of Antichrist so then the question is Where is this Spirituall Unction alas it is an hard thing for blinde natural men to know but yet as the Ambassador of Persia said Quot Senatores tot reges so where you see a company of Christians Quot Christiani tot reges so many Kings Priests and Prophets Psal 45.16 the children of the New Testament shall be answerable to the Fathers of the Old and shall be endued with suitable graces they are Princes in what part of the World soever they are Princes judging of things in difference indued with a Princely spirit to overcome the World and Sathan and their own Corruptions they have a Priestly Office to pray and instruct to sacrifice themselves and their Families to God c. therefore if you find such a company verily there is the Church of God and let not the Separatists say you have prophane persons among you We say though they be amongst us yet they are not of us and therefore that hinders us not from being the Church therefore whither should we go to seek the Church but where this Unction is Vse 3 For all you that have received this Unction it is not for Kings and Princes to be digging in the earth it is not for Priests and Prophets to be ignorant and blinde and dumbe 1 Cor. 6.1 to 7. Paul is confident that the meanest Christian is a Judge What a shame is it for a Christian at every temptation to be carried Captive What a shame is it for Kings to soyl and besmut themselves for Saul to cast away his shield was a vile dishonour so for Christians to be soyled and carried away with every temptation for you to cast away your shield as if you had not been annoynted is a great dishonour It becomes Christians to fight like Princes and to be victorious and to judge like Kings so walk as Priests of the high God know how to pray how to instruct your Families how to offer all your wayes to God all your Families you are not to be only holy day Priests but daily Priests Vse 4 It may teach every Christian that stands in need of healing or suppleing your stiff spirits you need balme and oyle for healing the wounds of your souls and suppleing and softning your stiff spirits why here is an unction that will heal thy wounds and soften thy heart intreat God that he would shed abroad his spirit into thy heart that he would heale thy spirit soften thy heart and chear thy soule look up to the holy one he is able to powre floods of consolation on thee and establish thy soul in peace do wee find our spirits hard and stiff and bound our spirits very straight and stand in need of a great deal of alacrity why yet this spirituall unction will so inlarge thee and supple thee that thou shalt find thy selfe helped and quickned that thou mayest do things not weakly but with power and life so if we find corruptions so strong that we know not how to overmaster them there is an unction from this holy one able to strengthen us against them intreat God therefore to power it down upon thy soul so doe you want power and life in Gods ordinances why in any need look up to him Vse 5 Here is a ground of much consolation that God is pleased to bestow such a mercy such a blessing as this upon us how are we bound to Christ that is pleased to annoynt us with the same oyntment wherewith himselfe was anoynted it is a ground of much consolation Christians are often called to great imployments which if they look on themselves they see themselves altogether unfit for such as Moses said send by whom thou wilt send but is not this unction able to make us Kings and Priests we know where to find supply and if God call us to more imployments that is our comfort that we have an unction which is able to fit us for every work and imployment God shall call us to Vse 6 Of exhortation to every Christian not to rest contented in an empty name of Christianity â—â—ll you get this spirituall unction rest not in any known strength but what you receive by this spirit otherwise you shall find much want of help Matth. 25.1 to 10. the wife Virgins had their oyle continually ready and prepared whensoever Christ came but the foolish Virgins some oyle they had some common gifts and graces but they were spent and it was too late to seek for oyle when the Bridegroome came so do not only hear the Word but labour to find some oyle dropt into your souls that so in stormes you may find the life and comfort of the spirit 1 JOHN 2.20 But ye have an unction from the holy one and ye know all things IN these words the Apostle prescribes a means to preserve them against seducements and the first means is the unction they had received from the holy one which is a comparison from the legall oyntment this spirit of Grace should be as an Antidote against all Antichrists Now we come to speak of the vertue of this unction Doct. The little Children of God by vertue of the oyntment of the spirit of Grace they know all things So Verse 27. so that there is an abiding oyntment and so sufficient that they need not be taught more or better things than it will teach them For Explication 1 Consider the subject yee know all things This universality of Christian knowledge is amplified by the subject yee know all things 1 For the desire of their hearts they desire to know all things necessary to salvation Acts 10.33 this is the frame and disposition of a converted heart to know all things and so great is the desire of Gods Children to know this that they desire to know those things that are most against them 1 Sam. 3.17 Eli knowing by Samuels lingring that he had some terrible message yet he would know it and urged him by a curse to declare it and when he had told him yet saith he Good is the Word of the Lord so that a godly heart desires to know all the Will of God especially if it belongs to him though it be never so bitter it is contrary with a carnall heart few are willing to know all things especially if they be against them and crosse their lusts they would not know it so Mark 6.12 in Herod so Isa 13.10 they were men of that frame that would have the Prophet speak pleasing things Mal. 2.11 2 As in their desire so in the preparation of their hearts they know it so that if God reveal his Will at any time they have hearts ready to hear it and apprehend it better Joh. 10.4 5. there is a vertue in them whereby they discern betwixt the truth of Christ and false Doctrin so the noble Bereans were more noble because they received the truth with all readinesse and fear Acts 17.11 12. they searched the Scriptures so
require this the Apostle cals a shew of Religion which is hypocrisie and so at this day among the Fryars they have a shew of Religion they take up worships which God doth dot require of which it may be said Who required those things of you the Galatians did observe dayes and months and years therefore the Apostle is afraid that he hath bestowed his labour in vain upon them Chap. 4.10 11. 3. What was the spirit of their discipline and government they did affect primacy the Apostles were no sooner removed out of the world but this spirit began to spring up yea while some of them lived John 3.9 2. That that spirit did affect and exercise tyranny casting out of the Church such Ministers as were more faithful 3 Epist John 9.10 Diotrephes would not receive John himselfe nor his brethren nor would suffer those that would that spirit hath been in the Church of Rome from that day to this A second part of their tyranny was in imposing upon them unprofitable courses unprofitable they were because they did perish in the using Col. 2.20 to 22. 3. There was a spirit of coveteousnesse in Ministers they did not savour the things of God but did relish wealth and ambition Jude 11. they follow the wayes of sin as Cain did In Cain there was first hypocrisie he offers a sacrifice and when he saw his brothers sacrifice accepted being offered in faith and his not there arose in him a spirit of wrath which ended in bloudshed such was the spirit of Popery in Queen Maries days Some walk in the wayes of Balaam the wayes of coveteousnesse putting stumbling blocks before the people and that for covetousnesse sake Thirdly some have the gainsaying spirit of Korah they gainsay the Ordinances of God like as he rose up against Mâ—ses and Aaron this spirit breathing in Antichristian teachers at this day was hatched in the Apostles time There was a spirit of Schism in the Apostles time some saying I am of Paul and I of Apollo c. 1 Cor. 1.12 and so at this time among the Papists Jude v. 19. Vse 1. See the diligence of Satan to sow tares even in the Apostles times therefore Ministers should watch diligently over their people that no such spirit be sown in their hearts Satan will creep in by dissension the affections being once distempered the judgement will soon be corrupted Wherefore Ministers and people should have a speciall care of dissension for if dissension creep in then soon will you have your worship shut up and then there will be a wofull wast of Religion 2. See the impudence of Heretiques that dare look God in the face and rise up among his many bright and glorious lights in the Apostles times but let no Christians be discouraged by this but rather the more encouraged to contend and strive for the faith of Christ 3. This should teach Schollars not to take any ancient doctrine for truth till they have examined it Though Peter was blessed for the testimony of Christ one part of the day yet he was sharply reproved the same day trust not any doctrine almost in regard of the antiquity of it for it may be Antichristianism though in the Apostles times 4. If we would be growing up in grace from day to day take we heed of the spirit of Antichrist of taking up the worship which God hath not commanded take we heed of hypocrisie a spirit of Popery a shew of devotion Come we to the Sacrament as if we would receive the power of the Lord Jesus vailed in much simplicity take we heed of the spirit of Cain Balaam and Korah gainsaying the Ordinances of God but walk we stedfastly in that Religion we have received 1 JOHN 4.4 Ye are of God little children and have overcome them because greater is he that is in you then he that is in the world AS you had before in the former Verse a sign of the spirit of teachers so in these Verses you have a sign of the spirit of hearers which is double First Sign taken from victory which good hearers have got of bad teachers a good hearer is not overcome of bad teachers but he soon findes them out and overcomes them and this is argued from a double cause First They are of an higher off-spring then corrupt teachers are Secondly From the strength and excellency of their spirits above the spirits of worldly teachers Greater is he that is in you then he that is in the world False Teachers are set forth 1 By their Originall 2 By their false Doctrine He that knoweth God heareth us there is another sign of good hearers they did hear good teachers on the contrary He that is not of God heareth us not You see here First A difference between good and bad teachers good and bad hearers good teachers and good hearers are of God on the contrary bad teachers and bad hearers are of the World Secondly Here is a combat between good and bad teachers and a victory also Good hearers doe overcome bad teachers Thirdly You have the issue of the conflict good hearers overcome Fourthly The cause of the victory is the divine descent and excellency of their Spirit greater is he that is in good hearers then in bad teachers Fifthly Here is a congratulation little children you are of God Doct. That there is in the Church of God two sorts of teachers and two sorts of hearers some of God some of the world Quest Why are good teachers and good hearers said to be of God Answ 1. They are of God because they are of a divine Originall they are born from on high from the seed of the eternall God John 8.23 I am from above saith Christ and such are those that are regenerate they are descended from God whereas those that have no higher off-spring then flesh and blood are of the world 2. They both savour and relish that doctrine Rom. 8.15 They that are of the Spirit of God savour the things of God such as hold forth the mighty power of God veiled in humane frailties they are of God 3. He that is of God hath a place in the Church of God 1 Cor. 12.28 God sets the members of Christ in the Church this is a work of God ver 18. not any member of Christ but the Lord hath set him in that place as all men in the world cannot fit one member to the body but it would be both unprofitable and burthensome except God joyn it to the body so all the men in the world cannot put one member into the spirituall body except God put it in indeed those that are of the world they have a place in the Church too but yet they are not of the Church they are superfluous humors as Christ speaks of the Pharisees Mat 15.13 As it is never well with the body till the noysome humors be purged out so the Church will never be well till those superfluous humors are cut off Vse This
gives them such unfeigned humiliation and broken-heartednesse and such castisements that they recover themselves that all the World may see neither doth the church allow it nor God but as they were patterns of sin so they shall be patterns of Repentance 2 Sam. 12 11 if David doe fall into scandalous sins God will follow him with such chastisements that God will manifest he is no approver of such courses and David himself shall proclaim that he repents unfeignedly so that he was not so carefull before to cover it as he is now to divulge it and declare that it was the cause of bitter anguish to him so that neither God nor the church nor themselves approve of their sin but are against it Vse 3. It may teach Gods servants to make an holy use of other mens falls Dost thou see Professors fall into loose wicked courses and give no testimony of their repentance why God hereby would manifest that thou art sincere and upright God hereby prevents thy mis-leading by their evill counsell or practise blesse God that hereby he purifies his Ordinances and wipes away the soyle of his church he wipes their face by casting out such and especially make this use Be not high minded but fear fear that God that is able to cast men from one sin into another Isa 6.2 3. Why did the Angel there sing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Holy Holy Holy c. why because he was to send the Prophet on a Message to harden the wicked and make their hearts fat Vse 4. To exhort all in a speciall manner to take heed of Hypocrisie if we take up a course of Religion and good duties at home and abroad we think that God will be mercifull to us but let us see that what we doe we doe in spirit and in truth Heb. 12.13 Lev. 10.3 God will certainly discover us scarce ever any lived that dyed in Hypocrisie but he was uncased before his death there is nothing so secret but it shall be revealed Hypocrisie must be manifest to all men though there were good hopes of them yet God washes off the spots of his church and not only at the last day but in this World therefore let it not suffice you to live in the church for you may be as ill Humours and so annoy the church of God and it will be well that you be cast out or at the best though you be ornaments and supporters to the church yet you are but as glasse eyes and wooden leggs why God may stay long for the good of his church but certainly he will lay you open to some corrupt Doctrine or way that you shall be manifest 2 Tim. 3.9 why vers fifth he tells you what they were They had a form of godlinesse c implying it is a mad course to be an Hypocrite for by his outward profession he gets the ill will of wicked men and for want of sincerity he gets the ill will of God There are sundry signs of this Hypocrisie 1 If thou findest in thy self an hatred of admonition Mat. 14.4 Herod was impatient of admonition therefore he put John in prison and thereby manifested his hypocrisie 2 If thou beest given to praise wicked men and accompany with them Prov. 13.20 Prov. 28.4 that is a fore-runner of forsaking of the Law 3 When a man makes no conscience of his tongue but lets his tongue run at random to passion oc rayling or slandering Jam. 1.26 4. If you see any man living in any known sin and delighting in it it is such a link as the Devil will chain him fast by 5 When a man shall make use of Religon to any other end than for Gods glory if you make Religion a stalking-horse to your own ends certainly you will fall off Joh. 6.26.60.66 those that followed Christ for the Loaves not one of them continued with him 2 King 10.29 Acts 8.17 to 23. When Simon Magus would make use of Spiritual gifts to get money he was in the gall of bitternesse and bond of iniquity his heart was not right therefore as you desire to have fellowship with God be sincere and upright 1 JOHN 2.20 But ye have an Vnction from the holy one and know all things THe Apostle having instructed little Children that Antichrist would come and described him vers 18 19. in this verse and the next he propounds some means to help them 1 An Unction within themselves whereby they know all their seducements and snares vers 20 21. 2 The second means is from the corrupt and false doctrin of these Teachers who is Antichrist but he that denies the Son whose doctrin perverted that unction which they had received vers 22 23. In the first means observe 1 A benefit received an Unction 2 The Author from Christ 3 The vertue of it whereby you know all things you know the truth and that no lye is of the truth To begin with the first the benefit Ye have an Vnction Doct. There is not the least of the Children of God but they are partakers of an Oyntment of Christ you little Children have it Vers 27. There were three sorts of Functions in the Old Testament into which they were instituted by Oyntment Kings Priests and Prophets Kings 1 Sam. 13.10 11. so Priests Exod. 29.7 so Prophets 1 King 19.16 now Christ being ordained to be King Priest and Prophet therefore he is called the Anoynted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joh. 12.15 Luke 1.32 33. Heb. 6.20 Heb. 7.24 Acts 3.22 23. all other Unctions were but types of him therefore he is said to be annoynted with the oyl of gladnesse above his fellows Psal 45.7 he was not only gladded himselfe but all the ends of the earth were made glad by him therefore he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 now because he was not a type but the person typified he was not anyonted with material oyl but with the Spirit of God which is the true Unction Acts 10.38 Luke 4.18 Dan. 9.24 hence called Messiah in Hebrew the same with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek from this Oyntment of Christ we are annoynted by the same Unction as Psal 133. so that spirit which was poured on his head descended to his lowest members 2 Corinth 1.21 22. yea to the skirts of his garments so then we are annoynted by the Spirit Now fitly are we laid to be annoynted by the Spirit as it were by Oyl in a Four fold respect 1 As Oyl hath been used for healing Wounds Luke 10.34 so when the Spirits of men are wounded by the sence of sin God poures in such an Oyl of his Spirit that he heals and binds them up 2 Oyl hath a suppleing softning and lithniâ—g power so Gods Spirit makes us nimble and agile to every good work in the East Countries they used to annoynt Wrestlers and Runners to make them more nimble and quick such use is the Spirit of to make us quick and ready to run the wayes of Gods Commandements Ezek. 36.27
and fight and wrestle against our Spiritual enemies Sin Sathan and the World 3. Oyl cheareth the hearts and countenances of men so the Spirit is an oyl of gladnesse Isa 61.3 so that they are annoynted therewith are no more afraid of Hell or Sathan but walk on cheerfully before God so the graces of Gods Spirit Wisdom makes the face to shine Eccles 8.1 takes away Pride rough looks wanton looks and so smoothes and makes the countenance amiable such a soul is annoynted with the oyl of gladnesse 4. There was an use of Oyl to consecrate all Vessels no Consecration but Oyl was a part of it Exod. 33.23 whether to consecrate Vessels or Officers this use of oyl is in the Spirit of God from him it is that Gods Children are no longer for themselves or the world but consecrated to God and dedicated to him as Kings Priests and Prophets Act. 2.17 Rev. 1.6 so that that Oyntment which was poured on Christ above measure descends to every Member of his Church healing their Wounds softning and suppleing their souls chearing their hearts and countenances and consecrating them to bee Kings Priests and Prophets to God and therefore as Christ was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so every Member of Christ is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 11.26 that is one annoynted so that every childe of God hath in some measure a Kingly Priestly and Propheticall Office 1 Samuell 8.28 Kings were chosen to bee Judges and to fight the Lords Battels why so in some measure every Christian hath a power to judge 1 Cor. 2.15 and fight the Lords Battels such an Unction he hath that whatsoever case he is cald to he hath a spirit of judging and discerning what is good what bad so that he stands not at any mans judgement if it be of matters concerning Salvation God hath given him a regal spirit so Secondly he is able to fight the Lords Battels not against flesh and bloud for they are but typicall and shadowy battels but we fight against Principalities and Powers Ephes 6.12 to 18. and so their wars are farre above Princes Rev. 12.1 these are great Battels with Sathan and the World and our own corruptions 1 Pet. 2.11 so we should all fight the good fight 2 Tim. 4.8 2 As a Priest he performs the Priestly Office which stood partly in praying partly in teaching partly in sacrifycing so God hath given to every Christian a Spirit of Prayer an Teaching Rom. 8.15 Jer. 31 32 33. so also they offer up to God a sacrifice of a broken heart Psal 51.17 a sacrifice of praise a sacrifice of righteousness Psal 4.5 6. Rom. 12.1 2. nay sometimes the Lord gives them to sacrifice whole Towns and Cities unto God as Paul and Peter offered three thousand together he takes them from sin and brings them to God so that they bring in heaps upon heaps to God so that they are not poor Kings and Priests but truly if Christians knew their worth they would not be so discouraged and cast down in respect of the World 3 For Prophets it was their office to Preach and Pray but this was principall they had a speciall revelation of Gods secrets and this is verified of poor Christians he reveals his secrets to them Psal 25.14 Matth. 13.11 so tha◠many a poor Christian is able to discern more than his Minister Apollos wa◠an eloquent man and mighty in the Scripture yet he found Aquilla and Priscilla Tent-makers they were able to instruct him more perfectly Matth 11.25 26 27. the great mysteries of Election Vocation Justification which are hid from the world God reveals these to poor Fisher-men and to Babes and as it was a spirit of prophecy to interpret obscure mysteries so God many times helps poor Christians to see more clearly into Scripture than many great Scholars Rev. 3.18 they have received an Unction from the holy one that is Christ he is often called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 1.95 Psal 16.10 Dan. 9.24 he is the Holy one the Holy head of the Church and from him it is that we receive this Unction Holinesse is that whereby we give God his own due Holinesse is the fulfilling of the first Table righteousnesse of the Second now Christ is called the Holy one because he was set apart not only from all unclean but common uses and dedicated to the Lord. Two things make a thing holy a setting apart from unclean and common uses and dedicating to Spiritual and Holy uses so the Sabbath and the Sacraments are said to be Holy now Christ was properly called the Holy one for no Ordinance so separate from community as Christ nor so wholly dedicate to God as Christ was therefore we see how these little Babes should help themselves against Antichrist as there is an Antichrist so there is a Christ as they have a spirit of seducing so he is an Unction a Box of Oyntment which is able to confirm you and help you against all these Vse 1 Of trial to every Christian whether he be a true Christian or no for he is a Jew that that is one outwardly Rom. 2.27.28 we would think our selves deeply wronged if any should deny us to be Christians why what is a Christian one that is annoynted to be King Priest and Prophet dost not thou know the things that belong to thy peace or heavenly knowledge Dost thou finde that thou canst not warre against thy Spirituall enemies Dost thou finde that thou canst not pray or instruct others and as for judging thou sayest God forbid that I should meddle with other mens matters the secrets of God are not with thee why if it be thus with thee thou maist pretend Christianity but thou hast none in thee but on the contrary if thou knowest how to discern things that differ if thou knowest how to fight the Lords Battels if thou knowest how to pray and instruct others and bring in others if thou beest able to discern the mysteries of God to subdue Sathan the World and thine own heart if it be thus with thee thou art a Christian and thou hast that Unction that will never forsake thee if thou hast received no more then thou hast by thy Book or thy education thou wantest these infused gifts there is never a Christian but he now knows better what Sin is and what Grace is then he did before he is now able to see what he never saw before he knows the Wrath of Christ and the excellency of Gods favour why if thy graces come from this inward annoynting thou art a Christian such a one whose praise is of God and not of man Vse 2 Would you know where the Church is every company saith It is in me the Papists say it is in me and the Separists it is in me the Protestants say it is in neither of you but in me why where you have a Company endued with this holy Oyntment why there the Church is and he that departs from it is
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isa 48.17 and if God undertake to teach us to profit he is able to do more than any other teachers they may teach but they cannot give a dullard wit but God can open our understandlngs and enlarge our hearts with wisdom so that he will clear the object the Medium and the faculty Psal 119.13 I have more understanding then my teachers so vers 97. Vse 1 A ground of singular comfort to any poor Christian that whatsoever is needfull for him expedient for him he hath a teacher every poor Christian hath a Counsellor within him that teacheth him all things and this is better than the Vrim and Thummim and Ephod to counsell at we have an unction which is worth all we have an oracle in our breasts which if we would but rub up would reveal all things to us 2 Here is ground of tryall to all art thou a true Child of God thou mayest know it by thy knowledge dost thou find thy heart prepared to receive Christs voyce and dost thou discern of things that differ and dost thou still think thou knowest nothing is thy knowledge clear particular and effectuall doth God give thee knowledge according to thy calling and present imployment why then certainly thou art a Child of God and hast received an unction from the holy one but if it be contrary with thee thou canst not be assured that thou hast received an unction from the spirit and so the least in Gods Kingdome is greater and hath received more knowledge than thou Vse 3 May teach every Child of God what course to take to get knowledge and use it and increase it if you want knowledge give up thy heart to God labour for that spirituall eye salve that may inlighten thine eyes one dayes teaching in Christs School is able to teach thee more than thou canst learn all thy life time from other teachers if you neglect this though you should spend much time in Schooles and Universities you shall not find so much as the poorest Christian can teach you And for you that have received this unction make use of it it is not for you to hide and smother this light it is for you to consult at this oracle and take heed by all means that you grieve not this spirit by any vanity or sin you cleave unto for then you shall find this oyntment very much straitned and you shall be put to great straights therefore keep your hearts empty and humble hungring after the wayes of God and gladly receive his motions he will be ready to fill empty Vessells and to guide an humble soul in his wayes Lead me O Lord in thy wayes saith David he speaks as a blind man that wants some body to lead him such souls are sensible of their own blindnesse and depend upon God and are ready to walk according to the counsell he gives the Lord will be ready to reveal all things to them necessary and expedient and yet think you stil have need of help but yet take heed of trusting to any motion but what comes from the spirit Vse 4 Here we see of what use it is to consult with Christians in cases of difference 1 Cor 6 1. to 6. for the weakest Christian is more able to discern than the greatest heathenish Phylosophers or Counsellors God doth provide that there shall be some differences in the judgements of his Children but in the main they shall hold no error hurtfull therefore let us search more into this oyntment and labour for it more than ever we never had more need of knowledge than in these dayes and our Children will have more therefore let us labour to establish them and our selves in the truth 1 JOHN 2.21 I have not written unto you because you know not the truth but because yee know it and that no lye is of the truth THese words are an answer to an objection that might arise from the former verse why might they say if we know all things what need you write to us concerning such and such things or thus if we know all things what need you write to us if we know not how can we be said to know all things to this he answers in this vers I write unto you not because you know not the truth c wherein we have the cause of his writing 1 The Negative not for their Ignorance 2 The Positive cause because ye do know and because veruw est Index sui obliqui therefore ye know likewise what is not of the truth that no lye is of the truth Doct. The Apostles writings were rather directed to such as know the truth then such as know not the truth Or thus It is not the ignorance of the truth but rather the knowledge of it that occasioned the Apostles writings Observe all the Apostles writings they were never written to any Country or Town or person that did not know the truth before but they were already brought on to the knowledge of the truth Rom. 15.14 so the Corinths he speaks to them as to a Church of God 1 Cor. 1.1.2 8 9. so Gal. 2 3 4. and chap. 3. so Ephes 4.21 Phil. 1.6 Col. 1.12 13. so the Thessalonians he blessed God for their election 1 Thes 1.9 so Timothy and Titus he writes to them as to his naturall sons in Christ Heb. 6.9.10 11. so the Apostle James chap. 1.2 3. so 1 Pet. 1.2 3 4. so this Apostle St. John I write unto you because you know the truth 2 Epist 1. and third Epistle 2.3 so the Epistles Christ wrote to the seven Churches of Asia he wrote to them as such as knew the truth of Christ and profest his name so that this is an universall truth that not the Ignorance of the truth but the knowledge hath occasioned the Apostles writings Reas 1. From God who hath not sanctified their writings to this end to the conversion of the Gentiles but to their establishment the Apostle here speaks of them that knew the main truth though they were Ignorant of many particular truths if men be converted to the truth and brought to prize Christ and walk in obedience there may be great use of the Apostles writings to establish them in the truth we never reade that they wrote to any Kingdomes where themselves had not been or sent they wrote not to Persia or Spaine or France but to such places as they had been at and if God had sanctified their writings to the conversion of the Gentiles it had been more fit to write to such places where they were not likely to come rather than such places as they came at 1 Cor. 1.2 but we see that God hath so ordered it that men should be called by the foolishnesse of preaching Rom. 10 13 â—4 15 and not of writing it is not his writing to them but he must be sent to them so that the work of conversion is wrought by the preaching of the Gospel Reas 2. From the
still waters of comfort and consolation such a man will goe out conquering and to conquer and in prospering to prosper 2. This should instruct the people of God to search the Scriptures daily that so they may be the better able to try the spirits of their Ministers labour they also to try their own hearts 3. To exhort people to be earnest with God that they may be endued with his Spirit Try the spirits Doct. That the people of God are first 〈◊〉 try the spirits of thâ—â—r Ministers before they trust them they must first try the 〈◊〉 Beloved Try the spirits as if he would take them by 〈…〉 exhort them to try the spirits of their Ministers try how they 〈…〉 whether they do◠〈…〉 mighty power of God in humanâ—â—â—â—ties Def 〈◊〉 not prophesie try all thing◠〈◊〉 laâ—â—â—st that which is good 1 〈…〉 you 〈…〉 your hearts from 〈…〉 Spirit 1. By trying the 〈…〉 â—ut honour upon it 〈◊〉 doth not try a small piece of money but if 〈…〉 a great piece he will try this 2. In so doing you â—â—ll keep your hearts from 〈…〉 â—he Spirit Acts 17 〈…〉 of Berea when they 〈◊〉 heard Pau◠〈◊〉 whom they might have believed if they had known him 〈◊〉 they 〈…〉 the Scriptures daily 〈◊〉 such things as he preached 〈◊〉 so or no finding his doctrine true they believe it and 〈◊〉 of them belived it was not 〈◊〉 counted a Conventicle for them to meet together to see what they could â—â—member of of what they had heard 〈…〉 was it counted any disgrace for great men to be conversant in good dutieâ— What is it 〈…〉 Spirits 〈◊〉 â—heir Ministers They must try the spirit of a mans Person Calling Doctrine Applâ—â—â—ions 1. There mayâ—â— a false spirit of a mans person Matth. 7.15 16. 2. 〈◊〉 spirit of their Callings Christ saith to John and James You know not of what spirit you are Luke 9.55 56. yet they were pillars of â—â—e Church Gal â—â— 9. men of excellent gifts and graces one of them was this John which wrote this Epistle you know not what spirit you are proving of what calling you are of your calling is the same with mine now he tels them That he came not to destroy but to save as for Eliah and Elisha they were Ministers of vengâ—â—â—â—e Ministers of the law they might curse but 〈…〉 seek to save â—ry the spirit of their doctrine for they may be sometimes carryed away with 〈…〉 truth 〈…〉 spirit of errour Mat. 16.16 compared with 〈…〉 receive 〈…〉 the Kingdome of Heaven was he therefore kept from 〈◊〉 No he spake with a 〈◊〉 spirit in the morning 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 spirit in the afternoon he rebuke◠〈◊〉 Master and what saith Christ to him then Get thee behinde me Satan 4. You must try the spirit of â—â—eir application Bad Ministers 〈◊〉 misapply the 〈…〉 â—od they will make 〈◊〉 hearts of 〈…〉 God would not haâ—â— made 〈◊〉 Ezek. 13 2◠〈…〉 mis-apply the Word of God like Job 〈◊〉 47. â— 7 8. they spake from a spirit of truth but not from a spirit of 〈…〉 when you shall see a man to 〈…〉 like courses 〈…〉 apply the prâ—mises but rather 〈…〉 to him and 〈…〉 you may not apply â—â—reatnings to â—â—ounded conscience for 〈…〉 speak a right of God Belieâ—◠〈…〉 Answ 〈◊〉 believe is 〈…〉 of the truth Heb. 11. â—â— 2. To apply 〈…〉 1 John 1.21 3. Wâ—â—ust to it 〈…〉 There are two things in a promise 〈…〉 truth and trust upon the gâ—â—â—â—â—esse Psa◠〈◊〉 â—4 Reas 1. Taken from 〈…〉 of God by the neglect of this duty 1 Kings 20 3◠〈…〉 the Prophet spake whether he spake in the name of the Lord or 〈◊〉 hearkned not to the word of the Prophet therefore a Lyon slew him 1 Kings 13.15 to 25. on the contrary 2. From the danger in regard of the Prophets themselves Matth. 7.15 2 Pet. 1.2 3. Rev. 18.13 Reas 2. From the easinesse of Prophets to delude Gods people 1. Because the 〈◊〉 great store of false Prophets 1 Kings 22.21 22 23. a man is easily deceâ—â—d by a multitude 2. They may delude by their calling many men may think surely their Minister is right 3. From the hyâ—â—crisie of their Ministers Matth. 7.15 They come to you in sheeps cloathing but inwardly are ravening Wolves Vse 1. To refute the Doctrine of the Church of Rome they would keep men in ignorance thinking it to be the Mother of Devotion 2. This 〈◊〉 â—â—ir up all the people of God to search the Scriptures that so they may 〈◊〉 the spirit of their Ministers do not take every thing as true from your Minister because he is your Minister no though he be a man that fears God but try his spirit try every word follow him from first to last if you doe not try the Word you will not trust it so that all that is delivered to you is â—â— water spite upon the ground How shall I try the spirit of our Minister 1. Try them by the Word of God Esa 8.20 acquaint your heart with the Word of God Heb. 5. alt 2. Labour for the oyntment of the Spirit of God 3. Consider whether it make you more conformable to the Word of God or no whether it make you obey the Word of God more carefully then before whether it make you more like to Christ if it work these effects it is the Word of God that is preached Doct. That many false Prophets even in the dayes of St. John the Apostle were gone out into the world There 〈◊〉 severall false Prophets as Ecclesiastical storiâ— relate What is a false Prophet He is not every one that teacheth false doctrine for we know but in part and prophesie but in part 1 Cor. 13.9 to 12. 〈…〉 â—art we may prophesie falsly A false Prophet then is such a one that preacâ—â—h some doctrin that overthroweth the doctrine of the Christian faith when he doth seduce others to believe false doctrine whoâ—â— words fret as a Canker 2 Tim. 2.17 18. 1. When men preach such doctrine as cannot be delivered without peril without damnation except they afterwards repenâ—â— 2 〈◊〉 2.1 2 3. Such are called ravening Wolves â—atth 7.15 they destroy both the souls and bodies of those that believe them they root up the Church of God like wild Boars 2. They seduce others to believe the 〈◊〉 2 Pet. 1.1 2 3. they sell such mens souls for nought 〈◊〉 it 's said They should deceive if 〈◊〉 were possible the very elect 〈◊〉 24.24 3. Such as 〈…〉 of their errours and yet will not yeeld Tit. 3 10 11. such are to be 〈◊〉 being perverted and sin being damned of their own souls a man iâ—â—hen convinced when he will â—light the poiâ—â—â—n which he is convinced and if you hold him to it that he cannot start 〈◊〉 he will fall out with you 〈◊〉 Apostle â—sheth that such men were even cut off Gal. 5.17 〈…〉 only have divisions among Christians that so the spirits of his faitâ—â—es may â—e