might preach c. Gal. 1. 15 16. Blessed be God c. according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world c. Having predestinated us unto the Adoption of children by Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of his grace c. Having made known to us the mistery of his will according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself c. Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will Ephes. 1. 4 5 6 9 11. Which in other ages was not made known c. That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ Ephes. 3. 5 6. Work out your own salvation c. for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. Giving thanks to the father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the saints in light who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son Col. 1. 12 13. Knowing c. Your election of God for our Gospel came not unto you in word but also in power c. 1 Thes. 1. 4 5. God hath not appointed us unto wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord 1 Thes. 5. 9. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation c. Whereunto he called you by our Gospel 2 Thes. 2. 13 14. God who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began 2 Tim. 1. 8 9. I endure all things for the elects sake c. Who concerning the truth have erred c. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal the Lord knoweth them that are his 2 Tim. 2. 10 18 19. If they shall enter into rest although the works were finished from the foundation of the world Heb. 4. 3. To the strangers c. Elect according to the foreknowledg of God the father 1 Pet. 1. 1 2. Being disobedient whereto they were appointed but ye are a chosen generation a royal priesthood a peculiar or a purchased people that ye may shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness c. 1 Pet. 2. 8 9 10. The God of all grace who hath called us into his eternal glory c. 1 Pet. 5. 10. They went out from us c. That they might be made manifest that they were not all of us 1 John 2. 19. All who dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the Book of life of the Lamb Rev. 13. 8. And they who dwell on the earth shall wonder whose names were not written in the Book of life from the foundation of the World when c. Rev. 17. 8. CHAP. X. Pardon and remission of sins reconciliation and peace with God Justification and Sanctification before God eternal-life and Salvation free through the grace of God only by the death sacrifice and sufferings of Christ without Works In General THis is the true grace of God wherein ye stand 1 Pet. 5. 12. The Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ John 1. 17. If by grace then is it no more works otherwise grace is no more grace but if it be of works then is it no more of grace otherwise work is no more work c. That he might have mercy on all O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom c. Rom. 11. 6 32 33. We are the Circumcision who worship God in spirit rejoyce in Christ have no confidence in the flesh Phil. 3. 3. We are come c. to the blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things than that of Abel Heb. 12. 24. Who testified before-hand the sufferings of Christ and the glory which should follow 1 Pet. 1. 11. In Particular Pardon of Sins The Lord proclaimed himself The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth c. Forgiving iniquity transgression and sin Exod. 34. 6 7. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven whose sin is covered blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Psal. 32. 1 2 5. As for our transgressions thou shalt purge them away Psal. 65. 3. But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared Psal. 130. 4. Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow though they be red as crimson they shall be as wooll Isa. 1. 18. I am he who blotteth out thy transgression for mine own sake and will not remember thy sins Isa. 43. 35. I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions and as a cloud thy sins Sing O Heavens for the Lord hath done it Isa. 44. 22 23. He was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities c. the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all c. he shall bear their iniquities Isa. 53. 5 6 11. Let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and unto our God for he will abundantly pardon or multiply pardons for my thoughts are not your thoughts c. Isa. 55. 7 8 9. I will make a new Covenant c. for I will forgive their iniquity and will remember their sins no more Jer. 31. 31 34. Heb. 10. 17 18. I will cleanse them from all their iniquity whereby they have sinned against me and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned against me and whereby they have transgressed against me Jer. 33. 8. In those days and in that time saith the Lord the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for and there shall be none and the sins of Judah and they shall not be found for I will pardon them whom I reserve Jer. 50. 20. Seventy weeks are determined c. to finish the transgression and to make an end of sins and to make reconciliation for iniquity c. the Messiah shall be cut off but not for himself c. Dan. 9. 24 26. Who is a God like unto thee who pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage c. thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea Mic. 7. 18 19. In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness Zech. 13. 1. Thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins Mat. 1. 21. Jesus said to the sick of the Palsie Son be of good cheer thy sins be forgiven thee c. Ye may know that the Son
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 governour 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. Get thee behind me Satan for it is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Matt. 4. 10. Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them Matt. 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 Act. 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 of 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 Act. 24. 14. God whom I serve with my spirit c. The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are cleerly seen being understood by the things which are made his eternal power and godhead so that they are 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 lye 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 fervent in spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12. 11. 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. We are the circumcision who worship God in the spirit Phil. 3. 3. When he bringeth in the first begotten into the world he saith and let all the Angels of God worship him Heb. 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 priest-hood to offer up spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. No man hath seen God at any time 1 John 4. 12. Fear God and give 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. Worship God Rev. 19. 10. chap. 22. 9. Sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts 1 Pet. 3. 15. See more of Idolatry and worshipping strange Gods c. Chap. 39. 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 Christs 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 the audience of the people and they said All that the Lord hath said will we do and be obedient Exod. 24. 2 4 7. And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them according unto all that I shew thee after the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all the instruments thereof even so shall ye make Exod. 25. 8 9. In the tabernacle without the vail which is before the testimony Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening till morning before the Lord c. Exod. 27. 21. And these are the garments which they shall make a breast-plate c. And they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother and his sons that they may minister unto me in the Priests office c. Exod. 28. 4 5 8 c. They made the holy garments for Aaron as the Lord commanded Moses Exod. 39. 1. Thus did Moses according unto all that the Lord commanded him so did he c. he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle c. as the Lord commanded Moses c. And he lighted the lamps before the Lord as the Lord commanded Moses c. When they came near unto the Altar they washed as the Lord commanded Moses Exod. 40. 16 19 21 23 25 27 29. Levit. 8. 4 5 36. Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron c. offered strange fire which he commanded them not and there went out fire from the Lord and devoured them and they dyed before the Lord. And Moses said unto Aaron This is that the Lord spake I will be sanctified in
beyond the Authors present design or intendment 't is already done by one or other to good purpose every day In them the Lord hath dilucidly displayed that Counsel of his Will that is of infinite concernment to us to understand in order to our present being accepted of him here and at last brought to the fullest enjoyment of himself in glory 'T is wonderful to behold how full and perfect this Word is with respect to this end What can man desire to know which is necessary hereunto that the light thereof discovers not What direction can he expect by which he may be fortified against all enemies of his good either within or without him that is not there given What encouragements would he have which are not therein displayed before him And what Cavils can be brought against any part of Truth contained therein to which they themselves yield not a full resolve one place of Scripture so exactly clearing expounding and illustrating another yet to amazement it s observ'd That man who is so highly and principally concerned in it doth too too little value it he can weary himself in any secular affair but diligently to search the Scriptures according to our Lords advice is to him tedious and burdensom Few covet to be mighty in the Scriptures though convinced their great concern is inveloped in them A spirit of self-fulness pride spiritual sloth drowsiness and deadness lyes at the bottom of this sinful neglect To encourage awaken persons to a more diligent thorow search of the mind of God herein is a service no less profitable than seasonable at this day And what greater external encouragement than to make that facile and easie which seem'd inconquerably arduous and difficult This is the design of the ensuing Treatise nor is the Author altogether without hopes wherein he hath the concurring-judgment of several eminently learned and judicious Divines who have perused it but by the blessing of God it may have a singular tendency to the enlightning of some and establishing of others in divine Tuths when uno intuitu they see the Scriptures upon which they are built and enabling them with ease to confute gainsayers This hath prevailed upon him to give leave for the publishing of it fot the Common good having found it to be of great use to himself to the ends before-mentioned For here the several Texts of Holy Scripture which lie scattered in the book of God are collected together transcribed and placed in the order as they lie in the Bible under several and particular Heads a fruit of many years labour in frequent reading through the whole Old and New Testament with serious thoughts upon it and prayer to God to the end the scope and meaning of the Holy Ghost in each Text might be found out And where any Subject is fallen on and mentioned in the general head and sometimes also in a particular head there for the most part is to be found all that relate to that matter immediately following under particular heads or subdivisions to the end that the whole thereof may be met with together or at least there are references to some other general or particular head where it is placed more properly And here note Christian Reader That thou hast not only the places positive to the Subject there but also such which are any ways argumentative or enforcing whether by Examples the equity of the things the nature of God his approbation of Promises to or threatnings against it or any way illustrating or expounding of it by whatsoever terms they are expressed whereof a little use of this Treatise will soon give thee a full evidence But to prevent prejudice and mistakes and give thee some light in the way and method the Author hath taken He proposeth to thy observation these few things following First To prevent prejudice do the Author and thy self this right Not to make a judgment by the reading of one or two Texts at the beginning of any head for possibly they may not at the first blush seem to thee so pertinent to the matter as others do which follow they may be only argumentative and not positive For the Author so placed them on purpose that they might run in order as they lie in the Bible that the Reader might go to any Text of either Testament without turning backward and forward and for other advantages and thence it happens sometimes That the Scriptures less to the purpose first occur to thy View Likewise pass not sentence upon any Text thou shalt find under any head as impertinent to the Subject there until thou hast seriously weighed the same for possibly in so doing thou mayst discern something in that Scripture which thou never didst observe before nor mightest have taken notice of had not the Head or Subject there turned thy thoughts upon it And then the Author doubteth not but that the Composure it self when judiciously considered will prevent this Censure That it 's a needless Work as having been done already by others This being a thing of another nature than any yet extant and will be helpful at another rate For notwithstanding any other helps the finding out of apt Scriptures for illustrating confirming and making use of any Truth which may be upon the thoughts of any have been as it is a difficult and laborious Work and thence men oft-times use Scriptures either not Apt according to the intent of the Holy Ghost there or such the genuine sense of which is doubted And for the use of Concordances herein each mans memory must record the Scriptures for they must first occur to his thoughts then his judgment must fix upon some word therein under which the Text is placed and 't is possible not hit the right term under which it is and oft-times look a long time ere he come to it because of the multitude of words there used and happily miss at last too and be put upon searching under another term But here thou mayst only turn to the Subject thou enquirest after and without any such steps find Scriptures full and apt thereto by whatsoever Terms or Phrases they are expressed occur to your Eye at an instant and almost if not altogether all the Scripture affords to that Subject and present thee with matter of Enlargement which possibly thou thoughtest not of Secondly To give thee some light in the Method and to help thee in the use of this First Take notice that in Chap. 13. of Saints failings The first Texts are to prove each person his Saintship then the next following their failings and this is done on purpose that it might appear they are the failings of Saints and so proper to the Head 2dly Note also That the words within a Parenthesis beginning with or are the Marginal Readings 3dly Some general Heads have no particulars following but the whole placed under that general Head This is so done either because the Texts which the Scripture affords to that Subject are but
89. 14. The Lord is God his mercy is everlasting Psal. 100. 5. The Lord is merciful c. He will not alway chide c. As the heaven is high above the earth so great is his mercy towards them who fear him c. Like as a father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them who fear him for he knoweth our frame he remembreth that we are dust Psal. 103. 8 9 11 13 14. His mercy endureth for ever c. Psal. 136. 1 2 c. Where c. is the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies Isa. 63. 15. I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you for I am merciful saith the Lord I will not keep anger for ever c. Jer. 3. 12. To the Lord our God belongs mercy c. Dan. 9. 9. I knew that thou a gracious God and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness and repentest thee of the evil c. Jonah 4. 2. Joel 2. 13. Who is a God like unto thee who pardoneth iniquity c. he retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy Micah 7. 18. Remission of their sins Through the tender mercies or bowels of mercy of our God whereby the day-spring from on high c. Luk. 1. 77 78. 12thly He is long-suffering and patient The Lord c. Longsuffering c. Exod. 34. 6. Psal. 86. 15. The Lord is long-suffering c. Num. 14. 18. Thou art a God c. slow to anger c. Nehem. 9. 17. Psal. 103. 8. Despisest thou the c. forbearance and long-suffering c. Rom. 2. 4. 13. He is Gracious Good Kind and Bountiful I am gracious Exod. 22. 27. The Lord God merciful and gracious c. abundant in goodness c. Exod. 34. 6. Thou a God c. gracious c. and of great kindness Nehem. 9. 17 31. For the Lord God a sun and shield no good thing will he withhold from them who walk uprightly Psal. 84. 11. For the Lord is good c. Psal. 100. 5. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness c. The Lord is gracious c. The Lord is good to all c. Psal. 145. 7 8 9. Let him who glorieth glory in this that c. he knoweth me That I am the Lord who exerciseth loving kindness c. in the earth for in these things I delight saith the Lord c. Jer. 9. 24. The Lord your God for he is c. Of great kindness c. Joel 2. 13. Jonah 4. 2. Not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance Rom. 2. 4. The forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace wherein he hath abounded towards us c. Ephes. 1. 7. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us through Jesus Christ Ephes. 2. 7. The God of all grace who hath called us c. 1 Pet. 5. 10. 14. He is faithfulness and truth The Lord c. abundant in goodness and truth Exod. 34. 6. God is not a man that he should lye c. Hath he said and shall he not do it Or hath he spoken and shall he not make it good Numb 23. 19. Heb. 6. 18. Know therefore that the Lord thy God he is God the faithful God who keepeth covenant c. To a thousand generations c. Deut. 7. 9. 1 Cor. 1. 9. 2 Tim. 2. 13. Thou art that God and thy words be true and thou hast promised 2 Sam. 7. 28. Heb. 10. 23. The heavens shall praise thy wonders O Lord thy faithfulness also in the congregation of thy saints c. Mercy and truth shall go before thy face c. Nevertheless my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail Psal. 89. 5 14 33. Psal. 36. 5. Deut. 32. 4. The Lord is good c. His truth endureth to all generations Psal. 100. 5. Psal. 117. 2. He will ever be mindful of his covenant c. The work of his hands are verity c. Are done in truth and uprightness Psal. 111. 5 7 8. Happy is he c. whose hope is in the Lord his God c. Who keepeth truth for ever Psal. 146. 5 6. He who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth and he who sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth Isa. 65. 16. Great is thy faithfulness c. Out of the mouth of the most high proceedeth not evil and good c. Lam. 3. 23 38. God is faithful and will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able c. 1 Cor. 10. 13. 1 Thes. 5. 24. Commit the keeping of their souls c. as unto a faithful creatour 1 Pet. 4. 19. How long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge c. Rev. 6. 10. 15. He is unchangeable I am the Lord I change not therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed c. Mal. 3. 6. God willing c. To shew to the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an oath That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye c. Heb. 6. 17 18. The father of lights with whom is no variableness or shadow of turning James 1. 17. 16. He is infinite and unsearchable Unto God would I commit my cause Who doth great things and unsearchable c. Job 5. 9. chap. 37. 5. Who doeth great things past finding out c. Lo he goeth by me and I see him not he passeth on also but I perceive him not Job 9. 10 11. Canst thou by searching find out God canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection Job 11. 7. By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens c. lo these are parts of his ways but how little a portion is heard of him Job 26. 14. Behold God is great and we know him not neither can the number of his years be searched out Job 36. 26. Touching the Almighty we cannot find him out he is excellent in power c. Job 37. 23. Thy way is in the sea and thy path in the great waters and thy footsteps are not known Psal. 77. 19. O Lord how great are thy works and thy thoughts are very deep Psal. 92. 5. Great is the Lord c. and his greatness is unsearchable Psal. 145. 3. Great is our Lord c. his understanding is unsearchable Psal. 147. 5. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit nor how the bones do grow in the womb c. even so thou knowest not the work of God who maketh all Eccl. 11. 5. Hast thou not known hast thou not heard the everlasting God c. There is no searching of his understanding Isa. 40. 28. Neither knoweth any man the father save the son and he to whomsoever the son will reveal him Matt. 11. 27. O the depth of the riches both
glory of the Lord c. are changed into the same image c. by the spirit 2 Cor. 3. 17 18. We having the same spirit of faith according as it is written I believed and therefore have I spoken we also believe and therefore speak 2 Cor. 4. 13. In this we groan earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house from heaven c. that mortallity might be swallowed up of life We are willing to be absent from the body that we may be present with the Lord wherefore we labour that whether present c. we may be accepted of him c. knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we perswade men c. The love of Christ constraineth us c. If any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are past away behold all things as become new 2 Cor. 5. 2 4 8 9 11 14 17. Jesus Christ is in you except you be reprobates c. We can do nothing against the truth but for the truth 2 Cor. 13. 5 8. When it pleased God c. to reveal his Son in me that I might preach him c. immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood Gal. 1. 15 16. I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me Gal. 2. 20. The works of the flesh are manifest which are adultery c. but the fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance and they who are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections or passions and lusts Gal. 5. 19 20 21 22 23 24. God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom or whereby the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world for in Jesus Christ circumcision availeth nothing c. but a new creature Gal. 6. 14 15. This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord That ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their minds c. But ye have not so learned Christ. If so be that ye have heard him and have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus Ephes. 4. 17 18 19 20 21. For the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness righteousness and truth Eph. 5. 9. Some preach Christ out of envy and strife c. what then notwithstanding in every way whether in pretence or in truth Christ is preached and therein do I rejoyce yea and I will rejoyce Phil. 1. 15 16 17 18. We are the circumcision who worship God in the spirit rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh c. What things were gain to me those I count loss for Christ yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledg of Christ Jesus my Lord c. that I might know him and the power of his resurrection c. and be made conformable unto his death if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead not as though I had already attained or were already perfect but I follow after c. but this one thing forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before I press towards the mark c. let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded c. Our conversation is in heaven from whence we look for the Saviour c. Phil. 3. 3. 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 20. I have learned in whatsoever estate I am therewith to be content I know how to be abased and I know how to abound every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need I can do all things through Christ who strengthneth me Phil. 4. 11 12 13. And bringeth forth fruits as it doth also in you since the day ye heard and knew the grace of God in truth Col. 1. 6. If ye be risen with Christ seek those things which are above c. Set your affections on things above not on things on the earth c. seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledg after the image of him who created him Colos. 3. 1 2 9 10. Remembring without ceasing your work of faith and labour of love c. knowing beloved your election of God For our Gospel came not unto you in word only but also in power c. and ye became followers of us and of the Lord having received the word in much affliction c. ye turned to God c. to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son 1 Thes. 1. 3 4 5 6 9 10. The word of God which effectually worketh also in you who believe for ye brethren became followers of the Churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus for ye also have suffered like things of your own Countrey-men 1. Thes. 2. 13 14. Ye brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief ye are the children of the light c. 1 Thes. 5. 4 5. I thank Jesus Christ our Lord who hath enabled me c. who was before a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious but I obtained mercy c. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the chief 1 Tim. 1. 12 13 15. Let every one who nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity 2 Tim. 2. 19. He who is entred into his rest hath ceased from his own works Hebr. 4. 10. They who believe desire a better countrey that is an heavenly c. Moses c. chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt c. Heb. 11. 16 24 25 26. Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12. 14. If any among you seem to be religious and bridle not his tongue but deceiveth his own heart this mans religion is vain Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction to keep himself unspotted from the world James 1. 26 27. What doth it profit my brethren though a man say he hath faith and have not works c. faith if it hath not works is dead c. I will shew thee my faith by my works c. Faith without works is dead also James 2. 14 18 26. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledg amongst you let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom But if ye have bitter envying c. this wisdom descendeth not from above c. but the wisdom which is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle and easie to be entreated full of mercy and good fruits without
love Prov. 27. 5. He who rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he who flattereth with the tongue Prov. 28. 23. If thy brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him his fault between him and thee alone c. If he will not hear thee then take one or two more c. Matth. 18. 15 16 17. Luke 17. 3 4. Ye also are full of goodness filled with all knowledg able to admonish one another Rom. 15. 4. Paul rebuked Peter for not walking uprightly Gal. 2 11 12 13 14. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly c. teaching and admonishing one another Col. 3. 16. Comfort or exhort your selves together and edifie one another even as also ye do c. Warn them who are unruly or disorderly comfort the feeble-minded 1 Thes. 5. 11 14. If any man obey not c. have no company with him c. but admonish him as a brother 2 Thes. 3. 14 15. 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 c. Them that sin rebuke before all that others also may fear 1 Tim. 5. 1 2 20. Exhort one another daily c. lest any of you be hardned through the decitsulness of sin Heb. 3. 12 13. Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works not forsaking the assemblings of your selves c. but exhorting one another Heb. 10. 24 25. Brethren if any one of you do err from the truth and one convert him let him know that he c. shall save a soul from death and shall hide c. James 5. 19 20. Of some have compassion making a difference and others save with fear pulling them out of the fire hating even the garment spotted by the flesh Jude verse 20. 22 23. See Discipline Chap. 27. To take rebuke admonition c. well from each other When David had rashly resolved to cut off all Nabals family and Abigail had met him and humbly and wisely admonished him David accepts of the advice and saith Blessed be the Lord God of Israel who sent thee this day to meet me and blessed be thy advice and blessed be thou who hast kept me this day from shedding of blood c. I have hearkned to thy voice 1 Sam. 25. 22 23 24 25 to the 35. When Nathan had told David his sin in the matter of Uriah David said I have sinned against the Lord 2 Sam. 12. 7 13. When Joab had told the King of his errour in mourning so for Absalom as to discourage his subjects who had fought for him David hearkned and arose and sate in the gate as Joab advised 2 Sam. 19. 5 6 7 8. Let the righteous smite me it shall be a kindness and let him reprove me it shall be as excellent oyl which shall not break my head Psal. 141. 5. A wise man will hear and will increase learning Prov. 1. 5. Reprove not a scorner lest he hate thee rebuke a wise man and he will love thee give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser c. Prov. 9. 8 9. He is in the way of life who keepeth instruction but he who refuseth reproof erreth or causeth to err Prov. 10. 17. Whosoever loveth instruction loveth knowledg but he who hateth reproof is brutish c. he who hearkneth unto counsel is wise Prov. 12. 1 15. A wise son heareth his fathers instruction but a scorner heareth not rebuke c. Poverty and shame to him who refuseth instruction but he who regardeth reproof shall be honoured Prov. 13. 1 18. A fool despiseth his fathers instruction but he who regardeth reproof is prudent c. He who hateth reproof shall die c. A scorner loveth not one who reproveth c. The ear which heareth reproof of life abideth among the wise He who refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul c. Prov. 15. 5 10 12 31 32. A reproof entreth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool Prov. 17. 10. As an ear-ring of gold c. so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear Prov. 25. 12. He who being often reproved hardneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy c. The rod and reproof gives wisdom Prov. 29. 1 15. Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth Gal. 4. 16. Submit your selves one to another in the fear of God Ephes. 5. 21. Ye younger submit your selves unto the elder yea all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility 1 Pet. 5. 5. 7thly To confess sin to and pray each for other When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit to do a trespass against the Lord c. then they shall confess their sin which they have done and he shall recompence his trespass c. and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed Numb 5. 6 7. And many who believed came and confessed and shewed their deeds c. Acts 19. 18 19. Paul confesseth that beyond measure he persecuted the Church of God and wasted it c. Gal. 1. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 12 13. Confess your fault one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed Jam. 5. 16. If a man see his brother sin a sin not unto death he shall ask and he shall give him life for them who sin not unto death 1 John 5. 16. 8thly To be of one mind Behold how good and how pleasant is it for brethren to dwell together in Unity like the precious ointment upon the head c. Psal. 133. 1 2. Christ prays that they may be kept that they may be one as we are c. Joh. 19. 11 12. And the multitude of them who believed were of one heart and of one soul c. Acts 4. 32. We being many are one body in Christ and every one members one of another c. Be of the same mind one towards another Rom. 12. 5 16. Now the God c. grant you to be like-minded one towards another according to Christ Jesus that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorifie God even the father Rom. 15. 5 6. I beseech you brethren c. that ye all speak the same things and that there be no division but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment 1 Cor. 1. 10 12. Whereas there is among you c. divisions Are ye not carnal c One faith I am of Paul c. 1 Cor. 3. 3 4. When ye come together in the Church I hear there be divisions among you c. 1 Cor. 11. 18 23. Finally brethren c. be of one mind 2 Cor. 13. 11. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace c. one body and one spirit Ephes. 4. 3 4 5. That ye stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving
he rent his cloaths c. and he commanded c. Go and enquire of the Lord for me and for the people c. for great is the wrath of the Lord c. Tell the man that sent you to me c. I will bring evil upon this place c. But to the king c. because thine heart was tender and thou hast humbled thy self c. thine eyes shall not see all the evil c. 2 Kings 22. 11 12 13 15 16 18 19 20. I will not remove mine integrity c. my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live Job 27. 5 6. Now when they heard this they were pricked in their heart and said c. what shall we do Acts 2. 37. Paul said c. I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day Acts 23. 1. And herein do I exercise my self to have always a conscience void of offence towards God and towards man Acts 24. 16. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts their conscience also bearing them witness or the conscience witnessing with them and their thoughts the mean while or between themselves accusing or else excusing one another Rom. 2. 15 16. I say the truth in Christ I lye not my conscience also bearing me witness in the holy Ghost Rom. 9. 1. Wherefore ye must needs be subject not only for wrath but for conscience sake Rom. 13. 5. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles eat asking no question for conscience-sake for the earth is the Lords c. If any of them who believe not bid you c. whatsoever is before you eat asking no queston for conscience-sake but if any man say unto thee this is offered to idols eat not for his sake c. and for conscience-sake c. Conscience I say not thine own but of the others for why is my liberty judged of another mans conscience c Give none offence neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles nor to the Church of God 1 Cor. 10. 25 26 27 28 29 32. chap. 8. 7. Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdom c. 2 Cor. 1. 12. By manifestation of the truth commended our selves to every mans conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4. 2. We are made manifest unto God and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences 2 Cor. 5. 11. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience c. holding faith and a good conscience which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwrack 1 Tim. 1. 5. 19. Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience 1 Tim. 3. 9. The Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith c. speaking lyes in hypocrisie having their conscience feared with a hot iron forbidding to marry c. 1 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. I thank God whom I serve c. with pure conscience 2 Tim. 1 3. Unto them who are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their mind and conscience is defiled Titus 1. 15. In which were offered both gifts and sacrifices which could not make him who did the service perfect as pertaining to the conscience c. If the blood of bulls and goats sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh how much more shall the blood of Christ c. purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God Heb. 9. 9 13 14. The law having a shadow of good things c. can never with those sacrifices they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect then would they not have ceased to be offered because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins but in those sacrifices there is a remembrance c. Let us draw-near c. having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience c. Heb. 10. 1 2 3 22. We trust we have a good conscience in all things willing to live honestly Heb. 13. 18. This is thank-worthy if a man for conscience towards God endure grief suffering wrongfully 1 Pet. 2. 19. Having a good conscience that whereas they speak evil of you c. Baptism doth also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus 1 Pet. 3. 16 21. Let us not love in word c. Hereby we know c. for if our heart condemn us God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things beloved if our heart condemn us not then have we confidence towards God 1 John 3. 13 19 20 21. CHAP. XXX Of the Devil of his subtilty wiles and ways by himself and in and by his instruments wicked men false-teachers deceivers and seducers The description of them and what concerns the Saints therein First Of Satan the Devil himself NOW the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made and he said unto the woman yea because or hath God said Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden the woman said c. We may eat c. but of the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden God hath said Ye shall not eat of it neither shall ye touch it left ye die And the serpent said unto the woman Ye shall not surely die for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof then your eyes shall be open and ye shall be as gods knowing good and evil and the woman saw that the tree was good Gen. 3. 1. 2 3 4 5 6. And Satan stood up against Israel and provoked David to number Israel 1 Chron. 21. 1. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan or the adversary came also among or in the midst of them c. The Lord said to Satan From whence comest thou then said he c. from going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it c. He said Doth Job serve God for nought hast thou not made a hedg about him c put forth thine hand and touch that which he hath and he will curse thee to thy face c. then Satan having leave given him destroyed all he had Job 1. 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 to the end chap. 2. 1 2 3. Hast thou considered my servant Job c still he holdeth fast his integrity although thou movedst me against him to destroy him without a cause And Satan answered the Lord and said Skin for skin yea and all that a man hath will he give for his life but put forth thine hand now and touch his bone and his flesh and he will curse thee to thy face and the Lord said He is in thine hand but or only save his life So went Satan c. and smote Job
the devil about the body of Moses durst not bring against him a railing accusation but said The Lord rebuke thee Jude verse 9. The devil shall cast some of you into prison c. Thou dwellest where Satans seat is Rev. 2. 10 13. Them of the Synagogue of Satan c. Rev. 3. 9. There was war in heaven Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon c. and the great Dragon was cast out that old serpent called the Devil and Satan who deceiveth the whole world he was cast out into the earth and his Angels c. with him c. The accuser of the brethren is cast down who accused them before our God day and night c. Wo unto the inhabiters of the earth c. for the devil is come down unto you having c. Rev. 12. 7 8 9 10 11 12. Satan laid hold on bound cast into the pit and sealed up from deceiving c. let loose again Rev. 20. 2dly The instruments of Satan Seducers Deceivers c. Saints Duty The Prophets prophesie lyes in my name I sent them not neither have I commanded them neither spake unto them they prophesie unto you a false vision and divination and a thing of nought and the deceit of their heart Jer. 14. 14 15. Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheeps cloathing but inwardly they are ravening wolves ye shall know them by their fruits c. Matth. 7. 15 16. Take heed that no man deceive you for many shall come in my name and say I am Christ and shall deceive many c. many false prophets shall arise and deceive many c. Then if any shall say unto you Lo here is Christ or there is Christ believe it not for there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect Behold I have told you before wherefore if they shall say unto you behold He is in the desert c. go not forth c. for as the lightning cometh out of the east c. so shall also the coming of the Son of man c. Matth. 24. 4 5 11 23 24 25 26 27. Ye receive me not if another shall come in his own name him ye will receive John 5. 43. Elymas c. seeking to turn away the Deputy from the faith c. Paul c. said O full of subtilty and all mischief thou child of the Devil thou enemy of all righteousness wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord c Acts 13. 7 8 9 10 11. 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 therefore watch Acts 20. 28 29 30 31. Mark them who cause divisions c. contrary to the doctrine c. and avoid them for they who are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple Rom. 16. 17 18. There must be also heresies among you that they who are approved might be made c. 1 Cor. 11. 19. How say some among you That there is no resurrection from the dead 1 Cor. 15. 12. Them who desire occasion c. for such are false Apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ c. Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of light therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be transformed into the ministers of righteousness whose ends shall be according to their works c. Ye suffer fools gladly c. Ye suffer if a man bring you into bondage if a man devour if a man take if a man exalt himself c. smite you on the face 2 Cor. 11. 12 13 14 15 19 20. There be some who trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ though we or an Angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that we have preached unto you let him be accursed as we have before so say I now again If any man preach any other Gospel unto you than that ye have received let him be accursed Gal. 1. 7 8 9. False brethren who came in privily to spy out our liberty c. that they might bring us into bondage to whom we gave place by subjection no not for an hour that the truth of the Gospel may continue with you but of these who seem to be c. Gal. 2. 3 4 5 6. They zealously affect you but not well yea they would exclude you that you might affect them Gal. 4. 17. As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh they constrain you to be circumcised only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ for neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law but desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh Gal. 6. 12 13. Be no more children tossed c. with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive Ephes. 4. 14. This I say lest any should beguile you with inticing words c. Beware lest any one spoil you through philosophy and vain deceits after the traditions of men after the rudiments of this world and not after Christ c. Let no man judg you in meat c or for eating c. intruding into those things which he hath not seen c. and not holding the head c. Why are ye subject to ordinances c touch not c. Col. 2. 4 8 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23. Let no man deceive you by any means c. that man of sin c. who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God c. then shall that wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them who perish because they received not the love of the truth c. for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned c. 2 Thess. 2. 2 3 4 8 9 10 11 12. Charge some that they teach no other doctrine neither give heed to Jewish fables c. some have swerved having turned aside to vain janglings desiring to be teachers of the law understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirm 1 Tim. 1. 3 4 6 7 8. Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter days some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils speaking lyes in hypocrisie having their