over the visible Profession of the Truth in the Churches of Britain and Ireland there is no cause to be staggered in the Faith of Romes fatal Period being near but to look hereon according to the Scripture as the last attempt of that wounded Adversary which will be found in the issue to have the most immediate Connexion with his greatest downfal and the Reviving Glory of the Church for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her SECTION IV. Qu. VVHat is specially called for in this day of such as are accountable for so great a Talent of Light and Confirmations to our Faith Ans If this were suitably taken to Heart we could not but reckon our selves under the greatest excitement and call to such an improvement hereof I. That we account it not enough to have a Faith for quieting our own Spirits but also to confirm others by putting to our Seal that God is true in the great Assurances of his Word and to Sanctifie him before the World which is so important a Duty as the Lord was wroth even with a Moses and Aaron for one short-coming when he called for the same Numb 20.12 and it 's sure in no time was such a special trust more reposed thereon than in this Age both as a publick Debt on the Church and Personal on each Christian how to witness for the Lord upon that great Interest of his Faithfulness and for Transmitting the same to the Ages to come by a Confirmatory Seal and Testimony thereto II. To reckon our selves also under some more than ordinary call this day each in their present Capacity and Station to appear for the Credit of the Truth and stemm so visible and impetuous a Tide as is now running of distrust and of a discreditable faintness for it may be said never was the Church under the New Testament so remarkably held under such a Trial as that wherein the Lord did prove the Church of Israel Numb 14. Or had a more evident resemblance thereto in the same Circumstances as in this day if they were seriously pondered As I. How in the same manner such a false and evil report is too visibly raised upon the blest ways of the Lord to discourage and faint the Spirits of his People as was then by the Spyes that there were insuperable difficulties in the way of the Promise by Reason of the Anakims and of their walled Cities and did thus oppose the Credit of Sense to all these Assurances which God had given to their Faith II. That this highly dishonourable Cowardice and Distrust did so seize on that People as was like to resolve in a visible revolt and to cry for a Leader to go back to Egypt again which amongst too many in this time may be justly feared III. That this was after such extraordinary Confirmations which the Lord had given to the Faith of his Church then who had by his own immediate and out-stretched hand so lately brought them out of the House of Bondage and from the Iron Furnace in Egypt as rendred their misbelief to be a guilt under such Aggravations as the Holy God did in that manner plead Vers 22. These ten times have they tempted me who have seen my Glory and my Miracles which I did in the Wilderness c. IV. But herein we hope and are Confidently sure of a blessed Disparity in this resemblance as to the numerousness of such who shall be found of the Reformed Churches to Act something of that part which these Heroick Witnesses Caleb and Joshua did and were then put to stand alone therein who through Grace shall yet appear with some measure of that Spirit and withstand so high a Tide of fears discouragement and unbelief as is at this day and thus to plead against the same as these did Num. 14.9 If the Lord delight in us then let us not rebel against him neither fear the greatest difficulties that can be in the way c. V. And is not the same Precedent of Providence of so singular a respect as the Lord did then testifie to his Caleb and Joshua who were of another Spirit in following him fully in that day a continued Assurance for all who shall be helped to any honourable appearance of this kind by making them see and inherit the Truth of his Promise yea that such a residue as out-lives this great and amazing storm shall have something of that Testimony to bear also which Caleb gave Josh 14.8 10. My Brethren which went up with me made the Heart of the People faint but I fully followed the Lord my God and now behold the Lord hath kept me alive c. O blessed they whose Souls are raised with that Holy Zeal for the Truth to stand up in this great breach by a resolute Profession of their Faith and Witness to the Faithfulness of God as such great and extraordinary Confirmations given thereto now call for III. It is one of the special Duties of this day we stand also accountable for how to stemm this high and growing Tide of Prejudice and Reproach against the Reformed Religion which in some unusual way is now aloft and raging and by Manifestation of the Truth to gain some more awful regard hereof on mens Conscience that they may see something of the Glory of our Profession and in what manner it maintains its Conquest as no way else can possibly claim I. Which reckons none to be the true and genuine Professours hereof who imbrace not the same upon Evidence and with respect to its Intrinsick Excellency and worth nor does Judge the Interest of Religion to go by number and poll where this is wanting but pursues that end to have men ingaged first to be Christians that they may be true and sincere Protestants and therefore can admit no such Methods of any base Compliance with the Humour and Interests of Men which its Principles will not bear II. Which in its course is ever regular and Certain according to the Rule of an Unchangeable and Eternal Truth without dependence on the will of man herein or any mutable Revolutions of the Time III. Which doth with the greatest lustre shine forth in the Brightest Light and is maintained by the clearest Knowledge yea by the furthest plainness and openness of Heart towards all commends it self so that the World may see it espouseth not mens Affection before it gains on their Conscience and it hath their Judgement fixed on a judicious Tryal before their Resolution nor accounts the Truth of Religion can ever subsist by an external shew and Profession without its known Evidence and the Efficacy thereof on mens Souls IV. Which sincerely follows the Catholick Interest of Christianity and publick good of Mankind in promoting the great Ends of the Gospel so as the World may see its highest Intent is to exalt all Divine Institutions and advance the Simplicity and Spirituality of Gospel Administrations according to the revealed Rule amongst Men as that which doth most nearly
many that do competently know what it is to be a Christian for every single man that can render a Reason why he ought to be so Storms do make men look to their Anchors and we do not know but aweful Judgments are hastning on us being Remote ones do not awaken us to beat us out of our inconsiderately chosen Refuges Our Precarious and Unexamined Confidences which in very Propriety are but Fancy and not Faith built upon any solid Grounds However we must all needs Die and it is more than probable that a near Prospect of the Future State may convincingly show the most obstinate that the King of Terrours is not to be conquered and no Miracles are to be wrought by an Implicit Faith Pecudum ritu euntes non qà eundum est sed qà itur Sen. Or by a way of Religion that is taken up and walk'd in meerly for Company Wherefore we give our great Thanks to the Author of every good Gift who hath drawn this his richly furnished Scribe to supply us with so very needful a Treatise as is here offered Some of us do Profess that in reading it we were surprized with Joy and with Wonder that a Topick so little Written Discoursed or Thought of should be treated on with such depth of Judgment and with such Experience as is rarely found in the most laudable Writers Thro' the Divine Blessing which we implore we hope that we and our Brethren throughout these Nations shall find good success of our Peoples use of this most instructive Work For which with the excellent Author who did but Consent to this Edition of it we are indebted unto the Reverend and Worthy Publisher by whose means we receive it We joyn with both of them in Prayer to the most High that this Rich Seed of the Sower may be made Bread of Life to the Eater William Bates Mathew Mead. Thomas Cole John Howe Mathew Sylvester Daniel Williams John Showers The Author's PREFACE THis small Treatise here offered is on the greatest Subjects that can fall under the Consideration of Mankind and is a Study which was never more pressingly called for than in these days for making Peace with God and gaining such an Assurance of his Truth as may fully quiet and support the Soul though all sensible Props should be broken and fail Great changes do surely hasten on this Generation and the Life of Faith is in another manner like to be put to Tryal than since the Churches Rise and Recovery from Antichristian Bondage The storm now visibly grows upon the Churches of Christ though nothing ought to Faint or Shake the Spirits of any who know their Anchor is sure and cast within the Vail but the strongest Difficulties in following the Lord when overcome yeild the greatest Victory and will be not only matter of Joy here but to all Eternity in having with Patience and Hope indured and got well through a Throng of Temptations and Assaults in a resolute adherence to the Truth If men think it their Wisdom to secure their Private Interest by dividing it in such a time from the Publick Cause of the Reformed Church and make Light of the greatest Truths of God now assaulted of the Blood of the Martyrs yea of their own Eternal State by any coolness or shrinking from the same they will find no Temporal Motives can ever compensate that loss and ruine which inevitably will meet such in the Issue Yea that these Words of Mordecai to Esther Esth 4.13 14. Have the same Voice and weight in this day What is held forth in the following work I may with humble Confidence say was under some pressure to have such clear Evidence and Quieting Persuasion of Divine Truth as made it less easie to have my own Spirit satisfied herein than possibly it may be to others for if it were not from that blessed Assurance of the Lords being God of the Revelation of Christ and of the Glory to come I should not know what could be comforting or make a rational Being desireable Some singular Ingagements I judge my self also to stand under for putting to my Seal to the Truth and Faithfulness of God in his Word from many signal Confirmations hereof in the course of my Pilgrimage if such a poor Testimony might be of any weight Let the Blessed Lord graciously accept this small offering to him for the Interest of his Truth by so mean an Instrument and give some Fruit hereof that may abide and be found in the day of Christ I hope the Reader may find by a Perusal of the I. Chapter of what Serious Use and Intent the II. is yea that in this day it was not Unseasonable or Incongruous to the foregoing Subject what is held forth in the III. Chapter But Oh! it is sad and amazing to think how few are under that weight of Religion as once to have a Serious Inquiry on the Grounds and Reasons thereof and to account the most special Assistances to their Faith to be the greatest Helpers of their Joy within time THE CONTENTS CHAPTER I. The Primitive Confirmation held forth and cleared in seven Positions POSIT I. Sad is the aspect which the implicit and traditional profession of this day hath upon the present state of Religion page 1. POSIT II. It is a great service for the Church to have a clear founding of the faith of assent upon known and solid grounds herein more universally promoted page 3 POSIT III. The true primitive confirmation as it was in the times of the Apostles is held forth and cleared from the Scripture page 5 POSIT IV. The continued necessity thereof is no less convincing now for the Churches use than in those Primitive times page 7 POSIT V. Such a confirmatory work respects not only the more knowing and inquisitive part of Men but the meanest within the Church page 9 POSIT VI. What is specially called for in the practical use of this primitive confirmation is held forth in some serious proposals for this end page 11 POSIT VII Special excitement we are under for promoting the same in so remarkable a period of time as this and from the hope of a greater reviving yet of such a Catholick Spirit to advance the highest ends of Religion amongst men page 15 CHAPTER II. For giving some clear view of these primary evidences and demonstrations of our Faith that the meanest Christian should know and with the least expence of time may improve for their daily use on these greatest Principles SECTION I. I. OF the glorious Being of God which is the first Foundation of all Religion page 17 II. Of the original of the world and it s not being eternal page 19 III. Of a supreme Providence in the conservation and government of the world page 20 IV. Of that special providence which in its continued administration of human affairs doth unchangeably difference betwixt the righteous and the wicked page 22 V. How such a wonderful record as that of an
Visible Professours are destitute of any defence from internal motives and solid conviction of the truth they profess upon its own evidence and there was never more cause to fear some unusual apostacy from the very visible profession of Christ upon any violent tryal and assault this way When such find it more easy to render up their Religion than to adhere to the same under strong temptations who yet never knew that substance advantage or certainty herein as could preponderate with the want of all external motives for such a profession Posit II. That thus one of the highest services of these times for the publick good of the Church does convincingly lye here to have the faith of assent to the truth and doctrine of Christ in a clear and firm certainty of the judgment on its own evidence more vigorously promoted and the proper means and assistances which the Lord hath given for this end in some other manner yet improved than seems to be at this day for a more universal use The grounds to inforce the necessity hereof are these I. That it 's sure wherever the Gospel is revealed to men it comes with so full an assurance of understanding and sufficiency of objective evidence as can admit of no possible doubtfulness herein Which is the credit and glory of our religion that in no other way it doth require acceptance but with the furthest conviction of evidence II. Because the express design and tendency of this blessed revelation is no less to found such a rational assurance in the judgment of its truth than to ingage the will and consent for imbracing thereof and though such great demonstrations for this end can only in suo genere have a convincing influence to perswade the understanding yet are they of such weight here as next to the demonstration of the Spirit of God they are the greatest means to bring up mens assent to a full and quieting rest on that security to which they must trust themselves for ever and to let them see that this even here by the way is assuredly full though not yet their enjoyment III. Because this faith of assent should be first followed in the order of nature as being the very first principle of conversion to know and be sure that God hath sent his son into the world to save sinners wherein as the Holy Ghost is not the Objâ—ctive but the Efficient Cause of our Faith so is not the internal work and Testimony he gives on the Soul the first Testimony but must still have respect to the revelation of the Word without and such demonstrative evidences thereof wherewith it is revealed to the world Nor may any ever separate that which God hath himself so indissolubly joyned IV. That there is so convincing a necessity and use hereof to the Church and in a special way with respect to the youth for a more firm laying of the groundwork of their Christian profession and for the seed-plot of a blessed and desirable growth amongst such in this day that they might thus know early something of these primary grounds and demonstrations of their faith so also is it a study of that high importance as I humbly judge should be of notable use for a Manuduction in the first place to Students of Divinity before they launch forth in that vast and immense Ocean of the speculative part thereof and for being at some greater advantage thus for carrying on such a confirming work in the Church in their future service V. Yea of what use might this be with respect to many who may be sore haunted with hidden and dreadful temptations to infidelity and to weaken them in the very foundations of their faith who are wholly unfurnished of any such grounds and arguments in their judgment to repel the same and it is certain that to believe firmly the History of the Gospel that God was manifested in our nature to save man is with respect to the object a much higher act of faith than to believe that he will save us since as the one doth unspeakably more transcend all human reason than the other so doth the Apostle thus argue from the greater to the less Rom. 8.32 that he who gave his own son to the death will he not also with him give us all things Posit III. That such a Confirming Work was most specially followed in the Practice of the Primitive Times and one of the great Ends of the Ministry of the Apostles and Evangelists to have this Faith of Assent and Doctrinal Certainty thereof on its proper Grounds and Evidences deeply founded in Mens Judgment is so clear as cannot come under Debate I. That this way did the great Author of our Profession himself take not only by the Authority of his Word and the Power and Energy of Grace but with that Convincing Evidence and Demonstration of his Truth to Mens Understanding as might found also a firm and rational Assurance hereof II. That for this End he did pray the Father Joh. 17.21 and was so much pressed herein that so great an external Demonstration of the Truth of the Gospel in the Concord and Unity of his People might be kept clear that the World might thus believe that he was sent of God and have a deeper Conviction hereof wrought in them by such an Evidence III. That one special Intent of the Gospel of Luke was for this end Luke 1.4 That men might know not only the things themselves by a naked Relation but the Certainty of these things wherein they had been formerly Instructed IV. That herein did the Ministry of Apollos so brightly shine forth Act. 18.28 And was then of most singular use to the Church by that clearness of rational Conviction and demonstrative Arguments for the Truth of Christ as the greatest gainsayers could not withstand V. That it 's sure it was then without Exception expresly required of the meanest within the Church to be always ready to render the Reasons of their Hope to all who asked and not only to know what they did Believe but why they did so as is clear 1 Pet. 3.15 This could not be by bringing forth of internal Evidences for Conviction of others but by giving them an account of the most cogent grounds and demonstrations of the Gospel as might be most prevalent and confirming to the weak and leave others inexcusable and seems to have been then specially pressed in these Primitive Times as a proper Test of their Christian Profession VI. And we see herein also how much these excellent Bereans were taken up and were so highly commended of the Holy Ghost Act. 17.11 To know the demonstrative part of Christianity and by its own evidence with that intire harmony and consent of the Scripture therein and their being thus diligently intent in that comparing-work of Religion to see the truth thereof not singly and apart by themselves alone but in that joynt-union coherence wherein they stand each in their own room for
confirming and giving light to other VII That this was the way also wherein the Gospel did come to the Gentile Church is clearly shewed 1 Thess 1.5 Not in Word only but as in Power and in the Holy Ghost so also in much Assurance of Understanding upon its own Evidence which was that way it did so wonderfully prevail over the world against nature and the stream of flesh and blood that stood in the furthest opposition thereto VIII That one of the greatest services of the Apostles in their visiting the Churches did expresly lie here Acts 14.22 To confirm the souls of the Disciples in the first place in the certainty of their faith and then in exhorting them to continue in the same so as they might follow the Lord with the furthest light and assurance of Mind amidst the great Tryals of such a time IX That it 's this way also the World is rendred inexcusable for their misbelief of the Gospel when under such sufficiency of means given for this end by so great a discovery of the confirming evidences of its rruth so as they can have no pretence herein but an obstinacy and resolution not to be convinced on which ground doth our Blessed Lord testify that it was no want of light upon the certainty of his truth why men did not receive it but that they loved darkness better than light because their deeds were evil and when such clear rational and convincing evidences are laid open to their view how most men possibly can get these put by or rejected is not easy to comprehend but that a real Irritation and torment of Spirit from such clearness of evidence doth thus more tend to harden than convince Posit IV. That there is a continued necessity of such a Confirmation in the Faith to this day what ever can be objected of so long a consent and prescription of time in the profession thereof is fully demonstrable on these grounds I. Because it is sure the Christian faith doth still need these assistances and it is a strange mistake that only for Heathens and Atheists such confirming evidences of the same should be proposed but not for any under a visible profession when the whole of Divinity and Doctrine of our Faith is so full of demonstrative arguments for the daily use of the most established Christians in their passage through time II. That as the highest motives to all serious godliness and the moral duties of Christianity must needs be from its known certainty to us so is the continued use thereof to be still the same III. That these numerous tryals and conflicts of Christians now do no less call for some higher establishment in the truth on which they must alone rest when all visible props fail in their judgments than of supporting grace nor is it conceivable how men can this day walk in the light of any true joy and comfort without a more solid assurance of their being on safe grounds herein than most seem to reckon IV. Because the revelation of the Gospel and of an eternal state in another world is so great and wonderful as it 's strange how this is not the highest interest of mens life to have their faith more deeply confirmed on the furthest tryal of their security now by the way herein who must shortly make so great a tryal thereof at death for if we were but once come thus far as to ask our own Soul what the Christian Faith indeed is that we are thus called to believe it could not possibly but beget some extasie of wondering at the greatness thereof and to reckon any light and implicit assent to the same as a degree both of Atheism and Indifferency in this matter V. Though there be no conflict with Heathens as in the first times yet was such a spirit never at a higher pitch than it is now to take off all firm assent to the greatest principles of truth when Atheism seems to be at its last attempt in the world and we are fallen in so amazing an hour of the power of darkness as makes these latter times more remarkably perillous and trying than the first VI. Yea if such a confirming work be one of the greatest means to advance the repute and honour of Religion when its wonted awe and veneration is so far lost and to awake men to deeper impressions of its truth when so few seem now under any such weight then it is certain there was never more need of the same than in this day Posit V. That such a Service to the Church doth not only respect the more knowing inquisitive and judicious part thereof but the meanest Professours of Religion also of whom this is necessarily required is Evident on these grounds I. Because each Christian should have undoubtedly such a ballast on their own Soul of the solid and rational Grounds of their Faith as well as those of greater parts and Endowments the promoting of which were it more deeply considered I dare humbly adventure to say would be found one of the choicest means to promote Christianity this day II. Because this is not to drive any to doubt or question the least sincere degree of assent though it be not with such strength of evidence as in others nor can by that formal argumentation give the same account thereof since a few grounds this way may specially help to some solid conviction confirming of their mind when they may be ignorant of many other cogent arguments for this end but 't is certain also the greater clearness of evidence doth still in the appointed way of means lead in to a more firm and strong assent of the judgment to the truth of our Religion III. Because the strength of the foundation in it self cannot be enough if it be not with such a known evidence as men may build firmly and with assurance thereon Nor hath the Lord thus only designed to give his people an infallible and sure testimony to adventure on but that it should be made sure also to them IV. Because none can in truth say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 22.3 by which is not to be understood so much the necessity of supernatural grace for a saving faith but that none can give a true assent and confession of the same but from these grounds and arguments which are revealed by the Holy Ghost unto men for this end and as it 's certain that these Characters evidence of Divinity which are imprinted on the whole revelation of the Gospel may be clear and demonstrative to our judgment so are they as truly divine as the doctrine which is confirmed thereby V. Because there can be no possible cause for Unbelief of the truth from any intricate obscureness of the same when the Lord hath given such great assistances to our faith to be as milk for babes as well as meat to strong men And though it be objected that the furthest objective evidence of
the Gospel with so clear and strong a conveyance thereof is yet so little operative on most the same might be said also of the whole letter of the Scripture but tho this tends not in the least to resolve our Religion into any meer exercise of reason and leaves the whole work of the Spirit in its energy and operation therewith on mens souls intire yet doth it fully evince such a sufficiency of evidence with the Christian faith as makes any doubtfulness herein simply impossible through want of the greatest advantage of means yea such as are of another kind than to induce only a probable perswasion of the same VI. Because it is one of the saddest Symptoms of the present State of Religion that so few almost in whole Congregations can give any clear Assent to the Truth and Certainty thereof but to Amazement both live and die Strangers to the same yea how many of these who are otherwise Serious in Religion yet have their Faith starved this way and are destitute of any such support but as it is not the numerousness of Professours but the Strength and solidity of their Faith wherein the Churches Strength most lies and hath more flourished in a few such to beget a greater Awe and Veneration of Religion amongst Men than at other times in the greatest Multitude so is it the Glory of Divine Truth that it can subsist by its own proper Evidence and preserve its Station in the worst of times when all External Arguments do most visibly cease Posit VI. That it 's fully demonstrable and clear how no simple instructing of men in the general Principles of Religion can be the proper and adequate means for such a Faith of Assent to the Truth thereof on its own Evidence or answer that Apostolick Pattern of laying the Foundation Heb. 6.2 But that some special Duties else are called for to so high an end such wherein not only that true Primitive Confirmation in the Christian Faith might have some Practical use but we might also Hope therewith for a more remarkable out-letting of Confirming Influences of the Spirit of God What is to be understood herein I shall humbly offer in a few particulars I. That it is one of the greatest concerns of the Ministerial Work and of the Key of Doctrine to have all who hear the Gospel in the first place pressed to take Religion so far to Heart as to make a serious inquiry into the Grounds and Reasons hereof and thus to know their being on sure ground herein not because they know not another way but because they know this is the alone way of Truth to which they dare trust their Immortal Souls II. That for this End the Supream Truths of Relion be represented with that certainty of Evidence and Demonstration as both such great and marvellous things do require and the temper of such a gain-saying Age now calls for and to have this pressed more on mens Judgment and Conscience that the things of God which are of the highest Consequence Reality and Substance can have no possible Reception by any implicite or probable belief thereof nor can admit any pretence for the same when the Lord hath given such kind of Proofs and Evidence as leaves mens darkness herein without any shaddow of excuse II. That it peculiarly belongs to the Catechetical Work of Religion to take some account of the meanest Professours thereof and with a special respect to the Youth of their Faith of Assent to the Doctrine of Christ on what grounds and certainty of evidence this is founded and for their instructing therein as well as in the general Principles of Religion when one of the most ruining things to the Church lies here that the Profession of most is laid in so deep an Ignorance as they have almost nothing to say for the same but a naked Affirmation I know the difficulty hereof for the weak may be objected but without just cause since as the Prime Truths of Religion are few easie and plain for the meanest Capacity so also are the Primary Evidences and Demonstrations of our Faith if such once with that desire did search after the same as for a hidden and invaluable Treasure wherein this respect should be still had to difference betwixt what is Initial and of a more fundamental concern for the weak and what may tend to an higher growth and increase of others III. It should be of greatest use and advantage also for the same end that the young growth now coming up in the Church were put to give some explicit Evidence of their Consent and Choice of the Profession of Christ so far as may witness a Ratification of the Baptismal Covenant now as their own proper Deed wherein they were implicitely ingaged in their Infancy Some special Grounds and Reasons for this are I. Because God will have his Service freely entred in and upon choice as that way which is most agreeable to his Honour for as the Covenant binds mutually so do the Seals thereof also and therefore upon our part is Baptism a Sacramental Oath of Allegiance to God II. Because it tends to a more resolute and firm adherence to the Service of God that this business should be personally brought home to Mens Conscience especially before their first admittance to the Sacrament of the Lord's supper and thus to ingage them as Joshua did Chap. 24.22 Ye are witnesses against your selves herein and they said We are witnesses III. Because this is expresly held forth 1 Pet. 3.21 where Baptism is called the answer of a good conscience toward God upon this ground that such then who were come to years of knowledge were personally brought to confirm by their own consent that solemn Ingagement and Dedication by Baptism to be the Lords and therefore it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is vox juris and signifies sponsio stipulatio publica inter Christianum Dominum Christum as the most Judicious Commentators on that Scripture do clearly render it and so this was a special part of the Primitive Practice not only with respect to such who were Converted from Heathenism but were born within the Church and Partakers of that Seal of Baptism in their Infancy to bring them to answer to that great Demand of the Covenant Do you now Consent upon Evidence and Choice to be the Lords and to be a Subject of his Kingdom and embrace the Laws thereof and do you thus in Sincerity and Truth declare the same wherein you have a good Conscience before God And of what blessed Fruit and Advantage should this be both for the Increase and Honour of the Gospel if this were more deeply taken to Heart for some Practical use according to the Rule and Primitive Pattern in the Churches of Christ IV. It were specially desirable also that there be some clear view and summary by it self of the most cogent Grounds and Demonstrations of the Christian Faith with respect both to the
Doctrinal Historical and Prophetical part thereof and in that manner accommodated as the meanest within the Church might have such a help still at their hand and thus with the least expence of time be provided of such Arguments and Reasons as should tend through the Blessing of God not only to the furthest rational Assent and Certainty of the Truth of their Profession but to give a most special support of Mind against that inward Tryal of Satans Temptations and Fiery Darts this way yea is such a mean that in the serious Improvement hereof by having such Evidences once brought in on Mens Judgment and Conscience so as to see with their own Eyes the Truth of the same I must humbly judge there is nothing next to the internal work of the Spirit of this kind might tend more to promote the Kingdom of Christ in this day Posit VII That as there are some more signal Periods of time to which a greater brightness and increase of Light hath respect under the New Testament so doth there now seem to be some remarkable Call and Excitement to such a Confirming Work in this day about the Christian Faith when we may hope that a more solemn and restoring time of Religion in the World is on a near approach though all sensible evidence would seem to controul this and may be now more looked after and prepared for under a suitable Impression of these Grounds for the same I. That the promised time of the Conversion of the Jews doth assuredly draw near and whatever be judged by some of the Lords immediate Appearance herein by a Miracle yet is it unquestionable that nothing in the way of means could be more promising and hopeful to promote this great end than by promoting so great a Service as this for the Christian Church II. That a greater extent also of the Profession of Christ amongst the Gentiles and rending of the Vail that is now over many dark Nations seemeth clearly insured therewith and what a hopeful Evidence should this be if such a Publick and Catholick Spirit were more seen how to advance the highest Ends of Religion on such an account without respect to any partial or divided Interest Yea that this blest Zeal of God might in that manner appear to have the dark World get a more clear and convincing prospect of the highest rational Demonstrations of Christianity as might through the Lords Gracious Concurrence bring men once to an Inquisitive and Serious Spirit about the same Oh that such may be raised up in this dismal hour with something of that ancient Spirit to travel with desire for the Salvation of Mankind and of whom it may be said as of blest Nehemiah these are indeed come to seek the welfare of their People in their greatest Interest III. And this farther excitement we are now under for this end in a time when Popery seems to be upon one of its last and greatest Assaults against the Church since it 's so clear that what ever tends to Confirm Men in Christianity from their own Tryal and Inquiry upon the Confirming Evidences thereof must have the same Native result to make such Confirmed Protestants yea nothing is more demonstrable than that the Method and Grounds that are taken both to ingage and fix men in the Popish Profession have the same rational Tendency to promote Atheism and to give Infidels the greatest Advantage to reject the Profession of Christ He that hath Ears to hear let him hear Amen CHAP. II. The Confirming Work of Religion reduced to Practical Use in some clear view of those Primary Grounds and Demonstrations of our Faith which none should pretend Ignorance of who enter the Profession of Christ upon choice and Certainty of Evidence SECTION I. Qu. I. VVHat Reasons and Demonstrations can you give for so great a Faith as that of the Glorious Being of God who is invisible to humane Sense since this is the Foundation of all Religion Ans Though this is Principally founded on the Sacred Truth and Authority of his own Word yet I am with the furthest Infallible Evidence confirmed herein I. That it can be no more sure that this marvellous frame of the Heavens and Earth hath a being and is the Object of our Sense than that a Supream Infinite Wisdom and Power must be the first cause hereof and it were simply impossible it could ever otherwise have been II. That he hath thus made himself Visible to our Eyes by such a visible World and in so exquisite an Order and Correspondence to support the same as nothing stands alone by it self but in a line of mutual respect which runs through the whole Creation We may as clearly thus see that God is as that there is an invisible Soul in a living Body III. That this Harmony is amongst things in their own Nature so Contrary and Destructive to other for to hold this wonderful frame as all must abandon Reason or see an infinitely wise Conduct herein and no need of Extraordinary Miracles to Confirm what the whole Constitutions of Nature do Witness IV. That this rare frame of man could never have come in being but by him who could Unite such different Substances as a Material Body and an Immaterial Soul in so near and marvellous an Union V. That there is such an universal Consent of Mankind in all Ages thereto as shews Religion to be founded in the very Nature of Man and as Essential to his Being as his Reason is yea that the ultimate difference of Man from the Beast and most essential Property of humane Nature lies here VI. That though every one be an Enemy to what torments him yet it was never possible for an Atheist to free himself from that unavoidable Sense and Fâ—ar of a Deity nor in a World so much lost in Wickedness could he ever extinguish the awe of Religion or make any rational Opposition to this greatest Article of the common Faith of Mankind VII That the Reason of the whole Constitution of Nature and vicissitude of things here is so great as without shutting out the use of Reason we cannot but see how nothing possibly could have been better and that any want hereof in the whole frame of the Universe would be as the Dislocation of a joynt of the Body and were not conceivable to be otherwise than it is by Infinite Wisdom appointed VIII That it 's simply impossible that God Blessed for ever should not exist or that this Universe which is a work so highly becoming the greatness of its Maker could possibly subsist for one hour or minute of time without a Supream Independent Power and Being on which all Visible Beings have their Dependance since they cannot depend upon nothing IX That such is the absolute necessity of the Faith also of a God-Head as without this the state of Mankind could not morally subsist or any possible Order Subjection Piety and Justice be to support Human Society but as Bradwardine saith O
opposition that ever the World made to any interest while the weapons of its Warfare were Spiritual and not Carnal and with that success that made the time of the Churches hottest Persecution from Heathens the time also of its most remarkable spreading in the World IV. That the same Gospel is revealed this day which hath had such discernible triumphs and success when no external assistance could be had for it and there was no visible power by which it gained the most savage and dark parts of the Earth to take on the Yoak of Christ and prefer the objects of Faith to the most desireable objects of Sense V. Yea the Gospel hath not only had such vital influence on Mens Heart and practice to change it into the same Image but that herein the doctrine of the Cross of Christ in the greatest simplicity hath still been the most effectual way of its conquest and the greatest attractive on Mens Souls to receive the same Qu. VI. How is it demonstrable that such remarkable sufferings of times past for the truth of Christ were both founded on the alone certainty thereof and carried out by a Divine Spirit above any assistance of Nature Answ That it is sure I. Here was no Comedy Play or Personated sufferings which the Primitive Christians then and in after times did endure for Christ or that these unexpressible torments and pains were any Dream and Delusion either to themselves or the World and that their adversaries did thus conflict and wrestle with their own shadow in so continued and cruel an opposition II. That the Joy and Exultation of Spirit these Witnesses had amidst their Torments who otherwise wanted no sense or feeling of their Pains and Sufferings could have no rise but what was supernatural III. That this could be no possible dissimulation or counterfeit when they were stepping into Eternity nor the product of a distempered judgment whilst all might see what seriousness of Spirit Tenderness and Bowels of Compassion to their Adversaries they did then evidence IV. That those greatest sufferings were upon choice and Christians hastned to endure them rather than to be safe at the rate of receding and departing in any thing from the Truth V. Yea no natural Reason can comprehend how such mean and feeble persons as many of these were should endure what would have made the greatest natural Courage to faint as if they had foregone all Humane Passions which Flesh and Blood must needs have herein so that I am constrain'd to see something no less marvellous and supernatural in the Faith of Martyrs than in the Faith of Miracles SECTION III. Qu. I. IS it fully demonstrable that the Faith of a Deity and of such an establishment as a religious worship must necessarily determine Men and constrain them to be Christians on this ground that they cannot but see how Religion hath not another Being in the Earth but in the Truth of Christianity Answ It is simply impossible to make a rational trial herein and not see the certainty of this demonstration to be thus clear I. That there needs no more for any of a serious spirit but to come and see what the whole frame of Heathenism was and if it be possible to deny even under any sense of the law and dictates of Nature its being the highest reproach of Mankind and that the very mysteries of that Heathenish worship were so horrid and impure as they needed a Vail from the common view of the World II. Nor can there be a rational reflection this day on that strange Monster of Mahumetanism but as of a visible Prodigy of the Judgment of God on these parts of the Earth upon their Apostacy from the Christian Faith by giving men up to such an Imposture as exposeth the very name and form of Religion to derision and can never claim a reception either from the purity of its rule or internal evidence of the truth thereof or of its having any possible consistence with it self III. That it's sure also that the Jewish Religion had never another Being but in the Truth and Faith of Christianity and where this Foundation is divided from it hath none at all yea that that People unto this day are such a Confirming Witness to the Christian Religion as it 's strange this doth not beget deeper Impressions on Mens Spirits So that there is an absolute necessity we must either forego the use of Reason or see if there be not such a Rule given and Revealed for Commerce betwixt God and Man as the Scripture where the Laws and Constitutions of the Christian Faith are for this end held forth that it 's then sure there is no such thing as any Religion in the Earth but what were so highly irrational and absurd as should rather justifie Atheism Q. II. What special Confirmation to Christianity can this Visible State of the Jews bear who are in so express an Opposition to the Gospel of Christ Ans If this were brought near our thoughts we should find it one of the great Assistances to our Faith I. That it 's sure there is such a People and Race as a Living and Visible Evidence to our Sense of the Truth of that renowned Nation and Church of Israel to which the Oracles of God were committed and thus is still as some part of the evident ruines of that once flourishing State II. That the World may see such a People kept by themselves and not mixed with the Nations whose Fathers from one Generation to another did still own the Dâ—vinity of the Old Testament and doth attest that Doctrine in which the Truth and Substance of Christianity lies even whilst with greatest malice they oppose the Christian Faith to witness that there can be no possible Collusion and Deceit here III. Their being under a stroak of that Judicial Induration and Blindness of Mind as no Reason could possibly comprehend such a thing how they should not see the Light in the very Noon-day of the Gospel if we were not expresly foretold that they should be concluded under such an Arrest of Judgment until the Fulness of the Gentiles be brought in IV. That so immediate an appearance of God is in the Judgement of that People both in the manner and continuance thereof as no instance could ever be found to resemble the same since man was formed in the Earth and is as a Conspicuous Monument of Divine Wrath set up for every Age and Time of the Church to turn aside and consider this great sight and inquire what means so strange and amazing a thing as the State of the scattered Jews is now under the Times of the Gospel V. That this Desolation on them and stroak had such special concurring circumstances for giving Light thereto as being not above forty eight years after the Death of Christ with their hands as it were hot and reaking with that Blood which they had wished on them and their Children that it should be at that time
of the Passover which was the very same of the Sufferings of our blessed Lord there and pointing as with the finger at the same as also by the Romans whose Interest in their Opposition to Christ they pretended to own Qu. III. Is the way and manner of the Gospels Promulgation such as no other Profession could ever pretend to and where all may see there can be no human Interest or Contrivance in the same Ans It is undeniable that no Interest else was ever in such a way promoted and it does exceed all natural understanding how the Truth of Christianity could in this manner prevail I. To perswade men without any Motives or Inducements from this present World to imbrace a Doctrine so wholly repugnant to Nature yea to prefer an Interest of things not seen and which none ever in the Earth saw to the most desirable Objects of Sense II. To admit no implicite Reception from any but on their exactest Inquiry and Tryal herein or in another way claim an Interest in Mens Affections but by a full Assent of their Light and Judgment to the same III. To admit no Gratification to the most Predominant Desires and Inclinations of Men towards any Darling Sin which according to human Wisdom would be judged of an absolute necessity for gaining any Acceptance with such yea to give no partial respect to the greatest Princes more than to the meanest IV. To pursue its Interest by so plain a Discovery of the Death and Sufferings of our Blessed Lord with the whole Ignominy thereof when nothing could more evidently controul such an end by any Rules of human Wisdom and Policy if there had been consulting with Flesh and Blood herein V. And it 's sure there could be no design without an immediate Divine Power in such a manner to plead the Interest of Christianity with men by inserting Afflâ—ction and the Cross in the first entry as Essential to the Profession thereof and holding forth the Necessity of taking on the Yoke of Christ without which none can be his Disciples Qu. IV. But wherein doth the Evidence of that great Demonstration of the Gospel most clearly appear in the Love and Unity of Christians amongst themselves which we find Christ doth so specially press for this end that the World might know and have such a Visible Seal of his Divine Mission Joh. 17.21 Ans The greatness of this Demonstration may be thus evident to all I. That it 's so clearly demonstrative of the Purity of our Religion which can admit of no Bitterness Strife Recrimination or such Indecencies of Heat and Passion which are the fatal Effects of Discord in the Church and thus lets us see the Excellency of the Spirit and Rule of the Gospel II. That thus also we may know the Power and Efficacy of the Truth thereof which is according to Godliness upon Mens Hearts in subduing these Distempers of the Mind and Judgment III. That this doth so specially tend to make Religion Lovely and to draw forth matter of Praise and Blessing to God from the World when they see such a Native Effect of Christianity as this to make those who profess the same in that manner shine forth in Tenderness Humility and Brotherly Love so that they become as a Publick Good and Blessing to Mankind in the places they are in IV. This appears also from the Nature of that Union in the Church of Christ and amongst his Followers which only a Divine Power could both Frame and make Effectual and it 's sure that no Humane Society or Constitution could ever claim such an Unity therein as this is where not only Persons of all Nations and Languages and of all Conditions both high and low but of the most different Interests Humours and dividing Circumstances in other things do yet in so marvellous an Harmony meet in the Body of Christ which is his Church here in the Earth V. Because herein also doth the Glory and Honour of our Blessed Head more eminently appear in securing this Unity of his Church under a Diversity of Light and Judgment otherways by a Spirit of Love Meekness and Condescendence amongst his People than by imposing the most severe and absolute Uniformity in all things to be the alone Condition of Christian Communion Qu. V. But what strength and evidence doth this Demonstration of the Gospel now bear in so divided a State of Religion and when the wounds and breaches of the Church this day are like to bleed unto Death Ans Whatever just cause be of grief yet is there none for darkning the Truth of this Demonstration on these grounds I. That none can deny the Perfection of the Rule of the Gospel for there is a most firm and intire Unity amongst all the Followers of Christ on the Earth II. That no Opposition is made thereto but what hath been foretold as one of the greatest Tryals of the Church under the New Testament and the Spirit of God doth most expresly point at in these latter times III. Because the furthest Opposition thereto can be no more cause for any to stumble or question the Truth of this Demonstration than whether there is a Devil whose greatest design hath ever been to divide and break Christians amongst themselves IV. Because this Union which is chiefly Mystical and Invisible is much greater often than what this way may appear to the World and of that kind as is not interrupted by distance of place or any want of Local Communion V. That such a guard is set by the Lord unto this piece of his Glory to oppose any Invasion thereon that there stands an Angel with a flaming Sword upon every hand in the Commands and Threatnings of the Gospel to secure this Blessed Unity of the Saints amongst themselves so as none can invade the same but on their highest Peril of opposing that which is as the Apple of Christs eye VI. That it 's ever found that this Demonstration hath some clear Evidence amongst such who are indeed the Disciples of Christ and according to their advance in the Life and Power of Christianity doth the more brightly shine forth so that the nearer the Lines are to the Centre the nearer also are they amongst themselves VII That in all times there hath been some tremendous mark of the Judgment of God made visible on such who are Contentious and have made it their work to Cause Division in the Church and sow discord among Brethren Qu. VI. But what hath the Church now in these latter days to Compensate and make up the want of that great Demonstration by Miracles and such extraordinary Confirmations of the Christian Faith as were in the first times Ans I. We may hereby see that the Seal of Martyrdom which came in the room of Miracles to the Church hath exceeded that which was in the first times of the Gospel II. That there have been since such innumerable shining Examples of Holiness yea these continued to this day whom
the World might see did walk in the Light and Power of Christianity as sure as men walk under the Power and Vertue of a living Soul III. That we now see what a length the Course of the Gospel and of the Church Militant is come and how far thus the Times of the Gentiles are fulfilled which once was so contrary to all human Appearance IV. That so sure and exact a Performance of the Scripture is now undeniable in the event and of such great and marvellous things which were foretold under the New Testament that in an ordinary way none could have believed what we see with our Eyes and now have these things which were in former Ages the Object of the Churches Faith been made the Object of our Sense and it 's sure this is such a Seal and Confirmation to our Faith in these last times as doth much exceed the greatest Miracles which were in the first Planting of the Gospel V. Though we may not resolve our Faith on any Extraordinary Providences or lay the least weight hereon to support the Authority of the Doctrine we profess since this only is founded on that Sacred Revelation of Divine Truth in the Scripture which is the infallible Rule to discern true Miracles and what is Gods Seal herein under the undoubted Signature and Stamp of his own Power and working in the same yet hath there been such incontroulable evidence of extraordinary Signs and Confirmations to confirm the Truth of the Reformed Religion since the Reformation as in no Ages past was ever known but with the first planting of the Gospel among the Gentiles SECTION IV. Qu. I. IS it clear and demonstrable that the Doctrine of Christ is a Soul-Quickning and Experimental Religion and the Trial thereof in its most Supernatural Truths of such rational Certainty and Evidence that the World can no more deny or question the same than those Experiments of Nature that are of most universal Use Ans Though men looked but at a distance here or were come from Heathenism so far as to make a Serious Trial of Christianity it 's sure they could not but see and be fully perswaded in their Judgment hereof on these grounds I. That a discovery is undoubted and clear in the Scripture of so great things as that there is a Holy Ghost and there be his workings on Mens Souls of Peace with God and the Joy of his Presence which all who receive the Gospel are called to know and prove on their own Trial. II. That this witness of Christian Experience hath as discernable a Consent and Harmony therewith as Face answereth to Face in the Glass and is clear to be no Casual Thing but every step in this way of Trial is by Scripture Light and what Christians did before read there they know it now by Feelings on their own Souls III. That this in all Ages of the Church and where-ever such as served God in the Spirit were found in the most remote parts from others hath still been the same and like a great Roll is sent down from one Generation to another with their Confirmatory Seal that God is faithful and true in those Truths of his Word which seem most incredible to the World and now come to our hand to require the same Attestation and Witness IV. That they who know and testifie these things sometimes found it not easie to believe the same and did no less judge of such great Experiments of Religion as a Dream or imaginary thing than most now do until they knew them by Experience on their Soul V. That such also have been the most Burning and Shining Lights that ever were in the Church and these innumerable in all Ages declare the same and that in the Mouth of the Grave and entrance to an Eternal State when no outward Interest could sway them hereto VI. That it must be a matter of greatest Assurance which hath then pressed the most tender Parents with their last and dying Breath to commend the same Trial to their Children and to charge their being earnest herein as the greatest Interest they could leave them VII That whatever Differences be oft among these in some matters of Truth Yet in the Certainty of this great Trial of the Life Power and Comforts of Religion there is an Harmonious Oneness in the same Testimony in all Times of the Church VIII That if any question this because so remote from Mens Senses and the Judgment of Carnal Reason the reality of its Effects doth unanswerably prove both the Reality and Excellency of the Cause Qu. II. What clear and Rational Conviction can you offer of so great a thing as Conversion of men from a State of Nature to a new state by Grace which doth raise them as far above the residue of Mankind as Reason doth above the state of the Beasts Ans Though I should strive against the Conviction of such a Miracle and Demonstration of the Gospel as Conversion is yet were it not possible to deny such demonstrative Evidences as the World hath hereof I. That it is sure such a Change is made essentially requisite to the Being and Constitution of a Christian by the whole Consent of the Scripture II. That there was never yet an Argument in Nature for ones being a Christian in the Life and Power thereof what ever may be for a naked form or show III. That they are not a few but innumerable Instances in all times and of all Ranks and Conditions of Men on whom so great a Change and difference hath been made thus evident both from themselves what once they were and from the residue of the World IV. That this hath been not only upon such as have been signally Impious in their Practice but who in their Judgment were wont to deride Holiness as a Fancy so as Atheists must grant that there have been as profest Atheists sometimes as themselves who have been made such Conspicuous Monuments of the Power of the Gospel V. That none can Object here as once the Jews did Do any of the Rulers or such as the World counts most wise and knowing stand witnesses to the same when it is so known that there have not been more Wise Learned and Judicious in the Things of Reason upon the Earth than such as have been eminent Examples of the Power of Conversion VI. That its marvellous Effects in subduing men from what once was their Predominant Interest and Idol and to part from what had been as their right Eye or Hand could only be from an Immediate Divine Power VII That such as were greatest Adversaries to the Truth have been made no less eminent Instruments in the Service of Christ and choice Vessels of Honour than once they were in their Enmity and Opposition VIII That this Change hath been discernable in times of most Visible Persecutions and Hazard when no outward Advantage or Gain could have the least influence thereon Now as these are demonstrably clear so can
there be no possible ground to question this I. That the Scripture is faithful and true in so great a discovery II. That there is a Divine Spirit and a Power above nature which accompanies the same in such a change III. That there are surely contrary states in another World when they are so undeniably manifest here Qu. III. But can so great an experiment of Religion as that of Communion betwixt God and Men here upon Earth be made rationally convincing to such as are themselves strangers thereto and for a further confirming of the Christian Faith Answ Though this be an experiment of Divine Truth of a more transcendent interest and value than all that ever were in Nature yet it is no less evident and there can be no possible delusion herein if I. It 's that to which so innumerable a Company bears Testimony and hath sent down the same as that which not once or twice they have approved but in the continued trial of their Life II. That it 's known to the World that such as testifie what they do and have so oft found in the retirement of their Souls with God are of as discerning Spirits to know the true value of things as any else yea such whose testimony in other things the worst of men could not refuse nor deny III. That it's undeniably evident such must have another acquaintance and society than that of men which not only makes these hidden exercises of godliness so desireable where all may see they more flee than follow any humane Witness but also makes so visible a change both in their case and countenance after most sad anguish and down-castings of Spirit IV. That it is so evident also how such as are most serious this way have been visibly oft raised above their ordinary case and frame in Prayer and other duties of Religion yea in that manner as they who never knew there is a Holy Ghost but by report could not withstand so clear conviction of the reality hereof that can beget such liberty humble tenderness and melting of Heart yea such discernable joy and confidence V. That no delusion or false shew can be here when it 's ever seen that such as are most serious and frequent in Prayer and these hid retirements with God are the most flourishing also in the vitals of Christianity and have the most honourable lustre and appearance of any in their profession VI. That it 's such only whose joy and comfort is most specially discernable beyond others when these lower springs of outward help and encouragement are most visibly shut up Qu. IV. Is that great and experimental part of Religion in the Power of the Conscience over man such as may be as demonstrable to the World as the truth of a rational Being Answ It may be matter of wonder that men are not struck with deeper convictions hereon when they cannot but see I. That though this be the greatest tormentor and troubler of the World yet is there no possible retreat from its power tho' men should flee to the uttermost parts of the Earth but doth it enforce the Soul to a reflexion on its self even when it trembleth at that sight II. That it causeth great fear and horrour upon the commitment of secret sins when no dread of Humane Witness or of visible hazard this way could occasion it III. That it admits no violence in any to out-dare the same but is a power that the greatest Monarchs find to be stronger than they and is such that these oft are enforced for present ease and relief either to divert or bribe the same by some false grounds of peace IV. That it constrains men to Justifie God and Judge themselves when his hand doth pursue them and to find out their sin and guilt which was before hid V. That it makes men also afraid to be alone with themselves and to tremble at the Word of Truth because its light doth torment them by that unavoidable application which Conscience makes hereof VI. Yea it makes mens guilt so legible oft in their countenance even when they study most to conceal it that all may see there is an accuser within whose Authority and Power cannot possibly be declined VII That with so remarkable a confidence and security it doth support Mens Spirit and makes it easie to sustain its greatest infirmities from without when it is a Friend yea and upholds the opprest with unspeakable Peace and Comfort when it doth oft cause the oppressour to tremble Qu. V. But what doth most necessarily result from so clear a demonstration as the Conscience is for confirming of our Faith Answ I. That it 's infallibly thus clear that there is a Higher Power and Judgment to which all mankind is subjected and gives the World an unavoidable demonstration both of the being of God and of the Truth of his Word in the great and supernatural discovery which it makes hereof II. That there is a Supream and Infallible Law also and Invisible Judge above us under whose power and authority this Court of Justice doth without respect of Persons both Summon Arrest bring in Witness and Sentence great and small III. That the Internal Government of our Blessed Lord this way both in the severity of his rebukes and most sensible enlargements of Peace and Comfort is unavoidably demonstrated IV. That it bears so clear evidence to unknown and undoubted relief and none else could be ever found for these Wounds and Stings of the Conscience but in the Light and Power of Christianity V. That it is simply impossible for men to delight freely in a course of sin when no Humane Power can disarm the Conscience of that so intolerable a sting by which it begins so early a Hell within the Soul VI. That such is the Power and Peace of a good Conscience as can make it stand unbroken amidst the greatest ruins and terrours of the World when under such a guard as that of its own innocency SECTION V. Qu. I. IS the evidence of a Kingdom of Darkness in a direct opposition and contrariety to that Kingdom of Light which Christ hath set up by the Gospel such as the certainty thereof may be a matter of Sense as well as of Faith Answ This is of such special use both to confirm the Christian Faith and awake such to deeper reflexion on the same with whom there seems no hope to prevail but by proofs from palpable experience and it is not possible to deny I. That there is such a power as the Devil and those wicked Spirits incompassing the Earth yea that they have an ordinary and familiar converse with many therein II. That these Spirits though once originally excellent have fallen into such an Apostacy as all may see their aim and only pleasure is to dishonour God and destroy his Image in Man III. That it is impossible to deny the marks of that Power and Conquest which the Prince of this World hath every where amongst
men yea how visibly many are transformed into his Image by such prodigious and desperate acts of wickedness as we should think humane nature could not but tremble at IV. That none can question the certainty both of Sense and Reason which is in the truth of Apparitions and Bodily Possessions of Men in all Ages and in all places of the Earth and can need no demonstration for this that in many places of the Earth the Devil is both visibly and audibly known V. That he is so manifest in his appearance as a Spirit of Blasphemy which impetuously acts Men to War against Heaven with their Tongue in such Oaths and Cursing as have no sensual pleasure or gain herein yea as a Spirit of Delusion in so visible an excitement of others to such extravagancies under a shew of Religion as are inconsistent with any use of Judgment or Reason VI. That so innumerable a company of humane Race hath in all Ages been in a formal and express Covenant with these powers of darkness is undeniable upon the most severe and impartial inquiry herein Qu. II. What special assistance to your Faith doth the certainty of these Powers of Darkness bring therewith Answ I. It is plain that such a Party both in their Nature and continued Actings are in a stared opposition to the Kingdom of Christ II. It is visible that the Prey which these Mighty Hunters do follow after is not our Body or the things of this Life but it is the Immortal Soul and Future State that Man might be made sharer of the same Misery under which they are concluded III. All may see their being under restraint of a Supream Power above them and under such Chains as do irresistibly bound their rage and enmity against Man by an invisible Guard and Hedge which they cannot break over IV. Their greatest rage and strugling is against the Conversion of sinners to God and to hold fast his possession in such as the Spirit of God doth not more clearly move for their rescue than these do to cross that blessed design of the Gospel V. There are none that are serious in the Truth and Life of Religion but find themselves pursued by such an Adversary and have as discernably another Party than themselves or the World to conflict with as if they saw them in a visible shape VI. That by the Gospel and within the Precinct of the Church there is discernably a much greater restraint of Satans Dominion and Power than in all the Earth besides yea that the advantage of being within the external covenant of Baptism is so demonstrable that the least yielding or tendency to a renouncing of the same or any Acts of Homage for making use of his help hath ever made way for some more extraordinary Power of the Devil over such than others VII Thus is a most undeniable Confirmation given of an Invisible World and of such intellectual Beings there as are far above man yea and it is plain that there is an intercourse betwixt Men and Spirits such may clearly shew the interest that Man's Soul hath in another State and World than this Qu. III. Is that great truth of the Immortality of the Soul and its never dying state after Death as fully demonstrable to Reason as it is by the furthest certainty of Faith Answ Though it be so amazing a thing to believe an Immortal Soul and Eternal State wherein it must shortly enter as by few seems to be apprehended yet are its demonstrative evidences such that except men lose all sence and use of reason it is not possible to deny I. That there is such an Immaterial and Active Substance as the Soul which can admit of no cause either of its decay or dissolution from the Body yea that the greatest excellency of this visible Creation is here that such a vital Beam of Life Light and Immortality as the Soul of Man is therein II. Though we cannot see this rare and wonderful Being yet we fully perceive it to be something distinct from the Body and to have a distinct interest both in its griefs and comforts III. That it can have no dependance on the Body in its Being which doth no way depend thereon in its Actings and Exercise but is oft most vigorous and clear in its exercise not only when most separate and abstract from sensible things but when the flesh is under the greatest decay and near its dissolution to shew the Soul lieth not a dying with the Body but hath its distinct subsistence to live in a separate state when it dies IV. It s being peculiarly framed for converse and intercourse with spiritual Beings yea its being the only part of the visible Creation admitted to fellowship with the invisible God and to have reflex acts upon it self V. It is a Being of a higher nature and value than the Sun Moon and Stars which not only can know and conceive of things above the evidence and impressions of sense but make a rational choice of good though cross to any sensual pleasure yea to rejoice and have its proper delights when the body is afflicted and in pain nor can it be defiled from the most loathsome sores and defilements of the Flesh so as we must needs see both its Dominion and Preheminence over the Body and have assuredly a subsistence without the same VI. It is such a Being as is capable of a happiness beyond the whole extent of the World and hath these intellectual Faculties which cannot possibly want both objects suitable thereto and injoyments above the Senses VII The most choice and excellent are usually most afflicted and crushed under the feet of their oppressours whilst the vilest flourish in the Earth and have no bands in their death so that such were of all men the most miserable if in this life both their being and blessedness were terminated VIII That there is so universal a sense of Immortality that they who both fear and hate the evidences hereof yet under some constraint of Reason have the same for a continued terrour IX That it is sure the certainty of death makes it simply impossible for things only suited to this Life of Sense to be the ultimate good or fruition of Man since else the Beasts should have a greater happiness than such if it were not for respect to an after and Immortal State Qu. IV. What confirmation to your Faith does that great and amazing change by Death offer when it would seem to be something meerly natural Answ Though the only wise God moves herein according to the nature of second causes and it hath various ways of approach unto men yet may all see with the furthest conviction of rational evidence as well as certainty of Faith I. That Death in its first constitution is Penal and comes by a Divine appointment unto all not meerly as men but as sinners and to be no natural accident and result of our Primitive and Original Frame II. That it's
this way as in all Ages have been known by most remarkable instances when not in the least distemper of their natural reason that may present to mens Senses something of a visible Hell as convincingly as if one had risen from the Dead for the same IV. A trembling sense and terror of Divine Vengeance oft follows upon horrid acts of wickedness and so eminently breaks forth upon a surprising sight of Death that all may see something more dreadful herein than in the dissolution of Nature and the Power and present Arrest of a future judgment is made visible in the same V. There are begun degrees of blaspheming and rage against God because of his plagues and such prodigies of cruelty exercised by Men here in the Earth as may be evident to all to be more than humane and rather the effects of infernal spirits acting in a humane shape VI. So clear a prelude and beginning of Hell is in that judicial obduration and blindness which many are given up to under the greatest discoveries of light that all may see their being thus bound over in Chains and shut up in Prison until Death bring them forth to the Execution and that no relief or application of the means of Grace hath then any success VII Such a Map and Shadow of Eternal Vengeance is in these terrible acts of Divine Judgment inflicted here on Apostates and Persecutors of the Truth and other flagitious persons which with the very first view might present an awful and immediate appearance of God in the same some strange and supernatural punishment is oft so visible on the workers of Iniquity VIII And whatever be of natural causes in such visible representations here in the Earth as that sulphureous Lake where once Sodom was and those burning Mountains of Haecla Aetna and Vesuvius yet we may truly judge that they are thus set before the World as visible memorials of the Infernal Flames and as it were so many Chimny's or Vent-holes thereof for such who will not believe the same because they do not yet see or feel such a thing Qu. VII What assistances hath our Faith of that great and wonderful truth of the Resurrection of the Body after its dissolution in the Grave unto Dust Answ I. It hath great assistance from that visible and stupendious frame of the Heavens and the Earth when it 's sure that the same Infinite Power that hath not only made Man but the whole Creation can as easily collect and reunite the dispersed ashes of the Body as form the same II. From that greatest pledge hereof in the Resurrection of the Body of Christ III. From that tribulation and sore pain that the Saints here in their outward man are exposed to since it is sure that in the holy justice of God he did not give such Bodies for labour and for toil and to his Martyrs to endure unexpressible torments for Christ at last to perish for ever IV. From these visible resemblances and pâ—efigurations of the Resurrection which the Lord hath given to confirm our Faith herein in the ordinary course and productions of nature so as all may see how every night is as the Grave of the day light and each morning a new resurrection of the same and how visible an image of Death is in each season of the Winter with so marvellous and beautiful a Resurrection of the Earth on every return of the Spring in the Herbs Flowers and Plants taking life and rising again in the leaves blossoms and fruits yea this in such a variety as may no less convincingly evidence an Infinite Divine Power herein than that the same body of man should be raised at the last day V. From that continued miracle of the Harvest after the Seed-time with so amazing a production of the Grain sowen in the Earth and its first dying there before it be quickned so as to be at last brought to 30 60 yea sometimes an hundred fold out of the very same grain which to these who had never before known the same would seem incredible and above all reason to conceive or give credit thereto CHAP. III. The Confirming Work of Religion improved with respect to the Times to clear the way of the Lord herein before this Generation and let us see how nothing is so strange in the Events of this day which should not more strengthen then shake and that the God of the Reformed Church doth still own the same Interest according to his Faithfulness Which is here briefly Pointed at upon some special inquiry proposed about the same SECTION I. Qu. I. VVHat can afford both Light and Confirmation to our Faith in such a time when we see the Work of the Lord about his Church to be most remarkably now a work of Judgment with such dark and searching Tryals therewith as former times have not known Ans It is sure we have seen nothing but what might have been too evidently looked for and that we can pretend no want of Light herein upon these Grounds I. That the Trials of a Church should be suited to the measure of their Talent of Light and when this hath been in some more than ordinary way dispensed that some remarkably searching Times might be expected to follow nor can it be now strange to us that such things fall in with this day which did not meet the Churches of Christ at the first entry of the Reformation who then had not so clear Discoveries of the Truth and that measure of Confirmation therein which hath been since II. That some unusual Tryals and Conflicts in the Lords Method of Providence should be suited also to the greatness of that Work which he is bringing forth may be no strange thing and to see a time of such sore wrestlings as this when all things seem to cry and be in Pain as Micah 4.20 Yea when some great event of the Scripture is to be revealed to the World and near to its full height and Period of Accomplishment as we have safe ground for Assurance of this day III. Nor hath this sad and dismal hour on the Church been more obvious than the provoking Cause hereof in which the Holy Righteousness of God may be no less clear than the Cloud now is dark when there has been such a Visible falling off from that Love Tenderness and Power of Religion that did formerly attend its Profession for these many years past we might have seen that some sore and remarkable Judgment was coming and that if we had not been in such a manner undone we were under some sadder stroak of Spiritual Judgment ready to be utterly undone IV. Yea it hath been too Visible that such Evils followed the Reformed Churches as in no time it was ever known that the Holy God did pass by without some signal Evidence of his Wrath against the same before the World V. We know that Carnal Confidence hath a Curse ever waiting upon it in the Scripture and none can take it
off or make that thrive which God hath himself cursed and it is too visible how far we have gone thus out of the way of our Strength by such eager seeking Humane Props and support that we have forgot the Guide of our Youth and Covenant of our God and what great things he hath formerly done in the greatest straits of his Church when there was much humble trusting that the Spirit of the Lord would do more to recover his Truth than all Humane Might or Power could do SECTION II. Qu. VVHat Talent are we still accountable for to support our Faith against the greatest Fears of this time from these immediate Appearances of God and of the Glory of his Power for the same Truth and Cause of the Reformed Church we are now called to contend for which hath been since the Reformation when so strong and unusual a Tide now is against the same Ans If men shut not their eyes and hide this great Talent of the Works of God under the Ground it 's sure none can Question such a Seal which before the Sun to the Amazement and Conviction of the World hath been put to the Truth of the Reformed Religion that we are now brought under such a Call as the Church of Israel was Deut. 4.34 To ask of the Times that are past since Israels coming out of Egypt and since the first planting of the Gentile Church by the Gospel whether there hath been so great a thing as this in the Earth that God hath essayed to take to himself a People from the midst of other Nations by Temptations by Signs and by Wonders and by War and by a Mighty Hand and by an out-stretched Arm and by great Terrours according to all that the Lord our God hath done for the rescue of his People in these last Times from Antichristian Bondage and Darkness and settling them in a Church-state but unto us was this shewed that we might know that the Lord he is God and there is none else beside him Ye are still called to see and be as Eye Witnesses to these things I. How Bright a Day of the Gospel of Christ did go before this great Darkness on the Church and what a solemn Triumph in these late Ages the Truth hath had over Antichrist so as the full stroak and ruine of his Kingdom which is sure and established in the Promise of God seems not now more marvellous and above humane appearance than what we have seen in the begun degrees of its accomplishment II. In how few years also there was as a new Christian World brought forth in that swift Course and Progress which the ingathering of the Reformed Churches had so as between the Year 1560 and 1621. such famous Plantations of the Gospel were setled in a Church-state which all may see was the immediate Work and Power of God to shew that none should fear or stagger at his Promise though the waters yet swell and come to the flowings of Jordan and difficulties appear unsuperable to humane Sence after these great things which the Lord hath done III. How extraordinary a Calling and excitement of Instruments was then evident for the Service of that time and Reapers thus eminently prepared for so great an Harvest of the Gospel as might put the World to inquire whence these were in so numerous a Concurrence when a few of such a Spirit were so rarely to be found in many Ages before IV. Yea such an Accession also of Spiritual Gifts and Endowments was then for Building of the Church â—s had not been formerly known since the first coming of the Gospel to the Gentiles wherein it may be said the Glory of these last Times hath even in some degree exceeded that of the first V. And can the most dismal things of this time countervail the Confirmations of our Faith who have so clearly seen with the first breaking up of the Purer Doctrine of Christ the Power and Life of Christianity came therewith to the World as a Seal and Attestation thereto beyond any Miracles yea how innumerable a Company in these last Ages of different Tongues and Languages and these so remote from one another did not only receive the same Truth but with such Resolution Adventure their Souls thereon as might fully witness they had another prospect of Christianity and to be in some other manner ravished with the Glory and Beauty of the same than is now in these times VI. Such high Spring tides of the Power and Efficacy of the Gospel might be evident to all after so sad a restraint had been for so many Ages before under Antichristian darkness for whatever was then as a Private Seal on the Spirit of Christians whilst the Witnesses did Prophesie in Sack-cloth yet was there no such Evidence and Demonstration of the Holy Ghost or a Publick Confirmatory Seal to the Truth as was after the Reformation VII Yea was it not the most Sober Serious and Inquisitive Part of Men upon a sure Trial of the Grounds of their Faith who did most firmly imbrace the same and how many of these also were of the greatest Parts and Abilities whom none could Judge to Adventure so far herein without the highest Assurances that this was their undoubted interest and Salvation VIII We have seen not only men of mean and low Estate but such of the Highest Place and Quality most chearfully adventuring whatever Interest could be dearest to them in the Earth for the Truths sake yea it was ever found that such as were most acquainted with the Reformed Religion in its Power and lived up in their Practice to what they professed thereof were those who with the greatest Assurance most resolutely still adhered thereto IX We have seen also it s most remarkable spreading in the World when there could be no possible pretence of a Worldly Interest or External Motives for the same X We have seen something not only extraordinary but even Miraculous in the Joy and Resolution of innumerable Martyrs since the Reformation who did bear out with a more than humane strength against a cruelty so visibly Inhumane and Savage yea which did in some degrees exceed that measure of the Heathens in the Primitive Times as being against a greater Light than theirs XI And have we not seen of what Spirit such still have been since the Reformation who were the most notorious Instruments in the Churches Persecution and how visibly such did act herein under so impetuous an incitement of the Devil that as Tertullian in his Apology speaks of Nero the Truth might boast in having such Adversaries XII It is sure we have seen that no humane Power could yet ever undo this blessed Inteterest of the Reformed Religion tho' no way or change of Weapons hath been left untried but we have thus seen whither so strong and united a Confederacy as the Catholick League in France did at last resolve and not only in the ruine of the greatest Actors and Contrivers therein but
to a further establishing of the Reformed Churches there as though such had Intentionally acted for the same when if second Causes had brought forth their Ordinary effects it might have been judged impossible to fail XIII We have seen that issue of all the Councels Expence and Cruelty of Philip the II. of Spain to bear down the Truth of the Gospel in the Netherlands which was to the furthest setling of this Illustrious State and the Church of Christ there yea how their Conspicuous Rise and Flourishing even in the Externals and their resolute adherence to the Truth of Christ did most visibly keep together XIV We know that deluge of Blood which so quickly followed the French Massacre and the most dismal time which ever that Nation knew did then visibly Contemporate with such a time of their greatest Rage and Persecution against the Truth and that Event of the Third Vial most clearly fulfilled herein Rev. 16.5 6. Thou art Righteous O Lord which art and wast and shalt be because thou hast judged thus for they have shed the Blood of thy Saints and Prophets and thou hast given them Blood to drink in great measure XV. Yea have we not seen how four Kings of France Successively were in less than thirty years taken away in the same continued pursuit how to destroy the Church there in whom that whole race of the Valois was thus extinct yea in the manner of their Death were most remarkable Monuments of Divine Judgment as the most famous Writers of that time do attest XVI We have seen what marvellous effects did follow those Bloody Years of Queen Mary's Reign in England to promote and commend the Protestant Doctrine to Mens Consciences there with so great a Triumph as it had in the Sufferings of such choice and excellent witnesses for Christ and hath brought in more Rent to the Praise and Glory of their Blessed Head than may to the furthest compense all that Blood of the Saints there though highly Precious in the Eyes of the Lord. XVII We have seen likewise the Blood and Cruelty of late against the Protestants in Bohemia in a short time most Visibly returned on the Authors thereof and how the immediate Finger of God might be seen in calling forth the Swedes to avenge the same and in that desolating stroak which followed in Germany XVIII We have seen in these late Times the Issue of that horrid Massacre on the Protestants in Ireland to the utter ruine in a very few years after of that Barbarous Party who had thus acted herein XIX We have seen what wonderful Providences did attend the actings of that poor handful of Protestants in the Valleys of Piedmont since the Reformation upon the account of that Bloody Massacre which was set on foot there against them which was so astonishing as all might see an extraordinary Appearance of the Lord herein as is clearly attested by the most Faithful Histories of that time XX. And can it be forgot unto this day how visibly a Divine Hand did appear in breaking that great Spanish Armado in the Year 1588. which had been for some years in Contriving against England XXI Astonishing and specially Demonstrative of the immediate Power and Presence of God and matter of Wonder and Praise also for after Ages was that solemn time of the Reformation of the Church in Scotland for planting the Reformed Religion there with that zeal and oneness of Spirit as did then appear in all ranks to imbrace and adhere to the Profession thereof amidst the greatest threatnings of their Adversaries so as a few Years did bring forth that which would have seemed strange for an Age to accomplish yea that we find betwixt the last Martyr for the Truth there who was burnt at St. Andrews 1558. and the establishment of the Protestant Religion and full abolishment of Popery with the full Concurrence of Civil Authority herein in July 1560. was but little above two Years to shew what great things the Lord can do above all Humane Council or Confidence XXII It 's sure we have seen in what remarkable degrees these last Vials of the Holy Judgment of God have taken place on the Kingdom of Antichrist and how Conspicuous the Event hath been of that Prophecy 2 Thes 2.8 in these great Effects and Consumption thereof by the Ministry of the Gospel as an assured Pledge of the full Accomplishment of what remains herein XXIII And as every step of the Churches Rise hath been still advanced in a continued Conflict betwixt the Truth and Antichrist so have we still seen when the Assault and Opposition hath been greatest it s most remarkable tendency to a greater Victory which were it rightly considered upon clear and solid grounds from the Scripture the most formidable appearances of Trouble from this Adversary would with more Comfort than Fear this day be looked on so that whatever be the nearest and most immediate events yet is it sure as the Lord is true whose Word is passed hereon that whosoever gives their Power and Strength to support that Interest of Antichrist shall lose the day and find their Cause desperate for the party with whom they contend herein is the Son of God against whom no humane Power shall ever be able to stand These are but a few which are here mentioned of the great Acts of our God in behalf of his Truth to be still as present in our sight in a time when the Spirits of many are ready to Stagger and Faint and here mentioned to lay no stress or weight of the Authority of the Truth and Doctrine of our Profession thereon but on the alone Revelation of the Scripture but they are such an undeniable Seal for Confirming our Faith and of so known Publick and famous Evidence as should be no less considered and taken to Heart now than in the time when the Lord thus appeared herein SECTION III. Qu. VVHat present Judgment are we called to have of this Time upon clear and assured grounds from the Scripture that we may know under what aspect thereof the present State of Religion and of the Reformed Churches is under when so great a Crisis is this day as would seem to be in the very Height of its Conflict whether as to Life or Death Ans It is no present Appearance of the time that must Direct our Faith nor should we either stretch our Fears or Expectations of Things and Events beyond what the God of Truth doth warrand in his Word but it 's clear if we credit the same and admit the Divinity of the New Testament there is no just Cause of Hesitation or Darkness as to what the Lord is bringing forth for his Church now in these latter days nor can there be any pretence to seek another Light either from the Stars above or the Diviners of this Time when so woful a Trade hath got up in the World that men wtll thus go to the God of Ekron as though there were not a
God in Israel or such a thing as his written Oracles to inquire at when it 's sure these lie open and with a clear and distinct sound speak to all who have a Serious and Unprejudged Spirit I. That the Church under the New Testament hath now passed and gone through that most dismal and continued Tryal herein which was to go over her Head under Antichrists Reign and Height and whatever appearance he now hath in great Wrath yet is it sure and evident that the Winter is past and the Churches Spring begun and a few steps further off that Judgment which is now hastning on will at length end the quarrel so that by a near converse with the Word we may clearly see from what point the Churches course and motion this day lies and how exactly it keeps in the Certainty thereof by the clear Conduct of the Scriptures of Truth where a full Map of her whole Course and Passage through Time is clearly shewed II. That we may now with some clear Evidence Judge and have our Faith perswaded hereof that the Churches Interest is upon the rising Hand and on a present Advance though nothing would seem more Contradictory than all visible grounds now are since this cannot fail John 3.30 That Jesus Christ in his Kingdom in the Earth must Increase yea that the Scripture so clearly Points forth Antichrists Ruine and Progress of his fall and downcasting with resemblance to that great Judgment on Pharaoh as an evident Type hereof in the same judicial stroakâ— of Induration on both and gradual Progress herein by one Plague after another until the last and greatest Assault as was then at the Red Sea hath the same effect for a more glorious appearance of God in the greatest step of Judgment and Victory over this Adversary when not only the Song of Moses but of the Lamb also shall be then sung Rev. 15.3 as importing something more glorious and a greater brightness to be put on this Illustrious Act of Divine Judgment reserved to these last times when a more immediate Appearance of the Lord will be seen than in any former deliverances of his Church III. It is no Conjâ—ctural thing but what by a clear Scripture Conduct we may see that this time of the Church now under so notable a Crisis in her Case is evidently falling under that Remarkable Assault and Conflict with that Adversary before the accomplishing of that Vial on his Seat and Throne as we may see Rev. 17.13 14. That when so Conspicuous a step of the Churches Victory is near the Opposition thereto also will be in some higher degree proportionable to the same when the great men of the Earth and such who shall receive Power as Kings one hour with the Beast shall have one Mind and give their Power and Strength thereto and shall make War with the Lamb but the Lamb shall overcome them for he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords c. Nor is it found through the Scripture where the Lord hath done any great thing for his Church but some unusual darkness and sore-wrestlings have still gone before and should be no matter of staggering to our Faith whatever it be of present Fears to see so dismal a Time of Tryal as now is and amazing heighth of trouble beyond what former times have known when one of the greatest events of Providence in behalf of the Church since the revealing of Christ to the World until his second coming is assuredly near in the fall and overthrow of the man of Sin IV. We have clear ground also to judge that so great an Eclipse as seems almost Universally over the State of the Reformed Churches is no going down of the Sun thereon whatever did befal the most famous Eastern Churches to an utter dissipation thereof if these different Periods of time be justly considered how their Sun-set did then fall in with the Entry of that great Apostacy of the Christian Church and with that long and dismal Night of Antichrists Reign whilst now this hour of Trial on the Churches doth meet in that blessed Period of Antichrists begun fall and of a growing Light of the Gospel and when the Scripture so clearly warrants our Faith herein that the Work of Providence is to Plant and not cut off but to bring forward that Interest of the Reformed Churches in the founding of which the Mediator hath so eminently appeared in the Glory of his Power in these last times V. It is sure we now live in the Evening and Extremity of time when the motions of Providence may be expected to be more quick and speedy as being so near the Centre and to the last Epocha and Period of all Prophetick Chronology wherein the Glory of God in his Truth and Faithfulness shall most eminently shine forth and these Scripture Truths which were formerly dark and abstruse with that Evidence shine forth in the event as shall cause men to wonder at their former thoughts and stumblings thereat And here I must say that there is such a sight now in the Earth as the Romish Church in its Complex frame and state in so different a mold cast from any Power or Jurisdiction else and such a Compound of a Civil and Spiritual Monarchy in one and the same Person is so solemn and undeniable a Seal to the Christian Faith and Divinity of the New Testament that it 's strange why this is not improved more against the Atheism of this time that such a visible event of the Scripture is now in being which was so clearly foretold by the Holy Ghost 1500. years ago with its proper Circumstances as to the manner of that Antichristian state with its Rise Growth and Duration as is to Admiration still evident to the World when not the least shaddow or appearance of so strange Future Emergencies was to be seen or could have entred mens Thoughts to shew it only could be revealed to the Church by him to whom all his Works are known from the Beginning This I have looked on as such a Confirmation to the Truth of Christianity that no Miracles in the first times of the Church could have more evidence for the same yea if such a party were not in being both what it now is and in former Ages hath been it might in another manner stagger the Faith of the Saints to a questioning the Truth of the Scripture than its most formidable appearance this day can do VI. I shall but add here that we know and are sure the Lord hath reserved his greatest works to these latter days wherein his Judgments shall be manifest and that one of the most eminent Manifestations of his Glory before the close of time shall be Conspicuous in the fall of Antichrist on whose ruines that Glorious House which Christ is yet to have for himself both of Jews and Gentiles shall be prepared and built up and though this great Eclipse of Antichristian Darkness should yet more prevail even
concern the Vitals of Religion and an Inward Life of Communion with God V. Which Pleads an Impartial Tryal of all its Adversaries whether the Principles of our Profession or of Popery give the greatest Security to Civil Government and founds the strongest Obligations to Magistracy and to all Civil and Moral Duties by which the awe and venerable esteem of Religion is kept up in a Nation It is high time that men should cease to be implicite and become express upon this greatest Interest they have within time which is the Truth of their Profession in the matter of Religion when a Deceit or Mistake here is of an Eternal Concern Upon which account without respect to Interest Party or Education I have this day sought to know the Truth and what Adversaries could possibly pretend to Reproach or Prejudge any for the Reformed Religion All they can do is but to charge mens Corruption and Offences in their Practice upon the Rule and Principles of their Profession that can never give the least Latitude or Connivance thereto but is clear as the Sun when on the other hand I could know no other way to imbrace such a Profession as Popery but by turning Atheist in the first Place and then quitting both Religion and Reason at once But I can say in a resolute Adherence to the Doctrine of the Reformed Church I fear not to adventure my Soul and enter into an Eternal State FINIS AN IDEA Of the Confirmed State of a Christian in Dismal and Shaking Times THo' the Measure of all Christians Establishment in the Truth be not alike but must have respect to their different Trials Talents and Improvements for this end yet may it cause Astonishment to see how rare any Study of this kind is now to be found When it 's not only one of the highest concerns of Christianity but in a more than ordinary way called for as the Work of this day yea being this is a part of Religion which seems least improved of any for the more general State of Professours within the Church under some Conviction hereof was this Essay designed wherein with humble Confidence I may say the Truth hath been sought with that Serious Enquiry into the Nature of these things held forth as I judged needful for such who have so great an Interest and Adventure not only through Time but for all Eternity to support themselves upon the alone Certainty hereof and ere these days of Trial which we now see pass over this Generation it may be found this was not unseasonable or without cause directed to such a time if the Lord graciously bless the same nor will it I hope be found unnecessary to present yet further some clear prospect of a Confirmed State in Religion and what those ought to be who with Light and Assurance of Mind are like to follow the Lord fully in such a day which is here offered in a seven fold Character under which a truly Confirmed Christian in the Truth of his Profession may be Stated CHARACTER I. He is one who hath another Sence and Impression of this great Study for attaining to a Confirmed State in Religion and is on higher grounds pressed to follow the same than most of the Visible Church do apprehend and should be thus Considered 1. As one to whom the Glory of the Christian Profession is in the highest Degree dear and who would have the World see that such as imbrace the same and do most fully Adventure on the Testimony of God in his Word are those who walk on the highest Principles of true and enlightned Reason yea who take deeply to Heart that Obligation which is on all who desire to advance the Repute and Honour of the Truth to be in such Terms therewith upon its own Evidence that they may know how to Confute and Shame Atheists and Infidels if called thereunto 2. Who see also that such is the State of fallen Man as stands in need of all the Contributions that can be not only to strengthen the Christians Faith to bear our against the strong Assaults of Infidelity but to gain also more Credit and Veneration to the Truth with those who are not easily dealt with but by such means as bear some Congruity to their Natural Light and Reason for which end the Lord hath afforded his Ministerial helps to render the Unbelief of the World and all pretence of Hesitation about his Truth more inexcusable 3. He also sees that the most important and Fundamental Truths of Christianity need the greatest Confirmation in his Faith and those who enter into so high and discriminating a Profession from the residue of the World need to know in what manner they embrace the same He sees that the natural Order of things does absolutely require to have the Foundation sure laid on which so great a superstructure must rest so as he judgeth it a Work by it self and to need some peculiar retiring his Soul in the most serious recess and Composure thereof to attain a stedfastness in the Truth and to know the strong and firm Conveyances of that greatest Mystery of the Gospel in such a manner as needs not a new Miracle to Confirm the same But he knows that no sharpness of mens Natural Understanding about the Truth can ever attain a true Rest and Settlement of Mind therein without an humble and serious Spirit stooping down before the Wisdom of God and entring as a little Child into his School and by that humble Practice and Obedience of the Gospel there is an undoubted coming up to the greatest Assurance and clearest Demonstrations of the same as Joh. 7.17 4 He knows that as nothing tends more to shake Mens Spirits and stagger them about the Truth than a Light and Transient View hereof so does the greatest Establishment follow on the nearest approach by a deep and serious Enquiry about the same and he clearly sees that if such who look but at a distance on the way of Religion did but once come to have their Spirits exceed in a more serious Reflection thereon the first view they should have could not but be matter of Wonder and Amazement to think what can support a Soul in so marvellous a way as the Life and Practice of Christianity Which is so visibly above Nature and that wherein they must do violence to the same wherein they must part with the Multitude and oppose themselves to the strongâ—st Tide of Example and must endure also in Hope and believe for things not seen which were never the Object of Humane Sence to any in this Earth and are oft called to part with the most desirable things of Sence upon the alone Credit of their Faith yea wherein they must enter that Profession on no other Terms than to be Martyrs for the same and Seal it with their Blood so that he must needs see a Christian according to the Rule and Institution of the Gospel to be the greatest Riddle and Wonder of
any sight within time but when such come more close and near upon this Trial and have once understood the Nature and greatness of that Security which these have to adventure on and what is the Glory of their Hope and the sure Spring of their Supplies for their Work and Trials within time then will this second wonder unspeakably exceed the first how it 's possible that such are not of a more raised and enlarged Spirit in the service of the Gospel in that short season they have here for it on the Earth and how their difficulty should not be more to bear the Joy of so great a Prospect and Expectation than to bear any present Griefs and Troubles Yea how a mans Life who indeed sincerely makes the Christian Profession is not in some more continued transport of ravishment and wondering to know that they are surely made for their Eternal State in another World and are among those on whom the glorious God hath chosen to have the exceeding Riches of his Grace shewed forth in the Regions of Blessedness above for ever 5. He hath another sight and prospect of the Christian Creed than most who give an easie Assent thereunto and hath his Reason so dazled with the Revelation of the Gospel and of the Wonders thereof as hath put him to such an Exercise as that 2 Chron. 6.18 How to Credit his Eyes therewith the more deep Reflection he hath upon the same But will God in very deed dwell with men on the Earth He judgeth that they who after some fluctuating suspence are admitted to see the Truth of Christianity with that Certainty of its Evidence as the greatness of such a discovery does require may have some resemblance to that transport which the Angels had at the first Creation when the Morning Stars Sung together and the Sons of God shouted for Joy to see themselves thus who were brought out of pure nothing entred into that ineffable Light of seeing God and also their own blessedness in him in so high a degree So that he accounts it one of the highest Attainments of Religion for a Christian indeed to believe the Articles of his own Faith and have his Soul as fully perswaded hereof as of his being that such a time assuredly was and is now many Ages since past when the glorious Redeemer of the Church the second Person of the God-head came down from Heaven and was revealed in our Nature that on him as Surety to Divine Justice in the room of the Elect Church was the whole Guilt and Sin thereof transferred and in this marvellous way did the Holy God take Satisfaction to Himself by Himself that thus our Nature is exalted by the Incarnation of Christ above the Nature of Angels that the time is near when the meanest afflicted Christian shall take in no other Air than the Breathings of the higher Paradise above and now hath an Eternity of Joy and Blessedness before him that within a very little time he shall know this welcome of our blest Redeemer to his Followers here on the Earth Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom c. When he shall take off the Cross and put on the Crown whâ—n it shall be then no more a matter of Faith but of Sence to be Partaker of that Inheritance with the Saints in Light and know those Proper Mansions in that State of Glory and peculiar Assignment thereunto which all the Redeemed shall then have and be put in the same rank with the Elect Angels to be as those pure flames of Love and Joy yea know what it is to walk in the Streets of the New Jerusalem which are as Gold Transparent as Christal and what that meeting-will be of his Soul Perfected and in a Triumphant State with his Glorified Body raised incorruptible and never to part any more and to have his proper share of that blessed and greatest Solemnity that shall be celebrated in Heaven the Marriage Supper of the Lamb with the whole Triumphant Church and hear that honourable account which the great Judge will then make of these Trials of his Faith and sharp conflicts which he had gone through within time with that solemn Testimony of Approbation which will be given hereof And since it 's sure these great things must be a part of the Christian Faith can it be strange that such as would in that manner converse therewith tho they be not yet seen as no less undoubted Realities than any present Objects of Sense cannot be easily satisfied with a low degree of Evidence and Confirmation of their Judgment but would have their Joy perfected so far as this State of Mortality can bear and so find it easie to Rejoice and Glory in Tribulation and to weep now for a Season who are to rejoyce for ever yea to say in the Words of Mephibosheth Let them take it all and enjoy the same since he who is their Life and Exceeding Joy Lives and Reigns who is Infinitely better to them than all these things 6. He accounts the Strengthning of his Faith to be such a concern not only as it is his Souls Adventure for all Eternity but as the highest way of Glorifying God here That whatever tends to a more full Confirmation of the same he reckons also one of the greatest Additions to his Joy and Comfort within time and that these manifold Assistances with such Reduplication thereof which the Lord hath himself given for this end are such that no Fragments of so rich a Talent should be lost and tho he knows the greatest Demonstrations of our Faith can add nothing to the Certainty of Divine Truth in it self yet are they thus given in regard of the strong Trials of a Christians Life and of what their weaknesses stand in need of for support 7. It 's in this Study he sees and takes to Heart how not only the Condition of Man in the Earth but the Profession of Christ also calls for such a reckoning that he may have Trials in that manner dispensed that no visible refuge will be found in the least to stand by him but all humane Comfort and Assistance will fail him so that he must needs lay in Ballast now in its Season and be founded thereon with that Assurance of Judgment as is needful for that Day when he must either get through in the alone way of Believing against Sence or Perish And tho no such Attainments of Light can bear out then without present and immediate Influences from above and that it is sure according to the Day so must the Christians Strength be yet does he see also the want of an established Judgment and of some proper stock laid up of Aids and Assistances this way against a sharp Storm is like to make sad work among the Professours of this Age ere the Trials of such a time have done their work 8. He sees also how the greatest Contest which in this day in the World is betwixt God
Eternal State on the known certainty thereof do Reason their Souls to a stedfast adherence to the Truth when they are called to sacrifice their Lives thereto to wit from the Rare Experiments and Proofs they have oft had of the same in their own Tryal 4. It doth more specially call for a demonstrative clearing of the Credit of this Testimony as one of the Services of Religion to promote the Kingdom of Christ amongst men which seems least improved of any with respect to the general State of such who are within the Church who are so great strangers to the same yea should be judged one of the great wants of this day when Atheism is now at so astonishing a height that it is not more studied to have the Experimental part of Religion which in it self lies deep and hid and is a secret betwixt God and the Christians Soul with such clearness and by that manner of Evidence demonstrated to the World as might tend to beget some more Awful Sense and Conviction hereof when such clear and unanswerable grounds might be improved for this end on those who look thereon as some strange and dark Riddle so as they could no more deny or withstand the Evidences hereof than that they have a Living Soul which yet they never saw or could ever be the Object of Human Sense And how sad a prospect should this give of the greatest part of the Christian World who not only know nothing of the True Glory and Spiritual Powers of Christianity but have not the very Notion or any Sense of the reality of such a thing But in the 2d place it is thus that each Christian for being solidly confirmed in the Way of Religion may as clearly see as he does sensibly feel the Truth of his own Experience and have his Faith as fully established by this inward and great demonstration of the things of God as his Affections are quickened upon such strong and demonstrative grounds of the certainty hereof as these are 1. By considering his present and former State that not in a dream but in the most deep and serious composure of spirit he knows that once he was blind and wholly estranged from this Mystery of Christian Experience which now he does see and once had the same sentiment hereof with such who do never at all reflect on the same but no sooner did the Truth and Power of Religion seize on his Soul than he found himself entred into a new World to know the dawnings of this marvelous Light and what belongs to these Enjoyments and Vital Acts of Christianity that have not the least dependance on any Natural Cause 2. By considering the marvelous Superstructure of Experimental Religion which from the inward observation of Christians in all Ages is such as the World could not almost contain the Books that might be written hereof which yet is so entirely founded on one and the same Foundation and does in all the Lines of this great Circumference still meet in the same Center yea thus how entire and harmonious a thing Religion in all the parts thereof is within upon the Soul as well as without so as every step in this way of the Experience of the Saints is no groping in the dark but what is by Line and by Rule with as sure and demonstrable a connexion with the External Testimony of the Word as there is in Nature betwixt the Cause and the Effect which affords a more wonderful assistance to his Faith than the greatest External Miracles could ever do and tho' the Spirit of God does sometimes in an extraordinary manner reveal himself to men as acts of his Soveraign Prerogative which make no Rule yet with the Established Constitutions of his Word does the continued Experience of the Saints most harmoniously ever correspond 3. By considering thus also the Being and Reality of Grace not in its Effects only but in its proper Cause and Original and how the Truth of Holiness in the Life of a Christian is so express a Transcript of the Gospel in its External Revelation that the Impress doth not more clearly answer the Seal on the Wax than it doth beget the same Form and Image of it self in such as believe yea also that conformity it bears to the ever blessed Archetype as well as to the Revealed Rule and how bright a discovery is this of so glorious a Being and Nature to which it 's conformed Who is the alone Pattern and Example of all Truth and Holiness which is so great a discovery as he is made to wonder that men in this Age are so much awaken'd to find out the true Phoenomena of Nature tho' in its own room a most choice study and specially desirable and will be as in a Transport upon some rare Natural Experiment as made one in that manner cry out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I have found I have found whilst here is another kind of demonstration and of more transcendent interest than all these could ever amount to on which the Eyes of most are this day shut 4. By considering that Unchangeable Congruity which is betwixt the nature of these things enjoyned in the whole Institutions of the Gospel and mens being made happy thereby now in their present state and how great a Temporal Revenue of the Fruits of Religion as inward Confidence Peace and Serenity of Mind doth as natively follow the life and practice hereof as the Fruit of a Tree answers to its kind and is ever found the alone true relief of Mankind against all the griefs and bitterness of time yea that it 's no distance of place but of mens spirit by impurity and corruption that makes so sad a distance betwixt God and Man here in the Earth 5. He is thus further confirmed upon this great Testimony of Experimental Religion by considering that it 's sure such as do bear this witness are known 1. To be such who are of the most discerning and judicious in the things of Reason as well as any else 2. Whose walk and practice use to have the greatest Authority over mens Consciences with whom they converse 3. Who are found most intensly taken up in the retired work and duties of Religion that can have no respect to the witness and observation of others 4. Who seek no Implicit Credit from any herein but do pray men to come and see and prove the same in their own Experience with an appeal to the most exact Inquiry and rational Tryal of all Mankind if here be any casual thing and if that Testimony of the Doctrinal and Experimental part of Religion be not still one and the same 5. Who also out of the most remote places of the Earth and otherwise strangers amongst themselves do yet most harmoniously meet in the same Witness and are thus mutually disclosed to each other by a near and feeling intercourse of their Souls from such an Oneness in a Spiritual State and those Specifick Properties of a Spiritual
Declarative Glory is so highly concerned that a Christian should account the meanest Room herein one of the most desirable Attainments within time Yea it seems just matter of regret also that this comes not under a more publick Care and notice of Particular Churches and of the Christian Magistrate where Religion hath any true regard to have such solemn Providences as occur in that time and place which may be called most Instructive Providences to the Church and of a further reach and extent than any Private use both Search'd after and Recorded as becomes so high a Service to the Christian Cause and one of the highest concerns of Posterity in Order to have them not only possessed of a pure Religion but of that Seal also which the Lord hath in the great Acts of Providence appended thereto And thus to have that Increase which each Successive Age brings therewith to the publick Stock of the Church looked after as a piece of the greatest trust reposed thereon so that the Children rise not up and say we have not heard nor have our Fathers faithfully communicated to us the wondrous Works which the Lord hath wrought in their time 3. He is thus also taught to see the Demonstrative Causes of the most strange Judgments on the Church to be as clear in the Scripture as they are in the event And though the Holy God in the day of his Patience and Long-suffering is not alike quick in the Execution of the Sentences of his Word yet does he ever establish the Authority of his Laws by the works of his Providence in the most opportune season and as Judgment deferred is no acquittance so does it more threaten its being the greater when it comes than a quick and present dispatch yea though this tempest which now blows on the Churches of Christ come to a greater height and the darkness be such as no Moon or Stars may for many days yet appear of any Visible signs of Hope yet is his Soul thus at rest whilst he can see the Credit of the Truth cleared on which he hath more in trust than any Adventure within time and doth rejoyce whatever miscarrying there may be of Inferiour Ends that this great and ultimate End of the works of God is secured herein and the Glory of his Truth does shine forth in the most strange and amazing Acts of his Providence whereat many are ready to stagger when they do not wisely consider the same 4. He sees now likewise so high a value which the Lord puts on the Trial of his Peoples Faith and that the great dispensation whereby he deals with men is by trust and on the credit of his Word as it adds further to his Confirmation to see all humane and Visible Refuges oft taken out of his Churches sight Yea his greatest works in the Earth make the greatest delay ere they be brought forth and his Churches Case is put so far beyond help before a cure as the first quickning of her crushed and almost dead hope must be at the mouth of the Grave and he is thus herein more singularly strengthned that when the Lord speaks the same in the way of Providence which he hath spoke in his Word not by Might nor by Power that he doth with unspeakable Advantage supply and fill the room thereof by the next Word but by my Spirit saith the Lord. Which in this day should with a full Assurance of Faith be both sought and looked after 5. It is in this rare Study he attains also the greatest Confirmation to his Faith that could possibly be desired within time to see now when it 's so near the close thereof and after all the Revolutions of times past how the Truth and Faithfulness of God hath as the Sun in its Strength still kept its way straight and fixt amidst all those dark Clouds which have been to darken the same and is now gone its course until it draws near to the full and perfect day yea thus to see how signally this present Age is held upon that same appeal andd solemn Testimony which Joshua gave Josh 23.14 That not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you all are come to pass to you and not one thing hath failed thereof and Solomon did bear also at the Dedication of the Temple 1 Kings 8.56 Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest unto his People Israel according to all that he promised there hath not failed one Word of all his good Promise which he promised by the hand of Moses his Servant so is this now that great Testimony of the latter days and the highest Tribute of Praise to the Glory of God in his Truth which can be given by men that this present Generation stands accountable to make the same yea much greater appeal to the World if they can instance one Promise or Prediction of that sacred record of the Scripture which hath ever failed or fallen to the ground but may be this day read in the Event and under those proper circumstances wherein it was to take place in its proper Season as evidently as it was foretold And must still bear the same witness Psal 18.30 That the way of the Lord is perfect and his Word tryed on all the Adventures of Faith and Trials which to this moment of time have been made hereof and of his being still a Buckler to such as trust in him and are called to send this glorious Testimony to the succeeding Ages that it may never cease to shine or want a publick witness thereto before Angels and Men until the whole mystery of God in his Word be finished in that magnificent close which shall be thereof at the second Coming of the Lord. CHARACT V. A Confirmed Christian in this day should be thus also stated as one who hath not only attained a solid rest and settlement of Mind upon the Certainty of the Christian Faith but does know the pure genuine Truth of Christianity amidst such high Oppositions betwixt the Romish and Reformed Church herein And in the first place hath in this manner held himself upon such a trial 1. As one who knows there is but one true and saving Religion in the Earth to which God hath annexed the Promise of Eternal Life which can never be divided against it self 2. Who knows that within a little while his Religion will be tried in the Truth thereof at the Tribunal of Christ where every man must give account of himself unto God 3. Who sees there can be no possible indifference in the Exteriour Profession of either way but that so high a contrariety of Principles is in this Opposition that if the Doctrine of Christ be on the one hand it is sure Antichristianism must be on the other hand 4. Yea who hath in that abstract manner sought to state the Case herein with his own Soul as if he were just come out of Paganism to give a serious
Duty or Comfort in their passage thorow time yea nothing is in the least here to subject the Credit of our Faith to mens Rational Comprehension but rather tends to enervate wholly the strâ—ngth of any such Tenet and take off all pretence for the same But it 's sure also I must quit all solid Security in the way of Religion and any clear founding in the Light and Certainty of the Scripture or admit these things as undeniable 1. That supernatural Faith is the most highly rational Light that 's within time And that none who profess the Name of Christ can be of so low a size as should not be pressed and excited to be much about this Ground-work of knowing the Truth and Principles of their Profession upon its own Evidence yea are thus called as new born Babes to drink in the sincere Milk of the Word 1 Pet. 2. Which as it 's clearly in the Original is the rational Milk of the Word to be thus received no less on Conviction and Certainty of the Judgment than with the out going of their affections 2. That as it 's not conceiveable how a true and firm Assent can be to Divine Truth but on its known Certainty so here is no resolving of the Christians Faith on the strongest rational Evidences hereof which must still be resolved on the Testimony of God made clear and evident to them to be such 3. It is sure also the Lord hath not given so large a measure of these Grounds and Demonstrations of his Truth with such redoubled Arguments of that kind to be of so small regard as is with most But for some great and universal use hereof to the whole Church and knew how needful such Assistances to the Faith of his People would be whilst they are on the Earth 4. That these means which tend most convincingly to found a rational Assurance in the Judgment are the proper Vehicle of the Spirit of God by which his sealing Work should be both sought and expected nor can I judge how the Credit and use hereof should be so small and not on the same Ground quit any External Ordinance of the Gospel which without the Spirit of the Lord can never profit nor how we should expect and suit his Confirming Work on the Soul when these greatest Confirming Means which he hath given to the Church have no just weight But oh how wonderful a Teacher is the Holy Ghost when such ordinary means fail and are inaccessible by furnishing his People then with these strongest Arguments of Love and Power who having had but small Measures of Light yet were not unfaithful to improve the smallest degree of such a Talent 5. Yea so great a thing is it to attain a solid Faith of Things wholly remote from our Sense and so far above the reach and Apprehension of Nature or to have an absolute reliance on an invisible Refuge for our present and Eternal State as no common Assent can answer when the very rest and quiet of the Soul must needs lie in the sure and firm Perswasion hereof 6. It is too visible also how little the Practical Vse of such a mean hath yet been essaied in the Church thaâ— all who are members thereof might no less know the Strength and Firmness of the Foundation of their Faith by its own Evidence than the General Articles of Religion The most usual instructing work lies almost wholly about the Noetick part of Divinity there seems not that serious regard to press the Dianoetick part hereof on Mens Conscience as if this were to be restrained to a few who are more Knowing Learned and of an Inquisitive Spirit about the rational Certainty of the Truth and for whom these choice and abundant helps of this kind which are in this Age seem more peculiarly directed It 's sure that the Christian Faith in the first-times did remarkably then spread and prevail by these clear Evidences hereof to the Judgment made Effectual by the Spirit of God more than by extraordinary Miracles Nor knew they otherwise whaâ— lt was to be Christians but by imbracing the Truth with a full Assurance of Vnderstanding no less than of Delight and Affection But if it be objected it is not the Case now where Religion is planted in a Nation and hath an uncontrollable Publick Profession under the support of Humane Laws I know no admitted weight this can have except that it should be granted that Christians now be Born and not new-created 7. Yea is it not sure tho it seem little understood that the primary Grounds and Evidences of our Faith are not only as to their End demonstrative of the Truth and Divinity of the Scripture but are upon the Matter such Demonstrations also which most natively result from the same by infallible Consequence and are thus to be accounted not as Humane but Divine Arguments given us by the Spirit of God 8. I shall but further add how such as do seriously ponder things will find this Demonstration to be no more important than clear that to be a Confirmed Christian and a Confirmed Protestant are Convertible Terms and that if they that are under that Deplorable Bondage and Darkness of Popery were but once awaked to see the Truth and Certainty of the Christian Faith by its Intrinsick and Objective Evidence and taken off that brutish Credulity and Dependance on the alone Credit of others herein it might be said the strongest Engine to hold up that Profession were then broke and we should see the Doctrine and Rule of Faith to be of such full and perspicuous Evidence from the Scripture as without Blasphemy they could not seek from the Lord to give them a plainer Rule than what he hath there given READER IT 'S like thou mayest think strange how these few Sheets in the close fall in here after the foregoing part was finished but the they meet in one Design and Interest yet was not this then intended until the former was done and if it might tend to a solid use and Fruit unto any I shall forbear a further Apology herein I may truly say the weight of the Subject hath carried it some further length than was designed when I so much sought to be short as I aim at in any thing of this kind that through my desire to avoid any unnecessary multiplying of Words I fear lest it may make some things â—â—em a little dark at the first view Tho I hope not upon any serious perusal of the same Two things I must further crave leave to add 1. That when some Succinct View of the great Assistances and Confirmations of our Faith is here offered which these of the lowest Capacity of the Church might with that advantage improve as in a few hours by reading it some times over may be so far impressed on their Mind and Judgment that they could give some clear and judicious account thereof it may be by such but seriously weighed and taken to Heart of what concern the use hereof is 2. That I humbly judge also it were a most special Service for the Truth in this day to have some short Directory and remembrancer of the great Acts of the Lord and Monuments of his Providence now under the New Testament in that manner held forth as might most tend to some Universal Use of all within the Church I Confess my desire pressed me to some small Essay herein with intent to have joyned it to this Work but having with much Convictâ—on laid this wholly aside as to any further appearance that way so is it with an Earnest Desire that some more qualified might take to Heart and under their Hand so great a Service both for their Generation and Posterity It is sure the Lord hath designed his People to be taught the greatness of his Works as well as the precepts of his Word and as no Duty is more pressed than this under the Old Testament both as to Publick and Family Instruction so are we no less accountable in these last times for this Improvement of such as are of known publick and uncontrolable Evidence and should be the care of each Age to have that Solemn Remembrance kepâ— up hereof so as not a few but the very Multitude within the Church might be as a publick Library and Repository of the same FINIS