as fundamental a Constitution in the course of Providence as the most firm Establishment of Nature IV. That in no time since man was formed in the Earth doth true Joy and Serenity of Mind cease to be the Native result of welldoing or the Fruit of Righteousness to be Peace and Assurance of Mind nor hath it ever wanted a Witness even before any Word given of the Lords taking Pleasure herein V. That it 's so evident in the most dismal times what a publick Blessing such are who by more extraordinary Tryals have been put to the highest Exercise of their Grace and Patience yea how Visibly such have been promoted to the most honourable Service for God and to advance the Credit of Religion before Men who on the first sight and view have been accounted the most miserable of any VI. Whilst on the other hand it may be ever seen how with the greatest Prosperity of the wicked here there are Punishments of another kind Dispensed and more dreadful than any outward Affliction such as judicial Obstinacy and Blindness of Mind in Opposition to God even when their own ruine is made Visible to them herein VII How oft men are thus evidently condemned to be happy in this World by some strange measure of Temporal Success and Prosperity before some great Fall and Ruine as the Issue hereof in the last scene of Providence doth fully attest VIII That it 's seen also how Sin doth ever bring its own Punishment with it in some begun Degree both of Shame and Torment and as Seneca an Heathen could say That Wickedness was the most exquisite Contriver of human Misery so the World likewise may see how a present immunity from Judgment is no release but when its Sentence is not speedily Executed yet is it at last surely executed IX And how evident is it that the greatest haters of Godliness are yet inforced to justifie the same and the Christians choice herein as the greatest Wisdom upon any surprizing State and Extremity yea how such would be glad to joyn Interests then with such in their Death whom they most contemned in their Life Qu. V. How is it Convincing and Demonstrable that God hath given any clear and express Revelation of his Will and Counsel unto Men and that such a wonderful Record is undoubtedly extant in the World Ans That I. It is not possible to believe the Being of God and not also the Truth of an established Law and Rule of Commerce betwixt him and man here so as to know both what we should do and what we should Expect and Hope from him II. That this also must be known and display its Power and Efficacy to the World in that manner and by such infallible Evidence of its Truth as may render all inexcusable who give not intire Credit thereto III. I can be no more clear and assured that there is but one Sun in the Firmament than that there is but one Fountain and Repository of Sacred Light about Religion which is the Scripture and its being the alone publick Standard of truth to the whole World IV. That no way was ever made known to recover mankind from a state of Bondage Darkness and Misery consistent with the very use of reason but by this blessed light which shineth there V. Yea that there is as visible a difference betwixt the same and any pretended Religion which ever was besides in the World as there is betwixt day and night which is founded in the immutable nature of these things in themselves VI. That there is one proper Sphere where this glorious Light of Divine Truth is fixed and wherein it shines forth from one Age to another which is the Christian Church Qu. VI. But what more peculiar evidences can you shew of the Divinity of the Scriptures that all may see them to be of infallible truth Ans I. That it 's sure such a book is this day in the Earth which no created wisdom could ever have made and contains such things of highest concern to mankind as does infinitely exceed the bounds of human ability and invention and could never have been discovered but by God himself II. That it gives forth such exquisite laws and constitutions of our religion as men must needs see the holy nature purity and perfection of God most brightly shining forth therein III. Which doth discover so great and proper a relief for all those evils and miseries that do attend this fallen estate of man as none but an all-sufficient God could work IV. That he alone must be the author of this blessed record who rules the World and hath determined the changes and revolutions thereof when it is not more evident that these visible Heavens are stretched forth over the Earth than that this Line of the Scripture is stretched over the whole Work and Frame of Providence and doth most clearly and brightly illuminate the same V. That surely this was the product of Infinite Wisdom that so great a variety of matter should meet with so visible a concent and harmony in one perfect and intire frame yea knit in so close a bond of union together as makes the whole Bible to be intirely one piece though in the writing of each distinct part thereof it could never have possibly been contrived or foreseen by human wisdom as we see here of so admirable an agreement and correspondence as is in all the parts thereof VI. That none else could have spoke to the World in so Majestick a way and so becoming the greatness and soveraignty of God to assume such a supremacy and give forth Laws for absolute obedience from all Mankind thereto and on such a penalty of eternal destruction or that any impostors either possibly could or durst have in such a manner personated the same VII That it must needs be his word who perfectly knows what is in man and hath an absolute authority over the Soul and is a discerner of the thoughts thereof who thus not only gives law to the Conscience and our inward parts but doth establish an internal Religion there no less absolutely than what respects our external work and actions VIII Yea where all may see the Penmen thereof under so intire a subjection to the doctrine which they taught and that it is no contrivance of their own as they did record their own failings and imperfections in behalf of the truth and did thus also require all just respect and obedience to Magistrates when through the whole Earth they were then greatest Enemies to the Truth of the Gospel IX That this must be his Word who alone can derive principles of life to his own institutions and animate the same with a quickening Spirit and is a work above the contrivance of Angels or Men when directed to each new trial of the Church and personal case of Christians as though it had been alone written for that time so that I can be no more persuaded in reason that there is such a
to a further establishing of the Reformed Churches there as though such had Intentionally acted for the same when if second Causes had brought forth their Ordinary effects it might have been judged impossible to fail XIII We have seen that issue of all the Councels Expence and Cruelty of Philip the II. of Spain to bear down the Truth of the Gospel in the Netherlands which was to the furthest setling of this Illustrious State and the Church of Christ there yea how their Conspicuous Rise and Flourishing even in the Externals and their resolute adherence to the Truth of Christ did most visibly keep together XIV We know that deluge of Blood which so quickly followed the French Massacre and the most dismal time which ever that Nation knew did then visibly Contemporate with such a time of their greatest Rage and Persecution against the Truth and that Event of the Third Vial most clearly fulfilled herein Rev. 16.5 6. Thou art Righteous O Lord which art and wast and shalt be because thou hast judged thus for they have shed the Blood of thy Saints and Prophets and thou hast given them Blood to drink in great measure XV. Yea have we not seen how four Kings of France Successively were in less than thirty years taken away in the same continued pursuit how to destroy the Church there in whom that whole race of the Valois was thus extinct yea in the manner of their Death were most remarkable Monuments of Divine Judgment as the most famous Writers of that time do attest XVI We have seen what marvellous effects did follow those Bloody Years of Queen Mary's Reign in England to promote and commend the Protestant Doctrine to Mens Consciences there with so great a Triumph as it had in the Sufferings of such choice and excellent witnesses for Christ and hath brought in more Rent to the Praise and Glory of their Blessed Head than may to the furthest compense all that Blood of the Saints there though highly Precious in the Eyes of the Lord. XVII We have seen likewise the Blood and Cruelty of late against the Protestants in Bohemia in a short time most Visibly returned on the Authors thereof and how the immediate Finger of God might be seen in calling forth the Swedes to avenge the same and in that desolating stroak which followed in Germany XVIII We have seen in these late Times the Issue of that horrid Massacre on the Protestants in Ireland to the utter ruine in a very few years after of that Barbarous Party who had thus acted herein XIX We have seen what wonderful Providences did attend the actings of that poor handful of Protestants in the Valleys of Piedmont since the Reformation upon the account of that Bloody Massacre which was set on foot there against them which was so astonishing as all might see an extraordinary Appearance of the Lord herein as is clearly attested by the most Faithful Histories of that time XX. And can it be forgot unto this day how visibly a Divine Hand did appear in breaking that great Spanish Armado in the Year 1588. which had been for some years in Contriving against England XXI Astonishing and specially Demonstrative of the immediate Power and Presence of God and matter of Wonder and Praise also for after Ages was that solemn time of the Reformation of the Church in Scotland for planting the Reformed Religion there with that zeal and oneness of Spirit as did then appear in all ranks to imbrace and adhere to the Profession thereof amidst the greatest threatnings of their Adversaries so as a few Years did bring forth that which would have seemed strange for an Age to accomplish yea that we find betwixt the last Martyr for the Truth there who was burnt at St. Andrews 1558. and the establishment of the Protestant Religion and full abolishment of Popery with the full Concurrence of Civil Authority herein in July 1560. was but little above two Years to shew what great things the Lord can do above all Humane Council or Confidence XXII It 's sure we have seen in what remarkable degrees these last Vials of the Holy Judgment of God have taken place on the Kingdom of Antichrist and how Conspicuous the Event hath been of that Prophecy 2 Thes 2.8 in these great Effects and Consumption thereof by the Ministry of the Gospel as an assured Pledge of the full Accomplishment of what remains herein XXIII And as every step of the Churches Rise hath been still advanced in a continued Conflict betwixt the Truth and Antichrist so have we still seen when the Assault and Opposition hath been greatest it s most remarkable tendency to a greater Victory which were it rightly considered upon clear and solid grounds from the Scripture the most formidable appearances of Trouble from this Adversary would with more Comfort than Fear this day be looked on so that whatever be the nearest and most immediate events yet is it sure as the Lord is true whose Word is passed hereon that whosoever gives their Power and Strength to support that Interest of Antichrist shall lose the day and find their Cause desperate for the party with whom they contend herein is the Son of God against whom no humane Power shall ever be able to stand These are but a few which are here mentioned of the great Acts of our God in behalf of his Truth to be still as present in our sight in a time when the Spirits of many are ready to Stagger and Faint and here mentioned to lay no stress or weight of the Authority of the Truth and Doctrine of our Profession thereon but on the alone Revelation of the Scripture but they are such an undeniable Seal for Confirming our Faith and of so known Publick and famous Evidence as should be no less considered and taken to Heart now than in the time when the Lord thus appeared herein SECTION III. Qu. VVHat present Judgment are we called to have of this Time upon clear and assured grounds from the Scripture that we may know under what aspect thereof the present State of Religion and of the Reformed Churches is under when so great a Crisis is this day as would seem to be in the very Height of its Conflict whether as to Life or Death Ans It is no present Appearance of the time that must Direct our Faith nor should we either stretch our Fears or Expectations of Things and Events beyond what the God of Truth doth warrand in his Word but it 's clear if we credit the same and admit the Divinity of the New Testament there is no just Cause of Hesitation or Darkness as to what the Lord is bringing forth for his Church now in these latter days nor can there be any pretence to seek another Light either from the Stars above or the Diviners of this Time when so woful a Trade hath got up in the World that men wtll thus go to the God of Ekron as though there were not a
support it but these weapons which are not against the Conscience or by any terrour of the second Death but of the first 3. That this is such an Argument if they have not in a strange manner forgot which hath within these 100 Years been so fully Answered and by such an immediate Appearance of God in the Kingdom of France that according to these measures of Cruelty against the Protestants there so was it returned in a deluge of their own Blood yea so both the publick state of the Church and Faith of the Saints in the Truth was more deeply rooted and tho we yet see not the end of these wonders but the Dark-side only of the Dispensations of such a day yet do we know this sore Rod on the Church is but as the Saw and Ax in the Carpenters hand who shall never undo that glorious Work which Christ hath done and is still further perfecting on the ruins of Antichrists Kingdom 5. Tho some unusual deeps and Methods of Subtilty be now on foot also against the Truth yet he cannot but see how nothing could more effectually tend to confirm the Protestant Cause and take the Credit of Popery off the Consciences of those in their own Profession who are considerate and in the least serious herein when the World must thus see 1. How easie it is for such to take any Measure and Latitude in the Doctrinals of their Profession when this can most serve the juncture of such a time and heighten or narrow the Controversie betwixt them and the Reformed Church at their Pleasure so as to Sacrifice the Church of Rome unto the Court of Rome if no less can secure that end 2. That the most horrid Turkish Slavery over mens Bodies comes no such length as that strange claim that these now make of an absolute Empire over mens Consciences by the Sword and to put them to such a Tribute of their Obedience that they shall then be secure if they but come the length to Sin against their Light and adventure on so small a thing as to go to Hell and perish Eternally since it 's an external and feigned Profession of such away that they do thus force from those who they see cannot in Faith be perswaded hereof 3. Yea it hath been too visible how much that Master-plot and Engine hath in these times been working to take men first off from all Sense of Religion and destroy them in the Morals of Christianity to make this Conquest more easie that such may have no Inward Defence and support against the terrour of humane Violence Yea in this way when they have sought how to divide Protestants among themselves and betwixt Rulers and them this seems the last and greatest Engine of all how to divide betwixt them and their God Acting the same Plot which was laid betwixt Balak and Balaam as knowing that it 's no naked shew or Profession of the Reformed Religion they need fear so much as that Old Protestant Spirit in the Power and Life thereof before which their Interest could never stand and dread nothing so much as the reviving hereof which as the hand-writing upon the wall did ever more threaten the fatal ruine of that Kingdom than any Humane Power or Strength 6. Here also he finds just cause of Astonishment how Kings or great Men in the Earth should give their Power to support the Romish Interest which hath been so visibly destructive to theirs When it s not possible to deny how it's first advance and progress to that Supream height which it once attained and the declining of the Civil Empire did by the same steps go together until Magistracy was turned unto a dead Image and Shadow except its being enlivened by their breath and Authority as it was during the whole height of that Antichristian Power Nor will it be denyed that in these late times the French Monarchy was never more near its Dissolution in its right Line than by the Catholick League there and it would seem not easie to be forgot how Henry the third who had most sought to crush the Protestants in pursuance of that league was at last constrained to flee to such for help or by whom he was killed and that Heroick Prince Henry the Fourth who was first stabbed in the Mouth and then in the Heart yea that the publick Records of that Nation cannot possibly deny but the House of Bourbon owes its Power and Preservation more to the Protestants without whom it had been fully extinct than Ahashuerus did to Mordecai the Jew for what he found written in the Chronicles of Persia when the Decree was then past to destroy all the seed of the Jews 7. As in no times past was ever a greater Expectation than is now which way the Scale will turn and what will be the end of these wonders when the nearest events of Providence are so dark and amazing so does he find this in some extraordinary way called for to be still and see what God will do for his Church and with humble Confidence look for some such Dispensation as hath not hitherto been in this extream Exigence And tho he do not appear in that way and manner as in former times that it shall be in a way more signally glorious beyond what hath formerly been yea he does in Faith thus judge that then is the Churches day broke and hath found the sure way of her Strength and right Line of Duty when her Hope and Confidence is taken off from all visible refuges and entirely setled on her invisible Head and his Promise put to suit by Prayer without fainting herein It is sure the Truth and Faithfulness of God stands ingaged for Antichrists fall as well as for Salvation by Christ and since he hath said this Adversary shall be broke and brought down it must surely be tho the dust of the ground should rise for this end and now is the Faith of the Saints called for becoming the greatness of such an Assurance on which are the Eyes of men of their own Consciences of the Elect Angels yea of the glorious God to see who does indeed Credit him in this day when there is no sensible support herein and tho it now threatens sorely the departure of many from the Faith who had some visible Profession thereof yet may it be hoped for that the turn of the next Tide shall bring in more with a Solid and true Increase to the Church than these sad days do now take off CHARACT VI. It is thus a Confirmed Christian should be specially considered as one who is not only at rest on the known certainty of his Faith but is ready to render some account of the solid rational grounds and demonstrations hereof unto all who ask after the same and doth thus judge 1. That these are the proper and appointed means which the Lord hath afforded for the greatest Confirmation of mens Faith within time yea preferable to any external Miracles
many that do competently know what it is to be a Christian for every single man that can render a Reason why he ought to be so Storms do make men look to their Anchors and we do not know but aweful Judgments are hastning on us being Remote ones do not awaken us to beat us out of our inconsiderately chosen Refuges Our Precarious and Unexamined Confidences which in very Propriety are but Fancy and not Faith built upon any solid Grounds However we must all needs Die and it is more than probable that a near Prospect of the Future State may convincingly show the most obstinate that the King of Terrours is not to be conquered and no Miracles are to be wrought by an Implicit Faith Pecudum ritu euntes non qà eundum est sed qà itur Sen. Or by a way of Religion that is taken up and walk'd in meerly for Company Wherefore we give our great Thanks to the Author of every good Gift who hath drawn this his richly furnished Scribe to supply us with so very needful a Treatise as is here offered Some of us do Profess that in reading it we were surprized with Joy and with Wonder that a Topick so little Written Discoursed or Thought of should be treated on with such depth of Judgment and with such Experience as is rarely found in the most laudable Writers Thro' the Divine Blessing which we implore we hope that we and our Brethren throughout these Nations shall find good success of our Peoples use of this most instructive Work For which with the excellent Author who did but Consent to this Edition of it we are indebted unto the Reverend and Worthy Publisher by whose means we receive it We joyn with both of them in Prayer to the most High that this Rich Seed of the Sower may be made Bread of Life to the Eater William Bates Mathew Mead. Thomas Cole John Howe Mathew Sylvester Daniel Williams John Showers The Author's PREFACE THis small Treatise here offered is on the greatest Subjects that can fall under the Consideration of Mankind and is a Study which was never more pressingly called for than in these days for making Peace with God and gaining such an Assurance of his Truth as may fully quiet and support the Soul though all sensible Props should be broken and fail Great changes do surely hasten on this Generation and the Life of Faith is in another manner like to be put to Tryal than since the Churches Rise and Recovery from Antichristian Bondage The storm now visibly grows upon the Churches of Christ though nothing ought to Faint or Shake the Spirits of any who know their Anchor is sure and cast within the Vail but the strongest Difficulties in following the Lord when overcome yeild the greatest Victory and will be not only matter of Joy here but to all Eternity in having with Patience and Hope indured and got well through a Throng of Temptations and Assaults in a resolute adherence to the Truth If men think it their Wisdom to secure their Private Interest by dividing it in such a time from the Publick Cause of the Reformed Church and make Light of the greatest Truths of God now assaulted of the Blood of the Martyrs yea of their own Eternal State by any coolness or shrinking from the same they will find no Temporal Motives can ever compensate that loss and ruine which inevitably will meet such in the Issue Yea that these Words of Mordecai to Esther Esth 4.13 14. Have the same Voice and weight in this day What is held forth in the following work I may with humble Confidence say was under some pressure to have such clear Evidence and Quieting Persuasion of Divine Truth as made it less easie to have my own Spirit satisfied herein than possibly it may be to others for if it were not from that blessed Assurance of the Lords being God of the Revelation of Christ and of the Glory to come I should not know what could be comforting or make a rational Being desireable Some singular Ingagements I judge my self also to stand under for putting to my Seal to the Truth and Faithfulness of God in his Word from many signal Confirmations hereof in the course of my Pilgrimage if such a poor Testimony might be of any weight Let the Blessed Lord graciously accept this small offering to him for the Interest of his Truth by so mean an Instrument and give some Fruit hereof that may abide and be found in the day of Christ I hope the Reader may find by a Perusal of the I. Chapter of what Serious Use and Intent the II. is yea that in this day it was not Unseasonable or Incongruous to the foregoing Subject what is held forth in the III. Chapter But Oh! it is sad and amazing to think how few are under that weight of Religion as once to have a Serious Inquiry on the Grounds and Reasons thereof and to account the most special Assistances to their Faith to be the greatest Helpers of their Joy within time THE CONTENTS CHAPTER I. The Primitive Confirmation held forth and cleared in seven Positions POSIT I. Sad is the aspect which the implicit and traditional profession of this day hath upon the present state of Religion page 1. POSIT II. It is a great service for the Church to have a clear founding of the faith of assent upon known and solid grounds herein more universally promoted page 3 POSIT III. The true primitive confirmation as it was in the times of the Apostles is held forth and cleared from the Scripture page 5 POSIT IV. The continued necessity thereof is no less convincing now for the Churches use than in those Primitive times page 7 POSIT V. Such a confirmatory work respects not only the more knowing and inquisitive part of Men but the meanest within the Church page 9 POSIT VI. What is specially called for in the practical use of this primitive confirmation is held forth in some serious proposals for this end page 11 POSIT VII Special excitement we are under for promoting the same in so remarkable a period of time as this and from the hope of a greater reviving yet of such a Catholick Spirit to advance the highest ends of Religion amongst men page 15 CHAPTER II. For giving some clear view of these primary evidences and demonstrations of our Faith that the meanest Christian should know and with the least expence of time may improve for their daily use on these greatest Principles SECTION I. I. OF the glorious Being of God which is the first Foundation of all Religion page 17 II. Of the original of the world and it s not being eternal page 19 III. Of a supreme Providence in the conservation and government of the world page 20 IV. Of that special providence which in its continued administration of human affairs doth unchangeably difference betwixt the righteous and the wicked page 22 V. How such a wonderful record as that of an
Doctrinal Historical and Prophetical part thereof and in that manner accommodated as the meanest within the Church might have such a help still at their hand and thus with the least expence of time be provided of such Arguments and Reasons as should tend through the Blessing of God not only to the furthest rational Assent and Certainty of the Truth of their Profession but to give a most special support of Mind against that inward Tryal of Satans Temptations and Fiery Darts this way yea is such a mean that in the serious Improvement hereof by having such Evidences once brought in on Mens Judgment and Conscience so as to see with their own Eyes the Truth of the same I must humbly judge there is nothing next to the internal work of the Spirit of this kind might tend more to promote the Kingdom of Christ in this day Posit VII That as there are some more signal Periods of time to which a greater brightness and increase of Light hath respect under the New Testament so doth there now seem to be some remarkable Call and Excitement to such a Confirming Work in this day about the Christian Faith when we may hope that a more solemn and restoring time of Religion in the World is on a near approach though all sensible evidence would seem to controul this and may be now more looked after and prepared for under a suitable Impression of these Grounds for the same I. That the promised time of the Conversion of the Jews doth assuredly draw near and whatever be judged by some of the Lords immediate Appearance herein by a Miracle yet is it unquestionable that nothing in the way of means could be more promising and hopeful to promote this great end than by promoting so great a Service as this for the Christian Church II. That a greater extent also of the Profession of Christ amongst the Gentiles and rending of the Vail that is now over many dark Nations seemeth clearly insured therewith and what a hopeful Evidence should this be if such a Publick and Catholick Spirit were more seen how to advance the highest Ends of Religion on such an account without respect to any partial or divided Interest Yea that this blest Zeal of God might in that manner appear to have the dark World get a more clear and convincing prospect of the highest rational Demonstrations of Christianity as might through the Lords Gracious Concurrence bring men once to an Inquisitive and Serious Spirit about the same Oh that such may be raised up in this dismal hour with something of that ancient Spirit to travel with desire for the Salvation of Mankind and of whom it may be said as of blest Nehemiah these are indeed come to seek the welfare of their People in their greatest Interest III. And this farther excitement we are now under for this end in a time when Popery seems to be upon one of its last and greatest Assaults against the Church since it 's so clear that what ever tends to Confirm Men in Christianity from their own Tryal and Inquiry upon the Confirming Evidences thereof must have the same Native result to make such Confirmed Protestants yea nothing is more demonstrable than that the Method and Grounds that are taken both to ingage and fix men in the Popish Profession have the same rational Tendency to promote Atheism and to give Infidels the greatest Advantage to reject the Profession of Christ He that hath Ears to hear let him hear Amen CHAP. II. The Confirming Work of Religion reduced to Practical Use in some clear view of those Primary Grounds and Demonstrations of our Faith which none should pretend Ignorance of who enter the Profession of Christ upon choice and Certainty of Evidence SECTION I. Qu. I. VVHat Reasons and Demonstrations can you give for so great a Faith as that of the Glorious Being of God who is invisible to humane Sense since this is the Foundation of all Religion Ans Though this is Principally founded on the Sacred Truth and Authority of his own Word yet I am with the furthest Infallible Evidence confirmed herein I. That it can be no more sure that this marvellous frame of the Heavens and Earth hath a being and is the Object of our Sense than that a Supream Infinite Wisdom and Power must be the first cause hereof and it were simply impossible it could ever otherwise have been II. That he hath thus made himself Visible to our Eyes by such a visible World and in so exquisite an Order and Correspondence to support the same as nothing stands alone by it self but in a line of mutual respect which runs through the whole Creation We may as clearly thus see that God is as that there is an invisible Soul in a living Body III. That this Harmony is amongst things in their own Nature so Contrary and Destructive to other for to hold this wonderful frame as all must abandon Reason or see an infinitely wise Conduct herein and no need of Extraordinary Miracles to Confirm what the whole Constitutions of Nature do Witness IV. That this rare frame of man could never have come in being but by him who could Unite such different Substances as a Material Body and an Immaterial Soul in so near and marvellous an Union V. That there is such an universal Consent of Mankind in all Ages thereto as shews Religion to be founded in the very Nature of Man and as Essential to his Being as his Reason is yea that the ultimate difference of Man from the Beast and most essential Property of humane Nature lies here VI. That though every one be an Enemy to what torments him yet it was never possible for an Atheist to free himself from that unavoidable Sense and Fâ—ar of a Deity nor in a World so much lost in Wickedness could he ever extinguish the awe of Religion or make any rational Opposition to this greatest Article of the common Faith of Mankind VII That the Reason of the whole Constitution of Nature and vicissitude of things here is so great as without shutting out the use of Reason we cannot but see how nothing possibly could have been better and that any want hereof in the whole frame of the Universe would be as the Dislocation of a joynt of the Body and were not conceivable to be otherwise than it is by Infinite Wisdom appointed VIII That it 's simply impossible that God Blessed for ever should not exist or that this Universe which is a work so highly becoming the greatness of its Maker could possibly subsist for one hour or minute of time without a Supream Independent Power and Being on which all Visible Beings have their Dependance since they cannot depend upon nothing IX That such is the absolute necessity of the Faith also of a God-Head as without this the state of Mankind could not morally subsist or any possible Order Subjection Piety and Justice be to support Human Society but as Bradwardine saith O
the World might see did walk in the Light and Power of Christianity as sure as men walk under the Power and Vertue of a living Soul III. That we now see what a length the Course of the Gospel and of the Church Militant is come and how far thus the Times of the Gentiles are fulfilled which once was so contrary to all human Appearance IV. That so sure and exact a Performance of the Scripture is now undeniable in the event and of such great and marvellous things which were foretold under the New Testament that in an ordinary way none could have believed what we see with our Eyes and now have these things which were in former Ages the Object of the Churches Faith been made the Object of our Sense and it 's sure this is such a Seal and Confirmation to our Faith in these last times as doth much exceed the greatest Miracles which were in the first Planting of the Gospel V. Though we may not resolve our Faith on any Extraordinary Providences or lay the least weight hereon to support the Authority of the Doctrine we profess since this only is founded on that Sacred Revelation of Divine Truth in the Scripture which is the infallible Rule to discern true Miracles and what is Gods Seal herein under the undoubted Signature and Stamp of his own Power and working in the same yet hath there been such incontroulable evidence of extraordinary Signs and Confirmations to confirm the Truth of the Reformed Religion since the Reformation as in no Ages past was ever known but with the first planting of the Gospel among the Gentiles SECTION IV. Qu. I. IS it clear and demonstrable that the Doctrine of Christ is a Soul-Quickning and Experimental Religion and the Trial thereof in its most Supernatural Truths of such rational Certainty and Evidence that the World can no more deny or question the same than those Experiments of Nature that are of most universal Use Ans Though men looked but at a distance here or were come from Heathenism so far as to make a Serious Trial of Christianity it 's sure they could not but see and be fully perswaded in their Judgment hereof on these grounds I. That a discovery is undoubted and clear in the Scripture of so great things as that there is a Holy Ghost and there be his workings on Mens Souls of Peace with God and the Joy of his Presence which all who receive the Gospel are called to know and prove on their own Trial. II. That this witness of Christian Experience hath as discernable a Consent and Harmony therewith as Face answereth to Face in the Glass and is clear to be no Casual Thing but every step in this way of Trial is by Scripture Light and what Christians did before read there they know it now by Feelings on their own Souls III. That this in all Ages of the Church and where-ever such as served God in the Spirit were found in the most remote parts from others hath still been the same and like a great Roll is sent down from one Generation to another with their Confirmatory Seal that God is faithful and true in those Truths of his Word which seem most incredible to the World and now come to our hand to require the same Attestation and Witness IV. That they who know and testifie these things sometimes found it not easie to believe the same and did no less judge of such great Experiments of Religion as a Dream or imaginary thing than most now do until they knew them by Experience on their Soul V. That such also have been the most Burning and Shining Lights that ever were in the Church and these innumerable in all Ages declare the same and that in the Mouth of the Grave and entrance to an Eternal State when no outward Interest could sway them hereto VI. That it must be a matter of greatest Assurance which hath then pressed the most tender Parents with their last and dying Breath to commend the same Trial to their Children and to charge their being earnest herein as the greatest Interest they could leave them VII That whatever Differences be oft among these in some matters of Truth Yet in the Certainty of this great Trial of the Life Power and Comforts of Religion there is an Harmonious Oneness in the same Testimony in all Times of the Church VIII That if any question this because so remote from Mens Senses and the Judgment of Carnal Reason the reality of its Effects doth unanswerably prove both the Reality and Excellency of the Cause Qu. II. What clear and Rational Conviction can you offer of so great a thing as Conversion of men from a State of Nature to a new state by Grace which doth raise them as far above the residue of Mankind as Reason doth above the state of the Beasts Ans Though I should strive against the Conviction of such a Miracle and Demonstration of the Gospel as Conversion is yet were it not possible to deny such demonstrative Evidences as the World hath hereof I. That it is sure such a Change is made essentially requisite to the Being and Constitution of a Christian by the whole Consent of the Scripture II. That there was never yet an Argument in Nature for ones being a Christian in the Life and Power thereof what ever may be for a naked form or show III. That they are not a few but innumerable Instances in all times and of all Ranks and Conditions of Men on whom so great a Change and difference hath been made thus evident both from themselves what once they were and from the residue of the World IV. That this hath been not only upon such as have been signally Impious in their Practice but who in their Judgment were wont to deride Holiness as a Fancy so as Atheists must grant that there have been as profest Atheists sometimes as themselves who have been made such Conspicuous Monuments of the Power of the Gospel V. That none can Object here as once the Jews did Do any of the Rulers or such as the World counts most wise and knowing stand witnesses to the same when it is so known that there have not been more Wise Learned and Judicious in the Things of Reason upon the Earth than such as have been eminent Examples of the Power of Conversion VI. That its marvellous Effects in subduing men from what once was their Predominant Interest and Idol and to part from what had been as their right Eye or Hand could only be from an Immediate Divine Power VII That such as were greatest Adversaries to the Truth have been made no less eminent Instruments in the Service of Christ and choice Vessels of Honour than once they were in their Enmity and Opposition VIII That this Change hath been discernable in times of most Visible Persecutions and Hazard when no outward Advantage or Gain could have the least influence thereon Now as these are demonstrably clear so can
there be no possible ground to question this I. That the Scripture is faithful and true in so great a discovery II. That there is a Divine Spirit and a Power above nature which accompanies the same in such a change III. That there are surely contrary states in another World when they are so undeniably manifest here Qu. III. But can so great an experiment of Religion as that of Communion betwixt God and Men here upon Earth be made rationally convincing to such as are themselves strangers thereto and for a further confirming of the Christian Faith Answ Though this be an experiment of Divine Truth of a more transcendent interest and value than all that ever were in Nature yet it is no less evident and there can be no possible delusion herein if I. It 's that to which so innumerable a Company bears Testimony and hath sent down the same as that which not once or twice they have approved but in the continued trial of their Life II. That it 's known to the World that such as testifie what they do and have so oft found in the retirement of their Souls with God are of as discerning Spirits to know the true value of things as any else yea such whose testimony in other things the worst of men could not refuse nor deny III. That it's undeniably evident such must have another acquaintance and society than that of men which not only makes these hidden exercises of godliness so desireable where all may see they more flee than follow any humane Witness but also makes so visible a change both in their case and countenance after most sad anguish and down-castings of Spirit IV. That it is so evident also how such as are most serious this way have been visibly oft raised above their ordinary case and frame in Prayer and other duties of Religion yea in that manner as they who never knew there is a Holy Ghost but by report could not withstand so clear conviction of the reality hereof that can beget such liberty humble tenderness and melting of Heart yea such discernable joy and confidence V. That no delusion or false shew can be here when it 's ever seen that such as are most serious and frequent in Prayer and these hid retirements with God are the most flourishing also in the vitals of Christianity and have the most honourable lustre and appearance of any in their profession VI. That it 's such only whose joy and comfort is most specially discernable beyond others when these lower springs of outward help and encouragement are most visibly shut up Qu. IV. Is that great and experimental part of Religion in the Power of the Conscience over man such as may be as demonstrable to the World as the truth of a rational Being Answ It may be matter of wonder that men are not struck with deeper convictions hereon when they cannot but see I. That though this be the greatest tormentor and troubler of the World yet is there no possible retreat from its power tho' men should flee to the uttermost parts of the Earth but doth it enforce the Soul to a reflexion on its self even when it trembleth at that sight II. That it causeth great fear and horrour upon the commitment of secret sins when no dread of Humane Witness or of visible hazard this way could occasion it III. That it admits no violence in any to out-dare the same but is a power that the greatest Monarchs find to be stronger than they and is such that these oft are enforced for present ease and relief either to divert or bribe the same by some false grounds of peace IV. That it constrains men to Justifie God and Judge themselves when his hand doth pursue them and to find out their sin and guilt which was before hid V. That it makes men also afraid to be alone with themselves and to tremble at the Word of Truth because its light doth torment them by that unavoidable application which Conscience makes hereof VI. Yea it makes mens guilt so legible oft in their countenance even when they study most to conceal it that all may see there is an accuser within whose Authority and Power cannot possibly be declined VII That with so remarkable a confidence and security it doth support Mens Spirit and makes it easie to sustain its greatest infirmities from without when it is a Friend yea and upholds the opprest with unspeakable Peace and Comfort when it doth oft cause the oppressour to tremble Qu. V. But what doth most necessarily result from so clear a demonstration as the Conscience is for confirming of our Faith Answ I. That it 's infallibly thus clear that there is a Higher Power and Judgment to which all mankind is subjected and gives the World an unavoidable demonstration both of the being of God and of the Truth of his Word in the great and supernatural discovery which it makes hereof II. That there is a Supream and Infallible Law also and Invisible Judge above us under whose power and authority this Court of Justice doth without respect of Persons both Summon Arrest bring in Witness and Sentence great and small III. That the Internal Government of our Blessed Lord this way both in the severity of his rebukes and most sensible enlargements of Peace and Comfort is unavoidably demonstrated IV. That it bears so clear evidence to unknown and undoubted relief and none else could be ever found for these Wounds and Stings of the Conscience but in the Light and Power of Christianity V. That it is simply impossible for men to delight freely in a course of sin when no Humane Power can disarm the Conscience of that so intolerable a sting by which it begins so early a Hell within the Soul VI. That such is the Power and Peace of a good Conscience as can make it stand unbroken amidst the greatest ruins and terrours of the World when under such a guard as that of its own innocency SECTION V. Qu. I. IS the evidence of a Kingdom of Darkness in a direct opposition and contrariety to that Kingdom of Light which Christ hath set up by the Gospel such as the certainty thereof may be a matter of Sense as well as of Faith Answ This is of such special use both to confirm the Christian Faith and awake such to deeper reflexion on the same with whom there seems no hope to prevail but by proofs from palpable experience and it is not possible to deny I. That there is such a power as the Devil and those wicked Spirits incompassing the Earth yea that they have an ordinary and familiar converse with many therein II. That these Spirits though once originally excellent have fallen into such an Apostacy as all may see their aim and only pleasure is to dishonour God and destroy his Image in Man III. That it is impossible to deny the marks of that Power and Conquest which the Prince of this World hath every where amongst
over the visible Profession of the Truth in the Churches of Britain and Ireland there is no cause to be staggered in the Faith of Romes fatal Period being near but to look hereon according to the Scripture as the last attempt of that wounded Adversary which will be found in the issue to have the most immediate Connexion with his greatest downfal and the Reviving Glory of the Church for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her SECTION IV. Qu. VVHat is specially called for in this day of such as are accountable for so great a Talent of Light and Confirmations to our Faith Ans If this were suitably taken to Heart we could not but reckon our selves under the greatest excitement and call to such an improvement hereof I. That we account it not enough to have a Faith for quieting our own Spirits but also to confirm others by putting to our Seal that God is true in the great Assurances of his Word and to Sanctifie him before the World which is so important a Duty as the Lord was wroth even with a Moses and Aaron for one short-coming when he called for the same Numb 20.12 and it 's sure in no time was such a special trust more reposed thereon than in this Age both as a publick Debt on the Church and Personal on each Christian how to witness for the Lord upon that great Interest of his Faithfulness and for Transmitting the same to the Ages to come by a Confirmatory Seal and Testimony thereto II. To reckon our selves also under some more than ordinary call this day each in their present Capacity and Station to appear for the Credit of the Truth and stemm so visible and impetuous a Tide as is now running of distrust and of a discreditable faintness for it may be said never was the Church under the New Testament so remarkably held under such a Trial as that wherein the Lord did prove the Church of Israel Numb 14. Or had a more evident resemblance thereto in the same Circumstances as in this day if they were seriously pondered As I. How in the same manner such a false and evil report is too visibly raised upon the blest ways of the Lord to discourage and faint the Spirits of his People as was then by the Spyes that there were insuperable difficulties in the way of the Promise by Reason of the Anakims and of their walled Cities and did thus oppose the Credit of Sense to all these Assurances which God had given to their Faith II. That this highly dishonourable Cowardice and Distrust did so seize on that People as was like to resolve in a visible revolt and to cry for a Leader to go back to Egypt again which amongst too many in this time may be justly feared III. That this was after such extraordinary Confirmations which the Lord had given to the Faith of his Church then who had by his own immediate and out-stretched hand so lately brought them out of the House of Bondage and from the Iron Furnace in Egypt as rendred their misbelief to be a guilt under such Aggravations as the Holy God did in that manner plead Vers 22. These ten times have they tempted me who have seen my Glory and my Miracles which I did in the Wilderness c. IV. But herein we hope and are Confidently sure of a blessed Disparity in this resemblance as to the numerousness of such who shall be found of the Reformed Churches to Act something of that part which these Heroick Witnesses Caleb and Joshua did and were then put to stand alone therein who through Grace shall yet appear with some measure of that Spirit and withstand so high a Tide of fears discouragement and unbelief as is at this day and thus to plead against the same as these did Num. 14.9 If the Lord delight in us then let us not rebel against him neither fear the greatest difficulties that can be in the way c. V. And is not the same Precedent of Providence of so singular a respect as the Lord did then testifie to his Caleb and Joshua who were of another Spirit in following him fully in that day a continued Assurance for all who shall be helped to any honourable appearance of this kind by making them see and inherit the Truth of his Promise yea that such a residue as out-lives this great and amazing storm shall have something of that Testimony to bear also which Caleb gave Josh 14.8 10. My Brethren which went up with me made the Heart of the People faint but I fully followed the Lord my God and now behold the Lord hath kept me alive c. O blessed they whose Souls are raised with that Holy Zeal for the Truth to stand up in this great breach by a resolute Profession of their Faith and Witness to the Faithfulness of God as such great and extraordinary Confirmations given thereto now call for III. It is one of the special Duties of this day we stand also accountable for how to stemm this high and growing Tide of Prejudice and Reproach against the Reformed Religion which in some unusual way is now aloft and raging and by Manifestation of the Truth to gain some more awful regard hereof on mens Conscience that they may see something of the Glory of our Profession and in what manner it maintains its Conquest as no way else can possibly claim I. Which reckons none to be the true and genuine Professours hereof who imbrace not the same upon Evidence and with respect to its Intrinsick Excellency and worth nor does Judge the Interest of Religion to go by number and poll where this is wanting but pursues that end to have men ingaged first to be Christians that they may be true and sincere Protestants and therefore can admit no such Methods of any base Compliance with the Humour and Interests of Men which its Principles will not bear II. Which in its course is ever regular and Certain according to the Rule of an Unchangeable and Eternal Truth without dependence on the will of man herein or any mutable Revolutions of the Time III. Which doth with the greatest lustre shine forth in the Brightest Light and is maintained by the clearest Knowledge yea by the furthest plainness and openness of Heart towards all commends it self so that the World may see it espouseth not mens Affection before it gains on their Conscience and it hath their Judgement fixed on a judicious Tryal before their Resolution nor accounts the Truth of Religion can ever subsist by an external shew and Profession without its known Evidence and the Efficacy thereof on mens Souls IV. Which sincerely follows the Catholick Interest of Christianity and publick good of Mankind in promoting the great Ends of the Gospel so as the World may see its highest Intent is to exalt all Divine Institutions and advance the Simplicity and Spirituality of Gospel Administrations according to the revealed Rule amongst Men as that which doth most nearly
and Man upon the Truth and Assurance of his Word and that the highest Trial and Probation of a Christian in which all the Trials of his Life do still meet may be resolved here if they receive the Testimony of God in his Word as an absolute Security to relie on yea or not And tho this is the peculiar Glory of the only true God to have an absolute Dependance of his whole Work on himself and to be the alone Centre of his Peoples rest yet may nothing be more evident than that with most he bears that Name of being their trust when the whole burden and weight thereof lies alone upon visible grounds so that those Bonds and Promises which he hath himself given unto men do bâ—ar no more Credit than they have some External Surety of in the Earth which they still look after to stand as it were good and responsible for the same which is the highest Indignity can be offered to the glorious Majesty of God 9. He does much take to Heart this present Period of time wherein the fluctuating suspence and halting of so many under a visible Profession of the Truth is now one of the most dismal Signs hereof and that it seems to be the time wherein the Lord will in an unusual way take this Generation off from any implicite Profession of the same and when that great Roll of Visible Professors in all the Reformed Churches may be ere long in that manner called as each must answer to his own Name and be put to stand to the Proof before the World when no Temporal Interest but Internal Motives and Certainty of the Truth upon its own Evidence must bear one out yea that the most establisht may ere long find it not easie to be kept from Staggering and a few days come in the Churches way more remarkable for Trial than have been in some Ages before CHARACT II. A truly confirmed Christian may be thus also stated as one who is in the first place most deeply taken up about that rare Plot of Mans Redemption and to see these great and wonderful Truths there not singly and apart but in that Harmony Order and Consent of all the parts thereof as they are linkt together in this marvellous frame so as to make the whole one entire piece And whereof no part does in the least interfere with another Which he finds to be one of the most Principal Demonstrations of this great Mystery of the Gospel which the Lord hath given for Confirming his Peoples Faith And thus in another manner than formerly can he now entertain his Soul herewith and have his Joy unspeakably heightened 1. To see at once the ruined State of fallen Man and what a Flood-gate of all Evil is let loose on Adams Race not only Morally in Sin but what is Penal in the Woe and Miseries thereof yea such a State where all Hope of relief is for ever cut off in the way of Nature or by any created help and where the Execution of a Righteous Sentence on men for the voluntary Violation of a Law Just Holy and Good can be no Impeachment in the least of the Righteousness of God But then therewith he does see such a relief brought to Light as can not only answer the whole extent of this ruin but the Glory of God more eminently displayed therein than if the Law had been obeyed or absolutely executed in its Penalty on the whole race of man Yea which makes this more wonderful to see a higher Dispensation of Grace unto man now under the Gospel than was to Adam in his Primitive State whereby innumerable Christians are made to endure and prevail over stronger Assaults than broke him even in his Integrity which is a thing so marvellous that the great and Infinite God only could find out and effect it 2. He does now see how clear a Consistence and Harmony is here that he who had no Sin by Inhesion but was Holy harmless and Undefiled should be under the greatest weight of Sin by Imputation and by the exactest Rule of Divine Justicâ— be made liable to answer both the whole Duty and full Penalty of the Law having as Surety betwixt the Creditor and Debtor put himself in his Peoples room to answer the full demands thereof both for Debt and Duty 3. It is here he does see that blest Consent and Harmony betwixt the spotless Justice of God and his marvellous Grace so as his Love is to the highest glorified in that marvellous way which secures the full and compleat Satisfaction of his Law and all the rights of Inviolable Justice 4. Whilst he is thus dazled with the greatness of such a Light and put to enquire what such a mystery can mean he is then further led on to see that rare Plot and Contrivance of the Covenant of Reconciliation between God and Man here within time to be the very Duplicate and Counterpart of that Eternal Transaction and Stipulation between the Father and the Son and thus sees whatever God hath declared and promised in the former to his Church was first promised and secured to our Blessed Head in the Covenant of Redemption wherein as with a Reverend and Awful Distance so with the greatest Evidence of Light he is made to see here these reciprocal Obligations betwixt them and mutual Trust for making good the whole Terms thereof in the appointed time 5. He does also clearly see that rare Order and Harmony of time in these signal Periods of the Revelation of this great Mystery of Christ which from its more dark Discovery and Dawning did still more gloriously open its self to the Church by a gradual Light and unvailing of the same as the Sun in its Course unto the perfect day yea he hath his Faith thus unspeakably confirmed to see herewith the Gospel Church being still the same whither of Jews or Gentiles and how that Series and Consent hath yet never been broken off since the beginning of a Church called forth from the Residue of Mankind set apart as a peculiar People for the Lord where none ever had Right and Priviledge to be Members of the same but by Faith in the Messias and Profession of their Obedience to his Laws 6. It is in this Union and Harmony he sees all the Branches and Parts of Gospel Obedience most exactly meer and terminate to advance both the greatest Excellency and Blessedness of Man and Assimilate him to the Blessed Image of God Yea how all the Rules and Precepts thereof do so entirely Conspire for this end as may constrain the Woâ—ld to see and admire the Glorious Nature and Perfections of him whose Laws these are wherein he does so brightly shine forth 7. Nor can he look seriously herein and not see that sweet concord as a part of this Harmony which is betwixt the Promissory and Mandatory part of the Gospel so as the Christians Comfort is most fully established and no Duty abolished but the very Path-road to
the most full Enjoyments of the Promise and proper way to attain rest and tranquillity of Spirit must be ever by taking on the yoke of Christ 8. Yea to Confirm this entire Union and Harmony more fully he now sees that exact and marvellous Correspondence which is betwixt that first Fundamental Promise of the Messias and the Event betwixt all the Ancient Figures and Types of the Levitical Service and the Revelation of Christ himself in which all these did meet as in their proper Centre and now have their full End and Accomplishment 9. His Confirmation thus grows to see that wonderful Consent of Christianity and Native result hereof to put fallen man in a due posture towards God towards his Neighbours and towards himself so as he may know by Faith and Adoration how to enjoy God and his Brother by Love and thus by Patience Meekness and Humility to possess his own Soul and enjoy himself 10. Yea it is in this rare and wonderful frame he is made to see and no sight can be like this that exact correspondence which is betwixt the Foundation and Superstructure how the whole Tract of the Gospel is but one Entire and Compleat means to Glorifie God and restore fallen Man to the highest Blessedness How that excellent Stream of Sanctification does flow from that Fountain Head of an Eternal Decree which does still run under the Ground until it break up at last in the Heart of each Christian by the Effectual Call of the Gospel and thus runs down through time until it lose its self in that unconceivable deep of Perfection and Glory Thus is it that each Christian might attain some higher Degrees of Confirmation in his Faith than most seem either to know or look after if he understood more how to improve this rare comparing work of Religion by setting the great Truths and Principles thereof in their Order and Dependance so as each may be seen in its necessâ—ry Coherence with other and under its proper aspect But the more deep Reflection and Enquiry he hath herein he is the more made to wonder and finds this one of the great Assaults to his Faith that the Revelation of Christ and Redemption by his Blood should have no greater effects this day amongst men and that the Christian World is not in some other manner awakned with the Glory of this Light and prest after a larger spreading and Diffusion of this highest and universal good to poor mankind Yea the more he considers this it doth heigthen his Amazement to think how mens designs in the matter of Duty and Service for the Kingdom of Christ can be so low within time whose Designs and Hopes in the close thereof are so high in the matter of Enjoyment or take so little to heart that the whole Day of the dispensation of the Gospel amidst the most dismal Tryals that may fall in therewith is a continued time wherein we are called to keep the Feast and from one Age to another celebrate the same as a perpetual Jubilee of Joy and Exultation since Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us but oh how rare a thing seems this to be and how little of that flame and fervency of Love to our Blessed Redeemer is now kindled on his Altar Such as might be expected on such wonderful incitements thereto and which once were in the Church CHARACT III. Though a Confirmed Christian must be specially stated as such one who knows the Internal part of Religion and Sealing work of the Holy Ghost on his own Soul which is not by words but things of the highest Truth Substance and Reality yet is he not satisfied to know this by Spiritual Sense until he can see the same with the furthest Evidence of Light also to his mind and have no less a clear and judicious Tryal of this great Mystery of Experimental Religion for confirmation of his Faith than to be sensibly affected with the felt power thereof And in the first place why this is necessarily requisite and called for with respect to the Confirmed State of a Christian may be thus considered on some few grounds 1. That the things of Religion which must be experienced within time are such sublime and wonderful Mysteries as may be just matter of astonishment and make men a wonder â—o themselves to think that these present Pledges of so greaâ— a hope which is to come are no shadows no appearances of things but most sure and undoubted realities and that such there are this day in the Earth who know so near a converse with an Invisible God and the supernatural Truths of his Word with the sensible feeling of the inestimable Love of Christ by this demonstration of Experience yea who in such dismal Times do assuredly know what the Joy of his Presence and an immediate Fellowship with their blessed â—â—ead is upon the greatest certainty of Tryal since these are so high and marvelous things which exceed all Natural Understanding as the felt Sweetness of their enjoyment should not more deeply take men up than to see the Truth and Sureness of these Principles whereon they build 2. Because this Testimony of the Truth of Experimental Religion should be understood not only as it 's of highest use for Christians Personal Comfort and Establishment but with respect to the Publick Intâ—rest of the Church a special duty it is to have the Credit of this greatest Testimony and Seal demonstrably cleared with the furthest strength of harmonious and argumentative Reason for such who look but at a distance yet thereon which may not only awaken them to some deeper sense and impression hereof but constrain them to see how no Natural Science hath more clear and firm demonstrations than the Experimental part of Christianity which is the very Life and Soul thereof may have to mens Reason and Judgment tho' they never knew it within themselves Yea for this end should such as have experienced the Truth and Vertue of the Gospel reckon themselves as Witnesses who are judicially obliged to put their Seal thereunto and is now more called for in an Age when no particular Truth seems more strongly impugned than the Reality of Experimental Godliness is and become as a Publick Theam of Derision tho' men must either quit the whole Revelation of the Scripture or see this to be as Essential to the Constitution of a Christian as Vital Principles are to a Living Man 3. Yea it 's sure herein that such as take Religion to heart must needs look to be put to the greatest Tryal of its Certainty and should â—ost nearly concern themselves to know if they can abide as firmly by their Spiritual Sense as by that which is Natural and do know as surely in themselves the Operations and Motions of a Spiritual Life as that they have being by Nature and that here be no doubtful or abstract Notions but which have had deep Tryal and Reflexion on them that they who dare to venture their
Declarative Glory is so highly concerned that a Christian should account the meanest Room herein one of the most desirable Attainments within time Yea it seems just matter of regret also that this comes not under a more publick Care and notice of Particular Churches and of the Christian Magistrate where Religion hath any true regard to have such solemn Providences as occur in that time and place which may be called most Instructive Providences to the Church and of a further reach and extent than any Private use both Search'd after and Recorded as becomes so high a Service to the Christian Cause and one of the highest concerns of Posterity in Order to have them not only possessed of a pure Religion but of that Seal also which the Lord hath in the great Acts of Providence appended thereto And thus to have that Increase which each Successive Age brings therewith to the publick Stock of the Church looked after as a piece of the greatest trust reposed thereon so that the Children rise not up and say we have not heard nor have our Fathers faithfully communicated to us the wondrous Works which the Lord hath wrought in their time 3. He is thus also taught to see the Demonstrative Causes of the most strange Judgments on the Church to be as clear in the Scripture as they are in the event And though the Holy God in the day of his Patience and Long-suffering is not alike quick in the Execution of the Sentences of his Word yet does he ever establish the Authority of his Laws by the works of his Providence in the most opportune season and as Judgment deferred is no acquittance so does it more threaten its being the greater when it comes than a quick and present dispatch yea though this tempest which now blows on the Churches of Christ come to a greater height and the darkness be such as no Moon or Stars may for many days yet appear of any Visible signs of Hope yet is his Soul thus at rest whilst he can see the Credit of the Truth cleared on which he hath more in trust than any Adventure within time and doth rejoyce whatever miscarrying there may be of Inferiour Ends that this great and ultimate End of the works of God is secured herein and the Glory of his Truth does shine forth in the most strange and amazing Acts of his Providence whereat many are ready to stagger when they do not wisely consider the same 4. He sees now likewise so high a value which the Lord puts on the Trial of his Peoples Faith and that the great dispensation whereby he deals with men is by trust and on the credit of his Word as it adds further to his Confirmation to see all humane and Visible Refuges oft taken out of his Churches sight Yea his greatest works in the Earth make the greatest delay ere they be brought forth and his Churches Case is put so far beyond help before a cure as the first quickning of her crushed and almost dead hope must be at the mouth of the Grave and he is thus herein more singularly strengthned that when the Lord speaks the same in the way of Providence which he hath spoke in his Word not by Might nor by Power that he doth with unspeakable Advantage supply and fill the room thereof by the next Word but by my Spirit saith the Lord. Which in this day should with a full Assurance of Faith be both sought and looked after 5. It is in this rare Study he attains also the greatest Confirmation to his Faith that could possibly be desired within time to see now when it 's so near the close thereof and after all the Revolutions of times past how the Truth and Faithfulness of God hath as the Sun in its Strength still kept its way straight and fixt amidst all those dark Clouds which have been to darken the same and is now gone its course until it draws near to the full and perfect day yea thus to see how signally this present Age is held upon that same appeal andd solemn Testimony which Joshua gave Josh 23.14 That not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you all are come to pass to you and not one thing hath failed thereof and Solomon did bear also at the Dedication of the Temple 1 Kings 8.56 Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest unto his People Israel according to all that he promised there hath not failed one Word of all his good Promise which he promised by the hand of Moses his Servant so is this now that great Testimony of the latter days and the highest Tribute of Praise to the Glory of God in his Truth which can be given by men that this present Generation stands accountable to make the same yea much greater appeal to the World if they can instance one Promise or Prediction of that sacred record of the Scripture which hath ever failed or fallen to the ground but may be this day read in the Event and under those proper circumstances wherein it was to take place in its proper Season as evidently as it was foretold And must still bear the same witness Psal 18.30 That the way of the Lord is perfect and his Word tryed on all the Adventures of Faith and Trials which to this moment of time have been made hereof and of his being still a Buckler to such as trust in him and are called to send this glorious Testimony to the succeeding Ages that it may never cease to shine or want a publick witness thereto before Angels and Men until the whole mystery of God in his Word be finished in that magnificent close which shall be thereof at the second Coming of the Lord. CHARACT V. A Confirmed Christian in this day should be thus also stated as one who hath not only attained a solid rest and settlement of Mind upon the Certainty of the Christian Faith but does know the pure genuine Truth of Christianity amidst such high Oppositions betwixt the Romish and Reformed Church herein And in the first place hath in this manner held himself upon such a trial 1. As one who knows there is but one true and saving Religion in the Earth to which God hath annexed the Promise of Eternal Life which can never be divided against it self 2. Who knows that within a little while his Religion will be tried in the Truth thereof at the Tribunal of Christ where every man must give account of himself unto God 3. Who sees there can be no possible indifference in the Exteriour Profession of either way but that so high a contrariety of Principles is in this Opposition that if the Doctrine of Christ be on the one hand it is sure Antichristianism must be on the other hand 4. Yea who hath in that abstract manner sought to state the Case herein with his own Soul as if he were just come out of Paganism to give a serious
assent to the Divinity of the Scripture and were now pressâ—d to joyn in with that Profession of the Christian Faith which is most exactly conform to the same in the genuine and perspicuous sence thereof In the second place he hath sought to know how he could imbrace the Popish Creed and adventure his Eternal state thereon or how he could extinguish his Reason and Conscience so far as to believe that the Holy God would ever impose such a Faith upon men as this is 1. Where he must abandon these Principles of natural Reason in the most necessary use thereof which God hath himself planted in mans Soul so as not to trust his own Eyes but others in that great Interest of his Eternal State and with his own consent be shut out from all proper knowledge of the rule of his Religion yea account a blind and unlimited Obedience to men amongst the highest Excellencies of Faith 2. Where he must at once believe the Fulness and Perfection of the Scripture which is not only fitted for that great end of bringing Mankind to God but for such an universal use herein as to make the Simple wise and cause the Poor to receive the Gospel and yet believe also that it is a Mass of dead and unsensed Characters until the Romish Clergy put a just Sense thereon tho its Sense and meaning is the very Soul thereof Yea thus pass from the Letter of the same and all Certainty of its Truth from Intrinsick Evidences and these Marks and Characters of its Divinity whereby the Christian Cause could be maintain'd against Pagans 3. Where he must believe also that these are the Words of Christ Joh. 7.17 If any man do my will he shall know my Doctrine whether it be of God or not and that men err through not knowing the Scripture Mat. 22. And yet believe all the while that these sacred Fountains of Light should be shut up to keep men from Errors and that the sole right of understanding the same belongs to a few not to the Multitude who yet can pretend no extraordinary Assistance or Revelation herein nor will themselves come to these waters of Jealousie to be tried 4. Where he must needs believe that the Scriptures are the Oracles of God committed to the Church to give answer in every dark Case Rom. 3.2 The Type and Form of sound Doctrine Rom. 6.17 Unto whose Sentence in all matters both of Faith and Practice we are expresly referred Isa 8.20 And yet believe also that it hath no Authority or Decisive Voice but what is Precarious and dependant on the Romish Church And thus Consent to have the whole Christian Faith Visibly unhinged of the Foundation of the Scripture and subjected to a Supream Visible and pretended Infallible Judge here in the Earth with such a claim of Dominion over the Faith of the Saints as the Apostles of Christ durst never own but did fully disclaim 2 Cor. 1.24 5. Where he must believe that Jesus Christ came for this end to save lost man and by one Offering hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10.18 And yet joyn with the same a Faith of a human Satisfaction for Sin so as men may both Merit Mediate and Supertrogate go above what is needful for themselves And so be saved in the same way of Life which was by the Covenant of Works ascribing no more to Christ than the giving Salvation to mens own Merits which their own Intrinsick Value and Condignity doth require as a Debt 6. He finds not how in the same Creed he could possibly hold by one Mediator betwixt God and Man where a Plurality for this end is admitted and by the reality of Christs human Nature and his having a true and finite Body which is subjected to have a new created Being each time in the Consecrated Host or beliâ—ve the Truth of his Sufferings as now fully accomplished and to be repeated no more when it is in that daily Sacrifice of the Mass still offered as a Propitiatory Sacrifice for the Living and the Dead So on the most severe and impartial inquiry he cannot find how one holding these Principles should go a further length than Morality or claim another standing than by a Covenant of Works 7. Nor knows he how to believe at once the Truth of the Gospel to be a Doctrine of Holiness and Infinite Purity and yet joyn in the same Faith such an Indulgence for men to Sin that Money may stand for Merit and the Rich may have the most easie and large Entry into Heaven Conceit that it is a Priviledge for men to destroy themselves and by External Severities and Penance to the Flesh like to the Lancing and Gashing of Baals Priests supply the room of Christian Mortification 8. Yea he finds it not possible to believe that Sin can only be expiated by the Blood of Christ and is his alone Work who hath purged our Sin himself Heb. 1.3 Or that there are more than two ways that lead to a twofold State of men a Strait way which leads to a Life and a Broad unto Destruction Mat. 7.14 and yet believe that there is a Purgatory after this life wherein men must be tormented and suffer extream Pains to expiate such Venial Sins as their Prayers and Penances here could not do yea he is made to wonder how any who believes such a thing can ever have true Peace or Comfort in the World concluding that Papists do either take it as a Fiction or forget themselves when they are chearful For the fear of such a place the Uncertainty of Release and how long a term it may be ere this Purging Work be compleat when their own Writers Assign no less time than 10000 Years as needful to satisfie for some Sins and fear lest it prove a real Hell must still be a piercing terrour nor can he believe that such should Credit themselves herein who assume this Power to Change the Condition of the Dead Since were it really believed that the Keys of such a Prison were here in mens hands and Folk could by the largest Bribes to the Romish Church get a safe Deliverance thence it were not strange to see the Temporal State of Christendom in a short time made over to these We should Judge they were in a strange manner indeed priviledged above the whole residue of men who by such a Power over the World to come could make so easie a Purchase of this also which is present 9. He finds and is sure he could never get his Reason and Conscience brought to such a Faith even tho he made a feigned Profession herein of that pretended Supremacy of Peter as Bishop of Rome on which the whole frame and structure of the Papacy leans and the Vertue of all the Pardons and Absolutions founded thereon on which so many have adventured into an other World except he would build on the Sand only and not on the Rock 10. He finds also how
Duty or Comfort in their passage thorow time yea nothing is in the least here to subject the Credit of our Faith to mens Rational Comprehension but rather tends to enervate wholly the strâ—ngth of any such Tenet and take off all pretence for the same But it 's sure also I must quit all solid Security in the way of Religion and any clear founding in the Light and Certainty of the Scripture or admit these things as undeniable 1. That supernatural Faith is the most highly rational Light that 's within time And that none who profess the Name of Christ can be of so low a size as should not be pressed and excited to be much about this Ground-work of knowing the Truth and Principles of their Profession upon its own Evidence yea are thus called as new born Babes to drink in the sincere Milk of the Word 1 Pet. 2. Which as it 's clearly in the Original is the rational Milk of the Word to be thus received no less on Conviction and Certainty of the Judgment than with the out going of their affections 2. That as it 's not conceiveable how a true and firm Assent can be to Divine Truth but on its known Certainty so here is no resolving of the Christians Faith on the strongest rational Evidences hereof which must still be resolved on the Testimony of God made clear and evident to them to be such 3. It is sure also the Lord hath not given so large a measure of these Grounds and Demonstrations of his Truth with such redoubled Arguments of that kind to be of so small regard as is with most But for some great and universal use hereof to the whole Church and knew how needful such Assistances to the Faith of his People would be whilst they are on the Earth 4. That these means which tend most convincingly to found a rational Assurance in the Judgment are the proper Vehicle of the Spirit of God by which his sealing Work should be both sought and expected nor can I judge how the Credit and use hereof should be so small and not on the same Ground quit any External Ordinance of the Gospel which without the Spirit of the Lord can never profit nor how we should expect and suit his Confirming Work on the Soul when these greatest Confirming Means which he hath given to the Church have no just weight But oh how wonderful a Teacher is the Holy Ghost when such ordinary means fail and are inaccessible by furnishing his People then with these strongest Arguments of Love and Power who having had but small Measures of Light yet were not unfaithful to improve the smallest degree of such a Talent 5. Yea so great a thing is it to attain a solid Faith of Things wholly remote from our Sense and so far above the reach and Apprehension of Nature or to have an absolute reliance on an invisible Refuge for our present and Eternal State as no common Assent can answer when the very rest and quiet of the Soul must needs lie in the sure and firm Perswasion hereof 6. It is too visible also how little the Practical Vse of such a mean hath yet been essaied in the Church thaâ— all who are members thereof might no less know the Strength and Firmness of the Foundation of their Faith by its own Evidence than the General Articles of Religion The most usual instructing work lies almost wholly about the Noetick part of Divinity there seems not that serious regard to press the Dianoetick part hereof on Mens Conscience as if this were to be restrained to a few who are more Knowing Learned and of an Inquisitive Spirit about the rational Certainty of the Truth and for whom these choice and abundant helps of this kind which are in this Age seem more peculiarly directed It 's sure that the Christian Faith in the first-times did remarkably then spread and prevail by these clear Evidences hereof to the Judgment made Effectual by the Spirit of God more than by extraordinary Miracles Nor knew they otherwise whaâ— lt was to be Christians but by imbracing the Truth with a full Assurance of Vnderstanding no less than of Delight and Affection But if it be objected it is not the Case now where Religion is planted in a Nation and hath an uncontrollable Publick Profession under the support of Humane Laws I know no admitted weight this can have except that it should be granted that Christians now be Born and not new-created 7. Yea is it not sure tho it seem little understood that the primary Grounds and Evidences of our Faith are not only as to their End demonstrative of the Truth and Divinity of the Scripture but are upon the Matter such Demonstrations also which most natively result from the same by infallible Consequence and are thus to be accounted not as Humane but Divine Arguments given us by the Spirit of God 8. I shall but further add how such as do seriously ponder things will find this Demonstration to be no more important than clear that to be a Confirmed Christian and a Confirmed Protestant are Convertible Terms and that if they that are under that Deplorable Bondage and Darkness of Popery were but once awaked to see the Truth and Certainty of the Christian Faith by its Intrinsick and Objective Evidence and taken off that brutish Credulity and Dependance on the alone Credit of others herein it might be said the strongest Engine to hold up that Profession were then broke and we should see the Doctrine and Rule of Faith to be of such full and perspicuous Evidence from the Scripture as without Blasphemy they could not seek from the Lord to give them a plainer Rule than what he hath there given READER IT 'S like thou mayest think strange how these few Sheets in the close fall in here after the foregoing part was finished but the they meet in one Design and Interest yet was not this then intended until the former was done and if it might tend to a solid use and Fruit unto any I shall forbear a further Apology herein I may truly say the weight of the Subject hath carried it some further length than was designed when I so much sought to be short as I aim at in any thing of this kind that through my desire to avoid any unnecessary multiplying of Words I fear lest it may make some things â—â—em a little dark at the first view Tho I hope not upon any serious perusal of the same Two things I must further crave leave to add 1. That when some Succinct View of the great Assistances and Confirmations of our Faith is here offered which these of the lowest Capacity of the Church might with that advantage improve as in a few hours by reading it some times over may be so far impressed on their Mind and Judgment that they could give some clear and judicious account thereof it may be by such but seriously weighed and taken to Heart of what concern the use hereof is 2. That I humbly judge also it were a most special Service for the Truth in this day to have some short Directory and remembrancer of the great Acts of the Lord and Monuments of his Providence now under the New Testament in that manner held forth as might most tend to some Universal Use of all within the Church I Confess my desire pressed me to some small Essay herein with intent to have joyned it to this Work but having with much Convictâ—on laid this wholly aside as to any further appearance that way so is it with an Earnest Desire that some more qualified might take to Heart and under their Hand so great a Service both for their Generation and Posterity It is sure the Lord hath designed his People to be taught the greatness of his Works as well as the precepts of his Word and as no Duty is more pressed than this under the Old Testament both as to Publick and Family Instruction so are we no less accountable in these last times for this Improvement of such as are of known publick and uncontrolable Evidence and should be the care of each Age to have that Solemn Remembrance kepâ— up hereof so as not a few but the very Multitude within the Church might be as a publick Library and Repository of the same FINIS