that Gods servants ar ful of power by the Spirit of the Lord and of judgement and of strength to declare vnto the people their traÌ„gression and their syn an example wherof we may see in Saul who being full of the Holy Ghost set his eyes vpon Elymas the sorcerer and sayd O ful of al subtilty al mischief child of the Divil enimy of all righteousnes wilt thou not ceâ—se to pervert the straight wayes of the Lord Now therefore behold the hand of the Lord is vpon thee thou shalt be blind and not see the Sun for a season And this courage the Sainctes have even before Princes and potentates of 〈◊〉 earth 〈◊〉 â—ay be 〈◊〉 in Zechâ—â—â—ah son of Iehojada who being cloâ—â—ed with the Spirit and rebuking the transgressions of the people was therefore stoned with stones at the comandement of the king For the Hâ—ly Ghost teacheth them in that â—owr what they ought to say wherefore they are to take no thought how or what to answer but resting vpon the ayd of Gods Spirit do boldly say â— wil speak of thy testimonies Lord before kings and wil not be ashamed 14 But in the Saincts themselves the Spirit is most mighty in operation for the subduing and sanctifying of their affections and confirmation of their sowles and spirits in the love favour of God For whereas before time some of them were fornicators idolaters theves covetous extortioners or given to other like vices they 〈◊〉 washed they a 〈◊〉 they ar â—ustified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the Spirit of God And wheras while they were fleshly having not the Spiriâ— they walked after the flesh and favouâ—ed the things tâ—â—â— of could not â—lease God but were subject vnto death now hee that raysed vp Christ from the Dead doth also quicken their mortal bodies because that his Spirit dwelleth in them and so is fulfilled that which in figure God sayd of old vnto Israel Ye shal know that I am the Lord when I have opened your graves ô my people and brought you vp out of your sepulchres and shal put my Spirit in you ye shal live Who then living in the Spirit do also walk in the Spirit and by it do mortify the deeds of the body not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh which they have crucified but bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit which are love joy peace long suffring gentlenes goodnes faith meeknes teÌ„perance for when the Spirit is powred vpon them from above then the wildernes becometh a fruitful feild aâ— sayth the Prophet 15. And God which hath promiseâ— to powr water vpon the thirstie â— stoods vpon the drie ground tâ— powr his Spirit vpon the seed â— his Church and his blessing vpoâ— their buds wil not onely give the Holy Ghost to them that desiâ— him but also continew his gifts â— graces for the assurance of theâ— harts so that they shall not labouâ— in vayn nor bring forth in fear because they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord their buds with them The love of God is shed abroad in their harts by the Holy Ghost which is giveÌ„ vnto them and by him are they sealed vnto the day of redemption the same Spirit beareth witnesse with their spirits that they are the Sonnes of God and hereby they know that they dwel in God and he in them because he hath given them of his Spirit which is as a pawn or earnest in their harts whereby they do not onely behold the glory of the Lord with open face but are changed into the same image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. And this Spirit which they have received is not the Spirit of bondage to fear again as at the giving of the Law and looking vpon Moses face but is the Spirit of adoption-of-children whereby they cry Abba Father even the Spirit of his Son Christ which God hath sent into their harts because they also are sons and the blessing of AbrahaÌ„ is come vpoÌ„ them through Christ Iesus So Gods good Spirit leadeth them vnto the Lanâ— of righteousnes and this is a parâ— of his covenant with them thaâ— his Spirit which is upon them anâ— his words which hee hath put iâ— their mouth shal not depart out â— the mouth of them or their seâ—â— or their seeds seed for ever Neithâ— wil he hide his face any more froâ— theÌ„ because he hath powred out his spirit upoÌ„ the hense of Israel as he hatâ— promised by his Prophet From aâ— which proceedeth vnto the Sainâ— vnspeakable peace comfort joy which they find and feel both â— the receiving of the word as the Apostle sayth ye received the worâ— in much affliction with joy of the holy Ghost in the obedience theâ— vnto in the kingdoÌ„ of God which is righteousnes and peace and joy in the holy Ghost 16. Amongst other benefits which the Spirit affordeth this is one special that it helpeth the Saincts infirmities in prayer who â—ls know not what to pray as they â—ught but the Spirit it self maketh request for them with sighs which cannot be expressed the request which he maketh is according to â—he wil of God who sercheth the â—arts and knoweth what the meaning of the Spirit is 17. But that the Saincts be not deceaved and led astray from the truth by any motion suggestion vision revelation or other means whatsoever as from the Spirit of the Lord our Saviour hath given vs a rule to discern the work of his Spirit from the delusion of Satan which is this that his Spirit speaketh not of himself but whatsoever he heareth he speaketh that he glorifieth Christ for he receiveth of Christs al things that the Father hath at Christs and sheweth it vnto Christians Therfore is he the Spirit of truth and leadeth into altruth because he teacheth nothing but according to the word of God which word is truth And by that word must al spirits be tried by it may be discerned the Spirit of truth from the Spirit of error and Iosua though he were ful of the Spirit oâ— wisdome yet was charged of God to attend vnto the book of the Law for his direction to obserâ—â— and doe according to al that was written therin 18. Finally the Spirit of God hath generally in all things wrought much and mightily in and by the Saincts With this was Bezaleel filled in wisdome and in vnderstanding in knowledg in al workmanship to find out curious works for the Lords Tabernacle with this were the seventy Ancients furnished for the goverment of Israel prophesied With the wisdom of this Spirit was Iosua full after that Moses had put his hands vpon him given him of his glory when he ordeyned him to be his successor in
faith and not by sight for our life is hid with Christ in God his spowse is black for the Sun hath looked vpon her her own mothers sons hav been angry against her and al the glory of the kings daughter is inward And furthest astray are such vayn men as imagine to themselves a state of perfection as if they had already attayned the resurrection of the dead do disclaime al Churches and societies where synnes are to be seen Moses face is hid froÌ„ theÌ„ as with a veil they discern not the vse of his law nor end of his ministerie for a veil covereth their harts neyther see they the possession that syn hath in them yea in al Saincts so long as they dwel in these howses of clay for which cause they sigh desiring to be clothed with their howse which is from heaven to be loosed and to be with Christ. And when the voyl shal be taken from those mens harts who so farr mistake themselves to be that they are not they wil crie with the Leper I am vnclean I am vnclean wil remeÌ„ber their wares and be ashamed never open their mouth any more because of their shame but will judge themselves worthy to be cut of for al their evils that that they have coÌ„mitted Such also as eyther of ignorance or worse humour doe vnorderly depart and rend themselves vpon every occasion from the church and body of Christ wil walk better when they have learned to bear one an others burden and tread in the steps of Christ his prophets and Apostles who vsed al good means with patience to reclaim the offenders before they forsook them Yet because the faith must not be held in respect of persons neyther may we folow a multitude to do evil and it often falleth out that the faithful city becometh a harlot and they which wer yesterday Gods people are risen vp on the other syde as against an enemie therfore the Saincts should be wise in hart and not hold communion with any but in the Light in the faith in the true worship of God for he is gealous even over his own people and wil not spare their misdeeds but wil take his kingdome from them and remove the caÌ„dlestick out of the place if they repent not as he saith by his prophet You onely hav I knowen of al the families of the earth therfore wil I visit you for al your inquities Thus may ChristiaÌ„s walk as they ar counselled by the wisdom of God not being just overmuch neyther wicked overmuch laying hold and not withdrawing their hand from this that he which feareth God shal come forth of them al. For this cause hav I endevored though the vnfittest among many to help forward in the way of truth such as love the same with me and hav penned this treatise folowing for their sakes that hav not meanes and leysure to serch the scriptures as they should and would or by reason of their weaknes cannot gather and compare the scriptures togither for their coÌ„fort assurance in these points as they desire I have laboured both for playnnes brevity as I could in so large ample argument by references rather sent the reader to look himself into Gods book then to insist vpon collections or expositions of mine own Wherin if any places be alleged amisse or impertinent or things gathered otherwise then the text wil afford as through my ignoraÌ„ce or vnheedines no doubt many may â—e I humbly ask pardon for the same both of God and his people and do 〈◊〉 â—â—â— reader not to rely vpon my judgment in any thing but as himself by the wisdome of Gods spirit shal see agreable vnto truth For if any shal buyld vpon my words with out sure ground from the Law of the Lord he shal first offend God who hath given his scriptures by divine inspiration to teach and perswade al truth to improve and correct al error to instruct in righteousnes make men perfect vnto every good work he shal injury me also who have written these things to be tryed and examined by Christs law not to be accepted for a law and he shal injury his own sowl by relying vpon the word of frayl man whose breath is in his nosthrils which cannot stablish the hart nor assure the conscience in any thing Let therfore the grasse wither the flower fade for it is the word of our God that shal stand for ever Finally this one thing I would advertise thee of good reader that somtimes I alledge the scriptures otherwise then our coÌ„mon translations hav them when the force of the Original words doth afford an other or more ample sence Herin I fear not to be blamed of any that love the truth in incorruption and for the places so changed I leave them to their trial that are men of judgement The Lord who is author of every good gift vnto al men who passeth by the syns of his servants and covereth al their trespasses passe by in mercy whatsoever in this work is done amisse turn these my labours to the glory of his name the benefit of his people Amen Henry Ainsworth The contents of the Chapters Oâ— the communion and peace that was at the first and how soon it was broken Chapt. 1 of the horrible miseries that Divils and men fel into after they had forsaken God Chapt. 2 Of mans redemtion the renewing of his peace by the grace of God in Iesus Christ. Chapt. 3. Who be the Saints of this communion Chapt. 4. Holynes or sanctitie what it is Chapt. 5. How holynes is given vnto God and Christ and how vnto creatures Chapt. 6. How the word was communicated with Adam his children and of the Saints interest in the same Chapt. 7. How God by his word hath alwayes called and separated a people from communion with Divils and wickedmen to the fellowship of his grace by faith in Christ. Chapt. 8. How farr we must avoid communion with Divils and how far with wickedmen Chapt. 9. How the Saincts are caled out of themselves taught to forsake their own wayes and works that they may have communion with God in Christ Chapt. 10. Of the coÌ„munion that we have with God in general Chapt. 11 Of the coÌ„munion that we hav with Iesus Christ our mediatour Chapt. 12 Of our coÌ„munion with the holy Ghost Chapt. 13 How the foresaid coÌ„munion peace between God his Saints is somtimes interrupted by their syns what vnrest and trouble they then feel in themselves how their ancient peace is renewed Ch. 14. Of the communion that the Saincts have in this life with Angels Chapt. 15 How the Saincts on earth are called to a holy coÌ„munion among themselues Chapt. 16. How the Saincts gather into coÌ„munion grow up vnto a body or church Chap. 17.
theyr Maker no guiltie fears to afflict the sowl no noysom lusts to reign or rebell in their bodies nor any other means to hinder or disturb the peace and communion or cause jarr and debate among al or any Gods handy works 6. But some of those sonnes of God the Angels soon sinned abode not in the truth neyther kept their first estate but forsook their owne habitation wher they dwelt in blisse with God and so became the causes of their own endlesse and vnspeakable miseries For they having fallen of their own accord wer not holpen nor spared but forsaken of God separated from the other holy and elect Angels thrust out of Heaven and bound in bonds of eternall night and darknes to be reserved for judgement at the appointed time 7. These Spirits being of Saincts become vnclean Divils hatefull to the Lord impenitent and malicious in themselves fel also to be mankillers even from the beginning and liars against the truth of Gods word assaulted our first Parents the woman by the Serpent the man by the woman by subtilty drew them into transgression of Gods playn Law and so into the snares of sin and death and this soon after their seating in paradise as by Moses narration doth appeare For which willing transgressiō wherby those our progenitours wrapped themselves al their offpring in everlasting woe and wretchednes the communion and peace between God and man was soon disanulled also with al earthly creatures for mans sake Then was Gods curse poured out on the head of that old Serpent his wrath into the world wher the creature became subject to vanitie Man which had hid himself from the face of his Maker was found out arraighned and judged for his disobedience was thrust out of the garden of pleasure and the holy Angels kept him from the tree of life Thus was his happines sodainly changed into miserie in labour sorow to spend his dayes til the spirit goe out of him vnto God for judgment the body return to dust Man that is in honour and vnderstandeth not he is like to the beasts that perish Psalme 49. 20. Chapt. 2. Of the horrible miseries that Divils and men fel into after they had forsaken God That we may the better discern Gods grace vnto vs in Christ who hath freed vs from al calamities and restored vs to a most happy state from which we shal never fal let vs take a view more particularly of the many miseries which syn did bring vpon the creatures so wil the benifit of our redemption appear most precious our harts shal be filled with gladnes and our mouth with songs of prayse to him that hath saved vs from so great a destruction 2. The Divil having willingly rebelled against God repented not of his wickednes but being ful of malice set himself as an enemie against the Lord and his creatures And for this cause is named in Hebrew Satan that is ◠ffiend an adversarie enemie or resister hindering al good beginning and helping forward al evil He is caled also with his felowes Shedim that is wasters for the scath and hurt which they doe preying vpon the creatures and spoiling them and Seghnirim that is rough rugged or hayrie for the horror of ther hiew wherin they appeared like Satyrs or other vgly creatures and wherwith they terrified such as saw thē In Greek he is named Diabolos Divil that is a calumniator because he maliciously accuseth detracteth depraveth the persons words actions not of men onely but even of God himself He is caled also the wicked or malignant one for molesting with his fyrie darts endevouring mans ruine miserie the Tempter for assaying to draw men vnto sin a Serpent a Drago for his subteltie fiercenes and venemous nature an vnclean spirit for his filthines a lying spirit for his falshood and deceit being a Liar and the father thereof no truth is in him And though one Divil be principal yet hath he many partners caled his Angels al of them malicious and vnclean spirits like himself going about with him that roring lion to rend and to devour These spiritual wickednesses ar authors instruments and abettours of al maner vngodlines vnrighteousnes abomination and vncleannes they seek by al means to overthrow Gods kingdome to stablish their own therfore like ravenous birds they devour vp the seed of the word least men should believ it and be saved like envious men sow tares among the wheat and goe their way they corrupt mens minds with errors heresies the doctrines of Divils Great knowledg they hav to doe evil and ar therefore caled daemones that is cunning or skilful great abilitie also to effect it and ar therfore named principalities powers their captain being caled the Prince of this world for his effectual working in the children of disobedience is compared to a strong man armed keeping his pallace yet is he also raunging abroad and very diligent to work mischief therfore compasseth the earth to and fro and walketh about in it seeking to winnow the godly as wheat and make their saith to fayl And as ther is no end of these fiends wickednes in themselves their own abominable nature so neyther would ther be end or measure of their cursed actions and effects wer it not that God restreyneth their malice and hath set vp the kingdome of his holy son Iesus to loose the workes of the Divil to destroy abolish him 3 And as these fowl spirits being fallen from grace thus set them selves against God al goodnes so God againe cast them out of his favour from his presence wherin is the fulnes of joy from the cheerful light libertie and happines which they injoyed thrust them down into hell there keeping them in everlasting chaines vnder darknes vnto damnation in that day when he wil come to judge the world And although they have in the mean space some loosnes libertie not onely to range abroad in the world but even to appear before God in heaven when he pleaseth so to suffer them yet hav they no joy in his presence but horror trembling neyther is ther any comfortable communion between his majestie and them nor peace between the holy spirits them but Michael and his Angels warreth against them striveth with them and rebuketh them in the name of the Lord for his chosens sake Enmitie hath he also put warr between the saincts on earth and them the saincts whom he hath redeemed from their damnation by the blood of his beloved son by whose blood they overcome and vnder their feet the God of peace wil tread down Satan shortly In dread those
life also and conversation he shewed all manner holynes without syn or spott For such an high priest it became vs to hav as is holy harmlesse vndefiled and separated from synners And he giveth holines and purity to his church for whose sake he sanctified himself and is therfore worthily intituled the holy one of God even the Holie of holies vnto whom the Seraphim doe sing as he sitteth on the high throne of his glorie within his temple Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts 3. The Angels are spirits holy by nature so created of God at the first and hauing kept their original are stablished by Gods election through Christ their head in their holy happy estate for ever therfore carie the title of Angels elect and holie Yet even these heavenly spirits being compared with God himself the bottomlesse fountaine of holines ar as impure in his sight hide their faces though through the grace of God by which they ar confirmed they alwayes doe behold his face 4. Holines in men by nature ther is not any for they ar sinners vnclean from the wombe children of wrath and rather to be reputed beasts then men having lost the holines wherin God at first created them as before is shewed But holines is restored againe to men by the Lord as it is written I The Lord sanctify you and againe Now the God of peace sanctify you throughout wherfore he caleth himself the Lord our Holy one 5. This our sanctification is ascribed vnto the Father according to the prayer of Christ Sanctify them with thy truth and in the epistle of â—ude to them that ar caled and sanctified of God the Father It is ascribed to the Son who loved the church and gav himself for it that he might sanctify it and of God is made vnto vs wisdome and justice sanctification redemption Also to the holy Ghost as it is written ye ar washed ye ar sanctified ye ar justified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the spirit of our God 6. Our sanctification in Christ is two wayes First by imputation of that which himself wrought for vs when by the wil of God we wer sanctified by the offring of his body once and thus are we washed from our sins in his blood and God reconciled vs to himself in the body of his flesh through death to make vs Holy and vnblameable without fault in his sight SecoÌ„dly it is by his own gracious work in vs baptising vs with the holy spirit into his death burial resurrection that our old man being crucified with him the bodie of sin might be destroyed henceforth we should not serv sin but give our members servants vnto righteousnes in holynes and so being freed from sin and made servants vnto God may have our fruit in holines and the end everlasting life Both which wayes of our sanctification vvere shadowed out vnto Israel by blood and by oile 7. For when the body of that church was purged once a year the blood of the syn offring was sprinkled in the inmost holy place of the Sanctuary and vpon the altar without to â—ense and sanctify them from the sin and vncleannes of the sons of Israel When the priests were consecrate the blood of their sacrifice was put vpon their right eares thumbs toes and sprinckled vpon their bodies and garments that so they might be sanctified even as before at the making of the covenant the people had beÌ„ sprinckled with blood The holy Ghost thereby signifiing how by the blood of Christ much more our coÌ„sciences should be purged and therefore caleth it the blood of the testament wherwith we are sanctified 8. The precious oynting oyle made of principall spices and called holie did hallow and sanctifie the Tabernacle and al therin the brazen alter and all his instruments the Laver and his foot the Priests their garments on whom it was sprinckled together with the blood of their consecraion for their sanctification and figured out the graces of the Spirit and oyntment that wee have from him that is holy that Christ and his spirit being in vs the body may be dead because of syn and the Spirit life for righteousnes sake whiles the anoynting that we have received dwelleth in vs Christ as a bundle of myrrh lodgeth betweene our brests Thus are we made an acceptable sacrifice vnto God beeing sanctified by the holy Ghost 9. The outward means which God vseth for our sanctification is his truth or word as it is written Sanctifie them with thy truth thy Word is truth By this word fayth is wrought in vs which fayth purifieth the hart sanctifieth the beleevers and causeth them to sanctify the Lord as vnbeleef maketh men that they sanctify him not and therfore is worthily caled the most holy faith The seals of the covenant do also confirm and help forward our faith and sanctification yea even the chastisements of God vpon vs have this vse end that we might be partakers of his holines And we by prayer obteyn at Gods hand as other blessings so this sanctification both of our selves and of al his creatures to our vse Finally this grace is conveyghed both into our bodies into our spirits even into the whol man throughout so great is the Holy-one of Israel in the mids of vs. CHAPT VII How the word of God was communicated with Adam his children of the Saincts interest in the same Forasmuch as the word of God is the truth wherby we our selves ar sanctified and al his creatures vnto our vse even the immortal seed by which we ar begotten and born anew of Gods own wil that we should be as the first fruits of his creatures and the syncere milk without guile wherby we ar nourished grow in faith let vs take a view of this tresure and tree of life which is better to the Saincts then thowsands of gold and silver sweeter also then honey or the honey comb even sweetnes to the sowl and health to the bones which if a man keep he shal never see death 2. Three wayes ther are wherby God maketh himself knowen vnto meÌ„ The first is by his works for the invisible things of him that is his eternall power and Godhed ar seen by the creation of the world the heavens declare his glorie the firmament sheweth the work of his hands the beasts if they be asked wil teach man the fowles of the heaven wil tel him the earth wil shew him and the fishes of the sea wil declare vnto him for how manifold ar the works of
their roots as the trees of Lebanon dwelling vnder his shadow they revive as the corn and flourish as the vine and stil bring forth fruit even in their hoary age and God is their guid even vnto the death Yet then forsaketh he theÌ„ not but as when they lived they lived vnto him so now when they die they die vnto him are his peace cometh and they rest in their beds every one that walketh before him til their changing shal come and they be translated from death to life to see the king in his glory even God as he is to be satisfied with his image 31. For notwithstanding al this grace and communion that we have with God by faith we ar not perfect neyther shal be til we have attayned the resurrectioÌ„ of the dead here we see through a glasse darkly not face to face we know in part onely and doe grow in grace and knowledge dayly we behold the glory of the Lord with open face but as in a mirrour and ar changed into the same image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. VVe have first our infancie and are as babes in Christ after we are as yong men strong in faith and doe overcome the wicked one and proceed in riper years wexing old in faith and knowledge of him which is from the beginning thus our way shineth as the morning light that shineth more and more vnto the perfect day and we walk on earth as did Abram in Canaan going and iourneying towardes the South 32. But of al the wayes means wherby we hav communion with God ther is none more lively powrful coÌ„fortable then Prayer wherby we converse with the Lord most neerly powr out our complaints as children into the bosome of their father praise his name ar heard answered of him to the glory of his grace the joy of our harts the increase of our faith with al vertues and fruits of the Spirit 33. The ground of this heavenly exercise wherby man is so bold as to come vnto the throne of grace and talk with God is his commaundment which sayth * Cal vpon me in the day of trouble I wil deliver thee and thou shalt glorify me Cal vnto me and I wil answer thee and shew thee groat mightie things which thou knowest not Moreover he willeth vs to be nothing careful but in al things to let our requests be shewed vnto him in prayer and suppplicatioÌ„ with giving of thanks yea to pray coÌ„tinually and in al things to giv thanks because this is the will of God in Christ Iesus towards vs. 34. To guide vs in this action he hath given vs outward instruction in his word that we may ask according to his will with assuraÌ„ce that whatsoever we so ask he heareth vs and we have the petitions that we desire of him He giveth vs also inward assistance by his Spirit which dwelleth in vs and is the Spirit of the adoption-of-sons wherby we cry Abba Father which spirit also helpeth our infirmities who know not what to pray as we ought and it self maketh requests for vs with sighes grones vnutterable Thus powring out vpon his people as he did promise the spirit of grace of supplications and furnishing them with gifts for this heavenly work he heareth granteth their requests as David sayth Lord thow hearest the desire of the poor thow preparest their hart thow bendest thyne ear 35. So when we cal vpon the Lord in our trouble and crie vnto our God he heareth our voice out of his temple our crie comes before him into his ears yea before we cal he answereth whiles we speak he heareth for by the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place ask the Father in his name we shal receive that our joy may be full the spirit also maketh request for vs according to the will of God he that searcheth the harts knoweth what is the meaning of the Spirit and the odour of our prayers cometh vp as the sweet incense before him being perfumed with those odours that are offred with the prayers of al Saincts out of the Angels hand that Angel of the Covenant who is now at the right hand of God and maketh request also for vs. 36. Thus the Saincts have accesse vnto God and neer coÌ„munion with him in prayer though the wicked cal not vpon him or if they call he heareth them not Their golden vials are full of odours they delight in the Almighty and lift vp their faces vnto God they make their prayer vnto him and he heareth them they pay their vowes saying I will thank thee for thou hast heard me and hast been my salvation Blessed be God which hath not put back my prayer nor his mercy froÌ„ me 37. The fruits that come vntovs by this holy exercise are moe then can be told there being infinite occasions from day to day of making request to the Lord and filling our mouthes with new soÌ„gs of prayse for our salvations Admirable is the force and valour of this actioÌ„ which peirceth the heavens and cometh vnto God and prevaileth with him in whatsoever we ask according to his will if we ask in faith waver not for he is neer to al that cal vpon him to al that cal vpon him in truth fulfilleth the desire of them that feare him vnto whoÌ„ he hath promised Open thy mouth wide and I wil fil it Herevpon Moses sayd What nation is so great vnto whom the Gods come so neer vnto them as the Lord our God is neer vnto vs in al that we cal vnto him for And if he be so neer vnto every one of vs let vs know also that it wil be our good to draw neer vnto him to say revive thou vs and we wil cal vpon thy name because thou hearest the prayer vnto thee shall all flesh come trust in him alwayes ye people pour out your harts before him for God is our hope our God wil hear vs. 38. By all these things many other the like we may see how God hath exalted the horn of his people which is a prayse for al his Saincts the sons of Israel a people neere vnto him vnto whom he hath given most great precious promises that by theÌ„ they should be partakers of the godly nature in that they flee the corruptioÌ„ which is in the world through lust with whom he so graciously coÌ„municateth his goodnes that they tast in this world of the powers of the world to come and oâ—e walk in the light of his face feel his holy presence with them Which presence although it be with every of his Saincts in al
places wher they become yet is it most lively seen in their Assemblie and there he is very terrible For this cause did his people love the habitation of his house desired to dwel there al their dayes that they might be hold his bewtie and being absent from it their sowles thirsted for God saving when shal we come and appear before the presence of God for they knew his promise which had sayd In every place where I shal put the remembrance of my name I wil come vnto thee blesse thee they knew God was in the mids of his sanctuary it should not be moved he would help it very early But of this holy societie more is to be spoken particularly in another place CHAP. XII Of the Communion that we have with Iesus Christ our Mediatour IEsus Christ being God manifested in the flesh is given of the Father to be the onely mediatour between him and vs and he hath given him power to execute judgmēt in that he is the son of Man He is the head of the body of the Church in him all the buylding coupled togither groweth vnto an holy Temple in the Lord and we all are built togither in him to be the habitation of God by the Spirit he is the way the truth the life no man cometh to the Father but by him And of him and his mediation this Oracle was spoken of old to the Saincts that their Noble-ruler should be of thēselves their Governour Christ should proceed from the mids of them God would cause him to drawe neer and approach vnto himself when he should ascend and sit at his right hand to make intercession for vs for who is he els that warranteth his hart to come vnto me sayth the Lord And ye shal be my people and I wil be your God 2. As we are made the people and portion of God by Christ brought by him vnto the fellowship and glorie of his Father so is there a special fellowship and cōmunion that we have with Christ being caled therevnto of the Father as it is written God is faithful by whom ye are called vnto the communion of his Son Iesus Christ our Lord. And that this hath alwayes been the chief end and scope of God in al his Oracles since the world began to draw men vnto Christ so vnto himself is before shewed 3. The summe of the grace given vs through communion with our Lord Iesus is cōprised in those words of the Apostle saying that Christ is of God made vnto vs Wisdom and Iustice and Sanctification and Redemption These things he is vnto vs by vertue of his Mediatorship which consisteth in the three functions or offices of Prophecie Priesthood Kingdome committed vnto him by the Father For frō the in most holy place and from the bosom of the Father is he come to declare God vnto vs he is a Prophet raysed vp of the Lord to speak vnto vs al that he cōmanded him and him are we willed for to hear the yles are to wayt for his Law And as he being worthy obteyned to open the book that is in the right hand of him that sitteth on the throne to loose the seven seales thereof because all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge ar hid in him so having made knowen to vs al things that he heard of his Father having declared and stil declaring his Name by his word and spirit he is the Power of God and the wisdom of God vnto vs. And the things which he hath declared are two 1 the Law to shew vs our syn and the evils due for the same 2 the Gospel to shew vs our righteousnes by grace from God with the blessings that flow therfrō He also being our great high priest or sacrificer hath taken away our syns and al the evils accompanying them hath redeemed vs from the Curse of the Law finished wickednes sealed vp sins made reconciliatiō for iniquitie brought the gift of righteousnes or Iustice so by his obedience we ar made just grace shal reigne by justice vnto eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord whose blood doth also purge our consciences from dead works to serv the Living God and by the same hath he sanctified his people and contineweth a Priest for ever and is both our Iustice Sanctification Finally this our redemtion from evil and restauration vnto happines he conserveth maynteyneth by his mighty power frō al enemies whō hee hath subdued vnder his owne feet wil also subdue vnder ours and is therfore named our King whom al kings shal worship al nations shal serv who wil redeem our sowles from deceit violence wil giv vs also the redemption of our bodie and cause our last enimy Death to be swallowed vp in victorie so wil be our ful Redemptiō for ever ever at his appearing with glorie in the day of Redemptiō 4. More particularly touching his Prophesie and our communion with him therin as God gave him for a witnes to the people for a Prince and a Commander vnto them so shewed he himself to be a faithful and true witnesse in that he spake to the world the things which he had heard of the Father This he did in his own person whiles he walked with mē teaching the true meaning and end of al his Fathers Law and vrging the syncere keeping of it in Love freeing it also from the false glosses and leaven of the Pharisees and cutting down their traditions for the Lord to this end had made his mouth like a sharp sword that by the breath of his lips he might slay the wicked He also taught the glad tidings of the Gospel vnto the poor therby healing the broken harted preaching deliverance to the captives recovering of sight to the blind and the acceptable yere of the Lord that whosoever should hear his word and beleev in him that sent him should hav everlasting life and not come into condemnation but was passed from death vnto life So he hid not his Fathers righteousnes within his hart but declared his truth and his salvation he conceled not his mercy and his truth from the great congregation but preached peace and comfort to his people For God had given him a tongue of the Learned that he might know to minister a word in time to him that is weary grace was powred in his lips and they they were like lillies dropping down pure myrrh and his mouth was sweet things 5. As in his own person so did he by others publish the will of his Father vsing hereto the ministerie both of men and Angels He gave and stil giveth the gifts of ministery vnto many men above al other he furnished his
Apostles with power from on high sent them to teach al nations to observ al things whatsoever he had commauned them and he had made known to them al things that he had heard of his Father and they faithfully performed their charge keeping nothing back but shewing meÌ„ al the counsel of God for Christ spake in them so that now we have the mind of Christ and the word is neer vs even in our mouth and in our hart neyther may we admitt of any other doctriÌ„e though it should be taught by Angels from heaven but that which we have we must hold fast til he come And Christ it is that hath alwayes reveled Gods wil vnto the world synce the begiÌ„ning He it was that preached in Spirit to those that were disobedient in the dayes of Noe he sent Esaiaâ— to preach vnto Israel and furnished him with giftes graces for that work and stil he sendeth his messengers dayly for the gathering together of the Saincts the work of the ministery and edification of his body til the worlds end they are his glorie Finally the heavenly Spirits ar also his messengers for this end and purpose when he seeth meet so to imploy them as it is written I Iesus have sent my Angel to testify vnto you these things in the churches Thus opening vnto vs by al means the secrets of his Gospel our souls ar comforted for he bringeth vs into his wine celler and Love is his â—anner over vs. 6 To assure the world that he was both the wisdome and power of God he confirmed his doctrine â—y signes and wonders doing such works as no other man did even as his words were such as never man spake his enimies being judges He gave also of this power to such as beleeved in his name and wer his witnesses himself working with them confirming the word with signes that followed 7. Vnto this outward administration Christ annexeth his inward grace by divine power making even the Dead to heare his voice and live for he hath the words of eternal life he openeth the harts and causeth attention he openeth the mindes and causeth men to vnderstand the scriptures he giveth them also a mouth and wisdome which al their adversaries are not able to speak against nor resist 8. Now all this life and grace doth Christ coÌ„municate with the Saincts being their Head they his members For first the Ministers of the word how great gifts or authority soever they have they al are ours and we Christs and Christ Gods we are to trye their doctrine by the scriptures for they have not dominion over our faith but are helpers of our joy and in declaration of the truth are to approve themselves to every mans conscience in the sight of God Secondly the Word it self even al the scriptures are given vnto vs and written for our learning and comfort this not onely to know for our selves but to teach exhort and edifie one another Therefore is the word sayd to be graffed in vs and what by it we do beleeve we also may boldly speak and freely practise even all that Christ hath coÌ„manded that as he is a faithful and true witnes so we also that are the Lords witnesses with him his chosen servant as sayth the Prophet may bear a good testimonie vnto the truth having his word dwelling in vs plenteously in all wisdome may thereby our selves vnderstand righteousnes judgement and equitie and every good path and be preserved from the evil way and vnto others may impart the honey and milk of Gods graces that are vnder our tongue and having the high-acts of God in our mouth and the two-edged sword of his word in our hands may execute vengeance on the hethen corrections among the people binding their kings in chaines and their nobles with fetters of yron this honour is to al his Saincts who holding forth the word of life do shine as lights in the world Christ illuminating them with his glory continually and making his Church by his Prophesie the vallie of Vision as of old it was named 9. Touching his Priesthood and our communion therewith two things ar to be considered First What of his grace in his own person he hath wrought and worketh for vs to weet the things perteyning to God as the Apostle speaketh which are the Offring of a sacrifice to make reconciliation for our syns and Intercession which as our Advocate he maketh with the Father for vs. Secondly what by his mighty power he graciously worketh in vs and applieth vnto vs whiles he maketh vs also Priests vnto God his Father and communicateth with vs his obedience death burial resurrection ascension so causing the Blessing of God to come vpon vs as he is that seed in whom al families of the earth shal be blessed and giving vs comfort and peace Vnder these two heads are all thinges comprehended that perteyn to our Iustification Sanctification in the sight of God 10. These three things of Reconciliation Intercession and Blessing the Priests of Moses law in shadow figure of him performed of old for Israel The first whiles at the brazen altar they offred Burnt offrings and For-syn made attonement obteyned forgivnes at the hands of God for the synners but chiefly when the high-prest sanctified the Most holie place with blood of the Sacrifice made an attonement for the children of Israel for al their syns once a yere The secoÌ„d whiles at the golden altar he burned sweet incense every morning and evening and once a yere also made recoÌ„ciliatioÌ„ vpon the hornes therof with the blood of yâ— Syn-offring entred with in the veil putting incense on the fyre in the ceÌ„ser before the Lord that the clowd of the incense covered the Mercy-seat The third when having finished his ministerie the Sacrificer lifted vp his haÌ„d towards the people and Blessed them as he was separated of God to blesse in his name for ever and to put his name vpon the childreÌ„ of Israel that he might blesse them as he had promised 11. The truth of these three are fully performed by the Apostle and Highpriest of our profession Christ Iesus For that he might reconcile vs vnto God because it was vnpossible that the blood of buls and goats should take away syns neyther would his Father accept other sacrifice or offring then the body which he had ordeyned his Son therefore through the eternal Spirit he offred himself without spot vnto God and gave his sowle for the ransom of many bare our syns in his body on the tree and by his own blood entred in once vnto the holy place not the holy places made with hands but
his heavie indignation when he for bad his prophets to pray for the people 4. Concerning the word of God and our fellowship in the same we hav before seeÌ„ how God bestowed it specially vpon his own people as a testimonie of his grace towards them though also in a general favour he communicateth it with the whol world Now the saincts whose peculiar right inheritaÌ„ce it is must be careful to vse it as a coÌ„mune blessing every one in himself and al of them with and for one an other both privatly and publickly Privatly to read speak of the same vnto their families neighbours coÌ„tinually-rehersing or wheâ—ting the words of God vpoÌ„ vnto their children talking of them when they are in the howse and as they walk by the way when they lie down and when they rise vp that so meÌ„ may learn know the scriptures from their childhood by them be made wise vnto salvation through the faith which is in Christ Iesus And that al Christians may by this means be able to exhort edify one an other in the knowledge faith of God may hav their speech gracious alwayes powdred with salâ— may discern truth froÌ„ error whiles by serching the scripture as did the men of Berea they see whither the things taught them be so And this was foretold to be a special part of Gods covenaÌ„t with his people that his words which he hath put in their mouth shal noâ— depart out of their mouth nor on of the mouth of their seed nor out of the mouth of their seeds seed froÌ„ henceforth even for ever 5. But in the Assemblies of the Saincts the light of this grace shineth more clearly for in theÌ„ hav the scriptures beeÌ„ read and preached of old every sabbath day there all men hav not onely libertie but ar exhorted to desire that they may prophesie that is speak vnto the church to edifying to exhortation and to comfort which is therfore to be coveted rather then other spiritual gifts because it teÌ„deth both to the building vp of the brethren and conversion of the vnbeleevers and glorie of God therby Al therfore that hav received this gift may in seemlines and order vse and manifest it for the profit of the whol every member being careful that it be done according to the proportion of faith when any speak that it be as the words of God And although a woman in regard of her sex may not speak or teach in the church yet with other wemen and in her private familie she openeth her mouth in wisdome the doctrine of grace is in her tongue So Marie the prophetesse was guid to the women of Israel in their songs of thaÌ„ksgiving so Priscilla at home helped to expound the way of God more perfectly to learned Apollos and was togither with other women acknowledged of the Apostle Paul to be one of his fellowhelpers in Christ Iesus And the Lord both in those dayes and before had furnished sundry holy women with the gift of prophesie as he promised also by his servant Ioel to teach that his graces are given vnto all as he seeth good to bestow them though there is a difference between the extraordinary gift of prophesie giveÌ„ but vnto few the ordinarie prophesie or exposisioÌ„ of scripture which is coÌ„mune w th many 6. Above al other the Officers given of Christ for the work of the ministerie the Overseers of the churches are to studie and labour in the word and doctrine to feed the flocks that depend vpon them to shew them the good and right way to build vp the bodie of Christ to divide the word aright to speak it faithfully to keep nothing back eyther through negligence fear or flatterie but to shew them the whol counsel of God teach theÌ„ al the statutes which the Lord hath commanded not keeping back a word These watch for their peoples sowles as they that shal giv accounts and necessity is layd vpoÌ„ them therfore woe vnto theÌ„ if they preach not the Gospel These must hav care both of strong and weak of sheep and lambs to feed with strong meat or with milk as their flock hath need is capable VpoÌ„ these the charge lieth to dresse the lamps of Gods law from evening to morning that they may alway burne in the Tabernacle of the congregation to giv to the how shold their portion of meat in season and to communicate this heavenly Manna with al the Israel of God that ther may be an equalitie as it is written he that gathered much had nothing over he that gathered litle had no lack 7. And togither with the words of Gods eternal covenant these also dispense the sâ—als of the same by which the communion of the Saincts is more illustrated confirmed For by baptisme which is one we al are made one in Christ Iesus And as our fathers were 〈◊〉 baptised vnto Moses in the clowd in the sea so now vnder Christ by one Spirit we al are baptised into one body whither we be Iewes or Greeks bond or free Neyther can any man forbid water from those which hav received the holy Ghost and faith it is the coÌ„mune symbol and pledge of our salvatioÌ„ like circumcision the seal of our righteousnes by fayth even the seal of Gods covenant to vs to our seed The Supper also of our Lord is to be distributed to all the Saincts that can examine themselves discern his body therein by faith and is an other seal as of our vnion with Christ whose flesh we eat and drink his blood so of our vniting togither in his faith For we sayth the Apostle that are many are one bread one bodie because we al are partakers of one bread Therefore must we come togither for this coÌ„munion and tary one for another that as brethren we may eat and drink and rejoyce togither before the Lord which he that refuseth or neglecteth is worthy to be rooted out from amongst his people 8. As the Saincts have al a right interest in the covenant of God seales of the same wherein they have and hold coÌ„munion togither so have and doe they also in al other Christian spiritual duties publick or private For all the actions of the Church being but a practise and performance of Gods Law as the members have their portion in the general so have they also in the particulars ech one according to his place caling and measure of grace given him from Christ the head In the primitive church established by Moses when publick actions were to be performed the whol congregation was assembled as about the making of the Tabernacle
afflictions ar more then conquerours through him that loved them For they account the suffrings of this preseÌ„t time not worthy of the glory which shal be shewed vnto them they consider Christ their head who for the joy that was set before him endured the crosse and despised the shame and is set at the right hand of the throne of God who when he was both in name power a Lion appeared as a Lamb killed yet behold he is alive for evermore Amen and hath the keyes of hel and of death And he it is that raiseth vp his children fioÌ„ death he wil prophesie and their dispersed bones shall come togither sinewes and flesh shall grow vpon them breath shall enter into theÌ„ they stand vpoÌ„ their feet an exceeding great army For in their tribulations they have but washed their garments white in his blood and this is al the fruit the taking away of their syn and the more the adversaries vex them thinking to root them out the more they multiply grow by patient suffering they triumph and by dying dayly they attayn to life eternal And God who hath chastened theÌ„ with rods for their good will turn his hand vpoÌ„ their enemies scourge theÌ„ with scorpioÌ„s they shal wring out and drink the dreggs of this cup of wrath he that made them wil not have compassion of them and he that formed them will have no mercie on them the beasts shal be destroyed and given to the burning fyre the righteous shal have dominion over them in the morning The zele of the Lord of hosts wil performe it The Lord preserveth the sowles of his Saincts he wil deliver them from the hand of the wicked Psalm 97. 10. CHAPT XXI How the peace and communion of the Church is disturbed by troubles syns within it self BVt it is a smal thing for Satan thus to molest the Saincts with troubles from abroad for he hath meanes and instruments many in the church it self to work the woe yea often the ruine of the same he most delighteth to kindle contentions among brethren knowing that such things are most offensive vnto God heavie to his people give to the enemie occasion of reproch The means are two that he chiefly vseth herevnto 1. the infirmities of the Saincts who though they would do good yet through syn that dwelleth in theÌ„ oft times doe the evil which they hate 2. the iniquities of false brethren and hypocrites who alwayes are corrupted in themselves and seek to bring corruptioÌ„ into the whol body of the church 2. For wheÌ„ the faithful through coÌ„mune â—iaylty defyle their precious sowles and bodies through the remaynders of â—yn both the enemies without take occasioÌ„ to blaspheme and the brethren within to stumble contend as Moses was murmured against by his owne sister and brother because he had maried an Aethiopian wife And God himself is often angry with the whol church and punisheth many for the fault of a few as wheÌ„ David synned in numbring the people God in displeasure plagued Israel that of them there died seventie thowsand men Again the home-bred warrs and dessentions are heavier to the brethrens harts then al forreyn troubles many weak ones are offended no lesse then was Rebekah who feeling the childreÌ„ to strive in her bodie made question of her conception and sayd If it be so why am I thus But above al the hypocrites in hart doe increase wrath oft-times molest the church of which they ar not though they be in the same like the Apes peacocks in SolomoÌ„s ships being in deed the serpents seed and apperteyning to an other kingdome then Christs yet are thrust among the Saincts through Satans malice for to annoy them God also permitting this for the trial of his elect By these means the litle bark of Christs church hathever been tossed as with winds and tempests and is like ever to be so lâ—g as it is on the seas of this world that none may look for Angelical perfection or absolute peace vpon the earth 3. The Saincts ar subject if they be not wary hav their wits exercised to discerne good and evil to be caried about with divers and strange doctrines to fal into errors heresies idolatries Satan rayseth vp even among the teachers of the church some speaking perverse things to draw disciples after theÌ„ and the people many of them ar through their owne corruption prone vnto vice even set on mischief The children of Israel living in Aegipt defiled themselves with the abominations and idols of that land being brought out into the wildernes and informed in the statuts of the Lord they ther rebelled against him sinned stil provoked the most High teÌ„pted God and limited the holy one of Israel made them a molten calf sayd this is thy God ô Israel that brought thee out of the laÌ„d of Aegipt coÌ„mitted great blasphemies When they were entred into the good laÌ„d promised to their fathers there also they mingled themselves among the hethen learned thir works and served their idols which were their ruine False prophets ther were many among them that seduced the people to errour and idolatrie strengthned their haÌ„ds in evil preached peace to the wicked put pillowes vnder their armes but smote the righteous grieved and killed what in theÌ„ lay the sowls of such as should not hav died False teachers the Apostle sayth ther wil be also amongst vs which privily shal bring in damnable heresies eveÌ„ denying the Lord that hath bought them The primitive churches had woful experience herof whiles in Galatia they wer soon remooved away to an other gospel being bewitched by their misleaders who vnder pretence of the law of God abolished them from Christ and made them fal from grace And in many other churches false doctrine fretted as a canker and destroyed the faith of certayn whiles some taught the resurrection was past already some with Iezabel BalaaÌ„ perswaded to eat of things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication with other hateful doctrine of the NicolaitaÌ„s idolatrous doctrine of worshiping Angels Christ the head being let goe the grace of God turned to wantonnes God the onely Lord our Lord Iesus Christ denyed Antichrist even many Antichrists entred in to deceyv destroy mens sowles 4. By such seducers much trouble discord was wrought amoÌ„g the people some of ignorance some of wilfulnes receiving and walking in their errors by whom the way of truth was evil spoken of others opposing against them and earnestly contending for the faith once given to the Saincts Especially the Apostles and other trustie ministers of Christ to whose care the sowles of men were coÌ„mitted set themselves against those falsers by the word of truth by the
power of God by the armour of righteousnes on the right hand and on the left coÌ„maunding meÌ„ to teach no other doctrine nor give heed thereto but keep the true pattern of wholsome words in faith love which is in Christ Iesus exhorting therevnto improving and convincing them that spoke against it stopping their mouthes rebuking them sharply that they might be sound in the faith Those againe like Iannes Iambres resisting the truth with prophane vayn bablings disputations and oppositions of science falsly so caled prating against them with malicious words and seeking to disgrace them And wel was it with the churches then whiles those circumspect carefull watchmen the Apostles and Evangelists lived among them took those foxes which destroyed the Lords vines but after their departure ther entred greivous wolves not sparing the flock as by the innumerable heresies and lamentable decay of churches since their time doth appear 5. As for doctrine so about many other things also contention hath often risen through mens infirmities malice and pride that by errors in faith corruptions in maÌ„ners as by a double chain of iniquitie many sowles hav been fettered afflicted For some moved with envie hav sold their brethren to aliants sought for tokil them some through ambition would clime above their caling intrude into higher offices presuming vpoÌ„ their own holines seeking to disgrace others And as the church of Israel was infamous al Moses dayes for their idolatries rebellions many murmurings for which thei carkesses fell in the wildernes strife blood-shed came among them so after that they were seated in the land of Canaan they continewed not long in peace togither but tribe with tribe made warr and rent themselves asunder to the great reproch of Gods true religion giving advantage to the commune adversarie to invade and dispossesse them of their land Yea even in families betweeÌ„ brethren parents and children most bitter bloody strife brake forth as the stories of Abimelech Amnon and Absalom Absalom and David sundry others do declare Also how they were divided when Christ lived among theÌ„ into Sects factions Pharisees Saducees other like the historie of the Gospel every where sheweth Neyther were the Christian Churches which the Apostles had planted free of this â—even but contentions among theÌ„ grew vnto schismes and factions whiles sundry men folowed and re 〈…〉 ed vpon sundry Teachers in their publick meetings also dissentions were among them Some ministers would of strife and envie preach Christ to the people some loving the praeeminence would tyrannyze over the flock forbidding to receiv brethren sent by the Apostles and thrusting them out of the Church And amoÌ„gst Gods elect most faithful servants and loving friends Satan did his vtmost to kindle the coles of emulation dissention and strife as between Abraham and Lot Moses Aaron Peter and Paul Paul and Barnabas and among the Apostles generally when there was contention who should be greatest till they had learned better of their maister Christ. 6. The poyson of syn hath spred it self exceeding farr in churches corrupted the manners actioÌ„s of al degrees For Magistrats leaving the love cherishing of the people loved gifts and followed after rewards judged not the fatherles neyther did the widowes cause come before them they pluckt off their skins from them and their flesh from their bones did eat their flesh and break their bones and chop them in peeces as for the pot Againe the subjects despised and spake evil of their rulers rose vp rebelled against them The rich were vnmerciful and cruel to the poor Among the people and brethren of the church was bitter envying strife sedition reproch every man hunted his brother with a net that they could not trust in any friend but must beware even of her that lay in their bosome The teachers were vayn talkers and deceivers of minds subverting whole howses teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucre sake the priests wrested the law the Prophets were like foxes in the wast places and from them wickednes went forth into al the land Thus judgement was turned into wormwood faith into heresie Gods grace into wantonnes the libertie of his Gospel made a cloak of maliciousnes and in sted of the gracious ornaments of his spirit ther was wretchednes miserie povertie blindnes nakednes they had a name to be alive but wer dead Nor this alone for they hated such as rebuked them and would not admit of reproof but made their faces harder then a stone they killed the prophets and stoned those that were sent vnto them even when Christ himself came among them they would not receiv him but sayd this is the heir come let vs kil him and the inheritance shal be ours 7. These and many moe like evils have crept into the Churches of God wherby they have been troubled distracted and rent in peeces much pople hav been defiled corrupted the Saincts hav had cause to complayn Thou hast multiplied the nation but hast not increased their ioy Against these the ministers and witnesses of the Lord hav cried out in their several ages being sent rising early to recal the synners into the right way Who wer threatned that Sion for their sakes should be plowed as a field and IerusaleÌ„ made a ruinous heap her habitation left vnto her desolate that Christ would warr against theÌ„ with the sword of his mouth and remove the candlestick out of the place except they amended And such as hearkned to the voice of their God turned vnto him had their iniquities forgiven and their crimsin syns made white as snow but such as obeyed not wer devoured of the sword and woe was vnto their sowles for they rewarded evil vnto theÌ„selves and wer caled reprobate silver because the Lord reiected them 8. Thus cometh it to passe through Satans malice and mens corruption that the citie of God of which so glorious things are spoken in the scriptures seemeth more vile and contemptible then any other place the spowse of Christ appeareth black which was named the fayrest among women her foes which feared and marveyled at her do hisse say Is this the citie that men cal The perfection of bewty the ioy of the whole earth her children to whom much peace was promised do mourn and crie for the many abominations that ar done in the middes of her from the daughter Zion al her bewtie is departed being thus persecuted by the Dragon hated reproched of the world molested and forsaken of her own children misvsed and wounded of her watchmen to the grief affliction of her