come in the glory of his Father which he now possesseth in heaven with the father for us and to restore all things and then to fashion their vile bodyes unto the likeness of his glorious body And so the end of their conversation is Jesus Christ The same Yesterday and to Day and for ever as also before is shewed the thing they aim at and strive for in all their seekings and in which they seek righteousness and strength is the faith of the Gospel yea these are the true circumcision persons truely redeemed separated and devoted from men and from their vain conversation unto God the Israel of God that are so redeemed and congregated to him by the precious blood of Christ discovered in the Gospel and the grace of God therein commended who also have their rejoycing in Christ Jesus relinquishing for the excellency of the knowledge of him all confidence or rejoycing in the flesh Phil. 33. c. with Acts 20. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 18. c. Rom. 5. 1 11. The other sorts of walkers such as before mentioned for they are many and under many forms are so to be marked by us as to be distinguished from the true brethren and to be avoided and turned from as strangers Proverbs 5. 1. 8. and 14. 7. and 19. 27. John 1â— 5. Romans 16. 17 18. 2 Timothy 2. 17 21. and 3. 1 5. But with these all or any of these worshippers in the spirit that have their rejoycing in Christ Jesus so as for the excellencie of the knowledge of him relinquishing fleshly confidences that call on him out of a pure heart as 2 Tim. 2. 22. A spirit fixed and purified from double mindedness as to the spirit of the mind at least to seek righteousness and strength in Jesus having their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience with the blood of Christ and therein set to seek all things pertaining to life and godliness there With these I say whatever differences in lighter matters or shortness in attainments or infirmities may be found with any of them and discerned by us yet we are to dwell and walk together with such as we have opportunity as brethren and fellow-labourers or helpers in our combate Strift or warfare The Unity of the Spirit to be endeavoured to be kept with such and so in which such are to dwell and walk together in their seeking the Lord and striving for the faith of the Gospel Hath in it 1. Union of love such as in which they love one another with such peculiar manner of love as with which they are beloved of God which is such as in which they are called Sons accepted in Christ as found in him delighted in and chosen to peculiar favour and fellowship so the love wherewith they are to love one another is such as wherewith they are not to love others That are yet of the world or are gon out again from them into the world as is signified 1 John 4. 1 7. Yea such as in which they are to love as brethren beloved of God 1 Peter 4. 8. with 1 Thessalonians 1. 4. Colosians 1. 4. To esteem receive and own another as brethren in a peculiar sense even of one and the same body and heirs together of the grace of life as they have been all baptized or washed from the errours and pollutions of the world into the faith and acknowledgement of that one body of Christ that was broken for us and through sufferings perfected and offered once for all and now glorified with the father for us and so united by faith unto it and to one another in it even as they are called in one hope of their calling 1 Cor. 12. 12 13. Ephes 4. 4. with chap. 5. 30. even so they are to love as brethren and heirs together of the same inheritance and on the same account and terms as members of the same body to be so respected cared for and delighted in for fellowship in the Gospel And so also to be more abundantly pitied and tendred in their infirmities and afflictions and the covering of infirmities bearing burthens and healing diseases to be sought with more abundant diligence and as our own in a peculiar sence more then others to whom yet that love of pity and compassion is to be extended even as God that is so abundantly gracious to all in his great love of pity and compassion wherewith he loveth them in and through Christ when they are yet dead in sins trespasses and so not peculiarly beloved by him with that manner of love in which he receiveth delights in and takes pleasure in persons is yet more abundantly rich in that his tender mercy pity and compassion unto them that call on him in truth that come to him by Christ whom also he accepteth receiveth and takes pleasure in them as they are found in Christ Psaâ—â—â— 103. 11 13. and 145 8 18 19. Romans 10. 12. with 1 Peter 3. 8 Col. 3. 9 13. This love is to be the same and indifferent to them as they are Christs in that peculiar sence without partiality or respect of persons as they are rich or poor bond or free And without dissimulation or hypocrisie to be in them one to another not so much in word or tongue as in deed and truth 'T is indeed too general an evil to lay so much of the stress of Religion in that loving which is in word and in tongue as in familiar calling Brother and Sister and the like that the loving indeed and in truth as brethren is neglected and forgotten as if all stood in word and tongue 2 Union of mind and design as of one heart and soul being made to drink into that one Spirit that testifies of Christ instructing and framing to like mindedness with him each minding and seeking the things which be Jesus Christs and so the things and good of one another without guile hypocrisie or partiallity yea with a neglect of themselves their own ends interests and things as distinct from these not regarding their own life that they may earnestly follow mind and promote the one thing needfull As we read of multitudes of men expert in War and that could keep Rank that were not of double heart but all perfect hatred yea of one heart to make David King 1 Chronicles 12. 33. 38. So also we read of the multitude of them that believed Acts 4. 32. Being of one heart and of one soul as likewise Acts 2. 46. This that prayed for John 17. 20 23. and instructed too Philippians 2. 1 5 20 29. and 4 2. And indeed there cannot be that one-ness or sameness of mind any other way but in the Lord meeting together there each to mind and seek the things which be Jesus Christs with a neglect each of their own For if each be seeking their own interests or things there can be no perfect joyning of them together because their particular interests or things will clash one with another in something
bears witness against us of some great iniquities with us and of much stubborness in hiding and retaining them provoking such displeasure in such a gracious God and Saviour If he had given us over or left us in the hands of men and they had not spared nor pitied but been cruel to the utmost they could There might yet have been some room to have waved the reproof of instruction in it or to have strengthned our selves in a thought that there had been no such reproof in it to us or displeasure from God signified against us He might have ordered some light affliction to us and they might being also left to try them have added to our affliction as Zach. 1. 15. But what shall we say Himself hath done it and by himself The Lord that sees many things to provoke before he observe them against us yea though he prevents alwayes with opening the â—ar by gracious instructions in milder means yet is not quick to hear our murmurings disputings and hardning our hearts against the reproofs of instruction so graciously brought us nor is there with him any changeableness He is the same yet he the Lord. The Lord Gracious Merciful slow to Anger ready to forgive and that doth not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men even he hath made this breach upon us Who gave Jacob to the spoil and Israel to the robbers Did not the Lord Surely the Lord our Holy and Gracious One the glorious Lord would not have done it if we had not excâ—edingly sinned against him and with much and long stubborness refused to walk in his ways and to be obedient to his lawes Let us then search and try our wayes and turn unto the Lord. This leads us into the nâ—xt instruction propounded to be considered in the Text. 3 That the reason or procuring cause of such judgments from the Lord is our own iniquities Yea that usually there is found besides the more general evils some great iniquity of neglects and disorder in Gods peculiar people yea even iniquity and pollution in their holy things as the in-let to and procuring cause of such judgments on themselves and others We shall first give some general proof and demonstration of this point by other Scriptures And then speak particularly to the evil of sin or iniquity mentioned in the text as the reason or procuring cause of the breach made upon them First For the general proof and demonstration of this point by other Scriptures See Ezek. 33. After the Prophâ—t hath mentioned many great and crying sins as general and national evils such as The feeding on and rejoycing in forbidden and unclean things lifting up their eyes to their idols Gods that men make to themselves which indeed are no Gods as their wisdome strength â—iches honourâ— confederates the like Their shedding blood Their standing leaning or depending on their sword for defence and safety Working Ambition and Vnclâ—anness For which he threatens to dispossess them of the land and to lay the land most desolate c. verse 25. 28. He then adds verse 30. c. Also moreover or besides these great general and national evils The children of thy people still are talking against thee by the Walls and in the doors of the houses privately murmuring and speaking evil imagining deceit and seeking how to avoid the force and prevalency of his doctrine yet speaking one to another mean while Come I pray you and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord yea such they were as did sit before him as Gods people and did hear his words and with their mouth shew much love and he was to them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice c. Yet they were not doers of his words but was stil secretly murmuring and disputing against them and the reproofs of instruction in them for their heart went after their covetousness And for these with the former God farther threatens That when this namely the forementioned judgment cometh to pass They should also know that a Prophet had been among them as may seem by the want of them He would take away such in such an evil time when they should have stood in the gap to turn away Gods wrath and been instruments of comforting strength and teaching to them in their affliction Their condition should then be such as they should not see their signes nor should there be among them a Prophet or any that knoweth How long as Psalm 74. 9. I might here mention the evils complained of Isaiah 56. which is principally their general envy at God people by whom his house is rendred a house of prayer for all people the blindness greediness profaness and enmity of their watch-men who were Ring-leaders in those crooked pathes which are declared as fore-runners and procurers of such judgments as well as their multiplied idolatries and coveâ—ousness compare chap. 57. with chap. 56. Likewise the oppression fraudilence violence deceit and the like spoken of Mich. 6. as fore-runners of such judgments as the taking away righteous and good men from the earth and from among men chap. 7. But to these Scriptures having spoke more fully in the fore-said lamentation I shall here add no more Yet something more we shall briefly add to what is there also hinted of that plain declaration of the cause why many among believers were weak and sickly and many slept 1 Cor. 11. 29 30 31. It was as appears by comparing the verses 28. 31. For their not so discerning considering and looking into the Lords body that was broken for them and is now through sufferings entered into his glory As to examine themselves in that glass and judge themselves thereby as discovered and reproved in the light and powet of it and so for their pride and disorders that followed on that in-let to all disorder For so much is evident from his councel let a man examine himself so let him eat as that is pressed with this motive or reason For he that eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks Damnation present reproof and correction to himself not discerning the Lords body so much I say is evident 1 That the true way for a man rightly to examine himself is in the discerning the Lords body as declared in the glorious Gospel looking to and into that as the true glass that makes himself and all things else manifest in their right colours 2 That the want of or the wilfull neglect or shunning the so examining a mans selt in that glass the unwillingness to see and judge himself his own vileness and wretchedness the evil and shortness of his own wayes as therein discovered and reproved is that iniquity that renders him unworthy or unâ—eer and disorderly in his seeking and worshipping the Lord and makes him obnoxious to reproof from the Lords body the object acknowledged by him in those acts of worship and procures such corrections as followes For this cause many are
weak and sickly among you and many sleep And this understanding is farther confirmed in what followes For if we would judge our selves we should not be judged This shews us that the examining of a mans self to which we are here instracted is not to search our own glory which indeed is not glory Proverbs 25 27. Nor to search for know or take notice of the goodness of our own frames or qualifications as things rendring us worthy or by which we may come nor in this case or to such an â—nd are we so â—o examine or look upon the operations of grace in us or by us as in other cases or to other purposes may be good and useful as 2 Cor. 13. 3 4 5. Hebr. 10. 32. Gal. 3. 2 and 4. 15. But if we had done all those things to which by grace made known through blood we are instructed and obliged the same grace instructs us therein alwayes to acknowledge our selves unprofitable servants that have done but our duty nothing in which we may be profitable to God or procure the reward oâ— himself or his things to us But the examining our selves here and in this case instructed to ver 28. is such an examining our selves in that true glass the Lords body verse 29. As in which we shall alwayes at best find cause to judg our selves to receive and fall down under the humbling instructions of the Lords body broken for us as declared in the Gospel and so under the râ—proofs of those instructions 'T is indeed a searching for and so looking into the true glass as to see our own shame or what cause we have alwayes to be ashamed and huâ—bled before him such as hath in it a willingness to see acknowledge and be ashamed of our own vilâ—ness and sinfulness to know every one the plague of his own heart and confess our sins as discovered by the true light as we are instructed to come before him and approach his presence in prayer and other ordinances so in this Let a man examine himself discerning the Lords body For if we would judge our selves we should not be judged 1 Let him examine himself what he is in aâ—d of himself and as from Adam as discovered in that glass of the Loâ—ds body where he may alwayes see himself a sinner wholly polluted an heir of wrath as in himself and from Adam yea altogether without strength helpless and dead in sins and trespasses and so lost Thus he is presented in Christs comming to seek and save him and in the great things he suffered That through sufferings he might obtain such glory â—nto himself for us that he might bring us back to God and that through him we might be saved For we thus judge saith the Apostle If one dyed for all then were all dead c. which being alwayes rightly minded and remembred would exclude all boasting and rejoycing in the Flesh and keep us from being lifted up in or by any thing that we have received making us to differ from any seeing it s not of our selves not of works but of free grace through blood and for that love wherewith he loved us when dead in sins and trespasses and for a pattern of the exceeding riches of it towards others of man-kind towards whom also it is in Christ that they might partake of it together with us 2 Cor. 5. 14 15 16. Rom. 3. 9 27. 1 Cor. 4. 1 7. Ephes 2. 1 12. 2 Let him examine himself his own wayes and doings in the sight of the Lord what they are or have been in answerableness to his grace in Christ or the appearances and streamings forth of it unto him Not measuring himself by himself what he is now with what he was before or with others what he is more or better then they that he may have any thing of that nature to look upon or commend himself by This was the evil way of the Corinths that led them to despise such as had not what they had Therefore in measuring or examining our selves according to such rules we are not wise 1 Cor. 11 22 31. with 2 Cor. 10. tot But let a man examine himself in an earnest and hearty discerning the Lords body in that glass let every man search and try his wayes how short his understanding and knowledge is of the object to be known and also of the grace discovered and means of knowledge afforded How short his love to God or to men of his infinite grace discovered in that glass obliging and of the discoveries of it to hâ—m instructing and leading how short all his wayes and doings of any answerableness to the grace in Christ or to the streams of loving kindness bestowed There the best will alwayes find and be most sensible of cause of shame of their vast shortness and the greatness of their sins aggravated by the grace bestowed And find good reason to equalize themselves with them of the lower sort and rejoyce that they may yet come in at the same door with them This law of faith cenâ—ured and exercised in the Lords body broken for us excludes boasting every where The wilfull neglect and unwillingingness thus to examine and judge themselves in an earnest discerning looking into and continuing in as James 1. 23. 25. The Lords body in which is also the encouragement for such sinners approach was that which procured such judgments to them 1 Cor. 11. 30. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many slâ—ep And this leads us again to the text Secondly To consider particularly the evil of sin or iniquity mentioned there as the reason or procuring cause of the breach made upon them The Lord our God made this breach upon us for that we sought him not after the due order We shall first consider this declaration of the procuring cause of the breach made upon them as it is a general expression of any way of inâ—quity that may be meant and signified in the sense of the words and then take a view of the particular evils to which it is here applyed 1 As it is a general expression of any way of iniquity that may be meant and signified in the sense of the words and for our understanding of that wâ— shall propound some considerations of the due order after which the Lord is to be sought by us 1 There is an order of Precedency in the nature worth and goodness of things after which some things are to be esteemed prized and sought for rather then other things yea with a neglect of other things for them And so to seek the Lord after the dâ—e order as with reference to all other things that are not the Lord nor of his appointment for our rest is to esteem and prefer him above all things and to seek him before all things and with a neglect of all things for him and for the things of him Sâ— we are instructed to esteem and prefer wisdome in the knowledg of
him as the principal thing the merchandize of it better then of silver and the gain thereof then of fine gold she is more precious then Râ—biâ—s and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her And therefore we are exhorted so to seek after it and get it with all our getting to buy the truth what ever it cost us or we must part with for iâ— and not to sel or part with it whatever advantage we might have in lieu of it Proverbs 3. 14 15. and 4 5 7 c. and 23. 23. To seek first the Kingdome of God and his righteousness so as with a neglect of all other things even things needfull as to the natural life for it leaving it to â—hâ—m without carefulness to dispose of them and add them to us as he sees good Matthew 6. 19 32 33. c. Yea even those things that are of all the things in this World most to be esteemed loved and respected in their place and in subordination to him yet are to be hated by us for him and in comparison of him If any man come to me saith our Saviour and in comming hate not Father and Mother Wife and Children Brethren and Sisters Yea and his own Life also he is not worthy of me he cannot be my Disciple Matthew 10. 37 39. Luke 14. 26 33. They sought not the Lord after the due order that with their mouth shewed much love but their heart went after their covetousness Ezekiel 33. 31. Nor they that loved the praise of men more then that which comes of God alone John 5. 44. and 12 43. That rather then part with or hazard the loss of the one would let go the other or put or keep themselves out of the certain way or meeting with it and so for lying vanities forsake their own mercies As also he that would first go bury his Father that so he might keep the good will of such relations while they lived and so make sure the Inheritance Portion or Advantage he might have from them at their death then promising to himself to follow him with a more full Spirit And likewise he that would first go bid them farewell that were at home at his house that in a designe to keep the friendship of the World and worldly relaâ—ions and friends would seek their consent or a fair and possible come off That he might not incurre hatred and reproach from them and be as the filth and off-scouring of the World to them not willing for the excellency of the knowledge of him to goe out of the Camp beaâ—ing his reproach Luke 9. 58. 61. Yea whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath even to his own natural Life if he lay not that at the stake for him or be not willing to let it goe and part with it oâ— any thing pertaining to it when it stands in the way for his sake and the Gospels or in his seeking to know him and winne him that he may be found in him do not neglect and hate it in comparison of him he is not worthy of him he seeks him not after the due order he cannot be his Disciple for no man can serve two masters the mind and affections cannot be fixed on â—â—ings below and on the things that are above together Therefore lâ—â—t seek we the Kingdom of God and his righteousness so as with a neglect of all other things for it and in comparision of it There is an order in the time and causes of the things that are to be preferred and earnestly and in a sense equally to be sought for by us After which somethings are to be sought first that other things which are also to be preferred and sought may be found in them and attained through them with other things are not otherwise to be sought but in the first things And so to seek the Lord after the due order as with reference to the things of the Lord and to be sought in in him as wisdome righteousness and strength Yea all things pertaining to life and godliness are in him and to be sought in him I say To seek him after the due order as with reference to those things Is First And as the first thing unto all to seek after wisdome in the knowledge of him in what he hath done and is become for us in Christ and the hope set before us in him that through the knowledge of his Grace towards us rich provision for us in Christ even while we were yet dead in sins and trespasses we may be strengthned to believe in him love and trust in him before the sons of men for his name in Christ known by us instructs and strengthens us to trust in him Psalm 9 10. to desire after him John 4. 10. to delight in and rest satisfied with him verse 14. Whence the Apostle prayes for the Ephesians that God would grant them the spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of him the eyes of their understandings being enlightned that they may know what is the hope of his calling c. Ephesians 1. 17 18 19. And the great conflict he had for the Collosians was that their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assâ—rance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ and in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Yeâ— this he signifies to be that order of their faith in which it became stedfâ—st which he joyed to behold and according to which he exhorts them to go on walking in him as they had received him even according to this rule or order being rooted and built up in him and so stablished in the faith as they had been taught In their receiving him they were baptized into the knowledge and acknowledgment of his death and so taking root down-ward believing minding and considering what he had done and was now become for them through the blood of his Cross They were thence built up in him and upon him and after the same order might profitably go on to farther growth and stability in him Col. 2. 1 2 5 6 7. And so the way to grow in grace is signified to be in growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 8 18. Also that the mind or soul be without knowledge it is not good nor safe for without it it cannot be made good There is no other arm or power to reconcile the heart to God but the knowledge of his reconciliation in Christ or of â—hat goodness of God that is in and through Christ it s the goodness of God that leades to repentance Therefore the first thing to be sought always and in all oâ—â—â— seekings of the Lord and of righteousness and strength in him is that we may win him in the understanding and knowledge of him that is true
or other 3 Union of way for promoting this design working and walking together in the same work and way of the Lord speaking or doing nothing through strife or vain glory but truthing it in love so as seeking and striving to walk together in setting forth commending cleaving to and leading others unto the same one Lord and so the one faith and the one baptism that is of and by him and the glory of God as shined forth in his face unto and for all things and in teaching all things therewith Seeking I say to walk together in this way of understanding in their several gifts administrations operations c. studying and striving each of them and together in the light and strength of the Lord to speak the same thing and to be perfectly joyned together in one mind and one judgment that there be no divisions c. 1 Cor. 1. 10. and chap. 12. 6 12. with Ephes 4. 1. 15. And so 4 Union of accord and agreement such as in which all things by each one are sought to be done in charity and with the advice consent prayers and helpfulness of their brethren in the faith and patience of Jesus that they may be blessed out of the house of the Lord and grow by that which every joynt supplyeth and to that purpose the younger submitting to the elder and all of them one to another in the fear of God And so there is in it 5 An union of fellowship one wiâ—h another and that in personal society and companionship for fellowship in the Gospel and ordinances thereof for acquainting our selves with the joys and griefs of one another for stirring up and exhorting to love and good works not forsaking the assembling of themselvs together as the manner of some is who are sensual not retaining the spirit This of personal society with them that call on him out of a pure heart is to be prized and embraced as one of the choicest outward mercies and blessings of this life and of greatest advantage to the one thing needfull and to be striven for in all our seekings namely the faith of the Gospel and therefore the opportunities God gives for it with diligence to be apprehended and improved See Psalm 84. and 122. Acts 2. 42. 46. Hebrews 10. 23 24 25. with chapter 3. 12 13. And in communicating on with another by and diligent improving the helpfulness that we may enjoy from such persons as afore-said by that meanes when personal converse or society with them cannot be enjoyed Till I come saith the Apostle to Timothy give attention to reading c. Signisying That when the Apostle should be personally present with him it might be of more use and advantage to Timothy to apply himself to personal converse with him and to attend to what he might personally hear and receive from him But when opportunity for that is denyed the reading searching and studdy of the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles and so the reading and considering the writings of such as have that lap of knowledge fore-mentioned the Word of God and testimony of Jesus and searching the Scriptures of truth whether those things be so and in such wise attending to those helps to our understanding and usefulness of the Scriptures and great things of Gods love conâ—ained in them that we may injoy from such persons is in the next place of great advantage and usefulness to the promoting these our main affairs Onely here be we admonished by the words of the wise given forth from one Shepheard That as no man can gather Grapes of Thorns nor Figgs of Thistles so neither can we expect to reap any good fruit or advantage but loss and pollution to the corruping our minds and manners from evil communication or the communication about the things of God from evil persons or such as love not the Lord Jesus Christ nor have that lip of knowledge that word of reconciliation in their hearts or mouths or in some measure having it yet are not so subdued by it to let fall their imaginations and high thoughts of comprehending and making out those things of the testimony of God by the wisdome of man or of this World and by the words which mans wisdome teacheâ—h not willing to become Fooles in themselves that they may have all their wisdome and strength in that evidence and demonstration of the Spirit that is in the testimony of Jesus The discourses or writings of such even of such as the last though they the best and most to be respected of the several sorts mentioned because they have in some measure the testimony of God though not subdued by it they seek to comprehend and declare it by mans wisdome or words as 1 Corinthians 1. 17. and 2. 1. 4. and 3. 18 19 20. 1 Timothy 6. 21. which makes that even such helps of either sort are little helpfull to those that through Grace have believed or to the convincing the ignorant and gain-sayers because they make it not their business nor doth their excellency lye there plainly to shew and demonstrate by the Scriptures Jesus the Christ and so other things in that demonstration of him by the Scriptures and so leave it on mens Consciences as his word and in his name But rather to shew and demonstrate those things by strength of reason or excellency of wisdome and of words which mans wisdome teacheth Compare the fore-mentioned Scriptures with Acts 18. 27 28. Those seeming helps may occasion to us much bodily exercise and such kinde of study as is a wearisomness to the flesh but the profit gained by them is but little and for a little while And if time were spared from such discourses and readings as in which chiefly the excellency of wisdome and of words is shewed in declaring and for demonstrating and making out the testimony of God we might have more to spend better and in more free and diligent attention to those helps that might be indeed helps and profitable to us But how much more are we to go from the presence of such soolish men as have not the lip of knowledge so soon as we perceive it to cease to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge because not onely they are in themselves polluting but also that with more diligence and earnestness we may continue together in the Apostles Doctrine and sellowship striving together for the faith of the Gospel that in nothing we may be terrified by our adversaries When the wicked did gather together in bands and were therein more powerful to do mischief to rob and rend from David he then resolves to be a companion of all those that fear the Lord and of those that in their fear or worship keep his way his precepts as of great advantage to strengthen him against the bands of the wicked Psal 119. 61 63. So in the latter dayes when there are of those many sorts of walkers who are enemies to the Cross
them because they testified concerning us that our works were evil though they did it in bearing witness to his infinite grace in Christ for and towards us It was one of the greatest griefs and burchens on the Spirit of this Servant of the Lord much complained of by him towards his end That he had preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this place till it was made a reproach and derision to him till it was even snuffed at and become contemptible a burthen yea a Savour of Death to them that sometime had heard it with gladness and rejoyced in it 2 If we look farther even upon the generality of those that have a great zeal of God and pretend to be earnest seekers and worshippers of him in these parts where this light shined yea even among those that were willing for a season to rejoyce in his light as John 5. 33. 35. Yet how few seeking the Lord after the due order But first seeking to frame their hearts unto and do something for God that thence they may conclude God hath a gracious affection towards and hath done great things for them in Christ First seeking to know their love to him that from thence they may conclude his love to them First seeking to know or rather guess or imagine their election before they will know or believe Christs death for them yea that they may gather the knowledge of that from the other And being so fundamentally out of order The Vision of all is become to them as a sealed book The great things of his Law a strange thing having no understanding or perswasion of the truth of it they can have no usefulness of it as to any of their worship but their fear towards him is taught by the precepts of men according to which they prefer and lay the stress of their Religion in the lighter matters yea in the ordinances of men such as Tonch not Taste not Handle not neglecting the weighty matters of the Law as Judgement Mercy and Faith Yea how is the foundation and head of the corner laid aside by the chief builders and teachers that they heap up to themselves May not this complaint be taken up of the generallity of those that profess them selves the Churches of Christ and are called by his name and gathered into societies and pretended order Though it may be feared of the greatest part of them not by him not entring by the door but climbing up or creeping in some other way into such houses or societies as the Apostle fore-tells us such shall do in the latter dayes as under a form of godliness privily deny the power of it the Gross of Christ the Lord that bought them I say may not this complaint be taken up of the generality of them That take away but their disorder and irregularness and what will be left them of all their Religions or of all their fear or worship towards God It s to be feared of the greatest part of them very little if any thing their fear or worship it self is little else but a bundle of confusion and disorder their very stock is a Doctrine of vanity and lyes their root rottenness and confusion at least in a great part of it and what then can be expected in any of the blossomes or branches as springing from such a root but disorder and confusion like as in the Land of Darkness where there is no order and where their light is as darkness as hath been oft bewailed by this servant of the Lord concerning many of them among whom he formerly had his conversation And with whom and for whose good he still laboured exceedingly as he had opportunity notwithstanding the many discouragements he met with from them but God hath taken him from the evil 3 If we go yet farther to take a view of the true worshipers or such as in some measure call on him in truth or at least are more fundamentally in order then the former Yet what disorder and confusion hath been found with them Yea what pollution in their holy things had they as they have been redeemed from among men and gathered together unto him by the powerfull effecacy of his precious blood discovered Had they even so in the light and power of that grace cleaved together in his name and sought the Lord after the due order they might have prevented this breach yea had we yet after the judgement was devised and framed against us as a punishment and correction of our disorder Had we I say yet sought him after the due order in this thing and so for the healing and restoring to us this our now deceased Brother While yet there was hope as the taking him away was along time evidently enough threatned before finished to give us opportunity to seek him in due manner while he might have been found and intreated by us in that matter If we would have judged our selves surely we should not thus have been judged had we diligently in the opportunity which is now past for that prepared our selves to the search and consideration what is the meaning of the voice in such judgements threatned and searched and tryed our wayes in the true glass and with a true heart that what is halting might be healed And so run into his name together to see what we might have sought for with servency in such a case as this and on what ground and in that instruction incouragement sought it of him or rather sought him in it with a hearty acknowledgement of the evil of our ways and doings humbling our selves under his mighty hand lifted up That he would graciously teach us what we see not and make us willing to see and be ashamed of give up what is discovered reproved that he would prepare our hearts and cause his ear to hear that we might turn from our iniquities and understand his truth and he might turn from the evil threatned and not bring it upon us Surely this judgement might have been prevented God would have repented him of the evil even when he had devised and prepared it against us as Jer. 11. 8. 11. with 1 Cor. 11. 30 31. For this shall every one that is godly every true worshipper of God that worship in spirit and truth yea such true worshippers joyntly and together standing fast in one Spirit with one mind or soul and so in personal fellowship one with another as they have opportunity they shall strive together in their prayers in a time of finding even for this To prepare our hearts to him that we may not still hide our iniquity under our tongue or set up the Idol of it in our hearts but heartily acknowledge and confess it unto him together and resign it up to him that is ready to pardon and heal And to cause his ear to hear That he may do for us for his Names-sake forgiving the iniquity of our sin Surely in the Floods of great Waters they shall
11. 14 15. As also for a witness of peace and reconciliation Gen. 31. 45. 51 52. And for a manifestation of Gods presence with a people and for a guide to them Exodus 13. 21 22. And as the law was appointed to be written on several pillars as on the Posts of their house and on their Gates Deut. 6. 9. and 11. 20. So this House of God which is the Church of the living God is the pillar appointed of God to bear up and keep in remembrance even to the view of others the glorious grace of the first appearance of Christ even till his comming again and to keep and bear upon them the witness or manifestation of that peace or reconciliation with God for men which he hath made and is become through his blood while so continued preserved among a people they are a witness of his merciful presence with them his nighness and waiting that he may be gracious to them 2 Cor. 5. 18. 20. with chap. 6. 1 2. Isaiah 55. 5 6. and 50. 1 2. and 30. 18. 20 21. And set and preserved for a light and guide to be observed and followed Matthew 5. 13 14. Hebrews 1. 3. 7 8. Phil. 2. 15 16. And to that purpose to bear upon them and lift up to the sight and view of others and so to hold forth to them that all men may see The manifestation of the truth of God in all his former Oracles and witnesses in the tipes and shadowes of the law as now come forth in the personal body of Christ raised from the dead whose name they are so to bear as they may therein shew the end of the law in him and so the body of all the former shadowes and truth signified in them and so him the fountain of all grace and truth the treasury of all Wisdome and Knowledge c. as before is shewed And this House of God the Holy Nation are also in many societies as they are in several places and so many pillars And so may be included in the sense of those seven pillars Wisdome hath hewen out Proverbs 9. 1. Those Gates and Postes of his Doors Answering to Deut. 6. 9. and 11. 20. At which whoso watcheth dayly and waiteth hearing him there is blessed Proverbs 8. 34. See what is said of the manifold use of pillars and the allusion to them in this business in the explicit declaration of the testimony of Christ by Thomas Moor senior Pages 287. 290. And so they are the ground or Tables on which its written in some sense answering to that Habbacuk 2. 2. That others may read it as the Corinths were the Apostles Epistle for as much as they were manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ the ground on which the minde and things of Christ are so written by the spirit of the living God evidencing and writing them in and through the Apostles Doctrine on the Tables of their hearts and fellowships that receive and abide in it that it may be seen and read of all men in their word and conversation in both which they are set to shine as lights in the World by retaining in them and bearing upon them that others may see and so holding forth the word of life even of Christ raised from the dead in a fair writing and faithful discovery of the tidings and patterns of it That others may behold all goodness and truth in it and so also in a subordinate sense instrumentally keeping maintaining and defending it and the goodness and truth of it amongst themselves and to the World against all adversaries striving together for the faith of the Gospel Philipians 1. 27. And so their work is with that word of righteousness The great things of his law as now come forth by Christ which are the main things to be kept looked to striven for and held forth by them in their whole Ministry for and unto all things I say with that to instruct reprove exhort comfort c. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Tit. 3. 11. 15. And as in all this they are instruments or vessels through whom he carryes the seed of his word and so conveyes his heavenly treasure to the hearts of others so their work instrumentally and through him is said to be to speak to the heart to be Ministers of Spirit to open the blinde eyes and turn men from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive the forgiveness of sins and inheritance with them that are sanctified by faith that is in Christ yea they are a sweet savour unto God in them that are saved and in them that perish to the one they are the savour of death unto death and to the other the savour of life unto life Isa 35. 3 4. and 40. 1 2. 2 Cor. 2. 14. 17. and 3. tot and 4. 1 2. Acts 26. 18. And to this purpose 2. To them is committed the keeping and charge of holy and devoted things 1. Of Gods Ordinances of Divine Worship that are appointed for bearing and shewing forth the Lords Body that was broken for us and through sufferings is entered into his glory and so for witnessing repentance and râ—mission of sins in his name unto and among the Nations as the Preaching of the Cross and therein the shewing the things of Christ out of the Scriptures in the exercise of those gifts of prophesie or teaching as every man hath received the gift this work is committed to them even to the whole body of the Saints each to serve in it according to his several ability and therefore the gifts tâ— fit for it onely given unto them and ditributed among them according to his pleasure Ephesians 4. 7. 11 12. And so the other Ordinances in which the same things are to be shewed and holden forth in the Church and to the World The management of those affaires the teaching the Nations to observe and how to observe with them what was given to the Apostles in commandement that so they the Gentiles may rejoyce with his people these things are committed and given in charge unto them But to the wicked or unreconciled persons that are not reconciled to God by Jesus Christ and so have not that word of reconciliation viz. That God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself c. And the love of Christ thence constraining to perswade men with it To them God saith What hast thou to do to take my covenant in thy mouth that hatest to be reformed by my law His Saints are to be gathered together to him to keep and look to this charge even those that have made or entered into covenant with him by the Sacrifice of his Son Psalm 50. 1 2. 5 6. 14 15. 2 Cor. 5. 14. 20. 2. Of persons that are given unto the Church in his name or also called to be holy and devoted first to the Lord and then to them according to the will of God It is contained in their