and judgment to the same III. To admit no gratification to the most predominant desires and inclinations of men upon any darling sin which according to human wisdome would be judged of an absolute necessity for gaining any acceptance with such yea to give no partial respect to the greatest Princes more then to the meanest IV. To pursue its interest by so plain a discovery of the death and sufferings of our blessed Lord with the whole ignominy thereof when nothing could more evidently control such an end by any rules of human wisdome and policy if there had been a possible accesse to consult flesh and blood herein V. And its sure there could be no designe without an immediate divine power in such a manner to plead the interest of Christianity with men by inserting affliction and the crosse in the first entry as essential to the profession thereof and holding forth the necessity of taking on the yoke of Christ without which none can be his Disciples QU. IV. But wherein doth the evidence of that great demonstration of the Gospel most clearly appear in the love and unity of Christians amonghst themselves which we find Christ doth so specially presse for this end that the world might know and have such a visible seal of his divine mission Joh. 17 21. ANSW The greatnesse of this demonstration may be thus evident to all I. That its so clearly demonstrative of the purity of our Religion which can admitt of no bitternesse strife recrimination or such indecencies of heat and passion which are these fatal effects of discord in the Church and thus lets us see the excellency of the spirit and rule of the Gospel II. That thus also we may know the power and efficacy of the truth thereof which is according to godlinesse upon mens heart in subduing these distempers of the mind and judgment III. That this doth so specially tend to make religion lovely and to draw forth matter of praise and blessing to God from the world when they see such a native effect of Christianity as this to make those who professe the same in that manner shine forth in tendernesse humility and brotherly love so that they become as a publick good and blessing to mankind in the place they are in IV. This appears also from the nature of that union in the Church of Christ and amongst his followers which only a divine power could both frame and make effectual and its sure no human society or constitution could ever claim such an unity therein as this is where not only persons of all nations and languages and of all conditions both high and low but of the most different interests humours and dividing circumstances in other things doe yet in so marvelous an harmony meet in the body of Christ which is his Church here in the earth V. Because herein also doth the glory and honour of our blessed head more eminently appear in securing this unity of his Church under a diversity of light and judgement otherwayes by a spirit of love meeknesse and condescendence amongst his people then by imposing the most severe and absolute uniformity in all things to be the alone condition of Christian communion QU. V. But what strength and evidence doth this demonstration of the Gospel now bear in so divided a state of religion and when the wounds and breaches of the Church this day are like to blood unto death ANSW Whatever just cause be of griefe yet is there none for darkening the truth of this demonstration on these grounds I. That none can deny the perfection of the rule of the Gospel for the most firm and intire unity amonghst all the followers of Christ on the earth II. That no opposition which is made therto but what hath been fortold as one of the greatest tryals of the Church under the New Testament and the Spirit of God doth most expresly point at in these latter times III. Because the furthest opposition thereto can be no more cause for any to stumble or question the truth of this demonstration then that there is a Devil whose greatest designe hath ever been to divide and break Christians amongst themselves IV. Because this union which is chiefly mistical and invisible is much greater oft then what this way may appear to the world and of that kind as is not interrupted by distance of place or any want of local communion V. That such a guard is set by the Lord unto this piece of his glory and to oppose any invasion thereon that there stands an Angel with a flaming sword upon every hand in the commands and threatings of the Gospel to secure this blessed unity of the Saints amonghst themselves so as none can invade the same but on their highest peril of opposing that which is as the apple of Christs eye VI. That its ever found how this demonstration hath some clear evidence amonghst such who are indeed the Disciples of Christ and according to their advance in the life and power of Christianity doth the more brightly shine forth so that the nearer the lines are to the center the nearer also are they amonghst themselves VII That in all times there hath been some tremenduous marke â—f the judgment of God made visible on such who are contentious and have made it their worke to cause division in the Church and sow discord among brethren QU. VI. But what hath the Church now in these latter dayes to compense the want of that great demonstration by miracles and such extraordinare confirmations of the Christian faith as were in the first times ANSW I. That we may see how far that seal of martyrdome which came in the roome of miracles to the Church hath exceeded that which was in the first times of the Gospel II. That there hath been since such innumberable shining examples of holinesse yea these continued to this day whom the world might see did walk in the light and power of Christianity as sure as men walks under the power and vertue of a living soul III. That we now see what a length the course of the Gospel and of the Church militant is come and how far thus the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled which once was so contrare to all human appearence IV. That so sure and exact a performance of the Scripture is now undenyable in the event and of such great and marvelous things which were fortold under the New Testament that in an ordinare way none could have believed what we see with our eyes and now have these things which were in former ages the object of the Churches faith made the object of our sense and its sure this is such a seal and confirmation to our faith in these last times as doth much exceed the greatest miracles which were with the first planting of the Gospel V. Though we may not resolve our faith on any extraordinare providences or lay the least weight hereon to support the authority of the doctrine
hath its proper burden and worke so hath it its proper allowance provided for the same which should be no lesse sought after by a Christian then his dayly bread and when the pressure of such a day grows to some more singulare hight so also should the expense hereof be in faith sought for expected 3. How the choisest mercies are reserved to the saddest times of a Christians lot and most usually crosse to their own choise and thus hath had the greatest struglings with these methods of providence which hath in the issue tended most to their upmaking 4. Yea how the returnes of a long deferred hope after much humble on-waiting have been to such as a Pisgah whence they have not only had a clear and comforting prospect of their bypast tryals but for being more fully confirmed of the time to come and can bear now that testimony that the Lord hath cleared all bygones to them and hath taken the vail off his worke which for long had been as a dark and strang riddle 7. This likeways gives a most clear and confirming prospect of that great seal of experience when he can now see both in his own case and of others what the issue of believing in a singular exigence and tryal and upon some special act of trust and adventure herein does at last come to which the more deeply it s considered he finds one of the most peculiare assistances to his faith and one of the greatest attainments of experimentall religion within time when he can thus see the same way of believing in some strong and extraordinare assaults which he hath had to crush and break him herein which hath carried so many thorow in their saddest tryals bring him also in his turn to be an instance in the same kind to bear an honourable testimony to this sure and excellent way of believing before the world and that none fear after him to hold by the promise of God and venture on that security tho it then seem against hope whose dispensations did yet never never give his word the lye CHARACT IV. Such is a truely confirmed Christian who in a dismall time is not staggered in his faith from the present signs and appearences therof but hath his soul ballast with such solid grounds of confirmation against the same as these providences wherat others doe most stumble tends to his further strenthning in the way of the Lord when he does now clealy see 1. How tribulation and the crosse makes one of the most illustrious and beutifull parts of the whole frame of Providence about the Church and in the lot of each Christian so as there can be no possible stumbling to any for want of light here that sore tryalls and distresse should most remarkably follow these in their journey who have an eternall blessednesse before them in the clofe hereof when so great a part of the Scripture is directed not only for comfort but for a clear conduct of the Christians faith through all the intrcacies and labyrinths of such a dispensation and thus sees how highly congruous it is to the infinit wisdom of God that so strait and narrow a way in such a state of tryall as is here should goe before the state of everlasting injoyment that there should be such a stage and theatre also whereon the passive graces of the spirit may not only be exercised but displayed in their true lustre and glory before Angels and men yea that thus the Redeemed of the Lord be first trained in so sharp a warfare as may not only put a due value and respect on the greatness of that triumph and reward which is to come but be matter of ineffable joy and exultation that ever they were admitt thus to evidence their love and adherence to their blessed head and his truth here on the earth and accounted worthy to be put on some hotter service and to peculiare tryals and conflicts this way beyond others for some example and incouragement to the Church in their day and here also he can now see how the greatest injoyments of comfort are more oweing to the most sharp and afflicting tryals of their life then to the greatest externall calme and that to endure patiently and suffer for the name Christ is such a priviledge as the elect Angels have not been admitt to yea that the Lords chastning worke and sorest smitting of his own is an act also of saving so that thus the more deeply he searcheth here the more does he see admire and consent to that glorious piece of the administration of providence about the Church and finds it to be one of the greatest confirmations of his faith within time 2. He does now clearly see how the truth and faithfulnesse of God is commensurate to his whole worke of Providence that all the lines hereof as they doe lead from his revealed councell in the Scripture which is the adequat signe of his eternall councell and decrees so doe they returne thither again to make this great demostration clear that if a full History were write of this world and what hath been conspicuous thorow the whole series of times past in all these conjunctions of inseriour causes whether necessare free or contingent and of such events that seem most casual it should be nothing else but an exact transcript and history of the Bible to bear this witnesse quod mundus nihil aliud est quam Deus explicatus secundum scripturam but though a full discovery hereof be not attainable within time yet is it a sad and deplorable want that the great acts of the Lord in each age of the Church are not more searched and sought out of all them that take pleasure therin that they may be seen observed and admired by that part of the creation Angels and Men who are only in a capacity to know the same which is a service for the Lord wherin his praise and declavative glory is so highly conceirned as a Christian should account the meanest roome herein one of the most desirable attainments within time yea it seems just matter of regret also that this comes not under a more publick care and nottice of particulare Churches and of the Christian Magistrate where religion hath any true regard to have such solemne providences as occurre in that time and place which may be called experimenta lucifera to the Church and of a further reach and extent then any private use both search'd after and recorded as becomes so high a service to the Christian cause and one of the highest conceirns of the posteritie to have such not only possessed of a pure religion but of that seal also which the Lord hath in the great acts of providence appended therto and thus to have that increase which each successive age brings therwith to the publick stock of the Church looked after as a piece of the greatest trust reposed theron so that the Children rise not up and say we have not
heard nor have our fathers faithfully transmitt to us the wonderous works which the Lord hath wrought in their time 3. He is thus also tought to see the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and demonstrative causes of the most strang judgments on the Church to be as clear in the Scripture as they are in the event and though the holy God in the day of his patience and long-suffering is not alike quick in the execution of the sentences of his word yet does he ever establish the authority of his Laws by the works of his providence in the most opportune season and as judgment deferred is no acquittance so does it more threaten its being the greater when it comes then a quick and present dispatch yea though this tempest which now blowes on the Chruches of Christ come to a greater hight and the darknesse be such as no Moon or Starres may for many dayes yet appear of any visible signs of hope yet is his soul thus at rest whilst he can see the credit of the truth cleared on which he hath more in dependence then any adventure within time and does rejoyce whatever miscarrying may be of inferiour ends that this great and ultimate end of the works of God is secured herein and the glory of his truth does shine forth in the most strang and amazing acts of his providence wherat many are ready to stagger when they doe not wisely consider the same 4. He sees now likewise so high a value which the Lord puts on the tryall of his peoples faith and that the great dispensation wherby he deales with men is by trust and on the credit of his word as it addes further to his confirmation to see all human and visible refuges oft taken out of his Churches sight yea his greatest works in the earth make the greatest delay er they be brought forth his Churches case put so far beyond help before a cure as the first quickning of her crushed and allmost dead hope must be at the mouth of the grave and he is thus herein more singularly strenthned that when the Lord speaks the same in the way of providence which he hath spoke in his word not by might nor by power that he doth with unspeakable advantage supply and fill the roome therof by the next word but by my spirit saith the Lord which in this day should with a full assurance of faith be both sought and looked after 5. It is in this rare study he attaines also the greatest confirmation to his faith that could possibly be desired within time to see now when it s so near the close therof and after all the revolutions of times past how the truth and faithfullnesse of God hath as the sun in its strenth still keept its way straight and fixt amidst all these dark clouds which have been to darken the same and is now gone its course untill it draws near to the full and perfect day yea thus to see how signally this present age is sisted upon that same appeal and solemne testimony which as Josua gave Josh. 23 14. that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning yow all are come to passe to yow and not on thing hath failed thereof and Solomon did bear also at the dedication of the Temple 1 Kings 8 v. 56. Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest unto his people Israel according to all that he promised there hath not failed one word of all his good promise which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant so is this now that great testimony of the latter dayes and the highest tribute of praise to the glory of God in his truth which can be given by men that this present generation stands accountable to make the same yea much greater appeal to the world if they can instance one promise or prediction of that sacred record of the Scripture which hath ever failed or fallen to the ground but may be this day read in the event under these proper circumstances wherin it was to take place in its proper season as evidently as it was fortold and must still bear the same witnes Psal 18 30. that the way of the Lord is perfect and his word tryed on all the adventures of faith and tryals which to this moment of time have been made hereof and of his being still a buckler to such as trust in him and are called to transmitt this glorious testimony to the succeeding ages that it may never cease to shine or want a publick witnesse therto before Angels and men untill the whole mystery of God in his word be finished in that magnificent close which shall be therof at the second coming of the Lord. CHARACT V. A confirmed Christian in this day should be thus also stated as one who hath not only attained a solid rest and settlment of mind upon the certainty of the Christian faith but does know the pure genuine truth of Christianity amidst such high oppositions betwixt the Romish and Reformed Church herein And in the 1 place hath in this manner sisted himself upon such a tryal I as one who knows there is but one true and saving religion in the earth to which God hath annexed the promise of eternall life which can never be divided against it self 2. Who knows that within a litle his religion will be tryed in the truth therof at the tribunall of Christ where each must give account of himself unto God 3. As such who sees there can be no possible indifference in the exterior profession of either way but that so high a contrariety of principles is in this opposition that if the doctrine of Christ be on the one hand it is sure Antichristianisme must be on the other hand 4. Yea who hath in that abstract manner sought to state the case herein with his own soul as if he were come out of Paganism to give a serious assent to the divinity of the Scripture and thus pressed to joyn in with that profession of the Christian faith which is most exactly conforme to the same in the genuine and perspicuous sence therof In the 2d place he hath sought to know how he could imbrace the Popish creed and adventure his eternall state theron or can extinguish his reason and conscience so far as to believe that the holy God would ever impose such a faith upon men as this is I where he must abandon these principles of naturall reason in the most necessare use therof which God hath himself planted in mans soul so as not to trust his own eyes but others in that great interest of his eternall state and with his own consent be shutt out from all proper knowledge of the rule of his religion yea account a blind and unlimited obedience to men amongst the highest excellencies of saith 2. Where he must at once believe the fullnesse and perfection of the Scripture and to be not only
but for strenthning the faith of others wherin he does thus judge 1 that there could be no true support or relief from religion here in the earth if it cannot bear out then and that death is the great touchstone and tryall when the true value and difference betwixt things of an eternall truth and substance and the things of this world will be best seen 2. He reckons each real Christian by his profession then sisted and accountable even by some explicit personall testimony to put to his seal that God is true and bear the same witnesse with his last and dying breath to the truth of Christianity which he gave in the whole course of his life and of that joy complacence and assurance of mind which he hath found and now hath in the way of truth so as to presse the same on his dearest relations as their alone true interest 3. He sees also how honorable it is for the Lord that such whose faith hath been oft tryed and when thus with joy and admiration he can look back on the most pressing and conspicuous conflicts of time should have it their last worke to pay in some tribute of praise unto him whose word promise unto them did yet never fail 4. He accounts the more weighty tryalls he hath been carryed thorow in his Christian warfare doth both give more accesse to this service and adds more to the value of such a testimony 5. He judgeth this one special way and advantage wherby one generation might declare the truth and faithfullnesse of God unto an other in a family line and relation to shew forth thus that the Lord is upright that he is their rock and with him is no unrighteousnesse yea which should be matter of unspeakable joy when now in his turn he can say that such hath the Lord been to him what was Davids dying words 1 Kings 1 14. Who hath delivered my soul out of all distresse how that in no trouble or exigence of his life he was ever left without a door of outgate and thus also with Caleb Josh. 14 10. to give in some such wittnesse for God I am now near the close of time and does testify that the word of his truth and promise he hath surely accomplished which hath brought me safe and honourably through when such as did dicredit the same by misbelief and sought after another refuge found all their confidences fail 6. And knowing likeways how great a suprizall death may be and that such as have shined in their day may yet fet under a cloud and goe silent off the stage he judgeth it the more needfull to have such a piece of his dying worke prepared as one of the choisest legacies he can bequath to his surviving friends in a season when it hath usually the greatest advantage of weight and acceptance it being still qualified with Christian prudence and humble sobriety so as all may see its whole intent is to commend to mens conscience the way of truth and godlinesse and not themselves and thus only direct for the proper use and improvement of their nearest relations I know it may be strang to some what is spoke upon this head but as its sure the present day hath its duty and each time of our life hath some proper worke so I humbly judge that this seems to fall in as the last service of a dying Christian to his generation to deliver of his hand the truth which he had received and hath oft proven with his confirmatory seal and testimony therto and now in some more then ordinare way called for in this hower of great darknesse when if that security of the absolute promises stood not good to the Church we might fear religion might quickly wear out and truth perish from the earth and as so solemn and weighty a thing should be mannaged with much humble prudence so it may be judged that no serious and observing Christian but hath some peculiare ingadgments under which they find themselves sisted even beyond others yea some such singulare confirmations in the journall of their life that should be not easy to hide under the ground where the strenthning of others hereby is conceirned and that such should not then leave the crosse of Jesus Christ at a losse or part therwith without their testimony which hath left them at so great an advantage And though this is not to offer particulare rules in such a duty but that Christian wisdome must direct herein as the present case is circumstantiate yet might it be hoped were this more taken to heart it should be a singulare mean to put a more deep impression of mens dying worke on their own spirit even whilst they are in health to excite their surviving friends and to keep religion thus alive in a family state and relation and gain a more venerable respect to the same on mens conscience yea to fix also stronger ingadgments on the succeeding offspring Thus is presented here a short Idea of the solid and judicious worke of Christian confirmation in the truth under these forgoing Characters to shew how rare an atteanment of religion this is yea to present herein a speciall series and scale of the greatest steps in this confirmatory worke by which it should be followed and where none of these may be parted from other though some be of an higher and more absolute use for such an end And if it should be objected here what needs any such expense of time or pains in this case when its sure the essentiall truths of the Gospell are not questioned and that without internall evidence of the spirit no externall means of this kind can be of use I know that its the alone worke of the holy Ghost to beget a divine and supernaturall faith without which the furthest light and objective evidence though backed with a continued dispensation of externall miracles could never bear Christians out either as to duty or comfort in their passage thorow time yea nothing is in the least here to subject the credite of our faith to mens rationall comprehension but rather tends to enervate wholly the strenth of any such tenet and take off all pretence for the same But its sure also I must quite all solid security in the way of religion and any clear founding in the light and certainty of the Scripture or admitt these things as undenyable 1 that supernaturall faith is the most highly rationall light that 's within time and that none who professe the name of Christ can be of so low a size as should not be pressed and excited to be much about this ground worke of knowing the truth and principles of their profession upon its own evidence yea are thus called as new born babes to drink in the sincere milk of the word 1 Pet. 2. Which as it s clearly in the originall is the rationall milk of the word to be thus received no lesse on conviction and certainty of the judgment
Lord with the furthest light and assurance of mind amidst the great tryalls of such a time IX That its this way also the world is rendred inexcusable for their misbeliefe of the Gospel when under such sufficiency of means given for this end by so great a discovery of the confirming evidences of its truth so as they can have no pretence herein but an obstinacy and resolution not to be convinced on which ground doth our blessed Lord testify that it was no want of light upon the certainty of his truth why men did not receive it but that they loved darknesse better then light because their deeds were evil when such clear rational and convincing evidences are laid open to their view how most possibly can get these put by or rejected is not easy to comprehend but that a real irritation and torment of spirit from such clearnesse of evidence doth thus more tend to harden then convince That there is a continued necessity of such a confirmation in the faith to this day Posit IV what ever can be objected of so long a consent and prescription of time in the profession therof is fully demonstrable on these grounds I. Because it is sure the Christian faith doth still need these assistances and is a strang mistake that only for Heathens and Atheists such confirming evidences of the same should be adduced but not for any under a visible profession when the whole of divinity and doctrine of our faith is so full of demonstrative arguments for the dayly use of the most established Christians in their passage through time II. That as the highest motives to all serious godlinesse and the moral duties of Christianity must needs be from its known certainty to us so is the continued use therof to be still the same III. That these numerous tryalls and conflicts of Christians now doe no lesse call for some higher establishment in the truth on which they must alone rest when all visible props fail in their judgments then of supporting grace nor is it conceavable how men can this day walk in the light of any true joy and comfort without a more sollid assurance of their being on safe grounds herein then most seem to reckon IV. Because the revelation of the Gospel and of an eternal state in an other world is so great and wonderfull as its strang how this is not the highest interest of mens life to have their faith more deeply confirmed on the furthest tryal of their security now by the way herein who must shortly make so great a tryal therof at death for if we were but once this length to ask our own soul what the Christian faith indeed is and are thus called to believe it could not possibly but beget some extasy of wondering at the greatnesse therof and to reckon any light and implicit assent to the same as a degree both of Atheism indifferency in this matter V. Though there be no conflict with Heathens as in the first times yet was such a spirit never more aloft then it is now to take of all firm assent to the greatest principles of truth when Atheisme seems to be at its ultimus conatus in the world and we are fallen in so amazing an hower of the power of darknesse as makes these latter times more remarkably perillous and trying then the first VI. Yea if such a confirming worke be one of the greatest means to advance the repute and honour of religion when its wonted awe and veneration is so far lost and to awake men to deeper impressions of its truth when so few seeme now under any such weight then it is sure there was never more need of the same then in this day That such a service to the Church Posit V doth not only respect the more knowing inquisitive and judicious part therof but the meanest professours of religion also of whom this is necessarly required is evident on these grounds I. Because each Christian should have undoubtedly such a ballast on their own soul of the solid and rational grounds of their faith as well as these of greater parts and induments the promotting of which were it more deeply considered I dare humbly adventure to say should be found one of the choicest meanes to promot Christianity this day II. Because this is not to drive any to doubt or question the least sincere degree of assent though it be not with such strenght of evidence as in others nor can by that formal argumentation give the same accompt therof since a few grounds this way may specially help to some solid conviction and confirming of their mind when they may be ignorant of many other cogent arguments for this end but its sure also the greater clearnesse of evidence doth still in the appointed way of means lead in to a more firme and strong assent of the judgment to the truth of our religion III. Becaus the strenth of the foundation in it self cannot be enough if it be not with such a known evidence as men may build firmly and with assurance theron nor hath the Lord thus only designed to give his people an infaillible and sure testimony to adventure on but that it should be made sure also to them IV. Because none can in truth say that Jesus is the Lord but by the H. Ghost 1 Cor. 22 3. by which is not to be understood so much there the necessity of supernatural grace for a saving faith but that none can give a true assent and confession of the same but from these grounds and arguments which are revealed by the H. Ghost unto men for this end and as its sure that these characters and evidences of divinity which are imprinted on the whole revelation of the Gospel may be clear demonstrative to our judgment so are they as truly divine as the doctrine which is confirmed therby V. Because there can be no possible cause for credulity of the truth from any intricate obscurenesse of the same when the Lord hath given such great assistances to our faith to be as milk for babes as wel as meat to strong men And though it be objected that the furthest objective evidence of the Gospel with so clear and strong a conveyance therof is yet so little operative on most the same might be said also of the whole letter of the Scripture but as this tends not in the least to resolve our religion into any meer exercise of reason and leaves the whole worke of the Spirit in its energy and operation therwith on mens souls intire yet doth it fully evince such a sufficiency of evidence with the Christian faith as makes any doubtfulnesse herein simply impossible through want of the greatest advantage of means yea such as are of another kind then to induce only a probable perswasion of the same VI. Because it is one of the saddest symptomes of the present state of religion that so few almost in whole congregations can give any clear assent
of this kind might tend more to promote the Kingdom of Christ in this day I shal but add this further on the present subject Posit VII that as there are some more signal periods of time to which a greater brightnesse and increase of light hath respect under the New Testament so doth there now seem to be some remarkable call and excitment to such a confirming work in this day about the Christian faith when we may hope that a more solemne and restoring time of religion in the world is on a near approach though all sensible evidence would seem to control this and may be now more looked after then prepared for under any suitable impression of these grounds for the same I. That the promised time of the conversion of the Jewes doth assuredly draw near and whatever be judged by some of the Lords immediate appearence herein by a miracle yet is it unquestionable that nothing in the way of means could be more promising and hopeful to promot this great end then in promoting so great a service as this for the Christian Church II. That a greater extent also of the profession of Christ amonghst the Gentils and renting of the vaile that is now over many dark nations seemeth clearly insured therwith and what a hopeful evidence should this be if such a publick and catholick spirit were more seen how to advance the highest ends of religion on such an accompt without respect to any partial or divided interest yea that this blest zeal of God might in that manner appear to have the dark world get a more clear and convincing prospect of the highest rational demonstrations of Christianity as might through the Lords gracious concurrence bring men once to an inquisitive and serious spirit about the same Oh that such may be thus raised up in this dismal hower with something of that ancient spirit to travel with desire for the salvation of mankind and of whom it may be said as of blest Nehemiah these are indeed come to seek the welfare of their people in their greatest interest III. And this farther excitment we are now under for this end in a time when Popery seems to be upon one of its last and greatest assaults against the Church since it s so clear what ever tends to confirm men in Christianity from their own tryal and inquiry upon the confirming evidences therof must have the same native result to make such confirmed Protestants yea nothing is more demonstrable then that the method and grounds that are taken both to ingadge and fix men in the Popish profession have the same rational tendency to promot Atheism and to give infidels the greatest advantage to reject the profession of Christ CHAPTER II. The confirming worke of Religion reduced to practical use in some clear view of these primary grounds and demonstrations of our faith which none should pretend ignorance of who enters the profession of Christ upon choise and certainty of evidence SECTION I. QU. I. WHat reasons and demonstrations can yow give for so great a faith of the glorious being of God when he is invisible to humane sense since this is the fundation of all religion ANSW Though on the sacred truth and authority of his own word this is principally founded yet I am with the furthest infallible evidence herein confirmed I. That it can be no more sure this marvellous frame of the heavens and earth hath a being and is the object of our sense then that a supreme infinite wisdome and power must be the first cause hereof and it were simply impossible it could ever otherwise have been II. That he hath thus made himself visible to our eyes by such a visible world and in so exquisite an order and correspondence there to support the same as nothing stands alone by it self but in a line of mutual respect which runs through the whole creation whom we may as clearly thus see as that there is an invisible soul in a living body III. That this harmony is amongst thinghs in their own nature so contrare and destructive to other for to hold this wonderful frame as all must abandon reason or see an infinitly wise conduct herein and no need of extraordinary miracles to confirme what the whole constitutions of nature do witnesse IV. That this rare frame of man could never have come in being but by him who could unite such different substances as a material body and an immaterial soul in so near and marvelous an union V. That such an universal consent of mankind is in all ages therto as shews religion to be founded in the very nature of man and as essential to his being as his reason is yea how the ultimate difference of man from the beast and most essential property of human nature lyes here VI. That though every one be an enemy to what torments him yet was it never possible for an Atheist to free himself from that unavoidable sense and fear of a Deity nor in a world so much lost in wickednesse could ever extinguish the awe of religion or make any rational opposition to this greatest article of the common faith of mankind VII That the reason of the whole constitution of nature and vicissitude of things here is so great as without shutting out the use of reason we cannot but see how nothing possibly could have been better and that any want hereof in the whole frame of the universe would be as the dislocation of a joynt of the body and were not conceivable to be otherwise then it is by infinite wisdome appointed VIII That it s simply impossible that God blessed for ever should not exist or that this universe which is a worke so highly becoming the greatnesse of its maker could possibly subsist for one hour or minute of time without a supreme independent power and being on which all visible beings have their dependance since they cannot depend upon nothing IX That such is the absolute necessity of the faith also of a God-head as without this the state of mankind could not morally subsist or any possible order subjection piety and justice be to support human society but as Bradwardine saith O quam necesse est hunc esse quem impossibile est non esse O that men cannot but see these effects of his power on the conscience in the certainty of a profetick light and discovery as hath been oft given of future things and in the undenyable truth of miracles so as such a prodigy as a profest Atheist can have no claime to human race as a rational being more then the greatest monster in nature to be a true man QU. II. What doth witnesse the worlds not being eternal and its first original and beginning from God to confirme your faith herein by the further rational demonstration ANS I. That as an eternity is only communicable to the first cause so that which is made up of corruptible perishing things as this visible world cannot possibly
the same QU. VI. How is it demonstrable that such remarkable sufferings of times past for the truth of Christ were both founded on the alone certainty thereof and carryed out by a divine Spirit above any assistance of nature ANSW That it is sure I. Here was no comedy or personated sufferings which the primitive Christians and in after times did endure for Christ or that these unexpressable torments and paines were any dream and delusion either to themselves or the world and that their adversaries did thus conflict and wrestle with their own shadow in so continued and cruel ane opposition II. That such joy and exultation of Spirit these witnessed amidst their torments who otherwise wanted no sense or feeling of their paines and sufferings could have no rise but what was supernatural III. That this could be no possible dissimulation or counterfit when they were stepping in on eternity nor the product of a distempered judgment whilst all might see what seriousnesse of Spirit tendernesse and bowels of compassion to their adversaries they did then evidence IV. That these greatest sufferings were upon choise and to endure rather then to be safe at the rate of receding in any thing from the truth V. Yea no natural reason can comprehend how such mean and feeble persons as many of these were should endure what would have made the greatest natural courage to faint as if they had foregone humane passions which flesh and blood must needs have herein so as I am constraind to see something no less marvellous and supernatural in the faith of martyres then in the faith of miracles SECTION III. QU. I. IS it fully demonstrable that the faith of a deity and of such an establishment as a religious worship must necessarly determine men to be Christians on this ground that they cannot but see how religion hath not another being in the earth but in the truth of Christianity ANSW It is simply impossible to make a rational tryal herin and not see the certainty of this demonstration to be thus clear I. That there needs no more for any of a serious spirit but to come and see what the whole frame of Heathenisme was and if it be possible to deny even under any sense of the law and dictates of nature its being the highest reproach of mankind and how the very mysteries of that Heathenish worship was so horrid and impure as they needed a vail then from the common view of the world II. Nor can there be a rational reflection this day on that strang monster of Mahumitanisme but of a visible prodigy of the judgment of God on these parts of the earth upon their apostacy from the Christian faith by giving men up to such an imposture as exposeth the very name and form of religion to derision and can never claime a reception either from the purity of its rule or internal evidence of the truth therof or of its having any possible consistence with it self III. That its sure also the Jewish religion had never another being but in the truth and faith of Christianity and where this fundation is divided from it hath none at all yea how that people unto this day are such a confirming witnesse to the Christian Religion as its strang this doth not beget deeper impressions on mens spirit So that there is an absolute necessity we must either forgoe the use of reason or see if there were not such a rule given and revealed for commerce betwixt God and man as the Scripture where the laws and constitutions of the Christian faith are for this end held forth that it s then sure there is no such thing as any religion in the earth but what wer so highly irrational and absurd as should rather justify Atheism QU. II. What special confirmation to Christianity can this visible state of the Jews bear who are in so expresse an opposition to the Gospel of Christ ANSW If this were brought near our thoughts we should find it one of the great assistances to our faith I. That its sure there is such a people and race as a living and visible evidence to our sense of the truth of that renowned nation and church of Israel to which the oracles of God were committed and thus are still as some part of the evident ruines of that once flourishing state II. That the world may see such a people kept by themselves and not mixed with the nations whose fathers from one generation to another did still own the divinity of the Old Testament and doth attest that doctrine in which the truth and substance of Christianity lyes even whilst with greatest malice they oppose the Christian faith to witnesse there can be no possible collusion here III. Their being under a stroak of that judicial induration and blindnesse of mind as no reason could possibly comprehend such a thing how they see not the light in the very noon-day of the Gospel if it were not expresly fortold their being concluded under such an arrest of judgment until the fulnesse of the gentiles be brought in IV. That so immediate an appearence of God is in the judgment of that people both in the manner and continuance thereof as no instance could ever be found to resemble the same since man was formed in the earth and thus as a conspicuous monument of divin wrath set up for every age and time of the Church to turn aside and consider this great sight and inquire what means so strang and amazing a thing as the state of the scattered Jews is now under the times of the Gospel V. That this desolation on them and stroak had such special concurring circumstances for giving light therto as being not above 48. years after the death of Christ with their hands as it were hot and reaking with that blood which they had wished on them and their children that it should be at that time of the Passover which was the very same of the sufferings of our blessed Lord there and pointing as with the finger at the same as also by the Romans whose interest in their opposition to Christ they pretended to own QU. III. Is the way and manner of the Gospels promulgation such as no other profession could ever pretend to and where all may see there can be no human interest or contrivance in the same ANSW It is undenyable that no interest else was ever in such a way promot and does exceed all natural understanding how the truth of Christianity could in this manner prevail I. To perswade men without any motives or inducements from this present world to imbrace a doctrine so wholly repugnant to nature yea to preferr an interest of things not seen and which none ever in the earth saw to the most desirable objects of sense II. To admit no implicit reception from any but on their exactest inquiry and tryal herein or in an other way claime an interest in mens affections but by a full assent of their light
God under the ground its sure none can question such a seal which before the sun to the amazment and conviction of the world hath been put to the truth of the Reformed Religion that we are now sisted under such a call as the Church of Israel was Deut. 4 34. to ask of the times that are past since Israels coming out of Egypt and since the first planting of the Gentil Church by the Gospel whither there hath been so great a thing as this in the earth that God hath essayed to take to himself a people from the midst of other nations by temptations by signs and by wonders and by war and by a mighty hand and by an oustretched arm and by great terrours according to all that the Lord our God hath done for the rescue of his people in these last times from Antichristian bondage and darknesse and settling them in a church state but unto us was this shewed that we might know that the Lord he is God and there is noncelse beside him yea are still called to see and be as eye witnesses to these things I. How bright a day of the Gospel of Christ did goe before this great darknesse on the Church and what a solemne triumph in these late ages the truth hath had over Antichrist so as the full strock and ruine of his kingdome which is sure and established in the promise of God seems not now more marvelous and above human appearence then what we have seen in the begun degrees of its accomplishment II. In how few years also there was as a new Christian world brought forth in that swift course and progresse which the ingathering of the Reformed Churches had so as between the year 1621 and 1560. such famous plantations of the Gospel were setled in a Church state which all may see was the immediate worke and power of God to shew that none should fear or stagger at his promise though the waters yet swell and come to the flowings of Jordan and difficulties appear unsuperable to human sense after this great things which the Lord hath done III. How extraordinare a calling and excitment of instruments was then evident for the service of that time and reapers thus eminently prepared for so great an harvest of the Gospel as might put the world to inquire whence these were in so numerous a concurrence when a few of such a spirit were so rarely to be found in many ages before IV. Yea such an accession also of spiritual gifts and induments then for building of the Church as had not been formerly known since the first coming of the Gospel to the Gentils wherein it may be said the glory of these last times hath even in some degree exceeded that of the first V. And can the most dismal things of this time countervail the confirmations of our faith who have so clearly seen with the first breaking up of the pur doctrine of Christ the power and life of Christianity came therwith to the world as a seal and attestation therto beyond any miracles yea how innumberable a company in these last ages of different tongues and languages and these so remot from one another did not only receive the same truth but with such resolution adventure their souls theron as might fully witnesse they had another prospect of Christianity and to be in some other manner ravished with the glory beuty of the same then is now in these times VI. That such high spring tydes of the power and efficacy of the Gospel might be evident to all after so sad a restraint had been for so many ages before under Antichristian darknesse for whatever was then as a private seall on the spirit of Christians whilst the witnesses did prophesy in sack-cloth yet was there no such evidence and demonstration of the H. Ghost or a publick confirmatory seal to the truth as was after the Reformation VII Yea was it not the most sober serious and inquisitive part of men upon a sure tryal of the grounds of their faith who did most firmly imbrace the same and how many of these also were of the greatest parts and abilities whom none could judge to adventure so far herein without the highest assurances that this was their undoubted interest and upmaking VIII We have seen not only these of mean and low estate but such of the highest place and quality most chearfully adventuring whatever interest could be dearest to them in the earth for the truths sake yea was ever found how such as were most acquaint with the reformed religion in its power and living up in their practise to what they profest thereof were these who with the greatest assurance have most resoluty still adhered thereto IX We have seen also it s most remarkable spreading in the world when there could be no possible pretence of a lucrative interest or external motives for the same X. We have seen something not only extraordinare but even miraculous in the joy and resolution of innumberable martyrs since the Reformation who did bear out with a more then human strenth against a cruelty so visibly inhuman and savage yea which did in some degrees exceed that measure of the Heathens in the Primitive times as being against a greater light then theirs II. And have we not seen of what spirit such still have been since the Reformation who were the most notour instruments in the Churches persecution and how visibly such did act herein under so impetuous an incitment of the Devil that as Tertullien in his Apollogy speaks of Nero the truth might boast in having such adversaries XII It is sure we have seen how no human power could yet ever undoe this blessed interest of the Reformed religion tho no way or change of weapons hath been left untryed but we have thus seen whither so strong and unite a confederacy as the Catholick league in France did at last resolve and not only in the ruine of the greatest acters and contrivers therein but to a further establishing of the Reformed Church there as though such had intentionally acted for the same when if second causes had brought forth their ordinare effects it might have been judged impossible to fail XIII We have seen that issue of the whole councels expense and cruelty of Philip the II. of Spain to bear down the truth of the Gospel in the Netherlands which was to the furthest setling of this illustrious state and the Church of Christ there yea how their conspicuous rise and flowrishing even in the externals and their resolute adherence to the truth of Christ did most visibly keep together XIV We know that deludge of blood which so quickly followed the French massacre and the most dismal time which ever that nation know did then visibly contemporate with such a time of their greatest rage and persecution against the truth and that event of the third vial most clearly fulfilled herein Revel 16 5 6. Thou art righteous o Lord which art
rule and principles of their profession that can never give the least latitude or connivance therto but is clear as the sun when on the other hand I could know no other way to imbrace such a profession as Popery but by turning Atheist in the first place and quite both religion and reason at once but may say in a resolute adherence to the doctrine of the Reformed Church I fear not to adventure my soul and enter into an eternal state The CONTENTS CHAPTER I. The primitive confirmation held forth and cleared in seven Positions POSIT I. That sad aspect which the implicit and traditional profession of this day hath upon the present state of religion Pag. 1 POSIT II. The greatnesse of that service for the Church to have a clear founding of the faith of assent upon known and solid grounds herein more universally promott Pag. 3 POSIT III. The true primitive confirmation as it was in the times of the Apostles hold forth and cleared from the Scripture Pag. 6 POSIT IV. The continued necessity therof no lesse convincing now for the Churches use then in these Primitive times Pag. 9 POSIT V. That such a confirmatory worke respects not only the more knowing and inquisitive part of men but the meanest within the Church Pag. 11 POSIT VI. VVhat is specially called for in the practicall use of this primitive confirmation held forth in some serious proposals for this end Pag. 14 POSIT VII VVhat special excitment we are under for promotting the same in so remarkable a period of time as this and from that hope of a greater reviving yet of such a Catholick spirit to advance the highest ends of religion amonghst men Pag. 19 CHAPTER II. For giving some clear view of these primary evidences and demonstrations of our faith that the meanest Christian should know and vvith the least expense of time may improve for their dayly use on these greatest principles SECTION I. I. Of the glorious being of God which is the first foundation of all religion Pag. 22 II. Of the original of the world and it s not being eternal Pag. 25 III. Of a supreme providence in the conservation and goverment of the world Pag. 26 IV. Of that special providence which in its continued administration about human affaires doth unchangably difference betwixt the righteus and the wicked Pag. 29 V. How such a wonderful record as that of an immediat revelation of God unto men is so demonstrably extant in the world Pag. 31 VI. Of these special evidences of the Scriptures divinity which men must needs see to be infallible Pag. 33 VII Of the secure convoyance of the Scripture through all the changes of times past Pag. 35 VIII Of the fall of man and entry of sin into the world as it is fully demonstrable to reason as well as by the certainty of faith Pag. 37 SECTION II. I. Holding for t these great assistances to the Christian faith and of the Messias being surely promised to the Church before his coming Pag. 38 II. Of the truth and accomplishment of this great promise of the Messias and how it is now as sure in the event as its clear he was promised Pag. 39 III. Of that special advantage for confirmation of our faith herein that for 4000. years the promised coming of the Messias was deferred Pag. 41 42 IV. Of the nature and internal excellency of Christianity to bear furthest evidence to the truth therof Pag. 43 V. That this is the same Gospel we now receive and injoy which from the first promulgation therof hath had so great effects on the world Pag. 45 VI. That the sufferings of the saints in times past was so demonstrably above the assistance of nature Pag. 46 SECTION III. I. For holding forth on what grounds the faith of a deity must determine men to be Christians Pag. 48 II. What confirmations the Christian Religion hath from that visible state of the Jews Pag. 49 III. That way and manner of its prevailing on the world as no profession else could ever pretend to Pag. 51 IV. The nature of that great evidence which Christ hath himself given to the world of his divine mission in the love and unity of his people Joh. 17 21. Pag. 53 V. How the strenth of such a demonstration stands still clear and evident in these dividing times of the Church Pag. 54 VI. What in these last times is under our hand to compense such a confirmation by miracles which was in the first times of the Gospel Pag. 56 SECTION IV. I. For holding forth with the furthest rational certainty and evidence the truth and doctrine of Christ to be a soul-quicking and experimental religion Pag. 58 II. The truth also of conversion of men from a state of nature to a new state of grace Pag. 60 III. Of so great an experiment of religion as Communion betwixt God and men here in the earth Pag. 62 IV. Of so great a demonstration of religion in the power and workings of the Conscience Pag. 64 V. Of that special confirmation to our faith which doth result from such a demonstration of this power of the Conscience over men Pag. 65 SECTION V. I. For holding forth the truth of a Kingdom of darknesse in the world in opposition to the Kingdom of Christ Pag. 66 67 II. What confirmation to our faith the certainty hereof and of these powers of darknesse doth clearly afford Pag. 68 III. That great truth of the immortality of the soul with the clearest evidence to reason as well as by the certainty of faith Pag. 69 70 IV. How confirming a seal to the Scripture that great change which passeth on all men by death is and how it s no natural accident Pag. 72 V. Some special assistances to the Christians faith of an eternal glory in heaven and to serve an unavoidable conviction thus on the greatest Atheists Pag. 74 VI. Some thing of a visible Hell in some near approach hereof even to mens senses held forth to awake and convince the world of such a state of horrour and torment in another world Pag. 77 VII Some assistances to our faith of that great truth of the Resurrection of the body Pag. 79 CHAPTER III. The Confirming vvorke of religion further improven vvith respect to this dismal and amazing time vve are novv fallen in SECTION I. To hold forth what may be both for light and confirmation upon this great distresse the Churches of Christ are now under Pag. 81 82 SECTION II. How great a talent we stand accountable for in this day of such immediate and extraordinare appearences of the Lord for confirming the same publick cause of the Reformed Church since the Reformation which we are now called to adhere to Pag. 84 SECTION III. What manner of time is the present lot of the Church now fallen in and what judgment we ought to have hereof from the Scripture for our furthest confirming in such a day Pag. 93 SECTION IV. Some special service that we
this that exact correspondence which is betwixt the foundation and superstructure how the whole tract of the gospell is but one entire and compleat mean to glorify God and restore fallen man to the highest blessednes how that excellent stream of sanctification does flow from that fountain head of ane eternall decree herein which does still run under the ground until it break up at last in the heart of each Christian by the effectuall call of the gospell and thus runs doune through time untill it lose its selfe in that unconceiveable deep of perfection and glory Thus is it that each Christian might attain some higher degrees of confirmation in his faith then most seemes either to know or looke after if he understood more how to improve this rare comparing work of Religion by setting the great truths and principles thereof in their order dependance so as each may be seen in its necessare coherence with other and under its proper aspect But the more deep reflexion and enquiry he hath herein he is the more made to wonder and finds this one of the great assaults to his faith that the revelation of the Christ and redemption by his blood should have no greater effects this day amongst men and that the Christian world is not in some other manner awaked with the glory of this light and prest after a larger spreading and diffusion of this highest and universall good to poore mankinde yea the more he considers this it doth highten his amazement to think how mens designs in the matter of duty and service for the Kingdome of Christ can be so low within time whose designs and hopes in the close therof are so high in the matter of enjoyment or take so litle to heart that the whole day of the dispensation of the Gospell amidst the most dismal trials may fall in therewith is a continued time wherein we are called to keep the feast and from one age to another celebrate the same as a perpetuall Jubily of joy and exultation since Christ our passover was sacrificed for us but oh how rare a thing seems this to be and how litle of that flame and fervency of love to our blessed Redeemer is now kindled on his altar that might be expected on such wonderfull incitments therto and which once was in the Church CHARACT III. Though a confirmed Christian must be specially stated as such who knowes the internall part of religion and sealing work of the Holy Ghost on his own soul which is not by words but things of the highest truth substance and reality yet is he herein not alone satisfyed to know this by spirituall sence untill he can see the same with the furthest evidence of light also to his mind and have no lesse a clear and judicious tryal of this great mysterie of experimentall religion for confirmation of his faith then to be sensibly affected with the felt power therof And in the first place why this is necessarly requisite and called for with respect to the confirmed state of a Christian may be thus considered on some few grounds 1. That the things of religion which must be experienced within time are such sublime and wonderfull mysteries as may be just matter of astonishment and make men a wonder to themselves to think that these present pledges of so great a hope which is to come are no shaddows no appearences of things but most sure and undoubted realities and that such are this day in the earth who knowes so near a converse with an invisible God and the supernaturall truths of his word with the sensible fealing of that inestimable love of Christ by this demonstration of experience yea who in such dismall times does assuredly know what the joy of his presence and an immediate fellowshipe with their blessed head is upon the greatest certainty of tryall since these are so high and marvelous things which exceed all naturall understanding as the felt sweetnesse of their enjoyment should not more deeply take men up then to see the truth and surenesse of these principles wheron they found herein 2. Because this testimony of the truth of experimentall religion should be understood not only as its of highest use for Christians personall comfort and establishment but with respect to the publick interest of the Church as a special trust reposed theron to have the credit of this greatest testimony and seal demonstrably cleared with the furthest strength of harmonious and argumentive reason for such who look but at a distance yet theron as may not only awake them to some deeper sense and impression hereof but constrain them to see how no naturall science hath more clear and firm demonstrations then the experimentall part of Christianity which is the very life and soul thereof may have to mens reason and judgement tho they never knew it within themselves yea for this end should such as have experienced the truth and vertue of the Gospell reckon themselves as witnesses who are judicially sisted to put their seal therunto is now more called for in an age when no particulare truth seems more strongly impugned then the reality of experimental godlinesse is and become as a publick theam of derision tho men must either quite the whole revelation of the Scripture or see this to be as essentiall to the constitution of a Christian as vitall principles are to a living man 3. Yea its sure herein that such as take religion to heart must needs look to be put to the greatest tryal of its certainty and should most nearly concern them to know if they can abide as firmly by their spirituall sense as by that which is naturall and doe thus know as surely in themselves the operations and motions of a spirituall life as that they have being by nature and that here is no doubtfull or abstract notions but who have had such deep tryall and reflexion on the same as these who dare venture their eternal state on the known certainty theirof as they could thence reason their soul to a stedfast adherence to the truth if they were called to sacrifice their lives therto from what rare experiments and proofs they have oft had of the same in their own tryall 4. It doth more specially call for a demonstrative clearing of the credit of this testimony as one of the services of religion to promote the Kingdom of Christ amonghst men which seems least improven of any with respect to the general state of such who are within the Church who are so great strangers to the same yea should be judged one of the great wants of this day when Atheism is now at so astonishing a hight that it is not more studied to have the experimentall part of religion which in it self lyes deep and hid and is a secret betwixt God and the Christians soul with such clearnesse and by that manner of evidence demonstrat to the world as might tend to beget some more awfull sense and
conviction hereof when such clear and unanswerable grounds might be improved for this end on these who look thereon as some strang and dark riddle so as they could no more deny or withstand the evidences hereof then that they have a living soul which yet they never saw or could ever be the object of human sense And how sad a prospect should this give of the greatest part of the Christian world who not only know nothing of the true glory and spirituall powers of Christianity but have not the very notion or any sense of the reality of such a thing But in the 2d place it is thus that each Christian for being solidly confirmed in the way of religion may as clearly see as he does sensibly feal the truth of his own experience and have his faith as fully established by this inward and great demonstration of the things of God as his affections are quickned upon such strong and demonstrative grounds of the certainty hereof as these are 1. By considering his present and former state that not in a dream but in the most deep and serious composure of spirit he knows how once he was blind and wholly estranged from this mysterie of Christian experience which now he does see and once had the same sentiment hereof with such who doe most deeply reflect on the same but no sooner did the truth and power of religion sease on his soul then he found himself entered into a new world to know the dawnings of this marvelous light and what belongs to these injoyments and vital acts of Christianity that hath not the least dependence on any naturall cause 2. By considering that marvelous superstructure of experimentall religion which from the inward observation of Christians in all ages is such as the world could not almost contain the books that might be write hereof which yet is so intirely founded on one and the same foundation and does in all the lines of this great circumference still meet in the same center yea thus how intire and harmonious a thing religion in all the parts therof is within upon the soul as well as without so as every step in this way of the experience of the saints is no groping in the dark but what is by line and rule with as sure and demonstrable a connexion with the externall testimony of the word as there is in nature betwixt the cause and the effect which affords a more wonderfull assistance to his faith then the greatest externall miracles could ever doe and tho the spirit of God does sometimes in an extraordinare manner reveal himself to men as acts of his Soveraign prerogative which make no rule yet with the established constitutions of his word does the continued experience of the saints most harmociously ever correspond 3. By considering thus also the being reality of grace not in its effects only but in its proper cause and original how the truth of holinesse in the life of a Christian is so express a transcript of the Gospell in its external revelation that the impresse doth not more clearly answer the seal on the wax then it doth beget the same forme and image of it self in such as believe yea also that conformity it bears to the ever blessed Architype as well as to the revealed rule and how bright a discovery is thus of so glorious a being and nature to which its conformed who is the alone patern and exemple of all truth and holinesse which is so great a discovery as he is made to wonder how men in this age are so much awakened to find out the true Phaenomena of nature though in its own room a most choise study and specialy desirable and will be as in a transport upon some rare natural experiment as made one in that manner cry out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whilst here is another kind of demonstration and of more transcendent interest then all these could ever amount to on which the eyes of most are this day shutt 4. By considering that uncheangable congruity which is betwixt the nature of these things injoyned in the whole institutions of the Gospell and mens being made happy therby now in their present state and how great a temporal revenew of the fruits of religion as inward confidence peace and serenity of mind doth as natively follow the life and practice herof as the fruit of a tree answers to its kind and is ever found the alone true relief of mankind against all the griefs and bitternesse of time yea that it s no distance of place but of mens spirit by impurity and corruption that makes so sad a distance betwixt God and man here in the earth 5. He is thus further confirmed upon this great testimony of experimentall religion by considering that its sure such as does bear this witnesse are known 1. to be such who are of the most discerning and judicious in the things of reason as any else 2. Whose walke and practice use to have the greatest authority over mens conscience with whom they converse 3. who are found most intensly taken up in the retired worke and duties of religion that can have no respect to the witnesse and observation of others 4. Who seeks no implicit credit from any herein but does obtest men to come and see and prove the same in their their own experience with an appeal to the most exact inquiry and rationall tryall of all mankind if here be any casuall thing and if that testimony of the doctrinall and experimentall part of religion be not still one and the same 5. Who also out of the most remott places of the earth and otherwise strangers amonghst themselves does yet most harmoniously meet in the same witnesse and are thus mutually disclosed to other by a near and fealing intercourse of their souls from such an onnesse in a spirituall state and these specifick properties of a spirituall and new nature with as discernible evidence as if one man should meet with ane other of the same kind in such a place of the earth which were only inhabited with beasts 6. By considering also with a deep and serious reflection hereon that sure and known conjunction which is betwixt the most rare experiences of a Christians life and the most searching tryalls thereof with that uniform consent that hath in all ages of the Church been in such marvelous things as these 1 what solemne tokens and testimonies of the love of God and his acceptance are found usually to meet his people in the entry of some great tryall or service for him even in some unusuall manner then in the sence whereof as it was with Elijah they have been made to goe many days after in a wildernesse state yea how this does not respect persons only but Churches that the word still useth to goe before with some remarkable confirming worke to secure the heart before the crosse and some special tryal of persecution comes 2. That as each day