be renounced or we are for ever miserable and why not now Sin will be as sweet hereafter as now it is and Salvation dispensed upon the same terms You cannot be saved hereafter with less adoe or bring down Christ or Heaven to a lower rate If this be a reason it will ever be as a reason against Christ and Religion because you are loath to part with this or that pleasing lust and so it will never be 3. The Suspicion that is upon a late Repentance 'T is seldome sound and therefore alwayes questionable That is no true Repentance which ariseth meerly from horrour and the sense of Hell This sensible work that men have upon them may be but the beginning of everlasting despair All men seek the Lord at length but the wise seek him in time This was the great difference between the wise and foolish Virgins one sought him in time the other out of time They would covet his favour at last Upon a Death-bed the most prophane would have God for their portion When they can sin no more and enjoy the World no longer then they cry and howl for mercy and comfort and a little well grounded hope of Heaven or eternal life But who can tell whether this sensible work that is upon them be not meerly an act of self-love and the fruit of those natural desires which all the Creatures have after their own happiness or a meer retreat others have when they can hold the World no longer We cannot say this Repentance is true nor affirm the contrary that 't is false but 't is doubtful There is but that one instance of the Thief on the Cross that truly repented when he came to die The Scriptures contain an History of four thousand years or thereabouts and yet all that while we have but this one instance of a true Repentance just at death and in that Instance there is an extraordinary Conjunction of Circumstances which cannot reasonably be expected again Christ was now at his right hand in the height of his love drawing sinners to God Never such a season as then and 't is more than probable he had never a call before then Well then let us put this necessary work of Preparation for God out of doubt betimes yea let the Children of God if they have not yet prevailed against such a Lust or lived in the neglect of such a Duty could not bring their hearts to it hitherto make speed left they be surprized and this defect in their preparation make their death uncomfortable A good Christian is alwayes converting yet not fully converted The first work is often gone over and he is still getting nearer to God by a more affectionate compliance with his whole will Doct. 2. That those that are finally refused by the Lord may yet have a desire of the Ioyes of Heaven 1. Consider them in this VVorld and in the VVorld to come These two respects are different For though Self-love be the common cause of their desiring Heaven both now and then yet there is a difference 'T is more commendable to desire it now than to desire it then though neither be an argument of any gracious Constitution of Soul 'T is more commendable to desire it now when 't is a matter of Faith to believe the World to come than when 't is a matter of Sense as when all Shadows are chased away then 't is no hard matter to convince men of things that lye within the Veil that is of the truth and worth of Heavenly things And yet if they should be convinced of this we cannot say they are gracious however they are better than meer Infidels for carnal men may desire a share in the state of the Blessed as Numb 23.10 Oh that I might die the death of the Righteous Balaam had his wishes And those that did not like Christs Doctrine but departed from him said Joh. 6.34 Lord evermore give us of this bread of life They would fain be happy When this happiness was represented unto them it may and doth stir up strange motions in the Hearts of those that are unrenewed and unchanged 2. There is a difference in the End and Vse of this desire of Happiness Now and then God leaveth these Velleities and Inclinations as a Stock upon which to graft Grace as a Spinster leaveth a lock of Wooll to fasten the next thread as Nebuchadnezzar's shape remained when he was turned a grazing among the Beasts and as Job's Messengers I alone am escaped to tell thee There are these Inclinations to happiness that are escaped out of the ruines of the Fall God by our self-love would draw us to love himself Man will not be dealt with else It leaveth men capable of Heaven the Doctrine of Life represented to them they are without excuse if they refuse it This is the use of it now but then when we are in termino it hath another use This love of their own happiness and desire to be saved serveth for this very use to make them sensible of their loss the grief of their Condemnation and lost estate is encreased thereby Now this is little thought of by carnal men because they have Oblectamenta sensus the entertainments of sense to divert their minds but when separate and set apart from all these then if they have no other punishment this is enough Surely their understanding remaineth having nothing to comfort them and allay the bitter sense of their loss But now let us see 1. How far carnal and unregenerate men desire Happiness 2. Why this is so little improved and they make so little use of it First How far a carnal and unregenerate man may desire Happiness 1. They may desire good confuse non indefinitè Happiness in the General but this desire cometh under no deliberation and choice The happiness that is offered by Christ or that Life and Immortality that he bringeth to light cometh under another consideration Good Good is the cry of the World Certainly no man would be miserable but all would be happy and live at ease Christians Pagans all good men bad men they that seldome agree in any thing do all agree in this they would have good To ask men whether they would be happy or no is to ask men whether they love themselves yea or no. 2. They would not only have good in the General but some eternal good And because this is not so evident by nature they grope and feel about for it Act. 17.26 There is an unsatisfiedness in present things and therefore they are scrambling and feeling about for some better thing As Solomon tryed all experiments so do men go about seeking for good Eccl. 7.29 Since we lost the streight line of Gods direction we seek it sometimes in one thing sometimes in another and Christ saith Mat. 13.45 46. That the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Merchant man seeking goodly pearls And when he had found one pearl of good price he went
Account that nothing is lost Rev. 20.12 The Books were produced the Book of Conscience and the Book of Gods Remembrance one of these is in the Sinners keeping and yet it cannot be blotted out nor defaced but at the day of Judgment Conscience shall be extended to the Recognition of all our Wayes Now these Books of Account that are kept between God and the Creature are somewhat like the Books of Merchants of Debtor and Creditor what returned and what received Gods Mercies to us are Booked so are our Returns That Gods Mercies are put upon the Book and Register appeareth by the Expostulations used in Scripture when God proceedeth to any particular Judgment As for instance Opportunities of Grace and instructions of the Word the Word Preached 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 24.14 And the Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the World for a Witness unto all Nations and then shall the End come God keepeth exact Account Behold these three years came I seeking Fruit Luke 13.7 This second Epistle write I unto you 2 Pet. 3.1 He taketh notice of a former God remembreth the Prophets words when the Prophets are dead and gone Every pressing Sermon every Notable Help This second Miracle did Jesus 〈◊〉 Cana of Galilee Joh. 4.54 Christs special Works and Manifestations of himself ought to be marked and kept in memory God doth so for Deliverances from Danger Isa. 11.11 The Lord shall arise the second time for the Deliverance of his People He taketh notice that he has been once at it and would be again So what Talents and Gifts we have had whether five two or one Secondly On the other side all the good that we do therefore the Apostle speaketh of Fruit abounding to his Account Phil. 4.17 The Lord taketh notice of our Faithfulness in evil times Mal. 3.15 16. And now we call the Proud happy yea they that work Wickedness are set up yea they that tempt God are even dilivered Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another and a Book of Remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and thought upon his Name 1 Kings 19.18 Acts 17. ult Kindness to his Servants Mat. 10.42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a Cup of cold Water only in the Name of a Disciple he shall not lose his Reward Eccles. 11.1 Cast thy bread upon the Waters and thou shalt find it after many days 't is not lost On the other side Injuries done to his People he hath a bottle for their Tears and a Book for their Sorrows Psal. 56.8 All the Snares contrived Deut. 32.34 Is not this laid up in store with me and sealed up among my Treasures Job 13.27 Thou lookest narrowly to all my Paths thou settest a Print upon the Heels of my Feet Every Action leaveth a Track every Word Mat. 12.36 every Thought 1 Cor. 4.5 VSE Is our Account ready against that great day of Audit Most neglect it put off the thoughts of it Take occasion hence to reckon with your selves aforehand and see what an Account you can give to Conscience we should prepare more for this Solemn day of Reckoning and therefore should take notice of what we do and what we receive we had need keep a Register of every days Work and every days Mercies There are three Questions in Scripture often put them to your Hearts Deut. 32.6 Do ye thus requite the Lord O foolish People and unwise is not he thy Father that hath bought thee hath he not made thee and established thee Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Isa. 5.4 What could I have done more for my Vineyard that I have not done in it Wherefore when I looked for Grapes behold it brought forth wild Grapes The Profit of daily arraigning Conscience is great 1. It keepeth us sensible of our Duty maketh us often have recourse to Grace when we continually observe our Sins Duties Afflictions Mercies Comforts Opportunities of receiving Grace and do but intermingle this thought that one day for all these I must give an Account 2. It presseth us to be more earnest for pardoning Mercy and every day to make even This is the great Folly of men that they put off Sin when God doth not put it away There is an Expression often used in Scripture Their Iniquities shall find them out this Notion of Accounts will help us to understand it 'T was committed many years ago never heard of it since but at length they shall hear of it God reckoneth with them If men escape and prosper a Month or a Year or two they think all is forgotten but at length it findeth them out Sins are called Debts and all Debts lie upon Account against us till they be cancelled Augustus bought his Quilt of one who slept securely when he Owed an hundred Thousand Sesterces We may wonder at the Security of Sinners who sleep when their Damnation sleepeth not They run upon the score and never think of a Reckoning Solomon adviseth a man in debt not to sleep till he be delivered like a Roe from the Hunter Prov. 6.4 5. 'T is good Advice to us to get our spiritual debts discharged Psal. 51.1 Blot out my Transgressions Christ hath taught us to pray for daily Pardon as well as daily Bread The thought of these Records that are kept and the Account we must make should quicken us to it Oh what a Clamour will our Sins make when God sets them all in Order before us Psal. 50.21 Thousands of vain Thoughts light Words and Sinful Actions much mispense of time Abuse of Mercies we know not how soon God will put the Bond in Suit other Debts have a day of Payment fixed but this God hath reserved in his own Breast when he will call us to an Account 3. It Presseth us to live always as those that are to give an Account Paul quickned himself to diligence upon this Consideration 2 Cor. 5.9 10. If we were never to be called to an Account we should do God all the Service that possibly we can we are so much Obliged to him but he hath set a day wherein he will reckon with us Oh what Watchfulness what Diligence and Faithfulness should this produce in us Jam. 2.12 So speak and so do as those that shall be judged by the Law of Liberty We read in the Story of Albigenses when the President of St. Juliers coming to Angrogne would have forced a man to Re-baptize his Child in the Popish way he prayed the President that he would give it in Writing and sign it with his own hand that he would discharge him before God and take the Peril upon himself This made him relent and Profess his Trouble Conscience is startled at Gods Records if a man should do nothing and speak nothing but what is to be registred and proclaimed at the Market-Cross how watchful would he be All is Recorded the Books will
the Trial of all Doctrines God himself wrote the first Scripture that ever was written with his own Finger Exod. 24.12 And the Lord said to Moses Câ—me up to me into the Mount and be there and I will give thee Tables of Stone and a Law and Commandments which I have written that thou mayest teach them And then commanded Moses and the Prophets to do the same Exod. 17.14 And the Lord said unto Moses Write this for a Memorial in a Book And Exod. 34.27 And the Lord said unto Moses Write thou these Words for after the Tenor of these Words I have made a Covenant with thee and with Israel So he bids Jeremiah Chap. 36.2 Take thee a Roll of a Book and write therein all the Words that I have spoken thee And so God spake to all the Prophets tho it be not exprest and by inward Instinct bids them write their Prophecies that it might be a publick Record for the Church in all Ages Now this Way was always accompanied with Prophetical Revelations until Christ's time who as the great Doctor of the Church perfected the Rule of Faith and by the Apostles as so many Publick Notaries consigned it to the use of the Church And so when the Canon was compleat then John as the last of the Apostles and outliving the rest closed up all and therefore closeth up his Prophecy thus Rev. 22.18 19. For I testify unto every Man that heareth the Words of the Prophecy of this Book If any Man add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book And if any Man shall take away from the Words of the Book of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life and out of the holy City and from the Things that are written in this Book Which sealeth up the whole Canon and Rule of Faith as well as the Book of the Revelations And therefore 3. There is now Writing only without the Word without Visions and Revelations There needeth no more now because here is enough to make us wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. And that from a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness That the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good Works It is sufficient to make us wise to preach and you wise to practise It is now certain enough God hath left a publick Record that we might not spend our time in doubting and disputing And it is full enough you need nothing more either to satisfy the Desires of Nature or to repair the Defects of Nature to satiate the Soul with Knowledg For God hath given to the Church sufficient Instruction to decide all Controversies to assoil all Doubts and to give us sure Conduct and Direction to everlasting Glory III. The next Question is Of what Concernment it is to enquire of the Truth of the Scripture Many think that such a Discussion needs not because this is a principal matter to be believed not argued and Arguments at least beget but an humane Faith Yet certainly it is of great necessity if you consider four things 1. It is good to prepare and induce carnal Men to respect it and to wait for the Confirmation of the Spirit An Humane Faith maketh way for a Divine when Men hearken to the Word upon common grounds God may satisfy them as those John 4.42 Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Son of the Living God They first believed upon the Woman's Report and then upon their own Experience So it is good to establish sound Grounds that we may know the Truth of God first upon Hear-say and afterward upon Experience This way we induce and invite Men to make a Trial. 2. Because it giveth an additional Confirmation and greater Certainty to the People of God Foundation-Stones can never be laid with exactness and care enough For if you mark it you will find all doubting in your Belief all disproportion in your Practice ariseth from this because the supreme Truth is not setled in the Soul We ought to believe it more and more then it stirs up greater Reverence greater Admiration and makes way for your Delight and Joy to have your Charter cleared It is good to look upon this Argument that it might further Our Comfort and that this Fire may be blown up into a Flame and that Truth may have more Awe upon the Conscience 3. It awakeneth them that have received the Word upon slight grounds to be better setled Most Men look no further than humane Authority and publick Countenance they have no other grounds to believe the Scriptures than the Turks to believe the Alcoran because it is the Tradition of their Fathers Most Mens Belief is but an happy Mistake a thing at peradventure and they are Christians upon no other grounds than others are Turks God loveth a rational Worship he would have us to render 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Reason of the Faith that is in us But they are Christians by Chance rather than Choice and solid Reason it is because they know no other Religion not because they know no better Well then that you may be able to justify your Religion For Wisdom is justified of her Children Mat. 11.19 that you may take up the Ways of God upon a rational Choice it is good to see what Grounds and Confirmations we have for that holy Faith we do profess 4. That we may know the distinct Excellency of our Profession above all other Professions in the World The Daughters of Jerusalem are brought in asking the Spouse Cant. 5.9 What is thy Beloved more than another Beloved O thou fairest among Women What is thy Beloved more than another Beloved that thou dost so charge us What can you say for your Christ and for your way of Salvation and for your Scriptures above what other Men can say for their Worship or their Superstition A Christian should know the distinct and special Excellency of his Profession Jer. 6.16 God bids us Stand in the way and see and ask for the old Paths Where is the good Way It is good to survey the Superstitions we have in the World and compare the Excellency of our holy Profession with other Professions In Scripture we are required not only to glorify God but to sanctify him Isa. 8.13 Sanctify the Lord of Hosts in your Hearts So 1 Pet. 3.15 Sanctify the Lord God in your Hearts and be ready always to give an Answer to every Man that asketh you a Reason of the Hope that is in you with meekness and fear Now what is it to sanctify It is to set apart any thing from common Uses This
of the Life of grace 2 Cor. 4.16 For though the outward man perish the inner man is renewed day by day 2. As to pleasure and pain joy and comfort When all the joys of the Body are gone the joys of the Soul are inlarged as when the Bodies of the Martyrs were on the rack under torturings their Souls have been filled with inward Triumphings and their Consolation 2 Cor. 1.5 also aboundeth by Christ. When their flesh is scorched their Souls are refreshed 5. They are distinct in the Commands God hath given about it Christ hath Commanded us to take no thought for the Body Matth. 6.25 But he never Commanded us to take no thought for the Soul rather the contrary Deut. 4.9 Only take heed to thy self and keep thy Soul diligently The great miscarriage of men is because they pamper their Bodies and neglect their Souls all their care is to keep their Bodys in due plight but never regard their Souls which were more immediately given them by God and carry the most lively character of his Image and are capable of his Happiness 2. The Soul is not only distinct from the body but can live and exercise its operations apart from the body There are many arguments from reason to prove it but let us consider Scripture which should be reason enough to Christians That it can do so appeareth by that expression of Paul 2 Cor. 12 2 3. I knew a man in Christ fourteen years ago whether in the Body or out of the Body I cannot tell God knoweth such an one carryed up to the third Heaven If Paul had been of this opinion that the Soul being separated from the Body is void of all sense he must then have known certainly that his Soul remained in his Body during this rapture because according to this supposition in that state alone could he see and hear those things which he saw and heard And that argument is not contemptible to prove the possibility where among other things 't is said Death cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ. Therefore the Soul liveth in a state to injoy him in a sense of his love to us and our love to him 3. That the Souls of the Saints not only can live apart from the Body but actually do so And are presently with the Lord as soon as they flit out of the Body This I shall prove from these particulars taken from Scripture 1. From Luke 23.43 This day shalt thou be with me in paradise This was said to the penitent Thief and what was said to him will be accomplished in all the faithful for what Christ promiseth to him he promiseth it to him as a penitent believer and what belongeth to one Convert belongeth to all in a like case Therefore if his Soul in the very day of his death were translated unto paradise ours will be also Now Paradise is either the Earthly or the Heavenly not the first which is no where extant being defaced by the Flood If it were in being what have separate Souls to do there That was a fit place for Adam in Innocency who had a Body and a Soul and was to eat of the fruit of the Trees of the Garden By Paradise is meant Heaven whither Paul was rapt in Soul which he calleth both Paradise and the third Heaven 2 Cor. 12.4 And there all the Faithful are when once they have past the Pikes and have overcome the Temptations of the present World Rev 2.7 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God Well then there the Thief was not in regard of his Body which was disposed of as men pleased but his Soul And when should he be there This day 'T was not a Blessedness to commence some fifteen hundred or two thousand years afterward 'T is an answer to his quando the penitent Thief desired when he came into his kingdom he would remember him Christ sheweth he would not defer his hope for so long a time but his desire should be accomplished that day 't is not adjourned to many days months or years but this day Thou shalt presently injoy thy desire 2. The Second place is Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ which is far better To be with Christ is to be in Heaven for there Christ is at the right hand of God Col. 3.1 The Apostle speaketh not this in regard of his Body for that could not be presently upon his dissolution till it was raised up at the last day but in regard of his Soul This state that his Soul was admitted into was much more better if compared with the estate it injoyed in this life yea though you take in the end and use of life yet his being with Christ upon his dissolution was more eligible and to be preferred before it Is it not better you will say to remain here and serve God than to depart hence It were so if the Soul were in a state wherein we neither know nor love Christ what profit would it be to be with the Lord and not injoy his company Present knowledge services tasts experiences are better than a stupid Lethargy and sleepy estate without all understanding and will 'T is better to a gracious man to wake than to sleep to be hard at work for God than to be idle and do nothing to use our powers and faculties than to lye in a senseless Condition 't would be far worse with Paul to have his Body rotting in the grave and his Soul without all fruition of God if this were true What is that preponderating happiness which should sway his Choice Is it to be eased of present labours and sufferings Gods people who have totally resigned themselves to God are wont to prefer value their present service and injoyment of God though accompanyed with great labours and sufferings before their own ease Surely Paul would never be in a streight if he were to be reduced upon his dissolution into a Condition of stupid sleep without any capacity of glorifying or injoying God The most afflicted Condition with Gods presence is sweeter to his people than the greatest Contentments with his absence if thou art not with us carry us not hence Better tarry with God in the Wilderness than live in Canaan without him surely it were absurd to long for a dissolution of that estate where we feel the love of God and Christ in our Souls which is unspeakable and glorious for a Condition wherein there is no tast nor sense 3. The next place is 1 Pet. 3.19 By which also he went and preached unto the Spirits in prison which sometimes were disobedient when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah There are many Souls of Men and Women who once slighted the Lords grace and are now in hell as in a prison Their Souls do not go to nothing nor dye as
needs be true for God is so infinitely Wise that he cannot be deceived and so infinitely Just and True that he will not deceive us and so Omnipotent that he cannot be jealous of our Knowledg and so Gracious that he is not envious of our Knowledg as the Devil would insinuate Gen. 3.5 For God doth know that in the Day ye eat thereof then your Eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods knowing Good and Evil. It will be no infringement to his Interest if we should know his Nature and his Will But the great Question is What we should take for the Word of God Now that we may have a sure ground in this Kind let us consider how he hath revealed himself to Man The Dispensations of God are several 1. To Adam 2. To the World 3. To the Church 1. To Adam His Bible was his Heart the Law was written there and God preached to him immediatly and by Oracle gave him all extraordinary Commands and the Book of the Creatures for his Contemplation not so much to better his Knowledg as to increase his Reverence 2. To the World to Heathens God gave the Book of Nature which was more than they made use of and therefore he stopt there Psal. 19.1 2 3. The Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his Handy-Work Day unto Day uttereth Speech and Night unto Night sheweth Knowledg There is no Speech nor Language where their Voice is not heard c. This Revelation God hath made of himself even to all Nations they have Sun and Moon to look upon and the Structure of the Heavens to behold which are as so many Pledges of the Excellency and Infiniteness of God Rom. 1.19 20. Because that which may be known of God is manifest to them for God hath shewed it unto them For the invisible Things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the Things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead so that they are without excuse Acts 14.17 Nevertheless he left not himself without Witness in that he did good and gave us Rain from Heaven and fruitful Seasons filling our Hearts with Food and Gladness In the Book of Nature there is the rough Draught of God's Will Trismegistus said it was Liber unus Divinitate plenus Creation was nothing else but one Book that was full of the Glory of God and his Excellency God Spake to them by Things not by Words This with some Instincts of Conscience the Relicts of the Fall was all the Heathens had Conscience was God's Deputy to put them in mind of a Judg and the Heavens put them in mind of a God Look as Job's Messengers said I alone am escaped to tell thee so there are some few Reliques and Principles alone escaped out of the Ruins of the Fall to tell us somewhat of God and somewhat of a Judg. That Light proclaims every where and speaks to every Nation and proclaims it aloud to all People Kindred and Tongues of the Earth Take notice there is one infinite eternal God that made us and you and all things else God's refreshing the parched Earth with Showers of Rain shews how willing he is to be gracious to poor hungry Creatures Fruitful Seasons shew us the abundance of his Mercy The decking the Heavens with Stars and the Earth with Plants shew us what Glory he can put upon the Creatures This Language may be gathered out of the Creation and thus did God speak to all Creatures by the Voice of his Creatures 3. To the Church And the Dispensations of God to the Church have been various and diverse Heb. 1.1 God who at sundry times and in divers manners 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spake in Times past unto our Fathers by the Prophets c. He spake his Mind by pieces that is signified by the Word now he gave a piece of his Mind and then a piece And he hath spoken also in sundry manners by several ways of Revelation The Church never wanted sufficient Revelation nor Means of Knowledg to guide them to the Enjoyment of God and true Happiness God's Dispensations to the Church may be reduced to three Heads There was 1. His Word without Writing 2. Then Word and Writing 3. Then Writing only 1. There was the Word without Writing by Visions Oracles and Dreams by which he manifested himself to Persons of the greatest Sanctity and Holiness that they might instruct others and impart the Mind of God to others Now mark this Dispensation was sure enough to guide them to Communion with God why Because the People of the World were then but few Families and the Persons intrusted with God's Message were of great Authority and Credit therefore sufficient enough to inform that present Age of God's Counsel and which was another Advantage they lived long to continue the Tradition with certainty to others for hundreds of Years Vision and Tradition was sure enough for as 't is observed by some three Men might continue the Tradition of the Counsel of God from Adam till Israel went down into Egypt There was Adam first God taught him by Oracle and he taught others he lived a long time Methuselah lived with Adam two hundred forty three Years and continued until the Flood then Seâ— lived with Methusalah ninety eight Years and flourished about five hundred Years after the Flood and Isaac lived fifty Years with Sem and died about ten Years before Israel's descent into Egypt So that Methuselah Sem and Isaac might continue the Knowledg of God and preserve the Purity of Religion from Adam's Death till Israel's going down into Egypt for so many hundred Years This was God's Dispensation to that Church 2. Afterwards there was both Word and Writing God's Word was necessary for the further revealing and clearing up of the Doctrine of Salvation which was revealed by pieces And Writing was necessary partly because in process of time Precepts were multiplied and it was needful for Mens Memories that they should be registred in some publick Record and partly because the long Life of God's Witnesses was much lessened and the Corruption of the World was increased and Satan began to imitate God by Oracles Visions and Answers and Idolatry and Superstition crept into the best Families Into â—erah's Josh. 24.2 Your Fathers dwelt on the other side the Flood in old Time even Terah the Father of Abraham and the Father of Nachor and they served other Gods And Jacob's Family was corrupt Gen. 35.2 Then Jacob said to his Houshold and to all that were with him Put away the strange Gods that are among you and be clean and change your Garments The People were grown numerous enough to make a Commonwealth and a Politick Body and it was fit they should have a publick Record and common Rule and therefore to avoid Man's Corruptions and to give a stop to Satan's Deceits the Lord thought fit there should be a written Rule at hand for