of its truth VII That herein have all divided partyes and sects in the Christian world been enforced stil to meet and consent in ane acknowledgement of the substance thereof VIII That in the same light which was held forth in the Old Testament about the Messias did the whole gentile church enter and made claime to their right for being adopted the seed and children of Abraham on these cleare and expresse promises given for the same which the Jewes could not but confesse to be of divine authority QU. III. What confirmation is to the Christian faith that for 4000. yeares the comming of the Messias should be deferred after the promise ANS Though the soveraign pleasure of God should silence and satisfy our minde herein yet is there such a sight to be had hereof and of insinit divine wisedome shining forth in the same as should be most confirming for these ends I. That there might be a more distinct representing of the glory of this mystery to angels and men in such a graduall opening up of the same II. To put that weight and high value on his own promise and testimony herein when on the alone credit thereof he would thus both try and beare out the faith of his church for so many ages and draw forth their desires and longings in all that long space of time after the same III. To testify the greatnesse of his wrath against sin and the Apostacy of mankinde by suffering the generality thereof to ly so long under its fatall effects IV. To prepare the church for so great a reception by all that long preparatory service of legall institutions as so highly becoming the greatnesse of this mystery to have so solemn and stupendious ane introduction thereto V. That thus the world might have its full tryall of the insufficiency of natural abilityes and of any improvements of humane wisedome and learning for help after this had first been at the furthest hight both in Greece and Rome before the alone Redeemer of the church came QU. IV. What can offer furthest conviction to the world of the truth of Christianity from its nature and internall excellencies and that it is no lesse essentially good in its selfe then evidently true ANS I. That its so undeniable even to these that live at a distance how such is the truth of Christ that though all visible and humane props should faill it can subsist by its oun evidence and authority over mens conscience and hath thus ever preserved its station in the worst of times II. That as it holds forth the most exquisite rule of perfection to follow so doth bring the greatest releef to the distempers of the minde and these miseries which attend humane state here so as a higher glory doth thus result to the holy God by this dispensation of Grace to fallen man then if he had stood in his primitive state III. That it is sure the truth and doctrine of Christ doth natively tend to fix men in a state of light and communton with God and in a state of separation of such in their principles affection and conversation from the world IV. That it doth more brightly shine forth in simplicity and truth and in its internall and vitallacts then in any outward form or shew yea in the way of selfe deniall meeknesse and poverty of spirit doth such ane excellency appeare as in its oun nature hath as visible a difference from the proud and vindictive spirit of this world as the day hath from the night V. How such is Christianity as by no naked doctrinall discovery of the same to mens judgement or such rules as any humane science is acquired by can be knowen without ane inward power and principles of a new life nor can there ever be a right knowledge of divinity untill it be first ingrafted in a divine heart so far is this mystery above all humane rule and contrivance VI. That it is stated in the greatest opposition to any false shew or hypocrisy yea brings such inforcements therewith of candor and truth and of love tendernesse and sympathy towards others as all must see is not only the highest ornament and perfection of our nature but the greatest blessing to the world that ever was knowen VII That such a native lustre and fragrancy doth attend the truth and simplicity of the gospell as it s no more possible for humane art or cunning to represent this then to make the dead image of a man to live or to paint in a broad the vitall scent of a violet or rose to our senses VIII That in this way of the gospels subduing men to the obedience thereof by the power of inward grace the glory of Christ doth more eminently shine forth then if he had appeared for this end with the greatest outward majesty and attendance of Angels to our bodily eyes IX That it is so visible how the whole world besides that is without the revelation of Christ is a place where horrour falsehood and impiety doth manifestly reign QU. V. But how do yow receive so wonderfull a truth as that of the Gospell is when it s now so great a distance of time from its first promulgation ANS I. That we can be no more sure and perswaded of the most visible and present objects of sense then that this is the same gospell which is still shining forth to the world whereby ane innumerable company of all nations tongues and languages hath received the spirit and been sealed yea hath made that change upon men in turning them from ungodlynesse and idols to serve the living God as hath been no lesse marvellous then the turning of so many wolves into lambs II. That it is the same gospell which not only through a series of 16. centuries hath been attested but by such innumerable witnesses who counted not their life deare unto the death for sealing thereof and found it sweet to be offered up in the flames for Christ III. Which in all ages past hath stood out the greatest opposition that ever the world made to any interest while the weapons of its warfare were spiritual and not carnal with that successe as the time of the Churches hottest persecution from heathens was that period of time also of a most remarkable spreading in the world IV. That the same Gospel is revealed this day which hath had such discernable triumphs and successe when no external assistance could be seen herein and no visible power by which it gained the most savage and dark parts of the earth to take on the yoak of Christ and prefer the objects of faith to the most desireable objects of sense V. Yea which hath not only had such vital influence on mens heart and practice to change it into the same image but that herein the doctrine of the crosse of Christ in the greatest simplicity hath still been the most effectual way of its conquest and the greatest attractive on mens souls to receive
the same QU. VI. How is it demonstrable that such remarkable sufferings of times past for the truth of Christ were both founded on the alone certainty thereof and carryed out by a divine Spirit above any assistance of nature ANSW That it is sure I. Here was no comedy or personated sufferings which the primitive Christians and in after times did endure for Christ or that these unexpressable torments and paines were any dream and delusion either to themselves or the world and that their adversaries did thus conflict and wrestle with their own shadow in so continued and cruel ane opposition II. That such joy and exultation of Spirit these witnessed amidst their torments who otherwise wanted no sense or feeling of their paines and sufferings could have no rise but what was supernatural III. That this could be no possible dissimulation or counterfit when they were stepping in on eternity nor the product of a distempered judgment whilst all might see what seriousnesse of Spirit tendernesse and bowels of compassion to their adversaries they did then evidence IV. That these greatest sufferings were upon choise and to endure rather then to be safe at the rate of receding in any thing from the truth V. Yea no natural reason can comprehend how such mean and feeble persons as many of these were should endure what would have made the greatest natural courage to faint as if they had foregone humane passions which flesh and blood must needs have herein so as I am constraind to see something no less marvellous and supernatural in the faith of martyres then in the faith of miracles SECTION III. QU. I. IS it fully demonstrable that the faith of a deity and of such an establishment as a religious worship must necessarly determine men to be Christians on this ground that they cannot but see how religion hath not another being in the earth but in the truth of Christianity ANSW It is simply impossible to make a rational tryal herin and not see the certainty of this demonstration to be thus clear I. That there needs no more for any of a serious spirit but to come and see what the whole frame of Heathenisme was and if it be possible to deny even under any sense of the law and dictates of nature its being the highest reproach of mankind and how the very mysteries of that Heathenish worship was so horrid and impure as they needed a vail then from the common view of the world II. Nor can there be a rational reflection this day on that strang monster of Mahumitanisme but of a visible prodigy of the judgment of God on these parts of the earth upon their apostacy from the Christian faith by giving men up to such an imposture as exposeth the very name and form of religion to derision and can never claime a reception either from the purity of its rule or internal evidence of the truth therof or of its having any possible consistence with it self III. That its sure also the Jewish religion had never another being but in the truth and faith of Christianity and where this fundation is divided from it hath none at all yea how that people unto this day are such a confirming witnesse to the Christian Religion as its strang this doth not beget deeper impressions on mens spirit So that there is an absolute necessity we must either forgoe the use of reason or see if there were not such a rule given and revealed for commerce betwixt God and man as the Scripture where the laws and constitutions of the Christian faith are for this end held forth that it s then sure there is no such thing as any religion in the earth but what wer so highly irrational and absurd as should rather justify Atheism QU. II. What special confirmation to Christianity can this visible state of the Jews bear who are in so expresse an opposition to the Gospel of Christ ANSW If this were brought near our thoughts we should find it one of the great assistances to our faith I. That its sure there is such a people and race as a living and visible evidence to our sense of the truth of that renowned nation and church of Israel to which the oracles of God were committed and thus are still as some part of the evident ruines of that once flourishing state II. That the world may see such a people kept by themselves and not mixed with the nations whose fathers from one generation to another did still own the divinity of the Old Testament and doth attest that doctrine in which the truth and substance of Christianity lyes even whilst with greatest malice they oppose the Christian faith to witnesse there can be no possible collusion here III. Their being under a stroak of that judicial induration and blindnesse of mind as no reason could possibly comprehend such a thing how they see not the light in the very noon-day of the Gospel if it were not expresly fortold their being concluded under such an arrest of judgment until the fulnesse of the gentiles be brought in IV. That so immediate an appearence of God is in the judgment of that people both in the manner and continuance thereof as no instance could ever be found to resemble the same since man was formed in the earth and thus as a conspicuous monument of divin wrath set up for every age and time of the Church to turn aside and consider this great sight and inquire what means so strang and amazing a thing as the state of the scattered Jews is now under the times of the Gospel V. That this desolation on them and stroak had such special concurring circumstances for giving light therto as being not above 48. years after the death of Christ with their hands as it were hot and reaking with that blood which they had wished on them and their children that it should be at that time of the Passover which was the very same of the sufferings of our blessed Lord there and pointing as with the finger at the same as also by the Romans whose interest in their opposition to Christ they pretended to own QU. III. Is the way and manner of the Gospels promulgation such as no other profession could ever pretend to and where all may see there can be no human interest or contrivance in the same ANSW It is undenyable that no interest else was ever in such a way promot and does exceed all natural understanding how the truth of Christianity could in this manner prevail I. To perswade men without any motives or inducements from this present world to imbrace a doctrine so wholly repugnant to nature yea to preferr an interest of things not seen and which none ever in the earth saw to the most desirable objects of sense II. To admit no implicit reception from any but on their exactest inquiry and tryal herein or in an other way claime an interest in mens affections but by a full assent of their light
and judgment to the same III. To admit no gratification to the most predominant desires and inclinations of men upon any darling sin which according to human wisdome would be judged of an absolute necessity for gaining any acceptance with such yea to give no partial respect to the greatest Princes more then to the meanest IV. To pursue its interest by so plain a discovery of the death and sufferings of our blessed Lord with the whole ignominy thereof when nothing could more evidently control such an end by any rules of human wisdome and policy if there had been a possible accesse to consult flesh and blood herein V. And its sure there could be no designe without an immediate divine power in such a manner to plead the interest of Christianity with men by inserting affliction and the crosse in the first entry as essential to the profession thereof and holding forth the necessity of taking on the yoke of Christ without which none can be his Disciples QU. IV. But wherein doth the evidence of that great demonstration of the Gospel most clearly appear in the love and unity of Christians amonghst themselves which we find Christ doth so specially presse for this end that the world might know and have such a visible seal of his divine mission Joh. 17 21. ANSW The greatnesse of this demonstration may be thus evident to all I. That its so clearly demonstrative of the purity of our Religion which can admitt of no bitternesse strife recrimination or such indecencies of heat and passion which are these fatal effects of discord in the Church and thus lets us see the excellency of the spirit and rule of the Gospel II. That thus also we may know the power and efficacy of the truth thereof which is according to godlinesse upon mens heart in subduing these distempers of the mind and judgment III. That this doth so specially tend to make religion lovely and to draw forth matter of praise and blessing to God from the world when they see such a native effect of Christianity as this to make those who professe the same in that manner shine forth in tendernesse humility and brotherly love so that they become as a publick good and blessing to mankind in the place they are in IV. This appears also from the nature of that union in the Church of Christ and amongst his followers which only a divine power could both frame and make effectual and its sure no human society or constitution could ever claim such an unity therein as this is where not only persons of all nations and languages and of all conditions both high and low but of the most different interests humours and dividing circumstances in other things doe yet in so marvelous an harmony meet in the body of Christ which is his Church here in the earth V. Because herein also doth the glory and honour of our blessed head more eminently appear in securing this unity of his Church under a diversity of light and judgement otherwayes by a spirit of love meeknesse and condescendence amongst his people then by imposing the most severe and absolute uniformity in all things to be the alone condition of Christian communion QU. V. But what strength and evidence doth this demonstration of the Gospel now bear in so divided a state of religion and when the wounds and breaches of the Church this day are like to blood unto death ANSW Whatever just cause be of griefe yet is there none for darkening the truth of this demonstration on these grounds I. That none can deny the perfection of the rule of the Gospel for the most firm and intire unity amonghst all the followers of Christ on the earth II. That no opposition which is made therto but what hath been fortold as one of the greatest tryals of the Church under the New Testament and the Spirit of God doth most expresly point at in these latter times III. Because the furthest opposition thereto can be no more cause for any to stumble or question the truth of this demonstration then that there is a Devil whose greatest designe hath ever been to divide and break Christians amongst themselves IV. Because this union which is chiefly mistical and invisible is much greater oft then what this way may appear to the world and of that kind as is not interrupted by distance of place or any want of local communion V. That such a guard is set by the Lord unto this piece of his glory and to oppose any invasion thereon that there stands an Angel with a flaming sword upon every hand in the commands and threatings of the Gospel to secure this blessed unity of the Saints amonghst themselves so as none can invade the same but on their highest peril of opposing that which is as the apple of Christs eye VI. That its ever found how this demonstration hath some clear evidence amonghst such who are indeed the Disciples of Christ and according to their advance in the life and power of Christianity doth the more brightly shine forth so that the nearer the lines are to the center the nearer also are they amonghst themselves VII That in all times there hath been some tremenduous marke â—f the judgment of God made visible on such who are contentious and have made it their worke to cause division in the Church and sow discord among brethren QU. VI. But what hath the Church now in these latter dayes to compense the want of that great demonstration by miracles and such extraordinare confirmations of the Christian faith as were in the first times ANSW I. That we may see how far that seal of martyrdome which came in the roome of miracles to the Church hath exceeded that which was in the first times of the Gospel II. That there hath been since such innumberable shining examples of holinesse yea these continued to this day whom the world might see did walk in the light and power of Christianity as sure as men walks under the power and vertue of a living soul III. That we now see what a length the course of the Gospel and of the Church militant is come and how far thus the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled which once was so contrare to all human appearence IV. That so sure and exact a performance of the Scripture is now undenyable in the event and of such great and marvelous things which were fortold under the New Testament that in an ordinare way none could have believed what we see with our eyes and now have these things which were in former ages the object of the Churches faith made the object of our sense and its sure this is such a seal and confirmation to our faith in these last times as doth much exceed the greatest miracles which were with the first planting of the Gospel V. Though we may not resolve our faith on any extraordinare providences or lay the least weight hereon to support the authority of the doctrine
are given up to under the greatest discoveries of light so as all may see their being thus bound over in chains and shut up in prison until death bring them forth to the execution and how no relief or application of the means of grace hath then any more accesse VII From such a mape shaddow of eternal vengeance in these terrible acts of divine judgment inflicted here on Apostates and persecuters of the truth and other flagitious persons which with the very first view might present an awful and immediat appearence of God in the same and that some strang and supernatural punishment is oft visible on the workers of iniquity VIII And what ever be of natural causes in such visible representations here in the earth as that sulphureous lake where once Sodom was and these burning mountains such as Haecla Etna and Vesuvius yet we may truely judge their being thus set before the world as some visible memorials of these infernal flames and as it were so many lumeheads thereof for such who will not believe the same because they doe not yet see or feal such a thing QU. VII What assistances hath our faith of that great and wonderful truth of the resurrection of the body after its dissolution in the grave unto dust ANSW I. From that visible and stupendious frame of the heavens and the earth when its sure that the same infinite power that hath not only made man but the whole creation can as easily collect and recount the dispersed ashes of the body as form the same II. From that greatest pledge hereof in the resurrection of the body of Christ III. From that tribulation and sore pain that the saints here in their outward man are exposed to since it is sure that in the holy justice of God he did not give such bodies for labour and for toyl and to his martyrs to endure unexpressible torments for Christ to perish for ever IV. From these visible resemblances and prefigurations of the resurrection which the Lord hath given to confirme our faith herein in the ordinare course and productions of nature so as all may see how every night is as the grave of the day-light and each morning a new resurrection of the same and how visible an image of death is in each season of the winter with so marvelous and beatiful a resurrection of the earth on every return of the spring in the herbs flowers and plants taking life and rising again in the leaves blossomes and fruites yea this in such a variety as may no lesse convincingly evidence an infinite divine power herein then that the same body of man should be raised at the last day V. From that continued miracle of the harvest after the seed-time with so amazing a production of the grain sowen in the earth and its first dying there before it be quickned so as to be at last brought to 30 60 yea sometimes an hundred fold out of the very same grain which to these who had never before known the same would seem incredible above all reason to conceave or bear credite therto CHAPTER III. The confirming worke of Religion improven wich respect to the times to clear the way of the Lord herein before this generation and let us see how nothing is so strang in the events of this day which should not more strenthen then shake and that the God of the Reformed Church doth still own the same interest according to his faithfulnesse which is here briefly pointed at upon some special inquiry proposed about the same SECTION I. QU. WHat can afford both light and confirmation to our faith in such a time when we see the worke of the Lord about his Church to be most remarkably now a worke of judgement with such dark and searching tryals therwith as former times have not known ANSW It is sure we have seen nothing but what might have been too evidently looked for and that we can pretend no want of light herein upon these grounds I. That the Trialls of a Church should be suited to the measure of their talent of light when this hath been in some more then ordinare way dispensed that some remarkably searching times might be expected to follow nor can it be now strang to us that such things fall in with this day which did not meet the Churches of Christ at the first entry of the Reformation who then had not so clear discoveries of the truth and that measure of confirmation therein which hath been since II. That some unusual tryals and conflicts in the Lords usuall method of providence should be suited also to the greatnesse of that worke which he is bringing forth may be no strang thing and to see a time of such sore wrestlings as this when all things seem to cry be in pain as Micah 4 20. Yea when some great event of the Scripture is to be revealed to the world and near to its full hight and period of accomplishment as we have safe ground for assurance of this â—ay III. Nor hath this sad and dismal hower on the Church been more obvious then the provoking cause hereof in which the holy righteousnesse of God may be no lesse clear then the cloud now is dark when such a visible falling of hath been from that love tendernes and power of religion that did formerly attend its profession as for these many years past we might have seen that some sore and remarkable judgment was coming and that if we had not been in such a maner undone we were under some sadder strock of spiritual judgment ready to be undone IV. Yea it hath been too visible that such evils followed the Reformed Churches as in no time it was ever known that the holy God did passe such by without some signal evidence of his wrath against the same before the world V. We know that carnal confidence hath a curse ever waiting upon it in the Scripture which none can take of or make that thrive which God hath himself cursed and it is too visible how far we have gone thus out of the way of our strenth by such eager seeking human props support as we have forâ—ot the guide of our youth and convenant of our God and what great things he hath formerly done in the greatest straits of his Church when there was much humble trusting with little sence as though the spirit of the Lord had not done more to recover his truth then all human might or power ever could doe SECTION II. QU. WHat talent are we still accountable for to support our faith against the greatest fears of this time from these immediate appearances of God and of the glory of his power for the same truth and cause of the Reformed Church we are now called to contend for which hath been since the reformation when so strong unusual a tyde now is against the same ANSW If men shut not their eyes and hide this great talent of the workes of
judgment on its own evidence more vigorously promot and the proper means and assistances which the Lord hath given for this end in some other manner yet improven then seems to be this day for a more universal use The grounds to inforce the necessity hereof are these I. that its sure wherever the Gospel is revealed to men it comes with so full an assurance of understanding and sufficiency of objective evidence as can admit no possible doubtfulnesse herein which is the credit and glory of our religion that in no other way it doth require acceptance but with the furthest conviction of evidence II. Because the expresse designe and tendency of this blessed revelation is no lesse to found such a rational assurance in the judgment of its truth then to ingadge their will and consent for imbracing therof and though such great demonstrations for this end can only in suo genere have a convincing influence to perswade the understanding yet are they of such weight here as next to the demonstration of the Spirit of God they are the greatest means to bring up mens assent to a full and quieting rest on that security to which they must concredite themselves for ever and to let them see that this even here by the way is assuredly full though not yet their injoyment III. Because this faith of assent should be first followed in the order of nature as being the very first principle of conversion to know and be sure that God hath sent his son into the world to save sinners wherin as the H. Ghost is not the objective but the efficient cause here of our faith so is not the internal worke and testimony he gives on the soul the first testimony but must still have respect to the revelation of the word without and such demonstrative evidences therof wherwith it is revealed to the world nor may ever be separate that which God hath himself so indissolubly joyned IV. That so convincing a necessity and use is hereof to the Church and in a special way with respect to the youth for a more firme laying of the groundwork of their Christian profession and to be as the seed-plot of a blessed and desirable grouth amonghst such in this day that they might thus know early something of these primary grounds and demonstrations of their faith so also is it a study of that high importance as I humbly judge should be of notable use for a Manuduction in the first place to students of Divinity before they launch forth in that vast and immense ocean of the speculative part therof and for being at some greater advantage thus for carying on such a confirming worke in the Church in their future service V. Yea of what use might this be with respect to many who may be sore haunted with hid and dreadful temptations to infidelity and to weaken them on the very foundations of their faith who are wholly unfurnished of any such grounds and arguments in their judgment to repel the same and it is sure to believe firmly the history of the Gospel that God was manifested in our nature to save man is with respect to the object a much higher act of faith then to believe that he will save us since as the one doth unspeakably more transcend all human reason then the other so doth the Apostle thus argue from the greater to the lesse Rom. 8 32. That he who gave his own son to the death will he not also with him give us all things That such a confirming worke Posit III was most specially followed in the practize of the primitive times and one of the great ends of the ministry of the Apostles and Evangelists to have this faith of assent and doctrinal certainty therof on its proper grounds and evidences deeply founded in mens judgment is so clear as cannot come under debate I. That this way did the great author of our profession himself take not only by the authority of his word and the power and energy of grace but with that convincing evidence and demonstration of his truth to mens understanding as might found also a firme and rational assurance hereof II. That for this end he did pray the Father Joh. 17 21. and was so much pressed herein that so great an external demonstration of the truth of the Gospel in the concord and unity of his people might be kept clear that the world might thus believe that he was sent of God and have a deeper conviction hereof served on them by such an evidence III. That one special intent of the Evangel of Luke was for this end Luke 1 4. that men might know not only the things themselves by a naked relatation but the certainty of these things wherin they had been formerly instructed IV. That herein did the ministry of Apollos so brightly shine forth Act. 18 28. and was then of most singulare use to the Church by that clearnesse of rational conviction and demonstrative arguments for the truth of Christ as the greatest gain sayers could not withstand V. That its sure it was then without exception expressly required of the meanest within the Church to be allways ready to render the reasons of their hope to all who ask and not only to know what they did believe but why they did so as is clear 1 Pet. 3 15. yea that this could not be by bringing forth of internal evidences for conviction of others but to give them an account of the most cogent grounds and demonstrations of the Gospel as might be most prevalent and confirming to the weak and leave others inexcusable and seems to have been then specially pressed in these primitive times as a proper test of their Christian profession VI. And we see herein also how much these excellent Bereans were taken up and were so highly commended of the H. Ghost Act. 17 11. to know the demonstrative part of Christianity and by its own evidence with that intire harmony and consent of the Scripture therin and their being thus diligently intent in that comparing-worke of religion to see the truth therof not singly and apart by themselves alone but in that joynt union and coherence wherin they stand each in their own room for confirming and giving light to other VII That this was the way also wherin the Gospel did come to the Gentil church is cleerly shewed 1 Thess 1 5. Not in word only but as in power and in the H. Ghost so also in much assurance of understanding upon its own evidence which was that way it did so wonderfully prevail over the world against nature and stream of flesh and blood that stood in the furthest opposition therto VIII That one of the greatest services of the Apostles in their visiting the Churches did expresly ly here Acts 14 22. to confirme the souls of the Disciples in the first place on the certainty of their faith and then in exhorting them to continue in the same so as they might follow the
of this kind might tend more to promote the Kingdom of Christ in this day I shal but add this further on the present subject Posit VII that as there are some more signal periods of time to which a greater brightnesse and increase of light hath respect under the New Testament so doth there now seem to be some remarkable call and excitment to such a confirming work in this day about the Christian faith when we may hope that a more solemne and restoring time of religion in the world is on a near approach though all sensible evidence would seem to control this and may be now more looked after then prepared for under any suitable impression of these grounds for the same I. That the promised time of the conversion of the Jewes doth assuredly draw near and whatever be judged by some of the Lords immediate appearence herein by a miracle yet is it unquestionable that nothing in the way of means could be more promising and hopeful to promot this great end then in promoting so great a service as this for the Christian Church II. That a greater extent also of the profession of Christ amonghst the Gentils and renting of the vaile that is now over many dark nations seemeth clearly insured therwith and what a hopeful evidence should this be if such a publick and catholick spirit were more seen how to advance the highest ends of religion on such an accompt without respect to any partial or divided interest yea that this blest zeal of God might in that manner appear to have the dark world get a more clear and convincing prospect of the highest rational demonstrations of Christianity as might through the Lords gracious concurrence bring men once to an inquisitive and serious spirit about the same Oh that such may be thus raised up in this dismal hower with something of that ancient spirit to travel with desire for the salvation of mankind and of whom it may be said as of blest Nehemiah these are indeed come to seek the welfare of their people in their greatest interest III. And this farther excitment we are now under for this end in a time when Popery seems to be upon one of its last and greatest assaults against the Church since it s so clear what ever tends to confirm men in Christianity from their own tryal and inquiry upon the confirming evidences therof must have the same native result to make such confirmed Protestants yea nothing is more demonstrable then that the method and grounds that are taken both to ingadge and fix men in the Popish profession have the same rational tendency to promot Atheism and to give infidels the greatest advantage to reject the profession of Christ CHAPTER II. The confirming worke of Religion reduced to practical use in some clear view of these primary grounds and demonstrations of our faith which none should pretend ignorance of who enters the profession of Christ upon choise and certainty of evidence SECTION I. QU. I. WHat reasons and demonstrations can yow give for so great a faith of the glorious being of God when he is invisible to humane sense since this is the fundation of all religion ANSW Though on the sacred truth and authority of his own word this is principally founded yet I am with the furthest infallible evidence herein confirmed I. That it can be no more sure this marvellous frame of the heavens and earth hath a being and is the object of our sense then that a supreme infinite wisdome and power must be the first cause hereof and it were simply impossible it could ever otherwise have been II. That he hath thus made himself visible to our eyes by such a visible world and in so exquisite an order and correspondence there to support the same as nothing stands alone by it self but in a line of mutual respect which runs through the whole creation whom we may as clearly thus see as that there is an invisible soul in a living body III. That this harmony is amongst thinghs in their own nature so contrare and destructive to other for to hold this wonderful frame as all must abandon reason or see an infinitly wise conduct herein and no need of extraordinary miracles to confirme what the whole constitutions of nature do witnesse IV. That this rare frame of man could never have come in being but by him who could unite such different substances as a material body and an immaterial soul in so near and marvelous an union V. That such an universal consent of mankind is in all ages therto as shews religion to be founded in the very nature of man and as essential to his being as his reason is yea how the ultimate difference of man from the beast and most essential property of human nature lyes here VI. That though every one be an enemy to what torments him yet was it never possible for an Atheist to free himself from that unavoidable sense and fear of a Deity nor in a world so much lost in wickednesse could ever extinguish the awe of religion or make any rational opposition to this greatest article of the common faith of mankind VII That the reason of the whole constitution of nature and vicissitude of things here is so great as without shutting out the use of reason we cannot but see how nothing possibly could have been better and that any want hereof in the whole frame of the universe would be as the dislocation of a joynt of the body and were not conceivable to be otherwise then it is by infinite wisdome appointed VIII That it s simply impossible that God blessed for ever should not exist or that this universe which is a worke so highly becoming the greatnesse of its maker could possibly subsist for one hour or minute of time without a supreme independent power and being on which all visible beings have their dependance since they cannot depend upon nothing IX That such is the absolute necessity of the faith also of a God-head as without this the state of mankind could not morally subsist or any possible order subjection piety and justice be to support human society but as Bradwardine saith O quam necesse est hunc esse quem impossibile est non esse O that men cannot but see these effects of his power on the conscience in the certainty of a profetick light and discovery as hath been oft given of future things and in the undenyable truth of miracles so as such a prodigy as a profest Atheist can have no claime to human race as a rational being more then the greatest monster in nature to be a true man QU. II. What doth witnesse the worlds not being eternal and its first original and beginning from God to confirme your faith herein by the further rational demonstration ANS I. That as an eternity is only communicable to the first cause so that which is made up of corruptible perishing things as this visible world cannot possibly
it may be ever seen how with the greatest prosperity of the wicked here there are punishments of another kind dispensed and more dreadful then any outward affliction such as judicial obstinacy and blindnesse of mind in opposition to God even when their own ruine is made visible to them herein VII How oft men are thus evidently condemned to be happy in this world by some strang measure of temporall successe and prosperity before some great fall and ruine as the issue hereof in the last shene of providence doth fully attest VIII That it s seen also how sin doth ever bring its own punishment therewith in some begun degree both of shame and torment and as Seneca an heathen could say that wickednesse was the most exquisite contriver of human misery so the world likewise may see how a present immunity from judgment is no release but when its sentence is not speadily execute yet is it at last surely execute IX And how evident is it that the greatest haters of godlinesse are yet inforced to justify the same and the Christians choise herein as the greatest wisdome upon any surprising state and extremity yea how such would be glad to joyne interests then with such in their death whom they most contemned in their life QU. V. How is it convincing and demonstrable that God hath given any clear and expres revelation of his will and councel unto men and that such a wonderfull record is undoubtedly extant in the world ANSW That I. it is not possible to believe the being of God and not also the truth of an established law and rule of commerce betwixt him and man here so as to know both what we should doe and what to expect and hope from him II. That this also must be known and display its power and efficacy to the world in that manner and by such infallible evidence of its truth as may render all inexcusable who give not intire credite therto III. I can be no more clear and assured there is but one sun in the firmament then that there is but one fountain and repository of sacred light about religion which is the Scripture and its being the alone publick standard of truth to the whole world IV. That no way was ever made known to recover mankind from a state of bondage darknesse and misery compatible with the very use of reason but by this blessed light which shineth there V. Yea that there is as visible a difference betwixt the same and any pretended religion which ever was besides in the world as there is betwixt day and night which is founded in the immutable nature of these things in themselves VI. That there is one proper sphere where this glorious light of divine truth is fixed and wherein it shines forth from one age to another which is the Christian Church QU. VI. But what more peculiare evidences can yow shew of the divinity of the Scriptures that all may see to be of infallible truth ANSW I. That its sure such a book is this day in the earth which no created wisdome could ever have done and contains such things of highest conceirn to mankind as doe infinitly exceed the bounds of human ability and invention or could ever have been discovered but by God himself II. That it gives forth such exquisite laws and constitutions of our religion as men must needs see the holy nature purity and perfection of God most brightly shining forth therin III. Which doth discover so great and proper a relief for all these evils and miseries that doe attend this fallen estate of man as none but an allsufficient God could only doe IV. That he alone must be the author of this blessed record who rules the world and hath determined the changes and revolutions therof when it is not more evident how these visible heavens are stretched forth over the earth then that this line of the Scripture is stretched over the whole worke and frame of providence and doth most clearly illuminate the same V. That surely this was the product of infinite wisdome whence so great a variety of matter doth meet with so visible a concent and harmony in one perfect and intire frame yea knit in so closse a bond of union together as makes the whole Bible to be intirly one piece though in the writing of each distinct part therof it could never have possibly been contrived or forseen by humane wisdome what we see here of so admirable an agreement correspondence as is in all the parts therof VI. That none els could have spoke to the world in so majestick a way becoming the greatnesse and soveraignity of God to assume such a supremacy give forth laws for absolute obedience from all mankind therto on such a penalty of eternal destruction or that any impostures either possibly could or durst have in such a manner personate the same VII That it must needs be his word who perfectly knows what is in man and hath an absolute authority over the soul and is a discerner of the thoughts therof who thus not only gives law to the conscience and our inward parts but doth establish an internal religion there no lesse absolutly then what respects our external worke and actions VIII Yea where all may see the whole penmen therof under so intire a subjection to the doctrine which they tought and to be no contrivance of their own as they did record their own failings and imperfections in behalf of the truth and did thus also require all just respect and obedience to the Magistrates when through the whole earth they were then greatest enemies to the truth of the Gospel IX That this must be his word who alone can derive principles of life to his own institutions and animate the same with a quickning Spirit and is a worke above the contrivance of Angels or men when directed to each new tryal of the Church and personal case of Christians as though it had been alone writt for that time so that I can be no more perswaded in reason there is such a book as the Bible in the earth then that it came from heaven and is the alone rule of religion and of divine revelation for the governing of mankind QU. VII How is the secure conveyance of the Scripture demonstrable amidst all the changes of times past and that no possible accesse could be for its corruption ANSW I. That its so undenyably the first rule which ever was given to mankind of religion and the alone publick standard of truth that hath endured the tryal and inquiry of all times past so as no pretences in the matter of antiquity could yet ever be to the contrare II. That so exact an harmony is betwixt the Old and New Testament as the one is a visible transcript of the other in its accomplishment that I can be no more sure of such a venerable record as the Old Testament and its unalterable conveyance to the Church to
which the whole race of the Jewes is yet a standing witnesse then how it is continued and perfected in the revelation of the Gospel and but one intire frame III. That its deliverance was no private deed but by a publick trust to the whole universal Church so as it were more easy in the way of reason to question the most fundamental statutes and lawes of any nation by which mens private right and property is secured then the truth hereof IV. That under the Gospel it hath been so fully dispersed over the world and in such various languages as an innumerable company of Christians these 1600 years past hath been as a common library of the same V. That these numerous versions and commentaries transmit theron in diverse languages doe fully evidence they had the same Scripture and no other then what we have this day VI. That this was delivered to the Church not only in write but in that forme of sound words for keeping closse therby as could admit no possible accesse to corrupt or alter the same besides the continued and publick reference hath been since the first ages of the Gospel to its decision which all these sharpe controversies that have been in the Church on all sides doe inevitably require QU. VIII What doth confirme the fall of man and entry thus of sin into the world this way from clear and unavoidable evidences of reason ANSW I. That there is such a thing as sin and evil in the world with the sense and conscience of guilt arising hereon amonghst all mankind can need no proof or evidence II. That it is simply impossible this should have been originally created with man or essentially belonging to his first frame and constitution since then there could be no conscience of guilt or remorse for what was given to be a part of himself in his first frame or be any sin to act thus suitably to their own original state III. That it were not conceivable also how one part of man should be in such opposition to another IV. Nor that such a thing as inherent shame could be in the nature of man upon the sence of guilt and by so natural a result follow the same or that such should be ashamed of any part of his own being if this were not upon ane undoubted apostacy from what once he was and that inevitable conviction of conscience that he now is what he ought not to be so as the certainty of mans fall though alone revealed in the Scripture as to the true cause thereof yet may be as evident to reason as the truth of his being now is SECTION II. QU. I. ARe there such assistances to the Christian faith upon that great and astonishing mystery of the revelation of Christ to the world as can fully answer the greatnesse thereof from cleare and infallible evidence to mens judgement ANSW It is sure there could nothing possibly be desired more to satisfy the most doubtfull and suspicious minde then is given for the furthest certainty hereof I. That such a glorious person as the Messiah was to come and be anoynted to that great work of redeeming mankinde from sin and misery and bring man back again unto God and how this promise is the alone foundation whereon the church was founded since man fell II. That all these numerous types and sacrifices under the law did so expresly tend to confirm their faith of that one blessed propitiatory sacrifice which was to be offered up III. That longer the New Testament was writ there was so cleare and exact a portraicture of the Messias drawen forth in the old with such peculiar marks whereby he should be knowen to the church and have infallibly taken place in the event as men could not upon any Scripture evidence exspect his comming in another way IV. That his humiliation and sufferings were so expresly shewed forth and foretold with the peculiar circumstances thereof in the 53. chap. of Isaiah and 9. of Daniel as if they had been eye wittnesses of the accomplishment thereof V. That even the speciall season and period of time for outmaking of this great promise was so far made knowen as upon diligent search and inquiry its neare approach might be discernable and cleare to what or what manner of time this did specially relate for which both the fall of the monarchies and Daniels seventy weekes were set up as highway markes to guide mens faith herein VI. That it s simply impossible according to the Scripture how the promised Messias could be yet to come except the Jewes were put in the same state they were in at his coming when now for these 1600. Jeares there hath been no Scepter nor lawgiver no temple or daily Sacrifice VII That this great mystery could never possibly have entered in our thoughts or be devised by any created understanding QU. II. But are there as cleare and infallible evidences of the truth of this great promise in the event that surely the blessed Messias of the world is now come as that it is sure be was promised ANSW It s beyond all possible debate I. That so divine and wonderfull a person was in the dayes of Tiberius Caesar manifested then to Israel with no outward shew or observation who did so great and marvellous things before all the people as were above all created power yea was crucifyed at Jerusalem under Pontius Pilate and is a truth in the matter of fact that both Jewes and heathens have been enforced to confesse II. That this special season of his comming into the world as the great Epocha and period of time from which the Christian church hath since to this day reckoned her state and succession is undoubted and clear also III. That the time of his appearance unto the world did so exactly tryst with that which was foretold by the Prophets as then the Jewish church was with greatest advertance looking after the Messias so as some remarkable impostors were thus excited to deceive the people herein IV. That in him who was then revealed and whom the Christian church worships its sure was most exactly fulfilled what ever was foretold concerning the Messias in the Old Testament and we do appeal herein to these records which all the Jewes even to this day do acknowledge to be divine V. That this was not done in a corner but in the publick view of men in these dayes most noture and famous yea by the special destination of God at so solemn a time of the passover in Jerusalem where Christ our passover was then sacrificed VI. That no humane interest or policy can possibly be in this discovery of the gospell when nothing more visibly crosse therto or obstructive of its successe then such a publishing of the death and sufferings of our Lord with all the ignominy and abasement which attended the same had there been any accesse here to consult carnal reason or any other ground to beare it out then the evidence and certainty
assistence to your faith doth the certainty of these powers of darknesse bring therewith ANSW I. That such a party both in their nature and continued actings are in a stated opposition to the Kingdome of Christ II. That it is so visible the prey which these mighty hunters do follow is not our body or the things of this life but is with respect to ane immortal soul and ane after state and that thus man might be made sharer of the same misery under which they are concluded III. That all may see their being under restraint of a supream power above them under such chaines as do irresistibly bound their rage and enmity against man by ane invisiâ—le guard and hedge which they cannot breake over IV. How their greatest rage and strugling is against the conversion of sinners to God and to hold fast his possession in such as the Spirit of God doth not more clearely move for their rescue then these doe to crosse that blessed design of the Gospel V. That there are none serious in the truth and life of religion but finde themselves pursued by such ane adversary and to have as discernably another party then themselves or the world to conflict with as if they saw them in a visible shape VI. That by the Gospel and within the precinct of the church is so discernably a greater restraint of Satans dominion and power then in all the earth besides yea that the advantage of being within the external covenant of Baptisme is so demonstrable as the least yeelding or tendency to a renouncing of the same or any acts of homage for making use of his help hath ever made way for some more extraordinary power of the devil over such then others VII Thus also is a most undeniable confirmation given of ane invisible world and of such intellectual beings there as are far above man yea that there is so undoubted ane intercourse betwixt men and spirits as may clearely shew that interest mens soul hath in another state and world then this QU. III. Is that great truth of the immortality of the soull and its never dying state after death as fully demonstrable to reason as it is by the furthest certainty of faith ANSW Though it be so amazing a thing to beleeve ane immortal soull and eternal state wherein it must shortly enter as by few seemes to be apprehended yet are its demonstrative evidences such that except men lose all sence and use of reason it is not possible to deny I. That there is such ane immaterial and active substance as the soull which can admit no cause either of its decay or dissolution from the body yea that the greatest excellency of this visible creation is here that such a vital beam of life light and immortality as the soull of man is therein II. Though we cannot see this rare and wonderful being yet it is here we both see and feel it to be something distinct from the body and to have a distinct interest both in its griefs and comforts III. How it can have no dependance on the body in its being which doth no way depend thereon in its actings and exercise but is oft most vigorous and cleare in its exercise not only when most separat and abstract from sensible things but when the flesh is under the greatest decay and neare its dissolution to shew the soull lyeth not a dying with the body but hath its distinct subsistence to live in a separat state when it dyes IV. It s being peculiarly framed for converse and intercourse with spiritual beings yea is only of the visible creation admit to fellowship with the invisible God and to have reflex acts upon it self V. How it is a being of a higher nature and value then the sun moon and starrs which not only can know and conceive of things above the evidence and impressions of sense but to make a rational choise of good though crosse to any sensual pleasure yea to rejoyce and have its proper delights when the body is afflicted and in pain nor can be defiled from the most loathsome sores and defilements of the flesh so as I must needs see both its dominion and preheminence over the body and to have assuredlie a subsistence without the same VI. That it is such a being as is capable of a happinesse beyond the whole extent of the world hath these intellectual facultyes which cannot possibly want both objects suitable thereto and injoyments above the senses VII That the most choise and excellent are usually most afflicted and crushed under the feet of their oppressours whilst these flourish in the earth and have no bands in their death so as such were of all men the most miserable if in this life both their being and blessednesse were founded VIII That there is so universal a sense of immortality as these who both feare and hate the evidences hereof yet under some constraint of reason hath the same for a continued terrour IX That it is sure the certainty of death makes it simply impossible for things only suited to this life of sense to be the ultimate good or fruition of man since else the beasts should have a greater happinesse then such if it were not from respect to ane after and immortal state QU. IV. What confirmation to your faith does that great and amazing change by death offer when it would seem to be something meerly natural ANSW Though the only wife God moves herein according to the nature of second causes and that it hath various wayes of approach unto men yet may all see with the furthest conviction of rational evidence as well as certainty of faith I. How death in its first constitution is penal and comes by a divine appointment unto all not meerly as men but as sinners and to be thus no natural accident and result of our primitive and original frames II. That its death as a penalty which keepes the feare and dread thereof so much on all living as that last period when the eternal state of men is then cast III. That the sting and bitternesse of sin is so manifest in innumerable diseases and stroakes of death which many feel an 100. times ere they dye once beyond other of the creatures IV. Though the sentence of dying is on all yet so great a difference is betwixt the saints and residue of men here that its penal execution on the ungodly is such as nature can give no support herein V. That supernatural presages and warnings hereof ere it come are in all times so known and sure yea such extraordinare evidences sometimes of the precise time as could have no possible rise from any natural cause VI. That its immediat commission from a supream and invisible power is so evident in such executions oft of this sentence by sword famine and pestilence as the visible finger of God in a just retribution unto men for sin may be no lesse seen and a supernatural
causality then the effects have been undoubted and cleare to shew such is the state of man as this great revolution by death doth each moment depend on a call from heaven VII That the certainty of something supernatural herein as the King of terrours is so known as no releefe can possibly be found but in the truth and power of Christianity to set men both above the feare of death and ane after state when once it comes neere VIII Yea that it is surely above the possibility of nature which can beare out in this great adventure and trial of mens faith both in the truth and strength thereof at death for which end the Lord hath thus choised that by so strange ane entry and at so dark a port they should first passe to the full enjoyment of that glorious state above QU. V. What evidence and demonstration can yow shew to confirm so great a faith of an eternal glory abiding the Saints in heaven and of its earnest and first fruits here as may strike ane undeniable conviction hereof on the world ANSW I. By that visible ripening and resemblance to such a state in all the degrees of a Christians grouth to a more full stature of the man in Christ as may be no lesse evident then the natural grouth of our body II. That though the opening of these gates of the second world be hid as no humane sense can discern the spirit in its ascent through these higher regions to that unconceiveable paradise and glory in the third heaven yet is the triumphant entry and passage of innumerable Christians at death such as hath oft been a matter of sense and clearest evidence to the world III. That such also were both humble tender and sincere in their life and then in so great a composure of judgement as all might see they knew what made them glade and could swallow up both the feares and bitternesse of death yea that this was not given for their own support only but for a more publick use to the conviction and confirming of others IV. That the state of glory is demonstrable and hath been oft brought downe to mens sense by these ravishing joyes of the Martyres of Christ and exultation of spirit even in the flames V. By such supernatural comforts as attend the life of Christianity and can have no possible rise from the flesh and outward causes with that joy and peace which by so natural a result followes well-doing and any service of love for Christ as all may see to be the first fruits of that harvest which is above VI. By so rare and marvellous a frame of the new man set up in this lower region of grace in so discernable a conformity to the blessed God and resemblence to another state then here to which the world is but as a place of pilgrimage trial and a preparatory state only VII By such visible returns of joy and comfort of Christians after saddest conflicts and downecastings and day-break of these vital quickning beames of divine light that have been no lesse evident oft then that of the martyrs at the stake who cryed out Now he is come he is come VIII By these breathings of love after ane unseen Christ and visible effects of its power on men as might shew some begun translation of the soull so far herein as to be more where it loves then it lives IX Though we cannot see here that ineffable glory which is above but should have our faith insteed of eyes yet such is the truth of holinesse as doth not only evidence but in its own nature partake of a future glory so as every degree and act thereof doth enter in a begun state of fruition and blessednesse and makes it simply impossible for a good man in any true exercise of godliness not to be happy also and thus in a more near capacity to know that joy unspeakable and full of glory which is above X. By so sure known and tryed a passage betwixt heaven and mens souls in prayer with so setled a trade of commerce this way and certain returns as with assurance such can say though they must change their place yet not their company XI That the whole dispensations of providence in Israâ—ls passage through the wildernesse and to so excellent a country as Canaan is no lesse sure in it self then that iâ— was given for an embleme and type of the jurt nying and militant state of the faints hereand to be a solemne pledge of that Canaan above XII That such is the magnificence harmony and order of these visible heavens and celestial bodies there with their different degrees of glory though all illuminated from the same fountain of light the sun as we may judge by a divine ordination have some peculiar respect to that end to awake raise our thoughts thus to these higher regions of glory which are above all these by what is thus visible to our eyes where the redeemed of the Lord shall be ever fixed shine forth as the Sun in the kingdome of their Father QU. VI. What visible and awakning evidences are there of the truth of an Hell and that state of horrour and torment in another world which even to mens senses here might present the certainty thereof ANSW I. That it can be no more sure there is such a power and party as that of the Devils then the reality of some such horrid region and place also to which they belong and are adjudged to II. From so innumerable a company of human race as are not only in the visible service of these infernal spirits but partakers of the same nature and enmity against the H. God and his image as doth clearly witnesse their respect and tendency to the same state and place and to be consederate in their judgement as they were here in their sin III. From such visible impressions of vindictive justice on mens souls with such horrour of conscience and unsufferable torments this way as in all ages have been known by most remarkable instances when not in the least distemper of their natural reason that may present to mens senses something of a visible Hell as convincingly as if one had risen from the dead for the same IV. From such a trembling sense and terror of divine vengeance as oft follows upon horrid acts of wickednesse and most eminently then breaks forth upon a surprising sight of death as all may see something more dreadful herein then the dissolution of nature and the power and present arrest of a future judgment made visible in the same V. From such begun degrees as that of blaspheming and rage against God because of his plagues with these prodigies of cruelty exerced by men here in the earth as might be evident to all to be more then human and rather the effects of infernal spirits acting in a human shape VI. From so clear a prelude of the same in that judicial obduration and blindnesse so many
and was and shall be because thou hast judged tâ—us for they have shed the blood of thy saints and prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink in great measure XV. Yea have we not seen how four Kings of France successively were in lesse then 30. years taken away in the same continued pursuit how to destroy the Church there in whom that whole race of the Valois was thus extinct yea in the manner of their death were most remarkable monuments of divine judgement as the most famous writers of that time does attest XVI We have seen what marvelous effects did follow these bloody years of Queen Mary's reign in England to promot and commend the Protestant doctrine to mens consciences there with so great a triumph it had in the sufferings of such choise and excellent witnesses for Christ as hath brought in more rent to the praise and glory of their blessed head then may to the furthest compense all that blood of the Saints there though highly precious in the eyes of the Lord. XVII We have seen likewayes the blood and cruelty of late against the Protestants in Bohemia in a short time most observably returned on the authors thereof and how the immediate finger of God might be seen in calling forth the Swedes to avenge the same and in that desolating strock which followed on Germany XVIII We have seen in these late times the issue of that horrid massacre on the Protestants in Ireland to the utter ruine in a very few years after of that barbarous party who had thus acted herein XIX We have seen what wonderful providences did attend the actings of that poor handful of Protestants in the Valleys of Piemont since the Reformation upon the account of that bloody massacre which was set on foot there against them which was so astonishing as all might see an extraordinare appearence of the Lord herein as is clearly attested by the most faithful Histories of that time XX. And can it be forgot unto this day how visibly a divine hand did appear in breaking that great Spanish Armado in the year 1588. which had been for some years in contriving against England XXI As it was astonishing and specially demonstrative of the immediate power and presence of God it should be matter of wonder and praise also for after ages that solemne time of the Reformation of the Church in Scotland for planting the reformed Religion there with that zeal and onnesse of spirit as did then appear in all ranks to imbrace and adhere to the profession thereof amidst the greatest threatnings of their adversaries so as a few years did bring forth that which would have seemed strang for an age to accomplish yea that we find betwixt the last Martyr for the truth there who was burnt at St. Andrews 1558. and the establishment of the Protestant Religion and full abolishment of Popery with the full concurrence of civil authority herein in July 1560. was but little above two years to shew what great things the Lord can doe above all human councel or confidence XXII It s sure we have seen in what remarkable degrees these last vials of the holy judgment of God hath taken place on the Kingdome of Antichrist and how conspicuous the event hath been of that prophecy 2 Thessal 2 8. in these great effects and consumption thereof by the ministry of the Gospel as an assured pledge of the full accomplishment of what remains herein XXIII And as every step of the Churches rise hath been still advanced in a continued conflict betwixt the truth and Antichrist so have we still seen when the assault and opposition hath been greatest it s most remarkable tendancy to a greater victory which were it rightly considered upon clear and solid grounds from the Scripture the most formidable appearences of trouble from this adversary should with more comfort then fear this day be looked on so that whatever be the nearest and most immediate events yet is it sure as the Lord is true whose word is passed hereon that whosoever gives their power and strength to support that interest of Antichrist shall lose the day and find their cause desperate for the party with whom they contend herein is the Son of God against whom no human power shall ever be able to stand These are but a few which are here mentioned of the great acts of our God in behalf of his Truth to be still as present in our sight in a time when the spirits of many are ready to stagger and faint and here mentioned to lay no stresse or weight of the authority of the truth and doctrine of our profession thereon but on the alone revelation of the Scripture but that they are such an undenyable seal for confirming our faith and of so known publick and famous evidence as should be no lesse considered and taken to heart now then in the time when the Lord thus appeared herein SECTION III. QU. WHat present judgment are we called to have of this time upon clear and assured grounds from the Scripture that we may know under what aspect therof the present state of Religion and of the reformed Churches is under when so great a crisis is this day as would seem to be in the very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of its conflict whither as to life or death ANSW It is no present appearences of the time must direct our faith nor should we either streath our fears or expectations of things and events beyond what the God of truth doth warrand in his word but its clear if we credite the same and admitt the divinity of the New Testament there is no just cause of hesitation or darknesse as to what the Lord is bringing forth for his Church now in these latter dayes nor can there be any pretence to seek an other light either from the stars above or the diviners of this time when so woful a trade hath got up in the world that men will thus goe to the God of Ekron as though there were not a God in Israel or such a thing as his written Oracles to inquire at when its sure these ly open and with a clear and distinct sound speaks to all who have a serious and unprejudged spirit I. That the Church under the New Testament hath now passed and gone through that most dismal and continued tryal herein which was to goe over her head under Antichrists reigne and hight and whatever appearence he now hath in great wrath yet is it sure and evident that the winter is past and the Churches spring begun and a few steps further of that judgment which is now hastning on will at lenth end the quarrel so that by a near converse with the word we may clearly see from what point the Churches course and motion this day lyes and how exactly it keeps in the certainty thereof by that clear conduct of the Scriptures of truth where a full map of her whole course and passage through
time is clearly shewed II. That we may now with some clear evidence judge and have our faith perswaded hereof that the Churches interest is upon the rising hand and on a present advance though nothing would seem more contradictory then all visible grounds now are since this cannot sail John 3 30. that Jesus Christ in his kingdom in the earth must increase yea that the Scripture so clearly points forth Antichrists ruine and progresse of his fall and douncasting with resemblance to that great judgment on Pharaoh as an evident type hereof in the same judicial strocks of induration on both and gradual progresse herein by one plague after another until the last and greatest assault as was then at the Red-sea hath the same effect for a more glorious appearence of God in the greatest step of judgment and victory over this adversary when not only the song of Moses but of the Lamb also shall be then sung Rev. 15 3. as importing something more glorious and a greater brightnesse to be put on this illustrious act of divine judgment reserved to these last times when a more immediate appearence of the Lord will be seen then in any sormer deliveries of his Church III. It is no conjectural thing but what by a clear Scripture conduct we may see that this time of the Church now under so notable a Crisis in her case is evidently falling under that remarkable assault and conflict with that adversary before the accomplishing of that vial on his seat and throne as we may see Revel 17 13 14. that when so conspicuous a step of the Churches victory is near the opposition thereto also will be in some higher degree proportionable to the same when the great men of the earth and such who shall receive power as Kings one hower with the beast shall have one mind and give their power and strength thereto and shall make war with the Lamb but the Lamb shall overcome them for he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords c. Nor is it found through the Scripture where any great thing the Lord hath done for his Church but some unusual darknesse and sore wrestlings hath still gone before and should be no matter of staggering to our faith whatever be of present fears to see so dismal a time of tryal as now is and amazing hight of trouble beyond what former times have known when one of the greatest events of providence in behalf of the Church since the revealing of Christ to the world until his second coming is assuredly near in the fall and overthrow of the man of sin IV. We have clear ground also to judge that so great an eclipse as seems allmost universally over the state of the Reformed Churches is no goeing down of the sun theron whatever did befall the most famous eastern Churches to an utter dissipation thereof if these different periodes of time be justly considered how their sun-set did then fall in with the entry of that great Apostacy of the Christian Church and with that long and dismall night of Antichrists reign whilst now this hower of tryal on the Churches doth meet in that blessed period of Antichrists begun fall and of a growing light of the Gospel and when the Scripture so clearly warrands our faith herein that the worke of providence is to plant and not cutt of but to bring forward that interest of the Reformed Churches in the founding of which the Mediator hath so eminently appeared in the glory of his power in these last times V. It is sure me now live in the evening and extremity of time when the motions of providence may be expected to be more quick and speady as being so near the center and to the last Epocha and period of all prophetick Chronology wherein the glory of God in his truth and faithfulnesse shall most eminently shine forth and these Scripture truths which were formerly dark abstruse with that evidence shine forth in the event as shall cause men to wonder at their former thoughts and stumblings thereat And here I must say that there is such a sight now in the earth as the Romish Church in its complex frame and state in so different a mould cast from any power or jurisdiction else and such a compound of a civil and Spiritual Monarchy in one and the same person is so solemn and undenyable a seal to the Christian faith and divinity of the New Testament that its strang why this is not improven more against the Atheism of this time that such a visible event of the Scripture is now in being which was so clearly fortold by the Holy Ghost 1500. years ago with its proper circumstances as to the manner of that Antichristian state with its rise grouth duration as is to admiration stil evident to the world when not the least shaddow or appearence of so strang future emergencies was to be seen or could have entred in mens thoughts to shew it only could be revealed to the Church by him to whom all his works are known from the beginning This I have looked on as such a confirmation to the truth of Christianity that no miracles in the first times of the Church could have more evidence for the same yea if such a party were not in being both what it now is and in former ages hath been it might in another manner stagger the faith of the Saints to a questioning the truth of the Scripture then its most formidable appearence this day can doe VI. I shall but add here that we know and are sure the Lord hath reserved his greatest works to these latter dayes wherein his judgments shall be manifest and that one of the most eminent manifestations of his glory before the close of time shal be conspicuous in the fall of Antichrist on whose ruines that glorious hous which Christ is yet to have for himself both of Jews and Gentiles shall be prepared and built up and though this great eclipse of Antichristian darknesse should yet more prevail even over the visible profession of the truth in the Churches of Britain and Ireland there is no cause to be staggered in the faith of Romes fatal period being near but to look hereon according to the Scripture as the Vltimus Conatus of that wounded adversary which will be found in the issue to have the most immediate connexion with his greatest downfall and the reviving glory of the Church for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her SECTION IV. QU. WHat is specially called for in this day of such as are accountable for so great a talent of light and confirmations to our faith ANSW If this were suitably taken to heart we could not but reckon our selves under the greatest excitment and call to such an improvment hereof I. That we account it not enough to have a faith for quieting our own spirits but how to confirme others by putting to our seal that God is true in the great assurances
are now called to and accountable for in behalf of the truth and for sanctifying the Lord in the eyes of others who are under so great a talent of light and confirmation in the same Pag. 99 FINIS AN IDEA Of the confirm'd state of a Christian in dismall and shaking times THo the same measure of Christians establishment in the truth be not alike to all but must have respect to the different trialls talent improvements of such for this end yet may it be cause of astonishment how rare any study of this kinde is now to be sound when it s not only one of the highest concerns of Christianity but in a more then ordinary way called for as the work of this day yea that this is a part of religion which seemes lest improven of any for the more generall state of professours within the Church under some conviction hereof was this essay designed where with humble confidence I may say the truth hath been sought with that serious enquiry into the nature of these things held forth as I judged needfull for such who have so great ane interest venture not only through time but for all eternity to support upon the alone certainty hereof er these dayes of triall which we now see passe over this generation it may be found this was not unseasonable or without cause directed to such a time if the Lord graciously blesse the same nor will it I hope be found incongruous without use to present yet further in such a method way of example some cleare prospect of a confirmed state in religion what these ought to be who with light assurance of minde would follow the Lord fully in such a day as is here offered in a 7 fold Character under which a truly confirmed Christian in the truth of his profession may be stated CHARACTER I. That he is one who hath ane other sence impression of this great study for attaining to a confirmed state in religion is on higher grounds pressed to follow the same then what most of the visible Church seemes to apprehend should be thus considred 1. As one to whom the glory of the Christian profession is in the highest degree deare to have the world see that such as embrace the same does most fully adventure on the testimony of God in his word are these also who walks on the highest principles of true enlightned reason yea who takes deeply to heart that obligation which is on all who desires to advance the repute honor of the truth to be in such tearmes therewith upon its own evidence as they may know how to serve a rationall conviction both on Atheists insidels if called thereunto 2. Who sees also how such is the state of fallen man as stands in need of all the contributions that can be not only to strengthen the Christians faith and beare out against the strong assaults of infidelity but to gain also more credit and veneration to the truth with these who are not easily delt with but by such meanes as beares some congruity to their naturall light and reason for which end the Lord hath affoorded these ministeriall helpes to render the misbeleefe of the world or any pretense of hesitation about his truth more fully inexcusable 3. He thus sees how the most important and fundamentall truths of Christianity needs the greatest confirmation of his faith for these who enter in so high discriminating a profession from the residue of the world to know in what manner they embrace the same yea that the naturall order of things does absolutly require to have the foundation sure laid on which so great a superstructure must rest so as he judgeth it a work by its selfe and to need some peculiar retiring his soul in the most serious recesse and composure thereof to attain a stedfastnes of his own in the truth and to know the strong and firm convoyances of that greatest mystery of the gospell in such a manner as needes no paund of a miracle to confirm the same But he knowes here that no sharpness of mens naturall understanding about the truth can ever attain a true rest and settlement of minde therein without a humble and serious spirit stooping doune before the wisedome of God and to enter as little Children into his Schoole yea that by humble practice and obedience of the gospell there is ane undoubted comming up to the greatest assurance and clearest demonstrations of the same as Joh. 7 17. 4. He knowes that as nothing tends more to shake mens spirits and stagger them about the truth then a light and transient view hereof so does the greatest establishment follow on the nearest approach by a deep and serious enquiry about the same and thus clearely sees that if such who look but at a distance on the way of religion did but once come that length of triall as to have their spirits separat by a more serious reflection thereon the first view they should have could not but be matter of wonder and amazement to think what can determine and support in so marvellous a way as the life and practice of Christianity which is so visibly above nature and wherein they must do violence to the same where they must part with the multitude and oppose themselves to the strongest tyde of exemple and must endure also in hope and believe for things not seen which were never the object of humane sence to any in this earth and are oft called to part with the most desireable things of sence upon the alone credit of their faith yea where they must enter in that profession on no other tearmes then to be martyrs for the same and seall it with their blood so that he must needs see a Christian according to the rule and institution of the gospell to be the greatest riddle and wonder of any sight within time but when such come more closse and neare upon this triall and have once understood the nature and greatnesse of that security which these have to adventure on yea what is the glory of their hope and the sure spring of their supplyes for their work and trialls within time then will this second wonder unspeakably exceed the first how its possible that such are not of a more raised and enlarged spirit in the service of the Gospell in that short season they have here for it on the earth and how their triall should not be more to beare the joy of so great a prospect and expectation then any present griefes and troubles yea how mens life who indeed makes earnest of the Christian profession is not in some more continued transport of ravishment and wondering to know that they are surely made for an eternall state in another world and are among these on whom the glorious God hath choised to have the exceeding riches of his grace shewed forth in these regions of blessedness above for
heart this present period of time wherein the fluctuating suspence and halting of so many under a visible profession of the truth is now one of the most dismall signes hereof that it seemes to be the time wherein the Lord will in ane unusuall way take this generation off any implicit profession of the same and when that great roll of visible professours in all the reformed Churches may be er long in that manner called as each must answer to his own name and put to stand to the proofe before the world when no temporall interest but internall motives and certainty of the truth upon its own evidence must beare out yea that the most establisht may er long finde it not easy to be keept from staggering and a few dayes come in the Churches way more remarkable for triall then hath been in some ages before CHARACT II. A truely confirmed Christian may be thus also stated as one who is in the first place most deeply taken up about that rare plot of mans redemption and to see these great and wonderfull truths there not singly and apart but in that harmony order and consent of all the parts thereof as they are linkt together in this marvellous frame so as to make the whole one entire peece and where no part does in the least interfere with an other which he finds to be one of the most principall demonstrations of this great mystery of the Gospell that the Lord hath given for confirming his peoples faith and thus in another manner then formerly can now entertain his soul herewith and have his joy unspeakably hightned 1 to see at once the ruined state of fallen man and what a floodgate of all evill is let loose on that race not only morally in sin but what is penall in the woe and miseryes thereof yea such a state where all hope of releefe is for ever cut off in the way of nature or by any created help and where the execution of a righteous sentence on such for the voluntare violation of a law just holy and equall can be no impeachment in the least of the righteousness of God But then therewith he does see such a releefe brought to light as can not only answer the whole extent of this ruin but the glory of God more eminently displayed therin then if the law had been obeyed or absolutely execute in its penalty on the whole race of man yea which makes this more wonderfull to see a higher dispensation of grace unto man now under the gospell then was to Adam in his primitive state whereby innumerable Christians are made to endure and prevail over stronger assaults then broke him even in his integrity which is a conjunction so marvellous that the great and infinit God only could finde out and effectuat 2. He does now see how cleare a consistence and harmony is here that he who had no sin by inhesion but holy harmles and undefiled should be under the greatest weight of sin by imputation and by the exactest rule of divine justice made liable to answer both the whole duty and full penalty of the Law having as surety betwixt the creditor debter put himselfe in his peoples roome to answer the full demands thereof both for debt and duty 3. It is here he does see that blest consent and harmony betwixt the spotles justice of God and his marvellous grace so as his love is to the highest glorifyed in that marvellous way as secures the full and compleat satisfaction of his Law and all the rights of justice inviolable 4. Whilst he is thus dazled with the greatnes of such a light and put to enquire what such a mystery can mean he is then furder led on to see that rare plot and contrivance of the covenant of reconciliation between God and man here within time to be the very duplicat and counterpart of that eternall transaction and stipulation between the father and the son and thus sees what ever God hath declared and promised in the one to his Church was first promised and secured to our blessed head in the covenant of Redemption wherein as with a reverend and awfull distance so with the greatest evidence of light he is made to see here these reciprocall obligations betwixt them and mutuall trust for making good the whole tearmes thereof in the appoynted time 5. He does also clearly see that rare order harmony of time in these signall periods of the revelation of this great mystery of Christ which from its more dark discovery and dawning did still more gloriously open its selfe to the Church by a graduall light and unvailing of the same as the Sun in its course unto the perfect day yea hath his faith thus unspeakeably confirmed to see herewith the gospell Church being still the same whither of Jewes or Gentil's and how that series and consent hath yet never been broken off since the beginning of one Church separat from the residue of mankinde set apart as a peculiar people for the Lord where none ever had right and priviledge to be members of the same but by faith in the Messias and profession of their obedience to his Lawes 6. It is in this union and harmony he sees the whole branches and parts of gospell obedience most exactly meet and terminat to advance both the greatest excellency and blessedness of man and assimulat him to the blessed image of God yea how all the rules and precepts there does so entirly conspire for this end as may constrain the world to see and admire the glorious nature and perfections of him whose lawes these are wherein he does so brightly shine forth 7. Nor can he looke seriously herein and not see that sweet concord as a part of this harmony which is betwixt the promissory and mandatory part of the gospell so as the Christians comfort is most fully established and no duty abolished but the very path rod to the must full enjoyments of the promise and proper way to attain rest and tranquillity of spirit must be ever here by taking on the yoke of Christ 8. Yea to confirm this entire union and harmony more fully he now sees that exact and marvellous correspondence which is betwixt that first fundamentall promise of the Messias and the event betwixt the whole ancient figures and types of the leviticall service and the revelation of Christ himselfe in which all these did meet as their proper center and now have their full end and accomplishment 9. His confirmation thus grows to see that wonderful consent of Christianity and native result hereof to put fallen man in a due postour towards God towards his neighbour and himselfe so as he may know by faith and adoration how to enjoy God and his brother by love and thus by patience meeknes and humility to possesse his own soul and enjoy himselfe 10. Yea it is in this rare and wonderfull frame he is made to see and no sight can be like
fitted for that great end of bringing mankind to God but for such an universall use herein as to make the simple wise and that the poor may receive the Gospell and yet believe also that it is a masse of dead and unsensed characters untill the Romish Clergy put a just sense theron tho its sense and meaning is the very soul thereof yea thus passe from the whole letter of the same or any certainty of its truth from intrinsick evidences and these marks and characters of its divinity wherby the Christian cause could be maintain'd against Pagans 3. Where he must believe also that these are the words of Christ Joh. 7 17. if any man doe my will he shall know my doctrine whither it be of God or not and that men errs through not knowing the Scripture Math. 22. and yet believe therewith that these sacred fountains of light should be shutt up to keep men from going wrong and that the sole right of understanding the same belongs to a few but not to the multitude who yet can pretend no extraordinare assistance or revelation herein nor will themselves come to these waters of Jealousie to be tryed 4. Where he must needs believe that the Scriptures are the oracles of God committ to the Church to give answer in every darke case Rom. 3 2. the type and forme of sound doctrine Rom. 6.17 unto whose sentence in all matters both of faith and practise we are expressly referred Is. 8.20 and yet believe also that it hath no authority or decisive voice but what is precarious and dependant on the Romish Church and thus consent to have the whole Christian faith visibly unhinged of that foundation of the Scripture and subjected to a supreme visible and infallible judge here in the earth with such a claime of dominion over the faith of the saints as the Apostles of Christ durst never owne but did fully disclaime 2 Cor. 1 24. 5. Where he must believe that Jesus Christ came for this end to save lost man and by one offering hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10 18. and yet joyn in the same faith herewith a human satisfaction for sin so as men may both merit mediate and supererogate above what is needfull for themselves and be thus saved in the same way of life which was by the covenant of works ascribing that only to Christ to give salvation to their merits which yet their own intrinsick value and condignity doth require as a debt 6. He finds not how in the same creed he could possibly hold by one Mediator betwixt God and man where a plurality for this end is admitt and by the reality of Christs human nature and his having a true and finit body which is subjected to have a new created being each time in the Consecrate Hostia or believe the truth of his sufferings as now fully accomplished and to be repeated no more when it is in that dayly sacrifice of the Messe still offered as a propitiatory sacrifice for the liveing and the dead so as on the most severe and impartial inquiry here he cannot find how one holding by these principles should goe a further lenth then Morality or claim another standing then by a covenant of works 7. Nor knows he how to believe at once the truth of the Gospell to be a doctrine of Holinesse and infinite purity and yet joyne in the same faith herewith such an immunity and indulgence for men to sin as money can stand for merit and the rich have the most easy and large entrey to heaven and account it a priviledge to destroy themselves yea where some externall severities and pennance to the flesh like to the lanching and gashing of Baals Priests are reckoned enough to supply the roome of Christian mortification 8. Yea he finds it not posible to believe that sin by the blood of Christ can only be expiate and is his alone worke who hath purged our sin himself Heb. 1 3. or that there are but two ways that lead to a twofold state of men a strait way which leads to a life and a broad unto destruction Math. 7 14. and yet believe that there is a Purgatory after this life where men must be tormented and suffer extream pains there to expiate such venial sins as their prayers and pennances here could not doe yea is here made to wonder how any that believes such a thing can ever have true peace or comfort in the world but doe either take it as a fiction or forget themselves when they are chearfull where the fear of such a place the uncertainty of release and how long a term it may be er this purging worke be compleat when their own writers assigne no lesse time then 10000 Years as needfull to satisfy for some sins and least it prove a reall hell must still be a present terrour nor can he believe that such possibly doe credit themselves herein who assume this power to change the condition of the dead since were it really believed that the keyes of such a prison were here in mens hand and could by the largest dotations to the Romish Church get a safe outgate thence it were not strang to see the temporall state of Cristendome in a short time made over to these and should Judge they were in a strang manner indead priviledged by the whole residue of men who by such a power over the world to come can make so easy a purchase over this also which is present 9. He finds is sure he could never get his reason and conscience brought to such a faith even tho he made a simulate profession herein of that pretended supremacy of Peter as Bishop of Rome on which the whole frame and structure of the papacy leans and the vertue of all the pardons and absolutions founded theron on which so many have adventured into an other world except he would thus build on the sand only but not on the rock 10. He finds also how such an erection of the Gospell Church in her militant state here as the Papacy in its complexe frame is unite in such an head as the Pope who as the sole vicegerent of Christ in the earth is at once invested with a civill Monarchy and universall impire over the Church to impose and judge in the highest transactions that relate to the eternall state and immortall souls of men is a thing that as to matter of right is as forreign to the Scripture and incompatible therwith as Mahumitanisme can be and as to matter of fact is a trust that no created being could ever exerce 11. he sees is sure that he must either lose sight both of the rule and spirit of the Gospell or have a just abhorrence at that way where he should be inevitably involved in a virtual consent and accession to all that cruelty and blood which for so many ages hath been shed therin when it s so clear that this was no exorbitance