6. Heb. 10. 28. 29. 30. and 6. 6. Yea if you beg any other thing of him or his helpfulness in any other way then he hath appointed he will not vouchsafe it 1 John 5. 14 and 3. 22. Prov. 21. 27. Yea though you retain the notion of truth and the love thereof and make profession thereof and do not receive the love of the truth in its declarations reproofs and instructions to be saved by it even by it nothing else what ever you dream can save you but you will be let to delusions to think to be saved by that for which you shall be damned 2 Thess 2. 10 11 12. Oh hearken to this If the salt have lost its saltness there is nothing else to season it But and if this Salt hath lost its saltness 3. It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghil but men cast it out Luke 18. 36. It is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men note this as spoken by Christ to his Disciples that were beleivers and by himself called the salt of the earth so that said is directly meant of them and so of them as ment by salt And so such beleivers of the Gospel as in receiving the spiritual convincements in it which are salt have yielded to the efficacies in which the saltness seasoning their beleiving and profession so as in professing truth rightly they were salt also as is foreshewn If they lose their saltness those efficacies mentioned chap. 4. 1. and 2. in their beleiving and profession they are then fit for nothing they can savorily neither receive correction it is so grievous to them nor the teachings of Grace they are not savoury to them Prov. 15. 10. Iob. 6. 6. Prov. 22. 7. nor are they profitable for ministration to others Matt. 5. 13. God accepts not their ministration Psalm 50. 16 17. and men despise such Apostate withered ones they are not fit to minister in the Church nor to the world but to be cast out altogether unprofitable yeatroden under foot of men despised as worse now departed from them before they know the truth and worse then them that never knew the truth oh heavy condition when the salt hath lost its saltness 4. Yet note our Saviour saith not If the salt have yet effected and impressed his saltness for that may be for a time in receiving but weak in some who yet retaining and attending to the word received it will be further effected Iohn 8. 30. 36. And in affording it to others it may be refused and so not take such place in others while yet the afforder is accepted Isa 49 4. 2 Cor. 2. 14 15 16. Nor saith he if the salt be abated in its saltness so as the efficacies be so weakned withered and dâ—yed in respect of their former liveliness that in that respect they that were once dead as of and from Adam having been enlivened once are now again as dead and so as trees twise dead yet not pluckt up by the roots the root of the matter is in them still something waking in the heart though they be a sleep these though in sad and heavy case yet in hearkning to his voyce receiving his correction and turning at his reproof are recoverable and so shall be recovered and so salted and seasoned again Luke 15. 16. 17 32. Isa 16. 17 18. and 55. 7. 8. Ier. 3. 22. Iude 22. 23. But that he saith is if the salt have lost his saltness lost his savour if the doctâ—ine of Christ Crucified be of no effect in reprooving and seasoning them if the reproofs of instruction have no force if the efficacies thereof be wholly dryed up so as it worketh not in them to any self denyal and abasement of themselves and pâ—ising and desires of Christ and his teachings c. so as they are carryed about of winds Clouds without Rain Trees without fruit withered twice dead and pluckt up by the roots c. the salt hath lost its saltness the blackness of darkness is reserved for them for ever and they reserved for everlasting fire Iude 12. 13. they are in a fearful case Mat. 12. 43 44 45. 2 Pet. 2. 21 22. Heb. 6. 6. and 10. 30. And now by all foresaid Mar. 9. It appears That a man by neglecting to have salt with its saltness in himself is in danger to fall into this woful state which to warn us that we may avoid it our Saviour both instructs us and sets the danger before us from verse 42. 42. and so move us to endure the pain of salting here that we may avoid it hereafter which else we cannot he assures us that every one shall be salted with fire and to move us to perseverance in retaining this salt with its saltness that we may feed on him and acceptably serve him he instructs us That every sacrifice shall be salted with salt ver 49. And to encourage us he assures us salt is good and yet to warn us so to receive it that we may receive and retain its saltness he tells us if the salt hath lost its saltness it is good for nothing And from and with all this presseth on us this councel admonition charge and commandment seriously ver 50. Have salt in your selves and have peace one with another CHAP. VI. Our Saviours Two-fold Exhortation 1. HAve salt in your selves 2. Have peace one with another 1. Have salt in your selves Hive that is receive it so as it may have its impression in you Prov. 1. 30 and 10. 17. and 4. 16. Salt that is the reproofs and efficacies of the testimony in your understanding affections and exercise Mat. 13. 9. 12 and 25. 29. in your selves not only to see it and speake oâ— it to others and press it on them but in your selves not only in your understanding and hearts but thereby in your selves your whole selves for seasoning and usefullness of the whole man for though in beleiving in Christ we become the son of God Yet that is yet but by faith Gall. 3. 26. and though the spirit of Christ do in beleif of the testimony quicken Eph. 2. 4 5. Coll. 2. 12. yet that quickning and renewing is of the spirit of the mind Eph. 4. 23. Rom 12. 2. And so that he framed is the likeness of Christ a new and inward man in the spirit Eph. 4. 24 Coll. 3. 10. 1 Cor. 2. 16. And that beleivers receive therein is yet but the first fruits of the spirit Rom. 1. 23. And though the spirit be made life for righteousness sake the body is yet dead because of sin Ro. 8. 10. And so while we are not wholly spiritual but as natural and naturally as of Adam and his sons so mortal carnal and sold under sin and what ever may pass and stir in yet no good thing dwelling in our flesh flesh and members Rom. 7. 14. 24. Gall. 5. 17. and so for this foolish flesh there is need of
many Afflictions and Tribulations enter his Kingdome as he through sufferings entred his glory and the power of the life of Christ in the Testimony may be manifested in our mortal and dying Flesh Act 14. 22. Luk. 24. 26. 2 Tim. 3. 12. 2 Cor. 4. 10 11 16. And so when by the Testimony of Christ men are called and brought in to beleeve him then as God in Christ and so Christ by his Spirit chooseth and refineth such beleevers seperating them from the Union and Fellowship of the World and bâ—inging them into further Union and Fellowship with himself to receive more abundance of his Gâ—ace to bâ—ing them to glory By the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth framing them to be obedient to the blood of sprinkling 2 Thes 2. 13 14. 1 Pet. 1. 1 2. So also press home and to make effectual and prevelent this choosing work he salteth them with these reproofs and afflictions and â—â—ery trials and so chooseth through the Furnace of afflictions Isa 48. 10 11. Gal. 6. 14. Psal 94. 12. And so as oft and as much as need is every Sacrifice even every Beleever shall be salted with Salt all which serveth to pâ—ess Beleevers to and recieve this salting what ever of the flesh it fret and consume and what ever seen or temporary again we lose thereby or trouble undergo Yea so in indâ—â—ing and feeling the smart it causeth that we may tremble in our selves that we may say that it is better now and after and find rest in the day of trouble Heb. 3. 16 17 18. which receiving ouâ— Saviours Councel here foregiven Suits well with that admonition given Luk. 14. 25 35. And as in the sence said every Beleever shall be salted with Salt so likewise in the other sence 2. every spiritual Sacrifiâ—e that Beleevers offer to God by Christ or in his name shall in their offerings be salted with Salt For â—ight understanding this the Testimony must be our guide and attend to it it will help us â—ightly to understand for in belief of the Testimony we are taught by it that 1. The Sacrifices here spoken of are spiritual Sacrifices though ouâ—waâ—d and able and visible things be used in offering many of them yet the Sacrifices be spiritual Sacrifices such as are offered spiritually and by not bodily but spiritual Preists in which is neither Male nor Female as in Church offices and Officers here but all one in Christ Jesus And though Church chosen Officers may be also spiritual Preists and may also so offer yet these Sacrifices are spiritual Sacrifices and are offered by such â—s are and as they are spiritual Preists 1 Pet. 2. 4. 5 9. Gall. 3. 27. 28. Coll. 3. 10 11. 2. These Sacrifices are Sacrifices of Righteousness that are to be offered to God And so Pâ—al 4. 5. Produced by the righteous Sacrifice that is the Sacrifice of compleat righteousness Iesus Christ in his own body offered to God this beleâ—ved is the Producer Psal 50. 5 14. And so it is offered to God by and through Christ in the belief of his Name who also peâ—fumes and makes them acceptable 1 Pet. 2. 5. Heb. 13. 15. and 7. â—5 Revel 8. 3 4 And Soul so offered to God with righteousness and righteously in râ—â—driâ—g to him the glory and praise due unto his Name Psal 29. 1 2. and 15. 14 23. 1 Theâ— 5. 18. And affording to men â—nd bâ—eâ—hâ—en â—hat whiâ—h is due to them Isa 26. 8. and 16. 8. Mar. 11 24 25 So. 3. That these spiritual Sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Christ first they are many and so exprest also Psal 5â— 17 1. A broken Spirit and contrite heart a heart from the sight and belief of the mind love and holiness of God demonstrated in and through Christ broken of its own wisdom well thoughts confidences and designs abâ—sed and made loathsome in and to it self filled with grief and sorrow for its contraryness to God and sinning against so great holy and gtatious a God with indignation against ones self for such offences even trembling at his Word and falling low before them by it to be at his dispose and bear his chastisements longing for his mercy Psal 51. 17. Isa 57. 17. and 66. 2. Yea all Sacrifices are to be with such a heart which is a Sacrifice also 2. Hearty Pyayers to God for the good things he hath promised with Thanksgiving for his mercies benefits and good things received that he hath extended to us and those also promised Psal 62. 8. and 65. 2 4. and 50. 14 15 23. 1 Thes 5. 17. 18. 3. To do good that which is righteous and may be profitable and edifying to men and make for truth and peace And with this to communicate of what God makes us stâ—ongly of and furnisheth us with in shewing mercy and relieving the poor and needy specially them of the Houshold of Faith Heb. 13. 16. Gall. 6. 10. Phill. 4. 8. 2 Cor 9. 9 15. 4. In and with all the former to hold forth the word of life in word and conversation among a wicked generation and for edifying brethren with desire in all things to glorifie God and approve our hearts to him and be found honest and decent towards men Phil. 2. 15 16 17. 1 Pet. 2 9 12. Ephes 4. 29 32. Heb. 13. 16 18. Rom. 15. 16. 5. To aime at endeavour and strive in all this also to convince the unbeleevers that we may gain them in to believe and so to glorifie not us but God that so we may present them singly to Christ that he may present them to God Acts 14. 15. 2 Cor. 4 5. and 11. 2. Rom. 15. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 5 9 12. Num. 5. 20. 6. In and for doing all this by the mercies of God to present ouâ— bodies a living Sacrifice holy as the Lords and acceptable through Christ to be the Lords to be disposed ordered and so offered by him to do undergo and forgo what ever hâ—s Mercy and Grace requireth and leadeth to in services of him which is but our reasonable service facilating that more spiritual Rom. 12. 1 2 3. These and such like are the Sacrifices for Beleevers to offer to God by Christ and of these it is said every Sacrifice even every of these and every particular offering and every of these shall be salted with Salt This affirmed by our Saviour and it is needful and profitable for Beleevers who have sin yet remaining in their flesh with its thoughts and lusts and the World with its Documents Customes Allurements and Terrors and the Devil with his wises and suggestions all assâ—iâ—â—ing them to divert and corrupt them and turn them out of the way yea so as if they cannot hinder them from it yet they will defile them so as as there may 1. Be in our conâ—iâ—ion a mixture of worldly sorrow of some murmuring grudging and impatience for some loss deprivation and pain yet pretended sorrow for sin or
of Christ but unto God by the vertue of it beleived And so in beleiving partakers of his grace both savouring and savouring of his oyntments Acts 20. 28. Revel 5. 9. 10. Rom. 14. 7. 8. 9. And so sits for charity that covers the multitude of infirmities as God dayly doth by us that so we may keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace 1 Pet. 4. 2. Ephes 4. 1. 2. 3. 7. It seasons to climate highly and use humbly confidently and reverently all the ordinances of Christ hearing reading and meditation of his Word and declaration of it Prayer Thanksgiving Baptisme Supper and fellowship with brethren therein knowing God is not benefited by any our use of them nor we worthy to come into his presence but our libery of such approach to him in using any of his ordinances in which we may approach to the Throne of Grace in and by Christ for blessing is a great favour and priveledge purchased for us by his blood and through his mediation by vertue thereof freely given unto us with helpfulness by his spirit in the testimony Heb. 10. 19. 26. and 4. 14. 15. 16. 17. and 7. 25. Ephes 2. 17. 18. Rom. 8. 26. And so having in us this salt receiving and using the reproofs of the testimony in embraceing them with the efficacies thereof both our receiving the testimony and our approaching to God by Christ and bringing forth the services of love for his sake will be accepted of him Cant. 5. 1 2. And our services profitable to men Rom. 14. 17 18. And thus we may understand the verity of the sentence Salt is good it is very good for its ends and much profitable if it retain its saltness that is if we so retain in oâ—â— hâ—â— is the truth in our perswasions the verity of this discovering reproof of the testimony imbracing and yeilding to the effects thereof accordingly demeaning our selves and so holding forth the testimony that with it we hold forth the same discovering reproofs for such convincements that as we are in holding forth the word of life lights so by these reproofs with and by it we may be salted And so salt is good as in CHAP. V. The Caution or Condition SEcondly the caution or condition But if the salt have lost his salâ—ness wherewith will you season it Luke 14. 33. 35. wherewith shall it be seasoned it is neither fit for the Land nor yet for the dunghil but men cast it out and this also a thing of so great concernment to be heeded that our Saviour calleth us saying He that hath ears to hear let him hear so that it is a vain objection to say salt cannot lose its saltness especially that which proceeds from the testimony and is called salt where once received having its saltness the saltness cannot be lost which needs no other answer to shew the â—alseness of it but the very discourse and words of our Saviour here Mar. 9. 43. 50. and Luke 14. 26. 35. and Matt. 5. 13. yea this objection contradicteth plainly and chargeth with vanity the Doctrine of our Saviour and his sayings which objection may be soon answered in shewing what salt is Chap. 4. Salt as proceeding from that by the spirit discovered in the testimony loseth not its saltness but hath and will have its efficacy now or hereafter as hath been shewn but as in this day of Grace lightning on the heart and received by any in beleiving it may by resistance and departure from imbraceing the reproofs with its efficacies come to be lost by them And in Scripture we find 1. As Jesus Christ as witnessed of in the testimony is light life the Fountaine of Life sull of efficacies the quickning spirit and yet some that have been enlightned and enlivned by him and tasted of his gratious efficacies have after by turning aside to some other desires delight confidence or service of some proud or fleshly lust come to crucifie Christ again to themselves and make him of no effect to themselves though they cannot Crucifie Christ again in himself he being alive for evermore and can dye no more yet in respect of his living and saving efficacies they crucifie him to themselves and make him of no effect to themselves for saving Heb. 6. 6. So as though the grace of God in Christ and as flowing from him is not in vain yet such as recive it not rightly to be saved by it their receiving is in vain in respect of saving to them 2 Cor. 6. 2. Yea they may so pervert that which is right and turn the grace of God in the doctrine of it into lasciviousness Job 33. 27. Deut. 29. 19. Jude 4. though it will one day have its effect on them to their just judgement and perdition as hath been shewn even so also Jesus Christ is as refiners fire and Fullers sope and in his ministration sends fire on the earth by the spirits convincements in the demonstration of them Matt. 3. 2. Luke 12. 49. as is foreshewn which convincements are salt that loseth not its saltness as it proceeds from him but doth convince where it lights and is not rejected and in every receiver hath its saltness in its efficacies in some measure in them and such as reâ—use now it will have it in another day to their shame and perdition and those that begin to receive it and are made base and vile in their own eyes to loath and deny themselves and prize and desire after Christ there is of the saltness in them But if after they look on so as to long after some other things as the Glory Riches and pleasures of this world or any imaginary excellencies so as they refuse turning at his reproofs and so to lay aside their pride and vain desires and designs they therein harden themselves and so lose the saltness that was in them Ier. 2. 17. 22. and 34. 10. 11. 15. 16. 17. Hosea 13. 1. 2. 3. and 6. 4. Rom. 2. 4. 5. Prov. 28. 13. 14. And such may yet for a time retain that in which the saltness was the profession of the Doctrine though the saltness in them be lost And so though in notion and profession they hold the truth yet it is in unrightousness Isai 48. 1. Rom. 1. 18. And though they hold and profess the Faith in all the Fundamental Articles of the Doctrine of it yet in and to them in respect of the living efficacies in them It is but a dead faith a carcass of faith without spirit Jam. 2. 20. 26. professing to know God and by works denying him Tit. 1. 16. And in this respect of the testimonies reproofs begun to be received and therein having its saltness in the receiver by such receivers after departed from what ever any say to the contrary the salt such have received may come to lose its saltness in them 2 In respect of those efficacies mentioned Chap. 4. working in the believing Recievers if such Recievers withdraw from their
imbracing retaining and yielding to such Efficacies as mentioned Chap. 4. that so they may rightly recieve cleanse and follow the teachings of grace by the Spirit in the Testimony but will follow their own thoughts designs and wayes Though they retain the notion and profession of the faith yet though the Salt they recieved will lose its saltness in them and they become worse then before as is foreshown Deut. 5. 24 29. Ier. 2. 3 4 5 41 36. Psal 78. 34. 35. 36. and 10. 6. 12. 15. 1 Pet. 2. 18. 22. And in this respect the Salt in them hath lost its saltness 3. In respect of the Believer himself as he is said to be the Salt of the Earth when he hath thus as aforesaid lost the saltness that was in himself in usefulness in his Demeanour according to the reproofs of the Testimony not yielding thereto according to the effects thereof so as in his profession and holding forth the Testimony he doth not because having no saltness in himself affirmed with the Testimony of the saltness in it for convincing the World of the evil of it in their Ignorance Unbelief Idolatry Pride Coveteousness Uncleanness Prophaness and evil designs and wayes nor Believers of their strayings but rather speaketh peace where God speaks it not then he that for his profession is called Salt hath lost its saltness as is fully shewn Chapter 4. 23. As for that which some object that there is no need in holding forth the Gospel of Christ to mention and press so many particular reproofs for in holding forth the Testimony they may with one breath both convince men of their evils and allure them in to believe in Christ and love him and his this is confest in the right declaration of the Gospel by the Scripture when the holy Spirit goeth out therein he may do it in such a Proclamation of the Gospel in times of some great opposition of the Gospel and so hath done sometimes Act. 13. 47 48. and 17. 8. 13. 1 Thess 1. 9. 10. And so to a people fore prepared to receive Act. 10. 34. 44. and 16. 9. 14. And sometimes by Afflictions foregoing before Acts 16. 27. 31. 34. But this is not ordinary nor for an ordinary ministration and yet there is intimate reproofs in it also besides such the Pride and corrupt disposition naturally in men that they need much pressing of Gospel reproofs of which are here spoken and a holy and right usefulness of the Law also as subservient to the Gospel which reproofs are as need is with Gospel preaching to be prest as did our Saviours forerunner Iohn Baptist John 1. 29. with Matt. 3. 2. 7. 12. Luke 3. 4. 17. and our Saviour himself in his preaching Matt. 5. and 6. and 7. and many times besides as here and in Luke 4. and his followors the Apostles in their preaching Act. 2. 23. 34. 38. and 3. 3. 15. 19. and 4. 10. 11. and 5. 30. 31 32. and 7. 51. 52 53 and 13. 9. 10. 11. 40. 41. and 14. 15. and 17. 22. 25. 30. and 20. 21. And in their wrightings in all their Epistles having set forth the Gospel do most abundantly and largely press particular reproofs with warnings and admonitions as every reader may see And to object or reply in such manner as to charge Christ and his servants with vanity impressing so oft and with so many words that which needed not but might have been let alone and done with one breath and to justify at least extenuate the sin of those teachers that did not discover the peoples iniquity to turn away their captivity Lam. 2. 14. and even give way to such a preaching the Gospel as leaves open the way for that abuse Deut. 29. 19. Jude 4. is evil But we knowing this whole discourse of our Saviour in this Chapter and this affirmation here and this very caution to which he calls every one that hath an ear to hear know that it is both needful and of great concernment and therefore let us heed and view our Saviours caution 1. If the Salt have lost the saltness wherewith you season it wherewith will you season it which intimates to us that when men have refused to recieve wisdomes reproofs to be seasoned and savoured this way and find themselves at a loss yet they would be saved some other way and seeking and so are quiring wherewith Mich. 6. 6 7 8. 9. And though not willing to undergo shame and selfdenyal and mortification of the flesh in receiving the reproofs of instruction yet finding loss and deadness they will undergo and suffer and do to satisfy their own desires any thing dictated by their own wisdome or fancy or propounded by such as in their wisdome and fancy are wise to councel them whence also they are apt to be deluded Joh. 5. 43. and 14. 62. 1 Thess 2. 10. 11. 12. though in this all their thoughts are vain 1 Cor. 3. 18. 19 20. Ier. 2. 22. 23. And hence springs all that fleshly and carnal inflicting punishments on the flesh of touch not tast not handle not whipping themselves c. and cost so Images worshipping and offering to them Pilgrimages c. Coll. 2. 21. 22. 23. Hos 5. 13. 2 Cron. 28. 33. Yea some building Temples and numbring of Prayers Hos 8. 14 and 9. 16 17 and 10. 1. 2. Isa 1. 11 15. some even looking for and ready to receive any deluding spirit Ah fools have you tasted the gratiousness of the Lord in receiving the reproofs of instructions and found his quickning and seasoning operations and for other things quenched that spiritual fervour and destroyed your selves and now think to find help in waies of your own or others devising your thoughts are all vain wherewith will you season c. you can by nothing do it Gall. 3. 1. 3. Ier. 2. 12. 13. 17. 18. Hos 13. 8. 9. 2. Wherewith shall it be seasoned Luke 14. 34. wherewith shall it be salted Matt. 5. 13. There is nothing you or others for you can devise or think on not any doctrine or instruction or any reproofs but the testimony of Christ and the reproofs thereof nor any spirit but the spirit of Christ coming in that testimony and with the reproofs thereof nor any other sacrifice but that once offered by him or spirit but that which in discovery of that sacrifice produceth your offering spiritual sacrifices by him nor any works but of his operation in the teachings of his grace nor any self afflictions or sufferings but his ordered corrections that will rightly press home his reproofs and instructions not any other thing not man nor Angel nor spirit not any thing that can salt or season you or season your heart to receive cleansing by his blood and so saving yea or your heart and profession so as you may be saved and accepted and made edyifying to others without Christ you can do nothing but wither till you come to be burned John 15. 4. 5.
in beleif of his love to us and for his love sake We love one another as he hath loved us 6. That we intend and seek the glorifying him in all these forementioned and not applause or satisfying to our selves in any self designs nor humoring men but this glory and the good of men seek in all we do 7. That in all we in patience possess our souls waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 1. That we beleive his testimony and the sayings therein in their own plain import true good and concerning us as that by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all for that all have sinned And as by the offence of one unto all men to condemnation even so by the righteousness of one unto all men to justification of life Rom. 5. 12. 18. So that Iesus Christ by the grace of God hath tasted death for every man Heb. 2. 9. 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. dyed for our fins and rose for our justification Rom. 4. 25 1 Cor. 15. 34. And so gave himself a ransome for all 1 Tim. 2. 6. and is the Saviour of the world the propitiation for the sins of the whole world 1 Iohn 4. 14. and 2. 2. And yet that such as know not God and obey not the Gospel of Christ shall perish c. 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9. and such as do the works of the flesh Adultery Fornication Uncleaness Wantonness Idolatry Heresy Blasphemy Witchcrast Hatred Variance Emulation Wrath Strife Seditions Envyings Murders Drunkenness Revelling c. That they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdome of God Gall. 5. 19. 20. 21. Ephe. 5. 4. 5. 6 1 Cor. 6. 9. 19. And that Christ is exalted with and on Gods right hand a Prince and Saviour to give repentance and remission of sins Acts 5. 31. The true light that lighteneth every man that cometh into the world The Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world the Saviour of all men of sinners Iohn 1. 9. 29. 1 Tim. 4. 10. and 1. 9. 15. being filled with spirit to send forth to the rebellious that God might dwell among them Psal 68. 18. and in sending forth his spirit in the testimony he convinceth men of sin of righteousness and of judgement Iohn 16. 7. 8. 9. 10. And such as turn at his reproof he will pour forth his spirit and make known his words to them and such as wilfully refuse he will reject c. Pro. 1. 23. to 29. and many like sayings all tending to one and the same end which if beleived with the heart it would be unto righteousness and it is his Commandment we should beleive them yea Christ himself saith Beleive me Iohn 4. 21. and 14. 1. 11. beleive the Gospel Mar. 1. 15. And by his spirit in the Prophets saith beleive God beleive his Prophets so shall yea prosper 2 Cron. 20. 20. Pro. 4. 10. Iohn 12. 36. yea unless we beleive we shall not be established Isa 7. 9. yea the not beleiving these sayings in the testimony is a giving God the lye 1 Iohn 5. 10. and this is the very work of the Devil to keep men from beleiving this Luke 8. 12. 2 Cor. 4. 4. for to this beleiving is the blessing promised Iohn 7. 38. and in it the saving and powerful efficacy of the spirit met with Rom. 1. 16. 1 Thes 2 13. That in this beleiving we may beleive in him according to his name which is the very end of the declaration of the Gospel Iohn 20 21 and for such as beleiving his sayings do beleive on him for his promises they are still to hold fast the minding and beleiving of the testimony and sayings therein that they may still beleive in him for his promises 1 Cor. 15. 1 2 3 4. 1 Iohn 2. 24 25. so that it is cleer to beleive his sayings true and good and concerning us is one of his Commandements 2. hat we receive his convincements and turn at his reproofs which in discovery of his grace he affordeth Pro. 1. 23. and 9. 4. 6. Isa 55. 1. 2. and so his commands report and beleive the Gospel Mar. 1. 15. true it is in discovery of his great love in suffering so great and cursed a death for us and in making it known to us in the Gospel extending them it grace to us that in beleiving we might receive it and so have peace and life in him he therein discovers the vileness of our sins needing such a ransome the vanity and emptiness of all wisdome righteousness and strength in us to help us our being so verily dead by desert and sentence of the Law And Gods hatred of and severity of Justice against our sinfulness that his own son the Holy one having undertaken for us he would not spare nor abate him one jot of all the curse done to us but judged him in the flesh for it all and inflicted it all on him and he suffered it for us without which we could not have had no escape Heb. 9. 22. Rom. 5. 6. 2 Cor. 5. 14. Rom. 8. 3. Matt. 26. 38 39. Isa 53. 4. 5. 6. which is to be owned by us if we beleive in him Rom. 4. 25. and 3. 10. 21. besides in discovering this that we might live to him who hath power to take away our after sin he â—iscovereth the more abundant vileness of our sinnings against the light and grace extended by such a Redeemer and its desert of a greater curse then the former Iohn 1. 9. 9. 10. 11. 29. and 3. 19. 20. and 12. 48. And such manner sinning with our Pride and self considences and designs to be confessed and turned from owning our selves as ungodly if we will receive the pouring forth his spirit and making known his words to us and to beleive in him that justifieth the ungodly Pro. 1. 23. Mar. 1. 15. Rom. 4. 5. in which blessedness is received and for this end is Christ in the Gospel set forth unto us to bless us in turning every of us from our iniquities Acts 3 26. and 26. 18. and 20. 21. and so Christ is in the Gospel set forth for the fall and rising again of many which fall whoever refuseth he proves to such through their offence taking at his reproofs a stone of stumbling Luke 2. 14. Ier. 6. 15. Iohn 3. 19 20. 1 Pet. 2. 7 8. and so the Apostle renders it Rom. 9. 3. 32. 33. and 10. 3. compared with Iohn 10. 38. 39. and 6. 41. 42 60. 66. and in this owning receiving and turning at his repâ—oofs the blessing is met with Pro. 1. 23. and 9. 6. and those that have in beleif of his sayings turned at his reproofs and met with the blessing in beleiving on him there is something needing reproof still found in them and in their wayes Rom. 7. 14. 24. Iam. 3. 2. Pro. 20. 9. Eccles 7. 20. so as it becomes them to be still receiving of and turning
of God in Christ beleived we love one another as he hoth loved us and so bring forth all the fruits of love this is no law-work but the fruits and exercise of love by which faith worketh which though free from the bondage of the Law will lead to all righteousness in afflictions and actions commanded in the law in every commandment of it from the free obligation of grace in love Gall. 5. 6. 13 14 22 23. and 6. 15 16 Rom. 13. 8. 9 10. And the like I might say of endeavouring in all things to glorifie God and walk honestly and of patience waiting for his coming but I will not further enlarge for surely he that with the heart beleiveth the testimony of Christ and sayings thereof and so turneth at his reproof that he beleiveth in his name for the good he hath promised and hence confesseth his name whatever he suffer for it end â—ring to bear his reproach loving his brother as God hath loved him endeavouring to walk honestly in all things so to being glory to God and so patiently wait for his coming the word of the testimony and sayings in it certainly worketh savingly in him And he is born of God taught and learneth of God Rom. 1. 16. Pro. 2. 10 11 12. Heb. 11. 13. 1 John 3. 9 10 11. and 4. 21. and 5. 1. Acts 4. 20. And he that doth these things doth not beleive with the heart Rom. 10. 10. For the word of Christ with his spirit therein and love commended there through where ever in heart beleived doth work the motions and inclinations to the willing and doing these things so as no more is required of us but this that in his so moving to will and do we without murmering or disputing so will and do which in his strength in such season we may so will and do Rom. 1. 16. 1 Thes 2. 13. Phil. 2 12. 16. and 4 12. And where the heart is exercised in beleiving how can they but readily yeild up thereto Psal 116. 10. 16. 2 Cor. 4. 13. and thence the exhortation to work out this in working salvation Phil. 2. 12 13. which teacheth as said Tiâ— â— 11. 12. 13. and so by his mercies as the motive and motion to give up their bodies as a living sacrifice to him and their members as weapons of righteousness unto righteousness being changed and reformed by the renewing of the mind Rom. 12. 1. 2. and 6. 19. so as all that with the heart beleive Jesus Christ true in his sayings and so beleive in him as the Scripture hath said find in some measure the springs of these things in their heart and so may know that the right doing of these Commandments to this end is not law-work but an exercise of faith that worketh by love John 7. 38. Gall. 5. 5. 6. Nor doth the term Commandements darken this at all for the whole Gospâ—l given Christ to preach is called his Commandment Iohn 12. 50. And his giving it to the Apostles to preach is called his giving them Commandements Acts 1. 2. and the Gospel made known to any and they helped to beleive is called the holy Commandement delivered to them 2 Pet. 2. 21. and so beleiving on his name and loving one another are called his Commandments 1 Ioh. 3. 22. 53. 24. Ioh. 14 1. and 13. 34 and 15. 12. And so it is clear that this doing his Commandements to this end as it is no Law work but an exercise of faith so also it is a sure way to have right to the Tree of life yea right and life is found and received in so doing them Rom. 8. 13. Gall. 6. 8. and this is evident and plain in the Apostle shewing the end of their preaching the pâ—etioâ—s promises given them To be that the heareis in beleiving might partake of the divine nature in Christ risen from the dead Isa 55. 3. 4. and sheweth how Beleivers come to partake of this Efficacy of the word and promise of blessedness and faith First having excepted the polution that is in the world through lust And then in that which folâ—oweth and goeth together with it he saith and besides this giving all diligence Add to which implyes giving up and using and working together to your faith that object of and doctrine of faith you in beleiving have received and is moving in you vertue zeal and courage to bring forth its teachings and operations and to this vertue knowledge in minding and understanding his mind discovered in his sayings for the manner ends and seasons of venting forth vertue And least your knowledge of your liberty in all outward lawful liberties and things be abused to some snare and to your knowledge temperance that you be neither inoâ—dâ—nate in your desires not immoderate in persuit nor unseasonable or unsober in use of lawful liberties and because in so doing you must exercise self denial and meet with depravations and reproofs from some others therefore to your temperance add patience that in patience you may possess your Souls letting patience have its perfect work and that you abuse not patience to stupidity and sloathfulness but that it may leave its perfect work indeed to patience add godlyness in both a right worshiping of God as he hath discovered himself in Christ adoring him and calling on his name c. And conforming to him in Holiness Humility Meekness Mercies And as in this you will be moved so to this Godliness add Brotherly kindness in delighting in the Saints and ready shewing forth the fruits of Brotherly love to them and seeing there are imfirmities to be forgiven and covered and others besides them to shew love and mercy to that are yet enemies to you to Brotherly kindness add Charity which is the Bond of perfectness and full of good fruits and leads to constancy therein for if these things be in you that is as God in his word tenders and works them so you in beleiving receive them and abound that is have their perfect work so as you yeild up thereto to bring them forth they make you that you shall neither be barren not empty of good fruits in your selves nor unfruitful without some profits to others in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ But he that lacketh these things as those that smother the motions in his teachings and yeild not to obey in doing them will soon die Is blind purblind and can not see a far off to the hope set before us in Christ and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins which when he first saw and beleived did work thus effectually in him but he hath forgot this he once so highly prized and so the efficacies are withered and his understanding darkened wherefore the rather Brethren give diligence to make your calling that grievons operation of Christ in which you were brought out of darkness into his marvelous light to beleive in him and live to him and election that is that gracious operation of
in imbraceing the testimony he embraceth these reproving effects and accordingly holdeth forth the testimony with such reproofs from in and so calleth men to beleive and yet as rubbing â—â—lt on things meeting it to make the salt enter and take place for salting so as need is afflictions and corrections serve to press home those reproofs and sit for yeilding to their efficacies and are ordinarily used in such salting reproofs when not redily received And so much said for our understanding what is meant by salt here concerning which 2. The affirmation is That Salt is good that is retaining its salâ—nâ—â—s which is likewise affirmed Luk. 14. 34. As things are said to be good that are good for the ends to which used so salt is good not to be a sacrifice but to salt or season sacrifices offered to God Levit. 2. 13. Salt is good not to be the food to seed on for preservation of life and strength but to season the food eaten to that end Ioh 6. 6. so the discovering reproofs of the testimony received and the efficacies thereof imbraced are good Prov. 6. 23. and 25. 12. so afflictions to bow the heart and press home these reproofs and efficacies and fit to imbrace and yeild up thereto are good Psal 119. 67. 68. 71. 72 75. Lam. 31. Psal 94 12. So beleivers holding forth the word of life so as their words be gracious seasoned with salt so as to convince the unbeleivers the world and minister grace to such as hearken to them is good and a mercy to such where they are Pâ—o. 25. 12 and 27. 5. 6 and 28 23. Ier. 23 and 17. Lam. 2. 14. So conformity to Christ in suffering for his and the Gospels sake bearing the reproach of the Gospel is good Acts 9 14. 15. Gall. 6. 14. Phill. 3. 10. Revel 7. 14 5. And the beleivers ministring them and afflictions and the Cross of Christ in conformity to it is good good not to such or for life and acceptance or raise confidence from Christ and him crucified as now the Fountain of fulness at the Fathers right hand is that but good to salt and season us for feeding on that Food and to salt and season our Offerings and Sacrifices and Services that we may more readily recieve the cleansing by his blood and offer our Services only in his name and by him And so this Salt is good and embraced and retained in our selves will season us and all things to us which minding the death and Sacrifice of Christ for us we in minding the discoveries of his Grace do mind and recieve also its discoveries of filth in us and our wayes and recieve the same with its reproofs and efficacies It will season our understanding rightly to know Christ and his gratious mind discovered Prov. 15. 32. and 1. 23. And sit and lead the heart to reâ—â—eve of the life of Christ dispensed in the Testimony Prov. 6. 23. and 9. 6 9. And frame the mind and will to deny it self â—nd submit to be at the dispose and under the guidance of God Iob 42. 6. 2 Sam. 15. 25 26. and 16. 10 11 12. 1 Sam. 3 18. Isa 6. 9 8. and 39. 8. And it seasons with fervour and zeal for glorifying God for charity to do to others good and for readiness to bring forth the fruits of the spirit in the services of love Phil. 1. 20 28 29 30. 1 Thes 1. 6 7 8. 2 Cor. 8. 2. And so this Salt recieved in the heart and so seasoning 1. Will frame us to abase and lowe estimate of out selves as Adams Sons unworthy the least favour but worthy shame and curses of our sinfulness as odious and vile our sinnings against such grace made known as more hainous our own wrought righteousness vain and polluted our own wisdom folly and strength weakness and so cause loathing of it and gâ—oâ—ning under it as hath been shewn Iob 40. 4 5. and 42. 5 6. And so breeds sence of our own need and high prizing of the grace of God in Christ as he in whom all fulness and true helpfulness is and so edgeth and inclineth the heart and afflications with hungring and thirsting after that in Christ Prov. 27. 6 7. Isa 4. 1 2 3 4. Phil. 3. 7 8 9. And so cleareth the Eye to see sin foul yet pardonable and enclines for grace so to deny ungodly and worldly lusts that they may live soberly righteously and godly in this present world c. as hath been shown Dent. 9. 7 9. Ezra 9. 5 8. And so likewise 2. It seasons to recieve mercy and favours both spiritual and temporal with owning ones own unworthiness of the least an acknowledgement of Gods great mercy and free love that with the blood of Christ purchased us and so them for us and for his sake freely in the same love giveth them to us and so it preserveth from being puft up by any of them recieved inclining to carefulness of the right use with rendâ—ing all the praise to God Gen. 32. 10. 1 Cor. 17. 16 17. 18. Luke 1. 4. 3. 1 Cor. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 3. It seasons our recieving afflictions as altered by Christ from being curses and signs of hatred to be Instruments of blessings and Fruits of love in Fatherly corrections to form us to the mind of Christ who hath had experience of them and knoweth how to pitty and help us being filled with spirit and grace to uphold us in them and do us good by them Heb. 12. 2 3 4 5 6 7. and 2. 18. Iam. 1. 2 3 12. 4. It seasons our be holding the reproach of Christ and all sufferings undergone for holding forth the name of Christ and doing righteousness as gâ—eat Riches and special favour conserred on us in passing through sufferings to conform us to him in sufferings and death that we may be conformed to him in resurrection and glory Acts 9. 15 16. and 5. 41. Heb. 11. 25 26 27. Gall. 6. 14. Rom. 6. 4 5. 2 Tim. 2. 11 12. And it likewise seasons 5. To behold unbelievers foolish and disobedient ones and to walk towards them as objects of pitty and compassion as glasses to see and remembrances of us what we were and what in mercy God hath delivered us from As motives to use mercy and pitty and compassion towards such as God hath done to us yea to love and do good to Enemies as God hath done to us when we were Enemies as tryals how far we are become like God in mercy patience and overcoming Evil with Goodness c. 5. Discovering what Humility Self denial Mercy Meekness Patience long Sufferings overcoming Evil with Goodness and what thankfulness to God and desire to be like him his grace hath effected in us 2 Cor. 5. 11 14. Tit. 3. 3 4. yea also 6. It seasons to behold unseigned beleivers as fit objects to be delightfully loved tendred helped received into fellowship as being not onely purchased of God by the blood
might and if beleivingly minded would move us readily to extend mercy according to our ability yet if their proofs of instructions be not so received as thereby we be made base and vile in our own eyes as unworthy to be made his stewards of any thing and for our abuse of that committed to our stewardship he may justly deprive us of all and how long it shall continue with us and what evil may be on earth soon and we deprived of power to do good we know not and refusing a present oppeâ—tunity when ability given as we have too often done deserves to be denyed and deprived of it when we would nor can that we retain help us without his blessing and we shall have iudgement merciless that sheweth no mercy c if we be not thus salted and seasoned we shall not so mind his mercy to us as to be found merciful as he is merciful but if we shew any meâ—cy it will be either out of necessity or constraint or sparingly with scantness oâ— with grudging and murmering or as if we gave of our own absolutely and with desire to be seen of men and have praise of men and boasting and lifting up our selves or upbraiding and defaming such as need it 2 Cor. 8. 9 10 11 12 and 9. 5. 6 7. 1 Pet. 4. 10. Matt. 26. 35. 45. Pro. 3. 27. 28. and 27. 1. Eccles 11. 1. 2. 1 Iohn 3. 17. Iam. 2. 13. 8. If the sore judgements of God be in the nation we live in though the testimony of Gods displeasure thereby and the sins that have provoked such a loving merciful patient and long suffering God to smite and the misery of men if according to his word minded might move and cause our heart to tremble at his woâ—d and judgements and fill us with mourning for the sins that have provoked him and for the calamities and distresses of the people and with pity and compassion toward the afflicted and so to receive corrections humbling our selves under his mighty hand and drawing nigh to him in confessing and bewailing our sins and praying earnestly for us mercy in forgiveness and healing and so trusting in his mercy to turn from our evil wayes and to walk in his way and so give him no â—est till he he al the nation yet if the reproofs of instruction be not so received as thereby we see the corrupt disposition in our own natural heart and our own having two much yielded to it and so see the plague of oue own heart our own sore and how by neglect of so great salvation and unkind requitals of his love and gâ—ievances of his spiâ—it and conforming in many things to the fashions of the world since light and mercy given us and so aâ—e the chief of sinners and deserve even the so arest judgements iâ— not thus we shall not be so affected in our own thoughts of Gods displeasure testified nor in the sins of men that have provoked it nor with the misery as to be filled with godly sorrow and child like and bâ—otherly gâ—ief for the dishonour done to God the bâ—eaches of his Law our own and breathrens sins and the sins of the nation nor with compassion and pity towards men and such dread of Gods Judgements as to be lead â—ightly to receive correction and draw near to God in confessing our sins and the sins of others and seeking his face for our selves and the nation and so to turn from our evil designs and wayes and trust in his mercy according to his word but rather be laying the greatest blame on others as the greatest sinners and cause of the judgements And think it more needful for them to be afflicted and fast and to pray for removeals then for our selves and so they to turn from their evil wayes of which we not so guilty 1 Kings 8. 37. 40. 2 Corn. 6. 28. 31. and 7. 14. Iam. 4. 7. 8. 9. 10. Lam. 3. 1. 2 3. Hab. 3. 5. 16. 2 Sam. 24. 17. 1 Cor. 5. 1. 2. 2 Cor. 12. 21. But I will proceed no farther in particulars seeing there is that in us for which we need the reproofs of instruction in all our wayes and without receiving them to be framed by them we cannot have peace one with another so that our Saviours saying and order in giving this commandement is needful admonitory and instructive and the one observed fits to observe the other which else will not be observed therefore let us have salt in our selves and peace one with another And therefore have I been so large in this and plain to instruct and move us To have salt in our selves Though c. CHAP. VII A clearing this discourse from some supposed harshness I cannot be ignorant that some conceive this harsh and not Gospel-like for some have plainly vented so much as to instance and answer * 1. Some think it is a putting beleivers under the Law which will gender to bondage Gail 4. 21. 31. Answ There is great differences between being under the Law to the law which gendreth to bondage and without law to God which genders to filth and profaness and being not without law to God but under the Law to Christ which is profitable for us 1 Cor 9. 21. and we being yet not wholly spiritual but partly carnal and though in spirit not made free from the power dominion and charges of the law and the spirit of life for righteousness sake yet the body dead because of sin and to be kept in subjection and no farther to be made free by us then by the spirits operation made free in and for services spiritually performed Rom. 7. 14. 25. 1 Cor. 9. 27. And the law is holy just and good and there is good usefulness of it if lawfully used 1 Tim. 1. 8. For it is good to discover our sins against it and short coming of it to slay us of all hopes in our selves of life or in our own doings and shew us our desert of curse and need of Christ its end being for righteousness to drive to Christ Gall. 2. 19. Rom. 10. 2. 3. 4. so as we may acknowledge the law good holy and just and confess our carnality and sin and desert of curse it discovereth and fly to Christ that was once under the law and dyed and suffered the curse for sinners and so redeemed us from the curse of the Law and so beleiving in the blood of Christ beleive in him for pardon righteousness and life in which the law of the spirit of life in Christ not our reasonings will make us free from the law of sin and death and the spirit also will afford us that righteousness which the Law required and would not work in us Rom. 7. 14. 25. and 8. 1. 2 3 4. and 3. 25. Gall. 3. 14. 2 Cor 5. 21. so as even these commands also are a good role for the exercise of Charity 1 Tim. 1. 5. 6 8 Rom. 13. 8. 9. 10. Ephes 6.
1. 2 3. Gall. 5. 13. 14. And such good use of the Law puts not beleivers under the Law nor genders to bondage but is profitablâ— for them but o the reproofs of the law which boâ—ed under and not answeâ—ing the end in flying to Christ which genders to bondage I speak not of in this discoâ—â—e but of the reproofs of instruction and turning thereat which is the way to reâ—eive spirit and life and so blessed freedome Pro. 1. 23. and 6. 23. * 2. Some have thought this pressing wisdomes repâ—oofs is not Gospel like because the Gospel is good news and glad tidings of peace and salvation an opening the door to life and immortality A pâ—eaching forgiveness peace and life and all to be received in beleiving and so cause of joy to all people as indeed it is Isa 52. 7. Rom. 10. 15. 2 Tim. 1. 10. Acts 13. 38. 39. Ioh. 3. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 36. Luke 2. 10. and this agrees well with all said in this discourse For Answ The asserting the reproofs of instruction to be received is Gospel language not ungospel like nor at all eclipseth any thing said of the gospel in these like places for glad tidings of salvation pardon peace life c. implyes loss danger misery sins and deserts of curse in those to whom such tidings come and to be acknowledged and confessed by such as beleive and receive those tidings Isa 53. 67. and 3. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 12. 13 14 15. Tit. 3. 3. 4. And indeed the affording and receiving such reproofs is very gospel-like every way For 2. Jesus Christ our Saviour the object discovered to us in the Gospel in his working redeâ—ption and salvation in himself for us he was fiâ—st abaâ—ed and sâ—ffered and made sin and dyed for us and then â—ose from the deâ—d ascended righâ—eous and offered himself a sacrifice for us and received all fulness of spiâ—it to send forth and â—o in his ministration of gospel he suffered and dyed and so through sufferings entred his glory leaving us an example and as by his suffering and death he made peace for us so by his reâ—uâ—rection it was compleated that it might be communicable to us for though he dyed to make peace yet had he not â—isen we could not have been justified by his blood and suitable to this it is that we be abased in our selves that by him we may be exalted as hath been shewn 2. Jesus Christ exalted and filled with the spirit the great Prophet in making known his Fathers name and the redemption wrought and salvation procured in and by himself for men and so having been crucified for us and discovering of himself the pardon peace righteousness and life in him he is therein set forth first for the raising again of many and so both killing and making alive Luke 23. 4. Deut. 32. 39. 1 Sam. 2. 6. 7. 8. and he sits upon unfeigned beleivers as resiners fire and a purifier and so is in them by his word A spring of living waters John 7. 38. and his spirit in the word breaths on the flesh and withereth the flesh and so quickens and enlivens the spirit Isa 40. 1. 8. Rom. 8. 10. suitable to which is that said in this Discourse 3 In his gratious call to behold and credit him in the demonstrations of his goodness it is to be saved by him and that is from goodness it is to be saved by him and that is from sin and evil as well as to enjoy quickning and life by him c. Isa 45. 22. And so from that salvation seen first to turn at his reproofs and then receive the pouring out his spirit and making known his words and so to repent and beleive the gospel Prov. 1. 23. Mar. 4. 15. And when so beleiving yet still to be denying themselves and receiving the reproofs of instruction that they may be denying ungodliness and worldly lusts and so receive more abundance of life to live and walk in the spirit Pro. 6. 23. and 9. 8. 9. and 15. 5. 31. and 17. 10. and 29. 75. and 25. 12. Tit. 2. 11 12. Gal. 5. 25. 26. so that receiving the reproofs of instruction is both gospel teaching and gospel like and the way rightly to receive the Gospel * 3. Some are ready to think this is a hinderance to the beleiving rejoycing in Christ and so to his chearful walking in faith and love and his drinking in spiritual consolations and so makes his life sad dumpish and unbeseeming But the Gospel it self doth answer this For Answ This hath before been proved false Chap. 3. and 4. and it is directly contrary to the plain testimony of this spirit that saith the reproofs of instruction are the way to life Prov. 6. 23. for right knowledge of Christ and spiritual things The rod and reproof give wisdome Prov. 29. 15. and the ear that heareth the reproof of life and abideth among the wise and getteth understanding Pro. 15. 31. 32. And the humble shall see his gratiousness and be glad Psal 69 32. â—he poor in spirit the mourners the meek blessed c. Matt. 5. 3 4 5. For God giveth grace to the humble and in due season exalteth them that humble themselves under his mighty hand Iam. 4 6. 1 Pet. 5. 5. 6. And makes darkness light before them Isa 42. 16. And so the eyes of the blind to see out of obseurity and darkness Isa 29. 18. Yea so satisfieth the afflicted soul that their light shall rise in obscurity and their darkness â—e as the noon day Isa 58. 10. yea to purge their beleif and confidence from mixtures he brings them to receive the sentence of death in themselves that they may trust only in him that raiseth the dead and so fits them with consolations suitable to their afflications 2 Cor. 1. 4 9 10. Sa as in patience possessing their souls they rejoyce in afflictions temptations and tribulations Rom. 5. 2. 3. 4. Jams 1. 2 3 4. True it is their heaâ—â— knoweth its own bitterness such as are strangers thereto intermeddle not with their joy Prov. 14. 10. and to such they may well appear as unknown while yet well known as dying while behold they live as chastned and not killed as sorrowful while yet alwayes rejoycing as poor while yet making many rich as having nothing while possessing all things 2 Cor. 6. 9. 10. Not did Pauls perswasion of the Terror of the Lord in minding the first branch of the testimony hinder his rejoycing and hope in Christ but salt oâ— season him for â—ight considering and hoping 2. Cor. 5. 11. Nor did the darkness Micha sitting in respect of Gods ordering providence and dispensation according to the second branch of the testimony hinder his rejoycing hope but season him for right considing and waiting Mich. 7. 7. 10. nor in looking to the third branch of the testimony did Habakkuks belly trembling lips quivering rottenness entring into his bones and trembling in himself at the voyce
Christ whence all the Oracles And it is the first thing propounded and so in order as truth first to be beheld and received in all our learning of him as hath been hinted through the discourse 2. In beholding and beleif of this heed and beleive the discovering reproofs of it of the filth in us and the need we stand in of the salvation it discovers and so of the hainousness of the sin of neglect of disesteem and ill requital of so great salvation and the equity justness and terribleness of the second death for contemners of so great salvation and so receive these reproofs that our hearâ—s may be perswaded and alwaies retain those perswasions as true Of the odiousnesness of sin and its abominableness to God Of the wretchedness mysery and vileness of man as of himself and from Adam Of the helplesness in our selves to come in to receive this salvation Of the heinousness of the sin of neglect and ill requital of so great salvation Of the equity and justness of the terribleness of the lake of fire for such as rebel against so great grace as is shewn Chap. 4. 3. In receiving these reproofs effecting such perswasions let them abide and have their efficacy in us retaining the same in our selves so as we be thereby framed and continually kept in that frame Of loathing our selves as of our selves and from Adam Of sencibleness of our need of the salvation in Christ Of a base estimate of our selves of our own wisdome strength righteousness deeds and designs and of abhorrency of them Of an awful fear and jealousie of our selves least we should mix any thing with the grace and promise of Christ in our beleiving and confidence for life as foreshewn 4 and 5. and 3. And 4. In all and awful fear and dread of the great name of the Lord so as our hearts may tremble at his word and judgements and at the truth righteousness equity and severity of the terror against rebellious contemners of his saving word as shewn chap. 4. that so having the true testimony in these reproofs with their efficacies in us we may be seasoned therewith as shewn at large Chap. 4. 11. 5. Let us receive all his fatherly corrections as in love to us to sit us for receiving and right usefulness of his reproofs with their efficacies that we may gain by them and take sufferings for his name as a favour as foreshewn chap. 3 And so let us have salt in our selves as shewn at large chap. 6. And iâ— we thus heed and receive the reproof of wisdome so as we be thus humbled and kept low in our selves having salt in our selves light will shine forth to us from the testimonies and he will be a light to us when we sit in darkness And so humbling our selves under his mighty hand he will exalt us in due time wherefore let every of us know and confess his own sore and so humble our selves and looking up to his mercy and so receive correction and draw nigh to God and trust in him and so let us pray for his people for our governors for our selves and the nation yea be afflicted and mourn and weep for out sins and provoking him to lay miseâ—y on us and so draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to us and hear and heal us But I will proceed no farther in this comfort is to be extended to the afflicted which I assayed in the antidote but in this discourse to move to such a frame and path as in which we may in beleiving receive all the promises and our gracious God will comfort us And so I desire we may alwaies have salt in our selves with its saltness seasoning us to receive his consolations and to walk in his teachings and edify one another And the God of mercy and father of all consolations fill us with consolations and afford us helpfulness according to all our needs Amen Wittlesey June 8. 1670. Your weak unworthy brother Tho. Moore FINIS A Consideration of Revel 22. 14. TO THE READER I pray in Reading mind the Scripture and take all here written as no withdrawing from living by faith but as a Directory to exercise Faith it being a contracted some that spoken to a plain Auditory not so much to fill the notion as to stir up to motion not to please speculation but to stir up to spiritual Action so as I may say what you read to do in beleiving the testimony you will find motions in the testimony unto and I pray yeild up to do them Remember the sons of God called by the spirit of God And surely you will find that in this way he leadeth in whose leadings the Lord help us alwayes to walk as prayeth Your Unworthy Brother THO. MOORE Revel 22. 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter through the Gates into the City CHAPTER I. THe Apostle had in the former Chapter declared what in vision he saw concerning the Holy City in verse 2. 3. 4. 5. and how the City was shewn him verse 10. 10 23. having on every of the four squares three gates ver 13. and that the saved nations should walk in the light of it and the Kings of the earth should bring their glory and honour to it ver 24. but no unclean thing shall enter into it ver 27. and that the nations far remote might be cleansed and healed and so come in to it he tels us in this Chapter of a River of water of Life and of a tree baring fruit whose leaves were for the healing of the nations c. and affirming the truth of these things and both certainly and speedily to be done in and at his coming the Apostle is commanded to publish and declare the same though some take offence thereat and so being filthy become more filthy yet that such as willingly hear and so are holy may become more holy and so this declaration is for our present usefulness For as the glory and manner of entring the Gates in that time which is yet to come it is though told yet not manifested 1 Cor. 13. 9. 12. 1 Iohn 3. 2 50. I will not presume to speak of the glory of those Gates and the manner of entring in thereat but as this 14. ver is not a part of the vision but in it a direction and encouragement to us for such demeanour now in the way appointed as that then we may have our part in that City like that said Chap. 20. 6. so it is recorded as all other Scriptures were for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15. 4. I shall therefore consider this verse in such sence as is for our present usefulness that we may enjoy that future hope And so I shall consider these five observable in it viz. * 1. What true blessedness indeed is in having whereof the haver is
at his reproofs and confessing their sinfulness and the defilements of their own wrought righteousness blessing therein is still to be met with Isa 64. 6 7. Pro. 28. 13. 14. and 15. 31. 32. 33. Iohn 1. 9. That so we may still be found beleiving in him that justifieth the ungodly Rom. 1. 4. 5. which otherwise we cannot be for though a man beleive his sayings that Christ dyed for our sins and rose for our justification and is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world and that whoever beleiveth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life yet if this be not so with the heart embraced that he humbled himself to turn at his reproof he will either in his severity by his consequences turn the grace of God into laciviousness Iud. 4. Deut. 29. 19. 20. or in his fleshly zeal set upon some deeds of righteousness of his own to get or claim this grace of God by Rom. 9. 32. 33. and 10. 3. Luke 18. 11. and so deprive themselves of the blessing for refusing reproof is bruitishness Pro. 12. 1 and 13. 1. and causeth to err Pro. 10. 17. for the reproofs of instruction are the way of life Pro. 6. 23. so that its evident and cleer this is one of his Commandments to turn at his reproof and the doing it to be ever joyned with the former therefore let us so to do both the first and so this 3. That from his pouring forth his spirit and making known his words to us we beleive in him in his name 2 Cron. 20. 20 Iohn 14. 1. surely this is the work of God even his end and that for which he displayeth his name in his Son he hath sent forth the Saviour of the world that for which he convinceth and abaseth men to turn at his reproofs that for which he causeth his great love in giving Christ to dye for us when we were sinners and ungodly to appear that we beleive in him whom he hath sent Iohn 6. 29. and to this end is the Gospel declared and recorded that we might so beleive on his name Iohn 20. 31. which is when in beleiving his love in that he suffered and died for us when enemies we owning our own vileness so mind his love and that he is now ever living and filled with power and spirit in Heaven to do further for us that we beleive in him for performing to us the goodness promised Rom 5. 6 10. and 8 32. 34. such beleiving the testimony of Christ and his sayings therein as owning our own weakness we beleive in God for that promised is that beleiving that so receiveth the faith that it is imputed to the beleiver for righteousness Rom. 4. 17. 24 25. And this is his Commandment that we beleive on the name of his Son Jesus Christ 1 Iohn 3. 23. yea in and through beleiving that he hath suffered and done and compleated for us in his own body to beleive in him for all he hath promised to us this the beleiving in him in which the Faith is so received that it is imputed to the beleiver for righteousness And so it is his Faith Rom. 4. 5. 9. 11. 17. 24. 25. that as it is the faith of the Son of God and so Christ and this faith of him being his faith he may in all conditions live by it Heb. 2. 4. Rom. 1. 17. Gall. 2. 20. and 3. 11. that so from the spirits testimony beleiving his love in giving himself for us and thence his truth power and faithfulness to perform all he hath promised we through the spirit do waite for the righteousness of God in his performing his promise by faith according to the faith and declared in the faith beleived by us Gall. 5. 5. and this beleiving in him beleiving in his name and so confiding trusting in him in his word Psal 56. 4 3 10 11. is his Commandment Psal 37. 3. 4. 5. 7. Pro. 3. 5. Isa 26. 4. and 50. 10. and such trusters pronounce blessed Psal 2. 12. and 34. 8. and 37. 6. and 84. 12. Ier. 17. 7. and this is a needful and very profitable Commandment for us for though a man beleive the sayings of the Gospel in what Christ hath suffered and done for all men and that his love is commended there through yet if he receive not the love of the truth to be saved by it so as he turn in at his reproof and receive the pouring out of his spirit and making known his word to beleive in him for that promised he is not yet made free by Christ the Son as a Son Iohn 8. 31. 36. And so as yet lyable to turn the grace of God into wantonness or to make up a righteousness of his own to claim the righteousness of God by as hath been shewn yea and so to receive damnable delusions 2 Thes 2. 10. 11. 12. yea though sprinkled with water and moved by spirit yet if not born of water and spirit he cannot enter the kingdome 2. 3. 5. But from the beleif of the testimony and its sayings turning at his reproof and so receiving the spirit making known his word that he beleiveth on him for that he kath promised he begins to be born of water and spirit and to be made free and is a Son of God by faith indeed Gall. 4. 6. 7 and 3. 26. and being so confiding and hoping in him he is still to hold fast this confidence Heb. 3. 6. 14. and so to trust perfectly in him at all times and for the grace to be brought us in the Revelation of Christ for this is his Commandment Psal 62. 8. 1 Pe. 13. therefore in doing both the forementioned Commandments let us do this also that we may enjoy the blessing 4. That for his great free and rich love and goodness thus beleived we confess his name in the Gospel in word and conversation and in and for this confession sake that we deny our selves and take up our Cross and follow Christ in his instruction in example given us Phill. 1. 27. 29. and 2. 8. 16 17. 2 Thes 1. 4. 5. 6. 7. and as to this confession of him in self denyal and bearing his reproch before the sons of men the blessing is promised Matt. 10. 32. Luke 12. 8. Psal 31. 19. and like as he was abased dispised persecuted and persecuted all the dayes of his mortal life and in patience bearing it gave us an example 1 Pet. 2. 21. 22. 23. and as his first coming and suffering and death was not to exempt men wholly from feeling misery and death but in his fathers way and season to redeem them out of both so as it is appoynted to men once to dye Heb. 9. 27. and to all that beleive in him to bear his râ—proch and suffer tribulation for his names sake Matt. 10. 22. 24. 25. Mar. 13. 12. 13. 1 Thess 3. 4. 2 Tim. 3. 12. And so this is his Commandment whosoever will come after me if
He that beleiveth not on the Son of God hath not life but abideth under wrath 1 John 3. 18. 36. 1 John 5. 12. and 4. He that is ashamed of the name and Cross of Christ before men Christ will be ashamed of him before his father which is in Heaven yea the end of the enemy of the Cross of Christ is destruction Mar. 8. 38. Phil. 3. 18. 19. and 5. He that loveth not his brother is in darkness and abides in death and walketh in darkness and there is no eternal life in him 1 John 2. 9. 11. and 3. 14. 15. and 4. 8 and 6. Such as are set for their own glory honour and applause with men exalting themselves refusing to deny and abase themselves and their own ends and so to give glory to God and so to glorify him and bring others to glorifie him are so far from having right to the tree of life and hope of reward from God that they are hypocrites and resisted of God Matt. 6. 2. 5. 16 1 Pet. 5. 5. 7. I am 4. 4. and sure 7. Such as make hast in use of unwarrantable means and put far off the evil day and say our Lord delayeth his coming are unfaithful and wicked and a bitter portion belongs to them Isa 28. 15. 16. 21. Amos 6. 3. Mat. 24. 48. 51 yet to say all in one word or sayings such as in the means extended to them do not know God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ but walk in their own waies fulfilling the affections and lusts of the flesh they have no inheritance in the kingdome of God nor are capacitated to enter it but another more terrible portion in flaming fire belongs to them Ephes 5. 3. 5. Gall. 3. 19. 20. 21. 2 Thess 1. 7. 8. such are none of Gods peculiar people none of Gods Elect and chosen and so have no right to the Tree of Life c. And yet even such he came to save and is exalted a Prince and Saviour to give repentance and remission of sins to such Acts 5. 31. 1 Tim. 1. 11. 15. so that yet while the day of his grace and patience lasteth as the voyce and call comes to them if they yet in hearing hear his voyce so as they verily beleive his sayings and so turn at his reproofs repent and beleive in his name and so to do these his Commandements before mentioned for the end here set forth they shall live John 5. 24. 25. 26. And receive washing sanctifying and justifying in the name of the Lord and by the Spirit of the Lord 1 Cor. 6. 9. 10. 11. And therein begin to enjoy their right in Christ as set forth in the Gospel and so come therein to begin to have right to the Tree of life as here mentioned And so are brought out of darkness into the marvelous light and such only are his peculiar people his beloved his chosen Rom. 9. 26. 2 Thess 2. 13. 14. 1 Pet. 2. 3. 4. 5. 9. let none deceive themselves nor suffer others to deceive them in saying though they do not his Commandements forementioned yet they may be his elect for ought any man knoweth for that is false and all that beleive the sayings of Christ know it to be false nor that he may say it is in vain or me to hear his voyce and turn for if I have no right to the Tree of life and be reprobated it is impossible for me to be converted and come to have â—ight thereto for that is false also though all remaining such as said have no right to the Tree of life which may be a provocation to hear his voyce and turn and be doing there Commandements Rom. 11. 7. 21. and 9. 26. The second Position THat the right end of doing these Commandments forementioned or the so doing them according to his mind that we may have right to the Tree oâ— life in the midst of the Paradise of God and so enter through the Care into the City It is to do them with this aime and desire and to this very end mentioned that we may have right to the Tree of life c. Thus express here and in the Gospel plainly discovered to us That as we must become Fools in our selves and beleive his sayings true and good who ever become a Lyar thereby so our end if we would receive the blessings must be not to conclude we are and shall be saved harmless because we beleive his sayings but even therefore beleive and here them that we may be saved by that discovered in them Isa 45. 22. Ioh. 5. 39. 40 2 Thess 2. 10. Psal 50. 16. 17. And so our turning at his reproofs and confessing ouâ— iniquities and judging our selves c. Must be not to conclude our selves as therefore saved and having the because that humbled and repenting But that in so humbling our selves under the mighty hand we may receive the powering forth of his spirit and making known his words that he may lift us up and bring us to beleive in him Isa 58. 2. 3. Prov. 1. 23. 1 Cor. 3. 7 8 9 10. 1 Pet. 5. 6. And so our beleiving and â—â—â—â—ing in him for performance of his promises must be not to magnifie and trust in our beleiving trusting and confiding as for that righteousness justified and sure of all But that we may so magnifie his words and trust not in our trusting but in him that Christ himself may be our Righteousness and we justified by the Faith of him and so be strong in the power and grace that is in him and trust in him that he will perform his word and promises for his own word and names sake Psal 56. 3. 4. 10. 11. and 30. 6. 7 8. Gall. 2. 15. 16. 1 Cor. 4. 5. Ephes 6. 10. 2 Tim. 2. 1. 2 Sam. 7. 25 26 27. And so our confession of his name and bearing his reproach and suffering for his names sake must be not to lift up our selves above others thereby and to vant of our sufferings But to be baptized in to his death to imitate him and be conformed to him in suffering and death that the life and power of Christ may be manifested in us and the spirit of Glory rest upon us and we receive this salvation and consolation and the power of his resurrection now and be made like him in the resurrection of the just 2 Cor. 11. 17. 18. Rom. 6. 4. 8. 2 Cor. 4. 10. 11. and 12. 9. Phill. 3. 10. 1 Pet. 2. 21. and 4. 14. 2 Cor. 9. 10. Rom. 5. 3. 4. Iam. 1. 3 4 12. And in loving and shewing forth the Fruits of love in good works our end must be not to gain Applause or after Riches here not to have them for a foundation to him or rest on for life and righteousness before God but to answer his love to us and imitate him therein to testifie love and thanks to him Mat. 14. 48. Ephes 5. 1 2. 2 Cor. 5.
14 15. Tit. 3. 3 4 5. 1 Ioh. 3. 16. and 4. 11. And be laying up treasures in Heaven and a good Foundation not for present to build on but for the time to come 1 Tim. 6. 18. 19. for Christ and his Angels to behold that day like that 2 Chron. 31. 7 8. a resemblance of it in that Acts 9. 36. 39. And I might say the same for our end in seeking to win others to glorifie him and impatient waiting for his coming but I will say no more but that our end and aime must be in all our doing the Commandments to enjoy him and be established in him that we may know him to be our life our righteousness our hope and that its all in him that we may have it in having him and so our trust and hope may be in him in which our interest and right to the inheritance is known Gal. 3. 29. 1 Ioh. 2. 24. 25. and 5. 20. Heb. 3. 6. 14. For it is not any sort coming to Christ or any receiving no words or any doing his Commandments in which this right is attained no Crown in running unless it be lawful running 1 Cor. 9. 25. 27. with 2 Tim. 2. 5. 6. 15. 16. For some come to Christ and to his servants and hear his words and yet come not to him to this end that they might have life in him and so they neither do indeed his Commandments nor atrain this end in receiving this right Ioh. 5. 40. Ezek. 33. 31. 32 33. and 14. 3. 8. So some may receive the doctrine of truth and boast of the love thereof to make a profession to gain a name what the name of truth is in honour like the Samaritans that would be one with the Iews when the Iews were in honour Ezra 4. 2. And yet receive not the love of the truth for its own end and Efficacies that they might be saved emptied and renewed thereby the power in it they refuse and so miss the blessedness Isa 7. 2. 3. 11. 12. and 48. 1. 2. 2 Thess 2. 10. 11. 12. 2 Tim. 3. 5. Yea doing any of these Commandments though of these forementioned having some sence at his reproofs and doing some good things as Herod or beleiving some of his sayings as Simon Magus or bearing some reproach with his People as Alexander or loving some of the brethren as Mitzar yea doing some commands to be approved of men as King Saul and Iehu or for any false ends to stop the mouth of Conscience or to make up for themselves a righteousness in this their doing that therein they may appear better and more holy then others and so desire the righteousness of God and a right to the Tree of life boasting themselves to be Gods peculiar ones that is but a kindling Sparks of their own Isa 50. 16. foolishness and deceit 2 Cor. 10. 7 12 18. disallowed of God Isa 65. 5. Contrary to the way of those led by the holy Spirit Rom. 3. 9. and 5. 8 1 Tim. 1. 15. seek that reproved Zach. 7. 5. 6. 7. and like the Pharises of old Luke 12. 11. 12. of the same nature and tendance with those Rom. 9. 31. 32. 33. And will have the same effect in keeping from submitting to Christ for righteousness and righteousness and life as those Rom. 10. 3. So as there is no other way of doing his Commandements â—ightly then doing them to this end that we may have right to the Tree of life that we may en et in through the Gates into the City which also will be the Issue in so doing to that end as said in the next Position The third Position THat the doing his Commandements to this end that we may have right to the Tree of life and may enter through the Gates into the City is not only that his present blessedness is meet with but a sure and certain way to have right to the Tree of life and assurance of entring through the Gates into the City this is fully before shewn and proved at * 2. and 6. 1. and at * 3 and appears in Gods direction to men Ier. 23. 22 23 28. and 4. 1. 2. and his promise to men Amos 5. 4 5. and our Saviours word Ioh. 6. 27. and Psal 19. 7. 11. onely here it is needful for men to cleer this to some that this doing his Commandments to this end is not a seeking righteousness and eternal liâ—e by the works of the Law or our own doings of Commandments but the very way of beleiving with the heart and so receiving righteousness and liâ—e and this is cleer in this that the Commandments here before mentioned are not Commandments of the Law of works but of the law of faith and grace Rom. 10. 4. 10. nor is the doing of these Commandments from the obligation of the law of works that gives not strength and so in a mans own strength c. But from the obligation and power of the law of faith and grace in love pâ—oâ—â—ced by it that carries to the doing them all Gal. 3. 10. 12 13. and 5. 13. 14. Rom. 10. 5. and 8. 3. 4. and 13. 8. 9. 10. 1 Cor. 13. noâ— is the end of doing these Commandments like that of the law of works to make up righteousness of our own by his deeds but to have righteousness in another even Jesus Christ Phill. 3. 7. 8. 9. 10. and so the beleiving with the heart the testimonies of Christ and sayings therein is no law work but opposite thereto as saith is to save and is the work of God by Christ Rom. 10. 4. 10. 1 Pet. 1 2. Iohn 6. 29 and in this beleif of him turning at his reproof confessing our sins repenting and judgeing our selves no producement of the Law that opens no door for repentance and effects desperate and worldly sorrow but an effect of the grace of God discovered in the testimony and sayings thereof reproving and calling to turn and so this repentance is a gift of Christ that gives with it remission of sins Gall. 3. 10. 2 Cor. 9. 10. Acts 5. 31. and 11 1 18. and when he that beleiveth these sayings turneth at his reproof and so truseth and confideth in his word and so in him for performing his promises and so through the spirit waiteth for the righteousness of God by faith this is no law work but opposed to it being the very work of Faith with power in the word of faith beleived Rom. 1. 16 1 Thess 2 13. Gal. 5. 5. And in this beleiving in him confessing his name and so bearing his reproach enduring through sufferings for his name sake this is no law work in which men may glory in the flesh but not before God but the very effect of the spirit of faith That is of love power and a sound mind Rom. 4. 2 5. Gall. 6. 12 13 14. 2 Cor. 4. 10. 4. 15. 2 Tim. 1. 7. 8. 1 Pet. 4 14. And with all this when from the love
his by the sanctification of the Spirit and beleif of the truth choosing you out of the love and fellowship of the world into union conformity and fellowship with himself sure that is stable and certain for if you do these things which are all done in doing his Commandments as aforesaid and proved yea shall never fall for so an abundant entrance shall be ministred unto you into the everlasting Kindome of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ 2 Pet. 1. 6. 11. So that it is clear that in this manner doing his Commandments right to the Tree of life and so entrance through the Gates into the City will be verily attained and enjoyed in the first Fruits of the Spirit now and fully in Soul and Body hereafter The fourth Position THat men must first have right to the Tree of life before they can enter through the Gates into the City this is clear in the words and shâ—own in the beginning of * 4. This third observable with the first and third Position in itâ— and may be seen in that fruit of Abrahams faith that did not only beleive in God in what he had formerly discovered to be done for him but also there from beleived in him for what he had promised And so walked in the steps of that Faith Rom. 4 9. 25. Heb. 11. 8. 16. whose Sons and seed â—â— are if we be of and walk in the steps of his Faith Gall. 3 29. Rom 4. 12. and so are heirs according to promise Gall. 3. 29. Yea it is not enough to beleive that Iesus is the Christ and and hath died for our sins and risen for our justification and offered himself a Sacrifice to God for us and is therefore the propitiation for the sins of the whole World unless we there through beleive in him for his promises of those good things to come and by vertue of his mediation to be conferred on us with compleat and unfeighned Faith in unfeighned beleiving had till it come to this Rom. 4. 24. 25. and 5. 1. 2. 8 9 10. and 8. 32. 34. 1 Thess 1. 10. true if the former be beleived with the heart it will bâ—ing to this Rom 10. 8. 9. 10. 1 Cor. 14. 1. 2. 3. 4. in which we have right to the Tree of life so as to hope in him for the inheritance which hope preserveth in the Faith even to abiding 1 Cor. 15. 19. 20. 23. 1 Tim. 4. 10. supporteth and â—â—eareth in afflictions 2 Cor. 4. 17. 18. and 5. 1. Rom. 2. 17. 18. Heb. 11. 23. 26. and leadeth to persevere to death 2 Tim. 4 7. 8. Heb. 11. 9. 10. 13. c. Yea he that hath this hope in Christ purifyeth himself as he is pure 1 Ioh. 3. 3. and all this enjoyed doing his Commandments as aforesaid nor can we be doing them or entring the Gates thereby unless in beleiving we hold fast this hope Col. 1. 23. Heb. 10. 35. 36. so that without this right we cannot enter through the Gates into this City which leads to mind the last observable which is CHAP. VI. * 5 Observable THat all that desire to enter into the heavenly City and so to eat of the hidden Mannah and of the Tree of life that now is in the midst of the paradise of God and will be in that City when it is come down from Heaven they must if ever they will enter through the Gates into the City of the City when it is come down from Heaven and the Gates as then they shall be that is so glorious and beyond our apprehention only unquestionable because affirmed so it shall be that I may not presume to explain that but as this is spoken not only for our hope but also for our present usefulness and so I may consider of the Gates spiritually as in exercise of Faith to be entred and gone through And so what these Gates now are and they must needs be such as are suitable to the Commandments forementioned For the doing the Commandments to the right end is that we may have right in Christ and so to the Tree of life we may enter and so in doing them is our spiritual entring now so that without doing even these forementioned Commandments no entring nor any right doing them but so far an entring spiritually now and hope of that full entrance into that glorious City after so that in some sort the Commandments and Gates are one and though in outward things this is strange and to our sence could not be yet in Christ and the doctrine of Christ and so in spiritual oneness in many things of this nature is affirmed Ephes 1. 3 16. And whereas Gates are here mentioned in the plural number where as the Gate Door or Way to the Father is one and but one and the same By considering Christ who is one with the Father and we may come to understand both what the Gate is and what these Gates are For As the door by which Christ came and compleated righteousness for us and obtained redemption and prepares a City for us it was one love the will and appointment of the Father 1 Heb. 10. 7. 8. 9. 10. Psal 40. 8. Ioh. 7. 28. and 8. 42. and 10 2. 18. so he as having compleated that righteousness obtained the redemption and the inheritance and is in the vertue of all now mediating for us with God that we in beleiving might partake so he and he only is by the same will and appointment of the Father the one and onely Gate Door and Way for our approach to God for grace and spirit and life c. Ioh. 14. 6. and 10. 7. 9. Ephes 2. 18. Heb. 10. 19. 20. and 7. 25. and 4. 15. 16. yea and with that grace of him to enter into the Church and be profitable to others and yet Jesus Christ coming in by his Fathers will and doing it in compleating his first great work passed through many Gates without which he could not have compleated the will of his Father in that first work as to say taking our nature partaking with us of the Flesh and Blood ' and bebecoming under the Law for us Heb. 2. 14. Iohn 1. 14. Gall. 4. 4. ' And in that body lived by faith immediately on his Fathers power truth and faithfulness that set him about that work Psal 22. 9. 10. Isa 50. 7 8 9. Iohn 8. 29. and 6. 37. ' And in exercise of that faith went through manifold afflictions Isa 52. 14. and 53. 3. ' And persevered to the death even in death giving up his spirit into the hands of his Father Luke 23. 46. ' And then after buried and overcame death and rose in that very body that died and after ascended into Heaven and offered himself in that Body a Sacrifice to God and is now accepted of and glorified with the Fathers own self with the glory he had with the Father before the world was and is now alive for ever more Luke 24. 6. 7. Acts