things yet they â—…nowledge me in their deeds just as those â—â—rds of Paul Rom. 9. 32. Wherefore because 〈◊〉 sought it not by faith but as it were by the â—â—â—ks of the Law for they stumbled at that 〈…〉 bling stone Now this word as it were â—â—t were unfolded as now it lyes sealed 〈◊〉 should finde most men seeking righteâ—â—snesse if not absolutely by the Law 〈◊〉 as it were by the works of the Law 〈◊〉 Believ In this that thou hast said O â—â—w I have nothing to except against for â—â—e we both agree though there was a â—â—s-understanding between us at first yet it true the fault is not in thee O Law that â—â—n put thee in the room of Christ no â—…ore then the brasen Serpent was in fault â—â—om the people did Idolize the fault â—â—s in the people and not in the Serpent at this day mens seeking righteousnesse 〈◊〉 thee becomes their own evill not thine â—â—d as thou hast said though men will not knowledge that they seek righteousnesse 〈◊〉 the Law yet they doe seeke it as it were by the workes of the Law Now here lyeth one of the greatest 〈◊〉 ferences between the Law and the Gospâ—â— both speak of working and both speak resting onely herein lyes the difference â—â—der the Law before Christ was come 〈◊〉 people were to work first and rest aftâ—â—wards that is they were to work six dayâ—… and rest the seventh when they had dâ—â— their work then enter into rest nâ—â— under the Gospel we are to rest first 〈◊〉 work afterwards for as the Sabbath of 〈◊〉 was the last day of the week so our Loâ—â— day of rest is the first day of the week 〈◊〉 are first to receive a Kingdome that cannot moved Heb. 12. 28. and then next to seâ—â— God acceptably with reverence and godly fâ—â— We are first to believe and then in thenâ—… place to shew our faith by iâ—â— works 〈◊〉 are first to see our interest in the promisâ—… and then to cleanse our selves from all filthiâ—â— of flesh and spirit Into what soever house 〈◊〉 enter we are to say peace be to this house first fore we are to shake the dust off our feet as a wâ—… nesse against them So much concerning frâ—â—dome from the Law by Christ that fulfill the Law c. What Christ hath delivered us from and restored us unto Shall onely speak of two things more 〈◊〉 briefly viz. First what we are delivered from by â—…hrist Secondly what we are restored unto First what are delivered from and here 〈◊〉 I might instance in many things I shall â—â—ely make mention of two First we are delivered from sinne Secondly from death the wages of sin First we are delivered from sinne Isa 〈◊〉 6. it was all laid upon him and so we came free Rom. 6. 18. 22. verses comâ—â—red together 1 Pet. 2. 24. 2 Cor. 5. 21. â—…atth 8. 17. Rom. 6. 11. Col. 1. 22. 1 Thess 〈◊〉 13. Secondly those and onely those that â—â—e in Christ are delivered from death the â—â—ges of sinne O death saith Christ I will â—â—thy death Isa 25. 8. He hath swallowed up â—â—th in victory 1 Cor. 15. 55 56 57. O death â—â—ere is thy sting O grave where is thy victory â—â—e sting of death is sinne and the strength of â—â—e is the Law But thanks be unto God who â—â—eth us the victory through our Lord Jesus â—…rist c. So then by Christ a believer is â—â—ed from the Law First from the curse Secondly from the condemning poweâ—… Thirdly from sinne and Fourthly froâ—… death Secondly let us a little consider as whâ—â— we be delivered from so what we are râ—…stored unto I shall not undertake to 〈◊〉 forth this in the heigth and breadth depâ—â— and length but onely give a hint to it 〈◊〉 I have ability and time knowing that I aâ—â— straitned in both Ye were servants you be now friends 〈◊〉 Christs Joh. 15. 15. And if that be too little ye are Sonnâ—… and Daughters If that be too little are calls you his Bâ—â—thren and Sisters Heb. 2. 11. If that be too little he calls you hâ—â— Chosen Spouse and Wife Rev. 21. 9. If that be too little he tells you that yoâ—… be members of his own body 1 Cor. 12. 12 If that be too little he tells you that yoâ—… be heirs with him Rom. 8. 17. If that be too little to expresse the abuâ—…dantnesse of his love to you he tells yoâ—… That the glory which the Father gave to him 〈◊〉 hath given to you that you may be one as 〈◊〉 Father and he is one If that be too little he tells you Thaâ—… you be joyned to the Lord you are one spirit 1 Coâ—… 6. 17. If this be too little he tells you indeed â—…hat all these things above-mentioned are â—â—t a taste of what you shall shortly be Joh. 3. 12. Oh thou most noble overcomming Saint â—â—rvant of the most High God heir of proâ—…ises and Son of Sion Consider what â—â—ou art come from and now by Christ â—â—me to Heb. 12. 22 23 24. But ye are come â—â—to Mount Sion and to the City of the living â—…od the heavenly Jerusalem and unto an innuâ—…erable company of Angels to the general assemâ—â—y and Church of the first born which are writâ—â—n in heaven and to God the Judge of all and to â—â—e spirits of just men made perfect and to Jesus â—â—e Mediator of the new covenant and to the â—…ood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then â—â—at of Abel Now manifestly and truly mayest thou â—…ay I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine â—â—e that toucheth me toucheth the apple of his â—â—ye My Father is so tender of me that he â—…akes all the wrongs done to me as done â—…o himâ—…elfe he that persecutes me perseâ—…utes him Act. 9. 4. And he that hath pity â—…nd compassion on me the Lord takes it as â—…one to himself Matth. 25. 40. David said Who am I that I should be son in â—…aw to King Saul but I may say Who am I that I should be Son and heire yea coheiâ—â— to the King of Kings I was a dry aâ—â— barren tree fit for nothing but burning bâ—â— I shall flourish like a tree planted by tâ—â— rivers of water O how often did he call how earnestâ—â— did he knock how powerfully did 〈◊〉 strive how long did he wait upon me bâ—…fore my stubborn heart would yeeld If 〈◊〉 had never loved me I had never loved hiâ—… If he had never drawn me I had never râ—â— after him If he had never sought me 〈◊〉 had been straying in the wildernesse of inâ—…quity and feeding in the fields of vanity 〈◊〉 most are but now he hath avouched himself to be mine and I have avouched mâ—… self to be his Hos 2. 19. I will betroth thee 〈◊〉 me So I became the Bride the Lambâ—… wife First Christ comes and woes me 2 Coâ—… 5. 20. Secondly he gets my good will and became his 1 Joh. 12. Thirdly he makes my soul fruitfull Joh.
the rout they will be either taken or else return hacked and hewed and terribly wounded What is the cause that we be so easily and so often routed by Sathan why he comes and finds us unarmed hence it is that we have so many cuts and sores in our inward man we do not consider the strength and subtilty of our enemies and hence it is that we do not put on the whole armour of God Nay how many thousands of men and women be there nay of those that would be accounted pious Christians that are so far from puting on the whole armour of God that they ne're put on a peece of it Nay it is a rare thing to find a Professor that can tell one what this armour is and the right place of every peece hence it is that some do put the peece behind that should be before and that upon the foot which should be on the head and so though it be the armour of Christ you cannot fight in it it will be to thee as Sauls armour was to David unfit for service Surely Christians â—…f I see any thing of God this I do know â—…s one of the greatest evils that now reigns â—…mongst Professors their disordering what God hath ordered Take a thing that is â—…ood it is good but in its place put it a â—…ittle above or something beneath its place â—…he thing that is good in it self becomes evil â—…o you c. Again let us examine what necessity there â—…s for the sonnes of Sion thus to arm themâ—…elves Oh consider consider these ensuing â—…criptures Eph. 6. 11 12. Put on the whole â—…rmour of God there is the precept For we â—…restle not against flesh and blood but against â—…rincipalities and powers against the rulers of â—…arknesse against spiritual wickednesse in high â—…laces there is the reason Take heed that no â—…an deceive you saith our Lord Christ Mat. â—…4 4. For we be living in those dayes spoken â—…0 v. 24. There shall arise false Christs and false Prophets shewing great signes and wonders These are the dayes spoken to 1 Tim. 4. 1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressely that in the â—…ater dayes some shall depart from the faith giving â—…eed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils c. Oh what troops of men and women is Sathan driving before him Look up a little intreat the Lord to take the vail off thy spiritual eye and thou shalt see a great rode-way exceeding broad and very populous and drove after drove passing on not softly but swiftly they all ride post Mark diligently and thou shalt see Sathan that great Prince af the aire bravely mounted and richly clothed as their Generall marching before them and his Angels bringing up the rear Take a view of the Droves as they passe by thee and thou shalt see some of all ranks of men amongst them Me thinks I hear thee saying look look methinks I see a Parliament-man there me thinks I see here and there one of the Army and abundance of the Clergie there but they march more honourably then the rest for Satan their Prince hath made them File-leaders Look look what an innumerable company of men and women old and young high and low rich and poor are posting away to helâ—… Now I see the words of Christ be true Mat. 7. 13. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in thereat Now I see what is the meaning of that text Mat. 7. 22. Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils and in thy name have done many wonderfull works Depart from me â—…aith Christ I never knew you How not know us and we have taught in thy streets and eat and drank in thy presence Depart saith Christ to them How depart Dost thou speak to us that have done so many wonderful things in thy name Lord let the word depart be given to the Ign rant and not to us that are Scholars Why saith Christ many of those whom you call Ignorant are the greatest Scholars in my school 1 Cor. 1. 26 27 28. Not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are â—…alled but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound â—…he mighty and base things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen yea and â—…hings which are not to bring to nought things that â—â—re that no flesh should glory in his presence Oh how doth flesh glory in his presence if a man can speak scholastically though â—…he be not authentique how is he admired of men if he can speak eloquently and lay down things methodically which be but the gifts of nature how doth this flesh glory in his presence Methinks I hear a voice from heaven saying Come down thou proud self-seeking Flesh Thou hast set thy self in my Spirits place and hast caused the people to admire thee saying of thee as once it was said of Herod It is the vâ—…ice of God and not of man I will smitâ—… thee and the wormes shall destroy thee saith the Lord. In a word we may clearly see that Sathan hath his pits gins and snares for alâ—… degrees and degrees and ranks of men under all administrations form or forms He endeavours to cheat us in all things at all times and inâ—… all places But me thinks I see him lay the closest siege and raise the strongest batteries and plant his greatest peeces against these two things FIrst against the Doctrine of Christ Secondly against the Discipline of Christ 1. Against the Doctrine of Christ which tells thou art freely justified by grace Rom. 3. 24. in comes Antichrist and tels thee it iâ—… partly by grace and partly by works And so though thou dost not seek to be justified by the Law yet it is as it were by the works 〈◊〉 the Law Rom. 9. 3. 2. Wherefore because the sought it not by faith but as it were by the workâ—â— of the law for they stumbled at that stumbling stone Consider these ensuing Scriptures which speak of justification by grace and if thiâ—… point were well understood men woulâ—… not so easily be led away with the error of thâ—… wiâ—…ked Ephes 2. 5. By grace are you saved aâ—â— freely quickned when you were dead in your sinâ—â— and v. 8. For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Rom. 11. 6. And if it be by grace then it is no more of works c. And in Rom. 3. 24. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ In a word Creation Election Redemption Justification and Sanctification are all of Free-grace to which both Old and New Testament speaks abundantly And for want of understanding this point the Papists erre in seeking salvation by works For want of understanding this
but two thingâ—… which are the knowledge of God and obedâ—â— to his will When the Minister hath gatherâ—… a parcel of these together into fellowshiâ—… up he springs into the Pulpit to feed 〈◊〉 Flock and truly so he doth for he givâ—â— them such food as is both pleasant to thâ—… palate and easie for digestion for he knoâ—… well the state of their bodies And if 〈◊〉 chance to see any poore Dove come in 〈◊〉 mongst these fat Turkies he will noâ—… leave throwing of stones till he hath gallâ—â— her forth Had I not seen this with my 〈◊〉 I had not written it with my pen. Anâ—… when this poor Dove is frighted forth 〈◊〉 flies up and down from one Congregatiâ—â— to another and it may be finds no rest 〈◊〉 â—…he sole of her foot then she retires into â—…ome private Assembâ—…y and there refresheth â—…er self Well the publique Teachers heare â—…f a company of Doves gathered together 〈◊〉 such a place and their carriage to be such â—…hat it is like to draw away some of their Congregations they lift up their voices â—…nd tell their hearers that these be not Doves but Wolves Sabbath-breakers Blasâ—…hemers factious Sectaries creeping into corâ—…ers and leading silly women captive Often â—…aying of them as once the enemies of Christ â—…id Have any of the Rulers believed on him â—…o none but this ignorant people that know â—…ot the Law Are there Private Meetings and doth that â—…ffend you Let me ask you Are not you â—…he cause of their meeting in private Have â—…ot you deprived them of their expectatiâ—…ns in publique They came to be instructâ—…d in the Gospel and you preach the Law They came to be refreshed and you sent them way sorrowfull They came to heare of â—…hrist and you told them of Moses They â—…ame to know their freedome you brought â—…hem into bondage They came to be inâ—â—ructed in their Union with their Father â—…nd you told them of Communion They â—…ame to be instructed in the Doctrinal part of Divinity and you told them of the Pracctical part of Divinity they came to hear of Grace and you told them of Gifts in 〈◊〉 word we and you have looked more upon Gifts then upon Grace upon Law then upon Gospel uâ—…on the form more then the power of godlinesse Alas what is the shadow without the substance what is the Letter without the Spirit what is an Ordinance without the presence of God in itâ—â— Oh then make use of all Ordinances buâ—… rest upon none Look upon them as thâ—… path to walk in but not the pillar to reâ—â— upon look upon them as the way but no 〈◊〉 the cause of your acceptation with God account not thy self the better when thoâ—… hast made use of them unlesse thou hast mâ—… God in them Labour to be well informeâ—… in these four things and then thou wilâ—… establish Ordinances in their right place viz. 1. Consider what is the ground of aâ—â— these Ordinances 2. Consider what is the end of all Goâ—… spel Ordinances 3. Consider the time of them how loâ—â— they be to continue Eph. 4. 13. 4. Consider the proper use of them thâ—â— so thou and I may not abuse them in 〈◊〉 use of them 〈◊〉 much concerning idolizing or resting â—…pon Ordinances Now then the way to defend and preâ—â—rve our selves from these or other like exâ—â—emes is to abide in the doctrine of Christ â—â—d without this let no man boast of his â—â—terest in the Father or of his relation to â—â—e Sonne or of his evidence by the Spirit â—â—t us then a little consider the mind of â—…od in that Scripture written for our learâ—â—ng 2. Epist of John latter part of vers 9. â—…hosoever abideth in the doctrine of Christ hath not the Father and the Son The whole verse â—â—ns thus Whosoever transgresseth and abiâ—â—h not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God 〈◊〉 whosoever abideth in the doctrine of Christ â—â—th both the Father and the Sonne From the â—â—tter part of this verse let us consider of â—â—d enquire into these two things VVHat this Doctrine of Christ here meant is What it is to abide in this Doctrine First what this Doctrine of Christ here â—â—ant is Surely if ever it were needful for â—â—ristians to enquire into this now much â—â—ore For in these latter dayes there be â—â—ny Doctrines that are presented before â—â—u and all in the name of the Doctrine of Christ saying Lo here is Christ lo here 〈◊〉 Christ And if we look upon their habiâ—â— they be cloathed in sheeps-cloathing caâ—â— your eyes upon their heads and they haâ—â— horns like a Lanâ—…b onely they speak as 〈◊〉 Dragon as in Rev. 13. 11. And I beheld aâ—â— other beast comming up out of the earth he 〈◊〉 two horns like a Lamb and he speaks as a Dragâ—â— Surely these Lambs horns and Dragonâ—… tongues are not alwayes in Monarchy buâ—… sometimes in Ministry Let us then enquirâ—â— what this Doctrine of Christ is for theâ—â— be many Doctrines with which people hâ—â— taken that have no relation to Christ 1. We read of a Doctrine of vanity Jeâ—â— 10. 8. Their stock is a doctrine of vanity Theâ—â— be many taken with this doctrine in the dayâ—…s but this is not the doctrine of Chriâ—â— 2. There is the Doctrine of the Scribe and Pharisees Mat. 15. 9. But in vain do thâ—â— worship me teaching for doctrine the commanâ—…ments of men Mat. 16. 12. Christ bid the beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees 3. We read in Scripture of another dâ—…ctrine called the doctrine of Balaam Reâ—â— 2. 14. Who taught Balack to cast a stumbling blâ—â— before the children of Israel to eat things saâ—â— ficed to idols and to commit fornication 4. We read in Scripture of another dâ—…ctrine called the doctrine of the Nicolaitans Rev. 2. 15. So hast thou them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing I hate And their doctrine was this To uphold the common use of women that is that women might be common much like to those new upstart wantons of our times 5. There is another Doctrine which includes all the former spoken of 1 Tim. 4. 1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressely that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving â—â—heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of Devils But none of these is the Doctrine of Christ â—â—here spoken to 6. Lastly we find another Doctrine frequently mentioned in Scripture which if we abide not in sad is our case miserable â—…is our condition 2 Ep. Iohn 9. He that transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ mark that man mark that woman they have not God Let them talk of God and make their boast of God as it may be they do they be without God in the world These things being well consider d we cannot but see the necessity we have to be well acquainted with the Doctrine of Christ Which leads us to the first thing here to be enquired into What this Doctrine of Christ
any measure 〈◊〉 I have said before that all our springs aâ—â— in him and all our supplies are from hiâ—… and that all power centers in him as tâ—â— Fountain from whence all small streams 〈◊〉 power do flow I have affirmed furtheâ—… that as this power was given freely to 〈◊〉 from him so it is limited in us by him aâ—â— when the creature hath improved his poâ—…er to the highest he hath done but his dutâ—… Luk. 17. 10. Our salvation is of Free-grace notwitâ—…standing I have not said that our imprâ—…ving or not improving our power câ—â— save us or damn us But this I have affirâ—…ed and do affirm that by our non-improvâ—…ment it will exceedingly harm us for 〈◊〉 shall lose much of our outward and peâ—…haps inward joy and comfort both in 〈◊〉 and death I do not say our eternal weâ—â— being doth depend upon it All our sal 〈…〉 ion is of Free-grace from God through 〈◊〉 redemption of the Son and evidence of Spirit 1. So that our obedience is not the cause 〈◊〉 our salvation for Gods love was the 〈…〉 fe Joh. 3. For God so loved the world c. 2. Our obedience and good works is 〈…〉 t the way for Christ is the way the truth 〈◊〉 the life 3. Our improvement of our power in 〈…〉 y of good works is not the evidence as 〈…〉 our selves for that is the work of the 〈…〉 irit of God in us 4. But our good works do glorifie God 〈…〉 d inform and edifie our neighbours First they glorifie God Mat. 5. 16. Secondly it doth inform our neighbour 〈◊〉 he cannot judge of us but by our fruits 〈◊〉 shall know a tree by its fruits saith Christ Thirdly it doth edifie our neighbour â—â—en every step of our conversation is an â—â—â—truction to him and the Apostle saith â—â—t some are won to God by the good â—…nversation of others 2. And as for Free-will in man I know â—…ne unlesse it be such a Free-will as was 〈◊〉 Paul Rom. 7. 18. For to will is present with 〈◊〉 and ver 13. When I would do good evil is present with me I know no Free-will thâ—â— unlesse it be a free-will to sin A man naâ—â—rally cannot act in things supernaturâ—… as to instance a man cannot believe unlâ—â— the Spirit of God work faith in the souâ—… and yet a man according to common pâ—â—vidence may bring his body to the Oâ—â—nance of Hearing which is the means orâ—â—narily by which the Lord doth work faiâ—… Rom. 10. 17. But he the Lord God 〈◊〉 mighty is the Author and finisher of Heb. 12. 2. And he makes us willing aâ—… desirous to have it wrought in us so tâ—â— he doth not work it whether we will no. So the Holy Ghost that works faiâ—â— is not said to believe Man is said to â—â—lieve Now though man cannot believe of hiâ—… self without the power of the Lord 〈◊〉 man is to attend upon all means as heariâ—â— reading meditation conference for thâ—… be his appointments and he hath promiâ—â— his presence in and blessing upon the usâ—â— these means to make them effectual Hâ—â—â— it is that the Lord commands us to wait him in the use of means Prov. 20. 22. 〈◊〉 wait on the Lord and he shall save thee Isa 〈◊〉 Blessed be all they that wait for him Isa 〈◊〉 31. 〈…〉 y that wait upon the Lord shall renew their 〈…〉 gth Isa 49. 23. For they shall not be asha 〈…〉 that wait for me Lam. 3 25. The Lord is 〈◊〉 unto them that wait for him to the soule 〈◊〉 seeks him Isa 64. 4. Eye hath not seen 〈◊〉 hath not heard what the Lord hath prepared â—…hose that wait for him Now a man cannot be said to wait upon â—â—d unlesse he wait upon him in the use of â—â—ans to which he hath promised his preâ—â—ce which are his appointments and â—â—lks wherein he hath been now is and 〈…〉 eafter will be found Next I shall come unto the Reasons why â—…ave written of the Natural and Spiritual â—â—wer viz. First I have heard many say They ought 〈…〉 to pray read meditate conferre or assemble â—â—â—mselves together to the practice of any known 〈…〉 y untill the Spirit by its fresh gales and moveâ—…s put them upon it And I am mightily miâ—â—â—ken if some have not staid so long for 〈…〉 se fresh gales and movings of the Spirit â—…till they have quite forgotten to pray or â—…ar or conferr of any spiritual thing unâ—â—â—se it be in a carnal way Now it is true â—â—at is the principal time in which a Soule â—â—ght to act but not the onely time I say â—â—ain It is the principal time but not the onely time First that it is the princ 〈…〉 time I have no need to prove for all 〈…〉 tional men will and doe grant that 〈◊〉 then secondly It is not the onely ti 〈…〉 for we finde that the command lies up 〈…〉 us as well at one time as another ne 〈…〉 there is no time in which we are not 〈◊〉 want and therefore need still to seek â—…gain we finde in Scripture written for 〈◊〉 learning that the Saints acted sometimes 〈◊〉 their greatest deadnesse and coldnesse as Dâ—…vid and others When they found theâ—…selves dead and dull cold and slothfull 〈◊〉 we finde they stir up them selves as men sâ—â—sible of their state to instance in one 〈◊〉 all Psal 119. 25. Quicken thou me after 〈◊〉 loving kindenesse so shall I keep the testimony thy mouth c. Again Psal 119. 170. I 〈◊〉 afflicted very much quicken me O Lord accordiâ—â— to thy word So vers 159 c. so in Psalâ—… 153. verse 11. Quicken me O Lord for tâ—â— name sake so in another place he prayeâ—â— Renew a right Spirit within me and agaiâ—… Restore again to me the joy of thy salvation In word let me ask thee O man who is it thaâ—… doth let us see our unfitnesse luke warmneâ—… and coldnesse Doth not God discover thiâ—… by his Spirit and doth not the same Spâ—…rit that doth enable us to see our wantâ—… move us to seek for supplies from the founâ—â—in as it is said in Job The Lord speaketh â—â—ce yea twice and man perceives it not So I â—â—ow by experience in my self and others â—â—at we have many movings and stirrings 〈◊〉 the Spirit of God within us and either â—â—e take no notice of it or if we do we queâ—â—ion in our selves whether it be the stirâ—â—ngs of the good Spirit or proceeds not â—…om the evil Spirit And so we cease to â—â—t because we be unsatisfied But in some â—â—ses the Spirit that doth move us to it â—…ill undoubtedly carry us forth to the doâ—â—g of what it moves us to What are we â—â—ith the Scriptures that we could withstand â—â—e Spirit But in other cases we are said as in the â—…cts to resist the Holy Ghost and in another â—…cripture Quench not the Spirit and be not unâ—â—itfull to the Spirit of God and grieve not the â—…pirit of God whereby you are sealed to
wiped from the eyes of his and 〈◊〉 there shall be no more sorrow nor paine â—â—ereas thou and I have it may be neither â—â—tience to wait nor faith to beleeve our 〈◊〉 interest in these things There be foure characters of a servant of Christ that I lately received from a frienâ—â— 1. What is highest in thy judgement 2. What is dearest in thy affections 3. What is strongest in thy will 4. What is the most constant thing thy resolution So much shall serve at present to written of the temptations of the worâ—â— flesh and the devil and of the Armour Christ wherewith a Christian may defeâ—â— himselfe and conquer his enemies and 〈◊〉 of the power natural and of the po 〈…〉 spiritual which is our duty to improâ—â— and all our remisnesse to be charged up our selves and not upon God and how serious consideration of this would be 〈◊〉 bar to stop that blasphemous princiâ—â—â— saying God is the author of sinne Of our in the first Adam and of our recovery by second Adam and how we may know thâ—â— that are restored of Ordinances how tâ—â— they be still in force Next I shall speâ—â— of Faith and then a few words to the â—â—nisters An Epistle to the world Anotâ—â—â— to those chosen out of the world Of 〈◊〉 deliverances of the Saints and of their 〈…〉 ing too sudden in expecting deliverances A few words of Faith FAith is as it were the wings of the soule whereby the soule doth flye to heaven and bring downe it's eviâ—â—nce under hand and seale Heb. 11. 1. 〈◊〉 Now this grace of Faith is of singular 〈◊〉 to Christians it is that first and princiâ—â— wheele that makes all the other wheeles â—â—move But most men be mightily as I â—â—ppose mistaken in the true definition of â—â—th Seeing then it is that whereby we live grace and it is that whereby we are â—â—ried on to glory that we might not be â—â—staken in that that is of such rare use to Give me leave to tell thee there is a Faith the History and a Faith of the Mystery â—â—re is a Legal Faith and a Faith of â—â—racles dead Faith and a temporary â—â—ith c. There is an Evangelical Faith â—â—ing the Faith of the Gospel Now men 〈◊〉 various in their thoughts of the true naâ—â—re of this Gospel Faith I know one man 〈◊〉 Mr. H. D. that saith that this is the faith the Gospel to believe that Jesus Christ is 〈◊〉 Son of God and another saith that this the true faith of the Gospel viz. Faith is a holy and humble perswasion ground upon the word of God and witnessed his holy Spirit In a word most men 〈◊〉 give too general a definition of Faith 〈◊〉 general definition of the history withâ—â— a particular application of the mystâ—â—â— will stand the soule in little or no stead the time of necessity Therefore I humbâ—â— conceive that the faith of the Gospel thâ—â— we are commanded to contend for Jude is such a Faith viz. Faith is a gift of God begotten in 〈◊〉 creature by the powerful preaching of 〈◊〉 word whereby the understanding is 〈◊〉 lightned whereby he believeth to be 〈◊〉 whatsoever is revealed in the word 〈◊〉 cepting receiving and resting upon Chrâ—â— alone for iustification sanctification wiâ—â— a particular application of Christ and aâ—â— his benefits unto his own soul I say Faith is a gift of God begottâ—â— in the creature by the powerful preachinâ—… of the word whereby the understanding enlightned so that he believeth to be trâ—â— whatsoever is revealed in the word 〈◊〉 cepting receiving and resting upon Chriâ—â— alone for justification sanctifieation wiâ—â— a particular application of Christ and 〈◊〉 his benefits unto his own soul c. Now the life of all lyes in the particuâ—â—r application Psal 18. 2. The Lord is my 〈◊〉 and my fortresse and my deliverer my God strength in whom I will trust my Buckler and 〈◊〉 horne of my salvation and my high â—…ower â—â—al 118. 28. Thou art my God and I will praise â—â—e Thou art my God I will exalt thee Luke 46 47. And Mary said My soul doth magnifie 〈◊〉 Lord and my spirit hath rejoyced in God my â—â—viour Joh. 20. 28. Thomas answered and â—â—d unto him My Lord and my God! In the â—â—xt verse Christ pronounceth him to be a â—â—iever Gal. 2. 20. The life that I now live â—â—ive by the faith of the Son of God who loved me â—â—d gave himself for me Phil. 3. 8. For the excelâ—â—cie of the knowledge of Christ my Lord c. general declaration without a particuâ—â—r application will not assure the soule of â—â—lvation Is not faith the first stone in the â—â—iritual building and the first step in a â—…hristian race the first linke in our golden â—â—aine of Christianity the first act of our â—…ew life that first degree of our holy conâ—…ersation the first round in our Jacobs ladâ—â—r whereby we ascend up into the presence â—…f our Lord First there is in a true believer an assuâ—…ance of understanding Secondly there is an assurance of rejoyâ—…ing 1 Pet. 1. 8. Thirdly there is an assurance whiâ—â— carrieth forth a soule to powerful aâ—â— ings A Christian believeth that he who maâ—â— man was made man himselfe he believe that no man hath seen God at any time anâ—… yet he believeth that Moses talked with his face to face he believeth him to be borne 〈◊〉 time who was from everlasting and him be shut up in a narrow room whom heaveâ—â— and earth could not containe Religion is a mystery in every part of 〈◊〉 Faith believeth strange things Hope w 〈…〉 for the accomplishment of that which reâ—…son cannot comprehend and so for loâ—â— and patience and all other graces there 〈◊〉 a great mystery in the actings of each 〈◊〉 these as to instance in one for all a littlâ—… look upon faith and see what it believe concerning the Trinity and Election Justification and Sanctification and Repentance First concerning the Trinity He believes that the Father is not thâ—â— Sonne and the Sonne is not the Spirit and yet the Father Sonne and Spirit are aâ—â— but one He believes that God is Alpha and Omegâ—… the beginning and the end and yet he beâ—â— â—â—ves that God had never a beginning and all never have an end He believes that the Father sent forth the â—â—nne and that the Sonne sent forth the â—â—pirit and yet he believeth they were never â—â—parated the one from the other And concerning Election He believes that God is no respecter of â—â—ersons and yet he believes that God elected â—â—me and left others when he found no â—â—fference And concerning Iustification He believeth that his qualifications doth â—…ot cause Gods love yet he would question â—…hether God loved him if he were not â—…ualified Hâ—… works not for wages yet hath an eye â—…o the recompence of reward He believes that the most just God hath â—…unished the most innocent person and to â—…ave justified himself though a sinner he is often in
when he seeth me â—â—mming although afar off he will runne 〈◊〉 meet me with sweet kisses and loving saâ—â—tations He will powre the oile and â—…ine of his graces into my wounds he will â—â—t me upon his owne strength and bring â—â—e into communion and fellowship with â—â—m and his Saints in Mount Sion But now O Saints and servants of the â—…ost High God who have laid down your â—…rowns at the feet of Christ and have â—…ade choice of him for your portion reâ—â—yce in your portion let your thoughts â—â—e upon and your speeches of your porâ—â—on You doe say that ye be sonnes and servants of the most High God Let it appear by your obedience to your Father Rom. 6. 16. You say that ye are his sheep doe ye hear his voice Joh. 10. 27. You say that you doe abide in him learne to walke as he walked 1 Joh. 2. 6. If Christ have dyed for you let us know it by your living unto him 2 Cor. 5. 15. You doe say that you doe know him let us see it by your keeping his commandements 1 Joh. 2. 4. You doe say that you are righteous and religious let us see it by your bridling your tongue lâ—…st your Religion appear to be vaine 1 Jam. 26. If you have received a Kingdome that cannot be moved let us see it by your serving him with reverence and godly feare Heb. 12. 28. You say he is your God and that you see your particular interest in him let it be knowne to us by your obedience to him 1 Pet. 1. 17. You say that you be the Spouse of Christ let us know it by your enquiring after him and telling of the excellencies that be in him Cant. 5. 6. 9. If you be his Disciples let us know it â—…y your love one to another Joh. 13. 35. You tell us that you believe in him Shew 〈◊〉 your faith by your works 2 Jam. 18. If you live in the Spirit let us know â—…t by your walking in the Spirit Gal. 〈◊〉 25. If you be grafted into the true Vine â—…et us know it by your fruitfulnesse â—…oh 15. 5. If you are Christs let us know it by the â—…rucifying your flesh Gal. 5. 24. If you be indeed planted in the house of â—…he Lord let us know it by your flourishâ—…ng in his Courts Psal 92. 13. You say that he hath chosen you to salâ—…ation let us know it by your fanctificaâ—…ion of the Spirit and beliefe of the truth Eph. 1. 4. You say that you live in the will of God let us know it by your doing his will â—…nd by your rejoycing when his will is lone though it crosse your owne wills Job 1. 21. O my brethren methinks the spirit of â—…hankfulnesse is not up in your soules we â—…e more sensible of our wants then we be of our mercies O what could the Lord â—…ave done more then he hath done already we have all we have sought for and much more O England England Awake awaâ—â— put on thy strength O Sion put on thy beautifâ—â— garments O Ierusalem prepare to meet thâ—… King Bid adieu to all earthly comforts 〈◊〉 not mercies be so common as not to return the praise to him that gave them Oâ—… what would we have parted with withiâ—… these 10 years for one of the least of the mercies that we doe now enjoy O be not sâ—… much in craving and begging and so little in blessing and praising the fountaine oâ—… our mercies Remember praising the Almighty wilâ—… be the work of a Saint in the life to come 〈◊〉 there will be no need of prayer faith hope and patience all these will end in fruition Oh then begin the work here that thou shalt be alwayes doing in the life to come 〈◊〉 The book of Revel that speaks of the last state of the Church upon earth it speaks of Praising but seldome of Prayer And why Those things were granted that they had formerly prayed for Beloved can a man reckon those mercies that the Lord hath given in within these ten years both National and Personal shall we forget all and in stead of rejoicing with the Saints fall a mourning with the world The voice cries Rejoice ye righteous and howl O Babylon Rejoice ye righteous for ye have a Father to stand by you a Christ to deliver you Angels to guard you Comforts to refresh you and Promises to sustain you and rather then ye shall want the Ravens shall â—…eed you the Heavens shall drop down food to relieve you the Rocks shall stream forth rivers to refresh you therefore let nothing dismay you or draw your hearts back again like Lots wife into Sodome or the Children of Israel unto the flesh-pots of Egypt The wicked and unbelieving they cannot praise him And shall Christ have none to exalt him O let your mouths be filled with his praises sound Hallelujahs to him who liveth for ever and ever for this is â—…he will of God concerning you As for the world alas they know not how to praise him How shall they sing the Lords song in Baâ—…ylon But the living the living in Mount Sion shall praise thee O thou in whom are all our springs and â—…rom whom we receive all our supplies and all you that be the true sheep of Christ make it your work with Mary to sit at his â—…eet and heare his voyce You have heard â—…trangers a long time and have not considered that the glory of Christ doth overâ—…hadow all other glories his voyce is sweet and his countenance is comely his presence desireable and his love unfathomable A few words by way of Prophesie concerning the glorious state of the Church of Christ that will be shortly BEloved if you a little take notice of what is past and fulfilled and diligenly observe what is present you will be the better able to speak or write of something that is to come if you look back and see that the Lord hath delivered us and then look upon the present state and finde that he doth deliver us we shall be the better able to say with Paul In whom we trust that he will yet deliver us 2 Cor. 1. 10. O yee the flocke of Christ for to you I speak chiefly you were scattered but the Lord hath gathered you together and brought you home from exile and banishment and caused you to sit under your owne vine and made you a praise and a same amongst them that had you in derision and a proverb of reproach he hath advanced up between you and your enemies and taken your part and over-powered them and in a great measure stopped the mouths of the dogs of Egypt that did so bark at you some of them are fallen by the sword others of them are fled beyond the seas and those that doe still remaine the Lord is now muffling their mouths Againe your spiritual enemies begin to fall also the Lord hath given you a little more strength against them and discovered his love in the face
point the Arminians erre saying Election and Salvation in effect depend upon Qualification yea for want of the true knowledge of this point doth that error of Free-will and Generall Redemption so abound at this day In a word for want of the knowledge of this point do so many at this time in this Common-wealth make a hotch-potch in mingling and interweaving Law and Gospel in joyning their obedience with the obedience of Christ to patch up a salvation 2. Here is another cheat of Satan wherein he endeavours to cheat thee and me in the Doctrine of Christ The doctrine of Christ tels thee that Christ came to reconcile thee to God 2 Cor. 5. 23. When this point is held forth a little in creeps Antichrist and declares that Christ came also to reconcile God to thee and so endeavours to make the immutable God mutable or the unchangeable God changeable You might trace him in every branch of the Doctrine of Christ and find him either endeavouring to make thee to deny it or if he cannot prevail in that then he endeavours to make thee adde something to it or take something from it Wherefore put on the whole armour of God stand upon thy guard and watch Belieue not every spirit but try the spirits whether they be of God 2. Again as first he endeavours to cheat us in the doctrine of Christ so secondly he endeavours to cheat us in the discipline of Christ Now Discipline though it be not of absolute necessity as to the being of a Church of Christ yet it is absolutely necessary to the well-being of a Church for as a City without walls a Sea without banks a Vineyard without hedges so is a Church without discipline For a Church without government is as a ship without a Pilot or a Commonwealth without a Magistrate or a World without a Sun Hence it is that you shall find the Apostles so frequently exhorting perswading and intreating the Church of Jesus Christ to walk by rule to observe order The Pastor is commanded to walk as a Pastor and Teacher that both by his doctrine and conversation he might win others to Christ the Teachers Elders Deacons have all their rules laid before them how they ought to build up one another in their most holy faith and to watch over the flock c. And so every member in the Church in his place is to observe order in endeavouring to be usefull to the whole body Nay hence it is that one quarter part of the New Testament is spent about treating of the several gifts of the Spirit to several men to several ends viz. He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists some Pastors and some Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the ministry c. Now that Ordinances were the appointments of Christ I suppose that all rational men will easily grant And that they be now in being and ought to be in use will be easily proved The first is granted by all hands viz. That there were Ordinances appointments and institutions given forth by Christ unto the Churches in the Apostles dayes accompanied with Gods presence and confirmed â—…y miracles and extraordinary gifts of the Spirit But the question is whether these are still to continue are they now in being as to us Prove that For answer hereunto consider these things 1 ORdinances are not of humane but of divine institution 1 Cor. 1â—… 28. 2. Consider the Saints both in Old and New Testament under the greatest discoveries living in the greatest enjoyments even these waited upon God in the use of Ordinances and Paul saith Phil. 3. 17. Ye ought to walk so as you have us for an example and in another place he saith Be ye followers of me as I am of Christ c. 3. We have not only commands of God and the examples of the Apostles but wâ—… have experience that God hath done uâ—… good by them it is our Fathers walks iâ—… which our soules do often meet with ouâ—… Beloved 4. Consider the Lord of glory doth blame those that neglect making use of Ordinances Mal. 3. 7. Ye have gone away froâ—… mine ordinances and have not kept them Is noâ—… this the state of this Nation Luk. 19. 27 Those mine enemies that would not that I should reign over them bring them before me Compare this 27 verse with the 13. and 14. anâ—… you shal see that there were a people whoâ—… Christ threatned to punish for not submitâ—…ing to his appointments nor improving their talents Not to wait upon God in the use of Ordinances is to be carelesse to â—…hearken to his voice and so the Lord may justly complain of thee and me as once he did Psal 81. 11. But my people would not hearkâ—…en to my voice c. 5. Consider while we are in a body we be in a form and therefore cannot altogether live without forms unlesse we will be monstâ—…rs and neglect our own mercies God hath given us an external body as well as an internal soul and will be waited upon worshipped and glorified by both 1 Cor. 6. 20. Glorifie God in your bodies and in your souls which are the Lords 6. Consider that these appointments institutions and ordinances when they were appointed and instituted were to continue in the Church till the Saints were perfected Ephes 4. 11 12 13. And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ In which there be four things considerable I will but name them 1. Here is the giver and that is the Lord Christ the Fountain in whom all the fulnesse of the Godhead dwels bodily from whom we receivâ—… grace for grace 2. Here is the gift and that is his Spirit in its measures according to the measure of the gift of Christ 3. Here is the end why God gave such gifts v. 12. For the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the ministery c. 4. Here is the time how long these institutions offices and ordinances are to continue and that is in v. 13. Till we all come iâ—… the unity of the faith into the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measureâ—… of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ Now if there be any Church of Christ oâ—… Congregation oâ—… Saints that be compleatly come up to this state spoken unto in that verse why then all that I would say to them is Cast not a stumbling block in thy brothers way speak not so disdainfully of those paths which thouâ—… thy self hast gone through must not thy brother that is weak eat milk because thou dost eat strong meat must not he speak as
a child because thoâ—… dost speak as a man must he see by thy eyes oâ—… else wilt thou say he doth not see at all Thoâ—… that dost think thou standest take heed lest thou dost fall Think not of thy self above what thou art Ro. 12. 3. Remember thy sister-Church Rev. 3. 17. Because thou sayest I am rich and increased with heavenly enjoyments gracious discoveries and unspeakable manifestations and art perfect and compleat and come to the fulnesse of Christ and hast need of nothing neither Ordinance or Administration helps nor governments Dost thou think thus of thy selfe why so did that Church of Laodiceans Rev. 3. 17. which was the most barren and unfruitful of all the seven Churches of Asia Reason thus with thy self Was that Church so exceedingly deceived then why not I 7. Consider that in the last age of the Church and in the most glorious times of that age when both Jewes and Gentiles shall have one Shepheard and one sheepfold when knowledge shall cover the earth as the waters the sea when the Law shall be written in our hearts and Babylon fallen and the mountain of the Lords house established upon the top of the mountaines Even in these most glorious dayes of light and knowledge freedome and liberty shall the Saints wait upon God in the use of Ordinances and call one upon another so to do Isa 2. 2. 3. Mic. 4. 1 2. Again if there shall be Ordinances in thâ—… most glorious times that are to come wheâ—… there shall be a full pouring out of the Spâ—…rit of God upon the children of men theâ—… certainly they are to remain now And you look upon the last of Isa Jer 3. Zac. 1â—… or upon other Scriptures where mentioâ—… is made of the most glorious times that anâ—… yet to come ye shall find that there is meâ—…tion also made of Ordinances in thoâ—… times Let us look into Rev. 11. 15. Tâ—â— seventh Angel sounded and there were greâ—â— voices in Heaven saying The kingdomes of thâ—… world are become the kingdomes of our Lord anâ—… of his Christs and he shall reign for ever and eveâ—… Here are plainly the glorious times spokeâ—… of that are yet to come Well shall there bâ—… any Ordinances then Yes for v. 19. Anâ—… the temple of the Lord was opened in heaven anâ—… there was seen in his â—…emple the Ark of his Testâ—…ment What is this but Ordinances Thâ—… Ark the visible signe of the presence of Goâ—… in way of Ordinances and the Temple opened though it was shut before 8. Consider if the ministration of thâ—… Gospel be still to continue then surelâ—… the Ordinances of Christ are still to abidâ—… 2 Cor. 3. 11. For if that which is done away wâ—… glorious much more that which remains is gloriouâ—… The Apostle here makes this difference be 〈◊〉 â—…he ministration of the Gospel and 〈◊〉 â—…he Law that the one is to be done 〈…〉 d the other to remain Now if the 〈◊〉 were not to continue what 〈…〉 rence would there be as concerning â—…his matter between the ministration of Moses and the ministration of the Gospel â—…ut the Apo 〈…〉 here plainly speaks that â—…his is the â—â—erence The ministration of â—…he one is to be done away the ministration â—…f the other doth still continue Therefore â—…he Ordinances of the Gospel doe still reâ—…naine 9. Consider if that the word of the new â—…estament as commanding to believe and â—…romising to give the Spirit I say if this Word do continue then the Ordinances of Christ are still to continue if the Ordinances of Christ be not still to continue â—…hen the Word of the New Testament as â—…he commandment of believing and the promise of giving the Spirit doe not continue There is the same reason for the one â—…s for the other You say you are bound to believe How prove you that Why Christ hath commanded me say you But 〈◊〉 answer you with your own answer You â—…ue to wait upon God in the use of Ordinances How prove you that I answâ—â— Christ hath commanded you If Sathan 〈◊〉 get us to lay down but one Ordinance 〈◊〉 the Gospel he will never leave tugging an pulling till he hath brought us out of loâ—â— with all Ordinances and then he wâ—â— teach us to deny the Scriptures and then 〈◊〉 deny God and last of all we shall be denieâ—… of God and so fitted for destruction The Commonwealth of England doth 〈◊〉 bound of two sorts of men and women and both in extremes The first will have no Ordinances at alâ—… The second doe rest upon Ordinanceâ—… or idolize them The first will have no Ordinances at alâ—… call the Ordinances of Christ dead form beggerly and those that wait upon God in them Legalists Heaven-drivers Formalists and Duty-mongers And foâ—… themselves they are taught of God we have nâ—… need of the teachings of men we be rich and fâ—… and want nothing not knowing they be pooâ—… blind miserable and naked Secondly there be another party that dâ—… rest upon Ordinances and they be not a fewâ—… you shall know them by their fruits Dâ—… not you hear them crying and pleading iâ—… City and Country Give us Ordinances or eâ—◠〈◊〉 die And this they plead for unto and â—…ongst a Congregation of people which 〈◊〉 not capable of it but for one Ordinance â—â—d that is to stand under the droppings of the â—â—spel and the powerful preachings thereof the â—â—eanes appointed by Christ to work faith 〈◊〉 their soules Rom. 10. 17. For untill this â—…ord doth come to them in power they 〈◊〉 not fitted for Fellowships and Commuâ—…ons they must see their union with God â—â—fore they can have true communion with â—â—s people The Ordinances or at least â—…any of them be Childrens bread and must â—â—t be given to Swine Those Ordinances â—â—at be ordained for Conversion and Reâ—â—neration are to be held forth to all to the â—â—d as many as be ordained to eternal life may â—â—lieve All other Ordinances belong to â—…hildren and they have right to them as â—â—ible members of that body whereof Christ â—â—the head He who was the Son of God came the Son of man that we who be the these things were well considered meâ—â—inks it should abate the practice both of â—â—inister and People in City and Country â—â—ho for many of them yet being in the â—â—d man and having spent their dayes in the â—â—vice of Sathan yet forsooth they would known by the name of Christians or least Apostle-imitators though they cannâ—â— bu know they want the power yet thâ—â— will cry up the form of godlinesse Now wheâ—… the Ministers of our times or at least soâ—… of them have gathered a parcel of thâ—… Rabble-rout together I do not stile thâ—… so because they be the poorest no no sâ—… they be such a people as David speaks 〈◊〉 they flourish as the green bay-tree their eyes stâ—â— out with fatnesse they go cloathed in the choice array and be the most honorable men in thâ—… Parish and they want
Joh. 5. from the 17. verse to the 〈◊〉 of that Chapter you may read many â—â—â—ngs to be considered and in the 40. verse â—â—rist tells them You will not come to me that might have life And when Christ takes 〈◊〉 leave of the unbelieving Jews in the 45 verse he tells them that seeing they wouâ—â— not be brought off the Law to the Gospâ—â— he speaks to them saying Do not think tâ—â— I will accuse you to the Father for not imbratiâ—â— me in the Gospel no no there is no need of thâ—… there is another that is sufficient to condemâ—… you even the Law of Moses in which you tâ—â— As if Christ had said to them thâ—… needs not mine accusation to compleâ—… your condemnation that very Law thâ—… you seem to stick to will condemne yoâ—… but had you understood that Law in tâ—â— Spirit as you did in the Letter you wouâ—â— not have rejected me for Moses writ of 〈◊〉 verse 46. For ought I know those that do live aâ—â— dye under the Law of Nature shall 〈◊〉 judged by the Law of Nature Rom. 1. Rom. 2. both those Chapters do speâ—â— much this thing And so for those that do live under tâ—â— Law of Moses they shall for ought I knoâ—… be judged by that Law as in Joh. 5. 45. Aâ—â— whereas I said I could not fully grant 〈◊〉 these be my reasons or Scriptures Thiâ—… condemnation saith Christ that light is coâ—â— into the world and men love darknesse ratâ—â—â— then light And again they be condemnâ—… for unbelief He that beleeveth not is condeâ—â—â— â—â—d already Joh. 3. And again in the Heâ—â—ws They were shut out because of unbeliefâ—â—t I have not said that the Law in the â—â—irit did not lead them to faith Law I must indeed confesse that there is greater and clearer light held forth in the â—…ospel then in the Law and a better Coâ—â—nant established upon better promises â—…eb 8. 6 7 8 9 10. But if I may not go before doth it thereâ—â—re follow that I may not come after If â—…ay not sit in Mases Chair at the upper â—â—d of the table must I not therefore sit at 〈◊〉 Pray if thou canst tell me where is my â—â—ace Believ Thon must not have any Taberâ—â—cle built for thee for a greater then thou art 〈◊〉 here Mar. 9. 7. When Peter saw Moses in â—â—s glory he would have made a Taberâ—â—cle for him but the Lord took away â—…oses and answered Peter to his foregoing â—â—quest to Christ touching a Tabernacle 〈◊〉 Moses saying This is my beloved Sonne â—…ar him Mar. 9. 7. But the Law in the spiritual substance of 〈◊〉 I suppose is still in force for the Law in â—â—e Spirit is the Gospel for the Gospel â—…oth hold forth those things in substance 〈◊〉 the Law did in types and shadows as we do receive light from the same Sunne wâ—â—â— he is under a cloud as we do when 〈◊〉 cloud is over and he shine in his brigâ—â—â—nesse the light is the same for quality aâ—â— nature but not for quantity or measure Fâ—â— the Gospel doth not teach any other Reâ—â—gion then the Law did but there is a mâ—â— glorious administration and a more clâ—â—â—rer dispensation of the love of God in tâ—â— face of Jesus Christ under the Gospel thâ—… was under the Law I Cor. 12. 5. Now thâ—… are differences of administrations but the faâ—â— Lord and there are diversaties of operations 〈◊〉 it is the same God which marketh all in all 〈◊〉 that for the substance we have no othâ—â— Gospel now then that was preached to oâ—… first parents in Paradise after their fall 〈◊〉 you may see Gen. 3. 15. The seed of the womâ—â— shall break the Serpents head Here is the s 〈…〉 stance of all Law and Gospel included aâ—â— contained in these words But this Gospâ—â— was preached something darkly and yâ—â— not so darkly but that many believed aâ—â— were saved Well in processe of time thâ—… Lord gave forth the Law wherein weâ—â— orders and ordinances types and shadow held forth in several administrations 〈◊〉 that now there was a far clearer preachinâ—… that Gospel Gen. 3. 15. The seed of the wâ—… man shall break the Serpents head Then shall â—…ou finde all the Prophets rising up one â—â—ter another speaking of Christ and the â—â—ory of his Kingdome and as one did â—â—cceed after another in processe of time so â—â—e latter did exceed the former in their â—â—owledge of this mystery and at length 〈◊〉 the fulnesse of time Christ whom all â—â—ese had spoken of and many be lieved in â—â—me into the world then sprang up a â—â—eater light then ever was before for here â—…as come the substance of all the former â—â—pes so that never man spake as this man â—…ither were there ever such miracles done 〈◊〉 any as were done by him well Christ â—â—s the people That those that did believe in â—â—n should do the same works and greater then â—â—se And after his ascention what wonâ—â—rful things were done by the Apostles â—â—ry day the love of God in the face of 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ was more and more held â—â—rth and so through the goodnesse of â—…od unto this day and at this present me is the Lord displaying the banner of â—…s love in destroying our darknesse by the â—â—ghtnesse of his appearing Now then O â—â—w thou in thy time and place wert gloâ—â—ous but the Gospel is much more gloriâ—…s the spiritual substance of thee doth remain but all thy rudiments and beggerlâ—… elements must tumble down And for my part I am commanded bâ—… my Father Col. 2. 21. 22. saying of theâ—… Touch not taste not handle not for all are 〈◊〉 perish that use them v. 23. Which things haâ—… indeed a shew of wisdome in will-worship Shaâ—â— I run to the â—…ight of a star when I may haâ—… the light of the Moon Shall I run to thâ—… light of a candle when I may enjoy thâ—… light of the Sun Shall I cry up shadowâ—… when I may enjoy the substance Shall abide under the Law when I may be undâ—â— the Gospel No Law no I have not so leaâ—…ned Christ I desire now with Paul to knâ—â— nothing but Christ and him crucified 1 Coâ—… 2. 2. Law Well saith the Law as thou haâ—… dealt plainly with me so shall I do witâ—… thee give me leave then and I will tell thâ—… that the fault liâ—…s not in me that I am 〈◊〉 much cryed up and held forth at this daâ—… the Clergy and the Laity will not go 〈◊〉 Christ till as they say not I I say they wiâ—â— not go to Christ untill I have preparâ—… them for Christ they preach me in the leâ—…ter and understand me in the letter wheâ—â— as if they understood me in the spirit should lead them to Christ if Christ did nâ—â— â—â—â—d them to me yet these men in their â—â—rds will many of them deny me as to â—â—e any hand in their justification or acâ—â—tation but though they deny me in â—â—rds in these or the like
is the most acceptable work with God See Joh. 〈◊〉 29. and the first Epistle of John chap. 3. â—…er 23. 2. This is the way to become fruitful our conversation What is the reason the is such barrennesse among men and womâ—â— professing godlinesse why the reason 〈◊〉 there is little fruit because there is so littâ—â— saith Joh. 15. 5. Ye are not planted in 〈◊〉 house by faith therefore ye do not flourâ—â— in his courts You want faith hence it 〈◊〉 that you have no works Thou hast a 〈◊〉 body but a lean soul Thy soul withoâ—â— faith is like a Dove without wings 〈◊〉 cannot fly to the storehouse for meat theâ—â—fore must needs be lean 3. By this thou shalt be able to over come all the fiery darts of the World Flesh and Devil First it overcomes the world Joh. ep 〈◊〉 5 4. Secondly it overcomes all the Devil 1 Peâ—â— 5. 8 9. Jam. 4. 7. Thirdly it overcomes all the fiery dart of the wicked Ephes 6. 16. 4. Again this is the way to be established Isa 7. 9. What is the reason that men are carried about with every wind of doctrine Why they do not believe and so they are noâ—… established Oh then be ye stedfast unmoveable rooted and grounded upon the rock â—…hrist and so sicklenesse and instability will 〈◊〉 done away 5. Faith will reach forth her arm as far heaven and fetch in to thy soule things â—â—at are absent and make them present â—…eh 11. 1. 13. 6. This is the way by believing to â—â—tain that joy that unspeakable joy 〈◊〉 Pet. 1. 8. What is the matter that Christians do 〈◊〉 hang down their heads under a spirit of â—…ondage Why they have but little or no â—…ith the more faith the more joy 1 Pet. 〈◊〉 8. 7. This is the way to have our hearts â—â—urified from that map of misery or storeâ—…ouse of filthinesse Act. 15. 9. 8. This is the way namely to believe 〈◊〉 overcome that unprofitablenesse that is 〈◊〉 thee and me How many a Chapter hast â—…hou read and learned nothing from it â—…ow many a Sermon hast thou heard and â—…earned nothing What is the reason why â—…hou hast no faith Heb. 4. 2. 9. And again this is the way to obtain â—…hat spiritual strength to doe the will of God although it be against our own wils Faith will endeavour to please God alâ—…hough we displease our selves and others See what a peece of self-denial Faith haâ—… wrought in Abraham who followed 〈◊〉 command of God in whatsoever he râ—…quired as in his departing out of his oâ—â—â— country and there trusted upon Gods baâ—â— word notwithstanding all improbabilitiâ—â— in nature he was willing to depart witâ—â— the most dear thing for God as in offerinâ—… up his only son and gave God his owâ—… time for the accomplishment of his owâ—… promises To adde no more 1. Consider that whatsoever you 〈◊〉 without it it is sinne Rom. 14. 23. 2. We cannot please God in any thing without it Heb. 11. 6. 3. We cannot pray without it as 〈◊〉 ought Mar. 11. 24. Iam. 1. 6. 4. We cannot be saved without it Mâ—â— 16. 16. Ephes 2. 8. When a soul begins to consider the greaâ—â— necessity he hath of it and the willingnesâ—â— of Christ to work it these two wings wiâ—â— carry thee to the treasury of faith Whaâ—… nccessity thou hast of it is laid before anâ—… as concerning the willingnesse of Christ 〈◊〉 have thee believe I might instance in all thâ—â— it more almost speaking something 〈◊〉 it more or lesse Let me instance in one foâ—â— all Joh. 14. 1. 11. 12 13 verses In thâ—… 〈◊〉 verse Believe in me and in the 11. verse â—â—ieve in me for the very works sake Then that â—â—s precept might not be slieghted he â—â—mes in with both his hands full of proâ—…ses verse 12. He that believeth in me the â—â—ks that I do shall he do and greater and then â—…he 13. verse Whatsoever you shall aske in name that will I do for you As if he had â—â—d O ye sonnes of men I do but require 〈◊〉 thing of you and that is for your â—…n good too That you would believe in me 〈◊〉 is the one thing that I desire of you 〈◊〉 if you will do but this one thing for 〈◊〉 I will doe two things for you 〈◊〉 You shall doe the works that I doe and grea 〈…〉 Joh. 14. 12. 〈◊〉 You shall but aske and have what in â—â—on you desire Joh. 14. 13. 〈◊〉 had thought to have written many â—â—gs more concerning Faith But for â—â—e reasons I forbear A word to the Ministery or a few words to thâ—â— that have taken to themselves the name of the Ministery of England BEloved it may be thought strange you that a man so mean as my 〈◊〉 should so presume as to speake a word you or to thinke that you should vouchâ—â— to spend so much time as to hear or 〈◊〉 what my thoughts are of you But O yâ—â— learned Clergy I will cast my selfe dowâ—… at your feet and earnestly beseech you give me audience for one quarter of houre for my heart doth burne within 〈◊〉 and though I have been silent this maâ—… months yet now the words will burst oâ—… and let me indeed prevaile with you 〈◊〉 your attention a little for I will assâ—â— you I have rode on horse-back and runâ—â— foot many miles yea and many times heare a few words from you yea many storme and shower heat and cold havâ—… gone through to learne something of 〈◊〉 from you and I doe not repent of it 〈◊〉 should doe it if it were to be done agaiâ—… wherefore let me intreat your patience little if it be but to give you a briefe count of what I have heard and learnâ—â— â—â—m you And although mine eyes have 〈◊〉 been enlightned at the two fountains 〈◊〉 trust that they have been anointed â—â—th a little clay for I see men like trees â—â—king If I do faulter a little in my speech â—…re with me for I doe want the Hebrew 〈◊〉 Greek tongue which is so excellent â—â—t a man would part with any thing 〈◊〉 it unlesse grace but I would not give the â—â—st graine of grace if I had any to spare â—â—not the third part of a graine for all 〈◊〉 tongues arts and parts under the â—â—mne The first would that I would whisper in â—â—ur eare is this by way of Query conâ—…ning these times My brethren if I may â—â—so bold to call you so let me aske you â—â—tly Have you not seene nor heard of â—…ose great and wonderful deliverances â—â—th in England Scotland and Ireland or if â—â—â—u have heard of it doe you not believe 〈◊〉 that you be so silent in your thanks to mighty God the Father of these mercies â—â—t it may be you have heard of it and doe â—â—leeve it and yet you cannot give the â—â—ory to God why because these mercies â—â—d deliverances came in as I have heard â—â—me of you say by a blasphemous
ask them wherein it doth appear that yoâ—… are unlike to him They will produâ—… many particulars I will mention but few viz. 1. You say they be unlike to Christ iâ—â— this Christ did reprove and blame thosâ—… and onely those that were reproveable anâ—… blame-worthy and that to their faceâ—… never behind their backs as hath been observed by you The Scripture saith Speaâ—… evil of no man and he that doth the Scripture cals him Back-biter Now it hath beeâ—… served that you have cryed out exceedâ—…gly against a people that have been someâ—…es an hundred miles from you Not â—â—ce but often and that not in the spirit â—…meeknesse but in passion Now the Proâ—…ets before Christ that were good did â—…ver do so neither did the Apostles after â—…rist ever do so as I can find Those that 〈◊〉 the true Prophets of Christ will with â—…icaiah speak the truth to Ahab although â—â—th him they be beheaded for it 1 King 〈◊〉 8. They will with Nathan tell David â—…hou art the man 2 Sam. 12. 7. They that be â—…e Lords true and faithful Prophets will â—…ith Nehemiah tell the Princes and Rulers 〈◊〉 their faces that they oppresse the people with â—…xes Nehem. 5. 7. Also the Lord commanded â—…eremiah that he should speak the mind of the â—…ord to the faces of the people 1 Jer. 17. The â—…ue and faithful Prophets of the Lord must â—…ith Amos preach the death of Jeroboam â—…nd captivity of Israel not behind their â—…acks but at Bethel in the Kings chappel â—…lthough with Amos they be beheaded for 〈◊〉 Amos 7. 12 13. Yea they ought with the â—…rophet Zechariah to tell the Rulers and â—…eople of Israel to their faces That because â—…hey had forsaken the Lord the Lord had forsaken â—…hem Although by the command of the King with Zechariah they be stoned for 2 Chron. 24. 20 21. In a word to adde nâ—… more they will with John Baptist tâ—… Herod to his face thâ—…t it is not lawful foâ—… him to have his Brothers wife althougâ—… with him they be beheaded for is Mar. 〈◊〉 18 19. Now whether the Prophets of our dayeâ—… be like unto these Prophets I wiâ—…l appealâ—… to all England to judge 2. The people are saying that there is vast difference between Christ and his Apoâ—…stles and you For Christ and his Apostle did feed the people with true bread and you make the people believe you feed them with bread in their Fathers house and you feed them with husks and that among swine Whereas you should feed his lambs and give every one his meat in due season it is observed that most of you for I speak not of all doe tie your selves to one Text and one Method one rode and way so that for the most part you doe not reach every mans condition You be like unto Christ when you are carried forth with a sweet temper of love to all men as Christ was Now there be two sorts of men First Saints Secondly Sinners To begin with the last 1. There are sinners and they are of two â—…rts 1. Ignorant 2. Prophane First Ignorant to these you should hold â—…rth those meanes that Christ hath apâ—â—inted to enlighten them Secondly Prophane deale with these as â—…rist and his Apostles dâ—…alt with such men the spirit of meeknesse instructing those at oppose themselves Secondly then there are also in your â—â—ongregations some few godly men and â—…omen sonnes and daughters and these 〈◊〉 of two sorts 1. Weake 2. Strong First weake bruised reeds and smoâ—â—ng flax these must have have milke these â—…ust not be received to doubtful disputaâ—…ons These be Lambs doe as Christ carry â—…em in your bosomes O let these have â—…eir meat in due season you may not â—…spise these weak ones nor grieve them Secondly those that be more strong â—…ercome them with love 1 Pet. 3. 8 9. Feed â—…ese with food convenient for them Build â—…emup in their most holy saith We finde Paul in 14. Rom. give two directions to tâ—… weake Saints and two directions to tâ—… strong Saints 1. To the weake that they should nâ—… envy the strong Saints in the use of the liberty 2. That they being weake should nâ—… doe those things that the strong did wiâ—… a galled conscience Then he gave two directions to tâ—â— strong Saints First that they should not despise tâ—â— weake Secondly that they should not grieâ—… the weake Now my brethren you have all thâ—… sorts of people I suppose in your 〈◊〉 Congregations do you give every one 〈◊〉 meat in due season are you indeed liâ—â— Christ in this whether you are or no will appeale to all impartial hearers 〈◊〉 judge Thirdly againe I heare the people saâ—…ing of you That if you were the faith ful Ministers of Christ you would spenâ—… more time to seeke his honour and lesâ—… time in seeking your owne honour Man of you are often praying to God to keeâ—… up the honour of the Ministery but we haâ—… 〈◊〉 more need be praying to Almighty God establish a true Ministery and then the â—â—rd will undoubtedly keep up their hoâ—â—ur Why my brethren it is your work it was Pauls to have Christ alone exalted â—â—t may it not be said of many of you That â—â—u seek your owne things in the first â—â—ace and the things of Christ in the â—â—ond place Doe you give the glory of all 〈◊〉 good you doe to God as Paul did Cor. 15. 10. But I laboured more then â—â—â—y all yet not I but the grace of God in â—â—e Doe you so exalt Christ as to be nothing your selves as he did I am not worthy to called an Apostle saith he Again he saith himselfe he was the greatest of sinners â—â—d then againe in another place I am lesse â—â—n the least of all Saints And then againe desire to know nothing among you but Jesus â—â—rist and him crucified Now I appeale to â—…ur own consciences whether this be your â—â—actice Fourthly againe I heare the people â—…eaking of you and saying That you be 〈◊〉 like to Christ in this also you put too â—â—gh a price upon gifts and too low a â—â—ice upon grace Hence it is that you cry 〈◊〉 one so frequently and speak of the other so coâ—…dly They say and I doe almost â—â— lieve it that you carry up into the pulpiâ—… whole glasse full of humane learning anâ—… wisdome so varnished and coloured oveâ—… that the world hath taken it for spirituâ—… things and so millions of poor souls haâ—â— been deluded by it for the space of manâ—… years Now if I might be thought worthâ—â— let me aske you Did ever Christ and hâ—… Apostles cry it up so exceedingly nay â—â— ther did not they lay it by in the things â—â— God view well the first book of the Corâ—…tians and the two first Chapters Now wâ—… set up humane wisdome in competitioâ—… with Christ when we make it absoluteâ—… necessary for the dispensation of the Goâ—… spel yea such an essential qualification as without it none could be
Hope your Patience and Selâ—… denyal is not the Faith Hope Patience and â—…elf-denial of the Gospel your assurance 〈…〉 r Heaven is unfound you have been daw 〈…〉 d with untempered mortar the day is alâ—…ost come that thou must die after death 〈…〉 me to judgment and then be judged acâ—…rding to thy works Then if thou doest â—â—ant Oyle in thy Lamp which is Grace in 〈…〉 e heart thou wilt be shut out it will be 〈◊〉 vaine then with Balaam to fall a praying 〈…〉 ord let me die the death of the righteous and let 〈◊〉 latter end be like his No no He that will 〈◊〉 the death of the righteous must live the life of 〈◊〉 righteous Those that he appointed for â—â—ory hereafter shall have the beginning of â—â—ace here for they be chosen to salvation â—…rough sanctification of the Spirit and be 〈…〉 ef of the truth and without holinesse no man â—â—all see the Lord. Your Leaders have caused 〈…〉 ou to erre the blinde hath led the blinde and 〈…〉 th will fall into the ditch unlesse you beâ—…are in time O poore Souls I cannot blame you to â—…omplain of bad suffering times to be thus â—…heated on every side you have but a Body â—…nd a Soule and to be deceived and depriâ—…ed of the comfortable being of the one â—…here and to have no assurance of rest for â—…he other hereafter is a sad condition indeed Oh how be the people destroyed for want of knowledge Like Priest like People as in Hos 4. 6 9. The Prophets there of doe teach for hire and the Priests divine for money and you poore simple ones love to havâ—… it so O you simple ones how long will yee lovâ—… simplicity and you scorners delight in scorning 〈◊〉 you are deceived and by those that you least mistrusted namely the Prophets Mich. 3. 5. Do 〈…〉 but spend a little time and tracethis Tribâ—â— from the Prophet Isaiah's dayes untill now 〈…〉 First Isaiah complains of them in his dayes Isai 28. 7. Jeremy complains of them in hiâ—… dayes Jâ—â— â—…0 6. and Ezekiel the Propheâ—â— complain of them in his daies Ezek. 22. 26. So the Prophets Daniel Hosea Joel and Amos these also complains of the badnesse of this generation Then the Prophet Micah he complains of their sins and prophesieth of their judgements Mich. 3. from v. 5. to the end of the Chapter Then when Christ came in the flesh hâ—… was opposed by them and complains o 〈…〉 them Matt. 23. 13 15 16. then the Apostles themselves were continually persecuted and afflicted from time to time by them as you may read in the Acts of the Apostles And if there be any truth in Histories see what a sort of Ministry there were in Henry 〈…〉 eighth's dayes when the King denied Popes Supremacy how soon did this 〈…〉 be face about and side with the King 〈…〉 en again in the dayes of Edward the sixt â—â—reason of his pious resolution though 〈◊〉 young the Clergie feared a turn and â—â—esently fell a preaching against the Masse 〈…〉 ok and it was soon abolished and the â—â—mmon-Prayer-book set up in its place â—â—d these men zealous Common-Prayerâ—â—ok men And then about three or foure â—…ars after that Queen Mary was made â—…ueen the Clergie bethought themselves â—â—d presently the greatest part of them turâ—â—d about again from Common-Prayerâ—â—ok to Masse-Book for say they the diffeâ—â—nce is not great Then after Queen Mary was dead and Queen Elizabeth had the Crownâ—… preâ—…ently the whole tribe of them except some â—â—w turned Protestants again under which shape and in which visage they have â—…ontinued untill the beginning of this preâ—…ent Parliament Well the Parliament had not sate long but the Wolfe covered with Sheeps cloathing was discovered and after a little consideration it was put to the Vote and suddenly after tumbled down the Prelatical discipline root and branch Wel what follows why our Clergie for 〈◊〉 most part threw aside their Surplisse Hoods and Tippets Organs and Altarâ—â— Bowings and Cringings Tapers and Caâ—…dles and perk up into the Pulpit anâ—… lifts up their voices and preach again those things and so became the reverenâ—â— laborious zealous Ministers of England thou desirest a fuller discovery of this look into what I have written before caâ—…led A word to the pretended Minister and neither of these will _____ satisfie thee if thou wilâ—… see the Wolfe stript of his Sheeps cloathing indeed then look into the Chronicles 〈◊〉 England Scotland and Ireland Mr. Fox hiâ—… book of Acts and Monuments of thâ—… Church and his History of Martyrs c. O then take heed how you hear Luke 8. 18â—… take heed whom you heare Jer. 27. 9. take heeâ—… what you hear Mark 4. 24. Beloved I have not written these things to take off your affections from the true Ministers of the Gospel but to disengage your hearts affections from the ravening Wolves that the Lord Christ hath commanded me and you to beware of Matt. 7. 15 and Acts 20. 29. and Joh. 10. 12. Again Believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they be of God 1 Joh. 4. 1. For many deceivers are entred into the â—…orld 2 Joh. 7. These things have I written â—…nto you concerning them that seduce you 1 Joh. 〈◊〉 26. Now that you might take heed whom you hear how you hear and what â—…ou hear and that you might not believe â—…very spirit but try the spirits whether â—…hey be of God I shall under correction â—…nd with submission to better judgements â—…ive my thought of the one of the other â—…nd endeavour to put a difference between 〈◊〉 Prelate and a Pilate a Feeder and a Fleeâ—…er a Blinde-beetle and a Seer a Butcher â—…nd a Shepheard a Destroyer and an Instruâ—…ter a Tyrant and a Father a Thief and a Keeper a Seducer and a Leader a ravening Wolf and a moderate Shepheard that so â—…ou might cast off the one and embrace the other and truly herein I cannot speak in â—…allibly but give my thoughts at a distance â—…or Satan hath transformed himself into an Angel of light and his works are more myâ—…terious then ever the Lord cannot have â—…is Church but the Devil will have his Chappel if they will have Ordinances he will have them too if they will congregate themselves together by uniting in one spirit Sathan and his company will unite together in one form of communion and afterwards teach union If the true Church of Christ will teach first the Doctrinal par 〈…〉 and then the practical part Sathan wi 〈…〉 allow his Ministers to preach the same onâ—…ly with this difference he will put theâ—â— upon building before they have laid thâ—â— foundation if the true Chruch will builâ—… upon the rock Sathan and his companâ—… will build too but his foundation must 〈◊〉 laid on sand I shall now endeavour 〈◊〉 give my judgement of the pretended Minâ—…ster first and then of the true Ministâ—â— next that so you might hold to the o 〈…〉 and forsake the
are past away Rev. 21. 1. 2 Pet. 3. 13. 3. Then there be a third sort of sober Christians that do look for and expect these glorious times and yet they do deny that Christ shall reign personally he shall reign it is true say they but how Christ will come in the spirit and have a glorious Kingdome in the spirits of his people and they shall by the power of Christ in them reign over the world and this is the new heaven and the new earth And for my part I do affirm that this is the glorious state that is now comming Isa 66. 22. 2 Pet. 3. 13. Rev. 21. 1. And these are the times of restitution so frequently spoken unto in the Scripture Rom. 8. 19 20 21 22 23. Act. 3. 20 21 22 23. Oh what a glorious time will this be when Magistracie shall be restored to its primitive institution to countenance those that do well and punish evill doers Rom. 13. 3. Dan. 7. 27. Isa 2. 3. Isa 1. 26. O what a joyful time shall this be when Ministery shall be restored to its primitive Institution Jer. 3. 18. Jer. 24. 4. O what a blessed time will this be when our God shall undeceive the people that have been deceived by the Priests the Dragon shall be cast out of heaven and his Chaplains out of the Church God will take away the nature of wicked men that â—…lthough they remain wolves lions and â—…ruits still yet they shall not hurt nor deâ—â—roy in all this holy mountain For the â—â—arth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea Hab. 2. 14. Wherefore most noble overcoming Saints â—…ook for great alterations and mighty â—…hanges see what dissolutions God is making in the earth and look for the Lord â—…o be revâ—…aled from heaven who will be mighty in his dispensation and glorious â—…n revelation and strong and powerful in operation and he will bring to passe his determination which will be to the confounding of all things that are in opposition against him Oh then taste and see that the Lord is gracious it 's life to know him it is heaven to behold him it is melody to hear him it is endlesse happinesse to enjoy him And as you like the end that the Almighty aims at so approve of the way which he acts in and wait with patience for the accomplishment thereof There be glorious Deliverances for the Saints as hath been said but the Saints are too sudden in expecting these deliverances WHen our first Parents were fallen there was a promise made to them of a recovery by the second Adam in these words The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpents head And as soon as Eve had conceived and brought forth a son Gen. 4. 1. saith she I have got a man from the Lord for so some of our Translations render it And seeing this was not he when she brought forth her second sonne she calls him Abel which signifies vanity Seeing she was deceived in the first she calls the second vanity Now our mother was just as we are too sudden in our expectation of deliverances So if we look into that of Moses Exo. 5. ult Neither hast thou delivered thy people at all saith precious Moses Why Moses thou art a little too quick Have not these people prayed and hath not the Lord heard the cry and sent thee to bring them out of Egypt and am not I now upon delivering them and yet are they not delivered at all â—…oses thou art a little too sudden in exâ—…ecting deliverances So it was with the Apostles Act. 1. 6. â—…ord said they wilt thou at this time restore â—…e kingdome to Israel The Apostles were too â—…dden this was not to be done till many â—…undred years afterwards Methinks I see â—…he people of England yea many of the Lords â—…wn Lambs some of them in Egypt under â—…haraohs hard task-masters murmuring and â—…omplaining at other Saints as they did at Moses and Aaron And I see some others â—…rought to the Red-sea but in great fears before and behind as they were and some â—…re got over the sea and seen all their eneâ—…ies drowned as they were pursuing them â—…nd so begin to sing and many be marched â—…nto the midst of the wildernesse where they see great miracles waters flow out of â—…he Rocks and raining Manna from heaven and yet notwithstanding the people begin to murmure and desire to go back again to Egypt Oh here is the state of the English Nation they say it is better to go back again to Egypt to King Pharaoh or if he be dead to his young Sonne that he may reign over us where we may enjoy our old Discipline and eat our wonted food the onions and the garlicks and the leeks But some are of a more choise spiriâ—… and have sent unto Canaan to spie out thâ—… land Well there were twelve men seâ—â— ten of them bring up a false report of thâ—… land onely two of them were of anotheâ—… spirit and speak the truth the greateâ—â— part say it is a barren land the lesser paâ—â— say it is a fruitful land The people werâ—… divided and some fall to murmuring anâ—… so are destroyed in the wildernesse Well a few are gotten to Canaan the enemy flieâ—… before them they possesse their habitations and having all things at the full they soon forget their God Is not this all along our state at this day Some are travelling from Egypt to Canaan and some are journeying from Canaan to Babylon and some are walking from Babylon to Sion Q. Methinks I hear many saying If there be such glorious times at hand and that God doth intend good to us why is it thus and thus with us A. It is true there be many external and internal burdens lying upon us that we would be glad to have removed But consider a little first the fountain from whence these come Gods love secondly the end of them for thy good this will cause the â—â—ule to rejoyce in tribulation for to you is given not onely to believe but to suffer â—â—r his sake must Job the justest man that 〈◊〉 alive be fought against with the terrours â—…f the Lord Job 6. 4. Must David a man after â—â—ds own heart have no rest in his bones â—…ecause of his sins and be so wasted with â—â—e grief of his heart that his moisture is â—â—rned to the drought of Summer Psal 32. â—â—rs 3 4. Must Hezeâ—…iah who walked before the â—…ord in truth and with a perfect heart â—…ave the anger of the Almighty break his â—…ones like a Lion Isai 38. 13. Nay must the Sonne of God himself lie â—…leeding upon the crosse and cry out in â—…he bitternesse of his soule My God my God â—…hy hast thou for saken me and shall we think â—…o be altogether free from chastisement was â—…ot Abel murthered by his brother Noah â—…ocked by his son Job scoffed by his wife â—…lie slain by his sons See