of God in Christ beleived we love one another as he hoth loved us and so bring forth all the fruits of love this is no law-work but the fruits and exercise of love by which faith worketh which though free from the bondage of the Law will lead to all righteousness in afflictions and actions commanded in the law in every commandment of it from the free obligation of grace in love Gall. 5. 6. 13 14 22 23. and 6. 15 16 Rom. 13. 8. 9 10. And the like I might say of endeavouring in all things to glorifie God and walk honestly and of patience waiting for his coming but I will not further enlarge for surely he that with the heart beleiveth the testimony of Christ and sayings thereof and so turneth at his reproof that he beleiveth in his name for the good he hath promised and hence confesseth his name whatever he suffer for it end â—ring to bear his reproach loving his brother as God hath loved him endeavouring to walk honestly in all things so to being glory to God and so patiently wait for his coming the word of the testimony and sayings in it certainly worketh savingly in him And he is born of God taught and learneth of God Rom. 1. 16. Pro. 2. 10 11 12. Heb. 11. 13. 1 John 3. 9 10 11. and 4. 21. and 5. 1. Acts 4. 20. And he that doth these things doth not beleive with the heart Rom. 10. 10. For the word of Christ with his spirit therein and love commended there through where ever in heart beleived doth work the motions and inclinations to the willing and doing these things so as no more is required of us but this that in his so moving to will and do we without murmering or disputing so will and do which in his strength in such season we may so will and do Rom. 1. 16. 1 Thes 2. 13. Phil. 2 12. 16. and 4 12. And where the heart is exercised in beleiving how can they but readily yeild up thereto Psal 116. 10. 16. 2 Cor. 4. 13. and thence the exhortation to work out this in working salvation Phil. 2. 12 13. which teacheth as said Tiâ— â— 11. 12. 13. and so by his mercies as the motive and motion to give up their bodies as a living sacrifice to him and their members as weapons of righteousness unto righteousness being changed and reformed by the renewing of the mind Rom. 12. 1. 2. and 6. 19. so as all that with the heart beleive Jesus Christ true in his sayings and so beleive in him as the Scripture hath said find in some measure the springs of these things in their heart and so may know that the right doing of these Commandments to this end is not law-work but an exercise of faith that worketh by love John 7. 38. Gall. 5. 5. 6. Nor doth the term Commandements darken this at all for the whole Gospâ—l given Christ to preach is called his Commandment Iohn 12. 50. And his giving it to the Apostles to preach is called his giving them Commandements Acts 1. 2. and the Gospel made known to any and they helped to beleive is called the holy Commandement delivered to them 2 Pet. 2. 21. and so beleiving on his name and loving one another are called his Commandments 1 Ioh. 3. 22. 53. 24. Ioh. 14 1. and 13. 34 and 15. 12. And so it is clear that this doing his Commandements to this end as it is no Law work but an exercise of faith so also it is a sure way to have right to the Tree of life yea right and life is found and received in so doing them Rom. 8. 13. Gall. 6. 8. and this is evident and plain in the Apostle shewing the end of their preaching the pâ—etioâ—s promises given them To be that the heareis in beleiving might partake of the divine nature in Christ risen from the dead Isa 55. 3. 4. and sheweth how Beleivers come to partake of this Efficacy of the word and promise of blessedness and faith First having excepted the polution that is in the world through lust And then in that which folâ—oweth and goeth together with it he saith and besides this giving all diligence Add to which implyes giving up and using and working together to your faith that object of and doctrine of faith you in beleiving have received and is moving in you vertue zeal and courage to bring forth its teachings and operations and to this vertue knowledge in minding and understanding his mind discovered in his sayings for the manner ends and seasons of venting forth vertue And least your knowledge of your liberty in all outward lawful liberties and things be abused to some snare and to your knowledge temperance that you be neither inoâ—dâ—nate in your desires not immoderate in persuit nor unseasonable or unsober in use of lawful liberties and because in so doing you must exercise self denial and meet with depravations and reproofs from some others therefore to your temperance add patience that in patience you may possess your Souls letting patience have its perfect work and that you abuse not patience to stupidity and sloathfulness but that it may leave its perfect work indeed to patience add godlyness in both a right worshiping of God as he hath discovered himself in Christ adoring him and calling on his name c. And conforming to him in Holiness Humility Meekness Mercies And as in this you will be moved so to this Godliness add Brotherly kindness in delighting in the Saints and ready shewing forth the fruits of Brotherly love to them and seeing there are imfirmities to be forgiven and covered and others besides them to shew love and mercy to that are yet enemies to you to Brotherly kindness add Charity which is the Bond of perfectness and full of good fruits and leads to constancy therein for if these things be in you that is as God in his word tenders and works them so you in beleiving receive them and abound that is have their perfect work so as you yeild up thereto to bring them forth they make you that you shall neither be barren not empty of good fruits in your selves nor unfruitful without some profits to others in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ But he that lacketh these things as those that smother the motions in his teachings and yeild not to obey in doing them will soon die Is blind purblind and can not see a far off to the hope set before us in Christ and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins which when he first saw and beleived did work thus effectually in him but he hath forgot this he once so highly prized and so the efficacies are withered and his understanding darkened wherefore the rather Brethren give diligence to make your calling that grievons operation of Christ in which you were brought out of darkness into his marvelous light to beleive in him and live to him and election that is that gracious operation of
fire And this is that wrath of God and that judgement and those torments to be executed on such as in all his means used through the day of grace rebelled against him refusing his salting in his convincements and corrections and willingly walked after the lusts of the slesh which wrath and fire is everlasting and without ceasing tormenting for ever and ever And so cannot be quenched Heb. 9. 27. Revel 20. 15. and 21 8. And so first or last every one shall be salted with fire as to say 1. The spirit in the word and discovery of the grace in Christ convinceing and reproving of sin of want of righteousness and of evil designs in a man and his wayes as hath been shewn is a fire to burn up that filth and heats to the acknowledgement of Christ the Lord Ioh. 16. 8. 9 10. which is now received and yeilded to so as it may have its perfect work would burn up that and nothing but that which would destroy the man and heat with desires and fitness to receive the teachings of the spirit Pro. 1. 23 and 6. 23. But if refused and rejected till the day of Grace be past the same spirits convincements now rejected shall after seize on them so as they cannot avoyd it but it will kindle a fire that shall everlastingly burn on soul and body for ever and cannot be quenched Isa 45. 23. Phill. 2. 9. 10. 11. Isa 30. 33. 2 Thes 1. 7. 8. 9. 2. Corrections and punishments added where convincements and reproofs are not readily received to set them home to the heart and take down mans pride and break him off his enterprise and bow him to hearken and to submit to induâ—e such shame loss and pain in the flesh as is to be endured in receiving such convincements Iob. 33. 14. 24. 29 36. Prov. 6. 23. Yea for Christs sake to forsake all a man hath to be his Disciple Luke 14. 33. In which they will be received and blessed and enriched with better life c. by Christ But if a man refuse his convincements and corrections and prize not the Grace of Christ so as to bear that layd on them and undergoe the loss of natural life and all the comforts of it as required by Christ and for his sake but then and in such cases seek to save his life c. he shall certainly lose it and undergoe that loss and pain here if ever brought to repentance or else hereafter to his eternal woe lose all favour with God and Christ and Saints and all enjoyment of the inheritance and eternal life and yet confess Christ the Lord and then endure the torments of everlasting fire And this oft affirmed Matt. 10. 31. 35. and 16. 25. 26. Mar. 8. 35. 38 and 9. So that this is a most certain truth that to bring men to acknowledge Jesus Christ to be the Lord to the glory of God and every one shall be brought to it and that in bringing to confess it rightly here there must be a self denyal and sorrow with shame and grief for sin and loss of some things desirable to the natural life in Honour Ease Riches Friendship and relations below and it may be in some cases natural life it self which if for Christs sake not accepted but refused and not undergone they shall lose and undergo all and lose a far better use Riches Friend and Relations and yet be brought to this confession to their shame and then suffer eternal torments Vse 1. For every one shall be salted with Fire which sheweth both the truth of our Saviours saying It s better to endure the pain of this salting here what ever losses be in it then hereafter vers 43. 45. 47. And the necessity of taking and obeying our Saviours counsel given seeing there is no escape but this salting with fire must be endured now or hereafter And this also shews 2. The vanity and deceivedness of those that think to follow Christ and yet when his name or service requires this self-denyal suffering and loss seek to save themselves in these things yet think to be saved by him also and so to serve God Mammon enjoy their desires in these things here and life with Christ hereafter and this also shews 3. To warm and admonish us when a price is put in our hand to get wisdome not to think it too costly what ever is to be parted with for it or undergone to enjoy it whatever reproofs to be received or whatever self denyals and shame or sufferings to be undergone part not with the pâ—ize that is in truth for it Oh let not lying Vanities withdraw us from receiving our own Mercies but let us turn at his reproofs forsake the Foolish abase and Judge our selves in this World and so believe in his Mercy that we may not be condemned with the World but receive this Salting with Fire here that we may not be Salted with Fire hereafter And this is the first Affirmation given by our Saviour here in this Case to move us whatever it be that causeth us to offend how dear to us soever to cut it off and suffer the loss of it now in this Life for every one shall be Salted with Fire the next is CHAP. III The Second Affirmation ANd every Sacrifice shall be salted with Salt he speaketh here in the Plural Number every Sacrifice And so as Christ himself in his own body was abased and made despicable and dispised and suffered much and so was Crucified and died for our sins and overcame death and rose again righteous in that very body And then through the eternal Spirit offered himself in that body a spotless Sacrifice to God so made Peace compleated Righteousness and obtained eternal Redemption and an Inheritance And the Sacrifice that one Sacrifice offered by him once for all and by which he is able to perfect all comers to God by him Heb. 10. 1. 14. and 9. 12. 14. 25. 28. and 7. 25. And so offers and presents them in himself before God blamless Col. 1. 22. And makes them enabling them to offer Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by him Heb. 8. 5. 1. Pet. 2. 4. 5. and every Sacrifice here meant is of these many Sacrifices and so they are and it verily is both 1. Every unfeighned Beleiver that in belief of this Sacrifice of Christ is thereby brought unto him and so into Covenant to be the Lords to have their Life in him and live to him 2. And every Spiritual Sacrifice by such Beleivers offered to God by Christ or in the name of Christ 1. And every unfeighned Beleever that in belief of the Sacrifice once offered by Christ is thereby brought into him and so into Covenant to be the Lords to have their life in him and live to him In which respect they are said to have made a Covenant with God by Sacrifice Psal 50. 5. And so to be the Lords and have given themselves to the Lord
according to his will to be his Psal 116. 8 9 16. Rom. 14. 7 29. 1. Cor. 6. 19. 20. 2. Cor. 5. And these are called his Offerings by vertue of his own Sacrifice the fatness whereof is manifested therein Psal 20. 3 4 5. And as this was tipyfied in the High Priest presenting before the Lord and offering the Levites for an Offering to the Lord Numb 8. 13. 14. So in this sence Christ is said in the body of this Flesh through death to present Beleevers holy unblameable and unreprovable in his sight Coll. 1. 22 23. Though they bâ— brought to him by his Servants ministration Rom. 15. 16. 2. Cor. 11. 2. So every of these Beleevers he thus offereth and presenteth to God in himself shall be salted with Salt with that which hath a firy and â—â—rging nature to consume filth and to make savory that which is presented And every Sacrifice every Beleever without exception of any shall be salted with Salt And this 1. Not only in their first being brought into beliefe by reproofs and corrections brought to turn at his reproofe and denying themselves and letting all go for his name sake and therein exercising Sorrow Repentance and Self denial c. But 2. Also when Beleevers in their abiding and walking in the Faith and Services of Love and in reciâ—e oâ— more grace and savour from him Forasmuch as they are not yet wholly Spiritual but partly Carnal having no good thing dwelling in their Flesh but the Lusts of the Flesh warring against the Spirit Rom. 7. 14 24. Gal. 5. 17. So as there is still need of reproof and turning at them and oâ— corrections and receiving the same that Flesh may be still purged that they may still abide and go on in the Services of Faith and Love for there is no one of them in moâ—tal Bodies that is without sin or that doeth good and sineth not 2. Châ—on 6. 36. Prov. 20. 9. Eccles 7. 20. Job 15. 14. 1. Joh. 1. 8 10. And so Jesus Christ in his meditation by veâ—â—ue of his Blood and Sacrifice is still about that work not only interceding for Trangessours and taking away the sins of the World Isaiah 53. 12. Joh. 1. 29. but even for Beleevers that are coming to God by him Rom 8. 34. 1. Ioh. 1. 2. Heb. 7. 25. and 9. 15. And so by the freeness and greatness of his Love commended in his Blood and by his Word and Spirit therein teaching washing and cleansing them c. Ephes 5. 26. Both in their walking in the light as he is in the light cleansing them from all sin And wherein overtaken with a fault as they confess and seek so forgiving and healing them 1 Joh. 1. 7 9. And so as iâ— is his Office and work in which he is faithful to sanctify them throughout c. 1. Thes 5. 23 24. And so as there is corruption of sin in their Flesh and in their Walkings to puâ—ge out the remaining filth and make savoury his grations teachings to them that they may more readilâ— receive them Even so there is dispensed Salt to them And this 1. From the Testimony of Christ in that set before them of the excellencies in him teaching to receive of that life in him are certain reproofs of some things in us and our wayes to be still repented of denied and turned from And the reproofs of Instruction are the wayes of life or of receiving enjoying and retaining that life in Christ Prov. 6. 23. And he is wise that learneth in his teachings and loveth and receiveth his reproofs and he that doth not so is brutish what ever he boast to know and believe Prov. 9. 8. and 20. 3. and 12. 1. and 13. 1. And so Job that was such an upright and perfect man Job 1. 1. 8. and 2. 10. Yet discerning the power and excellencies of the Almighty was mightily abased and sitted to lay down himself and seek knowledge of and pray to God Job 40. 3 4. 5 and 42. 2. 5. Yea Isaiah the Prophet in beholding a glymphs of the glory of the Lord cryed â—ut of his uncleanness and was sitted to hear and â—eild to what ever God would send him about Isa 6. 1 8. So he dispenseth Salt in his word And â—et 2. To boar the Ear and bow the mind to drink in these reproofs and yeild more readily to his teachings he also even to Beleevers useth his Rod of afflictions and punishments to take down their Pride and break them of their own enterprize to reduce them c. Iob. 33. 14 15. 24. 29 30. Psal 94. 12. and 119. 66. 67. And so correcteth every Son that he receiveth c. Prov. 3. 11 12. Heb. 12. 6 7. Revel 3. 19. And by these afflictions to prize home his reproofs for purging out their follies Isa 27. 7. To humble and make them poor and low in themselves that they may not look to or rest on or glory in or of any seen or sencible things or any of their Wisdom Parts Gifts or Attainments but in his strength and salvation only Psal 20. 5 9. Jer. 9. 22 23 24. 2 Cor. 12. 7 10. To vehement them more to pray to him Hos 5. 16. And make them more ready to keep his Testimonies Psal 119. 66. 67. and 9â— 12. 3. And so both by these reproofs and afflictions to salt and season them in their believing and confidence that they may receive no instruction that causeth to erre from the words of knowledge noâ— believe every word or appearance of truth nor any thing for truth but his word his Testimony only and so the truth manifested therein to rest on that so they may not be rash in their confidence to rest in any thing besides or short of this truth nor mixe any thing in their confidence besides or with his Word or his Power Mercy or Truth manifested therein to rest on nor presume to confide in him for assistance and helpfulness in walking out of his way And this salting for this end is also needful for who through the Flesh in us and Satan and evil Ministers assailing us are too ready to miscarry herein that so our believing and confidence may be upright Prov. 14. 7 15 16. and 19. 27. Ye that in our confidence we may be taken off from resting on or attributing any thing of our helpfulness to any seen or humane things any Parts Gifts or Attainments received But as Christ by death overcame death being raised by the power of God so we in all straights and for all help may give all glory to God trusting in him that raiseth the dead 2 Cor. 12. 7 10. and 1. 9 10. which if not so salted we would not do And as 4. An addition to the forementioned reproofs and afflictions even sufferings of shame and reproach and tribulations c. For the name of Christ for his sake that we may be conformed to Christ in the fellowship of his sufferings and death and so through
1. 10. 11. Joh. 17. 5. Revel 1. 18. And so he as the publick man for us did through sufferings enter into his glory Luke 24. 26. Even so as we approach and get to the Father through him so made known for receiving all grace and promises in him so in this our approach through him there are divers like gates to pass through that we may follow him and receive and partake of the same glory with him for without entring these gates we cannot enter the City and so as we read of the way Psa 119. 1. and the gate Psal 112. 20. so we read likewise of right wayes and right pathes Prov. 3. 17. and 4. 11. and of the gates of Zion Psal 87. 2. and the gates of the Lord to enter in and give him thanks Psal 100. 4. and so have gates which includes all the Commandments forementioned and more but I will comprehend them in as small a number as I may in three or four that may comprehend the rest and so to the 1 Gate THat we exercise and abide and walk in that faith and confidence in Christ which was given and begotten by his word in our hearts and worketh through love This the appointed Gate or way Gall. 3. 11. 14. Heb. 2. 4. Col. 2. 6. and that which the Apostle professed to be their gate way or rule Gall. 5. 5. 6. and 6. 15. 6. and this includeth all the Commandments forementioned and so as they are to beleive his sayings to turn at his reproof to trust in his name to confess it and bear his reproach to love one another as he hath loved us to seek to glorify him and to waite for his coming so all included in this way or gate to go through in our abiding thus walking in this beleif confidence and love till we have finished our course in which we are his house and partake of Christ and receive of his teachings Heb. 3. 6 14. 1 Iohn 2. 27. 28. in which also we find and enter rest in Christ Heb. 4. 3. and so are in the way and have right to that glorious rest with Christ Heb. 3. 10. 11. and this gate we are to go in but it is not gone through till in our abiding we have finished our course in resisting sin and keeping the faith and then we are infallibly sure of entring into the glorious City Heb. 10. 3. 6. and 12. 2 Tim. 4. 4. 7. 8. Revel 2. 10. 17. and 3. 12. Mal. 24. 13. this one gate the next is 2. Gate THat in this exercise of Faith and love we possess our souls in patience in enduring and holding faith and love in and through all sufferings in his fatherly chastisements and all reproaches and sufferings that may befal us in this life for his name sake Luke 21 16 19. For as one of the forementioned Commandments is to let go desire of applause from men to go without the Camp bearing his reproach so this commander gate is for patience and perseverance with faithfulness therein till we have done the will of God in finishing our course and then we shall be sure to be crowned and receive the promises Iames 1. 12. Heb. 10. 36. 2 Tim. 1. 7. 8. for as our Saviour to procure it for us through sufferings entred into his glory so we to receive it must through much tribulation enter into the kingdome of God Acts 14. 22 Rom. 8. 17. 1 Thes 3. 3. 4. 2 Tim. 3. 12. And through this gate our forefathers passed Heb. 6. 12. and 11. And so did such as in vision were presented as receivers Revel 7. 13. 27. and these gates gone through the next is 3. Gate That when our course is finished we yield up our spirits into the hands of God and so dy with faith or according to the faith and then our work and labour for entring is ended and our spirits shall be with the Lord and our bodies at rest and in covenant with the Lord some to enjoy the holy City in soul and body in its season Luke 23. 46 Psalm 31. 5. Isa 26. 20. Heb. 11. 13. Isa 57. 2. 2 Cor. 3. 8. Phill. 1. 23. Revel 14. 13. 1 Thess 4. 14. and as the keeping these forementioned Commandments to the end foresaid is the way of entring and going through these gates so they that enter and go through these gates shall be surely without their own motion or endeavour raised in their bodies again spiritual and immortal and have them received of and united with their own spirit again and then both in soul and body be as the Angels of God 2 Cor. 4 14. and 5. 1. 4 Iohn 5. 29. 1 Cor. 15 23 42 43. 44. and this shall be in the coming of Christ and the resurrection of the just Luke 14. 14. 1 Cor 15. 23. and this called the better Resurrection Heb. 11. 35. when we all with our forefathers that have dyed in the faith shall meet the Lord and be ever with him 1 Thess 4. 14. 17. and be equal to the Angels Luke 20 35. 36. and so be made meet to enter in and be of that glorious and holy City together Ephes 4 13. Heb. 11 40. Revel 19 7 and 21. 23. Now the opening these gates as they are made known by the Gospel that calleth also for entring in at them so the opening is as God calls and gives furniture and oportunity for any particular on which oportunity laying hold according to the furniture given us Gal. 6 10. Heb. 3. 13 in doing his Commandments as foresaid we may be entring the first mentioned gate alwaies the second as called to it and the third likewise and so till we have gone through all three and thus entring the first at all times and the second as called to it and keeping in preparedness to enter the third we shall be fitted to enter the other to be named in all oportunities which though they be many I will comprehend them in one that is to say for help of any weaknesses and exercise of grace according to light ability and oportunity given us during our natural lives 4. Gate IS entring in attending and waiting at the Gates and Posts he hath appointed and set up for us which are not any ordinances or devises of men which are vain to use Isa 29. 13. Mar. 7 2. 7. but the ordinances of his own appointments which though not all to be so continually gone on and done as the first and second with the Commandements included in them as often foreshewn yet to be frequently come to be watched and waited for and all for waiting with them to receive of him teachings and supports c. to go through the forementioned Gates as hearty and real prayer and hearing and reading his word and also frequenting the assemblies of the Saints and fellowship in his Gospel with them to that end c. which also will be done in doing the forementioned Commandments and of which also he sayeth Blessed is