Lord with the furthest light and assurance of mind amidst the great tryalls of such a time IX That its this way also the world is rendred inexcusable for their misbeliefe of the Gospel when under such sufficiency of means given for this end by so great a discovery of the confirming evidences of its truth so as they can have no pretence herein but an obstinacy and resolution not to be convinced on which ground doth our blessed Lord testify that it was no want of light upon the certainty of his truth why men did not receive it but that they loved darknesse better then light because their deeds were evil when such clear rational and convincing evidences are laid open to their view how most possibly can get these put by or rejected is not easy to comprehend but that a real irritation and torment of spirit from such clearnesse of evidence doth thus more tend to harden then convince That there is a continued necessity of such a confirmation in the faith to this day Posit IV what ever can be objected of so long a consent and prescription of time in the profession therof is fully demonstrable on these grounds I. Because it is sure the Christian faith doth still need these assistances and is a strang mistake that only for Heathens and Atheists such confirming evidences of the same should be adduced but not for any under a visible profession when the whole of divinity and doctrine of our faith is so full of demonstrative arguments for the dayly use of the most established Christians in their passage through time II. That as the highest motives to all serious godlinesse and the moral duties of Christianity must needs be from its known certainty to us so is the continued use therof to be still the same III. That these numerous tryalls and conflicts of Christians now doe no lesse call for some higher establishment in the truth on which they must alone rest when all visible props fail in their judgments then of supporting grace nor is it conceavable how men can this day walk in the light of any true joy and comfort without a more sollid assurance of their being on safe grounds herein then most seem to reckon IV. Because the revelation of the Gospel and of an eternal state in an other world is so great and wonderfull as its strang how this is not the highest interest of mens life to have their faith more deeply confirmed on the furthest tryal of their security now by the way herein who must shortly make so great a tryal therof at death for if we were but once this length to ask our own soul what the Christian faith indeed is and are thus called to believe it could not possibly but beget some extasy of wondering at the greatnesse therof and to reckon any light and implicit assent to the same as a degree both of Atheism indifferency in this matter V. Though there be no conflict with Heathens as in the first times yet was such a spirit never more aloft then it is now to take of all firm assent to the greatest principles of truth when Atheisme seems to be at its ultimus conatus in the world and we are fallen in so amazing an hower of the power of darknesse as makes these latter times more remarkably perillous and trying then the first VI. Yea if such a confirming worke be one of the greatest means to advance the repute and honour of religion when its wonted awe and veneration is so far lost and to awake men to deeper impressions of its truth when so few seeme now under any such weight then it is sure there was never more need of the same then in this day That such a service to the Church Posit V doth not only respect the more knowing inquisitive and judicious part therof but the meanest professours of religion also of whom this is necessarly required is evident on these grounds I. Because each Christian should have undoubtedly such a ballast on their own soul of the solid and rational grounds of their faith as well as these of greater parts and induments the promotting of which were it more deeply considered I dare humbly adventure to say should be found one of the choicest meanes to promot Christianity this day II. Because this is not to drive any to doubt or question the least sincere degree of assent though it be not with such strenght of evidence as in others nor can by that formal argumentation give the same accompt therof since a few grounds this way may specially help to some solid conviction and confirming of their mind when they may be ignorant of many other cogent arguments for this end but its sure also the greater clearnesse of evidence doth still in the appointed way of means lead in to a more firme and strong assent of the judgment to the truth of our religion III. Becaus the strenth of the foundation in it self cannot be enough if it be not with such a known evidence as men may build firmly and with assurance theron nor hath the Lord thus only designed to give his people an infaillible and sure testimony to adventure on but that it should be made sure also to them IV. Because none can in truth say that Jesus is the Lord but by the H. Ghost 1 Cor. 22 3. by which is not to be understood so much there the necessity of supernatural grace for a saving faith but that none can give a true assent and confession of the same but from these grounds and arguments which are revealed by the H. Ghost unto men for this end and as its sure that these characters and evidences of divinity which are imprinted on the whole revelation of the Gospel may be clear demonstrative to our judgment so are they as truly divine as the doctrine which is confirmed therby V. Because there can be no possible cause for credulity of the truth from any intricate obscurenesse of the same when the Lord hath given such great assistances to our faith to be as milk for babes as wel as meat to strong men And though it be objected that the furthest objective evidence of the Gospel with so clear and strong a conveyance therof is yet so little operative on most the same might be said also of the whole letter of the Scripture but as this tends not in the least to resolve our religion into any meer exercise of reason and leaves the whole worke of the Spirit in its energy and operation therwith on mens souls intire yet doth it fully evince such a sufficiency of evidence with the Christian faith as makes any doubtfulnesse herein simply impossible through want of the greatest advantage of means yea such as are of another kind then to induce only a probable perswasion of the same VI. Because it is one of the saddest symptomes of the present state of religion that so few almost in whole congregations can give any clear assent
then with the out going of their affections 2. That as it s not conceivable how a true and firme assent can be to divine truth but on its known certainty so here is no resolving of the Christians faith on the strongest rationall evidences hereof yet must it still be resolved on the testimony of God made clear evident to them to be such 3. It is sure also the Lord hath not given so large a measure of these grounds and demonstrations of his truth with such redoubled arguments of that kind to be of so small regard as is with most but for some great and universall use hereof to the wholl Church and knew how needfull such assistances to the faith of his people would be whilst they are on the earth 4. That these means which tend most convincingly to found a rationall assurence in the judgment are the proper vehicle of the Spirit of God by which his sealing worke should be both sought and expected nor can I judge how the credite and use hereof should be so small and not on the same ground quite any externall ordinance of the Gospell which without the Spirit of the Lord can never profite nor how we should expect and suite his confirming worke on the soul when these greatest confirming means which he hath given to the Church have no just weight but o how wonderfull a teacher is the holy Ghost when such ordinare means fail and are inaccessable by furnishing his people then with these strongest arguments of love and power who having had but small measures of light yet were not unfaithfull to improve the smallest degree of such a talent 5. Yea so great a thing is it to attain a solid faith of things wholly remott from our sense and so far above the reach and apprehension of nature or to have an absolute relyance on an invisible refuge for our present and eternall state as no common assent can answer when the very rest and quiet of the soul must needs ly in the sure and firme persuasion hereof 6. It is too visible also how little the practicall use of such a mean hath yet been essayed in the Church that all who are members therof might no lesse know the strenth and firmnesse of the foundation of their faith by its own evidence then the generall articles of religion but whilst the most usuall instructing worke lyes almost wholly about the noetick part of Divinity there seems not that serious regard to presse the dianoetick part hereof on mens conscience as if this were to be restricted to a few who are more knowing learned and of an inquisitive spirit about the rationall certainty of the truth and for whom these choise and abundant helps of this kind which are in this age seem more peculiarly directed It s sure that the Christian faith in the first times did remarkably then spread and prevail by these clear evidences hereof to the judgment made effectuall by the spirit of God more then by extraordinare miracles nor knew they otherwise what it was to be Christians but by imbracing the truth with a full assurance of understanding no lesse then of delight and affection But if it be objected it is not the same case now where religion is planted in a nation and hath an uncontrollable publick profession under the support of humane lawes I know no weight this can have except that should be admitt therwith quod nunc nascuntur Christiani sed non fiunt 7. Yea is it not sure tho it seems little understood that the primary grounds and evidences of our faith are not only as to their â—nd demonstrative of the truth and divinity of the Scripture but are upon the matter such demonstrations also which most natively result from the same by infallible consequence and are thus to be accounted not as human but divine arguments given us by the spirit of God 8. I shall but further add how such as doe seriously ponder things will find this demonstration to be not more important then clear that to be a confirmed Christian and a confirmed Protestant are convertible terms and that if these as are under that deplorable bondage and darknesse of popery were but once awaked to see the truth certainty of the Christian faith by its intrinsick and objective evidence and taken off that brutish credulity and dependance on the alone credite of others herein it might be said the strongest ingine to hold up that profession were then broke and should see the doctrine and rule of faith to be of such full and perspicuous evidence from the Scripture as without blasphemy they could not seek from the Lord to give them a plainer rule then what he hath there given READER IT s like you may think strang how these few sheets in the close fall in here after the forgoing part was finished but tho they meet in one designe and interest yet was not this then intended untill the former was done and if it might tend to a solid use and fruit unto any I shall forbear a further Apology herein I may trulie say the weight of the subject hath carryed it some further lenth then was designed when I so much sought to be short as I aim at in any thing of this kind that through my desirâ— to avoide any unnecessare multiplying of thords I sarâ— least it may make some things seem a litle dark at the first looke tho I hope not upon any serious perusall of the same Two things I must further crave leave to add 1 that when some succinct view of the great assistances and confirmations of our faith is here offered which these of the lowest capacity of the Church might with that advantage improve as in a few howers by reading it some times over may be so far impressed on their mind and judgment that they could give some clear and judicious account thereof it may be by such but seriously weighed taken to heart of what conceirn the use hereof is 2. That I would humbly judge also it were a most speciall service for the truth in this day to have some short Directory and remembrancer of the great acts of the Lord and monuments of his Providence now under the New Testament in that maner held forth as might most tend to some universall use of all within the Church I confesse my desire pressed me to some smal essay herein with intent to have joyned it to this worke but haveing with much conviction laid this wholly aside as to any further appearence that way so is it with an earnest desire that some more qualifyed might take to heart and under their hand so great a service both for their generation and posterity It is sure the Lord hath designed his people to be tought the greatnesse of his workes as well as the precepts of his word and as no duty is more pressed then this under the Old Testament both as to Publick and Family instruction so are we no lesse accountable iâ— these last times for this improvement of such as are of known publick and uncontrollable evidence and should be thâ— care of each age to have that solemne remembrance kept up hereof so as not a few but the very multitude within thâ— Church might be as a publick Library and Repository of thâ— same FINIS
conviction hereof when such clear and unanswerable grounds might be improved for this end on these who look thereon as some strang and dark riddle so as they could no more deny or withstand the evidences hereof then that they have a living soul which yet they never saw or could ever be the object of human sense And how sad a prospect should this give of the greatest part of the Christian world who not only know nothing of the true glory and spirituall powers of Christianity but have not the very notion or any sense of the reality of such a thing But in the 2d place it is thus that each Christian for being solidly confirmed in the way of religion may as clearly see as he does sensibly feal the truth of his own experience and have his faith as fully established by this inward and great demonstration of the things of God as his affections are quickned upon such strong and demonstrative grounds of the certainty hereof as these are 1. By considering his present and former state that not in a dream but in the most deep and serious composure of spirit he knows how once he was blind and wholly estranged from this mysterie of Christian experience which now he does see and once had the same sentiment hereof with such who doe most deeply reflect on the same but no sooner did the truth and power of religion sease on his soul then he found himself entered into a new world to know the dawnings of this marvelous light and what belongs to these injoyments and vital acts of Christianity that hath not the least dependence on any naturall cause 2. By considering that marvelous superstructure of experimentall religion which from the inward observation of Christians in all ages is such as the world could not almost contain the books that might be write hereof which yet is so intirely founded on one and the same foundation and does in all the lines of this great circumference still meet in the same center yea thus how intire and harmonious a thing religion in all the parts therof is within upon the soul as well as without so as every step in this way of the experience of the saints is no groping in the dark but what is by line and rule with as sure and demonstrable a connexion with the externall testimony of the word as there is in nature betwixt the cause and the effect which affords a more wonderfull assistance to his faith then the greatest externall miracles could ever doe and tho the spirit of God does sometimes in an extraordinare manner reveal himself to men as acts of his Soveraign prerogative which make no rule yet with the established constitutions of his word does the continued experience of the saints most harmociously ever correspond 3. By considering thus also the being reality of grace not in its effects only but in its proper cause and original how the truth of holinesse in the life of a Christian is so express a transcript of the Gospell in its external revelation that the impresse doth not more clearly answer the seal on the wax then it doth beget the same forme and image of it self in such as believe yea also that conformity it bears to the ever blessed Architype as well as to the revealed rule and how bright a discovery is thus of so glorious a being and nature to which its conformed who is the alone patern and exemple of all truth and holinesse which is so great a discovery as he is made to wonder how men in this age are so much awakened to find out the true Phaenomena of nature though in its own room a most choise study and specialy desirable and will be as in a transport upon some rare natural experiment as made one in that manner cry out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whilst here is another kind of demonstration and of more transcendent interest then all these could ever amount to on which the eyes of most are this day shutt 4. By considering that uncheangable congruity which is betwixt the nature of these things injoyned in the whole institutions of the Gospell and mens being made happy therby now in their present state and how great a temporal revenew of the fruits of religion as inward confidence peace and serenity of mind doth as natively follow the life and practice herof as the fruit of a tree answers to its kind and is ever found the alone true relief of mankind against all the griefs and bitternesse of time yea that it s no distance of place but of mens spirit by impurity and corruption that makes so sad a distance betwixt God and man here in the earth 5. He is thus further confirmed upon this great testimony of experimentall religion by considering that its sure such as does bear this witnesse are known 1. to be such who are of the most discerning and judicious in the things of reason as any else 2. Whose walke and practice use to have the greatest authority over mens conscience with whom they converse 3. who are found most intensly taken up in the retired worke and duties of religion that can have no respect to the witnesse and observation of others 4. Who seeks no implicit credit from any herein but does obtest men to come and see and prove the same in their their own experience with an appeal to the most exact inquiry and rationall tryall of all mankind if here be any casuall thing and if that testimony of the doctrinall and experimentall part of religion be not still one and the same 5. Who also out of the most remott places of the earth and otherwise strangers amonghst themselves does yet most harmoniously meet in the same witnesse and are thus mutually disclosed to other by a near and fealing intercourse of their souls from such an onnesse in a spirituall state and these specifick properties of a spirituall and new nature with as discernible evidence as if one man should meet with ane other of the same kind in such a place of the earth which were only inhabited with beasts 6. By considering also with a deep and serious reflection hereon that sure and known conjunction which is betwixt the most rare experiences of a Christians life and the most searching tryalls thereof with that uniform consent that hath in all ages of the Church been in such marvelous things as these 1 what solemne tokens and testimonies of the love of God and his acceptance are found usually to meet his people in the entry of some great tryall or service for him even in some unusuall manner then in the sence whereof as it was with Elijah they have been made to goe many days after in a wildernesse state yea how this does not respect persons only but Churches that the word still useth to goe before with some remarkable confirming worke to secure the heart before the crosse and some special tryal of persecution comes 2. That as each day
THE CONFIRMING WORKE OF RELIGION In its necessity and use briefly held forth that each Christian may have a proper ballast of his own of the grounds and reasons of his faith and thus see the greatnesse of that security on which he adventures his eternal state OR The true and infallible way for attaining a confirmed state in Religion from these primary evidences and demonstrations of our faith which the Lord hath himself given so as it may be easy for the meanest in the Church to know the same and be ready to render an account thereof to all that ask With a short and confirming prospect of the work of the Lord about his Church in these last times BY R. FLEMING Minister of the Gospel of Christ At ROTTERDAM Printed by REINIER LEERS M.DC.LXXXV The PREFACE THis small Essay here offered is on the greatest subject can fall under the consideration of mankind and is a study was never more pressingly called for then in these dayes for men to be making peace with God and to have such an assurance of his truth as can fully quiet and support the soul though all sensible props should be brocken and fail Great changes doe surely hasten on this generation and the life of faith is in an other manner like to be put to tryal then since the Churches rise and recovery from Antichristian bondage The storme now visibly grows upon the Churches of Christ though nothing is thus to faint or shake the spirits of any who know their anchor is sure and cast within the vail but the strongest difficulties in following the Lord when overcome yeelds the greatest victory and will be not only matter of joy here but to all eternity in having with patience and hope indured and got well through a throng of temptations and assaults in a resolute adherence to the truth If men think it their wisdome to secure their private interest by dividing it in such a time from the publick cause of the Reformed Church and make light of the greatest truths of God now assaulted of the blood of the Martyrs yea of their own eternal state by any coolnesse or shrinking from the same they will find no temporal motives can ever compense that losse and ruine which inevitably will meet such in the issue yea that these words of Mordecai to Esther Esth 4 13 14. have the same voice and weight in this day What is held forth in the following worke I may with humble confidence say was under some pressure to have such clear evidence and quieting persuasion of divine truth as made it lesse easy to have my own spirit satisfyed herein then possibly it may be to others for if it were not from that blessed assurance of the Lords being God of the revelation of Christ and of the glory to come I should not know what could be conforting or make a rational being desireable Some singulare ingadgments I judge my self also to stand under for putting to my seal to the truth and faithfulnesse of God in his word from many signal confirmations hereof in the course of my pilgrimage if such a poor testimony might be of any weight Let the blessed Lord gratiously accept this small offering to him and for the interest of his truth by so mean an instrument and give some fruit hereof that may abide and be found in the day of Christ I hope the Reader may find by a perusal of the I. Chap. of what serious use and intent the II. is yea that in this day it was not unseasonable or incongruous to the forgoing subject what is held forth in the III. Chapter But oh it is sad and amazing to think how few are under that weight of Religion as once to have a serious inquiry on the grounds and reasons thereof and to accompt the most special assistances to their faith to be the greatest helpers of their joy within time THE True and infallible WAY For attaining a confirmed state in RELIGION c. CHAPTER I. The Primitive Confirmation in the truth of Christianity held forth and cleared in its continued necessity and use to this day in a few Positions THat nothing can have a more sad and threatning aspect on the present state of religion in all the churches of Christ Posit I then that utter estrangment most are under to the true grounds of faith and to those foundamental differences betwixt Christianity every false way which no pretended religion can lay claim to The reasons of the Position are these I. That it is too visibly manifest how no men in the world know so little of their own profession were it of any human art or science as such who bear the name of Christians or are so generally strangers to the truth and firmnesse of the principles therof for maintaining either a due valuation or powerful sense of the same on their soul so that an implicit and traditional profession is the only part and propriety which most can claim in the truth and doctrine they professe II. That so rare also is any such serious worke amonghst men as a personal inquiry and tryal if there be indeed such a thing as an experimental and soul quickning religion in the earth that can bear the expense of the most dismal and afflicting times and hath so great a temporal revenue lying therto as peace with God an immediate communion with him the joy and comforts of the H. Ghost when under such pressours of trouble as are above the support of nature III. That the furthest account why most goe under the name of Christians rather then of any other forme can rise no higher then custome and education that it did bespeak them from their birth and was the religion of their ancestours yea become in that manner naturall to them as the customes and language of their country which are grounds that should determine to the very opposite profession if they were stated under the same circumstances and had the same motives to be Mahumetans since it is sure these can found no other assent then is suitable to the nature and strenth therof IV. That thus it cannot be under debate how the most numerous part of visible professours are so destitute of any defense from internal motives and solid conviction of the truth they professe upon its own evidence as there was never more cause to fear some unusual apostacy from the very visible profession of Christ upon any violent tryal and assault this way when such finds it more easy to render up their religion then to adhere to the same under strongh temptations who yet never knew that substance advantage or certainty herein as could preponderate with the want of all external motives for such a profession That thus one of the highest services of these times Posit II for the publik good of the Church does convincingly lye here to have the faith of assent to the truth and doctrine of Christ in a clear and firme certainty of the
to the truth and certainty thereof but to amazement both live and dye strangers to the same yea how many of these who are otherwise serious in religion yet have their faith starved this way and are destitute of any such support but as it is not the numberousnesse of professours but the strength and solidity of their faith wherein the Churches strength most lyes and hath more slowrished in a few such to beget a greater awe and veneration of religion amongst men then at other times in the greatest multitude so is it the glory of divine truth that it can subsist by its own proper evidence and preserve its station in the worst of times when all external arguments does most visibly cease That it s thus fully demonstrable and clear Posit VI how no simple instructing of men in the general principles of religion can be the proper and adequate mean for such a faith of assent to the truth thereof on its own evidence or answer that Apostolick pattern of laying the foundation Hebr. 6 2. but that some special duties else are called for to so high an end such wherein not only that true primitive confirmation in the Christian faith might have some practical use but we might also hope therewith for a more remarkable out-letting of confirming influences of the Spirit of God What is to be understood herein I shall humbly offer in a few particulars I. That it is one of the greatest concerns of the ministerial worke and of the key of doctrine to have all who heare the Gospel in the First place pressed to take religion so far to heart as to have a serious inquiry on the grounds and reasons hereof and thus to know their being on sure ground herein not because they know not another way but because they know this is the alone way of truth to which they dar trust their immortal soul II. That for this end the supreme truths of religion be represented with that certainty of evidence and demonstration as both such great and marvelous things does require and the temper of such a gainsaying age now calls for and to have this pressed more on mens judgment and conscience that the things of God which are of the highest consequence reality and substance can have no possible reception by any implicit or probable belief thereof nor can admit any pretence for the same when the Lord hath given such kind of proofes and evidence as leaves mens darknesse herein without any shaddow of excuse II. That it peculiarly belongs to the Catechetical work of religion to take some accompt of the meanest professours thereof and with a special respect to the youth of their faith of assent to the doctrine of Christ on what grounds and certainty of evidence this is founded and for their instructing therein as well as in the general principles of religion when one of the most ruining things to the Church lyes here that the profession of most is layed in so deep an ignorance as they have almost nothing to say for the same but a naked affirmation I know the difficulty hereof for the weak may be objected but without just cause since as the prime truths of religion are few easy and plaine for the meanest capacity so also are the primary evidences and demonstrations of our faith if such once with that desire did search after the same as for a hid and invaluable treasure wherein this respect should be still had to difference betwixt what is initial and of a more fundamental concern for the weak and what may tend to an higher grouth and increase of others III. It should be of greatest use and advantage also for the same end that the young grouth now coming up in the Church were put to give some explicit evidence of their consent and choice of the profession of Christ so far as may witnesse a ratification of the baptismal covenant now as their own proper dead wherein they were implicitly ingadged in their infancy Some special grounds and reasons for this are I. Because God will have his service freely entered in and upon choise as that way which is most agreable to his honour for as the covenant binds mutually so doe the seals therof also and therfor upon our part is baptisme a sacremental oath of aledgence to God II. Because it tends to a more resolute and firme adherence to the service of God that this bussinesse should be personally brought home to mens conscience especially before their first admittance to the Sacrament of the Lords supper and thus to ingadg them as Joshua did Chap. 24 22. Ye are witnesses against yourselves herein and they said we are witnesses III. Because this is expresly held forth 1 Pet. 3 21. where baptisme is called the answer of a good conscience toward God upon this ground that such then who were come to years of knowledge were personally sisted to confirme by their own consent that solemne ingadgment and dedication by Baptisme to be the Lords and therefor it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is vox juris and signifies sponsio stipulatio publica inter Christianum Dominum Christum as the most judicious Commentators on that scripture does clearly render and so this was a special part of the primitive practize not only with respect to such who were converted from Heathenisme but were born within the Church and partakers of that seal of Baptisme in their infancy to siste them upon answer to that great demand of the Covenant doe yow now consent upon evidence and choise to be the Lords and to be a subject of his Kingdom and embrace the laws therof and doe yow thus in sincerity and truth declare the same wherein you have a good conscience before God And of what blessed fruit and advantage should this be both for the increase and honour of the Gospel if this were more deeply taken to heart for some practical use according to the rule and primitive pattern in the Churches of Christ IV. It were specially desirable also that there be some clear view and summary by it self of the most cogent grounds and demonstrations of the Christian faith with respect both to the Doctrinal Historical and Prophetical part therof and in that manner accommodate as the meanest within the Church might have such a help still at their hand and thus with the least expense of time be provided of such arguments and reasons as should tend through the blessing of God not only to the furthest rational assent and certainty of the truth of their profession but to give a most special support of mind against that inward tryal of Sathans temptations and fiery darts this way yea is such a mean that in the serious improvment herof by having such evidences once brought in on mens judgment and conscience so as to see with their own eyes the truth of the same I must humbly judge there is nothing next to the internal work of the Spirit
the same QU. VI. How is it demonstrable that such remarkable sufferings of times past for the truth of Christ were both founded on the alone certainty thereof and carryed out by a divine Spirit above any assistance of nature ANSW That it is sure I. Here was no comedy or personated sufferings which the primitive Christians and in after times did endure for Christ or that these unexpressable torments and paines were any dream and delusion either to themselves or the world and that their adversaries did thus conflict and wrestle with their own shadow in so continued and cruel ane opposition II. That such joy and exultation of Spirit these witnessed amidst their torments who otherwise wanted no sense or feeling of their paines and sufferings could have no rise but what was supernatural III. That this could be no possible dissimulation or counterfit when they were stepping in on eternity nor the product of a distempered judgment whilst all might see what seriousnesse of Spirit tendernesse and bowels of compassion to their adversaries they did then evidence IV. That these greatest sufferings were upon choise and to endure rather then to be safe at the rate of receding in any thing from the truth V. Yea no natural reason can comprehend how such mean and feeble persons as many of these were should endure what would have made the greatest natural courage to faint as if they had foregone humane passions which flesh and blood must needs have herein so as I am constraind to see something no less marvellous and supernatural in the faith of martyres then in the faith of miracles SECTION III. QU. I. IS it fully demonstrable that the faith of a deity and of such an establishment as a religious worship must necessarly determine men to be Christians on this ground that they cannot but see how religion hath not another being in the earth but in the truth of Christianity ANSW It is simply impossible to make a rational tryal herin and not see the certainty of this demonstration to be thus clear I. That there needs no more for any of a serious spirit but to come and see what the whole frame of Heathenisme was and if it be possible to deny even under any sense of the law and dictates of nature its being the highest reproach of mankind and how the very mysteries of that Heathenish worship was so horrid and impure as they needed a vail then from the common view of the world II. Nor can there be a rational reflection this day on that strang monster of Mahumitanisme but of a visible prodigy of the judgment of God on these parts of the earth upon their apostacy from the Christian faith by giving men up to such an imposture as exposeth the very name and form of religion to derision and can never claime a reception either from the purity of its rule or internal evidence of the truth therof or of its having any possible consistence with it self III. That its sure also the Jewish religion had never another being but in the truth and faith of Christianity and where this fundation is divided from it hath none at all yea how that people unto this day are such a confirming witnesse to the Christian Religion as its strang this doth not beget deeper impressions on mens spirit So that there is an absolute necessity we must either forgoe the use of reason or see if there were not such a rule given and revealed for commerce betwixt God and man as the Scripture where the laws and constitutions of the Christian faith are for this end held forth that it s then sure there is no such thing as any religion in the earth but what wer so highly irrational and absurd as should rather justify Atheism QU. II. What special confirmation to Christianity can this visible state of the Jews bear who are in so expresse an opposition to the Gospel of Christ ANSW If this were brought near our thoughts we should find it one of the great assistances to our faith I. That its sure there is such a people and race as a living and visible evidence to our sense of the truth of that renowned nation and church of Israel to which the oracles of God were committed and thus are still as some part of the evident ruines of that once flourishing state II. That the world may see such a people kept by themselves and not mixed with the nations whose fathers from one generation to another did still own the divinity of the Old Testament and doth attest that doctrine in which the truth and substance of Christianity lyes even whilst with greatest malice they oppose the Christian faith to witnesse there can be no possible collusion here III. Their being under a stroak of that judicial induration and blindnesse of mind as no reason could possibly comprehend such a thing how they see not the light in the very noon-day of the Gospel if it were not expresly fortold their being concluded under such an arrest of judgment until the fulnesse of the gentiles be brought in IV. That so immediate an appearence of God is in the judgment of that people both in the manner and continuance thereof as no instance could ever be found to resemble the same since man was formed in the earth and thus as a conspicuous monument of divin wrath set up for every age and time of the Church to turn aside and consider this great sight and inquire what means so strang and amazing a thing as the state of the scattered Jews is now under the times of the Gospel V. That this desolation on them and stroak had such special concurring circumstances for giving light therto as being not above 48. years after the death of Christ with their hands as it were hot and reaking with that blood which they had wished on them and their children that it should be at that time of the Passover which was the very same of the sufferings of our blessed Lord there and pointing as with the finger at the same as also by the Romans whose interest in their opposition to Christ they pretended to own QU. III. Is the way and manner of the Gospels promulgation such as no other profession could ever pretend to and where all may see there can be no human interest or contrivance in the same ANSW It is undenyable that no interest else was ever in such a way promot and does exceed all natural understanding how the truth of Christianity could in this manner prevail I. To perswade men without any motives or inducements from this present world to imbrace a doctrine so wholly repugnant to nature yea to preferr an interest of things not seen and which none ever in the earth saw to the most desirable objects of sense II. To admit no implicit reception from any but on their exactest inquiry and tryal herein or in an other way claime an interest in mens affections but by a full assent of their light
souls with God are of as discerning spirits to know the true value of things as any else yea such whose testimony in other things the worst of men could not refuse nor deny III. How its undeniably evident such must know ane other acquaintance and society then that of men that not only makes these hid exercises of godlines so desireable where all may see they more flee then follow any humane wittnesse but thus makes so visible a change oft both in their case and countenance after most sad anguish and dounecastings of spirit IV. That it is so evident also how such as are most serious this way have been visibly oft raised above their ordinary case and frame in prayer and other dutyes of religion yea in that manner as they who never knew there is a holy Ghost but by report could not withstand so cleare conviction of the reality hereof that can beget such liberty humble tendernesse and melting of heart yea such discernable joy and confidence V. That no delusion or false shew can be here when it s ever seen how such as are most serious and frequent in prayer and these hid retirements with God are the most flourishing also in the vitals of Christianity and have the most honorable lustre and appearance of any in their profession VI. That its such only whose joy and comfort is most specially discernable beyond others when these lower springs of outward help and encouragement are most visibly shut up QU. IV. Is that great and experimental part of religion in the power of the conscience over man such as may be as demonstrable to the world as the truth of a rational being ANSW It may be matter of wonder how men are not struck with deeper convictions hereon when they cannot but see I. That though this be the greatest tormentor and troubler of the world yet is there no possible retreat from its power tho they should flee to the uttermost parts of the earth but doth thus enforce the soul to a reflexion on its selfe even when it trembleth at that sight II. Which causeth such feare and horrour upon the commitment of secret sins when no dread of humane wittnesse or of visible hazard this way could ever occasion this III. Which admits no violence in any to outdare the same but is a power that the greatest monarches finde to be stronger then they and is such as these oft are enforced for a present ease and releefe either to divert or bribe the same by some false grounds of peace IV. That it constraines men to justify God and judge themselves when his hand doth pursue them and to finde out their sin and guilt which was before hid V. Which makes men also afrayed to be alone with themselves and to tremble at the word of truth because its light doth torment them by that unavoidable application the conscience makes hereof VI. Yea makes mens guilt so legible oft in their countenance even when they study most to conceale it as all may see there is ane accuser within whose authority and power cannot possibly be declined VII Which with so remarkable a considence and security doth support mens spirit and makes it easy to sustain its greatest infirmityes from without when it is a friend yea thus upholds the opprest with unspeakable peace and comfort when it doth oft cause the oppressours to tremble QU. V. But what doth most necessarly result from so cleare a demonstration as the conscience is for confirming of our faith ANSW I. That its infallibly thus cleare how there is a higher power and judgment to which all mankinde is subjected gives the world an unavoidable demonstration both of the being of God the truth of his word in the great supernatural discovery which it makes hereof II. That there is a supream infallible law also invisible judge above us under whose power and authority this court of justice doth without respect of persons both summond arrest bring in witnesse and sentence great and small III. That the internal government of our blessed Lord this way both in the severity of his rebukes and most sensible enlargements of peace and comfort is unavoydably demonstrat IV. That it beares so clear evidence to that unknowen and undoubted releef and how none else could be ever found to these wounds and stings of the conscience but in the light and power of Christianity V. That it is simply impossible for men to delight freely in a course of sin when no humane power can disarm the conscience of that so intollerable a sting by which it begins so early a hell within the soul VI. That such is the power and peace of a good conscience as can make it stand unbroken amidst the greatest ruines and terrours of the world when under such a guard as it is wrapped up in its own innocency SECTION V. QU. I. IS the evidence of a Kingdome of darknes in a direct opposition and contrariety to that Kingdome of light which Christ hath set up by the Gospel such as the certainty thereof may be a matter of sense as well as of faith ANSW Since this is of such special use both to confirm the christian faith and awake such to deeper reflexion on the same with whom there seemes no accesse to deall but by proofes from palpable experience it is not possible to deny I. That there is such a power as the devil and these wicked spirits incompassing the earth yea that have ane ordinar and familiar converse with many therein II. That these spirits though once originally excellent have fallen into such ane apostacy as all may see their aim and only pleasure is to dishonour God and destroy his image in man III. That it is impossible to deny the marks of that power and conquest which the Prince of this world hath every where amongst men yea how visibly many are transformed into his image into such prodigious and desperat acts of wickednesse as we should think humane nature could not but tremble at IV. That none can control the certainty both of sense and reason which is in the truth of apparitions and bodily possessions of men in all ages and in all places of the earth and can need no demonstration for this that in many places of the earth the devil is both visibly and audibly knowen V. That he is so manifest in his appearence as a spirit of blasphemy which impetuously acts men to war against heaven with their tongue in such oathes and cursing as hath no casual pleasure or gain herein yea as a spirit of delusion in so visible ane excitement of others to these extravagancies under a shew of religion as are incompatible with any use of judgement or reason VI. That so innumerable a company of humane race hath in all ages been in a formal and expresse covenant with these powers of darknesse is undenyable upon the most severe and impartial inquiry herein Qu. II. What special
assistence to your faith doth the certainty of these powers of darknesse bring therewith ANSW I. That such a party both in their nature and continued actings are in a stated opposition to the Kingdome of Christ II. That it is so visible the prey which these mighty hunters do follow is not our body or the things of this life but is with respect to ane immortal soul and ane after state and that thus man might be made sharer of the same misery under which they are concluded III. That all may see their being under restraint of a supream power above them under such chaines as do irresistibly bound their rage and enmity against man by ane invisiâ—le guard and hedge which they cannot breake over IV. How their greatest rage and strugling is against the conversion of sinners to God and to hold fast his possession in such as the Spirit of God doth not more clearely move for their rescue then these doe to crosse that blessed design of the Gospel V. That there are none serious in the truth and life of religion but finde themselves pursued by such ane adversary and to have as discernably another party then themselves or the world to conflict with as if they saw them in a visible shape VI. That by the Gospel and within the precinct of the church is so discernably a greater restraint of Satans dominion and power then in all the earth besides yea that the advantage of being within the external covenant of Baptisme is so demonstrable as the least yeelding or tendency to a renouncing of the same or any acts of homage for making use of his help hath ever made way for some more extraordinary power of the devil over such then others VII Thus also is a most undeniable confirmation given of ane invisible world and of such intellectual beings there as are far above man yea that there is so undoubted ane intercourse betwixt men and spirits as may clearely shew that interest mens soul hath in another state and world then this QU. III. Is that great truth of the immortality of the soull and its never dying state after death as fully demonstrable to reason as it is by the furthest certainty of faith ANSW Though it be so amazing a thing to beleeve ane immortal soull and eternal state wherein it must shortly enter as by few seemes to be apprehended yet are its demonstrative evidences such that except men lose all sence and use of reason it is not possible to deny I. That there is such ane immaterial and active substance as the soull which can admit no cause either of its decay or dissolution from the body yea that the greatest excellency of this visible creation is here that such a vital beam of life light and immortality as the soull of man is therein II. Though we cannot see this rare and wonderful being yet it is here we both see and feel it to be something distinct from the body and to have a distinct interest both in its griefs and comforts III. How it can have no dependance on the body in its being which doth no way depend thereon in its actings and exercise but is oft most vigorous and cleare in its exercise not only when most separat and abstract from sensible things but when the flesh is under the greatest decay and neare its dissolution to shew the soull lyeth not a dying with the body but hath its distinct subsistence to live in a separat state when it dyes IV. It s being peculiarly framed for converse and intercourse with spiritual beings yea is only of the visible creation admit to fellowship with the invisible God and to have reflex acts upon it self V. How it is a being of a higher nature and value then the sun moon and starrs which not only can know and conceive of things above the evidence and impressions of sense but to make a rational choise of good though crosse to any sensual pleasure yea to rejoyce and have its proper delights when the body is afflicted and in pain nor can be defiled from the most loathsome sores and defilements of the flesh so as I must needs see both its dominion and preheminence over the body and to have assuredlie a subsistence without the same VI. That it is such a being as is capable of a happinesse beyond the whole extent of the world hath these intellectual facultyes which cannot possibly want both objects suitable thereto and injoyments above the senses VII That the most choise and excellent are usually most afflicted and crushed under the feet of their oppressours whilst these flourish in the earth and have no bands in their death so as such were of all men the most miserable if in this life both their being and blessednesse were founded VIII That there is so universal a sense of immortality as these who both feare and hate the evidences hereof yet under some constraint of reason hath the same for a continued terrour IX That it is sure the certainty of death makes it simply impossible for things only suited to this life of sense to be the ultimate good or fruition of man since else the beasts should have a greater happinesse then such if it were not from respect to ane after and immortal state QU. IV. What confirmation to your faith does that great and amazing change by death offer when it would seem to be something meerly natural ANSW Though the only wife God moves herein according to the nature of second causes and that it hath various wayes of approach unto men yet may all see with the furthest conviction of rational evidence as well as certainty of faith I. How death in its first constitution is penal and comes by a divine appointment unto all not meerly as men but as sinners and to be thus no natural accident and result of our primitive and original frames II. That its death as a penalty which keepes the feare and dread thereof so much on all living as that last period when the eternal state of men is then cast III. That the sting and bitternesse of sin is so manifest in innumerable diseases and stroakes of death which many feel an 100. times ere they dye once beyond other of the creatures IV. Though the sentence of dying is on all yet so great a difference is betwixt the saints and residue of men here that its penal execution on the ungodly is such as nature can give no support herein V. That supernatural presages and warnings hereof ere it come are in all times so known and sure yea such extraordinare evidences sometimes of the precise time as could have no possible rise from any natural cause VI. That its immediat commission from a supream and invisible power is so evident in such executions oft of this sentence by sword famine and pestilence as the visible finger of God in a just retribution unto men for sin may be no lesse seen and a supernatural
time is clearly shewed II. That we may now with some clear evidence judge and have our faith perswaded hereof that the Churches interest is upon the rising hand and on a present advance though nothing would seem more contradictory then all visible grounds now are since this cannot sail John 3 30. that Jesus Christ in his kingdom in the earth must increase yea that the Scripture so clearly points forth Antichrists ruine and progresse of his fall and douncasting with resemblance to that great judgment on Pharaoh as an evident type hereof in the same judicial strocks of induration on both and gradual progresse herein by one plague after another until the last and greatest assault as was then at the Red-sea hath the same effect for a more glorious appearence of God in the greatest step of judgment and victory over this adversary when not only the song of Moses but of the Lamb also shall be then sung Rev. 15 3. as importing something more glorious and a greater brightnesse to be put on this illustrious act of divine judgment reserved to these last times when a more immediate appearence of the Lord will be seen then in any sormer deliveries of his Church III. It is no conjectural thing but what by a clear Scripture conduct we may see that this time of the Church now under so notable a Crisis in her case is evidently falling under that remarkable assault and conflict with that adversary before the accomplishing of that vial on his seat and throne as we may see Revel 17 13 14. that when so conspicuous a step of the Churches victory is near the opposition thereto also will be in some higher degree proportionable to the same when the great men of the earth and such who shall receive power as Kings one hower with the beast shall have one mind and give their power and strength thereto and shall make war with the Lamb but the Lamb shall overcome them for he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords c. Nor is it found through the Scripture where any great thing the Lord hath done for his Church but some unusual darknesse and sore wrestlings hath still gone before and should be no matter of staggering to our faith whatever be of present fears to see so dismal a time of tryal as now is and amazing hight of trouble beyond what former times have known when one of the greatest events of providence in behalf of the Church since the revealing of Christ to the world until his second coming is assuredly near in the fall and overthrow of the man of sin IV. We have clear ground also to judge that so great an eclipse as seems allmost universally over the state of the Reformed Churches is no goeing down of the sun theron whatever did befall the most famous eastern Churches to an utter dissipation thereof if these different periodes of time be justly considered how their sun-set did then fall in with the entry of that great Apostacy of the Christian Church and with that long and dismall night of Antichrists reign whilst now this hower of tryal on the Churches doth meet in that blessed period of Antichrists begun fall and of a growing light of the Gospel and when the Scripture so clearly warrands our faith herein that the worke of providence is to plant and not cutt of but to bring forward that interest of the Reformed Churches in the founding of which the Mediator hath so eminently appeared in the glory of his power in these last times V. It is sure me now live in the evening and extremity of time when the motions of providence may be expected to be more quick and speady as being so near the center and to the last Epocha and period of all prophetick Chronology wherein the glory of God in his truth and faithfulnesse shall most eminently shine forth and these Scripture truths which were formerly dark abstruse with that evidence shine forth in the event as shall cause men to wonder at their former thoughts and stumblings thereat And here I must say that there is such a sight now in the earth as the Romish Church in its complex frame and state in so different a mould cast from any power or jurisdiction else and such a compound of a civil and Spiritual Monarchy in one and the same person is so solemn and undenyable a seal to the Christian faith and divinity of the New Testament that its strang why this is not improven more against the Atheism of this time that such a visible event of the Scripture is now in being which was so clearly fortold by the Holy Ghost 1500. years ago with its proper circumstances as to the manner of that Antichristian state with its rise grouth duration as is to admiration stil evident to the world when not the least shaddow or appearence of so strang future emergencies was to be seen or could have entred in mens thoughts to shew it only could be revealed to the Church by him to whom all his works are known from the beginning This I have looked on as such a confirmation to the truth of Christianity that no miracles in the first times of the Church could have more evidence for the same yea if such a party were not in being both what it now is and in former ages hath been it might in another manner stagger the faith of the Saints to a questioning the truth of the Scripture then its most formidable appearence this day can doe VI. I shall but add here that we know and are sure the Lord hath reserved his greatest works to these latter dayes wherein his judgments shall be manifest and that one of the most eminent manifestations of his glory before the close of time shal be conspicuous in the fall of Antichrist on whose ruines that glorious hous which Christ is yet to have for himself both of Jews and Gentiles shall be prepared and built up and though this great eclipse of Antichristian darknesse should yet more prevail even over the visible profession of the truth in the Churches of Britain and Ireland there is no cause to be staggered in the faith of Romes fatal period being near but to look hereon according to the Scripture as the Vltimus Conatus of that wounded adversary which will be found in the issue to have the most immediate connexion with his greatest downfall and the reviving glory of the Church for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her SECTION IV. QU. WHat is specially called for in this day of such as are accountable for so great a talent of light and confirmations to our faith ANSW If this were suitably taken to heart we could not but reckon our selves under the greatest excitment and call to such an improvment hereof I. That we account it not enough to have a faith for quieting our own spirits but how to confirme others by putting to our seal that God is true in the great assurances