not consider Isa 1. 3. He heweth down cedars c. for a man to burn and warm himself c. Yea he maketh a god and worshippeth it he maketh a graven image and falleth down thereto He burneth part thereof c. the residue thereof he maketh a god and worshippeth it and prayeth to it and saith Deliver me for thou art my god They have not known nor understood c. and none considereth in his heart neither is there knowledge or understanding to say I have burned part c. shall I make the residue thereof an abomination shall I fall down to the stock of a tree Isa 44. 14 15 16 17 18 19. They have not known me they are sottish children they have no understanding Jer. 4. 22. The word of the Lord is unto them a reproach they have no delight in it Jer. 6. 10. Though Nebuchadnezzar had acknowledged the God of Daniel to be the God of Gods and a Lord of Kings c. yet he presently makes a Molten Image and commands his People to worship it c. and said Who is that God who shall deliver you out of my hands Dan. 2. 47. ch 3. 1 4 5 6 15. Belshazzar and his Princes c. praised the Gods of Gold and of Silver c. Dan. 5. 3 4. She did not know that I gave her corn and wine c. Hos 2. 8. The Gergesons so ignorant that because of the Loss of their Swine The whole city came out to meet Jesus c. and besought him to depart out c. Matth. 8. 32 33 34. O Jerusalem c. How often would I have gathered c. And ye would not Luke 13. 34. ch 19. 14. Christ was in the world c. and the world knew him not c. He came to his own and his own received him not John 1. 10 11. Light is come into the world and men love darkness rather than light John 3. 19. If thou hadst known the gift of God and who it is who said c. Give me c. Thou wouldst have asked of him c. Jesus said to the woman Ye worship ye know not what John 4. 10. 22. Ye will not come to me that ye may have life John 5. 40. Jesus said The world c. Me it hateth because I testifie of it that c. John 7. 7. The spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him John 14. 17. The world c. It hated me before it hated you Because I have chosen you c. therefore the world hates you c. These things will they do c. Because they know not him who sent me they hated both me and my father John 15. 18 19 21 24. Simon Magus so sottish that he offered Money for power to confer the Holy Ghost by Imposition of Hands Acts 8. 18 19 20. When Paul was at Athens c. he saw the City wholly given to Idolatry or full of Idols c. Certain Philosophers c. encountred him and some said What will this babler or base fellow say Other some He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods Because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection c. I perceive saith Paul ye are too superstitious c I found an Altar with an inscription To the unknown God Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship him declare I Acts 17. 16 18 22 23. When Paul preached many believed not but spake evil of that way before the multitude c. Demetrius and his company cry up Great is Diana the goddess c. And cried out against Paul for saying that they were no gods which were made with hands and endeavouring to turn men to the true God c. The Town-Clerk said The whole city is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana and of the image which fell down from Jupiter Acts 19. 9 24 25 26 to the end Certain questions c. of one Jesus which is dead whom Paul affirmed to be alive Acts 25. 19. The way of peace they have not known Rom. 3. 17. The carnal mind is enmity against God for it cannot be subject c. Rom. 8. 7. The preaching of the cross is to them who perish foolishness c. After that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God 1 Cor. 1. 18 21. The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know for they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. John 8. 43. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them who believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel c. should shine unto them 2 Cor. 4. 4. Acts 26. 17 18. Howbeit then when ye knew not God ye did service unto them who by nature are no Gods Gal. 4. 8. 1 Pet. 1. 14. Rev. 9. 20. Walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their minds having the understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance which is in them because of the blindness c. Ephes 4. 17 18. Ye were sometimes darkness but now c. Ephes 5. 8. Not in the lust of concupiscence even as the Gentiles who knew not God 1 Thes 4. 5. The world knoweth not us because it knoweth not him 1 John 3. 1. See Ignorance in Divine Things Chap. 38. III. In Servitude and Subjection to Satan and Sin IN the Parable of the Sower Christ saith the tares are the children of the wicked one c. The enemy who soweth them is the devil Matth. 13. 38 39. When the strong man armed keepeth his palace his goods are in peace but when a stronger than he shall come upon him c. Luke 11. 21 22. Ye are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father ye will do John 8. 44. To whom ye yield your selves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of sin unto death c. Ye were servants of sin Rom. 6. 16 20. Them who are lost in whom the god of this world hath blinded the mind c. 2 Cor. 4. 3 4. The prince of the power of the air the spirit who now worketh in the children of disobedience Ephes 2. 2. Thanks be to God c. who hath delivered us from the power of darkness c. Col. 1. 12 13. That they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil who are taken captive by him at his will 2 Tim. 2. 26. Acts 26. 28. In this c. are manifest and the children of the devil Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God neither he who loveth not his brother And Cain who was of that wicked one c. 1 John 3. 8 9 10 12. IV. The sad Fruit and End of such a State WHen Adam and Eve had sinned they hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God c. and were afraid because naked And Sorrow on
true God he is the living God and an everlasting King at his wrath the earth shall tremble c. he hath made the earth by his power he hath established the world by his wisdom and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion when he uttereth his voice c. Jer. 10. 10 12 13. Heb. 9. 14. Yet I am the Lord thy God and thou shalt know no God but me for there is no saviour besides me Hosea 13. 4. Isa 37. 20. I hate I despise your feasts and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies c. But let judgment run down c. Amos 5. 21 22 23 34. Psalm 66. 18. Isa 66. 3. Jer. 6. 20. Isa 1. 11 12 c. And it shall come to pass that every one who is least of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King the Lord of Host c. Zech. 14. 16. If then I be a father where is mine honour c. And if ye offer the blind and the lame c. offer it now unto your governor will he be pleased with thee or accept thy person c. Ye brought that which was torn and the lame and the sick thus ye brought an offering should I accept this at your hand saith the Lord But cursed the deceiver who hath in his flock a male and voweth and sacrificeth unto God a corrupt thing for I am a great king saith the Lord of hosts and my name is dreadful among the heathen Mal. 1. 6 8 13 14. ch 2. 2 3 13. The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come c. then shall the offerings of Judah c. be pleasant unto the Lord Mal. 3. 1 4. Get thee behind me Satan for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Matth. 4. 10. Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them Matth. 18. 20. There is one God and there is none other but he Mark 12. 32. Our father 's worshipped in this mountain and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship c. The hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain nor at Jerusalem worship the Father Ye worship ye know not what c. but the hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth For the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth John 4. 20 21 22 23 24. The Father himself c. ye have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his shape John 5. 37. Exod. 33. 20. And he said Lord I believe and he worshipped him John 9. 38. The most high dwelleth not in temples made with hands c. Heaven is my Throne c. hath not my hands made all c. Acts 7. 48 49 50. Whom ye ignorantly worship him declare I unto you God who made the world and all things therein seeing that he is Lord or heaven and earth dwelleth not in temples made with hands neither is worshipped with mens hands as though he needed any thing seeing he gave to all life and breath and all things and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitations c. Acts 17. 24 25 26. After the way they call heresie so worship I the God of my fathers Acts 24. 14. God whom I serve with my spirit c. The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things which are made his eternal power and God-head so that they were without excuse because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God c. but became vain c. Changed the truth of God into a lie and served and worshipped the creature more than the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen Rom. 1. 9 20 21 23 25. 2 Tim. 1. 3. Not slothful in business servent in spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12. 11. This I speak c. that ye may attend on the Lord without distraction 1 Cor. 7. 32 35. We know that an idol is nothing in the world and there is none other God but one For though there be that are called Gods c. but to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in or for him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him 1 Cor. 8. 4 5 6. 1 Tim. 2. 5. So falling down on his face he will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth 1 Cor. 14. 25. Gen. 24. 26 52. Exod. 4 31. ch 12. 27. ch 34. 8. Joshua 5. 14. We are the circumcision who worship God in the spirit Phil. 3. 3. When he bringeth in the first begotten into the world he faith and let all the angels of God Worship him Hebr. 1. 6. God c. because he could swear by no greater he sware by himself c. The living God c. Heb. 6. 13. ch 9. 14. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved let us have grace or hold fast whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear for our God is a consuming fire Heb. 12. 28 29. Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. No man hath seen God at anytime 1 John 4. 12. The four and twenty elders fell down before him who sate on the throne and worshiped him who liveth Rev. 4. 10 11. Fear God and given glory unto him c. And worship him who made heaven and earth and the sea and the fountains of waters Rev. 14. 7. chap. 15. 4. ch 4. 8 9 10 11. ch 5. 13. Worship God Rev. 19. 10. ch 22. 9. Sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts 1 Pet. 3. 15. The Lord c. he will famish all the gods of the earth and Men shall worship him every one Zeph. 2. 11. See more of Idolatry and Worshipping strange Gods c. Chap. 40. See the Order of Publick Worship Ordinances Officers c. Chap. 27. Believe imbrace and be found in the Practice of nothing in the things of God and about his Worship but that which clearly according to Precepts Rules and Examples of the Scriptures appears to be Christ's mind upon which we can in Faith expect acceptance AND Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments and all the people answered with one voice and said All the words which the Lord hath said will we do And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord c. And he took the book of the covenant and read in
12. No man speaking by the spirit of God ceileth Jesus accursed c. that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost c. There are diversity of gifts but the same spirit c. to one is given c. But all these worketh that one and the self same spirit dividing c. 1 Cor. 12. 3 4 5 6 7 c. Who hath also sealed us and given us the earnest of his spirit 2 Cor. 1. 22. ch 5. 5. Ye are our Epistle c. ye are manifestly declared the Epistle of Christ c. written not with ink but with the spirit of the living God not in tables of stone but in fleshy tables of the heart c. The letter killeth but the spirit giveth life c. If the ministration of death c. were glorious c. How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious c. Now the Lord is that spirit and where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty 2 Cor. 3. 2 3 6 7 8 17. God hath sent forth the spirit of his son into your hearts crying Abba father Gal. 4. 6. For the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other c. The fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance Gal. 5. 17 22 23. Ye were sealed with the holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance until the purchased possession Eph. 1. 13 14. The holy spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption Eph. 4. 30. For the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth Eph. 5. 9. God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power of love and of a sound mind 2 Tim. 1. 7. Having received the word in much affliction with joy of the holy Ghost 1 Thes 1. 6. Acts 9. 31. Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself c. Heb. 9. 14. The anointing teacheth you c. and is truth and is no lye 1 John 2. 27. Try the spirits whether they are of God c. Hereby know ye the spirit of God every spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ to have been come in the flesh is of God And every spirit which confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the fâ—esh is not of God c. Greater is he that is in you than he who is in the world 1 John 4. 1 2 3 4. It is the spirit who beareth witness because the spirit is truth c. The Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these there are one 1 John 5. 6 7 8. The spirit and the bride say Come Rev. 22. 17. III. Saints Duty towards the Spirit 1. In following after him and making use of him THE manifestation of the spirit is given to â—â—ry man to profit withal 1 Cor. 12. 7. The same anointing teacheth you of all things 1 John 2. 27. And the Lord said My spirit shall not always strive with man Gen. 6. 3. The true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth for the father seeketh such to worship him God is a spirit and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth John 4. 23 24. Fervent in the spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12. 11. The manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal 1 Cor. 12. 7. I will pray with the spirit c. I will sing with the spirit c. 1 Cor. 14. 15. Walk ye not in the same spirit 2 Cor. 12. 18. Are ye so foolish having begun in the spirit are ye now made perfect by the flesh Gal. 3. 3. Walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh c. If ye be led by the spirit ye are not under the law c. If we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit Gal. 5. 16 17 18 25. 1 John 2. 27. He who soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6. 8. Be not drunk c. but be ye filled with the spirit Eph. 5. 18. The sword of the spirit which is the word of God c. praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit Eph. 6. 17 18. We are the circumcision who worship God in the spirit Phil. 3. 3. Wherefore as the holy Ghost saith If ye will hear his voice c. Hebr. 3. 7. Build up your selves c. praying in the holy Ghost Jude v. 20. He who hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith to the Churches Rev. 2. 7 11 17 29. 2. Not to sin against grieve or quench the Spirit But they rebelled and vexed his holy spirit therefore he was turned to be their Enemy Isa 63. 10. But the blasphemy against the holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men c. Whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man it shall be forgiven him out whosoever speaketh against the 〈…〉 shall not be forgiven him neither 〈…〉 Matth. 12. 31 32. Mark 3. 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Satan filled thine heart to 〈…〉 c. thou hast not lied unto 〈…〉 God c. How is it that ye have 〈…〉 to tempt the spirit of the Lord c. she 〈◊〉 down and died c. Acts 5. 2 3 5 8 9 10. Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears ye do always resist the holy Ghost as your fathers did so do ye c. Have not your fathers persecuted c. Acts 7. 51 52. Simon offered money for power to confer the holy Ghost Acts 8. 18 19. The Sadduces say that there is no resurrection neither angel nor spirit Acts 23. 8. Keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace c. and grieve not the holy spirit of God whereby ye are sealed Eph. 4. 3 30. Quench not the spirit 1 Thes 5. 19. He who despised Moses law died without mercy c. Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the son of God c. and hath done despite unto the spirit of Grace Heb. 10. 28 29. The spirit of God and of Glory resteth upon you on their parts he is evil spoken of c. 1 Pet. 4. 14. CHAP. XXII Of Afflictions Troubles and Persecutions 1. To whom they belong or who way expect thom 1. Common to all MAN is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward Job 5. 7. Man who is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble Job 14. 1. 2. More especially the Saints Believers such as are born of the Spirit First The Holy-Ghost affirms this I Will be his father and he shall be my son If he commit iniquity I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the children of men but my mercy shall not depart away from him c. 2 Sam. 7. 14 15. Psal
lump I have confidence in you through the Lord that you will be none otherwise minded but he who troubleth you shall bear his judgment whosoever he be c. I would they were even cut off who trouble you for brethren ye have been called to liberty Gal. 1. 6 7 8. Gal. 5. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. If any man be overtaken in a fault ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness considering thy self lest thou also be tempted Gal. 6. 1. Have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them for it is a shame even to speak of such things c. Ephel 5 11 12. Now we eâ—hort or beseech you brethren warn them who are unruly 1 Thess 5. 14. Now we command you brethren in the name of our Lord Jesus that ye withdraw your selves from every brother who walketh disorderly and not after the traditions which he received of us for your selves know how ye ought to follow us c. Some who walk among you disorderly working not at all c. If any man obey not our word by this Epistle note or signifie that man and have no company with him that he may be ashamed yet count him not as an enemy but admonish him as a brother 2 Thess 3. 6 7 11 12 14 15. Holding faith and a good conscience which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwrack of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander whom I have delivered unto Satan that they learn not to blaspheme 1 Tim. 1. 19 20. Rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a father and the younger men as brethren the elder women as mothers the younger as sisters with all purity c. Against an elder receive not an accusation but before or under two or three witnesses them who sin rebuke before all that others also may fear 1 Tim. 5. 1 2 19 20. Men of corrupt minds c. from such withdraw thy self 1 Tim. 6. 5. 2 Tim. 3. 5. A man who is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject knowing that he who 〈◊〉 such is subverted and â—inneth being condemned of himself Tit. 3. 10 11. Follow peace with all men and holiness c. looking diligently lest any man fail or fall from the grace of God lest any root of 〈◊〉 springing up trouble you and thereby many 〈◊〉 defiled lest there be any fornicator or propâ—anâ— person as Esau who for one morsâ—l c. Heb. 12. 14 15 16. I know thy works c. and how thou canst not bear them who are evil and thou hast tryed them who say there are Apostles and are not and thou hast found them lyars c. The Church in Pergamus c. I have a few things against thee because thou hast there them who hold the doctrine of Balaam c. So also hast thou them who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which things I hate c. The Church of Thyatira c. I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel who calleth her self a propheress to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols c. All the Churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the heart c. Revel 2. 2 14 15 20 23. See Rebake and Reproof Chap. 17 CHAP. XXVIII Of Hypocrites and Hypocrisie The Spirits and Practices of such who are very Formal and Earnest in the External part of Worship and Profession and in a 〈◊〉 for God yet high in their Opposition of Christ the Truth of the Gospel and Power of Godliness in others THE hour â—â—mâ—th and now is when the 〈…〉 worship the father in spirit and in truth for the rather seeketh such to worship him God is a spirit and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth John 4. 23 24. They are not all Israel who are of Israel neither because they are the seed of Abraham are all children c. Rom. 9. 6 7. Abel offered unto God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain Cain was therefore angry and â—lew his brother Gen. â— 3 4 5 6 7 8. Hâ—â— â—1 4. Absolom pretended to justice and to pay a 〈◊〉 which he had â—â—â—ved to the Lord in Hebron but he pâ—rposed to steal away the hearts of the people and to rebel against the king and advance himself into the throne 2 Sam. 15. 1 to v. 11. Ahaziah the king when rebuhed by 〈◊〉 for departing from God and sending to an idol gives order to his soldiers to fâ—tâ—h 〈◊〉 and though one company and another were consumed with fire yet he sent again 2 King 1. 3 4 â— 9 10 11 12 13. Jehu met Jehonadab and said unto him Is thine heart right as my heart c. and he said Come with me and see my zeal â—or the Lord c. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart he departed not from the sins of Jeroâ—oam c. 2 Kings 10. 15 16 25 26 27 29 31. Ahaziah c. did that which was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect heart 2 Chron. 25. 1 2. What is the hope of the hypocrite c. will he delight himself in the Almiâ—â—ty will he always call upon God â—ob 27. 8 10. The hypoâ—rites in heart c. they cry not when he bindeth them Job 36. 13. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak Psal 12. 2. Ps 62. 4. Prov. 23. 7. They speak peace to their neighbour but mischief in their hearts Psal 28. 3. Ps 55. 21. When he slew them then they sought him early and they returned and enquired early after God and they remembred that God was their rock and the high God their redeemer nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth and they lied unto him with their tongue for their heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast in his covenant Psal 78. 34 35 36 37. Isa 26. 16. Hosea 11. 12. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes Prov. 12. 15. There is a generation who are pure in their own eyes and yet is not waâ—hed from their filthiness Prov. 30. 12. This people draw near to me with their mouth and with their lips they honour me but have removed their heart far from me and their fear towards me is taught by the precept of men Isa â—9 â—3 â—h â—8 1 2. Shew my people their transgression and the house of Jacoâ— their sins yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways as a nation who did righteousness and forsook not the ordinances of their God they ask of me the ordinances of â—ustice they take delight in approaching to God Wherefore have we fasted say they and thou seest it not have we afflicted our soul and thou takest no knowledge Behold in the day of
his resurrection c. Phil. 3. 8 10. Since c. ye knew the grace of God in truth we desire that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and understanding c. increasing in the knowledge of God c. the Saints to whom God would-make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ c. Col. 1. 6 9 10 26 27. Unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ in whom or wherein are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Col. 2. 2 3. The new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him who created c. Col. 3. 10. Knowing brethren c. your election of God for our Gospel came not to you in word only but also in power c. 1 Thes 1. 4 5. I would not have you to be ignorant brethren concerning them who are asleep 1 Thes 4. 13. Taking vengeance upon them who know not God 2 Thes 1. 8. Desiring to be teachers of the law understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirm but we know that the law is good if a man use it lawfully c. but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief c. 1 Tim. 1. 6 7 8 9 13. Who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2. 4. If any man teach otherwise c. he is proud knowing nothing but doting about questions c. 1 Tim. 6. 3 4. They profess that they know God but in works they deny him Titus 1. 16. They do err in their hearts not having known my ways Heb. 3. 10. Every high Priest taken from among men c. who can have compassion on the ignorant c. concerning whom I have many things to say and hard to be unfolded seeing ye are dull of hearing c. Heb. 5. 1 2 11 12. If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth c. Hebr. 10. 26. 2 Pet. 2. 20 21. If any man lack wisdom let him ask it of God who giveth to all men liberally c. James 1. 5. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you let him shew out of a good c. James 3. 13. To him who knoweth to do good and doth it not to him it is sin James 4. 17. Not fashioning your selves according to the former lusts in your ignorance c. 1 Pet. 1. 14. With well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men 1 Pet. 2. 15. Grace c. be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord c. Add c. to vertue knowledge c. If these things be in you c. ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus c. but he who lacketh these c. is blind c. knowing this first that no Scripture is of private interpretation 2 Pet. 1. 2 3 5 8 9 20. But these c. speak evil of things they understand not c. If after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord c. it had been better c. not to have known c. 2 Pet. 2. 12. 20 21. Jude v. 1. This they are willingly ignorant of c. Paul c. in all his Epistles c. in which are some things hard to be understood which they who are unlearned wrest c. seeing ye know c. Grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus c. 2 Pet. 3. 5 15 16 17 18. Hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his commandments he that saith I know him and c. I write to you fathers because ye have known him c. ye know all things c. as the same anointing teacheth you all things c. 1 John 2. 3 4 13 20 21 27. Therefore the world knew us not because it knew him not c. whosoever sinneth hath not c. known him we know that we have passed from death to life c. hereby we know that we are of the truth c. 1 John 3. 1 6 14 19. ch 5. 2. Hereby know ye the spirit of God c. he who knoweth God heareth us c. hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of errour c. he that loveth God knoweth God he who loveth not knoweth not God we have known and believed the love that God hath to us 1 John 4. 2 6 7 8 16. That ye may know that ye have eternal life c. we know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not c. we know that we are of God c. we know that the son of God is come c. 1 John 5. 13 18 19 20. These speak evil of those things which they know not Jude v. 10. All the Churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the reins and heart c. Rev. 2. 23. And knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind c. Rev. 3. 17. See the Ignorance of Natural Men Chap. 5. See the Giver of knowledge Chap. 20. CHAP. XXXIX Of this present World and the Riches Honours Pleasure and other Things in this World the use of them the Snares and Tentations in them and of the Saints Duty in Relation to them WHile the earth remaineth seed time and harvest cold and heat and summer and winter day and night shall not cease Gen. 8. 22. And Abraham was very rich in Cattel in Silver and in Gold c. Lot also went with Abraham c. their substance was great so that they could not dwell together Gen. 13. 2. Job 1. 3. Gen. 26. 12 13 14. If God will c. give me bread to eat and raiment to put on c. then c. Gen. 28. 20 21. When Rachel said Give me children c. Jacob said Am I in Gods stead who withheld c. Gen. 30. 1 2. ch 33. 5. All the earth is mine said the Lord to Moses Exod. 19. 5. God gave inventions to men to work of divers sorts Exod. 35. ch 36. ch 37 c. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours c. nor any thing that is thy neighbours Exod. 20. 17. Israel wept again and said Who shall give us flesh to eat c and God was angry Numb 11. 4. 10. 1 Cor. 10. 6 10. Balaam upon great news offers Balak went out being desired to curse Israel Numb 22. He sed thee with Manna c. that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only but c. thy raiment waxed not old c. The Lord thy God will bring thee into a good land c. wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness c. when thou hast eaten and art full then thou shalt bless the
c. Isa 44. 6. 8 ch 45. 5 6 18 20 21 22. ch 46. 5 9 10. ch 48. 12. Joel 2. 27. But the Lord is the true God he is the living God Jer. 10. 10. ch 23. 36. Matth. 16. 16. John 6. 57 69. Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles who can cause rain c. Art not thou he O Lord our God c. Thou hast made all Jer 14. 22. Behold I the Lord the God of all flesh Is there any thing too hard for me Jer. 32. 27. Psal 46. 10. And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus c. Johâ— 1 7. 3. 1 Thes 1. 9. Turn from these vanities unto the living God who made heaven c. Acts 14. 15. 2 Cor. 6. 16. 1 Tim. 4. 10. 1 Thes 1. 9. Who changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the image of corruptible man c. and changed the truth of God into a lye and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen Rom. 1. 23 25. We know c. that there is none other God but one For though there be that are called gods c. but to us there is but one God c. of whom are all things 1 Cor. 8. 4 5 6. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Who only hath immortality dwelling in the light c. 1 Tim. 6. 16. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Heb. 10. 31. Worshipped him who liveth for ever and ever Rev. 4. 8 9 10. ch 5. 14. ch 10. 6. ch 15. 7. The Angel swore by him who liveth for ever and ever c. Rev. 10. 6. ch 4. 7. See more of Worshipping of God Chap. 16. See Idolatry Chap. 40. CHAP. III Of the one God Father Son and Spirit or the Trinity GOD said Let us make man in our image after our likeness c. So God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him Gen. 1. 26 27. Col. 1. 15 16 17. Heb. 1. 2. Malach. 2. 10. And the Lord God said Behold the man is become one of us c. Gen. 3. 22. Hosea 12. 4 5. And the Lord said Behold the people is one c. Go to let us go down and there confound their language Gen. 11. 6 7. Isa 6. 8. Not so my Lord c. I have accepted thee concerning this thing that I will overthrow this city for the which thou hast spoken c. Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven Gen. 19. 18 21 24. As a captain of the Lords host am I now come c. And Joshua c. did worship c. Joshua 5. 13 14 15. And the Lord said unto Satan The Lord rebuke thee O Satan even the Lord who hath chosen Jerusalem c. Zechar. 3. 2. All things are delivered unto me of my Father and no man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Matth. 11. 27. The woman of Canaan came to Jesus and worshipped him saying Lord help Matth. 15. 25. ch 14. 33. ch 28. 9. The Eleven disciples went c. where Jesus had appointed them and when they saw him they worshipped him c. And Jesus came and spake unto them saying All power is given to me in heaven and earth Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Matth. 28. 16 17 18 19 20. Why doth this man speak blasphemy Who can forgive sins but God only c. But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sin he saith unto the â—ick c. Arise Mark 2. 7 9 10 11. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God c. The world was made by him c. And the Word was made flesh c. John 1. 1 2 10 14. Jesus c. knew all men and needed not that any should testifie of man for he knew what was in man John 2. 24 25. Matth. 12. 25. No man hath ascended c. but he who came down c. even the Son of man who is in heaven John 3. 13. Jesus answered them My Father worketh hitherto and I work c. The Jews sought the more to kill him c. because c. he said God was his Father making himself equal with God c. The Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do for whatsoever things he doth these also doth the Son likewise c. As the Father raised up the dead and quickned them even so the Son quickeneth whom he will c. That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father he who honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father who sent him John 5. 17 18 19 21 22 23. What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before John 6. 62. Jesus said unto them Verily verily I say unto you Before Abraham was I am John 8. 58. Dost thou believe on the Son of God and Jesus said c. Thou hast both seen him and it is he who talketh with thee c. and he worshipped him John 9. 35 36 37 38. My Father who gave them me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand I and my Father are one c. Believe the work that ye may know and believe that the Father is in me and I in him John 10. 29 30 33 35 36 38. Jesus knew Lazarus was dead John 11. 14. He who believeth on me believeth not on me but him who sent me And 〈◊〉 who seeth me seeth him who sent me John 12 44 45. Jesus knowing c. that he was come from God and went to God John 33. 3. It ye had known me ye should have known my Father also and from henceforth ye know him and have seen him Philip saith unto him Lord shew us the Father and it sufficeth us Jesus saith unto him Have I been so long time with you and yet hast thou not known me Philip He who hath seen me hath seen the Father and how sayest thou shew us the Father believest thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in me The words I speak unto you I speak not of my self but the Father who dwelleth in me he doth the works Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me c. Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do c. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of truth c. I will come to you c. He who loveth me I will love him and manifest my self
All these evil things come from within and defile the man Mark 7. 20 21 22 23. Matth. 15. 18 19 20. Jam. 4. 1. Matth. 12. 35 36. His citizens hated him c. saying We will not have this man to reign over us c. Luke 19. 14. John 7. 7. Certain of the Jews banded together and bound themselves with a Curse saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul More than forty Acts 23. 12 13. Light is come into the world and men love darkness rather than light c. John 3. 19 20. They became vain in their imagination and their foolish heart was darkned c. and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image c. Wherefore God gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts c. Who changed the truth of God into a â—ye and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator c. For this cause God gave them up to vile affections for even the women did change the natural use to that which is against nature c. Being filled with all unrighteousness fornication wickedness covetousness maliciousness full of envy murther debate deceit malignity whisperers back-biâ—ers haters of God despightful proud boasters inventers of evil things disobedient to parents c. covenant-breakers without natural affections implacable unmerciful c. Not only do the same but have pleasure in them who do them Rom. 1. 21 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 32. They are all gone out of the way c. Their throat is an open sepulchre with theirtongues they have used deceit the poyson of Asps lies under their lips whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness Their feet are swift to shed blood c. There is no fear of God before their eyes Rom. 3. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19. Psal 5. 9. When we were yet sinners c. enemies we were reconciled Rom. 5. 8 10 12. The carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be c. Rom. 8. 7. Now the works of the flesh are c. adultery fornication uncleanness c. Gal. 5. 19 20 21. James 3. 14 15. You who were dead in trespasses and sins wherein in times paâ—t ye walked c. In the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of our flesh Ephes 2. 1 2 3. Col. 2. 13. Other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their minds c. being alienated from the life of God Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness c. The old man which is corrupt Ephes 4. 17 18 19 22. The enemies of the cross of Christ c. Whose god is their belly whose glory is their shame who mind earthly things Phil. 3. 18 19. You who were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works Col. 1. 21. The Jews who kiâ—â—ed the Lord Jesus and their own Prophets and have persecuted us and they please not God and are contrary to all men forbidding us to speak c. To fill up their sins alway for the wrath c. 1 Thes 2. 14 15 16. Who was before a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious but I obtained mercy 1 Tim. 1. 13. A Description of the desperate Wickedness of some in the last Age of the World 2 Tim. 3. 1 2 3 c. We our selves were sometimes foolish disobedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures living in malice and envy hateful and hating one another Tit. 3. 3. John 8. 34. Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed and when lust hath cenceived it bringeth forth sin James 1. 14 15. ch 4. 1 2. ch 3. 14 15. Ye rich men c. ye have â—ived in pleasures c. been wanton ye have nourished your selves c. James 5. 1 2 3 4 c. Your vain conversation by tradition from your fathers 1 Pet. 1. 18. The time past of our lives may suffice us c. when we walked in lasciviousness lusts excess of wine revellings banquetings and abominable idolatries wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess 1 Pet. 4. 3 4. They have eyes full of adultery who cannot cease from sin 2 Pet. 2. 14. We know that c. the whole world lieth in wickedness 1 John 5. 19. Ungodly men turning the grace of God into lasciviousness and denying the only Lord c. Jude vers 10. When God poured out his Viol of Wrath Men blasphemed and repented not Rev. 16. 9 10 11 21. ch 9. 18 19 20 21. See more of Sin Chap. 16. See more of Persecutors Chap. 22. See the Spirits and Practices of Hypocrites Chap. 28. II Ignorant and sottishly opposing the true God and his Ways and adoring Idols of Stocks and Stones WHen Jacob went from Laban Laban complains that he had stolen his Gods Gen. 31. 30. Pharaoh said Who is the Lord that I should obey him c. I know not the Lord Exod. 5. 2. Israel by Aaron made a molten Calf and they said these be thy gods O Israel which brought thee out of Egypt c. They built an altar and offered sacrifice to it Exod. 32. 4 5 6. The Men of Ashdod were so sottish that when Dagon their Idol-God had fallen down before the Arâ— twice and was broken in pieces and themselves had confessed the Hand of the God of Israel to be sore against them and their God yet they continued to call him their God and neither the Priest nor any who came into Dagon's House would after tread upon the Threshold whereon Dagon fell 1 Sam. 5. 2 3 4 5 7. ch 6. 5 6. The wicked say unto God Depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways What is the Almighty that we should serve him and what profit should we have if we pray unto him Job 21. 14 15. Who said unto God Depart from us and what can the Almighty do for or by them Job 22. 17. They are those who rebel against the light they know not the way thereof nor abide in the path thereof Job 24. 13. Great men are not wise neither do the aged understand judgment Job 32. 9. The fool hath said in his heart There is no God Psal 14. 1. But unto the wicked God said What hast thou to do to declare my statutes c. seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee c. Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thy self Psal 50. 16 17 21. They slay the widow c. yet they say The Lord shall not see neither shall the God of Jacob regard Understand O ye brutish c. He who planteth the ear shall c. Psal 94. 6 7 8. Evil men understand not judgment Prov. 28. 5. The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib Israel doth not know my people do
in peace but when a stronger than he shall come upon him and overcometh him he taketh from him all his armour c. Luke 11. 21 22. We will not have this man to rule over us c. Those mine enemies c. bring hither and slay them c. Luke 19. 14 27. When he is come he will convince the world c. of judgment because the prince of this world is judged c. Be of good chear I have overcome the world John 16. 8 11 33. God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ Acts 2. 36. Psal 110. 1 2 3. Luke 20. 42 43. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour c. Acts 5. 31. O Death where is thy sting O Grave where is thy victory c. Thanks be unto God who gave us the victory through our Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 15. 54 55 56 57. Christ c. He set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places far above all principalities and powers and might and dominion c. And hath put all things under his feet and given him to be head over all things to the Church Ephes 1. 20 21 22. Grow up in him in all things who is the head Christ c. Ephes 4. 15. Christ is the head of the Church and Saviour of the body Ephes 5. 23. He is the head of the body the Church c. that in all things he might have the pre-eminence Col. 1. 18. John 13. 13. He blotted out the hand-writing of ordinances which was against us which was contrary unto us and took it out of the way c. and having spoiled principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it or in himself Col. 2. 14 15. It became him c. in bringing many sons unto glory to make the Captain of their salvation perfect c. He also himself took part likewise of the same that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death that is the devil and deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject on bondage Heb. 2. 10 14 15. But this man c. sate down at the right hand of God from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his foot-stool Heb. 10. 12 13. There is one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy James 4. 12. Even as I also have overcome and am sate down with my Father in his throne Rev. 3. 21. These shall make war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them for he is Lord of lords and King of kings Rev. 17. 14. X. He is our great Prophet and Shepherd to teach guide and feed us THE Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee of thy brethren like unto me unto him thou shalt hearken c. And the Lord said They have well spoken c. I will raise them up a Prophet c. and I will put my words into his mouth and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name I will require it of him Deut. 18. 15 16 â—7 18 19. Acts 3. 22 23. ch 7. 37. I will declare thy name unto my brethren Psal 22. 22. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation c. I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation c. Psal 40. 9 10. Thou hast received gifts for men yea for the rebellious also Psal 68. 18. Unto us a Son is given c. He shall be called Wonderful Counsellor Isa 9. 6. Behold the Lord God will come c. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd he shall gather the lambs with his arms and carry them in his bosom and shall gently lead those who are with young Isa 40. 10 11. A bruised reed shall he not break and the smoaking flax shall he not quench he shall bring Forth judgment unto truth c. The Isles shall wait for thy law I the Lord give thee c. 2 light of the Gentiles to open the blind eyes to bring out the prisoners from the prison them who sit in darkness out of the Prison-house Isa 42. 3 4 6 7. Behold I have given him c. a Leader and Commander unto the people Isa 55. 4. The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek c. to bind up the broken-hearted to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them who are bound to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord c. To appoint unto them who mourn in Zion to give unto them beauty for ashes the oyl of joy for mourning c. Isa 61. 1 2 3. I will feed them in goodly pasture and they shall lie in a good sold and in a far pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel I will feed my flock and will cause them to lie down faith the Lord God I will seek that which was lost and bring again that which was driven away I will bind up that which was broken and will strengthen that which was sick c. And I will set up one Shepherd over them and he shall feed them my servant David he shall feed them and he shall be their shepherd Ezek. 34 14 15 16 23. Luke 19. 10. Out of thee shall come a Captain or Governor who shall rule or feed my people Matth. 2. 6. All things are delivered to me of my Father and no man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him c. 〈◊〉 of me Matth. 11. 27. Luke 10. 22 23. The day-spring on high hath visited us to give light to them who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide their feet in the way of peace Luke 1. 78 79. ch 2. 32. I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist Luke 21. 15. Matth. 10. 19 20. Jesus beginning at Moses and all the Prophets he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself c. Then opened he their understanding that they might understand the scriptures Luk. 24. 26 27 45. I am the Light of the world he who followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life c. If ye continue in my word then are ye my disciples indeed and ye shall know the truth c. John 8. 12 32. I am the good Shepherd The good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep c. I know my sheep c. Other sheep I have which are not of this fold and them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice and there shall be one fold one Shepherd John 10 11 12 14 16. I have manifested
the work of faith 2 Thes 1. 11. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our Father who hath loved us comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work 2 Thes 2. 16 17. Finally brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course or may run and be glorified and that we may be delivered c. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God c. 2 Thes 3. 1 2 5. Exhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for kings and for all who are in authority or eminent place that we may lead a quiet c. For this is good and acceptable in the fight of God our Saviour c. I will therefore that men pray every where listing up holy hands without wrath or doubting 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 3 8. Every creature of God is good c. if it be received with thanksgiving c. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer 1 Tim. 4. 4 5. She that is a widow indeed c. and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day 1 Tim. 5. 5. I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day 2 Tim. 1. 3. Philemon vers 4. Seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens Jesus c. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 14 15 16. Who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong cries and tears unto him who was able to save Hebr. 5. 7. Having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest c. and having an high priest over the house of God let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith c. Hebr. 10. 19. 20 21 22. Ephes 3. 11 12. He who prays to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them who diligently seek him Hebr. 11. 6. Pray for us c. Now the God of peace c. make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well-pleasing c. Heb. 13. 18 20 21. If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God who giveth unto all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him But let him ask in faith nothing wavering for he who wavereth is like a wave of the sea c. and let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord James 1. 5 6 7. Ye have not because ye ask not ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss that ye may consume it upon your lusts or pleasures James 4. 2 3. Is any among you afflicted let him pray c. is any sick among you let him call for the elders of the Church and let them pray over him c. and the prayer of faith shall save the sick c. Pray one for another the effectual fervent prayer c. James 5. 13 14 15 16 17. And if ye call on the Father who without respect of persons judgeth c. 1 Pet. 1. 17. Likewise ye husbands dwell with them c. that your prayers be not hindered c. The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open unto their prayers 1 Pet. 3. 7 12. Be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer 1 Pet. 4. 7. Whatsoever we ask we receive of him because we keep his commandments and do those things which are pleasing in his sight 1 John 3. 22. This is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according unto his will he heareth us and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask we know that that we have the petitions that we desire of him If any man see his brother sin a sin not unto death he shall ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death There is a sin unto death I do not say that ye shall pray for it 1 John 5. 14 15 16. Praying in the holy Ghost Jude verse 20. The elders c. having every one of them harps and golden viols full of odours or incense which are the prayers of the saints Rev. 5. 8. Another Angel came and stood at the altar having a golden censer and there was given unto him much incense that he should offer it with or add it to the prayers of all saints c. And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints ascended up before God out of the Angels hand Rev. 8. 3 4. See more of Prayer in Affliction Chap. 22. See more of Common Calamities Chap. 23. See more in Duty towards all Men Chap. 19. See Prayer for Magistrates Chap. 24. To take special notice of the Acts of God's Goodness and Mercy keep memorials thereof celebrate his Praises extol him and stir up others so to do THY glorious name c. is exalted above all blessing and praises Nehem. 9. 5. Abraham's Servant when God had heard his request he bowed down his head and worshipped the Lord. And he said Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth c. When he he heard their words he worshipped the Lord c. Gen. 24. 26 27 52. I have seen thy face as though I had seen the face of God that thou wast pleased with me Gen. 33. 10. Then Jacob said c. Let us arise and go to Bethel and I will make there an altar unto God who answered me in the day of my distress and was with me in the way which I went c. And he built there an altar and called the place El-Bethel because there God appeared unto him when he fled from the face of his brother Gen. 35. 2 3 7 14 15 ch 28. 18 19 c. God commanded Israel to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt once in every year Exod. 13. 3 4 5 c. Moses and Israel solemnly celebrated his praise for their deliverance at the Red Sea in a Song of Praise Exod. 15. 2 3 to the 22. When Israel got victory over the Amalâ—kites he built an Altar and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi that is the Lord my banner Exod. 17. 13 14 15. And Moses told unto Jethro his Father-in-law all that the Lord had done unto Pharoch and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake c. And Jethro rejoyced for all the goodness which the Lord had done unto Israel c. and said Blessed be the Lord that hath delivered you c. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods Exod. 18. 8 9 10 11. When thou hast eaten and art full then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee Deut. 8. 10.
any of you should seem to come short of it c. Lest any man fall c. Heb. 4. 1 11. Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear c. 1 Pet. 1. 17. The end of all things is at hand be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer 1 Pet. 4. 7. Be sober be vigilant because your adversary the Devil like a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour 1 Pet. 5 8 9. Seeing ye know before beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness 2 Pet. 3. 17. 1 Thes 3 5. James 5. 19. Look to your selves that we lose not those things which we have gained 2 John ver 8. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain c. If thou shalt not watch c. Rev. 3. 2 3. Behold I come as a thief blessed is he who watcheth and keepeth his garments lest he walketh naked and they see his shame Rev. 16. 15. See the Saints aptness to fall into Sin Chap. 13. See the Devil and Deceivers ways to draw aside Chap. 30. CHAP. XVII Of the Duties of Saints Believers Brethren in the Lord each to other as such and as standing in that relation one to another 1. To Love one another the kinds of it THou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self I am the Lord Levit. 19. 18. My goodness extends not unto thee but to the saints who are in the earth and to the excellent in whom is all my delight Psalm 16. 2 3. I am a companion of all them who fear thee c. Psalm 119. 63. Love covers all sins Prov. 10. 12. 1 Pet. 4. 8. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a sâ—alled ox where hatred is Prov. 15. 17. Open rebuke is better than secret love Prov. 27. 5. Love is as strong as death c. many waters cannot quench love Cant. 8. 6 7. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets Matth. 22. 39 40. The love of many shall wax cold Matth. 24. 12. A new commandment I give unto you That ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye love one another John 13. 34 35. This is my commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you John 15. 12 13 17. We being many are one body in Christ and every one members one of another c. Let love be without dissimulation c. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love or in the love of the Brethren Rom. 12 5 9 10. 1 Cor. 12. 13 25 27. Malachi 2. 10. 1 Cor. 10. 17. Owe no man any thing but to love one another for he who loveth another hath fulfilled the law c. It is briefly comprehended in this saying namely Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selâ— Love worketh no ill to his neighbour Rom. 13. 8 9 1. Gal. 5. 13 14. Love edifieth 1 Cor. 8. 1. Though I speak with the tongue of men or angels c. have the gift of prophesie c. have all faith c. Bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned and have not charity it proficeth me nothing charity suffereth long c. charity never faileth c. 1 Cor. 13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13. Follow after charity 1 Cor. 14. 1. Let all your things be done with charity 1 Cor. 16. 14. There is neither Jew nor Greek c. for ye are all one in Christ Jesus Gal. 3. 28. The fruit of the spirit is love c. Gal. 5. 22. Walk in love as Christ also hath loved us c. Ephes 5. 2. I pray that your love may abound more and more in knowledge c. Phil. 1. 9. Having the same love c. Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others Phil. 2. 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 8. 1. Gal. 5. 13. We give thanks c. since we heard c. of the love which ye have unto all saints Col. 1. 3 4. Ephes 1. 15. That their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love Col. 2. 1 2. Above all these things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness Col. 3. 14. The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another 1 Thes 3. 12. As touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you for ye your selves are taught of God to love one another c. that ye increase more 1 Thes 4. 9 10. We are bound to thank God c. because that your faith groweth exceedingly and the charity of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth 2 Thes 1. 3. Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart 1 Tim. 1. 5. Follow c. love 2 Tim. 2. 22. 1 Tim 6. 11. I thank my God c. hearing of thy love c. toward all saints Philem. ver 4 5. God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed towards his name in that ye have ministred to the saints and do Heb. 6. 10. Let brotherly love continue Heb. 13. 1. If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self ye do well James 2. 8. Gal. 5. 13 14 15. If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts glory not c. This wisdom descendeth not from above c. James 3. 14 15 16. 1 P. t. 2. 1. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently 1 Pet. 1. 22. Love the brotherhood 1 Pet. 2. 17. Finally c. love as brethren or loving to Brethren 1 Pet. 3. 8. And above all things have servent charity among your selves for charity will cover a multitude of sins 1 Pet. 4. 8. Add c. brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity 2 Pet. 1. 7. He who saith he is in the light and hateth his brother is in darkness even until now he who loveth his brother abideth in the light 1 John 2. 9 10 11. Is not of God neither he who loveth not brother for this is message that ye heard from the beginning that we should love one another c. We know that we are passed from death to life because we love the brethren c. We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth This is his commandment c. that we love one another 1 John 3. 10 11 12 14 16 18 19 23. Let us love one another for love is of God and every one who loveth is born of God and knoweth God He who loveth not knoweth not God
unto you while I was yet with you c. Then opened he their understanding that they might understand the scriptures Luke 24. 44 45. That was the true light which lighteth every man who cometh into the world c. None hath seen God c. The only begotten Son c. he hath declared him John 1. 9 18. As it is written in the prophets and they shall be all taught of God Every man therefore who hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me John 6. 45. Isa 54. 13. If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of my self John 7. 17. Then spake Jesus again unto them saying I am the light of the world he who followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life c. If ye continue in my word then are ye my disciples indeed and ye shall know the truth John 8. 12 32. Jesus said For judgment I am come into the world that they who see not might see and that they who see might be made blind John 9. 39. I am come a light c. that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness John 12. 46. I have called you friends for all things which I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you John 15. 15. This is life eternal That they may know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent c. I have manifested thy Name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world John 17. 2 3 6. God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. But when it pleased God c. to reveal his Son in me c. Gal. 1. 15 16. Having made known the mystery of his will unto us according unto his good pleasure c. Making mention of you in my prayers That the God of our Lord Jesus c. may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him the eyes of your understanding being enlightned that ye may know what is the hope of his calling c. Ephes 1. 9 16 17 18 19. ch 3. 18 19. That ye may know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge c. Ephes 3. 14. 18. If in any thing ye be otherwise minded God shall reveal even this unto you Phil. 3 15. The mystery which hath been hid c. but now is made manifest to his Saints to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ Col. 1. 26 27. Ephes 3. 4. 5. Consider what I say and the Lord give thee understanding in all things 2 Tim. 2 7. If any of you lack wisdom let him ask it of God who giveth liberally unto all men and upbraideth not and it shall be given James 1. 5. We know that the Son of God is come and hath given us understanding that we may know him who is true 1 John 5. 20. See more in Knowledge and Understanding Chap. 38. III. To give Faith or Enable to believe BLessed art thou c. for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father c. Matth. 16. 16 17. Lord I believe help thou mine unbelief Mark 9. 24 25. Them who believe c. who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh c. but of God John 1. 12 13. All which the father giveth me shall come to me c. No man can come to me except the father who hath sent me draw him c. John 6. 37 44 65. Other sheep I have c. them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice John 10 16. Christ condescended to help Thomas his faith by shewing himself to him John 20. 25 27. Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life c. They who were scattered abroad preached the Gospel and the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed and were turned unto the Lord Acts 11. 18 19 20 21. When Paul preached c. a certain woman named Lydia heard whose heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things which were spoken by Paul and when she was baptized c. Acts 16. 13 14 15. Every man c. not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think but to think soberly according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith c. Let us prophesie according to the proportion of faith Rom. 12. 3 6. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that ye may abound in hope through the power of the holy Ghost c. I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me to make the Gentiles obedient by word c. Rom. 15. 13 18. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus 1 Cor. 1. 30. My preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom c. that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God 1 Cor. 2 4 3. I have planted c. but God gave the increase c. But God who giveth the increase 1 Cor. 3. 6 7. That ye may know c. what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead Ephes 1. 18 19 20. Ye are saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Ephes 2. 8. That he would grant c. that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith Ephes 3. 16 17. Unto you it is given on the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him c. Phil. 1. 29. Through the faith of the operation of God c. Col. 2. 12. We pray c. that our God would c. fulfil the work of faith with power 2 Thess 1. 11. Looking unto Jesus the author or beginner and finisher of our faith Heb. 12. 2. Every good gift c. cometh down from the father of lights c. of his own will begat he us with the word of truth James 1. 17 18. To them who have obtained like precious faith with us 2 Pet. 1. 1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God c. Whosoever is born of God overcometh the world and this is our victory which overcometh the world even our faith 1 John 5. 1 4. IV. To make them Fruitful or Enable them to subdue Sin profit in Grace and Activity for God THen rose up the chief of the fathers c. whose spirit God had raised
the death of the wicked c. Turn ye turn ye from your evil ways why will ye die O ye house of Israel Ezek 33. 11. ch 18. 32. O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self but in me is thine help Hosea 13. 9. Turn ye to the strong hold ye prisoners of hope Zech. 9. 12. Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled Matth. 5. 6. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you Matth. 6. 33. The whole need not a Physician but they who are sick c. for I am not come to call the righteous but unners to repentance Matth. 9. 12 13. Come unto me all ye who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest take my yoke upon you and learn of me c. and ye shall find rest unto your souls for my yoke is easie and my burthen is light Matth. 11. 28 29 30. The Parable of the Invitation to the Marriage-Supper of which many made light Matth. 22. 1 2 c. Luke 14. 17 c. O Jerusalem c. How often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen her chickens c. and ye would not c. Matthew 23. 37. The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost Luke 19. 10. Jesus said unto the woman of Samaria If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is which saith to thee Give me to drink thou would have asked of him and he would have given thee living water c. When he was converting her he said My meat is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work John 4. 10 32 34. Ye will not come to me that ye may have life John 5. 34 40. Luke 14. 17 18 19 20. Jesus said Labour not for the meat which perisheth but for that meat which endureth to everlasting-life which the Son of man shall give unto you c. My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven for the bread of God is he who cometh down from heaven and giveth life to the world c. And Jesus said unto them I am the Bread of life he who cometh to me shall never hunger and he who believeth on me shall never thirst c. Him who cometh to me I will in no wise cast out for I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him who sent me and this is the Father's will who hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing c. John 6. 27 32 33 35. In the last day that great day of the feast Jesus stood up and cried saying If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink c. John 7. 37 38. Let not your hearts be troubled ye believe in in God believe also in me John 14. 1. Abide in me and I in you as the branch cannot not bear fruit of it self c. no more can ye except ye abide in me c. He who abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit c. If ye abide in me c. ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you John 15. 4 5 7. He who spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Rom. 8. 32. Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God and the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts c. Phil. 4. 6 7. Jesus c. had mercy on me c. he might shew all clemency that I might be an example to them who should afterwards believe in him to eternal life 1 Tim. 1. 15 16. God our Saviour who will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2. 3 4. Let us run with patience the race which is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12. 1 2. If any of you lack wisdom let him ask it of God who giveth unto all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him James 1. 5 6. Wherefore let them who suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of your souls unto him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator 1 Pet. 4. 19. Humble your selves therefore under the mighty hand of God c. casting all your care upon him for he careth for you 1 Pet. 5. 6 7. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou maist be rich and white rayment that thou maist be clothed c. and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou maist see c. Behold I stand at the door and knock If any man hear my voice and open the dore I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me Rev. 3. 18 20. I will give unto him who is a-thirst of the fountain of living-water freely Rev. 21. 6. Let him that is a-thirst come And whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely Rev. 22. 17. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation Heb. 2. 3. See more in Repentance Chap. 33. CHAP. XXI How doth God Work and Effect these Things in the Heart and Spirits of his Elect By his Spirit whom he promised to them Luke 11. 15. JEsus c. having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost he hath shed forth this which ye now see and here Acts 2. 33. And they came every one c. whom his Spirit made willing and they brought the Lord's offering Exod. 35. 21. Thou gavest also thy good Spirit to instruct them Nehem. 9. 20. Renew a right or constant spirit within me c. take not thy Holy Spirit from me c. uphold me with thy free Spirit Psal 51. 10 11 12. Awake O North wind and come thou South wind and blow upon my garden c. Cant. 4 16. He who is least in Zion and he who remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy c. when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughter of Zion c. by the Spirit of Judgment and by the Spirit of Burning Isa 44. 3 4. I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed c. and they shall spring up among the grass as willows by the water-side Isa 44. 3 4. I will put a new spirit in you c. that they may walk in my statutes c. Ezek. 11. 19 20. I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes c. Ezek. 36. 27. And ye shall know that I am the Lord when I have opened your graves c. and shall put my Spirit in you Ezek. 37. 13 14. Neither will I hide my face any more from them
lyes vanity and things wherein is no profit Shall a man make gods unto himself and they are no gods Jer. 16. 19 20. Then all the men who knew that their wives had burnt incense unto other gods and all the women who stood by c. answered Jeremiah saying c. We will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth to burn incense unto the queen of heaven and to pour out drink-offerings unto her as we have done we and our fathers our kings and our princes in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem for then had we plenty c. So the Lord could no longer bear c. Jer. 44. 15 to 22. I am broken with their whorish heart which have departed from me and with their eyes which go a whoring after their idols c. Ezek. 6. 9. These men have set up their idols in their hearts and put the stumbling-block of their iniquity before their race Should I be enquired of at all by them c. I the Lord will answer him according to the multitude of his idols c. I the Lord will answer him by my self Ezek. 14. 1 4 5 6 7. Hosea 2. 2 3 4. The insatiable Idolatry of Jerusalem with all Nations Ezek. 16. 15 16 c. I will do these things unto thee because thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen because thou art polluted with their idols Ezek. 23. 30. ch 16. 36 37 c. Such of the Levites who had offered before Idols God refused afterwards that they should offer any more unto him Ezek. 44. 10 to 15. The Image of Nebuchadnezar set up Dan. 3. Belshazzar and his Princes c. praised the Gods of Gold and of Silver c. Dan. 5. 3 4. My people ask counsel at their stock and their staff declareth unto them for the spirit of whoredems have caused them to err and they have gone a whoring from under their God they sacrifice upon the top of mountains and burn incense upon the hills under oaks c. Ephraim is joined to idols let him alone Hosea 4. 12 13 17. Of their silver and their gold have they made them idols that they may be cut off Thy calf O Samaria hath cast thee off mine anger is kindled c. The work man made it therefore it is not God but the calâ— of Samaria shall be broken in pieces for they have fown the wind Hosea 8. 4 5 6 7. According to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars according unto the goodness of his land they have made goodly images their heart is divided now they shall be found faulty he shall break down their altars he shall spoil their images Hosea 10. 1 2. And now they sin more and more and have made them molten-images of their silver and idols according to their own understanding all of it the work of the crafts-men They say of them Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves Therefore they shall be as the morning-cloud c. Hosea 13. 2 3. I will cut off them who worship the host of heaven c. swear by the Lord and swear by Malcham Zeph. 1. 4 5. Amos 8. 14. For their idols have spoken vanity and the Diviners have seen a lye and have told false dreams c. Zech. 10. 2. Nor will we say any more O our God to the works of our hands Hosea 14. 3. Judah hath prophaned the holiness of the Lord which he loved or ought to love and hath married the daughter of a strange god Mal. 2. 11. God c. gave them up to worship the host of heaven Acts 7. 42. The people said c. the gods are come down unto us in the likeness of men And they called Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercurius because he was the chief speaker Then the priest of Jupiter c. brought oxen and garlands unto the gates and would have done sacrifice with the people which when the Apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of they rent their clothes and ran in among the people crying out and saying Sirs What do ye in these things We are also men of like passions with you and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God who made heaven and earth c. Acts 14. 11 12 13 14 15 18. We write unto them that they stay from the pollutions of idols Acts 15. 20 29. Paul c. at Athens his spirit was stirred within him when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry or full of idols therefore disputed he in the Synagogue c. Ye men of Athens I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious for as I passed by and beheld your devotions or gods whom ye worship I found an altar with this Inscription To the unknown God Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship c. Forasmuch then as we are the off-spring of God we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone graven by art or man's device Acts 17. 16 17 22 23 29. Demetrius said This Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people saying that they be no gods which are made with hands So that not only this our craft is in danger c. but also that the temple of the great Goddess Diana should be despised and her magnificence should be destroyed whom all Asia and the world worshippeth c. Great is Diana of the Ephesians c. The Image which fell down from Jupiter Acts 19. 26 27 28 34 35. When they knew God they glorified him not as God c. but became vain in their imaginations c. and changed the glory of the invisible God into an image made like to corruptible man and to birds c. who changed the truth of God into a lye and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator Rom. 1. 21 23 25. ch 2. 22. Psal 106. 19 20 21. Thou who abhorrest idols dost thou commit sacrilege Rom. 2. 22. We know that an idol is nothing in the world and that there is none other God but one for though there be that are called gods whether in heaven or earth as there be gods many and lords many but to us there is but one God c. 1 Cor. 8. 4 5 6. Neither be ye idolaters as were some of them As it is written the people sate down to eat and drink and rose up to play c. My dearly beloved flee from idolatry c. What say I then that the idol is any thing or that which is offered in sacrifice is any thing But I say That the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifie to devils and not to God and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils 1 Cor. 10. 7 14 19 20. Ye know that ye were Gentiles carried away unto these dumb idols 1 Cor. 12. 2. Ye did service to them who by nature are not gods Gal. 4. 8. How ye turned to