days of your Youth Consider I pray you these following things First Consider your Youth God requires Eccl. 12.1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth Secondly it is a Question whether you may live to an old Age which if not what will become of you Thirdly grant that you live to an old Age it is a Question whether the day of grace may last so long Fourthly if the day of grace should last so long it is a question whether you will not through the pains and imbecilities of old Age be rendred incapable to serve God Fifthâ—y Consider you may serve God when it is too late but you can never serve him too soon Paulus Verily this is true I cannot deny it but do you not think that God is more glorified by an old Convert then by a young Evangelus When you have such suggestions as these endeavor to make them abortive at their birth for any will tell you that there is nothing more acceptable unto God then when a young man offers up the Flower of his Age unto him yea and what does conduce more unto Gods glory then the same Paulus Well I am now convinc'd of my folly especially of confiding in good works for salvation Evangelus Well bless God for it and now seeing through infinite mercy an insufficiency in good works to save you what think you of God Paulus Why I think that he is a Spirit Evangelus He is so my friend and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth Paulus This I knew a great while ago Evangelus Very good are there more Gods then one Paulus Yâ—a surely there must be three Gods God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost Evangelus Know Friend that thou art wofully ignorant for though there be three Persons in the Godhead yet thâ—se three are but one in substance all this while there is but one individual Deity as the Fire does contain in it three Properties 1. It s self 2. Heat 3. Light So though there be but three ways of subsisting in the Godhead yet all this while it is but individual Paulus Pray Sir is there any Scripture for this Evangelus Yea Scripture enough see Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord Isa. 44.6 I am the first and I am the last and beside me there is no God Isa. 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the Earth for I am God and there is none else So 2 Cor. 8.4 5 6. and Eph. 4.5 1 Tim. 2.5 Paulus I confess these Scriptures do hit me for how many times have I read the Bible over and yet do not remember these places Evangelus You minded then well what you read for certainly if you had read diligently and with a desire to know you would have given a more pertinent Answer to such a Fundamental and Practical Point of Divinity as this But this is not all our Souls are spirits Angels are spirits and the Dâ—vils are spirits what difference is thâ—â—â— then between God and these Paulus Why I suppose he is bigger then all of them Evangelus Bigger then all of them this is no solid Answer God he is an increated Spirit all others are created God he is an infinite Spirit all others are finite Paulus Nay this is very good Evangelus Well I am glad you like it but what difference is there between the Devils and the Angels Paulus Why I suppose they are both Spirits and both Angels only the Angels in Heaven are the good Angels and the Devils are the evil ones Evangelus Thou sayest right the Devils thâ—â— are now in Hell were once righteous Angels but through pride and malice they are now become of all creatures the most miserable but where do the Devils inhabit Paulus I suppose the Devils do dwell in Hell it being a Place prepared for them and the wicked Evangelus The habitation of the Devils is partly in Hell and partly in the Air The Devils do dwell in the Air unto the Day of Iudgement and usurping the same on purpose that they might rule in the hearts of men But what difference is there between the spirits and our souls for our souls you know are spirits Paulus Nay I believe now you ask me that which you cannot answer your self Evangelus Think not so friend for the Angels were the firsâ— Creatures that God made whereas our souls are not the Angels are not covered with flesh but our souls are the Angels are perfect spirits but our souls through union with their bodies are imperfect and impure but enough of this what think you now of Iesus Christ Paulus Who is Jesus Christ why he is the Son of God Evangelus It is true my friend he is so for God the Father testifies it Mat. 3.17 The Chuâ—ch acknowledgeth it Matth. 16.16 And the Devils confess it Luke 4.41 But who do you think of these were first God the Father or God the Son Paulus There is a question indeed surely the Father must be before the Son Evangelus Yea friend that is true it is so in natural generation but here it is not for Christ Iesus is co-eternal with his Father and equal with him in Power and Glory Paulus This will not stand by reason Evangelus Divine Mysteries are not to be apprehended by carnal reason for he who would see by an eye of Faith must shuâ— out the eye of Reason and what think you now of the Holy Ghost Paulus Why I suppose he is God too is he not Evangelus Yes he is so see 1 John 5.7 For there are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father Word and Holy Ghost and these three are one Paulus Nay this is very evident you bring Scripture I say to prove what you say Evangelus Well if so be you do believe what I have said concerning the blessed Trinity say with me God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost and these three are one Paulus God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost and these three are one Evangelus Right what think you now of the Creation of the World did God make the World of somthing or of nothing Paulus Of somthing surely for out of nothing nothing can be made Evangelus Friend what do you think Creation signifies Paulus Truly I know not very well Evangelus Why it signifies a making all things of nothing Paulus Say you so Evangelus Yea and have you not read that the World was made only by the especial word of his Power not that we should understand that any word did really proceed from God but only that he will'd it Paulus Did God do you say only speakâ— thâ— word and was this World made I cannot believe this except you bring me Scripture Evangelus If Scriptures will convince you I 'le bring you Scriptures enough See Psal. 33.9 For he spake and it was done he commanded and it
stood fast Heb. 11.3 Through faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear So Rom. 4.17 Paulus All this now is very clear unto me Evangelus I am glad of it and therefore bless God And now tell me I pray you what you what is your belief concerning the Incarnation of our Saviour Paulus I do believe that Jesus Christ did come into the World to save sinners Evangelus And that he was made Man Paulus No I cannot think so in regard that it is impossible for God to become man Evangelus Herein thou art grossly ignorant because thou doest believe Christ came into the World and yet cannot think he was made man Paulus No nor I shall not except you give me good Scripture for it Evangelus Nay you are to be commended for that because you are not to take any thing from me or any man without Scripture and therefore if Scripture will do the business Scripture you shall have enough See John 1.14 And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth So 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversie great is the Mystery of Godliness God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory Paulus I see Scripture does hold forth this truth but who would think that this should be so Evangelus It is so and that for these Reasons as I suppose 1. Gods Iustice by Man was offended therefore by Man it was to be satisfied 2. Christ was Man that he might die for had he not been Man he could not have died 3. He was Man that he might sympathize and condole with us in all our conditions and infirmities 4. He was Man that he might be dâ—â—ompleat Mediator 5. He was Man that he might make Man Partakers of the Divine Nature Paulus Then by this reckoning you must make Christ a sinner Evangelus So he is i.e. by Imputation Paulus This is strange doctrine methinks to make Christ a sinner 〈◊〉 if also he is man then consequentially he is not God Evangelus Your consequence is false my Friend for Christ is God-Man God that he might satisfie Man that he might die 2.5 Paulus Well these things are very deep and profound therefore I pray you ask me somthing else and I will meditate upon them when I come home Evangelus Very good the next Question then shall be this what think you then concerning the Resurrection Paulus Truly Sir this has been ever obscure to me I could wish you would inform my judgement concerning it Evangelus With all my heart for I like this enquiring mighty well Now that there shall be a Resurrection it is evident from these Places of Scripture Dan 12.2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the Earth shall awake some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting ' contempt Iohn 5.28 29. Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the Graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth they that have done good unto the Resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of damnation So see 1 Cor. 15. and Rev. 20.12 13. Paulus Well this truth I also believe for I see there are many Scriptures for the demonstration and proof of the same Evangelus What think you now concerning the last Iudgment do you believe it or not Paulus I do believe that Jesus Christ will come at the last day and judge the world Evangelus And are you willing friend that I should try your knowledg in this necessary truth Paulus Willing why do you think I should be unwilling pray don't question that for I am so willing as that I shall look upon you as my best friend if you take the pains to inform me in this Evangelus Well then seeing that I have such a free access unto you I shall ask you these several Questions in order to your better understanding of this great truth what then is the last Iudgment Paulus The last Judgement is a day as I suppose wherein Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour shall come down from Heaven with great Glory to judge the whole World and give unto every one according as his works shall be Evangelus Very well my friend for your Answer pleases me exceeding well but how manifold is the coming of Christ Paulus How manifold is the coming of Christ why is there more comings of Christ then one Evangelus Yes friend the Scriptures do hold forth unto us a threefold coming of Christ the first was in the flesh about sixteen hundred years ago when he came in the forme of a servant taking upon him our sins the second is his coming now with the Power of the Gospel in the hearts of sinners and the third is his future coming when he shall in the end of the World come in glorious Glory not to be exprest And this is called his second Appearance to Iudgement Acts 10 42. Christ is appointed by God the Father Iudge both of the quick and dead So Acts 17. Paulus These are wonderful things pray tell me now how Christ will judge the World Evangelus Visible in the clouds for even as he ascended so shall he descend but wherefore do you think my Friend Christ will judge the World Paulus That he may render eternal life with fulness of joy unto the godly and eternal punishment to the wicked Evangelus You answer right but what do you think will be the Order of this Iudgement Paulus Truly Sir I know not very well Evangelus My friend observe there are certain Transactions that do prâ—cede this day certain Transactions done in the day and certain Transactions that does ensue this day First some things there be that arâ— antecedent to or coming before this day which will be these 1. A Subversion of the Roman Empire and the Man of Sin revealed 2. The Rising of false Christs and false Prophets 3. Signeâ— that shall be in the Sun and Moon 4. The Gospel being preached throughâ— out all Nations 5. Obedience yielded unto the Gospel by Iews and Gentiles and all that do pertain unto the Election of Gods grace Secondly those Transactions done in this day are these 1. The Son of Man shall be seen in the Air. 2. The dead shall rise both righteous and unrighteous 3. Christ shall separate the bad from the good and denounce the last sentence Thirdly that which follows this day is the proportioning of a reward unto every Mans work and now tell me what thou thinkest of these things Paulus Truly they are things that I never knew till now Evangelus Bless God then for what you know and answer me this
of things not seen Heb. 11.1 Paulus How is this Faith attained Evangelus It is attained by a conscientious use of the Word and increased by Prayer and Sacrament Paulus What is Prayer Evangelus Prayer is the pouring out of our souls unto God in the Name of Christ by the help of the Spirit and with faith on the Promises for those things which are agreeable unto his Will Paulus This I remember for it has been told me a great while ago Evangelus You understand herein I shall examine by asking you several questions concerning this duty as first ought we to pray unto God and only unto him Paulus Only unto him excepting Saints and Angels Evangelus How do you mean Saints and Angels I hope you don't hold praying to them Paulus Nay I cannot think any otherwise but that it is lawful to pray to them for they are those who do make a way unto God the Father for us Evangelus I deny it and therefore shall affirm that Christ only is the way to the Father but that I might further clear this truth observe 1. Prayer is a part of Divine Worship which all grant and God only is the object of Divine Worship therefore to pray unto any besides God is a perfect violation of that Command Deut. 6 1â— Mat. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve 2. Consider we have but one Intercessor and Mediator in Heaven and therefore it is a high affront unto Christ to make any use of others in that kind 3. Consider that excellent place of Scripture Rev. 19 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him and he said unto me see thou do it not I am thy fellow-servant And in the last place consider here is but little encouragement for any of us to pray unto Saints because the best Saints in Heaven is ignorant of our conditions here below Isa. 63.16 John 14.21 Paulus Why truly all this is clear none can deny Evangelus Well friend what think you of this question can one pray and not speak Paulus No surely that can't be Evangelus Yes one may for there is vocal Prayer and mental Prayer Vocal Prayer is the expressing our desires unto God by the words of our lips and Mental Prayer is the offering up of our desires unto God without the help of words as Hannah prayed when her voice was not heard 1 Sam. 1.13 Paulus How may I pray so as to finde acceptance with God Evangelus First direct your supplications unto God Secondly Pray in faith Thirdly with a sense of your wants Fourthly with a sense of your unworthiness to have any of your wants supplied Fifthly with Sincerity and Perseverance Sixthly beg what you beg in the Name of Christ. Seventhly conclude your Prayer with a Doxology being this For thine is the Kingdom Power and Glory for ever and ever Amen Paulus I thank you good Sir for this seasonable advice Evangelus What think you now of the Sacrament Paulus It is an Ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ himself Evangelus A Sacrament is a seal of the Covenant of grace whereby as God doth oblige himself to give unto us all the benefits contained therein so we in like manner do by that oblige our selves to be the Lords and to be true and faithfulâ— unto him Paulus This I now do understand Evangelus Very good now how many Sacraments are there of use in thiâ— Gospelâ— Dispensation Paulus Surely there are but two Evangelus Thou sayst right and therefore the Papists herein are to be blamed whâ— say there are seven Sacraments whereas we do deny any such number and do affirm that there are but two Sacraments viz. Baptism and the Lords Supper Baptism is a Sacrament wherein the washing with waâ—er in the Name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost doth signifie and seal our ingrafting into Christ the Lords Supper is a Sacrament wherein these things given viz. Bread and Wine are signified exhibited and shewed forth unto us the Body of our Lord Iesus which was broken and his blood which was poured out abundantly for the remission of our sins Circumcision and the Passeover was in the Law in room whereof comes Baptism and the Lords Supper Baptism in the room of Câ—rcuncision and the Lords Supper in the room of the Passeover Paulus In this I am also very well satisfied Evangelus I am glad of that but what think you of this Is the bread really transubstantial and turn'd into the Body of Christ Paulus Yes that is really my belief for does not our Saviour say This is my Body 1 Cor. 11.14 Evangelus Friend believe it not because there is not Grounds whereupon Reason should be built much less faith Observe what I have to say contradictory to it and you will finde that such an opinion is against Scripture Sense and Reason Consider these words This is my body is no proper but figurative expression were all Scriptures to be understood literally then there would be some reason for the understanding of this expression to be as you would have it Paulus What do you tell me of Figures surely our Saviour would have spoken more plainly to his disciples than so especially in the instituting of an Ordinance Evangelus Christ spoke intelligible enough but tell me is not that plain enough when we take the words as they are frequently and commonly used in Scriptures Paulus Yes That I can't deny Evangelus Well then these words are common and frequent in Scripture John 6.14 is thus written I am the Way so John 10. I am the Door Christ properly is no Door but only as a Door is an entrance into a Place so Christ in this respect is an entrance into Heaven Now compare this with the other Place of Scripture This is my Body the true meaning is This is a figure sign and Pre-Presentation of my Body This is my Body that is as Bread doth nourish strengthen and refresh the Body and satisfie the natural appetite so the Body and Blood of Christ received by faith doth strengthen nourish refresh and satiate the spiritual appetite Observe I pray you how oppugnant this is to reason for is it not absurd that bread should be turn'd into another substance and yet the accidents remain the same there is the colour â—asâ—e and smell of the bread if the bread in the Sacrament is turn'd into the real Body of Christ then the Nature End of a Sacrament would be destroyd the nature of a Sacrament is to be a Sign and the Ends of it is to be a remembrance of Christ both which supposes Christs Body to be absent Again observe our Lord Iesus mentions Bread after the words of Consecration saying the bread which we break 1 Cor. 10.16 He that eateth this bread 1 Cor. 11.27 28. If the bread is turn'd into the real Body of Christ then wicked Communicants may receive Christ and Christs