wonderful Works of God Acts 2. 11. they are taken up with mans Notions Sayings and Phrases and they are bewildered in the little things of this lower World for they do not understand even them throughly and clearly Where seems to be a little pure and primitive Christianity is not there much Ignorance and coming short of the Knowledge of the Things of God as they ought to be known There are either some affected Phrases of their own which they harp and insist altogether on or there is a preference of some select parts and portions thereof before the whole Word of God all which ought to be brought in equally upon occasion without preferring one thing before another or at least not to make the one a pretence to shut out the other Are there not dark Speeches used if it be not sometimes unintelligible and mystical nonsence whereas the time now is that they should speak no more to us in Proverbs but they should shew us plainly of the Father John 16. 25. And in these larer times the Spirit speaketh expresly 1 Tim. 4. 1. yea and clearly viz. such things as may be understood not in Words which Man's Wisdom teacheth not in humane affected Phrases but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual with spiritual And compare Scripture with Scripture we shall find that such whether they be Men or Women who say when the Lord hath not spoken or who speak a Vision of their own heart and not out of the mouth of the Lord Jer. 23. 16. Which prophecy out of their own heart Ezek. 13. 17. Or who say that it shall so come to pass when the Lord hath not commanded them and it will not come to pass and the thing doth not follow such are presumptuous Deut. 18. 22. They take God's Name in vain and a Woe is now pronounced against them which at last will fall down upon them to their own misery and condemnation Is it not in some measure fulfilled at this day We see not our Signs there is no more any Prophet neither is there any among us that knoweth how long Psal 74. 9. That knoweth any thing certainly from God as in times past he did reveal his Secret unto his Servants the Prophets or how long this Judgment of the Sword will be upon the Nations nor after what manner and when God will work Salvation and establish Peace in the midst of the Earth For God is my King of old working Salvation in the midst of the Earth Psal 74. 12. I will be thy King Where is any other that may save thee in all thy Cities and thy Judges of whom thou saidst Give me a King and Princes Hos 13. 12. These things will so be when God doth reign immediately over the Hearts of all Men and they yield that Obedience unto him as now they do to their Kings and Governours after the Flesh But at this day it is fulfilled Therefore night shall be upon you that ye shall not divine and the Sun shall go down over the Prophets and it shall be dark over them then shall the Seers be ashamed and the Diviners confounded yea they shall all cover their Lips for there is no answer of God Mic. 3. 6 7. Consider throughly of this all ye Preachers in the several Churches and Congregations and do ye not sensibly perceive the Truth of this last There is no answer of God There is at this day and accordingly he that is most spiritual and knows most of God doth most sensibly perceive it the face of the Covering and the Veil that is spread over all Nations Isa 25. 7. There is a Veil and Covering over the Hearts and Understandings of Men I feel it upon mine own that they have not that constant lively Faith and clear Knowledge of the future and invisible things of God as was in the days of Moses or of Christ or as themselves had in former times when they were illuminated Heb. 10. 32. Or as themselves shall have when God shall be pleased according to his gracious Promise here to destroy that Covering and Veil and to break it that we may see through But even unto this day when Moses is read the Vail is upon their Hearts nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord the Veil shall be taken away 2 Cor. 3. 15 16. Religion is now at a low ebb I do not mean as to outward Worship the Profession Appearance and Shew thereof for that was retained all along throughout the foregoing Generations But so it is as to the walking in all the Commandments of the Lord blameless in all Righteousness and true Holiness To shew the exceeding stress that the People lay upon this thing of their going constantly to the place and their performing the outward act of Worship the Holy Ghost doth repeat it three times in his Caution concerning it Trust ye not in lying Words saying The Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord are these Jer. 7. 4. That is as much as to say it is a lying and false Word let People repeat it over and over and insist upon it never so much It is not the bare going to Church or to such a Congregation is all that God doth require of Men and Women nor is this sufficient to bring them to Heaven To say or affirm that this is all which God doth require or that this with no more ado will bring them to Heaven is a lying Word For the Lord hath shewed in the foregoing Verse what he doth require of Men namely Amend your ways and your doings and I will cause you to dwell in this place This is the way to be fixed and for ever to abide in the high and blessed place of Heaven Again he finds fault Will ye steal murder and commit adultery and swear falsly and burn incense to Baal and walk after other Gods whom ye know not here the Prophet enumerates the breach of Six Commandments and in like manner it may be applied to the other Four viz. Sabbath-breaking Dishonouring of Parents Falshood and Covetousness and come and stand before me in this House which is called by my Name and say We are delivered to do all these Abominations Is this House which is called by my Name become a Den of Robbers in your eyes behold even I have seen it saith the Lord Jer. 7. 9 10 11. So that the Inference is natural and necessary That it is not the going to Church or to any other Place of his Worship upon the Lord's Day or upon every Week-Day will serve to make an atonement or blind and deceive God for the breach and transgressions of his Laws and Commandments for he doth here say I have seen it even through this Veil of Hypocrisie let them think or say what they will that their Trade or Business or Necessity of Affairs do require them so to do To the same purpose is the first Chapter of Isaiah throughout I hate
unto Thus far hath Partiality blinded them who herein have took part with their own Errours and Corruption But amidst all thiâ— weakness and fault of Man the Word of God is very pure which doth not vary from her original purity by any thing that Men would do or by what they would fasten upon it from their own imaginations To hide our sin as Adam or to justifie or extenuate it doth make it yet worse and more provoking in the sight of God for it is better to lay our hands upon our mouth and to hold our peace and to submit unto the mercy and upright dealing of the Lord. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth if I prefer secret communion with God before the worship of him in the Congregations of his People or as the manner of some is to relinquish them wholly in order to enjoy as they say more private and inward communion with their God for his publick Worship on his own holy Day doth take up but three or four hours of the Week and the residue of their time they might allot for that When both may stand consistent and be used successively one with another there is no need for one to jostle or thrust out the other And let my hand like Jeroboam's wither if I should go about to lay hold on or hinder the true Gospel-Priesthood in the ministration of their Office in the Temple For it must be in some place and it is better in such a place which is set a-part wholly for this and for no other use And let my tongue never hold a Pen more if I should in the least persuade or intimate unto People to neglect the assembling of themselves together My case is now somewhat like that of David when he was hunted up and down like a Partridge in the mountains As the hart panteth after the water-brooks so panteth my soul after thee O God My soul thirsteth for God for the living God when shall I come to appear before God! My tears have been my meat day and night while they say continually unto me Where is thy God When I remember these things I pour out my soul in me for I had gone with the multitude I went with them to the house of God with the voice of joy and praise with the multitude that kept holy-day Psal 42. 1 2 3 4. Then he remembred and call'd to mind what refreshings himself formerly had in the Assemblies and there it was that he met with God as God himself doth express it elsewhere appointing the manner of his Worship he saith to this purpose And there I will meet with thee and commune with thee Exod. 25. 22. In like manner my Soul doth pant and thirst earnestly that I being once saved and delivered from mine Enemies and from the hands of all that hate me might serve him without fear in righteousness and holiness before him all the days of my life Luk. 1. 74. For this do I desire to live that I may amongst his People worship God according to the mind of the Spirit that I may turn to the People of a pure language and we may all serve the Lord with one Consent And tho' there is left in the midst of us at this day an afflicted and poor People yet they have not that full measure and higher degrees of knowledge and understanding which were to be wish'd for and desired nor yet do they trust in the name of the Lord as his People or as themselves did of old time Where are the People now upon Earth who are as diligent and zealous in all the parts and seasons of the Service of God who do abound in good Works and are bold not fearing the face of Man as they were in former days Or such as those we read of in the Acts of the Apostles or in the three first Centuries immediately after those days Look down from Heaven and behold from the habitation of thy Holiness and of thy Glory Where is thy zeal and thy strength and the sounding of thy bowels and thy mercies towards us are they restrained Isa 63. 15. The Prophet hereby seems to import as if God had turned his face another way and doth not now behold the Inhabitants of the Earth and thereupon he prays unto him to look down again upon them and as if God doth now with-hold his Communications â—nd imparting of Good unto his Creatures For â—hat which is of God in any of us it is if I may so â—xpress it but the conveying of so many Parâ—icles of the Divine Nature into us Every good â—ift and every perfect gift cometh down from above Upon the right improvement and good use of â—hose Seeds and Principles of Goodness God gives â—s more But by that kind of speech of Isaiah here â—ention'd and by what Ezekiel reciteth as the â—ying of others The Lord hath forsaken the Earth â—nd even his Spirit doth speak to the same purâ—ose by the mouth of Jeremiah Be instructed O â—erusalem lest my Soul depart from thee Jer. 6. 8. â—rom all which we gather that when the Inhabitants of the Earth are corrupt or when they are universally given to such a sin whatever it be as it is now one and then another according as the course and fashion of this World doth turn and lead unto or to such a thing which is besides or otherwise than the Law of God is When they know not nor will they understand they walk on in darkness all the foundations of the Earth are out of course Psal 82. 5. Like as it was soon after the Creation And God saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually And it repented the Lord that he had made man upon the Earth and it grieved him at his heart And God looked upon the Earth and behold it was corrupt for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the Earth Gen. 6. 5 6. So it is at this day When he sees them in such a state he leaves them to themselves they will not come out of it nor learn and receive more knowledge And so it comes to pass that God doth not dwell amongst them For ye are not my people and I will not be your God Hos 1. 9. He is not slack or backward as some Men counâ— slackness or backwardness in giving his gifts oâ— conveying his goodness unto Men but they arâ— not qualified for the receiving thereof Be ye cleanâ— ye that bear the Vessels of the Lord for thereforâ— it is that he doth not pour in of his holy Spirit because the Man or Woman is not cleansed from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit and from all unrighteousness God is before-hand with everâ— Man he gives to each a stock or talent and to him that hath shall be given and from him that hath not shall be taken away even what he seemeth to have that is
he shall have yet less for there must be somewhat or else that could not be taken away and then that is taken away from him that hath not that is to say that little which before he had There is some little left remaining to prove and try him still whether he will abuse or improve that very little The truth of all this is evident by experience for there is none so very ungodly and wicked but there are in them some small sparks or seeds of Goodness some principles of Righteousness and Truth do remain in them Tho' with many all this is in a very imperfect manner yet they have also some general Principles of God and of the things pertaining to his Kingdom and of future life and immortality By this little God doth prove them whether they will keep his Commandments or not and whether they will understand and seek after God Psal 14. 2. and follow on to know the Lord. By that tincture and conception and small knowledge they have of him already if they did once begin to do either then he would give them more grace and knowledge So it is with the indifferent middle-size of People yea and with the best sort of Christians at this day God is before-hand with all of them for even they do not live up nor act according to all and the utmost which God makes known unto and requires of them and also gives them strength to perform It is agreeable with the method and wisdom of God to do nothing which is superfluous or more than needs must nor yet is he wanting in what means are absolutely necessary I will cry unto God the most High unto God that performeth all things for me Psal 57. 2. Which he doth by little and little and by unexpected ways He sees where his own People for there is a fault and defect in them even in them do not obey those secret motions of the Spirit which he doth already instill into them and there he ceases to infuse further motions because the former were quenched 1 Thess 5. 19. despised or disobeyed and so they are forgotten by the person who had them as also God hath withdrawn them Whereas if they were cherished and obeyed and complied withal God would give them much more abundantly and they would have it in full measure and running over By doing the several acts of good and duty we are more enabled and strengthned to do so still and yet better and more abundantly in the kind So by performing acts of Zeal we grow more zealous for these things are kept up by the use and exercise as contrariwise upon the omission neglect they do languish and utterly wither away Agreeable hereunto the Spirit speaketh Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die Rev. 3. 2. Thus it is as to the several Graces and Gifts of the Spirit and as to the good Works which are wrought in us they are all to be acted and employed on their several objects and as every opportunity is to be had for by only keeping them within and folding up these Talents in a Napkin they serve as nothing they grow listless and subject to decay and perish As they said in Acts 19. 2. We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost so it is with many Men and Women at this day They do not so much as know and perceive whether there be any such thing as motions and workings of the Holy Spirit albeit God hath shewed it unto them by having put some measure of the Spirit in them For there is a residue of the Spirit Mal. 2. 15. and a measure of the Spirit John 3. 34. and there is a taking off of some of the Spirit and a giving or dividing of it unto others Numb 11. 25. For all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit dividing to every Man severally as he will 1 Cor. 12. 11. Thus it is that where God doth put his Holy Spirit in Man and Woman there is none that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee Isai 64. 7. They do not stir up and actuate the Spirit that is in them What Advice Paul gives unto Timothy Neglect not the Gift that is in thee 1 Tim. 4. 14. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the Gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands 2 Tim. 1. 6. is proper and necessary to every Christian Soul that they do not neglect any but stir up all the Gifts and Graces which are in them For want of which as it is a general failure amongst all Professions and sorts however they are distinguished or named it comes to pass that there are no such Christians now among us as was in the days of the Apostles and in the primitive Times Where is now that fervent burning zeal for God and Christ and for all the Commandments without exception or preferring of one thing before another Where is that diligence and constancy in his Worship Where is that lively Faith in God with that willing subjection of themselves to the Cross Persecution Suffering and Trouble for the Word and Truth 's sake Where are those now-a-days that are not afraid of the face of Men and of the blast of the terrible ones which with them of old Time was as a storm against the Wall Isai 25. 4. making no impression much less causing them to yield for they did remain unshaken and stood their ground still Or who is there now that doth not regard the Persons of Men Or if they do refrain from giving flattering Titles yet do they not secretly accept Persons By which Adverb Secretly the Holy Ghost doth find them out Who doth now come up to that unfeigned Love of the Brethren so as to love one another with a pure heart fervently Where is now that sounding of the Bowels and that most earnest sensible Compassion one to another which we read they then had Where is that laying down their Lives for the Brethren and the following them to Prisons and to Death They did formerly minister relief unto their Fellow-Christians tho' they were forbidden so to do by their Persecutors Where is now to be seen that selling of Lands and Possessions to distribute to every Man according as he has need as was in Acts 4. 34 35. What is now become of that plentiful Alms-giving and abundant liberality which was shewed forth in those first and purest Ages Is not that plainness and simplicity and godly sincerity which was then in the hearts and practices of all the faithful almost now gone off from the Earth but only here and there some imperfect footsteps thereof are to be seen in a very few Is that good Zeal of the ancient Jews now any where to be found who would hazard and lose their Lives rather than they would suffer Statues to be set up before the Gates of the Temple or eat Swines flesh
I despise your Feast-days and I will not smell in your solemn Assemblies Tho' ye offer your Burnt-offerings and Meat-offerings I will not accept them neither will I regard the Peace-offering of your Fat Beasts Take thou away from me the noise of thy Songs for I will not hear the melody of thy Viols what must we do then But let Judgment run down as Waters and Righteousness as a mighty Stream Have ye offered unto me Sacrifices and Offerings in the Wilderness forty Years O House of Israel Amos 5. 21 22 23 24 25. Have ye worshipped me according to your several Ways and Congregations in this Wilderness of the Earth where one is at a loss to find the right Way through your manifold Opinions and Divisions for almost six thousand Years O ye Children of Men But still ye have continued in your own Doings and in the things ye have made to your selves whereas that is the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not Man Heb. 8. 2. And now what if God himself should say in the last Day as he doth now speak from Heaven in this his Word I hate I despise I will not accept neither will I regard your Burnt offerings Meat-offerings and Peace-offerings Which he himself did yet command and institute and Man did then use them to please atone and be reconciled to Almighty God This is to be understood by the way that God will one day speak himself in person with a loud and outward audible Voice what he doth now speak from Heaven in the still Voice of his Spirit or in the Scriptures which are his Epistle sent unto the Inhabitants of the Earth And whereas with many Men their Letters are powerful but their bodily Presence is weak and contemptible it will be contrariwise as to God For his Word now as written or spoken by Men is weakness 1 Cor. 1. 25. But when himself shall utter his Voice the Earth will melt Psal 46. 6. The Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat 2 Pet. 3. 10. For the Lord himself shall descend with a shout with the Voice of the Archangel and with the Trumpet of God 1 Thess 4. 16. So that he will make a yet greater impression and cause a greater shaking not only upon the living Creatures but also upon the very material Works of God even all the World over than that manner of giving the Law did formerly upon the single and particular place of Mount Sinai concerning which see Exod. 19. Heb. 12. 17 18. 19. So it will be pronounced concerning the several Acts and Parts of Worship outward Prayer Praise Hearing the Word Baptism and the Lord's Supper Not that these are to be cast off and neglected in no wise But yet so it is when it doth become the Sacrifice of Fools the Sacrifice of Sinners and Transgressors for they provoke God and deceive themselves whereby they are Fools when they keep up one with another that is when they worship God and yet continue in sin and transgression The whole Scripture is full to the same purpose But here it may be surmised That if the case is so it is good for such not to worship God at all But all Men cannot receive this Saying but unto whom it is given for Worship is due from every Creature unto God and these things are written not that they should cast off and neglect it in no wise But that every one should turn away from his Iniquities Acts 3. 26. and cease from all manner of sin and transgression And then they are to obey all the Commandments of God which relate to Good or Evil Righteousness or Wrong Truth or Falshood enjoying the one and forbidding the other as well as they do already obey those his Commandments which pertain to his Worship Except they do this also they cannot be saved and all their Worship will signifie nothing It is strange but yet true and common That many People of both Sexes should go on blindly and ignorantly for thirty forty fifty and sixty Years yea throughout all their life in this Deceit of being Worshippers of God and yet not doing his Will whereas it is written so plainly that every Capacity may understand it Now we know that God heareth not Sinners but if any Man be a Worshipper of God and doth his Will him he heareth John 9. 31. As we read that Prayer of Moses and David and that Promise which God made unto his People by Isaiah of Levi he said Bless Lord his Substance and accept the Work of his Hands Deut. 33. 8 11. Remember all thy Offerings and accept thy Burnt-sacrifice Selah Psal 20. 3. They shall come up with acceptance on mine Altars Isai 60. 7. and Ezek. 20. 40 41. We learn this Word of Instruction which may make us to fear and take heed and beg pardon for the Iniquity of our holy things and to pray instantly and continually for acceptance that in all things we do in order to God or pertaining to Religion as it is commonly named or understood unless God do accept thereof it all signifies nothing Nay what is yet further It is as cutting of a Dog's neck there is not much in that it is as offering Swines blood this doth displease God it is as blessing an Idol Isai 66. 3. which is the highest and superlative degree of provoking God to the greatest manner that possibly can be So they do rather displease than please they make God to be further off and more angry rather than bring him near and make him reconciled unto us Hear this Word all ye People of England that enter in at the Church-doors or Meeting-Houses to praise the Lord. Another thing wherein ye are defective and found wanting is this For they say and do not Mat. 23. 2. They hear read and talk of many good Words and precious Truths but they do not turn them into practice and suitable action It is recorded of Moses the Servant of the Lord He was mighty in Words and in Deeds Acts 7. 22. so he was for both and therein he pleased and was accepted by God who had hereupon a favour and love towards him But this belongs not to the nominal nor yet to the real Christians of this Age who make a fair shew in the Flesh and they are sincere and of the better sort yet herein they are found wanting many of them are mighty in Words but not in Deeds They do talk of the highest Duties and Attainments of Religion and they do conceive speak read hear and write of the great Truths of God but how to perform the same at all times and in all places and in reference to all Persons they find not Towards the publishing and making known these Truths throughout all this Region or to hazard or even to suffer actual tribulation for the Word's sake they are offended and themselves will not run the risque and experience of it The like
Character is given unto him who is greater than Moses with a transversal of the same Words Jesus of Nazareth a Prophet mighty in deed and in word before God and before all the People Luke 24. 19. The Holy Ghost hereby signifying that he did actually more good than himself talked of and herein he did exceed Moses and all the Children of God For with them their Thoughts and Words do rise higher than their Actions For none ever did nor yet can obey and do more for God than he doth think or speak of But their Performances and Doings come short of their Words as both Words and Actions do come short of their Thoughts for many good excellent high great and glorious Things are thought of which are never spoken out But this is Man's fault and infirmity for every thing that is good and true ought to be spoken out and if possible the same is to be put into practice But where power is wanting or opportunity is not to be had there it should come forth into will and real endeavour so that in good and duty we should still go as far as we can If we seek out of the Book of the Lord and read we shall there find that the whole of Mankind is distinguished not into such Names as we give one another of Papist Protestant Church-of-England-man Presbyterian Independent Anabaptist Quaker Sabbatarian Socinian Dissenter or such-like but into Righteous and Wicked they that serve God and they that serve him not Mal. 3. 18. This serving of God is not calling him their God nor yet styling themselves the Children of Abraham nor yet the ranking themselves among the Members of a pure Church at this Day nor yet paying unto God Acts of Worship every morning and evening for whosoever keeps all the parts and times of Worship and yet will not obey one point of the Law of God when he doth all the rest he is guilty of all and an ungodly Man for all that But this is the Service of God to do all his Will and Pleasure for as to our matters according to the Flesh it is not the bare calling him Master or living in his Family or paying unto him outward Respect all this will not make them to be Servants indeed But it is the constant doing of their Business according to what they are bid and commanded from time to time The Spirit of God doth foresee there is a sort of People who goon in that Deceit of calling themselves of the Holy City and staying upon the God of Israel of worshipping God and speaking honourably of his Name These would take it ill if any one should say they did not serve God As indeed they do not tho' they serve with an Offering and weary themselves with Incense Isai 43. 23. Tho' they spend never so much time in outward Worship and take all the Opportunities and Seasons for it yet in the meaning and requiring of the Holy Ghost they do not properly and truly serve God unless they do confirm all the Words of his Law to do them The same Spirit doth caution us hereof and give us to understand as much by what is written Ye Ministers of his that do his pleasure Psal 103. 21. Hereby intimating that there are such who think themselves and are called by the World Ministers and Servants of God who yet do not his Pleasure Why call ye me Lord Lord and do not the things which I say Luke 6. 46. And yet more plainly this is signified by what the Spirit saith His Servants shall serve him Rev. 22. 3 This is brought in upon describing the manner of the New Jerusalem above which herein is opposite and different from that on Earth for many here are called Servants of God who do not in deed and in truth serve him Whereas such only who do in deed and in truth serve him shall be admitted there Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the Will of my Father which is in Heaven Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy Name and in thy Name cast out Devils and in thy Name done many wonderful Works and I will profess unto them I never knew ye depart from me ye that work Iniquity Mat. 7. 21 22 23. These things I have written not that I had ought as of my self to accuse my Nation of but to manifest from the Word which flatters none but declares unto all Men what his thoughts and ways are that though a form of Godliness is spread and diffused throughout the several Congregations and Places of this Island yet they all come short of the Power and substance thereof And as we do all look for the appearance of the Great GOD who shall render to every Man according to his Work both ye and my self are to be diligent that we may be found of Him without spot and blameless I speak not these things as a Man but they do proceed forth from the Word and Spirit of the Lord and from Him that gives Man Knowledge who sees all this and much more and is displeased As Wounds and Bruises and putrifying Sores are launced in order to a cure so these things are laid open before all the Churches which they may at least come to the sight hearing or rumour of that they may know such things have been written that according to the Commandment of the God of Israel they amend their Ways and their Doings Jer. 7. 3. if they intend to have the Favour of God now be accepted of Him at last and if they would dwell with him in the highest Heavens for evermore Amen saith my Soul come Lord Jesus come quickly FINIS
And the like Zeal should be indefinitely shewed forth for all the Commandments of God and for all the positive Duties of the Gospel without confining or limiting of it to one thing more than another But now if any thing is done against any of the Commandments of the Lord concerning things which should not be done see Levit. 4. 22 27. there is an indifferency and unconcernedness Some could wish but it will never be done with wishing that things were right and according to the Law of God Ezra 10. 3. there is the utmost pitch of their Zeal Tho' God hath given them knowledge and ability for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness they would have God excuse them now and pardon them hereafter if they neglect this gift in them If present interest or any doctrine or opinion which is espoused and peculiar it perhaps giving denomination to such a Sect or Party is any wise concerned here they will exert their Zeal Knowledge and Industry But they will not in like manner contend earnestly for the weightier matters of the Law as Judgment Mercy Faith and Obedience to all the Commandments of God every one of which is to be observed towards and by every Creature without exception or respect of Persons They say These things are sufficiently known already But are they practised and done accordingly Herein they speak after a like unworthy manner as those who said Will a Man plead for Baal let Baal plead for himself and it is almost the same what they speak in reference to the God of Israel For if they may not so properly be styled Scoffers of these last and worst days yet they are ignorant slothful walking after their own Lusts and saying What need one do any thing for God he will do his work for himself This they are willingly ignorant of that there is such a Duty That people should help the Lord against the mighty Judg. 5. 23. which signifies the Sons of Violence and Transgression who will do things of their own strength because it is in the power of their hand Mic. 2. 1. and they are not nor yet will they be kept within the bounds of God's Commandments But these People do err which they utter forth against the Lord Isai 32. 5. not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of God nor yet the way of the present dispensation of his Kingdom For tho' the help which God doth upon Earth he doth it himself yet it is always done by the Means and Instruments of his Servants as they do act and exert forth those Principles of Goodness and Truth which he hath implanted in them As the Apostle argues from this Word Yet once more Heb. 12. 27. so every Sentence yea the least Word and Particle in Scripture is observable Where we read of some People that their Spirits were stirred there is a motion or making known or a Command of God to the Heart which yet the Creature doth not obey But where it is written God stirred up the Spirit of such an one as Gideon David Nehemiah Zerubabel there the Person doth actually obey and goes forth and is doing according to the Work God calls and employs him about Be instructed all ye slothful and faint-hearted Christians God hath put nothing in vain in any Man or Woman That Goodness which he first ingrassed and doth afterwards infuse should increase and grow up and it ought to appear forth through the Person in whom it is Agreeable hereunto is what our Lord saith and commands Ye are the Light of the World a City that is set on an hill cannot be hid neither do Men light a Candle and put it under a bushel but on a candlestick and it giveth light unto all that are in the house Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Matth. 5. 14 15 16. That which is of God in any Person is either Goodness or Truth and as Goodness ought to appear forth so the Truth in him ought to be spoken out For tho' the common Saying of the World is agreeable to the Wisdom of the Flesh which is for sloth ease and present safety Thaâ— all Truth is not to be spoken yet we have learned another way to Heaven Lord who shall abide in thâ— Tabernacle Who shall rest in thy holy Hill He thaâ— walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness anâ— speaketh the truth in his heart Psal 15. 1 2. So thaâ— as sure as the Spirit of God doth here teach thâ— way to Heaven and lay down the foregoing Qualifications and Conditions which we musâ— have and do before we come there whateveâ— Truth is in our heart provided it be the Truth oâ— God as coming from Him and arising out of hiâ— Word we must and ought to speak it come whatever will hereof if we do not mean to be disappointed of Heaven at last And if this doing should bring trouble upon our Loins for this Objection the worldly-wise Man hath against thiâ— Duty and therefore he will refrain to utter it wâ— must do it for all that this being that kind of manifold Tribulation which we must go throughâ— before we enter into the Kingdom of God All People will not be saved who constantly go to Church or Meeting for of the four sorts of Hearers of the Word in Mat. 13. there is but one who beareth and bringeth forth fruit unto everlasting life But there is another sort which comes exactly to the present case But he that receiveth seed into stony places the same is he that heareth the word and anoâ—â— with joy receiveth it yet hath he not root within himself but dureth for a while for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word by and by he is â—ffended Mat. 13. 20 21. There is no Person but who would willingly be saved and doth perceive â—ome lightsomness and satisfaction to arise from â—he Ordinance of Preaching because he thinks â—hat this doth somewhat further him towards this happy and blessed End But when such a Duty is presented before him or such a thing seems to be commanded and required of him in the same Word which hath a shew or perhaps a real consequent of worldly loss trouble or inconvenience This is such a Stumbling-block in his way to Heaven that he cannot or rather will not get over So that here if he doth not the thing he cries out or secretly ejaculates with Naaman The Lord pardon thy Servant in this thing considering that he doth so much towards God besides Or when God requires and calls them forth to such a particular Duty they answer like those invited to the Wedding-Dinner I pray thee have me excused for if I should do so I should suffer damage in such worldly matters Nay if he should do the Duty but yet he is offended that tribulation and persecution is come upon him for it This indeed is another step further
God is in that if they should be cast into Prison they would be hindred from his Publick Worship or from doing the Work which God hath sent them on this Earth for to do Herein again they may be quieted and satisfied that if they should suffer according to the Will of God 1 Pet. 4. 11. He doth not require Impossibilities but accepts the Will for the Deed when he sees it is a real Intention which would come forth into Act accordingly if there was power and opportunity He may make it up in the Day of Recompence for the same Good as they would have done if they haâ— been in full liberty and power of action As Goâ— is glorified in the Action so likewise he is glorâ—fied in the manifold variety of the Condition oâ— his Creatures And all the Churches shall know thâ— I am he which searcheth the Reins and Hearts and will give unto every one of you according to his Worâ— Rev. 2. 23. Besides what doth appear fortâ— through them in the uppermost sight he dotâ— search for so his Word imports to know whaâ— is yet further hid or wrapt up or infolden in theâ— to render unto every one according to what â—â— Work was or would be Now let all the Churches that is according the signification at this Day the People of the seâ—â—ral Opinions and Ways of Worship be examined and ask'd What have their Works been through their past Life What have they done for God The best and utmost answer that they can give is That they have constantly attended and frequented his Ordinances of Worship from their youth up They have heard read and spoken of many good words and precious truths They have given Alms according to their ability and they have spent much time in Prayer unto God they have shewn forth Bowels of Compassion and done what kindness they could for their Neighbour at all times Such an account of their Stewardship as this they may give in But have they managed and traded with all the Talents which the Lord of Heaven and Earth had committed unto them Have they served God at all times with all their Power and with all their Strength and with all their Mind and with all their Soul Have they not omitted secret Duty at many and sundry times I do not mean that which is open and manifest in the sight of the World but what is known between God and their own Consciences Have they performed the Commandment of the Lord and executed his Judgments Which Words Perform and Execute as it is in the Scripture-meaning 1 Sam. 15. 13. Ezek. 18. 17. doth import to do the thing throughly Jer. 7. 5. and according â—o the utmost as is required How many secret â—otions of God's Spirit in them have they quenched despised and disobeyed How many carnal Reasonings Excuses and Fears have kept them off from such and such things which they ought to have done How many things have been done out of respect compliance flattery and pleasing had to Man which were not consistent with the pleasing and approving of themselves unto God only Even in matters of Religion how often have the Commandments and Traditions of Men been more carefully and zealously observed than the immediate Commandments of God Himself How often hath more Heed and Obedience been given unto such Orders and Rules of Man's Devising and Wisdom or to the meer Saying of such and such Preachers than to what the Holy Ghost enjoineth or the Spirit it self teacheth I do not lay these things open to judge and upbraid my fellow Christians but that both they and my self may see our Errors Failings and Neglects in order to amend and avoid such for the time to come Neither do I this by way of accusing my Brethren to inform or make intercession against them before God to lessen his present Favour and future Recompence in that there is so little good and so much ill deserving in their best godly Performances For thou O Lord knowest and understandest these things long before and much more O Lord thou knowest alâ— things thou knowest that I love thee John 21. 17 And so it is contrariwise Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that such and such People do offend displease and provoke thee Whatever are the surmises of the Ignorant or the Imaginations of the wicked and ungodly Multitude God knows the sinfulness of Sin with the utmost malignity and evil deserving thereof more than the most invidious and rigid Person as they call him can lay it open and declare it A thought doth arise in some Hearts as if by writing Words of Truth God was hereby put in mind or the thing was hereby made worse before him than really it is and from hence doth spring up some part of that Root of Bitterness and Enmity against the Truth whereby many are defiled But herein they do err not knowing the way of Knowledge how it comes and is conveyed into Man for as a Conduit Pipe is dry and hath no Water in it self but what it receives or comes from the Fountain or River so we are meer Creatures and have nothing but what we have received As Christ said in whom are hid all the measures of Wisdom and Knowledge A Man can receive nothing except it be given him from above so it is certain that we know nothing at all but what God knows long before and he doth send and infuse it in a secret and invisible but yet both sensible and intelligible way into our Minds and Understandings So we cannot put God in mind of â—any thing but he doth put us in mind Accordingly it is one Office of the Spirit to bring things to our remembrance As for making things worse than they are this seems to be some what like unto him who accuses our Brethren before God day and night But here it is to be understood that Satan and the fallen apostate Spirits are Creatures of God and were made by him Tho' it seems hard to conceive and much more difficult to utter concerning the first rise and origin of Evil yet this may be safely and truly affirmed That what Knowledge and Understanding the miserable Spirits have they had it at first by Creation from God notwithstanding they have since spoiled corrupted perverted and turn'd it into Malice Envy and all manner of Evil They are evil wholly continually and throughout whereas Man is made up of a mixture of Good and Evil with some the Good is predominant and weighing down with others the Evil is so So that it is to be thought and supposed that God doth withhold all mean Communications and Influences of Goodness and of his Spirit towards evil Spirits which yet he doth day by day afford to the Children of Men and that more or less according as they deserve and improve it or neglect and abuse it So that let Satan do his worst as it is proverbially and truly said God is above the Devil so his Knowledge doth
him That they are the work of his hands Thy Mercy O Lord endureth for ever it reaches and extends beyond the Day of Judgment even throughout all Eternity Forsake not the work of thine own hands Psal 138. 8. Do not leave them for ever in utter despair and misery God hath more than one Blessing to Angels and Saints he may make Devils and condemned Sinners Hewers of Stone and Drawers of Water John 9. 2. That is somewhat ease and exempt them from the worst pain and thraldom For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek For there is no difference between the Flesh of a Saint and the Flesh of a Sinner and I suppose there is not much more as to the outward original frame and composure of Spirits of the same kind For the same Lord over all that is Creatures is rich unto all that call upon him For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved Rom. 10. 12 13. This is cited from Joel 2. 32. and there it is delivered So that by the comprehensiveness of the Word Whosoever which takes in all without exception and from the Apostle's arguing That the Lord is rich unto all that call upon him That is he hath Goodness abundant and to spare for he doth ten thousand times exceed even that of Isaac or of the best and most tender Father for 't is he who created the Bowels and put Compassion in them By the Riches of his Goodness he is obliged to do somewhat for every one that calls upon him So that if these Creatures can and do but call upon the Name of the Lord though it will not be after the same manner and nothing to an equal degree of that Salvation the elect Servants of God are possessed of yet they will at length be somewhat saved and delivered from that depth and grievousness of pain and misery which they have long groaned under For I will not contend for ever neither will I be always wroth for the Spirit should fail before me and the Souls that I have made Isai 57. 16. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief that he might have mercy upon all Rom. 11. 32. As the Wisdom of God is manifold so the Truths arising out of his Word are of more universal latitude and of longer extent even throughout the succeeding Eternity than that particular occasion upon which they were at first cited For these two great Scriptures have a further meaning and signification than to troubled and afflicted Consciences or to the temporal casting off of the Jews The same may be yet further understood from the very Nature of God who is infinitely eternally and essentially good and from the Analogy and Reason of things that he will not contend for ever in the punishment and misery of his Creatures but he hath shut them all under deserved and the greater part under actual condemnation that he might have mercy upon all O the depth of the Riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God How unsearchable are his Judgments and his Ways past finding out was the Conclusion which the Apostle made when himself had before according to the measure of the Knowledge given him searched and found out some of them But thus he pronounceth concerning what yet remained behind and which himself understood not any further If thou Lord shouldst mark Iniquities O Lord who shall stand Psal 130. 3. And Enter not into Judgment with thy Servant for in thy sight shall no man living be justified Psal 143. 2. For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God Rom. 3. 23. The best Servant of God that was ever or is now upon the Earth doth come short of that Holiness as He is holy and of performing that Duty in all things and at all times which God did command or require of him Such Truths are to be made known which shew how these are so let whatever imputation will be fastned upon it To come with Ropes about our Necks and acknowledge our selves worthy of Death eternal to donfess our Sin in the most aggravating Circumstances to arraign our selves and make no other Plea than acknowledgment of our own Guilt that we have transgressed against the Lord and to cry our mightily and earnestly unto him for pardon and mercy All this is the best and soonest way to make our peace with God So did David and the Prophets Saith one We lie down in our shame and our confusion covereth us for we have sinned against the Lord our God from our youth even unto this day and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God Jer. 3. 15. But we are all as an unclean thing and all our Righteousness are as filthy Rags Isai 64. 6. Some may be apt to surmise What need the Prophet mention this for peradventure God might accept this Righteousness as it is whereas by vilifying and depretiating it as he doth he may put God in mind or move him not to accept it What an absurd and wrong imagination is here For it was the Spirit of God which did first acquaint and make this known unto Isaiah and he speaks it forth unto the People in order to humble them and make them have a low Conceit of their best Performances To be as nothing in our own sight to acknowledge our own Guilt and Unworthiness to bear iniquity and loath our selves for our Sins This is the way to get the Favour and Mercy of God for so did the holy Men and Women of old who served him and were accepted by him And so when God would tell People of their Sins and Transgressions when they have done amiss and erred from his Commandments he doth not now speak unto the Inhabitants of the Earth out of the cloudy Pillar or from the Battlements of Heaven but now he speaks in the still Voice of his Word and Spirit unto their Hearts and Consciences Which Word is yet more clearly and distinctly revealed unto some of his peculiar and elect Servants whom again he prompts by his Spirit to speak out and publish the same Word unto others And so they do not tell and inform God but God doth tell and inform them Agreeable hereunto is that kind of speaking unto Ezekiel Go and shew the House of Israel their Doings and cause them to know the Abominations of their Fathers Ezek. 20. 4. God sees it and is displeased Isa 59. 15. He knows it and is grieved Forty years long was I grieved with this Generation Psal 95. 10. His own Spirit is pressed until it is actually stirred up which same Spirit he doth infuse it into some Pipe here on Earth either Man or Woman who again doth receive convey and vent it forth by publishing and making it known unto other Men and Women I am pressed under you as a cart is pressed with sheaves He doth here speak after the manner of Men for our Infirmities And hereby we may apprehend how the
intercourse is between God and his Creatures that whatever good is done here on Earth it is if I may express it the Actings of God through his Creatures Hence are those Sayings in Scripture I will dwell in them and walk in them 2 Cor. 10. 6. God dwelleth in you 2 Cor. 10. 16. It is not you that speak but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you Mat. 10. 20. God is in you of a truth 2 Cor. 14. 25. And where it is so he is a continued Principle of right action and well-doing Hereby we may perceive the superlative and infinite and exceeding Goodness of God who is the Root and Foundation of all Beings He doth as much exceed all the Inhabitants of the Earth take them all in their Generations and Places when and where they were on this Earth as the whole Earth doth exceed an handful of Dust or Sand. We see how much one good Man doth how he reaches forth and extends his Goodness far and near and he is always seeking Opportunities for exerting of it If he is a Man of Knowledge and Wisdom the Lips of the Wise disperse Knowledge and it is unexpressible how much good his Words may do when the sound thereof goes out far and near and yet much more good will they do when they are written for the Generations to come Psal 102. 18. and for after-Ages I have often thought when I see a just Man who is perfect in his Generations and walketh with God Gen. 6. 9. who is right towards God in all things and withal zealous diligent and active in his Service as God hath all along in the foregoing Generations and in the several Countries raised up such single Instruments what a blessed World would there be if hundreds and thousands did the like Each Man would bring over his thousand and ten would put ten thousand to flight to the utter and thorough subduing of the whole World of the Sinners and Ungodly Whereas they appearing singular in their Generations it comes to pass through the great and continued opposition of Satan the name of whose Instruments is Legion for they are many that such could not effect any great matter or if they did somewhat for what is of God will stand in spight of Men o Devils yet it was not in that degree to which they did aim and intend it They were like light shining in a dark place which others at a distance could just see the glimpse and appearance of but they had no benefit thereof And then this burning light in his Generation was either blown out for the Devil hath sometimes power to kill the Witnesses or wasted sooner or if none of these did happen it must at length be naturally spent out In this also they were like the Captain of their Salvation I have trodden the Wine-press alone and of the People there was none with me Isa 63. 3. For when once they begin to be bruised or the sparkles of Blood do fly then the People will be sure to keep far enough off Now God did act all along in those single Creatures but why he did not stir up more or others also or if he did press upon them with the secret motions of his Spirit which they did not obey Whereas he could have been upon them even upon them with a strong hand also and with such an over-ruling pressure of their Spirits that they should have been likewise actually stirred up But it was not so the reasons hereof how it was then for the great Ends of his own Glory and Man's Trial himself will rehearse when he writeth up the People But this is certain that in those Times of universal Reformation which are now drawing on in these latter Days he will raise up a proportionable number of Instruments even thousands and ten thousands who shall certainly and actually effect the very thing Until the Spirit be poured down upon us from on high Isai 32. 15. The word Pour doth denote in a much more large and Plentiful manner than that dropping and distilling of the Spirit heretofore only in such peculiar and chosen Vessels And it shall come to pass in the last days saith God I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh Acts 1. 17. Thus it will be in the very last Days at the conclusion and shutting up of all But if we look back unto the foregoing Generations as to the state and progress of pure and undefiled Religion or as to the Knowledge of God in this or other Countries that of Jeremiah is here true and applicable They have gone backward and not forward Since the day that your Fathers came forth of the Land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my Servants the Prophets daily rising up early and sending them yet they hearkned not unto me nor enclined their ear but hardned their neck they did worse than their Fathers Jer. 7. 25 26. When God did make an appearance and shew himself by Miracles and Signs then People were for the time in some measure as they should be But when they were over and the remembrance of them did go off and vanish by degrees then they did return to their former Sin Corruption Ignorance customary and formal Worship So it hath been since the days of Christ and his Apostles when we were redeem'd from spiritual Egypt from the Bondage and Hurt of Sin Satan and Death then indeed there was a peculiar People but ever since they have gone backward and not forward And so when the People of this Nation about an hundred and fifty Years since came out of the Egyptian Darkness of Popish Ignorance and from out of the Wilderness of Superstition into a fuller and clearer light of the Gospel which they worked through and brought out from the very fire then indeed were the Churches cleansed and bright But almost ever since it may be said They have gone backward and not forward When the Storm of Persecution is over them then it doth rouze up their Zeal their greater Fear of God and their greater Concern for the Truth and Spirituality of his Worship This Fan doth also purge the Floor as to blow away the Chaff of Hypocrites and gather the Wheat of real firm sincere Christians more close together But when that is over the others come in again and they are mingled together and they do lie promiscuously one with another At this day the Churches have rest and free liberty of Worship according to their several Opinions and Persuasions yet they have gone backward and not forward For is there not a Laodicean lukewarmness and indifferency spread throughout them all Are not the Ordinances of Prayer and Preaching become cold flat dull and low Do they mount up as Eagles Isai 40. 31. Or rather do they not still lie among the Pots Psal 68. 13. Instead of publishing the Name of the Lord ascribe ye Greatness unto our God Deut. 32. 3. and speaking of the