 11. 26. 53. Psal 68. 17. Mat. 22. 30. Luke 20. 36. Heb. 1. 7. Psal 104. 4. There be two sorts of Angels first good secondly bad The good Angels they praise God worship the Son they are heavenly messengers from the Father to defend the faithfull they have wrestled eaten been received as strangers had their feet washed they shall gather the elect from the four corners of the earth they shall come with Christ to judgement they be excellent creatures 1. For their nature Isaiah 6. 2. Daniel 9. 21. 2 Thes 1. 7. 2. For their gifts 2 Sam. 14. 17. Mat. 6. 10. Luk. 15. 10. 1 Cor. 13. 1. 3. For their offices Dan. 7. 10. Rev. 5. 11. 4. They be excellent for their estate Mat. 18. 10. 5. They be wise and of great understanding 2 Sam. 14. 20. They were the first creatures that ever God made there be also severall orders of Angels viz. Archangels Cherubims and Seraphins yet lay all these things together it will appear that righteousness of Angels is but the righteousness of creatures but the righteousness that the Saints are cloathed with is the very righteousness of Christ and in this respect the meanest Saint is more excellent then the most glorious Angel in heaven they are by God sent forth for the good of his people hence they are called ministring spirits and they minister to the Saints many wayes In their life by defending them from their enemies the Angels of the Lord pitch their tents about them that fear him Psal 34. 7. An Angel it was that slew the army of the Assyrians That delivered Peter out of prison as also preserved Lot Psal 91. 11. For he shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy wayes Gen. 32. 5. An Angel encouraged Iacob when he feared his brother Esau an Angel it was Luke 1. 30. who bid Mary not to fear and who stood by Paul and bid him be of good cheer Act. 27. 24. By an Angel was the incarnation of Christ foretold to the Virgin and by a multitude of Angels was it proclaimed afterwards an Angel leads Philip to expound the Scripture to the Eunuch sets Peter at liberty to preach the Gospel bids Cornelius send for Peter to be instructed by him and prayes Paul to come over to Macedonia to help them none are so nobly attended as Saints they have a life-guard of Angels to encompass them about Angels are as carefull of the faithfull as a nurse of her sucking child they bear them up in their arms that they dash not their feet against a stone Of Man ALL men by nature are equally made of one earth and blood and every poor Christian is as dear unto God as a mighty Prince Man was wonderfully created and more wonderfully redeemed The Lord hath assigned his heart to wisdom the belly to avoidance the breast to health the liver to anger the gall to bitterness the spleen to laughter the kidneys to craftyness the loyns to strength the ribs to comeliness the Lord having finished the excellent frame of heaven and earth he cals a counsel to build that excellent tabernacle Man into whom he breathed the spirit of life this man did far exceed all other creatures that amongst them all not found any one fit or meet to be a companion for him or to have society with him and so the Lord made him a help meet for him this man was the master-piece of all Gods works to whom the Lord did give an unlimited prerogative over the beasts of the field the fouls of the air and the fish of the sea but man by his disobedience became inferiour to the most despised creatures and we all his posterity are more miserable and fuller of vanity then any of the unreasonable creatures viz. other creatures by the benefit of nature can stand upon their legs and seek after their food when young but man the Lord of them all must be swadled in clouts being no way able to help himself the young chickens as soon as ever they are hatched can run after their dam to seek for food and have that wisdom to hide themselves under her wings at the fluttering of the Kite the lambs calves and young costs stand suddenly upon their legs to seek their dams teats But man would perish if his mother by her naturall affection did not bring the nipple of her breasts to his mouth and rock him upon her knees Of the Soul THE soul of man is a spirituall substance immortall and invisible endued with memory understanding and will or the soul is a substance immortall invisible united to the body and endued with many admirable faculties as life sense and reason to this end principally that God might be truly honored and duely worshipped Or the soul is a spirituall invisible and immortall substance endued with power to understand and will this soul is at one instant both created and united to the body and by the power and faculties of the soul man is capable of happiness or of the the cheif good or greatest misery or thus the soul of the Saints is a spirituall and immortall substance created after the Image of God and renewed after the immortall Image of God in Christ the soul is a real and very being as the body is only of an higher kind the body is of the earth the soul is immediately from God Of Mans Fall THE devill himself being fallen cometh to the garden in the form of a Serpent Adam and Eve being in Paradise and looking upon themselves as indeed they were the most excellent piece of all the creation bearing the Image of God their Creator the Lord having left them a law he leaves them to the fredom of their own will the devil boards the woman thus hath God said ye shall not eat of such a tree it is a likely thing that the Lord cares what ye eat what do you think he stands upon an apple this is the first assault which the woman weakly resisteth and answered doubtfully we must not eat lest we die then the devil perceiving the woman to stagger and the ground of her faith to shake he plants all his pieces and purposes for a second storm and stands up and saith to the woman ye shall not die at all can there be any hurt in an apple Oh silly woman God he affirmeth and faith ye shall die the woman saith I must
multitude of mountains truly in the Lord our God only is the salvation of Israel Now that I my self and others that read these lines may be grounded rooted and established upon the true and only foundation is the desire and endeavour of my heart and soul In the ensuing Treatise and for the accomplishment of this great work which is of highest concernment let us first endeavour to unravell unmask and unbowel the Covenant of Grace and for our more orderly proceeding therein let us enquire into these particulars 1. What is the sum and substance of this new Covenant 2. With whom this Covenant was first made 3. When this Covenant was made 4. Whether there be any conditions of this Covenant and if so what they are 5. Whether it be one and the same Covenant of grace that was in force before the Law and under the Law and under the Gospel 6. Whether this Covenant may not be broken as was the Covenant of works 7. What means one should use to get into this Covenant 8. When may a man or woman be said to be in this Covenant 9. Wherein the Covenant of Grace and the Covenant of works do differ Question 1. What is the sum and substance of this Covenant of Grace or New Covenant Answ The Covenant of Grace is called a testament or will indeed the will of the Father revealed to the Son and by the Son revealed to the world to manifest the Fathers love unto the sons and daughters of men and testified to the world that what he declared was the mind of God and so sealed it with his blood Heb. 10. 29. So that his blood that he shed is called the blood of the Covenant yea of the everlasting Covenant Heb. 13. 20. Or The Covenant of grace is full of sure mercies and sweet promises that God will give a new heart a heart to know him and that he will write his Law within us put his fear into us cause us to walk in his statutes forgive our iniquities cleanse us from our filthiness be our God and make us his people Ezek. 36. and Jer. 31. This Covenant doth fall into these six parts viz. 1. It is a free Covenant 2. It is a full and compleat Covenant 3. It is a well ordered Covenant 4. It is a sure and firm Covenant 5. It is a peaceable Covenant 6. It is an everlasting Covenant 1. First it is a free Covenant 1. Because the foundation of it is free 2. Because it is freely given to those that do partake of it Isa 42. 6 Isa 49. 8. 3. Because there is no active condition required on our part Jer. 31. 33 34. 4. It is free in respect of his entring into Covenant with us Isa 65. 1. 5. It is free in respect of his performances of it Mich. 7. 20. 2. It is a full and compleat Covenant richly and plentifully stored with all sutable promises both for this life and that which is to come for soul and body being and well being there is some remedy in it for every malady 3. It is a well ordered Covenant 1. In respect of the Persons with whom it is made and that is first with Christ then with his seed 2. In respect of the promises and parts of the Covenant First God becomes our God then we become his people Jer. 32. 38. 3. In respect of manifestations he first reveals it and then seals it by his Spirit Ezek. 16. 8 9. 2 Tim. 1. 10. 4. In respect of the ends of it which is God the Father and the Sons glory in the riches and freeness of his Grace which should caution us not to darken the Glory of free Grace 4. It is a sure and firm Covenant founded upon that Rock Jesus Christ Isa 26. 4. Rom. 4. 16. Our salvation is by Grace to the end that the promises might be sure to all the seed Isa 55. 3. I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Now it is sure and firm 1. Because it is made by an Immutable God 2. He hath confirmed this Covenant with an oath Heb. 6. 17 18. 3. He hath sealed it with the blood of his Son Heb. 13. 20. 5. Fifthly It is a peaceable Covenant in this Covenant he doth freely give peace to the soul and so keeps the soul in peace the heart being stayed on him Isa 26. 3. In this Covenant there is a three-fold peace conveyed to the soul Eph. 2. 14. he is our peace who hath made both one 1. He is our peace with the Father 2. He gives peace of Conscience he stills and quiets that 3. He is the Author and cause of our peace with men 6. Sixthly It is an everlasting Covenant Jer. 3. 40. And I will make an everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear into their hearts that they shall not depart from me The motives that did move God to make this Covenant was his everlasting love the Righteousness upon which it is grounded is everlasting Righteousness In this Covenant is presented to us everlasting pardon everlasting kindness everlasting mercy everlasting joy and consolation and everlasting life and salvation all these are fully proved by these and the like Scriptures Psal 105. 8. Isa 40. 18. Heb. 8. 12. Isa 54. 8. 35. 10. 2 Thes 2. 16. What shall I say more to the nature of this Covenant it is sometimes called a New Covenant sometimes it is called a better Covenant as appears by Heb. 12. 24. compared with Heb. 8. 6. Sometimes it is called a Covenant of grace now by a New Covenant a better Covenant a Covenant of grace All serious Christians do understand the engagements which God hath laid upon himself to bestow on them for whom Christ died all good temporall spirituall and eternall blessings so that by this God doth make himself debtor to his people in Covenant with him and is bound in justice to perform his word and promise Now this Covenant is sometimes called a New Covenant because it succeeds in the place of the other Covenant of works and it is called a Covenant of grace because all the effects thereof do flow down to us meerly of free Grace and favour of God and the merits of Christ Zach. 9. 11. In the Covenant of Grace we may find the mouth of the Law stopped and all the accusations of Satan answered and the justice of God â—ully satisfied God will have all blessings and happiness to flow to us through and by the Covenant of Grace 1. That the worst of sinners may have strong ground of hope 2. For the praise of his own glory 3. That vain man may not boast 4. That our mercies and blessings may be sure to us our salvation is by grace saith Paul Rom. 4. 16. that the promises might be sure to us for if it in any sense depended upon works we could not be sure thereof Reader
3. Ye are clean through the word that I have spoken to you now the word doth purifie these severall wayes 1. As an antidote against sins Psal 119. 11. Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee 2. As a lamp discovering the spot Rom. 7. 7. I had not known sin but by the Law 3. As a star conducting to Christ the fountain of purifying 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. Zach. 13. 1. 4. As a rule according to which we are heedfully to order our conversation Psal 119. 9. wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way but by taking heed thereto according to thy word 5. As a motive in the precious promises of it 2 Cor. 7. 1. Having therefore these promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of â—â—esh and spirit The ninth thing to be considered of is this wherein doth the Covenant of grace and the Covenant of works differ FOR answer hereunto consider the vast difference between the Law and the Gospel viz. the Law affords not a drop of grace it bestows nothing freely the language of the Law is do thou and live if not die no work no wages but in the Gospel the yoak of personall obedience is translated from believers to their surety there is nothing for them to pay all that they have to do is to hunger and feed their happiness is free in respect of themselves though costly to Christ who by his merits hath purchased for them whatsoever they would obtain and by his Spirit worketh in them whatsoever he requires The First Covenant of works is old the Covenant of grace is new the first is the Law of the letter the second is the Law of the Spirit the first is a Law of death the second is a Law of life the first was wounding the second is healing the first a naturall law the second a spirituall law the first a law of types the second a law of substance the first was to be done away the second is to continue the first a Covenant of earthly blessings the second a Covenant of spirituall blessings the first was to stand for a time the second was to stand for ever Again this Covenant of grace doth differ from the Covenant of works in the universality and large extent of it the first Covenant requires a righteousness in us the second doth give and accept of a righteousness which is anothers and imputed to us It is true that Religion for the substance thereof was ever one and the same and unchangeable as appears Heb. 13. 8. Ephes 4. 5. Jude 3. Acts 26. 22. Tit. 1. 1 2. And so the word of God written by Moses and the Prophets did contain whatsoeever was needfull for the salvation of the Israelites Deut. 4. 2. 12. 32. Psal 1. 2. Mal. 4. 4. Hos 8. 12. Luk. 10. 26. But the in New Testament our Saviour made known unto his Disciples the last and full will or Covenant of his heavenly father Iohn 14. 26. 15. 15. 16. 13. 1. 18. and what they received of him they faithfully preached unto the world Acts 20. 27. 1 Cor. 15. 1 2. 3. Gal. 1. 8. 1 John 1. 3. And the sum of what they preached is committed to writing and left upon record for our learning Act. 1. 1 2. Joh. 20. 31. 1 Joh. 5. 13. Act. 8. 5. 1 Cor. 2. 2. Rom. 10. 8 9 10. The difference between the Covenant of works and the Covenant of grace may be reduced to these three heads 1. The first was a ministration of the letter a naked Commandment carrying with it no aptness disposition or ability to keep it 2. It breeds enmity and fear looking on God as a hard taskmaster and so fils the soul full of terrours 3. It is a ministration of death namely by the curse to them that keep it not But the Covenant of grace is a ministration of the Spirit requiring no more then what it promiseth to give In a word it is a ministration of the Spirit of love freedom and righteousness and of life for that it shews the guilty a righteousness to satisfie the Law and the way to obtain a Pardon 4. The first Covenant was made altogether upon condition on both sides the condition on Gods part was they should live the condition on mans part was he must do this but in this Covenant there is not any condition I mean in the Covenant of grace True it is could we justifie the Law by keeping it the Law would justifie us in and by that obedience to it But now the Law is become weak and unable to justifie any man though powerfull and strong enough to condemn every man 5. In the Covenant of works a man is left to stand by his own strength but in the Covenant of Grace God undertakes to keep us through faith to salvation 6. In the Covenant of works Gods highest end is the glorifying of his Justice and in the Covenant of grace it is to glorifie his grace The voice of the Covenant of works is like the first speech of Nathan to David Thou art the man the voice of the Covenant of grace is like his after-speech The Lord hath put away thy sin the voice of the Covenant of works is the soul that sinneth shall die Ezek. 18. In the Covenant of grace he saith Ezek. 33. 11. As I live saith the Lord I desire not the death of a sinner 7. There is help for such as break the Covenant of works but no help for such as make void the Covenant of grace The tenth thing to be enquired into is this what is Gods oraer and method that he generally makes us of to bring his people into the bond of the Covenant and to bestow the blessings of the Covenant upon them FIrst in the making up of the Covenant between God and us God is the first with us he is the first mover he begins with us before we begin with him we should never seek to be in Covenant with him if he did not first allure us and draw us invite us and intreat us Ezek. 20. 37. I will bring them saith the Lord into the bond of the Covenant it is the Lord that brings them they do not first offer themselves 1. God prepares his own way for entring into Covenant with us and then he finisheth the work and in this preparation he doth these three things 1. He breaks us of our Covenant with hell and death and makes us sensible of our undone estates makes us to see that we are without God without Christ without hope that we are not under mercy that we are not as yet of his people Eph. 2. 1 Pet. 2. 2. He opens to us his mind and will shewing himself willing to receive us to grace and to enter into a new Covenant with us yet again to take us to be his people and he to be our God and so he goes into the streets and open places as
should you make such a matter of sin by this Satan doth cause many a soul to turn the grace of God into wantonness but for a remedy herein consider that God is as just as he is merciful as the Scripture doth speak him out to be a very merciful God so they speak him forth to be a very just God witness his casting the Angels out of heaven his turning Father Adam out of Paradise his drowning the old world his raining fire out of heaven upon Sodom It is true his general mercy is over all his works but his special mercy is confined to those that he hath divinely qualified Exod. 34. 6 7. Psal 32. 10. Psal 103. 11. 8. This Doctrine is the most hardest thing in the world to be learned it being wholly in every part of it supernatural and all things in us do fight against it To do well and have well is natural but to believe and have well is supernatural man remaining in his natural state is altogether unable to receive and comprehend those glorious and gracious mysteries of being righteous by anothers righteousness and of being saved by anothers suffering all men both Jews and Gentiles are set upon seeking life and happiness by their own doings and performances for although man did fearfully fall by transgression yet he retained certain foot-steps marks and impressions of that moral and eternal Law of righteousness which was at first engraven in his heart by the finger of God Almighty So that although as to everlasting felicity man is dark and dead being under the power of the God of this world whose Kingdom is a Kingdom of darkness who rules in men by ignorance yet there remains in every man so much light as doth lead him to the knowledge of a God but when the Lord doth reveal this mysterie of his grace by his Spirit to and in man then he doth over and above that common work of the Spirit by which he enlighteneth every man I say Christ doth give unto those given him of the Father the mind and understanding to know him and to receive him and to lay hold on him for life and salvation Now in this sense the natural man perceiveth not the things of God 1 Cor. 2. 14. neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 1. 21. The world by wisdom knoweth not God c. Now this Doctrine of grace is the hardest thing in the world to be learned because we are naturally apt to hunger and thirst after a righteousness of our own but it must be renounced I confess this self denyal is very hard Oh how hard is it for the soul to be taken off its own bottom of works and qualifications and to strip them of all that is their own ye take away their lives they must and will have something some humbleness and brokenness of heart some tears some good works or abilities or good heart as many say and this doth argue as yet thou art not pluckt off thine own stock and therefore art not planted into Christ thou art ignorant of the righteousness of God and so goest about to establish thine own righteousness consider consider our works make us not the better before God neither the more beloved of the Lord but declare us to be what we are made by God and so are profitable to men but not to God But what saith the Scripture now to him that worketh is not the reward reckoned of grace but of debt but to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is accounted for righteousness Rom. 4. 2 3 4 5. We are saved not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace 2 Tim. 1. 9. Again we read Rom. 5. 10. When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son Isa 43. 25. I will blot out thy transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember thy sins a new heart also will I give thee Ezek. 36. 26 27 31. Again Isa 57. 18. I have seen his waies and will heal him Isa 44. 22. I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions return to me for I have redeemed thee Ezek. 16. 6 8. When thou wast polluted in thy own blood I said unto thee live when thou wast in thy blood thy time was the time of love and I covered thy nakedness Now consider the Lord doth this that he might have all the glory of our Election Vocation Justification Sanctification and Salvation See Eph. 1. 6. Jer. 9. 24. Rom. 3. 9. Luke 1. 74. 1 Cor. 4. 7. Iames 1. 17. And as this Doctrine is the hardest thing in the whole world to be learned so it is the hardest work where it is not learned to obey God in any of his commands to instance in one for all God doth command men every where to repent but is not repentance a mighty work a difficult work a work that is above our power Surely there is no power below that power that raised Christ from the dead and that made the world that can break the heart of a sinner or turn his heart It is as easie to turn the stream that runs swiftly forward and make it run as swiftly backward as it is to repent indeed and to melt thine own heart it is as easie to turn a flint into flesh as to turn thine own heart to the Lord it is as easie to raise the dead and make a world as to repent it is a flower that grows not in natures Garden Jer. 13. 23. Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the Leopard his spots then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evill But this work that is so difficult and so hard above our reach is easily wrought in the soul when God gives it to see his grace and love in giving Christ Act. 5. 31. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins Gal. 1. 8. If I or any other or an Angel of heaven preach any other Gospel then this that we have preached unto you then salvation and participation of Christ by grace and free gift for that is the Doctrine he had established before and through the whole Epistle to the Galathians What shall I say more there is nothing in men though never so vile that can debar a person or a people from a part in this Christ some will not have Christ except they can pay for him others dare not meddle with Christ because they are so vile and sinful and therefore they seek to get an inherent righteousness they run to their qualifications to their prayers to their tears to their humiliations and sorrows and reformations and will not come at Christ untill they have spent all upon these Physitians and are sensible with the woman in the Gospel that they are nothing the better but the worse then they begin
3. He hath sealed it with his own seal and so it is become as the Laws of the Medes and Persians which alter not 4. He hath sworn to make it good in every part of it Psal 89. 3 35. Heb. 6. 17 18. 5. He hath given us the vertues or earnest of the Spirit 2 Cor. 1. 22. 6 Christ the Mediator and Testator of it hath confirmed it by his own blood Heb. 9. 16 17 18. This Covenant is said to be everlasting First in respect of the promise made to Christ for us which was done before the foundation of the world Tit. 1. 2. Secondly as being to continue from everlasting to everlasting though the Covenant in respect of our own personal entring into it is made with us now in time and hath a beginning yet for continuance it is everlasting and without end it is never to be broken if once made in truth 2 Chron. 13. 5. It is called a Covenant of salt because it corrupteth not it faileth not as things that are salted use to last and continue hence it is that all the blessings of the Covenant are said to be everlasting forgiveness of sins is everlasting being once forgiven they are never remembred any more Jer. 31. 33. The peace and joy which comes thereby is everlasting your peace shall no more be taken from you and your joy is everlasting Isa 35. 10. Our salvation is an everlasting salvation Isa 45. 17. Our life is an everlasting life Joh. 3. 16. Several strong reasons why the Saints should walk holily notwithstanding the Covenant is free and justification is free and salvation it self is of grace not of works ALthough our qualifications doth not cause Gods love yet we might question whether God did love us if we were not qualified Some men will be ready to say if the Covenant of grace be thus every way free in those several particulars and if we are so freely justified by grace without works qualifications and conditions on our part we may live as we list c. To which give me leave to lay down the grounds and reasons why all men ought to walk holily and humbly in this present world and that for these ten strong reasons 1. Because the Lord hath commanded us in his word to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God Mic. 6. 8. 2. Because the Lord the Mighty God is glorified thereby Mat. 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in heaven 1 Pet. 2. 12. That they may by your good works which they shall behold glorifie God 3. Although the Covenant of grace is free and we are justified freely by grace yet we are to walk holily and without blame before him in love Ephes 1. 4. John 15. 16. Because it is the end of our election 4. Because it is the end of our Redemption 1 Pet. 1. 18. Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation but with the precious blood of Christ 2 Cor. 5. 15. He dyed for us that they which live should not live unto themselves but unto him which died for them 5. Because it is the end of our Vocation 1 Pet. 1. 15. But as he which hath called you is holy so be you holy in all manner of conversation 1 Thes 4. 7. God hath not called us unto uncleanness but unto holiness 6. Because it is the end of our Creation Eph. 2. 10. Created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them 7. Because if our conversation be not answerable to our profession we walk 1. Unworthy of God Col. 1. 10. and 1 Thes 2. 12. 2. Unworthy of the Gospel Phil. 1. 27. 3. Unworthy of our Vocation Ephes 4. 1. 8. The Saints should endeavour to out strip in all good things because they be the salt of the earth the light of the world a City set upon an hill that cannot be hid Mat. 5. 13 14. 9. Because of the great dishonour that we shall bring to God if we do not walk holily we cause his name to be blasphemed we crucifie Christ afresh and cause the way of truth to be evil spoken of and grieve the Saints and harden sinners c. 10. Because the end of our lives and the dissolution of the world is at hand Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness See 1 Pet. 4. 3. 2 Pet. 3. 11. I know no further reasons unless it be these that I shall but name viz. First it is the way in which God hath appointed men to walk in as in Ephes 2. 12. Secondly that we may declare our selves to be the children of our heavenly Father as in 1 Pet. 1. 14. and Mat. 5. 45. Thirdly that we may be profitable to our brethren Tit. 3. 8. compared with 1 Pet. 3. 1 2. Fourthly that we may adorn the Gospel and stop the mouths of wicked men who will condemn sin in a professour although they will approve of it and delight in it themselves Fifthly because God will give unto every man according to his works Mat. 16. 27. Sixthly a Christian should walk holily that so he might give a check convince and put to shame and silence ungodly men 1 Pet. 2. 15. For so is the will of God that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men I might had I time add some motives to these undeniable reasons to put those that read these lines upon holy walkings as First he that doth order his conversation aright shall see the salvation of the Lord Psal 50. 23. 2 Pet. 1. 11. For so an entrance shall be administred to you abundantly Secondly it will be a great incouragement to others to walk so too 2 Cor. 8. 7. compared with verse 3. Thirdly it will be very profitable to thy self not only afterwards but in the present tence Psal 19. 11. And in the keeping of them there is great reward Of sanctification or a holy conversation according to a Gospel Rule But in all our actions and holy walkings let us be sure we have an eye upon these three things viz. 1. We must act from a right ground or principle 2. We must act by a right rule by precept rather then from example 3. We must be sure we have right ends low base ends spoil the highest undertakings 1. We must act from a right ground or principle there be three principles from which men do act two of them are too low and beneath a true Christian to act from viz 1. A natural principle from which the Phylosophers and heathens did many commendable things 2. Many men act from a legal principle as the Papists Quaker and Arminian these do many things that are commanded but not as it is commanded and so with God not accepted
Christ and thou shalt be saved Now might not the Jaylor have replyed as many do now in our daies and say I can as well make a world work miracles overturn mountains as believe by mine own power therefore Paul and Silas why bid ye me believe To this I answer though it be true that every commard of God is alike difficult to flesh and blood that a man can indeed as well make a world as make a prayer aright a man may as well subdue an army of men as subdue one lust did not the Lord convey a power into the soul together with the command viz. If God command a man to believe and gives him power to believe the work will soon be done Ezek. 36. The Lord commands to make a new heart now a man is no more able to make a new heart then to make a new world therefore as we said before he promiseth in the same place to give a new heart and in another place it is said mortifie your lusts now this a man cannot do of himself but the same God that commands us to kill our lusts will kill them for us Micah 7. 18 19. He will subdue our iniquities and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depth of the Sea Again God commands us to repenâ— but we are no more able to repent or to shed one tear for sin then a rock is to give out water or we are no more able to repent then to turn the stream or to make a slint flesh till the Lord give us a repenting heart he hath promised to give repentance to his people So that the commands in Scripture doth not shew what the creature can do but what he should do yet not by our own natural power but by his assisting grace to enable us to do what of our selves we cannot do therefore we should pray with Saint Augustine Lord give what thou commandest and then command what thou pleasest To draw towards a conclusion to this point let me acquaint the Reader of what I have observed amongst all sorts of men with whom I have more or less conversed viz. First the Papist both in their writings and discourses cry up and press all people to be doing good works The Arminian his cosen Jerman pleads for the same and that almost if not altogether from the same principle to the same end the new upstart Quakers fals in and closeth with these old errors pressing people to do the thing that is commanded but not as it is commanded so many of our brethren of the Presbyterian party being in and under a spirit of bondage themselves preach the Law before the Gospel and put their hearers to act for life but not from life So also our brethren of the Independant party and those of the Baptist party many of them to my own knowledge do more mind the things they do for God in way of obedience to his commands then they do the principle from which the rule by which and the end to which they do it and when they have done it even these also are apt to lay too great a stress upon it So then the Papist freewiller Quaker Presbyterian Independant Baptist all these preach teach and cry out to all their hearers for a holy conversation nay to come a little nearer home the word of God cals upon us for it our own consciences call for it and check us for our remissness therein nay the Christians with whom we converse expect it from us what remains then but that we be found in the practices of it but let us beware we rest not upon it for as we are not to conclude our justification from any effects of sanctification so we are not to conclude that apprehension of justification to be from God which takes us off the means waies and rules of sanctification the Ranters error springs up in them for want of this distinction In a word to say no more duty is the matter of promise as well as Gods mercy as doth most clearly appear by these Scriptures 1 Cor. 2. 12. Ephes 2. 8. Phil. 1. 29. Acts 5. 31. Joh. 8. 32. And our holy conversation is not the cause of our salvation but the effect neither do I hold that there is any free will in man neither do I believe that any man hath or ever since the fall had any will or power of himself without God to do any thing that is good for in him as the Scripture saith we live move and have our being so that in through and by God and Christ we may do all things for he is a Sun and a shield and will give grace and glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that wait on him Psal 84. 11. Yet God hath given all men enough to leave them without excuse what man is there that knoweth not that if he make use of all the opportunities will power and understanding that God hath given him but he may avoid more evil and do more good then he hath done or doth now do Of Justification and Sanctification how they differ and wherein they agree GOD in Justification imputeth the righteousness of Christ to us in Sanctification his Spirit infuseth grace in us In Justification we read sin pardoned in Sanctification we read sin subdued the one doth free all Believers from the warth of God that they never fall into a state of condemnation the other neither equal in all nor in this life perfect in any but going on and growing up to perfection Again Justification and Sanctification differ thus to wit Justification is the imputing of anothers justice to us to wit Christ Sanctification is the impression of Justice that it may be in us In Justification there is satisfaction of Christ In Sanctification there is the obedience of a Christian Justification is a perfect and absolute undivided act at once Sanctification is a work begun not equal in all but carried on in all by degrees Justification is first Sanctification afterwards consisting in separation from sin filthiness and common pollution Justification and Sanctification are two inseparable companions where one doth dwell the other will lodge and as Election is the proper work of the Father as Eph. 1. 3 4. Redemption of the Son 1 John 2. 1 2. So Sanctification is the proper work of the Holy-Ghost 1 Cor. 6. 11. Now there are four things considerable to shew us wherein we are to keep our Justification and Sanctification distinct the one from the other 1. We are to keep Justification and Sanctification distinct in respect of the subject and matter of this which is not any thing in us or done by us but the personal and spotless righteousness of Jesus Christ made over to us 1 Cor. 1. 30. 2. It is our duty to keep up our Iustification distinct although it be not accompanied with Sanctification although there be failings in us the Prodigal in Luke 15. came and confessed his sin as a
believe and that believing we might have life through his name 1. The Scriptures of truth are the ground of Faith as they do give a man sufficient ground and warrant to believe whatsoever is contained in them this was the ground of Abrahams faith and of Davids faith remember the word upon which thou hast caused me to hope Psal 119. 49. 2. The Scriptures are the ground of Faith as it is a sure word as we are not to believe any thing that is not contained in Scripture so we need not doubt of any thing that is promised in them they are the faithful sayings of God 3. The Scriptures are the ground of Faith as it is a touchstone to try all doctrines by Isa 8. 20. John 5. 39. 4. They may be said to be the ground of Faith as they hold forth all things necessary to salvation and all things necessary to be believed Again they may be said to be the ground of Faith because in them the Lord doth command us to believe 1 Joh. 3. 23. Joh. 6. 29. Again in the Scriptures there are many solemn invitations to poor sensible sinners to come and take milk and wine and the water of life freely And many precious promises to those that do come with many examples left upon record how well those have sped that did come all these are grounds and encouragements to believe The Springs of Faith how God doth beget it in an unbeliever THere is no natural power in man to produce a cause within its self this great grace of Faith is no fruit of the wisdom of the flesh nor is it the birth of a corrupt will The immediate and sole cause of Faith is the Spirit of God He it is who is greater then the heart who can perswade and draw the heart and change and renew the Spirit There be means appointed by God which he doth ordnarily bless for the production of faith as he hath ordained means for the revelation of Christ so he hath sanctified means to lead the soul unto him to implant Faith 1. God lets the soul see that it is the command of God that he should believe and that faith is the gift of God without which we can do nothing acceptably it is through grace that men believe yet men are to use the means now the great and ordinary means by which God works faith in the hearts of men it is the preaching of the word See Act. 13. 48. When the Gentiles heard this they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord and as many as were ordained to life believed Rom. 10. 17. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God Ephes 1. 13. In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the Gospel of your salvation 2. The preaching of the word doth discover to the soul its extream misery and great need of Christ and makes him say men and brethren what shall I do to be saved 3. It is that which casteth down all the reasonings arguments and disputes of the mind against the conditions of Christ and renders all the terms of Christ upon which he will be taken as most equal fair and resonable 4. It is that which clears the way for the soul against all its fears and unbelieving doubts it layes before the sinner the freeness of Gods mercy the fulness of Christs Redemption the willingness on Christs part to accept of him 5. It is that sets the soul in a patient expectation to lie at the Pool for ever to attend the assemblies of the Saints and to enquire in his Temple till the soul can take a close with Christ by true believing 6 Means to get faith take one promise and charge that upon the heart and if the heart be stubborn and will not yeild then take another if that will not do then take another and lay that home upon the heart and never leave this work till you have gotten some smal measure of Faith 7. Make as much conscience of those commands that require you to believe as you do of those commands that do require you to hear read and meditate and pray Lastly consider for thy encouragement that blessed text Psalm 147. 11. The Lord taketh pleasure in those that hope in his Mercy See Psalm 33. 18. The Impediments Lets and Hinderances of Faith AS the Eunuch said to Philip here is water what hinders me that I may not be baptized so may I say to my self and others here in the Gospel is Christ set out to the life here are arguments fair enough to draw on our souls to Christ what hinders that we do not believe and receive Christ The first impediment to the getting of Faith is gross ignorance whatsoever is contrary to knowledge the same is contrary to Faith the soul must have light for all its motions for the eye to see and the understanding to perceive and for the heart to embrace those ignorances that is a hindrance to faith fals in these three parts 1. They are ignorant of their own sinful condition 2. They are ignorant of Gods just disposition towards them 3. They are ignorant of Christ and all his excellencies what he is God or man or both they know not him in both his natures neither in his Offices Actions Passion Benefits Vertues they understand not how God hath manifested love in Christ to what end he was made man what is in him more then in any other Alas they think not of these things Now how is it possible for the soul to believe or to be perswaded to believe in Christ or to labour for this precious faith which is a stranger to it self to God to Christ 2. A second impediment of Faith is a vain confidence of natural righteousness this was it which kept off many of the Pharisees the text saith that they trusted to their own righteousness they being ignorant of Gods righteousness and going about to establish their own rigteousness have not submitted to the righteousness of God Rom. 10. 3 6. 3. A third impediment of faith is the honour of the world how can you believe saith Christ which receive honour one from another John 5. 44. again Mat. 19. 22. He went away sorrowful without faith for he had great earthly possessions John 7. 48. Have any of the Pharisees believed on him Motives to believe or divers Arguments from Jesus Christ himself to perswade us to believe 1. OUR Lord Christ doth lay his command upon us John 14. 1. ye believe in God believe also in me John 6. 29. this is the work of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent 1 John 3. 23. this is his Commandment that we believe on the name of the Son of God even Jesus Christ 2. The second motive is or may be thus consider that Christ plainly saith that he that will not believe shall be damned John 3. 18 36. Excellency prevails much with an ingenious nature and necessity with the worst
heaven of heavens could not contain should be cradled in a Manger and from his cradle to his Cross his whole life was a life of sorrows Oh that the Judge of all flesh should be condemned the Lord of Life put to death that he that was crowned with honour and glory should be crowned with thorns That that face that was white and ruddy should be spit upon by the beastly Jews and that tongue that spake as never man spake should be accused of blasphemy That those hands that swayed the Scepter and feet that were as fine brass should be nailed to the Cross He was tempted by the Devil reviled by the High Priests branded for a Babler Wine-bibber and Sabbath-breaker and Blasphemer all this he suffered for us out of love to us shall we not love him his true love to us will be satisfied with nothing but love again This is another Spring of love Of the Tryals of Love how it may be known WE read 2 Cor. 2. 8. And to prove the sincerity of your love if the Lord will this shall be my work in few words to lay down those spiritual experimental signs of this sincere unfeigned fervent love 1. The first character of this grace of love is this true love will be satisfied with nothing but love again what doth all avail as long as we may not see the Kings face 2. Those whom we love we often think upon our thoughts fasten on them Psalm 139. 17 18. How precious are the thoughts of thee unto me O God how great is the sum of them when I awake I am still with thee So that sleeping or waking his mind runs upon him try thy love of God by this if thou think not often of God thou lovest him not but if thou canst not satisfie thy self with profits pleasures friends and other worldly objects but thou must turn other businesses aside that thou mayest daily think of God then thou lovest him 3. Those whom we love we will not willingly offend no bars are so strong as love Sooner will the servant offend his master the son his father the wife her husband the subject his Protector then him whom he spiritually loves Friendship binds faster then any authority Jonathan will offend his natural Father rather then his spiritual brother David Joseph will offend his mistress rather then his God c. 4. Those whom we love we acquaint with our grievances and lay open our miseries to their bosoms their counsel we ask and from them we look for help 2 Chron. 20. 12. Jehoshaphat being opposed by his enemies to whom comes he to complain to none but to God whom he loved to whom comes Hezekiah 2 Kings 19. 14 15. to complain against Rabshakeh and Sennacherib to none but to God to whom went David to complain of the bitter words of Cush the Benjamite to none but unto God whom he loves Psalm 7. 1. O Lord my God in thee do I put my trust save me from all them that persecute me c. 5. Those we love we take any small token kindly from them a pin from a friend is more esteemed then a pound from an enemy 6. Those whom we love we are willing to suffer or endure any thing for Iacob Gen. 29. 20. endured a tedious service for Rachel and it seemed but a few daies to him because he loved her so Pauls love to Christ made him not care for the passionate speeches nor affectionate tears of his friends he loved Christ more then either of them Acts 21. 13. compared with Iohn 21. 15. 7. Those whom we love we can bear any thing that comes from them we can endure their reproofs and their corrections the child can be contented to be struck by the Father that would not not take a blow of another Psalm 39. 9. I was dumb I opened not my mouth because thou didst it 8. That love that we bear to the people of God is a sure token of our love to God the image of God is graven in them and they that love God love those images of him that himself hath stamped and the more like they are to God the more they love them But not to love them is delivered as a note of the children of the Devil 1 John 3. 10. He that loveth not his brother is not of God 1 Iohn 4. 7. He that loveth not his Brother abideth in death See 1 Iohn 4. 20. 9. Those that we love we shall be often speaking of and praising them Psalm 47. 6. As he abounded in love to God so he abounded in praising him Sing praises to God sing praises sing praises to our King and see ver 7. What shall I say more doth thy heart stir after Christ art thou sick of love grieved if he be absent glad if present art thou very diligent to obtain the thing beloved love cannot abide delaies but would presently enjoy the thing loved love desires no wages but love again true love will constrain you to please him and put such necessity upon you to obey him that you cannot chuse but do it in some good measure 2 Cor. 5. 14. 10. And lastly with the love of God is alwaies joyned the hatred of sin Revelat. 2. 6. Thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans which I also hate The love of God and the love of sin cannot dwell intensively at the same time in the same heart for the love of the one will prove the hatred of the other Mat. 6. 24. Jam. 4. 4. So love to God casts out servile fear 1 Iohn 4. 18 19. there is no fear in love but perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment he that feareth is not â—â—de perfect in love love casteth out a sinful servile slavish fear whereby we slavishly fear either God or the creature Rom. 8. 15. Mat. 10. 28. this is the fear that true love casts out 1. Is this love of God shed abroad in thine heart by the Holy Ghost hast thou an experimental taste of Gods love Rom. 5. 5. 2. Hath this love of God effectually regenerated and renewed thee by the Spirit Titus 3. 4 5 6. 3. Hath this love of God adopted thee that thou art numbered amongst the sons of God 1 Iohn 3. 1 2. 4. Hath this love of Christ satisfied thee and made thee holy Col. 3. 12. 5. Hath this love of Christ brought thee to live the life of Faith Gal. 2. 20. 6. Doth this love of God and Christ sweetly constrain and even compell thee to be cheaâ—â—ully serviceable to him in thy place and calling 2 Cor. 5. 13 14 15 16. Of the Properties of this true Love 1. WHere there is love to God and faith in Christ it makes the soul long for and earnestly desire the appearing of Christ 2 Tim. 4. 8. There is a Crown of righteousness laid up for all them that love his appearing as when we love any we love their presence It is true sometimes good men are afraid to die
2. He gives repentance which is a flower that grows not in natures garden Jer. 13. 23. The Ethiopian cannot change his skin nor the Leopard his spots and that he doth give repentance as a gift to his doth appear by these Scriptures Acts 5. 31. 2 Tim. 2. 25. 3. He gives his Spirit Rom. 5. 5. 1. John 3. See Iohn 14. 26. 4. 13. 4. He gives a soul skill to lay hold upon and sweetly to apply the precious promises to himself 5. He gives peace Iohn 14. 27. My peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you 6. He doth give pardon of sins and that pardon of sins is a gift will appear Acts 5. 31. Acts 26. 18. compared with Psal 32. 1 2. 7. He doth give grace Iohn 1. 16. of his fulness we shall receive grace for grace 8. And lastly He gives himself Rom. 8. 32. he that hath given us his son how shall he not with him also give us all things In a word the Lord doth give his people spiritual and heavenly gifts pure gifts wine without water light without darkness gold without dross See Rev. 22. 1. James 3. 17. He gives soul-satisfying gifts most permanent and lasting and most useful gifts I had intended to have written something of the difference between Common and Special gifts and of the vast difference between the gifts that Christ gives and those the world gives But my Book I see would then swell too big c. I shall to this add but this word Christ doth voluntarily and freely give these gifts and graces never did a mother more willingly give her child suck then Jesus Christ bestows grace upon his people Isa 55. 1. Rev. 22. 17. So much of the graces gifts and vertues of the Spirit we shall now come to speak of the Ordinances of the Gospel in which these gifts and graces must and ought to be exercised I shall speak of ten or eleven of them which are standing Ordinances remaining to this day in full force and vertue Of the several Ordinances of the Gospel 1. OF the Assembling of our selves together 2. Of preaching and prophecying and attentive hearing 3. Of joynt prayer and supplication 4. Of singing and praising God together 5. Of the Ordinance of Baptism 6. Of the Lords Supper or breaking of bread 7. Of Collections for the poor 8. Of Reading the Scriptures 9. Of Admonition private and publick 10. Of Suspention 11. Of Excommunication First of the Ordinance of Assembling our selves together THE Church of God is in Scripture resembled to a natural body wherein are many members united to each other and to one head by one Spirit now in order to this union we are to assemble our selves together in obedience to that great command Heb. 10. 25. Not for saking the assembling of your selves together as the manner of some is Psal 122. 1. I was glad when they said unto me Let us go unto the house of the Lord. Those Saints that are assembled together according to a Gospel institution are a communion of Saints arising from a cleaâ— apprehension of their union with Christ and his members 1 Cor. 12. 13 14. For by one Spirit we aâ—e all Baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit for the body is not one member but many members Ver. 20. For now are they many members but one body Now when a man comes to see that every one in whom the Lord Jesus appeareth is a member together with him in the same body whereof Christ is the head then his heart longeth to joyn himself in fellowship with such who have fellowship with the Father and the Son 1 John 1. 3. And so goes out by the foot-steps of the flock and propounds himself to the Church and puts himself upon the tryal of the truth of that work of grace in his heart So that a Church is at first gathered by the word preached and faith received of them that hear it Mat. 28. 19 20. but to come to particulars I shall according to my measure speak or write of the Ordinance of assembling under these two heads 1. As it relates to those that are converted but never as yet joyned to any Church of Christ 2. As it relates to those that are converted and joyned to the Church of Christ 1. As it relates to those that are converted but never as yet joyned to any Church of Christ in order let them consider that it is their duty to propound themselves to and endeavour to joyn with the Church For first the Lord in his Word doth command it And secondly the example of the primitive Saints whose foot-steps we are to follow doth call for it and therefore you no sooner read of a people converted but the next news they were baptized and added to the Churches and good reason why because God commands us not to forsake the assembling of our selves together And secondly although our being depends not upon our joyning with a Church of Saints yet our well-being doth much depend upon it If any ask how or by what means is a Church at first gathered I would say to them again What is written how readest thou you are to observe no other Rule means or way then what is either exprest implyed or included in the holy Scriptures of truth where we may find out the right Ordinanâ—es Ministry and Government The right Constitution of a Church of Christ or the way at first to gather a Church 1. LET seven eight nine or ten or more of those men that are most sound in the Faith and most unblamable in their lives and conversation appoint one day to fast and pray together and earnestly seek unto God for his direction herein and toward the end of the day let them one by one give an account of the work of grace upon their hearts and of the hope that is in them and then give your selves up to the Lord and one to another by the will of God with no other Covenant then this to endeavour as God shall enlighten and enable you to walk together in the appointments Ordinances and institutions of Christ the head of the Church exprest implyed and contained in the Scriptures of truth which you take to be your rule c. 2. In the end of this meeting appoint your next meeting both time and place expecting the presence of Christ with you to assist and teach you according to his promise Mat. 18. 20. See the assemblies Annotations on this verse 3. You having proceeded thus far you may look upon your selves as a Church of Christ in its infancy and when other Christians by the word preached and Faith received desire to joyn with you in this or the next meeting let their names be propounded which being done let the brethren appoint a meeting to confer with them about the time when the place where the manner how the Lord did first appear
to them in a powerful conviction conversion and regeneration or something equivolent thereunto and if they give such an account of the work of grace upon their hearts as doth satisfie the brethren that the Lord hath begun a work in this creature that he hath promised to finish as in Phil. 1. 6. Then you are to proceed to a second question being as before satisfied in the first that the party is a hewed and squared stone and a living stone fit for the spiritual building in the next place enquire of the said party that desires to joyn with you what is his or her grounds and ends in desiring fellowship with you and if you find that their grounds be in obedience to the command of God 2 Cor. 6. 17 18. Rev. 18. 4. and their ends be that they might enjoy God in all his ordinances and have a fellowship with those that have fellowship with the Father and the Son as in 1 John 1. 3. that is being united by Faith to Christ and his members he may pertake of his grace and spiritual life from him and by him be united to God the Father and have communion with him Joh. 17. 21. compared with Heb. 2. 11. All that are admitted must put themselves upon the rest and be received by consent for the Church is Christs kingdom now the matter or subjects of Christs kingdom they are believers gathered out of the world by the preaching of the Gospel and the powerful Ministry of the Spirit Mark 1. 15. and Mar. 16. 15 16. Act. 2. 44. hence it is that the Church in Scripture are frequently called Saints and holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling the house of God and Temple of the holy Ghost the houshold of Faith born from above of the Spirit that they might worship God in Spirit and in truth they were darkness but now are light Ephes 5. 8. They were lost but now found were dead but now are alive they before had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy were not a people but now are a people of the living God the Father disdains not to count them his sons and daughters the Son is not ashamed to call them brethren the Holy Ghost is pleased to make them his temple to dwell in all which discovers and confirms that the Church of Christ are and ought to be a spiriritual building made up of spiritual stones 1 Pet. 2. 5. Now if any professor hang back and seek not to joyn with the Church of Christ only because he will not be examined before the Church in the particulars before mentioned then let me ask that man or woman child or servant how it is that you are unwilling to venture your estate in this world without first advising with a Lawyer and thou wilt advise with Physitians about thy bodily health but will adventure their souls upon their own judgement and tryal without taking the advice of the Church of Christ is thy soul less precious to thee then thy body or thy estate if thou hast truth of grace why wilt thou not bring it to the touchstone and come to examination if no grace why wilt thou refuse the way and means to get it surely thou dost neglect this way either 1. Our of ignorance and pride because thou wilt not have thy ignorance discovered 2. Or else it is from a prophane spirit of opposition against all the wayes of Christ held forth in the Gospel See thy doom Luk. 19. 14 27. 4. The Church being thus planted and the number thereof increased If you find some qualified you ought to proceed to elect your Officers the Church being a most free Corporation under Christ the Lord Ephes 2. 19. She is in all reason and equity to chuse her Officers and Ministers 1 Cor. 12. 27 28 c. Unto whom also she is to give assistance obedience and maintainance 1 Tim. 5. 17 18. 1 Cor. 9. 7 9. compared with Heb. 5. 4 5. 2 Cor. 4. 5. Now that these Officers of the Church appointed by Christ are to have their outward calling from the Church whereof they are members for the present and unto whom they are to adminster will fully appear by these few reasons 1. Because the Apostles who taught only Christs commandments so directed the Churches Act. 1. 23. Act. 6. 1 2 3 5. Act. 14. 23. 2. Because the people amongst whom they have been conversant can best judge of their fitness both in respect of their gifts and graces 3. Because it furthereth much the diligence and faithfulness of the Minister that they whose Minister he is have freely chosen him as unto whom under Christ they commit the most precious treasure of their soul Heb. 13. 17. Also it binds the people to greater love and obedience to him or them whom themselves have made choice of But if any of the officers so elected by the Church be found unfaithful in his place he is by the Church to be warned to take heed to his Ministry he hath received Col. 4. 17. to fulfil it which if he neglect to do by the same power which set him up he is to be put down and deposed Now if any ask how many are the officers or offices in the Church I answer there are five besides the extraordinary offices of Apostles Prophets and Evangelists for the first planting of the Churches which are ceased with their extraordinary gifts c. 1. First there is or ought to be the Pastor to whom is given the gift of wisdom for exhortation Ephes 4. 11. 2. The teacher to whom is given the gift of knowledge for Doctrine Rom. 12. 8. 1 Cor. 12. 8. 3. The governing Elder who is to Rule with diligence Rom. 12. 8. 1 Tim. 5. 17. 4. The Deacon who is to receive and distribute the holy treasure with simplicity and sincerity 1 Tim. 3. 10. Act. 6. 1 3. 5. The widdow or Deaconess who is to attend the sick and impotent with compassion and chearfulness 1 Tim. 5. 3 9 10. Rom. 16. 1. All these are useful and necessary and these alone sufficient for the Church as being the most perfect society and body of Christ which neither faileth in that which is necessary nor exceedeth in any thing superfluous so they are united and compacted together by that one Spirit to the Lord and each to other to the edifying of its self in love Ephesians 4. 3 4. and 16. In the want or in the absence of any of these servants of the Church the Church hath power to appoint any one or more of her members for the present necessity to supply the room or absence of her officer or officers 2. But then in the next place for those that are united to a Church of Christ let them beware that they forsake not the assembling of themselves together as the manner of some is Hebrews 10. 25. And again consider the danger of drawing back Hebrews 10. 38. Now if any man draw back my soul shall have
no pleasure in him Again Luke 9. 62. And Jesus said unto him no man having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God Surely those that fall off from a true Church of Christ and persevere therein to the end shall hear Christ say to them as in Luke 19. 27. But those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring them hither and slay them before me How dreadful is this sin of falling off First it is sharply threatned of God Proverbs 14. 14. Heb. 10. 38 39. Secondly this sin is severely plagued Matthew 12. 43 44 45. compared with 2 Pet. 2. 20 21 22. Again See 1 John 2. 19. They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us These were once in the Church but never truly of the Church for then they would have persevered their apostacy therefore doth evidence their hypocrisie false rotten professors will and in all ages hath thus apostatized The wind blows not away the wheat but the chaff c. And so much of the first Ordinance of assembling our selves together Of the Ordinance of preaching who they are that ought to preach the manner how the time when the place where the persons to whom how this gift of preaching may be obtained and whether the Minister may receive mony for preaching how to remember and a rule to try all doctrines by 1. Of the Ordinance of preaching THat preaching and prophesying is a standing Ordinance of God will at large appear if we consider these and the like Scriptures 2 Tim. 4. 2. Preach the word be instant in season and out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long suffering and Doctrine Mat. 28. 19 20. compared with Mark 16. 15. And he said unto them go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved The business of preaching is to make new creatures and to turn Lions into Lambs the Preacher is but an instrument in the hand of God to make an unbeliever to believe he is Gods workmanship Ephes 2. 10. An ax makes no Artificial thing but by influence from the Artificer neither doth a pen write but by his help that handles it So Preachers and preaching is but instrumental in the hand of the Spirit to make you Christs 2 Cor. 3. 2. They may be only called Ministers by whom the people believe God was mighty by Peter and Paul Gal. 2. 8. Ministers are but the Rams horns but God throws down the wals of Jericho Mens hearts are as the everlasting doors but God opens them as he did Lydia's or else all the preaching will be in vain Who they are that ought to preach the Gospel THose to whom the Lord hath given the Word Psalm 68. 11. The Lord gave the Word and great was the company of those that published it But principally those are to preach open and apply the Scriptures that are set apart by the Church or Churches to that work of the Pastor and Teacher who by the Word of life are to feed the Flock over which they are the over-seers Acts 20. 28. Titus 1. 5. But in the exercise of prophesie such as are not in office in the Church may exercise their gifts to speak unto edification exhortation and comfort after the publick ministry by the Teachers and under their direction and moderation whose duty it is if any thing be obscure to open it if doubtful to clear it if unfound to refute it if imperfect â—o supply what is wanting See 1 Cor. 14. 3 29 30 31. If any say farther how is that exercise proved in the Scripture I answer 1. By the example in the Jewish Church where men though in no office either in Temple or Synagogue had liberty publickly to exercise their gifts as doth clearly appear by the Scriptures Luke 2. 42 46 47. Luke 4. 16 17 18. Acts 8. 4. 11. 19 20 21. chap. 13. 14 15 16. chap. 18. 24 25 26. 2. It will yet farther appear by this commandment of Christ and his Apoâ—â—les Luke 9. 10. Luke 10. 1. 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. 1 Cor. 14. 1 5 30 31. 3. It will further appear by the prohibiting of women to teach in the Church hereby liberty being given unto men their husbands or others 1 Cor. 14. 34 35. 4. This will yet more fully appear by those most excellent ends which by these means are to be obtained as 1. The glory of God in the manifestation of his manifold graces See 1 Pet 4. 10 11. 2. That the gifts of the Spirit in men be not quenched 1 Thes 5. 19 20. Quench not the spirit despise not prophesying that is stop not the motions of the spirit in your selves nor restrain the gifts thereof in others 3. For the fitting and tryal of men for the Ministry 4. For the preserving pure the Doctrine of the Gospel which is more indangered if some one or two alone may only be heard and speak Act. 2. 42. 5. For the debating and satisfying of doubts if any do arise Act. 13. 15. 6. For the edifying of the Church and conversion of others always provided 1. That he speak not as one that hath any authority over them but as a fellow member 2. That he have the gift of prophesie to speak as an Oracle of God to edification exhortation and comfort 1 Cor. 14. 3. 3. That he speak not in opposition to nor in any way undervaluing of those that are set apart by the Church as Officers over them for they are called to the greatest and weightiest employment in the world Yea such an employment that would certainly break the backs not only of the best and strongest men but even of the very Angels should not God put under his everlasting arms No labour to that of the mind no travel to that of the soul those that are faithful in the Lords vineyard no doubt find it so and so with Paul often say who is sufficient for these things I have read of Luther that he would often say that if he were again to chuse his calling he would dig or do any thing rather then take upon him the office of a Minister Of the manner how the Preacher is to preach 2 Cor. FOR we are not as many which corrupt 2. 17. the word of God but as of sincerity but as of God in the sight of God speak we in Christ 1 Cor. 2. 4. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of mans wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power Their work is to make dark things plain not plain things dark and obscure It is most observable concerning God the Father who is the great Master-piece of speech when he spake from heaven he makes use of three
Apostles but the Gospel is to be preached chiefly and mainly but the Law accidentally and occasionally as will more fully appear in the following discourse Which is first to be preached the Law or the Gospel THis is the Commission and message of Christ Mark 16. 15. Go and preach the Gospel And it was the practice both of Christ and his Apostles to preach the Gospel in the first place First we find it to be the practice of Christ as for example our Saviour Mat. 5. 3. to the 12. he pronounced nine blessings of the Gospel in his Sermon on the mount before he spake one word of the Law So Mat. 4. 23. We read that Jesus went about aâ—l Galilee teaching in their Synagogues and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom c. So likewise it was the practice of the Apostles viz. we read of Paul 1 Cor. 2 2. That he determined to know or make known nothing amongst the Corinthians save Jesus Christ and him crucified Hence Ministers are called the Ministers of the New Testament 2 Cor. 3. 6. And in another place they are called the Ministers of Christ and of righteousness because they did preach the Gospel in the first place So again Paul when he came to the Corinthians 1 Cor. 15. 3. He delivered unto them first of all that which he also received how that Christ dyed for our sins according to the Scriptures which was plain and pure Gospel So again Paul and Sylus upon the first question propounded unto them by the keeper of the prison Acts 16. 31. They exhort and teach him to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and good reason because believing was to be taught before doing Heb. 11. 6. Tit. 3. 8. without faith it is impossible to please God and those that had believed in Christ should be carefull to maintain good works So again Peter in Act. 2. before he spake of the Jews crucifying of Christ he did preach the free and blessed Gospel to them Object 1. But I have heard some of our brethren of the Presbyterian Congregations object against this truth and say how can men come to see the want and need of Christ if the Law be not first preached Answ It is supposed that all men do look upon themselves as sinners and acknowledge themselves to be sinners although they have not such a particular and sensible conviction theâ—eof and so the work of the Minister is not so much to shew men the need of Christ first but rather the love of God in giving Christ John 3. 16. and to shew and set forth the riches of Christs grace to sinners in general Romans 5. 8. Object 2. But is it not the first work of the Spirit to convince men of sin John 16. 8. Answ By sin in that place is meant the sin of unbelief Of sin saith he because they believe not on me ver 9. and this sin is not convicted by the Law For that which doth not command Faith cannot discover the sin of unbelief or else consider the Gospel was preached to these people before and they would not believe nor embrace that Gospel but continue under the Law and so the Law is to be preached to them Object 3. If the Law be not to be preached first when and to whom is the Law to be preached Answ 1. The Law is to be preached after the Gospel unto such as do not imbrace the Gospel and yet justifie themselves as the Jews did and that think by their misunderstanding the Law that they keep the Law thus Christ did preach the Law Mat. 5. from 21. to the end 2. The Law is to be preached to those that would make it void and null and of no effect 3. The Law is to be preached and taught unto men after they do believe so far as it doth teach Believers their duty towards God and Christ and their neighbour but the duties and commands of the Law are not â—o be urged to Christians upon any other ground thâ—n upon that ground which Christ himself did urge them John 14. 15. If ye love me keep my commandment Titus 3. 8. These things I will that thou affirm constantly that they that have believed in Christ be careful to maintain good works Much more might be said to prove this point How the Gift of preaching may be obtained SUrely it is the Lords work to furnish and enable a soul to this great work 2 Cor. 3. 5 6. not that we are sufficient of our selves but our sufficiency is of God who hath made us able ministers of the New Testament So again Eph. 1. 1. Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ by the will of God Gal. 1. 11 12. But I certifie you Brethren that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man for I neither received it of man neither was I taught it but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ Now the Lord doth hand forth this gift to his servants many times in use of means First prayer Secondly reading the Scriptures 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto every good work Thirdly meditation 1 Tim. 4. 15. Meditate upon these things give thy self wholly to them that thy profiting may appear to all The fourth and last means to be used to attain this gift is studying 2 Tim. 2. 15. Study to shew thy self approved unto God a work-man that needeth not to be ashamed but be sure that thou dost study more Scripture mysteries then humane Histories 1. In each text consider the coherence occasion circumstance and order of the words 2. Consider the denomination of the text as whether it be a Precept Exhortation Threatning Promise Petition Deprecation Similitude Parable c. and that to be insisted upon only which is most agreeable to the principal immediate scope of the holy Ghost in that text then you are to consider of the method that so you may teach clearly convict strongly and perswade powerfully and that you may so do consider the chief parts of a Sermon are these three 1. Explication 2. Confirmation 3. Application Each of these may be further branched and subdivided Then come to the dividing of the Text and there be not too curious for it must not be divided needless or obscure From the division of the words come to the Doctrines which must be deduced from it clearing their inferences shewing their latitude according to their several branches and degrees then come to the confirmation by positive proofs from Scripture the text being divided and the doctrines raised then you come to the reasons which should be such as may tend to convince the judgement the particular heads from whence the reasons are deduceable are these 1. The Necessity 2. The Equity Which are capable of many subordinate branches Then come to application which is either 1. Doctrinal for our
all the Attributes of God the justice of God as well as the mercy of God the holiness of God as well as the grace of God which doth teach us piety towards God and Charity towards men according to Scripture rule that doctrine is true 3. That doctrine that doth teach us to bottom upon Christ alone for Salvation and not upon our own works or qualifications that must needs be true 4. That doctrine that tendeth to the informing of the judgement and reforming the heart and conform the life to the whole will of God that doctrine is true and good 5. That doctrine that doth lead out by the footsteps of the Flock to teach us to have respect to all the ordinancesto seek for and to keep all the commands of God that doctrine is true 1 Chron. 28. 8. Of Prayer and Supplication another standing ordinance of the Gospel 1. OF the nature of it what it is 2. Whom we must pray to 3. For whom we are to pray 4. What extraordinary prayer is 5. The necessity of Prayer 6. The posture to be used in Prayer 7. The place where we are to pray 8. The time in which we are to pray 9. Motives to encourage us to pray 10. Means to be used to obtain the Gift of Prayer 11. Hinderances of Prayer 12. Several sorts of prayer never answered 13. How many wayes doth the Lord answer Prayers 1. Of the nature of it what Prayer is Prayer is a speaking to God face to face wherein we speak to him in Faith Humility Sincerity and Fervencie of Spirit it is Jacobs Ladder by which a soul climbs up to Heaven and it is Noahs dove that goeth forth and returns not till it brings an answer of peace Or prayer is a calling upon God alone in the name of Christ by the help of the Holy Ghost or it is the earnest request of an humble and sanctified Heart together with thanksgiving in behalf of our selves and others with assurance to be heard in what we pray for according to the will of God Phil. 4. 6. Rom. 8. 26. Psal 50. 15. Eph. 6. 18. 1 John 5. 14. James 1. 6. Or Prayer is a Familiar speech with God in the name of Christ 1 John 5. 14. Opening the desires of our hearts unto him and a pouring out of the heart before him for the things we need Psal 50. 15. Jer. 33. 3. Lam. 2. 19. Or prayer is a spiritual gift and grace of the holy Ghost teaching us both what to pray for and how to pray enabling us to pour out our souls unto the Lord with sighs that cannot be uttered Psal 62. 8. Rom. 8. 26. Psalm 145. 18. the Lord is nigh to all them that call upon him in truth Heart and tongue must go together word and work lip and life prayer and practice must eccho one to the other it is not the greatness of the voice nor the multitude of words nor the sweetness of the tone nor the studied notions nor the Eloquent expressions but truth in the inward parts that is prevalent with God now the properties of effectual prayer are these 1. That we pray understandingly 1 Cor. 14. 15. I will pray with the Spirit and I will pray with Understanding 2. That we pray earnestly and importunately James 5. 16. compared with Luke 11. 8. 3. That we pray constantly Luke 18. 1. Men ought alwaies to pray and not to faint See Luke 21. 36. Watch ye therefore and pray alwayes 4. We should pray in Faith without wavering James 16. 5. In truth without faining Psal 145. 18. Psal 17. 1. 6. We should pray in humility without swelling Luke 18. 13. 7. We should pray in zeal without cooling Jam. 5. 16. 8. We should pray with resolution to use all good means for the obtaining the things we pray for c. The Heart may pray without the tongue with fruit and feeling 1 Sam. 1. 10. But the tongue without the heart is nothing but vain babling Whom we are to pray unto SUrely we are to pray to God alone and to none other for he alone as the great Searcher of all hearts heareth the voice and knoweth the meaning of the Spirit of Prayer Psalm 25. 2. Rom. 8. 27. Jehosaphat oppressed by his enemies to whom goes he to complain to none but unto God 2 Chron. 20. 12. To whom went David to complain of the bitter words of Cush the Benjamite to none but unto God Psalm 7. 1. O Lord my God in thee do I put my trust save me from all them that persecute me and deliver me He alone is able to grant whatsoever we demand Eph. 3. 20. Wherefore seeing he alone hears all prayers heals all Sinners knows all Suiters Jer. 31. 18. 2 Chron. 7. 14. 1 Chron. 28. 9. Psal 44. 21. He alone hath love enough to pity all and power enough to relieve all our wants and necessities to him alone we are to pray and to none other Mat. 11. 28. Thus we must pray only to God in the only name and for the only sake of his Son our Lord Jesus Christ the alone Mediator between God and man 1 Tim. 2. 5. For whom we are to pray FIrst for all men 1 Tim. 2. 1. even our enemies Mat. 5. 44. because they bare the common Image of God Jam. 3. 9. So that we are to pray for all sorts and degrees of men especially publike persons as rulers and such as are in Authority 1 Tim. 2. 2. and for Ministers that watch over our souls Ephes 6. 19. Col. 4. 3. So also we are to pray for our selves us and ours for all things that we want either for soul or body that doth concern our being or well being And if we be not answered at the present or in the same kind that we desire 2 Cor. 12. 9. yet sooner or latter we are sure to receive even above that we are able either to ask or think if we continue with constancy patience and importunity to seek unto him according to his will Luke 11. 5. and 18. 1. 1 John 5. 14. And that we ought to pray for others will yet further appear by this viz. Abraham prayed for Abimelech Gen. 20. 17. Jacob for his sons Gen. 49. Paul for the people and they for him 1 Thes 1. 2. this kind of prayer is called intercession What extraordinary prayer is EXtraordinary prayer is that which is made upon some special occasion or extraordinary accident falling out felt or feared upon a whole Nation City Family or Person by reason whereof our prayers are both longer and ferventer then at other times Psalm 119. 62. Acts 12. 5. Joel 2. 15. Ionah 3. 6. See Ezra 9. Dan. 9. and Nehem. 9. In these times of Fasting or extraordinary praying or both we are most earnestly and fervently to call upon God either for the obtaining of some singular benefit or special favour that we stand in great need of or for the avoiding of some special punishment or notable judgement hanging
Another thing held forth to us in this Ordinance is the rising again unto newness of life Romans 6 4. Therefore we are buried with him by Eaptism verse 5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be raised in the likeness of his resurrection 4. Another thing held forth in this Ordinance is the Baptism of the Spirit Act. 2. 38. compared with Act. 11. 16. 5. Another thing held forth in this blessed Ordinance is the resurrection of the body See Col. 7. 12. Rom. 6. 5 8. I suppose the Reader will grant that a child is not capable of apprehending believing and applying these and the like things held forth in this Ordinance and that God requires that such as are baptized should first believe Mat. 28. 19. Act. 8. 12 13 36 37 38. Mat. 3. 6. Act. 10. 47 48. But because this controversie is handled at large in other treatises such as desire further satisfaction may have recourse to them Now what art thou doing O man that callest me and others Anabaptists for our obedience to God in this blessed Ordinance whilest thou art rejecting his counsel if thou say was not I baptized heretofore I answer if I were baptized with God-fathers and God-mothers Common prayer book Cross and Surpliss and by a Minister made by the Bishops all which are voted down as Antichristian and the manner of that Baptism was also by sprinkling water upon my face concerning which the Scripture is silent how may I be assured God will own such a Baptism for his Ordinance Blame me not then if I endeavour to follow Christ herein who was baptized when he came to years and commands me so to walk as I have him for an example 1 John 2. 6. compared with Mat. 3. 15 16. I shall close up all that I have to say at this time to this Ordinance with two words of advice the one to those that own Baptism according to the Scripture Rule when people are capable of it the other to those that rail mock and deride the people that are baptized calling them Anabaptists 1. You that have taken up this Ordinance beware of laying a greater stress upon it then ever God appointed you viz. it was never appointed to break love and Communion and to quench the Spirit and to justle out some other Ordinances nor to shut out the weak in the Faith nor to put them upon doubtful disputations my brethren let me tell you I have rather chosen to weep it out before the Lord in my closset then to publish to the world what I have heard and seen amongst you what know you not that all Christians are one in Christ and partakers of one Spirit promises graces and have right to all Priviledges what know you not that all Saints are fellow-members fellow-souldiers fellow-travellers co-heirs fellow-sufferers and fellow-Citizens having the same father being cloathed with the same robe ruled by the same word inclined to the same work will you shut out those that God hath received and stop the mouth that God hath opened and refuse communion with those that have fellowship with the Father and the Son and that are faithful to what they know are all blind that doth not see by your eyes 2. You that so exceedingly cry up Baptism of Infants and cry down all baptizing of believers Let me tell you that through prejudice weakness and blindness you cry up that which you have neither precept nor example for in all the book of God and cry down that which there is precept upon precept for and example upon example I even tremble to think what a sad account you will give to God for this one day if you say you can prove the baptism of Infants by necessary Deductions from Scripture and Inferences and Consequences then let me ask you how you durst to make use of any of these to cross plain precepts and examples Of the Lords Supper or breaking of bread another standing Ordinance of the Gospel 1. OF the Lords Supper what it is 2. Wherein Baptism doth differ from it 3. Preparations to the Lords table required 4. The actions of the Administrator of this Ordinance 5. The actions of the receiver and duty in receiving 6. Who they are that may partake of this Ordinance 7. The ends and uses of the Lords Supper 8. The duties to be performed after receiving First of the Lords Supper what it is IT is a sealing or confirming Ordinance of the Gospel wherein by the outward elements of bread and wine sanctified by the word and prayer and exhibited by the Minister and rightly received by the communicant assurance is given to those that are ingrafted into Christ of their continuance in him and relation to him receiving nourishment by him unto eternal life or it is a second confirming Ordinance of the New Testament wherein God by the signs of bread and wine signifieth sealeth and offereth to every faithful receiver the body and blood of Christ for his spiritual nourishment and growth in Christ and so confirmeth him in the Covenant of grace The matter of the Lords Supper is partly outward as bread and wine and partly inward as the body and blood of Christ those outward elements signifying Christ and him crucified with all the benefits of his death passion even whole Christ with all the fruits of his mediation Mat. 26. 26 27. 1 Cor. 11. 24 25. Wherein doth Baptism differ from the Lords Supper seeing they are both confirming Ordinances IN regard of the thing signified Baptism as hath been said is a seal of our entrance into the Church of God the Supper of the Lord is a seal of our continuance in the same the one of our new birth the other of our spiritual growth the former is ordained to this end that being out of Christ by nature we being born again might now be ingrafted into his body Tit. 3. 5. Joh. 3. 5. the latter that being in Christ by grace we might continue and encrease in him 1 Cor. 10. 16. and 11. 23. 1 Pet. 3. 21. The Supper of the Lord is to be received as often as he shall give occasion Baptism but once for there is but one entrance into Christ but many degrees of growth up in him Of the Preparation to the Lords table THere ought to be a careful preparation before the action and great heed in the whole action and a joyfull and thankful close and shutting up of it all which ought to be performed as well by the minister as the people 1. Let there be a due search and tryal of our own souls whether we can find in our selves the things which God doth require in worthy communicants viz. 1. by examining our wisdom and knowledge both of Gods will in general and of the nature and use of this holy ordinance in particular whether we can give a reason of the representation of Christ in the bread and wine and see our need of it and what we may
a controversie with the inhabitants of the Land because there is no knowledge of God in the Land 1 Cor. 15. Some have not the knowledge of God I speak this to your shame Hos 4. 6. My people are destroyed for want of knowledge Prov. 1. 22. How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and fools hate knowledge Ephes â— 17. Therefore be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is 2 Tim 3. 15 16. And that from a child thâ—u hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation ver 16. For all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness ver 17. That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works How must we read the Scriptures 1. FIrst endeavour to see the excellency of the Scriptures set a high price upon them and then thou wilt take more delight in them Jer. 6. 10. The word of the Lord is to them a reproach they have no deâ—â—â—ht in them whereas David that did delight in the Lord he did meditate in them day and nihgt Psal 1. 2. 2. Let us endeavour to get the Scriptures written in our hearts as well as in our minds and to that end we should pray constantly and wait diligently for the Spirit of revelation to open the seals of that book 3. Observe these eight rules and read the Scriptures 1. Read them diligently and carefully 2. Read them frequently 3. Read them believingly with an expectation to gain something by reading 4. Compare Scripture with Scripture when you read them compare spiritual things with spiritual 5. Pray meditate and study to find out the spiritual meaning of those Scriptures that be dark and hard 6. Take heed of allowing thy self in any secret sin against or contrary to the Scriptures he that doth so may read long enough and understand nothing 7. Be much in the practice of what thou hast already learned he that is faithfull in a little shall have much more 8. Pray frequently and fervently to the Lord. 1. To help thee to understand what thou readest Mat. 24. 15. and Mat. 13. 5. 2. Believe what thou understandest 3. To apply what thou dost believe 4. To affect and hide in thy heart what thou dost apply 5. To keep and retain in memory what thou dost affect 6. To communicate as opportunity is offered what you keep surely he that thinks himself too good to read and to be ruled by the word will at last be found too bad to be owned by God c. Of Admonition private and publike PRivate admonition is betwixt brother and brother Levit. 19. 17. Mat. 18. 15 16. The other publike by the messengers of the Churches or Officers when the private will not prevail Mat. 18. 17. 1 Tim. 5. 20. The degrees of private admonition are two the former is most private done by one the other is private also but more publike then the first and it is done by two or three at the most whereof he that first admonisheth must be one Matthew 18. 15 16. Now publike admonition is that which is done by the whole Church or the Minister assisted by the Congregation 1 Tim. 5. 20. For if the second warning serve not our Saviour would have the offendor presented to the Church as to the highest court Mat. 18. 17. Who therefore hearing their admonition is to be received notwithstanding his former obstinacy I shall say no more to this in this place because I shall speak more fully to it when I come to speak of the Ordinance of excommunication Of Suspention SUspention is a certain separation of him that will not amend by admonition from some things that are holy in the Church as the use of the Lords Supper or from officiating in any office in the Church till he repent and when he doth he is not by and by to be admitted to all priviledges of the Church but to remain suspended for a time till the fruits of repentance may better appear for if some in the Law Num. 9. 6. for a certain pollution in a lawful duty for burying the dead were suspended from the Passover much more in the Gospel for such obstinacy it is agreeable to the Gospel to execute the sensure of suspention after two admonitions upon a known offence Of Excommunication THE Church of Christ is in Scripture resembled to a natural body wherein are many members united to each other and all to one head by one spirit growing up in unity now as in the natural body there may be many infirmities so also it is in this mystical body sometimes it may be Subject to distempers by the drinking in of untruths sometimes windy humorus of pride high-mindedness c. and so distemper it sometimes a Palsie humor of deadness and benummedness seise upon it sometimes feaverish fits of violent headiness may inflame it but God whose temples it is hath provided for it against such distempers whereof this of excommunication is is one Now if any ask what it is then I answer Answ It is the casting of a stubborn sinner out of the Church and a delivering him unto Satan who being thus disfranchized of all the liberties and deprived of all the benefits and common society of the Church is separated as it were from that protection it once had This ordinance is to be administred to such as are desperately wicked that have nothing profited by the former censures but still continuedin their former wickedness of obstinate and malicious resisting all means graciously used to reclaim them Now the end of this casting out is twofold either respecting the good of the person excommunicated or the rest of the Church 1 Cor. 5. 5. 1 Tim. 1 20. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ when ye are gathered together to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the Spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus This must be done in wisdom tenderness courage and faithfulness to this end to gain our offending member a gain and to obey God in this command also praying to God for his blessing upon his own ordinance and that he would keep us from those sins that we deal with others for Of assurance of Salvation 1. THE nature of it 2. Whether it be attainable in this life 3. Of the several sorts and degrees of assurance 4. Of the trials of assurance how it may be known 5. To labour and endeavour for it is our duty 6. Of the benefits of it and arguments to perswade us to endeavour to gain it which are five 1. The want of it doth hinder thankfulness 2. Assurance will settle a soul upon Christ 3. Assurance doth sweeten all other blessings to us 4. Assurance doth put us upon our duty be it what it will 5. Assurance doth ease us of the world and mounts the Soul above it
Creator the Gospel commandeth us to worship him in Christ as our Saviour the Law like Pharaoh requires brick but allows no straw the Gospel both allows strength and supplies Rom. 10. 5 6 8. But yet as the Law saveth us not without the Gospel so the Gospel saveth us not without the Law which directeth us in our duty both to God and man Deut. 5. 32. At the giving of the Law the mountain burned the trumpet sounded the people fled and Moses trembled and all this to teach us that we should be very careful to perform obedience to the same Object What was the Ceremonial Law Answ It was that which did prescribe orders for direction in rites of outward worship only shadowing the grace of the Gospel Heb. 10. 1. But the substance of this Law being come those shadows are utterly abolished by the death of Christ and therefore the use of them now would be a kind of denyal of his death Quest What was the Judicial Law Answ That wherein God appointed a form of civil government of the Common-wealth Now this Law is not utterly revoked and abolished by Christ for he came not to over-turn any good government Quest What is the Moral Law Answ That which commandeth perfection of godliness and righteousness and directeth us in our duties both to God and man Deut. 5. 32 12. 32. Quest Are not we delivered from this Law by the means of Christ Answ From the burden of the Law exacting in our own persons perfect obedience and from the curse of the Law due unto disobedience we are delivered by Christ Gal. 3. 10 11 12 13. but from the commandment as a rule of life we are not freed Jam. 2. 8. For the Law doth lay a charge upon all the powers of the soul viz. First it doth charge the understanding to know every duty even all the will of God it chargeth the judgement to discern between good and evil it chargeth the memory to retain it it chargeth the will to chuse the better and to leave the worse it chargeth the affections to love those things that are lovely and to hate things that are uncomely Of the ten Commandments THe ten Commandments are divided into two tables Deut. 4. 13. and 10. 1 4. Which Chirst called the two great Commandments Mat. 22. The four first do contain our duty to God and the six latter our duty to man The first commandment is Thou shalt have no other Gods before me This commandment directs us to the choice of the true God and the entertaining him in all our thoughts in which there are nine things enjoyned and three things prohibited or forbidden 1. Knowledge Joh. 17. 3. 2. Remembrance Eccles 12. 1. 3. Love Deut. 6. 5. 4. Trust Prov. 3. 5. 5. Hope Psal 146. 5. 6. Fear Isa 51. 12 13. 7. Humility Mich. 6. 8. 8. Patience Lam. 3. 39. 9. Obedience 1 John 5. 3. Things prohibited or forbidden in this first commandment 1. Atheism Heb. 11. 6. 2. Heresie Tit. 3. 10 11. 3. Apostacy Heb. 10. 26. The second Commandment Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or in the earth beneath or in the waters under the earth thou shalt not bow down to them nor worship them Exod. 20. 4 5. This second commandment layes before us the solemn worship that is to be performed unto God without images and ceremonies This second commandment doth prohibit seven things and enjoyn six things four ordinary two extraordinary The things prohibited or forbidden are these seven 1. Idolatry Psal 97. 7. 2. Will-worship Col. 2. 23. 3. Superstition Act. 17. 22 4. Traditions Col. 2. 8. 5. Schism 1 Cor. 11. 18. 6. Witch-craft Exod. 22. 18. 7. Confusion 1 Cor. 11. 21. Things commanded and enjoyned in this second commandment are first ordinary secondly extraordinary First ordinary Extraordinary 1. Prayer 1 Thes 5. 17. 2. Preaching Mal. 2. 7. 3. Seals or Sacraments 4. Discipline Mat. 18. 17. 5. Fasting Lev. 23. 19. 6. Feasting and thanksgiving Ester 9. 22. The third Commandment is this Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain Exodus 20. 7. This third commandment doth inform us how we should glorifie God aright in the actions of our common life without swearing or blaspheming This third commandment doth prohibit four things and enjoyn five things The things forbidden or prohibited are 1. Oaths Jer. 4. 2. 2. Vows Numb 30. 2 3. Lots Prov. 16. 33. 4. All unreverent and unholy use of his name and prophaning of his titles properties actions and Ordinances either by mouth or action Lev. 21. 32. Mal. 1. 6 12. Things commanded or enjoyned in the third commandment in the sanctifying of God 1. His names Deut 28. 15. 2. Attributes 1 Pet. 3. 15. 3. Word Psal 50. 16 17. 4. Works Psal 58. 10 11. 5. Religion Ephes 4. 1. The fourth Commandment is this Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day Exod. 20. 8 9 10 11. This fourth commandment doth inform us of a certain day set apart for Gods service as the Sabbath or Lords day This fourth commandment doth prohibit certain things and enjoyn many other things Things prohibited 1. The making of it a common day Neh. 13. 15 2. Vain speech about wordly things Isa 581. 3. 3. Idleness feasting pastimes Exod. 32. 6. 4. The doing that on the Lords day which is no day lawful Mar. 3. 4. Ezek. 23. 37 38. 5. The imploying others in worldly business Things commanded or enjoyned to be done on that day 1. Hearing and reading the word Luk. 4. 16 22. Act. 13. 14 15. 2. Prayer and singing of Psalms 3. Visiting and relieving the sick 4. Examining our selves and those that belong to us 5. Catechising our families The fifth Commandment runs thus Honour thy father and thy mother that thy dayes may be lâ—ng in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Exod. 20. 12. This commandment layes before us the duties we owe one to another in regard of our particular relation unto such as are our superiors inferiors and equals In a word the fifth commandment presents us with the duty of 1. Magistrates 1 Tim. 2. 2. 2. Ministers 1 Pet. 5. 2. 3. Parents Ephâ—s 6. 4. 4. Masters Col. 4. 1. 5. Husbands Ephes 5. 25. 6. Noble and rich 1 Tim. 6. 17. 7. Aged Tit. 2. 2 4. 8. Subjects Rom. 13. 1. 9. People Heb. 13 17. 10. Children Ephes 6. 1. 11. Servants 1 Pet. 2. 18. 12. Wife Ephes 5. 24 33. 13. Poor 1 Sam. 25. 8. 14. Young Lev. 19. 32. The sixth Commandment runs thus Thou shalt not murder Exod 20. 13. This commandment layes before us our duty in the preservation of mens persons and living in peace and meekness In this commandment there are five things forbidden and four things enjoyned The things forbidden are these and such like 1. Unjust anger
saith O help help Lord for thine honour sake for thy Sons sake for thy promise sake for thy mercies sake then the evill that he tempts us to shall be put down only to his account what shall I say more those that be the objects of Gods dearest love are many times the subjects of the Devils deepest rage Satan watcheth all opportunities to break our peace to wound our consciences to lessen our comfort to impair our graces and to slur our evidences it is as easie to compass the heavens with a span and to contein the sea in a nut-shell as to relate fully Christs goodness and Satans devices for he aims principally to make us walk sinfully that so we might live uncomfortably and die miserably and be tormented with him eternally Of afflictions why God doth afflict his own people and how to know what Sin God aims at in affliction and when a man may be said to suffer for wel-doing and when for evil doing VVE read in Scripture that man is born to trouble as the sparks flie upward and although his dayes be few yet they are full of trouble nay we may find in the Scriptures of truth that the Lords own dearest ones have been exceedingly exercised this way Job 6. 4. Job the justest man alive was fought against by the terrors of the Lord and David a man after Gods own heart had no rest in his bones because of his sin and was so wasted with the grief of his heart that his moisture was turned int h the drought of summer Ps 32. 3 4. and Hezekiah who walked in the truth and with a perfect heart had the anger of the Almighty to break his bones like a lyon Isa 28. 13. Was not Abel murthered by his brother Noah mocked by his Son Job scoffed by his wife Jacob threatned by his brother banished from his Father abused by his uncle in the day consumed with heat in the night with frost Gen. 31. 4. Did not the son of God himself lie bleeding upon the cross and cry out in the bitterness of his spirit my God my God why hast thou forsaken me Isa 53. 5. But he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities persecuted in his child hood by Herod Mat. 2. 16. tempted by the Devil reviled by the High-priests branded for a babler wine-bibber blasphemer mocked by the Jews stript of his garments crowned with thorns the first fruits of the curse he was hanged between two thieves and nailed his hands to the cross and pierced his side with a spear c. Some reasons why the Lord doth afflict his own people 1 Cor. 11. 32. VVE are chastned of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world sometimes he doth afflict a few that the rest might beware Luke 13. 5. And sometimes he doth afflict his people for the tryal of the truth and strength of their graces Job 1. 21. Again sometimes he brings his own dear ones into misery that he might magnifie the attributes of his mercy in healing them so it was with him that was born blind and sometimes he doth afflict them to keep them humble and low in their own eyes and to put them upon the use of means whereby sin may be subdued Sometimes the Lord doth afflict for the prevention of sin for time to come he doth punish those that serve him and lets the world go free this was Davids temptation Psalm 73. 13. Affliction is a seal of adoption no sign of reprobation for the purest corn is cleanest fanned the fineâ—t gold oftest tryed and the sweetest grape hardest pressed and the truest Christian heaviest crossed affliction doth many times make a bad man good but it doth alwayes make a good man better nay God can look sowrly and chide bitterly and strike heavily even where and when he loves dearly it is a common thing for all men to be afflicted but it is an extraordinary thing to be bettered by it in all afflictions consider three things 1. The fountain from whence it comes and that is from Gods love Eccles 7. 14. 2. The end whither it ayms our good It was good for me that I was afflicted Psalm 119. 3. Consider our punishment is less then our desert the consideration of this made Aaron to hold his peace Lev. 10. 3. and Hezekiah to wait for deliverance Isa 38. 13 14. This made David to be dumb Psal 39. 9. This made Ely to say it is the Lord let him do as seemeth him good 1 Sam. 13. 18. yea this made Job to say blessed be the name of the Lord. The Lord doth try the truth and strength of his own people to the highest and yet layeth no more upon the weakest then he doth enable him to bear IF Job do exceed all others in patience as he did Job 5. 11. then the truth and strength of this patience shall be tryed to the uttermost 1. The Sabeans take away his Oxen and his Asses Job 1. 15. 2. A fire from heaven came down and burnt up his sheep Job 1. 16. 3. The Chaldeans came and stole away all his cammels Job 1. 17. 4. His servants that were plowing and keeping the sheep were all slain by the edge of the sword fire from heaven 5. His sons and daughters were all at once slain by the fall of an house Job 1. 18 19. 6. Then his body was smote and became full of boyls from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot Job 2. 7. 7. Then his wife that lay in his bosom tempts him to curse God and dye Job 2. 9. 8. His three near and dear friends came to him and stayed with him seven dayes and seven nights and spake not one word of comfort to him Job 2. 13. 9. The presence and favour of God was hid from his soul Job 19. 8. and all this to try the truth and strength of Jobs patience If Peter will boast of a greater love to Christ then the rest saying though I should dye with thee I will never deny thee Mat. 26. 35. And when this love came to the tryal instead of dying he came to denying of Christ So again although Peters love made him to go out of the ship to meet Christ upon the sea I say although his love was strong yet his faith was weak and he began to sink here his truth and strength was tryed to the highest If Moses will exceed all the men upon the face of the earth in meekness Num. 12. 3. the truth and strength of that meekness must be tryed first in his absence the people make a calf and worshipped it Exod. 32. 19. After this the people speak against Moses Numb 21. 5. A little after this when they wanted water the people chide with Moses saying would God we had dyed in the wilderness Numb 20. 3 4. So he was continually vexed with a perverse and crooked generation Deut. 32. 5. And at last so provoked by them that he spake unadvisedly
with his lips Psalm 106. 33. and so his meekness was tryed to the highest Again to instance one more for all if Paul have a greater revelation then the other Apostles he must have a thorn in the flesh even the messenger of Satan to buffet him so the woman Mat. 15. 22. to the 28. She had a strong faith that Christ was able to help her daughter and the mercy she desired was but external to wit crums now Christ did try the truth and strength of this faith in a threefold seeming denyal but in all tryals the Lord doth proportion them according to the strength of those that he doth afflict See 1 Cor. 10. 13. The Lords people have divers corruptions and so do need divers corrections How to know what sin God aims at in affliction THE Lord saith in his word hear the voice of the rod Micah 6. 9. which if we did heedfully observe we might find out the sin that God ayms at in the affliction 1. When we find in Scripture that such and such a punishment is denounced against such and such a sin we may find by the effect the proper cause pride with dejection and contempt whoredom with barrenness idleness with poverty worldly sorrow with death 2. Consider if thou wouldst find out the sin God afflicts thee for consider God doth punish thee by way of retaliation like for like as when we have dishonored God he doth cast dishonour upon us and having wronged our inferiours our superiors wrong us or if we lavish our tongues against others we are paid home with the scourge of tongues thus David was justly dealt with 2 Sam. 12 10 11. 3. When we are taken in the very act of sinning so Jon. 1. 12. flying was followed with a tempest and the I sraelites murmuring for flesh were punished by God whilst it was between their teeth Numb 11. 33. 4. When our sin in its own nature bringeth forth such a punishment so a lazy Christian doth always want four things comfort and content confidence and assurance Idleness in natural things brings forth beggery and want drunkenness begets dropsies and surreits so the sin of uncleanness brings forth weakness and filthy diseases so immoderate carking is attended with consumptions 5. If thou wouldst know the sin that brought these afflictions on thee observe what thy conscience doth most check thee for Josephs brethren in their troubles calls to mind their cruelty to their troubles calls to mind their cruelty to their brother Joseph which was indeed the cause of their cross Gen. 42. 21. When a man may be said to suffer for well-dong and when for evil doing FIrst for well-doing 1. That man that doth suffer for well-doing in the account of God according to his word his person must be holy he or she must be in the main godly 2. The cause that they suffer for must be good it must be for righteousness sake viz. either for his believing in Christ pleading for him or practizing of his commandments and so his affliction will be better then the prosperity of the wicked Psalm 37. 15. They shall have more comfort in scantness obscurity then wicked men have in plenty credit and great felicity 2 Cor. 4. 8 9. We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despair persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed 3. He that doth suffer for well-doing he must suffer in a right manner first humbly secondly patiently and meekly thirdly cheerfully fourthly he that doth suffer for Christ must have good ends c. 1. He must suffer humbly we read of Christ whose footsteps we ought to follow that he was led as a lamb to the slaughter he opened not his mouth 2. As he did suffer humbly so he did suffer patiently 3. He did suffer cheerfully 4. He did not revile again when he was reviled when he was threatned he did not threaten again 4. He that doth suffer for Christ must have good ends in his suffering viz. 1. To bare witness to some truth of Christ contained in the Scriptures 2. To bare witness for the name and glory of God 1 Pet. 4. 13. But when a man doth that which is evil and doth suffer for it this is not thank-worthy with God See these Scriptures 1 Pet. 2. 20. 1 Pet. 4. 15 19. Many men that suffer and glory therein suffer only for their faults and are in no wise acceptable to God The Lord is many times better then his word never worse THE Lord promised to Israel only the Land of Canaan but besides that he gave them two better Kingdoms Numb 32. 33. Solomon did only pray for wisdom and the Lord gave him more wisdom then he asked and riches and honour to boot 1 King 3. 11 12. Jacob told the Lord that if he would give him raiment to put on and bread to eat God should be his God and the Lord gave him that and ten times more Gon 28. 19. compared with Gen. 32. 10 For with my staff I passed â—ver this Jordan and now I am become two bands Gen. 33. 4 5 6. So again 1 Sam. 1. Hannah begged a son and the Lord gave her a Son and a Prophet too she desired a single mercy and the Lord gave her a double mercy Gen. 17. Abraham and said O that Ishmael might live before thee the Lord granted that and gave him an Isaac to boot ver 19. Mat. 15. 22. to the 28. The woman of Canaan did only beg of Christ the life of her daughter and Christ gave her that and said moreover be it unto thee even as thou wilt Again we read Ephes 3. 20. That he is able to do exceedingly above all that we can ask or think these words are so full that they can hardly be exprest So again sometimes we only ask temporal mercies and he gives us both temporal and spiritual mercies Sometimes a soul doth beg only support under temptations and the Lord doth give that and more to wit a deliverance out of temptation So again we find Mat. 18. 23. to the 27. That the Lord gave him more then he desired he desired but dayes of paiment and the Lord forgave him the whole debt So again Act. 3. 2 3. The cripple did only ask of Peter and John an alms and they gave him a mercy more worth to him then the whole world they cured him of his lameness Mercies and deliverances are many times nearest to us when we think they be furthest off WE read Act. 27. 20. When all hopes of being saved was taken away then Paul stood up and told them from the Lord that there should not be so much as the loss of any mans life amongst them So Luk 24. 15. When two of the Disciples were walking together and were sad about the death of Christ Christ risen from the dead talked with them and they knew it not Gen. 21. 16. to the 19. we read that Hagar was weeping for her son
who was dying for want of water and there was a well of water by her and she did not know it till the Lord opened her eyes Joh. 20. 11. Mary stood at the sepulcher weeping for the absence of Christ and Christ stood by her and talked to her before she knew it Again we read Gen. 44. 45. chap. that Josephs brethren were taken prisoners and they rent their cloaths saying how shall we clear our selves and Joseph their brother stood by them and they knew it not even then when they were trembling and terrified at his presence in a word the Lord doth many times bring about a swifter a fuller and more universal help and deliverance then heart could imagine See Zach. 14. 6 7. But at Even tide it shall be light So that we may all conclude with David Psal 77. 19. Thy way is in the sea and thy paths in the deep waters and thy footsteps are not known The Lord doth many times hand forth his mercies to us by the rule of contraries GOD promised to Abraham a son and that his seed should be as the stars of heaven and the Lord made good this by the rule of contraries there was fourteen years between Gods making the promise and giving him a son and he was about one hundred years old before he had a son and Sarahs womb was barren and after this son was born God calleth upon Abraham to offer him up yet notwithstanding all this the Lord made good his promise and Abraham staggered not at the promise of God Rom. 4. 20 21. Again we find Exod. 14. when the children of Israel were in the greatest streight and at the furthest distance from all humane helps not knowing what to do then even then the Lord delivered them Luke 21. 28. When ye see these things come to pass then lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh one would have thought ruin was nigh to see such things come to pass John 9. 15. Christ put clay upon the blind mans eyes one would think clay should have made him more blind Hest 3. 12 13. All the Jews were designed for death Hest 8. 9 10 11 12. This design contrary to all expectation was discovered and revoked and the Jews preserved by the rule of contraries so Joseph had a promise by way of vision to be made a great man but contrary to this he was sold into Egypt and there cast into prison yet at last he got the mercy we might instance in Job and many others but this may suffice to prove this truth that God doth oft times hand forth his mercies to us by the rule of contraries c. This would be of great use to Christians if more considered The Lord doth not despise the day of small things WE read Zach. 4. 10. That the Lord doth not despise the day of small things and it was but a day of small things for Nicodemus to come to Christ by night and yet he was received and embraced one would have thought that if Christ would have dispised any he would have despised him who was so weak as being either afraid or ashamed or both to own Christ in the day and so he cometh to him by night one would have thought Christ would have said to him Nicodemus is thy desire after me so weak and faint that thou dost fear to come to me in the day or am I so unworthy as not to be owned but out of sight hast thou either so low an esteem of me or bearest thou so little love to me go return as thou camest I will not accept thee in the dark who wouldst not acknowledge me in the light no no Christ hath not one sillable of this but he entertains him imbraces him and instructs him c. It was but a day of small things with that woman Mat. 9. 21. That had spent all and grew worse and worse and knew not whither to go then she resolves to go to Christ It was but a day of small things with that man that came to Christ Mar. 9. 22. saying if thou canst do any thing help us he doubted whether Christ could help yea or no It was but a day of small things with the Prodigal Luke 15. to say when he knew not whither to go I will arise and go to my father yet he was received embraced welcomed and honoured well may we say as in Mat. 12. 20. A bruised reed shall he not break and smoaking flax shall he not quench So again it was but a day of small things with David to have thoughts to build an house unto the Lord yet that was accepted as fully as if it had been done Again we read Isa 40. 11. He will gather his lambs with his arms and he will carry them and that in his bosom It is true he doth carry our sins on his back and hath received all the lashes due to us for them ask blind Bartimeus and he will tell you that Christ doth not despise the day of small things he did but ask for mercy and presently received the mercy Mar. 10. 46 47 48. So it is but a day of small things with us in respect of our faith love knowledge and power over our corruptions hope patience and self-denyal yet who hath despised the day of small things Zach. 4. 10. The order of causes how God comes downward from the causes to the effects and how we must go upward from the effects to the causes IT will make much for our information and consolation to consider what order and method the Lord doth take to unvail his love to man and what order and method man should take to apprehend and enjoy this love viz. God goes downward from the causes to the effects and we must go upward from the effects to the causes the web that God hath weaved we must unweave he goes from election downward we must go from regeneration upward thus shall God and we meet in the middle way we must prove our selves to be called and he will acknowledge us to be elected consider and weigh these ensuing things 1. The cause of salvation is Gods love 2. The way is Jesus Christ 3. The guide is the Holy-Ghost 4. The rule for our footsteps is the Scriptures 5. Faith is the evidence 6. Hope is the Anchor of the soul and Baptism and the Lords Supper are the seals 1. Gods love to sinners was the cause of sending his son to dye for them Job 3. 16. Rom. 5. 6 8. 1 Pet. 3. 18. Tit. 3. 4 5. 2. Christs dying for our sins and rising again for our justification is the cause of the Gospels being preached to sinners Mat. 28. 18 19. Mar. 16. 15 16. 1 Cor. 15. 13. 3. The Gospel being preached to sinners is the cause of their believing Rom. 10. 14 15 17. Ephes 1. 13. Act. 13. 48. 4. Mans believing is the cause of his justification from sin Act. 13. 38 39. Rom. 3. 26 28. 5. Our knowing
our selves to be justified from our sins by faith in the blood of Christ is the cause of our love to Christ 1 Joh. 4. 10 19. 6. Our love to Christ is the cause of our obeying of Christ 1 Joh. 5. 3. For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments so again Joh. 14. 15. If ye love me keep my commandments See the 21. and 23. ver 7. In our obedience to him he doth manifest these things to us that we have right to the tree of life Rev. 22. 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the City that is in the obedience he shall have the manifestation of that 2 Pet. 1. 11. For so an entrance shall be administred unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And so he is manifested to be the Author of salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5. 9. Behold obedience to God is the way of conveyance to us so it is a lively evidence to others that we are the Lords Joh. 13. 35. By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples because our faith which is the evidence of things not seen to us is proved to others to be true by its works Jam. 2. 18. Behold here is the Lords going downward from the causes to the effects now we must go upward from the effects to the causes 1. God shews us what is our duty and puts us upon doing it and for the doing of it those that behold it and hear of us judge us to be true Christians 2. In the doing of it God manifests himself more and more to our souls in the keeping of his appointments there is great reward for so an entrance is administred to us abundantly 2 Pet. 1. 11. 3. The cause of our obedience is our love to God If ye love me keep my commandments 4. The cause of our love was our seeing that God did love us first 1 Joh. 4. 10 19. 5. The cause of our faith in Christ is the preaching of the Gospel Rom. 10. 17. 6. The cause of the preaching the Gospel to us was Christs dying for us 7. The cause of Christs dying for us was Gods great love of pitty to us-wards even when we were dead in trespasses and sins Ephes 2. 4. So then Gods love was the cause of sending his son o deye for our sins Christs dying and rising again is the cause of the Gospeâ—s being preached The preaching of the Gospel is the cause of our believing Our believing is the cause of our justification from sin the knowing of our selves free from sin by the blood of Christ is the cause of our love to Christ our love to Christ is the cause of our obeying of him and in onr obedience is the manifestation more and more conveyed to us So by our obedience others have some evidence of our faith in Christ Mans life is or should be guided by these vertues 1. FAith whereby we believe in and lay hold on God for something promised 2. Hope and that is either for pardoning mercy or for glory 3. Charity whereby we love God as the only good and his people and our enemies in obedience to his command 4. Prudence 1. In our hearts to guide our thoughts 2. In our mouths to order our speeches 3. It should be in our words to grace or adorn our actions 4. In the intelligence to understand things present 5. Prudence to guess at things to come 6. Prudence to recal matters past 5. Temperance which moderates our desires and brings the Appetite under a rule of reason that it may not exceed the rule of moderation 6. Perseverance which continueth in doing and suffering valiantly 7. Justice which giveth every man his due without self-love fear or ranckor it binds us to give due to God to our parents and kindred verity and equity in all that we do in order to our duty herein 1. Sense perceiveth 2. Imagination representeth 3. Understanding formeth 4. Wit deviseth 5. Reason judgeth 6. Memory preserveth 7. Intelligence apprehendeth 8. Contemplation in the prosecution perfecteth Several Divine Sentences First of Christ HE that was the Son of of God became the son of man that we who were the sons of men might become the sons of God He was made sin for us that knew no sin that we might be made the rightâ—ousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5. 21. The more vile Christ made himself for us the more dear he ought to be unto us therefore let us beware of Christ-dishonouring and soul-undoing opinions All good things are in Christ eminently perfectly and eternally Faith in the blood of Christ the witness of the Spirit of Christ a sense of feeling and the love of Christ and the hope of reigning with Christ are the only things to be desired Christ is as well the fountain of common gifts as of saving grace A true Christian cannot find fulness in the creature nor sweetness in sin nor life in any Ordinance without Christ he will weep over other mens weaknesses and rejoyce at their graces We must lean more upon Christ and less upon our own strength lest with Peter we rest upon some old strength and fall before a new temptation Christ can heal a soul speedily perfectly freely and eternally Oh that Christ should shed his blood for those sins that we never shed one tear for A true Christian doth labour for unity in the Church as well as purity he loves to see Christs coat without rent as well as without spot Phil. 3. 15. Christ did admit his spouse into the garden sweetly though she kept him out of her house sluggishly What a poor soul doth for Christ sincerely that our precious Saviour takes sweetly though it be done ill he doth accept it well Nay though we carry our selves in our choicest performances very weakly yet he doth carry himself towards us very sweetly and doth accept of that which we do kindly although done in much infirmity let us enter into his service and we shall soon experience his sweetness Christ doth weigh the heart of the giver more then the value of the gift and delights to see his people give cheerfully though they cannot give bountifully Let us give over measuring his mercy by the narrow scantling of our dark understandings though difficulties may arise and Christians hearts may fail yet the work of Christ shall go on c. Of affliction for sin in Sentences GOD is as severe in punishing as he is gracious in pardoning his house of correction is his School of instruction God had one Son without corruption but no Son without correction he had one Son without Sin but no Son without Sorrow A Soul may be dearly beloved although soarly afflicted sin and punishment are linked together if thou wilt be sinful thou must be miserable Oh what is the state of a man
work of the spirit our seeking after faith is the effect of the saving work of the Spirit external Actions shall have externall answers spiritual actions shall have spirituall answers c. We read in four Scriptures of Iniquity Transgression and Sin Exod. 34. 7. Mic. 7. 18. Levit. 16. 21. Iob 13. 23. Quest What difference is there between Iniquity Transgression and Sin are not these three one Answ Iniquity is that which is done against another man Sin that which is done against a mans self and Transgression that which is done immediately against God 1 Sam. 2. 25. But the Scriptures in some places make them all one but where we find these three words Iniquity Transgression and Sin laid down together we are to understand that the Lord doth speak of our sin with all its aggravations with all its haynous circumstances sin with all its malignity Quest Whether God may forgive a man his sin and yet the man himself not know it Answ A mans sins may be forgiven him and he not know it Lam. 3. 42. We have transgressed and have rebelled and thou hast not pardoned c. yet God had pardoned and God had forgiven them and yet they lay under suspence of pardon and this is the case of many souls at this day Quest If God pardons sin whether or no doth he afflict and punish men for it afterward Answ God in his despensation of Justice doth punish no man but where sin is Sin entered into the world and death by sin it is true sometimes the Lord doth afflict for tryall and not for sin so was Jobs affliction Now that God doth punish his people for sin though their sins be pardoned will appear from these two Scriptures 2 Sam. 12. 14. How be it because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme the child shall surely die I will punish thee in thy child I will pardon thy sin yet I will punish thy sin So likewise in 2 Sam. 7. 14 15. I will be his father and he shall be my son if he commit Iniquity I will chasten him with the rod of men but my mercy shall not depart away from him this was a promise to Solomon so the Psalmist quoting this expression Psalm 89. 31 32. If they break my Statutes and keep not my Commandments then I will visit their transgressions with a rod Amos 3. 2. You have I known of all the families of the earth therefore I will punish you for all your Iniquities Object Did not Christ fuffer for our sins and must we suffer too how can this hang together Answ When we say we are punished for sin we are to take notice that there is a great deal of difference between our sufferings for sin and Christs our punishment for sin is not by way of satisfaction to divine Justice for so Christ was punished Isa 53. The chastisement of our Peace is laid upon him Quest Whether pardon of sin goes before faith and repentance or follows after Answ Doubtless in the court of heaven according to election Christ being a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world our sins are forgiven and done away but as to our apprehension and manifestation God doth pardon sin after a man repents and believes Act. 3. 19. Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out see Acts 26. 18. Ephes 2. 3 12. That at that time ye were without Christ being Aliens from the common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenant of Promise having no hope and without God in the world Quest Whether it be consistent with the state of pardon to fall into the same sin again and again over and over Answ Pardoned men have fallen often into the same sin Gen. 42. 15. It was a gross sin for Joseph to swear an heathenish oath by the life of Pharoah ye shall not go forth hence except your youngest brother come hither send one of you for him and you shall be kept in prison or else by the life of Pharoah surely you are spies so that Joseph swore twice by the life Pharoah so we read of Jehosaphat he fell twice into the same sin 2 Chron. 20. 35 36 37. Besides consider that although grace doth free us from the dominion of sin and from the damning power of sin and from the love of sin yet grace doth not free any man from the seeds of any one sin and therefore it is possible for a soul to fall again and again as for instance Lot was twice overcome with wine John twice worshipped the Angel Abraham out of fear often dissembled and laid his wife open to adultery to save his life see Gen 20. 13. and Gen. 12. David was resolved to kill Nabal and all his innocent family and a little after he fell into the foul murther of Vriah Jacob twice told a lie for compassing the blessing Gen. 27. 19 21. Lot was twice made drunken and committed Incest with both his daughters Gen. 19. Peter thrice denies his Master and every time worse then another Mat. 26 c. These things are written to caution us that stand that we fall not and to comfort them that are fallen that they despair not Quest How should a Christian come to see the greatness and vileness of his sin or how shall I aggravate my sin that I may see it as it is in its colours Answ 1. Consider first how osten thou hast sinned against the motions of Gods Spirit and so grieving the spirit by withstanding Divine motions 2. So sinning against the frequent manifestations of Gods Love to thy soul this doth greaâ—ly aggravate sin this did aggravate Solomons sin 1 Kin. 11. 3. Consider how thou hast sinned against the rebukes and checks of thine own conscience Jam. 4. 17. To him that knoweth to do good and doth it not to him it is sin 4. To sin against Gods warnings or Judgements either against others or our selves this doth heighten our sin see Dan. 5. 22 23. compared with 2 Chron. 28. 22. 5. To sin against mercies is an aggravation of sin 2 Sam. 12. I delivered thee out of Sauls hand I gave thee thy Masters house if all this had been too little for thee I would have given thee such and such things wherefore hast thou dispised c. 6. There is a resisting of the Spirit Acts 7. 51. And there is a vexing the Spirit Isa 63. 10. But they rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit therefore he was turned to be their enemy and fought against them 7. Sin is aggravated when a man doth frequently fall into the same sin 8. Sin is aggravated when it is done in a way of complacencie when we love and delight in it 9. Sin is aggravated when it is done by one that lives under much means of Grace this made a woe to be pronounced against Chorazin and Bethsaida 10. This also doth aggravate sin when it is done against vows purposes promises
when we die indeed it is but a compleating of what we have been doing all our life the best mens lives are as glass bright and brittle and evermore in danger of breaking Jer. 22. 29. Oh earth earth earth hear the voice of the Lord And why doth he mention earth three times 1. Because we came from the earth 2. Because at the best we are but earth 3. Because we shall speedily return to the earth as appears by these Scriptures Job 7. 9. the length of our dayes is compared to the vanishing of a cloud and sometimes to the swiftness of aPost Job 9. 25. sometimes to a flower that springs in the morning and withereth before night Job 14. 2 Sometimes to a Weavers shuttle Job 7. 6. What is swifter then a shuttle it flies to and again forward and backward so nights and dayes pass this shuttle of our life forward and backward to and fro the night doth cast this shuttle to the day and the day casts it to the night and the night to the day and so from one to the other forward and backward to and again So that between these two time quickly weaves off the thread of our life the piece comes to be woven and so to be cut off and just so is our life Isaiah 38. 12. I have cut off like a Weaver What shall I say more All the Prophets and Apostles that have written have more or less written of the fewness of our dayes and uncertainty of our lives Abraham said he was but dust and ashes Gen. 18. 27. All our dayes on the earth is as a shadow and there is no abiding 2 Chro. 29. 15. When a few years are come then shall I go the way whence I shall not return Job 16. 22. We spend our dayes like a tale that is told Psal 70. 9. All flesh is grass and the goodliness thereof as the flower of the field Isa 4. 6 7. We do all fade as a leaf and our iniquities as wind have taken us away Isa 64. 6. For what is our life it is even as a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away such is the swiftness of mans dayes and shortness of his life and frailty of his nature that the swiftest shortest and frailest things that we read of in Scripture are not swift short and frail enough to compare mans life unto Here I cannot but acquaint the Reader with some things that the Lord made of great use to me many years since in reading some part of the practise of Piety and auother book called Sincere the Convert and another little book called Good news from heaven c. together with what I have learned from the Scriptures and Christians c. and so I shall trace man from his birth to his death and begin First with chose that live and die in a state of nature Secondly we shall lay down and that in few lines the blessed state of those that in their life prepare for death for death hath something to say to every man and would fain be heard but men are not at leisure to hearken to him till he throws them upon their sick beds Of the Condition of man in his birth and infancy By the pangs groans and struglings and the violent travell of his mother the child is produced to the light many miscarrying at their birth by divers accidents the mother and the child perish together but sometimes by Gods providence after the child hath been imprisoned nine moneths in an obscure prison it springs into the world and so as it were cast naked upon the earth all embrued into the blood of filthiness so that the mother is ashamed to let the child know the manner thereof Oh miserable man where shall I begin to describe thine endless misery who art condemned as soon as conceived and adjudged to eternal death before thou wast born to a temporal life a beginning indeed we may find but no end of thy misery and so thou art subject in this life to all kind of slavery and in the life to come to overlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels from which there is no escaping unless thou art born again of water and of the spirit John 3. 3 5. Of mankind in the state of childhood THE two first years of it is nothing but impotency and weak imbecility to himself and charge trouble and vexation to his parents other creatures by the benefit of nature can stand upon their Legs and seek after their food but thou must be swadled in clouts and not able to help thy self the yound chickens as soon as they are hatched can run after their dam to seek for food the lambs calves and yound colts stand suddenly upon their legs to seek their dams teats but man would perish if his mother did not bring the nipple of her brest to his mouth and rock him upon her knees and for the three or four years of his infancy he must be carefully tended for fear he should take hurt left horses carts or coaches run over him c. Of mankind in the state of youth THE greatest part of this time is spent under the restraint of their tutors or masters for youth is as an untamed beast all whose affections are rash and rude not capable of good counsel when it is given delighting in nothing but toyes and babies and vanity and therefore must be kept under the rod and fear of parents and masters as if thou hadst been born to live in slavery rather then at the disposition of thy own will no tired horses were ever more willing to be rid of their burdens then thou art to get out of this state of bondage c. never minding thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth Eccles 12. 1. Except the Lord hedge up thy way thou art running with all speed headlong to Hell Of the state of manhood THE maturiry of mans age begins at thirty and continues till forty five in this state the flesh provokes thee to lust the world allures thee to pleasure and the Devil tempts thee to all kind of sins fears of enemies affright thee suits in Law do vex thee wrongs of ill neighbours do oppress thee cares for wife and children do consume thee sin stings thee within Satan layes snares before thee sins past dogs behind thee in this miserable estate whither wilt thou go for rest and comfort the house is full of cares the Field of toyl the Sea of Pirats the Land of Robbers who can reckon up besides all this the losses crosses griefs disgraces sicknesses and calamities that do attend us the death of near and dear friends and relations one while adversity on the left-hand frets thee another while prosperity on the right-hand flatters thee over thy head Gods judgements due to thy sins are ready to fall upon thee and under thy feet hels mouth is ready to swallow thee up therefore take heed Oh man what thou dost
deeds of the flesh art thou willing to be searched by any Christian in any thing dost thou approve thy heart to God in all thy duties and services dost thou do what thou dost for God at least in desire and endeavour to obey him freely universally and constantly then thou hast a title for these are flowers of Paradise that grow not in natures garden when thou comest to dye God doth but take a flower out of the wilderness and plant it in Paradise or takes a rose out of the field and puts it in his bosom surely death to a Christian is but an unloading him of all his burdens and freeing him from all his troubles Rev. 21. 4. Rev. 14. 13. 3. If we would dye comfortably let us improve the present opportunity for we have a great deal of work to do and but a little time to do it in this work deferred will be still greater the time to do it in will be shorter the strength to do it by will be less our understanding will be more dark our hearts more hard our wils more crooked our affections more disordered our conscience more benummed the work we have to do is as followeth viz. We have a God to honour a Christ to rest on a race to run a crown to win a hell to escape a heaven to obtain we have weak graces to strengthen and strong corruptions to weaken we have many temptations to withstand and afflictions to bare we have many mercies to improve and many services to perform If Hester had not improved the present opportunity she and her fathers house had been destroyed If Abigal had not improved the present opportunity many a mans life had been cut off 1 Sam. 25. 34. There was an opportunity that the children of Israel had to enter in the Land of Canaan upon the return of the spies but they not improving of it were fain to stay longer in the wilderness Jerusalem had an opportunity to be gathered together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings but for want of improving it it was destroyed Let us now redeem the time lest our candlestick be removed Rev. 2. 5. Lest as Paul and Barnabas said to the Jews to you is the word of this salvation sent but seeing ye put it from you lo we turn to the Gentiles Act. 13. 46 c. Yet the dayes of plenty are amongst us let us with Joseph lay up in store lest we dye in the famine yet the weather is calm and the season fair let us with Noah build up an Ark lest with the rest we perish in the flood Gen 7. 21. Yet the Angel tarryeth at the gates of Sodom let us with Lot depart thence lest we be destroyed Gen. 19. 24. Yet the bridegroom tarryeth and waiteth let us hast to enter in with him lest with the foolish Virgins we be repelled Mat. 25. 12. Yet wisdom cryeth in our streets Oh then now let us harken to her Yet the Lord setteth open his storehouse of mercy let us now turn to him for a blessing lest coming too late with Esau we find none Heb. 12. 17. Yet the Lord knocketh at the door of our hearts let us now open to him lest he say to us as he did to Jerusalem Luke 19. 42. Now it is hid from thee yet the Lord waiteth for our return from Babylon oh then let us now return whilst we have time lest hereafter he say to us as the Angel sware there shall be no more time Rev. 10. 6. Yet the Lord is saying to us as in Prov. 1. 23. Turn ye at my reproof behold I will pour out my spirit upon you lest he say to us as in ver 24. Because I called and you refused you shall call and I will not hear you yet the Lord is saying to us as to Nineveh Jonah 3. 4 5. yet forty dayes and you shall be destroyed let us repent as they did lest we be destroyed indeed 4. The next thing to be practiced of all that would live sweetly and dye comfortably is first store up a stock of faith Secondly store up a stock of promises Thirdly store up a stock of prayers and thou shalt attain the art of dying well 1. Store up a stock of faith and that will shew us that Christs death is a death concerning death 1 Cor. 15. 56 57 c. Christ in his death put death to death Again faith will assure the dying party that the Lord will be with him in the hour of death Psalm 23. 4. Though I walk in the valley of death I will fear none ill c. Again faith will make a Christian willing to dye Luke 2. 28 29. Now let thy servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy salvation 2. Store up a stock of promises against that day I will be with thee in the fire and in the water saith the Lord in one promise and in another promise he saith I will never leave thee nor forsake thee the labour of the Olive may fail our nearest and dearest friends may fail our eyes may fail our tongue may fail our strength may fail our flesh and heart may fail our spirits may fail yet saith the Lord I will be with thee I will not fail thee see these precious Scriptures Josh 1. 5. Josh 21. 45. and 23. 14. 1 King 8. 56. 3. Store up a stock of prayers amongst all thy requests to God in all thy addresses to him intreat him not to forsake thee at that time 5. The fifth thing to be practiced is to endeavour to live every day as thy last day Psalm 90. The Prophet speaks of death ver 10. see what follows ver 12. So teach me to number my dayes that I may apply my heart to wisdom a natural man considers of death notionally their senses tell them that all must dye but as for preparation for it that they put off till the last year and when that is come to the last moneth and when that is come to the last week of that moneth and when that is come to the last day of that week and when that is come to the last hour of that day and when that is come to the last minute of that hour and so knock when the gate is shut Mat. 25. 12. the gate of grace is shut and the gate of mercy and the gate of indulgence and the gate of repentance and the gate of hope and the gate of comfort c. But let a Christian live every day as his last day and make sure his interest in God whilst God is reconcilable and whilst his bowels of mercy are not totally restrained and whilst the treasury door of mercy and grace is open and whilst there is a blank in the leaf for the sinners name to be put in before the glass is out and the Sun set and the golden scepter taken in 6. Gather up all thy evidences and spiritual experiences and keep them in thy heart and memory
and stand on thy guard having put on all the armour of Christ as a valiant souldier constantly maintain war and thou shalt usually obtain victory resolve in the strength of Christ either to conquer or dye conquering for let no man think to dance and dine with the Devil and afterwards to sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven Let us therefore live in Christ and not in our selves for in our selves there is a body of lust corruption and sin and a Law accusing and condemning but if we live by faith in Christ and in the apprehension of his love laying hold on the life righteousness obedience satisfaction of him whom the pirit cals ours saying Christ is ours and we are Christs and Christ is Gods and thus a believer is blessed only in a righteousness without not with in and all our assurance confidence and comforts are to flow in unto him through a channel of faith and not of works by faith we ought to live above sin infirmities temptations desertions sense reason fears doubts it makes the yoke of Christ easie and sweet it states the soul in the possession of heaven whilst the body remains on earth by faith we can cheeâ—fully part with and suffer deprivation of the sweetest outward comforts and enjoyments and welcome death knowing that we do but exchange the worst place and things for better the Lord Jesus having spoken peace to the soul that he hath paid all his debts for it and that his sins shall be remembred no more now the soul knows it is happy and enjoys the comfort of it 7. Make thy will in time of health and leave all things clear upon both books of shop and conscience that thou mayst have nothing to do but to dye and to meditate upon and to have faith in the precious promises which speak of rest joy peace and perfect happiness which is provided for us in heaven firmly believing that God will after this life give us all those things with himself which he hath promised as certainly as thou hast in thy will given to thy relations such and such things for them to enjoy and so exercise faith in the resurrection of thy body 1 Thes 4. 16. to have a spiritual body 1 Cor. 15. 43 44. to have a glorified body Phil. 3. 21. to have fulness of knowledge Ephes 3. 18 19. to have fulness of joy and pleasure Psal 16. 11. sâ—ch as shall be internal pure full spiritual and eternal where no misery hunger cold nakedness pain grief nor weariness but rest without labour in rest tranquility in tranquility content in contentment joy in joy variety in variety security in security eternity c. thus shalt thou that hast prepared for death aforehand dye sweetly whilst others that put off preparation to the last O what a hurry be they in Oh the anguish that their souls endure they apprehending God angry with them the Devil accusing them earth leaving them heaven refusing them hell claiming them soul and body parting friends weeping and themselves hopeless going they know not whither But to a godly man death is neither strange nor fearful unto him not strange because he dyed dayly not fearful because whilst he lived he was dead and his life was hid with Christ in God to dye then is nothing else but to rest from our labours and to go home to our fathers house unto the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem to an innumerable company of Angels to the general assembly and Church of the first born to God the Judge of all and unto the spirits of just men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Testament whilst his body is sick his mind is sound for God maketh all his bed in his sickness Psal 41. 3. and as his outward man decayeth the inward man â—renewed day by day when the speech of his tongue saltereth the sighs of his heart speaks lowder unto God when the sight of the eyes faileth the Holy Ghost illuminates him inwardly with abundance of spiritual light sometimes he is saying with Paul I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ Phil. 1. 23. and with David Psalm 42. 2. As the heart panteth after the water brooks so panteth my soul after thee O God when shall come and appear before him come Lord Jesus come quickly So when the appointed time of his dissolution is come knowing that he goeth to his father and redeemer in the peace of a good conscience he saith Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace c. and so surrenders up his soul as it were with his own hands into the hands of his heavenly Father saying with David Into thy hands O Father I commend my soul for thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God of truth and so saying with Stephen Act. 7. 59. Lord Jesus receive my spirit Thus far of the preparation for death with a taste of the sad condition of one dying out of Christ and the sweet condition of a Christian dying that is a member of Christ that did prepare for death before it came I had once intended here to have spoken to the sad condition of the ungodly after death resurrection and last judgement and also of the blessed condition of all that dye in the faith after death resurrection and last judgement but that will not fallin order here but towards the end of this book when we come to speak of the resurrection of the body and last judgement when Christ shall deliver up his Kingdom to his Father and God shall be all in all I shall proceed now to speak of the second coming of Christ in power and great glory c. The great and terrible day of the Lord is near dawning and the glory of all flesh staining the Kingdom of Christ appearing and the restitution of all things approaching this great Mysterie opened the grounds thereof examined the truth cleared and the ignorance of many in this Mysterie discovered THat very self-same Jesus which was born in Bethlem and suffered at Calvary even he shall come again the same Jesus not another Act. 1. 11. shall so come again as he was taken up viz. Visibly substantially apparently to all yea in the same manner yea it is added as you have seen him that we might not allegorize the matter we are kept to the very manner now for the probation of this truth we have 1. The testimony of all the Prophets 2. We have the testimony of all the Apostles 3. We have the testimony of Angels all bearing witness to this truth 1. We have the testimony of the Prophets see Acts 3. 21. Whom the heavens must receive untill the time of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the the world began but especially the Prophets since Samuel ver 24. yea and all the Prophets from Samuel and those that follow after as many as have spoken
impartiality of his justice c. by all which it doth appear most certain that Christ will come Psalm 50. 3. Luke 21. 27. Mat. 25. 31. Mat. 24. 30. Jude 14 15. 2 Cor 5. 10. 2 Pet. 3. 2. That day is very near although no man knows the time of Christs coming exactly in respect of the day and hour yet there are signs set down by Christ and his Apostles shewing that that day is not far off and further it doth plainly appear it is near yea very near by these demonstrations 1. By the fulfilling of prophesies 2. By the appearances of providences 1. By the fulfilling of prophesies viz. We have seen the Father against the son and the son against the father and the mother against the daughter and the daughter against the mother wars and rumors of wars and a great falling away and perillous times as earth-quakes many false prophets and Doctrine of Devils and some coming in the name of Christ saying I am he the unbelief that is in most and that state of security and falling from the truth once professed and the revealing of the man of sin 2 Thess 2. 1 2. These and the like are clear testimonies that the day of the Lord is at hand 2. This day is near as appears by the appearance of providences as it was in the dayes of Noah and as it fell out in the dayes Lot c. 1 Thes 5. 3. When they shall say peace and safety then suddain destruction cometh upon them 2 Tim. 3. 1 5. This know that in the last dayes perillous times shall come for men shall be lovers of their own selves covetous boasters proud blasphemers disobedient to parents unthankful unholy without natural affection truth-breakers false accusers fierce despisers of those that are good c. Surely these things do now abound by which we know the day is near the Lord hath promised to avenge his people speedily Luk. 18. 5. Zeph. 1. 14. The great day of the Lord is near is near Isa 13. 6. Howl ye for the great day of the Lord is at hand Joel 1. 15. For the day of the Lord is at hand Joel 2. 1. For the day of the Lord is come for it is nigh at hand Heb. 10. 37. Yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Object But that day and hour knoweth no man Answ Men may guess at the time and not miss much for all that for instance did not Moses through faith see the redemption of the first captivity Daniel of the second and Abraham the day of Christ and the spouse her beloved coming skiping upon the mountains and a few in Israel were found waiting for their redemption doth not the foot-steps of Christs coming begin to appear The manner of his coming THe Lord Jesus will certainly and surely like a Soveraign like a King in Majesty triumphing in much glory attended with the Arch-Angel and all the host of heaven the trumpet will be sounding the world burning the earth shaking mens hearts failing Psal 46. 6. And then the Lord will roar out of Sion and utter his voice from Jerusalem and the heavens and earth shall shake Joel 3. 16. A fire stream came forth from before him thousands ministred unto him Dan. 7. 10. And ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him this day of the Lord is great and terrible who can abide it the sight of Christs presence shall be doubtless an incredible brightness and majesty in which he shall appear for he shall come in the clouds of heaven Mat. 26. 64. with incredible glory Mat. 25. 31. accompanied with the whole Army of his Angels as before and with a great shout and voice of the Arch-Angel 1 Thes 4. 16. And by reason of his brightness the Sun and the Moon shall be darkned as lesser lights by the greater and stars shall fall from heaven that is they shall seem as it were to fall and the powers of heaven shall be shaken Mat. 24. 29. Mat. 13. 24. Yea at his sight heaven and earth shall fly away Rev. 20. 11. There shall not be a destruction of the nature of the Sun Moon and Stars as some say for the Scripture doth speak of a new heaven and new earth old renewed and so at Christs second coming he shall renew all things See Ezek. 32. 6 7. Act. 3. Rom. 8. he shall come in the glory of his Father Mat. 16. 27. with power and great glory Mat. 24. 30. the glory of a thousand Suns made into one will be but as sackcloth to that wherein Christ shall appear in mans nature the wicked shall be punished with everlasting destruction from his presence and the glory of his power 2 Thes 1. 9. and when his glory shall be revealed the Saints shall be glad with exceeding joy 1 Pet. 4. 13. The signs of Christs coming ALthough no man knows the time of Christs coming exactly in respect of the day and hour yet there are signs set down by Christ and his Apostles shewing that that day is not far off what extream security and impiety false prophesie false Christs pestilence famine earth-quakes treacheries want of faith and charity have not these things already abounded Mat. 24. 32 33. When ye see these things the end is near 1 Thes 5. 1 2 Concerning the times and seasons brethren it is not needfull that I write unto you for you your selves know well that that day of the Lord will come as a thief in thâ— night therefore learn a parable of the fig-tree when its branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves ye know that summer is nigh so likewise ye when ye shall see all these things come to pass know that it is near evâ—n at the door Christ shall come visibly VVE read Mat. 24. 64. hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory Rev. 1. 7. Behold he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him the damned shall see him to their amazement and the godly shall him to their joy and consolation Rev. 22. 4. They shall see his face and his name shall be in their forâ—heads Acts 1. 11. This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven that is Christ going up into heaven was visible so Christs coming out of heaven shall be visible Matthew 26. 64. The posture a Christian should be in at his coming BE ye also ready for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh hold out faith and patience but a little and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Mat. 24. 44. Luke 12. 35 Let your loyns be girt about and your lamps burning and you your selves looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Tit. 2. 13. Be ye
now lye hid shall then be made known Luke 18. 17. and 12. 2. there is nothing covered that shall not then be revealed 1 Cor. 4. 5. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness Matthew 24. 30. Then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn and mens hearts fail for fear and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth Joel 3. 16. the Lord also shall roar out of Sion and utter his voice from Jerusalem and the heavens and the earth shall shake but the Lord will be the hope of his people Christ shall come terribly and yet seasonably THe day of the Lord is great and terrible who can abide it Joel 2. 11. There hath not been ever the like neither shall there be Joel 2. 2. there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since the creation Dan. 12. 1. Then shall be great tribulation such as was not from the beginning to this day Matthew 24. 21 22. A fire stream shall come forth before him and ten thousands shall be ministring unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand shall stand before him and the judgement shall be set and the books opened See Dan. 7. 10. Jude 14. Yet this coming will be seasonable to all that have an interest in him and did look for him and hasten to his coming and love his appearing for now they shall be like him 1 John 3. 2. Isa 25. 9. and Isa 2. 3 4. Rev. 21. 4. There be four things that Christ hath already done for his flock and five things he is now doing and six things more he will finish when he comes THere are four things that he hath already done viz. 1. He hath taken our nature upon him Heb. 2. 16. 2. He hath taken our sins upon him Isaiah 53. 6. 3. He hath taken the curse due to us upon himsef Gal. 3. 13. 4. He hath fully satisfied Divine justice for us Isa 53. 11. Then there are five things that he is now doing for us viz. 1. He is at the right hand of the Father making interceslion for us Heb. 7. 25. 2. He is teaching us as a Prophet and preserving us as a King and healing us as a Physitian and feeding us as a Shepheard c. 3. He is preparing for the destroying of Antichrist 2 Thes 2. 8. 4. He is making good his promise in pouring out his Spirit 5. He is turning our disunion into union Zeph. 3. 9. Then there be six things more that he will do for us when he comes 1. He will unvail himself and every eye shall see him Rev. 1. 7. 2. He will gather his spiritual Kingdom Psal 50. 5. 3. He will establish his Kingdom on the top of all kingdoms Isa 2. 2. 4. He will restore our judges as at the first and counsellors as at the beginning Isa 1. 26 5. He will make his enemies his footstool Psalm 110. 1. 6. He will make his people the head and not the tail Deut. 28. 13. Dan. 7. 27. Many more things hath Christ done for us many more he is doing and many more will he do when he comes Let the reader take notice these that I have named are but a taste Of the resurrection of the dead at the second coming of Christ THough the resurrection of the dead is above nature and mans corrupt reason yet it is neither against nature noragainst right reason the Scripture proves the resurrection of the dead by many testimonies examples types and reasons c. 1. The resurrection is proved by testimonies Job 19. 25 26. Dan. 12. 2. Hos 13. 14. Mat. 22. 31. and 27. 52. John 5. 28 29. Phil. 3. 21. 1 Thes 4. 2. By example of those that were raised 1 King 17. 22. 2 King 4. 34. 2 King 13. 21. Matthew 9. 25. and 27. 52 53. Luke 7. 14. John 11. 11. Acts. 9. 40. and 20. 10. 3. By types as Aarons rod budding Numb 17. Of the Jews returning from Babylon Ezek. 37. but chiefly of Enoch and Elias Gen. 5. and 2. Kin. 2. 4. This resurrection is also proved by reasons drawn first from the Covenant of God which is not broken by death Mat. 22. 30. But the chief reason is drawn from Christ who is not only the type and example of our resurrection but the beginning also thereof For the Life of the body the Church is from the head There is a first and a second Resurrection 1. THe first Resurrection as most do affirm is a Resurrection from the death of sin to the Life of Righteousness this is a Revocation from a state of death to a state of Life 2. There is a resurrection of the same body that man had in this life Iob 19. 26. The form of this resurrection consisteth in the re-union of body and soul and restoring of the deâ—d to Life and in the suddain change of those that remain upon the earth at his coming c. This resurrection is either of the godly or of the wicked There is a Resurrection to Life and another to condemnation John 5. 29. 1. Of the godly they shall be first raised and then freed not only from corruption and bodily defects but shall be crowned also with Glory 1 Thess 4. 16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the Arch-Angel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first Agreeable to this Text is that in Rev. 20. 4 5. I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God which had not worshipped the beast nor his Image neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands and they lived and raigned with Christ a thousand years Ver. 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again untill the thousand years were finished this is the first resurrection blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second Death hath no power the Apostle Paul speaks to the same thing 1 Cor. 15. 23. But every man in his own order Christ the first fruits afterwards they that are Christs at his Coming 1 Thess 4. 14. For if we believe that Jesus dyed and rose again even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him 1 Cor. 15. 42 43 44. It is sown in corruption it is raysed in incorruption it is sown in dishonour it is raised in Glory it is sown in weakness it is raised in power it is sown a natural body it is raised a spiritual body ver 49. As we have born the Image of the earthly we shall also bear the Image of the Heavenly Adam The bodies of the Elect being thus first raised they shall have most excellent and supernatural qualities I will instance in four 1. As before they shall be raised in power whereby they shall be freed from all wants and weakness and enabled to continue without the use of meat and drink
sleep and other former helps 2. They shall be raised as before in incorruption whereby they shall never be subject to any manner of imperfection blemish sickness or death 3. In Glory whereby their bodies shall shine as bright as the Sun in the firmament Three glimpses of which Glory were seen first in Moses face secondly in the transfiguration thirdly in Stephens countenance Three instances and assurances of the Glorification of our bodies at that glorious day see Exod. 34. 27. Mat. 17. 2 3 4. Acts 6. 15. 4. In agility whereby our bodies shall be like Angels free from these shakles of clay and so move from heaven to earth and from earth to heaven even as swiftly as can our very thoughts they shall saith the Prophet renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as Aeagles they shall run and not be weary they shal walk and not faint Now if any ask how long it shall be after this first resurrection before the rest of the dead shall rise then I answer we find it recorded Rev. 20. 5. But the rest of the dead lived not untill the thousand years were finished I dare not expound this text for want of Light Now as we read of a first and second resurrection so we read of a first and last Judgement or of a particular and general Judgement Viz. Every man in particular appears before the Judgement after the hour of his death Heb. 9 27. But fully and generally upon all men after the second coming of Christ Act. 17. 31. The death of every one severally goeth immediately before the particular Judgement so the general resurrection of all goeth before the final judgement which shall be at the last day but there shall be a great distance of time between the resurrection of the Elect and the reprobate So there shall be a great difference between the resurrection of the one and of the other c. Viz. 1. The Elect shall be raised as members of the body of Christ by vertue derived from his resurrection the reprobate as malefactors shall be brought forth of the prison of the grave by vertue of the Justice of God 2. The Elect shall come forth to everlasting life which is called the resurrection of life The reprobate to shame and perpetual contempt called the resurrection of Condemnation 3. The bodies of the Elect shall be spiritual that is glorious powerful nimble Phil. 3. 21. But the bodies of the Reprobates shall be full of uncomeliness and horror and lyable to extream torment Of the Reign of Christ or kidgdom of Christ in this world though not of this world AS to this point I cannot write as to the former but under correction and with submission to better Judgements I crave leave to present mine and then let me tell the Reader I have seriously read once and again over and over all that I have heard of and met with both for the personal Reign and also against the personal Reign of Christ and searched the Scriptures and debated and reasoned with Christians many times for many moneths and I cannot yea I dare not positively affirm any such thing nor totally in any sense warily understood deny it For the Scriptures seem to point at such a thing although I do not find it so fully confirmed as many people of note pretend it doth so then although I dare not say the Kingdom of Christ is of this world yet I dare not deny but his Kingdom in a sense may be in this world Though I cannot affirm that he shall Reign personally on earth a thousand years yet I have some ground to affirm that he shall Reign spiritually aâ—d have a spiritual Kingdom for a season or else what means that Scripture Rev. 11. 15. And the seventh Angel sounded and there were great voices in heaven saying the Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign Doth not this Scripture point to the same thing Dan. 7. 27. And the Kingdom and Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heavens shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high and all Nations shall serve and obey them Doth not the Prophet Isaiah speak to the same thing Isal 2. 2 3. And it shall come to pass in the last daies that the mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hils and all Nations shall flow unto it for out of Sion shall go forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem Isai 1. 26. And I will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy Counsellors as at the beginning Jer. 3. 15. And I will give you Pastors according to mine heart which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the Light of the Sun and the light of the Sun shall be seven-fold Isai 11. 6. Then shall the Wolf dwell with the Lamb and the Leopard shall lie down with the Kid c. Vers 7. And the Cow and the Bear shall feed their young and the Lion shall eat straw like the Ox. ver 9. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain for the earth shall be full of the Knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea Jer. 32. 39. And I will give them one heart and one way that they may fear me for ever Zech. 14. 9. Then the Lord shall be one and his name one Zeph. 3. 9. For then will I turn to the people a pure language that they may all call upon the Lord to serve him with one consent Act. 3. 19. Is not this the times of refreshing that shall from the presence of the Lord Acts 3. 21. Is not this the time of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Prophets since the world began Compare this with Acts 19. 21. and Rom. 8. 19 20 21 22. Shall not the Jews be converted and imbrace the Gospel and the fulness of the Gentiles come in Rom. 11. 12. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles How much more their fulness ver 15. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world What shall the receiving of them be but life from the dead ver 26. And so all Israel shall be saved as it is written there shall come out of Sion the Deliverer and he shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob Isa 35. 6 7. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart and the tongue of the dumb shall sing for in the wilderness shall waters break forth and streams in the desart and the parched ground shall become a pool and the thirsty land springs of water Deut. 28. 13. Dan. 7. 27. Then the Lord shall make his people the head and not the tail Zeph. 3.
dwelleth Righteousness beholding and being filled with the fruition of the glorious presence of God and of the Lamb Jesus Christ in the company of innumerabl Angels and Saints 1 Cor 13. 10. Psal 16. 11. Rev. 3. 21. 2 Pet. 3. 13. Psal 17. 15. 1 Tim. 4. 17. Heb. 12. 22. O what variety of joyes may be considered in the glorification of man in the delights of heavenly mansions and in the blessed society of the Saints but chiefly in the beholding of God the body glorified the soul shall be far more prefect then it was in the state of innocency for in it shall be understanding without error light without darkness wisdom without ignorance reason without obscurity the Lord shall in the sight and hearing of all world pronounce unto his servants Matthew 25. 34. Come ye blessed of my father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world 1. Come ye here is our union and communion with the Trinity 2. Blessed here is our absolution from all sins and our endowments with all happiness 3. Of my father here is the Author from whom proceeds our felicity 4. Inherit here is faith ending in fruition and the promises in possession 5. The Kingdom behold our birth right according to grace 2 Tim. 1. 9. 6. Prepared See Gods fatherly care for his chosen John 14. 2. 7. From the foundation of the world O the free and eternal love of God in Christ having made this introduction let me crave leave of thee reader to speak more particularly of the most glorious state of a Christian in heaven after the sentence of absolution at the last day of judgement and to this point I shall rather lisp then speak being not able to conceive much less to describe that most excellent bliss and eternal wait of glory but we may take a scantling thereof thus the Lord in his word doth set forth to our capacity the glory of our eternal life after death in eight things 1. Their bodies shall shine as the brightness of the Sun 2. The soul shall be far more perfect then it was in the state of innocency 3. Consider the place where we shall be and that is in the third heaven 4. Consider whose presence we shall enjoy Father Son and and holy Spirit Saints and Angels c. 5. In this sâ—ate we shall know one another 6. In this state we shall speak one to another 7. Consider the variety of joy that there shall be in heaven 8. Consider the duration and continuance of this blessed state 1. Their bodies shall shine as the brightness of the Sun in the firmament like the glorious body of Christ The Glory of a thousand Suns made into one will be but as sack-cloath to that wherein Christ shall appear in mans nature he being in the Glory of his Father Mat 16. 27. And we shall be like him 1 John 3. 2. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their father as appears in this Scripture Mat. 13. 43. 2. The soul shall be far more perfect then it was in the state of innocency sor in it shall be understanding without errour Light without darkness wisdom without Ignorance reason without obscurity memory without oblivion the Will also shall be without perversness joy without sorrow pleasure without pain In the slate of innocency there was in man a possibility not to Sin but in the state of Glory there shall be no possibility to sin In a word both body and soul in heaven shall be in such a blessed state that neither our tongue can express it nor our mind conceive it The soul shall be more happy in being present with Jesus Christ in heaven then if it had been present with Adam in the state of innocency Adam was instated only in an earthly paradise but now thou being with Christ art instated in an everlasting Kingdom Again Adam though pleased in a state of innocency yet he was liable to lose that blessed slate and did lose it though he were a perfect creature but by Christ we are instated in a Kingdom that cannot be shaken or lost Again When Adam was made by God in innocency he enjoyed only the society of beasts on the earth and birds of the air but when Christ brings a soul to heaven God the Father Son and holy Ghost Angels and Saints shall be his companions 3. Consider the place where the Saints shall be after the Judgement and that is in the third heaven we read of Saints departed that they see the face of God They that are in the third heaven are in the presence of God the Saints departed are in the third heaven they are in paradise Luke 23. 43. which is the third heaven 2 Cor. 12. 2 4. The place of the blessed is usually known by the name of the third heaven the third heaven is a shining body created immediately of God the throne of his special presence and of the gracious manifestation of his perfections and the habitation of the blessed both Angels and men The whole Region of the air unto the Moon is in Scripture called the first heaven from the Moon to the highest stars inclusively the second heavâ—n That which is above these the place of happiness is the thiâ—d heaven 2 Cor. 12. 2. This third heaven is called a house not made with hands 2 Cor. 5 A City whose makâ—r and builder is God Heb. 11. 10. The City of the living God Hâ—b 12. 22. This is Châ—ists fathers house John 14. 2. Paradise Luke 23 43. Heaven the Heaven of Heavens 1 Kin. 8. 27. The woâ—ld 〈◊〉 this is the great City of the gâ—eat King he measured with the reed twelve thousand â—urloâ—gs the length and the bredth and the height of it are equal Rev. 21. 16. It is the Court of God and Christ wherein are habitations for in numerable company of Saints and Angels John 14. 2. Heb. 12. 22 23 24. This heaven of heavens hath twelve foundations Rev. 21. 14. The matter of the building of the wall of it was of Jasper and the City was pure gold like unto clear glass Rev. 21. 18. the form four square ver 16. Twelve thousand furlongs that is fifteen hundred English miles square the gates are in number twelve made of twelve pearls every several gate was of one pearl ver 21. Situate East West North and South three looking every way ver 13. Having ingraven upon them the names of the twelve Tribes of Israel and twelve Angels for the keepers of them the streets are of pure gold ver 21. It s Temple is God and the Lamb its Light the glory of God and the Lamb its Inhabitants are the Lords people ver 24. It s water a pure river of Life Chap. 22. 1. Its fruits are the fruits of the tree of Life ver 2. In a word there is no place so glorious by creation so beautiful with delectation so rich in possession so comfortable for habitation
love thereof they willingly parted with much of their earthly goods and possessions to lay up treasure in heaven Abraham and Sarah left their own country and possessions to look for a City whose maker and builder is God Heb. 11. 10 15 16. David preferreth one day in this place before a thousand elsewhere Psal 84. 10. Elias earnestly besought the Lord to receive his soul into his Kingdom and went willingly though in a fiery Chariot King 19. 4. Saint Paul having once seen heaven continually desiâ—eth to be dissolved that he might be with Christ Phil. 1. 23. Saint Peter having espyed but a glimpse of eternal glory in the mount wished that he might dwel there all the dayes of his life Mat. 17. 4. saying Master it is good for us to be here c. Christ a little before his death prayeth his Father to receive him into that excellent glory Joh. 17. 5. And the Apostle witnesseth Heb. 11. 2. that for the joy which was set before them they endured the cross and despised the shame 1 Pet. 5. 4. and when the chief Shepheard shall appear ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away c. this eternal condition admits of no change or alteration decay or consumption waste or diminution mans eternal condition admits of no comparison revocation or conclusion c. What use we may make of all these precious things 1. EXcellent arguments may be drawn to pres-Christians to a holy life 2 Pet. 3. 11. see ing then that all these things must be dissolved what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness and ver 14. Wherefore seeing ye look for such things give diligence that ye may be found in him in peace It is our duty to live in a continual expectation of the coming of the Lord Jesus with our loins girt and our lamps burning for blessed is that servant whom his master when he cometh shall find so doing 2. Consider that here is a fountain opened for Christian comfort and ground for patience in all troubles that there shall be an end a Christians hope shall not be cut off if in this life only we had hope we were of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15. 19. But here lyes the comfort and patience of true Christians theywait for another world and they know it is a just thing with God to give them rest after their labours 2 Thes 1. 9. and a crown after their combate 2 Tim. 4. 8. and after their long Pilgrimage an everlasting habitation 2 Cor. 5. 1. Be patient saith the Apostle and settle your hearts for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh James 5. 8. 2 Pet. 2. 9. When they that have sown in tear shall reap in joy Psal 126. 5. 3. Consider that assurance of that blessed state may be attained in this life we know faith Paul 2 Cor. 5. 1. That if our earthly house of this tabernacle be destroyed we have a building not made with hands eternal in the heavens these things saith John I have written unto you that ye may know that ye have eternal life 1 John 5. 13. I am sure saith Job 19. 25 26 27. that my Redeemer liveth and he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth and though after my skin worms destroy this body yet shall I see God in my flesh whom I my self shall see and mine eyes shall behold when I awake saith David I shall be satisfied with thy Image Psal 17. 15. 4. The consideration of this should provoke us to be such as may be made meet for this inheritance of the Saints in light and to endeavour to attain and retain the earnest of the Spirit whence we may be alwaies able to say we are confident and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 8. and to fill the soul with strong consolation against the sufferings of life and the fear of death and to work an answerable conversation that whether absent or present we may so walk as we may be accepted of him 5. The consideration of this should put us upon a patient waiting for and a longing expectation of our change which draweth on a pace and not to put that off as most do to the last year and when that is come to the last moneth of that year and then to the last week of that moneth and then to the last day of that week and then to the last hour of that day and then to the last minute of that hour and so time shall be no more and we shall not find repentance although we seek it with tears 6. Consider that the cause of our salvation and so of our glorious condition is Gods meer love and favour without any merit of ours Luke 12. 32. It is our Fathers good pleasure to give us a Kingdom Joh. 3. 16. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son Ephes 2. 8. By grace we are saved through faith and not of our selves it is the gift of God Rom. 6. 23. everlasting life is the gift of God and though eternal life be called a reward yet it is not of merit but of mercy let this be grounded in our hearts that the Kingdom of heaven is not a stipend of servants but an inheritance of Sons which they only obtain that lay hold on his mercy Romans 5. 8. compared with 1 Tim. 6. 12. and 19. 2. Now as hath been said as the love of God is the cause of our salvation fo Jesus Christ is the way Joh. 10. 9. Joh 14. 6. 3 The holy Spirit is the guide in that way as in Joh. 16. 13. 4. The Scriptures of truth is the rule Gal. 6. 16. Isa 8. 20. 5. The evidence of this salvation is faith Heb. 11. 1. It is true the instrumental cause offering and proclaiming salvation is the Gospel but the instrumental receiving and applying it is faith and the cause sealing it inwardly to our souls is the Spirit of God the external and instrumental seals thereof are the two confirming Ordinances Baptism and the Lords Supper 6. The anchor of this salvation is hope Heb. 6. 19. 7. The effects of this salvation is love to God because he loved us first and a holy conversation if ye love me saith Christ keep my commandments and they that have believed in Christ must be careful to maintain good works which are found and required in the way to the Kingdom but they are not the cause of reigning Of the end of the world THE consequents of the last judgement is life eternal in heaven or hell and the end of the world having finished the former let me point to the latter and I have finished what I intended we read Mat. 24. 3. that Peter James John and Andrew Mark 13. 3. came to Christ and desired him to satisfie them in these three questions 1. Concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple 2. Concerning
of Christ upon earth and if so what it is p. 434. Of perseverance p. 193. Q Divers hard questions answered and seeming contradictions reconciled and many scruples of conscience removed p. 347. R OF repentance unto life p. 133. Of reading the Scriptures p. 277. How to read the Scriptures p. 281. Who they are that ought to read the Scriptures p. 279. Why we ought to read the Scriptures p. 280. Of the resurrection of the dead at Christs second coming p. 432. Of the first and second resurrection p. 431. The manner how the Godly shall be raised and how the wicked p. 433. Of reprobation p. 8. S OF sanctification or a holy conversation p. 88 to p. 101. 1 Of the nature of sin p. 135. 2. How sin creeps up and gets head in man p. 136. 3. Of the great danger of small sins p. 137. 4. Of the mischief brought upon man for one sin p. 139. What hurt sin doth a Saint p. 140. 5. The best way to mortifie sin p. 141. 6. in in the best Saints and most times in the best actions done by them p. 146. 7. Of the vast difference between the sinning of the regenerate and unregenerate p. 148. 8. How many wayes the Lord is said to forgive sin p. 150. 9. Whether sins before conversion ought to be called to mind after Conversion p. 151. 10. Whether the dominion of sin may be taken away when the life of sin remains p. 153. Of singing and praising God in Psalms Hymns and spitual Songs p. 247. Of Suspention p 283. Of the Lords Supper another standing ordinance of the Gospel p 263. 1. What it is ibid. 2. Wherein it doth differ from baâ—tism p. 264. 3. Of the preparation to the Lords Supper p. 265. 4. â—f the actions of the administrator p. 266. 5. The actions and duty of the receiver p. 268. 6. Who they are that may pertake of this Ordinance p. 269. 7. Of the ends ands uses of the Lords Supper p. 270. 8. The duty of all after receiving p. 271. Of the shoâ—tness of mans life and misery that doth attend every age thereof p. 383. 1. Of the Condition of man in his birth p. 385. 2. Of the state of child-hood p. 386. 3. Of the stâ—te of youth p. 387. 4. Of the state of manhood ibid. 5. Of the declining state of man p. 388. 6. Of the decrepit state or old age p. 389. Of the soul of man p. 〈…〉 The soul shall be far more perfect and excellent was in the state of innocency p. 454. The Saints after death shall be in the presence of Father Son and Holy-Ghost Angels and Saints p. 458. 1. In this state we shall know one another p. 459. 2. In this state we shall speak one to another ibid. 3. Of the duration of this blessed estate p. 460. When a man may be said to suffer for well doing and when for evil doing p. 329. T THE great and terrible day of â—he Lord is near proved p. 414. 1. By the testimony of the Prophets ibid. 2. By the testimony of the Apostles p. 415. 3. By the testimony of the Angels p. 416. 4. By the immutabilâ—ty of Gods dec ree ibid. 5. By the infallibility of his promises ibid. 6. By the impartiality of his justice p. 416 V OF Vocation p. 17. W OF the world flesh and devil p. 314. Of the riches of the world p. 315. He that men account the richest man in the world is many times the poorest man p. 316. FINIS Some Books printed and sold by Thomas Brewster at the three Bibles neer the West end of Pauls AN Epitome of all the Common and Statute Laws of England in Fol. The Faithful Counsellour or the Marrow of the Law in English in 4. to The Priviledges of the People vindicated in 4. to All three by William Sheppard Esquire The Retired mans Meditation or the Mysterie and Power of godliness By H. Vane Knight Vindiciae Justificationis Gratuitae Justification without Condition or the free Justification of a sinner Explained Confirmed and Vindicated By W. Eyre Minister of the Gospel at New-Sarum Mr. Baxter's Aphorisms of Justification Examined and Answered By J. Crandon in 4. to An Exposition of the whole Book of Canticles wherein the Text is Explained and useful observations raised thereupon by J. Robotham in 4. to Gospel Holiness or a saving sight of God and the glorious Priviledge of the Saints By Waltâ—r Craddock Preacher of the Gospel in 4. to A description of Jerusalem with a Map By H. Jesse in 4. to A Store-house of Provision for further Resolution in several Cases of Conscience viz. of living above Ordinances of walking in Fellowship with the unbaptized of Laying on of hands c. Also a small Catechism for babes and little ones all three by H. Jâ—sse The Right Constitution of a Common-wealth with some Errors of Government and Rules of Policy in 8. vo A Brief History containing most of those notable Occurrences and Revolutions that happened in those late contests between King and Parliament being a short mention of things from 1637 to 1648. by T. May Esquire Milk for Babes in Christ or Meditations Observations and Expeâ—iences with divers cases of Conscience resolved the glorious Priviledges of them that are Christs with the way to know whether we are of that are Christs with the way to know whether we are of that blessed number Also Election before the foundation of the World asserted and the faith of Gods elect what it is By Martin Finch Preacher of the Gospel in Lincoln-shire in 8. An Anti-Diatribe or the Apologie of some Ministers and godly people asserting the Lawfulness of their administring the Lords Supper in a select company proving also the necessity of Examination in order to a more holy Church-fellowship being an answer to Mr. Humphreys's general Admission By H. Saunders Minister of Hollesworth in Devon The Bible in Welsh with several other Wâ—lsh Books Lazarus and his Sisters discourse of Paradise or a conference about the excellent things of the other world A Discoverer of some plots of Lucifer against the Children of men The Yearning of Christs Bowels towards his languishing friends By S. Moore Minisâ—er of the Gospel The Gate of Tongues unlocked and opened or a Seed-time of all Tongues and Sciences being a Short way of teaching and thoroughly learning the Latine English French c. Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus his Divine Pimander in 17 Books together with his second book called Asclepius containing 15 Chapters with a Commentary done into English By Dr. Everard Some Sermons preached on several occaâ—â—ons By P. Sterry Christian experiences from Scripture-evidences under these several heads viz. 1 â—omfort for Believers against their fears and dismayings 2. Comfort for Believers from their spiritual incomes 3. Mans fruitlesness without saving faith 4. Counsel unto Saints as sojourners and strangers 5. Mâ—ns folly in determining by present Events or State of things By R. Coler preacher of the Gospel in Wiltshire These written by T. Collier viz. The Right Constitution of a Visible Church of Christ with its order and Ordinances The Day Dauning relating to the calling of the Jews and Christs second coming The Confession of Faith of several Churches of Christ in the Weâ—t signed by several officers of the said Curches A Catechism for the instruction of youth A Dialogue between a Minister of the Gospel and an enquiring Christian about the Authority of the Scriptures and the principles of the Quakers The personal appearing and Reign of Christs Kingdom on the Earth stated An Antidote against the Infections of the times or a faithful Watch-word from Mount-Sion to prevent the ruine of souls whereby some special considerations are presented to sinners Admonition to Saints and Invitation to backsliders Published for the good of all by the Elders and Messengers of several Churches in Wales A Warning Piece for the Slumbring Virgins or an Alarm to the friends of the Bridegroom being some awakning Meditations upon Christs own Watch-word Mat. 26. 41. By Ge. Scortreth Preacher of the Gospel in Lincoln Recommended to the Reader by Joseph Caryl William Greâ—nhill Geo. Griffiths Books against the Quakers A Faithful Discovery of a treacherous Design of Mystical Antichrist displaying Christ's Banners but attempting to lay waste Scriptures Churches Christ faith hope c. and establish Paganism in England being an Examination of the Doctrines of the people called Quakers By Joseph Kellet John Pomroy Paul Glisson A Confutation of the Quakers being an Answer to nineteen Queries propounded by them and Answered by S. Eaton Minister of the Gospel in Cheshire A Testimony to the true Jesus and the faith of him wherein the way of the people called Quakers is examined and weighed being an Answer to James Nailor's Book called Love to the Lost by T. Higgenson A Looking-glass for the Quakers By T. Collier