and revive the broken in heart he must create the fruit of the lips of Ministers to be peace the believing and revived souls how soon would they lose their graces and comforts were not the Holy Ghost the Comforter given unto them to dwell in them for ever here here is our safety 5. By the Word which the Spirit ingrafts the Spirit comes in his communion that the believer might have the witnesse within him and then can nothing deprive him of the comfort of his salvation SECT 10. The Vse of this Doctrine is first for Information This truth that the Holy Ghost maketh The use of this 1. Information the application of the salvation of sinners by Jesus Christ is for singular use for Information and for Exhortation First for Iâ—formation it informs us of four things first of the excellency of the Word of God the Scripture and in special of the Word of the New Testament it is the Chariot of the Spirit in which the Spirit of truth cometh into our hearts the Spirit breathed it at first and in it still the Spirit breaths It is never without the movings and workings of the Holy Ghost in strivings in convictions upon all men to whom it comes and in conversion to the chosen of God It is the power of God to salvation to all that believe whether Jews or Gentiles Secondly of the excellency of the Ministery of the New Testament which ministers or 3. â— the spirit and is the Ministery of the Spirit which makes the receivers of the Gospel to be the Epistles of Christ written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of stone but in fleshly Tables of the heart and all this ministred by the Ministers of Christ by which God maketh manifest the savour 2 Cor. 2. 14 15 16. of the knowledge of Christ unto God a sweet savour in them that are saved to whom ir is the savour of life unto life and in them that perish to whom it is the savour of death unto death but in both a sweet savour unto God and by it he perfumes the world Thirdly of the worth of a true Christian the Spirit of God and of Christ dwelleth in him he hath the witnesse in himself he hath this anointing Fourthly of the excellency of the work of grace in the Convert above all that is found of vertue praise or worth in any other people in the world The Gospel Convert is the spiritual man he is one in the Spirit one after the Spirit he is one â—pirit with the Lord Christ their very bodies are the consecrated Temples of the Holy Ghost this makes one a good man this makes a difference among men some have the Spirit some though they may pretend to it yet seeing they are not delivered from sensuality nor from self-conceitednesse Jude 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which sheweth it self in removing all the bounds which God hath set between his Church and the world and in setting no bounds or in setting bounds of their own they have not the Spirit There are other spirits besides the Spirit of God and there are who have the Spirit of God and yet they have not the Spirit in that sense of which we speak here There are five sorts of spirits which are not the Spirit of God and they have a Five sorts of spirits that have much power on men which are not the Spirit of God great stroak upon men 1. The spirit of man which knoweth what is in this man this is the soul which animates the body which is endued with reason which hath understanding and will which hath conscience that is a power to reflect upon himself and upon all within him to view and know his own thoughts and counsels and all his desires and actions and then to make up a judgment upon it for God with or against the man the soul in respect of this power 1 Cor. 2. 11 14. called the conscience is the spirit of man but this animal man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God nor can know them they are far above out of their reach 2. The spirit of the world this is the wisdome of the world wherewith Philosophers Princes wise States-men and Politicians learned men Inventers of arts trades and manufactures Merchants Rich men Navigators warlike Heroes Renowned men have excelled whose power and force lyeth within the compasse of humane reason and is accounted the perfection of the minde This spirit the world is proud of this saith Paul we leave to the world to the men of the 1 Cor. 2. 12. world this spirit is not sinful in it self 3. The spirit of lust that dwelleth in Jam. 45. â—â—oh 5. 19. 2. 15 16 us this is the spirit of that world which is placed in wickednesse of that world which is the lust of the flesh the lust of the eye and the pride of life this is a sinful spirit and it reigneth in all men by nature and beslaveth the two former spirits the wisdome of the world and the very soul and conscience of man this is the impulse of the former spirit of the world the life and power of it the malignity and wickednesse of it And this spirit is the spirit of envy pride ambition revenge self-love atheisme profanesse and superstition it is the spirit of timidity or base pusillanimous fear and of tyrannical domineering oppression The more basely fearful the more proudly tyrannical 4. The spirit Satan who works effectually in all men by nature he is the 1 John 4. 2 3 6. 1 Tim. 4. 1 2. Zach. 13. 2 Rev. 16. 14 father of lusts and the father of lies and in that regard he is the spirit of errour the spirit of Apostasie and of the doctrine of Devils we read of unclean spirits the spirits of Devils which come out of the mouth of the Dragon as well as out of the mouth of the Beast and our of the mouth of the false Prophet these are those men who love to broach such lies in Religion coloured over with hypocrisie Rom. 11. 8 Isa 29. 10 14. 6. 9. 5. The spirit of slumber which is sent of God in his righteous judgment for hardnings and rebellion against the light of his Word and for gain-saying of unbelief under the Gospel This is a stupid sottish heart hard and hardened benummed aston'd as with a lethargy that feels not nor understands divine and spiritual things although it be never so much rouzed punched and gored so that they startle but presently nod and fall fast asleep again And here not only the heart is so secure but there is also a force and impulse of Satan sent of God as a righteous judge which carrieth them mightily and beyond what is ordinarily found in things which men do alone as men this is called a spirit of slumber the like reason is to be held in the fore-named spirits Errour is
and floods according to the promise of the Old Testament this our Apostle is peremptory If any have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his There are three that bear Record in heaven Isa 44. 3. Rom. 8. 9. 1 Joh. 5. 7 8. and three that bear Record on earth unto the salvation of sinners by Jesus Christ and the Spirit is one of each three The Spirit is the witnesse that testifieth of Christ and the Spirit is the witnesse that testifieth in the true Christian that he is the child of God the believer hath the witnesse in himself the word of Scripture is the Spirits Testimony in this word as in his Chariot the Spirit cometh into the heart by this word engraffed which is the Spirits work he dwells there and in and by this word which he quickneth he gives in his witnesse that we are the Children of God Now it is the compleatnesse of this work of the Spirit which is here to be considered And this will be manifest if we observe diligently the opening of these seven things 1. Who this Spirit is Seven things unfolded touching the Spirit 2. What is his saving work in and upon the elect of God and the Redeemed of Christ 3. That the Spirit is in Office to do that saving work and his faithfulnesse in this his Office 4. The peculiar works of the Spirit in order to this saving work 5. The Inhabitation of this Spirit where he is thus given 6. The time of his coming And lastly 7. The peculiarity and appropriation of this work to the elect of God the Father and to the Redeemed of Jesus Christ SECT 2. 1. Who this Spirit is This Spirit is the holy Ghost for so the Apostle in this Chapter maketh it cleare 1. Who is this Spirit when he calls him the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ ver 9. and the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead the Spirit that shall quicken our mortal bodies in ver 11. and in ver 16. he distinguisheth this Spirit from our spirits in the point of witnesse-bearing Therefore the Spirit is the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit as our Translators also render it in the Epistle to the Ephesians Ch. 1. 13. ch 4. 30. which is all one in sense the word Spirit being from the Latine and Ghost an old English word Now that we may know who the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit is note 2. He is God he is true and very God equal in power and glory with the Father and the Sonne the same God in essence though a distinct 1 Joh. 5. 7 person in the God-head and the third person for there are three and these three are one three persons the Father is not the Son nor the Holy Ghost the Son is not the Father nor the Holy Ghost the holy Ghost is not the Father nor the Son they are three yet these three are one God not three Gods one God in essence the God-head of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is but one Spirit here is taken personally and not essentially as when it is said God is a Spirit and these three are one in bearing Record one God in bearing Record yet three that bear Record three persons and one God and that he is God is manifest The Lord is that Spirit or that Spirit is the Lord. We are transformed into the 2 Cor. 3. 17. v. 18 Image of God in beholding in the glasse of the Gospel the glory of God and this transformation is wrought even as by the Spirit of the Lord that is it is such a work as none can do but the Spirit of the Lord and such wherein the Spirit of the Lord is plainly seen an expression like that concerning Christ Jesus We saw his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father as is not of similitude or likenesse for no like is the same but as of specification of the very things as the glory that is no other or lesse than the very glory of the only begotten of the Father So likewise here as by the Spirit of the Lord that is by no other worker and by no lesse than by the very Spirit of the Lord and it may also be read which I most approve as most agreeing to the whole Context going before especially in ver 17. as by the Lord the Spirit Again To tempt the Spirit is to tempt Act. 5. 3 4. Isa 6. 9. with Act. 28. 25. God as we find in the History of Ananias and Sapphira The Lord Jehovah spake by the Prophet Isaiah and Paul saith the holy Ghost spake those same words by Isaiah The name Jehovah is the name of the true God only this his name which is his alone he will never give to another but here it is the name of the Holy Ghost Jehovah is the Holy Ghost who spake by the Prophets and who is as the Nicene Creed professeth The Lord and giver of life The properties also of the God-head are given to the holy Ghost as eternity Heb. 9. 14. Psa 139. 7. called the eternal Spirit Omnipresence or to be present in all places at once as David sang whither shall I go from thy Spirit Omnipotence to be Almighty and this the works of the Spirit do manifest he doth the works of God the works which only God can do as the work of Creation by the Spirit of the Lord were the Psal 33. 6 Job 26. 13 Job 33. 4. 32. 8. Gen. 1. 2. with Deut. 32. 11. Isa 61. 1. 48. 16. 1 Cor. 12. 8 9 10 11. heavens made the Spirit garnished the heavens and made man as Elihu said The Spirit of God hath made me and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life The â—nspiration of the Almighty giveth men understanding Likewise the work of preservation the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters or was moving with an hatching virtue as the bird sitteth upon the eggs and hovereth over her young to cherish and preserve them his work is the sending and anointing of Jesus Christ the gifts of tongues and miracles and the like which he distributeth as he will These works declare the deity of the holy Ghost and they declare it above Suae libertatis arbiter omnia pro authoritate propriae voluntatis dividens Ambr. l 1. c 2. de spiritu sancto 2 Cor. 13. 14. Rev. 1. 4. the force and reach of all cavills of sophistical blasphemers and to the strong Consolation of all believers he it is that applies with saving efficacy the love of the Father and the grace of the Son Divine honour is also given to him as to be baptized into his Name to pray and blesse from him to call upon him And in the second to the Thessalonians Ch. 3. ver 5. the Apostle prayeth thus The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patient
he converts me couldst thou have thought thou hadst had such a sinful nature as now thou findest and feelest or couldst thou ever have thought of the mighty and glorious power of the Spirit in the least spark of renewing grace which both lives and orders the whole man heart and life in the midst of such floods and seas of inbred ungodlinesse and lusts say not Why doth he give desires not to sinne and yet answers not satisfies not those desires they shall not perish they shall be satisfied and filled whereas the desires of the wicked shall perish besides than these desires there cannot be lesse if the heart be right than they there cannot be more as to the matter of desires say not How can I be comforted when yet sin remains rather here couldst thou be comforted in Christ if sinne were not how could all thy good be wholly of grace How altogether by faith say not how can I be right who sinne continually may it not be said How can he be but right who doth not and resolves never to walk after the flesh and lives judging himself continually say not Wherein hath God loved me he gives thee himself he gives thee his Son and it is undeniable for see he hath given thee his Spirit and thy walk testifyeth it Oh walk on and let it so witnesse for thee more and more silence thy reasonings prevent not the order which God hath set here we walk by faith not by sigâ—t that 's for the life to come Ninthly be not desponding and saying I shall perish one time or other the Spirit in thee is the anointing thou art King Elect and shalt thou perish who hast upon thee the holy oyle thine enemy the flesh yokes thee but the yokes shall be broken because of the anointing Isa 10. 27. Tenthly methinks I hear thee yet say I am weary of my life because of these daughters of Heth these issues of the flesh it were better for me to die than to live in this sinful world what good will my life do me if that which my soul hateth must still dwell with me hate thy sinnes yet more but when thou hatest them never so much art thou a greater hater of the flesh than God and Christ and the Holy Ghost And canst thou not abide where the Holy Ghost is willing to reside and dwell whom makest thou thy self consider who is thy next neighbour keep in the Communion of the Holy Ghost and solace thy self in thy Comforter who dwells in thee that thou mayest never walk in fellowship with the flesh Eleventhly why goest thou not the right way to work even to give up thy self unto the command of the Spirit who treats with thee by the Word and dwelleth in thee whiles the Word of Christ abideth in thee Twelfthly pay the flesh home for its naughtinesse and all its pranks but glorifie the Spirit Lastly believe in the Holy Ghost and walk in his comforts who will prompt thee and say This is the way walk in it Isa 30. 20 21. when thou art turning aside to the right hand or to the left My farewell to the brotherhood and to all walkers after the Spirit is this Now I commend you to God and to the Word of his grace the holy Scripture which the Holy Ghost breathed and which alone he accompanieth for the making sinners wise to salvation by faith which is in Jesus Christ that you all may be under the teachings guidance and leading of that one Spirit may in his light behold the glory of these three witnesses in heaven which three are one Jehovah and may in all Religious worship and service and in all your wayes acknowledge draw near and have accesse unto God the Father through Jesus Christ his onely begotten Sonne our Lord by the Spirit so be it even so be it FINIS Courteous Reader these books following are printed or sold by Adoniram Byfield at the three Bibles in Corn-hil next door to Popes-head Alley THe History of the Evangelical Churches of the Valleys of Piemont Containing a most exact Geographical Description of the place and a faithful Account of the doctrine life and persecutions of the Ancient Inhabitants Together with a most naked and punctual relation of the late bloody Massacre 1655. and a Narrative of all the following transactions to 1658. Justified partly by divers Ancient Manuscripts written many hundred years before Calvin or Luther By Samuel Morland Esq in fol. Divine Characters in two parts acutely distinguishing the more secret and undiscerned differences between the Hypocrite in his best dresse of seeming vertues and formal duties and the true Christian in his real graces and sincere obedience by Mr. Samuel Crook in fol. A Commentary upon the three first Chapters of Genesis by Mr. John White in fol. An Exposition upon Ezekiel by Mr. William Greenhil in 4. The humbled sinner resolved what he should do to be saved or faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the only way of salvation by Mr. Obadiah Sedgewick in 4. The Riches of grace displayed in the offer and tender of salvation to poor sinners by the same Authour in 12. The Fountain opened and the water of life flowing forth for the refreshing of thirsty sinners by the same Authour in 4. A short Catechisme by the same Authour Hidden Manna by Mr. Fenner in 12. Safe conduct or the Saints guidance to glory by Mr. Ralph Robinson in 4. The Saints longing after their heavenly Country by the same Authour in 4. A Sermon at a Fast by Mr. Nathaniel Ward in 4. Moses his death a Sermon at the Funeral of Mr. Edward Bright Minister by Mr. Samuel Jacomb in 4. A short and plain Catechisme instructing a learner of Christian Religion what he is to believe and what he is to practice by the same Authour The hypocritical Nation described with an Epistle prefixed by Mr. Samuel Jacomb in 4. A Sermon of the baptizing of Infants by Mr. Stephen Marshal in 4. The unity of the Saints with Christ the Head by the same Authour in 4. FINIS
THE GOSPELS GLORY without prejudice to the LAW Shining forth In the glory of God the Father the Sonne the Holy Ghost For the SALVATION of SINNERS who through grace do believe according to the draught of the Apostle Paul in Rom. 8. ver 3. 4. Held out to publick view By the Ministerial labours of Richard Byfield M. A. Pastor in Long-Ditton and teaching on Thursedayes weekly in Kingston upon Thames Surrey Justitia legis fides est Christiana Ambros tom 5. in cap. 2. Epist ad Rom. LONDON Printed by E. M. for Adoniram Byfield at the three Bibles in Corn-hil next door to Popes-head Alley 1659. QUid illam legem naturalem excluserat praevarâ—catio Adae ac propemodum aboleverat in pectoribus humanis regnabat superbia inobedienti âque sese diffuderat Ideò successit â—sta per Moysen ut nos scripto convenâ—ret omne os obstrueret ut totum mundum faceret Deo subditum Subditus autem mundus ei per legem factus est quia ex praescripto legis omnes convincuntur ex op ribus legis nemo justificatur id est quia per legem peccatum cognoscitur sed culpa non relaxatur videbatur lex nocuisse quae omnes facerat peccatores sed veniens Domâ—nus Jesus peccatum omnibus quod nemo poterat evitare donavit chirographum nostrum sui sanguinis effusione delevit Ambro. Tom. 3. Ep. lib. 9. Epist 71. ad Irenaeum Because the prevarication of Adam had excluded that Law of nature and had almost abolished it pride did reign in mens breasts and disobedience had diffused it self therefore this Law written by Moses hath succeeded that it might sue us with a writ and might stop every mouth that it might make the whole world subject to God but the world is by the Law made subject to him because out of the prescript of the Law all men are convinced and no man is justified by the works of the Law that is because by the Law sinne is known but the fault is not released the Law did seem to have been hurtful which had made all men sinners but the Lord Jesus coming hath freely forgiven sin to all which no man was able to escape and hath blotted out our hand-writing with the shedding of his own blood TO THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS HIS HIGHNESSE Richard LORD PROTECTOR Of the Common-Wealth of England Scotland and Ireland with the Dominions thereunto belonging Grace and peace here and glory hereafter HUmane Creations in civil Societies God doth own And unto every humane Creation for our Lord Christs sake we owe submission this is our well-doing according to the Will of God Here supreme and sent of the supreme is order and beauty bands and beauty Lawes against evil-doers and for encouragement of wel-doers with execution of those Lawes for which purpose they beare the sword are of necessity that Magistracy in its various Creations may attain its end But in the Church all things are of God and whatever is of man is alien to that Society The grand enemies of the Church under the New Testament are the Dragon the Beast the false Prophet this last is the most dangerous the Beasts and Dragons spiritual wickednesse and power the animating vivacity of that lustful Whore Babylon the Great the Woman that rides the beast And the Beast is a Beast whether arising out of the sea or out of the earth or ascending out of the bottomlesse pit And the Dragons poison and paw is in all and all to mischief the Church of Christ This Paradise he affects to be in because not his place but chiefly out of his love his love to work ruines there How slily how insensibly slides in this old Serpent humane here humane of what note soever and Satan presently Acts it Christ knew it well who said to Peter Get thee behind me Satan thou art an offence unto me for thou savourest not the things that be of God but those that be of men The love-feasts shrowd divisions presently destroy the Lords Supper and harbour slie and spotty Heretiques and deceivers Prelacy in the ministery though brought in ad tollenda schismata to take away schismes brings forth the man of sinne and with him the mystery of iniquity An Easter day fill'd the Christian world East and West with miserable contentions and turn'd the Professors of Christs name after formalities and meer Nifles The retired solitarinesse of some eminently devout filled it with Monkery Nunnery and the swarmes of the orders of such Commandments of men received to teach the feare of God do Null the Commandments of God Mens opinions chosen for the rationality or the depth of them have proved the depths of Satan Mens Inventions entertained for their suitablenesse to humane Policies have while served the lusts of men in Magistracy trampled on Magistracy enthroned Tyranny and suborned for sacred Maximes that are the hornes to push at and gone all the godly and the power of godlinesse Such as these No Bishop no King Christs Kingdome is an enemy to Caesar Christs simple Ordinances for worship without the pompe of humane Ceremonies are not for the State and Majesty of Princes That is the world knows his own and will know nothing but his own It hath been long and lamentably experimented that the evils of the Church have ever disturbed the state That which corrupts men and sets up lust must needs be against God and against Magistracy which is from God The Gospel in its purity will help all this evil will bring with it all good this Gospel is one the name of them that hold that one faith is sacred the name Christian The love it teacheth and worketh is the bond that knits them together in one brother-hood love is for Communion not for single standing separating nor dividing It s power is as sweet as strong as beautiful as powerful as good as commanding Administrations there are in diversity but one Lord there is from whom as there is but one Church one body for whose edification all those are given One body in Communion distinguished into several but no severed fellowships or Churches for order and edification-sake Absolutenesse in severed Companies is of Primacy affected The 24. Elders are one community about the Throne and the Lamb and are more able to advise than one that arrogates because he loves to have Praeeminence The Instituted order in Administrations of the New Testament is Apostles Prophets these the Scriptures now supply lay the Bible in the midst and consult therewith and there you have them then Teachers Deacons Governments these Christ Jesus by his Spirit gifts and by his Church owns One way and one heart go together Diversities of wayes nurses up divisions of heart O Princes let Christ the King of glory in his Gospel and Gospel-Administrations come in These things belong unto the wise these concern the supreme primarily and Grace Wisdome and Prudence discerns closeth with and establisheth them The strange crossenesse and
on the judgment to come but in this way nothing so delightful as the presence of God and the light of his countenance gives peace and joy against which is no Law and which no death nor guilt of sin can destroy The Law is delightful death desirable and sinne it self made humbling and profitable because now hateful and abominable to us by how much the more we believe and know that thus God is love 3. All here is kid untill God reveal All here is mysterious 1 Cor. 2. 7. All James 1. 17 18. is heavenly all from above from above Creation from God under another notion 1 Cor. 2. 12 14. then as a Creator The animal or natural man cannot receive these things when told him cannot finde them out till they be told him but the spiritual only who hath received the Spirit of God and not the spirit which is of the world Nothing suits with these things of the Gospel but what is from above the born from above can alone close with these things They are too high for the unregenerate man who is the fool under the power of folly and values them as the Swine doth Pearls A double revelation of the Spirit is absolutely necessary to the discerning of the things of this salvation the one of the Holy Ghost inspiring the Prophets and Apostles to preach and write them the other of the same Holy Ghost as he is the Spirit of Wisdome and Revelation inlightning the eyes of our understandings to know them when in and by the Word they are declared to us 1 Cor. 2. 10. Ephes 1. 17 18. 4. Here is truth of salvation and here is strength of salvation truth of salvation for God is the rock his work is perfect all his wayes are judgment A God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Deut. 32. 4. And strength of salvation when he giveth quietnesse who then can make trouble and when he hideth his face who then can behold him whether it be done against a Nation or against a man only Job 34. 29. 5. Here is satisfaction and assurance to the soul satisfaction for the Lord laid on his Sonne our iniquities the Lord bruised him God gave his Son nothing can satisfie the awakened soul nothing can set down the doubting soul but God who is above the soul and above the Law above sin and Satan And assurance is here it is no venture but a state in which we may glory to cast our selves on God we Ps 62. 7. 56. 10. Rom. 8. 31 33 36. may say every one for himself in God is my glory in God will I praise his Word in God we are more than Conquerors 6. Here is irreversiblenesse God cannot lie God cannot deny himself God is not as man that he should repent he hath blessed and who shall curse Tit. 1. 2. Numb 23. 8 19. His gifts and calling are without repentance he will never repent of them Rom. 11. 29. 7. God is in Christ in Christ and in him alone is God reconciling the world to 2 Cor. 5. 19. himself he is not nor can be found in the whole work of Creation reconciling a sinner and not imputing trespasses no science of the nature of the creatures no knowledge of the connexion and rational mutual chaining of the several creatures in this whole globe as so many parts of the universe having dependence one upon another and influence into each other by way of cause and effect no knowledge of the Deity that made all and rules all no principles and seeds of virtue and righteousnesse there learned and thence gathered by all the strength of the principles of reason and light in man and improved to the utmost for the framing of thoughts desires gestures words and deeds none of these nor all these nor whatever other manifestations of the infinite invisible eternal God-head as the invisible world of Angelical spirits be they Thrones Dominions Principalities or Powers none none of them have God in them reconciling a sinful man to himself not imputing trespasses In none of these nor in all these layed together hath God set forth a ransome for a sinner a price of a redemption for a soul that hath sinned a sacrifice and sin-offering or himself appeased propitious and merciful forgiving sins and receiving the sinner into his favour or any of them set forth as a propitiation or in them as on a mercy seat as upon a throne of grace no no but God is in Christ merciful reconciling pardoning accepting into a state of grace and favour Christ Jesus God hath set forth a ransome a price of redemption a sin-offering and a propitiation for our sins Christ is the Lamb of God God hath provided the Lamb for sacrifice as Abraham answered his son Gen. 22. 7 8. Isaac who said to him My Father behold the fire and the wood but where is the Lamb for a burnt-offering to whom Abraham said My son God will provide himself a Lamb for a burnt-offering Behold the Lamb of God as John the Baptist Joh. 1. 29. cryed 8. All things are of God 2 Cor. 5. 17 18. that is all things in the regeneration in the Kingdome of Christ in the businesse of Redemption in the Church of Christ as it is his Church are of God of God not in the way and the putting forth of his power and the manifestation of his glory as he is the faithful Creator but they are of God as he is the God and Father of Jesus Christ oâ—r Lord as he is pleased to set forth himself his power and glory in the way of Redemption here they are all of God and nothing of Angels or Men or of any other whatsoever Whatever is not of God in this work but of men or any other is altogether disagreeable to be rejected unprofitable and shall be rooted out 9. Here we see it makes nothing at all neither is it a pin to choose what or which of the twain befall us to be blessed of the world or to be cursed to be blessed of evil Ministers of Balaams or to be cursed to blesse our selves or to have misgiving thoughts of our selves We stand or fall to God and not to man or to our selves Heark what God saith of thee and to thee and not what man or thine own heart saith as David said of old I will hear what God the Lord Psal 85. 8. will speak 10. Here we see believing is the work that God would have of us He findes out in his own wisdome of his love and good pleasure within himself all that concerns this work it is the mystery of his will his bosome secret and counsel Ephes 1. 10. his Spirit must reveal and tell it if he speak not if he give not out his Word none can dive into it now then he testifyeth and we are to receive his testimony and to believe his Word he that believeth sets to his seal that God
all righteousnesse but nulled no Law he fulfills the Law in us whiles he enables ro believe that he fulfilled it for us The Ministry of the Gospel is the Ministry of Rom. 3. 31 life of righteousnesse and of the Spirit we establish the Law by faith we magnifie it and make it honourable we bring to glorious liberty not to base licentiousnesse which is most absolute slavery We advance godlinesse while our Doctrine forms it in power and destroyes a powerlesse form of it we maintaine good workes while through the Gospel the sinner is called to come to God through Christ alone and God takes him into his own gracious and powerful hands and makes molds fashions him in his own workmanship in Christ Jesus created anew unto good Eph. 2. 10. works O ye Pontificians ye Papists and all others to whom the Gospel comes know ye The Law is not against the Promise The Promise ingraves the Law in the fleshly tables of the heart This Doctrine also tries and differenceth 2. To try Professors Believers and Believers Christians and Christians upon the Believer and Christian indeed the former three sentences are deeply fastened and the answers are experimentally and sweetly resented in the heart that closeth with them and receiveth the mould of them such a heart is truly believing and Christian and no other Go over them again and again in thy thoughts and try how it is with thee CHAP. IX Sheweth that the fulnesse of salvation shines in the Person who maketh saving application thereof dethâ—oning corruption of nature and ruling the whole man even the Spirit the Holy Ghost the Spirit of the Father and of the Sonne SECT 1. THe person applying and the manner of his application of the salvation by Christ is implied in these words who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit here the Spirit is the person that brings home this work with efficacy and power for here we have a double consideration of the Spirits work in the saved ones the first presupposed and implied namely that God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son do give to those that shall be saved the Spirit who applyeth savingly all the love of the Father and the grace of the Son who pulls the flesh or mans natural corruption out of the Throne and sets up himself to rule the man mention is made in these words of such a Spirit and who can be able to do such a work but the Spirit who is the power of the most High who will be willing but the Holy Spirit or as we usually speak the Holy Ghost likewise either sinners have this Spirit of themselves and so none have for if they had him in them by nature how is it that he ruled not how is it all by nature are under the power of the flesh living and walking in their sins or else he must be given and who can give him but God the Father and Christ his only Son this giving and working of the Spirit for the bringing home the Redemption which is in Jesus Christ is therefore necessarily implied in these words The second work of the Spirit is expressed in a Description of the Redeemed ones They walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit both these considerations are in the subject persons made partakers of that work of the Spirit two wayes commended in the words us who walk c. first that the Jews and the Gentiles the Apostles and all others that belong to God are all alike sharers in this mercy and work of the giving of the Spirit to them to apply savingâ—y this salvation and to reign in them and frame their conversation although they have not all alike this Spirit in the same measure and degree Us who walk saith the Apostle we Apostles we Jewes and you the believers at Rome to whom he wrote you that were sinners of the Gentiles us you as well as we who walk after the Spirit Secondly that neither the one nor the other of them have respect with God but in Christ No were he an Apostle not Paul himself nor do they look for part in this salvation upon lower or other termes but as they fall within this Description Hence therefore we have two things before us 1. The sixth branch of truth that proves the fulnesse of salvation in Christ 2. The third great doctrine which is The description of a true Christian The sixth branch is this The salvation of sinners by Christ is compleat Doct. 6. The Spirit of the as being savingly applied by the Spirit given of God the Father and of Christ Father and the Son applies the salvation by Christ dethroning corruption and ruling the whole man 1 Cor. 6. 11 his own Sonne to them that shall be saved In which application the Spirit dethrones the flesh and rules the whole man The sinners which are washed justified and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus have this so great a change wrought by the Spirit of our God saith the Apostle God who sent the Redeemer hath covenanted that his Word and Spirit shall be in the seed and seeds seed of the Redeemer to whom the Father gave them that he should save them as the Prophet Isaiah sheweth saying The Redeemer shall Isa 59. 21. come to Zion As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord my Spirit that is upon thee that is upon Christ the Redeemer and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed for whom the Redeemer gave his soul an offering for sin and went in travel with them on the Crosse nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed from henceforth Isa 53. 10. Gal. 3. 14. 1 Joh. 4. 13. 3 24 and for ever Christ hath purchased it and the believer is possessed of it Hereby we know saith the Apostle that we dwell in God and God in us even by the Spirit which he hath given us This is that way in which he saveth even by the renewing Tit. 3. 3 5. 2 Thes 2. 13 14. 1 Thes 1. 3 4 5. of the Holy Ghost which he sheds on us abundantly through our Lord and Saviour and through this way even the sanctification of the Spirit God bringeth his chosen unto glory Hereby our election is known The Son of God the wisdome of the Father subdueth us by his Spirit poured out unto us by which he makes known his words to us This is called the Communion Pro. 1. 23. 2 Cor. 13. 14. Joh. 3. 3 5 of the holy Ghost And this is so absolutely necessary that unlesse a man be born from above of water and of the holy Ghost he can never see the Kingdome of God that is he cannot come into and enjoy eternal life in heaven he can never enter into it unlest he be born again of the holy Spirit now poured out as plentifully as water
awake arise and live he is the Spirit of life the righteousnesse of Christ declared and set forth by God in the Gospel and brought home to the soul of an humbled sinner by the word attended with the Spirit and the Spirit is life because of this righteousnesse life from the death of condemnation which sin deserved life from the death of sin life true and joyful 3. He circumcises the heart with a circumcision made without Rom. 2. 29 Col. 2. 11. hands In this work the word is the circumcising knife this knife is taken into the hand of the Spirit the heart is the part that is to suffer and not the flesh or body of the sinner the fore-skin is the superfluity of maliciousnesse and wickednesse Jam. 1. 21. Deut. 30. 6. the skin upon the heart the skin of other loves which oppose the love of God as self-love the love of the world the love which is called lust and the love of superstitious vanities and mens inventions in Religion and worship and the cutting off this fore-skinnesse is when the word in the hand of the Spirit and by it skilfully used getting between our hearts and them it makes the heart to see them to be such as the word sayes of them and to judge it self for them and to cast them away as unprofitable and destructive even because of Christ circumcised and made under the Law for us and for our deliverance from the same Law Untill this work be done no love of God can be wrought in us strange loves have the heart and when this work is done it reacheth to the circumcision of the ears and of the lips and of the whole man Insomuch that the body of the sinnes of the flesh the whole frame of sinful flesh suffers and is destroyed 4. He gives us spiritual senses and a sagacity and quicknesse of sente whereby he makes us savour spiritual things and to smell out and delight to pursue spiritual wayes this work is so eminent that the Rom. 8. 5. Isa 11. 2 3 newborn babe can taste distinguishingly the sincere milk of the Word fit to feed batten and make to grow from all adulterate stuffe and can see and discern judiciously the things of the Spirit of God from all other things and make up a right judgement concerning them and can in hearing try the words of doctrine delivered and try the spirits in the teachers the Spirit of Christ and the spirit of Antichrist the Spirit of God and the spirit which is of the world the spirit of truth and the spirit of errour In ordering his Conversation he can sente and smell the wayes of holinesse from those of profanenesse so that he is of quick understanding in the feare of the Lord and is sensible and hath his feeling of spiritual mercies and plagues of sin that annoyes spiritual life and of the power and spiritualnesse of Ordinances and Administrations from ordinances of men in will-worship and formal out-sidednesse and shews and florishes in administrations All this the new born babe is able to do by a naturalnesse like an instinct though for want of Art or of strength of the reasoning ability or not yet having the wits the senses exercised in the word of righteousnesse he cannot shew to his own or others satisfaction where the fault lyeth much lesse is able to dispute it and by arguing convince the evil doers the opposer and the pleader for the evil the quicknesse of spiritual senses doth grow as age in Christ cometh on the Spirit in this work rested upon Jesus Christ as he was man in all fulnesse as became our head and it is on every living member of his mystical body according to his place of membership as becomes such a Member 5. He writes his law in our hearts The Law 2 Cor. 3. 2 3 Rom. 8. 2 that is the summe of revealed truth both of the Law strictly so called the Law of the ten Commandments and of the Gospel this is that which is written the writing is such an engraving of the truth with love of the truth upon our hearts made soft tender and fleshy as that it cannot be blotted out The soul may be torn from the body but the truth cannot be torn out of the heart And this impression of the truth is such that now it is the Law of the mind which Laws the man It is the Law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus as the Head and in them as the members this is an heavenly edition of the Bible so imprinted upon the soul that the man becomes a living walking Bible which print comes off so fair in the life of the regenerate and sanctified that they are the Epistles of Christ to be seen and read of all men 6. He gives liberty he sets us free from the law of sinne and death the title the dominion of sin is taken away that we may 2 Cor. 3. 17. Rom. 8. 2. Joh. 7. 37 38. 4. 14 become servants of righteousnesse 7. He is a spring and rivers of lâ—ving waters in our bellies flowing up within us unto eternal life Our hearts by nature are as a dry and barren howling Wildernesse not fit for habitation nor bearing any good plants untilled and horrid to the sight It is the Spirits work to be in us whom the Lord will save changing the very will breaking open springs and causing Rivers of sweet wholesome and healing waters of the blessings of the Gospel of all gifts and graces and grounds of comfort to flow within us even in the very heart and conscience in the belly of the man and there these waters to be not as standing lakes and ditch-water but ever streaming out and fed from the hid well-head of the holy Spirit When this work is in us then of Wildernesses we become fruitful Fields then we have within us Isa 44. 3. 49. 10. Joel 3. 18. Zach. 14. 8 that which will satisfie and will allay and quench our thirsts our souls will be as a well-watered garden whose waters never fail 8. He causeth all the fruits of graces fructifying to be in us and to abound in us all his fruits he maketh to break Ephes 5. 9 Gal. 5. 22 23. 2 Cor. 3. 18. 2 Cor. 4. 13. forth all goodnesse righteousnesse and truth love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith meeknesse temperance against which and such like there is no Law 9. He transforms us into the image of God from glory to glory 10. He enableth us to believe and Eph. 2. 18. Jude 20. Gal. 4. 6. to speak by confession to pray to the Father through Christ with gracious and fervent desires crying Abba Father to mortifie the deeds of the body our members that are on the earth and to be crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts Rom. 8. 13 Gal. 5. 24. thereof that old bel-dame original sin the sinfulnesse of our natures in which we
carnally politick temper of the soul and be in us the Spirit of power of love and of a sound minde and by giving suffering 2 Tim. 1. 6 7. graces and comforts fitted to the present suffering condition whatsoever it be Lastly by enabling â—o come to God in prayer when the extremities of sufferings the darknesse of Gods wayes in that dispensation and the difficulties of the times in which we are placed and the perplexednesse of our and the Lords cause we are to stand for by mens subtleties or otherwise is such that we know not what or how to ask as we ought yet even in this case the Spirit it self maketh intercession in us with sighs and groans that cannot be expressed this is the proper sense of the Apostle in that place to the Romans Chap. 8. verse 26. 11. The making us Gods habitation he makes first his own way into the sinful Eph. 2. 22. secure proud hard stony and dead heart and then he prepares for God an habitation there he makes us a spiritual house and an holy Priesthood in that spiritual house he builds us to be a Temple to God that he may walk in them and 1 Pet. 2. 5. 2 Cor. 6. 16 dwell in them this he doth by building us as lively stones on Christ the choicest foundation stone by furnishing us with the Temple-furniture through the doctrine of Christ received and by consecration And he maketh believers Priests by consecâ—ation with the anointing and by the besprinkling of the blood of Christ by cloathing with the Priestly Robes of justification and sanctification and by bestowing on them the hearts and dispositions of consecrated Priests 12. Mansion or abode for ever in Gods people This work is most comfortable the world cannot receive the Spirit they know him not Christs true Disciples John 14. 16 17. know him and receive him and he comes and not as a guest for a night or so but as the inhabitant that dwells in them as in his house and Temple and abides therefor ever he dwells in them as the Comforter and the Spirit of truth he supplies Christs room and presence therefore they are not Orphans here is the anointing the Chrisme that abideth in them teaching 1 Joh. 2. 27. with ver 20. 24. them of all things that are delivered in the Scripture in which doctrine of the Word of truth the true Christian maketh conscience to abide and continue as ever they would continue in the Sonne and in the Father 13. The uniting them to Jesus Christ the husband of the Church and to all true 1 Cor. 16. 17. Christians as all of them make up one body and Bride of such a Lord the only Sonne of the living God and God blessed Rev. 22. 17. for ever in uniting true believers to Jesus Christ as Bridegroome he raiseth in them espoused conjugal love and fidelity vehement desires after his love-tokens the kisses of his mouth familiar talkings and confabulations walks together feastings mutual and imbraces these are set forth in that most spiritual book the Song of Solomon and the more they enjoy this hidden communion with Christ the more the Spirit raiseth in them desires unfeigned and fervent after with love of and waiting for the presence of Christ in his second coming which is the marriage-day the nearness of this union is such that it is thus expressed he that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit and that is far nearer and more excellent than to be one flesh as man and wife are one the work of the Spirit is also to unite to Christians in such wise that they are all one body this is called the fellowship of the Spirit and the unity of Ephes 4. 4 Phil. 2. 1. Ephes 4. 3 the Spirit union with Christ and with Christians is the glorious work of the Spirit the ground of communion of communication and of sympathy or fellow-feeling These are the saving works of the Spirit in the Elect and Redeemed thus enumerated Arrha docet renevat juvat obsignatque salutem Spiritus ecce docet renovat copulatque regitque consolatur Arrha salutifera for the help of memory but not determining that they are wrought in this order there is an old received verse a pair of verses which name some of them but I hope none that are judicious will either say that there are none else or that these above-named so fully described in plain Scripture and so comfortably experienced by the Saints are not the saving workings of the Spirit but how lively quick significant and discriminating of this saving work are the Scripture expressions and praises attributed to the Holy 2 Cor. 4. 13 Zach. 11. 10. Isa 4. 4. Ghost they are these the Spirit of faith the Spirit of grace and supplications the Spirit of judgment and of burning the Spirit of holiness or of sanctification Rom. 1. 4. 8. 5. Rev. 11. 11 Rom. 8. 2. Eph. 1. 17 Isa 11. 2 3 2 Tim. 1. 7. Joh. 14. 17 Ps 51. 11 12. Eph. 1. 13. Psal 45. 7. 1 Joh. 2. 20 27. Joh. 14. 16 1 Joh. 5. 6 10. Eph. 1. 14. 4. 30. Rom. 8. 23 Ezek. 36. 25. Joh. 4. 10 14. 7. 38 39. Cant. 4. 16 Hos 14. 4. Mal. 3. 11. Tit. 3. 5. 2 Thess 2. 13. Ro. 8. 26. Joh. 14. 26 1 Joh. 3. 9. Joh. 15. 26 27. the Spirit of adoption the Spirit of life the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus the Spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of Christ the Spirit of wisdome and understanding the Spirit of counsel and might the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord the Spirit of love power and of a sound minde the Spirit of truth Gods holy Spirit Gods free or princely Spiâ—it the holy Spirit of promise the oyle of gladnesse the anointing the comforter the witness the earnest the seal sealing for the Saints are the seal sealed the first fruits clean water water of life a well-spring of living water the North and South wind that blowes upon the gardâ—n the dew and fire the renewing of the Holy Ghost the sanctification of the Spirit he that maketh intercession in the Saints he that brings all to their remembrance the seed that abideth in them he that enableth the belieer to bear witnesse to the truth of the Gospel with the spirit of a Martyr All this glory manifested in these saving works the children of God do feel and have the joyful experience of it in this life 14. The last saving work is for and in another world to be done at the last Rom. 8. 11 day and that is The quickening of their bodies out of the grave they shall be raised by the Spirits quickening of them as members of the body of which Christ is the head this is peculiar to the Saints who are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ the Spirit which now dwells in them will in
the Resurrection at the last day quicken their mortal bodies These are great things but most sure and certain for the Holy Ghost who is the power of the Highest undertaketh this work as his Office which is the third thing proposed to be unfolded SECT 4. 2. That the Holy Ghost is in Office to do all this saving work and is faithful in this his Office Here are two things to be considered 3. He is in Office to do this work the office of the Holy Ghost and his faithfulnesse 1. The holy Ghost is in office to make good this work this is manifest first because he is sent sent of the Father sent of Christ sent into the hearts of believers Joh. 14. 26 15. 26. 16. 7. Gal. 4. 6. 1 Joh. 2. 1. Rom. 8. 26. sent upon these works Secondly He hath names which denote this his Office He is called the Comforter Another Comforter Jesus Christ he is one Comforter an Advocate with the Father now in heaven appearing for us And the holy Spirit he is not Christ he is Another he is another Comforter An Advocate in us he encourageth backeth us exhorts helps to hand over and puts into us desires and makes intercession ayding with groans unspeakable He is called The unction the anointing or Chrisme 1 Joh. 2. 20 Joh. 16. 13 Rom. 8. 15. He is called The Spirit of truth the Spirit of Adoption 2. The holy Ghost is faithful in this his Office this fidelity is many wayes expressed first in actual performance in Joh. 16. 13 14 15. us of those works for which he is sent and in regard whereof he bears his names He the Spirit of truth he will guide into all truth as in John 16. 13. in like manner is it true of every other work he is the Spirit of Adoption and he enables to cry in prayer Abba-father that is to call on God with fervency of faith so as to expresse the heart of a child towards God as to a father in Christ promised in the Old Testament an t sent accordingly in the New Testament In both Testaments together is set forth the glory of the Father and of Jesus Christ his Sonne to the full written in the Old Testament in Hebrew and in the New Testament in Greek and the Spirit frames the heart of a child and fills with the cryes of a child in prayer answerable to both Testaments manifestations and therefore it is said the Spirit causes them to cry Abba ho Pater Father Father Secondly In speaking nothing of himself he took on him nothing apart from or otherwise than what he had in charge from the Father and the Lord Jesus but what he hears of the Father and the Sonne that he speaks Even as Jesus Christ shewed his faithfulnesse to the Father that sent him in that he spake nothing but what he had heard of the Father he spake altogether what was agreeable to the old Testament Doctrine ver 13. Thirdly in glorifying Jesus Christ He shall receive and take of that which is Jesus Christs and shew it unto us John 16. 14 15. and hereby we may know the Spirit of truth from the 1 Joh. 4. 3 4 5 6. spirit of errour as the Apostle John gives the rule to try the spirits by SECT 5. 4. The peculiar works of the Spirit in order to the saving work Moreover great must needs that 4. Peculiar works of the Spirit in order to the saving work work be which hath marvelous works of the holy Ghost to be wrought and wrought every day and perfected long agoe that it may be performed now in order to the great saving work there are peculiar and wonderful works and they are manifold some respect Jesus Christ some the Scriptures some the Church and some the Ordinances take a brief of them under these four heads 1. Such works of the Spirit as respect 1. Respecting Jesus Christ Jesus Christ And so 1. The holy Ghost formed Christs humane nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary and of her seed this the Angel Gabriel declared in his answer to her enquiry the holy Ghost shall come upon thee Luk. 1. 35 36. and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God 2. The holy Ghost anointed Jesus Isa 61. 1. 11. 2 3. Act. 10. 38 Joh. 3. 34. Luk. 4. 14 18. Joh. 1. 31 32 33. Mat. 3. 16. Christ as he was man with gifts and graces so that he had the Spirit not by measure And having thus consecrated him and furnished him for the great office and work of Mediatour he with God the Father sent him 3. The holy Ghost by descending from heaven and resting upon him visibly in the shape of a Dove did publiquely shew him and seal him in his Baptism 4. The holy Ghost witnesseth that Jesus Christ who was crucified is the Sonne Act. 5. 31 32. Rom. 1. 4. of God the true Messiah he also witnesseth to the doctrine of Christs resurrection in which the deity of Jesus Christ is declared with power and likewise to the doctrine of his exaltation at the right hand of God the Father 2. Such as respect the Holy Scriptures 2. Respecting the written word 2 Pet. 1. 20 21. Act. 1. 16. Mark 12. 36. as 1. He inspired the holy men of God and infallibly dictated unto them and guided them in committing the Word of God unto writing No Scripture is of private motion the holy Ghost spake by David by Moses that faithful servant of God in all his house by Isaiah and by all the Prophets of the Old Testament Heb. 9. 8. Act. 28. 25 1 Pet. 1. 12 Luk. 1. 41 67. Act. 2. 1 Cor. 2. 10 13. the holy Ghost speaks by them so he inspired Elizabeth the Mother of John the Baptist and Zachary his father the holy Ghost came down from heaven upon the holy Apostles on the day of Pentecost the fiftieth day after Christs Resurrection induing them with power from on High and revealed to them all the deep things of God all the mystery of his will the Spirit both revealed to them the things of the Gospel and gave unto them the words in which they should speak them and leave them in writing and these words from his own teaching 2. He quickens the Word so that the Word is Spirit and life the Word is his Joh. 6. 63. Ephes 6. 17. Heb. 4. 12 13. 1 Cor. 2. 4. sword he puts an edge upon the Word making it quick and lively in operation to the dividing between the soul and spirit of man and to the searching of all the secrets of his heart that all may be naked and bare before him with whom he hath to do in the Word 3. He maketh the word to be with demonstration of the Spirit and of power that is with such power and efficacy in
coming and sending hath a peculiar season therefore it is said the Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified and Joh. 7. 39. Christ saith If I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I Joh. 16. 7. depart I will send him unto you This season began on the day of Pentecost next after the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead the History whereof we have in Acts 2. And this season of his presence and power hath continued and doth continue all the time of the New Testament Ministery and the glory of the season is according to the power plenty and purity of the preaching of the everlasting Gospel for seeing the Spirit accompanieth the Word look as the Gospel had its time when it began to be preached in all the world so the Spirit also was sent and as the Gospel goeth forth so is the Spirit given the Holy Ghost came upon the Apostles and endued them with power from on High that they might be able to deliver the whole Counsel of God all the secrets and mysteries of salvation that they might preach it to all the world to all Nations and it might bring forth fruit in the conversion of multitudes and in the planting of Churches every where and that they might leave the same in writing giving us the New Testament and perfecting the whole Canon of the Scripture and all this infallibly And in and with this Gospel to which never one line more shall be added the Holy Ghost is present and worketh and ruleth in the place of Jesus Christ untill this second coming to judgment Under the Old Testament the Spirit was as a Spirit of bondage because the Law was clearly delivered but the Gospel darkly Rom. 8. 14 15. under the whole form of shadowy Ceremonies under the New Testament the Spirit is as the Spirit of Adoption for the Gospel openly delivered the things themselves that were prophesied of shadowed out and promised are given and the great mysteries of the Gospel and all that concerneth them are fully and perfectly made manifest Now also are Converts born of water and the Holy Ghost that is of the Holy Ghost whose working was 2 Tim. 4. 1 2 4. 1 Joh. 4. 4 5. foretold to be like the pouring out of water and like the opening of springs in dry ground now are they baptized washed plunged dipped with the Holy Ghost and with fire that is with zeal answering the glory of the light The godly under the Old Testament had Gods holy and free Spirit but then agreeable to that Ministery Gal. 1. 8 9. and now as is agreeable to this And thus the Apostle teacheth in Gal. 4. 1 2 3 4. And as there is but one Gospel and but one Spirit and never any other coming of the Spirit so it is as sure there shall never be any other dispensation or ministration but this of the New Testament which is that which remaineth unless you could look for another Christ or that Jesus Christ had not fully accomplished the 7. This work of the Spirit is peculiar to the Elect work of Renemption and is not for ever set on the right hand of Majesty but must come again to do somewhat which he left undone and so must to the Tree and Crosse again there is now no coming of any Spirit but the coming of Antichrist and of the spirit of Antichrist the spirit of errour of whose coming the Holy Ghost by the Apostles speaketh expressely therâ—fore all Pastors and Teachers are bound up to the Word to the Scripture and to turn from that is to be turned after fables to teach any other than what they hear from the Apostles writings is to sheak of the world and not of God to receive any other is to run to another Gospel to pervert the Gospel of Christ to runne from the blessing the holy Spirit of promise and to runne under the Gospels curse SECT 8. 7. The peculiarity and appropriation of the saving work of the Spirit unto the Elect and Redeemed That which commends this work of the Spirit yet further is this that is is peculiar and appropriated unto the Elect of God the Father and to the Redeemed of Christ the Lord. The Spirit of truth is the Comforter his work under the New Testament as Comforter is such a work as none but the chosen of God the Redeemed 1 Cor. 6. 19 20. of Christ to whom he was promised do partake of There is another work of the Spirit of truth the Comforter which is conviction not conversion and that Joh. 16. 8 9 10 11. he worketh on the world as well as on the chosen of God This conviction is such illightning by the Word of the Gospel that thereby the world that is the men that are yet still under the power of sinne possess 't with the love of the world and whom God leaveth to their own reason lusts stands clearly fully resolved and perswaded of the matter in hand and set down and concluded under it so that they are self-condemned if they do ought against that light This conviction by the Spirit is of three things first of sinne even of unbelief and disobedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ that that unbelief and disobedience is a sinne Secondly of righteousnesse that the civil righteousnesse of men the righteousnesse of mens own works is no garment to cover mans nakednesse to hide his sinnes and shame it is too short it is too filthy like a menstruous ragge it is tattered and full of holes no web no texture which can hang together to make a garment or any cloth of it to wear in the sight of God but it is Christs righteousness consisting of his obedience and suffering to the death of the Crosse performed by him as the second Adam the Surety of a sinner it is this righteousnesse alone which is a perfect righteousnesse or righteousnesse which God accepts as appeareth in that Jesus Christ ascendeth to heaven and goeth to the Father the Father receiving him to highest glory as he that hath done and accomplished perfectly the work for which he sent him into the world and he shall never come more to be seen of the world in that form of humiliation in which he came before Thirdly of judgment that Satan the Serpent and his seed are condemned or sentenced and are going irrecoverably to perdition but Jesus Christ and his seed justified by his knowledge are certainly blessed yea of judgment upon the world Idols and all false religions and of judgment found in the true Christian Religion alone and in the judicious orderly government of Christ set up in his Gospel and thereby in the hearts and lives of true believers that imbrace the same unfeignedly in and by which the power of Satan is broken and his works dissolved This work of conviction is an excellent work of the Holy Ghost it is also wrought
feats to admiration till she in her bastard imp the man of sin be brought to light and he exalt himself above all that is called God and worshipped and sit in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God confirming his doctrines of Divels with mighty signs and lying wonders the Divel on the flesh got Antichrist the great and surrogates him as Beast under the mantle of sacred Christianity by the cunning of name and shew severed from the thing and verity for the flesh domineers and is discovered domineering as the Mistresse and Lady of Whoredomes in this respect these wayes First when Christianity is turned into And five wayes 2 Tim. 3. 5 a matter of form and into a theatrical pomp and show as when the temptations sufferings crucifyings and resurrection with the rest of the great works of Christ for our salvation are acted represented and learnt in a Lent a Maundie Thursday a Good Friday an Easter Festival an Holy Thursday a Whitsontide a Christmas a Candlemas as they are Idolatrously named with such goodly trash and trumpery when Christ crucified is learned in a Crucifix in the sâ—gn of the Crosse and the Lords Supper instituted for remembrance of Christ is turned into an Altar-service and Sacrifice with stately Altars Altar-cloaths Tapers Pavements Ascents Priests in rich embroidered Copes Surplisses Cringings and Bowings Elevation of the Host as it is fond and superstitiously called kneelings knocking 's of the breast and other gestures of Adoration sumptuous Temples Partitions and Chancels Processions carrying of the Host about sacring Bells and the like of that rabble What is Popery but the outside of Christian Religion dressed up with trappings and trinkets of humane inventions and ceremonies to take the outward man withall and keep that employed for which cause doctrines erroneous must be taught and added to the doctrine of the Gospel that whiles this is done covetousnesse pride and ambition may be fed and the head and members of a belly-God Clergy from the Pope to the Apparitour may be stuffed and ruffle and the Christian seduced people from the Emperour to the Vassal may give them the honour and cramme them with the best and choicest of all their temporals that they may have the favour to live on mans dung their own and others meritorious good works instead of the onely merits and Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ there are degrees of this formality for although in the Papacy you have Pharisaisme enthroâ—iz'd yet where-ever the form of godlinesse is held to with disregard of the power of it there is Pharisaisme in the form though it hath not the upper-seat in the Temple of God and there the flesh hath the rule And how great is this wickednesse of formality that the Word of life from the living God setting forth Jesus Christ the Lord of life for the eternal life and salvation of the sinful children of men breathed by the Holy Ghost the Spirit of life and power should be turned into a dead powerlesse shew and the true Christian Religion be turned into a form a carcase and then all the care is to embalme it according to art to keep it from stinking and with such folly and madnesse to dote upon this form that they will perswade themselves it must needs commend them unto God and to Angels and to Men and if any would otherwise perswade them to be either sullen and pleas'd with nothing or in a rage and fury the formal have ever been the most absurd and unreasonable to deal with and the most fiery bloody persecutors of the godly in Christ Jesus Secondly when Christ the Gospel Profession with the rest is taken up to Gal. 6. 12 â—3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 make a faire shew in the flesh to carry a face and act a part which may please men and winne glory with those of corrupt judgements and thereby avoid persecutions for the Gospel and for righteousnesse sake This way they take out of softnesse and delicacy and out of ambition these are theologi gloriae not theologi crucis Divines that hunt after glory and not Divines of the Crosse These Christians are Christians of the Church triumphant and will not be of the Church militant they frame their Religion to â— doctore glorioso à pastore contentioso ab inutilibus quaestionibus liberet ecclesiam suam dominus Joh. 5. 44. hold with the times and to get reputation with men they will be godly because it is in fashion and that is now adayes their best interest in worldly and state affaires This course is inconsistent with faith in Christ as our Lord saith How can ye believe who râ—ceive honour one from another and seâ—k not the honour that cometh from God only this is altogether repugnant to the Character of a true Christian which is to be one crucified with Gal. 6. 14. Christ and to glory in the Crosse whereby he is crucified to the world and the world to him Thirdly when outward priviledges Phil. 3. 7. Judg. 17. 13. Joh. 8. 39 41. 9. 28 profession and performances are accounted gaine to us as Micah said Now know I that the Lord the Lord will do me good seeing I have a Levite to my Priest and the Jews stood upon this We have Abraham to our father We are not born of fornication we have one Father even God We are Moses Disciples Fourthly when we will heap to our selves teachers after our lusts having itching eares 2 Tim. 4. 3. but will not endure sound doctrine we will not be without Preachers but they shall be Women-Prophets such as dawbe and can sow pillowes under all arm-holes we love trencher-Chaplains Christ by his Spirit carrieth on his saving work by Preaching writing of good books Catechismes bodies and Systems of Divinity Rules of holy life Expositions of Scripture and Antichrist he will have his order of Preachers Colledge of Jesuites Monks Fryars of several orders Catechismes Books of good life Annotations upon the New Testament as that of the Rhemists and such Writings of all sorts to bolster their lyes and superstitions and hinder the propagation and obscure the light of the truth of the Gospel that he will herein out-bid all the Churches since so it is that they cannot keep up any longer grosse ignorance aâ—â— the Scripture and Religion in an unknown tongue Fifthly many there are who bear reverence and observance to the faithful and Mar. 6. 20. godly Ministers when yet with Herod they have their Herodias their Minionlust which they will not part with and here let many be warned who seem to be gracious how they put the stay of their hearts for their spiritual estate upon this that they hear choice Ministers as sweet men and call their preaching such or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon this that they tongue it now in the Dialect and language that hath a strain of more than common plain expression of the things of Christ and