Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	world_n	worldly_a	worship_v	36	3	7.6802	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89274	Mercies for man. Prepared in, and by Christ, even for such as neither know them, nor him. Discovered, that they might know, and enjoy them. Or a discourse of the interest there is for all men in, and by Christ in the end, and usefulmesse of the beleevers peculiar priviledges and service. In which is also some information about that service to which the grace of God, that bringeth salvation to all men, instructeth, and obligeth the beleever for the good of them all, according to capacity, and opportunity given him. Likewise some directions for, and concerning Christian magistrates. In the opening some instructions arising from the Apostles exhortation to Timothy, 1 Tim. 2.1, 2. Delivered in November 1653. at the Munday meetings at Black-Friers: and because what then was spoken, met with some publick opposition, this is now published for further satisfaction. Written by Thomas Moor, Junior.	Moore, Thomas, Junior.	1654 (1654)	Wing M2605; Thomason E744_1; ESTC R207022	135,708	156

of godliness and honesty to get peace with any or live quietly with them that will be worthily reputed a loving the things of the world and the love and fellowships of or peace with men more then him or the praise of men more then the praise that comes of God alone and will render a man unworthy of him Mat. 10. 32 39. John 12. 42 43. Yet a man living in all godliness and honestly he may lead his life quietly and peaceably with and amongst those that are ungodly turbulent unjust and devising deceitful matters against him and that for Christs sake and the Gospels or at least he may endeavour it as much as is possible by being for peace even while they are for war Psal 35. 13 14 20. and 120. 6 7. and yet not joyne or comport with them in their ungodly principles or wayes nor allow or have fellowship with their unfruitful works of darkness but in a constant holding fast faith and a good conscience exercising himself in godliness and honesty be alwayes fleeing from and avoiding them departing from iniquity according to the teaching of that name and grace of Christ professed by him and so reproving them bearing witness and striving against their sin and that with meekness long-suffering and doctrine and yet with constancy Heb. 12. 3 4. 2 Tim. 2. 19 26. and 4. 1 5. However then this is first to be minded the Saints of God such as through grace believe they are to lead their lives and be continually exercised each according to their capacity in godliness and honesty Godliness is the true or right worshipping of God the honouring or glorifying of him and walking in a right acknowledgement of him in all things and so in service of him according to the teachings of that grace that brings salvation to all men which in that appearance of it by Christ teacheth that denying all ungodliness we should live godly See it explicated by this Apostle 1 Tim. 4. 8 10. Having exhorted Timothy to exercise himself to godliness on this account that it's profitable to all things he proves that thus verse 10. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God who is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe where comparing the verses it appears that the trusting in and so the whole worshipping of the living God in and according to that declaration of his name in his Son where he hath revealed himself to be the living God the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe This is godliness or right worshipping of God and so to be exercised herein and hereto was to exercise himself to godliness which he should finde profitable to all things even to his teaching and strengthening in this present day to all his service and suffering And so with this 1 Tim. 4. 7 8 10. agrees that description of a godly person Psal 1. He that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly nor stands in the way of sinners nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful he refuseth foolish and unlearned questions and positions of science falsely so called such teachings counsels and documents about the worship and acknowledgement of God or of Christ as in which God in Christ is not honoured according to his word But the great testimony of God concerning him which is the summe of all the matter of the Fathers teaching or learning Joh. 6. 45. Eph. 4. 20 22. and the key of knowledge for opening all things pertaining to the knowledg and worship of God is laid by And so the fear and worship taught by the precepts of men or after the wisdom of this world which is foolishness with God and teaches enmity to the truth and way of worshipping God as it is in Jesus he avoids refuseth and shuns such ungodliness and also flees youthful and fleshly or worldly lusts and exerciseth himself to godliness 1 Tim. 4. 7. and 6. 11. 2 Tim. 2. 22 23. that is as in the Psalm his delight and continual exercise is in the law or doctrine of the Lord the old Commandment preached from the beginning the testimony of God concerning Christ the law of liberty as explicated James 1. 25. he looketh into it and continueth therein his faith his fear his whole worship acknowledgement and service is taught by and according thereto he shall be stable successful and so blessed in his deed and accordingly we have a description of ungodly persons though having a form of godliness yet denying the power the root and life thereof And with it a declaration of the general reason they are so unstable and easily tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine as Psal 1. 4. with Eph. 4. 14. and do so much miscarry in their apprehensions of all things pertaining to the knowledge and worship of God They erre in vision they stumble in judgement Isa 28. 7. and 29. 9. the description of them I say and the general reason of such their erring and instability we have Isa 29. 11. The vision of all was become unto them as the words of a book that is sealed c. and so rendered by them to others and this fundamental blindness it may seem God had now in part given them up unto but it was because they had first wilfully closed their own eyes and made it their own proper wilful iniquity against the light and reproof of grace as Isa 28. 10 11 12 13. with Mat. 13. 13 14 15. The Vision of all is Jesus Christ as declared in the Gospel in whose face now God hath manifested the light of his glory so as he that seeth him seeth him that sent him he that believeth on him believeth on him that sent him John 12. 44 46. 2 Cor. 4. 6. yea he is that true light that in revealing the Father doth manifest all things in their proper colours The Light of the world John 8. 12. and 12. 46. with Eph. 5. 13. That vision spoken of Hab. 2. 2 3. compare Heb. 10. 37. 'T is to us Jesus Christ as now declared in that preaching of the Cross who was before witnessed in the Law and Prophets compare Isa 29. 11 14. with 1 Cor. 1. 18 19. c. This therefore called the Vision of all because it 's the Vision of all Visions the foundation and key of knowledge for the opening of all doctrines the great things of Gods Law Hosea 8. 12. Mat. 23. 13 23. Luke 11. 52. and also because it 's the Vision of for and to all men the light of the world it holds forth tidings of great joy of greatest and most excellent concernment for them all and at all times Luke 1. 10 11 14. Prov. 8. 1 6 7. 1 Tim. 1. 15. This is rendered as a sealed book when the Gospel as preached by the Prophets and Apostles in and according to the import of its own expressions is looked upon and presented as a Riddle or hidden thing in which

truth thereof they were to baptize them with water also in his name even the Nations whosoever of them would them and theirs every one of them even as the Jaylor was baptized he and all his streight-way on his first owning and listening to the report of the Gospel and being willing to be instructed therein and therein also as well as by their word they preached the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house Act. 16. 32 33. which also is according to Peters Doctrine opening the Commission Act. 2. 38 39. comparing the 39. verse with a place speaking of a like businesse in our Types to which the Apostle there seems to have apt and evident Allusion Deut. 29. 10. 14. And then also to teach these Nations as they had outwardly baptized them in the name and unto the acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as come in the flesh to observe whatever Jesus Christ did command his Disciples And all this they were to do for the discipling the Nations the gathering or drawing them to Christ from their former state of darknesse and shadow of Death in which they were without any true acknowledgement and worship of God to acknowledge him and come to him as their Lord and Gods salvation for and to them and in professed subjection to him and thankful acknowledgement of his grace to bring all that by Gods providence are theirs given them to bring up for him even their little ones with them So the Jaylor beleevingly rejoycing he did it with all his house Act. 16. 34. as Joshua would engage himselfe and his house with him that were under his tuition to the acknowledgement and service of the Lord Josh 24. 15. And as in considering Israel after the flesh to which for Instruction in such cases we have our warrantize 1 Cor. 10. 18. we are directed in those evident Types of this discipling Nations Exod. 10. 9 10 11. Deut. 31. 11 12 13. And as our Saviour also instructs That such should be permitted to come to him being brought in their armes to whom by Gods providence they are given to bring up for him for of such is the Kingdome And having so done That they may all of them not onely be instructed themselves but taught to learn their children as they are capable and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Jesus To the end that all the ends of the earth might look to him and be saved who is Gods salvation to the ends of the earth That they might come in to the acknowledgement of him and so into his house where they might be trained up and educated for him being therein especially made partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel for sending forth his Spirit to reprove the world of Sinne Righteousnesse and of Judgement according to the distinct Revelation of Christ in the Gospel as now come forth and as men are turning at his reproofes To teach and lead them into all truth by the same Spirit still opening and making knowne the same word Eph. 3. 6. Act. 2. 39. Joh. 16. 8 9 10 13 14. Prov. 1. 20 23. In pursuance of this great Designe of God for the good of All Paul was furnished and appointed the great Apostle of the Gentiles Act. 26. 16 17 18. For this purpose the Lord Jesus appeared unto him to make him a witnesse c. delivering him from the people and from the Gentiles to whom then he sent him To turn them even his persecuters from whom yet he should be delivered and amongst whom preserved for this end To turne them from darkness to light c. That so they may receive forgivenesse and inheritance among them that are sanctified And that to this end he should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable Riches of Christ and to make All men see What is the fellowship of the mystery c. as aforesaid Eph 3. 8 9. And therefore also hath God preserved a succeeding Generation of such as through the tastes of his graciousness in the appearance of his love in Christ to man-ward having been drawn to him built upon him and so reconciled to God by Jesus Christ and received the word of Reconciliation God hath preserved them in the world and from the evil of it to this end and therefore also furnished them with gifts from his right hand though more mediately in their beleeving and exercising faith through and according the Apostles word yet still to this as the first and great part of the work of their Ministry in the world to carry on that great work amongst and for the good of all men as secondary Instruments and Ministers building upon and according to the foundation laid by the Apostles to the intent that now by the Church by the whole body of them joyntly and by each according to their capacity and opportunity in the place where God hath set them might be made knowne to Principalities and Powers and so to all Nations and people under them The manifold wisdome of God Eph. 3. 10. That by them the world may know That God hath sent Christ the Saviour of the world And that he hath loved them that have received this Testimony with the heart even with the same love wherewith he hath loved his Son Joh. 17. 15 20 21 23. And that in being Instruments of saving them that hear or listen to the word as held forth by them Their profiting may appear to All 1 Tim. 4. 15 16. Gods Saints generally even those that have made a Covenant with him by sacrifice Psal 50. 5. namely that are reconciled to God by Jesus Christ and have received that word of Reconciliation in their hearts 2 Cor. 5. each to exercise according to fitnesse and furniture of Gifts Rom. 12. 3 4 c. all the Gifts for continuance being given among these Eph. 4. 7 11 12. They are appointed and called to this great service even now To call the earth from the rising of the Sunne to the going downe of the same as well as also afterward to reign Judge and execute Judgement with him Psal 50. 1. 5. As his Ambassadors whose first personal coming and his present coming by his Spirit in the Gospel and other means is not to judge or condemne the world but that through him they might be saved even such as doe heare his words and reject them his gracious end and desire is that they should heare and beleeve and therefore he continues his mediation for them and mercies to them Joh. 12. 47 48. and 3. 17. though he shall appear personally the second time then to judge and execute judgement according to the Gospel so these his servants and Ambassadors in this world are now to make it their great work to perswade all men and every man as they have capacity and opportunity to be reconciled to God telling them All things are ready 2 Cor. 15. 17 18 19 20. Luke 14. 17 21 23. with

shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in heaven Phil. 2. Mat. 5. 13. 15. Dearly beloved saith Peter 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul having your conversation honest seasoned with gravity and sincerity single and chaste to God and your main design to glorifie him amongst others and for their good that the Gentiles in the day of their visitation may glorifie God who when the instructions and reproofs of the Gospel begin to light on their hearts will presently turn their eyes upon you supposing if there be indeed truth in this Gospel and in the instructions thereof leading them so to worship God If there be such preciousnesse in Christ such sweetnesse and satisfaction in the love of God to Man-ward therein discovered that then those that do indeed know it and have tasted the graciousnesse of the Lord as you have professed among them must needs be men in their conversation full of honesty walking in all good conscience towards God and men not loving the world nor the things thereof not easily provoked by any injuries of any sort extending onely to themselves but willingly rather suffering wrong not high-minded self-willed or conformed to this world in the customes wayes or fashions of it according to their former lusts in their ignorance And if accordingly they behold your light herein shining your lamps burning and you as strangers travellers and as men ready waiting for the appearing of your Lord this will be a great and effectuall means to lead them to glorifie God and acknowledge As we have heard so we have seen in the house of our God they wil then beleeve his word and the instructions thereof to be good and true whereas on the other hand if they behold the contrary in you it will be an occasion of stumble to them and lead them to blaspheme the holy name called upon by you Oh therefore ly down and deny your selves in this and be willing to take up your crosse daily that you may follow him in pursuance of his Design for the good of all men And to provoke and constrain you hereto Consider these Motives 1 You are debtors to all men Greeks Barbarians wise unwise bond and free And that upon this account you have been acquainted with that grace of God that brings salvation to all men Rom. 1. 15. Tit. 2. 10 11. It s that grace that you have received for to such I speak and in the receiving which you have been saved who were sometimes such as the worstamongst whom you live but that grace that is in God towards them in its appearing to you hath saved you And therein you have received that word of Reconciliation in some distinct understanding of it and fitnesse to hold it forth according to which your selves have been reconciled to God that holds forth matter of concernment to every one of them that one dyed for all and rose again And that this was not onely sufficient but effectuall with the Father in the publick Person as if all had dyed And that all this was so effectuall with the Father for them and cordially that it might be effectuall in them that they which live every man in his proper age should not henceforth after this grace is manif●sted to him live to himself but to him that dyed for them and rose again that in that Death and Resurrection of Christ God was in Christ reconciling the world to himselfe and now by his Ambassadors doth on that ground perswade them to be reconciled in themselves by Christ whom he hath sent to blesse them in turning every one of them from all their iniquities Tit. 3. 3 4. 2 Cor. 5. 14 15-21 Act. 3. 26. such is the word of Reconciliation he hath put in you Tidings of great joy to all people Luke 2. 10 14. you are herein according to your measure made Stewards of the manifold grace of God Moreover it is required of Stewards that a man be found faithfull 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. 1 Cor. 4. 1 2. Do not you therefore with-hold good from them to whom it is due or put your light under a bushel that was given you to shew light to all the house 2 Yea let the love of Christ and so of God in Christ to all men be herewith considered as effectually witnessed in that he hath done for them and doth to them according as declared in this Gospel committed to your trust and it will constrain you True it is it doth not constrain or lead to such love or service of love but upon principles of certainty and truth it leads not to run at an uncertain or to fight as those that beat the Air nor are there other principles of certainty and truth but these and their companions upon which it so perswades that is to say The love of Christ doth not constrain or lead any man to preach the Gospel to or perswade any other man to be reconciled to God for whom the testimony of it doth not assure him upon principles of certainty and truth That Christ dyed and rose for him and that so effectually with the Father and cordially in respect of its tendency towards him as foreshewed It s true many do preach and exhort and fight very much that do not thus judge but on what account or the love of what leads them to it we examine not doubtlesse some one thing some another But let this love which you have seen and believed to be in God towards all men in sending his Son the Saviour of the world be considered by you and from these principles of truth received in your judgement it will constrain or hemn you in to this service by filling you with the same love and zeal for their good that will not be letted or hindred by any thing seeing also your understanding from the same principles is furnished with knowledge of the greatnesse of the terror of the Lord against those which turn such grace into wantonnesse tread under foot such precious bloud denying him that bought them bring on themselves destruction which terror you could not otherwise have rightly read but in that face of Christ For who knoweth the power of his Anger surely none But here we have a rule given us according to which you may have some discerning of the nature and greatnesse of it according to thy fear or worship that name and grace of thine declared in and through thy Son according to which thou mightest have been feared or worshipped by those men to their everlasting health and comfort such is and will be thy wrath against all ungodly men that turn thy grace into wantonesse Psal 90. 11. Therefore in the beliefe of the exceeding greatnesse of his love to Man-ward you have a view of the greatnesse of his Terror against all such ungodly ones as turn it into wantonnesse and therefore while

tendencie are for all men Of this nature is that prayer of our Saviour Joh. 17. 9. he saith He doth not pray for the world that is directly and in the first place in these Petitions or for these Blessings to be conferred on them they being not capable subjects of them But for them that the Father had given him through the prevalency of the heavenly Call out of the world not that they might be taken out of the world but still a seed or generation of them preserved in the world and therein kept from the evill of it verse 15. And that they might be sanctified through the truth to peculiar service of him in the world as he had sent them into the world even as the Father sent him in respect of his Ministration to be the light of the world verse 17 18. with Joh. 9. 5 Mat. 5. 14. And this not onely for the first Apostles but also for all those that should after believe through their word that they may be one with him and his Father in their Design love and endeavour for the good of the world All this saith he vers 21. 23. he prayes for for them That the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them namely all such as through grace receive this word as thou hast loved me so that all these prayers in respect of their end and tendency were for all men And with this agrees Psal 67. God be mercifull to us and blesse us and cause the light of thy countenance to shine upon us That thy way may be known upon earth and thy saving health among all Nations The first verse we may take either as a prayer especially and more peculiarly for all the Israel of God but then for all of them not onely of the Jewes but of the Gentiles also even all such as in his calling are perswaded to come to him to receive him according to the manifestations afforded them to know the grace of God in truth in every Nation for such there are even children of the Kingdome as good seed sown all over the world And then compared with the next verse it instructs that peculiar and special particular blessings as before protections in and preservations from the evill of the world sanctification and furniture through his truth according to the manifestations given them the light of his countenance shining upon them in more abundant opening his glorious grace as appearing in or through his Son unto them And in and with all this his mercifull pardoning and passing by their iniquities that otherwise might keep these good things from them they being of a higher nature and deeper dye than other mens sinner That these things are to be desired and prayed for onely for the Israel of God to be directly conferred upon them according to their needs and capacities But to this end these prayers are to be prayed for them that in Gods gracious answering and so by them as they are by Gods providence sent to or scattered among all Nations His way may be known upon earth and his saving health among all Nations to the end that all men even all the people may praise him Or Secondly we may take the first verse as a Prayer generally for all Israel after the flesh for the whole Nation as a Nation to whom God had made known his Word his Statutes and Judgements as he had not done to other Nations and upon whom his Name was called that by them it might be proclamed and known to other Nations a Prayer for such peculiar National blessings protections and Salvations among other Nations and more abundant manifesting himselfe amongst them as a people called by his Name but then in such a sense it was a prayer peculiarly and only for that Nation so Numb 6. 23 24 c. The blessing where-with the whole House of Israel was to be blessed and so compared with the next verse it instructs us That peculiar or special general or National blessings such as by which among other Nations they may be known as a People whom God hath respect unto for his Name-sake are to be prayed for for such Nations as upon which the name of God in Christ is called that have his Word Ordinances and hold the profession and acknowledgement of him though too generally not in truth nor in righteousnesse and so to be more abundantly and especially desired for upon such as on whom his Name is more abundantly or more rightly called but to this end they are so to be prayed for and blessed in his Name that so by means of or through them His way may be known upon earth and his saving health among all Nations to the end that al the people may praise him And such is that prayer of Solomon 1 King 8. 59 60. which is much of the end and summe of all the former Petitions that he may maintaine the cause of his Servant and of his people Israel at all times That all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God and there is none else which is that which being known by all or any of the ends of the earth wil move them to look to him and be saved Isa 45. 22. so that even these prayers for peculiar Nationall blessings though directly only for those Nations on whom his name is called as wel as also those fore-mentioned prayers for peculiar particular and personal blessings though directly only for the Saints and Servants of God in the world yet and upon a like account the one and the other are prayers made for all men for as much as one maine and last end of the things desired and of the desiring of them is for the good of all men even for their best good Of this nature are those prayers for all Saints exhorted to Eph. 6. 18 19. Praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints and for me that utterance may be given me to what end that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mysterie of the Gospel which is equivalent with this 1 Tim. 2. 7 8. Paul being appointed and furnished a Herauld or Cryer of this Message to the Gentiles he wils therefore that men pray every where namely that he and others with and after him may be ever furnished to preserved and blessed in this service for the good of all those Gentiles amongst whom they are sent And that this is the first sort of Prayers and first sense in which prayers are to bee made for all men that is meant in this text also appears by the scope of the text as fore-considered 2 Those prayers that are made directly against them in their evil purposes and wayes against his Name his Gospel and people or against some particular persons and whole Nations of them in such their evil enterprises are yet for them in respect of their end

truth is not plainly manifested but one thing spoken and another meant or the meaning locked or sealed up from us under other expressions contrary to 2 Cor. 4. 1 4. when the pen of the Scribe especially in those things main and fundamenttal is rendered as vain and too empty to give his sence and meaning and yet men pretend wisdom and that they have the Law of the Lord with them Jer. 8. 8 9. This Vision of all being a sealed book upon this account it 's affirmed of such Their whole fear and worship though they honour him with their lips is taught by mens precepts and therefore not right worshipping The reason of such an Assertion concerning the whole worship meerly on this account is this The summe of the Gospel being hid they are lost or out of the way and cannot have any right understanding or usefulness of the instructions of the word of the Lord as to their worship of him having rejected the summe and fundamentals of it and that in which the fellowship of the Spirit is to be met with for opening the rest They have therein rejected the word of the Lord and what wisdom is in them Jer. 8. 8 9. 2 Cor. 4. 3 4. And this is the reason of their roeling and erring in all things hard to be understood they are unlearned and unstable 2 Pet. 3. 16. that is not having learned Christ aright and so all truth as it is in Jesus that Vision of all or not attending and waiting to learn and have the usefulness of all truth according to their needs and capacities through the knowledge and usefulness of that summe of the Gospel the testimony of God concerning him as Isa 28. 10 11 12 14 16. John 6. 45 46. Eph. 4. 21. They therefore presently pervert those things in the Scriptures hard to be understood and then also to frame their apprehensions in every thing to such pervertings of the Scriptures in things hard they pervert all other Scriptures to their own destruction These are such ungodly ones as yet have a form of godliness but deny the power resist and oppose the truth as it is in Jesus The Father is not rightly honoured or worshipped by them The true Worshippers worship the Father in Spirit and truth John 4. 23. The truth of all types promises and former revelations of God to men in and according to which the Father is to be worshipped is Christ Jesus Phil. 3. 3. The testimony of Jesus as now come forth is to us the Spirit of prophesie through and according to which the Father and Son God in Christ is to be acknowledged believed in and worshipped by us Rev. 19. 10. And thus our Saviour explicates that John 4. 23. according to these two Scriptures compared in John 5. 22 23 24. The Father judgeth no man that is otherwise then as follows but hath committed all judgement to the Son to this end that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father that now in honouring the Son as come forth and glorified in our nature through sufferings they may therein truely acceptably honour or worship the Father And for further opening how and wherein the Son is rightly honoured and so the Father in him he addes He that heareth my word that revelation of the Father that he was delivered to death for our offences raised for our justification as declared in the Gospel giveth and through and according to it beliveeth on him that sent me he hath ever lasting life c. Therefore believers are exhorted to hold fast the believing remembrance of the things heard from the beginning the word of the beginning of Christ and to have recourse thereto as to that Spirit or Unction it being the immediate birth or off-spring of the Spirit it self and so Spirit according to that rule John 3. 6. His name an oynment poured forth Cant. 1. 2. for understanding all things for preserving from every evil word and work for direction and furniture to all service and suffering 1 Cor. 15. 1 4. 2 Tim. 2. 7 8. 1 John 2. 20 24 27. And therein and so they shall be found exercising themselves to godliness Honesty signifies righteousness equity or justice in our demeanour towards all men and that such as in which there is chastity or sincerity to the main design for which we are set in the world purity of heart and cleanness of hands in prosecuting the good of all men working righteousness or walking righteously in all our conversation with and amongst them as Psal 15. and 24. Isa 33. 15. According to the teachings of that grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men and so in like expressions it is joyned with living godly in that Tit. 2. 11 12. and opposed to worldly lusts The grace of God that brings salvation to all men hath appeared teaching us That denying ungodliness and wordly lusts we should live righteously soberly and godly in this present world looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the mighty God our Saviour who gave himsef for us to redeem us from all iniquity that he might purifie to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works So 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. it 's opposed to fleshly lusts which being heeded and listened to do hinder the Soul of so living honestly Therefore dearly beloved saith Peter I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts that warre against the Soul having your conversation honest among the Gentiles that in the day of their visitation they may glorifie God Like that Phil. 2. 15 16. Do all things without murmurings and disputings that ye may be blameless harmless the Sons of God in the midst of a crooked generation amongst whom shine ye as lights in the world holding forth the word of life and that both in word and conversation The doing that which is just and equal between man and man and so unto all or that which is so in the sight of men this is certainly here meant by or contained in living honestly as Phil. 2. 16. Rom. 12. 17. 1 Pet. 2. 15. and 3. 16. But this alone is too scant a definition of the living honestly here meant yet all that is signified by it is no more but a walking righteously and doing that which is lawful right but that which is so in the sight of God and according to the teachings of that grace of God that brings salvation to all men goes further then that which is so in the sight of men and they are both together in this living honestly as may be seen in one instance 2 Cor. 8. 20 21. That no man might blame them in the abundance administred by them they did provide things honest not onely in the sight of God but also in the sight of men signifying that they did provide things honest or walk honestly in the sight of God in administring abundantly of whatever God had given them for the good

of others which was so far beyond what men would have required as their reasonable service or judged to have been but their honesty that they would rather watch for advantages against them to blame them as if their zeal and forwardness in freely and abundantly administring such as they had for the good of others did hinder them from looking well to themselves or their own house or relations or made them uncapable of walking justly in all their dealings They could not they thought do so much and be so free in spending themselves in such services if they did not defraud or wrong some body But this blame or all just cause of it is avoided by us says the Apostle in providing things honest also in the sight of all men even in such cases as aforementioned the mercies of God as Rom. 12. 1. even that grace that brings salvation to all men teacheth and requireth of us as our reasonable service as that which on the account of that grace is due from us to all men as hath been shewed before even as we would not be unjust or injurious in withholding good from them to whom its due so to hold forth the faithful word in the midst of a crooked generation according to all that capacity and opportunity for the same he is pleased to furnish us with and whatever we may lose or suffer therein and to do this cordially and fervently for the good of others that they may be saved and therefore in simplicity and godly sincerity renouncing the hidden things of dishonesty in such our service nor cloaking covetousness over with it or desire of glory from men or the like such is the Apostles demonstration of their honesty or living honestly 2 Cor. 1. 12 13. Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our conversation c. which is thus shewed for we write none other things unto you then what you read c. we intend not to signifie in our writing any other thing then what we plainly express in our words So 2 Cor. 4. 1 2. Seeing we have this ministery as we have received mercy so in the former by the grace of God minded by us the instructions and operations thereof we have thus had our conversation according to that Rom. 12. 1. By these mercies give up your bodies c. As we have received mercy sayes he we faint not but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the truth commending declaring and committing our selves our minde or meaning and principles to every man in our words so as in the sight of God who otherwise would charge us with dishonesty though men could not if we did either for fear or shame hide any thing that he hath made known to us that may tend to the good of others and was made known to us to be made known to them or if in administring it we used fleshly wisdom or policy reserving much of that which might most expose us to sufferings though most material needful to be most plainly uttered or for other causes reserving the inside of our thoughts and meaning to our selves so handling the word of God deceitfully happily to such ends following cunningly-devised fables as 2 Pet. 1. 16. But this saies he we have renounced and thus they lived honestly among their neighbours and thus have they by the mercies of God charged and exhorted every one of us so to live amongst men according to what capacity and opportunity God gives us See 1 Thess 2. 3 11 12. When he hath told them their Exhortation was not of deceit nor of uncle anness nor in guile but as they were allowed of God so they spake not as pleasing men but God which tryeth the hearts and further addes and appeals to their consciences for testimony They had not used flattering words nor a cloke of covetousness nor had sought glory of men or been burthensome when and as they might as the Apostles of Christ and herein walked holily justly unblameably he then addes this As also you know how we exhorted every one of you even as a father his child c. like that Phil. 2. 13 15 16. and Rom. 12. 1 2. Yea this grace teaches that as our reasonable service to hold forth this faithful word in conversation that they that will not be won by the word and it may be not to hear it as holden forth by believers under reproach yet may be allured and overcome by the chaste and honest conversation coupled with fear When they see our good works they may glorifie our Father which is in Heaven Therefore to shew forth his vertues in all chastity or honesty as opposed to fornication and all uncleanness filthiness or foolish talking or jesting Eph. 5. 2 3. 1 Thess 4. 3. 4 5. 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. and so as opposed to covetousness which is idolatry and the fruits thereof fraudulency or endeavouring to go beyond or circumvent any in buying selling or the like as in the forecited Scriptures and so in all sobriety and moderation in the use and enjoyment of any thing of this world as strangers and pilgrims or in lusting and pursuing after them fleeing from such things yea in all goodness righteonsness and truth which is and as it is the fruit of the Spirit bringing and opening the instructions and grace of the Gospel leading and moving thereto And this cordially also in simplicity and godly sincerity and for the profit of others that they may be saved All this is but out reasonable service by the mercies of God even towards all men though they will neither challenge the greatest part of this debt of us nor any of it upon such an account nor will they respect or look upon our service as such yet as that man that is betrusted with much treasure or the tidings discoveries and patterns of it that belongs and is to be shewed to others of purpose to let them know of it and where and how they may come to enjoy it though they to whom such treasures and the tidings or patterns of it belong and ought to be shewed by him being ignorant though happily wilfully so do not desire or expect any such thing from him nor happily will easily be perswaded to accept or regard the same though matter of greatest concernment to them yet seeing he knows of what concernment it is and to what end he is furnished with the knowledge experience and patterns of it as a Steward for them he is not an honest man or faithful Steward if he conceal the same but very injurious 'T is required of Stewards that a man be found faithful 1 Cor. 4. 2. Even so those that are called out of darkness into his marvellous light that they should shew forth the praises of him that hath called them and that amongst and for the

he sees not will with patience wait for them it is to be feared our hopes are for some sensual glory as if Christs Kingdom were of this world and that makes us imagine and strive by sensual means and carnal weapons to bring it about and having no ground for such hope in the word of the truth of the Gospel though did we believe it we might there have good ground for that which is infinitely better we are also making haste and catching at every thing we see and ready to conclude Lo here is Christ or there is Christ in this part of the world or in that in this form of Government or in that and many the like We must needs be in a confusion when there is scarcely found faith confidently to expect and quietly to wait for the appearing of Jesus Christ from Heaven rather scoffing at that promise of his coming and every one taking up short in something or other before the time Quietness and peaceableness in our demeanor towards men is sometimes opposed to much noise clamour or stir that is made either in proclaming mens own goodness or in crying up this and that Order Worship or Precepts of men or in crying down and clamouring others so in that Eccles 9. 17. The words of wise men are heard in quiet when there are no such tumultuous noises stirred up more then the cry of him that ruleth among fools But more frequently 't is opposed to war strife contention or envy vexation and frowardness of Spirit against any So Prov. 17. 1. Eccles 4. 6. Psal 120. 7. Eccles 3. 8. So to our present business see Jam. 3. 13 17 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom but if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts glory not lye not against the truth for where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work but the wisdom from above is first pure shewing forth it self and directing the subject in all godliness and honesty then peaceable gentle and easie to be entreated full of mercy and good fruits and that without partiality or hypocrisie It directs to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty for the fruits of righteousness which is by Jesus Christ is sowne in peace in quietness as opposed to wrath and hastiness of them that make peace who through the grace of God bringing salvation to all men are made peace-makers set for the good of all men and therefore making prayers and intercessions with thanksgivings for them From whence then come wars and fightings c. chap. 4. 1 c. The grace of God instructs and teacheth the believing receiver thereof in all his exercise and walking in godliness and honesty amongst all men and for the good of them therein according thereto and as they are taught by that grace of God that brings salvation to all men to lead a quiet and peaceable life 1. With reference to those in place of Government 2. Towards all men 3. Especially one with another 1. The quiet and peaceable life that is according to godliness and honesty and to which we are instructed in the Gospel and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ as with reference to those that by Gods providence are in eminent place or in authority over us whether as particular Masters or as publique Magistrates Standeth in a quiet submission or subjection to their power living under it without murmuring or disputing against it disturbance molestation or resisting of it My business is not here to dispute what believers as publique men set in any publique place of trust and authority for the good of the Nation or people where they live may or ought to do with reference to some others in place of trust and authority with them nor what any private Christian as joyned in a politick or national body or required and so called out by some higher powers may or ought to do with reference to some other powers or persons in authority that are oppressive or destructive to them About these I say I have not here to dispute or speak but how believers as private Christians in their several places or as members of or joyned in any Societies or Congregations if never so many for and in the worship and acknowledgement of God and waiting upon and service of him as Christians in his Ordinances and for the good of others for so also they are considerable as private Christians and to live under Government and how they are to be in subjection and to demean themselves with reference to Governours or Magistrates by Gods providence set over them is that we have here to speak to 1. They are to account and acknowledge them worthy or meet for all that honour those places of trust and authority over them that God hath pleased by his providence to put upon them or permit unto them and so in their demeanour to testifie such their account and acknowledgement of them 1 Tim. 6. 1. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their masters though unbelieving ones as is fully signified by comparing this with the next verse worthy of all honour of all that honour that by their place is due from us to them It 's the same in the case between the people and so believers as private Christians and their Governours Rom. 13. 7. 1 Pet. 2. 17 18. And herein they are every soul to be subject to those powers that be that at any time at present are over them without dispute about the lawfulness or rightness of their being set up there they being by Gods providence or permission in such place of mastership or authority over them they are to yeild them that fear honour reverence and acknowledgement that by reason of the place in which God hath set them is due to them and account it meet it should be so because God sees it good and in his infinite wisdom hath ordered the same to us And if their Masters or Governours be believers then neither are other believers as private Christians Servants or Subjects to despise them because they are brethren as if therefore they should not yeild them such respect honour and acknowledgement as is due to them by their place of trust and power put in their hands because they are brethren and all one in Christ for grace destroys not nor confounds either natural or civil relations It 's according to the wisdom of God that there should be such degrees among men as the Rulers and Ruled Master and Servant and that for the order benefit and good of them all Therefore the rather do them service and yeild them all the honour due according to their place because they are faithful and beloved And if any man teach otherwise he therein consents not to the words of our Lord Jesus nor to the doctrine which is according to godliness yea

and propounded as equivalent with it in ver 18 19. and so the Apostle Paul to Titus mentions this as one of those things which the grace of God that brings salvation to all men teacheth the believing receiver of it To be subject to principalities and powers to obey Magistrates to be ready to every good work signifying that we are to be subject to and obey the power where we cannot with chearfulness or if not at all do the work required Tit. 3. 1. with chap. 2. 11 12. they well knew that it would be found too frequent in these latter dayes especially in such as retaining a form of godliness a great shew and pretence of worshipping God yet deny the power of it that Vision of all the truth as in Jesus not onely without fear to speak evil of dignities and despise dominion as Jude 8 9. but also to be proudly disobedient to Parents truce-breakers incontinent fierce traytors heady high-minded loving pleasures ease kingdom glory and to have their will here more then God 2 Tim. 3. 2 5. and therefore have so plentifully instructed exhorted and charged us in this particular 2. The believers life in all godliness and honesty is to be led quietly and peaceably towards and as much as is possible with all men with whom he leads his life and conversation or hath occasion to converse toward all men he is to demean himself quietly and peaceably in his holding forth the tidings and patterns of that grace of God that bringeth salvation to them though therein he shall have occasion to contend earnestly for the faith with some and to rebuke and reprove others yet he is to do this with all long suffering and doctrine Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom though not the wisdom of this world or such meekness as that teacheth to hide mince or be ashamed of his words before an adulterous generation to be negligent remiss or sparing in striving for the truth of the Gospel or against mens sin as the truth we have learned in Jesus instructeth and leadeth us that is so far from being the meekness and gentleness of Christ that it is on the other hand ungodliness dishonesty and a shunning the Cross of Christ yet in doing the work of an Evangelist or holding forth the faithful word and shewing forth the vertues of Christ and that both in season and out of season with diligence and constancy we are therein and according thereto to shew forth all meekness to all men gentleness easiness to be intreated Jam. 3. 13 17. 2 Tim. 4. 1 5. For the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God and therefore we are to avoid foolish and unlearned questions and strife of words which tend to no profit but to the subverting of the hearers from a right and plain understanding knowing that they do gender strifes and the servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men apt to teach patient in meekness instructing the ignorant and them that oppose themselves c. 2 Tim. 23. 25. and so therein patiently enduring and suffering not onely Gods chastisements his gracious afflictions more immediately ordered from his own hand but also their wrongs and injuries Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification for even Christ pleased not himself but as it is written The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me Rom. 15. 2 3. which in the place where it is written Psal 69. 9. is joyned with this other saying The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up which is applied to and said to be verified in his driving the buyers and sellers out of the temple in which action mentioned John 2. 14 17 18 c. he did not directly please them but as may appear by the Evangelist compared with the Psalm did therein render himself and became a stranger to his brethren c. Psal 69. 8. he displeased them and was despised in their eye and they thought it strange as John 2. 18. but though he could not please them in winking at and suffering without sharp reproof their profanation of his Fathers house the truth of which as now come forth is the temple of his Body his person as delivered to death by the Father destroyed and crucified by them and raised up again in three dayes as plainly explicated by himself in the following verses of that John 2. neither would it have been for their good therein or so to have pleased them yet in doing that and having done it and so in all his doings among them he pleased them for their good to edification in not regarding or seeking in any of these things to please himself or to glorifie and get honour and praise to himself among them doing nothing through strife and vain-glory but in lowliness of minde preferring them before himself in giving honour to them so as in tendering of them and bearing with their evil manners enduring their contradictions quietly and patiently suffering them without reviling again he in all his zeal and constancy for his Fathers name and glory yet therein pleased not himself but as it is writien The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me and he willingly without striving or retorting bore and suffered them So though we cannot at any hand please them in having fellowship with them in their unfruitful works in their notions and wayes of ungodliness nor in their fleshly lusts not run with them to the same excess of ryot wherein they will think it strange 1 Pet. 4. 3 4. Eph. 5. 4 11. neither would it be for their good to edification therein or so to please them The grace of God that brings salvation to all men teacheth us rather and for their good to reprove them and not by any means or whatever befal us from them not to desist from striving against their sin but this so as with meekness of wisdom and in doing this not to please our selves seek our own glory or praise from or amongst men but quietly bearing their injuries reproaches wrongs without retorting the like on them or seeking to vindicate our own name or walking unlovingly towards them and this will be a means to please them and that so as for their good to edification therefore Pauls exhortation to Timothy 2 Tim. 4. is To exhort rebuke repove in his preaching the word with all longsuffering and doctrine and therein to endure affliction and still go on doing the work of an Evangelist or Messenger of peace True they are to strive together for the faith of the Gospel and in nothing to be terrified by their adversaries from their holding fast faith and a good conscience or walking in godliness and honesty Phil. 1. 27. but yet they are therein to go on in a quiet enduring the contradiction of sinners they meet with still striving against their sin so resisting their contradictons with patient enduring and