to be Hypocrites 2. We may not understand John so as to contradict himself who plainly states the danger and the way of safety and preservation 1 Joh. 2. 28. 2 Joh. vers 8. In which he speaks very much as Christ did iâ— the same matter 3. Therefore we may understand John to intend either 1. That they were not of them when they went out from them if they had they would no doubt have continued with him he saith not that they were not at all of them Or 2. If they were not at all of them but Hypocrites which is not affirmed he might speak in an infallible Spirit as sometimes Peter did of Ananias Act. 5. 3 4. Which is no common rule for us but that Persons have and may fall from Grace in this imperfect state is so apparent if we believe the Scripture that it 's past all just ground of doubt and may warn us not to be high minded but fear Ro. 11. 20. 1 Tim. 1. 19. 2 Pet. 2. â—8 20 21. 3. 17. 3. Yet notwithstanding there is a way of safety and certain preservation to the Glory promised stated in the Scripture viz. If we with purpose of heart cleave to the Lord in the Faith Love and Life of the Gospel in this way he will accept us assist and preserve us to the Glory His Grace and our duty uniting will be our safety there being no promise of Preservation out of but in the way of Gospel-Faith and Obedience Christ Some will say this is Nonsense it 's as much as to say keep and preserve your selves and you shall be preserved continue your selves in the Faith and Obedience of the Gospel and you shall be kept Min. This reproach lighteth on Christ and Scripture who will take it all away Joh. 15. 7. If ye abide in me and my words abide in me and my words abide in you c. Verse 5. He that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit Verse 6. If a Man abideth not in me he is cast forth as a Branch that withereth And vers 10. Sheweth us the way to abide in Christ If ye keep my Commandments ye shall abide in my love not else 1 Pet. 4. 19. Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their Souls to him in a way of well doing and in this way he will keep them Jude vers 21. Keep your selves in the love of God And the way so to do see Joh. 15. 10. 14. 21 23. So that the Scripture justifieth this great and needful truth to be known and taketh away the reproach The sum of the whole is let us look to our duty therein looking for and believing Divine acceptance and assistance therein and God will not fail us Psal 125. 1. 1 Pet. 1. 5. But keep us safe to the Glory promised Joh. 10. 27 28 29. Where Christ states the certainty of our preservation in hearing his voice and following of him such shall never perish It stands both with Scripture and Reason that Gods Grace and our Duty unite there being no promise of safety or Salvation out of the way of Gospel-Duty Rev. 22. 14. Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right unto the Tree of life c. Without this there can be no right by any Gospel-Law of Grace and as Faith and Obedience constitutes right by Divine Ordination so Perseverance therein continueth that right by the same Law of Grace without which can be no entrance Mat. 10. 22. Luk. 9. 62. And mercy it is that God has assured us of Acceptance Assistance and Preservation in his Son in this way of Gospel-Faith and Obedience Isa 64. 5. Heb. 5. 9. CHAP. VI. Of the Nature of Man and the Original Defilement thereof Christ IN as much as there are differing Notions about the Defilement of our Nature some affirming the Nature of Man to be so Defiled by the first transgrassion as that simply from its Original it 's a sink of filth and abomination and layeth liable to the second Death others think Nature in it self to be a pure and undefiled thing I desire your apprehension in this matter Min. That there is a Defilement in the Nature of Men I suppose is most Evident and that both from Scripture and Reason 1. From Scripture Job 14. 4. 15. 14. Psal 71. 5. 2. From Reason which will tell us that in as much as by the first transgression we are fallen into a state of weakness mortality and death our nature must needs be weak and Defiled and so more liable to sin than before yet what the Defilement is and how far it extends it self is that which I think none can truly determine yet I believe it 's not wholly free from Original Defilement from the grounds mentioned nor that it is distinct from all occasions of further Defilement so bad as some do render it Christ I desire you to give your apprehension herein with as much light and evidence as you can Min. 1. I doubt whether any are capable to determine of Adams nature before his fall and so of our nature in him for as his was so was ours or else we could not have fallen in him nor have suffered loss by his sin and fall tho it 's granted by all that he was created in an upright sinless estate and so we in him yet that his nature was capable of defilement and sin is likewise apparent else he had not sinned 2. What Acts he did in resisting the temptation before be sinned or whether the first temptation was not too hard for him we find not in Scripture record but most probably that he fell by the first temptation 3. What we find in Scripture of the badness of his nature after his fall more than before or of the badness of his actions I think we find nothing of either and if so Whether we may not in charity suppose that he learned by his sin and fall to be more wise and â—eedful than he was before as David Peter and other holy men have done and so did better after his fall then before 4. If the nature of man in its original defilement did become such a heap of filth and sin as some pretend Then whence it is that Christ had so much respect to little Infants and direct us to become as such Mat. 18. 3 4. and that of such is the kingdom of Heaven Mat. 19. 4. If the nature was thus defiled what pattern does the Lord direct us to in order to the obtaining of the kingdom And further they are said to be innocent Jer. 19. 4 5. they have filled the place with the blood of Innocents and chap. 2. 34. in thy skirts is found the blood of the poor Innocents Then they were not such a sink of filth and abomination as some pretend but such aâ— God accounted innocent Yet 5. Doubtless there is something in this matter something of defilement
one present and another as yet to come Eph. 1. 21. Mar. 10. 30. Luke 18. 30. this is called the present world importing a future World as yet to come Gal. 4. 4. Tit. 2. 12. 3. Because the eternal life promised in the Gospel is to be enjoyed in the World to come Mar. 10. 30. Luk. 18. 30. and I think but fâ—w will grant that to be in this world if so Believers were of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15. 19. 4. Because the inheritance promised to Abraham and his seed viz. believing Gentiles as well as Jews is to be the heirs of the world Rom. 4. 13 16. but neither Abraham nor believers have been are not nor are like to be the heirs of this world therefore it must be in the world to come that the promised inheritance is Act. 7. 5. with Heb. 11. 8 9 13. So that as it appears that the promised inheritance arrived to by faith shall be possest in the World to come so it 's as apparent that neither the highest Heaven nor this present World is the World to come nor tho promised inheritance of Abraham and his seed 2. Affirmatively what the world to come is or rather what it shall be when it is come and in this the Scripture is as clear and apparent 1. It 's called a new Heaven and a new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness 1 Pet. 3. 13. the making of all things new Rev. 21 5. the restitution of all things Act. 3. 21. the regeneration Mat. 19. 28. the restoring renewing returning of the World to its former estate yea and far better than under the first Adam before his fall it will not be a new creation of what was not but a renewing and restoring of the old such a dissolution shall pass on the whole as shall effect a change 2. Pet. 3. 10. 12. with Heb. 1. 11. 12. so that it will be a waking all things new and noâ— a making of new things a restitution and not properly a creation as a change shall pass on the bodies of men and yet be the same in Essence 1 Cor. 15. 57. so must the change pass upon the whole creation and this is the World to come so much spoken of in Scripture and promised and of which Abraham and his seed are the heirs and in and over which with Christ they shall reign Rev. 5. 10. Dan. 7. 14 27. Rev. 11. 15. Christ I am well satisfied in this brief account about the world to come I desire you likewise to shew me from Scripture that the Eternal Kingdom of Christ shall bâ— in this world to come Min. 1. That Christ shall have a visible Kingdom as upon the throne of his father David is most apparent from the Scriptures We may say in this as Heb. 10. 7. It is written in the volume of the book Isa 9. 7. Act. 2. 30. Psa 132. 11. Jer. 23. 5. 33. 14. Luk. 1. 32 33. v. 69. 70. the kingdom of Christ as Davids son and as upon his throne is fully and plentifully proved from the Divine revelation thereof 2. That this kingdom of Christ as upon the throne of David shall first and principally be to and over the house of Israel they shall be first and chief in this kingdom as he is Davids son and successor Jer. 23 5 6. 33. 14 15 16. Ezek. 37. 21. to 25. 3. That this kingdom shall be over all the world as well as over the House of Israel Dan. 7 14. Rev. 11. 15. Phil. 2. 9 10. 4. It shall be in and over the World to come that this visible glorious Kingdom of Christ shall be and not in this world and this appears 1. Because it will not be till the restitution and redemption of Israel which shall be in the new Heavens and new Earth Isn 65 17 18 66. 22. which taketh not place till after the conflagration of the old by fire 2 Pet. 3. 13. 2. When the time of this kingdom takes place the time of this world shall be no more Rev. 10. 7. with 11. 15. and therefore it must be in the world to come 5. That as this kingdom shall be upon the Throne of David so it shall be Eternal and shall have no end and of this the Scripture likewise is very full Isa 9. 7. Luk. 1. 32. Dan. 7. 14. Rev. 11. 15. Christ In what sense may the kingdom of Christ bâ— said to be upon the Throne of David then more than it is now Min. Christ is now said to be on the throne of his Father in heaven which was never Davids throne and there he must sit till he come to his father Davids throne on Earth to have the visible government of the whole creation Psa 110. 1. 2. 1 Cor. 15. 25. And then shall he give up this his right hand kingdom to his father When all is made visibly subject to him and be set on his own throne as the son of David 1 Cor. 15. 27 28. Isa 54. 5. Zec. 14. 9. 2. It may properly be called Davids throne not only as he is his son and successor but because it shall be a visible throne and kingdom on earth and in the land of Canaan where Davids throne was in its renewed estate as is most apparent if we consult Jer. 7. 7. with Ezek. 36. and 37. chapters chap. 37. 21 24 to 28. in which it's plainly exprest that it shall be in the land of Canaan and fully agreeth in terms with Rev. 21. 3. from whence and to which most probably it 's taken and relates Christ Christ being already exalted to the right hand of God his father in heaven which is the highest throne of Glory for above the throne of his father David on earth it seems to be a loss rather than an increase of his kingdom dignity government and glory to come off from his fathers throne in heaven which is the most glorious to come to his father Davids throne on earth seems to be a decrease rather than an augmentation of his Glory Min. I grant that it seems so to be if we understand not the mystery of the design of God herein but that being understood it tends wonderfully to the increase of his Kingdom Dignity Government and Glory tho I will not affirm an additional personal increase but official wherein the glory of his visible kingdom and government as the son David was designed and does and shall consist Isa 9. 7. and in this respect will be a difference and increase of his Kingdom Government and Glory and that in four things 1. In that he is sat down now on his fathers throne in heaven is a great dignity and glory yet not such as when he shall sit on his own throne his father Davids throne is given to him and therefore properly called his own Luk. 1. 32. hence Rev. 3. 21. he calls it my throne and this is never said of his fathers throne in heaven that it was given to him or
scope of Scripture be adhered to especially in the greatest matters of faith and practice otherwise our faith and practice must be built on mens Interpretations and not on Scripture Revelation and further admit we of mens Interpretations of plain and express Scriptures or of the more dark so as to contradict that which is plain as it 's the ready way to make an end of the truth of Scripture so in reason one mans Interpretation is as good to himself as anothers is to himself and so in Infinitum which fill us with divisions meerly from Interpretations of men and not from any obsâ—urity or contradiction in the Scripture 4. And so as an effect hereof maintain Christian Scripture and Protestant liberty in Religion in opposition to the Popish Scriptureless Principle and protested against by Protestants as exercised by Papists viz. by human power to compel to believe as the Church believeth which perverteth the Scripture denyeth the headship of Christ and the Scripture and Christian liberty of Christians and establisheth the Pope in his Persecutions to the great blame and shame of Protestants 5. That Jesus Christ as he was the alone Sacrifice for the sins of the World so he is the alone foundation of Christian Faith and the alone Mediator between God and Man that he shall come again from Heaven to raise and judg the quick and the dead at his coming and Kingdom and to perfect the Adoption and Redemption the Restitution of all things the great ends of his undertaking 6. That whoever do believe and obey the Gospel shall be saved and that Gospel-Faith and Works are so united by the Lord in order to both Justification and Salvation as without which it cannot be obtained tho not as the cause but as the Holy terms thereof 7. These things being thâ—s fixed to by Protestants and pleaded out both by word and deed would root up Popery Root and Branch all the rest of their Scriptureless and Fabulous inventions and devices as Transubstantiation Image-worship multiplicity of Mediators Sacrifices of the Mass and Eucharist for quick and dead Pardons Pilgrimages and Purgatory with all the rest of their human inventions would fall to the ground if these forementioned Christian and Scripture Principles were soundly pleaded out and lived to by Protestants Christ I perceive that the Apostasie has been very great and more universal than has been imagined and likewise that the danger thereof is very great Min. I take it to be a matter of highest concern to all to lay these things to heart in time and not to make light thereof it being the great things of the Gospel and of weighty concern it is to come right herein and I doubt not but that oy a due and true enquiry we may come to know better where we are and what to do in the great matters of God and the Gospel wherein his name and honour the honour of Christ the Gospel the good of all Men and our own safety is so much concerned Christ Your self have been sometimes differingly minded about some of these things do you think you are wholly gotten out and free from the Apostasie Min. I do not so think much less so say but repent of my former ignorance and mistake in any of these things taken up by Tradition blessing God for any of his teachings waiting on him for further light and leading in the right understanding of his mind and will in his word and that what I understand I may be Faithful to him therein in which way I may expect his further teachings Hos 6. 3. Joh. 7. 17. My real desire being to attain unto the Faith that was once delivered to the Saints Jude vers 3. Which is the great concern of all that make mention of and call upon the name of the Lord Jesus and in a humble and self-denying way of seeking and waiting they may and shall obtain Ps 25. 4 5 9 14. The sum of all I desire is to come right in the Faith Love and Life of the Gospel which is the great concern of all that do expect to Glorfie God here and to be Glorified with him hereafter CHAP. VIII Sheweth that there shall be not only a special but a general Salvation effected by Christ in the Restitution and World to come in and over which shall be his Eternal Kingdom Christ IN chap. 3. You shewed the general Love of God to the World in the gift of his Son and the general Love of Christ in dying for the World with the varieties of the ends thereof all certainly to be effected in the times appointed I desire you in this to speak something further of the great mystery of the Restitution and Salvation in the World to come and of the Eternal Kingdom of Christ therein Min. What is it in particular you desire to enquire into Christ That you clear from the Scripture the truth concerning the World to come and what it is Min. This I have largely spoken to in my answer to Mr. Coxe ch 7. Yet I shall at present say something briefly further to it for your present satisfaction 1. That there is a World to come is so plainly stated in the Scripture as that I think none dare deny it Mat. 12. 32. Mar. 10. 50. Eph. 1. 21. Heb. 2. 5. 2. What this world to come is or shall be 1. Negatively what it is not 1. It is not heaven above which is Gods throne as some vainly think and teach The reasons are 1. Because that is already and probably has been from Eternity Psa 11. 4. and 93. 2. but this is not but is a world that is yet to come and shall be in the times appointed 2. Because heaven is in Scripture no where called the world to come nor indeed could be so called because it has been and is in being but the World to come is not yet in being otherwise than in purpose and promise nor is heaven above which is called Gods throne at all called world or any part of the created world 3. Christ when he came into the world is not said to come out of or down from the world to come but that he came out from God and down from heaven Joh. 6. 38. 16. 30 17. 8. 4. When he ascended he is not said to ascend up into the World to come but that he ascended into heaven and up where he was before Mar. 16. 19. Joh. 6. 62. 2. It is not this present world as others do as vainly imagin that it is the Gospel day of Grace now in this world that this is not it the reasons are 1. This world was in being long before the world to come was spoken of and promised but that is a world that is not yet in being but is to come 2. Because that where the world to come is spoken of it's clearly in way of distinction from this world viz. this world and that which is to come clearly distinguishing them into two worlds
one Gospel-Faith to which Salvation is promised then it 's no marvel that the Faith is called the common Faith as the Salvation is called the common Salvation the Faith being as large as the Salvation or it is not the Faith of the Gospel or of Gods Elect and 1 Tim. 2. 4. That he will have all Men saved and come to the knowledge of the truth It saith not only he willeth to have all saved but he will have all men to be saved and if so who shall say him nay He saith not come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved that being the way to be saved now in this day of Grace preparative to the Glory but saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth which sutes with vers 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time there being various times of this Testimony else all the World that never heard of him here could not give Glory to him as they shall in the World to come Phil. 2. 9 10 11. Rev. 5. 13. When the Earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Isa 11. 9. Tit. 2. 11. The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation to all Men hath appeared It bringeth Salvation to all men and teacheth us who believe it now in this day of Grace to live sutable thereunto vers 12. As a preparation to the Glory 2 Thes 1. 10. 5. And finally and as that wherein the abundance of the promises to the Nations at that day are manifest and in which it appears they are altogether as manifold as to Israel this favour and blessing being promised 1. To all Nations and to the ends of the Earth Isa 52. 10. Jer. 3. 17. Rev. 15. 4. Ps 72. 17 98. 3. 2. To all flesh Ps 65. 2. 145. 21. Isa 40. 5. 66. 23. 3. To all Kings Ps 72. 11. 102. 15. 138. 4 5. Isa 62. 2. and Princes Psal 47. 9. 68. 31. Kingdoms Ps 68. 32. 102. 22. Rev. 11. 15. 4. To all People Ps 47. 1 2. 67. 3 5. 148. 11 12. Luk. 2. 10. 5. To all the kindreds and Families of the Earth Gen. 12. 3. 22. 18. Ps 22. 27. 96. 7. 6. To all the Earth 1. Chro. 16. 30 31. Ps 66. 1 4. 67. 7. 98. 3 4. And 7. To all Tongues Isa 66. 18. All which gives us to understand the abundance of Promises to the Nations in general and to be performed in the times of the Restitution at and after the Resurrection and Judgment in the World to come set forth in holy Scripture in such multiplicity and variety of Promises and Expressions as all Nations all Flesh all People all Kings and Kingdoms all Tongues all the Earth all Kindreds and Families of the Earth to inform and confirm us both in the truth and weightiness of the matter and if any yet dare to deny it and to apply all these Promises to the Elect or Believers only in any sense let them at their own peril take their wilful will contrary to all Scripture and reason Christ The Scripture seems wonderful clear and full in this matter if it be to be performed in the new and restored World I think there can be no resisting hereof Min. 1. If any make doubt of that let them fix the time or times when it shall be else where from evidence of Scripture light or else they say nothing to it 2. The Scripture determins the time with such open face and evidence of light that whoso runs may Read 1. It shall be when he comes to judg the World in Righteousness and the People with his truth Ps 96. 13. 98. 9. 2. It shall be when the Kingdom is the Lords and he shall govern among the Nations Ps 22. 27 28. when the Lord shall be King over all the Earth and there shall be one Lord and his name one Zec. 14. 19. Rev. 11. 15. 3. It shall be in the time of the new Heavens and new Earth Isa 66. 18 22 23. which will be the new World and will not be till after the old is dissolved and renewed 2 Pet. 10. 11 12 13. and after the judgment is over v. 7. Rev. 20. 11. c. ch 21. 1 5 24. 4. It shall be in the time when the great transgressors are suffering their eternal Punishment Isa 66. 23 24. 5. It shall be when the time of this World shall be no more in the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Rev. 10. 6. 7. with ch 11. 15. 6. It shall be in the new World that the leaves of the tree of Life shall be for the healing of the Nations and the fruit for those with Christ in the Holy City Rev. 22. 2. all which does clearly shew us the time For further reason see Confession of Faith Article 7. Christ Some make the application of all to the Thousand Years Reign and limit it there Rev. 20. Min. 1. We may not lose the eternal Estate Life Kingdom Glory and World to come in a Thousand Years there being no other Kingdom World Life or Glory promised but in the World to come in which all these things are to be accomplished 2. Those Scripture grounds now mentioned all of them carry it beyond the Thousand Years and the Judgment into the World to come and the eternal Kingdom of Christ and the promises being as manifold to the Gentile World as to the Jews we may safely conclude they shall arrive thereto in and after the Judgment by repentance purging and pardon as the Jews shall as before has been shewed Christ The Judgment of penal Punishment is said to be eternal it 's called the eternal Judgment Heb. 6. 2. Some say that this notion overthrows the fundamentals of the eternal judgment Min. 1. The Judgment threatened in the Gospel is especially intended against such as sin immediately against the Gospel who as they have had the greatest means of light so will they be liable to the greatest Judgment Mat. 11. 20 24. Mar. 16. 15 16. to suppose the eternal Judgment threatened and to be inflicted on the wilful Rejecters of the Gospel to be intended to all the World that never heard thereof has been and is a very great mistake 2. And for the use of the word Eternal Everlasting and for ever I have fully spoken to both in my Additional word chap. 7. pag. 51. and in my answer to Mr. Coue ch 7. pag. 62 63. That it 's frequently limited to time in Scripture sense that it usually intends a long time sometimes more and sometimes less as is most apparent and might be manifested I think I may safely say not less than a hundred times I shall here only mention a few in tâ—â— present case viz. Threats of temporary Judgments to be for ever and perpetual yet a time promised of an end thereof and of Salvation and deliverance as Deut.
can be no worse among the Heathen yet â—â—d will in time be pacified towards them and return â—â—â—n when he returns his sinning People Judah and Isâ—â—â—l Ezek. 16. 53 61. Zeph. 3. 8. Where is declared â—â— universal Judgment of the World and when that â—â— finished verse 9. Then will I turn to the People a â—â— Language that they may all call upon the Name of the Lord and serve him with one consent The same Judged People shall afterward serve the Lord he saith not my People but the People which fully agreeth with other Scriptures of the same import Psal 102. 22. When the People are gathered together and the Kingdoms to serve the Lord and 22. 27. 86. 9. And many more that might be mentioned and Luk. 12. 48. The servant that miscarried through ignorance shall be beaten little so the word is tho much in it self yet little compared with wilful Transgressors and little fully imports an end of beating and Eternal beating and striping can in no sense be said to be little or few stripes so that an end of or Redemption from the penal part of the second Death though not of loss to the generality of the World both of Jews and Gentiles in times to be effected is most apparent from the Scriptures of truth and I verily believe it 's nothing else but a Traditional Reception contrary thereunto that makes it so strange unto us And as for the threefold state of the World at that day by some so much stumbled at it 's likewise as apparent not only from Psal 64. 8 9 10 verse 8. are the Eternally Condemned ones verse 9 the generality of the World all men verse 10. are the Righteous with the Lord and Isaiah 66. is first a description of the Church in its Glory with Christ verse 10 11 12. 2. The gathering of all tongues and all flesh to worship verse 18 23. 3. The Eternally Condemned ones verse 24. But if our eyes were but half open we might read as much in Mat. 25. 32 c. Where we may necessarily understand three states two mentioned and a third not mentioned but implied 1. All Infants so dying are not there mentioned not being capable of such a sentence either to life or death viz. on the same â—â—ounds for feeding or not feeding the Members of Christ which are not a small part of the World 2. All the Heathen World that never heard of Christ or his â—embers and as they have not been nor are capable to â—ew mercy to Christ in his Members so are they â—ot capable of such a sentence it being proper only to Gospel-Professors but indeed that World may not only admit of a threefold state but of three thousand â—a infinite as to us if it be true according to Scriâ—ure that God will render to every man according to â—s Works 1 Cor. 5. 10. Rev. 22. 12. Christ Some cry out against this Doctrine as grieâ—â—â— Heresie and scandalous to the Gospel Min. To this I shall say but little tho I could say much 1. For truth to be accounted Heresie is no 〈◊〉 and therefore no strange thing 2. After the â—â—y they call Heresie so believe I and worship God 3. I â—eartily desire they may repent of this in time it being â—â—oful sin to call good evil and evil good 4. To â—nder it Heresie and scandalous is to render the whole â—ord and design of God by Christ in the Gospel to â— Heresie and scandalous relative to the Judgâ—ent and World to come according to the true declaraâ—on thereof as has been plainly and plentifully proâ—d before 5. Suppose it true that it were Heresie â—hich it 's far from I query of them whether it â—ould possibly be any more than as a drop to the Ocean â—â— respect of the Errours and Heresies held by themâ—â—ves as has been before unvailed 6. And as for â—â—s being scandalous to the Gospel I say 1. If to asâ—â—t that God will Judge the World in Righteousness by 〈◊〉 Christ and render to every man according to his â—â—rks penal punishment both for measure and time sutable to the Facts of men that he will punish none without a cause nor more than is deserved if this be in good earnest scandalous either to God or Man then I acknowledge I am guilty of this scandal and shall I hope till I dye I conclude this with the saying of Tertullian which I think is true viz. Good things offend none but such as have ill minds Christ Some say suppose all you say about these matters be true yet they question what advantage may be supposed in publishing thereof especially it being an offence to many Min. 1. If there were no worth at all nor advantage in the knowledge of the Glorious design of God to the World by Jesus Christ in the Restitution and World to come certainly he would not have filled his word with the discoveries thereof as he has he would not have made it the work of all his holy Prophets since the World began to speak thereof but to the end that we might understand and believe it to his praise things revealed belonging to us Deut. 29. 29. There being no truth in the Scripture more fully and frequently declared than the Restitution and World to come with the Glories thereof I think I may say the Scriptures abounds and excels in this Act. 3. 21. And what may we conceive from hence but the greatness of the truth thereof and the greatness of our concern to understand and believe it 2. If it be the Faith to which the promise of life in the World to come is made as has been before proved then certainly it concerns us to understand and believe it and the publishing thereof should be no oâ—ence unto any but rather their joy and though Christ sometime said Joh. 16. 12. I have many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now which is by some urged in this matter To this I say that the times before and after the sufferings of Christ much differed afterwards Christ did not forbear the publishing of that to them which they were not capable to bear before he suffered nor did the Apostle forbear the publishing of further truth to them that were dull of hearing Heb. 5. 11. with ch 6. 1 2 3. And the Apostle complains that he was become or esteemed an Enemy because he told them the truth Gal. 4. 16. And indeed a sin and a shame it is that any profest Christians should be offended at the Doctrine of the Restitution of all things the World to come with the Glories thereof it being the Crowning part of the Glorious Gospel of the Blessed God And if men will now be offended at the truth I know no help for it Christ Some say that the World to come is a Mystery and none are capable to understand the perfection of the Glories thereof yet you have undertaken to declare what it is and so have presumed beyond
Come Lord Jesus come quickly but such as are prepared for him nor can any assure themselves that they love him if they long not and wait not for his appearing that they may be with him and then when he comes you shall be able to say as Isa 25. 9. Lo this is our God we have waited for him and he will save us this is the Lord we have waited for him we will rejoyce and be glad in his salvation This has been the long look'd for day by all the Saints instructed therein Tit. 2. 13. Looking for the blessed â—ope 1 Thess 1. 9 10. It will be the day of Marriage to the Saints Now is the day of Espousal 2 Cor. 11. 2. Then will be the day of Marriage Rev. 19. 7. It will be the day of joy and gladness to the Church who shall â—e and reign with him eternally in the World to come â—â—ho that loves him doth not say with John Rev. â— 20. Amen even so come Lord Jesus Does the â—â—ole Creation wait for and groan after this time of â—â—rty and restitution Rom. 8. 22. and shall not those â—o profess to be the Children of that glorious liberty â— shall say no more but this Prepare rightly for it â— always ready love and look for his appearing be â—â—stant therein to the end and you shall inherit the â—ory when the time is come 2 Tim. 4. 8. Christ Some say that if all these things be truth â— they are too high that you exercise your self in â—ings that are too high for you contrary to the sayâ—g of the Prophet Psal 131. 1. he did not exercise â—mself in great matters or in things too high for â—m Min. 1. In one sense it 's true consider we the matâ—ers themselves and consider we our own weakness and â—worthiness they are indeed too high for us even the â—â—h things of God and so is the Gospel in all its â—rts of which these are not the least yet others do â—ddle about the high things of the Gospel without â—uple or offence 2. They being the revealed things of God and in â—s sense they are not too high reâ—ealed things beâ—ging to us and so it 's our concern to inquire thereâ—â—o Deut. 29. 29. And as it was God's end in revealâ—g thereof that we might understand and believe â— so it 's our duty to be humbly inquiring thereinâ—â— 3. The Prophet who spake those words I think I â—â—y safely say pryed into and was exercised about â—â—se very things viz. The Mysteries of the World to come The General Grace and Glory thereof withâ— the Kingdom of Christ therein as much as any if noâ— as all the Prophets besides and obtained as great and â— large an understanding therein and probably God would have it so because his seed and Son was by promise to be the Heir universal King Lord and Governour thereof Psal 72. 1 2 11 17. Heb. 1. 2. CHAP. IX Sheweth That to hold Truth in Vnity is honourable to God and safe for our selves Christ WHat think you of the harmony and unity of the Scriptures do you suppose it to hold unity and harmony with it self without any contradiction if so then whether it do not concern us so to understand it as may hold in unity and not in contradiction Min. The Scripture being the Word of one God given by one Spirit and one Lord Jesus stands in unity and so it concerns us to understand it to hold truth in contradiction being next of kin to holding it in unâ—â—ghteousness If any thing I have herein said or do hold stand not in unity with the body of Scripture or with it self I shall gladly understand it and lay it down as an Error my desire and design being so to â—â—derstand the Scripture and mine own Principles from â—â—â—ce as may stand in unity it being that which is â—â—th honourable to God and satisfactory and safe for â—â— self and accountable to others This is really my â—â—re tho I dare not say or think that I have in all â—â—gs so obtained nor deny or hide what I have through â—â—ce obtained Christ Wherein stands the unity of the things â—â—ursed on with the Scripture and the contradiction â—â— the other notions thereunto I desire to understand â—â— something further about this matter Min. 1. As touching the Sovereign Power and Will â— God so to understand the exercise thereof towards â—â— as is before declared viz according to his own â—â—s in that behalf proved from the Creation to the â—â—gment stands in unity with the whole truth of â—â—ripture and Name of God and to understand it â—â—erwise viz. That God from his own decreed Will â—â—ore the World was determined the greatest part of â—â—n by far to no other end but to sin and be damned â—ttradicteth not only the plain revealed method of â— proceedings in this matter but the substance of his â—â—ealed Will in his Word Ezek. 33. 11. Joh 3. 16. â— 12. 47. 1 Tim. 2. 4. and therefore is not likely to be â—her true or safe 2. To deny the general love of God to the World â—â—d Christ giving himself for the life of the World beâ—â—use the Scripture saith he laid down his life for the â—â—ep for the Church which is in it self a truth conâ—adicteth the whole Scripture in this matter as has been â—â—ly proved and therefore is not likely to be either true â— safe But that he died both for the World and for the â—hurch is the truth of Scripture which being understood holds Scripture and Truth in unity and harmony without any contradiction at all but what men devise from their own heads at a distance from any Scripture ground or right reason the general and special grace of God to men being thereby understood and therefore is most likely to be both true and safe 3 To understand the Scripture so as to render not only the Scripture but the holy Name of God to stand in unity is most likely to be true and safe viz. to understand and believe that he loved the World in the gift of his Son and that Christ died for the World and will save all thaâ— do believe and obey the Gospel and judge and condemn those that obey him not as the just and deserving cause Rom. 6. 23. and not from his decree of reprobation as the first cause of sin and damnation this stands in unity with the whole Name and Word of God without any contradiction at all and therefore most likely to be true and safe But to understand the Scripture so as to limit the love of God to a very few only and the death of Christ to as few and yet that he will damn people for not believing that which was never intended to them nor was it possible for them by any means to obtain being reprobated therefrom is so great a contradiction to the whole Word and Name of God in all his attributes which stand in unity viz. his Goodness Love Truth
cause Joh. 6 78. and 12. â—7 did free in love lay down his life a sacrifice for the World a â—â— som forâ—all Joh. 10. 17 18. and 6. 51. 1 Tim. 2. Heb. 2. 9. 1 Joh. 2. 27 and was raised again from deaâ— by his Father's and his own power Act. 2. 24 32. Jâ—â— 10. 17 18. no more to return to corruption Act. 1â— 3 Rom. 6. 9. and is ascended into heaven to the right hâ— of the Majesty on high in performance of his mediatory Office for men Mar. 16. 19. Heb. 1. 3. 1 Tim. 2. 5. made Head Lord and Law-giver to and of his Body the Church Eph. 5. 23 24. Col. 1. 18. and Head over all things to and for the Church Eph. 1. 22. 7. That after his resurrection and before his ascention having received all power from the Father he sent forth the Gospel by commission in the authority of the Father Son and holy Spirit in unity to be published to the World without respect of persons that whoover do believe and obey him therein may be saved and whoever do neglect or reject it shall be damned Matth. 28. 18 19. Mark 16. 15 16. Luk. 24. 47. 2 Tim. 2. 10. and that the promise of life is to Gospel-Faith and Works as the terms thereof and not to Faith alone without Works Works Matth. 7. 21 24. Jam. 2. 20. to 24. and that whoso do thus believe are the Elect and chosen of God 1 Thess 1. 4. to 8. 2. Thess 2. 13. Rom. 9. 29 24. and shall be saved Act. 16. 31. 8. That he hath and doth impower all by the Gospel where it comes in the light and truth thereof to believe and obey him therein this being so great and fundamental a truth that has not only the reason light and whose scope of Scripture for it but the contrary draws a black cloud and line over the Gospel of the free Grace of God to men nulling and ending thereof as all would easily understand and conclude were it tendred to Brutes on the terms it is to men and renders the righteous God to be unrighteous in the Judgment to sentence men for what they could not do through weakness and debility tho' God is at liberty in the degrees of his operations to conversion while he doth enough for all Matth. 25. 14 15. the promise of the Spirit being to believers after believing Joh. 7. 38 39. Act 2. 38. and 5. 32. Ephes 1. 13. and to be obtained by promise in the way of Faith and Prayer Luk. 11. 13. And likewise that believers while in this mortal sinful and imperfect estate are in danger through temptation to fail of and fall from the Grace of God Heb. 3. 12. and 12. 15. and 4. 11. the knowledge of which tends much for their safety in keeping up their watch and war Luk. 21. 36. Rom. 11. 20. and the contrary is a dangerous way to usher in carnal security presumption and apostasie from the Faith Rom 11. 20. 1 Cor. 10. 12 and that the certain way of security and preservation to the glory promised is by constancy in the faith and obedience of the Gospel in doing and suffering the will of God 1 Pet. 1. 5. and 4. 19. 2 Pet. 1. 10. Matth. 10. 22. Heb. 10. 36. and for our assistance in this way we have the promise of Christ if we diligently seek it Matth. 7. 7 8 11. Luk. 11. 13. 9. That Jesus Christ raised and ascended shall come again from Heaven at the time appointed in power and great glory Matth. 24. 30. to raise and judge both the quiâ—k and dead at his appearing and kingdom Joh. 5. 28. 2 Tim. 4. 1. which Judgment shall be universal Zeph. 3. 8. Matth. 25. 32. Râ—v 3. 13. just and righteous Act. 17. 31. Rom. 3. 5 6. Rev. 22. 12. very great terrible and eternal Jâ—el 2. 3â— Rev 6. 15 16 17. Heb. 6. 2. yet mixed with mercy 2 Tim. 1. 18. Act. 3. 19. Jude v. 21. 10. That then and after this glorious appearing resurrection and Judgment he will effect the restitution of all things Act. 3. 21. bring in the new and restored World wherein shall dwell righteousness 2 Pet. 3. 13. called in Scripture the world to come Ephes 1. 21. Heb. 2. 5. in and over which shall be his Eternal Kingdom and Glory with his Church Dan. 7. 14. Rev. 11. 15. and 22. 5. Under which Kingdom and Government the generality of Mankind shall after the Judgment enjoy sonâ—e blessing and favour and acknowledge worship and serve the Lamb the Lord Jesus for ever by whom they have been redeemed to this new life and world Gen. 22. 18 Psal 22. 27. Zeph. 3. 9. Phil. 2. 9 10. Rev. 5. 13. And the whole Creation that was brought under curse and vanity by the sin of man shall with man be restored and have their sharâ— sutable to their then capacities in the glorious restitution new World and liberty of the sons of God Act. 3. 21. Rom. 8. 21. this being the glorious issue designed of God by Christ in the Gospel the sum and substance of all the Scriptures spoken of by all the holy Prophets since the World began Act. 3 21. and will be the â—â—â—shing thereof as declared by the Prophets and Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Rev. 10. 7. with 11. 15. O therefore let us believe it and not spurn against it lest we miss of the Faith of the Gospel to which the life thereof is promised Mark â—6 15 16. there is no Gospel without it in the Doctrine it 's glad or good tydings to all the Creation and this must be our faith which brings us under the promise of life and faithful is he that promised and will not deceive us if we deceive not our selves with a false faith Heb. 10. 23. 2 Pet. 3. 13. Therefore I say let us believe it rejoyce in it and pray for it as the holy Prophet as one overcome in the deep contemplation of this very glory the whole Psalm does demonstrate unto us and with whose Words I shall at present conclude this Discourse Psal 72. 18 19. Blessed be the Lord God the God of Israel who only doth wondrouâ— thâ—ngs and blessed he his glorious Name for ever and let the whole Earth be filled with his glory Amen Amen THE Appendix WHerein is presented 1. Certain Queries of weighty concern relative to the foregoing Discourse 2. The general and special or particular expressions as stated in the Scripture about the general and special Grace of God to Men. Querie 1. Whether to believe that God reprobated any of Mankind by an Eternal Decree to sin and be damned is not contrary to the whole Scripture Name and Nature of God in which it's expresly said that he made all Good Gen. 1. 31. And that it was sin brought in and will bring in the condemnation as the deserving cause thereof and whether we have not grounds to believe it to be impossible for so Wise Holy