me c. From these words Compared with ver 2. some conclude that Infants may beleeve Answ First note That them that are newly come to the faith or be weak in the faith are called little children Gal. 4.19.1 John 2.12 yet are men and women Again Christians ought to be humble and without malice is little children 1 Cor. 14.20 And this is that which Christ teacheth when his disciples strove who should be greatest in the kingdome of heaven as appeareth Math. 18.1 Compared with Luke 9.46 And therefore he taketh a little child and sheweth them except they be converted from their ambitious thoughts and become humble as little children they shall not enter therein ver 2 3. Also he sheweth that he that humbleth himself as a little child is great in the kingdome of heaven and whosoever shall receive such a little Child in my name receiveth me John 13.20 that is such a one as humbleth himself as a little child and whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which beleeve in Christ that is such a one as is humble and becomes as a little child it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea and this is said ver 4 5 6. and is the sence of the place Now for any man to understand the place so as that that little child which Christ set in the midst or any other did or do believe they are much mistaken for such an exposition of the place would cross many plain places of Scripture for Infants are not capable of hearing and faith comes by hearing Rom. 10.17 neither do they know good nor evil nor their right hand from their left as hath been shewed before neither doth the Scripture speak to Infants Deut. 11.2 though it speak of them neither can they work and that faith is dead that worketh not James 2.17 26. Now if any question how Infants dying in infancy can be saved because they beleeve not I say that if you look back to what is said as touching Adams sin you may see that all Infants dying in Infancy shall be saved for the son shall not die for the Iniquity of the Father Ezek. 18. and the guilt of Adams sin shall be taken off from all at the Resurrection But to return there is no Commandment in all the Scriptures which are the word of God for the Baptisme of Infants and where there is no Law there is no transgression Rom. 4.15 therefore he that refuseth to baptize Infants breaks no Law Therefore no man can justly charge him with sin for a commandment gives ground to duty and examples are teaching to shew us how duties should be done also note that there is no example for infants Baptisme in all the Scripture and yet they are able to make us wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 for the Apostles and servants of the Lord did Baptise such only as did profess faith and did gladly receive the word of the Gospel search and see as the Bereans did Acts. 17.11 Object But some say That there is no Command nor Example for Women receiving the Lords Supper yet they are to receive it so may Infants be Baptized though no Command nor Example for it Answ In this objection it is granted that there is no command nor example for Infants Baptisme also note that beleeving baptised women are disciples and are members of the Church of Christ and so are commanded to break bread Act. 1.14 15. Chap. 8.12 Phil. 4.13 Act. 20.7 1 Cor. 11.24 25 28. compare the 1 of Act. 14. with the 2 of Acts. 41 42. you may see that women did receive the Lords Supper But if any should say That Infants are Disciples and therefore are to be baptized I answer That Christ faith that whosoever beareth not his cross and followeth not after him cannot be his disciple Luke 14.27 but Infants cannot do so therefore they cannot be his disciples I shall say no more to this Principle of the Doctrine of Christ at this place because many have wrote very largely upon it and there is no true consequence to be gathered from all the Scriptures for Infants Baptisme for it is against Scripture and crosseth the way of the New Testament for it brings into the Church a fleshly seed instead of a Spiritual and so makes void the command of God as hath been shewed before But seeing it is so that penitent beleeving men and women are only to be Baptized let all the Churches in the fear of God take heed that they Baptize no other but such as are truly penitent beleeving men and women that so all the members of the Church of Christ may be new creatures living stones taught of God built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the Cheif corner stone that all the building may be fitly framed together growing unto an holy Temple in the Lord 1 Pet. 2.5 Ephes 2.20 21. 2 Cor. 5.17 There is also the Baptisme of the Spirit which is a powerful falling down of the spirit so as to be filled with it enabling men to do some great work as in Act. 1.5 compared with Chap. 2.1 2 3 4. But this Baptisme of the Spirit is called so comparatively as Christ is called a door John 10.7 but there is but one Baptisme really and that is in water Eph. 4.5 The next Principle of the Doctrine of Christ is Prayer with Laying on of hands for the gift of the spirit so as to abide with us and to lead us into all truth and bring all things seasonably to remembrance and comfort us in all afflictions John 14.26 Ch. 16.13 note it is the gift of the spirit that is to be prayed for not gifts but the spirit as a gift Luke 11.13 Act. 2.38 and so gifts follow as it pleaseth the holy one of Israel and so they that practice Laying on of hands with prayer shew that they do look upon Christ as the only Prophet to teach them by his spirit according to his word Act. 3.22 23. Now this of Laying on of Hands was practised upon all Beleevers Baptized for the Church of Samaria were under it Act. 8.12 15 17. And the Church of Ephesus were under it Chap. 19.6 and the Church of the Hebrewes also Heb. 6.2 therefore all the Churches for they all walked in one way and order Ephes 4.4 5 6. 1 Cor. 4.17 Object But there is no Command for Laying on of Hands therefore it ought not to be Answ There is a Command from Christ for it for the Author to the Hebrewes saith it is a Principle of the Teaching or Doctrine of Christ and so commanded by Christ Heb. 6.2 Object But this Laying on of Hands spoken off Heb. 6. is not that Laying on of Hands which followeth Beleevers Baptisme or it is doubtful whether it be that or no Answ First understand that there was but three sorts of Laying on of Hands
practised by the Apostles and they are these Laying on of Hands to recover the Sick and upon Officers and upon persons Baptized Now it cannot be the Laying on Hands upon the Sick for men might be sick and recovered through Laying on of Hands and sick again and so recovered again and again and so some men might be under this Laying on of Hands many times but this in Heb. the 6. must not be practised above once for it is said Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works of Faith towards God of the Doctrine of Baptismes and Laying on of Hands Furthermore it cannot be that Laying on of Hands on Officers for it is said that they that had laid this Laying on of Hauds spoken off Heb. 6. had need to be taught the first Principles of the Word of God but Officers could not be so ignorant therefore it was not upon Officers Moreover the same that are exhorted to go on to perfection had laid this Laying on of Hands as you may see if you read diligently the 1 and 2 verses Now all are exhorted to go on to perfection therefore all the Church of the Hebrewes were under this Laying on of Hands so then it cannot be that upon the Sick nor that upon Officers for men may go on to perfection and never be under that Laying on of Hands for the Sick nor yet that upon Officers Therefore this Laying on of Hands spoken of Heb. 6. is that only which followeth Baptisme and to this agreeth the order of words vers 2. neither can it be thought on good grounds that the holy spirit should rank any other Laying on of hands with these Principles which are the beginning of a Christian man so then it followeth that Prayer with Laying on of Hands upon every Baptized person is a Principle of the Doctrine or beginning word of Christ as hath been shewed before Object But the end of Laying on of hands was that the spirit might be given so as that some extraordinary gifts might follow as there did Acts 19. but we see none now therefore not to be practised Ans By the same reason we may refuse Baptisme for the Apostles promises the gift of the spirit to every penitent believing baptized person Acts 2.38 39. which then did fall down miraculously but we see it not so now Therefore no Baptisme Again Mark saith that these signes shall follow them that believe the Gospel in the name of the Lord Jesus they should cast out devils shall speak with new tongues c. Mark 16.16 17 18. But we see no man do any such thing now Therefore by the same ground you may say no man believeth and then no salvation Again the Apostle saith God hath set in the Church miracle-workers 1 Cor. 12.28 By the same rule no miracles no Church but mistake not the Gospel the Ordinances thereof and the whole way thereof was at the first confirmed by signs and wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost Heb. 2.4 and all Believers are to walk up according to the Gospel and all the Ordinances and the whole way thereof untill Christ come 2 Tim. 2.2 2 Pet. 3.2 Rev. 2.25 To conclude this point the Spirit of the Lord is promised so as to be given to all penitent belieeving baptized persons Acts 2.38 Gal. 3.14 and the way and order of the Gospel is to seek it by Prayer and Laying on of Hands Acts 8.15 17. Chap. 19.6 2 Tim. 1.6 The next Principle of the Doctrine of Christ is the Resurriction of the dead which is this to believe that Christs very body that was crucified did rise from the dead the third day according to the Scriptures John 20. and that our bodies shall also rise again from the grave when Christ cometh in person again according to that in 1 Thes 4.16 17. The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the Archangel with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remains shall be caught up together with them in the cloud to meet the Lord in the aire and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Now it is very plain that the very body of Christ which was crucified and buried did rise again he and not a spirit like that body did appear First Because he commandeth his Disciples to handle him and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as I have and so he shewed them his hands and his feet Luke 24 39.40 and so he shewed Thomas the place of the nailes bidding him put his hand into his side all making it appeare that it was the very body that was nailed to the Crosse and peirced with a spear that did rise again Secondly Because he did eat and drink with his Disciples after he arose from the dead Acts 10.40 41. and was shewed openly several times not only to the eleven Apostles but to five hundred brethren at once 1 Cor. 15.6 So then seeing Christs body is risen from the dead so shall all mens bodies the just and unjust also shall be raised from the grave at the last day Acts 24.25 First I say that the bodies of the righteous shall rise from the grave according to that in the 26 of Isa 19. Thy dead men shall live together with my dead body shall they arise awake and sing yee that dwell in the dust for thy dew is as the dew of hearbs and the earth shall cast out the dead yea if the righteous in Christ have hope in this life only they were of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15.19 Because of persecution and temptation and trialls according to John 16.33 Christ tells the righteous that in him they shall have peace but in the world they shall have tribulation Therefore they shall rise again to receive a reward Heb. 11.26 or else it were better for them to eat and drink for to morrow they shall die yea it cannot stand with the righteousness of God that his should suffer affliction and persecution alwaies here on their bodies for the testifying of truth and their bodies never to rise to be freed from misery Secondly because the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 15. It is sown a natural body it is raised a spiritual body and so he saith That corruptible must put on incorruption so I reason That is it the same body that died that shall be raised only it shall be changed into a spiritual body for there is a natural body and there is a spiritual body as the Apostle sheweth but it is that Same that is natural that shall be made spiritual at the Resurrection Therefore note what the Apostle saith I pray and that is this It is sown a natural body It is raised a spiritual body so it is that every seed according to the comparison that the Apostle makes of the seed hath his own body and so the comparison of the seed doth
Subjects of Baptisme not Infants Page 54 18. That Prayer and Laying on of Hands upon all Believers after Baptisme is a Prinsiple of the Doctrine of Christ Page 60 19. The Resurrection of the Bodies of just and unjust proved and the Christ that died and rose again and ascended into heaven shall come again in person Page 64 20. What the eternal judgment is and when it is Page 70 21. What the Church of Christ is and who are to be received into the Church of Christ and who not and the bounds of Communion and that we are to give more heed to Christ then Israel was to Moses Page 75 22. That there are Preachers Administrators of Ordinances in this our age and shall be untill Christ comes and who they be Page 86 23. The manner and right receiving of the Lords Supper that Saints ought to practice it untill Christ come Page 91 24. What Officers belongs to the Church of Christ and how they are to be chosen and what there Work is Page 95 25. The Maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospel what it is and that it is not by Tythes Page 99 26. Some things spoken concerning the Washing the Saints feet also that of Anointing with Oyl in the name of the Lord and Prayer with Fasting Page 102 27. The way to deal with them that sin against God and one another and to cast them out of the Church Page 103 28. That the power lieth in the Church to judge Offenders Page 108 29. That Magistrates are to be obeyed in all civil things and are supreame but they have no more power in the Church then Members Page 109 30. That all the way of the Gospel is a way of love and free grace Page 112 31. That men may fall from grace and that the grace of perseverance is of God and salvation eternal life is the meer gift of God Page 113 32. That the whole House of Israel after the flesh shall be called to believe and be a glorious people and the time when Page 120 33. What the Whore of Babylon is and who are her Daughters and that the Antichrist or Man of Sin is not the Whore of Babylon shewed in seven particulars Page 126 34. That Christ shall Raign Personally on the earth most gloriously Page 161 35. That untill Christ come to Raign the Saints shall be in a troubled persecuted Estate and that there shall be warr unto that day and a word to the Fift Monarchy Men. Page 164 36. Some of the Signs of Christs coming Page 174 Reader THou wilt find only some literal Faults which were not worth the while to make an Errata of therefore thou art desired in a friendly way to correct such Trivials with thy Pen. THE GOSPEL Declared in plainness as it is in JESUS And the way thereof of Old confirmed by divers Signs Wonders Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Spirit IN the first place mind what the word Gospel is or doth hold forth unto us and you shall find that it signifieth good or glad-tydings as appeareth Isai 52.7 compared with Rom. 10.15 Luke 2.10 11. Now what is contained in this good-tydings is this according to the Scriptures that God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself not imputing their Trespasses unto them 2 Cor. 5.19 and that Christ dyed for our sins and was buried and rose again the Third day 1 Cor. 15.1 2 3 4. and that in Christ Jesus there is Remission of sins Luke 24.47 or forgiveness of sins Acts 13.38 and everlasting Life 46. this is the Gospel And this Gospel is to be preached to every Creature by the Commandement of the Lord Mark 16.15 that is to say to every Man and Woman that have ears to hear so as to understand not to Infants for the Lord speaks not unto though of them Deut. 11.2 for they know neither good or evill Deut. 1.39 which is agreeable to the testimony of the Angel of the Almighty which brought good-tydings of great joy unto all people Luke 2.10 Furthermore this Gospel was preached unto all yea unto them that received it not and that in all Ages Gen. 3.15 1 Pet. 3.19 20. 2 Pet. 2.5 Heb. 4.2 3 17. Acts 2.5 Coll. 1.23 for Paul saith it was necessary that the Word of God should be Preached unto them that rejected it yet there was no less in that word than everlasting life which they put from them Acts 13.46 in much envy contradicting and blaspheming and raising persecution against the Apostles so that at length they shook off the dust of their feet against them ver 51. And you know that Christ saith It shall be more toller able for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement then for such a people So then the Gospel was preached to them that never received it as well as to them that did receive it therefore unto all Again the Parables and comparisons in the Scriptures proves that this good Tydings of eternall life as 't is in Jesus is to be preached unto all as it appeareth Mat. 13. in the parable of the sower for there you may see it is declared unto all sorts of men as the seed is sown in all sorts of ground likewise in Mat. 22. the â—arable bids all even them also that would not nor did not come the bad as well as the good for to come to the marraige Also the comparison of the brazen Serpent sheweth as that was lifted up for all that all that were stung might look on it andlive Num. 21.8 9. So is the Son of man the Lord Jesus lifted up for all that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3.14 15. Again this is the condemnation of the world namely the not receiving the light that is in Jesus held forth in the Gospel John 12.46 John 3.19 And how shall they receive it so as to beleive it without a preacher Rom. 10.14 Therefore it is to be preached unto all Again Christ will judge all men according to the Gospel Rom. 2.16 Acts 17.31 and he that heareth and beleiveth according to the Gospel shall be saved and he that will not believe shall be damned as John witnesseth that they that refuse to hear the word so as to receive it shall be condemned at the last day by that word which they heard and rejected John 12.47.48 wherefore Christ judging all men at the last day by the word of the Gospel and that according to righteousness it followeth plainly that the Gospel must be preached unto all men Well then seeing the Gospel is to be preached unto all or this good tydings of peace which is as hath been shewed that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and offereth everlasting life unto all in and through the death of his Son it will follow that Christ died for all men so as to seek to serve all men Luke 19.10 Mat. 18.11 yea to set
of which is as inconsistent to truth as the former as lively appeareth from Christs words Mat. 19.23 24. saying That it is easier for a Camel to go through the eye of an Needle then for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of Heaven For all cannot but know that if God be the alone Agent in and about mans conversion and his ordinary way be to work irresistibly therein all I say cannot but know that it is Alike easie for him to convert a rich man as a poor man And besides if Gods ordinary way to convert men be to work irresistibly how he could appeal to Israel who according to your sence knew that this was his way saying what could I have done More which I have not done Whenas he had not wrought so much as in his ordinary way upon them I judge no man can give a reasonable account to this Therefore in brief I conclude in opposition to all those that imagine Gods ordinary way to convert men is unresistible with Stephen saying Ye do alwayes resist the holy Spirit as your fathers did so do ye Act. 7.51 and with the words of the Lord I drew them with the cords of a man with bonds of love yet they refused to return Hosea 11.4 5. Object But this which you have said seems to cross the way of Gods Election and reprobation from the beginning whose way is to hate some men before they have done either good or evil as is plainly held forth in that of Esau and so impossible for them ever to beleeve and be saved For he hath mercy on whom he will and whom he will he hardeneth Answ For the better understanding of this Point well consider the principal thing which Paul treats of in that Chapter Rom. 9. which is that the fleshly seed of Abraham are not the children of promise or the Elect of God ver 7 8. wherefore saith the Apostle though Esau was the child of Abraham according to the flesh and that upon Isaacs side too yet God hated him therefore you Jewes that stand so much upon your brith priviledges as being the seed of Abraham after the flesh by this of Esau you may know that it will not prove you to be the Elect of God but you may be hated as Esau was he being as truly a child of Abraham as you but for his wickedness whether considered as a Person or as a Nation God rejected him I say for his wickedness as appeareth Obad. 9.10 For thy violence O Esau against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee and thou shalt be cut off for ever Mal. 1.3 4. Amos 1.11 Heb. 12.16 17. Esaus wickedness therefore whether considered a person or a Nation I say with the holy Prophets was the cause why God hated him whose wickedness God that foreknoweth all things foreknew in Rebecca's time and thereupon said to her Esau or Edom the elder shall serve the younger which saying Paul being acquainted with spake these words to wit That the children being not yet born neither having done any good or evil that the purpose of God according to Election might stand not of works but of him that calleth it was said unto her as aforesaid Rom. 9. shewing thereby that God was so mindful that his puâ—pose according to Election might stand which the Jewes so mightily opposed that he signified so long ago as Rebecca's time before the children were born or had done either good or evil that Esau the elder foreseen to be wicked should serve Jacob the younger for his violence against him as saith the Lord Obadiah 9.10 And therefore this Election by grace as if the Apostle should say which I contend for being as ancient as the Fathers spoken of by God himself to Rebecca you may in no wise reject for I preach no new thing But alas how is it that men so stumble at these words spoken by Paul in this ninth Chapter to the Romans as if God hated Esau before he was born without respect unto his foreseen wickedness as the cause thereof I say how is it that you so conceive and thus imagine vain things for doth it in the least follow that God so hated him because 't is said if that might be granted he hated him before he was born or had done any evil surely no unless it could be found that God hated him also before he had done evil without respect to foreseen evil in which is the main Controversie and not so much whether God hated Esau before he was born or had done evil yea or nay but rather what was the cause for which he was hated to which this Text in the Romans doth not at all speak only speaks of the time to wit before the Children were borne c. But as touching the cause wherein is our great Controversy I tell you again the text speaks not wherefore it remaineth that you diligently mind other Scriptures which speaks as to the cause thereof which plainly tels you that Esau's violence c was the cause Obad. 9.10 Now although this be spoken of him after he had personally transgressed yet I question not but that you with me will acknowledge that all his transgressions was known to God in Rebecba's time as also before which if so Why may it not be thus for what is said in this place to the Romans namely that God foreseeing Esau or Edoms wickedness in Rebecca's time said upon that account the elder shall serve the younger yea verily 't is plain that God did speak to her upon the account of foreknowledge for faith he Two Nations are in thy wombe Gen. 25.23 which all cannot but know was no otherwise but as God foresaw two Nations proceeding from the two Children which only was in Rebecca's womb and so also God calleth things that are not as if they were Rom. 4.17 Further to what you say touching God having mercy on whom he will and whom he will he hardeneth I freely grant it but the Controversie is whom God hath mercy on and that is beleeving men and whom it is God hardneth and that is disobedient unbeleeving men though they be Abrahams seed that is after the flesh And this I believe was Gods righteous dealings in all ages that is to say God first manifested his tender loving kindness to them with much long patience and gentleness waiting upon them in the use of means bidding them to open their mouths wide he would fill it but those that will not hearken but reject his counsell So God gives them up to their own hearts lusts Psal 81.10 11 12. So that which should have been for their welfare is become their trap Psal 69.22 God blinds their eyes layes stumbling blocks before them gives them up to hardness of heart and Reprobates them for ever as a recompence to them for their wilful rebellion the Only cause thereof as preacheth this vein of Scriptures Pro. 1.24 25 26 27 28 29 30. Jerem. 6.16 17 21. 2 Chron.
all men and women in the way so as by his death they might have eternal life I say it will follow clearly that Christ dyed for all men for else the Gospel will be the tender of a lie which is blasphemy to affirme It will I say be the tender of a lie because in the Gospel there is offered to all as hath been shewed remission of sins and everlasting life through a crucified Christ but if Christ died but for some men and this glad-tyding of peace in the Gospel be held forth for all men as it is then to some of these all it will be the tender of a lie but that cannot be therefore I conclude that Christ died for all men This further will appear if you observe well how that all men every where are commanded to repent and beleive the Gospel Mark 1.15 Act. 17.30 and that is witnessed in the Gospel to all men both beleevers and Unbeleevers that there is eternal life in Christ and that they who receive it not make God a lier 1 Joh. 5.10 11 12. Again consider that God doth bid all earnestly and doth not mock any untill first they reject him Prov. 1.25 27. nor doth he deal as hypocrites to bid men to his supper having before decreed in himself that they shall never taste thereof but I say unfaignedly and altogether truly doth the Lord bid and invite all persons to come to the marriage supper and saith he for All Things are ready now if Christ died not for all how could he invite all even them that never came saying all things are ready when as to them that came not which are the greatest part of men to them I say the only thing was not ready that is to say a Christ crucified for their sins and so whereas Christ saith that all things are ready this opinion which I contend against declares that there is nothing ready for I am sure that without a crucified Christ there is no salvation for the sons of men and moveover to conceive that Christ died but for some men notwithstanding his so often calls and loving invitations to all men whatsoever to come unto him that they might be saved Joh. 1.7 whether in the city or in the lanes or about the hedges to conceive this I say is to liken the Lord Jesus unto the vilest of men who as David saith Psal 55.21 have in their mouths words smoother then butter but war in the heart words softer then oyle yet were as drawn swords Moreover the Scriptures holds forth plainly that unbelief in the son of God is a great sin yea the cause of eternal condemnation John 3.18 Joh. 8.24 Now if the son of God died not for the unbeliever who is saith Christ condemned already because he believeth not on him then the unbeliever is condemned for not believing a lie but this cannot possibly be the judgment of the righteous God who condemns men for not receiving and beleeving the truth that they might be saved 2. Thes 2.10 11 12. Therefore again I conclude that Christ died for all men Moreover we find Paul that eminent light of the world in great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart yea and wishing himself accursed from Christ for his brethren the Jewes that were shut up in unbelief Rom. 9.2.3.32 33. Rom. 11.7 8 9 10. To whom also he acknowledgeth did belong the adoption and the glory and the Covenants and the giving of the law and the service of God and the promises now 't is most plain that the Apostle doth by acknowledging these so many and excellent priviledges pertaining to the Jewes declare and clearly preach up that there was a time when they might have been happy had they with others sought after the righteousness of God by faith but alas alas they obtained it not wherefore because Christ died not for them saith many but saith the holy Apostle because they sought it not by faith but as it were by the works of the law ver 31.32 And this is charged upon them as their great folly which indeed had been none at all had they not as well as others been put into a capacity through the grace of a crurified Christ to have beleeved and so eternally saved which thing most asuredly Paul understood touching them and therfore he abode in great heaviness for them yea and wished himself accursed from Christ for them knowing and beleeving that God had sent his son Jesus to bless them yea so far mark I pray as to turn every one of them from their iniquites Act. 3.26 and indeed to conceive the Apostle to be of a contrary belief that is to say that Christ died not for his Brethren that were shut up in unblief such a conception I say doth render the wise and eminent Apostle Paul to be simple and foolish both by his great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart for that which could not possibly be obtained to wit the salvation of his Brethren the Jewes and also by his wishing himself accursed from Christ for them that could not possibly ever be blest but God forbid that any sober minded man should hold any opinion that should thus render the wisdome of the wise of no effect but however if men will thus foolishly presume wisdome is justified of her children who clearly understands that Christ died for all men whereupon when they come to understand that men will not come unto him that hath died for them that they might have life Joh. 5.40 they understandingly with holy Paul greive and are of a mournful heart for them like the Lord himself Luke 19.41 42. Moreover Peter the Apostle of the Lord full of the Spirit declareth That the Lord bought such as bring in damnable Heresies and so bring upon themselves swift destruction even damnation that slumbereth not 2 Pet. 2.1 2 3. So then by this also it clearly appears that Christ died for or bought all men since no man questions his dying for such as shall be saved Furthermore there is before you a cloud of witnesses eminently advancing the truth of this Particular speaking after this manner Oh Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them which were sent unto thee How often would I have gathered thy Children together as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings and ye would not Mat. 23.37 And when he beheld their City so great was his love towards them that he wept over it Saying if thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace but now they are hid from thine eyes Luke 19.41 42. Oh that my people had hearkned unto me and Israel had walked in my wayes so should their time have endured for ever Psal 81.13.15 Oh that their were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my Commandements alwayes that it might be well with them and their Children for ever Deut. 5129. Oh Jerusalem wilt thou not be
made clean when shall it once be Jeremy 13.27 How shall I give thee up Ephraim How shall I deliver thee Israel As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live turn ye turn ye for why will ye die oh House of Israel Ezek. 33.11 And now O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah Judge I pray you betwixt me and my Vinyard what could have been done more to my Vinyard that I have not done in it Jsa 5.3.4 But when he looked that it should bring forth Grapes it brought forth wild Grapes As also Israel in the wilderness Wherefore he was greived with that generation and at length sware in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest because of Vnbelief Heb. 3.10 11 19. Now that the Father the Son and the holy Spirit in the Prophets should utter such deep desires and large professions for the welfare of a People with weeping and great lamentations upon their neglect of that which should have been for their welfare Psal 69.22 Also confirming his desires by the immutable Oath of himself and yet notwithstanding know them even from the first altogether uncapable of happiness and well-being and that for want of that grace which himself is the only giver of That God I say whose Attributes of love and mercy are met together with truth and righteousness and kisseth each other Psal 85.10 should thus declare himself is altogether incredible for if he sent not his Son to die for them there is no other Name given under heaven whereby they might be saved Act. 4.11 12. The sence of these things being much upon my heart leads me forth yet further to question with you viz. How the wise God the Father could grieve forty years long for a Peoples unbelief if there was no Salvation for them to believe in And how Christ the Son of God could marvel at the Peoples Unbelief if he tasted not death for them whereby they might believe Mar. 6.6 And how the holy Spirit the gift of God could strive with men for their good if Christ in whom is all good was not intended for them The Father the Son and the Spirit according to the Scriptures of truth in all ages plainly declareth That he would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2.4 in order to which he exercised much long-patience sending his servants calling upon them and beseeching them to be reconciled unto himself 2 Cor. 5.20 And so God preparing all things ready for them and using a sufficiency of means whereby they might come and receive it according to the Parable that is to say might believe and eternally be saved Joh. 1.7 Jo. 3.17.2 Thes 2.10 they not coming they not beleeving the God of love in wisdome greiveth for them and upon good grounds sweareth in wrath they shall not enter into his rest Mark well A man 's not doing impossibilities or not beleeving on that which is not is no sober mans wonder cause of grief or ground of wrath Wherefore all these things being considered together with the many more Scriptures that speak to this purpose as also many Scriptures bearing plain Testimony that Christ died for all 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9.2 Cor. 5.15.1 Joh. 2.2 Rom 3.22 And not so much as one Scripture that saith he died but for some therefore with wise and holy Peter I conclude that the Lord God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 and be saved through Christ the Saviour who gave himself a ransome for all to be testified in due time Therefore let all men fear how they testifie against it Object If Christ died for all how is it then that all are not saved Answ Bear with me I pray you if I speak somewhat large to this Question for I know that there is something in the understanding of those that ask this question as the ground thereof which is a great hindrance to the understanding of this glorious truth of Gods love unto all men namely that Adams sin brought him and all his posterity into a state of eternal condemnation in Hell which whosoever beleiveth cannot easily understand how Christ should die for all men say they if he died for all to free them from eternal punishment in hell and Christ dye not in vain then say they How can it be but that all must be saved First consider your mistake touching Adams sin for 't is plain that his sin brought but the first death and the companions thereof as fear shame sickness eating bread in the sweat of the face c. together with the ground cursed for his sake and not eternal torments in Hell which saith the Scripture is the second death Rev. 20.14 First because the second death or eternal torment in Hell was neither threatned to come upon him before his fall Gen. 2.17 neither is it in the least signifyed in the sentence against him after his fall Gen. 3.17.18.19 but rather this Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return this death therefore being only spoken of which is the first death let no man presume above what is written Secondly observe the sence of the Apostle Paul touching this Particular who saith That by one man to wit Adam sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom. 5.12 Now in that he saith that the death which came by Adam passed upon all it followes with much plainness that he understood it to be only the first death that entred into the world by Adams sin because the second death or eternal torment in Hell had not passed upon all and so he could not mean the second death for he right well knew yea and all men do know it had not passed upon Abraham Isaac and Jacob with many others that might be mentioned no nor never shall In vain will it be for any to go about to evade the force of this text by conceiving that it is the desert of eternal death which passed upon all forasmuch as the Apostle in much plainness saith That death passed upon all men not only deserved death but death it self passed also upon them as their desert Thirdly remember and well consider that it is granted on all hands that Adams sin from the beginning did and now doth bring men down to the dust or first death and also well consider that it is as generally beleived that the second death or Hell torments is an eternal fence of misery both upon the soul and body or an eternal horrible dying and never being dead both which being considered you may easily see that if God did intend Hell torment to be the portion of Adams sin either you must imagine that God did purpose and decree and so accordingly declare to Adam that if he sinned he should
Nor if all the humane arts in the world did not teach the knowledge of God it followeth that all humane Arts cannot inable a man to preach or declare the Gospel the unsearchable riches that is in Christ and so Paul though learned ignorantly persecutes the Church of Christ but by grace given him he was made able to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ Eph. 3.7 8. Again Jesus rejoyced in Spirit and gives thanks to his Father that he had hid the things of the Gospel or new Covenant from the wise and prudent or learned and revealed them to Babes Luke 10.21 And Paul saith The things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.11 And the Prophet Isaiah saith That the vision of all is become as a book that is sealed So that the learned and unlearned cannot read it Isa 29.11 12. From all which it plaineth appeareth that all Ministers of the new Covenant are made able for the work of the Ministery through the spirit grace and gift of God for the spiritual man judgeth all things even the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 15. And so God hath not chosen the mighty men or things of the world which are highly esteemed among men but chuseth the poor foolish weak base despised things things that are not to bring to nought things that are That no flesh should glory in his presence 1 Cor. 1.27 28. Luk. 16.15 So then mark well and see the vast disproportion between the Old Covenant and the New the Old was of works do and live long so they doing it Justification would have been of dept Rom. 4.4 but the New is Believe and live eternally So Justification is by faith that it might be by grace Rom. 4.16 The Old Covenant is litteral and killeth because all have broken it but the new Covenant is spiritual and giveth life in Christ through beleeving 2 Cor. 3.6 the Old was written in Tables of Stone the New writeth the law of God in the heart the sons and daughters of the Old Covenant were Abrahams seed after the flesh the sons and daughters of the new Covenant are the seed of Abraham after the spirit new borne new creatures God according to the Old Covenant did know and chuse the family of Abraham after the flesh above all the families of the earth Amos 3.1 2. Psal 147.19 20. but now according to the new Covenant he knoweth no man after the flesh 2 Cor. 5 16. but every man of any Nation that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him Act. 10.35 whether he be Jew or Gentile The children of the old Covenant being after the flesh by generation there was need to teach them to know the Lord but the Children of the new Covenant need not to be taught to know the Lord for they all know the Lord from the least to the greatest of them as it hath been shewed The old Covenant or law though just holy and good yet weak through the flesh having no strength to Justifie the Children thereof God finding fault with them because they had broken the Covenant there was a place found for the new Covenant established upon better promises so through Jesus the High Priest and Mediatour of it the Children thereof are Justified see Rom. 8.2 3 4. Heb. 8.6 7 8. The Sacrifices of the old covenant were carnal fleshly the bloud of Buls and Goats and so could not make the comers thereunto perfect so there was a Remembrance of sin every year but the sacrifice of the new Covenant is the Lord from Heaven the man Christ his Blood being the blood of the new Covenant being shed for remission of sins Math. 26.28 and so perfects for ever them that are sanctified which are the children of the new Covenant so that their sin is remembred no more as it hath been shewed before Heb. 10.12 14. the High Priest of the old Covenant was after the order of Aaron by generation after a fleshly line and so many were made Priests because they were not suffered to continue by the reason of death but Jesus the High Priest of the new Covenant is after the order of Melchizedec comes not to it by a fleshly line after the order of Aaron as the Preists of the Law did as touching his Office of the Preist-hood he is without father or mother without kindred and hath neither beginning of dayes nor end of life but remaineth a Prieft for ever after the order of Melchizedec So he is able also perfectly to save them that come to God by him as the children of the new Covenant do seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7.3 6 11 13 14 16 21 24 25. The Children of the old Covenant had blessings and promises after this manner That the Lord would set them on high above all the Nations of the earth blessed in the city and in the field blessed in the fruit of the body flocks of sheep and heards of cattel and deliverance from their enemies and long life in the land of Canaan withall the riches thereof Deut. 28. The blessings of the new Covenant are after this manner deliverence from the evil of temptation 1 Cor. 10.13 Led into all truth so as they experience that comfort peace and joy that their names are written in the book of life witnessed by the holy spirit all things working together for good no condemnation for they walk not after the flesh but after the spirit the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come even eternal life so as to reign in glory So then all may see that they that go about to be justified by the Law Written upon tables of stone or the Law of sacrifices are fallen from grace for if righteousness be by the Law then Christ died in vain Gal. 2.21 and 5.4 But Christ died not in vain but God is just and the Justifier of him only that beleeveth in Jesus having that faith that worketh by love Rom. 3.26 for such only are the sons and daughters of the New Covenant Also hence it clearly appeareth how the Church of Rome is Mystery Babylon the great the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth she became so by bringing in a generational fleshly seed where Abrahams seed after the flesh is cast out so she goes a whoring in bringing in a false carnal seed instead of a true spiritual seed she bringeth in children into her Church by baptizing them as she calleth it and so the matter of her Church is meerly carnal and her ministry by humane learning and not by gifts given from Christ and yet talks of spiritual matter confounding the Old Covenant with the New and making the commandments of God of none effect by her many inventions and so national Churches that sprinkle their infants bring in a false fleshly seed and are her daughters and so she is truly said to be Mystery Babylon or Confusion the mother
Rev. 17.16 But the Antichrist is taken alive when the Lord cometh and punished with everlasting deflruction from the presence of the Lord in a lake of fire 2. Thes 1.9 and Rev. 19.20 And so to draw to a conclusion I do desire all men to take heed to the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles for they are able to make men wise unto Salvation and if men speak not according to the Law and Testament it is because they have no light in them Isa 8.20 O give heed to the most sure word of the Prophets as unto a light shining in a dark place until the day of Christ dawn and the day Star arise in your hearts noting diligently all things that are spoken of that must come to pass for when the signs concerning Christs coming are come to pass the day of Christs personal appearing will dawn Secondly is there such a spirit of delusion among men wherein is a mystery of iniquity Then let all take heed that they seek the Lord while he may be found and to kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish in the way O do not neglect to read and search the Scriptures and walk up in that you do know be not deceived God will not be mocked what a man soweth that he shall reap for he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6.7 8. Thirdly is it so that God doth and will give up men to a Spirit of delusion that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness Then he exhorted from hence to forsake all unrighteous wayes in conversation and all whorish inventions of men in point of Worship for if Moses Law be abolished which was given to him by the Lord let no man think that he shall be excused if he worship according to mens inventions Fourthly let all the Saints consider and lay to heart what hath been spoken and search the Scriptures that they may be informed what is to come to pass and so according to Christs exhortation in Luke 21.36 Watch ye therefore and pray alwayes that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the son of man Moreover when the Lord thus overthrows Antichrist and his Armies and the Kings of the earth as it hath been shewed before and more plentiously appeareth in Scripture When the whirle wind of the Lord goeth forth with fury a cutting whirle-wind it shall remain with pain upon the head of the wicked the fearce anger of the Lord shall not return until he have performed the intents of his heart At the same time saith the Lord will I be the God of all the families of Israel and they shall be my people For God hath loved them with an everlasting love therefore with loving kindness he will draw them Jer. 30.23 24. Chap. 31.1 2 3. And it shall come to pass in that day that the great Trumpet shall be blown and they shall come that are ready to perish in the land of Assyria and the out-casts in the land of Egypt and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jernsalem Is 27.13 So when the Enemies shall come in like a flood great enemies being gathered by the beast the Antichrist according to Rev. 16.13 14. being mâ—â— according to Joel 3.9 10 11 12 13 14. the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him then even then the redeemer shall come to Sion and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob saith the Lord Isa 59.19 20. compared with Rom. 11 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32. Then at that day the Lord himself which was dead and arose again and is alive for evermore Rev. 1.18 shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voyce of the Archangel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first 1 Thes 4.14 15 16. compared with Isa 27.13 and so as Zach. saith The Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee and his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives which is before Jerusalem Chap. 14.4 5. then the Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of Hosts and Lord of Lords and King of Kings shall raign personally upon the earth in mount Sion and in Jerusalem and before his antients the house of Israel gloriously Isa 24.23 Rev. 17.14 Chap. 19.13 14 15 16. And for the further proof and clearing up of this truth That the Lord Christ shall raign personally on the earth more then a thousand years and all the Saints with him from Adam to his coming which dyed in the faith and are found in the faith at his coming are to raign with him upon earth First consider and mark well what the Scripture saith in the letter of it for the proof of the same the Prophet Jer. saith Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a righteous branch and a King shall raign and prosper and execute Judgment and justice in the earth In his dayes Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is his name the Lord our Righteousness Chap. 23.5 6. Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession Psal 2.8 In his dayes shall the righteous flowrish and abundance of peace shall be so long as the Moon endureth He shall have dominion also from Sea to Sea and from the river unto the end of the earth Yea all Kings shall fall down before him all nations shall serve him Pfal 72.7 8 9 10 11. verse 17. His name shall endure for ever his name shall be continued as long as the Sun and men shall be blessed in him All nations shall call him blessed and the Lord shall be King over all the earth in that day shall there be one Lord and his name one Zach. 14.9 Dan. 7.27 And the Kingdome and dominion and the greatness of the Kingdome under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdome is an everlasting Kingdome and all nations or dominions shall serve and obey him and Rev. 5.9 10. saith Thou hast made us unto our God Kings Priests we shall raign on the earth Chap. 11.15 And the seventh Angel sounded and there were great voyces in heaven saying the Kingdomes of this world are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall raign for ever and ever Rev. 20. sheweth at large That the Saints shall raign with Christ a thousand years which cannot be understood but to be on the earth So then the letter of the Scripture speaks much that the Lord Christ shall descend from heaven 1 Thes 4.16 Acts. 1.11 and his feet shall stand upon mount
he that is left in Sion and he that remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Sion shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of Judgment and by the spirit of burning Isai 4.2 3 4. Then shall health be restored unto Israel and their wounds healed saith the Lord because they called thee an out-cast saying this is Sion whom no man seeketh after Thus saith the Lord behold I will bring again the captivity of Jacobs tents and have mercy on his dwelling place and the City shall be builded upon her own heap and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voyce of them that make merry and I will multiply them and they shall not be few I will also glorifie them and they shall not be small Jer. 30.17 18 19. Again at this time will the Lord make them one Nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel and one King shall be a King to them all and they shall be no more two Nations neither shall they be devided into two kingdoms any more at all Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their Idols nor with their detestable things nor with any of their transgressions but I will save them out of all their dwelling places wherein they have sinned and will cleanse them so shall they be my people and I will be their God Ezekiel 37.22 23. Again Wait yea upon me saith the Lord untill the day that I rise up to gather the Nations that I may Assemble the kingdoms to pour upon them mine Indignation even all my fierce anger for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousie For then will I turn to the people a pure Language that they may all call upon the name of the Lord to serve him with one consent At this time I will bring you again even in this time that I gather you for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth when I turn back your captivity before your eyes saith the Lord Zeph. 3.8 9 10. Again Look upon Zion the City of our solemnities thine eye shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the cords be broken And the Inhabitants shall not say I am sick the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven there iniquity Isa 33.20 24. Again Hear the word of the Lord O ye Nations and declare it in the Isles afare of and say he that scattered Israel will gather him and keep him as a sheepheard doth his stock For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger then he Therefore they shall come and sing in the hight of Zion and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord for Wheat and for Wine and for Oyle and for the young of the flock and of the heard and their souls shall be as a watered Garden and they shall not sorrow any more at all Jer. 31.10 11 12. Yea in that day shall that song be sung by the house of Israel that is in the 12. of Isai Yea they shall cry out and shout for joy for great is the holy one of Israel in the midst of them verse the 6. Zeph. 3.15 They shall not see evil any more then that in the 35. of Isai shall be made good and that in Isai 60. and many other places which speak very clearly to these things search and see for Paul would not have us Ignorant of this mystery Rom. 11.25 Moreover be not mistaken though it be so that the fulness of the Gentiles under this dispensation shall come in before Christ come in person and many shall be given up to blindness and be destroyed at his appearing as it hath been shewed before yet them that are left of the Nations shall fall in with the people of Israel and say Come let us go up to the mountains of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walk in his pathes For out of Sion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem Isai 2.2 3. Micah 4.1 2 3. Yea many people and strong Nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to pray before the Lord Thus saith the Lord of hosts in those dayes it shall come to pass that ten men shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew saying we will go with you for we have heard that God is with you Zach. 8.22 23. yea Zach. saith that when the Lord cometh and all the Saints with him even then the Lord shall be King over all the earth in that day shall there be one Lord and his name one and then it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the Nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King the Lord of hosts and to keep the feast of Tabernacles Chap. 14.9 14. and this as I understand was signified under the Law when the males came up to Jerusalem to keep there feast so the Nations shall come up from one new Moon to another and from year to year to worship before the Lord Isai 66.23 for then the Gentiles shall be Converted to the house of Israel Isai 60.5 For the house of Israel that are brought back and are called when Christ come shall then be chief among the Nations according to this Scripture Isai 19.24 25. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria even a blessing in the midst of the land whom the Lord of Host shall bless saying blessed be Egypt my people and Assyria the work of my hands Israel mine Inheritance so in that day the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Isa 11.9 So in that day when Christ raigns gloriously on the earth there will be first all them that dyed in the faith are found in the faith at his coming made immortal and shall raign with Christ over the whole earth Dan. 7.27 injoying perfection in knowledge and purity 1 Cor. 13.10 11 12. Ephes 5.27 and be made free from all manner of imperfections yea as David saith They shall be abundantly satisfied with the Fatness of thy house and thou shalt make them drink of the River of thy pleasures Psal 36.8 So they shall be compleatly happy injoying fulness of joy for ever and ever Secondly the house of Israel that is called when Christ appeareth as hath been shewed shall be under them and governed and judged by them Obad. 21. Mat. 19.28 Luke 22.28 29 30.
Thirdly The nations that know the Lord shall be inferiour to the house of Israel serving them in that day Isa 60.12 14. Fourthly That there will be some of the nations in that day that will not come to worship the King the Lord of hosts and upon them shall come great judgments Zach. 14.17 18. Jer. 31.30 Isa 65.20 So there will be in the kingdome of Christ at least some of the time that he raigns on the earth before he delivers up the Kingdome to the father four sorts of people but the Saints that come with Christ shall raign most gloriously over them all So then things being so le ts look back to what hath been said concerning Christ coming to raign namely that the Saints must be in a troubled persecuted afflicted estate until Christ comes and the neerer his coming the more persecution and tribulations Luke 18.7 8. This serves to inform the fifth Monarchy men that the Saints shall not have dominion of the earth neither shall the fifth Monarchy be until Christ comes for the fourth Monarchy or Beast in his Heads and horns raigns until Christ comes and presecutes the Saints Dan. 7.25 26. as hath been shewed Secondly if there will be warr and rumors of warrs and overturning of powers until Christ comes that should teach the Saints not to deceive themselves so as to conclude they shall enjoy long rest and peace here on earth before Christ comes and so to seek great things for themselves I say with the Prophet Jer. Seek them not for that the Lord hath built he will break down and that which he hath planted will he pluck up Chap. 45.4 5. For the nations must drink Jeremies cup them that are wicked to the sword saith the Lord Chap. 25. from the 15. to the 34. Thirdly This should teach us to buy the truth and not to sell it and so to seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness in the first place and to give all diligence to make our calling and election sure redeeming the time that we be not found among those foolish Virgins that let their lamps go out but of those wise that stand with their Loyns girded about with truth and their lights burning as men that wait for their Lord when he shall return to the wedding Mat. 25. Luke 12.35 36 37. Furthermore take notice of some signes that go before Christs coming First observe that the Gospel being preached as it is now and shall be more fully hereafter and many falling away from the truth and the spirit of Antichrist appearing this is a sign of Christs coming 2 Thes 2.3.1 John 2.18 Secondly If we see and hear of warrs and rumors of warrs and false Prophets and false Christs appearing and many run to and fro and knowledge increase and the great Whore of Babylon fallen these things coming to pass are evident signs that the time of Christs coming is neer Mat. 24.5 11. Dan. 12.4 Rev. 14.6 7 8. Thirdly When we shall see false Prophets and false Christs saying loe hear is Christ or loe there working miracles and the Antichrist or man of sin arising or appearing then may we certainly conclude the coming of Christ to be at hand yea if we see the Whore of Babylon fallen and the man of sin arising we may certainly conclude that before that generation shall go down to dust the Lord will appear Mat. 24.23 24.2 Thes 2.9 Rev. 14.9 Luk. 21.32 Fourthly When there shall be famins and pestalence and earth-quakes in divers places and the Jewes return into their own land and the Antichrist or man of sin plant his tabernacle in the holy mount Dan. 11.45 Mat. 24.7 Fifthly When the Man of Sin and the false Prophet shall set up an Image and give the mark of the beast and cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men Rev. 13.13 14 15 16. and the sixth vial poured out and that false ministry of the beast go forth and gather the nations to the battel of the great day according to Chap. 16.12 13 14. Joel 3.9 10 11. and the Sun and Moon darkned and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity the Sea and waves roaring in an extraordinary manner Isa 13.10 Ioel 3.15 Luke 21.25 26 When these changes begin to come to pass especially the four last then let us lift up our heads with joy for our redemption draweth nigh verse 28. And when the last appeareth know that the Kingdome of God is neer even at the very doors Mat. 24 33. Now from all these things let every one be perswaded to walk up in all the commandments and Ordinances of the Lord improving all grace so as to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear yea let all the children of God work out their salvation with fear and trembling O let us give heed to the word of the Prophets as a light that shineth in a dark place until the day of Christ dawn and the day Star arise in our hearts that is until Christ who is the bright morning Star he by his spirit we giving heed to the word of the Prophet will cause us to understand the secrets of the Lord yea the signs of his coming as men that walk in the night know the day is neer when they see the day Star arising so the Lord will give us the morning Star that we may know in an excellent measure the time of his coming 2 Pet. â— 19 Rev. 22 16. Chap. 2 28 Psal 25 14. But let no man be deceived so as to account of the coming or receiving of the spirit in the most excellent manner to be the coming of Christ for the Corinths came behind in no gifts yet waited for the coming of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor 1.7 And the Apostle John sheweth that there are but three sorts of Christians the little ones young men and old men in Christ and old ought to wait and did wait for the coming of Christ 1 Iohn 2 28 Chap. 3 2. and then they and we shall be like him Phil. 3 31 O let all these things be laid to heart and let all the children of God receive council of the Lord Jesus so as to watch and pray alwayes that we may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before him acceptably Luke 21.36 FINIS