New man is renewed and that is after the Image of Him that Created him after God or the likeness of God Fourthly Here is the particulars wherein this Image or Resemblance of the New Creature unto the Creator doth consist and that is in Righteousness and true Holiness Agreeable hereunto are the words of the Apostle to the Corinthians 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord So that Holiness doth most resemble the Image of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ therefore it ever becometh the Lords people to be an holy people The second Reason grounded on Ephe. 1.4 A second Ground and Reason why it ever becometh Gods people to be an holy people is because God hath chosen them thereunto in Christ before the foundation of the world as the Apostle teacheth the Ephesians According saith he as he hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in Love In this Scripture we may note these three particulars First God's choyce of his people Secondly Upon what account this choyce is made and that is not our works foreseen but Christ's merits he hath chosen us in him Thirdly To what end this choyce is made and that is that we should be holy and without blame before him in Love But if it be asked how hath God chosen his people in his Son unto holiness before the foundation of the world I Answer God did from Eternity see the lost condition of his people through their transgression of his Law and their defaceing his Image of holiness in which he did at first Create them He also did foresee and in himself purpose and decree a satisfaction to his Justice in and by Jesus Christ his obedience to his just Law which man had transgressed and by his suffering death for sin in the same humane nature that had sinned that thereby a perfect Righteousness and Justification might be wrought for man-kinde that all those who through grace and the operations of the holy Spirit are in time brought over to believe in Jesus Christ should be justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law Act. 13. and sanctified to the obedience of Christ and to acceptance with the Father through him And so God beholding his people from Eternity in that Righteousness that Christ by his perfect obedience to the Law should in time obtain and in that satisfaction which he should make to divine Justice by his sufferings on the Cross God also beholding his people in that work of Regeneration and Sanctification which in time Christ by his Spirit should work and effect in them did accept and choose them in this means to be a people to the praise and glory of his grace in relation whereunto are these words of the Apostle to the Ephesians For we are his Workmanship saith he Created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Eph. 2.10 So that Gods people ought ever to be an holy people because they are chosen thereunto from Eternity And this is the second Reason The third Reas n grounded on 1 Thes 4 7. 2 Tim 1.9 A third Ground and Reason why it ever becometh God's people to be an holy people is because they are called thereunto with an holy calling as the Apostle to the Thessalonians saith God hath not called us unto Vncleanness but unto Holiness The Apostle also writing to Timothy speaking in the words before of God Who saith he hath saved us and called us with an holy Calling not according to our Works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began In these words we have the Lords act of saving his people set forth unto us in two particulars First he Saved us Secondly he Called us whereby the term Saved I do apprehend that free and full Redemption from Sin and the Wrath of God due to man for sin which Jesus Christ the unspotted Lamb of God hath by his perfect and unsinning obedience wrought for Man-kind Rom. 3.24 25. Ephes 1.5 6 7 8. for which obedience sake the Father doth give to his people a free and full Remission of their sins with everlasting Salvation And by the term Called I understand the operating power of Christ's Spirit bringing persons into the way of Salvation and investing them with the holy Calling whereby they may receive the priviledges of the Gospel that is Adoption Sanctification and Justification as John 1.12 1 Cor. 6.11 which the Spirit of Christ doth work either immediatly as in the Apostles or more ordinarily in the Ministry of the Word plainly and purely set forth to the understanding to the producing Faith Regeneration and Sanctification whereby the Creature is called forth to walk with God in that way whereunto it hath pleased the Father to annex the promise of salvation according to those words of the Apostle to the Thessalonians 2 Thes 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the Beginning chosen you to Salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth Believers therefore are the persons that are saved and called not according to their works but according to the purpose and grace of God given in Christ Jesus before the world began so that mans works are no ways meritorious of Salvation nor any original ground of Gods love to man but Justification Sanctification and Glorification together with all the means appertaining thereunto are God's free gift to man upon the account of Jesus Christ to the end that man in a diligent improvement of the same might bring forth the fruit of holiness to the praise glory of his name God hath called his people unto holiness with an holy calling therefore it becometh them always to be an holy people sutable to their Call And this is the third Reason The forth Reason grounded on Levit. 20.7 8. A fourth Ground and Reason why it ever becometh God's people to be an holy people is because God hath enjoyned holiness upon his people by special command The Lord said to the Children of Israel to whom he had given his Laws Statutes and Ordinances Sanctifie your selves therefore and be ye holy for I am the Lord your God and ye shall keep my Statutes and do them I am the Lord which sanctified you As if he should have said I am the Lord your God which have chosen you unto my self to be an holy people and to that end I have sanctified unto you the means of holiness therefore sanctifie your selves through a careful and diligent improvement of the means that you may be holy So the Apostle Peter gives the like
the edification and comfort of Gods people according to the measure of the gift given And to this Saint Peter witnesseth 1 Pet. 4.10 11. As every man hath received the gift even so minister the same one to another as good Stewards of the manifold graces of God If any man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God if any man minister let him do it as of the ability that God giveth that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom be praise and cominion for ever and ever Amen The like mind also was in Paul who exhorteth the Corinthians to covet earnestly the best gifts follow after Charity saith he and desire spiritual gifts but rather that ye may Prophesie Because he that Prophesies speaketh unto men to Edification and Exhortation and Comfort 1 Cor. 14.3 So likewise Moses when his Servant would have had him forbid Eldad and Medad of Prophesying in the Camp he answered him thus Envyest thou for my sake would to God all the Lords people were Prophets and the Lord would put his Spirit upon them And although there be now no Prophesying by extraordinary Revelation but only that which is ordinarily wrought in the soul through the operative power of the spirit in the exercise of the mind and meditations in the word of God yet the day of small things is not to be despised for God will accomplish his work not by might nor by power but by his own spirit and although these ensuing considerations be not adorned with variety of tongues nor such eloquence as humane Wisdom teatheth yet now in love they are tendered to thy consideration If they bear an harmonious sound to the wisdom of God and thou receive any Edification or Comfort thereby let God have the glory and me thy prayers for my further growth and increase in the grace of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord to whom I desire to be an obedient Subject and faithful Servant although unworthy of so high a calling and remain thine in all Christian Office Josias Bonham And now my Friend art thou for Heaven design'd And to the way of Holiness inclin'd Lend me thine eye thine ear thy heart and hand These lines with me to read and understand Would we an holy state and glory win Le ts search our hearts and there the work begin By application of Gods word thereto Preventing evils that from thence ensue The heart is naturally Corruptions seat Whence flows great sins that do us often cheat Obstructions great from thence doth often rise Like filthy Rubbish in our way it lyes The which in wisdom must removed be If we an holy state and Heaven would see Therefore with diligence let 's fall to work To search what Vermin in our hearts do lurk Unanimous let 's be go hand in hand Corruptions Laws and Power to withstand That we from slavery may be set free To serve the Lord in holy Sanctity Thine in the Lord J. B. AN EPISTLE TO THE READER Of this Ensuing Treatise IT is mans misery since the Fall having lost his God and therewith his Happiness that he knows not the way to return to Happiness again Indeed every man in the world aims to make himself happy but is at a loss where or in what to place his happiness not considering the first make of mans noble Soul which was like God which can never be happy or content without something Infinite and Eternal Hence it is that man placeth happiness in Goods not in Goodness crying Who will shew us any Good any good serves turn though but a shew of good in the mean time the one thing needful is neglected they see no need of this one thing needful he is concerned with trifles and trifles with his great concernment And as he is to seek where or in what to place his happiness to the way by which happiness is to be obtained forgetting that irrevokable decree of the Almighty viz. That without Holiness no man shall see the Lord. This way of Holiness thou hast here discovered in this Book now this thoâ— mayst assure thy self that of all those things disputable this is without alâ— dispute on all hands that holiness is thâ— great thing designed by God hiâ— threatnings are that we should be Holy his promises are that we should efect Holiness all his Afflictions â—â—â—t we should be partakers of his Holiâ—â—ss Christ prays that we should be Holy â—â—d pleads that we should be Holy the â—â—d of all Preaching and of all the Orâ—â—â—ances is that we should be Holy â—ver did any perish but for want of â—â—liness God glorys in this that he is Holy God He is glorious in Holiâ—â—ss Christ is the Holy Child Jesus â—s a Holy Saviour he had his Name â—â—sus that he might save us from our 〈◊〉 Wouldest thou go in that way toâ—â—rds Heaven as not to miss as many â—ost Christians and foolish Virgins â—â—ve done why Holiness is this way â—â—e wayfaring man though a Fool â—ll not err therein Esa 35.8 Let me therefore intreat thee whoâ—â—er thou art that may be the Reader of â—t Book to consider the great thing â—â—igned herein viz. which is to shew â—â—t what is the only becomeing Ornaâ—â—et viz Holiness as for all other â—â—raments they may perish but this becomes thee for ever Possibly â— may say if I be Holy I must â—â— with many frowns from an unwâ—â— world matter it not there 's â— in Gods love than the worlds haâ—â— frowns and smiles from the world not long one smile from Christ â— dying Bed will make amends for Therefore fear not what will becomâ— thee study what becomes thee as Wise man once said Yet I knoâ— shall be well with them that fear Gâ—â— but it shall not be well with the Wicâ—â—â— Therefore I beseech you consider near you walk on the brink of Eterâ—â—â— what provision is made for the world Vessels of glory are afore pared for glory and be sure of that though you may own your seâ— and others may own you yet God never own you if you be not 〈◊〉 Now art thou one that saist as the â—â—â—ciple once to Christ Rabbi wâ—â— dwellest thou and he answâ—â—â— Come and see So say I woâ—â—â— thou know the Excellency the Neâ—â—â— Beauty the Glory of Holiness come â—â—d see read this Treatise pray that 〈◊〉 eyes may be anointed with eye-â—â—ve and that he which is Truth may â—â—d thee into all Truth who is sanctiâ—â—tion that he would sanctifie thee â—o shed his precious blood to wash us â—t we might be Holy who before the â—â—â—ndation of the world hath chosen us â—â—t we should be Holy and that he â—â—ld bless all means leading thereto â—â—t his blessing may go along with the â—â—ours of that his Servant the Auâ—â—ur of this Eook is the unfained deâ—â—â— of him who is an unworthy Servant Jesus Christ and thy Friend Jo. Norcott TO THE READER IN Commendation of this Book Reader TWo things are chiefly treated of
much in Answer to the second Question The third particular we have to consider by way of Explication is the Furniture or comly Ornaments of this House and these are here comprehended under the term Holiness Holiness becometh thine House O Lord Holiness is an Ornament which doth adorn and beautifie both the inside and outside of a Christian or Christian Society it is curiously wrought in the inward man by the In-dwellings of Gods holy Word and Spirit in the influences and operations thereof and it branches forth it self in those visible actions and practices that are agreeable to Gods Will. This Ornament comprehendeth within its circumference the great work of Transformation somtimes called Renovation or new Creation according to the Apostles exhortation And be not conformed to this World but be ye Transformed by the Renewing of your minde that ye may prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect Will of God Rom. 12.2 And saith the same Apostle Eph. 4.23 24. Be ye Renewed in the Spirit of your minde and that ye put on the New Man which after God is Created in Righteousness and true Holiness When the minde is transformed from Carnality to stand in the things of God it may then be said to be Holy The will also may be said to be Holy when it is transformed from that stubbornness and Rebelliousness which by corrupted Nature it standeth in against the will of God and is become submissive and obedient to the will of God so as freely to observe it in all his Commands and freely to submit unto his Will in all his dispensations saying The Will of the Lord be done So likewise the affections when they are transformed from Earthly objects to Heavenly objects when the Meditations Desires Love and Delights are all seated in God and in the things of God this may be accounted holiness in the inward man holiness in the outward man doth arise from this inward work as from the root and brancheth forth it self in word and action as that holy man David saith of himself That his mouth should shew forth the praise of God Psal 34.1 and his tongue should talk of his Righteousness all the day Psal 71.24 It was the Prayer of Paul that holy Servant of God in the behalf of the believing Romans That with one mind and one mouth they might glorifie God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 15.6 The minde and the mouth should go together in those things where the glory of God and the edification of the Church is concerned yea all the members of the body as David saith I thought on my ways and turned my feet unto thy Testimony I made hast and delayed not to keep thy Commandements Psal 119.59 It is not enough for a man only to withdraw his affections from Carnal objects but he must have also his eye fixed upon the Lord and his Truth with the Professors thereof as David saith Psal 101.6 Mine eyes shall be upon the Faithful of the Land that they may dwell with me Neither is it enough for a man to have his hand shut from doing any action of violence or oppression but he must have it open also in doing works of Mercy and Charity to undo the heavy burdens and to let the Oppressed go free Esa 58.6 to be ready to Distribute and willing to Communicate to such as are in Want Tim. 6.18 So that when all the faculties of the inward man and members of the outward man act in their places according to the will of God by vertue of his sanctifying and quickening Spirit that gives motion thereunto When a man is set free from sin and become the Servant of God he hath his fruit unto holiness and the end will be Everlasting Life Rom. 6.22 So that holiness is the perfection of purity in Nature Word and Works the which perfection is only found in God but in reference to man holiness consisteth in pardon of sin and in transformation of Nature by the renewing of the mind from corrupted Nature to a renewed or new-begotten Nature which is wrought by the operations of the holy-holy-Spirit in such thoughts words and actions as arise from that original And thus much by way of Explication concerning the term Holiness The fourth particular concerns the duration of this Ornament which is expressed in the Text by the term Ever Holiness becometh thine House O Lord for Ever The term Ever doth here signifie Time without limitation or end and so it is taken somtimes in Scripture We have the Lords Kingly Office in respect of the duration of it set forth by this term Ever The Lord sitteth King for Ever Psal 29.10 So the Apostle Paul setting forth to the Thessalonians the second coming of Christ and the happy Estate of the Faithful at that day when the dead in Christ shall rise first Then we saith he which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the aire and so shall we ever be with the Lord wherefore comfort one another with these words Thes 4. whence I apprehend the the term Ever to signifie Time without limitation or end which is also called Eternity or Life Eternal Math. 25.46 And so having considered the words by way of Explication I shall proceed to the Doctrine and Application CHAP. II. The Doctrine Propounded and Confirmed THe point of Doctrine or Observation which doth offer it self to our Christian consideration from the words thus explicated is briefly this The Doctrine Holiness is an Ornament ever becoming the people of God Or thus It ever becometh Gods people to be an Holy people This Doctrine is confirmed by such Scriptures as do shew the Grounds and Reasons why it ever becometh Gods people to be an holy people And the first ground I shall present to consideration is this The first Reason grounded on Col. 3.9 10. because they do therein most resemble God their Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ their Elder Brother Paul to the Colossians gives this Exhortation Lye not one to another seeing that ye have put off the Old man with his deeds and have put on the New man which is renewed in knowledg after the Image of Him that Created him The same Apostle in his Epistle to the Ephesians gives the like Exhortation Put off saith he Ephe. 4.22 23 24. concerning the former Conversation the Old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful Lusts and be renewed in the Spirit of your minde and that ye put on the New man which after God is Created in Righteousness and true Holiness In which words we may note First That the Lord calls for a renewed mind and not only the mind but also the whole man Secondly The way in which this work of Renovation is wrought and that is through a true and sanctified knowledge of God Put on the New man which is renewed in Knowledge Thirdly Here is the likeness or Image into which the
their Spirits for Comfort and Encouragement in times of Sorrow and Affliction and as a piece of Divine Counsel useful upon all occasions Verily verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you hitherto ye have asked nothing in my Name ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full these things have I spoke unto you in proverbs the time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs but I shall shew you plainly of the Father at that day ye shall ask in my Name and I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you for the Father himself loveth you because ye have loved me and have believed that I came out from God Joh. 16.23 24 25 26 27. If Christ enjoyn his People must obey But their Priv'ledg is he helps ' em in their way I cannot well pass these Words without observing some of the particulars therein contained first the thing enjoyned and that is Prayer secondly the Person enjoyning that is Jesus Christ thirdly the Persons enjoyned which are Disciples or persons learned and taught by Christ fourthly the Person to whom the Disciples are directed to present their Petitions and that is God the Father fifthly the means or way of Acceptation that is they are to pray unto the Father in Christs Name Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my Name saith Christ he will give it you There are three Specialties included in word Three Specialties in Christs Name the which being observed in our approaches to the Father are very prevailing for our Acceptance with him Name which we are to observe in order to the right performance of the Duty of Prayer The first is Christs Authority or Command as when a poor Soul in the sense of its Wants and Weakness shall approach unto God upon this or the like account The first is Christs authority saying Father I thy poor unworthy creature being made in some measure sensible of my own Wants and Imperfections and of thy Fulness and All-sufficiency do humbly appear in thy presence being directed to Thee the Fountain of all Supplies by the special Command of thine only Son in whom thou art well pleased in whom thou hast made many gratious Promises to thy People have respect I pray thee as thou hast to thy Son so also to thy poor Creature that exerciseth Faith in the Promises and in the Commands of thy Son True Faith applies both Promise and Command whom thou hast ordained to be King of Saints and by whose Authority I now approach thy presence and for whose sake I pray thee grant fupplies of Grace and spiritual Assistance according to thy Divine Wisdom and good Pleasure to the further enabling thy poor Creature to glorifie thy Name in this my present Pilgrimage that my Soul may be supported in the many straights and troubles that this World affords and so confirmed in the assurance of everlasting Peace and Consolation with thy Son and with thy Saints in eternal Bliss and Happiness Thus when a poor Soul through the Exercise of Faith in the Commands of Christ is drawn forth conscientiously to act in obedience thereunto â—t is doubtless an argument greatly preâ—ailing with the Father for Obedience â—o the Son is agreeable to the Fathers Will and hath many precious Promises â—nnexed thereunto A second Specialty or prevailing Arguâ—ent included in Christs Name doth arise â—om the Influence and Operations of the Word and Spirit of Christ upon the Creaâ—â—res Affections whereby the Love and â—esire of the Soul is bent toward the enâ—yment of Spiritual things with holy â—â—ngings thirstings and pantings after â—od and for further participations of â—s Grace making its address unto God these or the like words saying Faâ—â—er I thy poor unworthy Creature unto â—â—om thy Son Jesus Christ hath appear'd 〈◊〉 the Divine Illuminations and Operatiâ—â—s of his Spirit in and through thy Word â—ereby I am in some measure made sensible of my own Wants and of thaâ— Fulness All-sufficiency that is in thee 〈◊〉 supply the same do humbly approaâ—â— thy presence upon the account of thâ— Son Jesus Christ being directed to the for Supplies by him whom thou hast ordained not only King of Saints but also thâ— Prophet of thy People to teach them Obedience to thy Will Behold O Lord the chief Cause as Ground of my coming to thee even tâ—â— Son thine only Son he it is that quickeâ—â— me and raiseth up my Affections towarâ— thee by the powerful Influences and Operations of his holy Spirit whereby thâ— Riches of thy Grace is in a measure 〈◊〉 my Soul discover'd my hope of acceptatioâ— with thee much reviv'd my love unto thâ— somewhat enflamed and the desires of 〈◊〉 Soul after more enjoyments of thy speciâ—â— Grace and Favour much enlarged therâ—fore O Righteous Father I pray theâ— behold me in thy Son as being enlightneâ— moved and quickened to come unto the by him it is his work upon my heart sâ—pernatural and divine even the Effect his Prophetical Office whereby I tâ—â— poor Creature am made sensible of 〈◊〉 own Wants and Necessities and whereâ— I behold a Fulness for Supply in thy blâ—ed Self and whereby my Soul is drawn forth towards thee with earnest desires after more Communications of thy Grace and Favour And now Dear Father I pray thee behold the Work of thy Son upon my Soul yea thine own Work in and through him and satisfie those longing Desires wrought in me by vertue thereof with assurance of Acceptance with thee and of the Communication of the Gifts and Graces of thy holy Spirit to the replenishing of my Soul with spiritual injoyments and to the further enabling me to walk before thee in the ways of Holiness to the Glory of thy Name and to the everlasting Consolation of my Soul through Jesus Christ to whom with thee and thy holy Spirit be ascribed all the Honour Praise and Glory both now and for ever Amen Thus when the poor Soul can make its approach to the Father of Mercies experiencing the Work of Divine Grace by Jesus Christ enlightening and quickening to holy Duties so that the Creature can truly plead that Jesus Christ executing his Prophetical Office upon the inward Man is the Ground and Cause of its approaches to the Father This doubtless is an Argument greatly prevailing with him for Acceptation and for an Answer of Peace from him seeing the original Ground and moving Principle is his own work of free Grace upon the Creature wrought by his own Son through the operative Power of his holy Word and Spirit to the Praise and Glory of his Name It was the main Argument of the Prophet Isaiah When the Lord doth work the Love and Desire of a Soul unto himself it is a sign that be intends to that Soul a farther Benefit wherewith he moved God and strengthened his own Confidence in him Lord saith he thou wilt ordain Peace
thereof by an imbracement adhearingly Every word of God is pure saith Agur He is a Sheild unto them that put their trust in him Prov. 30.5 Every word of God is pure his Testimonies his Commands his Promises his Invitations Exhortations Admonitions and Reproofs yea all his whole Counsel is pure flowing from a pure God given out to pure ends to bring defiled Sinners to a state of purity every word of God is pure in it self and pure in the esteem of every true Child of God the sanctified heart I esteem all thy precepts in all things to be right saith David Psal 119.128 Wisdom is justified by her Children saith Christ Math. 11.19 Poor Publicans justify God Luk. 7.29 by esteeming and embraceing of his Counsel but have any of the Rulers or of the Pharises believed on him Joh. 7.48 The Pharises and Lawyers rejected the Counsel of God against themselves See Luk. 14.16 to the 24. Luke 7.30 They would not justify God by esteeming and embraceing of his Counsel as held forth by his Authority although God witnessed to the same by his mighty hand The Poor the Lame and Maimed come in at the invitation and partake of the benefits while the worldly interested persons slight the invitation and the loving kindness of the Inviter for their worldly interest sake to the procuring to themselves the displeasure of the Inviter the Lord and to their loss of a participation of the benefits And so by observing lying Vanities Jonah 2.8 they forsake their own mercy that they happily might have had upon their imbraceing and improving what they were invited to Wherefore A Word to the inordinate and open Prophane consider all ye that act the Prodigals part in Ryoting and Drunkenness and other prophane and vicious Vanities to the wasting of your precious time and opportunities your temporal Estates and Wits and all in the service of sin to the impoverishing of your poor souls and the souls of your Children for want of Education in the knowledge of God unto the Condemnation of your own souls and the souls of your Children by your evil Example as much as in you lyeth O consider that by reason hereof not only your Children but also your Wives and other Relations yea the whole land of your Nativity is forced into mourning and especially when God shall visit for these things as saith the Lord by his Servants the Prophets see one Testimony among many Hos 4. where it is said that the Lord had a controversy with the Inhabitants of the Land the cause seemeth two-fold first They lay aside truth and the knowledge of God by the same and acts of mercy which the knowledge of God and truth leadeth to as things out of request and estimation with them Secondly as effects ensuing and demonstrations thereof they fall into those great and gross abominations of Swearing Lying Killing Stealing and committing Adultery and all excess even unto blood and therefore shall the Land mourn c. O that every such Soul would consider and act the Prodigals part in his return and that timely while the Fathers armes of mercy are open to embrace them O saith the Lord that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep my Commandements always that it might be well with them and with their Children for ever Deut. 5.29 Thus saith the Lord thy Redeemer the holy one of Israel I am the Lord thy God that teacheth thee to profit that leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go O that thou hadst hearkened to my Commandements then had thy peace been as a River and thy Righteousness as the Waves of the Sea Isa 48.17 18. Note Gods desire is that Sinners should return and live to him Note Those that hearken to God's Commands so as to walk therein are those that live to God and are blessed of him Blessed are all they that do his Commandements that they may have right to the Tree of life and may enter in thorow the Gates into the City for without are Dogs and Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Murtherers and Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a lye Rev. 22.14 15. I but what Estate shall these without possess and where the same Authour tells us chap. 21.8 But the Fearful and Vnbelieving and the Abominable and Murtherers and Woremongers and Sorcerers and Idolaters and all Lyars shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21.8 I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testify these things unto the Churches I am the root and the off-spring of David the bright and morning Star Rev. 22.16 Secondly A word to the industrious Worldling O consider ye in whose hearts the world hath full possession that cannot spare one corner to give entertainment to the word of God by way of meditation and contemplation thereupon although God requires the whole heart unto himself Consider ye that are in an immoderate pursuit after this earthly treasure Take heed saith our Saviour Christ and beware of Covetousness for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things that he possesseth Here me-thinks I should hear some say that as to matter of Covetousness I think I am clear for although I am industrious in my pursuit after the things of this world yet I have not taken any thing from any man but what I pay for neither do I wrong any man but pay every man his own and therefore I think I am not guilty of Covetousness But then the question is whether we can say as much in the case between our selves and God and between us and our Souls and between us and our Relations and first Let us consider a little as in the matters of God have we not in our earnest pursuit after our worldly interest spent the most part of that time that God hath required for his Service upon our worldly interest have not our minds and affections been exercised upon our worldly and carnal interests when they should be exercised by meditations and contemplations with love and delight in God his word and works and celebrating praises unto his name do we not by our earnest pursuit after this worlds interest make our bodies and spirits so dull drowsy and unfit for God's Service that if we appear but one hour in a week therein we spend the most part thereof in sleep Do we not by our earnest pursuit after this worlds interest deprive our Children of that Soul-Education that is due unto them from us by God's requirement Do we not by our earnest pursuit after this worlds interest with-hold more then is meet from the Poor and Needy as in acts of Mercy Charity Pitty and Compassion by Gods commanded And if so is it not Coveteousness yea is it not Covetousness which is Idolatry when that our time our strength meditations considerations our wills and affections are so dedicated to the world whereby God wants that Honour and
and conforming to him and herein God is just and the justifier of them that believe on Jesus Fifthly Believing and conforming to Christ is the product of the spirit The which power of believing and act of conforming was by the Father fore-appointed from Eternity to be produced by or the product of the spirit which through its operation upon the heart or inward man should enable the Sons and Daughters of men at least Some of them to believe on his Son and conform to him and thereby be made meet to glorifie God and enjoy his glory therefore is this believing and conforming in Scripture called a New Birth and the sanctification of the Spirit because wrought by the spirit somtimes extraordinarily by inspiration or more ordinarily in and by the Word and Ministry thereof The works of sanctification or New Birth by the Spirit enlightening the understanding quickening the apprehension informing the judgment rectifying the will renewing the mind regulating the affections and perswading the heart to take Christ to trust in Christ to relye upon Christ to obey Christ and to suffer for Christ It qualifies the heart with love to God and joy in God and zeal for God with patience to wait upon God with humility in its walking with God with sincerity in the worship of God sobriety in life temperancy in the use of the Creatures with kindness to the Brethren and a peaceable disposition and charitableness towards all men together with an hatred and loathing of sin but a love to and delight in all the ways of Righteousness Sixthly The Lord Jesus Christ in his working out the Redemption of man in order to the decrees and fore-appointments of the Father did take upon him the humane Nature by a Conception in the Womb of a Virgin through the over-shaddowing of the Holy Ghost as saith the Scriptures And in the Womb of the Virgin Mary was he nourished for the time and after the manner of Women and became both God and Man that the same nature that had sinned being assisted with the Divine might make restitution unto justification of life and so God be just and the justifier of them that believe on Jesus Seaventhly He taketh upon him the Execution of three offices imposed upon him by the Father as King Priest and Prophet And in the Execution thereof he doth accomplish and compleat the Redemption of man-kind unto justification of life according to the eternal purpose and fore-appointment of the Father Eighthly He invadeth the Kingdom of darkness and encountered the Prince thereof the Divel that captivated man-kind and brought them under his dominion and by his two-edged sword the word of God he obtained Victory and spoyled the Principalities and Powers of the dominion thereof Ninethly Effects of Christs obedience to the Law He answered the Law by a perfect obedience thereunto whereby he brought in perfect Righteousness unto life whereby he became the end of the Law for Righteousness to Believers as they stand by faith in him and whereby believers are wholly freed from the Accusations Curse and Condemnation of the Law Tenthly The effects of Christs Priestly Office He answereth divine justice in his sufferings upon the Cross for mans transgression to a full satisfaction whereby Believers through saith in Christ are wholly acquitted as from the accusations of the Law so from the Executions of Divine Justice and brought into an estate of peace reconciliation and acceptance with the Father Eleaventhly He obtaineth a Conquest over Death and the Grave Christs Victories are the Saints Triumph but the Wickeds Woe those great Captivaters of man-kind by the power of his Resurrection whereby Death and the Grave are become subject to him to deliver up their Captives at his command which is a Priviledge to the Faithful but a Woe to the Ungodly Twelfthly He Ascended to the right hand of power into the glory of the Father Christ the Saints Prophet in his exaltation where he further executeth the aforesaid Offices as a Prophet he openeth the sealed book the misteries of the Kingdom and the great salvation that the Father from Eternity hath placed in him for all that by faith subject to him instructing and teaching the knowledge thereof Thirteenth Christs Priesthood a priviledg to his Saints for ever Christ further executeth his Priestly Office also now in the days of his exaltation by presenting the performances of his Subjects unto the Father in the golden censor of his own Merits making intercession for them unto the Fathers gracious acceptation and to the encouragement comfort and consolation of his Servants walking in his holy order of government contained in the Gospel Fourteenth Christ is in execution of his Kingly Office whose Laws Subjects are his Kingdom As Christ did invade the Kingdom of darkness and overcame the Principalities and Powers thereof that held fallen man in Captivity thereby Se he as a King is now in the execution of his Kingly Office in these days of his exaltation as is demonstrated not only by his ordination but also first in his giving forth his Laws Ordinances and Righteous order of Government with commands of obedience thereunto Secondly By defending and upholding his said Laws and Government against all opposers Thirdly By his sending and gifting his Embassadors with propositions of Pardon Peace Reconciliation and Protection unto the Sons and Daughters of men upon their receiving of him and conforming to him his Supremacy Crown and Dignity by subjection to his Laws and Government accordingly that man might become Servants to him in subjection to his Laws and be brought into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God and Heirs of Glory according to the Fathers fore-determination from Eternity Fifteenth It is the order and design of Christ in the dispensation of the Gospel to gather Believers into Congregational Assemblies otherwise called Churches for the better accomplishing the fore-determined decrees and purposes of the Father that is that man might the better glorifie God and be edified and made meet for glory Sixteenth It is the way and order of Christ that Believers actively constitute imbody or congregate themselves into Church Assemblies by a personal confession of Faith and Baptisme answering the institution and order of Christ their supreme Head and King Seaventeenth It is the order of Christ and the liberty and priviledge of Christian Congregation so gathered so constituted as aforesaid to elect their Church-Officers men approved for gifts and qualifications sutable to the rule of truth as near as they can and to ordain them into Office by a solemn ordination of fasting prayer and laying on of hands of the Eldership for the better promoting of the interest of divine worship and that order of government that Christ hath left unto his Church upon Gospel-record and for converting of the unconverted and perfecting of the Saints in the Knowledge Faith and Obedience of Christ their King Eighteenth 1 Cor. 9.11 12 13
CHVRCHES GLORY OR THE Becoming Ornament BEING A seasonable Word tending to the Provoking Encouraging and Perfecting of Holiness in Believers Wherein is discovered the Nature Necessity and Excellency thereof Also many grand Obstructions or Impediments removed which hinder the Saints growth and increase therein Whereunto is added A Glass for the Vnconverted shewing the woful state of Fallen Man and the only way of his Recovery As also several Articles of Faith briefly laid down for the further establishment and confirming of the Faithful By Josias Bonham sen of Byfield in Northamptonshire Follow peace with all men and Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 London Printed for the Author 1674. To the Church of JESUS CHRIST Congregated In the order of the Gospel by Confession of Faith and Baptisme meeting at Priers Marson in the County of Warwick wishing the abounding of all Grace Mercy Peace and Unity in and through Our Lord Jesus Christ and one with another as the Truth is in Jesus Beloved in the Lord HAving for some Years been a Companion with you in the felâ—owship of the Gospel and by the hand of God upon me and your requirement have been â—nstrumental among you as â—pportunities have been offered to impart unto your Edification what I through grace received Now considering that Mortality is approaching near towards me and having those words of the Apostle Peter upon my spirit which saith Moreover I wilâ— endeavour that after my Decease you may be able to havâ— these things always in Remembrance 2 Pet. 1.15 And likewise considering the abounding of Iniquity Errors botâ— in Opinion Practice in thesâ— latter days all which do witness the truth of that in a greaâ— part which our Saviour Chrisâ— and his Apostles in holy wâ—â— have fore-told the which â—â— much manifested in Papisâ— Rantisme Quakerisme and superstitious Ceremonalism as also the abounding of self-love self-endedness and prophane and vicious Atheisme I thought it my care and duty to present unto you this small Treatise wherein is comprised most of the chief heads and principle grounds of doctrine that by me hath been delivered unto you hoping that you will make these lines herein contained your Companions sometimes when you sit at your Table or Window or by the Fire-side that they may be your Remembrancers how you have heard and received and that you may hold fast unto all stability perseverance in judgment and practice thâ— truths therein contained thaâ— are agreeable to the revealed will of God that when I have put off this Tabernacle and am Deceased these few gleanings out of Gods Vintage may be of some use unto you the better to enable you to stand fast in the Truth in unity of the Spirit striving together for the faith of the Gospel So with my Prayers to God for you hoping to see your faces in Heavenly Mansion places I remain your Servant in what I may for Jesus sake both Night and Day John Bonham TO THE CHRISTIAN READER Christian Reader CAsting mine eye and considerations upon the holy and pure Word of God and exercising my mind and meditations therein I beheld through Grace the habit of Holiness to be of high acceptation with God and of great concernment to the Christian Soul Also I harkned and heard as it were the Lord in his word calling unto and commanding the Sons and Daughters of men to put on the said habit in the use of the means thereunto appointed and many argumental grounds and reasons he produceth to move and draw the Creatures love thereto and to cause him to delight therein But casting mine eye and considerations on the other hand I beheld the present state of the Sons and Daughters of men in this Generation to see what acceptation this habit of Holiness found among them And loe its interest seemed very small and mean as to true holiness in its proper nature scarce here and there a man that affectionately seeketh after it in comparison of the contrary Wherefore I receiving some glimpse of the excellent properties of Holiness and the necessity and benefit thereof did think it my duty to promote its interest in the best manner I could according to what I have received and to that end I here present unto thee these ensuing considerations humbly requesting thee that in thy perusal of the same thou wilt view them with an impartial eye And seriously consider the doctrin therein affirmed and weigh it in the Ballance of the Sanctuary and what thou findest to hold weight therewith for the God of truths sake accept the same as the work of God that worketh all in all according to the operations and manifestations of his holy Spirit Let not the meanness of the Instrument nor any Imperfection in the method cause thee to despise the work but rather with Aquilla and Priscilla expound to me the way of God more perfectly Act. 18.26 I have not penned these insuing considerations as any new light or administration that hath not been of old but rather as a witness to that antient Apostolical Doctrin of Faith and Holiness which was once delivered to the Saints the which through grace in the operative power of the spirit hath wrought in me to bear this Testimony according as I have received That Servant that improved his two Talents into four was aceepted as well as he that had improved his five into ten whiles he that had made no improvement was rejected with the fruitless Fig-tree If the Heavens declare the glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy work If day unto day uttereth speech and night unto night sheweth knowledge Psal 19.1 2. how much more should man whom God hath endowed with the faculties of Reason and Vnderstanding above other Creatures that so he might be apprehensive of divine demonstrations and especially that soul whose understanding God hath in a good measure enlightened to understand his mind and will contained in his Word and hath given him a state of grace here and an assurance in Christ of glory hereafter Our Saviour having held forth some Divine Truths to his Desciples asketh this question Have ye understood these things they say unto him Yea Lord then saith he unto them Therefore every Scribe that is instructed unto the Kingdom of God is like unto a man that is an Housholder which bringeth forth out of his Treasury things New and Old The term therefore is a relative to the enlightened understanding and stands as a Reason why the understanding soul should be as this Housholder bringing forth as if he should have said Because ye understood these things therefore ye ought to bring them forth like this Housholder and the good man mentioned Mat. 12.35 Which out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things Whence I Note what Divine Truths being received into the understanding ought not to be there concealed but to be brought forth to the glory of God who hath discovered them and to
house which do most Adorn the same to make it comely and delightful unto the Lord. And that is Holiness Holiness becometh thine House O Lord. Fourthly we have here set forth unto us the duration of this Ornament Holiness how long its comeliness is acceptable in the sight of God and that is here said to be for Ever Holinesâ— becometh Thine House O Lord for Ever Secondly By way of Explication We have several particulars very considerable First who this Lord is thaâ— claimeth propriety in this house Secondly what the House is and how considered Thirdly what Holiness is And Fourthly how far the term Ever doth Extend Of these particulars Briefly And First who this Lord is that claimeth proprieâ—â— in this House Now among the multitude of Scripturâ— Testimonies which do unfold this Questâ—on that of Jeremiah is very full and clear where the Lord by the Prophet doth discover himself in these words But the Lord is the true God He is the living God and an everlasting King at whose wrath the Earth shall tremble and the Nations shall not be able to abide his Indignation Jer. 10.10 To this may be added Hebrews 3.4 the Words whereof are these For every House is builded by some Man but he that built all things is God who is a Spirit * J h. 4.24 or spiritual Essence pure †Hebr. 1.13 perfect * Psal 18.30 eternal †Deut. 32.4 incomprehensible * Deut. 33.27 having his Being of and from himself and giving Being to all Creatures of which he is the supream Governour Orderer and Disposer by his Omnipotency Providentiality Omnipresency and Omnisciency according to his Infinite Wisdom and Divine Will Jer. 13.23 24. Heb. 4 13 See Psal 22.28 Rev. 19.6 Ps 65.9 Ro. 13.1 Ephes 1.11 Thus much to the first particular Who it is that claimeth Propriety in the House The Second Question concerns the House it self under what Consideration it may be taken The term House doth signifie a Dwelling-place a place of Abode Habitation or of Rest Now it is not to be conceived that any one particular place can comprehend an Incomprehensible and Infinite God Do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord Jerem. 23.24 If I ascend up into Heaven thou art there saith the Psalmist If I make my Bed in Hell behold thou art there If I take the wings of the Morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the Sea even there shall thy Hand lead me and thy right hand shall hold me Psal 139.7 8 9 10 11 12. So that God dwells in Heaven by his glorious essential Presence in Hell by his Wrath and just Judgments in the World by his common Mercies and in his Saints by his Spirit whereby they are regenerated sanctified assisted and assured oâ— his Favour in the use of all his Ordinances And under this last Consideration iâ— my ensuing Discourse I shall consider thâ— House of God That a Believing people in whom the Covenant of Grace is confirmed by the in-dwellings of the Spirit oâ— Grace in its Operations and powerful Influences whereby they are drawn forth to walk with the Lord Christ in the Faith and Practice of his Truth according to his Revealed Will contained in his Word such a People upon a Scripture-account may be called the Lords-House The Apostle Peter writing to the Saints scattered abroad considering them as People in Covenant with Christ and Partakers of the Spirit unto Sanctification and Obedience putteth them under this Denomination Ye also as lively Stones saith he 1 Pet. 2.5 are built up a spiritual House an holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ So Hebr. 3.6 Christ as a Son over his own House whose House are we if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the Hope firm into the end The Believing Ephesians likewise being in Christ by Faith and Christ in them by his Spirit operating and working them up to Sanctification and Obedience and sealing the Promises unto them The Apostle considering their near Relation unto God which they were hereby brought â—nto hath these Expressions concerning them Now therefore saith he Eph 2 1 20 21 22 ye are no more Strangers and Forreigners but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold â—f God and are built upon the Foundation â—f the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ â—imself being the chief Corner Stone in whom all the Building fitly framed together â—roweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord â—n whom ye also are builded together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit Thus Gods People are his Habitation as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my People 2 Cor. 6.16 The Prophet Isaiah doth bear testimony to this truth Isai 66.1 2. Thus saith the Lord The Heaven is my Throne the Earth is my Footstool where is the House that ye build unto me saith the Lord and where is the place of my Rest for all those things hath my hand made and all those things have been saith the Lord but to this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit and trembleth at my Word Two things briefly we may note in these words First the Question propounded Where is the House that ye build unto me saith the Lord and where is the place of mâ— Rest Secondly the Lords Answer to hiâ— own Question But to this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contritâ— Spirit and trembleth at my Word Now how will the Lord look to this man surely to make his abode with him to takâ— up his residence and dwelling with him and in him by his Spirit of Grace quickning reviving comforting and replenishing the Soul with assurances of his Favouâ— in Christ endowing them with sucâ— Gifts and Qualifications of Grace whereby they are enabled to offer up spiritual Sacrifices of Prayers and Praises acceptable to God by Jesus Christ I dwell in the high and holy place Is 57.15 saith the Lord with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones Judas one of Christs Disciples but not Iscariot putting forth this Question to his Lord Lord faith he how is it that thou wilt manifest thy self unto us and not unto the World Jesus answered and said unto him If any man love me he will keep my words Joh. â—4 23 and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him Gods Work in the Sâ—ul by his in â—â— dwelling there Now how will the Father and the Son come to such a Soul to take up their abode surely by that illuminating and quickning spirit of Truth proceeding from the Father and the Son enlightening the Understanding informing the Judgment rectifying the Will subduing Corruption and
quickning to act in holy Duties assuring and confirming the Soul in the Favour of the Father and the Son unto eternal Life according to that Promise of God held forth by Ezekiel 11.19 20. I will give them one heart and I will put a new Spirit within them and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and will give them a heart of flesh whence note by the way that the Spirit is here said to be a new Spirit not because it is any new erected thing in it self for it was of old from eternity but first because by its powerful influences and operations it doth take up its residence in that Creature that was formerly destitute thereof and so it is new to the Creature And secondly because it doth erect a new Work in the Creature so as to alter and change the Inclinations and Dispositions of the Heart by destroying the Carnality Earthliness and Rebelliousness thereof towards the things of God which is signified by the stony Heart and making it tender and pliable to yield a cheerful conformity to the Will of God which is signified by the Heart of Flesh This great Promise as to the end of it is further expressed in these words That they may walk in my Statutes and keep mine Ordinances and do them and they shall be my People and I will be their God To the same effect are the Words of the Apostle Paul Rom. 8.11 12 13. If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the Dead dwell in you He that raised up Christ from the Dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Therefore Brethren we are Debtors not to the Flesh to live after the Flesh for if ye live after the Flesh ye shall dye But if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Hereby saith John We know that we dwell in him 1 John 4.13 and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit The Apostle Paul giving Instructions to Timothy concerning the qualifications of Church-Officers maketh this application to Timothy These things Write I unto thee that thou mayest know how to behave thy self in the house of God which is the Church of the living God the Pillar and ground of the Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 So that first Gods people are called the house of God as they have the in-dwelings of God by his Spirit in its Influences Operations and Laws residing in their hearts Secondly They are called the Church of God as they are a company or Congregation of people imbodied together by the Ligaments and Nerves of Gods word and walk together in the observation of all his Laws and Ordinances according to his Will Thirdly such a people or Congregation are called the Pillar and ground of the truth as they perform the office of a Pillar in upholding and propagating truths interest before the men of the world by doctrine and practice answerable thereunto as the Apostle to the Ephesians teacheth To the intent saith he that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God Eph. 3.10 So that Gods people within the Evangelical Covenant of Grace believing on Christ and conforming to Christ in his holy Laws Orders and Ordinances according to the Gospel-dispensation and improving the same to the obtaining Victory or overcoming of their own Corruptions and inordinate affections to self and the World in its Vanities and live to God in holy Sanctity by the indwellings of God by his Spirit in the heart Such a people are by the Spirits demonstration called the House of God the Church of God and the Temple of God 1 Cor. 3.16 17. And such as overcome Christ makes Pillars in the same Rev. 3.12 In which Temple God doth dwell by his Spirit as the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 6.19 20. What know you not that your Body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own for ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your Body and in your Spirit which is Gods chap. 3. ver 16 17. Know you not saith the Apostle that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you if any man defile the Temple of God him will God destroy for the Temple of God is holy which Temple ye are The Temple which Solomon built was called the Lords house upon four Considerations First He made choyce of that house above all other for an house of Sacrifice 2 Chron. 7.12 verse 16. Secondly He Sanctifieth that house to himself for that purpose Thirdly He placed there his name that his eyes verse 16. and his heart might be there perpetually Fourthly He promised such acceptation of the Worship there performed according to that dispensation that his eyes should be open and his ears attentive to the Prayers there made ver 15. and for a clear Testimony thereof he filled the house with his glory ver 2. In all these Considerations Gods faithful people may be accounted his house For first God hath chosen them and builds them up a Spiritual House 1 Pet. 2.5 A habitation for God through the Spirit Eph. 2.22 to the use of spiritual Service and the offering up the Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving to his name Secondly He sanctifieth them and fitteth them thereunto 1 Cor. 6.11 Eph. 5.26 Thirdly His eyes and his heart are upon them beholding with delight their Sacrifices and Services performed in Faith and Love Fourthly He so accepts of their worship performed in Spirit and Truth that his ears are open to their Prayers and for their consolation and assurance he fills them with Joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 Whence note by the way that when a peoples Sacrifice of Prayer and Praise and other obedience doth arise from an in-dwelling of the Spirit of Faith and Sanctifying grace and is offered upon the Altar Jesus Christ in the golden Censer of his merits this doubtless is highly accepted of God in what place soever it be performed according to the words of Christ Where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the mid'st of them Math. 18.20 The Conclusion drawn from these considerations is this That although God doth dwell in Heaven by his divine Essence and all-glorious presence and so Heaven may properly be called his house and dwelling-place yet God dwelleth also spiritually in and among his people who may be called his house or dwelling-place where he doth Record his Name and where he doth give his Blessings of Grace and Mercy as the Apostles in their Epistles to the Churches do declare and the Author to the Hebrews doth testifie in these words But Christ as a Son over his own House whose House are we if we hold fast the Confidence and the Rejoycing of the hope firm unto the end Thus
for us and why so for thou hast wrought all our Works in us other Lords besides thee have had Dominion over us but by thee only will we make mention of thy Name Isai 26.12 13. It may be said of a Souls coming to God in the Name of Christ as aforesaid as David said of his and the peoples Willingness to offer Provision for the building of the Temple But who am I and what is my People that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort for all things come of thee and of thine own have we given thee 2 Chron. 29.14 For such a frame of Spirit doth flow from a supernatural Work wherein the Creature is taught of God the Duties which he performs do flow as Fruits and Effects of what he hath received from the Lord to the Glory of his Name Thirdly a Christian comes to the Father in the Name of Christ not only upon the account of the Commands nor only because Christ by Divine Discoveries hath wrought an earnest Desire in him after further Enjoyments but also when he comes unto the Father upon the account of the Merits of Christ making his Address to this or the like effect saying Most glorious God and merciful Father in Jesus Christ although my Sins of Omission and Commission by which I have transgressed thy holy and just Law and offended thy Majesty do render me not only unworthy of the least of thy Mercies but also worthy of thy just Condemnation to proceed against me yet forasmuch as thy only Son Jesus Christ in the prosecution of his Prophetick Office hath revealed unto my Soul that the exceeding Riches of thy Grace and free Mercy to thy unworthy Creatures is so abounding that thou hast given thy Son who hath fulfilled thy Law by his actual Obedience thereunto to the end that I thy poor Creature which stand condemned thereby by reason of my manifold Sins whereby I have transgressed the same might receive a free full and absolute Remission Pardon and Deliverance from the Guilt Dominion and Punishment of Sin having an interest in the Righteousness which thy Son by his Obedience hath obtained through the Exercise of that supernatural Grace of Faith wrought in my Soul by the Influence of the Word and Spirit of thy Son I therefore thy poor unworthy Creature am emboldened and somewhat enabled to appear before thee in hope of Acceptation forasmuch as the Riches of thy Grace and free Mercy to thy unworthy Creature is so abounding that thou hast not only given thy Son to fulfil thy Law by his actual Obedience but also passively to suffer the Ignominy and Reproach of the World and patiently to yield and offer up himself in obedience to thy Will and determinate Counsel unto Death even the most shameful Death of the Cross shedding his most precious Blood and undergoing the Terrors of Divine Wrath due unto us for our Transgressions upon which account thou hast declared thy self to be a God well pleased in thy Son and reconciled unto such as through a true and lively Faith are united to unto Him whom thou hast raised again from the dead and set at thine own right hand in Glory now to appear in thy glorious presence for us as an Interceder and Advocate Now therefore most righteous Father as thou hast given unto thy poor Creature this new and living way unto the Throne of Grace to approach thy presence with free access I come unto thee utterly renouncing all my own Righteousness as being not any ways meritorious or deserving the least of the Mercies which thy poor Creature doth enjoy and casting my whole dependency upon the Merits of Jesus Christ my only High-priest Mediator and Advocate for my acceptance with thee I beseech thee therefore even upon the account of thine only Son to grant me a free and full pardon of all my Sins and to seal the assurance thereof unto my Soul by that illuminating quickening sealing and sanctifying Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from thy blessed self and from thy Son my blessed Saviour Therewith do thou enlighten my Understanding that I may understand thy Mind and Will contained in thy Word therewith confirm my Judgment in thy Truth and let me experience the Demonstrations of thy Love in Christ therewith transform and rectifie my rebellious Will and bring it to a conformity to thy Will in all things thereby inable me to mortify my Corruptions and let not Sin have dominion over me thereby do thou draw my Affection unto thy self and let not worldly Vanity be my delight O do thou replenish and satisfie my thirsting Soul In want of Grace we sadly may Our sad Estate condole Nothing but Grace can satisfie The thirsting Christian Soul Grace is attained by that Soul That unto God doth cry By Prayer in the Name of Christ That asks believingly with the rich treasures of thy Grace in Christ through the operating power of thy Spirt of Truth that my heart may abundantly rejoyce in thy saving Benefits and be thoroughly furnished to praise thy Name O Lord hear accept and answer thy poor Creature in these and all other particulars which thou in thy infinite Wisdom judgest most expedient for thy poor Creatures temporal and eternal well-being to the Glory of thy Name even for the meritorious Name sake of thy Son my only Redeemer and Advocate by whom I have received Command Direction and Encouragements to appear before thee for whom thy poor Creatures have always cause to bless and praise thy holy Name unto whom with thee and thy holy Spirit be ascribed as is most due all Glory Power Praise and Obedience by us thy Creatures everlastingly Amen Thus have I briefly delivered my Apprehensions concerning the Creatures going to God the Father by Prayer in the Name of his Son Jesus Christ wherein we may take notice of some particulars as First what great Concernment Christ is to the Believing Soul now in the days of his Exaltation whose Name is a prevailing Principle with the Father in the behalf of all those that come unto God therein Secondly how highly it doth concern every Soul to have an Eye of Faith fixed on him and consider him with a due consideration in all his Benefits Thirdly consider that as I am upon a use of Direction towards the Attainment of that excellent Ornament Prayer in Christs Name is an excell nt means for the attaining to an estate in the Ornament Holiness because it hath precious Promises thereunto annexed Holiness so Prayer in the Name Christ is not one of the least of the means whereby it is attained inasmuch as Jesus Christ who is Truth and cannot lye hath crowned the Duty with a Promise of the Fathers Gift as he hath said Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you Joh. 16.23 And lest any should reply Lord we know not the Father and how shall we come unto him he annexeth this Promise also to the other
and from the Wrath of the Lamb Rom. 6.15 16. for nothing in that day shall be found to be a shelter vers 17. but an Interest in Christ by Faith which in this day of Grace bringeth forth the fruits of Obedience to the Supremacy of Christ We usually say a man forewarn'd of a danger is fore-arm'd he will seek to secure himself in time and take him for a Friend that gives him the warning O! how many friendly warnings hath the Lord by his Spirit in his Word given unto poor sinful mortal man of the great and eminent dangers approaching as the fruits and effects of Sin O what friendly Counsel and advice hath he laid before us for security did we improve the same accordingly as if his very bowels yerned towards us for our eternal preservation O how are his Warnings and Counsels made out in his Word to all sorts of men of what Degree Rank or Quality soever high and low rich and poor free and bond as if he was no Respecter of persons in his Warnings Advice and Counsels as he is no Respecter of persons in Judgment The Lord having made known by his Spirit in his Servants the certainty of his accomplishing his Decree and fore-Determinations in exalting his Son Jesus Christ into the Throne of Kingship and Seat of Justice The Lords Advice to Majest a es gives this Counsel and Advice unto Kings and other inferiour Magistrates saying Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the Earth serve the Lord with Fear and Trembling kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way while his Wrath is kindled but a little Blessed are are all they that put their trust in him Psal 2.10 11 12. As if he should have said O ye Kings and Judges of the Earth in whose hands the Sword or Power of Magistracy is entrusted herein doth the principle part of your Wisdom consist let the Salutations of your Love and chief Respects be manifested towards Christ Jesus the Son of God whom the Father hath exalted into the Throne of Government Seat of Justice King of Kings and Lord of Lords Let the Salutations of your Love and chiefest Respects be manifested towards him The Wisdom of the majestrate chiefly consists in making Christ chief in his Counsel in his Laws and Government for thereunto is the Blessing promised by embracing his Counsel for your Counsel his Laws for your Laws his Government for your Government his Subjects that desire to obey him in his Laws and righteous Government the people of your chiefest protection and objects of your Praise that you may be as nursing Fathers unto them but a terror to those that do evil as it is written Isai 49.23 Rom. 13.3 The Lord hath signed this with the Promise of his Blessing as before expressed The Spirit of God by the Apostle Paul asserting the Soveraignty of Christ into which God the Father hath exalted him Phil. 2.9 10 11. doth lay down this Exhortation vers 12. as drawn from the aforesaid consideration of his Soveraignty Phil. 1.12 Wherefore my Beloved as ye have always obeyed not only in my presence but much more in my absence work out you own Salvation with fear and trembling As if he had said wherefore as ye have hitherto subjected your selves to the Soveraignty oâ— Jesus Christ by Obedience to his Laws and Form of Government so that noâ— only in my presence but also in my absence you have been growing and increasing in the same so let your careful endeavours be in a holy awful reverential fear spirit of Humility to be still growing increasing with all perseverance in the Faith and Practice of all the Will of God in as much as true Faith in Christ doth demonstrate and shew forth it self by the fruits of sincere Obedience to Christ and perseverence therein hath the promise of Salvation thereunto annexed as Christ himself did intimate unto those Jews that believed on him Joh. 8.31 If ye continue in my Word then are ye my Disciples indeed and ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free O did we with David set the Lord Jesus Christ always before us Psal 16.8 having an Eye of Faith fixed on him as in his Priestly Office so also in his Kingly Office executed in his giving forth Laws Statutes Ordinances and Order of Government with Rules of Observation and Commands and Examples for our better Obedience thereunto see Genes 49.10 Isai 9.6 did we behold him and seriously consider him the anointed and appointed King and Lawgiver by the Father ordained Head over all things to his Church in the great concerns of Gods Worship and our Salvation the alone exalted King of Sion and Judg of the World with a due consideration Isai 33.22 Psal 2.2 Act. 5.31 32. Jam. 4.12 doubtless we might thereby the more be induced and the better behold the great concernment that lieth upon us to quicken our motion in the use of the means appointed by God the Father for our better attainment unto Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord to his eternal Consolation The Man Christ Jesus Judg of the World by the Fathers Ordination whereof his Resurrection is a sure testimony the which inviteth all persons to live to Christ in his way of Holiness that their Account may be comfortable in that day for God hath appointed a day in which he will judg the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Act. 17.31 CHAP. VII Wherein is contained some considerations concerning the Propheticall Office of Christ necessary to our better attainment of a Degree in the Ornament of Holiness OF all Wisdom demonstrated in or among the Sons and Daughters of Men the Divine Wisdom of God in Christ is the most excellent and wonderful most to be admired and desired Christ the Wisdom of God and the Power of God 1 Cor. 1.24 in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg Col. 2.3 in comparison whereof all the Wisdom of this world is but Foolishness in Gods esteem 1 Cor. 1.20 Of all cases that we are concerned to seek for Counsel in the Case of our Souls for the Salvation thereof is our great concernment and of all Counsellors for Advice in this case we are most concerned to advise with Christ and seek to him for Counsel herein Lord saith Peter to whom else should we go thou hast the Words of Eternal Life Joh. 6.68 neither is there Salvation in any other Act. 4.12 It was commendable Prudence in Mary that she was careful in this case of great concernment she sits at Jesus's Feet to hear his Words and makes all other Concernments for to give place hereto Luk. 10.39 40 41 42. And what was the reason think ye that Mary was taken up in so high esteem with the Words
Soul-nourishment in holy and heav nly Attainments for the Glory of his Name and the eternal Consolation of the Soul yea although the Lord doth many times work and operate by his Word in the Ministery thereof upon the Mind Affections and understanding Faculties both to will and to do according to his good pleasure and that by his loving Invitations and perswading Arguments Exhortations and Promises yet notwithstanding what Ignorance of God and Fruitlesness in the things of God what little strength of Grace remains in the greatest part of the men of this Generarion And what 's the reason thereof Suâ—ely saith the Lord Wine and Musick is in their Feasts i. e. they give themselves up to the Vanities of this world in the Profits and Pleasures thereof to fulfil the fleshly lustings of a carnal Heart but they regard not the Works of the Lord neither consider the Operation of his Hands Surely would we seriously consider the great Work of God in Jesus Christ and the Operation of his Word and Works manifested in this our day how useful would it be unto us for Direction unto Holiness and to quicken our motion thereunto CHAP. VIII Containing some Directions tending to our better Attainment of that comely Ornament Holiness by putting on of Jesus Christ and abiding in him GReat Care and Cost is exercised by many for the putting on upon the Body not only such Raiment necessary for the Preservation of its Health and Modesty but also for such Attire that they think may most beautifie and adorn it to an esteem in the Eyes of Men mean while that Attire that is of greatest concernment for the adorning of both Body and Soul to make them comely and delightful in the sight of God is laid by disregarded as Ornaments out of fashion Holiness is the comely Ornament well becoming Gods House Gods People As I am upon a Use of Direction to the inquiring Soul for its Attainment to Holiness and in the foregoing Chapters have laid some Directions before you in order to that Attainment by an Act or Exercise of the Eyes of the understanding Faculties upon Jesus Christ in his Offices as King Priest and Prophet anointed and appointed thereunto by the Father Also an Act of Consideration to consider him in the prosecution of the said Offices with the Use End and Tendency thereof towards the Sons of Men as the Eye-Salve for the clearing the Eyes of the Understanding to behold the way of Holiness and the Excellency of its Attainments Now in further prosecution of this Use of Direction I shall propose a further Action in order to our perfecting Holiness in the fear and way of God The which is to put on the Lord Jesus Christ Would we attain to an Estate in the Ornament of Holiness then our great concernment is to put on the Lord Jesus Christ It is a piece of Divine Counsel not mine but the Lords given by his Spirit whose Office it is to lead Souls into all truth But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 13.14 Three things are here liable to be proposed in way of Inquisition by the enquiring Soul as first wherein persons are concerned to put on the Lord Jesus Christ Secondly how persons are concerned to put on the Lord Jesus Christ Thirdly why persons are concerned to put on the Lord Jesus Christ in order to that Attainment of Holiness To the first Proposal wherein Christ is to be put on and that is in a threefold respect in order to that Attainment First in respect to his Offices Secondly in respect to his Qualifications Thirdly in respect to his VValkings To the second Proposal how Christ is to be put on in respect to his Offices Qualifications and VValkings And First to his Offices And that is by an Act of Faith adheringly and dependingly as when a Soul beholding God the Father tendering his Son in all his Offices as King Priest and Prophet to the Soul the Soul is hereby moved to accept and take by Faith Jesus Christ with all his Offices so as wholly to confide in him and depend on him and on him alone for a free pardon and a full Remission of its sins and for its acceptation with the Father through his Atonement and Satisfaction made by Vertue of his Priestly Office Secondly to confide in him and depend upon him in order to his Kingly Office as the only Lawgiver unto whose Laws the Subjection and Obedience of the Creature is due and ought to be performed and as its great Protector to eternal Bliss Thirdly adheringly by applying and relying by confiding in him and depending upon him in his Doctrine teaching Advice and Counsel contained in his VVord as the only Rule and Guidance of a Soul into the paths of Holiness and way of Salvation by Vertue of his Office Prophetical Thus to put on Christ doth put a Soul into possession of most excellent Priviledges as First Christs Merits obtained by vertue of his Priestly Office doth become the Souls Righteousness and Justification unto the Fathers Acceptation Secondly Obedience to the Laws of Christ as King is attended with many Blessings from the Father who accepts it as Honour done as unto his Son so also unto himself Thirdly by a Souls putting on of Christ as its Prophet the Soul is put into possession of a sure word of Prophecy an infallible Counsel for Direction how to stear its Course both in Word and Action so as to please God and to possess his favour in whose favour is Life saith the Psalmist Psal 30.5 Secondly the second thing proposed wherein persons are concerned to put on Jesus Christ is in his Qualifications of Grace It is not enough for persons to hear the Word of Christ nor to act in the visible Ordinances of Christ but also to endeavour so to improve the Word and Ordinances of Christ by an Application of Christ in the same to the Heart through believing that by the Power of the Word of Christ in our Hearts we may attain to the Qualifications of Christ in their proper nature ruling in our Hearts by the Dominion and Power thereof to the enabling of us to subdue the Qualifications of Corruption and to bring our Thoughts Words and Actions our Minds our Wills and our Affections into a conformity unto Christ And for Testimony hereunto that persons are concerned to put on Christ in his Qualifications and wherein these Qualifications do consist I shall call in two or three Scripture Evidences among many which that infallible Spirit of Truth proceeding from the Father and the Son hath recorded Phil. 2.1 If there be therefore any Consolation in Christ if any Comfort of Love if any Fellowship of the Spirit if any Bowels and Mercies fulfil ye my Joy that ye be like minded having the same Love being of one accord of one Mind let nothing be done through Strife or Vain-glory but in lowliness of Mind let each esteem others better than themselves let this Mind be in you
we were reconciled by the Death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his Life that is to say by his Life whereunto he is risen again will he much more carry on the Management of every Branch of the Covenant which on his part is to be performed to the crowning of all his reconciled ones with eternal Salvation even as the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is an evidence of assurance unto all men that God will by the Man Christ Jesus judg the World Act. 17.31 so is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ a sure evidence of Confirmation that Jesus Christ ever liveth to perform every Branch of the Covenant unto Believers as aforesaid by vertue of his Offices Now as it is the Counsel ond Requirement of God that persons should through the Gospel-Ministration believe on Christ and conform to Christ as aforesaid so also is it the Counsel and Requirement of God that persons so embracing of Christ by Faith with purpose of heart to conform to him should visibly confess their Faith in Christ and visibly put on the Profession of Jesus Christ by Baptism in the way of Christ confirmed unto us in the Gospel Gal. 3.27 the which Baptism although with Water administred doth unto the Eye of Faith comprehend figuratively the Ark of Safety with the Mercy Seat also i. e. Christ Jesus with the Covenant of Grace in him which carrieth the Soul through Faith above the deluge of Sin and Condemnation for the same wherein the ungodly world do sink and perish while the Believer remaining in the Ark doth dwell in safety Would you know the Reason why the Eunuch when baptized went away rejoycing Act. 8.39.16.34 Surely he was by Faith gotten into the Ark wherein he did behold his security from the aforesaid deluge of Sin and Condemnation and set into a state of peace with God unto his consolation we joy in God saith the Apostle through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom we have received the Atonement Rom. 5.11 Noah in believing Gods Word and improving the Means by God appointed according to his Advice and Counsel doth therein answer a good Conscience towards God and answered his Conscience with peace and security to his great joy and consolation so a Believer in embracing Gods Word and improving it according to his Advice and Counsel doth therein answer a good Conscience towards God and God doth in the said Improvement answer the Conscience with peace and the Soul with preservation to its great joy and consolation A Believer by being baptized doth thereby visibly justifie God in the truth of his Word and God does by Baptism visibly signifie his justifying of the Believer unto a participation of all his Church-priviledges according to his Covenant The Publicans saith Christ justified God being baptized with the Baptism of John but the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the Counsel of God against themselves being not baptized of him Luk 7.29 30. The Publicans it seemeth did apply the Word of God believingly the Pharisees and Lawyers gave not so much credit thereunto Where the Word of a King is saith Solomon there is Power But the Administration of the Gospel of Christ is not only the Word of a King but it is the Word of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in whose Word Baptism standeth both by Command and Promise Matth. 28.19 to Believers by Command for their Observation and by Promise to their Consolation and Salvation He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16.16 the Word of this King is a Word of Power it is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth Rom. 1.16 yea it is a Word of Power also to the Unbeliever for to judg him unto Condemnation for rejecting the same as saith Jesus Christ He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my Words hath one that judgeth him the Word that I have spoken the same shall judg him at the last day his Reason is for I have not spoken of my self but my Father which sent me he gave me a Commandment what I should say and what I should speak And I know that his Commandment is Life everlasting whatsoever I speak therefore even as the Father said unto me so I speak Joh. 12 48 49 50. Here behold a faithful Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus he brings nothing to the Sons of Men but what is the Mind and Will of God the Father for them to believe observe and do accordingly and as Baptism is equally confirmed to us with the rest of Gospel-Doctrine for to be believed and observed in its place so it doth greatly concern all persons exercising Faith in Christ to observe it so as to answer the Will of God and a good Conscience in the Administration and improvement of the same in order to its End and Uses and withal consider that if it doth become a Shell without a Kernel to any persons it is for want of Faith in the Subject upon whom it is administred to behold the Kernel and to feed thereon and indeed it is the Wisdom and good Pleasure of Almighty God to order the preaching of the Word unto all people for to beget Faith in them and those converted to the Faith unto a visible Demonstration of the same to be meet Subjects for Baptism and visible Church-membership by the same And whereas some persons do pretend they are baptized with the Spirit and therefore slight Baptism with Water as too low an Ordinance for them to observe in the administration of it and rather plead the cessation of it than the observation of it In answer whereunto consider that if any persons might have been exempted from Baptism upon that Plea of being baptized with the Spirit then doubtless Christ and also those persons spoken of Act. 10. might have been exempted inasmuch as they were extraordinarily inspired with the Spirit and Gifts thereof yet these must put on the Administration thereof as an act of Righteousness in submission to the Will of God Whence note that the highest Attainments of the Spirit and spiritual Gifts of Grace we can attain unto in this Life doth not exempt or free any person from but rather obligeth the more unto and maketh them the more meet for action in those Ordinances of Baptism and Bread and Wine in their several places ends and uses And indeed it is a question whether those persons pretending the abovesaid Plea for their Omission and Opposition of the afore-recited Ordinances are at all pertakers of that Spirit whereunto they do pretend forasmuch as it is the Office of the Spirit of Truth to lead Souls into the Observation of all Truth and not into the Omission or Opposition of the same In the next place consider that although I have proceeded so far upon this point of Baptism in order to the Vindication of it and Believers in the Observation of the same yet have I not digressed from the Matter of Direction to the
concerning Christ and his building of his Gospel-Church under the denomination of his Zerubabel not by might nor by power but by my Spirit saith the Lord Zach. 4.6 7. Hereunto agreeth those words of the Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 10.4 The Weapons of our warfare are not Carnal but mighty through God to the casting down of strong holds casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into Captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ the which weapons he doth further explain Ephes 6.14 Stand therefore having your loyns girt about with Truth and the breast-plate of Righteousness and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace taking the shield of Faith and the helmet of Salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance These and the like weapons are the weapons of the holy Catholick Church that believeth aright and is universal in the truth by which they manage their contention with those that are without and those that withstand that meanes are to be left out of the Church in the world during the pleasure of the Almighty and to be judged by that means they have rejected and condemned with the world in the day that God shall judge the world by Jesus Christ But secondly The text saith there are certain men crept in unawares ungodly men c. It seemeth that there were some in those times that by pretending Faith in Christ were admitted into Church-membership which afterwards discovered themselves by an ungodly lacivious life These it seemeth had no right unto Church-membership although a right to the hearing of the Word by vertue of Christ's Commission yet not unto Church-membership they crept in unawars that is their counterfeit Faith was not discerned until afterwards that it appeared by error in opinion or practice But how must the Church contend for the Faith with these persons and carry on the management thereof First In a respective love to their persons tendering the good of their souls but with a hatred of their sin and in love to their souls to reprove and admonish them laying before them that part of Gods Law against which the crime is acted that thereby they may the better be convinced and reforme and so by the sword of the spirit the word of God to deal with them if possible unto a Reformation But in case no Reformation doth appear then to proceed in the severity of Justice against them by Excommunication according to Christ's rule and order and thereby cast them out of the Church into the world again as not to have any further priviledge in the Church then what the Lord affords the world which is admittance to hear the Word for their Conversion But what is the end of this severity There are divers ends as first To signify God's severity against sin and obstinate sinners that as they are justly for sin cast out of Communion with his Church and the gracious priviledges thereunto afforded here on Earth So assuredly without timely Repentance unto a Reformation such persons are by God's determination and shall be by the sentence of the just Judge of all the world See Math. 18.18 excluded from Communion with the Church triumphant and all her glorious priviledges in her glorified state Secondly To the end that the Sinner may consider and see his sin be humbled for it 1 Tim. 1.20 and ashamed of it and repent unto a reformation that the soul may be saved in the day of the Lord see 1 Cor. 5. Thirdly To the end the Church may preserve her own purity and holy-state from being defiled with those sins which if suffered may get into other members and corrupt them and it becometh a sin unto the Church in her neglect of duty see the Church of Corinth chap. 5. the Church of Pergamus and the Church of Thyatira Rev. 2. all under reproof here upon the neglect of this duty Neither is the Church in general nor the Officers thereof in particular to make Edicts of their own devising and enjoyn them as parts of God's worship and to be observed which are not Apostolically confirmed as to be the will of God nor to Excommunicate any person for not observing the same without defiling their holy state with the guilt of sin for saith Christ unto those persons that stood steadfast in the Apostolical Observations and received not the contrary I will put upon you saith Christ none other burthen but that which ye have already hold fast till I come Rev. 2.24 25. Whence note by the way First That it is the will of Christ that his people should observe that way of Church-constitution Doctrin order of Worship and discipline which was Apostolically confirmed without diminishing ought therefrom until the second coming of Christ Secondly That it is not the will of Christ that any Innovasions or Additions to that order of Worship should be brought in or imposed upon the Consciences of his people but that the Innovators Observers shall bear their sin and in retaining the Observations of the said Innovations do thereby cease from being Catholick or a people universal in the Truth But in case Innovations are brought into the Church and maintained by the power of the Church and imposed upon the Members and some of the Members cannot in Conscience bear them what way may they take to secure themselves from the guilt of sin that attends the Church in the Observations of such Innovations and not sin against God Answer first By contending against them by the rule of truth that if by any means the Church may be convinced of their Evil and if this will not prevail then to answer the call of God and his Counsel therein which is To come forth from among them and be separate and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you saith the Lord 2 Cor. 6.17 Depart ye depart ye go ye out from thence touch no unclean thing go ye out of the midest of her be ye clean ye that bear the Vessels of the Lord Isa 52.11 Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her Plagues Rev. 18.4 The which call of God I do presume was justifiable in Luther and Calvin and other Protestants who for the abominable Innovations of the Roman Church did dissent and separate from her which although she was once a true Church of the Gospel-Constitution and Order as the Apostle Paul in his Epistle giveth Testimony of them calling them Beloved of God and giveth thanks to God that their Faith was spoken of through-out the whole world as in chap. 1.7 8. And I my self saith Paul also am perswaded of you my Brethren that ye also are full of goodness filled with all knowledge able also to admonish one another chap. 15. 14.
must expect the greater Judgments from the Lord There is in a day of Prosperity more danger of a peoples growing into Carnal Security and forgetting of their God than in a day of affliction if we take not heed as the Lord said to Israel of old When ye shall come into the good Land and have Houses builded and Vineyards and Olives planted and your Cattel multiplyed and ye have eaten and are full then beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God in not keeping his Commandements and Judgments and Statutes which I Command thee this day that then thou forget not the Lord thy God that brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the House of Bondage Deut. 6.12 Whence note that God's People that have had great experiences of God are in times of peace and plenty very apt to forget the Lord and to turn aside from a due observation of his ways and thereby defile themselves with the sins of ingratitude and great disobedience under eminent mercies highly provoking the Lord would we be a holy people unto the Lord Let Israels and others sins and punishments for the same make us timely to beware lest we stain our chiefest Ornaments thereby and watch and pray against such ingratitude the neglect whereof may cause God to neglect us of those supplyes of grace necessary to uphold us and in all our approaches to the Lord we are also to take heed and be careful that our end be right that we might glorify God in our act of Prayer and our end of asking any thing of God may be for our better glorifying of his Name the end many times crowns the action as the words of Saint James doth imply Ye have not because ye ask not and ye ask and have not because ye ask amiss that ye may consume it upon your Lusts Jam. 4.2 3. Wherefore would we have God to supply and support us let us not omit our duty in seeking to him would we have him answer us in our seeking to him then let us take heed that we omit not a right end in what we seek unto him for The omission of one thing more I would present to mind that we take heed of lest it should become sin unto us and that is of omitting the ministring of our temporal things unto such as perform the Office of ministring unto us in spiritual things especially if it be by the Minister required for as much as the Lord hath so required and ordained that they that Preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel The Apostle Paul would have the Churches know their duty in this point and the Ministers power to require it although he voluntarily would rather work with his hands then to be chargable to the Churches But as for me as I have not been chargable hitherto in that nature for what hath by me been done upon that account so do I not desire to make the Gospel chargable to any except the greater necessity yet as Paul would so would I have Christians know their concernment in this point as well as other points of Christianity and to take heed lest Omission here do not become a sin of deep pollution since it is doubtless the requirement of God see 1 Cor. cap. 9. Gal. 6.6 And let the Minister on the other hand take heed and beware that he make not temporal means and honour the chiefest end and master-wheel of his motion in the work of the Ministry and it become a pollution of the Ornaments of holiness unto him Also take heed and beware of omitting actions of charity towards the poor and it become our sin For as much saith Christ as ye have not done it to one of the least of these my Brethren ye have not done it unto me go ye therefore into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels but he that giveth to the Poor lendeth to the Lord and he will repay it Blessed is the man that considereth the Poor the Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble And so I shall conclude this Use by way of Caution with those words of Deut. 4.9 Only take heed to thy self and keep thy Soul diligently lest thou forget the things that thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life but teach them thy Sons and thy Sons Sons CHAP. XI Containing a Use of Encouragement unto Believers to Press after the attainment of Holiness and to Persevere therein THe first consideration I shall propound for Encouragement in the prosecution of this design for an Estate of Holiness is the warrantableness of the design it is highly approved of God insomuch that God doth command the prosecution of this design Be ye holy for I the Lord your God am holy Persons prosecuting this design for holiness in God's way out of which there is no attainment they do hereby answer God's Will and a good Conscience the which is a good encouragement in the prosecution of a design a good issue and success thereof may be expected But Secondly A second ground of encouragement in the prosecution of this design may arise upon the consideration of the promise of assistance in the management of this design for holiness made to the prosecutors of the said design A man having a design for his advancement in this world either for the obtaining some great Estate of Land or place of Honour and Dignity and having the word of a King for his assistance by his Countenance his Court and Counsel his Laws and Authority for the accomplishment thereof how doth this raise up and enlarge the heart of this man with encouragement in the prosecution of his design and confirm his hope of attaining his end therein How much more may the Christian-Soul be raised up with confidence and his heart enlarged with incouragements in his design for holiness and hope of attaining unto the perfection thereof Considering he hath not only the command but also the promise of him who is the King of Kings the Omnipotent Immortal and Omni-present Majesty of Heaven and Earth with all his Heavenly Court and Counsel Laws and holy Appointments to protect and assist us in the management of this great design for our attainments unto holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. O what an assistance is this for a poor Soul to have the whole Court of Heaven to assist him in his design and management thereof where God the Father by his holy appointment doth ordain his holy Word and Counsel therein to inform us his holy Spirit to enable us his holy Angels to encamp about us to minister security to us in the said design and his holy Son Jesus Christ to Crown us with the perfection of Holiness in himself considering also that he is faithful that hath promised who also will do it O what great encouragement is this that the Lord hath laid before us What rich grace is this that God doth
to inform us by his Spirit to enable us his Angels to secure us and by his Son to Crown our weak performances with his own perfections to his gracious acceptation He hath made us accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.6 Thus having briefly presented three general grounds comprehending many particulars for encouragement to the Christian soul that in love and loyalty to the Lord entereth a design for holy attainments As first The warrantableness of the design God manifesting his approbation of it by his command thereunto Seconddly God's promise of assistance Thirdly His faithfulness in performing of his Promise I shall only present a fourth ground of encouragement which is as followeth A fourth ground of encouragement in this design is The sure reward that is annexed by promise unto those souls that in the way of God do manage a design for the attainment of a holy state unto such souls there is a sure reward as saith the Spirit of God by Solomon The Wicked worketh a deceitful work but to him that soweth Righteousness is a sure reward Prov. 11.18 This Reward is sometimes in Scripture called the Reward of Inheritance as in Col. 3.24 Whatsoever ye do do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the Reward of Inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ also this Inheritance is said to be an Eternal Inheritance Heb. 9.15 and an Inheritance incorruptible 1 Pet. 1.4 Sometimes it is called a Kingdom as in Matth. 25.34 and in Luk. 12.32 Fear not little Flock it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom a Kingdom that cannot be moved Heb. 12.28 Sometimes in Scripture this Inheritance or Kingdom is called Eternal Life as in Joh. 10.28 My Sheep hear my Voyce and they follow me and I give unto them Eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand See further Matth. 25.46 Rom. 6.23 Quest But where is this Inheritance or Kingdom saith the enquiring soul that I may behold it Answ The Apostle Peter tells us It is reserved in the Heavens for you that are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation 1 Pet. 1.4 5. Note it s by the power of God that ye are kept thereunto the power of God in the operation of his Word and efficacy of his Spirit working in and by the Word therefore love the Word delight therein hold it fast it s the power of God unto Salvation unto every one that believeth Rom. 1.16 Note also it s through faith therefore look well to your faith make not shiprack of faith but keep up faith in its due exercise for ye are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation The Servants of God of old did behold the promised Inheritance by faith to their great comfort and encouragement as saith the Authour to the Hebrews chap. 11. These all dyed in faith not having received the Promises but having seen them afar off and were perswaded of them and embraced them and confessed that they were Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth Moses by faith beheld this recompence of reward and in respect thereunto he chose rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season for he had respect to the Recompence of Reward Quest But when will it be that this promised Inheritance and Reward shall be possessed by the Believer pressing after holiness many have been in the expectation of such a thing indeed but since the Fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation 2 Pet. 3.4 Answ The Apostle Peter affirmeth That the Lord is not slack as some men count slackness but is long suffering to usâ— ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 It may be that God hath some people yet to Convert and to add unto his Church that his coming is prolonged But the day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the Night in the which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noyse and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy Conversation and Godliness Nevertheless we according to his promise look for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness It is enough for us that we have the word of promise made out and confirmed to us by the Eternal and Infinite God to exercise our faith and hope upon and it is our duty to wait upon him in faith and patience for the performance of the same unto us in his time It is his own free gift not our deserts and that he will at last accomplish it to any soul it is infinite mercy to be admired The spirit of God hath signified unto us that it will be performed at the second coming of Christ personally as in Col. 3.4 When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in Glory whereunto agreeth the words of Paul to the Thessalonians chap. 4.16 17 18. which words are these For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voyce of the Arch-angel and with the Trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Ayr and so shall we ever be with the Lord wherefore comfort one another with these words and in chap. 5. Comfort your selves together and edifie one another even as also ye do vers 11. Whence Note by the way that it is the duty of Christians and the property of souls espoused to Christ so to apply and improve the promise of Christ's second personal coming as to make it a ground of comfort and encouragement one to another of edification in and the observation of all his holy appointments perseveringly Our Saviour Jesus Christ a little before his sufferings being conversant with his Disciples and fore-seeing the sorrow and trouble that would attend them after his departure he for their better support encouragement and comfort under the same leaveth them this Cordial to feed upon Let not your hearts be troubled saith he ye believe in God believe also in me in my Fathers House are many Mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am ye may be also Joh. 14.1 2 3. The Lord hath furnished the holy Scriptures with plenty of provision of this nature as if his faithful Servants were likely to have great need of encouragements support and comfort after his departure by reason of the many
believeth not the Record that God gave of his Son Joh. 5.10 O what an obstruction is here to the Creatures attainments unto Holiness and Heavens Happiness O what a sad consequence doth follow hereupon He that believeth not is Condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God Joh. 3.18 O what a heart-worm is here that eateth out the very life of the Creature to Gods great dishonour and the Creatures ruine except such obstructions to be timely removed Another of this brood is Sloath in God's Service This greedy Heart-worm is a great obstruction to the use and efficasy of God's word and to the efficacy of the Creatures performances in God's Service This greedy Worm by its influence and operation in the heart devours all the Creatures Zeal for God and fervency in any performances in order to the worship and service of God This worm doth much hinder the Creature and obstruct its improvement of Gods Word and Ordinances to Gods Glory and its own benefit by application and meditation and action as it ought to do and hence or hereunto are those words of Solomon The sloathful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting Prov. 12.27 that is he doth not improve the means afforded as aforesaid What need saith Sloath so much strictness and preciseness in spending so much time in reading hearing preaching prayer meditation and assembling so often it is time enough for these things hereafter and the like the which 〈◊〉 of sad consequence for hereby God wants that honour that is due from the Creature unto his Name and the poor soul wants that spiritual nourishment to refresh comfort strengthen and support it in the way to its eternal rest whereby the poor soul is impoverished and destitute or at least much weakened in its knowledg faith hope love zeal and comfortable assurance in the Lord which in a good improvement of the means through Gods blessing hereupon happily it might have enjoyed Consider the foolish Virgins and the sloathful Servant that improved not his Talent Another of this Generation is Voluptiousness whose nature is most delightful in excessive feasting and drunkenness with other carnal delights and pleasures This Brat once getting residence in the heart and suffered doth much obstruct and destroy those vertues of moderation temperance sobriety and charity c. This is likewise an insatiable greedy Worm and doth much enslave the Creature for by its influence and operation it doth strongly work upon the Creature to yeald both Person and Purse Lands Livings and Lordships Time and Opportunity though never so precious all must be dedicated to the use and service of this greedy-guts this unsatiable heart-worm by whose influence those persons seem to be steered that Paul to the Philippians speaketh of chap. 3.19 Whose end is destruction whose God is their belly whose glory is their shame who mind earthly things but as Solomon saith A word to the Wife is sufficient So I do but give a hint of these things to put you in mind of the sad effects of sin and of that conjunction wherein the Creatures affections and the world and self are united I have heard an Astrological story that when two malignant Planets as Mars and Saturn happen in Conjunction together in one Aspect House or Sign that that altogether operate to the prejudice of man by producing the sad effects of losses crosses sicknesses wars contentions death and the like But whether this be so or not sure I am that this is truth that when there is a Conjunction between the Creatures affections and self and the world that the operations and effects thereof is sad indeed for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it for thereby the understanding is darkened and the clear light of the Son of Righteousness eclipsed from the Soul the apprehensions be-nummed the judgment mis-informed the will obstinate and averse to the things of God the bowels of compassion shut up the hand of pitty clinched fast so that God may call in his word his spirit may strive Christ may weep and Lazarus may beg and Christs Ministers may like a Candle spend themselves to give light to others and yet all will do but little and why Corruption hath wrought a Conjunction between the Creatures affections and self and the world and therefore self-denyal and the loss of the worlds favour to follow Christ in his ways is become a hard saying who can bare it Many of the Rulers believed on Christ saith the Scriptures but they did not confess him for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God and many could follow Christ for the Loaves for self and worldly interests but when it cometh to pass that this conjunction must be broken and self and the world must be denyed to follow Christ in all his precepts and examples of sanctity and true holiness of life then the young man and the old also goes away sorrowful Demas must rather forsake Christ and his ways and all those of Asia forsake Paul and the true profession of the Gospel rather than self and the world must be parted with Oh saith Corruption that Horseleach and unsanctified Love and carnal desire her Daughters favour thy self let not these things be Yea so prevailing are these Blood-worms even in many Gospel-professors that it was the sad complaint of the Apostle Paul in his days that he had no man like-minded to Timothy whose special care was for the promoting of Christs interest in his truth and people for saith he all seek their own and not the things of Jesus Christ And therefore it is that God doth so often give unto his own people even his chosen ones and dear Children the bitter cup of the wormseed of Afflictions on purpose to break the bed of these Heart-worms and subdue them and the oftner because his people do often through carelesness and negligence of improving the means afforded suffer these greedy worms to breed and multiply in their hearts whereby the stomack groweth weak as to a spiritual digestion of the Heavenly Manna of Gods word and the conjunction between the affections and self and the world the more strengthened It is Gods usual way in such cases ever and anon to give his people a cup of that wormseed-bitter-afflictions yet mixt with Divine love and saving ends as to break the aforesaid conjunction and to cleanse the heart of corruption and to bring the affections home unto himself and to quicken the appetite unto a good digestion of the administrations of his grace in all his dispensations In their affections they will seek me early But is it so that corruption hath brought forth such a separation of the Creatures affections from God unto a conjunction with self and the world to the conception of many evils which cannot be cured but by a supernatural means it may put us into an admiration upon a two-fold account as first we may stand and wonder with
blood to justifie us his precious word to direct us his precious promises to comfort us and many precious calls for to invite us with precious arguments to perswade us and precious cords of love in all to draw poor Sinners to himself and now a precious door of hope is opened to us but so it will not always be thy present time is a precious time the present means of the Gospel is a precious means given for precious ends as to reduce poor Sinners to their primitive state in Righteousness and true Holiness in true peace and happiness with God in glory in order thereunto we in time shall find that time 's best spended that 's spent in that kind Then let not this thy precious time be spent I' th Horseleach-Daughters their Broods content But by improvement of the precious means Endeavour thou thy heart of them to cleanse By often drinking of those livings springs That flows from him who is the King of Kings 'T is water of life with love compounded sure 'T will heal thy wounds and thy distempers cure But thy work is great thy time is but small Time's best improved in time of Gods call FOR When our time is over and opportunities cease We may lye in sorrow hopeless of release See then that ye walk circumspectly not as Fools but as Wise redeeming the time because the days are evil Motive the Nineth A nineth Motive to move us to improve the said means against the aforesaid distempers may be the consideration of that loss we shall sustain unto our selves if our hearts be not cured of the said distempers as the loss of our Union and Communion with God the Father and Christ and the Spirit and the Holy Angels and Saints in the Kingdom of glory with all the felicities thereof to all Eternity O what a sad loss will it be unto us how shall we befool our selves for yealding our selves and services unto the supremacy of these Task-masters these insatiable greedy worms always crying give give When we shall see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all those that have been faithful to Christs supremacy accepted into the Kingdom and we our selves thrust out with that dreadful Sentence Go ye Cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels where the Worm never dyeth and the fire is never quenched O sad Estate with sorrows intollerable and miseries endless Motive the Tenth or a Use of encouragement To go oft to the aforesaid springs and by an act of Faith improve the means thereof to the destroying of these lusts of Corruption out of our hearts is the consideration that they are not only our Enemies but they are also Gods Enemies as much as in them lyeth opposing him in the effecting of his eternal purpose and determined Counsel in bringing man to glorifie his name and to enjoy his glory and they are Antichristian against Christ and his supremacy and against the holy Spirit in its work of Illumination and Sanctification And therefore God gives special commands unto us to improve the Means and Counsel that he affords us in order to the destruction of them all and not to suffer one of them to live in our hearts unsubdued Therefore God in giving to us both Means and Counsel thereunto doth call upon us for to mortifie your inordinate affections crucifie the world deny self put off the old man with his deeds cleanse your selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God circumcising the fore-skin of your hearts the Lord lays many special injunctions upon us wherefore we may not let one live for they are Gods Enemies The Amalakites being Enemies to God God giveth command to King Saul utterly to destroy them old and young sparing none But Saul in sparing Agag the King lost both Gods favour and his Kingdom for his disobedience therein God hath given us the Commands and Testimonies of his Mind and Will that we should destroy these Amalakitish Lusts his Enemies and subdue them out of our hearts and not to let one of them to live and he hath given us means thereunto And may he not nay will he not deal as severely with us if we willingly spare any although never so dear unto us the dangerous consequence thereof considered David by suffering one Lust to live in his heart to Vriahs Wife it brought him to the guilt of Murder and Adultery to the great dishonour of God and the wounding of his soul with the sence of sin and Gods displeasure for the same to the loss of his strength of assurance and weakening his evidences of Salvation the which caused him to drink many a bitter cup of affliction with many a deep sigh and sob and sad complaint with tears and fears of being cut off in the want of his assurance which made him cry out in the bitterness of his soul in the sence of his loss O spare me that I may recover strength before I go hence and be no more Psal 39.13 One Dalilah having gained the heart of strong Sampson through her continual crying Give Give did soon surprise him and bring down his strength so as not to be able to resist his Enemies So one Lust suffered alive in the heart through its continual crying give give may soon surprise us and weaken our strength of faith and hope and comfortable evidences and assurances in Gods favour so as we may become weak as another man as not to be able to resist the assaults of many other Lusts in the temptations thereof Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Lusts and enticed Jam. 1.14 Motive the Eleaventh Or A Use of encouragement to move us to a diligent use and improvement of the said means to the cleansing of our hearts of these greedy worms may be the consideration of that choyce and requirement that God hath made of the heart God requireth the heart as a Treasury to himself to be for himself as his Treasury or Store-house to lay in the Divine Treasures of his holy word his graces and gifts of grace and divine qualifications for his own pleasure and delight and for to enable his Creature to bring forth fruits to the praise and glory of his name and to edifie and comfort others as faith the Lord These words which I Command thee this day shall be in thy heart and thou shalt teach them thy Children and talk of them in thy house Deut. 6.6 And saith the Lord Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your hearts and in your souls c. Deut. 11.18 The heart is a Treasury for Gods Love Rom. 5.5 and for the peace of God Col. 3.15 and for the spirit of Christ Gal. 4.6 Yea all the Laws of God and graces and gifts of grace comprehended in the new Evangelical Covenant in Christ God the Father hath chosen the heart to wright them in and as his Treasury to place them there Jer. 31.33
is evidenced six fold Fourthly The Spirit and the Brides invitation to and commendation of the freeness of these waters of Life in Christ Fifthly The excellent operation of these living springs to the clarifying of the heart from corruption and to qualifie the heart with grace Sixthly The sad slavery and bondage of souls enslaved to the Horseleach and her Brood Seaventhly The woful misery that this slavery to our selves will bring upon us if the means be not improved for a remedy Eighthly The little time we have for our improvement the which once over our opportunities cease Ninethly The greatness of our loss if we obtain not a cure while the time and season serveth Tenthly They are Gods Enemies as much as in them lyeth opposing God and Christ and the Spirit in their effecting of mans salvation in the way of Gods determinations and for appointments from Eternity Eleaventhly The consideration of Gods requirement and choyce that God hath made of the heart to be as a Treasury for himself to place his word his spirit his gifts graces his laws and statutes there according to his Covenant Twelfthly They are the grand Enemies to true Reformation in Church and State and therefore are not to be suffered to live in the heart Thirteenth They will Monopolize all thy Religious actions of Piety and Charity to themselves all must be done for self-ends and worldly interests Fourteenth The Recommendations and Testimonies of the faithful which from their own experiences commend unto us the excellent use and efficacy of these streams of free grace in Christ as a soveraign remedy to our distempers as an encouragement to us Fifteenth and lastly One Use of comfort to the faithful improver of the aforesaid means to the aforesaid ends and unto that soul that is truly sensible of its disease its slavery and danger thereby and world with longing desires be relieved released and delivered from the bondage of sin and condemnation due for the same Behold O behold your priviledges your help your remedy you have a a God free of his dispensations of grace to you in Christ a full Fountain set open with the waters of Life to cure all your distempers by sin 't is to cleanse the heart of sin and of uncleanness a Rock that cannot be drawn dry a River with streams seasoned and sweetened with Divine Love Christ Jesus full of grace truth for the refreshing comforting and satisfying of every soul that in the sence of its own deficiency cometh to Christ believingly in real desire of remedy where you may drink and refresh your selves and welcome you have Christ ready to entertain you with friendly entertainment Eat O friends drink yea drink abundantly O Beloved Cant. 5.1 The more souls come to Christ the more free is Christ unto them the more joyfully doth he entertain them the more his delight is in them and the more he communicates of his fulness to them your presence with him and partaking of his fulness is his joy your absence from him and refusal of his benefits is his sorrow He wept over Jerusalem upon their refusal of him in the day of his free Communications The springs are open the Fountains full the streams run clear and pure and free for cure for all your wounds though ne're so sore here may you find support and comfort in the worst of times and greatest troubles as saith the Psalmist Although the Earth be removed and though the Mountains be carryed into the midst of the Sea we will not fear Psal 46.2 And why There is a River the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God verse 4. and agreeable here unto are those words of the Prophet Isaiah ver 23. The Glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad Rivers with streams God will be yours and Christ and Grace and Glory and what enjoyments is communicable in them shall be for your Consolation and Salvation Wherefore as ye tender the glory of God the honour of Christ and your participation of the benefits and priviledges in Christ the life of holiness and the health of your souls in Heavens attainments use all diligence at the said Well-springs for to compleat a cure to your diseased hearts and to obtain your freedom from the servitude of carnal Lusts the Enemies to our Reformation and Salvation Certain Articles included and drawn from the foregogoing Discourse as the Judgment of the Authour in brief First THere is one God Creator of all things whose being is of himself Glorious in Essence Almighty in Power Infinite in Wisdom Wonderful in Providence Perfect in Purity Rich in his Mercies Great in loving Kindness Faithful in his Covenants Free in his dispensation oâ— Grace Tender of Compassion Long-suffering in Patience Abounding in Goodness and Truth Righteous in his Laws Just in his Judgments Jealous of his Truths a Hater of Sin a Revenger of Iniquity upon the Impenitent incomprehensible in himself yet comprehending all things within his All-seeing Eye his Understanding Knowledge and Almighty Power having Dominion over all things to order all things and dispose of all according to the good pleasure of his divine will unto whom all Worship Service and Obedience is due and is to be performed in his own way by the Sons of men and what he is in himself his Being and Attributes he is Incorruptible Immortal Eternally so God blessed for ever the hope the help the support the consolation and salvation of all that put their trust in him to whom be Glory Honour and Praise everlastingly Amen Secondly The glorious God hath made forth himself unto the Sons of men by three denominations or distinction of names as Father Son and Holy Spirit The Father is of himself not made created nor begotten The Son is of the Father Begotten not made as he is God yet made of a Woman as he is Man Gal. 4.4 The perfection of both Natures centred in him that he was perfect God and perfect Man The holy Spirit is neither made created nor begotten but is equally one from Eternity in the God-head with the Father and the Son proceeding from both mans heart to invade to repair the great loss the power of sin therein made Thirdly The Father from Eternity before the world was did determine decree and purpose in himself in time to Create man to be to the glory of his Name to enjoy him in a glorious state and thereunto did fore-appoint or predestinate him Fourthly The Father fore-seeing the Fall of Man by sin and Mans Captivity under Satans dominion thereby and Mans corrupt and miserable state under the same and Mans inability to recover himself there-from that the determined Counsel decree purpose and predestination or fore-appointment of the Father might stand sure and yet he be just He also determines a free Redemption for Man-kind by his Son and electeth or chuseth his Heirs of Glory in his Son under justification of Life and Glory through believing in his Son
14 15 16. Gal. 6. 6 It is of divine requirement and the Christian Churches duty to communicate unto the maintenance of their Minister in Office of their temporal concernments that ministereth to them in spirituals for so hath the Lord ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel yet may a Pauls spirit make his ministry without charge for the Gospel-sake without sin if he can subsist without the Churches maintenance Nineteenth It is the duty of Christians from the example of the primitive Apostolical Churches to set apart Act. 20.7 observe and solemnize the first day of the week peculiarly to assemble together to worship the Father to honour the Son 1 Cor. 16.2 and to edifie one another in that holy order and divine rule of truth made known unto us by the Son through the demonstrations of his Spirit in the Gospel without adding or diminishing Humane inventions cast aside For Christ in 's Word hath them denyed Twentieth That prayer with thanksgiving unto the Father in the name of the Son by the assistance of the spirit and reading preaching and hearing with due attention the doctrine of Gods word and the due administration of the Ordinances of Baptisme and of bread and wine in that order and to those ends which answer Christs Institution Pattern or Example as they are the essence and substantials of divine worship so are they with actions of mercy and charity the proper work of a Sabbath or a day set apart to the Lord and are to be continued in practice by the Church until the second appearing of Christ personally Twenty-first Mat. 28.19 Mark 16.15 16. That the Baptizing of Believers in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost is a Divine Ordinance appointed as a visible token of Gods Covenant made in Christ unto Believers apprehended only by an eye of faith through a supernatural illumination and is to be administred unto subjects upon their confession of Faith in Christ wherein Christ not only gives a Believer visible admittance into communion with his Church as a Member but also engageth to the Believer walking in faith and obedience to him a performance of all the priviledges and benefits promised to his Church in him as he is King Priest and Prophet thereunto And also the Believer by Baptisme visibly testifieth to God Gal. 2.27 the Church and the World that he taketh Christ as his King Priest and Prophet and thereby engageth with Christ to walk with him through his assistance in his holy order of government and rule of truth made known in his word to be his will in opposition to Sin the World and the Devil All persons have a right to the hearing of the Word Preacht and are to be admitted by vertue of Christs Commission thereunto whether Jews or Gentiles Heathens or Pagans or whatsoever but only Believers to Baptisme upon confession of Faith Act. 8.37 Twenty-second The Ordinance of Bread and Wine instituted by Christ Luk. 22.12 20. is to be observed by his Church consisting of Baptized Believers until his second coming as a representation of the body and blood of Christ broken and shed for the remission of Sins and of the Union-Believers in him thereby 1 Cor. 11.24 25 26 as also a representation of that communion and fellowship Believers shall hereafter enjoy by vertue thereof the which Ordinance through a right application by faith proveth useful for the preservation and confirmation of the Faith Hope Joy and comfort of Believers acting in the said Ordinance in obedience to Christ their King Twenty-third Lev. 19.17 It is the order of Christ and the duty of Christians to reprove sin in their fellow-members upon the visible appearance of it and to give in warnings and admonitions for reformation as they tender the glory of God Rom. 15.14 the honour of Christ their own duty and the promotion of truths interest the life of holiness and the present and future good of the said fellow-member found in transgression Heb. 3.3 Twenty-fourth Psal 141.5 It is the will of Christ and the duty of Christians being justly reproved for sin that they take it patiently and apply it penitently and improve it reformingly with respect unto the aforesaid ends the glory of God the honour of Christ their own duty Prov. 15.10 truths interest the life of holiness and the present and future good of their own souls Twenty-fifth Mat. 18.16 17. It is a divine order given forth by Christ as a Statute-Law unto his Church that in cases of difference arising between Church-members and the said difference cannot be composed by the parties in difference or by one or two more that then the judgment and determination of the Church should stand for a composer of the same and the parties in difference to be satisfied there-with as they respect the glory of God the dignity of Christ the credit of the Church and their union in the bond of peace Twenty-sixth It is the order of Christ and the duty of his Church in obedience to him as their supream Head and King to put in execution the Ordinance of Excommunication against such Members that obstinately persist in wicked practices 1 Cor. 5. or destructive erronious opinions 1 Cor. 16.22 after private and publick reproofs admonitions and exhortations given by the Church according to the rule of Christs order with a respect unto the dignity of Christ and their duty to Christ the purity of the Church and the reformation of the person found in transgression Twenty-seaventh As a Church-Member is by the order of Christ Mat. 18.18 and the Authority thereof given to his Church justly excommunicated from communion with his Church in the holy Ordinance of divine representations so assuredly in the purpose and determinations of God he shall be excluded from the communion of Saints in glory and be numbred among the Transgressors except timely Repentance Twenty-eighth These persons that enter themselves visible Church-Members by Baptisme and walk in Church-communion in the use of all the external parts of divine worship Mat. 13.41 and under the dews of Gods free grace in Christ in the doctrin of the Gospel and have not Gods glory and the mortificacation of their sins Rom 8.13 the subduing of their corrupt Lusts and the sanctifying of their hearts with the qualifications of grace to be their principal ends and in order to those ends do not strive carefully to apply and faithfully to improve the aforesaid means thereunto such persons are like to be as the man without the Wedding-garment and his portion like to be their lot for carnal ends an outside profession only establisheth in a man but the hope of the Hypocrite but right ends often crowns the action with good success although the action have many imperfections Twenty-nineth Those persons that in love to their corrupt Lusts and the world in the pride pleasures and profits thereof
not only command us to be holy because he is holy but attends upon us with all holy means appertaining to the attainment of an holy state that we in a good improvement of the means according to his Counsel against Sin and Satan and our own Corruptions for the attainment of a holy life we might both Plow in hope and Sow in the hope of Reaping a sure and certain Estate of holiness in its perfection to the great joy and consolation of the Soul in the sweet enjoyments of Communion with the Lord But Thirdly As we may be encouraged in this design by the warrantableness of it God highly approving of it and secondly from the promise of God to assist us in the management of the design So thirdly we may be much encouraged upon the consideration of the faithfulness of him that hath promised assistance to us Know therefore saith Moses that the Lord thy God is God the Faithful God which keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that love him and keep his Commandements to a thousand Generations Deut. 7.9 This is an excellent encourageing argument and attribute of God to strengthen the courage and confidence of a Christian in his design for the perfecting holiness in the fear of God if a Christian in the management of this design do meet with temptations and oppositions by the Lusts of the flesh the Devil or Wicked men here is a special ground of courage and confidence God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10.13 Should a Christian in his management of this designe be possessed with some fear or jealousie of its own Imperfections and Weaknesses that by reason of the same it shall not attaine unto an estate of Holiness to stand acceptable without blame in the sight of God Here in this Case-consider that God is faithful who hath Called you unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 1.8 9. who will also confirme you unto the End that ye may be blameless in the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ Wherefore thou Christian Soul pressing after the attainment of Holiness consider Gods faithfulness as a remedy against any fears doubts or jealousies that may arise upon the sight or sense of thy own weakness and imperfections hath God also called thee unto the fellowship of his Son to walk with him in his holy Laws and Council contained in his Word striving against Sin for to attain unto an Holy state God hath also called thee unto the fellowship of his Son in the participation of his Righteousness and true Holiness in which Robes he will accept thee as unblameable in his sight Faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it 1 Thes 5.24 Therefore press after Holiness but against the defilements of sin depending on Christ for perfection therein who Crowns Saints endeavours and adds to their store his own perfect purity to acceptance evermore Thou hast a few names saith the Lord to the Church of Sardis That have not defiled their Garments It seemeth these few persons did carefully endeavour in the use of the means to keep up and nourish the life and power of Godliness in them so as not to allow themselves in that deadness and sloathfulness that others were found in nor in those false doctrins and opinions that were on foot among others neither in those loose and lacivious practices and abominations of the times but their hearts being real to the Lord and their careful endeavours was to keep themselves undefiled from the sins of the times So the Lord Jesus Christ doth record them here according to their careful endeavours and integrity of their hearts although they might have failings and imperfections without which there is no man on this side the grave yet they being not allowed but endeavoured against the Lord seems to take not any notice thereof nor layeth any thing to their charge on that account for as much as such souls thus consciencious of sin do in the sence of their own imperfections the more humble themselves before the Lord admiring his mercy and judge themselves unworthy of the same Well but what of these few They saith the Lord shall walk with me in white for they are worthy Note here for encouragement in this design for holy attainments two things especially laid down in promise to such First Union with Christ in his white robes of Innocency Righteousness and Holiness in the perfection thereof Christ will cover the failings and imperfections of such souls with his own perfections Secondly Here is Communion with Christ Christ accepts them in Communion with himself They shall walk with me in white Christ puts his perfections upon them as aforesaid and makes them meet-Companions for himself They shall walk with me O what rich grace is this what an encouragement is here to press after such attainments when Christ hath engaged himself to make up our wants with his own fulness our imperfections with his own perfections and thereby make us meet for fellowship with himself They shall walk with me in white for they are worthy Note Here Christ seems to attribute a worthiness in them of these priviledges although in all that they have done is but their duty and not deserving at the hand of Christ so great priviledges but such is the gracious goodness of the Lord that he will not let the gift of a cup of cold water Math. 10.42 that is given to one of his Disciples for his sake go unrewarded how much more respects will he freely show towards those that for his sake in love to him do improve his Counsel unto a denial of themselves in all ungodliness and worldly Tit. 2.11 12. Lusts and Vanities to walk with Christ in his Counsel confessing his Name and professing his truth in opposition to Sin the World and the Devil to the management of this design of perfecting holiness in the fear of God to the glory of his Name Yea so doth Christ respect such souls that he confirms his former words with a second Confirmation He that overcometh the same shall be Cloathed with white Rayment and I will not blot his name out of the book of Life but I will confess his name before my Father and before his Angels Rev. 3.5 O what great encouragements hath the Lord laid before us if we are upon the management of this design for holiness in the way of Christ's Counsel He will Cloath us with his own Robes and keep our names clear in the book of Life and confess our names and bear his Testimony for us before his Father and before his Angels as he also testifyeth Math. 10.32 O behold the faithfulness of God that as he hath commanded us to be holy so hath he graciously promised his assistance to us in our endeavours by his Divine Counsel in his Word