〈…〉 Works is the Devil's Child then â—â—ey wiâ—â—â—â—nfess this is of the Devil and â—he other 〈◊〉 the Devil This is an evil Wâ—â—k an◠〈◊〉 that I had need be brought into another condition When People come to an Acknowledgment of the Truth and of their own Condemnation then they are one Step towards Redemption and Salvation No one ever took one step towards their Salvation till they â—cknowledged their own Condemnation He that sanctifies and they that are sanctified are all of one and they that are joyneâ— to the Lord are one spirit An evil tree saith Christ cannot bring forth good fruit When Christ spake this he spake it to Men and Women â—nd he spake it of Men and Women and not of Trees And when he said No man can gather grapes of thorns nor figs of thistles he speaks of a Generation of Men as if he had said 〈◊〉 this Thorn must be translâ—â—â— changed into another nature before 〈◊〉 bring forth Grapes and this Thistle 〈◊〉 changed into another nature before 〈◊〉 forth Figs. There must be a Change in the naâ—â— Man before there can be a Change 〈◊〉 Fruit and Effect of his Doings Whaâ— he sows thâ—â— he shall also reap whatsoâ—â— man doth in the body he must give an 〈◊〉 thereof at the day of judgment for th◠〈◊〉 will be opened and men judged according to 〈◊〉 thinâ—â— written in those books If there be 〈◊〉 Booâ—â—or thee and me I le warrant thee thâ—â— is a great deal in it there is a Recorder anâ— a Clerk for the Book which God hath opened in every Man's Conscience and there 〈◊〉 set down every Manâ— Transgressions and hiâ— Sins Saith one Thâ—â— hast written my Transgressions as with the point of a diamond thou hast ingraven it so deep that it seems impossible that it should ever be blotted out again Some have had their Sins so deeply ingraven in their Consciences that they have thought they would never be blotted out they were written as with the Pen of a Diamond When People see and consider that they have ventured their Souls upon such 〈◊〉 Grounds I hope they will be awaked to 〈◊〉 after Righteousness when they see the 〈◊〉 nothing good in them Where there is 〈◊〉 thing good it is God that hath given it 〈◊〉 them Some will say If I be pervers◠〈◊〉 〈…〉 wicked I cannot hâ—lp it therefore 〈◊〉 be beholdenn to my Maker to help 〈◊〉 â—lse I must never be helped Now beâ—â—â—â— God knows that we are helpless he 〈◊〉 â—id help upon one that is mighty that is 〈◊〉 Lord Jesus Christ and Christ hath sent 〈◊〉 his spirit into the world to convince the 〈◊〉 of sin and to lead his people into all 〈◊〉 And this Grace that comes by Jesus â—â—â—ist hath been so universally shewed and 〈◊〉 universally extended to all Men that I never met with a Man yet that had none of it But let them be as bad and as dark as they could yet the Light of Christ shined â—o that Darkness into the darkest Heart that ever I met with in all my Life He sheweth Men That his light shineth in darkness and the darkness cannot comprehend Therefore the Worâ— that God hath set us about and the Service which he requires at the Hands of many of us is to turn Men from their own Darkness unto the Light of Christ their Saviour and from the Devil's Power that hath enslaved them to the Power of God that can redeem them and yet we are far enough from that which they call Free Will we are far enough from this We say a man can never be saved till he learn to deny his own Will it is God's Will that every one â—â—ould be saved But some will not be saved they will keep their Wills and not resign them up to God they have a Free-will to go to Destruction As for Salvation if they will obtain it they must part with 〈…〉 and they must take a Yoâ—◠〈…〉 on them before they can b◠〈…〉 â—â—â—ple can have theiâ— Wills they will 〈…〉 Christ's Yoke upon them He that 〈◊〉 Christ's Disciple must deny his own Wâ—â—â— take up his daily Cross These are â—he 〈◊〉 of the Gospel But you will say No Man by 〈◊〉 Power he hath can redeem himself 〈◊〉 Man can live without Sin We will say Amen to it But if Men teâ—â— us That when God's Power comes to help uâ— and to redeem us out of Sin that it canno◠〈◊〉 â—ffected then this Doctrin we cannot awaâ— with nor I hope you neither Would yoâ— like it well if I should tell you That God puts 〈◊〉 his Power to do such a thing buâ— the Devil hinders him That it is impossible for God to do it because the Devil doth not like it That it is impossible that any one should be free from sin because the Devil hath got such a Power in them that God cannot cast it out This is lamentable Doctrin hath not this been preached this Doctrin of Impossibility of living without Sin It doth in plain Terms say Though God doth interpose hiâ— Power it is impossible because the Devil hath so rooted Sin in the Nature of Man Is 〈◊〉 Man God's Creature and cannot he nevâ—â— make him and cast Sin out of him If 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is rooted deeply in Man I say 〈◊〉 〈…〉 deeply rooted but Christ Jesus is enâ—â—◠〈…〉 the Root of the Nature of 〈◊〉 that he hath received Power to destroy 〈◊〉 evil and his Works â—nd to recover and 〈◊〉 Man into his Primitive Nature of â—â—â—hteousness and Holiness or else that is 〈◊〉 That he is able to save to the utmost â—â—at come unto God by him We must throw 〈◊〉 the Bible if we say that it is impossible 〈◊〉 God to deliver Man out of Sin Is not â—â—â—ist entred into the root of our Nature And hath he not taken upon him the Seed of Abraham after the Flesh Is he not entred into the Root of all Men's Natures and tasted death for every man that he might quicken every one that is dead in sins and trespasses All these things speak the Love of God to Mankind in order to â—â—â—ir Salvation Much might be said to these things these Clouds of Error and Darkness that have overspread the Nation yet this I say if one were to speak of it never so long it must be by the Eye that God gives you that you must see it it is he that opens the Hearts of Men as he did Lydia's If there had not been the Power of God that reached her Heart Paul could not have opened it When all is said that can be said the Counsel of God which hath sounded in your Ears is recommended to you that every one may retire in quietness and stillness of Mind to 〈◊〉 for the feeling of that quickning Pâ—â—â—â—r of the Spirit of Christ that is sent inâ—◠〈◊〉 Hearts of Men that that may open 〈◊〉 Eyes to see your present state then you 〈◊〉 see a better state 〈◊〉 further
Minds but when a Command comes to be obeyed and a Cross to bâ— taken up and Self-denial to be shewn 〈◊〉 some Increase of Trade lies in the way let Truth go where it will you must follow your Interest there wants somewhâ—â— to fix you in the Principle of Truth which is able to sanctifie you and perfect you that you may be reconciled to God through Christ They that are resigned and given up to Truth it is possible for them that they may be satisfied they have an Infallible Testimony of the Spirit of Truth witnessing with their Spirits that such a thing is bad and if they might get the whole World to do it they will not What is Profit and Pleasure to me My Pleasure is at Gods right Hand and my Profit is to get Grace and to have an abundant entrance into Gods Everlasting Kingdom Those that have the true knowledge of Christ they have Profit and Advantage Pleasure and Delight enough which is hid from the World and ever will be They are for Profit and Pleasure which they may have with a good Conscience Those Things which God affords them as Blessings in this World they despise them not but take them with Thanksgiving and use them for his Glory But if they cannot have Profit and Pleasure without sinning against the Lord and their own Consciences take Profit and Pleasure that will They that come thus to close with Truth they have an infallible Evidence within them they do not conceive it is thus and thus because such a Man saith it is so but they have an infallible Evidence in themselves This is the Mind of the Lord God hath signified it by his Spiâ—â—t and sealed it upon my Spirit and I cannot but know it What do you profess Infallibility Else I would hold my Tongue if I did not know what I assert infallibly I would never Preach more Truth may be many times concealed A Man may have wronged and cheated his Neighbour and he not know it this Man goes away and his Neighbour doth not reproach him but when he comes to lie down in his Bed he hath a sting and a reproach in his Conscience I know I have donâ— him harm Whether is not this Infallible Let me consult some learned Men that I may know wâ—â—ther it was a Lie I told I need not go to learned Men and Logicians to know whether it was a Lie I am infallible in this I know certainly it was a Lie I have a certain Evidence and if a thousand Men tell me to the contrary I will not believe them If there be Infallibility here is there not then Infallibility in the word of Truth Shall I question it or doubt it if I have an infallible Testimony of it Tho' Men have never so little proficiency if they have it upon sure Terms and lasting Foundations let a thousand Men come with all their Logical Skill and Sophism yet they can never remove a Man from the Witness â—n himself The Remnant that God hath â—rought to this Foundation they have a certainty and Infallibility in their Obedience they pay to the Will of God aâ—â— in the comfort they have in their Obedience to the Law of God which he hath written in their Hearts Let what will come they can never be removed for this exceeds all the Precepts and Doctrin of Men it is the Precept and Doctrin of Christ and his Apostles Let People read them and endeavour to practise them but here comes the Testimony the Divine Power by which the Precept was given forth to them and is now given forth again to thee and me with as much Liveliness and Power Let us perform them as did the Primitive Christians Here now Comfort comes to flow forth from a settled Foundation that shall never be moved The Winds have come and blown upon Religion let what Wind will blow and can blow God hath built his Church upon a Rock and it will remain unmoveable against all opposition blessed are they that are founded thereupon Hath God fixed and established us in our Society with one another and with our Lord Jesus Christ This is the Foundation that God hath placed it upon We desire that all Men may come to the same stability and settlement and never more to be tosseâ— with the Winds of Doctrin but be built upon Christ Jesus the Rock of Ages the Rock of our Ages the Rock of us and our Children That God will carry us â—n in this Society is the desire of our Souls for our Selves and all our Friends and Country-men The way for you to be blessed and to have 〈◊〉 Advantage for your Immortal Souls by the Testimony that hath been raised up is to have regard to the working of the same Power that you may come to partake of the Benefit of those Gifts and Graces which God hath bestowed upon his Church His Prayer after Sermon MOST blessed and glorious God and Father of Life how wonderful art thou in thy Appearances to thy People in the Day of thy Power in which thou has stretched forth thine Arm and hast gathered a Remnant of those that were scattered and art yet gathering them and bringing them to thy self those that have been driven away and thou hast made known thy power and goodness in the Hearts of the Sons and Daughters of Men that they might love thee That thou mightest beget love to thy self thou hast made known thy love to their Hearts if thou hadst not loved us first we had never loved thee But thou hast been shedding abroad thy love in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost to constrain us to love thee Thy love is manifested to all that are breathing after thee and none do breath after thee but through the Life that thou givest to them and those that were dead in Sins aâ—â— Tâ—esâ—asses hast thou quickned and we wâ—â—◠〈…〉 forth thy Praises and Thanksgivings for the great things that thou hast done for us in Jesus Christ All thy Works praise thee and thy Saints bless thee Holy Father of Life increase and multiply those Graces and holy Desires which thou hast begun to work in us and pluck up every Plant that thy right Hand hath not planted Let spiritual Sodom be burnt up and all that are Corrupt let those things that thou hast planted spring up to the Praise of thy Name and the Salvation of the Souls which thou hast gathered O powerful God of Life let thy blessed Presence and living Fear be among us that all thy Children may offer Praises and the Sacrifices of humble Thanksgivings upon thy Holy Altar Arise O Lord more and more in the greatness of thy Power and dispel the Clouds of Darkness that have been upon the Hearts of the Sons and Daughters of Men and raise up in every one of us more and more holy Desires and Breathings after that Life that is Eternal Those that have been scattered let them be now gathered and let those that have been
have builded up whereby the Glory and favour of God was hid from the Soul we believed this to be true we would have been looked upon as Heires â—â— God 's Kingdom yet when we are come to hearâ—en to the Truth we find that we are Children 〈◊〉 the Devil and do his works shall a Man believe this after he hath been forty years a professor of Christanity If a Man believe Truth there is no danger in believing it tho' it be his own Destruction that is threatned Now the great thing that I would have ushered into the Hearts of Men is that they may believe the Truth for Truths sake If Men will believe the truth they must believe many things against themselves which they are not willing to believe but saith Christ no Man can be my Scholar my Disciple but be denying himself I must deny my self my pretensions to Christianity my supposed Saintship and â—itle to the Kingdom of God now if I would be convinced that I am a wicked Man a prophane Man one that doth not live as becomes the Gospel I must believe truth the Voice of truth being of infallible certainty it is signified Divinely by the immortal Word that cannot deceive us this ought to be the reason why People should believe the Testimony of it tho' it be against themselves they that do so presently come to find the effects of it for they were in their Sins and Trespasses before and so are still they were before in a kind of liberty in a kind of ease and indulgence of themselves and still their Sin remains in them and they remain in it but they are now under a sense of Sorrow under a weight under a Burden under an oppression which signifies they are alive and quickned for if you take an outward comparison they remain not senseless and dead now lay what Load you will upon a dead Man he will neither groan nor grumble at it but if he comes again to life he cryes take off the Burden the weight and oppression that lyes heavy upon me This is the difference between being deaâ— in sins and trespasses and being brought to liâ—â— and sense again this word of life that comâ— from the Mouth of God begets a sense in evâ—ry one that receiveth it it is of great serviâ—â— and use to all People to be acquainted witâ— it that desire to be Heirs of life eternal thaâ— desire to be Inheritors of the Kingdom of God But how should they come by it they thinâ— by this duty and the other duty and this and the other Temporary performance to obtaiâ— it no but if they will have life they muâ—â— have it from the God of life that created them he must Create them again to good works they can have it but by one way all must be brought to it that way it cannot be by hearing a Man preach unless the Spirit doâ—â— cooperate with the word of God there is nâ— possibility of being quickned and necessiâ—â— binds me to hearken and have a regard to the one means Now I say to you saith Chriâ—â— speaking of Peoples way of living to eterniâ—â— Man liveth not by Bread alone but by evâ—â— word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of 〈◊〉 now when we come to understand this 〈◊〉 as spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ we 〈◊〉 conclude there was a possibility of understaâ—â—ing and hearing that inward Voice and Word of Truth in our own Hearts that God did speak to us by his Son Jesus Christ who enlightned us Hereupon Meetings were appointed at first that the Word should minister Life in them and Life to them that attend them and to this Day our Meetings are appointed for this purpose that we may have â—he ministration of Life and Vertue from Christ the Fountain of Life and Vertue by whom we are to be quickned and strengthned and by whom those that are dead in Sins and Trespasses are to be quickned Therefore I would have every one always to have a Reverence to the Word of Life that speaks in themselves for if we speak as we are moved by the Spirit of God and utter those things by verbal Testimony which God hath made known to us if you have not an Oracle in your Bosoms if you do not at the same time perceive an Eccho of Truth in your own Souls this will do you no good but be an empty sound which will pass away again but the Mind that is serious and settled in waiting upon God with an earnest Desire that it may receive Benefit in going to this and the other Meeting such aâ—one will say I pray God bless this opportunity to me that so I may receive Benefit to my Soul Where People meet in this manner they have not only an administration of Doctrin from without from this and the other Instrument but they have a Ministration of the Word of God in â—â—emselves by which a Man liveth Let us not be 〈◊〉 and hurried away with the grand Error of the Times the great Error of this Age and of the Ages by-past that there is no possibility for People to understand and hear this Voice of God this inward Voice There are say they no immediate Teachings now adays no Inspirations now adays they had as well said that there are no Conversions now adays I will prove it from the Holy Scriptures that there is no Man in this Age is like to be converted to God or redeemed from his Iniquity and brought to the knowledge of his Maker unless he have it by the inward Working of the Eternal God Not by Mans Preaching and Instruction nor by reading all the good Sermons that ever were preached without the Co-operation of the holy sanctifying Spirit which begets Life in them that believe and if these Men say none can be Converted then we must all go Headlong to Hell and they and all These Quakers may say what they will there is no immediate Teaching now adays no Man can know the mind of God nor understand the Scriptures none can open theâ— to you But blessed be God this Darkness is râ—moved this Vail is gone over and taken â—way the brightness of the glory of the Goâ—pel hath expell'd this Darkness and thousanâ— now adays do not onlâ— hear the Minister reprove them but they â—eâ— a Voice within that doth reprove them 〈◊〉 â—â—iquity and they find and feel a Judgment and Tribunal within themselves and that God hath an immediate way of Counselling and Instructing them if they will hearken to him You that are under any sense of this that are come to such an inward sense of the operation of the Word of God if you have heard it reprove you exhort you judge you and condemn you consider that this Word proceeded out of the Mouth of God and not out of the Mouth of any Man You hear the sentence of God upon you in your own Consciences Whence comes it This is out of the Mouth of God Every Word that comes
an end of Baptism A Man is hungry and when his Time comes to eat he hath no Victuals yet he sits him down as if he did eat will this feed and nourish him So men now a days they have a Baptism wherewith they are baptized but Baptism with the Holy Ghost and with fire is the right Baptism therefore do not baptize until you find the Holy Ghost this will be far better this is the Baptism that they which come to know it are sure of Salvation by it for by this Baptism they are born up and tinctured in their Souls with the Divine Spirit of Christ Jesus proceeding from the Father and the Son till they receive his Likeness and so die unto Sin As many as were baptized were baptized into Christ's death He openeth it himself in that he died he died unto sin once but in that he liveth he liveth unto God so that they that were baptized were baptized into Christ's Death and you that are dead unto sin how should you live any longer therein These that were baptized lived without Sin can that be true never any lived without Sin but Christ only Yes saith the Apostle you that were free from sin are alive to righteousness their Life stood before in Sin and now that Life is taken away by Baptism and they are alive to Christ and he that liveth he liveth to God â—e that comes to be partaker of the first Resurrection if he live Ten Twenty Forty or an Hundred Years he liveth to God he liveth no more in the Pomps and Vanities of the Woâ—ld and the sinful Lusts of the Flesh but he liveth unto God This Baptism whosoever comes to be baptized with it shall be saved so that we do not deny Baptism But we hear say That you deny the Lord's Supper We had never such a Thought God knows there is nothing that our Souls long after more but people have been making a kind of Work of their own they have lost a Reality and make Shadows as Children do who when they see things made in the House for Service they will make the like in Sand and Clay People do not see what a great thing it is to attain to the Supper of the Lord as things came into an Evangelical Opening they spake then more lively and freshly of things Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man open to me I will come in and sup with him and he with me For the understanding of this Text If you go and examine and search all the Commentators you can find see what the learned Men say of it see if they do not apply this to the Inward Call of the Spirit and Grace of Christ to let him into our Hearts and would one think that those that wrote these things should be against the Spiritual Dispensation of things They say that this knocking at the Door of the Heart signifies the Call of God's Spirit at the Door of the Heart There are two sorts of Sinners that God knocketh at the Door of their Hearts one is a Man that is weary of his Sin for his part he wisheth that he might never sin more As soon as he perceives the Knock and is called upon to let in the Grace of God to help him against Temptation he freely opens his Heart to receive it and saith With all my Heart I will entertain and welcome the Grace of God glad I am that God hath had so much Patience towards me and since God offers his Grace I will embrace this Grace of God above all Pleasures and I will take it into my Heart the Grace of Christ is the greatest Jewel that I know Honest Paul he took this Course and prayeth Lord take away this Tempter here is a Temptation that troubleth me and I am not willing to yield for all the Devil follows me with it He cried unto the Lord and besought him three times earnestly to take away the Temptation And the Lord answers him My grace is sufficient for thee What matter if the Tempter buffet thee and the Temptation trouble thee hast thou not received my Grace into thy Heart thou art a Believer and thy Trust is in me and my Grace is sufficient for thee Let the Tempter do his worst keep thou to the Grace of God and thou wilt withstand and overcome the Temptation when it comes If a Man openeth his Heart and receiveth Christ when he comes then you shall find such an Alteration in that Man that go and carry him the same Temptation which prevailed over him the last Week it will not do with him now tho' he be as weak as Water and as prone to Corruption and Iniquity as before yet now having a Faith begotten in him that the grace of God will defend him he keeps out of the Devils Snares Now this Man trusting in this grace till his Sin and Iniquity be purged out now is the time to spread the Table there is a clean Heart and the Heavenly Guests are now come and the Dainties of the Kingdom are brought to him for his Nourishment Now saith Christ I I will come in and sup with him and my Father also will come and we will sup with him and he with us This never happens to any Body so long as the Table and Heart is foul for the Table must be clean and the Devil and Sin thrown out and then will the Lord confirm and ratify and seal the Covenant so that here is a Seal with a Witness When a Man hath this Testimony of the Love of God that God is reconciled to him in Christ then Christ will come in and he will bring his Father and they will sup with him and this is that which will give compleat satisfaction to such a Soul All the Tongues of Men and Angels are too short to speak of these things as they are in themselves but they are all manifested by the Spirit All the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God are manifested by the Spirit of God now to say there is no Spirit to be regarded now adays that is as much as to say we must never regard the Kingdom of God for no Man can discern the things of God but the Spirit of God no Man can tell what they be As no Man can know the things of a Man buâ— the Spirit of God But I must look to this and the other Form and Mark and Method about them for we can know nothing of the things of God themselves I hope you are all of another Judgment and believe that this is a Trick and Cheat of the wicked one People do find the Spirit and will feel it if they will wait upon the Motions of it I do not only mean when you are here together but when you are separated one from another when you feel the Motions of thiâ— good Spirit embrace them and make them yours This Spirit is a Gift that is given so may a Shilling or a piece of
to do Many have cried secretly what shall we do to be saved For all what we can do cannot save us We have retained this and the other Doctrin follow'd this and the other Way and made many Observations but all this doth not cleanse our Soul nor purge our Consciences from dead Works this will not bring us to the Inheritance of that Immortal Life that will give us satisfaction We hear many speak of Satisfaction and of Joy unspeakable and full of Glory but here is a weight and burthen still lying upon our Souls Therefore my Friends that all such who are brought so far as to be under such a Burden and Oppression that they might be informed and come to understand where the true Rest is and where that Power can be found that is able to answer those tender Desires that are begotten in them for this cause hath the Lord our God communicated and given the Dispensation of the Gospel of his Son unto a Remnant whom he hath sanctified that they might Speak a word in Season to the weary Soul This is not a day to make a mock of Sin this is not a day to make a Covenaâ—â— with â—â—ath and Hell and to resolve to go on in a wicked Life and continue in it all their Days But yet there are a sort of People that desire to have a Word spoken in Season to them when they are weary How many are there in our Age and Generation that one may reckon of this number that are Sinners and overcome by their Lusts and Corruptions and by the Temptations of Satan and his Instruments But they are weary of it it is a burden to their Souls it costs them many a bâ—â—ter Tear many a Sigh and many a sad and sorrowful Thought in secret that they shouâ—â— have a sight of a more excellent Glory and of a better Life than that of their own and yet know not how to get into it My Friends that same Divine Word of Life by which any of the People of the Lord in any Age were ever restored redeemed and purchased again to the Lord That Word of Life must have been at work in their Hearts and hath been at work in them or else â—hou hadst never been so far opened there hath been something that hath unstopped thine Ears that thou might'st hear and the reason of thy Continuance in thy Bonds after thy knowing something that might have freed thee is because thou hast not heartily closed with that which hath begun the Work God bâ— his redeeming Power in the Hearts of them that believe in Christ to raise an inclination in People to seek after the Lord. You know what the Apostle saiâ—â— It is not of us so much as to think a good Thought But this all People will grant is a good Thought when a Sinner thinks of turning to God and leaving his evil Ways if he had Power and Ability and cries out If I knew how to stand against Tempation I would never sin against the Lord more this must be a good Thought in thy Mind How came it there Who is the Author of this Thought you will say This ought to be attribured to the Love of God in Christ that he hath convinced and persuaded us and that tho' there is Sin and Pollution yet he hath not so forsaken us utterly to cast us off he hath sent forth his quickening Spirit that is the Lord from Heaven that he might stir up and quicken People to consider their condition and bring them to a sense of their present State that they may come into a better State than they are in at present If this may be granted that the Spirit of God and the Grace of God is the Author of all these Desires then it will be granted at the same time that every one of you ought to be sensible that such spiritual Desires stirring in you are from the motion and operation of the Spirit of God that hath raised them in your Souls and then I hope you will grant that if you had but joined with that Spirit and with the assistance of that Spirit all things would have been possible thereunto So that here is the first thing that I would have every one satisfied about in their Understandings whether they arâ— totally exempted from any such Touches and Operations of God or no for it is said by some ignorantly That a great part of Mankind have never had any such Divine Workings of the Spirit of God upon them in order to their Conversion therefore it is not in vain for you to consider your state and condition for if you or I or any here be under such Circumstances that they never had nor are ever like to have any such Divine Operations or Touches of the Spirit of Life in order to Conversion then I am sure you and I had better never have been born If you will consider with your selves and lay aside the Disputes of Doctors and Learn'd men you may know the things pertaining to your selves Things relating to others I may let Disputes alone about them but as for things relating to my Salvation I must have a certain Knowledge of them It concerns you my Friends to know within your selves by an infallible Evidence of the Spirit of God whether you have had such Divine Touches Workings and Operations upon your Hearts as have inclin'd you to seek the Lord. I hope I may believ there are none here but have in their Heatrs an Answer I have had such Touches and Operations in me This is great Love from God more than my Tongue can set forth You will be ready to say I have not deserv'd this I have not so behaved my self towardâ— my Maker as to deserve that he should wait upon me and call upon me When wilt thoâ— turn and amend thy Life and hearken to him that made thee When wilt thou leave serving God's Enemy and serve him that is thy rightful Lord So that now this is a greater Aggravation of our Sin to continue in it and yet to have a Belief that God is still waiting upon us and that he hath such a kindness for us as now and then to touch our Hearts by the inward Operation of his Spirit and Grace in order to Conversion Now when this is agreed and Men settle themselves in the belief of this you know what the consequence will be When I consider with my self I that have been under these Workings have been rebellious wicked and disobedient to God yet the Lord is not so angry as utterly to cast me off but is still waiting to be gracious by the Operation of his Spirit to gather me to himself in order to sanctifie me and heal my my Backsliding to cure my Weakness and Infirmities and at the last to save me and make me an Heir of his Eternal Kingdom What is the consequence of this Love Why the next Resolve must be this I will rebel against his Grace and resist
driven away in a cloudy and dark Night be brought to a glorious and blessed Day wherein they may enjoy the Gospel that brings Light to dark Souls that Praises and Thanksgivings may be offered up in thy House for thy Holy Presence with us that we may be fed there when we are assembled together in thy Name accordiâ—â— to thy Promise Continue to 〈◊〉 â—midst of us that living Praises and Thanksgivings may be offered up to thee through Jesus Christ for thou alone art Worthy who art God over all blessed for evermore Amen SERMON II. The Word of God a Christians Life Preached at Grace-Church-street March 14 1687. IT was the Doctrin of the great Master of the Christian Religion the Lord Jesus Christ while he was preaching and publishing and making known the way of Salvation among the Sons and Daughters of Men he then preached and declared That it was not Bread only by which Man lived but by everâ— Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of Goâ— Now the way and means of Mans Preservâ—tion in Life in a living state the Methâ—â— and Course that the God of Heaven doâ—â— open to keep the Sons and Daughters of Meâ— alive is by this Word Every Word 〈◊〉 proceedeth out of the Mouth of God hath a Ministration of Life in it and therefore all that are desirous of the enjoyment of the Immortal Life and of the preserving and encreasing of it they are diligently to wait to be made Partakers of this Divine Ministration Outward Bread is for our outward Preservation but Man is made inward as well as outward he hath a Soul as well as a Body Now Christ to signify to us what the inward Man is nourished and fed by tells us That Man liveth not by Bread only but by every Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God So now in this our day as well as in former Days it hath pleased God to give unto a Remnant an experimental knowledge of the Truth of this that they have been quickned and made alive by the Word of God that is they have heard and felt and tasted of the Word of Life that was with the Father before the World began that hath been divinely ministred to them by the mercy of God through Jesus Christ many that were dead in Sins and Trespasses he hath said unto them Live He hath given unto many an inward sense of their State who sometimes had it not he hath brought many a one to feel sin to b a Burden and an oppressing Load who sometimes before have taken Pleasure and Delight in it This is a great change that is wrought in a Mans Mind that he should come to be loaden with that burthened and oppressed by that which was before â—is Pleasure and Delight yet this great Châ—â—ge hath been wrought in many a Soul by the operation of the word of God of that inward Word that inward Voice when the Lord hath taken Men in hand himself There are many have taken Sinners 〈◊〉 hand and have gone about to convince theâ— and convert them but they were not able to do it but when the Lord hath taken Man in hand himself when his Creator hath undertaken to deal with him himself then the Man cries out I am a Worm and no Man then he cries out under the sense of the judgment of God then he cries out under the indignation of the Lord which he hath kindled by his Sins he cries out for Mercy then he prays for Remission then he wishes that he had never provoked the Lord for the Word that goes out of the Mouth of God hath â— mighty Force and Power upon the Spirit of â— Man so that he is converted and changed â—â— it as the Prophet said of old The Word â—â— God is pure converting the Soul Now where any come to an experimentaâ— knowledge of the Word of the Lord of thâ— inward Voice whereby God speaks to thâ— Sons and Daughters of Men they have râ—ceived thereby an infallible feeling of thâ— own State and Condition this is the firâ—â— Lesson learned by it They come to have certain infallible knowledge of their oâ—â— State and they are sure that they cannot 〈◊〉 deceived for it brings an Evidence with it in their Consciences so that whatsoever this Word of Life signifieth to a Man he hath the knowledge of the same thing evidencing it in his own Conscience as the Apostle saith If our Hearts condemn us God is greater than our Hearts and knoweth all things Now here is a way found out for Men to obtain divine Knowledge by a divine Means for the Lord speaks by his Spirit and if Men come to hearken to that Voice unto that Speaking they perceive readily what it saith unto them The Lord tells People as well now as in former Days what he hath against them and this every one in the Closet of their own Hearts come to understand We read in the Book of Revelations what our Lord Jesus Christ appointed John to write to the seven Churches in Asia that he had a few things against some and many things against others Now that which is the design of our Meetâ—ng when we are Assembled together is that we may know what the Mind and Judgment of God is concerning our Selves How shall we know that unless we ask him and come to wait upon him and enquire at the Oracle of Counsel that God hath appointed in the Bosome of every man For he signifies his mind unto the Children of men by that Light â—nd Grace which Jesus Christ hath Planted in â—hem he hath Enlightned every man that comes â—â—to the world with an undeceiving Light and he hath ministred of his truth and Grace to every man tho' the man be bad and untrue and in the Dark and there be Darkness in him yet the Light shineth in Darkness The Man may be a false Man yet there is true knowledg in him if this false Man harken to the Voice of Truth when the God of Truth signifies what his Mind and Judgment is concerning him and his present State So that here is an opportunity offered and if a Man believe the word of Truth which is administred to his own mind he cannot say such a Man hath deceived him for it is Truth it self which is signified to him which he believeth For the Truth is the object of 〈◊〉 Faith and he believeth it of himself he believeth that while he remains wicked in 〈◊〉 unrenewed state he is out of the Covenant of God and in the high Road to Destruction if he doth not get out of it and return to God and mind his Duty He believeth this and he believeth the Truth It hath been so with many it hath been so with us all this is the firâ—â— kind of Faith and Belief that ever we receive for when Truth signifies to us our fallen state our alinated state when Truth signifies and discovers to us the Partition Wall of Sin and iniquity which we
Corruption that was grown up in thy nature in the time of thy alienation prevails still upon thee contrary to thy Faith and there is no coming to obtain this Baptism but by sinking down into that which will slay thee that which will kill thee But there is such a shifting to save ones Life there are so many twistings and twinings of People to save their Lives that at last they lose them but there are none that could ever find that Life that is Eternal but those that are willing to be given up to the Dead and submit to this Baptism that is by the Holy Ghost and by Fire these only do come to Life they come to the Resurrection for you never knew any that dyed this Death but they rose again it is as impossible for Death to hold any one down that is buried in this Baptism as it was impossible to hold Christ down when he was in the Grave The same power that brought again our Lord Christ from the dead the same power it is that quickens us while we remain in these mortal Bodies after we have sustain'd this Death and Crucifiction But who can believe this Saying for this is a hard saying who can bear it Is it not enough that I am a Believer which makes me a Friend and entitles me to a Community among you and as long as I hold the Truth and profess the Truth I am looked upon as one of your Society This is very true this doth entitle People unto the outward Privivileges of the Church of Christ but there is another inner Court that lies under the Angel's Reed the measuring Reed that is to be measured the Temple is measured and every Worshipper in the Temple is measured there was an outward Court that was for representing the Church of God in general from the particular the outward Court was not measured that the Gentiles might come in the unbaptized People which were never regenerated they might come so far as the outward Court but this did not entitle them to the Privileges of the House of God nor to any Worship or Sacrifice that was accepted upon God's Altar It concerns you and me my Friends to be serious about Matters of this Moment and Importance and not spend your Dayes and as it were speak by rote under an airy Profession though of Truth it self without considering what Progress you have made what benefit you have obtained and whether you are come not only to the shadow of good things to come but to the very Substance of the heavenly things for the comers to the outward worship could never with those Sacrifices they offer'd be made perfect the comers thereunto were not made perfect as to things pertaining to the conscience speaking there of the outward worship Heb. 10.1 but coming to the heavenly things whereof the other were but a shadow they made People perfect as to the Conscience and did bring them to Salvation The Apostle alludes to this Baptism for he speaks in a Figure of the Eight persons that were saved in Noah 's ark then he brings down the Allegory to Christian Baptism not only to the Baptism of John the fore-runner of Christ that preached of Christ but to the Christian Baptism it self by the like figure whereof baptism now saveth us saith the Apostle not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good Conscience What doth he mean by Baptism saving us He means the answer of a good Conscience towards God through the resurrection of Christ from the dead so that Christian Baptism did bring along with it the cleansing and putting away of all sin out of the conscience that might bring them under Doubts and Scruples and then there is an arising of Jesus the Saviour in the Conscience the Mediator that brought them to answer for them in the Sight of God for if People be conscious of Sin and do leave off their Sin this doth not yet cleanse the Conscience for there still remains a Conscience of Sin 't is not the leaving off our Sin that makes our Attonement with God or that expiates our Guilt or doth away the Guilt of the Sins that we have committed but there must be a forsaking and a leaving off Sin by the Vertue and Power of the Spirit by which we are enabled not only to leave off Sin but are guided and directed to the Mediator whose blood alone reconcileth us to God and cleanseth us from all sin If I should never commit a sin while I live it is not this simply in it self that will make me have the answer of a good Conscience in the sight of God for there remains the guilt of sin contracted in the Days of unbelief which is a bar and hinderance that none can approach the Holy God but in the attonement and Salvation that comes by Jesus Christ for all that believe and obey the Gospel are accepted in Christ and upon the account of Christs precious Blood that cleanseth us from all sin and unrighteousness Whom doth it cleanse those only that forsake their sins and by his power are brought to a holy life they by the vertue of his power and the cleansing of his Blood come to have their former sins removed from them as far as the East is from the West But what is this to them that remain in their Sins what is this to them that are not baptised for the dead that have not put off the old Man nor put on the new Man but have only put on the name and profession of Christ and put on the outside of him his Garment but have not put him on they are not Created again in Christ Jesus unto good works that they might walk in them no wonder there remains a conscience of sin in them there is a Bar that hinders them from the sight of the glory of God and from real and true satisfaction concerning their attonement and reconcilation with God and this hinders them from the enjoyment of that peace that passeth understanding and it is no wonder because they are not come to this baptism that brings the answer of a good conscience in the sight of God they are not risen with Christ how should they for they are not buryed with him Rom. 6.3 know ye not that so many of us saith the Apostle as were baptised into Christ were baptised into his death therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life here is a change figured out between them that had partaken of the spiritual baptism and were come again to the participation of life in the resurrection of Christ Jesus and those that were not baptized So it is now with every one that cometh to believe the truth and maketh a profession of it there is a way cast up and there is a door opened for salvation
know it they are not ignorant of one another's Names that are written in this Book they have a Fellowship that no body can declare their Communion is in that Bread and that Cup This is a Cup of Blessing indeed and this hath blessed us and will bless us God will preserve a People in this Fellowship You that are at a distance now you must come nearer to him God will chuse a People by whom his Name shall be magnified Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts we cannot but desire this for all especially for the houshold of faith we cannot but desire their Perfection their growing up in the Grace of God that they might come to be partakers of Heaven And in the next Place our Love is to all People every where we would be glad that all were saved they that despise us when we are speaking of Heavenly things speaking like a Child like a stammering Child speaking of the glorious Excellencies of God of the loving kindness of God speaking of those things which God hath spoken to our Souls they that despise these things we would be glad that they might be saved If they were partakers of these things they would be glad as well as we and they would be more really happy in respect of this World for the Time that they are to live here they would live a happier Life even in this World and they would have everlasting life in the world to come The love of Christ constrains men thus to judge that every one that hath received like precious faith ought to answer that Grace and Faith which God hath ministred to them in a holy Life and Conversation and every one who is a stranger to this thing ought to be of an enquiring Mind and an open Heart to wait for the Day when God will visit them with the same Grace when you give up your selves to a daily Cross as Christ's Disciples you will not be running after any one to teach you to know the Lord for you will all know the Lord from the least to the greatest I that have been but a little convinc'd shall I know the Lord Thou shalt know the Lord thou that art dead in thy sins and trespasses thou that hast not known the Blood of cleansing thou shalt know the Lord to be thy Judge and thy Law-giver to teach thee how thou must live walk and act and is not that a good knowledg This is the way they reckoned upon in old Time it is a notable Expression The Lord is our Judge there is the beginning he began there Judgment began at the house of God those he brings into his House he brings them under the Discipline of his House The Lord is our judge he is our king and law-giver and he will save us this same Exercise of Discipline under Judgment brought to them the Faith and Experience of his being their Law-giver and this brought them to a Faith of the last Sentence we shall be saved and the Lord answers such a People That he will bring salvation to them Salvation shall be for walls and bulwarks Did the People of this Nation but know Salvation was brought near to them and that it was their Bulwark there would not be a crying up this and the other rotten thing for a Bulwark We talk of a Bulwark as well as others we have a Bulwark blessed be the God of Heaven made of better Stuff than theirs for it is the Salvation of God which hath kept us from the Pollution of Sin and from a running into all excess and riot that others have run into it hath kept us from the Evil it hath kept Evils out of us and we have found that certainly true That all things work together for good to them that love God and fear God that all the Providences of God together they have all wrought for our good and this is the Bulwork that we have trusted in and it hath served hitherto and it will serve us and our Posterity to the end of the World This is a Bulwark that will never be stormed that will never be thrown down nor laid waste Though all the Powers on Earth and all the Potentates in this World should agree together they shall not prevail against it we have salvation for walls and bulwarks if I be within these Walls Salvation is round about me If I am got into this eternal Bulwark I am safe from the Devil and his Instruments here is a Bulwark to be relied upon Many wonder we differ with them in some Opinions we have that Confidence in this Bulwark that we desire not another God will last and abide for ever so will this Bulwark all the care that I take and all the care that you should take is to keep within these Walls Do not sally out if you go out the the Devil is watching and seeking continually whom he may devour he will catch Straglers if that People will go out for Profit or for Pleasure or Interest the Devil will catch them What such People talk of Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks the Devil hath got them in his Snare and they are caught in Drunkenness Uncleanness and other Sins the reason is they have gone out of their Bulwark they have sallyed out of their Walls for the Devil could never have fetched them out O take heed says the Apostle lest there spring up in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God as if he had said You are Christians now you are a People come to a good estate in Christ but consider you have no strength to stand but in him no Power to keep your selves but in him Take heed at all times that there spring not up in you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God take heed lest there spring up in you such a Thought as this I may take this Pleasure and the other Profit Consider that thou diest and witherest if thou depart from the living God take heed of taking Liberty above the fear of God It is not our talk of Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks that will do us good but our keeping within these Walls I remember a notable Saying of the Apostle which hath a great Emphasis in it and a great deal of Doctrin he writeth to the Church after they were become a People of professing Christians Take heed lest you come to be beguiled by the serpent as he beguiled Eve he did not speak of Jezabel a wicked Woman but he spoke of Eve a good Woman created after the image of God in righteousness and holiness They were come to a Life of Sanctification to a Life that was hidden from ages and generations You must look to your selves and look upon your selves as in the state of your Mother Eve a Woman brought forth in Righteousness and Holiness that might have stood in that Primitive state notwithstanding all the Subtilty of all the Serpents
Nations of Europe now inhabited with such a People that are calling upon the Name of the Lord but every one worshipping their own Gods one makes Gold and Silver his God another makes his Pleasure his God another his Honour another this that and the other Lust and they bow down to them that is they yield themselves to their Lusts concupisence and corruptions that they stand in unity with but they call upon the Name of the Lord too they do apply themselves to some kind of form of worship which they say is unto the immortal and invisible God but alas they come not to the Knowledge of God by this All that the Priests could do that the King of Assyria sent back they brought not the Samaritans to the Knowledge of the God of Israel they only brought them to a Report of such a God that had set up such a Law They had the Report of it and for fear that the Lions should tear them in pieces they would enter into that Form but they worshipped their own Gods still So it is now People do not come to the Knowledge of the true God the living God by entring into any Form of Religion for instance Prayer Hearing or any Ordinance or Church-Fellowship these give give not Men the Knowledge of God there is but one way to come to that but only one Men have found a great many it is past your Skill and mine to reckon up the many ways that Men have found out upon the Face of the Earth how they might come to the Knowledg of God and to Peace and Reconciliation with him but they have only play'd the Fools and spent their Time in vain especially they that own the Scriptures of Truth to be a true and faithful Record of the Mind and Will of God they play the Fool abominably for the Scripture that they give so much Reputation to in their Profession doth testifie the way is but one and there is no other way for People to be reconciled to God than by coming in to Christ to be found in him to be regenerated and born into his Nature and have his Qualities put upon them That as he was pure they may be pure that 〈◊〉 that sanctifieth and they being sanctified 〈◊〉 him may become both one and so be recâ—â—ciled to the father through him This you know is the common Profession of Christendom or at least of our Nation And in other Nations the common Profession is There is no Mediator but one no Reconciler but one Indeed some others hold there may be other Mediators and that there are others that may contribute to them by their Mediation and by their Prayers and Merits but the generality of the Nation are otherwise Now for People to fall out and say my way is best and thy way is not best and to fall into Contests about many ways when the Scripture concludes but one Way is not well We were better all agree about this Doctrin That there is no possibility of Reconciliation with God since we are fallen out with him and since Sin hath made a separation there is no way of being reconciled again to God but by and through our Lord Jesus Christ nor by him neither unless we receive of his Spirit to quicken us nothing can quicken us enliven us or recommend us to God but the Spirit of Christ operating and working in our Hearts that he may prepare us for the Father's Kingdom If People would agree upon this there would be an end of all Labour and Toyl and Jangling about the right way for the Consequence and Conclusion would be thus That Man that doth not know in himself the â—anctifying Power of the Spirit of Christ Jesus he is out of the way to Reconciliation with God let his Form and Profession be what it will If therefore he be reconciled to God it must be by and through the Mediator and he will never recommend him to the Father till he hath made him a Temple to let in the Spirit of Christ to work in his Heart to fit him for the Kingdom of God And Men have no other way to come to it for though they be zealous in every Prayer and Form it signifies nothing to any great purpose their Hope will be frustrated There is no other way saith Christ of coming to the father but by me I am the way the truth and the life If I am out of the Truth I am out of the way and if I am out of the way then I cannot come to the end of the Way This is plain reasoning among Men If I tell a Lie that is out of the Truth If I have vain Communication or deceive or wrong my Neighbour that is out of Truth what is manifest in my Conscience to be contrary to the Truth if I am in it I am out of the way though I be strict in the way as to Profession yet I am out of the Way to God I am out of the Truth there is no way to God but by Christ who is the Way the Truth and the Life whoever is out of him is out of the Way which made the Apostle say That his labour endeavour and desire was that he might be found in Christ not having his own righteousness but having on the righteousness of Christ Jesus Many Men think to recommend themselves to God by their righteous just and honest Dealings and doing Wrong to no Body This is good in it self but doth not recommend us to God unless it be done by the righteous and holy Spirit of Christ Jesus unless it be of his Working he must have the working of Righteousness and Truth in us he must plant it and it must grow by his working if it be acceptable to the Father for without me saith Christ you can do nothing A Man out of Christ a Stranger to his Spirit may do something but nothing available to the well-being of his Soul till he have Reconciliation by Christ Jesus If he be reconciled to God this Mediator must be the Reconciler and he must fit and prepare him for Reconciliation with the Father All the Divisions Sorts and Sects of Religion they all come to an end if this Measuring Line be laid to them they all appear too short and there is nothing will do a Man good but that Religion that obligeth and tyes him to the good Pleasure of God through the Spirit of the Mediator which he feels working in him by which he is raised from Death to some degree of Life When he is sensible what a Burthen sin is to his Life and that godly Life which he hath is burthened with every Sin and oppressed with every vain Thought and every vain Word If he be not in some measure quickned 〈◊〉 â—ot sensible of this Burthen but being quickned he is sensible of the Burthen that lies upon his Life by reason of his Sin and then being under the Weight of his Sin he calls to God
â—s will this is Gods will that none should â—â—sh but that all should come to repentance and be eternally saved Now in this work of your salvation we would have regard to him that sent us to Preach the Everlasting Gospel and we would discharge our selves faithfully and be made manifest in your Consciences that the benefits of the Gospel might come to be yours that you might answer the purpose of God in sending Christ to be the Saviour of Mankind you must turn from Sin to God and then you will find the blessing that comes by Jesus which it to turn every one from his evil way You may read this in a Book and you may also plainly read it iâ— your Hearts The Lord Jesus Christ hath given you Light to distinguish between good and evil if you do good you may make a comfortable reflectionâ— upon your selves and this will be your rejoycing the testimony of your Conscience on thaâ— account buâ— if you do evil though all Men do justifie you and commend you yet you will be condemned in your selves so that you have that in your selves which distinguisheth between things that differ in their nature and kind and you have a litle enlightening by the knowledg and understanding you have received concerning the things that are pleasing and displeasing to God if after yoâ— know this you will go on in a way displeasinâ— to God he will at length be too hard for yoâ— and plunge you down into the Abyss of 〈◊〉 Wâ—at â—to all Eternity After Persons are satisfied and enlighten 〈◊〉 with the Light of Christ and come to the Eâ—perience of things in themselves they will love the Light and Walk in the Light but there are many in this Age that have read the Scriptures plentifully and yet still go on in a way of Sin they cannot love the Light that reproves them He that doth evil he hates the Light and the Dawning of the Day is as the shadow of Death to him and it brings nothing but condemnation upon such Persons so that they do not love the Light though it is evident they have it and enjoy it and it shall be their condemnation whether they will or no if they do not love the Light and embrace it it will never be to their Salvation God hath given Christ to be a Light to the Gentilâ—s and his Salvation to the ends of the Earth He is the Light that enlightens every Man that comes into the World the Apostle John tells you the genealogy of the Word of God In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God and the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made in him was Life and the Life was the Light of Men The Life of the Eternal Word was the Light of Men What Men do you mean I answer He is the true Light that lighteth every Man â—â—at cometh into the World He extendeth â—is Light to every Man but it is condemnaâ—â—on to every Man so long as he continues to be a sinner against God This is the condemnation that Light is come into the World and Men love darkness rather than Light because their deeds are evil Now all Men â—re by nature dead in Sins and Trespasses 〈◊〉 our first Parents fell into Sin they were dead to God in the Day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt die when they had eaten the forbidâ—â—n fruit they did not die as to outward appearance but they died as to that Communion they had with their Maker in this dead state lye all the Sons and Daughters of Adam but as our Saviour speaks though they be dead they shall live again Christ is Lord from Heaven a Quickening Spirit this is the object of our Faith that hath been extended and offered to Mankind ever since the fall there is no name undâ—r Heaven no other Power or Spirit by which a Man can be saved this great Mediator the Eternal Son of God is the Light that lighteth every Man that coâ—â—â—h into the World Faith in Christ is the same that ever it was notwithstanding the many forms of Worship among the Sons of Men some of Gods setting up and some of Mens setting up yet among all these the object of Faith is the same and Faith the same In the 11th Chapter of the Hebrews That little Book of Martyrs the Apostle there giveâ— you a Catalogue of the mighty things 〈◊〉 have been done by the Faith of Gods Peopâ—â— he begins with Abel By Faith Abel offereâ— more excellent Sacrifice than Cain by which 〈◊〉 obtained witness that he was Righteous 〈◊〉 testifying of his Gifts and by it he being dead yet Speaketh by Faith Enoch was translated that he should not see Death â—nd was not found because God translated him 〈◊〉 before his translation he had this Testimony that he pleased God and so the Apostle there goes to Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph and Moses And what shall I say more saith he for the time would fail â—e to tell of Gideon and of Barak and of Sampson and Jeptha of David Samuel and of the Prophets who through Faith subdued Kingdoms wrought Righteousness obtained promises stopped the Mouths of Lionâ— quenched the violence of Fire escaped the Edge of the Sword out of weakness were made strong turned to flight the Armies of the Aliens All these great and noble things were done by Faith it was the aspect their Souls had upon Christ the Mediator between God and Man it was their trust and reliance upon God through Christ the Mediator that did suâ—â—ort and uphold them in all they did and suffered This Faith is still the same There are many Faiths in the World beside but they will prove but the Faith of Hypocrites Some have a Faith that if they do this and the other Work they say you may trust your Souls upon these good Works but this 〈◊〉 not the Faith of Abraham the Father of the â—â—â—â—hful But some called Christians are gone 〈◊〉 â—ar in the Doctrine of merits that they â—â—ok they can do enough for their own Salvaâ—â—on and for their Friends and Râ—â—â—tions too that there may be more Merit still over and above that others may have Benefit by the Merit of their Works of Supâ—â—â—â—gation Bâ—t this is not the Faith of Abraâ—â—â— and other Saints by which they wrought such Wonders in the World I would not have Men trust at all in their own Works 〈◊〉 Salvation but trust in Christ alone who is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him But some will object We are taught the Doctrine of Faith in Christ and Justificatiâ—â— by him Well for my part my Tongue shall as soon drop out of my Mouth 〈◊〉 opâ—ose the Doctrine of being justified by Faith in Christ But let me tell you this may be misapplied If a Mâ—n believe that he is justified by Faith in Christ