Truth Joh. 12.47 48. 2 Thes 1.10 yet nevertheless the Truth standeth firm and will one Day judge these Apostates and justifie such as believe in him So that by this opposition it cleerly appears he means Christ to be the Foundation 3. This also appears in the Words themselves with their Order and several Branches and Distinctions let them be every one considered 1. Isa 28.16 Psa 18.22 Mat. 21.4 1 Pet. 2.6 Act. 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 3.11 The Foundation of God standeth sure Is not this plain in Scripture-Language to be the Foundation God purposed and promised to lay in Sion which Purpose and Promise was before the laying of it and now according to Purpose and Promise he hath laid it and Jesus Christ expresly affirmed to be this Foundation the Love and Wisdom of God in his will found out and purposed this Foundation and according to his Purpose his Hand hath laid this Foundation and hath declared his Purpose of saving all that in believing are by Faith built on him who onely is the Foundation and there is no other The knowledge of this Foundation and so of the Love and Purpose of God according to which he is laid meet us with bands of Love to draw to him and fasten upon him or if declined to return to him that is so sure immovable and precious a Foundation And this cleer-here that none needed have imagined another nor feigned the Purpose to be the Foundation but to proceed 2. Having this seal This is plain This Foundation hath a Seal on it an evident and known Seal it is a sealed Foundation and so the Seal is distinct though not divided from the Foundation it is in it and upon it even that by which it is marked out to be known and to be sure and stedfast even that which God hath appointed and sealed in which Seal also is the sealing and approbation of all that through believing come to be built on him So that it is a demonstrating living quickning and confirming Seal and so Christ the Foundation was sealed approved testified and confirmed both by voice and works to be The Christ Isa 28.16 Mat. 3.17 17.5 Joh. 5.37 Joh. 6.27 Isa 55.4 1 Cor. 2.2 Isa 42.4 Rom. 8.28 8.2 Isa 28.16 8.16 51.4 2 Cor. 1.22 5.14 Eph. 1.13 Isa 2.3.4 Mic. 4.2 3 Isa 8.20 14 15 16. 28.9 16. 29.11 12. 42.21 49.6 13.47 Mat. 5.14 15. Phil. 2.15 16. Joh. 1.4 7 9. 5.35 Isa 44.26 Heb. 2.3 4. The Son of God that precious tried Stone laid for a Foundation and upon this ground he exhorteth to seek of him the Bread that endureth to Eternal Life which he will give to such as come to him for it because or for him hath God the Father fealed yea he being given as the VVitness or Testimony of God's Will Love Purpose and Faithfulness and so preached by the Apostles and for the Law which the Apostle calls The Law of Faith The Law of the Spirit of Life This the Foundation laid in Sion The Law and Testimony bound and sealed up among the Disciples of Christ The Law proceeding out of his Mouth and he doth therewith so seal those that believe in him that he indues them with his own Spirit operating in them so that the same Law and Testimony goeth forth from them to others And this is the Law and the Testimony to which we are to resort for the knowledge of all Truth though because of its crying down all flesh and the reproach it is in in the World and among the Children of the Bond-woman in the Church it is to them as a book pretended by the Learned to be sealed and by the unlearned to be out of their ability to read yet with Christ and in him the Lord is well pleased yea and for his sake with all that believe in him and will magnifie the Law and make it honourable yea he hath given him for a light to the Gentiles and to be his Salvation to the ends of the earth yea he will confirm and hath confirmed the same in making those that believe in him the light of the VVorld in holding forth the VVord of Life and bearing witness of him the true light and he will confirm the Testimony delivered by his Servants yea he hath abundantly confirmed this Testimony already Eph. 2.20 21 22. so that Jesus Christ as set forth in the Testimony of the Gospel he is the Foundation laid by God and ministerially by the Apostles even that Foundation on which the Apostles and Prophets yea the whole Church both of Jews and Gentiles are built and by whom as the Corner-Stone they are united in one and there is no other Foundation but this And this Foundation is sealed and hath the Seal on it which will be sealing all that come to be built on it so that hitherto even by this Word having this Seal We are led to own Jesus Christ for the Foundation on which the Seal abideth Now let us consider what this Seal is and that also is express 3. That Lord knoweth them that are his This is plain the Apostle delivereth not this the Lord knoweth them that are his as the Foundation which by his manner of delivery appears to be some distinct thing forelayed yea even before sealed but distinctly plainly and expresly as the Seal on the Foundation which it alwayes hath on and with it and that is this The Lord knoweth them that are his View the words in their own simplicity according to Gospel-Language and it will appear plainly That The Lord is the Name frequently throughout the Gospel as now come forth given to Christ a Act. 2.36 10.36 9.17 29. 11.16 16.31 20.35 Rom. 14.9 1 Cor. 1 2. 8.6 2 Cor. 1 2. 13.14 Gal. 1.3 6.18 c. but if any will take it for God the Father it will come to the same for the Father and the Son are both one and the same God b Joh. 2.1 2 one in divine Essence and in VVill and Design and in Testimony and Working c Joh. 10.29 30. 1 Joh. 5.7 Joh. 5.17.19 22 23. 14.6 10. 16.14 15. Heb. 1.3 yea the Father doth nothing but the Son doth the same yea he doth all by the Son that all Men might honor the Son as they honor the Father nor can any come to the Father but by the Son and all that is the Father's is the Son 's and through him his glory appeareth The Lord knoweth This Word is more then seeth discerneth and so knoweth Joh. 2.24 25. 16.30 Dan. 2.22 Isa 66.18 Luk. 16.15 Deut. 31.21 2 King 19.27 Isa 37.28 Jer. 48.30 Psa 138.6 139.1 5. for so God yea God in Christ and so Christ knoweth all things yea he knoweth what is in the darkness though onely the light dwelleth with him he knoweth the hearts of all Men even the worst of Men also yea
forth in Prophecies in which attending to this Testimony minding and believing it it will make all Wisdom's Sayings plain and open the meaning and rightness of them t Joh. 12.36 46. Prov. 1.3 7. 2.2 7. 8.9 Joh. 1.18 14.7 1 Joh. 2.20 27. 2. It hath its meaning in it self and the same is in its Discovery according to the plain import of its Sayings it abhors all Equivocations dissembling and pretending any Love or good-will more then really is u Prov. 8.6 7 8. 26.24 26. 3. It hath Evidences and Demonstrations of Wisdom Power and Goodness and Motives unmatchable to draw to the Belief of its Testimony w 1 John 5.6 9 10. Rom. 5.6 8. Act. 5.32 11.21 4. It is the Instrument and Medium by which the Holy Ghost convinceth of sin unbelief and error x Joh. 15.15 8.7 8 9 10 11. and bringeth the convinced in to Believe and love the Truth y James 1.18 1 John 3.19 and leadeth Believers into all Truth z Joh. 16.13 14 and he that believeth this Testimony believeth the Truth and it being in them and they living according to it they are of the Truth a 1 John 3.19 and in the Truth b 1 John 2.5 2 John 4. and the Truth is in them c 1 John 1.8 2.4 3 John 3. and such as teach it are Ministers of the Truth d Rom. 15.8 2 Tim. 2.15 and such as acknowledge profess and obey it do acknowledge profess and obey the Truth e Heb. 10.26 1 Pat. 1.22 2 Joh. 4. 3 Joh. 3 and such as turn from it turn from the Truth f 2 Tim. 4.4 and such as oppose deny and resist it do oppose deny and resist the Truth g 2 Cor. 13.8 2 Tim. 3.8 So that we are well directed for knowing of Truth to the Law and to the Testimony in which Truth is and all the sayings thereof are true yea all the sayings in Scripture as they witness of this Testimony and are opened by this Testimony and agree in one with this are true and not only true but they are also exceeding plain as may be seen in that foresaid 1. In that God and Christ have affirmed these sayings to be not onely true but also plain and right h Prov. 8.6 9. Isa 45.19 Eccles 12.10 2. In that he affirmeth the end for which he hath written them to be that we might know the certainty of the words of Truth i Prov. 22.20 21 Luke 1.3 4. Ephes 4.3 4. Rom. 15.4 3. In that our Saviour directeth and commandeth for knowing and finding Truth to search the Scriptures k Joh. 5.39 to minde what is written and how we read in the Law and Testimony l Luke 10.26 Isa 8.20 and to apply the Ear to his Knowledge and so the Heart to the Words of the Wise that have written by his Spirit m Prov. 22.17 18 20. 4. In that our Saviour promiseth blessedness to such as believe on him as the Scripture hath said n John 7.38 avouching all that keep not his sayings that do not Believe Love and hold to his sayings to be no Lovers of him * Joh 14.28 5. In the Profession of those inspired with the Holy Ghost in the knowledge of the things of Christ that they spake them in the wisdom and words which the Spirit gave them to speak o Act. 2.4 1 Cor. 2.12 13. and this sincerely without craft in all plainness p 1 Cor. 2.17 4.2 2 Cor. 3.12 and not with a veil over their face 6. In the confession of those that have believed this Testimony that his Word is true very pure q Psal 119.160 140 130. Eccles 12.10 and bringeth Light and giveth Understanding to the simple 7. The Title put on this Testimony as The Word of Truth the Scripture of Truth r Col. 1.5 Dan. 10.21 8. The Commendation and Approbation of such as are diligent in searching the Scripture to see what is Truth and take heed to the Word of Prophecie as to a Light s Act. 17.11 2 Pet. 1.19 Now if the sayings of the Gospel in the Testimony of Christ have not the sense they naturally and plainly import where then is the Truth of God and Christ his Affirmation or the fitness in his words for his ends to give the certainty of the Knowledge of Truth or what Profit in following his direction in searching the Scripture or where is the Truth of this Promise or of the Prophets and Apostles Protestation or of the Title of the Gospel or why are any commended for searching it If it have not the sence it importeth in its own sayings who then shall tell us the sense what Man what Apostle what Angel or what Spirit when we are warned to hear none that speak other or beside that by these before already preached and written who have professed also before God That they did not lye in the things they writ and God hath born Testimony of them Gal. 1.6 9 12 20. Heb. 2.4 So that their sayings in this Testimony are true and plain and have the sense they plainly import and what the Prophets and Apostles have spoke and writ of this Testimony God hath spoken by them and if we believe God to be true and love him then will we believe and love his sayings and so to the Law and to the Testimony for the discerning of every Whisper Spirit Doctrine Opinion and Saying and if they speak not according to that Word there is no Morning-Light in them wherefore let God be true and justifie him in his sayings and let every man whisper Rom. 3.4 Eccles 12.10 Doctrine or Spirit that speaketh not according to his sayings be to us a lyar knowing his Words are true upright and plain though the wisdom of the flesh be enmity to them whose oppositions I will endeavour to remove CHAP. 3. Of the Enmity of Flesh and Satan to Him THe carnal Minde or Wisdom of the Flesh is Enmity against God a Rom. 8.7 so that the natural Man having no other but the Wisdom of Men the Wisdom of this World though never so learned wise prudent doth not approve or receive the things of the Spirit or his sayings but accounts them Foolishness b 1 Cor. 1.18 19 20. 2.5 6 41. And among the rest in this one thing hath this Enmity appeared in that it accounts light of the sayings of the Spirit of God in the Scripture and of that Knowledge given in the plain Testimony thereof c Jer. 8.9 and pretends in its fleshly Minde to a farther and better knowing d Job 11.11 12. Col. 2.18 by which it presumes to understand and to amend contradict the plain Sayings of God and to frame sayings better truer and safer for Men to believe and receive e Job 4.17 18 19. Isa 40.2 8. Isa 40.13 14. In which thinking to
spiritual Gifts and Vertue to witness the Testimony of Christ still in all this time And as God forsook Shilo where his Tabernacle was in Canaan first pitched for the wickedness thereof Jer. 7.12 and returned his Tabernacle no more thither Rev. 12.1 so God may reject this outward Court in which his Sanctuary once was and his Glory shined in it and for the wickedness of it never beautifie it with his true Sanctuary again but preserve his true Sanctuary by his Word and Spirit till Christ come Rev. 11 19. and the Holy Ones beneath and the Holy Ones above do meet and the false Prophet be slain and the Church become a Kingdom which whether hinted in leaving out the Name of the outward Court Heb. 9. I will not say but onely that the placing helps in Government among such Temporary things as came in afterward may afford these instructions to us and so leave it to each man as Light of Truth perswades But for the Gospel and these spiritual Gifts given from Heaven that they have already been abundantly confirmed by Miracles and they so divinely recorded as is enough to confirm Faith and no need of doing them over again is that affirmed and proved and yet to make it more cleer and evident we have it expresly testified 4. By the Apostles own words to the Hebrews when having set forth the excellency of Christ as in Testimony of him set forth and then exhorted them to diligent heed taking thereto Heb. 1. 2.1 2 3 4. he admonishing them saith How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was after confirmed unto us by them that heard him God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders and with divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost according to his own will So that the Gospel hath been confirmed above all that the Law of Moses was and as the Miracles confirming that was no more to be iterated after the Law was once taught setled and confirmed but those remembred with the Law yea the Prophets that came after endeavouring to move them to deviate from that Law with Signs and Wonders Deut. 13. were not to be believed or hearkned to so we are now warned for these times that false Prophets false Christs and Antichrists will come with signs and wonders to deceive and draw credit to their false Doctrine with Mat. 24.24 Mar. 12.22 2 Thes 2.10 So that which we are now to heed is the Word of the Testimony of Christ in which is testified Jesus to be The Christ the Apostles and first Witnesses to have declared his Minde even the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mystery and the spiritual gifts with which they went forth and the Gospel revealing all this to be taught and left upon record by them Mat. 24.14 Rom. 10.18 the sound whereof went through the whole World before the first Witnesses all of them left the World And it was and hath been setled in many Churches in divers parts of the World and sufficiently confirmed with Signs Wonders Miracles and miraculous Gifts of the Holy Ghost already and they also written that we might believe And thus have I shewn according to this last and fullest Revelation of Christ who were chosen in and by him the first Instruments for laying the Foundation and beginning the building on it and so to set this glorious Ministration on foot and how plentifully they were furnished Now it is needful also to shew the Furniture of the following Witnesses that are of the same society and house and to carry on this Ministration to the same end till the return and personal appearing of Jesus Christ CHAP. 15. Of the Furniture of the following Witnesses till Christ come again WHo are the chosen of God in Christ to be Part 3. c. 11. and so are these Witnesses to carry on this blessed business till Christ come again is already before shewn and that they are such as through belief of his Grace in the Testimony of Christ delivered by the Apostles are by his Spirit built on Christ and so come unto Mount Sion Heb. 12.22 2 24. and unto the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels to the general Assembly of the first-born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of just Men made perfect and to Jesus thn Mediator of the New Covenant c. and so have fellowship with the Prophets 1 Joh. 1.3 Eph. 2.19 22. Isa 59.20 21. Phil. 2.15.16 Heb. 3.6 1 Tim. 3.15 and Apostles and so with the Father and the Son being now fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God build upon the Foundation c. having the same Word and Spirit in their Heart and in their Mouth which the Apostles had these are to hold forth the Word of Life c. as hath been shewn for these are the House of God and of Christ the Church of the living God the Pillar and Ground of Truth So that 1. Isa 43.10 Act. 13.47 As a Pillar was used for a Witness of Peace Gen. 31.51 52. so these are God's Witnesses to the World of Christ being his salvation to the ends of the Earth to open the eyes of the blinde c. 2. Isa 43.10 11. 1 Joh. 2.2 2 Cor. 5.19 Rom. 3.25 1 Tim. 1.16 Heb. 12.1 As the Pillar of the Cloud was a Testimony of God's presence and a Guide to Israel Exod. 13. so these are God's Witnesses and Holders forth of his presence and propitiatoriness to the World as Preachers and Patterns that they might repent and come in to follow him God spake to his People in a cloudy Pillar Psal 97.7 8. and through the same Pillar looked upon the Egyptians and troubled them Exod. 14.24 and so by and through these God speaks unto the World 2 Cor. 5.20 and manifesteth the savour of his knowledge through them 2 Cor. 2.14 17. which proves a savour of Life unto Life in them that in believing receive it and a savor of death unto them that oppose and rebel against it 3. As a Pillar the word is sometimes used to express some chief ones as Gal. 2.9 so whereas God hath testified his goodness in that rumour of the Gospel proclaimed in Paradise and in his works of Creation and Providence and after by Types and Prophesies and after by the Fore-runner of his Son Eph 3.3 4 5 6 9 10. 1 Pet. 1.11 12. 1 Tim. 3.16 and had Instruments suitable to each for Ministration yet when his Son is manifest as come in the Flesh who is the Brightness of his Glory and chief Testimony of his goodness so in that respect the Ministers that thus hold him forth they are the chief and such are these and the Church now 4. A Pillar is used for an upholder
VVord recorded by my first Witnesses that received it immediately from me they in believing come in to me receiving my words they receive me So that I by my word and in that by my Spirit with all the heavenly riches and treasures I am filled with in their Nature am thus spiritually in them and pray that I may so be still and more abundantly Vers 23. 23. And thou in me the Father is in the Son and all that is the Fathers is the Sons so that as he that in believing receiveth the Gospel doth receive Christ therein and he that receiveth Christ receiveth the Father and so from both that Holy Spirit that uniteth both to Father and Son and frameth to oneness of minde love and design and so for that farther end also here exprest that being made perfect in one and so in this unity of Spirit in love and design their design may prosper in this That the world may know that thou hast sent me the Saviour of the World and that the World through me might be saved and so that I am the Christ and that thou hast loved them these that believe in me and in love minister Gospel to them in my Name as thou hast loved me Which if any one come to know and believe what a one Christ is and how he loves and approves them and their Ministration who also are as patterns to them this will draw them also to believe and be pulling them out of the VVorld into the Church Joh. 4.10 1 Cor. 2.8 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3 4. Joh. 17.24 The next Petition is for glory to be conferred on them after their Ministration the hope whereof is an encouragement and support to them in their Ministration through all sufferings And by all this our Saviour gives us to understand both who be his chosen Ministers and also what their Furniture is and the same that appears in our Saviour's Prayer is to be seen likewise in the practice and counsel of the Apostles who were so filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit as to be unerring both in delivery of their Doctrine and direction for the Ministration 2 Tim. 1.13 Gal. 1.8 2 Tim. 3.4 4.5 1 Cor. 11.2 23. 2 Tim. 1.14 1 Tim. 6.20 so as it is well done of their followers to keep both Gospel and Ministration as they delivered the same and they committed the Gospel and things thereof to such as were known to be faithful and endued with the Holy Ghost and charged them to commit the same to faithful Men not limiting it to outward Officers though in such an Epistle as was most needful to name them 2 Tim. 2.2 if such a thing had been intended but to faithful Men whether such Officers or no. But more need not be said of this enough is shewn before proving these the spiritual House the royal Priesthood the chosen Generation his chosen Ministers to shew forth his praises But yet a word or two more to make plain the Furniture those following Ministers have and in this Revelation of Christ we shall also finde that for Furniture 1. They have the VVord or Gospel discovering Christ Joh. 14 21 22 23. 1 Joh. 2.14 24. Isa 59.21 2 Joh. 2. Eph. 3.17 Heb. 12.22 Isa 78.16 46.13 1 Pet. 2.6 Isa 40.9 and so Christ in that Gospel in their heart and so are come to Sion and so are of Sion and the Foundation is laid in Sion that is Christ as set forth in the Gospel for Sion to hold forth to others the same Foundation that they may come in and be built thereon yea this word hath come from Sion Jerusalem that is above and is the Mother of us all Joel 2.23 Gal. 4.26 and is in the Heart Fellowship and Ministration of Sion that part of it which though in heart and Spirit above Phil. 3.20 Col. 3.1 yet in Sion hath God taken up his rest and will abundantly bless her Psa 132.13 14 15. Joel 3.21 Psa 77.2 he dwelleth there yea the Lord loveth the Gates of Sion more then all the dwellings of Jacob besides And so we may say This Ministration more then all that fore-went it So that the word of Truth of Life and Salvation is here as in the outward record so in the understanding and heart and floweth forth from hence as a first fruits of that Isa 2.3 Mic. 4.2 2 They in believing and imbracing this word have with it the Holy Spirit Isa 59.21 Rom. 8 9 10. 1 Joh. 2.20 3.24 Eph. 4.7 2 Cor. 12.4 7 11. Jer. 30.17 Isa 35.2 3. Cant. 6.8 9. Cant. 1.7 8. effecting the Spirit and Minde of Christ in them all and in some good measure enduing them with all the first mentioned spiritual gifts among them to every one some though not to all and every one alike Thus are they furnished And this may be truely said of Sion whom no Man seeketh after they are in worldly appearance made so like their Lord and there are so many Concubines though this Beloved be but one and the onely one of her Mother that for discerning her that prayer is needful Shew me where thou feedest c. and the direction there given needful and to such as do discern it it may be said as Psal 48.12 13 14. But now because these following VVitnesses that part of Sion yet below have not the Gospel and these spiritual gifts so immediately from Christ and so not in so full a measure as that they are alwayes infallibly freed from erring in every particular thing altogether in delivery of Doctrine and Ministration as the first witnesses were but as they have received their Doctrine and Ministration mediately in belief of and receiving the Doctrine and Gospel as delivered by them that are Sion now above so their preservation from error in Doctrine and Ministration is mediate likewise Prov. 6.20 23. 1 Tim. 4.15 16. 2 Tim. 3.14 17. Col. 3.16 even in heeding the Gospel received from God and Christ by them and delivered by them to us and so both the Commandment of our Father and the Law of our Mother in one to be imbraced and kept by us and so we are directed and commanded and promise of guidance given us therein And so 3. Rom. 1.16 1 Thes 2.13 They are furnished with Matter Rules Directions and Cautions in this Doctrine of the Gospel as delivered and recorded by the Apostles and which they also in believing it have in their hearts savingly working And this helpful 1. For speaking right and wholesome words in Faith and Love and to edification Pro. 22.20 21. Eccles 12.10 11. learning and comfort Rev. 19.10 2 Tim. 1.13 1 Cor. 4.6 and 14.3 2. 1 Cor. 4.6 Prov. 22.21 Rom. 15.4 Col. 2 18. For keeping measure and due order in our speakings that upon no pretence or presumption of Learning Parts Invention or Office we presume to speak of things we have not seen in the word of
17.16 with 9.12 Now he that hath that is that here through hath an heart and so hath in usefulness doth in hearing hear and in seeing see and minding the Word come to his heart doth understand and so in heart turneth to learn of the Lord he shall be healed and have more abundance and so be enabled to believe that in believing he may understand the mysteries of the Kingdom and be eternally saved But whosoever hath not that is when an eye to see is given him c. and so he hath a voice and an ear to hear it a demonstration and an eye to see yea the word came with motion to his heart and yet though he hath all this he hath not that is he hath not by all this an heart he hath not in usefulness any of this given him he doth not in seeing see c. but for love of some other thing closeth his eyes c. lest by hearing and seeing and heeding that word that moved at his heart he should be turned from that thing he loveth Mat. 13.13 14 15 19 from these shall be taken away even that they have that sight and hearing and inward moving of the Word in their heart which they have shall be taken away yea even therefore and for that cause and so God will blinde and harden them and so Joh. 12.35.40 those that while light was with them Compar Isa 53. 1 6.9 10 with Joh. 12.35 38 â— 39 40 the Gospel plainly declared to them with such power and helps yet did not believe the report in the plain sayings thereof are said to have the purpose of God in so blinding c. according to the prophesie fulfilled on them yea to be so and on that very ground fulfilled on them and then when so fulfilled they could not believe And the Apostle also in Acts 28.27 renders this also even their own dulness of hearing and closing their eyes Isa 6.9 10 with Act. 28.26 27 28 lest they should see c. as the very ground and cause of that judgement of not perceiving fulfilled on them and so of their not believing And the Apostle Peter saith in effect by the Spirit of Christ the same 1 Pet. 2.6 with Act. 26.18 when having mentioned the excellency of the foundation laid in Sion and held forth by Sion to so gracious an end he saith 1 Pet. 2.7 Vnto you therefore which believe that is which having eyes opened to discern do in seeing see and so are perswadable Isa 4 2. 1 Pet. â— 3 4 5 7 Rom. 1.5 16.26 and brought in to believe he is precious he is beauty and glory comliness and excellency alluring and drawing you more and more in believing upon him but to them which be disobedient that is to the Faith preached to them being unperswadable when means is used Eph. 5.6 and such an object demonstrated and sight afforded Act. 4.11 will not in seeing see and so are disobedient even children of disobedience or unperswadableness the stone which the builders the Ecclesiastical pretended Teachers disallowed the same is become the head of the corner By which notwithstanding their disallowance and opposition Mat. 21.42 Psa 118 22 Mat. 21.43 1 Pet. 2.8 Joh. 3.19 Isa 8.23 16. you are brought in and builded on it and united together by it and they that so disallow it rejected and so that also follows And a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to them which stumble at the word which can be no less then when by light discovered do of themselves first stumble being so distinguished from them that upon the discovery sanctifie God in their hearts for this gift of his Son these being disobedient whereunto also they were appointed Luk. 2.34 Isa 8.14 15 16 with Jer. 5.3 4 8.12 Prov. 1.23 24 25-31 Isa 5.3 4 5 Jer. 6.16 30 Ezek. 24.13 Which is very cleer to be that such as when Christ in the Gospel is set forth to them for their fall and rising again in discovery of whom all other Excellencies are cried down and the glory of God's rich Grace in Christ onely exalted they discerning the light what it discovereth do refuse to own their shame in the fall that they may by him onely be raised and so Christ is to them a sign and a rock of offence and they stumble And these and such as these even for this cause were appointed to farther stumbling and so cannot believe yea this is held forth cleerly to us also in many other places of Scripture all speaking in this Language as also in that example forementioned Joh. 6.28 30 41 42 60 66. So that concerning the Purpose of God who shall be helped to believe and who not we have it cleer from Jesus Christ by his Spirit in the Prophets and in the Apostles and in his own personal sayings to be men under such considerations and it becomes us to desire no other knowledge of this And to this also very well agreeth that which is said Rom. 9.18 He hath mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will be hardneth For God hath not left us in the dark nor spoken as a Barbarian to us so as none can know by his revealed will on whom he will have mercy or whom he will harden but hath made known his minde that as he first sheweth mercy on or to all and this that they may repent And therefore discovers the evilness of their hearts and wayes and the emptiness of all their righteousness Rom. 2.4 9.16 Hos 13.9 Job 33.15 16-24 and of all earthy things to help them and that help is onely in and of him that sheweth mercy yea and afflicts them for not turning in to him by his mercy so also he lets us know to whom all this mercy shewn and means used and transgression still found he will yet shew mercy namely to such as by his continued mercies and chastisements for so gracious an end do on sight of his goodness against which they have transgressed fall down in confessing their sinfulness 1 Pet. 5.5 6 Jam. 4.6 Prov. 3.34 Mat. 23.12 Luk. 18.14 Prov. 28.13 14 Deut. 29.19 20 and in belief of the Testimony of his graciousness desire mercy of him he will shew mercy on them he will give Grace to them and lift them up But to such as in his call by the mercies and chastisements which he useth refuse to hearken and behold and so scorn to fall down and humble themselves under his mighty hand but still persist to go on in their own wayes he will not shew mercy on them but harden them and in the continuance of their persisting give them up to a reprobate minde and to Satan as is full and plain in many places of Scripture besides these quoted And thus the Purposes of God concerning Mankinde as revealed in Scripture are verily such as is said and in this written of them in these four
other Churches yea doth not the Apostle profess himself not to be without Law to God but under the Law to Christ and doth not the opposition of these two Laws that of Moses and this of Christ in Rom. 8.2 3 4. suit and agree in one with the terms of those two Covenants mentioned Heb. 8.2 6 7 8. and so mentioned as the two Testaments that of the Letter and that of the Spirit the Old and the New in 2 Cor. 3.5 14. and it being a Law of Faith Love Liberty requiring nothing but what it giveth and inclineth to and giving pardon for all weaknesses accepting the will for the deed Surely those that believe his great Love and Faithfulness will confess his Truth Mat. 11.30 1 Joh. 5.3 and say That his yoke is easie and his burthen light and his commandments are not grievous And more I need not say to shew there are Engagements on both parts in the New Testament or what the New Testament is even that Obligation or Covenant made with Believers in and upon the Dispensation of the first Fruits of the everlasting Covenant to them and grounded on the death and sacrifice of Christ and the love of God commended therethrough which known and believed effecteth Faith in him and love to brethren and both obligeth and moveth and affordeth Grace to live by Faith and walk in Love and so to wait for all his Promises and not be offended And surely such as know and taste this Grace will not count harsh nor take offence at or evade as not spoken to them but count good needful and profitable for them whose standing is by Faith that worketh through Love even all those caveats given against departing and all those Exhortations to abiding given in the Gospel nor can they be displeasing or hurtful to any or hindring their Faith and Consolation in Christ that do believe Christ to have died for the ungodly and by his Grace commended to them therethrough to have called them and enabling them to believe and so given them the Spirit of Faith Love Power and a sound minde when he made this Covenant with them In which also is assured assistance from him forgiveness of their failings on confession of their sins and turning to him forgiveness and healing of their backslidings he also by vertue of his own Blood remaining the Mediator of this Testament for them and the Dispensor also to them affording them in all this To ask what they will in his Name Psal 138.8 Phil. 1.5 6. 2 Tim. 4.18 and he will do it yea if it be even to perfect all that concerneth them never forsaking the work of his own Hands but perfecting his begun-good work and delivering them from every evil way and so bring them to his Kingdom Who but those that desire Liberty for the Flesh can desire a better Liberty and Consolation then this or a greater for sure other Liberty to frail Men cannot be good and of the Covenants made I know no more then these already declared and Christ given for a Covenant and this New Covenant thus given by him to Believers the choise of all as made but yet as to be made there is still more or greater CHAP. 4. Of the Everlasting Covenant as remaining to be made IT is evident That the Covenant remaining to be made is no other but a new manner of making of the same everlasting Covenant that was made with and confirmed in Christ at the beginning for him and his spiritual Seed and after declared as confirmed in Christ to Abraham and so immediately made with him and Isaac and Jacob for them and their Seed which should be of the same Seed still and afterward in respect of the King and Kingdom so also made with David for him and his Seed which should be of the same Seed still and so because this Covenant was first opened to and made with Abraham it is called God's Covenant made with Abraham and because it was after in like manner made with Isaac and Jacob Abraham's Sons and so every of all those three being the Fathers of all Israel therefore it is called The Covenant of their Fathers and because in respect of the Kingdom it was after also so made with David it is sometimes called The Covenant made with David and this Covenant still called The everlasting Covenant and The Covenant of the Fathers which was made to these Fathers for them and for their Seed to wait for the performance thereof by Faith the first Testamental Covenant given in the beginning of a literal performance was for nurture of the Seed till Christ came and then to be shaken and pass away and the Second or New Testamental Covenant given in the Dispensation of the spiritual first Fruits of the everlasting Covenant to nurture Sons for walking in Faith and Love till they come to the Inheritance when the fulness of the Everlasting Covenant will be performed to Soul and Body both when though the first Fruits abide in the Harvest Rom. 8.24 1 Cor. 13.9 10 11 12 13. Heb. 12.26 27. yet the Obligation in respect of living and waiting by Faith and use of suitable outward Ordinances will be shaken and pass away also in the coming in of that fulness so that the Everlasting Covenant in the fulness and compleatness of it is that which is waited for and remaineth to be made not to be waited for by Faith in carnal observances as till Christ came nor with the first Fruits of the Spirit to wait for the fulness by Faith in use of spiritual Ordinances as since the giving of Christ for a Covenant to his coming again but to be made in and by a compleat performance of it as all that is said in the Promise of making it doth evidence And of this making the Everlasting Covenant foremade with Abraham for him and his Seed then with him and all his Seed in performance I am now to treat and though in the Revelation of it and Promises of it it be foreshewn yet as it is insured in the Promise as a Covenant to be made I will note a few things about it that are cleerly set forth in the Scripture as 1. The Time when it is to be made 2. The Persons with whom it is to be made and 3. What is to be done in this manner of making it all included and not darkly but cleerly intimated and exprest in that known place Jer. 31.33 Jer. 31.33 34. But this the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those dayes saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my people And they shall teach no more every Man his Neighbour and every Man his Brother 34 saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord for I will forgive their iniquity and
the Truth of the Gospel preached to and Covenant made with Abraham abode still and was more fully preached by the Apostles but that manner of preaching with Baptism and Ordinances delivered by them though heavenly in respect of the former and will be in force till the visible appearing of Jesus Christ but then be shaken when still the Truth of the Gospel and Everlasting Covenant will abide for ever to be enjoyed by sight Now then when all the means appointed for Abraham to be the Father of such a Seed ceaseth and no more brought in by believing but by sight nor living by Faith but by sight such are not in respect of any conversion in Scripture-phrase called Abraham's Seed but I conceive they more properly may be called The Seed or the Children of Christ and of his glorified Saints brought in and living by fight not needeth any Covenant to be farther or again made with such as are brought in by and live in the light of this being brought in to enjoy their part in it in their first conversion And if any conceive they may be called The Seed's Seed or his Seed's Seed and so under that Promise to the Seed of Abraham Isa 59 2â— Deut. 30.5 Isa 65.15 16. Jer. 3.16 17 18. I will multiply thee above thy Fathers I hinder it not however this I know The People of God as well as their worship shall then be called by a new Name so that in this is no let or hinderance to that said That the Covenant shall be made to all the spiritual Seed brought in or become of the Seed from the beginning to the ending of the Ministration of the Gospel Isa 41.20 21. 69 7 8. by it to them all together at once yea it will be a great wonder to great admiration to see a Nation born at once and such an infinite Company of Saints presented to them and yet when the Mountain of the Lord's House is thus exalted and the Lord appears in his Glory and the Children of the Resurrection ruling and flying about when the Spirit and the Bride in the presence of the Bridegroom Rev. 22.17 Isa 2.2 3 5. Micah 4.1 2 3 Isa 66.12 Psal 110.3 when Light and Law so proceed out of Sion the Inhabitants of the Nations hearing will say one to another Come and so go together to the House of the Lord without any other Ministration So that then is promised to be the greatest Conversion and more numerous then ever before though all of them brought in by and living in the performance of the Covenant at once so made with the whole Seed and not made over again but continuing and it is enough for all so converted to be under this blessed Government after their Conversion enjoying the happiness of it Rev. 20.9 15. Mat. 25.46 and so escape that great destruction and second death and have eternal Life when the Serpent and all his Seed are cast into the lake of fire which is the second death And so we see who the persons are III. What that is that is to be done in the manner of making this Covenant is fully and sweetly expressed in this Jer. 31.33 34. affirmed also in other places of Scripture let them be considered CHAP. 9. Of the things to be done in making this Covenant see the Text. I. I Will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts Jer. 31.33 Ezek 36.25 26 27. This exprest in other words when having clensed them from all their filth he saith A new heart will I give you and a new Spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh and I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes and ye shall keep my judgements and do them Deut. 30.5 6. Of which Moses spake saying And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the Land which thy Fathers possessed and thou shalt possess it and he will do thee good and multiply thee above thy Fathers and the Lord thy God well circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy Seed to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy Soul that thou maist live And so by Jeremiah again I will give them one heart and one way that they may fear me for ever Jer. 32.39 40. all dayes And I will make an ever lasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them from after them to do them good but I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me So that in all the places we may see That then all sin and sinning shall be removed and a perfect Righteousness framed in them and strength to walk constantly therein and by this we may note the difference between this and the first Fruits of it given in to Believers by the first coming of Christ given for a Covenant as namely That this now-given is but a first Fruits and earnest of that promised which is the Harvest to be waited for also That this given was Rom 8.23 Eph. 1.14 Rom. 11.11 26. 2 Cor. 3.3 Rev. 21.1 8. Zach. 12.10 and yet is chiefly received by the Gentiles but that promised chiefly by the whole House of Israel the natural Seed of Abraham become the spiritual Seed this given is mediately in the Ministration of his Servants that promised is immediately by his own presence this given many Israelites shall have their return into their own Land that promised at the visible appearance of Chrift Rom. 11. this given is to all Believers though Israel be in dispersion that promised not till Israel dwell in their own Land many of those that receive this given may yet through weakness be puft up for one against another but in receiving that promised is no more pride nor envy of one against another 1 Cor. 4.7 Isa 11.13 Phil. 3.2 13. Zach. 12.8 Mat. 2.4 Act. 20.30 Rev. 2 3. Isa 60.21 Joâ—l 3.17 Zach. 14.21 Rom. 8.17 Isa 60.18 19 21. The best of those that receive this given do not here attain to perfection the least of those that receive that promised are perfect In the Assemblies of those that receive this given were and still are found some among them unsound and some decaying and some falling off but those that receive that promised the people in that whole Assembly be all righteous and no more decaying or falling off Those that receive this given are here still under the Cross and Combatants but those that receive that promised are freed from all Sufferings and Temptation and are Conquerors enjoying the Inheritance This given is received now by one and then by another and by all by degrees but that promised is received at once by all together Israel and Judah and all Believers of all Nations together So though this given be a first Fruits of the
c. Just as to the Hebrews Heb. 12.22 Shews to how much more glorious ministration and better Covenant stablished on better promises than they in Moses time had and what happy society they were come to yea even to Jesus where they might enjoy the blood of sprinkling shewing thereby as the benefit of hearing so the danger of turning away so warning to heedfulness Secondly he saith And as to their relative condition whereas they were children of wrath under the curse and condemning power of the Law they are upon the score of him who was made 〈◊〉 curse for them and is made righteousness to them accepted justified adopted and admitted into that family of heaven and earth which is called after the Name of God All this in the truth of it in a measure is true of all unfained beleevers even the weakest of them As for Eph. 2.3 Gal. 5.13 it is fore-spoken to and agrees to all beleevers without difference And Gal. 3.13 shews the way of deliverance through Christ Being made a curse for us And how he hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law so as God will not go to judgement with us thereby however unbeleeving hearts are under the fear of that curse and death but he hath given us all over to Christ to be disposed by him and judged by him according to the Gospel yet this was not all the end he had in so redeeming us from the curse of the Law but he had a more abundant gracious end in this his suffering for us namely That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ that so we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith He saith not That we Jews and Gentiles all that he hath redeemed from the curse of the Law which is true to all men are in their conscience from under Law and have received the blessing of Abraham and the promise of the Spirit but that he by suffering for us the curse of the Law hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law to this end That we might c. And so upon the account of Christ being made a curse for us Joh. 3.14 15 16 17 18 36. Gal. 3 7-12 16 29. 2 Cor. 15.1 2 3 4. c. The Gospel of this good news is preached to us that wee might beleeve and in beleeving receive the blessing and promise through faith Not else nor otherwise but in beleeving we shall receive And all this is true for and to all men but onely beleevers receive the blessing and Spirit through faith And this is true of all beleevers and abides in them as they abide in the faith to press to which is the drift of this and following Chapters Gal. 4.4 The Apostle here in shewing That God sent forth his Son made of a woman that is in the common nature of mankinde made under the Law that under which all mankinde was fallen to redeem them that were under the Law as all mankinde was that we might receive the adoption of Sons He saith not And then we did Rom. 3 10-19 20. or all so redeemed from the curse of the Law have But that we might that is in beleeving receive c. And so far true to all alike And then vers 6. And because ye are Sons Chap. 3.13 14 that is because ye have beleeved this testimony and so beleeved in the Name of the Son of God God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son that divine force of his Spirit Joh. 1.12 Gal. 3.26 Mar. 14.36 Rom. 8.2.14 15. working child-like confidence and desires moving to approach to him by Christ crying Abba Father And this all true beleevers receive yet this and the rest he affirmeth in no sort to import an impossibility of their miscariage for he was afraid of them but as a motive to reduce them from miscarriages and prevent farther miscarriages that they might abide in and live by faith and though their declining be great and much fallen from grace yet not being quite departed upon the account of Christ beleeved in he affirms the Spirit in them Rom. 8.1 Rom. 3 19-25 5.18 7 1-7.14.24 The Apostle having before laid the foundation forth in the redemption wrought by and in Jesus Christ And also how by faith it is received and how beleeving in Christ we are dead to the Law by the body of Christ that we might be married to him and that in beleeving we are so quickned and married to Christ That we might bring forth fruit to God and serve in newness of Spirit And then shewing in his own example how the old disposition the law in the members Gal. 5.17 doth war against the Spirit and so hinder them that they cannot do all the good as they would and yet he by following the Spirit in minding Jesus Christ and the redemption in him yeelding up with his minde to side with and walk in the Spirit and so in that faith of Jesus in love c. he was delivered and set free from all charges of sin and sentences of death by the Law yea acquit and justified through the blood of Christ beleeved in Rom. 7.24 25. 5 1-5.9 3.25 Rom. 8.1 and so rejoyce in Christ And this he layes down as true in like manner too and of all that unfainedly beleeve in Jesus Christ and the common priviledge of them all Now then or therefore there is now no condemnation that is none by that law of sin and death either from God or from conscience what ever be from ungodly men yet none that can charge their conscience as under the guilt of sin or liableness to curse no such condemnation or reproof its large No condemnation to them which are in Christ who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit he saith not simply to them that are in Christ Jesus Gal. 5.16 17 18 6 8. and there stop and make the period for if any that have received the testimony of Christ so as to beleeve in him as the flesh lusts against the Spirit do side with the flesh and sow to it 1 Joh. 3.4 and not presently own and confess that faultiness and seek pardon and healing in Christ but go on in any thing to serve such fleshly lusts 1 Cor. 11.31 32. Mar. 10.41 45 Mat. 28.3 Eph. 4.29 30. 1 Cor. 6.7 2 Cor. 12.21 Gal. 6.8 1 Joh. 3.20 21 1 Joh. 1.6 7 8 9. he sinneth against grace and not onely the Law will reprove him of sin but God will reprove him and chasten him also yea Christ will reprove him yea the holy Spirit will convince him of faultiness and all faithful men that walk after the Spirit will reprove him yea and his own heart will condemn him 1 Joh 3.20 And if he go on thus he will reap corruption and become more estranged weakned and deaded and cannot have boldness towards God but in returning to Christ confessing
the Testimony of CHRIST according to the plain sayings of the GOSPEL PART I. CHAP. 1. A Direction to discern Truth from Error ISa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this Word it 's because there 's no morning or Light in them Now God hath according to his Promise given forth his Son for a Covenant to the People and a Light to the Gentiles a Isa 42.1 6 7. 49.6 with Luk. 2.31 32. Act. 13.47 and so for a Law b Isa 42.4 and for a Witness or Testimony c Isa 33.4 1 John 4.9 10. John 3.16 yea the Scripture witnesseth of Christ and Moses and all the Prophets wrote and spake of him d Joh. 5.39 40. Act. 3.22 24. and He is the Brightness of the Father's Glory and the express Image of his Person e Heb. 1.3 Col. 1.15 in whose Face the Knowledge of the Glory of God shineth f 2 Col. 4.6 he received the Word of the Gospel in which both Law and Testimony is from the Father and in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Understanding g Deut. 18.18 Isa 42.1 6.1 2 3. Col. 2.3 and he spake the words the Father gave him to speak h Ioh. 3.34 â—7 16 12.49 50. and his Record is true i John 8.14 and he spake of excellent things and the opening of his Mouth was right things his Mouth spake Truth and wickedness is an abomination to his Lips all the words of his Mouth in Righteousness nothing wreathed or froward or perverse in them they are all plain to him that understandeth and Right to them that finde Knowledge k Prov. 8.6 7 8 9. And this Word and Gospel which he received and preached he gave unto his Apostles and first Witnesses and gave them the Holy Spirit which gave them to understand and receive the same l John 15.16 17.6 8. By which Spirit they had the Meaning and Mystery in them so revealed to them as never was to any in any ages before m John 14.26 16.13 14 15. Col. 1.26 27. And so he put and bound and sealed the Law and Testimony in his Disciples n Isai 8.16 2 Cor. 5.19 as in some measure he still doth in them that believe o 1 John 2.8 Col. 3.16 and this Word Gospel and Testimony did the Apostles preach as they had received of the Lord according to the Revelation of the Mystery p Rom. 16.25 26 1 Cor. 11.23 and this with great plainness of Words and evidence and demonstration of Spirit and power q 1 Cor. 2.4 2 Cor. 3.12 And this they also writ and left upon Record in such plainness that they intended nothing but what we in their Writings read r Phil. 3.1 2. 2 Cor. 1.13 and in reading may understand their Knowledge in the Mystery of Christ s Ephes 3.3 4. whence Christ that by his Spirit set them on this work as he did the Prophets before and by that Holy Spirit guided them in writing saith Have not I written to thee excellent things in Counsels and Knowledge that I might make thee know the certainty of the Words of Truth that thou mightst answer the Words of Truth to them that send unto thee t Prov. 22.20 21. And so it is affirmed That that which was and is so written is upright Words of Truth acceptable Words and Words of delight to receive and declare the Minde of God in and so fit also for the Preacher u Eccles 12.10 2 Tim. 3.16 17. So that the Law and Testimony as it is manifested in the first coming of Christ and by him given to his first Witnesses and by them delivered and recorded to us is the Law and the Testimony to which we are to resort and so the whole Scripture as witnessing of Christ and opened by Christ to them and by them to us w John 5.39 Luk. 24.25 26 27 44 45 46 47. Rom. 15.3 4 16.25 26. 2 Pet. 3.2 for Christ spake by his Spirit in the Ministration of Noah x 1 Pet. 3.19 and it was the Spirit of Christ in the Prophets that did signifie to them when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow y 1 Pet. 1.11 the Spirit of the Son being also the Spirit of the Father and that by which God ever hath and doth testifie of his Son z 1 John 5 6. And so God at the first did immediately preach the Gospel in Paradise and after more fully to Abraham in Canaan a Gen. 3.15 15.5 17.1 8. and afterwards by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets b Luk. 1.69 70. which Prophets spake and writ as they were moved by the Holy Ghost c 2 Pet. 1.21 whence what the Spirit foresaw and preached the Scripture that was written by his Inspiration is said to foresee and preach d Gen. 12.3 with Gal. 3.8 16. And what the Scripture saith the Holy Ghost is said to say e Psal 95.7 with Heb. 3.7 And we shall finde many sayings in the Scriptures both of Moses and the following Prophets testifying of Jesus Christ his coming and sufferings and resurrection and glory setting him forth to be the great Prophet High Priest and King and God's Salvation to the end of the Earth and that whoever believeth in him shall not be ashamed calling men to look to him and be saved And this is the main thing to which the Scripture testifieth all other parts and portions of Scripture besides this plain Testimony being subservient and having their tendencie to this even to lead men to the Knowledge and Acknowledgement of this Testimony and so of Christ testified therein f John 5.39 And so The Genealogies from Adam to Abraham g Gen. 5.1 32. 11.10 26. Luk. 3. and from Abraham to David and from David to Christ h Mat. 11 18 25. Luke 3.23 32. are to demonstrate of whom Christ came according to the flesh and that he is very Man of the Seed of a Woman c. And also the Love Truth and Faithfulness of God in performing his Promise i Act. 13.32 33. Gal. 4.4 The end of the Law given to and by Moses was to be a School-Master to Christ k Gal. 3.24 and for Righteousness to have it in Christ l Rom. 10.4 the one part of the Law that of ten Words was to discover sin and sentence to death that men might die to themselves magnifie Grace and be quickened by Christ and live to him m Rom. 3.19 20. 4.15 5.20 Gal. 2.19 20. 3.19 The other part that of Types and Figures in Temple Altar Propitiatory Priests Sacrifices Washings c. To figure and shadow out the Truth that was to be found in Jesus that was to come n Heb. 8.5 9.8 9. 7.19 And so many Metaphors and
Parables had the like end which whatever the outside and face of the Letter was yet their import was in their end which was to witness of lead to Christ o Rom. 3.21 in minding of whom the meaning of all is seen and so the things and sense in sayings plain p Prov. 8.9 2 Cor. 3.13 16 17. But when Christ the Truth came he by compleating that done in his Body and sending forth the Holy Ghost opened the way into the Holiest q Heb. 9.9 15. revealed the Father r John 1.18 And God hath now spoken to us by his Son s Heb. 1.1 who hath filled his first Witness with the Holy Ghost and so with Knowledge of the Mystery of his will in all Wisdom and spiritual Prudence and sent them forth t Act. 2. Ephes 1.3 8 9. and they have testified and in their Testimony the Holy Ghost hath testified of Christ u Act. 5.32 1 Pet. 1.12 and this Testimony of Christ have they preached and recorded not in a Fable to be Allegorized but the very Truth concerning Jesus Christ himself w 2 Pet. 1.15 16 17 18. not in dark and parabolical Words nor in the Wisdom of man nor with Rhetorical flourishes but with simplicity and great plainness of speech x 1 Cor. 1.17 27. 2.1 2 13. without any deceit or cloak of craft commending themselves to every mans conscience in the sight of God y 2 Cor. 2.17 4.1 2. So that this Gospel of Jesus Christ as now come forth in which is the Law and the Testimony to which we are to resort for Knowledge of Truth is the Testimony of Christ and as it is of deep and profound Mysteries so it is true verily true and plain without any deceit or equivocation as is evident To it therefore go c. CHAP. 2. Evidences of the Truth and Plainness of this Testimony THat the Testimony of Christ in all the sayings thereof is true is evident first in that it came forth from Almighty God and is the declaration of his minde who is the onely true God the God of Truth even Truth it self a John 17.3 1 John 5.20 Deut. 32.1 4. whence it is called the Gospel of God b Rom. 15.16 1 Thes 2.2 3 8 9. Secondly In that it testifieth and setteth forth Jesus Christ who is the Truth c John 14.6 in whom Mercy and Truth are met d Psal 8 5.10 and in that he became hath done doth and will do Truth is and is fulfilled e 2 Thess 2.10 12 13 14. 2 Cor. 5 21.1â—0.130 2 Pet. 1.16 19. Ephes 4.21 and he also sends forth the Holy Spirit that witnesseth Truth and leads into all Truth f John 15.26 16.7 13. Rom. 1.3 16. 15.29 whence also this Gospel is called the Gospel of Christ Thirdly in that it was inspired and witnessed by the Holy Spirit of Truth into the Prophets and Apostles and by them breathed forth and written as the Holy Spirit gave them to speak and write g 1 Pet. 1.11 12. 2 Pet. 1.21 Luke 1.70 Prov. 22.21 Rom. 15 4. True it is All the Holy Scripture was given and so narrated and writ by Divine Inspiration and so is profitable c. h 2 Tim. 3.16 But though the Narration of Sayings written in the Scriptures were by Divine Inspiration recorded yet are there many Sayings recorded which in respect of the Sayings themselves were not Divine Inspirations but the Spirations and Sayings some of Satan some of Seducers and wicked men some of weak Believers some even of strong Believers tempted which were by the Inspiration of God given to the Writers and so by them recorded but not recorded as the Inspirations of God's Minde but as God's Declaration of the Sayings of Satan or of Men that we may know the subtilties of Satan and beware and the seducements and evils of the wicked and take heed and so the weakness of some and frame of Spirit in others and so such Sayings are to be taken as God's Declarations of the Deeds and Sayings of others to warn instruct us c. but not as his own Sayings to be received obeyed and built on as true and good that would be an abuse of them But as for the Gospel it self that is the Testimony of Christ even All of it was not onely narrated by Divine Inspiration or given of God by Inspiration to be narrated as those things that were indeed spoken or done by Satan or wicked or weak men But as the very Things Sayings Spirations and Inspirations of God himself of his own Minde and so it is Divine Truth Divine Spiration divinely inspired as well as by Divine Inspiration written and recorded and therefore True not only true it was so said and done for so were all the other sayings but true in it self yea Truth and the Revealer of the Minde of Truth it self Fourthly the Gospel and Testimony of Christ is a full and perfect Truth in all that it narrateth and in all that it affirmeth and in all that it promiseth containing the Declaration of the whole Truth that is for natural Men or Believers to know believe or do in the worship of God or towards the Conversion and Salvation of Men yea even to make the Man of God himself perfect to every good Work i John 15.15 Act. 20.26 Micah 6.8 2 Pet. 1.12 16. 2 Tim. 3.16 And therefore we are bounded up to it k Isa 8.20 Gal. 1.6 12. without adding or diminishing l Deut. 12.32 Rev. 22.18 19. there being no Morning-light in any Spirit Doctrine Saying or Doing that is not in and according to this Testimony it being the Truth and Discoverer of and Guide to all Truth and Trier of all things m Ephes 5.13 it being true in Christ and of Christ and from him to men and for men whether men believe it or not n Joh. 8.40 45 46. 1 Thes 2.10 12. 2 Tim. 2.13 4.4 And as it is true in and of Christ and to and for men so it is true in Believers also so as they discern and experiment and testifie the Truth thereof o 1 Joh. 2.8 20 27. 2 Joh. 2. 3 Joh. 3 John 3.33 and so this Gospel is most rightly called the Word of Truth p 2 Cor. 6.7 Col. 1.5 yea the Truth q 2 Cor. 12. Fifthly the Testimony of Christ which is in the Gospel is the Spirit of Prophecie r Rev. 19.10 it is the Original the Spring Teacher and Guide to all right understaing of Truth and for speaking Truth to Men in Charity and to Edification and Exhortation and Comfort s 1 Cor. 14.1 3. 2 Cor. 5.14 15 19 21. yea this Testimony of Jesus believed is verily 1. Both the Opener of Truth and of the Understanding to discern Truth as pointed out both in the end of the Law and in Types Parables and dark Sayings and also as set
be wise they become most foolish and their Wisdom and their Knowledge perverteth them f Rom. 1.22 1 Cor. 3.19 20. Isa 47.10 or else such filth and blasphemy would never come out of their Mouths much less have been set forth by their Pens as to say That the Scripture contains not all things necessary to Salvation That it is full of Obscurity a killing Letter a dumb Judge inky Divinity a Nose of Wax that may be bended any way That every Heretick proves his Heresie by Scripture and That the Scripture is fitted to the time and variably understood so that the sense thereof is one while this another while that according as the Church is pleased to change her Judgement in determining the sense and That the Gospel was written not to rule our Faith but to be ruled by it and so though a Point of Faith be affirmed never so plainly in Scripture yet it is but sub judice and doubtful without a higher Determination though herein be Difference among them who shall give that Determination some say The Pope some say A Council some say The Pope and the Council both consenting some say A Synod or Convocation of learned and holy Men some say This gathered Assembly or Congregation some That and some say Humane Reason in a Logical Discourse and some say The infallible Spirit in this or that Man And thus do they draw Men from God and his Word rejecting that as of none effect occasioning divisions and contentions without number and so in multiplying Sects not onely seducements from the Faith but wars and ruines are like to follow And Satan that takes advantage from the Flesh to rule in the Hearts of Unbelievers is alwayes at hand subtil and diligent to set forward this evil business and he will abuse Reason use subtil and provoking Motives yea and bring Scripture Sentences with some word subtilly left out and also vent Spirations with boldness though false yea pretend to move to confidence in God though out of his way and to help one to a better condition yea he attempted this where he had no advantage g Mat. 4.3 9. Luke 4.2 11. how much more will he do it where he hath the advantage of corrupt Flesh to work upon yea to keep his possession by some unclean lust or to disturb the proceedings of Truth he can transform himself into an Angel of Light and confess Jesus to be the Holy One of God h Mark 1.23 24. 3.11 and pretend to help Believers in Christ to a better condition i 2 Cor. 11.3 14 and he can teach his Ministers to do the same and much more to maintain some false Doctrine or keep the hold of a false Spirit to rent the Union and disturb the Faith and Fellowship of the Saints and yet be counted of that Number and for this end to make Confession of the Truth and give an Honourable Testimony to the Servants of the Truth and yet vaunt of some higher things to lead men to k Act. 16.16 17 18. Phil. 1.15 16. 2 Cor. 11 13 14 15.18 Thus busie is Satan ruling in the Wisdom of the Flesh whence the Wisdom of the Flesh and so all carnal Men are full of oppositions against the plain Testimony of Scripture yea sometimes some in some measure gracious are yet by Satan and his Instruments and the remaining Flesh in them in some measure tainted so as from many Men we have many Objections against the plain sayings of the Gospel and the plain appearing sense imported by them And notwithstanding all said in the Scriptures quoted in the first and second Chapters yet will they neither give that Glory to God themselves to believe him on his word nor suffer those that do to be at rest but seek to trouble and unsettle them many wayes and the wayes by which they endeavour to trouble Believers are especially three first by Spirit or pretence of Inspiration and speaking from an infallible Spirit Secondly by Word in Queries or subtil Reasonings and Philosophical Disputes Thirdly by pretence of Scripture alleadging it with some addition or diminution or wresting of all which we are forewarned to beware l 1 Joh. 4 1. Col. 2 8. 2 Thes 2.2 I shall endeavour to remove the most usual Objections which each of them do make CHAP. 4. An Assay to remove the Objections of those that pretend Spirit come clothed with Pretence of Inspiration and Zeal Object 1 YOu have nothing but Letter what you read in other Mens Writings but I have the Spirit the infallible Spirit God hath inspired this to me and it is God within me that speaketh by me and that I speak is the true Sense and Minde of God your Sense imported by the Letter is carnal and fleshly and of Man and so not the true Sense Answ 1. Your boasting discovers your unsoundness for he that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory a John 7.18 and not he that commendeth himself but he whom God commendeth is approved b 2 Cor. 10.18 2. Your bearing witness of your self makes you like the Heathen Idols c Isa 44.9 and your witness not true d Joh. 5 31 32. and coming in your own Name pretending the Name of Christ as if you were Christ declares you to be a false Apostle or Prophet e John 5.43 7.18 Mat. 24.5 24. 3. For the true Christ full of and led by the Holy Ghost gave every Answer to the Tempter with Thus it is written f Mat. 4. Luk. 4. and directed all his Hearers to search the Scriptures and the true Apostles though filled with the Holy Ghost yet did magnifie the Scriptures fore-written and proved and made known all their Doctrine by them according to the Command of God g Gal. 1.8 16. Rom. 16.25 26. Act. 17.2 3. 18.28 26.22 23. And that Spirit or that Man pretending Spirit which heareth not submitteth not to believe obey and be determined by the Doctrine and Saying of the Prophets and Apostles is not of God h 1 Joh. 4.6 2 Pet. 3.2 Wherefore that Spirit that speaks of himself is not of God for the Holy Spirit never speaketh of himself but he witnesseth of Christ and sheweth and teacheth the things of him and that in bringing to remembrance the Sayings of Christ by himself or his Spirit in the Prophets that were written and he had before taught his Apostles that they might witness them to us and we believe through their word i Joh. 16.13 14.26 Luk. 24.25 26 44 45 47. Joh. 17.20 And those that by Faith do know That the world was made by God k Heb. 11.1 2. and that it is preserved and upheld by God through Christ l Psal 35.3 Col. 1.17 and that the Scripture was given by Inspiration of God m 2 Tim. 3.16 and Christ sent forth and to have done all things according to the Scripture n Act. 13.32 33.
it but by Christ typed out in one part of this Law and so and to this end the Letter killeth yet this killing and death that fitteth for life in Christ was not effected by a dead Letter or by Words or Sound heard only but by some gracious operation of God therein minding them of and opening their Understandings to discern their sinfulness and submitting their Hearts to say Amen to the Curse and helping them in Observance of the Rites to look to Christ to come that so having no hope in their own Observances being in that respect dead also they saw the end of the Law to lead them to Christ And this was the right use of the Letter and the Work of God by and with the Letter in this killing way to fit them for Life But this Medium and Way of killing to prepare for Life God was not minded always to use but as it was given 430 yeers after the Covenant made with Abraham Gal. 3.16 17 19 20 25. to whom the Seed and Blessing in that Seed was promised so it was to continue but till Christ that Seed came so that this Law ministred by Moses appears all the way in every place speaking of this business and in this very 2 Cor. 3. to be meant by Letter for that Law in Ministration of it was the Ministration of sin and of death or condemnation for sin to death and that to so gracious an end as is said whence said to be glorious and yet to be done away 2. By Spirit is not here meant simply and onely a supernatural shine and infusion of Divine Power and Spirit into the Hearts of Men creating a new and living Spirit even the Epistle or Minde of Christ in the Heart a living Principle springing up in living and quickening Efficacies by Spirit is not meant this only but the Gospel through which this was conveyed for they by whom this Epistle was ministred in respect whereof they were Ministers of the Spirit and their Ministration of Life That which they did Minister was the Epistle of Christ Mat. 22.20 John 14.17 18. 25.26 27. even the Gospel as come forth and witnessed by the Holy Ghost since his Ascension in Ministration whereof Christ according to his Promise is present with them by his Spirit and his Work it is in their Ministration to send forth of his Spirit so as the Ministration of the Epistle of Christ the Words of Christ which are Spirit and Life is their Work but the Supernatural Shine Infusion and Writing the Minde of Christ in the Heart is the very Work of the Holy Ghost from Christ himself though in their Ministration and in with and through the Gospel ministred by them which distinction is here given us by the Apostle himself in this 2 Cor. 3.2 3. in divers other places p 1 Cor. 3.5 6 7. Gal. 3.2 Eph. 4.21 Act. 11.21 So that by the Spirit is here meant the Gospel yet the Gospel in a peculiar sense for Moses preached the Gospel also even the same Gospel although not in the same Manner and Spirit also went forth in the Ministration of the Gospel as delivered by Moses q Rom. 10.6 7 8. Act. 3.22 26 but they to whom it was so preached were still under the Law and had the Law to convince them of sin and the Law to lead them in Observances to look to Christ so that the Gospel was also preached with and under the Law or Letter which was the first and now Old Testament But now that Christ is come and Truth fulfilled in him r Joh. 1.14 16 17 18. that Use of the Law enjoyned to the Jews is taken away and in the Gospel preaching Life is preached with Freedom s 2 Cor. 3.11 Act. 5.20 in a Word of Grace in and with which believed the Spirit operateth both to convince of Sin and to lead into Christ and so into all Truth t John 16.7 17 Heb. 8.10 and write the Minde of Christ in the Heart And this is the New Testament of which the Apostles were Ministers and according to which with Freedom and Fulness they preached the Gospel and Testimony of Christ And so of this Testimony of Christ was Paul and the residue of the Apostles and first Witnesses made Ministers u Act. 26.18 Rom. 15.16 Eph. 3.7 Col. 1.23 And this Gospel being testified and brought forth by the Holy Spirit w 1 Joh. 5.6 Act. 5.32 and being that in Ministration whereof the Holy Spirit witnesseth x Joh. 15.26 27 16.7 8 13. and so the Gospel the Power of God in every one that believeth to Salvation working in and with it in the Believer y Rom. 1.16 1 Thes 2.13 it therefore hath the Name of the Spirit z John 3.6 Rev. 19.10 and so is rightly called Spirit yea it is the Spirit of Prophecie and this Testimony of Christ is of him and that which abideth for ever and this Ministration of it to abide till his own personal coming again and so is a more glorious Ministration than that of Moses which is done away that having also a veil but this delivered without veil and this to be meant by Spirit is seen in the whole Chap. of this 2 Cor. 3. And this Testimony of Christ is one and the same whether writ printed read preached or heard and so not Letter but Gospel ministring not Sin and Death but Forgiveness and Life whether Men believe and receive it or not a John 6.32 Act. 13.37 18. And it is a kinde of Blasphemy to call this Gospel Letter much more to call it a killing Letter the Gospel in Moses Ministration was not so called but The Law much less may it now be so called it is a Word of Life and they that refuse it refuse Life and the refusal brings death though only Believers receive and meet with the spiritual Power and living Efficacies thereof b 2 Thes 1.8 10. 2 Thes 2.13 so that quite contrary to the end of the Objection we are led by this place to magnifie the Gospel and Testimony of Christ for the Truth Livingness Excellency and Plainness thereof And thus much to take away that by which these most dangerous troublers of Believers endeavour to withdraw them from believing the plain import of the plain sayings of Christ in Scripture CHAP. 5. An Assay to remove the Stumbling-blocks laid in the way by them that seek to trouble them by Word that is by pleading the Iudgement and Traditions of Fore-fathers or by Philosophy and vain Reasonings or by subtil and Rhetorical Queries and Perswasions to draw them from belief of Gospel-sayings Object 1 OUr Fathers the Holy and learned Men and chief Teachers in the Church have thus understood and interpreted these have been their Doctrines and Traditions which they have unanimously taught and the most zealous and consciencious for many Generations have so held and observed will you be so profane
this writing collected and on the Margent quoted the Sayings of the Gospel in the Testimony of Christ will appear plain bearing forth their own import and sense and the Testimony of Christ being known all Truth being included in it and flowing from it we shall by that be led into all Truth and so far as is for us meet and profitable understand what we read in the Scriptures so far as to discern Truth from Error in all Doctrines and Sayings brought unto us I shall therefore proceed in the next part according to the Scripture assaying to declare the Testimony of Christ An Explicite Declaration of the Testimony of Christ c. PART II. CHAP. I. Of the Testimony of Christ THe Testimony of Christ is that Testimony and Witness and Doctrine of Christ 1. Which God the Father hath by his Holy Spirit immediately first given of Christ Gen. 3.15 22.18 Act. 3.18 24. Luk. 1.70 1 Pet. 1.11 12. as the promised Seed and he in whom all Nations shall be blessed after mediately by his Spirit in Moses all the following Prophets concerning his coming and suffering and the Glory that should follow and after all this immediately to John Baptist both who he was and what a one he is and how well-pleased he is in him a Mat. 3.17 and after that mediately by his Spirit in and by John Baptist that he is the Christ upon whom the Spirit resteth full of Grace and Truth by whom it comes and that he is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world and that he that believeth on him hath Eternal Life b Joh. 1.16 17 29-34 3 27-36 and after this immediately to three of the Apostles and first Witnesses of Christ c Mat. 17.5 2 Pet. 1.17 18. and mediately likewise before by types d Heb. 8.5 and Angels and by Zacharias e Luk. 1.32 33 67-79 2.11 30-34 and old Simeon as also in his own Ministration by the mighty works done by him in his Name John 5.36 14.10 11. 2. Joh. 3.16 17. 5 17-30 6 27-69 10. 12.50 Which Jesus Christ himself received from the Father and testified in his Ministration unto Men which also he did explicate and give unto his Apostles and first Witnesses to testifie and witness Luk. 24.25 26 27 44 45 46 47 48. Joh. 15.15 27. 17.6 7 8. Act. 1.8 3. Joh. 14.26 15.26 16 7-15 Act. 5.32 Eph. 3.5 1 Joh. 1.1 2. 2 Tim. 1.10 Which the Holy Ghost did witness to and in and by the Apostles and first Witnesses with the cleer opening and revelation of the Mystery formerly hidden till Christ had opened the holy of holies offered the acceptable Sacrifice and sate down on the right Hand of God and sending forth the Holy Ghost and by the Gospel in his Testimony opening the door to immortality and eternal life 4. Act. 5.32 13 25-39 Rom. 1 1-5 16.25 26. Which also the Apostles and first VVitnesses have by the same Holy Spirit testified witnessed preached written and recorded according to the revelation of the Mystery Ephes 3.3 4. Phil. 3.1 whence the whole Scripture is said to testifie of Christ John 5.39 of which more is said Part 1. Chap. 1 2. And this Testimony VVitness and Record is called the Record and VVitness of God and of Christ and of the Spirit f 1 Joh. 5.6 7 8 9 10. Joh. 3.33 1 Cor. 1.6 Rev. 1 2. 20.4 2 Tim. 1.8 and it is also called the Testimony Record VVitness and VVord of the Apostles and first VVitnesses of Christ because they bare it forth and left it upon record g 2 Thes 1.10 Joh. 17.20 and because it is of Christ by Christ and according to the appointment of Christ by his Apostles opening the things of Christ it is called the Doctrine of Christ h 2 Joh. 9. and in every respect it is one and the same the Testimony of Jesus Christ i Rev. 19.10 and in this Testimony so cleerly come forth is Jesus Christ plainly set forth who he is what a one he is whence he is what he became what he hath done and is become what he doth and for whom what he will do for some and who they be and what he will do against others and who they be how the good to be enjoyed and the peril to be avoided and all this is full and plain in the Testimony 1. VVho he is and that is not Adam Seth Enoch and so none of the Prophets before John Baptist nor was Iohn Baptist the Christ nor any of the Apostles or VVitnesses that followed k Luk 3 Joh. 1. 1 Pet. 1.11 12. 2 Cor. 4.5 nor is it the Church or any Society of Men though such as do indeed bear his Name though they be of his mystical Body as resembled by a King whose Body is the Commonwealth or a General whose Body is the Army or a Major whose Body is the Corporation yet are not the Commons the King or chief Magistrate nor is the Army the General nor the Corporation the Major and so Mat. 23.8 1 Cor. 8.6 Col. 1.18 Eph. 1.22 23. though the Head and Body be one yet the Body is not the Head so the Church is not the Head the Husband the Lord the King of Saints the Christ but the person of Christ is all that and none but he so that the Church Col. 1.15 21.26 27. 2 Cor. 13.3 5. 1 Joh. 3.24 Rom. 1.18 2 Cor. 4.5 though one with Christ is not the Christ nor is it any inward Frame or spiritual Light or Disposition in the Heart of the Reliever though this being right as flowing from him and effected in such as are believing on him is even the Spirit of Christ by which he is in them and dwelleth in them yet is not this the Christ the person of Christ But Jesus that very Jesus and no other but he that was born of a Virgin espoused to one Joseph a Carpenter Mat. 1 2 c. Luk. 2 3 c. and born in the time of Caesar Augustus when Herod was King of Iudea and in Bethlem in an Inn and Stable in that Inn and circumcised the eighth day and his name called Jesus who was carried into Egypt and returned again to Nazareth in Galilee and there lived a time and after was baptized of Iohn in Iordan and then went about preaching the Gospel and working Miracles called Disciples and chose Apostles suffered and was crucified under Pontius Pilate died was buried and rose again in the same Body and appeared often to his Disciples who saw and heard and felt him and received commandments from him and then he blessed them Act. 1 2 3. and ascended up to Heaven in that Body of his and fate down on the right hand of God Mat. 16.16 Joh. 6 69. and sent down the Holy Ghost to his
and this is the refreshing c. And that it was this is evident vers Act. 10.36 39 40 42 43. Joh. 3 14-17 Luk. 24.45 46 47 48. Joh. 15.4 5 6 7. 16. and the same commanded by him to the first Witnesses of Christ to the same end 2. This also was both appointed and practifed by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in his own personal Ministration yea he affirms plainly That as no Man in any spiritual good so Ministers for bringing any Fruit to God in their Ministration without him they can do nothing 3. This also of Christ having once died Joh. 15.26 27. Act. 5.31 32. and being risen and offered himself a Sacrifice to God for us all and being accepted of God and so displayed in the Gospel ministred is that by and of and with which the Holy Ghost restifying of Christ doth both convince teach and lead c. 1. He thus convinceth of Sin of Righteousness and of Judgement Joh. 16.7 8 9 10 11. 1 Joh. 5.9 10 11. Isa 55.4 Joh. 5 37-40 15.22 Of Sin because they believe not on him that died for their sins and made peace by his blood in whom God hath given us Eternal Life of whom God hath born witness and through him testified his Love that men might believe and in believing have Life Of Righteousness That all compleat Righteousness is in him Heb. 9.7 12 14 10 1-11 12 14. and all other Righteousness of Men vain seeing all other High-Priests entring the holy of holies came forth again still to offer with Blood and Sacrifices again but he having approached to his Father with that one offering it is so accepted that he comes forth no more to suffer and offer himself a Sacrifice propitiatory again but is set at the right hand of God an evident demonstration of Righteousness compleated in and by him and the vanity of all other Righeousness besides Of Iudgement because the Prince of this World is judged already Christ having by death overcome him that had the power of death Meb 2.14 Col. 2.14 15 16. Col. 2.3 16. Mat. 28.18 Joh. 5.27 29. having spoiled Principalities and Powers and made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it So that he is rightful Lord of all and all Judgement is in his hands both for discerning appointing and sentencing To which acknowledgement of all this if Men yield not now Isa 45.21 22 23. Phil. 2.9 10 11. 2 Thes 2.10 in these his gracious convincements they shall at the last day be brought to it by his irresistable Force when they shall be left without excuse and justly condemned because they did not receive his convincements when in acknowledgement they might have been saved 2. He also even thus and by this foresaid teacheth the convinced Believers and so leadeth them into all Truth not by a speaking of himself giving immediate Light Inspirations Motions and Dictates without any Ground or Bottom from the Sacrifice of Christ nor by an Exaltation of his own Shines or Inspiration to bottom the Believers on them or lift them up by them nor doth he take of the things of the Believers as they are Heirs either their Righteousness their Changes their Visits or any thing wherein they are better than others to ground their Faith on nor doth he discover to them any secret purpose counsel or election of God concerning them preceding the Death and Oblation of Christ Joh. 16.13 14 15. 14.26 15.26 27. with Luk 24.46 47. 10.3 7 9. purchasing the same and as the Fountain of the same to them But he speaking not of himself but of what he receives from the Father and the Son from whom he proceeds and in bringing to minde his sayings he taketh of the things of Christ his Death Resurrection Sacrifice-offering Peace mad â—nd the Father's Acceptance and Exaltation of him and so of his Sonship Election Fulness and Priviledges and so glorifying him doth lead Believers into all Truth 3. This also the Apostles and first Witnesses of Christ Act. 2 32-38 3 15-26 10 36-43 13.23 47. 2 Cor. 13 14-21 according to the Command of God and Christ and the Spirits guidance practised in their Ministration preaching this Oblation and by and with it all their Reproofs Exhortations Instructions and Consolations yea they determined in their Ministrations to the People not to know own 1 Cor. 2.1 2. approve or make use of any thing save Jesus Christ and him crucified not any other Doctrine Counsels Works Learning Wisdom of Words or Excellency of Speech among their Hearers whence their whole preaching is called 1 Cor. 1.18 19 20.24 The preaching of the Cross and that said to be the power of God to us which are saved though to unbelievers foolishness and a Stumbling-block such fulness they saw in this Oblation of Christ and such use did they make thereof in all their Ministration 4. This Death and Sacrifice of Christ the Purgation made thereby Mat. 28.19 Mar. 6.15 with Iuk 24.46 47 48. Rom. 4.11 with Col. 2.11 12. Rom. 6 3-8 1 Cor. 12.13 Gal. 3.13 14 27. and the Essicacies thereof is that which Baptism with Water in the Name of the Lord in its way and as an addition to vocal preaching of the Gospel doth preach and witness and into which we also are baptized when and as we are spiritually baptized into Christ 5. This also is that the continual remembrance whereof we are to celebrate and shew forth in our use of the Supper of the Lord till he come again 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25 26. 6. It is this and this only in and by which is opened for us the new and living way for all our approach to God Heb. 10.18 19 20. Joh. 10.7 9. 14.6 Eph. 2.13 18. and into union and fellowship with him and his people and acceptable service of both So that this Doctrine of the Oblation of Christ for us all is that with which the Ministers of the Gospel are to do all their work in their Ministration and so doing and so speaking Prov. 14.7 1 Pet. 4.11 1 Joh. 2.20 21 27 28. 2 Tim. 2.15 they shall speak with the Lip of Knowledge and as the Oracles of God and teach as the anointing Believers have received teacheth and so divide to every one their Portion and answer all the cavilling Objections of the Adversaries that pretend contradictions in the Scripture for in holding forth this Oblation as is shewn they shall cleerly shew how Jesus Christ was before all things and yet as the publick Man after Adam and so how he was both before and after Adam Abraham David and how the Lord and yet the Son of David and how equal to the Father and yet was in the flesh inferiour to the Father how as the great Sacrificer he died and offered himself a Sacrifice and Ransom for all Men and also as the faithful and persecuted Shepherd laid down
2 Cor. 4.5 6 7. Isa 42 1-10 Act. 5.31 was from hearing and beholding Christ the Son and so as the Lord gave to every man by his Spirit writ his Epistle in their heart If any desire farther honour to himself Iohn disowns it Christ forbids it the Apostles disclaim it so no wrong done in the quotation yet for giving this Honour to Christ as that glorious Object by vertue of his Oblation and by vertue of his Intercession also thereby such a full flowing Fountain of Life and Prince giving Repentance and Remission of sins that through him discovered and by him the Beholders of him are brought to believe I am not onely blamed but charged to learn this of the old Serpent 2. I answer I have learned to give this Honour to Christ from God the Father that saith Isa 42.1 2 7. 49.7 9. 55.4 5. Isa 61.1 2 3 4. Joh. 5.19 20 25 27. Eph. 2.8 Col. 2.12 Act. 5.31 Isa 55.4 5 6. 1 Cor. 3.4 5 6. He hath put his Spirit on Christ for that end That he should call and open the eyes of the blinde and cause such as foreknew him not to come in to him I have learned from Jesus Christ That he was anointed and filled with Spirit to that end and That the Father and he are one and That the Father doth nothing but the Son doth the same And this honour the Father hath given to the Son That all men should honour the Son as they honour the Father and Faith being the Gife of God and the Operation of God it is verily The Gift of Christ and the Operation of Christ yea He is Author and finisher Alpha and Omega in this work also yea I have learned it from the Holy Spirit both in the Testimony born by the Prophets and Apostles and for a plain express Answer 3. I am learned by the Spirit in the Gospel not only Tobelieve in Christ and on Christ as Mr. Owen saith but also as the Medium of both In the Name and on the Name of Christ yea and also in express words That all that rightly believe it is by Christ 1 Pet. 1.20 Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for you Vers 21. Who by him do believe in God that raised him from the dead and gave him glory that your faith and hope might be in God So that to give this Honour to Christ and his Oblation and Intercession That it is by him that men believe in God 1 Cor. 12.2 and so to confess him Lord is by the Holy Ghost though many dare say It 's from the Serpent because it exalts not them in the place of Christ as Rabbies But enough of this nor will I take notice here to answer any more such stuff in that Book of Mr. Owen's it having been fairly answered by a learned and godly Brother But in his pretended Answer to Mr. Iohn Goodwin the Book I minded that occasioned this Discourse he saith Pag. 217. Sect. 3. That Christ interceded for his Elect for whom he died that they may believe which he saith is denied by those he opposeth which both Saying and Aspersion he might have forborn for those he opposeth do hold as firmly as himself and more cleerly according to the Scriptures That Christ intercedeth in a peculiar and special manner for his Elect and chosen Ones that approach to God by him yea even for Believing and Faith in that sense that Believing is taken for abiding Believing and more firmly Believing and for Faith as Faith is taken for Confirmation and Perseverance in the Faith 1 Joh. 5.13 as is shewn in this fore-written Yea more than Mr. Owen can yet be brought to confess even That Christ in act or undertaking died for them before they were elect and That there was not any in him to lay aside the Heavenly Glory and die and rise and offer the Oblation in him and so to be the Mediator in and with him for then there would not have been that room for Imputation or Application to them nor could deserved Grace have been so freely bestowed But he did all this alone and in that respect is the Root and Fountain of Election also so that the Elect are beholding to the Oblation and Intercession of Christ for Election as well as for Faith yea and they believe That Christ interceded for these men also that they might believe but that was before they were personally Elect and so then not for them as they were Elect which then was not nor were they such but as they were Men of the World and Transgressors that means might be extended to them and they so brought to believe 2 Thes 2.13 and in this believing of the Truth chosen through the Sanctification of the Spirit which is God's Way And so Election in some sense a Fruit of Faith but Faith in the beginning of it and first coming into it is not in a proper sense a Fruit of Election yea furely we believe That all the Elect are a holy and peculiar people 2 Pet. 2.5 9. called out of Darkness into his marvelous Light and all of them that yet live on this Earth to shew forth his Praises now as those for whom he especially intercedeth That they may be kept Psa 102.17 23. that when all the Just shall be raised we may all more fully shew forth his Praises together but we dare not entertain vain fancies and dreams to vent them among the Rebellious as if some of them might even now while Rebellious be God's Elect for ought any man knoweth because the plain Sayings of Scripture are against this as hath been plentifully shewn and for that which we believe also and so for the Mediation of Christ in general for all men and more especially for Believers already shewed The third Branch of the Testimony of Christ CHAP. 16 Of the coming again of Christ and the manner thereof FOr the coming again of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ it being one part of the Testimony of Christ it is needful also to be known and believed it being also of the very Object of Faith set forth in the Gospel to be believed so as without believing it no Man's Faith is compleat and entire in respect of the Object of Faith or Doctrine of the Gospel to be believed yet before I proceed in treating of it it is good to consider what manner of coming it is that is here spoken of because divers comings are spoken of in the Scripture though never but of two personal and bodily comings The first called His coming in the Flesh in Abasements to suffer and overcome in sufferings and so to offer the acceptable Sacrifice and so to make the Atonement obtain Redemption receive Spirit in the Man and sit on the right hand of God as the Mediator and great High-Priest and Prophet and King to send forth Spirit to Men
any reply That Christ himself as he was the Son of Man and Minister of the Gospel did not as then so know it as to make it known that is it was not as yet given him to reveal This is not denied And if it be farther replied That after his Ascension it was given him to reveal Rev. 1.1 2. and he sent and signified it to his servant John I answer This is true also That then was given him a more full Revelation for opening the things to come contained in the Scriptures Luk. 24.26 27 44 45. than that which he had formerly opened to them in which also the Holy Ghost instructed them Joh. 14.26 15.26 16.13 14 15. Rom. 16.25 26. 1 Joh. 2.27 even about the same things But now indeed he gives to John a more full Revelation visionally with some more particulars explicated as touching the Gentiles of those very things then was before as to the other Apostles by the Spirit in which still it was the Office of the Holy Ghost even by and with the Scriptures forewritten to teach and enable them to teach yea the very hour or day natural or prophetical that is for a year in ordinary account is not so declared or set down that one can certainly know it so as to say and miss not the very hour or day or year in which our Lord will visibly come and not before or after it Whence himself in that Revelation also saith Behold I come as a thief Rev. 16.15 Mat. 24.42 43 45. Mar. 13.35 37. Luk. 21.34 35 36. blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments lest c. And this also of good usefulness for us that we may be alwayes watchful and prepared waiting and looking for his coming that in his coming we may be found well-doing And yet though the precise hour or day natural or prophetical be not of us fore-known yet this we may certainly know first That it will certainly be and secondly That it is nigh at hand yea many wayes evidenced to be nigh even at the doors And this will cleerly appear if we consider these three things in his coming 1. His coming to particular Men in taking away their natural lives 2. His coming in hastning and bringing forth or ordering those works by his providence that are to be accomplished before his personal and visible appearance 3. His personal and visible appearance it self in that manner and to those ends before-shewn It in every sense and consideration will appear nigh it cannot be far off For 1. When any Man dies and gives up the Ghost it is to that Man and so to every Man in the Day of his natural Death in respect of his eternal welfare or wo Eccl. 9.10 11.3 Joh. 5.28 29. the very same as if Christ did then personally come for in what estate of Faith or Unbelief in peace with God or enmity against him and so as in well-doing or evil-doing a Man is found when he gives up the Ghost in the same shall he be found and appear in the Resurrection of the Dead and so dealt with by Jesus Christ in his personal appearance when at his voice the Dead are raised Eccles 3.21 12.7 Rev. 6.9 Luk. 16.22 2 Cor. 5.8 Phil. 1.23 1 Pet. 3.19 Rom. 14.12 2 Cor. 5.10 Eccles 9.5 6. when any dies the Spirit goes to God that gave it and if dying in Faith or gracious Estate it is put under the Altar or wings of Christ in Heaven sometime called Abraham's bosome now the Altar or presence of Christ but if dying in unbelief or disobedient state the Spirit is put in Prison till the great and final Judgement and in the Resurrection of the Bodies the Spirits shall be united again every one to his own Body and appear before the Judgement-Seat of Christ the Body all the time till then being dead and turned to dust it knoweth nothing is sensible of nothing and so an hour a day a yeer or a thousand yeers is all one to them and not so much or so long as an hour to a living Man so that his coming in this respect is nigh and alwayes hath been to every Man in their several ages for of that day and hour knoweth no Man certainly till it come but long it cannot be so that in this respect it is needful to be alwayes ready 2. By his discernable though not visibly personal appearance in bringing to pass and ordering those things that must be done before his personal and bodily coming and which being all done he will certainly and without tarrying come and by which as they are in doing and come to pass he wills us to take notice That his coming draws nigh and is at the doors Mat. 24 4-30 Mar. 13 5-26 Luk. 21 8-27 and that is such things as these the hearing and seeing wars neer or where we live and hearing the rumours of Wars afar off Famines Pestilences Earth quakes then Persecutions and killing such as believe in Christ and live to him and false Prophets arising and deceiving many then the decay of the love of many that have been believers and betraying their Brethren then some saying Here is Christ or There is Christ and some saying I am Christ And in all this the security or carelesness of the world not minding any coming of his in Judgements or in Person but giving up themselves to follow their worldly affairs and then some strange shakings both of Heaven and Earth of Churches and States and strange Apparitions in Sun and Moon and Stars These things with the Gospel preached over all the world were to come to pass and so did before the end in the destruction of Jerusalem And after that they were all to come to pass and so be done over again before the end of the World in the coming of Christ who when all these things are fully done and come to pass will suddenly come and appear as himself hath foretold us And our Saviour also bids us When we see these things come to pass to know that his coming is nigh even at the doors and warns Believers not to be troubled when they see these things come to pass but to list up their heads for the nigh-drawing of their Redemption And of these things the Apostles in their writings and in the Revelation also gives us warning All which things have in the several Ages since been fulfilling and now apparently to be seen in an high degree almost all and every of them come to pass so that the Day is hastening and nigh at hand that by viewing these things we may take notice of it and so be prepared patiently waiting for his coming Behold he cometh He cometh quickly 3. His personal and visible appearance and coming again Rom. 11.25 with Luk. 3.8 Rev. 2.21 Gen. 15.16 Rev. 14.15 18. spoken of is to be when the fulness of the Gentiles is come in that is when they have had
12 And when they come to be discouraged by the tongue of the Egyptian Sea with its seven streams or the great River Euphrates as the Israelites of old by the Red-Sea may not the Lord destroy and divide the same Isa 11.15 16. literally that such as are thereby hindred may go over dry-shod and metaphorically in overthrowing the Turkish and Egyptian Enemies for the time that those that are thereby hindred may come into their Land Rev. 16.12 yea and in that coming rejoyce much as Israel when they were passed through the Sea and saw the Egyptians drowned and yet upon some Trials Ezek. 20.34 38. have many rebellious among them still in due season to be purged out as it was with Israel of old may there not in all this time as in the time of Moses contest with Pharaoh and leading the people through the Sea in during the peoples grievances till they were fed with Mannah and in some settled order that Jethro kept Moses Wife and Children and then brought them to Moses and gave advice to Moses even so the Gentiles or People of the Nations some of them be very serviceable to preserve help forward and bring in of the people of Israel into their own Land Isa 49.22 and advise and help forward toward their settlement and yet after all this as Israel of old had many and great Plagues and Wars with many and great Kings till the Rebellious were purged out as well as those Enemies overthrown so these also have like Troubles and Wars with like Afflictions and Purgations Zech. 14.1 2. as well as Victories And after all this as they of old had a Jordan to pass over and a Jericho to overthrow so these shall have their potent Enemies and Besiegers to try them more Dan. 12.2 and for God to shew his Wonders more among them this their being in their own Land being a Metaphorical Resurrection of which some are to shame and some to contempt their first Conductors being not so prosperous as to be Instruments of the conversion of the generality of them no more than Moses and Aaron of old yet God may be so gracious to them as to Israel of old in giving them a Joshuah to be their Leader so to send Elijah the Prophet Mal. 4.5 6. Isa 31.8 9. Isa 66.19 20. to turn the hearts of the Fathers to the Children and the hearts of the Children to their Fathers and upon this the great Conversion among them and many not before come in to them now coming with weeping and supplication And as Rahab was helpful of old so now the Gentiles may also be more abundantly serviceable to fetch and bring them into their Land and the Enemies still opposing while God is by his mighty power as of old dividing Jordan and taking the shame of Egypt off from his people and to overthrow Jericho about to shew his great wonders and to take the shame of all people from off his people Israel and free them from all Captivity the Enemy still strengthening themselves to oppose then in that strait as to Joshuah of old so to these now Jesus Christ himself appears and comes and all the Saints with him Zech. 14.3 4 5.9 and gives the total overthrow to the Enemy which being done the last 45 yeers is expired I determine not things to be done according to my expressions but such-like things and in a true sense according to the expressions of the Scripture quoted will be done yea even so that it will be done to them like as it was to Israel when he came out of Egypt So that when the 45 yeers are out is easie to be known but when they begin whether at their first assay to enter or in their beginning to settle I know not but could I surely know of the least beginning of these things I should as assuredly know the Lord is so nigh coming as that as one might say he is risen up and on his march and if the 45 yeers be not entred they will presently enter So for Israel and now for our selves that are not natural Israel we may learn something for our information about the time of the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Cnrist in comparing the things and events coming to pass with Israel of old from their coming out of Egyyt unto the first coming of Christ with the things and events coming to pass with and among Christians from the first coming of Christ 1 Cor 10.18 vers 1.6 11. to the second and glorious coming of Christ we are in many things willed to behold Israel after the flesh and they are affirmed to be figures and examples for us and those things to be written for our warning and instruction and concerning God's dealing with them in giving them the Law by Moses and their demeanor towards him Christ uttered a Parable which may be read Mat. 21.33 34. and Luk. 20 9-17 and so for his dealing with Christians from first to second coming and their demeanour towards him he uttered a like Parable which may be read Mat. 25 14-30 and Luk. 19 12-27 Therefore it it is useful for us to consider and compare the same things in reading the Histories of them and we may discern there is hath been and will be some Agreement 1. When God by Moses the Mediator gave them the Law and set their Priesthood Sacrifices and Temple-worship in order the people were generally and many of the Captains and Levites stubborn and rebellious all the dayes of the personal Ministration of Moses so in the dayes of the personal Ministration of Christ the Mediator of the New Testament while he was ministring the Gospel and working Miracles to save the lost sheep of the House of Israel to whom in Ministration he was especially sent yet while he was chusing Apostles and Evangelists and giving them his Gospel and his Ordinances to have ministred to them yet were the people generally with their High-Priest and Priests and Lawyers stubborn and rebellious and but few of them that came in to believe on him 2. In Joshuah's time when Moses was taken away the people were more generally obedient and followed the Lord more fully though some trouble by Achan And so in the dayes of the Elders that out-lived Joshuah So in the Apostles and first Witnesses dayes after Christ left the World and went to the Father both Jews and Gentiles came in apace the Churches encreased and prospered and grew in Grace and kept the Faith sound notwithstanding some harm done by false Prophets for the Spirit of Antichrist began even before their departure to work yet the Churches kept the Faith sound in their dayes and in the days of the Churches of those first times that next succeeded them and received the Gospel from their personal Ministration 3. After Joshuah's time and the time of the Elders that out-lived Joshuah the people learned the manners of the Nations and went
Saints but the Beast and the false Prophet will stand against him also but he comes not then to suffer but to raign and so all the Enemies will be overthrown he coming to the ends aforesaid I have in this but made a homely Comparison of the proceedings with Jews and Gentiles specially Christians how it was with the Jews is plainly declared through the Scriptures how it was with the Gentiles the Christians in the first ages is seen in the Scriptures and for the following ages it is there also propheted and for other knowledge I leave to them that are acquainted with Histories how it is now let such as have understanding judge And I suppose this will come neer to one with the former accounts of those godly learned Men and manifest that first said That the coming of our Lord is nigh at hand the call of the Jews being at the doors the fulness of Gentiles neer come and the personal coming of Christ not long after he shews us daily our lives here cannot be long and he is in his works hastening his coming and all to move us to haste to it and be always ready and waiting for it Behold he cometh CHAP. 20. Some Application of this Branch of the Testimony of Christ concerning his coming again in such manner to such ends c. THe knowledge and mindefulness of this personal coming again of Jesus Christ in such manner and for such ends as is shewn and his coming so fast and nigh-approaching is profitable to warn teach and stir us up first to avoid and resist the evils and keep from the danger of seducing and evil Spirits that labour to with-draw and turn many from the Faith of his coming by their subtil Reasonings and Arguments viz. 1. Those Scoffers that say Where is the promise of his coming for since the Fathers fell asleep 2 Pet. 3 6. all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation Where is this new Heaven and new Earth This Restauration of all things This raigning of Christ and his Saints you say was promised to the Fathers And you have long called these the last dayes and yet no such things appears you are beguiled with some Enthusiasm or Millenary-Opinion you wait for a Fancy one Generation goeth and another cometh all things continue as they were and will so do We in belief of the Testimony of Christ 2 Pet. 3.5.7 may know these Men are willingly ignorant c. we may admire God's Patience to such in forbearing them that they might repent before his coming and his patience towards us that have not done all we might to gain Men in to Repentance that we might renew our Diligence and we know a Day is not in God's account as it is with Men and that there are some things still to be performed that must be done before his coming and the being tried with such Scoffers is one thing in which we see the Truth of his Word that foretold it and the fulfilling of it and the hastening and nighness of his coming to stir us to desire it c. 2. 2 Thes 2.2 Those that go about to shake the minde of Believers by saying the Day of Christ is at hand now presently or within one hour or a day or ten dayes or a month or two months or such a day week or month within this yeer or before a yeer be out and thereto pretend a spiritual Revelation or some word or some thing as out of the writings of the Apostles for though that day be much nigher at hand than when the Apostles gave that warning and though that falling away and the Revelation of the Man of sin be now come to pass yet all there spoken is not yet fulfilled And so we know by the same Rule That all the Horns or ten Kingdoms do not yet hate the Whore and though there is a good beginning and in some places her Flesh eaten yet not by them all nor have they yet burnt her with Fire nor are the Jews yet come into their own Land yea Euphrates is not yet dried up all which must first be So that it is not so at hand as to be this day or week but he is coming apace and hastening in doing these things and our lives short which is enough to move us to be alwayes ready waiting and looking for his coming 3. Those that say The Resurrection is past already The Lord is come to them 2 Tim. 2.18 and they are risen and do raign and Heaven is in them and they are in Heaven enjoying the new Heaven and the new Earth already and are above all Ordinances needing the use of none of them We in belief of the Testimony of Christ do know That when the Lord comes he comes and appears to all at once and so when the Just are raised they are raised all at once and all Saints made immortal at once and go with the Lord to the overthrow of the wicked then enjoy the new Heaven and the new Earth and raign together neither marrying nor giving in marriage 1 Cor. 4.8.2 Thes 4.14 15. Heb. 11.40 nor living in such condition so that whatever they fancy of their being risen and living and raigning in such manner they are deceived for if it were so indeed we should not be left behinde or be as they say we are still in the dark but we should see and raign also with them if they did so in Truth for no one shall prevent another in this or any Saints be perfect without their Fellows 4. Those that put off all the coming of Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 3 â— 2 Pet. 3.18 19. 1 Ioh. 2.22 Prov. 30.13 into a coming in the Spirit and say We must wait indeed for a coming of Christ but it is a coming in the Spirit and That it is but a fleshly Faith to believe in Christ as come in the Flesh but the spiritual believing is to believe in him as come in the Spirit and so enjoying him he is come indeed and then such live above Faith Some such as these are intimated in the Apostles times though the Spirit of Antichrist did but begin then to work But we that believe the Testimony of Jesus Christ do know That Jesus that very Man is The Christ and That his very being come in the Flesh and that he hath done therein and thereby is the Foundation of our Faith and Hope and the way and door of our approach to God and that through which all Mercies are extended yea even the Spirit it self yea this it is which the Holy Ghost whose work it is glorifieth to the Heart and so enables to believe in Christ and unites and frames to him thereby and so to confess him come in the Flesh which none can do but by the Holy Spirit which is Christ his sending Spirit and so coming to them and dwelling in them by Spirit in which he was never absent from
Believers since the beginning of the World though more abundantly present where he is more known as declared since his Ascension into Heaven and this his presence by Spirit in Believers is the whole time of believing and living by Faith and though more abundant in operations at some time than at others yet it is also to help them in their weaknesses and temptations and through sufferings while they are yet mortal But his personal coming which Believers wait for is to free them from weakness temptation sufferings and mortality and it is a personal visible and bodily coming as is foreshewn so as the deceit of these is by it easily seen and avoided 5. Those who though they vary from the former sayings Mat. 24.5 23 24. yet say in effect the same as Lo here is Christ in this or that Form of outward Discipline or such a way of outward performing such an Ordinance to be seen in the strictness severity or some outward appearing excellent thing in it or Lo he is in the wilderness Mar. 13.6 21 22. if you will let go all the hopes begot in you by the Letter of the Gospel concerning Christs dying for sinners c. you shall then see Christ or Lo I am Christ I speak from the infallible Spirit if you receive my saying and Testimony you receive Christ if you refuse my saying you refuse Christ Isa 52.6 1 Joh. 5.19 20. 2.20 27. Of these our Saviour hath forewarn'd us and we that believe the Testimony of Christ do know That he is by his Spirit in his own word the Testifier of his own Grace so as they that believe shall know the same and his personal appearing will be so visible as we shall need no man to tell us where he is or which is he for every eye shall then see him as is said Thus will the knowledge of this Branch of the Testimony of Christ help us against all these and such-like delusions which withdraw from the Faith and disciple to Men and make Schisms and Rents from the true Church Secondly The knowledge belief and minding of the coming of Christ as set forth in this Branch of the Testimony of Christ will help to preserve and keep us from falling into many miscarriages mis-conceptions and mis-expressions of some Brethren and also to afford help to such of them as do prefer the plain sayings of Christ before the Notions of any other Man as to instance some of them 1. Such as deny any appearance of Christ in person on the Earth till the last and final Judgement and sentence when all the wicked shall be cast into the Lake of Fire c. True it is he will be visible on Earth and on his Throne at that time and true it is That all the Just shall enter into everlasting Joy then also And then Christ delivereth up the Kingdom to his Father that God may be All in all but then is no time for destroying all worldly powers and for restoring all things and for bringing the Creation into the Liberty of the Sons of God and for the new Heaven and new Earth to be filled with Inhabitants and for Christ to sit on the Throne of David his Father and for Abraham and his seed to inherit the world and for Christ and his Saints after his coming to rule over the Nations or for the Nations to serve them and bring their Glory and Honour to the City c. In this Life the Saints according to their measure glorifie God through sufferings and in the new Heaven and new Earth God both glorifieth his Saints making them to raign and they glorifie him by raigning but in that last State God only glorifies himself upon them and in them and through them and them with himself And why should any of us so dishonour God as to deny the Truth and true fulfilling of so many plain sayings of Scripture so oft affirmed as hath been shewn and will be more If any say That we stick too much to the Letter of the Scripture in understanding those places It might be answered That in such plain sayings so often affirmed and bound with the Oath of God and his Protestation of the Faithfulness of them it is safer and better to stick close to the Letter or VVords of Scripture as they have been breathed forth by the Holy Spirit than to make Unbelief of the Truth of those plain sayings the Interpreter of their meaning though with never so much humane VVisdom and Learning And it may be also answered That so to understand those sayings is according to the Rule commanded by God and approved by all Believers yea and godly learned as is foreshewn But I farther answer Part 1. ch 7. That we are led by the Scripture thus to understand these things both in that the things spoken of his first coming in which many things had their spiritual sense also yet were all performed according to the plain expression of the Letter as his being born of a Virgin in Bethlem his being called a Nazarite his riding on an Ass his being sold for thirty pence the banding of the Rulers and people against him the scattering of his Disciples his Death Burial Resurrection Ascension his pouring forth the Holy Ghost and sitting on the right hand of God all fulfilled to the utmost of the plain import of the Letter and shall any thing be wanting in the second coming of Christ saith not the Angel This same Iesus shall so come even as ye have seen him go c. And also in that the Apostle speaking of these things shews both a certain measure of fulfilling spiritually now and also a fulfilling according to the utmost of the Letter which is also spiritual but the one is inward in the soul spirit the other outward on the Body also of that inward in Soul and Spirit he saith We that believe have a first fruits he saith not all nor half nor a tenth but a first fruits and that we wait for is not only the whole or harvest of this but the adoption even the redemption of the body when also the whole Creation shall be restored into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God And I might add the Apostles alluding to Psal 8. in Heb. 2. but enough is foresaid for this So that all our Brethren that heed and prize Scripture-Testimony more than Traditions and Opinions of Men will soon yield to believe this 2. Such as believe and look for Christ his raigning in and over the VVorld in his Saints and so would fight and strive to set Christ on his Throne and think all Adversaries to Christ that oppose them in his design to be before his personal appearing These Brethren seem to acknowledge this Truth That Jesus Christ will come and appear personally to raign on Earth and that the Saints that now suffer with him shall raign with him in the Earth and over the Nations and that Christ
filling them with the holy Ghost 1. Of the first way of the Manifestation of Christ by himself Jesus Christ was manifested and did manifest himself in the very acting and sensible demonstration in himself of all those things fore-told concerning him to be done in upon and by him in his first coming as to say his immediate coming on the appearing of his Messenger and fore-runner and so his conception and birth having the very nature of Man born of a Virgin that never knew Man that was of the Seed of David Abraham Noah Adam born in Bethlem altogether sinless yet having the weaknesses and infirmities of Man's Nature his flight into Egypt while Rachels Children were slain his return to Nazareth and being called a Nazarite his Baptism with the Testimony of God concerning him his fasting temptations victories his poverty and mean life among men his travellings preaching cures miracles his calling Disciples and chusing Apostles and seventy and sending them forth to preach his being persecuted by the High-Priests and Priests Scribes and Pharisees his being betrayed by one of his called Disciples and chosen Apostles the scattering of the rest from him his agony and bloody sweat his being arraigned condemned scorned and crucified between two thieves the souldiers giving him vineger and gall and parting his raiment his bitter cry on the cross his committing his Spirit to God and so his giving up the Ghost and dying and so his death and his burial by two rich Men laid in a rich Man's tombe in which never any man before lay his Resurrection the third day and so victory over death his appearing to his Disciples after his Resurrection being seen and heard and felt by them and giving commandments and commission to them and blessing them ascended up in their sight to heaven testified by an Angel that he even the very same Jesus shall so come again as they saw him go up into heaven his being received and set on the right hand of God and his sending forth the holy Ghost with plenty of spiritual gifts testifying the certainty of his coming again in glory a glimpse whereof three of them had fore-seen in his transfiguration so that he appeared to be and to have suffered and done and shed abroad all that God by the mouth of his Prophets had spoken of him concerning his first coming so that he hath now fully come in the flesh and done all this work and is not now a dying and doing it or so to do it over again he hath finished the work given him to do at his first coming in his own person on earth and in and by him is fulfilled all that the Prophets spake concerning the first coming of Christ so as in no other ever was or will be so that this Jesus is the Christ and hath been thus manifested and so manifested himself to be and this manifestation given in his first appearing to the first Witnesses of his Resurrection for all that should after believe on him that it was manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 1.10 Joh. 2.11 1 Pet. 1.20 21. Joh. 1.1 2 3. Act. 10.41 42. in doing all this is expresly affirmed that it was so manifested for all that 〈◊〉 by the discovery of him and his spiritual operation believe is also expresly affirmed that it was manifested to these first witnesses in this manner who both heard and saw and handled him is expresly also affirmed and that they declared that we might believe and the things that were by the Prophets so foretold and written of him as hath been foreshewn being so fulfilled and manifested in him Act. 13. 17.2 3. 18.28 Rom. 16.26 Luk. 1.1 2 3 4. Joh. 20.31 they did according to the commandment of the everlasting God make known him to be the Christ and make him known according to the revelation of the mystery by the Scriptures of the Prophets and have written and professed to write these things that we might know the certainty of them and so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that in believing we might have life through his Name and according to all this Jesus himself witnessed and affirmed also the Truth of John's Testimony concerning him and how by the works done by him and by voice from Heaven Joh. 5.33 36 37 39. the Father did bear witness of him and how the Spirit in the Scripture did bear witness of him and that eternal life is in him And this the first way of Jesus Christ revealing and manifesting himself to his first witnesses CHAP. 8. 2. Of the second way of our Saviour's revealing and manifesting of himself and the things of him to his first witnesses of it IEfus Christ besides this actual manifestation did also in his performance and bodily ministration vocally and audibly teach the Gospel according to the revelation of the mystery to the first trusters in him and witnesses of him after his resurrection and so he taught them 1. That he is the Massiah the great Prophet and high-Priest and King of Israel the Son of God and the Son of David Mat. 16.16 20. Mar. 8.27 Luk. 9.20 Joh. 1.41 49. 4.25 26 42. 6.69 the Christ the Saviour of the World spoken of by all the Prophets 2. That for estecting his business in all his Offices that he may be manifested to be such a one and thereby have a Seed saved and justified by him to serve him Isa 53.10 11 12. Psa 68.18 21. 2.1 9. and to enjoy the Kingdom with him and Nations for him and them to raign over he must first suffer and die and rise again and ascend into heaven and receive the fulness of the Spirit in the Man and send forth of the same to Men that Repentance and Remission of sins may be preached in his Name to all Nations and so he on rightful terms judge all according to that fore-written of him and therefore from that time that he had instructed them that he was the Christ Mat. 16.21 Mar. 8.31 Luk. 9.22 Luk. 9.29 30 31. Mat. 17.12 Mar. 9.12 Mat. 20.18 19. Luk. 9.44 the Son of the living God the Saviour of the World he then began to shew and teach them that he must go unto Ierusalem and suffer many things of the Elders and chief-Priests and Scribes and be rejected of them and be killed and the third day rise again yea this was spoken of between Christ and Moses and Elias in their hearing when he was in his transfiguration before them and after on that occasion by himself to them and often after on other occasions yea he teacheth them a reason of the necessity of it namely for taking away sin and overcoming death and so having an innumerable generation according to that said Hebrews 9.22 2.14 Isaiah 53.6.7 8. and so he taught saying Verily verily Joh. 12.24 I say unto you except a corn of wheat
put him to death and they did it wickedly and with wicked hands but God raised him and so he will us by him if we follow him through sufferings to the enjoyment of glory In respect of the first end of his death for satisfaction and propitiation making and of the second end for confirming the New Testament the death of Christ was vertuous and efficacious with the Father upon and from his first undertaking and accepting to do it and having accepted it it was vertuous in dispensations through him towards men whence he is called Rev. 13 8. The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world and upon the account of the vertue thereof all that believed from the beginning of the World Joh. 1.4 5 7 11 12. Rom. 1.16 17 20. 2.4 5 11. Prov. 1.23 33. were saved by this Grace in and through him and all that rebelled against Light and Grace were damned on the same account for rebelling against the Light and Grace extended through him It is an ignorant demand of some Did Christ die for those in Heaven or for those in Hell before his death for his acceptance and undertaking was vertuous from the first and from the beginning and God's proceedings with men through him on that account of his death in due time to be acted and so to the two first ends vertuous and efficacious from the beginning before the actual accomplishing of it but for the last end of his death to bear witness of the truth and give his personal example to follow the same cannot be so affirmed True it is He suffered and was slain in his members and spiritual Seed from the beginning of the World even beginning at Abel Mat. 23.34 35. Rom. 6.9 Rev. 1.18 Col. 1.24 Luk. 10.16 Act. 9.4 5. and so on in those which followed till his own personal coming as our Saviour taught and though himself in his own personal body have now once died and risen and is alive for evermore and can die no more yet in his members and spiritual seed on Earth he is suffering and dying still such his love to them and union with them he counteth these as his own sufferings these examples of the Saints through Faith passing through and overcoming in these sufferings are very useful for us and speaking examples to us to be beheld and minded of us but our Saviour's own personal example was not so before his actual sufferings accomplished as now it is in beholding of which as set forth in the Gospl we may see both more into the vertues and ends and efficacies of his death than before could be seen and his example therein also which could not so be beheld of men Heb. 11. 12.1 2. Jam. 5.10 11. Mat. 5.12 10.13 14 15. Joh. 15.20 21. before his actual accomplishment of it so that in him we have the beginning and foundation of life and strength the motive pattern and example also to follow him and therefore now to look to him and to the other examples also through him and to him in and above all the other and this our Saviour plainly taught his first witnesses 3. Our Saviour having instructed his first witnesses thus about his death and resurrection and the things done by him therein Joh. 12.8 13.3 15.6 28. and so the end of his first personal coming into the World to do and teach all these things he then also instructed them about his leaving the World and going again now in that personal body of his to the Father and this to present himself in that body with the vertue of his blood to obtain eternal redemption of the nature of Man in himself Heb. 10.5 10. 9.12 Rom. 14.7 8 9. Joh. 17.2 Psa 68.18 20. Joh. 16.7 15. and so to have all men into his dispose that he may dispense to them and deal with them according to the Father's will which also is his will and so to receive the immeasurable fulness of the holy Ghost in the Man to send forth even to the rebellious to convince them and to believers to lead them into all Truth Ioh. 17.26 Heb. 12.24 1 Pet. 1 2. Joh. 13.8 15.3 Joh. 14.16 17 26. 16.13 14 15 Eph. 2.5 6. Phil. 3.20 Col. 3.1 Ioh. 14 20 21.24 and so to make known still farther his Father's Name and therein sprinkle the vertue of his blood upon the hearts and consciences of believers and herewith enduing them with his Spirit to be with and in them a Teacher Advocate and Comforter to minde them of his words enable them to prize trust in him and approach to God by him and pray in his Name and so to prepare them mansions that having all fulness in him they might have their rejoycing hope converse and dwelling with him in Heaven by Faith and that in one mindedness with God and Christ in his design Gal. 4.26 Heb. 12.22 23. 1 Ioh. 1.2 3. 2 Cor. 5.8 Rev. 6.9 Heb. 12.22 23. Eph. 2.19 22. 2 Cor. 7.3 Phil. 1.7 1 Thes 2.17 in believing and walking in the Truth breathed forth from Jerusalem that is above they might have in Spirit a dwelling and fellowship with the Prophets and Apostles and Spirits of just Men made perfect that are in and with Christ and under the Altar and also through the efficacy of his Spirit in their Ministration they may have a spiritual dwelling in the hearts of such as living in this World have their conversation in Heaven and fellowship in the Gospel with them And last of all according to the Spirits preparation of them and fruitfulness in and by them enlargedness in his Kingdom which is reserved in Heaven for them Col. 1.5 1 Thes 2.19 20. 2 Joh. 8. 2 Pet 1.11 Joh. 14 2. Heb. 8.1 6. 9.4 1 Tim. 2. â— 1 Joh. 2.1 2. Heb. 7.25 9.15 to be given them at his coming all which he assures them he is now preparing in the Heavens for them yea he is now there in Heaven appearing at the right Hand of God before God for us mediating between God and Men and advocating and interceding in special manner for Believers that come to God by him and so as in that he did in his own Body he made peace wrought and obtained Redemption with God for Men and obtained the Power of extending the vertues thereof in these spiritual efficacies to Men so by these efficacious makings known and application of the same to Men he draweth Mâ—n to himself and worketh Redemption in Believers and preserveth them to the Inheritance all which our Saviour taught to his first Witnesses And moreover 4. Having thus instructed them about his bodily absence from them and how much it is for their benefit because of the buâ—ness he is in Heaven doing with God for them and from God by his Spirit with them Joh. 14.3 Mat. 19.28 29 Rev. 11.17.18 Mat. 24.27 30. he also assures them of and instructs them in
upholding and ordering and garnishing the Heaven and Earth and Creatures therein for the good of Mankinde and enduing Men with understanding and skill for Husbandry and disposing the Fruits of the Earth Deut. 28.26 29. Exod. 31.3 35.31 and for curious Arts and Works or for War Physick Laws and Government of a Commonwealth c. though these be all Mercies to lead to Repentance for these were extended before Christ carried the Nature of Man into Heaven no nor yet is meant simply of a discovery of the Minde and Grace of God through Christ Heb. 11.6 Gen. 6.3 Act. 14.17 Rom. 3.2 9.5 Joh. 1.7 29. striving with Men to bring them in to God for this also was from the beginning yea and some brought in to believe thereby from the rumour of the Gospel in Paradise delivered and the works of Creation and Providence and yet more abundantly to Israel in Types Promises and Prophesies and yet more in John Baptist's Ministration yea the Holy Ghost in such means to enlighten and teach hath not onely been alwayes in the Church but some have been wonderfully filled with him he signified in and to the Prophets 1 Pet. 1.11 2 Pet. 1.21 Act. 28.25 Luk. 1.41 46 67. 2.25 26. and they spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost and the Holy Ghost spake by them and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost and Mary and Zacharias and the Holy Ghost was upon old Simeon and revealed Christ to him and the same may be said of divers others so that though no other Spirit be promised yet some farther Discovery and Operation of the Spirit which was not as yet given is evident to be meant here by the giving the Holy Ghost If any think that his coming like a mighty and rushing winde and sitting on them in the likeness of fiery Tongues and giving them to speak with divers Tongues is that which was promised he is not deceived in that for it was included in the promises as to the first Witnesses but it was neither the whole nor the main in the Promise but an over-plus and addition to the main Joh. 7.37 38 39. 17.20 21. Act. 2.39 the promise being that which however with more abundance to them yet in the Testimony given them it appertained to all that through that Testimony believe in Christ and this appears to be such a giving of the Holy Ghost as never was before in 1. A more full and cleer Revelation of Christ 1 Cor. 2.9 10 11. Joh. 5.39 Heb. 1.1 Rom. 16.25 Eph. 3.3 9. and things of Christ that lay hid in the bowels of the Scriptures then ever was before all being in this Testimony opened so far as is to be known till his own personal coming again so as the full of the Holy Ghosts Testimony of Christ is come forth opened which was not so before 2. A more free and cleer manifestation of the Lord Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 Col. 1.25 26 27. Joh. 7.37 38 39. as having compleated the Sacrifice and being filled with Spirit and the Father's Face and Minde appearing in him not through Types and Prophecies but in a cleer Demonstration of him in the Gospel as the Object of Faith and Allurer not with servitude in a Law of Works but with Freedom to believe in him and therein to receive more free and abundant spiritual Operations and spiritual gifts then ever before 3. A larger Freedom for all Gentiles as Jews without difference Eph. 3.3 4 9. Gal. 3.28 Eph. 1.8 9 10. all every or any one in believing the Testimony to receive the gracious Priviledges and in all this he abounded to the first Witnesses in all Wisdom and Prudence making known to them the mystery of his will for the dispensation of these last times 4. That this Testimony of Christ in which all parts of the Testimony fore-given by Inspirations Types Prophecies Joh. 15.26 14.26 16.13 15. Joh. 3.16 Rom. 1.16 2 Cor. 3.6 7 c. Visions Dreams was opened being fully and cleerly given forth by the Holy Ghost witnessing of Christ this Testimony being a birth of the Spirit and the Medium in which the Spirit worketh and his own Testimony it also beareth his Name and he that believing receiveth it receiveth him and shall experiment this Light and Operations And that this is meant by the giving of the Holy Ghost fore-promised now performed by Christ appears both in the Promises and Performance and the Scriptures quoted and also by the Apostles Affirmation that as the Promises of Christ concerning it Psal 68.18 20. Act. 2.33 Eph. 4.8 11. Act. 2.17 18. so the Prophesies of the Prophet concerning his pouring forth his Spirit both for convincing the rebellious and leading Believers into all Truth and also the efficaciousness of the Spirit for making known the Mind of Christ and his Operations for and in Prophesie Vision Dreams had all a fulfilling in this given to them so full a Testimony cleer Revelation with such Divine Illumination and Operation was given to these first Witnesses that by that Testimony Christ and the things of Christ might be made known that Men might believe and so come in to Christ And this the last and fullest Revelation of Christ and no other but the cleer knowledge of this to be looked for till he do personally and visibly come again But now for the way of making this known to the Sons of Men and carrying it an end we have that also shewn us in this Revelation these three wayes given to them In which we have three things to note first The prime Medium or Way of making it known and the chosen Instruments to use that Medium to make it known and also the Furniture wherewith they are furnished to make it known that Men may come to know Christ thus revealed and so be saved reconciled and brought to God by Christ Of which see what the Scripture saith CHAP. 10. Of the prime Medium or Way of making Christ known according to the Revelation of the Mystery to bring Men to God by Christ THis way of making Christ known for so gracious an end so cleerly it is manifest to be preaching this Word Testimony or Gospel as it is now come forth Mar. 1.15 Act. 10.42 2 Tim. 4.2 Tit. 1.3 and such a manner of Preaching as never was before Christ his coming in the Flesh and suffering on the Cross and having been put to death in the Flesh but quickned by the Spirit and now alive in that Body for evermore and by vertue of his Cross and death by which he made our Peace and by vertue whereof he still mediateth for us and by vertue whereof he worketh in Believers and so will have his Cross and sufferings remembred imbraced and professed till his coming again so 1 Cor. 1.18 20. 2.1 2. as the preaching of him now as it is called the preaching of Christ so it is called also the
preaching of the Cross and so the preaching of Jesus Christ and him crucified and so it must be a preaching suitable thereto and the means to make Christ known according to this Revelation is preaching such a preaching as in which he is lift up as shewn in the eighth Chapter before and in the Scripture we may finde it farther thus set forth that is 1. That it must be preaching Joh. 12.38 Rom. 10.16 1 Pet. 1.12 Joh. 17.6 7. 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3. Act. 13.32 33. 26.27 Rom. 3.25 26. 1 Cor. 15.1 2 3 4 5. Act. 5.42 18.26 28.23 31. 1 Tim. 2.7 Act. 20 21. 2 Cor. 5.10 11 14 19 20. that is in Scripture Language proclaiming and reporting Jesus to be the Christ and therewith the things done by him declaring with manifestation and making plain the things reported and therewith so teaching and expounding the same that the ends vertues and excellencies of Christ and his Cross and the things of Christ with his requirings and promises may appear and be made known and evidencing and testifying the Truth of all so taught by the Scriptures according to the Commandment of God Rom. 1.1 5. 16.25 26. Act. 18.25 28. 17.2 3. 26.22 23. And from Christ the things of God in Christ thus declared taught 2 Tim. 3.16 Tit. 2.15 and testified to perswade Men to Repentance and Faith and so to be reconciled to God and then live to him and to press this with Reproofs Instructions Beseechings and Consolations as need is and in this manner to exalt and tender the Grace of Christ as aforesaid is preaching yea that preaching that according to the minde of God is to be used 2. This preaching must also be with plain and understandable words 2 Col. 2.17 3.12 4.1 2. 2 Pet. 1.15 16. not in dark Parables and Allegories but with such simplicity and plainness that they may appeal to every Man's conscience in the sight of God with all sincerity without any cloak of covetousness craft or guile As for Christ before his Ascension preaching many things in Parables it hath been fore-answered Part 1. ch 6. Mat. 10.27 28. and shewn how he opened all to his Disciples and charged them to teach the same openly and plainly so that the mystery of Christ as opened by Christ is by his Servants to be plainly preached now without fear of Man and so as in plain words so in such language and terms Act. 2.6 8. 1 Cor. 14.6 7 19. Rev. 19.10 1 Cor. 14.3 1 Joh. 3.20 21 27 28. 1 Cor. 1.1 2. Gen. 3.15 1 Joh. 3.5 8. as the Hearers do know and understand so the Holy Spirit given them did at first give them to speak to every Man in his own language and so they used to speak in words understandable to the Hearers They are now taught that the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophesie the original spring and Leader to all right speaking for Edification in knowing him all things are known and other knowledge and teaching then according to what is taught by the Spirits witnessing of him is not needful The knowledge of the first Report of the Gospel is in knowing him as now testified cleerly understood whereas those that by humane Wisdom think to know that first saying without this help given run into many mistakes yea all that the Fathers had in Visions and Dreams Act. 2.18 19 20 21. is met with in this Testimony of Christ now given by the Spirit yea all that the Heaven and Earth with his Works therein do witness is seen most cleerly in Christ Psal 19.1 6. Rom. 10.18 Isa 42.6 2 Cor. 1.20 Col. 2.17 Heb. 7 8 9 10. Col. 3.11 as set forth in this Testimony and by him made apparent to be more cleerly seen in them yea the Covenant made with Abraham it is to be seen and met with in him and all that was figured by Sacrifices and all other Types the Truth is in him and to be seen and known in him so that now Christ is all and in all and so in this Doctrine and Testimony And therefore he and the things of him are plainly to be preached and that in a known language and understandable words being alike holy and sanctified to declare the Gospel with and so alike fit to express God's Minde to us as is before shewn Part 1. ch 5. and for us to express our Minde to God in praying to him And so the Apostles writing to the Church at Rome Rom. 8.25 Gal. 4.6 where also both Jews and Greeks were shews how the Spirit breatheth in both languages Abba Father and so to another Church and so they spake with all plainness of Speech in things needful to be known for Faith and good Manners and so is the Gospel to be plainly preached in understandable words 3. This preaching of the Gospel now must neither be with the wisdom of words 1 Cor. 1.17 18 19 20. 2.1 2 3 4 5. which the Spirit of Wisdom that is in the Princes of this World for Learning or the Wisdom of Man teacheth or in such manner as to draw applause to the Preacher or to receive that said for his excellency in Learning and arguing in Rhetorical perswasions Nor must this preaching be with Fables and endless Genealogies 1 Tim. 4.7 6.20 Tit. 3.9 Col. 2.8 1 Cor. 1.19 20 17 23. 2.1 4 12. or opposition of Science falsly so called nor with Philosophical Subtilties Reasons and Depths after the Fashion of humanely-learned wise Men nor with Artificial and framed Eloquence and Rhetorical Perswasions according to Man's Art nor yet with pretences of great Light intruding into things they have not seen in the Testimony there being in that no Revelation of it Rom. 12.3 Col. 2.18 Gal. 1.10 1 Thes 2.4 5 6. 1 Cor. 14.6 19 28. and so beyond the measure of Faith given though covered with great pretences and shews of Humility nor by tempering their Doctrine to the humours of Men to please them and get applause from them nor with using quaint words or words of a strange language not understood If a strange Tongue inspired were to be silenced where it was not of the Hearers understood how much more that which is acquired by study 1 Cor. 2.4 5. Rom. 16.26 2 Tim. 3.16 17. Tit. 2.15 1 Pet. 4.11 1 Cor. 3.18 Rom. 1.1 5. all these things are to be avoided in this preaching and the preaching to be with Evidence and Demonstration of the Spirit in the Testimony he hath given of Christ in the Scripture and so with all Power and Authority as the very Oracles of God and all this plain-speaking to Men not for Men to exercise their Wisdom to imagine a Riddle and study for a mysterious sense but for the obedience of Faith that Men as Fools in their own wisdom may be wise in credit-giving to this Testimony and so believe and obey in
so come to God by him and of this their Ministration and so this Ministration to continue till his coming again 2 Cor. 2.14 15 17. 3 10 11 12. 4.1 with which he is well pleased so that all the efficacies of it are to him a sweet savour This the choice and good pleasure of his will according to which they were to minister and did minister and both his choice of them and furnishing of them to his Ministration and their so ministring to bring Men by Christ to Sonship Eph. 1.6 was for this glorious end Vers 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace The Grace of God was from the beginning and testified in his works and word and he praised for it by his Servants but the riches and gloriousness of it was but dimly seen in respect of what indeed it is nor did it so appear till the Son was manifested till he came and was thus revealed and that God spake by him Col. 1.15 Heb. 1.1 3. Joh. 1.14 16 17 18. and manifested himself through him who is the Image of the invisible God the brightness of his glory the express Image of his person who hath declared him so that God that commanded the Light to shine out of darkness shined in the Hearts of these first Witnesses the Light of the Glory of God 2 Cor. 4.6 Col. 1.26 27. Rom. 6.25 26. Eph. 3.6 7. in the Face of Jesus Christ revealing the Riches of the Glory of this Mystery c. as formerly had not been revealed to others yea the largeness of this Riches and extention of it to all Mankinde in Ministration that they might participate so as they were for the praise and praising 2 Cor. 1.20 4.7 1 Pet. 1.4 and their Ministration for declaring extolling and praising the glorious largeness riches and freeness of his Grace and to occasion and bring others to glorifie and praise the same together with them in which free and abundant Grace or as still in vers 6. Wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.6 which is as much as in more words to say That in the discovery of his glorious Grace in Christ to us Rom. 5.1 6 8.11 Tit. 3.4 5 6 2 Cor. 5.14 15 18 19 20. 1 Tim. 1 12 13 14.15 16. Rom. 8.2 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3. and shedding it abroad in our hearts he hath therein and thereby reconciled us who were sinners as others are unto himself and so made us accepted in Christ the Beloved and counted us faithful and put us in the Ministery so as we have seen and known what we preach and have our selves experience of that we preach to others being also patterns set forth of God for them that believe he having committed to us and put in us the word of Reconciliation and by that large and free Love of his filled our Hearts with Love and Desire that others may participate of the same and so answered that Praver made for us Joh. 17.11 20. by Christ lesus Vers 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood Eph. 1.7 the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace The Redemption here spoken of is explicated by the medium his blood applied the thing it self the forgiveness of sins and the manner according to the Riches of his Grace and so more full then what believers in former times received who had the application mediately by other blood figuring out his blood as then yet to be shed and yet short of that full and compleat Redemption that is still to be waited for of which this is a first fruits and sealing confirmation of it to us And of the having Redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins Rom. 5.1 2 3 5 8 10 11. 8.2 Rev. 1.5 Col. 2.13 Act. 10.43 is more then having received forgiveness of their own sins in their own consciences and so freedom from the bondage of the Law and Justification through his blood and so peace with God and access to him in this Grace and Hope of Glory which indeed they had and were thereby filled with and fitted by experiments of his Grace But having here signifieth both all this and somthing more then all this even something wherein they were preferred before all the Ministers that went before them These having in Christ in the word of Christ as given them the word of Reconciliation in which all this is brightly discovered in him Col. 1.14 15 20 21 22 23. 2 Cor. 5.18 19 20 21. Luk. 24.47 48. Act. 13.38 Rom. 3.26 27 28. 4.5 and so in the Ministration given them they have the Redemption compleated by him in himself for Men and therein Remission of sins to preach to others in his Name that so by Faith in his Blood they also may receive the same Romans 3.24 25. Acts 10.43 26.18 yea even by Faith in his Blood without outward Circumcision or undering to the works of the Law so glorious the Ministration he hath given them and they have to display not according to the works of the Law but according to the Riches of his Grace And this sence appears by the next following words cleerly to be here meant Vers 8. Eph. 1.8 Wherein he hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence This cleerly appears not to be the wisdom of the World 1 Cor. 1.19 20 21. 2.6 or of the Princes of this World or their prudence which cometh to nought yea with all their wisdom they have not known this wisdom 1 Cor. 2.8 1 Cor. 1.2.4 Col. 2.3 9. but as Christ is the Wisdom of God and the Power of God in whom are hid and treasured up all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily he being immeasurably filled with the Holy Ghost Prov. 8.11 12. Isa â— 1.2 42.1 8. 61 1 2 3 4. Joh. 15.26 17. the Spirit of Wisdom and knowledge to send forth and it flowing from him and that Spirit testifying of him and enabling rightly to testifie of him When the Apostle prayes for the Ephesians that God would grant to them the Spirit of wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of Christ Eph. 1.17 18 19. that so in the knowledge of that Object unbared and their eyes opened and strengthened to behold they might see the hope of his calling them in this Ministration c. and it being the wisdom of the prudent to understand his way so it is manifest Prov. 14.8 that here by all wisdom and prudence he meaneth the imparting and giving in to them the cleer knowledge of Christ and the things of Christ and so of his Minde according to the Revelation of the Mystery 1 Cor. 2.9 10 12 13 16. and ability to declare the same by the Holy Ghost as essewhere he expresseth himself to mean and so by abounding towards us he openeth himself to mean he
according to the purpose of him that worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will Mark how he concludes and approves the purpose of God to be such and his predestination of them according to his purpose even from his works in them that God having so chosen and blessed and furnished them-above all his former Servants and put them in this Ministration for such a Dispensation and confirmed it with such Blessings he working nothing at randome but all things according to the counsel of his own will This is an evidence that such was God's purpose and according to his purpose did he predestinate us to all this to this end Vers 12. Eph. 1.12 That we we so elected and furnished according as we were predestinated that we should to be the praise of his glory we in our Ministration in this Dispensation setting forth his glorious rich Grace in and through Christ as never was before should lay the Foundation and deliver the Doctrine and Dispensation in which the Glory of his Grace shall be displayed to the end of the World so that we now in our personal doctrinal delivery and Dispensation and we after in the same Doctrine and Dispensation delivered and recorded by us held forth in the Ministration of those that believe through our word in which our Fruit still remaineth and encreaseth that so we should be to the praise of his glory even we who first trusted in Christ and so were Eye-witnesses of him and had our Gospel immediately from him in which he puts a distinction between the first Witnesses that first trusted in Christ and the believing Ephesians that also trusted in him after they had heard the Word from the first Witnesses Vers 13 14 c. of which Believers he affirms graciously but short of what he affirmed of the first Witnesses putting a remarkable difference in respect of the measure of the Furniture between himself with those spoken of and these he speaketh and writeth unto So that the whole Series of all the things affirmed from vers 3. to vers 12. will agree to none but the Apostles and first Witnesses of Christ to none of the Servants of God before Christ carried our Nature into Heaven nor fully in all and every of the things affirmed scarce to any since their times but to all them all that is said doth fully agree and in the Text is expresly affirmed of them Vers 12. which doth abundantly testifie the Truth and Goodness of the Gospel delivered by them who were so abundantly furnished with such a full and cleer Revelation of Christ which they received so immediately from himself whom they also saw and being so filled with his Spirit have according to his purpose left the same on record for us Ephes 3.3 4. Phil. 3.1 2 Tim. 1.13 2.2 2 Pet. 3.2 Rev. 22.18 19. who have the same Gospel and Dispensation a revealed by them to believe and declare as we have it mediately from them and not to gape after another immediate Revelation of it to us but to take it as in believing we may by the Spirit come to know it in and by their writings and so Blessing Election and Furniture with the Predestination according to his purpose for such a gracious end for these last times here set forth speaks good to and for all the Sons of Men to whom it comes that they might believe and sweet Consolation to all Believers and the wresting of Election and Predestination here spoken of to mean a certain set Company of Men severed from the residue of Men that they and onely they shall be eternally saved that were thus absolutely predestinated thereto before the Foundation of the World and these onely and all these thus chosen and blessed as Ephes 1.3 4. sure there is not one word in the whole Text or elsewhere expressing or importing such a sence as this But there are many things in the Text against such a sense and that will not admit it as appears in that said over and beside the expression of this Company to be the first Trusters in Christ and speaking of them distinctly from after-Trusters changing the person from those spoke of to those spoken to with some difference in that affirmed of either yea this sense pretended in the Face of it compared with the Text would cut off all the Fathers from Adam to Noah and all the Believers in their times and all from Noah to Abraham and all from Abraham to Moses and all from Moses to David and from him to John Baptist from being of the number of the Elect and predestinate to Eternal Life for the things here affirmed of these Elect and predestinated cannot be affirmed of those from the beginning no not of John Baptist himself yea and by that Trial few Believers since will ever come to finde themselves of this elect Company beside this pretended sense pleaded for weakens and denies the evidence of good and credit this place affords to the Gospel-Dispensation and darkens the light of the whole Text so cleerly shewing and intended to shew forth the excellency of the Gospel as now revealed and the heavenly and rich Furniture of the Apostles and first Witnesses to deliver it and the Gospel and Dispensation recorded by them to be the Dispensation for these last times and all this according to the purpose of God so were they furnished and in the Gospel recorded they are in Spirit with all this Furniture with us now But as this Furniture was in a sort common to all the first Witnesses so they had also a Furniture of spiritual gifts in which was difference some one some another some more some less Let us view these also CHAP. 13. Of the Furniture of spiritual gifts the first witnesses had as in Ephes 4. EPhes 4.7.13 Ephes 4.7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Wherefore he saith 8 When he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men 9 10 11 And then there is an inference read vers 9 10. and then he saith And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ 12 13. till we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature or age of the fulness of Christ In these words are many things affirmed and taught both shewing their rich and plentiful furniture of spiritual gifts and worthy our observing 1. That these gifts as here mentioned were never so given to the Servants of Christ in this manner Ephes 4.9 10. Psal 68.18 19 20. Act. 2.2 6 16 21 33. before his personal Death and Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven in that personal Body of his that
and stay and so the Truth is the upholder and stay of the Church and the giver of Authority to it and not the Church the stay of and Authority-giver to the Truth yet even in this respect also as Christ is the Head of the Church and his Truth and Spirit and he thereby an Indweller in the Church so they in holding forth the Truth are instrumental upholders of it Act. 9.15 2 Tim 4.7 Mat. 5.14 and maintainers of the Faith to the World and so the Light of the World and in respect of some in the outward Court that turn the Grace of God into wantonness pervert the Gospel deceive the World and labour to beguile Believers in turning them from the Faith These are the Keepers of the Faith by teaching it and opposing and fighting with the sword of the Spirit against their prophaness and errors and so maintaining the Faith against their falshoods And in all these senses the Church that are these Witnesses 2 Tim. 4.1 7. 2 Cor. 10.4 5 6. Jude 3 4. is the Pillar of Truth and yet more fully in one sense more including all the former in it This Church is the Pillar and Ground of Truth taking in as is given us both the words that is to say 5. As they were of old to write the Commandments and Statutes of the Lord upon the door-posts of their house Deut. 6.9 11.20 and their gates as the Ten words were written in Tables of stone that they might be seen and read and as some say The Prophets did hang or fasten their written Prophesies upon one of the Pillars in the Temple as is the use of the chief Magistrate to have his Proclamation fastned on some noted post or pillar in the Market-place where all the Country may take notice of it and read it so these are the Church or House and so that post and pillar the Table or Ground in and upon whom the Truth is so written that all may read it though some with likement and some with dislike as the Apostle hath plainly affirmed saying to the Church Ye are our Epistle written in our hearts seen and read of all Men forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ ministred by us written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of stone as the Law of old was but in the fleshly Tables of the heart in which there is a performance spiritually by Christ of that said to the Prophet of old Write the Vision Feb. 2.2 and make it plain upon Tables Isa 29 11 12. that he may run that readeth it and being taken with that read he may read to others even that Vision of All and others may read it on him And this writing is the very work of Christ by his Spirit in Ministery of the Gospel We never read that Christ did personally in his own Body write any part of the Scripture that work he left for his Servants by his Spirit to do yet once we finde that he wrote with his Finger on the ground as not regarding his Tempters Joh. 8.6 yet what he wrote is not said but to say the Apostle alludeth to that I dare not nor yet will I say it was an intimate Instruction of his own work so freely to write by his Finger which oft signifieth his Spirit his Epistle in the ground of the heart of his unworthy ones but this I may say in treating of his spiritual writing To allude to this is no error But however it cleerly appears this Society and Church spoken of is the Pillar and ground of Truth where Truth is written and holden forth to be read 1 Tim. 3.16 yea even the Truth that is the Mysterie of godliness that great Mystery God was manifested in the Flesh justified in the Spirit c. And so these unfeigned Believers united to Christ having his word as delivered by his Apostles in their heart be his Witnesses now and the Ministers he hath chosen for this Ministration to minister according to the grace and gifts given them none presuming beyond these are the holy City and Sanctuary of his building and the Ministers of the things thereof Rev. 11.1 2 3. to whom he gives Spirit and Power that they may witness him even to the World and among these is the true Altar even in this Temple and these are the Worshippers thereat and because of the Gospel in their hearts and there through some portion of these forementioned spiritual gifts by which they witness him hold forth the word of life with their tongues therefore their tongue is said to be as choice silver and their lips to feed many Prov. 10.21 22. Pro. 15 10. Psa 35.28 71.24 119.172 51.31 1 Thes 1.8 1 Cor. 3.3 18. Gal. 5.22 23. their tongue useth knowledge aright and speaks of God's righteousness and praise all the day yea even so as sinners may be converted to him and so from them the word of God soundeth forth And also by the same Spirit in the Gospel their hearts being framed to the minde and design of Christ they so have a Christ-like Spirit springing up Love Joy Peace c. which leadeth them to walk in Faith and Love in Holiness and Mercy Mat. 5.16 c. So that also hereby they do witness of him and hold forth the word of Life also in their conversation in good works and holy profession whence the Fruit of the Righteous is called A Tree of Life Prov. 11.30 Ezek. 47.12 Rev. 22.2 2 Cor. 9.2 and a way of winning Souls yea their Fruit is for Meat and their Leaf for Medicine so their Conversation winneth and their Zeal provoketh many and because the Spirit of Glory resteth on them 1 Pet. 4.10 11 14. and giveth them power to glorifie God in witnessing both these wayes though through sufferings Therefore in respect of their twofold witnessing and holding forth the word of Life to glorifie God and do good to Men convincing by Truth and comforting with Truth and confuting falshood Rev. 11 4. They are also called the two Witnesses that witness yea that witness the Truth on God's part against the Man of sin and God of the World and the two Olive-Trees that bring forth that good Fruit whence the good Oyl runneth and the two Candlesticks that hold forth the true Light that shineth so that every way it appears that these unfeigned Believers united to Christ in him by Faith and he in them by Word Spirit are his chosen Ones to bring forth Fruit his Ministers for carrying an end the Ministration of this last Revelation of Christ till he come again these are the Temple of God the House of God the Church of God I need not to use worldly terms else I might shew how these are the Achademah or School University and Colledge in which are all the Scholars that are taught of God And
I might shew how Christ is here the chief Master Doctor and Rabbi and the Prophets and Apostles the Masters of this Assembly the Scriptures the Library the Testimony of Jesus the Original the Holy Spirit therein the Interpreter the way of Learning and coming to knowledge is Attention and believing the Fellows and Collegiates are all that are built upon Jesus and so one in this spiritual house the pupils are all that like or desire to learn the Doctrine of the Gospel though yet hardly believing or weak and unstable in the Faith or believing the Truth of the Gospel and professing it but not so prevailed with by it as to be united to Christ and framed to his Minde so as to have his word in their heart these not yet to be Teachers but Learners but the residue all Teachers according to the measure of Faith and Gifts given them and their acts are Fellowship in the Gospel and to those acts the World may come also to hear And all the Ministers God approveth and sendeth forth to minister Gospel to the World they are brought up in and sent forth of this University being Members thereof as is proved in that already said and yet I would add one proof more even from the Prayer of our Saviour for these in John 17. where having prayed for the fitness furniture and blessing on the ministration of those immediately called chosen taught and set forth by himself he proceedeth in that Prayer saying Joh. 17.6 7 8 9 11 14 15 16 17 18 19 vers 20. Neither do I pray for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word which is no other but his own word he received of the Father and gave to them and so it is through their Ministration of the word and so the same word and as ministred and recorded by these first VVitnesses who were immediately sent forth by him with this Ministration for the Obedience of Faith among all Nations and for all that believe through their word He prayeth Vers 21. That they all he saith not some onely or the chief Officers they shall chuse but the unfeigned Believers even they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us VVhich cannot be meant of the Essence of God because he speaketh of Ministration nor is it meant onely of being one in him by the Spirit of Faith relying on him though this be included yea the union of the Father and Son in will for Ministration and of the Father in the Son and the Son in the Father and so the union between them is more then so yea I may say there is such an union between them as is higher then we can conceive and incommunicable also though the benefit of it be communicable but the union here meant appears by that foregoing and this following with the scope of the business to be the union of the Spirit for Ministration as the Father was and is one and of one minde in Christ that he should make peace by his blood and then preach peace that Men might believe and that in preaching peace he should speak his words that he gave him and seek his ends for glorifying him in displaying and extending Salvation to Men and eternally saving believing Men. So Christ was one in and with the Father in all this and in the same love with the same design did both make peace by his Blood and preach peace in the same words and for the same end the Father gave them to him and so are they one in the same love and design for the good of Mankinde in this Ministration of peace-preaching to bring Men in to believe and to preserve Believers to eternal Life And now having committed the Ministry of Reconciliation by peace-preaching to his first VVitnesses and prayed for and begun to frame them into union with him in this design he prayeth therewith for all that unfeignedly believe on him through their word and so are united to him by Faith and Love that they may be framed by the same Spirit of Faith to his minde and so be one in the Father and him in the same love and the same design for carrying forth this Ministration as he did and to the same ends though through like sufferings as he did and as the first VVitnesses did that so we may be one together with them and all one in the Father and the Son in this love and design pursued in the same way for Ministration And this to be the union meant appears also in the next words which are That the world that is such as yet believe not may believe that thou hast sent me which can be no less Vers 21. then that through their Ministration carried forth in such love and union of Spirit and way such as yet believe not may believe c. And this to be the meaning the next words shew Vers 22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them which is not the glory he had with the Father before the world was and with which he is now glorified at the Father's right hand for that was not then as yet given to him as he was Man but to be given him on the finishing his whole work for suffering and overcoming death and his own immediate personal Ministration and his Ascension into Heaven and offering up the acceptable sacrifice and then was that glory given him so that of this glory he speaketh not but of the glory of the Ministration given him immediately of the Father which was a more great and glorious Ministration then ever before given to Moses or any of the Priests or Prophets or John Baptist and so it 's called the glorious Gospel And this Ministration with commission with power and authority and Spirit he received immediately from the Father and so gave it as immediately to the first VVitnesses and now here mediately through the belief of their Gospel unto all unfeigned Believers in every age that through their word believe to them and all them our Saviour gives this glory of the commission power and authority for Ministration Vers 22. and that to these ends both that they may be one even as we are one in that union forementioned and so Vers 23. I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one I in them The Nature of all Mankinde is in me in which I have died their Death and suffered the Curse that was due for their sins and made peace for them by my Blood and offered the acceptable Sacrifice and obtained eternal Redemption and received in the Nature of Man Remission of sins and fulness of Spirit Grace Truth and Eternal Life for Men that in believing Men might receive me and in receiving me receive it all And now these believing though not by my immediate personal Ministration yet by my mediate Ministration through the
the Gospel having that also to testifie withal And so that none go beyond the proportion of Faith dealt to him even that which he is without taking it on trust from others Rom. 12.3 4 6 7 8. 2 Cor. 12.4 5 6 12. enabled to see and understand in the Gospel so as verily thereby to believe and that his venting be not in imitation of other Men's Gifts and Administrations but according to the Manifestation of the Spirit and Grace given him freely operating and leading him forth and not straining beyond that 3. For giving this honour to no Man on Earth how learned soever or in what Office soever or of what parts excellency Mat. 23.9 10. Isa 8.20 2 Thes 5.20 21. Col. 2.8 18. Gal. 1.6 7 8. Rom. 3.4 1 Cor. 7.23 Gal. 1.10 2 Cor. 4.5 6. 1 Joh. 4.6 or appearing godliness soever as to make count or call him our Rabbi Master or Teacher so as to take any matter of Faith on trust from him for Truth or to be waved from the belief of or holding forth the Truth of the plain-sayings of Christ in the Gospel out of fear to make such a one a liar or to temper our Doctrine and delivery so as it may suit with any cross sayings of his yea to give this honour of taking this upon trust to none but God and Christ Mat. 23.8 and so to him for his sake taking it from his Prophets and Apostles by whom in the Record left by them he speaks to us still And that none desire or take this honour to himself but let God and Christ by his Spirit in the Gospel delivered and recorded by his first Witnesses be our Father Rabbi and Master for Faith and Love and all holy walking and we as Brethren 4. For keeping the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Eph. 4.2 3. 1 Cor. 4.6 7. 12.4 11. Phil. 2.3 4 5. that we be not any of us puft up with the excellency of our own Gifts or Administrations nor discontent at the meanness thereof in respect of others nor despise or discountenance others for their meanness therein but acknowledging God and Christ in all and in love preferring one another Rom. 14.32 21. 15.1 4. that we judge not despise not one another for difference in some outward things through the knowledge or want of the knowledge of our Liberty in Christ nor trouble the weak Brethren with doubtful disputations But with all lowliness and meekness with all long-suffering forbearing one another in love Eph. 4.2 3 4. 1 Cor. 1.6 10 Phil. 3.14 1â— endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the Gospel-Love and design forementioned in the bond of peace that we may all speak the same thing in the Testimony of Christ confirmed among us and if in any thing any of us be otherwise minded to wait for God in the Ministration to reveal the same to him nevertheless to walk by the same Rule of faith and love according to that we have attained and so minde the same thing that there be no divisions among us so shall all men know us to be Christ's Disciples Joh. 13.35 5. For keeping cleer and fair the Name and Truth that is written upon us 1 Tim. 6.11 12 13 14. Tit. 2.10 Phil. 2.27 Col. 3.17 1 Cor. 10.31 that we follow after Righteousness Holiness Purity Mercy good Works and flie all Pride Wrath Malice Coverousness Fraud Lying Uncleanness Intemperancy c. that we do not blur or deface the Name and Writing that is upon us but adorning the Gospel we profess doing all things heartily as to the Lord in the Name of Christ to the glory of God and good of Men. 6. 1 Cor. 16.14 2 Cor. 5.14 1 Cor. 13. 1 Cor. 8.1 2 3. 14.1 2 5 12. For the profiting in speaking and walking that it may take place with and be edifying to others to see that all our speakings and doings be done in charity with the love and bowels of Christ moving us with desire of the good of others without which all Knowledge Faith Gifts Works or Sufferings will not avail us in this profiting and so in desire of spiritual gifts that we desire them not for our own applause or exaltation but for the edifying of the Church and that in this desire also we do more earnestly desire and follow after charity And these with such-like are the constant and abiding helps given in the Gospel for Believers which in living by Faith they may alwayes have and use and so be preserved from erring in Doctrine Ministration or Manners so that here is a sufficient gracious helpfulness and Furniture always needful and always at hand for all times till Christ come again yet in respect of some occasions there is yet needful to them some other helps as order and helps in Government with which they are also furnished in this Revelation of Christ in the Gospel CHAP. 16. Of the helps in respect of occasions which are given these witnesses FOr the encrease and multitudes of Believers and Professors of the Faith brought in by this Ministration because their Societies and Assemblies may come to be both many and many of them great and numerous and because their employments in this World be many and various and because many brought in to believe the Report of the Gospel to be a Truth are not yet by it convinced of their own unbelievingness vileness and the emptiness of their own righteousness Joh. 2.23 24. 8.31 36. vileness and the emptiness of their own righteousness and some though convinced yet not prevailingly wrought upon to be through-hearted in cleaving and submitting to Christ to have all their life in him and live to him though in abiding in this belief of the Truth and attending this Ministery of it it will save them and work them up to the Truth that will make them free both which though Attenders and of the outward Society yet not the true Sanctuary and so to be Learners and not the Teachers yea it may be also some in some measure unfeignedly believing and yet Novices newly come to the Faith 1 Tim. 3.6 may be ready to speak beyond the proportion of Faith given them yea and it may so be that some feigned and dissembling ones yea and disorderly ones also may creep into the outward profession and so be of this Society in profession and so the outward Court though while such not in nor of the Sanctuary and holy Place of which hath before been spoken and by reason of this if help be not had disorder and confusion will be found in and blemishes besal the whole Society but for remedy hereof there are helps afforded One for Constancy and that is order in speaking in the Assembly that but one speak at once and the rest be silent and so two or three may speak one after another so it be in order and after while time and silence is may
a pattern he is set forth to them in which as he is glorified so God is glorified in and by him so that predestination here cannot be a predestination of Men to be saved for whom Christ should die and suffer to save them for he then should not be the first-born in such a predestination scarce so the first in order but here he is the first in the choise predestination call justification and glorification and so in the whole pattern above all in excellency and they First believing and chosen in him and then predestinated to be conformed to him that therein he may be the chief and first-born among many Brethren And so we have the meaning in the Apostle's Description Secondly Let all these things in the words be considered as the Apostle here proposeth to the Believers according to his wonted manner the examples of such as had gone before them in the Faith to comfort and encourage them to service and suffering and through sufferings to wait for glory in which examples he also sets forth Christ as the chief to behold and conform to they when chosen were predestinated and then called to it and also justified and glorified and there is no change in God we may be sure believing in him 1 Tim. 1.16 he will even so deal in the same manner with us they are patterns for us that believe And so the Apostle giving a definition of Faith and a description of it and the marvellous effects of it in the whole Chapter Heb. 11.1 vers 13.2 sets forth a Catalogue of the great things done and suffered and their victory and certainty of the promises encourageth them having such a cloud of witnesses Heb. 12.1 2 to lay aside every c. and to run with patience the race set before them but above all looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith who c. and so likewise James Take Jam. 5.10 11. my Brethren the Prophets c. for an example of suffering afflection and of patience behold we count them happy which endure ye have heard of the patience of Job and ye have seen the end of the Lord. 1 Pet. 2.5 So that as the purpose and promise of the Lord is They that trust in him shall not be confounded so these examples of his dealing with his beloved Ones Psal 9.10 34.22 Psal 22.4 5 is as a cord let down from Heaven to draw and hold us to trust in him at all times yea this exercise of Faith the Spirit leads Believers to and upholds and fills them with pleas in greatest distresses and that the Apostle propounds examples here of such as have finished their course appears in that the whole here said in 29 and 30 verses in the preterfect Tense not a word of that doing or to be done but all done Hath predestinated called justified glorified and thus taken the whole business is yet more plain And so I proceed 3. To shew what the Calling is that is here meant that foresaid hath done it already It is not the Call of unbelievers and sinners to repent and believe for Christ was never so called and though in that Call Believers are brought in to him yet it 's a following work of grace to conform to him so that the Call here is the Call of those that are Believers to such services and suffering and imitation of Christ in both as that both in the Call and the services of love and suffering they are conformed to him as is already shewn Moreover whom he did predestinate them also he called Rom. 8.30 There hath not been any of those that have been called according to purpose and loved God and were approved of him but as he hath predestinated them so also moreover and besides he hath called them forth to these services and sufferings and so to conformity with Christ therein and he is the same God still and keeps the same course still with all Believers and Lovers of him yet may we be confident and rejoyce in him in all for 4. Whom he called them also he justified The Justification here meant Rom. 4.5 3.25 is farther then simply a Justification of the ungodly believing in Christ and so receiving remission of sins past even such a Justification as in which the justified are conformed to Christ in his justification and what that was is express in the place of the Prophet Isa 50.7 8 9 Isa 43.2 Neh. 13.14 Heb. 11.4 2 Cor. 8.12 6.8 Rev. 12.11 Psal 44.17 18 Rom. 8.36 37 Isa 41.9 10 11 12 13 14 15 37 40 to which the Apostle alludes in this Chapter which Justification includes in it Help and Assistance in all services and sufferings even when they pass through fire and water that they shall not be overthrown or harmed and however condemned and defamed by Men yet he will accept and justifie their services and sufferings and approve of and justifie them believing in him when and while they are exercised in these services and sufferings yea he give them victory so as they shall overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their Testimony yea he hath alwayes done this to his Saints he called hereto he hath justified them and not onely so but Whom he justified Joh. 17.1 Heb. 12.2 Psal 44.17 18 c. Isa 52.2 Rev. 14.13 6.9 10 11. 2 Cor. 5.8 Phil. 1.23 3.20 them he also glorified He hath glorified his Son in the Nature of Man that suffered and finished the work he gave him to do so as he is glorified at his right hand he hath glorified the Saints that followed him with the glory of victory their Bodies at rest in hope and their Spirits with the Lord enjoying glorious rejoycing in the sight of his glorified body and happiness in his presence with infallible assurance of having their glory compleated on Soul and Body at his coming in the Resurrection of the Just and so hath he done to all his Saints before and so will do still and for ever And thus by this Rom. 8.28 29.30 we are led to understand the Purposes of God to be even such and the same that have been set forth in this fourth Part of the Treatise if we consider in the whole three Verses the next two things forenamed it more appears that is 5. What the end and scope of the Apostle here is and that appears plainly 1. Ch. 7.4 7 8.1 4 5 6 12 13 14 To stir them up to abide firm in the Faith and to minde the things of the Spirit and walk after the Spirit in love-services 2. Vers 17 18 23 24 To comfort and support them in the afflictions that came upon them while they walked after the Spirit in the Faith that worketh by love and so encourage them to patience and constancy in the induring of their afflictions persevering in faith and love yea even 3. To lead them to triumphing
this should be framed out of its dregs after plain Gospel-Testimony is believed there being no one Saying in the Gospel declaring any such thing or that giveth ground for any such consequence and why should any of us that have received so much good in the Gospel-Testimony strain for a consequence to maintain that which the Gospel declareth not yea which stands cross to many Declarations yea Heb. 4.6 and to the scope of that very place alledged some must enter which appears to be spoken to encourage the weakest Believers to abide and go on in their Faith that they may enter the Rest or Canaan Compare ch 3. 4. with ch 6 12-20 11. See Part 3. ch 2. God hath sworn to give Abraham Isaac and Jacob and their Seed and they looked to receive it in a heavenly manner a new Earth c. which they never yet did nor shall till we all to the last that shall be called by the Gospel-Ministration come to enter together with them True God by Moses called them out of Egypt to that very promised Canaan but not at that time to receive it in that manner promised to Abraham but yet to receive it for which he gave them his promise which they not firmly believing especially after the receit of the first-Fruits all the antient Men except Caleb and Joshua that followed him fully in the faith of his Promise fell in the Wilderness and entred not not but that Moses Aaron Miriam Zelophehad and all like them even all but the rebellious shall in the Resurrection of the Just rise again and enter this promised Rest with Abraham c. So that in this they were but Types and Examples to us Those that Joshua led into the Land the Lord by Joshua gave them rest and in continuing in the Law of the Lord they might have retained it in that manner till the coming of Christ but yet the Rest as promised to Abraham was not then given no nor yet so long after as in David's time who when a King there and had both his people and his enemies subdued to him yet confest himself a stranger as his Fathers were and affirmed the promised Rest to be yet to come yet sure all that lived and died in the Faith must rise and enter when Abraham enters after God sent forth Christ for a Witness and Covenant that resting on him by Faith they might be so entring and in due time fully enter And the Gospel hereof was first preached to the Jews who for the most part refused and so entred not by by Faith and deprived themselves of a personal entrance when the time cometh yet God in his faithfulness to Abraham will preserve a Seed of Men of his Generation through all troubles that there should be found of them surviving at the coming of Christ and be brought in by him and shall enter when Abraham and all that sleep in Jesus shall be raised and enter together with them and till then none so enter for were it already so entred our hope would be cut off but it is not the rest yet remaineth for the people of God that we believing and abiding in Christ may have him for our rest and so be entring by Faith now and personally at Christ his next coming to encourage all Believers to firmness and constancy in this faith is the drift scope of the Apostle Rom. 9.19 who hath thus opened the same Methinks none should be so void of fear to affirm that as the Saying of the Holy Ghost which is given as the suggestion of an evil spirit Saying of a vain Man and so reproved Who hath resisted his Will as if none had or could which with grief I suppose true Believers will confess they have too often What other evils of dissention among Brethren c. the affirming of this devised Purpose to be both the Purpose of God and the Foundation and what other inconveniencies follow the maintaining of the last mentioned figment I will forbear to speak onely I confess for the reverence I bare to some I was a long time snared with this old fable till I experimented the evils mentioned and was brought to confess God in his Sayings true whoever be a lyar nor do I now blame any but my self who might have received good onely and not harm by what I read if I had not made Mens holiness and learning but the Scripture onely the umpire of my Faith and yet I have learned this That a Wolf in a Sheep's-Skin may for a time be imbraced and pleaded for by them that are no Wolves and so to be sober in judging yea this I farther confess That when I thought my self freed this last mentioned figment did a long time remain with me yea I was not freed of it when that my first published Tract called by the Printer The Vniversality of God's Free-Grace to Mankinde was put forth some Expressions there of it I wish were amended So that in this whole Chapter I own the blame of all the folly shewn to my self desiring of God as for forgiveness of all my Transgressions so of those in maintenance and favour of this old Fable or the last mentioned figment in Word or any Manuscript of mine desiring him that hath freed me to free others And yet I believe the eternal Purpose of God and the Foundation he hath laid according to his Purpose and his Election of that Foundation and of all in believing united to him to be verily true precious unmoveable unalterable as they are revealed in the Scripture as I have fore-declared CHAP. 12. The Conclusion about the Purposes of God to be known and believed THe Gospel as now come forth the Testimony of Christ in that which he hath suffered and done and what he is to and for them and what he doth to them that they might believe and what he will farther do to and for them believing his Father's and his own end in all this it is the Word and Minde of God yea the very opening and Declaration of the Heart Bosome Counsels and Purposes of God there is no Purpose of God cross to any part of this Testimony nor is there any Purpose that is God's but what is according to this Testimony which is the Word and Declaration of the Minde of the living God Rom. 6.25 26. Eph. 3.3 9. and called his Decree not to be doubted or waved from by any Suggestion of other secret Purposes or by feigned pretences of other meanings as if it were the Word of a Man that spake by guess or probabilities or according to appearances but to be believed and received as the word of the Almighty all-knowing God of Truth wherein the very mystery of his Will is opened to us Wherefore it becomes us neither to imagine our selves nor receive of others nor pry into any Purposes as if Purposes of God that are not declared in and according to the Testimony of Christ
in the Gospel beware of Evah's desire of knowledge but if we would know mysteries Rom. 1.16 1 Thess 2.13 minde well and believe fiâ—â—ly the Declaration of the Gospel and that believed with the heart as the Word of the God of Truth will enlighten and work effectually in us yea if that be so heeded as the very discovery of the Minde Heart and Purpose of God to such unworthy Ones as we what appearances of divine Love what excellencies what depths of understanding and knowledge what supernatural shines divine streams spiritual operations in melting renewing heart-rejoycing yea what nighness approach to God what fellowship with Father and Son and with Prophets and Apostles yea what hope and heavenly riches is to be met with through the Spirit in belief of this Testimony will not be believed without some experiment in the Declarations of well-grown and experimented Believers much less in the scanty Declaration of such a one as I therefore I forbear that Declaration knowing that when any do come heartily to believe the Gospel-Testimony of Christ they will experiment so much that they will confess As they have heard they have found but withall they think the half was not told them and then they will see enough in the Purpose of God as revealed for them to know and this may be farther said That the Purposes of God as revealed in the Gospel are such as are meet and forcible if believed to draw unbelievers to believe to confirm weak Believers in the Faith and to make valiant the strong All which things hath been before shewn and proved An Explicite Declaration of the Testimony of Christ c. PART V. CHAP. I. Of the Promises of God in the behalf of Mankinde THe Promises of God Psal 12.5 6 7. 2 Cor. 1.20 are true pure and certain to be performed according to the terms of his Word and Promise they are like his Purposes yea the Declarers of his Purposes and so Yea and Amen in Christ And those I am now to take view of are those which have their tendency toward the Salvation of Mankinde out of the death he fell into by the first Adam and the Justification and eternal Salvation of Believers And these I shall view in three Heads or Branches first Those done secondly also in doing thirdly those remaining to be done The first Head or Branch of Promises is of those things that are truly most Gen. 3.15 with 2 Joh. 3.5 Gen. 22.18 with Gal. 3.16 Isa 42.1 7. 49.6 and all in some sense done and performed and these are of two sorts I name the later first because first made known to Man that is 1. To Mankinde for giving and sending a Saviour 2. To Christ the Saviour upon his oneness of Will and Minde with the Father in his undertaking to be the Saviour and to save according to the Will and Minde of the Father 5.3 4 10. with Joh. 3.16 17. 1 Joh. 4.14 Act. 13.47 and these are also both in plain and express Promises and also certainly intimated in the Curse and Threats on the Serpent and Serpentine Seed the Enemies of the Salvation of Mankinde and of the Peace and Prosperity of the Church the Seed of Christ the Seed of the Woman 1. The Promises to Mankinde for giving and sending a Saviour even Christ that he should be a very Man of the Seed of the Woman Emmanuel God with us that he should come of Abraham and blessing be in him for all Nations that he should die and rise and offer the Propitiatory Sacrifice and make Atonement for the sins of Men and be filled with Spirit so as he shall be God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth even the Saviour of the VVorld that whoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting Life which things are before explained in the Purposes of God of which the Promises are the Discoverers And these Promises are fulfilled Act. 13.31 32.33 Rom. 8.32 and he that verily believeth God to have fulfilled his Promise in this may very well trust him in any other Promise 2. The Promises to Christ the Saviour Psa 40.6 7. Heb. 10.5 7. Isa 50.9 Psal 116.10 11. Psal 2.6 110.1 Isa 42.1 50.4 5 6. 61.1 2 3. Psa 110.4 Isa 49.7 8 55.5 Mal. 3.1 Isa 40. Psal 68.11 19. Prov. 9.3 Isa 53.10 11 12. Psa 2.8 9. 89.20 21 27. 1 Chron. 17.13 14. Isa 65.9 upon his oneness of Minde and Will with the Father in his undertaking to be the Saviour and to save according to the Minde and Will of the Father as That he would give him a Body that in it he might do his Will That he would be with him in all his Sufferings and uphold him and raise him out of Death and exalt him after his Sufferings and Resurrection and set him at his right Hand and fill him with the fulness of the Spirit in the Nature of Man and so give him the Tongue of the Learned and That he would make him an High-Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedec and That he would be present with him to make his Mediation prosperous and he would also give him a Messenger to go before his Face or Presence to prepare the way before him and Witnesses also to declare him when he had finished the Work he was to do in his own Body and That he should see his Seed and the work of the Lord should prosper in his Hand and That he would give the Heathen to him for an Inheritance to rule and the Kingdom and heavenly Inheritance for himself and all his spiritual Seed that should be his Jewels and his peculiar Inheritance All which things are explained in the Purposes which are discovered in the Promises And as the former Promises to Mankinde so these to Christ as undertaking for Mankinde are all of both sorts for the good and benefit of Mankinde and yet had they no dependence on the Faith of particular Men but that God would send his Son to be the Saviour and so furnish him to be a Saviour depended onely upon the Truth and Faithfulness of God and should upon that account be performed to and for Men notwithstanding all the unbelief of Men though Men come to the use of understanding cannot receive the special saving benefit but in the belief which belief was not so easie nor had so demonstrating and powerful evidence and Argument to draw to believe as since it is unbared in the performance And note That these Promises to Mankinde and as to Christ for the good of Mankinde are Promises of Christ by God to Mankinde but not so properly as the following Promises through Christ suitable to our Saviour's Doctrine of his Father's VVill in his Love he freely found out the Ransome and promised and gave his Son to be the Saviour but extendeth Salvation by and through his Son Christ Joh. 3.16 17. Rom. 5.6 8 Gal. 4.4 1 Tim.
and Love of God hath so set them forth even to Believers for their good were it not sinful Jer. 23.16 17 27 32 33 34. by any dreams or colourable pretext to steal away the Word of the Lord in this respect from his People counting this part of his Word a burthen Surely it was not well done of Mr. Owen to alter the Words of the Apostle Heb. 3.14 in stead of For we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginnings of our confidence stedfast unto the end Pag. 429. to put in Those onely are made partakers of Christ c. and then to add words of his own viz. And for the rest they are not c. The Apostle not using that Language it is not well done of any to use it to take away the word in the force of the Spirits caution joyned with his consolation from Believers and that is something worse to give out as if that said 1 Sam. 12.22 were not the consolation given to all the people to whom Samuel spake to encourage them to obey his exhortation 1 Sam. 12.20 21. and the threat vers 25. a warning not to them all to deter them from disobedience but the consolation to one part of them as godly and the threatning to another part of them as wicked and that Men might believe this to make the one part of them like those spoke of Jer. 31. which speaks neither to nor of such a peculiar people as was then in being though Mr. Owen would have Men conceive so but of a Generation of that Nation that shall be left of the Sword Jer. 31.1 2 3 4 5 31 32 33 34. and found surviving when the judgements of God have been executed on that Nation that then after those dayes shall be made such a peculiar people so it was wrongfully concluded hence by him that the threatnings such as in that 1 Sam. 12.25 are onely to the wicked and not to the Saints but to acquaint them with the terror of the Lord how he hateth wickedness and the Promises onely to the Saints and not to the residue of the people that the wicked may know his love of goodness how this will stand with his two Sayings before twice mentioned of the Promises made to sinners as sinners c. I need say nothing but of that he saith elsewhere viz. That the Saints are only wrought on and perswaded by the love promises of God but not by the terror of the Lord and that is it they hold forth only to the wicked affirming the same of Paul 2 Cor. 5.11 This is not right neither for the very word in that Text with that went before 2 Cor. 5.8 9 10 11. includes the judgement also in which the terror is as that which was also in the motive of his own and other Believers being perswaded to diligence yea intimates it also to have had some prevalency with the Corinthians And plain it is there also 13 14 15 19 20. That he held forth chiefly and mostly the love of God in Christ even to perswade unbelievers and not the terror without it nor but for the contempt and refusal thereof but no need to strive about that is so cleer who can read that profession of Job so oft expressing it and concluding For destruction from God was a terror to me Iob. 31.1 23. and by reason of his highness I could not endure Psal 119.120 And of David My flesh trembleth for fear of thee and I am afraid of thy judgements And of Levi that not onely feared the Lord Mal. 2.5 but also was afraid before his Name And of Habakkuk Hab. 3.16 who when he heard the voice of the judgements his belly trembled his lips quivered at the voice rottenness entred into his bones and he trembled in himself that he might finde rest in the day of trouble Yea hath not God promised to look to him Isa 66.2 5. 28.13 and appear to his joy that trembleth at his word when shame shall befal those that by devices labour to put it from themselves as not having any thing to do with them yet the Spirit saith expresly Prov. 28.14 Happy is the man that feareth alway but he that hardneth his heart shall fall into mischief yea was not Moses thus led for Israel Num. 22.6 15. Iosh 22.15 22. 1 Cor. 9.27 10.1 6 11. and Phinehas yea Paul in respect of himself and also directing all Believers to the same So that this fear in such as believe the Promises is no desperate but a hopeful fear as well standing with confidence as godly sorrow and mourning doth with rejoycing in the Lord as is seen in Job David c. So that this was rashly affirmed and yet worst of all that Affirmation of this Saying Pag. 221. God to be with us while we are with him is a cursed liberty left Men of departing wickedly from God it had not been well so to affirm of that saying of David to Abiathar 1 Sam. 22.2 â— Abide thou with me fear not for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life but with me thou shalt be in safety But when God in Christ Jesus hath called people to himself spoken peace to them in the Blood of his Son free'd them from the charges of the Law from the Accusations of sin and the tyranny of the Devil and terrors of death and filled them with the consolations of his goodness and promised them eternal life and also told them of the malice of Satan and the World and how they seek to devour them giving them this counsel and comfort saying I am with you and for you abide you in me and with me and I will be with you for ever and with me you shall be in safety but if you abide not in me you will be forsaken and lie open to all danger Shall any call this a cursed liberty c Surely Methinks if they could not see the goodness of it yet they should forbear reviling it knowing it to be the very Saying of the Holy Spirit in the Prophet 2 Chron. 15.2 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. to a good King and good People The Lord is with you while you be with him and if ye seek him he will be found of you but if you forsake him he will forsake you And this they counted not a cursed but a blessed liberty and it had as good a fruit in them Ioh. 15.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. And such-like Language used by our Saviour to his chosen Disciples who surely would have shunned it as blasphemy to call it a cursed liberty left Men of departing wickedly from God they knew it tended and the fruit of it in Believers was to keep Men both humbly and confidently to God If the saying startled and enraged him because it could not be answered yet so odious a censure trenching on God's own words might
1.12 13. 1 Joh. 5.12 13. Gal. 3.29 Ioh. 6.40 45. 10.27 28 29. Ioh. 14.16 17 26. 15.26 27. 16.7 13 14 Rom. 8.26 23 14 15 16. Psal 73.24 and are Abraham's Seed and Heirs according to Promise and he will own them and keep them so as they hear his voice and follow him and he will give them eternal Life and they shall not perish And this he will do by giving forth into their hearts his Spirit in and with his Word to minde them of his Sayings foresaid by himself and by his Spirit in his Prophets and Apostles and so to testifie of him and take of the things of him and shew them and so glorifying him to them he will both enable them to pray to God in his Name and receive Answers from him and also witness with their Spirits that they are the Sons of God and so lead them in his way into all Truth and unto Glory and assures Believers in a plain Affirmation by his Spirit both that there is an incorruptable and undefiled inheritance that fadeth not 1 Pet. 1.4 5. reserved in Heaven for them and also that they are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation it 's cleer the power of God here meant is Rom. 1.16 1 Thes The Word of Grace he hath helped them to believe which is the power of God to Salvation in every one that believeth and the Holy Spirit in and with that word which is the Hand Luk. 11.20 Act. 11.21 1 Cor. 3.4 〈…〉 3. 2 〈◊〉 3 4. Ioh. 17.11 12. the Finger and power of God the Divine Power or power of the Divine Nature in and with the Gospel which is his Name this that by which Christ in his Ministration kept those given him and by which the Father and he still keepeth such By this power of God are Believers kept through Faith unto Salvation ready to be revealed in the last times and how can it be through Faith if the Object of Faith seâ—â—rth in the Word and the influences of that Object be not continued to them that they may continue believing and in believing mix their Faith with these Promises and so be united to and with Christ in the Promises or how can it be through Faith if they also do not in the belief of the Grace Power Truth and Faithfulness of God which they have been helped to see and believe in believing the Testimony of his love in the gift of Christ and in his Blood shed for them when they were Enemies Rom. 5.6 7 8 9 10. Tit. 3.4.5 6 7. Gal. 5.5.6 6.6 Hab. 2.4 Rom. 1.17 Gal. 3.11 Heb. 10.38 Ioh. 3.36 Rom. 4.13 16. even from thence believe and relie on him for all that Grace and Life which he hath promised and so mix Faith with or be united by Faith to the Promises This being the professed way of the Believers confidence growth expectation and perseverance to the inheritance yea this the way of the Believers living in being justified and so preserved to the enjoyment of the inheritance promised till which time there is no other way for the just to live but by Faith and by Faith they shall live and God hath appointed this to be by Faith even to this end That it may be by Grace and that the Promise may be sure to all the Seed And indeed it can no other way be sure nor is there need of any other assurance of perseverance to the inheritance then the assurance of Faith even the assurance that Faith in the Object giveth and Faith in believing receiveth when through the belief of the Love of God to sinners appeareth Rom. 4.17 25. 5.1 2 5 6. Isa 28.6 1 Pet. 2.6 2 Tim. 1.12 4.18 2 Cor. 5.1 in having given his Son Christ to die for their sins and being therethrough led to believe in God for performing his Promises and so mix Faith with the Promises This the Faith of Abraham of which Faith and assurance of hope therein none that have it will or need to be ashamed for sure here are Promises enough confirmed enough in Christ for Believers to mix with Faith and so trust in God even for keeping and preserving them and as he doth enough to keep them trusting in him so he will never fail or forsake any that trust in him But alas will some say this is comfortable to them that in believing do mix Faith with these Promises for their perseverance and so trust in God but we are not able in and by all we believe to mix Faith with these Promises and so to rest patiently on God for our perseverance yea we are not sure the Faith we have is such but that we may fall from it To whom I answer If thou believe the Testimony of Christ as given in the Gospel thou shalt be saved and in this belief abiding in him thou shalt not miss but finde his Grace enabling thee to mix Faith with these promises for perseverance and to help thee and all that believe Jesus to be the Christ Here is yet farther provision for thee in the precious Promises to lead thee on and so enable thee to mix thy Faith with the Promises and these helps though all to one gracious end yet in some respects they are divers and manifold yet meeting in one to lead thee to unite thy Faith with these Promises onely before I mention them take this Coveat that an Opinion of an impossibility of one that doth once truely and indeed believe to fall away again from the Faith is none of the helps given thee in Scripture nor is this Saying That many of the Saints are not enabled all their dayes to mix the Promises of perseverance with Faith and on that account do never get Freedom from Bondage any of the helps given nor will the holding of an Opinion that all true Believers and Saints shall certainly persevere bring those Saints to the heavenly rest and inheritance which never are united by Faith to the Promises yea even the Promises thereof and so have not their Faith mixed with the Promises The Apostle is plain in this desiâ—ing the Saints That he and the residue that knew this might without offence-taking by the Saints have leave and liberty to fear lest a promise being left of entring into his rest any of those Saints he wrote to should seem to come short of it and the very Ground of his fear was lest this Promise should not be mixed with Faith in every of the Saints that had heard it alleadging That the cause of others falling short and not profiâ—ing because the word heard was not mixed with Faith in them that heard And indeed the Holy Ghost doth not lead his instruments to daub up any with untempered motter as if they may be Saints that shall infallibly persevere and yet never be able all their dayes to nâ—â— Faith with the Promises of perseverance c. But he affordeâ—â— directions
other of an heavenly Inheritance with promise in their believing of Spirit to teach assist comfort and lead them They both were confirmed with Blood but not with like Blood the one with the Blood of Bullocks and Goats the other with the precions Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ They both had the Mediator in whose Hands they were given to officiate between God and the People to make known the minde of God unto the people and teach and guide them and to deal for the People with God in Prayer for the pardon of their sins and continuance of Mercies and Helps that they might come to the promised Rest but they were not both alike the one was a faithful Mediator a Man of Peace and loving the People Heb. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6. 8.1 6. 7.25 yet not a Prince of Peace that could create or instill Peace into the People nor sway their Hearts to his directions nor could he enter them into that Canaan but the other the Son of God and Son of Man Emmanuel God with us one with God and one with us the Prince of Peace that can create and infuse it and is able to save to the utmost all that come to God by him I might add two things more namely That they both had the Gospel and everlasting Covenant Deut. 4.34 30.11 15. Rom. 10.4 5 6 10. 2 Cor. 3.3 4 5 6 18. to preach in and under the Ministration of the Testaments but the one in and with the Letter giving no Life but requiring doing for Life and the other in and with the Spirit giving Life requiring onely believing and so receiving that which would work in which they might live And they both had Ministers the one Elders Priests and Levites to minister the first Testament in which was carnal Observances the other Apostles and Ministers in preaching the Gospel to hold forth and minister the New Testament in which his Spirit goeth forth to write it in the Hearts of Men. In all which Agreements and Differences between them and the excellency of the New Testament above the Old we may conceive what probably the New Testament is And yet with all this 2. That chiefly to be minded is that general and positive Rule Gal. 2.20 Gal. 3.20 A Mediator is not of one but God is one If this new Covenant were such as those with whom it was once made were in no sort Transgressors or alienated from God or if the Covenant were so made that the People with whom it is made there could be no Transgression on their part occasioning displeasure and difference then there would have needed no Mediator of this Testament If any say There needed a Mediator to make peace between God and fallen Mankinde This is very true but here is treated of a farther Mediation that is by vertue of that Blood Heb. 9.15 by which that Peace was fore-made by the Mediator If any say There needeth such a Mediator with God for procuring Patience Eph. 2.13 14 16 17 18. 1 Tim. 2.5 Mercies and Means to bring in fallen Mankinde for whom the Peace is made that they may know it and believe This is very true also and Jesus Christ is so the Mediator also but yet the Mediation here treated of is a Mediation for those who by his former Mediation are brought in to him and in Covenant with him for it is the Mediation of a new Covenant coming in after and making old that by Moses Abraham was first called and found faithful with God and then he made the everlasting Covenant absolutely with him which was confirmed in Christ the Mediator but not then mentioning a Mediator to mediate for his enjoyment of it being immediately given But when a Covenant is exprest to be given in the hands of a Mediator and the Mediator set to be the Mediator of that Covenant that those covenanted with may receive and enjoy that promised there is an import of some weaknesses and breaches and dangers thereby in those for whom the Mediation is made that they may be preserved to receive Till I saw this I judged the first Fruits of the everlasting Covenant to be the New Testament verily and onely and so this New Testament to be as absolutely made and as free from all respect of any thing on the Believers part as the Covenant made with Abraham was or that with Noah either But now I see my thoughts must be rectified yet is this no discouragement nor damage to me nor need be to any Rom. 8.32 36. 5.8 10. Heb. 9.14 15. 8.2 6 10. 7.25 Eph. 5.25 26 27. Isa 61.4 See par 2. ch 13. considering what a Mediator we have what he hath done for us how he is furnished for us how vertuous his Blood is and how for that cause he is the Mediator of this better Testament consisting of better Promises even to this end That the called may receive the promised Inheritance This being his work to wash and cleanse Believers that he may present them spotless and to give them beauty for ashes c. so that here is strong consolation against our weakness And in all hitherto said we may discern that the New Testament is something more then the Declaration of the Gospel as now come forth in mentioning the beginnings or declaring the Covenant made with Abraham or declaring the New Testament it self and yet something less then the New Covenant as made with Abraham or as to be made with him and all his Seed together and though a Dispensation of the first Fruits of the Spirit of the everlasting Covenant be in this New Testament yet that is also according to the New Testament both held forth and dispensed and if that already said will not shew what it is I will assay to more cleerness 3. For Scripture Expressions to help us I shall put a few to be considered Joh. 1.17 The Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ. Here is first affirmed That the Law that requiring so exact a Righteousness as it discovered and in every one sin sentenced to the Curse yea even for the least short coming and so killing and that of Levi and the Priesthood enjoyning so many Sacrifices and Ceremonies to be done or else every Transgression received a just Recompence of Reward and though done yet they did not purifie the Conscience nor make the comers to them or doers of them perfect but onely shadowed out him that was to come that they might look to him and be saved This Law came by Moses God gave this Covenant by him But Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ This next affirmed Grace that is free undeserved and rich Favour and Mercy in forgiving sins and accepting into Favour and Sonship by Jesus Christ that died for our sins and so fulfilled Truth and satisfied Justice and so made the Atonement and rose just as the publick Man for our Justification and
ascended to Heaven and offered the acceptable Sacrifice and obtained eternal Redemption and so is the Propitiation for our sins and Grace is onely by him And Truth that is fulfilling of the Promises he being immeasurably filled with the Holy Ghost in our Nature and the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily he is The Temple of God the High-Priest The Laver of Regeneration the Altar the Sacrifice The Propitiatory The Oracle c. the Truth of all figured by those is in him and so by him and had in having him and this vertuous from the beginning and so even then though in a more hidden way Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ. But now he hath come and done his first Work this mystery is manifested and the Spirit hath testified of him and this Testimony is Spirit and Life by which such as are led to believe in Christ do meet with Truth and so are said to worship him in Spirit this gracious Law opposed to that of Works and Types and in Truth acknowledging the Truth in Christ and meeting with him in believing on him as having done his first work for them Job 4.21 22 24. 1 Joh. 5.19 20. and now about the other in them and so they worship God in and through him and that they might thus do God hath done and provided all this in his Son and so made him known And so upon this account of Christ his being so full of Grace and Truth and having been so manifested also in the Nature of Man John Baptist in respect of himself and the first witnesses renders it in these words Joh. 1.14 16 17 vers 17. as the ground of that he affirmed vers 16. For of his fulness have we all received Grace for Grace other profitable senses of this noted before I onely now note this That as Moses received a Law of works and shadows to nurture the people Par. 3. ch 4. that in judging themselves for their sins by one part of the Law and looking to Christ that was to come in their use of the Types the other part of the Law they might through Christ receive Grace as all that so looked did but he having come hath abounded farther to us and we have of him received Grace a Gospel of Grace with a Law of Grace and a Spirit of Grace discovering the Atonement made and forgiveness in the Blood of Christ and Truth fulfilled in him so by the Grace of God in that Cross of Christ he suffered to shew Men the vileness of their sins the vanity of their Righteousness and yet through the same Cross to shew them the great Love Righteousness and Propitiousness of God the pardon of their sins in the Blood of Christ and the fulness of Love and Spirit in Christ to draw them in to believe assuring them in believing they shall receive forgiveness c. and so we have Grace that we may receive and declare Grace and God hath engaged himself that he will so witness of Christ Isa 42.1 8. 55.5 Joh. 3.15 16. Rom. 10.9 10 13 15. Act. 15.9 10 11. Gal. 5.6 1 Joh. 3.23 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. 1 Ioh 1.7 9. and he shall so far proceed with Men where the Gospel comes that they shall have their eyes opened that they may see and believe and hath also engaged himself to all that where the Gospel comes do according to the Light and Power he giveth believe on him he will save pardon and enlive them and write his Law in their Hearts And this Faith working Love he putteth no farther burden or yoke on any but to believe him and love one another and he will preserve them through Faith to the Inheritance and if they fail confess their failing and through the Mediator they shall be forgiven and cleansed And thus far the New Testament is and is to be held forth to all that live under the Gospel and all the baptized in the Name of the Lord have set their Hands to this Engagement and may live in hope of having it personally made with them but yet the personal making of this New Testament with Believers is yet a farther business see how that is exprest in Scripture also 2 Cor. 3.3 Tea are manifestly declared the Epistle of Christ ministred by us written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of Stone but in the fleshly tables of the heart It is express throughout this Chapter That the Apostle speaks here of the New Testament opposed to the Old Testament and so likewise it is evident here That in preaching the Gospel as now come forth they did also therein minister the New Testament 1 Cor. 1.6 7. and so it is here also evident That when Men in believing the Testimony of Christ in the Gospel come to believe on Christ then they receive the New Testament and how they receive it and what it is see here 1. Phil. 3.3 7 8 9 In believing on Christ the Grace believed breaketh the stoniness of the Heart and taketh down the pride and stoutness of it and humbleth and melteth it and enamoreth it with Christ and so makes the Heart fleshy tender flexible fit to receive his Sayings Teachings and Impressions And then 2. His making the New Covenant with them is begun by writing his Minde Heb. 8.10 2 Cor. 4.13 2 Tim. 1.7 his Design his Epistle by his own Spirit in their so prepared Heart giving into their Heart the Spirit of Faith of Love of Power and of a sound Minde so that they have in them a new Heart a new Spirit a new Man an inward living Principle derived from the Fountain in which they believe inclining them to love God and their Brother and to live by Faith and walk in Love and so to seek the farthering of his design in seeking the Honour of God in the Salvation of Men and the Prosperity of his Church so looking and waiting for the coming of the Lord the Spirit herein springing up Love Rom. 8.28 Joy Peace c. And this is a Dispensation of a spiritual first Fruits of the everlasting Covenant made with Abraham Isaac and Jacob and no otherwise made with any since excepting David about the Kingdom but in such a begun-performance But then minding the words and the Apostles scope in this place with other places speaking of the same business and we shall see That 3. In this Dispensation of Grace by his Spirit there is made a double Engagement on the part of Christ and on the part of the Believers in which respect it is rightly called a New Testament in opposition to the Old Testament given by Moses which also in this Dispensation is written not with Ink as the Old Testament was nor in Tables of Stone as one part of that was nor in Leaves of Parchment or any such thing as another part of that was but even in their Heart that is That Jesus Christ will
and all the spiritual Seed that were to follow of which they were to be Fathers and for that one which was spoken in particular of one particular it was vocally spoken and audibly heard by him to whom spoken and many others that were with him and for their sakes also this Man to whom it was spoken being before this speaking a Son So that all these and the like sayings shew what sure confidence Believers may have in remembring the Covenants made with their Fathers and the spiritual streaming in of such Sayings into their hearts a good relief in their fainting and help to enlarge their use of confidence in God that ever remembreth his Covanant made with the Fathers And this leads to a farther consideration of this Psal 125.1 2. viz. 3. That these words were not directly spoken to and for such as did not trust in the Lord Psal 125.1 2. to beget them to trust in the Lord though such an use may be and come of the hearing and minding them in convincement but they were and are directly spoken to and for such as are already Trusters in the Lord being first begot to trust in the Lord that they might not fear or depart through fainting or go aside in lifting up their Souls to any other strength wisdom righteousness policy or confidence for so he tells them in the same Psalm Such as in any straight or for any pretence turn aside namely Vers 5. from this way of trusting in the Lord unto their crooked wayes the Lord will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity but peace upon Israel opened by the Apostle directing as the rule to wait through the Spirit for the Righteousness of God by Faith c. saith Gal. 5 5 6 6.15 16. As many as walk according to this rule peace be on them and mercy upon the Israel of God And this the same with that in Habakkuk He whose Soul is lifted up is not upright in him but the just shall live by Faith And in this very sense doth the Apostle render that saying to the Hebrews Heb. 10.38 to which the whole 125 Psalm fully agreeth 4. This foresaid saying taketh away the strength of the Apostles consolation given to the believing Hebrews and so to all Believers thereby Heb. 13 5 6. viz. For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake theee so that we may boldly say The Lord is my helper I will not fear c. which Consolation the Apostle gives to the whole Church of the Hebrews to withdraw them from coverousness and firm them in confidence and not from a particular in-giving of these words to their Souls nor is there any likelihood they were so to all every or many of them nor is any such Caution put in But he layes it down as it was given when God was about the first literal fulfilling his Covenant made with Abraham and giving Joshua to be their Captain to encourage them to go on in his way he gives this Promise first to all Israel Deut. 31.6 the whole hurch Be strong and of good courage fear not nor be afraid of them for the Lord thy God he it is that doth go with thee he will not fail thee nor forsake thee And this Promise as a part of the Covenant made with their Fathers given to them Vers 7 8. was together with them again given to Joshua their Captain Now as our Joshua even Jesus that is the Captain and Finisher of our Faith the Fore-runner in whom all the Promises are Yea and Amen Heb. 12.2 Gal. 3.26 29. so it appertains to all that believe in him as his spiritual Seed and Heirs The Seed of Abraham The whole Church spoken of and to as one Thee and every one having right as being of the Seed of Abraham claiming their interest We. So the Apostle directs these believing Hebrews yea it being recorded and written he directs them to take what the Scripture saith as the Holy Ghost speaking to them Heb. 3.7 Gal. 3.7 8 9 29. Rom. 15.3 4 5. yea and so he directs all Believers even of the Gentile affirming them written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scripture might have hope in believing So that though this place I will be with thee c. have no otherwise been inspired to them then as it is written in the Scripture they believing in Christ in whom all the Promises are certain they are Heirs and the Promises pertain to them Rom. 8.17 Gal. 4.6 7. 3.26 29. and they in believing may have the comfort of them and yet for some particular difficult extraordinary business it may sometime be needful and very profitable for leading to farther trusting in the Lord to go through so great a business to have it particularly streamed into the heart of some chief Officer as this was to Joshua after the ministerial giving of it Josh 1.5 from whence I marvel learned Men should take that saying there as for every Saint rather then from its former ministerial giving to the whole Church and after with them to Joshua Deut. 31.6 7 8 And if we take not this saying thus as appertaining to Christ and in him to all Believers but onely to such into whose Souls it is particularly given in What force hath the Apostles Exhortation to these Hebrews and so to all the Church of Believers or who shall be the Thee and the We here spoken to and speaking if those and all those Gal. 3.7 8 9 16 29 Heb. 3.6 14. and onely those mentioned by the Apostle to be they be not they and he expresseth it to Believers in Christ in believing in whom is Mens entrance into Sonship and special favour and interest in promises as is witnessed in the Testimony of Christ and Declaration of the Purposes Promises and Covenants of God and such particular in-givings are great mercies and sweet enlargements and most to babes and at beginnings till Men have learned to live by Faith but to live on sense and particular visits to make them our Foundation to lift up our selves above our Brethren that have them not is a great abuse of them But I will in this proceed no farther nor yet in farther usefulness of all that written knowing such as read and believe what the Scripture affirms will meet with usefulness but onely in considering that which occasioned me to the writing of this Treatise namely Mr. Owen's stating of the Question pretended to be in dispute or controversie between him and Mr. John Goodwin about Perseverance in or falling from Faith or rather the Faith that may and that which cannot be fallen from An Explicite Declaration of the Testimony of Christ c. PART VII CHAP. 1. Of the Question as stated AS for his mentioning the many sorts of holiness and holy Ones and such as seem so and are not about which the contest is not I let pass and look
Christ is sometime called and expressed by that one Act in it of his being lifted up from the Earth upon the Cross yea likewise the whole preaching of the Gospel in which Christ 1 Cor. 1.17 18. Gal. 3.1 Joh. 3.14 15. and him crucified is set forth the Propitiation for our sins is exprest by that very term of lifting up so our approach to God being through that Blood and Sacrifice of his Heb. 10.19 20. is for that exercise of Prayer often called lifting up of hands as Psal 134.2 and 141.2 Lam. 3.41 1 Tim. 2.8 and even so likewise because when they prayed over any or for any special mercies for any Act. 15.17 28.8 they often did point out the parties and testifie their desires and confidence for them by touching them with or laying their hands on them therefore their so praying and blessing is sometime exprest in that term onely of laying on of hands as is cleerly seen in comparing Mar. 10.16 with Mat. 19.13 15. and so here laying on of hands chiefly and mainly implieth and signifieth The-Prayers of Believers assembled and met together in the Name of Christ to desire some special favour and blessing of him Mat. 19.18 20. Joh. 10.23 24. to which he hath promised both his presence in the middest of them and his gracious Answers to them in which Prayers of Believers there is most commonly a lifting up not onely of the heart but also â—f the hands towards God and sometime as confidence â—â—given a laying on of hands on parties prayed for if present And so when Believers have assembled together and prayed in the Name of Christ for any though some particular outward Act were omitted at some time yet it being such an Act as is sometimes done and by which the Ordinance of Prayer in naming that act is known yea oft named by it and known by that Expression to be done it may be then so called and expressed in either of those terms either lifting up or laying on of hands either and both importing praying for or over those prayed for as appears in Jam. 5.14 20. where the same business is mentioned and not laying on of hands but Prayer with instruction in a metaphorical term And so much for Scripture-Use of the words lifting up or laying on of hands in all that is said minding this That the Principle here is not exprest barely in laying on of hands but in the Doctrine of laying on of hands 4. For the Principle it self that is taught to Principle 4. and received of Believers in this Doctrine of laying on of hands it appears by Scripture to be A right perswasion of God concerning his infinite Love Mercy Truth and Faithfulness in and through Christ to hear and answer the Prayers of such as approach to him through Christ and call upon him in his Name in and with this perswasion to have the heart suitably inclined not onely ones self so to pray to God and wait for his answer but to desire and expect a blessing in the prayers of such as believe in Christ Such the perswasion of the Prophet by the Spirit That God is a hearer of Prayers and that they that by his gracious chusing are led to approach to him and dwell in his Courts are blessed and shall be satisfied a Psal 65.2 4. And thus the Apostle that used to lay on hands was perswaded of blessing through the Prayers of Believers and the supply of the Spirit c. b Phil. 1.19 Whence also he so earnestly desired the Prayer of Believers for himself c Rom. 15.30 31. Eph. 6.19 and both for himself and his Fellow-Labourers with him d Col. 4.2 3. Heb. 13.18 Satans ordinary way in beginning to withdraw Believers from Christ being to steal this perswasion or Principle out of their heart and so drawing them to forsaking the assemblings of the Saints together for that end e Heb. 10.22 25 26. Jude 19 20. And in this Principle or perswasion in the heart of a Believer note 1. That it is begotten by the Oracles of the Propitiatory or mercy-Seat Eph. 2.1 618. Heb. 9.24 10.19 20. 13.15 18. 1 Joh. 2.1 2. and founded upon the foundation of the Oblation and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ by vertue whereof he now appeareth in heaven for us This the ground of all our boldness to pray for our selves or others and so of all our hope in God for hearing believers for us 2. That this Principle Phil. 116.2 4 5 6 10. Rom. 5.2 10.14 1 Ioh. 2.1 2. 5.13 14 15 19 20. as it flows from the foundation and springs up with Repentance and Faith so it is found in them that through believing in Christ crucified have repented of dead works and do believe in Christ and are in some measure conformed to him in being baptized into his death Isa 1.13.14 15. Psal 50.15.16 3. That this Principle in the heart of a Believer Phil. 4.6 7. 1 Thes 5.17 18. Heb. 13.18 Phil. 1.19 Eph. 6.19 Act. 6.6 13.1 2 3. 15.40 Psa 26.8 27.4 Heb. 10.25 frames him to begin with God in seeking his blessing by Prayer in all distresses and enterptizes and so to desire the Prayers of such as believe in Christ with expectation of a blessing therein and so in oppressing distresse and for special Offices and Services in and for the Church so far to desire this laying on of hands as to desire their Prayers Blessing and Approbation in seeking the Lord for him and commending him to the Lord and the word of his Grace for help and blessing in the same and likewise to desire and delight to be much in the assembly of Believers met in his Name And this the Principle begot in the Hearts of Believers by the Oracles of God in the Doctrine of laying on of hands CHAP. 8. Of Hebrews 6.2 HEb 6.2 And of Resurrection of the dead This appears by the connexion of the words and as the Principle taught to be the Doctrine of Resurrection of the dead for understanding whereof we have three things to consider viz. 1. What the Resurrection of the dead is that is here meant Heb. 9.27 Joh. 5.28 29. and that appears in the very words to be a Resurrection of those that once before lived and are now dead but shall be raised and made alive again to receive the eternal Judgement which is after death and this Resurrection which minded this Resurrection appears not to be a metaphorical Resurrection Psa 18. 31.32 116.1 12. 2 Tim. 2.7 10. Act. 17.26 Gen. 4.1 2 3. Joh 10.9 12. Joh. 5.23 in bringing such as were once in a healthful rich honourable and comfortable condition in this life and now in deep poverty and distress unto their former healthful and comfortable estate and condition again in this life which is sometimes though the hope of such a thing so far as is for good is raised
the things of him doth the Holy Ghost witness discover and glorifie and no other thing to bring men to the faith It is not the holy Spirit that speaks of himself or that gives any other thing to bottome faith upon or sleights the foundation And all true faith also is by hearing by hearing the word of the grace of God through Christ Faith is by hearing Rom. 10.15.17 and hearing by the word of God The Spirit is received by the hearing of faith Gal. 3.1 2 3. yea the holy Commandement delivered to them who after turned from it was through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 2 Pet. 2.20 1 2 3. 1 Pet. 1.20 21. even the same way which they that abode in the faith attained it So by the knowledge of Christ the foundation and the oracles of God therein teaching the principles with the holy Spirit inlightning the Hebrews obtained their faith So that as there is but one faith so it is attained by one Spirit Heb. 6.1 2 4 5 and that coming in one way through Christ and witnessing the grace that is through him so that there is no other true kind of faith but that at first confessed true in its kinde and to be set forth in Heb. 6.1 2 4 5. And let his Quotations be read and considered and they say no other 2 Pet. 1 1. Peter affirms not of some peculiar among beleevers but of them all to whom hee wrote That they obtained like precious faith with them through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ See Part 5. Chap. 1. Sure the righteousness of God is in and through Christ he promised him and promised to assist raise glorifie him That he should call c. And God in his righteousness hath done this and according to promise as he hath accepted his sacrifice and will accept c. all that beleeve on him And the righteousness of Jesus Christ being in his oneness of will with the Father to perform all that he undertook for men and hath undertaken for beleevers as in his oblation intercession and coming again in all which is the righteousness of God and Christ And through the knowledge of this the Apostles say 2 Pet. 1.2 3. they received and desire multiplying of grace to the beleevers the same way so as which in the saying was left out the Spirit calls tenders inlightens and works faith in giving forth the knowledge of the righteousness of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ So all that through that knowledge are brought to beleeve in Christ have the same precious faith which the Apostles had and no other kinde of faith nor manner of obtaining is commended by Peter 3 The end he saith for which God giveth his holy Spirit is very right and true but the limiting it to some certain peculiar yea unknown and undemonstrable persons is not right nor according to truth nor I hope will any say God giveth his holy Spirit Joh. 3.17 12 47. 1 Tim. 1.15 Act 26.17 18. 2 Cor. 5.19 20 Act. 14.17 Rom. 2.4 Job 33. Prov. 1.23 Joh. 16.29 to work some kinde of faith in any and not for this end here mentioned The end of God in giving and sending his Son into the world was not to condemn but to save the world even sinners The end of Christ his sending his servants with the Gospel to men Is to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light c. To reconcile their hearts by the reconciliation wrought in Christ yea his mercies and chastisements both have the same end So that we may be fully assured that Gods end in sending his Spirit in the Gospel is to save convince and so turn the heart c. so that a difference of one kind of faith from another cannot be proved by a different end of Gods sending forth his holy Spirit But it may be replied The term in this sentence is more than sending It is Gods giving his holy Spirit To which I answer Joh. 6.27.29.32 33. That such a difference in the terms makes none in the thing For where God is sending the Gospel and demonstrating by it the life in Christ and calling to it He is then and therein so giving the true bread of life But it will be said the sentence speaks of more than giving his holy Spirit to such an end even also of effecting the end endowing them with a new life I answer This implies receit in them to whom given But receit may be in some men that are receivers Not to one and the same end That it is in God the giver Truth with the love of the Truth to save 2 Thess 2.18 Extended and given to some men to that end to save but some however receiving to profess and make some use of yet they received it not to save them And that such do not unfainedly beleeve and so have not any right kind of saving and justifying faith will be granted though such and no other was tendred and given if they had received it in suffering the love of truth to save them But for such as have so far received the Spirit that they are even by the Spirit affirmed To be in the grace of Christ To have received the Spirit of Gods Son and to be Sons yea to have known God Gal. 1.6 3.1 2 3. 4 6 7 8. 5.1 and to be known of God and to be in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free Surely their faith was of the right kinde And yet of these the Apostle speaks after they were indued with all this as if some of them were removed from him that called them into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel which was not another but a perversion Gal. 1.6 3.3 4.9 11. c. seeking to be made perfect by the flesh Turning again to weak and beggarly elements insomuch that the Apostle was afraid of them lest he had bestowed his labour in the Gospel on them in vain And testified to them that whosever of them were so turned back to be justified by the law 5.4 Christ was become of no effect to them they were fallen from grace And this was a more applicatory charge than that in Heb. 6.4 6. and grounded upon that which is undoubtedly found in abiding beleevers Gal. 5.5 6. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith for in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but faith which worketh by love The perswasion of which abiding in the Hebrews Heb. 6.4 6 8 9 10. withheld him from such a personal charge on any of them and led him to mollifie the harshness of his reproof in the supposition So that in all this saying of Mr. Ouen No other kinde of faith or other manner of obtaining it by other manner of giving the holy Spirit than that set forth Heb. 6.1 2
kinde he pleadeth for many may go without that assurance all their dayes hee onely undertakes to prove notwithstanding it shall so bee for ever Now let his quotations be viewed to see what they say for one beleever more than another for the Spirits abiding with them for ever Joh. 14.16.26 in vers 16. Ioh 14.16.26 15.26 16 7. Luke 24.49 Our Saviour tells his Apostles and first witnesses that were to carry forth the testimony of him to the world after his Ascention That he after he was gone from them in bodily presence would yet be an Intercessor with the Father for them And the Father in his Name and so he from the Father would send them another Advocate or Comforter Let the words be well minded he faith not Another Spirit no he mindes them of that that it is the same Spirit of truth Joh. 14.17 Mat 16.16 17. Joh. 17.6 7 8. which they knew by which the Father in his ministration made him known to them to be the Christ and had given them to beleeve on him in which he did also stil even now he was with them dwell with them So that it is not one spirit opposed to another spirit but one Advocate or Comforter in respect of the manner of advocation and comforting opposed to another God had been formerly even by the Spirit of Christ Heb. 1.1 2. 7 8 9 10. 2 Cor. 3 7-14 teaching his minde by parcels to them and leading them to look to Christ and so to worship him by types shadows and carnal ordinances which were to be removed and now to these in the personal ministration of himself in his bodily presence in which he had been even so an Advocate and Comforter to them Psal 63.18 Act. 2.33 Rom. 16.25 Joh. 16.7 7.39 1 Joh. 2.1 But he was not alwayes so to abide with them nor was the excellency fulness and mystery of either his oblation or mediation and advocation to be clearly opened and made known till he had finished his suffering work and cast off mortality and overcome death and ascended in his body immortal into heaven and offered the acceptable sacrifice and received the fulness of the Holy Ghost in that nature of man to send forth for that full discovery of himself and the Fathers minde in him and then hee would so send forth this Holy Spirit himself remaining with the Father the Advocate still to discover him and so the Fathers mind in him and so and therein to be an Advocate and Comforter to them even so and such as never was before as is shewn in the eighth and ninth Chapters of the third part of this Treatise about the revelation of Christ and so he opens it vers 26. Joh. 15.15 17.6 7 8. He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you For he had made known his Fathers Counsel and Name unto them and given them his words And this holy Spirit of truth in his coming shal guide them into all truth Eph. 1.8 9. by taking of the things of him and shewing them and glorifying him c. So as they shall have the fulness of the testimony in all wisdome and understanding to minister Oh blessed Advocate and Comforter And yet this not all but as the next quotation Joh. 15.26 He shall testifie of him in them to them and through their ministrations so as they also shall bear witness Act. 5.31 32. Act. 1.21 22 10 34.42 1 Cor. 9 1. 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3. because they have been with him from the beginning even ear and eye witnesses of his person and ministration and miracles and sufferings and death and resurrection and assent to heaven And this Advocate and Comforter both the Doctrine of the Gospel by him so opened and the ministration of it he taught and lead them in And his power and presence in that Doctrine so ministred should not be as the Mosaical Law to pass away and give place to another ministration nor as the ministration of John nor his ministration in his bodily weakness 2 Cor. 3 3-18 Joh. 5.35 36 14.12 13. Eph. 1 3-10 See part 3. chap. 12. to be over-shined by a more clear ministration but this shall be the last ministration and abide till his own coming again and so her shall be in them in their doctrine and ministration for ever So as to all beleevers here is given certainty of truth goodness and immutability of the Gospel delivered by the Apostles and of the presence of the Spirit in such ministration thereof as left upon record by them to the end of the world And as for the promise and hope given in these promises to beleevers of this Doctrine for the Spirit in their hearts abiding in them for ever Note 1 It is great Joh. 17.20 21-23 7.37 38 39. 14 17. our Saviour having prayed for the same blessing for them also and promised the same but that is not to some peculiar kinde of beleevers but to all that beleeve on him not beleevers opposed to beleevers but beleevers opposed to the world that lieth in unbeleef as is exprest 2 That the manner of the assuring is abiding in them for ever is by our Saviours own explication to be in their abiding in him Joh. 15.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. in that faith love and confidence in him which the Spirit hath wrought and worketh in them and his word that which he hath helped them to understand and by which he teacheth and comforteth them abiding in them This also express So that by there quotations we are lead to hold fast our first faith that Heb. 6. Rom. 8.10 11. The Apostle both admonishing exhorting instructing and comforting in such a manner as telling them how it was with them if Christ be in them and how it should be with them if the Spirit of Christ did dwell in them and so not affirming what would bee for ever but warning and directing that it might be I marvel this should be quoted for this assertion it so suiting to that by him opposed 1 Cor. 6.19 The Apostle tells them that beleeve and surely had such illumination and participation of the Holy Ghost as mentioned Heb. 6.4 5. That their body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost in them c. Their body may be taken either for their personal bodies which were the vessels and instruments in and with which they were to be given up as servants of righteousness unto God Rom. 6.19 or by body may be meant their society in which Truth was and God to be worshipped and therefore to be kept holy 1 Cor. 5.6 7 8. and undefiled Now the Apostle minding them of this That their body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost or rather secretly reproves them for their neglect of minding what their body was consecrated to in the heavenly call
by Christ that bought them and had the right to dispose of them even to be the Temple of the Holy Ghost and Instruments for him to use And thereby he shewed the heinousness of their sin if they defiled their bodies with fornication and made or abused The members of Christ to be one with and the members of an harlot Rom. 12.1.2 And so on this ground exhorted them to demean their bodies sutable to the purchase made by Christ and to the relation they now stood in with Christ and to the purity and holiness of the Spirit God had given them having upon the very same ground forewarned them That if any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy 1 Cor. 3.16 17 18. intreating them not to be deceived c. and how doth the Spirit dwell in such for ever then yet after this he both reproveth warneth and exhorteth on the very same ground 2 Cor. 6.15 16.17 18 7.1 2. assuring them from the promises of God of the Spirits continuing and dwelling in them in their yeelding up to his teachings and therefore calls upon them for that even like as to the Hebrews chap. 6. I marvel this was quoted here to such an end which makes for that he opposeth Rom. 5.5 speaks of the operations of Grace beleeved not in some peculiar kinde of but in all true beleevers and so of that which hope in the exercise of faith doth Rom. 5.1 2 3 4 5. because of the love of God shed abroad in the heart of beleevers by the holy Ghost given unto them but not a word of the impossibility of any of the Saints by any ill requitals to deprive themselves of that love again and so of that holy Spirit yea he rather warns them to beware of that in the 6. and 8. Chapters following suitable to the warning given the Hebrews chap. 2. 3 4. 6. 1 Joh. 4.4.13 and those that follow speaks of the Spirit in beleevers a thing denied by none but not a word about the infallibility of his ever abiding unless as the former places directing to that in which it may so be but it may be these are quoted for proofs of that which follows in this Concernment which is no part of that contended for or against unless it be to countenance the distinction of two kinds of faith preferring one before another And so I will consider it CHAP. XX. Of the second part of the third Concernment HE saith Vpon the account of which inhabitation of the Spirit of Christ in them they have union with him that is one and the same Spirit dwelling in him the head and them the members Surely this may be truly said of all beleevers that abide in the faith of Christ during the time of their abiding in the faith and so of the faith as mentioned Heb. 6.1 2 4 5. yea the mixtures by him put in which are no parts of faith being taken out as they consist not with the rest even that first kinde of faith set forth by himself who hath not yet produced a better but even the same clad with some unjustifiable expressions so that this saying is true of all true beleevers or that in truth beleeve the testimony of Christ search the Scripture This I hope being granted of all that beleeve the Gospel of Christ that there are not two Spirits in Christ to procced from him to work faith in men and dwell in beleevers but onely one holy Spirit that is in the Father and in the Son the Spirit of the Father and of the Son sent by the Son from the Father and by the Father through the Son and in the name or Gospel of the Son one and the same holy Spirit And so where ever the Father and Son is he is and where ever he is the Father and Son is there with and by him Now minde what the Scripture saith Christ saith Mat. 10 40. Joh. 13.20 Mat 10.41 42. Luke 10.16 1 Joh. 4.6 Rev. 19.10 2 Cor. 5.19 20 Joh. 15.16 27. Act. 5.32 2 Thess 2.8 10 Hee that receiveth you receiveth me And he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me And this also spoken of his sending to preach the Gospel And though this in respect of his gracious acceptation and interpretation be true to all that for his sake receive such as beleeve in him yet it is principally meant of receiving his message by and from them And so he that hath the testimony of Jesus hath the Spirit of Prophesie And the holy Spirit witnesseth together with and in that testimony And Christ will in his time come again to be glorified in his Saints and admired in all them that beleeve because the Apostles testimony was received by them in the dayes of his patience while it was preached to them so that whoever in hearty beleeving receiveth this testimony It is Spirit and life to him Joh. 6.63 Rom. 1.16 1 Thess 2.13 Joh. 15.4 5 7. 1 Joh 1.3 2.24 yea the power of God to salvation to him and worketh effectually in him And as they abide in this word they abide in Christ and as this word abideth in them Christ by his Spirit abideth in them And they have fellowship with the Father and the Son and continue in both and that is his dwelling in them And so of the Galatians of whom Paul was sore afraid yet he doubteth not to affirm of them Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts Gal 4.6 7 8 9. c. and yee have known God or rather are known of him And so 1 Joh. 44.13 speaketh in the very same language not of any peculiar kinde of Spirit that is in Christ and flows from him into some peculiar kinde of true beleevers but of that one holy Spirit which is in Christ and his efficacies which also in a measure is in all true beleevers And so verse 4. he salth 1 Joh. 4.4 Yee are born of God or of God and have overcome them that is the evil spirits in the world because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world where the opposition is not of beleevers to beleevers but of beleevers to the world and this he after expresseth both by the effects and the beleevers in whom it is saying What soever is born of God over cometh the world 1 Joh 5.4 5. And who is he that overcometh the world but he that beleeveth that Jesus is the Son of God this being our victory whereby we overcome the world even our faith So that all the way here is but one spirit and one faith Gal 4.9 1 Cor 8.3 1 Ioh 4.6 7.12 And these beleevers marked out by the same terms with others Hee that knoweth God that loves God and loveth his brother these saith he Are of God born of God and God dwelleth in them And to demonstrate who these are he saith
his sins and judging himself and so again walking after the Spirit And this affirmed by the Apostle in this Rom 8.12 13. therefore the Apostle saith There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ who walk not after the flesh though flesh be lusting in them but after the Spirit 1 Cor. 11.31 Gal. 5.6 16 18 1 Joh. 1.7 9. Col. 3.1 2 3 4 5. which worketh by love inclining and yeelding to walk in the teachings and motions of the Spirit confessing and disowning the sinfulness that is in them by the lusts of the flesh and by the Spirit with the cross of Christ mortifying the same yeeld as servants to grace to such not withstanding the weakness molestations and failings thereby Gal. 6.16 18 19 24 25 6.8 Eph. 4 20-31 Col. 3 1-6 there is no condemnation This law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus after which they walk will free them from the power of that law of sin and death and so from all charges of sin and death And they shall not be under the Law but under Grace non yet fulfil the lusts of the flesh but of the Spirit shall reap life everlasting And on this ground are they exhorted To mortifie the flesh by the Spirit and to live in and walk after the Spirit And this is the doctrine of the Apostle as may be seen in all his writings And in this Rom. 8. as well as in Chap. 6. 7. by a general Proposition vers 1. by his own experiment vers 2. compared with 7.25 and by Gods preparation for us in Christ vers 3. and by his gracious end of giving life hereby to them which walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit vers 4. and by his following instructions and exhortations to vers 15. So that how far this quotation serves for that it s quoted for I say nothing but let the next quotation clear it 2 Cor. 5.21 Speaks not a word of any beleevers how far they have yet in this life attained much less of one more than another but directly and expresly shews the preparation God hath made for us in his Son by what way and to what end for the way it is suited to the 14 15 19. verses Him that knew no sin he made to be sin for us This is done not now to do nor yet presented to us in dark figures or parables or allegories but plainly declared to be done And that also to a gracious end suited to vers 15.18.20 Even that we might be made the righteousness of God in him He saith not And we are made as of a thing done But that we might be made as of a thing by the former done in Christ to be after done in us and so layeth here the foundation for repentance and faith Gal. 3.13 14 4.4 5. Tit. 2.14 and so reconcilement of the heart to God and walking after the Spirit that men in beleeving might begin to receive the same so that as any by faith are united to Christ and so made in Christ So is Christ made of God to them wisdome righteousness sanctification and redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 Phil. 3.12 13 14. 1 Joh. 3 2. and not otherwise And so they begin to be made the righteousness of God in him But fully and compleatly so to be will not be till Christ come again And this is given as the ground of the exhortation following Not to receive the grace of God in vain Chap. 6.1 2. Col. 2.10 Speaks not a word of the attainment of beleevers here in this life but of what they are in Christ sure in Christ as in a publick man that died and rose and gave himself a ransome for them All have dyed and are so given over to him 2 Cor. 5.14 Rom. 14.9 5.18 that to and in him they are discharged and made alive from that first sentence curse and death into which through the first Adam they fell And though this be not yet made over to all men by Christ and unbeleevers know it not yet shall none perish by that first sentence in that first death but be raised out of it 1 Joh. 5.10 11 12. Joh. 1.14 16. Col. 1.19 20. Isa 45.22 42 1-7 6.1 4. Col. 1.28 Phil. 3.7 9. 2 Cor. 3.18 Jona 2.8 Mat. 16.26 Yea not only this but God hath given us eternal life in Christ though unbeleevers have it not Yea not onely this but the fulness of grace and truth of wisdome and understanding of divine power and spirit are in him enough to draw any that in hearing behold him to beleeve in him And so the Apostle in preaching endeavoured to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus that so they might see what perfection there is in Christ and that also by Gods gift for them which beleeved and minded would take them off from other things and both draw them into him and conform them by degrees to him although such as heed it not but follow lying vanities forsake their own mercies Joh. â—7 2 3.6 7 8. 6.40 3.16 1.12 13 Rom. 10.10 1. Cor. 3.22 and lose their own souls and so are not so related to him as in which relation he gives to them eternal life and interresseth them so in himself as to interress them in all that is in him and all that is his for this is only given to them that by the heavenly call are given unto him so as they receive his words and beleeve on his name And all that with the heart beleeve unto righteousness are thus related to him and interressed by him Now if we beleeve in him he and all that is his is ours Let us minde what he is even the elect of God the Son of God the Saviour c. And what is his even the Father and Spirit the Promises the Kingdome c. And what is in him Even all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Joh. 1.12.14 16 17. yea in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily so that in him we are compleat and fully furnished Whence also those that in beleeving are united and related to him Do of his fulness receive and grace for grace And what ever may yet be wanting to and in them it is in Christ for them in minding and beleeving in him to be receiving the same so that abiding in the faith of him and walking in him as they have received him in faith and love they shall be rooted in him receive more of his fulness and in due time be compleated by him because the fulness of the God-head dwels in him bodily And they as members and brethren are related to him In whom they are compleat Col. 2.1 2 3 6 9.10 he also being the head of all principality and power that hath the care and charge of all that beleeve in him And this also given as the ground and reason of the Apostles prayer for them vers 2.