Trading Spiritualized Or Certain Heads Points or Positions On which Tradesmen And Others MAY O that thy would enlarge in the Meditations By W. Baghaw Minister of the Gospel LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Threee Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel 1694. To the Right Worshipful and Deservedly Honoured Sir Thomas Abney Alderman and Sheriff of the City of London THem that honour God 1 Sam. 2.30 God will honour and should not Men do it Blessed be You and Yours of the Lord As your Heart is by his Hand set on promoting his work elsewhere and in this County Hundreds in this poor Hundred of the High-Peak bear you on their hearts that have extended your care to it and them So is he eminently bound to do who is Right Worthy Sir A Willing tho weak Friend and Servant W. Bagshaw To the truly Honoured Mr. Thomas Hodsdon Mr. Charles Yarwood and other Worthy Friends in or near Macclesfield IN my Youth from others in your parts and in mine Age from you have my weak hands been strengthned in the Lord. If to any Tradesman that will use serious and spiritual Meditation these poor Papers be useful I shall if the Lord will give me leave present something more on this Subject I humbly beg your Acceptance of this slender Token of my Love and Thankfulness and a blessing on yours as also on all that shall vouchsafe these sheets a reading is begged by Dear Sirs Your Obliged W. Bagshaw Trading Spiritualized The First Position is HOly Scripture representeth the Communion that is between God and Man under the Notion or Resemblance of Commerce or Trading To prevent mistakes I premise two particulars The First is Mr. Vines A Divine of the first Rank well distinguished betwixt some Commerce which Hypocrites may drive and that sweet Communion which sincere persons have with the Lord. Mat. 6.1 2 3 4 5. May not those of the former Character after Duties expect some sort of Reward from God Whereas only they of the latter do in Duties draw near to God The Second is Far be it yea Luke 17.10 far is it from an humble holy person to count his Services Meritorious or to expect a Reward of Debt as in Trading Money answereth and deserveth the Commodity purchased See the Ark of the Cove nant par 2. Will some allow that Adam could in strictness merit And now for Proof of the Position I argue as followeth 1. Hath not God who hath condescended to transact and hold Communion with Man done it in a * See the Confession of Faith Gen. 17.7 Covenant-way And do I need to tell sundry that there are Covenants of Commerce and Trade 2. Is not a truly gracious Christian compared to a wise Merchant Mat. 13.45 seeking and trading for goodly Pearls 3. See the excellent Durham on Rev. 3.18 Isa 55.1 2. 2 Pet. 1.4 Doth not God offer to Man rich and precious Commodities and invite him as to a Mart or Market 4. Are not God's Promises as Bills of Merchandise for the importing of the Treasures of Heaven 5. Phil. 1.11 Do not the sanctified in their Services expect and carry forth the Fruits of Righteousness to Heaven 6. Are they not said and called to buy of the Lord Rev. 3.18 Tho Heavens Goods are too rich and Earth's Chapmen too poor that these should think themselves worthy of those yet they think 'em * So worthy Sedgwick most worthy of their acceptance And do they not part with the Love of their sins and Confidence in themselves that they may attain ' em And hence I first infer That I am in hope that a great Man and Learned Debater hath by this time wished that he had forborn reflecting on words fathered on a late * Mr. Bridges grave Divine and that he had not stiled Trading in Promises a paltry Phrase 1. When the Apostle saith VVe have our Conversation in Heaven Phil. 3.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vide Leighs Crit. Sac. do not Worthies read it VVe are free Denizons or Burgesses that trade thither as Freemen Are not Promises Helps to and Promoters thereof 2. Are there not in Scripture Isa 55.1 2. 1 Thes 5.23 Laws stiled Municipal that speak of good VVares that will pass and of ill Ones that are prohibited 3. Mar. 25.16 Luke 19.12 15. Doth not the Gospel or Christ in it oftner than Once speak of Christians as Occupying or Trading 1. Are not Talents committed to ' em 2. Are they not to be accountable in the Case 3. Are not the Promises great encouragements in their Trading The 2d Inserence is The goodness of God is great to a wonder Is it not a stoop in him to behold Angels Psal 113.4 5. How low then stoops he in holding Converse and Commerce with poor man The 3d. Inference is They forsake their own Mercy Jonah 2.8 that prefer holding Communion with base lusts before that with the Blessed Lord O! how full are all places of such The last Inference They who are managers of the Spiritual Trade should do it 1. Humbly 2. Diligently 3. Sincerely 4. Believingly 5. Constantly The Lord direct and assist ' em The Second Position is The first Man or Man in his first Estate was entrusted and set up with a very good Stock Tho Eccl. 7. last alas he too soon plaid the Prodigal he had a very large Portion from his Fathers hand When the Eldest Son of Wisdom Solomon was at a loss as to other points he found this and set a Remark on it Quovis modo rectum Dr. Arrowsmith that God made Man upright every way right as some read it We may set some of his Goods and furniture to view in some following pages and that as by parcels or retail At present we will present or point at 'em as consider'd in the bulk or by Whole-sale May we not write on this 1. Man excell'd in See Mr. Barret on the Covenants or as to his Constitution and therein as to that Image of God which is stiled Natural 1. Surely what St. Psal 139.14 15. David said of his Body may with advantage be said of Adam's Fearfully and Wonderfully was it made Besides the Glory which his Soul shed on and shew'd through it was it not if we speak of visibles a most curious and rare composure where was its Match as to some instances And then 2ly As to his Soul Did it not give some representation of the Deity Gen. 1.26 28. Was it not an Immaterial Immortal and Intelligent Being Have not some stil'd it a Glass wherein there is some representation of the All-blessed and undivided Trinity or Tri-unity Dr. Wallis That antient and excellent Professor who hath lately written on this Subject tho he owneth that no instance or comparison us'd by Antient or Modern Divines doth adequately and to the full express this Mystery yet to shew that the
wherein his Integrity lay 1. Was not the Image of God fair drawn on his Affections Far be it from me or my Readers to socinianize in ascribing to God such Passions as are found in fallen Man Malachi 3.6 and carry the Print of Imperfections on 'em Dr. Owen 's Vindic. Evang When in Scripture he is said to be grieved angry c. This is spoken of him after the Manner of men and must be understood agreeably to the nature of God But though we would be loth to be chargeable with taking from God his Perfections and ascribing to him our Imperfections yet this we may say Man at first was in Loving and Hating an Imitator and Follower of God For Secondly Were not Man's Affections subordinate to right Reason and Religion as their Guides 3. Were they not right set and acted as to their Objects Were they not all at God's Service 4. Were they not all in their exercise referred to the last and best and the setting forth of God's Glory 5. Were they not harmonious Did not every one further the Exercise of other 6. Had they not Publickness in ' em had Man continued perfect had not mutual Love among Men reigned And can it be reasonably questioned whether whilst Man's Affections were on God's side his Communications were choice Had not Man at first the best Gratifications as for his Soul so for his Senses And now I First Infer It is no Wonder that Persons whose Hearts are so wrought on Gal. 5.24 that they take Religion to heart do take up bitter Lamentations for Man's Fall Ah! Ah! What sad Work hath sin made in Man's Affections Oh! the vain yea vile Affections that are in the World Rom 1.26 yea in the Church considered as visible Oh the Disorder Deadness Earthiness and Selfishness that is found it not felt in ' em and how is the spiritual and heavenly Trade thereby hindred and marr'd The 2d Inference is Satan will not fail to shew himself according to the Importance of his Name an Adversary By his ill Will he 'll prevent good 2. Cor. 2.11 and promote ill Affections May we not be ignorant of but armed against his Devices The 3d Inference is There is all Reason sensible Persons should run and have much recourse to Christ 1. Have they not need of being washed in his Blood from the guilt contracted as to their Affections 2. Should they not depend on his Spirit for the fanctifying and governing of their Affections Are not the Affections stiled the Materials of Grace Is it not much seated and seen in ' em Is it not through 'em we give to and receive from God and so trade with him The 8th Position That Man when innocent might have more free and full Communion with God there was an exact Temper and excellent Composition and Constitution of his Body Might not the Saying of David Psal 139.14 c. concerning his Body with much advantage be said of the Body of Adam Vide Poli Synopsin Fearfully and wonderfully was he made curiously wrought even as your rare Needle-Work I no way doubt Man's Soul which was his excellent part had the chiefest share both in the Holiness which he exercised and the Happiness which he enjoyed yet when it 's said Eccles 7. ult God made him upright or every way right this must necessarily take in his Body which is one of his constitutive parts I readily own that in and thro' the Body the Glory of the Soul doth shine and shew itself yet I believe that on it even on it from its Maker was a Glory shed 1. Had not Man's Body been serviceable to God Man had not been wholly so Was not God to be served with his own with the whole of it 2. So profound Dr. Bates Was there not in Man's first Estate Provision made whereby God gratify'd all his bodily Parts and Senses 3. Was not Man's Body as to the Matter of it of the purest part thereof and of all visible pieces of the Creation the choicest Was there not in it and that in the Eye of an Heathen so much of Excellency apparent Os homini sublime that he was for composing an Hymn to its Maker Have not its erect Posture and elevated Looks been looked at as in the count of its Excellencies Was not the Body of Adam as to the contrivance and proportion of every part admirable Was there any joint wanting or any one superfluous Did not every joint supply something and contribute to the good of the Body being fully fit to serve its Maker If Man had kept from Sin Rom. 6. ult 5.12 God had kept him from Death and from all the Sicknesses and Deaths that are ordinarily its Forerunners Did he not dig his Grave with his own hands And now I First Infer That Socinianism is by no means to be taken up or touch'd with O that some Dr. J. T. c. whom we will not call Socinians did not speak their Language or pronounce their Sibboleth Consequens naturas in saving that Death is the consequence of Nature and not the Punishment of Sin Be it considered Rom. 6. ult 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. If Scripture-Phrase and Doctrine be consulted with doth it make the wages of Sin due to it as a Souldiers pay is due to him And 2. Gen. 2.17 Doth not Scripture-History acquaint us that it was threatned and executed for Sin 3. Could not he that made the Body have made it though an Earthen an abiding Vessel 4. If there be now in it contrary Humours contending against one another and it was it so from the Beginning The 2d Inference is Even as to the Body and bodily Senses Man's Damage is great and evident Is it not now a body of Vileness Philip. 3. the End Is not the Spirit by its Distempers hindred in God's Service The 3d Inference Persons whilst in their Bodies should bear in mind for what end 1 Cor. 6. ult and in what capacity Man's Body was created should not their Bodies be ordered to the Honour of God The last Inference Dan. 12.2 3. It may well be wondred at that God hath provided a Glory for his Peoples Bodies as in Heaven he hath done The 9th Position Through the Fall and Fault of Man the Trade Intercourse and Communion between Heaven and Earth God and Man was interrupted yea stopp'd broke and spoiled 1. Gen. 3. Do we not find Adam when fallen shy of and shunning God's presence Did he not hide him self from him And 2. Gen. 3. Do we not find God conventing and convicting him as a Criminal Can we well construe that Question of his Hast thou eaten of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil As if it was not to God unquestionable and certain Vide Dolum Rev. Whyte Ad locum that he had eaten of it Did not these Words tend to work in him Conviction of
Socinians are far out in their asserting that the Notion of Three in One is inconsistent with Reason and that such a Being cannot be sheweth that Understanding Will and Memory are found in one and the same Soul Was it not an honour to Man that he had an apprehending Embracing and retaining Power Again Dr. Bates was it not Man's great excellency that he bore what is called the Moral Image of his Maker Was he not enriched with Spiritual Qualities as well as endowed with Natural Faculties doth not a profound Doctor Write that he was Created with Perfection of Grace 1. Was not a clear powerful Light set up in his understanding 2. Was not his memory on which wonderful * By acute A. Burgess is Written firm fixt and faithful 3. Was not Conscience stiled the Seat of Moral Principles pure active for God and wholly on his side 4. Was not his will in the best sense free to wit from sin and for God and Goodness 5. Were not the Affections both liking and disliking in all points regular In the next place Ps 8.3 4 5. was not Man when Created partaker of what is called the Relative Image of God Was he not Lord over other Creatures I add was he not as Holy so happy and that compleatly See Dr. Bates his harmony Did not his happiness carry the Image of God's Felicity as his Holiness did of his Purity Were not his higher Powers and lower Parts gratified with Objects suitable to them And now I first infer Miratur alia c. Surely God's goodness shone fair into Adam's Eyes Is it not rightly said He who wonders at other things was himself a greater wonder Was he not a little what if I say great World a Representative of the whole World Did he not contain in himself more of the generality as to that than Angels did See Armilla Catach Having Being Growth Sense and Reason resembling inferiour Creatures in what was seen and superiour ones in his unseen part Was not Mans Righteousness in a sound Sense Natural I do not say Vide D. Prideaux Fascic and deep Jeans it was so as to its principle object and end But 1. Was it not Created together with his Nature 2. Was it not capable of propagating it to Descendants from him And 3. Considering the relation in which he stood and the exact obedience to which he was engaged it suited his Nature 'T is a thought worthy of God and his Goodness Idem that he should be so made Are not two Parties found opposing this great Truth 1. The Socinians who will not own Mans great loss by his Fall say he had no great excellency in his first estate 2. The Papists who say that Concupiscence is not sin say That it was in Adam and was Natural to him The Second Inference is Psal 8.4 5.113.5 6. Man was as now he is not meet to Transact and Covenant with God in an immediate way and it was on God's part a wondrous Condescention he would Covenant with him 1. As to Covenanting Had not Man power within himself to have stood Posse sivel And was not that Power lost through abuse of his Free-will And 2. As to God's so dealing with him was not his goodness displac'd Might he not have given him a Law without a promise of Life The 3. Inference is Rom. 5.12.7.24 25 All that derive from Adam in the ordinary way have abundant matter for Mourning May not every Son of his be named Ichabod Is not the glory departed from Man Are not the Tables of the Law which were in Mans Heart broke in pieces The last Inference is It is meet we should remember whence Man is Fallen 1. To promote brokenness of Heart O that more groaned on this score 2. To cause breathings after Christ the Second Adam Through him the image and favour of God are restored The third Position is Luk. 3. the last Adam whilest innocent had his understanding well furnished with knowledg Was not this Son of God a child of light was not his upper room full of the best goods Go not this well argued 1. From his being made in his Makers Image Doth not a proper Image resemble that whereof it is an Image in some excellency And is not this one of Gods excellencies So blessed Burroughs 1 Jo. 1.5 Col. 3.10 He is light Doth not the Scripture the best interpreter of its self speak of Gods Image as Consisting in knowledg 2. 2 Cor. 5.17 Is not Regeneration stiled a New creation And when God carrieth on this work doth he not say Let there be light 3. Fiat Lux. Is not knowledg a leading grace Doth not God open their eyes whom he turneth Acts 26.18 Had Adam been perfect if he had wanted sight 4. Could Adam without light have been guided in full obedience 5. Had man been every way right if he had wanted a right Eye That it may appear that Mans apprehending power excelled Dr. Bates I Argue first A Master of sentence hath well said Nature was unvailed to man in his first estate Was he not a rare Philosopher 1. See F. Fullar's Words so give knowledg Did not the large book of the Creature open to his view Was not the door of that sanctuary open to him Could he not readily have resolved what to us are riddles Did he not see into the inside of several things whereof great students see little more than the outside 2. Had he not the useful knowledge of that little world himself Did he not understand the frame of his body and all its parts Had he not the knowledge of the nature of his Soul and all its powers 3. Did not his knowledg ascend from and through the several orders of being Exod. 3.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto God who is the Being Had he not that knowledge of the nature and perfections of God that whatever concern'd his duty and felicity was familiar to him Did not the wisdom power and goodness of God shine into his eyes when he first open'd them and looked on himself and other creatures 4. Was not Adams knowledg attended and adorned with the most commendable qualities and properties 1. Was not his knowledge clear Prov. 10.27 Did not the candle of the Lord shine bright into his eye Was any thing like a cloud or mist before him 2. Was not his knowledg affectionate Did it not carry the purest heat as well as the clearest light in it 3. Was it not practical Was it not a Light to his Feet and not to his Eyes only VVas it not a knowledg joyn'd with acknowledgment Did it not guide his affections and actions Had he kept it in its due use Had he made or taken one false step And now I first infer That Adam was very meet to maintain converse with God and to drive a trade with and into heaven Was any degree of defections in
Ministration of the Spirit as well as the Mediation of the Son of God is requisite Are not Christians washed 1 Cor. 6.11 justified and sanctified as in the Name of Jesus Christ so by the Spirit of our God 2. 2 Cor. 13. ult When the Apostle prayeth that Persons may have the Communion of the Holy Ghost doth not that hint that as they have Communion with him so also that by his Influence and Efficacy they are prepared for Heaven and for having their Conversation in Heaven whilst they are on Earth For the further proving of the Position I offer If we look upwards and unto God 1. Is it not the Work of the Holy Spirit to reveal as his Nature and Excellencies so withal the great Mistery of Godliness and the way of exercising the Trade and Transaction that is held with him Eph. 1.17 as also the Laws Priviledges and Advantages that any way concern it Is he not stiled the Spirit of Revelation 2. Is it not the Work of the Holy Spirit as proceeding from God the Father and the Son to instruct and elevate the Hearts of Persons that they may not be intangled in such Employes and Affections as would hinder their Trafficking with Heaven 1 Cor. 7. And also that they may attend on the Lord and the main Business without allowed distraction And now we will a little cast our Eyes down on Man with regard to the Point in hand and under consideration propounding the following Quaere's 1. As to that part of Trade that goes under the Name of Exporting or carrying and sending to Heaven Can any Person do any Duty aright so as to exert Graces therein without the special Aids and Operations of the Holy Spirit Jude 20. Gal. 5.22 Are we not to pray in the Holy-Ghost And are not the Fruits of Faith from him 2. As to what is Imported and fetch'd from Heaven into which count falls increase of Grace and Communication of Comfort Is not his working necessary Eph. 3.16 Are any strenghened with might in the Inner Man save by the Spirit And doth not a late great Divine hold forth that Communion with him is much in Consolation Dr. Owen of Communion From what hath been said and proved I will first lay down some Inferences of Truth The 1st is All the Persons in the All-blessed and undivided Trinity are ingaged having an Hand and Heart in Mans best Good even his spiritual and eternal Welfare Joh. 14. Doth not the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father and the Son as to his Personality so as to the great Office I am pointing at Idem Who that reads this should do it without Admiration The second Inference All that call and would prove themselves Men and Women of God should be exceeding loth to do what is called grieving and demean themselves with all tenderness Eph. 4.30 and due respect to the Holy Spirit of God Should they be chargeable with what would grieve him So Dr. Spurstow and Mr. Hickman if he was as we are capable of grief Or causing him to carry strangely as we do towards those that grieve us Can we have Fellowship or as England's later great Divine would have it read Mr. Baxter Communion with the Father 1 John 3.3 and with his Son Jesus Christ except we be inspired and acted by the Holy Spirit The third Inference They shew that they are not for driving a Trade into and with Heaven whose course carrieth in it a wilful quenching of the Motions and resisting of the Ministry of God's Spirit 1 Thess 5. See on this Reverend Polwheel Boyse Alas is not the World I add Is not the Church considered at large and as to those that cry aloud The Temple of the Lord The Temple of the Lord full of such Persons Whilest some vainly pretend to the Spirit and others vilely scoff at him How many are there that sit at his Summons strive against his Strivings and will by no means be wrought or brought over to a Closure with the Person Acts 7.51 relying on the Mediation and Submission to the Government of Christ The fourth Inference The spiritual Trade shall not quite fall or fail How great soever their Numbers are who do neglect or decline it Will the Eternal Spirit whilest Time lasteth leave off to spiritualize Thousands yea Millions and so hold this Trade up Shall not the Pleasure of God the Father prosper in this Hand The fifth Inference According to the drawing near or withdrawing off the Holy Spirit the Trade into Heaven and the Management thereof doth fude and flourish Doth not the more full and plenteous pouring out of the Holy Spirit since the Ascension of Christ as to his Humane Nature Vicariam navare operam vid. Buxhorn Hist p. Cant 4. ult supply the want of his Bodily Presence Is he not said to be in his stead As this Wind wakeneth the Spices of Grace flow forth Rules of Duty are to come next The first is general All that will vouchsase this poor Paper a reading should take themselves to task and enjoyn their Consciences to give right Answers Have they ever yet experienced what it is to have Communion with the Holy Spirit and with the other Persons in the Godhead by and through him Hath he in a convincing humbling quickening and mortifying Presence and Influence come in to them Are not sundry rigid Separatists said not to have the Spirit Jude 19. The second Rule is They who have not found should humbly and earnestly seek the Effusion of the Holy Spirit should they not cry to the Holy Spirit and to the Father through the Son for the Spirit Zech. 12.10 Should they not wait at the foot of the Promise made of him If once God gives them hearts to ask will he not answer them Should not Spiritual Traffick be esteemed Luke 11.13 The third Rule is They who have the Holy Spirit should evidence it by their being spiritual and heavenly Traders and by their studying to excel therein Should they not be alwayes abounding in the Work of the Lord 1 Cor. 15. ult Adding unto Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge c. For being filled with the Fruits of Righteousness Phil. 1.11 and fitted for the Crown of Righteousness should their souls cry The fourth Rule They whose hearts are by the holy Spirit set on driving the spiritual Trade should take the Cordials which God offereth them Was it not the sweet Psalmist's Infirmity Did he not see Psal 77.2 that it was so to refuse to be comforted Alas many of the Excellent of the Earth labour under that weakness they put the Word of Consolation away from them Shall not all that hold converse with God by his Spirit find their Trading in Grace issuing in the gain of Glory 1 Pet. 4. Is he not the Spirit of Glory The 31st Position Spiritual Commerce and Communion between Heaven and
Earth God and fallen Man is much furthered by the Holy Spirit as a revealing Spirit A Touch hath been on this a little I will enlarge on it 1. Is it not by the holy Spirit Eph. 1.17 Vide Bodium ad lo um that the All-blessed Three in one with whom Communion is held is manifested and made known so as he is not to the world or to any save those that are called out of it Doth he not reveal outwardly 2 Cor. 3. ult and inwardly unto and in them especially in the Gospel-grace the Divine Glory 2. Is it not by the holy Spirit that the Lord Jesus in his Person Offices and Estates through whose Mediation God comes to Man and Man goes to God is declared Joh. 16.13 14. See Dr. Owen on this Doth not the Spirit glorifie Christ in taking what is his and shewing it unto those that are his Is not the Gospel hid as is He that is held forth in it to those lost ones into whose Hearts the Spirit shines not 2 Cor. 4 3 4. Is it not the holy Spirit that so makes known the Duties in which and Graces by which spiritual Communion is maintained that Persons are duly exercised in the one 1 Cor. 12.2 3. Gal. 5.16 25. and do truly exercise the other Can spiritual Duties be done or spiritual Dispositions be shewed by any save those whose Eyes the Holy Spirit has anointed The first Vse of this Position is for Conviction of sin 1. Doth it not fall on those who though they give the Word of God an hearing which alas some will not do Isa 59. ult are slighters of and not waiters for the holy Spirit which is put into the same Promise with it whose Office it is to lead Persons into the knowledge of it and of managing the spiritual Trade by it Do they duly value the Spirit of Revelation 1. Who are not for being clothed with Humility Psal 25.9 Job 42.5 6. Do not such as lye low lye fair for enlightings And doth not the Light of Life shew Persons matter for Humiliation 2. Do they value the revealing Spirit whose Carriage towards him is very untoward and cross doing what in them lyes to quench the Sparks that are of his kindling 1. See Mr. Pol-wheel on 1 Thes 5. By pouring on the foul Water of sensuality and Flesh pleasing Or 2. By heaping up the dust of Worldliness and Earthliness Or however 3. By withholding Fewel and slighting Ordinances O that these persons were in Mourning for their sin and did set themselves under a clear and searching Ministry and cryed that the Spirit would open their Understandings Can any expect he should be a glorifying who have not found him an enlightning Spirit 2 Thes 1.8 9. Shall not they who willingly want inner light be cast into and kept for ever in outer darkness The second Vse serves to quicken all enlightned persons to duty yea to divers duties proper for and incumbent on them Particularly 1. To Thankfulness that when the things that concern the spiritual and eternal Peace are hid from the eyes of many Mat. 11.25 they are revealed to and in them 1 Cor. 4.7 Who made them to differ Or what save Grace mov'd him to it 1. Hath not their Knowledge clearness in it Are not they of those who seeing so see as to perceive John 16.13 and discover the inside beauty and glory of Truths See Arrowsmith 's Armilla And so 2. Hath not their sight sureness and satisfy ingness in it Do they not in some measure arrive at assurance of Understanding having settlement in the Truth Col. 2.3 3. Scientia gustus 1 Pet. 2.3 Is not their Knowledge that of Tast and Experience Have they not Palats that are spiritualized Do they not know the sweetness of Grace A 2d Duty to which they are quickned is waiting for further and fuller Revelations 1. Have they any more than dawnings 1 Cor. 13.9 10. if their light be compared with the day of Glory 2. Will not the beauty of their spiritual Trading increase together with their brightness A 3d. Duty to which they are excited is walking as they should do who would shew they have the Spirit of Revelation being acquainted with those secrets that are peculiar to such 1. See Dr. Cheynell on Gen. 18.19 Humbling secrets May they know to the best purpose what it is to put their Mouths in the dust to cherish sorrow Lam. 3.29 that is after or according to God! May this stream rise so high 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 7.10 Phil. 3.8 9. as to carry them out of an unwarrantable confidence in self-righteousness in order thereunto may they know 2. Convincing Secrets May they see sin as by sun-light which shews how moates abound in the air Joh. 16.9 c. Neh. 3.12 May they see that it is an evil thing May they see what too few see the evil that is in an heart of unbelief 3. Isa 40. ult May strengthening secrets be revealed to and in them May they know from experience what it is to be strengthened with strength in their souls or inner man Eph. 3.16 May they run the way of God's Commandments and not be weary May they walk and not faint And so 4. May also comforting secrets be communicated to them May the holy Spirit take them down into Christ's banquetting-house Cant. 2.4 May his banner over them be love May they have so as to feel those strong Consolations that are able to hold up their heads and hearts in a dying hour Heb. 6.18 May they in seeing see the great Things of the Gospel To wit 1. That the Lord Jesus is Immanuel God with us Isa 7.14 Joh. 1.14 God manifested in the flesh or humane Nature Do not heaven and earth Infinite and Finite meet in him 2. That sincere Christians 1 Cor. 6.17 though distinct persons from Christ are in near union and relation to him Are they not ingrafted into this Vine and espoused to this Husband 3. That in the Justification of a believing sinner there is a royal exchange Are not his sins inputed to Christ 2 Cor. 5.21 Is not Christ's Righteousness in order to their acquittance and acceptance imputed to him May they withal as to great Gospel-Duties well know 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 9.24 What it is utterly to deny themselves as self stands opposed to the Honour of God the first Cause the chief Good the Highest Soveraign and the last End And as it lyes cross to the advantage of men should any Christian say after Cain Am I my brothers keeper 2. Gal. 2.20 What it is to be crucified with Christ and to have Communion with him in his death deriving from him as slain sin-slaying Vertue so that the death of sins that were as Dalilah's may be real and gradual through the actings of Faith 3. Job 23.4
See Reverend Harrison on this What it is to pray and use Pleas in prayer to beg in Christs name leaning on his Merit to fill the mouth with Arguments drawn from Power Goodness Promise and Providence of God 4. Heb. 11.1 See renowned Baxter on this What it is by Faith to render as present things that are future and evident things that are not seen So that Eternals are most look'd at and look'd at as great reality 5. Phil. 4.11 12 See blessed Burroughes What it is to know both how to suffer want and how to abound how to be abased and how to be exalted how to bear an heavy load quietly and how to carry a full Cup even O that more Persons had knowledge of this Stamp The last Use shall be for their cheering under Trouble who are Spiritual Traders Shall not their Gains and Incomings answer yea exceed all their pains and out-layings 1. Did not the sweet Psalmist experience what he expressed That in the performance of Gods Commands there is great reward Did not a late great Divine well say Dr. Tillotson That God's Work carried Meat in its Mouth 2. Hath eye seen or ear heard or can it enter into Mans heart to conceive 1 Cor. 2.9 what vast sums of glory they shall have given into their hands hereafter O the blessedness of the Saints in Heaven The 32d Position Spiritual Trading or Communion between God and Man dependeth no little on the Spirit as Regenerating or the Spirit of Regeneration I am willing to premise the following Particulars 1. Dr. Wallis Though one that is among the first Three conceiveth that the Word signifying Regeneration doth as well denote a Christians relation and state in Justification as his principle in initial Sanctification I shall as usually I do keep the Road and have an eye and respect to the latter And so 2. It is not doubted but is by the best I am acquainted with concluded Vid. Voetium Disp p. 2 that the Phrase of Regeneration is figurative and hath an allusion to Mans natural Birth and generation As in this there is natural Life given so in it there is an infusion of Spiritual Life 2 Pet. 1.4 2 Cor. 5.17 With this new Nativity there is a new Nature stiled Divine conferred the regenerate are new Creatures 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Being born again or from above is rightly father'd on the Holy Spirit as proceeding from the Father and the Son to produce it The subject of it is an elect sinner a sinner else he needed it not an elect one else he obtains it not Idem â—om 8.33 They who are brought forth by the hand of God were first conceived in his Heart Is not Vocation called Election 4. Far be it from me to limit Divine Prerogative God can and doth communicate the first grace to unregenerate ones Jam. 4.8 See Divine Vines on this otherwise none would be regenerated But as the regenerate are in a capacity to hold converse with God God who is most free hath by promise bound himself to converse with them And now I fall on proving the present Position 1. Doth not the change made by Regeneration fit for Spiritual Trading 1. Is there not a renewing in and of the Spirit of the Mind Doth not the Understanding behold the glory of God Rom. 12.2 and see the way to and from Heaven particularly that they who come to God do it by and through Him that is God Ad Deum Per Deum 2. Doth not the renewing Work reach the memory Doth not that retain the truth delivered by the Lord the Star that guides to him Joh. 14.26 Cant. 1.4 and withal the sweetness that in duty hath been received from the Lord a proof that the soul hath been with him 3. Hath not the Conscience the influence of this Work of the Holy Spirit See acute Sheffield on this Doth it not thereby act as a Minister preaching up Christ and duties to be done to and through him and preaching down sin yea running upon the occasions and appearances of it Doth it not as a Witness yea as many witnesses testifie against whatever would hinder Spiritual Converse Mille testes Acts 24.16 and as a Judge give its Verdict for and withal quicken to those services wherein it is held 4. Hath not the Will of regenerate persons a new byass put on and a new bent put into it Is it not as a Worthy's phrase was rightly poysed Mr. Strong Libera liberata Doth it when set free freely choose God in Christ for its Treasure counting it good to be and draw near to him And doth it not refuse what might breed estrangement from him 5 Are not all the Affections both closing or liking and guarding and disliking renewed by the Spirit 's hand Are they not in truth and in some degree as wings Col. 3.3 See roâ—zing Fenner on this whereby the regenerate fly away from the tents of wickedness and above the allurements of the world soaring and mounting up towards Heaven and heavenly Enjoyments Again Will not the Lord readily manifest and communicate himself and his choice favours to those that are born of the Spirit and so brought into the state and relation of his dear children Shall not his upright servants find him the best of Masters Joh. 14.21 Shall not his sons and daughters be admitted into his special Presence Shall not his Spouse be taken into his arm yea heart and bosome From this Position I shall draw Two Inferences of Truth The former is Persons in their meer impure Naturals or state of unregeneracy are objects of compassion Phil. 3.15 O that the bowels of the regenerate did more yearn over them Is there not a cause yea very great cause Are they not in the world Eph. 2.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without God in the world without communion with him in communion with whom happiness doth lye Doth not the Scripture which miscals no one call 'em Athiests Are they not in a present incapacity to enter the Kingdom of Heaven Joh. 3.2 5. If we take the word in the highest sense could they desire to stay in it Can the unholy be happy And so the latter Inference is There are not a few that bear themselves high on their birth I mean their natural birth that have very small reason for it Are they that are meerly born of blood or as it is read of bloods Joh 1.12 13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the best blood fit in their present state to hold converse with God Is it not the new second or supernatural birth that prepares for such a practice and priviledge How many in vain wish they had never been born who dye and have not been born again Have they any right to eat of the Tree of Life Psal 9.17 Have not they their portion in the Lake that burns with fire and brimstone
the case sufficiently declared Art thou not in and by the Ministry of the Word moving on and striving with us Art thou not in some measure inclining us to beg this great boon and to be earnest that thou wouldest grant it 3. Blessed Lord If thou wilt vouchsafe in this particular to hear and answer us will not much glory redound to thee as well as much benefit accrue to us For thy Names sake By thy Spirit cause this Union Sinful and therefore sad is their state who willingly resting on this side Union to Christ cannot Trade into Heaven nor lay a rightful claim to the Joys thereof but lye in the mouth of eternal Condemnation Mark 16.15 16. The last Inference They who have real special spiritual Union to Christ as they are to ascribe it to all the Persons in the Godhead and particularly and more immediately to the Holy Spirit the third in order of the Persons they are to be much in the high and noble Work of Praise Eph. 1.3 1. Do not their hearts lye open to Heaven and doth not Heaven stand open to them O the sweetness and preciousness of this Entercourse 〈◊〉 which alas Millions are utter strangers 2. Ps 138. ult Will not the Lord perfect that which concerneth them Doth not hiâ— mercy endure for ever Did not purely free mercy move him to lay the first stone and shall not the last be broughâ— forth with shouting crying Mercy Mercy 3. Are not they by being in and united to Christ out of the reach and gun-shot of divine wrath How many corrections soever they may meet with Is there any so much as one Condemnation upon or before them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 8.1 4. Col. 1.27 Is not Christ in them the hope of glory Is he not the ground oâ— which they may groundedly expect the possession of it Shall not that Communion that is spiritual issue and end end in that which is and will be eternal The 34th Position Trading with or into Heaven or Communion between God and fallen Man is much furthered by the Indwelling Spirit or the Spirit as dwelling in persons The Doctrine of the Inhabitation of the Holy Spirit being high and being misunderstood some hints shall here be given concerning it And 1st See worthy Mr. Barret on the Covenants They as I and my betters judge fall too low whose opinion is that the Spirit 's indwelling in the faithful implyeth no more than his being essentially with them Who is there with whom he is not In this sense Psal 139.7 c. Whither can men go or flee from this presence 2. Undoubtedly they rise too high who assert such an indwelling of the Holy Spirit in persons that they become one person or one personally with him 1. One that excell'd has observed See the excellent Tuckney on 2 Pet. 1.4 that this Tenent draws after it the affirming that there is an Incarnation of the Third Person in the Trinity as well as of the Second and a dwelling of the Fulness of the Godhead in the Members of Christ as well as in him their Head 2. Acute Hollinworth Another Worthy expressed his dissatisfaction with that assertion in this manner Whereas the Holy Spirit is both indivisible and omnipresent this representeth him as divided and limited as if he was personally here and there in Peter and Paul and other Saints and not in intermediate places 3. Poor I am well satisfied and judgâ— it safe to keep the Excellent of thâ— Earth company who hold and holâ— forth that the Communion of thâ— Holy Ghost as well as the Grace 〈◊〉 Christ 2 Cor. 13. ult and Love of God the Father is with gracious persons and that in sound sense the Spirit is together witâ— his gifts given to them See Dr. Jacomb on Rom. 8. And Baxteri Methodum And Pool against Biddle Rom. 8.9 10 5.5 6. 8.16 26. Do not dâ—vers Texts attest that he is peculiarâ— related to and doth peculiarly operaâ—â— in them Is it not he himself that worâ— eth and preserveth grace in them thaâ— witnesseth to and with their Spirits 〈◊〉 that helpeth their infirmities thaâ— strengtheneth quickeneth and sealeth them And now at length I offer at proving the Position 1. Doth not the Holy Spirit as dwelling with and in the sanctified excitâ—â— to direct in and enable for the duties in which the Spiritual Trade is drivenâ— 2. Doth not the holy Spirit furnish and supply the sanctified with those soul-solacing or at least soul-supporting comforts wherewith the performance of those duties is rewarded and so encouraged Gal. 5.22 Is not Joy reckoned among the Fruits of the Spirit and iâ— not this Joy of the Lord the souls strength Neh. 8.10 Is it not as oyl on the wheel that furthereth its motion And now I 1st infer That the condescension of the holy Spirit and consequently of the Father and Son from whom he proceedeth is well worth wondering at Will God indeed dwell on Earth 2 Chron. 6. will he that thinks it no robbery to be equal with the other Persons in the Godhead dwell in the hearts of those who dwell on earth Can we refrain crying O admirable Doth not this his dwelling imply 1. A Presence that hath much of inwardness May not that Phrase of one be here applied Intimior intimo nostro 1 Cor. 6.17 He is nearer to the faithful than they are to themselves Is he not more to their souls than their souls are to their bodies 2. A Presence in which there is permanence and continuance Pulsat aliorum corda Dr. Sibbs John 14.16 21. Doth not this blessed Lord who knocks at the doors of others hearts come into and inhabit theirs Are they not as his Temples Doth not he who only moveth others as he did Sampson at times abide with them for ever 3. A Presence that hath much of familiarity Are not persons familiar and open-hearted in their dwellings Do they not count their houses their castles where they may safely communicate their secrets Doth not the holy Spirit open much of his mind and love to those that are an habitation to God John 14 21. through him Doth he not manifest himself to them as he doth not manifest himself to the World 2. A 2d Inference is They who believe the Position I am on and Head the hints given concerning it cannot call in question this great fundamental Truth 1 Cor. 3.16 that the Spirit of God is very God Doth not his being as essentially so graciously present with all the sanctified yea as to peculiar operations in them all in all parts and places of the world sufficiently prove that he is immense infinite and unbounded Is any Being so save he that is the Being A 3d. Inference They cannot in their present state hold Communion with God or have their converse and conversation in Heaven who willingly want the Indwelling Spirit or the Spirit