14. â— Jer. 32.39 2 Cor. 12.18 Unity in observing the duties of the Morall Law contained in the Ten Commandements so is there also Unity in the most holy d Jude 10. Tit. 1.1 faith of Gods elect The Apostle saith There is e Eph. 4.5 one faith And he hath these words f Eph. 4.13 Till we all come into the Unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Sonne of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ And as all which truly endeavour to make preparation of the way of the Lord within them according as it is prescribed by the aforesaid heavenly crying voice shall see more and more the g 1 Tim. 3.9 mysterie of the Christian faith and what the true Christian h Joh. 8.12 Mal. 4.2 See wisd 5.6 life and conversation is unto the increase of godly Unity so such as are i Eph. 4.3 studious of all holy Unity shall partake of the greatest measure of heavenly light which God now communicateth unto his servants It is said in the Booke of Chronicles k 2 Chron. 5.13 14. It came to passe as the trumpetters and singers were as one to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord and when they lift up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick and praised the Lord saying For he is good for his mercy endureth for ever that then the house was filled with a cloud even the house of the Lord. So that the Priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God So it is said in the Acts of the Apostles l Acts 2.1 3 4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord or with one mind in one place And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sate upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Then did God m Acts 2.16 17 18. powre out of his Spirit upon all flesh namely on all ages and states as on old persons and young persons on sonnes and daughters on servants and hand-maids and in great abundance on his Apostles who had n Acts. 1.4 waited for the promise and had kept in Jerusalem Which saith David is builded as a City that is o Psal 22.3 compact together or as some translate which is at unity in it self For where brethren dwell together in unity p Psal 133.3 Where there is such concord us saith the Geneva note The Ratification of this oracle there saith he the Lord commandeth the blessing even life for evermore There remaineth also that something be said concerning the Ratification of this Oracle which is contained in these words For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it The which words are added for to assure us That our labour in the work of the Lord shall not now be in q 1 Cor. 15.51 vain our true endeavouring for to performe the aforesaid preparation shall not be unconsidered For God saith the Apostle is not unrighteous to r Heb. 6.10 11 12 13 14 15. Mat. 10.41 42. Ps 19.11 Heb. 11.26 forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed toward His name c. And we desire that every one of you doe shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end That ye be not sloathfull but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises For when God made promise to Abraham because he could sweare by no greater He sware by Himself saying Surely blessing I will blesse thee and multiplying I will multiply thee And after he had patiently endured he obtained the promise Whereas it is said For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it it giveth us to consider that a mouth hath uttered it which Å¿ Tit. 1.2 cannot lye and that the Almighty holy righteous eternall Spirit hath promised it which is t Eph. 3.20 able to performe it Who hath promised many spirituall blessings to be inherited in the life that u 1. Tim. 4.8 now is according as His Divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godlinesse through the knowledge of him as S. Peter * 2. Pet. 1.3 4. saith that hath called us to glory and vertue whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine Nature having escaped the corruption which is in the world through lust That as the Apostle writeth unto the x Eph. 1.12 13 14. Ephesians We should be unto the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ in whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the Gospel of your Salvation in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance untill the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory And as the Lord Jesus Christ saith y Mar. 10.29 30. There is no man that hath left house or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the world to come eternall life Moreover it is to be observed that these words for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it being so often used in holy Scripture What the mouth of the Lord signifieth do in speciall manner note forth unto us the power and truth of God upon which we may build and ground our selves and be secure or z See of Heb. 11.1 the marginall reading confident that what duties we for our parts are to endeavour are a Ps 19.7 8. Deut. 4.6 7 8. perfect wisdome to be done and that the benefit signified to be received in the doing of them is most sure and certain It is said in Ezechiel * Ezech. 37.13 14. And ye shall know that I am the Lord when I have opened your graves O my people and brought you up out of your graves And shall have put my Spirit in you and ye shall live and I shall place you in your own land then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it and performed it saith the Lord. And to conclude this point there is observed to be understood by these words The mouth of the Lord hath spoken Such a more inward manifesting and communicating of the Divine will as whereby matters were made knowne unto Moses as it is written With him will I speak b Num. 12.8 mouth to mouth apparently For so Isaiah framed not out of his own mind this crying voice as Jeremiah saith That the false Prophets doe speak a vision of their own heart
A VVAY VNTO TRVE Christian Unitie The worship of God in Spirit and in Truth TOGETHER VVith many Spirituall benefits therein received now in this life and everlastingly All expresly delivered in the Holy Scripture And declared in an Exposition of a certain Fundamentall portion of the Sacred Text. Written for the lessening of Differences and for the increasing of Concord in the godly truth eternall Also for to make more manifest a firme Ground whereon holy Unity may be built up unto the highest degree of perfection attainable in this World Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in Vnitie Psal 133.1 But the houre commeth and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship Him Joh. 4.23 Illo tempore nihil tam conveniens servo Dei videbatur quà m Unitatem sequi Hieron cont Lucif cap. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 LONDON Printed by John Legatt and are to be sold by Edward Wright at the signe of the Bible neere Pie-corner 1648. To my very loving and much honoured friend and neighbour Mr. JOHN BATHURST Doctour of Physick in London be the gracious accomplishment of the promise which Godlinesse hath of the life that now is 1 Tim. 4.8 and of that which is to come THe eternall God blessed for ever saying a Ier. 8.22 Is there no Balme in Gilead Is there no Physician there Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered signifieth thereby that as there is salve for corporall infirmitie so is there likewise for spirituall maladie And therefore He that hath b Mal. 4.2 healing in His wings having pronounced c Mat. 9.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The sick have need of a Physician hath taught therein That d Isa 55.2 3. endeavour should be for health in soule Ut sit mens e 2 Tim. 1.7 sana in corpore sano Also like as the Sentence saith concerning what is bodily f Sir 38.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth and he that is wise will not abhorre them so hath Hee out of his infinite wisdome brought forth his most holy word and whatsoever his Servants publish for to further spirituall welfare and being the g Prov. 1.8 true doctrine of the sacred Scripture it should not be h 1 Thess 5.20 21. despised but i Acts. 17.11 taken into due consideration It is a Saying among the Jewes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A man learneth not so much of his own self as he learneth of another One k Buxtorfius Lexico Chaldaico Rabbinico ad radicem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 expresseth it Non tantum valet studium privatum quam id quod cum alio quis habet commune The Almighty Creatour doth so l 1 Cor. 12.8 9 10 11 25. powre out of his Spirit upon the Mysticall body of his Sonne to Whom be honour and glory everlastingly as that one member may make use of another according to his holy ordinance Moreover whereas the wise mans Exhortation is m Sir 38.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Honour the Physician and having my selfe consulted with you my much beloved neighbour and Physician for bodily infirmities and by Gods blessing finding much helpe and comfort from you in mutuall love and thankefulnesse I offer unto you these Spirituall counsels and soule-salves praying that He who is the true Tree of life Whose leaves are for the n Rev. 22.2 healing of the Nations may universally blesse them to you yours and all the o Gal. 6.16 Israel of God And although some have as the Apostle relateth p Acts. 28.27 refused to be healed yet the Heavenly q Ezek. 2.7 command was Thou shalt speake my words unto them whether they will heare or whether they will forbeare Also howsoever unto them which r Phil. 3.19 Luke 12.20 21. 2 Tim. 3.4 minde and esteeme most the earthly things the meditating and observing of such matters as are in this Treatise following declared by the Word of the Lord to bee Christian duties may seeme ſ Job 2◠14 15 Mal. 3.14 unnecessary yet unto those that will search all the places of Scripture quoted therein to know more and more the t Eph. 5 17. Rom. 12.2 will of God for to doe u Mat. 6.10 Ps 40.8 it there will * Joh. 7.17 and 8.31 32. appeare that the very true x 2 Tim. 3 5. Power of Godlinesse is herein some manner testified And whereas the mysteries of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are more and more manifested praise be given to the high and loftie y Isa 57.15 One which inhabiteth eternity whose Name is holy there is hope that the greatest measure of z Isa 30.26 Rom. 11.12 15 26. light therein foretold in the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles to be given by God in the last Time shall shortly be enjoyed * Nazianzenus oratione in laudem Cypriani habita 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Divine Wisdome knoweth long afore to lay the foundations of great matters and to procure contraries through the contraries that It be also had in the more admiration From my lodging in the Old-Baily Yours ever respectively E. R. To the unpartiall Reader IT is one of the Arabian a Prov. 8.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In libro cui titulus Proverbiorum Arabicorum centuriae duae proverbs Looke not unto him that speaketh but unto what he speakes And the Holy Ghost saith The wisdome which is from above is without b Jam. 3.17 partiality c Isa 53.6 Isaiah writeth That we all like sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his owne way Now it is the will and commandement of God as d Ier. 50.6 Jeremiah signifieth That wee should not passe our time in this world going from mountaine to hill and forgetting our resting place but as it is taught in Ezechiel our e Ezech. 34.14 15. Fold should be upon the high Mountaines of Israel there to feed in a good pasture also to f Ier. 33.12 Zeph. 3.12 13. lie downe as saith the Lord. There have been some in these latter times which by their writings endeavoured to promote Unitie because they saw it testified That the multitude of them which beleeved were of g Acts. 4.32 one heart and of one soule Also that the Apostle said h 2 Cor. 12.18 walked we not in the same spirit walked we not in the same steps Yea Christ foretold That there shall be i Joh. 10.16 See Mat. 9.36 37 38. 1 Cor. 1.10 11 12 13. one fold and one shepheard And therefore so fervently prayed for his people That they all may be k Joh. 17.11 21 21 23. See 1. Cor. 12.12 13. and 3.3 4. one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one
in us That they may be one even as we are one I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one Let us therefore now duly consider what Isaiah in his time delivered furthering unto godly Unitie the which doctrine also each of the l Mat. 3.2 3. Mar. 1.1 2 3. Luk. 3.3 4 5 6. Joh. 1.23 Evangelists in some manner rehearsed as necessary for that time And if wee throughly weigh the said Oracle we shall finde it m Rom. 15.4 requisite to be considered by every one at this present Moreover the Reader is to be admonished that he do not n 2 Pet. 2.12 2 Tim. 3.16 17. condemne what he understandeth not in this ensuing Treatise remembring that S. Paul saith o 1 Tim. 3.16 17. See verse 9. Eph. 3.4 Col. 1.27 and 2.2 1 Cor. 12.3 1 Pet. 2.2 Without controversie great is the mysterie of Godlinesse Also afore any one can well judge concerning the most high Mysteries of the Gospel he is first rightly to understand the p Heb. 5.12 13 14. and 6.1 2. principles of the doctrine of Christ as the Apostle signifieth unto the Hebrewes Who also gave the Corinthians for to know that such as are but babes or little Children in Christ Cannot q 1 Cor. 3.2 Joh. 16.12 beare the strong meat of the word And if such of the first age in Christ cannot r Gal. 4.1.2 Acts. 1.6 7. 1 Cor. 2.6 comprehend all things belonging to the great mysterie of Christianity then how can those which are not ſ Joh. 3.3 See Rom. 12.1 2. changed in mind and conversation according as the Gospel prescribeth or are not unfeinedly striving to attain the said change judge rightly concerning the most high spirituall matters seeing that it is written t 1 Cor. 2.14 The naturall man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned The holy Prophet Daniel saith u Dan. 12.10 Many shall be purified and made white and tried but the wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand * Ps 25.14.9.12 13. David saith The Secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and He will shew them His covenant The meek will He guide in judgement and the meek will he teach His way It is written that the Disciples came unto Christ x Mat. 13.10 11. Isa 8.16 Why speakest thou unto the Multitude in parables He answered and said unto them Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the Kingdome of heaven but unto them it is not given Who also said unto His Father y Mat. 11.25.26 27. See Joh. 8.31 32. Wisd 1.4 and 6.23 Sirach 3.19 20. and 43.33 and 51.20 Dan. 9 13. Ps 19.7 8. and 119.98 99 100. Isa 60.1 2. Joh. 14 17. Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes Now these Scriptures are mentioned that the Reader may duly consider That no person how learned soever in Humane Literature or in the history of Sacred Writ which is not entred into the true Regeneration can a Prov. 28.5 Mat. 19.28 rightly judge concerning the high things pertaining unto God The Apostle Peter saith z 1 Joh. 2.29 and 4.7 8. Joh. 3.3 5 6. Knowing this first that no prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation for the prophesie came not in * See the marginall reading any time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost And therefore the Apostle Paul saith b 2 Pet. 1.20 21. No man can say namly with true understanding that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost Wherefore let us unfeinedly endeavour to become truly d 1 Cor. 2.15 12. spirituall and then as the Apostle signifieth wee shall bee able more and more to judge or c 1 Cor. 12.3 * As it is in the margent discerne all things which e 2 Pet. 1.3 pertain unto life and godlines The holy and righteous Almighty Spirit that filleth both heaven and f Ier. 23.24 earth g Joh. 16.13 guide us into all His truth eternall that we may receive and enjoy all h 1 Tim. 4.8 Eph. 3.20 21. comfort which He vouchsafeth unto his Servants now and everlastingly through Jesus Christ Amen Edmund Reeve Bachelour in Divinity and Instructer in all the Tongues pertaining thereunto A way unto true Christian Vnity Isaiah 40.3 4 5. See concerning this reading of this Text what is delivered afterward in this Treatise and in the marginall annotations unto it A voice crying In the Wildernesse prepare ye the way of the Lord make straight in the Desart an high way for our God Let every valley be filled up let everie Mountain and hill be cast down and what is crooked let it be made straight and the roughnesses become smoothnesse and the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all Flesh shall see it together for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it IT being written in the beginning of this Chapter a Isa 40.1 2. Comfort ye comfort yee my people saith your God Speake yee comfortably to Jerusalem and cry unto her That her * So is the Translation in the margent appointed time is accomplished that her iniquitie is pardoned for she hath received of the Lords hand double for all her sinnes Then the said heavenlie voice is uttered to be considered most seriously viz. In the Wildernesse prepare ye the way of the Lord The former part of the crying voice is a kinde of figurative speaking c. The which crying voice from heaven unto us is in the former part thereof a kinde of Figurative speaking signifying That as if the greatest Emperour were to goe into a Wildernesse or desart for to make his abode there he would * As is expressed in Isa 40.3 4. expect such like preparation for his comming So Christ in His spirituall comming to make his b Joh. 14.23 Mal. 3.1 Psa 101.2 abode within His people doth expect the like c Amos. 4.12 Isa 64.4 5. The said crying voice is a portion of Scripture of most speciall consideration preparing to be made spiritually Now this whole portion of Scripture is as it were a summe even of all the generall doctrine of the word of God And therefore it is most diligently to be noted Yea it is a * See Luke 11.52 In Marke 1.1 2. The said duty of preparation is signified to be the doctrine of the beginning of the Gospel of Iesus Christ And therfore it is most seriously to bee minded The late learned Casaubon said Mysterium in hac historia à propheta Esaia olim praedicta et tanto studio à sanctis Evangelistis adnotata latere aliquid majus suspicor quam aut capere ipse satis aut
so farre forth as it is in Scripture expressed what the eternall God is according to His infinite Essence or being place and I knew it not But that this first point may yet become more cleare unto devout soules namely for whom preparation is now to be made according to the doctrine of this heavenly crying voice there is also to be signified in some wise what the Scripture saith That the eternall God is And so the minde of man seeking the Lord may be introducted to see though as through a glasse the e Isa 33.17 King in his beauty and to behold the Land that is very farre off as Jsaiah speaketh The Lord Jesus Christ having said to the woman of Samaria f Joh. 4.23 24 See 2. Cor. 3.17 18. and the marginall reading there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God is Spirit The houre commeth and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him declareth That God is a Spirit and that they which worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth Where he teacheth us that God is Spirit S. John saith This then is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is g 1. Joh. 1.5 God is Light Light and in him is no darknesse at all He also saith Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is borne of God and knoweth God He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is h 1. John 4.7 8 16. God is Love love God is love and hee that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him So that here is plainely expressed what God is namely that he is Light and Love Now that this most blessed Spirit of light and love may have his gracious presence in us to his i Prov. 8.31 delight and our unexpressable k Deut. 10.13 good His said crying voice is unto us that we in our wildernesse and desart do prepare a way and make straight a path for Him Now the second point is to be considered to wit The second point In what place to prepare the way of the Lord. in what place the preparation is to be made The Text saith In the wildernesse in the desart And what a spirituall wildernesse or desart is it may appear out of the Apostles words unto the Ephesians describing what they were before they became l See Rom. 1.5 and 16.26 Acts. 6.7 obedient unto the Faith He saith unto them m Eph. 2.12 that at that time yee were without Christ being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world But he describeth a worse wildernesse in that his exhortation where he saith n Eph. 4.17 18 19. This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord that yee henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanitie of their mind having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindnesse of their heart who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousnesse to worke all uncleannesse with greedinesse Now it is to be considered how man and woman are become such wildernesses and desarts whereas in the beginning they were created glorious o See Cantic 8.13 and 5.1 and 6.2 and 4.12 gardens for the Lord. Solomon saith p Eccles 7.29 Loe this only have I found that God made man upright but they have sought out many inventions It is said in Genesis When the woman saw q Gen. 3.6 that the tree of knowledge of good and evill was good for food and that it was pleasant unto the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise she took thereof and did eate and gave also to her husband with her and he did eate Then became they to be r Gen. 3.7 Rom. 3.23 naked in soul and came short of the glorie of God They from being afore Gods gardens and paradises now became to be wildernesses and desarts And that every one of mankind growing up in this world and fast abiding in the fall not truly endeavouring to enter into the change of minde and life prescribed and required by the Gospel for to proceed duly in the same is a ſ Jsa 32.15 16. Jer. 4.26 Gen. 6.5 Rom. 3.12 13 14 15 16 17 18. wildernesse and a desart it needeth no confirmation with many Texts being acknowledged and confessed even by all The Hebrew word for wildernesse is observed to signifie a place remote from speech or talk And in a setled spirituall Wildernesse there is scarfe any gracious speech heard Yea Christ saith t Mat. 12.34.35 How can ye being evill speak good things For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh The Wildernesse within man which ought to be prepared is the heart My sonne saith God u Prov. 23.26 give me thine heart It is said concerning Rehoboam That he did evill because hee prepared not his * 2. Chron. 12.14 heart to seek the Lord. But whereas the Holy Ghost doth here use two words wildernesse and desart and the Hebrew word for desart hath in it the signification of x. In Ps 68.4 in the plurall number heaven may it not intimate the superiour facultie in man the understanding or the minde And then by wildernesse may also be meant the inferiour facultie in man the will or the affections Jeremiah speaking concerning many in his time saith My people is foolish they have not known me they are sottish children and they have no understanding they are wise to do evill but to do good they have no knowledge I beheld the earth and loe it was without forme and void and the y Ier. 4.22 23. heavens and they had no light In which place also the word heaven appeareth to signifie mans mind or understanding The z Heb. 4.12 Luke 1.46 47. Isa 26.9 Scripture hath in sundry places the expression of soule and spirit to be in man But saith the Apostle to the Thessalonians a 1. Thess 5.23 The very God of peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soule body bee preserved blameles unto the comming of our Lord Jesus Christ Preparation is to be made thereunto in the whole man and as inwardly so outwardly also And to the Corinthians he saith b 1. Cor. 6.19.20 The Vulgar Latine Text there hath Glorificate portate Deum in corpore vestro what know ye not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own For ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which are Gods Now the next point is to be considered The third point The manner of preparing
burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death The second work of preparing is To make low every mountain and hill And what such mountaines and hils are it is manifest out of the Apostles words where he saith Though we walk in the flesh c 2. Cor. 10.3 4 5 6. we do not warre after the flesh For the weapons of our warfare are not carnall but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ and having in a readinesse to revenge all disobedience c. There is d 1. Pet. 5.5 Job 41.34 Prov. 13.10 Isa 2.11 12 17. 2 Tim. 3.2 5. a necessity imposed on us for to strive against all manner of pride which the spirit of Satan or our own flesh and blood may raise up within us It is Christs saying e Mat. 18.3 Except ye be converted and become as little children yee shall not enter into the Kingdome of heaven And then afterwards signifieth That we are to f verse 4. humble our selves as they do The Lord saith by Habakkuk g Hab. 2.4 Behold his soule which is lifted up is not upright in him Jeremiah saith h Ier. 48.29.11 Wee have heard the pride of Moab he is exceeding proud his loftinesse and his arrogancie and his pride and the haughtinesse of his heart Moab hath bin at ease from his youth and he hath settled on his lees and hath not bin emptied from vessell to vessell neither hath he gone into captivity therefore his taste remained in him and his scent is not changed And therefore * See the whole Chapter sundry judgements are denounced against Moab The spirituall mountains and hils within us will with Divine help become laid lower and lower if we duly consider the doctrine of these Scriptures following and of such like As i 1 Chron. 28.9 And thou Solomon my Sonne know thou the God of thy father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing minde for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts if thou seeke him he will be found of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever Also that of S. Paul to the Corinthians k 2. Cor. 5.10 11. We must all appear before the Judgement seate of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad Knowing therefore the terrour of the Lord we perswade men Moreover that saying of S. Peter l 1. Pet. 1.17 If yee call on the Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every mans worke passe the time of your sojourning here in feare Also Davids words Lord m Ps 131.1 2. mine heart is not haughty nor mine eies lofty neither do I exercise my selfe in great matters or in things too high for me Surely I have behaved and quieted my selfe as a child The third worke of the preparing that is weaned of his Mother my soule is even as a weaned child The third worke of preparing is to make straight that which is crooked David saith n Psal 125.4 5. Phil. 2.15 Prov. 2.15 Do good O Lord unto those that be good and to them that are upright in their hearts As for such as turn aside unto their crooked wayes the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of * See concerning equity and iniquitie what is said in 2. Tim. 2.19 Mat. 7.7 Jsa 16.5.12 1 Joh. 2.29 and 3 10. iniquitie but peace shall be upon Israel So that crookednesses appeare to be a kind of works of iniquitie Now the ten Commandements are said to be the Rule of a Christian life and therefore whatsoever actions are contrary to the Morall Law contained in them are judged to be crooked 1 Cor 6.9 Mat 7.22 23. Luk 13.25 26 27. Jsa 28.17 Lev. 6.2 3 4 5 Psal 119.1 3 6. Deut 22.1 2 3. Micha 6.6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. Luke 19.8 Job 20.18 Mat. 5.23 24 25 26. as also whatsoever are contrary to the said Royall Law contained in any part or portion of Gods universall word Moreover as all unjustnesse is crookednesse so is all unholinesse And therefore two Scriptures are necessarie to be continually remembred unto the making straight of whatsoever is crooked namely that of David Blessed are they that keep judgement and he that doth righteousnesse at o Psal 106.3 all times Also that of Peter But as he that hath called you is holy so be ye holy in p 1 Pet. 1.15 16. all manner of conversation because it is written Be ye holy for I am holy And God is holy perpetually The fourth work of preparing is The fourth worke of the preparing to make plaine or smooth the roughnesses And hereby is signified whatsoever is not q See Col. 1.10 1 Joh. 3.22 pleasing to the spirit of Almighty God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 3.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in planitiem vide Lex Buxt It is the Gospels commandement r Eph. 4.30 That we grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby we are sealed unto the day of Redemption And therefore where the Apostle delivereth this precept hee intimateth sundry roughnesses to be put away saying ſ Verse 31. Let all bitternesse and wrath and anger and clamour and evill speaking bee put away from you with all malice And t Verse 29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers There is as it were a little Looking-glasse made by the Apostle wherein every one may see much concerning spirituall * Prov. 18.23 roughnesse for to discern it and to put it away namely in the Epistle to the Philippians it being said u Phil. 4.9 Finally brethren Whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are * or venerable as it is rendred in the margent honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things Those things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen of me doe and the God of peace shall be with you It is the saying of the Lord by his holy Prophet David To him that * Ps 50.23 and 84.11 ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God And whereas the heavenly crying voice is That every valley should be exalted or filled up and every mountain and hill made low c. It appeareth therefore profitable to mention here together sundry valleys mountaines and hils crookednesses and roughnesses which are in divers places of the Gospel expressed to the end that whosoever endeavoureth preparation
preach Him among the Heathen c. And afterward he saith They glorified God t verse 24. in me To the Romanes hee writeth For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed * Rom. 8.18 in us Peter also intimateth it where he saith v 2. Pet. 1.19 untill the Day-starre arise in our hearts Which Starre truly is the glory of the Lord Christ according to His Divine nature as Himself saith I Jesus am the bright and Morning * Rev. 22.16 starre Peter also signifieth where the Revelation of Christ is in that counsell given unto women concerning whom he saith x 1. Pet. 3.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whose adorning let it be the hidden man of the heart It is in the Syrian Text Adorne your selves with the Sonne of man the hidden one of the heart And that Christ becomes to be within his people according to his Spirit is often declared in the writings of the Apostles S. Paul said to the Corinthians y 2. Cor. 13.5 Col. 1.27 Know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates The Gospel teacheth that God the z Eph. 4 6. Father is in his people likewise God the a Col. 3.11 Sonne and also God the b 1. Cor. 6.19 and 3.16 and 2. Cor. 6.16 Rom. 8.9 11. Holy Ghost Hence it is said c Ps 45.13 The Kings daughter is all glorious within d Luke 17.21 The Kingdome of God is within us e 2. Cor. 4.6 God who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ There is thirdly to be considered The third thing to be considered Who shall behold this glory of the Lord. The words of the Text are All flesh And this is not meant concerning universall humane flesh but only of that which beareth in it the true circumcision the fear of the Lord. It is said in Ezechiel f Ezechiel 36.26 I will give you an heart of flesh And the Chaldee interpretation there is to this effect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Et dabo vobis câ—rtimens coram me ad faciendum voluntatem meam That it is such an heart as is in awe of God and is inclined to do his will Also in a most ancient booke of the Jewes there is a saying concerning what presently followeth circumcision which being understood of the circumcision of the heart is a very memorable sentence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 g Zohar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is Wee have learned that at what time soever wherein a sonne of man shall be marked with the holy signature of this signe from thence he after some manner seeth God and the holy soul becommeth united with him But Christs words do make the matter plain where he saith He that hath my commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and h Joh. 14 21. manifest my self unto him So that saying unto the true Jerusalem Arise be enlightned for thy light is come and the i Isa 60.1 2. glory of the Lord is risen upon thee For behold the darknesse shall cover the earth and grosse darknesse the people but the Lord shall arise upon thee and his glory shall be seen on thee S. Paul expresseth the matter shewing how God is perceived by his people saying k 2. Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. A soule l Ezech. 18.21 repenting for all the sinnes which it hath committed and m Luke 13.24 striving to observe obediently n Ps 119.6 Luke 1.6 all Gods everlasting commandements o Gal. 3.23 Heb 10.36 37. at length attaineth to have a p Phil. 1.9 See the Marginall reading Heb. 6.4 5. feeling of the holy Spirit working q Eph. 3.20 Col. 1.29 within it and the r Eph. 1.18 The fourth thing to bee considered eye of the understanding being enlightned it perceiveth what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the Saints The fourth matter to be considered is the manner or if it may be so expressed posture wherein all shall see the revealed Glory of the Lord which labour in the worke of due preparing the way of the Lord into them And it is said Together But the Hebrew word thereof seemeth to import asmuch as to say Å¿ See Schindlers Lexicon and Buxtorfs Sintaxis Every one together Also the same word in a certain Psalme is interpreted for to signifie Unity as where it is said t Ps 133.1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity Whereas therefore the promise is that all truly holy ones shall see together or in unity it declareth that Gods revealing of his heavenly light extendeth unto Unity unto the bringing of all and every one of them into Christian unity of minde and understanding and also into uniformity of life and conversation namely to be more and more of the mind and life of Jesus Christ For it is written u Phil. 2.5 1 Cor. 2.16 Let this mind be in you which was in Jesus Christ And it is also written * 1 Joh. 2.6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked And to endeavour for to be in such Unity was the profession of the ancient ones in the house of God as it may appear from what is said namely Walked wee not in the x 2 Cor. 12.18 same Spirit Walked we not in the same steps Yea also S. Luke recordeth y Acts. 4.32 That the multitude of them which believed were of one heart and of one soule It is the promise of God to blesse his obedient people with the spirit of Unity He saith And I will give them z Jer. 32.39 one heart and one way that they may feare me for ever for the good of them and of their children after them He saith also a Jer. 31.33 34 I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be my people And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of them saith the Lord. Also saith Christ b Joh. 17.22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one Furthermore as there is c Zeph. 3 9. Zech.
c Ier. 23.16 and not out of the mouth of the Lord but it being presented unto him by God he received it and having received it wrote it in his prophecie Also hence as was afore noted the truth and certainty of the Divine promise is shewed That God who hath promised to reveale his heavenly and spirituall light unto every person truly repenting according to the crying voices doctrine will performe it so as it may be seen of every one in the d Eph. 4.3 Acts. 2.1 2 3 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unanimis ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 similis idem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 animus quibus est idem animus Pasor Mat. 18.19 20. Ps 89.5 unity of the holy Spirit of the Lord. And an example of all may be that in the Acts of the Apostles That when some which had been spirituall wildernesses and desarts had heard Peters Sermon they were e Acts. 2.37 38 41 42 44 46. pricked in their hearts and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles Men and brethren what shall we do Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Iesus Christ for the remission of sinnes and yee shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost Then they that gladly received his word were baptized And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers And all that believed were together and had all things common And they continuing daily with one accord in the Temple and breaking bread from house to house did eate their meate with gladnesse and singlenesse of heart praising God and having favour with all the people Now also having by Divine assistance thus explained the afore-mentioned Fundamentall portion of holy Scripture there are to be declared Seven Uses Seven Uses whereunto the heavenly crying voice is profitable The first use is unto Doctrine whereunto it is profitable And the first is unto Doctrine For this heavenly crying voice teacheth that every one of mankind is under one of the three spirituall states signified in this Oracle namely under Desolation Preparation or Revelation Whiles one is a wildernesse and desart he is in the state of desolation when one beginneth and proceedeth in f 1. Joh. 3.3 Ier. 4.14 Isa 1.16 purifying of himself he is then in the state of preparation and he that hath the Glory of the Lord revealed unto him in some measure and manner is in the state of Revelation Concerning the two first states there is no doubt made Onely question is about the third mentioned state Question or doubt onely is about the third mentioned state And that there is such a distinct condition spirituall it may appeare out of these Scriptures following S. Paul testifieth concerning some of the Colossians and Ephesians that which is to the same effect where he writeth saying g Col 1.12 13. Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light who hath delivered us from the power of darknesse and hath translated us into the Kingdome of his deare Sonne He hath h Eph. 1.3 blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly places in Christ i and 2.6 He hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus David at last entred hereinto when as hee said Returne into thy k Psal 116.7 8 9. rest O my soule for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee For thou hast delivered my soule from death mine eyes from teares and my feet from falling I will walke before the Lord in the land of the living It is said in the Apostle unto the Hebrewes We which have believed l Heb. 4.3 do enter into rest S. Paul attained at length to say m 2 Tim. 4.7 I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith For they which fight manfully against sinne the world and the Devill do through the Divine Spirit n Phil 4.13 Rom. 8.13 strengthning them o 2 Cor. 10.4 5 beate down and overcome vice so as that sinne p Rom. 6.12 raigneth not in their mortall body that they should obey it in the lusts thereof but through Jesus Christ they being q Luke 1.71 74 75. delivered out of the hand of all enemies they serve God without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the daies of their life The said third state is the r 1. Cor. 13.11 and 14.20 manly age in Christ It is that which they enjoy whom S. John calleth ſ 1 John 2.13 14 20 27. 1 John 1.3 1◠Fathers It is that state wherein God is in some measure found and injoyed A place in the Canticles maketh it plain where it is said It was but a little that I passed from them Some at length in this world doe attaine to find God and to enjoy him in some measure and manner but I t Can. 3.1 2 3.4 Isa 55 6. Ier. 29.13 14. found Him whom my soule loveth I held him but I would not let him goe untill I had brought him into my mothers house and into the chamber of her that conceived me A time was when Job said concerning God u Job 9.11 Loe He goeth by me and I see him not he passeth on also but I perceive him not But at length he attained to say * Job 42.5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the eare but now mine eye seeth thee It is said in the book of Chronicles That x 1 Chron. 26.5 See the marginall reading there Zechariah had understanding in the visions of God It is also written that S. Steven being full of the Holy Ghost looked up stedfastly into heaven and y Acts. 7.55 56. saw the Glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God and said behold I see the heavens opened and the Sonne of man standing on the right hand of God And such a spirituall sight hee had whiles hee was living in His body some certaine time afore his death It is testified concerning Zacharias and Elizabeth his wife z Luke 1.6 That they were both righteous before God walking in all the commandements and ordinances of the Lord blamelesse The second use for Refutation A second Use is for Refutation of opinion in many who think that their minds can be well enough now without endeavouring as this heavenly crying voice prescribeth And therefore they will not a Ps 10.4 6. Ps 14.1 c. Job 21.14 15. and 22.17 Mal. 3.14 Wisd 2.21 See all Wisd 2. For it describeth what the minde and life of Atheists is meddle with any such meditation Can the soule of any one be in a comfortable state which continueth a wildernesse or desart having the b 1 Cor. 2.12 2 Cor. 4.4
Eph. 2.2 2 Tim. 2.25 26. Luke 11.21 22 24. spirit of the World Satan reigning with his power therein The Apostle saith c Rom 6.16 Know ye not that to whom ye yeeld your selves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey Can such be in a safe condition which will passe their time as the Apostle saith d without Christ being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world Hath not Christ said But those mine enemies which would not that I should e Luke 19.27 reigne over them or have my kingdome of grace f Luke 17.21 The third use for correction within them bring hither and slay them before me A Third use is for Correction of most persons which passe their time in this world not minding this one necessary thing namely to bee now an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. O what paines do most take all their life long some in one humane g Ier. 9.23 24. learning some in another some in the h Ps 39.6 Hab. 2 6. getting or i 1. Tim. 6.10 Luke 12.19 loving of worldly wealth some in following their own k 1. Cor. 10.7 2. Tim. 3.4 Job 21.13 See the marginall reading there earthly pleasures others in l Col. 3.2 Phil. 3 19. The Summum Bonum in this world setting their hearts on other matters according to their severall affections and neglect the Summum Bonum the Soveraigne or Supreme good in this present world to wit the m 1. Joh. 1.3 4. and 4.16 17. Eph. 3.19 and 4.13 Song 3.4 Joh. 14.21 23. enjoying of Gods gracious presence within ones soule n Gen. 5.22 Micah 6.8 walking with God o 1 Cor. 6.17 Joh. 17.21 joyning to the Lord and becomming one spirit with him The Apostle saith p Rom. 8.9 If any one have not the Spirit of Christ hee is none of his Of whose Spirit the fruit is q Gal. 5.22 23 24. love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith meeknesse temperance and it is in r Eph. 5.9 all goodnes and righteousnesse and truth They which are wholly for Å¿ Col. 2.8 Acts 17.18 humane learning or for the t 2. Tim. 3.5 Mat. 23.2 3. and 5.20 Ier. 22.16 17. 1 Joh. 2.3 4. Gen. 3.6 meere historicall knowledge of what is contained in Divine writ that they may proceed so farre therein as is possible and do make such understanding their glory and endeavour to have it for the greatest contentment of the minde are not in the right they have not the u Prov. 9.10 Job 28.28 Ps 111.10 and 119.98 99 100. perfect wisdome For it is the Gospels doctrine * 1. Cor. 13.1 2. See the Geneva Translation of 1. Cor. 13.2 and the Greeke Text. Though I speake with the tongues of men and of Angels and have not charity I am become as sounding brasse or a tinkling Cymball And though I have the gift of prophecie and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains and have not Charity I am nothing It is said also else where x 1. Joh. 4.7 8 8 16. Deut. 4.6 7 and 32.29 and 5.29 1 Cor. 8.3 Joh. 15.10 14. Let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is borne of God and knoweth God He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him And what the said lovers nature and properties are it is plainly expressed in the thirteenth chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians where sixteen qualities thereof are reckoned up that there may be no mistake concerning the charity or love which the holy Gospell prescribeth and requireth The fourth use for instruction A fourth use is for Instruction That seeing our Creatour willeth that we z Ps 119.166 174. 1 Pet. 1.13 14 15. 1 Thess 1.10 1. Cor. 1.7 9. zealously endeavour the aforesaid preparation and then waite for the Revelation there promised that we a Jer. 7.5 Lam. 3.40 Consider the importance of the Hebrew Text. See Junius his Translation thereof throughly search and try our waies and turne home quite unto the Lord as Jeremiah maketh exhortation Wherewithall saith David shall a young man b Ps 119.9 2 Cor. 13.5 1 Thess 5.21 22. cleanse his way By taking heed thereto according to thy word We are therefore to consider all the word of the Lord for to see what valleys mountaines and hils crookednesses and roughnesses it doth discover to be in us that so with help of his holy Spirit we may put them all away more and more We are also often to pray as David did c Ps 63.1 2 8. Wee are to pray continually for Gods helpe hereunto O God Thou art my God early will I seek thee My soule thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirstie land where no water is to see thy power and thy glory so as I have seen thee in the Sanctuarie My soule followeth hard after thee d Ps 143.10 and 25.5 Teach me to doe thy will for thou art my God Thy Spirit is good leade me into the Land of uprightnesse * Ps 43.3 O send out thy light and thy truth let them lead me let them bring mee unto thy holie Hill and to thy Tabernacles The said worke of preparation is not to bee deferred Moreover the said worke of preparing a way for the Lord to come into us is not to be deferred untill old age or untill there be perill of death or of some great misery but as the Holy Ghost saith e Heb. 3.7 8 13 15. To day if yee will hear his voice harden not your hearts as in the provocation in the day of temptation in the wildernesse The Apostle there saith Exhort one another daily whiles it is called to day lest any of you be hardned through the the deceitfulnesse of sinne Continuall observation declareth a certain counsell to be wholesome which saith f Sirach 5.7 Deut. 29.10 21. Rom. 2.4 5 6. Ps 119.59 60. 1 Thess 5.2 3. Maledictus qui florem juventutis suae diabolo et faecem senectutis Deo reservat Augustinus Make no tarrying to turn unto the Lord and put not off from day to day for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth and in thy securitie shalt thou be destroyed and perish in the day of vengeance g Isa 55.6 Isaiah saith Seeke ye the Lord while he may be found call ye upon him while he is neere Christ saith h Luke 13.25 26 27. When once the master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the doore and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door saying Lord Lord open unto us and he shall answer and
most seriously consider what saith the heavenly crying voice That the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed unto all preparers of his way and they shall see it together for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it who hath power to performe whatsoever he promiseth Isaiah saith elsewhere h Isa 54.13 All thy children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the i The said word in sense implieth Unity peace of thy children Great unitie will be among all those which are led by his holy Spirit and Word for his Spirit leadeth into all k Joh. 16.13 Acts. 5.32 Eph. 4.3 1 Cor. 12.13 truth such as unfeinedly strive to yeeld due obedience unto all the commandements of Christs holy Gospel The wisedome of the God of heaven made use of this l Ier. 8.22 Balme of Gilead the crying voice when great difference was in the Church of the Jewes and it with his Divine m 1 Cor. 3.6 blessing cured a great many It was John the n Luke 3.3 4 5 6. Baptists doctrine yea o Mat. 4.17 Mar. 1.14 15. Luke 4.18 19. Christ and his p Mar. 6.12 Acts. 20.21 Luke 13.3 5. Apostles in effect did use it in their preaching O into what an unitie it brought the true fearers of God which were in q Acts. 2.1 38 41 42 46 47. Jerusalem and the land of Jewrie And so how it wrought among the Gentiles witnesse all the r Col. 2.1 2 5. Churches of them unto whom the Apostles wrote Epistles Also the same efficacie by the assistance of Divine grace will it now take among all such as will make due use of it as it did in those daies of old For saith the Scripture Behold the Lords hand is not Å¿ Isa 59.1 2. shortened that it cannot save neither his eare heavie that it cannot heare But your t Ier. 5.25 Ps 66.18 iniquities have separated between you and your God and your sinnes have hid his face from you that he will not heare The Virgin Mary said u Luke 1.51 He scattereth the proud in the imagination of their hearts But his Sonne gathereth together into * Joh. 11.52 one the children of God that are scattered abroad as even Caiphas prophesied Yea unto Unitie worketh God the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost x Eph. 1.10 It is to bee noted That as in the beginning man and woman were created in unity with God so Holy Scriptures use is to direct us for to draw nigher and nigher unto the same Hence it is that Christ prayed so fervently for his people concerning their true Christian unity See Joh. 17.11 21 22 23.26.13 That as S. Paul saith in the dispensation of the fulnesse of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heaven and which are on earth even in Him Moreover that the receiving of heavenly light into the understanding doth further unto unitie it may appeare from a similitude If a company be in a dark room where is very little light and it hath a table whereon is much mony A Similitude for to shew that the true heavenly light wheresoever it appeareth doth further unto true Christian unitie gold and silver and some counterfeit coine be among the same If they be willed to take only all the currant mony and thereunto to advise each with other for the better judging of the same and also be promised increase of benefit according as every one taketh most of the said coin with none of the counterfeit Will there not arise some difference among them concerning some peeces of the mony Will there not be some conjectures amisse because they judge for the most part by supposing or imagination not by clear sight But if a window be opened unto them and they have the true day light will not then the case be otherwise and all former dissent in opinion about the said coine much cease So is it with us mankind so long as we abide fast in the fall of Adam y Isa 60.2 Ier. 4.22 23. 1 Joh 2.9 11. grosse darknesse covereth us as Isaiah signifieth Yea S. Paul told the Ephesians that they were sometime z Eph. 5.8 Prov. 4 1â— darknesse And the Prophet also speaking concerning such saith a Is 59.10 We grope for the wall like blind and we grope as if we had no eyes we stumble at noone-day as in the night we are in desolate places as dead men The b 1 Cor. 2.14 naturall man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned The Lord Christ saith The c Joh. 14.17 1 Joh. 5.19 2 Cor. 4.4 Spirit of truth the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him Great is our spirituall darknesse manifold are our mistakes about the things of God Yea also we much differ in opinion concerning such matters But when as we heare the heavenly d In Isa 40.3 4 5. crying voice and attend thereunto when we open the e Rev. 3.20 Ps 24.7 8 9 10. door of our hearts and receive the f Eph. 3.16 17. 1 Cor. 14.25 Gal. 2.20 Col. 3.11 and 1.27 2. Cor. 13.3 Spirit of Christ thereinto He will then g Eph. 5.14 2 Cor. 4.6 2 Pet. 1.19 Prov. 28.5 Phil. 1.9 10 11. Ps 112.4 give us light he will open unto us such a spirituall window and let such a measure of true heavenly light shine into us as that we shall judge more and more rightly concerning all things pertaining unto Godlinesse Also former differences among us will more and more cease and the unitie of the Holy Spirit will inwardly and outwardly among us encrease Another Similitude for to shew how among all well-affected the true Christian unitie easily increaseth Heare also another similitude Even as in an houshold where all the servants do faithfully mind the performing of every command of their master and one to help another for the fulfilling of the same will there be any dissension among such Or if any should chance through any mistake will it not soon cease for that none seeketh himself but every one onely his masters benefit and credit So among all those whose * The mind of mankind for the farre greatest part hath as it were lost it selfe in that it considereth not the marke which the Creatour hath prescribed unto it only aime it is that our heavenly Masters will may be done here on earth h Mat. 6.10 Rom. 12.2 Eph. 5.17 1 Thess 4.3 4 5 6.7 as it is in heaven and * The said marke at which to aime continually and whereon to mind alwaies in every particular matter is in briefe signified in the afore quotations Mat. 6.10 Eph. 5 17. thereunto do endeavour what may be to help and set forward one another will there be any discord among such Or
if any difference doth chance will it not soon be composed when as none seeketh his owne honour or by-respects but only the honour and glory of God None the doing of his owne will and mind but only the doing of Gods i Deut. 29.29 Acts. 13.22 Joh. 1.12 13. 1 Pet. 4.1 2. Mat. 3.15 Col. 1.25 revealed will in every thing Such fellow-servants will still remember What is enjoyned by the Gospel where it is said k Gal. 6.1 2. See Phil. 2.1 2 3. Brethren if any man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spirituall restore such a one in the spirit of meeknesse considering thy self lest thou also be tempted Beare ye one anothers burdens and so fulfill the Law of Christ Now heare some causes why such difference is among some zealous persons And the saying is That when causes do cease the effects will cease more and more It is a great cause of difference where there is minded but l 1 Cor. 13.4 5 6 7 8. Causes of difference among many religious persons The first mentioned cause part of Christs Gospel and not the whole Many onely mind what Christ hath done for us but nothing or very little what he m Mat. 23.23 Micah 6.8 Rom. 8.12 13. Mat. 5.20 Rom. 8.4 Luke 13.3 5. Mat. 18.3 Luk. 14.26 27 33. Job 3.5 6. and 12.24 25 26. requireth to be done by us It is true we ought to learn every particular matter mentioned in any holy Scripture concerning what the Lord Jesus Christ hath done for his Church and to understand the same according to the mind of God But withall we are also to learn every particular duty which is taught in any place of the holy Gospel and with helpe of his holy spirit to strive for to perform every of the same n Joh. 15.14 Saith not Christ Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you Did he not charge his Ministers to teach all nations for to observe o Mat. 28.20 all things whatsoever he hath commanded Is not he the Prophet to be heard in p Acts. 3.22 23. all things whatsoever he shall say unto us * In all ages there hath bin much unitie among all persons which have aswell minded every duty in life and conversation which the Gospel prescribeth as the matters which it signifieth to bee beleeved It is still observed that there is much unitie among all such as mind aswell what the Gospel teacheth to be done as what is to be believed but among such as mind only points of faith and do neglect the matters concerning life and conversation prescribed therein the discord is much and manifold It is written that the Angel of the Lord said unto the Apostles q Acts. 5.20 Joh. 10.10 and 12.50 Go stand and speak in the Temple to the people all the words of this life Which giveth us to understand that true Christianity for a great part consisteth in matter of life and conversation The Holy Ghost saith r Jam. 1.27 Pure Religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this To visit the fatherlesse and widowes in their affliction and to keepe himself unspotted from the world The * It is in the ancient larger notes called the Geneva ones See 1 Cor. 4.20 Rom. 14.17 Rom. 2.6 7 8 9 10 11 13. 1 Joh. 3.18 19. Geneva note thereon is The true service of God standeth in charity toward our neighbours especially such as need others help as the fatherlesse and widowes and purity of life The parenthesis being left out the sentence is The true service of God standeth in charity toward our Neighbours and purity of life Micah saith Å¿ Micah 6.8 See the marginall reading there also the Geneva Translation of that verse The second mentioned cause of difference Whereas many take no notice of the benefits which the Scripture signifieth that the truly godly doe enjoy now in the body within their soules and mindes hence is it that they hope for no such spirituall blessings now neither endeavour the prescribed preparation for them And so setting not the said spirituall marke before them for to aime thereat to approach neerer and neerer unto it they come not into such a comfortable measure of Christian unity as others doe See Job 22.21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29. And the marginall readings there See 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. and 27.1 Rev. 2.7 17 26 27 28. and 3.5.12 He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercie and to * 1 Cor. 6.17 humble thy self for to walk with thy God Another cause of so much difference is That many bear not in mind the marke at which they should now aime and hope for to attain unto in this life and world For the Apostle signifieth That Godlinesse hath aswell promises benefits and blessings t 1 Tim. 4.8 now to be enjoyed besides what hereafter unto all eternitie And for that those spirituall comforts are not now pressed hard after minds become divided and u Ier. 50.6 Isa 53.6 scattered farre apart If archers go forth to shoote and every one shooteth which way soever he adventureth their arrowes do commonly fall down farre apart but if they all doe aime at one and the same marke then are they all found about the mark though some neerer to it than other It is a mark whereat we should now aime to be joyned * Eph. 2.6 sheweth an high degree in Christian unitie wherunto some of the Ephesians had through Divine grace then attained unto the Lord and so to become one spirit with him as farre forth as he now vouchsafeth unto his servants If then I thou he and innumerable more become so one spirit with him what discord can long continue between us then The neglect therefore of the study of attaining now Union with Gods holy Spirit is a cause of so much variance among many which yet notwithstanding have some good affections and laudable beginnings But all Wordlings bear the mind of x Num. 23.10 Balaam They would willingly die the death of the righteous ones and that their last end be like theirs but whiles they live in bodily health and outward prosperity they are willing to retain within them the spirit of the world and to y Acts 7.51 shut out of their hearts the spirit which is of God They consider not on that saying of the Gospel * If wee would have our soules long to prosper in our bodies let us not now shut out of our soules God the Spirit of heavenly light and of heavenly love Prov. 8.31 If any one have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his Wherefore Solomon signifieth That Christs Spirit now on earth dwelleth in his gardens as it is written a Cant. 8.13 The third mentioned cause of difference which ceasing true Christian concord will daily increase Thou