a whoring after their Gods and God delivered them often into the hands of their Oppressors yet in mercy ever and anon in their distresses be raised them up Saviours or Judges So after the time of the Apostles and first Witnesses and the time of the Churches next succeeding them according as the Apostles had foretold wolves did enter in among them and men speaking perverse things rose up among them and something now they inclined to adorn them with the Wisdom and Learning of the Gentiles in Philosophy and other such-like Arts and excellency of Speech as the Gentiles gloried in and likewise with such worldly Excellencies and Superiorities and Dignities for Church-Order and Offices as might suit the same and so humane Traditions and Superstitions begun to spring up and God deeply chastned them and suffered the Enemies to load them with many Persecutions yet in their cries he still gave them some Deliverances and preserved to them many good and faithful Teachers 4. After those troublous times of Israel God gave them more peaceable times with the enjoyment of the purity of his worship in the days of Samuel Saul David Solomon his worshipping right to Judah in following Kings Raigns for a time so God was pleased after terrible Persecutions to give to the Christian Churches rest and peace in the time of Constantine and some other Emperours and Kings after him so as the Churches began for to encrease and flourish both East and West for a time 5. After Israel had long enjoyed these flourishing times they grew full and fell into Divisions and then ten Tribes rent from the House of David and fell to superstition in worshipping Jeroboam's Calves and after to more gross Idolatry in worshipping Baal till they were carried away into Captivity and are not yet returned but Iudah still worshipped the true God though polluted with many defilements of Israel's Superstition so the Christian Churches after a while of enjoyment of these flourishing times grew full and through pride and covetousness of their Bishops aspiring for pre-eminence fell into many Sects and Divisions and what Divisions in Churches and between the Churches East and West is by many recorded till many Churches that were famous in the first times had their Candlesticks removed and Mahometans now possess their place and they are not to this day restored The other Churches specially Westward still retained the Faith though defiled with many humane inventions and superstitions 6. After Israel's Captivity yet Iudah repented not of the defilements among them but though for a while continuing with God yet by degrees they fell to provoke him so with their Idolatries that he caused them also to be carried away Captive to Babylon for threescore and ten yeers so also after the removal of so many Churches Eastward the remaining Churches VVestward did not repent of their defilements with humane inventions and superstitions nor of the pride and covetousness of their Bishops and though for a time they held the Faith yet by degrees they fell to more superstitions so as they provoked God and made way for the Man of sin till he got his Seat in the Temple of God and therewith a worldly power also and so exaited himself above all that hath Imperial Majesty and so God being provoked left the outward Court into the hands of the Gentiles and being filled with Idolatry and Superstition the Holy City is by them trodden under foot 1260 yeers all which time the VVitnesses prophesie in Sack-cloth and all the upright are as Captives in Babylon mysterious Babylon 7. The Jews after their first coming out of Babylon they set on building the Temple and worshipped God according to the express and plain import of the Letter or VVords of the Law and were commended for it and encouraged by the Prophets and so they prospered for a time so the Christians after the first coming forth from the gross darkness delusions and Tyranny of the Man of sin endeavoured collection and reformation of Churches and held forth the Gospel according to the express and plain import of the Letter or words of the Scripture and for a time though in persecution they prospered and the word of the Lord grew and encreased 8. After this the Jews fell no more to the Idolatry of Jeroboam or of Baal nor to any willing or openly professed Idolatry of the Heathen yea they were zealous against it but in their zeal they ran into many over-strict Interpretations of some part of the Law and over-loose in some other parts of it and found out many Inventions and Devices pretending to Humility Devotion and Holiness which they took on them to observe and so by Tradition kept them appearing herein very holy and all that did not know and yield up to the same they counted as sinners publicans and prophane And thus they continued though under the Roman power till the coming of Jesus Christ So after the coming forth from the Man of sin these reformed Churches fall no more to such gross Idolatries but testifie against it yet with their humane Learning and Wisdom they content not themselves with the plain sayings of the Gospel but study and strain for Interpretations and so have framed by their School-Arts such appearing-exquisite Opinions and Rules also for Church-Government and certain Observations pretending to great strictness zeal devotion and holiness which taken up as a Tradition from one to another must be maintained and observed and they that do not observe the same are counted either factious or prophane And thus they continue till neer the coming of Christ 9. After the Jews had some Generations walked thus God sent among them John the Baptist in the Spirit and power of Elias the immediate fore-runner of the Lord's first coming by whom the way of the Lord was prepared and many discipled for the acknowledgement of him but those zealous ones received him not but rejected him though divers Sects among themselves Pharisees Sadduces and Herodians c. So after the reformed Churches have some Generations continued thus God stirs up some of his Servants to declare the Testimony of Christ plainly in the three forementioned Branches and therein the Love of God to Mankinde with the Priviledges of Believers and so to call to Repentance of the Doctrines and precepts of Men and to receive the Testimony of Christ and look for his coming and some here and there do imbrace it but very few of the wise and zealous Observers of the Doctrines and Traditions of their Fathers will receive it but oppose it earnestly though many divisions among them 10. When the Jews had had their time and God dealt thus with them and their sin ripened in opposing John c. then came Jesus Christ among them but these great Ones opposed him also so when the Gentiles have had their time and God hath dealt thus with them and their sin is grown ripe in such opposition of light then comes Jesus Christ personally with all his
An Explicite DECLARATION OF The Testimony OF CHRIST According to the plain Sayings of the Gospel And therein Of the PURPOSES PROMISES and COVENANTS of God as by GOSPEL declared With A Consideration of a QUESTION stated about FAITH By Thomas Moore Senior Rom. 15.4 Whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope Printed at London by J. C. for Livâ—â—el Chapman at the Crown in Popes head alley 1656. To such as believe the Testimony of CHRIST GOD having given to all men an object of Faith Act. 17.31 Rom. 16.26 Mar. 16.15 Jam. 1.18 Rom. 10.10 15. 4.5 22 25. and commanded it to be made known by the Scriptures preached to all Nations for the obedience of Faith and that believing it which is begot thereby and closeth therewith so as to rest thereon for that promised being therefore by him called Faith and to such Believers Faith imputed for Righteousness So as it is verily true Heb. 11.6 Eph. 2.17 18. Act. 10.43 13.38 39. Rom. 5.1 2 3 5. Heb. 11.2 Act. 18.26 9.15 Rom. 11.20 Eph. 2.8 1 Cor. 15.1 4. 2 Thess 1.10 1 Job 5.10 By Faith we come and approach to God by Faith we receive remission of sins by Faith we are justified and approved of God by Faith we receive the vertues of the Sacrifice and Blood of Christ by Faith we are sanctified and conformed to the minde of Christ by Faith we stand and are saved by Faith we receive the Testimony of Christ and so come to have that Testimony and therein the holy Spirit testifying and Christ testified of and the Father that is in Christ dwelling in our heart by Faith Eph. 3.17 Gal. 3.26 Hab. 2.4 Rom. 1.17 Gal. 1.13 1 Joh. 5.4 5. Heb. 11. all 1 Pet. 1.5 so as by Faith we are the Sons of God and in all trials and temptations by Faith we live yea by Faith we have the victory over the flesh the world and the devil and by Faith may be enabled to do worthily in our generations and be constant in all services of love enduring through all sufferings till we die in the Faith and so in the Resurrection shall receive the kingdom for we are kept by the power of God through Faith unto salvation I therefore am perswaded it is our best service and fruit of love Jude 20.3 2 Tim. 4.7 8. Eph. 4.4 5. to edifie one another in this most holy Faith yea and to contend for it also against the opposers of it and know this Faith to be one and that there is but one Faith that is Faith indeed though in time past I have conceited divers kindes of Faith and now lately meeting with a Question stated in which are asserted two kindes of Faith each true and real in its kinde by M. John Owen in his Book entituled The Doctrine of the Saints perseverance I was mov'd in my heart to consider the same and to answer some Expressions of his yet leaving the handling of the Controversie to those more fit to whom it may appertain acknowledging all for Truth in his Book that is found in the Testimony of Christ and stands with the Rule proposed by himself also and refuse the rest according to his own counsel direction wherein I have endeavored by plain Testimony and sayings of Scripture to set forth the true Faith in the object of it and Grace of believing with its efficacies and so to encourage men to believe and believers to persevere I desire the plain Testimony of Scripture may be believed and so far as any of us are by the Spirit therein brought to acknowledg Christ and desire the exaltation of his Name and winning in of others thereto and encrease and growth of grace in believers let us keep this unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace that so in all our other differing apprehensions and expressions we may so contend for what the Scripture saith that whatever absurdity thereby we seem to cast upon any expressions of one another it may be without judging or despising of one another taking opposed expressions as consequences of misconception in the fancy and not fruits of the principle of grace in such as acknowledge Jesus the Lord nor judging them graceless or having no principle of grace because of such an expression that so we may do all things in charity seeking the edification of one another and so I hope if any be otherwise minded God will reveal the same to them onely whereto we have attained let us walk by the same rule of Faith and Love and believe what Scripture testifieth and not be waved from that the Scriptures being able to make us wise unto salvation through Faith that is in Jesus Christ And so committing my self and labour to the Lord 's gracious good pleasure and to Believers to be tried and received or refused as they are found to be agreeing or disagreeing with the plain sayings of the Testimony of Christ I rest Wittlesey Oct. 12. 1655. A well-willer of all that love the Lord Jesus Christ Thomas Moore The Contents of the Treatise in seven Parts PART I. An Introduction to the Testimony of Christ Chap. 1. A Direction to discern Truth from Error pag. 1. Chap. 2. Evidences of the Truth and plainness of the Testimony pag. 4. Chap. 3. Of the enmity of Flesh and Satan and their way of opposing pag. 9. Chap. 4. An Assay to remove the Objections of those that pretend Spirit and Inspiration Where what meant by Christ what by Scripture what by Letter and what by Spirit pag. 11. Chap. 5. An Answer to such as seek to trouble by words pag. 20. Chap. 6. Answer to such as pretend Scripture to trouble with pag. 26. Chap. 7. A Conclusion with the consent of a learned man pag. 32. Chap. 8. An Assay to direct the weak to finde the Testimony of Christ in the plain sayings thereof pag. 34. Chap. 9. Of the Creation of Mankinde in the first Adam pag. 41. Chap. 10. Of the fall and misery of him and Mankinde pag. 44. Chap. 11. Of the immutability of God notwithstanding pag. 49. Chap. 12. Of the remedilesness in Mankinde fallen to help himself and the wonderfulness of help in another pag. 55. Chap. 13. Of the similitudes and dissimilitudes between the first now old and the new Creation pag. 60. PART II. A declaration of the testimony of Christ in the branches of it Chap. 1. Of the Testimony of Christ who what a one and whence pag. 67. The first Branch Chap. 2. Of the Oblation of Christ pag. 73. Chap. 3. What that was which was offered up in Sacrifice pag. 75. Chap. 4. Who it was that offered up this Sacrifice pag. 76. Chap. 5. To whom be offered this Sacrifice pag. 83. Chap. 6. For whom and in whose behalf he offered it pag. 86. Chap. 7. For what Christ offered this Sacrifice for men viz. To make
to turn aside therefrom so proud to think you know more and better than all these so singular from all other Men in your Opinion and Way know you not it will be an Offence to our learned Men and Teachers and lay a blemish on them and our Fore-fathers as if they were mistaken and did erre Answ We have a plain Answer to all this in the Doctrine of Christ that all Doctrines Sayings Interpretations Glosses Sences Traditions that are not found in the Law and Testimony that have but the Doctrine and Tradition of Men to warrant them how many learned and how ancient soever they be yet they must not be taken because their Words and Sense to be therefore right but must be rectified and brought to the plain sayings of Truth and all not so rectified must be rejected And thus did our Saviour rectifie the commonly received sense of the Law and rejected the false Glosses a Mat. 5.21.22 39. Mar. 10.3 9. and so he hath likewise taught us That it is in vain and makes the Word and Sayings of God of none effect to teach and believe and worship God with and by the Doctrines Traditions and Opinions of Men that are not in the Sayings of God and so not of him but of men how many learned holy or ancient soever they appear b Isa 29.14 Mat. 15.1 9. Mar. 7.1 14. And he hath likewise taught us That every Plant which our Heavenly Father hath not planted must be plucked up and God's own Sayings Believers are to justifie whoever be thereby found a lyer letting such lyers alone not being troubled with fear of offending them because they be blinde leaders of the blinde c Mat. 15.13 14. 11.19 Rom. 3.4 The Jews of old were commended for observing the plain Words and Sayings of the Law though many right holy Men for divers Generations before had not done so exactly according to the plain saying of the Law d Neh. 8.14 15 16 17. yea the Priests and Scribes of the Jews in Herod's time when they answered a Question with a plain saying of Scripture erred not in the Answer given e Mat. 2.5 6. so victorious is the Truth in its own sayings Nor is it Pride or sinful Singularity or just cause of Offence to any to believe the Sayings of God to be true whoever be reproved as a lyer thereby but rather true Humility in laying aside our own Wisdom and desire of Repute with humane Rabbies and it is Obedience to God in justifying him in his Sayings which are never rightly understood but in believing them f 1 Cor. 3.18 19 20. Rom. 3.4 so that he that believeth the plain sayings in the Testimony of Christ to be true will not hearken to or be waved by this Objection Object 2 It is not like yea not possible yea against Reason That Moses should speak of so low a business as the Creation of this visible World with visible Heaven Earth and Creatures or That from one Man and one Woman the World should be so people'd by Noah 's time or That eight Persons with Creatures of all kindes should be preserved a whole yeer in such an Ark as is mentioned when all the World of Mankinde and other Creatures besides should be drowned or That if the World were so drowned that it should be so people'd and inhabited so fully by Abraham 's time or That there should be Three in One God and yet God but One or That God in the Person of his Son should become Man or That that Man should be God and yet die or if as Man he died that that very Body that died should be risen again and ascended into Heaven and remain so long in the Heavens or That by his Death and Righteousness other Men should be saved or That if there be such a thing as Eternal Salvation if God made all Men and Christ died and gave himself a Ransom for All that All should not be Eternally saved or That there should be a Resurrection of all the Bodies that have died since Adam 's time c. Answer These are all such plain Blasphemous and Atheistical Assertions that they are rather to be abhorred and answered with silence and departure than any parleying about such Absurdities and Infidel-like Blasphemies according to the Counsel given us not to answer but depart g Prov. 26.4 14.7 Isa 36.21 yet because many devise Allegories to make them true in an Allegorical Sense thereby to colour their Atheism and Unbelief and pretend a Fancy of higher things though they are vain Fancies and Dreams Prov. 26.5 we may give an Answer beside plain Denial which yet were enough And so it 's answered That however Types and Shadows and Parables might be Allegorized to an Agreement in a spiritual sense with the substance of Truth shadowed and typed Col. 2.17 2 Pet. 1 16. 2.1 2 18. Jude 12. yet the Truth it self is no Type or Shadow no Fable nor can there be any higher Business so as it admits not of Allegorizing and such as fancy Allegories to shew something more high and spiritual their Allegories are vain Dreams Fancies meer Winde and Vanity As for others not so far departed from the Faith that yet not believing the extent of God's own Sayings about his own Works of Creation Redemption and Extention of means that men might partake of Redemption c. who to colour their Unbelief bring in Forrain Senses and limiting Interpretations as if the words of a Man concerning the work of a Man and not the Words of God concerning the Works of God and so where he faith All men every man they gloss it Some of all sorts if he say The world and The whole world they will gloss it The world of the Elect. Whereas in a saying that is of God and his works if general and large and no saying of his contradicting it at any time there can be no limitation let not mortal Man presume to be wiser than his Maker But our Saviour's Answer may serve for all these who tells us That Unbelief and Ignorance of the Scripture and of the Power of God is the cause of all such Errors g Mat. 22.29 Mat. 12.24 and disables to give any right Interpretation Allegorical or Logical Object 3 You have the Scripture but in a Translation and have not sufficient Words to import the full sense of many Words in your Language which the Hebrew and Greek the Original in which the Scriptures were writ do import therefore the sayings are not plain to you that understand not the original Tongues Answer This is a meer gull to deceive the ignorant that their Rabbies might be Lords of their Faith for against this Objection we may finde in the Scripture it self many things viz. 1. That all words are not in every sentence to be taken according to the full extent of the Etymologie of the word as where it is said Our Saviour will
about the Truth and Righteousness of the Sayings of Christ lest that lead us to stumbling as it did those John 6.30 52 60. Secondly Read the Scripture as the Declaration of the God of Truth which he by the Spirit of Truth hath caused to be written for our learning and in which he speaketh to us d Rom. 15.4 Mat. 22.31 Heb. 3.7 13.5 And therein first and chiefly minde what he hath testified of his Creation of the World for Mankinde and of Mankinde righteous in one publick Man and of the Disobedience and Fall of Mankinde into sin and death in and through one publick Man and of the Redemption wrought for Mankinde in and by another publick Man and of the fulness that is in the second publick Man to make known the Minde and Love of God and to send forth Spirit to convince Men and bring them in to believe and of the Remission of sins and Eternal Life for Believers and the just Condemnation of such as disobey and refuse to believe and of the Resurrection of the just and unjust and the appearing of all before the Judgement-Seat of Christ and his sentence of the Just into Everlasting Blessedness and of the unjust to Everlasting Torment and how all these Sayings are plain being written to that end that we may know the certainty of the words of Truth and that we might apply our Hearts to his Knowledge and put our trust in the Lord e Prov. 22.17 21. And if these Sayings should not hold forth their own Sence no man could tell us what the Sence is let not our Mindes be waving in this but give God the Honour of his Truth and Love in speaking these things so plainly to us as they admit not of any Limitation Glossing or Allegory These be the first things to be known and most needful to be first known and all other Sayings known by their agreeing in Sence with these therefore read them as God's Declaration of his Minde to us that we may know it Thirdly as God hath been pleased to condescend so low to us as to make known his Minde to us in words understandable to and used among Men and in such manner as is usable among Men for importing their Sence so let us observe and minde about them that which is observable of Men about the Import of words to know their sense as to say 1. The Country or People where such words are used knowing that many things are expressed by divers words in divers Countries and understood by the use of the expression in that Country where it is used and that in some one Country one and the same word is diversly used and the Sense it beareth known by the sentence in which it is used Now the Country whence the Gospel came being Zion and according to the Spirit 's breathing writ in the Scriptures we are to minde how and in what sence words are used there and so to understand them according to the sentence in which they are used 2. By and of whom a Speech is whether Governour or Subject wise or simple true faithful and knowing or ignorant and unfaithful and accordingly we value the Extent Truth Worth and Goodness of their Sayings or put Limits and make Doubts thereof so in the Scriptures being related the Sayings of God by his Spirit and the Sayings of Men both of faithful and unfaithful Men we may understand those sayings accordingly for their Extent Worth Truth or for their scantness weakness c. 3. The persons and things treated of whether the chief Magistrate of a Commonwealth or inferiour Magistrates or Fathers or Masters and so whether of a Kingdom Commonwealth Corporation Association or Family and so understand the words All Every Head Body or Hand ruling or subjection accordingly so may we observe in reading the Scriptures of whom and what we read where we read of two Adams or two publick Men the first a living soul the second a quickning Spirit the first fallen and of the Earth earthy the second alive for evermore the Lord from Heaven heavenly the first having all his Generation in his loyns naturally to come forth of him the second taking the Nature of the first and spiritualizing it to have his Generation out of the first Man's Children by bringing them in to him in a spiritual manner And so we read of Men as they are of the Race of the first Adam and of some Men as born of Water the Spirit and become of the Generation of the second and spiritual Man And so we read of the Works of God and of Men about both and of things sutable to the one and his Generation and of things sutable to the other and his Generation And so when we read the sayings of the first Man and his natural Race and of things pertaining to them whether All Every or Head Body Eye Hand Foot or of Wisdom Power Works of Righteousness or of Lands Waters Trees Mountains we may understand it in a sense sutable to the natural Man and his Race whether it be plain or metaphorical But if the sayings be of the second Man that is the spiritual Man and his spiritual seed and of things peculiar to him and them we may understand it spiritually in a sense suiting to Christ and the things of Christ whether it be Temple House Body Eye Hand Foot Fire Water Trees Wisdom Strength or righteous Doing yet still according to the Import of the Letter speaking of such things comparing natural things with natural and spiritual things with spiritual and in sayings relating to both natural and spiritual Men to understand them in both senses according to their Relation 4. The Business in and about which the saying is whether Monarchical agitated by Imperial Edict or National agitated by a Parliament or State or whether the Business of a Province or Country agitated by Judges Justices and Jurors or a Corporation Business agitated by Major Aldermen Counsellor or a Family-Business agitated by a Father Master or Steward's direction or Personal Business between two or three and then the words Rule House Order Law All Every Many or Elect are easily understood of a larger or less extent or more general or more special in the Import of the Sense so in Scripture we may observe the Business of which the Sayings are whether of God and of Christ and his Works and therein whether of his Works in general as of Creation of all things and of Mankinde or his Redemption of Mankinde or his Preservation of them and Extention of Mercies and Means to them to call them to Repentance or whether of more special Mercies and Means extended to one Nation more than to another or of peculiar Graces extended to his new-born People and so whether of his Works of Salvation for Men or iâ— Mâ—n or of his Redemption and Purchasing of Men of God and calling them to God or of his redeeming and purchasing some Men from among Men
and Oblation of Christ and for him to offer for and so accomplish their Salvation This stands cross to the whole Testimony of Scripture about the Oblation of Christ as foreshewn Par. 1. ch 7. and is answered in the former Answer being no Scripture-saying nor agreeing with the Rule there given and by him approved 3. That the Fruits of the purchase of Christ shall certainly be bestowed on all those for whom he died c In Epist to his Higness p. 2. And again That all the effects and fruits of the Death of Christ antecedent to our believing are deposited in the hand or righteousness and faithfulness of God to whom as a ransom it was payed c. to be made out effectually to them for whom he died in the appointed time and season to which he quotes 1 Tim. 2.5 6. Heb. 2.17 2 Cor. 5.18 19. 1 Cor. 6.19 20. d Pag. 168. None of these places countenancing either of these expressions and some contradicting them cleerly And it 's before shewn how Scripture plainly affirmeth That Jesus Christ as the publick Man is by vertue of his sufferings and Oblation offered to God glorified with the Glory he as the Son of God had with the Father before the World was and That he is made The Christ and The Lord of all The Saviour of the World The Head of the Church The Mediator between God and Men The great High-Priest yea all Power and Authority is given to him yea Power to give Repentance and Remission of sins to open blinde eyes to communicate the Priviledges of sons to raise the Dead and to judge all Men according to the Gospel and to give rewards to his Servants the Saints both small and great to sit on the Throne of David and set his suffering-Saints on Thrones with him and all this the Fruit of the Death Oblation and Purchase of Christ and attained by him and to be believed O let not Believers be so puff'd up to think all this must be bestowed on them all Scripture is against it let none suffer himself by such dangerous Expressions to be occasioned to fall into the Condemnation of the evil Angels that were not content with their place But let this be waved as not intended though the Expression giveth Ground for it and waving this the Expression is waved as false and dangerous but take it in the best sense we can it is a confessed Truth That the Gifts of Apostles Prophets Evangelists The visible descending of the Holy Ghost The Gifts of speaking with divers Tongues The Gifts of Miracles were all fruits and effects of the Death Oblation and Purchase of Christ as hath been shewn in plain Texts and were procured by him into himself to be bestowed as Fruits of his Death before we believed And the Spirit saith That all these are not given not only not to every one for whom Christ died but even not to every Believer and Member of the Church So that this Expression as it's derogatory to Christ so it is contradictory to the plain Testimony of the Spirit in the Scripture But let leave be given to wave this though the Expression will not admit the waving it seeing these are things by some attained to and to be believed But if no more is meant but those Graces necessary to sonship and eternal salvation yet the Expression crosseth the plain sayings of the Gospel still that intimate to us the perishing of some for whom Christ died and hath plainly foretold us That some will deny the Lord that bought them yea the Scripture setteth forth the Death Oblation and Purchase of Christ as the Ground of the Lordship of Christ and of his raising the Dead and of the Equity of his judging according to the Gospel which is all denied by this Expression And yet here is more confusion and darkness in this Expression in a mistake of that for what Christ offered himself a sacrifice to God if not a short coming also in that which he offered surely in his paying the debt he died that is true and yet here is more than simply Death in the Oblation giving or Ransom or Sacrifice even Death Resurrection Ascension and giving himself to God that which he gave and offered to God for us was himself his own Body as is foreshewn And that for which he gave himself was for Men for sinners ungodly c. for us even for our sins to take them away and for our nature and persons to purchase us into his dispose as is fully shewn and proved True if there had been any that God had chosen and given to Christ to die for c. as Mr. Owen intimates in some of his Expressions then they were God's Elect and Christ his peculiar by donation of the Father before his Death and so his Death and Oblation could not be for them to purchase them or that they should be his by vertue of that Oblation and Purchase of his seeing they were his Father's Elect and his by gift before no need to buy after that which was given before therefore it must not be for them but for something else for them And what that is Mr. Owen's Expression hinteth and in other his writings he expresseth as if Christ in giving himself to God did purchase of his Father by his Death and Sacrifice certain Graces of Repentance Faith Love and other spiritual Gifts to be bestowed on some certain persons fore-given him to die for That such gifts are the effects and fruits of the Death and Oblation of Christ is true and granted because he by his Oblation procured that power and furniture when he purchased us and an Inheritance for all that believe on him by which he giveth and worketh these Graces though purchasing such Graces be no Scripture-phrase and yet this is still more unscripture-like in intimating as if all these Graces and Fruits were not in the Hands of Christ to bestow though purchased by him but deposited into the Hands of God c. Very true for they are all deposited in to the Man Christ in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth bodily Col. 2.3 9 10. Isa 42. 1-7 and 61.1 2. And to him it belongs to give Repentance Faith Love and to communicate the Priviledges of sons and this Power and Authority he purchased when he purchased Mankinde to be given into his dispose Par. 1. ch 7. so that this Expression suits not to any plain sayings of Scripture nor to the approved Rule to which he commends us for trial 4. That there was but one type of Christ his intercession principally namely the entrance of the high Priest into the holy of holies e Pag. 216. Sect. 3. Surely he must comprehend a great deal in the High-Priest's entrance into the holy of holies to make that any direct Type of the Intercession of Christ at all much more to make it the principal one for the High-Priest entred into the holy of holies once every yeer
and this is the refreshing c. And that it was this is evident vers Act. 10.36 39 40 42 43. Joh. 3 14-17 Luk. 24.45 46 47 48. Joh. 15.4 5 6 7. 16. and the same commanded by him to the first Witnesses of Christ to the same end 2. This also was both appointed and practifed by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in his own personal Ministration yea he affirms plainly That as no Man in any spiritual good so Ministers for bringing any Fruit to God in their Ministration without him they can do nothing 3. This also of Christ having once died Joh. 15.26 27. Act. 5.31 32. and being risen and offered himself a Sacrifice to God for us all and being accepted of God and so displayed in the Gospel ministred is that by and of and with which the Holy Ghost restifying of Christ doth both convince teach and lead c. 1. He thus convinceth of Sin of Righteousness and of Judgement Joh. 16.7 8 9 10 11. 1 Joh. 5.9 10 11. Isa 55.4 Joh. 5 37-40 15.22 Of Sin because they believe not on him that died for their sins and made peace by his blood in whom God hath given us Eternal Life of whom God hath born witness and through him testified his Love that men might believe and in believing have Life Of Righteousness That all compleat Righteousness is in him Heb. 9.7 12 14 10 1-11 12 14. and all other Righteousness of Men vain seeing all other High-Priests entring the holy of holies came forth again still to offer with Blood and Sacrifices again but he having approached to his Father with that one offering it is so accepted that he comes forth no more to suffer and offer himself a Sacrifice propitiatory again but is set at the right hand of God an evident demonstration of Righteousness compleated in and by him and the vanity of all other Righeousness besides Of Iudgement because the Prince of this World is judged already Christ having by death overcome him that had the power of death Meb 2.14 Col. 2.14 15 16. Col. 2.3 16. Mat. 28.18 Joh. 5.27 29. having spoiled Principalities and Powers and made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it So that he is rightful Lord of all and all Judgement is in his hands both for discerning appointing and sentencing To which acknowledgement of all this if Men yield not now Isa 45.21 22 23. Phil. 2.9 10 11. 2 Thes 2.10 in these his gracious convincements they shall at the last day be brought to it by his irresistable Force when they shall be left without excuse and justly condemned because they did not receive his convincements when in acknowledgement they might have been saved 2. He also even thus and by this foresaid teacheth the convinced Believers and so leadeth them into all Truth not by a speaking of himself giving immediate Light Inspirations Motions and Dictates without any Ground or Bottom from the Sacrifice of Christ nor by an Exaltation of his own Shines or Inspiration to bottom the Believers on them or lift them up by them nor doth he take of the things of the Believers as they are Heirs either their Righteousness their Changes their Visits or any thing wherein they are better than others to ground their Faith on nor doth he discover to them any secret purpose counsel or election of God concerning them preceding the Death and Oblation of Christ Joh. 16.13 14 15. 14.26 15.26 27. with Luk 24.46 47. 10.3 7 9. purchasing the same and as the Fountain of the same to them But he speaking not of himself but of what he receives from the Father and the Son from whom he proceeds and in bringing to minde his sayings he taketh of the things of Christ his Death Resurrection Sacrifice-offering Peace mad â—nd the Father's Acceptance and Exaltation of him and so of his Sonship Election Fulness and Priviledges and so glorifying him doth lead Believers into all Truth 3. This also the Apostles and first Witnesses of Christ Act. 2 32-38 3 15-26 10 36-43 13.23 47. 2 Cor. 13 14-21 according to the Command of God and Christ and the Spirits guidance practised in their Ministration preaching this Oblation and by and with it all their Reproofs Exhortations Instructions and Consolations yea they determined in their Ministrations to the People not to know own 1 Cor. 2.1 2. approve or make use of any thing save Jesus Christ and him crucified not any other Doctrine Counsels Works Learning Wisdom of Words or Excellency of Speech among their Hearers whence their whole preaching is called 1 Cor. 1.18 19 20.24 The preaching of the Cross and that said to be the power of God to us which are saved though to unbelievers foolishness and a Stumbling-block such fulness they saw in this Oblation of Christ and such use did they make thereof in all their Ministration 4. This Death and Sacrifice of Christ the Purgation made thereby Mat. 28.19 Mar. 6.15 with Iuk 24.46 47 48. Rom. 4.11 with Col. 2.11 12. Rom. 6 3-8 1 Cor. 12.13 Gal. 3.13 14 27. and the Essicacies thereof is that which Baptism with Water in the Name of the Lord in its way and as an addition to vocal preaching of the Gospel doth preach and witness and into which we also are baptized when and as we are spiritually baptized into Christ 5. This also is that the continual remembrance whereof we are to celebrate and shew forth in our use of the Supper of the Lord till he come again 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25 26. 6. It is this and this only in and by which is opened for us the new and living way for all our approach to God Heb. 10.18 19 20. Joh. 10.7 9. 14.6 Eph. 2.13 18. and into union and fellowship with him and his people and acceptable service of both So that this Doctrine of the Oblation of Christ for us all is that with which the Ministers of the Gospel are to do all their work in their Ministration and so doing and so speaking Prov. 14.7 1 Pet. 4.11 1 Joh. 2.20 21 27 28. 2 Tim. 2.15 they shall speak with the Lip of Knowledge and as the Oracles of God and teach as the anointing Believers have received teacheth and so divide to every one their Portion and answer all the cavilling Objections of the Adversaries that pretend contradictions in the Scripture for in holding forth this Oblation as is shewn they shall cleerly shew how Jesus Christ was before all things and yet as the publick Man after Adam and so how he was both before and after Adam Abraham David and how the Lord and yet the Son of David and how equal to the Father and yet was in the flesh inferiour to the Father how as the great Sacrificer he died and offered himself a Sacrifice and Ransom for all Men and also as the faithful and persecuted Shepherd laid down
Thes 5.12 13. 1 Tim. 5.17 18. Heb. 3.7 17. Col. 4.17 and submit to them in all lawful outward Order for Church-Affairs and as they labour in the Word and Doctrine to count them worthy double honor for their Works sake that so they may more cheerfully and fully perform their Ministery and to reprove and warn them if they neglect their Ministration so that these Officers are for the help commodity and service of the Church and so not for bondage but enlargement 3. 1 Tim. 3.2 3 5 8 12. Tit. 1.7 8 9. Act. 6.3 That the Men that are to be chosen into these Offices must be of their Brethren of the holy place such as are known to be faithful and spiritually gifted holding the Mystery of Faith even the faithful Word as it hath been taught from the Apostles in a pure Conscience That they be not double-tongued not self-willed not soon angry not covetous not greedy of filthy lucre not given to Wine no fighters or brawlers but sound in the Faith and also sober vigilant holy temperate and apt to teach each Man having but one Wife and ruling well his own House that they also be not accused of Riot c. These even such of the true Sanctuary are by them of the true Sanctuary to be chosen for this Ministration that the Church may be edified well ordered and governed as is at large shewn in the Epistles to Timothy and to Titus 4. That for the Officers to be chosen and set in Office they are of two sorts called by several Names 1. Elders or Bishops 2. Deacons 1. The first is Elder or Bishop for both these signifie one and the same Office as is beforesaid and he is to be such a one as aforesaid as for his skill in divers Tongues and Philosophy and Liberal Sciences and Arts so much extolled in the Wisdom of the Gentiles or his Collegiate Education in the Worlds Universities nothing is mentioned or required in that but onely that he be not a Novice or one newly come to the Faith that is not spiritually learned and established in the Faith lest he fall into the Condemnation of the Devil not content with his place to abide speaking according to the proportion of the Faith dealt out to him 1 Tim. 3.6 Jude 6. Col. 2.18 2 Pet. 3.16 1 Pet. 5.1 2 c. 1 Tim. 3.1 2 3 7. Tit. 1.6 7 8.9 but puft up with his Function and Office or with that humane Learning if he have it intrude into things he hath not seen and pervert the Scriptures to maintain it and Lord it over his Brethren But that he be one that is found in the Faith and endued with spitual Gifts in fore-exercise whereof he is known to hold fast the faithful Word and to be apt to teach and so also to be such a one as is foresaid and his Office is especially to oversee and watch over the Souls 1 Tim. 3.15 16. 2 Tim. 2.15 3.14 17. Heb. 13.17 1 Tim. 4.6 12. and spiritual state of his Brethren and so to divide in his Doctrine to every one sutably that they may grow in Faith and Love the Fruits thereof as one that is to give account of the same to God In all which also they are with their Doctrine in their Life to be a pattern and example to their Brethren and they also are to counsel Act. 6.2 7. 8.12 1 Cor. 1.14 17. 1 Tim. 3.15 Tit. 1.9 Jam. 5.5 14. direct and help in the order of the Assemblies and sometime also themselves to baptize and to order the times of Assemblings and manner of proceedings in the Assemblies and to lead in the Administration of the Supper and give counsel in ordering distribution of Church-Almes and to be sent for to pray when any is sick And in respect of Church-Officers by an outward Ecclesiastical choice Act. 15.4 6. 1 Pet. 5.1 2 Cor. 4.5 Heb. 13.7 these may be said to be the first-born of the strength of the Church the first chosen the first that we read of by their Names yea the Apostles were also Elders and being such and so demeaning themselves as the Servants of the Church in their Ministration as the Apostles and prime Christian Elders did They are blessedly useful and profitable and meet to be highly esteemed submitted to and followed But if any of these under the pretence of this Office should assume to themselves to be the onely Pastors and Teachers and so to be the Church and God's Clergy or Inheritance the onely Priests and Levites and that none is to presume to preach the Word and to be Pastors and Teachers but such as have the Authority from them and come into their Order And that Believers must understand the Word according to their Interpretation submit themselves to their Injunctions and Traditions and so Lord it over their Brethren and become Lords of their Faith and Lords of their Gifts so assuming the place or bed of Christ himself Then the Church may say of them Gen. 49.3 4. as Jacob of his Son Reuben Reuben thou art my first-born my might and the beginning of my strength the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power unstable as water thoushalt not excel because thou wentest up to thy Father's bed c. yea this would come neer to and make way for that sin of the Man of sin 2 Thes 2.4 and so be the in-let and way-making for the outward Court to be left into the hands of the Gentiles Rev. 9.1 2 3. 11.2 2 Cor. 1.24 4.5 12. 10.18 11.2 1 Pet. 5.3 and to have the Holy City trodden under foot Whence the Apostles abhorred all such lording it over their Brethren and so did all the prime Elders and warned following Elders to beware of the same and when such an evil time comes the witnesses in the true Sanctuary Rev. 11.1 3 4. may go on in the strength of the Lord without measuring or fighting for the outward Court and letting it be where it is and chuse and take as neâ—â— is such of themselves and in such manner as they may safely and lawfully have and so prosper though in disgrace and persecution 2 The second sort are called Deacons Act. 6. 7 8.5 2. 1 Tim. 3.13 Act. 13.15 15.4 1 Cor. 1.14 whose Office is especially to oversee the necessities of the poor and exhort their Brethren to a merciful relieving of them and these to receive and faithfully and wisely to dispense the benevolence of the Church And these were first ordained upon a necessity of the prime Elders lest they who before had done it should by continuing that business be hindred from attending the Ministration of the Word and Prayer and these Deacons were also to help the Elders in Ministration and to assist in preaching and baptizing 1 Tim. 3.9 10. and also in breaking bread as is seen in the Acts and Timothy and these
Purposes therein concerning Christ already spoken of CHAP. 4. Of the Purposes of God concerning Mankinde GOd in these his Purposes concerning Jesus Christ and in his Election of him hath purposed also concerning Mankinde for the honor of his Son which Purpose as ordered in his counsel is not conceiveable and expressable for us but in distinct and several parcels and so in Scripture I finde 1. The Purpose of God to be To give all Mankinde unto his Son Christ to be his and under his Dominion and dispose Rom. 14.8 9 1 Cor. 6.20 1 Cor 5.14 15 as their rightful Lord to whom they ought of right to live and so living to him not to perish but have life and this upon the account of his death and sacrifice for them yea whether they yield willingly to live to him or rebel against him yet upon the account of his death resurrection and sacrifice he would give them all unto him Psa 2.1 6 7 8 9 even the Heathen for his inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for his possession and he shall rule them and dispose of them and judge them And upon the same account of his sufferings and sacrifice Phil. 2.7 8 9 10 11 2 Cor. 5.10 Rom. 2.16 1.9 10 11 12 in the Name of Jesus in the power and Authority of him every knee shall bow c. and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Lord to the Glory of God and all shall appear before his Judgement-Seat and be judged by him on the same account so that Jesus Christ by vertue of his Ransom given is Lord of all according to the Purpose of God according to which Purpose also all Men ought of right to acknowledge him Hos 11.4 Joh. 16.8 11 Phil. 2.10 11 and live to him And those that by the cords of a Man and bands of Love will not be drawn to it now shall by his Iron-Rod and irresistably putting forth of his power be brought in the last Day to that acknowledgement to their wo. And all this the purpose and according to the Purpose of God who is of one minde and hath no secret Purpose contrary to this revealed 2. Isa 45.22 Act. 14.17 17.26 27 28 31 Rom. 2.4 Psa 33.6 8 God also in this Purpose purposed That means should be extended by and through Christ to all Men according to such Revelation of Jesus Christ and evidence of his Grace through him as God hath given forth to them to evidence and make known his Grace through the Redeemer and Mediator to all Men in several ages to call and lead them to Repentance and Faith in him that they might not rebel against their Redeemer and rightful Lord and so lose their own Souls and procure to themselves perishing in a second death but by coming in to the acknowledgement of him in this Day of Grace escape that perishing and have everlasting Life And all this he hath done and doth according to his Purpose as is shewn in treating of the several Revelations of Christ See the first 15 Chap. of the 3 Part. and as he purposed so according to his purpose he sendeth forth in his seasons light and power in the means and in an especial manner where the Gospel in which is the fullest Revelation of Christ come forth Gen. 6.3 Psal 78 Isa 55.4 5 Ezek. 24.13 Joh. 3.17 Act. 26.18 is sent in which Language I am to speak he giveth this light and Power in the means working and moving at the Hearts of Men that they might repent and believe and so be saved yea he leaveth none till he have in some measure stretched forth his hand so Joh. 1.9 Isa 42.7 8 Rom. 10.8 9. 2 Cor. 6.2 as by his Spirit he hath enlightned them in some measure to discern brought his Word nigh them and moved at their hearts that they might believe being at hand to succour and enable them thereto it being his gracious minde they should accept and all this according to his purpose which is seen in his works as hath been often shewn before 3. God in his Purposes also purposed his Purpose as so ordered in the counsel of his will and purpose is That having thus given Men into the dispose of Christ and through him used such means towards them that those of them that believe in Christ according to the means and light therein with help extended shall not perish but have Eternal Life and such as persist rebelling against the light and means therein and so will not believe shall be damned This is verily the declared purpose of God and it is sure according to his minde and heart and this appeareth in God's speaking to Abraham in whose loyns Christ according to the flesh was and forth of him to come and to him God said Thou shalt be a blessing or Be thou a blessing Gen. 12.2 3 18.18 Gal. 3.8 Gen. 22.18 Gal. 3.16 Act. 3.25 which is no less then a promise and command of the blessing to be on him for others and who they are is opened And In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed And this explicated to be meant of his Seed which is Christ that was to come of him So God opening his will and purpose to Abraham in preaching this Gospel to him assures him of blessing in Christ for all Nations and this to be held forth in the Gospel given him to preach in which preaching he should also be a blessing as their feet are beautiful that bring glad tidings of peace and this to and for all that they might receive it But who are they that shall indeed partake of it according to this purpose of God the Lord tells Abraham And I will bless him that blesseth thee Gen. 12.3 accepteth and rejoyceth in thy Message and curse him that curseth thee that despiseth so great blessing and salvation suitable to that said by Christ to his Apostles which rightly understood Luk. 10.16 his purpose cleerly is declared And suitable to this is that spoken of Christ in means using Dout. 18.15 18 19 Act. 3.19 23 Isa 28.16 1 Pet. 2.6 7 8 Joh. 8.24 Joh. 3.36 He shall speak forth the words of blessing but he that hearkneth not to him shall be cut off And yet more plain by the following Prophets He that believeth in himshall not make haste or be ashamed judgement also will I lay to the line c. explicated by the Apostle to have this meaning and yet still more full by John Baptist He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life But most plain and express is this in our Saviour's own words to Nicodemus Joh. 3.14 15 16 17 where he plainly shews what the will and purpose of God was and is in the gift of his Son the Saviour of the world and the means he useth towards them by him even express That
difference prevailed with to believe in Christ and in that believing have been through the excellency and operation of that grace believed prevailed with to let all go for Christ to enjoy him and so severed from their Union and Fellowship with the World and their former vain confidences and designs and so chosen through the Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth and set for love-services though through sufferings These are the Lovers of God and the Called according to purpose And of these and only such as these the Apostle speaketh in this 28 v. and these only are the Subjects of that he speaks in the two Verses following which are the reason ground and proof that he gives to confirm the Truth of this he hath said v. 28. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God c. for or because view the verses CHAP. 7. Of Romans 8.29 30. FOr whom he did foreknow Rom. 8.29 30 he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son that he might be the first-born among many brethren moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Let the words be minded he saith not here or anywhere else That there were a sort of people foreknown and elect of God and given to Christ to die for them such a Saying would cross all the Doctrine of the Gospel and the very place it self for if any were so elect then Christ could neither be the Root nor Fountain nor Pattern of Election and so in these respects not the first-born among many Brethren as this place affirms him to be Nor doth the Apostle here or any otherwhere say That some of Adam's Sons were predestinate to be eternally saved and some to be eternally damned before the World was and that Christ came to save the one sort and not the other nor doth he here paint out any of fallen Mankind considered as sinners and unbelievers to be foreknown of God and thus predestinated by him nor is it appearing anywhere in Scripture That God hath foreknown or doth know own and approve any of the fallen Sons of Adam that live in unbelief 1 Pet. 2.9 Rom. 9.25 26 Psal 101.4 5.4 5 either before or in the beginning of the world or since or any till they be brought to believe in his Son yea to affirm such a thing is to deny and affirm cross to the whole Scripture and no way agreeing with this place which brings in onely the Lovers of God that are the called according to purpose as those and only those who have been thus foreknown and predestinated and are the onely subjects of this Election and Predestination here spoken of and so the saying is brought in to uphold and comfort such in the services of love and sufferings to which they are called and that we may cleerly understand the sense it will be profitable for us to minde according to Scripture-language what is meant 1. By Foreknowing 2. By Predestination 3. By Calling 4. By Justifying and Glorifying 5. What the end and scope of the Apostle here is And 6. what the way he takes to accomplish his end In all which the sense appears fully 1. Rom. 8.29 By foreknowing is cleer to be meant fore-owning approving loving and taking well-pleasedness with otherwise in our vulgar sense of the word knowing God foresaw and knew all things good and bad Luk. 13.27 Mat. 7.23 Psal 101. â— Psal 1.6 but in the Language the Scripture here speaketh the Lord doth not never did nor will know an unbeliever hypocrite and wicked Man but he knoweth that is upholdeth approveth loveth accepteth the way of the righteous and so though God be full of compassion and hath given his Son that we might live through him yet is he well pleased with none that having light and means in any measure extended do not accordingly believe in him and love him such however in love of compassion pitied and forborn and still called on and striven with to repent and believe yet till they do so repent and believe he is displeased with them Joh. 3.36 Psal 18.43 Isa 55.5 Rom. 9.25 26 1 Joh. 4.16 19 1 Cor. 8.3 and they abide under wrath and displeasedness And as they know not that is do not own and love the Lord so likewise they are not so known and owned of him and so while they remain such they are in this sense of approbation and special love not known not his people not beloved But if any man through the belief of God's love do love God that same is known of him so the Apostle brings it in as after their believing and turning from serving Idols when they knew not God Gal. 4.9 nor were known of him but now after ye have known God or rather are known of him for known unto God that is approved of God and well pleasing to him are all his works from the beginning of the World Act. 15.18 Joh. 6.29 1 Pet. 1.21 Rom. 5.5 8 10 when he hath made known his love through his Son and so brought Men to believe in his Son and in that belief shed abroad his love in their heart and so sprung up love to his Son and to him This is the work and he approveth it and loveth and approveth such Lovers of him Act. 15.19 Joh. 14.21 23 See ch 10. And this the Apostle affirmeth to prove it an evil work of any to trouble such in such Faith and love and so our Saviour affirmeth He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my self unto him if any man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and we will come to him and make our abode with him So that these Lovers of God as they are the called according to purpose So they are the elect and owned known and approved of God even all of them and no other but them as is plain and evident in the Scripture As for the word foreknown or as some translate hath foreknown or as others knew before This word before doth no whit obscure the sense that is given or cross any thing said for if Men would take before Joh. 3.16 Rom. 9.8 11. 11.5 6 7 Eph. 1.11 as relating to the purpose of God mentioned vers 28. then it could be no other then his provision to own such lovers of him according to his order for his purpose standing and taking place for saving Men as is foreshewn which will run into one with that said and to be said But it is cleer the word fore or before knew hath not relation to the persons spoken of in vers 28. as considered before or otherwise then as they were lovers of God and the Called according to purpose and so considered as Lovers of God and the Called according to purpose
in reverence of him have been forborn let become of our Opinions what will let God be True and every one that swerves from his sayings a Liar as for Saints by turning aside to fall depart c. Mr. Owen and all of his Opinion grant a falling may be and a grievous one also yea a departure though not total and final yet such as will be visited with grievous corrections such as may be as fire in their bones And we believe and Mr. Goodwin nowhere denieth Ier. 3.6 14 22. Hosea 14.2 4. Iude 22 23. but that there are Promises for these departed ones still That upon God's correcting recalling and renewed strife with them in which he will not be wanting in repenting and returning they shall be forgiven and received into former favour and renewed to former gracious consolation and hope again What needed then this harsh Censure and what profiteth the Opinion of the infallible certainty of the Saints perseverance When some of the Saints never attain this certainty Pag. 294. and some lose it in whole or in part yea many of the Saints who are not enabled all their dayes to mix the Promise of perseverance with faith and on that account do never all their dayes get free from some bondage c. So saith Mr. Owen whereas all that are justified by faith in Jesus Christ Rom. 5.1 2. Gal. 1.1 have peace with God c. What is contended for If it were to help the Saints to persevere and to the Faith thereof then Mr. Goodwin his warning of the danger to avoid it and setting forth the Foundation on which they may safely rest and not be deceived is more farthering that business then the maintaining an impossibilty of final falling and set forth no Foundation for Believers to rest on for it in which they may enjoy it And surely these gracious Promises given to Believers abiding in the Faith with all the Cautions mixt with them are very helpful to Saints perseverance yet seeing there are Promises to help yet farther I will endeavour to quote some of them for the Reader to turn to and mind CHAP. 3. Of Promises to Believers that they may abide in the Faith THe third sort of Promises are to Believers that they may abide in their Faith and holiness Prov. 28.26 and not be left to trust on their own faithfulness for their abiding which would be unsafe for them and folly in them yea if any of them because of their love faithfulness and zeal toward the Lord or any attainments got or resolution made should thence resolve and conclude Isa 50.10 11. Mat. 26.33 35 Rom. 11 18 20. and rest thereon that they shall not depart from him or forsake him this though in the best Saints would certainly presage a fall for their standing and perseverance therefore that it may be by Faith Hab. 2.3 4 Gal. 2.20.1 Pet. 1.5 Gal. 5.5 and so that they may live by Faith and be kept by the power of God through Faith which is the onely way of attaining God in and through Christ hath given many gracious Promises which being mixed with Faith in Believers they will be enabled to follow the Lord fully as Joshua did and so be preserved till they come to the heavenly as he did to the earthly Canaan Psal 125. for the Lord forsaketh none that trust in him they shall be as Mount Sion c. Let us then search the Scripture where these Promises are 1. Psal 84.12 29.11 5.12 Isa 26.3 4. Jer. 17.7 8. They are blessed that believe or trust in the Lord he will bless them with peace and compass them about with favour as with a shield and keep them in perfect peace so as they shall take root and be established be green and fruitful and not wither 2. Deut. 33.3 Ioh. 10.28 29. Psa 18.30 Deut. 23.25 27. Rom. 16.20 Mat. 16.18 They are in the hands and under the wings and protection of the Lord and none can pluck them out of his hands so that he is and will be a Buckler to them and an Enemy to their Enemies and turn them back yea he will tread Satan under their Feet and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against them 3. He will preserve and strengthen them he will preserve their souls Psal 31.23 24. 97.10 Prov. 2.8 Deut. 31.6 Heb. 13.5 Psa 37.28 their way their feet in his way 1 Sam. 2.9 yea he will never leave them nor forsake them but preserve them for ever so as they shall be safe through all dangers and set on high c. Psal 91. throughout 4. Isa 57.13 Psal 34.22 They shall possess the promised Land and inherit his holy Mountain and none of them shall be desolate Can any that believe Christ and therethrough trust God in his Word and so believe his Promises but that according to their Faith they are alike perswaded of his graciousness power truth and faithfulness according to these Promises to preserve their Souls in Faith and them in his Grace and way through Faith unto Salvation in his abundant goodness and truth And to help Believers to this believing and confidence these Promises are brought nigher to us Rom. 13.11 2 Tim. 1.9 10. 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3. and made more open and easie to be believ'd then when first made before the first coming of Christ in that now 5. Christ hath come in the flesh and Jesus is the Christ and he The Lord Jesus Christ The Son of God The Son and Saviour of Man The Head and Brother of all Believers who hath suffered for our sins overcome death offered the acceptable Sacrifice and is exalted and immeasurably filled in the Nature of Man with the Holy Ghost and in him all the Promises of God are Yea and Amen all the Promises are his 2 Cor. i. 20. Joh. 1.12.13 Joh. 6.37 38 40 7.2 6. and to him it belongs by vertue of his purchase and the donation of the Father to give the Dignity and Priviledges to be the Sons of God to Believers and to keep raise and give eternal life to those by the Fathers testifying of him drawn in to believe in him as hath been shewn in the Declaration of the Purposes which are opened in the Promises And he the Lord Jesus Christ telleth us plainly That his goodness the choice benefits of all his sufferings and Sacrifice and Mediation extendeth not to the Father to help or add any thing to his perfection but to the Saints that are in the Earth Psa 16.2 3. compassed with infirmities and to the excellent yea even the Spirits of just Men made perfect who have not yet received all their happiness in whom namely those Saints both that live by Faith and that have died in the Faith is all his delight And he communicateth the Priviledges of Sons to all that believe in him and they are born of God and have eternal Life Joh.
these Hebrews had The second Principle is Principle 2. Act. 20.21 Rom. 9.5 Joh. 14.6 Eph. 2.17 2 Cor. 4.6 Rom. 1.5 16.26 Prov. 14.15 Jam. 2.19 Rom. 10.17 Col. 1.4 Faith towards God This is the same with that called Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ who is God over all blessed for ever and the only Medium of approaching to God and he in whom the Face of God shineth so that it is in Scripture-Language evident That the Principle here called Faith towards God is the Grace or Gift of Faith to and in a man which closeth with the Object of Faith and so is Obedience to the Faith for as is foreshewn every believing is not Faith the Fool believeth every thing and the Devils believe who yet are nowhere said to have Faith but that Belief which is of the Faith and closeth with the Faith is in Scripture called Faith and so this affirmed here as one of the first Principles taught and begot by the Oracles of God building it on the Foundation is said to be the Faith that cometh by hearing the Word of the Lord and so the Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ And so it is An inward under standing Joh. 6.40 Rom. 10.8 9 10. Gal. 5.6 discerning and minding the gracious Mind of God testified and appearing in Jesus Christ by which one is inwardly perswaded believeth the Truth and Goodness of the same and so with the heart in love desires and confidence imbraceth it whence the Grace believed worketh renewed disposition and that welleth out confession and this exprest in Scripture to be that believing which is called Faith Heb. 11.13 14 15. So that this Faith having imbraced the Word is a Principle within him that believeth for he that believeth on the Son of God hath the Witness or Testimony or Record in himself And so likewise 1 Joh. 5.10 we have three things to note in this Faith as it is a Principle 1. Act. 1.20 Rom. 1.5 10.8 9 17. 16.26 1 Cor. 3.5 2 Cor. 3.3 That it is begotten and produced by the Declaration and Ministration of Christ crucified c. and the Love of God commended through him set forth in the Gospel the Word of Faith and the Oracle of God 2. That it is wrought in the truning of the heart unto the Lord whence it here fitly both follows Act. 11.21 15.9 11 15. 26.18 20. 2 Cor. 3.16 and is joyned with Repentance from dead Works according to that promised Prov. 1.23 3. That it is founded and bottomed upon the very Blood and Sacrifice of Christ Rom. 3.25 5.6 8 9 10 11. as the Love of God is commended therethrough And this is the Faith begot by the Oracles of God as one of the first Principles thereof yea this with the Repentance mentioned are oft included both in one or either of the names being ever together and neither of them being where either of them is wanting and so the Faith of and in such turned ones is that Faith by which the Believer standeth and liveth And all the following Principles here named are for the quickning strengthening encreasing exercising and making fruitful this Faith in which the Spirit dwelleth and worketh and so it worketh through Love CHAP. 6. Of Hebrews 6.2 HEb 6.2 Of the Doctrine of Baptisms c. Note well the words he speaks not here of Baptism or Baptisms as before he did of Repentance and Faith and so he speaks not here directly and properly of the Act or Work of Baptizing Rom. 6.3 4 5. Gal. 3.26 27. Mat. 28.19 20. either inwardly which is into the death of Christ and conformity with him therein which is done in this Repentance and Faith formentioned nor yet of that outward act of Baptizing with Water in the Name of c. which is a witness of that done in and by Christ and a Medium having its tendency to that forementioned which is the Baptism indeed Eph. 4.4 5. 1 Pet. 3.21 which for the substance of it and that which is spiritual and saving indeed is one and but one for as there is one Body one Spirit one Lord and one Faith so there is one Baptism and so that he here speaks directly of is not the Work but the Doctrine of Baptisms that is the Teaching and instruction given by the Oracles about and concerning Baptismes which by the term in the Plural Number can be no other but the several wayes and mediums appointed and having their tendency towards Baptizing or for preparing for and effecting that which is Baptism indeed which because of their tendency and use to it are called by that Name each of them Baptism and all together Baptisms And about this Doctrine of Baptisms I shall note three things in the Doctrine I. That these wayes and mediums of Baptizing are four each of them bearing the Name of Baptism as an Instrument used to that end 1. The prime and chief ministerial way of Baptizing is the word of the Gospel opened and applied in preaching Mar. 1.4 Luk. 3.3 Joh. 1.29 Act. 10.25 so John besides his baptizing with Water did preach the Baptism of Repentance for the Remission of sins and this was that Apollos knew and taught being called Baptism 2. Baptizing with Water in the Name of c. is that which was first 1 Cor. 1.14 Rom. 2.28 29. Rom. 6.4 5. Gal. 3.25 26. 1 Cor. 10.1 2. and is most frequently called Baptism and as the spiritual Work of Grace in the Heart was never called Circumcision till the outward Ordinance of Circumcision was given from Heaven and then frequently so called as that which is indeed The approved Circumcision so the Work of Grace in the Heart was never called Baptism till the outward Ordinance of Baptism was given from Heaven but since so called so likewise the other mediums that have their tendency to that gracious work are also since upon the same account called Baptisms as follows 3. Afflictions Sufferings for the Name of Christ are also called Baptism Luk. 12.50 Mat. 20.22 23 Mar. 10.38 39. I saith Christ speaking of his Sufferings Have a Baptism to be baptized with and of sufferings also he saith to his Disciples Ye shall be baptized with the Baptism that I am baptized with 4. The inward Inlightnings Breathings and Operations of the Holy Ghost in and with all the former mediums Mat. 3.11 Mar. 1.8 Luk. 3.16 Joh. 1.33 7.38 14.26 is also called Baptism this being the proper work of Christ himself in his promised presence in the Ministration of the Gospel and according to it in all the means he useth for effecting this one gracious and spiritual Baptism Act. 1.5 Mat. 28.20 II. The Gospel in the Doctrine of Baptisms farther teacheth of these mediums 1. That God hath a gracious end in all these in visiting us with his Word in having admitted us into his Family in afflicting us and in extending motions of his Spirit
desire whereof and confidence in God for his gracious Answer they lift up their hands to God g 1 Tim. 2.8 whence Prayer is so named lifting up the hands to God h Psal 141.2 and in Testimony of their desire and confidence in God for his gracious answering they laid on hand on the parties prayed for i Act. 8.17 28.8 Such and in such manner their laying on of hands 2. The Doctrine of laying on of hands it is that Doctrine or teaching of the Gospel of Christ and him crucified in which Believers are directed and encouraged to pray for good things to God with Promises of a gracious hearing that so they may pray and lift up hearts and hands in confidence in God and lay on hands in Testimony thereof And this being one of those Principles that by the Oracles of God were taught to all Believers of the Oblation of Christ it must needs be as common to all Saints as the Faith of the Oblation of Christ and the Oracles proceeding from it known and believed and so it cannot be meant of the act of laying on of hands for giving and receiving the visible Gifts of the Holy Ghost for speaking with other Tongues for such laying on of hands appears to be peculiar to the Apostles and was not common to all the first Witnesses Act. 8.5.15 17 19.6 1 Cor. 14.22 12.29 30. Eph. 4.7 8 13. Eph. 1.17 3.14 17. Col. 3.9 10. 1 Thes 3.12 Eph. 6.19 2 Thes 3.1 2 Tim. 1.6 Act. 6.6 1 Tim. 5.22 Rom. 15.30 31. Act. 13.3 Jam. 5.14 15 16 20. Philip though an Evangelist and had the gift of working Miracles and did many yet for this the Church sent two Apostles Peter and John and so it was an Apostle that laid on hands for this gift another time and not this onely but the gift of Miracles and miraculcus healing though given to more then the Apostles yet not to all Saints even in those first times when Miracles were most needful till Christ had been fully taught and Jesus proved to be he nor are these gifts affirmed to be of like continuation with other spiritual gifts so that that which the Gospel in the Doctrine of laying on of hands teacheth that is of continual use for all Believers is that here meant and that is for venting our desires by Prayer to God in the Name of Christ for his mercy and free-favour through Christ to be given in blessing with encrease of and establishment in the Faith to Believers and for fitting and furnishing such as have the word of Grace in their heart to preach the Gospel and to bless their Ministration and for Believers approbation fitness faithfulness and blessing that are chosen into Church-Offices and for ability faithfulness preservation and blessing for such as are sent and imployed in Message or business for the Church and Church-Affairs and for gracious support and helpfulness in and seasonable deliverance out of any temptation sickness affliction or distress that any Believer is in and such-like as for that anointing with oyle in the Name of the Lord mentioned it appears to be taken in a metaphorical and spiritual sense because oyle and anoynting used of old was a type of the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost Psa 45.7 Isa 61.1 with which Christ was anoynted immeasurably and with which he in the Gospel anointeth Believers which in Scripture is called oyle and anointing and anointing with material oyle is neither commanded nor anywhere in Scripture mentioned to be done much less set forth as an Ordinance since Christ's ascension into Heaven and pouring forth the Holy Ghost in which Truth being come Types and Shadows cease nor is it but once mentioned that I finde while he lived on earth Mar. 6.13 Cant. 1.3 1 Joh. 2.20 27 28. and that was when bodily cures by Miracles were most in use but this is a constant Truth His Name is as an Oyntment poured forth and so those that believe in him are said to have received an unction from him yea an anointing that teacheth and so to anoynt those we pray over with oyle in the Name of the Lord Phil. 1.8 9 10 11. is in Faith and Charity fervently streaming both in Prayers and speaking so to declare that Name in the Vertues of the Blood and Sacrifice of him and the Love of God appearing therein with the reviving Instructions and Consolations it affordeth that the savour of his Oyntments may refresh the heart And this to be the Apostles meaning Jam. 5.16 20. appears in his own after-Explanation So that the Prayer of Faith and of the Faithful is the chief Ordinance meant here with lifting up the hands in confidence to God or also with laying on of hands in Testimony of confidence in God Mat. 7.7 11. Mar. 10.24 Joh. 16.23 24. he being a God hearing Prayers which is the Doctrine of laying on of hands or that which the Gospel teacheth concerning it namely the gracious Minde of God that in all our needs we should by the Prayer of Faith and of the Faithful seek help of him and that he will hear and help us graciously according to his word Psal 64.5 And yet to cleer it 3. This is farther to be noted That in Scripture Language 1 Cor. 11.20 23 24 28. a whole Ordinance in which are many particular Acts is sometime called by the name of one particular Act in it as The Supper of the Lord in which is Blessing Prayer Instruction Praise taking and breaking Bread and distributing Wine eating drinking and comemmorating the Death of Christ Act. 20.7 Act. 2.46 c. is called by the name of one particular Act in it even Breaking Bread When the Disciples came together to break Bread Paul preached c. Yea sometime that one Act is named so as to imply all the Ordinances Believers had in Fellowship among themselves and so the Temple of God Isa 56.7 his House where Sacrifices Offerings and burnt-Offerings and all Temple-worship was rightly used and so there Accepted is even therefore called The House of Prayer And so this Ordinance of Prayer in performance of which is Confession Petition Praise with bowing the knee lifting up the eyes the voyce the hands and sometime laying on of hands as it is sometime called Prayer sometime pouring out the heart c. so it is sometime named by one particular Act in it sometime by one Eph. 3.14 1 King 8.54 Psal 123. Judg. 21.2 2 Chron. 5.17 Act. 4.24 Joh. 7.27 32 33 34. 8.27 sometime by another sometime bowing the knees somtime lifting up the eyes sometime lifting up the voice but most frequently is the Ordinance of Prayer called by that Act in it of lifting up the hands Psal 8.2 When I lift up my hands c. and Psal 63.4 While I live I will lift up my hands in thy Name Yea the whole great suffering and so the Oblation and Sacrifice of Jesus
lead us to repentance that coming into him we might have life and this now also all testified by the Spirit of God Oh! let us not deny this Lord that bought us let his goodness melt our hearts and prevail with us to acknowledge him the Lord and Saviour of the world even our Lord that so we may repent and beleeve in him and live to him And let no man deceive you by telling you these are the fruits of the goodness of God as a Creator but not as a Redeemer not so as through a Mediator extended as fruits of the purchase and mediation of Christ for all is through him And no man can know God that doth not so acknowledge Christ his Son For the Father hath committed all judgement to the Son of man Rom. 14.7 Phil. 2 7-11 1 Tim. 2.6 Joh. 5.20 21 22 23 27. 2 Cor. 5.15 upon this account because he hath taken the nature of man and therein given himself a ransome for all men and that to this end That all men should honour the Son as they honour the Father And he that honoureth not the Son in these or other things honoureth not the Father So that the application of the purchase and intercession of Christ as being onely for some peculiar and undemonstrable sort of men doth teach the sons of men to deny the Lord that bought them and shuts the door of repentance against them But now for such as to whom the Gospel is also ministred yea and therein also Spirit vouchsafed and they by the Spirit illuminated in the knowledge of Christ and that with such operations as effectually produceth such a change in the minde affections and coversation that there is in them repentance and sorrow for sin with light love joy zeal obedience and holiness So sincere as makes them do worthily in their generations their faith and holines true in its kind and they upon account thereof called Saints and Beleevers And yet though all this be given them of God yet neither the Spirit nor any of these his operations bestowed on them as a fruit of the purchase and intercession of Christ How then shall we conceive it to be bestowed without some secret blaspheming of God some way in his Truth and Justice and testimony of his Son can any man tell Is there any word of Scripture to say it Col. 1.19 2 Pet. 2.1 2. yea is not all the Scripture against such a conceit yea it shews it to be a denying of the preheminencie of Christ that God would have him to have in all things yea it plainly teacheth not onely other men but even beleevers to deny the Lord that bought them and a leaving them to conclude their faith by fancy seeing there are none by the Gospel to tell them though their faith be true in its kinde and operative whether they be beholding to Christ for it and whether it be a fruit of his purchase and intercession or no and if any presume to tell them they must take it on their word and so their faith rest on man 1 Cor. 2.4 And into what delusions this may lead men let wise men judge But Mr. Owen may be supposed not to deny but that they have the holy Spirit given them as a fruit of the purchase and intercession of Christ but that it is not so given them to dwell and abide in them for ever as to these he pleads for And were it not for his oft and plain expressions elsewhere in his book denying the purchase and intercession of Christ to be for any but these he pleads for I should even so have understood him and suppose it so meant of the end of giving the Spirit I shall consider that also 2 He saith It was given them to dwell and abide in them for ever And this must be taken either as relating to the gracious minde and end of God according to his holy will in giving his holy Spirit or as relating to the answering of that end of his ever-dwelling Let us consider both according to the Scripture 1 The end of God in sending his Spirit in the Gospel to call men Act. 26.17 18. Is to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith that is in Christ So that this appears to be for continuance of his work to the end and that is his abiding in them for ever And so sure his end in sending Eph. 3.16 17. 1 Pet. 1.5 or giving his Word or Spirit to any and inabling them to understand and beleeve is that this gracious word and Spirit may dwell and abide in them for ever but his will and mind is that it shal so dwel abide in their hearts by faith which he hath given them Whence we are so often exhorted to continue in the faith and to let that we have received from the beginning abide in us so shal we continue and abide in him and his Spirit will abide in us therefore are all the beleevers and holy brethren warned to take heed of such unbeleevingness as canseth departure from the living God by which some have deprived themselves of this blessing in this gracious end of God 1 Sam. 3. Psal 78.5.16 Jon. 2.8 which yet is so ordered in his Counsels that his end will be fulfilled in their just destruction for despiting so great grace as it was in Israel of old that fell in the wilderness in Elies house in Ephraim and others But such as he hath given to beleeve having been found trusting in him have never been forsaken c. And this end in such sense to give his holy Spirit to dwell and abide in them for ever may be affirmed of all beleevers even those mentioned Heb. 6.1 2 4 5. And in no other sense of any beleever but to abide in and through faith 2 If the dwelling and abiding in them for ever be taken in relation to answering this gracious end of God in the constancy and durance of the holy Spirit his dwelling and abiding in them for ever that is so as they live and dye in the faith then it is out of question of all hands but this is not determinable till they have finished their course and dye in the faith so that there is no difference or distinguishing and discriminating mark to difference one beleever from another in this thing but as some are quite fallen away and departed from the faith and others dye in the faith As for that assurance of faith where-through the heart may be thorowly perswaded of their perseverance and so the Spirits abiding in them for ever It is that I have endeavoured to lead all beleevers to in this Treatise as may be seen in treating of the testimony of Christ and of the Purposes Promises and Covenants of God though Mr. Owen saith Even those of that
in the mediums begetting faith examples from vers 8. to 31. of the adding to the medium the written word and prophesies and faith begotten thereby Examples from vers 32.37 and then the most clear and full discovery in and through Christ the Author and finisher of faith Chap. 12.2 And yet all the way but one faith and for the nature and property of this faith he saith It is the substance or ground or representation or confidence of things â—oâ—ed for The evidence argument or proof of things not seen 1 The evidences and testimony given from God 1 Joh. â— 9 Rom. 1.18 19 20 10 21. Joh. 3.19 2 Thess 2.10 Rom. 10.6 8 9 hath in it and brings with it such light power demonstration and evidence of truth and goodness as is fit and able to open the eyes to discern the manifestation and to gain credit and beleeve yea there is more in it to gain beleef then in the testimony of any men to gain beleef to things of men affirmed by them yea if men do not close their eyes harden their heart unrighteously hold and detain and refuse its operations it will draw to beleeve and so save and for that end it comes nigh to the mouth and the heart of man 2 This Testimony evidence 1 Joh. 5.10 1.1 2 3 Rom. 1.16 1 Thes 2.13 Rom. 5 1-5 Phil. 2.1 2 and demonstration of God beleeved and so received hee that beleeveth hath the Testimony and evidence in himself and in or with that Testimony Christ by his divine presence in the vertue of his oblation and in that the Father in his love streaming in the heart and so this word or Testimony beleeved worketh savingly and powerfully in the heart yea it drinks in of the influences of Christ from the right hand of God and carries the heart and spirit in and makes things absent and to come as present in their vertue solace and comfort to the heart they having the word and Testimony of Almighty God his power truth mercy faithfulnesse his son as a witnesse of all This is ground sufficient for all they hope for and evidence enough for them to beleeve and declare to others the truth of those things that are not seen about Creation Redemption the person of the Redeemer and what he hath done doth and will do the resurrection of the dead the new heaven and new earth c. So Faith is not such a thing as hee that hath it is left to build his Faith on mans Testimony and to have a Ministery all his life long to tell him whether his faith bee right or no though Ministery is profitable for his growth and fruitfulnesse but Faith hath its evidence in it self And this the Apostie proves by many demonstrations in such as had it as 1 That God approves and bears witnesse to such Heb. 11.1 2.3 4 5 7 2 That it opens mysteries to them and gives them understanding in things not seen with the eye nor comprehended by reason 3 It stregthens and encourages to approach to God 4 It inables them to walk with God yea to do and suffer great things and to wait with assurance of enjoying a Kingdome in his season yea so evidencing and powerful is Faith When Gods spake in divers manners or by parâ—â—â—â— how much more now hee speaks by and through his Son as set forth in the Gospel And if any desire a Discription of this beleeving Loe it is all expresse in Heb. 11.13 and plain in three words 1 A discerning according to the demonstration of his goodnesse to look to mind encline the ear and so a discerning 2 A perswasion or credit giving not reasoning against but beleeving his testimony as true and good 3 An imbracing it when it s beleeved with all acceptance and delight that is true beleeving and the grace of God so beleeved operateth in the heart and life as followeth in ver 13 14 15 16. But these things are all shown at large before yea so as the object of Faith is so set forth in Scripture that all might beleeve and such assurance given to beleevers as may encourage both to beleeve and persevere beleeving to help the reader whereto I leave him to consider what is writ in the Treatise and desire that what the scripture plainly saith and in the plain sayings of the Gospel affirmeth may in their own plain import and simplicity of asseveration bee received Pag. 26. in 2 Epistle p. 8 yea Mr. Owen consenteth in this also besides all his sayings forementioned saying 〈◊〉 in his Epistle to the learned that which wee account our wisdome and learning may if too rigorously attended bee our Folly when wee think to sharpen the reason of the Scripture wee may straighten the efficacy of the spirit of it It s often times more effectual in its own liberty then when restrained to our methods of arguing and the weapons of it keener in their own soft breathings then when sharpned in the Forge of Aristotle And or of Ramus either There is a way of perswasion and conviction in the Scriptures that is more Divine and sublime than to bee reduced to any rules of Art that men can reach unto God in his word instructs men to make them wise unto salvation Sillogismes are not doubtlesse the only way of making men wise with humane wisdome much lesse divine so far he If hee should or have warved from his own rule hee can not but bee willing in that to bee refused so that with consent wee all say what is written how readest thou Beleeve the scripture And the Lord in mercy make us ready and constant in imbracing the Truth in his sayings as prayeth the unworthiest of all his people Thomas Moor FINIS