upon them any speciall benefit tending that way Quest Wherefore doth God call and exhort all men to repent seeing all cannot attaine thereunto Answ Hee doth it for these Reasons First because his elect are mingled amongst others and therefore he doth send his Word and call upon all men to repent Secondly he doth it to manifest to all the freenesse of his grace that he is ready to receive all that come to him Thirdly to leave all men without excuse and that their condemnation might more manifestly appeare to be just seeing that grace and mercy was offered them and they willingly refused and rejected it and at that great day of Judgement every mouth shall bee stopped and every one appeare culpable before God Quest But seeing that God hath elected sonne and rejected others is it not therefore in vaine to heare or reade the word of God to pray unto him or to use any meanes to come to the knowledge of the way of life and salvation Answ No verily for seeing these things are required of all men all are bound to take knowledge thereof and to reject or refuse them is to reject and refuse God who offers his grace therein and doth by them worke grace in his elect now seeing some there are that reape benefit by the use of them and that no man can conclude of himselfe that God hath not elected him it is not in vaine to use the meanes but it is meere madnesse and folly to refuse and reject them Quest But by this meanes men may come to such a measure of knowledge and to bee so farre inlightned that they may be in danger to commit the sin against the holy Ghost and so make their condemnation the greater Answ This commeth not by the carefull use of the meanes but by the abuse thereof and light esteeme of the grace offered and therefore they are to take heed of those things that may be any occasion thereunto Quest Is it necessary that this doctrine concerning Gods Predestination should bee made knowne seeing that it may bee hurtfull to many making some secure and carelesse in using any meanes of salvation and also causing others to despaire Answ It is necessary to bee knowne and therefore hath the Lord beene pleased to reveale it and doubtlesse no hurt shall come thereby to any of the elect but exceeding much good for it serves greatly to humble them and to let them see that it is no defert of theirs but the free grace of God who might have chosen others and rejected them And as for the rest they will abuse every truth though it be never so good and profitable and therefore seeing God hath been pleased to reveale it the Elect are not to be deprived of this Benefit because of the abuse of them by the Reprobate Quest Wherefore is it that in Scripture our Justification is attributed unto Faith Answ We are said to be justified by Faith not that Faith justifieth of it selfe but because it is a gift of God whereby man believeth that which the Spirit declareth and evidenceth to the conscience namely the pardon of sinne and assurance of grace through the blood of Christ Secondly because all our owne workes are excluded in the matter of Justification before God and there is no cause of boasting for our salvation is onely of the Lord Hosea 13.9 Quest If good workes doe not justifie before God to what end are they so often required Answ They are required for divers ends First because by them we shall glorifie God and adorne our holy profession Math. 5.16 Secondly we shall by them be a means to win others to love our profession and give good examples to others to doe the like and to follow us 1 Pet. 2.12 Thirdly by this means we shall stop the mouthes of the adversaries 1 Pet. 2.15 Fourthly we shall have comfort if we be brought to suffer and be accused as evill doers wrongfully 1 Pet. 2.19 Fifthly we shall by them make tryall of the truth of our faith and of the graces that are in us by the exercise of them as occasion is offered Quest But doe not good workes deserve nothing at the hands of God Answ No certainly no workes that we can doe can possibly deserve any thing at the hands of God for when we have done all that we can we may truly say we are unprofitable servants Luke 17.10 Quest If good workes deserve nothing wherefore is it that so many promises are made in Scripture unto good workes Answ God hath thereby set forth his bounty to stir us up who are backward of our selves adding thereunto promises of reward But such is our weakenesse and great imperfections in our best workes that we haue cause rather to be humbled for our wants in the performance of them then to challenge any thing at the hands of God for the same yet certaine it is that the good workes of Gods Children shall be rewarded though not for the worthinesse of the worke yet for the truth of the promiser who hath promised to reward the gift of a cup of cold water to one of those that belong to him so that we have no cause to be backward in good workes but to be forward in the doing of them Math. 10.42 Quest Are all men rewarded for their good workes Answ Yes certainly the righteous God rewardeth all either here in this life or after this life but he in a more especiall manner rewardeth the good workes of his Children even those workes of love and mercy extended towards the Saints their Brethren Math. 25. Quest Are there Saints now upon the earth Answ Yes verily there have been are and ever shall be Saints upon the earth Psal 16.3 Quest But seeing all men are corrupted and even after regeneration the remnants of Sinne still continue in them can the name of Saints be properly given unto them Answ Yes it may be well given unto them for God so accounts of them as being without Sinne beholding no iniquity in them Numbers 23.21 Canticles 4.7 Ephes 5.27 Quest If God behold all things and nothing be hid from his all-seeing eye how can it be but that he should see those Sinnes which his elect doe daily and continually fall into Answ It is true that God beholdeth all things and cannot be ignorant of those Sinnes which they fall into yet notwithstanding God doth looke upon them in Christ and beholds them all righteous and holy in him imputing the rigteousnesse of Christ unto them Rom. 4.6.7 1 Cor. 1.30 2 Cor. 5.21 Quest What is that righteousnesse of Christ which is imputed unto the Saints and for which they are accounted holy Answ All the righteousnesse of Christ whatsoever his active obedience performed to the law his passive obedience in suffering whatsoever was due unto them for Sinne and what the Justice of God could require at their hands yea all the holinesse that is in Christ either of his nature as hee was man or of his
take in hand and also in the publick meetings of the Saints but there are other special times wherein every Christian hath liberty to make choice of the fittest time in his own wisdome and discretion as he hath need Quest What is a Sacrament Ans A Sacrament is an outward visible signe appointed by God to teach unto his people spirituall and heavenly misteries Quest Do the Sacraments teach any other thing then that which the word of God doth Ans Not any other thing is taught thereby but the very same thing is visibly preached and presented to our eyes by visible signes which we heare with our eares preached out of the word of God Quest How many Sacraments are there now apointed by God continually to teach and instruct his Church Answ Onely two Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord. Mat. 28.19 Chap. 26..27 c. Quest What is Baptisme Answ It is a teaching signe whereby is visibly preached unto us by the water and the outward washing Regeneration the new birth of water and the Spirit that is Repentance and faith required of all that will enter into the Kingdome of Heaven Io. 3. Quest Is Baptisme necessary to salvation Answ The things signified by the outward signes of water and washing which indeed is Baptisme is of necessity to salvation as our Lord testifieth Io. 3.5 Quest Are not the outward signes of necessity to salvation Answ No they are not of that necessity for many no doubt may be partakers of that new birth signified by the outward washing which never heard of the outward Baptisme Quest But what if any shall contemne and despise the outward Baptisme Answ It is not possible for any that know it to be an ordinance of God and despise it and will not be baptised it is impossible for such to be saved Quest Are all the elect regenerate when they are outwardly baptised An. No certainly for many of them live many yeares before that work be wrought in them but God doth work in them that great work of Regeneration at what time it pleaseth him Quest But doth the Lord require of us to submit to his own ordinance and will he not work that which is signified thereby Answ The Lord will have us obedient to his ordinance and it is his goodnesse to afford unto us such an excellent help to teach and instruct us to confirm unto us the truth of his promise by such an outward visible signe or seal but he hath not any where promised that he will work that work of grace in them at that instant in their outward Baptisme or by it Quest But there are promises made unto Baptisme of eternall life and such promises belong to none but the regenerate therefore they are also regenerate in Baptisme Answ It is true that in Scripture there are made promises of eternall life unto Baptisme but there are two Baptismes spoken of in Scripture the one men may be partakers of perish which is the outward washing and the other which is the inward washing whosoever are partakers of shall assuredly have eternall life which is indeed the Baptisme of the spirit which whosoever are partakers of have put on Christ and are buried with Christ and are baptised into his death and so shall also live with Christ in eternall glory Quest May Infants be baptised seeing they cannot understand what is done or meant by Baptisme Answ Yes doubtlesse they may as well as children might bee circumcised both Sacrament signifying one and the same thing and therefore they being as capable of the thing signified now as they were then may be baptised for the Lord would thereby shew unto us that we are all born polluted and defiled our nature being corrupted and that children have need of that inward washing of the spirit signified by outward Baptisme and al so to teach us that Infants may be saved as well as others seeing he would admit them to be partakers of that his ordinance Quest Whhat is the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Answ It is also an outward signe whereby is represented unto us by the breaking of the Bread and the pouring out of the Wine the Lords death the breaking of his body and the pouring out of his blood and by the receiving of those signes of Bread and Wine is set forth unto us the participation and communion of the faithfull in his death and in whatsoever he hath done for them and it is their thankfull remembrance thereof till he come 1 Cor. 11. Quest Who are to partake of this Sacrament Answ It was instituted onely for the Saints who are ingrafted into Jesus Christ by a true and lively faith and for their comfort a one Quest May not others bee admitted to this Sacrament Answ They ought not to be admitted if they be knowne to bee wicked and contemners of good things and indeed they ought not to presume to eat thereof considering the danger and damage that comes by unworthy eating and drinking thereof 1 Cor. 11.28.29 Quest What is the danger in unworthy eating and drinking thereof Answ They provoke the Lord to lay judgements upon them for abusing his ordinance which was ordained onely for the helpe and comfort of the faithfull and so eat and drinke damnation to themselves 1 Cor. 11. Quest What great things hath the Scriptures foretold us that are yet unfulfilled the performance whereof wee are to expect in these latter dayes Answ The destruction of Antichrist that man of Sinne The restoration of the truth from those errors abroad in the world the comming downe of the Turkes upon the Christians and the comming of the Lord unto Judgement 2 Thes 2.8 Revel 21.11 chap. 1.17.16 chap. 18. Rev. 20.8 9. Ezek. 38.2 and chapt 39.1 Quest Is the time of the destruction of Antichrist layd downe in the Scriptures Answ Yes certainly Quest But is it possible to find out the time of his destruction Answ Yes assuredly for the Lord hath caused it to bee written for that end that the Church of God might know it and might reape the greater comfort thereby in not onely knowing that he shall be destroyed but also in knowing the yeare of his destruction they may have their mindes setled and patiently wait and not doubt the fulfilling of that promise concerning his destruction Quest But is not times and seasons onely knowne unto the Lord Answ Times and seasons are known also to the Church when it pleaseth God to reveale them for the comfort of his people as we may see that the time of deliverance of Israel out of the captivity in Babilon was revealed and made known unto Daniel which he found out by books that were written Quest In what place of Scripture is the time of Antichrists destruction layd downe Answ In the booke of the Revelation and the eleventh chapter where hee is limited to raigne forty two moneths which is moneths of yeares which amounteth to 1260 yeares The end of which time shall bee in the
yeare 1666. as appeareth in the last verse of the thirteenth chapter where the very period and finall determination of Antichrist is layd down in which yeare the destruction denounced against him shall fall on him Quest Shall there not be a restoration of the truth till the destruction of Antichrist Answ The truth hath begun to appeare already and still shall more and more but the full restauration thereof shall not bee till all the darknesse of Antichrist bee removed and his destruction accomplished Revel 11.11 Quest Is not the truth fully knowne published preached and professed now at this time in those Kingdomes where Antichrists power is abolished Answ No certainly much darknesse still remaines even amongst them and great confusion which shall at that time be more fully discovered and the truth made knowne and errors and Heresies abolished by such whom the Lord shall raise up in and about that time and for that end Quest Are we not to expect the truth to bee more fully discovered then now it is before the destruction of Antichrist Answ Yes assuredly for it is the light of the truth maintained by the Saints which shall in a speciall manner abolish Antichrists darknesse and also shall be the greatest meanes of his destruction for the people of God shall by the light of the truth more fully discover his abominations and cause the Princes of the earth to see how grossely they have been deluded and abused by him and so they shall with one consent set themselves against this great enemy of Christ to roote him out and to execute the judgement that the Lord hath denounced against him Revel 19.11 12 13 14 15. Rev. 17.16 Quest Shall the Church of God enjoy any great prosperity after the destruction of Antichrist Answ Yes certainly for then they shall be freed from their great and violent oppressions and have free liberty to professe and practise the whole will of God and enjoy the communion and fellowship one of another their inward graces shall be great and excellent their love shall abound one towards another continually rejoycing in the hope of that crowne of glory which is layd up for them in heaven 4 Esdras 11.46 and chap. 12.34 2 Tim. 4.8 Revel 19.1.2 3 4 5 6 7. Quest Shall the whole Nation of the Jewes be converted and receive the Gospell of Christ before the comming of the Lord to judgement Answ We hope many of them shall be called before that day But that the whole Nation shall be called and receive the Gospell we have no ground in Scripture so to thinke Quest But the Apostle in the eleventh chapter to the Romans seemes to intend to prove that they shall all be called before the day of the Lord Answ Whosoever do so collect and gather from that chapter doe misunderstand and misinterpret the Apostle for his purpose is not to prove that all the Nation of the Jewes shall be called to Christ in the latter end of the world but to shew unto the Gentiles lest they should wax proud against the Jewes that God had a people amongst the Jewes and that hee had not cast them all away but that hee had a remnant according to the election of Grace even amongst Abrahams naturall seed whom he would call when it pleased him many were called in Pauls time and no doubt but many since that time and we hope that yet there are many of them that belong to the Lord which shall be called when the darknesse of Antichrist is expelled and the light of the truth appeareth and shineth by the Church but wee are not to expect any such generall calling of them Quest Doth not the Apostle say in the 26th verse of that thapter that all Israel shall be saved Is not here therefore a sure ground to build upon for their conversion to Christ Ans The Apostle there meanes by all Israell all the elect of God both Jews and Gentiles and not onely the Nation of the Jewes as may be proved by these Reasons First because the Apostle saith in the twenty fift verse that in part blindnesse or hardnesse is happened unto Israell untill the fulnesse of the Gentils be come in which is even till the comming of the Lord to Judgement as appeareth Luke 21.24 Therefore by all Israell is not meant the Jewes onely but all the elect of the Jewes and of the Gentiles Secondly because the Promise of the deliverer in the Testimony of Esay alleadged by the Apostle was made to the Elect Gentiles as well as to the Elect Jewes and the elect Gentiles reape the same benefit by the Deliverer And this promise also pertaines to none but to the Elect of the Jewes and Gentiles not to all the carnall Jewes but onely to the elect the Spirituall seed of Abraham consisting both of Jewes and Gentiles For the test doe not reap this benefit namely to have their ungodlinesse turned away Esay 59.20 Rom. 9.6.7.8 Rom. 2.28.29 Gal. 3.29 Thirdly by all Israell cannot bee meant that in the latter dayes all the Nation of the Jewes shall bee converted Because this great calling which is pretended to be is not once mentioned in the booke of the Revelation and therefore not shewed unto Iohn and yet he was taken up and was promised to have shewne unto him the things which should be hereafter Revelation 4.1 But this great conversion of the Jewes he saw not and yet hee saw all things to the setting up of the new Jerusalem in everlasting glory and beauty therefore certainly we are not to expect any such matter neither in this place doth the holy Ghost intend any such thing Quest But it may seeme that this promise is made onely to the Iewes because is made to Jacob and they only are the posterity and seed of Jacob Answ It is not made only to the naturall Jewes for we are to know that when any such speciall promise is made in Scripture of turning away ungodlinesse and taking away of sins from Israel or Iacob that promise is made and intended as well to the Elect Gentiles as to the Elect Jewes even to all Abrahams spirituall seed which are called by those names of Israel and Iacob who although they be Gentiles in the flesh yet indeed are Jewes in Spirit and truth Rom. 2.29 And Abrahams seed and Heires according to the promise Gal. 3.29 Quest What then may be the mistery that the Apostle speakes of in the 25 verse of that eleventh chapter to the Romans Answ The mistery is Gods giving some up to hardnesse and blindnesse and his giving Grace unto others at the consideration whereof the Apostle breakes forth into admiration in the 33 verse saying O the depth of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God how unsearchable are his judgements and his wayes past finding out Rom. 11.33.34.35.36 Quest But all the Prophets have prophesied of the returne of Israel and of his restouration to such an excellent estate of glory and happinesse and freedome
from evill as they never yet enjoyed are we not now therefore to expect it in these latter dayes Answ Whatsoever the Prophets have prophesied to be fulfilled and is not yet performed we are to expect But wee are to know that those speciall promises are made only to the Elect and to all the Elect when they shall all be gathered together and delivered from all their Captivities and sorrowes which Restauration of Israel is not to be expected of us to be performed untill the comming of the Lord unto Judgement as appeareth Acts 3.21 Quest But the Prophets doe speake of bringing them into their owne Land againe even the promised land therefore it must needs be in this life Answ That doth not follow for they shall be brought into their owne Land and enjoy it for ever and ever even that Land which was promised to Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all their spirituall seed and they shall possesse it for ever not as it is now earthly and the curse remaining upon it but after it shall be purged and the curse taken away and made a heavenly habitation fit for Abraham himselfe to whom it was first promised and never yet performed unto him but shall bee then made good unto him and for all his spirituall seed to dwell in for evermore Quest But where this restoration is promised there is mention made of Building of houses and planting of Vineyards eating and drinking c. which cannot be after this life Esay 65. Answ We know not what is intended by such like things nor what shall be at that day nor what these things may adde to our happinesse And therefore being ignorant of these things let not us wrest the Scripture out of the way to frame a meaning which the Lord neuer intended because we imagine that these things cannot be after this life And wee are also to consider that in many places where this Restoration of Israel is promised there are also such things spoken of as cannot be expected in this life as namely that there shall be no sorrow no mourning nor death nor that any uncleane thing shall enter amongst them Quest You said before that the Church of God after the destruction of the great Antichrist should enjoy much prosperity and peace shall they then have no enemies Answ Yes assuredly the true Church of God shall never want enemies to try them and to exercise their patience but they shall be freed for a time from those great and violent persecutions which they did suffer during the long and tedious Raigne of the great Antichrist of Roma who sought by all meanes to root out all the seed and generation of the Church Quest Shall this their peace and prosperity long continue Answ No verily for the devill shall stirre up other enemies Gog and Magog the Kings of the East even the Turke and his adherents and they shall envy the prosperity of the Church and shall come down upon the Christian Nations and compasse about the Tents of the Saints and the beloved City and to seeke to root out her name from off the earth Ezek. 38.10.11.12 Revel 20.8.9 Quest What will bee the effect of this his malice Amsw He shall cause through his cruelty many to fall away from the profession of the truth of Christ to Mahometisme or heathenisme so that the Sunne shall be darkened even Christ himself and his truth shall be obscured and his glory darkned And the Moon that is the States and princes of the world shall not give their light of help and comfort and protection of the church by their powers they being beaten down by the power of these great adversaries And the stars c. that is the Ministers and preachers of Christ shall sall from heaven that is from the Church even to Mahometisme or heathenisme all which hath been foretold us by the Lordhimself in Matthew 24. verse 29 Quest What shall follow thereupon Answ God himselfe will tight for his people wonderfully and will consume and destroy all those enemies by fire from heaven and deliver his Church from all her enemies Revel 20.19 Quest What are we further to expect to follow therepon Answ The speedy coming of the Lord to judgement Quest After what manner will be come Answ He shall come in the cloud 's with majesty power and great glory even with ten thousands of Angel and Saints to the rejoycing and comfort of the godâ—… and the confounding of the wicked Iude ver 14. Quest What is the end of his coming Answ For the manifestation of his own glory in his Saints and to deliver his Church and people from all their miseries and captivities and to regain his own Kingdome and to crown his Saints with eternall glory and to execute his wrath and vengeance upon all those that have not known him nor obeyed his Gospel Jude 15. ver and this he will perform upon the generall resurrection of all and â—er the n iting of their soules and bodies together again Quest How will he effect this Answ He will cause his Angels to gather his elect together before him on his right hand to whom he will pronounce that comfortable sentence saving come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world c. Psal 50. Matt. 2.31 Matth. 15. Quest What shall become of the wicked and ungodly Ans They standing on his left hand he will pronounce unto them a heavy sentence even the sentence of condemnation saying unto them Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels Matth. 25.41 Quest Shall the Reprobate blaspheme God after this life for the pains they shall endure Answ No assuredly they shall not and far be it from us to have such a conceit in our minds for althouh they have done it here in this life too abundantly yet then there shall be no man that shall open his mouth against the Lord but shall acknowledge the judgement passed against him to be just and righteous and so all shall be forced by paine to glorifie the Lord God of heaven and earth for evermore for all povers shall be brought into subjection to the Lord Christ and none to resist him any more 27. Psal 8.46 Psal 66.4 and 72.11 and 86.9 Dan. 7.27 2 Esd 9.12.13.14 Heb. 2.8 Quest When Christ hash passed the sentence of judgement both to the Saints and to the ungodly will he return again into heaven Answ We never read in all the Scriptures of his return for he comes thither to possesse his own Kiugdom and to fit upon the throne of David for evermore raigning over his people in all majesty and glory in his own throne Re. 3.21 Quest Shall then the happinesse and glory of the Saints be upon this earth Answ Yes certainly but not as it is now corrupt but When all things that came in by reason of the curse for mans sinne shall be removed and taken away
quite and all things be made new for nothing that came in with the curse can abide there where Christ hath his Kingdome and throne of glory Quest But the Apostle Peter saith 2 Pet. 3.10 that the Earth and the works there shall be burnt up and all things here below shall be dissolved Answ True it is that whatsoever came in with the Curse shall bee dissolved and burnt up and all taken away and nothing thereof shall remain but onely what was created before the curse and all things shall be made new as in the first crearion of them and far more excellent and durable as the same Apostle saith we look for net heavers and a new earth according to his promise wherein dwelleth righteousnes Quest Where is this promise made that the Apostle speaks of Answ In the 65. Chapter of Isaiah where the promise is made and set downe in plaine words Quest But shall not the happinesse of the Saints be for ever in heaven for the Apostle Peter saith that the inheritance of the Saints is reserved in heaven and Paul saith we have an house not made with hands but eternall in the heavens 1 Pet. 14. 2 Cor. 5.1 Answ True it is that the inheritance of the Saints is reserved in heaven and it is eternall but this that is reserved in heaven shall come down from heaven Christ himselfe will bring with him that new Ierusalem and cloath his saints with that house which is from heaven which was so desired by the Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 5.2 the beauty and glory of that estate is set forth in the 21 chapter of the Revelation which shall be so great that the heart of man can desire no more for there shall be a fulnesse of all things Quest But what places of Scripture do prove that the Saints shall have their glory and happinesse upon this earth Answ There are many places of Scripture to this purpose and I will instance some of them and first I will begin with the promise of God made unto Abraham concerning the land of Canaan it was promised to him and to his seed for ever Gen. 13.15 Chap. 15.17 But Abraham never yet enjoyed the fulfilling of that promise therefore at that great day of the Lord it shall be made good unto him and his seed for ever for it was given unto him for an everlasting possession Gen. 7.18 Quest But Abraham seed after four hundred yeares did possesse that land was not then the promise fulfilled to Abraham Answ No assuredly there was a further extent in that promise then was performed unto his naturall seed and that was but a type of the great possession that should be given to him and his spirituall seed for ever Gen. 17.8 Quest What is the next Scripture that proves the Saints eternall happines to be on this earth An. The next is Matth. 5.5 Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth and Psal 37.11 But the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace Which promises must needs be understood of the life to come and not of this life for they are promises for the time to come and not of the time present for we know by experience that the meek do not now in this life inherit the earth but this promise shall be performed unto them at that great day of the restauration of all things Quest What is the next Scripture to prove this Answ The next is Revelation the 5. and the 10. ver the sweet song of thanksgiving of the 24 Elders the latter part whereof is their acknowledgement in these words and hast made unto us our God Kings and priests and we shall raign on the earth which is spoken of the time to come and not of the time present for now is not their time of reigning but of suffering Quest What other Scripture is there to prove this point Answ Out of the 11 chap. of the Revelation ver the 15. where after the sounding of the seventh trumpet there were great voyces heard in heaven saying The Kingdomes of this world are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reigne for ever and ever as also Dan. 7.14.27 So that then Christ shall reigne as King upon this earth and all powers shall serve and obey him for evermore Quest But if the Saints glory and happines shall be upon this earth it will be conceived that it cannot be so great glorious and excellent as is expected to be and as the Scripture sets it forth to be and for the most part of our preachers they do tell us that it shall be in the highest heavens Answ For the happinesse and felicity of the Saints which they enjoy it shall be so great so glorious so excellent although upon this earth as possible may be no heart can desire more nor no tongue can expresse it for that place must be very full of joy comfort blessednesse and happinesse where Christ dwells and is their King what can be wanting unto them there is fulnesse of joy at his right hand and pleasures for evermore O what sweetnesse of comfort shall they find in his presence yea unspeakable the Scriptures are plentifull in expressing these things for the comfort of the faithfull even whilest they live here in this naturall life who do live by faith expecting those good things to come and whatsoever our Preachers do tell us of the happines of the saints to be for ever in the highest heavens if they did well consider the Scriptures they would speake according therereunto Quest But what is the reason they conceive so that the glory and happinesse of the Saints shall be in the highest heavens Answ I know no Scripture that tends there unto besides those I have already answered or some such it may be like them but their error and misunderstanding of the Scripture lies in this that they take and expound those places of Scripture that intend and set forth the happinesse of the Saints for ever to be intended and meant of a great conversion of the naturall Jewes to be brought into the land of Canaan againe before the coming of Christ to Judgement which opinion turnes them from the truth and hereby the Saints are deprived of many sweet promises that are made unto them for their comfort here in this life in the expectation of that glory and happinesse therein set forth and promised unto them then which a greater wrong cannot be done to the people of God Quest You said the Scriptures are plentifull in expressing the happines of the Saints for ever upon this earth I pray you give me those places of Scriptures and set down the severall texts that we may examine them and rejoyce in the expectation of them and so I shall conclude for this time and cease from demanding any more questions of you Answ I shall willingly do it according to my abi ity but yet it is not possible for