are those in our duâ—es who reject this doctrine that you lay down concerning the Lord Jesus Christ as you lay it down and they are for a Christ within for a cross within for a resurrection and intercession within and they do not hold as you do a Christ without and a resurrection of Christ without and intercession of Christ with uâ— I and they have very much Scripture for that which they say too And therefore what should such as we do that stand tottering and shaking in these distracted and dangerous times for our poor souls are in very much doubt what way to take Ans. Therefore I will speak a few words to you by way of discovery of the falsity of such opinions and a word of direction how you should understand the truth First therefore he that cries up a Christ within in opposition to a Christ without that man instead of having the spirit of Christ in him is possessed with a spirit of delusion for where the spirit of Christ is in truth that spirit causeth the soul to look to the Christ that was born of the Virgin for all justification as it is written Howbeit when he the spirit of truth is come he shall lead you into all truth for he shall not speak of himself but what soever he shall hear that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come mark the next verse he saith the son of the Virgin shall take of mine and shall shew unto you Joh. 16. 13 14. he shall take of mine what is that why surely it is he shall take of my Godhead my humanity my birth my righteousness my blood my death my resurrection my ascenâ—ion and intercession my Kingly Priestly and prophetical offices and shall shew you the life merit and value of them And this was it which was revealed to Paul by the holy spirit here spoken of 1 Cor. 15. 1 2. to the 8. Moreover brethren saith he I declare unto you the Gospel which Iâ—p eached unto you which also ye have received and wherein ye stand By which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you unlesse ye have believed in vain But what is this doctrine why I delivered to you first of all that which I also receive â— What was that why How that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures there is his death and resurrection preached And that he was seen of Cephas then of the twelve after that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once of whom the greatest part remain unto this present but some are fallen asleep After that he was seen of James then of all the Apostle And last of all he was seen of me saith Paul as of one born out of due time This is it I say that the spirit of truth doth hold forth to poor sinners a Christ crucified without the gates of Jerusalem Luke 23. 32 33. buried in Josephâ— seâ—ulcher v. 53. risen again the third day Luke 24 6. ascended away from his Disciples in a cloud into heaven as in Act. 1. 9 10 11. And there ever liveth that very man with that very body to make intercession for all that receive him Heb. 7. 24 25. This is I say the doctrine of the spirit of truth whatsoever is the spirit of errour Q. But do not the Scriptures make mention of a Christ within 2 Cor. 13 5. A. Yes And he that hath not the spirit of Christ is none of his Rom. 8. 9. But he that hath it is led out of himself by it and as I said before it shews the soul what the blessed son of the Virgin Mary hath done and suffered and is a doing for it Therefore hereby know we the spirit of truth from the spirit of errour Every spirit that doth confesse that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God That is that spirit that doth confess that Jesus Christ took flesh upon him and in that flesh did bear our sins 1 Pet. 2. 24. Col. 1. 20 21 22. 1 Pet. 3. 18. 1 Pet. 4. 1. and after he was taken down from the cross and laid in a sepulcher rose again from the dead that very man with that very body wherewith he was crucified That spirit that doth believe and confess this is of God and is the blessed spirit of Christ whereof hâ— spake when he was yet with his Disciples touching his bodily presence for he saith the Son of Mary shall glorifie me for he shall take of Mine and shew it to you Joh. 16. 13 14. I have answered this already in my Epistle to the first treatise Therefore believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they be of God for many false spirits and prophets are gone out into the world therefore have a care how thou receivest the voice that speaks to thee but try whether they are according to the truth of Gods word as it is written To the law and to the testimony if it be not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa. 8. 20. Therefore try a little Doe they flight Gods Christ which is the Son of the virgin that spirit is of the Devil 1 Cor. 12. 3. 2. Doe they say that that blood of his which was shed without the gates of Jerusalem doth not wash away sin yea all sin from him that believes that is a spirit of Antichrist 1 Joh. 1. 7. 3. Doe they say that that man that was crucified without the gates of Jerusalem is not risen again with that verybody wherwith he was crucified out of the Sepulchre Luk. 24. 38 39. That is a Spirit of Antichrist 4. Do they say that that very man that was crucified with that very body is not now in the presence of his father absent from his people touching his bodily presence though present in spirit I say who ever they be that say he is not there they are of the Divel for the proof of this see Acts 5. 30. and 31. and compare it with Heb. 7. 24. 25. The God of our fathers saith the Apostle raised up Jesus But what Jesus Whom ye slew saith he to the Jews Him the very same whom ye slew hath God exalted with his right hand to be a prince and a Saviour to give repentance unto Israel and forgiveness of sins And indeed here is my life namely the birth of this man the righteousnesse of this man the blood of this man the death and resurrection of this man the ascension intercession of this man for me and the second comming of this man to judge the world in righteousness Acts 17. 31. I say here is my life if I see this by faith without me through the operation of the spirit within me I am safe I am at peace I am comforted I am encouraged and I know that my comfort peace and encouragement
tell you the very Devils themselves who were thrown from their first state for sinne 2 Pet. 2. 4. have such a taste of their horrible sins that when they did but suppose that Jesus was come to put an end to their tyrannical dealing with the world and to bring them to judgement for their sinnes to which they know they shall be brought it made them cry out Art thou comâ— to torment us before the time James doth also signifie thus much to us where he saith The Devils also believe and tremble James 2. 19. Which beliefe of theirs is not a believing in Christ to save them for they know he did not take hold on their Nature Heb. 2. but they do beleeve that Christ will come to their everlasting torment and the belief of this doth make these proud Spirits to tremble Again Man at his coming into the world hath this conscience given him which doth convince of sinne John 1. 9. John 8. 9. yet man as he commeth into the world hath not the spirit of Christ in him for that must be received afterward by the preaching of the word which is preached by the Ministers and servants of Jesus Christ. This is Gods usual way to communicate of his spirit into the hearts of his Elect and this is 〈◊〉 in so many words where Peter preaching to a certaine number the Scrpture saith While Peter yet spake these words the holy Ghost oâ— holy Spirit fell on all those that heard the Word And again in Galat. 3. verse 2. 5. compared together Received ye the spirit by the works of the Law saith the Apostle or by the hearing of Faith or the Gospel which is the word of faith preached by us Which Spirit as Christ saith the world cannot receive because it seeth him not nâ—ither knoweth him though his children shall have fellowship with him to the great comfort of their owne souls John 14. 16 17. But now this mercilesse butcherer of men the Devil that he might be sure to make the soule fall short of glory if possible endeavours to perswade the soule that its state is good that it hath the spirit of Christ in it and for a proofe of the same saith he turne thy mind inward and listen within and see if there be not that within thee that doth convince of sin Now the poor soule finding this to be so all on haste if it be willing to professe through ignorance of the Gospel Claps in with these motions of in own conscience which doth command to abstain from this evil and to practice that good which if neglected will accuse and torment for the same neglect of others Rom. 2. 15 both now and hereafter Now the soule seeing that there is something within that convinceth of sinne doth all on a sudden close with that supposing it is the spirit of Christ and so through this mistake is carried away with the teachings and convictions of its owne Conscience being misinformed by the Devil unto the works of the law under which though it work all its dâ—ys and labour with might and maine yet it never will be able to appease the wrath of God nor get from under the curse of the Law nor get from under the guilt of one sinful thought the right way which is to be done by believing what another man hath done by himselfe Heb. 1. 2 3. without us on the crosse without the gates of Jerusalem See for this 1 Pet. 2. 24. Heb. 13. 12. The one saith he bare our sins in his own body on the tree the other saith it was done without the gate And thus the poor soule is most horribly carried away headlong and thrown down violently under the curse of the Law under which it is held all its dayes if God of his meer mercy prevent not and at the end of its life doth fall into the very belly of Hell Again that the Devil might be sure to carry on his design he now begins to counterfeit the work of grace Hence he is very subtil and doth transforme himselfe into an Angel of light 2 Cor. 11. 14. Now he makes the soule beleeve that he is its friend and that he is a Gospel-Minister and if the soule will but be led by what shall be made known unto it by the light or conscience within it shall not need to fear but it shall do well Now he counterfeits the new Birth perswading them that it is wrought by following the light that they brought into the â—world with them Now he begins also to make them run through difficulties and now like Baals Priests they must lance themselves with knives c. Now they must wear no hatbands now they must live with bread and water now they must give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of Devils which bids them abstaine from marriage and commands them to abstain from meates which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which love and know the truth as in 1 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. Now they must not speak except their spirit moves them I doe not say the spirit of Christ though when it moves they will speak such sad blasphemies and vent such horrible Doctrines that it makes me wonder to see the patience of God in that he doth not command either the ground to open her mouth and swallow them up or else suffer the Devil to fetch them away alive to the astonishment of the whole world Object But you will say Doth not the Scripture say that it is the spirit of Christ that doth make manifest or convince of sin John 16. 8. Answ. Yes it doth so But for the better understanding of this place I shall lay downe this namely That there are two things spoken of in the Scriptures which doe manifest sin or convince of sin First the Law as saith the Apostle Rom. 3. 20. Therefore by the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified in his sight viz. Gods sight For by the Law is the knowledge of sin 2. The Spirit of Christ doth make manifest or reprove of sinne as it is written John 16. 8. 9. And when he the Spirit is come he will reprove the world of sinne of righteousnesse and of judgement of sin because they believe not on me saith the Son of Mary which is Christ. Now the Law doth sometimes by its own power manifest sin without the spirit of Christ as in the case of Judas who was convinced of the sin of marther which made made him cry out I have sinned yet at that time he was so farre from having the spirit of Christ in him that he was most violently possessed of the Devil Luke 22. 3 4. Again Sometimes the spirit of Christ takes the Law and doth effectually convince of sin of righteousnesse and judgment to come Quaer But you will say How should I know whether I am convinced by the Law alone or that the Law is set home effâ—ctually by the
Answ. First from that Scripture in Luke 24. 37 38 39 40. where Christ himselfe after â—he was crucified appeared to his Disciples who having seen him supposed they had seen a Spirit But he said Why are ye troubled and why doe thoughts arise in your hearts behold my hand and my feet that it is I my selfe and doe not think you see a spirit handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have This he spake after he was crucified Luke 23. 33. and buried v. 53. and rose againe from the dead chap. 24. 6 7. Many other Scriptures could I give for the proof hereof as Acts 10. 39 40 41 42. And Acts 13. 28 29 30 31. 1 Thess. 1. 10. only read Acts 2. 29 30 31. where the Apostle proveth the same bringing in the words of the Prophet David for a testimony thereof saying He being a Prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his loynes according to the flesh he would raise up Christ to sit on his Throne saith he seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ that his soul was not left in hell neither his flesh did see corruption Mark it his flesh did see no corruption v. 31. But if he had not risen againe his flesh had seen corruption But he rose again from the dead that very man that very body for his flesh did see no corruption Q. Why did he rise againe from the dead with that very body Answ. 1. Because it was not possible he should be holden of death 2. Because in his humane nature he suffered for sin and if he had not recovered himselfe from that very curse even from under death and all other things that lay on him which he had through the sins of his children subjected himselfe unto he had not overcome sin hell death the law and the devil but had been overcome by them and if so then had not redemption been obtained for sinners for it was at his resurrection from the dead that God said unto him Thou art my sonne this day have I begotten thee As saith the Apostle And we declare unto you glad tidings how that the promise made unto the Fathers God had fulfilled the same unto us their children in that he hath raised up Jesus again as it is written in the second Psal. Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thâ—e Acts 13 30 31 32 33 34 35. And it is this namely the resurrection of that man from the dead that doth give us ground of hope as in 1 Pet. 1. 3. where he saith He hath begotten us again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from 〈◊〉 dead 3. Because God intends to redeem the bodies of his Saints out of their graves in which they have lien many a yeare John 5. 28 29. Rom. 8. 23. 1 Cor. 15. 52. and to possesse them with his own glory and when this comes to passe then shall that Scripture be fulfilled that saith He shall change our viâ—â— body that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body according to the working of his mighty power whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself Phil. 3. 21. And he hath given us assurance thereof in that he hath raised up Jesus our Lord again from the dead Acts 17. 31. Q. But doe you think that these our bodies that we doe carry about with us in this world after that they are dead and buried and rotten shall rise again out of those graves into which they are laid when the Scripture saith flesh and blood shall not inherit the Kingdome of God Answ. Flesh in Scripture is taken more wayes then one as first it is taken for the workes of the law where the Apostle saith Received ye the spirit by the workes of the Law or by the hearing of faith Are ye so foolish having begun in the spirit are ye made perfect by the flesh By flesh here he meanes the Law as is clear if you compare Gal. 3. v. 2. 3. with v. 10 11. 12. Again sometimes flesh is taken for sinnes Rom. 8. 1. 5. And sometimes is is taken for the bodies of the Saints * as subject to distempers to pain sicknesse corruptions to death by reason of sinne * 2 Cor. 4. 11. 2 Cor. 7. 5. Now the Apostle in that place where he saith flesh and blood shall not inherit the Kingdome of Heaven or of God his meaning is sinful flesh and blood or the sin with any imperfection that is in the bodies of the Saints shall not inherit the Kingdome and that you shall find to be the mind of the holy Ghost if you read with understanding the latter end of the same verse where he saith Neither doth corruption inherit incorruption That is sin or any imperfection of the body shall not inherit eternal life for saith he in ver 53. This corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality Mark here I pray you though he saith flesh and blood shall not inherit the Kingdom of God yet he saith this corruptible must put on incorrution For the Trump shall blow and the dead shall be raised as Christ saith they that are in the graves shall hear his voiâ—e John 5. 28. and shall come forth of their graves incorruptible 1 Cor. 15. 52. and shall all appeare before the judgement-seat of Christ 2 Cor. 5. 10. Rev. 12. 1â— 13. See also that Scripture Phil. 3. 20. 21 where the Apostle saith He waited for Christ the Saviour from Heaven And what shall he doe when he comes Why He shall change our vile body Mark it it must be our vile body that must be changed But if it be changed then how can it be the same Not the same in respect of sinne or bodily infirmities but the very same in respect of substance For saith he it is our vile body that must be changed And it the very same it shall be fashioned like to his glorious body And if you ask how is it possible that this should be done he answers according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself Phil. 3. 21. Q. But do you think this is certain methinks the Scriptures semingly hold forth so much yet I cannot believe it for it is contrary to all reason A. Truly the Scriptures do not only hold forth so much seemingly but they do most really and plainly hold out these things to all those that have received the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ. For it is it and it alone that can reveal these things For no man knows the things of God but the spirit of God 1 Cor. 2. 11. Now if thou wouldst know these things thou must first receive the spirit of the son of God without which thou canst not know so much as one of the fundamental truths of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Q. But there
the Lord give thee grac◠to follow thou shalt escape these wicked delusions And first of all I admonish thee to be very serious touching thine estate and condition and examine thine own heart by the rule of the word of God whether or no thou hast as yet any beginnings of desiring after religion and if thou findest that thou hast lived untill now in ignorance and hast not set thy selfe to remember thy Creator as thou art commanded Eccles. 12. 1. then I beseech thee consider that thou art under the wrath of Almighty God and hast been so ever since thou camest into the world Eph. 2. 1 2. being thou in thy first parents didst transgress against thy Maker Rom. 5. 18. Therefore as by the offence of one that is of Adam ver 14. judgement came upon all men unto condemnation Besides the many sins thou hast committed ever since thou wast born Sins against the Law of God and sinnes against the Gospell of the grace of God Sins against the long suffering and forbearance of God and sins against his judgements Sins of Omission and sins of Commission in thoughts words and actions Consider I say thy condition yea get a very great sense of thy sins that thou hast committed and that thou mayest so doe Beg of God to convince thee by his holy Spirit not only of sins against the Law but also of that damning sin the sin of unbeliefe 2. If thou by grace art but brought into such an estate as to see thy selfe in a lost Condition because of sin without the Lord Jesus then in the next place have a care of resting on any dutie done though it be never so specious I say have a care of making any stay any where on this side the Lord Jesus Christ but above all strive to believe that that very man that was borne of the Virgin Mary did come into the World on purpose to save thee as well as other poore sinners I say thou must not be content till thou art enabled to say He loved me and gave himselfe for me And that thou mayest be sure to attaine to this most precious faith for so it is be much in applying the freest promises to thy own soule yea those that have no conditions annexed to them as these or other like Jer. 3. 3. Jer. 3 Joh. 6. 37. also Jo. 14. 19. Hos. 14. 4. I say labour to apply to thy owne soule in particular the most glorious and freest promises in the book of God And if at any time the divell besets thee by his temptations for so is his wonted manner to doe and so much the more as he sees thee labour to get out of his reach I say when he 〈◊〉 thee with his fierie darts be sure to act faith on the most free promises and have a care that thou doest not enter into any dispute with him but rather resist him by those blessed promises that are laid down in the word of God And withall be sure to meditate upon the blood of the Man Christ Jesus who also is the true God and read those Scriptures that doe most fully and cleerly speak of it as 1 Joh. 1. 7. Eph. 1. 7. Heb. 9. 14 Rom. 3. 25. But if thou say as it is often the speech of poore soules lying under a sence of Sin the apprehensions of wrath due to it I cannot apply the promises to mine own soule and the reason is because my sins are so great and so many Consider and know it for a truth that the more and greater thou seest thy sins to be the more cause hast thou to believe yea thou must therefore believe because thy sinnss are great David made it an encouragement to himselfe or rather the Spirit of the Lord made it his encouragement to crave yea to hope for pardon because he had greatly transgressed Psal. 25. 11. For thy Name sake O Lord saith he pardon mine iniquitie for it is great As if he had said O Lord Thy name wil be more glorified the riches of thy grace wil be more advanced thy Mercy and goodness will more shine and be magnified in pardoning me who am guiltie of great iniquitie than if thou pardonest many others who have not committed such hainous offences And I dare say the reason why thou believest not is not because thy sins are great but because thou doest reason too much with that wicked enemie of mans salvation and givest way too much to the fleshly reasoning of thine own heart For Christ hath said he that commeth unto me I will in no wise cast out Joh. 6. 37. And againe Though thy sins be as red as scarlet they shall be as white as snow Jsa 1. 18. And Christ calleth those that labour and are heavy laden to come to him with promise to give them rest Mat. 11. 28. Wherefore thou must not say my sins are too big but thou must say because I am a great sinner yea because I have sinned above many of my companions and am nearer to Hell and eternal damnation than they because of my sins therefore will I crie unto the Lord and say O Lord Pardon my sins for they are great Now that thou mayest not be deceived in a matter of so great concernment have a special care of these three things First have a care of putting off thy trouble of Spirit the wrong way which thou mayest doe three wayes First when thy Conscience flieth in thy face and tells thee of thy sins thou doest put off convictions the wrong way if thou doest stop thy Conscience by promising to reform thy selfe and lead a new life and gettest off thy guilt by so doing For though thou mayest by this meanes still and quiet thy conscience for a time yet thou canst not hereby satisfie and appease the wrath of God Yea saith God to such though thou wash thee with Nitre and take thee much Sope yet thine iniquitie is marked before me Jer. 2. 22. 2. If when thou art under the guilt of thy sins thou puttest off convictions by thy performances or duties and so satisfiest thy Conscience then also thou doest put off thy Convictions the wrong way For God will not be satisfied with any thing lesse then the blood righteousness resurrection and intercession of his own Son Acts. 4. 12. and thou shouldest not satisfie thy self with any less then God would have thee to satisfie thy selfe withall and that is the water of life Jsa 55. 1 2. which water of life thy duties and all thy righteousness is not for it is but menstruous ragges Jsa 64. 6. 3. Have a care that when thou art under conviction thou doest not satisfie thy self with a notion of the free grace of the Gospel My meaning is doe not content thy selfe with any measure of knowledge that thou canst attain unto or bottome thy peace upon it thinking thou art now well enough because thou canst speak much of the grace of God and his love in Christ to
Scripture for our Lord sprang out of Judah Heb. 7. 14. Againe when Christ the Saviour was to come into the world at that time the Scepter was to depart from Judah according to the prophesie of Jacob The Scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a Lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come Gen. 49. 10. Now the Scepter was then departed from those that were Jews by nature and also the lawgiver and Herod who was a stranger and not of Judea was King over them as Caesars Deputy and Caesar Augustus imposed lawes on them The stuborn Jews also confessed the Scepter to be departed when before Pontius Pilate a Romane governour of â—udea they cryed out against Christ We have no King but Caesar Joh. 19. 15. Nay further the Jewes from that day to this have beene without a â—ing of their owne nation to governe them they never had the Scepter swayed since by any of themselves but have been a scattered despised people and have been as it were liable to all dangers and for a long time driven out from their countrey and scattered over all the Nations of the earth as was prophesied concerning them Jeâ— 24. 9. Zek. 5. 14 15. And yet these poor souls are so horribly deluded by the devil that though they see these things come to passe yet they will not believe And one reason among many of their being thus deluded is this they say that the word Scepter in that 49. of Gen. is not meant of a Kingly Government but the meâ—ning is say they a rod or persecutions shall not depart from Judah till Shiloh come Now they doe most grosly mistake that place for though I am not skilled in the Hebrew tongue yet through grace I am enlightned into the Scriptures whereby I find that the meaning is not persecutions noâ— the rod of afflictions but a Governour or Scepter of the Kingdome shall not depart from Judah till Shiloh come And that this is the meaning of the place weigh but the very next words of the same verse and you will find it to be the Scepter of a King that is meant for he addeth nor a Lawgiver from between his feet Marke it The Scepter nor a Lawgiver the Legislative power depending on the Scepter of the Kingdom shall not depart from Judah untill Shiloh come According to that Scripture written in Isa. 7. 16. For before the Child shall know to refuse the evill and chuse the good the land which thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her Kings which Scripture hath been fulfilled from that same time But a word to the Jews exposition of the Scepter to be a rod or persecutions saying that persecutions shall not depart from Judah till Shiloh come This cannot be the meaning of the place for the Jews have had rest oftentimes and that before Shiloh did come at one time they had rest fourscore years Judges 3. 30. againe And the land had rest from warre Joâ—h 14 15. And againe the Lord gave them rest round about according to all that he sware unto their fathers and there stood not up a man of all their enemies before them Jos. 21. 44. Jos. 22. 4. 23. 1. And the land had rest forty years Jud. 3. 11. There was rest many a time from persecution and from the rod thâ—ugh it we but for a season but the Scepter or Kingdome did noâ— depart from Judah and a law-giver from between his feet tiâ—â— Shiloh came Againe to prove that Jesus is the Christ it is cleer from the hand of God against the Jews for putting him to death What was the reason why they did put him to death but this he did say that he was the Christ the Sonne of God Luke 22. 70. Then said they all Art thou the Sonne of God And he said ye say that I am that is I am he as you say I am the son of God Yea the only begotten Son of the Father and I was with him before the world was Now the Jews did put him to death for his thus owning his own That is for not denying of his Sonship but making himself equal with God therefore did they put him to death Joh. 1â— 7. Now God did and doth most miserarably plague them to this very day for their crucifying of him But I say 〈◊〉 he not been the Christ of God Gods Son he would not have laid sin to their charge for crucifying him but rather have praised them for their zeale and for taking him out of the way who did rob God of his honour in that he made himselfe equal with God and was not He would have praised them for doing the thing that was right as he did Phinehas the son of Eleazâ—r for executing judgement in his time on the adulterer and adultereâ—le Numb 25. 8. But in that he said he was the Sonne of God and accounted it no robbery so to call himself Phil. 2. And seeing that they did put him to death because he said he was thâ— Son of God And in that God doth so severely charge them with and punish them for their sin in putting him to death for saying that he was the son of God it is evident that he was and is the sonne of God and that Saviour that should come into the world For his blood hath been upon them to this very day for their hurt according to their desire Mat. 27. 25. Againe Jesus himselfe doth in his day hold forth that he is the Christ where he saith the time is fulfilled and the Kingdome of heaven is at hand Mat. 1. 15. What time is this thâ—â— Jesus speaks of Surely 〈◊〉 that of Daniels Seventy weeks spoken of in Chap. 9. 24. when he saith Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people to finish transgression and to make an end of sin and to make reconciliation or satisfaction for iniquity and to bring in everlasting righteousness and to anoint the most hoâ—y this time that here Daniel speakes of is it that Christ saith hath an end and the argument that he brings to perswade them to believe the Gospel is this the Kingdome of God is at hand according as was prphesied of it by Daniel repent and believe the Gospel Repent and believe that this is the Gospel And that this is the truth of God Consider that Daniel had a revelation of these daies from the Angel of God and also the time in which it should be accomplished Namely Seventy weekes was the determined time of the Messias his comming from the time when the Angel spake these words to Daniel Seventy weekes that is about 490 years if you reckon every day in the said twenty weekes for a yeare a day for a yeare a day for a yeare for so is the holy Spirits way sometime to reckon dayes Ezek. 4. 6. and this the Jews were convinced of when Christ saith to them ye Hypocrites ye can discerne the face of the skie but can you not discerne the Signes of the
transgreâ—â—ions 1 Cor. 1. 23 24 25. 4. That very body of the sonne of Mary which was crucified did rise again from the dead after he had been buried in Josephs Sepulchre that he in that very body ascended up into heaven and in that very body shall come again to these ends 1. First to judge the quick and the dead 2. To receive his Saints to himselfe 3. To passe eternal condemnation on his enemies These things in brief I shall touch upon according to the wisedom given me And therefore that Christ is very God I shall first prove by plain texts of Scripture 2. From the testimony of God Angels and men witnessed by the Scriptures 3. By several Arguments drawn from Scripture which will prove the same clearly 1. Then to prove it by the Scriptures though indeed the whole Book of Gods holy Scripture testifie these things plainly to be most true yet there be some places more pregnant and pertinent to the thing then others and therefore I shall mention some of them As first minde that in Prov. 8. v. 22 c. and there you shall finde him spoken of under the name of Wisedome the same name that is given him in 1 Cor. 1. 24. I say in that place of the Prov. above mentioned you shall find these expressions from his own mouth The Lord possessed me in tho beginning of his way before his works of old I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was when there was no depths I was brought forth while there was no fountaine abounding with water Before the mountains were sâ—tled before the hills was I brought forth While as yet he had not made the Earth nor the fields nor the highest places of the dust of the world When hâ— prepared the Heavens I was there when he set a compasse upon the face of the depth when he established the clouds above when he strengthened the fountaines of the deep When he gave to the Sea his decree that the waters should not pass â—his commandement When he appointed the foundations of the Earth then was I by him as one brought up with him And I was daily his delight rejoycing in the habitable parts of the Earth and my delight was with the Sonne of men Also John 1. 1 2. you have these words spoken of Christ In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God The same was in the beginning with God As also in Heb. 1. 2. the Apostle being about to prove the Sonne of Mary to be very God saith He hath in these latter daies spoken to us by his Sonne which sonne is the sonne of Mary as in Matth. 3. But saith the Apostle Heb. 1. 8. to the Sonne he saith Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever a Scepter of righteousnesse is the Scepter of thy Kingdome Again in John 17 5. you have the words of the sonne of Mary for it saying And now Father glorifie thou me with thine own selfe with the glory that I had with thee before the world was Again he himself saith before Abraham was I am And again I and my Father are one And in Phil. 2. 5. the Apostle saith Let the same mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who being in the form of God thought it â—o robbery to be equal with God but made himselfe of no reputation and took on him the forme of a servant and was mâ—de in the likenesse of men Also Rev. 2. 8. Christ himselfe saith I am the first and the last which was dead but am alive And thus have I quoted some few Scriptures to prove that the Sonne of Mary is the true God 2. I shall give you the testimony of God himselfe touching the truth of this viz. That Christ the Sonne of the Virgin is the true God And first see Zach. 13. 7. and there you shall finde these words Awake O Sword against my Shepherd and against the Man that is my fellow saith the Lord of Hosts In this place the Lord doth call that Man his fellow which he doth not doe to any meer creature Again in Maâ— 3. 17. he calls him his beloved sonne saying This is my beleved Sonne in whom I am well pleased And in the foresaid place of the Hebrews Cap. 1. the Apostle advancing the Lord Jesus brings in this question To which of the Angels said he at any time thou art my Sonne Ver. 5. But to the Sonne he sâ—â—h ver 8. Thy Throne O God iâ— for ever and ever And this farre of the testimony that God himselfe hath given of the Son of Mary Jesus Christ. 3. The Angels do shew that he is God first in that they do obey him 2. in that they worship him 1. That they obey him is clear if we compare Rev. 21. 9. with Rev 22. 6. In the first of these places we finde that there came one of the Angels of the seven vials which had the seven last plagues and talked with John He came not of himselfe for in that 22 Cap. ver 6. he saith The Lord sent his Angel to shew unto his servants the things that must be done Now in the 16. verse you may see who this Lord God is He saith there I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testifie these things in the Churches * I am the roâ—t as well as the Ofspring of David and the bright and morning star I say this obedience of the Angels doth testifie that Jesus which is the Sonne of Mary is the true and very God for they do obey God only Secondly The Angels doe shew that the sonne of Mary is the true God in that they do not onely obey him but worship him also yea they are commanded so to doe Heb. 1. 6. where it is wriâ—ten When he bringeth his first begoâ—ten into the world he i e God saith And let all the Angels of God worship him viz. the sonne of Mary Now the Angels themselves command that we worship none but God Rev. 22. 8 9. When John fell down to worship the Angel the Angel said See thou doe it not for I am thy fellow-servant worship God Now if the Angels should command to worship God and they themselves should worship him that by nature is no God they should overthrow themselves in commâ—â—ding one thing and doing another and so lose their own habitations and be shut up in chaines of darknesse to be punished with everlasting destruction from God himselfe at the great day And thus much concerning the testimony of Angels touching Jesus the Sonne of Mary the Sonne of God yea very anâ— true God Isa. 9. 6. Now followeth David hiâ— testimony among other of thâ— Saints who witnesse Jesus the Sonne of Mary to be true God and that you may finde in Psa. 110. 1. where he saith The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstoole Also Isaiah in the 9. Chap.
went or ascended up into heaven If you compare Luke 2â— v. 39 40 41 42 43. with the 50. and 5â— verses of the same Chap. you may cleerly find it so to be And therefore if he come againe in like manner he must come againe with the same body wherewith he was crucified Object But you will say The Scripture saith he that descended is the same that ascended which to me say you implies none but the spirits ascending Answ. For answer We doe not say as I said before that it is another that ascended but the very same That is the very same Christ that was with the father from everlasting did come down from heaven That same Christ also that came down from heaven did ascend up thither again only he descended without a body from heaven and took flesh and blood upon him from the Virgin And though he descended without a body yet he the very same Christ that descended without a body the same did ascend again with a body even that very body that he took of the virgin Mary See Luke 24. from 39 to the 51. verses Now let me give you a Similitude for it is warrantable for both Christ and his Apostles did sometimes use them to the end soules might be the beâ—ter infâ—rmed The similitude is this Suppose there come into thine house a man that is naked and without clothing though he go out of thy house againe well clothed yet the same man that came in without clothing is the same man also that goâ—s out of thy house though very well clothed Even so it is in this case The Lord Jesus came into the wombe of the virgin â— Spirit Mat. 1â— 18. but he came out of the womb clothed with a body and went up into heaven again clothed with a body Compare Luke 24. 39. with Act. 1. 11. and Act. 2. 30 31. Now also I shal lay down some few things to be considered for the better clearing of it 1. Consider that he did say to his Disciples that he would go away from them Joh. 14. 3. Joh. 16. 7. yea saith he I go and prepare a place for you and then I will after a long time come again and take you to my selfe that where I am that is whither I am going there ye may be also Now I say If Christ had not gone from his Disciples for that was his meaning touching his bodily presence I say if he had not gone away from them in respect of his bodily presence he had said more then he had performed which is horrible blasphemie once to assert Which going of his is his going into heaven See 1 Pet. 3. 22. Secondly consider that there it was that he was to receive the promise of the father Luke 24. 49. 50 51. which promise was the shedding forth in an abundant manner the blessed Holy Ghost And for this see Act. 2. 33. Therefore being by the right hand of God which is in heaven exalted and having received of the Father the promise of the holy Ghost he hath shâ—d fâ—rth this which ye now see and hearâ— For David is not ascended into the heavens but he saith himselfe The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstoole Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly for t is very tâ—ue that God hath made that same Jesus whom you have crucified both Lord and Christ. Thirdly Consider that if he were on earth he could not be a Priest Heb. 8. 4. Now the man Christ Jesus is a glorious Priest Heb. 7. 24. in the heavens Heb. 9. 24. And therefore he is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them That man v. 25. Fourthly If he be not gone into heaven both his own and his Apostles doctrine is false yea the witnesse of the Angels also 1 Pet. 3. 22. Act. 1. 9 10 11. which to think were damnable infidelitie in any man Fifthly Know that he is gone in oâ— heaven because the Scriptures say he is which is the very truth of God spoken by his holy Apostles and Prophets yea holy men of God spake them as they were moved by the holy Ghost Sixthly Consider If thou sayest that that man is not gone into heaven then thou must also conclude that he is still in the grave and if so then thou sayest that the Prophets Apostles Angels Christ God and all are lyars who have testified these things in the Scriptures for glorious truths Isa. 26. 19. Acts 10. v. 40 41 42. and 13. v. 30 34 36 37 38. Acâ—sâ— 9 10 11. And as the Apostle saith of himselfe and the rest of the Apostles and ministers of Jesus Christ And we are found false witnesses of God because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ whom he raised not up if so â—e the dead rise not But now is Christ risen and become the first fruits of them that sleep For as by man came death by Man came also the resurrection from the dead 1 Cor. 15. 15 20 21. Secondly now I am to prove that he is above the clouds and the heavens my meaning is he is above the lowest heavens for there are 3 as appears in 2 Cor. 12. 1 2 3 4. I knew a man in Christ saith Paul there caught up into the third heaven now Heaven in Scripture is taken sometimes metaphorically and sometimes properly First metaphorically it is taken for the Church and people of God as in Rev. 12. 12. Secondly properly it is taken for the material heaven where the Sun Moon and Stars are placed as in Genesis 1. v 8 14 15 16 compared together above which heaven Jesus the Son of Mary is ascended Therefore I pray you consider with me a little and first that when he went into this heaven into which he is gone he went AWAY from his Disciples as it is written If I go not away the comforter will not come so that he did not go into a heaven within them in his person and humane nature If so he must needs go into that heaven without above the clouds and the Stars Gen. 1. 8 5 16. 2. Consider he was caught away in a cloud yea and was caught upwards from them as it is Acts 1. 9 10 11. and carried away into heaven yea and his disciples stood gazing or looking up after him into heaven which heaven must needs be that above the clouds 1. If you consider the posture of the Disciples they looked upwards after the cloud that did take him away 2. Consider the manner of his going it was in a cloud 3. He was received out of their sight 4. And so received up into heaven which heaven must needs be above the clouds where God is in his special presence But further 3. Consider that those believers that are alive at this day in
sign that his coming doth draw nigh even at the doors 3 The love of many waxing cold is another signe that it is nigh even the comming of Christ And how cold is the love of many at this day They that were hot two or three year agoe are now grown lukewarm and cold They are cold in love to the Lords appearing they are cold in the profession of the Gospel They are cold in love to the Saints they are cold in the worship of God Yea very cold which is a notable Demonstration that the comming of the Lord draweth nigh 4. The Stars falling from heaven That is profe â—ors falling from the faith which once they professed is another signe that the comming of the Lord is at hand And how many professors doe you see now a dayes fall from the doctrine of God and his Son Jesus Christ as though there were no such thing as a world to come and no such thing as a Lord Jesus Christ and his second coming 5. Many poore souls will go on in their profession with lampes without oyle just before his second comming And the Lord knowes that most of the professors of this generation are such kind of professors yea very foolish professors which is another sure signe that the comming of the Lord drawes nigh 6. When the time of Christs second comming is at hand there will be but a very little faith in the world And the Lord knowes that there be many who are now as high as Lucifer that at that day for want to faith will be thrown down to the sides of the pit even into the very belly of Hell 7. Another signe of Christs second comming is the carnall mindednesse of the most of the world and the very carriages of almost all men now living do discover this truth to be at this day fulfilled and know that when they shall say peace and safety then sudden destruction comes and they shall not escape 1 Thes. 5. 1 2 3 4. 8. Before Christs second comming there shal come many fals Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signes and wonders to seduce if it were possible the Elect. And is not this more cleerly fulfilled in our daies then ever it was especially among those men called Quakers who being as persons whose consciences are seared with an hot iron and they being sealed up unto destruction do some of them call themselves Christ and shew great signes as their Quaking and such a legall holiness as makes the simple admire them and wonder after them which shewes the comming of Christ to be very nigh 9. Before Christs second comming there shall come scoffers into the world walking after their own lusts and if ever this Scripture was fulfilled it is fulfilled on these men called Quakers For they are the men that at this day make a mocke at Christs second comming which shall be from heaven without and therefore saith the holy Ghost these Mockers shall be such as shall say where is the promise of his comming for since the fathers fell a sleep all things continue as they were See 2 Pet. 3. 3 4 5 6 7. and there you shall see their mocking and the reason of it Read and the Lord give thee understanding But because I would not have thee think that I speake at randome in this thing Know for certain that I my self have heard them blaspheme yea with a grinning countenance at the doctrine of that mans second comming from heaven above the stars who was borne of the Virgin Mary Yea they have told me to my face that I have used conjuration and witchcraft because what I preached was according to the Scriptures I was also told to my face that I preached up an Idoll because I said that the Son of Mary was in heaven with the same body that was crucified on the Cross And many other things have they blasphemously vented against the Lord of life and glory and his precious Gospel The Lord reward them according as their work shall be I could have hinted in many other things which Christ and his Apostles have shewed to be signes of his comming But I shall commend the holy Scriptures unto thee which are able to make the man of God perfect in all things through faith in the Lord Jesus Now you have also the manner of his comming how iâ— shall be most notably laid down in the Scriptures I shall 〈◊〉 in a few things touching it as first He will come when there is but very few looking for his comming When they shall sâ—y peace and safety then sudden destruction commeth 1 Thes. 5. 1. 2 3 which sudden destruction will be at his second comminâ— for that is it which the Apostle spake of in those three verses Then will all the world be caught at such an unexpected time that it will come upon them even as a snare commeth upon those creatures that are caught in it As it is written Luke 21. 35. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earâ—h Which is all on a sudden before they are aware 2. He commeth with all his saints and Angels Then will the Lord descend from that heaven into which he now ascended as it is written in 1 Thes. 4. 16. Then will be come and all his Saints with him as Jude saith in his Epistle v. 5. Then shall Abell and Enoch Noah and Abraham David and Job Peter and Paul together with all the Saints which have been now are or hereafter shall be and they shall sit on the throne with the Lord Jesus Christ as in Mat. 19. 28. Before whom shall all the Nations of the world be gathered as it is written Joel 3. 12. Let the heathen be wakeneâ— or raised out of their graves Dan. 12. 2 and come down to the valley of Jehoshaphat for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about Which never was yet accomplished though it shall certainly be in in Gods time to the astonishment everlasting damnation of all those that shall continue mocking or sinning against God and his Christ. 3. He shall come in flaming fire when he doth come again he will come in such a manner as will make all that shall be found in their sins rather seeke to creepe under a mountaine then to meet the Lord of Glory Rev. 6. 15 As Esay saith For behold the Lord will come with fire and with his Charets like a whirlwind to render his anger with fury and his rebukes with flames of fire Esay 66. 15. To execute judgement upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him Jude 15. as I shall shew farther by and by And therâ—fore in the next place I shall shew you what shall be done when he is come First When Christ