BREACH upon BREACH OR AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF Judiciall Breaches MADE UPON US PROCURED BY SINFULL BREACHES FOUND AMONGST US With Instruction Admonition and encouragement yet to turn to him that smites us and the sum of it was delivered at the Funerall of Mr. Jeremiah Colman late Preacher of the Gospell at Hetherset in Norfolk February 18. 1658 9. By Tho. Moore Junior If they shall confesse their iniquity And that they have walked contrary to me and I also have walked contrary to them Then will I remember my covenant and I will remember the Land Levit. 26. 40 41 42. If any say I have sinned and perverted that which was right and it profitted me not he will deliver his soul from going downe to the pit and his life shall see the light for he hath found a Ransome Job 33. 24. 27. 28. For this cause vide not so discerning the Lords Body that was broken for us as to examine and judge our selves in the light thereof many are weake and sickly among you and many sleepe for if we would judge our selves we should not be judged c. 1 Cor. 11. 28 29 30 31 32. LONDON Printed by J. B. for the Author 1659. The Epistle to the Reader THis our beloved Brother deceased had his conversation in times past among a people zealous about some lighter matters of the Law as to outward order and discipline in the worship of God while yet neglecting the weighty matters as judgement and the love of God ernest in building Churches but slighting if not as there is too much cause of jealouâ—y of many of their builders refusing that stone for the foundation and head of the corner which God hath laid in Sion for that purpose too much like though it may be hoped not so much out of order as Israel of old who when forgetting his maker And counting the great things of his Law even Christ the end of the Law and the knowledge of God in Christ and his righteousnesse the things witnessed in the Law and Prophets as a strange thing were yet zealous in building Temples and multiplying Altars and sacrifices Hos 8. 11 12 14. with ch 6. 6 7. Psal 118. 22. Math. 21. 42. and 23. 23. Luk. 11. 42. Act. 4. 11. with Isa 28. 12. 16. and 29. 11. But God who is rich in mercy for the great love wherewith he loved us even when we were dead in sins and â—respasses and that he might thereby shew the exceeding riches of his grace to others inclined his heart more dilligently to enquire into the great things of his Law or doctrine summed up in the testimony God hath given of Christ and gave him to perceive the faithfulnesse of that saying that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners By the light of which he karned to relinquish the former apprehensions he had of Christ and so of other persons and things after the flesh or as that teacheth and to account losse and dung for Christ and for the excellency of the knowledge of him such things as before were gain to him that he might farther win him and be found in him And so in receiving his word as the word of God and not of men Christ as testified in the scriptures the son of God the Saviour of the world became precious to him And having tested that the Lord is gracious to whom comming as to a living stone disalowed indeed of men but chosen of God and precious he also as a lively stone was therein built up in him and so made of the spirituall house and holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ the love of Christ constrained him with much earnestnesse to perswade and beseech others to be reconciled to God and to seeke help in the name of God in Christ to warne the unruly comfort the feeble-minded support the weake to be patient towards all men in meeknesse instructing them that oppose themselves and to encourage and stir up such as had believed through grace to abide in him as they had received him and to provoke them to love and good works and so to help forward and strengthen the hearts and hands of the fellow-helpers to the truth As one that had his heart seasoned with those principles of certainty and truth that one died for all so effectually with the father that all have died in that death of one as all have sinned and death passed on them in and by the sin of one And that he therefore died for all that they which live in their severall ages by the grace of God bringing salvation to them as it doth to all men in due time should not henceforth live to themselves but to him that dyed for them and rose again knowing also in this knowledge of the greatnesse and truth of Gods grace in Christ to manward the unspeakable terror of the Lord against those that will not know him but are contentious and do not obey the truth or by an evil heart of unbelief depart from him and go on in their trespasses and backslidings till the day of grace pass and the master of the house be rissen up and have shut to the dore And in this his earnest seeking the good of all and the edifying of the Body of Christ he was much stirred up espâ—cially in his latter days to press for more fellowship in the Gospell with them that did know and acknowledge the grace of God in truth and so callon the Lord out of a pure heart And that such should joyn together as the heart of one man for the promoting that designe To which purpose he moved it as of great advantage and very necessary that brethren in the Gospell should often gather together as they might have opportunity frroâ— divers parts to consult one with another and together with the Scriptures and the testimony of God concerning Christ as contained in them how they might walk and strive together in more joint order for for the faith of the Gospell This though much upon his spirit to his latter end Yet was too little considered by us Our generall dulness and loss of our first love by wandering out of the way of understanding made us insencible both of the advantage to be sâ—â—â—net within such endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond if peace and so seeking the Lord and his things and therein the things and good of others after the due order and also of the necessiry of it especially in these evill times It seemed to me that Gods removing this instrument in the midst of his days and while his spirit was so earnestly set for the promoting and carrying on so good a worke and yet it was so little apprehended or considered by us had in it a great reproofe of our dulnesse and a loud voice signifying necessity of timely listening to it to awaken us to righteousnesse in this particular that standing up from the dead Christ
that so we may be found in him for the knowledge of him in what he hath done and is become for us while we were yet out of him being heartily imbraced leades the heart and mind into him and to be stayed in him See Phil. 3. 8 10. 1 Joh. 5 20. And to that purpose the first thing in all the commandements as brought to us by the glorious Gospel is to hear that word or doctrine of faith that presents the Lord our God to be one Lord as evidenced in that one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransome for all a testimony in due time which shews him to be light and in him no darkness at all See and compare Mark 12. 29. 1 Timothy 2. 4 5 6. 1 John 1. 5. Whence also we are exhorted to be swift to hear that word of truth in what condition so ever we be come as we are to it listen to and receive it with all acception as a faithful saying full of truth and goodness for us at all times that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners To hear alwayes before we speak or do that thence we may be rightly taught strengthned and qualified so to speak and do as those that shall be judged by that royal law of liberty Be more ready to hear then to offer the Sacrifices of Fools James 1. 19. Eccles 5. 1. Prov. 22. 17 21. And so the way to seek righteousness profitably that we may attain it is to seek it by faith in Christ Romans 9. 30 32. To believe in him that we may be justified by the faith of him Gal. 2. 15 16. For as by his knowledge or skill so also through the knowledge of himself through his name he gives the forgiveness of sins and justifies the believer Isaiah 53. 11. with Acts 10. 43. and 13 38 39. And so likewise if we would get victory over sin and Satan cleanse our hands from sins our hearts from guile be made partakers of his holiness without which no man shall see him The way to seek it is also in the knowledge and faith of him and to that purpose to be exercised in beholding the glory of the Lord as shined in that glass even in the face of Christ through the glorious Gospel 2 Cor. 3. 18. with chap. 4. 6. Whence the Psalraist tells us That they that have clean hands and a pure heart are onely the Generation of them that seek his face and so seek righteousnes and strength there Psalm 24. 4 6. with Isaiah 45. 24 25. And therefore also calling upon us to seek the Lord and his strength leads us to this as the way to it in his fundamental instruction seek his face evermore Remember his marvellous works that he hath done his wonders and the judgments of his mouth Psam 105. 4 5. They then seek him not after the due Order that first seek to frame or work up their own hearts to a belief or hope in God or confident expectation of good from him before they hear or dare receive and consider the word of faith as true for them but seek to find the act or grace of faith first in their own hearts that from thence they may conclude the truth of the word of faith to themselves that first seek to work up their own hearts to love God before they will know or believe his love to them in Christ as and while sinners and enemies which onely is fit and able to get true love and good affection to him that so from the imagination of their love and good affection to him they may conclude his love and good affection in Christ â—o them Now herein is not love saith the Apostle that we have loved God herein Gods love is not rightly perceived But in this that he fiâ—st loved us even while enemies and sent his Son the propitiation for our sins And therefore and from thence we indeed love him because he fiâ—st loved us and from thence also that being first known and believed springs true love one to another 1 John 4. 9 10 19 and 3 16. They therefore do greatly err as likewise in seeking to get victory over sin and strength against their corruptions before they dare receive the report of his comming into the world to save sinners and the victory and conquest obtained in his resurrection over sin and Satan as faithful and true for them And then from what they imagine they find in themselves they conclude the truth of that done in him for them In this preposterous and disorderly way of seeking the Lord men make iâ— their first and great inquiry whether they be elected or in a good condition before God which they strive to guess and to conclude to themselves from some imagined gracious frames good affection victory over sin or the like or from some particular assurance that hath no better ground for the bottom of it then some testimony of their own or some private spirit before they will believe Gods testimony of his sending his onely begotten Son by his grace to taste death for them and giving him glory that their faith and hope might be in God And then gather up conclusions of the truth of that for them from their imagination of the truth of the former Namely that Christ by the grace of God tasted death for them because they find themselves such as before Hence it is that the way men too generally walk in to comfort themselves and others in distress is to labour to perswade them that they are in a better condition then they think they are Their sins less their Hearts Desire Frames and Works better or else from some signs or testimony of their owne spirit or of others that they are of the Elect and that therefore Christ and all his things belong to them Behold a more excellent way then any of these crooked paths in which who so walketh shall know no true or lasting peace First inquire in the light of Gods testimony and consider diligently what Jesus Christ by the grace of God hath done and what an infinite rich provision of all things pertaining to life godliness is in him for such vile sinners and wretched ones as at the worst thou mayest suppose thy self to be even for such as yeâ— are not of the Elect or chosen Generation that through him they might be saved and in finding him find Life Election Sonship and priviledges of Sons in him and so be made of that Generation that were chosen in Christ from the beginning of the World to be his peculiar treasure even of the chosen generation the Holy Nation Beloved with peculiar manner of love who before were not so as Rom. 9. 24 25. 1 Peter 2. 9 10. Instead then of striving to conclude thy self in a good or safe condition see and consider in the testimony of Christ what there is for such as are in a bad and lost condition like
in the Ark the first Testament which made nothing perfect but pointed to a better hope in Christ and so were Ministers of the letter and had a ministration of death to nurture and lead to life and peace in him that was to come Now the service of the holy Priesthood is to be exercised in the Heavenly things themselves That which is committed to their charge is the revelation of Grace and Truth as now come forth in and by Jesus Christ delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification The dispensation of the fulness of times in which al things are gathered together in one and so in which is the revelation of the truth and body of all those figures tipes and shadowes in the law even in Christ that excellent ministry in which God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings whereas that committed to them was but Gods speaking in divers parts In this speaking by his Son last of all is given unto us the full and clear revelation of the name of the Father in the manifâ—station of the truth of all his former Oracles and promises to the Fathers and so of his infinite grace and glory therein and that in the face of Christ in the discovery of which his name The name of the Son is also revealed in which he is manifested as before witnessed in Oracles Tipes and Prophesies and as the fulfilling and body of them all in what he hath already done and by means thereof doth and will do The Son of God the Saviour of the World The Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the World the perfect sacrifice and offering for sin That is the onely and compleat ransome and price of redemption for all The Mediatour between God and men the High-Priest over the house of God yea the onely He in whom it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell even the fulness of the God-head bodily and in whose blood the whole New Testament of precious promises both for this life and that to come is sealed that also the performance of them may be given forth in due time with him And this revelation of the Son and so of the Father in him is given us in the full evidence and demonstration of the Spirit with plainness and power in which also the name of the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth is revealed in his full and glorious testimony of Christ and so of the Father in him immediately given and in his powerful presence and working with it unto all things pertaining to life and godliness to the end of the World as was before prophesied of that powring forth of him from on high And so they are Ministers of the New Testament not of the letter but of the Spirit being in this dispensation blessed with all Spiritual Blessings and that not in earthly or tipical but in Heavenly things even in Christ in whom all Spiritual blessings the truth and body of all figures and tipes are treasured up for us and in the rveelation of him brought to us and in this Ministry committed to the Holy Priesthood That they should offer up spiritual Sacrifices of prayer and praise to God continually and confession of his name by Jesus Christ as comed in the flesh and so that they should Minister in the Heavenly things themselves and not in Tipes Figures or Patterns as the Levitical Priesthood but in and about the true Sanctuary Mercy-Seat Altar Sacrifice c. as the truth and body of all is met and found in him So then the bearing and keeping the charge of the Vessels of the Lord that is now the work or service of the Holy Priesthood under the Gospel and was resembled by the Priests and Levites bearing and keeping the charge of the Ark of the Sanctuary and of all the Vessels of the Ministry may be thus expressed 1. Their great business and the sum of all is to keep and to bear even to bear upon them and hold forth The truth of God as it is now come forth and manifested in the personal body of Jesus Christ which the Father prepared for him in our nature that he might do his will for us and in which he bore our sins on the Tree and in which being raised from the dead he is entred into his glory for us which is such as in which it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell in him even the fulness of the God-head bodily That by him our faith and hope might be in God They are to hold fast and hold forth to others this acknowledgement or profession of their faith in which those things which the Prophets said should come to pass That Christ should suffer and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead and should shew light to the People and to the Gentiles is declared to be even so fulfilled and come forth in that one offering of his personal body once for all And so in him the truth and body of all the tipes and shadowes of the law Whence the house of God which is the Church of the living God as now it is since the appearing of Christ the Church of the man Christ raised from the dead who was dead but is alive for evermore and standeth in the name and majesty of God his Father to feed and rule I say his spiritual house his holy Priesthood is according to the general acception of that 1 Timothy 3. 15. said to be The Pillar and ground of truth even of the manifestation of the truth and righteousness of God in all his former Oracles and promises given to the Fathers and in all the grace and good things tipified and witnessed in the law and Prophets as now come forth in Christ raised from the Dead and treasured up in his personal body for us And though that Scripture may have another acception such as in which that clause the pillar and ground of truth is attributed to the living God that stands before it and indeed He even God in Christ and so the man Christ Jesus in the name and majesty of God he is not onely the truth but in the most full and absolute sense the pillar and ground of it yet that understanding though taken in here destroyes not the sence fore-mentioned in which also His Church from him and as in conjunction with him the Head is signified to be in a subordinate sense the pillar and ground of truth And happily the words may be so left that we may take in the sense of both acceptions together We shall briefly speak to it in the sence we have mentioned according to the usual acceptation as that also may stand and agree with the other The truth of which in any sence The Church of the living God is the Pillar and Ground is as before hinted Jesus Christ himself as raised from the Dead in that Body in which he was delivered for our offences And so the
infinite fountain and treasury of grace and truth in him as so considered answering to all the former Oracles prophesies and tipes as that is manifested or brought to light by the Gospell as now spoken forth by Jesus Christ in those last dayes which Gospel of our Salvation as so come forth is therefore eminently and as distinguished from former dispensations even from Gods speaking in the Law and by the Prophets called the truth The word of Truth Ephesians 1. 13. James 1. 18. 2 Corinthians 4. 1. 4. with chap. 3. Not because this speaking of God by Jesuus Christ is more true then any of his former speakings in the Law or by the Prophets that cannot be for as his righteousness is everlasting so his whole Law or Doctrine is the truth The righteousness of his testimonies is everlasting his word true from the beginning and every one of his righteous judgements for ever They are all infinite in truth and faithfulness like himselfe so that no one of them can be more true Psalm 119. 140. 142. 144. 160. with Psalm 12. 6 7. and Proverbs 22. 20 21. Eccles 12. 10. Psalm 19. 7 8 9. But because in this speaking of God by his Son in these last dayes The truth of all those former speakings is manifeâ—ted the infinite truth faithfulness and rigteousness of God in every one of those Oraclâ—s Prophesies and Typical witnesses of things to come is in this dispensation manifested revealed and brought to light God did give us his purpose and grace in Christ for saving and calling with an holy calling even from the beginning of the World in those oracles and witnesses of Christ in the Law and Prophets but he hath now manifested his righteousness in it by the appearing of Jesus Chriâ—t who hath abolished death and brought life and immortalty to light through the Gospel See 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. 11. with Tit. 1. 1. 3. Rom. 1. 16 17. and 3. 21. 2 Cor. 4. 1. 3. In Jesus Christ as thus manifested and so in this speaking of God by him is revealed the truth and righteousness of God in that first Oracle The Seed of the Woman shall bruise the Head of the Serpent For for this purpose was that Son of God manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil And therefore forasmuch as the children of men are partakers of flesh and blood weakness and mortallity as the fruit of sin that brought death he likewise took part of the same in that one body which the Father prepared for him made of a Woman made under the Law in which he was made subject to all our infirmities that came on us by sin and so in the fimilitude of sinful flesh yet without sin and had all our iniquities that the Law charged upon uâ— â—â— we fell under it through the first departure of our nature from God even the guilt of that offence of one and of all our natural filthiness as thence naturally and necessarily derived to us imputed to him and caused to meet together upon him that through death he might in the vertue of his suffering the judgement of this World and in the power of his resurrection destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil and deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage c. And he hath made Peace and Atonement for our sins by his blood and so by himself purged them away from before the Father and is set down on his Right Hand with his stripes we were healed Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law under which we must have been utterly banished and cast out from God and so necessarily left under the power of Satan he hath obtained a release and discharge of those transgressions and so of that judgement of this World unto himself by his bearing that judgement in being made a curse for us And so that all judgement is committed unto him over man-kinde that through him they might be saved and therein the Prince of this World is judged and cast out of his principallity over man the power of death taken from him and all men delivered over into the Kingdome power and government of God by Christ that in and through him the grace of God might bring salvation to them 1 John 3. 8. Hebr. 2. 14 15. Gall. 4. 4. 2 Cor. 5. 19. with Isa 53. 6. Gal. 3. 13. John 12. 31 32. and 5. 22. 27. Acts 5. 31. John 3. 17. In him as thus manifested God hath performed and brought forth his truth and rigteousness in that great promise made to the Fathers That in Abrahams seed speaking not of his seeds as of many but of his seed as of one which seed is Chriâ—t Gen. 22. 18. Gal. 3. 16. Al the nations of the earth should be blessed In him the great blessing of life from the Dead eternal life the restoring of our nature into the image and glory of God and therein into glorious capacity and liberty to the immediate knowledg of and fellowship with God far exceeding the glory in unto which we were at first created in the first publick person and which we lost by sin This being that glory which the onely Begotten Son of God had with the Father before the World was which he hath now through sufferings obtained to be glorified with and to possess for ever in that body prepared for him in our Nature in which he was crucified for us That he might now appear in the presence of God in Heaven it selfe for us while we cannot appear for our selves or in our own persons that through him the grace of God may bring salvation to us and that we comming in his drawings by him may be made accepted and made the righteousness of God in him and in due time actually made partakers of that glory he now posseth for us together with him And herein all blessings pertaining to life and godliness as the forgiveness of all our sins the healing of all our diseases while it is to day vertue force or effecacy with the Father and so power in the name of the Father for the daily taking away those sins of the world that are now imputed to the people which make lyable to condemnation on a new account deserve the wrath to come and this by meanes of that death which was for the redemption of the transgressions under the first Testament and so all gifts for men even for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them as the fruit of the travel of his soul are prepared and treasured up in Christ for them all in that God hath raised him from the dead and given him glory that our faith and hope might be in God And so all these things given with him brought to light in the testimony of Christ raised from the dead in whose name repentance and remission of sins is preached unto and among all Nations that it might be
by his chastisements Hebrews 12. 11 15 16. from gracious returns of prayers and from beholding the light of his countenance and so from victory over our iniquities and the evil of our temptations Isaiah 1 10 18. Psalm 32. 3 4. Yea the secret and wilfull retaining divers lusts disables from so coming to the knowledge of the truth that we might be saved by it 2 Tim. 3. 6 7. Therefore saith James we have not because we ask not or we ask and receive not because we ask amiss to consume it upon our lust or still secretly retain the purpose desire or idol of iniquity in the heart whence he thus admonisheth Submit resigne or yeeld up your selves to God Resist the Devil and he will flee from you draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you Clense your hands ye sinners purifie your hearts ye double minded c. James 4. Oh! That yet we were willing so to discern diligently to look into and consider the Lords body as to examine our selves search and try our wayes in that glass and to see what we see not and judge our selves as there discovered and reproved as we are instructed 1 Cor 11. 28 31. Yea so to remember him in all his wayes as to acknowledg him in all our wayes not leaning to our own thoughts or understanding But as those that call on the father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every mans work to pass the time of our sojourning here in fear The good Lord would yet be merciful and pardon and heal us though yet we be not sanctified after the sanctification of his sanctuary were we but willing in the light and strength of his grace and name in Christ so to prepare our hearts or suffer him to prepare and fix them to him that the iniquities and idols might be discovered and the purpose or desire to hide and hold them fast broken and we made willing to see and part with them for the excellency of the knowledge of him for he doth not onely alwayes prevent with his abundant grace in Christ to humble but will also prepare the heart of the hamble and cause his ear to hear Psalm 10. 17. Isaiah 1. 16 19. 2 Chron. 30. 18 19. James 4. 6 10. Thus have his servants the Prophets that have spoken to us in the Name of the Lord in all their earnest and diligent inquiries after God and for understanding the visions of the times and the things that in both parts of them as to the actual accomplishment bringing forth of them were then yet to come namely the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow Humbled themselves to the searching ouâ— and being sensible of and acknowledging their iniquities and the iniquities of their people as discovered in the instructions of his name and written upon the rod See Ezra 9. 6. to the end 10 1. Neh. 1. 6 7 and 9. tot Psalm 32. 5 and 38 and 39. Isa 64. 5 9. Dan. 9. 3. 20. And thus they have instructed us in the way not to be as the Horse or Male c Psalm 32. 8. But to search and try our wayes and turn to the Lord to examine and judge our selves in the true light to humble our selves in the sight of the Lord and under his mighty hand And surely such walking humbly and mournfully before him in the sence of our own vileness and searching out and giving up our iniquities and Idolls in the light and power of Gods name in Christ is found in the right worshipping in which the father is worshipped in spirit and truth in the light of the Spirits testimony given of Christ and so in Christ the truth Yea the way the truth and the life that rejoycing in and giving glory unto Christ Jesus in which the father is truly honoured and worshipped in the spirit hath alwayes in it and is it self found in a taâ—king shame to our selves and relinquishing all rejoycing in the flesh that no flesh may glory in his presence Philipians 3. 3. 4. I might here add in this seeking him after the due Order as to the manner of our seeking that there is in it a joyning and cleaving together in his name and so seeking and striving together for the faith of the Gospel even in the Vnity of the spirit with them that call on his Name in truth that worship him in Christ according to the Gospel The persons with whom we may and are to joyn dwell and walk in the Unity of the spirit and so together with whom we are to be followers of the Apostles they are such as walk as they have the Apostles for an example Philippians 3. 17 20 21. And we are diligently to mark know and distinguish them by considering the end of their conversation Compare this to the Philippians with Hebrews 13. 7 8 9. For there are many other walkers zealous pretenders to godliness mortification holiness that have also much of the form or outward appearance of it in many things who yet are the enemies of the Cross of Christ the very end of their conversation though privily carried on under a fair shew of mortification and holiness with good words and fair speeches to deceive the simple is to deny the Lord that bought them To destroy or cast down him from his excellency to render him undesireable and to corrupt believers from the simplicity of him And the thing thereto worshipped adhered to and magnified by them is their own Belly their own or some private Spirit experiments works mortifications sufferings and the like instead of the person of Christ and the works finished in his body and the grace treasured up and hope set before us in him for this life and that to come as evidenced by the spirit of truth in his testimony given of Christ They glory in their shame mind earthly things things suited to sence and in which they have their portion in this life But as for me sayes David I will behold thy face in righteousness even in Christ the true light and manifestation of the righteousness and glory of God and so in the great and precious promises confiâ—med in him For here we walk by faith that is the evidence of things not seen the confidence of things hoped for and not by sight When I awake sayes he namely in the morning of the resurrection of the just by Christ at his comming then I shall be satisfied with thine image Psalm 17. 15. with 2 Cor. 4. 17. 18. and 5 1 7 9. Hebrews 11. 1. Romans 8. 23 24. So here the Apostles conversation and so theirs that walk as they have them for an example is in Heaven exercised in and about the treasure they have there in the person of Christ with God and the expectation they have in him as now appearing in the glorious presence of God in the Heaven it self for them from whence also they look for the same Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ to
or other 3 Union of way for promoting this design working and walking together in the same work and way of the Lord speaking or doing nothing through strife or vain glory but truthing it in love so as seeking and striving to walk together in setting forth commending cleaving to and leading others unto the same one Lord and so the one faith and the one baptism that is of and by him and the glory of God as shined forth in his face unto and for all things and in teaching all things therewith Seeking I say to walk together in this way of understanding in their several gifts administrations operations c. studying and striving each of them and together in the light and strength of the Lord to speak the same thing and to be perfectly joyned together in one mind and one judgment that there be no divisions c. 1 Cor. 1. 10. and chap. 12. 6 12. with Ephes 4. 1. 15. And so 4 Union of accord and agreement such as in which all things by each one are sought to be done in charity and with the advice consent prayers and helpfulness of their brethren in the faith and patience of Jesus that they may be blessed out of the house of the Lord and grow by that which every joynt supplyeth and to that purpose the younger submitting to the elder and all of them one to another in the fear of God And so there is in it 5 An union of fellowship one wiâ—h another and that in personal society and companionship for fellowship in the Gospel and ordinances thereof for acquainting our selves with the joys and griefs of one another for stirring up and exhorting to love and good works not forsaking the assembling of themselvs together as the manner of some is who are sensual not retaining the spirit This of personal society with them that call on him out of a pure heart is to be prized and embraced as one of the choicest outward mercies and blessings of this life and of greatest advantage to the one thing needfull and to be striven for in all our seekings namely the faith of the Gospel and therefore the opportunities God gives for it with diligence to be apprehended and improved See Psalm 84. and 122. Acts 2. 42. 46. Hebrews 10. 23 24 25. with chapter 3. 12 13. And in communicating on with another by and diligent improving the helpfulness that we may enjoy from such persons as afore-said by that meanes when personal converse or society with them cannot be enjoyed Till I come saith the Apostle to Timothy give attention to reading c. Signisying That when the Apostle should be personally present with him it might be of more use and advantage to Timothy to apply himself to personal converse with him and to attend to what he might personally hear and receive from him But when opportunity for that is denyed the reading searching and studdy of the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles and so the reading and considering the writings of such as have that lap of knowledge fore-mentioned the Word of God and testimony of Jesus and searching the Scriptures of truth whether those things be so and in such wise attending to those helps to our understanding and usefulness of the Scriptures and great things of Gods love conâ—ained in them that we may injoy from such persons is in the next place of great advantage and usefulness to the promoting these our main affairs Onely here be we admonished by the words of the wise given forth from one Shepheard That as no man can gather Grapes of Thorns nor Figgs of Thistles so neither can we expect to reap any good fruit or advantage but loss and pollution to the corruping our minds and manners from evil communication or the communication about the things of God from evil persons or such as love not the Lord Jesus Christ nor have that lip of knowledge that word of reconciliation in their hearts or mouths or in some measure having it yet are not so subdued by it to let fall their imaginations and high thoughts of comprehending and making out those things of the testimony of God by the wisdome of man or of this World and by the words which mans wisdome teacheâ—h not willing to become Fooles in themselves that they may have all their wisdome and strength in that evidence and demonstration of the Spirit that is in the testimony of Jesus The discourses or writings of such even of such as the last though they the best and most to be respected of the several sorts mentioned because they have in some measure the testimony of God though not subdued by it they seek to comprehend and declare it by mans wisdome or words as 1 Corinthians 1. 17. and 2. 1. 4. and 3. 18 19 20. 1 Timothy 6. 21. which makes that even such helps of either sort are little helpfull to those that through Grace have believed or to the convincing the ignorant and gain-sayers because they make it not their business nor doth their excellency lye there plainly to shew and demonstrate by the Scriptures Jesus the Christ and so other things in that demonstration of him by the Scriptures and so leave it on mens Consciences as his word and in his name But rather to shew and demonstrate those things by strength of reason or excellency of wisdome and of words which mans wisdome teacheth Compare the fore-mentioned Scriptures with Acts 18. 27 28. Those seeming helps may occasion to us much bodily exercise and such kinde of study as is a wearisomness to the flesh but the profit gained by them is but little and for a little while And if time were spared from such discourses and readings as in which chiefly the excellency of wisdome and of words is shewed in declaring and for demonstrating and making out the testimony of God we might have more to spend better and in more free and diligent attention to those helps that might be indeed helps and profitable to us But how much more are we to go from the presence of such soolish men as have not the lip of knowledge so soon as we perceive it to cease to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge because not onely they are in themselves polluting but also that with more diligence and earnestness we may continue together in the Apostles Doctrine and sellowship striving together for the faith of the Gospel that in nothing we may be terrified by our adversaries When the wicked did gather together in bands and were therein more powerful to do mischief to rob and rend from David he then resolves to be a companion of all those that fear the Lord and of those that in their fear or worship keep his way his precepts as of great advantage to strengthen him against the bands of the wicked Psal 119. 61 63. So in the latter dayes when there are of those many sorts of walkers who are enemies to the Cross
11. 14 15. As also for a witness of peace and reconciliation Gen. 31. 45. 51 52. And for a manifestation of Gods presence with a people and for a guide to them Exodus 13. 21 22. And as the law was appointed to be written on several pillars as on the Posts of their house and on their Gates Deut. 6. 9. and 11. 20. So this House of God which is the Church of the living God is the pillar appointed of God to bear up and keep in remembrance even to the view of others the glorious grace of the first appearance of Christ even till his comming again and to keep and bear upon them the witness or manifestation of that peace or reconciliation with God for men which he hath made and is become through his blood while so continued preserved among a people they are a witness of his merciful presence with them his nighness and waiting that he may be gracious to them 2 Cor. 5. 18. 20. with chap. 6. 1 2. Isaiah 55. 5 6. and 50. 1 2. and 30. 18. 20 21. And set and preserved for a light and guide to be observed and followed Matthew 5. 13 14. Hebrews 1. 3. 7 8. Phil. 2. 15 16. And to that purpose to bear upon them and lift up to the sight and view of others and so to hold forth to them that all men may see The manifestation of the truth of God in all his former Oracles and witnesses in the tipes and shadowes of the law as now come forth in the personal body of Christ raised from the dead whose name they are so to bear as they may therein shew the end of the law in him and so the body of all the former shadowes and truth signified in them and so him the fountain of all grace and truth the treasury of all Wisdome and Knowledge c. as before is shewed And this House of God the Holy Nation are also in many societies as they are in several places and so many pillars And so may be included in the sense of those seven pillars Wisdome hath hewen out Proverbs 9. 1. Those Gates and Postes of his Doors Answering to Deut. 6. 9. and 11. 20. At which whoso watcheth dayly and waiteth hearing him there is blessed Proverbs 8. 34. See what is said of the manifold use of pillars and the allusion to them in this business in the explicit declaration of the testimony of Christ by Thomas Moor senior Pages 287. 290. And so they are the ground or Tables on which its written in some sense answering to that Habbacuk 2. 2. That others may read it as the Corinths were the Apostles Epistle for as much as they were manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ the ground on which the minde and things of Christ are so written by the spirit of the living God evidencing and writing them in and through the Apostles Doctrine on the Tables of their hearts and fellowships that receive and abide in it that it may be seen and read of all men in their word and conversation in both which they are set to shine as lights in the World by retaining in them and bearing upon them that others may see and so holding forth the word of life even of Christ raised from the dead in a fair writing and faithful discovery of the tidings and patterns of it That others may behold all goodness and truth in it and so also in a subordinate sense instrumentally keeping maintaining and defending it and the goodness and truth of it amongst themselves and to the World against all adversaries striving together for the faith of the Gospel Philipians 1. 27. And so their work is with that word of righteousness The great things of his law as now come forth by Christ which are the main things to be kept looked to striven for and held forth by them in their whole Ministry for and unto all things I say with that to instruct reprove exhort comfort c. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Tit. 3. 11. 15. And as in all this they are instruments or vessels through whom he carryes the seed of his word and so conveyes his heavenly treasure to the hearts of others so their work instrumentally and through him is said to be to speak to the heart to be Ministers of Spirit to open the blinde eyes and turn men from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive the forgiveness of sins and inheritance with them that are sanctified by faith that is in Christ yea they are a sweet savour unto God in them that are saved and in them that perish to the one they are the savour of death unto death and to the other the savour of life unto life Isa 35. 3 4. and 40. 1 2. 2 Cor. 2. 14. 17. and 3. tot and 4. 1 2. Acts 26. 18. And to this purpose 2. To them is committed the keeping and charge of holy and devoted things 1. Of Gods Ordinances of Divine Worship that are appointed for bearing and shewing forth the Lords Body that was broken for us and through sufferings is entered into his glory and so for witnessing repentance and râ—mission of sins in his name unto and among the Nations as the Preaching of the Cross and therein the shewing the things of Christ out of the Scriptures in the exercise of those gifts of prophesie or teaching as every man hath received the gift this work is committed to them even to the whole body of the Saints each to serve in it according to his several ability and therefore the gifts tâ— fit for it onely given unto them and ditributed among them according to his pleasure Ephesians 4. 7. 11 12. And so the other Ordinances in which the same things are to be shewed and holden forth in the Church and to the World The management of those affaires the teaching the Nations to observe and how to observe with them what was given to the Apostles in commandement that so they the Gentiles may rejoyce with his people these things are committed and given in charge unto them But to the wicked or unreconciled persons that are not reconciled to God by Jesus Christ and so have not that word of reconciliation viz. That God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself c. And the love of Christ thence constraining to perswade men with it To them God saith What hast thou to do to take my covenant in thy mouth that hatest to be reformed by my law His Saints are to be gathered together to him to keep and look to this charge even those that have made or entered into covenant with him by the Sacrifice of his Son Psalm 50. 1 2. 5 6. 14 15. 2 Cor. 5. 14. 20. 2. Of persons that are given unto the Church in his name or also called to be holy and devoted first to the Lord and then to them according to the will of God It is contained in their
Prov. 19. 27. To go from the presence of such yea to withdraw our selves from them in their preachings acknowledgements fellowships as in whom we perceive by the light of Gods Testimony that lip of knowledge is not but some other lip or word privily undermining or slighting the preaching of the Crosse and lifting up some other thing in its name and place Prov. 14. 7. 2 Tim. 3. 1-5 1 Tim. 6. 1. 3. Rom. 16 17 18. Gal. 1. 8 9. with 2 John 10. From such they are to with-draw themselves but not to bid such stand aloofe from them or with-draw from them in their acknowledgments and worship see that instruction to Jeremiah Directing him how to take forth the precious from the vile not by separating or putting out the vile from the precious in their precious Doctrine Society and Worship But thus let them return unto thee but return thou not to them The believer can have no true or profitable fellowship with an infidell or unbeliever in his principles or practises nor in spirituall things partake of his Table or worship as by them and according to their principles presented commended and invited too But the unbeliever may come in to and joyne himselfe with and have profitable fellowship with the believer in his right acknowledgments and worship and so in the Table of the Lord with them and that is not nor can be accounted the believers having fellowship with them or being yoaked to or with them but rather the strangers joyning himselfe to the Lord to rejoyce and praise him with his people see Jer. 15. 19. with 2 Cor. 6. 14-17-18 Rom. 15. 9-11 They the chosen generation and holy Priesthood are not to forbid or keepe out any of the world But to instruct them as they have opportunity by their listening to their word or maine doctrine I say so to instruct and teach them how on what ground and in what manner they even now may and ought to joyne with his people in their worship and observance of ordinances rejoyce yee Gentiles with his people Yet if any after joyning to them and with them professedly in their acknowledgement and worship of the Lord if any that is called a Brother Walke disorderly and will not be admonished they are to withhold or withdraw from such by putting away from among them in their fellowships in breaking of bread if not also in some other ordinances such stubbornely wicked persons in such wise as themselves may beare shame and others may see they are disowned in such evill wayes and this till they be ashamed or judge and take shame to themselves But till any come in to the house or Church of believers so to joyne with them in professed acknowledgement and worship of the Lord they have not to doe with them soe to judge them see 1 Cor. 5. tot with 2 Thess 3. 14 15. They the holy preisthood are not to be yoaked together with unbelievers in fellowship with them in their unfruitfull works of darknesse or in marriages with them or in society and fellowship with them in their acknowlegments and worships as by them propounded and called too and taught by their precepts and according to their principles yea in these things they are to separate from them not to mind or to let their eyes fly upon their pretended excellencyes or dive into their depths but to depart and come out from among them But not to keep them or any of them out from the house or Church of God where they may be redeemed as they have been from their vaine conversation through the precious blood of Christ and the love of God commended through it there shewed forth yea they are as they have opportunity as aforesaid in their holding forth the word of life to and among them to instruct and invite them to come into his house and rejoyce with his people To examine themselves in the glasse of the Gospell as there held forth and so to eate of his Bread and drink of the Wine of his mingling yea so to to remember him in his wayes and ordinances with his people 3. There is an accidentall sanctification or a renewing of sanctification on occasion of polutions happening and prevailing to defile through forgetfulnesse and neglect of the first love also necessary to fit for this service and render persons acceptable and profitable therein Answerable to such renewed tipicall sanctifications wherewith they were exhorted to sanctifie themselves after long forgetfulnesse neglect and confusion had been found with them such as we reade off in this text 1 Chron. 15. 12 14 15. and in 2 Chron. 29. and 30. In which they were to search in the Law and see wherein they had transgressed to confesse their sins and repent and doe againe the first works to cleanse themselves from all their uncleanesses as in Ezrah Nehemiah and other places So the renewed sanctifications in the spirit and truth necessary to the Holy Preist-hood now on occasion of defilements or polutions in principles or practices contracted to themselves by such neglects and forgetfulnesse of the great salvation in the Crosse of Christ and wandering out of the way of understanding is such as in which they call to mind the day in which they were illuminated remember how they have heard in that preaching of the Crosse and how precious Jesus Christ was then to them and what blessednesse they met with in him And so here and in this case the remembring and considering the sweetness tasted in the graciousnesse of the Lord and the operations that it hath had upon our spirits as commended and displayed in and through the preaching of the Crosse is very good and usefull though as we have shewed before the efficacyes of the grace of God on our own spirits or the operations of it in us or by us are not to be looked to as things that commend us to God or as the ground of our rejoycing and hope in him or that give us title to the things of Christ or are the way or ground of our encouragement to approach to or stand before him yet they are to be remembred and called to mind as things that discover the preciousnesse of the Crosse of Christ and his gracious and spirituall presence with that Gospell his speaking in and through it and so in and through his servants faithfully ministering it 2 Cor. 13. 3 4 5. and present us with cause of shame of our comming 〈◊〉 a◠best of answerablenesse and conformity to him according to those efficacies and more abundantly for our departings from such a fountain having never found any want in it as by such calling to mind we shall be convinced and so no iniquity with him and yet that we should depart and go away from him by an evill heart of unbelief and dig to our selves broken Cesterns that can hold no water yea those things remembered or called to mind do so present his preciousnesse comelynesse and excellency for our
Gospell not hindered but farthered and promoted by each in their place Act. 6. 1-6 1 Tim. 3. 7-13 And therefore also the rich to be more vehemently charged not to be high-minded nor trust in uncertaine riches to doe good yea to be rich in good workes ready to distribute willing to communicate 1 Tim. 6. 17 18. Now those appointed of God in especiall manner to goe before others in the word of the Lord and in the ordering and mannagement of these affaires and more especially to commit to others their severall charges and burthens Who are also so to be knowne approved allowed and submitted to in the Lord by their brethren and to be prayed for and blessed out of the house of the Lord they are such as are furnished to such peculiar service and oversight of others and so also approved and appointed thereto by Jesus Christ the great Apostle and high Priest of our profession and so in and by the Apostles doctrin instructions and commandements given us by the Lord Jesus And they are such as are faithfull men upright fixed to seeke righteousnesse and strength in Christ holding fast the faithfull word wherein they have beene taught and not novices therin but elders in the faith in Christ the elders that are among them such as are sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ yea such as are and have beene some time preserved blamelesse as 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. For though some mens sins rendring them unfit for such service are open going before-hand so as manifesting themselves to the judgement of others yet all doe not so but some follow after likewise also the good works or quallifications rendering meet for such service in some are manifest before-hand and may seem more then they are and they that are otherwise that is in any measure truly fitted and quallified to it and yet not so much or forward in appearance they cannot be hid but will in due time for their thrusting forth be manifested at least to the judgement of such as Timothy that should have a more speciall hand in knowing and thrusting forth such therefore Timothy was to lay hands suddenly on no man that so he might commit these things to faithfull men who should be able and fitly quallified to teach others also 1 Tim. 5. 21 22 24 25. 2 Tim. 2. 2. Such are the called to such peculiar service to such is the speciall charge of watching for others soules or keeping this whole commandement without spot unrebukeable untill the appearing of Jesus Christ Such others are admonished to know and esteeme very highly for their works sake especially such as labour most abundantly in the word and doctrine yea to obey them in the Lord and to be followers together of them as they are of Christ and so with them followers of him considering the end of their conversation which is Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever 1 Thess 5. 12 13. 1 Tim. 5. 17. Phil. 3. 17 20 21. Heb. 13. 7 8 17. 3. They all the whole body of unfeigned believerâ— with their chiefe ones Pillars or guides of one degree or another are given as a gift to Christ to be to him a company of spirituall Priests an holy Nation and peculiar people Heb. 3. 1-6 1 Pet. 2. 4 5 9. All his Saints in thy hand they sat downe at thy fcete every one shall receive of thy words Deut. 33. 3. And so therein in some sence given to the Apostles the wise Master builders that they may stand before him and Minister unto him according to the commandments and instructions delivered from that one Shephard by them It is his peculiar work and reserved in his owne hand as the great Apostle and high Priest of our profession not as Aaron and his Sons in their vailed ministry to cover the things committed to the charge of others as the vessells committed to the Kâ—hathites and so commit them covered But to open the things committed in charge to his peculiar people and to commit them unto them as so opened yea the vaile or covering is already taken away in Christ and so in his Ministration Therefore also the Apostles have used all playnness of speech 2 Cor. 3. And given us to see within the vail into the truth of things as found in Christ and brought forth by him For the Law came by Moses but grace and truth by Jesus Christ as is shewed before Yea to him pertaineth the offerings of the Lord made by fire c. He hath fulfilled and brought forth the truth of all in that one offering of his own body once for all and appears now presenting himself that one perfect sacrifice in the presence of God for us yea the great Mediator Apostle and high Priest of our profession and therefore to him pertaineth the oyle for the lights and the anointing oyle he hath prepared and made it in himselfe for us and be gives it forth to him it pertaines to give us wisedome strength and fitnesse to all service and suffering and to make manifest the savour of his knowledge by us to give the encrease and he doth so doe and give by and through the knowledge of himselfe Yea his office it is not onely to Baptize with the holy Ghost but also with fire nor hath he or will he depute any in his place for this or either of these but he will doe it himselfe faithfully and seasonably unto his holy Priesthood and to others also that they may be brought in to them and with them to himselfe he will faithfully poure out his spirituall Baptizing the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost and so give his encrease even by and through them in their observance of his charge loe I am with you alwayes unto the end of the world Math. 28. 19 20. 1 Cor. 3. 5 9. 2 Cor. 3. 1 Thess 4. 8. Yea this promise is to us in and through the Apostles doctrine to whom pertained the revelation of the Mistery formerly hid or not so manifested that for obedience to the faith among all Nations for his â—ame among whom we are also the called of Jesus Christ by their Gospell as Rom. 1. 5 6 7. 2 Thess 2. 13 14. He is the great Master of them and us who hath already given the word by them All we are brethen and to receive the Law from his mouth yet the Apostles as wise Master-builders in his name have laid the foundation we are to build on that good foundation as laid by them and as also they have instructed us to build on it 1 Cor. 3. 10 c. And so to be followers together of Christ and thereto and therein shall enjoy those great and precious promises sorementioned as 2 Pet. 1. 3 4. c. with Job 14. 21 23. He will dwell in them and walk in them as 2 Cor. 6. 16 18 c. Yea he will seasonblic follow with his fiery Baptisme more immediately
by himselfe Noe man not any of the Fathers are to cover or put vailes upon any thing which they have opened or to open any thing otherwise then as they have opened and delivered the same unto us nor to adde any mixtures which mans wisedome teacheth in the building such mixtures or additions will occasion the losse of our work by the fire that comes from that foundation the fire of the Altar or by the fiery triall Yea we our selves cannot be saved otherwise then so as by fire suffering that to burne up our mixtures and so we may be saved by it 1 Corinth 3. 10 13 15 18. Whereas Nedeb and Abibu Leviticus 10. 1 2. And those Numbers 16. 35. were consumed by the tipicall fire so exceeding in glorious grace is this dispensation of the fullnesse of times and the administration of Gods Government by Jesus Christ under it But take heed when saved and converted from such polutions of turning againe to folly Inâ—quities of this nature are like that of Korâ—b And very much to the defiling Gods Temple and so to the procuring speedy dâ—struction For if any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy see the sorementioned 1 Cor. 3. 16 17 18. According to these considerations they seek not the Lord after the due order 1. That are ready to be offering Sacrifices before they heare the word of truth the Gospell of our salvation or have so heard as in some measure to be reconciled by it and so brought into or made of his house or while they are entering 〈◊〉 not still more ready to heare then to offer the Sacrifices of fooles nor are they yet capable of considering the evill they do in such hastinesse of spirit Whence James exhorts even such as are beloved brethren yet to be swift to heare flow to speak slow to wrath for the wrath of of man the hastinesse of the spirit of a man to be speaking and offering sacrifices so as for or on the behalfe of others worketh not the righteousnesse of God wherefore laying apart all filthinesse and superfluity of naughtinesse receive with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to save your soules James 1. 19 20 21. 2 Nor they that having tasted that the Lord is gracious and proved the powerfull efficacy and force of that living stone drawing to him building on him delivering from the errors and polutions of the world consecrating and devoting them to him and his yet do not diligently mind or regard their charge and the end of their calling But either are slothfull cleaving to and embracing the things of this present world preferring profane and common affaires before these great affaires of the Gospell and so taken off and hindered from earnest striving together with them that call on him in truth for the faith of it loving and preferring Fathers Mothers Lands Livings or their own life before him or not haâ—ing them in comparison of him and for his sake and the Gospells They are not worthy of him nor demeane themselves worthy of or suitable to such a vocation as wherewith they are called yea this their dulnesse neglect and slothfulnesse may occasion errors of rashnesse in others as the like did in Vzzah 1 Chron. 13. 9. with chap. 15. 12 13. Or else retain some other Idol or way of iniquity in their hearts though oft discovered and reproved and seek to excuse and hide it from the light as some desire of vain glory or any other fiilthinesse of flesh or spirit and yet appear and stand before him in their uncleannesse yea hiding it under their tongue or setting it up in their hearts as if by him they had a dispensation or were delivered to it or might be conived at or allowed in it more then others because of their peculiar service or usefulnesse in the Church more then others something like that Jer. 7. 8 9 10 11. Be we admonished of these wayes of iniquity and confusion for he the Lord that sanctifies us is holy be ye therefore cleane ye that beare the vessels of the Lord. 3 Nor yet are they seeking after the due order that are not content with their place and service in the body in which they might be usefull but either they must do as others do or undertake the exercise of such a gift as they have not almost like them that intrude into things they have not seen vainly puft up with their fleshly mind or else sit down in a peevish discontentment as if they were none of the body because not such a principall member or might be no way usefull yea refuse to be usefull and seek their own good and the good of others as they might of they may not or cannot be usefull in such a gift or manner of administration as another 4 Nor they that are headily running on in the exercise of any gift or setting themselves apart or being set apart by some others to any peculiar service in the Gospell or undertaking any speciall charge in this Ministry to which they may think themselves meet and some others like them or weaker and younger ones in the faith that are therein out of their place may put them forward before they be called and thrust forth by the Lord and by such of his servants especially the Elders among them to whom they are given as a gift from the Lord to be loâ—ked too watched over and ordered by them in the Lord Or go an end in such exercises and in the management of such affaires as to which they may have had some previous fitnesse and due encouragements yet so as alone and in the hastinesse of their own spirit before and without the advice helps prayers and blessings out of the house of the Lord. Oh how needfull is that admonition of the Apostle to every one amongst us not to think of our selves more highly then we ought to think but to think soberly according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith with all lowlynesse and meâ—knesse to endeavour to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace not to be desirous of vain glory nor to let any thing be done through it but in lowlynesse of mind each to esteem other better then themselves the younger submitting to the elder and all of us one to another in the feare of the Lord Romans 12. 3. Ephesians 4. 1 3. c. Phillippians 2. 1-5 with 1 Peter 5. 5 6. 5 Yea faulty and out of order are they that are over such in the word of the Lord unto whom they have been or are given as a gift from the Lord to minister to and with them according to their capacity if they take not speciall notice of such disorders to warn the unruly as well as encourage and support the weak and timerous And although if the instructions and admonitions of sound doctrine will not prevaile to rectifie or stop the mouths of such unruly and vain talkers they cannot so well
to perish and nigh to cutting off and burning For by means of his death he hath obtained power to forgive those sins that deserve a second death while it is yet to day that is before they be so finished in any as to procure the utter bloting out of their names out of the book of the living and so to save us from the wrath to come and hath received gifts for the rebellious that the Lord God might dwell among them Hebr. 7. 27. 9. 15. 1 John 2. 1 2. 1 Thess 1 10. Psal 68 18 19. 20. And is therein able to save to the utmost them that come to God by him as well as to hold open the dore for rebellious sinners approach and that he might bring them back from all their wanderings to God And all this because this man continueth for ever in the name and majesty of God his Father to improve for us that one offering of his owne body by which he hath obtained plenteous redemption even the forgivenesse of sins and in which he liveeth to appeare in the presence of God for us Though good men are perished from us and being taken away by death can be of no more personall usefulnesse to us for the dead know not any thing nor have any more a portion in any thing that is done under the Sun and so no simpathy with us in our present joyes or griefes nor is there any more that they can doe for us by speaking to us or praying for us for there is no worke or devise nor knowledge or wisedome in the grave nor have the dead any capacity or opportunity to perfect any thing left undone under the Sun They cannot praise him or celebrate his truth to the living nor hope or seeke for it for them Eccles 9. 5 10. Psal 6. 5. Isa 38. 18 19. Yet the Lord liveth and blessed be the God of the Rock of our Salvation 2 Sam. 22. 47. Psal 18. 46. For because he liveth for ever in that body in which he once dyed for us therefore also they that sleepe in Jesus and we that waite for him shall live together with him in a like consideration even in these bodyes that are now vile which then shall be fashioned into the likenesse of his glorious body yea therefore all shall be raised and stand before his judgement-seate to receive in their bodies according to the things done in them whether good or bad And therefore also they that waite on him shall not be ashamed but though they heere passe through the vally of the shaddow of death and may sit in darknesse as the fruit of their owne wayes yet looking to him he will be a light to them and his rod and staffe shall comfort and uphold them For he is able to uphold support preserve and deliver them when all other helpers and Saviours fail from them even yet to preserve his Church in the world as a people to his praise when their power is gone though those pillars be removed which were a strength to them and their enemies thought were their only foundations whence they encourage themselves saying if the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do But our God our Rock of salvation foundation and high Tower is in heaven he dyed once and â—an dye no more but is alive for evermore and hath the keyes of Hell and Death yea the Lord is in his holy Temple God hath set his King upon his holy Hill of Sion Therefore saith Micha I will looke unto the Lord I will waite for the God of thy salvation For 3 My God saith he will heare me He is ready to save to forgive and heale he delights in mercy that pleaseth him he hath no pleasure in the death of any or that any should perish but that they should come to repentance and be saved And therefore will not be wanting in seasonable admonitions to rebellious ones while it is to day yea will make his rods and reproofes powerfull to the awaking unto his righteousnesse to the giving wisdome and opening the eare to discipline and turning at his reproofe will farther power out his spirit and make knowne his words as is shewed before yea he the Lord of the harvest will yet raise up and thrust forth many more faithfull labourers into his vinyard if yet we be willing to be humbled under his mighty hand and seeke it of him after the due order for because of his infinite compassions kindnesse and pitty to man-ward that they may heare of the things that concerne their peace and learne to know and seare his name therefore he will not make his peculiar people an utter desolation in the carth bâ—t will preserve a Seed to serve him in their generation for the good of others Psalm 22 30 31. and 103. 1 7. 8. c. and 145. John 17. 15 20. Yea therefore the Lord will not forsake his people for his great names sake because it hath pleased the Lord to make them his people onely feare the Lord and serve him in truth with a perfect heart for consider how great things the Lord hath done for you 1 Sam. 12. 22. 24 For 4. These things considered will instruct incourage strengthen and admonish not to forsake him though all this evill be come upon us nor fly to any other mountaine or refuge for help but to fly to him trust in him and resigne our selves to his government for truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills and from the multitude of Mountaines truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israell yea he that is our God is the God of salvation and to God the Lord belong the issues from death Jeremiah 3. 23. Psalm 68. 20. And they that know thy name will trust in thee for thou Lord never forsakest them that seek thee Psalm 9. 10. But as for such as will still go on in their trespasses not regarding the work of the Lord nor the operation of his hands but still persist in their falling away and turning aside unto their crooked paths the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity he shall destroy and not build them up But peace upon Israel Psal 28. 5. and 125. 5. and 68. 20. 1 Sam. 12. 25. Heb. 10. 38 Seek we therefore the Lord and his strength seek his face evermore remember his marvelous works that he hath done his wonders and the judgements of his mouth he is the Lord our God his judgements are in all the earth Psal 105. 4 5 7. FINIS Post-Script WHereas in page 20. speaking of the examining a mans selfe and so eating the Supper of the Lord to which we are instructed 1 Cor. 11. 28. I have written That it is not to search for know or take notice of the goodnesse of our owne frames or qualifications as things rendâ—ring us worthy or by which we may come nâ—r in this case or to such an end are we so to examine or