infinite fountain and treasury of grace and truth in him as so considered answering to all the former Oracles prophesies and tipes as that is manifested or brought to light by the Gospell as now spoken forth by Jesus Christ in those last dayes which Gospel of our Salvation as so come forth is therefore eminently and as distinguished from former dispensations even from Gods speaking in the Law and by the Prophets called the truth The word of Truth Ephesians 1. 13. James 1. 18. 2 Corinthians 4. 1. 4. with chap. 3. Not because this speaking of God by Jesuus Christ is more true then any of his former speakings in the Law or by the Prophets that cannot be for as his righteousness is everlasting so his whole Law or Doctrine is the truth The righteousness of his testimonies is everlasting his word true from the beginning and every one of his righteous judgements for ever They are all infinite in truth and faithfulness like himselfe so that no one of them can be more true Psalm 119. 140. 142. 144. 160. with Psalm 12. 6 7. and Proverbs 22. 20 21. Eccles 12. 10. Psalm 19. 7 8 9. But because in this speaking of God by his Son in these last dayes The truth of all those former speakings is manifeâ—ted the infinite truth faithfulness and rigteousness of God in every one of those Oraclâ—s Prophesies and Typical witnesses of things to come is in this dispensation manifested revealed and brought to light God did give us his purpose and grace in Christ for saving and calling with an holy calling even from the beginning of the World in those oracles and witnesses of Christ in the Law and Prophets but he hath now manifested his righteousness in it by the appearing of Jesus Chriâ—t who hath abolished death and brought life and immortalty to light through the Gospel See 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. 11. with Tit. 1. 1. 3. Rom. 1. 16 17. and 3. 21. 2 Cor. 4. 1. 3. In Jesus Christ as thus manifested and so in this speaking of God by him is revealed the truth and righteousness of God in that first Oracle The Seed of the Woman shall bruise the Head of the Serpent For for this purpose was that Son of God manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil And therefore forasmuch as the children of men are partakers of flesh and blood weakness and mortallity as the fruit of sin that brought death he likewise took part of the same in that one body which the Father prepared for him made of a Woman made under the Law in which he was made subject to all our infirmities that came on us by sin and so in the fimilitude of sinful flesh yet without sin and had all our iniquities that the Law charged upon uâ— â—â— we fell under it through the first departure of our nature from God even the guilt of that offence of one and of all our natural filthiness as thence naturally and necessarily derived to us imputed to him and caused to meet together upon him that through death he might in the vertue of his suffering the judgement of this World and in the power of his resurrection destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil and deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage c. And he hath made Peace and Atonement for our sins by his blood and so by himself purged them away from before the Father and is set down on his Right Hand with his stripes we were healed Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law under which we must have been utterly banished and cast out from God and so necessarily left under the power of Satan he hath obtained a release and discharge of those transgressions and so of that judgement of this World unto himself by his bearing that judgement in being made a curse for us And so that all judgement is committed unto him over man-kinde that through him they might be saved and therein the Prince of this World is judged and cast out of his principallity over man the power of death taken from him and all men delivered over into the Kingdome power and government of God by Christ that in and through him the grace of God might bring salvation to them 1 John 3. 8. Hebr. 2. 14 15. Gall. 4. 4. 2 Cor. 5. 19. with Isa 53. 6. Gal. 3. 13. John 12. 31 32. and 5. 22. 27. Acts 5. 31. John 3. 17. In him as thus manifested God hath performed and brought forth his truth and rigteousness in that great promise made to the Fathers That in Abrahams seed speaking not of his seeds as of many but of his seed as of one which seed is Chriâ—t Gen. 22. 18. Gal. 3. 16. Al the nations of the earth should be blessed In him the great blessing of life from the Dead eternal life the restoring of our nature into the image and glory of God and therein into glorious capacity and liberty to the immediate knowledg of and fellowship with God far exceeding the glory in unto which we were at first created in the first publick person and which we lost by sin This being that glory which the onely Begotten Son of God had with the Father before the World was which he hath now through sufferings obtained to be glorified with and to possess for ever in that body prepared for him in our Nature in which he was crucified for us That he might now appear in the presence of God in Heaven it selfe for us while we cannot appear for our selves or in our own persons that through him the grace of God may bring salvation to us and that we comming in his drawings by him may be made accepted and made the righteousness of God in him and in due time actually made partakers of that glory he now posseth for us together with him And herein all blessings pertaining to life and godliness as the forgiveness of all our sins the healing of all our diseases while it is to day vertue force or effecacy with the Father and so power in the name of the Father for the daily taking away those sins of the world that are now imputed to the people which make lyable to condemnation on a new account deserve the wrath to come and this by meanes of that death which was for the redemption of the transgressions under the first Testament and so all gifts for men even for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them as the fruit of the travel of his soul are prepared and treasured up in Christ for them all in that God hath raised him from the dead and given him glory that our faith and hope might be in God And so all these things given with him brought to light in the testimony of Christ raised from the dead in whose name repentance and remission of sins is preached unto and among all Nations that it might be
that so we may be found in him for the knowledge of him in what he hath done and is become for us while we were yet out of him being heartily imbraced leades the heart and mind into him and to be stayed in him See Phil. 3. 8 10. 1 Joh. 5 20. And to that purpose the first thing in all the commandements as brought to us by the glorious Gospel is to hear that word or doctrine of faith that presents the Lord our God to be one Lord as evidenced in that one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransome for all a testimony in due time which shews him to be light and in him no darkness at all See and compare Mark 12. 29. 1 Timothy 2. 4 5 6. 1 John 1. 5. Whence also we are exhorted to be swift to hear that word of truth in what condition so ever we be come as we are to it listen to and receive it with all acception as a faithful saying full of truth and goodness for us at all times that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners To hear alwayes before we speak or do that thence we may be rightly taught strengthned and qualified so to speak and do as those that shall be judged by that royal law of liberty Be more ready to hear then to offer the Sacrifices of Fools James 1. 19. Eccles 5. 1. Prov. 22. 17 21. And so the way to seek righteousness profitably that we may attain it is to seek it by faith in Christ Romans 9. 30 32. To believe in him that we may be justified by the faith of him Gal. 2. 15 16. For as by his knowledge or skill so also through the knowledge of himself through his name he gives the forgiveness of sins and justifies the believer Isaiah 53. 11. with Acts 10. 43. and 13 38 39. And so likewise if we would get victory over sin and Satan cleanse our hands from sins our hearts from guile be made partakers of his holiness without which no man shall see him The way to seek it is also in the knowledge and faith of him and to that purpose to be exercised in beholding the glory of the Lord as shined in that glass even in the face of Christ through the glorious Gospel 2 Cor. 3. 18. with chap. 4. 6. Whence the Psalraist tells us That they that have clean hands and a pure heart are onely the Generation of them that seek his face and so seek righteousnes and strength there Psalm 24. 4 6. with Isaiah 45. 24 25. And therefore also calling upon us to seek the Lord and his strength leads us to this as the way to it in his fundamental instruction seek his face evermore Remember his marvellous works that he hath done his wonders and the judgments of his mouth Psam 105. 4 5. They then seek him not after the due Order that first seek to frame or work up their own hearts to a belief or hope in God or confident expectation of good from him before they hear or dare receive and consider the word of faith as true for them but seek to find the act or grace of faith first in their own hearts that from thence they may conclude the truth of the word of faith to themselves that first seek to work up their own hearts to love God before they will know or believe his love to them in Christ as and while sinners and enemies which onely is fit and able to get true love and good affection to him that so from the imagination of their love and good affection to him they may conclude his love and good affection in Christ â—o them Now herein is not love saith the Apostle that we have loved God herein Gods love is not rightly perceived But in this that he fiâ—st loved us even while enemies and sent his Son the propitiation for our sins And therefore and from thence we indeed love him because he fiâ—st loved us and from thence also that being first known and believed springs true love one to another 1 John 4. 9 10 19 and 3 16. They therefore do greatly err as likewise in seeking to get victory over sin and strength against their corruptions before they dare receive the report of his comming into the world to save sinners and the victory and conquest obtained in his resurrection over sin and Satan as faithful and true for them And then from what they imagine they find in themselves they conclude the truth of that done in him for them In this preposterous and disorderly way of seeking the Lord men make iâ— their first and great inquiry whether they be elected or in a good condition before God which they strive to guess and to conclude to themselves from some imagined gracious frames good affection victory over sin or the like or from some particular assurance that hath no better ground for the bottom of it then some testimony of their own or some private spirit before they will believe Gods testimony of his sending his onely begotten Son by his grace to taste death for them and giving him glory that their faith and hope might be in God And then gather up conclusions of the truth of that for them from their imagination of the truth of the former Namely that Christ by the grace of God tasted death for them because they find themselves such as before Hence it is that the way men too generally walk in to comfort themselves and others in distress is to labour to perswade them that they are in a better condition then they think they are Their sins less their Hearts Desire Frames and Works better or else from some signs or testimony of their owne spirit or of others that they are of the Elect and that therefore Christ and all his things belong to them Behold a more excellent way then any of these crooked paths in which who so walketh shall know no true or lasting peace First inquire in the light of Gods testimony and consider diligently what Jesus Christ by the grace of God hath done and what an infinite rich provision of all things pertaining to life godliness is in him for such vile sinners and wretched ones as at the worst thou mayest suppose thy self to be even for such as yeâ— are not of the Elect or chosen Generation that through him they might be saved and in finding him find Life Election Sonship and priviledges of Sons in him and so be made of that Generation that were chosen in Christ from the beginning of the World to be his peculiar treasure even of the chosen generation the Holy Nation Beloved with peculiar manner of love who before were not so as Rom. 9. 24 25. 1 Peter 2. 9 10. Instead then of striving to conclude thy self in a good or safe condition see and consider in the testimony of Christ what there is for such as are in a bad and lost condition like
in the Ark the first Testament which made nothing perfect but pointed to a better hope in Christ and so were Ministers of the letter and had a ministration of death to nurture and lead to life and peace in him that was to come Now the service of the holy Priesthood is to be exercised in the Heavenly things themselves That which is committed to their charge is the revelation of Grace and Truth as now come forth in and by Jesus Christ delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification The dispensation of the fulness of times in which al things are gathered together in one and so in which is the revelation of the truth and body of all those figures tipes and shadowes in the law even in Christ that excellent ministry in which God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings whereas that committed to them was but Gods speaking in divers parts In this speaking by his Son last of all is given unto us the full and clear revelation of the name of the Father in the manifâ—station of the truth of all his former Oracles and promises to the Fathers and so of his infinite grace and glory therein and that in the face of Christ in the discovery of which his name The name of the Son is also revealed in which he is manifested as before witnessed in Oracles Tipes and Prophesies and as the fulfilling and body of them all in what he hath already done and by means thereof doth and will do The Son of God the Saviour of the World The Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the World the perfect sacrifice and offering for sin That is the onely and compleat ransome and price of redemption for all The Mediatour between God and men the High-Priest over the house of God yea the onely He in whom it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell even the fulness of the God-head bodily and in whose blood the whole New Testament of precious promises both for this life and that to come is sealed that also the performance of them may be given forth in due time with him And this revelation of the Son and so of the Father in him is given us in the full evidence and demonstration of the Spirit with plainness and power in which also the name of the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth is revealed in his full and glorious testimony of Christ and so of the Father in him immediately given and in his powerful presence and working with it unto all things pertaining to life and godliness to the end of the World as was before prophesied of that powring forth of him from on high And so they are Ministers of the New Testament not of the letter but of the Spirit being in this dispensation blessed with all Spiritual Blessings and that not in earthly or tipical but in Heavenly things even in Christ in whom all Spiritual blessings the truth and body of all figures and tipes are treasured up for us and in the rveelation of him brought to us and in this Ministry committed to the Holy Priesthood That they should offer up spiritual Sacrifices of prayer and praise to God continually and confession of his name by Jesus Christ as comed in the flesh and so that they should Minister in the Heavenly things themselves and not in Tipes Figures or Patterns as the Levitical Priesthood but in and about the true Sanctuary Mercy-Seat Altar Sacrifice c. as the truth and body of all is met and found in him So then the bearing and keeping the charge of the Vessels of the Lord that is now the work or service of the Holy Priesthood under the Gospel and was resembled by the Priests and Levites bearing and keeping the charge of the Ark of the Sanctuary and of all the Vessels of the Ministry may be thus expressed 1. Their great business and the sum of all is to keep and to bear even to bear upon them and hold forth The truth of God as it is now come forth and manifested in the personal body of Jesus Christ which the Father prepared for him in our nature that he might do his will for us and in which he bore our sins on the Tree and in which being raised from the dead he is entred into his glory for us which is such as in which it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell in him even the fulness of the God-head bodily That by him our faith and hope might be in God They are to hold fast and hold forth to others this acknowledgement or profession of their faith in which those things which the Prophets said should come to pass That Christ should suffer and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead and should shew light to the People and to the Gentiles is declared to be even so fulfilled and come forth in that one offering of his personal body once for all And so in him the truth and body of all the tipes and shadowes of the law Whence the house of God which is the Church of the living God as now it is since the appearing of Christ the Church of the man Christ raised from the dead who was dead but is alive for evermore and standeth in the name and majesty of God his Father to feed and rule I say his spiritual house his holy Priesthood is according to the general acception of that 1 Timothy 3. 15. said to be The Pillar and ground of truth even of the manifestation of the truth and righteousness of God in all his former Oracles and promises given to the Fathers and in all the grace and good things tipified and witnessed in the law and Prophets as now come forth in Christ raised from the Dead and treasured up in his personal body for us And though that Scripture may have another acception such as in which that clause the pillar and ground of truth is attributed to the living God that stands before it and indeed He even God in Christ and so the man Christ Jesus in the name and majesty of God he is not onely the truth but in the most full and absolute sense the pillar and ground of it yet that understanding though taken in here destroyes not the sence fore-mentioned in which also His Church from him and as in conjunction with him the Head is signified to be in a subordinate sense the pillar and ground of truth And happily the words may be so left that we may take in the sense of both acceptions together We shall briefly speak to it in the sence we have mentioned according to the usual acceptation as that also may stand and agree with the other The truth of which in any sence The Church of the living God is the Pillar and Ground is as before hinted Jesus Christ himself as raised from the Dead in that Body in which he was delivered for our offences And so the
the earth and in that respect I am made to sit in darkness 1 Sam. 22. 47. and Psal 18. 1 2 3 46. with Mich. 7 7 8 9. even so the true believer of Gods testimony exercising faith in Christ according to it hath yet encouragement in the Lord his God But evil and ungodly men take liberty and rejoyce to do evil as before boasting themselves of their hearts desire and encouraging themselves in hope of prevailing upon the ceasing of faithful men from amongst them for while they were preserved among them They were by the word of life put in their heart held forth in word and conversation unto them and amongst them as a fenced Brazen Wall against which though fighting they could never prevail But they the faithful or upright ones were mighty through God by the power of their word to turn their waters or doctrines into blood that men could not drink them or not find rest and content in them for the Lord was with them as a mighty and terrible One making their witness held forth in word and conversation together so powerfull as was affirmed of Jeremie of old Jer. 1. 7. 10 17 18 19. and 15 19 20 21. with chap. 6. 27 28 29 30. And might not be altogether unduely applyed here 2 Such providences are also as breaches in the hedge wall or sence to such as are left of Gods peculiar people even to the flock of God the Church or Congregation that he hath gathered or redeemed from among men through that excellent price the precious blood of Christ set before them and opened to them by the spirit in the Gospel 1 To the laying them open to be wasted spoiled and troden down by Bores and wild Beasts in the likeness of men who now will enter in amongst them without let or hindrance to corrupt and destroy I know sais Paul that after my departure shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the flock also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them Acts 20. 29 30. While such powerfull and faithful instruments are continued with and amongst the flock they are mighty through God to the keeping out and driving away such hurtfull Wolves and false brethren that come to bring into bondage to whom they will not give place by subjection to them no not for an hour that the truth of the Gospel may continue with the flock of God over whom the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers and that it may therefore and so remain with them that it may be held forth by them for the good of others They being furnished with that faithful word the word of reconciliation the preaching peace by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all with which they are able through God to stop the mouths of gain-sayers and of such vain and unruly talkers and so to hinder them in their enterprize of subverting whole houses being thereby fully instructed and strengthned to every good word and work Their removal therefore is an evil breach to the letting in such to waste and destroy this Vine Psalm 80. 13. Isaiah 5. 2 Also to the letting out or administring occasion of disheartning to the weak and wavering leaving them as without watch or guard to their aptness to take offence and stumble at they know not what and so to turn away their ears from the truth and be tumbled aside to fables such as did watch over them and seek to heal help and strengthen them at all occasions being removed and failing from them Many will be easily enticed to follow the pernicious wayes of the spirit of Antichrist by reason of whom the way of truth will be evil spoken of and the enemy will more rejoyce 2 Tim. 4. 2 3 4 6. 2 Pet. 1. 13 14. with chap. 2. 1. 2. Acts 20. 30. Psal 12. Mich. 7. 2 Such providences are like a breach in the natural body as the cutting off an usefull member until the making up or healing of which there can be no profitable or cheerful progress in the work for if all the members suffer in the suffering of one their suffering and affliction must needs be greater in the loss of one by its being broken or cut off from being any more usefull or serviceable to or in the body in this time of temptation Whence Paul speaking of Epaphroditus as his brother and companion in labours and fellow-souldier and their messenger signifies that his being taken away by death as was threatned would have been not onely to the Philippians but to himself also a very great affliction adding sorrow upon sorrow Yea 3 Being breaches of such a nature they must needs occasion a present breach in and stâ—â—ppage to the good work the work of the Lord to be carryed on by the Church in the world until it be made up or healed as Vzzah's being thus cut off by a sudden stroke chiefly procures by their iniquities occasioned a breach in and put a stop to their work of bringing home the Ark of God for the present and till they had searched and sound the iniquity reproved and their hearts were prepared to seek the Lord after the due order as we see by comparing the 13. chap. With this we may fitly apply what hath been said to our present occasion of lamentation The taking away of this our Jeremy in the midst of his dayes depriving him or rather us of the residue of his years and at such a time in the midst or rather in the beginning of his zealous indeavours to the promoting of so glorious a work as the Publishing and Proclaiming the glorious name and grace of God in Christ to man-ward and earnest pressing and stirring up the people of God to joyn as one man with full purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord striving together in his name after the due order for the faith of the Gospel and in nothing terrified by their adversaries his being taken from us being also in such an evil time when so few like minded not seeking their own things but the things which be Jesus Christs This is surely a very great and grievous breach made upon us in all the forementioned considerations something near to that Lamentations 2. 13. Vse It presents us with abundant cause and matter of lamentation and bitter weeping for our selves and the miseries that are like to follow upon us if not timely prevented by turning to him that smites us with whom onely is healing 'T is a day of trouble of treading down and of perplexity by the Lord God of hosts in the valley of Vision breaking down the wall c. He hath made us to see the breaches of the City of David Isaiah 22. 5 9. 'T is a day in which the Lord calls to mourning and weeping to astonishment and humbling under his mighty hand Take heed least there be in any of us a spirit lifted up or carried away from the sense of the affliction as
But Jesus the Lord to testifie of him unto us and so to hold forth and witness repentance and remission of sins in his name and for us to remember acknowledge wait upon and seek unto him and not our selves in them Thus we read of Johns baptizing them with water as well as his verbal preaching That it was to manifest Christ to Israel not to manifest Israel to Christ or to themselves or one another but to manifest Christ to them as the Son of God the Saviour of the World John 1. 29 31. And so all the people that heard and the Publicans justified not themselves but God owned and acknowledged the truth of his testimony and grace in Christ in being baptized with the baptism of John Luke 7. 29. Likewise the Apostles baptizing the Nations of the Gentiles with their word or doctrine and also with water in his name it was in order to the discipling them unto Christ and to that purpose to witness repentance and remission of sins in his name to them not to witness themselves repentance and remission of sins in them or in their name or any other for them But in the name of thaâ— Jesus of Nazareth that was dead but is alive for evermore compâ—re Mat. 28. 18 19. with Luke 24. 46 47 48. And so the Supper of the Lord is a commemoration and shewing forth not of our graces and excellencies but of the Lords death till he come 1 Corinthians 11. 23 26. That we might therein acknowledge remember and be instructed and led into such a discerning of the Lords body as therein to examine and judge our selves as we have hinted upon that place before So likewise all our prayers to him and confessions of him are to this great end That we and others might be led into and filled with the knowledge of him that therein we may be strengthned with all might in the inner-man that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith that so we may be rooted and grounded in love and filled with all goodness and with all the fulness of God through the knowledge and faith of him All his ordinances as ordained and delivered by him testifie of him and lead to him and are given us that we might remember him in them as in all his wayes Now this being the end of all we are therefore directed to Gods testimony concerning Christ as to the vision of all visions and foundation and key of knowledge unto all ordinances for helping our understandings in and directing to the right observance and usefulness of the things required in them And therefore also for our understanding who they are that walk as they have the Apostles for an example we are instructed to consider not so much or firstly as a rule to know them by the outward appearance in the zealous observance of this or that circumstance but the end of their conversation which is Jesus Christ The same even the mighty God and our Saviour Yesterday and to day and for ever In what he hath done and is become himself in his own body for us in which he is the Son of God the Saviour of the World of man-kind without difference or respect of persons as all are in themselves and as from Adam in a like consideration wholly sinful and miserable by nature And in what he is now doing as the great and powerful Mediator between God and men In which he is the living God the Saviour of all men that through him they might believe and be saved And especially the Saviour of them that through that grace to man-ward bringing salvation wherewith he prevents every man in due time do believe And in what he will do in his eternal judgment at his second and glorious appearing and kingdome In which he shall gloriously appear The mighty God and our Saviour the Savioâ—r to the utmost of all the Israel of God that through his love love him and wait for his appearing they shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation and shall not be confounded World without end when all that now are incensed against him shall be ashamed Thus is Jesus Christ in these three great things testified of him in the preaching of the Cross the ground and end of all ordinances and so the end of the conversation that is ordered aright The things principally minded and aimed at in all things Phillipians 3. 17 20 21. Hebrews 13. 7 8. 2 There are also some ordinances that are more weighty then others even of those that are of his appointment for us to remember and wait upon him in yet some are to be chiefly preferred for our exercise and earnestly to be attended to and striven for to be kept without spot viz such as more directly tend to the end of all and are more plainly discovering it and leading to it and are appointed as the more choice instruments and means thereto yea they are such as include others and in which the discovery of the ground and use of others is brought unto us as the ordinance of baptizing with water is included in the work or business of Preaching the Cross of Christ being an outward way or seal to be used for witnessing repentance and remission of sins in his name for and to them as verbally preached in the gospel And therfore also the ground end and use of that ordinance is discovered in the Doctrinal Preaching of the Cross whence also the Apostle prefers the Preaching of the Cross before that ordinance of baptizing with water and was glad he baptized no more himself least any should say he baptized in his own name and gives this as the reason why he was so indifferent how few he baptized with his own hands For saith he Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel that is not onely nor so much to baptize the main business that he was sent especially to look too was the preaching of the Gospel Or thus He was not otherwise sent to baptize then as that is a thing included in the work or business of preaching the Gospel as a lighter thing in the work or service required of them to that purpose and therefore alwayes so to be used as may be subservient to the greater For saith he The preaching of the Cross That as distinguished from and in some sense opposed to the other ordinance as by it self considered as 1 Peter 3. 21. The baptism that saveth answerably to the figure there alluded to is not the putting away the filth of the flesh viz. the outward baptism But the answer of a good conscience towards God which stands in this that Christ hath dyed yea rather is risen again and is on the Right Hand of God making intercession for us and through him God justifieth the ungodly compare with that of Peter Romans 8. 32 33 34. with chap. 4. 5 2â— 25. and 5 1 Hebrews 9. 14 and 10. 19 22. So here not baptizing with water but the
come in the glory of his Father which he now possesseth in heaven with the father for us and to restore all things and then to fashion their vile bodyes unto the likeness of his glorious body And so the end of their conversation is Jesus Christ The same Yesterday and to Day and for ever as also before is shewed the thing they aim at and strive for in all their seekings and in which they seek righteousness and strength is the faith of the Gospel yea these are the true circumcision persons truely redeemed separated and devoted from men and from their vain conversation unto God the Israel of God that are so redeemed and congregated to him by the precious blood of Christ discovered in the Gospel and the grace of God therein commended who also have their rejoycing in Christ Jesus relinquishing for the excellency of the knowledge of him all confidence or rejoycing in the flesh Phil. 33. c. with Acts 20. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 18. c. Rom. 5. 1 11. The other sorts of walkers such as before mentioned for they are many and under many forms are so to be marked by us as to be distinguished from the true brethren and to be avoided and turned from as strangers Proverbs 5. 1. 8. and 14. 7. and 19. 27. John 1â— 5. Romans 16. 17 18. 2 Timothy 2. 17 21. and 3. 1 5. But with these all or any of these worshippers in the spirit that have their rejoycing in Christ Jesus so as for the excellencie of the knowledge of him relinquishing fleshly confidences that call on him out of a pure heart as 2 Tim. 2. 22. A spirit fixed and purified from double mindedness as to the spirit of the mind at least to seek righteousness and strength in Jesus having their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience with the blood of Christ and therein set to seek all things pertaining to life and godliness there With these I say whatever differences in lighter matters or shortness in attainments or infirmities may be found with any of them and discerned by us yet we are to dwell and walk together with such as we have opportunity as brethren and fellow-labourers or helpers in our combate Strift or warfare The Unity of the Spirit to be endeavoured to be kept with such and so in which such are to dwell and walk together in their seeking the Lord and striving for the faith of the Gospel Hath in it 1. Union of love such as in which they love one another with such peculiar manner of love as with which they are beloved of God which is such as in which they are called Sons accepted in Christ as found in him delighted in and chosen to peculiar favour and fellowship so the love wherewith they are to love one another is such as wherewith they are not to love others That are yet of the world or are gon out again from them into the world as is signified 1 John 4. 1 7. Yea such as in which they are to love as brethren beloved of God 1 Peter 4. 8. with 1 Thessalonians 1. 4. Colosians 1. 4. To esteem receive and own another as brethren in a peculiar sense even of one and the same body and heirs together of the grace of life as they have been all baptized or washed from the errours and pollutions of the world into the faith and acknowledgement of that one body of Christ that was broken for us and through sufferings perfected and offered once for all and now glorified with the father for us and so united by faith unto it and to one another in it even as they are called in one hope of their calling 1 Cor. 12. 12 13. Ephes 4. 4. with chap. 5. 30. even so they are to love as brethren and heirs together of the same inheritance and on the same account and terms as members of the same body to be so respected cared for and delighted in for fellowship in the Gospel And so also to be more abundantly pitied and tendred in their infirmities and afflictions and the covering of infirmities bearing burthens and healing diseases to be sought with more abundant diligence and as our own in a peculiar sence more then others to whom yet that love of pity and compassion is to be extended even as God that is so abundantly gracious to all in his great love of pity and compassion wherewith he loveth them in and through Christ when they are yet dead in sins trespasses and so not peculiarly beloved by him with that manner of love in which he receiveth delights in and takes pleasure in persons is yet more abundantly rich in that his tender mercy pity and compassion unto them that call on him in truth that come to him by Christ whom also he accepteth receiveth and takes pleasure in them as they are found in Christ Psaâ—â—â— 103. 11 13. and 145 8 18 19. Romans 10. 12. with 1 Peter 3. 8 Col. 3. 9 13. This love is to be the same and indifferent to them as they are Christs in that peculiar sence without partiality or respect of persons as they are rich or poor bond or free And without dissimulation or hypocrisie to be in them one to another not so much in word or tongue as in deed and truth 'T is indeed too general an evil to lay so much of the stress of Religion in that loving which is in word and in tongue as in familiar calling Brother and Sister and the like that the loving indeed and in truth as brethren is neglected and forgotten as if all stood in word and tongue 2 Union of mind and design as of one heart and soul being made to drink into that one Spirit that testifies of Christ instructing and framing to like mindedness with him each minding and seeking the things which be Jesus Christs and so the things and good of one another without guile hypocrisie or partiallity yea with a neglect of themselves their own ends interests and things as distinct from these not regarding their own life that they may earnestly follow mind and promote the one thing needfull As we read of multitudes of men expert in War and that could keep Rank that were not of double heart but all perfect hatred yea of one heart to make David King 1 Chronicles 12. 33. 38. So also we read of the multitude of them that believed Acts 4. 32. Being of one heart and of one soul as likewise Acts 2. 46. This that prayed for John 17. 20 23. and instructed too Philippians 2. 1 5 20 29. and 4 2. And indeed there cannot be that one-ness or sameness of mind any other way but in the Lord meeting together there each to mind and seek the things which be Jesus Christs with a neglect each of their own For if each be seeking their own interests or things there can be no perfect joyning of them together because their particular interests or things will clash one with another in something
received in and through him and in the receiving of him even in the believing on his name unto which also his Gospel is his arm or power sent forth 1 John 5. 11 12. Col 1. 14 15 19. and 2. 2 9. with John 17. 4 5. 1 Peter 1. â—1 Hebrews 1. 3. and 9. 24. 1 Joh. 1. 1 2. Hebr. 7. 23. 25. c. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Joh. 14. 3. Rom. 8. 17 18. Phil 3. 3. 9 10. 21. In him is manifested the righteousness of God in that promise and Oath unto David That of the fruit of his Loynes according to the Flesh God would raise up Christ to sit on his Thrrne In that God hath made that Jesus of the seed of David after the Flesh both Lord and Christ and set him on his Holy Hill on his Right Hand in that Glory of his Father in which also he shall gloriously appear in due time to take to him his great power and reign till all enemies be subdued and then deliver up the Kingdome to God his Father He is already raised and entered into his glooy and shall no more return to corruption And as so raised and exalted with the Right Hand of Power is called the sure mercies of David in whom God hath manifested his truth to David and that he will not lye unto David or fail him of a man to sit on his Throne for ever Acts 2. 25 36. and 13. 32. 37. compared with 2 Sam. 7. 12. 16. 1 Kings 2. 4. and 8. 25. with 2 Sam. 23. 5. Psal 89. 19. 37. and 132. 11. Isa 55. 3 4. 6. In him likewise is the body and truth of those manifold figures tipes and shadowes under the law as to instance in some few He in that body raised from the Dead is the true Temple and Sanctuary which the Lord hath pitched and not Man John 2. 19. 22. Hebrews 9. 11. 2 Cor. 5. 1. In whom the fulness of the God-head dwells bodily that so of his fulness we may receive Col. 2. 9. John 1. 16. As also the Great Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession and so the Minister of the holy things of that true Tabernacle of his own body Heb. 1. 2. And in comming into him others are made of the Spiritual House and holy Priesthood as before is shewed He is the body and truth of all signified in those tipical offerings of the Lord made by fire yea of all those Sacrifices Atonements and Offerings for sin in that offering of his own body once for all in which the Father hath smelt a savour of rest for ever and which he ever lives to present and now to appear in in the presence of God for us He is the true Ark and treasury of all Grace and Truth for the Law came by Moses discovering sin witnessing and leading to the better hope in Christ and this whole Testament was kept in the Ark with divers other things But gâ—â—câ— and truth in the forgiveness of sins charged by the Law and the fulfilling all the Tipes and shadowes of it came by Jesus Christ and is now manifested as kept and treasured up in him in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdome and Knowledge that with him they may be given and opened to us and so he is the true mercy seat answering to the tipical one which covered the Ark of the Testament that charged with sin and concluded under curse and whence also the oracle came forth He is the propitiation or covering the atonement and reconciliation for our sins and not for our sins onely but also for the sins of the whole World He is our peace and being so is also the way by and through which God is gracious and speaks graciously to men yea the Oracle by whom he hath spoken and through which he speaketh to us in these last dayes Yea in him the Oyl for anointing to service and light for directing in all our worship even in the man Christ Jesus and so brought to us in the revelation of him in the Doctrine of God our Saviour in which dispensation of the fulness of times God hath gathered together all things in one even in Christ and so given us the manifestation of the truth of all those former Oracles Prophesies Tipes and Shadowes in the testimony of Jesus of the seed of David after the flesh delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification Of this truth of all former witnesses and shadowes and so of the righteousness of God in them as now come forth in Christ the Church may be said to be the Pillar and ground not so as to uphold or support the truth in a proper sense To be put to that charge and hard service is proper to the makers and worshippers Idols the imagined Deities and Rocks of mens chusing which indeed are no Gods but vanity and lyes and therefore cannot bear up support or save them that look to the nor can they stand by themselves but must be born up and maintained by them that make and worship them And prove so heavy a burthen to the weary beast that they are not able to support maintain defend and save them Isa 46. 1 2. 5. 7. Jer. 10. 5. c. But the portion of Israel is not like them for he is the former of all things The truth of God in Christ as now raised from the dead iâ— the begetter maintainer and upholder of his Chruch Isa 46. 3 4. Jeremiah 10. 10. c. with James 1. 18. 1 Timothy 4. 10. In the Lord they have righteousness and strength Isaiah 45. 20. 25. But their work to which also they are begotten and strengthned of him is so to keep retain and bear upon them the writing of this manifestation of the truth of God in the tidings and patterns of it so fair and without spot that others may see and read it in their word and conversation and so instrumentally also through him that worketh in them mightily to maintain and defend it in the World To watch in all things to keep the commandement delivered to them without spot unrebukable c. That the truth of the Gospel may continue with others So Paul was a chosen Vessel to Christ to bear his name before the Gentiles and Kings and the children of Israel to keep the Faith and that the truth of the Gospel might continue with others Acts 9. 15. 2 Timothy 4 7. Gal. 2. 5. And so he instructs Timothy to watch in all things to the keeping this charge 1 Tim. 6. 12 13 14. and 2 Tim 4. 5. And all believers so to shine as lights in the World as a City set on a Hill as a Candle on a Candle-stick holding forth the word of life in word and conversation That it may be seen and read of all men Matthew 5. 14 15 16. Philippians 2. 15 16. And as in old time a pillar was used for a witness remembrance of Gods gracious appearances Gen. 28. 11. 18. 22. and 35.
11. 14 15. As also for a witness of peace and reconciliation Gen. 31. 45. 51 52. And for a manifestation of Gods presence with a people and for a guide to them Exodus 13. 21 22. And as the law was appointed to be written on several pillars as on the Posts of their house and on their Gates Deut. 6. 9. and 11. 20. So this House of God which is the Church of the living God is the pillar appointed of God to bear up and keep in remembrance even to the view of others the glorious grace of the first appearance of Christ even till his comming again and to keep and bear upon them the witness or manifestation of that peace or reconciliation with God for men which he hath made and is become through his blood while so continued preserved among a people they are a witness of his merciful presence with them his nighness and waiting that he may be gracious to them 2 Cor. 5. 18. 20. with chap. 6. 1 2. Isaiah 55. 5 6. and 50. 1 2. and 30. 18. 20 21. And set and preserved for a light and guide to be observed and followed Matthew 5. 13 14. Hebrews 1. 3. 7 8. Phil. 2. 15 16. And to that purpose to bear upon them and lift up to the sight and view of others and so to hold forth to them that all men may see The manifestation of the truth of God in all his former Oracles and witnesses in the tipes and shadowes of the law as now come forth in the personal body of Christ raised from the dead whose name they are so to bear as they may therein shew the end of the law in him and so the body of all the former shadowes and truth signified in them and so him the fountain of all grace and truth the treasury of all Wisdome and Knowledge c. as before is shewed And this House of God the Holy Nation are also in many societies as they are in several places and so many pillars And so may be included in the sense of those seven pillars Wisdome hath hewen out Proverbs 9. 1. Those Gates and Postes of his Doors Answering to Deut. 6. 9. and 11. 20. At which whoso watcheth dayly and waiteth hearing him there is blessed Proverbs 8. 34. See what is said of the manifold use of pillars and the allusion to them in this business in the explicit declaration of the testimony of Christ by Thomas Moor senior Pages 287. 290. And so they are the ground or Tables on which its written in some sense answering to that Habbacuk 2. 2. That others may read it as the Corinths were the Apostles Epistle for as much as they were manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ the ground on which the minde and things of Christ are so written by the spirit of the living God evidencing and writing them in and through the Apostles Doctrine on the Tables of their hearts and fellowships that receive and abide in it that it may be seen and read of all men in their word and conversation in both which they are set to shine as lights in the World by retaining in them and bearing upon them that others may see and so holding forth the word of life even of Christ raised from the dead in a fair writing and faithful discovery of the tidings and patterns of it That others may behold all goodness and truth in it and so also in a subordinate sense instrumentally keeping maintaining and defending it and the goodness and truth of it amongst themselves and to the World against all adversaries striving together for the faith of the Gospel Philipians 1. 27. And so their work is with that word of righteousness The great things of his law as now come forth by Christ which are the main things to be kept looked to striven for and held forth by them in their whole Ministry for and unto all things I say with that to instruct reprove exhort comfort c. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Tit. 3. 11. 15. And as in all this they are instruments or vessels through whom he carryes the seed of his word and so conveyes his heavenly treasure to the hearts of others so their work instrumentally and through him is said to be to speak to the heart to be Ministers of Spirit to open the blinde eyes and turn men from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive the forgiveness of sins and inheritance with them that are sanctified by faith that is in Christ yea they are a sweet savour unto God in them that are saved and in them that perish to the one they are the savour of death unto death and to the other the savour of life unto life Isa 35. 3 4. and 40. 1 2. 2 Cor. 2. 14. 17. and 3. tot and 4. 1 2. Acts 26. 18. And to this purpose 2. To them is committed the keeping and charge of holy and devoted things 1. Of Gods Ordinances of Divine Worship that are appointed for bearing and shewing forth the Lords Body that was broken for us and through sufferings is entered into his glory and so for witnessing repentance and râ—mission of sins in his name unto and among the Nations as the Preaching of the Cross and therein the shewing the things of Christ out of the Scriptures in the exercise of those gifts of prophesie or teaching as every man hath received the gift this work is committed to them even to the whole body of the Saints each to serve in it according to his several ability and therefore the gifts tâ— fit for it onely given unto them and ditributed among them according to his pleasure Ephesians 4. 7. 11 12. And so the other Ordinances in which the same things are to be shewed and holden forth in the Church and to the World The management of those affaires the teaching the Nations to observe and how to observe with them what was given to the Apostles in commandement that so they the Gentiles may rejoyce with his people these things are committed and given in charge unto them But to the wicked or unreconciled persons that are not reconciled to God by Jesus Christ and so have not that word of reconciliation viz. That God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself c. And the love of Christ thence constraining to perswade men with it To them God saith What hast thou to do to take my covenant in thy mouth that hatest to be reformed by my law His Saints are to be gathered together to him to keep and look to this charge even those that have made or entered into covenant with him by the Sacrifice of his Son Psalm 50. 1 2. 5 6. 14 15. 2 Cor. 5. 14. 20. 2. Of persons that are given unto the Church in his name or also called to be holy and devoted first to the Lord and then to them according to the will of God It is contained in their
of his grace And so the fountain of that Water of Gods grace and Spirit and so the testimony of him that anointing by the pouring out and shedding abroad of which we in receiving and attending to it shall be washed inlightened healed strengthned and made meet for service Yea that one offering by which all our Sacrifices brought and offered by him shall be made acceptable and to his praise It s not any other Sanctification Separation or consecration that makes meet for this inheritance of the Holy Priesthood or of the Saints in light not the outward and tipical sanctification that was but to a tipical service in the flesh and in the letter Nor any such as may be by the works of the law Nor any such redeeming from any part of the vain conversation as may be effected by corruptable things as silver and gold or by any other Wisdom Strength or Motions onely in the Lord in whom they have righteousness strength In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory 2. As to the nature of the work or effecacy of this one Spirit through the Gospel on the subject needfull to go before to make meet for this service and inheritance of the Saints It is such as in which through the righteousness of God our Saviour they are made partakers of like precious faith with the Apostles through this sanctification of the Spirit fore-mentioned they are chosen out of the way and condition of the World that lyes in ignorance of God in Christ and enmity to him and so under the power of the Wicked one unto obedience the obedience of faith so to understand and know him that is true that therein the soul is brought into him and united with him by faith 1 Peter 1. 2. 2 Peter 1. 1. with 1 John 5. 19 20. They are begotten by the word of truth to such an unfeined belief of the truth as now come forth in Christ as in which it s believed and received not in vain but to purpose even to the same purpose to which it is discovered and given to them viz to the saving of the soul bringing it out of the World and worldly wayes of seeking rest righteousness wisdome strength c. into Christ for all such as in which they are redeemed from among men and from their vain conversation received by tradition from them and so washed in the Spirit of their minde from the errours and pollutions of the World in which men are vainly seeking rest peace wisdome righteousness c. where it is not unto God in Christ to seek all in him by an exercise of faith in him in what he hath done and is become for them in his own body and in the hope set before them in him Such it is as in which their minds or souls are purified to unseigned love of God of Men brethren in obeying the truth They are principled with those principles of truth that naturally lead so to trust in him and seek all in him and so to love that they may thenceforth walk in that newness of life They are so baptized into Christ euen into his death that as to the Spirit of their minde they are subdued and made willing to put on Christ for all and be devoted to him and to that purpose for the excellency of the knowledge of him to let go all other excellencies as loss and dung that they may win him and be found in him yea herein to hate Father Mother Brethren Sisters Wife and Children yea and their own life also for his sake and in comparison of him for they have obeyed his word and kept his covenant Answerable to that Exodus 32. 6. 29. Deut 32. 9. 1 Cor. 15. 1 2. with 2 Cor. 6. 1. Hebr. 10. 39. 1 Peter 1. 18 22. and 2 Peter 1. 4. and 2. 18. 20. Romans 6. 3. 4. Gal. 3. 26 27. James 1. 18. Luke 14. 26 27. 33. Phil. 3. 3. 10. 2 Tim. 1. 5 6. with 1 Tim. 1. 5. There may be among them many feighâ—ned or halting believers That have yet believed but in vain still halting between two opinions or have not yet so crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts as to be renewed and purified in the Spirit of their minde from double-mindedness to have the heart fixed to seek rest wisdome righteousness and strength onely in him by an exercise of faith in him yea there may be many daughters and attenders who though in some good degree of simplicity waiting yet are not so of them of his Spiritual house and holy Priesthood Yet let all that hear say come Revelations 22. 17. 3. Aâ— to the seal and confirmation of the truth of this washing effecacy of the Spirit through the Gospel making meet for this inheritance it is such as in which they are sealed with the holy Spirit of promise even the same which is the earnest of the Apostles inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession by which fealing they are marked out and approved by God as unto the day of redemption so also as a peculiar people unto this service Ephes 1. 13 14. and 4. 30. By this manifesting himselfe unto them powring out abundantly of the Spirit of his Son into their hearts making known his words and so teaching and leading into the Spiritual injoyment and usefulness of the truth making Christ unto them all that which by the power of his word they are instructed and led to seek for in him even wisdome righteousness sanctification and redemption and so filling them with peace and joy through the power of the Holy Ghost in the belief of the truth quickning them to a lively hope by the resurrection of Christ Giving them access with boldness and confidence in him strengthning them to cry Abba Father by that Spirit of his Son opening the testimony of his Son believed and so spiritually sprinkling the blood of Christ and shedding abroad his love therethrough in their hearts making it usefull and powerfull to all those ends and purposes Also inriching them with some usefull understanding and gifts for the profit of others even as the testimony of Christ is confirmed in them so anointing and fitting them for ministring to him and in his name that through them others may be saved turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that in turning they also may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance with them that are sanctified by fiath that is in Christ John 14. 21. 23. and 17. 20. 23. 1 Cor. 1. 30 31. Rom. 5. 1. 11. and 15. 13 14. 1 Peter 1. 3. Ephes 3. 12. Romans 8. 15. Galatians 4. 6. 1 Corinthians 1. 5. and 12. 4 5 6 7. Acts 26. 17 18. A man may say he hath faith in Christ and so fellowship with the light and in so saying lye and deceive himself but if indeed he have it will be manifested by these works and fruits of it If
any man love God the same is known of him 1 Cor. 8. 2. with John 14. 21. 23. And as in any measure so sealed so far forth are they approved and as it were set apart by God to peculiar service in the Gospel And to be called forth and approved by their brethren Such therefore Jude instructs and incourageth to contend earnestly for the faith of the common salvation in Christ as once delivered to the Saints to be kept held fast and held forth by them Such I say as were sanctified by God the Father Namely with this sanctification of the Spirit which is the way fore-known and approved by him from the beginning for sanctifying persons unto himself by Christ in these last Ages so sanctified unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus preserved sometime and so found stedfast in Christ and called approved fitted and so appointed to such pecnliar service in the Gospel as also to such suffering for his sake as might be occasioned by such service Jude 1. 3. with 1 Peter 1. 2 3. 2. There is a dayly sanctification of themselves in the light and strength of the Lord that sanctifies them in and unto this service necessary to render them acceptable and profitable therein answering to that dayly and continuall tipical sanctification from tipical uncleanness wherewith the Levitical order and Priesthood were to sanctifie themselves and be sanctified to their service in which they were to sanctifie themselves and be sanctified cleansed and separated from those things in themselves in their own bodyes their marriages and works which according to the law did but tipcally defile and render unclean And also to be seperate from so as not to have to do with or touch any thing or person declared unclean by the law As we read Leviticus 21. and 22. with other Scriptures So here in the sanctification of the Spirit having these great and precious promises That the Lord will dwell in them by his word and Spirit in it even to sanctifie them According to those many Scriptures I the Lord do Sanctifie you Exodus 31. 13. Leviticus 20. 7 8. and 21. 8. 15. 23. and 22. 9. 16. Ezekiel 20. 12. c. And will also walke in them to manifest the savour of his knowledge by them They are in the light and strength of the Lord in whom they are what they are as such a House and Priesthood to cleanse themselves from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse so as in the feare of the Lord. 1. To lay aside put off and flee from those filthinesses and superfluities of naughtiness that are moved and rising up dayly from the old man the Law of sin still remaining and warring in the members the flesh lusting against the spirit as they have already in some measure been renewed in the spirit of their mind so to be alwayes putting off as concerning the former conversation the old man with his deeds and puting on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and holiness of truth as the anointing even the word of truth which they have heard from the begining and received of him which abideth in them as that teacheth even so by minding the things of that spirit and walking in the light and strength of it as by the mercies of God therein put to remembrance displayed and commended they are moved and strengthened so to present and yeild up their bodies their whole man in all their Actings a living sacrifice to him that so that spirit in the testimony of Jesus which hath begun to renew the mind may dayly fashion and transforme the whole man in all his actings into likenesse to him according to that renewing of the mind Jam. 1. 21. 1 Pet. 2. 1-3 Rom. 6. and 12. 1-3 According to those many instructions and exhortations Purge out the old leaven even as yea are unleavened for Christ our passeover is sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5. 7. Seeing yee have purified your souls in obeying the truth as in the previous sanctification forementioned see that yee love one another with a pure heart fervently 1 Peter 1. 22. If we live in the spirit let us walke in the spirit seeing we have already crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts as to the spirit of our mind we have gotten victory and escaped the errors and polutions of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour so as not withstanding all those hinderances by the flesh with its affections and lusts we have knowne believed and owned him or rather been owned by him as his peculiar people let us not therefore suffer iâ— to reigne or yeild up our minds or members to it but let us resigne our selves to God according to the renewing of the mind as those that are alive from the dead and our members as instruments of righteousnesse unto him Be not desirous of vaine glory c. Gal. 5. 16-24 25 26. with Rom. 6. So cleansing our selves dayly and in all our actings from all filthynesse of flesh grosser filthynesse as the lusts of the flesh and of the eye as Ephesians 5. 1-18 1 Tim. 6. 9-11 and 2. 22. And of the spirit the pride of life all those desires of wisedome strength and righteousnesse in our selves or of vaine glory to our selves c. Which doe all war against the soule and make us and our works uncleane they even defile our holy things 2. They are also to come out from amongst and be separate from uncleane persons and fellowships so as not to touch the uncleane thing that God may receive and own them as vessels in whom he takes pleasure to manifest himself in and through 2 Cor. 6. 14-17 18. with Isa 52. 11. Jer. 15. 19. To have no fellowship with the unfruitfull works of darkensse but rather reprove them to forsake the foolish to stand up from the dead c. Eph. 5. 11. 14. with Prov. 9. 6. And in this also they are to cleanse themselves from all filthyness of flesh and spirit from fellowship with men in their evill and uncleane principles and practises whether more gross or more refined whether more openly or privily denying the Lord that bought them and being enemies to the Cross of Christ the power of Godliness so as not to touch the unclean thing 2 Tim. 3. 1-5 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. Phil. 3. 17 18 19. Rom. 16. 17 18. Here this caution is warily to be observed vide that they are not to shut out such uncleane persons from them from listening to their word or doctrine or to forbid or hinder them from turning and coming in to them in their acknowledgement and worship but they the chosen generation are to separate and come out from them in their doctrines and fellowships principles and practises that are uncleane so as not to have any fellowship with the unfruitfull works of darknesse They are to cease to heare the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge
to perish and nigh to cutting off and burning For by means of his death he hath obtained power to forgive those sins that deserve a second death while it is yet to day that is before they be so finished in any as to procure the utter bloting out of their names out of the book of the living and so to save us from the wrath to come and hath received gifts for the rebellious that the Lord God might dwell among them Hebr. 7. 27. 9. 15. 1 John 2. 1 2. 1 Thess 1 10. Psal 68 18 19. 20. And is therein able to save to the utmost them that come to God by him as well as to hold open the dore for rebellious sinners approach and that he might bring them back from all their wanderings to God And all this because this man continueth for ever in the name and majesty of God his Father to improve for us that one offering of his owne body by which he hath obtained plenteous redemption even the forgivenesse of sins and in which he liveeth to appeare in the presence of God for us Though good men are perished from us and being taken away by death can be of no more personall usefulnesse to us for the dead know not any thing nor have any more a portion in any thing that is done under the Sun and so no simpathy with us in our present joyes or griefes nor is there any more that they can doe for us by speaking to us or praying for us for there is no worke or devise nor knowledge or wisedome in the grave nor have the dead any capacity or opportunity to perfect any thing left undone under the Sun They cannot praise him or celebrate his truth to the living nor hope or seeke for it for them Eccles 9. 5 10. Psal 6. 5. Isa 38. 18 19. Yet the Lord liveth and blessed be the God of the Rock of our Salvation 2 Sam. 22. 47. Psal 18. 46. For because he liveth for ever in that body in which he once dyed for us therefore also they that sleepe in Jesus and we that waite for him shall live together with him in a like consideration even in these bodyes that are now vile which then shall be fashioned into the likenesse of his glorious body yea therefore all shall be raised and stand before his judgement-seate to receive in their bodies according to the things done in them whether good or bad And therefore also they that waite on him shall not be ashamed but though they heere passe through the vally of the shaddow of death and may sit in darknesse as the fruit of their owne wayes yet looking to him he will be a light to them and his rod and staffe shall comfort and uphold them For he is able to uphold support preserve and deliver them when all other helpers and Saviours fail from them even yet to preserve his Church in the world as a people to his praise when their power is gone though those pillars be removed which were a strength to them and their enemies thought were their only foundations whence they encourage themselves saying if the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do But our God our Rock of salvation foundation and high Tower is in heaven he dyed once and â—an dye no more but is alive for evermore and hath the keyes of Hell and Death yea the Lord is in his holy Temple God hath set his King upon his holy Hill of Sion Therefore saith Micha I will looke unto the Lord I will waite for the God of thy salvation For 3 My God saith he will heare me He is ready to save to forgive and heale he delights in mercy that pleaseth him he hath no pleasure in the death of any or that any should perish but that they should come to repentance and be saved And therefore will not be wanting in seasonable admonitions to rebellious ones while it is to day yea will make his rods and reproofes powerfull to the awaking unto his righteousnesse to the giving wisdome and opening the eare to discipline and turning at his reproofe will farther power out his spirit and make knowne his words as is shewed before yea he the Lord of the harvest will yet raise up and thrust forth many more faithfull labourers into his vinyard if yet we be willing to be humbled under his mighty hand and seeke it of him after the due order for because of his infinite compassions kindnesse and pitty to man-ward that they may heare of the things that concerne their peace and learne to know and seare his name therefore he will not make his peculiar people an utter desolation in the carth bâ—t will preserve a Seed to serve him in their generation for the good of others Psalm 22 30 31. and 103. 1 7. 8. c. and 145. John 17. 15 20. Yea therefore the Lord will not forsake his people for his great names sake because it hath pleased the Lord to make them his people onely feare the Lord and serve him in truth with a perfect heart for consider how great things the Lord hath done for you 1 Sam. 12. 22. 24 For 4. These things considered will instruct incourage strengthen and admonish not to forsake him though all this evill be come upon us nor fly to any other mountaine or refuge for help but to fly to him trust in him and resigne our selves to his government for truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills and from the multitude of Mountaines truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israell yea he that is our God is the God of salvation and to God the Lord belong the issues from death Jeremiah 3. 23. Psalm 68. 20. And they that know thy name will trust in thee for thou Lord never forsakest them that seek thee Psalm 9. 10. But as for such as will still go on in their trespasses not regarding the work of the Lord nor the operation of his hands but still persist in their falling away and turning aside unto their crooked paths the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity he shall destroy and not build them up But peace upon Israel Psal 28. 5. and 125. 5. and 68. 20. 1 Sam. 12. 25. Heb. 10. 38 Seek we therefore the Lord and his strength seek his face evermore remember his marvelous works that he hath done his wonders and the judgements of his mouth he is the Lord our God his judgements are in all the earth Psal 105. 4 5 7. FINIS Post-Script WHereas in page 20. speaking of the examining a mans selfe and so eating the Supper of the Lord to which we are instructed 1 Cor. 11. 28. I have written That it is not to search for know or take notice of the goodnesse of our owne frames or qualifications as things rendâ—ring us worthy or by which we may come nâ—r in this case or to such an end are we so to examine or