Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	know_v	scripture_n	speak_v	7,222	5	4.9707	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89274	Mercies for man. Prepared in, and by Christ, even for such as neither know them, nor him. Discovered, that they might know, and enjoy them. Or a discourse of the interest there is for all men in, and by Christ in the end, and usefulmesse of the beleevers peculiar priviledges and service. In which is also some information about that service to which the grace of God, that bringeth salvation to all men, instructeth, and obligeth the beleever for the good of them all, according to capacity, and opportunity given him. Likewise some directions for, and concerning Christian magistrates. In the opening some instructions arising from the Apostles exhortation to Timothy, 1 Tim. 2.1, 2. Delivered in November 1653. at the Munday meetings at Black-Friers: and because what then was spoken, met with some publick opposition, this is now published for further satisfaction. Written by Thomas Moor, Junior.	Moore, Thomas, Junior.	1654 (1654)	Wing M2605; Thomason E744_1; ESTC R207022	135,708	156

vers No man can come unless the Father draw or it be given him of my Father vers 6 5. is a ground of the admonition v. 43. Murmur not among your selves signifying that his Father was now in his ministration drawing them with special and powerful cords leading them to repentance and therefore he admonisheth not still to break his bonds by murmuring because without them they could not come and it might be much feared God would restrain his Spirit from striving any longer if such special influences of him in such special means were rejected Therefore even now more earnestly and heartily to receive while the Father was giving to them as he affirms the Father was then giving to them or did then give them the true bread though they did not accept or feed on it vers 32. And thus it fully agrees with that John 12. 35 36. Yet a little while is the Light with you walk while ye have the light lest darkness come and then ye cannot walk and that Jam. 1. 18 19 20 c. Of his own good will or willingly begat he us through the word of truth which is preached to every man Col. 1. 27 28 29. wherefore let every man be swift to hear slow to speak slow to wrath or murmuring against that Word of truth seeing it's Gods Arm sent to save him and like to this that Phil. 2. 12 13. It is God that worketh in you both to will and to do c. Do all things without murmuring and disputings that ye may not fail of the efficacies of his grace in you as Heb. 12. 15 16. And indeed the grace of God bringeth salvation to all men in all the several appearances and streamings forth thereof in his mercies chastisements providences though more fully and plainly in the records and plain Declaration of the Gospel and especially as now come forth yet even in his works of creation and providence which by vertue of the redemption wrought in Christ men do behold and have a comfortable enjoyment of even where they do not enjoy the other more plain Declarations of Jesus Christ the choice means yet therein and to them in and with those means they have Jesus Christ by his Spirit is witnessing the goodness of God to their spirits so that God is not without a witness in those mercies they enjoy Acts 14. 17. yea the word or testimony of Gods goodness as preached in them is not afar off but nigh them in their heart in their mouth that it might be seen and acknowledged and it is leading perswading and drawing their hearts to repeatance in the acknowledgement of the truth that which may be known of God in those discoveries of him vouchsafed is manifest in them and that is Gospel or good news of goodness and propitiousness in God yea so as through a Saviour this is preached in every creature though that Saviour is not distinctly revealed as in the Scriptures Acts 17. 24 27. Rom. 1. 19 21. Colos 1. 23. Neither doth God require of them any Repentance Faith or Acknowledgement of him but according to the capacities and manifestations given them and is very favourable and full of forbrearance though all men generally fail and come short of that and is yet waiting to be gracious to them in continuing the mediums of calling and while he is doing so stretching out his hand all the day long and if God see it good for them or any of them to give them some more distinct revelation and discovery of the person and work of Christ as he hath also promised that in turning in his reproofs he will still further pour out his Spirit and make known his words and however I say what discovery or revelation of Christ soever he sees good and needful for any of them though they have not the Scriptures the outward means thereto he can teach the same things without them yea where by his providence they are not vouchsafed his Spirit is so conversant and in such maner with the books of creation and providence as to teach and lead to that use of them which by the Scriptures he teaches us to make of them as it hath been seen in the cases of such as have been deaf and dumb God hath taught them the same things concerning Christ and his goodness through him by those things which they saw and had to do with which others have learned through discourse and in use of those Organs they wanted and if they had wanted the other also he could have taught the same things without that too for he speaks to the heart and gives wisdom to the inward parts none teacheth like him and though he ever make use of outward mediums where and according to what he vouchsafes yet he is bound to none of them and is also especially tender towards such as enjoy least of them being by his providence deprived in requiring less of them and no more then according to what he gives and by his providence in keeping strong temptations and stumbling-blocks from before them and out of their way and in dealing with them according to their need and wants whence exhorting us to be like him he directs particularly in this Thou shalt not curse the deaf nor put a stumbling-block before the blinde Levit. 19. 1 14. but especially open thy mouth for them c. Prov. 31. 8 9 yea expresly they have all heard and that so as by sent Preachers and that so as that they might believe and to that end see Rom. 10. 15 18. After he hath told us that they cannot believe without sent Preachers among them making this conclusion Faith cometh by hearing and hearing even capacity to hear by or with the word according to the preaching thereof vouchsafed then he propound the question I say then Have they not all heard and answers generally Yes they have and particularly to those that have not obeyed yet they have heard and that by means of sent Preachers too which by the next verse alluding to Psal 19. the works of creation and providence are whose line is gone out into all the world and their words to the ends of the earth and by them he saith All have heard and then distinctly speaks of Israels having more special means of knowledge Jesus Christ then is the true light that enlightneth every man that cometh into the world he is to all by vertue of his ransome a Testimony in due time the Light of the world c. See for further understanding and usefulness of this the first instruction propounded by way of usefulness of the first proposition and particularly the explication of those two Scriptures compared Isa 49. 8. 2 Cor. 6. 2. I shall not here otherwise in large to usefulness having been already more large then I intended in this demonstration or opening of the ground of praying with thanksgiving for all in these three heads That Christ by the gracious will and appointment of God gave himself

meeknesse instructing the ignorant and such as oppose themselves If God peradventure at any time may give them repentance c. They are set in the world to this end to be the salt of the earth the light of the world Mat. 5. 13 14. Instruments by bearing witnesse of Christ of reproving the world of Sin of Righteousnesse and of Judgement c. Joh. 15. 26. with Chap. 16 8 9 10. And of making manifest the savour of his knowledge in every place A company of spiritual Priests to serve about holy things for the good of others A chosen generation that they should shew forth the praises of him that hath called them even among the Gentiles and that both by word and work that they may glorifie God c. 1 Pet. 2. 3 4 9. 12. with Mat. 5. 16. Servants they are of the house but in their service and warfare sent out of the house into the field of the world Prov. 9. 1 2 3 4. Cant. 7. 11. Unto a generation of men that are crooked Amongst whom they live to shine as lights holding forth the word of life Phil. 2. 15 16. The Children of the Kingdome are seed sowne in the field of the world where amongst them and like unto them will be alwayes tares until the end of this world Matth. 13. 38 39. yet they are preserved from the evill to the end they might bring forth fruit to God and that there might be none barren among them This consideration may be useful First to informe of the great love of God to the world to All men which is herein exceedingly commended for as God sent not his Sonne so neither doth he send the Gospel and Servan●s and Spirit of his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved This is the Condemnation that when light is come into the world men love darknesse God doth not cover hatred with lying lips pretending love he is not such as many men are who hiding the Vision of all from the people honour him with their lips but their heart is far removed from him Isa 29. 11. 13. nor is he as they would render him to men such a one as themselves Psal 50. 20 21. That hath burning lips pretending love and offering grace and yet a wicked heart That while he hateth yet dissembleth with his lips and layeth up his deceit within him That while he speaks faire yet may not be beleeved because mean while he hath the perfection of abominations in his heart against the men to whom he so speaks fair This he abhors as greatest folly and wickednesse in others Prov. 10. 18. and 26. 23 24 25 26. He doth not thus graciously call and proclame his provision prepared and with arguments of that nature send his servants to them all and invite them to be reconciled And yet all this but in pretence of love and for their good but it is really so We may well argue with that good woman Judg. 13. 23. If God had intended to slay us he would not have found out and accepted such a sacrifice for us nor would he have sent his Messengers to shew us and tell us such things as these I say we may well thus argue seeing God himselfe argues and positively affirmes on his Word and Oath the truth and cordialnesse of his love to man-ward from the latter of these onely namely his sending his Messengers to call and warne them which indeed also shews the truth of the former the provision prepared and way opened for them all to turne to him the declaration of which is the summe of their message received of him 1 Joh. 1. 1-5 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. which if it were not so he would not have told them see Ezek. 33. 7. 10 11. God having set Ezekiel as a Watchman and other Watchmen to hear the word at his mouth and to warne the people He did thus reason against their unbeleefe and murmuring whereas they said Though he by his Watchmen called and warned them yet he did not therein lift up the yoak of thraldome on their Jawes as hee saith he doth while he sets meat before them Hos 11. 4. but left them necessarily under the power and bondage of their iniquities under which they were naturally so that when he called they could not heare and turne and how should they then live To this God answers and argues it from his having set Watchmen among them Therfore say unto them As I live saith the Lord I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked of such wicked men as doe dye Ezek. 18. 31. he hath now no pleasure none at all after any consideration neither secret nor revealed in their death but that they should turn and live though afterward when the day of his grace and patience is at an end towards them his heart will stand otherwise affected towards them though no change in him their condition being wholly changed they being become perfectly one of the Seed of the Serpent wholly rejected of God Then he will laugh at their calamity and mock when their fear cometh But now he is slow to anger and his very forbearance is salvation and shews that he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance and be saved 2 Pet. 3. 9. 16. And that appears as we have noted by his Declaration of himselfe and heart towards them in sending his servants and using other means to proclaim his goodnesse to them and call and lead them to repentance Rom. 2. 4. For I the Lord saith he speak righteousnesse and declare things that are right and therefore have not spoken in secret or covertly as one that would not that all should understand me or take me at my word nor have willed my servants to use hidden things of dishonesty But as 2 Cor. 4. 1 2. So here I have not said in vaine to the house of Israel seek ye me Therefore seeing I also call to all the ends of the earth look to me and be ye saved for I am a just God and Saviour Isa 45. 19-22 As one that hath no pleasure in your destruction I have sent to call you and because I know you have no strength in your selves as of your selves but are naturally dead in trespasses and sinnes Therefore all the day long while I have been calling you to behold me I stretched out my hand to a rebellious people Isa 65. 1 2. He spake in his Spirit by the hand of the former Prophets Zach. 7. 11 12. 1 Pet. 3. 19 20. Wherefore then when I called was there none to answer have I no power c. Isa 50. 2. Turn you Turn you why will ye dye While God by Jesus Christ in any means but especially in the declarations and invitations of his Gospel is calling to any of us This is indeed a time of finding with him and so urged as a motive to perswade us to seek him

36. Act. 14. 17. Rom. 2. 4. These considerations of what the prayers are and in what manner all prayers are to be made for all men may afford us some direction in our prayers to pray as we ought which the holy Spirit teacheth as he doth all other things by opening the Testimony of Jesus and shewing the things of him Rom. 8. 26. with Joh. 16. 13 14. As therein he presents us with good ground and foundation of Prayer as we shall after shew so thereby he instructeth us what to pray for and in what manner for all men and how to pray as we ought for every man in teaching us to pray according to his will as declared in that declaration of his name in his Son for such things as the Father hath appointed him to give unto men by vertue of his Sacrifice and Mediation to each according to his need and capacity and so as according to the wisdome of God may be for his good and so we are here directed not to pray for those peculiar blessings which men become capable and meet subjects to partake of onely in beleeving and comming to Christ as Col. 1. 9-13 1 Pet. 2. 3 4. such as sanctifying and furniture to and blessing in the ministration of the Gospel and the like for any that is yet in the state fellowship and way of the world and so of it yet to pray for these things for all Saints that the world may be the better for them as to the best good Job 17. 9-21 23. neither may we pray for Gods prospering any man in his evill way or for special National protections ownings and salvations to be afforded to any people or Nation openly set in opposition to him or to any people that are called by his name and especially if for his names sake called upon them But we are to suffer the grace of God to teach and lead us as it certainly will to pray against their evill works and inventions and so against them as abiding in the said wayes and for special protections ownings and salvations to be afforded to that people or Nation upon whom his name is called or that do more rightly worship and acknowledge him and that for his names sake and both these intentionally for the good not only of those people for whom the prayers are directly made but of their enemies also and so of all men Our Saviours Admonition and Instruction to his Disciples when upon some peoples unthankfulnesse and not receiving him they would have prayed for fire to come down from heaven and consume them as Elias did may here seasonably be considered by us Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of for the Son of man came not to destroy mens lives but to save them Luke 9. 55 56. And therefore also Though we are not nor is it according to his will to pray for forgivenesse peace and joy in a full and proper sense to be given to any man abiding in his evill way or in his natural state and condition yet we may and are taught by his grace to pray for such pardon forbearance and renewing of goodnesse to be conferred on them and in due time as may give them opportunity and have tendency and efficacy in it to lead them to repentance That so they may receive forgivenesse of sins and inheritance with those that are sanctified by saith that is in Christ And so the end of all prayers for all men is that they might be saved We come next to consider Fourthly What are those thanksgivings joyned with prayers to be made for all men This the Scripture plentifully sets before us That al manner of right prayer is joyned with Thanksgiving Phil. 4. 6. In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God So Psal 50. 14 15. and 95. 2. Come into his presence with Thanksgiving offer sacrifice of Thanksgiving and call upon him Yea all men are invited so to do Now what this Thanksgiving is that is so inseparably joyned with all right praying we shall also finde in those Scriptures that speak to this matter that it is such a commemoration and thankful acknowledgement of and blessing God for his great love and mercy testified in what he hath already done for us as in which Gods goodnesse is only commended and glorified and not ours with it as in that of the Pharisee God I thank thee that I am not c. Luk. 18. 11. and that so as in the minding and consideration thereof we have incouragement presented to expect and pray in faith for those further streamings forth of mercy and good things according to our needs and capacity which through the knowledge of his name we are lead to desire and ask accordingly to his wil. So our Savior teacheth us in that doctrine of Prayer Mat. 6. 9. to acknowledge and commemorate the honor and praise due to his name for what he hath done in and by his Son in the forefront of all the Petitions we ask of him that therein we may glorifie him and yeeld him the praise of his grace who also for his names sake meeteth with him that rejoyceth in acknowledging it Though to us belong nothing but shame that therein also we may be minded of that which may inlarge and draw out our hearts with encouragement in God though abasement in our selves further to pray according to his will And so the holy Spirit for the helping of our infirmities teaching us how to pray as we ought as he takes of the things of Jesus and sheweth as is shewed before so therein he glorifies him in and according to the Gospel minding us what cause of Thanksgiving we have to God continually by and in the name of Jesus Christ and how that serves for our instruction and encouragement further to pray see examples and instructions to this And first in those Thanksgivings that are joyned with Prayers made for all Saints and for such peculiar blessings to be conferred on them as of which they only are capable subjects though in respect of their end and tendencie these are also for all men as afore is shewed In all these Thanksgivings there is not only an acknowledgement of that true in Christ for men as the bottom cause of all thanksgivings and of the great love goodnesse of God to manward as manifested therein but with this there is alwayes an acknowledgement and commemoration of Gods great goodnesse in those special streamings forth of the issues and ver●ues of that Redemption and grace of God in Christ to manward which they have met with and through his grace have had efficacie in them to the saving them and making them meet to partake of the inheritance of the Saints in those peculiar blessings desired and prayed for for them See our Saviours Prayer Joh. 17. 7 8. Now they have known saith he that all things what soever thou hast given me are of

properly to be read as a Declaration of Gods good will love and desire towards men and concerning them as considered in their faln lost and sinfull estate which was such as in which he would have them saved out of it and brought back again to him Such his great compassions slownesse to anger and riches in mercie That he had no pleasure in their destruction but that they should turn and live And therefore desired they should come to the knowledge of the truth of his love and goodnesse towards them that so they might be drawn into love of him and conformity to him that were so full of hatred and antipathy against him And then as a real demonstration of this his love desire for them and declaration of the way and means prepared that this might be for though God loved them and desired their good yet they could have enjoyed no streamings forth or manifestations of it or benefit by it If he had not devised means that his banished might not be expelled as 2 Sam. 14. 14. He further tells us That God is one and unchangeable in all his holy Attributes and therefore in love to man as his creature and the end of his other creation and while he was not yet become wholly one with and of Satan that had tempted and prevailed over him could not yet give him up And so in holinesse and truth and therefore could by no means in clearing clear the guilty or forgive sin without a fulfilling of his truth and satisfying of his Justice And so likewise in infinit wisdome and goodnesse in all and therefore knew how to finde out a way of recovery that mercy and truth might meet together for mans recovery and helpfulnesse in this lost condition as well as to make him of nothing a creature to such excellent glory and hath done it God is light and in him is no darknesse And that appears in this that follows There is one Mediator of God and man and so between God and man Christ Jesus A Mediator is not a Mediator of one But God is one Gal. 3. 20. A Mediator is of and between two parties at a distance and so is ours But whereas the usuall work of Mediators between man and man is to lay his hand on both and prevail with one to abate something and the other to pay or satisfie something so is not ours for God is one He was not turned enemy but loved us when we were enemies so as he sent the Mediator He is one and so infinit and perfect in holinesse and can abate nothing of what his Truth and Justice requires and therefore must have full and perfect satisfaction though we are so weak we can make none The work therefore of our Mediator is to make full satisfaction pay the full price come up to Gods terms and then to bring us up to and inable us to accept of those termes in him made and accepted for us And so in the whole and in each part of his work That with God and that with men It is to reconcile man to God The first in and by himselfe without them The second in their particular persons through him 2 Cor. 5. 19 20 21. And for the accomplishing this He that is the one Mediator of God and man and that he might be a standing Mediator between them Gave himselfe a ransome for all men A Testimony or to be testified in due time That so through him they might come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved For understanding the large ground of praying for All men here set before us consider some of the particular instructions herein presented 1 That Jesus Christ by the will and appointment of the Father hath given himselfe and is accepted A Ransome for All. 2 That he is by vertue hereof become a standing and powerfull Mediator between God and men 3 That by vertue and by means of his Ransome accepted and his Mediation continually made for them he is of the Father to them A Testimony in due time That they might come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved And in all this God is light and in him is no darknesse at all For the first That Jesus Christ by the appointment of the Father hath given himself and is accepted a Ransome for All a price of Redemption so as he hath redeemed and bought them All as hath been shewed already as to the persons for whom now we shall apply our selves to the consideration of the worke herein done for them And so first he hath in and by himselfe redeemed them from the curse of the Law being made a curse for them Gal. 3. 13. Secondly He hath by that his one offering for all perfected through suffering and now presented to the Father obtained and received into himself eternal redemption a full and perfect Recovery and Restoration of all that losse contracted by sinne as charged on them by the first Testament Heb. 9. 12. 15. First Jesus Christ hath in and by himself redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us Gal. 3. 13. where that he speaks not of that redeeming the heart and conscience from under the bondage and accusation of sin by the Law which is only wrought in the spirit of the beleever through the discovery of that done in Christ for all men but of that done namely of the redemption wrought in Christ for them before they knew it This is evident in that he saith the Redemption here spoke of was done and finished by his being made a curse for us whereas the other though done by vertue thereof yet is not effected but through the discoveries thereof and in the receit by faith as before yea it is still more evident in that he mentions this as perfectly done that means might be used for the doing the other namely the redeeming men in their particular persons and that that might be wrought or received through faith He hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us that the blessing of Abraham the preaching of peace by Jesus Christ Eph. 2. 14. 17. 3. 6. might come on the Gentiles that we namely whoever beleeveth might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith according to that Joh. 3. 16. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son namely the Saviour of the world 1 Joh. 4. 14. that whoever of the world so loved by him through this grace beleeveth in him whom he hath sent should not perish but have everlasting life and so that Gal 3. 13. is opened Gal 4. 4 5 where the query is fully answered who they are encluded under the word us Gal. 3. 13. that he hath redeemed from the curse of the Law God sent forth his Son made of a Woman made under the Law to redeeme them that were under the Law that we there the person is changed namely whoever beleeveth might receive the

attending to those means in which the supernatural light and force of the Spirit of God is put forth and exercised for bringing the voyce of the Son of God nigh to them and opening their ears and giving capacity to hear it and quickening by it answerable to which the other have no such capacity And therefore the voyce of the Son of God shall come forth to that immediately however then it is requisite that in or through those outward mediums there be such a maner of coming forth and operation of the Spirit of God as is answerable to that by which Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and the dead shall be raised 't is the same Spirit by which he moved and acted and walked up and down in his life in the flesh or in the dayes of his weakness and mortality and so the same Spirit by which men are taught and strengthened to their natural motions actions or imployments in things tending to the good or comfortable being of the natural life but not in the same maner put forth or exercised but as we may say In a natural or ordinary way by blessing natural faculties and abilities in and according to a natural improvement in such maner as the nature of man by that which God hath already furnished it withall is capable of receiving and complying with But for this though that light and power of the Spirit is to ●e put forth into and exercised in the dark heart and dead faculties of the soul that they may be renewed and strengthened by it yet it must be such as brings with it its light strength and capacity for the receiving it such as hath in it a supernatural force or maner of operation for opening the deaf ears and the blinde eyes c. Isai 42. 18. 7. and 49. 9. that they may see and receive what it discovereth There being no such capacity before or naturally in the subject to which it comes Therefore the A postle desiring for the believing Ephesians That they might through the knowledge of him more abundantly experiment the exceeding greatness of his mighty power or arm that is in the Gospel that it might more have its prevalency with them as it is put forth through that knowledge of him for the special saving of them that believe Rom. 1. 16 17. he compares it to the maner of the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ Jesus when he raised him from the dead Eph. 1. 17 19 20. Now this is that which we have here further to say on Gods behalf ascribing righteousness to our maker That according to mans need by reason of his natural weakness and depravedness God is certainly liberally giving to all men without upbraiding any such gifts as may conduce to their getting wisdom in the knowledge of him and so being reconciled to him for he gives nothing but good and perfect givings not onely out of a cordial heart and affection but such as would produce what they come for and insinuate themselves by their own light and force and make the subject capable of receiving and complying with them and this is given us as a general ground for any man to ask wisdom of God Jam. 1. 5 17. and that without wrath or doubting and not to murmur or rebel against him in his Gospel or the instruction thereof in which his arm is thus stretched out so Psal 68. 18 19. Thou hast ascended on high and led captivity captive and received gifts in the Man for men even for the rebellious that they might dwell with the Lord. And from thence it follows Blessed be the Lord that dayly loadeth us c. Yea to shew this truth in expressions suitable to those in which we have demonstrated the nature of mans weakness and necessity see 1 Pet. 3. 18 19 20. By that Spirit by which Jesus Christ was raised from the dead or by such maner of the putting forth of the light and power of that Spirit he went and preached not to their ears onely but to their Spirits which are now in prison for their disobedience to his Spirit then when the long-sufferings of God waited on them in the ministration of Noah and so his Spirit was then and before striving with them in all the means vouchsafed them and that all the day long and in due time whence that my Spirit shall not alwaies strive with man yea after he spake in his Spirit in the light evidence power of it by the hands of his servants the Prophets and that so to their hearts as that in rejecting or refusing to hear them they were said to harden their hearts against his softning and melting operations Zech. 7. 9 11 12. yea all the day long while in those means he used he was calling them to behold him he also therein in and with his words stretched out his hands his power or Spirit unto a rebellious people that yet were not overcome thereby Isa 65. 1 2. He did lift up the yoke of thraldom while he set meat before them though they would take no notice of his healing them he was in all ages in the world though the world would not know him the light shineth in darkness though the darkness comprehend it not he came unto his own though they received him not so when the voice of the Son of God came forth in the Gospel it was his promise The dead should hear it and that so as hearing in hearing or according to the capacity given they should live Joh. 1. 3. 10. and 5. 25. And therefore God gives up men in his just Judgement to blindness That hearing they should hear and not understand c. because they made it first their voluntary sin in hearing not to hear but closing their eyes stopping their ears shunning the light when it came because their deeds were reproved by it and lest they should be converted from them Mat. 13. 11 13 15. John 3. 19. They received not the love of the truth that they might be saved 2 Thess 2. 10 11. Hosea 11. 27. Ezek. 24. 11 13 'T is true no man can come to Jesus Christ except the Father which hath sent him draw them John 6. 44. which signifies the necessity of using or putting forth some such power in and with those Arguments he useth to perswade as is to the man supernatural and 't is as true that the Father was then drawing and had before drawn those very persons vers 35 36. He that cometh to me shall never hunger he that believeth on me shall never thirst but I said unto you That ye also have seen and believe not which comparing it with the former verse where believing is the explication of coming is as much as if he had said You have been drawn and come not as those Hosea 11. 2 7. but did break his bands by murmuring among themselves as Psal 2. 3 5. so here compare vers 43. and 44. The doctrine in 44.

his Enemies as one earnestly desirous to obtain it if it might be without war or blood and that for their good whence he complains of it as a great grief and trouble to him My Soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace I am for peace or a man of peace but they are for war even when I speak of and offer terms of peace Psal 120. 6 7. Yea the Psalmist makes this general Prayer which indeed is also a certain prophesie and shall have its accomplishment on the subjects of it sooner or latter Scatter thou the people that delight in war Psal 68. 30. It is a great national blessing and to be desired yea as the conclusion of the blessing wherewith the house of Israel was to be blessed adding to the comfort and sweetness of all the rest To enjoy peace in the Land or Nation where they lived Levit. 26. 6. Numb 6. 26. Yea therefore they were to pray also for the peace of the Nation and City whither they were carried away Captives that in the peace thereof they might have peace Jer. 29. 7. Christian Rulers then should take heed their feet be not swift to shed blood lest their hands be defiled with blood and their fingers with iniquity Not to be forward to make war unless necessitated thereto for defending and preserving the peace of the Nation And therefore with good advise make war Prov. 20. 18. and 24. 6. Yea fi●st sitting down and counting whether they be able by the peoples hands and purse for they should consider no King goes to war at his own charges to manage and bear the charge of such a war else while the Enemy is yet a great way off our Saviour saith Wise Governours will send an embassage and desire conditions of peace To have peace in our borders as Psal 147. 14. is to be prized as one of the greatest outward mercies if God see it good to give us opportunity to enjoy it though with some disadvantages By means of it them that are in Authority shall have opportunity put in their hands to take off the heavy yokes that make the oppressed to groan and to see to the protection of such as do well and to have their eyes about them with which they may scatter the wicked at home and from about the Throne Whether they will wisely improve these opportunities to these purposes or no that may be a question which if they do not God will in his time take them from them again For to him that hath shall more be given but from him that hath not or that retaineth or improveth not shall be taken even that which he had seeing he did not rightly use or improve it Likewise By means of such outward peace especially the forementioned directions being heeded by them in Authority the believer shall have more freedom and liberty to worship God without disturbance and endeavour the good of men according as God hath given him a heart and capacity by being Messengers of the peace of God to them praying for them and shewing forth the vertues of Christ among them which is more suitable to their Spirit then to be fighting with them Against all this some may happily say We speak as not understanding the Visions or Prophesies proper to these times or which are now to have their fulfilling which say they speak of the Saints destroying conquering and bringing under all their Enemies by the material Sword and so taking and possessing the kingdoms of this World and so Christ taking to him his great power and raigning in his people and that by such means and in the time of this mortality which considered might encourage and put forward all Christians the Rulers and Ruled together to go on furiously and confidently without deliberate advisement yea without president or rule conquering and to conquer all that is before them by their power and Sword now while it is in their hand and not to seek peace but rather count it their honour as Christians or Saints to be further imployed in war In answer to this we say We cannot indeed boast as others do of our understanding the Visions of the times but freely acknowledge our great weakness and ignorance in them as a fruit of our more fundamental ignorance in or want of skill to make use of the Vision of all Visions which is the Key of knowledge for the opening them and whatever else is hard to be understood nor desire we at this time much to lengthen our discourse having been large in it already yet briefly this we say first We read somthing of the Visions of these latter dayes opened by our Saviour in his answer to the Disciples question Mat. 24. 3. which question had two things distinct in it viz. When shall these things be namely the things he had foretold about the destruction of Jerusalem and their Temple and what the signe of his coming and of the end of the world It may seem the Disciples thought that the destruction of Jerusalem and his second appearing and the end of the world should have happened together and happily were not yet able to understand or bear the hearing of another and longer time for his coming and the end of the world then for the destruction of Jerusalem however our Saviour answers to both the parts of the question together and though some of his particular applicatory sayings by way of direction to them as vers 16 20. are with more peculiar reference to the first which was to fall out in their day yet all the predictions or things foretold to fall out as fore-runners of both are generally to be applyed to each signifying That the same things and much in a like manner that did fore-run the destruction of Jerusalem shall also fore-run the second appearing of Christ and the end of the world but still more fully according to the predictions as the last fulfillings of prophesies are alwayes the clearest and fullest Now there we read that the Believers the Saints of God the Disciples of Christ shall hear of wars and rumours of wars in that he mentions wars as distinct from rumours of wars in Matthew and Mark it 's clear that by wars he means such as are neer them in those Nations and places where they live but then in that of them as well as of the rumours of wars in other places he saith They shall hear of them he clearly signifies That the Saints or Disciples of Christ as such shall not be actors or exercised in them It 's none of their proper quarrel or fight for their kingdom though there may be in them much of Gods quarrel against and executing wrath or vengeance on many of their oppressors by stirring them up one against another or stirring up some against them that may after prove such themselves under another form but the Saints or Disciples of Christ whose work is not to avenge themselves in this day see Rom. 12. 18 19 20.

they as such are but Spectators as Strangers and Pilgrims looking on and hearing the tumults and commotions between one and another and wisely considering the work of God therein and lifting up their heads for the nigh drawing of the day of their redemption of which they know these are forerunners and signes though they look not for it by this meanes yet many of them as part or members of the Nation where they live may also be exercised on the defensive part or on that side where they understand good ground and that warrantably and may be eminently instrumental more then other men as in any national good work they joyn in but not actors as Saints either for their kingdom or by way of revenge against any for saith the Text Nation shall rise against Nation and Kingdom against Kingdom not the Saints against the Nations or Kingdoms It follows and there shall be earthquakes in divers places and famines and pestilences and fearful sights and great signes from Heaven Mat. 24. 7. Mark 13. 7. Luke 21. 9 10 11. and together with these and all this time he saith Many shall come in my name saying I am Christ yea many false Christs and false Prophets shall arise with so fair pretences and great flourishes and at last shewing great signes and wonders if possible to deceive the very elect yea and they shall deceive many except those dayes should be shortened none would be saved or preserved in the expectation and patient waiting for the coming of Christ telling them Lo here is Christ or there in this or in that appearing the second time and accomplishing the promises you wait for Or as there were false Prophets among the people and those the generality of the great seers of the Visions of the times a little before the Babylonian captivity which did fore-run the first appearing of Christ that told the people They should have assured peace in that place and at that time and should get it then by resisting the Caldean and so by their Sword and the help of other Nations and so that the issue thereof should be that they should neither see Sword nor Famine but the promises of assured peace and settlement for ever which the Fathers died in the faith of not having received should presently be accomplished and with these carried on with so much violence height of Spirit and flourishes as if they had it from the oracle they greatly deceived the people as Jer. 14. 13. neither in those dayes were there any Prophets of the Lord that durst speak a word against them unless one or two that also sate alone and were hooted at by every one because of the assembly of the mockers that devised against them to make their doctrine and prophesies as odious as they could and to smite them with the tongue and for the tongue and so on the cheek as 1 Kings 22 24. so as might tend to their reproach and make them hold their peace and resolved not to give heed to any their words Jer. 18. 17 18. even so there shall be false Teachers and Prophets arise among the Christian Gentiles tending to their enslaving by the spirit of Antichrist the mystery of iniquity which shall fore-run the second appearing of Christ as a little before their enslaving by the grosser part or flesh of Antichrist did that will in like manner privily under pretence of the contrary bring in damnable heresies even such as in which the Lord that bought them is denied the promise of his second personal appearance or at least the patient looking and waiting for the blessed hope until that glorious appearance is by the assembly of the mockers scoft at telling them They shall have assured peace in this place that they shall get the peaceable and glorious kingdom of Christ by the●r Sword and the like But before all these he saith Luke 21. 12. They shall lay their hands on the Saints and persecute them and they shall be brought before Kings Counsels and Synagogues and into Prisons for his names sake Yea they shall kill them which though all the three Evangelists Matthew Mark and Luke mention after the other yet Luke saith expresly They shall be before those things forementioned which shews as we have noted before That these wars commotions and abounding of Spiritual iniquity together with them here spoken of are those that shall happen after bodily persecutions have been before suffered by the Saints and at the time in which there shall be some abatement of them to which abatement these very commotions themselves shall be some help instrumentally yet even of these together the wars and commotions by Nation battering and clashing against Nation and the abounding of more spiritual iniquity after some cessation of bodily persecution These together saith he are the beginnings of sorrows or calamities and miseries the outward occasions of sorrows not of joyes though going before as accomplishments of his word and so making way joy shall come in the morning of the appearance of the Son of man and the resurrection of the dead But the end he saith is not by and by these are but the beginnings of sorrows Now when we read of such predictions and in such terms and see the beginnings of the accomplishments of them in our day yet we do not account our selves or Christian Magistrates thereby obliged to put our selves forward with desire to contend or ●ight with others or to provoke them to wrath or pick quarrels against them or to neglect any advantage or opportunity for peace with them any more then we account our selves obliged to joyne with the false Prophets and follow them or else to do what we can to be occasions of furtherance to the spreading of their principles that we may have some work to strive and fight with them but if God do by his providence call us to defend our selves or our Nation against those that are for war and contention and will not be quiet in such troublous times And so if God in like manner call us to contend for the Faith of the Gospel and strive together for it In following him we know we are in his way and may expect his blessing and have no cause to be terrified by our adversaries and that we may do and yet not delight in war but seek peace and be for it even while they are for war which we cannot but do knowing that it 's generally true That all wars and fightings come of mens lusts c. Jam. 4. 1 c. Again we read Rev. 17. 16 17. of Gods putting it into the heart of the Kings of the Earth not Saints as Saints but earthly Rulers and Governours to hate the whore and make her desolate and naked to eat her flesh and burn her with fire but not that they shall then give their power unto Christ or into the hands of the Saints they are not to come by it on that fashion but their power that was

shall have good cause to say Let us abide here for this is our rest to which we were called by the Gospel yea and we shall be ever together with the Lord. Such I say is the excellency in the things themselves as well as also there is every way so much suitable instruction to instruct us and give us reason to the matter of the exhortation of which we may not here particularly treat that the consideration thereof may and will frame us to willingness to wait till then patiently for our sitting down and for the accomplishment of the Prophesies and Promises as to the reward of all our service and suffering for him yea not to part with that hope for any fancy or shadow or whatever we are capable of enjoying in this day Therefore comfort one another with these words saith this Apostle 1 Thess 4. 14 17. and here by these things he thus earnestly admonisheth and beseecheth them as before and for further instruction about it as well as especially to give us a reason why he so earnestly beseecheth them he further saith Let no man deceive you by any means for there shall be a great falling away first and the man of sin revealed c. as if he should say as our Saviour doth Therefore I so earnestly admonish you to take heed that no man by any means deceive you because the latter dayes will be so perilous through the abounding of the mystery of iniquity under high forms and pretences of godliness that verily there will many be deceived by them yea such will be the tribulations of divers sorts though that the most eminent trying and dangerous that if those evil dayes which will be by most pretending godliness accounted glorious dayes should not be shortened no flesh could be saved but for the elects sake they shall and this understanding of the latter instruction as a reason of the Apostles earnestness in pressing the admonition as aforesaid is suitable not onely to that of our Saviour forementioned but likewise to other Scriptures which to mention the sum of many do therefore exhort and beseech us with much earnestness to redeem the time and improve all present opportunities and advantages for being well furnished with wisdom in the knowledge of him and so with the Armour of God on the right hand and on the left to be therefore sober and vigilant and watch unto prayer because the dayes are evil and like to be perilous still as they grow nigher the end in temptations tending to the deceiving and corrupting the believer from the simplicity that is in Jesus and patient waiting for his coming and because Satans rage is greater as his time waxeth shorther Eph. 5. 14 16 18. and 6. 10 16. 1 Pet. 5. 8. with Rev. 12. 12. 2 Tim. 3. and 4. 2 Pet. 1. 12 16. and 2 1 2. If any do think that we have not a great or the greatest part of that defection or the overspreading of the spirit of Antichrist the mystery of iniquity there especially spoken of yet behinde though it doth now already begin to reveal it self and not onely secretly to work as then yet in respect of the more full revelation of him and overspreading of abomination by him even to the further making desolate the holy place as before in his body or grosser part to the desolating the outward Court as among us Gentiles to be more abundantly and fully verified If any I say to this do think or say Not so I could be glad to say Amen if I could finde it suitable to the instructions and fore-warnings of the Gospel however we may pray the Lord in mercy to cut short those dayes for methinks the beginnings of them begin shrewdly to make desolate what will be the issue especially if Christ ans will not minde timely admonitions but put far away the evil day certainly these warnings are given that we may take heed that no man deceive us And were the premises considered as it would be profitable to all Christians so particularly to Christian Magistrates for their help and direction in observing the forementioned counsels in every part of them for were not the heart haughty or the eyes lofty lifted up and transported with the apprehensions and desires of setting Christ on his Throne which is a thing done already by the Father or of laying the whole administration of Government upon his shoulders which is a thing they are wholly uncapable of neither is it required of them or like things they would then be contented and better qualified to exercise themselves in things within their compass and might do many things for the good of the Nation and People under their Authority which either they slight and neglect as things too mean or too much beneath their spirits and apprehensions as to the work they aim at and propose to themselves or else they do refuse whatever appearance of legality and justice might be in it because it seems to cross or clash against such their apprehensions and proposals to themselves of what they have to do I shall say no more to this nor to this point In which we have shewed what those things are in general that being equally observed and done by those in Authority will tend much to the believers enlargement and futherance in leading a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty 4. We come now to the fourth and last consideration What that is that will especially furnish them to these things and so is especially to be desired for them and that is wisdom in the knowledge of God in Christ as declared in the Gospel as now come forth to us to have the heart well seasoned with the believing apprehension and tastes of the sweetness of the infinite graciousness of God to man-ward as revealed in the face of Christ bringing salvation to all men according to the manifestation and capacity afforded us This is that one thing of absolute necessity to us all without which our souls cannot be good or reconciled to God Prov. 19. 2. 1 Pet. 1. 22. nor can we rightly worship God or serve him acceptably and profitably in our generation Wherefore let us hold fast grace Heb. 12. 28. whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear Hence the Apostle to Titus exhorting all believers and in the last place servants to minde as the main end of their whole conversation The adorning the doctrine of our God and Saviour in all things he propounds to them to be diligently heeded for their instruction and direction hereto The grace of God that brings salvation to all men as it hath now appeared teaching us more fully and plainly then ever in any former appearance which is suitable to that Heb. 12. 17 18 22 25 28. that denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present w●orld looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearance of the mighty God our Saviour