Historical Belief of what Christ did for us above Sixteen Hundred Years ago 't is not this only that will administer a sufficient true and saving knowledge of Christ and really interest us in his Death and Sufferings all which People may talk of and please themselves withal and yet continue as fast bound under the Dominion of Satan who still rules where disobedience is as those less perfect in that Lesson But the true and saving Knowledge of Christ is to know our selves turn'd from Darkness to Light Act. 26.18 from the power of Satan to the power oâ— God Col. 1.13 that by it we may be delivered from the power of Darkness and be translated into the Kingdom of his dear Son to know his saving power really to rescue and redeem us from under the power of him that hath enthrall'd us Joh. 8.32.36 Mar. 3.27 and leads Captive at his Will those who lives in the vanity of their Minds to know him bind this strong Man Mal. 3.2 3. to spoil his Goods and dispossess and cast him out to know Christ to sit in the Soul as a Refiner Luk. 3.16 17. Ro. 15.16 Joh. 13.8 1 Thes 5.23 1 Cor. 1.2 Joh. 14.23 Heb. 13.21 to burn up consume and destroy to purify and throughly to purge out whatsoever is contrary to him to wash us and make us clean that we may have right to a part in him that being cleansed and sanctified he may take up his abode with us exercising his Kingly power and working in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure The Mind being thus disentangled and having cast off its former Yoke the old things being done away 2 Cor. 5.17 Ezek. 36.26 all things now become new a new tender Heart of Flesh according to the Promise new Thoughts Desires Inclinations Affections Words and Actions this new inside producing a new outside also Mat. 23. â—6 even throughout a new Creature now in Christ indeed and â—eally entituled to those Benefits that â—…erue to Men through him That liâ—ing Faith that pleaseth God Jam. 2.18 to the end and gives Victory and is ever fruitful to him in â—ood Works being begotten and this work of Redemption and Regeneration thus wrought in the Soul by Jesus Christ Heb. 12.2 together with that most preâ—ious Sacrifice he offer'd up when his Precious Blood was shed upon the Cross for us we believe compleats the Salvaâ—ion of every Soul that is thus awakened and made alive and set free Ro. 6.11.13 by the power and Spirit of him that â—s the Way the Truth Joh. 8.36 and the Life of every Soul that truly lives to God to walk in that Holy way of Life Truth and Peace Isa 35.8 9. that was prepared of old for the Ransomed and Redeemed to walk in And we believe that he graciously waits with exceeding great kindness and long suffering that Men may Repent knocking at the Door of every Man's Heart freely offering Rev. 3.20 but not imposing his Assistance to this most concerning work and change in the Minds of Men Mat. 23.37 so that in the day wherein God will judge the World by Jesus Christ and every secret thing will be made manifest God will be justified and clear of the Blood of a Men and every Mouth will be stopped and every Man's Condemnatioâ— will be of himself for having rejected the Day of his Visitation where in God calls to Man and offers to be reconciled to him for resisting thâ— strivings and slighting the Reproofâ— of his Spirit Neh. 9.20 which in matchless Mercy he hath given Man to instruct him and shew and lead him in the way of Life and Peace We believe that though the pravity of Man's Nature in the Fall is such that the Natural or Carnal Man that is enmity against God in the state of meeâ— Nature Ro. 8.5.7 8. minds only the things of the Flesh and naturally brings forth the Works thereof and cannot please God nor keep and observe his Laws but is prone to evil yet that those who embrace the Visitation of God 1 Pet. 1.23 and are really Regenerated and born again of incorruptible Seed Heb. 4.12 by the Word of God that lives and abides for ever that ingrafted Word that is quick and powerful Jam. 1.21 Joh. 17.17.19 and able to Save and Sanctify the Soul are born into a new Life and invested with another and higher power and becomes Spiritually minded Joh. 3.6 and by the Spirit are set at liberty to walk after the Spirit and bring forth it's fruits and receive ability from the Spirit to serve God acceptably Ro. 8.14.15 being now led by the Spirit of God and become his Children taught of him and through the Spirit of Adoption receiv'd into their Hearts 1 Cor. 12.3 Ro. 8.13 6.6 Eph. 4.22 23 24. Gal. 5.24 Col. 3.9.10 have right to call God Father and Jesus Lord For having through the Spirit mortified the Old Man or first Nature with his corrupt and depraved â—nclinations and evil Deeds and put him off having crucified the Flesh with the affections and lusts thereof they put on the New and Heavenly Man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness and being renewed in the Spirit of their Minds Ro. 6.4 7.6 they now walk in Newness of Life and are really in Christ and therefore are changed and become new Creatures and now think and act under the conduct of a principle Superiour to that which formerly governed them having their Minds raised to a Region above that of fallen Nature so that now the stream of their thoughts desires and actions runs in another current and the bent of their affections are after those things that are above where Christ is Col. 3.1 2. that Eye being now open'd that sees a more transcendent beauty and desireableness in the invisible and durable treasures of him than all the transcient felicitles of this World can afford â— Ro. 13.14 And we believe That whosoever expects the blessed imputation of Christ's Righteousness ought thus to put on the Lord Jesus and to be thus cloathed upon and covered with his Righteousness and in measure have his Holy Life brought forth in and through them and know him to enliven and influence their Minds Isa 26.12 Phil. 2.13 and 4.13 Joh. 15.5 and to work in and for them and that without him they can do nothing but through him that strengthens them they can do whatsoever he commands them that as they abide living branches in him through that sap and vertue they daily receive from him Joh. 15.5 8. they are made able to bring forth fruits well-pleasing to God whereby he is glorified For though God the Father accepts us in Christ and for his sake yet is the New-Birth the indispensible Qualification and true distinguishing Mark of those that are really in him He that is in Christ is a new
things of the Spirit of God because they are spiritually discerned and to that end they had received the Spirit which is of God The Light of Nature is occupied about natural Objects those things that are within its own Region acting within its own propâ—… Orb but reaches not to that knowledg of God which is Life Eternal except our natural Powers or human Capacity be illuminated by the Rays oâ— Divine Light for the World by Humane Wisdom knows not God Anâ— Christ saith very plainly and positively 1 Cor. 1.20 That none knows the Father but thâ— Son Mat. 11.27 and he to whom the Son revealâ— him That these strugglings in us should be the suggestions of Satan that he should disquiet and disturb People for their Sins for serving him and put them upon endeavouring to be freed from their vassalage under his power were absurd to imagine no our Saviour puts that beyond a Question when he asks Mark 3.24 27. Luk. 11.21 Can a Kingdom divided against it self stand And by and by saith plainly That whilst the Strong Man arm'd keeps the House his Goods are at peace till a stronger than he comes to bind him c. So that 't is clear it 's not the Devil but the approaches of a Superiour Power that breaks the peace of People for Sin and that follows and condemns them for Disobedience and Transgression and is the same that would and only can redeem their Minds â—â—t of that miserable state and bind â—…at Strong Man and break his power â—nd cast him out would they but joyn â—ereto and accept of Deliverance by 〈◊〉 Nor does its being extended to all Men through all Ages from their Youth â—pwards bespeak it to be therefore natural or contemptible but on the contrary of the greater moment to all Men For besides that the Apostle saith 〈◊〉 manifestation of the Spirit is given â—o every Man to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 the Blesâ—ings and Gifts of God are free and valuable from their intrinsick worth God in nature ordained nothing in vain â—ut by how much any thing is of the greatest use to us for sustaining and accommodating our natural Life the more common it is as the Sun that gives Light to all thro' all Ages c. 'T is we fondly rate things according to our Fancies and esteem and prize them more for their Rarity and Curiosity than Usefulness but God bestows most universally that which is of the absolutest necessity to Man Are not all Men that are born Strangers and Enemies to God in the dark and at a distance from him in the State of Nature and must therefore be enlightned Jo. 3.3 5. converted and born again and becoâ—â— Spiritural before we can be reconcileâ— to him shall not God then that woulâ— have all Repent and be Saved 1 Tim. 2.3 4. 2 Pet. 3.9 cauâ—… the Light of the Son of Righteouâ—…ness to shine upon all and give measure of his Grace and Spirit to aâ—… to assist them in the accomplishment oâ— that in themselves which they cannoâ— do of themselves and yet is of indiâ—pensable necessity to our Salvation Wherefore God by his Spirit strive with Man so long as his day of Visitation lasts Since then our Opposers acknowledge the Spirit and Grace of God which also is Light to be in Man unless they can shew it by its manifestly different and superiour nature tendency and operation to be contradistinct from that we have been speaking of we see neither absurdity nor error in concluding it to be one and the same grace and free-gift of God to all which is always the same in nature though it differs in degree and is that Heavenly Treasure which God hath committed to our trust And blessed will they be who rightly employ and improve it Mat. 13.31 32. and give place and room to this seed of the Kingdom in their Hearts where though it may appear at first contrary to the expectation of Man little mean and contemptible scarcely regarded amongst the stuff wherewith Mens Minds are filled yet â—oyn but to it that it may exert its power and energie and 't will grow and increase Mat. 13.33 Luk. 13.21 let but this leaven have its perfect work and 't will leaven the whole lump into its own Nature Be pleased to consider whether we have justly merited the invidious invectives of our Adversaries Jer. 17.10 Ro. 8.27 Rev. 2.23 Amos. 4.13 in believing that the Lord searches the Heart of Man and shews him his Thoughts that he hath and will remember this â—atter Age of the World and hath not forgotten to be gracious in performing those bountiful Promises made in times past to the Off-spring of the Gentiles Jer. 31.33.34 Ezek. 36.26 27. Joel 2.28 29. Act. 2.16 17 18. Isa 54.13 Mat. 11.27 Isa 42.7 and 61.1 â—n placing his Law in our Hearts and putting his Truth in our inward parts â—n pouring out of his Spirit upon all the Sons and Daughters of Men in becoming our Teacher and giving us the knowledge of himself through the Revelation of his Son Jesus Christ who â—s come to open our blind Eyes and to bring us that were bound in darkness â—ut of the Prison-house who hath promised to be with his People to the end of the World Joh. 14.16 17 26. 16.7 in believing that God hath sent us the Comforter the spirit of Truth to be our Remembrancer and to guide and direct us in the way of Truth in attesting the sufficiency and utility of the Teachings of this Holy Unction 1 Joh. 2.20 27. sent into our Hearts in believing that though Christ be in his glorified Body in Heaven yet that he is present also in the Hearts of his People Joh. 14.17 20 23. 17.23 26. Isa 57 15. 2 Cor. 6.16 Prov. 8.31 who is King of Saints and shall he not then rule in them The High and Holy One that inhabits Eternity hath promised to dwell also with the Humble and Contrite to revive and comfort them shall not he whose Presence fills Heaven and Earth be present in the Heart of Man Shall not he that rejoyceth in the habitable parts of the Earth and delights in the Sons of Men reside in his People Are they not Members of him 1 Cor. 6.15 17 19. and he their Head Can there be a more intimate Union and Communion than between the Head and the Body Joh. 15.4 5. the Vine and the Branches The same Spirit of Life that is in the Head is the Life of the Body also and acts it he that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit doth not the Life that is in the Root pass to the Branches also and preserve them living Are not all dead Branches in whom this Life is not Whosoever hath the Son of God Joh. 6.56 57. 1 Jo. 5.12 and feeds on him hath Life by him and those that have not Christ who is the Life of his Saints have
12.15 16. it being disagreeable to his Justice to condemn those that have not deserved to be punished and having no pleasure in the death of him that dies Ezek. 18.32 Wis 11.23 24. should yet make the major part of Mankind with design to damn them unprovok'd thereto without ever tendring them Salvation or that he would make the far greater number wholly uncapable of accepting the Salvation tendred them by putting it out of their power to perform those Terms upon which he offers it and then condemn them to eternal Misery for not complying with those Conditions that 't was impossible for them to observe Isa 45.22 For he don't only call to all the ends of the Earth which implies all Mankind to look to him and be saved but he hath given to every one a Portion of his Spirit to enable them so to do he hath not only sent forth the Son of his Love to shed his Blood for every Man Joh. 3.14 15 16. to be lifted up as Moses lifted up the Brazen Serpent that whosoever believeth in him Joh. 6.44 45. should not perish but he also draws them and as they will receive it toucheth them with that Divine Magnet that only can incline and impower them effectually to turn to that Pole in which all our true Happiness centers But this is the condemnation Joh. 3.19 20. that Light is come into the World and Men love Darkness rather than Light Eph. 5. â—â— because their Deeds are evil and hate the Light and will not bring their Deeds to it lest it should reprove them for whatsoever is reprovable is made manifest by the Light but Men love their own broad ways to pursue the sight of their Eyes and desire of their Minds Eccl. 11.9 and therefore hate to be control'd therein and reform'd The Apostle stirring up the Ephesians to Purity of Life and to avoid several Evils there mentioned saith expresly Eph. 5.6 7. Let no Man deceive you with vain Words for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the Children of Disobedience And in another place Ro. 8.13 That those who live after the Flesh shall die So that 't is for want of Peoples embracing the Means and bringing their Deeds to the Light of Christ in their Hearts and heeding the Reproofs of Instruction Pro. 6.23 Gal. 6.8 which is the way of Life for want of sowing to the Spirit and by it mortifying the Deeds of the Flesh that People are lost and sentenced to Perdition and not because they were personally and inconditionally reprobated from all Eternity God who is Lord of all 1 Tim. 2.3 4. is gracious unto all and would have all Men to be saved but they disobey the Call of God and reject his Offers and resist the Strivings of his Spirit and are deaf to those Knocks of our Saviour for Reception and Entertainment in their Hearts Rev. 3.20 and choose and prefer the present World and will not deny themselves to follow Christ 'T is not as these Men say because Salvation was never within their reach if 't were not what must we think Were those feigned Tears then Luke 13.34 Mat. 23.37 that our Saviour shed over Jerusalem when the Day of its Visitation was over Saying also How often would I have gathered thee as a Hen gathers her Chickens but you would not not you could not But if any Men can be so hardy as to entertain an Opinion so derogatory to the Justice Mercy Love and Paternal Care of God and repugnant to the Gospel-message we cannot but admire what should induce them to obtrude it upon others and urge it as though 't was a necessary Point to be believed in the Christian Religion for we cannot apprehend how this begets Love to God increaseth Faith in Christ and raiseth our Veneration for him excites to Diligence and encourages Piety which is that which advanceth true Religion but on the contrary it 's plain that it tends to the indulging some in a Security and procure in others a slight Esteem of the Death and Sacrifice of Christ as being partial and casts them into Despond and probably may encourage both to gratifie the Desires of their Minds to the full extent since nothing can alter such a supposed Decree of God one way or the other Yet we deny not the Prescience of God who fore-knows all things things past present and to come being at once present to him so that it may be said such who believe in Christ with that living active Faith that works by Love and excites to Obedience and persevere therein unto the end and so know Salvation by him are in him in whom the Election is before the World began and that those who so believe not but reject the Tenders of his Love and by persisting in Disobedience neglect so great Salvation are condemned already Nor do we deny such a Preference as that some are made Stewards over more and some fewer Talents according to which their Improvement ought to be Where much is given much is required and where less is given less is required for God is just and equal in all his Ways he is not a hard Master Mat. 25.14 to the 28. that he should exact or expect more than the Improvement of his own Had he that received but one Talent imploy'd it and made it Two we doubt not but it had been accepted for we believe that none are from Eternity absolutely excluded without any Talent and that a Day also is afforded wherein 't is possible for them to improve it So that though the Grace may work more powerfully in some than in others yet are all left without Excuse There is yet another Opinion dependant on this which we cannot receive neither as they state it for which our Opposers think very ill of us that is once in a state of Grace and ever so that there is no total or final falling away from Grace How this Doctrin promotes true Zeal and Piety and improves Christianity we can't understand nor see no other reason why its Votaries should be so fond of it but because 't is concordant to that of Personal Election and Reprobation so that those who imbrace the one are bound to believe the other But otherwise certainly it tends rather to slacken than spur on People to that care and diligence and constant unwearied watchfulness to Prayer which our Lord so much exhorted to and the Apostles so solicitously presse the Saints every-where to be found in as of absolute necessity What else means those Promises of Reward in the Revelations to those who should overcome and hold out to the end but to ingage them to a constant Perseverance Or what needed it if 't were impossible for them to fall short whom we suppose none will deny to have been in a state of Grace And the Church of Ephesus was threatned to have their Candlestick removed Rev. 2.5
3.16 if they repented not and did their first works and that of Laodicea to be spewed out of his Mouth Who can say those foolish Virgins in the Parable were not once in a state of Grace whose Lamps were once lighted and burning as well as trimm'd or else they could not properly be said to be gone out Mat. 25.8 Or that those were not called by Saving Grace in whose Hearts the Heavenly Seed sprung up and for a time prosper'd Luke 8.7 8 14 15. 'till the Bryars and Thorns the over-care and concern about the things of this Life choak'd it 't was not that they had no day of Visitation from God wherein they might have wrought out their Salvation had they continued to make the Kingdom of Heaven and its Righteousness their first and chiefest Choice and placed their Treasure there and disintangled themselves from those unnecessary Cares the Seed that was sown and sprung up was the very same with that which in the honest Heart brought forth Fruit abundantly Surely Paul that Great Apostle was not of these Mens Opinion when after he had long laboured in the Gospel takes care to keep under his Body least while he Preach'd to others 1 Cor. 9.27 he himself should be a Cast-away whom yet we doubt not but they will grant was then effectually called and in a state of Grace And the Author to the Hebrews writing in the Third Chapter to those he calls holy Brethren and Partakers of the Heavenly Calling Verse the 12th exhorts them to take heed lest there was in any of them an evil Heart of Unbelief in departing from the Living God And again Chap. 4.1 Let us therefore fear lest a promise being left us of entring his rest surely then not eternally reprobated any of you should seem to come short of it Verse 11. Let us labour therefore to enter that rest lest any Man fall after the same example of Vnbelief Again Chap. 6. Verse 4 5 6. speaking of those who had been enlightned and had tasted of the Heavenly Gift and were made Partakers of the Holy Ghost and that had tasted the good Word of God and the Powers of the World to come shrewd signs that they were effectually call'd and in a State of Grace that if they should fall away 't would be impossible to renew them again to Repentance not because they were eternally reprobated but because they Crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh because they grieved his good Spirit and rejected the Means Hath not the Lord said Ezek. 18.24 26. and c. 33. v. 18. If a Righteous Man turns from his Righteousness he shall die Who can be Righteous without the assistance of God's Grace No Man can make himself so 't is not in Man to direct his own Ways and yet it seems 't is possible for him to fall from it after he hath lived so long under its conduct as by it to be made Righteous and one would think should then be sanctified too Our Saviour saith of himself John 15.1 2 5 6. I am the true Vine ye are the Branches my Father is the Husbandman every Branch in me that beareth not Fruit he taketh away Again If a Man abide not in me he is cast forth as a Branch and is withered Surely those who are Branches in Christ while so are accepted of the Father and yet it seems 't is possible for them to fall away and be cut off as wither'd Branches whence he often repeats this Condition if ye abide in me and presently he saith Joh. 15.10 the way to continue in his Love was to do his Will as he had that of his Father's and continued in his Love But though we can't embrace their Opinion for their Reasons and as they state it but own that 't is possible for People to make a considerable Progress in Grace and yet for want of a careful and constant Watchfulness to that Grace they may fall away Yet we believe such a State and Growth in Grace through a vigilant Attention thereto and such a degree of Faith attainable as that there is no more going forth Though we speak of God's tendring and Man's accepting or rejecting the Offers of his Love yet far be it from us to assert that fallen Man in his own Natural Estate can of himself think a good Thought much less will a good Deed or in his own power convert his own depraved Will to God any more than the Needle can turn and direct it self towards the Pole without being impregnated by the Loadstone For though Adam's Fall introduced no such real change in the Faculties of Man's Soul as to subvert their natural order and so destroy the natural liberty and freedom of his Will but that what he wills he wills freely and not by constraint yet forasmuch as he died from that Divine Life to which he was united and thence derived power and ability to will and do that which was good he became thenceforth utterly incapable so to do as of himself otherwise than as he is influenced by and assents and yields to the drawings of that Divine Grace which God in his great Love hath liberally bestowed on Mankind both to illuminate their Understandings and also incline their Wills Which is both sufficient and freely offers to reclaim Man and convert his Will and finally unite his Mind to it self and therein restore to him the power of willing and doing good which Man never had nor never can have â—ut in conjunction with this pure principle of Divine Light and Life but â—e may and is most inclinable to slight â—ts Offers and resist its Endeavours â—nd while so can't experience that power and vertue that is found in it where it freely exerts it self So that as it must be acknowledged that Man acts as a free Agent and as having an Elective Power and that God in his various Dispensations treats him as such yet is this Gift of God the first mover in all his motions towards that which is truly good and acceptable to him which is always so near and ready to help and assist a Man while it continues to strive with him that probably none that neglect its assistance and do evil but upon reflection plainly perceive they may do otherwise Whence 't is clear Man's destruction is of himself and his only sufficiency and help is in God who never requires any Duty of him but he furnishes him with a suitable power to perform it would he but regard and close with it But that which seems to be our capital Error and the top of all their Charge and that which is to silence all Plea's in our behalf is our omitting the use of the Ordinances so called of Baptism and Bread and Wine John indeed as the next immediate Forerunner of Christ to prepare his Way gave an Alarm to the Jews that were so secure under the Law of Moses and proclaim'd the Kingdom of Heaven at hand Mat.
and homely and consisted more iâ—… Power and Divine Love than outward Observations Which in process of time was so drest and garnished that its August Splendour becamâ— inviting to others Under this Degeneracy in degree sprung up Infant Baptism a meer Humane Invention without any Scripture-authority either by Precept or Practice wherefore for those who don't use Baptism as 't was instituted under its proper Dispensation to upbraid us for neglecting it is absurd and unreasonable But that which makes the loudest Out-cry of all is our Dis-use of the Sacrament so called of Bread and Wine 't is this is that pestilent mortal Error that in our Opposer's Account renders us worse than the Papists whatever 't is that makes us the Spawn of the Jesuites which with several others are Epithets that to be sure were calculated tho' unjustly to render us as odious as may be to the People and carry a great deal of Rancour in them and savour of too much Gall to proceed from the meek Spirit of Christianity that teacheth to be at Peace with 2 Tim. 2.22 and have Charity for all that call on the Lord out of a pure Heart But whether upon the whole Matter we deserve this severe bitter Censure or whether those that so liberally bestow it upon us have a just right to cast the first Stone is what we desire our sober Neighbours to consider and not judge us also meerly from an implicit Belief of what others say of us We are not ignorant of the great Noise and Stir there hath been about this in Christendom to the scandalizing Christianity among both Jews and Turks The Papists have improv'd it to downright â—dolatry affirming 't is the real Body and Blood and as such adore it one would think 't were better let aâ—one Others that Christ is in it though they know not how One faith t is this another 't is that while they all seem to expect that from it which â—t doth not necessarily administer for want of distinguishing between that Bread of Life that came down from Heaven Joh. 6.51 56. that Flesh and Blood of Christ that giveth Life to all that feeâ—… thereon by which they dwell in him and he in them and that Supper which was eaten by the Primitive Christians in Commemoration of his Death and Sacrifice which are not so conâ—… next as that the one necessarily in cludes the other as Experience abundantly testifies would People but bâ— true to themselves herein how manâ— are there that receive this from Yeaâ— to Year who yet complain all theiâ— Lives of Deadness Dryness and Leanness of Soul and want of Power noâ— receiving that renewing of Life and Spiritual Strength that is proposed iâ— it and so but an empty Shadow indeed For how can they in truth expect to feed on Christ Spiritually iâ— their Hearts Joh. 14.20 21 23. who will not admit thaâ— he really dwells in his Saints but esteem it an Error in those that do However we believe all People oughâ— to be well perswaded in their owâ— Minds and seriously considerate in thesâ— and other Religious Practises and noâ— take up things meerly traditionally because others do it nor ought they to be vehemently prest to or against things not absolutely essential to Salvation in which their Understandings are not clear Nor should any be scoft or reproacht for those things which to them are Matter of Conscience and therefore Sacred though to others it may appear of less moment a Practice that â—…s a great Shame among People professing Christianity Nor do we judge and condemn those that are found in the Practice either of this or Water-Baptism as 't was primitively used whose Sober Christian Circumspect Lives witnesseth to their sincere Intentions herein who may be conscienciously tender in it and fearful to omit it till they are otherwise fully perswaded But for us to whom the barâ—enness and emptiness of these outward visible Things are manifest we cannot continue therein they yielding no true Soul-satisfaction nor administring any â—nward Spiritual Grace to us 1 Pet. 2.2 3. Wherefore having tasted that the Lord is good and gracious we wait for the sincere Milk of that Word by which we have been begotten to God that we may receive strength thereby 2 Pet. 3.18 and grow in Grace and the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and a greater Acquaintance with that true inward Spiritual Communion and Fellowship with him wherein he sups with his Saints and they with him Rev. 3.20 and receive Life by him who dwells in them and they in him as the Members are joyned to the Head Eph. 5.30 Joh. 15.5 and partake of its Life and live by it or the Branches to the vine which receive Life Vertue and Nourishment from him whereby Fruit is brought forth to the glory of God and well-pleasing to him 'T is not sufficient that we participate hereof once a Month or Quarter but as the Jewâ— had their Manna Exod. 16.21 fresh every Morning so ought we to receive a daily Supply and renewing of Strength in our inward Man by eating that Heavenly Bread that nourisheth up to Eternal Life and drinking plentifully of that Well of Living-Water Joh. 4.14 which in the Saints springs up to Life Eternal for as in God we live move and have our very being so is Christ the true and proper Life of the inward Man by which it truly lives to God nor can it live but by him Those that are begotten to God by the Word of Life and are born again of the Spirit are prlvileged thus to feed on Christ and enjoy him which none can do that are not first quickened and made alive by him none can receive Life Sap and Vertue from him as Head and Vine that are not first joyned to him as Members and Branches of him nor is it sufficient to make People Members of Christ and give them admittance to feed on him in that they were sprinkled when Infants c. as we have already express'd though they should eat Bread and drink Wine all their Days Since then we no less enjoy the Substance without the Sign why may we not omit it as either being but temporary or not of absolute necessity as well as our Opposers do that which was instituted to use their own term at the same time and with as great solemnity and greater formality and was no less positively commanded under the same pretence Why may not the same Authority absolve us from the use of this and exempt us from being chargeable with the breach of a Command of Christ as discharge them from washing one anothers Feet Jo. 13.4 5 8 14 15. and secure them from the like censure As also that of the Apostles Acts 15.20 29. concerning things strangled and Blood and that of James Jam. 5.14 15. anointing the Sick with Oil Why should they be thus partial Have we not good reason to conclude that if
these had not been long since laid down they would have cleav'd as close to them and that had those of Baptism and Bread and Wine been then discontinued also they would be now as easie under its omission For Tradition Custom and Education makes greater impressions on Mens Minds than perhaps every one may be sensible of nor is it an easie task at first to move them from those things to which they have been fastned by it Would but People wholly relinquish these Prejudices and consider it impartially 't is probable there may appear no such real difference as justly to omit the one and yet with equal reason to continue the other since 't is not that Bread that gives Life to the Soul nor doth necessarily include it but that Christ may be and is received and fed on without it Nor that those can be thought to forget his Death and Sacrifice Tit. 2.14 who sensibly partake of the Benefits thereof and pursue its Ends who are taught and assisted by him to live a Godly Righteous Life Gal. 1.4 and bear about in them the Marks of the Dying of our Lord Jesus who died for all Mat. 1.21 2 Cor. 5.15 that those who live should no longer live to themselves fulfilling the Desires of their Minds but to him that died for them Phil. 3.10 that through the power of his Resurrection they may mortifie the Deeds of the Flesh and have Fellowship with his Sufferings in whom his Life is made manifest Neither can those who acknowledge his Death and Sacrifice and partake from time to time of this Bread and Wine in memory of it and yet are not by him redeemed from a vain Conversation and made conformable to his Death and so feed on him as to participate of that Life that comes by him in any wise escape Damnation let their Pretensions be what they will Since then God hath replenish'd our Hearts with his Grace and hath not with-held his Heavenly Manna from us but daily owns us by his comfortable Presence to our great satisfaction under the Omission of these things supplying our Wants and Necessities as we have recourse unto him in that which ever hath access unto him having our continual Dependancy on him who enables and strengthens those of us * For we intend not to Apologize for those who tho' they may be call'd by our Name yet live loosly and walk disorderly and are Blemishes and a Grief to us which yet ought to be imputed to their Insincerity or Unwatchfulness and not to the Insufficiency of the Principle they pretend to that retain our Primitive Sincerity and Integrity to lead a Sober Pious Christian Life as becomes the Gospel of Christ which is the certain Product of Spiritual Grace and forasmuch as our Opposers acknowledge it to be but an outward visible Sign and dare not say that the inward Spiritual Grace is tied to it nor that 't is of absolute necessity to Salvation with what Reason do they Unchristian us and so load us with Calumnies and Accusations on this Account using it as an Instance to blacken us and condemn in gross our whole Christian Profession principally from hence as though 't were the chief thing that constitutes a Christian and entitles him to the Benefits that come by Christ What shall we think then of perhaps more than Two parts in Three of their own Assembly who no more practice this than do we and yet are many of them as sober People and if we may know as Christ directs us by their Fruits are doubtless as near the Kingdom and no less in a State of Grace than are those who so exult in and value themselves upon this Performance which however it may bound and distinguish particular Societies and Communions 't is certain no Observations nor Performances short of being ruled and governed by the Spirit of Christ as Head can entitle us to a Membership in him we may make a specious shew and carry a System of Divinity in our Heads but if he rules not our Hearts we are none of his 'T were well they were as thoughtful to fulfil all Righteousness in every respect and as zealously careful and concern'd to observe and punctually perform all the Commands and Injunctions to which the Christian Religion obligeth them and to qualify themselves to be rightful Inheritors of those Blessings and Promises pronounced by our Saviour as they tenaciously adhere to this as though 't were indeed the Sum both of Mens Duty and Enjoyments and that their Salvation turned upon this very Pin which yet People may perform while their Wills are unsubdued and Lusts unmortified But we find that Men have been apt enough to be busily employed about Mint Annis and Cummin whilst they neglect the weightier Matters to run into and cry up and maintain those exterior parts of Religion that are reconcilable to an Unconverted State If the Professors of Christianity were less taken up about Signs and Shadows and nice and unnecessary Scrutinies and Distinctions wherewith they perplex it and more devoted to observe the weighty important and indispensable Precepts of Christ and demonstrate the Power that Christianity hath over their Minds by affording signal Instances of their being his true Disciples and rightful Heirs of his Kingdom being in measure invested with his Divine Vertues and Graces we should have less Envy Variance Back-biting and Detraction which weaken the common Interest and Piety and give our common Enemy an advantage and more Christian Love Peace Concord and good Neighbourhood amongst us If all that mean well did but pursue Vertue love it and encourage it where-ever it appears and hate Vice and Evil in all and discountenance it every where and make these the Measures of their Christian Charity rather than Parallel Opinions in lesser Matters 't would bring us nearer together and more advance True Piety than all their contending about different Apprehensions in things far less essential God who regards not Names but Natures knows among all Nations and People who are his and the Rule he left us to know also was their Fruits their Actions being the exertion of their Wills all Mankind are either under the Power and Conduct of the Spirit of God or else of the Devil all are either Carnal or Spiritual-minded and as is the spring and bent of their Desires and Affections so is their Actions each Birth have their proper Products which are contrary to each other So that let what Notions or Opinions soever possess Mens Heads they live according to that Spirit and Principle that governs their Hearts We cannot gather Grapes of Thorns nor Figs of Thistles no Fountain sends forth bitter Water and sweet at the same time 'T is an Evangelical Truth Gal. 5.19 20 21 22 23 24. Those that live in Envy and Strife and bring forth the Fruits of the Flesh are of their Father the Devil Eph. 5.9 and those who by the Spirit mortifie those corrupt