the Grace of sincere Righteousness and Holiness that thou bear not the shame of Hypocrisie and halting between Heresie or Infidelity and saving Truth and for the Illumination of my Spirit to know the danger of Heresie and Hypocrisie 19. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore and repent 19. If I forsake you not but shew my love to you it will be by chastening you to revive your Care and Zeal If therefore you love not Chastening prevent it by Zeal and Reformation 20. Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me 20. I have my time of offering Mercy and desiring you to entertain it And if any man hear and obey this Call I will come in by my Spirit and take habitual Possession of him and have spiritual Communion with him and he with me Note Though it be not without the Grace of Christ that we open to him when he knocks and receive his offered special Grace yet in this he layeth so much on Man as to make our Opening that is our Accepting-Faith the Condition of his Entring for a fixed Habitation by habitual Love and Holiness On which account Divines use to say that Faith and Repentance wrought first in Conversion are the Conditions or Qualifications for consequent Justification and Sanctification 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne 21. To him that overcometh all the Temptations of this Life so far as to keep his sincere Faith Love and Obedience to the End I will give a Participation in my Kingdom Power and Glory even as I obtained my Glory by overcoming Satan and the World Note This expoundeth what is meant before by Ruling the Nations with a Rod of Iron c. 22. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches 22. Note Let every man that hath an Ear and Heart lay close to heart these Reproofs Warnings and Promises of Christ to these seven Churches for it concerneth them all Again note that notwithstanding all Christ's Reproofs and Threatnings to many of these Churches he biddeth no one separate from them CHAP. IV. 1. AFter this I looked and behold a door was opened in heaven and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me which said Come up hither and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter 1. After this the Vision that I further saw was as if a Door had been opened into Heaven c. Note 1. Not that Heaven hath a Door but the Vision was to be suited to the Capacity of a Soul in Flesh 2. The Notices which advance Man's Understanding on Earth come all from Heaven 2. And thither must we look and seek if we will know the things of God 2. And immediately I was in the spirit and behold a throne was set in heaven and one sat on the throne 2. And immediately I was in an Extasie the Spirit acting me as above the Body And God revealing things according to my Capacity I thought I saw a Throne the Seat of Royal Glorious Majesty and a Royal Person sat on the Throne 3. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone and there was a rain-bow round about the throne in sight like unto an emerald 3. And the Power and Glory of him that sat on the Throne was represented to me as by the similitude of precious Stones a Jasper and a Sardine And his Glory and faithful keeping of his Covenant was represented to me by the Appearance of a Rain bow like an Emerald in colour round about the Throne 4. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting clothed in white raiment and they had on their heads crowns of gold 4. Note The Apparition being made to him that was a Jew was a Representation of the Jewish Camp in â—he Wilderness with the Tabernacle in the midst â—â—cording to which also the Temple-Worship was â—â—â—med to bear some similitude And the Christian-Assemblies had some resemblance to that Some think it relateth to the Church at Jerusalem which had say they twenty four Elders say some twelve Apostles and twelve Elders others that it is to the Bishop of Jerusalem and four and twenty City-Bishops of Judea who use to sit in Council with him who yet saith Dr. H. were then but the sole Pastors of single Assemblies without any other Elders under them but were after to have such Others think it intimateth that all Churches should unite in such Synods as consist of twelve Teaching Elders and twelve Ruling Elders that are not Teachers Rather all Churches and Pastors are signified by twenty four But all these are but mens unproved thoughts save only that in general the Vision appeared in resemblance of such an Assembly as is here described And it clearly intimateth 1. That the Elders have a proper Dignity and Honour and Power signified by their Seals and White Rayment and Crowns of Gold I would not have ignorant proud Lads that can but get a Lay-Patron to present them to a Benefice where they may live in the guilt of betraying Souls to call themselves these Elders nor to feign in White Rayment that they have Crowns of Gold 5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven spirits of God 5. Note 1. The Glory and Terrour of the heavenly Apparition is thus expressed From the similitude of the Temple-Worship and more fully of the Church-Worship and Sacred Assemblies whence must proceed the Light of Doctrine the Thunder of Reproof and just Censures and the Voices of common Consent and Praises to God Whether it signifie the scorching Lightnings and Thunderingâ— Excommunications of Lay-Chancellors Officials Surrogates Commissaries c. that use an absent Bishop's name over not one Parish only but many score or hundred Parish-Churches I leave to the Arguments of the Affirmers 2. The seven Lamps are expounded of the seven Spirits of God relating as some suppose to the Lamps which were continually to burn before the Tabernacle Exod. 17.20 and after before the Temple And as others think to the seven Deacons at Jerusalem Others think it is the seven Guardian Angels of the Asian Churches to whom John specially directeth all this Book though for the use of all others But of this and other such passages the great doubt is whether really there be not in the Spiritual World which John saw such things as he describeth and the Institutions about Tabernacle Temple and Church-Assembles be not formed to some resemblance of these Or whether all be spoken only of the things below of
part for three days 41. The men of Nineveh shall rise up in judgment with this generation and shall condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonas and behold a greater than Jonas is here 42. The Queen of the south shall rise up in judgment with this generation and shall condemn it for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon and behold a greater than Solomon is here 41 42. Nineveh repented at a far less warning and convincing means than the Miracles and words of the Messiah sent from heaven And the Queen of the South came from a far land to hear the wisdom of Solomon but these men despise a far greater than Solomon these therefore shall condemn them 43. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man he walketh through dry places seeking rest and finding none 44. Then he saith I will return into my house from whence I came out and when he is come he findeth it empty swept and garnished 45. Then goeth he and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself and they enter in and dwell there and the last state of that man is worse than the first even so shall it be also to this wicked generation 43. c. The case of this wicked generation is like that of a man that had the Devil cast out of him but being unthankful and continuing in his sin the Devil by Gods permission possesseth him again and bringeth with him seven worse spirits and so his end is worse than he was before he was delivered So I have preached the Gospel and cast out Devils in this land but being rejected by the obstinate unbelievers the Devil will get a worse possession of them than that from which I did eject him and they shall be cut off for their unbelief 46 47. While he yet talked to the people behold his mother and his brethren stood without desiring to speak with him Then one said to him Behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without desiring to speak with thee 48. But he answered and said to him that told him Who is my mother and who are my brethren 46 c. Dost thou know who they be that I esteem as my Mother and brethren 49 50. And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples and said Behold my mother and my brethren For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven the same is my brother and sister and mother 49 50. Note 1. Christ spake not this to teach men to dishonour Parents or to lay by natural affection but to let all know that Regeneration puts men into a more honourable beloved and happy relation to him than natural generation or kindred 2. Which is exceeding comfort for every true Christian 3. And direction to us how to love such 4. And a terrible prognostick of the misery of those that hate and persecute them CHAP. XIII 1. THe same day went Jesus out of the house and sat by the sea side 2. And great multitudes were gathered together to him so that he went into a ship and sat and the whole multitude stood on the shore 3. And he spake many things to them in parables saying Behold a sower went forth to sow 1 2 3. N. Christ thought a Ship or a House or a Mountain no unmeet place to preach in and yet avoided not the Temple or Synagogues 2. They that will have the word with Gods blessing must follow after it 3. Similitudes were suitable to such learners 4. Preaching is like sowing seed 4. And when he sowed some seeds fell by the way side and the fowls came and devoured them up 5. Some fell on stony places where they had not much earth and forthwith they sprang up because they had no deepness of earth 6. And when the sun was up they were scorched and because they had not root they withered away 7. And some fell among thorns and the thorns sprang up and choked them 8. But other fell into good ground and brought forth fruit some an hundred fold some sixty fold some thirty fold 9. Who hath ears to hear let him hear 4 c. Note The first sort was not earthed The second sort had little earth and rooting the third sort had earth and root but among thorns which had greater possession and choaked it Of so great weight is it to understand this difference of hearers that it is as much as our ears and understandings are worth 10 11. And the disciples came and said to him Why speakest thou to them in parables He answered and said to them Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven but to them it is not given 10 11. Because tho God hath given you some knowledge already of the mysteries of the Kingdom of the Messiah these men are ignorant like children and must be taught by familiar similitudes accordingly being yet uncapable of other manner of teaching 12. For whosoever hath to him shall be given and he shall have more abundance but whosoever hath not from him shall be taken away even that he hath 12. For here it is true that to him that hath shall be given c. He that hath already the understanding of the rudiments and fundamentals is thereby capable of receiving and understanding more one truth openeth the way unto another But they that have no considerable knowledge are hardly taught it and if it be by their wilfull neglect or contempt are like by their guilt and folly to lose all the profitable use even of their reason 13. Therefore I speak to them in parables because they seeing see not hearing they hear not neither do they understand 14. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias which saith By hearing ye shall hear and not understand and seeing ye shall see and shall not perceive 15. For this peoples heart is waxed gross and their ears are dull of hearing and their eyes they have closed lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and should be converted and I should heal them 13 c. I speak to them in similitudes as children must be first taught to spell because tho they have understanding eyes and ears they are so ignorant that they understand not even what eyes and ears and reason tell them As the Prophet Isaiah saith c. This people by wilful neglect of knowledge are such as will not understand even what they hear and see For their hearts are stupifyed and their understanding so dull and they have so sinfully shut their own eyes for want of care and love to truth that thus they keep out the knowledge of the Gospel and shut out my offered grace which else would convince and convert them and they would be healed Note 1. That the way of Parables is not mentioned as an obscure way to hide the truth
Suffering in which we must be prepared to follow him 48. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign saying Whomsoever I shall kiss that same is he hold him fast 49. And forth with he came to Jesus and said Hail master and kissed him 50. And Jesus said to him Friend wherefore art thou come Then came they and laid hands on Jesus and took him 48 c. Note 1. Hypocrites cruelty is exercised under the name of Friendship How many Thousand Persecute Christ in his cause and Servants on pretences of Faith Religion Order and Enmity to Sin 2. It s a pitiful sight to see poor ignorant People in obedience to Rulers Persecuting Christ to their own Destruction as if it were he and his servants that were their dangerous Enemies 51. And behold one of them which were with Jeâ—us stretched out his hand and drew his sword and stroke a servant of the high priests and smote off his ear 51. Natural inclination to defence and Love to Christ overcame Peters consideration and patience 52. Then said Jesus to him Put up again thy sword into his place for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword 52. Put up thy Sword and let us patiently submit to Violence For as none must use the Sword without just Warrant and Authority so usually they that fight for themselves are destroyed and suffer more than they that patiently endure Violence and Injustice Note Christ doth not in these words make all self-defence or War unlawful but he doth more than forbid unwarrantable Fighting meaning that not onely unlawful resistance of Power and Revenge but even wars and fighting against injuries and Enemies usuaâ—â—â— hasten Death and increase Mens Sufferings And therefore they should forethink whether War or Patience be like to do more hurt 53. Thinkest thou that I cannot nâ—â— pray to my father and he shall presenâ—â—y give me more than twelve legions of angels 53. Note 1. Angels are ready to serve Christ at his desire 2. It should stop our impatient thoughts of rash and unlawful self-defence to think that God can otherwise deliver us 54. But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be 54. N. We must not strive against Events which we foreknow will come to pass 55. In the same hour said Jesus to the multitude Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves to take me I sate daily with you teaching in the temple and ye laid no hold on me 55. Why did you not take me in the Temple but thus in the Night like a Thief 56. But all this was done that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled Then all the disciples forsook him and fled 56. All this was foretold in Scripture They let his Disciples go and they fled away in fear 57. And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest where the scribes and the elders were assembled 58. But Peter followed him afar oft unto the high priests palace and went in and sate with the servants to see the end 57. They brought him to their Arch-priest as glorying in their success And Peter went in where the Servants sate 59. Now the chief priests and elders and all the councel sought false witness against Jesus to put him to death 60. But found none yea though many false witnesses came yet found they none At the last came two false witnesses 61. And said This fellow said I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days 59. c. N. 1. As Hypocrites in Religion are worse than Pagans in that they father their wickedness on God and Religion so Hypocrite-Judges and Lawyers are herein worse than lawless Murderers that they abuse and disgrace Law and Government by using them to inâ—ustice and bloodshed 2. No man is so good or innocent that false Witness may not Condemn 62. And the high priest arose and said â—â—â—o him Answerest thou nothing What 〈◊〉 which these witness against thee â—3 〈…〉 hâ—ld his peace 6â— 6â— N. Christ was silent to shew 1. That he was not over solicitous for his Life 2. When Malignant false Judges are resolved what to do against Innocence and Right it is oft in vain to talk it out with them And they watcht for words of his own to Accuse him of 63. And the high priest answered and said unto him I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ the Son of God 63. N. 1. Once for all take notice that answering was then among the Jews a common Phrase for speaking in course though no question was askt 2. It was the Malignant Policie of that Arch-priest to make Christ his own Accuser and Witness when they could get no other For they knew that he that bound his Disciples to confess him would not refuse to confess himself when adjured by God though he was silent as to his Defence against Personal Accusations And so it is with Christs Enemies to this day who put Christians that dare neither lie nor conceale necessary truth upon self-Accusation As they could find nothing against Daniel except about the Law of his God which he durst not break to save his Life so do the Devils Officers take advantage of good Mens Consciences to destroy them 64. Jesus saith to him Thou hast said nevertheless I say unto you Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven 64. I am he and though I stand here to be judged by you your Eyes shall see me coming in Glory and in Power to Judge you and all the World or as some say To Destroy you by the Romans 65.66 Then the high priest rent his cloathes saying He hath spoken blasphemy what further need have we of witnesses behold now ye have heard his blasphemy What think ye They answered and said He is guilty of death 65.66 Then the High Priest had that which he desired and by rending his Cloathes shewed his Abhorrence of the supposed Sin of Christ and demanded the Sentence of the Court against him as a Blasphemer And they Voted him for it guilty of Death Note 1. How foolish a thing is it to think that any Law or any mans Innocency or Goodness will preserve Justice or Piety while bad men are Judges Can any Law be better than Gods Or any Person better than Christ The Devils Judges possessing the place that God instituted to defend Truth and Equity will condemn God himself manifest in Flesh by his own Law and as sinning against himself And they are since the same 2. The very Murderers of Christ would seem greater enemies to Blasphemy and more zealous for Gods Honour than God himself So little are False Men to be believed 67. Then did they spit in his face and buffeted him and others smote him with the palmes of their hands 68. Saying prophecy to
Names and Inheritance so God having called you in Christ by Grace into this State of Adoption from the Servitude of Sin and the Law hath sealed you with his Sanctifying Spirit whereby in the Belief of his Fatherly Love to you in Christ your new Natures are inclined to love and trust him and depend on him and seek to him in all your Wants and Streights as Children to their Parents This is your Mark of Adoption Note That as Adoption is taken in two senses and degrees so is the Gift of the Spirit 1. To be so far Redeemed by Christ as to be brought from under Sin and the Law and Curse into a State of Sonship and Life by a Conditional Deed of Gift or Promise that is so Men will accept and not reject the Gift this is a Conditional Adoption and with this there goeth a measure of the Spirits Operation which should draw all and doth draw the Elect to the first true Faith and Repentance by Vocation 2. But to those that thus actually believe and repent and so receive Christ and are united to him is given with him the Gift and Relation of actual Adoption and these have actually the Spirit of Holiness Love and Adoption even possessing them 7. Wherefore thou art no more a servant but a son and if a son then an heir of God through Christ 7. So that now you are not Slaves or meer Servants ruled by constraint of fear and so not under the bondage of that Law which doth work by cursing Terrour but you are Sons and under a Fatherly Government and if Sons then have you right to the Inheritance by Christ 8. Howbeit then when ye knew not God ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods 8. But before you were brought to the true Knowledge of God you Gentile Christians were the worst of Slaves serving them that are no Gods at all and the Jews thought there was no hope of you but by becoming Proselytes to them And now Christ hath delivered both you and them 9. But now after that ye have known God or rather are known of God how turn ye again to the weak and beggerly elements whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage 9. And now you have learned the Knowledge of God or rather were by his free Mercy known first of him and called home by him what should more you to encline to forsake this State of Liberty and of Sons to become Servants under either Jewish or Gentile Bondage or that Law whose Ceremonies were suited to a poor and weak sort of People 10. Ye observe days and months and times and years 11. I am afraid of you lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain 10 11. You keep the Jewish Ceremonial Sabbaths Feasts and Fasts as if that Law were obligatory to you This maketh me fear lest I have preached the Gospel to such in vain 12. Brethren I beseech you be as I am for I am as ye are ye have not injured me at all 12. Brethren rejecâ— not my Counsel and Example for it is for your own Interest and Liberty that I speak and not for any Gain of my own Your Dissent doth not hurt me but your selves 13. Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first 14. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not nor rejected but received me as an angel of God even as Christ Jesus 13 14. You know that I was so far from seeking any Ends of my own when I first preached the Gospel to you that it cost me suffering in the Flesh from Persecutors And though by this I was rendred vile in the eyes of the World and few will own Men in their Sufferings yet you did not for this despise me or reject my Doctrine yea you received me as you would have done an Angel or Christ himself with Kindness 15. Where is then the blessedness you spake of for I bear you record that if it had been possible ye would have plucked out your own eyes and have given them to me 15. How happy did you then think your selves in the Comfort of the Gospel And how is the Case now altered For I testifie for you that your respect to me was so great that you would not have thought your very Eyes too dear to have given me had it been needful 16. Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth 16. And have I forfeited all your Love by telling you the truth which speaketh your Liberty and Peace with God though it may expose you to some suffering from the Jews 17. They zealously affect you but not well yea they would exclude you that you might affect them 17. They sollicit you with zealous Expressions of Love but it is not to do you good nor is erroneous Zeal and Kindness profitable Yea they would cast you out of your Spiritual Liberty and Grace that they might obtain a Mastery in your erroneous affections to them 18. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing and not only when I am present with you 18. Zealous Affections are Good when they are laid out on that which is good But then it should be constant and not liable to be changed by Seduâ—ers if your Teachers be but absent from you and not at hand to confute them 19. My little children of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you 20. I desire to be present with you now and to change my voice for I stand in doubt of you 19 20. You are to me as my Children and I am again in painful care of your Salvation till I hear that you are resolved Christians in sincerity I desire and did purpose to come to you For being in suspicion and fear of you I would know better what to say to you than at this distance I can 21 22. Tell me ye that desire to be under the law do ye not hear the law For it is written that Abraham had two sons the one by a bond-maid the other by a free-woman 21 22. Did you mark and understand the Law which you hear you would not desire to be under it You may read That Abraham had two Sons One by â—agar a Bond-servant the other by Sarah his Free and Lawful Wife 23. But he who was of the bond-woman was born after the flesh but he of the free-woman was by promise 23. Ismael was born of Hagar by ordinary carnal Generation but Isaac was born of Sarah by Gods Promise and his Power above the ordinary course of Nature 24. Which things are an allegory for these are the two covenants the one from the mount Sinai which gendereth to bondage which is Agar 24. Which are to be allegorically understood as denoting the two Covenants One that of the Law given at Mount Sinai which being a Law of Servitude and Fear is well signified by Agar 25. For this
be trusted with the Ministry but Men Faithful and able to teach others 3. It is the same Doctrine which was delivered by the Apostles which must be committed to Ministers to teach the People 4. While the Scriptures were yet unwritten or unfinished the words which Men heard from the Apostles were to be their Rule of Doctrine 3. Thou therefore endure hardness as a good souldier of Jesus Christ 3. Note The Life of a Minister or Bishop is not a Life of Ease and Idleness and Safeness and Dominion and fulness but like a Souldiers a Life of Hardship hard Labour hard usage by the World Hard Sufferings requiring Resolution Fortitude and Patience 4. No man that warreth intangleth himself with the affairs of this life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a souldier 4. A Bishop or Minister must be like a Souldier who maketh it his whole Business and doth not joyn any other Trade of Life that would take up any of his time 5. And if a man also strive for masteries yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully 5. And in the Games in which Men strive for Masteries for a Prize as Running Wrestling Fencing Fighting it is not every one that striveth that hath the Crown or Prize but onely he that winneth it by getting the better And so must a Minister of Christ strive for the Crown of Life by putting forth all his care and strength 6. The husbandmen that laboureth must be first partaker of his fruits 6. The Husbandman must labour Plow Sow c. before he reap and gather the Fruit. Note God will reward no Pastors but the Laborours tho' Men may advance the Proud and Idle 7. Consider what I say and the Lord give thee understanding in all things 7. Note They that will have Gods Word and good Council blest by God to their Understanding must consider of it even of its meaning truth and use 8. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead 8. If thou deeply consider and remember that Christ was raised from the Dead as it will infer the truth of all the rest of the Gospel to thee so it will be to thee a powerful example of Patience and Hope in all thy Sufferings for Christ 8 9. According to my Gospel Wherein I suffer trouble as an evildoer even unto bonds but the word of God is not bound 8 9. This Resurrection of Christ is it which I Preach for which I suffer as reputed a Malefactor and that even to Imprisonment and Bonds but Godâ— Word still prospereth and is not bound Note So blind and Devilish is Malignant Enmity to Truth and Godliness that Christs best Servants are reputed and used as Malefactors and Rogues even for the best of their Duty to God and that which is most profitable to the World 10. Therefore I endure all things for the elects sakes that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory 10. And I think not any Suffering too dear for the sake of Gods Elect though the rest of the World reject the Gospel that it may but further the Salvation of them by the Grace of Christ to bring them to Eternal Glory 11. It is a faithful saying For if we be dead with him we shall also live with him 12. If we suffer we shall also reign with him 11 12. Believe this as a Gospel Maxim if we be dead to the World for him as he died for us we shall live in glory with him And it we suffer for and with him we shall follow him also in Exaltation unto Glory 12 13. If we deny him he also wil deny us If we believe not yet he abideth faithful he cannot deny himself 12 13. If for fear of suffering we deny him he will disown us and deny us his Salvation And if we be unfaithful and forsake him and our own Salvation yet he will be true of his Word and will not deny and forsake his own Cause but make good his threatnings against them that forsake his Mercies 14. Of these things put them in remembrance charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit but to the subverting of the hearers 14. Note Bishops and Ministers have great need to call Men to the serious study of fundamental practical truths from vain diverting kinds of study 2. Such are the Disputes and Contentions about Words or Grammatical Criticisms and Barren Speculations in Arts and Sciences which profit not by their due subserviency to Saving Truths but subvert Men by diverting their Thoughts Love and Labour 15. Study to shew thy self approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth 15. Study not for applause and to humour sick-brains but to please God and do all as approved to him with such skill and care and diligence as beseemeth a good Workman that need not be ashamed of his Work and disgrace not the Work by an ignorant bungling confused handling but take great care rightly to order methodize and distribute the word of Truth Note That tho curious unprofitable trifling with Words be sinful yet the more accurate ordering methodizing or distributing Truth setting each in its proper place and giving every hearer his due part is the part of a skilful Teacher 16. But shun profane and vain bablings for they will increase unto more ungodliness 17. And their word will eat as doth a canker 16. But avoid profane and vain Clamors and Bablings of Heathen Philosophers or Hereticks who set up a course of Ostentation of their Wit by unprofitable Disputes for the Fruit will be but the Increase of ungodliness And Vain Proud Wits are so liable to the Infection that their words will eat like a Gangren 17 18. Of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus who concerning the truth have erred saying That the resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some 17 18. Note It is not certain on what account they said the Resurrectâ—on was past 1. Whether as the Familists and Quakers by pretending that it is but an inward Resurrection from sin that is meant Or 2. As Pythagoreans saying That it 's but the Transition of Souls into other Bodies which is done here and no more to be expected I incline most to this last It is that which Paul Disputeth against 1 Cor. 15. that is here meant And the Doctrine of Transmigration was then so common and the Hereticks had so much from the Pythagorean Philosophers that it 's most likely to be this 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal The Lord knoweth them that are his And Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity 19. But whoever falls away God's Foundation on which we build our Hope is sure and hath a Seal as it were with this double Inscription on one side The Lord knoweth them that are his for he