be laid for the Foundation of the World to come at which Foundation Christ was figuratively slain in the Paschal Lamb. But was fore-ordained to be slain before the Foundation of the World Which Foundation is that before mentioned and therefore God proved and tryed Abraham to see whether he would offer his only Son as a Sacrifice to him before he made him that Promise that in his Seed all the Nations of the Earth should be Blessed Gen. 22.16,17,18 Rev. 11.15 Which Promise will be made good in time to come and then will be put in Subjection to Christ the World to come Heb. 2.1 Dan. 7.13,14.26,27 At which Foundation the Works of those unbelieving Jews were finished when they refused to go to fight for the Land of Canaan And from that Foundation after that miscarriage God elected a Remnant And they are those of whom it is said they were chosen from the Foundation And the peculiar People chosen from among the Gentiles which likewise had the peculiar calling and also were to receive the Holy Ghost to be in them which was the anointing of the Spirit whereby they spake with Tongues and wrought Miracle that thereby they might be also a light to the World these were they of whom it is said they were chosen before the Foundation of the World which Foundation is Israel And God chose them as to matter of choice and liking before the Body of Israel which were the Foundation because they had wilfully disobeyed him but as to the matter of Time long after Whereas the Apostle saith They were chosen in Christ before the World was That is before the World was which is now to come in which they are to receive the promised Blessing And as to what God said concerning Jocob and Esau before they had done Good or Evil was only that the Elder should Serve the Younger and not that God did ever hate his Creature until such time as they wilfully disobeyed him But these words concerning Jacob and Esau have a far other meaning then what we have hitherto apprehended But this and the other mistaken places of Scripture by which the World has been cast into a mist of Darkness I have now by Gods assistance by laying the Scriptures together made the true meaning of the word appear as may be found in my Book lately Published But St. Peter fairly warns us That in St. Paul's Epistles are things hard to be understood Which those that were unlearned in the Scriptures did wrest as they also did some other Scriptures to their own destruction 2. Pet. 3.16 But the Scriptures rightly understood and believed are able to make us wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Whereas St. James saith Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the World Acts. 15.18 From which words it is clear that all Gods works were not known to him before the beginning of the World And that is was then the works that properly belong to God that were known to him And that the beginning of the World the Apostle here speaks of must have its chief reference to the beginning or Foundation of the World that was laid in the Seed of Abraham when God brought them out of the Land of Egypt to place them in the Heart of the Earth for the beginning or Foundation of the World to come as by his forementioned words doth appear and not that he had his reference to the beginning of the Creation of the World or the beginning of the World in Adam after the Fall For the Apostle speaking how God did at first visit the Gentiles to take out of them a People for his Name Acts. 15.14 Which were them to whom the Holy Ghost was given to be in them vers 8. And they to whom the Holy Ghost was given were to be a light to the World that the world might believe that God had sent Christ John 17.21 After which 't is said he will return and Build again the Tabernacle of David which is Fallen down Acts. 15.16 The which will be when the Lord returns Whom the Heavens must receive until the times of the Restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the Mouth of all his Prophets since the World began Acts. 3.21 And then in his following words he tells us who the beginning of this forementioned world were That it was the Fathers in the Wilderness vers 22. For Moses truly said unto the Fathers a Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your Bretheren him shall ye hear in all things the which will be when the Lord again comes And then will be Israel's Glory and then the World that is to come will be in Subjection unto Christ Heb. 2.5 And these are the works St. James had his chief reference to when he said known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the World Acts 15.18 Which beginning of the World was as is aforesaid And the Eternal purpose spoken of Eph. 3.11 Only reacheth forward to the Eternity that lies before us As Christ in time became the Author of Eternal Salvation And as in time he promised Eternal Life And whereas St. Paul saith God worketh all things after the counsel of his own will He here had his reference as St. James had to the great works which properly belong to God As the gift of his Son and in electing some setting a door of Mercy open to others And in determining the great Glory should be for the heirs of the World to come For the word All in Scripture doth not include the whole And as for the works of the Devil and the evil works of Man they do not belong to God therefore he ordained Punishments for them after they fell as I have elsewhere proved And whereas St. Paul saith Eph. 3.8.9 That I should preach among the Gentises the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the Mystery which from the beginning of the World hath been hid in God That is at the beginning of the World which was laid in the Twelve Tribes who were laid for the beginning or Foundation of the World to come They did not see how the Gentiles should be called in as to become heirs with them This great Mystery was all a long hid in God from them so as they as little understood it as the Old World did And tho' God told Abraham he should be Father of many Nations and the Prophets declared the Gentiles should be called in yet it is no where declared they should be brought in by preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ through the Gospel I have here made so long a digression altho I have something more to the former Subject to say the which I could not go on with till I had given some light to the true meaning of these mistaken places That thereby I might make plain the way for what I have yet further to say 3. That is we are
if so be the Spirit of God dwell in them Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his vers 9. Now there was a twofold Indwelling of God in the first Churches by his Spirit That is there was first a complying frame of Spirit to the Will of God so as not to walk after the Will of the Flesh but after the Spirit which was in a holy Conversation without which no Man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 For if we have not thus the Spirit of Christ we are none of his for it is required that the same Mind be in us as was in Christ Jesus Phil. 2.5 Therefore it is not the Seed after the Flesh to whom the Promise belongs which live after the Will of the Flesh and of the Mind whether of the natural or the adopted Seed of Israel they are not the Seed to whom the Promise is made but the Seed in Christ and Isaac both of Jew and Gentile which walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit so as to have their Wills brought into subjection unto the Will of God are the Seed to whom the Promise belongs For to be carnally minded is Death but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace vers 6. For the Kingdom of God and Christ must be within us Luke 17.21 if we are his For Christ must have the ruling Power in the Heart And God also saith Give me thy Heart And when we give to God and Christ the ruling Power in our Heart then is his Kingdom within us And if Christ be in us the body is dead because of Sin but the Spirit is Life because of Righteousness vers 10. Thus the true Believer is dead to the World that he may live to God And this ruling power Christ had in the hearts of his Disciples before he gave them the Holy Ghost And likewise all that did receive the Holy Ghost to be in them for the confirmation of the Gospel Christ had first the ruling power in their hearts and they yielded to him to be his Servants and then were they Baptized and thus they were prepared before they could receive the Holy Ghost to be in them by which they were then glorified and had power to speak with Tongues and work Miracles and Prophesy and understand Prophesies for the Spirit was to teach them all things John 14.26 And so by all it was then known who were the Elect And these were those whom God made to differ 1 Cor. 4.7 But some through negligence and heedlesness the Prince of Darkness makes to differ they following his dictates and so corrupt thâ—… way and when they have accustomed themselve◠〈◊〉 do evil then it is they cannot learn to do well Aâ—… some make themselves to differ by taking heed to their Ways according to the Word of God And so by considering their ways they become wise Psal 119. â— For God hath promised to bless such endeavours Prov. 3.6 For the common drawings of God are the Invitations of his Word and the good motions of his Spirit But the fore-mentioned were chosen according to the Counsel of the Will of God by the which Will they were sanctified Heb. 10.10 And received the Holy Ghost to be in them And Christ said the World could not receive the Holy Ghost because they knew him not John 14.17 For the World then lay in Wickedness and therefore they could not then receive him because they knew him not and were not prepared for the receiving of him 2dly God did not intend to give the World the Holy Ghost to be in them but to be with all such as will keep his Way And therefore Christ prayed for his Disciples and first Churches which believed on him through the Word 〈◊〉 â—he Disciples as he did not for the World but that 〈◊〉 World through them might believe that God had sent him John 17.21 And therein he prayed for the World and by the evident Witness of the Holy Ghost in them the World did believe and the Nations embraced the Faith by laying hold of the offered Mercy in the common Salvation And Christ did but promise the Remnant which were his Father's Sheep before and given to him that he would be with them to the end of the World and that he would send them another Comforter which should abide with them for ever John 14.16 But he doth not say In them for ever And he will be with all while they keep the Way But the Apostle knowing that the Holy Ghost would 〈◊〉 remain in their succeeding Generations in this time 〈◊〉 â—efore he saith Prophesie should fail and Tongues they â—ould cease and Knowledge it should vanish away 1 Cor. 13.8 Which came to pass when the Nations came to have no Love to the Truth but took pleasure in Unrighteousness Then God gave them up to strong deâ—…sions that they should believe Lyes 2 Thes 2.10,11,12 〈◊〉 he did Israel for Sin to blindness of Mind But Love and Charity among the Faithful was ever to remain as Love to God in their obedient walking according to knowledge and Charity to their Neighbour For Faith Hope and Charity were the Graces that would abide 1 Cor. 13.13 with them that will be faithful And the Apostle saith The time would come when they would not endure found Doctrine but after their own Lust shall turn away their Ears from the Truth For the generality of the World chose to themselves false Teachers before God gave them up to delusions 2 Tim. 4.3 For a Believer is no longer a Believer than a Righteous Man is a Righteous Man in the day that he wilfully commits Iniquity Ezek. 33.12 But they which live holily thereby bring forth Fruit to the Spirit But the Eternal Life that Christ gave to his Sheep which were his Father 's before was given to their Persons and Posterity and to every Believer while they continue in Believing Salvation is to be had according to his Word in the way of their Obedience For every Tree which bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fire Mat. 3.10 And it is a meer Stratagem of the Prince of Darkness in perswading any Man God will not punish according to his Word that was the way he beguiled Ewe and so he doth the generality of Mankind IV. A Twofold Indwelling of Christ by his Spirit in the first Churches AND whereas St. Paul saith Rom. 8.11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the Dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the Dead 〈◊〉 also quicken your mortal Bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Here the Apostle writes to the elect Church among the Romans who were then called and justified and glorified by receiving the Holy Ghost to be in them 1 Pet. 1.11,12 But these had not the Promise from Christ that none should pluck them out of his Hand That Promise did appertain to the Disciples which were of that Remnant
chosen from among Israel John 10.27,28,29 Of which Remnant were the Elect that should never be deceived by the Beast nor false Prophet And they are the Foundation which standeth sure But the forementioned which were the Elect among the Gentiles were cleared from their past Sins Rom. 3.25 by the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness and therefore he saith Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect It is God that justifieth Rom. 8.33 But after they were thus cleared from their past Sins they were to walk in newness of Life and so are all And therefore when he found the Elect to walk disorderly and were guilty of Sin he 〈◊〉 not sparing to charge them with it and reprove them for it like as he did others Gal. 3.1 But he saith vers 35 36 37 38 39. He was perswaded that neither tribulation nor distress nor death nor life nor height nor depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate them from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus But in the forementioned Verses he mentions not Sin knowing that wilful Sin will seperate them from God therefore the Apostle saith vers 11. And if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the Dead dwell in you that is continue or remain in them And accordingly he saith to the Elect Church of Corinth chap. 11.3 Fearing lest the Serpent should beguile them as he beguiled Eve And then their mortal Bodies will not be quickned again 〈◊〉 his Spirit being in them but if they did not â—…ve the Holy Ghost Ephes 4.13 thereby to cause him to withdraw then the same Spirit would raise up their mortal Bodies to have a part in the first Resurrection and to partake of the glory â—hen the Lord again comes Rev. 20.4,5 Ephes 2.7 〈◊〉 it is also by the same Spirit and Power of God that all that has done either good or bad shall be raised up at the last Judgment For Christ saith All that are in the Graves shall hear his Voice and shall come forth they that have done good to the Resurrection of Life and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of Dannation John 5.28,29 But all that remain faithful to the Lord Jesus longing for his appearing Though they have not the Holy Ghost in them but with them they shall likewise have their part in the first Resurrection and receive the Crown of Righteousness in that day 2 Tim. 4. ver 8. But the Lord speaking of the first Resurrection mentions it very darkly John 5.25 because he spake to the Jews that were to be left to blindness so as seeing they might see and not perceive and hearing they might hear and not understand Isa 6.9,10 And likewise it is said the Lord spake to them in Parables and without a Parable spake he not unto them Mat. 13.34 And therefore the Lord also speaks to them darkly about the first Resurrection vers 25. Verily verily I say unto you the Hour is coming and now is when the Dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live These words may have a twofold tendency in having some reference to the first Churches which had the peculiar calling and thereby brought in which was the Hour that then was but whereas the Lord saith the Hour is coming that of certain is the time when he again should come at which time the dead Bodies of the Saints shall hear the Voice of the Son of God and live And also then dead Israel 〈◊〉 both see him and hear his Voice and live And 〈◊〉 these words had their chief reference to the time 〈◊〉 Judgment Power and Honour is given to the Son is evident by the 22 23. Verses But according as the Evangelist saith So spake the Lord to them in Parable that they did not understand it Mat. 13.34 And thâ—… it is the Saints that rise in the first Resurrection 〈◊〉 all that have done good shall afterwards arise to the Resurrection of Life And Israel when judged will not be condemned for that they ignorantly committed against Christ for he prayed for them Luke 23.24 Blessed be the great and glorious God who hath enabled a weak Worm to vindicate his Justice to the praise of his Name and the comfort of his Creatures In that it is now made clearly appear the Judge of all the World will do right who publisheth his Praise by the weak things of this World that thereby all the Glory may be attributed to himself who is God blessed for ever and ever V. Concerning Election ELection doth not always secure the Elect from falling off but by God's electing some it was thereby to accomplish the Counsel of the Will of God as to what he had before determined And therefore accordingly he gave to one five Talents to the other two and to the other but one but every Man had given him according to his ability Matth. 25.15 And each having given them according to their ability that they might according to their day be capable to stand But them that was of the Remnant of Israel of whom the Disciples were they did not only stand by their Election but by a Promise from the Lord That none should â—…ck them out of his Hand John 10.28,29 But â—ikewise both the Disciples and first Churches received 〈◊〉 Holy Ghost to be in them whereby they were â—…ed to God by one Spirit and so beame a Light to the World and thereby the Prayer of Christ was fulfilled in that the World through them might believe that God had sent him John 17.21 Which accordingly â—…llowed for the Nations embraced the Faith and so â—…came the Seed of Abraham But the Elect were to Withstand all the Fury of the Adversaries and therefore had the more Talents given them for on them was shed forth the Holy Ghost abundantly Tit. 3.6 But if they did grieve the Holy Spirit of God whereby they were Sealed to the Day of Redemption Eph. 4.30 For if they sinned wilfully after they had received the knowledge of the Truth there remaineth no more Sacrifice for Sin but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and fiery Indignation Heb. 10.26 27. But all that have a true Heart separate from an evil Conscience may draw nigh to God in full assurance of Faith that they shall find acceptance through the Blood of the Lord Jesus and they in a more special manner who were fore-chosen to it vers 22. Now these having the greater Light if they fell away fell under the greater Condemnation And that some of the Elect did fall away that was not secured by a Promise from Christ is certain by what St. John saith That if they had been of them they would have continued with them 1 John 2.19 Therefore they were not of that Remnant but it is clear they were of the Elect because the Elect then were known by their Speaking with Tongues and by the Gifts that were given them by which God made them
should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 But if we will not deny our selves for Christ Christ will deny us And the Lord saith in the 33d verse That he is the Bread of God that cometh down from Heaven and giveth Life unto the World That is to all that will take hold of the offered Mercy And Christ saith if he be lifted up from the Earth he will draw all Men unto him John 12.32 Which accordingly followed for after the Lord's Ascension the Holy Ghost was given to be in the Elect whereby the World was convinced that God had sent Christ and so the Nations embraced the Faith and by so doing became the Seed of Abraham and a great number for the major part in Scripture is reckoned as the whole but afterwards when the evil Servants came to think the Lord delayed his coming they began to smite their fellow Servants and to eat and drink with the drunken Luk. 12.45 But we building our Faith upon those dark Sentences which the Lord put forth thereby to leave Israel to Blindness are become Blind our selves also XI The Woman cloathed with the Sun Or The Woman in the Wilderness REV. 12.1 There appeared a great Wonder in Heaven a Woman cloathed with the Sun and the Moon under her Feet and upon her Head a Crown of Twelve Stars Now whereas it is said There appeared a great Wonder in Heaven a Woman First I shall here shew you what or who this Woman is This Woman is the Elect Church or Remnant chosen from among Israel which had a peculiar Calling 2dly Why she is said to be in Heaven It is because she is highly favoured by the Heavenly Powers or Powers of Heaven which is God In being by him elected fore-chosen ordained and secured so by God as none shall pluck them out of his Hand John 10.29 3dly Why she is termed a Wonder Was because there was none elected through the first or Old World nor till the then time that Israel was brought out of Egypt to be placed in the heart of the Earth and laid as a Foundation of the World to come From which Foundation Christ was figuratively slain in the Paschal Lamb From which Foundation the Works of those unbelieving Jews were finished when they through unbelief of the Promise of God's giving them the Victory refused to go to fight for the Land of Canaan for which all that were numbred of them from twenty Years old and upward dyed in the Wilderness save Caleb and Joshua Now all Israel were taken into Covenant and Life and Death set before them for them to choose Life that they and their Seed might live Deut. 30.19 But in the Wilderness they were disobedient therefore they were cut off After which God secured a Remnant of that Foundation which was then a laying in Israel for the World to come which is the World of which the Apostle speaks Heb. 2.5 And this exceeding kindness of God to this elect Remnant or Woman was the Wonder in Heaven For this is the Foundation or Remnant chosen from the Foundation which standeth sure unto whom Christ promised to be with to the end of the World and that he would send them another Comforter which should abide with them forever Joh. 14.16 This is more fully proved and explained in the former Book Therein is also shewed that God elected and chose from among the Gentiles a peculiar People to the praise of his Name Acts 15.14 upon the first publication of the Gospel who received the holy Ghost to be in them that the World by the evident witness of the Spirit might believe that God sent Christ the which was given for a ground of Faith that thereby we might believe the Truth whereby a door of Mercy was set open to all Believers that believe like Abraham the promised Reward is to be had in the way of their Obedience for Christ is become the author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him whether Elect or not Elect. Whereas it is said in the 4th verse of this 12th chapter That the Elect Remnant or Woman was cloathed with the Sun That is she was covered over with the Righteousness of Christ which was applicable before he was Incarnate or in the Flesh as well as afterwards and in that she is said to have the Moon under her Feet thereby shewing the little value she has to all the changeable Vanities and Pleasures of this World which is like the Moon and therefore she is said to have the Moon under her Feet And in that she is said to have upon her Head a Crown of twelve Stars thereby signified the twelve Apostles to whom was given the preheminency and in time to come the ruling power And in that they are termed the twelve Stars is because they were the first Publishers of the Gospel by which many were turned to Righteousness and of such it is said They shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever Dan. 12.3 Rev. 12.2 Now whereas it is said This Woman being with-Child cryed travailing in Birth and pain to be delivered That is of this Elect Remnant or Woman as concerning the Flesh the Lord Christ came And in that she cryed out pained to be delivered was her ardent longing for Christ coming in the Flesh that by the Seed of the Woman the Serpents Head might be bruised Gen. 3.15 But whereas it is said in the 3d. Verse There appeared another Wonder in Heaven a great Red Dragon When the Apostle saw this Vision this Dragon or Devil was not then wholly cast out from some part of the Heavens as doth appear in the 8th verse And whereas it is said in vers the 4. That this Dragon or Devil stood before the Woman to devour the Child as soon as it was born That was in that the Devil stir'd up Herod to seek the young Childs Life thinking to have destroyed him with the Innocent Children vers 5. And she brought forth a Man Child which was to rule all Nations And therefore notwithstanding all Satans attempts this Child was preserved till he himself freely laid down his Life by which he conquered Death after which he was caught up unto God and his Throne according as it is said Acts 1.9 He was taken up and a Cloud received him out of their sight And in Heb. 8.1 It is said He is set at the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens Rev. 12.6 And the Woman fled into the Wilderness where she had a place prepared her of God that they should feed her there a Thousand Two Hundred and Threescore Days From whence we are to take notice there is no mention made of the time how long it was before she fled into the Wilderness after the Child was caught up unto God Now having proved this forementioned Woman to be a Body of People as also the Scarlet Whore that sits on many Waters is a Body of People Rev. 17. And as the Scarlet Whore is
vvas his VVill and his VVord he Gloriously and Terribly appeared on Mount Sinai and to confirm the Gospel he first sent dovvn the Holy Ghost in cloven Tongues like Fire Acts 2.2 And then because that vvould not be a sufficient Evidence to the VVorld vvhat vvas done at Jerusalem altho there vvere then some of all Nations there then present yet notwithstanding for the farther confirmation to the World that God had sent Christ he therefore took from among the Gentiles a People for his Name at the first visiting the Gentiles by the Gospel Acts 15.14 Who through the conviction of the Spirit upon the word of the Disciples believed in Christ through their Word John 17.20 And the Word in this place Christ terms their Word because they received it from the Mouth of the Disciples and believed it God having then given them no other outward visible Testimony than what they had from the Disciples whose Word they believed and so were Baptized And afterwards the Holy Ghost was given to be in them according to the Promise of the Lord John 14.17 by which they were glorified ver 22. 1 Pet. 1.2 And became united to God by partaking of that one Spirit that the World might believe that God had sent Christ John 17.21,22,23 by the mighty Power Signs and Wonders that were seen among them These were those that were foreknown called justified and glorified Rom. 8.29,30 by their receiving the Holy Ghost to be in them by which their Bodies became the Temples of the Holy Ghost These were those that when they were brought before Governours and Kings were to take no thought how or what they should speak for it should be given them in that Hour what they should speak for the Spirit of the Father spake in them Mat. 10.19,20 For the Holy Ghost which was but with the Disciples was afterwards given to be in the Disciples and first Churches John 14.17 chap. 17.21 So then the World did not believe in Christ through the alone word of the Disciples but through the evident demonstration of the Spirit of God which was evidently and visibly mannest in the Elect by their Speaking with Tongues and working of Miracles so as the World thereby might have sufficient Evidence to believe that God had sent Christ And thus was the Prayer of Christ fulfilled in that the World might believe that God bad sent him John 17.21 And the Gospel being thus wonderfully establish'd Heb. 2.4 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things is they were first delivered and not as we first received them And the care of the Lord was such that although he commanded his Disciples to teach all Nations Mat. 28.19 yet notwithstanding they were for bidden by the Spirit to preach the Word in Asia and Bythinia Acts 16.6,7 till such time the Elect were called in that by their receiving the Holy Ghost to be in them they might be a Light to the World And afterwards the Word was preached in Asia and believed on there Rev. 1. And St. Paul saith That the Gospel had been preached to every Creature under Heauen Gol. 1.10,23 And that their sound went through the World Rom. 10.18 And that the World embraced the Faith in the Apostles time Col. 1.16 And their standing was as they continued in the Faith and were not moved away from the hope of the Gospel by which the promised Hope is attained And upon the perfermance of this condition God will never forsake any for as the Lord is the Author of Faith so to them that obey him he will be the Finisher Heb. 12.2 chap. 5.9 the word our in this Verse is not in the Greek And whereas St. Paul saith That none can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12.3 This the Apostle spake when the Gospel was first publish'd at which time the Holy Ghost was given for the confirmation of the truth thereof But since the Christians have learned to say by rote that Christ is the Son of God without the assistance of the Holy Ghost And whereas the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 2.14 The natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him neither can be know them because they are spiritually discerned That is whilst the natural Man gives himself to sensual delights as the pleasures and profits and other advantages of this life which in the 6th vers is termed the wisdom of this world he will not give himself a liberty to consider his ways to be wise And therefore such cannot receive the knowledge of the things of God because they are spiritually to be discerned that is by a considering Spirit or a Spirit of Consideration And therefore God often calls to Man to consider their ways Deut. 32.29 Job 34.27 Psal 50.22 Isa 1.3 Chap. 5.12 Ezek. 18.14,28 Hos 7.2 2 Tim. 2.7 Rev. 2.5 And also St. Paul saith 1 Cor. 3.18 If any Man among you seemeth to be wise let him become a Fool that he may be Wise For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God But by our forsaking the Vanities Pleasures and subtil Craftiness of the World is the way to become wise in Spiritual things And if ye resist the Devil he will flee from you draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you James 4.7,8 And David by making the Law of God his Meditation became wiser than all his Teachers Psal 119.99 And if any man lack wisdom let him ask of God who giveth and upbraideth not and it shall be given him James 1.5 If thou criest after knowledge and liftest up thy Voice for Vnderstanding If thou seekest her as Silver and searchest for her as for hidden Treasures then shalt thou understand the Fear of the Lord Prov. 2.3,4,5 Wisdom is the principal thing therefore get wisdom and with thy getting get Vnderstanding She shall give to thine Head an Ornament of Grace a Crown of Glory shall she deliver to thee chap. 4.7,9 But the worldly wise men the Apostle saith will be taken in their own Craftiness 1 Cor. 3.19 And whereas the Apostle saith vers 7. Neither is he that planteth any thing neither is he that watereth but God that giveth the encrease This he spake upon the first publication of the Gospel upon the calling in of the Elect which great increase God gave by a fore-appointment of whom he said they knew God or rather are known of God Gal. 4.9 Because they were those that were fore-chosen For herein he had his reference to the then time which was the great Day of Salvation when the Elect were called in and a Door of Mercy set open to the World that they might take hold of the offered mercy in the common Salvation The which the Nations did and so became the Seed of Abraham But they that were made the Temple of God if any of them defiled the Temple of God him would God destroy 1 Cor. 3.16,17 For St.
of the letter but of the spirit for the letter killeth but the spirit giveth life Now the Apostles received their Knowledge immediately from the Lord Christ and also of the Spirit for the Holy Ghost was given to be in them by which they also understood things to come and by the Spirit they were made able Ministers not of the Letter but of the Spirit for all the Gentiles when they were first to be called in had he then Preach'd the Letter of the Law to them they then had thereby all been Condemned But the Apostles were upon the first Publication of the Gospel to Preach Remission of Sins by Christ to every one that would turn from their evil way and by that turn they were to live in obedience to the Letter of the Word And in that he saith they were made able Ministers of the New Testament was in that the Holy Ghost was then given as a Witness to their Testimony to confirm the Truth of their Word and likewise they did Administer the Spirit for 〈◊〉 the laying on the Hands of the Apostles the People received the Holy Ghost Acts 19.6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them the holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesied So also Acts 8.17 But should any Man now pretend to Preach such Doctrin of Administring the Spirit and not the Letter of the Word the People had good reason to believe that Man was out of his Senses But some have given such a turn to these Words of the Apostle from hence pretending they are not to take the plain Letter of the Word as it is spoken but according to the Spiritual Interpretation which they have put upon it the which has been according to their own Fancy And so by leaving the plain Letter of the Word in what God hath declared promised and sworn to are thereby fallen into these great and dangerous Mistakes for the Scripture admits of no other Spiritual Meaning than what is there specified which is that we perform not the Letter or practical part of the Word to be seen of Men but in sincerity of Heart so as to Worship God in Spirit and Truth But in the Word there are many Figurative Speeches which admits of no other Interpretation than what can be made out from the Word leaving nothing therein to contradict what we say And likewise some have got another way to uphold their false received Notions which is that God speaks after the manner of Men and according to Man's Understanding and if so how doth any Man dare to open another â—…ay for Man to understand of God than what God thought fit for Man's Understanding But there is no such thing said of God throughout the Word but St. Paul to 〈◊〉 the Covenant said that he spake after the manner of 〈◊〉 though it be but a Man's Covenant yet if it be confirmed no Man disanulleth it Gal. 3.15 But our Reformers had done well if they had said there was a great Secret in the Word which as yet they understand not and that it was not to be medled with till the Lord did give more Light according to his Promise before the time of the end and not to have set the Scriptures by their mistaken Interpretations at an unreconcileable Difference as they have done or it would have been much better to have thought that when the False Teachers had ingross'd the Word into their own Hands that they might have put in some words to make the New Testament appear to contradict the Old in what God had positively Promised and Sworn to therein seeing that God had intrusted Man with the Word for his Posterity as Adam was intrusted with Eternal Life for his Posterity the one being forbidden to Eat of the Tree and the other that they should neither add to nor diminish from the Word Gen. 2.16,17 Deut. 4.2 Rev. 22.18,19 But as a Reverend and Worthy Dr. said That when the Reformers first came out of Popery they did plainly see that the Papists were wrong but they themselves did not understand how to come right and indeed in losing the true meaning of the Word it was a hard matter so to do But now God according to his Promise has caused Light to break forth at Evening time Zach. 14.7 And has removed the occasion of Mistakes that thereby Knowledge might be increased whereby the God of Truth is made plainly appear to speak Truth as he is Truth and that he will do in all things according as he has said who having employed and enabled a weak Worm to vindicate his Truth and Justice to the Glory of his Name and the Comfort of Mankind Now such as will stand up to vindicate their false received Notions thereby to make the God of Truth a Lyar let them take what will follow for their Pains I am sure that the honest Heart will be glad that the Truth of God's Word is made plain and his Honour therein Vindicated I understand that some of the Honourable of the Clergy of the Church of England are well-wishers to the Truth and the soundest in the common Faith in the Knowledge of which is our Interest are part of the French Protestants part of the Church of England the Danish and Swedish Ministers and the Baptists that acknowledge that Christ Died for the World I am not to speak for Favour or Affection but as the Truth is in Jesus according to the Gospel A Papist told me that the Church of England gave the Sacrament as the Body and Blood of Christ the which I denied for though they give indeed the Bread and Wine in the words of Christ yet they do not give it as his real Body but as his Figurative Body as Christ did when he was setting whose with them at the Table for the Lord was no otherwise broken in the Sacrament than he was Slain in the Paschal Lamb yet he was said to be Slain in that Sacrifice but what great Mistakes has it caus'd the Christians to be in because they and we have lost the right Apprehension of the Scripture way of speaking XVIII An account of the Lord's five times Hiring Labourers into his Vincyard WHereas the Lord saith Matth. 20.1,2 ' The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Man that is an Housholder which went out early in the Morning to Hire Labourers into his Vineyard and when he had agreed with the Labourers he sent them into his Vineyard ' In the first place we are to take notice by the Comparison that every time the Lord hired Labourers to work in his Vineyard he came forth from Heaven and Hired them that is Agreed or Covenanted with them himself as with Noah and likewise with Abraham and also with Israel in the Wilderness and so Christ when he Established the Gospel the Agreement was that all that were Hired were to Work in the Vineyard and to have a Reward for their Labour And at the last time when the
Curses in the Law were prononced against for although it is said All that are saved are saved by Grace and not of Works that is to show that we cannot perform good Works to that perfection as to become justified by them without the Merits of Christ and therefore saved by Grace and not of Works but Christ's Righteousness will be appli'd to justifie his Creatures sincere indeavours he being the Author of Eternal Salvation to all those that obey him But whereas it is said That it is not of Works of Righteousness that we have done but according to his Mercy he saveth us this was spoken to the first Churches which was then brought out of darkness and hath no reference to us as is proved but since the Nations have fallen into Popery we have not so understood as to distinguish between that part of Scripture which hath a general tendency and that which hath not And whereas Christ said to the Jews They should die in their Sins except ye helievc that I am he John 8.24 And who is this he but him that all the Prophets and Moses Prophesied of That when that Prophet came they should hear him in all things whatsoever he commanded them Acts 3.22 which at his first coming they did not And that all Believers that believe according to the Words of Christ so as to consent to take his Yoke upon them to become his Servants are then of his great Mercy and free Grace saved from their original and past Transgressions by the Gospel tender of his Grace Rom. 3.25 without their before performing the Deeds of the Law for Christ is become to such Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption and by him the Eternal Life lost by Adam reenters But we are no sonner listed his Souldiers and Servants but we are to Fight to keep our Ground and Station wherein he hath set us for the Eternal Life given to the Believer to make it an Eternal Inheritance is a Prize set before us and it is the Runner that holds out to the end and the Warrier that overcometh that shall have the reward of the Crown of Life Rev. 3.11 And he that puts his Hand to the Plough and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God Luke 9.62 And it is said Remember Lots Wife And the Apostle saith of Himeneus and Alexander That they made Shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience 1 Tim. 1.19 Likewise others who were washed from their old Sins returned as a Dog to the Vomit and some denied the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. 2.20,21,22 And those that live after the Flesh and despise Government act as irrationally as the Beasts for the Beasts had not Reason given them but were made to be destroyed ver 12. And it is the Ground that remains barren under the tender of Grace and free offer of Mercy in the Call of the Gospel that is nigh unto Cursing whose end is to be Burned Heb. 6.6,8 And those that receive the sincere Milk of the Word to grow thereby are thereby brought off from the World and so Regenerated and Born again 1 Pet. 2.2 But they which have not the Word have not the Call of the Gospel And likewise among us who are not of the Elect there are some in a more peculiar manner brought home by the operation of the Spirit of God upon them by the Word but they do no longer stand than they are found sincere in their Obedience Rom. 6.16 IX The Word of the Scriptures is the Word of Faith and in them the offer of the Common Salvation I Do also here affirm that the Word of the Scriptures is the Word of Faith and in them the offer of the common Salvation and whosoever believes the Truth of the Scriptures they are able to make them wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Therefore the Apostle saith It is the power of God unto Salvation unto every one that believeth for therein is the Righteousness of God revealed and the Just shall live by their Faith Rom. 1.16,17 For the Lord is become the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5.9 And by doing good Works there is a laying hold of Eternal Life 1 Tim. 6.19 as well as there was some foreordained to Eternal Life And the Word of the Lord endureth for ever 1 Pet. 1.25 The which we are to hold fast till he come Rev. 2.24,25 And if the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every Transgression and Disobedience received a just recompence of Reward how shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by them that heard him Heb. 2.2,3 For the Lord Christ hath abolished Death and hath brought Life and Immortality to Light through the Gosple 2 Tim. 1.10 And the Apostle with Moses speaking of the Letter of the Word saith The knowledge of it is in thy Mouth and in thy Heart that thou mayest do it Deut. 30.14 So that we may do the thing that is there required God having promised his assistance and that he will accept our sincere Endeavour and whosoever takes to the way therein directed will find the assistance therein promised with the assured Reward that Christ has purchased which they also will be partakers of as well as those that were forechosen so as for any ones sincere Service the Lord will be their great Reward when he again comes at the time of the Redemption of the purchased Possession for then will he Redeem Israel and give to others Rewards and Punishments according to their Deeds And this is the common Faith which all that are under the common Call of the Gospel ought to contend for the which St. Jude terms the common Salvation vers 3. And it was by the common Faith that Titus became so Eminent a Christian Titus 1.4 XII How God is the Author of Faith in the Belief of the Scriptures BUT peradventure some will say That we cannot of our selves have Faith to believe the Scriptures for that is the Gift of Ged These Words were spoken to the Elect Church of the Ephesians who were part of the peculiar People chosen from among the Gentiles for the Praise of his Name which received the Holy Ghost to be in them who were then first brought out from the Abominations of the Gentiles and to whom the Apostile saith Eph. 2.8 For by Grace ye are saved thro' Faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God That is it was the great Mercy and rich Grace of God the gift of his Son and this great Mercy is to be received thro' Faith which Faith is not of themselves it is the gift of God who unto them in a peculiar manner he did at first manifest himself to but God did never leave himself without vvitness for the ground of Faith to confirm the truth of vvhat he vvould have us believe and therefore to confirm the Lavv that it
Angels of Light 2 Cor. 11.14 Gal. 1.8 And we were to receive nothing in contradiction to Moses and the Prophets Luke 16.31 But God will carry on his work according to his word As for any to expect the Spirit to be poured out upon them to prepare them for the coming of the Lord is a great Mistake and the Prince of Darkness would gladly perswade any to believe that for by that belief he keepeth them from preparing themselves that thereby they may be taken at unawares for Satan has many Wiles to deceive poor Souls For the Christians will not have the Spirit poured out upon them before the Lord comes to prepare them no more than Israel had when the Lord first came for if so the Lord would not have commanded them to be upon their watch lest coming suadenly he should find them sleeping XIX Christ saying all Power was given of the Father Explained WHereas Christ said after he arose Matth. 28.18 All power is given to me in heaven and in earth That was he then had paid the purchase of it and he was then as really assured of it as though he had it in Possession having the Promise of God for it And it is the Scriptures usual way of speaking to mention things that are to come as though they were then present Accordingly God said to Abraham I have made thee a Father of many Nations at which time he was not Father of one Child But God having promised it was certainly to come to pass and therefore spoken as then done Gen. 17.5 Rom. 4.17 According to which Christ spake for it is the World to come that is to be put in subjection unto him Heb. 2.5 And when the seventh Angel soundeth then it is the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 11.15 When he hath taken to him his own great power verse 17. I hope the Christians will consider these great Truths that they may not be found upon a false bottom For God doth not now compel but chalk out the way and leaves Man to chuse or refuse to obey But in the day of his Power he will again pour forth his Spirit for the first Churches had but a foretast of the earnest of that Inheritance which his People will partake of when the Lord again comes World without end And then his People Israel will be made a willing People Ps 110.3 When he removeth the Iniquity of that Land in one day in that day shall they call every Man under his Vine and under his Fig-tree Zach. 3.9,10 Then it is the two Olive-trees will give out of themselves the Golden Oyl of Grace and Wisdom into the Candlestick that is all of Gold Chap. 4.2 And then the Lord will make his Church a glorious Church without Spot or Wrinkle Eph. 5.27 But now the best of Saints are not without Sin 1 John 1.8 I thought at this time to have given a full Satisfaction who these two Olive-trees were who in the New Testament are termed two Witnesses who all along have accompanied the Church or Woman in the Wilderness who according to Promise had never been deceived by Beast or false Prophet And these two Witnesses always accompanying her therefore said to be cloathed in Sackcloath in bearing part of her Afflictions with her as it was formerly said of Christ that in all his Peoples Afflictions he was Afflicted Isaiah 63.9 And also it is said the holy Spirit may be grieved For these two Olive-trees which in this time are said to be the two Witnesses Rev. 11.3,4 and also elsewhere in the Scripture they are often so called and these two Witnesses we may readily believe can do all those Miracles Cited in the 5 and 6 Verses whereas it is said in the 8 Verse their dead Bodies Now this being spoken of the Remnant to whom the Lord promised to be with to the end of the World and that he would send them another Comforter that should abide with them for ever as is at large in the Woman Cloathed with the Sun prov'd And when these Persons become so opprest by the Beast as Scattered Imprisoned and Slain these two Witnesses cannot then by them bear their Testimony against the Evil of Sin and the Pernicious Idolatrous Worship of the Beast and thus the two Witnesses are said to be dead when their Bodies are thus Slain so as they cannot by them bear their Testimony whose dead Bodies were again to stand upon their Feet As to what I have here but hinted concerning them to give some Light herein I thought to have fully proved and to have made clearly appear who this fore mentioned Beast is But having many other things to answer my time would not permit me at this present O that we had but a Heart to consider the greater Truths of God whose Faithfulness cannot fail according to his Word for which blessed be his Name World without end Amen FINIS