will give them a better And how else should we overcame the World but by believing in him that overcome it and is preparing a place for us in Heaven and hath made us the Heirs of Glory 6. This is he that came by water and blood even Jesus Christ not by water only but by water and blood and it is the Spirit that beareth witness because the Spirit is truth 6. This is he that as he was baptized so he instituted Baptism for the cleansing of Souls And as he was crucified to be a Sacrifice for sin so doth he by his Sacrament and Grace communicate this Sacrifice in its Benefits to us which his Crucifixion signified when both Water and Blood run out of his pierced Side He cleanseth us nor by Water and Baptism alone but as a Sacrifice by Water and Blood and at a dearer rate And the Witness by which God attesteth all this to be his Truth is the Gift of his Spirit 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one 8. And there are three that bear witness in earth the Spirit and the water and the blood and these three agree in one 7 8. For there are three in Heaven who have given us their Witness to the Gospel on Earth even the Father who hath from Heaven declared Christ to be his Son and the Word or Godhead of Christ which he shewed in his Miracles Resurrection c. And the Holy Ghost sent down for Infallibility Miracles and Renovation of the Faithful And these are so Three as yet to be One. And on Earth we have seen these three Witnesses attesting one thing by Agreement even the Spirit in the Souls of Believers in their Miracles and Holiness sealing the Truth the Water of Baptism and the washing of their Souls from Sin and Christ's Bâ—ood and Sacrifice which is our Expiation signified in the Lord's Supper even as Christ on the Cross first recommended his Spirit into his Father's Hands and then out of his pierced Side came Water and Blood Note Though much of these words Vers 7 8. be not in many ancient Copies of the Bible we have more reason to think that the Arrians left them out than that the Orthodox put them in other Texts that assert Christ's Godhead being so used But however it need not offend the Faithful there being so many other Texts which assert the Trinity 9. If we receive the witness of men the witness of God is greater for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son 9. If the Witness of credible Men and Controversies among us much more must the Witness of God be believed And this mentioned is God's own Testimony of Christ 10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself he that believeth not God hath made him a liar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son 10. He that is a true Believer in Christ hath the Spirit of Christ which hath regenerated him for if any man have not his Spirit he is none of his And this Spirit of Power Wisdom and Holiness is most certainly from God and an infallible Evidence that God owneth the Gospel therefore all these have the witnessing Evidence of Christ in themselves And he that believeth not so sure a Testimony of God doth make him a Lyer as if he gave the Holy Spirit as a false Witness of Christ to deceive the World 11. And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son 12. He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life 11 12. And the sum of the Gospel attested by God and his Spirit is this that God hath made a free Deed of Gift of Pardon and Salvation to the World even the Life of Grace and Glory but so as that this Life is given us in and with Christ who with all these Benefits is offered to Men on condition of believing Acceptance As a Woman in Marriage hath the Man with his Estate and as we chuse our Physician for Physick our Teacher for Learning our Ruler for Government c. He that hath Christ upon believing Acceptance as his Saviour hath Life initially and Title to Salvation And he that hath not Christ through his Unbelief and Refusal hath not Life 13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God 13. These things I have written to you that are true Christians that you may know what a Treasure you have in and with Christ even Right to Eternal Life and its Beginning here and that you may go on confirmed and constant in the Faith 14. And this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his wiil he heareth us 14. And through our Interest in Christ his Merits and Intercession we have sufficient ground of Confidence that by and through him our Prayers are heard and that he will give us whatever we ask which he hath promised to give and we are fit to receive 15. And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him 15. And if he thus hear your Prayers we may reckon that in his time and way he will give us whatever Particular we ask if we and our Prayers be qualified for his Promise 16. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death he shall ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death There is a sin unto death I do not say that he shall pray for it 17. All unrighteousness is sin and there is a sin not unto death 16 17. And this comfort you have in your Prayers for others as well as for your selves God will hear you for those who are qualified for the Mercy which you beg for them according to his Promise Death temporal and eternal is the Wages of sin but with great difference There are many sins of Infirmity which we hate and strive against as vain Thoughts Words Passions Coldness in Duty Imperfection in all Good and all sins that stand with true Repentance and the predominant Love of God and Holiness These the Law of Grace doth pardon through Christ and not damn any for But Pardon must be asked and shall be obtained for the faithful penitent qualified person But God hath told us that he doth not pardon the Impenitent and Unsanctified that had rather keep their sin than leave it and are unqualified for Pardon Your Prayer to God to pardon such shall not prevail while they are impenitent much less for them that are Infidels and blaspheme the Holy Ghost And God's own Children may fall
for the tumult he commanded him to be carried into the Castle 33 34. A Heathen would hear the cause before he judges it when superstitious Zealots execute before they try or hear 35. And when he came upon the stairs so it was that he was born of the Souldiers for the violence of the people 36. For the multitude of the people followed after crying Away with him 35. The Heathen Soldiers were fain by force to carry and guard him from these Hypocrites 37. And as Paul was to be led into the castle he said unto the cheif Captain May I speak unto thee Who said Canst thou speak Greek 38. Art not thou that Egyptian which before these days madest an uprore and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers 37 38. The tumult about him made him suspect him to be an Incendiary that had lately raised sedition 39. But Paul said I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus a citizen of no mean city and I beseech thee suffer me to speak unto the people 40. And when he had given him licence Paul stood on the stairs and beckened with the hand unto the people and when there was made a great silence he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue saying 39 40. When he had given him leave to speak and procured silence and audience by his Authority which else the Multitude of Legal Zealots would not have granted him he spake to them in the Chaldec Tongue than called the Hebrew because it was understood by a greater number than the Greek This sheweth that Greek was not then most common CHAP. XXII MEn brethren and fathers hear ye my defence which I make now unto you 2. And when they heard that he speak in the Hebrew tongue to them they kept the more silence and he saith 3. I am verily a man which am a Jew born in Tarsus a city in Cilicia yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers and was Zelous towards God as ye all are this day 1. I am a Jew brought up a Disciple of Gamaliel under the same Laws and customs and as zealous for God in your way as you now are 4. And I persecuted this way unto the death binding and dilivering into prisons both men and women 4 And as you are affected with zealous cruelty now against Christians so was I then and persecuted them even to death binding and delivering them into Prison both Men and Women 5. As also the high priest doth bear me witness and all the estate of the elders from whom also I received letters unto the bretheren and went to Damascus to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem for to be punished 5. The High Priest and all the Council of Elders called rhe Sanedrim know this from whom I had Letters authorizing me to bring them Prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished 6. And it came to pass that as I made my journey and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me 7. And I fell unto the ground and heard a voice saying unto me Saul Saul why persecutest thou me 6 7. I saw a Light and hâ—ard a Voice c. Note When Christ will speak in Power and Terror he will cast down the proudest Persecutor 2. Christ taketh the persecuting of his Servants and striving against his Gospel as persecuting himself it being against his Friends and for his Cause 8. And I answered Who art thou Lord And he said unto me I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou Persecutest 8. Note Did Persecutors know Christ aright and know that it is him in his servants whom they persecute they durst not they would not do it 9. And they that were with me saw indeed the light and were afraid but they heard not the voice of him that speak to me 9. They saw the Light and heard the sound like Thunder but saw no man nor heard the voice and words that were spoken to me and which I heard 10 And I said What shall I do Lord And the Lord said unto me Arise and go into Damascus and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do 10. I will not this way by voice from heaven tell thee thy duty I have stablished the way of notifying it by my Ministers and Spirit Go to Damascus and I will send thee a Teacher Note Souls duely humbled are ready to do any thing that God would have them do 11. And when I could not see for the glory of that light being led by the hand of them that were with me I came into Damascus 11. Note God made the Light it self to blind him as an Emblem of his persecuting blindness 12. And one Ananias a devout man according to the law having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there 13. Came unto me and stood and said unto me Brother Saul receive thy sight And the same hour I looked up upon him 12. Ananias a zealous Jew tho a Christian well spoken of by the Jews themselves was sent to restore my sight c. 14. And he said The God of our fathers hath chosen thee that thou shouldest know his will and see that Just one and shouldest here the voice of his mouth 15. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard 14 15. It is the free grace and will of God that hath chosen thee to see Christ whom thou persecutest and to hear his voice from Heaven and to be his witness of what thou hast seen and heard Note Paul is a full instance of Gods special electing grace 16. And now why tarriest thou arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord. 16. Delay not but presently repent and believe in Christ and give up thy self to him in his baptismal Covenant and as the Water washeth this body his pardoning grace through the merits of his blood and righteousness shall wash away the guilt of thy sins and call on the Lord for Mercy and for his Spirit 17. And it came to pass that when I was come again to Jerusalem even while I prayed in the temple I was in a trance 18. And saw him saying unto me Make haste and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me 17. Note God that foreknew that the Jews would obstinately reject Paul directed his Ministry from them elsewhere 19. And I said Lord they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee 20. And when the bloud of thy martyr Stephen was shed I also was standing by and consenting unto his death and kept the raiment of them that slew him 19 20. Lord Sure they will hear me without prejudice who have so hotly persecuted they Servants as they do 21.
whether the Soul take not with it some of the Igneous Spirits by which it here operated as such a Body as Seminal Vertue in Inferior things is lodged in them and whether at the Resurrection God use that Composition of Igneous Matter or Ethereal and Spiritual Form for the aggregation of so much more such Matter as shall be needful to make up the Glorious Spiritual Incorruptible Body But all this and how much of the Flesh we lived in God will raise is to us unknown VIII Ver. 50. That Flesh and Blood cannot enter into the Kingdom of God is grosly perverted by them that say That it 's only Sinful Flesh that is meant or them that say That Flesh and Blood shall enter but incorruptible It is proper formal Flesh and Blood that the Apostle mentioneth Flesh is the Blood and other nutritive Juyce coagulated into that Fibrous Substance so called and is the Matter of Food digested and assimilated unto this It is made of Earth Water and Air and so is Blood Define them and nothing that is in Heaven will agree with that Definition If such Earth shall be placed in Heaven it will cease by transmutation to be Earth To call a Spiritual Incorruptible Glorious Body Earth and Water or Flesh and Blood and place these with the Blessed Spirits is but to equivocate and not to use the Words univocally The two General Councils Nice second and Constance before it differing in other things agree That Christs true Body is in Heaven but that there it is not Flesh and Blood And yet the Papists feign that he hath still real Flesh and Blood in the Sacrament Doubtless by a Spiritual Body is meant one that is so near the Nature of a Spirit as is fittest for spiritual and glorious Work which made many of the Fathers say That it will be an Ethereal or Igneous or Luminous Body But Gods Knowledge must be implicitly rested in when we have no explicit Knowledge CHAP. XVI 1. NOw concerning the collection for the saints as I have given order to the churches of Galatia even so do ye 1. I come next to your Order for Collections for the poor Christians in the present Famine at Jerusalem In which I would have you as most convenient to observe this Order which I gave to the Churches of Galatia 2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come 2. The Lords-day being separated for sacred Works of which holy Charity is a great part let every one willingly lay by as devoted to God for this Service according to the proportion of his Increase that I may find it ready and not stay when I come for your Collections 3. And when I come whomsoever you shall approve by your Letters them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem 3. And then that you may be satisfied of the faithful delivery you shall chuse the Messenger your selves 4. And if it be meet that I go also they shall go with me 4. And if I find cause to go my self your own Trustees shall go with me 5. Now I will come unto you when I shall pass through Macedonia for I do pass through Macedonia 6. And it may be that I will abide yea and winter with you that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go 7. For I will not see you now by the way but I trust to tarry a while with you if the Lord permit 5 6 7. Note That a wise Fore-contrivance of our own Course of Labour is lawful but onely with submission to Gods Will. 8 9. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost For a great door and effectual is opened unto me and there are many adversaries 8 9. Hope of great Success and the opposition of many Adversaries persuade me to stay at Ephesus Note That great Success of the Gospel oft consisteth with many Adversaries 10. Now if Timotheus come see that he may be with you without fear for he worketh the work of the Lord as I also do 10. See that Timothy when he cometh be not discouraged by distrust or abuse for he is my faithful Helper in the same Work of the Lord in which I serve him 11. Let no man therefore despise him but conduct him forth in peace that he may come unto me for I look for him with the brethren 11. Despise him not but give credit to his Message and respectfully conduct him at his return to us 12. As touching our brother Apollos I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren but his will was not at all to come at this time but he will come when he shall have convenient time 12. Note That Paul left him to his choice and did not suspend or silence him for disobeying an Apostle 13. Watch ye stand fast in the faith quit you like men be strong 13. Finally Your Case is so weighty and Trial so great as require your constant watch your resolved steadfastness in the Faith a Manlike Strength Endeavour and Defence 14. Let all your things be done with charity 14. The sum and chiefest Rule that I give you is Do all that you do in Love or Endearedness to one another and this will cast out Selfishness Pride Envy and Division and keep you from rash censuring separating despising or abusing one another 15 16. I beseech you brethren ye know the house of Stephanas that it is the first-fruits of Achaia and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints That ye submit your selves unto such and to every one that helpeth with us and laboureth 15 16. The House of Stephanas being the first converted in Achaia and addicted to further Christians with their Estates and Labour and he being now my Fellow-labourer submit your selves to him and to all such 17. I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied 18. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours therefore acknowledge ye them that are such 17 18. For they have performed such respectful Offices as you were wanting in Therefore let such be respected by you 19. The churches of Asia salute you Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord with the church that is in their house 20. All the brethren greet you Greet ye one another with an holy kiss 21. The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand 19 20 21. The Christians of their Family or the Assembly that used to meet there for Church Communion 22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maran-atha 22. Those that love the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and Hope will stick to him and confess him in Temptation and Sufferings And if any Man love him not let him as accursed be delivered to Satan and cut off from God 23 24. The grace of our Lord
cruel Persecutors under all tryals and sufferings hold fast both our Hope and Faith and the open profession of it For he is faithful who hath promised us the endless felicity which will pay for all and exceed all our expectations 24. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works 24. Let none of us live meerly to our selves but set our selves with studious diligence to promote the Sanctity and Salvation of each other which is not done by vain janglings and faction but by provoking one another to love and to good works and each to be a common blessing in his place by profiting others 25. Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as ye see the day approaching 25. Not forsaking either the more full Church-Assemblies or any Christian Converse and Communion by which ye may excite and edifie one another as some do out of cowardly fear of suffering and some through selfishness and want of brotherly love and through coldness in Religion And the more resolved should you be in this because the time of suffering is short and the day of your deliverance draws on and cannot be far off Note Qu. 1. What if the Rulers forbid Church-Assemblies or at least inferiour edifying Converse Ans So they did for three hundred years when yet Christians used it by command from Christ And Christian Princes as is said heretofore must do more good but are not authorized to do more mischief and forbid good than Heathens But yet though we may not statedly forbear the duties of Piety and Charity no more than Daniel did praying or the old Christians preaching and meeting when we can perform them 1. We may forbear this or that particular meeting or action when it would do more hurt than good 2. And when imprisonment or banishment make it impossible it can be no duty Qu. 2. Who be they that must exhort one another Ans Not every one that hath a proud self-conceit or masterly talkative disease may needlesly gather Assemblies to ease his stomach on pretence of duty But the truly qualified and called Pastors must exhort in Church-Assemblies by Office and occasionally such other well qualified men as he shall there call forth or allow And in inferiour occasional Converse or Meetings such qualified persons as have best ability and opportunities to do good Even as Overseers by Office relieve the poor but every man that can must do it in charity And as the Physician by calling must heal the sick and wounded but any in charity may offer such help as others need and he is able not usurping the Function of the Physician 26. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins 27. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries 26 27. And the dreadful case of Apostates must deter you For if you wilfully forsake Christ and Christianity after you have received the knowledge of the truth of it by the Spirit all those miraculous Evidences by which it hath prevailed hitherto you must never look for another Saviour nor that Christ should come again to be sacrificed for you Reject him now and nothing remaineth but a dreadful expectation of his Vindictive Judgment when his Enemies that refused his Reign shall be brought forth to destruction Luke 19.27 Note Of this see before on chap. 6. what this sin is 28. He that despised Moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses 29. Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace 28 29. Capital presumptuous sins and contempt were punished by death by Moses Law And as Christ bringeth greater mercy the contempt of him deserveth far greater punishment when men by renouncing Christianity tread under foot the Son of God by calling him a crucified Deceiver and count the Blood of the Covenant which was shed to sanctifie them and reconcile them to God which they professing to believe were joyned with the Saints to be the blood of a justly crucified Malefactor and a prophane thing and thus do despight also to the Spirit of Grace which is Christ's Witness on Earth and by the Testimony of whose miraculous and sanctifying Gifts they once professed to believe in Christ and receive his Doctrine and now they will reproach these Gifts and Testimonies of the Spirit as delusions and not of the Spirit of God Note The falseness of their Doctrine who say that the Gospel is a bare absolute Promise and no Law and hath no proper threatning of penalty 30. For we know him that hath said Vengeance belongeth unto me I will recompense saith the Lord and again The Lord shall judge his people 31. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God 30 31. Note Grace puts us not out of fear of danger 2. None so dreadful as a Vindictive God And 3. Apostates who reject Christ and his Salvation fall into the hands of God's terrible Justice 32. But call to remembrance the former days in which after ye were illuminated ye endured a great fight of afflictions 33. Partly whilst ye were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions and partly whilst ye became companions of them that were so used 32 33. But remember what you have formerly suffered for Christ Will you lose all that Or cannot God strengthen you now when you should be grown stronger Remember how you endured to be made the common spectacle and scorn of men by your own sufferings for sufferers are usually disdained by the baser multitude and also by being the companions of those that suffered and openly owning them and bore part of their afflictions 34. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in your selves that ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring substance 34. For I for one must bear you witness that in my bonds you did partake in my sufferings by compassion and also you took not only patiently but joyfully the loss and spoiling of your goods and bodily maintenance by the plunder and distreining of Persecutors And what made you do this but that you firmly believed yea knew by the witness in your selves attesting the Promises of Christ that you have as to right in Heaven a Treasure incomparably better than that which you lose and such as is endless and none can rob you of 35. Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompence of reward 35. Do not then for nothing at last cast away the open bold owning of your Faith and Hope and with it all your Hope Labour and
I say unto you Whosoever shall confess me before men him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God 8. Own me sincerely in the time of Tryal and I will own you before Angels where are your greatest concerns 9. But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God 9. Without true Repentance 10. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man it shall be forgiven him but unto him that blasphemeth against the holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven 10. To speak against me as a man is pardonable But when I shall send the Spirit of Miracles and Holiness to be my Witness in the World they that will not be convinced by this Spirit but blasphemously say It is the power and work of the Devils do sin against the last and great means of Conviction and being uncured are unpardoned 11. And when they bring you unto the synagogues and unto magistrates and powers take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer or what ye shall say 12. For the holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say 11 12. Let not the fear of your unready speech discourage you but trust the Spirit of God to help you 13. And one of the company said unto him Master speak to my brother that he divide the inheritance with me 14. And he said unto him Man who made me a judge or a divider over you 13 14. N. Whether the man would have had Christ taken on him an Authoritative Decision or only a free Arbitration is uncertain which ever it was Christ refuseth it A work of worldly Rule he disclaimed And he would not be so imprudent as to offend men by an Arbitration without need 15. And he said unto them Take heed and beware of covetousness for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth 15. Take heed of being too desirous of wealth or plenty For neither life nor the comfort of life depends on plenty but on the holy and obedient use of what you have and on the blessing and love of God 16. And he spake a parable unto them saying The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully 17. And he thought within himself saying What shall I do because I have no room where to bestow my fruits 18. And he said This will I do I will pull down my barns and build greater and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods 19. And I will say to my soul Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thine ease eat drink and be merry 20. But God said unto him Thou fool this night thy soul shall be required of thee then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided 16 17 18 19 20. Note The damning folly of wicked men is 1. In over-loving the pleasure of the flesh to eat and drink and be merry and live at ease 2. To over-love Riches and Plenty as provision for this fleshly pleasure 3. To flatter themselves with the conceit of long life and to forget the shortness of time and their latter end 4. To neglect a due dependence on God for all things 5. To neglect the due care of the Soul and preparation for another World and to set less by Heaven than Earth such are the most miserable fools 21. So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God 21. Such is every one whose chief care and labour is to have plenteous provision for his own Body and is not rich in Grace nor useth his riches to please God in good works 22. And he said unto his disciples Therefore I say unto you Take no thought for your life what ye shall eat neither for the body what ye shall put on 23. The life is more then meat and the body is more then raiment 22 23. Note Luke brings in things spoken at several times on several occasions for the matters sake See Matth. 6. Trust him for the less who hath freely given you the greater 24. Consider the ravens for they neither sow nor reap which neither have storehouse nor barn and God feedeth them How much more are ye better then the fowls 25. And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit 26. If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least why take ye thought for the rest 27. Consider the lilies how they grow they toil not they spin not and yet I say unto you that Solomon in all his glory was not arayed like one of these 28. If then God so cloth the grass which is to day in the field and to morrow is cast into the oven how much more will he cloth you O ye of little faith 24 25 26 27 28. Note All this is against distrustful care and trouble and not diligent labour in a Calling or prudent care to do our work and avoid evil See Mat. 6. 29. And seek not ye what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink neither be ye of doubtful mind 30. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after and your father knoweth that ye have need of these things 29 30. Be not anxious or troubled Note 1. The faithful must live quite above the life of worldlings 2. It should quiet a Child of God that his Father knoweth all his wants 31. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you 31. Seek first c. 32. Fear not little flock for it is youâ— Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom 32. Note 1. Christ's Flock was then little and will be so comparatively on Earth but not in Heaven 2. They shall have a Kingdom 3. By the gift of God's good pleasure 4. They that shall have the Kingdom of Heaven should be above distrustful fear on Earth 33. Sell that ye have and give alms provide your selves bags which wax not old a treasure in the heavens that faileth not where no thief approacheth neither moth corrupteth 33. See Matth. 6.19 20. The wisdom of Faith is to do all we can in this World in preâ—aration for another and at any rate to make sure of Salvation 34. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also 34. Either by Desire if you are uncertain to obtain it or by Delight if you have Assurance or strong hope or in full Joy when you possess it Note A man's Treasure is that which he believeth will make him most happy and loveth and seeketh it accordingly A dreadful Word to wordly men whose hearts are not on Heaven 35. Let your loins be girded about and your lights burning 36. And ye your selves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding that when he cometh and knocketh they may open unto him immediately 35 36. Live in a constant prepared waiting for
and I work 17. To save the aâ—licted is a work beseeming my Father and Me whom you oppose 18. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him not only because he had broken the Sabbath but said also that God was his Father making himself equal with God 18. N. Malignants zeal fathereth even error and persecution on God 19. Then answered Jesus and said to them verily verily I say unto you The Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do For what things soever he doth these also doth the Son likewise 19. I tâ—ll you by condemning my Works you condemn my Fathers also For I do nothing but what I know he doth and approveth and he doth them in and by me and I do nothing without him 20. For the Father loveth the Son and sheweth him all things that he doth and he will shew him greater things than these that ye may marvail 20. For the Fathers infinite Love communicateth to the Son that Wisdom and Power by which he doth all that the Father doth and by which you shall see greater things than these and wonder 21. For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickneth them even so the Son quickneth whom he will 21. As the Father is the Lord of Life and giveth and restoreth life at his pleasure so also doth the Son 22. For the Father judgeth no man but hath commâ—tted all Judgment to the Son 22. For the Father as meer Creator according to the Law of Innocency judgeth no man but hath given up the Government of this World to the Son as Redeemer to judg them as ransomed according to that Law and Measure of Grace which they are under 23. That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father who hath sent him 23. And so it is by honouring the Son that the Father will be honoured and by dishonouring him the Father is dishonoured 24. Verily verily I say to you He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting Life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death to life 24. I tell you if you hear my word obediently and shall believe on God the Father as sending me on the Office of a Saviour you shall have everlasting life by my Merits and Gift and shall not be condemned 25. Verily verily I say to you The hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live 25. I tell you that the hour is coming yea now is already come in which it shall appear that the Son of God hath the power of Life and Death Natural Spiritual and Eternal and that they that are dead in Sin and Unbelief shall hear his Gospel and be regenerate and made alive to God and that natural Life shall be restored by him to some Bodies at his own Resurrection and to all at last when he shall effectually call up all the dead to Judgment 26. For as the Father hath life in himself so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself 26. As the Father is essential underived self-â—se communicating life to Creatures So is the Son as God and as Redeemer hath the power of giving Life from himself to the redeemed 27. And he hath given him Authority to execute Judgment also because he is the Son of God 27. And as Redeemer being the Son of God in his Divine Nature and his humane Nature advanced into personal Union with the Divine he hath Authority given him to Govern the World and according to the Law of Grace to do justice for the faithful and against the impenitent unbelievers 28. Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in which all that are in their Graves shall hear his Voice 29. And shall come forth They that have done good to the Resurrection of Life and they that have done evil to the Resurrection of Damnation 28 29. Let not this seem incredible to you For the hour is coming in which the Bodies now turned to dust shall by the Souls return be revived and hear his voice that calls them up And there shall be a Resurrection of the just and unjust They that have done good according to the tenor of that Law of Grace which they were under shall come forth to a life of happiness and they that have done evil violating the conditions of life in that Law to the Resurrection of damnation 30. I can of my own self do nothing As I hear so I judg and my judgment is just because I seek not my own will but the will of the Father who hath sent me 30. I am not to judge according to the weakness of humanity as Princes govern I do nothing but according to Divine infallible decree and appointment which I assuredly know And my judgment is just because I seek not my own humane will as my rule or end but the will of my Father who sent me that is my Rule and End 31. If I bear witness of my self my witness is not true 32. There is another that beareth witness of me and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true 31 32. If I had no testimony but my own word you were not to take it for credible truth But there is another who giveth you convincing evidences of his truth even my Father by his Voice from Heaven and by his Spirit and Works 33. He sent to John and he bare witness to the truth 34. But I receive not Testimony from Man But these things I say that ye might be saved 33.34 You sent to John and he told you of me as the Messiah I need not his or any mans testimony But it nearly concerneth your own safety to believe him 35. He was a burning and a shining light and ye were willing for a season to rejoyce in his light 35. God set him up to be as a burning and shining light to lead you out of darkness to the Kingdom of the Messiah which you expected And a while you gladly heard that news and were baptized by him Till you were told that I am he and then you turned back 36. But I have greater witness than that of John for the works which the Father hath given me to finish the same works that I do bear witness of me and that the Father hath sent me 36. N. For these works could not be done but by Gods power and will who will not be the worlds deceiver 37. And the Father himself who sent me hath born witness of me Ye have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his shape 38. And ye have not his word abiding in you For whom he hath sent him ye believe not 37 38. By a voice from Heaven God testified me to be his beloved Son But indeed you were not the persons that heard it For you
and said to them murmur not among your selves 44. No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the last day 43. The objections which you murmur on do indeed require Divine Grace to overcome them and therefore none can sincerely believe and come to me as a Christian except the Father who sent me to save men convince and draw them to me to be saved and all those I will raise to life everlasting 45. It is written in the Prophets and they shall be all taught of God Every man therefore that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh unto me 45. As the Prophets speak of a Divine teaching so it is those that are thus taught of God that come to me 46. Not that any Man hath seen the Father save he which is of God he hath seen the Father 46. Not by a Teaching by seeing him For it is I only that come from him that have seen him 47. Verily verily I say to you he that believeth in me hath everlasting life 48. I am the bread of life 49. Your Fathers did eat Manna in the Wilderness and are dead 50. This is the bread that came down from Heaven that a man may eat thereof and not die 51. I am the living bread which cometh down from Heaven If any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever and the bread that I shall give him is my flesh which I will give for the life of the World 47. I tell you he that believeth on me hath that everlasting Life which Manna gave not for they are dead that did eat it I am the Bread that come indeed from Heaven and give Life not temporary but everlasting not to a few but to the World or universal Church My sacrificed flesh shall purchase this 52. The Jews therefore drove among themselves saying how can this man give us his flesh to eat 53. Then Jesus said to them verily verily I say to you except ye eat the flesh of the Sâ—n of Man and drink his blood ye have no life in you 54. Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day 55. For my flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indeed 52. This seemed to them a saying not to be digested and Christ at that time would no further explain it to them than by saying I tell you unless that you live by virtue of my Flesh and Blood received by Faith as food is by your mouth ye have no spiritual saving life It is all they that thus by Faith partake of my Sacrificed Flesh and Blood that have the Title and beginning of Eternal Life and I will at last raise them up to the full fruition of it For my sacrificed Flesh and Blood are truly enlivening and saving 56. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him 56. He that by true Faith trusteth in my sacrificed Flesh and Blood professeth thereby to be united to me as digested food is to the body whereby I also dwell in him and I will give him the Spirit of Life and he shall live by influence from me 57. As the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me he shall live by me 57. As the Father is Essential Self-life and I live by Communication from him so he that is intimately united to me and I to him as food is to the body by digestion by a covenanting lively Faith shall live by me a life of Grace and Glory 58. This is the bread which came down from Heaven Not as your Fathers did eat Manna and are dead He that eateth of this bread shall live for ever 58. I am the true Bread from Heaven who give everlasting Life when your Fathers who did eat Manna died and were not by that made immortal 59. These things said he in the Synagogue as he taught in Capernaum 59. N. Remember it was not those only that had followed him that he spake this to and the following sharp passages but to his auditors at Capernaum 60. Many therefore of his Disciples when they had heard this said this is an hard saying who can hear it 60. N. Christ would not forbear this mysterious doctrine though the hearers could not digest it but would make an ill use of it to depart from him 61. When Jesus knew in himself that his Disciples murmured at it he saith to them doth this offend you 62. What if ye shall see the Son of Man ascend up where he was before 61. I will e're long ascend up visibly to Heaven And will not that prove that I came from Heaven 63. It is the Spirit that quickneth The Flesh profiteth nothing The words that I speak to you they are Spirit and they are Life 63. And as to your offence at my words of the eating of my Flesh you know that Flesh of it self would be a dead and sensless thing were it not for the Soul that is it's life And so it is not my meer dead flesh that I say shall give you life but my Flesh as it is in dignity the Body of the Son of God purchasing life for the World and as it is accompanied with the operation of the Holy Ghost which animaterh them spiritually who by Faith are united to me And thus not only my flesh but the words that I speak to you are by my Spirit made the means of communicating to you Spirit and Life 64. But there are some of you that believe not For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not and who should betray him 64. But there are some of you that follow me that are not true believers and therefore have not this quickening Spirit For he knew their hearts and knew who would after betray him N. Though Christ knew Judas and other Hypocrites he did not expel them but sent out Judas to Preach with the rest to tell us how the visible Church will be constituted and must be ordered 65. And he said therefore I say to you that no man can come to me except it were given to him of my Father 65. N. That the word Can speaketh not of Physical power but partly moral indisposition and partly an hypothetical impossibility of event 2. That though Gods grace be the cause of faith no man is deprived of that Grace but by his own wilful sin which maketh him unexcusable 66. From that time many of his Disciples went back and walked no more with him 66. By forsaking him they shewed that they were never sound believers 67. Then said Jesus to the twelve will ye also go away 68. Then Simon Peter answered him Lord to whom shall we go Thou hast the words of eternal life 69. And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ the Son of the living God 67. N. 1. Christ puts
had not come with sufficient evidence it had not been their sin not to believe me to be the Christ But now their unbelief and Persecution hath no pretence 23. He that hateth me hateth my Father also 23. The hatred that is against me is consequently against God my Father it being his Word Works and Witness which they reject 24. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did they had not had sin but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father 24. They had not been bound to believe me to be the Christ if I had not shewed Gods Attestation such works as no man else can do or if any one had done the like Note Yet it is a false inference of the Infidels that therefore none are bound to take him for the Christ where he never came and did such works For History may as infallibly transmit the notice of his Works as Sight and Hearing could receive them 25. But this cometh to pass that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their Law They hated me without a cause 25. But the Word written in Psal 3.19 which in a large sense is part of their Law is thus fulfilled 26. But when the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father even the Spirit of truth which procedeth from the Father he shall testifie of me 26. But when the Holy Ghost my Advocate and your Comforter is sent down upon you whom after my Resurrection I will send to you for his Eminent signal Gifts from the Father even that Holy Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall be my great Prevailing Witness both to you and by you to the World and shall cause belief 27. And ye also shall bear witness because ye have been with me from the beginning 27. And you on whom this Spirit shall come down shall by his operation be made my effectual Witnesses of what I have said and done and suffered because you have been with me as Eye and Ear Witnesses from the beginning of my publick Ministration CHAP. XVI THese things have I spoken unto you that ye should not be offended 2. They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service 1 2. I foretell you what you must expect that when it cometh you may not be scandalized and turned back They shall cast you out by Excommunication of their Sacred and Civil Assemblys as a reproach yea they that kill you shall do it as an acceptable offering or service to God Note How little do the Religious pretenses of Persecutors deserve regard 3. And these things wilâ— they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me 3. Did they know the Father and me they would do otherwise wilful Ignorance is the cause 4. But these things have I told you that when the time shall come ye may remember that I told you of them And these things I said not unto you at the beginning because I was with you 4. Remember I foretold you all this which I said not from the beginning because I was with you to incourage you and your time of trial was not come and at first you could not so well bear it 5. But now I go my way to him that sent me and none of you asketh me whither goest thou 6. But because I have said these things unto you sorrow hath filled your heart 5 6. But now I am going to him that sent me and though it be on your business and for your interest you ask me not whither and for what I go But sorrow oppresseth you to hear of my departure 7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth It is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you 7. Believe it my departure is for your benefit For the Holy Ghost whom I will then send will be better to you than my bodily presence on Earth 8. And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment 9. Of sin because they believe not on me 10. Of righteousness because I go to my Father and ye see me no more 11. Of judgement because the prince of this world is judged 8 9 10 11. And it will be his work effectually to plead my cause And first to convince the World of their sin in accusing rejecting and murdering me in whom they should have believed which he will do by his Gifts Miracles and inward Operations And Secondly to convince them of the Truth and Righteousness of my Person and Doctrine and my Right to be the Head of the Church and the Righteousness of my Government of it Because I go into Heaven to take fuller Possession of my Plenipotency and Administration and by my Spirit in you and on the Hearers shall more effectually convince Men and gather my Church than I did while I was with you And Thirdly He shall convince them that God hath Exalted me to the Power of Conquering Satan and his Kingdom and punishing Rebellious Adversaries when they shall see that by my Spirit the Kingdom of Satan falleth and the Powers that served him are partly Converted and partly confounded and destroyed 12. I have yet many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now 12. I have many things more to make known to you which you are not yet prepared to receive 13. Howbeit when he the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth for he shall not speake of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speake and he will shew you things to come 13. But when the Holy Spirit of Truth is come upon you he will make you capable and will guide you into all Truth which you must Preach and Record for the Propagating and ordering my Church Preaching to the Gentiles laying by the Mosaick Law c. For he shall speak but that which is of God and things to come and which you are not yet fit to receive 14. He shall glorifie me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you 14. It is this Extraordinary gift of the Holy Ghost which shall be my great convincing Witness in the World that shall prove me to be the Saviour For it is from me that he is sent and my Word that he shall Teach you whether it be Remembring or Expounding what I have already spoken or Teaching you more by Inspiration What he saith and doth in and by you my chosen Apostles that I do by him and you 15. All things that the Father hath are mine therefore said I that he shall take of mine and shall shew it unto you 15. I say he shall take of mine For the wisdom Grace and Gifts that come from the Father come from me that which
which presageth their destruction 55. But he being full of the holy Ghost looked up stedfastly into heaven and saw the Glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God 56. And said Behold I see the Heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God 55 56. God gave him so extraordinary a measure of the Spirit as when he looked stedfastly toward Heaven he had an appearance of the Glory of God and Christ standing at his right hand which in this Rapture he declared to them all Note Christ saw it meet by such a glorious Miracles sight to encourage and honour his first dying Martyr O who would fear suffering for Christ Martyrs may expect the Spirits greatest help and afterward the most glorious Crown 57. Then they cryed out with a loud voyce and stopped their ears and ran upon him with one accord 58. And cast him out of the City and stoned him and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young mans feet whose name was Saul 57 58. Note Holiness and Miracles do but increase their rage They will run when malignity and the Devil instigates Sinners are never so mad as against Christ and Mercy and their own Salvation They that were the Accusers for Blasphemy were by the Law to cast the first stone as the Executioners 59. And they stoned Stephen calling upon God and saying Lord Jesus receive my Spirit 59. Note He that gave up himself to Christ in life and death might comfortably expect to be received 2. The Spirit liveth after the bodies death And Christ receiveth it to himself This is part of Christs Office now in Heaven See my Printed Sermon on this Text. 60. And he kneeled down and cryed with a loud voyce Lord lay not this sin to their charge And when he had said this he fell asleep 6. He died Praying and that for his Persecutors as Christ did And it s like the Conversion of Saul was an answer to this Prayer Quest How far may we pray In Faith for wicked men or others and expect the thing prayed for Answ For that which is absolutely promised we may pray accordingly in assurance For that which supposeth a qualifying condition in the receiver we must believe that they shall have it if they are so qualified For that which hath no promise to them but is merely at Gods unrevealed Will we must pray with submission to that Will and accordingly take the event for uncertain CHAP. VIII ANd Saul was consenting unto his death And at that time there was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem and they were all scattered abroad throughout the Regions of Judea and Samaria except the Apostles 1. Note Sauls Persecution must be recorded before his Conversion 2. The purest Church was not free from the malice of wicked men 3. God used Malignant Persecutions for the spreading abroad his word 2. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him 2. They made a Funeral for Stephen with solemn mourning 3. As for Saul he made havock of the Church entring into every House and hailing men and women committed them to prison 3. By halling people to Prisons out of their houses Saul wasted the gathered Church 4. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where Preaching the word 4. Note It was a tolerable hurt to their bodies which brought good to others Souls and so enlarged the Church by scattering it as seed is scattered that is sown 2. All Christians may and must publish the Gospel where they come if there be need tho only called Ministers must make an office and calling of it as separated to it 5. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and Preached Christ unto them 5. Philip the Deacon Preacht at the City of Samaria after by Herod called Sebaste 6. And the People with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake hearing and seeing the miracles which he did 7. For unclean Spirits crying with loud voice came out of many that were possessed with them and many taken with palsies and that were lame were healed 8. And there was great joy in that City 6. The Samaritans received the Gospel with great joy convinced by Miracles and pleased by many Cures Note The Gospel where ever it cometh is cause of great joy 9. But there was a certain man called Simon which before time in the same city used sorcery and bewitched the People of Samaria giving out that himself was some great one 10. To whom they all gave heed from the least to the greatest saying This man is the great power of God 11. And to him they had regard because that of long time he had bewitched them with Sorceries 9. One Simon had long been reputed among them some great man even the great power of God as he boasted of himself because by Sorcery he had long bewitched and done some strange things among them And they all admired and regarded him Note Deceivers have usually many followers 12. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ they were baptized both men and women 12. Note This suddain Baptizing yet implyeth time for instruction and profession of all essential to Christianity 13. Then Simon himself believed also and when he was baptized he continued with Philip and wondered beholding the miracles and signs which were done 13. Simon saw the reality of Philips Miracles being conscious of the fallacy of his own and he believed that Jesus was the Christ and was baptized into his name and stayed with Phillip admiring his works Note 1. Simon had a Superficial opinionative belief that was not clear and sound nor effectual to renew his Soul 2. The Ministers of Christ baptized not as Heart searchers as knowing mens sincerity but as taking their Profession for their title to Baptism 14. Now when the Apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God they sent unto them Peter and John 14. Note As Peter or John were no Rulers of the rest of the Apostles so the rest sent not them as Rulers of them by Vote but by brotherly request and consent 15. Who when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the holy Ghost 16. For as yet he was fallen upon none of them only they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus 17. Then laid they their hands on them and they received the holy Ghost 15. Note 1. It was at first the eminent Priviledge of the Apostles that the Holy Ghost should be given by their Ministry 2. Imposition of hands being an usual act of Authoritative benediction was used as the sign herein 3. Yet Prayer to God must first prevail for his grant thereof before the Sign was used 4. This gift of the Holy Ghost was not that which is Regenerating and necessary to pardon and Salvation else
was made subject to vanity not willingly but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope 20. For so much of the world as was made for Man and marr'd or cursed for mans sake so was made subject to this Curse and Mutation not for its own sin nor by its own choice but by the sin of Man even by that God who subjected its condition to the free will and state of Man and so to suffer with and for him but with a purpose to restore it with him unto its integrity 21. Because the creature it self also shall be delivered from the bondege of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God 21. Because the Natural and Sensitive parts of the World that were subjected to the use of Man and fell under a Curse by Man shall be delivered with Man from that Curse and Bondage and Corruptibility into a state of liberty and useful perfection suitable to the Glory of the Children of God for whom they were made 22. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travelleth in pain together until now 22. For it is evident that the whole Natural and Subjective World which was thus subjected to Man and cursed for him is like a Woman in the pangs or expectation of Child-birth and groaneth till it be delivered with us at that time of restoration 23. And not only they but our selves also which have the first fruits of the Spirit even we our selves groan within our selves waiting for the adoption to wit the redemption of our body 23. And if this be their case much more do we who have the Spirit of God which is the Pledge Earnest and First-fruit of Glory feeling our selves burdened with sin temptations and sufferings in the World and yet short of our expected Glory feel our selves as a Woman in Travel groaning for deliverance and longing for the blessed inheritance yea even the Resurrection of the Body it self to which we were Adopted 24. For we are saved by hope But hope that is seen is not hope for what a man seeth why doth he yet hope for 24. For our present state of Salvation is not in sight and full possession but in the hope of unseen things that are promis'd and this hope will bring us to possession But if we had sight and possession of it we could not be said to live by the hopes of it for why should we be said to hope for that which we see and possess 25. But if we hope for that we see not then do we with patience wait for it 25. But hoping for that which we never saw or possessed we do with patience under all delays and sufferings wait for the desired attainment and possession 26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered 26. And the Spirit which God hath given us helpeth us against our Infirmities of Hope and Prayer and under our sufferings and distresses for we are unmeet judges of our own necessities and condition and the flesh is too prone to desire its own ease and safety But the Spirit of Christ in us teacheth and inclineth us to go to God as to a merciful alsufficient Father and to pour out our Souls complaints before him at least with groans when we cannot utter them with Words and to cry Abba Father and to refer our selves unto his Wisdom and cast our case in trust on him 27. And he that searcheth the heart knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God 27. And God that searcheth the Heart knoweth the meaning of those very groans excited by his Spirit which we want words to express For he knoweth what his own Spirit moveth us to ask and what desires come from himself for as Christ is in Heaven our Intercessor with the Father so the Holy Spirit sent down into our Hearts is our Intercessor with the Father and the Son for as he is Christs Agent and Witness in us to communicate Spiritual Life Light and Love to us so he is a Spirit of Supplication and Adoption in us and the spring of all our holy desires and motions Godward and that only which is of him is accepted of God for he moveth us to ask what pleaseth God and to submit to his Will and returneth us the answer of our Prayers in inward strength and consolation 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are called according to his purpose 28. For we know that all the course of Gods providence and particularly all our sufferings for him do by Gods over-ruling ordination work together for our good even to carry on them that love him to Salvation who are called hereto according to the gracious benevolent purpose of his own Will 29. For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son that he might be the first-born among many brethren 29. For those whom he fore-knew and purposed to glorifie he also predestinated as the way to their Glory to be conformed to the Image of his Son in holiness and patient suffering that his Church as Brethren might be like their Head and eldest Brother 30. Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified 30. And those whom God thus predestinateth to be conformed to Christ them in time he effectually called to repent and believe in Christ and those whom he thus called and made true Christians he justified both making them just by pardoning their sin and giving them his Indwelling Spirit of love and Holiness and accounting them just for the merits of Christ and those whom he thus justifieth he will glorifie with Christ 31. What shall we then say to these things If God be for us who can be against us 31. What then shall we say when we consider all this but with joyful thankfulness conclude that God is for his Saints their Father and Protector and therefore they have no cause to fear any that are against them how great or many or strong soever that is not fear their power so be it we take heed that they draw us not to sin 32. He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things 32. He that spared not his own Son not thinking him too precious a gist but delivered him up to suffer as a Sacrifice to procure the pardon of sin and salvation to be given to all by a Conditional Covenant of faith and acceptance and actually to pardon and save all true Believers that accept him how can it be that he should think any thing else which we need too good for
us and not freely give all other things with Christ to us that believingly accept him See 1 Joh. 5.11 12. and Joh. 1.11 12. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect It is God that justifieth 33. Of how little moment is it what erroneous and malignant Men lay to the charge of God's Elect accusing them as breakers of their Laws whilst God himself doth justifie them 34. Who is he that condemneth It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us 34. What or who is he that condemneth those whom Almighty God doth justifie What is the Sentence of a Worm a Sinner and a blinded Enemy to be set against Gods Sentence It is Christ that died for our sins to deliver us from the Law and Curse that justifieth Believers here on Earth yea I say more to our consolation It is Christ that is risen again and advanced in Glory Head over all things to his Church who effectually intercedeth for us and will finally justifie us as our judge 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword 35. And when God by such an incomprehensible Miracle of mercy declared such unspeakable love to us in Christ who or what can be supposed to have power to dissolve this bond of mutual love viz. to separate us from Gods love to us and our thankful return of love to him Shall Tribulation or Distress or Famine or Nakedness or Peril or Sword or any thing that Men can do which are little matters and all work to our good and none of them signifie or cause Gods forsaking us nor shall cause us to forsake him 36. As it is written For thy sake we are killed all the day long we are accounted as sheep to the slaughter 36. We may say as the Psalmist doth 44.22 For thy sake we are killed all the day long c. 37. Nay in all these things we are more than conquerours through him that loved us 37. Yea all these are but the occasions of our triumph when we overcome them all as they are temptations It were not so much to us to conquer all our Enemies and Persecutors in fight as it is by Faith and Patience to overcome their persecutions 38 39. For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 38 39. For I am perswaded that the band of love between God and all true Confirmed Christians made in and by our Mediator Christ is so strong and sure that it will never be dissolved by the terrours of the Death or the Love of this Life nor by malignant Spirits by Principalities or Powers Satan or his instruments of strength and violence by what now doth or what hereafter shall befall us or assault us by any things above us or beneath us exaltation or dejection nor by the power of any Creature Nothing hath power to cause God to cease loving us or us to cease loving God ANNOTATIONS I. THe Controversies raised about the first fourteen Verses of the fulfilling of the Righteousness of the Law of the Carnal and Spiritual state of Mind c. are sufficiently decided in the Paraphrase II. So is that of the Spirit of Bondage and Adoption and that of the Witness of the Spirit with our Spirits c. in the Paraphrase on the 15 and 16 Verses III. His Exposition of the 19 20 21 and 22 Verses which feigneth them to speak of the Heathen World hath so many and palpable Violences that I think it not worth the labour to give a particular Confutation of them But if many things about the Creatures Restoration be yet unknown and unrevealed to us it followeth not that therefore it is unknown whether a Restoration there shall be The Heavens must contain Christ till the time of this Restoration And his Violence is as gross about the Words of St. Peter That we look for a new Heaven and a new Earth in which dwelleth Righteousness What God doth with the Souls of Brutes when they die hence may be unknown to us and yet their Restoration known It is not hard by the most probable Principles of Philosophy to shame their Opinion who confidently say that their Souls are no Spiritual Substances but evanid Accidents Qualities or Motions And as they may easily be proved Substances that have an Essential Power of Vital Action Perception and Appetite so it is most improbable that God annihilateth them or changeth their essential Form or Nature But whether they are continued Individuate or onely in one or more universal Form and if Individuate whither or to what use God disposeth of them and what alteration there will be in the State of Restoration Mortals know not IV. Those that say That by the Spirit that helpeth our infirmities ver 26. is meant Christ by his Spirit praying for us in Heaven can neither make it agree with the Context nor prove that the Spirit groaneth in Heaven or is called our Intercessour there but within us V. They that feign the 28 Verse to say That all the Sins of Believers shall work for their good dangerously pervert the Text It 's contrary to the Context and to the tenor of all the Scripture and the Wisdom and Holiness of God and the Safety of Believers to feign God to promise them that how much soever they sin they shall be Gainers by it when he still useth the clean contrary means to save them from it even by his Threatnings And it 's contrary to the very Terms of the Text To them that love God c. which implieth that the defects or decay of their Love to God is not for their good And it 's contrary to common Experience which tells us that many Christians by Sin lose some degrees of Love to God and other Grace and die worse than once they were and so have a less degree of Glory And is this for their good Yea all Men die in some Sin of Omission as in a culpable defect of some due Act or Degree of Faith Hope Love Joy Patience of which they have no more time to repent And what good doth that do them Indeed some Sin to some Men God maketh an Occasion of good and an Object of Repentance c. But as an Occasion is not a Cause and to be an Object of Repentance iâ— to be a Duty and not a Sin so even this much is none of the meaning of this Promise which speaketh but of Sufferings or at most of God's Providential Works of which Sin is none VI. The Controversies about Predestination raised from the 28 and 29 Verses might be ended by the Text it self if
emboldned to go on in Sin supposing that now God pardoneth all Thus Satan hath turned Christs Sacred Ordinance against himself and the Peace of the Church and the Comfort of some and the Reformation of others and carrieth on these most horrid Depravations with such odious Success that without Wonders of gracious Providence there appeareth no probability of Deliverance from these heavy Effects of Sacrament-distraction CHAP. XII 1. NOw concerning spiritual gifts brethren I would not have you ignorant 2. Ye know that ye were Gentiles carried away unto these dumb idols even as ye were led 1 2. As to your case of discerning Spirits and Spiritual Gifts it is of great importance that you should not be ignorant lest you should take evil Spirits for the Spirit of God or not distinguish the various Gifts of Gods own Spirit in Believers In your Heathen state you were carried away with Idol Oracles and Worship 3. Wherefore I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost 3. First in general you may be sure that none of those Idol Oracles or Blasphemers that speak against Christ and Anathematize him as Infidels do do speak by the Spirit of God For God's Spirit bore uncontrolable witness to Christ by Prophesie Resurrection Miracles and Holiness And on the contrary side he that believeth and confesseth that Jesus is the Lord the true Son of God and our Mediator hath surely learnt this of the holy Ghost his outward testimony in the foresaid evidence and his inward teaching For do but truly believe the truth of Christ himself and the truth of all his Doctrine will undeniably follow 4. Now there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit 5. And there are differences of administrations but the same Lord. 6. And there are diversities of operations but it is the same God which worketh all in all 4 5 6. And as Gifts are ascribed to the Holy Ghost and Administrations to the Son and Operations to the Father Almighty so in all these there is great diversities both of kinds and of degrees 7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withall 7. But all the gifts of the Spirit are given for the Churches edification or to do good with Though some of them are found in unholy Men who perish in their sin 8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit 8. The same Spirit maketh one eminently wise and prudent in applying sacred Truth to the Case of the Hearers and it giveth another an eminent knowledge of sacred Mysteries 9. To another faith by the same Spirit to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit 9. Another he maketh eminently strong in Faith for extraordinary Effects and another hath the Gift of miraculous Healing of the Sick when the Spirit will have it done 10. To another the working of miracles to another prophesie to another discerning of Spirits to another divers kinds of tongues to another the interpretation of tongues 10. To another other sorts of powerful Miracles to another to speak by immediate Inspiration either Predictions or powerful Explications and Applications of Gods Word to another a quick and sure Discerning whether Men pretending to the Spirit speak from God or not to another the speaking of divers Languages to another the Interpretation of those Languages to them that understand them not 11. But all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit dividing to every man severally as he will 11. And though these are very various and greatly dâ—fference Man from Man yet it is the same Spirit that worketh them all diversifying as he freely and wisely pleaseth 12. For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ 12. For here One and Many well consist As the Natural Body is but One Body but made of Many Members differing in number excellency and office so is Christ and his Church 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit 13. Fâ—r as Sacramentally all visible Members are baptized into one Universal Church of professed Christian and drink the Cap of holy Union and Communion in the Lords Supper so all true living saved Members are baptized by one Spirit into one Universal Church of true spiritual Christians and drink the true uniting Spirit of Communion 14 15 16 17. For the body is not one member but many If the foot shall say Because I am not the hand I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body And if the ear shall say Because I am 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 hearing where were the smelling 14 15 16 17. The Body is not one Member as to Number Kind or Office but many united And so in Christs Body the Church If a mistaken Christian himself should say Because I am low in place Grace or Gifts I am none of the Church this will not prove or make him none Much less if others by false Censure or Church-tyranny say he is none or excommunicate him for dissenting from their vain Appendages or Opinions If all were of one Office Stature Complexion or degree of Grace or Knowledge who would be Rulers and who Subjects who Teachers and who Learners How many Offices of Piety and Charity would be unperformed God hath not a Church on Earth where all Members are so wise as besides the Essentials of Christianity to know all the Integrals much less to know the numerous little Accidents of Forms and Ceremonies and all that is really or pretendedly Indifferent and Lawful which Domineerers can invent to be so indeed and so to be all united in such things indifferent 18. But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him 19. And if they were all one member where were the body 20. But now are they many members yet but one body 18 19 20. But as the Wise Creator in Nature so as our Redeemer Governor and Regenerator by Grace God hath chosen great diversity of Members as to Office and Gifts and he himself as it pleased him hath set them in his Church And who are they that presume against him to censure or cast out the meanest of such Were they all numerically or in Office or degree of Knowledge and Grace but one or equal the Church would not be such a thing as God hath made it But now God that freely delighteth in the variety of his Works hath made it one Body of Christ composed of
Habit of holy Desire be a continued virtual Prayer And in every Case give Thanks to God because your Mercies are still greater than your Sufferings And this God hath made your Duty by the great Blessings which he hath given you in Christ 19 20. Quench not the spirit Despise not prophesyings 19 20. Quench not Divine Operations of the Spirit by Neglect or by wilful Sin Set not light by those Instructing Gifts which any exercise by the special Assistance of the Spirit of God For the Witness of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy 21. Prove all things hold fast that which is good 21. Receive not hastily or rashly without sufficient Proof any Doctrines or pretended Revelations or Practices but the Good that is tried and proved hold fast 22. Abstain from all appearance of evil 22. Avoid all Sin so carefully as not to venture on that which you have just cause to suspect to be sinful till you have tried whether it be so or not 23. And the very God of peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 23. And God who giveth and loveth the Peace and Prosperity of his Servants sanctifie you wholly And I pray God that you may wholly in Spirit Soul and Body be so preserved from Sin that you may stand uncondemned approved as faithful at the coming of Christ Note 1. It is of great use for our Comfort and â—mitation to know God to be the God of Peace 2. Paul meaneth not that their Bodies should live till Christs coming or that they should be without all Sin and Blame but without all condemning Sin and so justified and forgiven as to their Imperfetions 3. He doth not make Spirit Soul and Body three substantial compounding Parts of Man as far as can be proved but seemeth onely to mean that he desireth that they may stand approved in all these three respects 1. In the Spirit that is the Habits and Disposition of the Soul looking beyond it self to its End 2. In the Soul as it acteth the Body which it animateth 3. In the Body as it is the Instrument of the Soul But of these things even Christian Philosophers differ 1. Some think Man hath three distinct Souls Intellectual Sensitive and Vegetative 2. Some that he hath two Intellectual and Sensitive and that the Vegetative is a part of the Body 3. Some that he hath but one with these three Faculties 4. Some that he hath but one with two Faculties Intellectual and Sensitive 5. Some that he hath but one with the Faculty of Intellection and Will and that the Sensitive is corporeal So little do we know our selves What I think most probable I have opened in Methodo Theologiae That Man hath but one substantial Soul with both Intellectual and Sensitive Faculties and that it is uncertain whether the Vegetative be its Faculty or onely the Faculty of the Igneous or Etherial Substance which is the immediate Vehicle of the Soul It is enough for us to know so much of our Souls as our Duty in using them and our Felicity do require As he may know to use his Clock Watch House Horse who knoweth not how to make them nor can anatomise them 24. Faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it 24. Note Gods Faithfulness may give the Sanctified great Hope of their Perseverance 25. Brethren pray for us 26. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss 25 26. Note 1. Apostles needed the Prayers of weak Christians 2. The Ceremony of Kissing and such other are mutable fit or unfit as the Custom of Countries varieth the Signification 27. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren 28. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you Amen 27 28. Note That the Epistles written to single Churches were not confined to their use but by them to be communicated to as many as they well could The Second Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the THESSALONIANS CHAP. I. 1. PAul and Silvanus and Timotheus unto the Church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ 2. Grace unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ 3. We are bound to thank God always for you brethren as it is meet because that your faith groweth exceedingly and the charity of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth 3. Note That it is the growth of the Church in Faith and Love which is the matter of their true Prosperity and the Pastors Joy and Thanks to God rather than their Riches Honours or notional contending Knowledge 4. So that we our selves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure 4. Note When worldly Men are ashamed of Christians in Persecution godly Men rejoice in their Faith and Patience as being then most honourable 5. Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which ye also suffer 5. Which is a plain Prognostick that God the righteous Judge will reward you with a part in that Kingdom for which you suffer as being worthy of it in a sence of Grace that is qualified as those to whom it is promised and freely given 6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you 7. And to you who are troubled rest with us 6 7. For God ruleth righteously and it is the way of his Justice to punish your Persecutors and give you who are persecuted rest with us his Apostles Note That they who think this is meant of the Destruction of Jerusalem must think that Paul thought he should live to see it and that he and they should then have rest on Earth which were to be deceived and to deceive them 7 8. When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 7 8. Note By them that know not God is usually meant the Heathens which confuteth them who distort this to signifie but the Destruction of the Jews And to them in Macedonia it was more to be delivered from the Heathens who were the Rulers than from a handful of scattered despised Jews 2. Christ will appear with his Angels to judge and punish the Ungodly 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 9. Note That the Phrases everlasting destruction and from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power agree to the usual Scripture-description of Damnation and not to the Destruction of Jerusalem without distortion Nor was it much ascribed then to an appearance of Christ in Glory that the Heathen
forwardness to backbite and speak evil falsely as Accusers of those that distaste them â—ot sober and careful of their Business not trusty in all things 12. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife ruling their children and their own houses well 12. The Deacons must not be such as have more Wives than one or that have injuriously put away one and married another The good government of their own Children and Houses also must shew that they are fit to serve in the Church 13. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus 13. For though the Deacons be as Servants to the Pastors they that have used that Office well are in a degree above the Vulgar and have matter of confident Boldness and Freedom in the management and defence of the Affairs of Christianity 14. These things write I unto thee hoping to come unto thee shortly 15. But if I tarry long that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thy self in the house of God which is the Church of the living God the pillar and ground of the truth 14 15. I hope to come to thee shortly but lest I should be delayed I write these things to thee that thou mayst know how thou oughtest to converse in the House of God which is the Church of the Living God as in it a Pillar and firm Buttress or Basis of the Truth Note Though it be true that the Truth of God is most safely preserved in his Church yet I with Gataker marvel that so many apply these Words to the Church which are spoken of Timothy That it is he that is called here a Pillar and Buttress of the Truth seemeth to me evident 1. In that in the Allegory it is not like that Paul would in the very next Words call the Church a Pillar and Buttress in the House when he calleth it The House it self He plainly dâ—fferenceth a Part from the Whole The Church is the Whole a Pillar is a Part. 2. It is the very Sum of Paul's Exhortation to Timothy that according to his Office he should be a Pillar and Buttress of Truth in the Church 3. The Preposition in the House agreeth to him and the Word Pillar c. which is in the House 4. The omission of the Article before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intimate that it should rather be translated a Pillar c. than the Pillar which it's like would have been put in had it been the Churches peculiar Privilege that had been meant 5. The Apostle useth the same Word of James Cephas and John Gal. 2.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 accounted Pillars which Timothy was And the very same Phrase as here is used Rev. 3.12 He that overcometh I will make him a Pillar in the Temple of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Rev. 10.1 the Angels Feet c But the Church is never called a Pillar that 's in the Church 6. As to them that feign it would be false Construction because the Words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are the Nominative Case this hath no pretence from the Text So that I doubt not but the plain sense is as it is Paraphrased and all the Fabrick is built on a meer Mistake which the Papists raise upon this Text Though were it otherwise it would not serve their turn 16. And without controversie great is the mystery of godliness God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory 16. And confessedly the Mystery of Godliness which requireth such great Abilities in thee as to make thee a Pillar and Buttress of it in the Church is exceeding great and high 1. God himself appeared to Man in the Flesh of our Redeemer to manifest his Love and Will for our Salvation 2. The Spirit was Christs Witness which by its unimitable holy Impressions Miracles his Ressurection and Communication to his Followers did justifie Christ to be truly what he did profess to be and sealed his Doctrine to the World 3. Angels beheld proclaimed and obeyed him 4. The Wall of Separation being broken down he was preached by his Commissioned Apostles to the Gentile World 5. The World that knew him not or despised him is by a few poor unlearned Men brought to believe in him and submit to him as Lord and Saviour Philosophy submitteth and Wit is silenced and Policy and Power stoop to him in part and more will do 6. He was taken up into Heaven in Glory Angels attending him his Apostles looking on These Six Articles are that great Mystery which requireth the ablest Preacher and the soundest Faith And he that firmly believeth these doth see into a more excellent Mystery than Philosophy and will be a stable Pillar in the Church CHAP. IV. 1. NOw the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils 1. The Spirit of Prophecy plainly foretelleth us that in the latter times some who profest themselves Christians shall depart from either the Whole or some Essential Parts of the Christian Faith turning Apostates or Hereticks and this by giving heed to false Revelations of seducing Spirits in themselves or others and to Doctrines of Devils Note Whether it mean effectively Doctrines taught by Devils or as Mr. Mede largely maintaineth objectively Doctrines concerning Demons or the Nature Order and Minds of the Spirits like the Valentinians Aioâ—es c. I leave to the Judgment of others 2. Speaking lies in hypocrisie having their conscience feared with a hot iron 2. Covering their Lies or False Doctrine by Hypocritical Pretences of Piety or Divine Revelation or some great Excellency having Consciences feared and branded as the Perfidious use to be by their flagitious Lives 3. Forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth 3. Note I think it far more probable that Paul here speaketh of those Hereticks which made up a Religion of Judaism and Pythagorean Fancies who taught That Marriage was of the Devil to propagate sinful miserable Men and that Flesh was not to be eaten especially the unclean Beasts than of those erroneous Christians who onely forbid Marriage to the Clergy and Flesh on certain Days of Abstinence or that affect the total avoiding Marriage and eating Flesh as a State of special Strictness not required of most For Paul seemeth plainly to speak of a Doctrine taught to all and he describeth Christian Knowledge herein to be That God hath made such Meat in kind to be received with Thanksgiving and not that All men or any at all times must use such Meats 4. For every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving 5.
for us which thence he will bestow 13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh 13. If these be by Divine Institution effectual against corporal Legal uncleanness by a ceremonial Sanctification the figure of the spiritual 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God 14. Most certainly then shall the Blood of Christ who by the Eternal Spirit offered himself Soul and Body a spotless Sacrifice to God the Soveraign Righteous Judge to cleanse Soul and Conscience from the power and guilt of dead works which signifie a death in sin and tend to death for sin to serve the Living God who will accept us to an Everlasting Life Note By the Eternal Spirit by which Christ offered himself some Expositors understand Christ's Immortal Soul voluntarily resigning his Life 2. Others understand the Holy Ghost the Third Person in the Trinity by whom Christ is said to be conceived and to do his Miracles 3. Others understand his own Divine Nature as the Second Person It 's hard to be sure which is meant but it is of no great moment seeing it is certain that indeed he did it by all these three There is a fourth Opinion of some that understand it of a prime superangelical Nature of Christ which they think by Eternal Emanation cometh from the Deity united to it which they make a middle Third Nature in Christ and in which they suppose it is that as a Creature he is advanced above all Angels because they take Angels and Men to to be specie distinct and that if Humane Nature must be set above Angels in it self it must thereby change its species and be no more humane But to be wise to sobriety in such Mysteries is safe and not to presume 15. And for this cause he is the mediatour of the new testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance 15. And for this cause Christ became Mediator between God and Man to procure seal and promulgate the New Covenant or Law of Grace that his death doing that which no other Sacrifice could do in expiation of the Jews sins committed under the Mosaical Covenant as well as of the rest of the World they which are by his call made sound Believers might by promise be secured of the Eternal Inheritance and possessed of it in due time 16. For where a testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the testatour 17. For a testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all whilest the testatour liveth 16 17. And Christ being by his Sponsion to be a Sacrifice his Donation doth presuppose his Purchase and thence his Covenant hath also the nature of a Testament which supposeth the death of the Testator and is not of efficacy till then to give full right to what he bequeatheth Note That the eminent Evangelical Kingdom of the Mediator in its last full Edition called the Kingdom of Christ and of Heaven distinct from the obscure state of Promise before Christ's Incarnation began at Christ's Resurrection Ascension and sending of the eminent Gift of the Holy Ghost and was but as an Embrio before 18. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without bloud 18. Therefore the first as figurative of the second was consecrated and sealed in blood 19. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law he took the bloud of calves and of goats with water and scarlet wool and hyssop and sprinkled both the Book and all the people 20. Saying This is the bloud of the Testament which God hath enjoyned unto you 21. Moreover he sprinkled with bloud both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry 22. And almost all things are by the law purged with bloud and without shedding of bloud is no remission 19 20 21 22. Note 1. God purposely instituted all these bloody Purifications to prefigure Christ 2. The Custom of sacrificing from the Fall must arise from Divine Institution and not without it from natural Invention as some now affirm And no doubt but it is propagated among all Idolaters through the World 1. By Tradition from Adam 2. Corrupted by Devils who would be worshipped as God and to that end promote the imitation of God 3. The Papists sprinkling of Holy Water is such another corrupt imitation setting up their Ceremony instead of Gods which Christ abolished 23. It was therefore necessary that the patterns in things in the heavens should be purified with these but the heavenly things themselves with better Sacrifices than these 23. These Ceremonies being ordained to prefigure and notifie things that are in Heaven and belong to Heaven it was meet that such blood should be the purifying Ceremony But the heavenly things themselves must be purchased and the Souls fitted for it purified and the Covenant consecrated by a more precious Sacrifice even the blood of the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the World 24. For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us 24. For it was not to officiate in a Tabernacle made by man that Christ became our High Priest but though his Sacrifice was offered on Earth it was to officiate by continued Intercession for us in the Heavens in the presence of God's Glory of which the other was but a Type 25. Nor yet that he should offer himself often as the high priest entreth into the holy place every year with blood of others 26. For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself 25 26. Note 1. Christ's once offering was sufficient It may oft be commemorated but only once done 2. It is unspeakable joy to Believers that Christ is for us as our High Priest entred into Heaven For he hath promised that we shall be with him where he is And where else now should we desire to be 3. The days of Christ here were the declining latter part of the World called the end as fifty or sixty years old is the end that is the latter part of man's Life How near then is it now to an end 1684 after 27 28. And as it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the Judgment So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation 27 28. And as it is with the common state of
preach Note 1. That those Bishops which God commandeth men to obey are those that watch for the Souls of all the Flocks as men that must give account of all and not those that have many hundred or score of Churches without any other Bishop save one and never see or know or once hear the names of one of many hundred called their Flock much less ever taught them or gave them the Sacrament 2. That God having trusted the Pastors by Office with Church-Government by the Keys it is very false that the people should govern it by Vote Though it is true that being governed but as Volunteers by the Pastors their Consent is needful to their Subjection and to their Profit and Salvation 18. Pray for us for we trust we have a good conscience in all things willing to live honestly 18. Our Work and Charge being so great and of such importance to your selves while some revile and persecute us and some turn from us and disobey our Doctrine do you pray for us that God will guide strengthen support and prosper us For our Conscience is our Witness that we are faithful in our Ministry and our Lives 19. But I beseech you the rather to do this that I may be restored to you the sooner 19. And put up this one Request also for me that I may the sooner be restored to the comfort of your Service 20. Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant 21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen 20 21. My chief Benediction and Prayer for you is that God who will be called The God of Peace as being the Giver the Lover and the Objective End of Love and Peace who raised our Lord and Saviour from Death whose Resurrection is the great Encouragement of our Hope even him who is the chief Pastor of all his holy Flock by the Purchase of the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant compact frame and fit you by Holiness and Union for every good Work to do his Will and work in you by his Spirit as he commandeth you in his Word that which is well pleasing in his sight To please him being the ultimate End of the whole Creation and as here begun the way thereto To whom be Glory in this perfect fulfilling of his Will for ever and ever Amen 22. And I beseech you brethren suffer the word of exhortation for I have written a letter unto you in few words 23. Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty with whom if he come shortly I will see you 24. Salute all them that have the rule over you and all the Saints They of Italy salute you 25. Grace be with you all Amen 22 23 24 25. Note 1. So bad is Man even Christians through the Relicts of their Corruption that when the most important comfortable Doctrine is delivered to them for their own good and that with the most convincing Evidence there is need of earnest Intreaty and Exhortation that they would bear it and not fall out with it neglect it or reject it 2. For people to know and regard their faithful Pastors or Church-Guides or Rulers is of so great importance to their Salvation and the Churches Union Strength and Safety against Ignorance Unbelief Error and Unruliness that they are three times minded of it in this one Chapter The General or Catholick Epistle of JAMES the Apostle say most Copies Whether the Writer was one of the Twelve called the Son of Alpheus or rather the Son of Cleophas Cousin-German to Jesus and called his Brother is uncertain The drift of the Epistle is 1. To establish the Christian Jews in a well ordered religious Course of Life and fortifie them against Tribulations 2. To shame a sort of Sectaries who misunderstood and abused the Doctrine of Justification by Faith and turned Religion into Opinion and yet were not only Magisterial Boasters of their great Knowledge but did it by a censorious contentious Contempt of others and making Ostentation of their supposed Wisdom as Hereticks use to do by a proud and wrangling self-exalting way 3. To reprove the Over-valuing of the Rich and their Contempt of the Poor and the Guilt of Sensuality Worldliness and Pride that had corrupted some among them 1. JAmes a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad greeting 1. Note 1. Ten of the Tribes ever since the Reign of King Hoshea were scattered by Captivity and the rest were in great numbers dispersed through much of the Roman Empire partly by the many Insurrections and Wars which had brought them to Ruine by Conquerours and partly by smalness and poverty of their Countrey so that at first the Apostles when they travelled into Heathen Countreys began their Preaching Church-gathering with the Jews Synagogues which they found there 2. My brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations 3. Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience 2 3. Note 1. He speaketh not of direct Temptations to sin as cast into us by the Devil or carnal allurements and fleshly appetite and lusts but of Tryal by suffering for Christ and Righteousness chiefly and partly next for such correcting Tryals from God as tend to our amendment 2. It is not the suffering that is matter of joy in it self but the good effects of a proved Faith and increased Patience Tryals because they tend to this should be received with joy but when they cause this much more 4. But let patience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing 4. Note 1. The care of a tryed suffering Christian should be to look to his Faith and Patience as the Goldsmith doth to his Gold in the fire and to see that they be duly and fully exercised and have their perfect work 2. A full or perfect exercise and use of Patience in great Tryals sheweâ—h a strong entire Christian and hath great joy when a lame use of Patience mixt with much impaâ—ience sheweth a lame Christian and giveth but little joy 3. To despair or fret or swell with bitter revengeful thoughts against our Persecutors or Enemies is contrary to sound Christianity 5. If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him 5. Wisdom is necessary both for the guidance of you in all your difficulties and duties and the management of all your religious affairs And all Parties pretend to the greatest Wisdom to draw People to be their Disciples But if you would be truly wise seek it not by running unto Hereticks but by sincere prayer to God who is the bounteous giver of it and doth not
way to death and misery 2. Converting the erroneous sinner is the way to save him 3. One man may be said to save another much more a man himself by converting him without derogating from Christs Salvation but in subordination to it 4. Therefore all Christians but specially Ministers should be diligent and skilful to convert erroneous sinners and the erroneous patient and thankful for their help Note If it be the Gnosticks as Dr. H. saith that James here and Paul in his Epistles so greatly warn the Christians against alas too great a part of the Church Governours Bishops and their Clergys abroad on Earth seem turned very like these by him described Gnosticks 1. In being for Worldly interest Wealth and Pleasure 2. In being for Ceremonies 3. In joining with the Vngodly Enemies of Piety 4. In being Latitudinarians or Licentious against strictness and tenderness of Conscience and Adiaphorists in things not Adiaphorous 5. In being Persecutors And if base underling Gnosticks or Nicolaitans could so trouble the Churches then what a case must those Countrys be in where they are got into the Episcopal Chair and claim the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to execute their Pride and Lusts over Princes and People of all sorts sure Borborites or Gnosticks are not the less such nor the less dangerous for being called Bishops and having Power Wealth and Interest The First Epistle General of the Apostle PETER CHAP. I. 1. PEter an apostle of Jesus Christ to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bithynia 2. Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ grace unto you and peace be multiplied 1. Peter an Apostle not called the Universal Bishop or Head or Governour of the Church to the dispersed Jews through Pontus c. chosen by grace out of that unbelieving forlorn Nation according to Gods fore-knowledge and unsearchable Counsel to Sanctification by the Holy Ghost and to Obedience and to a State of Reconciliation and Justification by the Merit of the Blood of Christ applied Grace and Peace multiplied to you is my Prayer and Benediction 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 3. Bâ—essed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who out of his abundant mercy for the manifestation and Glory of it hath regenerated us to a living hope even a hope of Glorious Life procured notified and secured to us by the Resurrection of Christ from the dead 4. To an inheritance inccorruptible and undefiled that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time 4 5. Not to such a corruptible defiled fading Inheritance as Earth is to its lovers but to an Inheritance incorruptible undefiled and holy never fading reserved by the Divine Love and Decree and by the Possession Intercession and Promise of Christ for you who are true Believers and are kept by the power oâ— God through that Faith which he hath given you and you keep and exercise to Salvation which ere long will be gloriously revealed to your sight and possession the last time being not far off Note It is revealed already in the Gospel and wil be fully revealed to separated Souls But the full glorious revelation is when the whole Church is consummated 6. Wherein ye greatly rejoyce though now for a season if need be ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations 6. In the belief and hope of this glorious Inheritance you now live in great joy though for a little time when God seeth it needful for your good he let out upon you those trying sufferings which are heavy and grievous to the flesh 7. That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ 7. For as your Faith is a preciouser thing than gold and refined gold is the most precious gold so tryed Faith is the most precious Faith and the tryal of it a greater work than the trying and refining of gold by fire that so it may be found at the coming of Christ a qualification meet for your own praise honour and glory and in you also unto Christ's 8. Whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory 8. Whom though you never saw in the flesh as we did that followed him yet you truly love and honour And though now you see him not in his glory nor his coming yet your effectual Faith doth so far serve instead of seeing him that you rejoyce by it with unspeakable triumphant joy in hope of that which you shall see 9. Receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your souls 9. And shall shortly receive that great Salvation for which you have believed 10. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you 11. Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie when it testified before-hand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow 10 11. Of this great Salvation and Kingdom of Christ Incarnate which is dated from his Resurrection and perfected at his next coming many Prophets foretold in their manner and degree and they enquired and diligently searched more explicitely to have known it and the time when it should be when the Spirit in them foretold that the Messiah must suffer and in general that glorious things should follow 12. Unto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the holy Ghost sent down from heaven which things the angels desire to look into 12. And it was revealed to them that it was not to come to pass in their days and that it was not they but we that should see the Messiah and his special Kingdom and the things which since his Resurrection are now preached to you by us his Ministers with the Seal of the Holy Spirit sent down in a special abundance from Heaven to be the Witness of Christ and the Sanctifier of Souls a mystery so great and of so excellent importance that the Angels think it worthy their search 13. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ 13. Wherefore as runners gird their cloaths to them that they trouble them not do you fortifie your minds
these Performances being the Condition of your actual Salvation your Covenant Title will be compleat and you shall have sure entrance and full possession of the Kingdom of Glory 12. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things though ye know them and be established in the present truth 12. And holy Diligence and Improvement being so necessary to you I must not be negligent to put you in remembrance and stir you up to it though you know it already and believe it Note We have great need to be diligently stirred up to the remembrance and practice of that which we know already as well as to know more 13. Yea I think it meet as long as I am in this tabernacle to stir you up by putting you in remembrance 14. Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me 13 14. Note 1. The Body is but the Soul's Tabernacle 2. Ministers must never give over pressing known Truths while they live 3. The knowledge of approaching death must quicken us to diligence 15. Moreover I will endeavour that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance 15. Note That we must not be careful only for our own life time but for a Succession and Continuance of Truth and Godliness when we are dead lest it dye with us Therefore we write 16. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but were eye-witnesses of his majesty 16. For our Doctrine of the Glorious Coming and Kingdom of Christ is not a cunningly devised fable For we were eye witnesses of a glimpse of that Glory in his Transfiguration which he foretold us of as a resemblance of his last coming and his Kingdom 17. For he received from God the Father honour and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased 17. For he then received in his humane nature a communicated splendour and celestial honour and glory when God from the Heavenly magnificent glory said This is my c. Note 1. It is the highest honour and perfection of a Creature to be Loved and Pleasing to God 2. Gods Testimony of his Son from heaven is our Great obligation to faith and obedience to him 18. And this voice which came from heaven we heard when we were with him in the holy mount 18. This voice three of us heard when we were with him in that mount which was sanctified by this glorious appearance and may well be called The holy mount 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts 19. And we have also in the Old Testament a firm prophetick word many prophets foretelling the Kingdom of Christ And ye do well to search and take notice of these as to a Light that was set up by God for the use of those darker ages to lead them to the Knowledge of Christ and so is very useful still till the clearer Preaching of that Gospel come and the Spirit of Christ as his agent and witness possess your hearts Note The word more sure signifieth not more sure than the Gospel but very sure Or more sure to the Jews than Peters bare word of the Transfiguration and voice on the mount 20. Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost 20 21. But this you must first know that no prophecy of Scripture is to be expounded as speaking only of those persons whom the speaker first meant whether himself or others nor according to the speakers proper private thought For the prophecy came not in old time by the Speakers own Wisdom Knowledge Invention or will but holy men of God were moved by Gods Spirit to speak those words which signified more than they designed or alwaies meant and understood themselves Note It seemeth strange to me that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proper or private interpretation should be commonly by excellent Expositors misinterpreted as if it spake of prâ—per or private expositors and so set men on disputing who must be the publick Expositor when the words plainly speak of proper or private sense or objective exposition As when David oft speaketh words which are immediately true of himself or of Solomom you must not expound them as meant properly of them who were private persons and but types For it was the Holy-Ghost speaking in them whose sense must be known who meant Christ the publick person as typified by the private of whom they were first verified And whether David as in Psal 2. 22. and such other meant more than himself and his Kingdom or not the Holy-Ghost meant more If Grotius were in the right that Isaâ— meant but Jeremy or Iosiah in Isa 53. it s certain that they were but typicall and the Holy-Ghost meant Christ So that the plain sense is that Scripture prophecy receiving its full sense from the Spirit and not from the Speaker must not in our exposition be appropriated narrowly to those private men by whom or of whom they were proximately meant by the Speaker CHAP. II. 1. BUT there were false prophets also among the people even as there shall be false teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction 1. But one of your great Tryals will be as theirs of old by false Prophets so by false Teachers who will rise up among your selves who will by secret seducing persons wiâ—h whom by familiarity they have advantage bring in Sects holding damnable Errours even by plain consequence denying Christ that bought them while they deny what is essential to his Person and Offices or teaching that he many be denyed with the Tongue in dangers for self-preservation because God will have mercy and not sacrifice as long as the heart doth not deny him Note 1. That all Christians have need to be fortified against false Teachers as well as against persecuting enemies 2. Christ is called The Lord that bought them not because they falsly profest that he bought them as some say but because he purchased and made to them a Deed of gift of Christ pardon and life to be theirs on Condition of believing acceptance And because they should not perish for want of a sufficient sacrifice for sin 2. And many shall follow their pernicious wayes by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of 2. And many that profest Christianity shall be seduced by them and follow their pernicious waies
or only such as Ebion Cerinthus and others that denyed somewhat of Christ's Being his Manhood or his Godhead or his real Suffering Or those that were for Moses's Law and held that Christ may be denyed with the Tongue in case of danger so that the heart deny him not pretending that God will have Mercy to our selves and not Sacrifice 24. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning if that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father 24. Hold fast the Doctrine which at the first ye received from us and turn not after Novelties and this will preserve you against Seduction and continue you in the Faith Relation and Love of the Son and Father 25. And this is the promise that he hath promised us even eternal life 25. And if you live by â—aith upon his Promises he will give you Eternal Life which he hath promised whatever you suffer or forsake here in the way 26. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you 26. It is the seducing Hereticks who occasion my writing these Warnings to you 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him 27. But I hope I need no other Argument to confirm you in the Christian Faith against Seducers than that the Spirit of Christ which is his Witness Agent and Advocate hath through his Apostles Preaching and Imposition of Hands been given to you and among you His Miracles have sealed his Truth before your eyes and his illuminating and sanctifying Grace hath been given you if you be true Believers And I hope you will not deny the Holy Ghost As he is thus the Infallible Objective Evidence of Christ's Truth so is he in you an Efficient Illuminating Teacher and ready within you to plead Christ's Cause and teach you all necessary Truth Therefore you need not any man's Testimony and Teaching as those do that have no other but must take the Word of Man alone Use Christ's Ministers but in due Subordination to the Spirit and quench it not and he will keep you 28. And now little children abide in him that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming 28. Therefore Children waver not but fixedly abide in Christ and true Christianity that when he shal appear in Judgment we may see and meet him with joyful confidence and not with shame unto Condemnation as Apostates will Note 'T is wonder that he that expounds all this of Christ's coming to destroy Jerusalem by the Romans his Enemies should think that all the Christians to whom the Apostles wrote should then meet Christ or be so much comforted therein when most were like to die first and few living to be much the better for it And Christian Compassion would fill them with Grief as Paul had Rom. 9. and 11. and not make them like men of utter malice to take it for so great joy to have the Jews so murdered when Christ wept over them that foretold it and when the Romans were far more to persecute the Church near three hundred Years And this Exposition leaveth all the Christian World since to this day little more use of the abundance of Motives and Comforts of the New Testament than of the fulfilled Prophecies of the Old Do not Christ's and the Apostles words nearly concern us Or should the Church be moved to Constancy Patience and Comfort chiefly sixteen hundred Years after because a Million of Jews were killed then 29. If ye know that he is righteous ye know that every one that doth righteousness is born of him 29. And as ye believe that Christs is just and a Lover of Righteousness so all that sincerely live a righteous Life towards God and Man are new born by his Sanctifying Spirit to his Image and shall surely be received and owned by him CHAP. III. 1. BEhold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not 1. Let us therefore instead of forsaking Christ admire the wondrous Love of God to us that hath in Christ adopted us to be his Sons Indeed our Dignity is unknown to the unbelieving World for they knew not Christ to be the Son of God and how then should they know us 2. Beloved now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 2. And it is no wonder if our Condition be unknown to the unbelieving World for though we are already the Sons of God and have Right by Promise to future Glory our future Glory is yet unseen and what we shall be doth not appear to the World or to our own sight But we know by faith that when Christ appeareth we that are his Members shall in our several measures be made like our glorified Head in the Perfection both of Soul and Body and place and state of Blessedness For he hath promised that we shall be with him and therefore shall see him as he is and therefore be made capable of such a sight and glorious Communion 3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure 3. And knowing that without Holiness none can see God and that it is the Pure in heart that have the Promise of seeing him therefore all that have a true effectual Hope of seeing him will make it their chief care to purifie themselves that such Likeness to Christ may render them capable of such a blessed sight 4. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law for sin is the transgression of the law 5. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins and in him is no sin 4 5. For to sin is to transgress and break God's Law for that is the definition of Sin And ye know that Christ came in the Flesh to be a Sacrifice for Sin and to take it away and destroy it and never sinned himself and all this that he might vindicate God's Law and Holiness 6. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him 6. So far as any man is in him and is taught and ruled by him so far is he freed from all sin and all his true Members are delivered from the predominant love and practice of all known sin and are willing to know all that they may avoid it And he that would not know it and when he doth know it doth not hate it more than love it and so far forsake it as to conquer
Schismaticks Fanaticks Puritans Rebels against the Pope or Church that they may justifie their hating murdering imprisoning silencing and ruining them As the Scribes were loth to know who was their Neighbour so are these loth to know who is a Brother But God will know his Children though men call them by reproachful names Alas for the murderous Generation that preach write and strive to destroy the Upright and say they killed them or ruined them in Love that is they hated them in Love Woe to them when God shall judge them 3. Every degree of unjust Hurt or Hatred is a Breach of the Sixth Commandment But the meaning is not every degree or mistaking wrong is as bad as actual Murder or as sure a sign of Death Alas how few else would live 16. Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren 16. As God hath manifested his Love to us by laying down for us the Life of our Redeemer so if we be God's Children we must learn of him as to love our Enemies so if God should call us to it as needful to better ends than our lives to lay down our lives for Christian Brethren 17. But whoso hath this worlds good and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him 17. And if Love must make us die for others surely those have no true Love to God and to the Brethren as God requireth who cannot lay down part of their abundance perhaps superfluity for them but while they are well able yet cannot find in their hearts to relieve them but shut up the bowels of their compassion from them Note O the dreadful account that many of the Rich must give that feast all the year while their poor Neighbours hunger and spend forty times more in needless house-keeping as they call their Luxury than on the Poor 18. My little children let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth 18. Let not your Love be hypocritical which will bring forth no better fruit than good wishes and fair words but shew the truth of it by your cost and real helps 19. And hereby we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before him 19. It is by such efficacy and real fruit that we must know that we are true Christians and not Hypocrites and must have assurance that our hearts are true to God 20. For if our heart condemn us God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things 21. Beloved if our heart condemn us not then have we confidence towards God 20 21. For if our Consciences tell us that our Love is barren and fruitless and so condemn us of Hypocrisie God is greater and more acquainted with our Hypocrisie than our Consciences But if our Conscience truly witness the sincerity of our Love by the fruits of it then this assurance of our Sincerity giveth us boldness towards God 22. And whatsoever we ask we receive of him because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight 22. And if we do God's Will sincerely in obeying his Commands and the things that please him he will hear our Prayers and grant our just desires and give us that which is good for us whereas if we love iniquity and live therein God will not hear our Prayers Note They that deny that holy sincere Obedience is any condition of God's hearing our Prayers because Faith hath the promise contradict the scope of Scripture 23. And this is his commandment that we should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another as he gave us commandment 23. And the sum of all this acceptable duty is but this To believe truly in Jesus Christ our Redeemer our Teacher King and Intercessor and to obey his great Command of Loving one another with all such God is pleased and heareth them 24. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him and he in him and hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us 24. And if we keep Christ's Commands of fruitful Love in Faith there is a near Communion between Christ and us we dwell in Christ as his Members and he dwelleth in us and his dwelling in us is by the Spirit of Love and Holiness the Seal of his Promise which he hath given us He that keepeth Christ's Commandments specially of Love hath his Spirit And Christ dwells where his Spirit dwells CHAP. IV. 1. BEloved believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world 1. There be many false Teachers who pretend to Revelation as Prophets who teach you the Doctrines of Sensuality Worldliness and Malice contrary to the Doctrine of Holiness and Love which I have taught you Therefore believe not that every man speaketh by God's Spirit who pretendeth to it nor that every strong suggestion in your selves is from God's Spirit which seemeth such before you try it But try all pretences of the Spirit whether they come indeed from the Spirit of God or rather from Satan or mens own imagination corrupted by pride Qu. How shall we justly try Spirits or spiritual pretences Ans By somewhat that is more easily known and no otherwise And that is two things 1. The common certain notices of the Light and Law of Nature 2. By the Infallible words of the Spirit in Christ and his Apostles and Prophets For both these are the sure Word of God who doth not contradict himself Our gifts of the Spirit are lower than the Apostles and must be tryed by theirs which were given them to record a Rule for us 2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God 3. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that spirit of Antichrist whereof you have heard that it should come and even now already is it in the world 2 3. By this you shall know whether these Pretenders speak from the Spirit of God For the Spirit of God is the Spirit of Christ sent by him to be his Advocate and plead his Cause and do his Work in the World and therefore beareth witness of him If therefore these Teachers truly and openly in the face of danger do own profess and preach Christ Jesus as the Incarnate Word and Son of God sent from Heaven to redeem teach rule and save us this Doctrine is of the Spirit of God But if they deny the Godhead or Manhood of Christ or that he is indeed the true Incarnate Saviour Prophet Priest and King or will not own him in hazards or sufferings but deny him to save the flesh and teach men so to do
that is holy he that is true he that hath the key of David he that openeth and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth 6 7. Note Christ is described by his Holiness and Truth and absolute Power of Governing and Judging to awe and to comfort the Faithful 8. I know thy works behold I have set before thee an open door and no man can shut it for thou hast a little strength and hast kept my word and hast not denied my name 8. I know and approve thy Fidelity And I opened thee a Door of Advantage to do good in converting Infidels and to enjoy the comfort of it and none shall shut this Door against thee for thou hast kept some strength of Faith and Courage and hast not denyed me by Heresie nor Cowardize 9. Behold I will make them of the synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews and are not but do lie behold I will make them to come and worship before thy feet and to know that I have loved thee 9. And as for those Hereticks that pretending Judaism corrupt Christianity and are but the Synagogue of Satan I will make them acknowledge the vanity of their Errour and the honour of thy Fidelity and to confess that I have loved and justified thee therein against their Accusations 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth 10. I will give thee a special Exemption from the Persecutions which the Heathens will shortly use to try those on Earth that profess my Name Which no doubt was performed Note Though the best are oft singled out for Persecution usually the most obedient Churches escape above others and most have a hand in bringing it on themselves 11. Behold I come quickly hold that fast which thou hast that no man take thy crown 11. My performance of all this is not far off for the Tryal of the Churches and thy Preservation But see that thou hold fast still thy Innocency Fidelity and Patience that thou lose not the Crown for want of Perseverance Note The best Churches and Christians have need to be warned to take heed lest they back-slide and lose all their labour and reward Even where God decreeth to cause men to persevere he decreeth to cause it by holy fear of â—alling and by the use of Watchfulness and diligent Obedience 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God which is new Jerusalem which cometh down out of heaven from my God and I will write upon him my new name 12. Him that overcometh in all the Tryals of this life I will make an honourable Member of the glorified Church called a Pillar as Timothy is called a Pillar and Basâ—s of Truth in the House of God and he shall there dwell for ever And I will signalize him as with a written Name both of My God and of the City of my God the New Jerusalem which is now gathering in Heaven and when it is compleat shall thence come and appear with me in Glory and I will write on him my new Name The Glorified Redeemer Note The whole Name thus set together will be An Adopted Son of God and an Heir of the New Jerusalem from Heaven and a living Member of Christ the Glorified Redeemer 13. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches 13. All that have ears and hear what Christ by his Spirit saith to all these Churches should lay it deeply to heart for their own Instruction and Admonition 14. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write These things saith the Amen the faithful and true Witness the beginning of the creation of God 14. Thus saith he who is the Truth and by whom all God's Predictions are and will be fulfilled the faithful Witness of God to Man by his Word and Sufferings the Head and Chief of all God's Creatures Note This Text is diversly expounded as men's Judgments differ 1. The Arrians hence gather that Christ is but the first of Creatures by whom God made the rest 2. Peter Sterry and that Party who hold three Natures in Christ the Divine the Prime-creâ—ted Super-angelical and the Humane say It is his middle Nature that is here called The Beginning of the Creation of God 3. But the commonest Judgment of the Church is that it is Christ as in both Natures thus called because he is the Head or Chief of all Creatures or say some as he is the Cause and Father of the new Creature by Grace 15. I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot I would thou wert cold or hot 16. So then because thou art luke-warm and neither cold nor hot I will spew thee out of my mouth 15 16. I know thy case and course that thou art not for open Heresie or Infidelity but professest Christianity but it is with Tepidity without such Zeal as the Faith and Hope of Christians requireth If thou wert cold and for downright Infidelity or Heresie I would judge thee accordingly And if you were sound and zealous Christians I would own you But being of a luke-warm Indifferency like Hypocrites that profess Christianity with Reserves for Worldly Safety I will disown thee with disdain Note 1. Not that God had rather men were stark naught than half Christians but as if he had said I should sooner have judged thee accordingly and thou wouldst not have aggravated thy sin with Profession of Christianity nor have dishonoured me so much by it 2. God will disown luke-warm worldly Hypocrites not all whose Zeal is defective and are too luke-warm but all that have not so much Zeal as to prefer Christ before the World 17. Because thou sayest I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked 17. Note 'T is like The Ostentation of this Church came from some worldly Prosperity and outward lifeless Formality in Religion with the decay of the Power of it When true Religion decayeth in any 't is usually accompanied with Self-Esteem and boasting when they should learn not to be high-minded but fear When they have turned Religion into a lifeless Image they dance about that Image and honour it 18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou mayest be rich and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest see 18. I counsel thee to seek earnestly to me for sound Understanding in the Faith against all Heresie and for the Grace of Confirmation against all deceitful Wavering and Reserves and for
built for Jupiter and so continued three years and a half as Antiocbus prophaned it Dan. 7.25 Say others The outer Court and the City left to the Gentiles is that great part of the visible Church left under the Papacy to such gross Idolatry as that it hath but the name of Christian as â—loathing restored Gentilâ—sme and is rejected of God Some take the 42 months literally for a certain time of three years and a half and some for uncertain time Christ was three years and a half in his ministeriall labour And this number is five times here recited Therefore like to be strictly meant Some old Fathers and some Papists understand it strictly of the reign of an Antichrist which they think is yet to come some of the time of the Papal reign which they say will be 1260 years beginning between 365. and 455. and ending between 1625 and 1715 in which space Babylon will fall Others state the time differently 3. And I will give power unto my two witnesses and they shall prophesie a thousand two hundred and threescore days clothed in sackcloth 3. Note There is great diversity of opinions who these witnesses are And yet most Protestants think that their time is past or the most of it and this prophecy fullfilled And Prophecies use to be plain when they are fulfilled Some new men say that they were the two Churches in Jerusalem of the Jewish and the Greek Language and their two Bishops who preached all that time against the sins of Jews and Gentiles For they think that the Jews and Greeks not understanding the same Language had in Jerusalem Antioch Rome Alexandria and other great Cities two Churches and Bishops Others that the two witnesses are Enoch and Elias that shall come when Antichrist cometh Others that they are the Old and New Testament which the Papacy shall oppose or as others the Preachers of the Old and New Testament named two because but sew but yet enough to promote the Reformation Brightman saith It is the Scriptures and the Assemblies of the Faithful Others that it is the Godly Magistracy and Ministry which the Papacy will cast down Others that God will hereafter send two with the Spirit of Enoch and Elias in whom all this shall be literally fulfilled Others that it is the Martyrs that have in several times opposed Popery to the death Called two in allusion to many old couples of Witnesses Moses and Aaron Caltb and Joshua Ezra and Nehemiah Haggai and Zachary Zerubbabel and Joshua to which Zech. 4.11 this Text specially relateth Moses and Elias on the Mount c. Clothed in Sackcloth is doing their Office in a time of great affliction And all this some think may be applied to divers couples that God hath used in divers times and parts of his Church As to the Waldenses and Albigenses to John Hus and Jerome of Prague to John Frederick Duke of Saxony and Philip Landgrave of Hassia long imprisoned by Charles the fifth and after delivered to the Lutherans and the reformed to King Edward 6. and his Uncle Protector Duke of Somerset c. Even as Christ sent out his Disciples by two and two Paul and Barnabas c. Lira's conceit that Silverius and Mennas were the two witnesses against the Eutychians is vain 4. These are the two olive-trees and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth 4. These are resembled to the two mentioned Zech. 4. These are as Olive Branches that empty themselves into the Lamps even the Servants of the Lord of the World for his Church 5. And if any man will hurt them fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies and if any man will hurt them he must in this manner be killed 5. If any will persecute or silence them God will revenge their cause it refers to Elias that brought down fire from Heaven to destroy the Captains and their fifties 2. Kings 1.10 and to Moses Num. 16. Or say others The word in their mouths shall be as fire against all false Doctrines and Corruptions 6. These have power to shut heaven that it rain not in the days of their prophecy and have power over waters to turn them to blood and to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will 6. And the Power that God gave their Ministry and reforming endeavours and the revenge that God will use against their persecutors were expressed to me as resembling Elias whose prayer stopt the rain for three years and a half and the plagues which God by Moses inflicted on Egypt Christ intimating this Matth. 17. When Moses the chief Law-giver and Elias the chief Prophet were the two great witnesses of his Glory And it is notable that Godly Magistrates and Godly Ministers have usually prospered together and fallen together and Magistracy and Ministry been together corrupted 7. And when they shall have finished their testimony the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them and shall overcome them and kill them 8. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great City which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt where also our Lord was crucified 7 8. Note Christs witnesses Holy Magistrates and Ministers shall be marvellously preserved till they have finished their Testimony and they have done their work And then they may be destroyed by the Servants of the Devil and exposed to common scorn and perhaps be denyed buryall in the places where they preach't and were wonderfully blest and their enemies punished And this will seem to carnal men to be Gods disowning them and all that they did But the same sort of Men shall be raised again revive their work with more success and again silence the deluded insulting enemies These words where our Lord was crucified seem to favour their Exposition who apply all this to Jerusalem But most Protestants take it for the Roman state of Papal corruption And some by their carcasses say is meant the dead carcass of the Scripture or Religion or Assemblies which only is left among them But it seemeth to me to mean persons And whether the same thing as this killing and reviving the witnesses may not be done at Jerusalem and elsewhere again and again in several ages the Church having had its daies and night I yet know not 9. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves 9. Say some They shall literally be cast out inhumanely unburyed say others They shall be politically slain deposed silenced imprisoned and cast by as dead and useless And not only their persecuting enemies but the deluded rabble and people shall see their oppression and insult over them and not suffer them to be restored or honoured 10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them and make merry and shall send gifts one to
have their place and part in that publick Reign of Christ by his Christian Magistrates and Pastors and in the publick praises of the flourishing Christ much more they that shall see his Reign in the Kingdom of Glory 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him and he said unto me See thou do it not I am thy fellow-servant and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus worship God for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy 10. I thought that I owed so great honour to such a Messenger of so glad Tydings that I fell at his feet to worship him not with Divine Worship as God but as his Angel but he forbad it me and bid me worship God only and not Angels by such prostration For though we we may by prostration do worship to a Prince or Parent yet to do it to Angels that are invisible will be too like the Heathen sort of Worship and encourage those that offer Angels unwarrantable Worship I am a Servant of Christ and a fellow-servant to thee and thy Brethren the Prophets and your Office of publishing the Gospel and mine in this Prophecy are much like The Spirit of Prophecy by which you are Christ's Messengers and Witnesses is that Testimony of Jesus which you and I as fellow-servants are in our several capacities employed 11. And I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse he that sat upon him was called faithful and true and in righteousness he doth judge and make war 11. Having spoken in general of the Fall of Babylon he now sheweth how Christ in its over throw will do execution on those his Enemies till he have rooted the out and how the Beast will struggle before he be quite destroyed and that not in Rome only 12. His eyes were as a flame of fire and on his head were many crowns and he had a name written that no man knew but he himself 13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipt in blood and his Name is called The word of God 12 13. His flaming Eyes signifie his Glory and Omniscience and his many Crowns the many Kingdomâ— which he shall subdue and reign over What his unknown Name is we must not enquire His bloody Vesture signifieth his Victory over his Enemies purchased with his Churches deliverance by his own blood And his known Name is The Word of God 14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses clothed in fine linnen white and clean 14. And the Executioners of his justice on Babylon c. were represented to me by an Army of heavenly ones following him on white Horses and clothed in white c. 15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword that with it he shall smite the natitions and he shall rule them with a rod of iron and he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of almighty God 15. The word of his mouth is as a sharp Sword to overcome the Heathen World and all his Enemies by converting his chosen and denouncing his Judgments on the uncurable which he will execute and that presently by the Sword of his Warriors by whom he will crush the Rebels and on them he will execute God's Vindictive Justice 16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS 16. For besides the Word of God he hath another name on his thigh where the Sword is worn King of Kings c. For he will reign and all Kings and Lords are under him and he will subdue his Foes 17. And I saw an angel standing in the sun and he cryed with a loud voice saying to all the fowls that flie in the midst of heaven Come and gather your selves together unto the supper of the great God 18. That ye may eat the flesh of Kings and the flesh of captains and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of them that sit on them and the flesh of all men both free and bond both small and great 17 18. It cannot be expected that the whole Idolatrous Empire of Babylon be destroyed without War And he will conquer that is King of Kings and Lord of Lords And Commanders and Souldiers shall be a prey to the Fowls which was fulfilled on Maxentius Liâ—inius c. Others say this is destruction of the Popish Kings And others that it signifieth not their death but the Fall of Popery 19. And I saw the beast and the Kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse and against his army 20. And the beâ—st was taken and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him with which he deceived them that had receiveâ— the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone 19 20. The Pagan emperours were conquered with them the Literate Seduâ—â—rs Senators Orators Poets Philosophers Augurs Aruspices Priests who by such Poetical Fable is as Ovid's Metamorphesis and by feigned Predictions Oracles and such pretended Miracles as Eunapius boasteth of by many of their Philosophers but especially by the power of their abused Learning called by Paul the Wisdom of the World which is foolishness with God and Science falsely so called who deceived the Princes and People into a high Opinion of their Idols and a contempt oâ— Christianity as foolishness The Imperial Power and the Learned Seducers were rooted out and as Sodom cast into utter destruction and judged to damnation Others say that the Beast here is the Pope and the false Prophet with him is himself also he being the Beast as Civil Ruler and the Prophet as Ecclesiastical But the Text plainly maketh them two Others say it is the Pope and his Clergy Jesuits Fryars c. 21. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse which sword proceeded out of his mouth and all the fowls were filled with their flesh 21. The memory of their conquered Emperours and Philosophers Senators Poets c. is continued in History as Pilate's in the Creed to their perpetual shame and so they are said to be cast alive into the Lake But the multitudes of Souldiers and People that fought for them were slain and cast into Oblivion or some converted by the Word and some confounded Or as others the Papists are some converted and others for obstinacy condemned CHAP. XX. 1. ANd I saw an Angel come down from heaven having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand 2. And he laid hold on the dragon that old serpent which is the devil Satan and bound him a thousand years 3. And cast him into the bottomless pit and shut him up and set a seal upon him that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years should be fulfilled and after that he must be loosed