of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of him The eye of your understanding being enlightned that wee may know what is the hope of his calling and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints The spirit in us knowes all things and heâ— believes all the things of God and none can doe it but he because none knowes the things of God but he and those things that he doth see and heare and understand what they are and knowes them to be truth therefore the Spirit believes them and this faith is a perfect faith he believes fully all things of God in every tittle there is no imperfection in it hee believes all things that Christ hath done for us and what he hath obtained for us Thus the Spirit of God in us believes all the things of God for us and without this faith we cannot be saved for by this faith we are justified This faith is that eye that sees all the things of God for it sees all things that Christ hath done for us and we as we are men we cannot believe the things of God because they are spirituall and we are carnall and cannot know spirituall things therefore we cannot believe them for it is impossible to believe that which they doe not know but though we as we are men and women doe not nor cannot believe yet the Spirit of God in us doth believe perfectly all the things of God for us So as we are Saints we believe the things of God through the Spirit of God God would have man to be saved and that hee should come to the knowledg of his truth and believe what Christ hath done for him and lay hold on Christ by faith that hee might be saved but man cannot doe it therefore God sent his Spirit to us that he should doe it for us in us so by this faith wee are justified for this is perfect and wee may have this spirit in us that doth believe God in Christ and wee aâ—we are men know it not yet the spirit of God is always the same with God and in his time he will make knowne in us and to us aâ— we are Saints that we have this saving justifying faith in uâ—â—and make known in us by degrees what our pledges are in him 4thly It is the Spirit of God alone that can doe the works of God man cannot doe any thing that can please God for all the workeâ— of man as man are evill continually Even the best performances that he can performe aâ—â— those performances that Paul performed beforâ— his Conversion For all that is not faith iâ— sinne and man as man hath not faith therefore all his works are evill and that which 〈◊〉 evill cannot please God and the way of God is past mans finding out John 6.28 29. Whâ—â— shall wee doe that we might worke the workes 〈◊〉 God Jesus answered and said unto them This 〈◊〉 the worke of God that ye believe in him whom 〈◊〉 hath sent This is the worke of God and it is only the Spirit of God that can doe it in man so man We doe just as the Apostles did wheâ—â— they went a fishing when Christ was abseâ— from them they toyled and laboured all thâ— night to get fishes and could get none Bâ—â— when Christ came to them hee bid them 〈◊〉 downe the net on the right side of the shippâ—â— and eâ— shall finde and they were not now able 〈◊〉 draw the net for the multitude of fishes John 2â— 6. So wee labour and toyle our selves in the night that is before the light of Jesus Christ appeares to us that wee may see him present with us by his Spirit wee labour in our owne way and strength to doe those things that should please God but wee labour on the wrong side of the shippe all our labour is in vaine there is nothing to be gotten but Christ comming to us by his Spirit to tell us the net must be cast in on the right side that is in a spirituall way for we have laboured in a carnall way and could find nothing And what is this net but that which catcheth something so the Spirit of God hee cast in the net that way that God would have him for us hee doth the whole worke of God in beleeving Jesus Christ and performing all obedience to him for us in us and hee makes knowne to us by degrees what the minde of God is and so wee finde in us that hee doth those things in us that hee doth reveale to us that we should doe it and as wee are men we cannot doe it so hee doth it in us making use of the members of man as instruments to performe the workes of God and hee makes us willing to yield to him for he over-powers us and so God accepts of it so the spirit casting in the net of right performances to God in us hee brings forth to us from God through Jesus Christ such a multitude of severall manifestations of the love of God to us in Christ Jesus and shewing us what we are in him that wee are not able to draw them forth wee cannot comprehend them as we are men so for us to labour on the wrong side of the ship is in vain Isa 49.4 Then said I I have laboured in vain I have spent my strength for nought and in vain yet surely my judgement is with the Lord and my worke with my God Deut. 32.4 He is the rocke his worke is perfect for all his wayes are judgement a God of truth and without iniquity just and righteous is he Thus the Spirit of God doth the works of God for us in us and we have the comfort of it and it is he alone that doth make us accepted with God Wheresoever there is a manifest appearance of the Spirit of God in any one there hee purges and sanctifies that man or woman in their conversation by his acting in them and this Spirit of God seasons those actions that he acts in us making use of our members and our members being carnall and fleshly the acting of the spirit through us cannot appeare so pure and excellent as it is in it selfe for it is clouded with the vaile of our infirmities but the Spirit seasons the acting that hee acts through our flesh and so hee makes them accepted with God This is the Altar that sanctifieth the offering Christ is â—oth a King a Priest and a Prophet and hee â—ath made us so with him as we are Saints He â—as a Priest to offer sacrifice for all and this â—acrifice that hee did offer was his body and â—he Altar that he did offer it on was his diviniâ—y and this Altar sanctifies the sacrifice Mat. â—3 19 So this Spirit of Christ which is one â—ith God in us sanctifieth all those perforâ—ances that he acts through us they are offeâ—ed all of them upon
but in Christ which is the fountaine and these streames ebbe and flow according to the wisdome of God And so long as thou dost live upon these streames thy comforts ebbe and flow with the streames but the Lord did not send these streames of his love to thee that thou shouldst live upon them and build thy comforts upon them but he lets these streames of his love sometimes flow forth in thee to keepe thee from despairing and at other times with-draws the sense and feeling of it that thou shouldst not Idolize them but looke up higher and see Chrisâ— who is thy full happinesse and he unchangeâ—ble I am God I change not therefore ye Sonnâ— of Jacob are not consumed We have thought God to be changeable liâ—â— our selves when we performed duties he wâ—â— well pleased with us and when we fell into fâ—â— hee was angry with us and when wee haâ—â— thought God angry with us wee have kepâ— from him and durst not goe to him Isa 5â— 7 8 9. Let The wicked forsake his way and 〈◊〉 unrighteous man his thoughts and let him râ—turne unto the Lord and he will have mercy upâ—â— him and to our God for he will abundantly paâ—don For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your wayes my wayes saith the Lord. Fâ—â— as the heavens are higher than the earth so are â—â—wayes higher than your wayes and my thoughâ— than your thoughts You must forsake your owne thoughts 〈◊〉 God you have thought him to be changeabâ—â— like your selfe and his wayes like yours bâ—â— you must doe so no more For his thoughâ— are thoughts of peace and love and good wiâ—â— Jer. 31.3 I have loved thee with an everlastiâ— love His love is unchangeable love for whâ— he loves he loves to the end Is God unchangeâ—ble this is exceeding comfortable to the châ—â—dren of God this will encourage them not 〈◊〉 be troubled though they cannot performe duties alwayes alike sometimes wee cannot pray we want words to speak to God But the Spirit helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought But the Spirit it selse maketh intercessian for us with groanes which cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth the minde of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Rom. 8.26 27. What little cause haft thou to be troubled though thou carest not pray when the Spirit of God prays for thee to the Father and Christ hee hath prayed for thee John 17. And he makes intercession for thee 1 John 2.1 And it is impossible but that the prayers of Christ and the Spirit will be granted for the Father will not denie Christ anything And in Christ thou art very neare and deare to him and he is very tender and carefull over thee and will do any thing for thee which is for thy good Hee will not keep backe anything from thee which he sees is for his glory thy good in his time but thou must waite his time and a waiting condition is a happy condition And it is hee that makes thee to waite Isa 40.29 30 31. Hee giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength Even the youths shall faint and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall But they that waite upon thâ— Lord shall renew their strength they shall mounâ— up with wings as Eagles they shall runne and noâ— be weary and they shall walke and not faint Thus I have shewed you what it is to stanâ—â— still CHAP. IV. How Christ makes a way through the Red Sea oâ— his owne blood which he hath shed for thy sinnes for thee to passe out of the spirituall Land of Aegypt into the spirituall Land of Canaan GOd made man in his owne Image Gen. 1 27. He being without sin and in a glorious condition and he knew God and there was nothing to hinder his communion with God He saw God as he was and he had a clear enjoyment of him for he saw God with a spirituall eye and he was what God would have him to be and willing to be at the disposing of God then was no complaints made oâ— him and God planted a garden Gen. 2.8 9. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for foode the tree of life also in the midst of the garden and the tree of knowledge of good and evill The Lord placed Adam there in the glorious place that was upon the earth suitable to his condition there was all things that his heart could wish or desire Vers 16 17. And the Lord God commanded the man saying Of every tree of the Garden thou maist freely eate but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evill thou shalt not eate of it for in the day thou eatest of it thou shalt surely die The man and the woman were in a glorious condition so long as they continued thus both in spirituall and temporall things So their happinesse was upon condition for so long as they forbore eating of the tree of knowledg of good and evill they continued in this happinesse but if they eate of it thou should surely dye And the Devill envied mans happy condition and he enters into the Serpent and came to the woman and said Yea hath God said ye shall not eate of every tree of the Garden And the Woman said unto the Serpent we may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden God hath said ye shall not eate of it neither shall ye touch it lest ye die And the Serpent said unto the woman ye shall not surely die For God doth know that in the day ye eate thereof then your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods knowing good and evill And when the woman saw that the tree was good for foode and that it was pleâ—sant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to maâ—â— one wise shee tooke of the fruit thereof and diâ— eate and gave also to her husband with her anâ— he did eate Gen. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6. Here the Devill came and accused God tâ— the Woman hath God said ye shall not eate of every tree of the Garden For God doth knowâ— that in the day that yee eate thereof then your eye shall be opened and you shall be as Gods knowinâ— good and evill As if he should say if God diâ— love you he would not have barr'd you froâ— eating of the fruis of that tree whereby yoâ—â— should become as Gods to know good and evill He had better have barr'd thee from all the otheâ— things in the garden then from this therefore his barring of thee from this thing whicâ— is so good for thee may make thee questioâ— his love to thee in all other things Anâ— though he said ye shall dye it ye
eate this bread be shall live for ever and the bread thâ— I will give is my flesh which I will give for tâ—â— life of the world vers 50 51. And this breaâ— hee giveth to all freely And this is that thaâ— will feede and nourish your soules thereforâ— feede upon this and doe not spend your labour in vaine thinking to get a righteousneâ—â— of your owne which is not the righteousnesâ— of Jesus Christ that thou mightst feede upon that and be satisfied with it but that cannot satisfie thee if thou goest to feede upon it 〈◊〉 will choak thee but hearken diligently to me and eate that which is good and let your soule delight it selfe in his fatnesse What he hath donâ— for thee and what he hath obtained for thee and come unto me heare and your soul shal live So heare that yee really believe what Christ hath done for you and your soule shall live And I will make an everlasting Covenant with you â—ven the sure mercies of David For this is the Covenant that I will make with them After those dayes saith the Lord I will put my lawes into their hearts and I will be to them a God and â—hey shall be to mee a people And they shall not â—each every man his brother saying know the Lord for all shall know me from the least to the greatest For I will be mercifull to their unrighteousnesse and their sinnes and iniquities will I remember no more Heb. 8.10 11 12. And it is a sure Covenant for it was established upon better promises than the old Covenant was and God is unchangeable I am God I change not therefore ye sonnes of Jacob are not consumed And the Spirit and the Bride sayes â—ome and let him that heareth say come and set him that is athirst come and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely Rev. 22.17 Wisedome hath builded her house she hath killed â—er beasts shee hath mingled her wine shee hath also furnished her table She hath sent forth her Maidens shee cryeth upon the highest places of the City Whose is simple let him turne in hither as for him that wanteth understanding she saith to him Come eate of my bread and drinke of the wine that I have mingled Prov. 9.1 2 3 4 5. This wisdome is Christ and it was he thâ— was killed for the sinnes of the world This the fatted Calfe that was killed Luke 15 2â— And the Lamb slain from the beginning of tâ—â— world Matth. 22. Behold I have prepared 〈◊〉 dinner my oxen and fatlings are killed and 〈◊〉 things are ready come unto the marriage It is Christ alone that hath prepared 〈◊〉 things for this spirituall marriage betwiâ—â— himselfe and his people There is nothing 〈◊〉 be done but all things are already preparâ— for this spirituall feast there is nothing fâ—â— us to doe but to come and eate and drink freely of those things that are prepared for us And hee sends forth his servants for to crye 〈◊〉 the highest places of the Citie and to crye 〈◊〉 loud Spare not lift up their voyce like a Truâ—â— pet Isa 58.1 That all may hear and come that those that are simple may learne true wiâ—dome of him CHAP. VI. How wee should come to Christ and have thâ— things that he hath prepared for all THere is no other way to come to Chriâ—â—â— but by believing what hee hath done foâ— them in particular and to apply it to themselves These things are written that ye might beâ—ieve that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and â—hat in believing ye might have life through his â—ame John 20.31 He that believeth in the Son â—f God hath the witnesse in himselfe he that belieâ—eth not God hath made him a lyar because hee â—elieved not the record that God witnessed of his â—on And this is the record that God hath given â—nto us eternall life and this life is in his Sonne He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath â—ot the Sonne hath not life These things have I written unto you that believe in the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternall life and that ye may believe in the name of the Son â—f God 1 John 5.10 11 12 13. For God so loâ—ed the world that he gave his only begotten Son â—hat whosoever believeth in him should not perish â—ut have everlasting life John 3.16 And this is â—ife eternall that they know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John â—7 3 Let not your hearts be troubled ye believe â—n God believe also in me John 14.1 For I am â—ome a light into the world whosoever believeth in â—â—e shall not abide in darkenesse Joh. 12.40 And â—his is the worke of God that yee believe in him whom he hath sent John 6.29 Hee that belieâ—eth in me as saith the Scripture out of his belly shall flow rivers of water of life John 7.38 He that believeth in me hath everlasting life Johâ— 6.47 And Jesus said unto them I am the breâ— of life he that commeth to me shall not hunger 〈◊〉 hee that believeth in me shall never thirst Aâ—â— this is the will of him that sent me that every 〈◊〉 which seeth the Son and believeth in him shoâ—â— have everlasting life and I will raise him up the last day John 6.35.40 He that doth believe Christ doth knoâ— Christ and doth know the Father also 〈◊〉 Christ and his Father are one and hee doâ—â— know that Christ hath pardoned his sins having made full satisfaction for them to his Father and that God is as well pleased with hiâ— in his Sonne as he is with his Son and doâ— not only believe this because it is in the Scripture but because the Spirit of God witnesseâ— it to them by the enjoyment of it though sometimes they have not the comfort of 〈◊〉 Believing and faith is all one and we are justâ—fied by faith and not by workes and therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the workes of the Law Rom. 3 2â— By the works of ehe law shall no flesh be justified 〈◊〉 his fight For by the Law cometh the knowledge of sin 〈◊〉 now is the righteousnesse of God made manifeâ—â— without the Law bearing witnesse of the Law anâ— the Prophets to wit the righteousnesse of God 〈◊〉 the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that beleeve for there is no difference for all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus whom God hath set forth to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood to declate his righteousnesse by the forgivenesse of the sins that are passed through the patience of God Rom. 3.20 21 22 23 24 25. If Abraham were justified by works he hath wherein to rejoyce but not with God but what saith the Scripture Abraham beleeved God and it was counted
â—â—bideth for ever 1 Pet. 1.23 Except a man borne of water and of the spirit hee cannot eâ—â— into the kingdome of God John 3.5 Before we be thus called we differ nothinâ— from those that are but servants but when 〈◊〉 are called by this new worke wrought inâ—â— which is the time appointed of the Father then he will make known to us what hee haâ—â— prepared for us before the world began 〈◊〉 were heirs to it when we were dead in sins aâ— trespasses but did not then make it known 〈◊〉 us and to all these hee will give eternall liâ—â— I give unto them eternall life and they shall neâ—â— perish neither shall any man plucke them out of my hand My Father which gave them me is greater then all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand John 10.28 29. Feare not little flocke it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdome Thou hast given him power over them that he should give eternall life to as many as thou hast given him And this is life eternall that they might know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John 17.23 And it is hee alone that doth bring us to the knowledge of himselfe Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life no man commeth to the Father but by me John 14.6 I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit which leadeth thee the way that thou shouldst goe Isa 48.17 And thine eare shall heare a word behind thee saying This is the way walk in it Isa 30.21 And these that are his children he will overpower them with his Spirit and make them come unto him Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power Psal 110.3 Wee are unwilling by nature to come to God but when hee commeth with his power he will make us willing to doe what he would have us Mat. 22. Goe yee therefore out into the high wayes and as many as ye find compell them to come to the marriage This was a spirituall compulsion for noâ— hath the power to make them willing but tâ—â— Spirit The Magistrate doth compell to aâ—â— outward conformitie but that cannot maâ—â— them willing it is only the worke of the spirit and hee will compell all his children 〈◊〉 come to this marriage and make them williâ—â— to come CHAP. IX It is the Spirit alone in us that doth 〈◊〉 in all PAul saith I desire not to know any thing â—mong you save Jesus Christ and him craâ—â—â—ed 1 Cor. 1.2 For by him he being crucifiâ—â— for us he hath obtained al things for us aâ—â— we cannot know that Christ was crucified 〈◊〉 us nor any thing what he hath done for 〈◊〉 but by the Spirit of God we may believe maâ—â— things to be truth because it is writ in thâ— Scripture and because many say it is truâ—â— but this is but the hearing of the eare noâ— knows it to be truth by the hearing of the eaâ—â— as the truth is in Jesus but by the Spiritâ— God alone For what man knoweth the things a man save the spirit of man which is in him Even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.11 This spirit of man must be one with man or else it cannot understand the things of man as the thoughts and mind and will and desires of man which is one and the same with man so the Spirit of God is one and the same with God or else it could not know the things of God But this spirit knows all things of God For the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deepe things of God 1 Cor. 1.10 And this Spirit God hath given unto us Now we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God And vers 12. of this Chap. God hath revealed â—hem to us by his Spirit And vers 10. So Christ hath done all things for us and hath obtained all things for us and wee cannot know â—his without his Spirit and therefore he hath and will give us his Spirit that we may know â—t and have the enjoyment of it Man as man â—s not able to understand the things of God because man is carnall and the things of God â—re spiritual and a carnall apprehension cannot apprehend spirituall things The naturall man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can hee know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 As wee are naturall we cannot know the things of the Spirit wee are not able to discerne them The eye of man hath not seen nor thâ— eare of man heard neither hath it entered into thâ— heart of man the things which God hath preparâ—â— for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 All the excellencies of man cannot bring us to know anâ— thing of the mysterie of God for every man iâ— beast by his owne knowledge Jer. 10.14 Jer. 51 17. I understood as a beast saith David How 〈◊〉 that according to a carnall apprehension anâ— a carnall imagination for the highest moâ—â— excellent thoughts that wee as we are men 〈◊〉 have of God is but according to our carnal imagination All the wisdome of man is bâ—â— foolishnesse with God 1 Cor. 2.20 Therefoâ—â— his wisedome cannot bring him to know thâ— things of God nor humane learning cannâ—â— doe it for then the Scribes and Pharisees anâ— the high Priests and Elders would have knowâ— Christ but they said Which of us hath beâ—â—ved him at any time And Paul had a great dâ—â— of humane learning yet that did not briâ—â— him to know God for hee was a persecuter 〈◊〉 the Church of God Gal. 1.13 Yet none 〈◊〉 the Apostles had so much humane learning 〈◊〉 he yet he did not come to know the minde 〈◊〉 God the things of God by the teachings of man Now I certifie you brethren that the Gospel which was preached of me was not after man For neither received I it of man neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ Gal. 1.11 12. So it was by the Spirit of God revealed in him that brought him to know the things of God For ye see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weake things of the world to confound the mighty things And vile things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen yea and things which are not to bring to nought things that are That no flesh should glory in his presence 1 Cor. 1.26 27 28 29. God strips us of all the excellence of the flesh lest wee should thinke by any thing that is of us brings us to the knowledge of God and so wee
is called flesh and it is an enemie against God The seed of God 〈◊〉 us is called Spirit and the seed of the Devil 〈◊〉 us both the grosse seed and that seeming glorious seed is called flesh and there is a striâ—ng and strugling in us betwixt them for the â—eed of God works mildly and by degrees in 〈◊〉 and receives the power from God and reâ—â—nes all the praise to God it would not have â—ny thing ascribed to us in the least degree It makes no hast but is willing to stay the Lords â—easure Isa 28.16 Hee that believeth shall not â—â—ke hast And it is the Spirit in us that doth â—elieve and he doth not make hast that is wilâ—ing to waite upon God and stay his leasure while hee doth manifest himselfe in us in that â—ay that the Spirit doth desire it for us Cant. 2.7 I charge you O daughters of Jerusalem thâ—â— yee stirre not up nor waken my beloved untill hâ—â— please He makâ— us wait patiently upon God usâ—â— the means as prayer hearing and readingâ— but not at all depend upon them but to looâ—â— higher and see God above it yet hee is maâ—â— times pleased to manifest himselfe to us 〈◊〉 his Spirit in the meanes and our comforâ— consists only in him who is the fulnesse of oâ—â— happinesse and not in the strength of our peâ—formances but the righteousnesse of man is 〈◊〉 enemie to this it will not stay the Lords leâ— sure but doth strive and struggle with Gâ—â— for that which it would have and cannot be 〈◊〉 quiet while hee hath it and will not let Goâ— have the honour but keepe it to their selveâ— though God shall have it in words but not deeds for if we think to be saved by it anâ— without it we shall not be saved doe we noâ— ascribe the honour to our selves because wâ— performe that righteousnesse that we looke be saved by And this is a great policie of thâ— Devill to destroy all man-kinde for hee saâ— that his first policy was brought to noughâ— Then he seekes to destroy us by our own riâ—â—â—teousnesse making us believe that it is the riâ—â—â—teousnesse of Christ because without his riâ—â—â—teousnesse we shall not be saved and so maâ—â— â—s to depend upon it and take the honour from God and ascribe it to our performanas and keeps us from desiring after the righâ—ousnesse of Christ And when as God saith â—ooke unto me and be ye saved from all the ends â—f the Earth The Devill saith Looke unto this â—â—ghteousnesse of the flesh and see that yee have â—â—at and ye shall be saved for without it ye shall â—â—t be saved And this he doth to rob God of is honour and to keepe all man-kinde out of â—eaven and he works it so craftily in us that â—â—r as we are men and women cannot perceive 〈◊〉 we cannot be brought to believe it while God doth shew us it by his Spirit it is a very â—angerous thing and the higher wee grow in 〈◊〉 the more dangerous it is for there is noâ—hing under the Devill that is so great an eneâ—ie to God as our rightteousnesse It is Antiâ—rist in the mystery it opposeth Christ in all â—s ways and persecutes him in all his wayes â—nd exalteth it self in all his ways above Christ â—â—d will not have Christ to reign over us in his â—â—y nor he to save us but that he would reign â—â—r us in the Devils way and that should â—â—e us And so long as we live to this righteâ—â—nesse of our owne we live to our selves and 〈◊〉 to Christ and this seede is in all the chilâ—â—en of God and the seed of Christ is hidden it in us like gold that is mixt among a great deale of drosse that it cannot appeare so paâ—â— to us as it is in it selfe yet that which is gold is without drosse and is excellent even so thâ—â— seede of God in us is mixt with the seed of the Devill yet that which is of God is perfect pure there is no drosse in it but it cannot appeare so to to us by reason of that drosse of oâ—â— righteousnesse mixt with it and so farre as there is any thing in us and to us that is of Jesus Christ made knowne to us though it be but in a small measure it is reall truth but sâ— farre as it is not reall pure truth as the truth 〈◊〉 in Jesus though it appeare never so gloriouâ— that which hath not the truth in it is of Anâ—â—christ the seede of the Devill in us but thâ—â— which is reall truth so farre as it is truth 〈◊〉 is of God although it be mixed with fashood but this seede of the Devill which hee sowed 〈◊〉 us through envie to rob God of his honour and to destroy all man-kinde shall never dâ—â—stroy the children of God for Christ haâ—â— broken the head of the Devils policie but thâ— seed of the Devill shall not wholly be destroyed in us but God will get himselfe honour uâ—on it by the discovering of it by the pure lighâ— and cleare manifestation of the truth of Châ—â— made known to us by the Spirit revealing 〈◊〉 us what he is in us and what wee are in hiâ— By degrees he will make known his love toâ— and as he doth reveale himselfe to us in his owne righteousnesse the wayes of Antichrist will be discovered and his glory will out-shine the glory of Anti-christ and it shall appeare grosse darknesse to it and we shall be ashamed of it and as the light of Jesus Christ appears by his Spirit in us that seeming excellent glorious righteousnesse of our flesh which is Anti-christ in the mystery in us which opposeth light and is nothing but that which is contrary to it shall bee destroyed by the comming of Christ spiritually in us These two seeds are typifâ—â—d out to us by Isaac and Ishmael Gal. 4.22 23. For it is written that Abraham had two sonnes the one by a bond-maid the other by a free woman But bee that was born by the bond-maid was after the flesh but he of the free woman was by promise The son of the bond-woman which was Ishmad did cypifie Anti-christ in us this comes by nature and Isaac which was borne of the free woman was a type of the seede of God in us the Spirit of Christ which is borne in the new birth by promise and not by nature But as then hee that was borne after the flesh peâ—fâ—cuted him that was borne after the Spirit even so it is now neverthelesse what faith the Scripture Câ—st ouâ— the bond-woman and her son for the son of the bond-woman shall not be heire with the son of the free-woman The righteousnesse of man must not be purged but câ—st out it persecutes Christ it shall not be heire with Christ and all the promiseâ— of God is to this seed of God in us and it is this that God loves so dearly Gal. 3.16 Nâ—w to Abraham and his seede were the promises made He
saith not to the seedes as speaking of many 〈◊〉 but unto thy seede as of one which is Christ Abraham was a type of God and Isaa◠〈◊〉 type of Christ and the promises are promised to this seed Gen 17.7 8. I will establish my Covenant betweene me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting Covenant to be God unto thee and to thy seed after thee And I will give thee and thy seede afâ—â—â— thee the Land wherein thou art a stranger evâ—â— all the Land of Canaan for an everlasting possession and I will be their God And vers 21. of this Chapter he saith My Covenant will I estâ—blish with Isaac And vers 19. And I will establish my Covenant with him an everlasting Covenant â—and with his seed after him All the promises are to Christ and his seâ—â— which is sowne in the Saints for that i◠〈◊〉 with Christ and all the land of Canaan 〈◊〉 promised to him and his seed The land of Câ—naan waâ— a type of heaven so heaven iâ— pâ—â—mised to the seed of Christ with Christ Christ obtained it of his Father for us by his suffering Heb 5.9 And being made perfect he became the author of eternall salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 8.14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified All that Christ did doe or suffer was for man he was made perfect for them and the children of God hath the whole benefit of it so they are made perfect in Christ Hee is the author of eternall salvation unto all them for they are the seede of Christ not as they are men but as they are Saints CHAP. XII How the seede of Christ is the Church of Christ or the Spouse of Christ CHrist hath purchased of his Father a chosen people to himselfe in his Father he is a common salvation to all but a speciall salvation to them and them he will make known hiâ— love and mind unto by degrees This seed of himselfe in them is the Church of Christ and the Church of Christ is the body of Christ Ephes 1.23 Not as he was man but 〈◊〉 he is God he iâ— a Spirit and the Church which is his body must be spirituall too and sutable to Christ for hee is the head of the Church Ephes 5.23 So the seede of himselfe being sown in all the Saints is the body Eph. 5.23 Christ is the head of the Church and the Saviour of the bodie vers 25 26 27. Christ loved the Church and gave himselfe for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word that bee might present is to himselfe a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and wiihout blemish That seede of Christ in us is perfect and Christ came not to purge sanctifie and wash it but to wash us as we are men and women to purge away our sinnes by his blood and to sanctâ—fie and wash us in our conversation by his Spirit in us We have a neare relation to Christ as he was man for we are members of his bodie of his flâ—sh and of his bones Ephes 5.30 He tooke our nature upon him that he might obtaine all things for us as wee are men and he is the Saviour of our bodies Ephes 5.23 For our bodie is the temple of the holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6.19 Know yee not that yee are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you If 〈◊〉 man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy For the Temple of God is holy which tâ—â—ple ye are 1 Cor. 3.16 17. For ye are not yoâ— owne ye are bought with a price 1 Cor. 6.20 He hath redeemed us to himselfe that we should serve him in all love hee hath done all things for the glory of himselfe and that we should have the benefit of it and he doth purge his Temple for himselfe to dwell in but as we are men there is no good in us nor no inclination to good we are but poor earthen vessels yet hee himselfe is pleased to dwell in us by his Spirit For God who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us 2 Cor. 4.6 7. So it is not our bodies that is the Church for our bodies are not one with God for it is but an earthen vessell for the Spirit of God to dwell in But this Spirit being in all the children of God makes one body Now yee are the bodie of Christ and members in particular 1 Cor. 12.27 For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one bodie being many are one body so also is Christ For by one Spirit are wee all baptized into one body whether wee be Jewes or Gentiles whether wee be bound or free and have been all made to drinke inâ—â— one Spirit For the body is not one member but many If the foote shall say because I am not the hand I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body And if the eare shall say because I 〈◊〉 not the eye I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body If the whole body were an eye where were the hearing If the whole were heâ—ring where were the smelling But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him And if they were all one members where were the body But now are they many members yet but one body And the eye caâ—â—â— say to the hand I have no need of thee nor agaiâ— the head to the feet I have no need of you Nâ—â— much more those members of the body which seeâ— to be more feeble are necessary But all thâ—â—â— worketh by one and the selfe same Spirit dâ—viding to every man severally as he will 1 Câ—â— 12.11 to the 22. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift 〈◊〉 Christ Wherefore he saith When hee ascended 〈◊〉 on high he led captivity captive and gave gifâ— unto men He ascended up far above all heavâ—â— that he might fill all things And he gave some â—postles and some Evangelists and some Pastors 〈◊〉 Teachers For the perfecting of the Saints for 〈◊〉 work of the Ministery for the edifying of the boâ—â— of Christ Anâ— growing up into him in all thiâ—â— which is the head even Christ From whom 〈◊〉 whole bodie is fitly joyned together and comâ—â—cted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectuall working in the measure of every part maketh encrease of the bodie unto the edifying of it selfe in love Ephes 4.7 8.10 11 12.15 16. Christ is the head and
and you in me and I in you John 14.20 For Christ is the head and is one with the Father and the whole Church of God is the body which is the Spirit of God in all the Saints and he is always in us and with us Christ in us the hope of glory we by faith see Christ in us and know that he is the glory and wait patiently upon him while he is pleased to manifest his glory in us So by faith we believe and hope for that which wee have not yet the enjoyment â—f Though wee have Christ who is the fulâ—â—sse of all happinesse yet wee doe not see him 〈◊〉 us till hee is pleased to manifest himselfe to 〈◊〉 and shew us his glory And this faith of â—elieving what we shall enjoy is a very gloriâ—us condition and we have abundance of joy â—â—d comfort in it for the promise to us of the â—â—joyment of himselfe is sealed to us we are â—re of it there is not any thing that can hinâ—â—r him from manifesting himselfe to us Eph. â— 13 14. After that yee heard the word of truth â—â—e Gospel of your salvation in whom also after â—hat ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit 〈◊〉 promise Which is the earnest of our inheritance â—â—till the redemption of the purchased possession â—â—to the praise of his glory So the Lord revealing to us by his Spirit â—â—at there is an inheritance purchased by â—hrist for us which is himselfe that is the â—â—eatest inheritance that can be and this Spiâ—â—â— doth seale it to us till the time is come that â—â—mselfe will give us possession of that inheriâ—â—nce that hee hath redeemed and purchased â—â—r us for the praise of his glory So while we â—ave but an earnest given us of this inheritance â—eing we know it is sure wee are exceedingly â—omforted and carried above all slavish fears â—nd troubles and above all things that wee see below Christ and many the Lord leades a great while by faith before he gives them a full possession of himselfe CHAP. XVI Not for any to despise nor undervalue nor persecute one another IT is a very dangerous thing to embrace and close with that we heare before wee know whether it be truth or no for it is not sufficient for us to believe a thing to be truth because another saith it is truth For us to build upon this is a sandy-foundation we cannot build sure upon it though the things that we heare be truth yet except we know them to be truth by the Spirits teaching us or witnessing to us by sufficient grounds set forth in the Scripture that those things are truth that we heare it is very dangerous to build upon it and it is impossible but this building will fall for this foundation will not nor cannot hold it up and if it come to the tryall it will fall to the great dishonour of God and the scandalling of Religion and it is as dangerous to despise hate or persecute any thing that wee heare though it doth not seem to us to be truth for saith Paul After that way that ye call heresie so â—orship I the God of my Fathers Though it apâ—eareth to you to be heresie yet it may be reâ—â—ll truth therefore doe not hate it nor perseâ—ute it for Paul thought before his conversion â—hat it was heresie and persecuted it Acts 9. â—2 And Saul yet breathing out threatnings and â—aughter against the Disciples of the Lord went â—â—to the high Priest and desired of him letters to â—amascus to the Synagogue that if he found any 〈◊〉 this way whether they were men or women he â—ight bring them bound unto Jerusalem And â—he journeyed he came neare to Damascus and â—â—ddenly there shined round about him a light from â—â—aven and he fell to the earth and heard a voyce â—â—ying unto him Saul Saul why persecutest thou 〈◊〉 And he said who art thou Lord And the â—ord said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest it is â—â—â—d for thee to kicke against the pricks vers 3 4 â— Paul was then one that was very strict in all 〈◊〉 ways and walked very blamelesse as conâ—â—rning the performing of the Law and hee â—ought that all that was not as he was were â—â—retickes and hee persecuted them to the â—ath but the Lord said unto him Why perseâ—â—test thou me I am Jesus whom thou persecutest 〈◊〉 He persecuted Christ in his members Inasâ—â—eth as you have done it unto one of the least of â—â—se my brethren ye have done it to me Mat. 25.40 Take heed how you persecute any though you thinke they are heretickes and therefore persecute them as Paul did and indeed there was never any persecution but it went under the name of punishing Hereticks and doe iâ— by a shew of godlinesse as Paul did but it iâ— hard for you to kicke against prickes for it iâ— God that ye kicke against and he is stronger than you and will overcome you at the last and he is like pricks it will pierce your selves for not any weapon that is forged against hiâ— Saints shall prosper but shall returne backeâ— and destroy their enemies like as those meâ— were that tooke up Shadrach Mesbech and Abednego and cast them into the fiery fornan at the Kings command because they woulâ— not worship their false gods They made thâ— fornace exceeding hot because it should destroy the three men that were cast into it bâ—â— the flame of the fire slew those men that caâ— them in and Shadrach Mesbech and Abedego walked in the midst of the fire and neithâ—â— they nor their cloaths were burned nor 〈◊〉 much as smell of fire Dan. 3. Therefore whosoever thou art that persâ—cutest any take heed what thou dost for the last God will destroy thee whosoever thâ— art except thou commest to be converted and they whom thou dost persecute shall be 〈◊〉 livered out of thy hands if it be to the glory 〈◊〉 God and their good but if God hath giâ—â—n you so much power as to put them to â—â—ath the greatest harm that you can do them 〈◊〉 but to bring them to their full happinesse â—â—d that harm that you thinke to doe against â—â—â—m you doe against your selves for while 〈◊〉 persecute them they are at peace and quiâ—â— and have abundance of the enjoyment of â—â—od and enabled to bear exceedingly whatâ—â—ever is laid upon them for whatsoever is â—â—nting outwardly the Lord supplieth inâ—â—rdly by his Spirit and he conveyeth himâ—â—â—fe to them in that way that all the enemies 〈◊〉 the world nor all the Devils in hell are 〈◊〉 able to hinder them from the enjoyment him but while you persecute them you â—â—â—not be quiet in your mind but are troubled â—â—â—d cannot have peace like Saul that perseâ—â—â—â—d David The Spirit of the Lord departed 〈◊〉 Saul and an evill Spirit from the Lord trouâ—â—â—d him 1 Sam. 16.14 And this Spirit cauâ—â— him to persecute David and wheresoever 〈◊〉 Spirit is it causeth persecutions for it
is 〈◊〉 Ishmael that persecuted Isaac Object But ought wee not to punish open â—â—etiques and blasphemers for if wee doe 〈◊〉 punish them they may seduce abundance â—eople and bring them into their blaspeâ—us wayes Answ All the way that ought to be used is the preaching of the Word which is the sword of God For the word of God is quick and powerfull and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soule and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is 〈◊〉 discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4.12 And in Revel 1.16 speaking there of Christ it saith Out of his mouth wenâ— a sharpe two-edged sword which is the Gospel And it is the power of God to salvation Rom. 1â— 16 And I saw another Angel flie in the middeâ— of heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preacâ— to them that dwell on the Earth and to every nation and kindred and tongue and people Sayinâ— with a loud voyce fear God and give glory to him for the houre of his judgement is come and worshiâ— him that made heaven and earth and the Sea anâ— the fountaines of waters And there followed another Angel saying Babylon is fallen is faller that great Citie because shee made all Nation drinke of the wine of the wrath of her fornication Rev. 14.6 7 8. Ye may see how powerfull the preaching 〈◊〉 the Gospel is to the destroying of errours Thâ—â— is the sword of the Spirit which is the Word God Ephes 6.17 which is powerfull to the beâ—ting downe of all strong holds of Satan And it sharper than any two-edged sword and will destroy this great City Anti-christ and 〈◊〉 it downe to the ground for this will â—nt â—â—nder all the joynts whereby it is joyned toâ—â—ther and the very soule and spirit and â—â—arrow of it whereby it doth live even the â—â—y life of it shall be destroyed by the preaâ—ing of the Gospel for this doth find out the â—â—undation of the building of Anti-christ and â—â—ll it downe and the building will fall of it â—â—fe and we are commanded to use this way â—â—d the Apostles did use this way and no oâ—â—er and they found it very beneficiall for by they were brought out of their errors and â—â—re was daily abundance added to the â—â—urch such as should be saved False doctrine â—â—th not so much power to build up errours 〈◊〉 the Gospel of Jesus Christ hath power to â—â—roy them if it be rightly preached and if 〈◊〉 goe any other way to worke in beating â—â—ne errours it will not doe it though you â—â—â—secute them to the death it will make it â—â—ead the more and make them that you perâ—â—â—te the more zealous for it I beseech you beloved take heed of these two â—â—â—gs of closing to all that we hear and builâ—â—â—g upon it before God makes it truth to us â—his Spirit and of hating and persecuting 〈◊〉 which is not truth to you for it may be â—â—â—th though God hath not made it knowne to you therefore hate it not nor persecutâ— it lest you are found to persecute God Judgâ— not before the time but leave all to God foâ— to him we stand or fall for that which is noâ— of God shall fall at the last But whatsoevâ—â— you heare desire the Lord to teach you by hâ—â— Spirit whether it be truth or no and waiâ—â— upon God using the meanes as hearing aâ—â— reading and the like but not depend upon 〈◊〉 but see God above it while hee doth please reveale himselfe to you and shew you what truth and whensoever he doth any time maâ—â— knowne any thing to you to be truth by suâ—â—â—cient grounds according to the word thouâ—â—â— it be never so sudaine that embrace and â—â—tertaine and rejoyce at any manifestation the love of God to you Despise not the day small things and though you see others soâ—â— higher in the enjoyments of God and in 〈◊〉 wayes of God than you yet be not troubâ—â— at it nor doe not envy their condition 〈◊〉 he is the same to you as he is to them thouâ—â— you see it not for the Lord saith he will faâ—â— Christ as a naile in a sure place and he shall be a glorious throne to his fathers house And shall hang upon him all the glory of his fathers hâ—â— the off-spring and the issue all vessells of â—â—quantity from the vessels of cups even to all vessels of flagons Isa 22.23 24. They all 〈◊〉 upon Christ even the small cups which are â—e lowest Saints as well as the flagons which â—e high On all the vessels in the house of the â—ord is a glorious one for it is Christ that â—akes them so and bee not troubled because â—ou seest many several opinions in the world â—or God is not limited to any one of them â—â—r God hath and will reveal his whole mind â—o his Church but every particular one knows â—ut in part and opinions are but the shels â—t us not strive for them for wee cannot live â—pon them if wee have the kirnell it is sufficiâ—â—t which is Christ for he is the substance â—nd all things else are but shels to him and let 〈◊〉 be willing for him to lead us by his Spirit â—nd he will lead us in the right way and they â—hat are grown high Saints and have abunâ—ance of enjoyment let them not despise nor â—â—dervalue those that are low There is all â—anner of growth of Saints among us and I â—peak to al sorts of you do not uÌ„dervalue those â—hat are not as you are for we are all brethren 〈◊〉 Christ and so wee are to esteeme one anoâ—her if there by any appearance of godlinesse â—â—â—r my dove my undefiled is but one Cant. 6.9 Give no just occasion to any to scandall reâ—igion become low to those that are low yet speaking the truth but in such a way as they may plainly understand you doe not speake of high mysticall things to those that are very low except ye speak them forth in a very clear manner for being they cannot understand it they conclude it is heresie so by it religion comes to be scandaliz'd but this meate is too strong for babes they must be fed with milke as Paul did 1 Cor. 3.2 I have fed you with milk and not with meate for hitherto ye were not able to beare it Heb. 5.13 14. For every one that useth milke is unskilfull in the word of righteousnesse for he is a babe But strong meate belongeth to them that are of full age even those who by reason of use have their sences exercised to discern both good and evill .. So by degrees feede them as they are able to beare it and do not dishearten any though they are never so low for consider that once ye were low your selves therefore bear with their weakenesse and infirmities And beloved let not us make a rent or schisme in this body the Church of Christ let not the Presbytery despise those that they call