al Created Nature What new what strange things what Miracles may we look for now in the government of the world especially when the Church is concerned seeing that our Lord Jesus in this Capacity as he is at the Right hand of God set above al Rankes and orders of the whol Creation is made Head over al things for the Church Jesus Christ could work no Miracles in one place because of the unbeleefe of the Inhabitants Our unbeliefe in that we see not the Lord Jesus as Esaiah saw him by a Spirit of Prophesie fitting upon this Throne of the divine Nature high and lifted up above every Principality and Power is the Reason why we have no more Miracles no more of his new and extraordinary Works in the midst of us It is our unbeleefe that we do not see and acknowledg those wonders which he hath wrought and is stil working while he fils the whol earth with his glory from his Throne John 6. 57. Jesus saith He that eats me shal Live by me even as I live by the Father Revel. 10. 9. 11. The Angel give St. John a Book to Eate and then tells him that he must prophesie before many peoples and Nations and Tongues and Kings If we did eate this spiritual and Heavenly Person of Christ which is the Book of Life that Word comming forth from the mouth of God on which alone man Lives If we did by faith in the vnity of the spirit take in concoct digest turn into Nature and Nourishment these Evangelical truths concerning the Person of Christ above al given to his Church the Headship of Christ over al for his Church how certainly then and how speedily should we be fed with Honey from the Rock we should live in our own Persons in our private publike Capacitys upon a constant dayly Stream of Miracles comming down from the Father we should draw down and carry forth waters of life from the depth of the Godhead before the Kings of the Earth and into the midst of the Nations Thus much for the First Argument taken from Jesus Christ Arg. 2. The Second Argument is drawn from the Holy Spirit As the way of God is in Christ having his New name written upon his Person so the Way of Christ in his Church and in the world for his Church is in the Spirit and after the Newness of that Rom 7. 6. But now we are delivered from the Law that being dead wherein we were held that we should serve in Newness of spirit and not in the oldness of the Letter The Soul of man is here set forth as having two Husbands The first Husband is the First Adam the Flesh the Natural Man This being slaine by the death of the Lord Jesus the Soul is set free from him and from his Law which is a Law of sin and Death Her second Husband to whom she is married upon the Death of the first is the last man the Glorified Person of Christ as He is in the Resurrection from the Dead And now the Soul is subject only to the Law of this Husband which is the Law of Free Grace of Love raigning by Righteousness which is the Beavty in the Face of the God-head unto Eternal Life through Jesus Christ by Vertue of our Marriage-union with him the Love Righteousness and Immortality of God the Father letting it self forth upon his Person first then in and through him upon us unto our Justification Sanctification and Glory That we should serve As to Fear God in the old Testament and to beleeve in the new so in both to serve him comprehends al parts of Religion the whol Communion between God and the Soul by which God Ministers himself in streams of Truth Grace and joy to the Soul or the Soul Ministers to him by recejving him by recejving al from him by receiving him together with al and by returning it self and al things to him in Love humility obedience thanksgiving The two ways of this Service are the Oldness of the Letter and the newness of Spirit The Letter is that Law which is proper and fitted to the Principle of Nature the flesh the first Adam in his power and purity The Spirit is the Law of the New man the Heavenly Image and second Adam as He is risen from the dead and stands in a Root of Glory from thence blossoming and bringing forth fruit in al his Members The Letter is like unto a Cestern The Spirit is the Fountain The water in a Cestern hath its stint and set measure it is a standing water which hath no spring to quicken it it is apt to corrupt with standing and to dry away Such is the Law of the Letter It is shut up in an outward narrow form and measure it hath not its root in it self it grows old it darkens withers and dies away But the Spirit is a Fountain and as a Fountain hath a Five-fold Newness of Life of Lustre of Purity of Variety of Immortality But here now although it may seem to be a digression from my present scope yet give me leave by the way to interpose a Caution very proper for this discourse of the Letter and the Spirit which is that you mistake not the Ryot Excess and Inordinacy of the flesh for the Newness Freedom and Extraordinariness of the Spirit To assist you in this Caution take this Distinction between the Novelties and Extravagancies of the flesh and the Newness and Extraordinariness of the Spirit First There is a Newness in which there is somthing unchangable an inward Principle a hidden Nature a Life a Rellish which is ever the same however the outward operations and manifestations vary The Life of the Spirit is as a Tree The Tree is new in the Spring the Summer the Autumn having for every Season its fresh puttings forth of Leaves Blossoms Fruit ripe Fruit Yet the Tree is still the same hath the same Root Sap and Nature Secondly There is a Newness where all things are changed not only the outward puttings forth but the most inward Principle where there abides nothing of the savor This is like that change where the Rod of Moses being cast upon the ground was made a real Serpent and the Dust of Egypt being cast up into the Air became living Lice Now as they say in Phylosophy Species et Essentiae rerum sunt sempiternae et immobiles The Essences and Kinds of things are ever the same however there be an Infinitness of uncertainty and change in the Individuals by the variety and change of outward Accidents So in a Saint compared with himself through the whol time of his Regeneracy or compared with all other Saints in all Ages ther is the same new nature the same inward saver in the Principle in the Spirit although the inward forms upon the understanding may have great change according to the different degrees and wayes of Light as also the outward forms of life and Conversation may have great variety in
and peculiar piece of work in which he is to be served he fils men with a strange unwonted vigor in his business to contrive attempt and execute wonderful things To this end as a man puts fire under a pot so he sends forth his Spirit after a new manner into their Hearts that they boyl and run over they are no more in their own power they can no longer contain themselves Such a Description as this David makes of himself Psal. 39. 1. I said I will take heed to my wayes that I sin not with my tongue I will keep my mouth as with a Bridle while the wicked are in presence I was dumb with silence I held my peace from good my sorrow was stirred My heart was hot within me while I was musing the fire burned then spake I with my tongue David and Christ in him were opprest by wicked men He resolves to suffer in silence and to suppress all Motions towards the outward advancement of Goodness At length the Word of the Lord comes to him first it warms his heart by degrees it grows hotter while he museth upon it is irresolute unwilling to come forth openly upon the Stage it becomes a fire it breaks forth burns out like a mighty and irresistable flame You have an Example like to this in St. Paul Acts 20. 22. And behold now I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem c. God had a new and great work for St Paul to do to testifie to the Gospel of Christ by preaching and by sufferings at Jerusalem the chief City of the Jews at Rome the Head City of the World before Rulers and Princes And now though afflictions and death were Manifestly before his Eyes in this journey though friends Saints Prophets his own heart lay Weeping Bleeding Breaking in his way to stop him from going on in that course from whence he should returne no more as ye may see verse 23. 25. 27 28. Chapter 21. verse 4. 11 12 13. Yet he shuts his Ears and his Eyes to al these treads them under his feet goes over them al Would you know the reason He was bound in Spirit An extraordinary power of the Spirit came upon him bound up al his facultys in its heavenly chaines and carryed him Captive to its Divin Force and Wil. There are many witnesses that the like unto this hath been heard known and felt often in our daies and affaires Supernatural Impressions Divine and Irresistible Impulsions as gales of wind from Heavem have filled the Spirits affections counsels and actions of men like sails by which the ship of this Common-wealth hath bin carryed on from port to port from change to change When the two disciples wer going to Emaus Jesus Christ in the midst of them they said did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us but their Eyes were held that they could not know him If Jesus Christ have been in the midst of us as a fire if he have made the hearts of his Servants to burn within them yea to flame forth to lick up all the water of opposition to consume all the Damps of Discouragement that have been cast upon this fire from their own reason reputation affections purposes former principles within from difficulties dangers disswasions of friends combinations of of Enemies without Shal our Eyes stil be held that we should not know him who is thus a burning and shining Light among us or shal our spirits be held from rejoycing and dancing in this Light while its season lasteth Fiftly The Inward Principle of Life being the Seal upon our Outward Changes 2 Tim. 2. 16. Nevertheless the Foundation of the Lord standeth sure having this Seal the Lord knoweth who are his And let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity This word Nevertheless implies a tacite Objection arising from the foregoing words of the Apostle verse 17 18. Hymeneus and Philetus of eminent Beleevers and Preachers of the Gospel were become Hereticks whose words did spread and kil like a Gangrene insomuch that they had overthrown the saith of some Now might a poor Saint say Good God! what way is there to attain to a sound and saving Faith which cannot be overthrown or when shal I know that my Faith is thus sound and saving Who can be sure of their Faith that it shal not fail them when it hath failed these The Apostle gives two Answers to this Objection First The Foundation of the Lord standeth sure God the Father of our Lord Jesus makes himself in the hearts of his Children to be a sure Foundation unto their Faith so that it can never be shaken This Foundation he layeth in the fair colors of his own Spirit of a mystical and peculiar Union in the Spirit of an especial work of Grace flowing from this Union Secondly This sure Foundation at the bottom of our hearts and faith is also the Seal of Assurance upon them both Having this Seal the Lord knoweth who are his In Spiritual things that which is the Life is the only Light which is therefore so called in the Gospel the Light of Life the Principle is the Seal Ye mere sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise faith St. Paul Ephes. 1. That Light of Knowledg which is Originally the Knowledg of the Lord in us that Communicatively by Vertue of the Union is our Knowledg and this Knowledg is our Seal As in Natural things the Eye sees not alone neither doth the Soul but both concur in every act of sight So is it in every act of Spiritual Sence The Spirit of the Lord witnesseth together with our Spirits saith St. Paul Rom. 8. The Spirit of the Lord and our Spirit like the Soul and the Eye joyntly concur in every act of Spiritual Knowledg The Lord knoweth in us we know in the Lord that we are his Thus this Union which is the Principle of Life in us is in like manner the Seal of Light Object The world hath often objected to the servants of the Lord in the great Works of our times You plead inward Principles Power and Light for your Justification in extraordinary waies that it is from the fervency of your spirit in the Service of the Lord and of the publick welfare How shal we know this that you do not Cloath contrary designes and corrupt interests with these pretences how can we or you tel that your impressions are not delusions Answ. What hath the answer been Hath it not been that of Jesus Christ to the Jews when they refused to mourne to his weeping or to dance to his Musick Wisdom is justified of her Children Matth. The Lord Jesus as he is by his spirit the Power of God in us from which we act and on which we stand as on a sure Foundation So is he in like manner the Wisdom of God in us by which we know him and his out-goings by which we are also known of him and owned by him This
it be the Knowledg of the Holy is that alone which comes by the Infusion and Illumination of the Holy Ghost Cant. 1 2 3. For the Savour of thy good Oyntments saith the Spouse to Christ thy name is as an Oyntment powered forth Therefore do the Virgins love thee Draw us and we wil run after thee The spirit of Christ in the brightness and sweetness of its light Purity Love Joy is this Oyntment powered forth No Savour is good to a Virgin-Spirit but that alone of these Oyntments Where there is a Virgin love to Jesus Christ the Soul is drawn to run after any excellency only by this Savor by the light and sweetness of the spirit as this Oyntment is poured forth there As it is in the Objects of sight there is the Material Object and the Formal The Material is the thing seen as a flower a Picture The Formal is the colors by which it is seen Besides these is the Light in the Ayre which actuates these colors and makes them to appear So is it in things pertayning to the understanding and Judgment The outward appearance is but the Materiality of the Object the shinings forth of the inward principle is the Formality the Color But the Holy Spirit is the only Light by which the discoverys of the principles of things are drawn forth and laid open I have done now with the Second Vse and come to the Third Vse 2. This is for Exhortation If God go forth in New waies let us be New that we may be fit to meet him and go along with him We read in the Gospel of the Pool of Bethesda John 3. 2. An Angel at certain times came down into this Pool and troubling the waters infused a healing vertue into them Many sick persons lay round about the Pool ready to step in There was also a House to receive the poor diseased waiters This House was called Bethesda which signifies the House of Free Grace You who have the blackest Guilt the deepest brand of any Lust the darkest despair upon your Spirits behold here a way for you to be made new this very moment The Blood of Christ is before you as a Healing and Clensing Pool Your Savior himself is every moment descending into it from Heaven and ascending out of it to Heaven by the Vertue of his Death Resurrection and Ascention to impart the Efficacy of al these to it himself to take you into his bosom in the midst of these Waters to bath you throughly in them till you become quite new then to carry you up with himself into the Newness of the Spirit of Heaven and of the Glory of the Father But perhaps you wil say you are so sick so dead in sin that you cannot move toward this Healing Pool Let not that discourage you the Father himself is ready to take hold of you and by his strength to put you in He draws us to Christ It may be you wil say that you are under the Wrath of the Father and therefore cannot hope that he should give you his helping hand To answer this he hath built a House of free Grace a Bethesda he hath called this Pool of most precious Blood the Pool of Bethesda the Pool of free Grace The Doors of this House stand continually open day and night All Persons are invited and press'd to come in All whom the Father finds here he himself takes and carries in his own Arms to this Pool and laies them in the Arms of his Son who is alwaies descending into it waiting in the midst of it and rejoycing exceedingly when any sinful sick Soul comes thither to him Open your Eyes and see Oye Sons and Daughters of Men Here now in this place at this very hour is the House of free Grace the Healing Pool before you if you will enter into them Nay even here and now you are already in the house of Free Grace and in the Arms of the Father you are in this healing Poole of your Saviors blood you are in your Saviors Armes he is come down to you he is carrying you up with himself thither where al things are New your being Beauty Life company delights new if only you wil beleeve if only you wil open the Eye of your spirit to see the truth as it is in Jesus The Lord Jesus is set down upon the Throne of Grace and fils the whol Earth with the Glory of his Mediation Only the Eyes of men are held that they see not this Glory Vse 4. This is my last Vse which is for Consolation and Encoragement You have now a warr with the most potent Prince in the whol Christian world who is Cheif staff of the Papal Anti-Christian strength You have reason to expect a Combination of al the powers of darkness and this world Visible and Invisible within and without from at home and from abroad against you But fear them not This warr shal not be like other warrs but after a new manner It shal be with the burning of a spiritual and divine Fire Take notice here for your Comfort that this Fire shal have contrary effects upon the Saints and upon their enemys First This Fire upon your enemys shal have these Propertys It shal be First Dreadful Secondly Irresistible Thirdly Devouring Fourthly Tormenting Fiftly Sodeine Secondly This Fire to its friends shal have these Property It shal be First Cherishing Secondly Enlightning Thirdly Defensive as a Wal of Diamonds Fourthly Heightning Fiftly Transforming into one glorious Heavenly immortal nature with it self Sixtly Separating al dross from the Gold Seventhly Vniting melting the Gold til it al run into one undivided mass I shal conclude this use and my Sermon with an allusion to the story of Eliah who sat upon the top of Mount Carmel when the Captaines and their fiftys in the name of the King commanded the man of God to come down But he answered if I be a man of God let fire come down from Heaven and destroy you with your fiftys Carmel signifies the Vineyard of God This top of Mount Carmel is the Church in the spirit of glory in the glorified person of Christ her head where she is as a flourishing Vineyard to God upon the top of a Mount of spirituality Let Kings with their Armys encompass us if we be men of God the seed of God if this be Mount Carmel on the top of which we stand the cause of God the Church the spirit the Mediation of Christ then shal the Holy Angels the spirit Christ himself come down as Fire from Heaven upon our enemys to consume them but upon us to carry us up on high as in the Charriot of Eliah burning with the Love and Glory of God FINIS Books printed by Peter Cole Printer and Book-seller in Cornhil at the Printing-press Several New books of Mr. Thomas Hooker made in New-England And Attested in an Epistle by Mr. Thomas Goodwin and Mr. Philip Nye To be written with the Authors Own
hundred-fold by possessing al even that which was the enemies too by having al after a loss a fight by a victory having al natural joyes heighthned by their Vnion with spiritual enjoyments The deliverance of Jerusalem from Sennacherib is set out in verse 4. by a comparison with the destruction of Midian Thou hast broken the yoke of his burthen and the staff of his Shoulder and the rod of his oppressour as in the day of Midian You may see the story of Midian in the seventh Chapter of Judges It was wholly miraculous and had these Eztraordinary things in it First God divided Gideon's Army from him by one Division upon another until he had lessened it from thirty thousand to three hundred vers. 3. 6 7. Secondly The terror upon the spirit of the Midianites and courage infused into Gideon by a dream verse 13 14 15. Thirdly The manner of the victory on Gideon's part who with his men stood stil breaking their pitchers holding forth their Lamps blowing with their Trumpets crying The Sword of the Lord and of Gideon which were al signs of faith and Prayer of the vertue of the Death Resurrection Glory and Spirit of the Lord Jesus in the Gospel verse 20 21. Fourthly the destruction of the Midianites one by another before that Gideon or his men strik one strok The overthrow of Sennacherib and his Army holds a resemblance with that of Midian in general in the miraculousness of it in particulars First Al the land of Judah was over-run and only Jerusalem left where also was as commentatours tel us from the Scripture a powerful numerous party divided from Hezekiah in a conspiracy to deliver up the City to Sennacherib Secondly Hezehiah's mourning and Humiliation was the breaking of the Pitcher Esaiah's prophecy and message to him upon it which was ful of spirituality of Evangelicalness of tryumph which was the Lamps shining forth upon the breaking of the pitcher the Comming down of the Angel by which the Army perished was the sounding of the Trumpet and the cry of the Sword of the Lord Thirdly The Army was overthrown without a fight Fourthly Sennacherib was slaine by his own Sons as the Midianites set every man his Sword against his fellow In the 9. verse the Reason of this wonderful Salvation is given For to us a Child is born to us a Son is given c. This in the letter is expounded of Hezekiah as he was a figure of Christ But the Jews themselves acknowledg this whol Scripture to have a more sublime sense and to relate to the Messiah which is Jesus Christ We may learn this from it First That al the eminent works and wonders of God in the world by which he saves his people or executes vengeance on his enemies are figures and forerunners of the Day of Christ Secondly Some new birth and bringing forth of Christ into the world in his own Person or in his spirit or in some eminent Type or Saint or Dispensation is the ground on which God builds his works of wonder in the world for the good of his Church or the Ruin of wicked men and powers Having thus levelled the ground round about my Text I come to my Text it self which compares the destruction of Sennacherib before Jerusalem with al warres by way of transcendency For every battel of the warrior is with confused noyse and garments rolled in Blood but this shal be with fire and burning of Fuel The difference between every battail and this slaughter of the Assyrians is three fold First There are warriors on both sides here Fire and Fuel meet Secondly There is a confused cry here al is in silence Thirdly There is a plentiful effusion of blood Here no blood is shed An Angel went forth and smote of the Assyrians in one night one hundred fourscore and five thousand Esa. 37. 36. It is frequent in Scripture to set forth the Miraculous Appearances and Works of invisible Powers either of God or of the Angels or of the Holy Ghost by Fire both to the Ear and to the Eye A Pillar of Fire led the Children of Israel through the Wilderness Horses of fire and Chariots of fire carried up Elijah into Heaven and encompassed the Servant of Elishah when he was afraid of an Army of Enemies the Holy Ghost descended in the form of fiery Tongues upon the Apostles The Lord promiseth by the Prophet Esaiah to be a wall of Fire round about his People And John the Baptist tells us in the Gospel of St. Mathew that Jesus Christ shall Baptize his People with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Fire is the most potent and glorious of all the Elements Some say that the Sun the chief and the Golden Head of this visible World is the Element of Fire and that Fire shal at last convert al the other Elements into it self and so give them their Perfection Fire is Burning and consuming only on Earth where it is straitened and meets with resistance But in Heaven it is only vital transparent shining cheering incorruptible In al these respects how proper is it to represent the Miraculous descents of God from above upon the Earth as he shines forth upon his Church or flames forth upon the world by Fire The Doctrine which I shal observe to you from these words and insist upon is this DOCT. God makes it his Delight and Praise to go New and Extraordinary waies with his Church and with the World for his Churches sake I wil give you Two Arguments for the cleering and proving of the Point One from Christ The other from the Spirit Arg. 1. The First Argument is taken from Christ The way of God with his Church and with the World in order to the Church is in Christ I intreat you for the fuller understanding of this and how it makes to the Point in hand to lay three Scriptures together Ephes. 3. 8 9 10. Matth. 28. 8. Ephes. 1. 20. Ephes. 3. 8. You read in the latter end of the verse of the unsearchable Riches of Christ Two things go to make up Riches Preciousness and Plenty The things of Christ are Rarities Precious things such as are no where to be found in the Creature They are the Things of God the Righteousness of God the Wisdom of God the Power the Peace the Grace the Glory of God Now Jesus Christ hath Plenty of these Precious things and this makes him Rich. But the Holy Ghost thinks not that word of Riches enough to express the Excellency and Fulness of Christ Therefore he adds to Riches Vnsearchableness and calls them the Vnsearchable Riches of Christ Vnsearchableness respects the Nature or Number of things The Excellencies of Christ are both waies Vnsearchable Every thing of Christ is Vnvaluable and those Vnvaluable things in Him are Innumerable They are past our Understanding We cannot comprehend the Excellency nor count the Number of them They swallow us up and lose us in Admiration At Verse 9. St. Paul goes on
to the world for the Churches sake I come now to the Uses Use 1. The first Vse is of Thankfulness God makes it his delight and praise to go new and extraordinary waies with his Church and with the world in order to his Church Let us then raise our delights and his praises from the sense of those new and extraordinary paths in which the Lord hath walked forth before our Eyes in the midst of al the nations round about us for our sake That the Newness of the divine footsteps in our dais and in our Land may leave the deeper print upon our spirits let us consider it in these Six Particulars 1. Our Changes 2. The Quickness of our changes 3. The Freshness upon our Changes 4. The inward Life whence our Changes spring 5. The Seal upon our Changes from their Living Principle 6. The Spirit of Grace evidencing it self as the Principle and the Seal First The Changes Which have been upon us shew the Newness of the Lords way with us Jerem 48. 11. The Lord complains Moab hath been at ease from his youth and he hath setled on his Lees and he hath not been emptyed from Vessel to Vessel therefore his tast remained in him and his sent is not changed How often hath England been changed from Peace to Warr from one Warr to another from one form of Government to another from Extremities to Enlargements from Enlargements to Extremities again These Changes have been as so many Vessels out of which and into which we have been emptyed Are we stil upon the Lees of Carnality and Corruption If we discern not God in a new Glory if we discern not Jesus Christ with his new name if we discern not the Newness of the Operations of the Spirit in al these things then doth our Earthly tast hitherto remain and our fleshly sent is not changed O for a refinedness of Soul now from the Lees of Earth to a pure wine of spirituality O for a heavenly tast a heavenly sent How should we rellish this feast of new delicacys which the Lord sets forth for us How should we love Jesus Christ for the Savor of his new and good Oyntments in which he powrs forth himself into the midst of us Revel. 6. 12. We reade of the Sun turning black as Sack Cloath of Hair the Moon as blood vers. 13. Stars of Heaven fel unto the Earth even as a Fig-tree casteth her untimely Figs being shaken by a mighty winde Verse 14. Heaven departed as a Scroule rolled together Verse 16. The reason of al this i. e. The Face of him that sits on the Throne and the wrath of the Lamb Many times over in this our little world of these divided Islands we have seen the Sun of our Religious Formes our Church-state becomming black as a Sack-Cloath of Hair which is a mourning weed the Moon of our Civil affayres as Blood Nay al Blood we have seen the Heaven of the Supream power pass away as a scrol of Parchment roled up and laid by our Eminent Persons which were as Stars in the Heaven of that Power shining with a Lustre and ruling with an Influence of universal Authority yet on a soden falling from this Heaven to the Earth of a common rank and obscure condition Do we not thorow al this perceive the Face of God sitting upon his Throne among us a Throne of most exalted Grace and loving kindness to his people but of the most exalted vengeance and wrath to his enemy observe those two things the Face and the Face of God sitting upon the Throne What unvailings of new and extraordinary glorys do these Expressions speak forth Are not these the Seal to which these Nations as Wax are turned and changed Blessed are they that stand within these Wheels to be carryed a long by them and move together with them Over others who see them not these Wheels pass and break them to pieces Joel 2. 30. The Lord saith I wil shew wonders in the Heavens and in the Earth Blood and Fire and pillars of smoake Verse 31. The Sun shal be turned into darkness and the Moon into blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord come There are three daies of the Lords comming First To a Particular Nation Secondly At his Incarnation Thirdly To the last Judgment Al these are Capable of having this Scripture applyed to them especially where the first of these daies the Comming of Christ to a Nation follows after the Second day of his Incarnation and borders upon the Third day of his last comming This Scripture hath been litterally fulfilled in our times in our land What frequent Eclypses of Sun and Moon have we seen What Comets Concussions and Prodigyes in al the Elements Earth-quakes Tydes changing their Courses Meteors of al sorts in the Ayre Devouring Fires Behold the Earth the Air the Waters the Fire the Heavens see the Lord and are troubled shal his Saints be insensible of him shal not they shout and say This is the day which no Created or usual light but the Lord hath made by his shinings forth It is wonderful in our Eyes beyond the whol Course of Nature we wil rejoyce and he glad in it Secondly The Quickness of our Changes This is the Second thing that argues the Newness of Gods way with us I intreate you here to compare 2 Scriptures Hagg. 2. 6. For thus saith the Lord of hosts Yet once it is a little while and I wil shake the Heavens and the Earth and the Sea and the dry land verse 7. And I wil shake al Nations and the desire of al the Nations shâ—l come and I wil fil this House with glory saith the Lord of hosts Hebr. 12. 26. Whose voyce then shook the Earth but he hath promised saying Yet once more I shake not the Earth only but also the Heaven Verse 27. And this word yet once more signifieth the removing of those things that are made that those things which cannot be shaken may remaine The comparing of these two Texts affords us these Particular Observations First This word Once signifies one continued act of shaking unto an universal and Total Change Secondly That which maks this shaking is the Newness of Christs comming forth in the unchangable Glory of his Father and of the Spirit For the Prophet Haggi seeming to speak of the first comming of Christ in the flesh to fil that present Temple which was then building with the Glory of his Doctrine and Miracles is by the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews interpreted of the comming of Christ in Glory as being the truth and the end to which the other comming was only a Type and a Preparation So also that which the Prophet calls The Desire of the Nations is in the Hebrews called Those things which cannot be shaken in opposition to things that are made and to be taken away Both together cleerly describe Jesus Christ in the Newness of a Heavenly Glory which can never
is our Seal As many as have fellowship with us in the same principle of divine Wisom wil according to the measure of it so farr as they are free from carnal prejudices and temptations to exercise this Principle know and own this Seal The Manifestations of God are in the Flesh but the justification of those Manifestations is in the Spirit And this is that which makes the whol way of Godliness a Mystery 1 Tim. 3. 16. But now it is necessary to interpose two Cautions for the removing of two Objections Object 1. This Principle seems to make the Light of Reason useless even in Civil things and to lay aside in Humane Affairs the common Principles of Natural Light by which we should converse with men as men and approve our selves to them Object 2. This makes a Gap in the Hedg of all Civil Government for Licenciousness and Confusion to break in when every man may alike pretend to an Inward Justification I intreat you therefore to keep your selves close to these Cautions which I shal now add for the cleering of this matter from these Aspersions Caut. 1. It is the duty of every person in every Affair to provide for things honest not only in the sight of God but in the sight of all men This is a Principle and Law in Christianity Rom 12. 19. Provide for things honest in the sight of all men Honest or Beautiful and Comely for so the word signifies in the sight of all men that is in that Light of Nature which shines universally in al men The Natural Light in the Conscience and Understanding of Man is a Picture of the Spiritual Light which is the Life Reason is a Shadowy Figure of Jesus Christ Now as the Life and the Picture if it be true answer one another and that which is beautiful in the one will be so in the other too so the Spirit and Reason mutually give their testimony each to other what is comely in the eye of one is so to both St. Paul prayes 2 Thess. 2. 3. to be delivered from unreasonable men for al men have not Faith It is true that those who are not Spiritual are also unreasonable the wordis {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Absurd uncapable of any common place of Reason any common Principles of Natural light In another place Tit. 1. 15. The same Apostle tels us that to those who are defiled and unbeleeving al thing are impure even their minds and consciences are defiled As a Poet cals the light of the Moon when she is Ecclypsed by the interposal of the Earth between the Sun and her that his beams cannot flow freely and purely unto her Lucem Malignam a Malignant light so is it in men meerly natural the prince of darkness and a principle of Corruption inwardly the world with carnal interests and Humors outwardly put in between the Face of God the Fountaine of al light and their Souls to the making of such an Eclypse that the light of their Minds the highest and purest part of their spirits the lights of their Consciences the divinest part of their Minds like the tops of the Mountaine which receive the beams of the Sun neerest first and fairest the light of both these is defiled and become Malignant Upon this account they either are unable to judg a right of that Testimony which the light of Nature inwardly gives or else unwilling outwardly to acknowledg this inward Testimony but do falsify corrupt deny it according to their fleshly lusts and ends They only for the most part in most affaires can understand and submit to the light of Reason and Nature especially there where Jesus Christ comes forth in new and extraordinary waies upon the Face of Nature and Civil things who have the Spirit in them loosing their Reason which Satan hath bowed down for so many years like the Woman in the Gospel Yet notwithstanding al this a Christian is in every thing to follow after whatsoever is praise-worthy of good report comely with God and with men in that which is the true light of men and right Reason So if their Minds be not altogether reprobate and their Consciences seared if there be any spark of Natural light left alive in them you shal approve your selves to the Consciences and minds of men inwardly although they outwardly speak evil of you As the Historian says of the Romans concerning that excellent Person their deliverer Camillus simul oderant et Mirati sunt they wil admire you while they hate you Answ. 2. Caut 2. Let every one that nams the name of Christ depart from iniquity Whoever pleads a Spiritual life and light for the Principle and Seal of his actions ought to beware that he sow not divers seeds in this field that he mingle not Fleshly designes with Spiritual discoverys Cursed be he that doth the work of the Lord deceitfully If you undertake the worke of the Lord to do your own work the better If you make a shew of the work of the Lord or make use of the work of the Lord so farr to cover and to bring forth the works of the Flesh there lies a curse upon you The Name of the Lord Jesus is like the water of Jealousie which the suspected woman was to drink If thou cal the name of the Lord Christ and of his spirit to witness falsly while thou art unchast and untrue to thy spiritual principles and ends while thou knowest thy spirit to have plaid the harlot and to live in uncleanness with this present world this Name wil like that Drink make thy belly to Swel and thy Bowels to rot within thee it wil certainly bring thee to destruction with shame and abhorrency He that sets upon Extraordinary things upon the account of an Extraordinary Principle Seal hath one of these two things to rely upon First A Divine Power in an irresistable way to subdue the spirits and Forces of men to him Secondly or else a Divine Presence in an unexpressible sweetness to support him when he shal suffer in the thoughts of men or at the Barr of Ordinary powers How watchful ought we to be in affayres of so high a nature or consequence that neither Hypocricy nor Delusion shut the Door to these Confidences in us Sixthly The spirit of Grace the principle and Seal of these Changes This is the last Argument of the Newness and Extraordinariness of the way of the Lord Jesus in the midst of us There are five Marks of the Spirit of Grace First The Spirit of Grace is a Spirit of Prayer Zach. 12. 9 10. And it shal come to pass in that day that I wil seek to destroy al the Nations that come against Jerusalem And I wil poure upon the House of David and upon the Inhabitants of Jerusalem a Spirit of Grace and Supplication Two things are observable here First It is an Argument that the Lord hath a designe by himself to destroy the enemies of his people
when he pours out a Spirit of Grace upon his people Secondly He alwaies and more especially when he is seeking the ruine of his enemies joynes these two a Spirit of Grace and of Supplication Are there not many that can testifie by their own experience concerning the works of these times that the Heart of God in a Spirit of Grace hath bin let down into the Bosom of his beloved ones that thus their hearts have bin by a Spirit of Supplication drawn up into the Bosom of God and have drawn forth these deliverances from the Wells of Salvation there These Wells are Deep the Deep things of God his Love his Wisdom his Righteousness his power his Glory as these lie in the very depths of his Essence and Divine Nature But Saints have had their Buckets their Hearts to draw with and a line a Spirit of Supplication long and sure enough to let down their hearts into these deep Wels of Salvation which are in the Heart of God These Wells are stil ful of living Waters and these Buckets are stil going Saints keep your expectiations stil fresh Secondly The spirit of Grace is a spirit of Prophecy Esai 43. 9. God challengeth al the Nations Let them bring forth their witnesses who among them can shew us former things that is things before they come to pass or things before their times before the world by a spirit of Prophesie Verse 12. I have declared and have saved and I have shewed when there was no strange God among you therefore ye are my witnesses saith the Lord that I am God Hath not the Lord many Witnesses in these Nations yea here present I know he hath In the former daies when ye were with him at your Banquets of spiritual enjoyments on your Bed of spiritual Loves then did he by his spirit before hand signifie within you the snfferings of these times and the Glory which hath risen out of them And as he hath declared so hath he saved us by the same Spirit And now tel me ye that are the Lords witnesses when ye are in your holyest seasons when there is no strange God or Love but Jesus Christ alone shines in the midst of your spirit doth he not stil shew you greater things than these which are yet to come Thirdly The spirit of Grace is a spirit of Holiness Ephes. 1. 13. It is called a Holy spirit Ye were sealed with the Holy spirit of Promise Holiness is the Character and Seal of that spirit of Grace which is promised to the Saints Psal. 99. 8. Thou answeredst them O Lord our God thou wert a God that forgavest them though thou takest Vengeance of their iniquities The Lord testified his presence with the Jews in the Wilderness by his Holiness in taking Vengeance of their Inventions There is a Three fold Vengance which the Lord takes for Sin First On the Persons and this three waies 1. By Casting them off for ever 2. By Cutting of the inward Beams of spiritual Communion between himself and them for a season perhaps for al their life long 3. By Clouding their outward Man with trouble and sorrow God alwaies pardons iniquity to the Persons of his Children in respect to the first of these Vengances He cannot give them over or cease to love them sometimes also in respect to the second and third He continues the sweetness of their Communion with him and the Serenity of their natural comforts un-interrupted Secondly The Second Vengance for sin is on the publike Cause Thus the Lord did forgive the Israelites in the Wilderness and not take Vengeance on the publike Cause For though they al died in the desert yet the Lord kept his cause a live carryed that Victoriously over Jordan into the Land of Canaan and planted it to grow there for many generations The Third Vengance on the Inventions on the Corruptions and Idols of the Heart In this sense the Lord never pardons any The Spirit which hath bin our guide hath Signally declared it self a Spirit of Grace by its abundant Forgivenesses and a Spirit of Holiness by the Vengance which it hath taken for Sin When any have risen up against him his Purity his Progress from the Enmity of the Serpent he hath made the Earth to open and swallow them up into the darknesses below by a Natural or Civil Death he hath made fire to come down from Heaven a spiritual fire of Divine judgement and wrath by which they have bin so withered dryed and burnt up that they have lost al that Greenness of Religion Honor Honesty Morality Natural light which they seemed before to have and have fallen to open Perfidiousness to ranting Profanenesses to a reprobate Sense a stupid Atheisticalness But when the Children of the Kingdom have transgressed by temptations of Covetousness Ambition Fleshliness Passion Delusions Spiritual Pride have fallen to Murmurings Divisions Sensuality Worldly Designs although this Spirit may have pardoned all this to their Persons hiding them in the cleft of the Rock in the wounds of Christ there preserving their Outward their Inward Life and Peace while he hath passed by yet hath he taken open Vengeance of their Inventions by manifest eminent Disappointments in their Expectations and endless confusions in the way of their Designs Yet all this while hath the Holy Spirit pardoned the sins of all Parties to the Cause He hath not suffered that to fall but hath gone on when it seems to faint renewing its strength carrying it up on high as on an Eagles wing enlarging it in Victory Peace Spiritual Liberties at home spreading its Branches over the Seas and to Forraign far distant Lands breaking the Head of the Leviathan the chief strength of Antichrist in the deep Waters Fourthly The Spirit of Grace is a Spirit of Vnity Ephel 4. 3. Endeavoring to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace Vnity is the Character the most immediate and inseparable Property of the Spirit The Bond of Peace hath its strength and root in the Vnity of the Spirit as the Sympathy and Vnion of all the Fellow members in the Body arise from and is preserved by One Soul by the Vnity of the Soul There is a Twofold Vnity First of Inward Affection Secondly of Outward Effect As to the Latter of these I had rather much speak in silent Groans to God than by words to men bleed inwardly than breath forth outward Complaints for the Breaches of the Daughter of my People But so far as concerns the First of these the Inward Affection to Vnity let me call forth you who have the Testimony in your selves that it hath been the Spirit in the Living Creatures in the Hearts of the Saints quickened by the Life of Christ which hath been in the Wheels that have turned about and carried on this whol work from the beginning hitherto I appeal to you What are the Meltings the Weepings over the Divisions among the Saints What Yearnings and turnings of Bowels after a
Savior in the Heavenly Beauty and Glory of his Person if we have been carryed on to this Work by his Spiritual Appearances and Power in us then wil not our work be at an end til we see him shining forth in the ful Glory of his Person and Spirit not upon us only but upon the whol Earth The Vow of Christ is upon us not to give sleep to our Eyes til we have found a setled Habitation for our Lord Jesus as he is cloathed with al his Spiritual Glories in our own hearts and with men I have done now with the last Evidence of the Presence of our God with us in the New way of his Son and Spirit which Evidence is this That the Spirit of Grace hath been the Principle and Seal of these great Works and Changes in the midst of us The Vse that I would make of it is to enlarge us in our Praises that we may now see and say with joy The Lord Jesus goes up on high in our Land he carries Captivity captive he gives Gifts to men even to the rebellious that himself may dwel among them I have done with the First Vse Vse 2. A Caution to beware of four things Caut. 1. Limit not God This was the sin of the Jews in the Wilderness They limited the Holy One of Israel Psal. 7. 41. Princes love not to be prescribed much less doth God To what will ye liken God and to what likeness wil ye compare him Es. 40. 18. If the Lord be doing Great things among us according to the Exaltation of Christ if he doing New things according to his own Spirit what measure will ye take what President wil ye make what likeness wil ye frame of his Way by things past or present Take heed of Two Wayes of Limiting God First Shut not the Lord up into any Form or way of Working The Holy Ghost complains of the Jews Psal. 78. 19. They spake against God they said Can God furnish a Table in the Wilderness Let us take heed that the Language of our hearts and actions be not like to this that we say not If we have no set Form no Establisht way of Religion or Civil Government Can God in the Wilderness and Confusion of such a Condition continue or encrease Truth Holiness Prosperity and Peace Thus to limit God is to speak against him Secondly Shut not God out of any Form or Way of working I speak here of the Lords Working in Love not Wrath and accordingly of those Forms and Waies out of which he hath not excluded his Love by the contrariety between them and his Divine Holy Nature Nathaniel himself had like to have stumbled at Christ by his narrow-sightedness in this kind Can said he any good come out of Nazareth John 1. 46. Yet as Chrysostom tels us Nazareth signifies a flower Christ out of Nazareth was Flos è Flore a Flower out of a Flower That form or way which seems to thee most uncapable of having any good in it may be made by God a Sweet and flourishing flower out of which another more glorious flower may spring even Jesus Christ in the spiritual Civil and natural Image of things This is the first Caution Caut. 2. Murmure not against the Lord When Jesus Christ had sent this marke of his being come to John Baptist That To the poor the Gospel was preached or as some read it and the Greek ful as wel bears it The poor preach the Gospel he ads and blessed is he that is not offended at me Matt. 11. 5 6. How apt are men to murmure against to stumble at to reject Jesus Christ himself even then when he comes with glad tydings with peace and glory from the Father in the Gospel if the way by which he conveighes these things to them answer not their imagination and expectation but be in any kind poor obscure and dis-esteemed There are two Cases in which we are apt to be ensnared in this kind First The Jews had setled their expectation of the Messiah upon the Pompe and Power of an outward Kingdom He comes with his cross instead of a Throne They therefore are offended at him reject and persecute him So men generally fix the accomplishment of promises the answer of prayers the works of God the administration of Christ the operations of the Spirit in Religion and Civil things upon some way that is fairest in their fancyes or understandings If God come not to bless them and to save them in this way but by some other Person or Thing which is without comliness in their Eye they murmur and refuse him Secondly When the Soldiers had our faviour in their hands they put a Crown of Thornes upon his head a Reed for a Scepter into his hand a purple robe upon his back then they mock him and spit in his Face I humbly pray that this spirit be not powerful in us who profess our selves Saints and peace-makers that we do not after the same manner when the Lord makes any person or way which we have a low esteem of to be the instrument of his power Majesty and love cloath it with the most contemtuous disguises of Hypocrisie delusion Ambition Licentiousness falshood Atheisme and then spit in the Face of it persecute it with al bitterness and scorne under this Disguise Cant. 3. Judg not things by the outward apperance but by the inward principle Solomon saith Al the waies of a man are clean in his own eyes but the Lord weigheth the spirit Prov. 16. 2. I have heard of a blind man who could distinguish and judg of al mettals or precious stones by weighing them in his hand Thus judg alwaies not by the beauty of the outward forme but by the weight of the inward pinciple It was a Starr in the Region of the Ayre above the Earth that led the wise men to the House where Christ was borne So should it be the light of a principle in the spirit above the outward form by which we should be gvided in our esteem affections and pursuits Cant. 4. Judg every principle in the Light of the Holy Spirit Psal. 73. 16 17. Asaph professeth that it was too painful for him to understand things in this world by their outward Appearances until he went into the Sanctuary of God then he understood the end by discovring the principle or beginning Before this he was Foolish and Ignorant as a beast vers. 22. The Sanctuary was a Figure of our Savior in his Holy Spirit Agur Complaines Prov. 30. 2 3. That He was more brutish than any man and had not the understanding of a man He gives the reason of this because He had not learned Wisdom which is the Knowledge and judgment of things in their inward principles and he was without this wisdom for want of the Knowledge of the Holy This expression of the Holy in Scripture signifies Glorified Natures in Heaven somtimes whether Angels or Saints somtimes Saints on Earth Whatever
hand None being written by himself before One Volum being a Comment upon Christ's last Prayer in the Seventeenth of Iohn wherein is opened The Union beleevers have with God and Christ and the glorious Priviledges thereof Besides many other Gospel Truths there is also shewed 1 That the end why the Saints receive al glorious Grace is That they may be one as the Father and Christ are one 2 That God the Father loveth the Faithful as he loveth Iesus Christ 3 That our Savior desireth to have the Faithful in Heaven with himself 4 That the happiness of our being in Heaven is to see Christs Glory 5 That there is much wanting in the knowledg of Gods Love in the most able Saints 6 That the Lord Christ lends dayly direction according to the dayly need of his Servants 7 That it is the desire and endeavor of our Savior that the dearest of Gods Love which was bestowed on himself should be given to his faithful Servants 8 That our Vnion and Communion with God in Christ is the top of our happiness in Heaven The first eight Books of the Application of Redemption By the effetual Work of the Word and Spirit of Christ for the bringing home of lost Sinners to God In which besides many other seasonable and Soul-searching Truths there is also largely shewed 1 Christ hath purchased al spiritual good for HIS 2 Christ puts al HIS into possession of al that good that he hath purchased 3 The Soul must be fitted for Christ before is can receive him And a powerful Ministry is the ordinary means to prepare the heart for Christ 4 The work of God is free And the day of Salvation is whil this Life last and the Gospel continue 5 God cals his Elect at any Age but the most before old Age 6 The Soul is naturally setled in a sinful security 7 The heart of a Natural man it wholly unwilling to submit to the word that would sever him from his sins 8 God the Father by a holy kind of violence plucks His out of their corruptions and draws them to beleeve in Christ The Ninth and Tenth Books of the Application of Redemption by the Effectual Work of the Word and spirit of Christ for the bringing home of lost sinners to God Besides many other seasonable and Soul-searching Truths there is also largely shewed 1 The heart must be humble and contrite before the Lord wil dwel in it 2 Stubborn and bloody sinners may be made broken-hearted 3 There must be true sight of sin â—fore the heart for the work can be broken for it 4 Application of special sins by the Ministry is a means to bring men to sight of and sorrow for them 5 Meditation of sin a special means to break the heart 6 The same word is profitable to some not to another 7 The Lord somtimes makes the word prevaile most when its most opposed 8 Sins unrepented of makes way for piercing Terrors 9 The Truth terible to a guilty consciente 10 Gross and scandallous sinners God usually exerciseth with heavy breakings of heart before they be brought to Christ 11 Sorrow for sin rightly set on pierceth the heart of the sinner throughly 12 They whose hearts are pierced by the Word are carried with love and respect to the Ministers of it And are busie to enquire and ready to submit to the mind of God 13 Sinners in distress of conscience are ignorant what they should do 14 A contrite sinner sees a necessity of coming out of his sinful condition 15 There is a secret hope wherewith the Lord supports the hearts of contrite sinners 16 They who are truly pierced for their sins do prise and cover deliverance from their sins 17 True contrition is accompanied with confession of sin when God cals thereunto 18 The Soul that is pierced for sin is carried with a restless dislike against it Twenty one several Books of Mr. William Bridge Collected into two Volumus Viz. 1 Scripture Light the most sure Light compared with 1. Revelations Visions 2. Natural Supernatual Dreams 3 Impressions with and without Word 4. Light and Law within 5. Divine Providence 6. Christian Experience 7. Humane Reason 8. Judicial Astrology Delivered in Sermons on 2 Pet. 1. 19. 2 Christ in Travel Wherein 1. The Travel of his soul 2. The first and after effects of his Death 3. His Assurance of Issue 4. And his satisfaction therein Are opened and cleered in Sermons on Isa 53 11. 3 A Lifting up for the Cast-down in case of 1. Great sin 2. Weakness of Grace 3. Miscarriage of Duties 4. Want of Assurance 5. Affliction 6. Temptation 7. Dissertion 8. Unserviceableness 9 Discouragements from the Condition it self Delivered in thirteen Sermons on Psalm 42. 11. His Four Sermons concerning 4 Sin against the Holy Ghost 5 Sins of Infirmitie 6 The false Apostle tried and discovered 7 The good and means of Establishment 8 The great things Faith can do 9 The great things Faith can suffer 10 The Great Gospel Mystery of the Saints Comfort and Holiness opened and applied from Christs Priestly Office 11 Satans power to Tempt and Christs Love to and Care of his People under Temptaton 12 Thankfulness required in every Condition 13 Grace for Grace 14 The Spiritual Actings of Faith through Natural Impossibilities 15 Evangelical Repentance 16 The Spiritual Life c. 17 The Woman of Canaan 18 The Saints Hiding-place c. 19 Christs Coming c. 20 A Vindication of Gospel Ordinances 21 Grace and Love beyond Gifts Twelve Books of Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs lately published also the Texts of Scripture upon which they are grounded 1 Gospel Reconciliation Or Christs Trumpet of Peace to the World Wherein is Opened Gods exceeding willingness to be Reconciled to Man And Gods sending his Embassadors to that End From 2 Cor. 5 19 20 21. 2 The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment on Phil. 4. 11. Wherein is shewed 1 What Contentment is 2. It is an Holy art and Mystery 3 The Excellencies of it 4 The Evil of the contrary sin of Murmuring and the Aggravations of it 3 Gospel-Worship on Levit. 10. 3. Wherein is shewed 1 The right manner of the Worship of God in General And particularly In hearing the Word Receiving the Lords supper prayer 4 Gospel-Conversation on Phil. 1 17 Wherein is shewed 1 That the Conversations of Beleevers must be above what could be by the Light of Nature 2 Beyond those that lived under the Law 3 And sutable to what Truths the Gospel holds forth To which is added The Misery of those Men that have their Portion in this Life only on Psal. 17. 14. 5 A Treatise of Earthly-mindedness Wherein is shewed 1 What Earthly-mindedness is 2. The great Evil thereof on Phil. 3. part of the 19. verse Also to the same Book is joyned A Treatise of Heavenly-mindedness and walking with God on Gen. 5. 24. and on Phil. 3. 20. 6 An Exposition on the fourth fifth sixth and seventh Chapters of the Prophesie of Hosea 7 An Exposition on the eight ninth and tenth Chapters of Hosea 8 An Exposition on the eleventh twelfth and thirteenth Chapters of Hosea being now compleat 9 The Evil of Evils or the exceeding sinfulness of sin on Job 16. 21. 10 Precious Faith on 2 Pet. 1. 1. 11 Of Hope on 1 John 3. 3. 12 Of Walking by Faith on 2 Cor. 5. 7. Two Books by Nich. Culpeper Gent. Student in Physick and Astrologie I. The Practice of Physick containing seventeen several Books Wherein is plainly set for t The Nature Cause Differences and several sorts of Signs Together with the Cure of al Diseases in the Body of Man Being a Translation of the Works of that Learned and Renowned Doctor Lazarus Riverius now living Councellor and Physitian to the present King of France Above fifteen thousand of the said Books in Latin have been sold in a very few Yeers having been eight times printed though al the former Impressions wanted the Nature Causes Signs and Differences of the Diseases and had only the Medicines for the cure for them as plainly appears by the Authors Epistle II. A Sure Guide To Physick and Chyrurgery That is to say The Arts of Healing by Medicine and Manual Operation Being an Anatomical Description of the whol body of Man and its parts with their Respective diseases demonstrated from the Fabrick and use of the said Parts In Six Books
answer to the Light within But where you see Persons while they profess themselves to be Saints changing all having nothing of the same Nature or Rellish left there is great reason to fear that this is not the Newness of the Spirit but the Wildness of the Flesh not the freshness and variety of the living Spring but the Endless turnings and windings of the old Serpent But to return now and to shew you how this Scripture which hath occasioned this short stay by the way makes good that Doctrine which we have in hand All the way of Jesus Christ in the Saints and in the World for the sake of the Saints is after the newness of the spirit It follows then that it must be it self New and Extraordinary Another Scripture compared with this wil make the Proof from both more strong and cleer Es. 43. 18 19 20 21. Remember ye not the former things neither consider ye the things of Old Behold I will do a new thing now it shall spring forth shall ye not know it I will even make a way in the Wilderness and Rivers in the Desart The Beast of the field shall honor me the Dragons and the Owls because I give Waters in the Wilderness and Rivers in the Desart to give drink to my People my Chosen This People have I formed for my self they shall shew forth my praise There are Four Things to be taken notice of in these words First The Deliverance of the Jews from the Babylonians is the proper subject of this Prophesie in the Letter of it as you shal see at verse 4. This Deliverance from the Babylonians is made in Scripture universally a Type of every Deliverance of the People of God from the Powers of Darkness and of this world but more particularly of the Deliverance of the Church in the last daies from Antichrist which is Spiritual Babylon Secondly In this Deliverance the Lord laies aside all Presidents every old Form and Custom he works a New thing What is this New thing He makes a Way in the Wilderness and Rivers in the Desart These Expressions look backward by way of Allusion to the Coming of the Children of Israel out of Egypt when the Lord made a way for them through the Wilderness going himself before them in the Pillar of a Cloud and of Fire and gave them Rivers of Water from the Rock which followed them in the Desert But this Literal Sense is not that which the Lord here intends For this had been no New thing but had only brought the former things to remembrance by the Imitation and Re-iteration of them Therefore the words look forward to an Allegorical and Mystical accomplishment in the times of the Gospel We all know that Jesus Christ is frequently held forth in the Gospel as the Way John 14. 6. He cals himself The Way Heb. 10. 20. He is said to be the New and Living Way by the rending of the Vail of his Flesh and the raising of him up again in the Spirit In like manner it is an Evident thing that the Spirit of Christ in the Gospel is resembled to Rivers of Water as John 7. 38. Out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of Living Water ver. 39. This spake he of the Spirit This then is the New thing which the Lord doth He turns the outward face of things in Church and Common-wealth into a Wilderness puts al into Confusion that no humane Eye can see any way either forward or backward Then he comes forth with new extraordinary appearances in Christ as the Pillar of a Cloud burying all the Light and Life of the Creature in the Darkness of Christs Death as a Pillar of Fire shining and sparkling forth with a New Light and Heat from the Glory of his Resurrection These Extraordinary Appearances in Christ the Lord makes his way in which he walks and into which he leads his People to walk with him in his wonders through the Churches and the Nations When the Spirit of man becomes a Desert like a winter-brook that is passed away and decives the expectation of the weary Traveller all Springs of Wisdom Counsel Help Comfort in the Creature are dryed up then the Lord comes forth in mighty and miraculous workings after the Newness of the Spirit in the fresh flowings of that and makes it to be as Rivers in the Desert Rivers have these Properties First They are from a Living Spiring Secondly They flow along with a great breadth depth and force Thirdly They flow continually running along still with a fresh succession of New waters from the Head of the River Fourthly They make all things cheerful and flourishing round about them So doth the Lord in the Desert of the Creature put forth himself by his Spirit with an irresistable force an uncessant Newness with a quickness of life a breadth and depth of design from the immediate Fountain of the God-head Thirdly It is observable here that the Saints are they who peculiarly drink of these Rivers They have the immediate inward sence Strength Joy Glory the cheif ends and benefit of these Out-goings of the God-head But natural men signified by the Beasts of the field the powers of this world yea the most ignorant and unbeleeving that sit in the greatest darkness which are as the Owles Nay more than that the Dragons the profanenest and wickedest persons both Princes and Stats who have the greatest enmity to Christ and his Church al these shal acknowledg and give glory to the Lord in these Miraculous workings of his from Heaven partly for the greatness of the Conviction by the presence and cleerness of the Appearances of God in the midst of them before their Eyes as is signified verse 19. Now it shal spring forth shal ye not see it partly for the relife and the refreshing which shal be extended to them also in their natural Man and civil affayres For so it is said verse 20. They shal honor me because I give waters in the wilderness c. Fourthly The end of al this is for the Saints that they may be formed and wrought up to God to Spirituality and Heavenlyness to his Likness to one Image and Nature with him to the Immediate enjoyment of him to his Bosom his Throne there to raigne with him from thence as chosen Vessels to carry forth the Praises of God in the Gospel of his Love his Righteousness his Holyness his Beauties his Joys his Glorys into the Nations that the Saints may be as a Holy first-fruits and the Nations as a sanctified Lump through them This people have I formed for myself to shew forth my praise Verse 21. I have now finished the two Arguments for the making good of the Doctrine one taken from the Person and Office of Christ the other from the Influences and Operations of the Spirit as both Christ and the Spirit are in the Newness of the highest and most Evangelical Glory as both stand in relation first to the Church then
fade It is before this Newness of Christ at it secretly beames forth into the Creation that Old things shake and fal away Thirdly Jesus Christ comes first in his Desirablenesses to beleevers to those among the Nations who desire him This seemes to be signified by that expression The desire of al Nations shal come He shal come under that formality as the Desire of the Nations The Saints in every Nation stand for the whol Nation in the esteem of God they being the Corn in the heap the rest of the nation as the Chaffe Esa. 43. 4. The Lord saith to his people Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honorable and I have Loved thee therefore wil I give men for thee and people for thy life or as it is in the Margin for thy person Those whom the Lord loves in a Nation are the only Figures there the rest are Cyphers which signifie nothing of themselves James 1. 14. The Children of God are said to be a Kind of first fruites of his Creatures So are they the first fruits of every Nation As the first fruits were presented to God every year at the Tabernacle or Temple by the hands of the Preist in the stead of the whol Lump so the beleevers are presented to God in the spirit by Jesus Christ as filling up the place of the whol Nation Upon this account when the prophet hath said The desire of al Nations shal come he adds He shal fil this House with his Glory Under the Gospel and in the spiritual truth which answers the Judaical Tipe the Saints are the House of God 1 Corin. 3. 16. Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God When the Lord comes to work his wonders in the world he first comes into his Church into the spirits of his Saints fills them with that spiritual Glory shining from his own person which is the sign of his outward commings forth before he comes and the inside of them when he is come From hence as from his Temple he shines forth by degrees upon the world from these as the first fruites he sends forth a blessing to the whol Lump of the Creatures Fourthly When these shakings begin to break forth from the Spirits of the Saints into the World they are swift and spreading Yet a little while And I wil once more shake Heaven and Earth As when a stone fals into the Water the Circles in the Water made round about it do in a moment Multiply and as they Multiply grow wider each than other So when Jesus Christ comes with the Newness of a spiritual Glory into his House which is the heart of a Saint from thence he spreads himself in the newness of his Power and mighty works over the Nation round about from thence enlargeth himself in a wider Circle to the Neyghbouring Nations so he goes on til he ouerspreade with his Changes not the Earth only but also the Heavens and al this in a very little space as fire catcheth or the lightning flyeth Now let us look home Our Changes since the beginning of these times have truely been so quick and thick that they may wel appear one continued shaking You then in this Nation whose Souls love the Lord Jesus is your Desire come while others as Cyphers do bear the empty shadow of the outward work in these new and Extraordinary Motions is his presence his person his operation precious and of great value to you Doth he fil you who are his house with the freshness of his light and Glory while others stand without at a distance seeing a throng of changes and wonders but know not what is the matter Where then are your cryes of Joy The voyce of our beloved Behold he comes leaping over the Hils passing with swift changes over the powers of this world he comes consuming al old things the old Heaven and Earth with the heat of his presence but changing his own and al things unto them into the newness and Immortality of the Spirit making them new together with a New Heaven and a New Earth round about them Thirdly The freshness of our Changes Prov. 25. 4 5. Take away the dross from the Silver there shall come forth a Vessel for the finer Take away the wicked from the King and his Throne shal be established in Righteousness The former of these verses is an Allegory explained in the latter Both have a Mystical sense pertayning to every Saint and Typical concerning Jesus Christ Take away the Dross of Corruption out of the Heart from the Silver of Grace and the Saint wil be a King in the Spirit upon a Throne of Glory founded on the Righteousness of God and his Spirit in Jesus Christ this King wil be a pure Silver Vessel for God the finer to set on his table and fil with the Treasure of his Divinity Take away the dross of Corruption from the Silver of the Divine Image in the Creature then wil the whol Creation be a Vessel of honor for the Father to fil with his Wine then wil it be a Throne founded on the Eternal Rock on which Jesus Christ shal sit down as a King This extends it self to Nations and Priuciples also Let us take a view of our selves in the Glass of this Truth If we look to the great Parliament from the beginning of it was there not a Silver there a precious Mettal of excellent principles and Eminent persons But this Silver was mingled with the Dross of much Carnality and Corruption Hath not every change since that time been as a fire to take away the Dross from the Silver Hath not every succeeding form of things when it hath come first out of the fire of the fore-going Change bin as a Vessel for the finer with a greater Preciousness Purity Beauty Lustre Life and usefulness unto God How then is that day of the Lord risen upon us which is to try al things How should our mouths be filled with laughter and praises for this New thing which God doth this New day which God bringeth forth from Heaven Say now to Hypocrites Woe to you But say to the Righteouss It shal be wel with you For the Beams of this day are a Manifesting light a Refining fire to al but they are withal to the Saints a covering gloy and a Cherishing Love Our King is come forth into our Land not only to march through it with his troupes but to establish his throne here in righteousness and to sit down upon it O Dross Dross melt away before the presence of the Lord For his Eyes are a flame of fire They are stil Kindling fresh Furnaces of Change Fourthly The Life in these Changes from which they flow Rom. 12. 11. you have the knot of a three-fold Precept held forth Not slothful in business fervent in spirit serving the Lord This is likewise a Divine Character upon the Newness of extraordinary Times Works and Persons When the Lord hath any fresh
Re-union Do you not in the secret of your hearts in your secret Meetings bleed forth your souls before the feet of your Savior at every breach in his Body as at a Wound or the Cutting off of some Member in your own Body As Jacob lamented over the loss of his Children Joseph is not Simeon is taken away from me you would have Benjamin also all these things are against me So you mourn such Brethren left us at such a change these Saints are not with us in this change and there are others ready to divide themselves from us at the next turn of affairs al these things are against us As the spirit of God spreads it self over the deep of darkness at the beginning of the Creation like a Bird over her naked yong ones till they be hatcht up and fledged to form it to a beautiful and harmonious World Light and Order Do you not after the same manner perceive the Spirit of Vnity on your souls stretch forth it self over all your fellow Members that lie in a Chaos in a Deep of Darkness Division and Confusion As Iesus Christ once wept forth these Words over Jerusalem As a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings How often would I have gathered thee but thou would'st not So he weeps so he speaks the same words in your Souls to all his divided Brethren in these Nations as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wing how long have I called and waited and longed to gather you up into the Vnity of my Spirit that you might not by your scatterings become a prey to the Kite but hitherto you will not Joseph when he thought fit to speak roughly and deal severely with his Brethren with much difficulty concealed his affections was forced to make hast into a private room to weep Hath this been your temper when the wisdom of State or the season hath made it seem necessary to you to handle any one of Christs Flock roughly have your Bowels been turned within you hath it been hard and grievous to you to act this strange part and to hide your affections have you inwardly and privately melted into tears while you have openly thundered out hard speeches Do you not much more contend with God by Spiritual Wrastlings to have the hearts of all his People that differ from you than you do by outward force or policy with them to have the upper hand of them If these things be thus go on and prosper When Esau came with an Army against Jacob his Brother Jacob wrastled with God at Penuel which signifies the Face or Vision of God he conquered his Brother the most excellent way like a Prince in conquering God and carrying away a Blessing by Conquest Esau when he met him instead of drawing his Sword upon Jacob embraced him and offers him those Bands for his Guard which came forth Enemies Could one Jacob thus subdue the Heart of rough Esau and shal not many Jacobs by their strong cries in the Ears of God and tears in his Bosom prevail with God for a Victory of Love over the Hearts of many Jacobs only disguised and concealed under the rough hairy Garments of Esau Yes the hour is coming in which you shall come forth hand in hand in Spiritual Dances and answer one another with Spiritual Songs saying These our Brethren were lost but now are they found in our arms These Brethren were dead one to another but now behold they live together in the Vnity of the Spirit As Joseph and his Brethren so shal you after long Concealments be discovered one to another in a Light of Heavenly Love then shal ye fal one upon anothers Necks and weep for joy then shal you say We meant evil but it was the Lords contrivance who hath turned all to good Thus shal ye receive one another into the Glory of God as Christ hath received you Fiftly The Spirit of Grace is a spirit of love to Jesus Christ It makes his person alone and the Glory of that to be the Mark and Price of our calling Phil. 3. 14. As water wil ascend as high as it first descends so the spirite which is often compared to water is like water in this if it come down from Christ it wil carry the ayme and affections of the soul to Christ That which is the first Principle is the last end If it be Jesus Christ who hath been the first principle of motion in our hearts he wil be our only End we shal terminate and rest no where but in him When Jacob had served an Apprentice-ship of seven years for the Love of beautiful Rachel he was marryed by Laban to bleare-eyed Leah Did this satissie Jacob No He chose to endure the hardship of another service for seven years more to suffer the heats by day and frosts by night in the open fields that he might gain his first Love If it were a Conjugal Love to the person of Christ which moved us to undertake and undergo the hard service of so many years in difficulty danger in a field of warre Blood and Death we cannot now lie down and take up our rest in the Embraces of the blear-eyed Beavty of this World though it be given to us in marriage and be exceedingly fruitful to us No We shal begin another service of as many years more in prayers in conflicts in sufferings of al sorts til he whom our Souls love come and give his own person into our Armes As the Spouse in the Canticles Cant. 3 4. We shal never cease til we hold his glorified person in our Marriage-Embraces never to let him go more until we bring him into our Mothers house into this visible World to make al things new and to raigne here as he doth in Heaven It is not this that a Saint seeks thorow Seas of water and Blood to rob the Nations of their Gold but to communicate to them this God It is not this which is his joy and tryumph to see his enemys drowned in the Floods but to let in the Rivers of Christs blood upon them to over flow them and that they may die the Death of Christ only When Alexander drew neer to Jerusalem with his conquering Army he was met by the High Priest in all his Ornaments his Garment his Girdle his Ephod his Urim and Thummim of Gold Silk Sky-color Purple White all sorts of precious Stones with the most Holy Crown upon his Head which was the Figure of the Glory of Jesus Christ at the right hand of the Father in Heaven as he is our true High Priest Alexander seeing him said In this very form did that God appear to me in a Dream by night in Macedonia who commanded me to pass over into Asia and undertake this War Upon this account he used the Jews with all Kindness and Honor My end in bringing in this Story is to make this Application of it If we have had any glimpses in our Spirits of our dear