is made with them although they do not find any of those things here promised made good to them Such like Ephraim feed on Wind but the Lord will establish this promised Covenant when he Reigns in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before his Ancients Gloriously Isaiah 24.23 Which will be when he gathers his wheat into his garner and burns up the chaff with unquenchable fire which is at the time when he will judge the nations in the valley of Jehosaphat and at the time when the Saints are raised which are called the first resurrection Rev. 20. And then will the new Jerusalem come down out of heaven from God and be placed in the elementary Heavens 2 Cor. 5.1 This is the tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man Heb. 8.2 The pavement of which is of pure gold as it were transparent glass through which the glorious Saints will then shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father Matth. 13.43 And when this ' World is become the Kingdom of our God and of his Christ ' Rev. 11.15 ' Then will it become the Kingdom of their Father and ' then in the ages to come God will shew forth in them the exceeding Riches of his Grace ' Eph. 2.7 That they ' should be to the praise of his Glory that first trusted in Christ ' Eph. 1.12 And likewise all that overcome and ' keep his Works to the end shall sit with Christ in his Throne ' Rev. 3.21 For the Glorious Tabernacle will be Christ's Throne as the Heaven of Heavens is God's Throne and this Glorious Tabernacle is the Tabernacle or Covert spoken of in Isaiah which the Lord will place over all the Assemblies of Israel when he cleanseth their Blood Isaiah 4.4,5,6 which he hath not yet cleansed Joel 3.21 And the Glory of the Saints in this glorious Tabernacle the Apostle had a Reference to when he said ' God hath provided some better thing for us that they without us should not be made perfect ' Heb. 11.40 And the glorious Saints Perfection will not be till Israel receives the Promises for when the Lord comes again the dead Bodies of the Saints will be Raised and then under Christ their Head will be given to them their ruling Power upon Earth Rev. 5.10 For then they will with Christ Descend from the glorious Tabernacle as the Lord formerly did in the Cloudy Pillar to the Tabernacle in the Wilderness so likewise will the Lord Descend upon the real Mount Zion which the Lord will make an eternal excellency and the joy of many generations Isaiah 60.15 And then will the Lord destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people and the vail that is spread over all nations for then he will take away the sting of death from all his people which is sin and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth Isaiah 25.7,8 But when Christ first came he was laid in Zion as a stumbling stone and thereby a Vail was cast upon the Face of Israel and they were made the Rebuke of all the Heathen But when the Lord again coâ—…es he will then take away the covering off of all faces and the rebuke of his people from off all the earth and then his people Israel will be all righteous and inherit the land for ever Isaiah 60.20,21 For the Lord hath said he will gather them out of all countries and will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul Jer. 32.37,38,39,40,41 And at the time of the Judgment of this World it is that unto the Son of God will be given dominion and a kingdom that all people nations and languages should serve him his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Dan. 7.14 And then shall be the end of the Wicked of this World when the son of man shall send his angels and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend and them that do iniquity Matth. 13.40,41 Therefore it is clear according to the Word of the Lord in Daniel 7.27 That this Kingdom which shall be given is under the whole Heaven from whence ' those that Offend and them that do Iniquity will be gathered out and cast into a Furnace of Fire after the Lord comes ' and the Angel flies in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth saying with a loud voice fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment is come and worship him that made heaven and earth and the sea and the fountains of waters Rev. 14.6,7 And then will Israel and the Heathen Nations that know not God be called in which will be after the Lord comes and just before Babylon's Fall Rev. 14.1,8 And this was the Kingdom that St. Peter's Endeavour was that the Elect Remnant to whom he Wrote might be able after his decease to have these things always in remembrance 2 Pet. 1.11,12,13,15 This is the World to come of which St. Paul speaks of Heb. 2.5 And this is the Kingdom the Angel told the blessed Virgin of that Christ should reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his kingdom there shall be no end Luke 1.33 But this Kingdom will not be until the times of Refreshing shall come from the Presence of the Lord and then 't is that the kingdom and dominion and the great ness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the most high whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and all dominions shall serve and obey him Dan. 7.27 When the Lord taketh to himself his own great Power and Reigneth the which will be when the seventh Angel soundeth Rev. 11.15,16,17 And then it is that the Raised Saints will likewise Reign under Christ their Head Chap. 5.10 And then to Israel and the People under them will be given the Kingdom they being the People of the Saints of the most High Phil. 1.10 And that ye may approve things that are excellent that ye may be Sincere and without Offence till the day of Christ XVII Who they were that were made able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit AND whereas the Apostle saith 2 Cor. 3.5,6 ' Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God ' that is without God we can do nothing ' for in him we live move and have our being ' Acts 17.28 And if he take away our breath we dye but as God hath made us Rational Souls and given us his Law so as to understand thereby his Will in his Word and God by so doing has made us capable to do something but in that he saith verse 6. God hath made them able ministers of the new Testament not
be laid for the Foundation of the World to come at which Foundation Christ was figuratively slain in the Paschal Lamb. But was fore-ordained to be slain before the Foundation of the World Which Foundation is that before mentioned and therefore God proved and tryed Abraham to see whether he would offer his only Son as a Sacrifice to him before he made him that Promise that in his Seed all the Nations of the Earth should be Blessed Gen. 22.16,17,18 Rev. 11.15 Which Promise will be made good in time to come and then will be put in Subjection to Christ the World to come Heb. 2.1 Dan. 7.13,14.26,27 At which Foundation the Works of those unbelieving Jews were finished when they refused to go to fight for the Land of Canaan And from that Foundation after that miscarriage God elected a Remnant And they are those of whom it is said they were chosen from the Foundation And the peculiar People chosen from among the Gentiles which likewise had the peculiar calling and also were to receive the Holy Ghost to be in them which was the anointing of the Spirit whereby they spake with Tongues and wrought Miracle that thereby they might be also a light to the World these were they of whom it is said they were chosen before the Foundation of the World which Foundation is Israel And God chose them as to matter of choice and liking before the Body of Israel which were the Foundation because they had wilfully disobeyed him but as to the matter of Time long after Whereas the Apostle saith They were chosen in Christ before the World was That is before the World was which is now to come in which they are to receive the promised Blessing And as to what God said concerning Jocob and Esau before they had done Good or Evil was only that the Elder should Serve the Younger and not that God did ever hate his Creature until such time as they wilfully disobeyed him But these words concerning Jacob and Esau have a far other meaning then what we have hitherto apprehended But this and the other mistaken places of Scripture by which the World has been cast into a mist of Darkness I have now by Gods assistance by laying the Scriptures together made the true meaning of the word appear as may be found in my Book lately Published But St. Peter fairly warns us That in St. Paul's Epistles are things hard to be understood Which those that were unlearned in the Scriptures did wrest as they also did some other Scriptures to their own destruction 2. Pet. 3.16 But the Scriptures rightly understood and believed are able to make us wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Whereas St. James saith Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the World Acts. 15.18 From which words it is clear that all Gods works were not known to him before the beginning of the World And that is was then the works that properly belong to God that were known to him And that the beginning of the World the Apostle here speaks of must have its chief reference to the beginning or Foundation of the World that was laid in the Seed of Abraham when God brought them out of the Land of Egypt to place them in the Heart of the Earth for the beginning or Foundation of the World to come as by his forementioned words doth appear and not that he had his reference to the beginning of the Creation of the World or the beginning of the World in Adam after the Fall For the Apostle speaking how God did at first visit the Gentiles to take out of them a People for his Name Acts. 15.14 Which were them to whom the Holy Ghost was given to be in them vers 8. And they to whom the Holy Ghost was given were to be a light to the World that the world might believe that God had sent Christ John 17.21 After which 't is said he will return and Build again the Tabernacle of David which is Fallen down Acts. 15.16 The which will be when the Lord returns Whom the Heavens must receive until the times of the Restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the Mouth of all his Prophets since the World began Acts. 3.21 And then in his following words he tells us who the beginning of this forementioned world were That it was the Fathers in the Wilderness vers 22. For Moses truly said unto the Fathers a Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your Bretheren him shall ye hear in all things the which will be when the Lord again comes And then will be Israel's Glory and then the World that is to come will be in Subjection unto Christ Heb. 2.5 And these are the works St. James had his chief reference to when he said known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the World Acts 15.18 Which beginning of the World was as is aforesaid And the Eternal purpose spoken of Eph. 3.11 Only reacheth forward to the Eternity that lies before us As Christ in time became the Author of Eternal Salvation And as in time he promised Eternal Life And whereas St. Paul saith God worketh all things after the counsel of his own will He here had his reference as St. James had to the great works which properly belong to God As the gift of his Son and in electing some setting a door of Mercy open to others And in determining the great Glory should be for the heirs of the World to come For the word All in Scripture doth not include the whole And as for the works of the Devil and the evil works of Man they do not belong to God therefore he ordained Punishments for them after they fell as I have elsewhere proved And whereas St. Paul saith Eph. 3.8.9 That I should preach among the Gentises the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the Mystery which from the beginning of the World hath been hid in God That is at the beginning of the World which was laid in the Twelve Tribes who were laid for the beginning or Foundation of the World to come They did not see how the Gentiles should be called in as to become heirs with them This great Mystery was all a long hid in God from them so as they as little understood it as the Old World did And tho' God told Abraham he should be Father of many Nations and the Prophets declared the Gentiles should be called in yet it is no where declared they should be brought in by preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ through the Gospel I have here made so long a digression altho I have something more to the former Subject to say the which I could not go on with till I had given some light to the true meaning of these mistaken places That thereby I might make plain the way for what I have yet further to say 3. That is we are
termed a City that Reigns over the Kings of the Earth Rev. 17.18 So this Woman that is clothed with the Sun is likewise termed the Holy City that should be trod under foot of the Gentiles Forty and Two Months Rev. 11.2 These Gentiles were the Gentiles that embraced the Faith which after they came to have no love to the Truth but took pleasure in Unrighteousness and their Kings would not be holden with the Cords of the Laws of the Lord then God gave them up to strong Delusions to believe Lies 2 Thes 2.9,10,11,12 Psal 2.2,3 And then did the Devil hoist up the Beast by whom they were deluded and given up to Worship him Whereas it is said The Holy City should be trod under foot of the Gentiles Forty and Two Months From whence we are to take notice that this Holy City is not of the Gentiles And likewise the Beast was to continue Forty and Two Months Rev. 13.5 And Forty and Two Months reckoning Thirty Days to a Month according to the Chaldean account amounts exactly to a Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Days which is so many Days of Years The which time the Woman was to be fed in the Wilderness Rev. 12.6 And a Thousand Years is with the Lord as One Day and One Day as a Thousand Years 2 Pet. 3.8 And it is so Recorded to enlighten our understanding in the Word And also we are to take notice that the Promise of Christ was not that the Holy Ghost should be in them for ever but with them for ever So now this Remnant or Woman which was drove into the Wilderness is as liable to fall under some mistakes as the Remnant chosen from among Israel was before Christ came for they did not apprehend Christ coming to Suffer neither do these his coming to Reign and likewise several great Truths in the Word they did not rightly understand the true meaning of them so neither do these but the Promise of God was to them which were of the Remnant that none should pluck them out of his Hand which accordingly God has performed in preserving them in a holy and upright Conversation And their Enemies declare that they were a People that walkt uprightly and kept close to all the Commands of God As for some in the Valleys that thro the Cruelty of their Enemies were forc'd to adhere to the Beast in the time of their miserable Destruction 1686. when they were expelled their Country might be some that did come to coinhabit with them as often some of the French Protestants did for as St John saith If they had been of them they would have continued with them I shall hereafter by God's assistance make appear who are the two Witnesses or Olive-Trees who continually gave the Oyl of Grace out of themselves into the Golden-Candlestick or Church or Woman who had a place prepared of God in the Wilderness that they should feed her there Rev. 12.6 with Grace as aforesaid But as the Lord said The Children oâ— this World are in their Generation wiser than the Children of Light Luk. 16.8 For had this Woman and others of Christ's Servants that truly fear him understood the Word as well as the other did to get the Riches of this World they had not taken up with such mistaken Notions as has been put upon the Word X. The Vaudois proved the Church in the Wilderness THe Vaudois By the History made of them It is made appear that they never did adhere to the Beast But have always lived in a very strict and Holy and upright Conversation according to the Commands of God as the worst of their Enemies as it is recorded has declared of them But by their often Wars and devastations by Fire occcasioned by their Enemies they lost the Scriptures and Antient Records So as the Ancientest Acts that were preserved from the Flames was writ in 1100. Called the Lesson As we may find in the late History written concerning them In which Acts there is not so many mistakes as in their Confession of Faith made in the Year 1655. They since having received other of the Mistaken notions of their Protestant Neighbours And they not Apprehending the Foundations of the several Worlds so think they were chosen out of the Mass or Lump of Mankind before the Foundation of the Material world But tho' they think they were then chosen yet they do not hold that God did then reprobate any They also clear God from the Miscarriage of the Devil or Man And declare God to be all Holiness and Goodness and therefore he cannot be the Author of the Evil of Sin And that good works are so necessary to the faithful that they cannot come to the Kingdom of Heaven without doing of them pag. 19. Article 21. This being according to what the Apostles faith of them that were fore-chosen That God had fore ordained That they should walk in good works Ephe. 2.10 1 Pet. 1.2 And this faith of Gods elect is required in every true believer so as they must believe the purchased Redemption and promised reward by Christ is to be had in the way of their obedience to him For in believing that Christ is the Son of God we are to obey him as such For it is required of every true believer to do whatsoever he Commands them Matt. 28.20 For it is he that believes in Christ and his word that is the Disciple and believer indeed John 8.31 But Christ did never require that all believers should believe that they were elected or forechosen But those that were elected were by their good Works to be a light to the World that others might follow their good Example For though they are now fallen into several and great Mistakes concerning Christ's second Coming and several other things as well as the remnant of Israel was heretofore concerning Christ's first coming For the Lord did not promise that the Holy Ghost should be in them to the end of the World but with them to the end of the World John 14.16 Therefore they are now as liable to mistakes as the remnant formerly were But the Lord according to his promise has kept them from worshiping the Beast and has preserved them in integrity and Godly simplicity So that none could pluck them out of his Hand But through the Misinterpretations put upon the Scriptures they have received false Notions So according to the Word of the Lord in Eze. 34.18,19 The Sheep of Christ have Eaten that which others have Troden and Drank that which others have fouled with their Feet And that they have received other Notions than what they had formerly I shall here make appear For in their Ancientest Acts. 1100. Which is the Ancientest they now have There it is said That Christ dyed for all believers and so for every one that believeth according to his word And therein is nothing said of their being chosen before the Foundation of the World And in those Acts it is said
Paul's Epistles had their peculiar tendency to them of that time to whom he wrote who then had turned from worshipping dumb Idols to ferve the living God who was then in a more peculiar manner brought home and was then justified through the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness in the Belief of the Truth without their before performing the Deeds of the Law so as none might charge them for their Sins that were past Rom. 3.25 but then they were to walk in newness of Life These were those that were saved not for Works of Righteousness which they had done Tit. 3.5 Thus was a Door of Mercy set open not only to the Elect that had the peculiar Calling but also to the World that had the general Call by the Gospel and believed like Abraham the Word of the Lord. And as he for sook his Country his Kindred and his Father's House So were the Christians to forsake all the Vanities of this present evil world the which accordingly they did And the Lord knew that Abraham would command his Children and his Houshold after him that they should keep the Ways of the Lord to do Justice and Judgment that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he had spoken of him which Promises were to be performed upon Conditions the which conditions he fulfilled So likewise the first Churches generally obeyed and commanded their Children and Houshold after them to keep the ways of the Lord Heb. 2.1,2,3 and to walk blameless and they were to hold fast that which they had received till the Lord comes Rev. 2.25 1 Tim. 6.17,18,19,20 But when the Christians as Israel formerly had done forsook his ways they then became estranged from God and so their Children became estranged from the Womb and stopping their Ear like the deaf Adder who will not hear the Voice of the Charmers charming never so wisely Psal 58.4 Here we see their Ears were no otherwise stopt than as they stopt them themselves And such as harden themselves in Sin and will not do justly God chooses to harden them in blindness and unbelief of the truth and such will be the Vessels of his Wrath and sore Displeasure But as for those that have not so hardned themselves in Iniquity so as to become thereby under a stupid sence let them seek to God for his assisting Grace that thereby they may be enabled to withstand Sin that they may not be guilty of the like again and then will not the Prayers of the Wicked be sin when they go to God to ask Forgiveness for that which they never intend to commit again but it is their Prayers are abomination and Sin who ask Forgiveness for those Sins which they intend to commit again XIII Concerning being Born again WHereas Christ said to Nicodemus John 3.3 I say unto thee except a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God Here Christ doth not say every Man must be born again that seeth the Kingdom of God but such a Man or Men as Nicodemus that had embraced this present World and valued the praise of Men and so ashamed to own Christ and therefore came to him by Night such must be born again or brought off from the World or they cannot enter into the Kingdom of God But whereas the Lord saith vers 5. Except a Man be born of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God In this Verse he doth not say that all that enter into the Kingdom of God must be born again altho all that enters must be born of the Spirit For some were born after the Spirit from their Mother's Womb as John Baptist Luke 1.41,44 and Jeremiah Jer. 1.5 And the Prophet David says God made him hope when he was upon his Mothers Breast Psal 22.9 And Saint Paul was separated from his Mother's Womb Gal. 1.15 Acts 26.5 And all the Children of Believers are said to be Holy 1 Cor. 7.14 that is before they commit actual Sin Likewise Christ saith Suffer the little Children to come unto me for of such is the Kingdom of God Mark 10.14 Mat. 18.10,3,4 Therefore no need of their being born again But as the Lord had a Figurative meaning in his saying a man must be born after the Spirit So it was here but a Figurative Speech in that he said a Man must be born again for the Lord had here no reference to the natural Birth for first those that are Religiously brought up and walk all along in Integrity and do not wilfully corrupt their way such are born after the Spirit and those that like the Prodigal wander from home thereby they become born after the Flesh such must be regenerated that is to say born again or they cannot enter into the Kingdom of God And tho' there is original defilement in all Children so the best of Saints are not here without Sin but Christ will take away Original Sin from both Ezek. 18.20 And whereas Christ saith John 3.8 The Wind bloweth where it listeth The Lord had here his more peculiar reference to the time when the Elect were to be brought home by the inward touch of the Spirit upon the heart which then in a more wonderful manner the Spirit like the Wind blew where it listeth Now Nicodemus being one of the Rulers of the Jews unto whom Christ always spake in dark Sentences and Parables And without a Parable he spake not unto them Mat. 13.34 And all that Christ here said to him was so Mystical that it appeared to him as a Paradox But no doubt after the Lord's Ascension but those Rulers that desired the knowledge of the Lord before he suffered believed on him when the Gospel was taught and the Scriptures opened But before these Mystical Sayings of Christ were opened they seemed to contradict what before they had received and therefore they could not believe And it is said Psal 53.2,3 God looked down from Heaven upon the Children of Men to see if there were any that did understand that did seek God Every one of them is gone back they are altogether become filthy there is none that doth good no not one From these words it is plain that they might have sought God and God did expect better from them but they were gone backward and became filthy through their own default But with these that were gone back the Elect Remnant were not reckoned For at that time God said of them that were gone back that they did eat up his People as they eat Bread vers 4. And God's People in Scripture are termed the Sons of God and therefore not reckoned with the Children of Men. And tho' God has concluded all under Sin so as none can be saved without the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness Rom. 3. But whereas St. Paul saith in the 10th and 11th Verse Wherein he could have no reference to the Remnant For he saith There was none Righteous no not one There was none that sought after God For if he
chosen from among Israel John 10.27,28,29 Of which Remnant were the Elect that should never be deceived by the Beast nor false Prophet And they are the Foundation which standeth sure But the forementioned which were the Elect among the Gentiles were cleared from their past Sins Rom. 3.25 by the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness and therefore he saith Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect It is God that justifieth Rom. 8.33 But after they were thus cleared from their past Sins they were to walk in newness of Life and so are all And therefore when he found the Elect to walk disorderly and were guilty of Sin he 〈◊〉 not sparing to charge them with it and reprove them for it like as he did others Gal. 3.1 But he saith vers 35 36 37 38 39. He was perswaded that neither tribulation nor distress nor death nor life nor height nor depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate them from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus But in the forementioned Verses he mentions not Sin knowing that wilful Sin will seperate them from God therefore the Apostle saith vers 11. And if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the Dead dwell in you that is continue or remain in them And accordingly he saith to the Elect Church of Corinth chap. 11.3 Fearing lest the Serpent should beguile them as he beguiled Eve And then their mortal Bodies will not be quickned again 〈◊〉 his Spirit being in them but if they did not â—…ve the Holy Ghost Ephes 4.13 thereby to cause him to withdraw then the same Spirit would raise up their mortal Bodies to have a part in the first Resurrection and to partake of the glory â—hen the Lord again comes Rev. 20.4,5 Ephes 2.7 〈◊〉 it is also by the same Spirit and Power of God that all that has done either good or bad shall be raised up at the last Judgment For Christ saith All that are in the Graves shall hear his Voice and shall come forth they that have done good to the Resurrection of Life and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of Dannation John 5.28,29 But all that remain faithful to the Lord Jesus longing for his appearing Though they have not the Holy Ghost in them but with them they shall likewise have their part in the first Resurrection and receive the Crown of Righteousness in that day 2 Tim. 4. ver 8. But the Lord speaking of the first Resurrection mentions it very darkly John 5.25 because he spake to the Jews that were to be left to blindness so as seeing they might see and not perceive and hearing they might hear and not understand Isa 6.9,10 And likewise it is said the Lord spake to them in Parables and without a Parable spake he not unto them Mat. 13.34 And therefore the Lord also speaks to them darkly about the first Resurrection vers 25. Verily verily I say unto you the Hour is coming and now is when the Dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live These words may have a twofold tendency in having some reference to the first Churches which had the peculiar calling and thereby brought in which was the Hour that then was but whereas the Lord saith the Hour is coming that of certain is the time when he again should come at which time the dead Bodies of the Saints shall hear the Voice of the Son of God and live And also then dead Israel 〈◊〉 both see him and hear his Voice and live And 〈◊〉 these words had their chief reference to the time 〈◊〉 Judgment Power and Honour is given to the Son is evident by the 22 23. Verses But according as the Evangelist saith So spake the Lord to them in Parable that they did not understand it Mat. 13.34 And thâ—… it is the Saints that rise in the first Resurrection 〈◊〉 all that have done good shall afterwards arise to the Resurrection of Life And Israel when judged will not be condemned for that they ignorantly committed against Christ for he prayed for them Luke 23.24 Blessed be the great and glorious God who hath enabled a weak Worm to vindicate his Justice to the praise of his Name and the comfort of his Creatures In that it is now made clearly appear the Judge of all the World will do right who publisheth his Praise by the weak things of this World that thereby all the Glory may be attributed to himself who is God blessed for ever and ever V. Concerning Election ELection doth not always secure the Elect from falling off but by God's electing some it was thereby to accomplish the Counsel of the Will of God as to what he had before determined And therefore accordingly he gave to one five Talents to the other two and to the other but one but every Man had given him according to his ability Matth. 25.15 And each having given them according to their ability that they might according to their day be capable to stand But them that was of the Remnant of Israel of whom the Disciples were they did not only stand by their Election but by a Promise from the Lord That none should â—…ck them out of his Hand John 10.28,29 But â—ikewise both the Disciples and first Churches received 〈◊〉 Holy Ghost to be in them whereby they were â—…ed to God by one Spirit and so beame a Light to the World and thereby the Prayer of Christ was fulfilled in that the World through them might believe that God had sent him John 17.21 Which accordingly â—…llowed for the Nations embraced the Faith and so â—…came the Seed of Abraham But the Elect were to Withstand all the Fury of the Adversaries and therefore had the more Talents given them for on them was shed forth the Holy Ghost abundantly Tit. 3.6 But if they did grieve the Holy Spirit of God whereby they were Sealed to the Day of Redemption Eph. 4.30 For if they sinned wilfully after they had received the knowledge of the Truth there remaineth no more Sacrifice for Sin but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and fiery Indignation Heb. 10.26 27. But all that have a true Heart separate from an evil Conscience may draw nigh to God in full assurance of Faith that they shall find acceptance through the Blood of the Lord Jesus and they in a more special manner who were fore-chosen to it vers 22. Now these having the greater Light if they fell away fell under the greater Condemnation And that some of the Elect did fall away that was not secured by a Promise from Christ is certain by what St. John saith That if they had been of them they would have continued with them 1 John 2.19 Therefore they were not of that Remnant but it is clear they were of the Elect because the Elect then were known by their Speaking with Tongues and by the Gifts that were given them by which God made them
to differ for had they not received those Gifts it would have been known they had been none of the Elect before they went out from them but by their going out from them they knew that they were not of them to whom the Promise was made Which were the Remnant and as St. Peter saith It is better not to know the Way of Righteousness than after they have known it to turn from the Holy Commandment 2 Pet. 2.18,21 And also of others it is said they made Shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience 1 Tim. 1.19 For tho' the elect were fore-chosen without their willing or running yet when they were brought into the knowledge of the Truth they were to make their Calling and Election sure by improving their Talents for there was a part for them to do before they could receive their Eternal Inheritance unless they were immediately removed by Death And therefore saved by Faith and good Works James 2.24 So we see none stood securely only by their Election but the generality of the first Churches standing the major part in Scripture is reckoned for the whole And the Servant to whom the one Talent was given was the world and the Teachers of the World which after the Gospel was received and established the Word was then the Talent which had they according to their ability improved they had thereby been capable to stand God having promised to all whilst they kept to the way his assistance But the evil Servant the Man of Sin got Ground who were the Teachers in the Romish Church which hid the Talent of the Word and would not improve it themselves nor suffer the Truth to be known among the People among whom it might have been improved according to the similitude the Lord put forth concerning the Money-Changers Mat. 25.15,27 And likewise them that will oppose and smother the Truth will not be counted guiltless when the Lord Christ shall come And it is the He-Goats that have eaten the good Pastures and trodden down the residue and fouled the deep Waters Ezek. 34.17,18 By the false Interpretations that have been put upon the Word so as the Flock of Christ eat that which they have trodden and drank that which they have fouled with their Feet vers 19. For which when the Lord comes his severe Judgments will fall on them and then will the Lord feed his Sheep himself so as then his Sheep shall be no more a Prey as in the 22 23 24. Verses For this is spoken of the particular time in which the Lord vvill come to Judge and Reign And Man in this time was trusted with the Word for his Posterity as Adam was trusted with Eternal Life for his Posterity Therefore the Lord alike laid his Commands that Adam should not eat of the Tree nor we add or diminish either to or from his Word Deut. 4.2 Rev. 22.18 The which Word we are to hold fast till the Lord comes Rev. 2.25 Heb. 2.2,3 But these forementioned Teachers that hid the Word would not so much as suffer or permit any Woman to look into it But when Man acts contrary to God God acts contrary to Man The Lord awaken all the Ministers that truly fear his Name of all parties that by their acknowledging and owning the whole Truth they thereby may clear themselves from the Blood of all Men Act. 20.26,27 as they may not be reckoned with the Goats And that by them Millions of Souls may be brought out of their mistaken Notions and that they themselves for so doing may shine as the Stars but them that will take advantage of the People's Ignorance that thereby they may keep them in Mistakes and Darkness it will be a wofull day to them VI. Concerning Christ and the Elect Angels NOw Christ is said to be God's Elect in whom his Soul delighteth Isa 42.1 But he was not Elected because there was any danger of his falling but he was elected according to the purpose of God That by him might be made good the promise God made to our first Parents That by the Seed of the Woman the Serpent's Head should be bruised And as for the elect Angels St. Paul speaks of it doth not appear that they were elected because the fallen Angels had left their own Habitation Jude vers 6. And therefore God would afterward secure the rest of the Angels by electing them but rather that God did elect them for a purpose he had determined For the terrible Judgments of God resting upon the Angels that fell who are reserved in everlasting Chains under Darkness unto the Judgment of the great Day Which thing is known to all the holy Angels and so a warning to keep them from falling And the reason of Lucifer's Fall was not because he was not so much in the favour of God as the other Angels for he was one of the greatest if not the greatest Angel of God And thro' the greatness of the power which God had given him he set himself in opposition to God and so drew off others of the Angels with him in that great Rebellion But if Man had not sinned Christ had not suffered and Christ laid down his Life for the World But I do not here deny but am ready to believe that all the Heavenly Host that is now remaining in Heaven as Arch-Angels Angels Cherubims and Seraphims might have a Promise from God after the Fall that their standing should be secured to them through Christ But in that St. Paul mentions the elect Angels from those words is rather to be understood that they were Angels whom God had made choice of to assist and aid Man And according to this Christ saith of Children That in Heaven their Angels do always behold the face of his Father Mat. 18.10 So likewise the Disciples told the Damsel when she affirmed that Peter knocked at the door that it was his Angel Acts 12.15 From these Texts it is clear that there are some Angels that in particular are concerned with us and were elected and chosen for that purpose and so they being more near our Persons man the other Angels and thereby know our Transactions and therefore more probable the Apostle gave Timothy his charge before God and Christ and the elect Angels 1. Tim. 5.21 Which Angels being imployed concerning them could likewise bear witness of this his Charge And in the whole Book of God there is no mention made of elect Angels but in this place and therefore it doth appear to be as aforesaid And after the Creation God saw every thing that he had made and it was very good Gen. 1.31 as to what he had then made nothing had defiled it self Therefore when God made the Stars they were then all very good and God made the Lights for Signs and for Seasons and for Days and for Years vers 14. And they being in the Creation by God made very good therefore they were not made of God to influence Man to Iniquity But as
blind to thy self such are full of Darkness and then how great is that Darkness Mat. 6.22,23 for that leads to utter Darkness But for some there is a Redemption in the World to come for all that dyed in Adams Transgression will be cleared from Original Sin by Christ 1 Cor. 15.22 and so a Redemption for all Children in time to come For then the Son shall not bear the Iniquity of the Father neither shall the Father bear the Iniquity of the Son the Soul that sinneth it shall Dye Ezek. 18.20 But in this time it is only the Children of the Believer is Holy 1 Cor. 7.14 before they have committed actual Sin and the Believer is he that believes Salvation is to be had according to the words of Christ but at Judgment there is none Condemned but for the Deeds done in the Body 1 Cor. 5.10 and then all Children will be cleared and likewise all them unto whom God hath promised Mercy will then accordingly find Mercy as the Meek the Mercifull c. Mat. 5. and all that order their conversation aright Psal 50.23 and the Ignorant shall be beaten with fewer Stripes than those that wilfully offend Luke 12.47 And whereas it is said He that hath the Son hath Life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not Life 1 John 5.12 These Words do no ways exclude a Redemption by Christ for some in the World to come or Restoration but for some Sin there is neither forgiveness in this World nor in the World to come Mat. 12.32 1 Joh. 5.16 But whereas it is said Where the Tree falleth there it lieth thereby it shews that after Death we can no ways help our selves as we may now by Repentance and Amendment of Life but all that go into the Pit must there stay till they are brought to Judgment to receive their Sentence of release or final Condemnation but the coming of the Lord the raising of the Saints the judgment of this World and the restoration of Israel will be many Ages before the last Judgment when the Sea Hell and Death deliver up their Dead Rev. 10.12 In which God hath secret places for Souls which we know not of for all that go not to Heaven do not go to the Fire of Hell for what the Lord speaks by the Law and Gospel is but to them that are under it as I have proved and for them that are under the greater light they will fall under the greater Condemnation but whereas the Prophet prays Jer. 10.25 Pour out thy Fury upon the Heathen that know thee not and upon the Families that call not on thy Name for they have eaten up Jacob and devoured him and consumed him and have made his Habitation Desolate The Prophets Petition here is only against those Heathens that devoured Jacob and laid wast his Dwelling Place The same also is said upon their like Cruelties in Psal 79.6,7 And whereas the Apostle saith The Lord will come to take Vengance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 1.8 And those are they that know not God that believe he will not Reward and Punish according to his Word VIII Concerning the drawings of God as to when and upon what account Christ then thus Spake NOW whereas the Lord saith No Man can come to him except the Father draw him John 6.44 And also the Lord saith in vers 65. No Man can come unto me except it were given unto him of my Father The Lord Christ hath here his reference to the then time in which he appeared as a mean Person which in Scripture is termed the form of a Servant and those that were then first called in had the more immediate drawings of God and the Words of the Lord here had their tendency to the Remnant with the rest of the Elect that were given him of his Father unto whom the Holy Ghost was afterwards given to be in them And therefore the Lord saith in the 45. vers It is written in the Prophets and they shall be all taught of God The Lord here having his reference to the time that the Holy Ghost should be given for the establishing of the Gospel Heb. 2.3,4 and as an earnest of their Inheritance in time to come Ephe. 1.14 And whereas the Lord saith Every Man that hath learned of the Father cometh unto me Whether the Lord in these Words meaneth only the Sheep that were his Fathers before and given to him or all them of Israel who then lived according to the rule of Gods Word for of such it may be said they were taught of God in that they were guided by his Precept and unto all that fear his Name in Israel was the Word of this Salvation sent Acts 13.26 But the Lord seems rather here to have his peculiar reference to them that was then given him by his Father but the reason the Lord speaketh thus mystically to them was because the Multitude had seen the great Miracle that he did in feeding Five Thousand with Four Loaves and Two Fishes Upon which the Multitude thought to have taken him by force and to have made him a King but the Lord knowing their thoughts went privatly from them and the Multitude seeking after the Lord which when they again had found him he then spake so mystically unto them that they could not understand him and therefore they said they were hard sayings who could bear them and from that time many of the Disciples went back and so the Lord brake their design of making him a King for his time to Reign was not then but these very Persons that did not then wilfully depart from him but went away because they could not then understand his sayings Christ said unto them in the 27. vers Labour not for the Meat which perisheth but for that Meat which endureth unto everlasting Life which the Son of Man shall give unto you Which was to those very Persons that sought after him to make him a King and who had eaten of the Loaves and were filled For though by those hard sayings the Lord brake their design yet from the Word of the Lord it is plain they were not to be forgotten by him And whereas the Lord saith vers 39. This is the Father's Will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing Again in the 40 vers And this is the Will of him that sent me that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting Life That is every one that so believeth in the Son as to walk in the Precepts of the Son it is likewise the Father's Will that all such may have everlasting Life which is if they continue in well doing then will the Lord raise them up at the last Day which is the last Day of the Power of this wicked World For God is not willing that Man should perish but that they
Curses in the Law were prononced against for although it is said All that are saved are saved by Grace and not of Works that is to show that we cannot perform good Works to that perfection as to become justified by them without the Merits of Christ and therefore saved by Grace and not of Works but Christ's Righteousness will be appli'd to justifie his Creatures sincere indeavours he being the Author of Eternal Salvation to all those that obey him But whereas it is said That it is not of Works of Righteousness that we have done but according to his Mercy he saveth us this was spoken to the first Churches which was then brought out of darkness and hath no reference to us as is proved but since the Nations have fallen into Popery we have not so understood as to distinguish between that part of Scripture which hath a general tendency and that which hath not And whereas Christ said to the Jews They should die in their Sins except ye helievc that I am he John 8.24 And who is this he but him that all the Prophets and Moses Prophesied of That when that Prophet came they should hear him in all things whatsoever he commanded them Acts 3.22 which at his first coming they did not And that all Believers that believe according to the Words of Christ so as to consent to take his Yoke upon them to become his Servants are then of his great Mercy and free Grace saved from their original and past Transgressions by the Gospel tender of his Grace Rom. 3.25 without their before performing the Deeds of the Law for Christ is become to such Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption and by him the Eternal Life lost by Adam reenters But we are no sonner listed his Souldiers and Servants but we are to Fight to keep our Ground and Station wherein he hath set us for the Eternal Life given to the Believer to make it an Eternal Inheritance is a Prize set before us and it is the Runner that holds out to the end and the Warrier that overcometh that shall have the reward of the Crown of Life Rev. 3.11 And he that puts his Hand to the Plough and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God Luke 9.62 And it is said Remember Lots Wife And the Apostle saith of Himeneus and Alexander That they made Shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience 1 Tim. 1.19 Likewise others who were washed from their old Sins returned as a Dog to the Vomit and some denied the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. 2.20,21,22 And those that live after the Flesh and despise Government act as irrationally as the Beasts for the Beasts had not Reason given them but were made to be destroyed ver 12. And it is the Ground that remains barren under the tender of Grace and free offer of Mercy in the Call of the Gospel that is nigh unto Cursing whose end is to be Burned Heb. 6.6,8 And those that receive the sincere Milk of the Word to grow thereby are thereby brought off from the World and so Regenerated and Born again 1 Pet. 2.2 But they which have not the Word have not the Call of the Gospel And likewise among us who are not of the Elect there are some in a more peculiar manner brought home by the operation of the Spirit of God upon them by the Word but they do no longer stand than they are found sincere in their Obedience Rom. 6.16 IX The Word of the Scriptures is the Word of Faith and in them the offer of the Common Salvation I Do also here affirm that the Word of the Scriptures is the Word of Faith and in them the offer of the common Salvation and whosoever believes the Truth of the Scriptures they are able to make them wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Therefore the Apostle saith It is the power of God unto Salvation unto every one that believeth for therein is the Righteousness of God revealed and the Just shall live by their Faith Rom. 1.16,17 For the Lord is become the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5.9 And by doing good Works there is a laying hold of Eternal Life 1 Tim. 6.19 as well as there was some foreordained to Eternal Life And the Word of the Lord endureth for ever 1 Pet. 1.25 The which we are to hold fast till he come Rev. 2.24,25 And if the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every Transgression and Disobedience received a just recompence of Reward how shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by them that heard him Heb. 2.2,3 For the Lord Christ hath abolished Death and hath brought Life and Immortality to Light through the Gosple 2 Tim. 1.10 And the Apostle with Moses speaking of the Letter of the Word saith The knowledge of it is in thy Mouth and in thy Heart that thou mayest do it Deut. 30.14 So that we may do the thing that is there required God having promised his assistance and that he will accept our sincere Endeavour and whosoever takes to the way therein directed will find the assistance therein promised with the assured Reward that Christ has purchased which they also will be partakers of as well as those that were forechosen so as for any ones sincere Service the Lord will be their great Reward when he again comes at the time of the Redemption of the purchased Possession for then will he Redeem Israel and give to others Rewards and Punishments according to their Deeds And this is the common Faith which all that are under the common Call of the Gospel ought to contend for the which St. Jude terms the common Salvation vers 3. And it was by the common Faith that Titus became so Eminent a Christian Titus 1.4 XII How God is the Author of Faith in the Belief of the Scriptures BUT peradventure some will say That we cannot of our selves have Faith to believe the Scriptures for that is the Gift of Ged These Words were spoken to the Elect Church of the Ephesians who were part of the peculiar People chosen from among the Gentiles for the Praise of his Name which received the Holy Ghost to be in them who were then first brought out from the Abominations of the Gentiles and to whom the Apostile saith Eph. 2.8 For by Grace ye are saved thro' Faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God That is it was the great Mercy and rich Grace of God the gift of his Son and this great Mercy is to be received thro' Faith which Faith is not of themselves it is the gift of God who unto them in a peculiar manner he did at first manifest himself to but God did never leave himself without vvitness for the ground of Faith to confirm the truth of vvhat he vvould have us believe and therefore to confirm the Lavv that it
vvas his VVill and his VVord he Gloriously and Terribly appeared on Mount Sinai and to confirm the Gospel he first sent dovvn the Holy Ghost in cloven Tongues like Fire Acts 2.2 And then because that vvould not be a sufficient Evidence to the VVorld vvhat vvas done at Jerusalem altho there vvere then some of all Nations there then present yet notwithstanding for the farther confirmation to the World that God had sent Christ he therefore took from among the Gentiles a People for his Name at the first visiting the Gentiles by the Gospel Acts 15.14 Who through the conviction of the Spirit upon the word of the Disciples believed in Christ through their Word John 17.20 And the Word in this place Christ terms their Word because they received it from the Mouth of the Disciples and believed it God having then given them no other outward visible Testimony than what they had from the Disciples whose Word they believed and so were Baptized And afterwards the Holy Ghost was given to be in them according to the Promise of the Lord John 14.17 by which they were glorified ver 22. 1 Pet. 1.2 And became united to God by partaking of that one Spirit that the World might believe that God had sent Christ John 17.21,22,23 by the mighty Power Signs and Wonders that were seen among them These were those that were foreknown called justified and glorified Rom. 8.29,30 by their receiving the Holy Ghost to be in them by which their Bodies became the Temples of the Holy Ghost These were those that when they were brought before Governours and Kings were to take no thought how or what they should speak for it should be given them in that Hour what they should speak for the Spirit of the Father spake in them Mat. 10.19,20 For the Holy Ghost which was but with the Disciples was afterwards given to be in the Disciples and first Churches John 14.17 chap. 17.21 So then the World did not believe in Christ through the alone word of the Disciples but through the evident demonstration of the Spirit of God which was evidently and visibly mannest in the Elect by their Speaking with Tongues and working of Miracles so as the World thereby might have sufficient Evidence to believe that God had sent Christ And thus was the Prayer of Christ fulfilled in that the World might believe that God bad sent him John 17.21 And the Gospel being thus wonderfully establish'd Heb. 2.4 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things is they were first delivered and not as we first received them And the care of the Lord was such that although he commanded his Disciples to teach all Nations Mat. 28.19 yet notwithstanding they were for bidden by the Spirit to preach the Word in Asia and Bythinia Acts 16.6,7 till such time the Elect were called in that by their receiving the Holy Ghost to be in them they might be a Light to the World And afterwards the Word was preached in Asia and believed on there Rev. 1. And St. Paul saith That the Gospel had been preached to every Creature under Heauen Gol. 1.10,23 And that their sound went through the World Rom. 10.18 And that the World embraced the Faith in the Apostles time Col. 1.16 And their standing was as they continued in the Faith and were not moved away from the hope of the Gospel by which the promised Hope is attained And upon the perfermance of this condition God will never forsake any for as the Lord is the Author of Faith so to them that obey him he will be the Finisher Heb. 12.2 chap. 5.9 the word our in this Verse is not in the Greek And whereas St. Paul saith That none can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12.3 This the Apostle spake when the Gospel was first publish'd at which time the Holy Ghost was given for the confirmation of the truth thereof But since the Christians have learned to say by rote that Christ is the Son of God without the assistance of the Holy Ghost And whereas the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 2.14 The natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him neither can be know them because they are spiritually discerned That is whilst the natural Man gives himself to sensual delights as the pleasures and profits and other advantages of this life which in the 6th vers is termed the wisdom of this world he will not give himself a liberty to consider his ways to be wise And therefore such cannot receive the knowledge of the things of God because they are spiritually to be discerned that is by a considering Spirit or a Spirit of Consideration And therefore God often calls to Man to consider their ways Deut. 32.29 Job 34.27 Psal 50.22 Isa 1.3 Chap. 5.12 Ezek. 18.14,28 Hos 7.2 2 Tim. 2.7 Rev. 2.5 And also St. Paul saith 1 Cor. 3.18 If any Man among you seemeth to be wise let him become a Fool that he may be Wise For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God But by our forsaking the Vanities Pleasures and subtil Craftiness of the World is the way to become wise in Spiritual things And if ye resist the Devil he will flee from you draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you James 4.7,8 And David by making the Law of God his Meditation became wiser than all his Teachers Psal 119.99 And if any man lack wisdom let him ask of God who giveth and upbraideth not and it shall be given him James 1.5 If thou criest after knowledge and liftest up thy Voice for Vnderstanding If thou seekest her as Silver and searchest for her as for hidden Treasures then shalt thou understand the Fear of the Lord Prov. 2.3,4,5 Wisdom is the principal thing therefore get wisdom and with thy getting get Vnderstanding She shall give to thine Head an Ornament of Grace a Crown of Glory shall she deliver to thee chap. 4.7,9 But the worldly wise men the Apostle saith will be taken in their own Craftiness 1 Cor. 3.19 And whereas the Apostle saith vers 7. Neither is he that planteth any thing neither is he that watereth but God that giveth the encrease This he spake upon the first publication of the Gospel upon the calling in of the Elect which great increase God gave by a fore-appointment of whom he said they knew God or rather are known of God Gal. 4.9 Because they were those that were fore-chosen For herein he had his reference to the then time which was the great Day of Salvation when the Elect were called in and a Door of Mercy set open to the World that they might take hold of the offered mercy in the common Salvation The which the Nations did and so became the Seed of Abraham But they that were made the Temple of God if any of them defiled the Temple of God him would God destroy 1 Cor. 3.16,17 For St.
did here include the Remnant he did not herein speak agreeable to what is written for God in the Psalm saith the contrary Therefore St. Paul's meaning here was of the Jewish Nation and not of the Elect Remnant But after the Lord came there doth appear by Scripture to be a larger number of Israel in this Election of Grace then was before which was sinful and had corrupted their way as well as the Gentiles but to all that feared God in Israel was the Word of this Salvation sent Acts 13.26 From whence it is clear there was then some of them in Israel that then also feared God And Christ by the Parable of the Ninety Nine Sheep from whence is made appear they were safe by the Promise of God Psal 15. Who shall abide in thy Tabernacle c. And to all that order their Conversatiâ—… aright he will shew his Salvotion Psal 50.23 And therefore Christ saith He came not to call the Righteous but Sinners to Repentance Luke 5.32 For they were not then to be called home for such were his Father 's before As for that one Sheep that went astray we are to take notice that the nature of Sheep is not wilfully from their Companions to wander away but the Prodigal that wilfully left his Father's House first lookâ— home before his Father lookt on him Luke 15.18 Now what St. Paul goes to prove from the Prophets Rom. 3.20,21,22,23 was to prove their Justificatioâ— from their past Sins through the Blood of Christ vers 24.25 Without their before performing the deeds of the law for had not God then justified them by the alone Imputation of Christ's Righteousness in the belief of the Truth they could not then have been saved for then not only the Gentile World lay in Wickedness but the elect also that was chosen from among them lay in Wickedness Therefore God at the then time to declare his Righteousness verse 26. which was in his being just to his Promise made to Abraham in bringing in the Gentile Nations to be Heirs with Israel And therefore at the then time at their first calling in they were justified from their past Sins by believing in Jesus according to the word and Faith in his Blood verse 22.25 That they and their Children might be brought in Heirs with Israel according to the Promise Gen. 17.4 And as Abraham after God had called him was commanded to walk before him in a perfect and upright way verse 1. which accordingly he did and so became Heir to the Promises verse 2.7 And so the Lord ordered his Disciples to go and teach and baptize all Nations that they should teach them to observe all things whatsoever he commanded them Matth. 28.19,20 And whilst they so did they were Heirs to the Promises And these things as St. Paul saith were witnessed by the Law and the Prophers verse 21. For Moses wrote concerning it And in Isaiah 55. The tender of the common Salvation was Prophesied of that all that were a thirst might come buy and eat without Money and without Price that is tho there was nothing then in them to render them acceptable but a thirsting after the Lord with a weariness of their Sins Matth. 11.28 And if they did hearken diligently unto the Lord and eat that which is good and let their soul delight it self in fatness and incline their ear and come unto him and bear and their souls shall live verse 23 Here we are to take notice that they were to thirst when they heard of the offered Mercy and then they were to incline their ear and come unto him and when they were come they were to hear that is all that he by his word commanded them Matth. 28.20 And if they did hear and eat that which is good then upon the performance of these Conditions the Lord will make an everlasting Covenant with them the sure Mercies of David The which will be when the Lord again comes at which time God will establish his promised everlasting Covenant with Abraham and his Seed together in their Generations Gen. 17.7 And God also by the Prophet declares the pouring forth of his Spirit not only at the second coming but also at the first coming of Christ Joel 2.28,29 And St. Paul concerning the then fore-mentioned time Rom. 3.26 mentions Isaiah 49.8 applying these words of Isaiah to the then time as in 2 Cor. 6.2 I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the day of Salvation But afterwards when the Gentiles came to have no love to the Truth for which they were given up to Delusion 2 Thess 2.10 Then it was not the great day of Salvation which falling away was also fore prophesied of Psalm 2.2,3 And in divers other places for those that God calls will not be accepted when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord without their now improving in this time their day of Grace under the call of the Gospel for when the Lord comes we that have the knowledge of him must appear before the judgment Seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5.10 For God-without respect of persons judgeth according to every mans work pass the time of your sojourning here in fear 1 Pet. 1.17 And the promised reward was to them that held out to the end Rev. 2.10 That they should receive a Crown of Life that is be saved with an everlasting Salvation as Israel will be when the Lord again comes who then shall not be ashamed world without end Isaiah 45 17. And this is the world to come of which all the Apostles speak of and which is to be put in subjection unto Christ in time to come Heb. 2.5 But as St. Peter saith God before shewed by the mouth of all his Prophets that Christ should suffer he hath so fulfilled Acts 3.18 Whom the heavens must receive until the times of the restitution of all things Which he likewise saith God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets since the world began verse 21. Which beginning of the world was Israel unto whom Moses declared it verse 22. And they will be the world without end when the Lord hath established his new everlasting Covenant with them that they shall not sin against him and then they will never more fall under Condemnation therefore said to be world without end And unto this Promise the Gentile Christians conditionally were brought in Heirs with Israel XIV Part of the Christians Mistakes NOW since the Roman Apostacy the Christians have built their Faith on those Parables that Christ spake to put out the Eyes of Israel's Understanding and also on those mistaken places of Scripture that our Predecessors since Popery have lost the true meaning of and likewise the Christians fancying that
Lord comes the which will not be till after the Lord comes as I have fully made appear in the fore-mentioned Book For Idumea will be the Figurative Heavens with their Hosts that will be destroyed Isaiah 34.4,8 When Israel is Restored which Idumea in the Revelation is termed mystical Babylon and the Figurative Heavens and Elements which will be destroyed Rev. 6.3,4 And the Heaven and Earth that will pass away with which are included the rest of the Wicked that know his Laws for the Covetous Man is said to be an Idolater as well as he that Worships an Idol Eph. 5.5 Col. 3.5 And those that walk after the Lust of the Flesh will fall under the Condemnation for the Wicked shall perish and the Enemies of the Lord shall be as the Fat of Lambs they shall consume into smoke shall they consume away Psalm 37.20 And we reckon our Enemies always to be them that knows us and not them that knows us not And St. Peter's Charge was that they should be mindful of the words that were spoken before by the Holy Prophets and of the Commandment of us the Apostles 2 Pet. 3.20 Which was that they might not be ignorant of the coming of the Lord which the Scoffers are willfully ignorant that by the word of God the Heavens were of old and the Earth standing out of the Water and in the Water whereby the World that then was being overflowed with Water then perished verse 5.6 The which World was the World of People and then they were not distinguished by Heavens and Earth for then there was no Ruling Powers but what belonged to Parents over their Children and Families and therefore alike termed the World and not the Heavens and Earth As Israel was not termed Heavens and Earth till they became a Ruling Power and People So likewise the Heathen when they became a Ruling Power and People then were they termed a Heavens and Earth as I have already proved but in that St. Peter saith the Heavens and Earth that are now by the same word are kept in store reserved unto Fire against the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly Men verse 7. But in that he saith the same Heavens and Earth which are now are kept in store unto Judgment Therefore he had no reference here to those that were of old and the Figurative Heavens which was then in the Apostles time was the Roman Power by which the Servants of Christ were then opprest and it is the Roman Power which are now likewise their Afflictors and will remain till the Lord comes and then will they be destroyed with Fire with the Perdition of the rest of the ungodly Men who knowing the Laws of the Lord will not obey them And then not only the fore-mentioned Heavens and Earth of People will be burnt up that is that paâ—t of the Earth where the devouring Storm cometh mentioned Psalm 11.6 Vpon the wicked he shall rain snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tsmpest and then it is the hail will sweep away the refuge of lies Isaiah 28.17 Whereby it sheweth there will be Hail mixed with Fire as was in Egypt Exod. 9.23,25 For the Storm of Hail in Isaiah and the Storm of Fire in the Psalms hath â—ts tendency to one and the same time And this Hail is said to come down on the Forrest Isaiah 32.19 At which time Israel and the rest of the Nations that are saved will be safe in Israel's Land whilst the Earth is renewing as I have largly proved in the fore-mentioned Book of the Figurative Speeches But because the Adopted Seed to whom this is spoken have ' transgressed the Laws changed the Ordinances therefore the Curse devoureth the Earth and the Inhabitants thereof burned and few Men left ' Isaiah 24.5,6 That is few Men will be found Righteous among the fore-mentioned so as to be left when the other are destroyed for this Earth of People that has so wilfully offended â—he Transgressions ' thereof shall be heavy upon it and it shall fall and not rise again ' verse 20. So as in the first Judgment there will be some Sentenced to everlasting Punishment according as the Lord by the Parable declares Matth. 25.46 And the wilful Opposers of the Truth will likewise be raised to receive their Condemnation for then the Saints will rise to everlasting Life and some to Shame and everlasting Contempt Daniel 12.2 For they that neglect the greater Salvation fall under the greater Condemnation For then the Heathen Powers of Rome or otherwise called Heavens that wilfully resisted the Truth when the Holy Ghost was given for the Confirmation thereof will rise to receive Punishment and therefore likewise said to be kept in store as well as the Heavens of the Christian Rome which has made Lies their Refuge For these sdumean Heavens or mystical Babylon will be the Heavens that will be on Fire and the Elements that will melt with fervent heat of which St. Peter spake But he saith neverthelâ—ss we according to his promise look for new heavens and a new eaerth wherein dwelleth Righteousness 2 Pet. 3.12,13 For the Apostles always had their Eye to the Prophesies as not to teach in contradiction to the Promises And God saith Isaiah 65.17,18 For behold I create new heavens and new earth and the former shall not be remembred nor come into mind But be you glad and rejoyce for ever in that which I create for behold I create Jerusalem a rejoycing and her People a joy And because God would have us take notice what this is that he here Creates he therefore saith Behold I Create Jerusalem a rejoycing and her People a joy This is the new Heavens and new Earth that God Created upon the old Foundation the which is Israel of which Foundation Christ is the chief corner Stone And why is it here said that God will Create new Heavens and new Earth because they are such Heavens and such Earth as was never here such before as to have Righteousness dwelling in them as will be when Jerusalem is made a rejoycing and her People a joy For when Christ first came the ruling Power was not given him though he had then Righteousness dwelling in him and it is said these Heavens came down from above Isaiah 45.8 Drop down ye heavens from above and let the skies pour down righteousness let the earth open and let them bring forth salvation and let righteousness spring up together I the Lord have created it This Righteousness the Lord Creates when he comes down with all his Saints which are the Heavens that comes from above then will he pour down Righteousness and then the Earth of his People will bring forth Salvation and then Salvation and Righteousness will spring up together For the Covenant is to them and their Children and to as many of us as are found in our Obedience and in that day God will appoint Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks Isaiah 26.1 Thus the Prophets
and Apostles agree that Salvation will be when the times of Refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord Acts 3.19,21,22 And Christ saith Search the scriptures for they were they that dâ—d testifie of him John 5.39 And then there was no other Scriptures but the Old Testament Now all Christ's Sufferings being fulfilled in the plain Letter of the Word and left us upon Record ever to believe the same And as in the Word it is Prophesied that Israel should be scattered so we evidently see the same and we ought also and are bound to believe all the great Prophesies and Promises relating to Christ's second coming that they will be performed in the plain Letter of the Word and as it was Prophesied that God would pour forth his Spirit Joel 2.28,29 Of which St. Peter saith It was made good to them in that time Acts 2.16,17,18 Which was for the Confirmation of the Gospel and as an earnest of their Inheritance in time to come or Restitution Before which time as in Joel 2.30,31 God will shew wonders in heaven and in earth blood and fire and pillars of smoke which accordingly has come to pass for by wars much blood hath been spilt And the Lord in a great and wonderful manner hath sent out of the earth fire and pillars of smoke for these many hundred years but much more of late And it is said verse 31. The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord come This came to pass when the Nations which had embraced the Faith came to have no love to the Truth God then gave them up to Delusion 2 Thess 2.10,11 For when the people could not endure sound doctrin but after their own lusts they did heap to themselves teachers having itching ears and they turned away their ears from the truth and were turned unto fables 2 Tim. 4 3,4 And when the Seducers and false teachers went about to deceive they then became deceived ch 3.12,13 For God doth never so punish without a cause Eze. 14.23 And then was the Sun turned into darkness for in the Scriptures the Teachers are termed the Light of the World and when the Sun the Teachers were darkned the Moon which is the World of People which receiveth her Light from the Teachers as the Moon doth her Light from the Sun the People were soon turned into Blood by hating and killing one another The Pope and his Clergy pretending to be the true Church Mahomet the true Prophet and every Sect the right Remnant and thus the Prince of Darkness carries on his Designs in setting Men to hate and kill one another through these Divisions Now in that Prophesie of Scripture is of more than a private Interpretation 2 Pet. 1.20 But we must be sure to put no other Interpretation on it but what we can make plain from the Word And in Joel 3.15 It is also said The sun and moon shall be darkned and the stars shall withdraw their shining Here the Prophet may have a Reference to the material Sun Moon and Stars which by the Glorious Appearing of the Lord will be obscured by his Brightness But when the Nations came to have no love to the Truth God suffered a Spirit of a strong Delusion to go forth 2 Thess 2.11 For God hath determined that those that will not deny themselves for him shall suffer by him for unto them that are contentions and will not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness indignation and wrath upon every soul of man that doth evil of the Jew first and also of the Gentile but glory honour and peace to every man that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile Rom. 2.8,9,10 For there will be a Redemption in time to come for all that order their Conversation aright and have not been wilful Opposers of the Truth which is one of the worst of Unrighteousnesses And though it is those who comes in Heirs to the Promises made to the Fathers that are made partakers of the greater Glory yet there is Glory and Salvation for others of a lower degree And though the Jews that have been since Christ's time were cast off for the Sins of their Parents yet not for ever and ever to be forgotten of God without their own Sins does occasion it for there will be a Redemption in time to come for some and if Israel for the Sin of their Parents has been left to stumble on the dark Mountains these seventeen hundred years no wonder if the Adopted Seed has been left to stumble thereon for above this thousand years For it is Israel who as touching the Election is beloved for their Fathers sake Rom. 11.28 For though there was but a Remnant chosen from among them that were chosen according to the Election of Grace verse 5. Yet they were all Gods chosen and elected People for their Fathers sake Isaiah 45.4 And this God did because he loved their Fathers because they had walked with a perfect Heart before him The which when the Lord proved Israel in the Wilderness they did not And therefore the Lord saith Deut. 31.21 For I know their imaginations which they go about even now before I have brought them into the land Here because God would have us take notice when it was he knew it therefore he redoubles his Words and saith even now at the time when they were in the Wilderness But we do never read of God's foreknowing his Drowning of the World till he saw the Wickedness of Man was great and then it was that it grieved him at his Heart that he had made Man but God's choosing Israel was for their Fathers sake and not that he had Elected them without a why or a wherefore but when God had proved and tryed Israel in the Wilderness and as they had there often miscarried God saw they would again fall away for which he determined to leave them to Blindness the like God foreseeing that the Gentiles would fall away for which he determined to leave them to Delusion For as of old when the People fell away Rom. 1.18,20,21 the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal power and godhead so that they were without excuse because when they knew God they glorified him not as God but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkned verse 28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge God gave them up to a reprobate mind So we see Man 's not improving his Day of Grace has been his Destruction all along and not that they had not a Day of Grace given them and it is such that God gives up to Delusion that first deceives and deludes themselves
Ezek. 14.7 And like not to retain God in their knowledge but in the way of well doing we may commit the keeping of our souls unto God as unto a faithful creator 1 Pet. 4.19 Now St. Paul speaking of the Creation of the World in the fore-going Words Rom. 1.20 makes mention of it as such and not as the Foundation of the World And all the Apostles in all their Writings agree in calling the Twelve Tribes the Foundation of the World to come And likewise Zachariah the Priest said God hath raised up a Horn of Salvation in the House of his Servant David Here he doth not say that this was Prophesied of from the Foundation of the World but by all the Holy Prophets since the World began Luke 1.69,70 That he would raise up a horn of salvation in the house of his servant David And in David and Solomon was the Typical Kingdom of Christ And after David had received the Kingdom God by the Prophet said His seed shall endure for ever and his throne as the sun before me Psalm 89.36 This ever is the ever of the time to come the which all the Prophets Prophesied of from David till Christ came but no Prophet Prophesied that this Salvation should come out of the House of David before David was and had received the Kingdom But we not apprehending the difference between the Creation and Foundation nor the beginning of this World to come has cast us into most dangerous Mistakes for thereby we have received another Faith than what the Gospel teacheth in thinking none but the Elect can be saved and that some thereby have thought they should be saved by the Righteousness of Christ contrary to the Words of Christ which are upon the condition of their Obedience which will prove destructive if unrepented of Likewise we have another Hope than what the Scripture Teacheth for by our Predecessors falling into Popery we have lost the form of sound words as they were first delivered and to maintain our received mistaken Notions we must not believe what God hath declared promised and sworn to And this out of pretence of justifying God's Wisdom which some say doth greatly consist in God's sore-knowing all the Wickedness of the Devil and Man from all Eternity whereby they make God the first conceiver of it and likewise with such approbation as some say as he did not only suffer it but decreed it to be committed which is so quite contrary to the Holy God as the thoughts thereof are to be abhorred it being Blasphemy for to think it for he hath absolutely declared against it For it was after God saw that Man had corrupted his Way it repented him that he had made Man upon the Earth and God said it griewed him at his heart Gen. 6.6 Now whether it is right in the sight of God to believe Man rather than God judge ye Acts 4.19 And that God that is an unchangeable Being in Holiness Wisdom Justice Goodness and Truth which are his proper Attributes and therefore impossible for God to lie Heb. 6.18 For God is not a man that he should lie neither the Son of Man that he should Repent that is when God hath absolutely promised a Blessing he will certainly perform it as it is here declared Hath he spoken and shall he not make it good Numbers 23.19 And we are to believe of God in every thing as he hath declared of himself to be moved to pity upon Man's Repenting and Returning and to Anger and Wrath upon Man's Rebellion and of certain God will never be angry with any for believing what he saith or hath promised or sworn to And the Prophet for believing what another Prophet told him in contradiction to what God had declared to him a Lyon met him and Slew him 1 Kings 13.17,18,24 And as the Faith of Abraham was set down for our Example so this was Recorded for our warning that we might not believe Man in contradiction to God Now Christ and the Apostles being rightly understood are found to agree with the Words of God and the Prophets and the Care of the Apostles was such as to compare spiritual things with spiritual things 1 Cor. 2.13 To see if the Spirit spake in them agreeably to what the Spirit spake in the Prophets of old that thereby no Delusion or Deceiver might creep in among them for God did never send his Son and the Servants of his Son to contradict what he himself hath declared promised and sworn to XVI The Glory and Blessedness that will be in time to come For the Lord will come to judge the Nations in the valley of Jehosaphat and restore his People Israel Joel 3.1,2,12,13,16,17,18 and then it is the Lord will make Mount Sion and eternal excellency and the joy of many Generations Isaiah 60.15 And then it is his people shall be all righteous and inherit the land for ever Then it is a little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong nation the Lord will hasten it in his time Isaiah 60.21,22 Here the Lord sheweth there will be another time after this time in which his People will be blessed against which time St. Paul ordereth Timothy that he should charge them that are rich in this world that they be rich in good works laying up for themselves a good foundation against the time to come 1 Tim. 6.17,18 And sure if we were not blind we could not think that all that are Rich in this World are Elected but that by doing good Works all may lay hold of eternal Life ' for Christ is become the Author of eternal Salvation to all them that obey him ' Heb. 5.9 Whether Elect or not Elect but those that remain blind now God has made plain his Word is because they have no desire to see but whether some will see or not it is in the time to come that God will make that promised new everlasting Covenant with his People and put his laws in their inward parts and write them in their hearts and they shall teach no more every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying know ye the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord Jer 31.33,34 And in that day the Lord will make a covenant for them with the beast of the field and with the fowls of heaven and with the creeping things of the ground and then will the Lord break the bow the sword and the battel out of the earth And then will the Lord betroth Israel to him for ever in righteousness in judgment in loving kindness and in mercy Hos 2.18,19 And then the days of his People shall be the age of a Tree and then it is the Meek shall inherit the Earth and delight themselves in the abundance of Peace and then it is the evil Beasts will cease out of the Land Ezekiel 34.25 Now this Covenant some have blindly imagined that it
of the letter but of the spirit for the letter killeth but the spirit giveth life Now the Apostles received their Knowledge immediately from the Lord Christ and also of the Spirit for the Holy Ghost was given to be in them by which they also understood things to come and by the Spirit they were made able Ministers not of the Letter but of the Spirit for all the Gentiles when they were first to be called in had he then Preach'd the Letter of the Law to them they then had thereby all been Condemned But the Apostles were upon the first Publication of the Gospel to Preach Remission of Sins by Christ to every one that would turn from their evil way and by that turn they were to live in obedience to the Letter of the Word And in that he saith they were made able Ministers of the New Testament was in that the Holy Ghost was then given as a Witness to their Testimony to confirm the Truth of their Word and likewise they did Administer the Spirit for 〈◊〉 the laying on the Hands of the Apostles the People received the Holy Ghost Acts 19.6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them the holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesied So also Acts 8.17 But should any Man now pretend to Preach such Doctrin of Administring the Spirit and not the Letter of the Word the People had good reason to believe that Man was out of his Senses But some have given such a turn to these Words of the Apostle from hence pretending they are not to take the plain Letter of the Word as it is spoken but according to the Spiritual Interpretation which they have put upon it the which has been according to their own Fancy And so by leaving the plain Letter of the Word in what God hath declared promised and sworn to are thereby fallen into these great and dangerous Mistakes for the Scripture admits of no other Spiritual Meaning than what is there specified which is that we perform not the Letter or practical part of the Word to be seen of Men but in sincerity of Heart so as to Worship God in Spirit and Truth But in the Word there are many Figurative Speeches which admits of no other Interpretation than what can be made out from the Word leaving nothing therein to contradict what we say And likewise some have got another way to uphold their false received Notions which is that God speaks after the manner of Men and according to Man's Understanding and if so how doth any Man dare to open another â—…ay for Man to understand of God than what God thought fit for Man's Understanding But there is no such thing said of God throughout the Word but St. Paul to 〈◊〉 the Covenant said that he spake after the manner of 〈◊〉 though it be but a Man's Covenant yet if it be confirmed no Man disanulleth it Gal. 3.15 But our Reformers had done well if they had said there was a great Secret in the Word which as yet they understand not and that it was not to be medled with till the Lord did give more Light according to his Promise before the time of the end and not to have set the Scriptures by their mistaken Interpretations at an unreconcileable Difference as they have done or it would have been much better to have thought that when the False Teachers had ingross'd the Word into their own Hands that they might have put in some words to make the New Testament appear to contradict the Old in what God had positively Promised and Sworn to therein seeing that God had intrusted Man with the Word for his Posterity as Adam was intrusted with Eternal Life for his Posterity the one being forbidden to Eat of the Tree and the other that they should neither add to nor diminish from the Word Gen. 2.16,17 Deut. 4.2 Rev. 22.18,19 But as a Reverend and Worthy Dr. said That when the Reformers first came out of Popery they did plainly see that the Papists were wrong but they themselves did not understand how to come right and indeed in losing the true meaning of the Word it was a hard matter so to do But now God according to his Promise has caused Light to break forth at Evening time Zach. 14.7 And has removed the occasion of Mistakes that thereby Knowledge might be increased whereby the God of Truth is made plainly appear to speak Truth as he is Truth and that he will do in all things according as he has said who having employed and enabled a weak Worm to vindicate his Truth and Justice to the Glory of his Name and the Comfort of Mankind Now such as will stand up to vindicate their false received Notions thereby to make the God of Truth a Lyar let them take what will follow for their Pains I am sure that the honest Heart will be glad that the Truth of God's Word is made plain and his Honour therein Vindicated I understand that some of the Honourable of the Clergy of the Church of England are well-wishers to the Truth and the soundest in the common Faith in the Knowledge of which is our Interest are part of the French Protestants part of the Church of England the Danish and Swedish Ministers and the Baptists that acknowledge that Christ Died for the World I am not to speak for Favour or Affection but as the Truth is in Jesus according to the Gospel A Papist told me that the Church of England gave the Sacrament as the Body and Blood of Christ the which I denied for though they give indeed the Bread and Wine in the words of Christ yet they do not give it as his real Body but as his Figurative Body as Christ did when he was setting whose with them at the Table for the Lord was no otherwise broken in the Sacrament than he was Slain in the Paschal Lamb yet he was said to be Slain in that Sacrifice but what great Mistakes has it caus'd the Christians to be in because they and we have lost the right Apprehension of the Scripture way of speaking XVIII An account of the Lord's five times Hiring Labourers into his Vincyard WHereas the Lord saith Matth. 20.1,2 ' The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Man that is an Housholder which went out early in the Morning to Hire Labourers into his Vineyard and when he had agreed with the Labourers he sent them into his Vineyard ' In the first place we are to take notice by the Comparison that every time the Lord hired Labourers to work in his Vineyard he came forth from Heaven and Hired them that is Agreed or Covenanted with them himself as with Noah and likewise with Abraham and also with Israel in the Wilderness and so Christ when he Established the Gospel the Agreement was that all that were Hired were to Work in the Vineyard and to have a Reward for their Labour And at the last time when the
Lord comes forth which will be at the eleventh Hour them that he then calls in at the last Hour to Labour in his Vineyard will be Israel when he again comes who then will be brought home by Repentance when ' they see him whom they Pierced ' Zach. 12.10 ' For then shall they come with Weeping and with Supplications ' Jer. 31.9 ' And then will the Lord cause them to walk in a straight way wherein they shall not stumble ' verse 9. For then will the Lord Establish his now promised new everlasting Covenant and then will the Labourers in the Vineyard be alike Rewarded being made Partakers of one and the same Covenant the which will Crown life to the Soul But let not the Christians be offended at that but let them remember that when Israel for Sin was cast out then were the Sinners of the Gentiles taken in because they had not Sinned against that Light the others did for the Lord was a light to lighten the Gentiles before he was to be the glory of his people Israel Luke 2.32 And therefore here the Gentiles are put down in the first place and whereas it is said in the Gospel the Lord will come in the last day because to us that are under the Gospel it will be our last day for we shall not then be called to work in the Vineyard for we are then to be brought to Judgment and then them that are found in their Obedience will be made partakers of the Promises and the Wicked among them Condemned in Judgment to â—…e now threatened Punishments but for the Christians that have not opposed the Truth and have not 〈◊〉 guilty of the Sins of the Times yet have not a Supâ—…lative Love to the Lord Jesus as is required in a well grounded Faith according to the Promise such will be left out and not be numbred with them with whom the everlasting Covenant will then be established when the Lord returns and builds again the tabernacle of David which is fallen that the residue of men may seek after the Lord and all the Gentiles upon whom his name is called Acts 15.16.17 The word all in Scripture doth not include the whole and herein are not included the Gentiles that belong to the everlasting Covenant neither them that fall under the threatned Condemnation And the Apostle had here his Reference in this Text to the word of the Lord Amos 9.11,12 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the Heathen which are call'd by my name This all is spoken as aforesaid after the good are secured and the bad Condemned for the Lord will save the Tents of Judah first Zach. 12.7 That is the Remnant with all that are found in their Obedience to Christ by which they come in as Heirs to the Promises by the Lion of the Tribe of Judah For were it not so the House of David would be the Head of the House of Judah verse 9. Now whereas it is said that the residue of Men might seek after the Lord and the Gentiles upon whom his Name is called the which must be those Gentiles whom Christ compares to the foolish Virgins who though they were Virgins so as not to be guilty of the Sins of the times yet for want of a sound or right Faith upon which the promised Blessedness depends the Lord therefore then saith he knows them not Matth. 25 12. And so those that were and might have been first will then become last for the Heathen are plac'd before them and so will the Word of the Lord then be fulfilled that the last shall be first and the first last Matth. 19.9.30 That is the Gentiles that received the Gospel they were first and Israel last but when Christ again comes Israel shall be then first and those under the Gospel which have been as foolish Virgins shall be last for then those Gentiles all that come not in to have a share in the everlasting Covenant will be then given to be Servants to Israel and Servants to them that are Israel's Servants Joel 3.8 And when Satan is bound and afterwards loosed again their Off-spring lies liable to Satan's Temptations by whom they being deluded will then be miserably taken off Ezek. 28.22 Rev. 20.9 And the Lord foreseeing the sad Condition the Christians would be in that are found unprepared for his coming therefore the Lord charged them to be upon their Watch as that day might not overtake them at unawares And God hath promised that knowledge should be increased at the time of the end Dan. 12.4,9 And at Evening time it should be light Zach. 14.7 For the vision is for an appointed time but at the end it shall speak and not lie though it tarry wait for it because it shall surely come Hab. 2.3 The knowledge of this Vision the Christians ought to have retained but being lost God now of his great Mercy according to his Promise hath again brought to light the which Vision we are now to wait for or how will Israel's Constancy in waiting for the Promises made to their Fathers appear for an Evidence to Condemn us who were to have a share with them in those Promises for the Door that is now open to all that will lay hold of the offered Mercy to come in Heirs to the promised Covenant will then be shut to the Gentiles and the wicked Christians will then be Condemned for then will be the last day of the Gospel Institution and likewise the last day of the Power of this wicked World so as their time will be no longer And why is it foretold that Israel's Return should be in the latter days Hosea 3.5 And their Glory then when the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains God thereby shewing that their blessed time was a great distance off for the Gospel Institution was to come in between and be ended before their blessed time would be which was a Secret hid in God from the Fathers how the Gentiles or true Christians should be brought in Heirs with Israel for it was but darkly Prophesied by the Prophets But when the appointed time that the Lord had determined for the Gentile Power and Gospel Institution and that their time should be no longer than till the Lord cometh who is represented to stand upon the Sea and upon the Earth Rev. 10.5,6 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel when he shall begin to sound the mystery of God shall be finished as he hath declared to his servants the Prophets verse 7. For then will this whole Mystery of God be compleated for the Saints will then be raised and then Israel will remain no longer scattered So accordingly it is said Dan. 12.7 When he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people all these things shall be finished and again hitherto is the end of the
matter Dan. 7.28 Of this Vision which did appertain to this Mystery which has to this day been hid from Israel And Daniel heard but understood not therefore said O my Lord what shall be the end of these things And the Lord said go thy way Daniel for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end verse 8.9 And the Disciples asked the Lord why he spake to the Jews in Parables the Lord said to them It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven but to them it is not given Matth. 13.10,11 For indeed this Kingdom of Heaven or Heavenly Kingdom is a great Mystery which when the Christians had lost the knowledg of this Secret it was then to remain a Secret till the time of the end and now is the time the Lord will have it Revealed and they that desire spiritual Wisdom shall understand it Dan. 12.10 And the Lord will first come in the Clouds of Heaven before the last or seventh Angel soundeth Matth. 24.31,32 And the Saints that are under the Altar receive white Robes Rev. 6.9 In which they will accompany the Lord into the world before their Bodies are raised and then will the Nations know the two Witnesses which now they understand not And all this is to be after the Lord comes and before the seventh Angel soundeth Rev. 11.15 And when the seventh Angel sounded 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 for ever and ever And the Saints receiving their Bodies at the sound of the last or seventh Trumpet 1 Cor. 15.52 the Elders fell upon their faces and worshiped God Rev. 11.16 But our Predecessors having lost the right Apprehension of these things by reason of the Apostacy so as they that came after did not understand how God could make his Promise good to the raised Saints in providing Mansions in the Heavens for them in that Tabernacle which the Lord shall pitch and not Man at which time the Lord will restore Israel to their own Land Likewise then God will make good his Word concerning the Heathen so as all the Families of the Earth shall be blessed in Christ after the wilfully Wicked are Condemned accordingly as God hath threatened that he would send his Angel and gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend as I have fully proved For God by the Law and Gospel speaks but to them that are under it and they are the World and Heavens and Earth that will be Condemned by it Isaiah 34. Chap. 24 5,6 For transgressing the laws changing the ordinances breaking the everlasting covenant therefore the curse devoureth the earth that is the Earth upon whom the Curse falls for the Offences For the Ordinances which St. Paul would have the Church keep as they were delivered unto them 1 Cor. 11.2 God by this Prophet declares they have changed And in Ezekiel 34.18 it is said they have eaten the good Pastures which must be those Ordinances which Isaiah saith they have changed that is put them away and made new ones in their room that is new Articles of Faith new Church Government new ways of Administring the Sacraments in all these things the Romish Church is horribly out of the way besides all their other Abominations and likewise others as to some of these things will be found dangerously out of the way for treading down with their Feet the Residue of their Pastures and also fouling of the deep waters with their feet so as the flock eat that which they have trodden with their feet and drink that which they have fouled with their feet verse 18.19 This place and the foremention'd Chapters of Isaiah have peculiar References to the second coming of Christ to Judgment at which time he will Judge between Cattel and Cattel and the Rams and the hee Goats v. 17. And then the Lord will feed his Sheep himself so as then they shall no more be a prey when he is Prince among them verse 22.23,24 and the offending Shepherds will God then feed with Judgment But after the Teachers of the Romish Church had changed the Ordinances or eaten the good Pastures or as the Lord saith hid the Talent they thereby made way to set up their own Institutions and so transgressed the Laws and brake the everlasting Covenant for the moral Law is an everlasting Covenant Isaiah 24.5 as well as the new Covenant when Established will be an everlasting Covenant to them with whom it is Established for the old Covenant will only then be done away as a conditional Covenant as now it is for the Lord will then give an inherent perfect Righteousness to all with whom that Covenant will then be made as thereby they shall be enabled perfectly to keep the moral Law for then God will magnifie the Law and make it Honourable Isaiah 42.21 But when the Nations came to have no love to the Truth and their Rulers would not any longer be holden with the Cords of the Laws of the Lord according as it was Prophesied of Psalm 2. Then God permitted the Prince of Darkness to hoist up the Beast an Instrument whom Satan had prepared for his purpose who thought to change times and laws and they were given into his hands till the day of judgment and then shall his dominion be taken away Dan. 7.25,26 But God all along preserved the Law and the Testimony of the Prophets safe in the Hands of the Jews whom he scattered throughout the World that they might be a Light to the World in the cloudy and dark Day when the Beast had deprived the Nations of the rest of the Scriptures and the Christians knowing that Christ was come and that the Ceremonial Law was Abolished and that Christ was that great Sacrifice that had made an Attonement for Sins that were past for all those that would walk in Obedience to the rest of God's Laws and Commands and Precepts that Christ would then compleat their sincere Endeavours they not forgetting Baptism and the Lord's Supper For all the Prophets as they declare Christ first coming to Suffer so also they declare that he will come again to Judge and Reign And in the way of well-doing God has declared by the Prophets that we may stay our selves upon his Promises in that he will shew his Salvation to all that walk uprightly by their improving the Day of Grace whilst it was in their Hands that they might not be hardned through the Deceitfulness of Sin by accustoming themselves therein which had the Christians taken heed to the Law and to the Prophets herein they could have been very little out of the way ' for whosoever speaks not according to the Law and the Testimony of the Prophets it is because there is no light in them Isaiah 8.20 But many being deceived by the Popish Idolatrous Worship and with their pretended Pardons and also
many others by trusting to an Election that to themselves they have Framed and others by expecting to be saved by the Righteousness of Christ contrary to the words of Christ which is in the way of their sincere Obedience whereby Millions of poor Christians being thus deluded are asleep in security by which miserable mistaken Notions the generality of the Christians are become worse than Heathens Which if they are not well awakened and brought off of their sandy Foundation the generality of the Protestant Christians as well as the Papist will cry out of their Leanness the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously Isaiah 24.16 when they find themselves wanting both of sound Knowledge and good Fruit when their Destruction cometh And let all that have pretended to be God's peculiar and elect People when they are not consider what it is to Exalt themselves into that Station or Place into which God hath not put them by the Example of them that so did and were destroyed for so doing Numb 16. For did either God or Christ ever threaten Damnation to any that did not think themselves Elected Or did they only promise Salvation to them that were Elected Sure we find no such thing in the Word of God but the promised eternal Salvation both in the Old and New Testament is to them that obey him fear before him walk uprightly and fervently love him and believe his Word and cannot think that he will be false or a Deceiver but that God will perform his Promise to all according to his Word and according to his Word it will be that the Transgressors under the Law and Gospel will fall under the threatned Condemnation For the Gentiles as well as the Jews when their Prophets and Rulers which are their Seers became weary of the Ways or Laws of the Lord one was left to Blindness the other to Delusion by which we may see the Word of God made good in both and in the New Testament the Teachers are likewise called Prophets 2 Cor. 11.4 And it is said Isaiah 29.10 The Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep and hath closed your eyes the Prophets and your Rulers the Seers hath he covered and the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed Now in that this Vision is termed the Vision of all therefore it hath its chief Reference to Christ's second coming the which is set down to be a Vision and that at the end it should speak Hab. 2.3 The which both Jews and Christians were commanded to wait for But because the Rulers and Teachers of both were the first occasion of laying the World in Darkness therefore God hath declared he hath covered them so as this Vision they were not to be the first discoverers of And though doubtless when Christ first came there were some good Rulers and good Priests among them so I hope there are many more amongst us Christians now But God by bringing out the Truth in an unexpected way doth thereby carry on the Counsel of his own Will which is never without a Reason and God saith he knoweth the proud afar off And therefore that such may be snared he brings to light the Knowledge of his Truth by an unexpected Hand by reason of which some had rather go without the Knowledge of the Truth than so receive it But let the Wise in Heart consider it that the Ignorant by their Example may come out of their Mistakes now God has made the Vision clear that the thinking Soul may not be taken in the Snare For this Vision in Isaiah 29.7 hath its reference to the time to come when all that have distrest Ariel shall be but as a Dream of a Night Vision they shall so pass away And this sealed Vision spoken of in the 11 verse is the Vision in the Revelations which has been Sealed unto us for we have not understood it and this Vision which God by the Prophet saith is become Sealed gives us to understand that it was not always so for when the Gospel was first Established this Gospel of the Kingdom was one of the fundamental Doctrins who when the Apostles had first fed their Converts with Milk they afterward fed them with strong Meat in declaring to them all the Counsel of God Acts 20.26 But afterward the Christians did Apostatize from the Truth and did set up their own Imaginations and would have in this time a temporal Kingdom of Christ And when they thus grew weary of the Truth of God's Word then God Vail'd or covered their Understanding so as they could not apprehend the glorious Kingdom of Christ which will be here in time to come And after this the Vision again became Sealed and then neither the Learned nor Unlearned could Read it But God often chuses to shew forth his Power through the weakness of the Instrument and on that side by whom this Offence was not committed And those that refuse the Truth because it comes forth by a Woman may as well refuse to be saved by Christ because he came by a Woman For God carries on his Works in one and the same Method for as when Israel was brought out of Aegypt to go into the promised Land the Glory of the Lord was then in the Clouds so it will be again when the Lord comes and much more abundantly and also as Christ first came by a Woman so again after the Lord arose he ' then appeared first to a Women and likewise when Christ was first brought in to the Temple to be Offered to the Lord then of all them that had their Abode in the Temple it was a Woman among them that did there first acknowledge him to be the Redeemer to such that look for redemption in Israel Luke 2.38 But that God that carries on his Works in a way of Method that the thinking Soul may consider it will not now contradict himself by leaving the Method that he formerly took And now the Vision is made so plain to any that has a Rational Understanding that according to the Word he that runs may Read it and therefore we are to wait for at the end it will speak and not lie Hab. 2.3 And now likewise the Old and New Testament are made to agree and all the occasions of the Mistakes are removed that thereby knowledge might be increased at the time of the end Dan. 12.4 And this now the Lord having made good according to his Word at the time of the end the which is a greater Evidence than if Angels had come from Heaven and declared it if they had not from the Word made it plain because we are not to receive any other Doctrin than what was first taught from the Testimony of Prophets and Apostles so as had not this been made plain from the Word it would have appeared another Doctrin and so not to have been believed because the evil Angels can Transform themselves into
Angels of Light 2 Cor. 11.14 Gal. 1.8 And we were to receive nothing in contradiction to Moses and the Prophets Luke 16.31 But God will carry on his work according to his word As for any to expect the Spirit to be poured out upon them to prepare them for the coming of the Lord is a great Mistake and the Prince of Darkness would gladly perswade any to believe that for by that belief he keepeth them from preparing themselves that thereby they may be taken at unawares for Satan has many Wiles to deceive poor Souls For the Christians will not have the Spirit poured out upon them before the Lord comes to prepare them no more than Israel had when the Lord first came for if so the Lord would not have commanded them to be upon their watch lest coming suadenly he should find them sleeping XIX Christ saying all Power was given of the Father Explained WHereas Christ said after he arose Matth. 28.18 All power is given to me in heaven and in earth That was he then had paid the purchase of it and he was then as really assured of it as though he had it in Possession having the Promise of God for it And it is the Scriptures usual way of speaking to mention things that are to come as though they were then present Accordingly God said to Abraham I have made thee a Father of many Nations at which time he was not Father of one Child But God having promised it was certainly to come to pass and therefore spoken as then done Gen. 17.5 Rom. 4.17 According to which Christ spake for it is the World to come that is to be put in subjection unto him Heb. 2.5 And when the seventh Angel soundeth then it is the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 11.15 When he hath taken to him his own great power verse 17. I hope the Christians will consider these great Truths that they may not be found upon a false bottom For God doth not now compel but chalk out the way and leaves Man to chuse or refuse to obey But in the day of his Power he will again pour forth his Spirit for the first Churches had but a foretast of the earnest of that Inheritance which his People will partake of when the Lord again comes World without end And then his People Israel will be made a willing People Ps 110.3 When he removeth the Iniquity of that Land in one day in that day shall they call every Man under his Vine and under his Fig-tree Zach. 3.9,10 Then it is the two Olive-trees will give out of themselves the Golden Oyl of Grace and Wisdom into the Candlestick that is all of Gold Chap. 4.2 And then the Lord will make his Church a glorious Church without Spot or Wrinkle Eph. 5.27 But now the best of Saints are not without Sin 1 John 1.8 I thought at this time to have given a full Satisfaction who these two Olive-trees were who in the New Testament are termed two Witnesses who all along have accompanied the Church or Woman in the Wilderness who according to Promise had never been deceived by Beast or false Prophet And these two Witnesses always accompanying her therefore said to be cloathed in Sackcloath in bearing part of her Afflictions with her as it was formerly said of Christ that in all his Peoples Afflictions he was Afflicted Isaiah 63.9 And also it is said the holy Spirit may be grieved For these two Olive-trees which in this time are said to be the two Witnesses Rev. 11.3,4 and also elsewhere in the Scripture they are often so called and these two Witnesses we may readily believe can do all those Miracles Cited in the 5 and 6 Verses whereas it is said in the 8 Verse their dead Bodies Now this being spoken of the Remnant to whom the Lord promised to be with to the end of the World and that he would send them another Comforter that should abide with them for ever as is at large in the Woman Cloathed with the Sun prov'd And when these Persons become so opprest by the Beast as Scattered Imprisoned and Slain these two Witnesses cannot then by them bear their Testimony against the Evil of Sin and the Pernicious Idolatrous Worship of the Beast and thus the two Witnesses are said to be dead when their Bodies are thus Slain so as they cannot by them bear their Testimony whose dead Bodies were again to stand upon their Feet As to what I have here but hinted concerning them to give some Light herein I thought to have fully proved and to have made clearly appear who this fore mentioned Beast is But having many other things to answer my time would not permit me at this present O that we had but a Heart to consider the greater Truths of God whose Faithfulness cannot fail according to his Word for which blessed be his Name World without end Amen FINIS