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
THE Confirming Work OF RELIGION OR It s Great Things made plain By their Primary Evidences and Demonstrations Whereby the meanest in the Church may soon be made able to render a Solid and Rational Account of their Faith Written by R. Fleming Author of the Fulfilling of the Scriptures Now Published by Daniel Burgess LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns the lower end of Cheapside 1693. THE Publisher to the Reader THE highest Angels are most humble Creatures the Church of God is full of their Services but knoweth next to nothing of their Names Their Works praise their Lord and ours but not Themselves And if the Evangelical Author of this Book could have had his Will the Churches of Câ—rist should not have had his Name He would have kept himself together a Benefactor and a sort of stranger unto them Against his will it came to be known that his book of the Fulfilling of the Scriptures wâ—s his And by the Divine Providence it was made necessary that his latter Works should bear his Name Obscurity was his Ambition tho' his Gifts and Graces prove too big and too bright to be covered And in short it hath pleased the Supream Ruler and Fountain of Honour to honour him whether he would or no. The Book first named is followed with the Eulogies of greatest Divines and is a Manna sweet to the Tast of all serious Christians His Epistolary Discourse dedicated to the Queen's Majesty as most graciously accepted by Her and highly valued by those that I must think of the best of her Subjects Being as is his Discourse of Earthquakes a Treasure of things Old and New Michtam's golden Jewels Arguments several not so much as touched by any Pen within her Dominions or beyond them save Mr. Flemming's Nevertheless it is of this his Treatise that I would say with submission to better Judgments There is none like it Herein it is that I think he hath singularly honoured his God and I believe his God will very singularly honour him For is any Disease more Morial or more Epidemical than Popish Implicit Faith And is there any to be named against which we are so destitute of Medicines Is there extant in English or any European Language any one Rationale of Christianity in Method suited to them who do most need it Hath any one Writer beside our Author set himself to teach Minors the primary Evidences and reasonable Demonstrations of Christian Faith I will con him my best thanks who shall name me so much as one How sound and how â—enerous a Medicine this Treatise is let the Wiâ—e judge I declare it to be the only one that on no slight â—nquiry I have heard of Being so I no sooner read it but I blessed it and its unknown Author Privately and publickly I praised it and finding it not to be had in our Shops nor but from Holland if from thence to be gotten I presently resolved to Reprint it Soon after hearing who was the Author and where he was I sent him notice of that my fixed Resolution whether he consented to it or no. For thus I argued that if he were of the heavenly spirit breathing in his Book he could not gainsay it and if he were of another spirit for the Churches service it would be innocent and praise-worthy to cross it But blessed be God and blessed be he from his Lord and mine he readily forgave me this wrong and cheerfully I proceeded No Lion found I in my way but a sorry Worm I counted the Exclamations of some nice Folk against the Phrase and Style of this confessedly excellent Work Dutifully I compassionated the weak and no less the many sick of curiosity Who have such Ulcers in their Palats that they cannot without cruel pain swallow the most desirable Dainties unless they may take them in Oil and Sugar Cannot prevail with themselves to read Periods that require an attentive mind and the least strain of their Understanding Wherefore I used my Spunge and took out as many expressions of my Author 's Native Language as I thought would disturb an English Reader Substituting â—â—â—h as appeared sufficiently intelligible Which being done the Bookseller was wise enough to set the Press going I signified my purpose to Catechise Youth publickly in the Positions and Characters of this Book one Lords day as in W. Assembly's Catechism on the other by course Which practice other Ministers soon told me that they would take up As I trust many more will do forasmuch as none can be unsensible what multitudes of men do go to Grass on this side the Alps as well as on the other and what a fantastick Faith common Protestants do rest in as well as Romanists Making show of a Faith as the Moon of a Light whereof not any is in themselves rooted Brit is painted Tain is a Nation Sadly it is seen of all how too too properly we are still named Brittains the Faith of most being such a Paint as cannot but melt and vanish in any Trial that is fiery Memorable are the words of the Learned unhappy Spalato to this effect as I remember To say that I do not my self know why I do believe a Religious Article but yet I do believe it because the Church in which I am doth believe it it is the self same as to say I do not my self open one of my Eyes but yet I do see the thing spoken of because the Company in which I am doth see it The good Lord lessen among us the number of Men so Absurd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so plainly void of Faith He hath already made the Leaves of this Book so healing unto some that in great hopes I commend them unto all And especially to the Societies of Young Men that hold weekly stated Meetings for Edifying Conference In which as I tell those of my own Charge they shall not find more Eligible Arguments than this Book stores them with Happy they if in the best sense they do make them their own Lord encrease holy Faith and quench fiery Faction so prayeth Bridges-street near Covent-Garden Feb. 28. Daniel Burgess POSTSCRIPT UNderstanding the Forreign Churches want of this Work as well as our own I purpose ere long to Translate and send it forth in the Latin Tongue Vnless some good hand of more leisure do prevent me THE JUDGMENT OF SOME London Ministers CONCERNING THIS TREATISE THings of unquestionable Excellence in themselves and of greatest Importance unto our welfare have not always the Deepest and most Constant Thoughts bestown upon them Witness the Satisfaction of our Minds about the Matter and about the Foundations of our Holy Christian Faith It seems too little observed but it can never be sufficiently Lamented what we do observe of Protestants neglect of the Matter of their Faith And yet our sad Experience certifies us that they are incomparably more heedless of acquainting themselves with the Reasons thereof We have very
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
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
and New Nature with as discernible evidence as if one man should meet with another of the same kind in such a place of the Earth which were only inhabited with Beasts 6. By considering also with a deep and serious reflection hereon that sure and known Conjunction which is betwixt the most rare Experiences of a Christians Life and the most searching Tryals thereof with that uniform Consent that hath in all Ages of the Church been in such marvelous things as these 1. What solemn Tokens and Testimonies of the Love of God and his Acceptance are found usually to meet his People in the entry of some great Tryal or Service for him even in some unusual manner then in the sense whereof as it was with Elijah they have been made to go many days after in a Wilderness-state yea how this does not respect Persons only but Churches that the Word still useth to go before with some remarkable confirming work to secure the heart before the Cross and some special Tryal of Persecution comes 2. That as each day hath its proper burden and work so hath it its proper allowance provided for the same which should be no less sought after by a Christian than his daily Bread and when the pressure of such a day grows to some more singular height so also should the expence hereof be in Faith sought for and expected 3. How the choicest Mercies are reserved to the saddest Times of a Christians Lot and most usually cross to their own choice and they have had the greatest struglings with those Methods of Providence which in the issue tended most to their Advancements 4. Yea how the returns of a long deferred hope after much humble waiting have been to them as a Pisgah whence they have not only had a clear and comforting prospect of their by-past Tryals but have been more fully confirm'd for the time to come and can bear now that Testimony that the Lord hath cleared all past things to them and hath taken the Vail off his work which for long had been as a dark and strange Riddle 7. This likewise gives a most clear and confirming prospect of that great Seal of Experience when he can now see both in his own case and of others what the issue of believing in a singular Exigency and Tryal and upon some special act of trust and adventure herein does at last come to which the more deeply it 's considered he finds one of the most peculiar assistances to his Faith and one of the greatest attainments of Experimental Religion within time when he can thus see the same way of believing in some strong and extraordinary assaults which he hath found to crush and break him herein which hath carried so many thorow in their saddest Tryals bring him also in his turn to be an instance in the same kind to bear an honourable Testimony to this sure and excellent way of believing before the World that none may fear after him to hold by the promise of God and venture on that security tho' it then seem against hope whose Dispensations did yet never never give his Word the lye CHARACT IV. He is a truly confirmed Christian who in a dismal time is not staggered in his Faith from the present signs and appearances thereof but hath his Soul ballasted with such solid grounds of confirmation against the same that those Providences whereat others do most stumble tend to his further strengthening in the way of the Lord when he does now clearly see 1. How Tribulation and the Cross make one of the most illustrious and beautiful parts of the whole frame of Providence about the Church and in the Lot of each Christian so as there can be no possâ—ble stumbling to any for want of Light here that sore Tryals and Distress should most remarkably follow those in their Journey who have an Eternal Blessedness before them in the close hereof when so great a part of the Scripture is directed not only for comfort but for clear conduct of the Christians Faith through all the intricacies and labyrinths of such a dispensation He sâ—â—s how highly congruous it is to the Infinite Wisdom of God that so strait and narrow a way in such a sâ—ate of Tryal as is here should go beâ—ore the stâ—te of everlasting enjoyment that there should be sâ—â—h a Stage and Theatre also whereon the passive Graces of the Spirit may not only be exercised but displayed in their true lustre and glory before Angels and men Yea that thus the Redeemed of the Lord should be first trained in so sharp a Warfare as may not only put a due value and respect on the greatness of that Triumph and Reward which is to come but be matter of ineffable Joy and Exultation that ever they were admitted thus to evidence their Love and Adherence to their blessed Head and his Truth here on the Earth and accounted worthy to be put on some hotter service and to peculiar Tryals and Conflicts this way beyond others for some example and encouragement to the Church in their day and here also he can now see how the greatest enjoyments of Comfort are more owing to the most sharp and afflicting Tryals of their Life than to the greatest external Calm and that to endure patiently and suffer for the name Christ is such a Priviledge as the Elect Angels have not been admitted to Yea that the Lords chastning work and sorest smiting of his own is an Act also of saving so that thus the more deeply he searcheth here the more does he see admire and consent to that glorious piece of the administration of Providence about the Church and finds it to be one of the greatest Confirmations of his Faith within time 1. He does now clearly see how the Truth and Faithfulness of God is commensurate to his whole work of Providence and that all the Lines hereof as they do lead from his Revealed Counsel in the Scripture which is the adequate sign of his Eternal Counsel and Decrees so do they return thither again to make this great demonstration clear that if a full History were written of this World and what hath been conspicuous thorow the whole series of times past in all these Conjunctions of Inferiour Causes whether necessary free or contingent and of such Events that seem most casual it should be nothing else but an exâ—ct Transcript and History of the Bible to bear this witness That the World is nothing but God set forth in his own Scripture-Light But tho' a full discovery hereof be not attainable within time yet is it a sad and deplorable want that the great Acts of the Lord in each Age of the Church are not more searched and sought out of all them that take pleasure therein that they may be seen observed and admired by that part of the Creation Angels and Men who are only in a capacity to know the same Which is a Service for the Lord wherein his Praise and
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