it self could make nothing but that which was good I say could not in respect of his Nature it would have been contrary to himself and that they were all so created is evident from the Scripture for some of them are good still Elect Angels called the Angels of God Heb. 1. 6. Psal 103. 20. and the others were so created for the Scripture saith that they kept not their first estate that is of Innocency and Goodness in which they were created for God never made them Devils but Angels of Light The Titles given to the good Angels in Scripture discover their Nature and Goodness they are called Spirits Heb. 1. 7 14. Ministring Spirits and Messengers of God They are called Gods Psal 138. 1. 8. 5. 97. 7. with Heb. 1. 6. Sons of God Job 1. 6. 38. 7. Principalities and Powers and Dominions and Cherubims and Scraphims all which holds forth their excellency in Nature and Work 7. Of the Degrees of Angels that there 7 Of the Degrees of Angels are Degrees of Angels is manifest in the Scripture there are Principalities and Powers and Thrones and Dominions Col. 1. 16. which intends not a difference in Nature but in Office and Imployment we read of Michael the Arch-Angel or chief Angel Jude v. 9. Rev. 12. 7. However some think him to be Christ I am and that on good grounds of another mind But what those Degrees and Orders of Angels are is not any further manifest in Scripture therefore I shall speak no further of it only thus much that God is the God of Order and hath set an Order and Government in the whole Creation and we have ground to believe that there is the most perfect and glorious Order in the heavenly Host 8. Of the Office Work and Ministry 8 Of the Office Work of Angels of the good Angels their Work and Office is twofold 1. Such as respects God their Creator 2. Such as respects the Creatures 1. Such as respects God their Creator 1 To praise God 1. It is to praise and glorifie him continually Psal 14. 8. 2. Praise him all ye Angels Praise him all ye Hosts Isa 6. 3. One cryed to another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole Earth is full of his Glory Luk. 2. 13 14. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly Host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on Earth Peace Good will towards Men. 2. They wait on God in Heaven with a 2 To do his Will ready mind to know and do his Will Mat. 18. 10. I say unto you that in Heaven their Angels do always behold the Face of my Father that is in Heaven Psal 103. 20. Bless the Lord ye Angels of his that excel in strength that do his Commandments hearkening to the voice of his Word Hence it is that Christ teacheth us to pray Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven that is as it is done by the Angels in Heaven 2. Such as respects the Creatures and the 2 Thâ—ir Service to Men. 1 Such as respect the Nations of the World World here below in the Government thereof in which Angels are imployed as is implyed in Heb. 2. 5. Vnto the Angels he hath not put in subjection the World to come c. which implieth that this World is much under the Government of Angels and in this note that not only good Angels but evil Angels are imployed and at work in the Government of the Nations 1. Good Angels that is it I am now treating about they have their Work both in the Government and overturns of the Nations Dan. 10. 20. the Angel tells Daniel Now will I return to fight the Prince of Persia and when I am gone forth lo the Prince of Grecia shall come and ch 11. 1. Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede even I stood to confirm and strengthen him which clearly imports the imployment of Angels in the Transactions and Government of worldly Kingdoms to carry on Gods Design in the Earth among the worldly Powers and to accomplish his Will And likewise the evil Angels are at work there to carry on their Design and if they could to prevent Gods Design Dan. 10. 12 13. the Angel tells Daniel that the Prince of the Kingdom of Persia withstood him one and twenty days and that Michael one of the chief Princes came to help him In which I observe two things 1. That by the Prince of Persia is intended an evil Angel who as far as permitted governed both the King and Kingdom of Persia for the King of Persia as a man could not stop the Angel till Michael came to his help 2. That he did for a time stop the Angel in his way and work for Daniel The Devil will hinder good from the Saints as much as possible he can But 2. and especially such Works as 2 Such as respect the Saints relate to the Saints the Ministry and Government of the Angels being especially for them and they are such as relate either 1. to this Life or 2. at and after Death 1. Such as relate to them in this Life and they are such as relate 1. to the Body 2. to the Soul i. e. both to the outward and inward man 1. Such as relate to the Bodies of the 1 Their Bodies 1 To preserve and defend Saints 1. is to preserve and defend them from dangers they are liable to both from Devil and Men as likewise accidents of danger they may fall into Psal 134. 7. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about those that fear him and delivereth them and 91. 11. For he shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways Gen. 48. 16. The Angel that redeemed me from all evil bless the Lad so the Angel warned Joseph to flee into Egypt to preserve Christ and to return when Herod who sought his life was dead Mat. 2. 13 19 20. see Dan. 3. 28. 6. 22. and sometimes makes use of his Angels in an offensive way to the wicked for preservation of his people 2 Chron. 32. 20 21. 2 King 19. 35. and to deliver out of the hands of Enemies Num. 20. 16. 2 To supply in need and distrâ—ss 3 To direct and Prosper in lawful undertakings 2. To bring needful things to them for their sustenance and preservation in time of distress as in the case of Hagar Gen. 21. 17 18. and Elijah 1 King 19. 5. 3. To direct and prosper them in their lawful and just undertakings and to accomplish their businesses for them as in the case of Abrahams Servant Gen. 24. 7 40. Gen. 23. 20. 2. Such as relate to the Soul 1. They 2 Such as relate to the Soul have and may reveal the Will of God to them in this they have bee frequent It is said the Law was given by the Disposition of Angels
pray according to the will of God Ro. 8. 27. persons may pray in their own spirits and be very earnest and will have no nay for that which God would not have them and it may be is not good for them and he may give it them in judgement I believe that many have experience of this truth at this day as his people of old Psal 78. 18. They tempted God in their hearts by asking meat for their lusts v. 29. 30 31. He gave them their hearts desire but while the meat was in their mouths the wrath of God came upon them they must have their lusts fulfilled and their lusts they had but in anger and in wrath with vengeance for their lusting so the same people Israel lusted for a King and would have no nay and God gave them their desire Hos 13. 11. I gave thee a King in my anger and took him away in my wrath It greatly behoves Christians to look to the matter what they pray for that they pray for that which is good for which they have some precept or promise either generally or particularly and that too according to the terms thereof either absolute or conditional that is of submission to the will of God relating either to thing or time 1. What is absolutely promised we may and ought absolutely to pray for as Mortification of sin Sanctification of Life Preservation in the Faith Perseverance in Grace to the end with profiting under the various dispensations of God in the World c. All which comes under some special command or promise either general or particular 2. Some things we must pray for conditionally with submission to the will of God both relating to thing and time as Health Peace deliverance from Affliction prosperity in the world c. because these are things of worldly and temporary concernments and not absolutely necessary to the life of the new Covenant nor absolutely promised Christ our Lord is an example to us in this matter Mat. 26. 39 yet we may pray absolutely in this so far as God hath promised that is Food and Rayment is promised all these things shall be added to you but worldly riches is not promised but Food and Rayment is promised because your heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of these things you cannot live nor subsist without them nor serve God in the world without them That was it which Jacob said that if God would give him Food to eat and Cloaths to put on then God should be his God because without it he could not live if God would keep him alive he would live to God so that for Food and Rayment we ought to pray in faith and to believe the promise all these things shall be added Mat. 6. 33. And as for Deliverance from Afflictions Christians ought to pray absolute for support under them and profiting by them and deliverance in the Lords time time not the deliverance and then you may be absolute and that because you have the promise Ps 50. 15. Isa 45. 17. 2. By whom this duty of Prayer is to be 2. By whom it is to be performed performed and that is by believers though I shall not question the common duty of all men in this matter but none can perform it acceptably but Believers Justified persons God first accepts the person before the service is accepted it is the Prayers of a righteous man that availeth much Jam. 5. 16. as for others see what God saith Ps 50. 16 17. As for the wicked God saith what hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy mouth c. Prov. 15. 8. The Sacrafice of the wicked is abomination to the Lord but the prayer of the upright is his delight chap. 21. 27. it behoves every one to look to it to have some ground of a Turance of relation to the Lord in the New Covenant which will greatly imbolden the soul in this duty although souls may cry and call and obtain too when they lye under doubtings of interest they may cry Abba Father for the acceptation of our persons doth not consist in assurance of interest and relation but in believing the Gospel and cleaving to the Lord therein yet the higher our assurance of interest and relation works the more boldness and confidence will there be in Prayer and sometimes sinkings in spirit on that account may increase fervency but it is the duty of upright ones to worship God to pray unto him and to praise him it becomes them it is sutable to their high calling it becometh the upright to be thankful Ps 33. 1. Praise is comely for the upright all the wicked of the Earth whose persons are unaccepted their Prayers are abomination to the Lord for without Faith it is impossible to please him it was by Faith that Abels Sacrifice was accepted by which he obtained witness that he was righteous 3. That Prayer is a duty of special concernment 3. That its a special duty to be performed to be performed by those concerned therein that is believing righteous justified persons the Children of God and this appeareth 1. From the manifold commands and Exhortations thereunto a few of which I shall mention Mat. 7. 7. Aâ—k and it shall be given seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you a plain command from our Lord with a promise of answer Eph. 6. 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit c. 1 Thes 5. 17. Pray continually Col. 4. 2. Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving by all which and many other Exhortations in Holy Scripture it appeareth that Prayer is the special duty of the Saints 2. It appears from the frequent example of the Lords people throughout all ages who were frequently exercised in this divine duty and work as Abraham Gen. 18. 23 to 33. Moses Exod. 32. 30 31 32 33. 13 34. 91. Solomon 1 King 8. 22. David Ps 5. 1 2 3. 17. 1 2 c. 55. 16 17. in the New Testament Christ himself was very often exercised in this work Mat. 14. 23. Luke 6. 12. and Paul Phil. 1. 9. Col. 1. 9. 1 Thes 3. 10. The Apostles Acts 4. 24. to 31. and the whole Church Chap. 2. 42. with multitudes of like examples both in old and new Testament all which confirms the truth that it is the great duty and concernment of the Saints according to the will of God to be frequently exercised therein 3. It appears to be a very acceptable service to the Lord when rightly performed from the acceptance thereof which God hath manifested and the returns that he hath made to the prayers of his people throughout all ages wherein he hath manifested himself to be well pleased with the faithful prayers of his people in his hearing and answering of their prayers see his answer to Abraham in his requests Gen. 18. 21 to 33.
to be the universal visible Church would perswade us that the visible Church of Christ have in it multitudes of Hypocrites though it 's true that Hypocrites have been and it 's like are and may be in the true Church of Christ yet they have no right and must give an account for their being there Mat. 22. 12. Luk. 26. 27. And surely they do bad work and draw a bad conclusion from the premises that is because Christ's Church may have Hypocrites in it they will pretend a Church for him of openly profane and ungodly Hypocrites But to prove that the visible constituted Churches of Christ are or should be true Believers this appeareth 1. From the way of entrance which is by Faith Repentance and Baptism Matt. 28. 19 20. Mar. 16. 15 16. Act. 2. 39 41. None must enter but in this way to let us to know that none else ought to be there 2. From the provision made for them when they are come in that they may find feeding for their souls according to the promise Joh. 10. 9. That is his holy appointments that lead to him who is the true Bread of Life for their building up in the Faith till they come to Glory Act. 2. 42. Eph. 4. 11 12 13. And truly we cannot rationally nor religiously imagine that he hath given such Gifts and left us such Ordinances to build up a company of profane and godless persons I think they are profane thoughts in those that think it 3. The order he hath left in his Church to exclude Hypocrites when discovered evidently declares that he never intended to have a Church of Hypocrites Matt. 18. 15 16 17. 1 Cor. 5. 7 8 13. 2 Tit. 2. 21. 4. It appeareth by the Titles given to the Church of Christ they are called Saints that is holy ones sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints holy Brethren partakers of the heavenly calling the body of Christ and members in particular a chosen Generation a royal Priesthood an holy Nation c. With many like expressions all which do more than evidently demonstrate that Jesus Christ never intended to have his Church to be a den of Hypocrites and cage of unclean and hateful birds but to be an holy people to shew forth his praise in the World This is the visible Kingdom of Christ in this World though not of the World and those powers on earth that oppose his rule and government by his Laws in his Church are very bad neighbours to him he is content to let them have the outward regality and his subjects on that account to be subject to them and is a good neighbour to them and will do them no wrong but good all their daies if they would but be friendly to him and his for by him it is that Kings Reign but if they will not permit him his right what will be the issue is easy to be discerned Ps 2. 10 11 12. 2. The word Church of Christ does sometimes intend all true Believers in the World whether in or out of particular constituted Churches and this is it which is so commonly called the invisible Church which is indeed in some sense invisible that is none can certainly know the true believers but God alone 2 Tim. 2. 19. The Lord knoweth them that are his and none else no not themselves some of them and at some times yet in some sense the Church thus considered is visible in the world and do visibly own the Lord according to the measure of means and light enjoyed the Church thus considered I take to be intended in these Scriptures Rom. 10. 11 12 13. 1 Cor. 1. 2. Eph. 1. 21 22 23. where the Church is called The body and fulness of Christ Col. 1. 24. and as it is without question that in all ages many of the visible Church in profession have miscarried being none of Christs body truly the Church taking its denomination from the better part though all ought to be such so likewise we are in charity to judge that many may be out of the right constituted visible Church and Churches of Christ that are Members though it s none of their virtue so to be God hath his people in Babylon Rev. 18. 4. and his Church on this account hath he had in the world throughout all ages Eph. 3. 21. although for a long while but little of visibleness according to Gospel rule did appear and that is it I understand is intended Rev. 11. 1 2. Where the Worshippers are measured rather by the spiritualness of their invisible Worshipping then by the rule of their Ordinances Order and publick bearing up the name of Christ in this matter being troden under foot of the Gentiles that is of the Babylonish and Antichristian world and this is it I take to be the Universal and in some sort visible Church of Christ in the World the body of which all true believers are Members 3. The word Church sometimes intends all the elect of God and this is the invisible Church as to man and this is evident from the Scriptures Eph. 5. 25. Christ loved the Church before it was visible and gave himself for it So Heb. 12. 22. we read of the Vniversal Church of the first born c. the Church in this sense includes all the Elect but it is the bounden duty of all true believers to get themselves into the visible Profession of Christ and bearing up his Name in the World according to the rules by him prescribed and the highest and best light they have or may attain therefrom in this matter and to be under the government of Christ in some particular constituted Church of his CHAP. XXVIII Of the Ordinances Officers and Administrations in the Visible Constituted Church of Christ OUr Lord Christ Jesus hath left instituted Laws and Ordinances for his visible Church and Kingdom that his people by their submission to him therein might shew their subjection to his Regal Authority as to their Lord and King As there is no King but hath his Laws by which he rules so Christ our Lord and King hath his Laws by which he rules in his Church which is his Kingdom and a government distinct from all humane and worldly governments and admitteth not of any mixture of humane inventions or ordinances of men nor of any humane power to inforce to the obedience thereof Mat. 15. 9. Isa 29. 13 14. Psal 110. 3. Acts 2. 41. His subjects must â—e Volunteers voluntarily subscribing to his government they are a willing people in the day of his power being wrought thereto by his word and Spirit he is so far from foreseeing that he accepts none but those who serve him willingly Christ will have his Subjects like those 2 Cor. 8 3. Willing of themselves that is without humane constraint and ver 12. If there be first a willing mind it is accepted according to what a man hath and not according to what he hath not and this is a truth
this world in its old estate but in the world to come The new Heaven and new Earth wherein dwelleth righâ—eousness see this more full in cap. 9. 2. The Restauration work and Kingdom Reason 2 of Christ on Earth was the great design of God to be accomplished and made manifest ever since the Fall of Man and therefore it must be as you may see at large in chap. 9. unto which I refer the Reader for Confirmation of this Argument and indeed Gods Covenant and design in this matter is the foundation of this building hence it is that he hath so abundantly filled his word with the Prophesies and promises thereof throughout both the old and new Testament as hath been before proved 3. This hath been the Faith of the Saints Reason 3 of old and should be ours built upon the word of the Lord and therefore it must be so or else they must lose their faith and expectation to enjoy a Heavenly Kingdom and Country with Christ their King Heb. 11. 13 to 16. speaking of the Fathers of old that they all died in Faith not having received the promise i. e. of actual possession but having seen them afar off and were perswaded of them and imbraced them and confessed that they were strangers and Pâ—lgrims in the earth What promises was it which they saw and were perswaded of Surely it must be the promises of this glory which made them to be as Strangers and Pilgrims in this world and thereby plainly declared that they sought a Country that is the Country Kingdom Blessedness and Glory promised Psal 37. 11. The meek shall inherit the Earth and delight themselves in the abundance of peace verse 29. The Righteous shall inherit the Land and dwell therein for ever and this Christ applyeth to the New Covenant Mat. 5. 5. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth Rev. 5. 10. And hast made us unto God Kings and Priests and we shall Reign â—n Earth O! why should the people of God now be so unbelieving as to tâ—is truth and the Saints of old so full of Faith therein 4. It must be so because the Earth and Reason 4 World was at first made for man God made the World and all things therein and then made man to possess it and gave him rule and Dominion over it Gen. 1. 28. though he quickly lost it by his sin and immediately the second man the Lord from Heaven was promised by which it was upheld and man to have the use thereof in the faln state and in much misery and in subordination to the Lord Jesus in order to the Restâ—uration promised that God might not lose his design in his work here below but might raiâ—e it up to a better and more glorious end Psal 8. 4 5 6. The Prophet in way of admiration saith What is man that thou art mindful of him and the Son of man that thou visiten him for thou haâ— made him a little or a little while lower then the Angels thou hast crowned him with glory and honour thou madest him to hâ—ve Dominion over the works of thine hands thâ—u haâ—t put all things under his feet c. in which the Propâ—et relates 1. To Adam before his Fall who was a Figure of him that was to come And 2 Especially to Jesus Christ the second man and Lord from Heaven wâ—o comes in to take the headship and Dominion especially of the restored world and all his people with him as is explained by the Apostle Heb. 2. 6 7 8. by which its evident that as God made the world for man and he by his sin lost it so it shall be restored to I will not say its first and Primitive Purity a better estate for man then at the first as the Lord thereof exceeds the first man Who was of the Earth Earthly so must it be restored suitable to such a Lord and the Inhabiters thereof with him it must be a Holy Heavenly Country VVherein dwelleth Righteousness be sure God did not make the World to destroy it but he will restore it to be an habitation for men according to the end of its first Creation 5. Both Christ and the Saints have had Reason 5 their suffering part here below in this world and therefore must have their glory here below in the place of their reproach and suffering of their Faith and Service shall their honour be they have suffered on Earth and they shall Reign on Earth thus of Christ Isa 53 12. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoile with the strong because he powred out his soul to the death c. Because he suffered here he must have a portion divided with the great and divide the spoile with the strong What in Heaven No the great and strong are not like to come there but it must be here below according to the many promises before mentioned when all things shall be manifestly put under his feet and the Saints his followers in the Regeneration shall have their glory with him Matt. 19. 28. which answers Isaiah 1. 26 27. Romans 8. 17. 6. It must be so for the glory of God for Reason 6 he made all things at first very good for his own glory but it stood not in that estate but soon fell by sin and must with man have been dissolved had not Christ been promised by whom it was and is supported in order to a greater glory if the World had been dissolved God had losed the glory of so great a work in breaking it to pieces as soon as it was made and if there were no more glory to God to be expected from his Creation of the wonderful Fabrick of the Heavens and the Earth with the things therein then hath been in the faln state wherein he hath been so much dishonoured and abused it had been but little differing from its being dissolved immediately upon the Fall But we are to understand that the design of God was not to let such a Creation and glorious building to fall to nothing or die away by degrees through age and corruption for his own creating power and glory to restore it to a more glorious â—ate then at first he will not let go the glory of such a Creation at so low a rate as is imagined No no but he will yet once more make the place of his feet glorious Isa 60 13. What that is see Isa 66. 1. chap. 44. 23. Sing O Heavens for the Lord hath done it shout O ye lower parts of the Earth break forth into singing ye Mountains O Forrest and every Tree thâ—rein for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob and glorified himself in Isâ—ael What is the matter Why it is for the accomplishment of the Restauration Work When God did send Jesus Christ from Heaven Prophecyed of by the Prophets it is for the New Heavens and new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness it is for that God hath made the place