perish in the smoothness of their own Psal 81.10,11,12 2 Thes 2.10,11 The Serpent deceived Eve parling with him alone she listning to him and eating of the Tree before any mention made of advising with Adam and being her self deceived she became an instrument under pretence of her experience or knowledge of its goodness to lead Adam also into the transgression and verily the Apostle intimates that the forsaking the Assemblies of each other is the leading way to that wilful sinning that excludes from all further benefit of Christs Sacrifice and mediation and layes open to devouring judgement And Jude exhorting earnestly to contend for the faith once delivered to the Saints against ungodly men that deny the onely Lord God and our Lord Jesus after many Badges and Characters of them he gives this as the last vers 19. these are they that separate themselves sensual not having the Spirit these are withdrawers of themselves from the Gospel and its Ordinances and the Assemblies of faithful men and are sensual that is judge of Gods Wayes by sense and not by faith the spirit of which they want and so give not God the glory of his Wisdom and Truth they see no form or beauty in the Gospel in prayer in breaking bread in mutual helping and provoking one another what is in these things say they we have used them so and so long and we feel no good in them like those in Mal. 3.15 What profit is it that we have observed his Ordinances and walked mourfully before the Lord So stout are their words against the Lord though they will not see it but run from the simplicity of Gods appointments and so deprive themselves both of that preservation and growth in the faith that in patience continuance and holding fast their profession and confidence they should meet with and also of that future reward that God gives to those that fear his Name whose often speakings to one another he hearkens to and hears and sets down in his book of Remembrance according to that of Solomon Eccles 4 9. Two are better then one because they have a good reward for their labour and if they fall the one will lift up his fellow but wo to him that is alone when he falleth for he hath not another to lift him Such a one is both more easily overturned and thrown down and being gone is the less recoverable Again If two lie together they may have heat but how can one be warm alone In Christian Communion and abiding together in the fellowship of the Gospel there is spiritual heat and fervor one whets up and provoketh another to love and good works of which the forsakeing of the Assembly depriveth a man yea if one prevail against him two shall withstand him One may watch over another in Christian Communion yea and a threefold cord is not easily broken where two or three are gathered together in the Name of Christ there he comes in and twists them faster in his Spirit so that unless by untwining them they are not easily broken Take we heed then to watch over one another and frequent Gods Ordinances together And indeed God hath appointed such Ordinances as will put us upon mutual walking together as exhorting one another joint prayers in the Name of Christ breaking of bread c. so that we must despise and kick against Gods Authority if we will not walk in the faith together yea he hath so measured out his Gifts and Grace amongst his Saints that none might say to other I have no need of thee and that we may not attain to comprehend the depth length heighth and breadth and know the love of God that passeth knowledge but in unity with all Saints Ephes 3.17,18 Despise not Prophesying then nor forsake not the assemblies of your selves but build up your selves in your most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost walking in and provoking one another to love and good works firmly believing his Promise of blessing who hath said In every place where I record my Name I will come to thee and I will bless thee Exod. 20.24 And again Blessed is he that heareth my words and watcheth daily at the posts of my gates for he that findeth me findeth life c. Prov. 8.33 And where brethren dwell together in unity there God commandeth his blessing even life for evermore Psal 133.1.4 Sect. 9. That the Ordinances of Christ are yet in force and none ought to slight or exempt themselves from subjection to them BUT forasmuch as here thou art in danger to be incountred with many specious words tending to withdraw thee from the fellowship of the Gospel and with brethren in the Ordinances of Christ needful it is that something more be spoken thereabout to warn thee of some dangerous principles that do great service herein to Satan for thou mayst meet with them that will not onely deride at the simplicity and seeming weakness of the Ordinances of Christ not considering that it is the usual way of God to make choice and use of the weak things of the world to be the mediums of glorifying his power and of confounding the things that be mighty that so the power might be known to be of God and not of the medium or outward ordinance and so consequently that they that contemn the Ordinances of God for their weakness and sorriness do therein despise and condemn the wisdom of God and deprive themselves of the blessing that he holds forth by and â—nd in them But also will tell thee that they for their parts are got into a higher Form or to be under a more glorious dispensation above all Forms or Ordinances so as that they are of nouse or profit to them so that God is throwing them down or hath cast them by and it s a far happier and higher state to be and live above them then under them so intising thee from attendance to God in them to aspire Eve-like to that better and higher condition but therein they play the Serpent with thee and therefore beware of them Indeed there are Ordinances that believers are not under viz. the ordinances of mans invention in the worship of God for otherwise we are to be subject to the civil Ordinances of man for the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2.13 such as Touch not tast not handle not c. according to the traditions commandements of men Col. 2.22 as also the Ordinances of the Law of Moses and Jewish observations Christ hath freed us from but of these is not the question but of the Ordinances of the Lord even of the Lord Jesus such as Preaching Hearing Prayer Baptism the Supper of the Lord c. Concerning which also that 's not to be denied that they are not the matter we are to live upon the meat we are to feed on The Lord Jesus himself as he is the great Witness of the love of God to us and the Revealer of his minde is the true Lord of
condition it s an easie thing to be circumvented by him such high expressions such glorious speeches such enticing and swelling words though full of vanity to a spiritual discerning because they have not the bread of Life the foundation of our hope in them with whom are they not taking The consideration of which having pressed me forward to the writing and publishing of this small Treatise in which though I be but weak I have endeavoured according as by Covenant I am bound for the rooting out of Error and heresie in my place and calling though not primely upon that consideration to prevent the spreading of this grand infection that though I have little hopes of reducing those that are corrupted yet I might be a means to stablish some that are wavering and prevent their falling I have chosen as to the Saints in general so to you in particular to Dedicate and present it out of that respect I bear to you and the good that 's in you and sense of obligation upon me toward you Desirng God ever to guide and preserve you And you yet to account me Ladies Your Servant in the Gospel JOHN HORN Lin Novemb. 2. 1650. To the Congregation of the first born yet warring on earth whose names are written in heaven and particularly to those of them that I minister unto at Lin c. grace mercy and peace from God our Father and from Jesus Christ our Lord. Brethren YOu cannot but know that the Church of God is in Scripture resembled to a natural body wherein are many members united to each other and to one head and by one Spirit growing up in exact unity now as in the natural body there may be many infirmities and many things are liable to offend and hurt it so also is it in this mystical sometimes it may be subject to distempers by nauseous crude undigested humours the want of thorow closing with and drinking in divine truths or the drinking in untruths may occasion a surfeit and aversation from truth sometimes flatuous and windy humours of pride high-mindedness and lying spirits getting into some of its members may distemper it sometimes feavourish heats of violent headiness instead of wel-tempered zeal for God and godliness may inflame it and sometimes the cold aguish or palsie humours of deadness in benummedness to Spiritual motions in its tendency to its spiritual and supream end may so seize upon it as much to impair its strength and to appearance bring it nigh to death But God whose Temple it is hath provided for it against such distempers and dangers both meat and medicine to feed and cure it As Christ himself is the prime and great tree of life in whom the word is so united to the humanity that the humanity was ever in all times of Winter blasts and Sommer droughts refreshed and upheld thereby and made glorious fruitful and his fruits are good and prosperous fit to feed and his Leaves full of vertue to heal the Nations So is every one that through grace is brought to believe in Christ and gathered up into unity with Christ and lives upon the word of Christ Psal 1.3 as a tree planted by the waters side Jer. 17.7,8 Even one of those trees of life that grow upon the banks of that great river of the knowledge of God in Christ that proceeds from out his sanctuary and runs from beside the Altar or sacrifice of Christ and under the threshold the Gospel and its Ordinances holding forth Christ Ezek. 47.1.2.12 whose fruit is for meat and its leaf for medicine The lips of the righteous feed many and their fruit is as a tree of life Prov. 10,21 and 11.30 the doctrine they receive from Christ is a wholsome doctrine 1 Tim. 6 3.4 and full of healing by which they are more and more rooted into and united with Christ till they all grow up into such a close and full union with him that the many trees on the banks of that river Rev. 22.2 be made perfectly but one on both sides of that river Eph. 4.13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith and acknowledgement of the Son of God unto a perfect man Now I knowing that in this body there are at present as at other times not only many inward weaknesses but also many things from without indangering it yea that many parts of it are sorely laid open to infections from divers that seem to be of it or converse with it though I be less then the least of all Saints yet according to the measure of the gift of Christ given me I have endeavoured to administer that that I have from the head which may make for its strength and nourishment yea and to hold forth such of his Leaves supplied to me by his good hand as may either prevent or cure the infections feared desiring that we may all so press after further knowledge of and growth in Christ as that yet we may be kept from imbracing false Christs and from being snared by the poison of those false Prophets who instead of hastening mens growth up into Christ which they pretend do secretly and subtilely corrupt men from the simplicity that is in Christ as if a man by stretching of a twig to make it grow longer should pull and sever it from the body of the tree upon which it groweth As for the mind to be without knowledge is not good so he that hasteth with his feet sinneth Prov 19.2 I desire that what I present to you in love and for your good may be taken in good part and soberly considered by you and that what you see to suit with and proceed from that good spirit of God that is but one and the same in all ages and gives unity to the body in all its memberly differences may be received and held fast by you and if in any thing you see either further or better then I impart of your measure also to me that we may grow up together by that which every joynt supplieth all holding fast and not letting go the head from whence we receive the right and true spirit that will give us to increase So shall our feet abide within the gates of Jerusalem and the Lord himself shall dwell amongst us shall judge rule and teach us and in his teaching we shall not be vainly puft up with a carnal mind like those bodies that are puft up with unwholsome humours but grow solidly fat and well-liking and shew that he is gratious and that there is no deceit or unrighteousness in him To him and the word of his grace which is able to build you up and give you the inheritance I commit you with my self being The meanest of your Brethren and companions in the way of Salvation J. HORN The Contents Chap. 1. A Description of real Saints Pag. 1 Sect. 1. Who are not such ibid. 2. Who are p. 7 Chap. 2. Of the estate of Saints p. 11 Sect. 1. More generally their
of God unto a perfect man Know that the Scriptures came not by the wlll of man nor did the Penmen of them write as they pleased as their own fancies led them but as the holy Gost inspired and acted them 2 Pet. 1.20,21 and the things therein written were written for our learning Rom. 15.4 that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and in believing might through patience and the comfort of them have hope yea and life in his Name Joh. 20.31 In them is laid down a form of wholsom words which we are to take diligent heed unto and not to depart therefrom because they are profitable as says the Apostle to instruct correct reprove c. yea to maâ—e us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ 2 Tim. 3.15,16 both to discern truth from error light from darkness yea when it glisters like light and to lead to avoid the darkness and walk in the light yea in a word they are sufficient to perfect a man of God to every good work of the ministry or service required of him Let that Word then and the Gospel there recorded be held fast by you and the Doctrine that according thereto ye have heard from the beginning even the first principles and foundation the Death and Resurrection of Christ as therein declared that beleeve and depart not from it nor from viewing and beholding the grace and love of God and all those glorious and mysterious depths contained therein nor from the secret voices and speakings thereof to you in its teaching you that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts ye should live soberly righteously and godly yea give diligence in Reading Hearing and minding the Scriptures in every truth exercising faith in Christ so will he by his Spirit mind you so of his truths and put such Scriptum est's such sayings of divine Record into your memories and mouths as shall discover the subtilest workings of Satan and his instuments and lead you to avoid them yea to oppose and baffle them Sect. 5. Some objectiont against the Scriptures Answered LEt not vain spirits who make it their business to deceive withdraw you from cleaving to them as the true and faithful record of the Truth of God I know their wiles and what pretences they come withall to withdraw you from them some that they have got from their Father who made it his way to overthrow us at the first to withdraw us from the VVord of God See his first coming to Eve Gen. 3.1 He doth not at the first deny the saying of God but only puts a question Hath God indeed said or hath he in saying said ye shall not eat Gen. 3.1,2 Just like a generation now that knowing they shall not lead men into their errors unless they be first poysoned in their judgements about the Scriptures and withdrawn from credit giving to them first amuse people and try them with this not in a sober but a captious way How do you know that the Scriptures are the VVord of God and that they are true what have you more to say for them then the Turk for his Alcoran the Papists for their golden Legend c To whom I could wish people to give them this Answer that as by faith they understand that the world was made by the Word of God so by faith they know the Scriptures to be of God and of the inspiration of his Spirit and that they will hold to and not listen to any vain reasonings to the contrary but I hope you have a proof of God speaking in them you behold there such impressions of holiness purity truth goodness Majesty and see such a light in them as evidences them to be of him yea and you see their truth both in some experiences of them in your hearts and by the fulfilling of many prophesies in them as they spake long ago of the calling of the Gentiles when they lay all in Egyptian and gross darkness and we see it after so many hundreds of generations fulfilled they speak of the ruine of many then famous places which now answerably are ruined they foretell of such perverse Spirits and Doctrines of Devils in which men would deny the Lord that bought them and mock at saying where is the promise of his coming and bring in heresies of destruction as we may see accomplished even in many of them that make this questioning and therefore we need not go far for arguments to enduce us to beleeve the truth of the Scriptures which is questioned by them they suggest the Differences of some Greek copies of the new Testament and variety of readings which as it cannot be denyed so is it not of any materiall weight for what they subtilty use it those varieties being generally except in two or three places in things of lesser moment and such as either reading in the most Authentick Copies is no whit dangerous or destructive to the faith of Jesus yea usually the different readings do sound so much to the same purpose as they scarce deserve the name of differences as that in Mat. 1.22 we read This is that that that was said of the Lord by the Prophet saying c Others adde the name of the Prophet by the Prophet Isaiah saying So Mat. 2.11 When they came into the house and saw the child some and found the child so others So Chap. 3.9 Bring forth therefore fruit or fruits meet for repentance and vers 12. He shall gather the wheat into his garner or his wheat into the garner and in vers 11. He shall baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire some omit the word fire there is no danger in either reading but ours is confirmed and that defect in the other of the word fire is made up in Luke 3 16. Where all copies agree that the word fire is added and yet the other reading is in a manner repeated and so owned by our Saviour in applying that saying to his Apostles in Acts 1.5 Many of those readings stand but in a diversity of word to the same sense and differ no more then God wils and God willeth or God commandeth and God requireth as in Mat. 2.13 some read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which differ no more then these two English words kill and slay so in vers 6. some read Bethlehem of Judah others Bethlehem in the Land of Judah so in Chap. 4.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as some read and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as others differ no more then walking about and going or travailing about and such are those in the 19. and 23. verses some read I will make you fishers of men others I will make you to be fishers of men He healed them so we vers 22. He healed them all say others so in Chap. 5.11 some read for my sake some for righteousness sake either of them right and both come to one and the same thing many such like differences I might instance
satisfaction that the Spirit of God yea God himself in his Spirit shall poure out into men glorifie them with and possess them of hereafter fully is called heavenly glory and the reward in heaven as the latter it is also because it is yet in and with God and Christ and not in its fulness come forth into and manifested in men but a state it is of such fulness of peace joy power happiness satisfaction and glory in and through the presence of God and Christ with soul and body as neither eye can see nor ear hear nor can enter into the heart of man to conceive an immeasurable unfathomable inexpressible perfect immixt intire and eternal joy and glory so immense high deep broad large and full in it self that no words can reach it nor heart conceive or contain it but be wholly satisfied yea swallowed up into delight and joy with it and that that infinitely adds to it is its infinite duration Eternal life a mighty inexhaustible river of eternal satisfactions flowing from fed and maintained by the fountain of liâ— ing waters even God himself his Presence and fellowship for ever O infinite incomprchensible portion and inheritance yea God himself and his glory to be inherited by us But I shall â—ather press on towards it and to the experimental tasts and feelings of it in some earnest of 〈◊〉 in my spirit then strive by words to darken â—nowledge in indeavoring to express it what it 〈◊〉 is onely known in the injoyment till when it â—…sseth knowledge much more expression to declare it Sect. 6. Some incouragements for the Saints in expectation of this glory promised O Let our eyes be to that Prize that Glory that Paradise that Rest Safety Satisfaction Injoyment of God and Christ compleat freedom from evil compleat and eternal fruition of all happiness that we may run with patience the race set before us enduring the Cross despising the shame for this joy and recompence propounded to us withall considering what good grounds we have to expect the injoyment of so glorious and precious Promises As to Instance 1. It s God that hath promised and what cannot he do Is not his arm Almighty his Power invincible cannot he make us happy beyond expression when he himself is our Reward It s God is not he faithful hath he spoken it and shall not he do it is there any unrighteousness in him Faithful is he that promiseth who also will do it he will not leave thee nor forsake thee 1 Thes 5.24 Heb. 13.5 He hath never yet failed any that have cleaved to and depended on him and verily he will not now begin It s God that hath promised and he is Love and Goodness and hath testified such and so great love to us as may incourage us to judge well of him in what ever he further saith or doth unto us If thou thinkest his Promises are of too great gifts to be bestowed on thee or such as thou art consider what he hath bestowed on thee already hath he not given thee life and breath and all things yea he hath given his onely begotten Son to death for thee to ransom thee from thy thraldom to sin and misery and that too when thou wast ungodly and an enemy against him and neither soughtest it of him nor couldst thank him for it and he hath filled him with his fulness to that purpose that he might now sill thee yea hath he not also called thee to his Son looked upon thee when thou layedst in darkness and ignorance of him hath he not born with thy follies refusals and ill requitals and long waited that he might be gracious yea and at length begun to prevail with thee and brought thee to believe that of his fulness thou â—ightst receive grace for grace c. And is all â—…is nothing to thee to perswade thee of his faithfulness and further love Sure the consideration of this may lead us to be confident in â—im and rest upon him for performance of his Promises to us and to perswade our selves that â—e hath not gone about to deceive us he that â—ath performed his Word so punctually in the gift and abasement of his Son may challenge â—…edit of us in what he further says unto us If â—…n we were enemies he hath reconciled us or â—…de us friends to himself by the death of his â—on how much more when we are therethrough â—…conciled will he save us by his life Rom. 5.10 He that spared not his own Son but gave him to the death for us all how shall he not with him also â—ive us all things Rom. 8.32 Us that are now in Christ Jesus and walk after the Spirit his called justified ones 2. Again consider Jesus Christ the great high Priest and Apostle of our profession the great gift of God for and to us It s he that God â—ath appointed to give us this eternal life It s the Will of God his Father concerning him thâ—… every one that sees the Son and believes on him should not perish but have eternal life Joh. 6.40 and he is mighty to save being the onely proper Son of God his Word and Wisdom yea God over all blessed for ever according to the Spiritâ— he was in the beginning with God and was God and all things that are were made by him and without him was nothing made that iâ— made whether Thrones or Dominions Principalities or Powers all things were made by him and in him all things consist yea according to the humanity also he is exalted to the throne oâ— Majesty and all the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily in him God doing all by him and he all in and from God and in the might and power of God So that of his sufficiency we have no cause to doubt seeing also he hath done so great things for us as the spoiling of Principalities and Powers conquering the world taking away Sin abolishing Death and destroying the authority and power of the devil In which things also he hath given such undeniable proofs of his Love and Faithfulness in that being in the form of God thinking it no robbery to be equal with God yet he abased himself and came in the form of a servant being made flesh the son of man and therein subject to infirmities yea suffered and bare the burthen of our iniquities and the curse due to us for our sins to accomplish those things on our behalf so that 〈◊〉 exceeding unbelief and ingratitude to question his love and faithfulness for perfecting for us â—hat further concerns us especially seeing he also ever lives now to make intercession for us â—…t come to God by him and appears in the presence of God for us to present us in the invaluable vertue of his sacrifice holy and acceptable before him and to mediate for us the performance of the New Testament to us by continually removing our sins follies weaknesses and evils against God and his goodness to us
the snare and ready to be devoured by him yea perhaps he so lulls them asleep that they scarce see or feel it then under pretence of doing more good he inveigles many mens minds to love and seek after more goods and under pretence of crediting the Gospel he leads many to seek to credit themselves in the world and advance their own honor and set their hearts upon earthly dignities and preferments yea and sometimes under pretence of spirituall union and better helpfulness he provokes some men to lust and wantonness oh the subtilty of this wicked one But yet in these things though somewhat sublimated he appears but as a Ruler of the darkness of this world and as the God thereof seeking to glorifie it and snare the Saints by it which also too usually he doth But he is yet more admirably subtle in transforming himself into another guise coming full fraught with spirituall wickednesses in heavenly things He as a subtle Spirit can insinuate pollutions into our Spirits in the things of heaven and where he sees souls taken with such things can meet them in a disguise in the things they are taken with changing his shape and clothing himself with an appearance of light and present himself as a messenger bringer or Angel of light and in this way even at this time also my Brethren he is most busie and doth most hurt unto the Churches and Saints of God when Satan comes to divert Saints from spirituall things he is somewhat more discernable though so sleightfull juggler is he that even there oftentimes he geâ—… beyond them but when he comes and wraps himself in these things and pretends to help them forward in them then he gets the easier attention and entertainment Here then that counsell of the Apostle John is needfull to be taken by us Beloved beleeve not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God I Joh. 4.1 Minde this that Sathan is a Spirit and can be a lying Spirit in the mouth of false prophets yea hath many Spirits as his Angels to send out and do mischief and he can flie up and aspire to heavenly things to be a Teacher and revealer pretendedly of them also so that here the path of the Saints is made very intricate and they have great need of the Spirit of wisdom and understanding to discern their way that they be not cheated Sect. 3. Some observations upon Sathans tempting Christ Mat. 4. LEt us view the members by the head and see what Satan will do to the Saints in this matter by his setting upon Christ the Lord of the Saints Mat. 4. 1. When he saw him an hungry and were there was no bread he tempts him to impatiency of it and to an unusual way to put an end to his hunger by turning stones into bread as if God that led him to a condition wherein he denyed him the ordinary means of refreshing was not able to or would not preserve him by his word without those means or as if he could not be content as well to live upon Gods word without the means when not afforded as upon the means extraordinarily procured And surely Satan is often busie with the Saints to make them impatient in their wilderness of waiting upon God and carries many inordinately after those and those means where they cannot in an ordinary way injoy them as if their life consisted in them and not chiefly in the word of God believed by them and united to them many a Saint he draweth down to a discontentedness for want of visible means in outward things or because he injoys not such an ordinance or means in the time while he is the wilderness as he thirsts or hungers for but God in his providentiall way affordeth not yea by that means sometimes he stirs them up to many irregularities and combustions yea and often when they have though irregularly gotten what their souls thirsted for by assuming power as the Sons of God to make what they have not they take up their rest too much in such enjoyments as if they lived by them and not by the word of God that proceedeth from him But yet behold a more subtle temptation in which is discovered more spirituall wickedness For Christ no sooner had resisted that temptation being stedfast in faith and in the word of God as having it written in his heart but then 2. He sets upon him in another way in which he playes the Angel of light indeed and fight against him with his own weapons tempts him to confidence in God and brings the promise to him which he knew must needs appertain to him he being the Son of God to animate him to step out of the way of God He takes him and carries him upon the top of an high pinacâ—… of the Temple and bids him thence to cast down himself for he being the Son of God nothing could harm him and it is written that God had given his Angels charge over him to keep him and to bear him up by their power that he should not dash his foot against a stone Oh subtle temptation whom would not this deceive but him that holds fast the word and hath it dwelling in him in all wisdom teaching and admonishing him how many souls lifted up on high have been precipated with this suggestion When the Devil turns a preacher and presents Gods promises to further his inticements whom will not his subtilty overthrow from Gods Temple this is a temptation fitted to persons that minde spirituall things persons that look for promises to be given in to them may be easily thus snared How many when they have met in some measure with a baptism unto Christ and some spirituall communication from Christ in which they have tasted of his heavenly gift and the power of the world to come and have rejoyced and made their boast of him and looked upon themselves as called by him and made sons in him and have thought the promises belonged to them yet by such a temptation to confidence with the promises set before them have been perverted from the right way to salvation a temptation taking with high minded pesons filling them with a careless fearlesness of their condition how many doth Satan teach to reason after this manner am not I acquainted with the goodness of God have not I met with such light and knowledge of God am not Jâ—a child of God did not God at such a time and in such a way make me feel and taste of such heavenly vertue eat his spirituall Manna drink his comforts taste of the heavenly gift are not all the promises of God my portion there can I ever fall away or misse of my portion what if I neglect such ordinances and assemblings of our selves together I am above them all and my not waiting on God in them can do me no harm at all all his promises for keeping guiding preservation and everlasting glory are mine and am sure to
headlong for God saith not Ye need no miâ—stration or instruction by any men because of the unction in you for then it had been needless for the Apostle to have writ to them he might as well have spared that pains in regard of them but he says they needed not that any teach them but as that anointingt taught them â—hat that suited not with it but was besides it and â—ew to it another doctrine and light then that â—hey had received from the beginning not agreeâ—ng with that such teaching they had no need of â—n abiding in what they had received and been â—aught they should be saved I have instanced these two places that none might mistake them and abuse them as I know some do and to prevent your falling into the â—emptation of Satan when comming to any in such a way Surely my friends if you think whatever spirit comes unto your hearts and hints in â— otions and doctrines or conceptions or brings â—ny Scripture or Promise it s the Spirit of God â—e are much mistaken and may quickly be led â—nto a delusion as many that attend to such moâ—ions and flashes of joy and light and have not â—he Word of God abiding in them with underâ—tanding usually are I wish there be not too â—any of you that have had some gratious opeâ—ations upon your hearts and of you that acâ—ount your selves Saints and in a sure conditiâ—n taken in this snare of Satan learn so to lean on God as not to live upon means and run out inordinately after them where God affordâ— them not nor yet to despise his wayes and means when afforded presuming that God wiâ—… keep you safe and leave you right without them believe in God but do not tempt himâ— And where both of these are escaped beware oâ— the third in which 3. He set upon Christ to worship him that 〈◊〉 might have the glory and dignity of the worlâ— given him a strong and impetuous temptationâ— and oftentimes takeing where the other two arâ— avoided as they that are like the seed in Thornâ— ground go further then the other two groundâ— A temptation to Coveteousness Vain-glory anâ— Ambition to be great amongst men and this being suited to our sense and natural inclinations taketh often with those that have attained to much Satan knowing how to make all attainments contribute something to pride and highâ— mindedness which the more it s fed the more 〈◊〉 setteth open the soul to entertain such advantâ—ges as suit therewith Against this the Apostâ—… John writing to children young men and fâ—thers opposes this advice and counsel Love nâ—… the world nor the things of this world for the loâ—… of the world and of the Father stand not together 1 Joh. 2.16,17 But because this is not so subtâ—… though oftentimes more catching then the foâ—mer from its pleasingness to flesh as also because I toucht upon it before in the preceding Chapter I shall not inlarge so much upon it this being not faln into so much for want of discerning as by love of carnal worldly injoyment of earthy satisfaction or excellency and so needs â—ot so many words to discover it as to perâ—wade men not to listen to but avoid it Sect. 4. Of the main drift of Satan in all his Temptations THe subtilty and sedulity of Satan may appear by what is said as also some of hâ—… wiles and methods but now what is his driâ—… and design in tempting would be a little furtheâ— considered it s far otherwise then the mind anâ— end of God in suffering him to tempt God aimâ— at the triall and purging of us and so at our benefit but Satan at nothing less then to devoâ— us by alienating our souls from God in the knowledge and enjoyment of whom consisâ— our happiness And because he knows that Goâ— is not to be known and enjoyed but only in anâ— through Christ even that Jesus of Nazareâ— who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh though the Lord of David as being the Son of God according to the Spirit because he is the only maker up of the breach between God and man the only propitiation foâ— our sins by and in the vertue of his Death anâ— Sacrifice the onely Mediator of God and maâ— the onely way unto the Father by whom as bâ— hath offered up himself through the eternal Spirit a spotless Sacrifice we may have access unto and acceptance with him the onely bread of Life that God hath given us from heaven to feed upon the great Witness and Evidence of Gods Love and Goodness to us the express Character and lively Image of his Person in a word the only Saviour appointed of God to us in the vertues of his once offered Sacrifice able not only to justifie us at the first but also perfectly to save us therefore he makes it his main business in order to the alienating men from God and depriving them of eternal happiness to turn or keep men out from believing on him even as the Serpent beguiled Eve so doth this wicked one indevour to beguil souls now corrupting their minds or thoughts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the simplicity that is in him from their single looking to God in and through him Now how did the Serpent beguil Eve but by perswading her that their living by faith in the Word of God and in observance of the way of God was a blind low kind of living but would she be ruled by him and listen to his counsel they should attain to a much better condition live a life of Knowledge like to God and not in such a subjection to and dependance on God even so as the Apostle intimates 2 Cor. 11.2,3 Satan now seeks to deceive by insinuating into mens thoughts that the Death Sacrifice and Mediation of Christ are but low simple things fit only for Novices and new beginners to live upon and the living by faith in him and in submission to his Doctrine and Ordinances a poor despicable way of living that keeps men in blindness and subjects them to many exercises and temptations from which would they listen to his counsels he would soon free them and bring them to a more godlike condition Thus withdraws he mens souls from Christ and leads them either wholly to sleight and trample upon him to loath the feeding constantly upon him as if he was as the murmuring Israelites said of their Manna but a light bread and to account the blood of the Covenant but a common poor thing and so to itch and covet after some more sensual satisfaction or else to joyn something else with him as the matter of their souls feeding and bottome of their confidence towards God and way of approaching to him as if there was not the fulness of God in him or as if he was not compleat nor had done so much in and by his one once offered Sacrifice as that in and with the vertues of it he is perfectly furnished for leading
Apostle further adds as useful for our direction herein in that sixth of the Ephesians viz. 6. Take unto you also the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God To the Law and to the Testament that that speaks not according to that word hath no morning light in it Isai 8.20 there 's no divine Truth in it That will discover and drive back all assailants The VVord of God that 's the immortal seed that the Believer is born of and this is he still to covet after that he may grow by it This David his in his heart that he might not sin against God and indeed that 's the best preservative from sin and direction in Righteousness when it s so hidden This is the Truth and discovers the true Righteousness of God is preached in and declares the Gospel is the Mother and Nurse of right Faith the word of Faith and of Salvation yea this is a Lanthorn to our feet and a light unto our paths In this the Spirit worketh and in the belief thereof preserveth the soul unto eternal life yea this is Spirit and Life as its full of divine and living operations unto Faith But what is this VVord of God I Answer in one sense Christ himself is the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word or Reason that was in the beginning with God and by which all things were made of God the essential Word or Word of power and Wisdom of God which also was made flesh and dwelt amongst us And it s no doubt but with this Word the Spirit fights as he doth glorifie and lift him up but that 's not done but by the Word in another sense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that 's the Word there in Ephes 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word spoken the declaration of the Mind and Truth of God that which God hath uttered by the mouth of Christ and of All his holy Prophets and Apostles this Word as it was originally from and by the Spirit so is that the Sword that he leads his to make use of and by which he driveth back the subtile and violent adversaries of our souls and defends us that believe and believingly make use of it in the Spirit Take to you selves then this Word of God this Sword of the Spirit believe it mind it meditate on it cleave to it bring all Motions Doctrines and Practises to the Light of it let it dwell richly in you in all wisdom it will teach and admonish you it will shew you the right way and how to behave your selves in every condition it will admonish you of the danger that is in by-wayes and in temptations so that it be I say hid in your hearts and dwell there so as that you know love believe understand and mind it in what it speaketh as it was in the heart of the Lord Jesus being so kept it will keep you instruct teach and guide you aright for his words do good to the upright-hearted Mic. 2.7 that believe and obey them in sincerity And indeed this as Cha. 3. Sect. 6. was before hinted is worthy to be minded that that 's the acceptable and right believing which purely and singly closeth with God and Christ not for or according to our sensible experiments and feelings so much as for and according to the Soveraign authority of God and his infallible and most pure sayings that believes the Word though it see not any probability as to Sense or Reason of the things there declared That Faith that 's built upon Sense as we have shewed alters and varies often according to the alterations in sense as we shewed in the Israelites who so long as some great work was in their eye and some satisfaction apprehended in their sense believed the VVord and sang his Praise but when those great things were withdrawn and danger and death surrounded them they distrusted murmured and rebelled the Word of God was of no account or force with them because it was not the bottom of their faith nor abode in them So fares it now also with many souls that receive the Word as the stony ground doth the Seed with joy for a time so long as there is no trial but all seems to go along with and demonstrate the thing that is spoken to and believed by them but when such sensible feelings or satisfactions to Reason fail and trials come then in a day of temptation they fall away they wither in a year of drought as it were not having moisture enough from the Word within to cause them to abide in a patient waiting upon God for his gratious returns to them the Gospel of Peace hath not prepared them for a long travel or trial because not heartily and throughly received and cleaved to by them in the love of it nor well digested in them therefore they have no patience but fall to murmuring repining and inordinate lusting after sensible feelings of comfort and God deferring them they either run back to the world again resolving to have its consolations rather then none or else if any Doctrine or Spirit under pretence of Gods come unto them and promise them feedom from such sad conditions and long waitings though it be from Satan and lead them quite from the faith of Jesus to some strong delusion they embrace and run after it to their own destruction preferring sensible feelings and flashes of joy and comfort and raptures c. though from false and failing delusions of Satan withdrawing them from the VVord before a patient hoping in a dark exercised condition in the VVord for its unspeakable and eternal consolations Surely from this sometimes souls are misled and given over to believe or rejoyce in a lye as if they were now at prefect freedom and as fully possessed of heaven as ever any shall be had attained the Resurrection already as much as any shall or can attain to yea were Godhead with God and made parts of his indivisible Essence Satan mounting them up aloft and causing them to speak great swelling words of vanity and shine as Comets to the admiration of others he transforming himself into an Angel of light and perswading them it is the true Light that they see and glory in though in the issue they go out in darkness and have the blackness of it reserved for them whereas on the other side where the Word of God is in the heart and the meditation thereon day and night and the hope in the Lord Jehovah there-through and according thereto it will preserve and perfect that man to the inheritance being the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes Acts 20.32 a pure infallible and sure Word that will not fail or deceive any Happy is he that though he see not or prove little or nothing in his own sense yet believeth according to what is said in that that will give comfort strength greenness growth fruitfulness and preserve the
the parable speaketh but usually in such places too the holy Ghost discovers himself to speak by way of parable or similitude as when it s said the Kingdom of heaven is like leaven and like mustard seed c. in which kinde of expressions the Letter tels us that the sayings are parabolicall spirituall things are spoken of and set forth under earthly similitudes of which sort also are the descriptions of God oftentimes under bodily notions as of hands feet wings c. and of Christ under the Metaphoricall terms of a door a vine a Shepherd c. which say in effect that what those things are in their several relations to the earthy things they pertain to that is Christ to his people and these also are easie enough to any easie understanding to be figurative and parabolicall yea 3. I deny not but there may often be an allusive use made of many Scriptures to illustrate other things by then what they properly and directly speak to which is indeed an Allegorical use as Paul make use of the History of Abrahams having two sons to represent the severall conditions of two sorts of people that claim acquaintance with God and that by those two Doctrines of Law and Gospel are begot to worship him and so many things that befell the people in the wilderness may be alluded to as resemblances and representations of what doth often befall men in their passage from the darkness of this world and Satan to the enjoyment of the eternall inheritance as Gods leading them with a cloud may instruct us into Gods guiding his people that follow him in the faith of Christ and his so protecting them by that faith that no spiritual temptation or outward persecution shal scorch or harm them and his leading them by a pillar of fire we may allude to in setting forth his giving light and hope unto his people in times of their darknesse and afflictions so we may allude to the story of Orpahs being perswaded to leave her mother in law Naomi Ruth 1. in setting forth the slightly cleaving of hypocrites unto Christ and to Ruths stedfast cleaving to her in setting forth the affection of sincere and honest-hearted beleevers unto Christ many such apt allusions there may be to things done and said in former times and recorded in the Scriptures even as Christ sets forth the way and usefulness of his exaltation by comparing it to the lifting up of the brazen Serpent in the wilderness and is set forth as our spiritual passeover with allusion to the typical of the Israelites but yet in these cases we are to minde that neither the Histories that we so allude to are fables and things composed only to that very purpose to set forth some such other spirituall things without any reality or truth in themselves as Historical narrations for that would be all one as to say there is no such creature as the sun nor other use of it but to be a representation of the Sun of righteousness in the things written and spoken of it because he in Scripture is set forth by it or such a weapon as a shield but only something is spoken of under such a name to set forth God and Christ unto us which would be evident falshoods Nor much less is that another fable shadow or feined figure that is illustrated and set forth by way of allusion to them as if the Passeover was a type of a type a figure of Christ which is nothing according to the History penned of him but a pretty devised representation of another thing sure that that hath a shadow hath in it self some substance that is pointed to and represented in that shadow It s one thing to set forth one by another in way of similitude or allusion in which also sobriety and understanding are to be used least we make similitudes where there is none or strain similitudes made by the Holy Ghost beyond what he maketh use of them or intendeth in them and the taking away the being of the things to which we allude and allowing them no other being but by way of representation as too many that so allude to the Creation of the world in the new creation that they evacuate the truth delivered concerning the first Creation and strain the similitude fondly playing in the curiosity and pride of their wits to the detriment and obscuring of the faith such wantonness we are to beware of but much more I say when not onely the shadow but the substance too is annihilated for 4. The Scripture in the Doctrine of Christ Jesus and all things needfull to be beleeved to salvation doth not only use similitudes to represent and set them forth but also is plain full and more evident so as that in some places or other the mysteries are declared in the very Scripture sayings as about the person and natures of Christ his incarnation growing up teaching working miracles dying rising ascending the end of all this the obligation that lies upon us to God thereby with the whole way of salvation what we are to do that we may live and what that life is that we shall have in so doing so far as can be made out to our apprehensions by word and Doctrine or is needfull so to be to make the expressions about which also to be but shadowes of other things when as the Scripture tels us they are the things that were foreshadowed out is horrible mistake and very dangerous what Christ spake in the dark he hath commanded the Apostles to speak in the light and to proclaim more openly to the world the mysteries and secrets that he more hiddenly propounded to them which they also did revealing the mystery of God and not yet hiding it in parabolical and shadowy words as is plain by what the Apostle Peter says 2 Peter 1.16 We have not followed cunningly devised fables when wee made known to you the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Now what is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or fable but properly a hidden mystical kinde of speaking such as the heathen used in their mysteries and to represent some secret Doctrines yea sometimes the servants of God have used such speakings too as Jotham when he reproved the men of Shechem for chusing Abimelech King and Abimelech for his usurpation and Tyranny by telling them of the trees going to chuse a King Judg. 9. in which its evident that he meant not that ever there was such a thing as trees chusing a King or that the olive and vine could make such answers but in that parabolical and mysterious way of speaking 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wisely invented and devised he plainly taxed the folly of the people and Abimelechs wickedness and ambition and that was the only truth that he aimed at in his so speaking to them so Aesop a subtile deviser of parabolical speakings or fables when he would insinuate good counsels or reprove bad mens folly he tels many pretty
our defects and failings in Faith that the convents of the new Covenant may notwithstanding be performed to us his Law be writ in our hearts and his Fear put within us his holy Spirit given to us to sanctifie teach lead strengthen and comfort us and in a word that we may be carried up to the enjoyment of the eternal inheritance Consider him then it s Christ that died for us yea rather that is risen again and is at the right hand of God making intercession for us the Captain of salvation the Author yea and the Finisher too of our Faith Consider his Love Faithfulness Office Goodness that we faint not nor be weary through any temptation Fear not but he that conquered all our enemies by himself for us will also in our following after him give us the victory over them and the reward that he hath abundantly promised It s his Word of incouragement who hath gone before us and is in the head of the battle To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of Life that is in the midst of the Paradise of God and that he shall not be hurt of the second death yea the white stone and new name the hidden Manna and in a word his everlasting Kingdom Rev. 2. and 3. 3 Yea and thirdly hath not God also given us of his holy Spirit his Power and strength to to be in us and to fight our battels for us to lead teach uphold and comfort us and he is a spirit of Wisdom and Knowledge a spirit of strength and courage and of the fear of the Lord. The holy Unction that gives discerning witnessing of Christ and glorifying him and more powerful then any thing that comes to withstand him according to that Greater is he that is in us then he that is in the world 1 Joh. 4.4 Abide but in him and follow after his lustings and instructions in the wayes that our Lord hath prescribed to us and he will work all our works in us and our works shall be wrought in him we need not any other teaching or spirit but as and according to that which that holy Vnction teacheth us what swerves from his testimony is not to be heeded by us and that that swerves is to be discerned by this that it maketh little or no account of Christ come in the flesh 1 Joh. 4.1,2,3 of the things done and suffered by him therein it skips over or le ts go that and makes but a light matter or nullity of it whereas the holy Unction or Spirit of Truth confesseth holdeth forth and glorifieth Christ come in the flesh he saith not in our flesh for many deceivers talk of that who would lead us to exalt themselves though they be Antichrists as also the holy Spirit is the same that was in the Prophets and Apostles and leads us to hear them and to abide in unity of Faith with them Ephes 1.4,5 1 Joh. 4.5,6 whereas the false spirits slight them and lead not to hear or matter Unity of faith and confession with them If we have received this earnest why should we fear that God will fail us of the inheritance in this might and power of the Lord if we be strong nothing shall overcome us Sect. 7. Of Knowing Christ after the flesh and after the Spirit I Know they that lie in waite to deceive you will suggest that this that I have said of Christ his Death Resurrection and mediation is at best but a carnal knowledge of him according to the flesh and not according to the Spirit and that the Spirit in evidencing him will witness a more divine and spiritual knowledge and draw off the heart from this fleshly consideration or looking upon him as he was made flesh and therein suffered and died for us To perswade you to which they quote that in 2 Cor. 5.16 Henceforth know we no man after the flesh yea though we have known Christ after the flesh yet henceforth we know him so no more as if the Apostle meant that he minded him no more as one that was born of a woman and died in the flesh and was raised again and in that very body glorified they had sometimes such carnal apprehensions of him and looked at him as the Saviour in and by that his death and suffering indeed but now they have a more spiritual allegorical knowledge of him Against which interpretation of the Apostles words though that might suffice to preserve us that I have newly before noted from the Apostle John that every spirit that confesseth not that is glorifies not nor sets not forth Jesus Christ come in the flesh is not of God yet I shall for further satisfaction look more fully into that place And first it may hence appear evidently that that is not the Apostles meaning in that passage because such an interpretation of him is cross to himself and his fellow brethren and Apostles in other places for its evident that both Paul and the rest preached him as of the seed of David according to the flesh the Son of God made of a woman made under the Law made sin and a curse for us crucified and raised again and now mediating for us with God the Advocate High-priest and Prince of the Congregation and to this Doctrine and this Christ thus preached and set forth they frequently exhort believers to take heed to cleave adhere and listen and by no means under what pretext or pretence soever to depart therefrom Heb. 3.1 6.14 Acts 11.23,24 1 Joh 2.28 Gal. 1.8,9 yea to hold as execrable and accursed all that would perswade them thereto or that preach my other Gospel then that of Christ so preached by them Col. 1.22,23 in holding fast to whom and to the Gospel of him they promise safety an abiding happy condition but in the letting him and that go by any means they pronounce certain danger and unavoydable destruction Heb. 2.3 10.25,29 yea Christ as so in the flesh abased for us and now risen ascended and advocating for us at the right hand of God they themselves and in especial that very Apostle Paul rejoyces in and places the foundation of all his hope and confidence in as is plain in that of Rom. 8.32 as the very thing which being known apprehended and received by him was the great manifestation of Gods Love to him and the great argument of his further favor and good will yea the spring of his hope of glory confidence boldness access to God and renovation into his likeness yea Christ as thus he was abased and is risen and mediates for us being known believed and entertained into the heart is in the believer the very hope or that which springs up and nourishes in him an expectation of future glory as is evident from the fore-quoted place and that in Rom. 5.10 where from the consideration of Christ as delivered to death for us while sinners and of our being reconciled to him thereby he infers an
2.2 God the Father and Christ as also the distinct applications of those words Begetting and Begotten Sending and being Sent with divers others argue the sending forth of Christ as the begetting him is always attributed to the Father the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the world and God have his only begotten Son it s never said nor were it proper to say the Father sent himself or the Son sent himself much less that God sent the Father or the like where there is distinction of sending and being sent begetting and being begotten there is more then difference in denomination for though the same may be denominated in divers respects Father and Son and Husband and Master as we said before yet it s improper to say that the Father begat the Son speaking but of the same in divers respects both Father and Son or that the Father sent the Master or Son when he that is all these in divers respects comes himself being sent of none other then himself Beside its never said the Father was made flesh or the Father suffered for our sins or delivered up himself for our offences but it s often said the Father made his Son an offering for our sins God delivered up Christ for our offences raised him exalted him c. which argues plainly that there is more then a nominal distinction between them as also that Christ is said not to have thought it robbery to be equal with God Now where there is equality there is distinction too for its improper to say of the same indistinct thing that its equal to its self yea Christ himself though he saith his Father and he are one John 10.30 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vnum one Essence or thing not Vnus one personal subsistence or one in way of subsisting yet he speaks of himself and Father as of two witnesses I am one that bear witness of my self and my Father that sent me beareth witness of me John 8.18 And to say no more its evident in this that the word was made flesh and so is become man too There is one God and one Mediatour of God and men the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.5 And God will judge the world by that man whom he hath appointed Acts 17.31 But the Father is never affirmed to be man nor could Christ be Mediatour of God and man if not in something distinct from either as well as in something one with either And so for the Spirit it is clearly in that of Mat. 3. and the other places of Isaiah before mentioned distinguished from both Father and Son and is further proved to be so by that of our Saviour John 14.16,17 I will pray the Father and he shall send you another Comforter the Spirit of Truth where all the three are again mentioned and clear distinctions between each of them from other hinted I will pray the Father there 's Father and Son between whom were there no Distinction that phrase were very improper If the Son be the Father he should rather only have said I will send another Comforter then I will pray the Father and he shall send c. and there is the Spirit distinct from both both from him that said he would pray and him to whom he would pray from the Father for he is to send him and is prayed to for him from the Son who prays the Father to send him for he expresly cals him another Comforter that is another from or besides himself that was then with them The Spirit of Truth that is of the Son for the Son is the Truth and is to be glorified by him as in Chap. 16.13,14 When the Spirit is come he shall not speak of himself but he shall glorifie me How shall not he speak of himself it he be Christ of whom he should speak and whom he should glorifie where note by the way that the Spirit that speaks of himself and not of Christ leading the soul to understand the things of Christ and to glorifie him is not â—he true and right Spirit sent forth by Christ â—ut not to inlarge further in this matter what â—…ore plain then that commission â—o Disciple all Nations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or all the Gentiles Baptizing them into the â—ame of the Father and of the Son â—all of the holy Ghost The Name not names â—nd denominations but one Name Power Auâ—ority and Jurisdiction of Father Son and Spiâ—it now what needs this Distinct repeating of â—ather Son and holy Ghost if no distinction â—nt in denomination be put between them â—how can it be said as in 1 John 5.7 that they â—re three witnesses There are three that bear â—itness in heaven the Father the Word and the â—oly Ghost and these three are one Where the â—ord again is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if they were one in way â—f subsisting or personality as they use to â—eak but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hi tres â—mum sunt these three are one thing one being 〈◊〉 Essence one God but yet three in regard of â—ersonality so as the notes of persons I and â—hou and He may distinctly and frequently â—re in Scripture applyed to them I shall not â—ention that in Rev. 1.4,5 with divers other â—laces to this busines but shall a little further â—pen my conceptions about this so high a busiâ—…ess And so I understand that the Father is the fountain of the Deity as it is in the Son but is not the Son but hath begotten him and giveâ— to him to have life in himself and hath spoken by him and so the Godhead is in the Father aâ— the fountain of Divine power The Son is the Word the essential eternal Word of the Father and so God as flowing from and manifesting the Father who in himself and otherwise then by the Son or Word is not to be known oâ— seen into The divine out-streaming wisdome by whom the Father that fountain of Divine glory put forth his Divine vertue and Created all things and upholds them and hath revealed and declared himself to men who also in due time for the sake of man turned away and fallen from him was Incarnate by the power of God and incorporated in the seed of David according to the flesh and so became also a man and in the nature of man by the heavenly flowing forth of his Divine doctrine and by the things undergon by and accomplished in him he opened represented and declared to us the Father and so the Son is as the flowing or out speaking of the Father and the Spirit is the same divine being but as in both and proceeding from both the power vertue and force that is in and worketh or acteth forth it self from both from the fountain by the stream so as that the Father worketh all things through the Son by the Spirit We may somewhat illustrate it by this comparison as I humbly conâ—eive of it .. The Light that