might and if beleivingly minded would move us readily to extend mercy according to our ability yet if their proofs of instructions be not so received as thereby we be made base and vile in our own eyes as unworthy to be made his stewards of any thing and for our abuse of that committed to our stewardship he may justly deprive us of all and how long it shall continue with us and what evil may be on earth soon and we deprived of power to do good we know not and refusing a present oppeâ—tunity when ability given as we have too often done deserves to be denyed and deprived of it when we would nor can that we retain help us without his blessing and we shall have iudgement merciless that sheweth no mercy c if we be not thus salted and seasoned we shall not so mind his mercy to us as to be found merciful as he is merciful but if we shew any meâ—cy it will be either out of necessity or constraint or sparingly with scantness oâ— with grudging and murmering or as if we gave of our own absolutely and with desire to be seen of men and have praise of men and boasting and lifting up our selves or upbraiding and defaming such as need it 2 Cor. 8. 9 10 11 12 and 9. 5. 6 7. 1 Pet. 4. 10. Matt. 26. 35. 45. Pro. 3. 27. 28. and 27. 1. Eccles 11. 1. 2. 1 Iohn 3. 17. Iam. 2. 13. 8. If the sore judgements of God be in the nation we live in though the testimony of Gods displeasure thereby and the sins that have provoked such a loving merciful patient and long suffering God to smite and the misery of men if according to his word minded might move and cause our heart to tremble at his woâ—d and judgements and fill us with mourning for the sins that have provoked him and for the calamities and distresses of the people and with pity and compassion toward the afflicted and so to receive corrections humbling our selves under his mighty hand and drawing nigh to him in confessing and bewailing our sins and praying earnestly for us mercy in forgiveness and healing and so trusting in his mercy to turn from our evil wayes and to walk in his way and so give him no â—est till he he al the nation yet if the reproofs of instruction be not so received as thereby we see the corrupt disposition in our own natural heart and our own having two much yielded to it and so see the plague of oue own heart our own sore and how by neglect of so great salvation and unkind requitals of his love and gâ—ievances of his spiâ—it and conforming in many things to the fashions of the world since light and mercy given us and so aâ—e the chief of sinners and deserve even the so arest judgements iâ— not thus we shall not be so affected in our own thoughts of Gods displeasure testified nor in the sins of men that have provoked it nor with the misery as to be filled with godly sorrow and child like and bâ—otherly gâ—ief for the dishonour done to God the bâ—eaches of his Law our own and breathrens sins and the sins of the nation nor with compassion and pity towards men and such dread of Gods Judgements as to be lead â—ightly to receive correction and draw near to God in confessing our sins and the sins of others and seeking his face for our selves and the nation and so to turn from our evil designs and wayes and trust in his mercy according to his word but rather be laying the greatest blame on others as the greatest sinners and cause of the judgements And think it more needful for them to be afflicted and fast and to pray for removeals then for our selves and so they to turn from their evil wayes of which we not so guilty 1 Kings 8. 37. 40. 2 Corn. 6. 28. 31. and 7. 14. Iam. 4. 7. 8. 9. 10. Lam. 3. 1. 2 3. Hab. 3. 5. 16. 2 Sam. 24. 17. 1 Cor. 5. 1. 2. 2 Cor. 12. 21. But I will proceed no farther in particulars seeing there is that in us for which we need the reproofs of instruction in all our wayes and without receiving them to be framed by them we cannot have peace one with another so that our Saviours saying and order in giving this commandement is needful admonitory and instructive and the one observed fits to observe the other which else will not be observed therefore let us have salt in our selves and peace one with another And therefore have I been so large in this and plain to instruct and move us To have salt in our selves Though c. CHAP. VII A clearing this discourse from some supposed harshness I cannot be ignorant that some conceive this harsh and not Gospel-like for some have plainly vented so much as to instance and answer * 1. Some think it is a putting beleivers under the Law which will gender to bondage Gail 4. 21. 31. Answ There is great differences between being under the Law to the law which gendreth to bondage and without law to God which genders to filth and profaness and being not without law to God but under the Law to Christ which is profitable for us 1 Cor 9. 21. and we being yet not wholly spiritual but partly carnal and though in spirit not made free from the power dominion and charges of the law and the spirit of life for righteousness sake yet the body dead because of sin and to be kept in subjection and no farther to be made free by us then by the spirits operation made free in and for services spiritually performed Rom. 7. 14. 25. 1 Cor. 9. 27. And the law is holy just and good and there is good usefulness of it if lawfully used 1 Tim. 1. 8. For it is good to discover our sins against it and short coming of it to slay us of all hopes in our selves of life or in our own doings and shew us our desert of curse and need of Christ its end being for righteousness to drive to Christ Gall. 2. 19. Rom. 10. 2. 3. 4. so as we may acknowledge the law good holy and just and confess our carnality and sin and desert of curse it discovereth and fly to Christ that was once under the law and dyed and suffered the curse for sinners and so redeemed us from the curse of the Law and so beleiving in the blood of Christ beleive in him for pardon righteousness and life in which the law of the spirit of life in Christ not our reasonings will make us free from the law of sin and death and the spirit also will afford us that righteousness which the Law required and would not work in us Rom. 7. 14. 25. and 8. 1. 2 3 4. and 3. 25. Gall. 3. 14. 2 Cor 5. 21. so as even these commands also are a good role for the exercise of Charity 1 Tim. 1. 5. 6 8 Rom. 13. 8. 9. 10. Ephes 6.
14 15. Tit. 3. 3 4 5. 1 Ioh. 3. 16. and 4. 11. And be laying up treasures in Heaven and a good Foundation not for present to build on but for the time to come 1 Tim. 6. 18. 19. for Christ and his Angels to behold that day like that 2 Chron. 31. 7 8. a resemblance of it in that Acts 9. 36. 39. And I might say the same for our end in seeking to win others to glorifie him and impatient waiting for his coming but I will say no more but that our end and aime must be in all our doing the Commandments to enjoy him and be established in him that we may know him to be our life our righteousness our hope and that its all in him that we may have it in having him and so our trust and hope may be in him in which our interest and right to the inheritance is known Gal. 3. 29. 1 Ioh. 2. 24. 25. and 5. 20. Heb. 3. 6. 14. For it is not any sort coming to Christ or any receiving no words or any doing his Commandments in which this right is attained no Crown in running unless it be lawful running 1 Cor. 9. 25. 27. with 2 Tim. 2. 5. 6. 15. 16. For some come to Christ and to his servants and hear his words and yet come not to him to this end that they might have life in him and so they neither do indeed his Commandments nor atrain this end in receiving this right Ioh. 5. 40. Ezek. 33. 31. 32 33. and 14. 3. 8. So some may receive the doctrine of truth and boast of the love thereof to make a profession to gain a name what the name of truth is in honour like the Samaritans that would be one with the Iews when the Iews were in honour Ezra 4. 2. And yet receive not the love of the truth for its own end and Efficacies that they might be saved emptied and renewed thereby the power in it they refuse and so miss the blessedness Isa 7. 2. 3. 11. 12. and 48. 1. 2. 2 Thess 2. 10. 11. 12. 2 Tim. 3. 5. Yea doing any of these Commandments though of these forementioned having some sence at his reproofs and doing some good things as Herod or beleiving some of his sayings as Simon Magus or bearing some reproach with his People as Alexander or loving some of the brethren as Mitzar yea doing some commands to be approved of men as King Saul and Iehu or for any false ends to stop the mouth of Conscience or to make up for themselves a righteousness in this their doing that therein they may appear better and more holy then others and so desire the righteousness of God and a right to the Tree of life boasting themselves to be Gods peculiar ones that is but a kindling Sparks of their own Isa 50. 16. foolishness and deceit 2 Cor. 10. 7 12 18. disallowed of God Isa 65. 5. Contrary to the way of those led by the holy Spirit Rom. 3. 9. and 5. 8 1 Tim. 1. 15. seek that reproved Zach. 7. 5. 6. 7. and like the Pharises of old Luke 12. 11. 12. of the same nature and tendance with those Rom. 9. 31. 32. 33. And will have the same effect in keeping from submitting to Christ for righteousness and righteousness and life as those Rom. 10. 3. So as there is no other way of doing his Commandements â—ightly then doing them to this end that we may have right to the Tree of life that we may en et in through the Gates into the City which also will be the Issue in so doing to that end as said in the next Position The third Position THat the doing his Commandements to this end that we may have right to the Tree of life and may enter through the Gates into the City is not only that his present blessedness is meet with but a sure and certain way to have right to the Tree of life and assurance of entring through the Gates into the City this is fully before shewn and proved at * 2. and 6. 1. and at * 3 and appears in Gods direction to men Ier. 23. 22 23 28. and 4. 1. 2. and his promise to men Amos 5. 4 5. and our Saviours word Ioh. 6. 27. and Psal 19. 7. 11. onely here it is needful for men to cleer this to some that this doing his Commandments to this end is not a seeking righteousness and eternal liâ—e by the works of the Law or our own doings of Commandments but the very way of beleiving with the heart and so receiving righteousness and liâ—e and this is cleer in this that the Commandments here before mentioned are not Commandments of the Law of works but of the law of faith and grace Rom. 10. 4. 10. nor is the doing of these Commandments from the obligation of the law of works that gives not strength and so in a mans own strength c. But from the obligation and power of the law of faith and grace in love pâ—oâ—â—ced by it that carries to the doing them all Gal. 3. 10. 12 13. and 5. 13. 14. Rom. 10. 5. and 8. 3. 4. and 13. 8. 9. 10. 1 Cor. 13. noâ— is the end of doing these Commandments like that of the law of works to make up righteousness of our own by his deeds but to have righteousness in another even Jesus Christ Phill. 3. 7. 8. 9. 10. and so the beleiving with the heart the testimonies of Christ and sayings therein is no law work but opposite thereto as saith is to save and is the work of God by Christ Rom. 10. 4. 10. 1 Pet. 1 2. Iohn 6. 29 and in this beleif of him turning at his reproof confessing our sins repenting and judgeing our selves no producement of the Law that opens no door for repentance and effects desperate and worldly sorrow but an effect of the grace of God discovered in the testimony and sayings thereof reproving and calling to turn and so this repentance is a gift of Christ that gives with it remission of sins Gall. 3. 10. 2 Cor. 9. 10. Acts 5. 31. and 11 1 18. and when he that beleiveth these sayings turneth at his reproof and so truseth and confideth in his word and so in him for performing his promises and so through the spirit waiteth for the righteousness of God by faith this is no law work but opposed to it being the very work of Faith with power in the word of faith beleived Rom. 1. 16 1 Thess 2 13. Gal. 5. 5. And in this beleiving in him confessing his name and so bearing his reproach enduring through sufferings for his name sake this is no law work in which men may glory in the flesh but not before God but the very effect of the spirit of faith That is of love power and a sound mind Rom. 4. 2 5. Gall. 6. 12 13 14. 2 Cor. 4. 10. 4. 15. 2 Tim. 1. 7. 8. 1 Pet. 4 14. And with all this when from the love
in his blood and acceptance in his righteousness enlivning by his spirit also our nakedness yea so as without him we can neither receive nor do any good 2. Cor. 5. 19. 21. Ephes 2. 13. 18. 1 Pet. 2. 24. Isa 42. 1. 8. and 61. 1 4. Ioh 15. 1 4 8. and so likewise it discovers 3. The heighnous and grievousness of sining against such grace made known In neglecting so great salvation and refusing to turn at his reproofs and walk in his teachings Ye knowingly to do contrary thereto so casting such disesteem on his cost c. As is such a rewarding evil for good and being Adversary to him for his love c. Heb. 2. 3. and 10. 29. and 12. 25. 2 Sam. 12. 7 9. and 2. 27 29. 1 Kings 11. 9. Psal 109. 4 5 and so it discovers 4. The infinite great Terror Torment and Justness Equity of the second death to be inflicted on all and every of those that willingly persist in retusing to turn at his reproof walk in his teachings to recieve his love to be saved by it in his waies or having begun to recieve it do willingly for any other thing depart and persist in that Apostacy So crucifying him again to themselves and make him of no effect to them for saving Prov. 1. 24. 32. Ezek. 24. 13. Mat. 23. 37. Psal 69. 21 28. Heb. 6. 6. and 10. 30 31. and 12. 25. 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9. 2 Pet. 2. 1 2 20 21. Jude â—â— Cal. â— 4. 2 Thes 2. 11 12 and yet farther 5. As it discovers Gods Soveraignty Wisdome Mercy Righteousness and Goodness in ordering and government of the world and every particular Creature therein so it also therein discovers him what ever he be that faulteth his government and ordering any thing in what ever he doth to be a hater of right and so not fit to appoint or govern but to be reproved Job 34. 57 7 17 c All which discoveries proceed from the Testimony and so as the Testimony of 〈◊〉 is a light and giveth light to the simple and 〈◊〉 a word of life and truth bringing salvaâ—ion so all these discoveries and efficacies thereof are also as Salt to purge out of mortal men that which hinders them from recieving his salvation tendred and also makes the light life and saving desirable to be recieved Prov. 27. 67. And the Salt of the Testimony being in the reproofs of Instruction that are the way of life are as fire and have a fiery nature Prov. 6 23. Jer. 23. 29. And it hath its saltness and savoriness in the efficacies in such as in believing the Testimony with the heart recieve its salting and purging reproofs Rom. 1. 16. 1 Thes 2. 13. Ier. 31. 18 19. Psal 119. 103 104. And yet though it be Salt and good and hath its saltness in it self and is purging where it comes yet those that do not in believing the Testimony recieve and imbrace these salting reproofs so as to yield up to them though he purge them they are not purged and so it hath not its saltness in them but they recieve the grace tendred in the Gospel in vain and become hardened and lose their own mercies Ezek. 24. 13. Rom. 2. 45. 2 Cor. 6. 1 Jude 4. Prov. 1. 30. Jer. 3. 3. and 6. 15. And if such have any faith it is in them but a form of faith a dead faith 2 Tim. 3. 5. Tit. 1. 16. Jam. 2. 20 21 26. Yet will this Salt it self in its fiery nature have its effect on them in another day to theâ—r everlasting Torments Joh. 12. 22. and 16. 8 9. Rom. 2. 16. Isa 30. 33. Mar. 9 44. 46. 42. Thus it appears the discoveries of reproofs with their effects by the Testimony of Christ are spiritual Salt and here ment And so also 2. The Testimony of Christ believed and in that believing these discoveries of reproofs believed and the efficacies of them recieved and reteined in the mind and heart so as the Believer is framed and guided suitably to these effects Those effects are Salt in the Believer purging that filte in the Flesh as the blood of Christ purgeth the Conscience Heb. 9. 14. so framing and efâ—ecting in him to make savory to him the things of Christ 1. A loathing of himself as from Adam and so of that carnality and sinful lusts in him Rom. 7. 14. And thence a dispising of himself and all his best things as of himself filthy Ioh. 14. 4. with an inward grief and melting of heart for his light estimate of Christ and not answering but sining against his light and so great salvation discovered and helpfulness afforded so as for this he counts himself the chief of siners Ezra 9. 6. 10. 14. 1 Tim. 1. 15. 2. A discovery of ones great need with an inward high prizing of and hearty thankfulness for the deliverance wrought by Christ and the grace in him wrought by himself having redeemed us from the curse of the Law and procuted also forgivness of following sins and spirit and grace to dispense now calling us and mediating for us and so procuâ—ing extention of means and grace to bring us into himself such we needed and yet were altogether unworthy which same raiseth desires of enjoyment of him Prov. 27. 7. Psal 42. 1 2 3 4 Phil. 3. 7 8 9. and from both thâ—se â—ormer 3. An inward abasement of ones self also in respect of ones self counting our own humane wildome foolishness thoughts vain best deeds unclean strength weakness and designs deceiâ—â—â—l and dangerous and no true helpfulness but in and from Christ and in the enjoyment of him for all Prov. 30. 2 3. Psal 73. 22. and 119. 13. Isa 64. 6. â— Cor. 3. 5. Psal 121. 2 3. And so â—nâ—lines to deny ones self with all ungodly worldy and sinful lusts Yea ones own wisdom thoughts confidence and designs for Christ sake Tit. 2. 11 1â— Joh. 10. 2 3. Mar. 27. 9. 4. It breed an awful fear of believing oâ— considing for life and favour with God in any humane or seen thing or any thing besides the testimony of Christ But only from that discovered in the Testimony to believe in God for what in that he hath ascerted and promised and that also in abiding in and not going out of his way that so confidence may be sencere Isa 8. 20. 1 Cor. 4. 6. 2 Sam. 7. 21 28. Psal 56. 4 13. Iohn 7. 37. Psal 37. 34. Matt. 43. 7. 5. An inward fear and dâ—ead of the name of the Lord so as the heart trembleth at his word Dent. 28. 58. Isa 66. 2. 5. Yea even at his judgement threatned against Trangressours Job 31. 7 24. Rom. 8. 13. Heb. 3. 16. And at the minding of the Truth Verity Righteousness Equity and Terribleness of the second dâ—ath affirmed to be executedon all that peâ—sist in willing refusal of and rebelling against the faith of Christ or after some beginnings willingly persist in departure from
1. 2 3. Gall. 5. 13. 14. And such good use of the Law puts not beleivers under the Law nor genders to bondage but is profitablâ— for them but o the reproofs of the law which boâ—ed under and not answeâ—ing the end in flying to Christ which genders to bondage I speak not of in this discoâ—â—e but of the reproofs of instruction and turning thereat which is the way to reâ—eive spirit and life and so blessed freedome Pro. 1. 23. and 6. 23. * 2. Some have thought this pressing wisdomes repâ—oofs is not Gospel like because the Gospel is good news and glad tidings of peace and salvation an opening the door to life and immortality A pâ—eaching forgiveness peace and life and all to be received in beleiving and so cause of joy to all people as indeed it is Isa 52. 7. Rom. 10. 15. 2 Tim. 1. 10. Acts 13. 38. 39. Ioh. 3. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 36. Luke 2. 10. and this agrees well with all said in this discourse For Answ The asserting the reproofs of instruction to be received is Gospel language not ungospel like nor at all eclipseth any thing said of the gospel in these like places for glad tidings of salvation pardon peace life c. implyes loss danger misery sins and deserts of curse in those to whom such tidings come and to be acknowledged and confessed by such as beleive and receive those tidings Isa 53. 67. and 3. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 12. 13 14 15. Tit. 3. 3. 4. And indeed the affording and receiving such reproofs is very gospel-like every way For 2. Jesus Christ our Saviour the object discovered to us in the Gospel in his working redeâ—ption and salvation in himself for us he was fiâ—st abaâ—ed and sâ—ffered and made sin and dyed for us and then â—ose from the deâ—d ascended righâ—eous and offered himself a sacrifice for us and received all fulness of spiâ—it to send forth and â—o in his ministration of gospel he suffered and dyed and so through sufferings entred his glory leaving us an example and as by his suffering and death he made peace for us so by his reâ—uâ—rection it was compleated that it might be communicable to us for though he dyed to make peace yet had he not â—isen we could not have been justified by his blood and suitable to this it is that we be abased in our selves that by him we may be exalted as hath been shewn 2. Jesus Christ exalted and filled with the spirit the great Prophet in making known his Fathers name and the redemption wrought and salvation procured in and by himself for men and so having been crucified for us and discovering of himself the pardon peace righteousness and life in him he is therein set forth first for the raising again of many and so both killing and making alive Luke 23. 4. Deut. 32. 39. 1 Sam. 2. 6. 7. 8. and he sits upon unfeigned beleivers as resiners fire and a purifier and so is in them by his word A spring of living waters John 7. 38. and his spirit in the word breaths on the flesh and withereth the flesh and so quickens and enlivens the spirit Isa 40. 1. 8. Rom. 8. 10. suitable to which is that said in this Discourse 3 In his gratious call to behold and credit him in the demonstrations of his goodness it is to be saved by him and that is from goodness it is to be saved by him and that is from sin and evil as well as to enjoy quickning and life by him c. Isa 45. 22. And so from that salvation seen first to turn at his reproofs and then receive the pouring out his spirit and making known his words and so to repent and beleive the gospel Prov. 1. 23. Mar. 4. 15. And when so beleiving yet still to be denying themselves and receiving the reproofs of instruction that they may be denying ungodliness and worldly lusts and so receive more abundance of life to live and walk in the spirit Pro. 6. 23. and 9. 8. 9. and 15. 5. 31. and 17. 10. and 29. 75. and 25. 12. Tit. 2. 11 12. Gal. 5. 25. 26. so that receiving the reproofs of instruction is both gospel teaching and gospel like and the way rightly to receive the Gospel * 3. Some are ready to think this is a hinderance to the beleiving rejoycing in Christ and so to his chearful walking in faith and love and his drinking in spiritual consolations and so makes his life sad dumpish and unbeseeming But the Gospel it self doth answer this For Answ This hath before been proved false Chap. 3. and 4. and it is directly contrary to the plain testimony of this spirit that saith the reproofs of instruction are the way to life Prov. 6. 23. for right knowledge of Christ and spiritual things The rod and reproof give wisdome Prov. 29. 15. and the ear that heareth the reproof of life and abideth among the wise and getteth understanding Pro. 15. 31. 32. And the humble shall see his gratiousness and be glad Psal 69 32. â—he poor in spirit the mourners the meek blessed c. Matt. 5. 3 4 5. For God giveth grace to the humble and in due season exalteth them that humble themselves under his mighty hand Iam. 4 6. 1 Pet. 5. 5. 6. And makes darkness light before them Isa 42. 16. And so the eyes of the blind to see out of obseurity and darkness Isa 29. 18. Yea so satisfieth the afflicted soul that their light shall rise in obscurity and their darkness â—e as the noon day Isa 58. 10. yea to purge their beleif and confidence from mixtures he brings them to receive the sentence of death in themselves that they may trust only in him that raiseth the dead and so fits them with consolations suitable to their afflications 2 Cor. 1. 4 9 10. Sa as in patience possessing their souls they rejoyce in afflictions temptations and tribulations Rom. 5. 2. 3. 4. Jams 1. 2 3 4. True it is their heaâ—â— knoweth its own bitterness such as are strangers thereto intermeddle not with their joy Prov. 14. 10. and to such they may well appear as unknown while yet well known as dying while behold they live as chastned and not killed as sorrowful while yet alwayes rejoycing as poor while yet making many rich as having nothing while possessing all things 2 Cor. 6. 9. 10. Not did Pauls perswasion of the Terror of the Lord in minding the first branch of the testimony hinder his rejoycing and hope in Christ but salt oâ— season him for â—ight considering and hoping 2. Cor. 5. 11. Nor did the darkness Micha sitting in respect of Gods ordering providence and dispensation according to the second branch of the testimony hinder his rejoycing hope but season him for right considing and waiting Mich. 7. 7. 10. nor in looking to the third branch of the testimony did Habakkuks belly trembling lips quivering rottenness entring into his bones and trembling in himself at the voyce
at his reproofs and confessing their sinfulness and the defilements of their own wrought righteousness blessing therein is still to be met with Isa 64. 6 7. Pro. 28. 13. 14. and 15. 31. 32. 33. Iohn 1. 9. That so we may still be found beleiving in him that justifieth the ungodly Rom. 1. 4. 5. which otherwise we cannot be for though a man beleive his sayings that Christ dyed for our sins and rose for our justification and is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world and that whoever beleiveth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life yet if this be not so with the heart embraced that he humbled himself to turn at his reproof he will either in his severity by his consequences turn the grace of God into laciviousness Iud. 4. Deut. 29. 19. 20. or in his fleshly zeal set upon some deeds of righteousness of his own to get or claim this grace of God by Rom. 9. 32. 33. and 10. 3. Luke 18. 11. and so deprive themselves of the blessing for refusing reproof is bruitishness Pro. 12. 1 and 13. 1. and causeth to err Pro. 10. 17. for the reproofs of instruction are the way of life Pro. 6. 23. so that its evident and cleer this is one of his Commandments to turn at his reproof and the doing it to be ever joyned with the former therefore let us so to do both the first and so this 3. That from his pouring forth his spirit and making known his words to us we beleive in him in his name 2 Cron. 20. 20 Iohn 14. 1. surely this is the work of God even his end and that for which he displayeth his name in his Son he hath sent forth the Saviour of the world that for which he convinceth and abaseth men to turn at his reproofs that for which he causeth his great love in giving Christ to dye for us when we were sinners and ungodly to appear that we beleive in him whom he hath sent Iohn 6. 29. and to this end is the Gospel declared and recorded that we might so beleive on his name Iohn 20. 31. which is when in beleiving his love in that he suffered and died for us when enemies we owning our own vileness so mind his love and that he is now ever living and filled with power and spirit in Heaven to do further for us that we beleive in him for performing to us the goodness promised Rom 5. 6 10. and 8 32. 34. such beleiving the testimony of Christ and his sayings therein as owning our own weakness we beleive in God for that promised is that beleiving that so receiveth the faith that it is imputed to the beleiver for righteousness Rom. 4. 17. 24 25. And this is his Commandment that we beleive on the name of his Son Jesus Christ 1 Iohn 3. 23. yea in and through beleiving that he hath suffered and done and compleated for us in his own body to beleive in him for all he hath promised to us this the beleiving in him in which the Faith is so received that it is imputed to the beleiver for righteousness And so it is his Faith Rom. 4. 5. 9. 11. 17. 24. 25. that as it is the faith of the Son of God and so Christ and this faith of him being his faith he may in all conditions live by it Heb. 2. 4. Rom. 1. 17. Gall. 2. 20. and 3. 11. that so from the spirits testimony beleiving his love in giving himself for us and thence his truth power and faithfulness to perform all he hath promised we through the spirit do waite for the righteousness of God in his performing his promise by faith according to the faith and declared in the faith beleived by us Gall. 5. 5. and this beleiving in him beleiving in his name and so confiding trusting in him in his word Psal 56. 4 3 10 11. is his Commandment Psal 37. 3. 4. 5. 7. Pro. 3. 5. Isa 26. 4. and 50. 10. and such trusters pronounce blessed Psal 2. 12. and 34. 8. and 37. 6. and 84. 12. Ier. 17. 7. and this is a needful and very profitable Commandment for us for though a man beleive the sayings of the Gospel in what Christ hath suffered and done for all men and that his love is commended there through yet if he receive not the love of the truth to be saved by it so as he turn in at his reproof and receive the pouring out of his spirit and making known his word to beleive in him for that promised he is not yet made free by Christ the Son as a Son Iohn 8. 31. 36. And so as yet lyable to turn the grace of God into wantonness or to make up a righteousness of his own to claim the righteousness of God by as hath been shewn yea and so to receive damnable delusions 2 Thes 2. 10. 11. 12. yea though sprinkled with water and moved by spirit yet if not born of water and spirit he cannot enter the kingdome 2. 3. 5. But from the beleif of the testimony and its sayings turning at his reproof and so receiving the spirit making known his word that he beleiveth on him for that he kath promised he begins to be born of water and spirit and to be made free and is a Son of God by faith indeed Gall. 4. 6. 7 and 3. 26. and being so confiding and hoping in him he is still to hold fast this confidence Heb. 3. 6. 14. and so to trust perfectly in him at all times and for the grace to be brought us in the Revelation of Christ for this is his Commandment Psal 62. 8. 1 Pe. 13. therefore in doing both the forementioned Commandments let us do this also that we may enjoy the blessing 4. That for his great free and rich love and goodness thus beleived we confess his name in the Gospel in word and conversation and in and for this confession sake that we deny our selves and take up our Cross and follow Christ in his instruction in example given us Phill. 1. 27. 29. and 2. 8. 16 17. 2 Thes 1. 4. 5. 6. 7. and as to this confession of him in self denyal and bearing his reproch before the sons of men the blessing is promised Matt. 10. 32. Luke 12. 8. Psal 31. 19. and like as he was abased dispised persecuted and persecuted all the dayes of his mortal life and in patience bearing it gave us an example 1 Pet. 2. 21. 22. 23. and as his first coming and suffering and death was not to exempt men wholly from feeling misery and death but in his fathers way and season to redeem them out of both so as it is appoynted to men once to dye Heb. 9. 27. and to all that beleive in him to bear his râ—proch and suffer tribulation for his names sake Matt. 10. 22. 24. 25. Mar. 13. 12. 13. 1 Thess 3. 4. 2 Tim. 3. 12. And so this is his Commandment whosoever will come after me if
Commandments blessed this absolutely affirmed and so Psal 119. 1. 6. and though they have sin dwelling in their flesh anoying them and troubling them with its Iusts yet while in beleif of the grace in Christ they do not consent to and allow the same so as to make it so their own sin is not imputed to them but they are in favour with God for Christ his sake and grace dispensed to them c. Psal 32. 1. 6. Rom. 4. 5. 8. 11. and 7. 14. 25. and 8. 1. 2. yea in doing every and each one and all these Commandments For 1. In hearty beleiving the testimony of Christ and sayings therein it will work savingly and bring unto righteousness Rom. 1. 16. and 10. 9 10. 1 Thes 2. 13. Iohn 16. 27. 2 Thes 1. 10. And 2. In turning at his reproof confessing our sinfulness and the evil of our designs and waies disowned by those sayings of his judging and condemning our selves therefore and approving the light In this doing we shall come to the light and he will pour forth his spirit to make known his words to us so as we shall know what and how to beleive and receive strength enabling thereto Psal 32. 5. 6. Prov. 1. 23. Iohn 3. 21. And 3. In beleiving on him in his name and word from love and grace in Christ discovered beleiving and crusting in him for performance of his word and promise to us though in respect of all seen and sencible hope we sit in darkness yet he will be even then a light to us Isa 50. 9. 10. Mich. 7. 8 9. And Christ and the righteousness in him is imputed to us and forgiveness Justification acceptation into favour with quickning interest in son-like priviledge and hope of glory received Rom. 4. 5. 11. 17. 22. 23. and 5. 1. 2. 3. 9. 10. so that blessed are they that trust in him Psal 2. 12. so as they shall be as Mount Zion that cannot be moved Psal 125. 1. 2. And 4. In confessing his name denying our selves and bearing his reproach among the sons of men in suffering loss of outward and natural relations and accommodations yea life for his name sake we shall therein receive suitable supports and consolations in sufferings and assurance of exceeding and more abundant reward in the resurrection of the just Mat. 10. 32. Isa 43. 2. 2 Cor. 1. 4. 5. Mat. 19. 28. 29. Rom. 8. 18. Revel 7. 14. 17. therefore blessed Mat. 5. 10. 11. 12. And 5. In loving one another as he hath loved us and so bringing forth the fruits of that love in works of mercy where we can look for no return or recompence from men we lay up treasure in Heaven and receive inward mercies and assurance of being rewarded in the resurrection of the just Mat. 5. 7. and 6. 14. 20. Luke 12. 31. Psalm 141. 1. 2. 3. and 112. 5. 6. 9. Pro 19. 17. Eccl. 11. 1. 2. so blessed are such as do this Commandment And 6. In abusing our selves and not seeking any applause to our selves or our own design but giving glory to him and his word and so aiming at and seeking to glorifie him and occasion and win in others to glorifie him he will approve us and we shall discern his goodness and in due season be will glorifie us 1 Pet. 5. 5. 6. Mat. 5. 8. 1 Sam. 2. 30. And 7. In patience possessing our souls keeping the saith and finishing our course waiting and looking for the appearance and coming of our Lord and his kingdome we are assured he will appear without sin unto salvation to us and we shall then appear with him in glory and receive the Crown of life and righteousness Luke 21. 19. 2 Tim. 4. 7. 8. Heb. 10. 35. 39. and 9. 28. Iam. 1. 12. Coll. 31. 4 and it s plainly said blessed are they yea every one that doth his Commandments yea in doing them blessed for in respect of mans part the doing of his commands thus is wisdome and the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdome And they have a good understanding that do it that is that do his Commandments the praise of it endureth for ever Iob. 28. 28. Psal 111. 10. and they are even now blessed while so doing Psal 112. 1. for in keeping them there is great reward And this is seen also in the end required namely CHAP. V. * 4 Observable THe end required and to be aim'd at in doing his Commandments yea the issue of so doing them is express to be That we may have right to the tree of life and having that right may enter in through the gates into the City so that to have right to the tree of life and such a right as by it we may enter into the City is the end and issue exprest The Tree of liâ—e is known to be Jesus Christ the true wisdome of God Pro. 3. 12. yea the Prince of whom that is affirmed Psal 1. 3. and 52. 8. Hos 14. 8. And Jesus Christ in the vertue of his blood and sacrifice is one and the same for ever Heb. 13. 8. But in respect of demonstration manifestation and appearance to us-ward he is two wayes considered * First as testifyed and demonstrated and the mistery opened in a word of faith to be seen by faith in beleiving * Secondly as testified to be seen in his glory as he is and as we are seen but yet not so demonstrated as to be so seen and according to the testimony So * First behold and consâ—der him as he is demonstrated manifested and set forth in the Gospel with the vertue of his incarnation and having been made under the law for us and suffered and overcome for us the whole of that curse and death that was due for us to have suffered and so risen for our justification and offered himself a sacrifice to God for us and is accepted of God and filled with grace spirit and life to dispense to us ever living to appear before God and mediate for us and so is declared and set forth our peace the propitiation for the sins of beleivers and not for their sis only but for the sins of the whole world also the possessor and giver of spirit and grace and eternal life and so he is the soundation of repentance and faith the way and door of approach and coming in to God and so he is set forth for all men and to be preached to all men and there is a liberty and true right for them to look to and come to him in whom is life for them so far that they might repent and beleive which in his Gospel ministring he is giving to them and if they receive and so beleive he will not reprove nor put them by but receive them and they so shall have eternal life such riches the Gospel brings to men and there is blessing for them in it Iohn 3. 14. 17. Rom. 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 2 Cor. 5. 14. 15. 20. 21. Heb.
He that beleiveth not on the Son of God hath not life but abideth under wrath 1 John 3. 18. 36. 1 John 5. 12. and 4. He that is ashamed of the name and Cross of Christ before men Christ will be ashamed of him before his father which is in Heaven yea the end of the enemy of the Cross of Christ is destruction Mar. 8. 38. Phil. 3. 18. 19. and 5. He that loveth not his brother is in darkness and abides in death and walketh in darkness and there is no eternal life in him 1 John 2. 9. 11. and 3. 14. 15. and 4. 8 and 6. Such as are set for their own glory honour and applause with men exalting themselves refusing to deny and abase themselves and their own ends and so to give glory to God and so to glorify him and bring others to glorifie him are so far from having right to the tree of life and hope of reward from God that they are hypocrites and resisted of God Matt. 6. 2. 5. 16 1 Pet. 5. 5. 7. I am 4. 4. and sure 7. Such as make hast in use of unwarrantable means and put far off the evil day and say our Lord delayeth his coming are unfaithful and wicked and a bitter portion belongs to them Isa 28. 15. 16. 21. Amos 6. 3. Mat. 24. 48. 51 yet to say all in one word or sayings such as in the means extended to them do not know God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ but walk in their own waies fulfilling the affections and lusts of the flesh they have no inheritance in the kingdome of God nor are capacitated to enter it but another more terrible portion in flaming fire belongs to them Ephes 5. 3. 5. Gall. 3. 19. 20. 21. 2 Thess 1. 7. 8. such are none of Gods peculiar people none of Gods Elect and chosen and so have no right to the Tree of Life c. And yet even such he came to save and is exalted a Prince and Saviour to give repentance and remission of sins to such Acts 5. 31. 1 Tim. 1. 11. 15. so that yet while the day of his grace and patience lasteth as the voyce and call comes to them if they yet in hearing hear his voyce so as they verily beleive his sayings and so turn at his reproofs repent and beleive in his name and so to do these his Commandements before mentioned for the end here set forth they shall live John 5. 24. 25. 26. And receive washing sanctifying and justifying in the name of the Lord and by the Spirit of the Lord 1 Cor. 6. 9. 10. 11. And therein begin to enjoy their right in Christ as set forth in the Gospel and so come therein to begin to have right to the Tree of life as here mentioned And so are brought out of darkness into the marvelous light and such only are his peculiar people his beloved his chosen Rom. 9. 26. 2 Thess 2. 13. 14. 1 Pet. 2. 3. 4. 5. 9. let none deceive themselves nor suffer others to deceive them in saying though they do not his Commandements forementioned yet they may be his elect for ought any man knoweth for that is false and all that beleive the sayings of Christ know it to be false nor that he may say it is in vain or me to hear his voyce and turn for if I have no right to the Tree of life and be reprobated it is impossible for me to be converted and come to have â—ight thereto for that is false also though all remaining such as said have no right to the Tree of life which may be a provocation to hear his voyce and turn and be doing there Commandements Rom. 11. 7. 21. and 9. 26. The second Position THat the right end of doing these Commandments forementioned or the so doing them according to his mind that we may have right to the Tree oâ— life in the midst of the Paradise of God and so enter through the Care into the City It is to do them with this aime and desire and to this very end mentioned that we may have right to the Tree of life c. Thus express here and in the Gospel plainly discovered to us That as we must become Fools in our selves and beleive his sayings true and good who ever become a Lyar thereby so our end if we would receive the blessings must be not to conclude we are and shall be saved harmless because we beleive his sayings but even therefore beleive and here them that we may be saved by that discovered in them Isa 45. 22. Ioh. 5. 39. 40 2 Thess 2. 10. Psal 50. 16. 17. And so our turning at his reproofs and confessing ouâ— iniquities and judging our selves c. Must be not to conclude our selves as therefore saved and having the because that humbled and repenting But that in so humbling our selves under the mighty hand we may receive the powering forth of his spirit and making known his words that he may lift us up and bring us to beleive in him Isa 58. 2. 3. Prov. 1. 23. 1 Cor. 3. 7 8 9 10. 1 Pet. 5. 6. And so our beleiving and â—â—â—â—ing in him for performance of his promises must be not to magnifie and trust in our beleiving trusting and confiding as for that righteousness justified and sure of all But that we may so magnifie his words and trust not in our trusting but in him that Christ himself may be our Righteousness and we justified by the Faith of him and so be strong in the power and grace that is in him and trust in him that he will perform his word and promises for his own word and names sake Psal 56. 3. 4. 10. 11. and 30. 6. 7 8. Gall. 2. 15. 16. 1 Cor. 4. 5. Ephes 6. 10. 2 Tim. 2. 1. 2 Sam. 7. 25 26 27. And so our confession of his name and bearing his reproach and suffering for his names sake must be not to lift up our selves above others thereby and to vant of our sufferings But to be baptized in to his death to imitate him and be conformed to him in suffering and death that the life and power of Christ may be manifested in us and the spirit of Glory rest upon us and we receive this salvation and consolation and the power of his resurrection now and be made like him in the resurrection of the just 2 Cor. 11. 17. 18. Rom. 6. 4. 8. 2 Cor. 4. 10. 11. and 12. 9. Phill. 3. 10. 1 Pet. 2. 21. and 4. 14. 2 Cor. 9. 10. Rom. 5. 3. 4. Iam. 1. 3 4 12. And in loving and shewing forth the Fruits of love in good works our end must be not to gain Applause or after Riches here not to have them for a foundation to him or rest on for life and righteousness before God but to answer his love to us and imitate him therein to testifie love and thanks to him Mat. 14. 48. Ephes 5. 1 2. 2 Cor. 5.