and was and shall be because thou hast judged tâ—us for they have shed the blood of thy saints and prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink in great measure XV. Yea have we not seen how four Kings of France successively were in lesse then 30. years taken away in the same continued pursuit how to destroy the Church there in whom that whole race of the Valois was thus extinct yea in the manner of their death were most remarkable monuments of divine judgement as the most famous writers of that time does attest XVI We have seen what marvelous effects did follow these bloody years of Queen Mary's reign in England to promot and commend the Protestant doctrine to mens consciences there with so great a triumph it had in the sufferings of such choise and excellent witnesses for Christ as hath brought in more rent to the praise and glory of their blessed head then may to the furthest compense all that blood of the Saints there though highly precious in the eyes of the Lord. XVII We have seen likewayes the blood and cruelty of late against the Protestants in Bohemia in a short time most observably returned on the authors thereof and how the immediate finger of God might be seen in calling forth the Swedes to avenge the same and in that desolating strock which followed on Germany XVIII We have seen in these late times the issue of that horrid massacre on the Protestants in Ireland to the utter ruine in a very few years after of that barbarous party who had thus acted herein XIX We have seen what wonderful providences did attend the actings of that poor handful of Protestants in the Valleys of Piemont since the Reformation upon the account of that bloody massacre which was set on foot there against them which was so astonishing as all might see an extraordinare appearence of the Lord herein as is clearly attested by the most faithful Histories of that time XX. And can it be forgot unto this day how visibly a divine hand did appear in breaking that great Spanish Armado in the year 1588. which had been for some years in contriving against England XXI As it was astonishing and specially demonstrative of the immediate power and presence of God it should be matter of wonder and praise also for after ages that solemne time of the Reformation of the Church in Scotland for planting the reformed Religion there with that zeal and onnesse of spirit as did then appear in all ranks to imbrace and adhere to the profession thereof amidst the greatest threatnings of their adversaries so as a few years did bring forth that which would have seemed strang for an age to accomplish yea that we find betwixt the last Martyr for the truth there who was burnt at St. Andrews 1558. and the establishment of the Protestant Religion and full abolishment of Popery with the full concurrence of civil authority herein in July 1560. was but little above two years to shew what great things the Lord can doe above all human councel or confidence XXII It s sure we have seen in what remarkable degrees these last vials of the holy judgment of God hath taken place on the Kingdome of Antichrist and how conspicuous the event hath been of that prophecy 2 Thessal 2 8. in these great effects and consumption thereof by the ministry of the Gospel as an assured pledge of the full accomplishment of what remains herein XXIII And as every step of the Churches rise hath been still advanced in a continued conflict betwixt the truth and Antichrist so have we still seen when the assault and opposition hath been greatest it s most remarkable tendancy to a greater victory which were it rightly considered upon clear and solid grounds from the Scripture the most formidable appearences of trouble from this adversary should with more comfort then fear this day be looked on so that whatever be the nearest and most immediate events yet is it sure as the Lord is true whose word is passed hereon that whosoever gives their power and strength to support that interest of Antichrist shall lose the day and find their cause desperate for the party with whom they contend herein is the Son of God against whom no human power shall ever be able to stand These are but a few which are here mentioned of the great acts of our God in behalf of his Truth to be still as present in our sight in a time when the spirits of many are ready to stagger and faint and here mentioned to lay no stresse or weight of the authority of the truth and doctrine of our profession thereon but on the alone revelation of the Scripture but that they are such an undenyable seal for confirming our faith and of so known publick and famous evidence as should be no lesse considered and taken to heart now then in the time when the Lord thus appeared herein SECTION III. QU. WHat present judgment are we called to have of this time upon clear and assured grounds from the Scripture that we may know under what aspect therof the present state of Religion and of the reformed Churches is under when so great a crisis is this day as would seem to be in the very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of its conflict whither as to life or death ANSW It is no present appearences of the time must direct our faith nor should we either streath our fears or expectations of things and events beyond what the God of truth doth warrand in his word but its clear if we credite the same and admitt the divinity of the New Testament there is no just cause of hesitation or darknesse as to what the Lord is bringing forth for his Church now in these latter dayes nor can there be any pretence to seek an other light either from the stars above or the diviners of this time when so woful a trade hath got up in the world that men will thus goe to the God of Ekron as though there were not a God in Israel or such a thing as his written Oracles to inquire at when its sure these ly open and with a clear and distinct sound speaks to all who have a serious and unprejudged spirit I. That the Church under the New Testament hath now passed and gone through that most dismal and continued tryal herein which was to goe over her head under Antichrists reigne and hight and whatever appearence he now hath in great wrath yet is it sure and evident that the winter is past and the Churches spring begun and a few steps further of that judgment which is now hastning on will at lenth end the quarrel so that by a near converse with the word we may clearly see from what point the Churches course and motion this day lyes and how exactly it keeps in the certainty thereof by that clear conduct of the Scriptures of truth where a full map of her whole course and passage through
are given up to under the greatest discoveries of light so as all may see their being thus bound over in chains and shut up in prison until death bring them forth to the execution and how no relief or application of the means of grace hath then any more accesse VII From such a mape shaddow of eternal vengeance in these terrible acts of divine judgment inflicted here on Apostates and persecuters of the truth and other flagitious persons which with the very first view might present an awful and immediat appearence of God in the same and that some strang and supernatural punishment is oft visible on the workers of iniquity VIII And what ever be of natural causes in such visible representations here in the earth as that sulphureous lake where once Sodom was and these burning mountains such as Haecla Etna and Vesuvius yet we may truely judge their being thus set before the world as some visible memorials of these infernal flames and as it were so many lumeheads thereof for such who will not believe the same because they doe not yet see or feal such a thing QU. VII What assistances hath our faith of that great and wonderful truth of the resurrection of the body after its dissolution in the grave unto dust ANSW I. From that visible and stupendious frame of the heavens and the earth when its sure that the same infinite power that hath not only made man but the whole creation can as easily collect and recount the dispersed ashes of the body as form the same II. From that greatest pledge hereof in the resurrection of the body of Christ III. From that tribulation and sore pain that the saints here in their outward man are exposed to since it is sure that in the holy justice of God he did not give such bodies for labour and for toyl and to his martyrs to endure unexpressible torments for Christ to perish for ever IV. From these visible resemblances and prefigurations of the resurrection which the Lord hath given to confirme our faith herein in the ordinare course and productions of nature so as all may see how every night is as the grave of the day-light and each morning a new resurrection of the same and how visible an image of death is in each season of the winter with so marvelous and beatiful a resurrection of the earth on every return of the spring in the herbs flowers and plants taking life and rising again in the leaves blossomes and fruites yea this in such a variety as may no lesse convincingly evidence an infinite divine power herein then that the same body of man should be raised at the last day V. From that continued miracle of the harvest after the seed-time with so amazing a production of the grain sowen in the earth and its first dying there before it be quickned so as to be at last brought to 30 60 yea sometimes an hundred fold out of the very same grain which to these who had never before known the same would seem incredible above all reason to conceave or bear credite therto CHAPTER III. The confirming worke of Religion improven wich respect to the times to clear the way of the Lord herein before this generation and let us see how nothing is so strang in the events of this day which should not more strenthen then shake and that the God of the Reformed Church doth still own the same interest according to his faithfulnesse which is here briefly pointed at upon some special inquiry proposed about the same SECTION I. QU. WHat can afford both light and confirmation to our faith in such a time when we see the worke of the Lord about his Church to be most remarkably now a worke of judgement with such dark and searching tryals therwith as former times have not known ANSW It is sure we have seen nothing but what might have been too evidently looked for and that we can pretend no want of light herein upon these grounds I. That the Trialls of a Church should be suited to the measure of their talent of light when this hath been in some more then ordinare way dispensed that some remarkably searching times might be expected to follow nor can it be now strang to us that such things fall in with this day which did not meet the Churches of Christ at the first entry of the Reformation who then had not so clear discoveries of the truth and that measure of confirmation therein which hath been since II. That some unusual tryals and conflicts in the Lords usuall method of providence should be suited also to the greatnesse of that worke which he is bringing forth may be no strang thing and to see a time of such sore wrestlings as this when all things seem to cry be in pain as Micah 4 20. Yea when some great event of the Scripture is to be revealed to the world and near to its full hight and period of accomplishment as we have safe ground for assurance of this â—ay III. Nor hath this sad and dismal hower on the Church been more obvious then the provoking cause hereof in which the holy righteousnesse of God may be no lesse clear then the cloud now is dark when such a visible falling of hath been from that love tendernes and power of religion that did formerly attend its profession as for these many years past we might have seen that some sore and remarkable judgment was coming and that if we had not been in such a maner undone we were under some sadder strock of spiritual judgment ready to be undone IV. Yea it hath been too visible that such evils followed the Reformed Churches as in no time it was ever known that the holy God did passe such by without some signal evidence of his wrath against the same before the world V. We know that carnal confidence hath a curse ever waiting upon it in the Scripture which none can take of or make that thrive which God hath himself cursed and it is too visible how far we have gone thus out of the way of our strenth by such eager seeking human props support as we have forâ—ot the guide of our youth and convenant of our God and what great things he hath formerly done in the greatest straits of his Church when there was much humble trusting with little sence as though the spirit of the Lord had not done more to recover his truth then all human might or power ever could doe SECTION II. QU. WHat talent are we still accountable for to support our faith against the greatest fears of this time from these immediate appearances of God and of the glory of his power for the same truth and cause of the Reformed Church we are now called to contend for which hath been since the reformation when so strong unusual a tyde now is against the same ANSW If men shut not their eyes and hide this great talent of the workes of
rule and principles of their profession that can never give the least latitude or connivance therto but is clear as the sun when on the other hand I could know no other way to imbrace such a profession as Popery but by turning Atheist in the first place and quite both religion and reason at once but may say in a resolute adherence to the doctrine of the Reformed Church I fear not to adventure my soul and enter into an eternal state The CONTENTS CHAPTER I. The primitive confirmation held forth and cleared in seven Positions POSIT I. That sad aspect which the implicit and traditional profession of this day hath upon the present state of religion Pag. 1 POSIT II. The greatnesse of that service for the Church to have a clear founding of the faith of assent upon known and solid grounds herein more universally promott Pag. 3 POSIT III. The true primitive confirmation as it was in the times of the Apostles hold forth and cleared from the Scripture Pag. 6 POSIT IV. The continued necessity therof no lesse convincing now for the Churches use then in these Primitive times Pag. 9 POSIT V. That such a confirmatory worke respects not only the more knowing and inquisitive part of men but the meanest within the Church Pag. 11 POSIT VI. VVhat is specially called for in the practicall use of this primitive confirmation held forth in some serious proposals for this end Pag. 14 POSIT VII VVhat special excitment we are under for promotting the same in so remarkable a period of time as this and from that hope of a greater reviving yet of such a Catholick spirit to advance the highest ends of religion amonghst men Pag. 19 CHAPTER II. For giving some clear view of these primary evidences and demonstrations of our faith that the meanest Christian should know and vvith the least expense of time may improve for their dayly use on these greatest principles SECTION I. I. Of the glorious being of God which is the first foundation of all religion Pag. 22 II. Of the original of the world and it s not being eternal Pag. 25 III. Of a supreme providence in the conservation and goverment of the world Pag. 26 IV. Of that special providence which in its continued administration about human affaires doth unchangably difference betwixt the righteus and the wicked Pag. 29 V. How such a wonderful record as that of an immediat revelation of God unto men is so demonstrably extant in the world Pag. 31 VI. Of these special evidences of the Scriptures divinity which men must needs see to be infallible Pag. 33 VII Of the secure convoyance of the Scripture through all the changes of times past Pag. 35 VIII Of the fall of man and entry of sin into the world as it is fully demonstrable to reason as well as by the certainty of faith Pag. 37 SECTION II. I. Holding for t these great assistances to the Christian faith and of the Messias being surely promised to the Church before his coming Pag. 38 II. Of the truth and accomplishment of this great promise of the Messias and how it is now as sure in the event as its clear he was promised Pag. 39 III. Of that special advantage for confirmation of our faith herein that for 4000. years the promised coming of the Messias was deferred Pag. 41 42 IV. Of the nature and internal excellency of Christianity to bear furthest evidence to the truth therof Pag. 43 V. That this is the same Gospel we now receive and injoy which from the first promulgation therof hath had so great effects on the world Pag. 45 VI. That the sufferings of the saints in times past was so demonstrably above the assistance of nature Pag. 46 SECTION III. I. For holding forth on what grounds the faith of a deity must determine men to be Christians Pag. 48 II. What confirmations the Christian Religion hath from that visible state of the Jews Pag. 49 III. That way and manner of its prevailing on the world as no profession else could ever pretend to Pag. 51 IV. The nature of that great evidence which Christ hath himself given to the world of his divine mission in the love and unity of his people Joh. 17 21. Pag. 53 V. How the strenth of such a demonstration stands still clear and evident in these dividing times of the Church Pag. 54 VI. What in these last times is under our hand to compense such a confirmation by miracles which was in the first times of the Gospel Pag. 56 SECTION IV. I. For holding forth with the furthest rational certainty and evidence the truth and doctrine of Christ to be a soul-quicking and experimental religion Pag. 58 II. The truth also of conversion of men from a state of nature to a new state of grace Pag. 60 III. Of so great an experiment of religion as Communion betwixt God and men here in the earth Pag. 62 IV. Of so great a demonstration of religion in the power and workings of the Conscience Pag. 64 V. Of that special confirmation to our faith which doth result from such a demonstration of this power of the Conscience over men Pag. 65 SECTION V. I. For holding forth the truth of a Kingdom of darknesse in the world in opposition to the Kingdom of Christ Pag. 66 67 II. What confirmation to our faith the certainty hereof and of these powers of darknesse doth clearly afford Pag. 68 III. That great truth of the immortality of the soul with the clearest evidence to reason as well as by the certainty of faith Pag. 69 70 IV. How confirming a seal to the Scripture that great change which passeth on all men by death is and how it s no natural accident Pag. 72 V. Some special assistances to the Christians faith of an eternal glory in heaven and to serve an unavoidable conviction thus on the greatest Atheists Pag. 74 VI. Some thing of a visible Hell in some near approach hereof even to mens senses held forth to awake and convince the world of such a state of horrour and torment in another world Pag. 77 VII Some assistances to our faith of that great truth of the Resurrection of the body Pag. 79 CHAPTER III. The Confirming vvorke of religion further improven vvith respect to this dismal and amazing time vve are novv fallen in SECTION I. To hold forth what may be both for light and confirmation upon this great distresse the Churches of Christ are now under Pag. 81 82 SECTION II. How great a talent we stand accountable for in this day of such immediate and extraordinare appearences of the Lord for confirming the same publick cause of the Reformed Church since the Reformation which we are now called to adhere to Pag. 84 SECTION III. What manner of time is the present lot of the Church now fallen in and what judgment we ought to have hereof from the Scripture for our furthest confirming in such a day Pag. 93 SECTION IV. Some special service that we
THE CONFIRMING WORKE OF RELIGION In its necessity and use briefly held forth that each Christian may have a proper ballast of his own of the grounds and reasons of his faith and thus see the greatnesse of that security on which he adventures his eternal state OR The true and infallible way for attaining a confirmed state in Religion from these primary evidences and demonstrations of our faith which the Lord hath himself given so as it may be easy for the meanest in the Church to know the same and be ready to render an account thereof to all that ask With a short and confirming prospect of the work of the Lord about his Church in these last times BY R. FLEMING Minister of the Gospel of Christ At ROTTERDAM Printed by REINIER LEERS M.DC.LXXXV The PREFACE THis small Essay here offered is on the greatest subject can fall under the consideration of mankind and is a study was never more pressingly called for then in these dayes for men to be making peace with God and to have such an assurance of his truth as can fully quiet and support the soul though all sensible props should be brocken and fail Great changes doe surely hasten on this generation and the life of faith is in an other manner like to be put to tryal then since the Churches rise and recovery from Antichristian bondage The storme now visibly grows upon the Churches of Christ though nothing is thus to faint or shake the spirits of any who know their anchor is sure and cast within the vail but the strongest difficulties in following the Lord when overcome yeelds the greatest victory and will be not only matter of joy here but to all eternity in having with patience and hope indured and got well through a throng of temptations and assaults in a resolute adherence to the truth If men think it their wisdome to secure their private interest by dividing it in such a time from the publick cause of the Reformed Church and make light of the greatest truths of God now assaulted of the blood of the Martyrs yea of their own eternal state by any coolnesse or shrinking from the same they will find no temporal motives can ever compense that losse and ruine which inevitably will meet such in the issue yea that these words of Mordecai to Esther Esth 4 13 14. have the same voice and weight in this day What is held forth in the following worke I may with humble confidence say was under some pressure to have such clear evidence and quieting persuasion of divine truth as made it lesse easy to have my own spirit satisfyed herein then possibly it may be to others for if it were not from that blessed assurance of the Lords being God of the revelation of Christ and of the glory to come I should not know what could be conforting or make a rational being desireable Some singulare ingadgments I judge my self also to stand under for putting to my seal to the truth and faithfulnesse of God in his word from many signal confirmations hereof in the course of my pilgrimage if such a poor testimony might be of any weight Let the blessed Lord gratiously accept this small offering to him and for the interest of his truth by so mean an instrument and give some fruit hereof that may abide and be found in the day of Christ I hope the Reader may find by a perusal of the I. Chap. of what serious use and intent the II. is yea that in this day it was not unseasonable or incongruous to the forgoing subject what is held forth in the III. Chapter But oh it is sad and amazing to think how few are under that weight of Religion as once to have a serious inquiry on the grounds and reasons thereof and to accompt the most special assistances to their faith to be the greatest helpers of their joy within time THE True and infallible WAY For attaining a confirmed state in RELIGION c. CHAPTER I. The Primitive Confirmation in the truth of Christianity held forth and cleared in its continued necessity and use to this day in a few Positions THat nothing can have a more sad and threatning aspect on the present state of religion in all the churches of Christ Posit I then that utter estrangment most are under to the true grounds of faith and to those foundamental differences betwixt Christianity every false way which no pretended religion can lay claim to The reasons of the Position are these I. That it is too visibly manifest how no men in the world know so little of their own profession were it of any human art or science as such who bear the name of Christians or are so generally strangers to the truth and firmnesse of the principles therof for maintaining either a due valuation or powerful sense of the same on their soul so that an implicit and traditional profession is the only part and propriety which most can claim in the truth and doctrine they professe II. That so rare also is any such serious worke amonghst men as a personal inquiry and tryal if there be indeed such a thing as an experimental and soul quickning religion in the earth that can bear the expense of the most dismal and afflicting times and hath so great a temporal revenue lying therto as peace with God an immediate communion with him the joy and comforts of the H. Ghost when under such pressours of trouble as are above the support of nature III. That the furthest account why most goe under the name of Christians rather then of any other forme can rise no higher then custome and education that it did bespeak them from their birth and was the religion of their ancestours yea become in that manner naturall to them as the customes and language of their country which are grounds that should determine to the very opposite profession if they were stated under the same circumstances and had the same motives to be Mahumetans since it is sure these can found no other assent then is suitable to the nature and strenth therof IV. That thus it cannot be under debate how the most numerous part of visible professours are so destitute of any defense from internal motives and solid conviction of the truth they professe upon its own evidence as there was never more cause to fear some unusual apostacy from the very visible profession of Christ upon any violent tryal and assault this way when such finds it more easy to render up their religion then to adhere to the same under strongh temptations who yet never knew that substance advantage or certainty herein as could preponderate with the want of all external motives for such a profession That thus one of the highest services of these times Posit II for the publik good of the Church does convincingly lye here to have the faith of assent to the truth and doctrine of Christ in a clear and firme certainty of the
Lord with the furthest light and assurance of mind amidst the great tryalls of such a time IX That its this way also the world is rendred inexcusable for their misbeliefe of the Gospel when under such sufficiency of means given for this end by so great a discovery of the confirming evidences of its truth so as they can have no pretence herein but an obstinacy and resolution not to be convinced on which ground doth our blessed Lord testify that it was no want of light upon the certainty of his truth why men did not receive it but that they loved darknesse better then light because their deeds were evil when such clear rational and convincing evidences are laid open to their view how most possibly can get these put by or rejected is not easy to comprehend but that a real irritation and torment of spirit from such clearnesse of evidence doth thus more tend to harden then convince That there is a continued necessity of such a confirmation in the faith to this day Posit IV what ever can be objected of so long a consent and prescription of time in the profession therof is fully demonstrable on these grounds I. Because it is sure the Christian faith doth still need these assistances and is a strang mistake that only for Heathens and Atheists such confirming evidences of the same should be adduced but not for any under a visible profession when the whole of divinity and doctrine of our faith is so full of demonstrative arguments for the dayly use of the most established Christians in their passage through time II. That as the highest motives to all serious godlinesse and the moral duties of Christianity must needs be from its known certainty to us so is the continued use therof to be still the same III. That these numerous tryalls and conflicts of Christians now doe no lesse call for some higher establishment in the truth on which they must alone rest when all visible props fail in their judgments then of supporting grace nor is it conceavable how men can this day walk in the light of any true joy and comfort without a more sollid assurance of their being on safe grounds herein then most seem to reckon IV. Because the revelation of the Gospel and of an eternal state in an other world is so great and wonderfull as its strang how this is not the highest interest of mens life to have their faith more deeply confirmed on the furthest tryal of their security now by the way herein who must shortly make so great a tryal therof at death for if we were but once this length to ask our own soul what the Christian faith indeed is and are thus called to believe it could not possibly but beget some extasy of wondering at the greatnesse therof and to reckon any light and implicit assent to the same as a degree both of Atheism indifferency in this matter V. Though there be no conflict with Heathens as in the first times yet was such a spirit never more aloft then it is now to take of all firm assent to the greatest principles of truth when Atheisme seems to be at its ultimus conatus in the world and we are fallen in so amazing an hower of the power of darknesse as makes these latter times more remarkably perillous and trying then the first VI. Yea if such a confirming worke be one of the greatest means to advance the repute and honour of religion when its wonted awe and veneration is so far lost and to awake men to deeper impressions of its truth when so few seeme now under any such weight then it is sure there was never more need of the same then in this day That such a service to the Church Posit V doth not only respect the more knowing inquisitive and judicious part therof but the meanest professours of religion also of whom this is necessarly required is evident on these grounds I. Because each Christian should have undoubtedly such a ballast on their own soul of the solid and rational grounds of their faith as well as these of greater parts and induments the promotting of which were it more deeply considered I dare humbly adventure to say should be found one of the choicest meanes to promot Christianity this day II. Because this is not to drive any to doubt or question the least sincere degree of assent though it be not with such strenght of evidence as in others nor can by that formal argumentation give the same accompt therof since a few grounds this way may specially help to some solid conviction and confirming of their mind when they may be ignorant of many other cogent arguments for this end but its sure also the greater clearnesse of evidence doth still in the appointed way of means lead in to a more firme and strong assent of the judgment to the truth of our religion III. Becaus the strenth of the foundation in it self cannot be enough if it be not with such a known evidence as men may build firmly and with assurance theron nor hath the Lord thus only designed to give his people an infaillible and sure testimony to adventure on but that it should be made sure also to them IV. Because none can in truth say that Jesus is the Lord but by the H. Ghost 1 Cor. 22 3. by which is not to be understood so much there the necessity of supernatural grace for a saving faith but that none can give a true assent and confession of the same but from these grounds and arguments which are revealed by the H. Ghost unto men for this end and as its sure that these characters and evidences of divinity which are imprinted on the whole revelation of the Gospel may be clear demonstrative to our judgment so are they as truly divine as the doctrine which is confirmed therby V. Because there can be no possible cause for credulity of the truth from any intricate obscurenesse of the same when the Lord hath given such great assistances to our faith to be as milk for babes as wel as meat to strong men And though it be objected that the furthest objective evidence of the Gospel with so clear and strong a conveyance therof is yet so little operative on most the same might be said also of the whole letter of the Scripture but as this tends not in the least to resolve our religion into any meer exercise of reason and leaves the whole worke of the Spirit in its energy and operation therwith on mens souls intire yet doth it fully evince such a sufficiency of evidence with the Christian faith as makes any doubtfulnesse herein simply impossible through want of the greatest advantage of means yea such as are of another kind then to induce only a probable perswasion of the same VI. Because it is one of the saddest symptomes of the present state of religion that so few almost in whole congregations can give any clear assent
to the truth and certainty thereof but to amazement both live and dye strangers to the same yea how many of these who are otherwise serious in religion yet have their faith starved this way and are destitute of any such support but as it is not the numberousnesse of professours but the strength and solidity of their faith wherein the Churches strength most lyes and hath more slowrished in a few such to beget a greater awe and veneration of religion amongst men then at other times in the greatest multitude so is it the glory of divine truth that it can subsist by its own proper evidence and preserve its station in the worst of times when all external arguments does most visibly cease That it s thus fully demonstrable and clear Posit VI how no simple instructing of men in the general principles of religion can be the proper and adequate mean for such a faith of assent to the truth thereof on its own evidence or answer that Apostolick pattern of laying the foundation Hebr. 6 2. but that some special duties else are called for to so high an end such wherein not only that true primitive confirmation in the Christian faith might have some practical use but we might also hope therewith for a more remarkable out-letting of confirming influences of the Spirit of God What is to be understood herein I shall humbly offer in a few particulars I. That it is one of the greatest concerns of the ministerial worke and of the key of doctrine to have all who heare the Gospel in the First place pressed to take religion so far to heart as to have a serious inquiry on the grounds and reasons hereof and thus to know their being on sure ground herein not because they know not another way but because they know this is the alone way of truth to which they dar trust their immortal soul II. That for this end the supreme truths of religion be represented with that certainty of evidence and demonstration as both such great and marvelous things does require and the temper of such a gainsaying age now calls for and to have this pressed more on mens judgment and conscience that the things of God which are of the highest consequence reality and substance can have no possible reception by any implicit or probable belief thereof nor can admit any pretence for the same when the Lord hath given such kind of proofes and evidence as leaves mens darknesse herein without any shaddow of excuse II. That it peculiarly belongs to the Catechetical work of religion to take some accompt of the meanest professours thereof and with a special respect to the youth of their faith of assent to the doctrine of Christ on what grounds and certainty of evidence this is founded and for their instructing therein as well as in the general principles of religion when one of the most ruining things to the Church lyes here that the profession of most is layed in so deep an ignorance as they have almost nothing to say for the same but a naked affirmation I know the difficulty hereof for the weak may be objected but without just cause since as the prime truths of religion are few easy and plaine for the meanest capacity so also are the primary evidences and demonstrations of our faith if such once with that desire did search after the same as for a hid and invaluable treasure wherein this respect should be still had to difference betwixt what is initial and of a more fundamental concern for the weak and what may tend to an higher grouth and increase of others III. It should be of greatest use and advantage also for the same end that the young grouth now coming up in the Church were put to give some explicit evidence of their consent and choice of the profession of Christ so far as may witnesse a ratification of the baptismal covenant now as their own proper dead wherein they were implicitly ingadged in their infancy Some special grounds and reasons for this are I. Because God will have his service freely entered in and upon choise as that way which is most agreable to his honour for as the covenant binds mutually so doe the seals therof also and therfor upon our part is baptisme a sacremental oath of aledgence to God II. Because it tends to a more resolute and firme adherence to the service of God that this bussinesse should be personally brought home to mens conscience especially before their first admittance to the Sacrament of the Lords supper and thus to ingadg them as Joshua did Chap. 24 22. Ye are witnesses against yourselves herein and they said we are witnesses III. Because this is expresly held forth 1 Pet. 3 21. where baptisme is called the answer of a good conscience toward God upon this ground that such then who were come to years of knowledge were personally sisted to confirme by their own consent that solemne ingadgment and dedication by Baptisme to be the Lords and therefor it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is vox juris and signifies sponsio stipulatio publica inter Christianum Dominum Christum as the most judicious Commentators on that scripture does clearly render and so this was a special part of the primitive practize not only with respect to such who were converted from Heathenisme but were born within the Church and partakers of that seal of Baptisme in their infancy to siste them upon answer to that great demand of the Covenant doe yow now consent upon evidence and choise to be the Lords and to be a subject of his Kingdom and embrace the laws therof and doe yow thus in sincerity and truth declare the same wherein you have a good conscience before God And of what blessed fruit and advantage should this be both for the increase and honour of the Gospel if this were more deeply taken to heart for some practical use according to the rule and primitive pattern in the Churches of Christ IV. It were specially desirable also that there be some clear view and summary by it self of the most cogent grounds and demonstrations of the Christian faith with respect both to the Doctrinal Historical and Prophetical part therof and in that manner accommodate as the meanest within the Church might have such a help still at their hand and thus with the least expense of time be provided of such arguments and reasons as should tend through the blessing of God not only to the furthest rational assent and certainty of the truth of their profession but to give a most special support of mind against that inward tryal of Sathans temptations and fiery darts this way yea is such a mean that in the serious improvment herof by having such evidences once brought in on mens judgment and conscience so as to see with their own eyes the truth of the same I must humbly judge there is nothing next to the internal work of the Spirit
it may be ever seen how with the greatest prosperity of the wicked here there are punishments of another kind dispensed and more dreadful then any outward affliction such as judicial obstinacy and blindnesse of mind in opposition to God even when their own ruine is made visible to them herein VII How oft men are thus evidently condemned to be happy in this world by some strang measure of temporall successe and prosperity before some great fall and ruine as the issue hereof in the last shene of providence doth fully attest VIII That it s seen also how sin doth ever bring its own punishment therewith in some begun degree both of shame and torment and as Seneca an heathen could say that wickednesse was the most exquisite contriver of human misery so the world likewise may see how a present immunity from judgment is no release but when its sentence is not speadily execute yet is it at last surely execute IX And how evident is it that the greatest haters of godlinesse are yet inforced to justify the same and the Christians choise herein as the greatest wisdome upon any surprising state and extremity yea how such would be glad to joyne interests then with such in their death whom they most contemned in their life QU. V. How is it convincing and demonstrable that God hath given any clear and expres revelation of his will and councel unto men and that such a wonderfull record is undoubtedly extant in the world ANSW That I. it is not possible to believe the being of God and not also the truth of an established law and rule of commerce betwixt him and man here so as to know both what we should doe and what to expect and hope from him II. That this also must be known and display its power and efficacy to the world in that manner and by such infallible evidence of its truth as may render all inexcusable who give not intire credite therto III. I can be no more clear and assured there is but one sun in the firmament then that there is but one fountain and repository of sacred light about religion which is the Scripture and its being the alone publick standard of truth to the whole world IV. That no way was ever made known to recover mankind from a state of bondage darknesse and misery compatible with the very use of reason but by this blessed light which shineth there V. Yea that there is as visible a difference betwixt the same and any pretended religion which ever was besides in the world as there is betwixt day and night which is founded in the immutable nature of these things in themselves VI. That there is one proper sphere where this glorious light of divine truth is fixed and wherein it shines forth from one age to another which is the Christian Church QU. VI. But what more peculiare evidences can yow shew of the divinity of the Scriptures that all may see to be of infallible truth ANSW I. That its sure such a book is this day in the earth which no created wisdome could ever have done and contains such things of highest conceirn to mankind as doe infinitly exceed the bounds of human ability and invention or could ever have been discovered but by God himself II. That it gives forth such exquisite laws and constitutions of our religion as men must needs see the holy nature purity and perfection of God most brightly shining forth therin III. Which doth discover so great and proper a relief for all these evils and miseries that doe attend this fallen estate of man as none but an allsufficient God could only doe IV. That he alone must be the author of this blessed record who rules the world and hath determined the changes and revolutions therof when it is not more evident how these visible heavens are stretched forth over the earth then that this line of the Scripture is stretched over the whole worke and frame of providence and doth most clearly illuminate the same V. That surely this was the product of infinite wisdome whence so great a variety of matter doth meet with so visible a concent and harmony in one perfect and intire frame yea knit in so closse a bond of union together as makes the whole Bible to be intirly one piece though in the writing of each distinct part therof it could never have possibly been contrived or forseen by humane wisdome what we see here of so admirable an agreement correspondence as is in all the parts therof VI. That none els could have spoke to the world in so majestick a way becoming the greatnesse and soveraignity of God to assume such a supremacy give forth laws for absolute obedience from all mankind therto on such a penalty of eternal destruction or that any impostures either possibly could or durst have in such a manner personate the same VII That it must needs be his word who perfectly knows what is in man and hath an absolute authority over the soul and is a discerner of the thoughts therof who thus not only gives law to the conscience and our inward parts but doth establish an internal religion there no lesse absolutly then what respects our external worke and actions VIII Yea where all may see the whole penmen therof under so intire a subjection to the doctrine which they tought and to be no contrivance of their own as they did record their own failings and imperfections in behalf of the truth and did thus also require all just respect and obedience to the Magistrates when through the whole earth they were then greatest enemies to the truth of the Gospel IX That this must be his word who alone can derive principles of life to his own institutions and animate the same with a quickning Spirit and is a worke above the contrivance of Angels or men when directed to each new tryal of the Church and personal case of Christians as though it had been alone writt for that time so that I can be no more perswaded in reason there is such a book as the Bible in the earth then that it came from heaven and is the alone rule of religion and of divine revelation for the governing of mankind QU. VII How is the secure conveyance of the Scripture demonstrable amidst all the changes of times past and that no possible accesse could be for its corruption ANSW I. That its so undenyably the first rule which ever was given to mankind of religion and the alone publick standard of truth that hath endured the tryal and inquiry of all times past so as no pretences in the matter of antiquity could yet ever be to the contrare II. That so exact an harmony is betwixt the Old and New Testament as the one is a visible transcript of the other in its accomplishment that I can be no more sure of such a venerable record as the Old Testament and its unalterable conveyance to the Church to
of his word and to sanctify him before the world which is so important a duty as the Lord was wroth even with a Moses and Aaron for one short-coming when he called for the same Numb 20 12. and its sure in no time was such a special trust more reposed thereon then in this age both as a publick debt on the Church personal on each Christian how to witnesse for the Lord upon that great interest of his faithfulnesse and for transmitting the same to the ages to come by a confirmatory seal and testimony therto II. To reckon our selves also under some more then ordinare call this day each in their present capacity and station how to appear for the credite of the truth and stemm so visible and impetuous a tyde as is now running of distruct and of a discreditable faint for it may be said never was the Church under the New Testament so remarkably sisted under such a trial as that wherein the Lord did prove the Church of Israel Numb 14. or had a more evident resemblance therto in the same circumstances as in this day if they were seriously pondered as I how in the same manner such a false evil report is too visibly raised upon the blest ways of the Lord to discourage and faint the spirits of his people as was then by the spyes that there were insuperable difficulties in the way of the promise by reason of the Anakims and of their walled cities and did thus oppose the credite of sense to all these assurances which God had given to their faith II. That this highly dishonourable faint and distrust did so sease on that people as was like to resolve in a visible revolt and to cry for a leader to goe back to Egypt again which amongst too many in this time may be justly feared III. That this was after such extraordinare confirmations which the Lord had given to the faith of his Church then who had by his own immediate and outstretched hand so latly brought them out of the house of bondage and from the iron furnace in Egypt as rendred their misbeliefe to be a guilt under such aggravations as the holy God did in that manner plead vers 22. These ten times have they tempted me who have seen my glory and my miracles which I did in the wildernesse c. IV. But herein we hope and are confidently sure of a blessed disparity in this resemblance as to the numberousnesse of such who shall be found of the Reformed Churches to act something of that part which these heroick witnesses a Caleb Joshua did were then put to stand alone therein who through grat shall yet appear with some measure of that spirit and withstand so high a tyde of fears discouragment and misbeliefe as is this day and thus to plead against the same as these did Num. 14 9. if the Lord delight in us then let us not rebel against him neither fear the greatest difficulties can be in the way c. V. And is not the same precedent of providence of so singular a respect as the Lord did then testify to his Caleb and Joshua who were of another spirit in following him fully in that day a continued assurance for all who shall be helped to any honourable appearence of this kind by making them see and inherit the truth of his promise yea that such a residue who outlives this great and amazing storme shal have something of that testimony to bear also which Caleb gave Josh. 14 8 10. My brethren which went up with me made the heart of the people faint but I fully followed the Lord my God and now behold the Lord hath keeped me alive c. o blessed they whose souls are raised with that holy zeal for the truth to stand up in this great breach by a resolute profession of their faith and witnesse to the faithfulnesse of God as such great and extraordinar confirmations given thertho now calls for III. It is one of the special duties of this day we stand also accomptable for how to stemm this high and growing tyde of prejudice and reproach against the Reformed Religion which in some unusual way is now aloft and by manifestation of the truth to gain some more awfull regard herof on mens conscience that they may see somthing of the glory of our profession and in what maner it maintains its conquest as no way else can possibly claim I. Which reckons none else to be the true and genuine professours hereof who imbrace not the same upon evidence and with respect to its intrinsick excellency and worth nor does judge the interest of religion to goe by number and poll where this is wanting but to pursue that end to have men ingadged first to be Christians that they may be true and sincere Protestants and therfor can admitt no such methods of any base compliance with the humour and interests of men which its principles will not bear II. Which in its course is ever regulare and certain according to that rule of an uncheangable and eternal truth without dependance on the will of man herein or any mutable revolutions of the time III. Which doth with the greatest lustre shine forth in the brightest light and is maintained by the clearest knowledge yea by the furthest plainesse and opennesse of heart towards all commends it self so that the world may see it espouseth not mens affection before it gain on their conscience and to have their judgment fixed on a judicious tryal before their resolution nor accounts the truth of religion can ever subsist by an external shew and profession without is known evidence and the efficacy therof on mens soul IV. Which sincerly follows the Catholick interest of Christianitie and publick good of mankind in promotting the great ends of the Gospel so as the world may see its highest intent is to exalt all divine institutions and advance the simplicity and spirituality of Gospel administrations according to the revealed rule amonghst men as that which doth most nearly conceirn the vitals of religion and ane inward life of communion with God V. Which pleads an impartial tryal of al its adversaries whither the principles of our profession or of Popery gives the greatest security to Civil Government founds the strongest obligations to Magistracy and to all Civil and Moral duties by which the awe and venerable esteem of religion is kept up in a nation It is high time that men should cease to be implicit upon this greatest interest they have within time which is the truth of their profession in the matter of religion when a deceit or mistake here is of an eternal conceirn upon which account without respect to interest party or education I have this day sought to know the truth and what adversaries could possibly pretend to reproach or prejudge any at the Reformed Religion which can only amount to charge mens corruption and offences in their practise upon the
this that exact correspondence which is betwixt the foundation and superstructure how the whole tract of the gospell is but one entire and compleat mean to glorify God and restore fallen man to the highest blessednes how that excellent stream of sanctification does flow from that fountain head of ane eternall decree herein which does still run under the ground until it break up at last in the heart of each Christian by the effectuall call of the gospell and thus runs doune through time untill it lose its selfe in that unconceiveable deep of perfection and glory Thus is it that each Christian might attain some higher degrees of confirmation in his faith then most seemes either to know or looke after if he understood more how to improve this rare comparing work of Religion by setting the great truths and principles thereof in their order dependance so as each may be seen in its necessare coherence with other and under its proper aspect But the more deep reflexion and enquiry he hath herein he is the more made to wonder and finds this one of the great assaults to his faith that the revelation of the Christ and redemption by his blood should have no greater effects this day amongst men and that the Christian world is not in some other manner awaked with the glory of this light and prest after a larger spreading and diffusion of this highest and universall good to poore mankinde yea the more he considers this it doth highten his amazement to think how mens designs in the matter of duty and service for the Kingdome of Christ can be so low within time whose designs and hopes in the close therof are so high in the matter of enjoyment or take so litle to heart that the whole day of the dispensation of the Gospell amidst the most dismal trials may fall in therewith is a continued time wherein we are called to keep the feast and from one age to another celebrate the same as a perpetuall Jubily of joy and exultation since Christ our passover was sacrificed for us but oh how rare a thing seems this to be and how litle of that flame and fervency of love to our blessed Redeemer is now kindled on his altar that might be expected on such wonderfull incitments therto and which once was in the Church CHARACT III. Though a confirmed Christian must be specially stated as such who knowes the internall part of religion and sealing work of the Holy Ghost on his own soul which is not by words but things of the highest truth substance and reality yet is he herein not alone satisfyed to know this by spirituall sence untill he can see the same with the furthest evidence of light also to his mind and have no lesse a clear and judicious tryal of this great mysterie of experimentall religion for confirmation of his faith then to be sensibly affected with the felt power therof And in the first place why this is necessarly requisite and called for with respect to the confirmed state of a Christian may be thus considered on some few grounds 1. That the things of religion which must be experienced within time are such sublime and wonderfull mysteries as may be just matter of astonishment and make men a wonder to themselves to think that these present pledges of so great a hope which is to come are no shaddows no appearences of things but most sure and undoubted realities and that such are this day in the earth who knowes so near a converse with an invisible God and the supernaturall truths of his word with the sensible fealing of that inestimable love of Christ by this demonstration of experience yea who in such dismall times does assuredly know what the joy of his presence and an immediate fellowshipe with their blessed head is upon the greatest certainty of tryall since these are so high and marvelous things which exceed all naturall understanding as the felt sweetnesse of their enjoyment should not more deeply take men up then to see the truth and surenesse of these principles wheron they found herein 2. Because this testimony of the truth of experimentall religion should be understood not only as its of highest use for Christians personall comfort and establishment but with respect to the publick interest of the Church as a special trust reposed theron to have the credit of this greatest testimony and seal demonstrably cleared with the furthest strength of harmonious and argumentive reason for such who look but at a distance yet theron as may not only awake them to some deeper sense and impression hereof but constrain them to see how no naturall science hath more clear and firm demonstrations then the experimentall part of Christianity which is the very life and soul thereof may have to mens reason and judgement tho they never knew it within themselves yea for this end should such as have experienced the truth and vertue of the Gospell reckon themselves as witnesses who are judicially sisted to put their seal therunto is now more called for in an age when no particulare truth seems more strongly impugned then the reality of experimental godlinesse is and become as a publick theam of derision tho men must either quite the whole revelation of the Scripture or see this to be as essentiall to the constitution of a Christian as vitall principles are to a living man 3. Yea its sure herein that such as take religion to heart must needs look to be put to the greatest tryal of its certainty and should most nearly concern them to know if they can abide as firmly by their spirituall sense as by that which is naturall and doe thus know as surely in themselves the operations and motions of a spirituall life as that they have being by nature and that here is no doubtfull or abstract notions but who have had such deep tryall and reflexion on the same as these who dare venture their eternal state on the known certainty theirof as they could thence reason their soul to a stedfast adherence to the truth if they were called to sacrifice their lives therto from what rare experiments and proofs they have oft had of the same in their own tryall 4. It doth more specially call for a demonstrative clearing of the credit of this testimony as one of the services of religion to promote the Kingdom of Christ amonghst men which seems least improven of any with respect to the general state of such who are within the Church who are so great strangers to the same yea should be judged one of the great wants of this day when Atheism is now at so astonishing a hight that it is not more studied to have the experimentall part of religion which in it self lyes deep and hid and is a secret betwixt God and the Christians soul with such clearnesse and by that manner of evidence demonstrat to the world as might tend to beget some more awfull sense and
hath its proper burden and worke so hath it its proper allowance provided for the same which should be no lesse sought after by a Christian then his dayly bread and when the pressure of such a day grows to some more singulare hight so also should the expense hereof be in faith sought for expected 3. How the choisest mercies are reserved to the saddest times of a Christians lot and most usually crosse to their own choise and thus hath had the greatest struglings with these methods of providence which hath in the issue tended most to their upmaking 4. Yea how the returnes of a long deferred hope after much humble on-waiting have been to such as a Pisgah whence they have not only had a clear and comforting prospect of their bypast tryals but for being more fully confirmed of the time to come and can bear now that testimony that the Lord hath cleared all bygones to them and hath taken the vail off his worke which for long had been as a dark and strang riddle 7. This likeways gives a most clear and confirming prospect of that great seal of experience when he can now see both in his own case and of others what the issue of believing in a singular exigence and tryal and upon some special act of trust and adventure herein does at last come to which the more deeply it s considered he finds one of the most peculiare assistances to his faith and one of the greatest attainments of experimentall religion within time when he can thus see the same way of believing in some strong and extraordinare assaults which he hath had to crush and break him herein which hath carried so many thorow in their saddest tryals bring him also in his turn to be an instance in the same kind to bear an honourable testimony to this sure and excellent way of believing before the world and that none fear after him to hold by the promise of God and venture on that security tho it then seem against hope whose dispensations did yet never never give his word the lye CHARACT IV. Such is a truely confirmed Christian who in a dismall time is not staggered in his faith from the present signs and appearences therof but hath his soul ballast with such solid grounds of confirmation against the same as these providences wherat others doe most stumble tends to his further strenthning in the way of the Lord when he does now clealy see 1. How tribulation and the crosse makes one of the most illustrious and beutifull parts of the whole frame of Providence about the Church and in the lot of each Christian so as there can be no possible stumbling to any for want of light here that sore tryalls and distresse should most remarkably follow these in their journey who have an eternall blessednesse before them in the clofe hereof when so great a part of the Scripture is directed not only for comfort but for a clear conduct of the Christians faith through all the intrcacies and labyrinths of such a dispensation and thus sees how highly congruous it is to the infinit wisdom of God that so strait and narrow a way in such a state of tryall as is here should goe before the state of everlasting injoyment that there should be such a stage and theatre also whereon the passive graces of the spirit may not only be exercised but displayed in their true lustre and glory before Angels and men yea that thus the Redeemed of the Lord be first trained in so sharp a warfare as may not only put a due value and respect on the greatness of that triumph and reward which is to come but be matter of ineffable joy and exultation that ever they were admitt thus to evidence their love and adherence to their blessed head and his truth here on the earth and accounted worthy to be put on some hotter service and to peculiare tryals and conflicts this way beyond others for some example and incouragement to the Church in their day and here also he can now see how the greatest injoyments of comfort are more oweing to the most sharp and afflicting tryals of their life then to the greatest externall calme and that to endure patiently and suffer for the name Christ is such a priviledge as the elect Angels have not been admitt to yea that the Lords chastning worke and sorest smitting of his own is an act also of saving so that thus the more deeply he searcheth here the more does he see admire and consent to that glorious piece of the administration of providence about the Church and finds it to be one of the greatest confirmations of his faith within time 2. He does now clearly see how the truth and faithfulnesse of God is commensurate to his whole worke of Providence that all the lines hereof as they doe lead from his revealed councell in the Scripture which is the adequat signe of his eternall councell and decrees so doe they returne thither again to make this great demostration clear that if a full History were write of this world and what hath been conspicuous thorow the whole series of times past in all these conjunctions of inseriour causes whether necessare free or contingent and of such events that seem most casual it should be nothing else but an exact transcript and history of the Bible to bear this witnesse quod mundus nihil aliud est quam Deus explicatus secundum scripturam but though a full discovery hereof be not attainable within time yet is it a sad and deplorable want that the great acts of the Lord in each age of the Church are not more searched and sought out of all them that take pleasure therin that they may be seen observed and admired by that part of the creation Angels and Men who are only in a capacity to know the same which is a service for the Lord wherin his praise and declavative glory is so highly conceirned as a Christian should account the meanest roome herein one of the most desirable attainments within time yea it seems just matter of regret also that this comes not under a more publick care and nottice of particulare Churches and of the Christian Magistrate where religion hath any true regard to have such solemne providences as occurre in that time and place which may be called experimenta lucifera to the Church and of a further reach and extent then any private use both search'd after and recorded as becomes so high a service to the Christian cause and one of the highest conceirns of the posteritie to have such not only possessed of a pure religion but of that seal also which the Lord hath in the great acts of providence appended therto and thus to have that increase which each successive age brings therwith to the publick stock of the Church looked after as a piece of the greatest trust reposed theron so that the Children rise not up and say we have not
heard nor have our fathers faithfully transmitt to us the wonderous works which the Lord hath wrought in their time 3. He is thus also tought to see the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and demonstrative causes of the most strang judgments on the Church to be as clear in the Scripture as they are in the event and though the holy God in the day of his patience and long-suffering is not alike quick in the execution of the sentences of his word yet does he ever establish the authority of his Laws by the works of his providence in the most opportune season and as judgment deferred is no acquittance so does it more threaten its being the greater when it comes then a quick and present dispatch yea though this tempest which now blowes on the Chruches of Christ come to a greater hight and the darknesse be such as no Moon or Starres may for many dayes yet appear of any visible signs of hope yet is his soul thus at rest whilst he can see the credit of the truth cleared on which he hath more in dependence then any adventure within time and does rejoyce whatever miscarrying may be of inferiour ends that this great and ultimate end of the works of God is secured herein and the glory of his truth does shine forth in the most strang and amazing acts of his providence wherat many are ready to stagger when they doe not wisely consider the same 4. He sees now likewise so high a value which the Lord puts on the tryall of his peoples faith and that the great dispensation wherby he deales with men is by trust and on the credit of his word as it addes further to his confirmation to see all human and visible refuges oft taken out of his Churches sight yea his greatest works in the earth make the greatest delay er they be brought forth his Churches case put so far beyond help before a cure as the first quickning of her crushed and allmost dead hope must be at the mouth of the grave and he is thus herein more singularly strenthned that when the Lord speaks the same in the way of providence which he hath spoke in his word not by might nor by power that he doth with unspeakable advantage supply and fill the roome therof by the next word but by my spirit saith the Lord which in this day should with a full assurance of faith be both sought and looked after 5. It is in this rare study he attaines also the greatest confirmation to his faith that could possibly be desired within time to see now when it s so near the close therof and after all the revolutions of times past how the truth and faithfullnesse of God hath as the sun in its strenth still keept its way straight and fixt amidst all these dark clouds which have been to darken the same and is now gone its course untill it draws near to the full and perfect day yea thus to see how signally this present age is sisted upon that same appeal and solemne testimony which as Josua gave Josh. 23 14. that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning yow all are come to passe to yow and not on thing hath failed thereof and Solomon did bear also at the dedication of the Temple 1 Kings 8 v. 56. Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest unto his people Israel according to all that he promised there hath not failed one word of all his good promise which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant so is this now that great testimony of the latter dayes and the highest tribute of praise to the glory of God in his truth which can be given by men that this present generation stands accountable to make the same yea much greater appeal to the world if they can instance one promise or prediction of that sacred record of the Scripture which hath ever failed or fallen to the ground but may be this day read in the event under these proper circumstances wherin it was to take place in its proper season as evidently as it was fortold and must still bear the same witnes Psal 18 30. that the way of the Lord is perfect and his word tryed on all the adventures of faith and tryals which to this moment of time have been made hereof and of his being still a buckler to such as trust in him and are called to transmitt this glorious testimony to the succeeding ages that it may never cease to shine or want a publick witnesse therto before Angels and men untill the whole mystery of God in his word be finished in that magnificent close which shall be therof at the second coming of the Lord. CHARACT V. A confirmed Christian in this day should be thus also stated as one who hath not only attained a solid rest and settlment of mind upon the certainty of the Christian faith but does know the pure genuine truth of Christianity amidst such high oppositions betwixt the Romish and Reformed Church herein And in the 1 place hath in this manner sisted himself upon such a tryal I as one who knows there is but one true and saving religion in the earth to which God hath annexed the promise of eternall life which can never be divided against it self 2. Who knows that within a litle his religion will be tryed in the truth therof at the tribunall of Christ where each must give account of himself unto God 3. As such who sees there can be no possible indifference in the exterior profession of either way but that so high a contrariety of principles is in this opposition that if the doctrine of Christ be on the one hand it is sure Antichristianisme must be on the other hand 4. Yea who hath in that abstract manner sought to state the case herein with his own soul as if he were come out of Paganism to give a serious assent to the divinity of the Scripture and thus pressed to joyn in with that profession of the Christian faith which is most exactly conforme to the same in the genuine and perspicuous sence therof In the 2d place he hath sought to know how he could imbrace the Popish creed and adventure his eternall state theron or can extinguish his reason and conscience so far as to believe that the holy God would ever impose such a faith upon men as this is I where he must abandon these principles of naturall reason in the most necessare use therof which God hath himself planted in mans soul so as not to trust his own eyes but others in that great interest of his eternall state and with his own consent be shutt out from all proper knowledge of the rule of his religion yea account a blind and unlimited obedience to men amongst the highest excellencies of saith 2. Where he must at once believe the fullnesse and perfection of the Scripture and to be not only
only of practice but a native result of their tenets and principles and not only dispensed with but counted an highly meritorious service yea when it is sure that under no secular government of the most tyrannicall state that ever was in the world hath such arbitrary violence and oppression been exerced or so much innocent blood shed as by this party 12. And tho his judgment stood indetermined and in an equall ballance upon this great controversie he could not exerce reason and not see upon what hand such a decision is as was in Solomons time of the true mother of the child and who does most ruthfully seek to interesse themselves in the imminent hazard of the Christian faith and under least influence of any temporall motives does this day stand for the truth and substance of Chistianity and plead that it be not destroyed in envy and hatred to them or on what side it is likeways that this manner of conquest is most followed to gain men to the profession of the truth by a prevailing evidence of their own light and judgment herein and to require their exactest personall tryall and inquiry about the same In the 3d place tho he sees there can be no pretence of doctrinall wavering about the Reformed religion and finds it not easy to comprehend how in one and the same age wherin the truth hath so brightly shined this way of Popery should have prevalence or gain ground any more by seduction from arguments to the reason or conscience of any yet since it is an hower of temptation and of fainting above all that hath been hitherto known and mens eyes arreasted with such a prospect of the time as is like to stagger the faith of the most established he is thus pressed as one of the highest duties of this day to know and search out what may afford greatest assistance to his faith from the dispensations of providence therin and to know the evidence and strenth of such reslections as these are for this end 1. That its sure as the smallest things which the Lord does afford to strenthen and support against such a storme should be seriously improven and taken to heart so does it lay us in the way of that promise for having greater things given to our observation yea that now is the time when such as have been most comforted by the word of promise may be put to the forest tryal in their faith of any to keep off stumbling at the worke of providence and be thus tryed according to the measure of these confirmations 2. Tho the Churches declinings under greatest measures of light may be too visible and that religion gains not by persecution as formerly with such an amazing chang as is now in her external condition yet sees it to be no strang thing when most signal warnings have gone before of such a tryal with too evident dispositions towards the same and discovery of its approach in all the causes therof yea might be forseen by all that the holy God would not still bear with an impure and uninlivned profession of the pure and glorious truth of Christianity which hath now long been one of the most sad and mortall signs in the publick state of religion nor can it be found that ever any Church did decline and fall from the purity of the truth and lose ground herein by externall persecution where a judicial departure of its life and power did not remarkably goe before so as it is not of late this hath been too clearly presaged that somâ— dark and unusual measure of tryall from Amichrist and that ultima clades of the Reformed Churches was drawing near which would be sore er it had done its worke 3. He sees also how this present hower is not more searching and dark then it may be clear herewith 1. that now after the issue of that opposition which was betwixt the Christian faith in the first entry of the Gospell and that dying Apostate Church of the Jewes and next with the Pagan Impire after that new erection of the Gospell Church among the Gentils which is now over so is the greatest tryall of the latter dayes fixed on the decision of that long depending controversie betwixt Christ and Antichrist 2. That according to the Scripture we must believe that as after the manner of Egypt that glorious triumph and delivery of the Church from Antichrist will be surlie carryed on so the more near it comes to the last assault and when this falls in to have its proper roome in the frame and administration of providence the greater extremitie terrour and darknesse may be expected also as hath not been in any such manner formerly yea with that unite and formidable conjunction of strenth and growing successe of this adversary for a time as the most established Christians may be in hazard to stagger 3. That now is the day wherin the Lord will have men know what it is to have the Bible as the alone security of the Protestant religion on which they must intirely rest no lesse then it is the sole rule and standard therof which is a tryall worthy of all that expense of the pain anguish and wrestlings that can now possibly attend the same 4. Whilst the great standard of Antichrists Kingdome is visibly set up and brought to the open field as its this day in the Church of France and all human help taken out of sight yet does he see herewith 1 how this now is concluded as the most infallible remedy to recover Popery and that argument to which they trust more then to Peters keyes to wit these sanguinary lawes by the sword and rack which they have again betaken themselves to tho such an argument the Scripture never knew which sober heathens would abhorr and gives up the credite of all religion to Atheism 2. That there can be no more evidence of a desperate and sinking cause then is here and how nothing else can support it but these weapons which are not against the Conscience or by any terrours of the 2d death but of the first 3. that this is such an argument if they have not in a strang manner forgot which hath within these 100 Years been so fully answered and by such an immediate appearence of God in the Kingdome of France that according to these measures of cruelty against the Protestants there so was it returned in a deludge of their own blood yea thus both the publick state of the Church and faith of the saints in the truth more deeply rooted and tho we yet see not the end of these wonders and the darke side only of the dispensations of such a day yet doe we know this sore rod on the Church is but as the saw and axe in the carpenters hand who shall never undoe that glorious worke which Christ hath done and is still further perfecting on the ruins of Antichrists Kingdome 5. Tho some unusuall deeps and methods of subtilty be
but for strenthning the faith of others wherin he does thus judge 1 that there could be no true support or relief from religion here in the earth if it cannot bear out then and that death is the great touchstone and tryall when the true value and difference betwixt things of an eternall truth and substance and the things of this world will be best seen 2. He reckons each real Christian by his profession then sisted and accountable even by some explicit personall testimony to put to his seal that God is true and bear the same witnesse with his last and dying breath to the truth of Christianity which he gave in the whole course of his life and of that joy complacence and assurance of mind which he hath found and now hath in the way of truth so as to presse the same on his dearest relations as their alone true interest 3. He sees also how honorable it is for the Lord that such whose faith hath been oft tryed and when thus with joy and admiration he can look back on the most pressing and conspicuous conflicts of time should have it their last worke to pay in some tribute of praise unto him whose word promise unto them did yet never fail 4. He accounts the more weighty tryalls he hath been carryed thorow in his Christian warfare doth both give more accesse to this service and adds more to the value of such a testimony 5. He judgeth this one special way and advantage wherby one generation might declare the truth and faithfullnesse of God unto an other in a family line and relation to shew forth thus that the Lord is upright that he is their rock and with him is no unrighteousnesse yea which should be matter of unspeakable joy when now in his turn he can say that such hath the Lord been to him what was Davids dying words 1 Kings 1 14. Who hath delivered my soul out of all distresse how that in no trouble or exigence of his life he was ever left without a door of outgate and thus also with Caleb Josh. 14 10. to give in some such wittnesse for God I am now near the close of time and does testify that the word of his truth and promise he hath surely accomplished which hath brought me safe and honourably through when such as did dicredit the same by misbelief and sought after another refuge found all their confidences fail 6. And knowing likeways how great a suprizall death may be and that such as have shined in their day may yet fet under a cloud and goe silent off the stage he judgeth it the more needfull to have such a piece of his dying worke prepared as one of the choisest legacies he can bequath to his surviving friends in a season when it hath usually the greatest advantage of weight and acceptance it being still qualified with Christian prudence and humble sobriety so as all may see its whole intent is to commend to mens conscience the way of truth and godlinesse and not themselves and thus only direct for the proper use and improvement of their nearest relations I know it may be strang to some what is spoke upon this head but as its sure the present day hath its duty and each time of our life hath some proper worke so I humbly judge that this seems to fall in as the last service of a dying Christian to his generation to deliver of his hand the truth which he had received and hath oft proven with his confirmatory seal and testimony therto and now in some more then ordinare way called for in this hower of great darknesse when if that security of the absolute promises stood not good to the Church we might fear religion might quickly wear out and truth perish from the earth and as so solemn and weighty a thing should be mannaged with much humble prudence so it may be judged that no serious and observing Christian but hath some peculiare ingadgments under which they find themselves sisted even beyond others yea some such singulare confirmations in the journall of their life that should be not easy to hide under the ground where the strenthning of others hereby is conceirned and that such should not then leave the crosse of Jesus Christ at a losse or part therwith without their testimony which hath left them at so great an advantage And though this is not to offer particulare rules in such a duty but that Christian wisdome must direct herein as the present case is circumstantiate yet might it be hoped were this more taken to heart it should be a singulare mean to put a more deep impression of mens dying worke on their own spirit even whilst they are in health to excite their surviving friends and to keep religion thus alive in a family state and relation and gain a more venerable respect to the same on mens conscience yea to fix also stronger ingadgments on the succeeding offspring Thus is presented here a short Idea of the solid and judicious worke of Christian confirmation in the truth under these forgoing Characters to shew how rare an atteanment of religion this is yea to present herein a speciall series and scale of the greatest steps in this confirmatory worke by which it should be followed and where none of these may be parted from other though some be of an higher and more absolute use for such an end And if it should be objected here what needs any such expense of time or pains in this case when its sure the essentiall truths of the Gospell are not questioned and that without internall evidence of the spirit no externall means of this kind can be of use I know that its the alone worke of the holy Ghost to beget a divine and supernaturall faith without which the furthest light and objective evidence though backed with a continued dispensation of externall miracles could never bear Christians out either as to duty or comfort in their passage thorow time yea nothing is in the least here to subject the credite of our faith to mens rationall comprehension but rather tends to enervate wholly the strenth of any such tenet and take off all pretence for the same But its sure also I must quite all solid security in the way of religion and any clear founding in the light and certainty of the Scripture or admitt these things as undenyable 1 that supernaturall faith is the most highly rationall light that 's within time and that none who professe the name of Christ can be of so low a size as should not be pressed and excited to be much about this ground worke of knowing the truth and principles of their profession upon its own evidence yea are thus called as new born babes to drink in the sincere milk of the word 1 Pet. 2. Which as it s clearly in the originall is the rationall milk of the word to be thus received no lesse on conviction and certainty of the judgment
then with the out going of their affections 2. That as it s not conceivable how a true and firme assent can be to divine truth but on its known certainty so here is no resolving of the Christians faith on the strongest rationall evidences hereof yet must it still be resolved on the testimony of God made clear evident to them to be such 3. It is sure also the Lord hath not given so large a measure of these grounds and demonstrations of his truth with such redoubled arguments of that kind to be of so small regard as is with most but for some great and universall use hereof to the wholl Church and knew how needfull such assistances to the faith of his people would be whilst they are on the earth 4. That these means which tend most convincingly to found a rationall assurence in the judgment are the proper vehicle of the Spirit of God by which his sealing worke should be both sought and expected nor can I judge how the credite and use hereof should be so small and not on the same ground quite any externall ordinance of the Gospell which without the Spirit of the Lord can never profite nor how we should expect and suite his confirming worke on the soul when these greatest confirming means which he hath given to the Church have no just weight but o how wonderfull a teacher is the holy Ghost when such ordinare means fail and are inaccessable by furnishing his people then with these strongest arguments of love and power who having had but small measures of light yet were not unfaithfull to improve the smallest degree of such a talent 5. Yea so great a thing is it to attain a solid faith of things wholly remott from our sense and so far above the reach and apprehension of nature or to have an absolute relyance on an invisible refuge for our present and eternall state as no common assent can answer when the very rest and quiet of the soul must needs ly in the sure and firme persuasion hereof 6. It is too visible also how little the practicall use of such a mean hath yet been essayed in the Church that all who are members therof might no lesse know the strenth and firmnesse of the foundation of their faith by its own evidence then the generall articles of religion but whilst the most usuall instructing worke lyes almost wholly about the noetick part of Divinity there seems not that serious regard to presse the dianoetick part hereof on mens conscience as if this were to be restricted to a few who are more knowing learned and of an inquisitive spirit about the rationall certainty of the truth and for whom these choise and abundant helps of this kind which are in this age seem more peculiarly directed It s sure that the Christian faith in the first times did remarkably then spread and prevail by these clear evidences hereof to the judgment made effectuall by the spirit of God more then by extraordinare miracles nor knew they otherwise what it was to be Christians but by imbracing the truth with a full assurance of understanding no lesse then of delight and affection But if it be objected it is not the same case now where religion is planted in a nation and hath an uncontrollable publick profession under the support of humane lawes I know no weight this can have except that should be admitt therwith quod nunc nascuntur Christiani sed non fiunt 7. Yea is it not sure tho it seems little understood that the primary grounds and evidences of our faith are not only as to their â—nd demonstrative of the truth and divinity of the Scripture but are upon the matter such demonstrations also which most natively result from the same by infallible consequence and are thus to be accounted not as human but divine arguments given us by the spirit of God 8. I shall but further add how such as doe seriously ponder things will find this demonstration to be not more important then clear that to be a confirmed Christian and a confirmed Protestant are convertible terms and that if these as are under that deplorable bondage and darknesse of popery were but once awaked to see the truth certainty of the Christian faith by its intrinsick and objective evidence and taken off that brutish credulity and dependance on the alone credite of others herein it might be said the strongest ingine to hold up that profession were then broke and should see the doctrine and rule of faith to be of such full and perspicuous evidence from the Scripture as without blasphemy they could not seek from the Lord to give them a plainer rule then what he hath there given READER IT s like you may think strang how these few sheets in the close fall in here after the forgoing part was finished but tho they meet in one designe and interest yet was not this then intended untill the former was done and if it might tend to a solid use and fruit unto any I shall forbear a further Apology herein I may trulie say the weight of the subject hath carryed it some further lenth then was designed when I so much sought to be short as I aim at in any thing of this kind that through my desirâ— to avoide any unnecessare multiplying of thords I sarâ— least it may make some things seem a litle dark at the first looke tho I hope not upon any serious perusall of the same Two things I must further crave leave to add 1 that when some succinct view of the great assistances and confirmations of our faith is here offered which these of the lowest capacity of the Church might with that advantage improve as in a few howers by reading it some times over may be so far impressed on their mind and judgment that they could give some clear and judicious account thereof it may be by such but seriously weighed taken to heart of what conceirn the use hereof is 2. That I would humbly judge also it were a most speciall service for the truth in this day to have some short Directory and remembrancer of the great acts of the Lord and monuments of his Providence now under the New Testament in that maner held forth as might most tend to some universall use of all within the Church I confesse my desire pressed me to some smal essay herein with intent to have joyned it to this worke but haveing with much conviction laid this wholly aside as to any further appearence that way so is it with an earnest desire that some more qualifyed might take to heart and under their hand so great a service both for their generation and posterity It is sure the Lord hath designed his people to be tought the greatnesse of his workes as well as the precepts of his word and as no duty is more pressed then this under the Old Testament both as to Publick and Family instruction so are we no lesse accountable iâ— these last times for this improvement of such as are of known publick and uncontrollable evidence and should be thâ— care of each age to have that solemne remembrance kept up hereof so as not a few but the very multitude within thâ— Church might be as a publick Library and Repository of thâ— same FINIS