have fellowship with the Lord in spirit who having thus decked vs with the garments of bewtie and glorie with mercy and salvation through faith in his name doth then seal vs with that holy spirit of Promise which is the earnest of our inheritance vntil the redemption of the possession purchased the ful redemption of al Saincts vnto the prayse of his glory For as he hath chosen vs in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love so having effectually caled justified and sanctified vs of his vnspeakable grace he giveth vs also certainty and assurance of our election that we shal never fal from nor be forsaken of him For the seed wherwith we are born anew is an immortal seed which can never die this seed remayneth in vs to keep vs from syn and if we syn we have an advocate with the Father even Iesus Christ the just who maketh intercession and prayeth for vs that our faith fail not he also giveth vs repentance vnto Life and worketh in vs godly sorow for our misdeeds so we ar renewed by repentance dayly and revived by faith knowing that God hath stablished to himself his people Israel to be his people for ever he is their God his gifts and caling are without repentance he that hath begun his good work in vs wil perform it vnto the day of Iesus Christ for he hath made an everlasting covenant with vs that he wil never turn away from vs to doe vs good and hath put his fear in our harts that we shal never depart from him and hath sayd concerning vs by his prophet My people shal never be ashamed Thus the hope of salvation is for an helmet vpon our heads for that God hath not appointed vs vnto wrath but to obteyn salvation by our Lord Iesus Christ and we rejoyce with joy vnspeakable glorious being perswaded that neyther death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things presēt nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shal be able to separate vs fiō the love of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. 23. Our God it is which thus stablisheth vs in Christ hath anoynted vs and also sealed vs and given vs the earnest of his spirit in our hartes even the spirit of adoption whereby we crie vnto him Abba Father and of vs he sayth This people have I formed for my self they shal shew forth my prayse And being thus furnished with his graces we find feel the sweetnes of that fellowship and communion that we hav with him in Christ Iesus and by his Spirit 24. This communion the scripture setteth down by similitude of walking and dwelling together For God hath promised I will walk among you and I wil be your God ye shal be my people and for his habitation although he filleth heavens and earth the heavens of heavens ar not able to cōteyn him being cōsidered in his infinite majestye yet abaseth he himself to converse with vs that dwel in houses of clay as he sayth by the Prophet I dwel in the high holy place with him also that is of a contrite humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to give life to them that are of a contrite hart Which grace that all the Saincts might take knowledge of the voice is written which was heard out of heaven to say Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwel with them and they shal be his people and God himself will bee their God with them This Tabernacle is the bodies and sowles of the Saincts as the Apostle sayth Ye are the Temple of the Living God even as God hath sayd I will dwell in thē walk with them your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost On the other side wee are sayd to walk with God as did Enoch Noah and as the Lord requireth of every man that he humble himself to walk with his God we dwel in his tabernacle for ever our trust is vnder the covering of his wings as the Apostle Iohn sayth He that keepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and he in him 25. This grace is so heavenly and supernatural as it cannot be comprehended by the carnal man nor embraced walked in with comfort by synners hypocrites The naturall man thinketh the dwelling of God is not with flesh the vnbeleeving among the Saincts in day of their distresse do say Is the Lord among vs or no The synners and hypocrites 〈…〉 Sion are afrayd saying who among vs shal dwel with the devouring syre who amōg us shal dwel with the everlasting burnings And indeed the throne of iniquitie hath no fellowship with him but the pure of hart edure as seing him who is invisible they sing The Lord of hosts is with vs the God of Iaakob is our refuge they serve him and see his face his name is on their foreheads they say It is good for vs to draw neer vnto God Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs. 26 This conversing of the Saints with God is spiritual and mystical we walk by faith and not by sight faith which is the evidence of things not seen He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit sayth the Apostle Again Gods walking with vs is strange and vncouth to the world for he bringeth vs into many tribulations his way is in the sea his paths in the great waters and his footsteps ar not knowen he leadeth vs through the wildernes through a desert and wast land and by the shadow of death where fyry serpents are and scorpions and drought without water to humble vs and to prove vs to know what is in our hart that he may doe vs good in the latter end he bringeth vs through the fyre and fineth vs as the silver is fined and trieth vs as gold is tried yet he sayth It is my people we do say The Lord is our God 27. And hence ariseth the comfort of our harts that alwayes we behold God with vs yea feel him within vs and answer Amen by faith to al his promises He sayth Fear not for I am with thee be not afrayd for I am thy God we say again Though I should walk through the vally of the shadow of death I will fear no evill because thou art with me He sayth of every of his Saincts I wil be with him in trouble I wil deliver him and glorify him they testify say I beheld the Lord alwayes before me for he is at my right hand that I should not be shaken gather together on heaps ô ye people and ye
them outwardly by kingdome priesthood and prophesie he gave them also his good Spirit to instruct them and Iesus Christ his Son the Angel of his face or presence saved them yet they both envied Moses and Aaron the holy one of the Lord and often provoked grieved tempted God himself and limited the Holy one of Israel they rebelled vexed his holy Spirit the Spirit of the Lord which had given theÌ„ rest therefore was he turned to be their enimy and fought against them In these last dayes of the Gospell we are also taught how some that have tasted of the heavenly gift were made partakers of the Holy Ghost yet fall so away that they caÌ„not be renewed vnto repeÌ„tance So that even wicked men and reprobates do often receive the gifts of the Spirit whereby they do many great works yet are not benifited hereby vnto salvation for they have not the grace of God to sanctifie those gifts seal theÌ„ vp vnto the day of redemption therfore God taketh his holy Spirit from them and sometyme sendeth his evil spirit in sted thereof to vex them as he did vnto Saul this worthily seing there are of these wretches that do even despite the Spirit of grace 7. But the Saincts elect of God have an other manner coÌ„munion with the Holy Ghost for their help comfort and sanctification in this life and assurance of life eternall For because they are sons God sendeth the Spirit of his son into their harts which crieth Abba Father so they are no more servants but sons and heyrs also of God through Christ who hath obteyned of his Father this Comforter to abide with them for ever even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receiv because it seeth him not neyther knoweth him but they know him for hee dwelleth with them shal be in them their bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost 8. The communion which the Saincts have with the Spirit is in many particulars and that from the beginning of their dayes vnto the end For Ieremiah was sanctified and Iohn Baptist filled with the Holy Ghost even from their mothers wombs And we all that are born of God have our regeneration and new birth of the Spirit according to his mercy are saved by the washing of the new birth the renewing of the Holy Ghost 9. The word of God which it the immortal seed whereby we are begotten hath alwayes been vttered explayned and vnderstood by means of this Spirit David testifieth of himself that the Spirit of the Lord spake in him his word was in his tongue our saviour Christ and his Apostles doe witnesse also the same concerning him so the things that he spake we must receiv as the sayings of the Holy Ghost The like is to be minded for Isaias Michaias and al other Prophets by whose hands the Lord protested among his people by his spirit for Prophesie as the Apostle saith came not in old time by the wil of man but holy men of God spake as they wer moved by the Holy Ghost the Lord Iehovah his Spirit sent them Yea Christ himself had the Spirit of God put on him that hee might shew judgment to the Gentils and was anoynted with the Spirit that he might preach the Gospel to the poor and vnto the Apostles whom hee had chosen gave he coÌ„mandements through the Holy Ghost who also having received the Spirit which is of God spake the things that were given them of him not in the words which mans wisdome taught but which the holy Ghost did teach them so preached they the Gospel vnto the Saincts by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven 10. Vnto this Gospel of salvation first preached by the Lord and after coÌ„firmed by them that heard him God bare witnes both with signes and wonders and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost For to one as the Apostle sayth was given by the Spirit the word of wisdom to an other the word of knowledge by the same spirit to an other Faith by the same Spirit to an other the gifts of healing by the same Spirit to an other the operations of great works to an other Prophesie to an other discerning of spirits to an other diversities of tongues to an other the interpretatioÌ„s of toÌ„gues and al these things wrought even the self same Spirit distributing to every man severally as he would 11. But these spiritual gifts though they were powred out vpon many yet are they not neyther ever were given vnto al as it is written Are al doers of miracles have al the gifts of healing doe al speak with tongues doe al interpret Agayn to al that have them they ar not seals of the adoption of Sons for if men have prophesie and know al secrets and al knowledge if they have al fayth so that they can remove mountayns and have not Love they ar nothing Yet is this manifestation of the Spirit given to every man to profit withall as the Apostles were Gods witnesses concerning the things which they sayd so was the holy Ghost whom God gave to them that obeyed him the Spirit was one of the three witnesses on earth as the Apostle Iohn sayth 12. As the mysterie of Christ was reveled to his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit they preached the Gospel vnto others by the Holy Ghost sent down froÌ„ heaven as the ordinary permanent officers of the Churches are made Overseers by the Holie Ghost to feed the Church of God so by the hearing of Faith preached do men receive the Spirit which God openly shewed when while Peter yet was speaking the Holy Ghost fel on all them which heard thâ—â— word And as by the work of the Spirit the word is received and beleeved so is the same also obeyed kept and reteyned through the Holy Ghost that dwelleth in us The Sacraments also have by him their effects in vs as it is written by one Spirit are we al baptised into one body whither Iewes or Greeks whither bond or free and have bene aâ—â— made to drink into one Spirit 13. And having thus our new birth caling vnto and stablishing in the faith by the work of the holy Ghost we ar further by him confirmed comforted emboldned assisted in al our spiritual battels against Satan this world and our own corruptioÌ„s For wear streÌ„gthned by Gods Spirit in the inner maÌ„ being armed with the word of God which is the sword of the Spirit we stand fast and though the enimy come like a flood yet the Spirit of the Lord shal chase him away as sayth the Prophet And in rebuking the world he vseth great boldnes convincing them of syn of righteousnes and of judgement so
their roots as the trees of Lebanon dwelling vnder his shadow they revive as the corn and flourish as the vine and stil bring forth fruit even in their hoary age and God is their guid even vnto the death Yet then forsaketh he theÌ„ not but as when they lived they lived vnto him so now when they die they die vnto him are his peace cometh and they rest in their beds every one that walketh before him til their changing shal come and they be translated from death to life to see the king in his glory even God as he is to be satisfied with his image 31. For notwithstanding al this grace and communion that we have with God by faith we ar not perfect neyther shal be til we have attayned the resurrectioÌ„ of the dead here we see through a glasse darkly not face to face we know in part onely and doe grow in grace and knowledge dayly we behold the glory of the Lord with open face but as in a mirrour and ar changed into the same image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. VVe have first our infancie and are as babes in Christ after we are as yong men strong in faith and doe overcome the wicked one and proceed in riper years wexing old in faith and knowledge of him which is from the beginning thus our way shineth as the morning light that shineth more and more vnto the perfect day and we walk on earth as did Abram in Canaan going and iourneying towardes the South 32. But of al the wayes means wherby we hav communion with God ther is none more lively powrful coÌ„fortable then Prayer wherby we converse with the Lord most neerly powr out our complaints as children into the bosome of their father praise his name ar heard answered of him to the glory of his grace the joy of our harts the increase of our faith with al vertues and fruits of the Spirit 33. The ground of this heavenly exercise wherby man is so bold as to come vnto the throne of grace and talk with God is his commaundment which sayth * Cal vpon me in the day of trouble I wil deliver thee and thou shalt glorify me Cal vnto me and I wil answer thee and shew thee groat mightie things which thou knowest not Moreover he willeth vs to be nothing careful but in al things to let our requests be shewed vnto him in prayer and suppplicatioÌ„ with giving of thanks yea to pray coÌ„tinually and in al things to giv thanks because this is the will of God in Christ Iesus towards vs. 34. To guide vs in this action he hath given vs outward instruction in his word that we may ask according to his will with assuraÌ„ce that whatsoever we so ask he heareth vs and we have the petitions that we desire of him He giveth vs also inward assistance by his Spirit which dwelleth in vs and is the Spirit of the adoption-of-sons wherby we cry Abba Father which spirit also helpeth our infirmities who know not what to pray as we ought and it self maketh requests for vs with sighes grones vnutterable Thus powring out vpon his people as he did promise the spirit of grace of supplications and furnishing them with gifts for this heavenly work he heareth granteth their requests as David sayth Lord thow hearest the desire of the poor thow preparest their hart thow bendest thyne ear 35. So when we cal vpon the Lord in our trouble and crie vnto our God he heareth our voice out of his temple our crie comes before him into his ears yea before we cal he answereth whiles we speak he heareth for by the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place ask the Father in his name we shal receive that our joy may be full the spirit also maketh request for vs according to the will of God he that searcheth the harts knoweth what is the meaning of the Spirit and the odour of our prayers cometh vp as the sweet incense before him being perfumed with those odours that are offred with the prayers of al Saincts out of the Angels hand that Angel of the Covenant who is now at the right hand of God and maketh request also for vs. 36. Thus the Saincts have accesse vnto God and neer coÌ„munion with him in prayer though the wicked cal not vpon him or if they call he heareth them not Their golden vials are full of odours they delight in the Almighty and lift vp their faces vnto God they make their prayer vnto him and he heareth them they pay their vowes saying I will thank thee for thou hast heard me and hast been my salvation Blessed be God which hath not put back my prayer nor his mercy froÌ„ me 37. The fruits that come vntovs by this holy exercise are moe then can be told there being infinite occasions from day to day of making request to the Lord and filling our mouthes with new soÌ„gs of prayse for our salvations Admirable is the force and valour of this actioÌ„ which peirceth the heavens and cometh vnto God and prevaileth with him in whatsoever we ask according to his will if we ask in faith waver not for he is neer to al that cal vpon him to al that cal vpon him in truth fulfilleth the desire of them that feare him vnto whoÌ„ he hath promised Open thy mouth wide and I wil fil it Herevpon Moses sayd What nation is so great vnto whom the Gods come so neer vnto them as the Lord our God is neer vnto vs in al that we cal vnto him for And if he be so neer vnto every one of vs let vs know also that it wil be our good to draw neer vnto him to say revive thou vs and we wil cal vpon thy name because thou hearest the prayer vnto thee shall all flesh come trust in him alwayes ye people pour out your harts before him for God is our hope our God wil hear vs. 38. By all these things many other the like we may see how God hath exalted the horn of his people which is a prayse for al his Saincts the sons of Israel a people neere vnto him vnto whom he hath given most great precious promises that by theÌ„ they should be partakers of the godly nature in that they flee the corruptioÌ„ which is in the world through lust with whom he so graciously coÌ„municateth his goodnes that they tast in this world of the powers of the world to come and oâ—e walk in the light of his face feel his holy presence with them Which presence although it be with every of his Saincts in al
that Gods servants ar ful of power by the Spirit of the Lord and of judgement and of strength to declare vnto the people their traÌ„gression and their syn an example wherof we may see in Saul who being full of the Holy Ghost set his eyes vpon Elymas the sorcerer and sayd O ful of al subtilty al mischief child of the Divil enimy of all righteousnes wilt thou not ceâ—se to pervert the straight wayes of the Lord Now therefore behold the hand of the Lord is vpon thee thou shalt be blind and not see the Sun for a season And this courage the Sainctes have even before Princes and potentates of 〈◊〉 earth 〈◊〉 â—ay be 〈◊〉 in Zechâ—â—â—ah son of Iehojada who being cloâ—â—ed with the Spirit and rebuking the transgressions of the people was therefore stoned with stones at the comandement of the king For the Hâ—ly Ghost teacheth them in that â—owr what they ought to say wherefore they are to take no thought how or what to answer but resting vpon the ayd of Gods Spirit do boldly say â— wil speak of thy testimonies Lord before kings and wil not be ashamed 14 But in the Saincts themselves the Spirit is most mighty in operation for the subduing and sanctifying of their affections and confirmation of their sowles and spirits in the love favour of God For whereas before time some of them were fornicators idolaters theves covetous extortioners or given to other like vices they 〈◊〉 washed they a 〈◊〉 they ar â—ustified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the Spirit of God And wheras while they were fleshly having not the Spiriâ— they walked after the flesh and favouâ—ed the things tâ—â—â— of could not â—lease God but were subject vnto death now hee that raysed vp Christ from the Dead doth also quicken their mortal bodies because that his Spirit dwelleth in them and so is fulfilled that which in figure God sayd of old vnto Israel Ye shal know that I am the Lord when I have opened your graves ô my people and brought you vp out of your sepulchres and shal put my Spirit in you ye shal live Who then living in the Spirit do also walk in the Spirit and by it do mortify the deeds of the body not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh which they have crucified but bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit which are love joy peace long suffring gentlenes goodnes faith meeknes teÌ„perance for when the Spirit is powred vpon them from above then the wildernes becometh a fruitful feild aâ— sayth the Prophet 15. And God which hath promiseâ— to powr water vpon the thirstie â— stoods vpon the drie ground tâ— powr his Spirit vpon the seed â— his Church and his blessing vpoâ— their buds wil not onely give the Holy Ghost to them that desiâ— him but also continew his gifts â— graces for the assurance of theâ— harts so that they shall not labouâ— in vayn nor bring forth in fear because they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord their buds with them The love of God is shed abroad in their harts by the Holy Ghost which is giveÌ„ vnto them and by him are they sealed vnto the day of redemption the same Spirit beareth witnesse with their spirits that they are the Sonnes of God and hereby they know that they dwel in God and he in them because he hath given them of his Spirit which is as a pawn or earnest in their harts whereby they do not onely behold the glory of the Lord with open face but are changed into the same image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. And this Spirit which they have received is not the Spirit of bondage to fear again as at the giving of the Law and looking vpon Moses face but is the Spirit of adoption-of-children whereby they cry Abba Father even the Spirit of his Son Christ which God hath sent into their harts because they also are sons and the blessing of AbrahaÌ„ is come vpoÌ„ them through Christ Iesus So Gods good Spirit leadeth them vnto the Lanâ— of righteousnes and this is a parâ— of his covenant with them thaâ— his Spirit which is upon them anâ— his words which hee hath put iâ— their mouth shal not depart out â— the mouth of them or their seâ—â— or their seeds seed for ever Neithâ— wil he hide his face any more froâ— theÌ„ because he hath powred out his spirit upoÌ„ the hense of Israel as he hatâ— promised by his Prophet From aâ— which proceedeth vnto the Sainâ— vnspeakable peace comfort joy which they find and feel both â— the receiving of the word as the Apostle sayth ye received the worâ— in much affliction with joy of the holy Ghost in the obedience theâ— vnto in the kingdoÌ„ of God which is righteousnes and peace and joy in the holy Ghost 16. Amongst other benefits which the Spirit affordeth this is one special that it helpeth the Saincts infirmities in prayer who â—ls know not what to pray as they â—ught but the Spirit it self maketh request for them with sighs which cannot be expressed the request which he maketh is according to â—he wil of God who sercheth the â—arts and knoweth what the meaning of the Spirit is 17. But that the Saincts be not deceaved and led astray from the truth by any motion suggestion vision revelation or other means whatsoever as from the Spirit of the Lord our Saviour hath given vs a rule to discern the work of his Spirit from the delusion of Satan which is this that his Spirit speaketh not of himself but whatsoever he heareth he speaketh that he glorifieth Christ for he receiveth of Christs al things that the Father hath at Christs and sheweth it vnto Christians Therfore is he the Spirit of truth and leadeth into altruth because he teacheth nothing but according to the word of God which word is truth And by that word must al spirits be tried by it may be discerned the Spirit of truth from the Spirit of error and Iosua though he were ful of the Spirit oâ— wisdome yet was charged of God to attend vnto the book of the Law for his direction to obserâ—â— and doe according to al that was written therin 18. Finally the Spirit of God hath generally in all things wrought much and mightily in and by the Saincts With this was Bezaleel filled in wisdome and in vnderstanding in knowledg in al workmanship to find out curious works for the Lords Tabernacle with this were the seventy Ancients furnished for the goverment of Israel prophesied With the wisdom of this Spirit was Iosua full after that Moses had put his hands vpon him given him of his glory when he ordeyned him to be his successor in
theyr Maker no guiltie fears to afflict the sowl no noysom lusts to reign or rebell in their bodies nor any other means to hinder or disturb the peace and communion or cause jarr and debate among al or any Gods handy works 6. But some of those sonnes of God the Angels soon sinned abode not in the truth neyther kept their first estate but forsook their owne habitation wher they dwelt in blisse with God and so became the causes of their own endlesse and vnspeakable miseries For they having fallen of their own accord wer not holpen nor spared but forsaken of God separated from the other holy and elect Angels thrust out of Heaven and bound in bonds of eternall night and darknes to be reserved for judgement at the appointed time 7. These Spirits being of Saincts become vnclean Divils hatefull to the Lord impenitent and malicious in themselves fel also to be mankillers even from the beginning and liars against the truth of Gods word assaulted our first Parents the woman by the Serpent the man by the woman by subtilty drew them into transgression of Gods playn Law and so into the snares of sin and death and this soon after their seating in paradise as by Moses narration doth appeare For which willing transgressiō wherby those our progenitours wrapped themselves al their offpring in everlasting woe and wretchednes the communion and peace between God and man was soon disanulled also with al earthly creatures for mans sake Then was Gods curse poured out on the head of that old Serpent his wrath into the world wher the creature became subject to vanitie Man which had hid himself from the face of his Maker was found out arraighned and judged for his disobedience was thrust out of the garden of pleasure and the holy Angels kept him from the tree of life Thus was his happines sodainly changed into miserie in labour sorow to spend his dayes til the spirit goe out of him vnto God for judgment the body return to dust Man that is in honour and vnderstandeth not he is like to the beasts that perish Psalme 49. 20. Chapt. 2. Of the horrible miseries that Divils and men fel into after they had forsaken God That we may the better discern Gods grace vnto vs in Christ who hath freed vs from al calamities and restored vs to a most happy state from which we shal never fal let vs take a view more particularly of the many miseries which syn did bring vpon the creatures so wil the benifit of our redemption appear most precious our harts shal be filled with gladnes and our mouth with songs of prayse to him that hath saved vs from so great a destruction 2. The Divil having willingly rebelled against God repented not of his wickednes but being ful of malice set himself as an enemie against the Lord and his creatures And for this cause is named in Hebrew Satan that is ◠ffiend an adversarie enemie or resister hindering al good beginning and helping forward al evil He is caled also with his felowes Shedim that is wasters for the scath and hurt which they doe preying vpon the creatures and spoiling them and Seghnirim that is rough rugged or hayrie for the horror of ther hiew wherin they appeared like Satyrs or other vgly creatures and wherwith they terrified such as saw thē In Greek he is named Diabolos Divil that is a calumniator because he maliciously accuseth detracteth depraveth the persons words actions not of men onely but even of God himself He is caled also the wicked or malignant one for molesting with his fyrie darts endevouring mans ruine miserie the Tempter for assaying to draw men vnto sin a Serpent a Drago for his subteltie fiercenes and venemous nature an vnclean spirit for his filthines a lying spirit for his falshood and deceit being a Liar and the father thereof no truth is in him And though one Divil be principal yet hath he many partners caled his Angels al of them malicious and vnclean spirits like himself going about with him that roring lion to rend and to devour These spiritual wickednesses ar authors instruments and abettours of al maner vngodlines vnrighteousnes abomination and vncleannes they seek by al means to overthrow Gods kingdome to stablish their own therfore like ravenous birds they devour vp the seed of the word least men should believ it and be saved like envious men sow tares among the wheat and goe their way they corrupt mens minds with errors heresies the doctrines of Divils Great knowledg they hav to doe evil and ar therefore caled daemones that is cunning or skilful great abilitie also to effect it and ar therfore named principalities powers their captain being caled the Prince of this world for his effectual working in the children of disobedience is compared to a strong man armed keeping his pallace yet is he also raunging abroad and very diligent to work mischief therfore compasseth the earth to and fro and walketh about in it seeking to winnow the godly as wheat and make their saith to fayl And as ther is no end of these fiends wickednes in themselves their own abominable nature so neyther would ther be end or measure of their cursed actions and effects wer it not that God restreyneth their malice and hath set vp the kingdome of his holy son Iesus to loose the workes of the Divil to destroy abolish him 3 And as these fowl spirits being fallen from grace thus set them selves against God al goodnes so God againe cast them out of his favour from his presence wherin is the fulnes of joy from the cheerful light libertie and happines which they injoyed thrust them down into hell there keeping them in everlasting chaines vnder darknes vnto damnation in that day when he wil come to judge the world And although they have in the mean space some loosnes libertie not onely to range abroad in the world but even to appear before God in heaven when he pleaseth so to suffer them yet hav they no joy in his presence but horror trembling neyther is ther any comfortable communion between his majestie and them nor peace between the holy spirits them but Michael and his Angels warreth against them striveth with them and rebuketh them in the name of the Lord for his chosens sake Enmitie hath he also put warr between the saincts on earth and them the saincts whom he hath redeemed from their damnation by the blood of his beloved son by whose blood they overcome and vnder their feet the God of peace wil tread down Satan shortly In dread those
strong crying and tears sweat like drops of blood trickling down to the ground the shadow of death being vpon his eyes But because it could not be but he must drink for therfore came he to that howr and the Lord God had opened his ear that he was not rebellious neyther turned back he willingly gave vp his body for a sacrifice bore the wrath of God due for our trespasses he which knew no sin was made sin for vs and powred out his sowle vnto death 8. Then came Satan the Prince of this world to see if he could hav conquered him but he had nothing in him yea his own time was now come now was he to be cast out Christ being lifted vp from the earth would draw all men to himself The serpent beset him with the snares of death and with floods of Belial to make him afraid but he sayd vnto death I wil be thy death and vnto the grave I will be thy destruction so he spoyled the Principalities and powers of that kingdom of darknes made a shew of them openly triumphed over them in the same crosse destroyed through death him that had the power of death that is the Divil 9. They for whom he suffred all these things regarded not the rock of their salvation but iudged him as plagued and smitten of God humbled He trode the winepresle alone and of all the people there was none with him his own disciples had all forsaken him and fled that he by himself might purge our syns He looked for some to have pitie on him but there was none for comforters but none he found there was not any that would know him al refuge fayled him none cared for his sowl His own people betrayed him and denyed in the presence of Pilat when he had iudged him to be delivered they denyed the holy one and the iust and desired a murtherer to be given them Then was the Lord of glorie misused suffred much speaking against of sinners they opened vpon him the mouth of deceyt and compassed him about with words of hatred they rewarded him evil for good and hatred for his friendship they spate on his face buffetted him they crowned him with thornes and scourged him he became a reproch vnto them they that looked vpon him shaked their heads yea rebuke did break his hart and he was ful of heavines for doggs did compasse him about the assemblie of the wicked inclosed him they peirced his hands and his feet and gored his side they slew hanged him on a tree so was he made a curse for vs for the curse of God was on him that was hanged 10. But in his trouble he caled vpon the Lord cried vnto his God why hast thow forsaken me thow art my hope my portion in the land of the living Deliver me out of the mire that I sink not let me be delivered frō them that hate me out of the deep waters let not the water flood drown me and let not the pit shut her mouth vpon me deliver my sowl fom the Sword my desolate sowl from the hand of the Dog In the end he commended his spirit into the hands of his Father confirmed the Testamēt by his death and vnto the dust of death he was brought his grave was with the wicked 11. But the sorowes of death were soon losed because it was vnpossible that the Lord of life should be holden of it for as he had power to lay down his life so had he power to take it again this commandmēt he had received of his Father who shewed him also the path of life and brought againe from the dead this great Shepheard of the sheep Wherfore the third day he rose vp alive he rose vp and his enemies wer scattred and they that hated him fled from before him now behold he is alive for evermore Amen and hath the keyes of hel and of death death hath no more dominion over him for it is swallowed vp in victorie 12. Thus Gods hand was with the man of his right hande with the son of man whom he made strong for himself the Lord heard him in the day of trouble and sent him help from his Sanctuarie remembred al his oblations and turned his burnt-offring into ashes gave him according to his hart fulfilled all his counsell that we might reioyce in his salvation and set vp banners in the name of our God when the Lord had performed al his petitions For he having thus through the eternal spirit offred himself without spott vnto God obteyned eternall redemption having drunk of the brook in the way he therfore lifted vp the head He ascended vp on high with triumph leading captivitie captive and approched vnto the Ancient of dayes who set him at his right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality power and might domination and every name that is named not in this world onely but also in that which is to come made al things subiect vnder his feet gave him dominion and honour and a kingdome that all peoples nations and languages should serve him his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shal never be taken away his kingdome shal never be corrupted and this is the name whereby we must cal him Iehovah our iustice 13. And now the gates of the heavenly Paradise wer opened to the sons of Adam and the tree of Life better then that from which the Cherubims sword had kept man was given him by Christ to eat of and live for ever Now felt men the effect of that heavenly oracle that came out of Caiaphas mouth It is expedient for vs that one man die for the people and the Whol nation perish not for loe the wrath of God kindled for mans syn was appeased by the death of this man Christ Iesus who gave himself a ransom for all men and bare our syns in his body on the tree being the suretie of the Testament It pleased the Father by him the Prince of peace to reconcile al things to himself to set at peace through the blood of his crosse both the thinges in earth and the things in heaven For it was his beloved son in whom he was wel pleased his chosen one in whom his sowl delighted that had given himself to be an offring and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour to God who smelled here a savour of rest sweeter then that in Noahs sacrifice which caused him to say in his hart that he would curse the ground no more for mans cause though the imaginatiō of mās hart wer evil frō his
of rayment even that fine-liâ—â—n pure and shining which 〈◊〉 the righteousnes of the Sainct 10. The chastisements 〈◊〉 God ar an other good means to â—umble our stubborne nature baptised harts making vs to 〈◊〉 trie our wayes and turn 〈◊〉 to the Lord to crie vnto 〈◊〉 our distresse to hav care to 〈◊〉 and keep his word By them he proveth vs to know what is in our harts and letteth vs hav experience both of our own infirmities and of his power grace By them he bringeth vs to an humble confession sorrow for our syns and so delivereth our sowles from going into the pit By them and our weaknes in theÌ„ he teacheth vs to trust in him not in our selves Thus the rod and correction giveth vs wisdome and wee are chastened for our profit that we might be partakers of his holines 11. And thus God calleth vs out of our selves from the vnbeleef blindnes hypocrisie hardnes of hart pride wantonnes all other inordinat affections that do possesse vs that we may beleev love feare and obey him alone that we may remember and doe al his coÌ„mandements and be holy vnto our God He teacheth vs to deny vngodlines and worldly lusts even such as fight in our own members that our old man being crucified with Christ the body of syn may be destroyed we serve syn no more But having our sowles as weanlings with vs withdrawn from all carnal pleasures and having cast off every thing that presseth down and the syn that so easily compasseth vs about may delight in the Lord in his law depending vpon him alone for life succour and salvation neyther dispayring for our evill deeds nor boasting of our good but by faith taking hold vpon Christ and saying Whom have I in heaven but thee and I desire none in the earth with thee my flesh faileth and my hart but God is the rock of my hart and my portion for ever Then bidding farewell to the world and meekly taking our crosse vpon vs as men hateing our own life heer to follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth and shall bring vs to mountaines or deserts to hunger or thirst to cold or nakednes to trouble of body or grief of mynd to feares or terrours or even to the dust of death knowing that in all he wil susteyn vs in the end wipe al teares from our eyes after we have gone into fyre and into water he will bring vs out into a welthie place in our weaknes he wil strengthen vs in our wants he will reliev vs in all our cares doubts dangers distresses he will guide vs by his counsel and after receive vs to glorie 12. But these things ar so hard vnto flesh and blood that the natural man chooseth rather to remayn stil in his woeful state and injoy the momentany pleasures of syn then in such streights and difficulties to folow Christ. For it is a heavy thing to renounce and forsake his own affections to condemne his own wisdome for foolishnes to rest wholly vpon Gods word and promises when nothing is seen but present want calamitie to abandon pleasures to tame and subdue his wanton lusts to bear cheerfully the reproches and persecutions of the world and whatsoever els God shal bring vpon him oftentimes to the loste of friends wife children goods lands and life it self Therfore this state is in deed a Denial of our selves carying of our crosse dayly a Mortification of our earthly members even a dayly dying and breathing out of the ghost As the sacrifices given vnto God were killed salted and sent vp in fyre so wee that must give vp our own bodies for a living sacrifice must also be salted with fyre as Christ hath sayd And as himself fulfilling the figure of the syn offrings which were burnt without the camp that he might saÌ„ctify vs with his own blood suffred without the gate of Ierusalem so must we likewise go out of the camp bearing his reproch which we never do willingly til he draw vs. For this our new birth is not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God who regenerateth caleth and sanctifieth his Israel increasing them with men like a flock and as the flock of holinesses as the flock of Ierusalem in their solemne feasts so filleth he desolate cities with flocks of men which being by the ministery of the gospel offred vp for sacrifices are acceptable being sanctified by the holy Ghost 13. When thus we be changed by the power of Gods grace and have got the victorie of our selves subduing and ruling over our own spirits which as Solomon sayth is better then if we wan a city wheÌ„ we have hearkned to the crye of the Voyce that al flesh is grasse al the grace thereof as the flower of the feild and when we have found our grasse to be withered and flower faded because the spirit of the Lord hath blown vpon it when the strong hold of our imaginations is cast down and every thought brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ when we have discerned our syns felt the smart of them in our consciences pined away for our iniquities and judged our selves worthie to be cut off for all our evils when we have renounced al coÌ„fidence in our selves reiected all our righteousnesses as filthy clouts and being humbled vnder the mighty hand of God do with Iob abhorre our selves repent in dust and ashes then will hee look vpon vs and turne our captivitie and bring vs into his promised rest into which we entring by faith shall there keep the true Sabbath of God cease from our own works as he did from his wholly give our selves to work the works of God which is to beleev in him whom he hath sent euen Iesus Christ our wisdome justice sanctification and redemption who caleth vs with a holy calling from the fellowship of Satan Syn this world and our own corruptions to the happy communion with himself and with his Father by fayth a while on earth til we shal behold his face in justice and when we awake be satisfied with his image O Ierusalem wash thine hart from wickednes that thou mayct be saved how long shal thy wicked thoughts remayn within thee Ier. 4. 14. CHAPT XI Of the Communion that we haue with God in general God having graciously freed vs from the captivity of Satan and caled vs out of the world from our own corruptions doth after this take vs neer vnto him bestoweth more graces and blessings vpon vs and accepteth again the fruits of his own spirit in vs. For he hath separated vs from others to receiv vs vnto himself and he wil be a Father vnto vs and
places wher they become yet is it most lively seen in their Assemblie and there he is very terrible For this cause did his people love the habitation of his house desired to dwel there al their dayes that they might be hold his bewtie and being absent from it their sowles thirsted for God saving when shal we come and appear before the presence of God for they knew his promise which had sayd In every place where I shal put the remembrance of my name I wil come vnto thee blesse thee they knew God was in the mids of his sanctuary it should not be moved he would help it very early But of this holy societie more is to be spoken particularly in another place CHAP. XII Of the Communion that we have with Iesus Christ our Mediatour IEsus Christ being God manifested in the flesh is given of the Father to be the onely mediatour between him and vs and he hath given him power to execute judgmēt in that he is the son of Man He is the head of the body of the Church in him all the buylding coupled togither groweth vnto an holy Temple in the Lord and we all are built togither in him to be the habitation of God by the Spirit he is the way the truth the life no man cometh to the Father but by him And of him and his mediation this Oracle was spoken of old to the Saincts that their Noble-ruler should be of thēselves their Governour Christ should proceed from the mids of them God would cause him to drawe neer and approach vnto himself when he should ascend and sit at his right hand to make intercession for vs for who is he els that warranteth his hart to come vnto me sayth the Lord And ye shal be my people and I wil be your God 2. As we are made the people and portion of God by Christ brought by him vnto the fellowship and glorie of his Father so is there a special fellowship and cōmunion that we have with Christ being caled therevnto of the Father as it is written God is faithful by whom ye are called vnto the communion of his Son Iesus Christ our Lord. And that this hath alwayes been the chief end and scope of God in al his Oracles since the world began to draw men vnto Christ so vnto himself is before shewed 3. The summe of the grace given vs through communion with our Lord Iesus is cōprised in those words of the Apostle saying that Christ is of God made vnto vs Wisdom and Iustice and Sanctification and Redemption These things he is vnto vs by vertue of his Mediatorship which consisteth in the three functions or offices of Prophecie Priesthood Kingdome committed vnto him by the Father For frō the in most holy place and from the bosom of the Father is he come to declare God vnto vs he is a Prophet raysed vp of the Lord to speak vnto vs al that he cōmanded him and him are we willed for to hear the yles are to wayt for his Law And as he being worthy obteyned to open the book that is in the right hand of him that sitteth on the throne to loose the seven seales thereof because all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge ar hid in him so having made knowen to vs al things that he heard of his Father having declared and stil declaring his Name by his word and spirit he is the Power of God and the wisdom of God vnto vs. And the things which he hath declared are two 1 the Law to shew vs our syn and the evils due for the same 2 the Gospel to shew vs our righteousnes by grace from God with the blessings that flow therfrō He also being our great high priest or sacrificer hath taken away our syns and al the evils accompanying them hath redeemed vs from the Curse of the Law finished wickednes sealed vp sins made reconciliatiō for iniquitie brought the gift of righteousnes or Iustice so by his obedience we ar made just grace shal reigne by justice vnto eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord whose blood doth also purge our consciences from dead works to serv the Living God and by the same hath he sanctified his people and contineweth a Priest for ever and is both our Iustice Sanctification Finally this our redemtion from evil and restauration vnto happines he conserveth maynteyneth by his mighty power frō al enemies whō hee hath subdued vnder his owne feet wil also subdue vnder ours and is therfore named our King whom al kings shal worship al nations shal serv who wil redeem our sowles from deceit violence wil giv vs also the redemption of our bodie and cause our last enimy Death to be swallowed vp in victorie so wil be our ful Redemptiō for ever ever at his appearing with glorie in the day of Redemptiō 4. More particularly touching his Prophesie and our communion with him therin as God gave him for a witnes to the people for a Prince and a Commander vnto them so shewed he himself to be a faithful and true witnesse in that he spake to the world the things which he had heard of the Father This he did in his own person whiles he walked with mē teaching the true meaning and end of al his Fathers Law and vrging the syncere keeping of it in Love freeing it also from the false glosses and leaven of the Pharisees and cutting down their traditions for the Lord to this end had made his mouth like a sharp sword that by the breath of his lips he might slay the wicked He also taught the glad tidings of the Gospel vnto the poor therby healing the broken harted preaching deliverance to the captives recovering of sight to the blind and the acceptable yere of the Lord that whosoever should hear his word and beleev in him that sent him should hav everlasting life and not come into condemnation but was passed from death vnto life So he hid not his Fathers righteousnes within his hart but declared his truth and his salvation he conceled not his mercy and his truth from the great congregation but preached peace and comfort to his people For God had given him a tongue of the Learned that he might know to minister a word in time to him that is weary grace was powred in his lips and they they were like lillies dropping down pure myrrh and his mouth was sweet things 5. As in his own person so did he by others publish the will of his Father vsing hereto the ministerie both of men and Angels He gave and stil giveth the gifts of ministery vnto many men above al other he furnished his
glory of God al precious ornaments of his Spirit And so greatly doth the King delight in her bewty that the words which were spoken to the first woman Evah how her desire should be vnto her husband are now on the other hand as touching the affection of love applied by the Spowse vnto him whom her sowl loveth I am my welbeloveds and his desire is towards me 28. From all that which is before spoken of the Cōmunion that God hath caled vs vnto with his Son it followeth that whatsoever justice and holines was in Christ manifested in the flesh eyther by nature or by actiō the same is made ours by grace and imputation as on the contrary whatsoever syn vnrighteousnes is in vs by nature or action the same is made his by imputation and by him is healed and taken away that it can not be we now should perish if we hold fast our faith and confidence of rejoycing vnto the end Whatsoever troubles sorrowes or tentations syn onely excepted do befall vs in this life the like have befalle◠vnto him were by him overcome and shal from vs as already they are from him be done away Finally whatsoever freedom liberty Christ as mā in ordinarie estate had on earth cōversing amōg men◠the like hath he given dayly giveth confirmeth vnto Christiās whither we respect the spiritual law of God or the politick lawes of men and civil states For he it is that liveth in vs himself is ours and we are his graffed into his death and resurrection to eternal life he hath given his glory vnto Israel even the glory that the Father gav him hath he given vs that we may be one as the Father and he ar one he in vs and God in him wher he is ther shal we also be to behold his glory though for the present we walk by faith and not by sight and it doth not yet appear what we shal be The cōsideration of which riches of his grace may cause vs to say with the prophet how great is his goodnes how great is his bewtie And we may conclude with the last word of Moses the man of God Blessed art thou o Israel who is like vnto thee o people saved by the Lord the shield of thine help and which is the sword of thy glorie therfore thine enimies shal be in subjectiō to thee thow shalt tread vpon their high places CHAP. XIII Of our Communion with the holy Ghost ALthough the fellowship that we have with the holy Ghost who is one with the Father and the Son may much be discerned by that which is before spoken of God of Christ yet because the scripture speaketh many things of the work of Gods Spirit in vs and particularly of the Cōmunion of the Holy Ghost with vs it wil be for the good and comfort of the Saincts to consider the graces and benefits that do come vnto them by this cōmunion also in particular 2. And this the rather for that the Spirit is the Comforter that other Comforter or Advocate which the Father at Christs request doth give vnto vs for to abide with vs for ever and chear vs in the absence of our Lord Iesus from vs who is gone vnto his Father and ours that we should not be left as orphans on earth destitute of help and comfort amids our many trials and tribulations 3. Very great is the grace admirable the strength and consolation which this Comforter giveth to the Saincts as the example of the Apostles themselves doth confirm who al the while that Christ was with them in this world though he ceased not to teach inform thē to comfort and embolden them to reprove and blame them as there was occasion yet were they weak and faint in faith fearfull of their enimies forgetful of Christs promises without vnderstanding of his mysteries and overcaried many wayes with their own infirmities But when he had sent down vpon them the promise of his Father endued them with power from on high baptising them with the holy Ghost then began they to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them vtterance the wonderful works of God shewed great boldnes in preaching the word with great power witnessed the resurrection of the Lord Iesus and many signes and wonders were shewed by their hands and they ceased not to teach and preach Iesus Christ amongst many troubles rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name 4. Neyther vnto them alone was the holy Ghost given though the abundance of his graces was powred most plentifully vpon them but al that in those dayes or before or synce do beleeve in the Lord Iesus Christ ar sealed also with the same spirit of promise furnished in some mesure with the gifts of the same Which grace the Lord himself proclaymed in that last and great day of the Feast of Tabernacles saying He that beleeveth in me as sayth the scripture out of his bel'y shal flow rivers of water of life speaking this of the Spirit which they that beleeved in him should receiv for if any man have not the Spirit of Christ the same is not his 5. As ther is but one God and Father of al and one Lord Jesus Christ so is ther but one and the same Spirit although for the diversities of gifts which that Spirit distributeth among the Saincts the scripture sometime speaketh as of seven Spirits which ar before the throne of God seven being a ful and perfect number and signifying Many and these seven Spirits be the seven hornes seven eyes that is the manifold and absolute power providence of the Lamb Christ Iesus of whom it was prophesied that the Spirit of the Lord should rest vpon him the Spirit of wisdom and Vnderstanding the Spirit of counsel of strength the Spirit of knowledge of the fear of the Lord of whō also it was witnessed God giveth him not the Spirit by mesure 6. The Spirit as he was at first creator of the world with the Father the Son garnished the heavēs so is he stil the finger of God that worketh effectually al his actions creating the creatures renewing the face of the earth And generally as God speaketh vnto men outwardly by the ministery of his word so sendeth he also inwardly motions of his Spirit against which many struggle to their just judgement In the old world Gods spirit strove in man as his word was preached by Noah but they sayd vnto God Depart from vs wherfore they were wrinckled before the time and the flood was powred out vpō their foundation Whē Israel came out of Aegypt the Lord sent before them Moses Aaron Miriam to guyd
the kingdome And what should I speak of al the Iudges as of Othoniel of Gedeon of â—ephte of Samson vpon whom the Spirit of the Lord came clothed them strengthned them and prospered vpon them whereby they went boldly vnto great battels overcame their enimies and â—ent the wilde beasts that roared vpon them The Prophets also Apostles were caried and guyded by the Spirit in their wayes words and works taught whom for to goe to and from whom to refreyn and had great intelligence of things for to come and in every citie the Holy Ghost witnessed such thinges as Gods wisdom saw good to revele So that the help which the Spirit ministreth to the Saincts is infinite and incomprehensible and they may saye to the Lord with the Prophet whishal I goe from thy Spirit for loe the wisdom of God powreth out her Spirit vnto them maketh them vnderstand her words this Oyntment they have from him that is holy do know al things through the power of the Holy Ghost they abound in hope by the comfort of the Holy Ghost they and the Churches of them are multiplied and by him the offring vp of the Gentils by the ministery of the Gospel is sanctified and whatsoever good thing is done among Gods people is not by an Army nor strength but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts without which no man can say that Iesus is the Lord. 19. Thus ar the Saincts of God advanced to honour dignitie above al peoples on the earth being themselves the Temple of God having his Spirit dwelling in them injoying a most holy and happy coÌ„munion with the Father and with his son Iesus Christ and with the Holy Ghost the grace and peace and comfort whereof passeth al vnderstanding and can no way be sufficiently expressed by the tongue or pen of man And this holy coÌ„munion with his people God shewed of old by his prophet in these gracious words I am with you sayth the Lord of hosts with the Word by whom I covenanted with you when you came out of Aegypt and my Spirit remayning among you Fear you not Al thy works prayse thee ô Lord thy Saincts blesse thee Psal. 145. 10. CHAP. XIIII How the foresâ—yd communion and peace between God and his Sainsts is somtimes interrupted by their syns what vnrest trouble they then feel in themselves and how their ancient peace is renewed Bâ—cause ther is no man just in the earth that doeth good and sinneth not and whiles men dwel in these howses of clay they be compassed about with their own infirmities tempted of their own concupiscences and besett with Divils that alwayes lie in wayt to entrap and devour it falleth out that the Saincts of God ar not only assaulted but ofteÌ„times foyled by their enemies and do fal into snares and loathsome trespasses wherby God is dishonoured the Divil delighted their own harts wounded and distressed 2. For our knowledge in this life is but in part so that through error ignoraÌ„ce we oft do amisse neyther can any man vnderstand or discerne those errors Our affections lusts are not fully subdued but do yet warr in our members the flesh lusteth against the spirit and these lusts fight against the sowle ar as a law in our members rebelling against the law of our mind and captivating vs to the law of syn which is in our members Our strength is infirme and though we would do good yet find we no means to performe it Our enemy Satan is both subtile and strong and seeketh dayly to circumvent vs often prevaileth through our weaknes and vnheedines that in many things we syn al no man can say I hav purified my hart I am clean from my syn 3. Sometime the pleasures of the flesh do bewitch and drawe vs into greevous offences drunkennes adultery fornication murder and idolatrie it self sometime the blessings of God vpon vs do make vs prowd our harts are lifted vp we commit vainglorious actions forgetting our selves and God that begate vs even forsaking the Rock of our salvatioÌ„ sometime our affections are so stirred that we fal into intemperance both in word work not onely against men but even God himself somtime feares doubts dangers threatnings and afflictions do daunt and discourage vs making the hart to faint the tongue to deny and forswear the truth the hands to work impietie our faith to quaile that we forsake Christ and flee away Yea Gods children have in error and blind zele persecuted the truth and professors thereof even killed Christ himself crucified the Lord of Glorie as the example of Saul sondrie other elect Israelites doth manifest These and many like greevous syns do the Saincts sometimes fall into through their infirmities God withdrawing his hand leaving them to themselves besides their ignorances defaults which multiplie dayly so as they surmount in number the hayres of their heads And many times such meÌ„ lie sleeping in their syns long forgetting themselves in their voluptuous delights til God awakeneth them of his grace least they should sleep the death and perish for ever 4. He awakeneth vs somtime by the sound of his word knocking at the door of our harts and by his Spirit wherewith he striveth in vs somtime by corrections punishments for our misdeedes inflicted vpon our bodies sometime by striking our consciences with dread dismay and terrour for our syns and withdrawing the cheerful light of his countenance from vs so as we feel not the joy of his spirit neyther have peace in our selves but the comfortable coÌ„munioÌ„ betweeÌ„ his Majestie vs seemeth quite to be disanulled brokeÌ„ 5. For he withdraweth his face and favour from vs kindleth his anger against vs couÌ„teth vs as his enemies the horror of his wrath is as fyre sent from above into our bones the curse written in the law is powred vpon vs and is as the arrowes of the Almightie the venim wherof drinketh vp our spirit He setteth our iniquities before him self our secret syns in the light of his countenance he setteth them also in our own sight and our syn is before vs continually with his hand he bindeth the yoke of our transgressions with them being wrapped layd vpon our neck he maketh our strength to fayl bitter things doth he write against vs make vs to inherit the iniquities of our youth so as ther is nothing found in our flesh because of his anger neither is ther rest in our bones because of our sin our wounds stink and ar corrupt our reynes ar ful of burning our hart is as waxe it melteth in the mids of our bowels our bones are parched like an
attend vpon vs in our life so do they also at our death being sent to fetch our flitting soules cary thē into Abrahams bosome in the Paradise of God 10. These things as those blessed spirits the sons of God do at the commandement of their heavenly father redily and cheerfully for his elect so also ar they beholders of our wayes conversation affected after their spiritual māner with the things they see in vs. For they ar evē the thousād thowsāds of thē as about Gods throne so about the four living creatures the 24. Elders togither with them magnifiing Christ the killed Lamb prostrate on their faces do worship God and giv glory vnto him for evermore Into the celestial mysteries reveled by the Gospel they hav a desire to look because God hath by his church made known his manifold wisdome vnto them Loving also they ar glad and desirous of our good as appeareth by their glorifying of the Lamb that was killed for vs not for them and by the joy which they have when any one of vs converteth from our syns as Christ hath shewed Witnesses they ar with the Lord of the charges contestations layd vpon vs for the observing of our duties as by the Apostles words to Timothee we be taught Wherfore we ought holily righteously soberly to cary our selves in al our actions seing we ar a spectacle to those heavenly Flames and are come to the great assemblie of innumerable of them yea the Apostle seemeth to require of women modest and submissiveattire in respect of them 11. Al this notwithstanding we must take heed both of superstitiō and curiosity about them for we are forbidden of God the religion or worship of Angels which when Iohn for the revelations shewed him would hav done the Angel refused and sayd See thou do it not If therfore we hav need of succour let vs pray vnto our Father and he can send vs legions of them and if we would giv thanks for their help offer a sacrifice themselves hav taught vs to offer it to the Lord whose servants they are even fellow servants with vs though much more excellent able and obedient He it is that sendeth them forth for our sakes which ar heyrs of salvation he also wil change this our corruptible estate cloth vs with immortalitie and make vs equal to those holie Angels and giv vs ◠place among them whose cōmuniō at that day we shal fully enjoy togither with them serving our God and lauding his Majestie in his own blessed presence for ever The Angel of the Lord pitcheth round about them that fear him delivereth them Psal. 34. 7. CHAPT XVI How the Saincts on earth ar caled to a holy communion among themselves God who hath chosen and caled vs in Christ from this world and fellowship of al wicked ones therin to be his and to serv him hath further required at our hands that we which ar caled should not live alone or a sunder by our selves but joyn togither and so entertayn and nourish a loving holy communion one with an other in the vnitie of the faith and spirit by the bond of peace For man is made a sociable creature and when he was in his perfection God saw sayd it was not good for him to be alone and therfore made him a help meet for him but after when we were corrupted there was much more need of fellowship one with an other for our mutal help and comfort And many are the benefits which we reap hereby evē as on the contrarie the evils dangers and discomforts which arise for want hereof are moe then can be told 2. When God had brought his people out of Aegypt to lead them into Canaan whiles thither they were traveyling even in the wildernes caused he a Tent to be made for himself to dwel among them and in midds of their tents which when it was perfected he took possession of filled and sanctified it with his glorie commaunded also the people thither for to bring their services and their sacrifices promised there to meet with thē to speak there vnto them whervpon that place was caled the Tent or Tabernacle of Meeting or Congregation And whereas this Sanctuary was flitting moveable not onely in the wildernes but also in the land of Canaan therfore God gav Israel a charge by Moses that they should seek the place which he should choose out of al their tribes to put his Name there and there to dwel that thither they should come to sacrifice and rejoyce before the Lord themselves their children and their servants there to keep their solemn feasts and take heed they offred not in any other place For he had told thē whosoever Israelite or strāger sojourning among them that resorted not to this Tabernacle with his oblations but sacrificed other where eyther within or without the host that man should be reputed as if he had shed blood or offred vnto Divils and was to be cut off from among his people This tent togither with the Ternple which for like holy vse succeded the same was a figure of the church or congregation of Christians amongst whom God hath placed his tabernacle to dwell as their God with them and they to be his people even his howse and habitation should therefore gather themselves togither in his name to keep their spiritual feasts not withdrawing from nor leaving the mutuall assembling or fellowship that they have among themselves for who so repayreth not to the Church the true Ierusalem of all the families of the earth there to keep the feast of Tabernacles worship the king the Lord of hosts no rayn of Gods grace or blessing shal come vpon them 3. This gathering togither of the Saincts is not a bare assembly or concourse onely of people but a neer vniting and knitting of thēselves in one holy cōmunion and fellowship For as the foresayd Tent was made of many courtaines but al of thē so coupled one to another with loops taches that they were but one Tabernacle and as the many costly hewed stones wherwith Solomon built the Temple whē they were layd togither made one Howse wherein God had his habitatiō so the servants of Christ though they be many yet are so built coupled togither by faith that they grow vnto an holy temple in the Lord to be the habitation of God by the spirit and are builded as a citie that is compact togither in it self Which neer cōiunction is further set sorth by similitude of a bodie wherein there be many members of several shape vse yet by the wisdome of God so vnited set togither that there appeareth a goodly frame and proportion of the man and every lim so fastned to other and
creditors These were to be wel intreated like brethren not overruled with crueltie they wer to be dismissed in the seventh or at furthest in the fiftith year called the Iubilee And when they went out they were to be liberally rewarded with their maisters goods Of the latter sort were the hethens either bought with price or conquered by battel which remayned servants alwaies theÌ„selves and their seed after theÌ„ Servitude especially bondage is a judgment of God vpon the world for syn inflicted vpon Chams posteritie as a curse yet is the curse by Christ taken away in whom the bond the free ar one And this was the case of many strangers in Israel as of the Gibeonites the offspring of CanaaÌ„ vpon whom their fathers curse for outward slaverie was inflicted which they cheerfully vnderwent and had Gods favour and blessing vpoÌ„ their sowles they serving him and he continewing theÌ„ though Saul sought to root them out punishing all Israel for their injurie The like was also to be seen in others of that progenie whom Solomon subdued vnder servile tribute whose children remayned among the Israelits after the captivitie of Babylon as did also the Nethinims of Gibeon and wer named the sons of Solomons servants When such bondmen ar brought to the faith of the Gospel their civil servitude is not therby at an end no not though they hav beleeving maisters but they ar stil to giv honour and do service even hartily as to the Lord and not to men 〈◊〉 they serv the Lord Christ in that estate and ar his freemen therfore they should not care for this yoke yet if they may be free they should vse it rather The maisters ar to do vnto their servants that which is just and equal knowing that they also hav a maister in heaven they may chasten theÌ„ but not oppresse them nor contemne their judgement when they coÌ„tend with theÌ„ Thus servaÌ„ts notwithstaÌ„ding their freedom in the faith ar to be in subjection and humble themselves vnder the haÌ„d of their governours they are to obey in labour and attendance in service at home or abroad in peace or in war and both maister and servant ar to keep communion togither in their holy faith wherin is no respect of persons without oppression fâ—awd murmuring or debate til they end their dayes in peace and come to the place appointed for al the living wher smal great do lodge togither and the servant free from his maister 6. This much of families which being wel ordered and conjoyned in the faith of Christ are as litle churches so caled by the Apostle and ought to hav care whatsoever be done in others that Gods true worship be continewed in them The secoÌ„d sort of humane societie is in Policies or Commune weals which may be diversly coÌ„stituted lesser or greater vnder suÌ„dry sorts of govermeÌ„t As many families coÌ„pact togither in one tribe many tribes in one nation or Kingdome many kingdomes in one Empire these menaged by one or by many by Princes Sâ—natouis Iudges Kings or Kaesaâ—s as God shal dispose the publick states see best For al powers are of God what soever be their names titles dignities or formes of regiment and when or howsoever they be altered at the discretion of man in respect wherof they ar caled â—â—mane creations or ordinaÌ„ces they ar to be submitted vnto for the Lords sake And this though they be vnbeleevers how much more if they also beleev hav brought their glorie to the Church of Christ and have their portion in the holy land 7. These magistrats if they be freely chosen of the church must be of their brethren men of wisdome and good conscience who must judge al causes aright govern the people in justice and in the fear of God whom the Commons are to honour submit vnto and reverence in deed word and gesture as to the Lord for the word of God is committed vnto them and they therfore ar caled Gods This subjection is due vnto al whither vnto the King as to the superior or vnto the Governors as they that ar sent of him It must be both openly secretly even of conscience not for fear of wrath onely The coÌ„munion of the faith is not a cause why eyther princes should forsake their place titles or dignities or the people shake off their subjection For seing Magistracie is stil Gods ordinance none ar meeter to execute it to hav his word and sword coÌ„mitted to theÌ„ to carie his titles to judge in his coÌ„gregatioÌ„ then his own servants furnished with his spirit And seeing it is stil his ministerie for the good of his people the punishmeÌ„t of malefactors praise of weldoers none caÌ„ better performe this dutie be noursing fathers mothers of Christs church then Christians Kings ar not to cast away but bring their glorie honour to IerusaleÌ„ as the gentiles do their riches theÌ„selves to minister therevnto 8. In which ministration they both mainteyn and conserve the true religion of God according to his word reforme things amisse in themselves and their subjects as is before touched and also mainteyn civil peace by executing mercie and judgment justifying delivering the poor and needy and beating down the oppressor Such magistrates are eyes to the blind feet to the lame fathers to the poor whose cause when they know not they seek out diligently breaking the jawes of the vnrighteous man plucking the prey out of his teeth And as their sword preserveth peace at home so it resisteth injuries from abroad that they are not onely ornameÌ„ts of coÌ„mune weals but their safety and strength vnder God and may wel be caled as the Prophets name them the Shields of the world For which cause all Christians as they may by Pauls example be partakers of the benefit of their lawes politick so do they ow homage service and subiectioÌ„ vnto theÌ„ should allow them maintenance pay them tributes and other like duties in recompence of their cares labours and employments that so mutual peace and concord in the coÌ„munion of the Saincts may all manner wayes be conserved 9. There remayneth yet an other sort of civil duties among the Saincts general vnto al maried or vnmaried bond or free magistrate or subject which are love mercy relief kindenes courtesie and many other the like sociable actions at al times to be performed of al persons as there is occasion and according to their power and place For Christians are to have care of those that labour among them aâ— over them in the Lord and admonish them that they have them in singular love for their works sake
himself 7. And in our assemblies wher Gods presēce is ought our holines fear and obedience most to shine al evil things most be shunned wher by reasō of our near cōjunction cōmunion the cōtagion of syn may spread over al. For there all ar one loaf one body because we ar al partakers of one bread And if the wicked partake with vs neyther we nor the holy things can sanctifie thē but contrariwise they defile vs and every thing they touch as the law saith whatsoever the vnclean person toucheth shal be vnclean and the person that toucheth him shal be vnclean And this touching figured our fellowship togither in the Church as the Apostle sheweth by this the prophet Haggai convinced the people of Israel to be vnclean in Gods sight they and al their works and sacrifices Wherfore streight lawes were given to that nation as wel preists as people evē vpō payn of death that none in his vncleannes should touch the holy thinges of the church for that was not onely a defiling of the things themselves but of Gods name also For avoiding wherof the Priests were to teach the people how to discerne between holy and profane clean and vnclean Which if they did and took away the precious frō the vile then were they as Gods mouth otherwise when they put no difference between holy and profane they broke Gods law defiled his holy things for which cause he powred out his indignation vpon them And now that al Christians ar made Priests vnto God even a kingly priesthood to reign vpō earth hav the power of Christ to judge al that are within the church cast out the wicked from among them they ought to reteyn and vse their power to execute the judgement that is written and as the priests of old to keep Gods lawes and statutes in al his assemblies or els to depart frō among them 8. For if any church or people violate Gods covenant by synning against him one against another and if their ears be vncircumcised that they cannot harken to admonition nor be ashamed when they hav committed abomination but despising the word walk stubbornly with God wil not be reclaymed thē they that were yesterday Gods people ar risen vp for an enimy he wil walk stubbornly in anger against thē his sowle wil abhorr them he wil bring their sanctuary to nought and wil not smel the savour of their sweet odours the incense of their prayers is an abominatiō vnto him he hateth he abhorreth their feast dayes and wil not smel in their solemne assemblies both them and the howse which he had hallowed for his name wil he cast out of his sight and remove the candlestick out of his place the Lord of hosts that planted thē pronounceth a plague against them he wil take his kingdome from them give it to a nation which shall bring forth the fruits therof and their habitation shall be left vnto them desolate He will do vnto them as he threatneth by his prophet For the wickednes of their inventions I wil cast them ou◠of my honse I wil love them no more againe my God will cast them away because they did not obey him For rebellion is as the syn of witch craft and transgression is wickednes and idolatrie seing they have cast away the word of the Lord therfore he casteth away thē the curse is powred vpon them and the oth that is written in the Law For God proclaymeth Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant which I cōmanded your fathers saying obey my voyce and do according to all these things which I cōmand you so shall ye be my people and I wil be your God And his servants answer and say Amen ô Lord. Thus the curse devoureth the land of that Assemblie or people and the inhabitants therof ar desolate for that they trāsgressed the lawes chāged the ordinances brake the everlasting covenāt then the Lord sweareth and sayth I abhorr the excellencie of Iaakob and hate his pallaces 9. Then they that cried out against their abominations ar marked and saved from destruction a book of remembrance is written before the Lord for them that fear him and think on his name they shal be vnto him for a flock and he wil spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him they shal discern between the righteou◠and the wicked vnto them shal the sun of righteousnes arise with health vnder his wings and they shall tread down the wicked as dust vnder the soles of their feet Thus the redeemer wil come vnto thē that turn from iniquitie in Iaakob he wil leav in the mids of it an humble and poor people and they shal trust in his name and the remnant of Israel shall do no iniquitie nor speak lies And over them will the Lord reioyce with joy he wil quiet himself in his love even with joy wil he rejoyce over them The Lord preserveth al them that love him but he wil destroy al the wicked Psalm 145. 20. CHAPT XXIIII Of the communion that one church hath with an other HAving spoken of the Saincts communion in their several Congregations wherin they are distinct bodies and owe special duty and care one toward another it remayneth that something be sayd of the cōmunion between Church and church For though they be disjoyned in place yet ar they vnited in hart and spirit so as they generally are but one body or church vnder one head Christ caled in one hope of their vocation by one God and Father of al and must endeavour to keep the vnity of the spirit in the bond of peace 2. When Christ sent forth his Apostles into the world he gave them one and the same commission for preaching the Gospel in al nations and teaching them to observ whatsoever he had commanded who thervpon preached one cōmune fayth a covenant Gospel everlasting for every tongue and people and exhorted them earnestly to contend for that faith once given to the Saincts And as the faith was one so was ther one rule or canon for al Gods Israel to walk by the same officers in al churches the same ordinances decrees the same wayes taught by the Apostles every where in every Church and al other forbidden so peace was set by God in al churches of the Saincts 3. And as the church generally considered is the mother of al the faithful so the particular churches ar sisters ech to other and ther is a brotherhood of the Saints throughout the world they being al one in Christ Iesus the