by his chastisements Hebrews 12. 11 15 16. from gracious returns of prayers and from beholding the light of his countenance and so from victory over our iniquities and the evil of our temptations Isaiah 1 10 18. Psalm 32. 3 4. Yea the secret and wilfull retaining divers lusts disables from so coming to the knowledge of the truth that we might be saved by it 2 Tim. 3. 6 7. Therefore saith James we have not because we ask not or we ask and receive not because we ask amiss to consume it upon our lust or still secretly retain the purpose desire or idol of iniquity in the heart whence he thus admonisheth Submit resigne or yeeld up your selves to God Resist the Devil and he will flee from you draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you Clense your hands ye sinners purifie your hearts ye double minded c. James 4. Oh! That yet we were willing so to discern diligently to look into and consider the Lords body as to examine our selves search and try our wayes in that glass and to see what we see not and judge our selves as there discovered and reproved as we are instructed 1 Cor 11. 28 31. Yea so to remember him in all his wayes as to acknowledg him in all our wayes not leaning to our own thoughts or understanding But as those that call on the father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every mans work to pass the time of our sojourning here in fear The good Lord would yet be merciful and pardon and heal us though yet we be not sanctified after the sanctification of his sanctuary were we but willing in the light and strength of his grace and name in Christ so to prepare our hearts or suffer him to prepare and fix them to him that the iniquities and idols might be discovered and the purpose or desire to hide and hold them fast broken and we made willing to see and part with them for the excellency of the knowledge of him for he doth not onely alwayes prevent with his abundant grace in Christ to humble but will also prepare the heart of the hamble and cause his ear to hear Psalm 10. 17. Isaiah 1. 16 19. 2 Chron. 30. 18 19. James 4. 6 10. Thus have his servants the Prophets that have spoken to us in the Name of the Lord in all their earnest and diligent inquiries after God and for understanding the visions of the times and the things that in both parts of them as to the actual accomplishment bringing forth of them were then yet to come namely the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow Humbled themselves to the searching ouâ— and being sensible of and acknowledging their iniquities and the iniquities of their people as discovered in the instructions of his name and written upon the rod See Ezra 9. 6. to the end 10 1. Neh. 1. 6 7 and 9. tot Psalm 32. 5 and 38 and 39. Isa 64. 5 9. Dan. 9. 3. 20. And thus they have instructed us in the way not to be as the Horse or Male c Psalm 32. 8. But to search and try our wayes and turn to the Lord to examine and judge our selves in the true light to humble our selves in the sight of the Lord and under his mighty hand And surely such walking humbly and mournfully before him in the sence of our own vileness and searching out and giving up our iniquities and Idolls in the light and power of Gods name in Christ is found in the right worshipping in which the father is worshipped in spirit and truth in the light of the Spirits testimony given of Christ and so in Christ the truth Yea the way the truth and the life that rejoycing in and giving glory unto Christ Jesus in which the father is truly honoured and worshipped in the spirit hath alwayes in it and is it self found in a taâ—king shame to our selves and relinquishing all rejoycing in the flesh that no flesh may glory in his presence Philipians 3. 3. 4. I might here add in this seeking him after the due Order as to the manner of our seeking that there is in it a joyning and cleaving together in his name and so seeking and striving together for the faith of the Gospel even in the Vnity of the spirit with them that call on his Name in truth that worship him in Christ according to the Gospel The persons with whom we may and are to joyn dwell and walk in the Unity of the spirit and so together with whom we are to be followers of the Apostles they are such as walk as they have the Apostles for an example Philippians 3. 17 20 21. And we are diligently to mark know and distinguish them by considering the end of their conversation Compare this to the Philippians with Hebrews 13. 7 8 9. For there are many other walkers zealous pretenders to godliness mortification holiness that have also much of the form or outward appearance of it in many things who yet are the enemies of the Cross of Christ the very end of their conversation though privily carried on under a fair shew of mortification and holiness with good words and fair speeches to deceive the simple is to deny the Lord that bought them To destroy or cast down him from his excellency to render him undesireable and to corrupt believers from the simplicity of him And the thing thereto worshipped adhered to and magnified by them is their own Belly their own or some private Spirit experiments works mortifications sufferings and the like instead of the person of Christ and the works finished in his body and the grace treasured up and hope set before us in him for this life and that to come as evidenced by the spirit of truth in his testimony given of Christ They glory in their shame mind earthly things things suited to sence and in which they have their portion in this life But as for me sayes David I will behold thy face in righteousness even in Christ the true light and manifestation of the righteousness and glory of God and so in the great and precious promises confiâ—med in him For here we walk by faith that is the evidence of things not seen the confidence of things hoped for and not by sight When I awake sayes he namely in the morning of the resurrection of the just by Christ at his comming then I shall be satisfied with thine image Psalm 17. 15. with 2 Cor. 4. 17. 18. and 5 1 7 9. Hebrews 11. 1. Romans 8. 23 24. So here the Apostles conversation and so theirs that walk as they have them for an example is in Heaven exercised in and about the treasure they have there in the person of Christ with God and the expectation they have in him as now appearing in the glorious presence of God in the Heaven it self for them from whence also they look for the same Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ to
of Christ the power of godliness that creep into houses or gather into companies and societies like the Churches of Christ Then such as Timothy are advised with more diligence to follow their work and design together with them that call on him out of a pure heart 2 Timothy 2. 22. with chap. 3. 1. 6. And all of us to be followers together of the Apostles and mark them which walk so as they have them for an example considering the end of their conversation as afore-said and so knowing and owning them for our companions to strive together with Phil. 3. 17 18 19 20 21. with chap. 1. 27 28. and 2. 1. 6. c. And that in all our acts of seeking and striving for the faith of the Gospel in all our hearing speaking doing suffering yea in our prayers to God as Romans 15. 30. with Ephesians 6. 18. Acts 1. 14. and 12. 12. See the many instructions and earnest entreaties and exhortations to this seeking and striving together in the Scriptures already mentioned and in divers others Surely a good and pleasant thing is this unity of the Spirit and the generation of seekers dwelling together in it For there the Lord hath commanded the blessing even life for evermore Where ever two or three are gathered together in his name there is he in the midst of them rendring them comely as Jerusalem that is compact together and terrible as an Army with Banners Psam 103 Cant. 6. 4. Mat. 18. 20. This last branch of order in the manner of our seeking is fitly added to the latter part of the former branch For onely by Pride commeth Contention Envying and Strife And then follows confusion and every evil work Proverbs 13. 10. James 3. 13. 16. and 4. 1 6 10. Therefore our Saviour thus joyns them in his instruction and exhortation Mark 9. 50. Have Salt in your selves have peace one with another Meaning by Salt the humbling instructions of the Gospel and the reproofs of instruction and signifying that the retaining them and suffering their effecacy each of us on our Spirits is the way to have peace one with another hence also the Apostle instructs with all lowliness of mind to endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace for there can be no union or perfect joyning together without suffering the desires of vain glory to be subdued and our selves to be broken off from our own purpose and desire in which we are each minding and seeking his own things nor will there be any right submission of the younger to the elder nor of all of us one to another in the fear of the Lord without being cloathed with humility in the hearty acknowledgement of his glorious name Ephesians 4. 2 3 c. Philipians 2. 2 3 4 7 20 21. 1 Peter 5. 5 6. According to these last considerations of the due order in the manner of our seeking after which the Lord is to be sought by us They seek him not after the due order that are not gathered together to him in his name and so seeking him in the instruction encouragement and acknowledgement of it and in the unity of the Spirit in it or thus They that worship not in the spirit in the light teaching and instruction of that one spirit that is in and with the testimony of Jesus taking of his things and shewing them and so teaching all things and leading into all truth For as this is the spirit of prophesie so also of faith and of grace and supplication in which all the true worshippers worship God Rev. 19. 10. They therefore worship not aright that worship not in the spirit and so that have not their rejoycing in Christ Jesus who is the truth with a relinquishing and free giving up all Idols and rejoycings in the flesh for the excellency of the knowledge of him John 4. 23 24. Phil. 3. 3. Particularly thus 1. They that run not into that name of Christ in which is the evidence and demonstration of the spirit with power for their light and instruction what to seek for in him and from him and how to seek but adhere to their own or some private spirit for that which will instruct and lead to seek and wait for in him or from him such things as God hath not put in him for us and therefore not promised to give with him to us as some such private assurances or speakings of peace and liftings up as are more suited to the sensual mind and may a little gratifie the flesh that desires ease or liberty or like things which instructions cause to err from the words of Knowledge and therefore neither can they stay upon or rest satisfied with the incouragement and strength which that spirit in the name of the Lord Jesus giveth to seek him to hope in and wait upon him and so not with that rejoycing which is onely in Christ Jesus because that gives no incouragement or strength to seek hope or wait for such things in him or from him or to seek in such a way as by their own or some private spirit light word or spark of their own kindling they are led to They therefore run to such sparks for light and heat and for a time may walk in the light of them stollen waters are sweet and bread eaten in secret places is pleasant But from all those sparks and rejoycings in them they must lye down in sorrow Nor can these persons while wilfully walking in this way heartily acknowledge his name or give glory to it in submitting and falling down under the discoveries and reproofs of its instruction because their deeds are evil Their principal works and wayes are so contrary to it and reproved by it nor can they be heartily united with those that fear his name and worship him in truth And truly any branches or rellicks of that way of iniquity above-mentioned will have answerable like effects of confusion and disorder upon those that retain and walk in them 2. Nor are they seeking after the due order that though in some good measure right as to the first branch That is as to the things they seek and look for in him and from him seeking according to his will yet are not content with that ground of incouragement and way of approach that is onely in and through his blood and powerful mediation with it and therefore instead of attending principally to seek farther assurance of understanding in that that their hearts might be comforted and strengthned therein are even seeking peeping into corners and waiting for some other private incouragement or ground of assurance in which to seek expect and wait for his righteousness in perfecting what concerns them and so unsatisfifyed if they cannot gather up or kindle something of that nature as if they were without hope in the World as if all that ever God hath done for them in his Son and for and to them through him were nothing to assure them
him as the principal thing the merchandize of it better then of silver and the gain thereof then of fine gold she is more precious then Râ—biâ—s and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her And therefore we are exhorted so to seek after it and get it with all our getting to buy the truth what ever it cost us or we must part with for iâ— and not to sel or part with it whatever advantage we might have in lieu of it Proverbs 3. 14 15. and 4 5 7 c. and 23. 23. To seek first the Kingdome of God and his righteousness so as with a neglect of all other things even things needfull as to the natural life for it leaving it to â—hâ—m without carefulness to dispose of them and add them to us as he sees good Matthew 6. 19 32 33. c. Yea even those things that are of all the things in this World most to be esteemed loved and respected in their place and in subordination to him yet are to be hated by us for him and in comparison of him If any man come to me saith our Saviour and in comming hate not Father and Mother Wife and Children Brethren and Sisters Yea and his own Life also he is not worthy of me he cannot be my Disciple Matthew 10. 37 39. Luke 14. 26 33. They sought not the Lord after the due order that with their mouth shewed much love but their heart went after their covetousness Ezekiel 33. 31. Nor they that loved the praise of men more then that which comes of God alone John 5. 44. and 12 43. That rather then part with or hazard the loss of the one would let go the other or put or keep themselves out of the certain way or meeting with it and so for lying vanities forsake their own mercies As also he that would first go bury his Father that so he might keep the good will of such relations while they lived and so make sure the Inheritance Portion or Advantage he might have from them at their death then promising to himself to follow him with a more full Spirit And likewise he that would first go bid them farewell that were at home at his house that in a designe to keep the friendship of the World and worldly relaâ—ions and friends would seek their consent or a fair and possible come off That he might not incurre hatred and reproach from them and be as the filth and off-scouring of the World to them not willing for the excellency of the knowledge of him to goe out of the Camp beaâ—ing his reproach Luke 9. 58. 61. Yea whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath even to his own natural Life if he lay not that at the stake for him or be not willing to let it goe and part with it oâ— any thing pertaining to it when it stands in the way for his sake and the Gospels or in his seeking to know him and winne him that he may be found in him do not neglect and hate it in comparison of him he is not worthy of him he seeks him not after the due order he cannot be his Disciple for no man can serve two masters the mind and affections cannot be fixed on â—â—ings below and on the things that are above together Therefore lâ—â—t seek we the Kingdom of God and his righteousness so as with a neglect of all other things for it and in comparision of it There is an order in the time and causes of the things that are to be preferred and earnestly and in a sense equally to be sought for by us After which somethings are to be sought first that other things which are also to be preferred and sought may be found in them and attained through them with other things are not otherwise to be sought but in the first things And so to seek the Lord after the due order as with reference to the things of the Lord and to be sought in in him as wisdome righteousness and strength Yea all things pertaining to life and godliness are in him and to be sought in him I say To seek him after the due order as with reference to those things Is First And as the first thing unto all to seek after wisdome in the knowledge of him in what he hath done and is become for us in Christ and the hope set before us in him that through the knowledge of his Grace towards us rich provision for us in Christ even while we were yet dead in sins and trespasses we may be strengthned to believe in him love and trust in him before the sons of men for his name in Christ known by us instructs and strengthens us to trust in him Psalm 9 10. to desire after him John 4. 10. to delight in and rest satisfied with him verse 14. Whence the Apostle prayes for the Ephesians that God would grant them the spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of him the eyes of their understandings being enlightned that they may know what is the hope of his calling c. Ephesians 1. 17 18 19. And the great conflict he had for the Collosians was that their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assâ—rance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ and in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Yeâ— this he signifies to be that order of their faith in which it became stedfâ—st which he joyed to behold and according to which he exhorts them to go on walking in him as they had received him even according to this rule or order being rooted and built up in him and so stablished in the faith as they had been taught In their receiving him they were baptized into the knowledge and acknowledgment of his death and so taking root down-ward believing minding and considering what he had done and was now become for them through the blood of his Cross They were thence built up in him and upon him and after the same order might profitably go on to farther growth and stability in him Col. 2. 1 2 5 6 7. And so the way to grow in grace is signified to be in growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 8 18. Also that the mind or soul be without knowledge it is not good nor safe for without it it cannot be made good There is no other arm or power to reconcile the heart to God but the knowledge of his reconciliation in Christ or of â—hat goodness of God that is in and through Christ it s the goodness of God that leades to repentance Therefore the first thing to be sought always and in all oâ—â—â— seekings of the Lord and of righteousness and strength in him is that we may win him in the understanding and knowledge of him that is true
them because they testified concerning us that our works were evil though they did it in bearing witness to his infinite grace in Christ for and towards us It was one of the greatest griefs and burchens on the Spirit of this Servant of the Lord much complained of by him towards his end That he had preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this place till it was made a reproach and derision to him till it was even snuffed at and become contemptible a burthen yea a Savour of Death to them that sometime had heard it with gladness and rejoyced in it 2 If we look farther even upon the generality of those that have a great zeal of God and pretend to be earnest seekers and worshippers of him in these parts where this light shined yea even among those that were willing for a season to rejoyce in his light as John 5. 33. 35. Yet how few seeking the Lord after the due order But first seeking to frame their hearts unto and do something for God that thence they may conclude God hath a gracious affection towards and hath done great things for them in Christ First seeking to know their love to him that from thence they may conclude his love to them First seeking to know or rather guess or imagine their election before they will know or believe Christs death for them yea that they may gather the knowledge of that from the other And being so fundamentally out of order The Vision of all is become to them as a sealed book The great things of his Law a strange thing having no understanding or perswasion of the truth of it they can have no usefulness of it as to any of their worship but their fear towards him is taught by the precepts of men according to which they prefer and lay the stress of their Religion in the lighter matters yea in the ordinances of men such as Tonch not Taste not Handle not neglecting the weighty matters of the Law as Judgement Mercy and Faith Yea how is the foundation and head of the corner laid aside by the chief builders and teachers that they heap up to themselves May not this complaint be taken up of the generallity of those that profess them selves the Churches of Christ and are called by his name and gathered into societies and pretended order Though it may be feared of the greatest part of them not by him not entring by the door but climbing up or creeping in some other way into such houses or societies as the Apostle fore-tells us such shall do in the latter dayes as under a form of godliness privily deny the power of it the Gross of Christ the Lord that bought them I say may not this complaint be taken up of the generality of them That take away but their disorder and irregularness and what will be left them of all their Religions or of all their fear or worship towards God It s to be feared of the greatest part of them very little if any thing their fear or worship it self is little else but a bundle of confusion and disorder their very stock is a Doctrine of vanity and lyes their root rottenness and confusion at least in a great part of it and what then can be expected in any of the blossomes or branches as springing from such a root but disorder and confusion like as in the Land of Darkness where there is no order and where their light is as darkness as hath been oft bewailed by this servant of the Lord concerning many of them among whom he formerly had his conversation And with whom and for whose good he still laboured exceedingly as he had opportunity notwithstanding the many discouragements he met with from them but God hath taken him from the evil 3 If we go yet farther to take a view of the true worshipers or such as in some measure call on him in truth or at least are more fundamentally in order then the former Yet what disorder and confusion hath been found with them Yea what pollution in their holy things had they as they have been redeemed from among men and gathered together unto him by the powerfull effecacy of his precious blood discovered Had they even so in the light and power of that grace cleaved together in his name and sought the Lord after the due order they might have prevented this breach yea had we yet after the judgement was devised and framed against us as a punishment and correction of our disorder Had we I say yet sought him after the due order in this thing and so for the healing and restoring to us this our now deceased Brother While yet there was hope as the taking him away was along time evidently enough threatned before finished to give us opportunity to seek him in due manner while he might have been found and intreated by us in that matter If we would have judged our selves surely we should not thus have been judged had we diligently in the opportunity which is now past for that prepared our selves to the search and consideration what is the meaning of the voice in such judgements threatned and searched and tryed our wayes in the true glass and with a true heart that what is halting might be healed And so run into his name together to see what we might have sought for with servency in such a case as this and on what ground and in that instruction incouragement sought it of him or rather sought him in it with a hearty acknowledgement of the evil of our ways and doings humbling our selves under his mighty hand lifted up That he would graciously teach us what we see not and make us willing to see and be ashamed of give up what is discovered reproved that he would prepare our hearts and cause his ear to hear that we might turn from our iniquities and understand his truth and he might turn from the evil threatned and not bring it upon us Surely this judgement might have been prevented God would have repented him of the evil even when he had devised and prepared it against us as Jer. 11. 8. 11. with 1 Cor. 11. 30 31. For this shall every one that is godly every true worshipper of God that worship in spirit and truth yea such true worshippers joyntly and together standing fast in one Spirit with one mind or soul and so in personal fellowship one with another as they have opportunity they shall strive together in their prayers in a time of finding even for this To prepare our hearts to him that we may not still hide our iniquity under our tongue or set up the Idol of it in our hearts but heartily acknowledge and confess it unto him together and resign it up to him that is ready to pardon and heal And to cause his ear to hear That he may do for us for his Names-sake forgiving the iniquity of our sin Surely in the Floods of great Waters they shall
in the Ark the first Testament which made nothing perfect but pointed to a better hope in Christ and so were Ministers of the letter and had a ministration of death to nurture and lead to life and peace in him that was to come Now the service of the holy Priesthood is to be exercised in the Heavenly things themselves That which is committed to their charge is the revelation of Grace and Truth as now come forth in and by Jesus Christ delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification The dispensation of the fulness of times in which al things are gathered together in one and so in which is the revelation of the truth and body of all those figures tipes and shadowes in the law even in Christ that excellent ministry in which God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings whereas that committed to them was but Gods speaking in divers parts In this speaking by his Son last of all is given unto us the full and clear revelation of the name of the Father in the manifâ—station of the truth of all his former Oracles and promises to the Fathers and so of his infinite grace and glory therein and that in the face of Christ in the discovery of which his name The name of the Son is also revealed in which he is manifested as before witnessed in Oracles Tipes and Prophesies and as the fulfilling and body of them all in what he hath already done and by means thereof doth and will do The Son of God the Saviour of the World The Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the World the perfect sacrifice and offering for sin That is the onely and compleat ransome and price of redemption for all The Mediatour between God and men the High-Priest over the house of God yea the onely He in whom it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell even the fulness of the God-head bodily and in whose blood the whole New Testament of precious promises both for this life and that to come is sealed that also the performance of them may be given forth in due time with him And this revelation of the Son and so of the Father in him is given us in the full evidence and demonstration of the Spirit with plainness and power in which also the name of the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth is revealed in his full and glorious testimony of Christ and so of the Father in him immediately given and in his powerful presence and working with it unto all things pertaining to life and godliness to the end of the World as was before prophesied of that powring forth of him from on high And so they are Ministers of the New Testament not of the letter but of the Spirit being in this dispensation blessed with all Spiritual Blessings and that not in earthly or tipical but in Heavenly things even in Christ in whom all Spiritual blessings the truth and body of all figures and tipes are treasured up for us and in the rveelation of him brought to us and in this Ministry committed to the Holy Priesthood That they should offer up spiritual Sacrifices of prayer and praise to God continually and confession of his name by Jesus Christ as comed in the flesh and so that they should Minister in the Heavenly things themselves and not in Tipes Figures or Patterns as the Levitical Priesthood but in and about the true Sanctuary Mercy-Seat Altar Sacrifice c. as the truth and body of all is met and found in him So then the bearing and keeping the charge of the Vessels of the Lord that is now the work or service of the Holy Priesthood under the Gospel and was resembled by the Priests and Levites bearing and keeping the charge of the Ark of the Sanctuary and of all the Vessels of the Ministry may be thus expressed 1. Their great business and the sum of all is to keep and to bear even to bear upon them and hold forth The truth of God as it is now come forth and manifested in the personal body of Jesus Christ which the Father prepared for him in our nature that he might do his will for us and in which he bore our sins on the Tree and in which being raised from the dead he is entred into his glory for us which is such as in which it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell in him even the fulness of the God-head bodily That by him our faith and hope might be in God They are to hold fast and hold forth to others this acknowledgement or profession of their faith in which those things which the Prophets said should come to pass That Christ should suffer and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead and should shew light to the People and to the Gentiles is declared to be even so fulfilled and come forth in that one offering of his personal body once for all And so in him the truth and body of all the tipes and shadowes of the law Whence the house of God which is the Church of the living God as now it is since the appearing of Christ the Church of the man Christ raised from the dead who was dead but is alive for evermore and standeth in the name and majesty of God his Father to feed and rule I say his spiritual house his holy Priesthood is according to the general acception of that 1 Timothy 3. 15. said to be The Pillar and ground of truth even of the manifestation of the truth and righteousness of God in all his former Oracles and promises given to the Fathers and in all the grace and good things tipified and witnessed in the law and Prophets as now come forth in Christ raised from the Dead and treasured up in his personal body for us And though that Scripture may have another acception such as in which that clause the pillar and ground of truth is attributed to the living God that stands before it and indeed He even God in Christ and so the man Christ Jesus in the name and majesty of God he is not onely the truth but in the most full and absolute sense the pillar and ground of it yet that understanding though taken in here destroyes not the sence fore-mentioned in which also His Church from him and as in conjunction with him the Head is signified to be in a subordinate sense the pillar and ground of truth And happily the words may be so left that we may take in the sense of both acceptions together We shall briefly speak to it in the sence we have mentioned according to the usual acceptation as that also may stand and agree with the other The truth of which in any sence The Church of the living God is the Pillar and Ground is as before hinted Jesus Christ himself as raised from the Dead in that Body in which he was delivered for our offences And so the
of his grace And so the fountain of that Water of Gods grace and Spirit and so the testimony of him that anointing by the pouring out and shedding abroad of which we in receiving and attending to it shall be washed inlightened healed strengthned and made meet for service Yea that one offering by which all our Sacrifices brought and offered by him shall be made acceptable and to his praise It s not any other Sanctification Separation or consecration that makes meet for this inheritance of the Holy Priesthood or of the Saints in light not the outward and tipical sanctification that was but to a tipical service in the flesh and in the letter Nor any such as may be by the works of the law Nor any such redeeming from any part of the vain conversation as may be effected by corruptable things as silver and gold or by any other Wisdom Strength or Motions onely in the Lord in whom they have righteousness strength In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory 2. As to the nature of the work or effecacy of this one Spirit through the Gospel on the subject needfull to go before to make meet for this service and inheritance of the Saints It is such as in which through the righteousness of God our Saviour they are made partakers of like precious faith with the Apostles through this sanctification of the Spirit fore-mentioned they are chosen out of the way and condition of the World that lyes in ignorance of God in Christ and enmity to him and so under the power of the Wicked one unto obedience the obedience of faith so to understand and know him that is true that therein the soul is brought into him and united with him by faith 1 Peter 1. 2. 2 Peter 1. 1. with 1 John 5. 19 20. They are begotten by the word of truth to such an unfeined belief of the truth as now come forth in Christ as in which it s believed and received not in vain but to purpose even to the same purpose to which it is discovered and given to them viz to the saving of the soul bringing it out of the World and worldly wayes of seeking rest righteousness wisdome strength c. into Christ for all such as in which they are redeemed from among men and from their vain conversation received by tradition from them and so washed in the Spirit of their minde from the errours and pollutions of the World in which men are vainly seeking rest peace wisdome righteousness c. where it is not unto God in Christ to seek all in him by an exercise of faith in him in what he hath done and is become for them in his own body and in the hope set before them in him Such it is as in which their minds or souls are purified to unseigned love of God of Men brethren in obeying the truth They are principled with those principles of truth that naturally lead so to trust in him and seek all in him and so to love that they may thenceforth walk in that newness of life They are so baptized into Christ euen into his death that as to the Spirit of their minde they are subdued and made willing to put on Christ for all and be devoted to him and to that purpose for the excellency of the knowledge of him to let go all other excellencies as loss and dung that they may win him and be found in him yea herein to hate Father Mother Brethren Sisters Wife and Children yea and their own life also for his sake and in comparison of him for they have obeyed his word and kept his covenant Answerable to that Exodus 32. 6. 29. Deut 32. 9. 1 Cor. 15. 1 2. with 2 Cor. 6. 1. Hebr. 10. 39. 1 Peter 1. 18 22. and 2 Peter 1. 4. and 2. 18. 20. Romans 6. 3. 4. Gal. 3. 26 27. James 1. 18. Luke 14. 26 27. 33. Phil. 3. 3. 10. 2 Tim. 1. 5 6. with 1 Tim. 1. 5. There may be among them many feighâ—ned or halting believers That have yet believed but in vain still halting between two opinions or have not yet so crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts as to be renewed and purified in the Spirit of their minde from double-mindedness to have the heart fixed to seek rest wisdome righteousness and strength onely in him by an exercise of faith in him yea there may be many daughters and attenders who though in some good degree of simplicity waiting yet are not so of them of his Spiritual house and holy Priesthood Yet let all that hear say come Revelations 22. 17. 3. Aâ— to the seal and confirmation of the truth of this washing effecacy of the Spirit through the Gospel making meet for this inheritance it is such as in which they are sealed with the holy Spirit of promise even the same which is the earnest of the Apostles inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession by which fealing they are marked out and approved by God as unto the day of redemption so also as a peculiar people unto this service Ephes 1. 13 14. and 4. 30. By this manifesting himselfe unto them powring out abundantly of the Spirit of his Son into their hearts making known his words and so teaching and leading into the Spiritual injoyment and usefulness of the truth making Christ unto them all that which by the power of his word they are instructed and led to seek for in him even wisdome righteousness sanctification and redemption and so filling them with peace and joy through the power of the Holy Ghost in the belief of the truth quickning them to a lively hope by the resurrection of Christ Giving them access with boldness and confidence in him strengthning them to cry Abba Father by that Spirit of his Son opening the testimony of his Son believed and so spiritually sprinkling the blood of Christ and shedding abroad his love therethrough in their hearts making it usefull and powerfull to all those ends and purposes Also inriching them with some usefull understanding and gifts for the profit of others even as the testimony of Christ is confirmed in them so anointing and fitting them for ministring to him and in his name that through them others may be saved turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that in turning they also may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance with them that are sanctified by fiath that is in Christ John 14. 21. 23. and 17. 20. 23. 1 Cor. 1. 30 31. Rom. 5. 1. 11. and 15. 13 14. 1 Peter 1. 3. Ephes 3. 12. Romans 8. 15. Galatians 4. 6. 1 Corinthians 1. 5. and 12. 4 5 6 7. Acts 26. 17 18. A man may say he hath faith in Christ and so fellowship with the light and in so saying lye and deceive himself but if indeed he have it will be manifested by these works and fruits of it If
any man love God the same is known of him 1 Cor. 8. 2. with John 14. 21. 23. And as in any measure so sealed so far forth are they approved and as it were set apart by God to peculiar service in the Gospel And to be called forth and approved by their brethren Such therefore Jude instructs and incourageth to contend earnestly for the faith of the common salvation in Christ as once delivered to the Saints to be kept held fast and held forth by them Such I say as were sanctified by God the Father Namely with this sanctification of the Spirit which is the way fore-known and approved by him from the beginning for sanctifying persons unto himself by Christ in these last Ages so sanctified unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus preserved sometime and so found stedfast in Christ and called approved fitted and so appointed to such pecnliar service in the Gospel as also to such suffering for his sake as might be occasioned by such service Jude 1. 3. with 1 Peter 1. 2 3. 2. There is a dayly sanctification of themselves in the light and strength of the Lord that sanctifies them in and unto this service necessary to render them acceptable and profitable therein answering to that dayly and continuall tipical sanctification from tipical uncleanness wherewith the Levitical order and Priesthood were to sanctifie themselves and be sanctified to their service in which they were to sanctifie themselves and be sanctified cleansed and separated from those things in themselves in their own bodyes their marriages and works which according to the law did but tipcally defile and render unclean And also to be seperate from so as not to have to do with or touch any thing or person declared unclean by the law As we read Leviticus 21. and 22. with other Scriptures So here in the sanctification of the Spirit having these great and precious promises That the Lord will dwell in them by his word and Spirit in it even to sanctifie them According to those many Scriptures I the Lord do Sanctifie you Exodus 31. 13. Leviticus 20. 7 8. and 21. 8. 15. 23. and 22. 9. 16. Ezekiel 20. 12. c. And will also walke in them to manifest the savour of his knowledge by them They are in the light and strength of the Lord in whom they are what they are as such a House and Priesthood to cleanse themselves from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse so as in the feare of the Lord. 1. To lay aside put off and flee from those filthinesses and superfluities of naughtiness that are moved and rising up dayly from the old man the Law of sin still remaining and warring in the members the flesh lusting against the spirit as they have already in some measure been renewed in the spirit of their mind so to be alwayes putting off as concerning the former conversation the old man with his deeds and puting on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and holiness of truth as the anointing even the word of truth which they have heard from the begining and received of him which abideth in them as that teacheth even so by minding the things of that spirit and walking in the light and strength of it as by the mercies of God therein put to remembrance displayed and commended they are moved and strengthened so to present and yeild up their bodies their whole man in all their Actings a living sacrifice to him that so that spirit in the testimony of Jesus which hath begun to renew the mind may dayly fashion and transforme the whole man in all his actings into likenesse to him according to that renewing of the mind Jam. 1. 21. 1 Pet. 2. 1-3 Rom. 6. and 12. 1-3 According to those many instructions and exhortations Purge out the old leaven even as yea are unleavened for Christ our passeover is sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5. 7. Seeing yee have purified your souls in obeying the truth as in the previous sanctification forementioned see that yee love one another with a pure heart fervently 1 Peter 1. 22. If we live in the spirit let us walke in the spirit seeing we have already crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts as to the spirit of our mind we have gotten victory and escaped the errors and polutions of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour so as not withstanding all those hinderances by the flesh with its affections and lusts we have knowne believed and owned him or rather been owned by him as his peculiar people let us not therefore suffer iâ— to reigne or yeild up our minds or members to it but let us resigne our selves to God according to the renewing of the mind as those that are alive from the dead and our members as instruments of righteousnesse unto him Be not desirous of vaine glory c. Gal. 5. 16-24 25 26. with Rom. 6. So cleansing our selves dayly and in all our actings from all filthynesse of flesh grosser filthynesse as the lusts of the flesh and of the eye as Ephesians 5. 1-18 1 Tim. 6. 9-11 and 2. 22. And of the spirit the pride of life all those desires of wisedome strength and righteousnesse in our selves or of vaine glory to our selves c. Which doe all war against the soule and make us and our works uncleane they even defile our holy things 2. They are also to come out from amongst and be separate from uncleane persons and fellowships so as not to touch the uncleane thing that God may receive and own them as vessels in whom he takes pleasure to manifest himself in and through 2 Cor. 6. 14-17 18. with Isa 52. 11. Jer. 15. 19. To have no fellowship with the unfruitfull works of darkensse but rather reprove them to forsake the foolish to stand up from the dead c. Eph. 5. 11. 14. with Prov. 9. 6. And in this also they are to cleanse themselves from all filthyness of flesh and spirit from fellowship with men in their evill and uncleane principles and practises whether more gross or more refined whether more openly or privily denying the Lord that bought them and being enemies to the Cross of Christ the power of Godliness so as not to touch the unclean thing 2 Tim. 3. 1-5 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. Phil. 3. 17 18 19. Rom. 16. 17 18. Here this caution is warily to be observed vide that they are not to shut out such uncleane persons from them from listening to their word or doctrine or to forbid or hinder them from turning and coming in to them in their acknowledgement and worship but they the chosen generation are to separate and come out from them in their doctrines and fellowships principles and practises that are uncleane so as not to have any fellowship with the unfruitfull works of darknesse They are to cease to heare the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge
yet let me entreat them as Fathers to consider Is there not also too much of such a spirit as is rushing even such into extreames 1. Either sometimes to neglect that great care and oversight of their brethren as a thing not partaining to them or as if the unworthynesse stubbornesse and giddinesse found with us or any over whom the holy Ghost hath made them overseers might excuse the neglect of their care and oversight of them or give them just cause to be so angry as to cast it off Like Jeremy of old that sometimes said he would speake no more in his name because it was made a reproach and dirision to him daily But the Lord was stronger than he and prevailed to beget in him and carry him forth in a better resolution May not likewise such follyes or giddinesse in us as forementioned either on the one hand slighting or on the other hand idolizing such as are over us in the word of the Lord or being partially pustup for one against another And not rightly obeying or submiting to any of them in the Lord but willfully walking every one in the wayes of his owne heart and in the fight of his eyes and happily after our owne lusts heaping up to our selves teachers too having itching eares I say may not such follyes and giddinesse found with us sometimes move and provoke the spirits even of such as Moses to be ready to take up such rash resolutions to neglect or cast off their care and watchfullnesse over their brethren as if disengaged to let them goe on and walke in their owne way without plaine and faithfull reproving and warning of the evill of it as they see it or might see it and have opportunity soe to warne them and seeke their healing Yet to such let me say be yee entreated to consider the nature of your engagement The grace bestowed rendring you Deptors and obliging and from whom you expect your reward yea consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himselfe and such unteachablenesse and untowardnesse in his chosen Disciples least ye be weary and faint in your minds and withall bethink your selves what advantage Satan may get over others even of some more simple and upright ones though weak to rush them into errors of rashnesse like Vzzab's by occasion of your negligence or listening to such a peevish spirit provoked by others evills and happily partly also by too much looking or too single poorinâ—s on your owne weaknesse and unfitnesse to deale with or for such a people as by such occasions you are made sensible of it as Isaiah 6. 5. with Exodus 3. 11. and 4. 10. 2. Or on the other hand will not the same spirit that moves and provokes from such considerations as before to sit downe in a peevish discontent or to neglect or cast of their care or charge committed to them happily working thereto also upon their owne naturall desire of case or the like I say will not or may not the same spirit from the like considerations rush them otherwhile into another extreame happily working to this also upon some naturall inclination that may yet be found with such to honour or praise or to be some bodyes or the like that is to say when they are stirred up even by Gods spirit to take some care of their brethren and seeke some way to be helpfull or profitable to them in those things in which they are out of order even then and in those endeavours to be Lording it over Gods heritage rashly judging and upbraiding them for their follyes as if they had opened their cares nay more then he that did soe yea seeking to bring them under them or to submit to their order or if it be Gods yet as from them rather then as servants and with the meekenesse and gentlenesse of Christ seeking their being first devoted and given up to God that so they may be to him and for his use and by him be given to them according to his will To such therefore let me here farther adde Oh see I beseech you what the following such a spirit a little cost Moses or rather the people in his losse Numbers 20. 10 12. Deut. 3. 26 27. with Psal 106. 32 33. And consider how much unlike it is to the mind and way of Christ found in himselfe Isaiah 42. 18 19 20. And in his servants guided by his spirit Psal 38. 13 14 15. And give earnest heed to that vehement charge of the Apostle Paul to Timothy 2 Timothy 4. 1 5. with Chapter 2. 24 25 26. and of Peter to the Elders 1 Peter 5. 1 5. And let us all be admonished so to think on our wayes as to turn our feete unto his testimonyes and in the light and strength of them to make hast and not to delay to keepe his Commandements Psa 119 59 60. Even to doe what we should have done of this nature at the first and have prevented this harme and losse to our selves least yet a worse thing come unto us And to encourage us to listen to and receive this admonition Consider in the last place 4. That yet the Lord is our God though he hath made this Breach upon us while he is so highly provoked to punish us in such manner for our iniquityes yet there is forgivenesse wiâ—h him and help in him even for rebellious sinners that yet he may be feared and hoped in by them while yet it is called to day Yâ—a such punishments and corrections on his peculiar people may yet stand with his gracious owning them in Christ receiving and taking pleasure in them as found in Christ however punishing them for their iniquityes for he chasteneth every Son whom he receiveth Though indeed such judgements as these doe signifie him to be as one rising up out of his wonted place of mercy and are something neere to a withdrawing from a people and to a resisting and giving up And may also have some Act of resisting in them and yet stand with his readinesse to receive returne and be gracious to us For he that is so unwillingly and hardly provoked to deny disowne and put away any from that relation or neerenesse in which he hath made them nigh to himselfe as his spouse or children by faith in Christ and will not doe it till it come to that he must either deny himselfe oâ— them but still graciously receives and accepts as beleivers on Christ and so as children and heirs to be favoured with the peculiar favour of his people when as yet many unkind and unchildlike requitalls of his grace have beene found with them yea when not onely many iniquityes and polutions in their holy things are found with them but also many backslidings and departings from him by an evill heart of unbeliefe such as doe bring much losse and deadnesse upon them and procure fore corrections to them and might justly procure his utter denying and disowning them he is also so infinite