transgressed and yet God be righteous seeing there was no term or condition in the Covenant which God made with him looking that way for transgressing and dying were the termes reciprocal but it was of meere grace that the promise was made and was indeed the opening of a dore of hope in a possibility of returning for man which was run away from God This laying the foundation of a better hope by which man might be recovered and encouraged to draw near to God was as far above the reach of the natural man to know or expect as the heavens are above the earth yea as the thoughts of God are above the thoughts of man this Law then is not natural but supernatural not springing up together with man as that of workes but is added through grace Psal 75.3 Ex abundanti and such as this Law is such is the light which accompanies it and the enlargement of the one 2is the enlargement of the other also as will evidently appear by what follows I say this Law of faith or word of promise being extended to all mankinde holding forth a possibility of mans return to God upon terms of faith and repentance implyed in the first promise and testified in the sacrifice of Abel the long suffering and patience of God contributing much this way his goodness and forbearance laying great obligation upon persons these visible things of God holding forth the invisible or secret purposes and Counsels of his heart towards returning sinners and calling and crying out to man upon that account to return to him by repentance from whom by transgression he was departed by which footsteps of God man might trace a possibility of Redemption through beleeving in the promised seed as by the former viz. The visible things of the Creation he might discern the Eternal power and God-head of him by whom he was made and created So that in this also as in the former God hath not left himself without witness even to the natural man but hath given him occasion and opportunity to feel after God as thus considered The print and impressions of mercy being stamp'd upon every out-coming of the Lord which upon the terms of the first Covenant was not discernable speaking nothing but wrath and terrour and trembling according to that of the Apostle Rom. 4.15 The Law worketh wrath c. And that justly upon every transgressour yea for every transgression for it is written Cursed be every one that continueth not in all things written in the Law do them Gal. 3.10 Deut. 27.26 So that God hath left man in great measure without excuse even in this respect also holding forth such discoveries as whereby he might discern a possibility of the recovery of his forfeited estate evidenced and manifested in the patience bounty long-suffering goodness and mercifulness of God toward him a sinner to whom it was at first said In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely dye or dying thou shalt dye instead of which severity Behold goodness and forbearance interposing and leading to repentance Rom. 2.4 And this in relation to man as a man while he is endued with no other light than that which is common to him as such that is the spirit of a man which is the Candle of the Lord by which he may not only see the things of God as his Creatour that is his eternal power and God-head and what hath dependence thereupon in relation to the first Covenant or Law of works But a crevice is opened into the discovery of the Redemption promised as the subject of the second Covenant upon the termes thereof in relation thereunto as to a law of faith evidenced by the promise to as many as the sound thereof ever came Yea all mankinde in the forbearance goodness and long-suffering of God though unto them but as unto natural men and this discovery shining forth through natural appearances Act. 14.17 Rom. 2.4 Yet sufficient to leave himself a witness in man from these discoveries evidencing a reprieve from immediate destruction which the transgressour hath merited and opening a dore of hope for pardon and remission through the riches of the goodness and forbearance of God sufficient to engage the heart of a natural man to seek the Lord and to feel after him if possible he might finde him in this capacity as a Redeemer even as in the former capacity he might discover God as his Creator and Maker And though Mans greater impotency will be found in this than in the former yet is it his duty no less here than there and he no less excusable for not being found exercised in the endeavour after it God having left himself a witnesse in one case as well as in the other though not so the one as the other For in the former not only from without by things seen were the invisible things of God discovered but also by his Law written in the heart of the natural Man was this discovery made of God as his Creator and his subjection to him as such under the terms of that Covenant viz. Do and live But touching this latter Covenant or Law of faith the discovery thereof ariseth from what is without It had never been known nor ever thought of nor ever would it or could it rationally have come into the heart of Man to have conceived such a thing but from the declaration of God in his promise which faith made application of in the first beleevers and from the series of his patience and forbearance continued to the race of man-kinde darkely speaking forth the same thing with a silent yet constant voyce Psal 19.1 Rom. 10.18 sufficient to leave man without excuse and convincing of a possibility of being renewed again through the riches of that goodness which hereby call'd and led unto repentance Rom. 2.4 Nevertheless there was to be another Edition of this Law also as there was of the former of which there hath been mention made before That although God left not himself without witness in those first Beleevers Abel Enoch Noah Abraham Isaak Jacob Moses David Daniel and the rest of whom to tell time would fail who were all enlightned with a light suitable and proportionable to their object there was communicated to them a Spirit of faith whereby they were inabled to behold him who was the object of their faith So Abraham saw the day of Christ with joy John 8.56 and Moses saw him which was invisible Heb. 11.27 Faith saw Christ through sacrifices saw remission of sins in shedding of blood without which there is no remission Heb. 9.22 Yet notwithstanding God having provided some better thing for those which were to come after that they without us should not be made perfect hath in these last dayes spoken to us by his Son revealing the purpose and Counsel of his heart by him bringing Immortality and life to light by the Gospel which before was hid from ages and generations Eph. 3.5 and not so made
in healing miracles and tongues c. and the one might then be where the other was not as hath been proved already In like manner also such is the Dispensation of the holy Spirit at this day as the wind bloweth where it listeth forming the new-birth which is after and according to God by faith in Christ Jesus becoming a Spirit of regeneration and illumination Eph. 1.17 18. Tit. 3.5 opening the blind eyes not only to see Christ as he is held forth in the word but to be beleeved on accepted and received as the Author of eternal salvation to them that obey him Heb. 5.9 but also by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Spirit purging the conscience from dead works Heb. 9.14 giving boldness and access to the throne of grace through the faith of him who is thus become a quickening spirit and principle of life a new and living way to all that receive him and manifest that faith by obedience true and unfained Heb. 10.19 20 21 22. This may be thus evidenced by divine testimony viz. 1. That as the wind bloweth where it listeth so is the birth of the Spirit in those which are regenerate is proved John 3.3 6 8. 2. That they which beleeve in the Lord Jesus are thus dignified and privileged with the estate of sonship as being born of God and from above is witnessed Joh. 1.12 13. Gal. 3.26 3. That this is effected by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Spirit that being justified by his grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life is likewise born witness unto by the Apostle Titus 3.4 5 6 7. 4. That this was not the work of the spirit in any one particular age only viz. in the Apostles dayes or primitive times as they are called and distinguished by some but as it is said of Christ he is the same yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13.8 so is it said He is the Author and finisher of faith not only of theirs Heb. 12.2 though the word Ours being inserted in the English reading may seem to carry it that way but he was the Author and finisher of theirs also who are catalogued and Chronicled in the 11. of Heb. who began as low as Abel and so upwards and not of theirs only who thus beleeved receiving the word of promise or rather Christ in the promise from the first giving forth thereof in Gen. 3.15 mixing the Gospel with faith Heb. 4.2 nor of those who in the times of more clear manifestation thereof did know and beleeve Joh. 17.6 7 8. But of their faith also who from thence forth should beleeve on Christ through their word Joh. 17.20 and therefore in the place mentioned Heb. 12.2 Christ is not said to be the Author finisher that is the beginner and ender of our faith nor of your faith nor of their faith but of faith in relation to all times and persons according to the tenour and testimony of that word of truth Act. 13.38 39. By him all that beleeve are justified from all things c. not only the Jew but the Gentile also even all that are a farre off as many as the Lord our God shall call hence the Apostles testify that they had received the same spirit of faith with those who had gone before 2 Cor. 4.13 And as the faith of all true beleevers from Righteous Abel thoroughout the whole cloud of witnesses and thence forward owns it self to Christ as the Author and the Finisher thereof as was said before So likewise it is as necessarily applyed to the spirit whose gift it is and by whom it is wrought 1 Cor. 12.11 among which operations of the spirit Faith is one reckoned among yet diverse from that of miracles And it is called the fruit of the spirit among many other inward qualifications of the renewed and regenerate Man Gal. 5.22 5. To this agree those other testimonies of the holy Scripture wherein the holy spirit is promised not for this or that particular age much less this or that particular person or persons onely but to all the seed not reckoned according to the flesh but according to the faith of beleeving Abraham Rom. 9.8 2.28 29. Gal. 3.7 8 9 14. Gal. 4.27 28. But to speak more particularly The Scriptures bear witness to Christ Jesus that he is the true seed promised in whom all the Nations of the earth should be blessed according to that so often mentioned place Gen. 3.15 as also Gen. 22.28 expounded by the Apostle in Gal. 3.8 of Christ himself as the seed promised a Covenant to the people So is he also the seed to whom the promise is made as appears by the same Testimony Gal. 3.16 Not to seeds as of many but as of one and to thy seed which is Christ who was the seed which was to come to whom the promise was made vers 19. thus is Christ originally both Root and Offspring It is with Christ that the Covenant is made originally Isa 53.10 11. and in him with those that are his to whom he is given for a Covenant as appears Esay 42.1 6 7. Behold my servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my spirit upon him and he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and wil hold thy hand and will keep thee and give thee for a Covenant to the peoples for a light of the Gentiles to open the blind eyes c. In this Covenant it is promised that he should have the spirit put upon him Isa 42.1 which also was fulfilled in Luk. 4.18 And as the spirit was by Covenant to be put upon him so was it also to be put upon them which were his as doth appear in the fifty ninth of Esay 21. As for me this is my Covenant with them saith Jehovah my spirit which is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed saith Jehovah from hence forth and for ever Where it is Evident that the gift of the spirit is a Covenant-promise as to Christ in whom all the promises are Yea and Amen so to them which are Christs to him and to his seed and seeds seed according to Joh. 17.20 Not only they which did beleeve but those who through their word should beleeve were the subjects of Christs prayer in the Application and Mediation of the Covenant This is promised also in Ezek. 36.27 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes c. which promise is not limited to Israel or to Abrahams seed according to the letter or Circumcision but to Abrahams seed according to faith If ye be Christs then are you Abrahams seed and heirs according to promise Gal. 3.8 9 29. and as is
up to God before the publication of the positive law wherein as well Cain as Abel offered sacrifice Gen. 4.4 I therefore call their offerings sacrifice because they are so called Heb. 11.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 10.18 Abels sacrifice was mingled with faith offered up upon the true Altar witnessed unto by Gods acceptation and by faith he obtained a good report among the Elders Heb. 11.4 with whom he had received the same spirit of faith But with Cain and his sacrifice it was not so nor accepted as such nevertheless it appears to me from hence that there was the power of a Law of faith as of works upon them both and they equally obliged thereby only the one offered a sacrifice as an obedience of faith the other in form without faith and as it were by the works of the Law Rom. 9.32 Nevertheless in obedience to the same law of faith for as much as he offered sacrifice also though not in faith the one had faith in his heart and Christ in his eye as a redeemer and restorer the other was wanting at least in faith which should have seasoned his sacrifice They both had equal obligation from one and the same law of faith which looked at Christ as its object as the law of sacrifice did imply whether propitiatory Heb. 9.22 or gratulatory Levit. 7.12 15. Psal 107.22 Both yeelded obedience to the law of faith in what was outward in the Act only Abel had an eye open to him that was invisible as the object of his faith carrying him above the Act. So that the law of faith doubtless respected all the race and generation of mankinde by way of obligation from the giving of the promise but the children of the promise are counted for the seed like as it is said All are not Israel who are of Israel Rom. 9.6 though all the family of Abraham were greatly privileged Rom. 3.2 and 9.4 and obliged So likewise all the race of mankinde are greatly privileged by virtue of the promise or promised seed in whom all the nations are blessed yet not all Nations but the children of the promise are counted for the seed according to the tenour of that word 1 Tim. 4.10 Who is Saviour of all men especially of them which beleeve A common Salvation is extended to all Men by Jesus Christ Jude 3. and all men are bound to beleeve and repent that they may be saved Act. 17.30 John 3.16 But the special Salvation is to them only who have obtained like precious faith 2 Pet. 1.1 i.e. the faith of Gods elect Tit. 1.1 the faith of the operation of God Col. 2.12 these are they which are reckoned or counted for the seed Gal. 3.7 9 29. these are they to whom the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ is manifested unto all and upon all them that beleeve Rom 3.21 22. As the law in the first consideration i. e. of works was Gods first-born and man was fitted for the work thereof while his bow abode in strength God having made him upright Eccles 7.29 So the Law in the second consideration i. e. of faith whose foundation was laid in that blessed word of promise Gen. 3.15 lay in the same womb and bosome of eternity for they were twins And though that stept out first declaring the Majesty of him whose Image it bore yet this caught its Brother by the heel declaring the infiniteness of the Mercy and compassion of him whose Law it was proclaiming the Lord the Lord gracious long-suffering c. No sooner is the Transgression detected but the Redeemer is promised Oh the heighth and depth of the riches of mercy who kissed Justice and overcame it Psal 85. Mercy and Truth met together Righteousness and Peace kissed each other nor doth this latter destroy the former nay it establisheth it Rom. 3.30 31. Like as when the Law of the first Covenant was engraven on tables of stone it did not at all diminish or lesson the glory of that which was written upon the heart nay it did augment the luster thereof and made it more legible so neither doth the Law of faith destroy the Law of works nor make it void nay it doth establish it for as much as it no way dispenseth with its subjects service nor acquits them of their duty save only of the manner and end of the service As it was performed in the oldness of the letter now it must be performed in the newness of the Spirit Rom. 7.6 but it must be obedience still Loving the Lord our God with all the heart with all the minde with all the soul with all the strength and our neighbour as our selves this is not diminished or made void by the Law of faith it only requires Newness of Spirit in lieu of Oldness of letter These two considerations of the Law went hand in hand together all along thorough the old administration From righteous Abel to the end of the Catalogue of all the cloud of witnesses who were subjected to the first dispensation dying in faith saluting though not possessing the promises they seeing him who was invisible their faith did not at all lesson their obedience nay it winged their obedience It was the salt that salted every sacrifice Mark 9.49 For without faith its impossible to please God Heb. 11.4 6. This Law of faith however it ran along as the bloud in the veins and was that which led to God through every service and in every sacrifice was nevertheless veiled under great obscurity and under much darkness The Spirit thereof did testifie of the suffering of Christ and of the glory which was to be revealed but it testified of them as of things a great way off the promises whereof they saluted but possessed not the way into the most holy not being open or made manifest while the first Tabernacle was yet standing Heb. 9.8 This double kinde of sacrificing ran all along thorough out the whole dispensation in as many as retained the Law of sacrifice and cast not off utterly the Knowledge of God which the most part did as the Apostles argument Rom. 1.21 26 28. makes it evident For as much as all along there was a Remnant having an eye upon the promise obtained a good report and the Savour of them in Divine Testimony remains to this day as a Cloud of witnesses This Law of faith as it sprung not with mankind in Nature but was added by occasion of the Transgression for it succeeded that as a plaster doth the wound it was not written in the heart of the natural man as a thing just and equal For God to remake and to redeem faln man into whose heart it could not rationally have entred that there should ever have been a way found out in justice or equity or with a due saving of the truth of him that made the Covenant that man should be put into a capacity or come under a possibility of being preserved having
before proved The same is likewise confirmed Joh. 14.16 And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter even the spirit of Truth but lest it should be said as in the Objection this promise was made to that Age of the Apostles only it is added that he may abide with you for ever Obj. But were the Apostles at that time without that spirit altogether Answ It is answered in the 17. verse But ye know him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you the spirit shall be the same but the measures enlarged the same spirit of faith but not the same measure Object What shall the spirit do when it is given in that larger measure Answ It is resolved partly in the 26. verse He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you And partly Joh. 16.13 He will guide you into all truth and he will shew you all things to come Obj. This is that dispensation of the spirit which is mentioned in Joh. 7.38 39. and for which the Apostles were commanded to waite at Jerusalem Luk. 24.49 and which the Apostles did receive Act. 2.4 according to the prophecy Joel 2.28 A. It is not to be denyed as before that one branch of the dispensation of the spirit is to open it self in such discoveries as those but the whole thereof and the all of that dispensation is not limited or confined to the external and outward and miraculous manifestation thereof only as in the Apostles dayes At which time not to every person individually was it so communicated as hath been proved before unto which you are referred and they which did receive the dispensation of the spirit at large both in its inward operation and outward manifestation yet did receive but the first fruits thereof Rom. 8.23 From the whole of what hath been spoken in answer to this main objection this briefly is the summe 1. That notwithstanding the dispensation of the spirit in the times called primitive viz. in the dayes of the Apostles and primitive Christians was with great evidence and outward manifestation accompanied with signs and wonders and mighty deeds yet it was so but in some persons not in all beleevers as by the instances before cited may appear for there were some beleevers that did not know of such a thing as the spirit Act. 19.2 2. That as some Beleevers were ignorant of outward manifestation thereof so there were others who having the outward were destitute of the inward Mat. 7.22 23. 10.4 8. 3. The gift of the spirit is a Covenant gift first promised to Christ and in him to them that are his that is Christs to him and to his seed throughout their generations seeds seed Isa 59.21 4. It was promised by Christ to his Apostles to be in them for ever Joh. 14.16 17. not so to remain in their individual persons for ever but in their successors and not in them only as such that is Apostles but also in all such as should thenceforth beleeve thorough their word Joh. 17.20 5. It was prophesied to be poured upon all flesh Joel 2.28 and applyed to all that were a farre off even as many as the Lord our God shall call Act. 2.39 6. The Apostle declareth of himself and the beleeving Romans who although they had received the Spirit of Adoption whereby they cryed Abba Father and he at least had also received the outward visible manifestation of the Spirit yet saith of himself and them They had received the first fruits of the spirit intimating that there was yet a further manifestation thereof reserved to them which were to come after according to the tenor of that Scripture Heb. 11.40 That they without us might not be made perfect Hence therefore it may be argued that though it hath pleased the Lord for the misuse or abuse of his holy spirit or for other most holy ends known unto himself to withdraw from the children of men for a season the manifestation thereof in that which is outward in gifts of tongues prophecies healings c. Suffering Arts so called by Man to prevail instead thereof till the faith of his people prevail through cryes and tears to bring back the Anointed and with him the Anointing For the prophesy of Joel is as yet but in part fulfilled and the direction of our Lord remains firm to this day Luk. 11. from the 5. verse to the 14. touching the incessant importunate prayer for the holy spirit concluding thus vers 14. If ye then which are evil know how to give good things to your children how much more shall the Heavenly Father give the holy spirit to them which ask him And surely were but the Lords people awakened to consider the necessity of the return of that spirit which hath been for so long a time withdrawn and to be importunate with the Lord and give him no rest but with all humble and holy boldness continue in prayer and not faint according to that in Luk. 18.1 who knowes how soon the most high might turn the Captivity of his people as the Rivers of the South as to this particular and meet his mourning praying Servants where David met the men of Judah who came to conduct him over Jordan even at Gilgal viz. the place of the rowling away of reproach Ioshuah 5.9 and make it a time as that was a place of rowling away of reproach from his people forever Nevertheless though in respect of its visible manifestation there be a great hiding and withdrawing yet according as was promised Joh. 14.18 Our Lord hath not left his children Comfortless nor Orphans But hath left them a Comforter as promised Continuing to them the invisible Operations of his holy spirit enabling them thereby to cry Abba Father who in that respect is called the spirit of Adoption Rom. 8.15 Gal. 4.6 Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father becoming in them a sanctifying spirit 1 Cor. 6.11 a spirit of sanctification 2 Thes 2.13 1 Pet. 1.2 witnessing to their spirits their estate of Sonship Rom. 8.16 Causing them to Read that new-Name written on the white stone which no Man knows but he which hath it So that all though they cannot assure another by infallible evidence so as to leave them without doubt touching their estate yet to themselves the spirit of God by which they are regenerated doth evidence its own operation according to that testimony 1 Joh. 5.10 He that beleeveth hath the witness in himself and by filling them with fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the praise and glory of God leading them in paths of righteousness keeping their feet that they stumble not upon the dark mountains sanctifying them throughout as well in body as in soul and spirit enabling them to mortify the deeds of the flesh and to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh
the father and to eternall life for it roles him in garments full of blood it tumbles the transgressor into his grave and roles a stone upon him and seales the stone so farre is it from leading up to God from the fall that it drives the soule from God and keepes him in the fall till the Lord who is the quickning or live-making Spirit say to him while he is in his blood live by opening to him a doore of hope in this valley of Achor Besides what is said in this instance of Paul and that it appeares plainly that the light in him did not discover to him his transgression and lead him out of the fall up to God and unto eternall life notwithstanding hee professeth himselfe to have had a zeale toward God in what he did and that he did not sin against his light in what he did but thought he ought to doe as he was doing while he was opposing and kicking against the Lord. So may it be further discovered touching the light in every man that as it leads not out of the fall up to God and unto eternall life those that love it and obey it as in this instance last mentioned So neither doth it lead into all truth such as love it and obey it as may be discovered in severall instances and examples viz. Who can Impeach that man of Aethiopia the Eunuch of not loving or not obeying the light in him in whom neverthelesse it appeares to be insufficient to open to him the meaning of the Scripture of the Prophet wherein he was reading but understood not of whom the Prophet spake for being asked whether he understood what he was reading he doth not say yea But answereth How can I except some man guide me and discovers plainly he did not understand what he read by the question he propounds when he saith Of whom speaketh the Prophet this of himselfe or of some other man Nor is it sufficient to say the light reveales all truth to them that love and obey it though not all at once but by degrees to them which know little and doe love and obey it they shall know more and so it might have been with this Eunuch the light in him was sufficient to have opened to him this Scripture and all others though Philip had never instructed him This were to Impeach the wisdome of the most high and holy God as if hee had needlesly and causelesly appoynted Philip by the Spirit to goe neare and joyne himselfe to the Eunuchs Chariot And it were to impute folly unto Philip who when in obedience to the Command of the Spirit he was come to the Chariot of the Eunuch did not bid him minde the light within him and informe him of the sufficiency thereof to instruct him and teach him and that he had not need of any man to teach him if he would but love and obey the light which was in him that was sufficient to direct him into all truth and particularly into the understanding of that Scripture of the Prophet Esay which he was then reading but understood not Nay had hee not a faire opportunitie of reprooving him and of calling him an Ignorant man for saying How can I except some man guide mee Might he not have had just occasion to have bid him turne his eyes inward and minde the light within his guide and teacher was within hee had Scripture within But there is not a word of all this proceeds from him but contrariwise as hee by the Command of the Spirit was bid to arise and goe toward the South and particularly was directed to the Eunuchs Chariot to which hee accordingly applyed himselfe so being come thither without any reproofe to the Eunuch or acquainting him with the sufficiency of his teacher the light within him Hee opened his mouth and began at the same Scripture and preacht to him Jesus and accepted from him this Confession I beleeve that Jesus Christ is the Sonne of God Acts 8.26 to 39. A further example there is in the person and case of Cornelius of whom it cannot be said but that hee was in the meeknesse loving and obeying the light and prosecuting the dictates thereof in all simplicity improoveing his measure and talent even to acceptation with God for that hee was one that feared God and wrought righteousnesse as Peter testifies of him Implicitly Acts 10.34 35. And the Spirit of God beares him witnesse that Hee was a devout man and one that feared God with all his house and gave much almes to the people and prayed to God alway or incessantly Was hee one that walked not up to his light loving and obeying it The Lord by his holy Angel doth acquit him of this Charge testifying unto him in these words Cornelius Thy prayers and thine almes are come up for a memoriall before God Nor doth the Lord by his Angel encourage him to goe on in his way hearkening to the light in him and to abide therein loving and obeying it nor doth he call him into silence and command him to cease prayer and to waite in silence expecting his teaching from within but expressely directs him to send for Simon Peter that he might tell him what he ought to doe who accordingly so doth and Peter being come unto him at the speciall instance and direction of the Lord manifesting his pleasure to him in the vision and having received an account from Cornelius his owne mouth of his being sent for who having called together his kinsmen and neare friends said Wee are all heere present before God to heare all things that are Commanded thee of God Then Peter opened his mouth and preached unto them Jesus of Nazareth whom God anoynted with the holy Spirit and power who went about doing good being hee to whom all the Prophets give witnesse that through his Name whosoever beleeveth in him shall receive remission of sinnes And while Peter yet spake or while he was speaking those words the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word and they spake with tongues and magnified God This was not a silent meeting for Peter opened his mouth and spake nor was it a fruitlesse and empty meeting notwithstanding there were words spoken for the Lord bore witnesse thereunto by the gift of the holy Spirit yea though a Christ without them were preached unto them as appeares by Peters Sermon who stileth him Jesus of Nazareth whom God anoynted with the Holy Spirit and power who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devill for God was with him even hee whom they slew and hanged on a tree whom God raised up the third day and shewed him openly I say a Christ without them is by the Apostle Peter preached unto them and their faith in him as such is borne witnesse unto by the holy Spirit which is given unto them whence it may without Injury to the truth be offered to the serious and sober minded to Consider
thou must no more goe forth to seeke a righteousnesse but looke in the kingdome of heaven is within Ans The Christ of whom this discourse hath been treating is no other but the same to which the Scripture beares witnesse as hath been testified by many severall passages before recited not here to be repeated viz The Lord 's Christ The anoynted Saviour or Christ the Lord. And it is a truth not to be disdain'd but considered by the sober-minded and received according to the divine Evidence that appeares in it That the Lord Jesus Christ is held forth in the Scriptures under a two-fold dispensation First Either as hee was God the Word made flesh so becoming the Lord's Christ and Tabernacled among men and as such hee was to be beleeved on though hee under that dispensation were without not only before but after his Resurrection That hee was without while in the dayes of his flesh none will deny whether hee be considered before his suffering or after his resurrection 1 Cor. 15.5 6 7. That hee was to be beleeved on while hee was so is prooved from Joh. 14.1 Yee beleeve in God beleeve also in mee Hee that honoureth not the Sonne honoureth not the Father Joh. 5.23 Thus he spake touching himselfe while yet hee was in the flesh and consequently without during which space of time hee fulfilled all Righteousnesse Math. 3.5 And became the end of the Law for righteousnesse to every one that beleeveth Rom. 10.4 His soule being made an offering for sinne according to the Prophesies which went before of him Isa 53.10.12 Hee finished transgression and made an end of sinne Confirmed the Covenant and brought in Everlasting righteousnesse Dan. 9.24 27. By the sacrifice of himselfe which he offered up through the eternall Spirit at once and that once for all Heb. 9.14.26 28. This hee did for his Redeem'd ones without them as is witnessed by many Scriptures Rom. 5.8 While wee were yet sinners Christ dyed for us Rom. 4.25 Who was delivered For our offences and was raised againe For our Justification 1 Cor. 5.7 Was sacrificed For us Gal. 3.13 Was made a Curse For us Eph. 5.2 Given himselfe for us 1 Thes 5.10 Who dyed For us Titus 2 14. Who gave himselfe For us Heb. 9.12 By his owne Blood hee entered in once into the Holy place having obteined eternall Redemption For us 1 Pet. 2.21 24. Christ also suffered for us who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his owne body on the tree that wee being dead to sinne should live unto Righteousnesse By whose stripes yee are healed 1 John 3.16 Herein perceive wee the love of God because Hee laid downe his life For us All this hee did for his without them not within them as is plaine by this Cloud of witnesses So that to speake of a Christ without and of what he both did and suffered without not in but for his people Even while they were yet sinners is no despicable thing nay it is such a dispensation of Christ as the Scripture gives testimony of and beares witnesse unto The beleife of which is necessary unto salvation and without which there is no peace according to the divine truth of those Scriptures Esay 57.21 There is no peace saith my God to the wicked And Rom. 4.23 24 25. But for us also to whom it shall be imputed if wee beleeve on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our offences and raised againe for our Justification Rom. 5.1 2. Therefore being Justified by faith wee have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom also wee have accesse into this grace wherein wee stand and rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God and hope maketh not ashamed Rom. 5.1 2 8 9 10 11. For when wee were yet without strength in due time Christ dyed for the ungodly Yea while wee were yet sinners Christ dyed for us vers 8. Much more then now being Justified by his blood shall we be saved from wrath through him vers 9. And being reconciled wee shall be saved by his life And hence wee Joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom wee have now received the Attonement And to this purpose is that prayer of the Apostle Rom. 15.13 Now the God of hope fill you with all Joy and peace in beleeving Nor is this consideration of Christ as the object of faith for justification the antitype of the brazen Serpent lift up upon the pole in the Wildernesse to which the then bitten ones under which the sins-smitten soul the self-condemned sinners were figured and to it must these looke and live Numb 21.8 9. Esay 45.22 John 3 14 15. I say this consideration of Christ is not the whole of what the Scripture testifies concerning him nor may any such use be made hereof as if the magnifiing the grace of God were a covering for sin as the objection intimates Nay nay should we continue in sin because grace hath abounded God forbid Rom. 6.1 There is therefore a further dispensation of Christ viz. in Spirit according to the tenour of that testimony of the Apostle touching the mystery of Godlinesse 1 Tim. 3.16 God manifest in flesh Justified in Spirit and this dispensation of Christ in Spirit the Scriptures likewise beare witnesse unto which is Christs application of that which hee did for his beloved ones in the dayes of his flesh applying that to them by his Spirit by which he dwelleth in them which he wrought for them without them Then he prepared the medicine and since applyes it and gives it operation then he wove the Garment and since cloathes his therewith then he was the bruised and broken Corne now the loafe or staffe of Bread his flesh meate indeed and his blood drinke indeed both eaten and drunken by the beleever As there was a necessitie that the Word should be manifested in the flesh to answer the end of that dispensation 1 Tim. 3.16 viz. to become the end of the Law for righteousnesse to every one that beleeveth Rom. 10.4 That he might Confirme the Covenant viz. finish transgression and bring in everlasting righteousnesse Dan. 9.24 27. By being made of God to the beleeving Wisdome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 So it was necessary that he should be Justified in Spirit in order to the more effectuall application of what he had done to those for whom he did it To whom hee was to be preached and by whom hee was to be beleeved on in the world and received up into Glory According to the testimony of the Holy Spirit by the mouths of men and Angells Luk. 24.51 52. Acts 1.9 10 11. 1 Tim. 3.16 For which purpose hee promised to send the Comforter the Spirit of truth that he might abide with his schollers and followers for ever John 14.16 17 18.26 To teach them all things and to bring all things to their remembrance whatsoever hee had said unto them viz. all
submit to him for life and salvation by which they receive the witnesse in themselves that they are adopted Sons 1. Joh. 5.10 the spirit it self bearing them witness that they are born of God Rom. 8.16 and are the seed whom the Lord hath blessed Esay 61.9 So that Christ is not at a distance not a farre off from such as truely beleeve but is nigh them dwelling in their hearts by faith Eph. 3.17 and by his Spirit Rom. 8.11 and is in them the hope of glory Col. 1.27 whereby they being renewed in the spirit of their minde Ephes 4.23 and being married to this their other husband henceforth they bring forth fruit to God not according to oldnesse of letlet but according to newnesse of spirit Rom. 7.4 6. not taking advantage of the grace of God to dispence with themselves in poynt of obedience toward God but reckoning themselves under deeper obligation that as grace hath abounded toward them so might their obedience towards him that hath manifested that grace unto them as hee who sayd What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits I will take the Cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord Psal 116.12 What were those benefits The Lord hath heard the voyce of my supplication thou hast delivered my soule from death my eyes from teares and my feete from falling I will walke before the Lord in the land of the living Psal 116.1 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the name of the Lord as long as I live Psal 116.17 She loved much because much was forgiven her Luk. 7.47 The life of the New Creature of the renewed man or man in Christ in whom Christ lives by his spirit and dwels by faith is no idle unfruitfull life but as a branch in the Vine and as a part of Gods husbandry he is purged and pruned and caused to bring forth fruit filled with fruits of righteousnesse which are by Jesus Christ unto the praise and glory of God Phil. 1.11 Not living to himelfe It is his meate and drinke to doe the will of his Father He now comes to beare witnesse to the truth of that Scripture which saith In keeping thy Commandements there is great reward Though formerly his soule went forth after the knowledge of Christ sometimes the Excellency of him as he was discovered and revealed in the Scriptures sometimes the necessitie of him as being the way to the Father and the only Name besides which there is no other given among men whereby they can be saved Under which dispensation and in the exercise whereof it was not so much Christ that was the ultimate object of the soules enquiry as it was the Creatures preservation from wrath to come It was not so much for Christ himselfe as for the Creatures owne selfe that the soule was so earnest and ardent in its pursuite after vision and manifestation yet it knew it not nor could it have beleeved that it had been so with it But Judgement breaking forth into victory remooving the Spirit of Feare and giving in stead thereof the Spirit of love and of a sound minde 2 Timothy 1.7 The Grace which was given in Christ Jesus was made manifest and by him brought to light and in his light was the new Creature caused to see light and by it to discerne where it had stucke all this while and how it had mistooke its way and sought its selfe in all its seeking under pretence of following on to know the Lord whom to know is life eternall Then the fire burned and the love was kindled towards him who had shed abroad his love in the heart by the Holy Spirit setting it in an holy flame towards himselfe and his service Henceforth hee became as one made up of strong desires and breakings of heart after doing the will of God Oh that hee were then baptized into the will of him whose he is and whom hee would serve according to the tenour of those Scriptures I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minde that ye may prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God Rom. 12.1 2. 2 Cor. 7.1 1 Pet. 1.14 15 16. As being bought with a price would glorifie God in body and Spirit which are Gods Not now as formerly obeying for life or that he might live but from life or because he is made to live or because he doth live by the power of Christ living in him Gal. 2.20 his whole life is a Thank-offering a sacrifice of praise the end henceforth of all he is and all he does is this that he may live to him who dyed for him and rose again to him who hath loved him and washed him from his sins in his blood Rev. 1.5 to him who hath said to him when he was in his bloods live not expecting a covering of sin that he may live in sin nor the righteousness of another that himselfe may live in unrighteousness but that he might live to God and serve him without feare in righteousness and holiness of truth Luk. 1.74 75. But as really as he doth beleeve that Christ is made of God to him righteousness 1 Cor. 1.30 so verily expecteth he to be made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 that the righteousness of the Law which could not be fulfilled by him through the weaknes of the flesh might be fulfilled in him by the power of the spirit of life Rom. 8.3 2 4. wherein he is made able and wiling to wait for the hope of righteousness by faith Gal. 5 5 18. expecting to be led and made willing to follow the guidance of the spirit even the spirit of truth by which he lives and moves and exists in Christ who is by his spirit in him the hope of glory Col. 1.27 Object Thou hast heaped up together many of the Saints words whose condition thou never learned of God Tell plainly whether the Christ thou tells of be within or without Answ How farre my soule is made one with what I beare witness unto is knowne unto him from whom nothing is hid to whom I apply for a further measure of the spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of him whom to know is eternal life remembring what is witnessed Rom. 15.4 being unmooved by the Judgement or censure of mans day and in relation to the objection have spoken in plainness already That the Lord Jesus Christ to whom in this poore stammering way I bear witness is considered both as being without and within the soule Respecting his person or bodily presence his glorious or glorified body so he is considered as being without not within the soule according to the testimony of those Scriptures before-named Joh. 17.24 Father I
will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me 1. Tim. 3.16 Beleeved on in the world received up into glory And he shall send Jesus Christ which before was preached unto you whom the heaven must receive untill the times of restitution of all things Acts 3.20 21. For our conversation is in heaven from whence also we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile body or body of vileness that it may be fashioned like his glorious body Phil. 3.20 21. according as John also testifies 1 Joh. 3.2 3. But we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Thus then in relation to his bodily presence he is considered as without us as is testified 1 Pet. 3.22 Heb. 1.3 Col. 3.1 Act. 7.56 But in relation to his spiritual presence so he filleth all things Ephes 4.10 and in respect thereof it may be sayd Whither shall I go from thy spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence Psal 139.7 8 9 10 11 12. and though the influence of his supporting and susteining presence extendeth to all things upholding them by the word of his power Heb. 1.3 though they see it not Col. 1.17 Yet his special Resience and presdence is with such as being joined to the Lord are become one spirit and are his house his Temple where he abides as one at home and that for ever as is testified 1 Cor. 6.17 19 20. He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit What know you not that your body is the temple of the holy spirit in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own for you are bought with a price therfore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which are God's Nor is this union of Spirit or spiritual union this residence or Temple presence as the state of a wayfaring man which tarries but for a night for this is the word of promise Joh. 14.16 17. I will pray the Father and he shall or will give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of truth Ye know him he dwelleth with you and shall be in you Now the Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty 2 Cor. 3.17 The fear of Casting out is removed and gone and the soul put into a capacity of serving the Lord without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the dayes of its life Such persons being joyned to the Lord and become one Spirit with him Beholding with open face or with the face unveil'd which veil is done away in Christ the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord and of such persons such Temples such spiritual houses may it be said as anciently it was said of the typical place of Gods residence and abode 2 Chr. 7.16 I have chosen and sanctified this house Mine eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually Psal 132.14 This is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it I will make the Horn of David to bud which was is and shall be accomplish'd in the Lord Jesus whom God hath raised up as an horn of salvation in the house of his servant David Luk. 1.69 By whom he hath begun to repair the breaches and build again the tabernacle of David which was fallen down and will build again the ruines thereof and will set it up that the residue of men may seek after the Lord and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called or as many as the Lord our God shall call Act. 2.39 saith the Lord that doth all these things Act. 15.16 17. Then shall the body be compleated and every joynt supplyed the Saints perfected and gathered into one in the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Who as he is the head of the body Ephes 4.16 5.23 in whom the universal body or Church of the first born become a perfect man being fitly joyned together in due order of membership to the compleating thereof So is he the foundation or chief corner stone of the building in whom every living stone is framed together built together an holy Temple in the Lord an habitation of God through the spirit Thus is the Lord Jesus Christ in Spirit both Author and finisher of faith in every one that beleeves As considered the object of faith so is he held forth in the Word as one who himself in his own body hath done whatsoever was necessary to bring us to God and this he did for us and without us Phil. 2.7 8. 1 Pet. 2.21 24. As considered the Author and Finisher of faith in bringing us to God so he performeth all in us by his Spirit from the very first step of conviction laying himself as a foundation in the judgement and will to the very top stone of the building and that he might be all in all It remains to consider some certain passages expressed in a Letter written by a friend of this conscience and perswasion the particulars whereof follow viz. Dear Friend I Truly own in thee a breathing after the Lord and unsatisfiedness till thou hast found him whom to know is life eternal but the mistake is about the way to attain Now the way for lost man to return to have Communion and fellowship with the pure and holy God is by Christ who saith I am the way But where to find this Christ or way here lyeth not only the difference but also for the want of the knowledge of this and walking in it is the true cause of mans misery and thou thy selfe art not ignorant of the several forms that cry Loe here and loe there yet the way is but one Search the Scriptures and see if Christ be not only the way but also Christ near and while we consider Christ at a distance is it any more than those that are of the world which say Depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes To this will that other Scripture agree When they knew God they glorified him not as God these had such a knowledge of God that they might thereby have glorified him as God which not doing they were given up to vile affections Now to know him that is the gift of God if ever we will we must know him as God holds him forth Christ saith of himself that he is the dore Can any one enter to God otherwayes than by Christ He also saith he is the light Can any one come to God but he must receive the light Also there are measures of this light The first measure or degree of light is that which discovers sin and iniquity and
though with all possible brevity Reply That the Gospel is the power of God to salvation may not be denyed Rom. 1.16 for it is so to every one that beleeveth and let him be accursed that preacheth any other gospel than that which is so Gal. 1.9 But where the gospel which is the power of God to salvation is preached if it be not mixt with faith in them which hear it it is not the power of God to salvation to such according to the testimony of that Scripture Heb. 4.2 For unto us was the gospel preached as well as unto them but the word preached did not profit them not being mixed with faith in them that heard So that the gospel is not the power of God to salvation to any but to such as beleeve it and by faith receive the glad tidings and message thereof and become obedient thereunto Rom. 1.17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith as it is written The just shal live by faith The gospel which in it self is the power of God to salvation so named already may be prerched not only in word but also in power and in the holy spirit as twice to the Thessalonians 1 Thes 1.5 in demonstration of the spirit and power as to the Corinthians 1 Cor. 2.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it may be powerfully ratified and confirmed by signs and wonders and mighty deeds yet not powerfull to salvation except received by faith in them that hear it Such a gospel was it to the Thessalonians 1 Thes 1.5 It was brought to them in mighty power and received by them in much assurance as the very word of God to which they yeilded the obedience of faith 1 Thes 2.13 14. As the Romans also did Chap. 15.18 19. Wheresoever the Gospel is preached in Evidence and demonstration of the spirit and received by faith in them that hear it it is the arm and power of God to salvation to such and doth powerfully incline them to yeild obedience in word and deed to whatsoever is therein revealed unto them He that receives the light and is obedient to it receivs the gift of God and shall receive the power the light rejected no power received Reply It hath been said before by this friend to whom I now reply That Christ is the light and That Christ is the gift of God To which may be added that which is testified 1 Cor. 1.18 That Christ is the power of God as it is expressed by the Apostle Now let it be considered what is spoken by the friend in this parcel of words above recited and whether it amount not to a repetition and Tautology of words He that receives the light and is obedient to it receives Christ for Christ is the light receives the gift of God that is Christ for Christ is the gift of God and shall receive the power that is Christ for Christ is the power of God and such as receive Christ and obey him reject not the light nor can be without the power forasmuch as he whom they have received and obeyed is both the light and the power and the gift and is no more than if it had been thus express'd He that receives Christ obeys him receives Christ and shall receive Christ Christ rejected no Christ received Your heart shall fail and your eyes wax dim that look for another way or another Gospel than that which redeems out of sin Reply It hath been said before that Christ is the way Let their heart fail and their eyes wax dim that expect salvation by any other way than by him who is the Way the Truth and the Life Forasmuch as there is no other name given under heaven whereby we can be saved and that Gospel which tenders salvation by Christ to sinners without redemption from sin let it indeed be Anathema from the Lord. For it is witnessed of the true and only Lord Jesus that his name should be called Jesus that is Saviour for that he should redeem his people from their sins Mat. 1.21 and save them to the utmost that come unto God by him everliving to make intercession for them Heb. 7.25 even for them who by him do beleeve in God purifying their souls in obeying the truth through the spirit being born again c. 1 Pet. 1.21 22 23. Which testimony is born up in the hearts of the children of the regeneration who are made the sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus having received the adoption of sons they cry unto him in spirit incessantly night and day that this redemption from the body of sin and death may be compleated in them saying how long Lord holy and true fighting the good fight of faith keeping up the watch and warre of the Lord as knowing that the God of peace will shortly tread Sathan under their feet I say their feet as really within them as he hath troden him under his own feet for them without them And further knowing that they shall assuredly reap in due time if they faint not this being their victory even their faith by which with patience they possess their soul being confident of this one thing that he is faithful who hath called them who will also do it and having begun a good work in them will also perfect it perform or finish it untill the day of Christ having this hope they purify themselves in the power of him who of God is made to them righteousness and sanctification as well as wisdome and redemption The name of Christ is pleasant in the outward sound in as much as thereby men think to have their sins taken away but the Gospel is the power of God that redeems out of sin Reply Who ever names the name of Christ is to depart from iniquity and he who naming the name of Christ how pleasant soever he count that name yet if such an one depart not from iniquity but rowl his sinne under his tongue as a sweet morsel and bless himself in his heart saying I shall have peace though I walk in the Imagination or stubborness of my heart to adde drunkenness to thirst the Lord will not spare him but the anger of the Lord and his jealousie will smoak against that man there 's no such use of the name of Christ as to make it a Cloak for sin for the wrath of God is revealed against all unrighteousness in men Whatsoever and in whomsoever it be and he that regards iniquity in his heart hath a root of gall and wormwood that will eat out all the pleasantness that may seem to be in the name of Christ in the outward sound Deut. 29.18 19 20. Yet for asmuch as there may be some snare and temptation lie upon some souls touching those words before minded and repeated viz. the Gospel is the power of God that redeems out of sin Whence some persons do conclude that they are redeemed out of sin and that the body of sin is destroyed in