to the Saints preached by the holy Apostles and Prophets and witnessed to by the holy Spirit and so by the holy God who bare witness to the Preachers of it both with Signs and wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost Heb. 24. is a holy pure clean Word The Word of the Lord as the Gospel of Jesus Ghrist as preached by the Apostles is often called as in Acts 6 2 7. and 8.25 and 12.24 and 13.5 7 12 44 46 49. is pure as Silver seven times tryed in the fire Psal 12.6 No dross or mixture in it it is not yea and nay but yea yea or yea and Amen as in 2 Cor. 1.18 19. As God is true our word toward you was not yea and nay for the Son of God Jesus Christ who was preached among you by us was not yea and nay but in him was yea for all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God by us The Apostles did speak in simplicity and sincerity what they had heard and received from God and Christ and did not as the false Apostles sophisticate and corrupt the Word of God as the Apostle also saith 2 Cor. 2.17 But as in sincerity and as of God they spake in Christ in the sight of God Even as Jesus Christ himself the matter and subject of their word the faith or foundation of faith the object to be closed with and rested or built upon is the holy One the holy One of Israel and so is frequently stiled as Acts 3.14 Ye denyed the holy One and the just So 1 John 2.20 Ye have an Vnction from the holy One and ye know all things And Heb. 7.26 He is holy harmless undefiled c. a spotless one a Lamb without blemish his nature and life and death and sacrifice and person altogether blameless sinless and undefiled even so the Doctrine of the Apostles concerning him was pure and clean too like to pure water No soil or mud in it Yea and 2. It was and is set apart separated and devoted to God and for his glory to be the foundation ground and way of our believing and so becoming an holy habitation and people for God Jesus Christ the main matter and subject treated of in the Gospel is in that sense holy to God chosen by him separated and set apart for him to be his salvation to the ends of the earth the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world his righteous Servant in whose hand his pleasure shall prosper his Elect in whom his Soul delighteth who hath sanctified himself and given up himself to him to do his will in all things to be his Prophet to declare his mind and bring forth judgment to the Gentiles and light to the people to be his High-Priest as it is said The Lord hath sworn and will not repent Thou art a Priest to me for ever after the order of Melchisedeck Psal 110 3 4. to make atonement for the sins of the people offer up their gifts and sacrifices and make intercession for all that come to God by him Heb. 2.17 and 5.1 and 7.25 and bless them in his Name Heb. 7.6 7. His King whom he hath set upon his holy hill of Sion Psal 2.6 7. being wholly holy unto God to do his pleasure in his presence for men and from him to and with men Rom. 6.10 his Foundation namely that he hath lay in Sion to be the foundation and corner-stone of his holy building an habitation for his Holiness and glory by vertue of whom it is that the whole building becomes an holy House to God and an habitation separated unto him to dwell in by his Spirit as Ephes 2.20 21. And so the Doctrine or Faith concerning him is holy separated and set apart for Gods use for drawing men into the knowledg and faith of Christ and so to himself by and through him and therefore it is called The power of God to salvation to every one that believes Rom. 1.16 The Medium that he made choice of for saving those that believe it and so through it believe in him 1 Cor. 1.21 so that in this respect too it is holy As also 3. In respect of the effect and fruit of it it makes holy those that receive it and are united with it and built upon it So Jesus Christ the main matter and subject of it the foundation properly laid in it and by it for men to believe in and be built on is not only holy in himself sinless and set apart for God but also is made of God holiness to us the cause of holiness to us He in and by vertue of whom we are holy to God 1 Cor. 1.30 He being the holy Temple and habitation of God makes us so too in being united with him He being the holy foundation makes all the building holy And so the Doctrine of the Apostles preached and published concerning him and received and held fast by these Believers was holy in respect of the effect and fruit of it in Believers who are said to be sanctified by the faith in Christ Jesus Acts 26.28 Sanctified or made holy through Gods Word which is the Truth John 17.17 and to be made clean through the Word spoken to them John 15.3 Sanctified and washed by the washing of water the Love Grace and Knowledge of God held forth in the Word that they might be presented a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it might be holy and without blame or blemish Ephes 5.26 27. as also the holiness of the new man is therefore in Ephes 4.22 called according to the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The holiness of truth because the effect or product of the Truth believed by men To this purpose are those sayings of David in Psal 119.9 11. Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his wayes By taking heed thereto according to thy Word And again I have hid thy Word in my heart that I might not sin against thee c. Yea 4. It is called the holy Faith to signifie the great care that God hath of it its acceptableness to him and his respect to and care of it as in that sense in Jer. 2.3 Israel was said to be holiness to the Lord being his people his peculiar portion he had an especial care over them to defend them so as that all that devoured them offended evil came or shall come upon them So is Christ holiness to the Lord very dear and delightful to him and therefore especially cared for and defended by him as in Psal 89.21 With him his right hand is established and his arm strengthens him so as the enemy shall not exact upon him nor the son of wickedness afflict him he will beat down his foes before his face and plague them that hate him Yea therefore they that believe not in him shall be condemned and perish and they shall be destroyed that will
of the flesh to be honoured of God or will of this or that man hath any thing to do in or makes any difference in All that are in Christ being born thereto and therein of God and reckoned after Christ in whom they are as Gal. 3.28 29. with John 1 13. signifies and then from and as a consequent to this 4. God so loves them as to give them the Spirit of the Son both his Spirit to open the knowledge of Christ his Son to them and the disposition liberty boldness towards and affection to and affiance in him in some measure The same Spirit that dwelt in and yet dwells in Christ and led him as man in the dayes of his flesh to have confidence in and boldness towards his Father and so to go to him upon all occasions as to his Father he gives also to the believer in him to let him know Gods Fatherly love to and care of him upon the account of Christ and to lead him in hope and confidence to depend on and call upon him as also to guide instruct comfort strengthen and help him on all occasions To this purpose is that in Gal. 4.5 6. Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father and so many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God and the Spirit it self helps our infirmities c. Rom. 8.15 16 26 27. and this he gives both as a pledge of his love and acceptance and as an earnest of the Inheritance Ephes 1.13 14. 2 Cor. 1.22 5. Yea and as he gives them the priviledge of Sons and the Spirit of his Son so also the respect of Sons so as that as he heard and helped Christ his only begotten Son in the dayes of his flesh in all that he called upon him for and took care of him to provide for and protect him so doth he also to those that believe in his Son The eyes of the Lord are open upon the righteous and his ears are open unto their cryes and his face is set against the wicked that hate and oppress them 1 Peter 3.12 13. He is nigh unto his people in all that they call upon him for as our Saviour also promises John 15.7 Abide in me and let my words abide in you and ask what ye will it shall be given you and that as a testimony of his great love to them in which he imbraceth them in Christ his beloved one in whom they are accepted Ephes 1.16 See also John 14.13 14. Psal 145.17 18 19. as our Saviour testifies John 16.27 saying In that day ye shall ask the Father in my Name namely when they had received the promise of the holy Spirit to be a Spirit of grace and supplication in them and I do not say that I will pray the Father for you for the Father himself loveth you because ye have loved me and have believed that I came out from God Yea 6. In his love he teacheth them by his holy Spirit and leads them into all truth as is good and needful for them John 14.17 26. Prov. 1.23 teacheth them how to walk and how to pray guides and leads them in the way that they should go makes known his words shews them his mind the Mysteries of his Kingdom c. So Psal 25 8 9 12 14. Good and upright is the Lord therefore will he teach sinners the way the meek will he guide in judgment the meek will he teach his way i. e. those that being convinced of their own poverty and emptiness do meekly receive his words The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant And Matth. 13.11 To you sayes Christ to his Disciples it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God and I have called you not Servants but Friends for all things that I have heard of my Father have I made known to you He takes care of them that they may not wander out of the way of life and righteousness yea he shews them those delights and pleasures of his wayes and gives them a glimpse too of the glory of the end of it even of the glory of his Kingdom so as that they are thereby made to love his way and walk in it comfortably and with great delight Prov. 3.17 Psal 119 32 165. 7. In love also he nurtures them as his Children giving them chastisement as he sees needful and good for them not leaving them to their own counsels wayes and wills as he doth those that coutemn his counsels and submit not to him He is faithfully reproving and warning them and timely châ—stening them with his afflictions that he might teach them his Law and they might keep his Statutes Psal 94 12. and 119 67 71. as a Father that loves his Child and therefore spares not his Rod Prov. 13.24 for he knows that a Child left to himself comes to misery and shame nor yet doth he in afflicting smite them as he smites these that smite them and are his and their enemies but as a Father chastens the Son in whom he delighteth Prov. 3.11 12 Isai 27.7 8. that is he doth it in measure and judgment not in fury so as he sees they may bear and as may be for their profit Isai 27.8 9. Heb. 12.10 He is faithful and will not suffer them to be tempted above what they are able but with the temptation or tryal will give an issue that they may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10 12. For he pities them as a Father pities his Child knowing their mold and temper and that they are but dust and therefore doth not deal with them after their sins nor reward them according to their iniquities but punisheth them less than they deserve is slow to wrath toward them and abundant in goodness and truth and doth not chide them alwayes nor retain his anger for ever Psal 103.9 10 11 12 13. yea and with his chastisements affords his supports and consolations to refresh their hearts Psal 94.18 19 yea and turns again and hath compassion according to the multitude of his tender mercies Lam. 3.32 Yea 8. He takes pleasure in them in them that fear him and in them that hope in his mercy Psal â—47 11 The Lord takes pleasure in his people Psal 49.4 It 's his design and delight to make them happy and to beautifie them with his Salvation to make them as a Crown of Glory and as a royal Diadem in his hand therefore he calls them Hepâ—zibah that is my delight or pleasure is in her owning them together in Christ as his royal Spouse and Consort as Isai 54 5. with 62 2 3 4. it rejoyceth his heart to see them thrive and prosper for he hath pleasure in the prosperity of his Servants Psal 35.27 Yea and though they have their failings weaknesses and spots that might render them unlovely yet having given Christ to
turners of it into wantonness who were crept in amongst the Churches unawares and become Teachers that impugned the Truth denied the only Lord God and the Lord Jesus v. 4. either in their Conversation in denying their subjection service to him giving themselves up to lasciviousness wantonness or in their Doctrines concerning him as by comparing it with 2 Pet. 2.1 it appears or indeed by both To arm them against these corrupt persons that they might neither by their corrupt Doctrines or practises be seduced or perverted from the faith but might earnestly contend for it both for the profession and honour of it against them He I. Mindes them of the danger of sinning and backsliding from the truth after they had received and acknowledged it by the dreadfulness and impartiallity of Gods judgments upon those that in former ages so by consequence in these ages too in which God having more clearly discovered his Grace to men and in a more glorious way doth more expect a worthy receit of an answeâ—rable return for it have rebelled against him and lived vitiously and wickedly before him To this purpose he instances first in the people of Israel who though they were God's people he had done wonderfully for them in saving them out of the land of Egypt yet they afterward not answering his so great goodness with answerable fruit in some measure but after so great ingagements to believe yet not believing were therefore afterward destroyed by him ver 5. Secondly In the Angels who being glorious Spirits or set in a first Principallity or seat left their own or proper habitation and so kept not their first estate abode not in the truth but departed therefrom as Peter hath it Cast down to Hell and reserved by God in everlasting chains under darkness unto the Judgment of the Great Day ver 6. To admonish and warn all other Angels as the Messengers and Ministers of God's Word are sometimes stiled to take heed to themselves and to their Doctrine to continue in the Truth and not apostatize from it as these had done And thirdly In Sodom and Gomorrha and the Cities about them who though great and populous Cities yet giving up themselves to fornication and going after strange flesh are set forth as an example suffering the vengeance of eternal fire ver 7. Secondly After these instances of God's Vengeance upon men for abuses of his goodness and apostatizing from or failing of his grace he compares those deceivers ungodly persons whom he would have these Saints contend against with those forementioned Sodomites fallen Angels and unbelieving Israelites ver 8. To the Sodomites in in that they had defiled the flesh To the fallen Angels in that departing from the truth of God they were become filthy Dreamers inventors of Lies and Falshoods and spreaders of them to draw away men from the name and faith of Christ like the false Prophets Jer. 23.27 32. so from subjection to his Lordship and Government whose Lordship and Dominion they despised as the Angels probably did through their pride as the occasion and spring of their fall and to the Israelites as in not believing so in speaking evil of the Dignities God had set in his Church as also in the world as they did against Moses and Aaron ver 8. Thirdly He convinceth their evil herein by the contrary carriage and demeanour of Michael the Archangel who though a glorious and powerful Angel yet contending with the Devil about the Body of Moses durst not bring against him being also a power though a wicked one a rayling accusation but said the Lord rebuke thee in which instance whether the Apostle allude to that of Joshua the High Priest in Zach. 3.2 where such a like passage is read that the Devil standing at his right hand to resist him the Lord said the Lord rebuke thee Sathan even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee c. or rather to some other passage which the Apostle might read as the following Prophecie of Enoch in some other Records which till that time were preserved amongst them but are now lost as to our knowledg may be a Question It may seem the later rather because it is said that the dispute was about the Body of Moses of which there is no mention in that of Zachary Now to that demeanor and carriage of Michael he opposeth the carriage of the false Teachers that he herewarns of Michael would not rail upon or bring railing accusations against the Devil ver 9. But these blaspheme or speak evil of those things or so many things as they know not even of such Dignities or Glories 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as they should reverence the Powers over them or else the Glorious things of Christ which they have not acquaintance with what they know naturally as bruit or unreasonable Beasts what they know by their bruitish senses or carnal mind in those they corrupt themselves or are corrupted ver 10. Fourthly He denounces a woe against them and shews the reason thereof from the wickedness and wretchedness of their wayes Woe unto them for they have gone in the way of Cain envying and persecuting their better Brethren more sound in the Faith and acceptable to God in their services than themselves and ran greedily after the errour of Balaam for reward or as others render it as a reward namely of their forementioned wickedness in hating their Brethren and the way of truth they have gone astray in or been powred out in the errour of Balaam which was the teaching Balak to lay stumbling blocks before the children of Israel and so to tempt them to eat things sacrificed to Idols and to commit fornication Rev. 2.14 so these for reward as Balaam did laid stumbling blocks before the right believers and worshippers of God leading them by their corrupt Doctrines or also as a recompence thereof being given up thereto as Rom. 1.26 27. by their licentious and wanton practises to communicate with the Idolaters of the world in their Idolatrous worships and to indulge the flesh in lusts of uncleanness and perished in the gain-sayings of Korah in such rebellious oppositions of the power and Lordship of Christ and the Dignities authorized by him as Korah practised against God in Moses and Aaron ver 11. Yea he yet further describes Fifthly Their evil Case and Way These are spots says he in your feasts of Charity when they feast with you feeding themselves without fear Clouds they are without water that is such as boast themselves and make shew of being some greatly gifted persons but they give no profit or refreshing to them they drop their words upon carried with winds that is with sundry and diverse Spirits and Doctrines not guided by the one Spirit and truth of God Trees whose fruit withereth or such as are in the end of the harvest towards winter corrupting and rotting their fruit such as yield no savoury fruit yea
4. The means and course to be taken and used by them to attain that end and that is in ver 20. and that is two-fold 1. Building up your selves on your most holy Faith 2. Praying in the Holy Ghost keep c. 5. The manner posture or frame of heart in which they were to do all these things viz. in proposing to themselves the ultimate end Eternal Life to have their hearts and minds exercised to and waiting for the most necessary means as from Christ toward them as to their attaining thereof namely the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ without which nothing of those other great things exhorted and directed too could be to any purpose either done or attempted by them Waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal life The two former the Compellation or Title given these persons to whom this Epistle was writ and their distinction from the ungodly and deceivers before described and warned of we shall not insist upon much only we might note from the first Obs 1. That such as abide in the Truth of God and walk therein when others turn from it abuse or oppose it are worthy of and are to be respected with more love by those who are over them in the word of the Lord and minister the knowledge of God amongst men than such as slight and depart therefrom and so they were Beloved of the Apostles and Servants of Christ as well as of Christ himself in their Ages For This word Beloved signifies not only pitied commiserated or persons for whom good is desired for so much love may and should be testified to others whilst there is hope for them that they may be saved as Paul testified such love to the unbelieving Jews who stumbled at the stumbling stone and submitted not themselves to the righteousness of God Rom. 9.33 and 10.1 2 3. and it is to be testified to all that have not sinned to death 1 Tim. 2.1 2. with John 5.16 but Beloved is more intimately affected valued esteemed owned delighted in and desired as so Christ is called God's Beloved one in whom his Soul is well-pleased Isa 42.1 with Matt. â— 12.18 and 3.17 This is my Beloved or well-beloved Son c. Cant. And so Christ is also called by the Church his Spouse Her Beloved One Cant. 1.13 14 16. It is a word implying and signifying more indearedness of affection towards the persons so spoken to and stiled and therefore usual in the writings of the Apostles to Brethren in the faith and confession of Christ and never to strangers from or much less the enemies to it By their use of which they signified either 1. That the Brethren Believers in Christ were dearly cared for valued and prized of God and Christ objects of their especial care and affection and partakers of his Grace and Love or 2. That they were especially amongst men cared for owned valued and delightfully affected by them the Apostles and their fellow-labourers they being therein of the mind of God and Christ to love and affect especially those who with special care and affection are embraced of Christ and of God in and through him All men are to be honoured but the Brotherhood in a special sense to be beloved 1 Pet. 2.17 not only though specially also with a love of Charity but also with a love of Brotherly kindness a love of Brethren 1. Pet. 3.9 Hebr. 13. 2 Pet. 1.7 even as Christ preferred such before his natural Brethren Mother and Sisters as such only Matth. 12.48 49 50. So did the Apostles and Servants of Christ prefer the hearty believers of the Doctrine of Christ before all other persons and so demeaned themselves in word and deed towards them owning them as their Brethren and beloved carrying themselves to them as Fathers toward their children 1 Cor. 4.14 15. 2 Cor. 12 14. yea as a Tender Nurse or Foster-Mother toward her little ones as Thess 2.7 8. They were gentle towards them as a Nurse that cherisheth her children so kindly affectionate to them that they were willing to impart their lives and Souls to them And so they instructed the Elders and Ministers ordained by them to be especially careful of and watchful over such Act. 20.28 1 Pet. 5.4 2 3. and exhorted them to be kindly affectioned one to another Rom. 12.10 yea and this from the difference between these and others For Obser 2. As there is a great difference between hearty believers in Christ and others that believe not and much more those that are turned aside and endeavour to corrupt others from the faith of him so the Apostles used and others that are the Servants and Ministers of Christ should use in their ministration to put a great difference between them also for The righteous is more excellent then his neighbour Prov. 12.26 More excellent both as to his root which is Christ and God in him in whom he is by faith planted and stands and grows and in respect of his branches or what issues and springs up from the faith of Christ in his heart as his thoughts and estimates of and affections to God his Truth Wayes People Though there may be much of the flesh cleaving to him in these and rendring these so imperfect that he hath no cause to boast of them in the presence of God yet in these the righteous believing person is far otherwise and better than his Neighbour that is unrighteous and hath nothing of the sap virtue and Spirit of Christ in him And then in his fruits and usefulness to others in word and work and for the glorifying of God to and amongst them and shewing to them the way of righteousness which being righteous he doth also practice and exercise himself to His lips feed many and his tongue is as choice silver Prov. 10.20 21. He is furnished for others good and helpfulness so as others are not and his estate and condition is far more excellent Better a little that he hath than the great riches of many wicked Psal 37.16 Yea he is more noble and honourable in his birth and descent as righteous as being a Son of God John 1.12 More rich as being an Heir of God and of the Kingdom that he hath promised to them that love him Rom. 8.17 James 2.5 He is more safe and secure as more out of the reach of danger as being infolded in the everlasting Armes of God and in all respects is furnished with and interested in far more durable and excellent injoyments than his Neighbour is i. e. then any other man that is not righteous or that is out of the Faith of Christ and therefore much more than the wicked Apostates and Deceivers that are Trees twice dead and pluckt up by the roots as this Apostle saith for they are corrupt and their hearts wicked and their works and fruits abominable and wretched being fallen from God and his Truth there is less hope of them than of any others For better
it is never to have known the way of truth than after the knowledge of it to turn away again from the holy Commandement 2 Pet. 2.21 Their root is rottenness and their blossom goeth up as dust because they have cast away the Law and Doctrine of the Lord of Hosts and despised the Word of the Holy One of Israel Isai 5.24 Though they may profess that they know God yet in deed they deny him being abominable and disobedient and unto every good work reprobates bunglers at the best and void of judgment Tit. 1.16 Now as there is such difference between them so it is the part and practice of Christs Apostles and Servants to separate and put difference between them in their ministration as Jude here doth To say to the Righteous It shall be well with him for they shall eat the fruit of their doings and to pronounce wo to the wicked for he shall in going on to be so surely dye the reward of his hands shall be given him Isai 3.10 11. and so to separate the precious from the vile incouraging confirming and strengthening the one in the Lord and so in the way of righteousness and reproving discouraging and fighting against the other in the way of his wickedness that he might be filled with shame and either be turned from his wicked way or be weakened and confounded however in it that he may not be able to do hurt to others and hinder them in the way of righteousness and salvation Jerem. 15.19 But as I said before I shall not inlarge further upon these things but proceed to consider the Councel and Exhortation here given for the direction and preservation of Believers But ye beloved building up your selves on your most holy faith c. In speaking to and considering of which I shall God willing observe the order above propounded first speak to the main thing directly exhorted to and then to the means and manner thereto and thereof prescribed as God shall afford his assistance and help to me And so I shall consider 1. The matter mainly or directly exhorted to and see what it implyes and signifies unto us that is Keep your selves in the love of God In which is signified Obser 3 4. 1. That unfeigned Believers in Christ are in the love of God 2. That it greatly behooves them and it is required of them that they keep themselves therein Indeed those words In the love of God may be so construed as to signifie either the way in which we are directed to keep our selves namely from the error of the wicked and the dangers and woes attending it and then the sense might be Keep your selves from those persons and evils forementioned by taking heed to the love of God or else which I judge the righter as to the intent of the Apostle here the way state or condition in which the Believers at that present were this I say I judge the righter for the other sense representing those words in the love of God as if they signified in minding the love of God or the like is included in the words Building up your selves on your most holy faith as we may see in considering that phrase and therefore I conceive the Apostle would not speak the same thing twice in the same breath as it were besides that his sentence should be somewhat defective in omitting the word minding or the like whereas in the other sense all things are plain And the former Observation from these words evidently appears to be implyed namely That unfeigned Believers are in the love of God Obser 3. where we shall mind 1. What is meant by the love of God here and then 2. Shew that and how the Believer is in it 1. By the love of God is sometime meant and signified his loving merciful pitiful and compassionate affection in which he willeth and desireth the good of the party loved and doth that that he sees needful and conducible thereto yet so as not in the mean while liking or approving or taking into fellowship with himself the party loved because of the unfitness and incapacity in the present condition for it A Love of pity commiseration and well-willing but not of owning and delight and so it is said John 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life which is only meant of such a pitying and well-willing love not of owning and approving love For it is not said That God so loved the world as that he approved its state and way or owned it to be his peculiar people his portion and the heirs of his Kingdom or admitted it into fellowship with himself No the world being there plainly persons not as yet believing in him or in his Son but in such a condition as needed his Sons being given to do that for it and receive that power and fiâ—ness thereupon to help it as might render him an object to be believed in by it were in such a sinful wretched ungodly State as in which it was liable to perish in its wickedness or sinfulness and therefore God could not as in that state in which he is yet said so to love it as to give his Son approve of it or admit it into his presence to the injoyment of fellowship with him and life therein And that is evident for could God as then and in that state have delighted in owned and approved of it and so admitted it into fellowship with himself and had God accordingly so have loved it as so to do then was it in no danger of perishing much less in no such danger as that it needed the coming forth and death and sacrifice of Christ to save it therefrom unless we could imagine that God sent Christ only to preserve the world in his owning approving love and not to procure that it might be so loved or have a way to be brought into it which is contrary to the Scripture which both tell us that the world was in a state of enmity to God and therefore not in an approved state and that Christ was sent forth for its reconciling to him 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself c. and every where implies a need for his doing so that it or any man in it might come into such a state by him as that it might be owned and accepted which needed not if it was accepted before For if it was owned of God and approved notwithstanding the sin of Adam that sinfulness which thereby entred upon it defiled it then why might it not stil have been always accepted and approved whatever it might sin in by the power or virtue of that its corrupted state that its sinning notwithstanding for if the root hindred it not of God's favour to it why should any fruit springing from that root and so Christ's coming had or should have been in vain or
it offendeth and cast it from us least by gazing with a carnal judgment and mind upon the things that are seen we should either for the love or fear of them neglect things unseen that are objects of our faith only as also thence David prays God to turn away his eyes from beholding vanity and quicken him in his way Psal 119.36 But again besides there are also 4. False Teachers or false Prophets that come in Sheeps-cloathing in great shews and appearances of piety and holiness and wisdom men oft-times that have the approbation and countenance of the world and are of great learning as to the Learning of the the World yea and many that seem to be skilfull in Mysteries and to have a kind of Spiritual force in their teaching so as that the sheep if not very wary and watchful may easily mistake them for true Shepheards or Teachers of the Truth Yea and these so earnest fervent industrious oftentimes that they will deceive if possible the Elect Matth. 7.15 16. and 24.24 25. where note that those words if possible for the words it were are nâ— in the Greek Text do not imploy an absolute iâ—possibility of their being deceived but a greater difficulty and therefore greater diligence used by the Deceivers to deceive them if possible even as the same words if possible used in Act. 20.16 and Rom. 12.16 where it is said that the Apostle Paul hastned if it were possible for him to be at Jerusalem by the Feast of Pentecost and exhorts us if it be possible so much as in us lies to have peace with all men do not argue an utter impossibility of either of those things but only some difficulty there may be or were therein and therefore greater earnestness used or required such is the intimation of the phrase in that of Matth. 24. Indeed this may be implied that they the Deceivers are so specious in their pretences and so diligent and earnest in their endeavours that it was onely because it was not possible for them to do it that any of the Elect are not deceived by them even such as are not deceived by them would have been deceived by them also had it been possible for them to have been deceived and so it may signifie an impossibilty of somes being deceived as indeed it is not possible for Sathan or any of his instruments to deceive those that are not only called and chosen but also faithful as in Rev. 17.14 those do overcom all their enemies through the power of Christ with them and cannot be overcome possibly by them that is such as faithfully cleave to Christ and use the means and walk in the wayes he hath appointed them to go in and promised his presence and helpfulness to them in no possibility much less danger where there is not a remiss negligence or carelesness 〈◊〉 presumption in departing from him or not â—ng the weapons and ways of safety appointed to them But otherwise they may possibly and there is danger too especially if after often warnings to awaken up to more faithfulness and watchfulness yet men be slack therein Now these false Teachers are manifold nor may I speak of them in this place For many deny or corrupt the Fundamental Truths of the Gospel or some one or more of them as in denying the person of the Son of God his Deity or humanity or the preciousness and vertuousness of his death and sufferings to make atonement for our sins or the extent of that atonement or the Resurrection from the dead and the last Judgment or the personal and glorious appearance of Christ thereunto Or else corrupt the Doctrine of Justification and so the compleatness of the faith of Christ alone for justifying us in the sight of God yea or for making us wise to salvation or for sanctification or the like Nay I conceive those are not the least dangerous false Teachers that teach men to believe that every man ought to judge himself Elect and then that none of the Elect or real hearty believers that are once such can possibly fall finally and totally away by any sinning from the Grace and favour of God for this directly tendeth to open a gap for their boldly closing with and following after that temptation of Sathan If thou be the Son of God cast thy self down from the pinnacle of the Temple for it is written He shall give his Angels charge over thee and they shall bear thee up in their hands that thou dash not thy foot against a stone that is however thou mayst precipitate thy self into any sin or danger of sinning or neglect the means of preservation yet thou canst not being a Son of God possibly hurt thy self thereby at least not to destruction And indeed he that well minds the Scriptures of the Prophets and Evangelists may see that those were of the most dangerous sort of false Prophets amongst the people of Israel and that one of their most dangerous errours and false Prophecyings whereby the people were born in hand and perswaded that because they were the Children of the Patriarks the Children of Abraham the Elect chosen and beloved Nation therefore they should have peace and no disinheriting or destruction could befal them yea though they walked after their own imaginations or served Baalim their apprehension and perswasion of their being in such a sure safe infallible state of Covenant Grace or favour with God as that by no means they could be rejected or cast away occasioned the fall rejection and destruction of multitudes of them See Deut. 29.18 19 20. Jer. 7.4 5 6. Mic. 10 11 12. and thence it is that the Apostle warning us Gentiles by their fall tells us that our standing is by faith and wishes us not to be high minded as if because made of the choice people of God grafted in upon and the Root of Abraham Isaac and Jacob and the Covenant made with them through the faith of Christ therefore we could not fall nor might God harden and reject us but fear and take heed to continue in his goodness or else we however grafted into the stock of Israel by Christ shall be cut off by him who hardens whom he will Now that which makes these false Teachers as all or most of the rest of them so dangerous to the flock of God is their great pretences to appearances of piety holines orthodoxy or righteous judgment or rather their boasts thereof even as those false Prophets who u'sd to cry peace peace to the Jews notwithstanding their great wickednes stil'd themselves the Prophets of the Lord reproached and persecuted those who were such indeed because they prophesied otherwise than themselves dealing faithfully with the people to warn them of sinning against God and shew them the danger thereof as mad-men and Deceivers as may be seen in Jer. 18.18 Come say the false Prophets let us devise devises against Jeremiah for the Law shall not perish from the Priest nor
their enemies but God in Christ is such a strong Hold his Name such a strong Tower of defence as the enemy can do none of those things to them that are in him He is a very Fountain of provisions for them the Fountain of living waters of most quickening comforts and consolations and there is plenty of bread with him even of whatever may support and strengthen the heart to cleave to him and resist the Adversary that sets himself against him Yea and whereas other strong Holds in case they had all those beforementioned properties strength height and provision of victuals yet possibly through the closeness and unhealthiness of them for want of air or prospect might be very uncouth and as close prisons to those that should abide long in them neither is there that convenience here for it follows thine eyes shall behold the King in his beauty and thou shalt behold the Land that is very far off Isai 33.16 17. Thou shalt have the sight of the beauty and excellency of Christ the King of Glory to refresh thee He will manifest himself to thee John 14.21 and thou shalt see the things that are to come something of the Glory to be revealed as Moses had respect to and therefore a view in some measure of the recompence of reward Heb. 11.26 So that God and Christ is every way a place of marvellous safeâ—y to the believing Soul so as it may well be said as in Deut. 33.26 27 29. There is none like to the God of Jesurun who rideth upon the Heaven for thy help and in his excellency on the Sky The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting armes and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee and shall say Destroy them Happy art thou O Israel who is like to thee a people saved by the Lord c. But again 8. Whereas the enemy being subtle uses many stratagems to draw us out from our strong Hold either by withdrawing our minds from God or assaulting our confidence in God or the like and God requires of us in keeping to it to make resistance against him that we might not be as naked men against him he hath provided for us and gives us in the Doctrine of Christ and so in and through Christ as set forth therein Armour of righteousness for our defence both on the right hand against spiritual deceits and allurements of the world or flesh and on the left against grosser deceits or affrightments and fears proceeding from Satan and the World which we taking to our selves putting them on and making resistance in them will be able every way to secure us against all such assaults His Gospel-Doctrine is the power of God to salvation preservation and safety to every one that believes Rom. 1.16 because that presents such evidences of God and his Righteousness such strong ingagements motives and arguments for cleaving to Christ and such a presence of the Spirit of God breaths therein as that they that be not careless in attending thereto shall be thereby strengthened and fortified against all insinuations and suggestions of the Adversaries there are such discoveries of the excellency and compleatness of Christ such evidences of the vanity and emptiness of all things besides whether of the flesh and fleshly priviledges wisdom righteousness or of the worldly advantages profers injoyments such strong ingagements from the mercy and love of God in Christ towards us such profit and benefit to be met with by us in cleaving to him and such and so great terrors of the Lord against the rejectors of and Apostates from his government over them and Grace brought unto them as being minded and taken heed to will abundantly provoke them to cleave unto the Lord and resist those temptations and suggestions that intice them from him They have 1. The truth as a girdle to bound up their minds unto God and his wayes unto Christ and the Grace in him and keep them from scattering them to vanities and so to strengthen the Soul to walk with resolution and courage in the wayes of Gods Commandments and to stand it out against the enemies yea to bind and fasten all other parts of the spiritual armour about them so as to be therein fenced against all assaults of the Adversaries The Truth of God and Christ both as to his declarations of his mind in the Word and the Word of Truth it self which is the Truth and as to his faithfulness in performing all his great and gracious Promises so as that the mind being girded up herewith the Soul will be able to run with patience the race set before it and perform the service of God with freedom and chearfulness They have 2. The righteousness of God declared in his Word even the Righteousness which is of Faith Gods gracious pardoning their sins and accepting and justifying their persons in and through Christ and his righteousness in forgiving sins upon their confessing them and turning from them to him and to cleanse them from all unrighteousness to be as a breast-plate to 〈◊〉 to defend their hearts from fainting or being piâ—â—ced into with desperate grief and sorrow by reason of the consideration of their sin and sinfulness and of the iniquities of all their services and holy things They have 3. The preparation of the Gospel of peace or the alacrity and chearfulness that it puts into their hearts while it speaks peace to them from God and with God and sets before them an abundant provision for their helpfulness and satisfaction in all things made ready for them and Gods gracious readiness in all things to do them good to be as shooes upon their feet to fortifie their affections and keep them from being either dirtied with these lower objects and so also to keep their wayes and walkings from being soâ—led and polluted or offended and turned aside by any of the hard things the stones or rocks of offence that they may meet with in their way but that they may go on both clean and safe and walk yea run through all difficulties with patience and chearfulness the way of Gods Commandements They have also 4. The Shield of Faith the Faith as a Shield or rather God and Christ as therein declared and set forth as an object of Faith to be believed in and trusted to as a Shield to compass them about and defend their whole man running into the faith of him and so unto and into him as it were by faith and so by faith opposing him and what is in him against the fiery darâ—s and assaults of Satan which he will be casting at them to pierce wound or destroy them He will be as a Shield to them such as shall stave off and quench them so as none of them shall be able to pierce through to them to poyson or to wound them They have as 5. An Helmet on their heads to keep them from being beaten down by the force of any blows given
a sense the Doctrine or faith of him as setting him forth to and for men is most holy in all these respects more holy than any other vessel utensil or instrument made use of by God or at his appointment under the Law and legal dispensation though there were divers and some more holy than others yet the Gospel is above them all The most choise medium of God's power both spotless and pure in it self as being his word and most chosen and set apart to be his arm for salvation to all that believe and therefore fuller of divine efficacie for making holy and more choisely cared for and defended of God being the Everlasting Gospel and the neglects and contempt of it most severely punished Matth. 10.15 Some things under the Law conferred an holiness unto other things that touched them or that they were applied to as the Altar or the holy Oyntment c. but nothing 〈◊〉 so confer holiness as the Gospel doth them that attend to it and receive it It s the Vnction the holy Oyntment the Name of Christ therein held forth is as an Oyntment poured out Cant. 1.3 which sanctifies consecrates and makes holy to God all that receive it as Act. 26.18 Sanctified by the faith that is in me and 1 Cor. 6.11 Ye are sanctified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God The Law was holy and the Commandment holy and just and good but not able to sanctifie and make the Conscience perfect because of the flesh that it could nor subdue but the Gospel faith is so holy and set apart for Gods use and service as the medium for his sanctifying and saving men that his presence and Spirit even the Holy Spirit is in or with it and his influence or operation ministred by it to the sanctifyng and devoting the hearts and Spirits of all that receive it unto God Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is the truth John 17.17 Yea and as it is now plainly and fully opened and preached since the coming of Christ it is more full of Spirit and divine power for sanctifying and making holy and therefore also requires and calls for more holiness in the hearers and professors of it than any former dispensations For now in these last ages God who in former times spake to the Fathers by the Prophets and to them by Angels Dreams and Visions hath spoken his mind most fully to us by his onely begotten Son whom he appointed heir of all things and by whom he also made the Worlds Heb. 1.1 2. and therefore now requires more strict obedience and more exact conformity to his minde and more severely punishes the neglectors and abusers of his Gospel and the Grace thereof than he did in former times exact or expect from men under the Mosaical dispensation and then he punished the neglectors and abusers thereof or of any holy things then in use Heb. 2.1 2 3. and 10.26 29. and 12.18 19 24 25. If the word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every transgression there against â— received a just recompence of reward how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation which at first began to be spoken by the Lord and afterward was confirmed to us by them that heard him So the Faith of the Saints is the most holy faith and so called here as also because of 2. It s most absolute compleatness and perfection It is so holy that nothing can be added to it to make it more holy perfect pure or apt and fit for the purpose to which it is ordained as to be the foundation of Faith hope love obedience c. and the mean or medium for effecting them and so of making holy to God those that receive it Christ is the most full and compleat foundation of Gods Building who is so perfected through sufferings as to become the Author of eternal Salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5.9 Yea so as all the fulness of the Godhead dwells in him bodily and in him we are compleat who is the Head of all Principallity and power Col. 2.9 10. made unto us of God wisdome righteousness holiness and redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 a most sure foundation and precious corner stone so as that he that believes on him shall not be confounded or make haste from him for any thing that threatens to shake or ruine him The Soul that believes in him findes so much holiness and preciousness in him Isa 28.16 1 Pet. 2.6 7. there can nothing be added to the excellencie of his person being the onely begotten Son of God nor to the vertue and preciousness of this Sacrifice having offered up himself a spotless Sacrifice through the eternal Spirit by which he hath at once perfected or perfectly prepared all things for the sanctified for ever Heb. 9.14 Heb. 10.14 Nor to the dignity and perfection of his Priesthood being consecrated of God by the word of his Oath an High-Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedech even according to the power of an endless life Heb. 7. nor to the fulness of his Prophesie or prophetical Power and Office being acquainted with the whole minde of God and filled with the fulness of the Holy Spirit to declare it and to make the declaration of it powerful and effectual and all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge being hid or treasured up in him and his Mystery Col. 2.3 4. Isa 42.1 2 3 4. and 61.1 2 3. nor to his Power and Authority as Lord and King the fulness of Gods Power and Authority being given to him even all power in Heaven and Earth a Name above every Name that at his Name every knee should â—ow both of things in Heaven and things in Earth and things under Earth c. Angels and Principallities and Powers are made subject to him Philip. 2.10 11. 1 Pet. 3.21 And so the Doctrine of faith that sets him forth is the most holy Faith to signifie that its the most compleat pure and perfect Doctrine nothing to be added to it nor taken from it The Doctrine of the Law that was very good holy and useful in its kind but it was a ministration of Death and in respect of the shadowness and typicalness of it it was to pass away as in 2 Cor. 3. is shewed and so the Testimony or Covenant made therein Heb. 8.8 9 13. but this ministration of the Gospel as it came forth first in Paradise so it is to continue abide to the end it is the everlasting Gospel that shall not pass till all be fulfilled accomplished indeed before the coming of Christ in the flesh it was not fully revealed as now it is in these last days by Jesus Christ and his Apostles and therefore till then the Vision was not sealed Dan. 9.24 nor the Law and testimony fully bound up Isa 8.16 but now it is fully revealed so as no more is to be added till the personal appearance of the Lord
Jesus in glory when that that is perfect being come that that is in part shall be done away and there shall be no more need of teaching or saying to one another Know the Lord for all shall know him from the least to the greatest therefore these are called the last times because no other change is to be made noâ— any thing added till faith be turned into sight and fruition and therefore the Apostle saith if not only any man or Angel from Heaven preach against or contrary to but if we or any man or Angel preach anything beside or different from or as adding somthing as matter of faith or foundation to what we have preached and ye received let him be Anathema Gal. 1.8 9. and the Apostle John to the same purpose If any come to you and bring not this Doctrine receive him not to house neither bid him God-speed for he that biddeth him God-speed is partaker also of his evil deeds 2 John 10 11. Clearly implying that he that brings another Doctrine beside this faith once delivered to the Saints recorded in the Epistles and writings of the holy Apostles and Evangelists doth evil therein whatever works or deeds of zeal and piety he may do or seem to do with and in countenance of another Doctrine they are altogether evil deeds and not approved of God nor to be approved of men 3. And indeed the main reason why the Apostle calls the faith of these Believers the most holy faith was to commend it to them and move them to abide in it hold it fast and not suffer themselves by any pretences of Deceivers and false Apostles and Teachers to be waved therefrom For the false Apostles used that artifice to supplant the Believers from the belief of the truth and turn them aside from the faith that the Serpent used at the first with our first Parents to turn them from their belief of and obedience to Gods word to them as the Apostle so signifies in 2 Cor. 11.2 3 13 14. that is as the Serpent to beguile Evah pretended some want in their state that God had set them in and some great defect in that great provision or allowance that God afforded them even so the false Teachers as Messengers of Sathan did use to insinuate to the Believers of the Apostles Doctrine and so in and on Christ as set forth therein that there was some defect and want in that object of their faith and in the way in which they sought justification and the favour of God it was not a perfect and full way but would they listen to them they would shew them a more perfect faith or doctrine and so a more full and perfect object and ground of faith and confidence and way to happiness than Christs Apostles had done even as the Serpent perswaded Evah that there was some more excellent vertue and quality in the forbidden fruit to advance them make them likeâ— God than was in all the other injoyments that God afforded them in Paradise Therefore in opposition to that subtle and false insinuation and to fortifie the Believers mindes there against the Apostle there stiles it the most holy saith as implying the perfection of it that none can or may adde any thing to it to make it holier or better the adding to it is the corrupting marring and perverting of it so that whatsoever Doctrine should add to or alter it should be not the more but less holy nay indeed unholy even as the adding any thing to the holy Oyntment under the Law spoiled it and rendred it unclean This was an argument often made use of by the Apostles to arm the Believers against the false suggestions and canning slights of the false Apostles as may be seen in divers passages of their Epistle As so the Apostle Paul mindes the Colossians That in Christ and in the Mystery of God Father and Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge and that in him dwells all the fulness of the God-head bodily to keep them from being seduced from the simplicity in Christ or from the said mystery of God and Christ which is the same that the Apostle calls the most holy faith here by any inticing words or vain Philosophy and deceit Col. 2.2 3 4 8 10. and the Apostle John tells the believers that that which they had heard from the beginning abiding in them they should abide in the Father and in the Son and so injoy the promise of eternal life and that they had received an Vnction from the Holy One which abiding in them they should not need that any should teach them but as that taught them of all things meaning that the Doctrine of Christ and the Spirit therein received were the onely sufficient and perfect guide so as no teaching disagreeing from that was needful or behooveful for them and this to arm them against those that seduced them 1 John 2.18 24 25 26 27. as also in Chapter 5.11 12 13. he there minds them that God hath given us eternal life and that this life is in his Son and that he that hath the Son hath eternal life and he that hath not the Son hath not that life to the end that the believers to whom he wrote might be assured or might know against all the subtle secret and lying suggestions of the false Apostles to the contrary perswading them that that Doctrine of Christ and that faith in him that they had would not suffice to eternal life but that it was needful that they should turn out to some new form of Doctrine and object of faith or adde something as the observation of Moses Law thereto if they desired to be saved I say contrary to this he tells them he that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son hath not life that the believers might know that they have eternal life that they might know that they were in a sure and certain way to it and were at present by vertue of Christ believed in and had by them heirs of it and that in turning out from him and letting him go they would deprive themselves of it that so they might believe that is yet believe or continue to believe in the name of the onely begotten Son of God and not turn from him after any thing else that the false Teachers might propound to them as better for them and more full and certain that being the way to deprive themselves of the good they were in and of the life and happiness they were in Christ heirs of as also to the same purpose is that in 2 John 9. where having warned them of deceivers and wisht them to look to themselves he adds Whoso transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ he hath not God but whosoever abideth in the Doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son yea whereas it was a false suggestion of the false Apostles that the Doctrine of Paul and
the good of others Is not easily provoked against another or to leave off pursuing his good and benefit Thinks not or surmises not evil Nay if it discern evil it is willing to pass it by and not impute it to the withdrawing his good offices of love from his neighbour Rejoyceth not in iniquity harm evil or deceit ' but rejoyceth in the truth and therefore also endeavours the prosperity and spreading thereof that the mouth of iniquity might be stopped Beareth all things all burthens put upon it Believeth all things that God hath discovered and that he hath any ground to believe concerning the good of others Hope 's all things that may further their good and endures all things that it meets with for exercise of its patience 1 Cor. 13.4 5 6 7 this will lead us to deny our selves and our own things to do others good and so to use our liberties in things indifferent as may tend to the good and profit of others and forbear the use of it where it might prejudice them as S. Paul who would not eat flesh or drink wine till the world stood or do any thing whereby the Brother should be offended if he knew such things would offend him weaken him in or stumble him from the truth 1 Cor. 8.13 with Rom. 14.21 this will lead men to doe all things for edification and nothing for destruction to any this therefore is a most useful way of edifying and building up one another in the most holy faith 4. And in a word the walking as becomes the Gospel of Christ and so the shewing forth his vertues in our conversations in an innocent abstinence from all ungodlines fleshly worldly lusts walking soberly righteously and godlily in this present World and in a patient bearing and suffering and so overcoming with goodness all the injuries and abuses done to us especially for the Gospels sake for that also tends exceedingly to the furtherance of the Gospel and the confirming and strengthning one another in the belief and confession thereof Philip. 1.12 13 14 20 27. After such a sort are we to build up our selves and one another on our most Holy Faith Now such a building up our selves thereon tends to keep us in the love of God because 1. They that build up themselves thereon keep or abide thereon and are not waved or turned aside from that precious foundation to which the love special respect care and approbation of God are as it were intailed Christ is the first prime and immediate object of Gods delightful love so that a man being and abiding in him doth in through and by vertue of him abide also in his love Now a building up our selves on that foundation is a firming us more in and fastning us more upon him who is that foundation whereon his love is inseparably placed The foundation of God Jesus Christ as held forth in the Apostles Doctrine for other foundations can no man lay is a firm and sure foundation and standeth sure having this Seal or confirmation the Lord knoweth them that are his It is known of God as his and therefore cared for owned and loved by him and all that are his the foundations or Christs are therefore also known owned and accepted of God If Christs then Abrahams seed and heirs according to promise c. Gal. 3.29 2. The building up our selves on that foundation the most holy faith is the way to keep our selves untouched of the adversaries of it and 3. To do Gods Commandments using our gifts talents to those ends intents to which God hath given us them and as he hath given us Commandments and in this way he hath promised his presence and blessing with us and favour towards us If we have Christs Commandments and keep them as we doe in thus doing then are we lovers of Christ and God will love us and Christ will love us manifest his own self to us John 14.21 if we keep his Commandments we shall continue in his love John 15.10 If we do these things adde in our faith vertue c so edifie and build up our selves on our most holy faith we shall never fall for so an abundant entrance shall be administred to us into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1.5 10 11. It is the idle Soul shall suffer hunger the barren and fruitless branch that the husband-man takes away not the diligent and fruitful in good works Joh 15.2 This therefore is the way for us to keep our selves in the love of God Not to be careless and secure and say in our hearts we cannot miscarry our standing depends not on our working and diligence and therefore we will do nothing but give up our selves to minde and walk after the flesh and do our own pleasures for we are sure of eternal life nothing can deprive us Christ will keep it for us and give it to us what ever we do having closed with him and believed on him no sin of ours can un son us nor no carelesness or neglect of ours provoke God to neglect us Take we heed of such abusive reasonings and actings and exercise we our selves to Godliness to build up our selves on our most holy faith for through slothfulness negligence tâ—e house may else drop through so will God be with us love us own and delight in us to dwell with and amongst us But then add we still the second way or means of keeping our selves in the love of God which is also to be practised all along together with the former and not after we have done with that for that is never to be done with while here but always to be practised and so is this second too namely 2. Praying in the Holy Ghost Where we have to consider 1. The exercise it self that is praying 2. The way or manner of it that is in the Holy Ghost In speaking unto which let us inquire into and consider 1. What it is to pray 2. What it is to pray in the Holy Ghost 3. What is implied in the exhorting Believers so to pray 4. How that conduces to the keeping themselves in the love of God 1. And first To pray is more than to say or read or frame a prayer for that may be as to the two former an exercise of the tongue and lips in which the heart may be altogether unexercised yea and it may be other mens desires or needs that we say or read over and not our own And as to the last expression the framing of a prayer it may be but an exercise of the brain parts not of the heart and Spirit of a man yea the Stage-Players have done all this in derision of prayer sometime whereas to pray is To exercise the heart in minding uttering or pouring out unto God through Jesus Christ its needs and desires or the needs of and its desires for others let us view the particulars