Parables had the like end which whatever the outside and face of the Letter was yet their import was in their end which was to witness of lead to Christ o Rom. 3.21 in minding of whom the meaning of all is seen and so the things and sense in sayings plain p Prov. 8.9 2 Cor. 3.13 16 17. But when Christ the Truth came he by compleating that done in his Body and sending forth the Holy Ghost opened the way into the Holiest q Heb. 9.9 15. revealed the Father r John 1.18 And God hath now spoken to us by his Son s Heb. 1.1 who hath filled his first Witness with the Holy Ghost and so with Knowledge of the Mystery of his will in all Wisdom and spiritual Prudence and sent them forth t Act. 2. Ephes 1.3 8 9. and they have testified and in their Testimony the Holy Ghost hath testified of Christ u Act. 5.32 1 Pet. 1.12 and this Testimony of Christ have they preached and recorded not in a Fable to be Allegorized but the very Truth concerning Jesus Christ himself w 2 Pet. 1.15 16 17 18. not in dark and parabolical Words nor in the Wisdom of man nor with Rhetorical flourishes but with simplicity and great plainness of speech x 1 Cor. 1.17 27. 2.1 2 13. without any deceit or cloak of craft commending themselves to every mans conscience in the sight of God y 2 Cor. 2.17 4.1 2. So that this Gospel of Jesus Christ as now come forth in which is the Law and the Testimony to which we are to resort for Knowledge of Truth is the Testimony of Christ and as it is of deep and profound Mysteries so it is true verily true and plain without any deceit or equivocation as is evident To it therefore go c. CHAP. 2. Evidences of the Truth and Plainness of this Testimony THat the Testimony of Christ in all the sayings thereof is true is evident first in that it came forth from Almighty God and is the declaration of his minde who is the onely true God the God of Truth even Truth it self a John 17.3 1 John 5.20 Deut. 32.1 4. whence it is called the Gospel of God b Rom. 15.16 1 Thes 2.2 3 8 9. Secondly In that it testifieth and setteth forth Jesus Christ who is the Truth c John 14.6 in whom Mercy and Truth are met d Psal 8 5.10 and in that he became hath done doth and will do Truth is and is fulfilled e 2 Thess 2.10 12 13 14. 2 Cor. 5 21.1â—0.130 2 Pet. 1.16 19. Ephes 4.21 and he also sends forth the Holy Spirit that witnesseth Truth and leads into all Truth f John 15.26 16.7 13. Rom. 1.3 16. 15.29 whence also this Gospel is called the Gospel of Christ Thirdly in that it was inspired and witnessed by the Holy Spirit of Truth into the Prophets and Apostles and by them breathed forth and written as the Holy Spirit gave them to speak and write g 1 Pet. 1.11 12. 2 Pet. 1.21 Luke 1.70 Prov. 22.21 Rom. 15 4. True it is All the Holy Scripture was given and so narrated and writ by Divine Inspiration and so is profitable c. h 2 Tim. 3.16 But though the Narration of Sayings written in the Scriptures were by Divine Inspiration recorded yet are there many Sayings recorded which in respect of the Sayings themselves were not Divine Inspirations but the Spirations and Sayings some of Satan some of Seducers and wicked men some of weak Believers some even of strong Believers tempted which were by the Inspiration of God given to the Writers and so by them recorded but not recorded as the Inspirations of God's Minde but as God's Declaration of the Sayings of Satan or of Men that we may know the subtilties of Satan and beware and the seducements and evils of the wicked and take heed and so the weakness of some and frame of Spirit in others and so such Sayings are to be taken as God's Declarations of the Deeds and Sayings of others to warn instruct us c. but not as his own Sayings to be received obeyed and built on as true and good that would be an abuse of them But as for the Gospel it self that is the Testimony of Christ even All of it was not onely narrated by Divine Inspiration or given of God by Inspiration to be narrated as those things that were indeed spoken or done by Satan or wicked or weak men But as the very Things Sayings Spirations and Inspirations of God himself of his own Minde and so it is Divine Truth Divine Spiration divinely inspired as well as by Divine Inspiration written and recorded and therefore True not only true it was so said and done for so were all the other sayings but true in it self yea Truth and the Revealer of the Minde of Truth it self Fourthly the Gospel and Testimony of Christ is a full and perfect Truth in all that it narrateth and in all that it affirmeth and in all that it promiseth containing the Declaration of the whole Truth that is for natural Men or Believers to know believe or do in the worship of God or towards the Conversion and Salvation of Men yea even to make the Man of God himself perfect to every good Work i John 15.15 Act. 20.26 Micah 6.8 2 Pet. 1.12 16. 2 Tim. 3.16 And therefore we are bounded up to it k Isa 8.20 Gal. 1.6 12. without adding or diminishing l Deut. 12.32 Rev. 22.18 19. there being no Morning-light in any Spirit Doctrine Saying or Doing that is not in and according to this Testimony it being the Truth and Discoverer of and Guide to all Truth and Trier of all things m Ephes 5.13 it being true in Christ and of Christ and from him to men and for men whether men believe it or not n Joh. 8.40 45 46. 1 Thes 2.10 12. 2 Tim. 2.13 4.4 And as it is true in and of Christ and to and for men so it is true in Believers also so as they discern and experiment and testifie the Truth thereof o 1 Joh. 2.8 20 27. 2 Joh. 2. 3 Joh. 3 John 3.33 and so this Gospel is most rightly called the Word of Truth p 2 Cor. 6.7 Col. 1.5 yea the Truth q 2 Cor. 12. Fifthly the Testimony of Christ which is in the Gospel is the Spirit of Prophecie r Rev. 19.10 it is the Original the Spring Teacher and Guide to all right understaing of Truth and for speaking Truth to Men in Charity and to Edification and Exhortation and Comfort s 1 Cor. 14.1 3. 2 Cor. 5.14 15 19 21. yea this Testimony of Jesus believed is verily 1. Both the Opener of Truth and of the Understanding to discern Truth as pointed out both in the end of the Law and in Types Parables and dark Sayings and also as set
him distinct though never divided from the Divine so that this humane Nature or Body of Christ is not only sinless just holy but also exceeding precious and beyond all our valuation for excellency and worthiness yet in this his personal body was he under the Law for us and brought before the Judgement-Seat for us and condemned and put to death in the flesh for sins committed by us in the flesh f Rom. 8.3 2 Cor. 5.21 Gal. 3.13 he himself bare our sins in his own Body to or on the Tree being put to death in the flesh g 1 Pet. 2.24 3.18 and by death he overcame death and him that had the power of death h Heb. 2.14 and so rose again just and for our justification in the same Body that died i 1 Cor. 15.3 4. and by the Eternal Spirit ascended in that Body by or with the vertue of his own blood into Heaven and offered that spotless Body of his which had satisfied for our sins by death and overcome death and risen just a Sacrifice to God k Heb. 9.12 14. 10 5-10 14. and God hath accepted him and taken up his well-pleasedness and dwelling in him and glorified him in the humane Nature also with the glory that he had in person with him before the world was and hath born Testimony of him And this the Oblation Gift Ransom Sacrifice offered by Jesus Christ the second publick Man a matchless and invaluable Sacrifice which excluded all other Sacrifices and all other works of Righteousness from being it or any part of it this Body of Christ that was crucified for us it and it alone is the Sacrifice which in his Oblation he offered to God for us CHAP. 4. 2. Who it was that offered up this Sacrifice THis is here also in Tit. 2.14 plainly express'd to be our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave himself for us plainly it was Jesus Christ he himself that did freely give himself Peter also speaking of the sufferings of Christ and having expresly named Jesus Christ that suffered for us saith of him Who his own self bare our sins in his own body a 1 Pet. 2.22 24. and our Saviour Christ saith of himself I lay down my life that I might take it again no man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again This commandment have I received of my Father b Joh. 10.17 18. And so it 's often plainly and expressy said he gave himself for our offences Christ hath loved us and given himself for us he gave himself a ransome c. he offered up himself c. c Gal. 1.4 Eph. 5.2 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 7.27 If it be replied That God the Father he gave his only begotten Son he made his Soul an offering for sin he spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all d Joh. 3 6. Isa 53 10. Rom. 8.32 I answer This is no contradiction or unsaying of any thing foresaid but rather an illustration and confirmation of the approvedness goodness and excellency of that his giving himself a Sacrifice not only in that no other Man did and that he himself did it by the Divine will and authority of the Father in respect of which will and appointment the Father did and in respect of acting and fulfilling that will he himself did but more also in this respect Joh. 10.30 1 Joh. 5 7. that the Father and he are one in respect of Divine Essence and in respect of both Natures in the person of the Son Joh. 5.17 18 16 20 21 22 23. the Father and the Son are both one in love to Mankinde and so both one in will and design so as also they work together so that the Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do and what things soever the Father doth those also doth the Son likewise and also in that the Father fitted him with a Body for this business and appointed and sent him forth to do it and even so he willingly accepted the appointment Heb. 10.5 7 8 9 10 12. and took the Body and came to do and did it and so with free and ready will and oneness of will with the Father he did offer up himself in that body of his once for all so that the saying He gave and offered up himself is not contradicted by saying the Father gave him but receiveth confirmation and illustration of the goodness and excellency of this his gift and giving yea it opens to us the right understanding of it he came and did it not barely of himself Joh. 8 42. 1 Joh. 5.6 but in union of will and approbation of the whole three in one God the Father sent him he came and the Holy Ghost witnessed of him Gal. 4.4 the Father sent him forth made of a woman of the Seed of David and the Holy Ghost sanctified that Seed in the wombe of the Virgin and framed him a Body thereof Luke 1.35 uniting it in the very framing to the person of the Son of God and so it was not the Father nor the Holy Ghost John 1.14 Rom. 1.3 but the Son that is the Word was made flesh of the Seed of David yet the Father by the Spirit made it so and the Son accepting willingly to receive this humane Nature into union of person with himself and to be thus abased he is truly said to have made himself of no reputation Phil. 2.7 8. and took upon him the form of a Servant and humbled himself so it was not the Father or the Holy Ghost that did die Joh. 10.17 18 1 Pet. 3.18 but the Son in the humane Nature or Body which he took he layed down his life for us being put to death in the flesh neither was it the Father or the Holy Ghost that rose from the dead Joh. 10.18 Eph. 4.9 10. but the Son and yet the Son in that Body of his the Father by the Holy Ghost did raise him yet was it he in that very Body that died that rose from the dead even so it was not the Father nor the Holy Ghost that offered the Sacrifice but Jesus Christ himself in oneness of will with the Father Heb. 9.14 Psa 110.1 Heb. 1.13 Heb. 1.3 10.12 and by or through the power of the Holy Ghost he did offer up himself his own Body a Sacrifice without spot to God even the Father who hath accepted him and set him on his right hand and so also as having finished and compleated his oblation and being accepted he sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high so that there is no exclusion or denial of the works of the Father or Holy Ghost about the provision preparation offering and acceptance of this Oblation in saying Christ himself offered it but onely the affirmation of
man of all Nations in all the World where-ever they come and this as a Word of Truth and so to set forth this second publick Man the spiritual Man the Lord the quickning Spirit as he on whom God hath executed the Judgement that was due to Mankinde for their sins as fallen in whom their Nature is restored the Nature of Man being united and married unto God in the Person of his Son and so a great Feast of fatness even the sure mercies of David prepared in him is Mankinde perfect again as in a publick Man having in him forgiveness pardon peace wisdom righteousness eternal Life so verily that in believing in him they may receive it 1 Ioh. 5.10 11 12. 2 Cor. 2.17 3.12 4.2 and be partakers of it and so is he to be set forth without any Cloak or equivocation plainly to every Man appealing to their consciences in the sight of God and that Jesus is so and as such a one to be held forth to all that every one may behold him as he in whom there is healing for them to be received in believing is plain in our Saviour's own personal Testimony a Ioh. 3.14 15. and the Testimony of his Spirit in his Apostles b Rom. 3.24 25 26. 2 Cor. 5. 14 19 21. Col. 1.28 and this to this end that by this Men might be reconciled to God c 2 Cor. 5.20 And this hope given the Servants of Christ in such elevation of Christ that he will confirm their words and manifest their Testimony true so that all Men shall be drawn thereby even by Christ testified unto him d Joh. 12.32 such as in this day of grace believe this Testimony of him it shall be the power of God unto Salvation in them and work effectually in them uniting and conforming them to Christ so as they shall by degrees and in due season enjoy all this revealed blessedness e Mat. 10.40 Rom. 1.16 1 Thes 2.13 2 Pet. 1.1 10. And such as persist in refusing and rebelling against the Light extended shall by the same Spirit that breatheth in the Gospel be at the last day convinced f Joh. 16.7 8 9 10 11. and come before Christ and bow to him and confess him Lord to the glory of God g Phil. 2.10 11. and shall confess the Truth of the Testimony his Servants delivered and them to be the Servants of the Lord which in the dayes of his patience they despised and opposed h Isa 60.14 Rev. 3.9 and all before the final sentence be executed on them for God that frustrateth the tokens of the lyars and maketh diviners mad that turneth wise Men backward and maketh their knowledge foolishness doth and will confirm the Word of his Servants and perform the counsel of his Messengers i Isa 44.25 26. And to both parts of this said he hath given us his Oath That all shall come before him k Isa 45.22 23 24. And thus was the mystery of Christ revealed by himself in his own personal Ministration Part 1. ch 6. in which also as he uttered many Parables so he opened them all to his Disciples to teach them openly and whereas the Disciples did not yet cleerly understand all this Revelation of Christ so taught to them before Christ had suffered and risen from the dead therefore Christ after his Resurrection appeared to them and taught the same again to them and then expounded Moses and the Prophets and in order opened in all the Scriptures unto them the things concerning himself also opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures l Luk. 24.26 27 45 46 47. yet because all was not yet acted by Christ as well as taught by him that was to be in the mystery held forth in their Ministration for Christ his body though then risen was not as then ascended and glorified m Joh. 20.17 and so the fulness of understanding of the whole mystery by the Holy Ghost not yet given n Joh. 7.39 16.7 therefore they were yet to wait for further divine Power even the holy Ghost to be given them to open cleerly this Revelation to them and to help them to witness it which Christ promised them and did perform it after his ascension o Luk. 24.49 Act. 1.4 CHAP. 9. Of the third way of our Saviour's Revelation and manifestation of himself to the first witnesses of his Resurrection OUr Saviour according to his Promise did within a few dayes after his Ascension by vertue and as a fruit of his Ascension and Sacrifice offered and accepted and his Mediation begun he did send and shed forth and pour upon and in them the Holy Ghost in an audible sensible Act. 2.2 3 4 c. and visible shape both resting upon them and supernaturally and inwardly filling them by which Holy Spirit he brought again to their minde and gave them to understand all his fore-Revelation and sayings to them and shewed the things of himself and the Father so leading them into all Truth and making known to them the whole counsel of God in things pertaining to Eternal Life to be taught till his coming again enduing them with power motion and fitness to witness of him and giving them the gift of tongues to speak to every Man in his own Language wherein he was born so abundantly was the Revelation of the mystery of Christ by the Spirit made known to them and yet that we may rightly understand what the Holy Ghost is that was thus given unto them it is good to consider what in Revelation of Christ from the beginning and now by himself is given us to understand and that is that it is something that was never before this so given no not as then while John was baptizing Mar. 1.8 Joh. 7.38 39. Joh. 14.16 16.7 Act. 5.3 4. 1 Ioh. 5.7 Gen. 1.2 Psal 33.6 139.1 11. nor yet while Christ himself was personally ministring here on Earth nor could be given till he left the World in that body of his and went to the Father so that it cannot be meant properly of the essence and being of the Holy Ghost which is one and the same with the Father and the Son the same God by whom the Heaven and the Earth was made and all the Hosts of them for in this respect he fills heaven and Earth and is everywhere present and alwayes was so that in respect of essence he is not said to be sent or proceeding from the Father and Son or descending being ever one in and with both but onely in respect of person or manner of existence in and operation of that one divine essence but it must be meant of some forth-coming of the divine power from the Father by Christ yet in this also it cannot be meant of such forth-coming in breathings and operations as tend to the supportation of the old Creation Joh 26.12 13. Psa 104.29 30. in
the Testimony of CHRIST according to the plain sayings of the GOSPEL PART I. CHAP. 1. A Direction to discern Truth from Error ISa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this Word it 's because there 's no morning or Light in them Now God hath according to his Promise given forth his Son for a Covenant to the People and a Light to the Gentiles a Isa 42.1 6 7. 49.6 with Luk. 2.31 32. Act. 13.47 and so for a Law b Isa 42.4 and for a Witness or Testimony c Isa 33.4 1 John 4.9 10. John 3.16 yea the Scripture witnesseth of Christ and Moses and all the Prophets wrote and spake of him d Joh. 5.39 40. Act. 3.22 24. and He is the Brightness of the Father's Glory and the express Image of his Person e Heb. 1.3 Col. 1.15 in whose Face the Knowledge of the Glory of God shineth f 2 Col. 4.6 he received the Word of the Gospel in which both Law and Testimony is from the Father and in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Understanding g Deut. 18.18 Isa 42.1 6.1 2 3. Col. 2.3 and he spake the words the Father gave him to speak h Ioh. 3.34 â—7 16 12.49 50. and his Record is true i John 8.14 and he spake of excellent things and the opening of his Mouth was right things his Mouth spake Truth and wickedness is an abomination to his Lips all the words of his Mouth in Righteousness nothing wreathed or froward or perverse in them they are all plain to him that understandeth and Right to them that finde Knowledge k Prov. 8.6 7 8 9. And this Word and Gospel which he received and preached he gave unto his Apostles and first Witnesses and gave them the Holy Spirit which gave them to understand and receive the same l John 15.16 17.6 8. By which Spirit they had the Meaning and Mystery in them so revealed to them as never was to any in any ages before m John 14.26 16.13 14 15. Col. 1.26 27. And so he put and bound and sealed the Law and Testimony in his Disciples n Isai 8.16 2 Cor. 5.19 as in some measure he still doth in them that believe o 1 John 2.8 Col. 3.16 and this Word Gospel and Testimony did the Apostles preach as they had received of the Lord according to the Revelation of the Mystery p Rom. 16.25 26 1 Cor. 11.23 and this with great plainness of Words and evidence and demonstration of Spirit and power q 1 Cor. 2.4 2 Cor. 3.12 And this they also writ and left upon Record in such plainness that they intended nothing but what we in their Writings read r Phil. 3.1 2. 2 Cor. 1.13 and in reading may understand their Knowledge in the Mystery of Christ s Ephes 3.3 4. whence Christ that by his Spirit set them on this work as he did the Prophets before and by that Holy Spirit guided them in writing saith Have not I written to thee excellent things in Counsels and Knowledge that I might make thee know the certainty of the Words of Truth that thou mightst answer the Words of Truth to them that send unto thee t Prov. 22.20 21. And so it is affirmed That that which was and is so written is upright Words of Truth acceptable Words and Words of delight to receive and declare the Minde of God in and so fit also for the Preacher u Eccles 12.10 2 Tim. 3.16 17. So that the Law and Testimony as it is manifested in the first coming of Christ and by him given to his first Witnesses and by them delivered and recorded to us is the Law and the Testimony to which we are to resort and so the whole Scripture as witnessing of Christ and opened by Christ to them and by them to us w John 5.39 Luk. 24.25 26 27 44 45 46 47. Rom. 15.3 4 16.25 26. 2 Pet. 3.2 for Christ spake by his Spirit in the Ministration of Noah x 1 Pet. 3.19 and it was the Spirit of Christ in the Prophets that did signifie to them when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow y 1 Pet. 1.11 the Spirit of the Son being also the Spirit of the Father and that by which God ever hath and doth testifie of his Son z 1 John 5 6. And so God at the first did immediately preach the Gospel in Paradise and after more fully to Abraham in Canaan a Gen. 3.15 15.5 17.1 8. and afterwards by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets b Luk. 1.69 70. which Prophets spake and writ as they were moved by the Holy Ghost c 2 Pet. 1.21 whence what the Spirit foresaw and preached the Scripture that was written by his Inspiration is said to foresee and preach d Gen. 12.3 with Gal. 3.8 16. And what the Scripture saith the Holy Ghost is said to say e Psal 95.7 with Heb. 3.7 And we shall finde many sayings in the Scriptures both of Moses and the following Prophets testifying of Jesus Christ his coming and sufferings and resurrection and glory setting him forth to be the great Prophet High Priest and King and God's Salvation to the end of the Earth and that whoever believeth in him shall not be ashamed calling men to look to him and be saved And this is the main thing to which the Scripture testifieth all other parts and portions of Scripture besides this plain Testimony being subservient and having their tendencie to this even to lead men to the Knowledge and Acknowledgement of this Testimony and so of Christ testified therein f John 5.39 And so The Genealogies from Adam to Abraham g Gen. 5.1 32. 11.10 26. Luk. 3. and from Abraham to David and from David to Christ h Mat. 11 18 25. Luke 3.23 32. are to demonstrate of whom Christ came according to the flesh and that he is very Man of the Seed of a Woman c. And also the Love Truth and Faithfulness of God in performing his Promise i Act. 13.32 33. Gal. 4.4 The end of the Law given to and by Moses was to be a School-Master to Christ k Gal. 3.24 and for Righteousness to have it in Christ l Rom. 10.4 the one part of the Law that of ten Words was to discover sin and sentence to death that men might die to themselves magnifie Grace and be quickened by Christ and live to him m Rom. 3.19 20. 4.15 5.20 Gal. 2.19 20. 3.19 The other part that of Types and Figures in Temple Altar Propitiatory Priests Sacrifices Washings c. To figure and shadow out the Truth that was to be found in Jesus that was to come n Heb. 8.5 9.8 9. 7.19 And so many Metaphors and
3.24 4.25 28. Rom. 1.1 2 3 they know also That what the Scripture saith the Holy Ghost saith the same o Gal. 3.8 Heb. 3.7 and what the Holy Ghost hath once said and testified as true in Christ he never altereth that Testimony but breatheth in it still and so where-ever written that remaineth Truth which proves this Objection vain Object 2 You understand not our meaning for we do believe in and magnifie Christ and the Scripture as much as you do but we have Christ and the Scripture within us and we believe that and speak that from inward and experimental Knowledge and the infallible Spirit and that we speak is the Minde of God but you believe in and magnifie a Christ without you and so believe and speak of and from the Scripture that is without you and so the true Sense and Mind of God which is infallible and from Christ and the Scripture within is to you a Parable and all you hold and believe is but fleshly and fallible Answ Here is still the former boasting and self-witnessing and self-exalting though with more discovery of Vanity Blasphemy and Pride or Atheism than the former as will appear to all that know who we mean by Christ and what we mean by Scripture For 1. By Christ in whom we believe we mean not An Imagination or Frame but the second publick Man the spiritual Man who not only out of us but before we in our Persons were and without any Motion or In-being in us did himself take our Nature being conceived by and born of a Woman a Virgin that was of the natural Seed and Lineal Descent of David and Abraham and Adam and so took a personal Body of his own in which he bore our sins on the Tree and was made a Curse and died for us and overcame Death and shook off all Mortality without seeing corruption in that Body in which being buried he rose again and appeared to and conversed with his Disciples and then in their sight departed from them out of this World in that risen Body and so ascended into Heaven and offered himself a sacrifice to God and sate down on his right Hand and in that now glorified Body remaineth in Heaven a great High Priest appearing before God ever-living to intercede for us This is The Christ our Saviour not to come to take flesh nor so coming nor so in us he hath done that already he was to do in his own Body for us and can die no more but is alive for evermore immeasurably filled with Spirit to send forth to us The right knowing of him is the original and right way of knowing all things and right knowing and worshipping of God is in the Confession of him thus to be already come in the flesh 1 John 4.3 and that Spirit that denieth this is the Spirit of Antichrist and he that denieth that This Jesus is The Christ he is Antichrist 1 Joh. 2.22 23. and denieth the Father and the Son And whoever believeth in This Jesus receiveth of his Spirit which imprinteth his Word and frameth his Minde in his Heart enriching him with his Consolations and so by Word Col. 1.25 26 27 and Spirit and Riches of Grace and not in bodily presence is Christ in Believers and in so being in them he is to them the Hope of Glory But whoever believeth not in this Christ without them and receiveth not the Efficacies and Frames within from the excellency of the knowledge of and Belief in him without so as he that is without in bodily presence is within by spiritual presence but come to undervalue him as without them and magnifie something within them All that within is but meer delusion which the ensuing Discourse will further shew so that the voice of this Objection being so strange the sheep will not hear it 2. And as for the Scripture we mean not by Scripture Ink and Paper nor Letters of A B C c. nor Syllables and particular Words nor Writing or Printing or a Book bound up in Leaves or rolled in Parchment But that we mean by Scripture is not the writing but the thing written not barely the words but the thing sounded forth and imported to us in the words And so the Almighty God that is Eternal without Beginning before all Things and without End Omnipotent Omniscient Infinite and Immutable the Creator of all things and his onely Son that was in the Beginning and from Eternity with him by whom he made all things and whom he sent forth made of a Woman and so Man the essential Word and the Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Son the infallible Spirit that witnesseth the Minde of God This one God Three in One and this Minde made known to Men the Manifestation and making it known is the Instrumental Word of God whether inspired spoken or written And of this God and his Minde it is as so made known that we mean and when it is once by his Command and Inspiration written and put on record for us to make known his Minde to us Prov. 22.20 21 as now it is then is all this called Scripture and so when God had once by his Spirit preached the Gospel to Abraham this being after written by Moses is since called Scripture Now it was not Moses his Writing that did fore-see and preach nor the Book or Letters or Words written therein but the Spirit in that Testimony did fore-see and preach which being Written and left on Record is therefore called Scripture Gal. 3.8 And when the Holy Ghost had in and by David said to the People To day if you will hear my voice harden not your hearts This being once written and left on Record for Generations following Psal 95.7 the Holy Ghost is said where-ever that Scripture is given still to say it And to those to whom no probability that that particular Word was inspired into every of them Heb. 3.7 which was so given to Israel and Joshua Deut. 13.6 8. yet it being after written and left upon Record for his peoples use it 's said to them many Generations after Heb. 13.5 He hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee yea that which God spake to Moses in the Bush our Saviour it being written Exod. 3.6 said to the corrupt and erroneous Sadduces Have not you read that which was spoken by God to you saying Mat. 22.31 32 I am the God c. And so the Spirit in the Apostles teacheth us That whatsoever things were written aforetime Rom. 15.4 were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scripture might have hope Surely this written aforetime so long before we were was written without us yea without even those of us to whom that sentence was written and therefore written without in Leaves that they might have recourse to it and learn it and love it and so have it
1.7 9. Eph. 5.25 26 27. even for Believers to wash at and they directed to daily washing in approaching to God by him and he is said to have given himself for them to do this business of washing them with Word and Water till he have made them spotless and in this respect also of the provision made in his Sufferings and Sacrifice for taking away these following evils of those redeemed from the Curse of the Law and bought by him it is said Isa 53.6 5 11 12. All we even we that are healed with his stripes like sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath made the iniquity of us all to meet on him c. and so he is a perfect Saviour and a Giver of Salvation to such as believe on him as is demonstrated and affirmed Heb. 2.10 where the Apostle having spoken of his being made perfect through sufferings after mentions his Burthen and Sufferings in the flesh his tears prayers supports and obedience in all and then saith as in another place And being made perfect Phil. 2.7 11. Heb. 5.7 8 9. he became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him Now it 's known he was made perfect as a Saviour in his Oblation-offering and the Father's acceptance of it and exalting and filling him and then he became the Author of eternal Salvation which also cleerly implies some true Salvation which proves not to all the saved Eternal and yet none without Blood but this eternal Salvation he gives unto all them that obey him that is believe on him he saith not to all he died for nor to all whom by vertue of his Death and Ransom he hath redeemed from the Curse of the Law and so bought into his dispose that they shall not perish for ever in the first Death nor to all that he useth means and sends forth Spirit to and so calleth them that they might believe and have eternal Life and so not be hurt of the second Death but to all them that obey him that is hear and believe in his Name which is according to the tenor of the Law by which Christ will judge all Men * Act. 3.22 23. Rom. 2.16 Mar. 16.16 so that all the way both from the Types and the Truth affirmed in Christ answering what was typed it appeareth That Jesus Christ offered himself a Sacrifice to God for sins of two sorts the first such as were not against himself as Mediator but against God as Creator which he took on him so to discharge that the debt became wholly his and he hath fully discharged the same and made full riddance of it before God and will in his time remove it from all Men though many will not now believe it the second sort of sins such as are also against him as Mediator many of which he taketh away and as he hath received power so he useth means that Men on the account of his goodness might believe on him and so not only see their Freedom from those sins which are passed but have these present removed from them also and so be Eternally saved and yet Christ's taking away the first sort of sins and provision to take away the second sort also doth still farther appear Thirdly if we consider the difference our Saviour maketh of sins some greater and more heynous and fearful than others Mat. 12.31 32. Mar. 3.28 29. Luk. 12.10 and yet but one sort excluded forgiveness Verily saith he I say unto you All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men loe he putteth in no condition here at all and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness but is in danger of eternal condemnation And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man it shall be forgiven him loe here no condition neither but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost it shall never be forgiven him neither in this world nor in the world to come Now what can sinning speaking against and blasphemy against the Holy Ghost be but some such manner and degree of sinning as in which the Sacrifice offered and the Offerer of which the Holy Ghost hath born and beareath witness is in such degree contemned as the sin cannot be forgiven without dishonour and wrong to the Sacrifice and Sacrificer and so such a sinning as for pardon of which the Sacrifice was not offered for there can be no sin or blasphemy against either Father or Son or Holy Spirit as they are one God which is not against them all and every of them in one as much offended as either personally considered and so all sin and blasphemy Mankinde fell into through the fall of the first Man and that necessarily spring from Nature so corrupted while no sufficient remedy to avoid it is afforded they are directly sins and blasphemies against God as a Creator and so against the goodness manifested in the Creation and against the Law under which Mankinde was fallen and so though we according to appearance may call these sins against the Father as indeed they are yet they are sins against the Son and Holy Spirit likewise by whom as one and the same God the Creation was effected but these sins were so satisfied for and done away by Christ in his Oblation offered which God hath so accepted that he hath remitted all over to Christ and if not now as to Believers it doth yet in the World to come it shall appear they shall not be judged and condemned for sins in this manner committed But now Jesus Christ having undertaken and offered such a Sacrifice to God as in which he hath purged from before him all these and obtained power to make this Grace known to draw Men to him and to forgive all other following sins found in Men in this his strife which indeed are as before shewn sins against the Mediator here by himself called The Son of Man yet these sinnings against him are in a higher degree than the former against the Father who in love gave and sent forth and testified of his Son the Saviour of the World and against the Holy Spirit of Grace in his Testimonies of him and Operations from and with him but they are more appearingly and directly against the Mediator that took our Nature and died for our sins and offered himself a Sacrifice to God for us and now extendeth means and Spirit to us to turn us to himself yet of these sins against himself he saith All these shall be forgiven unto men as Believers do begin to experiment in this World and shall fully in the World to come yea unless some higher degree than yet mentioned in sinning in a higher manner Men shall not be cast into a second Death at the end of the World to come and what this high degree of sinning is is also express'd Mat. 12.24 Mar. 3 29.30 Luk.
remember Jude 5. How that the Lord having saved the people out of the Land of Egypt afterwards destroyed them that believed not and they being both there and in other places set forth for types and ensamples to us b 1 Cor. 10 1-11.11.18 I will instance yet that which comes nigher it is said Psal 78. He establshed a testimony in Jacob c. That the generations to come might know c. That they might set their hope in God c. And might not be as their fathers a stubborn and rebellious generation c. Which yet many of them were Psa 78.5 6 7 8. and did not set their hope in God as the story shews If it be replied This was but a Ministration I might answer This was God's End expresly that they might know and hope in God c. And that he did order and appoint insufficient and ineffectual means to bring his Ends about I hope none will say neither as I hope will any deny This giving of a Testimony to be a Type of his giving Christ for a Testimony for the same End But I will come to a closer Answer Isa 55.4 in that which the Lord affirms his own doing by the Mouth of the Prophet Jer. 13.11 12. As the girdle cleaveth to the loyns of a man so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah saith the Lord that they might be unto me for a people and for a name and for a praise and for a glory but they would not hear c. And so to this very business our Saviour himself tells us God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world Job 3.17 vers 14 15 18 19 Ioh. 5.34 40 43. but that the world through him might be saved yet he doth not say or infer That the World shall all be certainly saved no not so but He that as he is displayed believeth on him shall be saved c. And so in his own personal Ministration he saith to the Jews These things I say that ye might be saved yet many of them to whom he preached to that End not would come to him nor receive his Words that they might have Life And the like may be seen in his end of sending his Gospel by his Servants so Act. 26.18 that all the way the word might used in setting forth an end aimed at implies sufficiency and effectualness in means to effect the end and good hope yea certainty if not willingly refused and resisted but not an absolute infallibility that the end in the blessed part of it shall be accomplished in fallen Men whether they attend and receive or no And all this is said not to wave one syllable in the Text but to shew what it saith not and how the word might is in such business in Scripture used when the ends of things that are to have their efficacy with and in fallen Mankinde are mentioned And so let us Secondly minde what he doth indeed say that is He gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie c. This expresly his gracious End of giving himself for us and so of his Oblation That he might redeem us from all iniquity c. which is partly hinted in the former Chapter shewing for what he offered himself which comes here to be enlarged as it hath reference to this expressed End and so that he might c. is 1. That he might have power and authority in the Nature of Man and as Man also even the Son of Man to be both Mediator between God and Men and to use what means he pleaseth to redeem Men from iniquity and to be the judge of Men and is foreshewn and doth yet farther appear Joh. 5.21 22-26 27. in our Saviour's own giving this as the ground of the Father's giving to the Son to have life in himself to call and to quicken whom he will and to execute judgement because he is the Son of Man And this also by himself explicated with his gracious End affirmed Thus it is written Luk. 24.46 47. and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name among all Nations c. Phil. 2.7 8 9 10 11. Mat. 27 28. mat 28.18 19. And upon the account of his Sufferings and Sacrifice this power and authority being given him he from thence groundeth his own rightfull calling of them that are weary c. to come to him and on the same ground giveth commission to his Disciples to preach the Gospel and therefore he gave himself for us in sufferingâ— and offering Sacrifice that he might have this power and authority as the publick Man and in and with it use means by the vertue of his Oblation to save c. And that God hath given him this power and authority to this end Act. 5.31 32. is affirmed 2. That he might be filled in the very Nature of Man with the immeasurable fulness of the Holy Ghost to this End that the Love Wisdom Power Mercy Truth Goodness and Face of God might appear to be seen in him and the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father through him in his Name while in the means he is displayed And this our Saviour expresly affirmed Joh. 16.7 both That unless he did go away which was by his Death and Ascension to offer Sacrifice the Comforter would not come and also That if he departed he would send him and this also upon the account of his Sufferings and Oblation Isa 50.2 3 4 5 6. Isa 61.1 2 3 4. he had not only the forementioned Power but God the Lord hath given him the tongue of the learned that he should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary And this explained by himself The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings c. And this affirmed also by the Father upon the account of his Sufferings and Sacrifice Phil. 2 7-10 Heb. 8. Isa 42.1 2-8 Mat. 12 18. 3.17 17.5 in which he was his Servant and still is in his Ministration as in the Father's well-pleasedness in him and Acceptance of his Sacrifice and Mediation he is his Elect yea as the publick Man Behold saith he I have put my Spirit on him and he shall shew forth judgement to the Gentiles c. 3. That he might by vertue of his Blood in this his Oblation Psa 22 12-22 40.9 10. Joh. 3.14 15 16 12.31 32. Isa 55.4 5. Isa 42.7 8. Joh. 5.25 26 Isa 52.15 Heb. 9.14 1 Pet. 18 19. Rev. 5.9 with this Furniture he hath upon the account thereof in the means he useth especially in the Ministration of the Gospel declare his Father's Name and Righteousness and be himself lift up and
the Son of Man shall sit on the Throne of his glory then in that day but whether in the beginning or in the middle or the end I leave to every man to think as he seeth cause all Nations shall be gathered before him this may be in beginning and middle and end throughout this great Day of the Lord and he shall separate them and set the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left And when he doth that then he proceedeth to the last and final Judgement which Judgement is not by his Saints as the former judging and ruling was but by himself only and as the Resurrection of the Just at first was Christ his own work alone so the Resurrection of the Unjust and this final Judgement Rev. 20 11-15 is also now The compassing the Camp of the Saints fire coming down from Heaven and consuming the Enemies the time of Satan's last loosing and his being taken and cast into the Lake of Fire and then the Resurrection of the wicked and also their Judgement according to their works who knows what time these things will take What God as God may suddenly do I meddle not with but what God in Christ and so what the Son of Man will do according to the capacities of Men however enlarged by him in judging with as one may say opening the Books setting Mens sins in order before them producing witnesses and passing the sentence upon every one I dare not determine in what space of time this one thing shall be done but how long or short soever although joyful to the Saints yet all this with all that went before it from Satan's last loosing to his being cast into the Lake of Fire and the Resurrection of the wicked it is all after the thousand yeers of the Saints raigning and judging however the thousand yeers be taken and all this time Christ as Man raigneth and judgeth and his Saints are with him and so it is a long time and the Resurrection of the wicked and the final Judgement past then Christ delivereth up the Kingdom to his Father and then is the mystery of God wholly finished and time shall be no more all will be Eternity then the Kingdom continueth still for ever to Eternity only the Davidical Regiment of it is delivered up to the Father and all ruling as Men all differences of Men in ruling or ruled ceaseth yea Christ himself as Man and David's Son and his whole Body of Saints as Men yea he as a Monarch and they as Rulers or ruled are all subject wholly to the Divine Nature God being All in All the Man Christ remaining 2 Cor. 15.28 and God in him the Saints remaining and God in them the Kingdom remaining and God in all God is in all yea All in all he is in them all Wisdom Power Righteousness Truth Love Joy Glory Everlasting Life and Joy God is All and All in all yea so full so glorious and everlasting Joy that all former things are so forgot as if this had ever been yea without beginning and as if all that can be to Eternity were comprehended in present and so will be to Eternity without end the joy of the Lord in which he is in which all the Saints are it being their joy also they are now both filled and compassed with it in them they in it they now enjoy to the full that prayed for to which the first Fruits in the Day of Grace and the Harvest in the Davidical Regiment had its tendency Eph. 3.17 18 19. even to be filled with all the fulness of God yea if it may be born I suppose one might in a true sense say That of all the Saints and every of the Saints according to every of their capacities which by the Divine Nature possessing them will then be unconceivably great which is said of the Man Christ That as all the fulness of the Godhead even the Father Son and Holy Ghost in the Divine Essence Love Goodness Power Truth Glory c. dwells in him bodily so the fulness of the Godhead of Father Son and Holy Spirit in their Love Joy Goodness Power Wisdom c. dwells in them bodily then shews it self and operates in and through their Bodies so as never before only with this exception The Man Christ is one Person in the Son of God and so God-Man yea that very Person is very God though as Man he have yielded up the Government to God yet as God he governs still but none of the Saints are one Person with the Son of God and so not God governing but filled with God I desire to express it only as by Scripture I may We believing in him now live by Faith and enjoy all and walk in and by Faith Hope and Love but in the Davidical Kingdom we shall not live by Faith but by Sight 2 Cor. 5.7 1 Cor. 13.8 13. Rom. 8.24 25. 1 Joh. 3.2 4.7 12. 1 Cor. 15.28 and so there will be no Exercise of Faith nor yet of Hope we seeing as we are seen and none hopeth for that which he seeth and yet the habits of Faith and Hope abide till the Kingdom become wholly Divine but Charity is most in Exercise but when God is become All in all then Faith and Hope and all Desires are streamed into Charity and Charity abideth ever God is Charity and God and so Charity is All in them and in them all his delight in them and their rejoycing in him Oh unconceiveable Life Joy Happiness without any intermission for ever and ever But what manner of Glory this shall be is not yet revealed nor will be till Christ be upon the Throne of David that the whole mystery of God be opened Therefore I desire no farther to pry into it but only as it is revealed that so it shall be and that I desire to believe and for the manner of it let it alone till the Day declare it And this is all I will till farther occasion given me say of the Kingdom of Christ he comes to take and so likewise of the Ends of his second and glorious coming which yet is enough to make Believers long and wait for his coming the Time whereof is next to be spoken of CHAP. 19. Of the third Poynt The Time of the next coming of Christ FOr the Time of the coming again of Christ I shall also say what I finde for as for the precise hour or day natural or prophetical it were presumption in me so to enquire as to think before-hand certainly to know it seeing our Saviour Christ himself hath told even his own Disciples that enquired after it Ye know not when the time is not only when the end of the Day Mar. 13.32 33 34 35. the last and final Judgement shall be but not the beginning of the Day when the Master of the House cometh whether at even or at midnight or at cock-crowing or at morning If
writings we may discern that all the Sriptures testifie of Christ CHAP. 6. Of the next and sixth Revelation of Christ his person and personal coming in the flesh THe next Revelation of Christ was of his person and personal coming in the Flesh who he was what a one he was and wherefore come c. and this was first to Zacharias by an Angel Luk. 1.13 14 15 16 17. declaring his Son that should be called John to go before him in the Spirit and Power of Elias c. him before whom he should go the Angel called The Lord their God then by the Angel to the Virgin Mary her self declaring his conception and birth and who Luk. 1.26 27 35 Luk. 1.41 42 43 48 55 67 68 69 79. Mat. 1.20 21 23. Luk. 2.10 11 14 16 17. and what a one he should be and that he should have the Kingdom of his Father David then by the holy Ghost in the Prophecy of Elizabeth my life of Zacharias then by the Prophecy of the Virgin Mary the Mother of Jesus then by the Prophecy of Zacharias being filled with the holy Ghost then by an Angel to Joseph the espoused Husband of the Virgin Mary then to Shepherds by an Angel with a multitude of Angels confirming the same declaring his birth with the day and place thereof and that he is the Saviour even Christ the Lord and this tidings of great joy which shall be to all people And then by the Shepherds when they had both heard and seen unto others then by old Simeon who had it revealed to him and was inspired by the holy Ghost Luk. 2.25 28 32 35. and came and took him in his arms and declared him to be God's Salvation which he had prepared before the face of all people a light to enlighten the Gentiles and to be the Glory of his people Israel Luk. 2.36 38. And then by one Annah a Prophetess And after all this by certain wise men that came from the East to Jerusalem being directed to him by a Star Mat. 2.1 2 9 10 11. who declared him born King of the Jews and worshipped him and offered him gifts And after all this to John the Son of Zacharias declaring this Jesus to be The He Joh. 1.31 33. Luk. 3.1 2 3. The Christ c. to which John the Word of the Lord came at that time mentioned Thus and in many things now came to pass according to fore-prophecies Christ was declared to be already begun to be come in the Flesh and to be the Son of God and the Son of David the King of the Jews and the Saviour of the world the great Prophet and Messiah promised and that this very Jesus that was born in Bethlem of the Virgin espoused to Joseph and seen of the Shepherds and taken in the arms of old Simeon and witnessed to by Zacharias and John his Son even this very Jesus is he even the Christ c. and ready to set on his work And now the person of Christ thus come and thus witnessed and pointed out who he is and that he was personally on the earth and ready to set on his great business doing and that that very Jesus is he is more than ever was so revealed and manifested before and the beginning both of the performance and the more cleer opening of all the prophecies that have been of him from the beginning and so light began to shine forth more cleerly And now in this Revelation of Christ and for making him known according to this Revelation Isa 40.3 4 6 7 8. Mal. 3.1 Luk. 1.13 14 15 16.17 76 79. 3.15 16. Joh. 17.20 23. Luk. 1.15 44 76 78 79. Luk. 1,17 to prepare men that they might come into the acknowledgement of him it pleased God to chuse in Christ the Messenger of the Father and his own Messenger also fore-purposed and now declared to be his immediate Fore-runner to go before his Face to prepare his way and him he approved for this Ministration And for this blessed Ministration he was abundantly furnished in that he was filled with the holy Ghost from his Mothers Wombe and was confirmed by all the Declarations and Prophecies fore-mentioned given to him by the Spirit in the Prophecies and Instructions of his Father and was himself indued with the Spirit and Power of Elias to go on in his Ministration before the Lord and had the word of the Lord came to him revealed and inspired by God into him both in the Doctrine he had to teach and how to apply it to his hearers and also commission to testifie the Truth of it by baptizing with water And in this receit of the Word of the Lord that came to him he received his Commission to set on the business of preaching and babtizing and so did set on it in the fifteenth yeer of the raign of Tiberius Caesar Luk. 3.1 2 3 4. when Poutius Pilate was Governour of Judea and Herod the Tetrach of Galilee and Annas and Caiaphas High-Priests and what his Testimony and Doctrine was appears in that which is recorded of what he taught and delivered to be 1. That Jesus Christ is the Word that was in the beginning with God that was God and that was with God Joh. 1.1 2 3 14. Gen. 3.15 by whom all things were made that are made and that this same Word was made Flesh and dwelt among them Emmanuel God with us in our Nature and for us even he that was promised and manifested to do that great work for taking away our sins and destroying the works of the Devil 1 Ioh. 3.5 8. Ioh. 1.4 7 8. 9. so that in him is Life and the Life is the Light of Men and he is the true Light that enlightneth every one that cometh into the World 2. That he is the onely begotten Son of God and yet very Man full of Grace and Truth and being in the heart Joh. 1.14 16 18. minde and bosome of the Father knowing all his counsels and being one with him in his will and design and so in all his decrees and purposes and as Man having commission from him he hath revealed and declared him so as in knowing him his minde is to be known 3. That he the Man Jesus Christ being the Son of God Joh. 1.11 and perfect Man the Mediator between God and Man full of Grace and Truth declaring the Father he is so loving to Man and so bountiful to all that receive his Declaration and so believe on him that he giveth them of his own Priviledges even to be the Sons of God and so dispenseth to them of his own fulness so that as the Law discovering sin and sentencing to death and that part of it also which by types and figures in Sacrifices and purifications shadowing out a better hope to be looked to in Christ to come though afar off came by Moses even so Grace and free favour in forgiveness of
sins and delivery from death and truth in receit of and enjoyment of true righteousness peace quickning purity heavenly riches came by Jesus Christ even in all times past and so now more fully and cleerly doth so as though he came after John yet he is preserred before him yea he was before him so as now he is come John and all the residue of Believers then and since even we of his fulness have received and Grace for Grace for the Grace of God in Christ by vertue of his Sacrifice which God hath graciously accepted of him for us we receive the Grace of Faith to believe and therein remission of sins and so Grace for Grace yea this and so one to make us meet to receive another and that to make us meet to receive more still and so Grace for Grace plentifully one heaped upon another Tit. 3.3 4 5 6 7. Col. 1.12 13. Joh. 1.15 16 17. Act. 26.18 yea as Moses had a Law of Works to nurture the people towards Grace so we a Doctrine of Grace and Law of Grace to teach and lead people to partake of Grace 4. That this Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God the sin-offering and the true passover which by vertue of his sacrifice mediating taketh or beareth away the sin of the world Job 1.29 36. Col. 2.14 15. Eph. 2.12 13 16 17. Rom. 5.18 that by his own death and sacrifice offered takes and now hath taken sin out of the way removed the contradictions that were in the mid-way between God and the world of Mankinde and made peace that it may be preached to them and that by vertue of his blood and sacrifice Isa 53.12 1 Tim. 2.4 Rom. 2.4 Rom. 3.24 25 26. 1 Joh. 3.2 Gen. 22.18 Act. 10.43 Rom. 4.5 Mat. 3.2 11. hath fulness fitness authority and readiness to take sin out of the consciences and nature of Men and by his Mediation procures forbearance patience and mercies to sinners to lead them to repentance being he and onely he set forth for that end the propitiation for the sins of the world in whom there is blessing for all Nations and that by spiritual application of his Blood he doth so take sin away from all that in believing come to him for it and that he is neer at hand to set up his spiritual Kingdom the fore-runner of his Davidical Kingdom 5. That the Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hands Joh. 3.34 35 36. and immeasurably filled him with the Spirit so that whoever believeth in him hath everlasting life and be that believeth not on him the wrath of God abideth on him This Doctrine was John filled with to teach And with this Doctrine he was to throw down the Momtains exalt the Valleys Joh. 14.18 29 33. Mat. 3. Mar. 1. Luk. 3. cry down all Flesh and exalt the Word of the Lord and so to call Men to Repentance and to Faith in Christ and so to newness of life assuring them that Christ would baptize them with the holy Ghost and as a witness of the Truth of this Doctrine and that Christ was at hand and shortly to be manifested to Israel he did baptize with water unto repentance and so discipled all that came to him and refused it not Yet did he not in the beginning of his Ministration point out which of all the Sons of Men was that Man that is the Christ so he shewed not which was the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ till he was especially fitted and directed and commissionated for that also by the direction of the holy Spirit by communication with Jesus Christ himself Joh. 1.33 34. Mat. 3.13 17. Mar. 1.9 10.11 Luk. 3.21 22. and seeing the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting on him and hearing the voice of the Father from heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased And so was he furnished to know and declare the person of Christ as distinct from all others and who he was And then he did most plainly point out the Man Jesus Joh. 1.29 35 36. 3.30 36. the Son of the Virgin with confession that not himself and so no other Man but that very Man Jesus was the He the Christ the Lamb of God the King of Israel the Bridegroom the Son of God he even this very Jesus he pointed to and affirmed to the be very he and so exhorted his Hearers to behold him even Jesus and to follow him cleave to him and exalt him And in this his Ministration he was greater than all the Prophets that were before him Mat. 11.10 11. though less than any of his Lord's first Witnesses of his Resurrection that were to come after him and although in the exercise of his Ministration he was but for the House of Israel who if they had received him as he came in the Spirit and Power of Elias they would then have received Jesus Christ also and so they might have enjoyed the Gospel of the Kingdom and have continued in their own Land till his coming again to raign and then John Baptist had been all the Elias they should have needed and the coming of Elias mentioned Mal. 4. it would have been needful onely for the ten Tribes of Israel formerly cast off but they refusing came to be cast off also and so its needful for them And in this Ministration Mat. 11.13 14 15. 17.11 12. 23.37 according to this Revelation all the former helps in and under all the former Revelations and Ministrations still remained and all for the good of Men specially the house of Israel CHAP. 7. Of the seventh Revelation and the last that shall be of Christ till his own return and personal and visible appearing THe next Revelation of Jesus Christ and the last that is to be carried an end for usefulness by teaching and use of such outward Ordinances as now even until his personal appearance when all such means shall cease and the eternal Sabbath be Isa 42.1 61.1 2 3 4. Joh. 12.49 50. Heb. 1.1 2. 2.4 and this Revelation was by the Father to the Son even to the Man Jesus Christ his Elect upon whom he hath put his Spirit and by Jesus Christ to his Disciples God by his divine power bearing witness thereto and confirming the same and this Revelation by Jesus Christ was of the same things fore-revealed to and by the Prophets but now more fully and cleerly manifested with the mystery more abundantly opened and this his Revelation was in a threefold manner or by three distinct wayes or means 1. By manifestation of himself and all that appertained to him to do in his first coming by demonstrating the same in the very act visibly c. 2. By his personal and bodily Ministration in a vocal and audible teaching the Gospel and the Testimony of himself in the Prophets and explicating it 3. By pouring on his witnesses and
one man had by high Treason procured on himself and all his posterity the sentence of ejection from all his lands and inheritance and of suffering for ever an ignominious and tormenting death being for ever put under the displeasure wrath and hatred of him against whom the treason was committed and yet the execution deferred till the Traytor have twenty children And in the sentence passed this reserve that the third seventh tenth and fifteenth of that mans children shall be freed from the execution of the sentence and be accepted as sons into favour with the King and enjoy the inheritance though these may be born as sinful and ill-deserving as the rest yet can they not be said to be born or by birth to be the children of the wrath and displeasure of the King even as the other seeing even by their very birth the persons so born were appointed to such freedome favour and happiness as the rest were excluded from before they were born but if none so provided for but all alike before their birth excluded then were they alike the children of wrath or else not This Simily illustrates the Text proveth and Mr. Owen confesseth All are by nature the children of wrath one even as another And so as Adams sons none differenced from others by any such election before their being or by a first birth 2 If by Nature be meant the corrupt disposition with which from our first father we are all naturally infected and so according to the lusts of that disposition what ever means were used towards us more than other yet we according to the course of this world and the motions of Satan walked in fulfilling the wills of the flesh And so were by Nature the children of wrath even as others If we take it thus as surely also we may then it still overthrows the forementioned fancy for to be elect to Son-ship and inheritance and to be well-beloved Isa 42.1 with Mat. 12.18 and under well-pleasedness is one and the same by our Saviours opening the word to be under wrath and under compassion may well stand together but to be under wrath and well-pleasedness stands not together nor are any that are without Christ and out of him Rom. 5.4 1 Cor. 15.45 46 47.48 1 Pet. 2.5 9. 1 Thess 5.3.4 Rom. 9 25 26. chosen or elected in him the natural man is first the spiritual afterward as with the head so with the members who are the elect and chosen is fore-declared and they when elect are not children of wrath even as others nor as themselves sometimes were so that in this saying he hath intimately confessed the truth of their beleef he professedly opposeth 2. He saith That faith and holiness which in due time they are invested withall whereby they are made Beleevers and Saints and distinguished from all others what ever is an effect and fruit of and flows from Gods eternal purpose concerning their salvation and election The faith and holiness of those forementioned 1 Joh. 4.14 Joh. 3.16 17. wants nothing of this Was it not the purpose of God in sending forth his Son the Saviour of the world That the world through him might be saved And was it not in the same purpose of God Act. 26.17 18 3.26 Joh. 3.14 15 16. 15.26 16 14 15 1 Pet. 1.20 21 That his Son having in mans nature dyed for our sins and risen for our justification c. should be preached To turn men from darkness to light that whoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Is not this Jesus He of whom the holy Spirit testifieth and the things of whom he sheweth and so in glorifying him draweth men to beleeve in him And are not those so brought to beleeve in him beleevers indeed and Saints by calling And is not this faith produced by the love of God commended in giving his Son to dye for our sins and fastned on Christ the foundation receiving remission of sins Rom 5.8.10 and spiritual quickning through beleeving on him According to the purpose of God Is there any purpose of God for sending his holy Spirit to witness of Christ to work any other kinde of faith than this of the right kinde or is there any faith in Christ of the Spirits working that is not according to the purpose of God doth he speak of himself or work otherwise than as proceeding from the Father and the Son And are not these beleevers in their coming into Christ distinguished thereby from all that are unbeleevers and of the world what ever And who will say It is questionable whether the holy Spirit thus bringing any to beleeve in Christ be an effect and fruit of and flowing from the grace love and purpose of God concerning their salvation even that in beleeving they might be saved But these things have been often at large cleerlyshewn and proved before nor doth Mr. Owen here say This faith is a fruit of election he knows that with more shew of truth it might be said election is a fruit of this faith but yet that is not a good and right expression neither but the testimony of the holy Ghost is That they were chosen through the sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thess 2.13 14. and the beleef of the Truth to which they were called c. which is already fore-shewn And here yeelded in this saying concerning their salvation or election making these two terms in a sort signifying the same thing and so election a part of the salvation wrought in them and upon them and so the faith the same set out Heb. 6. 3 He saith Their faith being as to the manner of its bestowing peculiarly of the operation of God This agrees well with that set forth Heb. 6.1 2 4 5. It was God sure that in love gave his Son to do that for us in and by which he is the compleat object of faith And Jesus Christ in and through whom God commendeth his love to us is God even one and the same God blessed for ever And the Holy Ghost that proceedeth from the Father and the Son is one and the same God with the Father and the Son and that the Father and the Son is And he discovering and drawing on Christ the foundation and so illuminating and affording tastes of the heavenly gift as the effects repentance from dead works and faith towards God This is certainly both his peculiar operation and the operation of God And to deny this under any surmise of an unknown purpose or election were to derogate from the grace of God even of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost as if their works in this kind were not truly saving and gracious which I hope none wil say so that this faith abideth still right 4. He saith And as to its distinction from every other gift that upon any account what ever is so called in respect of its fountain termed The faith of Gods
An Explicite DECLARATION OF The Testimony OF CHRIST According to the plain Sayings of the Gospel And therein Of the PURPOSES PROMISES and COVENANTS of God as by GOSPEL declared With A Consideration of a QUESTION stated about FAITH By Thomas Moore Senior Rom. 15.4 Whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope Printed at London by J. C. for Livâ—â—el Chapman at the Crown in Popes head alley 1656. To such as believe the Testimony of CHRIST GOD having given to all men an object of Faith Act. 17.31 Rom. 16.26 Mar. 16.15 Jam. 1.18 Rom. 10.10 15. 4.5 22 25. and commanded it to be made known by the Scriptures preached to all Nations for the obedience of Faith and that believing it which is begot thereby and closeth therewith so as to rest thereon for that promised being therefore by him called Faith and to such Believers Faith imputed for Righteousness So as it is verily true Heb. 11.6 Eph. 2.17 18. Act. 10.43 13.38 39. Rom. 5.1 2 3 5. Heb. 11.2 Act. 18.26 9.15 Rom. 11.20 Eph. 2.8 1 Cor. 15.1 4. 2 Thess 1.10 1 Job 5.10 By Faith we come and approach to God by Faith we receive remission of sins by Faith we are justified and approved of God by Faith we receive the vertues of the Sacrifice and Blood of Christ by Faith we are sanctified and conformed to the minde of Christ by Faith we stand and are saved by Faith we receive the Testimony of Christ and so come to have that Testimony and therein the holy Spirit testifying and Christ testified of and the Father that is in Christ dwelling in our heart by Faith Eph. 3.17 Gal. 3.26 Hab. 2.4 Rom. 1.17 Gal. 1.13 1 Joh. 5.4 5. Heb. 11. all 1 Pet. 1.5 so as by Faith we are the Sons of God and in all trials and temptations by Faith we live yea by Faith we have the victory over the flesh the world and the devil and by Faith may be enabled to do worthily in our generations and be constant in all services of love enduring through all sufferings till we die in the Faith and so in the Resurrection shall receive the kingdom for we are kept by the power of God through Faith unto salvation I therefore am perswaded it is our best service and fruit of love Jude 20.3 2 Tim. 4.7 8. Eph. 4.4 5. to edifie one another in this most holy Faith yea and to contend for it also against the opposers of it and know this Faith to be one and that there is but one Faith that is Faith indeed though in time past I have conceited divers kindes of Faith and now lately meeting with a Question stated in which are asserted two kindes of Faith each true and real in its kinde by M. John Owen in his Book entituled The Doctrine of the Saints perseverance I was mov'd in my heart to consider the same and to answer some Expressions of his yet leaving the handling of the Controversie to those more fit to whom it may appertain acknowledging all for Truth in his Book that is found in the Testimony of Christ and stands with the Rule proposed by himself also and refuse the rest according to his own counsel direction wherein I have endeavored by plain Testimony and sayings of Scripture to set forth the true Faith in the object of it and Grace of believing with its efficacies and so to encourage men to believe and believers to persevere I desire the plain Testimony of Scripture may be believed and so far as any of us are by the Spirit therein brought to acknowledg Christ and desire the exaltation of his Name and winning in of others thereto and encrease and growth of grace in believers let us keep this unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace that so in all our other differing apprehensions and expressions we may so contend for what the Scripture saith that whatever absurdity thereby we seem to cast upon any expressions of one another it may be without judging or despising of one another taking opposed expressions as consequences of misconception in the fancy and not fruits of the principle of grace in such as acknowledge Jesus the Lord nor judging them graceless or having no principle of grace because of such an expression that so we may do all things in charity seeking the edification of one another and so I hope if any be otherwise minded God will reveal the same to them onely whereto we have attained let us walk by the same rule of Faith and Love and believe what Scripture testifieth and not be waved from that the Scriptures being able to make us wise unto salvation through Faith that is in Jesus Christ And so committing my self and labour to the Lord 's gracious good pleasure and to Believers to be tried and received or refused as they are found to be agreeing or disagreeing with the plain sayings of the Testimony of Christ I rest Wittlesey Oct. 12. 1655. A well-willer of all that love the Lord Jesus Christ Thomas Moore The Contents of the Treatise in seven Parts PART I. An Introduction to the Testimony of Christ Chap. 1. A Direction to discern Truth from Error pag. 1. Chap. 2. Evidences of the Truth and plainness of the Testimony pag. 4. Chap. 3. Of the enmity of Flesh and Satan and their way of opposing pag. 9. Chap. 4. An Assay to remove the Objections of those that pretend Spirit and Inspiration Where what meant by Christ what by Scripture what by Letter and what by Spirit pag. 11. Chap. 5. An Answer to such as seek to trouble by words pag. 20. Chap. 6. Answer to such as pretend Scripture to trouble with pag. 26. Chap. 7. A Conclusion with the consent of a learned man pag. 32. Chap. 8. An Assay to direct the weak to finde the Testimony of Christ in the plain sayings thereof pag. 34. Chap. 9. Of the Creation of Mankinde in the first Adam pag. 41. Chap. 10. Of the fall and misery of him and Mankinde pag. 44. Chap. 11. Of the immutability of God notwithstanding pag. 49. Chap. 12. Of the remedilesness in Mankinde fallen to help himself and the wonderfulness of help in another pag. 55. Chap. 13. Of the similitudes and dissimilitudes between the first now old and the new Creation pag. 60. PART II. A declaration of the testimony of Christ in the branches of it Chap. 1. Of the Testimony of Christ who what a one and whence pag. 67. The first Branch Chap. 2. Of the Oblation of Christ pag. 73. Chap. 3. What that was which was offered up in Sacrifice pag. 75. Chap. 4. Who it was that offered up this Sacrifice pag. 76. Chap. 5. To whom be offered this Sacrifice pag. 83. Chap. 6. For whom and in whose behalf he offered it pag. 86. Chap. 7. For what Christ offered this Sacrifice for men viz. To make
the second and new Creation Secondly Yet notwithstanding there is also a true resemblance in many similitudes between them and that not only in this 1. That they both are the work of one and the same God but also in this 1. Gen. 1.1 2. Psa 33.6 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3 4. Col. 1.15 16-19 That as the first was made by the Word and Spirit of the Lord breathed forth by the Father through the Word that is the Son even so was the second and new Creation also begun and shall be finished 2. Gen. 1.1 26. That as in the first the Heavenly and Earthy Matter was first made and framed before any other particular Creatures and they after by the command and word of the Lord formed and made in and out of them even so the second and new Creation in the counsels and purpose of God and actual consent and Agreement of the Word the Son of God and now also in act by the Word made Flesh the original and first being and that which gives being to all and in and out of which and through which all particulars are formed and made new was first prepared made and formed in the Man Christ in whom the Restauration being made God and Man united in one Person through whom the Holy Spirit proceedeth from the Father and so by the word and command of the Lord the particulars in their order are formed and made new and so Jesus Christ the Son of God and the Son of Man even he himself is called the beginning of the Creation of God a Rev. 3.14 the first-born of every Creature b Col. 1.15 the first-begotten first-born from the dead c Rev. 1.5 Col. 1.18 before Abraham was he is d Joh. 8.56 58. the Root of David e Rev. 22 16. the Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end f Rev. 21 6. yea he that worketh with the Father and whatsoever the Father doth he doth the same John 5.19 23 26 27. he is the beginning and by him are all things 3. That as in the first Creation in respect of particulars to be formed Gen. 1.3 John 1.4 5. 2 Cor. 4.6 God first commanded and formed the Light for his Creatures even so in the new Creation in bringing in particulars the first thing commanded to come forth is Light and this shining in the Face of Christ into the Heart of those he makes new Creatures 4. That as in the first Creation the first publick Man was first made a perfect Man fit for multiplication Gen. 1.28 4.1 2. 5.3 Rom. 5.19 1 Cor. 15.48 and his seed and posterity after to come forth of him one after one by degrees and all in his likeness such as he was when they come forth of him even so in the new Creation the second publick Man is first made perfect and his Seed in a spiritual way and supernaturally to be after brought in to him and that also one after another by degrees h Rom. 16.7 Act. 2.41 47. and all by degrees framed into the likeness of Christ into whom they are brought i Rem 5.17 1 Cor. 15.48 2 Cor. 5.17 Eph. 2.10 5. That as in the first Creation the Man and Woman fell and lost the benefit of all by questioning and letting go the Word of the Lord Gen. 3.16 in hearing and pondering the voice of the Serpent and so in believing the same looked on and beheld the forbidden Fruit and desired it and so took and eat of it even so in the new Creation Men and Women are drawn in to Christ and participation of the benefit thereof by letting go and turning from the delusions of Satan in hearing and minding the voice of Christ in the Gospel and so believing the same that they behold him as discovered therein and so desire him and accept and feed on him k Act. 3.26 26.18 with Iob. 5.26 Isa 53.3 Iob. 11.25 26. 6.54 55 56 57. 6. In the first Creation the deed and offence of the first Man and condemnation of him for it did reach to all Mankinde and was the offence and condemnation of all in him as the publick Man and that so verily and efficaciously that in coming forth Naturally from him they should verily partake of the same and bear his likeness though yet none of the sons of Men could in their own individual persons so partake of and feel the same until and but as and when in a Natural way they come to have their personal beings of him and so come forth from him even so in the new Creation the deed and righteousness of the second Man and his justification as he was the publick Man did reach unto all Men and was so far in that sense on them all to justification of life from the first sentence and escape out of the first death in through him as the second publick Man Rom. 5.12 18 9. 2 Cor. 5.14 15 17 18 19. Phil. 1.10 11. Gal. 3.26 29. and though all shall one day be freed from that first sentence and raised out of that first death by him to acknowledge him Lord to the glory of God yet do or can none of the sons of Men in their own individual persons partake of or enjoy the benefit of that freedom righteousness and justification but as they are brought in to believe that done by him nor of Eternal Life but as they are in that believing spiritually united unto him and so in such a being in him are made new Creatures In which respects as there is such similitude between the first and second Creation and the first and second Man and interests of their seeds in them and what they receive from them Rom. 5.14 so the first Adam was a Type or figure of the second that was to come and so we may say of the natural Tree of Life and so of divers things in the first Creation there was something typical in them the Truth whereof in a superabounding manner is in Christ whence he is called Adam and The Tree of Life The green Olive-Tree The Tree by the Rivers of Waters The true Vine The Fountain of living Waters The Door Heb. 10.1 Col. 2.17 Rom. 16.25 26. 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3. The Way The Rock The Foundation c. not that there were or are no such things naturally in being as appertaining to the old Creation but because the Truth Excellency and Life shadowed out by all these things is found in Christ and enjoyed in enjoying him in the new Creation and we know there is more in the Truth than any shadows could type out and the Gospel hath now more cleerly revealed the same And I hope these things considered that are writ from the beginning of this first part of this Treatise till now and understood and believed as far as they are plainly affirmed in the Scripture here and there in many places written and in
Witnesses and remaineth in the Heavens till the time of the restitution of all things this is that Jesus and this Jesus is the Christiand all that the four Evangelists writ Luk. 1.4 John 20.31 Act. 2.36 3.13 16. 4.11 12 c. 17.2 3. 1 Joh. 5 1. Joh. 1.12 13. was to certifie us of this that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that in believing we might have life through his Name And so the Apostles preached that he is the Christ and proved by the Scripture that this very Jesus whom they preached is the Christ he that believeth that this Jesus is the Christ is born of God and he that denieth it is a lyer Antichrist 1 Ioh. 2.22 More of this is shewn part 1. ch 1. 2. Joh. 1.1 Rom. 9.5 Tit. 3.13 Heb. 1. 2 Tim 2.5 Joh. 3.16 17. Isa 53. Joh. 5. Luk. 1 31. Joh. 1.14 Rom. 1 1-4 Mat. 16.16 Joh. 14 14 18. Rom. 5.17 18. 1 Cor. 86. 1 Pet. 3.18 4.1 1 Joh. 3.16 Act. 20.28 Heb. 2.14 What a one he is is also in the Testimony shewn namely that he is God the great God God over all blessed for e-ever that he is Man a true and very Man of the Seed of David c. that he is the Son of God the onely proper and natural Son of God the Son of God by Divine and unconceivable Generation according to the Divine Nature and by a supernatural conception and by the Resurrection from the Dead and by union in person with the Word and wel-pleasedness with the Father according to the humane Nature as he is Man and God-Man the Son of God the Son of Man in one person being one and the onely proper Son of God the Christ one Lord Jesus Christ in respect of the union of two Natures in one person that is one Son of God that which is done by or in either Nature may in respect of person be said of both so though he was put death in the flesh and God cannot die yet God is said to have laid down his Life for us and his Blood called God's own Blood and so though not Man but God could overcome Death yet this Man is said by Death to overcome Death so with respect to each Nature he is diversly spoken of in respect of the Divine Nature Joh. 10.30 even when he was on earth yet the Father and he were one even in Greatness and Power and yet as he was man John 14.28 to suffer and offer Sacrifice the Father was greater than he and having offered the Sacrifice he is exalted above all Principality and Power 1 Pet 3.22 Heb. 8.1 Col. 2.9 and set down on the right Hand of God Angels Powers and Authorities made subject to him and the fulness of the Godhead dwells in him bodily Col. 1. Heb. 1.3 so as all compleatness is in him he is the Brightness of the Glory of God and the express Image of his Person the Image of the invisible God he is one with God Heb. 5. Isa 4.2 Cent. 5.10 God is in him as is said He is God he is one with Mankinde the Nature of Man is in him as is said He is Man a fit able loving and wonderful perfect Saviour Beauty and Glory Comely and Excellent White and Ruddy the Standard-Bearer and chiefest of ten thousand the Saviour of sinners whose Work and Office is to save sinners the Lover of the Righteous whose Office is to preserve the Righteous such a one he is even the Christ 1 Tim. 1.15 Psa 11.7 Rev. 15.3 Heb. 7. Act. 3.22 Isa 42.1 8. 61.1 4. Heb. 4.14 15 16 5.2 7.15 4.12 the King of Saints the King of Kings the Lord of Hosts and Rules the Great High Priest that orders the whole Worship of God by whom Men may approach to God the High Priest over the House of God the great Prophet that revealeth the Father and teacheth the things of God in a word he is full of Spirit full of love and compassion knowing all things and able to do all things such a one he is 3. Whence he is and that is even from Heaven It was the infinite Wisdom and Goodness of God that found out this Ransom 2 Sam. 14.14 Job 33.24 Joh. 3.16 17. 1 Joh. 4.9 10 14. Rom. 5.6 8 10. Tit. 3.4 Joh. 1.1 14. 17.5 16.28 Act. 3. Joh. 1.4 5 9. Act. 14.17 Rom. 2.4 Isa 45.22 it was the infinite Pity and Love of God to Mankinde that moved him to give and send forth this his Son to become Man and by his Death and Sacrifice to be the Saviour of the World He was with God in the bosome of God glorified with God's own self he came forth from the Father and came into the world again he left the world and went to the Father and now there in his glorified boby remaineth in the Heavens and from thence by his Spirit beholding discerning all things he sends forth of the beams of his light and goodness and so the Father through him in Testimonies of his goodness in mercies and means to draw Men to Repentance and looking to him that they may be saved by him and so Righteousness flows down from Heaven l Psal 85.11 but especially and more abundantly in the Ministration of the Gospel in which God sendeth and giveth his Son to open the eyes of the blinde and turn them c. m Act. 3.26 26.18 and is giving to men the bread of life to feed on n Joh. 6.32 Jesus Christ in that Ministration is coming down spiritually from Heaven the bread of God the bread of life giving life that Men may feed on him and live o Joh. 6.27 33 48. and so is God the Father of lights from whom comes every good and perfect gift and giving p Jam. 1.17 and Jesus Christ is the Lord from Heaven heavenly q 1 Cor. 15.47 and so Jesus Christ by his Spirit the wisdom of God in its Teachings and saving Operations doth not first ascend or spring from within out of the wisdom heart and frame in Men the wisdom that so doth ascend is earthy sensual devilish but this wisdom is above and descendeth from above and so is pure c. r Jam. 3.15 17.18 and entreth into the heart and so springeth up into sutable fruits so that Christ and Faith in Christ and the things of Christ are from above from the grace favour and free-gift of God even as his next personal coming will be of Gods sending him from Heaven s Act. 3.20 4. For what remains to be said viz. what he became what he hath done what he is become what he doth and for whom and what he will do for some and who they be and what he will do against others and who they be this being the Subject of this following Discourse in this part of this
12.9 10. to be a speaking against and blaspheming the Holy Ghost in that evidence he gives of Christ and the power and goodness of God in and through him and so it is a willing persisting in contempt and refusal of this Grace in the Mediator when evidenced by the Holy Ghost and so rising up in opposition against his Testimony and strife till he hath finished his Testimony and strife with them for till then the Mediator is mediating for them with God and striving with them by his good Spirit so as in all their sinnings against him though they grieve and sin against the Holy Spirit yet there is forgiveness with him and so hope while he by his Spirit in means is striving with them yea if that be all the dayes of a Man's Life though to all it will not be so But when a Man hath wilfully despited this Holy Spirit after Light and so long and often that he is wholly taken away and the Man given up to Satan and so become of the Serpentine seed then is there no more forgiveness after because there is no other Sacrifice for him and this he hath utterly renounced and this sin is found in such according to the means and light in the means with which the Holy Spirit had been testifying to them and striving with them as may be seen by comparing the Scriptures in the Margent in which sin Prov. 1 24-31 Jer. 6.16.30 Ezâ—k 24.12 13 14. Heb. 10.29 according to the light and power extended to Men in the means less or more is the most high degree against the Father in contemning and ill requiting his love and graciousness and treading under foot his Son whom he hath sent and been giving to them and the highest degree of sinning against the Mediator the Man Christ in counting as common and prophane that precious Blood and sacrifice of his with which they were bought and so given into his dispose to shew favour to and some in some measure sanctified and the highest degree of sinning against the Holy Spirit in his gracious tenders of Grace to them And it is most properly called The sin against the Holy Ghost because the goodness of God in the first Creation was manifested without a Mediator to Man in innocency and so no need of this sanctifying work while Man was naturally holy and the Goodness of God in the Redemption wrought for Men though manifested in works of mercy through a Mediator yet Men so blinde and weak that they come not in thereby through the Mediator unto God therefore God out of his abundant Grace stretcheth forth his Hand by sending through Christ the Mediator and in his Name the Holy Spirit in the means he useth to enlighten the Mindes and move at the Hearts of Men that they might see believe and so turn and after some of their resistings reneweth his strife with more light and power yea if they yeild not then with some reproofs and chastisements And if after all this they sin against light and willingly persist despiting till they have wholly despited the love of the Father discovered by the Spirit in the Blood of Christ and the Blood and Sacrifice of Christ by which Peace was made for them and by and with which the Spirit hath been working on them and herein despited all the Light and Reproof and gracious Allurements and Bands of Love by the Holy Spirit streamed on them to bring them in to God Heb. 10.29 6.6 and so persisting till given up this proves a third sort and degree of sinning for which there is no sacrifice yea which contemneth the sacrifice in which is help for all sins of both the former sorts yea for all but this casting it off Fourthly and lastly These forementioned two sorts of sins so offered for by Jesus Christ as is said appears by the Scripture-Declaration how and in what manner and for what manner of sins and sinning God doth reprove charge and condemn Men either to Correction Judgements or Eternal Condemnation which since Christ undertaking and his Oblation considered we shall never finde to be for fins simply as fallen in Adam nor yet simply for their natural and necessitated weaknesses and swervings having no remedy afforded them to help much less because Christ died not for them or used no sufficiency of mean toward them by which they might have received help yea the manner of God's proceeding with Men witnesseth That Christ died for them and hath discharged the first debt for them and used means in good will and for good to them whence he saith Gen. 6.3 My Spirit shall not alwayes strive with them And so proceedeth in charging with Sin Reproof and Condemnation Prov. 1 24-31 9.12 Isa 1 2-15 5 4-8 Ezck. 24.13 Icr. 6 16-30 Mat. 23.37 Ioh. 3.19 Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and none regarded ye would none of my counsel ye despised all my reproof ye refuse to hearken ye harden your hearts c. I would and ye would not And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men love darkness rather than light Which is another manner of Charge and Condemnation and for another manner of sinning putting under another manner of guilt than as Men fell in Adam And these are every way directly Men's own sins for which there is cleansing and pardon to be received in and through Christ till the Grace of his Oblation testified by the Holy Spirit be wholly despited but these things are shewn before and will be more in the after-Discourse only I have been thus large to shew that Christ offered his Oblation both to take away the sins Mankinde was fallen into and to procure authority and fitness to take away the following evils found in Men by offering it to God and for the making that known and taking away the following evils by application of the vertue of his Oblation to Men of which in his Intercession And yet farther to shew for what he gave himself for us it was 3. That by this Sacrifice so offered he might become the Lord of of all Men and Saviour of the World that so he may rightfully dispose of them and use such means to make known his Death and Sacrifice and the Ends and Vertues of the same to them as he being one with his Father in his will and design pleaseth and so to reprove and comfort Rom. 14.9.12 Psa 2.6 7 8 9. or abase and exalt accordingly as he pleaseth and this is express For to this end he died and rose and revived that he might be the Lord both of the dead and the living c. 2 Cor. 5.15 answerable to the promise made to him by the Father on that account and so it is said He died for all that they which lived each in their several ages should not kenceforth from the making this known to them though before they did live
and but once in the yeer and so at once in one day made the Atonement for all Israel and yet for particular defilements they needed daily washings and purifications still else they should have died in their uncleanness notwithstanding the Atonement made for them answerably Jesus Christ by his own Oblation once offered in the end of the World entred into the holy place and made the Atonement for the sins of Mankinde that they were fallen into and obtained eternal Redemption and is the Propitiation for the sins of the whole World and remaineth in the holy of holies a continual Mediator and Interceder that by vertue of his Oblation he may be taking still away the sin of the World and by a spiritual sprinkling of his Blood purifie the Hearts of Believers from their personal and particular sins without receit of which purifications Men may die in their own sins notwithstanding the Atonement that was once made for them and those High-Priests could not remain in the holy of holies so to intercede but came out again so soon as the Atonement was made and so the High-Priest's entrance in the holy of holies once in the yeer was principally the Type of the Atonement made by Christ once in the later end of the World and the Types of his Intercession was in other services of the High-Priest and Priests when the High-Priest was come out of the holy of holies Exod. 28.29 30. with Numb 18 1-4 22 23. with Lov. 1 2 3 4 5 c. when in a continual and daily service they made Intercession for the people by bearing or taking away their iniquities in Ministrations in the Sanctuary for them and burning Incense beside their oft Purifications which did rather type out the Intercession of Christ as is foreshewn and may be read in comparing Heb. 9 7-27 and 10.11 12 18 19. with 7.25 c. and so this Expression agreeth not with the approved Rule pag. 26. 5. There is no real difference between the efficacy of the Death of Christ and that of his Intercession upon the actual accomplishment of it f Pag. 216. Sect. 3. This is a very dark saying and tending to confound things distinct for sure the Oblation is already accomplished his Death over and past and he alive for evermore but the vertue of his Death and so of his Oblation abideth but the efficacy is that here to be minded and its efficacy with God is seen in this that he hath made Christ Jesus the Lord filled him with all fulness of the Holy Ghost given all Power and Authority into his Hands to dispose of all Men to raise the Dead and to judge all All this is given him as the effect of his Death and Oblation and for this he neither doth nor needeth to make Intercession Therefore the making the efficacies of Oblation Offerings and Intercession-making as both one without any real difference in the actual accomplishment is not right Besides the prevalency of his Intercession with God is by vertue of his Oblation-fore-accomplished and with and in the Furniture by it obtained and it alwayes and in all things for all he intercedeth prevaileth with God and so he obtaineth the making known of his Oblation and the Vertues thereof for Men and the Extention of many Means and Mercies and spiritual Operations to them all which are the efficacies of his Intercession with God for Men. But now the efficacies with and in Men are various some receiving and so meeting freely with blessing others refusing and upon that account condemned not that he intercedeth for their Condemnation but for their refusal of Mercies extended by the Intercession of him that had fore-bought them The efficacy of his Oblation is in that they are given into his dispose and he is their Lord and shall be their Judge which they cannot avoid and this obtained before Intercession made The efficacy of his Intercession by vertue of his Oblation is seen in the Patience Forbearance Mercy Means and Spirit extended to Men to bring them in to be his peculiar People and its efficacy in Men is in their believing precious but in their disobedient refusal heavy even tending to just Condemnation the manner of Christ's judging being according to the Mercies and Means he hath extended as Men have received or rejected And besides in those that do receive the Grace extended for his Intercession it is not all one and so prevalent in and with the best of Saints on Earth nor so abundantly efficacious with them as it hath been and is with God such thoughts I hope are far from us and not intended in the Expression but the Expression being Scriptureless Pag. 26. and not agreeing to the Rule I leave it 6. That Christ was sprinkled with his own Blood g Pag. 217. Sect. 3. This a very dark and Scriptureless Expression we read of his Garments to be sprinkled with the Blood of his Enemies when he revengeth the cause of his people Isa 63.3 but for being sprinkled with his own Blood we read not and what sense to devise to make this true in is beyond my understanding for we even all Mankinde in and through our first Father Adam were fallen under the guilt of manifold sins charged upon us by that Law under which we were fallen and these could not be pardoned without satisfaction made by Blood shedding and for this cause the Son of God took our Nature and was made under the Law for us and so that debt was reckoned on his account and he shed his Blood materially and died for our sins and rose for our justification and offered up his own personal Body a Sacrifice for us and so in compleating his Oblation he as it was his debt fully satisfied and as it was ours obtained by that Oblation full pardon for us And this was materially done by him and is not anywhere called The sprinkling of his Blood yea his material Blood if it were or could have litten or been sprinkled materially on any in his Circumcision or scourging or crowning with Thorns or nailing to the Cross or piercing with a Spear yet would it not so have cleansed any from sin any more than the supposed reliques of it profit any now the vertue of it for that being in the vertue of the Oblation offered to God and he being by his own Blood or with the vertue of it entred into the Heavens having offered the Oblation he is a spiritual Man and all he doth to us now he doth spiritually and so not material Blood as shed and yet the vertue of the same Blood that was shed he by making it known in the Gospel spiritually sprinkleth And this was also figured in the Law as is shewn at large in another Treatise And we Discourse of the precious blood of Christ c. 4. p. 22 23. notwithstanding the Atonement made in Christ by his Blood shedding and Oblation and the making it known with the pardon
of all that debt in and by the Gospel and the mâ—ans used towards us have still many following and daily sins and defilements and need this spiritual Application and sprinkling of his Blood for our cleansing and peace and we are found weak in believing and need that spiritual sprinkling of his Blood to confirm our Faith in him for the Promises of the New Testament all which things how he is furnished to help us hath been foreshewed But he is righteous holy harmless in him never was or is or will be any sin and for what cause he should be sprinkled with his own Blood who will fancy Sure I will not believe because it is Scriptureless and agreeth not with the Rule given and consented to pag. 26. As for those Expressions of Christ dying for his Elect seeing that there could be none elect in him but as he is beheld as having died offered his Oblation nor is any of Mankinde reprobated but as thus are beheld rejecting him that offered the Oblation And so though it be true That Christ hath once died and offered the Oblation both for those that now are elect and those that now are reprobated and by vertue of the same Oblation will eternally save the one and justly condemn the other yet he died and offered the Oblation for no Man as elect nor for any Man as reprobated but for all Men as sinners fallen in Adam Therefore that Expression of dying for his elect or dying for the reprobate are neither the one nor the other found in the Holy Scriptures but in the sayings of those that strive to shun or shadow the Light These and such-like Expressions being not in the Scripture may by the Rule be easily avoided And enough is said and plain sayings of Scripture directed to in treating of the Oblation Part 1. ch 7. to fence against all such-like Expressions therefore they are forborn here CHAP. 10. Some Instructions from the Gospel-Testimony of the Oblation of Christ about Christ and the Gospel of Christ FRom that is in Scripture testified concerning the Oblation of Christ what was offered by whom to whom for whom for what and to what End we may perceive learn and know certainly 1. That Jesus Christ is the last Adam the second publick Man 1 Cor. 15.45 46 46.47 Rom. 5.18 Gen. 3.15 Heb. 2.14 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Joh. 5.6 7 8. the spiritual Man the Lord from Heaven the quickning Spirit in whom there is a full Restauration of the Nature of Man and for Mankinde compleated as there was depravation in the first Adam And so that he is the promised Seed that hath by his own Oblation in himself as the publick Man taken away sin overcome Death and destroyed the works of the Devil and is furnished to do and will do the same in others according to the Agreement between the Father and him for Mankinde for the good of Men and the everlasting benefit of all that unfeignedly believe on him Gen. 22.18 Gal. 3.13 14 16. Gen. 7 5 6 7. Is 53.8 9.6 Ioh. 10.58 Rom. 9.7 8. Act. 13.32 33. Is 9 6. Is 49.1 2 3 8. Hos 12.4 Heb. 5.7 9. Mat. 6.6 Joh. 4.42 and so he is that true Seed in which is blessing for all Nations that all believing in him may receive it yea the true spiritual Abraham the everlasting Father the true spiritual Isaac or Son of promise in whom the Seed shall be called the true Israel that hath prevailed with God by whom God speaks with us yea he is the great and true Prophet Act. 22. the great and only true high Priest Heb. 3.1 and 7. the true and spiritual David and King Ezek. 34. and 37.24 Rev. 22.16 Heb. 7.1 In a word he is the Christ the Son of the living God the Saviour of the World yea and so neerly related to us that he is the Son of Adam Abraham David yea the Son of Man our Kinsman that loves us is allied to us and in our Nature who came to save sinners 2. That Jesus Christ in respect of his Oblation Jam. 1.13 1 Cor. 5.17 Rev. 3.14 Rev. 5.1 Col. 1.18 Is 42.1 Rev. 1.18 Tit. 3.5 6. Rev. 1.11 17. 22 5 6 7. compleated is the beginning of the Creation of God the new Creation called Emphatically The Creation of God he is the first-begotten and first-born from the Dead the first elect that was once dead and is now alive for evermore and so he is the Fountain of the proceeding and compleating of the whole new Creation of Regeneration of Adoption Gal. 4.5 of Election 2 Thes 2.13 of Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.21 22 23. yea the Alpha and Omega the first and the last the beginning and the end in all these yea so it pleased the Father that he should be the first and that all fulness should dwell in him that in all things he might have the pre-eminence Col. 1.18 19 20. 3. That Jesus Christ in respect of this his Oblation Is 23.16 Heb. 6.1 Is 32.2 1 Pet. 2.3 4 5. 1 Cor. 3.11 Act. 4.11 12. Eph. 2. â—8 Joh. 14.6 10.7 9. compleated is that precious stone so tried in his Power Love and Faithfulness by so great sufferings and proved excellent and prevalent with God and for Men which God hath laid in Sion for a Foundation a Foundation of Repentance and Faith and for Believers to rest and be built upon yea he is the only Foundation and there is no other whereby Men may be saved yea he is nor only the Foundation but the true door and way of all right and true approach to God and of entrance into fellowship with and service of him and his people yea he is the Way the Truth and the Life 4. The Testimony of Christ being comprehended in the Testimony of his Oblation and Mediation and glorious coming again this of his Oblation and its prevalency with God for Men in that he obtained and is become which includeth and assureth though it explicate not his Mediation and second coming it is and is rightly called both The Word of the Beginning of Christ and The Vision of All. First Heb. 6.1 it is called The Word of the Beginning of Christ or as some translate it The Doctrine of the Beginning of Christ of his Incarnation See the eight first Chapters of this par 2. Death Resurrection Ascension Sacrifice offered the Ends and Vertues thereof the Peace he hath made thereby the Overthrow he hath given to Sin Satan Death the Redemption he hath obtained and the fulness of Spirit he hath received even for the Rebellious that the Lord might dwell among them he being the Saviour of the World the Propitiation for the sins of the whole World the Lord of All so as whoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life and he the Judge of All and the Love of God to Manward herein testified This the Word of the Beginning of Christ and the Beginning of
and this is the refreshing c. And that it was this is evident vers Act. 10.36 39 40 42 43. Joh. 3 14-17 Luk. 24.45 46 47 48. Joh. 15.4 5 6 7. 16. and the same commanded by him to the first Witnesses of Christ to the same end 2. This also was both appointed and practifed by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in his own personal Ministration yea he affirms plainly That as no Man in any spiritual good so Ministers for bringing any Fruit to God in their Ministration without him they can do nothing 3. This also of Christ having once died Joh. 15.26 27. Act. 5.31 32. and being risen and offered himself a Sacrifice to God for us all and being accepted of God and so displayed in the Gospel ministred is that by and of and with which the Holy Ghost restifying of Christ doth both convince teach and lead c. 1. He thus convinceth of Sin of Righteousness and of Judgement Joh. 16.7 8 9 10 11. 1 Joh. 5.9 10 11. Isa 55.4 Joh. 5 37-40 15.22 Of Sin because they believe not on him that died for their sins and made peace by his blood in whom God hath given us Eternal Life of whom God hath born witness and through him testified his Love that men might believe and in believing have Life Of Righteousness That all compleat Righteousness is in him Heb. 9.7 12 14 10 1-11 12 14. and all other Righteousness of Men vain seeing all other High-Priests entring the holy of holies came forth again still to offer with Blood and Sacrifices again but he having approached to his Father with that one offering it is so accepted that he comes forth no more to suffer and offer himself a Sacrifice propitiatory again but is set at the right hand of God an evident demonstration of Righteousness compleated in and by him and the vanity of all other Righeousness besides Of Iudgement because the Prince of this World is judged already Christ having by death overcome him that had the power of death Meb 2.14 Col. 2.14 15 16. Col. 2.3 16. Mat. 28.18 Joh. 5.27 29. having spoiled Principalities and Powers and made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it So that he is rightful Lord of all and all Judgement is in his hands both for discerning appointing and sentencing To which acknowledgement of all this if Men yield not now Isa 45.21 22 23. Phil. 2.9 10 11. 2 Thes 2.10 in these his gracious convincements they shall at the last day be brought to it by his irresistable Force when they shall be left without excuse and justly condemned because they did not receive his convincements when in acknowledgement they might have been saved 2. He also even thus and by this foresaid teacheth the convinced Believers and so leadeth them into all Truth not by a speaking of himself giving immediate Light Inspirations Motions and Dictates without any Ground or Bottom from the Sacrifice of Christ nor by an Exaltation of his own Shines or Inspiration to bottom the Believers on them or lift them up by them nor doth he take of the things of the Believers as they are Heirs either their Righteousness their Changes their Visits or any thing wherein they are better than others to ground their Faith on nor doth he discover to them any secret purpose counsel or election of God concerning them preceding the Death and Oblation of Christ Joh. 16.13 14 15. 14.26 15.26 27. with Luk 24.46 47. 10.3 7 9. purchasing the same and as the Fountain of the same to them But he speaking not of himself but of what he receives from the Father and the Son from whom he proceeds and in bringing to minde his sayings he taketh of the things of Christ his Death Resurrection Sacrifice-offering Peace mad â—nd the Father's Acceptance and Exaltation of him and so of his Sonship Election Fulness and Priviledges and so glorifying him doth lead Believers into all Truth 3. This also the Apostles and first Witnesses of Christ Act. 2 32-38 3 15-26 10 36-43 13.23 47. 2 Cor. 13 14-21 according to the Command of God and Christ and the Spirits guidance practised in their Ministration preaching this Oblation and by and with it all their Reproofs Exhortations Instructions and Consolations yea they determined in their Ministrations to the People not to know own 1 Cor. 2.1 2. approve or make use of any thing save Jesus Christ and him crucified not any other Doctrine Counsels Works Learning Wisdom of Words or Excellency of Speech among their Hearers whence their whole preaching is called 1 Cor. 1.18 19 20.24 The preaching of the Cross and that said to be the power of God to us which are saved though to unbelievers foolishness and a Stumbling-block such fulness they saw in this Oblation of Christ and such use did they make thereof in all their Ministration 4. This Death and Sacrifice of Christ the Purgation made thereby Mat. 28.19 Mar. 6.15 with Iuk 24.46 47 48. Rom. 4.11 with Col. 2.11 12. Rom. 6 3-8 1 Cor. 12.13 Gal. 3.13 14 27. and the Essicacies thereof is that which Baptism with Water in the Name of the Lord in its way and as an addition to vocal preaching of the Gospel doth preach and witness and into which we also are baptized when and as we are spiritually baptized into Christ 5. This also is that the continual remembrance whereof we are to celebrate and shew forth in our use of the Supper of the Lord till he come again 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25 26. 6. It is this and this only in and by which is opened for us the new and living way for all our approach to God Heb. 10.18 19 20. Joh. 10.7 9. 14.6 Eph. 2.13 18. and into union and fellowship with him and his people and acceptable service of both So that this Doctrine of the Oblation of Christ for us all is that with which the Ministers of the Gospel are to do all their work in their Ministration and so doing and so speaking Prov. 14.7 1 Pet. 4.11 1 Joh. 2.20 21 27 28. 2 Tim. 2.15 they shall speak with the Lip of Knowledge and as the Oracles of God and teach as the anointing Believers have received teacheth and so divide to every one their Portion and answer all the cavilling Objections of the Adversaries that pretend contradictions in the Scripture for in holding forth this Oblation as is shewn they shall cleerly shew how Jesus Christ was before all things and yet as the publick Man after Adam and so how he was both before and after Adam Abraham David and how the Lord and yet the Son of David and how equal to the Father and yet was in the flesh inferiour to the Father how as the great Sacrificer he died and offered himself a Sacrifice and Ransom for all Men and also as the faithful and persecuted Shepherd laid down
them and extending to some Revelation Demonstration and making known his minde and goodness to them and also dealing with Men from and for God in opening their Eyes and moving their Hearts to turn to God and look to him and be saved and again still dealing with God for Men for patience pardon and means still to be extended to them that so they might come to Repentance and Faith and that he in his Father's way may freely give it to them By which means and in which patience he is striving with Men in opening their Eyes and moving at their Hearts that they might believe and so from the prevalency of his Mediation by vertue of his Oblation he is giving them Faith and Repentance and such a Mediator he is for all Men yea so set to be of his Father and hath himself accepted to perform this Office also and is furnished for it with the vertue of his Oblation and Immeasurable fulness of the Holy Ghost being faithful able and constant in performance and so in respect of his receiving from the Father and so from God dealing with the people calling and making known God's minde being full of Spirit Love and Faithfulness he calls enlightens moves and so strives with all 2 Isa 42 1-7 45.22 49.6 8. 55.5 61.1 2 3. Joh. 1.4 5 7 8 9 10 11. Rom. 2.4 5. as hath been foreshewn a. And whereas men closing their Eyes which he hath opened c. not owning and receiving his reachings and motions which is the sin of the world he yet by vertue of his Blood and Oblation once offered so intercedes with God as to procure such forgiveness that they are not cut off presently for these transgressions but that longer time and patience and more mercies and means be extended towards them and farther strife with his Spirit that they might yet repent believe and be saved A gracious Mediator intimated to us in the Parable of the Vine-dresser Luk. 13.8 9. Lord let it alone this yeer also till I dig about it and dress it and if it bear fruit well if not then after c. If any say This is meant of the Church the Vineyard of the Iews I answer However meant it is spoken of particular Trees therein of some of which our Saviour saith Ye are of this World Joh. 8.23 Joh. 1.29 but it is plain express by Iohn Baptist Behold the Lamb of God which taketh or beareth away the sins of the world In which it appeareth evidently he speaketh of more than the Atonement and Purgation made and so of the sins taken away from before the Face of God at once by that one Oblation of his once offered yea he speaketh of a continued act by vertue of his Oblation in Mediation he taketh that is spoken of a present and continued business he taketh or beareth away the sin of the world that is his Office and his continued work That he is faithful in doing and how he doth it was long before prophesied Isa 53.12 He poured out his soul unto death and he was numbred with transgressors and he bare the sins of many And then speaking of another and farther business done by vertue of the former he faith also And made intercession for the transgressors A little of which we may see fulfilled in Christ's praying for them that crucified him Father forgive them they know not what they do Luk. 23.34 And this Prayer of his was answered yea in as full a sense and farther degree than that of Amos and they so forgiven this great Transgression that they were not presently cut off Amos 7.2 3 4 5 6. Luk. 24.47 Act. 2.38 3.26 5.31 32. but patience and forbearance and more and greater means extended and used towards them yea the Gospel after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ first preached to them and Remission of sins c. according to Christ his Order so rendered and given to them And many of them did believe and receive the same And in like manner he procured patience and long-suffering for other great Transgressors even for the same gracious end That they might repent 2 Pet. 3.9 Rev. 2.21 2 Pet. 3â—â—5 whence we are willed to account That the long-suffering of the Lord is salvation Yea we are instructed into the knowledge of this Mediation of Christ by the Types of old the Truth of all being fulfilled and found in Christ Heb. 9.28 For Christ was once offered to bear the sins of man and unto them that look for him he shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation It is evident in this place That more is here spoken of and meant than bearing of sins in his Oblation-offering 2 Pet. 2 24. Col. 2.14 Rom. 4.25 Heb. 9.14 1 Ioh. 2.1 Rom. 6.9 for those he bare in his Sufferings and Death and nailed them to his Cross so as he did them all away in his Resurrection and then by the eternal Spirit offered himself a spotless Sacrifice to God in the Heavens nor can there be any more sin so imputed to him or so born by him he is just and can die no more but his bearing sins now is his taking them away and keeping the punishment of them off from us And this was also figured to us in the two Goats one slain for a sin-offering figuring out the Atonement made by the Death of Christ the other a living Goat Levit. 16.9 10 20 21 22. 1 Cor. 15.17 Rom. 4.25 over whom was confess'd all the iniquity of the Children of Israel and he bare them away into a Land of separation where no man dwelt to be charged with them So figuring out the Resurrection of Christ for our Justification and bearing away our sins the forgiveness whereof men perceive and receive in confessing and believing on him and yet a farther bearing away of sins was here typed 1 Joh. 1.7 9. in that it was of sins confessed after the Atonement was made over the live Goat that carried them away c. But I will not urge that but come to that which is more full and plain for this purpose Aaron the High-Priest did bear the names and the Judgement of the Children of Israel Exod. 28.29 30. when he went into the holy place continually and he with his Sons the Priests were to bear the iniquity of the Congregation to make Atonement for them before the Lord Levit. 10.17 and this was besides the Atonement made in the holy of holies once in the yeer And what bearing of iniquity this was may be cleer to us not that the iniquity of the people was imputed to the Priests and confess'd over their heads and they to suffer the judgement and punishment due to the peoples sins and to be offered in Sacrifice for them not so But as skilfull Hebricians say The word signifies and the Greeks translates so to bear and take away yea Numb 18.1 2
2 Cor. 4.5 6 7. Isa 42 1-10 Act. 5.31 was from hearing and beholding Christ the Son and so as the Lord gave to every man by his Spirit writ his Epistle in their heart If any desire farther honour to himself Iohn disowns it Christ forbids it the Apostles disclaim it so no wrong done in the quotation yet for giving this Honour to Christ as that glorious Object by vertue of his Oblation and by vertue of his Intercession also thereby such a full flowing Fountain of Life and Prince giving Repentance and Remission of sins that through him discovered and by him the Beholders of him are brought to believe I am not onely blamed but charged to learn this of the old Serpent 2. I answer I have learned to give this Honour to Christ from God the Father that saith Isa 42.1 2 7. 49.7 9. 55.4 5. Isa 61.1 2 3 4. Joh. 5.19 20 25 27. Eph. 2.8 Col. 2.12 Act. 5.31 Isa 55.4 5 6. 1 Cor. 3.4 5 6. He hath put his Spirit on Christ for that end That he should call and open the eyes of the blinde and cause such as foreknew him not to come in to him I have learned from Jesus Christ That he was anointed and filled with Spirit to that end and That the Father and he are one and That the Father doth nothing but the Son doth the same And this honour the Father hath given to the Son That all men should honour the Son as they honour the Father and Faith being the Gife of God and the Operation of God it is verily The Gift of Christ and the Operation of Christ yea He is Author and finisher Alpha and Omega in this work also yea I have learned it from the Holy Spirit both in the Testimony born by the Prophets and Apostles and for a plain express Answer 3. I am learned by the Spirit in the Gospel not only Tobelieve in Christ and on Christ as Mr. Owen saith but also as the Medium of both In the Name and on the Name of Christ yea and also in express words That all that rightly believe it is by Christ 1 Pet. 1.20 Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for you Vers 21. Who by him do believe in God that raised him from the dead and gave him glory that your faith and hope might be in God So that to give this Honour to Christ and his Oblation and Intercession That it is by him that men believe in God 1 Cor. 12.2 and so to confess him Lord is by the Holy Ghost though many dare say It 's from the Serpent because it exalts not them in the place of Christ as Rabbies But enough of this nor will I take notice here to answer any more such stuff in that Book of Mr. Owen's it having been fairly answered by a learned and godly Brother But in his pretended Answer to Mr. Iohn Goodwin the Book I minded that occasioned this Discourse he saith Pag. 217. Sect. 3. That Christ interceded for his Elect for whom he died that they may believe which he saith is denied by those he opposeth which both Saying and Aspersion he might have forborn for those he opposeth do hold as firmly as himself and more cleerly according to the Scriptures That Christ intercedeth in a peculiar and special manner for his Elect and chosen Ones that approach to God by him yea even for Believing and Faith in that sense that Believing is taken for abiding Believing and more firmly Believing and for Faith as Faith is taken for Confirmation and Perseverance in the Faith 1 Joh. 5.13 as is shewn in this fore-written Yea more than Mr. Owen can yet be brought to confess even That Christ in act or undertaking died for them before they were elect and That there was not any in him to lay aside the Heavenly Glory and die and rise and offer the Oblation in him and so to be the Mediator in and with him for then there would not have been that room for Imputation or Application to them nor could deserved Grace have been so freely bestowed But he did all this alone and in that respect is the Root and Fountain of Election also so that the Elect are beholding to the Oblation and Intercession of Christ for Election as well as for Faith yea and they believe That Christ interceded for these men also that they might believe but that was before they were personally Elect and so then not for them as they were Elect which then was not nor were they such but as they were Men of the World and Transgressors that means might be extended to them and they so brought to believe 2 Thes 2.13 and in this believing of the Truth chosen through the Sanctification of the Spirit which is God's Way And so Election in some sense a Fruit of Faith but Faith in the beginning of it and first coming into it is not in a proper sense a Fruit of Election yea furely we believe That all the Elect are a holy and peculiar people 2 Pet. 2.5 9. called out of Darkness into his marvelous Light and all of them that yet live on this Earth to shew forth his Praises now as those for whom he especially intercedeth That they may be kept Psa 102.17 23. that when all the Just shall be raised we may all more fully shew forth his Praises together but we dare not entertain vain fancies and dreams to vent them among the Rebellious as if some of them might even now while Rebellious be God's Elect for ought any man knoweth because the plain Sayings of Scripture are against this as hath been plentifully shewn and for that which we believe also and so for the Mediation of Christ in general for all men and more especially for Believers already shewed The third Branch of the Testimony of Christ CHAP. 16 Of the coming again of Christ and the manner thereof FOr the coming again of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ it being one part of the Testimony of Christ it is needful also to be known and believed it being also of the very Object of Faith set forth in the Gospel to be believed so as without believing it no Man's Faith is compleat and entire in respect of the Object of Faith or Doctrine of the Gospel to be believed yet before I proceed in treating of it it is good to consider what manner of coming it is that is here spoken of because divers comings are spoken of in the Scripture though never but of two personal and bodily comings The first called His coming in the Flesh in Abasements to suffer and overcome in sufferings and so to offer the acceptable Sacrifice and so to make the Atonement obtain Redemption receive Spirit in the Man and sit on the right hand of God as the Mediator and great High-Priest and Prophet and King to send forth Spirit to Men
of which is spoken in many places a Deut. 18.18 Psal 16.10 40 6-9 Isa 53. 1-10 Zach. 9.9 Psa 68.18 and so he is already come and hath compleared that Work done in his own Body and can die no more nor will offer any other or more Sacrifice but liveth for ever in that glorious Body once offered in Sacrifice remaining still a continual Mediator and High-Priest by vertue of that Oblation 1 Joh. 4.3 2 Joh. 7. 1 Joh. 42. and he that denieth and confesseth not this and doth not in the belief thereof worship God is led by the Spirit of Antichrist The true Spirit confesseth this And of this coming is spoken in the former two Heads of his Oblation and Mediation by vertue of his Oblation all his stretching forth his power in providential Comings in Mercies and Judgements and in gracious Visitations or spiritual Comings are the effects and fruits of his Oblation and Intercession in his Administration in his bodily Absence But the second and next personal and bodily coming of Christ is in Glory and to take unto him his great Power and Raign and to receive to himself to raign with him all that have believed on him and suffered with him b Col. 3.4 Rev. 11.17 18. And this is the coming again of Christ which is here to be treated of in this Head and this his personal coming in Glory is that which was also spoken of by the Prophets Zachary The Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee c Zach. 14 1-5 Malachi The Son of Righteousness shall arise with healing c. d Mal. 4.1 2. Isaiah of the encrease of his Government and Peace no end upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdom c. e Isa 9.7 And upon the first coming of Christ even before he had actually offered his Oblation this was declared in his personal Ministration by himself both to his Disciples saying For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his Angels f Mat. 16.27 and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of Heaven with Power and great Glory g Mat. 24.30 Mar. 13.26 Luk. 21.26 and I will come again and receive you to my self c i Joh. 14.3 And also to his Crucifiers Hereafter ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hard of Power and coming in the clouds of Heaven k Mat. 25.64 Mar. 14.62 Luk. 22.69 And so it was likewise declared by the Angel The Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David and he shall raign over the house of Iacob c. l Luk. 1.32 33. And again upon his Ascension the Angel said This same Iesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven m Act. 1.11 And the same hath been also taught by the Apostles And he shall send Iesus Christ c. n Act. 3.20 21. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout c. o 1 Thes 4.16 Unto them that look for him he shall appear the second time without sin unto Salvation p Heb. 9.28 And this is testified to be the Promise of Christ and the Desire of those led by the Spirit of Christ q Rev. 22.20 Whence all unfeigned Believers are said to wait for his coming r 1 Cor. 1.7 Phil. 3.20 21. 1 Thes 1.10 And the Crown of Righteousness to be given at that day to them that love his appearing s 2 Tim. 4.8 And concerning this his next personal coming there is declared in the Gospel and Testimony of Christ these three things First The manner of his coming Secondly The Ends of his coming Thirdly The Time though not the day and hour of his coming Let us consider what the Scripture saith of each of these and first of the first point The manner of his coming It is expresly said 1. It will be sudden in an hour not known before he come Mat. 24.27 44. Mar. 13.36 1 Thes 5.2 3. Rev. 16.15 1 Cor. 15.52 even to his own and as a snare to all the Inhabitants of the World in a moment in the twinkling of an eye as a flash of lightning 2. It will be visible openly and discernable to every eye yea all the Believers those that are asleep Mat. 24.30 Mar. 13.26 Luk. 21.27 Rev. 1.7 Mat. 24.27 and those that are at that time living on the earth not one before another but them that are asleep being first raised then all at once together shall see him 1 Thess 4.15 yea every eye and all the kindreds of the earth shall see him it will be as visible as the lightning that shines from the East to the West 3. It will be with Power and great Glory 2 Thes 1.7 Zach. 4.5 his mighty Angels and all his Saints meeting and coming together with him And in such a sudden visible and glorious manner will Christ come CHAP. 17. Of the second Point The Ends of the coming of Christ. THe Ends of the next coming of Jesus Christ is for the fulfilling his Word and Promise in doing those things he hath said and that are testified of him to be then done by him which I may comprehend in the naming under these four Heads that is to say 1. To raise the Just that sleep in the Lord and change and make immortal the surviving Believers that have suffered with him 1 Thes 4.14 15 16. this is affirmed as necessarily included in the belief of all that do indeed believe Jesus to have died and rose again if we believe this then this also That even so them also which sleep in Iesus will God bring with him For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord That we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep for the Lord himself shall descend c. And the dead in Christ shall rise first that is before we which live shall see him then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up c. being in the very moment of their raising 1 Cor. 15.52 53. 1 Cor. 15.23 24. changed and for the Resurrection it is said Every man in his own order Christ the first Fruits that was in his personal Resurrection who is now ascended afterwards those that are Christ's at his coming And then speaking of another Time he saith Then the End when or then cometh the End and when is that End when he shall have delivered up c. As it is given out with an Oath That there should be Time no longer Rev. 10.6 7. Rev. 8.2 6 Rev. 11.15 1 Cor. 15.24 25. but in the dayes of the voicē of the seventh Angel which Angel is to found the last Trumpet which beginneth in Christ his beginning to Raign and endeth in Christ
his delivering up the Kingdom even to God the Father that God may be All in All and so the Government not Dividical but wholly Divine yet the Kingdom without end So that â—he beginning of this Day is in the entrance or beginning of Christ his coming to Raign and to sit upon the Throne of David his Father and the end of this last and great Day is after the Resurrection and Condemnation of all the wicked when will be the last and utter destruction of Death 26 28. in delivering up the Kingdom to the Father that the Davidâ—cal Regiment may be translated into that which is wholly and altogether Divine And that this Resurrection done by God yet he doing it by the Man Christ as he will in that Day judge all men by him our Saviour Christ himself teacheth speaking of himself as the Son of Man saying Rom. 2.16 Joh. 5.26 27 28. The hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth they that have done good to the resurrection os life and they that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation Agreeable to which is that Confession of Faith That there shall be a resurrection of the dead Act. 24.15 Isa 26.19 1 Thes 4.14 Luk. 14.14 Joh. 5.24 both of the just and the unjust And the Resurrection of those that are by Faith united to Jesus and dying in the Faith sleep in Jesus is called the Resurrection of the Just in which Rewards are to be given them And though both Resurrection of Just and Unjust shall be in this last and great Day yet this Resurrection of the Just being at Christ his coming in the beginning of that great Day and of those that have believed on Christ and suffered with him in the Dayes of his patience who are to live and raign with him in the Davidical Regiment till the wicked be raised out of Death and judged and cast into the lake of fire which is at the end of this last and great Day and of all Time when also the Kingdom is delivered to the Father The Resurrection of the Just is therefore called The first Resurrection Rev. 20.5 6. which work our Saviour affirms to be the will of our Father that he should do and that he will do shewing the Father's will in general he saith This is the Fathers will c. Joh. 6.39 That of all which he hath given me and that is all men into his dispose by vertue of his Oblation I should lose nothing as is before shewn and will be more after he loseth none if any perversly lose himself yet he is to judge him and therefore it is said but should raise it up again at the last day And then speaking of the Father's special will he saith And this is the will of him that sent me That every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day Which he speaks more particularly and emphatically as the first and choice having not proceeded in the other to such-like affirmation for that reason given Joh. 12.47 48. So that this next coming of Christ is first in the beginning of the last Day to raise and cloath with immortality all his Saints which will be done in a moment the same moment he is descending from Heaven that so they meeting him in the Air may come along with him to the next work as is affirmed they shall which next work is also plainly affirmed to be 2. To overthrow all the Powers and Governments of the World that now is that are upon this Earth and so it is said 1 Cor. 15.24 He shall put down all rule and all authority and power The Persons ruling if any of them Saints will be taken into that Company Dan. 7.12 Isa 60.12 and be changed and go with him if not if they at first submit to serve him and his people their lives shall be prolonged though their Dominion be taken away but all the wicked that rebel against him in that Day in which no more space of Repentance given for the the Lord will make a short work on Earth shall be destroyed and burned up Rom. 9.28 Mal. 4.1 Jude 14 15. 2 Pet. 3.7 10. 2 Thes 1.8 9. Isa 9.4 5 6. 11.4 Psa 72.4 both Root and Branch whence it is called The Day of Judgement Destruction and Perdition of ungodly Men which shall be with flaming Fire For this Battel shall not be like the former Battels on the Earth with confused noise and Garments rolled in Blood but with burning and fewel of Fire for he shall smite the Earth with the Rod of his Mouth and with the Breath of his Lips shall he slay the wicked and break in pieces the Oppressor He hath long left the Government of the Affairs of this World in the Hands of Men Psal 82.1 2 3 4. 2.10 11. whom he called Mighty or Gods and bade them judge righteously that it might be well with them in their account to him and he hath often changed the Governours and manner of Government and waired with patience to see if they would do right but he seeth That though he hath given them warning Psal 75.4 5 6 7. Psal 82.5 yet â— they know not neither will they understand they walk on in darkness all the foundations or Governments of the earth are out of course even moved Isa 59.16 50.2 3. And he saw and there was no man no Government he wondred there was no intercessor therefore his Arm brought salvation to him and his righteousness it sustained him and he dried up the Sea c. And saith to them Ye shall die like men and fall like one of the Princes And then it follows Arise O God Psal 82.7 8. Isa 13.6 7.11 judge the earth for thou shalt inherit all Nations And thus will he come in that Day to destroy sinners out of the Land to punish the World for their evil and the wicked for their iniquity and to cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease and lay low the haughtiness of the terrible yea Isa 13.13 Heb. 12.26 Hag. 2.6 Zach. 13 2-6 Rev. 19.20 1 Cor. 13.8 9-12 Jer. 31.34 2 Thes 1.7 8 Mat. 13.41 so great will this shaking be that he will not only shake the Earth but the Heavens also in that Day not only in destroying the false Prophet and so all Idolatrous Congregations with all their forms of Church-Government but also in causing to cease all the outward Government and Ordinances suitable to the Church of Christ in this frail state at that Day and no till that Day shall all these things be done And though he did the first work himself alone yet in this work for these things he comes not only with his Holy Angels but also with all his Saints joyning with him in this work as is said Let their
Believers since the beginning of the World though more abundantly present where he is more known as declared since his Ascension into Heaven and this his presence by Spirit in Believers is the whole time of believing and living by Faith and though more abundant in operations at some time than at others yet it is also to help them in their weaknesses and temptations and through sufferings while they are yet mortal But his personal coming which Believers wait for is to free them from weakness temptation sufferings and mortality and it is a personal visible and bodily coming as is foreshewn so as the deceit of these is by it easily seen and avoided 5. Those who though they vary from the former sayings Mat. 24.5 23 24. yet say in effect the same as Lo here is Christ in this or that Form of outward Discipline or such a way of outward performing such an Ordinance to be seen in the strictness severity or some outward appearing excellent thing in it or Lo he is in the wilderness Mar. 13.6 21 22. if you will let go all the hopes begot in you by the Letter of the Gospel concerning Christs dying for sinners c. you shall then see Christ or Lo I am Christ I speak from the infallible Spirit if you receive my saying and Testimony you receive Christ if you refuse my saying you refuse Christ Isa 52.6 1 Joh. 5.19 20. 2.20 27. Of these our Saviour hath forewarn'd us and we that believe the Testimony of Christ do know That he is by his Spirit in his own word the Testifier of his own Grace so as they that believe shall know the same and his personal appearing will be so visible as we shall need no man to tell us where he is or which is he for every eye shall then see him as is said Thus will the knowledge of this Branch of the Testimony of Christ help us against all these and such-like delusions which withdraw from the Faith and disciple to Men and make Schisms and Rents from the true Church Secondly The knowledge belief and minding of the coming of Christ as set forth in this Branch of the Testimony of Christ will help to preserve and keep us from falling into many miscarriages mis-conceptions and mis-expressions of some Brethren and also to afford help to such of them as do prefer the plain sayings of Christ before the Notions of any other Man as to instance some of them 1. Such as deny any appearance of Christ in person on the Earth till the last and final Judgement and sentence when all the wicked shall be cast into the Lake of Fire c. True it is he will be visible on Earth and on his Throne at that time and true it is That all the Just shall enter into everlasting Joy then also And then Christ delivereth up the Kingdom to his Father that God may be All in all but then is no time for destroying all worldly powers and for restoring all things and for bringing the Creation into the Liberty of the Sons of God and for the new Heaven and new Earth to be filled with Inhabitants and for Christ to sit on the Throne of David his Father and for Abraham and his seed to inherit the world and for Christ and his Saints after his coming to rule over the Nations or for the Nations to serve them and bring their Glory and Honour to the City c. In this Life the Saints according to their measure glorifie God through sufferings and in the new Heaven and new Earth God both glorifieth his Saints making them to raign and they glorifie him by raigning but in that last State God only glorifies himself upon them and in them and through them and them with himself And why should any of us so dishonour God as to deny the Truth and true fulfilling of so many plain sayings of Scripture so oft affirmed as hath been shewn and will be more If any say That we stick too much to the Letter of the Scripture in understanding those places It might be answered That in such plain sayings so often affirmed and bound with the Oath of God and his Protestation of the Faithfulness of them it is safer and better to stick close to the Letter or VVords of Scripture as they have been breathed forth by the Holy Spirit than to make Unbelief of the Truth of those plain sayings the Interpreter of their meaning though with never so much humane VVisdom and Learning And it may be also answered That so to understand those sayings is according to the Rule commanded by God and approved by all Believers yea and godly learned as is foreshewn But I farther answer Part 1. ch 7. That we are led by the Scripture thus to understand these things both in that the things spoken of his first coming in which many things had their spiritual sense also yet were all performed according to the plain expression of the Letter as his being born of a Virgin in Bethlem his being called a Nazarite his riding on an Ass his being sold for thirty pence the banding of the Rulers and people against him the scattering of his Disciples his Death Burial Resurrection Ascension his pouring forth the Holy Ghost and sitting on the right hand of God all fulfilled to the utmost of the plain import of the Letter and shall any thing be wanting in the second coming of Christ saith not the Angel This same Iesus shall so come even as ye have seen him go c. And also in that the Apostle speaking of these things shews both a certain measure of fulfilling spiritually now and also a fulfilling according to the utmost of the Letter which is also spiritual but the one is inward in the soul spirit the other outward on the Body also of that inward in Soul and Spirit he saith We that believe have a first fruits he saith not all nor half nor a tenth but a first fruits and that we wait for is not only the whole or harvest of this but the adoption even the redemption of the body when also the whole Creation shall be restored into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God And I might add the Apostles alluding to Psal 8. in Heb. 2. but enough is foresaid for this So that all our Brethren that heed and prize Scripture-Testimony more than Traditions and Opinions of Men will soon yield to believe this 2. Such as believe and look for Christ his raigning in and over the VVorld in his Saints and so would fight and strive to set Christ on his Throne and think all Adversaries to Christ that oppose them in his design to be before his personal appearing These Brethren seem to acknowledge this Truth That Jesus Christ will come and appear personally to raign on Earth and that the Saints that now suffer with him shall raign with him in the Earth and over the Nations and that Christ
as the Chief the King of Righteousness and King of Peace c. And Christ knew all and needed not this Revelation Heb. 7 1-25 Ioh. 1.18 1 Ioh. 2.20 but was one with the Father in revealing and he in and by whom it was revealed he being greater than all the Blesser and Anoynter c. But I shall consider what of the same Testimony of Christ fore-revealed and taught was now more fully revealed to these three Abraham Isaac and Jacob and this was 1. That whereas the Nations were now multiplied and divided and many Men and Families in them all it was hard to know in whose Loyns the promised Seed Christ according to the Flesh was and so out of which Family or Man for there were many even of Sem his Posterity also Christ should come This was now immediately revealed by God himself to Abraham saying In thee shall all Families of the Earth be blessed And In thee explicated to be meant Gen. 12.3 Gen. 22.18 Gen. 26.4 Gen. 28.14 Gal. 3.13 14 16 26 29. In thy Seed and so to Isaac after And again the same in both Expressions to Jacob. And this Seed in the personality of the Man as the Root and Fountain of blessing affirmed to be Christ and in the multiplicity and union in enjoyment of the blessing in him to be all that unfeignedly believe in Christ 2. That in this Seed which is Christ all the Nations Gen. 22.18 26.4 12.3 28.14 yea all the Families of the Earth shall be blessed which can be no less than that there is blessing prepared and given in him for all Nations that in minding of and believing in him they might receive it according to that Isa 45.22 and 49.6 Act. 13.47 1 Joh. 5.11 12. and 2.2 and also That in believing on his Name every of them so believing do receive and shall participate of the blessing according to that Joh. 1.12 and 3.16 and also that there is a time coming in which all the ends of the World shall remember and turn unto the Lord and worship before him and sing unto him according to that Psal 22.27 and 66.4 and 86.9 3. That for multiplying of this spiritual Seed in bringing Men into union with Christ Gen. 13.16 17.6 12 13. Exod. 12.48 Deut. 1.10 11. 10.22 he told Abraham That he would multiply to him a Natural Seed a great Company that should come forth of his Bowels and others by gracious providence or proselyting be put into and made of his Family that so out of much or many People a spiritual Seed may be drawn according to that Act. 18.10 4. That God by his blessing and Spirit in the means he would afford him Gen. 15.5 Rom. 4.13 14 18. Isa 53.8 Rom. 8.16 17. Ioh. 17.21 22. Gen. 12.3 28 15. would multiply to him a spiritual Seed in such number that no Man shall be able to number them and that all this spiritual Seed shall in all their encrease and numerousness be one Seed still yea so spiritually one that Christ and those spiritually united to him are joynt-Heirs and in a measure alike beloved of God with the same Love so that God will bless them that bless this Seed and curse them that curse it either in the Head or Members 5. That whoever of any the Sons of Men do in hearing and believing this preparation of Blessing and Life God hath made for us Gen. 15.5 6. Rom. 4.13 14 16 18 22 23 24 26. Gal. 3.6 7 9 26 29. and given us in Christ so minde it that they are thereby led to believe in him for the Promise of Eternal Life and the Inheritance which is yet to come so walking as strangers on the Earth in that Faith and Hope it shall be imputed to them for Righteousness and so they counted of the spiritual Seed 6. That Abraham Isaac and Jacob with the Man Jesus Christ Gen. 13.15 17. 19.18 26.3 28.13 1 Chron 16.16 17 18. Psa 105.8 9 10 11. Heb. 11.9 Isa 65.17 Gal. 3.8 16. and all his spiritual Seed shall one day enjoy in a heavenly pure peaceable and joyful manner all that very Land much enlarged which Abraham saw and had Liberty to and did walk in the length and breadth of it and sojourned with Isaac and Jacob therein and so the Holy Ghost teacheth us to understand it but then it will be renewed and so a new Heaven and a new Earth And so was Christ revealed and the Gospel preached to Abraham Isaac and Jacob these three Fathers And it was confirmed in Christ to them by a free absolute and everlasting Covenant immediately made with them by God that gave to them an outward Covenant in the Flesh as a sign of the Righteousness of the same Faith for them to testifie with also to others of which remains to be spoken in treating of the Covenants And for the way of making the Gospel thus revealed known to others to draw them in to God it was even all that mentioned in the first Revelation and the farther Teaching of this revealed Explication with the Promises and Covenant made for which God did chuse and approve of these three primely yea first and chiefly Abraham and after and with him Isaac and Jacob who though his Sons yet were with him the Fathers naturally of all Israel and spiritually of the faithful among them and in all Nations following They the first that received and taught and walked in the Faith of the Gospel and Covenant as thus explicately revealed and come forth And they besides the former helps they had in common with all that feared the Lord as forementioned were yet more abundantly furnished 1. By God his immediate speaking to them and making this Everlasting and sure Covenant fore-confirmed in Christ personally with them for themselves and their Seed Whence he is said to make his Covenant with Abraham and to remember his Covenant made with Abraham Isaac Gen. 17.1 8. Psal 105.8 11. 1 Chron. 16.15 16 17 18. Lev. 26.42 Psal 25.14 and Jacob confirmed with an Oath to them for them and their Seed for an Everlasting Covenant to them and their Seed And the Children of Israel willed to remember the Covenant so made with those three And God in promising to do the People god saith He will remember for them his Covenant made with Abraham Isaac and Jacob with the residue of his Seed No mention yet that it was or is though one day in performance it shall be personally made with them but onely the same shewn to them And enabling them as Abraham's Seed to believe his performance for Abraham's sake and no otherwise was this Covenant made with any that is made known to us till it was with David more explicitely in respect of the Kingdom but to these three it was so made and they thereby so abundantly furnished to teach it 2. They were marvelously and supernaturally enlightned in the
the Service of God and the Promises so that Salvation in the Promise was nigh them that in minding it they might be born of the Promise and so receive the Adoption by Faith and live to God and be eternally saved as were all the Children of Promise but such as did not so believe and receive his words c. should not be eternally saved So far the Testimony of Christ was then revealed to Israel yet it pleased God after to give to them some more cleer revelation of some particulars concerning Christ that were at first included and already hinted forth in the same Testimony CHAP. 4. Of the fourth Revelation of Christ and his Kingdom IT pleased God yet further to enlarge and cleer up more this Revelation of Jesus Christ to David and by him to Israel and to David he revealed the same both by inspiration to himself and by Vision and also by the Spirit of Prophesie in Nathan for some part and so we finde revealed 1. The Oblation and Sacrifice of Christ Psal 40.6 7 8. 22.14 18. 26.7 16.10 11. 68.18 20. 110.11 and therein his Sufferings Death Resurrection Ascension sitting on the right hand of God and pouring forth the holy Ghost to men that they might turn c. 2. The operations of his Grace in a blessed Man Psal 1 15 24 32. Psal 98. and his preservation of him and what true blessedness is 3. The coming again and Kingdom of Jesus Christ yea if as those skilful in the Hebrew say the Book of Psalms is divided into five Boeks the first ending with the 41. Psalm the second with the 72 the third with the 89 the fourth with the 106 the fifth with the 150 We do minde and perpend every Book of them speaketh of all these things and so of the Testimony of Christ in every Branch of it in one place or other And thence it is they are so often spoken over again in the whole Book of Psalms but that I have specially to note in this Revelation is the more explicite Revelation of the Kingdom then ever was before And so for the Kingdom the King and his raign by his Spirit in Nathan he said 2 Sam. 7.10 I will appoint or ordain a place for my people Israel and will plant them that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more and they shall dwell in their place and be moved no more neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more as afore-time as at the beginning 1 Chron. 17.9 10. and since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies Morever I will subdue all thy enemies Furthermore also the Lord telleth thee 2 Sam. 7.11 That he will make or build thee an House This is not like the Promise of the Law Deut. 5.2 3 4. 28. 4.31 Heb. 4.6 7 8 9. 11.9 16. Psa 39.12 and Covenant made with the House of Israel but altogether gracious free and absolute like that made with Abraham Isaac and Jacob. And here also it is evident That Joshua gave them not the Rest in Canaan according to that promised to Abraham and it is also evident That though David was now raigning over Israel in Canaan yet he had it not according to the Promise made to Abraham but in that respect counted himself a stranger in it as all his Fathers were And this is manifested all Israel never yet was so planted in it and so it is a thing to come that shall surely be and the House here promised is neither the Tabernacle built by Moses nor onely the Temple after built by Solomon though these were types nor was it only to have a great Name 2 Sam. 7.9 1 Chron. 17.8 Heb. 3.3 4 6. 8.2 5 6. 11.10 16. 2 Sam. 7.12 1 Chron. 17.11 Heb. 11.13 14 15 40. Dan. 12.13.2 Sam. 7.16 with a great and famous Posterity to be great according to the great men on the Earth for so David was already but an House not builded by men according to the directions given of God but built by God himself and his Son Jesus Christ and so also an heavenly City of God's building making and not Man's And it farther appears That before this be done David must die in the Faith and sleep with his Fathers and rise again and stand up in his lot as Daniel and then that will be fulfilled which God promised David saying And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee 2 Sam. 7.12 thy throne shall be stablished for ever And so we are led to understand that is said 1 Chron. 17.11 I will set up thy seed after thee which shall proceed out of thy bowels and I will establish his kingdom thy seed which shall be of thy Sons Take both expressions and it will appear That this in the figure or type was meant of Solomon but in the Truth it is clearly and evidently meant of Jesus Christ Mat. 1.1 1 Chron. 17.11 12 13 14. the Son of David and of Abraham and so it 's said I will raise up thy seed after thee which shall be of thy sons and I will stablish he saith not their but his kingdom he shall build me an house and I will stablish his throne for ever the throne of his kingdom and I will be his Father and he shall be my Son and I will not take my mercy away from him as I took it from him that is Saul that was before thee but I will settle him in my house that of my building and in my kingdom that of my immediate giving and his throne shall be established for evermore which was never yet performed to any of David's natural Race that said if he commit iniquity c. May shew the justness and removing those that were types but is no let to him that is here principally meant which is Jesus Christ that came of David in a supernatural way And so David by the Spirit understood saying 2 Sam. 7.19 29. 1 Chron. 17.16 17 25 26 27. Luk. 1.31 32 33 35. Heb. 1.5 Thou hast spoken also that is besides the present house he had of thy servants house he saith not onely to continue but for a great while to come and so his following prayer includes both and it is affirmed expresly to be meant of Jesus Christ the Son of David and the Son of God that this Kingdom and Throne is to be given to him as for those natural Sons of David of that Kingly Race if they had not committed iniquity they might have held the earthy Kingdom till Christ had come but iniquity being found they came to a lessening of the largeness of their King and so to captivity c. such as in which the Covenant seemed made void yet the Truth remains in Christ and to him and
believing Such plain preaching and for the most part by as plain Instruments is this preaching to be used even such as crosseth and confoundeth the wise and learned of this World but it is the Wisdom and Justice of God that so it should be for God had tried them long enough he had imprinted his Wisdom in the Gospel reported in Paradise and carried on by the Fathers and Elders Instructions and manifested much of himself and his goodness in his works of Creation and Providence See Part 3. ch 1. and given them understanding above the Beasts of the Earth and the Fowls of Heaven and many of them by study became wiser then the ordinary sort of Men yet in all this time by their wisdom they did not learn to know God in the Wisdom of God Well God tried them farther and gave to Israel the Revelation of his Minde in Word and Oracles by Types and Prophesies See Part 3. ch 3. that by these they might come to know the Wisdom of God but in all this time they have not found out the knowledge of God in the Wisdom of God Rom. 1.21 22 28. Joh. 1.4 5 7 9 10 11. Therefore after all this it pleased God in his great mercy to Men to give forth this full and plain Discovery and Revelation of himself in Christ 1 Cor. 1.17 21 23. and in his Wisdom and Justice also to appoint this plain Report and preaching thereof as to the wise of the World seems foolishness as neither magnifies nor needs their wisdom and learning to interpret or finde out the sense yea Psal 8.2 Mat. 11.25 Luk. 2.17 Joh. 21. Act. 2. 4.13 Mat. 2.16 Mr. 6.3 1 Cor. 1.21 23 27. Jer. 5.30 31. Isa 29.14 33.18 1 Cor. 1.19 20 26 27. it 's such as in the plain report wise Men exercising their wisdom it is hidden from them and babes believing understand and it is revealed to them and for the more part such Babes illiterate Shepherds Fishers Mechanicks whom the Men of the World deride are the Preachers of it and this kinde of preaching is a great stumble and offence to the learned and wise of the World and by them counted foolishness and through their teaching which tends to magnifie worldly wisdom and learning and to exalt an outward order of Priests of that sort to rule over the people it becomes an offence to the people also that love to have such to rule over them and the pride of all this glory God will stain and cast shame upon it so that this manner preaching the Gospel becomes a part of the Cross of Christ Mat. 13.55 57. Mar. 6.3 Rom. 15.2 3. 2 Cor. 4.10 11 12 13. to be taken up by the Preachers and willingly born and through their dying in their bearing this Cross the Life of Christ worketh in them and through their Ministration And this kinde of Preaching is suted to this Revelation of Christ howbeit that this preaching may be rightly carried on this is also to be always joyned with it 4. That those that preach the Gospel Mat. 5.4 16. 1 Cor. 9.16 27. Phil. 1.27 2.16 1 Tim. 6.11 12 Til. 3.14 walk suitable to the Gospel that their Light may shine forth in their Works and conversation enduring through reproachings and sufferings that they so preach and witness that they preach to others even by their conversation And in this manner of preaching is the Gospel to be preached to which also they have certain helps annexed discovered in this Revelation of Christ 5. For their helpfulness in doing good with this preaching they are 1. To use earnest Prayer to God in the Name of Christ Joh. 16.23 29. for Divine Help and Assistance 2. To read minde 2 Tim. 3.14 17. and meditate the Holy Scriptures that are fore-written 3. And as any are brought in to entertain the Gospel Mat. 28.19 20. Act. 16.33 if they have not so been fore-baptized to baptize them and all that are theirs in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost so testifying the Truth of the Gospel they have taught and admitting the Baptized into the Family of Christ to be his Scholars to learn of him And for such as are come to the knowledge and profession of Christ in his Family to break bread 1 Cor. 11 23 24.25 26. and so to eat and drink together according to his institution in remembrance of his death and to shew it forth till he come 4. And for their better profiting in and use of all these helps Mat. 18.15 16 20. 1 Cor. 5. 11.23 31. 14. all Heb. 10.25 to have their assemblings together for fellowship in the Gospel that so they may grow in Faith and Love and in Union and Fellowship with God and Christ and one another and others be still brought in to God by them and stubborn and criminal Offenders shut out of that Fellowship till they repent And this the Preaching 2 Cor. 2.16 3.5 6. and these the helps for carrying on this business but who is sufficient for these things it is therefore good to consider who they be that in this Revelation of Christ God did purpose and in his purpose preapprove and so chuse for this business and how he hath furnished them so chosen which is also in this Revelation made known CHAP. 11. Of those whom God hath appointed and chosen to this business for declaring his Name and shewing forth his praises to this end for Convincement Conversion and Edification WE do finde in the Scripture that these are in some respect of two sorts though in respect of Faith and that ministred Mat. 5.1.13 14 15 16. Joh. 15.1 2 4 8. 17.20 21 22 23. one and so he chose first and primely those that were brought in by his own personal Ministration and the first Trusters in him after his Resurrection to be the Beginners and Layers of the Foundation and Recorders of the Gospel thus revealed and likewise together with them and to be after them all those that should through his Word ministred by these first Witnesses be brought in to believe on him to carry this business an end to the same end till his coming again And this appears cleer in the Scripture for 1. He chose for this business those that were brought in by his own immediate and personal Ministration and received the Gospel immediately from himself Mar. 3.9 13 14 15 16 c. Luk. 6.13 14 c. having seen and heard him personally and so were to be the Trusters in him after his Resurrection he chose them not as they were the Sons of Adam and born of such natural Parents and had of them such Names though they were such and had such Names but as they were his Called and believed on him even so and as such he chose them and so it is said of them he chose to be Apostles they were first
his called Disciples and then he after called and chose them to be Apostles and one of these notwithstanding all this Grace extended Joh. 6.70 17.12 Act. 1.15 26. Rev. 17.14 Ioh. 15.16 19. was false-hearted and became of the Devil and lost himself and so never came to trust in him after his Resurrection but another of his Disciples that so trusted in him had that place and office of his for those in and with him in this business approved of him are called and chosen and faithful and of these of his first Witnesses he saith You have not chosen me but I have chosen you that you should go Joh. 17.13 14 20. Luk. 10.1 2 17. Gal. 3.11 12 17. 1 Cor. 9.1 15.8 9. Act. 10.41 42. and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain And again Ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world c. And as such he prayed for them that they might be fitted preselved and blessed in their Ministration And so likewise he appointed seventy others to go before his Face to evangelize And thus also Paul was chosen to be one of these first Witnesses and an Apostle and proves his Apostleship by this That he received the Gospel immediately from the Lord and that he had seen the Lord. And this the Apostle affirms of all the first Witnesses that saw and heard Christ after his Resurrection That they were witnesses chosen before of God and precious and commanded by him to preach unto the people and testifie c. so that of this first sort there is no question 2. He also in this choice did also chuse for carrying an end this business till his coming again those and all those approving onely those that in believing his Word as delivered and left upon record by his Apostles are by his grace brought in believing on him to be united and built on him and so to have his Word in their Heart And this is express 1 Pet. 2.3 4 5 9. Isa 59.21 61.1 2 3 4. That these are the spiritual house and holy Priesthood the chosen Generation and peculiar people called out of darkness into his marvellous light to offer up his acceptable Sacrifices to God by Jesus Christ and shew forth the praises according to what was fore-prophesied of such whence that hope of the Apostle to be enlarged by the Corinthians and that acknowledgement with thanksgiving of the Word 2 Cor. 10. sounded out to others by the Thessalonians and their edifying one another 1 Thes 1.8 5.11 14. to which he still exhorts them for Officers in outward Congregations I am not yet to speak but as they are one with the unfeigned Believers thus united to Christ who as they are admonished in their speaking or Ministration Rom. 12.3 not to presume beyond the measure of Faith dealt to them so they are exhorted according to the gift they have received 1 Pet. 4.10 11. to minister the same one to another as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God and if any man speak to speak as the Oracles of God yea and in the midst of a crooked Generation Phil. 2.15 16. Mat. 5.13 16. 1 Cor. 12.7 to shine forth as Lights and hold forth the Word of Life as Jesus Christ bade And so the Manifestation of the Spirit is said to be given to every Man to profit withall And indeed the House being of God's building and not Man's by a Rule for so was the old Tabernacle and Christ being the Minister of this Sanctuary the High-Priest that is the Prophet and the spiritual Man that hath none but spiritual Priests to attend his service there being a change of the Priesthood that Law is also changed Heb. 7.12 and we have from Christ now no Priests by a natural birth or lineal descent but by a spiritual birth onely none by worldly Power Psa 68.11 Pro. 9.1 2 3 4 5. and Documents and Order but by the Teachings and Calling of Christ by the Spirit of Grace But for these two Points that is The means of carrying forth the Gospel and the Instruments approved and chosen thereto by God in Christ we may yet see much more in the next and last Point which followeth next to be spoken of namely The Furniture wherewith he hath furnished them and that with fulness of spiritual blessings both in knowledge grace wisdom and understanding and also with spiritual gifts of which now CHAP. 12. Of the Furniture of spiritual blessings the chosen Witnesses are endued with THe choice and blessed Furniture of the first Witnesses of this Revelation is set forth by the Apostle in Ephes 1 2 3 4 Chapters fully and cleerly Ephes 1 1-12 he begins with magnifying the Grace of God given him to minister Eph. 1. Rom. 1.1 2 3 4 5. 11.13 2 Cor. 11 12. Gal. 1.11 12. Til. 1.1 2 3. and the Office of and Furniture for the Apostleship given him as he did to the Romans and others but here more abundantly and in viewing the Excellencies he was to speak of he begins with Thanksgiving Ephes 1.3 Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings that is of Knowledge Faith Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost with all heavenly Riches and fitness to display them in heavenly places or things in Christ that is above and better then our Fathers of old See Part 3. ch 3. who had not heavenly places and things but earthy material Temple Altar Mercy-Seat High-Priest Sacrifices Incense Purifications c. yea and all distinct not one the other but each several and divided but we have a spiritual and heavenly Temple Altar Mercy-Seat High-Priest Sacrifice Incense Purification yea Father Brother Sonship Fellowship c. and all these one and in one Col. 2.9 10. 3.11 even in Christ in that preparation made and Furniture given us in Christ in whom was fulness of provision made for extending Grace in the several Revelations of him for the several Ministrations of him in the several Ages of the World as hath been shewn and so for this last Age of the World after his Resurrection 2 Tim. 1.9 10. 1 Pet. 1.11 12 19 20 21. Col. 1.26 27. Eph. 3.3 4 5. Eph. 1.4 in which he purposed the first Trusters in Christ to be his choice Ministers and in that purpose all this Grace was given us in Christ before the World began but since his Resurrection so revealed and manifested to us as never was to any before And this vers 4. According as he hath chosen us in him these words may be taken to be read as in a Parenthesis for an actual Election which was indeed passed on them and in that choice they received nothing but what was prepared in Christ for them before the Foundation of the World and this is a good and true reading and sense
and so is this that follows if we take the words for God's fore-purpose and pre-approbation of these first Trusters in Christ and so take them without a Parenthesis before the foundation of the world Eph. 1.4 that we should be holy and without blame before him in love It 's cleer he speaks here of something wherein they were preferred before the Instruments in former Ministrations for to be holy and unblameable before him in love shall one day be the portion of all the Saints from first to last Eph. 5.25 26 27. And of faults deserving blame in conversation the best Saints on Earth have not been altogether free Rom. 7. Gal. 2. Jam. 3.2 2 Cor. 3.3 14. yea the Apostles confess That they were not But here he speaks of their Ministration and the Testament they were Ministers of as he did elsewhere And so Moses in his Ministration was faithful in all his House as a Servant and Aaron the Saint of the Lord but the Law and Testament they ministred made nothing perfect Heb. 7.19 Rom. 2.3 Heb. 7.12 8.6 11. 9.14 15. 10.5 10. it was weak through the flesh therefore God sent his Son c. and faulting the former Covenant he changed and took away that Law and hath brought in New Covenant established on better promises which Christ ministers by these chosen Witnesses so that they needed abundance of Furniture and were indeed so abundantly furnished that in Love and Declaration of his Love by an unerring Spirit they were un-erringly led in this excellent ministration holy and unblameable in ministring of an holy and unblameable Covenant before him in Love which they have left upon record which did we more believe we should more prize the Gospel with the sayings in it left upon record by them Eph. 1.5 But he proceeds vers 5. Having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will Note well the words he saith not Having predestinated us to be adopted children for they were in election and being chosen whether in purpose or act as much adopted as chosen for sure that Phrase Mint Elect in whom my soul delighteth Isa 42.1 is well and truely rendered My beloved in whom my soul is well pleased and is the same with that This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased Besides Mat. 12.18 Mat. 3.17 17.5 1 Joh. 5.10 11 12. Gal. 3.16 26 29. Joh. 1.12 2 Tim. 1.9 Joh. 6.44 Jam. 1.18 Joh. 1.13 Joh. 1.12 16 17 18. Rom. 8.16 Rom. 9.4 Adoption is onely in Christ Jesus and had in receiving and having him as Eternal Life is and no other way and yet farther Adoption and Acceptation to Sonship in Christ is in a peculiar manner the work of God the Father that calleth and draweth and begetteth to Christ And the communication of the Dignitie and Priviledges of Sons is in a peculiar manner the work of Jesus Christ the Son as it is in a peculiar manner the work of the holy Spirit to witness it besides Adoption is a thing to be ministred and did though not so cleerly appertain to the Jews under Moses Ministration So that it is evident here That in saying Having predestinated us to the adoption of sons he points out the more cleer business in their Ministration they were predestinated to as predestination relateth also to the means as well as the person and end and that is here the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ in which the way is pointed out a more cleer one then ever was in former Ministrations by preaching Jesus Christ according to the Revelation of the Mystery Rom. 16.25 26. 2 Cor. 5.18 19 20. and so the Gospel is called The Word of Reconciliation and the Ministery of it The Ministery of Reconciliation and both committed to them for that end Whence they said in Ministration to be sent to open the eyes and turn c. that they might receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance Act. 26.17 18. Joh. 15.16 c. whence our Saviour saith of them I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit Mat. 28.19 Mar. 16.15 16. Luk. 5.10 c. and what fruit that is is to be seen in the commission given them so that they were appointed to Adoption that is in Ministration of the Son to bring men in to the Faith of the Son of God and so to Sonship or Adoption And this by Jesus Christ that is by abiding in him Eph. 1.5 Joh. 15.4 7 8 27. Luk. 24.47 48. Eph. 1.5 2 Cor. 4 5 6. Heb. 13.7 8. 2 Cor. 5.20 11.2 and so preaching and witnessing him and so Repentance and Remission of sins in his Name to draw men in to him as hath been shewn and this unto himself to draw to him unite to and inamour with him that he may have their heart and the praise such the end of their Ministration and Furniture and so of their preaching so they say We pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God and We have espoused you to one husband even Christ Thus was their Ministration to the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ to himself and herein far above the Ministration of Moses and Aaron and all the Levitical Priesthood and their Law for though their Adoption appertained to them and their Ministration was to bring Men to God and so to be Sons and Tutor Sons yet it was not with such a cleer Revelation of Christ but by Types and Shadows and Prophesies of him to come and by Circumcision Gal. 4.1 7. 3.16 26. 5.1 4.18 Joh 1.14 15 16 17. 8.31 36. still holding out the Gentiles as strangers to their Priviledges and binding even the Circumcision to such observances of outward Rites that they were kept still in a kinde of bondage so as they were under Tutors and Governours as Servants so as the most upright that were in Grace and not of works of the Law yet were they under the Law but this Ministration is of Grace onely and of Freedom and leads thereto Mat. 11.11 2 Cor. 4.4 yea even John's Ministration though before and above all the former yet short of this this being a glorious Ministration of a glorious Gospel to a gloriously gracious end Eph. 1.5 even the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ unto God according to the good pleasure of his will not onely according to his will and the pleasure of his will for so were all the former Ministrations but through Men's weaknesses they did not so profit Rom. 8.3 2 Cor. 3.6 14. Heb. 7 8 9 10. nor were to continue but for a time till Christ had offered up the Sacrifice and so were not approved for continuance and perfecting the Saints But his delight is in his Son and the cleer Revelation of him and that Men should love and honour him and
hath given more abundantly to us Rom. 16.25 26. 2 Pet. 1.3 4. Col. 1.26 27. Eph. 3.5 and revealed the Mystery more fully to us and fitted us to manifest the same in all wisdom and prudence more then ever he did to any of the Sons of Men or any his Servants in former Ages and this to be the meaning is fully cleered in the next words Vers 9. Eph. 1.9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he had purposed in himself Having saith he made known to us the mystery of his will Eph. 3.4 Col. 1.3 1 Tit. 3.9 16. Col. 2.2 Luke 8.10 Mat. 13.11 Mar. 4.11 1 Cor. 4.1 which is called also The Mystery of Christ The Mystery of the Gospel The Mystery of Faith The Mystery of Godliness yea The Mystery of God even of the Father and of Christ in which also the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God all which was given to them to know and these were made Stewards of the Mysteries of God thus made known to them as he saith Having made known to us the mystery of his will Eph. 1.9 according to the good pleasure which he had purposed in himself This of it self clears up to us all God working all things according to the counsel of his will in which is his purpose he having at first so prepared in Christ and ordered for the several Revelations of him and the Miniders with their furniture in the several Ages to carry the same forth he then for these last times purposed this great and cleer Revelation of Christ and the first Trusters in him after his Resurrection to be his chosen Witnesses and to be thus furnished and according to this purpose in himself he hath thus chosen and furnished them to this gracious end in which this sense doth farther appear by that before and following Vers 10. That in the despensation of the fulness of times Eph. 1.10 he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heaven and which are on earth even in him By fulness of times he gives us to understand is meant the times after that due time was come when Jesus Christ was come and had suffered and compleated that prophesied and typed of him Tit. 1.3 to be done by him in his first coming and so had given his Word to his Disciples to manifest him by preaching and so it is said Gal. 4.4 5. When the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law that we might receive the adoption of sons 1 Pet. 1.20 which fulness of times is also called the last times because also there shall be no more changes of the manner of his Dispensation in any other Revelation or Doctrine of Christ 1 Pet. 1.4 5. Rev. 10.6 7. 11.14 19. 2 Tim. 4.8 Eph. 1.23 4.13 Rom. 4 6. Gal. 4.4 1 Pet. 1.4 5. Act. 2.17 Heb. 2.2 1 Pet. 1.20 2 Pet. 1.15 3.2 but in and by this and this to be continued till that visible coming again of his which is the last day and last time in which the whole Mystery of God will be finished that being called that day when will be the fulness of the stature of Christ when all that are to be brought in to him by such means are come in to him and with him and from his first coming which was in due time in the beginning of the fulness of times to his next personal and visible coming which will be at that day that is the last time all between is called the last dayes the last times and here the fulness of times that we may be mindeful of and heed this Dispensation and Gospel thus dispensed by the Apostles that proved all by the Prophets also and to look for no other till Christ come again And the end of this glorious Revelation and glorious Dispensation is Eph. 1.10 That by Christ thus discovered and as discovered in it he might shew forth in Christ and gather together in one Heb. 1.1 2 3. Col. 1.15 Joh. 1.18 Mat. 1 23. Psal 85.10 even in Christ all things which are in Heaven and in Earth even all the parcels of his Minde fore-declared in the heavenly Prophesies or by Dreams and Visions or by earthy Types and Shadows and that was hid 〈◊〉 Christ now to be revealed and made manifest together in him in whom God and Man are one and Truth and Righteousness with Mercy and Peace meet in one in him yea in Temple Altar Propitiatory Oracle Priest Sacrifice Purincation yea Life and Covenant are all in one Heb. 12.22 24. in him yea in him Father Son Spirit are all one yea the worshipped and worshippers meet in one in him yea the Spirits of the Prophets and Apostles and of all just Men made perfect in Heaven and of all unfeigned Believers on Earth meet in one in him yea Col. 2.10 11. Faith Love De res Refreshings all flow from him and run into him and meet in one yea Jew Gentile Bond Free Male Female all one in him and by Faith in him come to enjoy Union and Fellowship in and with him and one another and enjoyment of his blessing and this Union with him the Gospel thus dispensed effecteth where believed 1 Joh. 5.20 And thus to understand this gathering together of all things in Christ to be of these things and this Union we are led by the 3 vers and other Scriptures so that the end of this Dispensation is to let Men see all in Christ and so draw them in to believe in him to place all their Love Faith Desires and Content in him and so to finde all their satisfaction in him and so partake of the Blessing of this Union in him Vers 11. In whom that is Eph. 1.11 in Christ we have obtained an inheritance this he sheweth to be they had it in hope and the Holy Spirit as the earnest till the possession be given and this they had also to preach to others and assure all unfeigned Believers of the same to be theirs in hope yea there was a confirmation of the Truth of all this and of the Blessing of their Ministration in the Ephesians believing on their report Vers 13 14. and being therein sealed though they had not so much light into the Mystery as the Apostles had for which he also prays after for them and explicates the Mystery to them as it was revealed to the Apostles both in the Doctrine and Effects of it in Believers and the Priviledges held forth to all Men that they might believe with experiments in some measure found in all Believers which I leave to be read in the second and third Chapters onely here taking notice of what he affirms concerning all he hath said Vers 11. Eph. 1.11 That to all this they were predestinated
spiritual Gifts and Vertue to witness the Testimony of Christ still in all this time And as God forsook Shilo where his Tabernacle was in Canaan first pitched for the wickedness thereof Jer. 7.12 and returned his Tabernacle no more thither Rev. 12.1 so God may reject this outward Court in which his Sanctuary once was and his Glory shined in it and for the wickedness of it never beautifie it with his true Sanctuary again but preserve his true Sanctuary by his Word and Spirit till Christ come Rev. 11 19. and the Holy Ones beneath and the Holy Ones above do meet and the false Prophet be slain and the Church become a Kingdom which whether hinted in leaving out the Name of the outward Court Heb. 9. I will not say but onely that the placing helps in Government among such Temporary things as came in afterward may afford these instructions to us and so leave it to each man as Light of Truth perswades But for the Gospel and these spiritual Gifts given from Heaven that they have already been abundantly confirmed by Miracles and they so divinely recorded as is enough to confirm Faith and no need of doing them over again is that affirmed and proved and yet to make it more cleer and evident we have it expresly testified 4. By the Apostles own words to the Hebrews when having set forth the excellency of Christ as in Testimony of him set forth and then exhorted them to diligent heed taking thereto Heb. 1. 2.1 2 3 4. he admonishing them saith How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was after confirmed unto us by them that heard him God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders and with divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost according to his own will So that the Gospel hath been confirmed above all that the Law of Moses was and as the Miracles confirming that was no more to be iterated after the Law was once taught setled and confirmed but those remembred with the Law yea the Prophets that came after endeavouring to move them to deviate from that Law with Signs and Wonders Deut. 13. were not to be believed or hearkned to so we are now warned for these times that false Prophets false Christs and Antichrists will come with signs and wonders to deceive and draw credit to their false Doctrine with Mat. 24.24 Mar. 12.22 2 Thes 2.10 So that which we are now to heed is the Word of the Testimony of Christ in which is testified Jesus to be The Christ the Apostles and first Witnesses to have declared his Minde even the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mystery and the spiritual gifts with which they went forth and the Gospel revealing all this to be taught and left upon record by them Mat. 24.14 Rom. 10.18 the sound whereof went through the whole World before the first Witnesses all of them left the World And it was and hath been setled in many Churches in divers parts of the World and sufficiently confirmed with Signs Wonders Miracles and miraculous Gifts of the Holy Ghost already and they also written that we might believe And thus have I shewn according to this last and fullest Revelation of Christ who were chosen in and by him the first Instruments for laying the Foundation and beginning the building on it and so to set this glorious Ministration on foot and how plentifully they were furnished Now it is needful also to shew the Furniture of the following Witnesses that are of the same society and house and to carry on this Ministration to the same end till the return and personal appearing of Jesus Christ CHAP. 15. Of the Furniture of the following Witnesses till Christ come again WHo are the chosen of God in Christ to be Part 3. c. 11. and so are these Witnesses to carry on this blessed business till Christ come again is already before shewn and that they are such as through belief of his Grace in the Testimony of Christ delivered by the Apostles are by his Spirit built on Christ and so come unto Mount Sion Heb. 12.22 2 24. and unto the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels to the general Assembly of the first-born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of just Men made perfect and to Jesus thn Mediator of the New Covenant c. and so have fellowship with the Prophets 1 Joh. 1.3 Eph. 2.19 22. Isa 59.20 21. Phil. 2.15.16 Heb. 3.6 1 Tim. 3.15 and Apostles and so with the Father and the Son being now fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God build upon the Foundation c. having the same Word and Spirit in their Heart and in their Mouth which the Apostles had these are to hold forth the Word of Life c. as hath been shewn for these are the House of God and of Christ the Church of the living God the Pillar and Ground of Truth So that 1. Isa 43.10 Act. 13.47 As a Pillar was used for a Witness of Peace Gen. 31.51 52. so these are God's Witnesses to the World of Christ being his salvation to the ends of the Earth to open the eyes of the blinde c. 2. Isa 43.10 11. 1 Joh. 2.2 2 Cor. 5.19 Rom. 3.25 1 Tim. 1.16 Heb. 12.1 As the Pillar of the Cloud was a Testimony of God's presence and a Guide to Israel Exod. 13. so these are God's Witnesses and Holders forth of his presence and propitiatoriness to the World as Preachers and Patterns that they might repent and come in to follow him God spake to his People in a cloudy Pillar Psal 97.7 8. and through the same Pillar looked upon the Egyptians and troubled them Exod. 14.24 and so by and through these God speaks unto the World 2 Cor. 5.20 and manifesteth the savour of his knowledge through them 2 Cor. 2.14 17. which proves a savour of Life unto Life in them that in believing receive it and a savor of death unto them that oppose and rebel against it 3. As a Pillar the word is sometimes used to express some chief ones as Gal. 2.9 so whereas God hath testified his goodness in that rumour of the Gospel proclaimed in Paradise and in his works of Creation and Providence and after by Types and Prophesies and after by the Fore-runner of his Son Eph 3.3 4 5 6 9 10. 1 Pet. 1.11 12. 1 Tim. 3.16 and had Instruments suitable to each for Ministration yet when his Son is manifest as come in the Flesh who is the Brightness of his Glory and chief Testimony of his goodness so in that respect the Ministers that thus hold him forth they are the chief and such are these and the Church now 4. A Pillar is used for an upholder
I might shew how Christ is here the chief Master Doctor and Rabbi and the Prophets and Apostles the Masters of this Assembly the Scriptures the Library the Testimony of Jesus the Original the Holy Spirit therein the Interpreter the way of Learning and coming to knowledge is Attention and believing the Fellows and Collegiates are all that are built upon Jesus and so one in this spiritual house the pupils are all that like or desire to learn the Doctrine of the Gospel though yet hardly believing or weak and unstable in the Faith or believing the Truth of the Gospel and professing it but not so prevailed with by it as to be united to Christ and framed to his Minde so as to have his word in their heart these not yet to be Teachers but Learners but the residue all Teachers according to the measure of Faith and Gifts given them and their acts are Fellowship in the Gospel and to those acts the World may come also to hear And all the Ministers God approveth and sendeth forth to minister Gospel to the World they are brought up in and sent forth of this University being Members thereof as is proved in that already said and yet I would add one proof more even from the Prayer of our Saviour for these in John 17. where having prayed for the fitness furniture and blessing on the ministration of those immediately called chosen taught and set forth by himself he proceedeth in that Prayer saying Joh. 17.6 7 8 9 11 14 15 16 17 18 19 vers 20. Neither do I pray for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word which is no other but his own word he received of the Father and gave to them and so it is through their Ministration of the word and so the same word and as ministred and recorded by these first VVitnesses who were immediately sent forth by him with this Ministration for the Obedience of Faith among all Nations and for all that believe through their word He prayeth Vers 21. That they all he saith not some onely or the chief Officers they shall chuse but the unfeigned Believers even they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us VVhich cannot be meant of the Essence of God because he speaketh of Ministration nor is it meant onely of being one in him by the Spirit of Faith relying on him though this be included yea the union of the Father and Son in will for Ministration and of the Father in the Son and the Son in the Father and so the union between them is more then so yea I may say there is such an union between them as is higher then we can conceive and incommunicable also though the benefit of it be communicable but the union here meant appears by that foregoing and this following with the scope of the business to be the union of the Spirit for Ministration as the Father was and is one and of one minde in Christ that he should make peace by his blood and then preach peace that Men might believe and that in preaching peace he should speak his words that he gave him and seek his ends for glorifying him in displaying and extending Salvation to Men and eternally saving believing Men. So Christ was one in and with the Father in all this and in the same love with the same design did both make peace by his Blood and preach peace in the same words and for the same end the Father gave them to him and so are they one in the same love and design for the good of Mankinde in this Ministration of peace-preaching to bring Men in to believe and to preserve Believers to eternal Life And now having committed the Ministry of Reconciliation by peace-preaching to his first VVitnesses and prayed for and begun to frame them into union with him in this design he prayeth therewith for all that unfeignedly believe on him through their word and so are united to him by Faith and Love that they may be framed by the same Spirit of Faith to his minde and so be one in the Father and him in the same love and the same design for carrying forth this Ministration as he did and to the same ends though through like sufferings as he did and as the first VVitnesses did that so we may be one together with them and all one in the Father and the Son in this love and design pursued in the same way for Ministration And this to be the union meant appears also in the next words which are That the world that is such as yet believe not may believe that thou hast sent me which can be no less Vers 21. then that through their Ministration carried forth in such love and union of Spirit and way such as yet believe not may believe c. And this to be the meaning the next words shew Vers 22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them which is not the glory he had with the Father before the world was and with which he is now glorified at the Father's right hand for that was not then as yet given to him as he was Man but to be given him on the finishing his whole work for suffering and overcoming death and his own immediate personal Ministration and his Ascension into Heaven and offering up the acceptable sacrifice and then was that glory given him so that of this glory he speaketh not but of the glory of the Ministration given him immediately of the Father which was a more great and glorious Ministration then ever before given to Moses or any of the Priests or Prophets or John Baptist and so it 's called the glorious Gospel And this Ministration with commission with power and authority and Spirit he received immediately from the Father and so gave it as immediately to the first VVitnesses and now here mediately through the belief of their Gospel unto all unfeigned Believers in every age that through their word believe to them and all them our Saviour gives this glory of the commission power and authority for Ministration Vers 22. and that to these ends both that they may be one even as we are one in that union forementioned and so Vers 23. I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one I in them The Nature of all Mankinde is in me in which I have died their Death and suffered the Curse that was due for their sins and made peace for them by my Blood and offered the acceptable Sacrifice and obtained eternal Redemption and received in the Nature of Man Remission of sins and fulness of Spirit Grace Truth and Eternal Life for Men that in believing Men might receive me and in receiving me receive it all And now these believing though not by my immediate personal Ministration yet by my mediate Ministration through the
VVord recorded by my first Witnesses that received it immediately from me they in believing come in to me receiving my words they receive me So that I by my word and in that by my Spirit with all the heavenly riches and treasures I am filled with in their Nature am thus spiritually in them and pray that I may so be still and more abundantly Vers 23. 23. And thou in me the Father is in the Son and all that is the Fathers is the Sons so that as he that in believing receiveth the Gospel doth receive Christ therein and he that receiveth Christ receiveth the Father and so from both that Holy Spirit that uniteth both to Father and Son and frameth to oneness of minde love and design and so for that farther end also here exprest that being made perfect in one and so in this unity of Spirit in love and design their design may prosper in this That the world may know that thou hast sent me the Saviour of the World and that the World through me might be saved and so that I am the Christ and that thou hast loved them these that believe in me and in love minister Gospel to them in my Name as thou hast loved me Which if any one come to know and believe what a one Christ is and how he loves and approves them and their Ministration who also are as patterns to them this will draw them also to believe and be pulling them out of the VVorld into the Church Joh. 4.10 1 Cor. 2.8 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3 4. Joh. 17.24 The next Petition is for glory to be conferred on them after their Ministration the hope whereof is an encouragement and support to them in their Ministration through all sufferings And by all this our Saviour gives us to understand both who be his chosen Ministers and also what their Furniture is and the same that appears in our Saviour's Prayer is to be seen likewise in the practice and counsel of the Apostles who were so filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit as to be unerring both in delivery of their Doctrine and direction for the Ministration 2 Tim. 1.13 Gal. 1.8 2 Tim. 3.4 4.5 1 Cor. 11.2 23. 2 Tim. 1.14 1 Tim. 6.20 so as it is well done of their followers to keep both Gospel and Ministration as they delivered the same and they committed the Gospel and things thereof to such as were known to be faithful and endued with the Holy Ghost and charged them to commit the same to faithful Men not limiting it to outward Officers though in such an Epistle as was most needful to name them 2 Tim. 2.2 if such a thing had been intended but to faithful Men whether such Officers or no. But more need not be said of this enough is shewn before proving these the spiritual House the royal Priesthood the chosen Generation his chosen Ministers to shew forth his praises But yet a word or two more to make plain the Furniture those following Ministers have and in this Revelation of Christ we shall also finde that for Furniture 1. They have the VVord or Gospel discovering Christ Joh. 14 21 22 23. 1 Joh. 2.14 24. Isa 59.21 2 Joh. 2. Eph. 3.17 Heb. 12.22 Isa 78.16 46.13 1 Pet. 2.6 Isa 40.9 and so Christ in that Gospel in their heart and so are come to Sion and so are of Sion and the Foundation is laid in Sion that is Christ as set forth in the Gospel for Sion to hold forth to others the same Foundation that they may come in and be built thereon yea this word hath come from Sion Jerusalem that is above and is the Mother of us all Joel 2.23 Gal. 4.26 and is in the Heart Fellowship and Ministration of Sion that part of it which though in heart and Spirit above Phil. 3.20 Col. 3.1 yet in Sion hath God taken up his rest and will abundantly bless her Psa 132.13 14 15. Joel 3.21 Psa 77.2 he dwelleth there yea the Lord loveth the Gates of Sion more then all the dwellings of Jacob besides And so we may say This Ministration more then all that fore-went it So that the word of Truth of Life and Salvation is here as in the outward record so in the understanding and heart and floweth forth from hence as a first fruits of that Isa 2.3 Mic. 4.2 2 They in believing and imbracing this word have with it the Holy Spirit Isa 59.21 Rom. 8 9 10. 1 Joh. 2.20 3.24 Eph. 4.7 2 Cor. 12.4 7 11. Jer. 30.17 Isa 35.2 3. Cant. 6.8 9. Cant. 1.7 8. effecting the Spirit and Minde of Christ in them all and in some good measure enduing them with all the first mentioned spiritual gifts among them to every one some though not to all and every one alike Thus are they furnished And this may be truely said of Sion whom no Man seeketh after they are in worldly appearance made so like their Lord and there are so many Concubines though this Beloved be but one and the onely one of her Mother that for discerning her that prayer is needful Shew me where thou feedest c. and the direction there given needful and to such as do discern it it may be said as Psal 48.12 13 14. But now because these following VVitnesses that part of Sion yet below have not the Gospel and these spiritual gifts so immediately from Christ and so not in so full a measure as that they are alwayes infallibly freed from erring in every particular thing altogether in delivery of Doctrine and Ministration as the first witnesses were but as they have received their Doctrine and Ministration mediately in belief of and receiving the Doctrine and Gospel as delivered by them that are Sion now above so their preservation from error in Doctrine and Ministration is mediate likewise Prov. 6.20 23. 1 Tim. 4.15 16. 2 Tim. 3.14 17. Col. 3.16 even in heeding the Gospel received from God and Christ by them and delivered by them to us and so both the Commandment of our Father and the Law of our Mother in one to be imbraced and kept by us and so we are directed and commanded and promise of guidance given us therein And so 3. Rom. 1.16 1 Thes 2.13 They are furnished with Matter Rules Directions and Cautions in this Doctrine of the Gospel as delivered and recorded by the Apostles and which they also in believing it have in their hearts savingly working And this helpful 1. For speaking right and wholesome words in Faith and Love and to edification Pro. 22.20 21. Eccles 12.10 11. learning and comfort Rev. 19.10 2 Tim. 1.13 1 Cor. 4.6 and 14.3 2. 1 Cor. 4.6 Prov. 22.21 Rom. 15.4 Col. 2 18. For keeping measure and due order in our speakings that upon no pretence or presumption of Learning Parts Invention or Office we presume to speak of things we have not seen in the word of
works be manifold yet he is but one God he is one and so the Holy Spirit that proceedeth from the Father and the Son and discovereth Christ and God in Christ and beareth forth the Testimony though his Gifts and Operations be manifold yet the Spirit is one in the same yea the Father and Son and Holy Spirit are one and the same God one in Essence Will Design Testimony and Power and God in Christ propitious to Men and having prepared Eternal Life in Christ for Men this is the Object of Faith to be preached and believed and if this were not there could be no such thing as the Gospel calls Faith to be preached obeyed or enjoyed And this is one 2. The Grace of Faith or that believing in the Gospel that is called Faith it is that believing which is begot in the heart by the Discovery and Testimony Heb. 11.13 Joh. 6.40 Act. 6.7 Rom 3.25 10.8 9 10. the Spirit in the means he useth hath given of Christ in which a Man discerneth the Truth and Goodness testified is perswaded of it in his heart And this is one one way and manner of believing that Object of Faith and from thence it is called Faith and so truely still one Faith the Object discovered having drawn to it self a believing 3. So when through the Operation of Grace believed the Heart imbraceth the Object believed Heb. 11.13 Rom. 10.10 and so by Faith is united to it in trust and well-pleasedness c. it is still but one and the same Faith the same Object uniting to it self whence indeed it hath the name of Faith so as still Faith is one and but one II. That as Faith is used for the prevalency of the Object of Faith drawing the Hearer and Beholder to believe and so for the Grace of Faith or Believing though the Faith be one yet there are divers Degrees in and of it and divers Acts and Operarations of it 1. One Degree of Believing which in respect of the Testimony by which it is begot and which it believeth Joh. 2.23 12.42 and which if abiden in it will unite to may be called faith is yet short of a real new-birth it is such a belief of the Gospel-Testimony as according to light seen one believeth Jesus to be the Christ so far as to count his saying true and yet not so overcome by that believed to see and acknowledge his own vileness and the vanity of all his own best righteousness and his sin in not sooner believing by evidences foregiven and so see not yet the fulness and liberty in Christ for them and so are not by the knowledge of the Truth made single to Christ they are sprinkled with water and moved with Spirit but not yet born of VVater and Spirit they believe Righteousness but not yet with the heart unto Righteousness they are by the hearing of Faith so far born of God as to believe Jesus to be the Christ and confess him to be the Lord but not so far born of God as to be emptied of themselves and united to Christ and so are not yet inwardly renewed and regenerated and so though in the outward Court not yet really translated out of the Power of Darkness into the Kingdom of God's dear Son and yet even these Believers if they abide in this Faith of the Testimony of the Gospel and give heed to the plain sayings thereof Rom. 10.9 Joh. 8.30 31. and abide therein they shall be saved shall know the Truth and the Truth will make them free To say these did but pretend or seem and profess to believe and so are said to believe in respect of their seeming and prosession to believe in the judgement of Charity is too much presumption and sawciness and derogation from the Holy Ghost for the Evangelists writ this after Christ was ascended and they indued with the Holy Ghost and so writ by his inspiration so that those sayings such did believe were not the sayings of Men imperfect in knowledge and judging according to the judgement of Charity by conjecture but the sayings of the Holy Ghost that knoweth all things the Spirit of Truth that cannot erre or be deceived And he saith they believed on his Name they believed on him and who will be so proud of his VVisdom and Knowledge as to direct the Spirit of the Lord and undertake to counsel him and teach him to speak more rightly and safely and say they seemed to believe they professed to believe in the judgement of Charity they ought to be counted Believers though in the issue it appears they did not believe That which some bring to help this conceit helps it not Joh. 2.24 25. namely that Christ did not commit himself to them because he knew all Men c. for it is not said Jesus knew they believed not Gen. 6.5 8.21 or that he knew there was no truth in their believing but he knew what was in Man an evil and unfaithful disposition c. and he knew that his Words or Miracles that brought these to believe on him were not so submitted to as that their evil disposition was yet mortified and they made faithful to him and so they might have served him as he did Joh. 5.14 15. but believe the Spirit saith they did And so in the other place the Holy Ghost affirmeth That as Christ spake many believed on him Joh. 8.30 31. and that our Saviour then spake to those Jews that believed on him And again the Holy Ghost faith Among the chief Rulers many believed on him Joh. 12.42 but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him So that these were Believers and therefore so called and not called Believers because they seemed or professed to believe which the Holy Ghost saith they did not nay the praise of Men had that prevalency with them that it kept them from profession of believing though it had not so great prevalency with these as with those Joh. 5.44 whom it kept from believing or yet put them in an incapacity of it so that these pointed to did believe is evident that it was not a feigned but true believing is evident for else in continuance in it they could not be saved that they were yet short of the knowledge of the Truth c. is express that if they continued in his words received by this Faith they were even then his Disciples and they should know the Truth and the Truth should make them free is express so that here is one Degree of Faith yet short of a real New-Birth which yet abiden in is certain to be effected and was after in many of these as appears in comparing John 3.1 2 3 4 5 6 18. and John 7.50 51. with John 19.38 39 40. 2. The other Degree of believing in which by the prevalency of the Light seen Col. 1 12 13. 1 Pet. 2.3 5 9. Phil. 3.7 8 9. and Grace believed the Heart
is convinced and brought off all things to accept of and confide in Jesus and so brought out of the power of Darkness into the Kingdom of his dear Son and so by his Love believed framed to love him and that this is true Faith indeed none that I know but the deniers of Jesus to be the Christ gainsay yet is this but the farther Efficacies of the same Object of Faith beheld and so one and the same Faith still though in this degree united and made one with the Object so as it was not in the former Degree yet even in this Degree also there are divers Degrees and so some weak Joh. 2.13 14. 2 Thes 1.1 3. Rom. 3.21 22 25 26 27. Act. 6.7 2 Pet. 1.1 some stronger some stablish'd some Babes some young or strong Men some Fathers yea and in every of these Degrees some may be more grown then others and be before others yet all still in one and the same Faith and still also in this one Faith 3. There be divers Acts and Operations of this Faith 1 Thes 2.13 Act. 10.43 Gal. 2.3 5. 2 Tim. 1.7 Joh. 7.38 39. Gal. 5.22 23. Gal. 5.6 Rom. 10.10 Psal â—6 1 10. as to say a receiving Act in which is received the Word or Testimony and therein Remission of sins Justification Sanctification Liberty of access to God the Spirit of Faith Love Power and a sound Minde a springing act raising up prizings of Christ Love of God and Brethren bowels of Mercy c. a streaming Act Faith working through Love and so bringing forth the services of Love in Confession Prayers Praises Works of Mercy and Righteousness yet the Faith it self is still one and the same and so called the same the same Spirit of Faith yea when it produced Miracles 2 Cor. 4.13 Act. 4.10 11 12. the Faith was still the same though the Act extraordinary The belief of the History Rom. 10.8 9. is the belief of the Testimony of Christ which whoso believeth with his heart shall be saved and when through the Grace believed one is brought upon Christ he is justified from all sins past and in that believing receiveth continual justification Rom. 3.25 26 27. Gal. 5.7 Mat. 24.13 and if any depart from the Faith that proves temporary but he that endureth to the end shall be eternally saved the Faith it self being one still and but one Faith III. As Faith is used to express the Object of Faith Heb. 1.1 so it hath been reyealed for the full and cleer Demonstration of it at divers times and by divers parcels and degrees and at last fully and cleerly by Jesus Christ and yet that Object of Faith still one and the same each Revelation agreeing with and opening the former and so still one as hath been shewn in this whole third Part of the Treatise And because there is no Faith by the Holy Spirit called Faith but that which by his Discovery of this Object is drawn towards it in believing that the Believer might so be united to it Therefore the Faith is one yea and this Demonstration to lead us into unity because as it unites Believers in one Foundation to one Head so it makes them of one Heart and Fellowship Eph. 4.4 For there is one Body that is one Mystical Body or Corporation Fellowship and Society though the Members of this Corporation and their Offices be many yet the Corporation and Society in Faith Love and Fellowship of their Priviledges is one and all bear one Name 1 Cor. 12.12 20. Eph. 2.19 22. 1 Joh. 1.3 Cant. 6.9 Gal. 3.16 29. Hos 11.1 Rom. 8.17 Gal. 3.36 Eph. 4.4 1 Joh. 5.6 Joh. 15.26 Eph. 2.17 18. 1 Cor. 12.13 1 Cor. 2.16 Eph. 4.4 sa 45.22 Joh. 3.14 16. 2 Thes 2.14 Eph. 1.18 Eph. 4.5 Rom. 10.6 15. 1 Pet. 1.20 21. 2 Thes 1.10 Joh. 1.12 13. Eph. 4.5 the Name of Christ being called Christians And so there is but one true Church and Sanctuary that is united to Christ and shall be in and with him for ever and by vertue of their Union with Christ they are all in respect of kinde one Seed and one Son though in respect of their several particular Persons Heirs Children and Sons of God by Faith And as there is One Body so there is in it One Spirit even the Spirit of the Father and the Son that beareth forth the Testimony of Christ and enables to believe in Christ and brings to God by Christ and into this Fellowship working the Minde of Christ and so called the Spirit of Faith by whom all he calleth and so all Believers are called in One Hope of their calling The same Grace proclaimed The same looking and believing required and for the same end To be saved and to the same Hope in believing even the obtaining Eternal Life and Glory and so One Lord even the Lord Jesus Christ in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth bodily and so One Faith as one Object so one Manner of believing which is Faith indeed that is produced by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel and closeth with Christ the Object of Faith and so also One Baptism one kinde and end of the gracious Operation of the Holy Spirit in Baptizing into Christ and through his Name by all the Mediums of baptizing 1 Cor. 12.12 13. Rom. 6.3 6. Gal. 3.26 27 28. called also Baptisms into conformity to Christ in his Death that they may partake of the vertue of his Resurrection and so into the Fellowship of his body drinking into one Spirit and so becoming of one minde and that the minne of Christ the Son of God even as also there is 1 Cor. 6.11 Phil. 2.1 2 5. Eph. 4.6 Eph. 1.3 17. 1 Cor. 2.6 Mat. 10.40 Rom. 16.20 25 26. 1 Pet. 5.10 â— Psa 138.8 One God and Father of all who is above all and through al and in them all that are Believers he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and in him and shmes forth his Glory through him that Men might believe and so in and through him he is the Father of all that believe in Christ and above all able to overthrow all their Enemies and Opposers and to perfect all that concerneth them all so as all flows from and leads into Union and this Union of the Spirit bringing into the Union of the acknowledgement of the Son of God is that which the Spirit teacheth and to which all the Degrees and Operations tendeth whence we are exhorted to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace 2 Cor 114. Gal. 1.6 7 8. and so but one Faith which the Gospel calleth Faith and he that would finde out another Faith really true and holy in its kinde must first finde out another true Body that is the Church another Spirit another Jesus to be the Christ another Gospel and another Hope to call to and another God all real true and holy in their
kinde which is altogether impossible for any to do so that there can be but one Faith that is really true and holy in its kinde IV. Rom. 16.25 26. Eph. 3.3 9. 2 Cor. 3.12 14. That the fullest and cleâ—rest Revelation of the Mystery of Faith is that given immediately by Christ himself and left upon Record by his Apost es and Evangelists and so the cleering up of all the former Revelations and the sense and meaning of the Prophets is most cleerly and in plain Words to be sound in their Writings and so the Gospel as delivered by them because of the abundance and plainness of Truth and fulness of spiritual Evidence in it is truely and indeed and so called Rom. 1.16 17. The Power of God unto Salvation to bring every one that believeth c. for therein is the Righteousness of God not any deceit or fable or pretence equivocation or falshood but the Righteousness of God in his Words saying or mises revealed not hinted in parabolical and cloking terms but revealed opened brought to light from Faith to Faith from one Revelation of Christ the Object of Faith to another and so to another more cleer from assuring him to come suffer to assure him to be already come and to have suffered and to come again in Glory from Faith in him being so come from believing in him through Types Shadows Prophecies to believing in him now from a cleer Demonstration of his having compleated Righteousness and the Father's face shining in him and so now and from believing this Testimony of him to confiding in him and so from one Degree of Faith to another till he come to Vision and yet all the way one Faith still as it is the same strength encreasing in them in which they are said to go from strength to strength till they appear in Sion and so the Just shall live by Faith Psal 84.7 And here we have the fullest and plainest Revelation of it And so we are to heed all and none but those Purposes Promises and Covenant of God which are set forth in this Testimony and Revelation Christ An Explicite Declaration of the Testimony of Christ c. PART IV. CHAP. I. Of the Purpose of God in general THE Eternal and Immutable Will of God Psal 33.11 Isa 14 24 26 27. Eccles 3.14 or his Decree and Purpose concerning all that in his infinite Wisdom Soveraignty and Goodness he hath freely purposed to do hath in his seasons from the beginning now doth and for ever shall take place and be done even so as he hath purposed and no power of Creatures can or shall hinder the same yea none can alter it or add thereto or take therefrom And it must needs be so for he is of one Minde Job 23.13 14. Psal 119.90 91. 103.19 66.7 Deut. 29.29 and none can turn him and his Word is established for ever in Heaven and his Kingdom ruleth over all and he ruleth by his power for ever and all are his Servants yet of this his Will Decree and Purpose in respect of the particulars no more belongs to us to search into then himself hath revealed to us but what he hath revealed by his Work in which his Purposes are brought forth Eph. 1.11 for he worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will so that in the event as things are indeed done we may so far know his Decree and Purpose Psal 39.9 118.23 126. and so far to know the same is of good use for us and likewise what he hath revealed in his holy Word of his Decree and Purpose concerning those things that are already done and those things that he will yet now and hereafter do which Word of his is as himself true from the beginning Psal 119 140 160. Prov. 8.6 7 8. Joh. 17.17 Pro. 22.20 21. Ecclis 12.10 and being breathed forth by his Spirit is the most cleer declarer of his Decree and Purposes his Word being pure and without any wreathedness yea the Truth and therefore written that we might know the certainty of the Words of Truth and that which is written is upright even Words of Truth And according to the discovery of the Decrees and Purposes of God in his holy written Word and by his Works they are to be heeded and believed by us as true certain and good and of good usefulness to us and other imaginations and devices by whomsoever Isa 8.20 and how appearingly goodly soever we are not to heed believe or own Now then the Purpose of God which in respect of the things purposed are called Purposes that I am to treat of are Isa 49.20 Job 27.12 Isa 25. 1. Psal 2.6 148.6 Job 14.5 26.10 28.26 Prov. 8.29 Jer. 5.22 That or those about the Eternal Salvation or Damnation of Men which by these two the Word and the Works of God are revealed to us which though the Will and Purpose of God be one yet in respect of the things willed purposed and decreed are called Many and so Purposes of which is here to be spoken these being all ordered and set in that one Will Counsel Purpose and Decree of his that we are to know and believe hereof is that which by his Word and Works is revealed to us whether in terms of Counsel Will Purposes or Decrees all which terms signifie the same thing and so to begin with that which prepares to the right understanding of all and then so to proceed as by Word and Works we are led we finde 1. Prov. 8.22 23 24 25 26 30. That the Purpose of God was in the first place To exalt his only begotten Son The Word The Wisdom of God equal with God to shew forth his Glory through him and by him bring forth all his glorious Works to glorifie him with his own self to establish him the supream Lord and Governour of all in his own person and all this freely before any view or consideration of any his following Works as moving causes thereto And this he did to his Son the Word Joh. 1.1 2 3. Col. 1.15 16 17. Heb 1.2 3. Joh. 17.5 Phil. 2.6 Rom. 11.36 and so he was possessed in the beginning of his way and exalted from everlasting and brought forth before all things one with the Father in all his Decrees glorified with the Father 's own self and by and for and to him were all things decreed and made that are decreed and made Now in the Son of God The Word The Wisdom The Power of God in this consideration as thus purposed and exalted it was peculiar to his Person as the Son of God onely and there was not in him the Nature of Man in this consideration nor any one of Mankinde elected or purposed to be elected in him into Union and Fellowship and Conformity with him in this Prerogative and Glory in which he was equal with the Father no Scripture
of my bowels Which shews plainly both that he was one with the Father in this Prov. 8.29 30 31 as in all other his Decrees and Purposes and also that he did accept to undertake and do the same as his own words verifie Psal 40.7 Lo I come rendered by the Apostle Heb. 10.7 8 9 Heb. 10.7 Lo I come to do thy will O God and then opened descanted and pressed again From which Will of God of the Father and Christ his oneness in the same the vertue of his Sacrifice is affirmed to be Heb. 10.10 12 14 and to have been from the beginning vertuous and prevalent with God for Men and with and in all that believe in him And as in order to the performance of this his Will concerning and for Mankinde he in his Purpose prepared and gave him a Body so as he might be truely and verily man and the Son of Man and so capable of suffering for Man having right as a Kinsman and fitness as having the Nature of Man to undertake and do the whole business of Mankinde Rom. 5.14 18 being according to this his Father's Purpose a perfect and publick Man yea the Word and Son of God made Man and so having the Divine and the Humane Nature in one Person and so one with the Father and one with Man a fit Mediator between God and Man to deal with God for Man and with Man in the behalf of God and so the digging or opening of the Ear Joh 33.16 17 24 as it signifieth in Men the fitting and preparing for obedience to that which God calleth to that they may obey so in respect of Christ it signifieth the giving him and fitting him with such a Body as in which he might have capacity and fitness to suffer and do his Will which being given him Isa 50.5 6 Psa 40.6 7 he was not rebellious nor did draw back but being one with his Father in his will and love to Man he accepted and delighted to do the same and so the Spirit by the Apostle teacheth us to understand it who knowing that to be the meaning cites that very Text according to the Translation then extant and known A body hast thou fitted or prepared me Heb. 10.5 And that he might do his Will in that very Body he in this Purpose 2. Purposed concerning the Man Christ the second publick Man first an Abasement of him secondly by vertue thereof an Exaltation 1. He purposed and decreed an Abasement of him for Mankinde Gal. 4.4 as that he should be made under the Law for Men and though without sin yet to have on him all the infirmities of the Nature of Man Rom. 8.3 which befel it for sin meerly through the Fall and so though true and sinless flesh yet in the similitude of finful flesh 2 Cor. 5.14 15 2 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9 Eph. 2.13 Heb. 9.14 7.27 See Part 2. ch 7. Luke 24.26 46 Mat. 26.24 Isa 53.2 7 Psa 22.6 11 18 Act. 2.23 and so that he in the stead of and for all Mankinde should die that death yea all that death in the ignominy and pain of it yea suffer the Curse in it which was due to Mankinde for the first offence and all the sins that necessarily flow from it and which the Law on that account can charge Men with and also make such full satisfaction and such a vertuous Atonement by his Blood as by it even following sins against himself might in his way be taken away and freely forgiven All which he hath done as was fore-purposed and fore-written of him and because of the certainty of God's Purpose and his being one with God in that Decree having accepted to do it it is spoken of before the actual and visible performance as done and when manifestly performed he is said truely to go as it is written of him and to be delivered thus to suffer by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God so his Abasement was according to Purpose 2. Psa 16.10 11 Isa 5.3.8 Act. 2.25 33 13.29 33 37 Psa 68.18 47.5 Luke 24.52 Heb. 10.12 13 8.1 1 Pet. 3.22 Col. 2.9 10 Joh. 17.5 Psal 20.3 4 110.1 He purposed and decreed the Exaltation of him in that personal Body in which he was so willingly abased and this Exaltation to be in his Resurrection and in his Ascension into Heaven and in the acceptation of his Sacrifice for all that for which he offered it and so filling him with the immeasurable fulness of the Spirit even glorifying him with his own self so that the fulness of the Godhead dwells in him bodily and he set at the right Hand of God in all Power and Authority Angels Authorities and Powers being made subject to him and all this now done as was fore-purposed 3. God in Approbation of all this his own Purpose and of his Son becoming the Son of Man and suffering and doing all this for Mankinde and in his own well-pleasedness in his Son in Man's Nature thus exalted the heavenly and spiritual Man the Lord the quickning Spirit He in this Purpose did also purpose to elect and chuse and so did and hath elected and chosen him to be and so made him his Servant or Minister by whom he will do all his choice works of saving and judging yea Isa 42.1 Mat. 12.18 3.17 17.3 Psa 89.19 20.28 his delight in whom he takes his rest and well-pleasedness for ever yea the very he in whom and through whom he will shew forth the brightness and excellency of his Glory and with whom his Covenant stands fast for evermore And so in this Purpose and choice of his and by the vertue of his sufferings and Sacrifice and by reason of and in and with alâ—â—â—â—hs Furniture he hath fitted and made him to be and so 4. He hath purposed and according to Purpose confirmed him to be 1. The Lord of all even of the Devils and fallen Angels as his Captives and Slaves Act. 2.36 10.36 Mat. 4.3 11 Heb. 2.14 Col. 2.25 Eph. 4.8 Heb. 1.3 4 5 6 7 13 14 Rom. 14.7 8 9 1 Cor. 6.20 2 Cor. 5.14 15 Rom. 2.16 2 Pet. 2.1 John 3.16 by vertue of his Conquest and Victory over them in the Nature of Man whom they had overthrown and by conquering death which they brought Man under yea by reason of the transcendent excellency of his Person and his Work and Office even Lord of the holy Angels also but Lord over all Mankinde by vertue of his Death suffered and his Resurrection and his Sacrifice offered for them so as they are all released over to him who in his time will bring them out of that Death he died for them and shall judge them for they are his and ought of right to live to him which if according to the Grace he extendeth to them they do they shall not perish in another death but have everlasting life 2. The
who hath declared the Father's Name Psal 22.22 Heb. 2.11 12. Ioh. 1.18 17.6 Psal 18.49 with Rom. 15.9 and so calleth all to look to him and come to him and be saved for in and by him the peace is made the price is payed and all fulness and perfection of Furniture is in him for every Man in him dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily in him is life yea in him God hath given us Eternal Life and in him it is in him are all the Treasures of Wisdom and Understanding yea the fulness of Spirit to shew forth the same yea in his appearance presence or face as in the Glass of the Gospel presented the Face of the Father shineth and in that shine the Divine Power and Spirit goeth forth to draw the Beholders to desire after and believe in him and to confirm the Believers while beholding him and conform Believers to him so that the Father's Name for Goodness Power Excellency c. is in and upon him he is the brightness of his Glory 3. That God in his Purpose hath appointed and approved this to be the way to call and bring in a Seed to Christ namely to declare his Name and set him forth as the Holy Ghost hath testified of him and left that Record in the Gospel and so to preach him the Saviour of the VVorld the only Rock Foundation the VVisdom of God the Beloved of God See this in Part 2. chap. 10. c. 11. and Lover of Men c. as is foreshewn And thus of his Purpose and in that his Purposes concerning the Man Jesus Christ from which known and believed we may learn 1. Rom. 1.2 5 16.25 26 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3 1 Pet. 1.20 21 Eph. 3.3 9 â— That the Gospel in the whole Testimony of Jesus Christ it is in that which he is become and hath done according to the Purpose of God now manifested according to the Revelation of the mystery so as the Gospel is the Revelation of the Purpose of God 2. Prov. 8.4 9 22.20 21 1 Tim. 2.6 7 Prov. 26.23 26 That the Gospel in all the Sayings and Promises of it is really true and true to all to whom it 's declared there is no wreathedness or equivocation no Declaration or pretence of Love no tender of Mercy to any but what is really true no fair words with an inward covered hatred which God abhorreth but all Truth even that which is in 2 Cor. 1.18 19 20 21 2 Pet. 1.16 and came forth of the Bosome and Heart of the Almighty God of Truth it being the opening of his Will and Purpose 3. That the Purposes of God beginning in his Son Luke 1.70 2 Pet. 1.20 21 and being through and for his Son and so made known by him they all as revealed and written in the Holy Scriptures are all and altogether true like himself his own Minde and in that manner to be performed being all the Breathings of his own Spirit by the Mouth of his Holy Prophets and so there is no secret or unrevealed Purpose in God that is in any wise contrary to those he hath revealed 4. That Purpose and Approbation of that purposed Isa 42.1 1 Pet. 1.1 2 and so Election are distinct and Purpose in order first though they meet in one 5. That Jesus Christ even as the spiritual Man that died and is risen and exalted at the right Hand of God Col. 1.15 19 is the first and choice Elect in order and manner of choice before and above all others and no other but in and by him 1. He had his Being in and with the Father even from Eternity Joh. 1.1 2 Pro. 8 22 Col. 1 17 18 and the Lord possessed him in the beginning of his way he is before all things but that Being of his and the Glory he had with the Father was incommunicable to Mankinde yea without his taking Man's Nature Heb. 2.7 12. and the consideration of his Abasement and Exaltation in that Nature the Excellencies and Priviledges thereof was incommunicable to fallen Mankinde and he as Man is God's first Elect Isa 42.1 Eph. 1.3 4 and without that could none be elected in him and had any been otherwise fore-elected in him he would without doubt have kept them and so must have laid aside their Glory when he laid aside his own which I suppose none will say he did nor that any were in him as he gave his life for the World and so Redeemers with him 2. He was one with the Father and with him in his being Prov. 8.22.31 and in all his Purposes and Decrees and Ways and so in the Election of himself as the second publick Man his first-begotten Son c. I hope none will affirm or conceit the like of any other elect ones 3. Psal 40.6 7 Heb. 10.5 10 Isa 42.1 He accepted the Fathers appointment of him to suffer and sacrifice and do all his will which being accepted of him by the Father was vertuous from the beginning and so he as the spiritual Man was approved of God and being pre-approved was also in that sense elected before the beginning of the World but so and on such account was no other besides him elected 4. The actual and visible election of him was begun in his birth perfected through sufferings Luke 1.35 Heb. 2.10 8.1 Joh. 1.13 16 17 Eph. 1.3 and compleated in his exaltation at the right hand of God and so filled with all fulness of Grace Truth and spiritual blessings and the blessed election of others is in him thus considered 5. Psa 89.19 Deut. 18.15 18 Joh. 8.23 15.19 He was chosen from among Men being made Man and born of a Woman but he was not chosen out of the World of which he never was but others that come to be chosen in and by him are chosen out of the VVorld of which they sometime and in some sense were 6. Joh. 15.16 He was chosen in and by no other Man but all other Men that are chosen are chosen in and by him all these things are shewn in that foresaid By all which it appears he is the first prime and choice elect and the fountain medium and root of election for others 6. Joh. 1.18 1 Joh. 5.20 Mat. 7.27 That no man of us can rightly understand and know the Purpose and in it the Purposes of God or his election of any in Christ but by first knowing Christ and the purposes of God concerning him and God's election of him all right knowing of God being in knowing of Christ and so all right knowing of his Purposes and Election in the knowledge of his Purposes concerning Christ and his election of him Ch. 2. before as appears in all foresaid And according to this knowledge with the Cautions fore-premised I will proceed to speak of his Purposes concerning Mankinde as included and ordered in this great Purpose and
they might be saved namely That men according to the means light vouchsafed Vers 17 Vers 14 15 might believe in him for our Saviour speaks both to Nicodemus a man to whom means was extended and of others as means should be extended to them And then in plain terms he farther opens and affirms the will and purpose of God to be That whoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life but he that believeth not namely Vers 15 16 when this light in the means is vouchsafed to him is condemned already namely in the tenour of the Gospel-Declaration Joh. 12.47 48. 15.22 and even for this condemned because he hath not believed in the Name of the onely begotten Son of God Vers 18 Vers 14 15 16 17 which hath been displayed to him in the Gospel and this is evident in that which follows And this is the condemnation That light is come into the world Vers 19 and men loved darkness rather then light because their deeds were evil This is the sin for which and that which shall be laid to their charge as that for which they shall be even so condemned and if not now taken that they might repent yet hereafter the same Spirit in this Gospel shall convince them of sin Joh. 16.7 8 9 because they believed not on Christ so as if they persist in refusing his words Joh. 12.48 Rom. 2.16 and to believe in him the word or Gospel preached to them shall judge them at the last day when Christ will judge them according to the Gospel when he will be admired in his Saints that in this Day of Grace have believed the Testimony of him and the rest that by the means he used 2 Thes 1.7 8 9 10. have not known God in his gracious Minde nor obeyed the Gospel shall perish from his presence And to conclude this point our Saviour in giving commission to his Apostles to preach the Gospel to every Creature tells them plainly the purpose and will of his Father and himself Mar. 16.15.16 saying He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Nothing can be said more plain and full And thus have we this Will and Purpose of God revealed in the Scripture and cleerly opened and revealed by the Son of God Joh. 1.18 Joh. 15.15 17.6 8 that is in the bosome of the Father and knows his Minde and Secrets and in this hath so cleerly declared him and made known his Father's Name Words and Counsel to his first Witnesses and shall not we believe God's Son As for that saying of Mr. Owen's P. 53. Sect. 10.1 That conditional promises or threats are not declarative of God's purposes concerning persons but of his moral approbation or rejection of things it cannot turn us out of our way in this for our Saviour was not setting out a conditional promise or threat to Nicodemus but the general Doctrine of the Gospel Joh. 3.14 15 16 17 18 19 Mar. 15.16 therein the will and purpose of God in means extended concerning all Men and so declares the same in his commission giving to his Apostles yea here all along in every Scripture alledged it is cleer he speaks directly of persons for they speak not in these terms Blessing hearing believing and obeying shall be accepted which yet were very strange if they should be accepted and not the person so blessing hearing believing obeying nor are the terms cursing not hearkning not believing c. shall be rejected and condemned which yet how that may be and the person guilty not repenting saved is a riddle as for any approbation or rejection in and by God of these things that is not Divine I say nothing But if promises or threats be understood in the terms they are given forth by God That Repentance Faith and Obedience called for should be morally by God approved and the person repenting believing and obeying damned or that such as heed neither promises nor threats but persist in impenitency unbelief and disobedience should have their impenitency unbelief and disobedience morally rejected by God and yet be in their own persons without any repentance c. saved I loath to believe and I think Mr. Owen would hate to perswade any I wish none for fear of being conquered by Truth would devise such expressions so Scriptureless See Part 1. ch 7. as are apt to take off the edge and force of all such promises and threats for the end for which they are given in the hearts of all that heed such expressions whose tendency is to wave Men from believing the verity of the plain import of Scripture to which with this expression it 's contrary as to the rule and his own sayings But some may say All this while you have told us of no purpose of God concerning the persons of Mankinde who shall certainly believe and who shall not believe To which I answer I finde no such purpose revealed in the Scripture concerning the Sons of Adam as Adam's Sons but those purposes of God I finde revealed in Scripture I know to have come forth of the bosome of God who is of one minde and I also know that there is no purpose in his bosome contrary to that which he hath revealed and a purpose of some Men as Adam's Sons meerly considered as such and fallen would be and a purpose of some as such That they shall not believe would be cross to the will of God revealed in the Gospel Nor could I ever finde any the acutest wits that ever could either finde out such purposes or expressions in the Scripture importing a probability of it nor can they tell the persons who are under such purposes as for their term Elect it hath been and will again be fully shewn how it 's abused and wrested to such an end yet of the Sons of Adam under some consideration who his purpose is shall believe and who not after Caution given I shall endeavour to shew The Caution I desire to be heeded is this Caution That for the Sons of Men as that is true which is affirmed of them in the two publick Men Rom. 5.12 18. and that by Christ being made under the Law Gal. 3.13 4.4 Rom. 2.16 and a curse for them they are redeemed from the curse of the Law and shall not be judged by it but according to the Gospel by Christ so for those of them that die or depart this life before they come to the use of understanding and so have not sinned against their Redeemer by refusing any means nor mis-believed or chosen any Idol So actual believing is not required of them Mat. 25.25 26 18.3 6 19.14 Mar. 9.36 37 nor will he that looks not to gather where he hath not sown impute unbelief to them and if not that then no sin that can bring them under a Gospel-Condemnation and so by
Branches of his Purpose compared with that said in the second Chapter of this fourth part in the Cautions there given But now because we read of many that depart from the Faith some may desire to know what his Purposes are concerning such as are once brought to believe who of them shall be eternally saved and who not To which a short answer might serve Joh. 3.16 Heb. 11.13 2 Pet. 2.20.21 That no unfeigned Believer shall perish but have everlasting life and so all that live and die in the Faith shall be eternally saved only those that fall from their Faith and die in unbelief shall be eternally damned which is a true full answer but it will not satisfie all that enquire I shall therefore endeavour to set forth the Purpose of God concerning these as set forth and explicated in Scripture concerning these who are once brought to believe and in that sense called Believers and so let the term be understood CHAP. 5. Of the Purposes of God concerning Believers BY Believers I mean not such as onely feign pretend and profess themselves to believe and do not nor doth the Scripture anywhere call any upon that account Believers but Hypocrites But as in Scripture-account so by Believers I mean such as do indeed in some measure believe the word or Testimony of Christ and so though that Testimony be but one and Faith one and but one true believing yet of those that do indeed believe the same Testimony confess the same Faith I finde two sorts of Believers as is before shewn at large First See Part 3. ch 17. such as in hearing and minding the Testimony of Christ do indeed believe it to be true and good but are not yet prevailed with and overcome by that believed as to part with all other designs and confidences for life and to believe on Christ for all promised c. as foreshewn Now the Purpose of God concerning these is That they continuing in his Word that is in belief and minding his word they have heard and believed Joh. 8.30 31 attending it and beholding him as discovered therein in which they are his Disciples indeed that is such as he teacheth and do begin to learn of him Joh. 10.26 27 Joh. 8.32 33 36 and so are the Sheep of his Ministration they shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make them free which as yet appears in the following Verses was wanting to them This said Jesus that was in the bosome of the Father and spake nothing but what the Father gave him to speak and so declared nothing about this but what was in Truth the real Minde and Purpose of his Father and himself yea this suits with that declared by the Prophet and this is affirmed to be the End and so the Purpose of God in sending forth his Son the Saviour of the world Isa 45.22 Luk. â— 60 69 70 71 76 77 Joh. 3.14 15 16 17 5.34 Mar. 1 â— 15 16 Act. 10.43 and declaring him in the Ministration of the Gospel And thus hath Christ spoken since concerning every one that believeth the Testimony of the Gospel He shall be saved and by his Spirit in all his Prophets and Apostles Such shall receive Remission of sins they shall be saved he doth not so express it as affirming of them all that which may be affirmed of some even as many as believe with the Heart unto Righteousness Rom. 10.9 Rom. 10.10 1 Cor. 1.18 2 Cor. 2.15 Eph. 2.5 2 Tim. 1.9 and confess with the Mouth unto Salvation that they are saved Neither doth this hinder this understanding of this phrase That there is for these saved Ones a continued saving in preserving them from error in Judgement and Life in the believing remembrance of this Testimony in which they shall be so saved 1 Cor. 15.1 2 3 4 and a compleat Salvation with which they shall be saved after they have endured to the end inasmuch as in respect of the begun Salvation they are already saved and so affirmed to be which our Saviour saith Mat. 24.13 1 Cor. 6.11 Col. 1.12 13 was yet wanting to these Believers he spake to Joh. 8 30-36 Nor can this said of this Purpose be waved off with this That here is no more said to these Believers then to all unbelievers and mis-believers of whom also it is said his sending forth of Christ in the Ministration of the Gospel is That they might be saved and that also in looking to him Joh. 2.14 17 5.34 Act. 26.18 Isa 45.22 and believing on him they shall be saved All which is true and yet not all said to these Believers for unbelievers and mis-believers are not entring the way of Salvation nor anywhere said to believe in his Name or believe in him so far as to believe the Testimony of him true and good and so it 's never said to them If you continue in your minde or way that is in your unbelief or mis-belief ye shall be saved but the very contrary Nor is it said Joh. 3.36 8.24 If they continue in his words for if they have not rejected them yet they have not received them in believing though it may be in memory to abuse and make ill use of But these spoke of Joh. 12.47 48 15.20 Mat. 26.61 believed his Words and in believing had so received them that our Saviour saith If ye continue in my words ye are my Disciples indeed and ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free and elsewhere shall be saved which yet they were not and if the Word of Faith they believed though yet they saw not all that was in it were not true and saving or if their believing were not true and of a saving Nature such as though yet it had not would in continuance drink in more saving efficacies then by cotinuance therein they could no more be saved then by continuance in unbelief or mis-belief but our Saviour affirms of these Believers If they continue in his words they believed they should be saved In which saying he hath plainly asserted the Minde and Purpose of God concerning such and that there are many Believers in the outward Court of the Church that yet are no farther wrought on then these is evident enough probable also such were in the outward Court in the first and choice times by that phrase Act. 2.47 The Lord added to the Church dayly such as should be saved it 's neither said Such as were saved nor such as against all contradiction shall infallibly be eternally saved but such as should be saved that is according to our Saviour's Doctrine continuing in his words they had believed and of these added Ones we read of two notable Ones among them Act. 5.1 10 that miscarried for want of heeding the Word testified by the Holy Ghost and for this cause because the Devil knows That when the Word is come into the Heart
Truth Joh. 12.47 48. 2 Thes 1.10 yet nevertheless the Truth standeth firm and will one Day judge these Apostates and justifie such as believe in him So that by this opposition it cleerly appears he means Christ to be the Foundation 3. This also appears in the Words themselves with their Order and several Branches and Distinctions let them be every one considered 1. Isa 28.16 Psa 18.22 Mat. 21.4 1 Pet. 2.6 Act. 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 3.11 The Foundation of God standeth sure Is not this plain in Scripture-Language to be the Foundation God purposed and promised to lay in Sion which Purpose and Promise was before the laying of it and now according to Purpose and Promise he hath laid it and Jesus Christ expresly affirmed to be this Foundation the Love and Wisdom of God in his will found out and purposed this Foundation and according to his Purpose his Hand hath laid this Foundation and hath declared his Purpose of saving all that in believing are by Faith built on him who onely is the Foundation and there is no other The knowledge of this Foundation and so of the Love and Purpose of God according to which he is laid meet us with bands of Love to draw to him and fasten upon him or if declined to return to him that is so sure immovable and precious a Foundation And this cleer-here that none needed have imagined another nor feigned the Purpose to be the Foundation but to proceed 2. Having this seal This is plain This Foundation hath a Seal on it an evident and known Seal it is a sealed Foundation and so the Seal is distinct though not divided from the Foundation it is in it and upon it even that by which it is marked out to be known and to be sure and stedfast even that which God hath appointed and sealed in which Seal also is the sealing and approbation of all that through believing come to be built on him So that it is a demonstrating living quickning and confirming Seal and so Christ the Foundation was sealed approved testified and confirmed both by voice and works to be The Christ Isa 28.16 Mat. 3.17 17.5 Joh. 5.37 Joh. 6.27 Isa 55.4 1 Cor. 2.2 Isa 42.4 Rom. 8.28 8.2 Isa 28.16 8.16 51.4 2 Cor. 1.22 5.14 Eph. 1.13 Isa 2.3.4 Mic. 4.2 3 Isa 8.20 14 15 16. 28.9 16. 29.11 12. 42.21 49.6 13.47 Mat. 5.14 15. Phil. 2.15 16. Joh. 1.4 7 9. 5.35 Isa 44.26 Heb. 2.3 4. The Son of God that precious tried Stone laid for a Foundation and upon this ground he exhorteth to seek of him the Bread that endureth to Eternal Life which he will give to such as come to him for it because or for him hath God the Father fealed yea he being given as the VVitness or Testimony of God's Will Love Purpose and Faithfulness and so preached by the Apostles and for the Law which the Apostle calls The Law of Faith The Law of the Spirit of Life This the Foundation laid in Sion The Law and Testimony bound and sealed up among the Disciples of Christ The Law proceeding out of his Mouth and he doth therewith so seal those that believe in him that he indues them with his own Spirit operating in them so that the same Law and Testimony goeth forth from them to others And this is the Law and the Testimony to which we are to resort for the knowledge of all Truth though because of its crying down all flesh and the reproach it is in in the World and among the Children of the Bond-woman in the Church it is to them as a book pretended by the Learned to be sealed and by the unlearned to be out of their ability to read yet with Christ and in him the Lord is well pleased yea and for his sake with all that believe in him and will magnifie the Law and make it honourable yea he hath given him for a light to the Gentiles and to be his Salvation to the ends of the earth yea he will confirm and hath confirmed the same in making those that believe in him the light of the VVorld in holding forth the VVord of Life and bearing witness of him the true light and he will confirm the Testimony delivered by his Servants yea he hath abundantly confirmed this Testimony already Eph. 2.20 21 22. so that Jesus Christ as set forth in the Testimony of the Gospel he is the Foundation laid by God and ministerially by the Apostles even that Foundation on which the Apostles and Prophets yea the whole Church both of Jews and Gentiles are built and by whom as the Corner-Stone they are united in one and there is no other Foundation but this And this Foundation is sealed and hath the Seal on it which will be sealing all that come to be built on it so that hitherto even by this Word having this Seal We are led to own Jesus Christ for the Foundation on which the Seal abideth Now let us consider what this Seal is and that also is express 3. That Lord knoweth them that are his This is plain the Apostle delivereth not this the Lord knoweth them that are his as the Foundation which by his manner of delivery appears to be some distinct thing forelayed yea even before sealed but distinctly plainly and expresly as the Seal on the Foundation which it alwayes hath on and with it and that is this The Lord knoweth them that are his View the words in their own simplicity according to Gospel-Language and it will appear plainly That The Lord is the Name frequently throughout the Gospel as now come forth given to Christ a Act. 2.36 10.36 9.17 29. 11.16 16.31 20.35 Rom. 14.9 1 Cor. 1 2. 8.6 2 Cor. 1 2. 13.14 Gal. 1.3 6.18 c. but if any will take it for God the Father it will come to the same for the Father and the Son are both one and the same God b Joh. 2.1 2 one in divine Essence and in VVill and Design and in Testimony and Working c Joh. 10.29 30. 1 Joh. 5.7 Joh. 5.17.19 22 23. 14.6 10. 16.14 15. Heb. 1.3 yea the Father doth nothing but the Son doth the same yea he doth all by the Son that all Men might honor the Son as they honor the Father nor can any come to the Father but by the Son and all that is the Father's is the Son 's and through him his glory appeareth The Lord knoweth This Word is more then seeth discerneth and so knoweth Joh. 2.24 25. 16.30 Dan. 2.22 Isa 66.18 Luk. 16.15 Deut. 31.21 2 King 19.27 Isa 37.28 Jer. 48.30 Psa 138.6 139.1 5. for so God yea God in Christ and so Christ knoweth all things yea he knoweth what is in the darkness though onely the light dwelleth with him he knoweth the hearts of all Men even the worst of Men also yea
in the Gospel beware of Evah's desire of knowledge but if we would know mysteries Rom. 1.16 1 Thess 2.13 minde well and believe fiâ—â—ly the Declaration of the Gospel and that believed with the heart as the Word of the God of Truth will enlighten and work effectually in us yea if that be so heeded as the very discovery of the Minde Heart and Purpose of God to such unworthy Ones as we what appearances of divine Love what excellencies what depths of understanding and knowledge what supernatural shines divine streams spiritual operations in melting renewing heart-rejoycing yea what nighness approach to God what fellowship with Father and Son and with Prophets and Apostles yea what hope and heavenly riches is to be met with through the Spirit in belief of this Testimony will not be believed without some experiment in the Declarations of well-grown and experimented Believers much less in the scanty Declaration of such a one as I therefore I forbear that Declaration knowing that when any do come heartily to believe the Gospel-Testimony of Christ they will experiment so much that they will confess As they have heard they have found but withall they think the half was not told them and then they will see enough in the Purpose of God as revealed for them to know and this may be farther said That the Purposes of God as revealed in the Gospel are such as are meet and forcible if believed to draw unbelievers to believe to confirm weak Believers in the Faith and to make valiant the strong All which things hath been before shewn and proved An Explicite Declaration of the Testimony of Christ c. PART V. CHAP. I. Of the Promises of God in the behalf of Mankinde THe Promises of God Psal 12.5 6 7. 2 Cor. 1.20 are true pure and certain to be performed according to the terms of his Word and Promise they are like his Purposes yea the Declarers of his Purposes and so Yea and Amen in Christ And those I am now to take view of are those which have their tendency toward the Salvation of Mankinde out of the death he fell into by the first Adam and the Justification and eternal Salvation of Believers And these I shall view in three Heads or Branches first Those done secondly also in doing thirdly those remaining to be done The first Head or Branch of Promises is of those things that are truly most Gen. 3.15 with 2 Joh. 3.5 Gen. 22.18 with Gal. 3.16 Isa 42.1 7. 49.6 and all in some sense done and performed and these are of two sorts I name the later first because first made known to Man that is 1. To Mankinde for giving and sending a Saviour 2. To Christ the Saviour upon his oneness of Will and Minde with the Father in his undertaking to be the Saviour and to save according to the Will and Minde of the Father 5.3 4 10. with Joh. 3.16 17. 1 Joh. 4.14 Act. 13.47 and these are also both in plain and express Promises and also certainly intimated in the Curse and Threats on the Serpent and Serpentine Seed the Enemies of the Salvation of Mankinde and of the Peace and Prosperity of the Church the Seed of Christ the Seed of the Woman 1. The Promises to Mankinde for giving and sending a Saviour even Christ that he should be a very Man of the Seed of the Woman Emmanuel God with us that he should come of Abraham and blessing be in him for all Nations that he should die and rise and offer the Propitiatory Sacrifice and make Atonement for the sins of Men and be filled with Spirit so as he shall be God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth even the Saviour of the VVorld that whoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting Life which things are before explained in the Purposes of God of which the Promises are the Discoverers And these Promises are fulfilled Act. 13.31 32.33 Rom. 8.32 and he that verily believeth God to have fulfilled his Promise in this may very well trust him in any other Promise 2. The Promises to Christ the Saviour Psa 40.6 7. Heb. 10.5 7. Isa 50.9 Psal 116.10 11. Psal 2.6 110.1 Isa 42.1 50.4 5 6. 61.1 2 3. Psa 110.4 Isa 49.7 8 55.5 Mal. 3.1 Isa 40. Psal 68.11 19. Prov. 9.3 Isa 53.10 11 12. Psa 2.8 9. 89.20 21 27. 1 Chron. 17.13 14. Isa 65.9 upon his oneness of Minde and Will with the Father in his undertaking to be the Saviour and to save according to the Minde and Will of the Father as That he would give him a Body that in it he might do his Will That he would be with him in all his Sufferings and uphold him and raise him out of Death and exalt him after his Sufferings and Resurrection and set him at his right Hand and fill him with the fulness of the Spirit in the Nature of Man and so give him the Tongue of the Learned and That he would make him an High-Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedec and That he would be present with him to make his Mediation prosperous and he would also give him a Messenger to go before his Face or Presence to prepare the way before him and Witnesses also to declare him when he had finished the Work he was to do in his own Body and That he should see his Seed and the work of the Lord should prosper in his Hand and That he would give the Heathen to him for an Inheritance to rule and the Kingdom and heavenly Inheritance for himself and all his spiritual Seed that should be his Jewels and his peculiar Inheritance All which things are explained in the Purposes which are discovered in the Promises And as the former Promises to Mankinde so these to Christ as undertaking for Mankinde are all of both sorts for the good and benefit of Mankinde and yet had they no dependence on the Faith of particular Men but that God would send his Son to be the Saviour and so furnish him to be a Saviour depended onely upon the Truth and Faithfulness of God and should upon that account be performed to and for Men notwithstanding all the unbelief of Men though Men come to the use of understanding cannot receive the special saving benefit but in the belief which belief was not so easie nor had so demonstrating and powerful evidence and Argument to draw to believe as since it is unbared in the performance And note That these Promises to Mankinde and as to Christ for the good of Mankinde are Promises of Christ by God to Mankinde but not so properly as the following Promises through Christ suitable to our Saviour's Doctrine of his Father's VVill in his Love he freely found out the Ransome and promised and gave his Son to be the Saviour but extendeth Salvation by and through his Son Christ Joh. 3.16 17. Rom. 5.6 8 Gal. 4.4 1 Tim.
in reverence of him have been forborn let become of our Opinions what will let God be True and every one that swerves from his sayings a Liar as for Saints by turning aside to fall depart c. Mr. Owen and all of his Opinion grant a falling may be and a grievous one also yea a departure though not total and final yet such as will be visited with grievous corrections such as may be as fire in their bones And we believe and Mr. Goodwin nowhere denieth Ier. 3.6 14 22. Hosea 14.2 4. Iude 22 23. but that there are Promises for these departed ones still That upon God's correcting recalling and renewed strife with them in which he will not be wanting in repenting and returning they shall be forgiven and received into former favour and renewed to former gracious consolation and hope again What needed then this harsh Censure and what profiteth the Opinion of the infallible certainty of the Saints perseverance When some of the Saints never attain this certainty Pag. 294. and some lose it in whole or in part yea many of the Saints who are not enabled all their dayes to mix the Promise of perseverance with faith and on that account do never all their dayes get free from some bondage c. So saith Mr. Owen whereas all that are justified by faith in Jesus Christ Rom. 5.1 2. Gal. 1.1 have peace with God c. What is contended for If it were to help the Saints to persevere and to the Faith thereof then Mr. Goodwin his warning of the danger to avoid it and setting forth the Foundation on which they may safely rest and not be deceived is more farthering that business then the maintaining an impossibilty of final falling and set forth no Foundation for Believers to rest on for it in which they may enjoy it And surely these gracious Promises given to Believers abiding in the Faith with all the Cautions mixt with them are very helpful to Saints perseverance yet seeing there are Promises to help yet farther I will endeavour to quote some of them for the Reader to turn to and mind CHAP. 3. Of Promises to Believers that they may abide in the Faith THe third sort of Promises are to Believers that they may abide in their Faith and holiness Prov. 28.26 and not be left to trust on their own faithfulness for their abiding which would be unsafe for them and folly in them yea if any of them because of their love faithfulness and zeal toward the Lord or any attainments got or resolution made should thence resolve and conclude Isa 50.10 11. Mat. 26.33 35 Rom. 11 18 20. and rest thereon that they shall not depart from him or forsake him this though in the best Saints would certainly presage a fall for their standing and perseverance therefore that it may be by Faith Hab. 2.3 4 Gal. 2.20.1 Pet. 1.5 Gal. 5.5 and so that they may live by Faith and be kept by the power of God through Faith which is the onely way of attaining God in and through Christ hath given many gracious Promises which being mixed with Faith in Believers they will be enabled to follow the Lord fully as Joshua did and so be preserved till they come to the heavenly as he did to the earthly Canaan Psal 125. for the Lord forsaketh none that trust in him they shall be as Mount Sion c. Let us then search the Scripture where these Promises are 1. Psal 84.12 29.11 5.12 Isa 26.3 4. Jer. 17.7 8. They are blessed that believe or trust in the Lord he will bless them with peace and compass them about with favour as with a shield and keep them in perfect peace so as they shall take root and be established be green and fruitful and not wither 2. Deut. 33.3 Ioh. 10.28 29. Psa 18.30 Deut. 23.25 27. Rom. 16.20 Mat. 16.18 They are in the hands and under the wings and protection of the Lord and none can pluck them out of his hands so that he is and will be a Buckler to them and an Enemy to their Enemies and turn them back yea he will tread Satan under their Feet and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against them 3. He will preserve and strengthen them he will preserve their souls Psal 31.23 24. 97.10 Prov. 2.8 Deut. 31.6 Heb. 13.5 Psa 37.28 their way their feet in his way 1 Sam. 2.9 yea he will never leave them nor forsake them but preserve them for ever so as they shall be safe through all dangers and set on high c. Psal 91. throughout 4. Isa 57.13 Psal 34.22 They shall possess the promised Land and inherit his holy Mountain and none of them shall be desolate Can any that believe Christ and therethrough trust God in his Word and so believe his Promises but that according to their Faith they are alike perswaded of his graciousness power truth and faithfulness according to these Promises to preserve their Souls in Faith and them in his Grace and way through Faith unto Salvation in his abundant goodness and truth And to help Believers to this believing and confidence these Promises are brought nigher to us Rom. 13.11 2 Tim. 1.9 10. 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3. and made more open and easie to be believ'd then when first made before the first coming of Christ in that now 5. Christ hath come in the flesh and Jesus is the Christ and he The Lord Jesus Christ The Son of God The Son and Saviour of Man The Head and Brother of all Believers who hath suffered for our sins overcome death offered the acceptable Sacrifice and is exalted and immeasurably filled in the Nature of Man with the Holy Ghost and in him all the Promises of God are Yea and Amen all the Promises are his 2 Cor. i. 20. Joh. 1.12.13 Joh. 6.37 38 40 7.2 6. and to him it belongs by vertue of his purchase and the donation of the Father to give the Dignity and Priviledges to be the Sons of God to Believers and to keep raise and give eternal life to those by the Fathers testifying of him drawn in to believe in him as hath been shewn in the Declaration of the Purposes which are opened in the Promises And he the Lord Jesus Christ telleth us plainly That his goodness the choice benefits of all his sufferings and Sacrifice and Mediation extendeth not to the Father to help or add any thing to his perfection but to the Saints that are in the Earth Psa 16.2 3. compassed with infirmities and to the excellent yea even the Spirits of just Men made perfect who have not yet received all their happiness in whom namely those Saints both that live by Faith and that have died in the Faith is all his delight And he communicateth the Priviledges of Sons to all that believe in him and they are born of God and have eternal Life Joh.
of VVorks for though Man by sinning lost his Righteousness and Strength yet God lost not his Authority nor were all the good things fore-conferred on Adam less worthy or less obliging then before his fall Rom. 5.12 18. 6.23 but did as much oblige him still to love both God and his Neighbour and walk in that love as before yea this Law had that force upon him and in him which before it had not to call and charge and force him to obey and to accuse and condemn him for not obeying yea to charge him with death for his former sin and unless he could suffer and overcome that first denounced death Rom. 3.10 11 19 20. Gal. 3.10 and then fulfil this Law to the utmost he could not come to live with God again This the Law and Covenant of VVorks under which Mankinde fell and under which all Mankinde once was Now God did not make such a Covenant as this with Adam at the first but Man through his willing Transgression fell under it and by God's just Judgement it took hold of Man and he was under it And this is the Law and Covenant under which Mankinde fell in the first Adam and by which they should have been judged and were sentenced to the first death in which if they had come to suffer it according to the Judgement and curse of the Law they could not have overcome it and risen again but must have perished in it for ever But God in his great Love and Pity to Mankinde found out one that was willing and mighty to step in and undertake this Cure even his own Son Jesus Christ the second publick Man of whom now II. VVhat the Covenant made with the second publick Man as he undertook and stood in the place of the first and so of all Mankinde as fallen is not cleerly express in any one place but gatherable in many places of Scripture and here there partly express and to the utmost I can conceive it was in the first place in respect of himself a Covenant of VVorks even that Law and Covenant under which the first publick Man and all Mankinde in him were fallen and that also by which their weakness they were liable to be under for a time and so he was made under the Law Gal. 4.4 to do it and live And upon the account of his fulfilling and satisfying this whole Law for Mankinde then a Covenant of Grace and Glory for himself and all his spiritual Seed and both these may be seen in the former mentioning of the Purposes and Promises of God concerning Christ I shall here onely briefly collect a little thereof 1. Upon the part of the Word the Son of God that he must descend and lay aside his great Glory for a time and abase himself to be made flesh of the Seed of a VVoman of the Seed of David Abraham Adam and in the similitude of sinful flesh a very Man subject to humane infirmities sorrows temptations all except sin and so a very Man in the form of a Servant and then in that very Nature and Person while in his weakness fulfil the Law of Righteteousness in the Love of God and Man and overcome and put to flight the Tempter and then die for 〈◊〉 sins of Mankinde and in that death suffer the Curse of the Law due to Mankinde and through sufferings overcome death and the Devil that had the power of death to terrifie Man withal and so as the publick Man rise just and free from all the sins that were charged on him on the account of Mankinde and so for their Justification from their charges of the Law under which they were fallen And this being done with the Vertue of his own Blood Death and Cross to enter into the Heaven to perfect the Atonement for all the sins Mankinde through the first fall was fallen into and to procure by Vertue of his Blood pardon to bestow on all such as approach to God by him for all their following sins and to purchase eternal Redemption and an Inheritance by that offering himself in sacrifice to God and to declare this Righteousness of God in preaching it and delivering it to certain chosen Witness to open and declare the same to the World 2. Upon the account of the Father That he would send him forth fit him with a Body and be with him and help and assist him in all this c. All which things are before at large shewn and proved in treating of the Oblation of Christ and of the Purpose and Promises of God And this is such a Covenant and such a Work as God never put on the first Adam nor any other but the Son of God Jesus Christ our Lord nor was any other able to undertake it but he and he willingly at the first undertook and the Father accepted his undertaking and so it was then vertuous and in due season the Father sent him forth and he hath come and done and fulfilled all this to the utmost that either Man fallen needed or the Law of VVorks required or his Father appointed and is now with God alive for evermore and the Father hath accepted and approved him taken up his well-pleasedness in him and born Testimony of him as the Scripture plentifully testifieth Now upon the account of this undertaken now done and performed the Covenant of Grace and Glory is also made with him for himself and all his spiritual Seed and confirmed to in and by him 1. Upon the part of the Father that he would glorifie this his Son Joh. 17.1 2 3 5 Joh. 5.22 23 27 28 29. Rom. 14.8 9 11 12. 2.16 even in the Nature of Man with his own self even with the Glory he had with him before the World was That he should be the Lord of all and have all Men into his dispose that they might live to him and the Father will not judge them by that Law he was made under and satisfied for them but he shall have the power over them to extend what ease and freedom and use what means he pleaseth towards them and raise them out of death in his season and judge them all according to his Law the Gospel in the means he hath used towards them and that he will fill him with the immeasurable fulness of the Holy Ghost Isa 41.2 55.5 61.1 2 3 4. 53.10 11. and send him forth in his Name and in the means he useth and in the Ministration of his Servants to draw in People to him and so to beget and multiply to him a spiritual Seed 2. Upon the part of Christ That he will be breathing and operating in the means he useth Isa 42.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. 55.5 Psa 22.25 and in the Ministration of the Gospel by his Servants to call Men and enlighten their Mindes and open their Eyes to see and their Ears to hear quickning and moving their Hearts as he
through Christ with Mankinde in beginning was and so still is 1. Act. 14.13 14 15 16 17. 17.25 28. Rom. 1.19 20. 2.4 5. Psal 19.1 7. Prov. 1.20 23 24. 8.1 6. Joh. 1.4 5 7 8 9. Isa 45.22 23 That he would extend Mercy use Means and give forth such Testimonies of his Goodness in and through Chrst the promised Seed to all men that they might behold and in beholding repent believe and be saved yea so verily That whoever did not then repent and believe it was because he was then found hardening his own heart and willingly refusing In which God is was and will be found faithful for ever and Refusers left without excuse when Believers saved 2. Iob 37.2 Prov. 3.5 6 32 33. Isa 45.21 22. Iob 35.10 11. Psal 33.8 Psal 14.2 3. Rom. 2.10.22 23. Psa 36.6 7. 100.1 2. 117.1 2. 130.4 That Men should hear his Voice minde and behold his Goodness and so believe him to be Great Righteous and Gracious and so fear him and stand in awe of him and in this belief and awe of him to acknowledg the Righteousness of that Obligation which naturally obligeth them to love the Lord with all their Heart and Soul and Strength and their Neighbour as themselves and to walk in that Love and so their own short coming of it and inability to answer it and their due and just desert of curse thereby and inability of themselves to avoid it and so being abased in themselves and believing his Goodness and Mercy to hope therein and cry to him for it and so believing in him in Testimony of Thanks to yield up themselves according to light and strength given and received to live to him which is the most in this Covenant required 3. That those who by the Testimony of his Goodness do thus believe him to be Psal 107.43 33.15 16 18 19. 36.7 8 9. Lam. 3.25 26. Heb. 11.6 and to be Great and Gracious and from thence abasing themselves do hope in his Mercy and are so found coming to him he will give them Understanding and bless and save them yea even in such believing how weak soever it be if it be according to the Light and Strength in the means given and received And this is all I can finde to have been in the beginning and from the beginning of any Covenant made by God with Mankinde through Christ and under this Covenant in their time ever were still are and will be all Men in their several Ages from the beginning to the end of this World If any reply That here is nothing mentioned of Men that they have engaged themselves to God in for performance of and how can that be called a Covenant where both parties have not engaged I answer Where there is an Engagement between two and the one a publick Man the several Engagements of the Particulars concerned in that publick Man is not necessary to make it a real Covenant And this will be yielded if Reason it self were made Umpire That a Lord of a Mannor may make a Covenant with his eldest Son about the disposal of his Lands Rents Goods and Priviledges to such and such Children Servants and Strangers also that are yet to be born on such and such terms to receive all engaged to them and this a Covenant to stand firm to all effects and they all as they come forth be accordingly engaged and so to receive that given or else be rejected and shall not Faith acknowledge That The Great and Mighty God Psal 24.1 2 5. Mal. 1.6 The Father of Jesus Christ The Lord and Master of us all may make such a Covenant for Men who are his own Creatures and pass it over to his own Son his first-Born and shall not all Men be engaged in it for receit or for rejection were not the denial of this unreasonable But if Understanding and Faith be asked they will soon tell us That both parties have engaged in this Covenant that God made with Christ the second publick Man for Men seeing he interposed for and undertook in the Nature of Man Gal. 4 4. 1 Tim. 2.6 1 Cor. 6.19 20. Deut. 29.14 15. to satisfie the Obligation under which Mankinde was fallen and having so bought them he as their Lord and Representative did in his Father's Engagement to him so engage for them and are they not then all engaged yea have they not all in the publick Man engaged and are by him engaged could Moses the Mediator between God and Israel enter into Covenant those that were far off and yet to be born and shall not the Lord of Moses The Mediator between God and Men do as much for all Men and was that a sin in those 1 Tim. 2.5 2 Sam. 21.1 7 9 14 15 16. that so many Generations after thought themselves not engaged in the Covenant made by Joshua their Leader into Canaan and the Elders of Israel though unadvisedly made and took courage to break it and will it not be a greater sin in any Man to think himself not engaged in this Covenant made by Jesus Christ the publick Man in the behalf of Mankinde surely all that know this Obligation will confess it a gracious Covenant and themselves engaged in it And yet I may say both That all Men are engaged in it by their natural Fathers in that Adam Seth c. yea Cain also did subscribe to iti n their offering of Sacrifice and after Noah also the Father of all Mankinde now living and many have been and are that have personally engaged according to that Testimony Joh. 3.33 he that hath received his Testimony hath set to his Seal That God is true for so those that believed the Graciousness of God in this Obligation and profess themselves That they would so seek and serve him they and their house as Joshua did did therein subscribe to the Goodness and Equity of the Obligation Josh 24.15 and therein engaged themselves and those under their Tuition to the observance of it Ier. 2.20 21. 1 King 2.38 42. And if such willingly turn aside their sin is so much the greater and their Condemnation will also be verified just from their own Mouth But we need not reason it out it is expresly writ That some in the acknowledgment of it did offer Sacrifice did call upon and were called by the Name of the Lord Gen. 4.3 4 26. 6.2 and these with all under their Tuition in that Profession were called The Sons of God Gen. 6.1 till the Profession received in that Tuition were cast off and the residue of Men called Men or the Sons and Daughters of Men. And those that were under this Obligation not onely Subscribers Gen. 4.3 4. 5.3 22. Heb. 11.2 3 4 5 6 Gen. 6.8 9. 1.7 but upright in believing with the Heart and so walked with God they were accepted and approved of God also and called
this Covenant was so made that it might have divers times of fulfilling one in the outside of it Iosh 22.4 Isa 42.6 Luk. 1.71 76. Heb. 9.15 8.1 2 6. in the Types in having some rest in Canaan another in Truth and spiritually in Christ in his first coming having finished his first Work and being set forth in the Gospel and so given for a Covenant Act. 3.19 20 21 2 Pet. 3.12 13. Isa 55.5 1 Pet. 1.21 23. Gal. 3.8 6.26 29 Ier. 31.33 34. Heb. 8.10 1 Pet. 2.3 4 5. Eph. 1.13 Col. 1.3 4. 1 Thes 4.14 15 18. and remaining the Mediator and Minister of it and the next last and compleat fulfilling according to Spirit and Letter both at the next and visible appearing of Jesus Christ yea and also a divers fulfilling of it in particular Believers as first VVhen through the evidence of Truth in Gospel-Testimony glorifying Christ a Man is brought in to believe in Christ and so made of the Seed Secondly When and as in believing a Man through the quickning Spirit of Christ comes to be more built on Christ and so sealed in him being indued with a first-Fruits of the Spirit promised Rom. 8.23 And thirdly VVhen the Lord Jesus Christ shall appear in Glory and the Just be raised so to appear in Glory with him to possess c. 1 Joh. 3.2 IV. That this Covenant was made with Christ as the publick Man Heb. 1.2 Eph. 1.14 Psal 89.28 Isa 53.10 11. Gen. 17. Act. 7.5 Heb. 11.9 10 14 16 40. Psal 105.8 9 10 11. Rom. 9.8 9 10 11. 4.10 11 12 17 23 24. Gal. 3.7 8 16 26 27 28 29. 4.25 26 28 30 31. and the everlasting Father upon the account of his Sufferings and Sacrifice and so the inheritance is his first he is the Heir as the Son of God by Nature and as the publick Man by Purchase and by Covenant for himself and his spiritual Seed to be after brought in to him for there could be none before him And this Covenant was confirmed in Christ to Abraham and so made with Abraham for himself and for his Seed after him also and confirmed to him with an Oath and so to Isaac and Jacob in like manner and so still for them and their Seed that were to come of them and after them so as Abraham was Heir not onely by a spiritual Birth but also by a Covenant made and confirmed with an Oath fastening the right of Inheritance upon him and intailing it upon his Seed and so in like manner was Isaac and Jacob Heirs with him of the same Promise and Promises and promised Inheritance which they never yet enjoyed but in due time assuredly shall when all their Seed is come in to inherit with them And this Covenant is confirmed to Israel for an everlasting Covenant in being so made to Abraham Isaac and Jacob and confirmed with an Oath to them That all that are born of the Promise that by the Grace of God discovered in Christ do believe in him they are the Sons of Abraham and his Seed and so as Isaac and Jacob of the same Seed Heirs by birth of the Promise given to and believed and preached by Abraham Isaac and Jacob and also confirmed Heirs by the Covenant made with Abraham Isaac c. by which through Faith they are assured of the Inheritance V. That this Covenant being so made with Abraham for himself and for all after-Comers that are his Seed Act. 7.2 3 4 Heb. 11.8 Isa 51.2 that they as his Seed may know their Interest in it and have by Faith the same usefulness of it this is farther to be minded That Abraham was a true Believer and justified before God and so by spiritual birth of the Seed of Christ and so an Heir and walked in Faith as a Son before this Covenant was made with him so that this Promise and Covenant was not given to him to beget Faith or to make him a Son or upon condition of his believing All which was wrought in him and he so living and walking in Faith before this Covenant was made with him but it was made with him as a justified Believer to confirm and encrease his Faith and so for the exercise of his Faith in waiting for so blessed a Hope as set before him and given him in this Promise and Covenant and in the same manner it was after made with Isaac and Jacob the Promise of the Inheritance being in order after belief and new Birth The promised Seed is the Promise of which one is so born the Promise of Means from and through that Seed The Promise through which a Man is so born and The Promise of the Inheritance the Promise to the Hope whereof Believers are born And so this Promise and Covenant made with the Fathers is not fastened on any to make them Believers and Sons or on condition of believing Rom. 4.16 8.17 Joh. 1.12 13. Gal. 3 26 29. Heb. 6.17 18. though in believing is the way to meet with it but the Interest in it and the Assurance of it as made to the Fathers for them is given to such as are Believers in Christ and so the Sons of God by Faith who are Abraham's Seed and Heirs according to Promise to confirm and encrease their Faith and for the exercise of their Faith in waiting for so blessed a Hope VI. The freeness largeness Gen. 17.4 8. 1 Chron. 15.15 19 and everlastingness of this Covenant the dependency it hath on the Truth and faithfulness of God for its performance all being put on himself to perform Psal 105.8 11. Ioh. 5.19 20 21. Heb. 9.15 16 17. 13.20 2 Sam. 23.5 who hath confirmed it with his Oath yea and having first made it with Christ his Son upon the account of his Purchase the Son being one with the Father in all he doth he also was one with the Father in making this Promise and Covenant to Abraham for him and his Seed and hath confirmed the Covenant with his own Blood and by vertue thereof extendeth the Performances So that this is a sure and everlasting Covenant ordered in all things This is all express in the words and terms of it VII When this free and everlasting Covenant was openly made and confirmed with an Oath Gen. 17.9 10 11.12 13 23 27. it had also added to it an outward and sensible Testimony Token Sign and Seal to be set on the flesh of Abraham and all his natural Seed according to the flesh that is all by natural birth born of him and all so of him as that by gracious Providence they were put under his care and tuition whether born in his House or Family or bought with his Money so as they were under the Government of him or his Family and also that were proselyted and so come to live under their Profession Exod. 12.48 49 with all under their Tuition and Government likewise And this visible
Spirit and Truth figured is found in the Circumcision Sufferings and Death of Jesus Christ Phil. 3.3 4 7 8 9. Col. 2.9 10 11 12. which Spirit and Truth is so in Christ that whoever believeth in him is interested in the same and it is become his and he receiveth the Circumcision made without Hands even that of the Spirit taking him off from all confidence in the Flesh that he may rejoyce in Christ onely as compleat in him and so that Jesus is the Christ That he had put an end to all bloody Ordinances and Sacrifices for sin That he hath made purgation for our sins to purge us with and then sate down on the Right-Hand of God and the everlasting Covenant firm in him and he filled with Spirit to dispense and so set forth the Saviour of the World and Propitiation for the sins of the whole World that whoever believeth in him may not perish but have everlasting Life and so his part in this everlasting Covenant Compare Gen. 17.9 10 11 12 13. Exod. 12.48 49. with Mat. 28.18 19 20. Act. 16.33 Col. 2.11 12. for all this we have an outward Sign and Testimony more significant easie and free then Circumcision was even Baptism c. to be put on all that accept this Gospel on them and all under their Tuition as a Sign given from Christ to testifie not the Truth of the Repentance and believing of such as are baptized but the Truth of the Faith Gospel and Covenant taught and so disciple into Abraham's Family to be the Scholars of Christ who needeth not as humane School-Masters to have his Scholars bring their capacities and fitness with them for he even giveth that also and as Circumcision and the Passeover were Ordinances of the Gospel in which Christ to come in the flesh was preached and both before the first Testament and yet when that given were both used under it so Baptism and the Supper of the Lord are both Ordinances of the Gospel in which Christ is preached as already come in the flesh and to come in Glory Rom. 3.27 8.2 Iam. 2.8 12. and both instituted before the New Testament was given from Mount Sion yet now both used under it But the new Testament it self will verily appear to be something distinct even that Law of Faith of Life of Liberty for nurturing Sons and in which Believers are to walk in this Life So that yet in this saying we are not satisfied 3. Some say That the New Testament is Christ his Dispensation of a spiritual first Fruits of the everlasting Covenant into the Hearts and Minde of the Believers in putting in by his Spirit his gracious Word into their Heart and so enlivening and operating in them as to unite and conform them to himself and so lead them to the Inheritance This saying is Truth and fully proved in Heb. 8.6 10. and 10.15 16. agreeing with 2 Cor. 3.3 and doth more satisfie according to Scripture then all or any of the former and in this I long rested as if it were the whole of the Truth as indeed it is a part and the chief part of it and that which according to the New Covenant in his present Ministration he dispenseth and in that respect also is rightly said to be given for a Covenant And in this Dispensation given a New Testament is given which what that is I will assay to finde out and delare CHAP. 7. Of the New Testamental Covenant what it is THe New Testament is that Rule and Order agreed on between the Father and the Son in the councel of God both for Christ his Dispensation and the Believers Receit and Perseverance to which the Covenant hath Engagements on both parts as that given by Moses had though not the like Engagements for these two Testaments are one opposed to the other and by comparing the one with the other in their Agreements and Differences and the excellency of the New above the Old as declared in Scripture and the Scripture-Expressions of the New I conceive we may come to the cleerest and fullest satisfaction to know indeed what the New Testament is 1. They were both given by God by and in the Hands of a Mediator Gal. 3.19 20. Heb. 9.15 3.1 6. Rom. 7 10 13. Gal. 2.19 21. 3.21 22. 2 Cor. 3.6 11. Gal. 4.24 25 26 17. Heb. 12.18.22 Deut. 5.23 Gal. 3.17 18 19 25. Heb. 3.2 4 5 6 10. Exod. 20.1 2. Psal 81.10 Act. 26.18 Col. 1.12 13. but not both by one and the same Mediator the one the Servant the other the Son they were both ordain'd to life and so had the same end but not to effect it in the same way but the one preparing by terrifying and killing the other extending it by consolation quickning they were both given on and from a great Mountain but not the same Mountain but the one Mount Sinai gendring to Bondage the other Mount Sion giving to Freedom they both were given after the Covenant made with Abraham and so distinct Covenants made besides that and that by Moses first being no part of the Covenant made with Abraham but only subservient to it and this by Christ after that by Moses and so no part of that yet having in it the quintessence of the Covenant first made with Mankind through Christ and the first Fruits of the Covenant made with Abraham they were both made with a People redeemed not onely redeemed in a publick Man from perishing in the first death as all men were but also called and redeemed in their own persons out of great bondage and servitude to be led to Rest or Canaan yet not both alike the one out of an Egyptian worldly and bodily bondage to go to an Earthy Rest or Canaan the other out of a spiritual bondage in the darkness and pollutions of this World and the powerful Dominion of Satan to be led to an heavenly Inheritance Rest and Glory they were both given for nurture and tutoridge of Sons Gal. 4.1 8 21 31. having both their Directions and Requirings yet not both alike but the one to tutor as a School Master though Sons yet under some bondage like Servants suitably directing to and requiring Works the other to tutor as Sons in the Father's House and Presence with Freedom and its requirings not like the other of obedience in works in the strength they had not putting in new strength to do but of the use of Faith and Love given Gal. 5.6 2 Cor. 6.1 2. Phil. 2.12 13. Deut. 4.1 31.5 6. Rom. 10.5 Joh. 7.37 38 39. Heb. 8.2 6. Heb. 9.12 13 14 15 17 18 22. Exod. 32. 34. Deut. all affording in all its requirings strength for the exercise of them they both had their Promises annexed but not both like Promises the one of an earthy Inheritance with promise of Presence and Assistance in the way upon their keeping his Commandments given in doing them the
their Fathers and so a performance to these for their Fathers sakes To all which Answers I add this 4. Act. 3.19 20 21. Rom. 8.23 24 25. 1 Cor. 13.12 1 Joh. 3.2 That Faith and Hope is to be exercised by them till all these things be done and that the Lord Jesus do visibly appear and come to them and restore all things and then this Covenant made which once so made in performance they live no longer by Faith and Hope but by Sight and Enjoyment And thus it is every way cleer for the Time when this Covenant is to be so made it is After those dayes II. The Persons with whom this Covenant is to be made Jer. 31.31 33. Ezek. 37.19 20. is also as cleer and express to be all the spiritual Seed that by Ministration have been so made from the beginning of Gospel-preaching till Christ appear personally in Glory and give the new Heaven Iso 13.1 2 3. 19.24 60.1 11. Psal 105.8 11. Hag. 2.23 Dan. 12.2 13. Heb. 11.14 16 29 40. Gal. 3.8 29. 1 Thes 4.14 15 16. Rev. 11.18 and new Earth with them all and with them all together at once not with one or two or some few or now with one or some and after with other but with all the whole spiritual Seed together for the whole House of Israel and the House of Judah it is express And so likewise for the People of other Nations that shall be joyned with them yea Abraham Isaac and Jacob must then receive the performance of this Covenant so made yea Zerubbabel and Daniel must be there to receive their part with many that shall rise out of the dust of the Earth yea all the whole spiritual Seed of Abraham even we that are of the Gentiles yea as the Covenant was first made with Christ and through him a Covenant for Mankinde so all his Seed by Ministration thereof and so Adam Abel Seth Enoch c. In a word None shall prevent another but all that are in the dust and sleep in Jesus shall arise living Saints be changed all together meet the Lord and be and come with him for then is the time in which he will give rewards to his Servants the Prophets and to the Saints and to them that fear his Name both small and great And so this Covenant will be at once made in performance to all the Seed together and indeed this Covenant was never fore made to be received by Faith to any one person for himself alone but to the Fathers for them and their Seed and to them and their spiritual Seed it shall be at once made in performance to them all together These the persons But to this it may be some be replied That then after this Covenant so made there must be no more conversion no encrease of the Seed for then the Covenant must be made again or else it will not be made with all the Seed and if so then not with all at once To this I answer That some whose labors I reverence and esteem and them for their works sake do so conceive That as that Kingdom shall be sinless and sorrowless so it shall be conversionless there shall be no more converted after that Kingdom is set up but the Reason given thereof is not this I am to answer but another namely That all that have part in the first Resurrection even all the Saints that live and raign with Christ shall raign with him a thousand yeers the whole time of his raign as Man till he deliver up the Kingdom to the Father that God may be all in all Whence this Supposition If any should after the beginning and some time of the Kingdom run out be converted they could not raign the full thousand yeers One Answer will serve both these Reasons which is this That it is nowhere said That all the Inhabitants of this new Earth or all the Members of this Commonwealth shall sit upon Thrones and raign nor is it said That all the natural Seed of Abraham that are then living in unbelief and the unbelieving Gentiles with them that shall be converted at and by the personal and visible appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ and all his Saints with him and so made of the Seed that they shall all be Kings and raign with him they come in after the time of those to whom that Promise is And surely for such as never suffered never waited for him but are so suddenly and with so mighty a Hand brought in it may be counted happiness enough to live in such a Commonwealth and be free Denizens therein and enjoy the pleasures of such a Kingdom till they be swallowed up with the unconceivable joy of the Father and Son when God shall be all in all which alone will satisfie all that are received into it and the Promise of raigning is to such as here in this suffering time live and die in the Faith or are found so believing on him at his appearing that they may be changed while the other are raised and so come together with the Lord which the after-conterted do not And so those that are the Children of the Resurrection that are raised or changed in one and the same moment at his coming be all that I and I suppose that any other can finde the Promise of raigning appertain unto And if I should say These are the whole of Abraham's spititual Seed I should not erre whether Men receive it or no for all the spiritual Seed from Abraham's time so called and if I shall add the Seed of Christ the Seed of the Woman from Adam to Abraham though a spiritual Seed yet not immediately so but mediately through a spiritual operation Rom. 4.11 12 16 17 18 23 24. Gal. 3.6 7 8 9 16 26 29. in the Ministration of some means extended as is cleer all the Scripture through and they that are of the Faith and live by Faith and walk in the steps of the Faith of our Father Abraham and so are the Sons of God by Faith these are the Seed the Children of Abraham and his Seed for which cause Abraham had the Gospel to preach and Circumcision to administer as a Seal of the Righteousness of the Faith he had to preach That he might be a Father And the Apostles had the Gospel to preach and Baptisme to administer as a Seal of the Righteousness of the Faith preached that they might disciple into Abraham's Family Mat. 29.19 20. Rom. 4.11 12. and so Abraham still be a Father of such as believe But now when this time cometh That Christ with all his spiritual Seed do personally appear and the Everlasting Covenant made in performance with them all then all such Ministration ceaseth yea such Ministration as Moses had in earthly Rites and Shadows were shaken and made unprofitable by the Death Sacrifice and Ascension of Christ pouring forth the Holy Ghost though in force till then but
and all the spiritual Seed that were to follow of which they were to be Fathers and for that one which was spoken in particular of one particular it was vocally spoken and audibly heard by him to whom spoken and many others that were with him and for their sakes also this Man to whom it was spoken being before this speaking a Son So that all these and the like sayings shew what sure confidence Believers may have in remembring the Covenants made with their Fathers and the spiritual streaming in of such Sayings into their hearts a good relief in their fainting and help to enlarge their use of confidence in God that ever remembreth his Covanant made with the Fathers And this leads to a farther consideration of this Psal 125.1 2. viz. 3. That these words were not directly spoken to and for such as did not trust in the Lord Psal 125.1 2. to beget them to trust in the Lord though such an use may be and come of the hearing and minding them in convincement but they were and are directly spoken to and for such as are already Trusters in the Lord being first begot to trust in the Lord that they might not fear or depart through fainting or go aside in lifting up their Souls to any other strength wisdom righteousness policy or confidence for so he tells them in the same Psalm Such as in any straight or for any pretence turn aside namely Vers 5. from this way of trusting in the Lord unto their crooked wayes the Lord will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity but peace upon Israel opened by the Apostle directing as the rule to wait through the Spirit for the Righteousness of God by Faith c. saith Gal. 5 5 6 6.15 16. As many as walk according to this rule peace be on them and mercy upon the Israel of God And this the same with that in Habakkuk He whose Soul is lifted up is not upright in him but the just shall live by Faith And in this very sense doth the Apostle render that saying to the Hebrews Heb. 10.38 to which the whole 125 Psalm fully agreeth 4. This foresaid saying taketh away the strength of the Apostles consolation given to the believing Hebrews and so to all Believers thereby Heb. 13 5 6. viz. For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake theee so that we may boldly say The Lord is my helper I will not fear c. which Consolation the Apostle gives to the whole Church of the Hebrews to withdraw them from coverousness and firm them in confidence and not from a particular in-giving of these words to their Souls nor is there any likelihood they were so to all every or many of them nor is any such Caution put in But he layes it down as it was given when God was about the first literal fulfilling his Covenant made with Abraham and giving Joshua to be their Captain to encourage them to go on in his way he gives this Promise first to all Israel Deut. 31.6 the whole hurch Be strong and of good courage fear not nor be afraid of them for the Lord thy God he it is that doth go with thee he will not fail thee nor forsake thee And this Promise as a part of the Covenant made with their Fathers given to them Vers 7 8. was together with them again given to Joshua their Captain Now as our Joshua even Jesus that is the Captain and Finisher of our Faith the Fore-runner in whom all the Promises are Yea and Amen Heb. 12.2 Gal. 3.26 29. so it appertains to all that believe in him as his spiritual Seed and Heirs The Seed of Abraham The whole Church spoken of and to as one Thee and every one having right as being of the Seed of Abraham claiming their interest We. So the Apostle directs these believing Hebrews yea it being recorded and written he directs them to take what the Scripture saith as the Holy Ghost speaking to them Heb. 3.7 Gal. 3.7 8 9 29. Rom. 15.3 4 5. yea and so he directs all Believers even of the Gentile affirming them written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scripture might have hope in believing So that though this place I will be with thee c. have no otherwise been inspired to them then as it is written in the Scripture they believing in Christ in whom all the Promises are certain they are Heirs and the Promises pertain to them Rom. 8.17 Gal. 4.6 7. 3.26 29. and they in believing may have the comfort of them and yet for some particular difficult extraordinary business it may sometime be needful and very profitable for leading to farther trusting in the Lord to go through so great a business to have it particularly streamed into the heart of some chief Officer as this was to Joshua after the ministerial giving of it Josh 1.5 from whence I marvel learned Men should take that saying there as for every Saint rather then from its former ministerial giving to the whole Church and after with them to Joshua Deut. 31.6 7 8 And if we take not this saying thus as appertaining to Christ and in him to all Believers but onely to such into whose Souls it is particularly given in What force hath the Apostles Exhortation to these Hebrews and so to all the Church of Believers or who shall be the Thee and the We here spoken to and speaking if those and all those Gal. 3.7 8 9 16 29 Heb. 3.6 14. and onely those mentioned by the Apostle to be they be not they and he expresseth it to Believers in Christ in believing in whom is Mens entrance into Sonship and special favour and interest in promises as is witnessed in the Testimony of Christ and Declaration of the Purposes Promises and Covenants of God and such particular in-givings are great mercies and sweet enlargements and most to babes and at beginnings till Men have learned to live by Faith but to live on sense and particular visits to make them our Foundation to lift up our selves above our Brethren that have them not is a great abuse of them But I will in this proceed no farther nor yet in farther usefulness of all that written knowing such as read and believe what the Scripture affirms will meet with usefulness but onely in considering that which occasioned me to the writing of this Treatise namely Mr. Owen's stating of the Question pretended to be in dispute or controversie between him and Mr. John Goodwin about Perseverance in or falling from Faith or rather the Faith that may and that which cannot be fallen from An Explicite Declaration of the Testimony of Christ c. PART VII CHAP. 1. Of the Question as stated AS for his mentioning the many sorts of holiness and holy Ones and such as seem so and are not about which the contest is not I let pass and look
make themselves again as the Dog and as the Sow How great is their sin and how just their Judgement And as for their disposition hee confesseth that was once changed so that the sin here mentioned suits that falling away mentioned in Heb. 6.4.6 without any impeachment to the goodnesse of the Faith such have fallen from 2 Pet. 2.20 1.4 the excellency whereof condemneth their falling 2. But hee saith again though their faith holinesse light love joy zeal obedience bee all true in their kind and many of them do worthily and yet they attain not to the Faith of Gods Elect neither doth Christ live in them nor is the life which they lead by the Faith of the Son of God so hee Marke here that this is not to bee understood of them as before they came to the Faith Nor yet of them as after they are departed from the Faith but of them as and while the Faith is in them and they abide in it And hee eonfesseth their faith really true in its kind Pages 217 218. And it s before proved there is but one kind of Faith that is really true set forth in the Scripture And that very Faith also set forth in Heb. 6.1 2 3 4 5. Nor are wee treating of a worldly or humane faith or a faith begotten by humane strift but of a Faith effected by the Spirit of God and built on Jesus Christ that is the Foundation and the heavenly gift of which they have tasted Mat. 3.17 12 18. Isa 42.1 And is not Jesus Christ the Son of God in whom hee is well pleased And so Gods Elect Doth the Gospel hold forth and call to any other or doth the holy Spirit witness of glorifie and draw to beleeve in any other but Jesus Christ Doth not every good and perfect giving come down from the Father of lights who enlived them and quickened up all these Principles in them if not Christ by his Spirit what is that which was once so precious that the Apostates after departure crucifie to themselves tread under foot c. Is it not Christ the Son of God his blood even the blood of the Covenant and his Spirit even the Spirit of Grace which they so despite Yea if it were not so their sin and danger had not been so great and there would bee more hope of their recovery again It were better for us to forbear such rash assertions and glorifie God in keeping to the expressions of Scripture concerning Faith and the operations of Grace although some bee departed from it as is forenoted I planted thee a hoble Vine Ier 2.21 27 31. and such of you as are fallen from grace yee were called to liberty Gal. 5.2 3.4 Gal. 5. 1. 3 4 5. yea were called into the grace of Christ yee received the spirit of Adoption yee did run well c. So as wee fault the backsliders from such faith to aggravate their sin and fault not the faith to extenuate their sin which is more or less vile according to the excellency or meanness of the faith departed from But Mr. Owen hath yet more sayings to impeach this Faith as 3 In pag. 423. Hee calleth it an inferiour work of the Holy Ghost causing a great alteration or change c. when the persons bee not regenerated or made new Creatures c. It had been good hee had explicated the meaning of his terms for it s already proved the compleating of the work of Regeneration and making new Creatures is in the Resurrection of the just and that the first fruits is in begetting us by his word to beleeve in his Son But that the Holy Ghost operateth more or less in giving the Testimony of Christ working repentance from dead works and faith towards God to work any change or alteration like Regeneration that is not it according to the measure and degrees of his working none that know God and Christ or the Spirit according to Gospell declaration will beleeve that many fain and pretend what they are not that many resist his operations that many are not yet prevailed with to beleeve on him Is true But these are not charged with this forementioned great sin of departing from the Faith but only for disobedience to the Faith and the Servants of God may both use means and wait with patience and hope when God will give these repentance for they are not come to this impossibility of the fallen ones treated of who when fallen from so great grace and operations of the Spirit It will not bee found a true excuse to say there was but some inferiour work of the Spirit vouchsafed us Ier. 2.5.21.31 Isa 5 4.5-7 to work something like regeneration which was not it when God shall say wherin was I wanting what could have been done more c. but yet more is said by Mr. Owen Pag. 4 26 6. 4 Pag. 124. Every person under these works formerly mentioned and partakers of this light gifts and knowledge c. Bee capacitated for the sin against the Holy Ghost Surely to use such an expression by way of derogation from the Truth goodness and gracious ends and tendancy of the works of the Holy Ghost in inlightening men in the knowledge of Christ and bringing in to beleeve in him and thereby working in all the powers and faculties of their soul such change c. as to say as I hope hee will not say men are thereby capacitated to sin against the Holy Ghost is very great presumption and of dangerous consequence without some better explanation For might not some reply and say All manner of sin and Blasphemy shall bee forgiven unto men But the Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall never bee forgiven And so it is lesse dangerous to abide in ignorance rudeness and prophaneness and neglect of all Ordinances then by attending them to come to this knowledge of Christ Faith change gifts c. without which wee are out of the danger of so great sinning but in having such faith c. wee are capacitated so to sin which yet would bee a false plea even for those charged with such a sin Mark 3.28.30 who were short of those wee treat of much more for these yet thus much will bee granted If God had not made the Angels holy and set them in so glorious an habitation they could not have sinned so highly in leaving their habitation but the goodness of God in so making and furnishing them did capacitate them to have abiden in which abiding they might have been established And their own wilfull aspiring capacitated and occasioned their falling If God had not made the first publick man righteous hee couldnot have fallen from it as hee did But the Righteousness in which God made him and the furniture wherewith hee endued him did capacitate him to have abiden in his integrity And his forgetting the word of the Lord and listening to Satans temptation did capacitate
submitting to the righteousness of God and so are not in respect of the prevalency of grace discovered the right called ones yet others in minding that grace discovered are prevailed with to let go all thoughts of confidence in their own righteousness c. and to beleeve in Jesus that they may live in him and to him Are not these the called according to purpose And when in beleeving in Christ on this manner through illumination of the Holy Ghost and tastes of the heavenly gift c. Repentance from dead works and faith toward God is effected c. Are not such in some measure called according to purpose Quickned Born again and spiritually regenerated united to Christ justified and sanctified by the Spirit Who that confesseth God to be true will deny this so that these two Reasons are vain Reason 3. The persons intended here be compared to Briars and Thorns Answ The persons intended here as having and so abiding in these principles upon this foundation and so with these inlightnings tastes of the heavenly gift c. Are verily the holy Brethren partakers of the heavenly Call even the very Hebrews to whom he wrote the persons supposed expressed to be such as do not abide and enjoy these things but are departed and fallen from these things and are now crucifying Christ afresh to themselves they bringing forth such Briars and Thorns are become Briars and Thorns which before they were not nor are any that abide in the faith they are fallen from so called and these fallen upon the very account of their crucifying c. are compared to and with their evil fruits called Briars and Thorns this is plain in the Text and so this Reason though once it was mine is very vain and false for its end and unbeseeming understanding men though weaklings may bee gulled with it as I have been Reason 4. Things that accompany salvation be better things than any in the persons mentioned were to bee found vers 9. We are perswaded better things of you c. Answ Here he speaks of things distinct from the persons though in them Now minde Better things Better than which for the Apostle had mentioned divers sorts of things as he had mentioned Jesus Christ the foundation and the Oracles of God from the foundation teaching those principles to build men thereby on Christ Surely the love of God in the gift of his Son The Son of God given The blood of Jesus Christ that confirmed the Covenant The Spirit of the Father and the Son that witnesseth of Christ and calleth to him and breatheth forth these Oracles to teach these principles and build on Christ Sure this Heb. 10.29 or these things are all holy heavenly rich precious invaluable things not onely accompanying but giving and working salvation though some do tread them underfoot c. which is an evil thing So that sure hee means not better things than these But then here is mentioned also the effects of the word and of the holy Spirit in and with the word in the hearts of beleevers as Repentance from dead works and faith towards God c. with Illumination tasting of the heavenly gift c. Phil 2.12 13 14 15 16. Surely these are also precious things not onely accompanying salvation but even parts of the salvation begun in them and working in them effecting those things to be brought forth which are to accompany it though some murmure and harden their hearts Heb 3.7 15.16 1 Thess 5.19 and so are disobedient and quench and despite the Spirit which is an evil thing and sure he meaneth not better things than these But here are two sorts of things more mentioned that is Heb 3.6 14 13 1 2 4 6.8 9 10. first Abiding in their faith confidence and love And so hearkning to his voyce bringing forth the fruits of faith and love as hath been fore-shewn according to the seed sown in the heart and the refreshings by the rain often drunk in and of these he expresseth himself to men vers 9.10 And these be not better things then the salvation wrought in them as by which they bring them forth but better than the other sort which secondly he names by some supposed to bring forth that is a departing from Christ through an evil heart of unbeleef and so falling from all this salvation and efficacies thereof extended and then crucifying the Son of God afresh and putting him to an open shame And notwithstanding the same seed sown and the same rain oft drunk in yet bring forth Briars and Thorns which accompany not salvation of which hee mentioneth no persons among them that he cahrgeth withall but only by a supposition sheweth the danger even to these Hebrews if any should so do Chap. 2.1 2 3 3.7.18 4.1 15.12 6 4 6 8 9. And having so often warned them before and reproved their dulness And now in his supposition set forth before them the hainousness of the sin and danger of such departing and falling away comparing such transgression and transgressors to Briars and Thorns whose end is to be burned he mollifies the harshness of his sentence in respect of them and saith We are perswaded better things of you and things that accompany salvation though we thus speak which plainly shews the better things to be better than Thorns and Briars which tended to damnation and it shews also that his speech in the warning given was directed to them else they needed not to have been mollified with Though we thus speak surely none would fancy the Apostle to warn the Hebrews by speaking at such a rate as this There is a rock of stability on which who ever once beleeveth and so is can no more fall off not sin not Satan not world though at such and such a rate they listen to them and fall into sueh and such a measure of unbeleevingness and sinning yet they cannot fall off And you are upon that Rock c. Hold fast therefore your confidence Take heed lest any of you fall through an evil heart of unbeleef And give us leave to fear lest any of you come short for there is an unstable rock on which not you but some others are built And they that are built on that rock of instablility if they abide they perish if they fall they can no more rise how fond were this But the foundaion here mentioned is stable nor will the holy Spirit build any upon an unstable foundation nor fill the heart with false light or deceivable works What deceitful illusions such conceits may produce I forbear to name though this Reason be fit for them Reason 5. The persons intended by the Apostle were such as had need to be taught again the first principles c. Unskilful in the word of righteousness c. distinguished from them to whom the promises are c. Chap. 6 9 10 14. Answ This is a very harsh sad and
faith yet they cannot be saved That first mentioned faith flowing from such an election and purpose of God concerning their persons is the faith of Gods elect This I say Paul never taught nor is there any one line in Scripture to affirm it the Spirit of God leads no man so to beleeve or speak it is quite and directly cross to his Testimony as is shewn at large Part. 2. Chap. 9. Page 87 88 89. Part. 4. Chap. 10. 11. So that the faith here commended is the same with that Heb. 6.4 5. And as for Rom. 8.28 how it speaks the same thing and not a word for this reproved fancy is shewn before at large See Part. 4. Chap. 6 7 8. And so likewise is that Act. 13.48 in Part. 5. Chap. 6. Page 317 318. So that Eph. 1 4. is likewise shewn to make nothing for it Part. 3. Chap. 12. Page 221. And that 1 Pet. 1.2 3 4 5. speaks not of an eternal purpose of God concerning some certain persons of Adams sons in a decree to elect and eternally save them but of the manner of the election of such as were already actually elected viz. That it was through the sanctification of the Spirit unto the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus 2 Thess 2.13 exprest elsewhere The beleef of the truth in which that sprinkling is received This election being according to the fore-knowledge or fore-approbation of God who hath fore-appointed and approved this way for electing and choosing such as beleeve his Testimony as is at large shewn on Rom. 8.28 Part. 4. Chap. 6. 7. 8. So that this Concernment hath gained nothing for any other kinde of faith than that he confest at first true in its kinde I would he had not cast it by CHAP. XVI Of his second Concernment 1. HE saith for the manner of their obtaining this precious faith it is by Gods giving to them that holy Spirit c. In this I shall note three things in which it is pretended to be not only peculiar but of another and better kinde than the former true in its kinde 1. Hee saith It is by giving that Holy Spirit of his whereby he raised Jesus from the dead to raise them from their death in sin to quicken them unto newness of life In this first saying we have two things to note in the manner of true beleevers obtaining faith viz. First What God gives unto them and that is that same holy Spirit of his by which hee raised Jesus from the dead And secondly The end for which God gives this holy Spirit to them and that is to raise them from their death in sin to quicken them unto newness of life both which are very true and will by all true beleevers be so confessed yet the asserting it as a peculiar manner of obtaining faith that is of a better kinde than that mentioned Heb. 6.4 5. and another manner of obtaining also and leaving out something needful in this business to be mentioned is blame-worthy For 1 God for calling any to the faith doth not send forth or give any other spirit nor is there any other spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son than that holy Spirit by which he raised Jesus from the dead This Spirit is called his Holy Spirit the Spirit of Christ the Spirit of Grace 1 Pet. 3.19 20. Act 7.51 By this Spirit Christ preached in the ministration of Noah and of the Prophets whence those that resisted his inlightnings and teachings in those ministrations are said to have been disobedient to and have resisted the Holy Ghost And now more abundantly since the sufferings and ascention of Christ he doth in the ministration of the Gospel inlighten call convince c. whence those that shut their eyes and refuse and despise are said to despise God 1 Thes 4.7 8. Heb. 10.29 And they that after they have received the knowledge of the truth do willingly tread under foot the Son of God and count the blood of the Covenant as an unholy thing are said to have done despite to the Spirit of Grace i.e. If it had not been the holy Spirit they had resisted their sin had not been so grievous It is not good to devise pleas for wicked men to extenuate their sin And though there be a Spirit of truth and a spirit of error yet truth is one and the Spirit of truth is one 1 Joh 4 1-6 1 Cor. 12.4.11 2 Cor. 11.4.13.14 15. 1 Cor 12.2 3. though his gifts be divers and the Spirit of truth cometh onely from God and Christ And no other spirit but error is divers and many and the spirit of error is manifold and various and proceedeth not from God but from the Devil Nor can any man attain any true kinde of faith but by the Holy Ghost yea that faith mentioned Heb. 6.1 2 4 5. was attained by the illumination of the Holy Ghost and they were made partakers of the Holy Ghost And to ascribe to the Spirit the working of a faith of Christ dying and by his blood having made peace such as shall cause light love joy and fill the soul with such hope of eternal life as shall ravish the heart of a man and inwardly and outwardly change him And yet that Christ dyed not for that man or that there is no eternal life in him for that man nor truth or reality in Gods intentions to give it him Oh! yee heavens be astonished and let the earth tremble at this that any should say thus of the Holy Ghost the Spirit of truth or that God should have two Spirits one to work this faith which yet cannot be true in any kinde and a better Spirit to work a better kinde of faith His Spirit is one and holy and all his operations to bring any to beleeve like himself true real holy and of the right and saving kinde though many resist and some depart So that this line of truth was in this business not well brought forth seeing it was to oppose another line of truth and to obscure the truth of the holy Spirits operations 2. The object discovered and medium used by the Holy Ghost for bringing any to this faith and effecting this end mentioned is here sleighted and left out That is Christ and him crueified as set forth in the Gospel for sinners to look to and beleeve in For this is certain first That this holy Spirit testifieth of Christ witnesseth of his death resurrection sacrifice exalteth and glorifieth him as the Son of God the Saviour of the world Joh. 15.26 16 7 8-15 Act. 5.31 32. the Prince and Saviour that giveth repentance and remission of sins to Israel and is a light to the Gentiles and Gods salvation to the ends of the earth And that whosoever beleeveth in him shall receive remission of sins 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3. 2 2. 2.6 9 10 14.16 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 This Jesus and
that abideth in the doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son Ioh. 15.1.11 2 Ioh. 9. yea even of his first work of grace in changing our mindes and reconciling us to God it is said to be In the body of his flesh through death to present us holy and unblameable in his sight If we continue in the saith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel of which me have heard Col. 1 22â—23 1 Joh. 2.24 Whence also it is said to these If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you yee shall continue in the Father and the Son And so our Saviour saith to his own Disciples that were clean through the word that he had spoken to them Abide in me and 1 in you Joh. 15 47. as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self except it abide in the vine no more can yee except yee abide in me I am the Vine yee are the branches he that abideth in me that is beleeving and I in him that is my word in him the same bringeth forth much fruit c. Suitable to like sayings of his Spirit and exhortations in other places And so it is expresly said Rom. 11.22 1 Tim. 2.17 1 Pet. 2.3 4 5. Heb. 3.6.14 1 Joh. 3.5 8 9 10. 4.4 5.3 4 5. If we hold fast the confidence and rejoycing of hope firm unto the end We are the house of Christ if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end then are we made partakers of Christ and so born of God and his seed remaineth in us and that seed remaining being an influence from Christ and so stronger than the Devil that is in the world we in beleeving on God and so yeelding to it are born of God and so neither sin nor can sin because so born of God but do overcome the world This faith that is born of God being the victory whereby we overcome Rom. 8 2â— Luke 20.36 And this sense is plain and evident and agrees with that mentioned Heb. 6.1 2 4 5 9 10. And yet the compleatness of being born of God is in the resurrection of the just And so none of the quotations countenance two kinds of faith or of obtaining or of habits each true in its kinde As for degrees that is not in question Eph. 2.10 For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained or prepared that we should walk in them What this is to the purpose to shew what God hath given into and wrought in beleevers that are true and in one sort or kinde of them more than in another kinde true also I see not and suppose that none can shew Eccles 7.29 For when God created us all in the first Adam it was certainly in his Image In uprightness and so with furniture for good works that we might have walked in them But he fell and lost himself and us all and so we became weak of no strength lost and destitute of all furniture for any good works But God hath created mankinde anew again in Jesus Christ the second Publick man the last Adam who having satisfied for sin suffered for it and overcome death and ascended and offered the acceptable sacrifice is in mans nature glorified filled with the immeasurable fulness of the Holy Ghost to send for to the rebellious that they might come in and to furnish and lead all that do come in And he sinneth not nor can he dye any more but is alive for evermore so that in him we are compleat and perfect and this held forth to us that beleeving in him we might partake of his fulness which is a good motive to beleeve on Christ and to continue so beleeving And such as through the knowledge of his grace beleeve in Christ are certainly his workmanship and begun to bee united to Christ and this also unto good works such as God hath prepared in him that we should walk in them and so live to him and this the ground of his following exhortation as to other Churches Rom. 5.18 19 20. with 6.1 2 c. but no assertion of the measure of their attainments And it being confessed that the faith and holiness with the effectual operation of the Spirit in all the powers of the foul changing judgement affection conversation effecting light love joy zeal obedience enabling to do worthily in their generation Is not all this being the work of the Spirit that is in Christ comes from Christ and witnesseth of Christ his workmanship on and in them And are not they his workmanship in Christ Jesus 2 Cor. 5.14 15 And is there not fulness of furniture in Christ Jesus for good works for them And is it not the gracious end of God in making it known that they should live to Christ by walking in them I hope none will deny it All which justifies this faith set forth in Hebrews 6. and gives no countenance for any other kinde CHAP. XVIII Of the third saying in his second Concernment FOr the nature and property of this habit or abiding principle Thus he saith Being a natural genuine fountain of all those spiritual Acts Works and Duties which he is pleased to work in them and by them of his own good pleasure Though this be not the dialect of Scripture yet in a sober understanding it may be taken as agreeing thereto but not countenancing two kindes or a second kinde of true faith And so with some cautions and provisoes I shall take this saying for true and wholly consent thereto that is to say thus 1 That this abiding principle be not understood of a thing peculiar to any kinde of faith divers from another true in its kinde 1 Pet. 1.13 Tit. 3.4 5 6 7. but of the same kinde of faith set forth Heb. 6. faith being proved already to be one and so the same with that Tit. 1.1 2 That by Natural and Genuine be understood that which is Supernatural and Spiritual Isa 61.13 And so apt free willingly and naturally inclined and kindly putting forth 3 That the calling this principle a fountain be not understood as of a thing inclosed in the beleever to himself or any otherwise Psal 36.9 Jer. 2.13 17 13. Zach. 13.1 Rev. 21.6 Hos 14.8 Joh. 15.4 5 6. then as flowing from Christ to and in him that beleeveth in Christ and so in no sort derogating from Christ For he is the fountain of life with God and so from God unto us the fountain of living waters the fountain for clensing and for fruits And from that flowing from him is all that life cleansing and fruitfulness that is in beleevers And separate from him they can do nothing what ever greenness or springs be in any beleeving on him Jer. 2.13 17. 5 6 13. Joh. 15.4 6. yet if they thereby abide not in the faith of him
lead us to repentance that coming into him we might have life and this now also all testified by the Spirit of God Oh! let us not deny this Lord that bought us let his goodness melt our hearts and prevail with us to acknowledge him the Lord and Saviour of the world even our Lord that so we may repent and beleeve in him and live to him And let no man deceive you by telling you these are the fruits of the goodness of God as a Creator but not as a Redeemer not so as through a Mediator extended as fruits of the purchase and mediation of Christ for all is through him And no man can know God that doth not so acknowledge Christ his Son For the Father hath committed all judgement to the Son of man Rom. 14.7 Phil. 2 7-11 1 Tim. 2.6 Joh. 5.20 21 22 23 27. 2 Cor. 5.15 upon this account because he hath taken the nature of man and therein given himself a ransome for all men and that to this end That all men should honour the Son as they honour the Father And he that honoureth not the Son in these or other things honoureth not the Father So that the application of the purchase and intercession of Christ as being onely for some peculiar and undemonstrable sort of men doth teach the sons of men to deny the Lord that bought them and shuts the door of repentance against them But now for such as to whom the Gospel is also ministred yea and therein also Spirit vouchsafed and they by the Spirit illuminated in the knowledge of Christ and that with such operations as effectually produceth such a change in the minde affections and coversation that there is in them repentance and sorrow for sin with light love joy zeal obedience and holiness So sincere as makes them do worthily in their generations their faith and holines true in its kind and they upon account thereof called Saints and Beleevers And yet though all this be given them of God yet neither the Spirit nor any of these his operations bestowed on them as a fruit of the purchase and intercession of Christ How then shall we conceive it to be bestowed without some secret blaspheming of God some way in his Truth and Justice and testimony of his Son can any man tell Is there any word of Scripture to say it Col. 1.19 2 Pet. 2.1 2. yea is not all the Scripture against such a conceit yea it shews it to be a denying of the preheminencie of Christ that God would have him to have in all things yea it plainly teacheth not onely other men but even beleevers to deny the Lord that bought them and a leaving them to conclude their faith by fancy seeing there are none by the Gospel to tell them though their faith be true in its kinde and operative whether they be beholding to Christ for it and whether it be a fruit of his purchase and intercession or no and if any presume to tell them they must take it on their word and so their faith rest on man 1 Cor. 2.4 And into what delusions this may lead men let wise men judge But Mr. Owen may be supposed not to deny but that they have the holy Spirit given them as a fruit of the purchase and intercession of Christ but that it is not so given them to dwell and abide in them for ever as to these he pleads for And were it not for his oft and plain expressions elsewhere in his book denying the purchase and intercession of Christ to be for any but these he pleads for I should even so have understood him and suppose it so meant of the end of giving the Spirit I shall consider that also 2 He saith It was given them to dwell and abide in them for ever And this must be taken either as relating to the gracious minde and end of God according to his holy will in giving his holy Spirit or as relating to the answering of that end of his ever-dwelling Let us consider both according to the Scripture 1 The end of God in sending his Spirit in the Gospel to call men Act. 26.17 18. Is to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith that is in Christ So that this appears to be for continuance of his work to the end and that is his abiding in them for ever And so sure his end in sending Eph. 3.16 17. 1 Pet. 1.5 or giving his Word or Spirit to any and inabling them to understand and beleeve is that this gracious word and Spirit may dwell and abide in them for ever but his will and mind is that it shal so dwel abide in their hearts by faith which he hath given them Whence we are so often exhorted to continue in the faith and to let that we have received from the beginning abide in us so shal we continue and abide in him and his Spirit will abide in us therefore are all the beleevers and holy brethren warned to take heed of such unbeleevingness as canseth departure from the living God by which some have deprived themselves of this blessing in this gracious end of God 1 Sam. 3. Psal 78.5.16 Jon. 2.8 which yet is so ordered in his Counsels that his end will be fulfilled in their just destruction for despiting so great grace as it was in Israel of old that fell in the wilderness in Elies house in Ephraim and others But such as he hath given to beleeve having been found trusting in him have never been forsaken c. And this end in such sense to give his holy Spirit to dwell and abide in them for ever may be affirmed of all beleevers even those mentioned Heb. 6.1 2 4 5. And in no other sense of any beleever but to abide in and through faith 2 If the dwelling and abiding in them for ever be taken in relation to answering this gracious end of God in the constancy and durance of the holy Spirit his dwelling and abiding in them for ever that is so as they live and dye in the faith then it is out of question of all hands but this is not determinable till they have finished their course and dye in the faith so that there is no difference or distinguishing and discriminating mark to difference one beleever from another in this thing but as some are quite fallen away and departed from the faith and others dye in the faith As for that assurance of faith where-through the heart may be thorowly perswaded of their perseverance and so the Spirits abiding in them for ever It is that I have endeavoured to lead all beleevers to in this Treatise as may be seen in treating of the testimony of Christ and of the Purposes Promises and Covenants of God though Mr. Owen saith Even those of that
kinde he pleadeth for many may go without that assurance all their dayes hee onely undertakes to prove notwithstanding it shall so bee for ever Now let his quotations be viewed to see what they say for one beleever more than another for the Spirits abiding with them for ever Joh. 14.16.26 in vers 16. Ioh 14.16.26 15.26 16 7. Luke 24.49 Our Saviour tells his Apostles and first witnesses that were to carry forth the testimony of him to the world after his Ascention That he after he was gone from them in bodily presence would yet be an Intercessor with the Father for them And the Father in his Name and so he from the Father would send them another Advocate or Comforter Let the words be well minded he faith not Another Spirit no he mindes them of that that it is the same Spirit of truth Joh. 14.17 Mat 16.16 17. Joh. 17.6 7 8. which they knew by which the Father in his ministration made him known to them to be the Christ and had given them to beleeve on him in which he did also stil even now he was with them dwell with them So that it is not one spirit opposed to another spirit but one Advocate or Comforter in respect of the manner of advocation and comforting opposed to another God had been formerly even by the Spirit of Christ Heb. 1.1 2. 7 8 9 10. 2 Cor. 3 7-14 teaching his minde by parcels to them and leading them to look to Christ and so to worship him by types shadows and carnal ordinances which were to be removed and now to these in the personal ministration of himself in his bodily presence in which he had been even so an Advocate and Comforter to them Psal 63.18 Act. 2.33 Rom. 16.25 Joh. 16.7 7.39 1 Joh. 2.1 But he was not alwayes so to abide with them nor was the excellency fulness and mystery of either his oblation or mediation and advocation to be clearly opened and made known till he had finished his suffering work and cast off mortality and overcome death and ascended in his body immortal into heaven and offered the acceptable sacrifice and received the fulness of the Holy Ghost in that nature of man to send forth for that full discovery of himself and the Fathers minde in him and then hee would so send forth this Holy Spirit himself remaining with the Father the Advocate still to discover him and so the Fathers mind in him and so and therein to be an Advocate and Comforter to them even so and such as never was before as is shewn in the eighth and ninth Chapters of the third part of this Treatise about the revelation of Christ and so he opens it vers 26. Joh. 15.15 17.6 7 8. He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you For he had made known his Fathers Counsel and Name unto them and given them his words And this holy Spirit of truth in his coming shal guide them into all truth Eph. 1.8 9. by taking of the things of him and shewing them and glorifying him c. So as they shall have the fulness of the testimony in all wisdome and understanding to minister Oh blessed Advocate and Comforter And yet this not all but as the next quotation Joh. 15.26 He shall testifie of him in them to them and through their ministrations so as they also shall bear witness Act. 5.31 32. Act. 1.21 22 10 34.42 1 Cor. 9 1. 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3. because they have been with him from the beginning even ear and eye witnesses of his person and ministration and miracles and sufferings and death and resurrection and assent to heaven And this Advocate and Comforter both the Doctrine of the Gospel by him so opened and the ministration of it he taught and lead them in And his power and presence in that Doctrine so ministred should not be as the Mosaical Law to pass away and give place to another ministration nor as the ministration of John nor his ministration in his bodily weakness 2 Cor. 3 3-18 Joh. 5.35 36 14.12 13. Eph. 1 3-10 See part 3. chap. 12. to be over-shined by a more clear ministration but this shall be the last ministration and abide till his own coming again and so her shall be in them in their doctrine and ministration for ever So as to all beleevers here is given certainty of truth goodness and immutability of the Gospel delivered by the Apostles and of the presence of the Spirit in such ministration thereof as left upon record by them to the end of the world And as for the promise and hope given in these promises to beleevers of this Doctrine for the Spirit in their hearts abiding in them for ever Note 1 It is great Joh. 17.20 21-23 7.37 38 39. 14 17. our Saviour having prayed for the same blessing for them also and promised the same but that is not to some peculiar kinde of beleevers but to all that beleeve on him not beleevers opposed to beleevers but beleevers opposed to the world that lieth in unbeleef as is exprest 2 That the manner of the assuring is abiding in them for ever is by our Saviours own explication to be in their abiding in him Joh. 15.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. in that faith love and confidence in him which the Spirit hath wrought and worketh in them and his word that which he hath helped them to understand and by which he teacheth and comforteth them abiding in them This also express So that by there quotations we are lead to hold fast our first faith that Heb. 6. Rom. 8.10 11. The Apostle both admonishing exhorting instructing and comforting in such a manner as telling them how it was with them if Christ be in them and how it should be with them if the Spirit of Christ did dwell in them and so not affirming what would bee for ever but warning and directing that it might be I marvel this should be quoted for this assertion it so suiting to that by him opposed 1 Cor. 6.19 The Apostle tells them that beleeve and surely had such illumination and participation of the Holy Ghost as mentioned Heb. 6.4 5. That their body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost in them c. Their body may be taken either for their personal bodies which were the vessels and instruments in and with which they were to be given up as servants of righteousness unto God Rom. 6.19 or by body may be meant their society in which Truth was and God to be worshipped and therefore to be kept holy 1 Cor. 5.6 7 8. and undefiled Now the Apostle minding them of this That their body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost or rather secretly reproves them for their neglect of minding what their body was consecrated to in the heavenly call
by Christ that bought them and had the right to dispose of them even to be the Temple of the Holy Ghost and Instruments for him to use And thereby he shewed the heinousness of their sin if they defiled their bodies with fornication and made or abused The members of Christ to be one with and the members of an harlot Rom. 12.1.2 And so on this ground exhorted them to demean their bodies sutable to the purchase made by Christ and to the relation they now stood in with Christ and to the purity and holiness of the Spirit God had given them having upon the very same ground forewarned them That if any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy 1 Cor. 3.16 17 18. intreating them not to be deceived c. and how doth the Spirit dwell in such for ever then yet after this he both reproveth warneth and exhorteth on the very same ground 2 Cor. 6.15 16.17 18 7.1 2. assuring them from the promises of God of the Spirits continuing and dwelling in them in their yeelding up to his teachings and therefore calls upon them for that even like as to the Hebrews chap. 6. I marvel this was quoted here to such an end which makes for that he opposeth Rom. 5.5 speaks of the operations of Grace beleeved not in some peculiar kinde of but in all true beleevers and so of that which hope in the exercise of faith doth Rom. 5.1 2 3 4 5. because of the love of God shed abroad in the heart of beleevers by the holy Ghost given unto them but not a word of the impossibility of any of the Saints by any ill requitals to deprive themselves of that love again and so of that holy Spirit yea he rather warns them to beware of that in the 6. and 8. Chapters following suitable to the warning given the Hebrews chap. 2. 3 4. 6. 1 Joh. 4.4.13 and those that follow speaks of the Spirit in beleevers a thing denied by none but not a word about the infallibility of his ever abiding unless as the former places directing to that in which it may so be but it may be these are quoted for proofs of that which follows in this Concernment which is no part of that contended for or against unless it be to countenance the distinction of two kinds of faith preferring one before another And so I will consider it CHAP. XX. Of the second part of the third Concernment HE saith Vpon the account of which inhabitation of the Spirit of Christ in them they have union with him that is one and the same Spirit dwelling in him the head and them the members Surely this may be truly said of all beleevers that abide in the faith of Christ during the time of their abiding in the faith and so of the faith as mentioned Heb. 6.1 2 4 5. yea the mixtures by him put in which are no parts of faith being taken out as they consist not with the rest even that first kinde of faith set forth by himself who hath not yet produced a better but even the same clad with some unjustifiable expressions so that this saying is true of all true beleevers or that in truth beleeve the testimony of Christ search the Scripture This I hope being granted of all that beleeve the Gospel of Christ that there are not two Spirits in Christ to procced from him to work faith in men and dwell in beleevers but onely one holy Spirit that is in the Father and in the Son the Spirit of the Father and of the Son sent by the Son from the Father and by the Father through the Son and in the name or Gospel of the Son one and the same holy Spirit And so where ever the Father and Son is he is and where ever he is the Father and Son is there with and by him Now minde what the Scripture saith Christ saith Mat. 10 40. Joh. 13.20 Mat 10.41 42. Luke 10.16 1 Joh. 4.6 Rev. 19.10 2 Cor. 5.19 20 Joh. 15.16 27. Act. 5.32 2 Thess 2.8 10 Hee that receiveth you receiveth me And he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me And this also spoken of his sending to preach the Gospel And though this in respect of his gracious acceptation and interpretation be true to all that for his sake receive such as beleeve in him yet it is principally meant of receiving his message by and from them And so he that hath the testimony of Jesus hath the Spirit of Prophesie And the holy Spirit witnesseth together with and in that testimony And Christ will in his time come again to be glorified in his Saints and admired in all them that beleeve because the Apostles testimony was received by them in the dayes of his patience while it was preached to them so that whoever in hearty beleeving receiveth this testimony It is Spirit and life to him Joh. 6.63 Rom. 1.16 1 Thess 2.13 Joh. 15.4 5 7. 1 Joh 1.3 2.24 yea the power of God to salvation to him and worketh effectually in him And as they abide in this word they abide in Christ and as this word abideth in them Christ by his Spirit abideth in them And they have fellowship with the Father and the Son and continue in both and that is his dwelling in them And so of the Galatians of whom Paul was sore afraid yet he doubteth not to affirm of them Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts Gal 4.6 7 8 9. c. and yee have known God or rather are known of him And so 1 Joh. 44.13 speaketh in the very same language not of any peculiar kinde of Spirit that is in Christ and flows from him into some peculiar kinde of true beleevers but of that one holy Spirit which is in Christ and his efficacies which also in a measure is in all true beleevers And so verse 4. he salth 1 Joh. 4.4 Yee are born of God or of God and have overcome them that is the evil spirits in the world because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world where the opposition is not of beleevers to beleevers but of beleevers to the world and this he after expresseth both by the effects and the beleevers in whom it is saying What soever is born of God over cometh the world 1 Joh 5.4 5. And who is he that overcometh the world but he that beleeveth that Jesus is the Son of God this being our victory whereby we overcome the world even our faith So that all the way here is but one spirit and one faith Gal 4.9 1 Cor 8.3 1 Ioh 4.6 7.12 And these beleevers marked out by the same terms with others Hee that knoweth God that loves God and loveth his brother these saith he Are of God born of God and God dwelleth in them And to demonstrate who these are he saith
It is he that heareth us that is the Apostles in the word given by Christ to them and by them delivered and recorded Rom. 1.5 16 26. for the obedience of faith among all Nations He that heareth that is accepteth and receiveth our testimony that will bee set appointed and determined in his judgement faith and way by this word delivered by us as it is indeed the word of God and so accounting God true 2 Thess 1.10 1 Thess 2.13 Rom. 3.4 1 Ioh. 4.6.11 Ioh. 1.12 13 7.37 38 39. Ier 11.6 8. 34-6-10 6.17 who ever bee found a lyar c. And so according to this testimony beleeveth in Christ and loveth his brother He and so all such are born of God And that this obedience of faith is meant by hearing is cleer in such a like use of the word in another business And they that refuse this are said to refuse to hearken So on the other side He that heareth not the word of Christ as delivered by the Apostles that is doth not accept it and receive c. he is not of God not born of God that is for the present time he is not now of God what ever he may be hereafter or hath been heretofore And so the word heareth is used for a present and continued hearing Ier. 34.9 10 15 11.16 Ezek. 18.24 Jer. 34. those that were affirmed to have heard yea so to have heard as to have turned and done right in the sight of God yet these after backsliding are then said not to have hearkned unto God according to that word In the day that he sinneth all his righteousness shall not be mentioned to him So then while he thus heareth he receiveth the word as the word of God and therein Christ and his Spirit that frameth inclineth and inableth him to beleeve in God love God love his brother and so the same minde and spirit that is in Christ is in him 1 Cor. 2.16 Phil. 2.12 5. Col. 3.16 1 Ioh. 3.6.9.23 24. Hence so exhorted To let the word of Christ dwell plentifully in us For such are of God born of God and God dwelleth in them And so vers 13. Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit And so in chap. 3. where abiding in him and being born of him are put one for another And there it is affirmed That he that keepeth his commands in beleeving on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ and loving one another dwelleth in him and he in him And hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us which needs no further explication to know what Spirit it is and that it is but one Spirit and the same Spirit that is in Christ and in all unfained beleevers And that this Spirit dwelleth both in their society for ever and in every particular soul of them that are found beleevers so long as they abide in the faith he hath wrought and preserveth in them and on that ground are the exhortations given Chap. 3. 4. and of like signification the other quotations 2 Tim. 1.14 1 Cor. 6 17. 12.12 13. Eph. 4.4 There being but one Spirit and I hope for the manner of the spirits being in Beleevers there needs no contention It is not meant simply of the essence or being of the Spirit Psal 1 30.7.13 Ier. 23.23 24. Amos 9.2.3 Heb. 3.1 Mat. 3.45 Iob 37.27 28 31. which is one and the same with the Father and the Son and so filling heaven and earth with his presence yea so with all creatures and so in love and well-pleasedness with the righteous and in wrath with and against the wicked discerning all things so that here is some farther meaning of the Spirit being in beleevers And that is also a farther thing than the forth-putting of his divine force and power upholding and raising up and making operative something in the creature Psal 33 5 11 36.6 104.27 28-30 for so he upholdeth the earth and the heavens and causeth the Sun to shine and the clouds to carry about water and distill their drops and the earth to bring forth fruit and men to live and move He causeth the grass to grow but not to be sensible and knowing he causeth the beasts to live breathe Act. 14.17 17.25 28. Psal 66.7 Eccles 3.14 and move and to be sensible and so to know as far as by sense they may be brought to know but indueth them not with reason or an intelle tual understanding But men besides all the former he also indueth with reason Job 35 10. and understanding above the beasts And all this extended to and for men is an effect of God and so of one and the same Spirit extended to fallen mankinde through a Mediator and so by vertue of the ransome and mediation of Christ and that to gracious ends to lead men to repentance yet all this being but the supportation of the old creation for a time that time and means may be vouchsafed to bring men to repentance and so short of the New Creation It is said still to be in a natural way extended And men thus knowing are but natural and cannot by nature or all the wisdome thus attained perceive 1 Cor. 2.8 14. or receive the things of the Spirit that he witnesseth of Christ But the forth putting of the divine force and power of the holy Spirit in this business is supernatural in the testimony of Christ The New and Spiritual man and for setting forward the New Creation which divine force or power according to the light in the means vouchsafed is at one time or other put forth to all men that come to the use of understanding in their several Ages In which respect also The word of faith Joh. 1.4 5.9 Rom. 10.6 7 8 9. Psal 119.130 1 Joh. 5.20 when preached is nigh to them in their mouth and heart that they might beleeve and confess And such as in beleeving receive the Spirits testimony He by his divine light and power effecteth in them an understanding and heart to know Christ and so to love him and one another for his sake and so to incline to and seek his ends And thus they partake of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1 4. This supernatural force and divine power working in them to this gracious end is the very Spirit that is in Christ and this his supernatural operation of the minde and disposition of Christ and so of faith love and likeness of design in their heart being born of the Spirit Is Spirit Joh. 3.6 1 Cor. 2.16 2 Cor. 4.13 2 Tim. 1.7 yea the Spirit and minde of Christ in them And called The Spirit of faith and the Spirit of love and power and of a sound minde And so bears the name of the Spirit and supernatural divine power that effected it yea is one with
first thing in hearty beleeving whereof we shall surely be saved Secondly Rom. 5.8.10 4.23 24 25. In the proceeding of it uniting to and ingrafting into Christ viz. That through the beleef of this fore-said and the immense love power and propitiousness and good will of God commended here-through beleeve in God and so rest on him for preservation in this grace to the enjoyment of the inheritance and so for the eternal life promised Heb. 11.13 which beleeving is formerly described to be a discerning a being perswaded and a hearty operation c. And all so beleeving without difference are justified by faith which word or term is used to shew the way of receiving justification even by faith not to shew that justification is compleated and over and past for justification is still needed by beleevers and in beleeving daily received of them whence also God is said not onely to be the justifier of him that beleeveth on him that justifieth the ungodly and so to be he that hath justified the beleever Rom. 4.5 But to be the justifier of him that beleeveth and it is God that justifieth Rom. 3.26 8.33 So as it is a continued flowing business for beleevers in all needs to be receiving by faith that is the onely way of receiving and that in which God dispenseth justification Therefore being justified by faith that is by and through Christ by his bloud Rom. 5.1 2 â— 3.25 5.11 John 1.12 Act. 10.43 12.38 39 the object of faith received in and through beleeving on him wee have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord by whom also wee have accesse into this grace wherein wee stand and rejoyce in hope of the glory of God c. And it should bee an evil work by any strange and lofty expressions to trouble any such beleevers about this faith Rom. 8.32 33-39 Speaketh of that whence the Apostles perswasion was raised and this perswasion not of and for himself alone or some special and peculiar Beleevers with him only But of the whole society and body of Beleevers 1 Joh. 3.1 2. speaketh likewise of the whole society of Beleevers Joh. 1.12 Gal. 3.26 Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed on us that wee should bee called the Sonnes of God Therefore the world knoweth us not owneth not us nor our faith and profession because it knew not him owned not God in that discovery of himself in his Son which hee hath set forth in the gospel Beloved now are wee the sons of God that is by faith and it doth not yet appear what wee shall bee that is 1 Cor. 13 12. Rom. 8.23 Col. 3.4 how glorious and happy we shall be we see yet but in part we are but a little like him we have yet but the first fruits of the spirit but when hee shall appear that is in glory wee shall bee like him for wee shall see him as hee is this is that which all true Beleevers do and may look and wait for Ephe. 3.15 Joh. 1.12 Gal. 3.26 speaks of more than beleevers on the earth and shews that all that are beleevers in Christ and those that have lived and died in the faith have had their name of Sonnes from Christ the Sonne and Beleevers now by vertue of their union with him in beleeving and from him now are they called Christians and his house c. And it is confessed in a sense hee puts his Name on them though it bee not here said they are called after the name of God But let it bee considered that here is shown how the Apostle prayed for them Eph. 3 14.-19 as was in Chap. 1 18.-20 And surely for nothing but what was good and needfull for them hee doth not puff them up with thoughts of their attainments Eph. 1.13 because they had beleeved and were sealed with the holy spirit of promise And were quickned together with Christ and were raised together and made to sit together in heavenly places in him Eph. 2.5 6 8 and were saved by grace through faith of the gift of God therefore they had and injoyed these things hee prayed for and it was impossible for them to miscarry though they knew not that they had these things and so wanted only the knowledge in themselves of the assurance of their abiding Nor doth he scare or terrify them as if their faith were not of the right kind and that Christ and his holy spirit were not in them But hee acknowledging their faith right and them faithful in Christ tells them now earnestly and for what hee prayeth for them Phil. 1.9 10 11. Col 1.9 10 11 1 Thes 3.12 13. 5.23 2 Thes 1.11 12 Eph. 3.14 15 that they may abide and grow and be preserved and established in the faith and so found unblameable before him at his comming As hee did the like for the Phillipians and for the Colossians and for the Thessalonians and so likewise for the Hebrews chap. 13.20 And so here to the Ephesians hee lets them know To whom and in whose name he prayed for them even unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named In which are many things encouraging both him and them to pray to God in the name of Christ As the exceeding greatnesse of the power of God that gave and raised Christ Eph. 1.19 22 2.17 18 19 22. Heb. 3.5 6 c. The relation between the Father and the Son and his ingagement to his Son by whom the ways of our approach to have access to God was opened the fellowship corporation and body hee hath received us into and made us of even his own house and family and so his interest in us Eph 1.23 3 14 and ours in him our Lord and the owner of this house And Lastly That in putting his word in their heart and inabling them to beleeve and confesse the same hee hath put his name upon them so farre that hee is pleased to bee called their God and Father and they called his people and the declarers of his name which with the rest gives great consolation seeing hee hath promised to hear his people that are called by his name when they humble themselves and pray and seek his face and pray towards or in the house that is called by his name 2 Chron. 7 12-14 6 20-41 which as the old was a tipe signifies Christ and his people and so to pray in faith in the Name of Christ and in union with and love of the brethren Joh. 16.23 Mar. 11.24 25 Psal 65 1-4 Hee being a God hearing prayers and they blessed whom he chooseth and causeth to approach to him that they may dwell in his house for they shall bee satified And as this is great consolation for Beleevers confident praying so it hath in it also a forcible and great admonition to Beleevers to
beware that wee dishonour not the Name that is put upon us Rom. 2.24 As miscarriages in such as bear this Name will do ten times more then in those that have not this Name upon them whence that Tit. 2.10 So that all the Family of God is named of Christ is express here and that God hath put his Name on them is true Instructive Consolatory and Admonitory But when thus exprest called by the name of God there needs some cautions to prevent vain conceits c. for they are not called Jehovah or God or the Father or Jesus or the Christ or the Holy Ghost or the Creator of all things or the Redeemer of mankind or the sanctifier of Gods chosen or the Lord of hoasts or the Almighty or the Truth Love Wisdome it self c. no not so but the Name put on them is the Name of that report of his goodnesse in his Doctrin of which they are made Beleevers and professors and so hee is called their God Father Saviour c. And they his Israel his People Sons Christians c. And yet here is another caution namely that this family will one day bee more pure and have a new name given them after their total victory and conquest or his Name put on them in a more glorious manner when that 2 Cor. 5.21 will bee compleatly fulfilled as is there promised when without controversie there will bee amongst them no finne nor possibility of sinning or falling but the family on earth is not so yet and though the spirits of just men bee perfect and under the Altar and out of all danger yet want they their bodies and so that fulnesse they shall enjoy in the resurrection of the just But that part of the family that is here below are yet in mortal bodies and so are not yet any of them altogether without sin nor are all things that offend yet purged out the beleevers and Saints in and of this part of the family here on earth are yet in a warfare beset with enemies within and without temptations from lusts within terrours and allurements from the world without Satan and his Ministers with pretences of light striving to seduce them from the faith and to turn them out of the way whence they are often warned from God to stand fast in the faith to be sober and watchful to put on the whole Armor of God to fight the good fight of Faith to cleave to Christ in whom there is compleatness for them to sow to the spirit of whom they shall reap life everlasting And to take heed that they bee not deceived and that they depart not through an evil heart of unbeleefe and many such warnings with ground of the same Now of this part of the family here on earth and of the faith and holinesse in them and so of such beleevers and Saints is our whole discourse And so in the controversy between some brethren The Question is whether such as are admitted into this family in that part of it that is here below and have the name of God and Christ so put on them as it is put on his people here below whether they may not by neglect of their watch and the warning given them bee overcome to such degrees of sinning as to depart from the faith and so bee cast out of this family and have this name taken off them again To which I answer Oh that none more might but yet wee need to bee heedful for if we look at our tipes as the Temple and place God chose for his worship and put his name there was a tipe of those by faith built on Christ 1 Pet. 2.3.5 So it s not without its use to us that where God sets his name at the first yet for the wickednesse of the people there Jer. 7 10-14 he removed it away from thence And threatned to do the same yea hee hath done it to Jerusalem and the house there called by his name or it wee look at Israel of old was not that people called Israel Isa 1.10.21 after for their wickednesse called Sodome Jer. 2.21 and that called a faithful City afterward for their filthiness called a harlot yea was not the noble Vine of Gods planting 1 Cor. 10 1-11.18 afterward by evil ways degenerated into the plant of a strange Vine And are not these things writ for examples and warnings to us but to leave pressing the tipes and come nigher even to the truth it self If this family be the kingdome of God here on earth as I suppose none questions then what means that saying of our Saviour Mat. 8.11 12 Many shall come from the East and West and shall sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the kingdome of heaven But the children of the kingdome shall bee cast out into utter darknesse 1 Tim. 3.15 2 Tim. 20 21 16 17 18. with 1 Tim. 1.19 20. Isa 60.21 Zach. 14.21 Psal 144.11 14 15 16 c. And if this family bee the house of God which is the Church of the living God compared to a great house then sure the vessels admitted and taken into it that are unmeet for the Masters use are such as are departed from the faith they once had when they were admitted and used and are therefore to bee cast out Surely that time hath not yet been nor now is but is yet to come of which it is said Thy people shall be all righteous c. This will bee when the Church is wholly rid of strange children that there is no more going out c So that as yet the being in this family and called by his name Is no sufficient argument to prove that all that so are in the time of this warfar will without all doubt so continue and remain for ever it is more safe for us to watch over our selves Gal. 5.4 1 Tim. 1.19 20 2 Tim. 2.18 4.3.4 1 Tim. 4.1 2 and over one another in taking the warnings given us in the Scripture where also it is affirmed that some have fallen from grace some have made Shipwrack of faith and a good conscience some have erred from the Faith and overthrown the faith of others yea and there also the spirit hath expresly affirmed that in these latter dayes some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrins of devils yea many turn to fables which wee with sorrow for them see fulfilled in many of whom it cannot with any evidence of truth bee said that they were all and every of them hypocrites or that their faith was not saving yea some of them so strong in that opinion that they counted it no less than blasphemy to say that there was any possibility for them or any true beleever and Saints to fall away But I will proceed no farther I have considered Mr. Owens stating the question and his proofs and observed his own rule in going to the Law and Testimony
in him the Man Jesus Christ he is therefore likewise called God our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ our hope And so the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God and Saviour of the world as he hath taken the nature of man and dyed for our sins and rose for our justification offered the acceptable sacrifice sitteth at the right hand of God filled with Spirit c. So as who ever beleeveth in him shall receive forgiveness of sins c. This the object of faith and the testimony of Christ in the Gospel holding forth this being that in which he is discovered and discerned in beleeving of which beleeved and received that is the mediate object of faith and Christ thus set forth in and by the Gospel is called The faith even the same faith that Paul did once persecute and after preach And this faith is one and but one But I suppose the controversie is not about this though the evil managing the controversie hath strengthned many in denying this But here the business controverted is about the grace of beleeving Now every beleeving is not faith but that which is begotten by the declaration of the object of faith and in beleeving it closeth with it And so faith is still one as hath been shewn at large Part 3. Chap. 17. and elsewhere And so if answer bee given That by faith is meant such a beleeving as is begotten by the testimony of Christ and closeth with Christ in that testimony then sure the Question is stated in the Answer given but if it be urged it need to be better opened I answer it hath been often shewn how the Scripture doth it in many places plainly and so far to yeeld to all that is right even in tradition of Fathers also It s known what some of them have said and others from them have preached who have said the right beleef is this A beleeving God to Bee and beleeving of God in that which he saith and beleeving in God for all he hath promised This all this nothing less than this is said to bee a right beleef True it is He that beleeveth not God to bee and Jehovah to be that very true God is as an Atheist and hath no true beleef at all But he that beleeveth God to be and Jehovah to bee that very God doth so far beleeve a right yet if he beleeve him not true in his sayings and demonstrations of his goodness he is yet wanting of a right beleef yea his beleeving is not saving without this If he beleeveth both these his beleeving is right and saving and if he abide in it and minde what he beleeveth it will save him so as to bring him to beleeve in God for what he promiseth which when he attaineth he beginneth to bee saved so far as he is a true beleever and hath faith even true faith And as I conceive the Scripture it self also holds forth this in Heb 11.6 For he that cometh to God must beleeve that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Here is the beleef of his being express and the beleef of his sayings in his demonstrated goodness express beleeving in him intimated in coming to him And this to prove faith in Henoch and in his time when though all the goodness of God to man-ward was through a Mediator yet the Mediator and his work was not then so clearly revealed as since Jesus Christ carried our nature into heaven and the fulnes of the God-head dwels in him bodily of which his first witnesses have testified saying We know that the Son of God is come 2 Joh. 5.20 and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and eternal life So then we have not another faith or an other manner of beleeving but the same object of faith brought nigher and set forth more cleerly to be in the same manner more firmly beleeved in even God in Christ and so Christ and God in him 1 To beleeve this publick man to be even the second man the Lord from heaven the spiritual man that hath in himself as the publick man suffered for the sins of mankinde that came in by the first publick mans transgression and restored the nature of man and presented it spotless in himself before the Father and the Father hath taken his wel pleasedness and dwelling in him and set him forth the propitiation for the sins of the world the Savior of the world That whoever beleeve in him may have everlasting life And that Jesus is this Christ the Son of the living God 2 To beleeve his sayings by his Spirit in the Gospel all true and good the very sayings of the God of truth in and by him 3 To beleeve in him in Christ Jesus in his blood and so in God in him for all that he hath promised and so for the Kingdome to come this according to the description of the Ancient is Evangelical faith not another kinde but the same more bright and fully appearing and enjoyed all which hath been shewn in first second third and fourth parts of this Treatise yea in the residue also at large And though as at first mentioned it is accepted where this glorious Gospel is not given yet where it is displayed if the first be wanting there is no right Gospel-beleeving but that beleeved with the heart will effect the other two which being in any measure effected such do not onely beleeve truly but are true beleevers and have right faith that is saving and justifying And as for Scripture-stating and explicating the question it is oft shewn already and all agreeing with that here said to set it forth by a definition I will not presume onely the nearest that I finde of that nature I will mention it is in Heb. 1.2 Now faith is the substance ground or confidence of things hoped for the evidence of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen By faith here it is cleer is meant such a beleef of Gods evidenced goodness as is begotten by his own declaration evidence or testimony and closeth with the same in beleeving according to his evidence given And that he speaks of the object of faith evidenced by divine testimony received and closed with in beleeving is evident throughout the whole Epistle of which evidences through mediums in the rumor of that report in Paradise the evidences in works of Creation and Providence were the first and then more fully by word and oracles and then most full and clear by his Son the standing testimony of whom is in the Gospel as now come forth and this is plain Chap. 1.1 2 3 2.1 2 3 4. 12.25 of faith begot by evidences through the first mediums Examples in this 11. Chapter from vers 4. to vers 7. of more fulness added in more clear discovery by word
also were to be sound in the Faith and such as is aforesaid yea and proved and approved to be such 5. That for the chusing order and number of these Officers it is to be according to the fitness and necessities of the several Churches and the Liberty God-in his Providence gives them the Church among the Corinthians among whom were many divisions and many puft up for some against other were exhorted to that which should be constant even to order in their proceedings and to let such of them as had prophetical gifts 1 Cor. 14.26 29 40. have the precedence in leading but not being fit because of being puft up for one against another c. they were not yet permitted to chuse their outward Officers that so all things might be so set in order till the Apostle came and did that Believers furnish'd with Apostolical or Evangelistical gifts at least needful in such a case But the Church among the Philippians a gracious sweetly-framed people in their fellowship in the Gospel they had their Bishops and Deacons among themselves and were well approved of And the Churches among the Ephesians had also their Bishops and Deacons but still needed more and more helpfulness about them and Timothy that was an Evangelist by his Gifts 2 Tim. 4 1 2 3 4 5 6. 1 Tim. 1.3 8. 3 4 5 6. and to do the work of an Evangelist in his preaching was left as a Bishop or Elder there to oversee both the several Churches and the Elders or Bishops and Deacons in the several Churches to charge some that they teach no other Doctrine beside that delivered them in the Gospel and to silence and stop the Mouths of perverse erronious Ones by the Word and to help them in choise of Officers Tit. 1 2 3. and for the right ordering of all their Assemblies and Manners and for the same cause was Titus left in Crete both to ordain them Elders and oversee both them and the people and give directions to them yet were all these in Corinth Philippi and Ephesus and Crete true Churches and fought not one with another about these outward Forms it being in and to each according to their firness and necessity Now while the immediate Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers lived and thos mediate Ones that had heard and seen them and that the Officers were chosen by and of those of the true Sanctuary who were clothed with the Righteousness of Christ and gloried in the Doctrine of Christ delivered by the twelve Apostles and contemned the glory Rev. 12.1 2. riches and pleasures of this World and that the outward Court was in the Hands of the Saints and they the Ministers and these the Officers therein also the Church appeared beautiful and glorious indeed But in that time the outward Court is left into the hands of the Gentiles the true Sanctuary is trodden down and as one dwelling in a Wilderness among Briars Rev. 12.14 11.1 2 3 4 5. Thorns and wild Beasts and then cloth'd with Sackcloth and yet patiently bearing this shall carry on their Work with the rich spiritual and constant Furniture given which is shewn to be very good and great though they have not all their Priviledges in the outward Court and to encourage I will name one Help more 6. Joh. 11.25 7.38 39. 14.16 26. 16.7 15 23 26. Mat. 28.20 7.7 Mar. 11.23 24. Luk. 1.7.6 Phil. 4.4.5 7 13. To fit and furnish for and in all the former Directions and against all that comes to oppose or hinder us he hath given us his gracious promise to be with us that believing on him his strength and Spirit shall support lead and go forth with us and whatever we finde wanting ask in his Name and it shall be done for and to us that so we may be able to do all things through Christ that strengthneth us so wonderfully are these chosen Ministers fitted for the Ministration of the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mystery And thus much of the several Revelations and so of this last Revelation of Christ CHAP. 17. A Corollary from the Testimony of Christ in the three Branches together with all these several Revelations of Christ to the fullest FRom all that hath been said in the second and third Part of this Treatise and the Scriptures alledged and so in the whole Scripture-Testimony of Christ it appears I. That there is one Faith and but one Faith that is Faith indeed real and true in its kinde and so not divers kindes of Faith each true in its kinde The whole Testimony of Christ holds forth to us one and but one kinde of Faith that is true Faith yea Eph. â— 5 upon exhortation to keep the Unity of Spirit this is given as the ground of it There is one Faith as there is one God and Father one Lord and Saviour and one Spirit and so one true Church in which he is so there is one Faith and no more kindes of true Faith then of Gods c. we may see this in every sense the word Faith is used in the Testimony Rom. 1.5 10.8 16.26 Gal. 1.23 3.2 Rom. 4.19 24. Eph. 2.8 Act. 13.8 Rom. 3.20 30. 4.5 5.1 the word Faith being used sometime for the object of Faith and for the Word or Gospel in which that object is set forth and sometime for the Grace of Faith or believing in that object and sometime for both the object and believing so as the Believer is united to it and so still the Faith one and of one kinde For 1. The object of Faith is every way one and the same the Gospel that is the discovering Medium 2 Cor. n. 4. Gal. 1.7 8 9. Col. 1.5 23. the Word of Faith and of Grace though it hath many Branches and Uses yet they flow from meet in one and there is but one and the same Gospel and not another and Jesus Christ set forth and as set forth in this Gospel he is one and there is not another though he be set forth as indeed he is The Son of God and the Son of Man God-Man and what from Eternity he was and what in time he became what he hath done and what he is thereby become and what he is furnished to do 1 Cor. 8.6 Joh. 4.42 2 Cor. 11.4 1 Cor. 8.6 12.6 Gal. 3.20 1 Tim. 2.5 1 Cor. 12.4 11. 2 Cor. 11.4 1 Joh. 5.7 Mar 12.32 34. Joh. 10.29 30. 1 Joh. 5.10 11. and what he doth and will do as the mighty God and the Son of Man as the Saviour of all Men especially of those that believe and the Judge of all yet he is one and but one Lord Jesus Christ the Christ the Saviour of the World and there is not another Jesus that is the Christ and so God the Father that is in Christ and dwells in him though his
so saith yea all quoted and the rest are against it 2. In this Purpose of glorifying his Son and shewing forth his Glory through him he purposed also to do both in this by creating by him an infinite or numberless company of Angels or heavenly Spirits all holy and good to attend on and minister to this his Son Heb. 1.4 6 7. Psal 104.4 and so to serve and glorifie God in serving and glorifying his Son whom only he had exalted glorified with equality to himself and to endue them with fitness and ability for this service and to free them from any seducing Tempter without them Job 38.7 Psal 9.7 Luk. 20.36 to turn them aside from it and in their rejoycing in him and acknowledge him their supreme Lord rejoycing in his Exaltation and well-pleasedness with their own place and service of him to establish them by his Son as his Sons for ever But if any of them contented not themselves with this their place and service Job 1.6 2.1 Jude 6. See Part 1. chap. 11. but aspired to a likeness and equality with God as was peculiar to his first-begotten Son then to cast them down for ever and reserve them in chains of darkness to the judgement of the great Day All which according to his Purpose he hath done 3. In this Purpose of glorifying his Son and shewing forth his glory through him he also purposed to create by him the Heaven and Earth and a VVorld of Creatures for Mankinde and so to create Man righteous c. for his Glory and the good of Mankinde as hath been shewn 4. See Part 1. chap. 9. In foresight of Man's Fall and Misery thereby he purposed still the shining forth of his Glory through his Son in working by him a Redemption and Restauration for Mankinde and a New Creation for all that by his Glory shined through should believe on him and that he should be the Judge of all See Part 1. ch 12 13. as hath been foreshewn And of the Purpose of God as new last mentioned and the Purposes included in it it is that comes within the compass of this Discourse and of no other for in consideration of this Purpose and Purposes included in it we shall meet with all that is revealed for us to know concerning the Purposes of God about Eternal Salvation for Mankinde or the Eternal Damnation of any of them And yet before we proceed it is needful to observe and minde well a few Cautions to prevent Mistakes CHAP. 2. Of some Cautions to be heeded to prevent Mistakes THat we distinguish between Foreknowledge Caution I. and Purpose or Decree By Foreknowledge I mean not fore-owning or pre-approbation in which sense the word is frequently used in Scripture but knowing before foreseeing or prescience In which sense the word is commonly used among ordinary people and sometime some word also bearing that sense used in Scripture and such foreknowing I mean Reply If any say Nothing could have any being life strength and ability of motion and action for God to foresee if God had not forepurposed and did not according to his purpose give and preserve the same Answer If it be meant of created beings and such life and power of moving and acting as is in Creatures then this is very true but if it be meant of all the demeanor of those beings and their various movings and actings in and with that power of acting and moving which God hath given them then this is not true Doubtless God did foresee how Jerusalem would abuse all that Life Beauty Ezek. 16.2 27. Riches and Ornaments he gave them but he did not will purpose or decree they should so abuse them though he purposed how to deal with them for it yea he expresly sa it They did both chuse such ways and do such abominations as he not onely not commanded them Isa 66.4 Jer. 19.5 32.35 but as came not into his Minde which can be no less then not purposed by him So surely God foresaw when he purposed to make the first Adam and to give him that life and power of moving and acting which he did and that Furniture he furnished him with how he would abuse his power and Furniture and sin against God but God never willed purposed or moved him so to sin Jam. 1.13 much less approved he should so do yea according to his purppose he afforded him sufficient means by heeding which he might have been preserved And farther he would not withstand and hinder him and so onely permitted but decreed not his Fall yet in foreseeing it he purposed to shew forth the Glory of his Goodness more in provision of a fit remedy for restoring of Mankinde of which Purposes we are to treat And indeed he said well that said God is so good that he would never suffer evil to be if he knew not how to work good out of it So that Foresight is one thing and Purpose another Reply If any reply But then God foreseeing these miscarriages did decree to permit the same Answer I answer If this be put in if Men by the means used by him to keep them from sinning would not be so kept back from sinning but notwithstanding all helps to preserve will transgress then I will confess the saying true else not though I finde not the Scripture anywhere calling such permissions decrees nor do such decrees if in such sense they may be so called come within the compass of such purposes as we have before us to treat of And so let this first Caution be heeded That the Purposes of God we are to treat of Caution II. are his Purposes of Eternal Salvation and of Eternal Damnation and not of such Purposes of God concerning Men as being verily fulfilled et even of those persons on whom they are fulfilled some may be Eternally saved and some may be Eternally damned so as the fulfilling of such Purposes neither necessitates the persons on whom they are fulfiled to be Eternally saved nor to be Eternally damned they being fulfilled both on the righteous and the wicked as for some instance 1. As God hath made of one Blood all Nations of Men for to dwell on all the face of the Earth so did he also purpose and in his Purpose determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their Habitation Act. 17.26 27. and this with a gracious end and tendency for their good also in his way yet in this Purpose onely those and all those in all times ages and Nations of the World that fear him should be accepted of him Act. 10.35 so that though purposed and according to purpose some be Kings and Magistrates somâ— Subjects some Rich some Poor and all in a gracious tendency that they might seek and acknowledge the Lord in these condition some of all sorts have been found in every of these conditions seeking and fearing God and so walking