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
works of my hands Command ye me c. Israel shall be saved with an everlasting salvation c. Isa 45. 11 17. Zion said The Lord hath forsaken me c. Can a woman forsake her sucking-child c. Yet will I not forget thee Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands thy walls are continually before me Isa 49. 14 15 16. Thy Maker is thy Husband c. and thy Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel the God of the whole earth c. With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee saith the Lord No weapon which is formed against thee shall prosper c. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousness of me saith the Lord Isa 54. 5 8 10 17. Unto them will I give in my house c. a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off c. Them will I bring unto my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer and their burnt-offerings accepted upon my altar Isa 56. 3 4 5 6 7. In all their afflictions he was afflicted and the angel of his presence saved them c. Doubtless thou art our Father c. Return for thy servants sake the tribes of thine inheritance the people of thy holiness c. Isa 63. 9 16 17 18 ch 64. 9. Since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear neither hath the eye seen O God besides thee what he hath prepared for him who waiteth for him or a God besides thee who doth so for him who waiteth c. Isa 64. 4. 1 Cor. 2. 9. Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem c. if ye can find a man if there be any who executeth judgment who seeketh the truth and I will pardon it Jer. 5. 1. Gen. 18. 26 32. Is Ephraim my dear son he a pleasant child Since I spake against him I do earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy on him saith the Lord c. If the ordinances of heaven cease then the seed of Israel shall cease from being a nation before me Jer. 31. 20 36 37. When Jerusalem was taken and Jeremiah the Prophet the King of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah c. Look well to him and do him no harm but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee Jer. 39. 11 12. Numb 14. 37 38. The precious Sons of Zion comparable to fine Gold how are they esteemed c. Lam. 4. 2. God ordered the Mark of Salvation to be upon his when all others were to be smitten Ezek. 9. 4 5 6. Though I have scattered them c. yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the Countries where they shall come Ezek. 11. 16. Though these three men Noah Daniel and Job were in it they should deliver their own souls by their righteousness saith the Lord c. they only shall be delivered themselves Ezek. 14. 14 16 18 20. I sought for a man amongst them who should make up the hedge and stand in the gap before me for the land that I should not destroy it but I found none therefore c. Ezek. 22. 30 31. Because thou hast said c. These two Countries shall be â—hine and we will possess it whereas the Lord was there or though the Lord was there Therefore c. Ezek. 35. 10 11. Psal 14. 5. O Daniel a man greatly beloved c. O man greatly beloved fear not c. Dan. 10. 11. 19. ch 9. 23. Jacob. c. by his staength he had power with God yea he had power over the Angel and prevailed he wept c. There he spake with us even the Lord God of hosts Hos 12. 2 3 4 5. Gen. 32. 24 25. Hos 11. 12. I will be as the dew unto Israel he shall grow as the lilly c. Hos 14. 5 6. And my people shall never be ashamed Joâ—l 2. 26 27. For he who toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eyes Zech. 2. 8. We will go with you for we have heard God is with you Zech. 8. 23. Ezra 8. 22. The Lord harkned and heard and a book of remembrance was written before him for them who feared the Lord and that thought upon his name And they shall be mine saith the Lord of hosts in that day when I make up my jewels or special treasure and I will spare them as a man spareth his son who serveth him Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked between him who serveth God and him who serveth him not Mal. 3. 16 17 18. Unto you who fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves in the stall Mal. 4. 2. They are pronounced blessed and many privileges mentioned by Christ They are the salt of the earth the light of the world c. Matth. 5. 3 4 5 to 14. The very hairs of your head are all numbred c. Ye are of more value than many sparrows Matth. 10. 30 31. Among them who are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist Notwithstanding he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he Matth. 11. 11. It is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven c. Blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear c. Matth. 13. 11 16. Mark 4. 11 12 34. When Peter began to sink Christ helped him Matth. 14. 30 31. Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones who believe in me it were better for him that a mill-stone were hanged about his neck c. Woe unto the world because of offences c. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones for I say unto you that in heaven their Angels do always behold the face of my Father c. Matth. 18. 6 7 10. That they should deceive the elect if it were possible Matth. 24 24. For the elect's sake whom he hath chosen he hath shortned the days c. Mark 13. 20. Matth. 24. 22. To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom Christ opened the parable to them Rejoyce not that the spirits are subject to you but rather rejoyce because your names are written in the book of life Luke 10. 20. The hairs of your head are numbred c. Fear not little flock it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom Luke 12. 7 32. Joy in heaven over one sinner who repenteth more than over ninety nine just persons c. There is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over him c. Luke 15. 7 10. To as many as received him to them he gave power or the right or privilege to become the sons of
remembered that God was their rock c. Psal 78. 34 35. Isa 9. 13. It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy statutes the law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold c. Psal 119. 71 72. My beloved had withdrawn himself was gone my soul failed c. I sought him c. Cant. 5. 6. Such as escape of the house of Jacob shall no more again stay upon him who smote them but shall stay upon the Lord the holy one of Israel in truth Isa 10. 20 21. In that day it shall come to pass that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin c. At that day shall a man look to his maker and his eyes shall have respect to the holy one of Israel and he shall not look to the altars c. Isa 17. 4 5 6 7 8. In vain have I smitten your children they receive no correction Jer. 2. 30. Amos 4. 10. Wherefore doth a living man complain c. let us search and try our ways and turn again unto the Lord Lam. 3. 39 40. Isaiah 9. 13. Jeremiah 31. 18 19. I will cause you to pass under the rod c. and ye shall know that I am the Lord Ezekiel 20. 37 38. Behold I will hedge up thy way c. Then shall she say I will go and return to my first husband for then was it better with me than now c. Hos 2. 6 7 8 ch 5. 15. I will bring a third part through the fire c. they shall call on my name and I will hear them Amos. 4. 10. We had the sentence of doath in our selves that we should not trust in our selves but in God who raiseth the dead who delivered us c. 2 Cor. 1. 8 9 10. Our light affliction worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen c. 2. Cor. 4. 17 18. See Repentance Chap. 33. 4. For Gods own Glory and the furtherance of the Gospel I will harden Pharaohs heart that he shall follow after them and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh and upon all his host that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord c. And the Egyptians pursued after them c. and the children of Israel were sore afraid c. Exod. 14. 4 9 10 17 18. He fed thee with Manna c. that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread alone but by every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live Deut. 8. 3. Howbeit because by this deed thou hast given great cause to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die 2 Sam. 12. 14. Hast thou considered my servant Job c. and still he holdeth fast his integrity although thou movest me against him to destroy him without cause Job 2. 3. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain Psalm 76. 10. The Three Children's Sufferings made Persecutors acknowledge and give Honour to God Dan. 3. 27 28 29. So Daniel's Sufferings made Darius the King who had caused him to be cast into the Lions Den to acknowledge and honour God Dan. 6. 20 26 27. Master Who did sia this man or his parents that he was born blind Jesus answered Neither hath this man sinned nor his parents but that the work of God might be made manifest in him John 9. 1 2 3. Jesus said This sickness is not unto death but for the glory of God that the Son of God might be glorified thereby John 11. 3 4. This spake he signifying by what death he should glorifie God John 21. 18 19. We are troubled on every side c. that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body for we who live are always delivered unto death that the life of Jesus might be manifest in our mortal flesh 2 Cor. 4. 8 9 10 11. When Paul was buffeted c. he besought the Lord thrice that it might depart and it was said My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness Most gladly will I therefore rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me c. 2 Cor. 12. 7 8 9 10. I would have you understand c. that the things which have happened to me have fallen out to the furtherance of the gospel c. and many of the brethren of the Lord waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speak the word without fear Philip. 1. 12 13 14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ c. the spirit c. on your part he is glorified 1 Pet. 4. 14. 5. For the effecting of great Good and Advantage to those who are exercised with Trouble c. JOseph's Afflictions and Sufferings his being sold by his brethren and afterwards being imprisoned happened through God to his great honour and advantage He advanced to be next the King his Brethren who sold him made to bow to him and honour him and are nourished by him his Father's Sorrow also recompenced in that Joseph provided for him in the Famine Gen. 37. 28 34 35. ch 29. 5 20. ch 41 39 40 41 42 43 44. ch 45. 5 7 8. ch 47. 11 12. But as for you ye thought evil against me but God meant it unto good to bring to pass as at this day to save much people alive Gen. 50. 20 21. The more they afflicted them the more they multiplied and growed Exod. 1. 11 12. Ezra 5. ch 6. And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians and the people feared the Lord and believed the Lord and his servant Moses Exod. 14. 31. Who fed thee with Manna c. that he might humble thee c. to do thee good in the latter end Deut. 8. 16. Hezekiah left of God to try him that he might know all that was in his heart 2 Chron. 32. 31. When Manasseh was afflicted he sought the Lord the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers and prayed unto him c. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God c. He took away the strange gods c. 2 Chron. 3. 3 11 12 13 15 16. Tatnai the Governor opposing the Jews wrought for their advantage in the end Ezra 5. ch 6. If they be bound in fetters c. then he sheweth them their work and their transgressions that they may have exceeded He openeth also their ear to discipline Job 36. 8 9 10. Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I have kept thy word c. It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy statutes c. Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me Psal 119. 67 71 75. They who sow in tears
heritage I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies Jer. 12. 7 8 9 10. At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom to pluck up and to pull down and to destroy If that nation c. Jer. 18. 7. 8. O sword of the Lord c. how can it be quiet seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Askelon c. Jer. 47. 6 7. Is there any sorrow like unto my sorrow where with the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of the Lords anger Lam. 1. 12 13. 14 c. ch 3. Shall there be evil in a city and the Lord hath not done it Amos. 3. 6. Therefore thus will I do unto thee O Israel c. prepare to meet thy God c. Amos 4. 12. Before these days there was no c. neither any peace to him who went out or came in because of the affliction for I set all men every man against his neighbour Zech. 8. 10. See more in Afflictions Chap. 22. II. The Priviledges of the Saints and Servants of God in such a time WHen God destroyed the whole world by the flood Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord and he and his family were saved in the Ark Gen. 6. 8 17 18 ch 7. 1 c. God would have spared Sodom for the sake of ten righteous persons Gen. 18. 32. In the destruction of Sodom Lot was preserved and all his and sent out by the Angel from the overthrow and escaped Gen. 19. 12 13 15 16 17. Jacob and his family nourished by Joseph in the great famine Gen. 47. 12 13. I have seen the affliction of my people c. and I am come down to deliver them c. Exod. 3. 7 8. Acts 7. 34. God smote the Egyptians universally in the destruction of their â—rst-born But he said Against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue against man or beast c. The plague shall not be upon you Exod. 11. 5 6 7. ch 12. 11 12 13. The Lord will judge his people c. when he sees that their power is gone Deut. 32. 36. 2 Kings 14. 26. Elijah and the widow fed in the time of the famine 1 Kings 17. God said to Josiah Thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place 2 Kings 22. 16 17 18 20. In famine he shall redeem thee from death in war from the power of the sword at destruction and famine thou shalt laugh Job 5. 20 22. Psal 33. 18 19. Thou shalt not be afraid c. nor for the pestilence c. for the destruction c. Psal 91. 5. 6 7. Psal 37. 18 19. Though the earth be moved c. There is a river the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God c. God is in the midst of her c. Psal 46. 2 3 4 5 6. Despise not the chastening of the Lord neither be weary c. Prov. 3 11 12. Come my people enter thou into thy chambers and shut thy doors about thee hide thy self c. until the indignation be over-past for behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth c. Isa 26. 20 21. The whole land shall be desolate yet will I not make a full end Jer. 4. 27. ch 5 18. Isa 17. 4 5 6. For my name sake will I defer mine anger c. that I cut thee not off c. for my name sake c. Isa 48. 9 11. Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem c. if ye can find a man if there be any who executeth judgment who seeketh truth and I will pardon it Jer. 5. 1. When Jeremy was taken with the rest of the Jews God took care of him Jer. 39. 11 12 14. I will make a full end of all nations where I have driven thee but I will not make a full end of thee Jer. 46. 48. Levit. 26. 44 45. Set a mark upon the foreheads of them who sigh and cry for all the abominations c. Slay utterly old and young c. but come not near any man upon whom is the mark Ezek. 9. 4 5 6. Though Noah Daniel and Job were in thee they should deliver but their own souls only Ezek. 14. 14 18 20. All ye meek of the earth who have wrought his judgment c. it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lords anger Zeph. 2. 3. Hurt not the earth c. till we have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads Rev. 7. 2 3. And it was commanded that they should not hurt c. but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads Rev. 9. 4. See more of the Priviledges Chap. 14. III. The Duties of Saints in such a Time WHen God had said he would not go with Israel but send his Angel because they had sinned The people mourned and would not put on their ornaments Exod. 33. 1 2 3 4 c. If they shall confess their iniquity c. if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity then I will remember my covenant with Jacob c. Lev. 26. 40 41 42. When Gods anger brake out against Israel Moses prayed for them Numb 11. 1 2. When Israel fled before the men of Ai Joshua prayed and God commands him to arise and search out the sin and remove the cause Joshua 7. 6 7 8 9 to the 16. Israel in all their distresses cryed to the Lord he helped Judges 3. 9. ch 4. 3. ch 6. 7. ch 10. 10 13 14. 1 Sam. 12. 9 10. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain c. or if I send pestilence c. If my people c. shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their evil ways then will I hear from heaven forgive their sins and heal their land 2 Chron. 7. 13 14. Deut. 4. 29 30. ch 30. 1 2 3 c. When Jerusalem was in distress the princes the king humbled themselves c. And God said They have humbled themselves I will not destroy them c. 2 Chron. 12. 6. 7. ch 32. 26. For a long time was Israel without the true God c. but when they in their trouble did turn c. and sought him 2 Chron. 15. 3 4. When Judas was beset by Israel they cryed unto the Lord 2 Chron. 13. 14. Jehosaphat proclaimed a fast throughout all Judea in such a case 2 Chron. 20. Ezra 8. 21 22 23. Nehemiah mourned and wept and fasted when he had heard of the sad calamity of the Jews and he prayed c. So did Jeremy Neh. 1. 3 4 5. ch 2. 2 3. Lam. 3. 48 49. When the Jews were near destruction by Hamans means c. Mordecai and the Jews greatly mourned
Cor. 12 4 7 8 9 11 15 18 28 29 30 31. Desire spiritual gifts but rather that ye may prophesie c. He who prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification and exhortation and comfort c. He edifieth the Church c. Forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the Church c. If all prophesie and there come in one that believeth not c. he is convinced of all c. will report that God is in you of a truth How is it brethren that when ye come together every one of you have a psalm c. let all things be done to edifying c. Let the prophets speak two or three and let the other judge If any thing be revealed to another who sitteth by let the first hold his peace For ye may all prophesie one by one that ye may learn and all my be comforted And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets For God c. Let your women keep silence in the Churches c. Wherefore brethren covet to prophesie c. Let all things be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14. 1 3 4 5 12 23 24 25 26 29 30 31 32 33 34 39 40. We also believe therefore speak 2 Cor. 4. 13. As ye bound in every thing in faith and utterance and knowledge 2 Cor. 8. 7. Be ye filled with the spirit speaking among your selves mutually in psalms c. singing c. Ephes 5. 18 19. Many of the brethren of the Lord waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speak the word c. Some preach Christ out of envy c. What then c. Christ is preached and I therein do rejoyce c. Phil. 1. 14 15 16 17 18. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another Col. 3. 16. Comfort or exhort one another with these words 1 Thes 4. 18. Wherefore comfort your selves together and edifie one another even as also ye do 1 Thes 5. 11. Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief c. But exhort one another daily c. lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin Heb. 3. 12 13. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God Heb. 5. 12. Let us consider one another c. not forsaking the assemblies of our selves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the c. Heb. 10. 24 25. As every man hath received the gift even so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God if any man minister let him do it as of the ability which God giveth that God in all things may be glorified 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. Eighthly Of other Acts done in and by these particular Churches in sending out Messengers to other Churches and upon Occasions determining of Controversies in Religious Matters writing and sending Epistles and ordering other Affairs Of their meeting together in order hereto and receiving and hearing such Epistles The Epistles directed to the whole Body and they concerned in it WHen tidings of the Gentiles receiving the Gosph came unto the cars of the Church which was in Jerusalem they sent forth Barnabas that he should go as far as Antioch c. When the Dearth was prophesied of the Disciples every man according to his â—oility determined to send relief unto the brethren who dwelt in Judea Which also they did and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul Acts 11. 20 21 22 28 29 30. Paul and Barnabas coming to Antioch gathered the Church together and rehearsed all that God had done for them and how c. Acts 14. 26 27. When the matter of circumcision was in dispute in the Church at Antioch they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this question And being brought on their way by the church c. when they were come to Jerusalem they were received by the church and of the Apostles c. All the multitude kept silence and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul c. Then James spake c. Then pleased it the Apostles and elders with the whole Church to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch c. and wrote letters by them after this manner The Apostles elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are c. It seems good to us being assembled with one accord to send chosen men unto you c. it seems good to the holy Ghost and to us c. They came to Antioch and when they had gathered the multitude together they delivered the Epistle Acts 15. 1 2 3 4 6 12 13 22 23 25 27 28 30. If then ye have judgment of things pertaining to this life set them to judge who are least esteemed in the Church 1 Cor. 6. 4. When I come whomsoever you shall approve by letters them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem 1 Cor. 16. 3. We have sent with him the brother c. who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace or gift c. Whether any do enquire c. of our brethren they are the messengers of the Churches 2 Cor. 8. 18 19 23. I suppose it necessary to send unto you Epaphroditus c. your messenger and he who ministred to my wants Phil. 2. 25. When this epistle is read among you cause that it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea And say to Archippus take heed to the ministry which thou hast received of the Lord that thou fulfil it Col. 4. 16 17. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren 1 Thes 5. 27. Salute all them who have the rule over you and all the Saints Heb. 13. 24. Peter having written at large to the Saints speaks distanctly to the elders thus To the elders which are among you I exhort c. to feed the slock of God c. 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3. I wrote to the Church but Diotrephes who loved to have the pre-eminence among them received us not wherefore if I come I will remember his deeds c. Not content herewith neither doth he himself receive the brethren and forbiddeth them that would and casteth them out of the Church Beloved follow not that which is evil 3 John v. 9 10 11. John wrote to the seven Churches in Asia distinctly though they were in one country and charges each Church with its own guilt and commends each Church by it self takes no notice of any power any had over other
he spake of them but when they sought to lay hands on him c. Mat. 21. 15 23 33 34 35 36 37 45 46. Then went the Pharisees and took counsel how they might intangle him in his talk c. asked himâ— Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar or not c. Jesus said Why tempt ye me ye hypocrites c. Matth. 22. 15 16 17 18. John 8 3 4 5 c. Luke 6. 7. ch 11. 53 54. ch 20. 20 21 22. The Scribes and Pharisees c. they say and do not for they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be born and lay them on men's shoulders but will not move them with one of their fingers but all their works they do for to be seen of men they make broad their phylacteries and inlarge the borders of their garments and love the upper most rooms at feaâ—ts and the chief seats in the Synagogues and greetings in the markets and to be called of men Rabbi Rabbi c. But wo unto you Scribes Pharisees hypocrites ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men for ye neither go in your selves neither suffer ye them who are entring to go in c. Ye devour widows houses and for a pretence make long prayers c. Ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte and when he is made ye make him two-fold more the child of hell c. Blind guides who say Whosoever shall swear by the temple it is nothing but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple he is a debtor c. Ye pay ty the of mint and anise and cummin and have omitted the weightier matters of the law judgment mercy and faith c. strain at a great and swallow a camel c. Ye make clean the outside of the cup c. but within they are full of extortion and excess ye outwardly appear righteous unto men but within ye are full of hypocriâ—ie Mat. 23. 2 3 4 5 6 7 13 14 15 16 17 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31. The chief Priest and the Scribes c. consulted that they might take Jesus and kill him c. Judas betrayed Christ with a kiss c. The chief Priests c. sought false witnesâ—es against Jesus to put him to death Matth. 26. 3 4 49 59. Luke 4. 28 29. Judas said to the high Priests c. I have sinned in betraying innocent blood and they said What is that to us look thou to that c. they perswade the multitude to ask Barabbas and destroy Jesus when the governour would have â—â—leased Jesus they said Let his blood be upon us and our children c. They mocked him and said He trusted in God let him deliver him now c. and norwithstanding all the wonders aâ— his death which made the Centurion 〈◊〉 Truly this was the Son of God yet the chief priests c. came to Pilate and said c. That deceiver said c. desired and set a watch upon the sepulchre Matth. 27 3 4 17 18 19 20 24 25 41 42 43 53 54 62 63 64 66. Mark 15. 10 11 14 29 31 32. When they were convinced that Christ was risen they gave large money to the soldiers to hide it with a lie and promised the soldiers to secure them Maâ—th 28. 11 to 15. Herâ—d heard John gradly and did many things Mark 6. 20. But the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the counsel of God against or â—ithin themselves being not baptized of him Luke 7. 30. Then shall ye begin to say We have eaten and 〈◊〉 in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets But he shall say c. Depart from me ye workerâ— of iniquity Luke 13. 26 27. ch 15. 7. Ye are those who justifie your selves before men but God knows your hearts that which is highly c. Luke 16. 15. And he spake this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were or as being righteous and despised others Two went up into the temple to pray the one a Pharisee and the other a Publican the Pharisee stood and prayed thâ—s with himself God I thank thee that I am not as as other men are extortioners c. I fast 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 I give â—ythes c. Luke 18. 9 10 11 12. When Jesus went unto Zacheus's house the Jews 〈◊〉 saying That he was gone to be guest with a man 〈◊〉 is a 〈◊〉 his citizens hated him and said They would not have this man râ—â—gn over them Luke 19. 6 7 14. The chief Priests and Scribes would kill Jesus c. Jâ—das offered to betray him they were glad and covâ—nanted with him c. Luke 22. 〈◊〉 They 〈…〉 before Pilate saying We have 〈…〉 perveâ—â—ing the nation and 〈…〉 to Cesar saying That 〈…〉 〈…〉 one of 〈…〉 〈…〉 ye 〈…〉 or the lâ—â—ves and were 〈◊〉 c. 〈…〉 c. No man can 〈◊〉 to me except it were given him of my Father From that time many of his 〈◊〉 went back and walked no more with him John 6. 2â— 65. 66. Some 〈…〉 He 〈◊〉 the people how 〈…〉 man 〈◊〉 openly of him 〈◊〉 â—ear of the Jews c. The chieâ— Priests and Pharisees said 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Why have ye not brought him the officers answered Never man spake like this man theâ— answered them the Pharisees are ye also 〈…〉 any of the Rulers or Pharisees believed on him but this people who knoweth not the law are 〈◊〉 Nicodemus said c. â—word 〈◊〉 â—udge any man before it hear him and know what he doth And they said unto him Art thou also of Galâ—â—â—ce John 7. 12 13 45 46 47 48 50 51 52. This woman was taken in adultery c. what sayest thou This they said c. that they might have to accuse him c. We be Abraham's â—eed and were never in bondage to any to man c. Jesus said c. Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin c. Ye seek to kill me a man who hath told you the truth c. this did not Abraham ye do the deeds of your father c. The Jews say Say we not well thou art a Samaritan and hast a devil John 8. 3 4 5 6 33 34 40 41 48. The Pharises said This man is not of God because he keepeth not the Sabbath-day c. The Jews had agreed already that if any man did confess that he was Christ he should be put oâ—t of the Synagogue c. They say of Christ he is a sinner we are Moses disciples as for this fellow we know not whence he is c. When they were convinced by the man who had been blind that Christ must be of God they say to him Thou wast altogether born in sin and dost thou teach us and they excommunicated him c. Christ said to the Pharisees Ye say you see c. John 9. 16 22 23 24 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 40 41. Some said of Christ he hath a devil and is mad why