preach Him among the Heathen c. And afterward he saith They glorified God t verse 24. in me To the Romanes hee writeth For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed * Rom. 8.18 in us Peter also intimateth it where he saith v 2. Pet. 1.19 untill the Day-starre arise in our hearts Which Starre truly is the glory of the Lord Christ according to His Divine nature as Himself saith I Jesus am the bright and Morning * Rev. 22.16 starre Peter also signifieth where the Revelation of Christ is in that counsell given unto women concerning whom he saith x 1. Pet. 3.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whose adorning let it be the hidden man of the heart It is in the Syrian Text Adorne your selves with the Sonne of man the hidden one of the heart And that Christ becomes to be within his people according to his Spirit is often declared in the writings of the Apostles S. Paul said to the Corinthians y 2. Cor. 13.5 Col. 1.27 Know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates The Gospel teacheth that God the z Eph. 4 6. Father is in his people likewise God the a Col. 3.11 Sonne and also God the b 1. Cor. 6.19 and 3.16 and 2. Cor. 6.16 Rom. 8.9 11. Holy Ghost Hence it is said c Ps 45.13 The Kings daughter is all glorious within d Luke 17.21 The Kingdome of God is within us e 2. Cor. 4.6 God who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ There is thirdly to be considered The third thing to be considered Who shall behold this glory of the Lord. The words of the Text are All flesh And this is not meant concerning universall humane flesh but only of that which beareth in it the true circumcision the fear of the Lord. It is said in Ezechiel f Ezechiel 36.26 I will give you an heart of flesh And the Chaldee interpretation there is to this effect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Et dabo vobis câ—rtimens coram me ad faciendum voluntatem meam That it is such an heart as is in awe of God and is inclined to do his will Also in a most ancient booke of the Jewes there is a saying concerning what presently followeth circumcision which being understood of the circumcision of the heart is a very memorable sentence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 g Zohar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is Wee have learned that at what time soever wherein a sonne of man shall be marked with the holy signature of this signe from thence he after some manner seeth God and the holy soul becommeth united with him But Christs words do make the matter plain where he saith He that hath my commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and h Joh. 14 21. manifest my self unto him So that saying unto the true Jerusalem Arise be enlightned for thy light is come and the i Isa 60.1 2. glory of the Lord is risen upon thee For behold the darknesse shall cover the earth and grosse darknesse the people but the Lord shall arise upon thee and his glory shall be seen on thee S. Paul expresseth the matter shewing how God is perceived by his people saying k 2. Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. A soule l Ezech. 18.21 repenting for all the sinnes which it hath committed and m Luke 13.24 striving to observe obediently n Ps 119.6 Luke 1.6 all Gods everlasting commandements o Gal. 3.23 Heb 10.36 37. at length attaineth to have a p Phil. 1.9 See the Marginall reading Heb. 6.4 5. feeling of the holy Spirit working q Eph. 3.20 Col. 1.29 within it and the r Eph. 1.18 The fourth thing to bee considered eye of the understanding being enlightned it perceiveth what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the Saints The fourth matter to be considered is the manner or if it may be so expressed posture wherein all shall see the revealed Glory of the Lord which labour in the worke of due preparing the way of the Lord into them And it is said Together But the Hebrew word thereof seemeth to import asmuch as to say Å¿ See Schindlers Lexicon and Buxtorfs Sintaxis Every one together Also the same word in a certain Psalme is interpreted for to signifie Unity as where it is said t Ps 133.1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity Whereas therefore the promise is that all truly holy ones shall see together or in unity it declareth that Gods revealing of his heavenly light extendeth unto Unity unto the bringing of all and every one of them into Christian unity of minde and understanding and also into uniformity of life and conversation namely to be more and more of the mind and life of Jesus Christ For it is written u Phil. 2.5 1 Cor. 2.16 Let this mind be in you which was in Jesus Christ And it is also written * 1 Joh. 2.6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked And to endeavour for to be in such Unity was the profession of the ancient ones in the house of God as it may appear from what is said namely Walked wee not in the x 2 Cor. 12.18 same Spirit Walked we not in the same steps Yea also S. Luke recordeth y Acts. 4.32 That the multitude of them which believed were of one heart and of one soule It is the promise of God to blesse his obedient people with the spirit of Unity He saith And I will give them z Jer. 32.39 one heart and one way that they may feare me for ever for the good of them and of their children after them He saith also a Jer. 31.33 34 I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be my people And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of them saith the Lord. Also saith Christ b Joh. 17.22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one Furthermore as there is c Zeph. 3 9. Zech.
not endeavouring to have in continuall remembrance His presence d Luke 6.27 not shewing due love to ones enemies e Pro. 10.12 discovering of others infirmities f Prov. 11.13 and 17.9 revealing of secrets which may lawfully be concealed g Mat. 7.12 Luke 6.31 not endeavouring in every particular to do unto another as he would have another to do unto him h 1. Cor. 10.7 Jam. 5.5 2 Pet. 2.13 1 Pet. 4.3 4. sitting downe to eate and drink and rising up to play not having a due fellow-feeling of others * Amos. 6.6 1 Cor. 12.25 26. sufferings i 1 Joh. 5.21 Eze. 14.3 4 7. all worshipping of idols outward or inward k Isa 58.9 Mat. 12.36 39. speaking of vanitie l Isa 33.15 beholding any evill with delight not abstaining from m 1 Thess 5.22 all appearance of evill giving n 1. Cor. 10.32 offence unto any o Jos 22.12 16 18 19 20. taking of offence upon no just ground p Eccles. 5.2 Ps 112.5 rashnesse q Phil. 2.4 looking onely to the good of ones own self r Eph. 6 4. Gen. 18.19 neglect of educating children and servants unto the learning and obeying of all the Gospels commandements ſ Tit. 3.14 See the margent there 1 Cor. 7.24 1 Pet. 2.12 Deut. 16.20 neglect of studying the duties of ones particular vocation an t 1. Cor. 8.2 and 12.3 and. 3.18 1. Tim. 6 3 4. high esteeming of ones own conceived knowledge in spirituall matters afore he be truly regenerate a u Phil. 2.3 1 Pet. 2.17 2 Cor. 8.12 Mat. 22.39 setting light of any others gifts how small soever which he endeavoureth well to use * Lev. 26.21 See the margent there Proceeding in any matter at all adventures and not endeavouring to have Gods Word for x Prov. 3.5 6 7. Isa 8.20 Ps 119.9 Gal. 6.10 rule in every action y Luke 14.41 neglect of almes giving neglect to learn and practise z Rev. 3.3 Ps 119.6 every christian vertue or to become more and more a new creature in the a 2. Cor. 5.17 Rev. 21.5 1 Thess 5.23 2 Cor. 4 16. Prov. 4.18 whole inward man and in the outward conversation The holy Scripture discovereth very many more defects excesses enormities and imperfections in the mind and life of mankind all which * Ier. 7.5 Lament 3.40 2 Esdras 16.50 Prov. 22.6 Joh. 4.23 The fourth point the benefit which now commeth to the true preparers according to the crying voices prescription Foure things to bee considered in the handling of the fourth point throughly to search out it is our bounden duty yea to begin from our very youth this worshipping of God in spirit and in truth The fourth point is the benefit which now commeth in a true endeavour to performe the aforesaid preparation The Text saith And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together Now unto the understanding hereof there are foure things to be considered First what the glory of the Lord here mentioned is Secondly where it shall be revealed Thirdly who shall behold it And fourthly in what manner it shall be seen Concerning the first what the glory of the Lord is which is here promised to be now revealed unto such as prepare a way for the God of b Ps 135.2 Eph. 2.21 22. Jacob to have an habitation within them it is manifest out of S. Luke to be meant the eternall Sonne of God For the Evangelist hath expressed the promise with these words And all flesh shall see the c Luke 3.4 Salvation of God By which name Salvation Simeon also called Christ where he saith d Luke 2.30 31 32. For mine eyes have seen thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people a Light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel For Jesus Christ according to His eternall Divine Nature is the supreame heavenly light e Joh. 10.30 equall with God his Father The Apostle expresseth him to be the f Heb. 1.3 Wisd 7.26 brightnesse of the Fathers glory And it is written in S. John That he is the true light g Joh. 1.9 which lighteth every man that commeth into the world Who also in every age past hath according to His Godhead appeared in some manner unto holy soules as Micah signifieth where he saith h Micah 5.2 Whose goings forth have bin from of old from the dayes of eternitie And concerning the said spirituall comming for to continue whiles the world doth endure our Saviour Himself also testifieth saying i Joh. 14.23 If any man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him The Deity or Godhead of Christ is by an ancient k Justinus Martyr in dialogo cum Tryphone Judaeo Father thus declared 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is In the beginning or first of all afore all creatures God begate out of his own self a certain rationall Vertue or reasonable power which also is called by the Holy Ghost the Glory of the Lord sometimes a Sonne sometimes Wisdome sometimes an Angel sometimes God sometimes the Lord and the Word Moreover here by the Glory of the Lord there may be understood also the Image of the glorious God consisting in godly understanding righteousnesse and true holinesse The Apostle saith All have sinned and come short of the l Rom. 3.28 glory of God or of his image And therefore he exhorteth That we put on that new man which after m Eph. 4.24 God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse and is renewed in knowledge n Col. 3.10 after the image of him that created him And whereas it is said by God o Num. 14.21 As truly as I live all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. And again p Hab. 2.14 The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea And in another place q Isa 11.9 The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Therefore all r 1. Cor. 2.10 See all Baruch 5. knowledge of God and his will revealed in his word may here be included also that it shall be more and more revealed unto his obedient people The second thing to bee considered Secondly There is to be considered where the glory of the Lord shall be revealed according to this promise And whereas it immediatly followeth That all flesh shall see it together it appeareth that the said Revelation is within man The Apostle saith ſ Gal. 1.15 16. See concerning the Mysterie of God in man Wis 7.22 23 24 25 26 27 28. When it pleased God who separated me from my mothers wombe and called me by His grace to reveale His Sonne in me that I might
14. â— Jer. 32.39 2 Cor. 12.18 Unity in observing the duties of the Morall Law contained in the Ten Commandements so is there also Unity in the most holy d Jude 10. Tit. 1.1 faith of Gods elect The Apostle saith There is e Eph. 4.5 one faith And he hath these words f Eph. 4.13 Till we all come into the Unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Sonne of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ And as all which truly endeavour to make preparation of the way of the Lord within them according as it is prescribed by the aforesaid heavenly crying voice shall see more and more the g 1 Tim. 3.9 mysterie of the Christian faith and what the true Christian h Joh. 8.12 Mal. 4.2 See wisd 5.6 life and conversation is unto the increase of godly Unity so such as are i Eph. 4.3 studious of all holy Unity shall partake of the greatest measure of heavenly light which God now communicateth unto his servants It is said in the Booke of Chronicles k 2 Chron. 5.13 14. It came to passe as the trumpetters and singers were as one to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord and when they lift up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick and praised the Lord saying For he is good for his mercy endureth for ever that then the house was filled with a cloud even the house of the Lord. So that the Priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God So it is said in the Acts of the Apostles l Acts 2.1 3 4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord or with one mind in one place And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sate upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Then did God m Acts 2.16 17 18. powre out of his Spirit upon all flesh namely on all ages and states as on old persons and young persons on sonnes and daughters on servants and hand-maids and in great abundance on his Apostles who had n Acts. 1.4 waited for the promise and had kept in Jerusalem Which saith David is builded as a City that is o Psal 22.3 compact together or as some translate which is at unity in it self For where brethren dwell together in unity p Psal 133.3 Where there is such concord us saith the Geneva note The Ratification of this oracle there saith he the Lord commandeth the blessing even life for evermore There remaineth also that something be said concerning the Ratification of this Oracle which is contained in these words For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it The which words are added for to assure us That our labour in the work of the Lord shall not now be in q 1 Cor. 15.51 vain our true endeavouring for to performe the aforesaid preparation shall not be unconsidered For God saith the Apostle is not unrighteous to r Heb. 6.10 11 12 13 14 15. Mat. 10.41 42. Ps 19.11 Heb. 11.26 forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed toward His name c. And we desire that every one of you doe shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end That ye be not sloathfull but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises For when God made promise to Abraham because he could sweare by no greater He sware by Himself saying Surely blessing I will blesse thee and multiplying I will multiply thee And after he had patiently endured he obtained the promise Whereas it is said For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it it giveth us to consider that a mouth hath uttered it which Å¿ Tit. 1.2 cannot lye and that the Almighty holy righteous eternall Spirit hath promised it which is t Eph. 3.20 able to performe it Who hath promised many spirituall blessings to be inherited in the life that u 1. Tim. 4.8 now is according as His Divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godlinesse through the knowledge of him as S. Peter * 2. Pet. 1.3 4. saith that hath called us to glory and vertue whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine Nature having escaped the corruption which is in the world through lust That as the Apostle writeth unto the x Eph. 1.12 13 14. Ephesians We should be unto the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ in whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the Gospel of your Salvation in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance untill the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory And as the Lord Jesus Christ saith y Mar. 10.29 30. There is no man that hath left house or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the world to come eternall life Moreover it is to be observed that these words for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it being so often used in holy Scripture What the mouth of the Lord signifieth do in speciall manner note forth unto us the power and truth of God upon which we may build and ground our selves and be secure or z See of Heb. 11.1 the marginall reading confident that what duties we for our parts are to endeavour are a Ps 19.7 8. Deut. 4.6 7 8. perfect wisdome to be done and that the benefit signified to be received in the doing of them is most sure and certain It is said in Ezechiel * Ezech. 37.13 14. And ye shall know that I am the Lord when I have opened your graves O my people and brought you up out of your graves And shall have put my Spirit in you and ye shall live and I shall place you in your own land then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it and performed it saith the Lord. And to conclude this point there is observed to be understood by these words The mouth of the Lord hath spoken Such a more inward manifesting and communicating of the Divine will as whereby matters were made knowne unto Moses as it is written With him will I speak b Num. 12.8 mouth to mouth apparently For so Isaiah framed not out of his own mind this crying voice as Jeremiah saith That the false Prophets doe speak a vision of their own heart
in us That they may be one even as we are one I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one Let us therefore now duly consider what Isaiah in his time delivered furthering unto godly Unitie the which doctrine also each of the l Mat. 3.2 3. Mar. 1.1 2 3. Luk. 3.3 4 5 6. Joh. 1.23 Evangelists in some manner rehearsed as necessary for that time And if wee throughly weigh the said Oracle we shall finde it m Rom. 15.4 requisite to be considered by every one at this present Moreover the Reader is to be admonished that he do not n 2 Pet. 2.12 2 Tim. 3.16 17. condemne what he understandeth not in this ensuing Treatise remembring that S. Paul saith o 1 Tim. 3.16 17. See verse 9. Eph. 3.4 Col. 1.27 and 2.2 1 Cor. 12.3 1 Pet. 2.2 Without controversie great is the mysterie of Godlinesse Also afore any one can well judge concerning the most high Mysteries of the Gospel he is first rightly to understand the p Heb. 5.12 13 14. and 6.1 2. principles of the doctrine of Christ as the Apostle signifieth unto the Hebrewes Who also gave the Corinthians for to know that such as are but babes or little Children in Christ Cannot q 1 Cor. 3.2 Joh. 16.12 beare the strong meat of the word And if such of the first age in Christ cannot r Gal. 4.1.2 Acts. 1.6 7. 1 Cor. 2.6 comprehend all things belonging to the great mysterie of Christianity then how can those which are not ſ Joh. 3.3 See Rom. 12.1 2. changed in mind and conversation according as the Gospel prescribeth or are not unfeinedly striving to attain the said change judge rightly concerning the most high spirituall matters seeing that it is written t 1 Cor. 2.14 The naturall man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned The holy Prophet Daniel saith u Dan. 12.10 Many shall be purified and made white and tried but the wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand * Ps 25.14.9.12 13. David saith The Secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and He will shew them His covenant The meek will He guide in judgement and the meek will he teach His way It is written that the Disciples came unto Christ x Mat. 13.10 11. Isa 8.16 Why speakest thou unto the Multitude in parables He answered and said unto them Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the Kingdome of heaven but unto them it is not given Who also said unto His Father y Mat. 11.25.26 27. See Joh. 8.31 32. Wisd 1.4 and 6.23 Sirach 3.19 20. and 43.33 and 51.20 Dan. 9 13. Ps 19.7 8. and 119.98 99 100. Isa 60.1 2. Joh. 14 17. Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes Now these Scriptures are mentioned that the Reader may duly consider That no person how learned soever in Humane Literature or in the history of Sacred Writ which is not entred into the true Regeneration can a Prov. 28.5 Mat. 19.28 rightly judge concerning the high things pertaining unto God The Apostle Peter saith z 1 Joh. 2.29 and 4.7 8. Joh. 3.3 5 6. Knowing this first that no prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation for the prophesie came not in * See the marginall reading any time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost And therefore the Apostle Paul saith b 2 Pet. 1.20 21. No man can say namly with true understanding that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost Wherefore let us unfeinedly endeavour to become truly d 1 Cor. 2.15 12. spirituall and then as the Apostle signifieth wee shall bee able more and more to judge or c 1 Cor. 12.3 * As it is in the margent discerne all things which e 2 Pet. 1.3 pertain unto life and godlines The holy and righteous Almighty Spirit that filleth both heaven and f Ier. 23.24 earth g Joh. 16.13 guide us into all His truth eternall that we may receive and enjoy all h 1 Tim. 4.8 Eph. 3.20 21. comfort which He vouchsafeth unto his Servants now and everlastingly through Jesus Christ Amen Edmund Reeve Bachelour in Divinity and Instructer in all the Tongues pertaining thereunto A way unto true Christian Vnity Isaiah 40.3 4 5. See concerning this reading of this Text what is delivered afterward in this Treatise and in the marginall annotations unto it A voice crying In the Wildernesse prepare ye the way of the Lord make straight in the Desart an high way for our God Let every valley be filled up let everie Mountain and hill be cast down and what is crooked let it be made straight and the roughnesses become smoothnesse and the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all Flesh shall see it together for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it IT being written in the beginning of this Chapter a Isa 40.1 2. Comfort ye comfort yee my people saith your God Speake yee comfortably to Jerusalem and cry unto her That her * So is the Translation in the margent appointed time is accomplished that her iniquitie is pardoned for she hath received of the Lords hand double for all her sinnes Then the said heavenlie voice is uttered to be considered most seriously viz. In the Wildernesse prepare ye the way of the Lord The former part of the crying voice is a kinde of figurative speaking c. The which crying voice from heaven unto us is in the former part thereof a kinde of Figurative speaking signifying That as if the greatest Emperour were to goe into a Wildernesse or desart for to make his abode there he would * As is expressed in Isa 40.3 4. expect such like preparation for his comming So Christ in His spirituall comming to make his b Joh. 14.23 Mal. 3.1 Psa 101.2 abode within His people doth expect the like c Amos. 4.12 Isa 64.4 5. The said crying voice is a portion of Scripture of most speciall consideration preparing to be made spiritually Now this whole portion of Scripture is as it were a summe even of all the generall doctrine of the word of God And therefore it is most diligently to be noted Yea it is a * See Luke 11.52 In Marke 1.1 2. The said duty of preparation is signified to be the doctrine of the beginning of the Gospel of Iesus Christ And therfore it is most seriously to bee minded The late learned Casaubon said Mysterium in hac historia à propheta Esaia olim praedicta et tanto studio à sanctis Evangelistis adnotata latere aliquid majus suspicor quam aut capere ipse satis aut
satis queam admirari In annal Baron exers 136. The Title of the said portion of Scripture key of true holie knowledge for who so doth rightly apprehend the minde of the Lord signified in this Oracle he shall thereby through Divine help be enabled much to perceive of the mysterie which is throughout the whole word of God And that it may be the easier comprehended let meditation be thereon in this order First to consider for whom preparation is here prescribed to be made Secondly in what place it is to be Thirdly the mentioned particular works of the said preparation And fourthly the benefit which now commeth in a true endeavour to perform the same But afore entrance be into the explanation of these points it is meet in briefe to note the Title of this Fundamentall Sacred Text. And literally according to the Hebrew it is A voice crying or a crying voice or a voice of a Crier the * The Hebrew accent over the word for Crier maketh a comma but the accent over the word for wildernesse is said to be one of those which make an halfe Comma point of Distinction being made at the word crying For so it ought to be by vertue of the Hebrew accent unto the said word in the Originall * It is also so pointed or dissinguished in their Translation Printed anno 1624. Mr. Tindall in his Translation hath there made the distinction also See the Translation used in the Reign of King Edward the sixt as in the annotation on this place it is delivered which is unto the translation set forth by Tremellius and Junius Now this most great matter thus from Almighty God delivered by Isaiah is called a voice crying to wit unto us in the name of the Lord for to signifie that every d Mar. 6.12 2 Tim. 4.2 true Minister of Christ is a teacher of this Doctrine in effect and fervently presseth the same Also as the Prophet Isaiah preached it so did John the e Luk 3.3 4 5 6. Baptist Yea f Mat. 4.17 Christ and His g Acts 20.21 Apostles did in substance publish the same It appeareth to be said Crying because the world is fallen into a great h Isa 56.10 Mat. 25.5 Luke 17.34 1 Thes 5.6.7 sleep of ignorance yea innumerable lie i Eph. 2.1 1 Pet. 4.6 dead in trespasses and sinnes Whereupon God commandeth every of his Ministers saying k Jsa 58.1 Cry aloud spare not lift up thy voice like a Trumpet c. Also there is said l Eph. 5.14 Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light The first point for whom preparation is to be made Let us now consider the first point namely for whom preparation is here prescribed to be made The Text saith For the Lord For our God And the name here rendred m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See Shi nalerus and Buntorfias in their Lexicons at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lord is observed to contain in it the signification Was Is Will be And so in Rev. 1.8 and 4.8 even such an expression is delivered And the name rendred n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God is noted to signifie a Mightie Being and is here considered also to have in it the signification of the blessed * Being in the Text in the plurall number Trinitie And the word our being added thereunto declareth Him to be the God whom the holie Prophet enjoyed And saith David o Ps 144.15 and 33 12. Happy is that people whose God is the Lord. Now that this Lord God may be continually with us according to His gracious p Exod. 33.13 14 15. presence this Oracle instructeth us what we for our parts are to do thereunto But forasmuch q Isa 1.3 Ezek. 8.12 Ps 73.27 28. few doe understand that the said presence may be enjoyed now whilest we are in the body in this life and in this present world it is necessarie to endeavour for to help mans weak apprehension herein God is every where though most mind it not There is no place where Hee is not according to his Essence or immense Spirit Wee are to believe that thus God is Heb. 11.6 Acts 17.27 Ps 139. Nos verò omnibus non modo factu sed etiam cogitationibus et sermonibus nostris tum nocta nâ—n interdiu Deum adesse scimus Eumque et totum esse lumen et quae in cordibus nostris latent videre Athenagoras in legatione pro Christianis Wherefore let there be first considered that the eternall God blessed for ever according to His Essence infinite spirit or immense Being is perpetually every where in the universall world It is an ancient saying Enter praefemer Deus heic ubique potenter He saith r Isa 66.1 Heaven is my throne and the earth is my foot-stoole And can any Å¿ Ier. 23.24 See Acts. 7.49 50. 2. Chro. 6.18 Isa 43.2 hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him saith the Lord Doe not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord There is also written t Wisd 1.7 The Spirit of the Lord filleth the world and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice u Wisd 12.1 Thine incorruptible spirit is in all things Moreover according to the aforesaid manner he is continually within every one of us although * Job 9.11 Joh. 1.5 undiscerned by us This incomprehensible God was unknown to the x Acts. 17.23 27 28. Prope Deus est tecum est intus est Ita dico Lucili sacer intra nos spiritus sedet bonorum malorumque nostrorum observator et custos Hic prout à nobis tractatur ita et nos tractat ipse Seneca ad Lucilium Athenians and therefore Paul preached Him unto them and signified That they should seeke the Lord if haply they might feele after him and find him though he be not farre from every one of us For in him wee live and move and have our being And David hath written almost a whole y Psa 139. Psalm for to teach that the Spirit of God Gods presence was continually with him and that he could go no whither where the Lord was not And in conclusion he said z verse 18. When I awake I am still with thee When one duly considereth what hath operation within him and becomes sensible that in him somewhat a Col. 1.29 Prov. 1.23 Acts 7.51 mooveth him towards the observing of the ten Commandements and what else is that everlasting Law of Almighty God he then thus awaked saith with David b Ps 73.23 I am still with thee O God and thou art c Ps 23.4 with mee It is written that Jacob being awaked out of his sleep at a certaine time said Surely the Lord is in this d Gen. 28.16 It is necessary to understand
so farre forth as it is in Scripture expressed what the eternall God is according to His infinite Essence or being place and I knew it not But that this first point may yet become more cleare unto devout soules namely for whom preparation is now to be made according to the doctrine of this heavenly crying voice there is also to be signified in some wise what the Scripture saith That the eternall God is And so the minde of man seeking the Lord may be introducted to see though as through a glasse the e Isa 33.17 King in his beauty and to behold the Land that is very farre off as Jsaiah speaketh The Lord Jesus Christ having said to the woman of Samaria f Joh. 4.23 24 See 2. Cor. 3.17 18. and the marginall reading there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God is Spirit The houre commeth and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him declareth That God is a Spirit and that they which worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth Where he teacheth us that God is Spirit S. John saith This then is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is g 1. Joh. 1.5 God is Light Light and in him is no darknesse at all He also saith Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is borne of God and knoweth God He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is h 1. John 4.7 8 16. God is Love love God is love and hee that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him So that here is plainely expressed what God is namely that he is Light and Love Now that this most blessed Spirit of light and love may have his gracious presence in us to his i Prov. 8.31 delight and our unexpressable k Deut. 10.13 good His said crying voice is unto us that we in our wildernesse and desart do prepare a way and make straight a path for Him Now the second point is to be considered to wit The second point In what place to prepare the way of the Lord. in what place the preparation is to be made The Text saith In the wildernesse in the desart And what a spirituall wildernesse or desart is it may appear out of the Apostles words unto the Ephesians describing what they were before they became l See Rom. 1.5 and 16.26 Acts. 6.7 obedient unto the Faith He saith unto them m Eph. 2.12 that at that time yee were without Christ being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world But he describeth a worse wildernesse in that his exhortation where he saith n Eph. 4.17 18 19. This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord that yee henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanitie of their mind having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindnesse of their heart who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousnesse to worke all uncleannesse with greedinesse Now it is to be considered how man and woman are become such wildernesses and desarts whereas in the beginning they were created glorious o See Cantic 8.13 and 5.1 and 6.2 and 4.12 gardens for the Lord. Solomon saith p Eccles 7.29 Loe this only have I found that God made man upright but they have sought out many inventions It is said in Genesis When the woman saw q Gen. 3.6 that the tree of knowledge of good and evill was good for food and that it was pleasant unto the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise she took thereof and did eate and gave also to her husband with her and he did eate Then became they to be r Gen. 3.7 Rom. 3.23 naked in soul and came short of the glorie of God They from being afore Gods gardens and paradises now became to be wildernesses and desarts And that every one of mankind growing up in this world and fast abiding in the fall not truly endeavouring to enter into the change of minde and life prescribed and required by the Gospel for to proceed duly in the same is a ſ Jsa 32.15 16. Jer. 4.26 Gen. 6.5 Rom. 3.12 13 14 15 16 17 18. wildernesse and a desart it needeth no confirmation with many Texts being acknowledged and confessed even by all The Hebrew word for wildernesse is observed to signifie a place remote from speech or talk And in a setled spirituall Wildernesse there is scarfe any gracious speech heard Yea Christ saith t Mat. 12.34.35 How can ye being evill speak good things For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh The Wildernesse within man which ought to be prepared is the heart My sonne saith God u Prov. 23.26 give me thine heart It is said concerning Rehoboam That he did evill because hee prepared not his * 2. Chron. 12.14 heart to seek the Lord. But whereas the Holy Ghost doth here use two words wildernesse and desart and the Hebrew word for desart hath in it the signification of x. In Ps 68.4 in the plurall number heaven may it not intimate the superiour facultie in man the understanding or the minde And then by wildernesse may also be meant the inferiour facultie in man the will or the affections Jeremiah speaking concerning many in his time saith My people is foolish they have not known me they are sottish children and they have no understanding they are wise to do evill but to do good they have no knowledge I beheld the earth and loe it was without forme and void and the y Ier. 4.22 23. heavens and they had no light In which place also the word heaven appeareth to signifie mans mind or understanding The z Heb. 4.12 Luke 1.46 47. Isa 26.9 Scripture hath in sundry places the expression of soule and spirit to be in man But saith the Apostle to the Thessalonians a 1. Thess 5.23 The very God of peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soule body bee preserved blameles unto the comming of our Lord Jesus Christ Preparation is to be made thereunto in the whole man and as inwardly so outwardly also And to the Corinthians he saith b 1. Cor. 6.19.20 The Vulgar Latine Text there hath Glorificate portate Deum in corpore vestro what know ye not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own For ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which are Gods Now the next point is to be considered The third point The manner of preparing
c Ier. 23.16 and not out of the mouth of the Lord but it being presented unto him by God he received it and having received it wrote it in his prophecie Also hence as was afore noted the truth and certainty of the Divine promise is shewed That God who hath promised to reveale his heavenly and spirituall light unto every person truly repenting according to the crying voices doctrine will performe it so as it may be seen of every one in the d Eph. 4.3 Acts. 2.1 2 3 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unanimis ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 similis idem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 animus quibus est idem animus Pasor Mat. 18.19 20. Ps 89.5 unity of the holy Spirit of the Lord. And an example of all may be that in the Acts of the Apostles That when some which had been spirituall wildernesses and desarts had heard Peters Sermon they were e Acts. 2.37 38 41 42 44 46. pricked in their hearts and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles Men and brethren what shall we do Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Iesus Christ for the remission of sinnes and yee shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost Then they that gladly received his word were baptized And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers And all that believed were together and had all things common And they continuing daily with one accord in the Temple and breaking bread from house to house did eate their meate with gladnesse and singlenesse of heart praising God and having favour with all the people Now also having by Divine assistance thus explained the afore-mentioned Fundamentall portion of holy Scripture there are to be declared Seven Uses Seven Uses whereunto the heavenly crying voice is profitable The first use is unto Doctrine whereunto it is profitable And the first is unto Doctrine For this heavenly crying voice teacheth that every one of mankind is under one of the three spirituall states signified in this Oracle namely under Desolation Preparation or Revelation Whiles one is a wildernesse and desart he is in the state of desolation when one beginneth and proceedeth in f 1. Joh. 3.3 Ier. 4.14 Isa 1.16 purifying of himself he is then in the state of preparation and he that hath the Glory of the Lord revealed unto him in some measure and manner is in the state of Revelation Concerning the two first states there is no doubt made Onely question is about the third mentioned state Question or doubt onely is about the third mentioned state And that there is such a distinct condition spirituall it may appeare out of these Scriptures following S. Paul testifieth concerning some of the Colossians and Ephesians that which is to the same effect where he writeth saying g Col 1.12 13. Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light who hath delivered us from the power of darknesse and hath translated us into the Kingdome of his deare Sonne He hath h Eph. 1.3 blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly places in Christ i and 2.6 He hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus David at last entred hereinto when as hee said Returne into thy k Psal 116.7 8 9. rest O my soule for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee For thou hast delivered my soule from death mine eyes from teares and my feet from falling I will walke before the Lord in the land of the living It is said in the Apostle unto the Hebrewes We which have believed l Heb. 4.3 do enter into rest S. Paul attained at length to say m 2 Tim. 4.7 I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith For they which fight manfully against sinne the world and the Devill do through the Divine Spirit n Phil 4.13 Rom. 8.13 strengthning them o 2 Cor. 10.4 5 beate down and overcome vice so as that sinne p Rom. 6.12 raigneth not in their mortall body that they should obey it in the lusts thereof but through Jesus Christ they being q Luke 1.71 74 75. delivered out of the hand of all enemies they serve God without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the daies of their life The said third state is the r 1. Cor. 13.11 and 14.20 manly age in Christ It is that which they enjoy whom S. John calleth ſ 1 John 2.13 14 20 27. 1 John 1.3 1◠Fathers It is that state wherein God is in some measure found and injoyed A place in the Canticles maketh it plain where it is said It was but a little that I passed from them Some at length in this world doe attaine to find God and to enjoy him in some measure and manner but I t Can. 3.1 2 3.4 Isa 55 6. Ier. 29.13 14. found Him whom my soule loveth I held him but I would not let him goe untill I had brought him into my mothers house and into the chamber of her that conceived me A time was when Job said concerning God u Job 9.11 Loe He goeth by me and I see him not he passeth on also but I perceive him not But at length he attained to say * Job 42.5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the eare but now mine eye seeth thee It is said in the book of Chronicles That x 1 Chron. 26.5 See the marginall reading there Zechariah had understanding in the visions of God It is also written that S. Steven being full of the Holy Ghost looked up stedfastly into heaven and y Acts. 7.55 56. saw the Glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God and said behold I see the heavens opened and the Sonne of man standing on the right hand of God And such a spirituall sight hee had whiles hee was living in His body some certaine time afore his death It is testified concerning Zacharias and Elizabeth his wife z Luke 1.6 That they were both righteous before God walking in all the commandements and ordinances of the Lord blamelesse The second use for Refutation A second Use is for Refutation of opinion in many who think that their minds can be well enough now without endeavouring as this heavenly crying voice prescribeth And therefore they will not a Ps 10.4 6. Ps 14.1 c. Job 21.14 15. and 22.17 Mal. 3.14 Wisd 2.21 See all Wisd 2. For it describeth what the minde and life of Atheists is meddle with any such meditation Can the soule of any one be in a comfortable state which continueth a wildernesse or desart having the b 1 Cor. 2.12 2 Cor. 4.4
most seriously consider what saith the heavenly crying voice That the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed unto all preparers of his way and they shall see it together for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it who hath power to performe whatsoever he promiseth Isaiah saith elsewhere h Isa 54.13 All thy children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the i The said word in sense implieth Unity peace of thy children Great unitie will be among all those which are led by his holy Spirit and Word for his Spirit leadeth into all k Joh. 16.13 Acts. 5.32 Eph. 4.3 1 Cor. 12.13 truth such as unfeinedly strive to yeeld due obedience unto all the commandements of Christs holy Gospel The wisedome of the God of heaven made use of this l Ier. 8.22 Balme of Gilead the crying voice when great difference was in the Church of the Jewes and it with his Divine m 1 Cor. 3.6 blessing cured a great many It was John the n Luke 3.3 4 5 6. Baptists doctrine yea o Mat. 4.17 Mar. 1.14 15. Luke 4.18 19. Christ and his p Mar. 6.12 Acts. 20.21 Luke 13.3 5. Apostles in effect did use it in their preaching O into what an unitie it brought the true fearers of God which were in q Acts. 2.1 38 41 42 46 47. Jerusalem and the land of Jewrie And so how it wrought among the Gentiles witnesse all the r Col. 2.1 2 5. Churches of them unto whom the Apostles wrote Epistles Also the same efficacie by the assistance of Divine grace will it now take among all such as will make due use of it as it did in those daies of old For saith the Scripture Behold the Lords hand is not Å¿ Isa 59.1 2. shortened that it cannot save neither his eare heavie that it cannot heare But your t Ier. 5.25 Ps 66.18 iniquities have separated between you and your God and your sinnes have hid his face from you that he will not heare The Virgin Mary said u Luke 1.51 He scattereth the proud in the imagination of their hearts But his Sonne gathereth together into * Joh. 11.52 one the children of God that are scattered abroad as even Caiphas prophesied Yea unto Unitie worketh God the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost x Eph. 1.10 It is to bee noted That as in the beginning man and woman were created in unity with God so Holy Scriptures use is to direct us for to draw nigher and nigher unto the same Hence it is that Christ prayed so fervently for his people concerning their true Christian unity See Joh. 17.11 21 22 23.26.13 That as S. Paul saith in the dispensation of the fulnesse of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heaven and which are on earth even in Him Moreover that the receiving of heavenly light into the understanding doth further unto unitie it may appeare from a similitude If a company be in a dark room where is very little light and it hath a table whereon is much mony A Similitude for to shew that the true heavenly light wheresoever it appeareth doth further unto true Christian unitie gold and silver and some counterfeit coine be among the same If they be willed to take only all the currant mony and thereunto to advise each with other for the better judging of the same and also be promised increase of benefit according as every one taketh most of the said coin with none of the counterfeit Will there not arise some difference among them concerning some peeces of the mony Will there not be some conjectures amisse because they judge for the most part by supposing or imagination not by clear sight But if a window be opened unto them and they have the true day light will not then the case be otherwise and all former dissent in opinion about the said coine much cease So is it with us mankind so long as we abide fast in the fall of Adam y Isa 60.2 Ier. 4.22 23. 1 Joh 2.9 11. grosse darknesse covereth us as Isaiah signifieth Yea S. Paul told the Ephesians that they were sometime z Eph. 5.8 Prov. 4 1â— darknesse And the Prophet also speaking concerning such saith a Is 59.10 We grope for the wall like blind and we grope as if we had no eyes we stumble at noone-day as in the night we are in desolate places as dead men The b 1 Cor. 2.14 naturall man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned The Lord Christ saith The c Joh. 14.17 1 Joh. 5.19 2 Cor. 4.4 Spirit of truth the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him Great is our spirituall darknesse manifold are our mistakes about the things of God Yea also we much differ in opinion concerning such matters But when as we heare the heavenly d In Isa 40.3 4 5. crying voice and attend thereunto when we open the e Rev. 3.20 Ps 24.7 8 9 10. door of our hearts and receive the f Eph. 3.16 17. 1 Cor. 14.25 Gal. 2.20 Col. 3.11 and 1.27 2. Cor. 13.3 Spirit of Christ thereinto He will then g Eph. 5.14 2 Cor. 4.6 2 Pet. 1.19 Prov. 28.5 Phil. 1.9 10 11. Ps 112.4 give us light he will open unto us such a spirituall window and let such a measure of true heavenly light shine into us as that we shall judge more and more rightly concerning all things pertaining unto Godlinesse Also former differences among us will more and more cease and the unitie of the Holy Spirit will inwardly and outwardly among us encrease Another Similitude for to shew how among all well-affected the true Christian unitie easily increaseth Heare also another similitude Even as in an houshold where all the servants do faithfully mind the performing of every command of their master and one to help another for the fulfilling of the same will there be any dissension among such Or if any should chance through any mistake will it not soon cease for that none seeketh himself but every one onely his masters benefit and credit So among all those whose * The mind of mankind for the farre greatest part hath as it were lost it selfe in that it considereth not the marke which the Creatour hath prescribed unto it only aime it is that our heavenly Masters will may be done here on earth h Mat. 6.10 Rom. 12.2 Eph. 5.17 1 Thess 4.3 4 5 6.7 as it is in heaven and * The said marke at which to aime continually and whereon to mind alwaies in every particular matter is in briefe signified in the afore quotations Mat. 6.10 Eph. 5 17. thereunto do endeavour what may be to help and set forward one another will there be any discord among such Or
the way of the Lord in us the manner of preparing And it is first expressed in generall as Prepare yee the way make straight an high way And then the works of the said preparation are expressed in particular as namely to exalt or fill up every valley c. The Hebrew word rendred prepare ye is observed for to import also to c See Schindlers Lexicon remove impediments to void away out of sight uncleannesses c. The Lord by Malachi saith d Mal. 3.1 Behold I will send my Messenger and he shall prepare the way before me and the Lord whom yee seeke shall suddenly come to his Temple And the Apostle having said unto the Corinthians e 2. Cor. 6.16 Yee are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them c. addeth this counsell Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us f 2. Cor. 7.1 cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse in the fear of God So that the preparation doth much consist in g 1. Joh. 3.2 3. Heb. 12.14 purification of minde and life Also whereas it is said withall make straight an high way and in S. Johns Gospel the whole work of preparation is but thus expressed h Joh. 1.23 Make straight the way of the Lord as said the Prophet Esaias the Arabicke interpretation of the said verbe there is not unworthy of some observation It saith * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Make the way of the Lord easie The said Arabian verb is interpreted also to make plain and convenient So that for Christs spirituall comming into us for to dwell in us to walk within us See the Lexicon of Raphelengius to solace himself in us and to worke all his works of grace within us we are admonished to endeavour that his entrance and passage may be all manner of wayes delightsome unto him An expressing of the preparation in particular namely in 4. sundry great workes It followeth that the particular works of the preparation be considered and they are expressed in foure great duties But first it is to be noted That in an ancient I That which was in use in the Reigne of King Edward the sixt See Tindals Translation See the note of Lucas Osiander on this Text. See Isa 57.14 Luke 3.5 with Baruck 5.7 The first worke of the preparing Translation of the Church the verbs thereof are rendred Imperatively the which interpretation appeareth most proper for that these foure matters are the duties in speciall of those two in generall namely prepare ye the way make ye straight an high way And the first work of the preparing is that every valley be exalted or filled And a spirituall valley within us is want or defect of somewhat which ought to be in us toward receiving revelation of the glory of the Lord. It is said k Heb. 11.6 He that commeth unto God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him diligently So that unbeliefe appeareth to be a valley and is to be lifted up or filled up with beliefe l Luke 24.25 We are to believe every word of God to be perfect truth according to his mind signified therein though we for the present do not understand it It is the praise of m Rom. 4.17 18 19 20 21. Abraham that against hope he believed in hope that he might become the father of many nations according to that which was spoken so shall thy seed be But it was a dispraise to many of the Jews that they believed not sundry things written in the Law of the Lord of which unbelief Christ taxed them saying Had ye believed Moses n Joh. 5.46 47. ye would have believed me for he wrote of me But if ye believe not his writings how shall ye believe my words We are also to believe the o Gal. 6.7 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Deut. 29.19 20. threatnings mentioned in Gods word aswell as the promises because the Lord is as true in the executing of them according as he hath denounced them as he is in the vouchsafing of the other Such unbeliefe ought not to be in us for that it is written p Heb. 3.18 19. The children of Israel could not enter into the Lords rest because of unbelief Another valley within man is ignorance q Mat. 22.29 Christ said unto the Sadducees Ye do erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God The Lord saith by Hosea r Hos 4.6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge because thou hast rejected knowledge I will also reject thee that thou shalt be no Priest to me Seeing thou hast forgotten the Law of thy God I will also forget thy children Wherefore the Gospels commandement is to be timely considered viz. ſ 1. Pet. 2.1 2. That we laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and evill speakings as new-borne babes to desire the sincere milk of the word that we may grow thereby Also not to continue still t 1. Cor. 14.20 See the Marginall reading there children in understanding howbeit in malice to be children but in understanding to become men perfect or of a ripe age u Heb. 6.1 2. Cor. 13.9 Rev. 3.2 Deut. 18.13 Gen. 6.9 Going on unto perfection as is the exhortation unto the Hebrewes And forasmuch as Christ hath said * Joh. 12.48 The word which I have spoken the same shall judge us in the last day therefore as saith the Apostle let the x Col. 3.16 word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdome There is also the valley of fearfulnesse namely of being fearfull to begin and proceed in that which God hath commanded to be done and wherein he hath willed us to be y 1. Cor. 16.13 Eph. 6.10 13. 1. Cor. 15.58 Heb. 6.11 12 of a good courage Such defect was in the children of Israel being in the wildernesse when as they were to have gone on couragiously toward the promised land flowing with milk and honey in confidence of attaining possession thereof through the help of Almighty God they then became fearfull and faint-hearted upon reports which some had made as if the said land were not attainable Yea some said z Num. 13.31 We be not able to go up against the people for they are stronger then we The children of Israel then fell into murmuring and a Num. 14.2.11.12 disobedience and so became to be in great perill of Gods destroying of them The Lord having said in the Revelation b Rev. 21.7 8 The second worke of the preparing He that overcommeth shall inherit all things I will be his God and he shall be my sonne But the fearfull namely to enter into the spirituall warfare as it is enjoyned by the Gospel of Christ and the unbelieving c. shall have their part in the lake which