opinion being the result of their disputation and consult is in v. 28. ascribed with one accord v. 25. by them to the Holy Ghost as to him that guided them into this truth by his help and the convincing reasons suggested and gathered from the said disputations are look'd upon as his work 1 Cor. 14.37 7.25 40. Now here first no immediate afflatus inspires them and reveals to any of them what they should believe secondly they take some time and meet together with one accord not to write an Apostolical decree but to consult together and lastly by disputing seeking and examining they come at last to agree and to resolve upon the best-grounded opinion which is that all true Christians with the ordinary Spirit of our Vicar may lawfully pretend to Again the Spirit in Paul saith Luke Act. 17.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as he saw the excess of Idolatry in Athens that is he had not a mean and ordinary impulse and paroxysme upon him Well and what was the effect of this fit or paroxysme did it make him work Miracles and like the man of God 1 Kings 13.5 rend their Altars and throw down their Images at his word or did then the Spirit reveal some new thing to him Truly no he disputed daily in the Synagogue and in the Market out of that which he knew already and by reasons which his light and knowledge suggested him were like to work upon them he shewed them their ignorance of God which raised in some a mind to know him better And the sum of the reasons he orged to them was that the God whom they did worship out of their excess of zeal without knowing him was he that made the whole World and could not per consequent be confined to their Temples that he having made also all things in Heaven and Earth and giving to all creatures life and breath we have from him and in him our being and so are all his off-spring as they had even been taught by some of their learned men viz. Aratus and others and therefore ought not to think that the Deity is like unto things far worse than we such as Gold and Silver are whereof their Idols were made that their reason told them it was not fit to remain in that state of ignorance but besides this he shewed them a further necessity to learn the knowledge of God which being Life eternal John 17.3 implys good works righteousness and holiness without which no man shall ever see him Heb. 12.14 which was that being to dye they were after this life upon a day appointed to give an account of their evil works to him that God had made Judge of all the World and declared to be such by the power he gave him to overcome temptation to fulfil all righteousness and so to rise from the death Rom. 1.4 no man ever arose from before him nor since his time but by him and by his gift To which reasons note not fetcht from any Humane Learning against what the Vicar argues so groundlesly for for what necessity is there of Mathematicks Logick and Metaphysick to convince men that they are a more excellent creature than Gold or Silver or Stones Dionysius Damaris and some others submitted and this effect of the said impulse of the Holy Ghost in St. Paul or other Saints is no more than what some men whom I know now living have done upon the same occasion in Italy And indeed we find no where that the Spirit which was mighty in the Apostles Gal. 2.8 was such blind afflatus as would immediately and without previous knowledge suggest and dictate to them the things which they spake and did But rather that it was a renewing of their minds Rom. 12.2 Ephes 4 23. by a new Light which lighting again their smoaking Candle made them capable to see and to discover by it all that which standing before in the dark did then plainly present it self to their view so that they might have given a full description of it As when the bright shining of a Candle giveth light to some men in a dark place Luk. 11.36 2 Pet. 1.19 they perceive on a sudden what they could not see before though it stood round about them and can find out by its meant if they carry it with them what lies hidden in the most hidden corners of the room so the Day-star arising in the hearts of those disciples rendred clear and manifest to them what they could not see and what was not to be seen without it though with the help of all the Humane Learning witness besides St. Paul 1 Cor. 2.9 10. the Vicar against himself in the place he cites pag. 10. out of Hales Golden Remains saying that what the Spirit did give them the knowledge of were great and high mysteries which had never entred yet in the heart of any man The gift of the Apostles was the renewing of the Holy Ghost saith Paul himself Tit. 3.5 now as the word renewing implys an existency of some decayed spoiled thing that receives a new supply of what it lost and lacked so the renewing of the Holy Ghost doth signifie a recovery of it and a restauration to the same Image of God breathed into man's nostrils when the Lord created him Gen. 1.27 2.7 which consisting in knowledge Coloss 3.10 they needed no more than he another immediate blind afflatus to know all things that is all they saw and were to think to speak and to do for the word thing being said of all that which dicitur cogitatur est the knowledge of all things-promised John 14.26 implys so much And that Adam needed no other new revelation or inspiration than that of his own native knowledge to understand perfectly the nature of what he saw c. appears from that God brought all the Beasts to him to see what he would name them Gen. 2.19 and not to teach him their names and from that whatsoever he called every Beast that was saith Moses the name thereof God who had before given names to other things Gen. 1.5 8 10. seeing these were right and good and that he had not only a right notion of the things but that what definition and judgment he made of them was so much according to truth so perfect and so congruous to their nature that nothing was found amiss therein he confirmed them and that was the name thereof as if God had given it Therefore when the Apostles were by the Holy Ghost renewed in light and knowledge they knew all things like Adam without new revelation with this difference only that whereas Adam had the perfect knowledge of all from the very first moment after he was created for then he was very good Gen. 1.31 the Apostles whilst in the body of this death Rom. 7.24 and till that which is perfect to wit the perfect state of Adam in body and soul Ephes 4.13 is come knew and saw all things in part and but as
nonsensical and to no purpose contrived without reason or necessity nay repugnant to the end it was instituted for viz. the breaking of the flesh 1 Cor. 11.26 and the communicating to Christs spiritual body ch 10.16 which is done in becoming spiritual men our selves and a very wicked fool to persecute another because he will not be as great a fool as thy self I say that he who eats of this flesh shall live by it and shall by this flesh and bloud the power of our Christ and from on high Luk. 24.49 Act. 1.8 be quickned and so strengthned that he shall overcome the accuser or Tempter that tempted Eve Rev. 12.11 I mean shall bruise the head of the flesh that creeps and makes our Souls to creep with it Gen. 3.15 like Serpents v. 14. to cleave unto this vile Earth Psal 119.25 and to sink down from God into Hell it self Philip he that hath seen me hath seen the Father also John 14.7 9. for the Son is his express Image and represents him Heb. 1.3 John 1.18 And can therefore the Son of the invisible God who is a Spirit saith he that Son who dwells in the light no man can approach unto 1 Tim. 6.16 in the bosom in the throne of the most infinite God John 1.18 Rev. 3.21 be like unto flesh and bloud and sit there and come therence Rev. 3.20 to make us sit there also in the same bodily shape he lived with in the flesh what and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up saith he John 6.62 where he was before how can you then think he shall have flesh and bloud about him since when he was there before he had neither flesh and bloud nor humane shape and body John 5.37 Deut. 4.12 how can the flesh and bloud I had then about me which is not my flesh and bloud John 8.23 but the seed of Abraham Heb. 2.16 which I took upon Earth in the womb of one of his daughters that I might dye therein to deliver you from it v. 14 15. Rom. 8.6 be the true bread from heaven and the meat and drink indeed that makes you live for ever John 6.32 33 38 41 50 54 55 58. Truly if I had still a body of flesh and bloud I could not quicken you and the words that I speak being Spirit v. 63. how can you take them in a carnal sence but if you understood them and knew me saw my glory John 17.24 whereof that in Mat. 17.2 was but a very weak beam that body of flesh and bloud which you so much doat upon would vanish out of your sight Luk. 24.31 Heb. 10.20 2 Cor. 3.14 and then you would understand that I am risen indeed Luk. 24.34 from such body of death Rom. 7.24 and by rising from it or being no more in it made the fitter author of your eternal salvation Heb. 5.9 that is more able to help you and fitter to strengthen you John 16.7 both against the said body and him that tempts you by it 2 Cor. 5.1 4 6. by the power I have in rising unto glory obtain'd of an endless life Heb. 2.18 7.16 whereby you may rule over the tumultuous Nations the lusts that war in your flesh and come out of their bondage into the glorious freedom of the Sons of God v. 15. Rev. 2.26 27. which is rising from the dead and entring in the kingdom of God or your Salvation O you house of Israel both Jews and all Christian Sects come on now for the time past ought to have sufficed you open your eyes and at last walk in the light of the Lord Isa 2.5 Ephes 5.8 sit no longer in darkness and in your shadow of death otherwise under the thick umbraculum which your flesh darkneth and deads your Souls with learn to know me in Spirit and in truth according to mine own essence and nature and look no more upon me as your Antecessors John 6.42 and as the Mahometans and even as you your selves have done and do to this hour John 14.7 for the Jews look for nothing but worldly and temporal blessings for their flesh from Christ to wit to live in plenty glory and prosperity in this life under his reign as when Solomon reigned 1 Kings 4.20 21 24 25. taking accordingly what the Prophets say of the Spiritual kingdom of the Messiah literally as Isa 55.10 and therefore they thought of a visible appearance of Gods kingdom in the days of Christ Luk. 17.20 19.11 And the Turks expect to have all fleshly lusts satisfied by the mediation of their Prophet Mahomet when he comes with God say they to save his true Musulmans or them that truly believe in him and to judge the World So that Christians believing that they shall be one day saved with their flesh and bloud 2 Cor. 5.6 that their Salvation was once performed and perfected in the flesh by Christ as man by his becoming a man and by dying in the flesh when by his incarnation and death without ascending and coming in the Spirit there is no body saved John 3.5 13. 16.7 and that the second coming of Christ will be seen of all appear with observation to the eyes of all the World Luk. 17.20 look on him with the same eyes and in the same manner as both the Jews and the Turks have no higher thoughts of his kingdom than the others have know him still as the man of sorrows humiliated not as sitting from the time of his humiliation on the right hand of power and coming with great glory though he tells them so himself Mat. 26.64 Mark 14.62 and concurring thus with them in a temporal worldly and carnal knowledge of him they do not only bring back his Spiritual knowledge and worship introduced by him and the Apostles to the old bodily and ceremonial worship of God in the Jewish Church but even to a creature worship Rom. 1.25 23. and like the Heathen changing the truth of their God into that which he is not the shape or Image of man they set up an Idol made like unto flesh and bloud the fleshly conceits of him in the holy place their heart thus instead of knowing God as a Spirit in Spirit destroying his Spiritual knowledge and establishing a knowledge after the flesh and also per consequent a worship accordingly a down-right idolatry for Lux intelligendi being in mankind the Lex volendi agendi man willeth and acteth but according to his knowledge worships God as he knows him quia ignoti boni nulla cupido lusts for no more than that which he conceives and knows of him to wit a bodily temporal and carnal good and so continues to be such as he was at his birth that is carnally minded and this carnal mind being enmity against his God Rom. 8.7 Jam. 4.4 man in revolting to it or siding with that party which is in war against God he commits adultery that is falshood against God Luk. 16.13 18. with the great whore worldly
12.7 to guide them into all truth so that fearching by the Light of this Spirit even the deep and hidden things of God ch 2. 10. Rom. 1.20 and growing in grace by it they may * Note that the English Translation of this place of 1 John 2.20 which reads you shall know all things is false for the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies not you shall know but having known you know still for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used instead of the Present Tense as the Latin Verb Nâ—vi know John 14.26 1 John 2.20 27. and do all things Mark 9.23 Phil. 4.13 and thus being taught of God John 6.45 need not that any man teach them But the Question is Whether this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Unction the Holy Ghost be given to all true Believers or good Christians as unto the Apostles For that it is given to them all in some measure their very name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in English anointed ones and being made Kings and Priests Revel 1.6 5.10 they must needs be anointed shews and that they partake of the true Oyl of gladness with the Messiah or Christ called so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by reason that he had not the Spirit like the other anointed ones by measure John 3.34 Hebr. 1.9 for both Christ and Messiah signifie the anointed and not the Faithful only but all men Jews and Gentiles partake of the Holy Ghost a certain portion of it being distributed to every man living and allowed to all mankind as appeareth 1. Because Christ by the Light of his Spirit enlightneth every man that cometh into the World John 1.9 and not the Faithful only 2. Then from the spiraculum breathed into man's nostrils Gen. 2.7 being still since Adam lost the Holy Ghost by his Fall to the days of Solomon and likewise in our days the Lamp of the Lord in man Prov. 20.27 3. Next from the reason given by him who is perfect in knowledge the most wise God Gen. 9.6 why man should not shed man's bloud to wit because he is made after the image of God which shews that man had not yet quite lost the image of God for if he had this reason had ceased at the same time and as being of no force God had not made use of it therefore hath some of it still for we find no where that since Noah's time he hath lost it And this Image consisting in the Spirit of promise for by the receit of it men are according to the promise made to Abraham of their being restored or renewed to the same Image of God Adam had which all are fallen short from Rom. 3.23 God's promise to Abraham being but the same as that which he had made to Adam presently after his loss Gen. 3.15 which what is it else but a bruising of what made him creep a rising from the beastly dark state he was fallen into and so a recovery from his said sickness and loss created a new saith Paul Eph. 4.24 Colos 3.10 after the image of God Acts 2.33 38 39. Tit. 3.5 6. Heb. 11.39 40. since man hath still some portion of the said Image left him he hath likewise some relicks of the said Holy Spirit which forms and constitutes it as from the words renewing and newness of the Spirit frequently used by Paul as Rom. 7.6 12.2 Tit. 3 5. upon this account may further be understood 4. Again The kingdom of God being like unto a man travelling from his Estate into some remote Country who delivered to his Servants his goods or good gifts Mat. 25.14 that is the Holy Spirit confer Mat. 7.11 with Luk. 11.13 it follows that God giveth his Spirit to all mankind for all men are God's Servants the being Lord and Master and the Holy Ghost is saith Paul alluding to this 1 Cor. 12.7 given to every man to trade use and improve him for his own best advantage 5. Lastly The Kingdom of God which is within man Luk. 17.21 being like leaven put into meal Mat. 13.33 a thing of the same nature but so heavy of it self that it must be fermented with Leaven to become Bread it appears that though all men have with Adam lost some part and note well come short only Rom. 3.23 of the whole Image of God 1 Cor. 11.7 yet all men some more some less and not only those few that are born of the Spirit have still remaining in them some old ruinous fragments or a certain smoaking Flax which is of the same nature as the Spirit of promise which renews and reforms man but which was not given till Christ was glorified John 7.39 Quicquid in hominibus saith the thrice great and learned Author of the Pymander videt audit verbum Domini that is to say is from the Word of wisdom or Spirit of the great God 1 Cor. 12.8 Neither do any of the Christian Sects I know of deny the said allowance of the Spirit to themselves though some exclude other men such as the Jews and Heathen And Master Vicar himself is so far from denying and arguing against it that he makes it his business by a new distinction of an extraordinary and ordinary Spirit to shew that though the former is ceased as he disputes yet the Christian Church always receives and hath the latter of the two continued His words are these pag. 6. viz. The Apostles extraordinary Spirit continued more or less about 400 years in God's Church and men wrought Miracles and thereby convinced Gainsayers though about that time they were not so numerous and plentiful as they were before and the reason was because there was no such need of them and a little after they ceased For when the occasion and reason of working Miracles ceased as Kings proving Nursing-Fathers to the Church the Gospel being a National Religion in most Countries then God in his wisdom suspended that great and mighty power wherewith he had accompanied good men before Therefore men are now to look for no other Spirit but what is necessary for their needs as they are Christians Having said pag. 4. that the Primitive Christians stood in need as Apostles of their extraordinary Spirit upon the account of both the Jews and Gentiles there being great reason that such as were the immediate Instruments of so great an undertaking as making void a Law to wit the Law of Moses which had been settled by God and convincing the prejudiced Gentiles of the truth of their persons as well as of their doctrine should have a proportionable commission and strength to do it with Alas adds he pag. 5. had it not been for this the Gospel would have been nipp'd in its first budding forth and it would have been a downright impossibility for so great a part of the World to have been imposed upon by such a company of illiterate persons as the Apostles before the descent of the Holy Ghost were Can you imagine that such learned men as Dionysius and
other persons brought up in the Schools at Athens who well understood the principles and connexion of things would have submitted to the pretences of such bold and rude persons who could shew no reason at all beyond their own consident assertions for what they said No it was impossible and by the way this one thing shews the great necessity of humane Learning and is a sufficient confutation of all those Enthusiasts who do revile it to wit that what the Apostles wanted of it upon the score of Education God supplied by Miracle But for their extraordinary Spirit it is a plain case because we daily experience it that it is ceased and that no man can now pretend to it for he that pretends to the same Spirit the Apostles had must do the same things or else he is mighty vain and argues his understanding to be much impaired Now judge ye who is more vain than this Vicar who denies Scripture and the experience of several sober learned pious godly men who have been Eye-witnesses and testifie and relate the Miracles wrought upon some faithful believing men since his four hundred years as shall be shewed hereafter Judge also whether his own experience can teach him that the said Spirit is ceased For the gift of Miracles being but one of many belonging to that Spirit and all the gifts being not given to every one of those that truly believe but one or two gifts to each as in page appears he must needs be acquainted with all the true Believers that live all the World over to say that his Experience and that of his acquaintance who are as well informed as himself of what passeth daily among the faithful shews him that none of them can at present pretend to it when the Prophet Elijah who was as noted a man I hope as the Vicar knew not one of the seven thousand faithful men who lived in his time in Israel 1 Kings 19.14 18. and they that can do these things do not seek to shew themselves and to be known openly John 5.44 7.4 6. Luk. 8.56 But though they did and wrought some Miracles every day in the sight of all the World yet they that say that Miracles are ceased so long ago would believe them no sooner than their fellow Pharisees who though blasphemous enough to ascribe the glory of them to Beelzebub were not so silly as to pretend that they were ceased Then observe from his own words that what God by Miracle supplied of Humane Learning being wanted upon the score of Education might by Education have been got without Miracle and so what need was there God should supply by Miracle what he might have had and done plentifully without it For there lived at the time that Christ chose the Apostles many other men who had by their Education got Humane Learning enough to hold out an Argument against the learned Heathen And St. Paul who had enough Acts 22.3 needed not I presume to supply his want of it receive the same fulness of Spirit as the other twelve yet he received it and that with as extraordinary circumstance as all the rest Acts 9.17 18. 2 Cor. 11.5 12.4 Gal. 2.6 8. Besides the necessity of Humane Learning Logick Metaphysick c. to convince Dionysius and other learned Gentiles whose conviction the Vicar said before was the hard task that required such an extraordinary Spirit implys that Humane Learning was the means the Apostles made use of to convince them contrary to 1 Cor. 2.6 8. Col. 2.8 Mat. 11.25 And if so may not they that are now great Masters in it although by Education and say they make use of it as the Divines of these times against their Adversaries pretend to do the same things and to have therefore the same Spirit the Apostles had Verhum sat sapienti this being but by the way to give the sober Reader a hint of what the Learning of those wise men will produce 1 Cor. 1.19 20. And they have ill luck who whilst they seek for honour and praise for their Learning and Wisdom not only get no credit but forfeit by what they were in great hopes to procure some that which they were look'd upon to have already gotten But O that they were as wise and learned as they pretend and as they would seem to be for then they might do some good and had saved me the trouble of declaring now for them that the Apostles Spirit continues still in the Church that all men have the same right and as good pretences to the extraordinary Spirit the Apostles had as the Apostles themselves and that they may now have it and if they will make use of the same means they used Acts 1.14 2.1 15.7 8. John 14.23 Luk. 18.1 receive it and be filled with it as much as they were For the gift of that Spirit if we will but take Christ's word and solemn promise for it Mark 16.17 John 14.12 wait upon the Church of God all them that believe in him of any nation and tongue and of any profession Acts 10.35 44 46. and that not for about 400 years only but until now at present and to the end of the World Mat. 28.20 for that I may not leave them comfortless saith Christ John 14.18 23. I will come by what can comfort refresh and give life and joy viz. by my Spirit v. 26. 6.63 Jam. 2.26 Acts 3.19 20. and make my abode with them or within them for the Church being the body of Christ 1 Cor. 12.27 Eph. 4.12 he must like the Soul in man dwell in the Members that make the said body for ever John 14.16 13. and to you and your children and to as many as God shall ever call saith Peter Act. 2.38 39. the promise of the same blessing to wit the receit of the same Holy Spirit Luk. 24.49 Act. 1.4 8. Gen. 22.18 Gal. 3.14 belongs And saith he further Act. 10.47 11.15 not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is as he confirms it ch 15.8 according to the same measure as we the first have received the Holy Ghost you may receive be filled with him and have him likewise Which words shew that St. Peter did not arrogate either to himself or to the rest of his fellow Apostles the extraordinary Spirit ascribed to them viz. a more peculiar gift and a greater share of God's Spirit than all other true Believers have or may have and that he did not then dream of being more infallible than they be and of his Church and Church-mens prerogatives as men do before they have received the Holy Ghost witness Mark 9.38 conferred with Luk 24.49 Numb 11.28 29. And so from these words of Christ and Peter that it appears that the Apostles Spirit or the same Spirit they had never ceaseth in the Church nor in any National Religion Sect or party until it ceaseth to be the Church and the Flock of Christ
ch 8.3 9.29 Signs being besides to wait only on them that believe Mark 16.17 and to follow their belief of the Word to confirm it v. 20. the word confirming used by Mark importing some kind of precedent believing for there must be some belief before we can suppose a need of confirmation and so the adulterous and perverse generation may seek long enough for signs and yet have none given them but the sign of a Prophet which what it is let them that read understand if they can and what I mean by it for truly when men have an evil prejudiced eye like the old seekers of signs and lack some understanding to pass a righteous judgment and to discern the Spirit of a man by his knowledge and to believe at his words John 4.41 uttered by God's Spirit Act. 2.4 neither would they believe if one arose from the dead Luk. 16.31 and did work al the wonders they should require of him This is plain from the hardness of heart of the Aegyptians Exod. 7.11 12. from the blindness of the Jews John 10.24 25 26. 12.37 and from the blasphemous madness of the Pharisees Mat. 12.24 notwithstanding the wonders they saw by Moses and Christ. And it is evident from the stupidity wherewith this adulterous and wicked generation hath beheld the Prodigies which have of late appeared that they would look upon the wonders of Moses and Christ if one did now shew and work some of them in their presence with the same indifference that is behold and wonder Act. 13.41 and believe them supposed or false lying and insignificant wonders for who considers and looks upon the said Prodigies as the sad presagers of his approaching ruine and would no more lay the same to heart make good use of them desist from their ill courses repent and mend thereupon than Jeroboam who saw his Altar rent in pieces and his own hand dried up and afterwards restored yet returned not from his evil way that he might be destroyed from off the Earth 1 Kings 13.33 34. 1 Sam. 2.25 as are all those Kings likewise who walk in his ways that is who forget that the most high rules in the kingdom of men Dan. 4.25 and is he that gave them one not only when they had none but when all the policy friends power and interest they had could procure them none and who as though their own hand had done this great thing for them trust to their wit and cunning for the preservation of it in their Family 1 Kings 12.26 27. and think by forsaking the Author of their greatness and of their life and being in setting up a Calvish worship of God in Bethel that is a Lip-worship bodily Ceremonies and outward Formalities and Shews in the House of God they strengthen themselves mainly and secure to themselves the quiet possession of their Kingdom for ever against all future revolts But the God against whom there is no counsel and wit Prov. 21.30 and who judgeth in the earth Psal 58.11 laughs at their wise contrivance and warns them by Prodigies that his hand is stretched out and ready to strike at them and tells them before he strikes 1 Kings 16.2 3. For as much as I exalted thee out of the dust and made thee Prince over my people and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam and hast made my people to sin and given them great offence behold I take away thee and thy posterity and I will make thy house like that of Jeroboam which God who turneth the hearts of Princes as he pleaseth avert in his great mercy from some Princes in the World And therefore should the wisdom of God quae nihil agit frustra as is confessed and doth not shew her wonders to gratifie the humour of unbelieving scorners Prov. 3.34 but the wishes and prayers of some lowly humble and meek as those of Hezekiah Isa 38.22 7 8. of Gideon Judg. 6.17 37 39. and others that believed what she said and to make known God's power and his name throughout the earth Exod. 9.16 John 9.3 work Miracles at the demand of such unbelieving and perverse generation it were to their destruction â—uk 11.50 which the goodness and patience of God and the love they that believe have for their Neighbour keep God and the believers Spirit from bringing to pass and from executing yet Judgment upon a Nation For which cause Christ who was come to save not to destroy men Luk. 9.56 being the dumb Lamb of God that did not strive nor open his mouth and utter his voice Mat. 12.19 Act. 8.32 like Moses Numb 16.15 and Elijah 2 Kings 1.10 12. went always away from such as Mat. 16.4 21.17 Mark 8.13 lest by their too long tempting and playing the fool with God his holy Spirit had been so grieved and provoked as to stir up the principle of wrath to devour them From whence observe that the end and occasion of Miracles is not the conviction of the gainsayers of the Faith as our worthy Vicar not only takes for granted but urgeth the scarceness of gainsayers by the Gospel becoming a National Religion in most Countries for an argument of the cessation of all Miracles seeing they are wrought first to confirm the believing of the Word to establish and encourage believers to continue in the Faith when they have once received it and secondly to punish the scorners and opposers them that seek to turn away those that are prepared for Salvation from the Faith them that blaspheme the Name of God and that contribute to the dishonour of it as from Elymas Act. 13.8 10. the two Captains of fifty 2 Kings 1.10 12. Gehazi ch 5.22 Ananias and Saphira may be learned Thirdly that the power or name and glory of God may be declared and known among men throughout the Earth To which it may be added that they serve to keep in awe many men Act. 2.43 as Gamaliel ch 5.39 from fighting or declaring for them that fight against God And truly because Miracles have often been are and shall still be done by deceivers Exod. 7.11 22. 8.7 Mark 13.22 2 Thess 2.9 Revel 13.13 they are no full evidence of a true mission from God nor convincing proofs of the truth of the doctrine set forth by him that shews a wonder and works some Miracles for it though the Vicar saith they are pag. 6. For not only we are not if we believe Christ's advice Mark 13.21 to believe what he teacheth but we are to judge of his mission and of the virtue whereby he works his Miracles by the doctrine he preacheth and to set our reason and the knowledge which we should have of God's will and commands above the authority of all his signs and wonders Deut. 13.3 and if his doctrine be found like that of Master Vicar contrary to the Divine contained in the Scriptures he was for all his Miracles by the Law of Moses before Christ came to save what was lost to be put to
thorow a glass 1 Cor. 13.9 10 12. neither came all that they knew to them at the first moment after their new creation or new birth of the Spirit John 3.5 but by degrees for saith Paul 2 Cor. 4.16 their inward man was renewed and perfected day by day the morning and the day-star going before them further and further until it came and stood over where lies the young child or Truth new found Mat. 2.9 so guided their minds from one consequence to another as from the lowermost link through the whole intermediate concatenation unto the higher end of the Chain yet in no great space of time that in following it close by seeking and by knocking for he who will that it should be opened to him must knock Luk. 11.10 and rise early and watch at the posts of wisdoms door Prov. 8.17 34. and traffick with his talent but never keep it laid up they did climb up by degrees into all wisdom and truth came to some knowledge in all the most hidden things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 and so did stand in no need of a sudden immediate impulse and inspiration to declare and speak of them when they saw an occasion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he will lead you in the way John 16.13 now leading one in the way implys that he walks himself and neither is carried to nor the things which he is led into brought unto him And the Son of God saith 1 John 5.20 hath given us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 note he saith not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is the understanding it self but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is novum lumen in mente a discerning faculty that we may by consulting judging and examining discern to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where the conjunction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or in English that we may shews that the said enquiring and discerning faculty is the way and the means which the Holy Ghost brought St. John and the Apostles to know 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Truth by Also it is plain from hence that the gift of the Son of God the Holy Spirit bestowed on the Apostles is first an understanding enlightned and rectified to which they were left even in the midst of their Visions to gather from what they saw what they were to do and teach Act. 16.10 10.15 28. Whereas the ancient Prophets under the Old Testament with whom the true Unction the Comforter or Spirit made no such constant abode as Christ promised it would with those that should keep his words thenceforth or believe in him John 14.16 23. had not the same 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Light constantly shining in their minds to direct them upon all occurrences but the word of the Lord came to them and his Spirit upon them by intervals God was not yet Emmanuel the Tabernacle of the Lord was yet sometimes taken down Isa 33.20 and his Oracle or his Word the Verbum Domini that is his intellectus voluntas posse actus nam cum omnisciens omnipotens Deus neque consilio neque voce utatur scire velle agere is still but one thing in him to wit his Verbum or Christ who is therefore called the wisdom of the Father by which he knows and willeth and the arm and the power of the Lord John 12.38 41. 1 Cor. 1.24 by which he can acts creates and makes all things Heb. 1.2 and saves all them that believe did not as yet dwell in men John 14.17 1 Cor. 6.19 for they did not receive the promise of the Father Luk. 24.49 Act. 1.4 5 8. till Christ was glorified John 7.37 16.7 Therefore the ancient Seers had not the Oracle in them to consult with at all times like Christians whom God speaks to in these last days by his Son Heb. 1.2 who is the true Mercy-seat or Propitiatorium Rom. 3.25 found between the Cherubims viz. the Angelical Souls which have Heaven within them Luk. 17.21 Phil. 3.20 from whence God gives his Oracles ever since his first coming or appearance in the flesh But the Angel of God Christ Gen. 48.16 18.1 10 13 16 17. Mal. 3.1 made himself known and spake to them 1. in Visions and Dreams Numb 12.6 Gen. 31.11 Dan. 7.1 2. 2. or spake to them by a voice from above the Mercy-seat between the two Cherubims as the Lord did with Moses Exod 25.22 Numb 7.89 9.8 9. whence to the Testimony saith Isaiah 8.20 Numb 17.4 because that it was then hidden under the Mercy-seat in the Ark Exod. 25.16 21. Heb. 9.4 to enquire for counsel at the Lords mouth by Vrim Numb 27.21 Josh 9.14 Isa 30.2 Exod. 28.30 28. 1 Sam. 30.7 8. 3. or the Lord did put his word in their mouth and in their ears Numb 22.38 23.16 1 Sam. 9.15 Jer. 1.9 Ezek. 5.14 Isa 6.7 49.2 not in their understandings as by the new Covenant Jer. 31.33 Heb. 8.7 8 13. 4. or they were as Peter saith 2 Pet. 1.21 transported 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by some sudden rapture of the Spirit upon them Numb 11.26 1 Sam. 10.6 19.20 to 24. 2 Kings 3.15 1 Chron. 12.18 5. or received their Visions falling into Trances like Abraham Gen. 15.12 Balaam Numb 24.4 Ezechiel ch 2.12 8.3 and some others Dan. 10.8 9. And they were called Seers 1 Sam. 9.9 because that for the most part they saw what they were to say and to do represented and described in their Trance Exod. 25.9 Heb. 8.5 thus having their eyes open to see the Visions of the Almighty whilst their body was dead and bereft of sense But the Apostles of Christ being one degree higher understood not by but from their Visions when they had some by means of their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what they were to do and speak and fell not into Trances which were accompanied with pain horrour and darkness Gen. 15.12 Dan. 10.8 when they had any Visions but being in the Spirit often of their own accord Revel 1.10 they were in such Extasies caught up into Paradise Rom. 14.17 there to hear and see without weakness anguish and horrour the unspeakable words and Visions they received 2 Cor. 12.4 Whence if according to Christ John 20.29 blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed because intelligere being ipsum credere he that can without seeing understand what other men cannot understand and so believe without they see it is blessed with a better enlightned understanding as hath been shewed already the Apostles were blessed with a greater share of that which gives men understanding and were therefore greater than the said Seers and Prophets And hence comes that John till whom the Law and the Prophets were Luk. 16.16 though the greatest among all them that are born of women was the least saith Christ Mat. 11.11 12 13. among all them that are born of God John 1.13 or the least in the kingdom of God which as it began but from the time John lived Luk. 16.16 so it did not include him for the
Holy Ghost being given but after that Christ ascended to his Father John dying before was not entirely in God's kingdom Rom. 14.17 and had not the Apostles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dwelling in him as appears from his doubting whether Christ was the true Messiah that was to come Luk. 7.19 for they that have it know that 1 John 5.20 and so he was but one and the last of the old Prophets But notwithstanding this great Prerogative which all the Apostles had above them they were but men of the like passions and infirmities with them and with other men Act. 14.15 as appears by Act. 15.39 and by Peter compelling the Gentiles to do those things Gal. 2.14 which he himself condemned Alas per Antithesin to Master Vicar's alas which I have mentioned before out of his 5 th page lumen patiebantur tenebras interdum to wit when they did but slack the hand over the body Mat. 25.13 Rom. 6.6 8.13 23. 1 Cor. 9.27 Jam. 3.2 and had it been but for their extraordinary Spirit and Humane Learning Dionysius and Damaris had no more cleaved to them than those that heard the same things that they heard and yet mocked Act. 17.33 for what is Peter and Paul but the Ministers by whom Dionysius Damaris and the others believed and that how not as Paul's extraordinary Spirit prevailed but as even as God gave to some of them the grace to believe 1 Cor. 3.4 5. Quaere Seeing Damaris is mentioned together with learned Dionysius preferably to the men that believ'd at the same time Act. 17.34 and submitted with him to the School-learned reasons which as it follows from what the Vicar saith pag. 5. Paul was necessitated to make use of at that time to convince Dionysius was not the said Damaris a very learned woman and brought up in the Greek Schools or else was Dionysius become so much a Changeling that Paul had no greater need of Learning to convince him than to convince a woman Luke mentioning with a man of great Learning a woman before any of the rest seems to hint at the latter and Christ saying that we must become like little children to come into his Kingdom Mat. 18.3 and Paul that the wise worldlings must become fools to be wise 1 Cor. 3 18. because not many wise men after the flesh are called 1 Cor. 1.26 and God hides from such wise men his mysteries Mat. 11.25 it is plain that the learned Athenian was become so woman-like that the Bishops must look out elsewhere for another proof of the great necessity of Learning to convince him and for another better confutation of those Sects which they say do revile it Alas had it been but for the pretended supplement of it in the Apostles the Gospel had been nipped in its very budding forth the preaching of the Gospel had convinced no more men than it doth now amongst us the World had continued to be imposed upon like the people of Samaria Act. 8.9 10. and in general all they that heard the Word had mocked Is it wisely done therefore of the Lords Bishops to use or suffer to be used a falshood in a Pulpit with out check and correction as an argument of the great necessity of the thing so falsly supposed viz. School-learning in Preachers to reduce unbelievers to the obedience of Christ especially when Paul asserts flat and plain that he made no use at all of it God having chosen saith he 1 Cor. 1.27 the foolish things of this world to confound the wise whereof you have an instance in me and he preach'd not with wisdom of words the Humane Learning of the Vicar which he calls somewhere else a vain deceit Col. 2.8 lest the Cross of Christ saith he v. 17. should be made of none effect for it is to the Cross that the powers of the World among which Humane Learning and wisdom is not the least are nayled and by the Cross by self-conceited wise men resolving to become fools which is a great cross to them are the proud worldly wiselings with their imaginations and high conceits overcome 2 Cor. 10.5 Col. 2.14 15. Nay it is altogether injurious to the power which worketh effectually in the hearts of all converts Gal. 2.8 to call to help the wisdom of man and the School-learning in the preaching of the Word and therefore the Apostles spoke not with enticing words of mans wisdom v. 4. but planted and watered or preached always with all plainness of speech and simplicity committing the success to him that gives the encrease and trusting to his Spirit not to their own industry the work of man's conversion from sin to righteousness the means and the way to which is all that all Preachers ought to treat of in their Sermons And for all this their plainness weakness and infirmities they seldom preached in vain and they had better success than our Lords with all their great wisdom that comes to nought 1 Cor. 2.6 Also for all their want of Logick and Metaphysick they did not doubt as having saith Paul 1 Cor. 7.40 obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful but that they had the Spirit of God that directed them that what they designed was purposed in that Spirit Act. 19.21 and would have Christians to know that what they spake or wrote as their judgment or sentence was the command of the Lord 1 Cor. 7.25 14.37 And here had I but time enough I could run down the Bishops so very low that they would be glad to make of their Sleeves a Moses vail if they knew what they know not Zeph. 3.5 and were not so confident Prov. 14.16 For the fear of God being not only the beginning and instruction of wisdom Prov. 1.7 15.33 but also wisdom it self Job 28.28 and a whole treasure of it Isa 33.6 is not learning the Greek Tongue Logick and Metaphy sick and such like excluded from the means to get wisdom for what can they contribute and add unto that which yields a whole treasure of wisdom If a man asketh wisdom in faith God will give it him Jam. 1.5 6. God will give him his good gift the wisdom of the Father that is the Spirit of Truth Luk. 11.13 to guide him into all Truth For if any man will do Gods will John 7.17 keep the words of Christ ch 14.23 he and the Father will come to him by the Holy Ghost whereby he shall not only know of the doctrine of Christ but know all things and all Truth both Divine and Natural the word all comprehending omnia scibilia specially 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 John 3.12 or the knowledge of nature as done before our eyes For such an understanding have all they that keep Gods words Psal 111.10 that they come of themselves to know and understand more than all their wisest Teachers Psal 119.99 100 104. and in a word the Scriptures proclaim almost nothing more than that men grow in knowledge as fast and by the same means only
Doctor to the silliest Country child shew against all other Sects and against the Traditions which they do not hold themselves as not to hear Truth it self if one of a dissenting party from them shew it them being fully perswaded though without ever so much as calling into question whether it be so or not that they are in the right way and that all wander out of the right way but themselves so all that will be saved or rise again from the fall or death Adam died of above 900 years before his temporal death Gen. 2.17 5.5 must come in through this entry I mean through singleness of heart and humility For did any of the proud Pharisees believe in Christ John 7.48 whilst the more humble vulgar that pretends to no learning heard him gladly saith St. Mark 12.37 and received him readily Luk. 19.6 The poor and humble vulgar is nearer the kingdom of God than the most learned Mat. 5.3 by the mouth of Babes Gods praise is still perfected Mat. 21.16 Blessed be thy Name O Lord that thou dost reveal thy Truth to none but such as receive the same like little Babes Mat. 11.25 Certainly Pride and the School-learning which puffs up with Pride 1 Cor. 8.1 is and ever was the cause of general and private Jewish Romish and English Protestant Apostacy Out of pride Angels and man fell from Heaven into Hell which is in outer darkness whereas the inheritance of Saints in the light Coloss 1.12 within Luk. 17.21 doth begin from a single eye Mat. 6.22 and out of pride Clergy-men are the first in all Ages and among all parties that reject and make others reject the counsel of God and it is to be observed that upon this same account the Clergy is the Author and hath ever been Author of all the persecutions that have been for Religion Act. 13.8 44 45. Lam. 4.13 as it was typified by Levi slaying Hamor and Shechem with all their men on no other pretence but why should he deal with our Sister that is our Church as though she were a Harlot Gen. 34.31 Which the Protestant Levi brother in iniquity to the old Christian Levi that is the Popish Clergy is upon the same account as ready to act likewise that is to slay any man that makes so bold as to shew that their Church is a Harlot and to speak against that which ever made the Priests heart glad Judg. 18.18 20. Indeed not immediately no more than Levi their type but like the Pharisees who did not set upon Christ at first sight to destroy him whence the people thought him mad when he did because he knew the hearts of the Pharisees and foresaw what the pride thereof would drive them into John 2.25 tax them for it long before they went about to do it John 7.19 20. by degrees as by calling him first the worst of Christians the Agent of the Devil a Fool an Enthusiast and if they cannot answer what he saith a Blasphemer a Beelzebub Mat. 10.25 and at last persecute him openly which is what I look for at their hands when they know me Neither is the said knowledge of Christ and how to preach him to be learned out of Books as from the testimony of the Word of Prophecy from the relation of Paul Luke Matthew or from reasons or arguments drawn from thence by one man for another but as in the dark only they serving us but until the bright and the morning Star and the Sun of Righteousness the holy Spirit of Christ that testifieth of him John 15.26 5.32 and that teacheth men all things dawns and shines in our hearts 2 Pet. 1.19 for when that Sun is risen upon earthly-minded Souls they enter into Zoar Gen. 19.23 the turning of the Anger and the beginning of the Love of God shed in their hearts by the Spirit of knowledge Rom. 5.5 knowing Christ then not because of the words of other men but by reason that themselves have also within themselves the same teacher others had which by enlightning their minds doth perswade and convince them by the same reasons he did suggest to those other men that he is indeed the Christ and the Saviour of the World John 4.24 Otherwise unto this day when Christ or Moses is read a vail is upon their hearts which is not taken away but by a true conversion unto the Lord the Spirit by the which we are changed from glory and from knowledge to glory and to knowledge into the glorious Image of God in knowledge Coloss 3.10 2 Cor. 3.15 16 17 18. and if the Scripture be true no man comes to the knowledge of the Son but he to whom the Son will reveal himself Luk. 10.22 John 10 30. 14.9 The Revelation of Christ or the knowledge of Christ to be revealed to man is written unto the seven true Churches only that is to the only true members of the Church of Christ and sealed with seven seals Rev. 1.1 5.1 No man in heaven or earth but the Lamb who hath and sends the seven Spirits of God whereby he doth make us Priests that we need no more be taught of Priests being taught of God Isa 54.13 Jer. 31.34 can open or look therein Rev. 3.7 Surely the knowledge of Christ puzzleth the Angels themselves 1 Pet. 1.12 much more men who are born like the dull Colt of a wild Ass Job 11.12 and dwell in houses of clay ch 4.19 and who having never seen the Father at any time John 1.18 1 Tim. 6.16 for the world hath not known him John 17.25 cannot see or know the Son for he that hath seen the Son doth know the Father also ch 14.7 9. So that no natural man such as all the Sons of Adam are by nature as he never saw or knew the invisible Father of all things the Deity can see that is know the Son who is invisible also from the bare testimony of the holy men of God but the spiritual man only which is born of God and able therefore John 6.46 to search even the deep things of God knows the Father and his Son and understands this hidden wisdom the knowledge of them which is a great foolishness but indeed a great secret to the School-men and other learned Princes of this world 1 Cor. 2.14 John 14.7 flesh and bloud or all the skill and learning carnal men have cannot make known unto them the Son of the living God Mat. 16.17 but the Father witness those whom the Lord spake these words to viz. the Apostles themselves who though they were taught of him for when they were alone he expounded unto them all things which concerned the mysteries of his kingdom Mark 4.11 34. yet not only for some time after they had been with him Mark 7.18 but even when they had heard all that which he was to preach and teach them by word of mouth John 16.12 17.4 that is after that he was risen again from the dead far from understanding it they understood
vers 11. that your sins be blotâ—ed out when the times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord shall come and he shall send you Jesus Christ the Comforter as he doth call him elsewhere to refresh and to fill you with the joy John 15.11 and strength rising from his true power of life Next both the men and women of the Town of Samaria received the Holy Ghost Act. 8.12 16 17. Then all the Churches throughout Judea and Galilee walking in the comfort and strength of the Holy Ghost whom they must have had therefore had rest and were multiplied ch 9.31 Afterwards the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles likewise Act. 10.45 as upon Cornelius and his near Friends and Kindred v. 24. and all them that heard the Word v. 44. who magnified God and spake with new languages as well as the Apostles v. 46. here note well that St. Peter applys ch 11.16 the promise of Christ mentioned Act. 1.5 to those at whose occasion he spake viz. to the Gentiles ch 11.1 17. to confirm what he saith in ch 15.9 that no such difference as that of ordinary and extraordinary Spirit was put between them and to shew that it belongs to all the present Churches of Christians if besides that they were Gentiles heretofore when the Gospel was brought into their Native Countries they may pretend to as much priviledge as the Gentiles as they do all and to more And by course all their Churches of Antioch ch 13.52 of Ephesus ch 19.6 Ephes 2.17 18 19. 3.6 5.18 of Galatia Gal. 3.2 3 5 14. 4.6 7. 5.5 16 25. Corinthus 1 Cor. 6.11 19. 2 Cor. 11.4 Rome ch 5.5 8.10 11 23. Philippi ch 3.3 Colossus ch 1.8 3.10 and of Thessalonica 1 Thes 1.5 5.19 20. 2 Thes 2.13 received the Holy Ghost And in fine the holy Ghost being the blessing that was promised in Abraham Luk. 24.49 Act. 1.4 8. 2.33 38 39. 7.17 13.32 33. Rom. 4.13 Gal. 3.14 29. Heb. 9.15 10.36 11.39 to all Nations Gen. 12.3 Rom. 4.16 Ephes 3.6 whence St. Paul calls him the Holy Spirit of promise Ephes 1.13 all their Churches in all Nations and places if they were believing Churches received it likewise although the Scriptures give us no further account of it and so might our Churches partake of the same blessing if they would but believe as gladly as the Gentiles did specially seeing the Son of man comes to save all men Mat. 18.11 and to save them as Paul saith Tit. 3.5 by regenerating and restoring unto them what they do all come short of at their birth Rom. 3.23 the Holy Ghost John 3.3 5. coming himself unto as many as will keep his words John 14.23 as being himself the same with the Comforting Spirit v. 18. by which being conceived Luk. 1.35 according to our Creed in them but brought forth by them Gal. 4.19 Rev. 12.5 they become his Mother therefore Luk. 8.21 and so he becomes by this means the Son of man so that though the whole Scripture afforded no instances at all of the Holy Ghost being given to other men besides the Apostles the said promises of Christ coming to bless and to save all Nations in turning them away from iniquity Act. 3.26 by his power from on high Luk. 24.49 and of his coming to as many as will keep his word by the Spirit c. are enough to shew that if any man will obey him though he be no Apostle he shall receive the same gift But besides these passages so many other places of Scripture witness the same that it is a wonder to me how the great Divines with all their Humane Learning in seeing perceive it not and so much the greater wonder that after they have been told of it so often they whilst they believe Scripture as they say believe not this But their heart is waxed gross and their eyes they have closed lest they should see and convert Mat. 13.15 Some of the other places are The heavenly Father of all men will give to them the Holy Ghost much sooner than any Father will give good gifts unto his Children Luk. 11.13 To as many as receive or believe on John 7.39 Christ he gives the right to become the Sons of God ch 1.12 13. to be born anew by the said quickning Spirit ch 3.5 6.63 and no man ascending up to heaven except the Son of man that came down from thence ch 3.13 all the Saints must receive him before they ascend thither And they are all baptized by one Spirit into one body the Spirit of life that moves the feet or the tail of any living creature being the same Animal Spirit that actuates the head and moves all the other parts or members of his body and made all to drink into one not therefore into two extraordinary and ordinary Spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 And I would not have you brethren ignorant v. 1. that the manifestation of that Spirit is given unto every man v. 7. that believes as follows from v. 8. And the Holy Ghost was sent down from heaven at the time that the Gospel was preached to all those whom St. Peter wrote his Epistles to 1 Pet. 1.12 which preaching of the Gospel and mission of the Spirit therefore have been since the first mission of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost to as many as have believed upon hearing the Gospel preached to them And it being impossible for those who were enlightned and have tasted of the heavenly gift and of the powers of the world to come and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost if they shall fall away to be renewed again into repentance saith Paul Heb. 6.4 5 6. it appears from these his words that he took it for granted that some other besides himself and the Apostles received not only the Vicars ordinary gift but such as brought with it the powers of the world to come and that in this very life seeing there is no place left for repentance after it And if the Spirits of God are sent into all the Earth Rev. 5.6 it must not be understood of the first Christians alone for the first Christians were not all the Earth and by the Earth is meant the natural man who is from the Earth earthly Luk. 18.8 John 3.31 1 Cor. 15.47 whence to go the way of all the Earth is a Scripture phrase used instead of to dye for the Spirits of God are not sent into the ground Also the Prophecies of the Evangelical blessings by the Holy Ghost include all and except none all thy children shall be taught of the Lord saith Isaiah 54.13 and they shall all know me from the least to the greatest Jer. 31.34 which cannot be but by means of the Holy Ghost saith Paul 1 Cor. 12.3 the Nations shall bless themselves and also glory in him ch 4.2 The strangers saith Ezechiel in his new Jerusalem ch 47.22 23. that is to
that I have said nothing tending to establish the doctrine or opinion of an equality of Spirit among believers as though every member of Christ's mâ—stical body or every believer had an equal share or part of Spirit with those that are instead of eyes ears and of the other senses to it No I have from St. Paul 1 Cor. 12. and in some other places of the foregoing pages inferred the contrary and I only assert that the Holy Ghost being given to all the faithful even in the same manner as unto the Apostles they may by knocking asking praying and by watching so as to purifie themselves 1 John 3.3 from that which defileth man Mark 7.21 22 23. serve God in such holiness and walk in such righteousness before him Luk. 1.74 75. as to obtain as great a portion and gift thereof as the Apostles And this grounded besides the instances we have of it Act. 10.35 46. 19.6 upon the promises of Christ Mat. 19.28 Rev. 3.21 that they which shall follow him in the regeneration and overcome the seventh time that is to say to the end shall sit with him in his Throne as well as the Apostles shall partake as much as they of Gods own divine nature 2 Pet. 1.4 shall be one with God himself John 17.21 or transibit in Deum as the Right Reverend Doctor Trismegistus said For note that though Christs promise makes mention but of twelve Thrones it extends nevertheless further than to the twelve men who were then speaking with him as appears first from the words themselves of the said promise which are you that follow me or that shall follow me in the regeneration and not you my Apostles that have followed me as the Translator mistakes for none of the Apostles had as yet followed Christ in the regeneration but were still to do it then being not till afterwards when Christ was glorified born again of the Spirit John 7.39 and which shew that the promise belongs to the Apostles upon condition only for pray shall Judas sit with the rest upon a Throne and so to you Lords Bishops if you will but dye to your Lordships worldly-mindedness to follow in the new birth your Lord and to them likewise that have and shall accomplish and perform that condition and this appears secondly from the forementioned place of Rev. 3.21 which saith not Peter and James and the other Apostles but he that overcometh shall sit with me in my Throne and so doth confirm this sence And thirdly from that Christ would not promise any of them the first seats in his Kingdom but they shall have them saith he Mat. 20.23 for whom such reward is prepared of my Father as he who knows which of all mankind shall deserve it best Verily I dare say that as many as shall wade through the red Sea of their bloud Luk 22.44 and the other deep waters of tribulations with Christ Act. 14.22 shall sit with him on twelve Thrones that is get the brightest Crown of glory or highest state among the twelve Tribes that is among the whole multitude or the compleat number of the Israel of God And though this is not meant of nor attainable in this life yet Salvation being in and through the Holy Ghost Rom. 14 17. and being rendred to man but according to his works which he hath done in this life an adequate proportion or supply of the Spirit proportionable unto his degree of future glory and capable to procure it is required in this life and must be got before death Besides not Peter and the other Apostles only but whoever is righteous shall shine as the Firmament and if any man should turn more men to righteousness than the greatest Apostles he should shine brighter than they as the Sun above the Stars in the kingdom of Heaven Dan. 12.3 Mat. 13.43 But because all Believers do not purifie themselves to that degree of brightness or holiness that some do therefore in the Fathers house which is the Holy Ghost as I have shewed before there be several mansions John 14.2 distinguishable from the state and the proportion of Faith the faithful shall be found with and not distinguished by any place assigned or state before-hand decreed for them as Babel teacheth so that any righteous man that will live by Faith indeed in going from Faith to Faith mounting up with wings as Eagles and never being weary of knocking asking watching and of waiting on the Lord Isa 40.31 Psal 84.7 may not only press into Zion the kingdom of God Luk. 16.16 but take by force even the highest seat that is in it as I doubt not many have done since the Apostles and shall do to the Worlds end That the Holy Ghost is sent and given during this life or whilst we are in the flesh and before we taste of death to them that prepare themselves for Salvation it appears from John 14.23 Rev. 3.20 where if we open the door hear Christs voice and keep his Word which is done during this life Christ will come by his Spirit and make his abode with us Behold I come quickly had not been repeated three divers times in the last chapter of all the Scriptures Rev. 22.7 12 20. if that coming were meant of Christs coming in Judgment for that being deferred already near a third part of the age of the World that is near two thousand years is far from a quick coming and so it is another coming by the Holy Ghost which St. John meant in that place And the regeneration or new birth of the Spirit John 3.3 5 8. is performed here upon Earth v. 12. And verily doth Christ say Mat. 16.28 Mark 9.1 Luk. 9.27 there be some here standing by which are not to taste of death till they see the Son of man come in his kingdom that is as Mark and Luke explain it the kingdom of God come with the power of the Spirit Act. 1.8 Luk 24.49 Which saying could not be true had it not been fulfilled on the day of Pentecost in many of the disciples that stood by when Christ spake it by their receiving power after that the Holy Ghost was come and sate upon them Act. 1.8 2.3 4. for all they which stood by Christ when he spake these words are dead so long ago and therefore so long before his coming to receive and deliver the kingdom to the Father viz. at the end of the World Luk. 19.15 1 Cor. 15.24 that no man can think but that since they did see the kingdom of God before they dyed the said coming of the Son of man in his said kingdom is before they and other disciples of Christ taste of death and not when all men are dead Whence John that doth not tarry till the day of Judgment comes tarried till God's kingdom came John 21.22 for he having received the revelation of Christ the Holy Ghost John 15.26 14.26 Luk. 17.30 not only upon that day with the rest but more particularly than some of
them afterwards in the Island of Patmos Rev. 1.1 9. did not dye until he had seen the whole kingdom of Christ even in its full power having seen in the Spirit the holy Jerusalem having the glory of God v. 10. 21.10 11. And upon the same account Verily saith Christ again Mat. 24.34 to all them that follow him Mark 13.37 this generation which lasts no longer than a mans life shall not pass till all these things to wit the coming of Christ in the dark and clouded Souls Luk. 21.27 of the Heaven within us with power and great glory Mat. 24.30 be thorowly fulfilled And Verily you shall not have gone over in your flight to avoid persecution to which men are exposed here only before they dye the Cities of Israel till the Son of man be come And I will not henceforth drink of the fruit of the Vine until the kingdom of God shall come Luk. 22.18 or as saith Mat. 26.29 till I drink it with you new in my Fathers kingdom which he did with some of them Luk. 24.43 both before and after that they were by the Holy Ghost come in the kingdom of God drinking it new together John 7.39 6.57 he himself drinking of it in Gods kingdom all the while I mean as well before as after they were in it as being he that did still accomplish all righteousness overcome all the kingdoms of the World and of the Flesh Mat. 4.8 John 16.33 by dying himself to them and thus remaining himself under the kingdom of God and purchasing by this means and delivering to God the whole power and kingdom 1 Cor. 15.23 24. which he could not do but by drinking of the Holy Ghost and living by the Father of his power from above Then if the kingdom of God is within us like a seed growing into a great Tree and like a little Leven working in us till we come unto the measure of the stature of the perfect man the Son of man Jesus Christ Ephes 4.13 and like a hidden treasure which we must to purchase it sell all we have in the World Mat. 13.44 Luk. 14.33 then is this kingdom of God which is the same thing as the coming of Christ as appears from Mat. 16.28 Mark 9.1 Luk. 9.27 Rom. 14.17 1 Cor. 4.20 conferred together before we are grown unto the measure of that stature even in this very life and before we part with it and with all the things we do enjoy whilst we enjoy it God hath saved us saith Paul whilst he was yet in the flesh 2 Tim. 1.9 and that by renewing or sending the Holy Ghost Tit. 3.5 and received ye the Spirit saith he to the Galatians 3.2 who therefore had received it before they read his Letter which was sent them in this world and in a word as all the Primitive true believers received the Holy Ghost in this world during this life so must all believers now since they are to receive it even in the same manner as I have fully shewed receive it before they taste of death Every Spirit that confesseth not that Christ comes to us whilst in the flesh being that Spirit of Antichrist gone into the Woâ—ld whereof see 1 John 4.1 3. for truly though flesh and bloud inherits not the kingdom of God 1 Cor. 15.50 because till we have escaped the corruption which is in the World through lust we cannot saith 2 Pet. 1.4 partake of Divinity put on the new man which is created after God Ephes 4.24 and of a divine nature in the flesh we are saved in the flesh is the kingdom of God attained unto although not with all its full glory and Prerogatives Ephes 1.14 Now that when the Holy Ghost is sent or comes unto men it is Christ that comes himself it appears from what Paul saith 2 Cor. 3.17 1 Cor. 8.6 that the Lord is that Spirit And to see the days or the coming of the Son of man is to have him revealed compare Mat. 24.27 37. Luk. 17.22 with v. 30. which revelation is by the coming of the Spirit that doth testifie of him John 15.26 16.14 Gal. 1 16. Also to see the kingdom of God coming with power Mark 9.1 Luk. 9.27 that is as Luke saith elsewhere with the power from above Luk. 24.49 Act. 1.8 1 Cor. 4.20 Rom. 14.17 is to see the Son of man himself come in his kingdom Mat. 16.28 And I will pray saith Christ to his disciples John 14.17 the Father and he shall give you Another Comforter even the Spirit of Truth who dwelleth with you now that is whilst I am yet dwelling with you in the flesh and shall be or dwell in you when I am glorified John 7.39 16.7 Ephes 4.8 And I will not leave you comfortless I will come v. 18. and I will come again v. 28. that the other Comforter may dwell with you for ever v. 16. Where Christ saying Another Comforter and I come not to leave you comfortless it appears in the first place that he reckons himself the same with the Comforter or Spirit that was to come And secondly by saying that the other Comforter which was to be and to dwell in them for ever after dwelt with them and they knew him at the time he spake these words he shews that he is himself the same with that Comforter for that it was he only of all them that dwelt with them who was able to comfort them having the fulness of the comforting Spirit in him Coloss 1.19 2.9 John 3.34 and did really comfort or rejoyce them by his presence ch 16.5 6. 14.1 2. But more intelligibly ch 16.22 he declares himself the same with the comforting Spirit ye now saith he have sorrow but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoyce your sorrow shall be turned into that joy thereupon v. 20. which no man taketh from you And again v. 16. 14.19 yet a little while saith he and you shall not see me and again a little while and you shall see me because I go to the Father but the World seeth me no more viz. when you see me again or when I make my self manifest to you v. 22. because it cannot receive and see and know the Spirit of Truth v. 17. 1.5 Where note that from that the World sees Christ no more afterwards from his first disappearance at his passion and burial whilst the Apostles see him again and that by reason that he went to the Father it is evident that this was not fulfilled upon his apparitions to them after his resurrection for then he was not as yet ascended to the Father ch 20.17 and the World might see him then as well as the disciples did seeing that he was palpable to Thomas his hands and fingers v. 25. and visible to the eyes of the disciples that were travelling to Emaus Luk. 24.15 even whilst their eyes were as much held from knowing him as those of the World v. 16 25 31. who might therefore see him talk