and deceive thee Hence it commeth to passe that the whole world lieth in wickednesse hence it is that when thou comest into the City thou shalt see it swimâ—… with pride before thee and abound with covetousnesse behind thee on thy right hand as thou goâ—…st along the streets thou shalt hear them swearing and on thy left hand in their shops lying goe out of the streets into any by-place thou shalt heard some cursing and others backbiting and all almost unlesse here and there one in the City bond their forces together against the Lord Christs Kingly power Me thinks I see now and then a sincere-hearted Country-Christian come walking along the streets of the City and when he sees these abominations before him behind him on his right hand and on his left he begiâ—â— to say Lord what is the cause of this great wicâ—â—dnesse in the City And if he receive no answer from the Lord he enquires for the Lords people and through Gods goodnesse he finds here and there a Christian following of Christ and a pretty considerable party enquiring after Christ well he comes to one and asketh him why doth sin so abound in this City it is true sin reigns much in the Country but it exceeds in the City Why saith the Citizen to him we have more Temptations living in the City then you in the Country Well but the Country-man is not fully satisfied he goes to another and demands a reason Why doth sin reign in this City have you not godly Magistrates and godly Ministers and other godly Officers in your City Me thinks I hear the Citizen answering him and saying Why through the Lords goodnesse it is much better with us in that respect then it hath been here to fore Q. What then is the cause of the abounding of sin A. Sir I think one or both of these following reasons may be given for it either first we have sleighted the means of graâ—â— more then others or else as I have said before we are under greater temptations in the City then you in the Country But shall we see a little farther and enquire into the cause why both City and Country not only in this Nation but all the World-over is so overspread with all maner of abominations both in Principles and Practice which is the reason so many thousands that would be looked upon as Saints and servants of Christ are fallen off one to this error and another to that faction Some deny Ordinances others deny the Scriptures and some deny both Some will acknowledge God but deny the Son others acknowledge both the Father and the Son but despise the Spirit others will acknowledge Father Son and Spirit in word and in tongue but deny all in their practice And here I am sure is the state of the greatest part of the English Nation but the Lord blessed be his name is beginning to destroy this darknesse by his own light But is not this the cause why the whole world lieth in wickednesse as John saith There is a Devil tempting and a deceitful heart yielding and carnal friends perswading the one comes and takes thee by one arm the other by the other arm the third ties as it were a string about thy middle and all three saying Come along with us Thus much of the cause of our divisions backslidings deadnesse dulnesse formality and infidelity Now I shall in the next place lay before you the Cure and therein speak of two things The first is concerning the being The second is concerning the well-being of a Christian First then if thou wouldest be preserved in these perilous times Put on the armour of Christ and abide in the doctrine of Christ Secondly for thy well-being learn this lesson There is no power but of God who will turn all these things to his glory and thy good Or Abide in the will of God First of the first Put on the whole armour of Christ and abide in the doctrine of Christ The one is laid down by way of command in Ephes 6. 11. the other by way of trial and prevention in the 2. Epist of John v. 9. To each of these Scriptures as far as I have light witnessed with experience I shall hold forth briefly and plainly Ephes 6. 11. Put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles 〈◊〉 the Devil The armour here spoken unto 〈◊〉 not a temporal but a spiritual armour and what this spiritual armour is you haâ—… it laid down distinctly in this Epistle oâ—â— Paul to the Ephesians viz. 1. To gird them with the girdle of truth Eph. 6. 14. 2. To put on the breast-plate of righteousnesse ver 14. 3. To be shod with the shooes of the Gospel oâ—… peace v. 15. 4 To take the shield of faith which is a most victorious weapon v. 16. 5. To put on the helmet of salvation v. 17. 6. To take into thy hand of faith the sword of the Spirit v. 17. Beloved I dare boldly say that man oâ—… woman that puts on this armour maâ—… march forth into the field and challenge alâ—… the Devils in hell and all the wicked men inâ—… the world and rout them all What madâ—… David go out against Goliah Why he saw himself armed not with Sauls armour but with this Spiritual armour What was that that made him so confident Ps 27. 3. Though an host should encamp against me my heart shall not feare though warre should rise against meâ—… â—…n this will I be confident What made him â—…reak forth in such words Psal 3. 6. I will â—…ot said he be afraid of ten thousand of people â—…hat have set themselves against me round about â—…ov 28. 1. The wicked flees when no man purâ—…eth but the righteous is as bold as a lyon Q. Why be the righteous so bold as a Lion A. They be armed with the armour of God Q. What is meant or understood by the girdle of truth A. To be rightly principled throughâ—…y doctrinated in the doctrine of Christ Again Q. What is meant by the breast-plate of righteousnesse A. A good conscience or innocencie of life c. and so for the shield of faith what is it but the righteousnesse to Christ able like a brazen shield to protect and cover us from the darts of the world the flesh and the devil Nay I suppose it to be not only a desensive but an offensive weapon I Joh. 5. 4. This is the victory that overcommeth the world even our faith Heb. 11. 33 34. Who through faith subdued Kingdoms wrought righteousnesse obtained promises stopped the mouths of Lions waxed valiant in fight turned to flight the armies of the Aliens c. If we should see an Army of men marching into the field where their Enemies had placed themselves in Battalia 〈◊〉 I say if we should see them march toward their enemy unarmed why we would presently conclude that these men will be put to the worst they will receive
but two thingâ—… which are the knowledge of God and obedâ—â— to his will When the Minister hath gatherâ—… a parcel of these together into fellowshiâ—… up he springs into the Pulpit to feed 〈◊〉 Flock and truly so he doth for he givâ—â— them such food as is both pleasant to thâ—… palate and easie for digestion for he knoâ—… well the state of their bodies And if 〈◊〉 chance to see any poore Dove come in 〈◊〉 mongst these fat Turkies he will noâ—… leave throwing of stones till he hath gallâ—â— her forth Had I not seen this with my 〈◊〉 I had not written it with my pen. Anâ—… when this poor Dove is frighted forth 〈◊〉 flies up and down from one Congregatiâ—â— to another and it may be finds no rest 〈◊〉 â—…he sole of her foot then she retires into â—…ome private Assembâ—…y and there refresheth â—…er self Well the publique Teachers heare â—…f a company of Doves gathered together 〈◊〉 such a place and their carriage to be such â—…hat it is like to draw away some of their Congregations they lift up their voices â—…nd tell their hearers that these be not Doves but Wolves Sabbath-breakers Blasâ—…hemers factious Sectaries creeping into corâ—…ers and leading silly women captive Often â—…aying of them as once the enemies of Christ â—…id Have any of the Rulers believed on him â—…o none but this ignorant people that know â—…ot the Law Are there Private Meetings and doth that â—…ffend you Let me ask you Are not you â—…he cause of their meeting in private Have â—…ot you deprived them of their expectatiâ—…ns in publique They came to be instructâ—…d in the Gospel and you preach the Law They came to be refreshed and you sent them way sorrowfull They came to heare of â—…hrist and you told them of Moses They â—…ame to know their freedome you brought â—…hem into bondage They came to be inâ—â—ructed in their Union with their Father â—…nd you told them of Communion They â—…ame to be instructed in the Doctrinal part of Divinity and you told them of the Pracctical part of Divinity they came to hear of Grace and you told them of Gifts in 〈◊〉 word we and you have looked more upon Gifts then upon Grace upon Law then upon Gospel uâ—…on the form more then the power of godlinesse Alas what is the shadow without the substance what is the Letter without the Spirit what is an Ordinance without the presence of God in itâ—â— Oh then make use of all Ordinances buâ—… rest upon none Look upon them as thâ—… path to walk in but not the pillar to reâ—â— upon look upon them as the way but no 〈◊〉 the cause of your acceptation with God account not thy self the better when thoâ—… hast made use of them unlesse thou hast mâ—… God in them Labour to be well informeâ—… in these four things and then thou wilâ—… establish Ordinances in their right place viz. 1. Consider what is the ground of aâ—â— these Ordinances 2. Consider what is the end of all Goâ—… spel Ordinances 3. Consider the time of them how loâ—â— they be to continue Eph. 4. 13. 4. Consider the proper use of them thâ—â— so thou and I may not abuse them in 〈◊〉 use of them 〈◊〉 much concerning idolizing or resting â—…pon Ordinances Now then the way to defend and preâ—â—rve our selves from these or other like exâ—â—emes is to abide in the doctrine of Christ â—â—d without this let no man boast of his â—â—terest in the Father or of his relation to â—â—e Sonne or of his evidence by the Spirit â—â—t us then a little consider the mind of â—…od in that Scripture written for our learâ—â—ng 2. Epist of John latter part of vers 9. â—…hosoever abideth in the doctrine of Christ hath not the Father and the Son The whole verse â—â—ns thus Whosoever transgresseth and abiâ—â—h not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God 〈◊〉 whosoever abideth in the doctrine of Christ â—â—th both the Father and the Sonne From the â—â—tter part of this verse let us consider of â—â—d enquire into these two things VVHat this Doctrine of Christ here meant is What it is to abide in this Doctrine First what this Doctrine of Christ here â—â—ant is Surely if ever it were needful for â—â—ristians to enquire into this now much â—â—ore For in these latter dayes there be â—â—ny Doctrines that are presented before â—â—u and all in the name of the Doctrine of Christ saying Lo here is Christ lo here 〈◊〉 Christ And if we look upon their habiâ—â— they be cloathed in sheeps-cloathing caâ—â— your eyes upon their heads and they haâ—â— horns like a Lanâ—…b onely they speak as 〈◊〉 Dragon as in Rev. 13. 11. And I beheld aâ—â— other beast comming up out of the earth he 〈◊〉 two horns like a Lamb and he speaks as a Dragâ—â— Surely these Lambs horns and Dragonâ—… tongues are not alwayes in Monarchy buâ—… sometimes in Ministry Let us then enquirâ—â— what this Doctrine of Christ is for theâ—â— be many Doctrines with which people hâ—â— taken that have no relation to Christ 1. We read of a Doctrine of vanity Jeâ—â— 10. 8. Their stock is a doctrine of vanity Theâ—â— be many taken with this doctrine in the dayâ—…s but this is not the doctrine of Chriâ—â— 2. There is the Doctrine of the Scribe and Pharisees Mat. 15. 9. But in vain do thâ—â— worship me teaching for doctrine the commanâ—…ments of men Mat. 16. 12. Christ bid the beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees 3. We read in Scripture of another dâ—…ctrine called the doctrine of Balaam Reâ—â— 2. 14. Who taught Balack to cast a stumbling blâ—â— before the children of Israel to eat things saâ—â— ficed to idols and to commit fornication 4. We read in Scripture of another dâ—…ctrine called the doctrine of the Nicolaitans Rev. 2. 15. So hast thou them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing I hate And their doctrine was this To uphold the common use of women that is that women might be common much like to those new upstart wantons of our times 5. There is another Doctrine which includes all the former spoken of 1 Tim. 4. 1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressely that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving â—â—heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of Devils But none of these is the Doctrine of Christ â—â—here spoken to 6. Lastly we find another Doctrine frequently mentioned in Scripture which if we abide not in sad is our case miserable â—…is our condition 2 Ep. Iohn 9. He that transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ mark that man mark that woman they have not God Let them talk of God and make their boast of God as it may be they do they be without God in the world These things being well consider d we cannot but see the necessity we have to be well acquainted with the Doctrine of Christ Which leads us to the first thing here to be enquired into What this Doctrine of Christ
Thus much of the nature of the Fall noâ—… of the manner of the Fall and of the subtilâ—â— of the Devil that old Serpent thereiâ—… He himself being fallen comes to the Gaâ—…den in the form of a Serpent out of envâ—… to mans happinesse he boards the womaâ—… thus Hath God said Ye shall not eat thereof as if he should have said It is a likely maâ—…ter that the Lord cares what you eat whaâ—… do you think that he stands upon an appleâ—… hath he created all things for you then dâ—… ye use them This is the first assault whicâ—… 〈◊〉 woman weakly resisteth beginning at 〈◊〉 first to yeeld whereas God had said â—â—ou shalt dye she answereth doubtfully and â—â—th Lest I dye Then the Devil perceiving â—â—e woman to stagger and the ground of 〈◊〉 faith to shake plants all his peeces and â—â—epares his Army for a storm for his name â—â—egion and he had beleagured the woâ—â—n before So the word was no sooner â—â—t of her mouth Lest ye dye but he reâ—â—es Ye shall not dye at all What dye with â—â—ing so fair an Apple Can there be any â—â—rt in it O filly woman Ye shall not dye â—â—all God he affirmeth Ye shall dye certainly The woman saith Lest ye dye The Devil that old Liar saith Ye shall 〈◊〉 dye Then not giving the woman any respite 〈◊〉 be think her self or to reply Oh saith he â—â—od knoweth that your eyes shall be opeâ—â—d and you shall be as gods as if he should 〈…〉 e said God envies your happinesse and â—…ove you so well that I cannot but tell â—â—u of it for he knows very well that if â—â—u should but eat of that Tree you should â—â—e that which you never faw before and â—â—at you shall be as gods Oh impudent â—â—ar for by cating both Adam and all we his posterity became more like unto Sathâ—… then like unto God Behold O filly wâ—… man saith he what a goodly Tree this how pleasant to the eye dâ—…licate to tâ—… taste divine for use can it do you aâ—… hurt would any but fools abstain go 〈◊〉 eat and fear not I will warrant you 〈◊〉 harm Then the woman seeing it was goâ—… for meat pleasant to the eyes and a T 〈…〉 to be desired after to get knowledge 〈◊〉 took of it and did eat and by these or 〈◊〉 like reasons perswaded her husband aâ—… gave him and he did eat O all ye sonnâ—… and daughters of Adam put on all the Aâ—â—mour of God If it be possible stand upâ—â— your guard Set forth your Sentinels Maâ—… ready for an Enemy which hath slain yoâ—… Father deceived your Mother cheated aâ—â— almost undone all your Brethren defilâ—… your Sisters wounded your Childreâ—… and plundred all your Kindred to the skâ—â— and left them all as poor as Job never be peace with him maintain a continual wâ—… against him acquaint all the men aâ—â— women in the world of his base deceitâ—â— cheating tricks that his ill savour mâ—â— stinke in the nostrils of all men and womeâ—… under the Sun that they may loath hiâ—… and stand upon their guard to oppose hiâ—… though his name be Legion fear him not â—â—is a conquered Enemy If he meet but â—â—e poor Saint in the field cloathed with â—â—t a little faith as a grain of mustard-seed â—â—s poor Saint will challenge all the devils â—…hell to give him a meeting and if they â—â—rst to appear he will but resist them with â—…ittle faith James 4. 7. Resist the devil and will flie from you For he is a base cowardly beggerly Eneâ—…y he is subtle but there is one that takes â—…re of thee is wiser then he he is ancient â—â—d experiences but thy friend is more anâ—â—â—nt then he he is a Prince but thy friend 〈◊〉 King of Kings he is swift of motion 〈◊〉 can fly in the air but thy friend hath the â—…avens for his Throne and the earth for his â—…otstool filling heaven and earth with his â—â—essed presence though his presence is not â—…anifested to all yet he is present in all plaâ—â—s at all times beholding all actions Oh â—â—en keep the word of his patience that he â—…ay keep thee in the hour of temptation â—â—ld fast the word of God for with that â—…hrist put Sathan to the worst Matth. 4 1 2 〈◊〉 4 5 6 7 8. Next stand upon thy guard at all times 〈◊〉 all places in all companies in all duties â—â—eep up faith for thou and I fell in the first Adam through unbelief and we be raiâ—… again in the â—…econd by faith so the Dâ—â— is foiled he thought to conquer us whoâ—â— by unbelief but we shall overcome him faith Wherefore above all things take the shiâ—â— of faith whereby ye shall be able to quench all 〈◊〉 fiery darts of the Devil Eph. 6. 16. Jam. 4 NOW I shall speak to our Restauratiâ—â— by the second Adam and of the gloâ—â—ous state of all those that are appointed the Father to be restored by the Son aâ—… sanctified by the Spirit If I had the tongue of men and Angels aâ—… understood all mysteries I could not give thâ—â— a full and compleat description in each paâ—…ticular of the happy and blessed state of tâ—â— Elect by the Father that are redeemed 〈◊〉 the Son and are or shall be sanctified by tâ—â— Spirit They were servants but now they 〈◊〉 Sons and Heirs they shall be shortly inh 〈…〉 ritors and enjoyers they once knew noâ—… thing they do now know in part they shall shorâ—â— know as they are known They were dead in sinne they now aâ—â— quickned from sinne they are or shall bâ—â— quite freed from sinne They were naked they be now cloathe with the robe of Innocencie and they shall 〈◊〉 cloathed with Immortality They were enemies they be now reconâ—…led and shall be saved They once with Adam hid from the preâ—â—nce of God they now take delight in his â—â—refence and shortly they shall abide in it â—â—r ever They were Sathans slaves they now are â—â—e Lords Freemen and shall dwel in Sion â—â—ey were like a beast they be now like a â—…rince they shall shortly be like the Anâ—…els They did glory in their shame they now â—â—e ashamed of their sinne they shall shortly â—â—e with out and shame They were like the dirt and mire most â—â—thy they be now like the Moon in her â—…eauty and shall shortly be like the Sun in â—…is glory Oh the depths of the riches boath of â—â—e wisdome and knowledge of God! Oh how unâ—…archable are his judgements and wayes past â—â—â—ding out What is man that thou art mindful of him or â—â—e son of man that thou shouldest regard him As in the first Adam we dyed so in the second â—â—e are made alive In the first we lost an earthly Paradise â—…y the second we have gotten a heavenly Paradise This is that seed of the womaâ—… spoken of by the Father to our first Parentâ—… that should bruise the Serpents head This is he that is called The repairer 〈◊〉 the
wiped from the eyes of his and 〈◊〉 there shall be no more sorrow nor paine â—â—ereas thou and I have it may be neither â—â—tience to wait nor faith to beleeve our 〈◊〉 interest in these things There be foure characters of a servant of Christ that I lately received from a frienâ—â— 1. What is highest in thy judgement 2. What is dearest in thy affections 3. What is strongest in thy will 4. What is the most constant thing thy resolution So much shall serve at present to written of the temptations of the worâ—â— flesh and the devil and of the Armour Christ wherewith a Christian may defeâ—â— himselfe and conquer his enemies and 〈◊〉 of the power natural and of the po 〈…〉 spiritual which is our duty to improâ—â— and all our remisnesse to be charged up our selves and not upon God and how serious consideration of this would be 〈◊〉 bar to stop that blasphemous princiâ—â—â— saying God is the author of sinne Of our in the first Adam and of our recovery by second Adam and how we may know thâ—â— that are restored of Ordinances how tâ—â— they be still in force Next I shall speâ—â— of Faith and then a few words to the â—â—nisters An Epistle to the world Anotâ—â—â— to those chosen out of the world Of 〈◊〉 deliverances of the Saints and of their 〈…〉 ing too sudden in expecting deliverances A few words of Faith FAith is as it were the wings of the soule whereby the soule doth flye to heaven and bring downe it's eviâ—â—nce under hand and seale Heb. 11. 1. 〈◊〉 Now this grace of Faith is of singular 〈◊〉 to Christians it is that first and princiâ—â— wheele that makes all the other wheeles â—â—move But most men be mightily as I â—â—ppose mistaken in the true definition of â—â—th Seeing then it is that whereby we live grace and it is that whereby we are â—â—ried on to glory that we might not be â—â—staken in that that is of such rare use to Give me leave to tell thee there is a Faith the History and a Faith of the Mystery â—â—re is a Legal Faith and a Faith of â—â—racles dead Faith and a temporary â—â—ith c. There is an Evangelical Faith â—â—ing the Faith of the Gospel Now men 〈◊〉 various in their thoughts of the true naâ—â—re of this Gospel Faith I know one man 〈◊〉 Mr. H. D. that saith that this is the faith the Gospel to believe that Jesus Christ is 〈◊〉 Son of God and another saith that this the true faith of the Gospel viz. Faith is a holy and humble perswasion ground upon the word of God and witnessed his holy Spirit In a word most men 〈◊〉 give too general a definition of Faith 〈◊〉 general definition of the history withâ—â— a particular application of the mystâ—â—â— will stand the soule in little or no stead the time of necessity Therefore I humbâ—â— conceive that the faith of the Gospel thâ—â— we are commanded to contend for Jude is such a Faith viz. Faith is a gift of God begotten in 〈◊〉 creature by the powerful preaching of 〈◊〉 word whereby the understanding is 〈◊〉 lightned whereby he believeth to be 〈◊〉 whatsoever is revealed in the word 〈◊〉 cepting receiving and resting upon Chrâ—â— alone for iustification sanctification wiâ—â— a particular application of Christ and aâ—â— his benefits unto his own soul I say Faith is a gift of God begottâ—â— in the creature by the powerful preachinâ—… of the word whereby the understanding enlightned so that he believeth to be trâ—â— whatsoever is revealed in the word 〈◊〉 cepting receiving and resting upon Chriâ—â— alone for justification sanctifieation wiâ—â— a particular application of Christ and 〈◊〉 his benefits unto his own soul c. Now the life of all lyes in the particuâ—â—r application Psal 18. 2. The Lord is my 〈◊〉 and my fortresse and my deliverer my God strength in whom I will trust my Buckler and 〈◊〉 horne of my salvation and my high â—…ower â—â—al 118. 28. Thou art my God and I will praise â—â—e Thou art my God I will exalt thee Luke 46 47. And Mary said My soul doth magnifie 〈◊〉 Lord and my spirit hath rejoyced in God my â—â—viour Joh. 20. 28. Thomas answered and â—â—d unto him My Lord and my God! In the â—â—xt verse Christ pronounceth him to be a â—â—iever Gal. 2. 20. The life that I now live â—â—ive by the faith of the Son of God who loved me â—â—d gave himself for me Phil. 3. 8. For the excelâ—â—cie of the knowledge of Christ my Lord c. general declaration without a particuâ—â—r application will not assure the soule of â—â—lvation Is not faith the first stone in the â—â—iritual building and the first step in a â—…hristian race the first linke in our golden â—â—aine of Christianity the first act of our â—…ew life that first degree of our holy conâ—…ersation the first round in our Jacobs ladâ—â—r whereby we ascend up into the presence â—…f our Lord First there is in a true believer an assuâ—…ance of understanding Secondly there is an assurance of rejoyâ—…ing 1 Pet. 1. 8. Thirdly there is an assurance whiâ—â— carrieth forth a soule to powerful aâ—â— ings A Christian believeth that he who maâ—â— man was made man himselfe he believe that no man hath seen God at any time anâ—… yet he believeth that Moses talked with his face to face he believeth him to be borne 〈◊〉 time who was from everlasting and him be shut up in a narrow room whom heaveâ—â— and earth could not containe Religion is a mystery in every part of 〈◊〉 Faith believeth strange things Hope w 〈…〉 for the accomplishment of that which reâ—…son cannot comprehend and so for loâ—â— and patience and all other graces there 〈◊〉 a great mystery in the actings of each 〈◊〉 these as to instance in one for all a littlâ—… look upon faith and see what it believe concerning the Trinity and Election Justification and Sanctification and Repentance First concerning the Trinity He believes that the Father is not thâ—â— Sonne and the Sonne is not the Spirit and yet the Father Sonne and Spirit are aâ—â— but one He believes that God is Alpha and Omegâ—… the beginning and the end and yet he beâ—â— â—â—ves that God had never a beginning and all never have an end He believes that the Father sent forth the â—â—nne and that the Sonne sent forth the â—â—pirit and yet he believeth they were never â—â—parated the one from the other And concerning Election He believes that God is no respecter of â—â—ersons and yet he believes that God elected â—â—me and left others when he found no â—â—fference And concerning Iustification He believeth that his qualifications doth â—…ot cause Gods love yet he would question â—…hether God loved him if he were not â—…ualified Hâ—… works not for wages yet hath an eye â—…o the recompence of reward He believes that the most just God hath â—…unished the most innocent person and to â—…ave justified himself though a sinner he is often in
things yet they â—…nowledge me in their deeds just as those â—â—rds of Paul Rom. 9. 32. Wherefore because 〈◊〉 sought it not by faith but as it were by the â—â—â—ks of the Law for they stumbled at that 〈…〉 bling stone Now this word as it were â—â—t were unfolded as now it lyes sealed 〈◊〉 should finde most men seeking righteâ—â—snesse if not absolutely by the Law 〈◊〉 as it were by the works of the Law 〈◊〉 Believ In this that thou hast said O â—â—w I have nothing to except against for â—â—e we both agree though there was a â—â—s-understanding between us at first yet it true the fault is not in thee O Law that â—â—n put thee in the room of Christ no â—…ore then the brasen Serpent was in fault â—â—om the people did Idolize the fault â—â—s in the people and not in the Serpent at this day mens seeking righteousnesse 〈◊〉 thee becomes their own evill not thine â—â—d as thou hast said though men will not knowledge that they seek righteousnesse 〈◊〉 the Law yet they doe seeke it as it were by the workes of the Law Now here lyeth one of the greatest 〈◊〉 ferences between the Law and the Gospâ—â— both speak of working and both speak resting onely herein lyes the difference â—â—der the Law before Christ was come 〈◊〉 people were to work first and rest aftâ—â—wards that is they were to work six dayâ—… and rest the seventh when they had dâ—â— their work then enter into rest nâ—â— under the Gospel we are to rest first 〈◊〉 work afterwards for as the Sabbath of 〈◊〉 was the last day of the week so our Loâ—â— day of rest is the first day of the week 〈◊〉 are first to receive a Kingdome that cannot moved Heb. 12. 28. and then next to seâ—â— God acceptably with reverence and godly fâ—â— We are first to believe and then in thenâ—… place to shew our faith by iâ—â— works 〈◊〉 are first to see our interest in the promisâ—… and then to cleanse our selves from all filthiâ—â— of flesh and spirit Into what soever house 〈◊〉 enter we are to say peace be to this house first fore we are to shake the dust off our feet as a wâ—… nesse against them So much concerning frâ—â—dome from the Law by Christ that fulfill the Law c. What Christ hath delivered us from and restored us unto Shall onely speak of two things more 〈◊〉 briefly viz. First what we are delivered from by â—…hrist Secondly what we are restored unto First what are delivered from and here 〈◊〉 I might instance in many things I shall â—â—ely make mention of two First we are delivered from sinne Secondly from death the wages of sin First we are delivered from sinne Isa 〈◊〉 6. it was all laid upon him and so we came free Rom. 6. 18. 22. verses comâ—â—red together 1 Pet. 2. 24. 2 Cor. 5. 21. â—…atth 8. 17. Rom. 6. 11. Col. 1. 22. 1 Thess 〈◊〉 13. Secondly those and onely those that â—â—e in Christ are delivered from death the â—â—ges of sinne O death saith Christ I will â—â—thy death Isa 25. 8. He hath swallowed up â—â—th in victory 1 Cor. 15. 55 56 57. O death â—â—ere is thy sting O grave where is thy victory â—â—e sting of death is sinne and the strength of â—â—e is the Law But thanks be unto God who â—â—eth us the victory through our Lord Jesus â—…rist c. So then by Christ a believer is â—â—ed from the Law First from the curse Secondly from the condemning poweâ—… Thirdly from sinne and Fourthly froâ—… death Secondly let us a little consider as whâ—â— we be delivered from so what we are râ—…stored unto I shall not undertake to 〈◊〉 forth this in the heigth and breadth depâ—â— and length but onely give a hint to it 〈◊〉 I have ability and time knowing that I aâ—â— straitned in both Ye were servants you be now friends 〈◊〉 Christs Joh. 15. 15. And if that be too little ye are Sonnâ—… and Daughters If that be too little are calls you his Bâ—â—thren and Sisters Heb. 2. 11. If that be too little he calls you hâ—â— Chosen Spouse and Wife Rev. 21. 9. If that be too little he tells you that yoâ—… be members of his own body 1 Cor. 12. 12 If that be too little he tells you that yoâ—… be heirs with him Rom. 8. 17. If that be too little to expresse the abuâ—…dantnesse of his love to you he tells yoâ—… That the glory which the Father gave to him 〈◊〉 hath given to you that you may be one as 〈◊〉 Father and he is one If that be too little he tells you Thaâ—… you be joyned to the Lord you are one spirit 1 Coâ—… 6. 17. If this be too little he tells you indeed â—…hat all these things above-mentioned are â—â—t a taste of what you shall shortly be Joh. 3. 12. Oh thou most noble overcomming Saint â—â—rvant of the most High God heir of proâ—…ises and Son of Sion Consider what â—â—ou art come from and now by Christ â—â—me to Heb. 12. 22 23 24. But ye are come â—â—to Mount Sion and to the City of the living â—…od the heavenly Jerusalem and unto an innuâ—…erable company of Angels to the general assemâ—â—y and Church of the first born which are writâ—â—n in heaven and to God the Judge of all and to â—â—e spirits of just men made perfect and to Jesus â—â—e Mediator of the new covenant and to the â—…ood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then â—â—at of Abel Now manifestly and truly mayest thou â—…ay I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine â—â—e that toucheth me toucheth the apple of his â—â—ye My Father is so tender of me that he â—…akes all the wrongs done to me as done â—…o himâ—…elfe he that persecutes me perseâ—…utes him Act. 9. 4. And he that hath pity â—…nd compassion on me the Lord takes it as â—…one to himself Matth. 25. 40. David said Who am I that I should be son in â—…aw to King Saul but I may say Who am I that I should be Son and heire yea coheiâ—â— to the King of Kings I was a dry aâ—â— barren tree fit for nothing but burning bâ—â— I shall flourish like a tree planted by tâ—â— rivers of water O how often did he call how earnestâ—â— did he knock how powerfully did 〈◊〉 strive how long did he wait upon me bâ—…fore my stubborn heart would yeeld If 〈◊〉 had never loved me I had never loved hiâ—… If he had never drawn me I had never râ—â— after him If he had never sought me 〈◊〉 had been straying in the wildernesse of inâ—…quity and feeding in the fields of vanity 〈◊〉 most are but now he hath avouched himself to be mine and I have avouched mâ—… self to be his Hos 2. 19. I will betroth thee 〈◊〉 me So I became the Bride the Lambâ—… wife First Christ comes and woes me 2 Coâ—… 5. 20. Secondly he gets my good will and became his 1 Joh. 12. Thirdly he makes my soul fruitfull Joh.
ask them wherein it doth appear that yoâ—… are unlike to him They will produâ—… many particulars I will mention but few viz. 1. You say they be unlike to Christ iâ—â— this Christ did reprove and blame thosâ—… and onely those that were reproveable anâ—… blame-worthy and that to their faceâ—… never behind their backs as hath been observed by you The Scripture saith Speaâ—… evil of no man and he that doth the Scripture cals him Back-biter Now it hath beeâ—… served that you have cryed out exceedâ—…gly against a people that have been someâ—…es an hundred miles from you Not â—â—ce but often and that not in the spirit â—…meeknesse but in passion Now the Proâ—…ets before Christ that were good did â—…ver do so neither did the Apostles after â—…rist ever do so as I can find Those that 〈◊〉 the true Prophets of Christ will with â—…icaiah speak the truth to Ahab although â—â—th him they be beheaded for it 1 King 〈◊〉 8. They will with Nathan tell David â—…hou art the man 2 Sam. 12. 7. They that be â—…e Lords true and faithful Prophets will â—…ith Nehemiah tell the Princes and Rulers 〈◊〉 their faces that they oppresse the people with â—…xes Nehem. 5. 7. Also the Lord commanded â—…eremiah that he should speak the mind of the â—…ord to the faces of the people 1 Jer. 17. The â—…ue and faithful Prophets of the Lord must â—…ith Amos preach the death of Jeroboam â—…nd captivity of Israel not behind their â—…acks but at Bethel in the Kings chappel â—…lthough with Amos they be beheaded for 〈◊〉 Amos 7. 12 13. Yea they ought with the â—…rophet Zechariah to tell the Rulers and â—…eople of Israel to their faces That because â—…hey had forsaken the Lord the Lord had forsaken â—…hem Although by the command of the King with Zechariah they be stoned for 2 Chron. 24. 20 21. In a word to adde nâ—… more they will with John Baptist tâ—… Herod to his face thâ—…t it is not lawful foâ—… him to have his Brothers wife althougâ—… with him they be beheaded for is Mar. 〈◊〉 18 19. Now whether the Prophets of our dayeâ—… be like unto these Prophets I wiâ—…l appealâ—… to all England to judge 2. The people are saying that there is vast difference between Christ and his Apoâ—…stles and you For Christ and his Apostle did feed the people with true bread and you make the people believe you feed them with bread in their Fathers house and you feed them with husks and that among swine Whereas you should feed his lambs and give every one his meat in due season it is observed that most of you for I speak not of all doe tie your selves to one Text and one Method one rode and way so that for the most part you doe not reach every mans condition You be like unto Christ when you are carried forth with a sweet temper of love to all men as Christ was Now there be two sorts of men First Saints Secondly Sinners To begin with the last 1. There are sinners and they are of two â—…rts 1. Ignorant 2. Prophane First Ignorant to these you should hold â—…rth those meanes that Christ hath apâ—â—inted to enlighten them Secondly Prophane deale with these as â—…rist and his Apostles dâ—…alt with such men the spirit of meeknesse instructing those at oppose themselves Secondly then there are also in your â—â—ongregations some few godly men and â—…omen sonnes and daughters and these 〈◊〉 of two sorts 1. Weake 2. Strong First weake bruised reeds and smoâ—â—ng flax these must have have milke these â—…ust not be received to doubtful disputaâ—…ons These be Lambs doe as Christ carry â—…em in your bosomes O let these have â—…eir meat in due season you may not â—…spise these weak ones nor grieve them Secondly those that be more strong â—…ercome them with love 1 Pet. 3. 8 9. Feed â—…ese with food convenient for them Build â—…emup in their most holy saith We finde Paul in 14. Rom. give two directions to tâ—… weake Saints and two directions to tâ—… strong Saints 1. To the weake that they should nâ—… envy the strong Saints in the use of the liberty 2. That they being weake should nâ—… doe those things that the strong did wiâ—… a galled conscience Then he gave two directions to tâ—â— strong Saints First that they should not despise tâ—â— weake Secondly that they should not grieâ—… the weake Now my brethren you have all thâ—… sorts of people I suppose in your 〈◊〉 Congregations do you give every one 〈◊〉 meat in due season are you indeed liâ—â— Christ in this whether you are or no will appeale to all impartial hearers 〈◊〉 judge Thirdly againe I heare the people saâ—…ing of you That if you were the faith ful Ministers of Christ you would spenâ—… more time to seeke his honour and lesâ—… time in seeking your owne honour Man of you are often praying to God to keeâ—… up the honour of the Ministery but we haâ—… 〈◊〉 more need be praying to Almighty God establish a true Ministery and then the â—â—rd will undoubtedly keep up their hoâ—â—ur Why my brethren it is your work it was Pauls to have Christ alone exalted â—â—t may it not be said of many of you That â—â—u seek your owne things in the first â—â—ace and the things of Christ in the â—â—ond place Doe you give the glory of all 〈◊〉 good you doe to God as Paul did Cor. 15. 10. But I laboured more then â—â—â—y all yet not I but the grace of God in â—â—e Doe you so exalt Christ as to be nothing your selves as he did I am not worthy to called an Apostle saith he Again he saith himselfe he was the greatest of sinners â—â—d then againe in another place I am lesse â—â—n the least of all Saints And then againe desire to know nothing among you but Jesus â—â—rist and him crucified Now I appeale to â—…ur own consciences whether this be your â—â—actice Fourthly againe I heare the people â—…eaking of you and saying That you be 〈◊〉 like to Christ in this also you put too â—â—gh a price upon gifts and too low a â—â—ice upon grace Hence it is that you cry 〈◊〉 one so frequently and speak of the other so coâ—…dly They say and I doe almost â—â— lieve it that you carry up into the pulpiâ—… whole glasse full of humane learning anâ—… wisdome so varnished and coloured oveâ—… that the world hath taken it for spirituâ—… things and so millions of poor souls haâ—â— been deluded by it for the space of manâ—… years Now if I might be thought worthâ—â— let me aske you Did ever Christ and hâ—… Apostles cry it up so exceedingly nay â—â— ther did not they lay it by in the things â—â— God view well the first book of the Corâ—…tians and the two first Chapters Now wâ—… set up humane wisdome in competitioâ—… with Christ when we make it absoluteâ—… necessary for the dispensation of the Goâ—… spel yea such an essential qualification as without it none could be