And the like Zeal should be indefinitely shewed forth for all the Commandments of God and for all the positive Duties of the Gospel without confining or limiting of it to one thing more than another But now if any thing is done against any of the Commandments of the Lord concerning things which should not be done see Levit. 4. 22 27. there is an indifferency and unconcernedness Some could wish but it will never be done with wishing that things were right and according to the Law of God Ezra 10. 3. there is the utmost pitch of their Zeal Tho' God hath given them knowledge and ability for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness they would have God excuse them now and pardon them hereafter if they neglect this gift in them If present interest or any doctrine or opinion which is espoused and peculiar it perhaps giving denomination to such a Sect or Party is any wise concerned here they will exert their Zeal Knowledge and Industry But they will not in like manner contend earnestly for the weightier matters of the Law as Judgment Mercy Faith and Obedience to all the Commandments of God every one of which is to be observed towards and by every Creature without exception or respect of Persons They say These things are sufficiently known already But are they practised and done accordingly Herein they speak after a like unworthy manner as those who said Will a Man plead for Baal let Baal plead for himself and it is almost the same what they speak in reference to the God of Israel For if they may not so properly be styled Scoffers of these last and worst days yet they are ignorant slothful walking after their own Lusts and saying What need one do any thing for God he will do his work for himself This they are willingly ignorant of that there is such a Duty That people should help the Lord against the mighty Judg. 5. 23. which signifies the Sons of Violence and Transgression who will do things of their own strength because it is in the power of their hand Mic. 2. 1. and they are not nor yet will they be kept within the bounds of God's Commandments But these People do err which they utter forth against the Lord Isai 32. 5. not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of God nor yet the way of the present dispensation of his Kingdom For tho' the help which God doth upon Earth he doth it himself yet it is always done by the Means and Instruments of his Servants as they do act and exert forth those Principles of Goodness and Truth which he hath implanted in them As the Apostle argues from this Word Yet once more Heb. 12. 27. so every Sentence yea the least Word and Particle in Scripture is observable Where we read of some People that their Spirits were stirred there is a motion or making known or a Command of God to the Heart which yet the Creature doth not obey But where it is written God stirred up the Spirit of such an one as Gideon David Nehemiah Zerubabel there the Person doth actually obey and goes forth and is doing according to the Work God calls and employs him about Be instructed all ye slothful and faint-hearted Christians God hath put nothing in vain in any Man or Woman That Goodness which he first ingrassed and doth afterwards infuse should increase and grow up and it ought to appear forth through the Person in whom it is Agreeable hereunto is what our Lord saith and commands Ye are the Light of the World a City that is set on an hill cannot be hid neither do Men light a Candle and put it under a bushel but on a candlestick and it giveth light unto all that are in the house Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Matth. 5. 14 15 16. That which is of God in any Person is either Goodness or Truth and as Goodness ought to appear forth so the Truth in him ought to be spoken out For tho' the common Saying of the World is agreeable to the Wisdom of the Flesh which is for sloth ease and present safety Thaâ— all Truth is not to be spoken yet we have learned another way to Heaven Lord who shall abide in thâ— Tabernacle Who shall rest in thy holy Hill He thaâ— walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness anâ— speaketh the truth in his heart Psal 15. 1 2. So thaâ— as sure as the Spirit of God doth here teach thâ— way to Heaven and lay down the foregoing Qualifications and Conditions which we musâ— have and do before we come there whateveâ— Truth is in our heart provided it be the Truth oâ— God as coming from Him and arising out of hiâ— Word we must and ought to speak it come whatever will hereof if we do not mean to be disappointed of Heaven at last And if this doing should bring trouble upon our Loins for this Objection the worldly-wise Man hath against thiâ— Duty and therefore he will refrain to utter it wâ— must do it for all that this being that kind of manifold Tribulation which we must go throughâ— before we enter into the Kingdom of God All People will not be saved who constantly go to Church or Meeting for of the four sorts of Hearers of the Word in Mat. 13. there is but one who beareth and bringeth forth fruit unto everlasting life But there is another sort which comes exactly to the present case But he that receiveth seed into stony places the same is he that heareth the word and anoâ—â— with joy receiveth it yet hath he not root within himself but dureth for a while for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word by and by he is â—ffended Mat. 13. 20 21. There is no Person but who would willingly be saved and doth perceive â—ome lightsomness and satisfaction to arise from â—he Ordinance of Preaching because he thinks â—hat this doth somewhat further him towards this happy and blessed End But when such a Duty is presented before him or such a thing seems to be commanded and required of him in the same Word which hath a shew or perhaps a real consequent of worldly loss trouble or inconvenience This is such a Stumbling-block in his way to Heaven that he cannot or rather will not get over So that here if he doth not the thing he cries out or secretly ejaculates with Naaman The Lord pardon thy Servant in this thing considering that he doth so much towards God besides Or when God requires and calls them forth to such a particular Duty they answer like those invited to the Wedding-Dinner I pray thee have me excused for if I should do so I should suffer damage in such worldly matters Nay if he should do the Duty but yet he is offended that tribulation and persecution is come upon him for it This indeed is another step further
him That they are the work of his hands Thy Mercy O Lord endureth for ever it reaches and extends beyond the Day of Judgment even throughout all Eternity Forsake not the work of thine own hands Psal 138. 8. Do not leave them for ever in utter despair and misery God hath more than one Blessing to Angels and Saints he may make Devils and condemned Sinners Hewers of Stone and Drawers of Water John 9. 2. That is somewhat ease and exempt them from the worst pain and thraldom For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek For there is no difference between the Flesh of a Saint and the Flesh of a Sinner and I suppose there is not much more as to the outward original frame and composure of Spirits of the same kind For the same Lord over all that is Creatures is rich unto all that call upon him For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved Rom. 10. 12 13. This is cited from Joel 2. 32. and there it is delivered So that by the comprehensiveness of the Word Whosoever which takes in all without exception and from the Apostle's arguing That the Lord is rich unto all that call upon him That is he hath Goodness abundant and to spare for he doth ten thousand times exceed even that of Isaac or of the best and most tender Father for 't is he who created the Bowels and put Compassion in them By the Riches of his Goodness he is obliged to do somewhat for every one that calls upon him So that if these Creatures can and do but call upon the Name of the Lord though it will not be after the same manner and nothing to an equal degree of that Salvation the elect Servants of God are possessed of yet they will at length be somewhat saved and delivered from that depth and grievousness of pain and misery which they have long groaned under For I will not contend for ever neither will I be always wroth for the Spirit should fail before me and the Souls that I have made Isai 57. 16. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief that he might have mercy upon all Rom. 11. 32. As the Wisdom of God is manifold so the Truths arising out of his Word are of more universal latitude and of longer extent even throughout the succeeding Eternity than that particular occasion upon which they were at first cited For these two great Scriptures have a further meaning and signification than to troubled and afflicted Consciences or to the temporal casting off of the Jews The same may be yet further understood from the very Nature of God who is infinitely eternally and essentially good and from the Analogy and Reason of things that he will not contend for ever in the punishment and misery of his Creatures but he hath shut them all under deserved and the greater part under actual condemnation that he might have mercy upon all O the depth of the Riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God How unsearchable are his Judgments and his Ways past finding out was the Conclusion which the Apostle made when himself had before according to the measure of the Knowledge given him searched and found out some of them But thus he pronounceth concerning what yet remained behind and which himself understood not any further If thou Lord shouldst mark Iniquities O Lord who shall stand Psal 130. 3. And Enter not into Judgment with thy Servant for in thy sight shall no man living be justified Psal 143. 2. For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God Rom. 3. 23. The best Servant of God that was ever or is now upon the Earth doth come short of that Holiness as He is holy and of performing that Duty in all things and at all times which God did command or require of him Such Truths are to be made known which shew how these are so let whatever imputation will be fastned upon it To come with Ropes about our Necks and acknowledge our selves worthy of Death eternal to donfess our Sin in the most aggravating Circumstances to arraign our selves and make no other Plea than acknowledgment of our own Guilt that we have transgressed against the Lord and to cry our mightily and earnestly unto him for pardon and mercy All this is the best and soonest way to make our peace with God So did David and the Prophets Saith one We lie down in our shame and our confusion covereth us for we have sinned against the Lord our God from our youth even unto this day and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God Jer. 3. 15. But we are all as an unclean thing and all our Righteousness are as filthy Rags Isai 64. 6. Some may be apt to surmise What need the Prophet mention this for peradventure God might accept this Righteousness as it is whereas by vilifying and depretiating it as he doth he may put God in mind or move him not to accept it What an absurd and wrong imagination is here For it was the Spirit of God which did first acquaint and make this known unto Isaiah and he speaks it forth unto the People in order to humble them and make them have a low Conceit of their best Performances To be as nothing in our own sight to acknowledge our own Guilt and Unworthiness to bear iniquity and loath our selves for our Sins This is the way to get the Favour and Mercy of God for so did the holy Men and Women of old who served him and were accepted by him And so when God would tell People of their Sins and Transgressions when they have done amiss and erred from his Commandments he doth not now speak unto the Inhabitants of the Earth out of the cloudy Pillar or from the Battlements of Heaven but now he speaks in the still Voice of his Word and Spirit unto their Hearts and Consciences Which Word is yet more clearly and distinctly revealed unto some of his peculiar and elect Servants whom again he prompts by his Spirit to speak out and publish the same Word unto others And so they do not tell and inform God but God doth tell and inform them Agreeable hereunto is that kind of speaking unto Ezekiel Go and shew the House of Israel their Doings and cause them to know the Abominations of their Fathers Ezek. 20. 4. God sees it and is displeased Isa 59. 15. He knows it and is grieved Forty years long was I grieved with this Generation Psal 95. 10. His own Spirit is pressed until it is actually stirred up which same Spirit he doth infuse it into some Pipe here on Earth either Man or Woman who again doth receive convey and vent it forth by publishing and making it known unto other Men and Women I am pressed under you as a cart is pressed with sheaves He doth here speak after the manner of Men for our Infirmities And hereby we may apprehend how the
SOME THOUGHTS CONCERNING The Life to Come WITH A Brief Account Of the State of Religion As it is now in the World LONDON Printed in the Year 1693. THE PREFACE TO THE READER OF making many Books there is no end said the wise Solomon in his time which hath been since fulfilled in such a degree and to such a measure that through the multitude of Books the intended Good and Benefit of them hath been lost and defeated For when the Great Truths of GOD have come forth and been published People have not distinguished discerned and known them from the ordinary Imaginations and Sayings of other meer Humane Writers But they have remained hidden and not understood Psal 106. 7. Acts 7. 25. by the Men of this World and by the outward Worshippers Yea they have not been Understood by many of the real Servants of GOD They having not been so diligent as in Duty they ought to seek Acts 15. 17. and enquire out after all the Appearances and Manifestations of his Truth in the World In every Nation and so in every Sect or Party however it is called or named he that serveth GOD and worketh Righteousness which is a general and comprehensive Speech and doth include Obedience to all the Words of His Law is accepted with Him Acts 10. 34. To each Person which doth this GOD affords the Knowledge of Himself and of the Things which pertain to his Kingdom So that out of the Writings of the People of the several Opinions and Persuasions among us if that Foundation in them here mentioned doth stand sure somewhat of GOD and of his Truth may be sought after and also had by the godly honest and understanding Reader But this is to be attended unto that as between the Miracles of Moses and the Inchantments of the Magicians there is that manifest diversity That the one does not only much exceed the other but the first do carry that Power Evidence and Demonstration along with them that the Magicians themselves are forced to confess and acknowledge This is the Finger of GOD Exod. 8. 19. So likewise there is not only a manifest diversity between the Imaginations Subtlety and Sophistry of Satan which have also an outward likeness unto and imitation of Truth and the certainty of the Words of Truth themselves or what Job calls right Words Chap. 6. 25. But further there is observed to be a continued Vein of Holiness and a Spirit of the Fear of the Lord which runs throughout the Writings of some Men more than others Here again these are exceeded by others also who are yet mightier and greater than they in the Kingdom of God and in the dispensation of his Gospel For there is a real difference between what is meerly pious and devotional or those common things which are universally known and obvious already and the making known the Great Truths of God or those new Things which he doth declare Before they spring forth I tell you of them Isa 42. 9. Which God doth tell anâ— declare unto Mankind by some particular Saint or Servant of his Now whether I my self shall fall under the same Imputation which I here tacitly reprehend in other Writers or whether I do here bring forth out of my Treasury such Things new and old which in themselves are indeed worthy to be made publick or whether yet further I do not express out those Truths of God which as it is my Duty to write speak and make known so it is the Duty of the People of this my Generation to read hear and receive into their knowledge Rom. 1. 28. I refer all this to the spiritual man who judgeth all things 1 Cor. 1. 15. in this mean while as it will be yet more clearly discerned and determined by God and his Saints at the last Day It hath been observed of John the Evangelist that in his Gospel he doth set down and mention what was omitted by the other three Evangelists for whereas they all repeat and confirm the same things he doth record that as to which they are silent so it hath been and shall be my constant Method and Resolution only to publish those useful Truths and weightier Matters of the Law which have been hitherto omitted see Mat. 23. 23. in the Books and Sermons of other Writers and Preachers And tho' I have already employ'd the Press proportionally for one of my Circumstances Condition and Years yet I shall never be so voluminous as Origen of old who is reported to have made six thousand Books or as Tostatus and Richard Baxter of later Times But as I hope to be accepted of Him who comes quickly and his Reward is with him to give to every man according as his Work shall be Rev. 22. 12. I know that the Goodness and Worth thereof doth lie not so much in its quantity as its quality as a little Diamond is of more value and estimation than a much greater common Stone so I had rather speak five or a very few Words with knowledge and understanding that by my Voice I might teach others also which may be unto Men to edification exhortation and comfort than ten thousand Words in useless Notions or rather Imaginations in meer smooth Language or in vain-jangling and matters of doubtful disputation the former of which do divert and turn aside the Mind from the one thing needful and the latter do rather minister unto strife than unto godly edifying This small ensuing Treatise is an essay and endeavour to the only good and right end of seeking the present Peace and future Welfare of men and women I do therein write unto them of the common Salvation The Contents and subject Matter thereof may be apprehended from the Title-Page Where the Failings Defects Infirmities the Sins and Errours of the People are spoken of This is for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness And tho' perhaps there may not be altogether that exactness of Art Method and Connexion whereof some Scribes have been more curious and careful than of the Substance of the Things they have delivered yet herein we have a great part of the Scripture for our ensample which was given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for things which make us wise unto Salvation that the Man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all Good-works albeit it is not like unto Discourses framed by Art and Man's Device SOME THOUGHTS Concerning the Life to come c. Behold now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 John 3. 2. COncerning this thing of future and endless Life I have great thought and searching of Heart My Soul doth shrug within me when in my Bed I think upon it throughly Now I am as yet in this Life but when that Moment shall come in which I must be dislodged from
this Body there succeeds Judgment and Account and strict requiring for all those Omissions of Good and Duty which I have been guilty of which are now utterly gone by and cannot be retrieved for all eternity Trial was once had but now it is over even as to all the Days and Doings of this Life here upon Earth Now the Days are passing and we are as yet in the Flesh but then they will be all over and gone and our Spirits will be removed from hence Then shall they remember Luke 16. 25 the several Steps and Passages of our Life here on Earth which at firsâ— may seem as faint as the remembrance of â— Night-Vision or of the things which havâ— been lately or long since past But they shalâ— be all call'd over again and appear before usâ— All the Thoughts Words and Actions of thâ— past Life will remain present before the Souâ— and appear more lively and make yet a greater impression because then she is to receivâ— accordingly than when they were first done The Word of Instruction which doth arisâ— hence is that every thing now should be so done as it will be then wished and desired that it haâ— been done and this is to strive to the utmost iâ— pleasing and finding acceptance with Almighty God In what fear should we pass the timâ— of our sojourning How should we improvâ— every moment of our precious Time and nâ— suffer the least portion thereof to pass away iâ— unprofitable and vain things The dispropoâ—tion between Time and Eternity is vast anâ— as much greater as between the whole Oceaâ— and a single Drop or as the whole gathering â—f the Waters is to a narrow Gulph or Stream The Rivers run to the Sea and in like manâ—er as soon as we draw Breath we are gliding â—n 'till we launch forth and are swallowed up â—nto Eternity The Odds will be as great or â—ather more exceeding than when one who â—as imprisoned in a dark Dungeon or cubâ—ed up in a narrow close Room is let out to â—he liberty of the whole Earth Or like a Swalâ—ow which for a little time was pent up in a Cage is let out again to fly up and down in â—he wide and immense Regions of Air. The â—lteration and Change which will be then â—ade upon us is yet more unconceivable It â—oth not yet appear what we shall be Now â—e know nothing or but little of the Soul â—e shall then perceive nothing besides the Soul â—ow we are wholly taken up with the Conâ—erns of the Body then we shall have nothing â—o do with it And so though our Bodies do â—â—oulder towards the Dust and then seem to be â—tterly lost yet it is not so for ever for they â—â—all be raised up again and rendred glorious â—nd incorruptible Now we do mind if not â—nly yet chiefly things sensible and carnal â—ut then we shall be wholly taken up with the â—onsideration of things spiritual The whole Creation with all the Things and Works of God will be more clearly manifested before us and understood by us than they are now as much as the Understanding of a Man doth exceed and surpass the Conception and Instinct of a Beast It will be a very great change and renewal of things now no more to turn to Corruption nor to be destroyed nor yet dissolved But as it is said of Melchisedeck That he abideth a Priest continually Heb. 7. 3. By which Word Priest according to its first institution is signified the most Sanctified and Holy and Choice of the People And ye shall be unto me a Kingdom of Priests and a holy Nation Exod. 19. 6. from whence cometh that Word Clergy So in like manner it may be affirmed when those true Things are erected and set up whereof the Things heretofore made and now in being are but the figure when the new Heavens and the new Earth are created which are spoken of in Isai 65. 17. then if we may so speak after the manner of Men with much humility trembling and reverence that it may be understood by their Capacities God hath done his best For the new Heavens and the new Earth which I will make shall remain observe that before me saith the Lord Isai 66. 22. This Word Remain doth denote an eternal unchangeable state or whatever is to last for a time if it be a thousand or million of Years that is transitory for the several parts and portions of Time do pass away and succeed one another Now there is both Time and Motion which are relative Terms and these do point forth unto as they will be swallowed up at length in the eternal Rest The whole Earth is at rest and quiet they break forth into singing Isai 14. 7. This doth respect and look back unto that Confusion Desolation Destruction Trouble and Weariness which hath been heretofore on the Earth when there was fear and weeping It is before said The Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow and from thy fear and from thy hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve vers 3. These former evil things shall be done away and the contrary good things shall succeed in the room thereof And though this will in some measure be fulfilled in the latter days on the Earth when the Sinners who cause all this evil and trouble shall be consumed out of the Earth and the wicked shall be no more Psal 104. 35. For in what Prayer the Spirit of Truth doth dictate is included a Promise that so it shall be And then the People who inhabit here shall practice the same Holiness and live in peace as in Jerusalem which is above which is the Mother of us all Which Word Jerusalem by Interpretation is the Visions of Peace Though this will be in a less degree and more imperfect manner just before the Church on Earth shall be received up and swallowed into that of Heaven And it shall then come to pass that the whole Creation shall be at resâ— and quiet They shall sing for joy and breaâ— forth in loud Voices and everlasting Hallelujahs as is described in the Revelations They shall not only be so as to rest and inward peace of Soul and Spirit but also as to outward Resâ— and Motion The Sun shall no more be thy lighâ— by day thy Sun shall no more go down neither shall thy Moon withdraw it self for the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting Light Isai 60 18 19. So shall it no more rejoyce as a strong Man to run a Race nor any longer continueâ— his going forth from the end of Heaven nor his Circuit unto the ends of it but the reason of the thing will then also cease and God Himself will then supply that immediately to his living Creatures and Spirits which they had before by the means and instrumentality of the inanimate Creatures There shall be no more any weary Beast but if these sensitive and irrational Creatures should be raised up also to being
unto Thus far hath Partiality blinded them who herein have took part with their own Errours and Corruption But amidst all thiâ— weakness and fault of Man the Word of God is very pure which doth not vary from her original purity by any thing that Men would do or by what they would fasten upon it from their own imaginations To hide our sin as Adam or to justifie or extenuate it doth make it yet worse and more provoking in the sight of God for it is better to lay our hands upon our mouth and to hold our peace and to submit unto the mercy and upright dealing of the Lord. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth if I prefer secret communion with God before the worship of him in the Congregations of his People or as the manner of some is to relinquish them wholly in order to enjoy as they say more private and inward communion with their God for his publick Worship on his own holy Day doth take up but three or four hours of the Week and the residue of their time they might allot for that When both may stand consistent and be used successively one with another there is no need for one to jostle or thrust out the other And let my hand like Jeroboam's wither if I should go about to lay hold on or hinder the true Gospel-Priesthood in the ministration of their Office in the Temple For it must be in some place and it is better in such a place which is set a-part wholly for this and for no other use And let my tongue never hold a Pen more if I should in the least persuade or intimate unto People to neglect the assembling of themselves together My case is now somewhat like that of David when he was hunted up and down like a Partridge in the mountains As the hart panteth after the water-brooks so panteth my soul after thee O God My soul thirsteth for God for the living God when shall I come to appear before God! My tears have been my meat day and night while they say continually unto me Where is thy God When I remember these things I pour out my soul in me for I had gone with the multitude I went with them to the house of God with the voice of joy and praise with the multitude that kept holy-day Psal 42. 1 2 3 4. Then he remembred and call'd to mind what refreshings himself formerly had in the Assemblies and there it was that he met with God as God himself doth express it elsewhere appointing the manner of his Worship he saith to this purpose And there I will meet with thee and commune with thee Exod. 25. 22. In like manner my Soul doth pant and thirst earnestly that I being once saved and delivered from mine Enemies and from the hands of all that hate me might serve him without fear in righteousness and holiness before him all the days of my life Luk. 1. 74. For this do I desire to live that I may amongst his People worship God according to the mind of the Spirit that I may turn to the People of a pure language and we may all serve the Lord with one Consent And tho' there is left in the midst of us at this day an afflicted and poor People yet they have not that full measure and higher degrees of knowledge and understanding which were to be wish'd for and desired nor yet do they trust in the name of the Lord as his People or as themselves did of old time Where are the People now upon Earth who are as diligent and zealous in all the parts and seasons of the Service of God who do abound in good Works and are bold not fearing the face of Man as they were in former days Or such as those we read of in the Acts of the Apostles or in the three first Centuries immediately after those days Look down from Heaven and behold from the habitation of thy Holiness and of thy Glory Where is thy zeal and thy strength and the sounding of thy bowels and thy mercies towards us are they restrained Isa 63. 15. The Prophet hereby seems to import as if God had turned his face another way and doth not now behold the Inhabitants of the Earth and thereupon he prays unto him to look down again upon them and as if God doth now with-hold his Communications â—nd imparting of Good unto his Creatures For â—hat which is of God in any of us it is if I may so â—xpress it but the conveying of so many Parâ—icles of the Divine Nature into us Every good â—ift and every perfect gift cometh down from above Upon the right improvement and good use of â—hose Seeds and Principles of Goodness God gives â—s more But by that kind of speech of Isaiah here â—ention'd and by what Ezekiel reciteth as the â—ying of others The Lord hath forsaken the Earth â—nd even his Spirit doth speak to the same purâ—ose by the mouth of Jeremiah Be instructed O â—erusalem lest my Soul depart from thee Jer. 6. 8. â—rom all which we gather that when the Inhabitants of the Earth are corrupt or when they are universally given to such a sin whatever it be as it is now one and then another according as the course and fashion of this World doth turn and lead unto or to such a thing which is besides or otherwise than the Law of God is When they know not nor will they understand they walk on in darkness all the foundations of the Earth are out of course Psal 82. 5. Like as it was soon after the Creation And God saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually And it repented the Lord that he had made man upon the Earth and it grieved him at his heart And God looked upon the Earth and behold it was corrupt for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the Earth Gen. 6. 5 6. So it is at this day When he sees them in such a state he leaves them to themselves they will not come out of it nor learn and receive more knowledge And so it comes to pass that God doth not dwell amongst them For ye are not my people and I will not be your God Hos 1. 9. He is not slack or backward as some Men counâ— slackness or backwardness in giving his gifts oâ— conveying his goodness unto Men but they arâ— not qualified for the receiving thereof Be ye cleanâ— ye that bear the Vessels of the Lord for thereforâ— it is that he doth not pour in of his holy Spirit because the Man or Woman is not cleansed from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit and from all unrighteousness God is before-hand with everâ— Man he gives to each a stock or talent and to him that hath shall be given and from him that hath not shall be taken away even what he seemeth to have that is
as much exceed the other's who is a Creature and by him made as the whole Ocean doth a single Drop of Water In the 1st and 2d Chapter of Job in the 3d. of Zechariah and in Rev. 12. 10. we see and understand God's superlative and over-ruling Goodness and Equity how he doth moderate the matter and affirm it by the way of Favour and Mercy on the side of Mankind And this is but as talking a little before the Day of Assize an Emblem and Forerunner how he will determine it eternally on their side at the last and great Day of Judgment notwithstanding all the Informations Accusations and Aggravations of Satan And now if there should be any of his Ministers transformed into Ministers of Righteousness alike unto Satan in this who draw up more heavy and false Indictments than the true and very nature of the thing doth require and will bear Or if the Conscience it self which is yet more pressed with Sin and Guilt should fore-cast too grievous things all this will not do one joâ— of harm in the Day of the Lord for he who hath prepared his Throne for Judgment knows all things in the World He shall judge the World in righteousness he shall minister Judgment to the People in uprightness Psal 9. 8. In the new Translation it is said He shall minister true Judgment to the People Who weighs the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance He will make things to hang even exact and equal Judgment will I lay to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet Isai 28. 17. He shall judge the World with Righteousness and the People with his Truth Psal 96. 13. With Righteousness shall he judge the World and the People with equity Psal 98. 9. Now Equity is a mild thing which doth state moderate and adjust a matter And then after all God doth reserve Mercy even after Judgment and Condemnation for that is its proper place At the last Day Mercy shall rejoice against Judgment in such a signal eminent great and universal a manner even as to swallow up all Judgment in Victory When I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done saith the Lord God Ezek. 16. 63. When this Song shall be sung Thou hast taken away all thy Wrath thou hast turn'd thy self from the fierceness of thine Anger Psal 85. 3. God is more merciful than ever it entred into the Heart to conceive or the Ear hath heard that as it is written at the first Creation The Morning-Stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy Job 38. 7. Now compare this with Isai 14. â—2 Lucifer is there called Son of the Morning so that if ever he sang for joy it was before he fell from Heaven And it is both possible and probable that for joy when he was first brought forth into being he might sing a Song of Praise and Acknowledgment unto the great Creator of all Things And so if we look back to Gen. 6. 2 4. There we find the wicked and ungodly of the World styled The Sons of God for so they are by Creation and Workmanship This was fresh and soon after the Creation for we never as I know of find them so called again throughout all Scripture So that by what may be gathered from Psal 104. 30 31. Thou renewest the face of the Earth The Lord shall rejoice in his Works So at the very last upshot and end of all things Goodness Equity and Mercy will display and manifest that that if so be the Morning Stars may not again sing together and all the Sons of God observe that Particle all including both the Sons by Creation as well as those by Grace and Adoption may not shout together for joy yet at least it may be somewhat more tolerable than that certain fearful looking for of Judgment and the fiery Indignation Heb. 10. 27. or when they did believe and tremble Jam. 2. 19. They must indeed undergo the devouring Fire for all Scripture must be fulfilled and they must see and suffer also which in probability will be throughout a much longer duration than the time was in which the Mosaical Institutions did last which were said to be a Statute for ever or as it is written That the Ordinances of Day and Night shall not cease while the Earth remaineth Gen. 8. 23. Which Earth in the Book of Psalms is said to be established for ever Psal 78. 69. Again it is written If those Ordinances depart from before me saith the Lord then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a Nation before me for ever Jer. 31. 36. And yet the Seed of Israel doth at this day seem to cease to be a Nation as it is yet more certain that this Earth at last shall pass away and the Ordinances of Day and Night shall then also cease and come to an utter end But God only knows what may succeed after all this when those miserable Creatures have lain under condemnation and punishment a much longer space of duration than six or seven thousand Years now within which time all this lower Creation and the Works thereof in probability will be determined and finished God will look down from the height of his Sanctuary when the Psalmist spoke thus by the Spirit it was then to come from Heaven will the Lord behold the Earth yea and who knows whether he will behold yet lower If I make my Bed in Hell behold thou art there To hear the groaning of the Prisoner to loose those that are appointed to death Psal 102. 19 20. In the Margin there it is Children of Death This one portion of Scripture is of more worth than ten thousand Worlds If any thing of good or mitigation is intended to them it will come in upon this account That they are the Creatures of God and his Workmanship The Lord shall rejoice in his Works and they shall reciprocally rejoice in the Lord their God If those very Creatures who seem rejected Heb. 12. 17. and hated Rom. 9. 13. by him can but then call upon him by the Name of the Lord and lay hold on him as Esau did with his Father Isaac compare Gen. 27. 34 38. with Heb. 12. 16 17. And when Esau heard the Words of his Father he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry and said unto his Father Bless me even me O my Father Here he continues and keeps up and puts in mind of the Relation After his Excuse and Answer had still he doth continue and repeat and again double the Words of his Relation Hast thou but one Blessing Bless me even me also O my Father and Esau lift up his voice and wept So it may be conceived of those condemned forlorn and miserable Creatures that after they have been long in wailing and gnashing of Teeth with howling and great crying if they can but then call upon Him by the Name of Creator and remember and lay it before
Character is given unto him who is greater than Moses with a transversal of the same Words Jesus of Nazareth a Prophet mighty in deed and in word before God and before all the People Luke 24. 19. The Holy Ghost hereby signifying that he did actually more good than himself talked of and herein he did exceed Moses and all the Children of God For with them their Thoughts and Words do rise higher than their Actions For none ever did nor yet can obey and do more for God than he doth think or speak of But their Performances and Doings come short of their Words as both Words and Actions do come short of their Thoughts for many good excellent high great and glorious Things are thought of which are never spoken out But this is Man's fault and infirmity for every thing that is good and true ought to be spoken out and if possible the same is to be put into practice But where power is wanting or opportunity is not to be had there it should come forth into will and real endeavour so that in good and duty we should still go as far as we can If we seek out of the Book of the Lord and read we shall there find that the whole of Mankind is distinguished not into such Names as we give one another of Papist Protestant Church-of-England-man Presbyterian Independent Anabaptist Quaker Sabbatarian Socinian Dissenter or such-like but into Righteous and Wicked they that serve God and they that serve him not Mal. 3. 18. This serving of God is not calling him their God nor yet styling themselves the Children of Abraham nor yet the ranking themselves among the Members of a pure Church at this Day nor yet paying unto God Acts of Worship every morning and evening for whosoever keeps all the parts and times of Worship and yet will not obey one point of the Law of God when he doth all the rest he is guilty of all and an ungodly Man for all that But this is the Service of God to do all his Will and Pleasure for as to our matters according to the Flesh it is not the bare calling him Master or living in his Family or paying unto him outward Respect all this will not make them to be Servants indeed But it is the constant doing of their Business according to what they are bid and commanded from time to time The Spirit of God doth foresee there is a sort of People who goon in that Deceit of calling themselves of the Holy City and staying upon the God of Israel of worshipping God and speaking honourably of his Name These would take it ill if any one should say they did not serve God As indeed they do not tho' they serve with an Offering and weary themselves with Incense Isai 43. 23. Tho' they spend never so much time in outward Worship and take all the Opportunities and Seasons for it yet in the meaning and requiring of the Holy Ghost they do not properly and truly serve God unless they do confirm all the Words of his Law to do them The same Spirit doth caution us hereof and give us to understand as much by what is written Ye Ministers of his that do his pleasure Psal 103. 21. Hereby intimating that there are such who think themselves and are called by the World Ministers and Servants of God who yet do not his Pleasure Why call ye me Lord Lord and do not the things which I say Luke 6. 46. And yet more plainly this is signified by what the Spirit saith His Servants shall serve him Rev. 22. 3 This is brought in upon describing the manner of the New Jerusalem above which herein is opposite and different from that on Earth for many here are called Servants of God who do not in deed and in truth serve him Whereas such only who do in deed and in truth serve him shall be admitted there Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the Will of my Father which is in Heaven Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy Name and in thy Name cast out Devils and in thy Name done many wonderful Works and I will profess unto them I never knew ye depart from me ye that work Iniquity Mat. 7. 21 22 23. These things I have written not that I had ought as of my self to accuse my Nation of but to manifest from the Word which flatters none but declares unto all Men what his thoughts and ways are that though a form of Godliness is spread and diffused throughout the several Congregations and Places of this Island yet they all come short of the Power and substance thereof And as we do all look for the appearance of the Great GOD who shall render to every Man according to his Work both ye and my self are to be diligent that we may be found of Him without spot and blameless I speak not these things as a Man but they do proceed forth from the Word and Spirit of the Lord and from Him that gives Man Knowledge who sees all this and much more and is displeased As Wounds and Bruises and putrifying Sores are launced in order to a cure so these things are laid open before all the Churches which they may at least come to the sight hearing or rumour of that they may know such things have been written that according to the Commandment of the God of Israel they amend their Ways and their Doings Jer. 7. 3. if they intend to have the Favour of God now be accepted of Him at last and if they would dwell with him in the highest Heavens for evermore Amen saith my Soul come Lord Jesus come quickly FINIS