lay And when they had seen it they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child Luke 2 16 17. This brought the good tydings of great Joy which shall be to all people verse 10. This Providence fulfill'd many Prophecies As God had spoken by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have been since the World began Luke 1.70 Then was fulfilled that Prophecy Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a slone a tryed stone a precious corner stone a sure foundation When the Holy Ghost came upon the Apostles that they were filled with it when this was noised abroad the multiâ—ude came together and were confounded because that every man heard them speak in his â—wn Language Act. 2.4 As the Providence of God brought up Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem so by a special Providence oâ— God was this great multitude brought to that meeting where the Apostles and others were assembled together and no sooner were they come within the sound of the Apostles words and under the power of God's holy Spirit but three thousand of them were converted Oh what a blessed Providence was this they came with a stone in their hearts buâ— went away broken hearted they came spiritually dead dead in their sins anâ— trespasses but they went away quickned and full of spiritual life they came fuâ—â— of enmity and prejudice against Chrisâ— Jesus and his holy ways but they wenâ— away full of Faith Love and Joy in believing in that Jesus whom they had crucified they came Subjects of the Princâ— of the power of the Air but they wenâ— away called and chosen Children of thâ— free Woman they came covered with â— vail of ignorance blindness and darkness but they went away Children of the light and of the day The vail was rent thaâ— was over their hearts and the gloriouâ— light of the Gospel shined into them bâ— the power of God's Word and Spirit then were their Consciences awakened and they were pricked in their hearts and â—heir minds were enlightned their affeâ—tions raised then they humbled themâ—elves before the Lord and said unto Peâ—er and to the rest of the Apostles Men â—nd Brethren what shall we do Then they â—ad a sight and sense of their sins the Word of Truth having taken hold on â—hem and the Spirit having made its own way into their hearts this brought them â—rom the Law to the Gospel and from Moses to Christ Jesus that was full of â—race and truth this brought them from â—he Temple-worship of the Jews to worâ—hip God in spirit and in truth this â—rought them from the National Church â—f the Jews to the Church of Christ And â—he same day there was added unto them â—bout three thousand souls and they conâ—â—nued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine â—nd fellowship and in breaking of bread and 〈◊〉 prayers Acts 2.42 O! what a wonderful work of God was â—his these were Jews and Proselytes some â—f all Nations under Heaven that were â—urn'd from Darkness to Light and from â—he power of Satan unto God. And there â—ere dwelling at Jerusalem Jews devout â—en out of every nation under Heaven Now â—hen this was noised abroad the multitude came together and were confounded because that every man heard them speak in his own language And they were all amazed and marvelled saying one to another Behold are not all these which speak Galileans And how hear we every man in our own tongue wherein we were born Acts. 2.5 6 7 8. By this you may see how the Kingdom was set up in that day But let us see what was then done in other places the People of Samaria were then under great darkness having been of a long time deceived and bewitched by Simons Sorcery But there was a certain man called Simon which before time iâ— the same City used Sorcery and bewitched the People of Samaria giving out that himself was some great one to whom they all gatâ— heed from the least to the greatest saying that this man is the great power of God anâ— to him they had regard because that of a lonâ— time he had bewitched them with Sorcerieâ— Acts 8.9 10 11. What a sad and miserable condition were these People then in 〈◊〉 They were in the Devils snare and iâ— the bonds of iniquity and in the gall oâ— bitterness but Philip went down to the City of Samaria and preached Christ unto them ver 5. Philip being armed witâ— power from above and under the ricâ— anointing of the holy Spirit and in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel and being enriched with all spiritual blessings having the Sword of the Spirit and that precious faith which overcomes the evil one That blessed servant of God comâ—ng amongst these Poor blind People did so convince them and inlighten them by â—he everlasting Gospel that he then Preach'd to them and by the miracles â—hat he did in their sight that many of â—hem believed both men and women and were baptized and Simon himself believed â—lso Wherever the Gospel comes in Power it â—reaks confounds the Devils Kingdom Sorcerers and False Teachers cannot stand â—efore it it swallows up Darkness it â—estroys Superstition and Idolatry It â—onfounds the Wisdom of this World â—t cuts asunder the bonds of Iniquity and â—t opens the eyes of the blind It causeth â—oy in Heaven amongst the Angels and â—t brings peace and good will to men on Earth For I am not ashamed of the Gospel 〈◊〉 Christ for it is the power of God unto Salâ—ation to every one that believeth Rom. â— 16 When the Gospel is let loose it â—ill run and it will conquer and overâ—ome Sorcerers Idolaters Persecutors and Blasphemers the very Devils cannot stand before it it makes them tremble and fly the Gospel is the arm of God the power of God the Spirit of his mouth which consumes and destroys and pulls down strong holds casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10.5 When the Apostle Paul fled from the Cruelties of the Jews to the Justice of the Romans from the rage and malice of the Jews to the equity and charity of the Romans Acts 28.16 he was brought â— Prisoner to Rome that was then a Synagogue of Satan a Temple of darkness a City too superstitious a place of abominable Idolatry they were Heathens anâ— yet were more kind to the Apostle Paul than his Country-men the Jews for theâ— gave him leave to dwell two whole years iâ— his own hired house and received all thâ—â— came unto him preaching the Kingdom oâ— God and teaching those things which concerâ— the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence 〈◊〉 man forbidding him Acts 28.30 31. Here by the sound of his words and by thâ— sound of his chain many were awakened by his Sermons and by his Sufferings manâ— were converted of these Romans light sprung up and light broke forth by the
numbers of dead Corps lie upon the Earth this would not be desireable to us the sight would offend us and the smell would offend us and the thoughts of it would trouble us O! what is it then to behold and see a dead world a world that lies in wickedness a world that is spiritually dead this is the sad fate and condition of every man and woman of the World they live and yet they are dead they are without spiri ual life But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth 1 Tim. 5.6 They live in the pleasures of sin but the Spirit of Truth liveth not in them they live but without God in the World. At that time ye were without Christ being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no bope and without God in the World Eph. 2.12 Oh! how can they expect to live with God in another World that live without God in this this is next to living in Hell with Devils and Damned Spirits wicked men are but as so many walking Ghosts And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the Power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of disobedience among whom also we had all our conversations in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of our flesh and of the mind and were by nature the Children of wrath Eph. 2.1 2 3. You see here these Gentiles walked though they were dead dead in trespasses and sins yet they walked but how did they walk they walked as the most of men and women walk now 1. They did walk according to the course of this World. 2. According to the Prince of the power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in them 3. The Children of disobedience 4. Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind 5. They were by nature the Children of wrath For this my Son was dead and is alive again he was lost and is â—ound Luk. 15.24 How loud need a man to speak that the dead may hear their bodies are but as so many living Coffins to carry about their dead Souls in the Worlds faith is a dead faith the worlds worship is a dead worship the worlds ministry is a dead ministry how can a dead world have a living faith how can a dead ministry speak forth the words of spirit and life how can a dead worship be profitable to men and acceptable to the living God There was a great cry in Egypt for there was not a house where there was not one dead Exod. 12.30 There was then a great cry in Egypt and the cause of this cry was because the Lord had passed through his Enemies to smite them for there was not a house where there was not one dead where is that family to be found amongst us that there is not one or more dead in it dead in their sins dead Godward and Christward and Heaven-ward Are there not in most houses all dead Parents dead and Children dead Masters dead and Servants dead and yet no crying heard for this The fear of God is not in their houses nor his name is not there call'd upon the Peace of God is not there nor the love of God they live but Christ Jesus liveth not in them they are without all spiritual life and grace and the wrath of God abideth on them Joh. 3.36 Men will believe the words of a Prince they will believe the words of a Man but they will not believe the word that God hath spoken â—o them God hath said If ye live after the flesh ye shall die Rom. 8.13 but who believes it God hath said Ye shall die in your sins if ye believe not John 8.24 but who minds it They will be venturers and run the risque and hazzard of losing all this is a dead world that will not hear Verily verily I say unto 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 Joh. 5.25 Secondly It is a dark world it lies in darkness under thick darkness and how great is that darkness But if thine Eye be evil thy whole body shall be full of darkness if therefore the light that is in thee be darkness how great is that darkness Mat. 6.33 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shaddow of death Luk. 1.79 Then spake Jesus again unto them saying I am the light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life Joh. 8.12 I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness Joh. 12.46 The night is far spent the day is at hand let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light Rom. 13.12 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them Eph 5.11 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places Eph. 6.12 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness and walketh in darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth because that darkness hath blinded their eyes 1 John 2.11 There be three things that have darkened the world 1. The Devil 2. Sin. 3. The inventions of Men. First the Devil He is the ruler of the darkness of this world He is a ruler but it is of darkness and this darkness is of this world The Devil is Darkness His nature is Darkness Jude 6. His prison is Darkness 1 Pet. 3.19 His power is Darkness Col. 1 13. His Kingdom is Darkness Rev. 16.10 His work is Darkness Mat. 12.26 1 Joh. 3.8 If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that â—e lost in whom the God of this World hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine in them 1 Cor. 4.3 4. The Devil as he is the god of this world so he blinds the minds of men and puts out their eyes the eyes of their understandings that the light of the glorious Gospel may not shine into them 2 Cor. 4.4 As he is the Prince of the Air he worketh in the Children of disobedience Eph. 2.2 But what doth he work in them No good be sure The Devil works in them his own â—ature his will and property he works in them darkness blindness and ignorance that they may be like him and do his works Ye are of your Father the Devil and the lusts of your Father ye will do he was a murtherer from the beginning and abode not in the truth becâ—use there is no truth in him when he speaketh a lie
because of the Bridegroom's voice this my Joy therefore is fulfilled John 3.29 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is athirst come and whosoever will let him take of the waters of life freely Rev. 22.17 And there came unto me one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials full of the seven last Plagues and talked with me saying Come hither I will shew thee the Bride the Lamb's wife Rev. 21.9 This glorious Bride is the Church and this Church is the Kingdom that shall not be left to another people 6. The Church of Christ is a purchased Possession In whom also after that ye believ'd ye were seal'd with that holy Spirit of Promise which is the earnest of our Inheritance until the redemption of the purchased Possession unto the praise of his glory Eph. 1.13 14. Remember thy Congregation which thou hast purchased of old the Rod of thine inheritance which thou hast redeemed this Mount Sion wherein thou hast dwelt Psal 74.2 Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Acts 20.28 Will men cast away that which they have dearly bought Ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit â—hich are Gods 1 Cor. 6 20. You are not your own you were bought by Christ Jesus And the price he gave for you was not Gold Silver which men take out of the Earth For as much as ye know ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as Gold and silver from your vain conversation received by the tradition from your fathers but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot 1 Pet. 1.18 19. Will men leave that which they have purchas'd to their worst and greatest Enemies Hath not Christ Jesus purchased his Church with his own blood For thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation Rev. 5.9 Now if this be so who can believe who can think that the Church of God shall be left to another People Thirdly The holy Spirit will not leave them the spirit of truth that dwelleth with you and shall be in you I will not leave you comfortless John 14.17 18. know ye not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you which ye hâ—ve of God and ye are not your own 1 Cor. 6.19 Howbeit when the spirit of truth is come he shall guide you into all truth for he shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak and he shall shew you things to come John 16.13 This holy Spirit of God is given it is given to them that ask it If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your Children how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy spirit to them that ask him Luk. 11.13 Every true believer hath this spirit of Christ in him But if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Jesus from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you Rom. 8.11 This Spirit of God is to be found no where but in the Church of God and in every member of that body Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his v. 9. As a tree is known by the fruit it bears so is the spirit known to be in a man by the fruits he brings forth The fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance against such there is no law Gal 5.22 23. First then the Spirit of God convinceth Secondly it quickeneth Thirdly it leadeth Fourthly it strengtheneth Fifthly it comforteth Sixthly it maketh intercession Seventhly it witnesseth Eighthly it sealeth Ninthly it revealeth Tenthly it resteth on you That good work that is begun in any man or woman and carried on from first to last is attributed to the Spirit of God. The father he ordains calleth and chuseth and hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Eph. 1.3 The Son he hath redeemed us and delivered us from wrath from sin and from the world and from the curse of the law Luke 1.68 The Spirit he applies all that to us that God hath given and Christ purchas'd and from hence it ariseth that there is so much contention and disagreement amongst men this is that which brings a Sword that brings a War and makes divisions and one man to hate and persecute another namely from the seed that is in them and from the Spirit that is in them For he that is born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit even so it is now Gal. 4.29 For the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary one to the other Gal. 5.17 It is so contrary that you may find this in the nearest relations as husband and wife parents and children brothers and sisters if any of them be in the Spirit of God and enlightened and renewed in their minds and the others be not but are in the spirit of the evil one in the spirit of the world under darkness and blindness there can be then no agreement but discord and division and they are contrary one to the other as to spiritual things For the world knows not the Spirit of God neither can it receive it Take two men that were great strangers one to the other the one living in the East Indies and the other in the West and after some time they both return home to this land and by a special providencae they here meet together and after a little discourse one with the other they so well agree being knit together in love that they could even live and the together because they were of one spirit the Spirit of God being in them both and that unites them and makes them to be one in hope and faith in love and affection The members of Christs body are many but one spirit in them all endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace There is one body and one spirit even as you are called in one hope of your calling one Lord one faith one baptism one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all Eph. 4.3 4 5 6. This blessed Spirit did never leave the Church of God nor never will so long as God hath a Church here on Earth this Spirit of God leads every true believer into all truth and from strength to strength and from glory to glory from one degree of grace to another till they are taken up into the heavenly glory and to be