if not prevalent with Pagans yet it should with those who term themselves Christians for if they will not believe his Testimony let them cease to be called by that glorious name let them be Christians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jus not in words but in deeds now Christ saith of himself I am the Son of God Mark 14.62 not by Creation as Angels and Men not by adoption as Saints for then it could not be Blasphemy in Christ as the Jews termed it but I am the Son of the blessed God by eternal generation Joh. 11.4 Joh. 5.18 Rev. 1.8 Th◠Jews accuse Christ of this That he said he was the Son of God without any equivocation or mental reservation Now it would be horrid to think that Christ did not testify the truth who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joh. 14.6 ipsae veritas truth it self And if we believe he saith true when he declares he came to give himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a ransom for man Mat. 20.28 We ought to believe him in this especially 2dly Christ testifies that he is one with the Father Joh. 10.30 one in Essence Joh. 5.23 Phil. 2.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 equal in glory and dominion for it is no Robbery in Christ to be equal to God or to be Gods fellow Zach. 13.7 and the reason is because he is God Joh. 1.1 Joh. 14.10 11. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me the meaning of which is in short I and my Father are one according to that known Maxim Nihil in Deo est quod non sit ipse Deus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joh. 15.26 There is nothing in God which is not God himself there is a mutual immeation and eternal inseparable union between the Father and the Son I might here declare how the Spirit that proceeds from God according to Athanasius's Creed proceeds from Christ also John 20.22 He breathed upon them and they received the Holy Ghost 10. Argument from the Testimony of the Prophets and Apostles this is of weight to those who are called Christians and own the Scriptures to be the Word of Truth and the Penmen thereof to be guided by the holy Spirit of God 2 Pet. 1.21 I shall not number up many places because I would finish this head of Christs eternal Deity The holy Prophet saith The Lord said unto my Lord Psal 45.6 Heb. 1.8 sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool which Scripture Christ applies to himself Matt. 22.24 Isaiah called him the Lord of Hosts chap. 8.13 14. applyed to Christ Luke 2.34 Rom. 9.33 and 1 Pet. 2.8 and Isa 9.6 the mighty God Jer. 23.6 Jehovah our Righteousness Now for the Apostle see Peters Confession Mat. 16.16 Thou art Christ the Son of the living God Jo. 1.1 The word was God Jo. 6.69 Thomas's confession in Jo. 20.28 My Lord and my God The Apostle Paul Rom. 1.3.4 His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Vers 4. Declared to be the Son of God with power And in Chap. 9.5 God over all blessed for ever Hear and see you that deny the assertions of the ancient reverend Fathers will you or can you deny the Testimony of those who were chosen of God to bear witness to this Truth I might add more as 1 Joh. 3.16 and 5.20 The true God and Eternal Life 11. Argument from the acknowledgment of ancient Rabbies who were most eminent for the Interpretation of the old Testament upon that Scripture Psal 110.3 Jehovah said unto Jehovah sit thou at my right hand Rabbi Jonathan saith Rabbi Jonathan lib. Col. Misde Tehillim in Psal 2.7 Although Christ was Davids Son according to his Manhood yet he was to be Davids Lord according to his God-head And so do Rabbi Jonathan and the publick Commentaries interpret this place on Jer. 23.6 Rabbi Abda doth confess it is meant of the Messias who is saith he Comment in Then in vers 6. The Eternal Jehovah Rabbi Moses Hadarsan expounding Zeph. 3.9 saith Jehovah here in this place signifies nothing else but the Messias The Caballistical Expositors among the Hebrews do prove Christ the promised Messias to be God as well as Man In Isa 1. chap. 9. Rabbi Hacadosch expounding the words of Jeremiah before recited finding the name Jehovah there wherein the Hebrew is compounded of 3 Letters Jod Vau and He twice repeated doth Cabalistically discourse of it thus The Letter He in Jehovah is compounded of two Letters named Daleth and Vau so shall the Messias be made of two natures the one Divine the other humane and as in Jehova there is twice He and consequently two Daleths and two Vaus contained so there are two filiations or childhoods in Messias The one whereby he shall be the Son of God the other whereby he shall be the Son of a Virgin and as in Jehova the letter He is twice put and yet in effect makes but one Letter so in Messias there shall be two distinct natures and yet but one Christ Here although the Argumentation may be denied yet we see their belief concerning the Messias I might quote more places and Authors as Rabbi Simen and Ibda upon Deut. 6. Jehova our Lord is one Lord the first to signifie God the Father the second the Son the third the holy Ghost and the Word one to signifie the unity of Essence so likewise Isa 6.3 I will add this one more Philo de Exulibus speaking of the Death of a high Priest by which they should be redeemed from their Captivity saith That this High Priest shall be the very Word of God who shall be void of all sin voluntary and involuntary whose father shall be God and this Word shall be that Fathers wisdom see how agreeable this is to Scripture Joh. 1.1 The Word was God 1 Pet. 1.19 A Lamb without Spot 1 Cor. 1.24 Christ the Wisdom and Power of God 12. Argument I might here produce the sayings of some Heathens according to what was revealed to them Zoroastes called him secundam mentem the second mind they had extraordinary Revelations Clem. Alex. l. 1. Strom. Hermes Trismegistus calleth him The first begotten Son of God his only Son his dear eternal immutable and incorruptible Son whose sacred name is Ineffable these are his words Lactantius lib. 4. Divin Instit c. 6. makes much mention of certain Heathen Prophetesses called Sybilla Mern Iter. in Demund Augus lib. De Civit. Dei cap. 23. that Prophesied concerning Christ now as he saith this is the expression of one of them Know thy God which is the Son of God Another in Acrostick verses treateth of Jesus Christ Son of God the Saviour although these may not be much accounted of yet they were made use of by Justin Martyr Origen Augustine and Constantine the Emperour against the Heathens who denyed the Divinity of Christ Virgil applieth some of their Prophesies I shall not now cite
begotten into the World he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let all the Angels of God worship him The word among the Hebrews for Worship somtimes signifies Prostrating the whole Body as 2 Chron. 20.18 Jehosophat and the men of Israel did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fall to the Ground before the Lord 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such worship is given to the Lord Jesus Luke 17.16 The Lepper that was cleansed fell upon his Face at his Feet 2ly 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It signifies to inclinate and bend the Head as in Gen. 24.48 So the Angels are said to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 incurvate Verticis inclinationem significat and bend their Heads to understand the things concerning Christ in the Gospel 1 Pet. 1.12 3ly 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A stooping of the Head with the Superior parts of the Body Esther 3.5 4ly 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lastly they use a word for worship which signifies to bless with Bended knees 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 genuflectere Psal 45.6 O come let us Worship and bow down let us kneel before the Lord our maker so it is said Every knee shall bow to the Lord Jesus All these external gestures are to signifie the internal humble actings of the Mind Now seeing Angels are glorious Creatures and that part of worship scil Petition is not so proper to them therefore they are imployed in the other scil Praise and Blessing and Adoring of him although not for their redemption by him being never captivated yet for their confirmation and election in him for it is the opinion of our orthodox Divines that the Angels in Glory stand by vertue of their eternal election in Christ therefore they have cause to extol Rev. 5.12 13. praise and magnify the Lord of Glory we read that all Creatures in Heaven and in Earth are at this word giving honour and blessing and Praise to the Lamb for ever and ever This makes it evident that Divine Honour is attributed to the Lord Jesus and there are sure grounds for it if we consult and believe the Scriptures which term him Zach. 13.7 Phil. 2.6 The Fathers Fellow Equal to God i. e. the Father But because the Lord of Life and Glory did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 empty himself of his glory and honour when he assumed the humane nature and became Man therefore the most honour him little more than if he was a man I am somthing larger upon these particulars then I intended but when I consider what the Apostle said Phil. 2.10.11 Every Tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of the Father It is for the glory of God the Father as well as the good of Souls to understand aright and also confess this main fundamental truth scil the deity of Christ it oblieges me to inlarge a little Mat. 28.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the end I might make it more perspicuous I might heâ—r speak of being Baptized into his name Baptism is an Ordinance of Divine institution and to be Baptized in his Name 2 Tim. 2.19 is an obligation to become his in all ways of obedience to exalt his name and forsake Sin all ought to yield Love and Service to the Lord Jesus 6. Argument Shall be from the comparing Scripture of the Old and New Testament And we shall find that what is atributed to Jehovah in the Old the same is to the Lord Jesus in the New Testament and remember this we are to believe what the word of God saith and not what Caviling Unbelieving Men affirm in Numbers Num. 21.56 The People are said to Sin and Murmour against God for which he sent Fiery Serpents among them compare this with 1 Cor. 10.9 There it is said they tempted Christ for the Angel which conversed with Abraham wrestled with Jacob appeared to Moses Compare Psal 45.6 with Heb. 1.8 thy throne O God is for ever and ever and was with the Children of Israel in the Wilderness was the Lord Jesus as is excellently and evidently proved by Dr. Owen in his exercitations Psal 68.18 compared with Eph. 4.8 Psal 102.25 with Heb. 1.10 And thou Lord in the begining hast laid the foundation of the Earth compare Isa 8.13.14 with Luk. 2.34 Rom. 9.33 and 1 Pet. 2.6 These places evidently prove the deity of the Lord Jesus to any judicious and unprejudiced Reader compare Isa 6. with Jo. 12. in Isa t is said he saw the Glory of the Lord filling the Temple in Joh. it is said the Prophet then beheld the Glory of Christ Jesus compare Isa 40.9.10.11 with Jo. 10.11 In that Prophesie it is said behold your God and the Lord God will come and feed his Flock and it is applyed to the Lord Jesus in the Gospel in the last place compare Isa 45. 22 23 24 25. with Rom. 14.11 and Phil. 2.10 Do but read these Scriptures and Study the Intent and scope of them and then you will conclude with the Apostle that he is the true God and Eternal life 1 Jo. 5.20 I have not writ the Places at Large least my Book should swell too Big but I suppose you have Bibles and will Act. 17.11 like those Noble Bereans search the Scriptures 7. Argument To prove this great Point is this he that is the second Person in the blessed Trinity is God but Jesus Christ is so therefore he is God that there is a Trinity of Persons in the Unity of the essence is clear both from plain Scripture and also from Arguments deduced from thence The Scriptures to prove it are these 1 Joh. 5.7 For there are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy-ghost and these three are one This Scripture is sufficient one would think both to confirm the truth and also silence all Socinians that oppose it and that is but a weak evasion of theirs when they say it signifies no more than the words in the 8 verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—i tres unum sunt Beza scil that they agree in one for in the Original it is These three are one i. e. Three distinct Persons subsisting in one and the same indivisible essence Mat. 3.16 17. verses will serve in some measure to Prove the Point there is the Lord Jesus ascending out of the Water the Holy Spirit descending from Heaven and the Voice of the Father proclaming this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased But a more plain Scripture is that Mat. 28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost These Scriptures may suffice to prove the Trinity of Persons in the Unity of the Divine essence but farther to confirm this that there are three distinct Persons in one Divine essence it may be proved 1 From their several and distinct Names 2 From their distinct personal acts
your selves and them who were entring ye hindred Or forbid those Lawyers called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are sometimes taken for the Scribes called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because they were writers of the Law and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 1.7 Dionisius de tribus sectis l. 2. Chap. 11. The teachers of the Law of Moses they did expound the Law to the People in Esra 7.6 But yet by their false interpretation took away the Key of Knowledg i. e. the right meaning of it and so shut out both themselves and others from happiness by their false and corrupt glasses Upon Texts of Scripture it is probable they prohibited and forbid the Jews to believe that Christ was the promised Messiah therefore they ought not to obey him who is the only way to Eternal Life Thus the Papists Socinians and Pelagians have perverted Souls and caused whole Kingdoms to deviate and turn out of that direct way which leads unto Christ but O what a dreadful account will these Soul-Murderers have to give in at the day of Christ The Papist is for his Works and Merits the Socinian for his Faith not laying hold upon the object and Foundation the Lord Jesus the Pelagian for his free Will he will come to Christ when he pleaseth Others by a bare notion and assent thus when they should do as the Apostle 2 Cor. 4.5 Not Preach themselves but Jesus Christ they on the contrary Preach down Christ and extol themselves but Sinner receive none of these Doctrines which Savour not of Christ but reject them with that saying of Augustine when he read Cicero's Works Dukes non sunt quia nomen Jesu non est in illis Aug. They are not sweet because the name of Jesus is not in them Let him be alone exalted and held forth as the Brasen Serpent for the Eye of thy Faith to look unto Jo. 3.14 That thou maist receive cure for thy wounded Soul 2ly By their evil example for this hath a great influence upon the common sort and generality of mankind Exemplis sanè qui docet ille docet He teacheth well who teacheth by examples These pretend to believe in Christ yet live like the Servants of Satan Linaker reading the 6. 7. Chap. of Mat. and considering the lives of Christians threw away his Testament saying Certainly Certè aut hoc non est Evangelium Christi aut nos non sumus Christiani either this is not the Gospel of Christ or we are not Christians I say this has been and is at this day a very great Let to poor Sinners and keeps them from coming to Christ The conversation of such who profess Christ ought to be mannaged so uprightly that thereby they might win others unto Christ I know the evil of this by experience for when I was Puris Naturalibus in my Natural State and Condition and observing the loose conversation of one who seemed a great Zealot for Christ and pure Christianity it proved an obstacle unto me for a time and kept me back from fully closing with the Lord Jesus Therefore I only say this Christians look to your lives that they be exemplary for holyness and Sinner look to the word of God which will lead thee unto Christ who is the best example and pattern of Piety 3ly By their Edicts and strict Laws against them and their threatning of them Thus the Jews threatned the Apostles that they should not Preach up Christ Act. 4.17 And thus the Papists threaten people with fire and faggot if they come unto Christ their Bloody Inquisitions scares many from believing professing and imbracing the truth of the Gospel this they have done ever since Christs time but let not these things deter thee but consider the answer of the Apostles when called before the Councel Act. 4.19 Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more then unto God judg ye 4ly By keeping the word of God from them and not permiting them to read the holy Scriptures which are able by the assistance of the holy Spirit to make one wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Chrisostom calls them Animae Pharmaca the Medicines of the Soul there the wounded may find cure the blind may receive sight the Scriptures are such a copious treasure that the Soul may have full supplies in time of straits there it may have councel as David had they were the men of his councel there the Soul may come to understand its misery the way of justification and Salvation by a Redeemer who and what person he is that he is the Eternal Son of God Jo. 3.16 The only begotten Son of God In fine there are all things necessary to Salvation it is like a well stored Magazin wherein there is plenty of Amunition to offend and defend against the Enemy and also plenty of Provision to supply the wants of those inclosed in the Garison But cruel Papists deny them to the Layety and by that means prevents them from knowing who Christ is and the necessity of coming unto him many have been converted by reading the Scriptures as Augustine Tertullian and Luther with several others therefore labour to get the Scriptures to read and understand them that thou maist come unto Christ and that thy Soul may be made eternally happy by him 5ly By persecuting of and destroying those who are Christs faithful Embassadors that would bring them to Christ Justin Martyr was converted by seeing the undanted Spirit of those who suffered for Christ And many more instances I might give Thus the Papists have spit out their poisonous venome how many have they made to deny the Lord that bought them although it must be confessed that God is pleased to order it so that Sanguis Martyrum est semen Ecclesiae The Blood of the Martyrs is the Seed of the Church and the more they have been oppressed the more they have Augmented and by scattering have been increased as they were in the Apostles days yet quite contrary to the design of their Adversaries as it is said of the great King of Assyria Isa 10. He designed to destroy Nations not a few But God designed no such thing but only to convert and chastise those who had sinned against him so the wicked persecutors of the World in all the ten bloody persecutions and in the Marian Days here in England their whole purpose and intent was to keep Persons from believing in Christ and laying hold upon him for Salvation therefore they destroyed the shepheards that the Sheep might go astray others through fear of their cruelty be impeded and letted from coming but that this may not hinder consider that to have Christ at a dear rate is better than to have the World at a Cheap for thou wilt infinitely be a looser if thou hast the whole world and yet missest of Christ One Christ will make thee amends for all thy sufferings and afflictions
by faith and apprehends and applies this to it self 3 It not only leads to Christ but into Christ The Soul when once brought out of all self-confidence will rest and center in Christ when it has wandred about like the silly Dove and can find no safe rest she returns to the Ark Christ Jesus and seeks admittance into him for the Soul is not content only to behold Christ but also desires to enjoy him not only to come unto him but to get into him thus it was with the Apostle Paul Phil. 3.9 He would be found 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in him though stript naked of all his righteousness yet be found in him alone in him in life in him at death for ‖ Rev. 14.13 blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Faith is the uniting and implanting grace whereby the Soul is ingrafted into Christ and so becomes a living branch of that living Vine the Lord Jesus Joh. 15.5 I am the Vine ye are the branches This is the import of the expression believe ‖ Joh. 3.36 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into Christ thus we see that by coming to Christ is meant believing in him So much for the invitation Come 2dly I come now to the second particular and that is to shew who this person is that invites weary laden sinners to come to and believe in him for I know the sinner may be ready to say who is he he makes a fair invitation but can he give rest can he make good his promise I answer yea he can to the uttermost make good his promise for he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-man 1 Tim. 3.16 God manifest in the flesh Rom. 9.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God blessed to eternity he is not a created Angel as Ebion saith neither is he one Person with the Father as Sabellius attested neither is he one that God only dwelt in as Nicholaus said but know this for thy consolation thou heavy laden and labouring Soul that he is the true God and eternal life Joel 5.20 He is the a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 same divine Essence with the Father and not like unto it Joh. 10.30 I and my Father are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one Essence 1 Joh. 15.7 these three are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one speaking of the Trinity of Persons in the Unity of Essence the Lord Jesus and his Father are not b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dissimiles essentiâ unlike in Essence neither are they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of diverse Essences for God is indivisible as to his simple and eternal essence neither are they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sicut homines like men a eadem essentiâ sed non innumero the same in essence but not in number for they are coessential and consubstantial having one and the same Essence Basil contra Eunomium calleth the Lord Jesus b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 goodness itself life it self and righteousness it self in the very abstract and how can he be otherwise when there dwells in him the fulness of the Godhead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bodily Coll. 2.9 The Father and the Son Christ Jesus are at c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 once and together in nature as the Sun and light the one hath the priority in order but not in nature so God the Father and God the Son both persons were from eternity the Father in order first but not in nature But let us go to the d melius est petere fontes quà m sectari rivulos fountain scil the holy Writ to the Law and to the Testimony Is 8.20 for if our speech and proofs be not according to that there will be no light in us Therefore we will see whether or no from thence we may more perspicuously and evidently understand this divine truth for the Scripture doth best discover this great verity scil that Christ is God-man in two distinct natures and one person therefore seeing the right understanding of this is the ground of our encouragement to come unto him and to forsake all others and relye upon him alone for ease and rest I shall endeavour to prove that the Person that invites sinners to come unto him is the true and living God therefore those that come unto him shall not fail of rest 1. Argument shall be taken from what the Scripture saith of his divine Original he is called John 1.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The only begotten of the Father Heb. 1.6 the first begotten 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to that Joh. 1.1 In the begining was the Word and the Word was with God and the word was God The divine Apostle being guided by an infallible Spirit did foresee that this truth would meet with Opposers therefore he is positive in his assertion that he who was the eternal Word is God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and if all Socinians deny this evident Scripture or put false interpretations upon it and call for humane arguments and reasons we are not to believe them for here is that in the word of God which doth far transcend all Philosophical notions and Scholastick distinctions which do rather darken than illustrate this truth for the Spirit of God was the dictator of it and he wants not wisdom to apprehend nor sutable words to express aright this fundamental point in Divinity I shall not make it my business in this Discourse to enter upon Controversy but labour to confirm this weighty point In 1 Joh. 5.20 Christ Jesus is called the Son of God in one part of the verse and in the other part he is called the true God and eternal life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What ever the Socinians say of this text is invalid for it is evident to any truly enlightned mind that the main scope of the words is to prove the Divinity of the Son of God this were sufficient grounds for faith if there were no other Scriptures to prove the Deity of Christ when Christ asserted that he was one with the Father Joh. 10.30 the unbelieving Jews did rightly apprehend the words but could not understand or conceive the thing for they said that he by this expression who was but a meer man as they thought made himself God vers 33. therefore they term it blasphemy which yet Christ never sought to deny or vindicate himself from so enormous a crime if it had been blasphemy but goes on to confirm it Joh. 10.36 37 38. he owns that he said he was the Son of God which must necessarily be understood that it was by eternal generation therefore one with the Father in essence But I shall wave all prolixity and contract in as narrow compass as I may not being prejudicial to the truth moreover knowing that it is more learnedly and copiously handled by many worthy Divines My work shall be only to touch upon particulars to prove this point and to confirm
they themselves shall be utterly extinct in time as concerning an immortal State when they are mortal and shall one day totally cease to be By this false Argument he overthrows many a Soul and intangles them in the Labyrinth of their Lusts one continually attending the other upon the consideration that the Soul is Mortal but let it not be thy case thus to hearken to the wicked suggestion of Satan but believe truth and the word of God which evidently manifest that the Soul is Immortal 2 Cor. 5.6.8 We are confident I say and willing rather to be absent from the Body and to be present with the Lord. If the Soul were not Immortal the Apostle would not desire to be out of the Body that so he being a believer should be present with the Lord. So the Scripture before spoken to fully manifests the Mortallity of the Soul Eccle. 12.7 Phil. 1.23 To prove this at Large I leave you to that excellent treatise of Mr. Wadsworth concerning the immortallity of the Soul But if the Soul be as certainly it is Immortal that by the decree of God it shall never die or utterly cease to be then that it may live for ever with Christ in bliss and hapiness come unto him now he is pleased to invite thee 30. And the next Impediment is this that there is no such Heaven and Hapiness for the Righteous as they imagin neither is there any Hell to be a tormenting place for the Wicked He sometimes is so bold as to set upon gracious Souls with these Falsities of his but Christ brings them off victorious and in fine fixes the Crown of Glory upon their Heads but hear Satan implicates and insnares the Sinner as may be daily seen if observed for how few by their conversation do discover that they believe and expect the Glory of Heaven and an immortal state or that they fear the torments of Hell for if they did it would make a wounderful change in the Heart Words and Actions the promises of Glory do not prevail with them to leave their Lusts nor the threatenings of Eternal Torments terrify them from the ways of Sin but they go on vigorously in Satans Service But O Sinner be not deceived for there is certainly a reward for the Righteous even Heaven Life and Glory for ever Ro. 2.7 Certainly there is a Heaven where God resides in magnificent Glory Mat. 25.34 Lok 12.32 Christ exalted at his Right Hand with Angels Adoring and Saints admiring him and where all Christs beloved ones shall be and reign for ever 1 Thes 4. 16.17 And so shall we be for ever with the Lord. Rev. 3.21.30 Likewise there is a place of Torment prepared for the Wicked which is called Hell Psal 9.17 The Wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God Mat. 25.41 Then also shall he say unto them on the Left Hand depart from me ye Cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Dâ—vil and bis Angels Therefore seeing it is certain there is a Heaven and a Hell come unto Christ that thou mayest escape the one and possess and enjoy the other 31. By perswading them there will be no resurrection I mention this because Satan is so subtil that if he cannot prevail with the Sinner by these Arguments as that there is no God or that he doth not intermeddle with or observe humane affairs or that he hath not a Soul which is distinct from his Body or that it is not immortal and also that there is no Heaven or Hell I say if the Sinner gets above all these and is able to confute the subtle Sophyster then he comes with the impossibility of the resurrection of the Dead and so overthrows the faith of some A Temporary and commom Faith Whilst the Watchmen were a Sleep or absent we find he sowed this seed among the Corinthians which was the occasion of the Apostles wrighting that excellent Chapter to prove it 1 Cor. 15. To which I refer the Reader and if thou art one whom Satan seeks to keep in Sin and neglect of coming to Christ upon this false Argument labour to shake it off and come to Christ that thou may'st be raised and thy Soul and Body reunited in that great day The Sadduces were of this opinion that there is no resurrection Act. 23.8 But Christ confutes them by that inferrence consequential from the Scripture that God being the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob he was so of them Living i. e. in their Souls and at the general resurrection their bodys should be raised in Glory and with their Souls united together 32. And lastly he deters them by perswading them there will be no future Judgment I should not have particularized thus but have contracted and joyned some two heads in one but considering that the Tempter is malicious and subtil and that means by which he doth impede one he doth not lay to obstruct another but considering our complection inclination and disposition the place where the time when with all the circumstances and state of our condition he most pollitickly bends the force of his Temptation accordingly so that if one will not do he will not fail it possible to do by another therefore I say one he may hold with that Argument that there is no resurrection of the Dead and by that means he perswades him to all licentiousness and another by this there will be no future Judgment therefore thou maist take thy fill of Sin and never look after Christ Jesus for if there is no Judgment there is no need of Christ O how many are there in this day of Sin and Abomination that are impeded by some one of these Arguments but I beseech thee let it not be thy case but Read and beg that thou maist believe these Scriptures Heb. 9.27 Rom. 14.10 2 Cor. 5.10 Act. 17.31 Eccle. 11.9 and 12 14. And bare upon thy Spirit that of Jerom surgite Mortui venite ad Judicium Arise ye Dead and come to Judgment And also consider this that if thou hast a Soul that is immortal and if there be a God which certainly is true then his Faithfulness Righteousness Love and Kindness to his People do ingage and oblige him to make good his Word fulfil his Promises and execute his Threatenings Therefore begg grace that thou maist repulse all the Darts discover all the baits and devices of Satan against thy Soul and also that thou maist come unto Christ and accept of him upon the terms of the Gospel 3ly I come now to the third external obstacle or hinderance which impedes the Sinner from coming unto Christ and that is the World 1. The men 2. The things 1. The men of the world have been great obstacles and that 1. By their corrupt Doctrines as those Luk. 11.52 Mentioned by Christ with an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wo to you Lawyers for ye have taken away the Key of knowledg ye enter not in