bones as ye see me have And when he had spoken these things he shewed them his handâ— and his feet As if he had said Come my Disciples take special notice of me do not be daunted nor affrighted but consider that it is I my selfe Well they could nâ—t beliâ—ve as yet but wondered that such a thing as this should be And while they were thus wondering he did give them another infallible proof And he said unto them have you here any meat v 41. As if the Lord had said Come my Disciples I see that you are very full of unbelief if you have here any meat you shall see me eat before you all And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish and of an honey combe and he did eat before them Againe v. 42. the Lord strives with another infallible proofe against their doubting saying My Disciples doe you not remember what discourse you and I had before I was crucified how that I told you that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets concerning me Another infallible proof was that appearance of his at the Sea of Tiberias where he came to them on the shore and called them and provided for them a dinner and wrought a notable miracle while he was there with them at that time Namely the catching of 153. great fishes and yet their net brake not Which as it was a great miracle so it did also shew his power and authority over his creatures Besides his eating and drinking with his Disciples after his resurrection And also his preaching to them Acts 1. 3. This is not the lead viz. that he was with his Disciples on earth 40 daies which was almost six weeks speaking to them the things concerning his kingdome which was a mighty confirmation of their faith in his resurrection I shall now briefly touch two or three Scriptures which hold forth the Disciples testimony of his resurrection And the first is in Acts 10. 40 41. In which place the Apostle speaking of the Lord Jesus saith â—im 〈◊〉 raised â—y the third day and shewed him openly yet not to all the people but to witnesses chosen before of God even to us saith the Apostle who did eat and drink wâ—â—h him after he was risen from the dead Again Acts 4. 10. And Acts 13. 29. 30 31. The words run thus the Apostle speaking of Jesus saith And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him they took him 〈…〉 the tree and laid him in a Sepulchre But God raised him from the dead and he was seen many dâ—yes of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem who are his witnesses unto the people And thus far toâ—ching his resurrection from the dead In the next place I am to prove that this very man Christ Jesus the Son of the Virgin in his very body the same body that was crucified is above the clouds and the heavens And though this is made light of by those men called Quakers and other inâ—idels of this generation Yet I am sure that it will prove true to their cost who reâ—ect it as erroneous and vain But to prove it First I shall prove that he is ascended Secondly that he is ascended above the cloâ—ds and the heaven For the first that he is asâ—eâ—dâ—d see Ephes. 4. 8. 9 10. Whereore saith the Apostle when he ascended up on high he led captivitie captive and gaue gâ—fts unto men Now that he ascended what is it but that he descended first into the lower parts of the earth he that descended is the same that also ascended againe up far above all heavens Againe read Joh. 20. 17. where Christ after his resurrection from the dead saith to Mary Magdalene Touch me not for I am not yet ascended to my Father That is I have not yet ascended with this my body wherewith I was crucified on the cross But go to my brethren and â—ell them meaning his Disciples that I doe ascâ—nd to my father and your father to my God and your God Object But in that place may some say Ephes. 4. 10. he that descended is said to be the same that ascended Now there was no humane nature with God in heaven before the world was Therefore if he be but the same that was with the father from all eternity then the humanity of the Son of Mary is not ascended into heaven Answ. First for answer It is cleer from Joh. 1. 1. that the word or Son of God as he was a Spirit was with the Father before the world was But now in the fulness of time that is when that time that the Father and he had concluded on was come God sent forth his sonne which was with him before the world was Joh. 7. 5. made of a woman that is born of a woman And he took on him the form of a servant and was made in the likenesse of men Phil. 2. 6 7 Now as he was borne of a woman as he was in the likeness of men â—o he ascended to the right hand of his Father in our nature And for this I pray turne to Act. 1. and there you shall find that he is the same that was born of the Virgin that very man that was crucified if you compare v. 3 with v. 9 10 11. you will find it so to be Now in the v. 9. after he had spoken many things while they beheld that is while his disciples looked on him he was taken up that is he was taken up from them into heaven as in v. 11. and a cloud received him out of their sight And while they looked up stedfastly towards heaven as he went up which heaven was not within them if it had they needed not to have looked toward the clouds and the heaven without them behold two men stood by them not in them in white apparrel which also said that is the two men or Angels which stood by them said Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into heaven Here again they did not look within them but stood gazing or looking after the Lord Jesus the son of Mary who was carried away from them in a cloud v. 9. But why say the Angels do you stand gazing so much into heaven your Master will come againe after a certain time For This same Jesus Namely which was crucified which rose again and haâ—h been with you these 40 dayes which also you see go into heaven shall so come namely in a cloud as ye have seen him go into heaven But shall be not lose his body before he come again No say the Angels hâ— shall so come that is as ye have seen him go in like manner that is with the same body Or else I am sure he cannot come in the same manner if he lose his body before he comes again for he went thither with that body But thâ—t same Jesus that was crucified is he that
is come the second time they that are in their graves shall arise and come forth of their graves as I said before in which they have laine according to that in Job 5. 28. Where Christ saith Marvell not at this for the houre is comming in the which all that are in the graves shall heare his voice and shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evill unto the resurrection of damnation You will say Are these graves spoken of here the graves that are made in the earth yea that they are and for a further proof of the same look into Dan. 12. 2 Daniel there speaking of the same thing saith And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall arise or awake some to everlasting life and some to everlasting contempt or damnation I shall not stand here to dispute any distinctions of the resurrections only prove that the dead shall arise and that is a clear truth from the Scriptures Acts 10. 42. Rev. 20 11 12 13 14. and 1 Thes. 4. 16. 1 Cor. 15. 52. the dead shall be raised 2. He shall call all men and women to an account for all their close sinful thoughts words and actions then will the secrets of all hearts be made manifest Then shall all thy adulterous and theevish and covetous idolatrous and blasphemous thoughts be laid open according to that saying Their consciences also bearing them witness and their thoughts the mean time or while accusing or else excusing one another Rom. 2. 15. But when why in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ ver 16. see also 1 Cor. 4. 5. Therefore judge nothing before the time what time is that why when the Lord comes what will he do He will bring to light the hidden things of darknesâ—â— that is all those cunning close hidden wickednesses that thou in thy life time hast committed yea he will make manifest the counsels of the heart that is the most hidden and secret things that are contrived and plotted by the sons of men Then shal all the midnight whoremongers be laid open with all their sins Then thou it may be who hast committed such sins as thou wouldst not have thy Neighbour thy father thy wife thy husband or any one else know of for thousands then thou shalt have them all laid open even upon the house tops Luke 12. 1 2 3. Then thou that hatest Gods children his waies his word his spirit then thou that makest a mock at Jesus of Nazareth his second coming then thou that livest in open prophaness or secret hypocrisie then I say will be such a time of reckoning for you as never was since the world began then you that shall die in your siâ—s will cry to the mountains fall on us and cover us from the face of him that sits on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb which Lamb is the man Christ Jesus Joh. 1. 19. And ah my friends if the very looks of God be so terrible what will his blows be think you Then if all thy idle words shall be accounted for as it is written But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgement Mat. 12. 36. and also all thy filthy actions shall be then regarded in such sort as thou shalt receive a just recompence for them And know saith the Scripture that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement Eccles. 11. 9. Then Thou that are an unbeliever shalt be sure to fall under the judgement for all thy sins first thou must give account Secondly thou must fall in the judgement Oh my friends there are hot daies acoming for all those that are found out of the Lord Jesus Behold saith Malachi the daies come that shall burn as an oven and all the proud yea all that do wickedly shall be as stubble and the day that cometh shall burn them up saith the Lord of hoasts and it shall leave them neither root nor branch The day of judgement will burn like an oven and all that have not the righteousness of Christ upon them shall be as stubble Ah friends put a red hot oven and stubble together and what work will theâ—e be even the one will burn and destroy the other 3. When Christ doth come the second time another end of his coming will be to purge out all things that offend in his Kingdom Mat. 13. 41 42. Then shall the son of man send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend and them that doe iniquity and shall cast them into a furnace of fire there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth There are many things that doe offend in his Kingdom now namely the lukewarm professor he doth offend first the Lord secondly his people But then thou lukewarm offending professor shalt offend the Church of God no more Secondly the loose professors do also offend God Christ and his Church First he scandals the Gospel by his loose walking and naughty carriages Secondly he doth make the world blaspheme the name of God by the same Thirdly he grieves the hearts of Gods people Phil. 3. 18. But know that thou also shalt be taken away from offending any more God Christ and his Saints and thou shalt have weeping and gnashing of teeth for thy thus offending Mat. 18. 6. 7. 4 Another end of Christs second coming is to cut of all the ignorant persons that are in the world There is a generation of poor souls that do think to be excused for their ignorance Alas saith one I am a poor ignorant man or woman and therefore I hope that the Lord will have mercy upon me We cannot say others do as such and such and will the Lord condemn us And thus poor souls as they are in the broad way to destruction least they should misse of the way to hell do swallow down by clusters that which will poyson them body and soul for ever and ever But you will say What will not the Lord have mercy on ignorant soules Ans. Not on those who live and die in their ignorance He himselfe hath said Esay 27. 11. Because it is a people of no understanding therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them and he that formed them will shew them no favour Again Paul also in that 2 Thes. 1. 8. saith that when Jesus Christ shall come to judge the world he doth come to take vengeance on all them that know not God and that obey not the Gospell of our Lord Jesus Christ. But ye will say who are those ignorant persons that shall find no favour at that day or how doth the ignorance discover it selfe I shall only mention three or four sorts of men and leave thee to the Scriptures which if thou read them diligently will
blood there was no remission Secondly seeing Jesus Christ â—he son of the virgin Mary was and is the Christ of God and that Salvation came in alone by him for there is salvation in no other Acts 4. 12. then how are they deceived that think to obtain salvation by following the Convictions of the Law which they call Christ though falsely when alas let them follow those convictions that do come from the law and conscience set on worke by it I say let them follow all the Convictions that may be hinted in upou their Spirits from thaâ— law they shall never be able to obtaine salvation by their obedience to it for by the law is the kuowledge of sin Rom. 3. 20. And It is not of workes least any man should boast as those fond Hypocrites called Quakers would do And again If righteousness comes by the law then Christ iâ— dead in vaine Gal. 2. 21. Buâ— that no man is justified by the workes of the law it is evident for the just shall live by faith Gal. 3. 10. Which living by faith is to apply the Lord Jesus Christ his benefits as birth righteousnesse death blood resurrection ascension and intercession with the glorious benefits of his second comming to me as mine being given to me and for me and thus much doth the Apostle signiâ—ie saying The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God whe loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2. 20. Againe Seeing Gods Christ which was with him before the world was John 17. ver 5. took upon him flesh and blood from the Virgin Mary who was espoused to Joseph the Carpenâ—er and in that humane nature yielded himself an offering for sin for it was the body of his flesh by which sin was purged Col. 1. 22. I say seeing the son of God as he was in a body of flesh did bring in salvation for sinners and by this meanes as I said before we are saved even by faith in his blood righteousness resurrection c. How are they then deceived who own Christ no otherwise then as he was before the world began who was then without flesh and blood for he took that in time of the virgin Gal. 4. 4. Heb. 2. 14. I say they are wickedly deluded who own him no otherwise but as he was before the world was For in their owning of him thus and no otherwise they do directly deny him to be come in the flesh and are of that Antichristian party which John speaks of Joh. 4. 3. v. Every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the 〈◊〉 is not of God and this is that sprit of Antichrist whereof you have heard that it should come and even now already it is in the world Now because the enemy doth most notably wrest this Scripture as they do others to their own damnation I shall speak something to it and therefore when he saith every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God his meaning is Every spirit that doth not confesse that that Christ that was with the father before the world was did in the appointed time of the father come into the World took on him a body from the virgin and was very man as well as very God and in that body of flesh did do and suffer whatsoever belonged to the sons of men for the breach of the holy law of God and impute his glorious righteousnesse which he fulfilled in that body of his flesh to the soules that shall believe 〈◊〉 what he hath done and is a doing in the same body And that this is the mind of the Spirit of God consider First he himself saith handle me and see for a Spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have when his disciples had thought he had been but a spirit Luke 24 39 40. Now that in this flesh he died for sins consider secondly that Scripture which saith Who his own selâ— that is the Christ that was born of the Virgin did bear our sins in his own body on the tree See Col. 1. 22. in the body of his flesh saith he to present you holy and unblameable unreproveable in his sight Now that he arose again from the dead with the body of flesh wherewith he was crucified consider that forenamed Scripture Luke 24. 39 40. spoken after his resurrection Now that he went away with the same body from them into heaven consider that it is said And he led them out as farre as Bethany and he lift up his hands blessed them it came to pass while he blessed them he was carried from them carried into heaven Lu. 24. 50 51. This is the meaning of those words therefore Jesus Christ is come into the flesh that is Jesus Christ hath come in the flesh that he took of the Virgin hath brought us who were enthralled to the law the divel and sin to liberty and that by his obedience and death For asmuch then aâ—â—h children were 〈◊〉 of flesh and blood saith the Scripture he Christ also himself took part of 〈◊〉 same Wherefore that though death 〈…〉 desirâ—y him 〈◊〉 had the power of 〈◊〉 that is the devill and deliver them who through feare of death were all their time subject to 〈◊〉 Heb. 3. 14 15. For he was delivered for our offerâ—es and was raised again for our justification Rom 4. 25. For he even that man through the power of the eternal Spirit did offer up himself without spot to God and thereby oâ— by that offering obtained eternall redemption for us Heb. 9 12 14. And therefore I say again and again look to your selves that you receive no Christ except Gods Christ for he is like to be deceived that will believe every thing that calls it selfe a Christ. For mâ—â—y saith he shal â—ome in my name and shall deceiue many Matth. 24. 5. Now having spoken thus much touching the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ I shal according to the assiistance of the Lord Jesus proceed and shall speak somthing of his Godhead Birth Death Resurrection Ascension and Intercession together with his most glorious and personal appearing the second time which will be to raise the dead and bring every work to judgment Eccles. 12. 14. ANd first I shall shew you that he is very God Co-eternal and also Co-equal with his Father 2. That by this Son of Mary which is equal with his Father the world was made 3. That he in the fulnesse of time was made of a woman made under the Law to redeem them them that were or are under the Law that is was borne of a woman And in our nature for he made himselfe of no reputation and took on him the forme of a servant and was made in the likenesse of men and in our stead he did fulfill the Law in point of Justification Rom. 10. 4. and was crucified for our
tell you the very Devils themselves who were thrown from their first state for sinne 2 Pet. 2. 4. have such a taste of their horrible sins that when they did but suppose that Jesus was come to put an end to their tyrannical dealing with the world and to bring them to judgement for their sinnes to which they know they shall be brought it made them cry out Art thou comâ— to torment us before the time James doth also signifie thus much to us where he saith The Devils also believe and tremble James 2. 19. Which beliefe of theirs is not a believing in Christ to save them for they know he did not take hold on their Nature Heb. 2. but they do beleeve that Christ will come to their everlasting torment and the belief of this doth make these proud Spirits to tremble Again Man at his coming into the world hath this conscience given him which doth convince of sinne John 1. 9. John 8. 9. yet man as he commeth into the world hath not the spirit of Christ in him for that must be received afterward by the preaching of the word which is preached by the Ministers and servants of Jesus Christ. This is Gods usual way to communicate of his spirit into the hearts of his Elect and this is 〈◊〉 in so many words where Peter preaching to a certaine number the Scrpture saith While Peter yet spake these words the holy Ghost oâ— holy Spirit fell on all those that heard the Word And again in Galat. 3. verse 2. 5. compared together Received ye the spirit by the works of the Law saith the Apostle or by the hearing of Faith or the Gospel which is the word of faith preached by us Which Spirit as Christ saith the world cannot receive because it seeth him not nâ—ither knoweth him though his children shall have fellowship with him to the great comfort of their owne souls John 14. 16 17. But now this mercilesse butcherer of men the Devil that he might be sure to make the soule fall short of glory if possible endeavours to perswade the soule that its state is good that it hath the spirit of Christ in it and for a proofe of the same saith he turne thy mind inward and listen within and see if there be not that within thee that doth convince of sin Now the poor soule finding this to be so all on haste if it be willing to professe through ignorance of the Gospel Claps in with these motions of in own conscience which doth command to abstain from this evil and to practice that good which if neglected will accuse and torment for the same neglect of others Rom. 2. 15 both now and hereafter Now the soule seeing that there is something within that convinceth of sinne doth all on a sudden close with that supposing it is the spirit of Christ and so through this mistake is carried away with the teachings and convictions of its owne Conscience being misinformed by the Devil unto the works of the law under which though it work all its dâ—ys and labour with might and maine yet it never will be able to appease the wrath of God nor get from under the curse of the Law nor get from under the guilt of one sinful thought the right way which is to be done by believing what another man hath done by himselfe Heb. 1. 2 3. without us on the crosse without the gates of Jerusalem See for this 1 Pet. 2. 24. Heb. 13. 12. The one saith he bare our sins in his own body on the tree the other saith it was done without the gate And thus the poor soule is most horribly carried away headlong and thrown down violently under the curse of the Law under which it is held all its dayes if God of his meer mercy prevent not and at the end of its life doth fall into the very belly of Hell Again that the Devil might be sure to carry on his design he now begins to counterfeit the work of grace Hence he is very subtil and doth transforme himselfe into an Angel of light 2 Cor. 11. 14. Now he makes the soule beleeve that he is its friend and that he is a Gospel-Minister and if the soule will but be led by what shall be made known unto it by the light or conscience within it shall not need to fear but it shall do well Now he counterfeits the new Birth perswading them that it is wrought by following the light that they brought into the â—world with them Now he begins also to make them run through difficulties and now like Baals Priests they must lance themselves with knives c. Now they must wear no hatbands now they must live with bread and water now they must give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of Devils which bids them abstaine from marriage and commands them to abstain from meates which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which love and know the truth as in 1 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. Now they must not speak except their spirit moves them I doe not say the spirit of Christ though when it moves they will speak such sad blasphemies and vent such horrible Doctrines that it makes me wonder to see the patience of God in that he doth not command either the ground to open her mouth and swallow them up or else suffer the Devil to fetch them away alive to the astonishment of the whole world Object But you will say Doth not the Scripture say that it is the spirit of Christ that doth make manifest or convince of sin John 16. 8. Answ. Yes it doth so But for the better understanding of this place I shall lay downe this namely That there are two things spoken of in the Scriptures which doe manifest sin or convince of sin First the Law as saith the Apostle Rom. 3. 20. Therefore by the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified in his sight viz. Gods sight For by the Law is the knowledge of sin 2. The Spirit of Christ doth make manifest or reprove of sinne as it is written John 16. 8. 9. And when he the Spirit is come he will reprove the world of sinne of righteousnesse and of judgement of sin because they believe not on me saith the Son of Mary which is Christ. Now the Law doth sometimes by its own power manifest sin without the spirit of Christ as in the case of Judas who was convinced of the sin of marther which made made him cry out I have sinned yet at that time he was so farre from having the spirit of Christ in him that he was most violently possessed of the Devil Luke 22. 3 4. Again Sometimes the spirit of Christ takes the Law and doth effectually convince of sin of righteousnesse and judgment to come Quaer But you will say How should I know whether I am convinced by the Law alone or that the Law is set home effâ—ctually by the
the body are absent from the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 6. but now if the man Christ were ascended into that heaven within them he would neither be absent from them nor they from him but in that he is absent from them touching his bodily presence and they from him touching the same it is evident that that heaven into which he is ascended must needs be without above the clouds 4 Consider that that heaven into which the man Christ is ascended must contain him till the time of restitution of All things as in Acts 3. 21. into which heaven he hath been ascended above sixteen hundred years by computation And I am sure there is not a Saint that doth live in this world half so long before he fall asleep and be gathered to his fathers so that that heaven into which he is scended is not within but must needs be that above the clouds But 5. Consider that he that ascended from his Disciples was a man with flesh and bones not a spirit only for handle me and sâ—e saith he for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have Luke 24. 39 50 51. verses Now let the Adversaries shew by the Scriptures that there is any place in them called heaven that is able to contain a man of some four or five foot long the space of fifteen or sixteen hundred years besides that therefore it must needs be that heaven without which is above the clouds and Stars 6. Consider That heaven into which the Lord Jesus that man is ascended must not contain him alwaâ—es for saith the Apostle 1 Thes. 4. 16. The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of an Archangel So that there is another descending from that heaven into which he is ascended and his descending from that heaven is to this end namely to take his people to himself as it is v. 17. so that it is clear that it is not any heaven within thee into which the Man Christ that was born of the Virgin Mary is ascended but it must needs be that heaven without which is above the clouds 1. If thou consider that the place into which he is ascended even the heaven into which he is entred is the same place where all the the deceased Saints are in their Spirits Therefore saith Paul I desire to depart and to be with Christ which is better Now Paul did not in this place Pâ—il 1. 23. mean the enjoying of Christ only in the spirit for that he enjoyed in a great measure when he spake these words but he speaks of a dying and a being with Christ after this life is ended as is clear if you compare the 20 21 22 23 24. 25 and 26 verse together being absent from him while he was here in the bâ—dy 2 Cor. 5. 6. for whilst at homâ— in the body we are absent from the Lord. So that that heaven into which the Man Christ is ascended is not into his Church on earth but into heaven without above the clouds and the Stars And this David doth propheâ—ie of Psal. 47. 5. where he saith God is gone up with a shout the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet Now Christ as God meerly could not go up being no lesse in one place then in another but as God man or in his humane nature he went up as will clearly appear Epes 4 8 9 10. where he speaketh of his triumâ—h over all the enemies of his people at his resurrection and ascension into heaven above the clouds 8. When Christ doth descend from that heaven into which he is now ascended his Saints and he will meet one another just in the air according to the Scripture 1 Thes. 4. 16 17. for saith he the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the Archangel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first that is they shall come out of their graves and then we which shall be saved alive at that day and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Pray mark here a little and see what heaven the man Christ is ascended into and see if it be not the heaven without above the Sun Moon and Stars When Christ and his Saints do meet the second time together the one ascends and the other descends the one is caught up in the clouds towards heaven the other descends from heaven towards the earth and they must needs meet one another just in the air that is between the heaven and the earth So then the one coming from heaven and the other from the earth and their meeting being in the air which is between heaven and earth is an undeniable demonstration that that heaven into which the man Christ is ascended must needs be that heaven without above the Sun Moon and Stars And thus much touching the Son of Mary his ascending up into the heaven without above the clouds Acts 1. 9 10 11. Acts 3. 21 1 Pet. 3 22 In the next place Now I shall prove the intercession of the man Christ Jesus to be in the heaven that I have been speaking of though some have mocked at it and others have called it jugling whose names here I shall not mâ—ntion only I shall admonish them that they doe not blaspheme the truth and Sonne of God in his intercession I shall quote some of the Scriptures that hold out this truth and so passe on And first of all see Psal. 16. 4. where David prophesying of the intercession of Christ saith their sorrowes shall be multiplyed that husten after another God speaking of the wicked their drink offerings of blood will I not offer nor take up their names into my lips Now compare this with Heb. 8. 4. where he saith If he were on earth he should not be a Priest And Heb. 9. 24. For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands meaning the temple which Solomon built which are figures of the true but into heaven it selfe now to appear in the presence of God for us Wherefore he is able to save to the uttermost them that come to God by him seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them Heb. 7. 25 But you will say is there a man made mention of here Yes for the Scripture saith Ther is one God and one Mediatour between God and men the Man Christ Jesus And in that 8. to the Heb. made mention of before where the Apostle is speaking of Christs priestly office as he is in the heavens compared with other Priests that are on earth he saith v. 3. for every high Priest is ordained to offer gifts and Sacrifices wherefore speaking of Christ it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer For if he were on earth he should not be a Priest seeing there
are Priests that offer according to the Law which law was the law of Moses Chap. 9. from 19. to 23. where also he is speaking of the Priesthood of the Priests under the law and their offering of the blood of Bulls and â—oats verse 12. compared with verse 19 20 21. And of the Lord Jesus the high Priest of Saints and of his blood verse 14. compared with verse 24. Now as men under the Law did offer up the blood of Bâ—lls and Goats so the man Christ Jesus did offer up his own blood to his father and this you may clearly see if you compare Heb. 9. 14. where he saith How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himselfe without spot to God purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God with Heb 10. 12. where he sâ—iâ—h But 〈◊〉 man meaning the sâ—n of the Virgin Chaâ— 2. 14. compared with Mat. 1. 21. aâ—ter he had offered one sacrifice fâ—r sâ—ns for ever sate down at the right hard of God Again Heb. 7 the 〈◊〉 I mentioned before you shall find his intercession plainly held forth if you read verse 22. and so on where the Scripture saith By so much was Jesus made the surety of a better testament And truly they were many Priests meaning the Priests under the Law because they were not 〈◊〉 to continue by reasâ—n of death That is the high Priests under the Law could not live ever in this world because it was appointed to all men once to die But when he speaks of Christ Jesus he saith on this wise But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood wherefore he this man is able to save to the uttermost them that come to God by him seeing he this man ever liveth to make intercession for them And thus in brief have I proved through the assistance of the Lord the intercession of the son of Mary which is also the son of God And this concerning Christs Priestly office might serve also for a proof of his being in the heaven without above the Stars But all men may see unlesse they be blind that these are the truths of our Lord Jesus Christ and of God his father and that those men that oppose them as the Quakers do are very violently possessed of the Divel and beside themselves and have neither the truth of God non his spirit in them 2 Joh. vers 9 10 Joh. 5. 38. 42. And now through the assistance of the Lord I shall come to the last that I promised and that is to prove That this very man Christ will come to judge the quick and the dead And first I shall prove the truth it self viz. that that man shall come again to judge the world quick and dead Secondly I shal shew you that his coming will be very shortly Thirdly What shall be done aâ— his coming Fourthly Who shall stand when he shall come and who not For the first That that man that was â—orn of the Virgin Mary shall come again to judge the quick and the dead read 2 Tim. 4. 1. l saith Paul charge thee therefore before God speaking to him even to Timothy and so to all believers and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and Kingdom Now if you would know who this Lord Jesus is look into Acts 10. 38. and you shall see it was Jesus of Nazareth would you know who that was read Mat. 2 toward the end and you shall see it was the son of Mary the Virgin who was espoused to Joseph the Carpenter But read Acts 10. v. 38 39 40. 41 42. you shall find these words God annointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Ghost and with power who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Divel for God was with him And we are witnesses of all things that he did both in Jerusalem and in the land of the Jews whom they slâ—w and hanged on a tree even Jesus of Nazareth him God raised up the third day and shewed him openly not to all the people but unto witnesses chosen before of God even to us who did 〈◊〉 and drink with him after he rose from the dead And he commanded us to preach unto the people that is God commanded us and to testifie that is to be bold in our preaching that it is he namely Jesus of Nazareth whom the Jews did thus crucifie which was ordained of God to be judge of quick and dead This is he also that is spoken of in Acts 17. 30 31. The times of this ignorance God winked at meaning mens being without the Gospel but now commandeth all men every where to repent because he hath appointed a day which day is the day of judgement Mat. 12. 36. in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man namely Jesus of Nazareth whom he hath ordained compare this with that in Acts 10. 38 39 40 41 42. whereof he hath given assurance to all men that is hath given a sure sign unto all men in that he hath raised him that is in that he hath raised Jesus of Nazareth from the dead This also is Christs own meaning Mat. 24. where speaking of his second coming he styleth himself the son of man saying And then shall appear the sign of the son of man and so shall the coming of the son of man be v. 27. So shall also the coming of the son of man be v. 37. So shall also the coming of the son of man be v. 39. Where by the way it is observable to see how the Lord of life and glory doth in this Chapter where he speaketh of his second coming for the most part style himself the son of man Surely he doth it to this end because he would not have his humanity and the doctrine thereof to be rased out from under heaven For he knew that in the last daies there would come mockers walking after their own lusts and saying where is the promise of his coming 2 Pet. 3. 3. I could multiply Scriptures to prove this doctrine of his second coming as Heb. 9. v. last 2 Pet. 3. 2 Thes. 1. 6 7 8. Luke 21. Mat. 24. Mat. 25. Rev. 22. 7 12. and the last 2 Cor. 5. 10. Rom. 14. 10. Acts 24. 25. But Secondly I will shew you that his coming will be shortly It is true no man can tel neither the day nor the hour yet so far as the Scriptures will give us light into the neernest of his coming so far we may go And therefore I shall shew that his coming draws nigh by those signs that he himself said should be forerunners of his coming And if you read Mat. 24. you shall see many signs of his coming spoken of First there is a falling away from the faith spoken of And that hath been fulfilled and is fulfilling every day 2. Wars and rumors of wars â—s another
are those in our duâ—es who reject this doctrine that you lay down concerning the Lord Jesus Christ as you lay it down and they are for a Christ within for a cross within for a resurrection and intercession within and they do not hold as you do a Christ without and a resurrection of Christ without and intercession of Christ with uâ— I and they have very much Scripture for that which they say too And therefore what should such as we do that stand tottering and shaking in these distracted and dangerous times for our poor souls are in very much doubt what way to take Ans. Therefore I will speak a few words to you by way of discovery of the falsity of such opinions and a word of direction how you should understand the truth First therefore he that cries up a Christ within in opposition to a Christ without that man instead of having the spirit of Christ in him is possessed with a spirit of delusion for where the spirit of Christ is in truth that spirit causeth the soul to look to the Christ that was born of the Virgin for all justification as it is written Howbeit when he the spirit of truth is come he shall lead you into all truth for he shall not speak of himself but what soever he shall hear that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come mark the next verse he saith the son of the Virgin shall take of mine and shall shew unto you Joh. 16. 13 14. he shall take of mine what is that why surely it is he shall take of my Godhead my humanity my birth my righteousness my blood my death my resurrection my ascenâ—ion and intercession my Kingly Priestly and prophetical offices and shall shew you the life merit and value of them And this was it which was revealed to Paul by the holy spirit here spoken of 1 Cor. 15. 1 2. to the 8. Moreover brethren saith he I declare unto you the Gospel which Iâ—p eached unto you which also ye have received and wherein ye stand By which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you unlesse ye have believed in vain But what is this doctrine why I delivered to you first of all that which I also receive â— What was that why How that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures there is his death and resurrection preached And that he was seen of Cephas then of the twelve after that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once of whom the greatest part remain unto this present but some are fallen asleep After that he was seen of James then of all the Apostle And last of all he was seen of me saith Paul as of one born out of due time This is it I say that the spirit of truth doth hold forth to poor sinners a Christ crucified without the gates of Jerusalem Luke 23. 32 33. buried in Josephâ— seâ—ulcher v. 53. risen again the third day Luke 24 6. ascended away from his Disciples in a cloud into heaven as in Act. 1. 9 10 11. And there ever liveth that very man with that very body to make intercession for all that receive him Heb. 7. 24 25. This is I say the doctrine of the spirit of truth whatsoever is the spirit of errour Q. But do not the Scriptures make mention of a Christ within 2 Cor. 13 5. A. Yes And he that hath not the spirit of Christ is none of his Rom. 8. 9. But he that hath it is led out of himself by it and as I said before it shews the soul what the blessed son of the Virgin Mary hath done and suffered and is a doing for it Therefore hereby know we the spirit of truth from the spirit of errour Every spirit that doth confesse that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God That is that spirit that doth confess that Jesus Christ took flesh upon him and in that flesh did bear our sins 1 Pet. 2. 24. Col. 1. 20 21 22. 1 Pet. 3. 18. 1 Pet. 4. 1. and after he was taken down from the cross and laid in a sepulcher rose again from the dead that very man with that very body wherewith he was crucified That spirit that doth believe and confess this is of God and is the blessed spirit of Christ whereof hâ— spake when he was yet with his Disciples touching his bodily presence for he saith the Son of Mary shall glorifie me for he shall take of Mine and shew it to you Joh. 16. 13 14. I have answered this already in my Epistle to the first treatise Therefore believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they be of God for many false spirits and prophets are gone out into the world therefore have a care how thou receivest the voice that speaks to thee but try whether they are according to the truth of Gods word as it is written To the law and to the testimony if it be not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa. 8. 20. Therefore try a little Doe they flight Gods Christ which is the Son of the virgin that spirit is of the Devil 1 Cor. 12. 3. 2. Doe they say that that blood of his which was shed without the gates of Jerusalem doth not wash away sin yea all sin from him that believes that is a spirit of Antichrist 1 Joh. 1. 7. 3. Doe they say that that man that was crucified without the gates of Jerusalem is not risen again with that verybody wherwith he was crucified out of the Sepulchre Luk. 24. 38 39. That is a Spirit of Antichrist 4. Do they say that that very man that was crucified with that very body is not now in the presence of his father absent from his people touching his bodily presence though present in spirit I say who ever they be that say he is not there they are of the Divel for the proof of this see Acts 5. 30. and 31. and compare it with Heb. 7. 24. 25. The God of our fathers saith the Apostle raised up Jesus But what Jesus Whom ye slew saith he to the Jews Him the very same whom ye slew hath God exalted with his right hand to be a prince and a Saviour to give repentance unto Israel and forgiveness of sins And indeed here is my life namely the birth of this man the righteousnesse of this man the blood of this man the death and resurrection of this man the ascension intercession of this man for me and the second comming of this man to judge the world in righteousness Acts 17. 31. I say here is my life if I see this by faith without me through the operation of the spirit within me I am safe I am at peace I am comforted I am encouraged and I know that my comfort peace and encouragement
Scripture for our Lord sprang out of Judah Heb. 7. 14. Againe when Christ the Saviour was to come into the world at that time the Scepter was to depart from Judah according to the prophesie of Jacob The Scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a Lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come Gen. 49. 10. Now the Scepter was then departed from those that were Jews by nature and also the lawgiver and Herod who was a stranger and not of Judea was King over them as Caesars Deputy and Caesar Augustus imposed lawes on them The stuborn Jews also confessed the Scepter to be departed when before Pontius Pilate a Romane governour of â—udea they cryed out against Christ We have no King but Caesar Joh. 19. 15. Nay further the Jewes from that day to this have beene without a â—ing of their owne nation to governe them they never had the Scepter swayed since by any of themselves but have been a scattered despised people and have been as it were liable to all dangers and for a long time driven out from their countrey and scattered over all the Nations of the earth as was prophesied concerning them Jeâ— 24. 9. Zek. 5. 14 15. And yet these poor souls are so horribly deluded by the devil that though they see these things come to passe yet they will not believe And one reason among many of their being thus deluded is this they say that the word Scepter in that 49. of Gen. is not meant of a Kingly Government but the meâ—ning is say they a rod or persecutions shall not depart from Judah till Shiloh come Now they doe most grosly mistake that place for though I am not skilled in the Hebrew tongue yet through grace I am enlightned into the Scriptures whereby I find that the meaning is not persecutions noâ— the rod of afflictions but a Governour or Scepter of the Kingdome shall not depart from Judah till Shiloh come And that this is the meaning of the place weigh but the very next words of the same verse and you will find it to be the Scepter of a King that is meant for he addeth nor a Lawgiver from between his feet Marke it The Scepter nor a Lawgiver the Legislative power depending on the Scepter of the Kingdom shall not depart from Judah untill Shiloh come According to that Scripture written in Isa. 7. 16. For before the Child shall know to refuse the evill and chuse the good the land which thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her Kings which Scripture hath been fulfilled from that same time But a word to the Jews exposition of the Scepter to be a rod or persecutions saying that persecutions shall not depart from Judah till Shiloh come This cannot be the meaning of the place for the Jews have had rest oftentimes and that before Shiloh did come at one time they had rest fourscore years Judges 3. 30. againe And the land had rest from warre Joâ—h 14 15. And againe the Lord gave them rest round about according to all that he sware unto their fathers and there stood not up a man of all their enemies before them Jos. 21. 44. Jos. 22. 4. 23. 1. And the land had rest forty years Jud. 3. 11. There was rest many a time from persecution and from the rod thâ—ugh it we but for a season but the Scepter or Kingdome did noâ— depart from Judah and a law-giver from between his feet tiâ—â— Shiloh came Againe to prove that Jesus is the Christ it is cleer from the hand of God against the Jews for putting him to death What was the reason why they did put him to death but this he did say that he was the Christ the Sonne of God Luke 22. 70. Then said they all Art thou the Sonne of God And he said ye say that I am that is I am he as you say I am the son of God Yea the only begotten Son of the Father and I was with him before the world was Now the Jews did put him to death for his thus owning his own That is for not denying of his Sonship but making himself equal with God therefore did they put him to death Joh. 1â— 7. Now God did and doth most miserarably plague them to this very day for their crucifying of him But I say 〈◊〉 he not been the Christ of God Gods Son he would not have laid sin to their charge for crucifying him but rather have praised them for their zeale and for taking him out of the way who did rob God of his honour in that he made himselfe equal with God and was not He would have praised them for doing the thing that was right as he did Phinehas the son of Eleazâ—r for executing judgement in his time on the adulterer and adultereâ—le Numb 25. 8. But in that he said he was the Sonne of God and accounted it no robbery so to call himself Phil. 2. And seeing that they did put him to death because he said he was thâ— Son of God And in that God doth so severely charge them with and punish them for their sin in putting him to death for saying that he was the son of God it is evident that he was and is the sonne of God and that Saviour that should come into the world For his blood hath been upon them to this very day for their hurt according to their desire Mat. 27. 25. Againe Jesus himselfe doth in his day hold forth that he is the Christ where he saith the time is fulfilled and the Kingdome of heaven is at hand Mat. 1. 15. What time is this thâ—â— Jesus speaks of Surely 〈◊〉 that of Daniels Seventy weeks spoken of in Chap. 9. 24. when he saith Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people to finish transgression and to make an end of sin and to make reconciliation or satisfaction for iniquity and to bring in everlasting righteousness and to anoint the most hoâ—y this time that here Daniel speakes of is it that Christ saith hath an end and the argument that he brings to perswade them to believe the Gospel is this the Kingdome of God is at hand according as was prphesied of it by Daniel repent and believe the Gospel Repent and believe that this is the Gospel And that this is the truth of God Consider that Daniel had a revelation of these daies from the Angel of God and also the time in which it should be accomplished Namely Seventy weekes was the determined time of the Messias his comming from the time when the Angel spake these words to Daniel Seventy weekes that is about 490 years if you reckon every day in the said twenty weekes for a yeare a day for a yeare a day for a yeare for so is the holy Spirits way sometime to reckon dayes Ezek. 4. 6. and this the Jews were convinced of when Christ saith to them ye Hypocrites ye can discerne the face of the skie but can you not discerne the Signes of the
time Mat. 16. 3. Do you not see that those things that are spoken of as forerunners of my comming are accompliâ—hed Do you not see that the Scepter is departed from Judah Doe you not see the time that Daniel spake of is accompliâ—â—ed also There shall no Signe be given you but the sign of the Prophâ—t Jâ—nabâ— O ye hypocritical generation ver 4. Another argument to prâ—ve that Jesus is â—he Chriâ— is this By his power the blind â—ee the 〈◊〉 walke tâ—e dea heir the dâ—mbe speak the dead are raised up the divels are disâ—oâ—fesled In Esâ—â— 5 〈◊〉 4. it is thus proâ—heâ—â—ed of him Behâ—ld your God will come with a vengeance even God with a recoâ—pence he will 〈◊〉 and save you But how shall we know when he is come Why thâ—n the eyes of the blind shall be opened and the eares of the deafe shall be unstopped then shall the lame man leape as an hart and the â—oâ—gue of the dumbe shall sing for in the wildernesse shall waters breake forth and streames in the desart vâ—r 5. 6. Now which John would know whether he were the Christ or no Jesus sends him this very answer Go and tell John saith he what you hear and see The blâ—nd receive their sight and the lame walke the â—epers are cleansed the deaf hear the dead are raised and the poor have the Gospel preached unto them Mat 1â— 3 4. 5. Another Argument that doth prove this Jesus to be the Christ is this namely he to whom it was revealed that he should see him though he waited long for him So soone as ever he did but see that sweet Bâ—be that was borne of the Virgin Mary he cryed out Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word for mine eyes have seene thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before all people as it is in Luke 2. 26 27 28 29 30 31. The Prophetesse Anna also so soone as shee had seen him gave thanks to the Lord and spake of him 〈◊〉 all those that waited for redemption in Israel ver 36 37 38. Another Argument is the signe of the Prophet Jonah He even Jonah was three dayes and three nights in the whales belly Jonah 1. 17. And Jesus makes this very thing an argument to the Jews that he was the true Messias where he saith A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a signe that is they would have me to shew them a signe to prove that I am the Saviour there shall no sign be given to them but the sign of the prophet Jonah For as Jonah waâ— Three dayes and three nights in the whales belly so shall the Soâ— of Man be three dayes and three nights in the heart of the earth Mat. 12. 39 40. And this the Apostle makes mention of to be accomplished where he saith The Jews slew Jesus and hanged him on a tree Act. 10. 39. and laid him in a Sepulchre Mat. 27. But God raised him up the third day shewed him openly Acts 10. 40. Another Scripture argument to prove that Jesus is the Christ is this that there was not one of his bones broken which thing was foretold and typed out by the paschal Lambe where he saith thou shalt not leave any of it until the morning nor break a bone of him Exod. 12. 46. Numb 9. 12. which thing was fulfilled in the Sonne of the Virgin though contrary to the customes of this Nation as it is written Then came the Souldiers and brake the legs of the first and of the other that was crucified with him But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was dead already they brake not his legs Joh. 19. 31 32. That the Scripture should be fulfilled a bone of him shall not be broken ver 36. Another Scripture demonstration is in that they did fulâ—â— the saying that was written They parted my rayment among them and for my vesture they did cast lots Psal. 22. 18. But this was also â—ulfilled in Jesus as it is written Then the Souldiers when they had crucified Jesus took his garments and made four parts to every Souldier a part and also his coat Now the coat was without seame They said therefore among themselves let us not rent it but let us cast lotâ— whose it shall be that the Scripture might be fulfilled which saith They parted my rayment among them and for my vestiâ—â— they did casâ— lots John 19. 23 24. Againe the Scripture saith they shall look on me whom they have pierced Zach. 12. 10. But the Souldier thrust a spear into his side that it might be fulfilled which was written They shall look on him whom they have pierced Joh. 19 34 35 36 37. Now then seeing this is the truth of God that Jesus that was borne of the Virgin is the Christ of God how horribly are those deceived who look on Jesus the son of Mary to be but a shadow or type of something that was afterward to be revealed whereas the Scriptures most lively hold him forth to be the Christ of God and not a shadow of a spirit or of a body afterwards to be revealed but himselfe was the very substance of all things that did any way type out Christ to come and when he was indeed come then was an end put to the law for righteousness or justification to every one that believeth Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth as it is written Rom. 10. 4. That is he was the end of the ceremonial law and of that commonly called the moral law the substance of which is laid down Exod. 20. from the first to the 17 verse though that law as handed out by Christ still remaines of great use to all believers which they are bâ—und to keepe for sanctification as Christ saith Mat. 5. 19. verse to the end of the Chapter But Christ Jesus hath obtained everlasting righteousness having fulfilled all the law of God in the body of his flesh wherein he also suffered on the Cross without the gates and doth impute this righteousness to poor man having accomplished it for him in the body of his flesh which he took of the Virgin Gal. 4. 4 God sent forth his son made of a woman made under the law that is to obey it and to bear the curse of it being made a Curse for us Gal. 3. 13. to redeem them that were under the law That is to redeem such as were ordained to life eternal from the curse of the law And this he did by his birth being made or borne of a woman by his obedience yea by his perfect obedience he became the Author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5. 8 9. and by his doing and suffering did compleatly satisfy the law and the justice of God and bring in that glorious and everlasting salvation without which we had all eternally been undone and that without remedy for without shedding of his