have a Pastoral power to dispense the Mysteries of salvation administer the Word and Sacraments Non sequitur it follows not besides teaching and admonishing is either 1. Publick expounding the Oracles of God revealing the whole Councel of God to men for their salvation 2. Private By catechizing our Families conferring with others repeating what men have learned from the Scripture from other good Books and good Preachers advising encouraging reproving comforting as occasion is Ap. And is all this nothing to exercise our zeal upon but that the fire must needs burn besids the hearth the proper place and be upon the house top to destroy the whole building Object 3. But Eldad and Medad Numb 11.27 prophesied in the camp Saul also 1 Sam. 10.9 among the Prophets And Philips daughters Acts 21.9 prophesied i.e. did tell things to come by the instinct of the Spirit not teach in the Church against those prohibitions 1 Cor. 1434. And Amos a Herds-man Amos 14.15 And the Lord said to him Go prophesie c. Peter and others Fisher-men Mat. 4.18 And Paul a Tent-maker did so Acts 18.3 4. Ergo Trades-men may preach if they be gifted but let ours shew such an extraordinary Call and consider that Answ 1. Extraordinary instances must not be brought in as Presidents For if so then false Prophets may expect Asses to reprove them as it befel Balaam Num. 22.28 and Soldiers may make use of Priests Rams horns to scale Walls in a Siege as Josh 6.3 and lamps and pitchers to subdue enemies Judg. 7.16 2. True predictions of future things speaking strange tongues which the Speakers never learned and miraculous cures were the wondrous effects of an extraordinary Calling Ap. Let our Sectaries shew the like Call and the fruits thereof and the Day is theirs we will yield what they desire else not 3. But now none are born Priests or Ministers but admitted by order to that Office and publick imployment We condemn not all Trades-men eo nomine from being orderly admitted into the Ministry in some cases Some mens Parts are too broad for their Callings and some mens Callings for their Parts Parents are sometimes mistaken in the Genius of their Children and sometimes at first do place out their Children and dispose them to what proves not to be suitable with them ☞ These Children dislike betake themselves to learn and study then are approved and orderly admitted such we condemn not but we blame those men 1. That take upon them the Honour and Office of a Minister and Preacher not being called thereunto as was Aaron 2. And despise the regular Ordination of the Church by the imposition of hands 3. That mangle instead of handle the Holy Scriptures with unwashen and unadvised hands 4. That presume they have those gifts and graces of the spirit which indeed they have not 5. That usurp upon the Place and Function of a Minister of the Gospel which they are very unfit for 6. That undervalue the cure of souls which is ars artium saith Gregory a marvellous piece of skil and wisdom 7. Which cross the grave and serious Question of the Apostle 2 Cor. 2.16 But now who are not sufficient Mechanicks are able Minsters and dare exercise ut dicunt per famam populum in great Assemblies to the great dishonour of God prophanation of his Ordinances and scandal of reformed Churches ☞ The good Lord rectifie these things that we may be compleatly shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace Amen The Apostle you know is instructing us concerning the spiritual Warfare of a Christian In which you have the War and the Weapons or the Ability and Art wherewith the War is managed Verses 10 11 12 13. The Armour with which the Conflict and Combate of the same is acted and performed Vers 14 15 16 17 18. The parts or pieces of this Armour are seven 1. a Belt 2. a Breast-plate 3. Shooes 4. a Shield 5. an Helmet 6. a Sword 7. Frayer and Supplication Ap. Of the first three I have spoken and you know how ill this Girdle of Truth doth agree with Falshood and this Breast-plate of Righteousness with the Unrighteousness of men and this preparation of Shooes to profess practise and preach the Gospel doth suit with meer formal Professors and presumptuous intruding Preachers ☞ I do now proceed to the fourth particular viz. A Shield or Buckler which stands in the midst of the rest like the tree of life in the midst of the Garden Gen. 2.9 or a mighty Champion in the midst of an Army which is ushered in with a Preface Above all or principally put off with the Praise and Eulogy of admirable and wonderful effects viz. wherewith ye shall be able to quench c. Exp. In the words are little difficulty yet accept of this Explication 1. Above all i.e. in our account or esteem Whatsoever other Armour defensive or offensive we have or want let us be sure we want not this 2. Above or over all in the first place and principally in reference to all the whole man whom it is ready to defend in every part or all the rest of the Armour of all which it is both defensive of all our other Armour all which the Shield or Buckler is ready to save from harm and comprehensive of all the rest for that it is impossible to be armed her with without Truth and Righteousness and the profession and practise of the Gospel or without hope of salvation of which it is the substance and evidence or the Word of God by which it cometh or Prayer which it produceth to perfection So as that if we have true Faith we have all these in some proportion though each of them also have their proper place in our defence and do mutually concur with this and not one of them can be in sincerity without this Faith 2. Taking the shield or Buckler you may note that these two words are promiscuously and indifferently used one for another for the substance shape Dimensions and use of them with horse and Foot I might acquaint you out of Polysbius Livy and other Authors vid. Mat. Mart. p. 35 15 35 16. ☞ But to let that pass they were Weapons of special defence and use in war and they were made of Gold 1 Kings 10.17 by Solomon or Brass 1 King 14.27 as by Reheboam or Wood 1 Chron. 12.8 wrought by some artificial workman to the use and purpose before named and the word Shield in Scripture is used properly and figuratively in a fourfold sense viz. for a Shield 1. Artificial made by man for a defence of the body against an enemy and so had Goliah 1 Sam. 17.7 and those mentioned 1 Chron. 12.8 and I think all do easily apprehend this 2. Political so Rulers Magistrates and Governours are styled Psalm 47.9 Hos 4.18 signifying that they are or ought to be for defence and protection of the body politick not destruction like the Rump 3. Spiritual against the
so rich powerfull and gracious as cannot be expressed give good things yea and that most excellent gift of all even the holy Spirit to them that ask him as v. 13. This is a great Encouragement And thus much for this second Direction to gain the Spirit viz. Prayer 3. And lastly Obey the Spirit in the Motions and Excitements of it This is the good voyce behind us saying This is the way walk ye in it c. Esay 30.20 21. The Spirit doth this by the Word and faithfull Teachers and this is a special means to keep the Spirit once gained and to continue the Spirit of God with you ☞ Take special care that you neither resist nor grieve nor quench the Spirit Of which see Esay 63.10 Acts 7.51 Eph. 4.30 1 Thess 5.19 The Spirit of God in Scripture is put for either the person the gifts and gracious Endowments and the Motions of the Spirit these Scriptures cited do extend to all the three Only note that the Gifts are of three sorts tending to particular Callings as in Saul 1 Sam. 10.6 c. A Spirit for Government which was lost after a while General graces tending to sà nctification such as Faith in some kind Remorse for sin And joy in the Gospel in some measure Also a tast of the good Word of God Heb. 6.4 5. Ap. But of all these Hymeneus and Alezander made ship-wrack 1 Tim. 1.19 20. Such like the Corn sown upon the Rock Luke 8.6 13 may make a shew for a time but in time of Temptation fall away Cain Judas and Herod c. did look a litlle this way and many others but all came to nothing suddenly There is the Root and Habits of heavenly graces which are in the godly and these cannot be lost the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against them Mat. 16.18 to overthrow them Ap. Now to apply these Gifts qualifying to particular Employments as it was in Saul 1 Sam. 10.6 c. may be lost So also the gifts disposing to Sanctification may be as in Hymeneus and Alexander before-namd And for the best gifts the exercise of them may be intermitted as in David about Vriah As Sense and Reason are in sleep and passion the heat and fervor of Gifts may be abated in some measure as in Ephesus Revel 2.4 Suggestions and particular motions of the Spirit may be repelled And thus although habitus non amittitur Yet Actus intermittitur gradus remittitur as it befals too often to the dear servants of God Therefore to keep our spiritual gifts in Life and Vigor the means are 1. Exercise and Employment 2. Good conscience and holy Obedience 1 Tim. 1.19.3 Humility that conservatrix virtutum Bern. 4. The use of holy Assemblies Heb. 10.25 Neglect no means sanctified to work Establishment These things understood you may easily perceive what it is to grieve resist or quench the Spirit viz. 1. Grieving and vexing the holy Spirit Eph. 4.30 Esay 63.10 doth specially refer to the person of the Spirit to the holy Ghost the third person in the blessed Trinity Not as if he could grieve c. as we do but it is so spoken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to our understanding as weak men that we may know how much it is against him when we by our obstinacy and stubbornnesse our manifold sins and rebellious do inforce him to withdraw himself and comforts from us as Ps 51.12 Restore doth intimate and to make us feel the fruits of his anger as a Father doth with grief behold those evils in his Children for which he must needs though unwillingly correct them instead of embracing them Thus the Spirit is grieved by our sins and Misdemeanors 2. Resisting the holy Spirit as it is charged upon them Acts 7.51 doth specially refer to the Motions of the Spirit which motions and suggestions whether secretly or openly by the Word of God his Messengers or otherwise are obstinately resisted and withstood by wicked and ungodly men and too often in some things by the dear Children of God 3. Quenching the Spiit doth specially refer to the Gifts of the holy Spirit which are as Fire to give Light to our Understanding heat and fervour to our Affections ☜ This sire must not be quenched but maintained as the Fire of the Altar which was never to go out Levit. 6.12 13. neither by violence put out nor by Negligence We must not stop restrain or abate of these gifts and motions of the Use and Degrees or fervour of any of them lest they be lost intermitted or impaired and our selves undone But we must stir them up by all good means ordained to that end as 2 Tim. 1.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Paul advised Timothy neglect the Fire and it will go out of it self the Fewel must be put up together to keep the Fire burning Let us take heed that we neither stop the Motions of the Spirit in our selves nor restrain the gifts thereof in others But rather let us use all good means that this Fire of the Spirit may alwayes be kept burning in us with Zeal for the honour and glory of God till we all appear before and shine in his presence being cloathed with his Eternal and everlasting Glory And thus much for the first and principal meanes of growth and proficiency of encreasing and abounding in good viz. the gaining and keeping of the Spirit the Principle of Life Quest Only thus much more If any shall ask how the Motions of Gods Spirit may be distinguished from diabolical delusions Answ I answer 1. By way of concession It is true that Satanical suggestions are oft subtilly contrived and cunningly coloured For Satan can transform himself into an Angel of Light and that lying spirit dares sometimes to counterfeit the Spirit of Truth 2 Cor. 11.14 ☞ Scarce ever was Heretick so impudent but pretended guidance by the Spirit of God So Anabaptists and others though they despise Authority and Vilifie all Ordinances yet pretend to Instincts and Revelations from the Spirit of God So did Montanus of old for his damned Errours of Whoredom Incest c. for he affirm'd himself to be the holy Spirit But for distinction betwixt these suggestions I answer To the Law and Testimony Esay 8.20 let that be your Rule if they speak not according to it c. see Deut. 13.1 2 3. of lying Wonders all must be suitable with the Word Expect not extraordinary Inspiration that is ceased God deals not now as formerly but by his Word Revel 22.11 which must not be added to or impaired but carefully observed by us If the suggestions be to any evil thing in the whole kind or by circumstance it is no divine motion but either a concupiscential phantasie James 1.14 Or a diabolical delusion as it was in Judas Joh. 13.2 If any motions lead us beyond our Callings or measure of Gifts be we jealous of them our Rule is to be wise to sobriety Rom. 12.6 and not to meddle with things
be overtaken in a fault c. Yea and bear ye one anothers burthens c. For if any man think himself to be something when he is nothing he deceives himself We should be tender in such cases and moderate severity Salsedinem correptionis amor Christi temporet Dilectionem proximi Sal justitiae condiat Let the love of Christ and of our Neighbour temper and season the sharpness of Reproof and punishment for it may be our owne case and nothing should incline us to mercy more then proprii periculi cogitatio that we are in danger of the same non ignara mali c. could Dido say Virgil. ☞ And Note that they commonly are the most severe Judges of other mens faults that are most forgetfull of their own But it should not be so with us we must bear each others Burden by having compassion of our Brethrens failings and infirmities and doing our best to relieve and restore them 8. And lastly To encrease our love and thankfulnesse to God when we are restored recovered as David did when he had been near Hell c. Ps 116. per totum and Hezekiah Esay 38.9 to 21. when he was past all hope of Life and did chatter like the Crane or Swallow and had been in great bitternes yet then the Lord was ready to save him and therefore saith he I will sing my Songs to the stringed Instruments all the days of my life in the House of the Lord v. 20. He would praise the Lord both in publick and private for so great a mercy Thus the memory of Gods mercies should abide with us when the Act is over see Psalm 341 c. as the savour doth in the Box or Bottle when the Civet and hot Water are out or absent Thus the Best may have their Abatements their Troubles and Trials their Clouds and Eclipses in this Life And thus much be answered by way of Concession But now 2. As to the Thing objected I do answer for mitigation 1. To the first touching the stature of perfection c. You must know that all have not the same dimensions of Grace that none can attain to their full growth in this Life do you endeavour it and use the means and you are safe 2. To the second as to their fear of decay in Grace and want of love to it Consider that in Grace there is the newnesse of it at first and the worth of it alwayes Now in our first conversion we are most taken with the Excellency of Grace though we may prize it at as high a Valew and worth ever after As we are with Land and Jewels we are most taken with them at the first yet we valew them at as high a rate many years after The Schoolmen distinguish of Love Intensivè or Appretiativè Let your love to Grace set a valew upon it though the ardour of your Affections do not alwayes flame alike towards it 3. To the third touching the sense of Gods Favour c and the assurance of our own salvation You must consider That no man is alwayes alike either in Bodily health or spiritual Comforts we must expect vicissitudes and bear them And as to our assurance Be sure to secure the Certitudo Adhaerentiae though the Certitudo Evidentiae be absent The Assurance of evidence is haveable by strong Christians but all true Christians have the Assurance of Adherence They are sure they do cleave only to Christ and depend upon him for their salvation and upon no other Saint or Angel c. And to him they live and apply themselves in their Conversation This Assurance being secured the other will follow in Life or Death 4. To the fourth touching Satans Buffettings Temptations c. Neither look to be fully freed from them in this world the best have born them but Glory is coming that will free us from them all Rom. 16 20. Thus much in Answer by way of Mitigation Now thirdly I answer in the way of Consolation to weak Christians That nevertheless the fore-named Scruples Doubts and Fears c. which may be their great Affliction yet their comfort is and may be that they shall not fall away totally and finally from Grace and that upon these Grounds viz. 1. Election 2. Vocation 3. Gods covenant and Promises 4. Christs All-sufficiency and 5. the Seal of the Holy Ghost 1. Election of God is firm and sure an Act of Gods free Grace Hence all things work together for their good c. and who can lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect c. Rom. 8.28 to 35. For the gifts and Calling of God are without Repentance Rom. 11.29 2. Vocation Our Calling is unto Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus 1 Pet. 5.10 By which God infuseth into the Elect a principle of Duration and continuance and hereupon it is called Radix insita a Root deeply fastened or setled in us Such have Root in themselves which the seed in the stony ground wanted Mat. 13.20 21. therefore dured or continued but a while Sermo insitus An ingraffed Word which as a graff turns the stock into its owne Nature a Metaphor from graffing c. James 1.21 Or an implanted Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which will grow up encrease and continue long with you Semen manens Immortale a seed remaining in us 1 John 3.9 and we are said to be born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever 1 Pet. 1.23 For as Psalm 119.89 We may all say For ever O Lord thy Word is setled in Heaven as David did Unctio manens An Anointing which abideth in men and teacheth them all things 1 John 2.20.27 the Word Spirit of God will safeguard you from false Teachers The Spirit that Anointed Christ for a King and Priest hath also anointed you to be such spiritually Revel 1.6 that you may be able to stand against false Teachers and from Christ as from a Spring or Fountain the Graces of Gods Spirit are communicated to us John 1 16 Col. 1.19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell ☞ This is no new Light to make men contemn their faithfull Godly Teachers Sed contra but a true Light to teach us to honour them and obey their godly Doctrine Spiritus inhabitans the Spirit of God dwelling in them 1 Cor. 3.16 6.19 A most desireable guest which infuseth and supporteth grace in us and will not suddenly change his habitation Let it be our care not to grieve him quench or resist his graces or motions c. but to please him in all things Fons aquaesalientis in vitam aeternam Joh. 4.14 A well of water springing up into everlasting life i.e. The grace and spirit of regeneration with the blessed fruits thereof with which their weary souls shall be so refreshed and they themselves so supplied and furnished with all good That they shall be satisfied as in the
presence of God Isa 49.9 So that as the gift of Election so also of our vocation which is of God is without repentance Rom. 11.29 For whom he called them he also justified and glorified 8.30 III. A third Argument of Comfort against all the Scruples aforesaid Gods Covenant and Promises which are irrevocable irrefragable or invincible and unchangeable as the water of Noah c. Isa 54.6 7 to 11. Nay the mountains may be removed c. But the kindness of God and the Covenant of his peace shall never be removed from his people but he will have mercy upon them So Jer. 31.33 to 38. God doth covenant with his people to write his law in their hearts and to fill them with knowledge and to shew how unchangable he is in his Covenant and Promises He compares them with the ordinances of heaven So that as sure as the course which God hath established in nature for the constant motion and intercourse of the celestial Creatures the Sun Moon and Stars to give light by day and by night and for confining that vast body of the Sea to the place and limits assigned to it as sure I say as these things shall without interruption or intermission persist in their course unto the end of the world so sure is his Covenant with his people nor shall it be changed till the heavens above can be exactly measured or the foundation of the earth searched out by us men which can never be So unchangable is his Covenant with his people As for those words in the Covenant They shall no more teach every man his Neighbour c. It is not to be conceived as if they should have no need of teaching at all in those times or that the Office of Teachers should then cease as superfluous For while men live in this world they know but in part 1 Cor. 8.2 13.19 Nor can any be so perfect in knowledge or grace whilst they live here but that they may grow further Phil. 3.12 I have not yet attained c. 2 Pet. 3.18 And the Office of teaching is to continue to the end of the world Mat. 28.20 Ephes 4.11 12 13. But to pass by the different conceits and interpretations of many This form of speech may very well intimate the great measure of clear light that should in those times be revealed 2 Cor. 4.3 6. If our Gospel be hid c. For God who commanded the light to shine out darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ The great measure of knowledge that should by reason thereof abound Isa 11.9 As the waters cover the sea So Hab. 2.14 The clearness of understanding that many should be so possessed with as if taught by irradiation rather than by any means of instruction Cal. 1.12 I received not the Gospel of man c. but by the revelation of Jesus Christ The numerosity of knowing persons then above former times yea and amongst the meaner sort of people Acts 18.25 26. And thus much by the way for Explanation of that phrase in the Covenant Now as the Covenant of God is unchangeable to his people so for our constancy in cleaving to him wherein lieth all the doubt we have a most gracious promise Jer. 32.40 That as God will not turn away from us to do us good so he will put his fear into our hearts that we shall not depart from him whence conclude that when a people are really brought home to Christ they shall never fall off from him again Isa 59.20 21. The Redeemer shall come to Zion and unto them that turn from transgression c. Thus saith the Lord My spirit is upon thee and the words that I have put in thy mouth shall not depart c. from henceforth and for ever IV. Christs fulness and Al-sufficiency his Potency and Prevalency 1. In satisfaction For by him alone we have received the atonement Rom. 5.11 He only hath wrought reconciliation betwixt God and us Col. 1.20 He is our High Priest who once for all hath offered up one sacrifice for sins for ever by which one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctifi'd Heb. 10 10 11 12 14. 2. In supplication for all Believers and his prayers are prevalent and were never denyed See John 17. per totum and Vers 20. to 25. V. The Seal and earnest of the holy Spirit in our hearts 2 Cor. 1.22 that ratifieth in us his Vocation and Election by the grace of regeneration which is a Seal-signing or marking us for himself as 2 Tim. 2.19 The foundation of God standeth sure having this Seal the Lord knoweth them that are his and let him that nameth the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ depart from iniquity This is the Lords seal and his Earnest is much to the same effect for as an Earnest is a pledge whereby we confirm a bargain or a piece of money whereby we assure the payment of the whole sum remaining Ap. So the Seal and Eearnest of our Regeneration and the renewing of Gods image within us is the pledge of our whole Inheritance and doth assure us more and more of the accomplishment of all Gods gracious promises towards us Ephes 1.13 14. And as a deed after sealing is unchangable and a Bargain after Earnest given is irreversible So is the Sealing and Earnest of Gods Spirit like the Laws of the Medes and Persians which altered not Dan. 6.8 unalterable For true Believers are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time at Christs appearance 1 Pet. 1.4 when we shall be made partakers of that inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for us 1 Pet. 1.3 For when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in glory Col. 3.4 Thus the comfort of a true though weak Christian doth spring from our Election which is of God 1 Thes 1.4 Our Vocation which is heavenly Heb. 3.1 Gods Covenant and Promises which are unchangable Christs sulness and Al-sufficiency in satisfaction and supplication The Seal and Earnest of the holy Spirit in our hearts so that though it may so befal that as sometimes we our selves do not see our own safety yet others may when we cannot not and though Grace be but small and of slender growth in us yet if it be true it will receive a blessing from God and make way to eternal Glory The hinderances of our comfort shall be removed such as Acts 26.18 Darkness and the power of Satan c. from whom we are called Furtherance to duty is afforded Titus 2.11 12 13. For the Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts c. looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ who at his coming shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body c. Phil. 3.20 21. And thus doth he induct his servants into heavenly glory God will own and crown all his own works and graces in us to our everlasting felicity Amen Lord Jesus Thus I have done further speaking of the Apostles farewell but I trust you will never have done practising what this Scripture hath suggested and accordingly hath been taught unto you which will be of singular use to preserve you from Atheism Papism and Phanaticism and to direct you in the way that is truly Christian where you may walk and please God and abound in good till you may attain to glory which the good Lord grant unto us FINIS