,this e,book was produced by ,charles ,aldarondo based on a source from www4johnbunyan4org4 ,,the ,,works ,,of ,,john ,,bunyan ,,with ,,an ,,introduction ,,to ,,each ,,treatise1 ,,notes1 ,,and ,a ,,sketch ,,of ,,his ,,life1 ,,times1 ,,and ,,contemporaries4 ,,volume ,,second4 ,,experimental1 ,,doctrinal1 ,,and ,,practical4 ,,edited ,,by ,,george ,,offor1 ,,esq4 ,,the ,,saints' ,,knowledge ,,of ,,christ',s ,,love2 ,,or1 ,,the ,,unsearchable ,,riches ,,of ,,christ4 ,,by ,,john ,,bunyan ,,prefatory ,,remarks ,,by ,,the ,,editor4 ,this treatise is one of those ten distinct works1 which the author had prepared for the press1 when he was so suddenly summoned to the ,celestial ,city4 ,well did his friends in the ministry1 ,ebenezer ,chandler and ,john ,wilson1 call it an excellent manuscript1 calculated to assist the ,christian that would grow in grace1 and to win others over to ,jesus ,christ4 ,it was first published1 with a selection of ,bunyan's ,works in a folio volume1 in #afib1 about four years after the author's decease2 and although it is a treatise exhibiting very deep research and calculated for extensive usefulness1 it does not appear ever to have been published as a separate volume4 ,like all other of his works1 it is original2 no one before him treated this subject with such profound depth of thought1 nor with such clear ,christian philosophy4 ,the revered ,john ,bunyan proves in this1 as in all other of his works1 that he was a real and not a pretended descendant from the apostles1--he breathes their spirit--he knew his ,master's work1 and faithfully discharged his solemn requirements4 ,his object was as pure as it was apparent2 to preach not himself1 but ,christ ,jesus his ,lord4 ,one desire appears to have influenced him in writing all his works--that of shrinking back and hiding himself behind his ,master1 while exhibiting the unsearchable1 ,divine1 eternal riches of ,his grace4 ,this treatise is admirably adapted to warn the thoughtless--break the stony heart--convince the wavering--cherish the young inquirer--strengthen the saint in his pilgrimage1 and arm him for the good fight of faith--and comfort the dejected1 doubting1 despairing ,christian4 ,it abounds with ardent sympathy for the broken-hearted1 a cordial suited to every wounded conscience2 while1 at the same time1 it thunders in awful judgment upon the impenitent and the hypocritical professor3 wonders of grace to ,god belong1 for all these blessings form but a small part of the unsearchable riches4 ,the reader should keep in his recollection1 that this treatise was originally conceived for the pulpit2 and afterwards1 probably with great additions1 written for the press4 ,this will account for the divisions and sub-divisions1 intended to assist a hearer's memory2 or to enable a ready writer1 by taking notes of each part1 to digest prayerfully in private1 what he had heard in the public ministry of the word1--a practice productive of great good to individuals1 and by which families may be much profited while conversing upon the truths publicly taught in the church2 instead of what ,bunyan would have justly called1 frothy conversation about the dress or appearances of their fellow-worshippers4 ,this discourse has been published in every edition of the works of our great author1 but1 most strangely1 the references to ,scripture are omitted in all the editions since that of #agcg4 ,bunyan's anxiety at every step of this momentous inquiry is to shew a thus saith the ,lord1 in proof of every assertion4 ,in this treatise only1 there are nearly four hundred and forty distinct references to the holy oracles4 ,these are all carefully restored1 and have been collated with the standard text1 for want of which some imperfections had crept in1 even to the old editions2 and where the author preferred the ,genevan or ,puritan version1 it is shewn by a note at the foot of the page4 ,to point out beauties in such a discourse1 is to point to the whole treatise--it is all admirable2 a solemn earnestness is found in every sentence2 even where ,bunyan modestly differs with many excellent divines1 when treating upon the sufferings of the ,saviour1 between the period of his crucifixion and of his resurrection3 this is worthy of our prayerful consideration2 ever keeping in remembrance those deeply impressive--those awfully triumphant words of our ,lord1 ,it is finished4 ,the catholic spirit1 which so pervaded the mind of ,bunyan1 appears conspicuously in this discourse2 and whatever bitter controversy this spirit occasioned him1 it ought to be impressed upon the heart of every ,christian professor4 ,it is a liberality which shines more brightly1 as reflected by one1 whose religious education was drawn solely from the pure fountain of truth--the holy oracles2 and however unlettered he was1 as to polite literature or the learned languages1 his ,christian liberality can no more be enlightened by the niggard spirit of learned sectarians1 than the sun could be illuminated by a rush-light4 ,the inquiry was then1 as1 alas1 it is too frequent now1 ,are there many that be saved8 forgetful of the ,saviour's answer and just rebuke1 ,what is that to thee1 follow thou me1 seek thine own salvation4 ,the inquiry is pursued a step farther1 ,can those who differ with me be saved8 ,hear the reply of one so honest and so fully imbued with the ,scriptures1 into the truths of which his spirit had been baptized1 ,a man1 through unbelief1 may think that ,christ has no love to him2 and yet ,christ may love him1 with a love that passeth knowledge4 ,but when men1 in the common course of their profession1 will be always terminating here1 that they know how1 and how far1 ,christ can love2 and will thence be bold to conclude of their own safety1 and of the loss and ruin of all that are not in the same notions1 opinions1 formalities1 or judgment1 as they4 ,this is the worst pride and greatest of all delusions4 ,the text1 therefore1 to rectify those false and erroneous conclusions1 says1 the love of ,christ is a love that passeth knowledge4 ,throughout the whole1 there is a continued effort to comfort the sincere1 but doubting1 ,christian4 ,does ,satan suggest that ,god will not hear your stammering and chattering prayers8 ,does ,satan suggest that thy trials1 and troubles1 and afflictions1 are so many that you shall never get beyond them8--relief is at hand1 for ,christ loves thee with a love that passeth knowledge4 ,this is a weapon that will baffle the devil1 when all other weapons fail4 ,the practical application of these soul-encouraging truths is1 ,to walk in love--filled with all the fullness of ,god4 ,bunyan has1 in enforcing this duty1 a very remarkable expression1 these are the men that sweeten the churches1 and bring glory to ,god and to religion4 ,why should anything have my heart but ,god1 but ,christ8 ,he loves me1 he loves me with love that passeth knowledge1 and ,i will love him4 ,his love stripped him of all for my sake2 ,lord1 let my love strip me of all for thy sake4 ,i am a son of love1 an object of love1 a monument of love2 of free love1 of distinguishing love1 of peculiar love1 and of love that passeth knowledge3 and why should not ,i walk in love--in love to ,god1 in love to man1 in holy love1 in love unfeigned8 ,and will our ministering elders bear with me in respectfully and affectionately commending to them ,john ,bunyan1 as an example of devotedness to his ,master's service2 of humble walking with ,god1 of tender faithfulness to the souls of men1 of holy fervour8 ,under such a course of sermons as this treatise would make1 how attentively would our children listen with reverence to the voice of truth1 and with a ,divine blessing our earthen vessels would be replenished with heavenly treasure4 ,it is delightful to read the testimony of ,bunyan's ministerial friends1 of various denominations1 when recording his extensive usefulness4 ,his works do follow him4 ,and upon reading of them1 we cannot wonder when we hear1 that on a week-day morning1 in the depth of winter1 long before daylight1 the inclemency of frost and snow was braved by crowded assemblies of hungry and thirsty souls1 who eagerly listened to hear him proclaim ,the ,saints' ,knowledge of ,christ's ,love1 or the unsearchable riches of ,christ--which passeth knowledge4 ,may the effectual blessing of the ,holy ,spirit attend the reading1 as it did the preaching1 of these soul-saving truths4 ,,hackney1 ,oct41 #ahdh4 ,,geo4 ,,offor4 ,,the ,,saints' ,,knowledge ,,of ,,christ',s ,,love4 ,,that ,,ye--,,may ,,be ,,able ,,to ,,comprehend ,,with ,,all ,,saints1 ,,what ,,is ,,the ,,breadth1 ,,and ,,length1 ,,and ,,depth1 ,,and ,,height2 ,,and ,,to ,,know ,,the ,,love ,,of ,,christ1 ,,which ,,passeth ,,knowledge4--,,ephesians #c3ah1ai4 ,the ,apostle having1 in the first chapter1 treated of the doctrine of election1 and in the second1 of the reconciling of the ,gentiles with the ,jews to the ,father1 by his ,son1 through the preaching of the gospel2 comes in the third chapter to shew that that also was1 as that of election1 determined before the world began4 ,now lest the afflictions that attend the gospel should1 by its raging among these ,ephesians1 darken the glory of these things unto them2 therefore he makes here a brief repetition and explanation1 to the end they might be supported and made live above them4 ,he also joins thereto a fervent prayer for them1 that ,god would let them see in the spirit and faith1 how they1 by ,god and by ,christ1 are secured from the evil of the worst that might come upon them4 ,for this cause ,i bow my knees unto the ,father of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named2 that he would grant you1 according to the riches of his glory1 to be strengthened with might by his ,spirit in the inner man2 that ,christ may dwell in your hearts by faith2 that ye1 being rooted and grounded in love1 may be able to comprehend with all saints1 what is the breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height2 and to know the love of ,christ1 which passeth knowledge1 c4 ,knowing1 that their deep understanding what good by these were reserved for them1 they would never be discouraged1 whatever troubles should attend their profession4 ,,breadth1 and ,,length1 and ,,depth1 and ,,height1 are words that in themselves are both ambiguous1 and to wonderment2 ambiguous1 because unexplained1 and to wonderment1 because they carry in them an unexpressible something2 and that something that which far out-goes all those things that can be found in this world4 ,the ,apostle here was under a spiritual surprise1 for while meditating and writing1 he was caught3 ,the strength and glory of the truths that he was endeavouring to fasten upon the people to whom he wrote1 took him away into their glory1 beyond what could to the full be uttered4 ,besides1 many times things are thus expressed1 on purpose to command attention1 a stop and pause in the mind about them2 and to divert1 by their greatness1 the heart from the world1 unto which they naturally are so inclined4 ,also1 truths are often delivered to us1 like wheat in full ears1 to the end we should rub them out before we eat them1 and take pains about them1 before we have the comfort of them4 ,,breadth1 ,,length1 ,,depth1 and ,,height4 ,in my attempting to open these words1 ,i will give you1 some that are of the same kind4 ,and then show you1 ,first1 ,the reasons of them2 and then also1 ,secondly1 ,something of their fullness4 ,those of the same kind1 are used sometimes to shew us the power1 force1 and subtilty of the enemies of ,god's ,church1 7,dan #d3aa1 ,rom #h3ch1ci74 ,but1 ,sometimes ,most properly to shew us the infinite and unsearchable greatness of ,god1 7,job #aa3g1h1i1 ,rom #aa3cc74 ,they are here to be taken in this second sense1 that is1 to suggest unto us the unsearchable and infinite greatness of ,god2 who is a breadth1 beyond all breadths2 a length1 beyond all lengths2 a depth1 beyond all depths2 and a height1 beyond all heights1 and that in all his attributes3 ,he is an eternal being1 an everlasting being1 and in that respect he is beyond all measures1 whether they be of breadth1 or length1 or depth1 or height4 ,in all his attributes he is beyond all measure3 whether you measure by words1 by thoughts1 or by the most enlarged and exquisite apprehension2 ,his greatness is unsearchable2 ,his judgments are unsearchable 7,job #e3i73 ,he is infinite in wisdom4 ,o6 the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of ,god6 7,rom #aa3cc7 ,if ,i speak of strength1 lo1 he is strong 7,job #i3ai72 yea1 the thunder of his power who can understand8 7,job #bf3ad7 ,there is none holy as the ,lord 7#a ,sam #b3b73 and his mercy is from everlasting to everlasting1 upon them that fear him 7,psa #ajc3ag74 ,the greatness of ,god1 of the ,god and ,father of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 is that1 if rightly considered1 which will support the spirits of those of his people that are frighted with the greatness of their adversaries4 ,for here is a greatness against a greatness4 ,pharaoh was great1 but ,god more great1 more great in power1 more great in wisdom1 more great every way for the help of his people2 wherein they dealt proudly1 he was above them4 ,these words therefore take in for this people1 the great ,god who in his immensity and infinite greatness is beyond all beings4 ,but1 to come ,,first1 to the reason of the words4 ,they are made use of to shew to the ,ephesians1 that ,god with what he is in himself1 and with what he hath in his power1 is all for the use and profit of the believers4 ,else no great matter is held out to them thereby4 ,but this ,god is our ,god6 there is the comfort3 ,for this cause therefore he presenteth them with this description of him4 ,to wit1 by breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height3 ,as who should say1 the ,high ,god is yours2 the ,god that fills heaven and earth is yours2 the ,god whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain1 is yours2 yea1 the ,god whose works are wonderful1 and whose ways are past finding out1 is yours4 ,consider therefore the greatness that is for you1 that taketh part with you1 and that will always come in for your help against them that contend with you4 ,it is my support1 it is my relief2 it is my comfort in all my tribulations1 and ,i would have it ours1 and so it will when we live in the lively faith thereof4 ,nor should we admit of distrust in this matter from the consideration of our own unworthiness1 either taken from the finiteness of our state1 or the foulness of our ways 7,psa #df74 ,for now1 though ,god's attributes1 several of them in their own nature1 are set against sin and sinners2 yea1 were we righteous1 are so high that needs they must look over us1 for 'tis to him a condescension to behold things in heaven3 ,how much more then to open his eyes upon such as we3 yet by the passion of ,jesus ,christ1 they harmoniously agree in the salvation of our souls4 ,hence ,god is said to be love 7#a ,john #d71 ,god is love2 might some say1 and justice too3 but his justice is turned with wisdom1 power1 holiness and truth1 to love2 yea1 to love those that be found in his ,son3 forasmuch as there is nothing fault-worthy in his righteousness which is put upon us4 ,so then1 as there is in ,god's nature a length1 and breadth1 and depth1 and height1 that is beyond all that we can think3 ,so we should conclude that all this is love to us1 for ,christ's sake2 and then dilate with it thus in our minds1 and enlarge it thus in our meditations2 saying still to our low and trembling spirits3 ,it is high as heaven2 what canst thou do8 deeper than hell2 what canst thou know8 the measure thereof is longer than the earth1 and#a broader than the sea 7,job #aa3h1i74 ,but we will pass generals1 and more particularly speak ,,secondly1 something of their fullness1 as they are fitted to suit and answer to the whole state and condition of a ,christian in this life4 ,the words are boundless2 we have here a breadth1 a length1 a depth1 and height made mention of2 but what breadth1 what length1 what depth1 what height is not so much as hinted4 ,it is therefore infiniteness suggested to us1 and that has engaged for us4 ,for the ,apostle conjoins therein1 ,and to know the love of ,christ which passeth knowledge4 ,thus therefore it suits and answers a ,christian's condition1 while in this world1 let that be what it will4 ,if his afflictions be broad1 here is a breadth2 if they be long1 here is a length12 and if they be deep1 here is a depth2 and if they be high1 here is a height4 ,and ,i will say1 there is nothing that is more helpful1 succouring1 or comfortable to a ,christian while in a state of trial and temptation1 than to know that there is a breadth to answer a breadth1 a length to answer a length1 a depth to answer a depth1 and a height to answer a height4 ,wherefore this is it that the ,apostle prayeth for1 namely1 that the ,ephesians might have understanding in these things1 ,that ye may know what is the breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height4 ,of the largeness of the ,apostle's heart in praying for this people1 to wit1 ,that they might be able to comprehend with all saints1 what1 c4 of that we shall speak afterwards4 ,but first1 to speak to these four expressions1 breadth1 length1 depth1 and height4 ,first1 ,what is the ,,breadth4 ,this word is to shew1 that ,god is all over1 everywhere1 spreading of his wings1 stretching out his goodness to the utmost bounds1 for the good of those that are his people 7,deu #cb3aa1ab1 ,gen #di3bf74 ,in the sin of his people there is a breadth2 a breadth that spreadeth over all1 wheresoever a man shall look4 ,the sin of the saints is a spreading leprosy 7,lev #ac3ab74 ,sin is a scab that spreadeth2 it is a spreading plague2 it knows no bounds 7,lev #ac3h1 #eg73 or1 as ,david saith1 ,i have seen the wicked spreading himself 7,psa #cg3ce74 ,hence it is compared to a cloud1 to a thick cloud1 that covereth or spreadeth over the face of all the sky4 ,wherefore here is a breadth called for1 a breadth that can cover all1 or else what is done is to no purpose4 ,therefore to answer this1 here we have a breadth1 a spreading breadth2 ,i spread my skirt over thee3 ,but how far8 ,even so far as to cover all4 ,i spread my skirt over thee1 and covered thy nakedness 7,eze #af3h74 ,here now is a breadth according to the spreading nature of the sin of this wretched one2 yea1 a super-abounding spreading2 a spreading beyond2 a spreading to cover4 ,blessed is he whose sin is covered 7,psa #cb3a71 whose spreading sin is covered by the mercy of ,god through ,christ 7,rom #d3d-g74 ,this is the spreading cloud1 whose spreadings none can understand 7,job #cf3bi74 ,he spread a cloud for a covering1 and fire to give light in the night 7,psa #aje3ci74 ,this breadth that is in ,god1 it also overmatcheth that spreading and overspreading rage of men1 that is sometimes as if it would swallow up the whole church of ,god4 ,you read of the rage of the king of ,assyria1 that there was a breadth in it1 an overflowing breadth1 to the filling of the breadth of thy land1 ,o ,immanuel 7,isa #h3h74 ,but what follows8 ,associate yourselves1 ,o ye people1 ye ,assyrians and ye shall be broken in pieces2 and give ear1 all ye of far countries2 gird yourselves and ye shall be broken in pieces4 ,take counsel together1 and it shall come to nought2 speak the word1 and it shall not stand1 for ,god is with us 7,isa #h3h-aj72 ,god will over-match and go beyond you4 ,wherefore this word1 breadth1 and what is the breadth3 ,it is here expressed on purpose to succour and relieve1 or to shew what advantage1 for support1 the knowledge of the overspreading grace of ,god by ,christ yieldeth unto those that have it1 let their trials be what they will4 ,alas6 the sin of ,god's children seemeth sometimes to overspread not only their flesh1 and the face of their souls1 but the whole face of heaven4 ,and what shall he do now1 that is a stranger to this breadth1 made mention of in the text8 ,why he must despair1 lie down and die1 and shut up his heart against all comfort1 unless he1 with his fellow-christians1 can1 at least1 apprehend what is this breadth1 or the breadth of mercy intended in this place4 ,therefore ,paul for the support of the ,ephesians1 prays1 that they may know what is the breadth4 ,this largeness of the heart and mercy of ,god towards his people1 is also signified by the spreading out of his hand to us in the invitations of the gospel4 ,i said1 saith he1 ,behold me1 behold me1--,i have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people4--to a people that provoketh me continually 7,isa #fe3a-c74 ,i have spread out my hands1 that is1 opened my arms as a mother affectionately doth1 when she stoopeth to her child in the warm workings of her bowels1 and claspeth it up in them1 and kisseth1 and putteth it into her bosom4 ,for1 by spreading out the hands or arms to embrace1 is shewed the breadth or largeness of ,god's affections2 as by our spreading out our hands in prayer1 is signified the great sense that we have of the spreading nature of our sins1 and of the great desires that are in us1 that ,god would be merciful to us 7,ezra #i3e-g74 ,this word also answereth to1 or may fitly be set against the wiles and temptations of the devil1 who is that great and dogged ,leviathan1 that spreadeth his sharp-pointed things upon the mire 7,job #da3cj73 ,for1 be the spreading nature of our corruptions never so broad1 he will find sharp-pointed things enough to stick in the mire of them1 for our affliction4 ,these sharp-pointed things are those that in another place are called fiery darts 7,eph #f3af71 and he has abundance of them1 with which he can and will sorely prick and wound our spirits3 ,yea1 so sharp some have found these things to their souls1 that they have pierced beyond expression4 ,when1 said ,job1 ,i say1 my bed shall comfort me1 my couch shall ease my complaint2 then thou scarest me with dreams1 and terrifiest me through visions2 so that my soul chooseth strangling1 and death rather than my life 7,job #g3ac-ae74 ,but now1 answerable to the spreading of these sharp-pointed things1 there is a super-abounding breadth in the sovereign grace of ,god1 the which whoso seeth and understandeth1 as the ,apostle doth pray we should1 is presently helped3 for he seeth that this grace spreadeth itself1 and is broader than can be1 either our mire1 or the sharp-pointed things that he spreadeth thereupon for our vexation and affliction3 ,it is broader than the sea 7,job #aa3i74 ,this therefore should be that upon which those that see the spreading nature of sin1 and the leprosy and contagion thereof1 should meditate1 to wit1 ,the broadness of the grace and mercy of ,god in ,christ4 ,this will poise and stay the soul2 this will relieve and support the soul in and under those many misgiving and desponding thoughts unto which we are subject when afflicted with the apprehensions of sin1 and the abounding nature of it4 ,shall another man pray for this1 one that knew the goodness and benefit of it1 and shall not ,i meditate upon it8 and shall not ,i exercise my mind about it8 ,yes surely1 for it is my duty1 it is my privilege and mercy so to do4 ,let this therefore1 when thou seest the spreading nature of thy sin be a memento to thee1 to the end thou mayest not sink and die in thy soul4 ,secondly1 ,what is the breadth and ,,length4 ,as there is a breadth in this mercy and grace of ,god by ,christ1 so there is a ,,length therein1 and this length is as large as the breadth1 and as much suiting the condition of the child of ,god1 as the other is4 ,for1 though sin sometimes is most afflicting to the conscience1 while the soul beholdeth the overspreading nature of it1 yet here it stoppeth not1 but oft-times through the power and prevalency of it1 the soul is driven with it1 as a ship by a mighty tempest1 or as a rolling thing before the whirlwind3 driven1 ,i say1 from ,god1 and from all hopes of his mercy1 as far as the east is from the west1 or as the ends of the world are asunder4 ,hence it is supposed by the prophet1 that for and by sin they may be driven from ,god to the utmost part of heaven 7,deu #cj3d72 and that is a sad thing1 a sad thing1 ,i say1 to a gracious man4 ,why1 saith the prophet to ,god1 ,art thou so far from helping me1 and from the words of my roaring8 7,psa #bb3a74 ,sometimes a man1 yea1 a man of ,god1 is1 as he apprehends1 so far off from ,god1 that he can neither help him1 nor hear him1 and this is a dismal state4 ,and thou hast removed my soul1 said the church1 far off from peace3 ,i forgat prosperity 7,lam #c3ag74 ,this is the state sometimes of the godly1 and that not only with reference to their being removed by persecutors1 from the appointments and gospel-seasons1 which are their delight1 and the desire of their eyes2 but also with reverence to their faith and hope in their ,god4 ,they think themselves beyond the reach of his mercy4 ,wherefore in answer to this conceit it is1 that the ,lord asketh1 saying1 ,is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem8 7,isa #ej3b74 ,and again1 ,behold1 the ,lord's hand is not shortened1 that it cannot save2 neither his ear heavy1 that it cannot hear 7,isa #ei3a74 ,wherefore he saith again1 ,if any of them be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven1 from thence will the ,lord thy ,god gather thee1 and from thence will he fetch thee 7,deu #cj3d74 ,god has a long arm1 and he can reach a great way further than we can conceive he can 7,neh #a3i73 ,when we think his mercy is clean gone1 and that ourselves are free among the dead1 and of the number that he remembereth no more1 then he can reach us1 and cause that again we stand before him4 ,he could reach ,jonah1 tho' in the belly of hell 7,jonah #b72 and reach thee1 even then1 when thou thinkest thy way is hid from the ,lord1 and thy judgment passed over from thy ,god4 ,there is length to admiration1 beyond apprehension or belief1 in the arm of the strength of the ,lord2 and this is that which the ,apostle intended by this word1 ,length2 namely1 ,to insinuate what a reach there is in the mercy of ,god1 how far it can extend itself4 ,if ,i take the wings of the morning1 said ,david1 and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea2 even there shall thy hand lead me1 and thy right hand shall hold me 7,psa #aci3i1aj74 ,i will gather them from the east1 and from the west1 and from the north1 and from the south1 saith he3 ,that is1 from the utmost corners4 ,this therefore should encourage them that for the present cannot stand1 but that do fly before their guilt3 ,them that feel no help nor stay1 but that go1 as to their thinking1 every day by the power of temptation1 driven yet farther off from ,god1 and from the hope of obtaining of his mercy to their salvation2 poor creature1 ,i will not now ask thee how thou camest into this condition1 or how long this has been thy state2 but ,i will say before thee1 and ,i prithee hear me1 ,o the length of the saving arm of ,god6 ,as yet thou art within the reach thereof2 do not thou go about to measure arms with ,god1 as some good men are apt to do3 ,i mean1 do not thou conclude1 that because thou canst not reach ,god by thy short stump1 therefore he cannot reach thee with his long arm4 ,look again1 ,hast thou an arm like ,god 7,job #dj3i71 an arm like his for length and strength8 ,it becomes thee1 when thou canst not perceive that ,god is within the reach of thy arm1 then to believe that thou art within the reach of his2 for it is long1 and none knows how long4 ,again1 is there such a length8 such a length in the arm of the ,lord1 that he can reach those that are gone away1 as far as they could8 then this should encourage us to pray1 and hope for the salvation of any one of our backslidden relations1 that ,god would reach out his arm after them3 ,saying1 ,awake1--,o arm of the ,lord1--art thou not it that hath cut ,rahab1 and wounded the dragon8 ,art thou not it which hath dried the sea1 the waters of the great deep1 that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over8 7,isa #ea3i1aj74 ,awake1 ,o arm of the ,lord1 and be stretched out as far as to where my poor husband is1 where my poor child1 or to where my poor backslidden wife or dear relation is1 and lay hold1 fast hold2 they are gone from thee1 but1 ,o thou the hope of ,israel1 fetch them again1 and let them stand before thee4 ,i say1 here is in this word ,,length matter of encouragement for us thus to pray2 for if the length of the reach of mercy is so great1 and if also this length is for the benefit of those that may be gone off far from ,god1 7for they at present have no need thereof that are near7 then improve this advantage at the throne of grace for such1 that they may come to ,god again4 ,thirdly1 ,as there is a breadth and length here1 so there is a ,,depth4 ,what is the breadth1 and length1 and depth8 ,and this depth is also put in here1 on purpose to help us under a trial that is diverse from the two former4 ,i told you1 that by the breadth the ,apostle insinuates a remedy and succour to us1 when we see our corruptions spread like a leprosy2 and by length he would shew us1 that when sin has driven ,god's elect to the farthest distance from him1 yet his arm is long enough to reach them1 and fetch them back again4 ,but1 ,i say1 as we have here a breadth1 and a length1 so we have also a depth4 ,that ye may know what is the ,,depth4 ,christians have sometimes their sinking fits1 and are as if they were always descending3 or as ,heman says1 counted with them that go down into the pit 7,psa #hh3d74 ,now guilt is not to such so much a wind and a tempest1 as a load and burden4 ,the devil1 and sin1 and the curse of the law1 and death1 are gotten upon the shoulders of this poor man1 and are treading of him down1 that he may sink into1 and be swallowed up of his miry place4 ,i sink1 says ,david1 in deep mire1 where there is no standing4 ,i am come into ,,deep waters1 where the floods overflow me 7,psa #fi3b74 ,yea1 there is nothing more common among the saints of old1 than this complaint3 ,let neither the water flood overflow me1 neither let the deep swallow me up1 neither let the pit shut her mouth upon me 7,psa #fi3ad1ae74 ,heman also saith1 ,thou hast laid me in the lowest pit1 in darkness1 in the deeps4 ,thy wrath lieth hard upon me1 and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves 7,psa #hh3f1g74 ,hence it is again that the ,psalmist says3 ,deep calleth unto deep1 at the noise of thy water spouts3 all thy waves1 and thy billows are gone over me 7,psa #db3g74 ,deep calleth unto deep3 ,what's that8 ,why1 it is expressed in the verse before3 ,o ,god1 says he1 ,my soul is cast down within me4 ,down1 that is1 deep into the jaws of distrust and fear4 ,and1 ,lord1 my soul in this depth of sorrow calls for help to thy depth of mercy4 ,for though ,i am sinking and going down1 yet not so low1 but that thy mercy is yet underneath me3 ,do of thy compassions open those everlasting arms 7,deu #cc3bg71 and catch him that has no help or stay in himself3 ,for so it is with one that is falling into a well or a dungeon4 ,now mark1 as there is in these texts1 the sinking condition of the godly man set forth1 of a man whom sin and ,satan is treading down into the deep2 so in our text which ,i am speaking to at this time1 we have a depth that can more than counterpoise these deeps1 set forth with a hearty prayer1 that we may know it4 ,and although the deeps1 or depths of calamity into which the godly may fall1 may be as deep as ,hell1 and methinks they should be no deeper3 yet this is the comfort1 and for the comfort of them of the godly that are thus a sinking3 ,the mercy of ,god for them lies deeper ,it is deeper than hell1 what canst thou know8 7,job #aa3h74 ,and this is that which made ,paul that he was not afraid of this depth1 ,i am persuaded1 saith he1 that neither--height nor depth shall be able to separate us from the love of ,god1 which is in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord 7,rom #h3ch1ci74 ,but of this he could by no means have been persuaded1 had he not believed that mercy lieth deeper for the godly to help them1 than can all other depths be to destroy them3 ,this is it at which he stands and wonders1 saying1 ,o the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of ,god 7,rom #aa3cc71 that is to find out a way to save his people1 notwithstanding all the deep contrivances that the enemy hath1 and may invent to make us come short of home4 ,this is also that1 as ,i take it1 which is wrapped up in the blessing1 wherewith ,jacob blessed his son ,joseph4 ,god shall bless thee1 saith he1 with blessings of heaven above1 and with the blessings of the deep that lieth under 7,gen #di3be74 ,a blessing which he had ground to pronounce1 as well from his observation of ,god's good dealing with ,joseph1 as in a spirit of prophecy3 ,for he saw that he lived and was become a flourishing bough1 by a wall1 after that the archers had done their worst to him 7,gen #di3bb-bd74 ,moses also blesseth ,god for blessing of ,joseph thus1 and blessed his portion to him1 as counting of it sufficient for his help in all afflictions4 ,blessed1 saith he1 of the ,lord1 be his land1 for the precious things of heaven1 for the dew1 and for the deep that coucheth beneath 7,deu #cc3ac74 ,i am not of belief that these blessings are confined to things temporal1 or carnal1 but to things spiritual and divine2 and that they have most chiefly respect to soul1 and eternal good4 ,now mark1 he tells us here1 that the blessings of the deep1 do couch beneath4 ,couch1 that is1 lie close1 so as hardly to be discerned by him that willingly would see that himself is not below these arms that are beneath him4 ,but that as ,i said1 is hard to be discerned by him that thus is sinking1 and that has as he now smartingly feels1 all ,god's waves1 and his billows rolling over him4 ,however1 whether he sees or not1 for this blessing lieth couched2 yet there it is1 and there will be1 though one should sink as deep as hell3 ,and hence they are said to be everlasting arms that are underneath 7,deu #cc3bg73 ,that is1 arms that are long and strong1 and that can reach to the bottom1 and also beyond1 of all misery and distress1 that ,christians are subject to in this life4 ,indeed mercy seems to be asleep1 when we are sinking3 for then we are as if all things were careless of us1 but it is but as a lion couchant1 it will awake in time for our help 7,psa #dd3bb1bf1 ,mark #d3cf-ci74 ,and forasmuch as this term is it1 which is applicable to the lion in his den2 it may be to shew that as a lion1 so will ,god at the fittest season1 arise for the help and deliverance of a sinking people4 ,hence when he is said to address himself to the delivering of his people1 it is that he comes as a roaring lion4 ,the ,lord shall go forth as a mighty man1 he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war3 he shall cry1 yea1 roar2 he shall prevail against his enemies 7,isa #db3ac74 ,however here is a depth against the depth that's against us1 let that depth be what it will4 ,as let it be the depth of misery1 the depth of mercy is sufficient4 ,if it be the depth of hellish policy1 the depth both of the wisdom and knowledge of ,god shall go beyond it1 and prevail4 ,this therefore is worthy of the consideration of all sinking souls2 of the souls that feel themselves descending into the pit4 ,there is such a thing as this experienced among the godly4 ,some come to them 7when tempted7 when you will1 they will tell you1 they have no ground to stand on1 their feet have slipped1 their foundation is removed1 and they fell themselves sinking1 as into a pit that has no bottom 7,psa #aa3c74 ,they inwardly sink1 not for want of something to relieve the body1 but for want of some spiritual cordial to support the mind4 ,i went down to the bottoms of the mountains1 said ,jonah1 the earth with her bars was about me for ever2--my soul fainted within me 7,jonah #b3f1g74 ,now for such to consider that underneath them1 even at the bottom there lieth a blessing1 or that in this deep whereinto they are descending1 there lieth a delivering mercy couching to catch them1 and to save them from sinking for ever1 this would be relief unto them1 and help them to hope for good4 ,again1 ,as this1 were it well considered by the sinking ones1 would yield them stay and relief1 so this is it by the virtue whereof1 they that have been sinking heretofore1 have been lifted up1 and above their castings down again4 ,there are of those that have been in the pit1 now upon mount ,sion1 with the harps of ,god in their hands1 and with the song of the ,lamb in their mouths4 ,but how is it that they are there8 why1 ,david1 by his own deliverance shews you the reason4 ,for great is thy mercy towards me1 saith he1 and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell 7,psa #hf3ac74 ,and again1 ,he brought me up also out of an horrible pit1 7a pit of noise1 a pit wherein was the noise of devils1 and of my heart answering them with distrust and fear7 out of the miry clay1 7into which ,i did not only sink1 but was by it held from getting up3 but he brought me up7 and set my feet upon a rock1 and established my goings4 ,and he hath put a new song in my mouth1 even praise to our ,god 7,psa #dj3b1c74 ,but let me here give1 if it may be1 a timely caution to them that think they stand upon their feet4 ,give not way to falling because everlasting arms are underneath1 take heed of that3 ,god can let thee fall into mischief1 he can let thee fall1 and not help thee up4 ,tempt not ,god1 lest he cast thee away indeed4 ,i doubt there are many that have presumed upon this mercy1 that thus do couch beneath1 and have cast themselves down from their pinnacles into vanity1 of a vain conceit that they shall be lifted up again3 whom yet ,god will leave to die there1 because their fall was rather of willfulness1 than weakness1 and of stubbornness1 and desperate resolutions1 than for want of means and helps to preserve them from it4 ,fourthly1 ,as there is a breadth1 and length1 and depth1 in this mercy and grace of ,god through ,christ towards his people3 ,so there is also a ,,height1 ,that ye may comprehend with all saints1 what is the breadth and length1 and depth1 and ,,height4 ,there are things that are high1 as well as things that are low2 things that are above us1 as well as things that are under1 that are distressing to ,god's people4 ,it is said when ,noah was a preacher of righteousness1 there were giants in the earth in those days 7,gen #f3d74 ,and these1 as ,i conceive1 were some of the heights that were set against ,noah2 yea1 they were the very dads and fathers of all that monstrous brood that followed in the world in that day4 ,of this sort were they who so frighted1 and terrified ,israel1 when they were to go to inherit the land of promise4 ,the men that were tall as cedars1 and strong as the oaks1 frighted them3 they were in their own sight1 when compared with these high ones1 but as grasshoppers4 ,this therefore was their discouragement 7,num #ac3ca-cc1 ,deu #b3aj1 #i3b74 ,besides1 together with these1 they had high walls1 walls as high as heaven2 and these walls were of purpose to keep ,israel out of his possession4 ,see how it is expressed3 ,the people is greater and taller than we1 the cities are great and walled up to heaven3 and moreover1 we have seen the sons of the ,anakims there 7,deu #a3bh74 ,one of these1 to wit1 ,goliath by name1 how did he fright the children of ,israel in the days of ,saul6 ,how did the appearance of him1 make them scuttle together on heaps before him 7#a ,sam #ag74 ,by these giants1 and by these high walls1 ,god's children to this day are sorely distressed1 because they stand in the cross ways to cut off ,israel from his possession4 ,but now to support us against all these1 and to encourage us to take heart notwithstanding all these things2 there is for us1 a height in ,god4 ,he hath made his ,son higher than the kings of the earth 7,psa #hi3bf-bh73 ,his word also is settled for ever in heaven1 and therefore must needs be higher than their walls 7,psa #aai3hi73 ,he also saith in another place1 ,if thou seest the oppression of the poor1 and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province1 marvel not at the matter2 for he that is higher than the highest1 regardeth1 and there be higher than they 7,eccl #e3h74 ',twas this that made ,paul1 that he feared not the height3 not things present1 nor things to come 7,rom #h3ci74 ,but again1 ,as there are these things standing1 or lying in our way3 ,so there are another sort of heights that are more mischievous than these3 ,and they are the fallen angels4 ,these are called spiritual wickedness1 or wicked spirits1 in high places 7,eph #f3ab73 ,for ,god has suffered them for a time to take to themselves principality and power1 and so they are become the rulers of the darkness of this world4 ,by these we are tempted1 sifted1 threatened1 opposed1 undermined3 also by these there are snares1 pits1 holes1 and what not made and laid for us1 if peradventure by something we may be destroyed4 ,yea1 and we should most certainly be so1 were it not for the rock that is higher than they4 ,but he that cometh from heaven is above all6 7,john #c3ca7 ,these are they that our king has taken captive1 and hath rid 7in his chariots of salvation7 in triumph over their necks4 ,these are they1 together with all others1 whose most devilish designs he can wield1 and turn and make work together for his ransomed's advantage 7,rom #h3bh71 ,there is a height1 an infinitely overtopping height in the mercy and goodness of ,god for us1 against them4 ,there are heights also that build up themselves in us1 which are not but to be taken notice of3 ,yea1 there are a many of them1 and they place themselves directly so1 that if possible they may keep the saving knowledge of ,god out of our hearts4 ,these high things therefore are said to exalt themselves against the knowledge of ,god 7#b ,cor #aj3e73 and do ofttimes more plague1 afflict1 and frighten ,christian men and women1 than any thing besides4 ,it is from these that our faith and spiritual understanding of ,god and his ,christ is opposed and contradicted1 and from these also that we are so inclinable to swerve from right doctrine into destructive opinions4 ',tis from these that we are so easily persuaded to call into question our former experience of the goodness of ,god towards us1 and from these that our minds are so often clouded and darkened that we cannot see afar off4 ,these would betray us into the hands of fallen angels1 and men1 nor should we by any means help or deliver ourselves1 were it not for one that is higher4 ,these are the dark mountains at which our feet would certainly stumble1 and upon which we should fall1 were it not for one who can leap and skip over these mountains of division1 and come in to us 7,song #b3h1ag74 ,further1 ,there is a height also that is obvious to our senses1 the which when it is dealt withal by our corrupted reason1 proves a great shaking to our mind1 and that is the height1 and exceeding distance that heaven is off of us1 and we off it4 ,is not ,god in the height of heaven8 and behold the height of the stars1 how high they are8 7,job #bb3ab7 ,hence heaven is called the place for height 7,prov #be3c71 ,also when ,ahaz is bid to ask with reference to heaven1 he is bid to ask it1 ,in the height1 the height above 7,isa #g3aa74 ,now saith reason1 how shall ,i come thither8 especially when a good man is at his furthest distance therefore3 which is1 when he is in the grave4 ,now ,i say1 every height is a difficulty to him that is loaden with a burden1 especially the heaven of heavens1 where ,god is1 and where is the resting-place of his1 to them that are oppressed with the guilt of sin4 ,and besides1 the dispensation which happeneth to us last1 to wit1 death1 as ,i said before1 makes this heaven1 in my thoughts while ,i live so much the more unaccessible4 ,christ indeed could mount up 7,acts #a3i71 but me1 poor me1 how shall ,i get thither8 ,elias indeed had a chariot sent him to ride in thither1 and went up by it into that holy place 7#b ,kings #b3aa73 but ,i1 poor ,i1 how shall ,i get thither8 ,enoch is there1 because ,god took him 7,gen #e3bd71 but as for me1 how shall ,i get thither8 ,thus some have mourningly said4 ,and although distrust of the power of ,god1 as to the accomplishing of this thing1 is by no means to be smiled upon1 yet methinks the unconcernedness of professors thereabout1 doth argue that considering thoughts about that1 are wanting4 ,i know the answer is ready4 ,get ,christ and go to heaven4 ,but methinks the height of the place1 and the glory of the state that we are to enjoy therein1 should a little concern us1 at least so as to make us wonder in our thinking1 that the time is coming that we must mount up thither4 ,and since there are so many heights between this place1 between us1 and that2 it should make us admire at the heights of the grace and mercy of ,god1 by which1 means is provided to bring us thither4 ,and ,i believe that this thing1 this very thing1 is included here by the ,apostle when he prays for the ,ephesians1 that they might know the height4 ,methinks1 ,how shall we get thither will still stick in my mind4 ,i will ascend1 says one1 above the height of the clouds1 ,i will be like the most ,high 7,isa #ad3ad74 ,and ,i1 says another1 will set my nest among the stars of heaven 7,oba #d74 ,well1 but what of all this8 ,if heaven has gates1 and they shall be shut1 how wilt thou go in thither8 ,though such should climb up to heaven1 from thence will ,god bring them down 7,amos #i3b71 ,still ,i say1 therefore1 how shall we get in thither8 ,why1 for them that are godly1 there is the power of ,god1 the merits of ,christ1 the help of angels1 and the testimony of a good conscience to bring them thither2 and he that has not the help of all these1 let him do what he can1 shall never come thither4 ,not that all these go to the making up of the height that is intended in the text3 for the height there1 is what is in ,god through ,christ to us alone4 ,but the angels are the servants of ,god for that end 7,luke #af3bb1 ,heb #a3ad73 and none with ill consciences enter in thither 7,psa #ae3a1 #bd3c1d71 ,what1 know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of ,god8 be not deceived 7#a ,cor #f3i71 such have none inheritance in the kingdom of ,christ and of ,god 7,eph #e3e74 ,this then should teach us that in ,god is a power that is able to subdue all things to himself4 ,in the completing of many things1 there seems to be an utter impossibility1 as that a virgin should conceive in her womb1 as a virgin1 and bring a ,son into the world2 that the body that is turned into dust1 should arise and ascend into the highest heaven 7,phil #c3ba74 ,these things with many more seem to be utterly impossible3 but there is that which is called the power of ,god1 by the which he is able to make all things bend to his will1 and to make all obstructions give place to what he pleases4 ,god is high above all things and can do whatever it pleaseth him4 ,but since he can do so1 why doth he suffer this1 and that thing to appear1 to act1 and do so horribly repugnant to his word8 ,i answer1 he admits of many things1 to the end he may shew his wrath1 and make his power known2 and that all the world may see how he checks and overrules the most vile and unruly things1 and can make them subservient to his holy will4 ,and how would the breadth and the length1 and the depth1 and the height of the love and mercy of ,god in ,christ to us-ward1 be made to appear1 so as in all things it doth1 were there not admitted that there should be breadths1 and lengths1 and depths and heights1 to oppose4 ,wherefore these oppositions are therefore suffered1 that the greatness of the wisdom1 the power1 the mercy1 and grace of ,god to us in ,christ might appear and be made manifest unto us4 ,this calls therefore upon ,christians1 wisely to consider of the doings of their ,god4 ,how many opposite breadths1 and lengths1 and depths1 and heights did ,israel meet with in their journey from ,egypt to ,canaan1 and all to convince them of their own weakness1 and also of the power of their ,god4 ,and they that did wisely consider of his doings there1 did reap the advantage thereof4 ,come1 behold the works of the ,lord towards me1 may every ,christian say4 ,he hath set a ,saviour against sin2 a heaven against a hell2 light against darkness2 good against evil1 and the breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height of the grace that is in himself1 for my good1 against all the power1 and strength1 and force1 and subtilty1 of every enemy4 ,this also1 as ,i hinted but just before1 shews both the power of them that hate us1 and the inability of us to resist4 ,the power that is set against us none can crush1 and break1 but ,god3 for it is the power of devils1 of sin1 of death1 and hell4 ,but we for our parts are crushed before the moth3 being a shadow1 a vapour1 and a wind that passes away 7,job #d3ai74 ,oh6 how should we1 and how would we1 were but our eyes awake1 stand and wonder at the preservations1 the deliverances1 the salvations and benefits with which we are surrounded daily3 while so many mighty evils seek daily to swallow us up1 as the grave4 ,see how the golden psalm of ,david reads it4 ,be merciful unto me1 ,o ,god2 for man would swallow me up2 he fighting daily oppresseth me4 ,mine enemies would daily swallow me up3 for they be many that fight against me1 ,o thou most high 7,psa #ef3a1b74 ,this is at the beginning of it4 ,and he concludes it thus1 ,thou hast delivered my soul from death3 will not thou deliver my feet from falling1 that ,i may walk before ,god in the light of the living 7verse #ac74 ,by this also we see the reason why it is so impossible for man or angel to persuade unbelievers to come in to1 and close with ,christ2 why there is a breadth that they cannot get over1 a length that they cannot get beyond1 a depth that they cannot pass1 and heights that so hinder them of the prospect of glory1 and the way thereto1 that they cannot be allured thither4 ,and that nothing can remove these2 but those that are in ,god1 and that are opposite thereto2 even the breadth1 and length1 and depth and height that is in the text expressed1 is to all awakened men an undoubted truth4 #b ,one item ,i would here give to him that loveth his own soul1 and then we will pass on in pursuance of what is to come4 ,since there is an height obvious to sense1 and that that height must be overcome ere a man can enter into life eternal3 let thy heart be careful that thou go the right way to overpass this height1 that thou mayest not miss of the delectable plains1 and the pleasures that are above4 ,now1 there is nothing so high1 as to overtop this height2 but ,jacob's ladder1 and that can do it3 that ladder1 when the foot thereof doth stand upon the earth1 reacheth with its top to the gate of heaven4 ,this is the ladder by which angels ascend thither3 and this is the ladder by which thou mayest ascend thither4 ,and he dreamed1 and behold a ladder set up on the earth1 and the top of it reached to heaven3 and behold the angels of ,god ascending and descending on it 7,gen #bh3ab74 ,this ladder is ,jesus ,christ1 the son of man1 as is clear by the evangelist ,john 7,john #a3ea74 ,and in that it is said to stand upon the earth1 that is to shew that he took hold of man who is of the earth1 and therein laid a foundation for his salvation3 in that it is said the top reached up to heaven1 that is to shew that the divine nature was joined to the human1 and by that means he was every way made a ,saviour complete4 ,now concerning this ladder1 'tis said1 ,heaven was open where it stood1 to shew that by him there is entrance into life3 'tis said also concerning this ladder1 that the ,lord stood there1 at the top1 above it3 saying1 ,i am the ,lord ,god of ,abraham 7,gen #bh3ac71 to shew his hearty and willing reception of those that ascend the height of his sanctuary this way4 ,all which ,christ further explains by saying1 ,i am the way1 and the truth1 and the life1 no man cometh unto the father1 but by me 7,john #ad3f74 ,look to thyself then1 that thou do truly and after the right manner embrace this ladder1 so will he draw thee up thither after him 7,john #ab3cb74 ,all the rounds of this ladder are sound and fitly placed1 not one of them is set further than that by faith thou mayest ascend step by step unto1 even until thou shalt come to the highest step thereof1 from whence1 or by which thou mayest step in at the celestial gate where thy soul desireth to dwell4 ,take my caution then1 and be wary1 no man can come thither but by him4 ,thither ,i say to be accepted3 thither1 there to dwell1 and there to abide with joy for ever4 ,that ye--may be able to comprehend with all saints1 what is the breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height2 and to know the love of ,christ which passeth knowledge4 ,having thus spoke of the breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height1 that is in ,god's mercy by ,christ to us-ward2 we will now come more directly to ,,the ,,prayer ,,of ,,the ,,apostle ,,for ,,these ,,ephesians1 ,,with ,,reference ,,thereunto2 to wit1 that they might be able to comprehend with all saints what they are4 ,and ,,first1 ,as to ,,the ,,ability that he prays for1 to the end that they may be capable to do this thing4 ,first1 ,that ye may be able4 ,the weakness that is here supposed to hinder their thus comprehending1 c41 did doubtless lie in their grace1 as well as their nature3 for in both1 with reference to them that are ,christians1 there is great disability1 unless they be strengthened mightily by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,nature's ability depends upon graces1 and the ability of graces1 depends upon the mighty help of the spirit of ,god4 ,hence as nature itself1 where grace is not1 sees nothing2 so nature by grace sees but weakly1 if that grace is not strengthened with all might by the spirit of grace4 ,the breadths1 lengths1 depths and heights here made mention of1 are mysteries1 and in all their operations1 do work wonderfully mysteriously3 insomuch that many times1 though they are all of them busily engaged for this and the other child of ,god1 yet they themselves see nothing of them4 ,as ,christ said to ,peter1 ,what ,i do thou knowest not now 7,john #ac3g72 so may it be said to many where the grace and mercy of ,god in ,christ is working3 they do not know1 they understand not what it is1 nor what will be the end of such dispensations of ,god towards them4 ,wherefore they also say as ,peter to ,christ1 ,dost thou wash my feet8--thou shalt never wash my feet 7,john #ac3f-h72 ,yea1 and when some light to convince of this folly breaks in upon them1 yet if it be not very distinct and clear2 causing the person to know the true cause1 nature1 and end of ,god's doing of this or that1 they swerve with ,peter1 as much on the other side 7,john #ac3i1aj74 ,they have not known my ways1 and my methods with them in this world1 were that that caused ,israel always to err in their hearts 7,heb #c3aj71 and lie cross to all1 and each of these breadths1 lengths1 depths1 and heights1 whenever they were under the exercise of any of them in the wilderness4 ,and the reason is1 as ,i said before1 for that they are very mysterious in their workings4 ,for they work by1 upon1 and against oppositions2 for1 and in order to the help and salvation of his people4 ,also 7as was hinted a while since7 that the power and glory of this breadth1 and length1 c4 of the mercy and grace of ,god1 may the more shew its excellency and sufficiency as to our deliverance2 we by him seem quite to be delivered up to the breadths1 lengths1 and depths1 and heights that oppose1 and that utterly seek our ruin3 wherefore at such times1 nothing of breadths1 lengths1 depths1 or heights can be seen1 save by those that are very well skilled in those mysterious methods of ,god1 in his gracious actings towards his people4 ,who will bring me into the strong city1 and wilt not thou1 ,o ,god1 which hadst cast us off8 and thou1 ,o ,god1 which didst not go out with our armies8 7,psa #fj3i1aj7 is a lesson too hard for every ,christian man to say over believingly4 ,and what was it that made ,jonah say1 when he was in the belly of hell1 ,yet ,i will look again toward thy holy temple 7,jonah #b3d71 but the good skill that he had in understanding of the mystery of these breadths1 and lengths1 and depths1 and heights of ,god1 and of the way of his working by them4 ,read the text at large4 ,thou hadst cast me into the deep1 in the midst of the seas1 and the floods compassed me about4 ,all thy billows and thy waves passed over me4 ,then ,i said1 ,i am cast out of thy sight2 yet ,i will look again toward thy holy temple 7,jonah #b3c1d74 ,these1 and such like sentences1 are easily played with by a preacher1 when in the pulpit1 specially if he has a little of the notion of things1 but of the difficulty and strait1 that those are brought into1 out of whose mouth such things1 or words are extorted1 by reason of the force of the labyrinths they are fallen into3 of those they experience nothing1 wherefore to those they are utterly strangers4 ,he then that is able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height2 must be a good expositor of providences1 and must see the way1 and the workings of ,god by them4 ,now there are providences of two sorts1 seemingly good1 and seemingly bad1 and those do usually as ,jacob did1 when he blessed the sons of ,joseph1 cross hands2 and lay the blessing where we would not4 ,and when ,joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of ,ephraim1 it displeased him 7,gen #dh3ag74 ,i say there are providences unto which we would have the blessings entailed1 but they are not4 ,and they are providences that smile upon the flesh2 to wit1 such as cast into the lap1 health1 wealth1 plenty1 ease1 friends1 and abundance of this world's good3 because these1 ,manasseh1 as his name doth signify1 have in them an aptness to make us forget our toil1 our low estate1 and from whence we were 7,gen #da3ea73 but the great blessing is not in them4 ,there are providences again1 that take away from us whatever is desirable to the flesh2 such is the sickness1 losses1 crosses1 persecution and affliction2 and usually in these though they make us shuck #c whenever they come upon us1 blessing coucheth1 and is ready to help us4 ,for ,god1 as the name of ,ephraim signifies1 makes us fruitful in the land of our affliction 7,gen #da3eb74 ,he therefore1 in blessing of his people1 lays his hands across1 guiding them wittingly1 and laying the chiefest blessing on the head of ,ephraim1 or in that providence1 that sanctifies affliction4 ,abel6 what1 to the reason of ,eve was he1 in comparison of ,cain4 ,rachel called ,benjamin the son of her sorrow3 but ,jacob knew how to give him a better name 7,gen #ce3ah74 ,jabez also1 though his mother so called him1 because1 as it seems1 she brought him forth with more than ordinary sorrow1 was yet more honourable1 more godly1 than his brethren 7#a ,chron #d3i1aj74 ,he that has skill to judge of providences aright1 has a great ability in him to comprehend with other saints1 what is the breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height3 but he that has not skill as to discerning of them1 is but a child in his judgment in those high and mysterious things4 ,and hence it is1 that some shall suck honey out of that1 at the which others tremble for fear it should poison them1 ,i have often been made to say1 ,sorrow is better than laughter2 and the house of mourning better than the house of mirth 7,eccl #g3c-e74 ,and ,i have more often seen1 that the afflicted are always the best sort of ,christians4 ,there is a man1 never well1 never prospering1 never but under afflictions1 disappointments and sorrows3 why this man1 if he be a ,christian1 is one of the best of men4 ,they that go down to the sea1--that do business in great waters1 these see the works of the ,lord1 and his wonders in the deep4 #d 7,psa #ajg3bc1bd7 ,and it is from hence1 for aught ,i know1 that ,james admonishes the brother of high degree to rejoice in that he is made low4 ,and he renders the reason of it1 to wit1 for that the fashion of the world perisheth1 the rich man fadeth away in his way2 but the tempted1 and he that endureth temptation is blessed 7,james #a3aj-ab74 ,now1 ,i know these things are not excellent in themselves1 nor yet to be desired for any profit that they can yield1 but ,god doth use by these1 as by a tutor or instructor1 to make known to them that are exercised with them1 so much of himself as to make them understand that riches of his goodness that is seldom by other means broken up to the sons of men4 ,and hence 'tis said1 that the afterwards of affliction doth yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby 7,heb #ab3aa74 ,the sum is1 these breadths1 and lengths1 and depths1 and heights of ,god1 are to be discerned2 and some that are good1 do more1 and some do less discern them1 and how they are working1 and putting forth themselves in every providence1 in every change1 in every turn of the wheel that passeth by us in this world4 ,i do not question but that there are some that are alive that have been able to say1 the days of affliction have been the best unto them2 and that could1 if it were lawful1 pray that they might always be in affliction1 if ,god would but do to them as he did when his hand was last upon them4 ,for by them he caused his light to shine3 ,or as ,job has it1 ,thou huntest me as a fierce lion3 and again thou shewest thyself marvelously upon me 7,job #aj3af74 ,see also the writing of ,hezekiah1 and read what profit he found in afflictions 7,isa #ch74 ,but again1 these breadths1 lengths1 depths1 and heights1 have in themselves naturally that glory1 that cannot be so well discerned1 or kept in view by weak eyes4 ,he had need have an eye like an eagle1 that can look upon the sun1 that can look upon these great things1 and not be stricken blind therewith4 ,you see how ,saul was served when he was going to ,damascus 7,acts #i73 ,but ,stephen could stand and look up steadfastly into heaven2 and that too when with ,jonah he was going into the deep 7,acts #g74 ,but ,i have done with this1 and proceed4 ,second--,that ye may be able to comprehend4 ,although apprehending is included in comprehending2 yet to comprehend is more4 ,to comprehend is to know a thing fully2 or1 to reach it all4 ,but here we must distinguish1 and say1 that there is a comprehending that is absolute1 and a comprehending that is comparative4 ,of comprehending absolutely1 or perfectly1 we are not here to speak2 for that the ,apostle could not1 in this place1 as to the thing prayed for1 desire3 ,for it is utterly impossible perfectly to know whatsoever is in the breadths1 lengths1 depths1 and heights here spoken of4 ,whether you call them mercies1 judgments1 or the ways of ,god with men4 ,how unsearchable are his judgments1 and his ways past finding out6 7,rom #aa3cc7 ,or1 if you take them to signify his love1 unto which you see ,i am inclined2 why1 that you read of in the same place1 to be it which passes knowledge4 ,wherefore should the ,apostle by this term1 conclude1 or insinuate1 that what he calls here breadths1 lengths1 depths1 or heights1 might be fully1 or perfectly understood and known1 he would not only contradict other scriptures1 but himself1 in one and the self same breath4 ,wherefore it must be understood comparatively2 that is1 and that he says1 with1 or as much as others1 as any1 even with all saints4 ,that ye may be able to comprehend with all saints1 what is the breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height4 ,i would ye were as able to understand1 to know1 and to find out these things1 as ever any were2 and to know with the very best of saints1 ,the love of ,christ1 which passeth knowledge4 ,there are1 as has before been hinted1 degrees of knowledge of these things2 some know more1 some less2 but the ,apostle prays that these ,ephesians might see1 know1 and understand as much thereof as the best1 or as any under heaven4 #a4 ,and this1 in the first place1 shews us the love of a minister of ,jesus ,christ4 ,a minister's love to his flock is seen in his praying for them3 wherefore ,paul1 commonly1 by his epistles1 either first or last1 or both1 gives the churches to understand1 ,that he did often heartily pray to ,god for them 7,rom #af3bj1bd1 #a ,cor #af3bc1 ,gal #f3ah1 ,eph #a3af1 ,phil #a3d1 ,col #a3c1 #a ,thess #a3b1 #a ,tim #f3ba1 #b ,tim #d3bb73 ,and not only so1 but also specifies the mercies1 and blessings1 and benefits which he earnestly begged for them of ,god 7#b ,cor #ac3g1 #b ,thess #a3aa74 #b4 ,but1 secondly1 ,this implies that there are great benefits accrued to ,christians by the comprehending of these things3 ,yea1 it implies that something very special is ministered to us by this knowledge of these2 and here to touch upon a few of them4 7#a47 ,he that shall arrive to some competent knowledge of these things1 shall understand more thoroughly the greatness1 the wisdom1 the power1 c4 of the ,god that is above4 ,for by these expressions are the attributes of ,god set forth unto us3 ,and although ,i have discoursed of them hitherto under the notion of grace and mercy1 yet it was not for that ,i concluded1 they excluded the expressing of his other attributes1 but because they all1 as it were1 turn into loving methods in the wheel of their heavenly motion towards the children of ,god4 ,hence it is said1 ,god is love 7#a ,john #d3af71 ,god is light 7#a ,john #a3e71 ,god is what ,he is for ,his own glory1 and the good of them that fear ,him4 ,god6 ,why ,god in the breadth1 length1 depth1 height1 that is here intended1 comprehends the whole world 7,col #a3ag74 ,the whole world is in him3 for he is before1 above1 beyond1 and round about all things4 ,hence it is said1 ,the heavens for breadth1 are but his span3 ,that he gathereth the wind in his fists 7,prov #cj3d73 measureth the waters in the hollow of his hand1 weigheth the mountains in scales1 and the hills in a balance 7,isa #dj3ab74 ,yea1 that all nations before him are as nothing1 and they are counted to him less than nothing1 and vanity 7verse #ag74 ,hence we are said to live and move in him 7,acts #ag3bh71 and that ,he is beyond all search4 ,i will add one word more1 notwithstanding there is such a revelation of ,him in his word1 in the book of creatures1 and in the book of providences2 yet the scripture says1 ,lo1 these are parts of his ways3 but how little a portion is heard of him8 7,job #bf3ad7 ,so great is ,god above all that we have read1 heard1 or seen of ,him1 either in the bible1 in heaven1 or earth1 the sea1 or what else is to be understood4 ,but now1 ,that a poor mortal1 a lump of sinful flesh1 or1 as the scripture-phrase is1 poor dust and ashes1 should be in the favour1 in the heart1 and wrapped up in the compassions of ,,such a ,god6 ,o amazing6 ,o astonishing consideration6 ,and yet ,this ,god is our ,god for ever and ever2 and ,he will be our guide even unto death 7,psa #dh3ad74 ,it is said of our ,god1 ,that he humbleth himself when he beholds things in heaven4 ,how much more then when he openeth his eyes upon man2 but most of all when he makes it1 as one may say1 his business to visit him every morning1 and to try him every moment1 having set ,his heart upon him1 being determined to set him also among his princes4 ,the ,lord is high above all nations1 and his glory above the heavens4 ,who is like unto the ,lord our ,god1 who dwelleth on high1 ,who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven1 and in the earth6 ,he raiseth up the poor out of the dust1 and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill2 that he may set him with princes1 even with the princes of his people 7,psa #aac3c-h74 7#b47 ,,if this ,god be our ,god2 or if our ,god be such a ,god1 and could we but attain to that knowledge of the breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height that is in him1 as the ,apostle here prays1 and desires we may1 we should never be afraid of anything we shall meet with1 or that shall assault us in this world4 ,the great ,god1 the former of all things1 taketh part with them that fear ,him1 and that engage themselves to walk in ,his ways1 of love1 and respect1 they bear unto him2 so that such may boldly say1 ,the ,lord is my helper1 and ,i will not fear what man shall do unto me 7,heb #ac3f74 ,would it not be amazing1 should you see a man encompassed with chariots and horses1 and weapons for his defence1 yet afraid of being sparrow blasted1 or over-run by a grasshopper6 ,why ,it is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth1 and to whom the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers 7,isa #dj3bb73 that is the ,god of the people that are lovers of ,jesus ,christ2 therefore we should not fear them4 ,to fear man1 is to forget ,god2 and to be careless in a time of danger1 is to forget ,god's ordinance4 ,what is it then8 ,why1 let us fear ,god1 and diligently keep his way1 with what prudence and regard to our preservation1 and also the preservation of what we have1 we may3 ,and if1 we doing this1 our ,god shall deliver us1 and what we have1 into the hands of them that hate us1 let us laugh1 be fearless and careless1 not minding now to do anything else but to stand up for ,him against the workers of iniquity2 fully concluding1 that both we1 and our enemies1 are in the hand of him that loveth his people1 and that will certainly render a reward to the wicked1 after that he has sufficiently tried us by their means4 ,the great ,god that formed all things1 both rewardeth the fool1 and rewardeth transgressors 7,prov #bf3aj74e 7#c47 ,another thing that the knowledge of what is prayed for of the ,apostle1 if we attain it1 will minister to us1 is1 ,an holy fear and reverence of this great ,god in our souls2 both because he is great1 and because he is wise and good 7,jer #aj3g74 ,who shall not fear thee1 ,o ,lord1 and glorify thy name8 7,rev #ae3d7 ,greatness should beget fear1 greatness should beget reverence3 ,now who so great as our ,god2 and so1 who to be feared like him6 ,he also is wise1 and will not be deceived by any4 ,he will bring evil1 and not call back his words1 but will rise against the house of evil-doers1 and against the help of them that work iniquity 7,isa #ca3b74 ,most men deal with ,god as if he were not wise2 as if he either knew not the wickedness of their hearts and ways1 or else knew not how to be even with them for it3 ,when1 alas6 he is wise in heart1 and mighty in power2 and although he will not1 without cause1 afflict1 yet he will not let wickedness go unpunished4 ,this therefore should make us fear4 ,he also is good1 and this should make us serve him with fear4 ,oh6 that a great ,god should be a good ,god2 a good ,god to an unworthy1 to an undeserving1 and to a people that continually do what they can to provoke the eyes of his glory2 this should make us tremble4 ,he is fearful in service1 fearful in praises4 ,the breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height of his out-going towards the children of men1 should also beget in us a very great fear and dread of his majesty4 ,when the prophet saw the height of the wheels1 he said they were dreadful 7,eze #a3ah71 and cried out unto them1 ,o wheel6 7#aj3ac74 ,his judgments also are a great deep 7,psa #cf3f72 nor is there any searching of his understanding 7,isa #dj3bh74 ,he can tell how to bring his wheel upon us2 and to make our table a snare1 a trap1 and a stumbling-block unto us 7,isa #h3ad1 ,rom #aa3h-aj74 ,he can tell how to make his ,son to us a rock of offence1 and his gospel to be a savour of death unto death1 unto us 7#b ,cor #b3ae1af74 ,he can tell how to choose delusions for us 7,isa #ff3d1 #b ,thess #b3aa1ab71 and to lead us forth with the workers of iniquity 7,psa #abe3e71 ,he can out-wit1 and out-do us1 and prevail against us for ever 7,job #ad3bj72 and therefore we should be afraid and fear before ,him1 for our good1 and the good of ours for ever3 ,yea1 it is for these purposes1 with others1 that the ,apostle prayeth thus for this people3 ,for the comprehending of these things1 do poise and keep the heart in an even course4 ,this yields comfort2 this gives encouragement2 this begets fear and reverence in our hearts of ,god4 7#d47 ,this knowledge will make us willing that he should be our ,god2 yea1 will also make us abide by that willingness4 ,jacob said with a vow1 ,if ,god will be with me1 and will keep me in this way that ,i go1 and will give me bread to eat1 and raiment to put on1 so that ,i come again to my father's house in peace2 then shall the ,lord be my ,god3 ,and this stone1 which ,i have set for a pillar1 shall be ,god's house3 and of all that thou shalt give me ,i will surely give the tenth unto thee 7,gen #bh3bj-bb74 ,thus he considered the greatness of ,god1 and from a supposition that he was what he had heard him1 of his father1 to be2 he concluded to choose him for his ,god1 and that he would worship him1 and give him that honour that was due to him as ,god4 ,how did the king of ,babylon set him above all gods1 when but some sparkling rays from him did light upon him3 he calls him a ,god of gods 7,dan #b3dg71 prefers him above all gods1 charges all people and nations that they do nothing amiss against him 7,dan #c3bh1bi73 he calls him the most high ,god1 the ,god that liveth for ever2 and confesses1 that he doth whatsoever he will in heaven and earth2 and concludes with praising and extolling of him 7,dan #d74 ,we naturally love greatness2 and when the glorious beauty of the ,king of glory shall be manifest to us1 and we shall behold it1 we shall say as ,joshua did2 ,let all men do as seems them good2 but ,i1 and my house will serve the ,lord 7,josh #bd3ae74 ,when the ,apostle ,paul sought to win the ,athenians to him1 he sets ,him forth before them with such terms as bespeaks his greatness2 calling of him 7and that rightly7 ,god that made the world1 and all things3--the ,lord of heaven and earth2--,one that giveth to all life and breath1 and all things2 ,one that is nigh to every one2 he in whom we live1 and move1 and have our being3 ,god that hath made of one blood all nations of men1 and that hath determined the times before appointed1 and the bounds of their habitation1 c4 7,acts #ag3bd-bh7 ,these things bespeak the greatness of ,god1 and are taking to considering men4 ,yea1 these very ,athenians1 while ignorant of him1 from those dark hints that they had by natural light concerning him1 erected an altar to him1 and put this singular inscription upon it1 ,to the unknown ,god3 to shew1 that according to their mode1 they had some kind of reverence for him3 but how much more when they came to know him8 and to believe that ,god1 in all his greatness1 had engaged himself to be theirs2 and to bring them to himself1 that they might in time be partakers of his glory4 7#e47 ,the more a man knows1 or understands of the greatness of ,god towards him1 expressed here by the terms of unsearchable breadth1 length1 depth1 and height2 the better will he be able in his heart to conceive of the excellent glory and greatness of the things that are laid up in the heavens for them that fear him4 ,they that know nothing of this greatness1 know nothing of them2 they that think amiss of this greatness1 think amiss of them2 they that know but little of this greatness1 know but little of them3 ,but he that is able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height2 he is best able to conceive of1 and1 consequently to make a judgment concerning the due worth1 and blessed glory of them4 ,this is both evident to reason2 also experience confirmeth the same4 ,for1 as for those dark souls that know nothing of his greatness1 they have in derision those who are1 through the splendor of the glory1 captivated and carried away after ,god4 ,also1 those whose judgments are corrupted1 and themselves thereby made as drunkards1 to judge of things foolishly1 they1 as it were1 step in the same steps with the other1 and vainly imagine thereabout4 ,moreover1 we shall see those little spirited ,christians1 though ,christians indeed1 that are but in a small measure acquainted with this ,god1 with the breadths1 and lengths1 and depths1 and heights that are in him1 taken but little with the glory and blessedness that they are to go to when they die3 wherefore they are neither so mortified to this world1 so dead to sin1 so self-denying1 so delighted in the book of ,god1 nor so earnest in desires to be acquainted with the heights1 and depths that are therein4 ,no1 this is reserved only for those who are devoted thereto3 who have been acquainted with ,god in a measure beyond that which your narrow-spirited ,christians understand4 ,there doth want as to these things1 enlargings in the hearts of the most of saints1 as there did in those of ,corinth1 and also in those at ,ephesus3 ,wherefore1 as ,paul bids the one1 and prays that the other may be enlarged1 and have great knowledge thereabout3 so we should1 to answer such love1 through desire1 separate ourselves from terrene things that we may seek and intermeddle with all wisdom 7,prov #ah3a74 ,christ says1 ,if any man will do his will1 he shall know of the doctrine 7,john #g3ag1 ,isa #bh3i74 ,oh6 that we were indeed enlarged as to these breadths1 and lengths1 and depths1 and heights of ,god1 as the ,apostle desired the ,ephesians might4 7#f47 ,then those great truths2 the coming of ,christ1 the resurrection of the dead1 and eternal judgment1 would neither seem so like fables1 nor be so much off our hearts as they do1 and are 7#a ,cor #ae3ce74 ,for the thorough belief of them depends upon the knowledge of the abilities that are in ,god to perform what he has said thereabout3 ,and hence it is that your inferiour sort of ,christians live so like1 as if none of these things were at hand2 and hence it is again1 that they so soon are shaken in mind about them1 when tempted of the devil1 or briskly assaulted by deceivers4 ,but this cometh to pass that there may be fulfilled what is written3 ,and while the bridegroom tarried1 they all slumbered and slept 7,matt #be3a-g74 ,surely1 the meaning is1 they were asleep about his coming1 the resurrection and the judgment2 and1 consequently had lost much of that knowledge of ,god1 the which if they had retained2 these truths1 with power1 would have been upon their hearts4 ,the ,corinthians were horribly decayed here1 though some more than others3 ,hence ,paul1 when he treats of this doctrine1 bids them awake to righteousness1 and not sin1 telling them1 that some among them had not the knowledge of ,god 7#a ,cor #ae3cd74 ,to be sure1 they had not such a knowledge of ,god as would keep them steady in the faith of these things 7verse #ea74 ,now1 the knowledge of the things above-mentioned1 to wit1 this comprehending knowledge2 will greaten these things1 bring them near1 and make them to be credited as are the greatest of ,god's truth3 and the virtue of the faith of them is1 to make one die daily4 ,therefore1 7#g47 ,another advantage that floweth from this knowledge1 is1 that it makes the next world desirable1 not simply as it is with those lean souls1 that desire it only as the thief desireth the judge's favour1 that he may be saved from the halter2 but out of love such have to ,god and to the beauties of the house he dwells in2 and that they may be rid of this world1 which is to such as a dark dungeon4 ,the knowledge of ,god that men pretend they have1 may easily be judged of1 by the answerable or unanswerableness of their hearts and lives thereto4 ,where is the man that groans earnestly to be gone to ,god1 that counts this life a strait unto him3 that saith as a sick man of my acquaintance did1 when his friend at his bed-side prayed to ,god to spare his life1 ,no1 no1 said he1 pray not so2 for it is better to be dissolved and be gone4 ,christians should shew the world how they believe2 not by words on paper1 not by gay and flourishing notions 7,james #b3ah73 but by those desires they have to be gone1 and the proof that these desires are true1 is a life in heaven while we are on earth 7,phil #c3bj1ba74 ,i know words are cheap1 but a dram of grace is worth all the world4 ,but where1 as ,i said1 shall it be found1 not among carnal men1 not among weak ,christians1 but among those1 and those only1 that enjoy a great measure of ,paul's wish here4 ,but to come to the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,,the ,,text4 ,,and ,,to ,,know ,,the ,,love ,,of ,,christ ,,which ,,passeth ,,knowledge4 ,these words are the second part of the text1 and they deal mainly about the love of ,christ1 who is the ,son of ,god4 ,we have spoken already briefly of ,god1 and therefore now we shall speak also of his ,son4 ,these words are a part of the prayer afore-mentioned1 and have something of the same strain in them4 ,in the first part1 he prays that they might comprehend that which cannot absolutely by any means be comprehended3 and here he prays that that might be known1 which yet in the same breath he saith1 passeth knowledge1 to wit1 the love of ,christ4 ,and to know the love of ,christ1 which passeth knowledge4 ,in the words we are to take notice of three things3 ,,first1 ,of the love of ,christ4 ,,second1 ,of the exceeding greatness of it4 ,,third1 ,of the knowledge of it4 ,,first1 ,we will begin with the first of these1 to wit1 ,of the love of ,christ4 ,now for the explication of this we must inquire into three things1 ,first1 ,who ,christ is4 ,second1 ,what love is4 ,third1 ,what the love of ,christ is4 ,first1 ,christ is a person of no less quality than he is of whom we treated before3 to wit1 very ,god4 ,so ,i say1 not titularly1 not nominally1 not so counterfeitly1 but the self-same in nature with the ,father 7,john #a3a1b1 #a ,john #e3g1 ,phil #b3f74 ,wherefore what we have under consideration1 is so much the more to be taken notice of2 namely1 that a person so great1 so high1 so glorious1 as this ,jesus ,christ was1 should have love for us1 that passes knowledge4 ,it is common for equals to love1 and for superiors to be beloved2 but for the ,king of princes1 for the ,son of ,god1 for ,jesus ,christ to love man thus3 this is amazing1 and that so much the more1 for that man the object of this love1 is so low1 so mean1 so vile1 so undeserving1 and so inconsiderable1 as by the scriptures1 everywhere he is described to be4 ,but to speak a little more particularly of this person4 ,he is called ,god 7,john #a3a74 ,the ,king of glory 7,psa #bd3aj71 and ,lord of glory 7#a ,cor #b3h74 ,the brightness of the glory of his ,father 7,heb #a3c74 ,the head over all things 7,eph #a3bb74 ,the ,prince of life 7,acts #c3ae74 ,the ,creator of all things 7,col #a3af74 ,the upholder of all things 7,heb #a3c74 ,the disposer of all things 7,matt #bh3ah74 ,the only beloved of the ,father 7,matt #aa74 ,but the persons of him beloved1 are called transgressors1 sinners1 enemies1 dust and ashes1 fleas 7#a ,sam #bd3ad71 worms1 shadows1 vapours3 vile1 sinful1 filthy1 unclean1 ungodly fools1 madmen4 ,and now is it not to be wondered at1 and are we not to be affected herewith1 saying1 ,and wilt thou set thine eye upon such an one8 ,but how much more when ,he will set his heart upon us4 ,and yet this great1 this high1 this glorious person1 verily1 verily loveth such4 ,second1 ,we now come to the second thing1 namely1 to shew what is love2 not in a way of nice distinction of words1 but in a plain and familiar discourse1 yet respecting the love of the person under consideration4 ,love ought to be considered with reference to the subject as well as to the object of it4 ,the subject of love in the text1 is ,christ2 but forasmuch as love in him is diverse from the love that is in us2 therefore it will not be amiss1 if a little of the difference be made appear4 ,love in us is a passion of the soul1 and being such1 is subject to ebb and flow1 and to be extreme both ways4 ,for whatever is a passion of the soul1 whether love or hatred1 joy or fear1 is more apt to exceed1 or come short1 than to keep within its due bounds4 ,hence1 oft-times that which is loved today is hated tomorrow 7#b ,sam #ac3ae72 yea1 and that which should be loved with bounds of moderation1 is loved to the drowning of both soul and body in perdition and destruction 7#a ,tim #f3i1aj74 ,besides1 love in us is apt to choose to itself undue and unlawful objects1 and to reject those1 that with leave of ,god1 we may embrace and enjoy2 so unruly1 as to the laws and rules of divine government1 oft-times is this passion of love in us4 ,love in us1 requires1 that something pleasing and delightful be in the object loved1 at least1 so it must appear to the lust and fancy of the person loving1 or else love cannot act2 for the love that is in us1 is not of power to set itself on work1 where no allurement is in the thing to be beloved4 ,love in us decays1 though once never so warm and strongly fixed1 if the object falls off1 as to its first alluring provocation2 or disappointeth our expectation with some unexpected reluctancy to our fancy or our mind4 ,all this we know to be true from nature1 for every one of us are thus2 nor can we refuse1 or choose as to love1 but upon1 and after the rate1 and the working thus of our passions4 ,wherefore our love1 as we are natural1 is weak1 unorderly1 fails and miscarries1 either by being too much or too little2 yea1 though the thing which is beloved be allowed for an object of love1 both by the law of nature and grace4 ,we therefore must put a vast difference betwixt love1 as found in us1 and love as found in ,christ1 and that1 both as to the nature1 principle1 or object of love4 ,love in ,christ is not love of the same nature1 as is love in us2 love in him is essential to his being 7#a ,john #d3af72 but in us it is not so1 as has been already shewed4 ,god is love2 ,christ is ,god2 therefore ,christ is love1 love naturally4 ,love therefore is essential to ,his being4 ,he may as well cease to be1 as cease to love4 ,hence therefore it follows1 that love in ,christ floweth not from so low and beggarly a principle1 as doth love in man2 and consequently is not1 nor can be attended with those infirmities or defects1 that the love of man is attended with4 ,it is not attended with those unruly or uncertain motions that ours is attended with3 here is no ebbing1 no flowing1 no going beyond1 no coming short2 and so nothing of uncertainty4 ,having loved his own which were in the world1 he loved them unto the end 7,john #ac3a74 ,true1 there is a way of manifesting of this love1 which is suited to our capacities1 as men1 and by that we see it sometimes more1 sometimes less 7,song #g3aa1ab73 also it is manifested to us as we do1 or do not walk with ,god in this world 7,john #ad3bc74 ,i speak now of saints4 ,love in ,christ pitcheth not itself upon undue or unlawful objects2 nor refuseth to embrace what by the eternal covenant is made capable thereof4 ,it always acteth according to ,god2 nor is there at any time the least shadow of swerving as to this4 ,love in ,christ requireth no taking beauteousness in the object to be beloved1 as not being able to put forth itself without such attracting allurements 7,eze #af3f-h74 ,it can act of and from itself1 without all such kind of dependencies4 ,this is manifest to all who have the least true knowledge of what that object is in itself1 on which the ,lord ,jesus has set his heart to love them4 ,love in ,christ decays not1 nor can be tempted so to do by anything that happens1 or that shall happen hereafter1 in the object so beloved4 ,but as this love at first acts by1 and from itself1 so it continueth to do until all things that are imperfections1 are completely and everlastingly subdued4 ,the reason is1 because ,christ loves to make us comely1 not because we are so 7,eze #af3i-ad74 ,object4 ,but all along ,christ compareth his love to ours2 now1 why doth he so1 if they be so much alike8 ,answer4 ,because we know not love but by the passions of love that work in our hearts2 wherefore he condescends to our capacities1 and speaketh of ,his love to us1 according as we find love to work in ourselves to others4 ,hence he sets forth his love to us1 by borrowing from us instances of our love to wife and children 7,eph #e3be74 ,yea1 he sometimes sets forth his love to us1 by calling to our mind how sometimes a man loves a woman that is a whore1 ,go1 7saith ,god to the prophet7 love a woman beloved of her friend1 yet an adulteress1 according to the word of the ,lord toward the children of ,israel1 who look to other gods1 and love flagons of wine4 7,hosea #c3a7 ,but then1 these things must not be understood with respect to the nature1 but the dispensations and manifestations of love2 no1 nor with reference to these neither1 any further than by making use of such suitable similitudes1 thereby to commend his love to us1 and thereby to beget in us affections to him for the love bestowed upon us4 ,wherefore ,christ's love must be considered both with respect to the essence1 and also as to the divers workings of it4 ,for the essence thereof1 it is as ,i said1 natural with himself1 and as such1 it is the root and ground of all those actions of his1 whereby he hath shewed that himself is loving to sinful man4 ,but now1 though the love that is in him is essential to his nature1 and can vary no more than ,god himself3 yet we see not this love but by the fruits of it1 nor can it otherwise be discerned4 ,hereby perceive we the love of ,god1 because he laid down his life for us 7#a ,john #c3af74 ,we must then betake ourselves to the discoveries of this love1 of which there are two sorts2 namely1 such as are the foundations1 and such as are the consequences of those fundamental acts4 ,those which ,i call the foundations1 are they upon which all other discoveries of his goodness depend1 and they are two4 #a4 ,his dying for us4 #b4 ,his improving of his death for us at the right hand of ,god4 ,third1 ,and this leads me to the third particular1 to wit1 to shew you what the love of ,christ is2 namely1 in the discovery of it4 ,and to know the love of ,christ4 ,the love of ,christ is made known unto us1 as ,i said1 ,first1 ,by his dying for us4 ,second1 ,by his improving of his dying for us4 #a4 ,his dying for us appears1 7#a47 ,to be wonderful in itself4 7#b47 ,in his preparations for that work4 7#a47 ,it appears to be wonderful in itself1 and that both with respect to the nature of that death1 as also1 with respect to the persons for whom he so died4 ,the love of ,christ appears to be wonderful by the death he died3 ,in that he died1 in that he died such a death4 ',twas strange love in ,christ that moved him to die for us3 strange1 because not according to the custom of the world4 ,men do not use1 in cool blood1 deliberately to come upon the stage or ladder1 to lay down their lives for others2 but this did ,jesus ,christ1 and that too for such1 whose qualification1 if it be duly considered1 will make this act of his1 far more amazing1 ,he laid down his life for his enemies 7,rom #e71 and for those that could not abide him2 yea1 for those1 even for those that brought him to the cross3 not accidentally1 or because it happened so1 but knowingly1 designedly1 7,zech #ab3aj71 he knew it was for those he died1 and yet his love led him to lay down his life for them4 ,i will add1 ,that those very people for whom he laid down his life1 though they by all sorts of carriages did what they could to provoke him to pray to ,god his ,father1 that he would send and cut them off by the flaming sword of angels 7,matt #bf3ec71 would not be provoked1 but would lay down his life for them4 ,nor must ,i leave off here3 ,we never read that ,jesus ,christ was more cheerful in all his life on earth1 than when he was going to lay down his life for them1 now he thanked ,god 7,luke #bb3ai71 now he sang 7,matt #bf3cj74 ,but this is not all4 ,he did not only die1 but died such a death1 as indeed cannot be expressed4 ,he was content to be counted the sinner3 yea1 to be counted the sin of the sinner1 nor could this but be odious to so holy a ,lamb as he was1 yet willing to be this and thus for that love that he bare to men4 ,this being thus1 it follows1 that his sufferings must be inconceivable2 for that1 what in justice was the proper wages of sin and sinners1 he must undergo2 and what that was can no man so well know as he himself and damned spirits2 for the proper wages of sin1 and of sinners for their sin1 is that death which layeth pains1 such pains which it deserveth upon the man that dieth so3 ,but ,christ died so1 and consequently was seized by those pains not only in body but in soul4 ,his tears1 his cries1 his bloody sweat 7,luke #bb3dd71 the hiding of his ,father's face2 yea1 ,god's forsaking of him in his extremity 7,matt #bg3df71 plainly enough declares the nature of the death he died 7,mark #ae3ci74 ,for my part1 ,i stand amazed at those that would not have the world believe1 that the death of ,jesus ,christ was1 in itself1 so terrible as it was4 ,i will not stand here to discourse of the place called ,hell1 where the spirits of the damned are1 we are discoursing of the nature of ,christ's sufferings3 and ,i say1 if ,christ was put into the very capacity of one that must suffer what in justice ought to be inflicted for sin2 then1 how we can so diminish the greatness of his sufferings1 as some do1 without undervaluing of the greatness of his love1 ,i know not2 and how they will answer it1 ,i know not4 ,and on the contrary1 what if ,i should say1 that the soul of ,christ suffered as long as his body lay in the grave1 and that ,god's loosing of the pains of death at ,christ's resurrection1 must not so much be made mention of with reference to his body1 as to his soul1 if to his body at all4 ,for what pain of death was his body capable of1 when his soul was separate from it8 7,acts #b3bd7 ,and yet ,god's loosing the pains of death1 seems to be but an immediate antecedent to his rising from the dead4 ,and this sense ,peter doth indeed seem to pursue1 saying1 ,for ,david speaketh concerning him2 ,i foresaw the ,lord always before my face1 for he is on my right hand1 that ,i should not be moved4 ,therefore did my heart rejoice1 and my tongue was glad2 moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope1 because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell1 neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption 7,acts #b3be-bg74 ,this1 saith ,peter1 was not spoken of ,david1 but he being a prophet1 and knowing that ,god had sworn with an oath1 that of the fruit of his loins according to the flesh he would raise up ,christ to sit on his throne 7verse #bi1cj73 ,he seeing this before1 spake of the resurrection of ,christ1 that his soul was not left in hell1 neither did his flesh see corruption 7verse #ca74 ,thou wilt not leave my soul in hell2 his soul was not left in hell4 ,of what use are these expressions1 if the soul of ,christ suffered not1 if it suffered not when separated from the body8 for of that time the ,apostle ,peter seems to treat4 ,besides1 if it be not improper to say1 that soul was not left there1 that never was there1 ,i am at a loss4 ,thou wilt not leave1 his soul was not left there2 ergo1 ,it was there1 seems to be the natural conclusion4 ,if it be objected1 that by hell is meant the grave1 'tis foolish to think that the soul of ,christ lay there while his body lay dead therein4 ,but again1 the ,apostle seems clearly to distinguish between the places where the soul and body of ,christ was2 counting his body to be in the grave1 and his soul1 for the time1 in hell4 ,if there be objected what was said by him to the thief upon the cross 7,luke #bc3dc71 ,i can answer1 ,christ might speak that with reference to his ,god-head1 and if so1 that lies as no objection to what hath been insinuated4 ,and why may not that be so understood1 as well as where he said1 when on earth1 ,the ,son of man which is in heaven 7,john #c3ac71 meaning himself4 ,for the personality of the ,son of ,god1 call him ,son of man1 or what other term is fitting1 resideth not in the human1 but divine nature of ,jesus ,christ4 ,however1 since hell is sometimes taken for the place 7,acts #a3be71 sometimes for the grave1 sometimes for the state 7,psa #aaf3c71 and sometimes but for a figure of the place where the damned are tormented 7,jonah #b3b72 ,i will not strictly assign to ,christ the place1 the prison where the damned spirits are 7#a ,peter #c3ai71 but will say1 as ,i said before1 that he was put into the place of sinners1 into the sins of sinners1 and received what by justice was the proper wages of sin both in body and soul3 ,as is evident from that #ecrd of ,isaiah 7verse #aj1aa74 ,this soul of his ,i take to be that which the inwards and the fat of the burnt sacrifices was a figure1 or shadow of4 ,and the fat and the inwards were burnt upon the altar1 whilst the body was burned for sin without the camp 7,exo #bi3ac1ad1 ,lev #h3ad-ag74 ,and now having said this much1 wherein have ,i derogated from the glory and holiness of ,christ8 ,yea1 ,i have endeavoured to set forth something of the greatness of his sorrows1 the odiousness of sin1 the nature of justice1 and the love of ,christ4 ,and be sure1 by how much the sufferings of the ,son of ,god abounded for us1 by so much was this unsearchable love of ,christ made manifest4 ,nor can they that would1 before the people1 pare away1 and make but little these infinite sufferings of our ,lord1 make his love to be so great as they ought1 let them use what rhetoric they can4 ,for their objecting the odious names and place of hell1 accounting it not to be fit to say1 ,that so holy a person as the ,son of ,god was there4 ,i answer1 though ,i have not asserted it1 yet let me ask1 which is more odious1 hell or sin8 ,or whether such think that ,christ ,jesus was subject to be tainted by the badness of the place1 had he been there8 ,or whether1 when the scripture says1 ,god is in hell1 it is any disparagement to him8 7,psa #aci3h7 ,or if a man should be so bold as to say so1 ,whether by so saying1 he confineth ,christ to that place for ever8 ,and whether by so thinking he has contradicted that called the ,apostles' creed8#f 7#b47 ,having thus spoken of the death and sufferings of ,christ1 ,i shall in the next place speak of his preparations for his so suffering for us2 and by so doing1 yet shew you something more of the greatness of his love4 ,christ1 as ,i have told you1 was even before his sufferings1 a person of no mean generation1 being the ,son of the eternal ,god3 ,neither had his ,father any more such sons but he2 consequently he of right was heir of all things1 and so to have dominion over all worlds4 ,for1 for him were all things created 7,col #a3af74 ,and hence all creatures are subject to him2 yea the angels of ,god worship him 7,heb #a74 ,wherefore as so considered1 he augmented not his state by becoming lower than the angels for us1 for what can be added to him1 that is naturally ,god4 ,indeed he did take1 for our sakes1 the human nature into union with himself1 and so began to manifest his glory2 and the kindness that he had for us before all worlds1 began now eminently to shew itself4 ,had this ,christ of ,god1 our friend1 given all he had to save us1 had not his love been wonderful8 ,but when he shall give for us himself1 this is more wonderful4 ,but this is not all1 the case was so betwixt ,god and man1 that this ,son of ,god could not1 as he was before the world was1 give himself a ransom for us1 he being altogether incapable so to do1 being such an one as could not be subject to death1 the condition that we by sin had put ourselves into4 ,wherefore that which would have been a death to some1 to wit1 the laying aside of glory and becoming1 of the ,king of princes1 a servant of the meanest form2 this he of his own good-will1 was heartily content to do4 ,wherefore1 he that once was the object of the fear of angels1 is now become a little creature1 a worm1 an inferior one 7,psa #bb3f71 born of a woman1 brought forth in a stable1 laid in a manger 7,luke #b3g71 scorned of men1 tempted of devils 7,luke #d3b71 was beholden to his creatures for food1 for raiment1 for harbour1 and a place wherein to lay his head when dead4 ,in a word1 he made himself of no reputation1 took upon him the form of a servant1 and was made in the likeness of men 7,phil #b3g71 that he might become capable to do this kindness for us4 ,and it is worth your noting1 that all the while that he was in the world1 putting himself upon those other preparations which were to be antecedent to his being made a sacrifice for us1 no man1 though he told what he came about to many1 had1 as we read of1 an heart once to thank him for what he came about 7,isa #ec3c74 ,no1 they railed on him1 they degraded him1 they called him devil1 they said he was mad1 and a deceiver1 a blasphemer of ,god1 and a rebel against the state3 ,they accused him to the governor2 yea1 one of his disciples sold him1 another denied him1 and they all forsook him1 and left him to shift for himself in the hands of his horrible enemies2 who beat him with their fists1 spat on him1 mocked him1 crowned him with thorns1 scourged him1 made a gazing stock of him1 and finally1 hanged him up by the hands and the feet alive1 and gave him vinegar to increase his affliction1 when he complained that his anguish had made him thirsty4 ,and yet all this could not take his heart off the work of our redemption4 ,to die he came1 die he would1 and die he did before he made his return to the ,father1 for our sins1 that we might live through him4 #g ,nor may what we read of in the word concerning those temporal sufferings that he underwent be over-looked1 and passed by without serious consideration2 they being a part of the curse that our sin had deserved6 ,for all temporal plagues are due to our sin while we live1 as well as the curse of ,god to everlasting perdition1 when we die4 ,wherefore this is the reason why the whole life of the ,lord ,jesus was such a life of affliction and sorrow1 he therein bare our sicknesses1 and took upon him our deserts3 ,so that now the curse in temporals1 as well as the curse in spirituals1 and of everlasting malediction1 is removed by him away from ,god's people2 and since he overcame them1 and got to the cross1 it was by reason of the worthiness of the humble obedience that he yielded to his ,father's law in our flesh4 ,for his whole life 7as well as his death7 was a life of merit and purchase1 and desert4 ,hence it is said1 he increased in favour with ,god 7,luke #b3eb74 ,for his works made him still more acceptable to him3 ,for he standing in the room of man1 and becoming our reconciler to ,god2 by the heavenly majesty he was counted as such1 and so got for us what he earned by his mediatory works2 and also partook thereof as he was our head himself4 ,and was there not in all these things love1 and love that was infinite8 ,love which was not essential to his divine nature1 could never have carried him through so great a work as this3 ,passions here would a failed1 would a retreated1 and have given the recoil2 yea1 his very humanity would here have flagged and fainted1 had it not been managed1 governed1 and strengthened by his eternal ,spirit4 ,wherefore it is said1 that through the eternal ,spirit he offered himself without spot to ,god 7,heb #i3ad74 ,and that he was declared to be the ,son of ,god1 with so doing1 and by the resurrection from the dead 7,rom #a3d74 #b4 ,we come now to the second thing propounded1 and by which his love is discovered1 and that is his improving of his dying for us4 ,but ,i must crave pardon of my reader1 if he thinks that ,i can discover the ten hundred thousandth part thereof1 for it is impossible2 but my meaning is1 to give a few hints what beginnings of improvement he made thereof1 in order to his further progress therein4 7#a47 ,therefore1 ,this his death for us1 was so virtuous1 that in the space of three days and three nights1 it reconciled to ,god in the body of his flesh as a common person1 all1 and every one of ,god's elect4 ,christ1 when he addressed himself to die1 presented himself to the justice of the law1 as a common person2 standing in the sted1 place1 and room of all that he undertook for2 ,he gave his life a ransom for many 7,matt #bj3bh74 ,he came into the world to save sinners 7#a ,tim #a3ae74 ,and as he thus presented himself1 so ,god1 his ,father1 admitted him to this work2 and therefore it is said1 ,the ,lord laid upon him the iniquity of us all3 ,and again1 surely he hath borne our griefs1 and carried our sorrows 7,isa #ec3d1f1ab74 ,hence it unavoidably follows1 that whatever he felt1 and underwent in the manner1 or nature1 or horribleness of the death he died1 he felt and underwent all as a common person2 that is1 as he stood in the sted of others3 ,therefore it is said1 ,he was wounded for our transgressions1 and bruised for our iniquities2 and that the chastisement of our peace was upon him 7,isa #ec3e74 ,and again the just died for the unjust 7#a ,peter #c3ah74 ,now then1 if he presented himself as a common person to justice1 if ,god so admitted and accounted him1 if also he laid the sins of the people1 whose persons he represented1 upon him1 and under that consideration punishes him with those punishments and death1 that he died4 ,then ,christ in life and death is concluded by the ,father to live and die as a common or public person1 representing all in this life and death1 for whom he undertook thus to live1 and thus to die4 ,so then1 it must needs be1 that what next befalls this common person1 it befalls him with respect to them in whose room and place he stood and suffered4 ,now1 the next that follows1 is1 that he is justified of ,god3 ,that is1 acquitted and discharged from this punishment1 for the sake of the worthiness of his death and merits2 for that must be before he could be raised from the dead 7,acts #b3bd73 ,god raised him not up as guilty1 to justify him afterwards3 ,his resurrection was the declaration of his precedent justification4 ,he was raised from the dead1 because it was neither in equity or justice possible that he should be holden longer there1 his merits procured the contrary4 ,now he was condemned of ,god's law1 and died by the hand of justice1 he was acquitted by ,god's law1 and justified of justice2 and all as a common person2 so then1 in his acquitting1 we are acquitted1 in his justification we are justified2 and therefore the ,apostle applieth ,god's justifying of ,christ to himself2 and that rightly 7,isa #ej3h1 ,rom #h3cc1cd74 ,for if ,christ be my undertaker1 will stand in my place1 and do for me1 'tis but reasonable that ,i should be a partaker3 ,wherefore we are also said to be quickened together with him 7,eph #b3e73 ,that is1 when he was quickened in the grave2 raised up together1 and made to sit together in heavenly places in ,christ ,jesus4 ,therefore another scripture saith1 ,hath ,he quickened you--together with him1 having forgiven you all trespasses 7,col #b3ac74 ,this quickening1 must not be understood of the renovation of our hearts1 but of the restoring of ,jesus ,christ to life after he was crucified2 and we are said to be quickened together with him1 because we were quickened in him at his death1 and were to fall or stand by him quite through the three days and three nights work2 and were to take therefore our lot with him3 ,wherefore it is said again1 ,that his resurrection is our justification 7,rom #d3be74 ,that by one offering he has purged our sins for ever 7,heb #aj3ab72 and that by his death he hath delivered us from the wrath to come 7#a ,thess #a3aj74 ,but ,i say1 ,i would be understood aright3 ,this life resideth yet in the ,son1 and is communicated from him to us1 as we are called to believe his word2 mean while we are secured from wrath and hell1 being justified in his justification1 quickened in his quickening1 raised up in his resurrection2 and made to sit already together in heavenly places in ,christ ,jesus6 #h ,and is not this a glorious improvement of his death1 that after two days the whole body of the elect1 in him1 should be revived1 and that in the third day we should live in the sight of ,god1 in and by him 7,heb #f3ah-bj74 7#b47 ,another improvement of his death for us1 was this1 ,by that he slew for us1 our infernal foes2 by it he abolished death 7#b ,tim #a3a72 by death he destroyed him that had the power of death 7,heb #b3ad73 ,by death he took away the sting of death 7#a ,cor #ae3ee1ef72 by death he made death a pleasant sleep to saints1 and the grave for a while1 an easy house and home for the body4 ,by death he made death such an advantage to us1 that it is become a means of translating of the souls of them that believe in him1 to life4 ,and all this is manifest1 for that death is ours1 a blessing to us1 as well as ,paul and ,apollos1 the world and life itself 7#a ,cor #c3bb74 ,and that all this is done for us by his death1 is apparent1 for that his person is where it is1 and that by himself as a common person he has got the victory for us4 ,for though as yet all things are not put under our feet1 yet we see ,jesus crowned with honour and glory1 who by the grace of ,god tasteth death for every man4 ,for it became ,god1 for whom are all things1 and by whom are all things1 to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings 7,heb #b3g-aj74 ,it became him2 that is1 it was but just and right1 he should do so1 if there was enough in the virtuousness of his death and blood to require such a thing4 ,but there was so4 ,wherefore ,god has exalted him1 and us in him1 above these infernal foes4 ,let us therefore see ourselves delivered from death first1 by the exaltation of our ,jesus1 let us behold him ,i say as crowned with glory and honour1 as1 or because1 he tasted death for us4 ,and then we shall see ourselves already in heaven by our head1 our undertaker1 our ,jesus1 our ,saviour4 7#c47 ,another improvement that has already been made of his death for us1 is thus1 he hath at his entrance into the presence of ,god1 for his worthiness sake1 obtained that the ,holy ,ghost should be given unto him for us1 that we by that might in all things1 yet to be done1 be made meet to be partakers personally1 in ourselves1 as well as virtually by our head and forerunner1 of the inheritance of the saints in light4 ,wherefore the abundant pourings out of that was forborn until the resurrection1 and glorification of our ,lord ,jesus4 ,for the ,holy ,ghost was not yet given1 because that ,jesus was not yet glorified 7,john #g3ci74 ,nor was it given so soon as received3 for he received it upon his entering into the holy place1 when he had sprinkled the mercy seat with the blood of sprinkling1 but it was not given out to us till sometimes after 7,acts #d73 however it was obtained before 7,acts #b3cb1cc74 ,and it was meet that it should in that infinite immeasurableness in which he received it1 first abide upon him1 that his human nature1 which was the first fruits of the election of ,god1 might receive by its abidings upon him1 that glory for which it was ordained2 and that we might receive1 as we receive all other things1 first by our head and undertaker1 sanctification in the fullness of it4 ,hence it is written1 that as he is made unto us of ,god1 wisdom1 and righteousness1 and redemption1 so sanctification too 7#a ,cor #a3cj73 ,for first we are sanctified in his flesh1 as we are justified by his righteousness4 ,wherefore he is that holy one that setteth us1 in himself1 a holy lump before ,god1 not only with reference to justification and life1 but with reference to sanctification and holiness3 ,for we that are elect1 are all considered in him as he has received that1 as well as in that he has taken possession of the heaven for us4 ,i count not this all the benefit that accrueth to us by ,jesus his receiving the ,holy ,ghost1 at his entrance into the presence of ,god for us3 ,for we also are to receive it ourselves from him1 according as by ,god we are placed in the body at the times appointed of the ,father4 ,that we1 as was said1 may receive personal quickening1 personal renovation1 personal sanctification2 and in conclusion1 glory4 ,but ,i say1 for that he hath received this holy ,spirit to himself1 he received it as the effect of his ascension1 which was the effect of his resurrection1 and of the merit of his death and passion4 ,and he received it as a common person1 as a head and undertaker for the people4 7#d47 ,another improvement that has been made of his death1 and of the merits thereof for us1 is that he has obtained to be made of ,god1 the chief and high ,lord of heaven and earth1 for us1 7,all this while we speak of the exaltation of the human nature1 in1 by1 and with which1 the ,son of ,god became capable to be our reconciler unto ,god74 ,all things1 saith he1 are delivered unto me of my ,father4 ,and all power in heaven and earth is given unto me2 and all this because he died4 ,he humbled himself1 and became obedient unto death1 even the death of the cross2 wherefore ,god hath highly exalted him1 and given him a name above every name1 that at the name of ,jesus every knee should bow1 of things in heaven1 of things in earth1 or things under the earth3 and that every tongue shall confess that ,jesus ,christ is ,lord1 to the glory of ,god the ,father 7,phil #b74 ,and all this is1 as was said afore1 for our sakes4 ,he has given him to be head over all things to the church 7,eph #a3bb74 ,wherefore1 whoever is set up on earth1 they are set up by our ,lord4 ,by me1 saith he1 kings reign1 and princes decree justice4 ,by me princes rule1 and nobles1 even all the judges of the earth 7,prov #h3ae1af74 ,nor are they when set up1 left to do1 though they should desire it1 their own will and pleasure4 ,the ,metheg-,ammah1#i the bridle1 is in his own hand1 and he giveth reins1 or check1 even as it pleaseth him 7#b ,sam #h3a71 ,he has this power1 for the well-being of his people4 ,nor are the fallen angels exempted from being put under his rebuke3 ,he is the only potentate 7#a ,tim #f3ae71 and in his times will shew it1 ,peter tells us1 he is gone into heaven1 and is on the right hand of ,god2 angels1 and authorities1 and powers being made subject unto him 7#a ,peter #c3bb74 ,this power1 as ,i said1 he has received for the sake of his church on earth1 and for her conduct and well-being among the sons of men4 ,hence1 as he is called the king of nations1 in general 7,jer #aj3g72 so the ,king of saints1 in special 7,rev #ae3c73 and as he is said to be head over all things in general2 so to his church in special4 7#e47 ,another improvement that he hath made of his death for us1 is1 he hath obtained1 and received into his own hand sufficiency of gifts to make ministers for his church withal4 ,i say1 to make and maintain1 in opposition to all that would hinder1 a sufficient ministry 7#a ,cor #ab3bh-cj74 ,wherefore he saith1 ,when he ascended on high1 he led captivity captive1 and gave gifts unto men4 ,and he gave some ,apostles1 some prophets1 some evangelists1 some pastors and teachers2 for the perfecting of the saints1 for the work of the ministry1 for edifying of the body of ,christ4 ,until we all come in the unity of the faith1 and knowledge of the ,son of ,god1 unto a perfect man1 unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of ,christ 7,eph #d3h-ad74 ,many ways has ,satan devised to bring into contempt this blessed advantage that ,christ has received of ,god for the benefit of his church2 partly while he stirs up persons to revile the sufficiency of the ,holy ,ghost1 as to this thing3 partly1 while he stirs up his own limbs and members1 to broach his delusions in the world1 in the name of ,christ1 and as they blasphemously call it by the assistance of the ,holy ,ghost2#aj partly while he tempteth novices in their faith1 to study and labour in nice distinctions1 and the affecting of uncouth expressions1 that vary from the form of sound words1 thereby to get applause1 and a name1 a forerunner of their own destruction 7,john #c3f74 ,but1 notwithstanding all this1 ,wisdom is justified of her children 7,matt #aa3ai73 and at the last day1 when the outside1 and inside of all things shall be seen and compared1 it will appear that the ,son of ,god has so managed his own servants in the ministry of his word1 and so managed his word1 while they have been labouring in it1 as to put in his blessing by that1 upon the souls of sinners1 and has blown away all other things as chaff 7,james #a3ah74 7#f47 ,another improvement that the ,lord ,christ has made of his death1 for his1 is the obtaining1 and taking possession of heaven for them4 ,by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place1 having obtained eternal redemption for us 7,heb #i3ab74 ,this heaven6 who knows what it is8 7,matt #bb3bc7 ,this glory6 who knows what it is8 ,it is called ,god's throne1 ,god's house 7,john #ad3b71 ,god's habitation2 paradise 7#b ,cor #ab3d71 the kingdom of ,god1 the high and holy place 7,isa #eg3ae74 ,abraham's bosom 7,luke #af3bb71 and the place of heavenly pleasures 7,psa #af3aa72 in this heaven is to be found1 the face of ,god for ever 7,psa #da3ab73 ,immortality1 the person of ,christ1 the prophets1 the angels1 the revelation of all mysteries1 the knowledge of all the elect1 ,,eternity4 ,of this heaven1 as was said afore1 we are possessed already1 we are in it1 we are set down in it1 and partake already of the benefits thereof1 but all by our head and undertaker2 and 'tis fit that we should believe this1 rejoice in this1 talk of this1 tell one another of this1 and live in the expectation of our own personal enjoyment of it4 ,and as we should do all this1 so we should bless and praise the name of ,god who has put over this house1 this kingdom1 and inheritance into the hand of so faithful a friend4 ,yea1 a brother1 a ,saviour and blessed undertaker for us4 ,and lastly1 since all these things already mentioned1 are the fruit of the sufferings of our ,jesus1 and his sufferings the fruit of that love of his that passeth knowledge3 how should we bow the knee before him1 and call him tender ,father2 yea1 how should we love and obey him1 and devote ourselves unto his service1 and be willing to be also sufferers for his sake1 to whom be honour and glory for ever4 ,and thus much of the love of ,christ in general4 ,i might here add many other things1 but as ,i told you before1 we would under the head but now touched upon1 treat about the fundamentals or great and chief parts thereof1 ,christ's love and then4 ,,second1 ,of the exceeding greatness of it more particularly3 ,wherefore of that we must say something now4 ,and to know the love of ,christ1 which passeth knowledge4 ,in that it is said to pass knowledge1 'tis manifest it is exceeding great1 or greatly going beyond what can be known2 for to exceed1 is to go beyond1 be above1 or to be out of the reach of what would comprehend that which is so4 ,and since the expression is absolutely indefinite1 and respecteth not the knowledge of this or the other creature only3 it is manifest1 that ,paul by his thus saying1 challengeth all creatures in heaven and earth to find out the bottom of this love if they can4 ,the love of ,christ which passeth knowledge4 ,i will add1 that forasmuch as he is indefinite also about the knowledge1 as well as about the persons knowing1 it is out of doubt that he here engageth all knowledge1 in what enlargements1 attainments1 improvements1 and heights soever it hath1 or may for ever attain unto4 ,it passeth knowledge 7,eph #c3ai74 ,of the same import also is that other passage of the ,apostle a little above in the self-same chapter4 ,i preach1 saith he1 among the ,gentiles the unsearchable riches of ,christ3 or those riches of ,christ that cannot by searching1 be found out in the all of them3 ,the riches1 the riches of his love and grace4 ,the riches of his love and grace towards us4 ,for ye know the grace of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that1 though he was rich1 yet for your sakes he became poor1 that ye through his poverty might be made #aa rich 7#b ,cor #h3i74 ,ye know the grace1 that is so far1 and so far every believer knows it3 for that his leaving heaven and taking upon him flesh1 that he might bring us thither1 is manifest to all4 ,but yet1 all the grace that was wrapped up in that amazing condescension1 knoweth none1 nor can know3 for if that might be1 that possibility would be a flat contradiction to the text3 ,the love of ,christ which passeth knowledge4 ,wherefore the riches of this love in the utmost of it1 is not1 cannot be known by any3 let their understanding and knowledge1 be heightened and improved what it may4 ,yea1 and being heightened and improved1 let what search there can by it be made into this love and grace4 ,that which is afar off1 and exceeding deep1 who can find out8 7,eccl #g3bd7 ,and that this love of ,christ is so1 shall anon be made more apparent4 ,but at present we will proceed to particular challenges for the making out of this1 and then we will urge those reasons that will be for the further confirmation of the whole4 ,first1 ,this love passes the knowledge of the wisest saint1 we now single out the greatest proficient in this knowledge2 and to confirm this1 ,i need go no further than to the man that spake these words2 to wit1 ,paul1 for in his conclusion he includes himself4 ,the love of ,christ which passeth knowledge1 even my knowledge4 ,as who should say2 though ,i have waded a great way in the grace of ,christ1 and have as much experience of his love as any he in all the world1 yet ,i confess myself short1 as to the fullness that is therein1 nor will ,i stick to conclude of any other1 ,that he knows nothing yet as he ought to know 7#a ,cor #h3b1 #ac3ab74 ,second1 ,this love passeth the knowledge of all the saints1 were it all put together1 we1 we all1 and every one1 did we each of us contribute for the manifesting of this love1 what it is1 the whole of what we know1 it would amount but to a broken knowledge2 we know but in part1 we see darkly 7#a ,cor #ac3i-ab71 we walk not by sight1 but faith 7#b ,cor #e3g74 ,true1 now we speak of saints on earth4 ,third1 ,but we will speak of saints in heaven2 they cannot to the utmost1 know this love of ,christ4 ,for though they know more thereof than saints on earth1 because they are more in the open visions of it1 and also are more enlarged1 being spirits perfect1 than we on earth4 ,yet1 to say no more now1 they do not see the rich and unsearchable runnings out thereof unto sinners here on earth4 ,nor may they there measure that1 to others1 by what they themselves knew of it here4 ,for sins1 and times and persons and other circumstances1 may much alter the case1 but were all the saints on earth1 and all the saints in heaven to contribute all that they know of this love of ,christ1 and to put it into one sum of knowledge1 they would greatly come short of knowing the utmost of this love1 for that there is an infinite deal of this love1 yet unknown by them4 ',tis said plainly1 that they on earth do not yet know what they shall be 7#a ,john #c3b74 ,and as for them in heaven1 they are not yet made perfect as they shall be 7,heb #aa3ci1dj74 ,besides1 we find the souls under the altar1 how perfect now soever1 when compared with that state they were in when with the body 7,isa #fc3af72 yet are not able in all points1 though in glory1 to know1 and so to govern themselves there without directions 7,rev #f3i-aa74 ,i say1 they are not able1 without directions and instructions1 to know the kinds and manner of workings of the love of ,christ towards us that dwell on earth4 ,fourth1 ,we will join with these1 the angels1 and when all of them1 with men1 have put all and every whit of what they know of this love of ,christ together1 they must come far short of reaching to1 or of understanding the utmost bound thereof4 ,i grant1 that angels do know1 in some certain parts of knowledge of the love of ,christ1 more than saints on earth can know while here2 but then again1 ,i know that even they do also learn many things of saints on earth1 which shews that themselves know also but in part 7,eph #c3aj72 so then1 all1 as yet1 as to this love of ,christ1 and the utmost knowledge of it1 are but as so many imperfects 7#a ,peter #a3ab71 nor can they all1 put all their imperfects together1 make up a perfect knowledge of this love of ,christ2 for the texts do yet stand where they did1 and say1 his riches are unsearchable1 and his love that which passeth knowledge4 ,we will come now to shew you1 besides what has been already touched on4 ,,the ,,reason why this riches is unsearchable1 and that love such as passeth knowledge2 and the ,reason ,first is1 ,because ,it is eternal4 ,all that is eternal1 has attending of it1 as to the utmost knowledge of it1 a fourfold impossibility4 #a4 ,it is without beginning4 #b4 ,it is without end4 #c4 ,it is infinite4 #d4 ,it is incomprehensible4 #a4 ,it is without beginning3 ,that which was before the world was1 is without a beginning1 but the love of ,christ was before the world4 ,this is evident from ,proverbs the eighth1 his delights1 before ,god had made the world1 are there said to be1 with the sons of men4 ,not that we then had being1 for we were as yet uncreated2 but though we had not beings created1 we had being in the love and affections of ,jesus ,christ4 ,now this love of ,christ must needs1 as to the fullness of it1 as to the utmost of it1 be absolutely unknown to man4 ,who can tell how many heart-pleasing thoughts ,christ had of us before the world began8 ,who can tell how much he then was delighted in that being we had in his affections2 as also1 in the consideration of our beings1 believings1 and being with him afterwards4 ,in general we may conclude1 it was great2 for there seems to be a parallel betwixt his ,father's delights in him1 and his delights in us4 ,i was daily his delight1--any my delights were with the sons of men 7,prov #h3bb1cj1ca74 ,but ,i say1 who can tell1 who can tell altogether1 what and how much the ,father delighted in his ,son before the world began8 ,who can tell what kind of delight the ,father had in the ,son before the world began8 ,why there seems to be a parallel betwixt the ,father's love to ,christ1 and ,christ's love to us2 the ,father's delight in ,christ1 and his delight in us4 ,yea1 ,christ confirms it1 saying1 ,as the ,father hath loved me1 so have ,i loved you1 continue ye in my love 7,john #ae3i74 ,i know that ,i am not yet upon the nature of the word eternal2 yet since1 by eternal1 we understand1 before the world began1 as well as forward1 to an endless forever3 ,we may a little enquire of folks as they may read1 if they can tell the kind or measure of the love wherewith ,christ then loved us4 ,i remember the question that ,god asked ,job1 ,where1 saith he1 wast thou when ,i laid the foundation of the earth8 declare if thou hast understanding 7,job #ch3d73 ,thereby insinuating that because it was done before he had his being1 therefore he could not tell how it was done4 ,now1 if a work so visible1 as the creation is1 is yet as to the manner of the workmanship thereof wholly unknown to them that commenced in their beings afterwards3 ,how shall that which has1 in all the circumstances of it1 been more hidden and inward1 be found out by them that have intelligence thereof by the ear1 and but in part1 and that in a mystery1 and long afterwards4 ,but to conclude this1 ,that which is eternal is without all beginning4 ,this was presented to consideration before1 and therefore it cannot to perfection be known4 #b4 ,that which is eternal is without end1 and how can an endless thing be known1 that which has no end has no middle1 wherefore it is impossible that the one half of the love that ,christ has for his church should ever by them be known4 ,i know that those visions that the saved shall have in heaven of this love1 will far transcend our utmost knowledge here1 even as far as the light of the sun at noon1 goes beyond the light of a blinking candle at midnight2 and hence it is1 that when the days of those visions are come1 the knowledge that we now have1 shall be swallowed up4 ,when that which is perfect is come1 then that which is in part shall be done away 7#a ,cor #ac3aj74 ,and although he speaks here of perfections1 when that which is perfect is come1 c41 yet even that perfection must not be thought to be such as is the perfection of ,god2 for then should all that are saved be so many externals and so many infinites1 as he is infinite4 ,but the meaning is1 we shall then be with the eternal1 shall immediately enjoy him with all the perfection of knowledge1 as far as is possible for a creature1 when he is wrought up to the utmost height that his created substance will bear to be capable of4 ,but for all that1 this perfection will yet come short of the perfection of him that made him1 and consequently1 short of knowing the utmost of his love2 since that in the root is his very essence and nature4 ,i know it says also1 that we shall know even as we are known4 ,but yet this must not be understood1 as if we should know ,god as fully as he knows us4 ,it would be folly and madness so to conclude2 but the meaning is1 we are known for happiness2 we are known of ,god1 for heaven and felicity2 and when that which is perfect is come1 then shall we perfectly know1 and enjoy that for which we are now known of ,god4 ,and this is that which the ,apostle longed for1 namely1 ,if by any means1 he might apprehend that for which he was also apprehended of ,christ ,jesus 7,phil #c3ab74 ,that is1 know1 and see that1 unto the which he was appointed of ,god and apprehended of ,christ ,jesus4 ',tis said again1 ,we shall be like him1 for we shall see him as he is 7#a ,john #c3b74 ,this text has respect to the ,son1 as to his humanity1 and not as to his divinity4 ,and not as to his divinity1 simply1 or distinctly considered2 for as to that it is as possible for a spirit to drink up the sea1 as for the most enlarged saint that is1 or ever shall be in glory1 so to see ,god as to know him altogether1 to the utmost1 or throughout4 ,but the humanity of the ,son of ,god1 we shall see throughout1 in all the beauty and glory that is upon him2 and that was prepared for him before the foundation of the world4 ,and ,christ will that we see this glory1 when he takes us up in glory to himself 7,john #ag3bd72 but the utmost boundlessness of the divine majesty1 the eternal deity of the ,son of ,god1 cannot be known to the utmost or altogether4 ,i do not doubt1 but that there will then in him1 ,i mean in ,christ1 and in us1 break forth these glorious rays and beams of the eternal majesty1 as will make him in each of us admirable one to another 7#b ,thess #a3aj72 and that then1 that of ,god shall be known of us1 that now never entered into our hearts to think of4 ,but the whole1 is not1 cannot1 shall never be fully known of any4 ,and therefore the love of ,christ1 it being essential to himself1 cannot be known because of the endlessness that is in it4 ,i said before1 that which has no end1 has no middle1 how then shall those that shall be in heaven eternally1 ever pass over half the breadth of eternity4 ,true1 ,i know that all enjoyments there will be enjoyments eternal4 ,yea1 that whatever we shall there embrace1 or what embraces we shall be embraced with1 shall be eternal2 but ,i put a difference betwixt that which is eternal1 as to the nature1 and that which is so as to the durableness thereof4 ,the nature of eternal things we shall enjoy1 so soon as ever we come to heaven1 but the duration of eternal things1 them we shall never be able to pass through1 for they are endless4 ,so then1 the eternal love of ,christ1 as to the nature of it1 will be perfectly known of saints1 when they shall dwell in heaven2 but the endlessness thereof they shall never attain unto4 ,and this will be their happiness4 ,for could it be1 that we should in heaven ever reach the end of our blessedness3 7as we should1 could we reach to the end of this love of ,christ7 why then1 as the saying is1 ,we should be at the land's end1 and feel the bottom of all our enjoyments4 ,besides1 whatsoever has an end1 has a time to decay1 and to cease to be1 as well as to have a time to shew forth its highest excellencies4 ,wherefore1 from all these considerations it is most manifest1 that the love of ,christ is unsearchable1 and that it passes knowledge4 #c4 and #d4 ,now the other two things follow of course1 to wit1 ,that this love is infinite and incomprehensible4 ,wherefore here is that that still is above and beyond even those that are arrived to the utmost of their perfections4 ,and this1 if ,i may so say1 will keep them in an employ1 even when they are in heaven2 though not an employ that is laboursome1 tiresome1 burdensome1 yet an employ that is dutiful1 delightful and profitable2 for although the work and worship of saints in heaven is not particularly revealed as yet1 and so it doth not yet appear what we shall be1 yet in the general we may say1 there will be that for them to do1 that has not yet by them been done1 and by that work which they shall do there1 their delight will be delight unto them4 ,the law was the shadow and not the very image of heavenly things 7,heb #aj3a74 ,the image is an image1 and not the heavenly things themselves 7the heavenly things they are saints7 there shall be worship in the heavens 7,heb #i3bc74 ,nor will this at all derogate from their glory4 ,the angels now wait upon ,god and serve him 7,psa #ajc3bj72 the ,son of ,god1 is now a minister1 and waiteth upon his service in heaven 7,heb #h3a1b72 some saints have been employed about service for ,god after they have been in heaven 7,luke #i3bi-cb72 and why we should be idle spectators1 when we come thither1 ,i see not reason to believe4 ,it may be said1 ,they there rest from their labours4 ,true1 but not from their delights4 ,all things then that once were burdensome1 whether in suffering or service1 shall be done away1 and that which is delightful and pleasurable shall remain4 ,but then will be a time to receive1 and not to work4 ,true1 if by work you mean such as we now count work2 but what if our work be there1 to receive and bless4 ,the fishes in the sea do drink1 swim and drink4 ,but for a further discourse of this1 let that alone till we come thither4 ,but to come down again into the world1 for now we are talking of things aloft3 ,reason ,second1 ,this love of ,christ must needs be beyond our knowledge1 because we cannot possibly know the utmost of our sin4 ,sin is that which sets out1 and off1 the knowledge of the love of ,christ4 ,there are four things that must be spoken to for the clearing of this4 #a4 ,the nature of sin4 #b4 ,the aggravations of sin4 #c4 ,the utmost tendencies of sin4 #d4 ,and the perfect knowledge of all this4 #a4 ,before we can know this love of ,christ1 as afore1 we must necessarily know the nature of sin1 that is1 what sin is1 what sin is in itself4 ,but no man knows the nature of sin to the full2 not what sin in itself is to the full4 ,the ,apostle saith1 ,that sin1 that is in itself is exceeding sinful 7,rom #g3ac74 ,that is1 exceeding it as to its filthiness1 goes beyond our knowledge3 ,but this is seen by the commandment4 ,now the reason why none can1 to the full1 know the horrible nature of sin1 is because none1 to the full1 can know the blessed nature of the blessed ,god4 ,for sin is the opposite to ,god4 ,there is nothing that seeketh absolutely1 and in its own nature to overcome1 and to annihilate ,god1 but sin1 and sin doth so4 ,sin is worse than the devil2 he therefore that is more afraid of the devil than of sin1 knows not the badness of sin as he ought2 nor but little of the love of ,jesus ,christ4 ,he that knows not what sin would have done to the world1 had not ,christ stepped betwixt those harms and it4 ,how can he know so much as the extent of the love of ,christ in common8 ,and he that knows not what sin would have done to him in particular1 had not ,christ the ,lord1 stepped in and saved1 cannot know the utmost of the love of ,christ to him in particular4 ,sin therefore in the utmost evil of it1 cannot be known of us3 so consequently the love of ,christ in the utmost goodness of it1 cannot be known of us4 ,besides1 there are many sins committed by us1 dropping from us1 and that pollute us1 that we are not at all aware of2 how then should we know that love of ,christ by which we are delivered from them8 ,lord1 who can understand his errors8 said ,david 7,psa #ai3ab74 ,consequently1 who can understand the love that saves him from them8 moreover1 he that knows the love of ,christ to the full1 must also know to the full that wrath and anger of ,god1 that like hell itself1 burneth against sinners for the sake of sin3 but this knows none4 ,lord1 who knoweth the power of thine anger8 said ,moses 7,psa #ij3aa74 ,therefore none knows this love of ,christ to the full4 ,the nature of sin is to get into our good1 to mix itself with our good1 to lie lurking many times under the formality and shew of good2 and that so close1 so cunningly1 and invisibly1 that the party concerned1 embraces it for virtue1 and knows not otherwise to do2 and yet from this he is saved by the love of ,christ2 and therefore1 as was hinted but now1 if a man doth not know the nature of his wound1 how should he know the nature and excellency of the balsam that hath cured him of his wound4 #b4 ,there are the due aggravations that belong to sin1 which men are unacquainted with2 it was one of the great things that the prophets were concerned with from ,god towards the people1 7as to shew them their sins1 so7 to shew them what aggravations did belong thereto 7,jer #b1 ,jer #c1 ,eze #af74 ,there are sins against light1 sins against knowledge1 sins against love1 sins against learning1 sins against threatenings1 sins against promises1 vows and resolutions1 sins against experience1 sins against examples of anger1 and sins that have great1 and high1 and strange aggravations attending of them2 the which we are ignorant of1 though not altogether1 yet in too great a measure4 ,now if these things be so1 how can the love that saveth us from them be known or understood to the full8 ,alas6 our ignorance of these things is manifest by our unwillingness to abide affliction1 by our secret murmuring under the hand of ,god2 by our wondering why we are so chastised as we are1 by our thinking long that the affliction is no sooner removed4 ,or1 if our ignorance of the vileness of our actions is not manifest this way1 yet it is in our lightness under our guilt1 our slight thoughts of our doings1 our slovenly doing of duties1 and asking of forgiveness after some evil or unbecoming actions4 ',tis to no boot to be particular1 the whole course of our lives doth too fully make it manifest1 that we are wonderful short in knowing both the nature1 and also the aggravations of our sins3 and how then should we know that love of ,christ in its full dimensions1 by which we are saved and delivered therefrom8 #c4 ,who knows the utmost tendencies of sin8 ,i mean1 what the least sin driveth at1 and what it would unavoidably run the sinner into4 ,there is not a plague1 a judgment1 an affliction1 an evil under heaven1 that the least of our transgressions has not called for at the hands of the great ,god6 nay1 the least sin calleth for all the distresses that are under heaven1 to fall upon the soul and body of the sinner at once4 ,this is plain1 for that the least sin deserveth hell2 which is worse than all the plagues that are on earth4 ,but ,i say1 who understandeth this8 ,and ,i say again1 if one sin1 the least sin deserveth all these things1 what thinkest thou do all thy sins deserve8 how many judgments6 how many plagues6 how many lashes with ,god's iron whip dost thou deserve8 besides there is hell itself1 the place itself1 the fire itself1 the nature of the torments1 and the durableness of them1 who can understand8 ,but this is not all1 the tendencies of thy sins are to kill others4 ,men1 good men little think how many of their neighbours one of their sins may kill4 ,as1 how many good men and good women do unawares1 through their uncircumspectness1 drive their own children down into the deep8 7,psa #ajf3f1g7 ,we will easily count them very hardhearted sinners1 that used to offer their children in sacrifice to devils2 when 'tis easy to do worse ourselves3 they did but kill the body1 but we body and soul in hell1 if we have not a care4 ,do we know how our sins provoke ,god8 how they grieve the ,holy ,ghost8 how they weaken our graces8 how they spoil our prayers8 how they weaken faith8 how they tempt ,christ to be ashamed of us8 and how they hold back good from us8 ,and if we know not every one of all these things to the full1 how shall we know to the full the love of ,christ which saveth us from them all8 #d4 ,again1 ,but who has the perfect knowledge of all these things8 ,i will grant that some good souls may have waded a great way in some one1 or more of them2 but ,i know that there is not any that thoroughly know them all4 ,and yet the love of ,christ doth save us from all1 notwithstanding all the vileness and soul-damning virtue#ab that is in them4 ,alas6 how short are we of the knowledge of ourselves1 and of what is in us4 ,how many are there that do not know that man consisteth of a body made of dust1 and of an immortal soul8 ,yea1 and how many be there of those that confess it1 that know not the constitution of either4 ,i will add1 how many are there that profess themselves to be students of those two parts of man1 that have oftentimes proved themselves to be but fools as to both8 and ,i will conclude that there is not a man under heaven that knoweth it all together3 ,for man is fearfully and wonderfully made 7,psa #aci3ad73 nor can the manner of the union of these two parts be perfectly found out4 ,how much more then must we needs be at loss as to the fullness of the knowledge of the love of ,christ8 ,but1 ,reason ,third1 ,he that altogether knoweth the love of ,christ1 must1 precedent to that1 know not only all the wiles of the devil2 but also all the plottings1 contrivings and designs and attempts of that wicked one2 yea1 he must know1 all the times that he hath been with ,god1 together with all the motions that he has made that he might have leave to fall upon us1 as upon ,job and ,peter1 to try if he might swallow us up 7,job #a and #b1 ,luke #bb3ca74 ,but who knows all this8 no man1 no angel4 ,for1 if the heart of man be so deep1 that none1 by all his actions1 save ,god1 can tell the utmost secrets that are therein2 how should the heart of angels1 which in all likelihood are deeper1 be found out by any mortal man4 ,and yet this must be found out before we can find out the utmost of the love of ,christ to us4 ,i conclude therefore from all these things1 that the love of ,christ passeth knowledge3 or that by no means1 the bottom1 the utmost bounds thereof can be understood4 ,reason ,fourth1 ,he that will presume to say1 this love of ,christ can be to the utmost known by us1 must presume to say that he knoweth the utmost of the merits of his blood1 the utmost exercise of his patience1 the utmost of his intercession1 the utmost of the glory that he has prepared and taken possession of for us4 ,but ,i presume that there is none that can know all this1 therefore ,i may without any fear assert1 there is none that knows1 that is1 that knows to the full1 the other4 ,we come now more particularly to speak of the knowledge of the love of ,christ2 we have spoken of the love of ,christ2 and of the exceeding greatness of it3 and now we come1 ,,third1 ,to speak of the knowledge of it2 that is to say1 we will shew ,,what ,,knowledge ,,of ,,christ',s ,,love ,,is ,,attainable ,,in ,,this ,,world1 under these three heads4 ,as to this1 ,first1 ,it may be known as to the nature of it4 ,second1 ,it may be known in many of the degrees of it4 ,third1 ,but the greatest knowledge that we can have of it here1 is to know that it passes knowledge4 ,first1 ,we may know it in the nature of it4 ,that is1 that it is love free1 divine1 heavenly1 everlasting1 incorruptible4 ,and this no love is but the love of ,christ2 all other love is either love corruptible1 transient1 mixed1 or earthly4 ,it is divine1 for 'tis the love of the holy nature of ,god4 ,it is heavenly1 for that it is from above3 it is everlasting1 for that it has no end3 it is immortal1 for that there is not the appearance of corruptibleness in it1 or likelihood of decay4 ,this is general knowledge1 and this is common among the saints1 at leastwise in the notion of it4 ,though ,i confess1 it is hard in time of temptation1 practically to hold fast the soul to all these things4 ,but1 as ,i have said already1 this love of ,christ must be such1 because love in the root of it1 is essential to his nature1 as also ,i have proved now1 as is the root1 such are the branches2 and as is the spring1 such are the streams1 unless the channels in which those streams do run1 should be corrupted1 and so defile it2 but ,i know no channels through which this love of ,christ is conveyed unto us1 but those made in his side1 his hands1 and his feet1 c4 ,or those gracious promises that dropped like honey from his holy lips1 in the day of his love1 in which he spake them3 and seeing his love is conveyed to us1 as through those channels1 and so by the conduit of the holy and blessed spirit of ,god1 to our hearts1 it cannot be that it should hitherto be corrupted4 ,i know the cisterns1 to wit1 our hearts1 into which it is conveyed1 are unclean1 and may take away much1 through the damp that they may put upon it1 of the native savour and sweetness thereof4 ,i know also1 that there are those that tread down1 and muddy those streams with their feet 7,eze #cd3ah1ai72 but yet neither the love nor the channels in which it runs1 should bear the blame of this4 ,and ,i hope those that are saints indeed1 will not only be preserved to eternal life1 but nourished with this that is incorruptible unto the day of ,christ4 ,i told you before1 that in the hour of temptation1 it will be hard for the soul to hold fast to these things2 that is1 to the true definition of this love2 for then1 or at such seasons1 it will not be admitted that the love of ,christ is either transient1 or mixed2 but we count that we cannot be loved long1 unless something better than yet we see in us1 be found there1 as an inducement to ,christ to love1 and to continue to love our poor souls 7,isa #fd3f74 ,but these the ,christian at length gets over2 for he sees1 by experience1 he hath no such inducement 7,deu #i3e72 also1 that ,christ loves freely1 and not for1 or because of such poor1 silly1 imaginary enticements 7,eze #af3fj-fb74 ,thus therefore the love of ,christ may be known1 that is1 in the nature of it3 it may1 ,i say1 but not easily 7,eze #cf3be-cc74 ,for this knowledge is neither easily got1 though got1 nor easily retained1 though retained4 ,there is nothing that ,satan setteth himself more against1 than the breaking forth of the love of ,christ in its own proper native lustre4 ,for he knows it destroys his kingdom1 which standeth in profaneness1 in errors and delusions1 the only destruction of which is the knowledge of this love of ,christ 7#b ,cor #e3ad74 ,what mean those swarms of opinions that are in the world8 what is the reason that some are carried about as clouds1 with a tempest8 what mean men's waverings1 men's changing1 and interchanging truth for error1 and one error for another8 why1 this is the thing1 the devil is in it4 ,this work is his1 and he makes this ado1 to make a dust2 and a dust to darken the light of the gospel withal4 ,and if he once attaineth to that1 then farewell the true knowledge of the love of ,christ4 ,also he will assault the spirits of ,christians with divers and sundry cogitations1 such as shall have in them a tendency to darken the judgment1 delude the fancy1 to abuse the conscience4 ,he has an art to metamorphose all things4 ,he can make ,god seem to be to us1 a most fierce and terrible destroyer2 and ,christ a terrible exactor of obedience1 and most amazingly pinching of his love4 ,he can make supposed sins unpardonable2 and unpardonable ones1 appear as virtues4 ,he can make the law to be received for gospel1 and cause that the gospel shall be thrown away as a fable4 ,he can persuade1 that faith is fancy1 and that fancy is the best faith in the world4 ,besides1 he can tickle the heart with false hope of a better life hereafter1 even as if the love of ,christ were there4 ,but1 as ,i said before1 from all these things the true love of ,christ in the right knowledge of it1 delivereth those that have it shed abroad in the heart by the ,holy ,ghost that he hath given 7,rom #e74 ,wherefore it is for this purpose that ,christ biddeth us to continue in his love 7,john #ae3i72 because the right knowledge1 and faith of that to the soul1 disperseth and driveth away all such fogs1 and mists of darkness2 and makes the soul to sit fast in the promise of eternal life by him2 yea1 and to grow up into him who is the head1 in all things4 ,before ,i leave this head1 ,i will present my reader with these things1 as helps to the knowledge of the love of ,christ4 ,i mean the knowledge of the nature of it1 and as ,,helps to retain it4 ,help ,first1 ,know thy self1 what a vile1 horrible1 abominable sinner thou art3 ,for thou canst not know the love of ,christ1 before thou knowest the badness of thy nature4 ,o wretched man that ,i am 7,rom #g3bd71 must be1 before a man can perceive the nature of the love of ,christ4 ,he that sees himself but little1 will hardly know much of the love of ,christ3 he that sees of himself nothing at all1 will hardly ever see anything of the love of ,christ4 ,but he that sees most of what an abominable wretch he is1 he is like to see most of what is the love of ,christ4 ,all errors in doctrine take their rise from the want of this 7,i mean errors in doctrine as to justification74 ,all the idolizing of men's virtues1 and human inventions1 riseth also from the want of this4 ,so then if a man would be kept sure and stedfast1 let him labour before all things to know his own wretchedness4 ,people naturally think that the knowledge of their sins is the way to destroy them2 when in very deed1 it is the first step to salvation4 ,now if thou wouldest know the badness of thy self1 begin in the first place to study the law1 then thy heart1 and so thy life4 ,the law thou must look into1 for that's the glass2 thy heart thou must look upon1 for that's the face2 thy life thou must look upon1 for that's the body of a man1 as to religion 7,james #a3be74 ,and without the wary consideration of these three1 'tis not to be thought that a man can come at the knowledge of himself1 and consequently to the knowledge of the love of ,christ 7,james #a3bf1bg74 ,help ,second1 ,labour to see the emptiness1 shortness1 and the pollution that cleaveth to a man's own righteousness4 ,this also must in some measure be known1 before a man can know the nature of the love of ,christ4 ,they that see nothing of the loathsomeness of man's best things1 will think1 that the love of ,christ is of that nature as to be procured1 or won1 obtained or purchased by man's good deeds4 ,and although so much gospel light is broke forth as to stop men's mouths from saying this1 yet 'tis nothing else but sound conviction of the vileness of man's righteousness1 that will enable men to see that the love of ,christ is of that nature1 as to save a man without it2 as to see that it is of that nature as to justify him without it3 ,i say1 without it1 or not at all4 ,there is shortness1 there is hypocrisy1 there is a desire of vain glory1 there is pride1 there is presumption in man's own righteousness3 nor can it be without these wickednesses1 when men know not the nature of the love of ,christ4 ,now these defile it1 and make it abominable4 ,yea1 if there were no imperfection in it1 but that which ,i first did mention1 to wit1 shortness2 how could it cover the nakedness of him that hath it1 or obtain for the man1 in whole or in part1 that ,christ should love1 and have respect unto him4 ,occasions many thou hast given thee to see the emptiness of man's own righteousness1 but all will not do unless thou hast help from heaven3 wherefore thy wisdom will be1 if thou canst tell where to find it1 to lie in the way of ,god1 that when he comes to visit the men that wait upon him in the means of his own appointing1 thou mayest be there2 if perhaps he may cast an eye of pity upon thy desolate soul1 and make thee see the things above mentioned4 ,that thou mayest know the nature of the love of ,christ4 ,help ,third1 ,if thou wouldest know the nature of this love1 be much in acquainting of thy soul with the nature of the law1 and the nature of the gospel 7,gal #c3ba74 ,the which though they are not diametrically opposite one to another1 yet do propound things so differently to man1 that if he knows not where1 when1 and how to take them1 'tis impossible but that he should confound them1 and in confounding of them1 lose his own soul 7,rom #i3ca1cb74 ,the law is a servant1 both first and last1 to the gospel 7,rom #aj3c1d73 when therefore it is made a ,lord1 it destroyeth3 and then to be sure it is made a ,lord and ,saviour of1 when its dictates and commands are depended upon for life4 ,thy wisdom therefore will be to study these things distinctly1 and thoroughly2 for so far as thou art ignorant of the true knowledge of the nature of these1 so far thou art ignorant of the true knowledge of the nature of the love of ,christ4 ,read ,paul to the ,galatians1 that epistle was indicted by the ,holy ,ghost1 on purpose to direct the soul1 in1 and about this very thing4 ,help ,fourth1 ,the right knowledge of the nature of the love of ,christ1 is obtained1 and retained1 by keeping of these two doctrines at an everlasting distance as to the conscience2 to wit1 not suffering the law to rule but over my outward man1 not suffering the gospel to be removed one hair's breadth from my conscience4 ,when ,christ dwells in my heart by faith 7,eph #c3ag71 and the moral law dwells in my members 7,col #c3e71 the one to keep up peace with ,god1 the other to keep my conversation in a good decorum3 then am ,i right1 and not till then4 ,but this will not be done without much experience1 diligence1 and delight in ,christ4 ,for there is nothing that ,satan more desireth1 than that the law may abide in the conscience of an awakened ,christian1 and there take up the place of ,christ1 and faith2 for he knows if this may be obtained1 the vail is presently drawn over the face of the soul1 and the heart darkened as to the knowledge of ,christ2 and being darkened1 the man is driven into despair of mercy1 or is put upon it to work for life 7#b ,cor #c3ac-ae74 ,there is therefore1 as ,i say1 much diligence required of him that will keep these two in their places assigned them of ,god4 ,i say much diligent study of the word1 diligent prayer2 with diligence to walk with ,god in the world4 ,but we will pass this1 and come to the second head4 ,secondly1 ,as the love of ,christ may be known in the nature of it1 so it may be known in many degrees of it4 ,that which is knowable1 admits of degrees of knowledge3 the love of ,christ is knowable4 ,again1 that which is not possible to be known to the utmost1 is to be known1 we know not how much2 and therefore they that seek to know it1 should never be contented or satisfied to what degree of the knowledge of it soever they attain2 but still should be reaching forward1 because there is more to be known of it before them4 ,brethren1 said ,paul1 ,i count not myself to have apprehended1 7that is to the utmost7 but this one thing ,i do1 forgetting those things which are behind1 and reaching forth unto those things which are before1 ,i press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of ,god in ,christ ,jesus 7,phil #c3ac1ad74 ,i might here discourse of many things1 since ,i am upon this head of reaching after the knowledge of the love of ,christ in many of the degrees of it4 ,but ,i shall content myself with few4 #a4 ,he that would know the love of ,christ in several degrees of it1 must begin at his person1 for in him dwells all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge4 ,nay1 more2 ,in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge 7,col #b3c74 ,in him1 that is1 in his person3 ,for1 for the godhead of ,christ1 and our nature to be united in one person1 is the highest mystery1 and the first appearance of the love of ,christ by himself1 to the world 7#a ,tim #c3af74 ,here ,i say1 lie hid the treasures of wisdom1 and here1 to the world1 springs forth the riches of his love 7,john #a3ad74 ,that the eternal word1 for the salvation of sinners1 should come down from heaven and be made flesh1 is an act of such condescension1 a discovery of such love1 that can never to the full be found out4 ,only here we may see1 love in him was deep1 was broad1 was long1 and high3 let us therefore first begin here to learn to know the love of ,christ1 in the high degrees thereof4 7#a47 ,here1 in the first place1 we perceive love1 in that the human nature1 the nature of man1 not of angels1 is taken into union with ,god4 ,who so could consider this1 as it is possible for it to be considered1 would stand amazed till he died with wonder4 ,by this very act of the heavenly wisdom1 we have an inconceivable pledge of the love of ,christ to man3 for in that he hath taken into union with himself our nature1 what doth it signify1 but that he intendeth to take into union with himself our person4 ,for1 for this very purpose did he assume our nature4 ,wherefore we read that in the flesh he took upon him1 in that flesh1 he died for us1 the just for the unjust1 that he might bring us to ,god 7#a ,peter #c3ah74 7#b47 ,as he was made flesh1 so as was said afore1 he became a public or common person for us3 and hereby is perceived another degree of his love2 undertaking to do for his1 what was not possible they should do for themselves1 perfecting of righteousness to the very end of the law1 and doing for us1 to the reconciling of us unto his ,father1 and himself 7,rom #aj3c1d1 #c3bd74 7#c47 ,herein also we may attain to another degree of knowledge of his love1 by understanding that he has conquered1 and so disabled our foes1 that they cannot now accomplish their designed enmity upon us 7,rom #e1 ,eph #e3bf1bg73 but that when ,satan1 death1 the grave and sin have done to his people1 whatever can by them be done1 we shall be still more than conquerors1 7though on our side be many disadvantages71 through him that has loved us1 over them 7,rom #h3cg74 7#d47 ,by this also we may yet see more of his love1 in that as a forerunner1 he is gone into heaven to take possession thereof for us 7,heb #f3bj73 there to make ready1 and to prepare for us our summer-houses1 our mansion1 dwelling-places4 ,as if we were the lords1 and he the servant6 7,john #ad3b1c7 ,oh this love6 7#e47 ,also we may see another degree of his love1 in this1 that now in his absence1 he has sent the third person in the ,trinity to supply his place as another comforter of us 7,john #af3g1 #ae3bf71 that we may not think he has forgot us1 not be left destitute of a revealer of truth unto us 7,john #ad3af74 ,yea1 he has sent him to fortify our spirits1 and to strengthen us under all adversity2 and against our enemies of what account1 or degree soever 7,luke #ba3ae74 7#f47 ,in this also we may see yet more of the love of ,christ1 in that though he is in heaven and we on earth3 ,nothing can happen to his people to hurt them1 but he feels it1 is touched with it1 and counteth it as done unto himself3 ,yea1 sympathizes with them1 and is afflicted1 and grieved in their griefs1 and their afflictions4 7#g47 ,another thing by which also yet more of the love of ,christ is made manifest1 and so may by us be known1 is this3 ,he is now1 and has been ever since his ascension into glory1 laying out himself as high-priest for us 7,heb #g3bd-bf71 that by the improving#ac of his merits before the throne of grace1 in way of intercession1 he might preserve us from the ruins that our daily infirmities would bring upon us 7,heb #h3ab73 yea1 and make our persons and performances acceptable in his ,father's sight 7,rom #e3aj1 #a ,peter #b3e74 7#h47 ,we also see yet more of his love by this1 that he will have us where himself is1 that we may behold and be partakers of his glory 7,john #ag3bd74 ,and in this degree of his love1 there are many loves4 ,then he will come for us1 as a bridegroom for his bride 7,matt #be3f-aj74 ,then shall a public marriage be solemnized1 and eternized betwixt him and his church 7,rev #ai3f1g74 ,then she shall be wrapped up in his mantles and robes of glory 7,col #c3d74 ,then they shall be separated1 and separated from other sinners1 and all things that offend shall be taken away from among them 7,matt #be3ca1 #ac3da74 ,then shall they be exalted to thrones1 and power of judgment2 and shall also sit in judgment on sinful men and fallen angels1 acquiescing1 by virtue of authority1 with their king and head1 upon them 7#a ,cor #f3b1c74 ,then or from thenceforth for ever1 there shall be no more death1 sorrow1 hidings of his face1 or eclipsing of their glory for ever 7,luke #bj3cf74 ,and thus you may see what rounds this our ,jacob's ladder hath1 and how by them we may climb1 and climb1 even until we are climbed up to heaven3 but now we are set again2 for all the glories1 all the benefits1 all the blessings1 and all the good things that are laid up in heaven for these2 ,who can understand8 #b4 ,a second thing whereby the love of ,christ is some degrees of it may be known1 is this3 ,that he should pass by angels and take hold of us4 ,who so considereth the nature of spirits1 as they are ,god's workmanship1 must needs confess1 that as such1 they have a pre-eminency above that which is made of dust3 ,this then was the disparity 'twixt us and them2 they being1 by birth1 far more noble than we4 ,but now1 when both are fallen1 and by our fall1 both in a state of condemnation1 that ,jesus ,christ should choose to take up us1 the most inconsiderable1 and pass by them1 to their eternal perdition and destruction3 ,o love6 love in a high degree to man3 ,for verily he took not hold of angels1 but of the seed of ,abraham he took hold 7,heb #b3af74 ,yet this is not all3 ,in all probability this ,lord ,jesus has ten times as much to do now he has undertaken to be our ,saviour1 as he would have had1 had he stepped over us and taken hold on them4 7#a47 ,he needed not to have stooped so low as to take flesh upon him2 theirs being a more noble nature4 7#b47 ,nor would he in all likelihood1 have met with those contempts1 those scorns1 those reproaches and undervaluings from them1 as he has all-along received in this his undertaking1 and met with from sinful flesh4 ,for they were more noble than we1 and would sooner have perceived the design of grace1 and so one would think more readily have fallen in therewith1 than creatures in such darkness as we were1 and still by sin are4 7#c47 ,they would not have had those disadvantages as we1 for that they would not have had a tempter1 a destroyer1 so strong and mighty as ours is4 ,alas6 had ,god left us1 and taken them1 though we should have been ever so full of envy against their salvation2 yet being but flesh1 what could we have done to them to have laid obstacles in the way of their faith and hope1 as they can and do in ours8 7#d47 ,they1 it may fairly be presumed1 had they been taken1 and we left1 and made partakers in our sted1 while we had been shut out1 as they are1 would not have put ,christ so to it1 now in heaven 7pray bear with the expression1 because ,i want a better7 as we by our imperfections have done and do4 ,sin1 methinks1 would not have so hanged in their natures as it doth in ours3 their reason1 and sense1 and apprehensions being more quick1 and so more apt to have been taken with this love of ,christ1 and by it more easily have been sanctified4 7#e47 ,the law which they have broken1 being not so intricate1 as that against which we have offended1 theirs being a commandment with faithfulness to abide in the place in which their ,creator had set them2 methinks1 considering also the aptness of their natures as angels1 would not have made their complete obedience so difficult4 7#f47 ,nor can ,i imagine1 but had they been taken1 they1 as creatures excelling in strength1 would have been more capable of rendering these praises and blessings to ,god for eternal mercies1 than such poor sorry creatures as we are1 could4 ,but6 behold what manner of love the ,father hath bestowed upon us1 that we should be called the children of ,god 7#a ,john #c3a74 ,that we1 not they1 that we notwithstanding all that they have1 or could have done to hinder it1 should be called the children of ,god4 ,this therefore is an high degree of the love of ,jesus ,christ to us1 that when we and they were fallen1 he should stoop and take up us1 the more ignoble1 and leave so mighty a creature in his sins to perish4 #c4 ,a third thing whereby the love of ,christ in some of the degrees of it may be known1 will be to consider more particularly the way1 and unwearied work that he hath with man to bring him to that kingdom1 that by his blood he hath obtained for him4 7#a47 ,man1 when the ,lord ,jesus takes him in hand to make him partaker of the benefit1 is found an enemy to his redeemer2 nor doth all the intelligence that he has had of the grace and love of ,christ to such1 mollify him at all1 to wit1 before the day of ,god's power comes 7,rom #d3e1 #e3g-aj74 ,and this is a strange thing4 ,had man1 though he could not have come to ,christ1 been willing that ,christ should have come to him1 it had been something2 it would have shewn that he had taken his grace to heart1 and considered of it3 yea1 and that he was willing to be a sharer in it4 ,but verily here is no such thing2 man1 though he has free will1 yet is willing by no means to be saved ,god's way1 to wit1 by ,jesus ,christ1 before 7as was said before7 the day of ,god's power comes upon him4 ,when the good shepherd went to look for his sheep that was lost in the wilderness1 and had found it3 did it go one step homewards upon its own legs8 did not the shepherd take her and lay her upon his shoulder1 and bring her home rejoicing 7,luke #ae74 ,this then is not love only1 but love to a degree4 7#b47 ,when man is taken1 and laid under the day of ,god's power3 ,when ,christ is opening his ear to discipline1 and speaking to him that his heart may receive instruction2 many times that poor man is1 as if the devil had found him1 and not ,god4 ,how frenzily he imagines8 how crossly he thinks8 ,how ungainly he carries it under convictions1 counsels1 and his present apprehension of things8 ,i know some are more powerfully dealt withal1 and more strongly bound at first by the world2 but others more in an ordinary manner1 that the flesh1 and reason may be seen1 to the glory of ,christ4 ,yea1 and where the will is made more quickly to comply with its salvation1 'tis no thanks to the sinner at all 7,job #d3ah74 ',tis the day of the power of the ,lord that has made the work so soon to appear4 ,therefore count this an act of love1 in the height of love2 ,love in a great degree 7,john #ae3af74 7#c47 ,when ,christ ,jesus has made this mad man to come to himself1 and persuaded him to be willing to accept of his salvation3 yet he may not be trusted1 nor left alone1 for then the corruptions that still lie scattering up and down in his flesh will tempt him to it1 and he will be gone2 yea1 so desperately wicked is the flesh of saints1 that should they be left to themselves but a little while1 none knows what horrible transgressions would break out4 ,proof of this we have to amazement1 plentifully scattered here and there in the word4 ,hence we have the patience of ,god1 and his gentleness so admired 7#b ,chron #cb3ba73 for through that it is that they are preserved4 ,he that keepeth ,israel neither slumbers nor sleeps 7,psa #aba3d71 but watches for them1 and over them every moment1 for he knows else they will be hurt 7,isa #bg3c74 7#d47 ,yea1 notwithstanding this1 how often are saints found playing truant1 and lurking like thieves in one hole or other4 ,now1 in the guilt of backsliding by the power of this1 and then in filth by the power of that corruption 7,jer #b3bf74 ,yea1 and when found in such decayings1 and under such revoltings from ,god1 how commonly do they hide their sin with ,adam1 and ,david1 even until their ,saviour fireth out of their mouths a confession of the truth of their naughtiness4 ,when ,i keep silence1 said ,david1 7and yet he chose to keep silence after he had committed his wickedness7 my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long4 ,for day and night thy hand was heavy upon me1 my moisture is turned into the drought of summer 7,psa #cb3c1d74 but why didst thou not confess what thou hadst done then8 ,so ,i did1 saith he1 at last1 and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin 7verse #e74 7#e47 ,when the sins of saints are so visible and apparent to others1 that ,god for the vindication of his name and honour must punish them in the sight of others2 yea1 must do it1 as he is just3 ,yet then for ,christ's sake1 he waveth such judgments1 and refuseth to inflict such punishments as naturally tend to their destruction1 and chooseth to chastise them with such rods and scourges1 as may do them good in the end2 and that they may not be condemned with the world 7#a ,cor #aa3ca1cb74 ,wherefore the ,lord loves them1 and they are blessed1 whom he chasteneth and teacheth out of his law 7,heb #ab3e-h1 ,psa #id3ab74 ,and these things are love to a degree4 7#f47 ,that ,christ should supply out of his fullness the beginnings of grace in our souls1 and carry on that work of so great concern1 and that which at times we have so little esteem of1 is none of the least of the aggravations of the love of ,christ to his people4 ,and this work is as common as any of the works of ,christ1 and as necessary to our salvation1 as is his righteousness1 and the imputation thereof to our justification3 ,for else how could we hold out to the end 7,matt #bd3ac72 and yet none else can be saved4 7#g47 ,and that the love of ,christ should be such to us that he will thus act1 thus do to1 and for us1 with gladness2 7as afore is manifest by the parable of the lost sheep7 is another degree of his love towards us3 ,and such an one too1 as is none of the lowest rate4 ,i have seen hot love1 soon cold2 and love that has continued to act1 yet act towards the end1 as the man that by running1 and has run himself off his legs1 pants1 and can hardly run any longer3 but ,i never saw love like the love of ,christ1 who as a giant1 and bridegroom coming out of his chamber1 and as a strong man1 rejoiceth to run his race 7,psa #ai3e74 ,loving higher and higher1 stronger and stronger1 ,i mean as to the lettings out of love1 for he reserveth the best wine even till the last 7,john #b3aj74 7#h47 ,i will conclude with this1 that his love may be known in many degrees of it1 by that sort of sinners whose salvation he most rejoiceth in1 and that is1 in the salvation of the sinners that are of the biggest size3 ,great sinners1 ,jerusalem sinners1 ,samaritan sinners1 publican sinners4 ,i might urge moreover1 how he hath proportioned invitations1 promises and examples of his love1 for the encouragement and support of those whose souls would trust in him3 ,by which also great degrees of his love may be understood4 ,but we will come now to the third thing that was propounded4 ,thirdly1 ,but the greatest attainment that as to the understanding of the love of ,christ1 we can arrive to here1 is to know that it passes knowledge3 ,and to know the love of ,christ that passeth knowledge4 ,this truth discovereth itself1 #a4 ,by the text itself1 for the ,apostle here1 in this prayer of his for the ,ephesians1 doth not only desire that they may know1 but describeth that thing which he prays they may know1 by this term1 ,it passeth knowledge4 ,and to know the love of ,christ which passeth knowledge4 ,as our reason and carnal imagination will be rudely1 and unduly tampering with any thing of ,christ1 so more especially with the love and kindness of ,christ3 ,judging and concluding that just such it is1 and none other1 as may be apprehended by them3 ,yea1 and will have a belief that just so1 and no otherwise are the dimensions of this love2 nor can it save beyond our carnal conceptions of it4 ,saying to the soul as ,pharaoh once did to ,israel in another case3 ,let the ,lord be with you as ,i shall 7judge it meet he should7 let you go4 ,we think ,christ loves us no more than we do think he can1 and so conclude that his love is such as may by us be comprehended1 or known to the utmost bounds thereof4 ,but these are false conceptions1 and this love of ,christ that we think is such1 is indeed none of the love of ,christ1 but a false image thereof1 set before our eyes4 ,i speak not now of weak knowledge1 but of foolish and bold conclusions4 ,a man through unbelief may think that ,christ has no love for him1 and yet ,christ may love him with a love that passeth knowledge4 ,but when men in the common course of their profession1 will be always terminating here1 that they know how1 and how far ,christ can love1 and will thence be bold to conclude of their own safety1 and of the loss and ruin of all that are not in the same notions1 opinions1 formalities1 or judgments as they3 this is the worst and greatest of all4 ,the text therefore1 to rectify those false and erroneous conclusions1 says1 ,it is a love that passeth knowledge4 ,and it will be worth our observation to take notice that men1 erroneous men1 do not put these limits so commonly to the ,father and his love1 as to the ,son and his4 ,hence you have some that boast that ,god can save some who have not the knowledge of the person of the mediator ,jesus ,christ the righteous2 as the heathens that have1 and still do make a great improvement of the law and light of nature3 crying out with disdain against the narrowness1 rigidness1 censoriousness1 and pride of those that think the contrary4 ,being not ashamed all the while to eclipse1 to degrade1 to lessen and undervalue the love of ,jesus ,christ2 making of him and his undertakings1 to offer himself a sacrifice to appease the justice of ,god for our sins1 but a thing indifferent1 and in its own nature but as other smaller matters4 ,but all this while the devil knows full well at what game he plays1 for he knows that without ,christ1 without faith in his blood1 there is no remission of sins4 ,wherefore1 saith he1 let these men talk what they will of the greatness of the love of ,god as creator1 so they sleight and undervalue the love of ,christ as mediator4 ,and yet it is worth our consideration1 that the greatness of the love of ,god is most expressed in his giving of ,christ to be a ,saviour1 and in bestowing his benefits upon us that we may be happy through him4 ,but to return1 ,the love of ,christ that is so indeed1 is love that passeth knowledge3 and the best and highest of our knowledge of it is1 that we know it to be such4 #b4 ,because ,i find that at this point1 the great men of ,god1 of old1 were wont to stop1 be set1 and beyond which they could not pass4 ',twas this that made ,moses wonder 7,deu #d3ca-cd74 ',twas this that made ,david cry out1 ,how great and wonderful are the works of ,god8 thy thoughts to usward3 they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee3 ,if ,i would declare and speak of them1 they are more than can be numbered 7,psa #dj3e74 ,and again1 ,how precious also are thy thoughts unto me1 ,o ,god6 how great is the sum of them6 ,if ,i should count them1 they are more in number than the sand 7,psa #aci3ag1ah74 ,and a little before1 such knowledge is too wonderful for me 7verse #f74 ,isaiah saith1 there hath not entered into the heart of man what ,god has prepared for them that wait for him 7,isa #fd3d74 ,ezekiel says1 this is the river that cannot be passed over 7#dg3e73 ,and ,micah to the sea1 7#g3ai7 and ,zechariah to a fountain1 hath compared this unsearchable love 7#ac3a74 ,wherefore the ,apostle's position1 ,that the love of ,christ is that which passeth knowledge1 is a truth not to be doubted of3 ,consequently1 to know this1 and that it is such1 is the farthest that we can go4 ,this is to justify ,god1 who has said it1 and to magnify the ,son1 who has loved us with such a love3 ,and the contrary is to dishonour him1 to lessen him1 and to make him a deficient ,saviour4 ,for suppose this should be true1 that thou couldest to the utmost comprehend this love2 yet unless1 by thy knowledge thou canst comprehend beyond all evil of sin1 or beyond what any man sins1 who shall be saved1 can spread themselves or infect3 ,thou must leave some pardonable man in an unpardonable condition4 ,for that thou canst comprehend this love1 and yet canst not comprehend that sin4 ,this makes ,christ a deficient ,saviour4 ,besides1 if thou comprehendest truly2 the word that says1 it passeth knowledge1 hast lost its sanctity1 its truth4 ,it must therefore be1 that this love passeth knowledge2 and that the highest pitch that a man by knowledge can attain unto1 as to this1 is to know that it passeth knowledge4 ,my reason is1 for that all degrees of love1 be they never so high1 or many1 and high1 yet1 if we can comprehend them1 rest in the bowels of our knowledge1 for that only which is beyond us1 is that which passeth knowledge4 ,that which we can reach1 cannot be the highest3 ,and if a man thinks there is nothing beyond what he can reach1 he has no more knowledge as to that3 but if he knows that together with what he hath already reached1 there is that which he cannot reach1 before him2 then he has a knowledge for that also1 even a knowledge1 that it passeth knowledge4 ',tis true a man that thus knoweth may have divers conjectures about that thing that is beyond his knowledge4 ,yea1 in reason it will be so1 because he knows that there is something yet before him3 ,but since the thing itself is truly beyond his knowledge1 none of his conjectures about that thing may be counted knowledge4 ,or suppose a man that thus conjectureth1 should hit right as to what he now conjectures2 his right hitting about that thing may not be called knowledge3 ,it is as yet to him but as an uncertain guess1 and is still beyond this knowledge4 ,quest4 ,but1 may some say1 what good will it do a man to know that the love of ,christ passeth knowledge8 one would think that it should do one more good to believe that the knowledge of the whole love of ,christ might be attainable4 ,answer4 ,that there is an advantage in knowing that the love of ,christ passeth knowledge2 must not be questioned1 for that the ,apostle saith it doth 7#b ,tim #c3af74 ,for to know what the holy word affirms1 is profitable3 nor would he pray that we might know that which passeth knowledge1 were there not by our knowing of it1 some help to be administered4 ,but to shew you some of the advantages that will come to us by knowing that the love of ,christ passeth knowledge4 7#a47 ,by knowing of this a child of ,god has in reserve for himself1 at a day1 when all that he otherwise knows1 may be taken from him through the power of temptation4 ,sometimes a good man may be so put to it1 that all that he knows comprehensively may be taken from him3 to wit1 the knowledge of the truth of his faith1 or that he has the grace of ,god in him1 or the like1 that ,i say may be taken from him4 ,now if at this time1 he knows the love of ,christ that passeth knowledge1 he knows a way in all probability to be recovered again4 ,for if ,christ ,jesus loves with a love that passeth knowledge3 then1 saith the soul1 that is thus in the dark1 he may love me yet1 for ought ,i know1 for ,i know that he loves with a love that passeth knowledge2 and therefore ,i will not utterly despond4 ,yea1 if ,satan should attempt to question whether ever ,christ ,jesus will look upon me or no3 the answer is1 if ,i know the love that passes knowledge3 ,but he may look upon me1 7,o1 ,satan7 yea1 and love1 and save me too1 for ought ,i poor sinner know2 for he loves with a love that passeth knowledge4 ,if ,i be fallen into sin that lies hard upon me1 and my conscience fears1 that for this there is no forgiveness4 ,the help for a stay from utter despair is at hand3 but there may1 say ,i1 for ,christ loves1 with a love that passeth knowledge4 ,if ,satan would dissuade me from praying to ,god1 by suggesting as if ,christ would not regard the stammering1 and chattering prayer of mine4 ,the answer is ready1 but he may regard for ought ,i know2 for he loves with a love that passeth knowledge4 ,if the tempter doth suggest that thy trials1 and troubles1 and afflictions1 are so many1 that it is to be thought thou shall never get beyond them4 ,the answer is near1 but for ought we know1 ,christ may carry me through them all1 for he loves with a love that passeth knowledge4 ,thus ,i say1 is relief at hand1 and a help in reserve for the tempted1 let their temptations be what they will4 ,this therefore is the weapon that will baffle the devil when all other weapons fail2 for ought ,i know1 ,christ may save me1 for he loves with a love that passeth knowledge4 ,yea1 suppose he should drive me to the worst of fears1 and that is to doubt that ,i neither have nor shall have for ever the grace of ,god in my soul4 ,the answer is at hand1 but ,i have or may have it1 for ,christ loves with a love that passeth knowledge4 ,thus therefore you may see that in this prayer of ,paul1 there is a great deal of good4 ,he prays1 when he prays that we might know the love of ,christ that passeth knowledge3 that we may have a help at hand1 and relief against all the horrible temptations of the devil4 ,for this is a help at hand1 a help that is ready to fall in with us1 if there be yet remaining with us1 but the least grain of right reasoning according to the nature of things4 ,for if it be objected against a man that he is poor1 because he has but a groat in his pocket2 yet if he has an unknown deal of money in his trunks1 how easy is it for him to recover himself from that slander1 by returning the knowledge of what he has1 upon the objector4 ,this is the case1 and thus it is1 and will be with them that know the love of ,christ that passeth knowledge4 ,wherefore1 7#b47 ,by this knowledge1 room is made for a ,christian1 and liberty is ministered unto him1 to turn himself every way in all spiritual things4 ,this is the ,christian's rehoboth1 that well for which the ,philistines have no heart to strive1 and that which will cause that we be fruitful in the land 7,gen #bf3bb74 ,if ,christians know not with this knowledge1 they walk in the world as if they were pinioned2 or as if fetters were hanged on their heels4 ,but this enlarged their steps under them 7#b ,sam #bb3cg73 by the knowledge of this love they may walk at liberty1 and their steps shall not be straitened4 ,this is that which ,solomon intends when he saith1 ,get wisdom1 and get understanding 7,prov #d3e74 ,then when thou goest1 thy steps shall not be straitened1 and when thou runnest1 thou shalt not stumble 7,prov #d3ab74 ,a man that has only from hand to mouth1 is oft put to it to know how to use his penny1 and comes off also1 many times1 but with an hungry belly2 but he that has1 not only that1 but always over and to spare1 he is more at liberty1 and can live in fullness1 and far more like a gentleman4 ,there is a man has a cistern1 and that is full of water3 there is another also1 that has his cistern full1 and withal1 his spring in his yard2 but a great drought is upon the land in which they dwell3 ,i would now know1 which of these two have the most advantage to live in their own minds at liberty1 without fear of wanting water8 ,why this is the case in hand4 ,there is a ,christian that knows ,christ in all those degrees of his love that are knowable1 but he knoweth ,christ nothing in his love that passeth knowledge4 ,there is another ,christian1 and he knows ,christ1 as the first1 but withal1 he also knows him as to his love that passeth knowledge4 ,pray now tell me1 which of these two are likeliest to live most like a ,christian1 that is1 like a spiritual prince1 and like him that possesseth all things8 which has most advantage to live in godly largeness of heart1 and is most at liberty in his mind8 which of these two have the greatest advantage to believe1 and the greatest engagements laid upon him to love the ,lord ,jesus8 which of these have also most in readiness to resist the wiles of the devil1 and to subdue the power and prevalency of corruptions8 ',tis this1 that makes men fathers in ,christianity4 ,i write unto you1 fathers1 because ye have known2--,i have written unto you1 fathers1 because ye have known 7#a ,john #b3ac-ad71 why1 have not others known1 not so as the fathers8 ,the fathers have known and known4 ,they have known the love of ,christ in those degrees of love which are knowable1 and have also known the love of ,christ to be such which passeth knowledge4 ,in my father's house is bread enough and to spare1 was that that fetched the prodigal home 7,luke #ae3ag74 ,and when ,moses would speak an endless all to ,israel1 for the comfort and stay of their souls1 he calls their ,god1 ,the fountain of ,jacob upon a land of corn and wine 7,deu #cc3bh74 7#c47 ,by this knowledge1 or knowing of the love of ,christ which passeth knowledge1 there is begot in ,christians a greater desire to press forwards to that which is before them 7,phil #c3ab-ba74 ,what is the reason of all that sloth1 carnal contentedness1 and listlessness of spirit in ,christians1 more than the ignorance of this4 ,for he that thinks he knows what can be known1 is beyond all reason that should induce him to seek yet after more4 ,now the love of ,christ may be said1 not to be knowable1 upon a threefold account3 namely4 ,for that my knowledge is weak4 ,for that my knowledge is imperfect4 ,or for that1 though my knowledge be never so perfect1 because the love of ,christ is eternal4 ,there is love that is not to be apprehended by weak knowledge4 ,convince a man of this1 and then1 if the knowledge of what he already has1 be truly sweet to his soul 7,prov #b3aj71 it will stir him up with great heartiness to desire to know what more of this is possible4 ,there is love beyond what he knows already1 who is indued with the most perfect knowledge1 that man here may have4 ,now if what this man knows already of this love is indeed sweet unto him2 then it puts him upon hearty desires that his soul may yet know more4 ,and because there is no bound set to man1 how much he may know in this life thereof2 therefore his desires1 notwithstanding what he has attained1 are yet kept alive1 and in the pursuit after the knowledge of more of the love of ,christ4 ,and ,god in old time has taken it so well at the hands of some of his1 that their desires have been so great1 that when1 as ,i may say1 they have known as much on earth as is possible for them to know2 7that is by ordinary means7 he has come down to them in visions and revelations2 or else taken them up to him for an hour or two into paradise1 that they might know1 and then let them down again4 ,but this is not all1 ,there is a knowledge of the love of ,christ1 that we are by no means capable of until we be possessed of the heavens4 ,and ,i would know1 if a man indeed loveth ,christ1 whether the belief of this be not one of the highest arguments that can be urged1 to make such an one weary of this world1 that he may be with him4 ,to such an one1 to live is ,christ1 and to die is gain 7,phil #a3ba-bc74 ,and to such an one1 it is difficult to bring his mind to be content to stay here a longer time2 except he be satisfied that ,christ has still work for him here to do4 ,i will yet add1 ,there is a love of ,christ1 ,i will not say1 that cannot be known1 but ,i will say1 that cannot be enjoyed2 no1 not by them now in heaven 7in soul7 until the day of judgment4 ,and the knowledge of this1 when it has possessed even men on earth1 has made them choose a day of judgment1 before a day of death1 that they might know what is beyond that state and knowledge which even the spirits of just men made perfect1 now do enjoy in heaven 7#b ,cor #e3d74 ,wherefore1 as ,i said at first1 ,to know the love of ,christ that passeth knowledge1 is advantageous upon this account2 it begetteth in ,christians a great desire to reach1 and press forward to that which is before4 ,one thing more1 and then1 as to this reason1 ,i have done4 ,even that love of ,christ that is absolutely unknowable1 as to the utmost bound thereof because it is eternal1 will be yet in the nature of it sweet and desirable1 because we shall enjoy or be possessed of it so4 ,this therefore1 if there were no more1 is enough1 when known1 to draw away the heart from things that are below1 to itself4 7#d47 ,the love that passeth knowledge4 ,the knowledge of that is a very fruitful knowledge4 ,it cannot be1 but it must be fruitful4 ,some knowledge is empty1 and alone1 not attended with that good1 and with those blessings wherewith this knowledge is attended4 ,did ,i say1 it is fruitful8 ,i will add1 it is attended with the best fruit2 it yieldeth the best wine3 ,it fills the soul with all the fullness of ,god4 ,and to know the love of ,christ which passeth knowledge1 that ye may be filled with all the fullness of ,god4 ,god is in ,christ1 and makes himself known to us by the love of ,christ4 ,whosoever transgresseth1 and abideth not in the doctrine of ,christ1 hath not ,god1 for ,god is not to be found nor enjoyed1 but in him1 consequently1 he that hath1 and abideth in the doctrine of ,christ1 hath both the ,father and the ,son 7#b ,john #i74 ,now1 since there are degrees of knowledge of this doctrine1 and since the highest degree of the knowledge of him1 is to know that he has a ,love that passeth knowledge1 it follows1 that if he that has the least saving knowledge of this doctrine1 hath ,god2 he that hath the largest knowledge of it1 has ,god much more1 or1 according to the text1 is filled with all the fullness of ,god4 ,what this fullness of ,god should be1 is best gathered from such sayings of the ,holy ,ghost1 as come nearest to this1 in language1 filled1 ,full of goodness 7,rom #ae3ad74 ,full of faith 7,acts #f3e74 ,full of the ,holy ,ghost 7,acts #g3ee74 ,full of assurance of faith 7,heb #aj3bb74 ,full of assurance of hope 7,heb #f3aa74 ,full of joy unspeakable1 and full of glory 7#a ,peter #a3h74 ,full of joy 7#a ,john #a3d74 ,full of good works 7,acts #aa3cf74 ,being filled with the knowledge of his will 7,col #a3i74 ,being filled with the spirit 7,eph #e3ah74 ,filled with the fruits of righteousness1 which are by ,jesus ,christ unto the glory and praise of ,god 7,phil #d3aa74 ,these things to be sure are included either for the cause or effect of this fullness4 ,the cause they cannot be1 for that is ,god's1 by his ,holy ,spirit4 ,the effects therefore they are1 for wherever ,god dwells in the degree intended in the text1 there is shewn in an eminent manner1 by these things1 what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints 7,eph #a3ah74 ,but these things dwell not in that measure specified by the text1 in any1 but those who know the love of ,christ which passeth knowledge4 ,but what a man is he that is filled with all these things6 or that is1 as we have it in the text1 filled with all the fullness of ,god6 ,such men are1 at this day1 wanting in the churches4 ,these are the men that sweeten churches1 and that bring glory to ,god and to religion4 ,and knowledge will make us such1 such knowledge as the ,apostle here speaketh of4#ad ,i have now done1 when ,i have spoken something by way of ,,use unto you1 from what hath been said4 ,and1 ,use ,first1 ,is there such breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height in ,god1 for us8 ,and is there toward us love in ,christ that passeth knowledge8 ,then this shews us1 not only the greatness of the majesty of the ,father and the ,son1 but the great good will that is in their heart to them that receive their word4 ,god has engaged the breadth1 and length and depth1 and height of the love1 the wisdom1 the power1 and truth that is in himself1 for us2 and ,christ has loved us with a love that passeth knowledge4 ,we may well say1 ,who is like thee1 ,o ,lord1 among the gods8 7,exo #ae3aa74 ,or1 as another prophet has it1 ,who is a ,god like unto thee1 that pardoneth iniquity1 and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage8 he retaineth not his anger for ever3 because he delighteth in mercy 7,micah #g3ah74 ,yea1 no words can sufficiently set forth the greatness of this love of ,god and his ,son to us poor miserable sinners4 ,use ,second1 ,is there so great a heart for love1 towards us1 both in the ,father and in the ,son8 ,then let us be much in the study and search after the greatness of this love4 ,this is the sweetest study that a man can devote himself unto2 because it is the study of the love of ,god and of ,christ to man4 ,studies that yield far less profit than this1 how close are they pursued1 by some who have adapted themselves thereunto8 ,men do not use to count telling over of their money burdensome to them1 nor yet the recounting of their grounds1 their herds1 and their flocks1 when they increase4 ,why8 the study of the unsearchable love of ,god in ,christ to man1 is better in itself1 and yields more sweetness to the soul of man1 than can ten thousand such things as but now are mentioned4 ,i know the wise men of this world1 of whom there are many1 will say as to what ,i now press you unto2 ,who can shew us any good in it8 ,but ,lord1 lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us4 ,thou hast put gladness in my heart1 more than in the time that their corn and their wine increaseth 7,psa #d3f1g74 ,david also said that his meditation on the ,lord should be sweet4 ,oh1 there is in ,god and in his ,son1 that kindness for the sons of men1 that1 did they know it1 they would like to retain the knowledge of it in their hearts4 ,they would cry out as she did of old2 ,set me as a seal upon thy heart1 as a seal upon thine arm3 ,for love is strong as death 7,song #h3f1g74 ,every part1 crumb1 grain1 or scrap of this knowledge1 is to a ,christian1 as drops of honey are to sweet-palated children1 worth the gathering up1 worth the putting to the taste to be relished4 ,yea1 ,david says of the word which is the ground of knowledge3 ,it is sweeter than honey or the honey-comb4 ,more1 saith he1 to be desired are they than gold2 yea1 than much fine gold2 sweeter also than honey or the honey-comb 7,psa #ai3aj74 ,why then do not ,christians devote themselves to the meditation of this so heavenly1 so goodly1 so sweet1 and so comfortable a thing1 that yieldeth such advantage to the soul8 ,the reason is1 these things are talked of1 but not believed3 did men believe what they say1 when they speak so largely of the love of ,god1 and the love of ,jesus ,christ1 they would1 they could not but meditate upon it4 ,there are so many wonders in it1 and men love to think of wonders4 ,there is so much profit in it1 and men love to think of that which yields them profit4 ,but1 as ,i said1 the belief of things is wanting4 ,belief of a thing will have strong effects1 whether the ground for it be true1 or false4 ,as suppose one of you should1 when you are at a neighbour's house1 believe that your own house is on fire1 whilst your children are fast asleep in bed1 though indeed there were no such thing2 ,i will appeal to any of you if this belief would not make notable work with and upon your hearts4 ,let a man believe he shall be damned1 though afterwards it is evident he believed a lie1 yet what work did that belief make in that man's heart2 even so1 and much more1 the belief of heavenly things will work1 because true and great1 and most good2 also1 where they are indeed believed1 their evidence is managed upon their spirit1 by the power and glory of the ,holy ,ghost itself3 ,wherefore let us study these things4 ,use ,third1 ,let us cast ourselves upon this love4 ,no greater encouragement can be given us1 than what is in the text and about it4 ,it is great1 it is love that passeth knowledge4 ,men that are sensible of danger1 are glad when they hear of such helps upon which they may boldly venture for escape4 ,why such an help and relief1 the text helpeth trembling and fearful consciences to4 ,fear and trembling as to misery hereafter1 can flow but from what we know1 feel1 or imagine3 but the text speaks of a love that is beyond that we can know1 feel1 or imagine1 even of a love that passeth knowledge2 consequently of a love that goes beyond all these4 ,besides1 the ,apostle's conclusion upon this subject1 plainly makes it manifest that this meaning which ,i have put upon the text1 is the mind of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,now unto him1 saith he1 that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think1 according to the power that worketh in us1 unto him be glory in the church by ,christ ,jesus1 throughout all ages1 world without end4 ,amen 7,eph #c3bj1ba74 ,what can be more plain8 what can be more full8 ,what can be more suitable to the most desponding spirit in any man8 ,he can do more than thou knowest he will4 ,he can do more than thou thinkest he can4 ,what dost thou think8 why1 ,i think1 saith the sinner1 that ,i am cast away4 ,well1 but there are worse thoughts than these1 therefore think again4 ,why1 saith the sinner1 ,i think that my sins are as many as the sins of all the world4 ,indeed this is a very black thought1 but there are worse thoughts than this1 therefore prithee think again4 ,why1 ,i think1 saith the sinner1 that ,god is not able to pardon all my sins4 ,ay1 now thou hast thought indeed4 ,for this thought makes thee look more like a devil than a man1 and yet because thou art a man and not a devil1 see the condescension and the boundlessness of the love of thy ,god4 ,he is able to do above all that we think6 ,couldest thou 7sinner7 if thou hadst been allowed1 thyself express what thou wouldest have expressed1 the greatness of the love thou wantest1 with words that could have suited thee better8 for 'tis not said he can do above what we think1 meaning our thinking at present1 but above all we can think1 meaning above the worst and most soul-dejecting thoughts that we have at any time4 ,sometimes the dejected have worse thoughts than at other times they have4 ,well1 take them at their worst times1 at times when they think1 and think1 till they think themselves down into the very pangs of hell2 yet this word of the grace of ,god1 is above them1 and shews that he can yet recover and save these miserable people4 ,and now ,i am upon this subject1 ,i will a little further walk and travel with the desponding ones1 and will put a few words in their mouths for their help against temptations that may come upon them hereafter4 ,for as ,satan follows such now1 with charges and applications of guilt1 so he may follow them with interrogatories and appeals3 for he can tell how by appeals1 as well as by charging of sin1 to sink and drown the sinner whose soul he has leave to engage4 ,suppose therefore that some distressed man or woman1 should after this way be engaged1 and ,satan should with his interrogatories1 and appeals be busy with them to drive them to desperation2 the text last mentioned1 to say nothing of the subject of our discourse1 yields plenty of help for the relief of such an one4 ,says ,satan1 dost thou not know that thou hast horribly sinned8 yes1 says the soul1 ,i do4 ,says ,satan1 dost thou not know1 that thou art one of the vilest in all the pack of professors8 yes1 says the soul1 ,i do4 ,says ,satan1 doth not thy conscience tell thee that thou art and hast been more base than any of thy fellows can imagine thee to be8 ,yes1 says the soul2 my conscience tells me so4 ,well1 saith ,satan1 now will ,i come upon thee with my appeals4 ,art thou not a graceless wretch8 ,yes4 ,hast thou an heart to be sorry for this wickedness8 ,no1 not as ,i should4 ,and albeit1 saith ,satan1 thou prayest sometimes1 yet is not thy heart possessed with a belief that ,god will not regard thee8 yes1 says the sinner4 ,why then despair1 and go hang thyself1 saith the devil4 ,and now we are at the end of the thing designed and driven at by ,satan4 ,but what shall ,i now do1 saith the sinner2 ,i answer1 take up the words of the text against him1 ,christ loves with a love that passeth knowledge1 and answereth him farther1 saying ,satan1 though ,i cannot think that ,god loves me2 though ,i cannot think that ,god will save me2 yet ,i will not yield to thee3 for ,god can do more than ,i think he can4 ,and whereas thou appealest unto me1 if whether when ,i pray1 my heart is not possessed with unbelief that ,god will not regard me2 that shall not sink me neither3 for ,god can do abundantly above what ,i ask or think4 ,thus this text helpeth1 where obstructions are put in against our believing1 and thereby casting ourselves upon the love of ,god in ,christ for salvation4 ,and yet this is not all1 for the text is yet more full3 ,he is able to do abundantly more1 yea1 exceeding abundantly more1 or above all that we ask or think4 ,it is a text made up of words picked and packed together by the wisdom of ,god1 picked and packed together on purpose for the succour and relief of the tempted1 that they may when in the midst of their distresses1 cast themselves upon the ,lord their ,god4 ,he can do abundantly more than we ask4 ,oh6 says the soul1 that he would but do so much for me as ,i could ask him to do6 ,how happy a man should ,i then be4 ,why1 what wouldest thou ask for1 sinner8 you may be sure1 says the soul1 ,i would ask to be saved from my sins2 ,i would ask for faith in1 and love to1 ,christ2 ,i would ask to be preserved in this evil world1 and ask to be glorified with ,christ in heaven4 ,he that asketh of all this1 doth indeed ask for much1 and for more than ,satan would have him believe that ,god is able or willing to bestow upon him2 but mark1 the text doth not say1 that ,god is able to do all that we can ask or think1 but that he is able to do above all1 yea1 abundantly above all1 yea1 exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think4 ,what a text is this6 ,what a ,god have we6 ,god foresaw the sins of his people1 and what work the devil would make with their hearts about them1 and therefore to prevent their ruin by his temptation1 he has thus largely1 as you see1 expressed his love by his word4 ,let us therefore1 as has been bidden us1 make this good use of this doctrine of grace1 as to cast ourselves upon this love of ,god in the times of distress and temptation4 ,use ,fourth1 ,take heed of abusing this love4 ,this exhortation seems needless2 for love is such a thing1 that one would think none could find in their heart to abuse4 ,but for all that1 ,i am of opinion1 that there is nothing that is more abused among professors this day1 than is this love of ,god4 ,there has of late more light about the love of ,christ broke out1 than formerly3 every boy now can talk of the love of ,christ2 but this love of ,christ has not been rightly applied by preachers1 or else not rightly received by professors4 ,for never was this grace of ,christ so turned into lasciviousness1 as now4 ,now it is a practice among professors to learn to be vile1 of the profane4 ,yea1 and to plead for that vileness3 ,nay1 we will turn it the other way1 now it is so that the profane do learn to be vile of those that profess 7,they teach the wicked ones their ways73 a thing that no good man should think on but with blushing cheeks 7,jer #b3cc74ae ,jude speaketh of these people1 and tells us that they1 notwithstanding their profession1 deny the only ,lord ,god1 and our ,saviour ,jesus ,christ 7verse #d74 ,they profess1 saith ,paul1 that they know ,god2 but in works they deny him1 being abominable1 and disobedient1 and unto every good work reprobate 7,titus #a3af74 ,but ,i say1 let not this love of ,god and of ,christ1 be abused4 ',tis unnatural to abuse love1 to abuse love is a villany condemned of all1 yea1 to abuse love1 is the most inexcusable sin of all4 ,it is next the sin of devils to abuse love1 the love of ,god and of ,christ4 ,and what says the ,apostle8 ,because they received not the love of the truth1 that they might be saved1 therefore ,god shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie1 that they all might be damned1 who believed not the truth1 but had pleasure in unrighteousness 7#b ,thess #b3aj-ab74 ,and what can such an one say for himself in the judgment1 that shall be charged with the abuse of love8 ,christians1 deny yourselves1 deny your lusts1 deny the vanities of this present life1 devote yourselves to ,god2 become lovers of ,god1 lovers of his ways1 and a people zealous of good works2 then shall you show one to another1 and to all men1 that you have not received the grace of ,god in vain 7#b ,cor #f3a74 ,renounce therefore the hidden things of dishonesty1 walk not in craftiness1 nor handle ,god's word deceitfully1 but by manifestation of the truth1 commend yourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of ,god4 ,do this1 ,i say1 yea1 and so endeavour such a closure with this love of ,god in ,christ1 as may graciously constrain you to do it1 because1 when all proofs of the right receiving of this love of ,christ shall be produced1 none will be found of worth enough to justify the simplicity of our profession1 but that which makes us zealous of good works 7,titus #b3ad74 ,and what a thing will it be to be turned off at last1 as one that abused the love of ,christ6 as one that presumed upon his lusts1 this world1 and all manner of naughtiness1 because the love of ,christ to pardon sins was so great6 ,what an unthinking1 what a disingenuous one wilt thou be counted at that day6 yea1 thou wilt be found to be the man that made a prey of love1 that made a stalking-horse of love1 that made of love a slave to sin1 the devil and the world1 and will not that be bad8 7,read ,eze #af7 ,use ,fifth1 ,is the love of ,god and of ,christ so great8 let us then labour to improve it to the utmost for our advantage1 against all the hindrances of faith4 ,to what purpose else is it revealed1 made mention of1 and commended to us8 ,we are environed with many enemies1 and faith in the love of ,god and of ,christ1 is our only succour and shelter4 ,wherefore our duty and wisdom and privilege is1 to improve this love for our own advantage4 ,improve it against daily infirmities1 improve it against the wiles of the devil2 improve it against the threats1 rage1 death1 and destruction1 that the men of this world continually with their terror set before you4 ,but how must that be done8 why1 set this love and the safety that is in it1 before thine eyes2 and behold it while these things make their assaults upon thee4 ,these words1 the faith of this1 ,god loves me1 will support thee in the midst of what dangers may assault thee4 ,and this is that which is meant1 when we are exhorted to rejoice in the ,lord 7,phil #c3a71 to make our boast in the ,lord 7,psa #dd3h72 to triumph in ,christ 7#b ,cor #b3ad72 and to set the ,lord always before our face 7,psa #af3h74 ,for he that can do this thing stedfastly1 cannot be overcome4 ,for in ,god there is more than can be in the world1 either to help or hinder2 wherefore if ,god be my helper1 if ,god loves me1 if ,christ be my redeemer1 and has bestowed his love that passeth knowledge upon me1 who can be against me8 7,heb #ac3f1 ,rom #h3ca7 and if they be against me1 what disadvantage reap ,i thereby2 since even all this also1 worketh for my good8 ,this is improving the love of ,god and of ,christ for my advantage4 ,the same course should ,christians also take with the degrees of this love1 even set it against all the degrees of danger2 for here deep calleth unto deep4 ,there cannot be wickedness and rage wrought up to such or such a degree1 as of which it may be said1 there are not degrees in the love of ,god and of ,christ to match it4 ,wherein ,pharaoh dealt proudly against ,god's people1 the ,lord was above him 7,exo #ah3aa71 did match and overmatch him2 he came up to him1 and went beyond him2 he collared with him1 overcame him1 and cast him down4 ,the ,lord is a man of war1 the ,lord is his name4 ,pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea--they sank into the bottom as a stone 7,exo #ae3e74 ,there is no striving against the ,lord that hath loved us2 there is none that strive against him can prosper4 ,if the shields of the earth be the ,lord's 7,psa #dg3i71 then he can wield them for the safeguard of his body the church2 or if they are become incapable of being made use of any longer in that way1 and for such a thing1 can he not lay them aside1 and make himself new ones8 ,men can do after this manner1 much more ,god4 ,but again1 if the miseries1 or afflictions which thou meetest with1 seem to thee to overflow1 and to go beyond measure1 above measure1 and so to be above strength1 and begin to drive thee to despair of life 7#b ,cor #a3h72 then thou hast also1 in the love of ,god1 and of ,christ1 that which is above1 and that goes beyond all measure also1 to wit1 love unsearchable1 unknown1 and that can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think4 ,now ,god hath set them one against the other1 and 'twill be thy wisdom to do so too1 for this is the way to improve this love4 ,but1 though it be easy1 thus to admonish you to do1 yet you shall find the practical part more difficult2 wherefore1 here it may not be amiss1 if ,i add to these1 another head of ,,counsel4 ,counsel ,first1 ,then1 ,wouldest thou improve this love of ,god and of ,christ to thy advantage1 ,why then thou must labour after the knowledge of it4 ,this was it that the ,apostle prayed for1 for these ,ephesians1 as was said before1 and this is that that thou must labour after1 or else thy reading and my writing1 will1 as to thee1 be fruitless4 ,let me then say to thee1 as ,david to his son ,solomon1 ,and thou ,solomon1 my son1 know thou the ,god of thy father 7#a ,chron #bh3i74 ,empty notions of this love will do nothing but harm1 wherefore1 they are not empty notions that ,i press thee to rest in1 but that thou labour after the knowledge of the favour of this good ointment 7,song #a3c71 which the ,apostle calleth the favour of the knowledge of this ,lord ,jesus 7#b ,cor #b3ad74 ,know it1 until it becometh sweet or pleasant to thy soul1 and then it will preserve and keep thee 7,prov #b3aj1aa74 ,make this love of ,god and of ,christ thine own1 and not another's4 ,many there are that can talk largely of the love of ,god to ,abraham1 to ,david1 to ,peter and ,paul4 ,but that is not the thing1 give not over until this love be made thine own2 until thou find and feel it to run warm in thy heart by the shedding of it abroad there1 by the spirit that ,god hath given thee 7,rom #e3e74 ,then thou wilt know it with an obliging and engaging knowledge2 yea1 then thou wilt know it with a soul-strengthening1 and soul-encouraging knowledge4 ,counsel ,second1 ,wouldest thou improve this love8 then set it against the love of all other things whatsoever1 even until this love shall conquer thy soul from the love of them to itself4 ,this is ,christian4 ,do it therefore1 and say1 why should any thing have my heart but ,god1 but ,christ8 ,he loves me1 he loves me with love that passeth knowledge4 ,he loves me1 and he shall have me3 he loves me1 and ,i will love him3 his love stripped him of all for my sake2 ,lord let my love strip me of all for thy sake4 ,i am a son of love1 an object of love1 a monument of love1 of free love1 of distinguishing love1 of peculiar love1 and of love that passeth knowledge3 and why should not ,i walk in love8 ,in love to ,god1 in love to men1 in holy love1 in love unfeigned8 ,this is the way to improve the love of ,god for thy advantage1 for the subduing of thy passions1 and for sanctifying of thy nature4 ',tis an odious thing to hear men of base lives talking of the love of ,god1 of the death of ,christ1 and of the glorious grace that is presented unto sinners by the word of the truth of the gospel4 ,praise is comely for the upright1 not for the profane4 ,therefore let him speak of love that is taken with love1 that is captivated with love1 that is carried away with love4 ,if this man speaks of it1 his speaking signifies something2 the powers1 and bands of love are upon him1 and he shews to all that he knows what he is speaking of4 ,but the very mentioning of love1 is in the mouth of the profane1 like a parable in the mouth of fools1 or as salt unsavory4 ,wherefore1 ,christian1 improve this love of ,god as thou shouldest1 and that will improve thee as thou wouldest4 ,wherefore1 ,counsel ,third1 ,if thou wouldest improve this love1 keep thyself in it4 ,keep yourselves in the love of ,god 7,jude #ba74 ,this text looks as if it favoured the ,socinians1 but there is nothing of that in it4 ,and so doth that1 ,if ye keep my commandments1 ye shall abide in my love3 even as ,i have kept my ,father's commandments and abide in his love 7,john #ae3aj74 ,the meaning then is this1 that living a holy life is the way1 after a man has believed unto justification1 to keep himself in the savour and comfort of the love of ,god4 ,and ,oh1 that thou wouldest indeed so do4 ,and that because1 if thou shall want the savour of it1 thou will soon want tenderness to the commandment1 which is the rule by which thou must walk1 if thou wilt do good to thyself1 or honour ,god in the world4 ,to him that ordereth his conversation aright1 will ,i shew the salvation of ,god 7,psa #ej3bc74 ,he that would live a sweet1 comfortable1 joyful life1 must live a very holy life4 ,this is the way to improve this love to thyself indeed4 ,counsel ,fourth1 ,to this end1 you must take root and be grounded in love2 that is1 you must be well settled1 and stablished in this love1 if indeed you would improve it4 ,you must not be shaken as to the doctrine and grounds of it 7,eph #c3ag74 ,these you must be well acquainted with3 for he that is but a child in this doctrine1 is not capable as yet1 of falling in with these exhortations3 ,for such waver1 and fear when tempted2 and he that feareth is not made perfect in love 7#a ,john #d3ah71 nor can he so improve it for himself and soul's good as he should4 ,counsel ,fifth1 and lastly1 ,keep1 to this end1 those grounds1 and evidences that ,god hath given you of your call to be partakers of this love1 with all clearness upon your hearts1 and in your minds4 ,for he that wants a sight of them1 or a proof that they are true and good1 can take but little comfort in this love4 ,there is a great mystery in the way of ,god with his people4 ,he will justify them without their works1 he will pardon them for his ,son's sake3 but they shall have but little comfort of what he hath done1 doth1 and will do for them that are careless1 carnal1 and not holy in their lives4 ,nor shall they have their evidences for heaven at hand1 nor out of doubt with them1 yea1 they shall walk without the sun1 and have their comforts by bits and knocks2#af while others sit at their father's table1 have liberty to go into the wine-cellar1 rejoice at the sweet and pleasant face of their heavenly ,father towards them2 and know it shall go well with them at the end4 ,something now for a conclusion should be spoken to the carnal world1 who have heard me tell of all this love4 ,but what shall ,i say unto them8 ,if ,i should speak to them1 and they should not hear2 or if ,i should testify unto them1 and they should not believe2 or intreat them1 and they should scorn me2 all will but aggravate1 and greaten their sin1 and tend to their further condemnation4 ,and therefore ,i shall leave the obstinate where ,i found him1 and shall say to him that is willing to be saved1 ,sinner1 thou hast the advantage of thy neighbour1 not only because thou art willing to live1 but because there are those that are willing thou shouldest2 to wit1 those unto whom the issues from death do belong1 and they are the ,father and the ,son1 to whom be glory with the blessed ,spirit of grace1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,in the first edition of this treatise1 which was published four years after ,bunyan's death1 this is quoted deeper than the sea1 probably a typographical error4 ,it is afterwards quoted correctly4--,ed4 #b ,how admirably does ,bunyan bring home to the ,christian's heart these solemn truths4 ,the breadth and length and depth and height of our guilt and misery1 requires a remedy beyond all human power4 ,this can only be found in the love of ,god in ,christ3 this extends beyond all bounds4 ,it is divine1 unsearchable1 eternal mercy1 swallowing up all our miseries4--,ed4 #c ,shuck1 a corruption of shrug1 to express horror by motions of the body4 #d ,this is a very striking application of these words of ,david1 which so fearfully describe the agitation of those who are exposed to a hurricane at sea4 ,we too generally limit this passage to its literal sense4 ,to ,bunyan1 who had passed through such a deep experience of the terrors of the ,lord1 when he came out of tribulation and anguish1 he must have richly enjoyed the solemn imagery of these words1 depicting the inmost feelings of his soul when in the horrible deeps of doubt and despair4 ,but young ,christians must not be distressed because they have never experienced such tempests3 thousands of vessels of mercy get to heaven1 without meeting with hurricanes in their way4--,ed4 #e ,how thankful should we be1 for the great spread of gospel light in this country1 since ,bunyan's days4 ,he for refusing to attend1 what he considered1 an unscriptural church2 suffered above twelve years incarceration in a miserable den2 while all his friends were either imprisoned or plundered4 ,it was a dreadful attempt to root out ,christianity from this country2 but was overruled to make it take deeper root4 ,how long will ,antichrist still hold up his head in this country8 ,he has had some hard knocks of late4--,ed4 #f ,the descent of ,christ into hell has been the subject of much controversy1 and the question is as far from solution now as it was in the dark ages1 when it was first propounded1 and then arbitrarily decreed to be an article of faith4 ,those who explain hell as hades1 the place of departed souls1 or of the dead generally1 fortify themselves with ,psalm #aci3h1 and also ,psalm #af3aj2 and yet the first passage may only imply the omnipresence of ,god1 and the second1 the resurrection of the incorruptible body of ,christ from the grave4 ,the descent of ,christ into the place of torment is a figment1 a monkish fable1 in which ,bible incidents and heathen myths are woven together to delude a credulous and ignorant laity4 ,the formulary designated the ,apostles' creed1 has1 beyond question1 a high claim to antiquity1 but none whatever to be the work of the ,apostles themselves4 ,the descent into hell was an after interpolation1 and its rejection has been suggested4--,ed4 #g ,this is one of those strikingly solemn passages1 which abound in ,bunyan's works4 ,it almost irresistibly brings to our imagination his expressive countenance1 piercing eyes and harmonious voice2 pressed on by his rapid conceptions and overpowering natural eloquence4 ,how must it have riveted the attention of a great congregation4 ,it is a rush of words1 rolling on like the waves of the sea2 increasing in grandeur and in force as they multiply in number4--,ed4 #h ,the reader must not misunderstand the word common as here applied to the ,saviour4 ,it has the same meaning that is applied to a piece of land1 to which many persons have an equal or common right2 but which none but those1 who have a right or title1 can use4 ,it strikingly illustrates the union of ,christ and his church4--,ed4 #i ,there is no affectation of learning in ,bunyan's giving the meaning of the ,hebrew word1 ,metheg2 it is translated in the margin of our ,bibles1 the bridle of ,ammah4--,ed4 #aj ,bunyan seems here evidently to refer to the case of unregenerate and worldly men entering into the ministry1 and making a public and solemn declaration that they are inwardly moved thereto by the ,holy ,ghost1 and truly called according to the will of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,see form and manner of ordaining deacons and priests in the ,church of ,england4--,ed4 #aa ,bunyan quotes this passage from the puritan version2 vulgarly called ,the ,breeches ,bible4 ,the present authorized translation is might be rich4 #ab ,virtue1 secret agency3 efficacy without visible or material action4 ,walker's ,dictionary4--,ed4 #ac ,improving1 not in quality but by extending the benefits1 employing to good purpose2 turning to profitable account4--,ed4 #ad ,how delightfully has ,bunyan brought forth the marrow of this important text4 ,he felt that those who were filled with all the fullness of ,god1 sweetened the churches in his day2 they were wanted then2 are they not equally wanted now8--,ed4 #ae ,bunyan lived in singularly eventful times4 ,under the ,commonwealth the strictest outward morality was enforced4 ,but when a licentious monarch was placed upon the throne1 a flood of the grossest debauchery was let loose2 and those hypocrites1 who had put on a cloak of religion to serve a temporary purpose1 threw it off and became ringleaders in the vilest iniquities4 ,see ,matthew #ab3dc-de4--;,ed4 #af ,bits and knocks2 this phrase is now obsolete3 it alludes to a dog at table1 who while picking up the crumbs1 often gets a bite and a buffet or knock with it1 but still perseveres4--,ed4 999999 ,,of ,,antichrist1 ,,and ,,his ,,ruin3 ,,and ,,of ,,the ,,slaying ,,the ,,witnesses4 ,,by ,,john ,,bunyan ,,prefatory ,,remarks ,,by ,,the ,,editor ,this important treatise was prepared for the press1 and left by the author1 at his decease1 to the care of his surviving friend for publication4 ,it first appeared in a collection of his works in folio1 #afib2 and although a subject of universal interest2 most admirably elucidated2 no edition has been published in a separate form4 ,antichrist has agitated the ,christian world from the earliest ages2 and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless1 by fixing upon the humble followers of the ,lamb his own opprobrious proper name4 ,the mass of professed ,christians1 whose creed and mode of worship have been provided by human laws1 has ever been opposed to the sincere disciples of ,christ4 ,to imbibe every principle from investigation and conviction of the holy oracles--to refuse submission to any authority in the spiritual kingdom of ,god1 except it is to ,christ1 the supreme head and only lawgiver in his church--to refuse obedience to human laws in the great concern of salvation and of worship2 whether those laws or decrees emanate from a ,darius1 a ,nebuchadnezzar1 a ,bourbon1 a ,tudor1 or a ,stuart--to be influenced by the spirit which animated ,daniel1 the three ,hebrew youths1 and the martyrs1 brought down denunciations upon them1 and they were called antichristian3 but alas6 the sincere disciples of ,jesus have ever known and ,,felt who and what is ,antichrist4 ,they have been in dungeons--racked and tormented--transported--drowned--hung or burned4 ,the most frightful atrocities have been committed upon the most peaceful and valuable members of society2 because they valued their soul's peace in preference to temporal advantages4 ,these cruelties are ,,thy cursed deeds1 ,o ,antichrist6 ,the hand writing against thee is exhibited in blood-stained and indelible characters4 ,the ,great ,god has decreed thy downfall and ruin--,that wicked--whom the ,lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth1 7#b ,thess #b3h74 ,all who are found partakers in his community1 must be consumed with an everlasting destruction4 ,no paper-winkers #a can hide this truth from the enlightened regenerated mind4 ,o my soul1 come not thou into their secret1 unto their assembly1 mine honour1 be not thou united3 for in their anger they slew a man4 ,cursed be their anger1 for it was fierce2 and their wrath1 for it was cruel6 ,in ,bunyan's time great cruelties were practised to compel uniformity4 ,to that absurd shrine many thousand invaluable lives were sacrificed4 ,blessed be ,god1 that happier days have dawned upon us4 ,antichrist can no longer put the ,christian to a cruel death4 ,it very rarely sends one to prison for refusing obedience to human laws that interfere with religious worship4 ,my kingdom is not of this world1 said the ,redeemer3 and his followers dare not render unto ,caesar1 or temporal governments1 that which belongs exclusively to ,god4 ,human coercion1 in anything connected with religion1 whether it imposes creeds1 liturgies1 or modes of worship1 is ,antichrist3 whom to obey1 is spiritual desolation1 and if knowingly persevered in1 leads to death4 ,on the contrary1 the kingdom of ,christ is love1 meekness1 forbearance1 persuasion1 conviction1 and holy faith4 ,the ,christian who dares not obey ,antichrist may still1 in some countries1 suffer personal violence2 but the olden cruelties have given way to the spread of the gospel4 ,should the wicked spirit of persecution still light its unhallowed fire in any sect2 may heaven forgive and convert such misguided men1 before the divine wrath shall consume all that pertains to ,antichrist4 ,come out from among them and be ye separate1 saith the ,lord4 ,bunyan conceives that previous to the universal triumphs of the ,saviour1 ,antichrist will spread his influence over the whole earth2 and the church be hidden from outward observation1 in the hearts of believers4 ,this idea1 which was also cherished by ,dr4 ,gill1 and others1 deserves careful consideration2 while we keep in mind1 that leaven which must spread1 however invisible in its operation1 until the whole earth shall be leavened4 ,the dread enemy may yet appear in a different shape to any that he has hitherto assumed4 ,when mankind1 by the spread of knowledge1 shall throw off the absurdities and disgraceful trammels of hypocrisy1 fanaticism1 and tyranny1 which has so long oppressed them2 there may be experienced a vast overflowing of infidelity1 and perverted reason assume the place of ,antichrist4 ,through this and all other opposing systems1 ,christianity must make its irresistible progress3 all that opposes is doomed to ruin by the ,great ,god4 ,every heart will be subdued by that blessed knowledge1 which has the promise of the life that now is as well as of that which is to come4 ,bloodless victory6 ,the ark being exhibited1 every ,dagon must fall before it1 then shall be realized the heavenly anthem1 ,glory to ,god in the highest1 and on earth peace1 good will towards men4 ,,george ,,offor4 ,a ,,premonition ,,to ,,the ,,reader4 ,after that ,god had delivered ,babylon and her king into the hands of the kings of the ,medes and ,persians1 then began the liberty of the ,jews1 from their long and tedious captivity3 ,for though ,nebuchadnezzar and his sons did tyrannically enslave1 and hold them under2 yet so wrought ,god with the hearts of those kings that succeeded them1 that they made proclamation to them to go home1 and build their city1 temple1 c41 and worship their own ,god according to his own law 7#b ,chron #cj3f2 ,ezra #a74 ,but because ,i would not be tedious in enumerating instances for the clearing of this1 therefore ,i will content myself with one1 and with a brief note upon it4 ,it is that in the seventh of ,ezra #bf3 ',and whosoever will not do the law of thy ,god1 and the law of the king1 let judgment be executed speedily upon him1 whether it be to death1 or to banishment1 or to confiscation of goods1 or to imprisonment4' ,this is the conclusion of a letter that king ,artaxerxes gave to ,ezra the priest and scribe1 when he granted his petition1 and gave him leave to go to ,jerusalem to build the temple1 and to offer sacrifice there to the ,god whose house is in ,jerusalem4 ,and a conclusion it was1 both comfortable and sharp2 comfortable to ,ezra and his companions1 but sharp unto his enemies4 ,i shall here present you with a copy of the letter at large4 ',artaxerxes1 king of kings1 unto ,ezra the priest1 a scribe of the law of the ,god of heaven1 perfect peace1 and at such a time4 ,i make a decree1 that all they of the people of ,israel1 and of his priests and levites1 in my realm1 which are minded of their own free-will to go up to ,jerusalem1 go with thee4 ,forasmuch as thou art sent of the king1 and of his seven counsellors1 to inquire concerning ,judah and ,jerusalem1 according to the law of thy ,god which is in thine hand2 ,and to carry the silver and gold1 which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the ,god of ,israel1 whose habitation is in ,jerusalem4 ,and all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of ,babylon1 with the free-will-offering of the people1 and of the priests1 offering willingly for the house of their ,god which is in ,jerusalem3 ,that thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks1 rams1 lambs1 with their meat-offerings and their drink-offerings1 and offer them upon the altar of the house of your ,god which is in ,jerusalem4 ,and whatsoever shall seem good to thee1 and to thy brethren1 to do with the rest of the silver and the gold1 that do after the will of your ,god4 ,the vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy ,god1 those deliver thou before the ,god of ,jerusalem4 ,and whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy ,god1 which thou shalt have occasion to bestow1 bestow it out of the king's treasure-house4 ,and ,i1 even ,i ,artaxerxes the king1 do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river1 that whatsoever ,ezra the priest1 the scribe of the law of the ,god of heaven1 shall require of you1 it be done speedily4 ,unto an hundred talents of silver1 and to an hundred measures of wheat1 and to an hundred baths of wine1 and to an hundred baths of oil1 and salt without prescribing how much4 ,whatsoever is commanded by the ,god of heaven1 let it be diligently done for the house of the ,god of heaven3 for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons8 ,also we certify you1 that touching any of the priests and levites1 singers1 porters1 nethinims1 or ministers of this ,house of ,god1 it shall not be lawful to impose toll1 tribute1 or custom1 upon them4 ,and thou1 ,ezra1 after the wisdom of thy ,god1 that is in thine hand1 set magistrates and judges1 which may judge all the people that are beyond the river1 all such as know the laws of thy ,god2 and teach ye them that know them not4 ,and whosoever will not do the law of thy ,god1 and the law of the king1 let judgment be executed speedily upon him1 whether it be unto death1 or to banishment1 or to confiscation of goods1 or to imprisonment' 7,ezra #g3aa-bf74 ,this is the letter2 and now for the scope thereof4 ,first1 ,generally4 ,secondly1 ,particularly4 ,,generally4 ,the general scope of the letter is this3 ,a grant given by the king to ,ezra the scribe1 to go to ,jerusalem1 and build there the temple of ,god1 and offer sacrifice in it according to the law3 ,with commissions annexed thereunto1 to the king's lieutenants1 treasurers and governors on that side the river1 to further the work with such things as by the king was commanded they should4 ,,particularly4 ,but we will consider the matter particularly4 #a4 ,as to the manner of the grant which the king gave to ,ezra and his brethren to go thither4 #b4 ,as to the king's grant1 with reference to their building1 and way of worship4 #c4 ,with reference to the king's liberality and gifts towards the building of the temple1 and by what rules it was to be bestowed4 #d4 ,as to the way that the king concluded they should be governed in their own land4 #e4 ,with reference to the king's charge to his officers that were thereabout1 not to hinder ,ezra in his work4 #f4 ,and lastly1 with reference to the king's threat and commandment to do judgment if they should hinder it4 ,first1 ,as to the manner of the grant that the king gave to ,ezra and his brethren to go to build1 it was such an one as forced none1 but left every ,jew to his own choice1 whether he would go1 or forbear4 ,the words are these3 ',artaxerxes1 king of kings1 unto ,ezra the priest1 a scribe of the law of the ,god of heaven1 perfect peace1 and at such a time4 ,i make a decree1 that all they of the people of ,israel1 and of his priests and levites1 in my realm1 which are minded of their own free-will to go up to ,jerusalem1 go with thee' 7verse #ab1ac74 ,thus gracious then was the king3 ,he made a decree1 ,that all they of the captive ,jews1 their priests and levites1 that would return to their own land1 to build their temple1 and to sacrifice there1 might3 ,he would hinder none1 force none1 but left them free1 to do as they would4 ,secondly1 ,as to the king's grant1 with reference to their building1 and way of worship there1 nothing was to be done therein1 but according to the law of the ,god of ,ezra1 which was in his hands 7verse #ad74 ,hence1 when he was come to ,jerusalem1 he was to inquire concerning ,judah and ,jerusalem2 to wit1 what was wanting in order to the temple and worship of ,god there1 according to the law of his ,god1 which was in his hand4 ,also when they went about to build1 and to sacrifice1 all was to be done according as was commanded by the ,god of heaven 7verse #bc73 ,yea1 this was granted by the king1 and his seven counsellors4 ,thirdly1 ,as to the king's liberality towards the building of this house1 c4 it was large3 ,he gave silver1 gold1 bullocks1 rams1 lambs2 with wheat1 wine1 oil1 and salt 7verse #ag1bb72 but would by his royal power1 give no orders how in particular things should be bestowed1 but left all that to ,ezra the priest1 to do with it according to the will1 word1 or law of his ,god 7verse #ah74 ,fourthly1 ,as to the way that the king concluded they should be governed in their own land1 it was by their own laws2 yea1 he did bid ,ezra the priest1 after the wisdom of his ,god that was in his hand1 set magistrates and judges1 which might judge all the people1 c4 only he bid him make them such1 which did know the law of his ,god3 ,also the king added1 ,that they should teach it to them that knew it not4 ,fifthly1 ,as to the king's officers1 he gave them a charge not to hinder1 but further this work4 ,to further this work1 not by putting their hand thereto1 7that was to be left to the ,jews alone1 especially to ,ezra1 according to the law of his ,god17 but that they should speedily give him such things which the king had commanded1 to wit1 silver1 and wheat1 and wine1 and oil1 and salt1 for their encouragement2 and to do therewith1 as by the law of their ,god they should4 ,further1 ,that they should not impose toll1 tribute1 or custom1 upon the priests1 levites1 singers1 porters1 nethinims1 or ministers 7verse #bj-bb74 ,sixthly1 ,and now we come to the conclusion1 to wit1 the king's threat and command to do judgment on them that obeyed not the law of ,ezra's ,god1 and the king4 ,considering what hath been said before1 ,i conclude1 #a4 ,that this king imposed no law1 no priest1 no people upon these ,jews2 but left them wholly to their own law1 their own ministers1 and their own people3 ,all which were the laws of ,god1 the priests of ,god1 the people of ,god1 as to their building of their temple1 and the worship of their ,god4 #b4 ,he forced not ,,this people1 no1 not to their land1 their temple1 nor their worship1 by his or their law2 but left them free to their own mind1 to do thereabout as they would4 #c4 ,he added not any law therefore of his own1 either to prescribe worship1 or to enforce it upon the ,jews4 ,but you will say1 upon what then was the threatening and the command to punish grounded8 ,i answer1 upon a supposed breach of two laws4 ,he of the ,jews1 that in ,jerusalem1 rebelled against the law of the ,lord1 was in his own land left by the king to be punished by the same law1 according to the penalties thereof3 ,and he of the king's officers1 that refused to do the king's laws1 that refused to give the ,jews such things as the king commanded1 and that would yet exact such customs and tributes as the king forbade1 should be punished by the king's laws1 whether unto death or unto banishment1 or unto confiscation of goods1 or to imprisonment4 ,and if all kings would but give such liberty1 to wit1 that ,god's people should be directed in their temple-building1 and temple worship1 as they find it in the law of their ,god1 without the additions of man's inventions3 and if all kings did but lay the same penalty upon them of their pretended servants1 that should hinder this work1 which this brave king ,artaxerxes laid upon his2 how many of the enemies of the ,jews1 before this time1 would have been hanged1 banished1 had their goods confiscated to the king1 or their bodies shut up in prison6 ,the which we desire not2 we desire only that this letter of the king might be considered of1 and we left to do as is there licensed and directed3 ,and when we do the contrary1 let us be punished by the law of ,god1 as we are his servants1 and by the law of the king1 as we are his subjects2 and we shall never complain4 ,only ,i cannot but observe how prettily it is done of some1 who urge this text to colour their malice1 ignorance and revenge withal1 while they cry1 ,the law of ,god1 and ,the law of the king1 when they will neither let1 according to this scripture1 the law of ,god1 nor the law of the king take place3 ,not the law of ,god2 for that they will not leave us to that1 to square and govern ourselves in temple-work1 and sacrificing by4 ,nor will they do the law of the king1 which has made void1 ipso facto1 whatever law is against the word of ,god2 but because themselves can do1 they will force us to do so too4 #b ,before ,i leave this1 ,i would touch once again upon the candour of this king ,artaxerxes1 who thus did3 ,because he gave this leave and license to the ,jews1 contrary 7if he had any7 to his own national worship2 yea1 and also to the impairing of his own incomes4 ,methinks he should have a religion of his own2 and that1 not that of the ,jews1 because he was a ,gentile2 and not1 as we read of1 proselyted to the ,jews religion4 ,indeed1 he spake reverently of the ,god of ,israel1 and of his temple-worship1 and sacrifices1 as did also several other kings2 but that will not prove that he was adapted to that religion4 ,that his incomes were impaired1 'tis evident2 because he took off toll1 tribute1 and custom from them1 of whom mention is made before2 nor is it1 ,i think1 to be believed1 that he did exact it of their brethren4 ,but we may see what the ,lord can do2 for thus to do1 was put into the heart of the king by the ,god of heaven 7verse #bg74 ,this therefore ariseth not of nature3 no more did the kindness of ,cyrus or ,darius1 of whom we read in the beginning of this history4 ,as ,god therefore did put it into the hearts of the wicked kings of ,babylon1 to distress his church and people for their sins2 so he put it into the hearts of the kings of the ,medes and ,persians1 who were to be1 in a sense1 their saviours2 to ease them of those distresses1 to take off the yoke1 and let them go free4 ,indeed1 there was an ,artaxerxes that put a stop to this work of ,god 7chap #d71 and he also was of the kings that had destroyed the ,babylonians2 for it doth not follow1 because ,god hath begun to deliver his people1 that therefore their deliverance must be completed without stop or let4 ,the protestants in ,france had more favour formerly1 than from their prince they at this time have2 yet ,i doubt not but that ,god will make that horn also one of them 7in his time7 that 7indeed7 shall hate the whore4 ,as the sins of ,god's people brought them into captivity2 so their sins can hold them there2 yea1 and when the time comes that grace must fetch them out1 yet the oxen that draw this cart may stumble2 and the way through roughness1 may shake it sorely4 ,however1 heaven rules and over-rules2 and by one means and another1 as the captivity of ,israel did seem to linger1 so it came out at the time appointed2 in the way that best pleased ,god1 most profited them1 and that most confounded those that were their implacable enemies4 ,this therefore should instruct those that yet dwell where the woman sitteth1 to quietness and patience4 ,to quietness3 ,for ,god rules1 and has the dispose of things4 ,besides1 it is a kind of arraigning of his wisdom1 to be discontent at that which at present is upon the wheel4 ,above all1 it displeases him that any should seek1 or go about to revenge their own injuries1 or to work their own deliverances2 for that is the work of ,god1 and he will do it by the kings3 ,nor is he weak1 nor has he missed the opportunity2 nor doth he sleep but waketh1 and waiteth to be gracious4 ,this also should teach them to be patient1 and put them upon bearing what at present they may undergo1 patiently4 ,let them wait upon ,god2 patiently let them wait upon men1 and patiently let them bear the fruits of their own transgressions2 which though they should be none other but a deferring of the mercy wished for1 is enough to try1 and crack1 and break their patience1 if a continual supply1 and a daily increase thereof be not given by the ,god of heaven4 ,and before ,i do conclude this1 let me also add one word more2 to wit1 to exhort them to look that they may see that which ,god at present may be doing among the ,babylonians4 ,when ,god had his people into ,babylon of old1 he presented them with such rarities there1 as he never shewed them in their own country4 ,and is there nothing now to be seen by them that are not yet delivered from that oppression1 that may give them occasion to stay themselves and wonder6 ,what1 is preservation nothing8 ,what1 is baffling and befooling the enemies of ,god's church nothing8 ,in the ,maryan days here at home1 there was such sweet songs sung in the fire1 such sweet notes answering them from prison1 and such providences1 that coals of burning fire still dropped here and there upon the heads of those that hated ,god2 that it might1 and doubtless did make those that did wisely consider of ,god's doings1 to think ,god was yet near1 with1 and for1 a despised and afflicted people4#c ,i conclude then1 first with a word of counsel1 and then with a word of caution4 ,first1 ,let us mend our pace in the way of reformation1 that is the way to hasten the downfall of ,antichrist1 ministers need reforming1 particular congregations need reforming1 there are but few church-members but need reforming4 ,this twenty years we have been degenerating1 both as to principles1 and as to practice2 and have grown at last into an amazing likeness to the world1 both as to religion and civil demeanour3 ,yea1 ,i may say1 so remiss have churches been in instructing those that they have received into fellowship with them2 and so careless have the received been1 of considering the grounds of their coming into churches1 that most members1 in some places1 seem now to be at a loss2 yea1 and those churches stand with their fingers in their mouths1 and are as if they would not1 durst not1 or could not help it4 ,my ,second is1 ,a word of caution4 #a4 ,take heed of over-looking1 or of shutting your eyes upon your own guilt3 ',he that covereth his sins1 shall not prosper4' ,it is incident to some men1 when they find repentance is far from them1 to shut their eyes upon their own guilt1 and to please themselves with such notions of deliverance from present troubles1 as will stand with that course of sin which is got into their families1 persons1 and professions1 and with a state of impenitence3 ,but ,i advise you to take heed of this4 #b4 ,take heed in laying the cause of your troubles in the badness of the temper of governors4 ,i speak not now with reflection upon any1 excepting those concerned in this caution3 ,god is the chief1 and has the hearts of all1 even of the worst of men1 in his hand4 ,good tempered men have sometimes brought trouble2 and bad tempered men have sometimes brought enlargement to the churches of ,god3 ,saul brought enlargement 7#a ,sam #ad3bh74 ,david brought trouble 7#b ,sam #ab3aj74 ,ahab brought enlargement 7#a ,kings #ba3bi74 ,jehoshaphat and ,hezekiah did both sometimes bring trouble 7#b ,chron #ai3b2 #bj3ce2 #cb3be74 ,therefore1 the good or bad tempers of men sway nothing with ,god in this matter2 they are the sins or repentances of his people1 that make the church either happy or miserable upon earth4 ,take heed1 ,i say therefore1 of laying of the trouble of the church of ,god at the doors of governors2 especially at the doors of kings1 who seldom trouble churches of their own inclinations3 7,i say1 seldom2 for some have done so1 as ,pharaoh37 ,but ,i say1 lay not the cause of your trouble there2 for oftentimes they see with other men's eyes1 hear with other men's ears1 and act and do by the judgments of others3 ,thus did ,saul1 when he killed the priests of the ,lord 7#a ,sam #bb3ah72 and thus did ,darius1 when he cast ,daniel into the lions' den 7,dan #f3g74 ,but rather labour to see the true cause of trouble1 which is sin2 and to attain to a fitness to be delivered out thence1 and that is by repentance1 and amendment of life4 ,if any object1 ,that ,god oft-times delivers his of mere grace3 ,i answer1 ,that's no thanks to them2 besides1 we must mind our duty4 ,further1 ,when ,god comes to save his people1 he can cut off such objectors1 if they be impenitent1 as the sinners of his people2 and can save his church1 without letting of them be sharers in that salvation3 ,so he served many in the wilderness2 and 'tis to be feared1 so he will serve many at the downfall of ,antichrist4 ,i shall say no more1 but to testify my loyalty to my king1 my love to my brethren1 and service for my country1 has been the cause of this my present scribble4 ,farewell4 ,thine in the ,lord1 ,j4 ,,bunyan4 ,,of ,,antichrist4 ,antichrist is the adversary of ,christ2 an adversary really1 a friend pretendedly3 ,so then1 ,antichrist is one that is against ,christ2 one that is for ,christ1 and one that is contrary to him3 ,and this is that mystery of iniquity 7#b ,thess #b3g74 ,against him in deed2 for him in word1 and contrary to him in practice4 ,antichrist is so proud as to go before ,christ2 so humble as to pretend to come after him1 and so audacious as to say that himself is he4 ,antichrist will cry up ,christ2 ,antichrist will cry down ,christ3 ,antichrist will proclaim that himself is one above ,christ4 ,antichrist is the man of sin1 the son of perdition2 a beast1 that hath two horns like a lamb1 but speaks as a dragon 7,rev #ac3aa74 ,christ is the ,son of ,god2 ,antichrist is the son of ,hell4 ,christ is holy1 meek1 and forbearing3 ,antichrist is wicked1 outrageous1 and exacting4 ,christ seeketh the good of the soul3 ,antichrist seeks his own avarice and revenge4 ,christ is content to rule by his word3 ,antichrist saith1 ,the word is not sufficient4 ,christ preferreth his ,father's will above heaven and earth3 ,antichrist preferreth himself and his traditions above all that is written1 or that is called ,god1 or worshiped4 ,christ has given us such laws and rules as are helpful and healthful to the soul3 ,antichrist seeketh to abuse those rules to our hurt and destruction4 ,antichrist may be considered either more particularly1 or more generally4 #a4 ,more particularly3 ,and so there are many ,antichrists 7#a ,john #b3ah74 #b4 ,more generally3 ,and so the many maketh but one great ,antichrist1 one man of sin1 one enemy1 one great whore1 one son of perdition 7#b ,thess #b3c2 ,rev #ai3b74 ,again1 ,antichrist must be distinguished1 with respect to his more internal and external parts2 and so there is the spirit1 soul1 or life 7#a ,john #d3c72 and also the body and flesh of ,antichrist 7#b ,thess #b3g74 ,the spirit1 or soul1 or life of ,antichrist1 is that spirit of error1 that wicked1 that mystery of iniquity1 that under colour and pretence of verity1 draweth men from truth to falsehood4 ,the body or flesh of ,antichrist1 is that heap of men1 that assembly of the wicked1 that synagogue of ,satan that is acted and governed by that spirit4 ,but ,god will destroy both soul and body2 ,he 'shall consume the glory of his forest1 and of his fruitful field1 both soul and body3 or from the soul1 even to the flesh and they shall be both soul and body as when a standard-bearer fainteth' 7,isa #aj3ah74 ,a ,,particular ,,description ,,of ,,antichrist4 ,antichrist therefore is a mystical man1 so made1 or begotten of the devil1 and sent into the world1 himself being the chief and highest of him4 ,three things therefore go to the making up of ,antichrist1 the head1 body1 and soul4 ,the devil he is the head2 the synagogue of ,satan1 that is the body2 that wicked spirit of iniquity1 that is the soul of ,antichrist4 ,christ then is the head of his church2 the devil is the head of ,antichrist2 the elect are the body of ,christ2 the reprobate professors are the body of ,antichrist2 the ,holy ,ghost is the spirit of life that actuateth ,christ's body2 that wicked spirit of iniquity1 is that which actuateth the body of ,antichrist4 ,thus therefore are the two great mighties set forth before us1 who are the heads of those two bodies2 and thus are these two bodies set before us1 who are to be actuated by these two spirits4 ,the reason why ,christ came into the world1 was1 ,that he might destroy all the works of the head of ,antichrist1 and they which he endeavoureth to complete by his wicked spirit working in his body 7#a ,john #c3h74 ,and the reason why ,antichrist came into the world1 was1 ,that the church1 which is the body of ,christ1 might be tried1 and made white by suffering under his tyranny1 and by bearing witness against his falsehoods4 ,for1 for the trial of the faithful1 and for the punishment of the world1 ,antichrist was admitted to come3 ,but when he came1 he first appeared there where one would have thought there had been no place nor corner for his reception4 ,,where ,,antichrist ,,first ,,appeared4 ,the devil then1 made use of the church of ,god to midwife this monster into the world1 as the ,apostle plainly shews1 there he first sat1 shewing himself 7#b ,thess #b3d74 ,here therefore was his first appearance1 even in the church of ,god3 ,not that the church of ,god did willingly admit him there to sit as such2 he had covered his cloven foot2 he had plumbs in his dragon's mouth1 and so came in by flatteries2 promising to do for ,christ and his church1 that which he never meant to perform4 ,for he shewed himself that he was ,god1 and in appearance1 set his heart to do as the heart of ,god 7,eze #bh3b-f74 ,and who could have found in their hearts to shut the door upon such an one8 ,true1 he came1 when he came thither1 out of the bottomless-pit2 but there came such a smoke out thence with him1 and that smoke so darkened the light of the sun1 of the moon1 of the stars1 and of the day1 that had they the church been upon their watch1 as they were not1 they could not have perceived him from another man4 ,besides1 there came with him so many locusts to usher him into the house of ,god 7,rev #i3b1c71 and they so suited the flesh and reason of the godly of that day1 that with good words and fair speeches1 by their crafty and cunning sleights1 whereby they lay in wait to deceive1 they quite got him in1 and set him up1 and made him a great one1 even the chief1 before they were aware4 ,further1 ,he quickly got him a beast to ride on1 far1 for sumptuous glory1 beyond 7though as to nature1 as assish a creature as7 that on which ,baalam was wont to ride3 ,and by this exaltation he became not only more stately1 but the horns of the beast would push for him 7,rev #ag3c-f74 ,again1 ,this man of sin1 when he came into the world1 had the art of metamorphosing1 and could change himself1 both in form and shape1 into the likeness of a beast1 a man1 or woman2 and the kings of the earth1 with the inhabitants of the world1 began then to love such women dearly2 wherefore they went to her into the bed of love1 and defiled themselves with the filthiness of her fornications1 gave her their troth1 and became her husbands1 and beloved sons2 took up helmet and shield1 and stood to defend her2 yea1 though ,christ himself1 and some of the chief of his followers1 cried out of her shame1 and of the evil of their doings2 yet would she be audacious4 ,also this woman had now arrayed herself in flesh-taking ornaments1 of the colour of purple and scarlet1 and was decked with gold1 and precious stones1 and pearls1 after the manner or attire of harlots4 ,thus came she to them1 and lay in their bosoms1 and gave them out of her golden cup of the wine of her fornication2 of the which they bibbed till they were drunken2 and then1 in requital1 they also gave her of such liquors as they could1 to wit1 to drink of the blood of saints1 and of martyrs of ,jesus1 till she1 like these beasts1 was drunken also4 ,now when they were drunken1 they did as drunkards do1 revel1 roar1 and belch out their own shame1 in the sight of them that were sober3 ,wherefore they cried out upon such doings1 and chose rather to die1 than to live with such company4 ,and so 'tis still with them where she yet sitteth1 and so will be till she shall fall into the hands of the strong ,lord1 who will judge her according to her ways4 ,and that she must do1 as is implied by this1 ,that her fornications are in a cup2 she has therefore but her cup to be drank out2 wherefore when it is empty1 then1 whether she will or no1 the ,lord ,god will call her to such a reckoning1 that all the clothes on her back1 with what pearls and jewels she has1 shall not be able to pay the shot4 ,,of ,,the ,,ruin ,,of ,,antichrist4 ,antichrist1 as was said1 had a time to come into the world1 and so must have a time to go out again3 ,for although he saith that he is a ,god1 yet must he be subject to the will of ,god1 and must go as well as come according to that will4 ,nor can all the fallen angels1 with all the members and limbs of ,antichrist1 cause that this their brat should abide so much as one day longer than our ,god's prefixed time4 ,and this the head of ,antichrist understandeth very well3 ,wherefore the ,holy ,ghost saith1 ',woe to the inhabiters of the earth1 and of the sea6 for the devil is come down unto you1 having great wrath1 because he knoweth that he hath but a short time' 7,rev #ab3ab74 ,besides1 the text says plainly1 ,the ,lord shall destroy him 7#b ,thess #b3h71 and that he goeth into perdition 7,rev #ag3aa2 #ai3bf74 ,also the church of ,god believes it1 and the limbs of ,antichrist fear it4 ,now when1 or as his time shall come to be destroyed1 so he shall be made a hand of2 and that with such instruments and weapons of ,god's indignation1 as best shall be suited to his several parts4 ,such weapons as are best for the destroying of his soul1 shall be used for the destroying of it2 and such weapons as are best for the destroying of his body1 shall be made use of for the destroying of it4 ,,the ,,soul ,,of ,,it ,,destroyed1 ,,and ,,how4 ,and therefore1 as to his soul1 or that spirit of error that governs him in all his works of mischief2 this must be consumed by the spirit of ,christ's mouth1 and be destroyed by the brightness of his coming4 ,this we have in the words of ,paul3 ',for saith he the mystery of iniquity the spirit of ,antichrist doth already work3 only he who now letteth1 will let1 until he be taken out of the way4 ,and then shall that wicked be revealed1 whom the ,lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth1 and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming' 7#b ,thess #b3g1h74 ,the ,apostle here treateth of ,antichrist1 with reference to his more subtil and spiritual part1 since that indeed is the chiefest of ,antichrist3 ,wherefore he calls it that wicked2 not1 that wicked one1 as referring to the whole2 but that wicked1 as referring to the mystery or spirit of iniquity1 the heart and soul of ,antichrist2 and tells us1 that the ,lord shall 'consume him with the spirit of his mouth1 and shall destroy him with the brightness of his coming4' ,now1 by the spirit of his mouth1 ,i understand his holy word1 which is called ',the word and breath of his lips' 7,isa #aa3d74 ,and also1 ',the sword of his mouth' 7,rev #b3af74 ,by 'the brightness of his coming1' ,i also understand1 not only his presence1 but an increase of light by his presence2 not only to help ,christians to begin to bear witness against some parts and pieces of the errors of ,antichrist1 but until the whole is rooted out of the world4 ,by this1 ,i say1 must the soul1 spirit1 or life of ,antichrist be taken away4 ,but how shall ,christ by this rod1 sword1 or spirit of his mouth1 consume this wicked1 this mystery of iniquity8 ,not by himself immediately1 but by his spirit and word in his church2 the which he will use1 and so manage in this work1 that they shall not rest till he by them has brought this beast to his grave4 ,this beast is compared to the wild boar1 and the beast that comes out of the wood to devour the church of ,god1 7as we read in the book of ,psalms3 #hj3ac7 ,but ,christ1 with the dogs that eat the crumbs of his table1 will so hunt and scour him about1 that albeit he may let out some of their bowels with the tushes of his chaps1 yet they will not let him alone till they have his life3 ,for the church shall single him out from all beasts1 and so follow him with cries1 and pinch him with their voices1 that he alone shall perish by their means4#d ,thus shall ,christ consume and wear him out by the spirit of his mouth1 and destroy him with the brightness of his coming ,hence you find again1 ,that this wicked1 is to melt and consume away as grease3 ,for the ,lord ,jesus shall consume him1 and cause him to melt away2 not all at once1 but now this part1 and then that2 now his soul1 and after that his body1 even until soul and body are both destroyed4 ,and that you may be convinced of the truth of this thing1 do but look back and compare ,antichrist four or five hundred years ago1 with ,antichrist as he is now1 and you shall see what work the ,lord ,jesus has begun to make with him1 even with the spirit and soul1 and life of ,antichrist2 both in confounding and blasting of it by this spirit of his mouth1 as also by forcing of it to dishonourable retreats1 and by making of it give up to him1 as the conqueror1 not only some of his superstitious and diabolical rites and ceremonies1 to be destroyed1 but many a goodly truth1 which this vile one had taken from his church1 to be renewed to them3 ,nay1 further1 he hath also already began to take from him both kingdoms and countries1 though as to some not so absolutely as he shall do by and by4 ,and in the meantime1 this is the plague wherewith the ,lord shall plague or smite the people that have fought against ,jerusalem3 ',their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet1 and their eyes shall consume away in their holes1 and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth' 7,zech #ad3ab74 ,and how has this long ago been fulfilled here in ,england6 as also in ,scotland1 ,holland1 ,germany1 ,france1 ,sweden1 ,denmark1 ,hungary1 and other places6 7,isa #ag3d-f74 ,nor hath this spirit of ,antichrist1 with all his art and artificers1 been able to reduce to ,antichrist again1 those people1 nations1 or parts of nations1 that by the spirit of ,christ's mouth1 and 'the brightness of his coming1' have been made to forsake him1 and to turn from him to ,christ3 ,the reason is1 for that the ,lord has not retreated1 but is still going on in the spirit of his mouth1 and his brightness1 to make that conquest over him that is determined1 in the way that is determined3 ,of which more shall be spoken afterward2 for the path-way that he goeth1 is as the shining light1 which shines more and more unto noon4 ,true1 the fogs of ,antichrist1 and the smoke that came with him out of the bottomless-pit1 has darkened and eclipsed the glorious light of the gospel3 ,but you know1 in eclipses1 when they are on the recovering hand1 all the creatures upon the face of the earth cannot put a stop to that course1 until the sun or the moon have recovered their glory4 ,and thus it shall be now1 the ,lord is returned to visit the earth1 and his people with his primitive lustre2 he will not go back1 nor slack his hand1 until he has recovered what ,antichrist has darkened of his4 ',the anger of the ,lord shall not return1 until he have executed1 and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart3 in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly' 7,jer #bc3bj74 ,therefore he saith again1 ',the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun was in her eclipse2 and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold1 as the light of seven days1 in the day that the ,lord bindeth up the breach of his people1 and healeth the stroke of their wound1' c4 as the verse before has it3 ',in the day when the towers fall4' ,for 7as was said before7 as to the recovery of the light of the gospel from under antichristian mists1 and fogs of darkness2 ,christ will do that1 not by might nor power1 but by the spirit of his mouth1 and the brightness of his coming3 ,wherefore the soul of ,antichrist1 or that spirit of wickedness by which this gospel-light hath been diminished1 must be consumed and destroyed by that spirit also4 ,nor can any other way of conquest over that be thorough1 and lasting2 because that spirit can by no other means be slain4 ,the body of ,antichrist may be destroyed by other instruments1 but spirits cannot be killed but by spirits4 ,the temporal sword then may kill the body1 but after that it hath no more that it can do1 wherefore1 the other must be dealt with by another kind of weapon3 ,and here is one sufficient1 the spirit against the spirit2 the spirit and face of ,christ1 against the spirit1 that wicked1 of ,antichrist4 ,and by this spirit of ,christ's mouth1 all the spirit that is in all the trinkets and wash of ,antichrist shall also be destroyed2 so that those trinkets1 those rites1 ceremonies1 and ordinances of this man of sin1 shall be left as carrion upon the face of the earth1 and shall stink in the noses of men1 as doth the corrupted blood of a dead man4 ,,the ,,ordinances ,,of ,,antichrist4 ,now therefore will the beauty of ,antichrist fade like a flower1 and fall as doth a leaf when the sap of the tree has left it2 or as the beauty departeth from the body1 when the soul1 or life1 or spirit is gone forth4 ,and as the body cannot be but unpleasant and unsavoury when under such a state2 so the body of ,antichrist will be to beholders1 when the ,lord has slain the spirit thereof4 ,it is the spirit of ,antichrist that puts life into the body2 and that puts lustre into the ordinances of ,antichrist1 as the light of the sun1 and of the moon1 and of the stars1 do put lustre upon the things of this visible world3 ,wherefore1 when this spirit1 and soul1 and life of ,antichrist is slain1 then it will be with him as 'twould be with the world1 had it no light of the sun1 of the moon1 or of the stars4 ,and hence1 as the loss of our natural life is compared to the loss of these lights 7,eccl #ab3b72 so the loss of the life1 soul and spirit of ,antichrist is compared to these things also4 ,for1 the soul of ,antichrist is compared to a heaven2 and her ordinances and rites1 to the ordinances of heaven3 wherefore1 when the ,lord comes to fight against her with the spirit of his mouth1 he saith1 ',the stars of heaven shall be darkened1 and the constellations thereof shall not give their light' 7,isa #ac3aj72 because he will slay that spirit of ,antichrist that is in them 7,isa #cd2 ,rev #f3ac1ad74 ,take things therefore more distinctly1 thus3 ,the antichristians' spirit1 is the heaven of antichristians2 their sun1 moon and stars1 are their superstitious ordinances2 their earth is the body or flesh of ,antichrist1 otherwise called the church and synagogue of ,satan4 ,now as the earth cannot live1 and be desirable1 without the influences of the spirit of the heavens2 so neither can ,antichrist live1 when the ,lord shall darken the light of his heaven1 and shall slay the spirit thereof4 ,hence you read1 as ,i touched before1 that when his heaven shall be rolled together as a scroll1 'all the host thereof1' unto which ,i compare the ordinances of ,antichrist1 'shall fall down1 as the leaf falleth off from the vine1 and as a falling fig from the fig-tree' 7,isa #cd3d74 ,but how1 or why doth the leaf1 or the fig fall from the tree8 ,why1 because the spirit1 or sap of the tree1 is gone from them4 ,therefore1 the first and chief proceeding of the ,lord with the man of sin1 is to slay his soul1 that his body may also be consumed3 ,and when the spirit of ,antichrist shall be made to leave both the body and ordinances of ,antichrist1 'twill be easy to deal both with the one and the other4 ,and first1 for the ordinances of ,antichrist2 because the spirit of error is in them1 as well as in the body itself4 ,when that spirit1 as ,i said1 has left them1 they will of themselves even moulder away1 and not be3 ,as we have seen by experience here in ,england1 as others also have seen in other countries4 ,for as concerning his masses1 prayers for the dead1 images1 pilgrimages1 monkish vows1 sinful fasts1 and the beastly single life of their priests1 though when the spirit of ,antichrist was in them1 they did bear some sway in the world2 yet now1 of what esteem are they8 or who has reverence for them8 ,they are now blown together under hedges1 as the dry leaves1 for the mice and frogs to harbour in3 yea1 the locusts too1 camp in the hedges among the dry leaves1 in the cold day1 and 'when the sun ariseth they flee away' 7,nahum #c3ae-ag74 ,when 'tis a cold day for them in a nation1 then they lurk in the hedges1 though their ordinances lie there1 as leaves that are dry1 and fallen down from the tree2 but when the sun ariseth1 and waxeth warm1 they abide not1 but betake them to their wings1 and fly away4 ,but one would think that fallen leaves should have no great nourishment in them3 ,true1 if you have respect to men1 but with vermin any thing will do3 ,we speak then of them with reference to men1 not with respect to the very members of ,antichrist3 ,and ,i say1 as to them1 when the spirit of ,antichrist is gone out of these ordinances1 they will be with them as dry leaves that no body seeketh after4 ,the ordinances therefore of ,antichrist are not able to bear up themselves in the world1 as the ordinances of the ,lord ,jesus are1 for even the ordinances of ,christ1 where the spirit of ,christ is not1 are yet in some esteem with men3 ,but ,,these1 when the spirit of delusion has left them1 are abhorred1 both skin and bones3 ,for in themselves they are without any sense1 or rationality 7,eze #bj3be1bf72 yea1 they look as parts of things which are used to conjure up devils with3 ,these were prefigured by the ordinances that were ,,not good1 and by the judgments whereby one should not live4 ,for what is there1 or can there be of the least dram of truth or profit in the things that are without the word1 that being the only stamp by which one is distinguished from the other8 ,i say1 ,what is there in any of them1 to the man whose eyes are open1 but delusion and deceit6 ,wherefore1 as has been expressed already1 when the ,lord ,christ1 by the spirit of his mouth1 c4 shall drive this mystery of iniquity from them1 and strip them of that spirit of delusion that now by its craft puts bewitching excellency upon them1 they will of themselves become such stinking rivers1 ponds and pools1 that flesh and blood will loathe to drink of them2 yea1 as it was with the ponds and pools of ,egypt1 they will be fit for nought but to breed and hatch up frogs in4 ,wherefore these ordinances shall be rejected1 not one of them shall find favour with men on earth2 when the ,lord1 'by the spirit of his mouth1 and the brightness of his coming1' shall have separated their spirit from them4 ,now1 by ordinances of ,antichrist1 ,i do not intend things that only respect matters of worship in ,antichrist's kingdom1 but those civil laws that impose and enforce them also2 yea1 that enforce ,,that worship with pains and penalties1 as in the ,spanish inquisition3 ,for these must1 as the other1 be overthrown by ,christ1 by the spirit of his mouth1 and the brightness of his coming3 ,for these laws1 as the other1 took their being1 and have their soul and life by the spirit of ,antichrist2 yea1 as long as there is life in them1 'tis because the spirit of that man of sin yet remaineth in them4 ,wherefore1 these are also great ordinances1 though of another nature than those mentioned before3 ,great1 ,i say1 are they2 forasmuch as neither the church of ,antichrist1 nor his instruments of worship1 can either live or stand without them4 ,wherefore1 it was admitted to the image of the beast1 not only to speak1 but to cause4 ,to speak out his laws of worship1 'and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast1 should be killed' 7,rev #ac3ae74 ,and mark1 ,this is because that the life that was communicated to the image of the beast1 was by him also communicated to his word and authority4 ,wherefore1 these laws must not be separated from those in which the spirit of ,antichrist is2 yea1 they are the very pillars and sinews by which antichristianism remains3 ,and were these dis-spirited1 the whole building would quickly become a ruinous heap4 ,what could the king of ,babylon's golden image have done1 had it not been for the burning fiery furnace that stood within view of the worshippers8 7,dan #c74 ,yea1 what could that horrible command1 to pray1 for thirty days1 to neither ,god nor man1 but to the king1 have done1 had it not been for the dark den1 and the roaring lions there in readiness to devour those that disobeyed it8 7,dan #f74 ,as therefore the burning fiery furnace1 and the den of lions1 were the support of the horrible religion of the ,babylonians of old2 so popish edicts are the support of the religion of ,antichrist now2 and as long as there is spirit1 that is1 authority1 in them1 they are like to those now mentioned2 the spirit of such laws is that that makes them dreadful3 ,for as the furnace would have been next to nothing1 if void of fire2 and the den as little frightful1 if destitute of lions2 so these laws will be as insignificant1 when ,christ has slain that spirit that is in them2 that spirit that causes that as many as will not worship the image of the beast1 should be killed4 ,nor can any sword reach that life of ,antichrist that is in these1 but the sword of ,christ's mouth3 ,therefore1 as all the religious rites and ceremonies of ,antichrist are overthrown by his spirit working in his1 as ,christians2 so those antichristian laws will have their soul and their life taken from them also by this spirit of his mouth working in some of his1 as magistrates1 and no otherwise2 for before kings and princes1 c4 come to be enlightened about the evils that are in such edicts1 by the spirit of the living ,god1 they will let this image of the beast both speak and cause1 c4 ,but when they shall see1 they will say1 let it be decreed that this prop of ,antichrist be taken down4 ,it was decreed by ,darius1 that they that prayed1 for thirty days1 to any ,god but him1 should be cast into the den of lions 7,dan #f3i72 but this was before he saw2 but when he came to see1 then he decreed again2 a decree that quite took away the power of that which he had decreed before 7,dan #f3bf74 ,nor are we without instances of this kind nearer home3 who is now afraid of the act for burning of those that papists call heretics1 since by the king and parliament1 as by the finger of ,god1 the life and soul is taken out of it4 ,i bring this to shew you1 that as there is life in wicked antichristian penal laws1 as well as in those that are superstitiously religious2 so the life of these1 of all these1 must be destroyed by the same spirit working in those that are ,christ's1 though in a diverse way4 ,nor will the life of these sinews1 as ,i have called them1 be taken away2 but as ,god shall enlighten men to see the abominable filthiness of that which is antichristian worship3 as would easily be made appear1 if some that dwell in those countries where the beast and his image have been worshiped1 would but take the pains to inquire into antiquity about it4 ,as the noble king1 king ,henry ,,viii did cast down the antichristian worship2 so he cast down the laws that held it up3 so also did the good king ,edward his son4 ,the brave queen1 queen ,elizabeth also1 the sister to king ,edward1 hath left of things of this nature1 to her lasting fame behind her4 ,and if one such law of ,antichrist hath escaped the hand of one1 another hath taken it1 and done that execution on it that their zeal and piety prompted them to4 ,there is yet another thing that the spirit of ,antichrist is immediately concerned in2 and that is1 the antichristian names of the men that worship the beast3 the names1 ,i mean1 that the ,antichrist hath baptized them into3 for those names are breathed upon them by the very spirit of ,antichrist2 and are such as are absolutely names of blasphemy1 or such as do closely border thereupon2 some such as ,elihu durst not for his life give unto men1 only he calls them 'flattering titles' 7,job #cb3ba1bb74 ,now therefore1 of the danger 7though not of the names themselves7 you read sufficiently in the scripture2 and perhaps the ,holy ,ghost has contented himself with giving of items that are general1 that men might1 as to them1 be the more cautious of what names they give one to another 7,rev #ag3e72 but this is clear1 they are worn by men of spiritual employ3 but since they are but mentioned1 and are not distinctly nominated1 how should we know which are they1 and which not8 ,verily1 by searching the word of ,god1 and by seeing by that what names we are allowed to give unto men1 with reference to their offices1 dignities1 and places3 for ,god has a quarrel with the names1 as well as with the persons that wear them2 and when his ,son shall down with ,antichrist1 he will slay seven thousand names of men1 as well as the persons of the worshippers of the beast 7,rev #aa3ac74 ,but there are things1 as well as men 7,job #bb3bh72 and these also have been baptized into those names by the very spirit of ,antichrist1 and must be destroyed by ,christ1 the spirit of his mouth1 and the brightness of his coming3 ',the idols he shall utterly abolish' 7,isa #b3ah72 and there are men that are idols as well as things 7,zech #aa3ag73 wherefore1 let men have a care1 as to shun the worship of idols1 so that they bare not the name1 or stand in the place of one3 and the reason of this caution is1 because name and thing are both abominable unto ,god4 ,to give you the number of these names that the spirit of ,antichrist has baptized men into1 7besides the things that do also wear such blasphemies upon them17 would be a task too great for me1 and too wearisome for you4 ,it shall satisfy then1 that ,i give you notice that there are such things and men and names2 and that ,i put you upon search to find out what they be4 ,but whatsoever of the spirit1 or soul1 or life of ,antichrist is in these names1 men1 or things1 must be consumed by ,christ1 by the spirit of his mouth1 and the brightness of his coming4#e ,another thing that ,i would touch upon is this2 to wit1 ,the lying legends1 and false miracles that ,antichrist cries up3 ,these1 by the means of which such as dwell upon the earth are deceived1 and made to adore and worship the beast3 these have their life and soul 7as had those mentioned before7 from the spirit of wickedness2 and must be destroyed as they1 namely1 by ,christ1 the spirit of his mouth1 and the brightness of his coming3 for these are not of the body of ,antichrist1 but rather such implements1 or whatever you will call them1 by which the spirit and soul of ,antichrist is conveyed into1 and kept also alive in the body of ,antichrist1 which is the church and synagogue of ,satan2 you may call them organs and means by which that wicked worketh in the mysteries of iniquity1 for the begetting of1 and maintaining a lying and false belief of the religion of the beast3 nor can it be thought1 but that1 as the antichristian statists#f of ,antichrist1 mentioned before1 do put a dread and fear upon men that are worshippers of the beast1 and his image1 to the holding of them still to his service2 so these legends and miracles do1 on the other hand1 abridge and bind their consciences to that worship2 but all because of that spirit of ,antichrist that is in them4#g ,so then1 here is the spirit of ,antichrist diffusing itself into all the things pertaining to the kingdom of the beast2 for it dwells in the body of ,antichrist2 it dwells in the matters and things of worship of ,antichrist2 it dwells in the titles and names that are antichristian2 and it dwells in the laws1 legends and miracles of ,antichrist4 ,and as it is the spirit of ,antichrist1 so it must be destroyed2 not by sword1 nor by bow1 but by ,christ1 as fighting against it with the spirit of his mouth1 and as conquering of it by the brightness of his coming4 ,,the ,,body ,,of ,,antichrist ,,destroyed1 ,,and ,,how4 ,we come now to discourse of the body or flesh of ,antichrist1 and of the destruction of that2 for that must be destroyed also4 ,now the body of ,antichrist1 is that church or synagogue in which the spirit of ,antichrist dwells1 or unto which the spirit of ,antichrist is become a soul and life4 ,and this is to be destroyed1 either as it is a body mystical1 or under the more gross consideration4 ,first1 ,as it is a body mystical1 and so it is to be destroyed absolutely4 ,secondly1 ,as it is to be considered more grossly1 and so it is to be destroyed conditionally4 ,that is1 if repentance doth not save the men that have gone to the making up of this body1 and to the rejoicing in it4 ,as she is a body mystical1 so she is to be destroyed the same way that the things of ,antichrist1 of which we discoursed before1 were to be destroyed2 to wit1 by ,christ1 the spirit of his mouth1 and the brightness of his coming4 ,this then is the sum1 as to this3 ,that the church of ,antichrist1 as a church1 shall be destroyed by the word and spirit of ,christ4 ,nor can anything in heaven prevent it1 because the strong ,god has decreed it3 'and a mighty angel took up a stone1 like a great mill-stone1 and cast it into the sea1 saying1 ,thus with violence shall that great city ,babylon be thrown down1 and shall be found no more at all' 7,rev #ah3ba74 ,this city1 ,babylon1 is here sometimes considered in the whole1 and sometimes as to the parts of it2 but always1 whether in whole1 or in part1 as some1 or else as the whole of the antichristian church2 and as such1 it must not be destroyed1 but by the means aforesaid4 ,by which means her witchcrafts1 spiritual whoredoms1 spiritual murders1 thefts1 and blasphemies1 shall be so detected and made manifest1 so laid open1 and so discovered1 that the nations shall abhor her1 flee from her1 and buy her merchandise no more 7,rev #ah3aa74 ,hence her tempting things rot1 and moulder away2 for these will not keep1 they are things not lasting1 but that perish in the using3 what then will they do when they are laid by8 ,therefore it follows1 ',all things which were thy dainty and goodly ones are departed from thee1 and thou shalt find them no more at all' 7,rev #ah3ad74 ,now1 if when she had things to trade with1 her dealers left her2 how shall she think of a trade1 when she has nothing to traffic with8 ,her things are slain1 and stink already1 by the weapons that are made mention of before2 what then will her carcase do8 ,it follows then1 that as to her church-state1 she must of necessity tumble3 wherefore1 from ,revelation #ah3bb to #bd1 you have the manner of her total ruin as a church1 and something of the cause thereof4 ,but as she must1 with reference to her body1 be considered mystically as a church2 so also she must be considered as a body of men1 7this is that which ,i called more grossly17 and as such1 against whom the wrath of ,god will burn1 and against whom1 if repentance prevent not1 he will have indignation for ever4 ,these1 ,i saw are them2 to wit1 as they are the body of the people1 that have been seduced by this spirit of ,antichrist1 that have been made use of to do all the mischiefs that have been done both to true religion1 and to the professors of it1 for this many hundred years1 wherefore these must not escape4 ,wherefore you find1 that after ,antichrist1 as to the spirit and mystery of ,antichrist1 is slain1 that the body of ,antichrist1 or the heap of people that became her vassals1 come next to be dealt withal4 ,therefore1 the angel that standeth in the sun1 makes a proclamation to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven1 to gather themselves1 and to come unto the supper of the great ,god2 that they may eat the flesh of the several sorts of the men that have been the lovers1 the countenancers1 the upholders and defenders of her antichristian state1 worship1 and falsehoods 7,rev #ai3ag1ah73 for abundance of their hearts shall be hardened1 and made yet more obdurate1 that they may be destroyed for the wickedness that they have done4 ,wherefore1 you find 7as did the enemies of the church of old17 that they might revenge themselves for the loss of their idol1 or antichristian state1 begin a new war with the king1 whose name is the ,lord of hosts3 ',and ,i saw the beast1 and the kings of the earth1 and their armies1 gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse1 and against his army' 7,rev #ai3ai74 ,their implacable malice remained when their church-state was gone2 wherefore they will now at last make another attempt upon the men that had been the instruments in ,christ's hand to torment them that dwelt on the earth2 of which more hereafter4 ,now therefore is the last stroke of the batter1#h with reference to the destroying of the body of ,antichrist2 only the head of this monster remains1 and that is ,,satan himself3 wherefore1 the next news that we hear1 is1 that he is taken also3 ',and ,i saw an angel come down from heaven1 having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand4 and he laid hold on the ,dragon1 that old serpent1 which is the devil1 and ,satan1 and bound him a thousand years1 and cast him into the bottomless pit1 and shut him up1 and set a seal upon him1 that he should deceive the nations no more1 till the thousand years should be fulfilled1' c4 7,rev #bj3a-c74 ,,brave ,,days ,,when ,,antichrist ,,is ,,dead4 ,now therefore there will be nothing of ,antichrist to be seen throughout the nations1 but ruinous heaps1 and desolate places4 ,it is said of the army of the man of sin1 when he came into the land of ,god's people1 though it was before him 'as the garden of ,eden1' yet behind him 'twould be as 'a desolate wilderness' 7,joel #b3c72 such ruins would he make of the flock of ,god1 and of all their ordinances1 and heavenly dainties4 ,but when the days that ,i have spoken of1 shall come1 it will be to him a time of retaliation3 for it shall then be done unto ,antichrist1 as he hath done to the church of ,god3 ,as he hath made women childless1 so shall he be made childless2 as he has made ,zion sit upon the ground1 so now must this wicked one come down and sit in the dust2 yea1 as he has made many churches desolations1 so now shall he be also made a desolation4 ,wherefore1 whoso will find his body1 they must look for it in the side of the pit's mouth2 and whoso will find his friends and companions1 they must look for them there likewise4 ',they have set her a bed in the midst of the slain with all her multitude3 her graves are round about him3 all of them uncircumcised1 slain by the sword3 though their terror was caused in the land of the living1 yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit1 he is put in the midst of them that be slain4 ,there is ,meshech1 ,tubal1 and all her multitude3--,there is ,edom1 her kind1 and all her princes1 c4--,there be the princes of the north1 all of them1--which--with their--might' are laid with them that are 'slain by the sword1 and bare their shame with them that go down to the pit' 7,eze #cb3be-cj74 ,for 'as ,babylon hath caused the slain of ,israel to fall1 so at ,babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth' 7,jer #ea3di74 ,the margin reads it thus3 ,both ,babylon is to fall1 ,o ye slain of ,israel6 ,and with ,babylon the slain of all the earth4 ,now then she is gone down1 when all these things shall be fulfilled2 and what remains now1 but to talk of her1 as folk used to do of them that are dead3 for the day will come that the church of ,god shall have no more of ,antichrist1 ,babylon1 or the mother of harlots1 than only the remembrance of her2 to wit1 that there was such an enemy of ,god in the world2 that there was such a superstitious1 idolatrous1 bloody people in the world4 ,wherefore the people that shall be born1 that shall live to serve ,god in these happy days1 they shall see ,antichrist only in its ruins2 they shall1 like the sparrows1 the little robins1 and the wren1 sit and sing1 and chirrup one to another1 while their eyes behold this dead hawk4 ',here shall they say did once the lion dwell2 and there was once a dragon inhabited3 here did they live that were the murderers of the saints2 and there another1 that did used to set his throat against the heavens2 but now in the places where these ravenous creatures lay1 grows grass1 with reeds and rushes 7,isa #ce3g71 or else1 now their habitation is cursed1 nettles grow1 and so do thorns and brambles1 where their palaces were wont to be4 ,and as no good was with them while they lived1 so their name stinketh now they are dead3 yea1 as they wrought mischiefs1 and lived like the wild beasts when they enjoyed their abundance2 so now the wild beasts of the desert1 yea1 they of the desert1 shall meet with the wild beasts of the island3 and the satyr shall cry to his fellows4 ,their houses shall be full of doleful creatures1 even as devils and wicked spirits do haunt the desolate houses of the wicked1 when they are dead' 7,isa #cd74 ',and ,babylon1 the glory of kingdoms1 the beauty of the ,chaldees excellency1 shall be as when ,god overthrew ,sodom and ,gomorrah4 ,it shall never be inhabited1 neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation3 neither shall the ,arabian pitch tent there3 neither shall the shepherds make their folds there' 7,isa #ac3ai1bj74 ,a while after this1 as was hinted before1 the ,christians will begin with detestation to ask what ,antichrist was8 ,where ,antichrist dwelt8 ,who were his members8 ,and1 ,what he did in the world8 and it shall be answered by them that shall have skill to consider his features by the word1 by way of taunt and scorn1 ',is this the man that made the earth to tremble1 that did shake kingdoms2 that made the world as a wilderness1 and destroyed the cities thereof2 that opened not the house of his prisoners8 ,all the kings of the nations1 even all of them1 lie in glory1 every one in his own house4 ,but thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch2 and as the raiment of those that are slain1 thrust through with a sword1 that go down to the stones of the pit1 as a carcase trodden under feet' 7,isa #ad3af-ai74 ,there will be a strange alteration when ,antichrist is dead1 and that both in the church1 and in the world4 ,the church and the members of it then1 shall wear the name of their ,god in their foreheads2 that is1 they shall be bold in the profession of their king1 and their ,god2 yea1 it shall be their glory to be godly2 and carnal men shall praise them for it3 the praise of the whole earth shall the church of ,god be in those days4 ,then there shall no more be a ,canaanite in the house of the ,lord3 no lion shall be there2 the unclean shall no more tread in the paths of ,god's people1 but the ransomed of the ,lord shall walk there4 ,glory that has not been seen nor heard of by the people that used to walk in sackcloth1 shall now be set in the land of the living4 ,for as it was said of ,christ1 with reference to his day2 so it shall be said of saints1 with reference to this day3 many kings and righteous men have desired to see the things that will be seen then1 and shall not see them3 but without all doubt1 the men that shall be born at this time1 will consider that these glories1 and liberties1 and privileges of theirs1 cost the people that walked in the king of ,babylon's fiery furnace1 or that suffered the trials1 troubles and tyranny of the antichristian generation1 more groans and hearty wishes1 than they did them that shall enjoy them4 ,thus then it will go2 the afflicted prayed for them1 and the possessors bless ,god for the enjoyment of them4 ,oh6 now shall the church walk in the light of the ,lord1 and sit every man under his vine1 and under his fig-tree1 and none shall make him afraid6 ',for the ,lord will have mercy on ,jacob1 and will yet choose ,israel1 and set them in their own land3 and the strangers shall be joined with them1 and they shall cleave to the house of ,jacob4 ,and the people shall take them1 and bring them to their place3 and the house of ,israel shall possess them in the land of the ,lord for servants and handmaids3 ,and they shall take them captives1 whose captives they were2 and they shall rule over their oppressors4 ,and it shall come to pass in the day that the ,lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow1 and from thy fear1 and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve1 that thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of ,babylon1 and say1 ,how hath the oppressor ceased6 the golden city1 7or the exactress of gold7 ceased6 ,the ,lord hath broken the staff of the wicked1 and the sceptre of the rulers4 ,he who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke1 he that ruled the nations in anger1 is persecuted1 and none hindereth4 ,the whole earth is at rest1 and is quiet3 they break forth into singing4 ,yea1 the fir trees rejoice at thee1 and the cedars of ,lebanon1 saying1 ,since thou art laid down1 no seller is come up against us' 7,isa #ad3a-h74 ,also the world will now be 7as it were7 another thing than it was in the days of ,antichrist3 now will kings1 and princes1 and nobles1 and the whole commonality be rid of that servitude and bondage which in former times 7when they used to carry ,bell and the dragon upon their shoulders7 they were subjected to4 ,they were then a burden to them1 but now they are at ease4 ',tis with the world1 that are the slaves of ,antichrist now1 as it is with them that are slaves and captives to a whore3 they must come when she calls1 run when she bids1 fight with and beat them that she saith miscall her1 and spend what they can get by labour or fraud upon her1 or she will be no more their whore1 and they shall be no more her bosom ones4 ,but now6 ,now it will be otherwise6 ,now they will have no whore to please6 ,now they will have none to put them upon persecuting of the saints6 ,now they shall not be made1 as before1 guilty of the blood of those against whom this gentleman shall take a pet6 ,now the world shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked2 yea1 they shall cleave to1 and countenance the people of ,god1 being persuaded1 as ,laban was of ,jacob1 that the ,lord will bless them for his people's sakes3 for at this day1 'the remnant of ,jacob shall be among the ,gentiles in the midst of many people1 as a dew from the ,lord1 as the showers upon the grass1 that tarrieth not for man1 nor waiteth for the sons of men' 7,micah #e3g74 ,also in these days men shall come flocking into the house of ,god1 both kings and princes1 and nobles1 and the common people1 as the doves do to their windows3 and for that cause it is spoken to the church1 with reference to the latter days1 saying1 ',enlarge the place of thy tent1 and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations3 spare not1 lengthen thy cords1 and strengthen thy stakes2 for thou shalt break forth on the right hand1 and on the left2 and thy seed shall inherit the ,gentiles1 and make the desolate cities to be inhabited' 7,isa #ed3b1c74 ,now will be broken up those prophecies and promises that to this day lie as under lock and key1 and that cannot be opened until they be fulfilled4 ,now will the ,spirit of ,god be poured forth abundantly2 and our rivers shall be in high places1 that is1 shall break forth from the hearts of great ones2 yea1 then shall our waters be made deep3 ',and ,i will cause their rivers to run like oil1 saith the ,lord ,god' 7,eze #cb3ad74 ,then shall the differences1 the divisions and debates that are among the godly1 cease3 for men 'shall see eye to eye1 when the ,lord shall bring again ,zion' 7,isa #eb3h73 yea1 the watchmen of ,god's people shall do so2 for it is for want of light in them1 that the lambs have so butted one another4 ,now the church of ,god shall read with great plainness the depths of providence1 and the turnings and windings of all ,god's dark and intricate dispensations1 through which she hath waded in the cloudy and dark day3 now1 ,i say1 they shall see there was an harmony in them2 and that if one of them had been wanting1 the work and way of her deliverance could not have been so full of the wisdom1 and justice1 and goodness of ,god2 ,wherefore now will that song be sung with clearer notes than ever3 ',great and marvellous are thy works1 ,lord ,god ,almighty2 just and true are thy ways1 thou king of ,saints4 ,who shall not fear thee1 ,o ,lord1 and glorify thy name8 for thou only art holy3 for all nations shall come and worship before thee2 for thy judgments are made manifest' 7,rev #ae3c1d74 ,and again1 ',for true and righteous are his judgments3 ,for he hath judged the great whore1 which did corrupt the earth with her fornication1 and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand' 7,rev #ai3b74 ,,of ,,the ,,manner ,,of ,,the ,,ruin ,,of ,,antichrist4 ,what ,antichrist is1 ,i have told you2 and that as to his soul and body4 ,i have also told you where1 or in what things the spirit and life of ,antichrist lieth1 and how he shall reign for a time4 ,i have moreover shewed you that he shall be destroyed1 and by what1 and that with reference both to his soul and body4 ,wherefore1 waving other things1 ,i shall here only present you with a few short hints concerning the manner of his downfall4 ,there is the downfall1 the time of the downfall1 and the manner of the downfall of ,antichrist4 ,the manner of the downfall of ,antichrist1 may be considered1 either with respect to the suddenness1 unexpectedness1 terribleness1 or strangeness thereof4 ,it may also be considered with respect to the way of ,god's procedure with her1 as to the gradualness thereof4 ,as to the suddenness thereof1 'tis said to be in an hour4 ,it is also to be1 when by her unexpected2 for then she saith1 ',i sit a queen' 7,rev #ah3g1h74 ,for the terribleness of it1 ,the nations shall shake at the sound of her fall 7,eze #ca3af1ag74 ,and for the strangeness thereof1 it shall be to the wonder of the world 7,isa #ad3ab71 it will be as when ,god overthrew ,sodom4 ,but ,i shall not enlarge upon this method in my discourse1 but shall shew you the manner of the ruin of ,antichrist1 with respect to the gradualness thereof 7,eze #af3cf-dc2 ,rev #ah3h2 ,isa #dg3i74 ,antichrist then shall be brought to ruin gradually2 that is1 by degrees3 ,a part after a part2 here a fenced city1 and there a high tower1 even until she is made to lie even with the ground4 ,and yet all shall be within the compass of ,god's days1 hours1 or moments2 for within the compass of these limited times ,antichrist shall be destroyed4#i ,now1 7as ,i said7 ,he1 she1 ,sodom1 ,egypt1 ,babylon1 ,antichrist1 shall be destroyed1 not all at once1 after the way of our counting of time2 but by step after step1 piece after piece4 ,and perhaps there may be in the words now following1 something that signifies this3 ,they shall 'shew the king of ,babylon that his city is taken at one end' 7,jer #ea3ca74 ,this is also shewed by the vessels in which is contained the wrath of ,god for her1 together with the manner of pouring of it out4 ,the vessels in which it is contained are called ,,vials2 ,now a vial is that which letteth out what is contained in it by degrees1 and not all at once4 ,there are also two things to be considered1 as to the manner of its being poured out of them4 ,the first respecteth the nature of the vial4 ,the other1 the order of the angels that poured forth this wrath4 ,for the ,first3 ,the vial1 as it letteth out what is in it by degrees2 so it doth it with certain gusts1 that are mixed with strength and violence1 bolting it out with noise1 c4 ,as for the order of the angels1 or that order that they observe1 they plainly shew that this enemy must come down by degrees2 for that these vials are by them poured out one after another1 each one working something of their own effects1 before another is poured forth4 ,the first is poured forth upon the antichristian earth3 ,the second1 upon her sea3 ,the third is poured forth upon her rivers3 ,and the fourth1 upon her sun3 ,the fifth is poured forth upon the seat of the beast3 ,the sixth1 upon her ,euphrates3 ,and the seventh1 into her air 7,rev #af3b-ag74 ,and1 ,i say1 they are poured forth not all at one time1 but now one1 and then another4 ,now1 since by these vials ,antichrist must fall2 and since also they are poured forth successively3 ',tis evident that this man of sin1 this son of perdition1 is to fall and die by degrees4 ,he would not die at all1 as is manifest by his wrestling with it2 but he is a strong ,god that judges1 and therefore he must come down3 ,his friends also1 with what cordials they can1 will labour to lengthen out his tranquility2 but ,god hath set his bounds1 and he cannot go beyond the time appointed4 ,we must also put a difference betwixt her being fought withal and wounded1 and that of her dying the death4 ,michael and his angels have been holding of her in play a long season2 but yet she is not dead 7,rev #ab73 ,but1 as ,i said1 she shall descend in battle and perish1 and shall be found no more for ever4 ,a ,,tenth ,,part ,,falls ,,first4 ,to speak then to the manner of the ruin of this ,antichrist1 with respect to the gradualness thereof3 ,it must piece after piece be overthrown1 until at last every whit thereof is rolled down from the rocks as a burnt mountain4 ,and hence we read that this city falls first in a tenth part thereof1 even while nine parts remain yet standing3 ,nor doth this tenth part1 notwithstanding the faith and faithful testimony of the two witnesses1 quite fall1 until they are slain1 and also raised again3 ,for 'tis said1 ,the same hour that the witnesses were raised1 the tenth part of the city fell 7,rev #aa3ac73 ,the tenth part of that city that reigneth over the kings of the earth1 which city is ,sodom1 ,egypt1 ,babylon1 or the great whore 7,rev #ag3ah74 ,by the city then1 ,i understand the church of ,antichrist in its utmost bounds2 and so it reacheth as far as the beast with seven heads and ten horns hath dominion4 ,hence this city is also called cities1 as one universe is called by the name of several countries1 c4 ,and them cities also are called 'the cities of the nations' 7,rev #af3ai73 ,for as when they are put together1 they all make but one2 so when they are considered apart1 they are found in number ten1 and answer to the ten horns upon the heads of the 7seven headed7 beast that carries her1 and do give her protection4 ,this then ,i take to be the meaning3 ,that the antichristian church is divided into ten parts1 and each part is put under one of the horns of the beast for protection3 ,but that aid and protection shall not help1 when ,god shall come to execute judgment upon her3 ,for it saith1 ',a tenth part of the city fell'2 that is1 first1 and as a forerunner of the fall of all the rest3 ,now where this tenth part is1 or which of the ten parts must fall first1 or whether indeed a tenth part is already fallen1 that ,i will leave to those that are wiser than myself to determine4 ,but since ,i am speaking of the fall of a tenth part of ,antichrist2 a word or two about the means of the fall thereof4 ,the means of the fall of this tenth part1 is an earthquake2 yet not such as is universal1 over the face of all1 but an earthquake in that tenth part where that city stood that should fall4 ,now by earthquakes here1 cannot be meant any thing but such a shaking as unsettleth the foundations of this tenth part3 ,but whether it shall be in this tenth part as a city1 or in it as a state1 that ,i shall not determine2 only my thoughts are1 ,that it shall be an earthquake in that kingdom where this tenth part shall happen to be3 ,an earthquake not to overthrow further than is appointed2 and that is the city which is called the tenth part of the great ,antichrist4 ,so far as that state is a state1 so far then it is shaken for reformation1 not for destruction2 for in the earthquake were slain seven thousand 7names of7 men2 and the remnant were affrighted1 and gave glory to the ,god of heaven4 ,but thus much for the first3 ,great ,babylon falleth first1 in a tenth part of it4 ,,the ,,nine ,,parts ,,fall4 ,again1 ,the next step that the strong ,god taketh towards the utter overthrow of ,antichrist1 will be more sore upon the whole1 though not at first universal neither1 yet in conclusion1 it shall throw down the nine parts that are left3 ,for thus it is recorded3 ',and the cities of the nations fell'3 ,the cities of the nations1 the antichristian churches1 otherwise called the daughters of the mother of harlots1 and abominations of the earth4 ,now to shew you the hand of ,god in this second stroke1 wherewith the ,lord will smite this enemy4 #a4 ,here we have a great earthquake4 #b4 ,and then1 ,the fall of the cities of the nations4 ,for the earthquake1 it is said to be such as never was1 'so mighty an earthquake1 and so great' 7,rev #af3ah72 for it extended itself as far as the other nine cities had any ground to stand on2 for it shook the foundations of them all4 ,the fall of the cities1 was not immediately upon the shake that was made1 but the earthquake produced an eruption1 an eruption in the nine remaining parts of this city3 ,and such an eruption as is of the worser sort1 for it divided them into a three-headed division3 ',and the great city was divided into three parts'3 the great city1 to wit1 the powers by which they were upheld4 ,the meaning then is this2 when ,god shall strike this man of sin the second time1 he will not be so sparing as he was at first1 when he struck but a tenth part to the ground2 but now he will so shake1 so confound1 so divide1 so raise up ,antichrist against himself1 to wit1 in the body and members of him1 that they shall set to fighting1 and to tearing one another in pieces1 until they have consumed the whole of these nine parts4 ,it was1 saith the text1 divided into three parts1 which divisions are the worst of all3 ,it will be therefore such a division as will bring them all to ruin4 ,hence it follows1 ',and the cities of the nations fell4' ,wherefore1 this three-cornered eruption will be the most dreadful to ,antichrist that ever was3 ,it will be like that that was in ,jerusalem when she came to be laid even with the ground2 and like that that came upon the armies of the ,gentiles1 when they came up to fight against ,jehoshaphat4 ',for the children of ,ammon and ,moab stood up against the inhabitants of ,mount ,seir1 utterly to slay and destroy them3 ,and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of ,seir1 every one helped to destroy another' 7#b ,chron #bj3bc74 ,this1 ,i say1 is the division that this mighty earthquake shall make betwixt the horns that are left to these nine parts that remained1 when the tenth part of the city fell4 ,and this will come to pass through the increase of the heat of ,god's anger3 ,for he is angry with the waters where the woman sitteth1 because they have delivered up his beloved to the bloody whore2 wherefore1 he now will give them blood to drink in fury4 ,hence his beginning to deal with ,antichrist1 is called1 the beginning of revenges3 ',i will make saith ,god mine arrows drunk with blood1 and my sword shall devour flesh2 and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives1 from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy' 7,deu #cb3db74 ,and therefore it is said again1 that when ,god comes to do this work upon this ,antichrist1 it is because 'it is the day of the ,lord's vengeance1 and the year of recompences for the controversy of ,zion' 7,isa #cd3h74 ',for the day of vengeance is in mine heart1 and the year of my redeemed is come' 7,isa #fc3d74 ,a peace therefore cannot be made among these cities when ,god has forbidden it3 ,wherefore the effect of all1 is1 ,the cities of the nations fall4 ,there is therefore like to be no more good days for ,antichrist after this earthquake has begun to shake her3 ,no1 nothing now is to be expected of her1 but rumours1 tumults1 stirs1 and uproars3 ',one post shall run to meet another1--to shew the king of ,babylon that his city is taken at one end'3 ,and again1 ',a rumour shall both come one year2 and after that in another year shall come a rumour1 and violence in the land1 ruler against ruler1' c4 7,jer #ea3ca1df74 ,so that this earthquake has driven away peace1 shaken the foundations1 and will cast the nine cities down to the ground4 ,,great ,,babel ,,falls4 ,and this is a second stroke that ,god will give this man of sin1 and a third cometh quickly4 ,wherefore it follows upon the downfall of these cities of the nations1 that 'great ,babylon came into remembrance before ,god1 to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath4' ,now then1 have at great ,babylon4 ,great ,babylon6 ,what is that8 ,why1 ,i take it to be the mother1 the metropolitan1 the great whore herself3 ,for though sometimes1 by the great whore1 or great ,babylon1 we may understand1 the church of ,antichrist in general2 yet by it is meant more properly1 the mother of the daughters1 of whose overthrow we have spoken before4 ,we are now then come to the threshold of the door of the house of the ,,old one2 to the door of the mother of harlots1 and abomination of the earth4 ,this then that but now is said to come into remembrance with ,god1 is that which gave being to the cities destroyed before2 to wit1 the mistress1 the queen1 the mother-church1 as she calleth herself4 ,and this is the wisdom of ,god concerning her1 that she should not be the first that should die2 but that she should live to see the destruction of her daughters1 and pine away under the sight and sense of that1 even until judgment also shall overtake herself4 ,thus ,pharaoh and his chief ones did live to see the greatest part of ,egypt destroyed before judgment overtook them1 but at last it came to their doors also4 ,zedekiah lived to see his children slain before his face1 before judgment overtook him to his own personal destruction 7,jer #eb3h-aa74 ,babylon also1 when ,god sent the cup of his fury unto her1 yet was to live to see the nations drink before her3 ',take the wine cup of my fury said ,god to the prophet1 and cause all the nations to whom ,i send thee1 to drink it' 7,jer #be3ae74 ,to wit1 ,all the kingdoms of the world which are upon the face of the earth4 ',and ,sheshach shall drink after them' 7verse #bf74 ,but what was ,sheshach8 may some say4 ,i answer1 ,it was ,babylon1 the princess of the world1 and at that time the head of all those nations 7,dan #d3bb71 7as this queen is now the mother of harlots74 ,wherefore1 the same prophet1 speaking of the destruction of the same ,sheshach1 saith1 ',how is ,sheshach taken8 and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised6 ,how is ,babylon become an astonishment among the nations6' 7,jer #ea3da74 ,now1 if this was the method of ,god's proceeding with his enemies in the way of his judgments of old1 why may we not suppose that he will go the same way with his great enemy now3 especially since those judgments mentioned before1 were executed upon those1 which1 in some things1 were figures of the great whore4 ,besides1 we read here plainly1 that when the cities of the nations were fallen1 great ,babylon came into remembrance before ,god1 to give her to drink of the cup4 ,from all which ,i conclude1 as ,i did before1 that the mother1 the metropolitan1 the lady of kingdoms1 shall live to see her daughters executed before her face3 ,after which she shall come into consideration herself2 for she must assuredly drink of the cup4#aj ,this destruction therefore must be last1 for the reasons urged before1 and also because she most deserves the bottom of the cup4 ,the bottom is the dregs1 the most bitter part1 and that where the most heat1 and fiercest wrath of ,god doth lie 7,psa #ge3h73 ,wherefore1 although you find that by the first earthquake a great slaughter was made1 and that a tenth part of the city fell2 yet from that judgment some did escape3 ',and the remnant were affrighted1 and gave glory to the ,god of heaven' 7,rev #aa3ac74 ,but now1 this earthquake1 by virtue of which the cities of the nations fall1 and as an effect of which great ,babylon is come into 'remembrance before ,god1' neither spares one of the daughters of this whore1 nor any man that is a lover of them2 but it so is seconded by a 'hail-storm1' and that hail-storm worketh so in wrath1 that not one escapes by repentance4 ,every hail-stone was the weight of a talent1 which some say is six pounds above half an hundred weight3#aa;,by this therefore ,god shews1 that now his anger was wrought up to the height4 ,i know not wherewith so to compare these hail-stones1 as with the talent of lead that was laid over the mouth of the ephah1 which was prepared to hold the woman1 whose name was wickedness1 this very whore of ,babylon3 ,for that talent of lead was to keep down this mistress1 that she might get no more out of the ephah1 and these hail-stone are to banish her out of the world 7,zech #e3e-aa73 ,therefore it follows1 that she must have the most heavy judgment1 even the bottom of the cup4 ',and great ,babylon came into remembrance before ,god4' ,to remember with ,god1 is to visit either with grace or wrath1 ,god is said to remember ,rachel1 when he visited her with the blessing of a fruitful womb 7,gen #cj3bb74 ,it is said also that ,god remembered ,noah1 when the time came on that he was to be delivered from the flood 7,gen #h3a74 ,here also he is said to remember ,babylon1 that is1 to visit her with his anger for the wickedness that she had committed3 ',to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath4' ,now then is the time of iniquity1 when it will be come to the full2 and now also is the time of ,god's anger1 when it will be come to the full3 ,now therefore must the murders 7,rev #ah3bd71 and thefts1 and blasphemies1 and fornications1 c41 belonging to this mother of harlots1 be recompensed to the full1 to wit1 with the dregs of this cup3 ,yet since the hail-stones come by weight1 and the wrath comes by measure1 7for so a talent and a cup imports7 it follows1 that the ,almighty ,god1 even in the midst of the heat of all this anger1 will keep to the rules of justice and judgment while he is dealing with this enemy3 ,he has not passions1 to carry him beyond rules of judgment2 nor weakness1 to cause him to fall short of doing justice3 ,therefore he has 7as was said7 his judgments for her by weight1 and his indignation by measure3 ,but yet this weight and measure is not suited to her constitution1 not with an intent to purge or refine her2 but it is disposed according to the measure and nature of her iniquity1 and comes to sweep her1 as with the besom of destruction1 until she is swept off from the face of all the earth4 ,and thus ,i have shewed you the manner of the ruin of ,antichrist2 that is1 ,that it will be gradual1 part after part1 until the whole be overthrown4 ,and this truth may be applied both to the soul1 as well as to the body of ,antichrist3 ,for the soul1 spirit1 or life of ,antichrist must also after this manner be destroyed4 ,and hence it is said to be consumed1 that is1 by degrees3 ,for to consume1 is to destroy by degrees3 ,only this caution ,i would have the reader remember1 ,that much of the soul of ,antichrist may be destroyed1 when none of her daughters are2 and that the destruction of her spirit is a certain forerunner of the destruction of her body in the manner that we have related4 ,now since she is dying1 let us ring her passing-bell2 for when she is dead1 we that live to see it1 intend to ring out4 ',for thus saith the ,lord ,god2 ,when ,i shall make thee a desolate city1 like the cities that are not inhabited2 when ,i shall bring up the deep upon thee1 and great waters shall cover thee2 when ,i shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit1 with the people of old time1 and shall set thee in the low parts of the earth1 in places desolate of old1 with them that go down to the pit1 that thou be not inhabited2 and ,i shall set glory in the land of the living2 ,i will make thee a terror1 and thou shalt be no more3 though thou be sought for1 yet shalt thou never be found again1 saith the ,lord ,god' 7,eze #bf3ai-ba74 ,,of ,,the ,,signs ,,of ,,the ,,approach ,,of ,,the ,,downfall ,,of ,,antichrist4 ,having in the foregoing discourse spoken of ,antichrist his ruin1 and the manner thereof1 ,i now come to speak of the signs of the approach of her destruction4 ,and whether ,i shall hit right1 as to these1 that ,i must leave to time to make manifest2 and in the mean while to the wise in heart to judge4 ,that she shall fall1 there is nothing more certain2 and when she is fallen1 that she never shall rise again1 is also as firmly decreed2 yea1 and shewed too by him that cast the millstone into the sea1 and said1 ',thus with violence shall that great city ,babylon be thrown down1 and shall be found no more at all' 7,rev #ah3ba74 ,this is therefore her fate and destiny1 from the mouth of the holy one2 and is sealed up in the scriptures of truth1 for the comfort of the people that have been afflicted by her4 ,true1 the time of her fall is not certainly known by the saints1 nor at all believed by her2 wherefore1 her plagues must come unlooked for by her4 ,and as to the saints1 their guesses1 as to the time of her ruin1 must needs be conjectural and uncertain4 ,for her part1 she shall say1 and that when she stands where she must suddenly fall1 ',i shall be a lady for ever' 7,isa #dg3g-i74 ,and as to the saints that would very willingly see her downfall1 how often have they been mistaken as to the set time thereof4 ,nor have ,i been without thought1 but that this mistake of the godly may become a snare to ,antichrist1 and a trap to her upholders4 ,for what can be a greater judgment1 or more effectually harden the hearts of the wicked1 than for them to behold that the predictions1 prophecies1 expectation and hopes of their enemies 7as to their ruin7 should quite 7as to the time7 be frustrate1 and made void4 ,moses prophesied1 and the people hoped that ,god would give ,israel 'the land of ,canaan'2 and yet the ,canaanites beat them 7,num #ad3dj2 ,josh #g3e-i74 ,jeremiah prophesied that the enemy should come and take the city of ,jerusalem2 but because he came once1 and went back without doing it1 how stout and hardened were the hearts of that people against all the rest of his prophetic sayings1 as to such a thing 7,jer #cg74 ,now the error lay not in these prophets1 but in the people's mistaking the times3 and if mistakes do so much harden the heart of the wicked1 what will they do to such of them who make it their business to blind and harden their hearts against ,god1 by abusing all truths8 ,surely1 when men seek to harden their hearts by abusing of truth1 they will do it to purpose1 when they have also the advantage of the weakness of their professed enemies to do it by3 especially when their enemies shall say they speak by the word of the ,lord1 and time shall manifest it to be both a mistake and a falsehood4 ,it is to be bewailed1 namely1 the forwardness of some in this matter1 who have predicted concerning the time of the downfall of ,antichrist1 to the shame of them and their brethren3 nor will the wrong that such by their boldness have done to the church of ,god1 be ever repaired by them nor their works4 ,but the judgments of ,god are a great deep2 and therefore who can tell1 since the enemy of ,god would not be convinced by the power of truth1 and the virtuous lives of some1 but that ,god might leave them to be snared1 hardened and emboldened to run upon their unavoidable destruction1 by the lies and lightness of others4 ,they begin to vaunt it already1 and to say1 ,where is the word of the ,lord1 as to this1 let it come now4 ,but when ,agag said1 'surely the bitterness of death is past1' then was the time for him to be hewn in pieces 7#a ,sam #ae3cb1cc74 ,i shall not therefore meddle with the times and seasons which the ,father hath put in his own power2 no1 though they as to ,antichrist's ruin are revealed2 because by the ,holy ,ghost there is a challenge made1 notwithstanding the time is set1 and by the word related to the man of wisdom1 to find it out if he can 7,rev #ac3ah74 ,if ,samson's riddle was so puzzling1 what shall we think of this8 and though the angel hath intimated1 that this sealed matter shall be opened towards the time of the end 7,dan #ab3i72 yet 'tis evident1 some have either been so hasty1 or presumed too much upon their own abilities3 for ,i am sure they have missed the mark1 hardened the heart of the enemy1 stumbled the weak1 and shamed them that loved them4 ,but since the most high hath irreversibly determined her downfall also1 let us see if we can have better success in discoursing upon the signs1 than others have had who have meddled with the timing thereof4 ,,first ,,sign4 ,first then4 ,the downfall and ruin of ,antichrist draws near1 when the church and people of ,god are driven from all those hiding-places that ,god has prepared for them in the wilderness4 ,the church of ,god1 when the dragon did his worst1 had an hiding-place prepared her of ,god1 that she might not utterly be devoured by him2 and so shall have till the time of his end shall come4 ,of this you read in the #abth of the ,revelation1 a place worthy to be noted for this4 ,but now1 when the time of the ruin of ,antichrist draws on1 then is the church deprived of her shelter1 and laid open1 as one would think1 to be utterly swallowed up for ever1 having no more place in the wilderness1 that is1 among the nations1 to hide herself from the face of the serpent4 ,but how comes this to be a ,,sign of the approach of the ruin of ,antichrist8 why thus4 ,the time of this beast's war with the church of ,god1 and the time that the church shall have an hiding-place in the wilderness1 are both of a length1 the one continuing forty-two months1 the other a thousand two hundred and threescore days4 ,now since the war that this beast makes with the woman and her seed1 and the woman's hiding-place in the wilderness from his face1 are1 for length of time1 the same2 what hindereth but that when the woman and her seed can find no more shelter in the nations1 the time that the beast hath allotted him to make war against her1 should be finished also8 when we therefore shall see that plots and conspiracies1 that designs for utter ruin1 are laid against ,god's church all the world over2 and that none of the kings1 princes1 or mighty states of the world1 will open their doors1 or give them a city for refuge2 then is the ruin of ,antichrist at hand3 for ,haman's plot1 though the most universal that ever yet was hatching1 7being laid in an hundred twenty-seven provinces17 did but presage the deliverance and exaltation of the ,jews1 and the hanging of ,haman and his sons3 yea1 and ,i take it1 that the very day that this great enemy had set for the utter overthrow of the church1 ,god made the day in which their deliverance began1 and that from whence it was completed2 and ,i take that to be a type of this4 ,there is but one thing that ,i can think of that can give matter of a shew of doubt about this thing2 and that is1 though the time of this war against the saints1 and that of the woman's shelter in the wilderness as to length1 be one and the same2 yet whether they did commence together1 and begin to take their rise1 as men do that begin to run a race8 a word therefore to this4 ,i suppose they did commence much together2 for else with whom should this beast make war1 and how should the church escape8 ,or1 if the beast began his war before the woman began to have a hiding-place1 why was she not swallowed up1 since in the wilderness was her only place of shelter8 ,again1 what needed the woman to have a place of shelter in the wilderness1 when there was no war made against her8 ,and yet this must be1 if her thousand two hundred and threescore days1 began before the beast's forty-two months3 but they ended both together2 for the beast could not kill the witnesses before they had finished their testimony2 which testimony of theirs lasted this full time that the beast had granted him to make war with them1 to wit1 one thousand two hundred and threescore days 7,rev #aa3c73 therefore their times went out together1 as will be made appear1 if you consider also that the witnesses were slain1 by virtue1 not of the old1 but of a new war levied against them2 and that1 as it should seem1 at the very time when her hiding-place was taken from her2 for then indeed1 for a little season1 will the church of ,god be overcome1 as ,i shall shew by and by4 ,wherefore1 let ,god's people consider and remember that when ,god's church is absolutely forlorn1 and has no hiding-place any longer in the world1 the kingdom of ,antichrist will quickly begin to tumble4 ,nor is this the alone place from whence we may gather these conclusions4 ,the time of ,pharaoh's tyranny1 of his life1 and of the deliverance of the children of ,israel1 came out much together2 as any will discern that shall consider the history of them 7,gen #ae3ac74 ,david1 when ,saul did sorely prosecute him1 fled last into the wilderness to ,achish the king of ,gath1 a ,philistine1 for shelter2 and he gave him ,ziklag for his refuge 7#a ,sam #bg3e1f74 ,and that place so continued to ,david1 'till just about the time in which ,saul must die2 and then behold1 ,david's ,ziklag is burnt with fire1 and himself stript naked of harbour6 7#a ,sam #cj3a74 ,but what matter6 ,the time of ,saul's life1 as well as of ,david's ,ziklag1 was now upon expiring2 for within three or four days after1 ,david became the king of ,israel 7#a ,sam #ca3a-f74 ,and thus also it was with the ,babel-beast3 ,his time expired1 when the captivity of ,israel was upon the finishing3 then was the time of his land come1 and 'in that' very 'night was ,belshazzar the king of the ,chaldeans slain' 7,dan #e3be-cj74 ,thus therefore it will happen to the church in the latter days3 her place of shelter in the wilderness2 her ,ziklag will be taken from her1 about the time that the war that the beast has to make upon the woman and her seed shall be finished4 ,but now the church is not therefore immediately delivered1 when her ,ziklag is taken from her2 for after that1 the beast levieth a new war1 to the overcoming and killing of the church3 ,i say therefore1 that this is a sign1 not of the downfall of ,antichrist1 but of the approach thereof3 for the church's bondage shall continue but three days1 and a little after this shall be her deliverance4 ,much like to this was that of ,david2 for after he had lost his ,ziklag1 for two or three days he had sore distress3 but lo1 then came the kingdom to him4 ,indeed1 sense and reason saith1 it is a fearful thing for the church of ,god to be exposed to the rage of her enemy all over the world at once2 and that all nations should shut up their gates1 let down their portcullises1 bolt up their doors1 and set open their flood-gates to destroy them3 but so will be the dispensation of ,god1 to the end deliverance may be the sweeter1 and the enemies fall the more headlong1 and the arm of ,god the more manifest1 both for the one1 and against the other4 ,and in this will that scripture be fulfilled3 ',and there shall be a time of trouble1 such as never was since there was a nation--and at that time thy people shall be delivered1 every one that shall be found written in the book' 7,dan #ab3a74 ,let us gather up what has been said again2 namely1 that it is a sign of the approach of the ruin of ,antichrist1 when ,god's church can find no more shelter in the wilderness2 because when her ,ziklag is burned1 the time of the war that the beast is to make against her1 is finished4 ,wherefore1 when she hath given one desperate struggle more1 and laid the church of ,god1 or his witnesses1 for dead1 in the street of his great city1 for three days and an half1 then comes the kingdom1 and the long1 long-looked-for rest and glory4 ,wherefore it remains1 that an angel should stand in the sun1 and make proclamation to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven1 to gather themselves together to the supper of the great ,god3 ',that ye may eat the flesh of kings1 and the flesh of captains1 and the flesh of mighty men1 and the flesh of horses1 and of them that sit on them2 and the flesh of all men1 both free and bond1 both small and great' 7,rev #ai3ah74 ,this is to be after the forty-two months of the beast2 and consequently1 after the thousand two hundred and threescore days that the church was to be in sackcloth2 yea1 after the resurrection of the witnesses1 as is evident by that which follows3 ',and the beast was taken1 that is1 after the second year and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him1 with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast1 and them that worshiped his image4 ,these both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone' 7verse #bj74 ,,second ,,sign4 ,secondly1 ,another sign of the approach of the ruin of ,antichrist1 is this3 towards the end of her reign1 the nations will be made to see her baseness1 and to abhor her and her ways4 ,they will1 ,i say1 be made to see these things1 in order to her ruin3 also1 when they shall be made to see1 her ruin will not be far off4 ,for so long as the nations and their rulers shall continue in that dead sleep that she hath bewitched them into1 by their drinking of the wine of her fornication2 so long we have no ground to think that her ruin is at the door3 but when ,god shall lay her before kings1 and shall discover her nakedness to the nations1 then be sure her destruction is at hand4 ,hence you read1 that precedent to her downfall3 ,an angel comes down from heaven1 and enlightens the earth with his glory 7,rev #aj3a74 ,the earth2 that is1 the kingdoms1 countries1 and nations where the woman sitteth1 or they that border thereupon4 ,enlightened2 to let them see the filthiness of the whore4 ,with his glory2 with the doctrine that he had commission to preach against her1 for the discovering of her lewdness to the earth4 ,this also was the way that ,god took with backsliding ,israel of old1 7and she was a type of our religious ,babel7 when he intended to bring her to judgment for her sins 7,eze #af3cg72 and this is the way that ,god will take to destroy our religious ,antichrist1 when he comes to deliver his people out of her hand4 ,for though the people that suffer at her hand1 can do nothing against her1 but lay1 in prayers and tears against her before the ,god of heaven1 and bear their witness against her before the gods of the earth2 yet when kings shall come to be concerned1 and they will count themselves concerned when they shall see how they have been deceived by her2 then let her look to it4 ',behold1 ,i am against thee1 saith the ,lord of ,hosts2 and ,i will discover thy skirts upon thy face1 and ,i will shew the nations thy nakedness1 and the kingdoms thy shame4 ,and ,i will cast abominable filth upon thee1 and make thee vile1 and will set thee as a gazing-stock4' ,and what follows8 ',and it shall come to pass1 that all they that look upon thee1 shall flee from thee1 and say1 ,nineveh is laid waste3 who will bemoan her8 whence shall ,i seek comforters for thee8' 7,nahum #c3e-g74 ,wherefore1 there wants nothing but that she be discovered to the nations and their kings2 for did they but see her1 though they lay yet in her bosom1 they would rise up against her1 that she must die3 wherefore it is written again1 ,i will 'bring forth a fire from the midst of thee1 it shall devour thee1 and ,i will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee' 7,eze #bh3ah74 ,the chief of the wisdom of ,antichrist this day is laid out1 if perhaps by it she may cover her nakedness1 and keep it from the eyes of kings and their people4 ,but ,god has said it shall not avail3 ',thy nakedness shall be uncovered1 yea1 thy shame shall be seen3 ,i will take vengeance1 and ,i will not meet thee as a man' 7,isa #dg3c74 ,but how will he make her naked8 ,verily1 by kings4 ,but how shall kings do it8 ,why1 by virtue of the glory of the angel3 yea1 they 'shall make her desolate and naked1 and shall eat her flesh1 and burn her with fire' 7,rev #ag3af74 ,let this1 ,i pray1 be considered1 ,that ,antichrist shall not down1 but by the hand of kings4 ,the preacher then kills her soul1 and the king kills her body4 ,and why should not the kings have it granted unto them1 that she should fall by their hand8 the kings are those that she has abused1 that she has in the grossest manner abused1 and has served herself of them3 but the time of the end of ,antichrist1 mystery ,babylon is coming1 'and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him' 7,jer #bg3g74ab ,nor shall all the tricks1 lies1 and deceit under which formerly she used to shroud herself1 be able to prove a balm to her any longer3 ,no1 'in vain shalt thou use many medicines'2 for no cure shall be unto thee2 'the nations have heard of thy shame' 7,jer #df3aa1ab74 ,babylon has for a long time been 'a lady of kingdoms1' and 'a golden cup in the ,lord's hand'3 the nations also have largely drank of her cup1 and the kings have committed fornication with her 7,rev #ah3c74 ,but now the angel is come down1 and hath enlightened the earth with his glory4 ,wherefore now it follows immediately1 ',babylon is fallen6 is fallen6' ,that is1 in the eyes and esteem of the nations1 as well as otherwise4 ,true1 some of the kings will bewail her fall1 and will cry1 ,alas6 ,alas6 when they see that they cannot help her2 for that they shall see1 as is evident1 because they stand afar off to lament her1 'afar off for the fear of her torment4' ,the kings therefore into whose hands ,god shall deliver her1 and who shall execute his judgments upon her1 shall be more mighty and powerful to bring her down1 than shall be the whole world besides to uphold her4 ,the ,protestant ,kings4 ,and this observe further1 ,that as the kings that shall hate her1 shall hate her because in the light of the glory of the angel they are made able to see her filthiness2 so the kings that shall bewail her1 are such as in judgment are left in the dark1 and that shall be bewitched by her to the end4 ,this therefore will let us see something of the meaning of ,god1 in that he has drawn off from her some of the kings already2 to wit1 that he might train them up by the light of the gospel1 that they may be expert1 like men of war1 to scale her walls1 when the king of kings shall give out the commandment to them so to do4 ,there has been a great deal of talk in the countries about the ruin and destruction of ,babylon2 but could we see more of the kings engaged against her1 we should hope groundedly that her fall was at the door4 ,well1 blessed be ,god for what kings there are1 and the ,lord turn the hearts of many more to hate her4 ,some1 as ,i said before1 have adventured to foretell the time of her downfall2 but give me the signs thereof4 ,this therefore is a sign1 a sign that her downfall approaches1 when ,god shall lay her nakedness before the nations1 and put it into the hearts of kings to abhor her4 ,the signs of the times the ,lord ,jesus would have us mind2 and because the ,jews neglected them1 though as to the time they hit pretty right1 yet they missed of the thing that the time brought forth4 ,,third ,,sign4 ,thirdly1 ,a third sign of the approach of the ruin of ,antichrist1 is this3 ',when ,babylon is become the habitation of devils1 c41' then the downfall thereof is upon us4 ,true1 ,babylon was always an habitation for devils2 but not an habitation only for them2 ,israel once dwelt there1 and our ,antichrist was sometimes a place of residence for good men4 ,the meaning then1 is1 ,when you shall see the church and people of ,god so forsake her that she is left in a manner to herself1 and to her disciples1 then she is to fall quickly4 ,when you hear it proclaimed by them that are yet in her1 of ,god's people1 ',we would have healed ,babylon1 but she is not healed3 forsake her1 and let us go every one into his own country' 7,jer #ea3i73 ,then she will soon be hissed out of the world3 for this is the way of the wisdom of ,god2 namely1 to bring his people out of a city or place1 when he intends the ruin of that place4 ,when ,god was about to destroy the old world1 he put his ,noah into an ark3 when ,god was about to destroy ,sodom1 he sent his ,lot away thence to ,zoar3 when ,christ was about to destroy ,jerusalem1 he bid his disciples flee from the midst of that3 and when there shall be by ,god a hissing for his people2 and when they shall hear him1 and obey1 and gather to him1 then you shall see what will become of this enemy of ,christ3 ',i will hiss for them1 and gather them2 for ,i have redeemed them' 7,zech #aj3h-ab74 ,i say therefore1 when ,babylon shall become the habitation of devils1 a hold for all foul spirits1 and a cage for every unclean and hateful bird1 then ,babylon is fallen4 ,and thus the angel that lightened the earth with his glory1 proclaimed1 ',babylon the great is fallen6 is fallen6 and is become the habitation of devils1 and a hold for every foul spirit1 and a cage for every unclean and hateful bird4' ,wherefore it must be1 that by that her time is come that she should fall1 ,god will have gleaned his people from the midst of her4 ,and when ,god shall have gleaned his people from the midst of her1 those that are left behind will appear more than ever to be what they are1 to wit1 devils1 foul spirits1 and hateful birds2 wherefore1 now will ,antichrist appear in his own most proper colours4 ,but to comment a little upon the words4 ,babylon ',mystery ,babylon' 7,rev #ag3e74 ,the antichristian church4 ',is fallen6 ,is fallen6' ,in the eyes and faith of the godly1 by her dropping into the dregs of degeneracy1 and so is become the habitation of devils1 c41 in order to her falling into utter and unavoidable destruction for ever4 ',is become4' ,that is1 through the labour of the fanners and winnowers that ,god hath sent to fan ,babylon1 and to fetch out his people1 that she might be left to her chaff3 ',i will send saith ,god to ,babylon fanners1 that shall fan her1 and shall empty her land of good men2 for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about' 7,jer #ea3b74 ',an habitation of devils4' ,devils3 not such by nature1 but by practice4 ,incarnate devils4 ,for when the time is come that ,babylon must be destroyed1 she shall be found to be an habitation for the most vile of the sons of men4 ,for as devils have acted towards the world1 so shall the sons of this sorceress1 and this whore1 act towards ,christ and his members in the latter days4 ,and1 perhaps1 the departing of ,zion from the midst of her1 will blow her up into this spirit of devilism4 ,let ,god's people therefore1 when ,antichrist is towards her end1 look for nothing from her1 but what the devil1 in times past1 used to do2 to wit1 all sinful subtilty1 malice1 wrath1 fraud1 deceit1 lying1 murder1 false accusings1 and implacable madness of spirit to do them mischief4 7,but ,lord ,god6 think ,i1 what will become of good men6 and where will they be safe in such days8 ,only ,i comfort myself1 by saying to myself again1 this a sign that the ruin of ,antichrist is at the door47 ,but this ,i say1 he must needs be a tuneable man1 that shall be able in those days to sing this song to himself at all seasons3 for this is to drive reason backward1 and to set the cart before the horse4 ,for what will the good man's reason say1 when it seeth all ,babylonians are become devils1 but that the church of ,god will certainly be torn in pieces8 ,but behold6 the text and the ,holy ,ghost runs counter4 ',babylon is fallen6 is fallen6 and or1 for it is become the habitation of devils4' ,these words for certain are the words of an holy angel2 for it could not have entered into the heart of mere man to have conceived them4 ',an habitation4' ,to be an habitation 7for devils7 is to be their house1 their dwelling-place1 their place of privilege1 their place of rest and abode1 or thither whither they have right to go4 ,and thus will ,babylon be2 that is1 an house1 an habitation1 a dwelling-place1 and a place of rest1 only for devilish-minded men2 thither may such men come2 for such her doors stand open1 and there may such inhabit4 ,when therefore you see good men come out thence1 and all sorts of wicked men flock in thither1 then know that ,babylon is near her end4 ',and a hold for every foul spirit4' ,understand by spirit1 either those that are devils by nature1 or such as are such otherwise4 ,but ,i think that the angel chiefly intends all manner of unclean and filthy spirits2 and so the church and members of ,babylon1 their only place of safety3 ,or if you understand it of the uncleanness of the spirits and minds of men1 then the meaning is1 that they are called foul spirits1 in allusion to those of devils which go by the same name 7,mark #i3be74 ,but however1 or which way soever taken1 it seems ,babylon is their hold2 that is1 their place of defence3 ,for by an hold1 we often understand a place of strength1 a castle1 a fort1 a tower2 so that these devils1 these foul-spirited men1 these ,babylonians1 will not only find house-room and harbour in ,babel1 but shelter1 defence and protection1 when she is near her ruin3 yea1 they will find her an upholder to them1 and a countenancer of them1 in all their foul and devilish pranks2 yea1 such an hold shall she be to such foul spirits in such foul acts1 that it shall not be possible that they should be driven from her1 or from them3 ,for an hold is often taken in the scriptures for a place that is impregnable1 and must be so taken here4 ,this intimates then1 that some faint opposition by the kings and nations will be made against these inhabiters1 foul spirits1 but to little purpose1 until the time of her land shall come 7,jer #bg3g72 for in their hold they still will be secured and defended from what reason1 law and scripture can or would do unto them4 ,thus then we see how ,babel1 towards her end1 will be filled1 and with what1 to wit1 with devils and foul spirits2 yea1 and that she will not only be an habitation1 but a place of defence for such4 ',and a cage for every unclean and hateful bird4' ,those that before are called devils1 and foul spirits1 are also here called 'birds1 unclean and hateful beasts4' ,by the term ,birds1 he may allude to that of the prophet ,isaiah1 where these unclean birds are mentioned 7#cd3aa-ag7 ,and by cage1 he may allude to the prophet ,jeremiah1 from whom1 as ,i think1 the ,holy ,ghost takes those words2 but then we must put men in the place of birds1 and the ,babylonian kingdom for the cage 7,jer #e3bg74 ',every unclean bird4' ,as was said before1 a hold for every foul spirit4 ,these unclean birds therefore are not all of one feather1 or kind1 but of all and every kind2 and it intimates1 that the worst act of all professions1 shall be1 as in a cage1 in ,babylon1 a little before her downfall4 ,but ,i say1 if they will not be all of one feather1 yet in their temper they will somewhat agree1 being either in shape1 monstrous2 of appetite1 ravenous2 or1 of inclination1 lovers of the night4 ,for of all these sorts were the forbidden1 or unclean birds among the ,jews4 ,now since these unclean birds are not all of one feather1 or kind1 it intimates that the basest of all sorts1 sects1 professions and degrees1 shall take shelter in ,babylon towards her end2 and that they shall there1 in their temper1 unanimously agree to show themselves monstrous1 to devour and eat up the poor and needy1 and to blow out the light of the gospel4 ',a cage4' ,not to imprison them in1 but for them to sit and sing in1 to confer their notes in1 to make melodious music in2 ,i mean1 melodious to their own thinking2 for the ass thinks that he sings full favouredly1 and the owl endeavours to lift up her voice above all the birds of the wood3 ,but it will be a prediction of her fall1 and that her ruin is at the door4 ,of these birds ,zephaniah speaks1 when he prophecies of the downfall of ,nineveh1 saying1 ',the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the uppermost lintels of it1 their voice shall sing in the windows2 when desolation shall be in the thresholds' 7,zeph #b3ad74 ,an unseasonable time to sing in2 for when death is coming in at the door1 mourning should be in the chambers4 ,but this is the judgment of ,god1 ,that she should be a cage for every unclean bird to sing in1 even then when her destruction and desolation cometh upon her4 ,to sing1 as in a cage1 doth also denote security1 and that the heart is far from fear2 for she saith1 ',i shall see no sorrow1 in that hour in which her judgment comes4' ,but is this a sign of the approach of the ruin of ,antichrist8 ,and must those that shall live to see those days1 rejoice when these things begin to come to pass8 ,are not these things rather a sign that the utter overthrow of the church of ,god is at the door8 ,indeed1 to sense it is1 and reason will be apt to say so3 ,but hark what the ,holy ,ghost saith6 ',she is fallen6 is fallen now6' ,when therefore we shall see men like devils2 yea1 every foul spirit1 and hateful bird1 flock to1 and take shelter in ,babylon2 let us not be frighted or dejected1 but pluck up our hearts1 and say1 ,this is one of the signs that the downfall of ,babylon is near4 ,wherefore it follows1 after that the prophet had told us that these birds should dwell in the land of the people of ,god's curse 7,isa #cd74 ,that 'the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them2 for that they are there and the desert shall rejoice1 and blossom as the rose3 ,it shall blossom1 saith he abundantly1 and rejoice even with joy and singing3 ,the glory of ,lebanon shall be given unto it1 the excellency of ,carmel and ,sharon1 they shall see the glory of the ,lord1 and the excellency of our ,god4' ,and to support the weak from those fears that in those days will be pulling of them down1 he adds1 ',strengthen ye the weak hands1 and confirm the feeble knees4 ,say to them that are of a fearful heart1 ,be strong1 fear not3 behold1 your ,god will come with vengeance1 even ,god with a recompence2 he will come and save you4 ,then the eyes of the blind shall be opened1 and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped4 ,then shall the lame man leap as an hart1 and the tongue of the dumb sing3 for in the wilderness shall waters break out1 and streams in the desert4 ,and the parched ground shall become a pool1 and the thirsty land springs of water3 ,in the habitation of dragons1 where each lay1 shall be grass with reeds and rushes4 ,and an highway shall be there1 and a way1 and it shall be called1 ,the way of holiness2 the unclean shall not pass over it2 but it shall be for those3 the wayfaring men1 though fools1 shall not err therein4 ,no lion shall be there1 nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon1 it shall not be found there2 but the redeemed shall walk there4 ,and the ransomed of the ,lord shall return1 and come to ,zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads3 ,they shall obtain joy and gladness1 and sorrow and sighing shall flee away' 7,isa #ce74 ,what say ye now1 ye sons of ,god6 ,will you learn to make a judgment of things according to the mystery of the wisdom of ,god1 or will ye longer conclude according to sense and reason3 ',he turneth the shadow of death into the morning' 7,amos #e3h74 ,and commands oft-times1 that the fairest day should succeed the foulest night4 ,wherefore1 when we see these devils1 foul spirits1 and unclean birds in ,babylon2 yea1 when we see good men leave her1 and the vilest run in to her1 then let us sing the angels' song1 and say1 ',babylon the great is fallen6 is fallen6 and is become the habitation of devils1 and a hold for every foul spirit1 and a cage for every unclean and hateful bird4' ,,fourth ,,sign4 ,fourthly1 another sign of the approach of the ruin of ,antichrist1 is1 ',the ,slaying of the ,witnesses'3 ,for the witnesses are to be slain before the fall of ,antichrist2 and that by the hand of the beast1 who shall manage the members of ,antichrist1 having qualified them before that work1 with those qualifications of which you read in the sign foregoing4 ,for what can better fit a generation for such a work1 than to be themselves all turned devils1 and also succourers of all foul spirits4 ,wherefore1 they must be the wickedest of men that shall do this3 the very scum of the nations1 and the very vilest of people4 ,nor is this a new notion3 ,god threatened to give his sanctuary 'into the hands of strangers for a prey1 and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil' 7,eze #g3ba72 ,to robbers1 burglars1 and they should defile it 7verse #bb74 ,again1 saith ,god of his people1 ',i will bring the worst of the heathen1 and they shall possess their houses' 7verse #bd74 ,for the truth is1 this work is too bad for men either of reason or conscience to be found in the practice of4 ,the hangman is usually none of the best3 ,the witnesses are also to be slain2 but not a man1 but a beast must slay them2 'a den of thieves1 a hold of foul spirits1' must do it4 ,that the witnesses must be slain before the fall of ,babylon1 has been hinted already4 ,also1 that their death is a forerunner of the ruin of ,antichrist1 has before been touched upon2 but in this place ,i shall a little enlarge4 ,and therefore ,i proceed3 ',and when they shall have finished their testimony1 the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them1 and shall overcome them1 and kill them4 ,and their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city1 which spiritually is called ,sodom and ,egypt1 where also our ,lord was crucified4 ,and they of the people1 and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half1 and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put into graves4' ',and after three days and an half1 the spirit of life from ,god entered into them1 and they stood upon their feet2 and great fear fell upon them which saw them4 ,and they heard a great voice from heaven1 saying unto them1 ,come up hither3 ,and they ascended up to heaven in a cloud2 and their enemies beheld them' 7,rev #aa3g-ab74 ,thus you see their death is before their deliverance4 ,also their death is to be by the hand of the beast2 to wit by the men that have and hold his mark1 and that of his image1 and that are of the number of his name4 ,you see also that their death is not only a forerunner of their deliverance1 but a sign that their deliverance is at the door2 since the one is but three days and an half before the other4 ,and if a short comment upon this text will give a little light to the reader1 ,i shall not count my labour lost4 ,and when they shall have finished their testimony1 when1 or about the time they have done their work of witness-bearing for ,god in the world3 ,when they have made or are making an end of giving their testimony for ,christ1 and against the witchcrafts1 idolatries1 sorceries1 fornications1 thefts1 murders1 and wickedness of ,antichrist3 ,then and not till then4 ',the beast that ascended out of the bottomless pit4' ,the beast3 ,the power that carrieth and beareth up ,antichrist1 the mother of harlots3 ,the beast upon which the woman sitteth1 and by the heads and horns of which she is protected and defended2 he is said to ascend out of the bottomless pit2 for that he manifesteth by his doings1 that he was born there1 and came to do the work of the king thereof4 ',shall make war against them4' ,we read that he made war against them all the time of their prophesying in sackcloth1 while they were bearing their testimony against his doing2 and that his commission was1 ,that he should have leave to make war so long 7,rev #ab3f74 ,but here we read again1 that when they had finished their testimony1 and so consequently he had run out the time of his first commission for war1 he makes war again4 ,so that this war which now he raiseth against them1 seems to be another1 a new war1 and such as is grounded upon other1 to wit1 new arguments1 besides those upon which his first war stood4 ,by his first war1 he sought to beat down and overthrow their testimony 7,rev #ac3d74 ,by this war he seeketh to overthrow themselves4 ,the first war he made1 was grounded upon a vain confidence of his ability to destroy their faith2 but this last was grounded upon madness against them1 because their testimony had prevailed against him3 ,wherefore1 ,torment1 wherewith these witnesses by their testimony tormented him and his followers1 was the cause of this last war4 ,and this is insinuated when he saith1 ',they make merry for their victory over them1 because these two prophets1' 7to wit1 by their testimony17 'tormented them that dwelt on the earth' 7,rev #aa3aj74 ,the beast therefore will make a war against the witnesses all the time of their prophesying in sackcloth1 which will be a thousand two hundred and threescore days 7,rev #ab3f74 ,in all which time they shall give him the foil1 and overcome him by their faith and testimony2 and be proclaimed more than conquerors over him1 through the ,christ that loved them4 ,but now in this second war he overcomes them1 'he overcomes them1 and kills them4' ,jezebel for a long time made war against ,elias the prophet1 seeking to overthrow the worship of ,god which he maintained1 and to establish the religion of ,baal3 ,but when she saw that by all she could do she got nothing1 but that the prophet got the day of her worship1 priests and worshippers 7#a ,kings #ah3cj-dj71 she breaks out into a rage1 as one tormented almost to death1 and raises a new war2 not now against his religion1 but his person1 and desperately swears by all the gods that she had1 ,that by tomorrow that time the life of the prophet should be as the life of one of her priests whom he had slain for an idolater 7#a ,kings #ai3b74 ,when the devil sees that he cannot do by argument1 he will try if he can by blows4 ,when ,zedekiah1 the son of ,chenanah1 saw that with argument he could not overcome ,micaiah1 he steps to him1 and takes him a box of the ear 7#a ,kings #bb3bd74 ,this new war1 is a box of the ear which the beast will give the witnesses1 because they overcame him by their faith and testimony1 all the time that the first war lasted4 ,now how long this second war will last1 and what strugglings the witnesses will make before he shall overcome them1 ,i know not3 ,this ,i know1 that the text saith1 'by this war he shall overcome them4' ',and shall overcome them4' ,saints are not said to be overcome1 when they are imprisoned1 banished1 and killed for their faithful testimony3 ,no1 by these things they overcome4 ,to overcome then1 is to get the mastery1 to subdue1 to turn out of possession1 to take and hold captive1 to strip the subdued of power and privilege1 as is sufficiently manifest both by scripture and reason3 ',for of whom a man is overcome1 of the same he is brought in bondage' 7#b ,peter #b3ai74 ,so then1 when he is said to overcome them1 it is meant1 he shall get the mastery of them1 they shall grow faint before him1 have no heart or spirit to bear up in their profession against him3 ,against him1 ,i say1 as she did the thousand two hundred and threescore days' war with him2 for then they were overcomers1 and did bear away the garland4 ,nor do ,i1 for my part1 wonder at this1 when ,i consider that these witnesses are a succession of good men2 and that when ,israel came out of ,egypt of old1 the feeble and weak-handed did come behind 7,deu #be3ag-ai74 ,it will be the lot therefore of the church1 in the latter end of the reign of the beast1 to be feeble and weak in their profession1 the valiant ones having gone before3 ,these will come1 when those that were able have bravely borne their testimony1 or when they are upon finishing of that3 ,in comparison of whom1 they that come after will be but like eggs to the cocks of the game3 wherefore they must needs be crushed1 cowed1 and overcome4 ,and then will the beast boast himself1 as did his type of old1 and say1 ',my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people3 and as one gathereth eggs that are left1 have ,i gathered all the earth2 and there was none that moved the wing1 or opened the mouth1 or peeped' 7,isa #aj3ad74 ,a sad time1 and it is to happen to the people that are left1 to the latter end of the witness-bearers2 and that too when they shall have finished their testimony4 ,of this tyranny the cruelty of ,amalek was a type2 who1 as was hinted before1 smote the hindermost1 the weak3 ,but his judgment is1 ,that 'he shall perish for ever4' ',and shall overcome them4' ,there are two ways of overcoming2 to wit1 by power and policy3 ,and perhaps by both these ways they may be overcome4 ,however1 overcome they shall be2 for so saith the holy word of ,god2 yea1 the beast shall overcome them4 ,wherefore the church of ,god1 at that day1 will be under such a cloud as she never was since ,christ's day4 ,now how long they shall thus be held captive before they are brought to execution2 whether the beast will ride in triumph while they are in his bonds2 or whether he will suddenly kill them2 that time1 and observation1 and experience1 must make manifest3 ,but kill them he shall1 that's most certain1 for so says the ,holy ,ghost4 ',and shall overcome them1 and kill them4' ,in this method therefore ,god will suffer the beast to proceed with the church of ,god1 after she has sufficiently borne her testimony for him in the world4 ,he shall 'war against them1' but that is not all3 ,he shall overcome them1 but that is not all2 he 'shall overcome them1 and kill them4' ',and kill them4' ,of their slaughter also ,i shall speak a word or two4 ,but first ,i would note1 as all know1 that there is a difference to be put betwixt killing and overcoming3 ,for though every one that is killed1 is overcome3 yet every one that is overcome1 is not killed 7,acts #ba3cb73 men may be overcome1 and yet live 7,jer #ab3aa72 but when they are killed1 it is otherwise3 ,there may be a cry heard from the mouth of them that are overcome1 but not from the mouth of them that are killed 7,exo #cb3ah2 ,acts #g3cd73 ,they that are overcome1 may consult their own enlargement1 and deliverance2 but they that are killed1 cannot do so4 ,i do therefore distinguish between killed and overcome1 because the text doth so3 ',he shall make war against them1 and shall overcome them1 and kill them4' ',and kill them4' ,from these words therefore ,i will take occasion to inquire1 #a4 ,how they are to be considered as to this slaughter4 #b4 ,what death they must die to accomplish this prophecy4 ,,first1 ,how they are to be considered8 ,i answer3 ,not in a carnal or natural1 but in a mystical sense4 ,for1 first1 they are called witnesses4 ,secondly1 ,they are put under the number of two3 ',my two witnesses' 7,rev #aa3c74 ,both which are to be mystically taken4 ,first1 ,because their testimony standeth not in their words only1 but in their conversation2 yea1 in their suffering also3 and that is a mystical witness-bearing4 ,secondly1 ,they go under the number of two3 ,not because there were indeed two such men in the world1 but because two are a sufficient number to bear witness 7,num #ce3cj2 ,deu #ag3f2 #ai3ae72 and ,god's church1 in the most furious heat and rage of ,antichrist1 has been at least of such a number of professing saints1 to proclaim against the beast and his worship in the name of ,god4 ,to think that there have been two such men in the world1 is ridiculous2 for these witnesses must continue to give their testimony for ,god against ,antichrist1 a thousand two hundred and threescore years4 ,nor can they scripturally bear this title1 ,my two witnesses1 but with respect to their prophesying so long4 ,the witnesses therefore are nothing else but a successive church1 or the congregation of ,god abiding for him against ,antichrist1 by reason of a continual succession of men that is joined by the special blessing of ,god unto it4 ,,secondly1 ,what death they must die8 ,i answer1 ,not a corporeal one1 but that which is mystically such4 ,and ,i choose to understand it thus1 because this suiteth best with their state and condition1 which is mystical4 ,besides1 thus did they 7when they did overcome17 slay their enemies1 even with the fire or sword of their mouth3 ',if any man will hurt them1 fire proceedeth out of their mouth1 and devoureth their enemies3 and if any man will hurt them1 he must in this manner be killed' 7,rev #aa3e74 ,as therefore they went about to kill their enemies1 so their enemies will kill them3 ,but they sought to kill their enemies by their testimony1 as to their antichristian spirit1 and church-state2 and their enemies will kill them1 as to their ,christian heat and fervency of mind2 and also as to their ,christian church-state4 ,so that1 7at least so ,i think17 there will be such ruins brought both upon the spirit of ,christianity1 and the true ,christian church-state1 before this ,antichrist is destroyed1 that there will for a time scarce be found a ,christian spirit1 or a true visible living church of ,christ in the world3 ,nothing but the dead bodies of these will be to be seen of the nations2 nor them neither1 otherwise than as so many ruinous heaps4 ,for the love that ,i bear to the church of ,christ1 ,i wish1 as to this1 ,i may prove a false prophet3 ,but this looks so like the text1 and also so like the dispensations of ,god with his church of old1 that ,i cannot but think it will be so4 ,for the text1 ,i have spoken to that already2 wherefore ,i will now present you with some things that look like parallel cases4 ,first1 ,when the church was coming out of ,egypt1 just before they were delivered from ,pharaoh1 they were in their own eyes1 and in the eyes of their enemies1 none other than dead3 ',it had been better said they to ,moses for us to serve the ,egyptians1 than that we should die in the wilderness' 7,exo #ad3ab74 ,the people said so1 ,moses feared1 and ,pharaoh concluded they were all dead men 7,exo #ab3cc74 ,also ,paul tells us1 'that they were baptized that is1 buried unto ,moses in the cloud1 and in the sea4' ,they were1 for the time1 to use the expression1 a dead church both in the eyes of ,pharaoh1 in the eyes of ,moses1 and also in their own4 ,and 'tis to be taken notice of3 ,as the witnesses in the text were slain but a little before the ruin of ,antichrist began2 so this church was baptized in the sea but a little before great ,pharaoh was drowned there4 ,secondly1 ,in the time of ,elias1 which time also was typical of this1 what church was there to be seen in ,israel8 ,none but what was under ground1 buried in dens1 and in caves of the earth3 ,yea1 the prophet could see none1 and therefore he cried to ,god1 and said1 ,lord1 they have 'digged down thine altars1' and slain thy prophets1 'and ,i am left alone1 and they seek my life' 7#a ,kings #ai3ad2 ,rom #aa3c74 ,what visible living church was now in the land1 ,i mean1 either with reference to a godly spirit for it1 or the form and constitution of it8 ,what was1 was known to ,god1 but dead to every man alive4 ,thirdly1 ,what was the dry bones that we read of in the #cgth of ,ezekiel1 but the church of ,god1 and also a figure of what we are treating of8 ,and why called dry bones1 since the people were alive1 with their substance1 wives1 and children2 but to shew1 that that church of ,god was now1 as to their spirit and church-state1 accounted as dead1 not only by themselves1 but by the king of ,babylon1 and the nations round about8 ,babylon then was the valley1 and the grave2 and the church of ,god were the bones3 ,bones without flesh1 sinews1 or skin2 bones exceeding dry2 yea so dry and dead were they1 that the prophet himself could not tell whether ever they should live again 7,eze #cg3a-c74 ,now this1 as ,i said1 was a state that was not to end with the church of ,israel1 but to be acted over once again by the beast with the church of the new testament3 ,yea1 it is an easy matter to make their witnesses in this their death1 and the church of ,israel in this their grave1 in many things to symbolize4 ,fourthly1 ,take another instance1 or rather comparison1 into which the church of ,god compared herself1 when under the king of ,babylon's tyranny3 ,and that is1 she counted herself as the dung that the beast lets fall to the ground from behind him4 ,and doth this look like a visible church-state8 ,or has it the smell or savour of such a thing8 ,nebuchadnezzar 7said she7 'hath swallowed me up like a dragon1 he hath filled his belly with my delicates1 he hath cast me out' 7,jer #ea3cd74 ,pray1 what would you think of a man1 of whom one should tell you1 ,that he was eaten up of a dragon2 made to fill the belly of a dragon2 and cast out as the dung of a dragon8 ,would you think that such an one did all this while retain the shape1 form1 or similitude of a man8 ,why1 thus the church said she was1 and thus the church shall be again3 ,for she is once more to be overcome1 to be overcome and killed2 and that by the beast1 the dragon's whelp1 of which the king of ,babylon was a type4 ,and therefore ,i conclude the premises2 that is1 ,that the beast will kill the church that shall be in the latter days1 as to her ,christian spiritedness1 and her church-state4 ,and ,i could further add1 ,that if we hold they die corporeally1 we must conclude1 that their natural body being slain1 shall lie three years and an half in the street2 yea1 that their resurrection shall be corporeal1 c4 ,but why we should think thus1 as yet ,i can see no reason1 since the persons are such mystically2 the beast mystically so2 the street in which they be1 mystically such2 and the days of their unburied state1 to be taken mystically likewise4 ,but we will pass this1 and descend to other things4 ,fifthly1 ,i will yet add another thing4 ,when ,israel was coming out of ,babylon2 yea1 while they were building of the temple of ,god1 which was a figure of our church-state now under the ,gospel2 they were not only troubled1 hindered and molested in their work1 but were made for a time to cease1 and let the work lie still4 ',now says the text when the copy of king ,artaxerxes' letter which he sent to forbid the ,jews in their work was read before ,rehum and ,shimshai the scribe1 and their companions1 they went up in haste to ,jerusalem unto the ,jews1 and made them to cease by force and power4 ,then ceased the work of the house of ,god which is at ,jerusalem4 ,so it ceased unto the second year of the reign of ,darius king of ,persia' 7,ezra #d3bc1bd74 ,and ,i pray1 since their temple-worship was a type of a new testament church-state and worship1 what doth their causing of that work to cease signify to us1 but that we must have a time also to cease as they8 ,and since their temple-work was caused to cease before the house was finished1 what face could there be at present thereupon1 but that1 to look to1 it was like some deformed1 battered1 broken building1 or as such an one that was begun by foolish builders8 ,yea1 and since the ,jews left off to build ,god's house at the command of the heathens1 what did that bespeak1 but that they had lost their spirit1 were quashed1 and so as to their temple-work1 killed1 as it were1 to all intents and purposes8 ,and thus it will be1 a little before the church of ,god shall be set free from the beast1 and all his angels3 ,for these things were writ for our admonition1 to show us what shall be done hereafter2 yea1 and whether we believe or disbelieve hereabout1 time will bring it to pass4 ,i do not question but many good men have writ more largely of this matter3 but as ,i have not seen their books1 so ,i walk not by their rules4 ,if ,i mistake1 the mistakes are only mine2 and if ,i shall merit shame1 ,i alone must bear it4 ,some may think they have said enough1 when they assert1 that for the witnesses to be killed1 is1 ,to be dead in law4 ,but ,i answer1 ,that is not to be overcome4 ,they are here said to be overcome2 and that is more than to be dead in law3 ,for a man may be dead in law1 and yet not be overcome2 and if so1 then far enough off from being killed4 ,so then1 for as much as they are said to be overcome and killed1 it must be more than to be dead in law4 ,besides1 the text supposeth that they had yielded up1 as dying men do1 their souls1 their spirit of life into the hands of ,god3 ,for it saith concerning them1 ,that at their resurrection1 the spirit of life from ,god entered again into them3 ,into them1 antecedent thereunto4 'and after three days and an half the spirit of life from ,god entered into them1 and they stood upon their feet' 7,rev #aa3aa74 thus it was concerning the dry bones1 of which mention was made before3 ',then said he unto me1 ,prophesy unto the wind1 prophesy1 son of man1 and say to the wind1 ,thus saith the ,lord ,god2 ,come from the four winds1 ,o breath1 and breathe upon these slain1 that they may live' 7,eze #cg3i74 ,and thus much concerning their killing4 ,now1 as ,i said1 since in death1 the body doth not only lie dead1 but the spirit of life departs therefrom2 it is to shew1 that not only their bodies1 their church-state1 shall die1 for churches are called bodies1 7#a ,cor #ab3bg2 ,eph #c3f2 #d3ab2 #e3bc2 ,col #a3ah7 but that spirit of life that acted those bodies1 shall be taken up to ,god4 ,there shall1 for a time1 be no living visible church of ,christ in the world3 ,a church1 but no living church1 as to church-state3 ,a church in ruins1 but not a church in order3 ,even as there was once a ,christ1 but no living ,christ in the grave2 yet the gates of hell shall not prevail to an utter overthrow thereof1 no more than they prevailed to an utter overthrow of ,christ2 but as one did1 so shall the other1 revive1 and rise again1 to the utter confusion and destruction of their enemies3 ,yea1 and as ,christ1 after his resurrection1 was1 as to this body1 more glorious than he was before2 so the witnesses1 after their resurrection1 shall be more spiritual1 heavenly1 and exact in all their ways1 than they were before they were killed4 ,resurrections are always attended with new additions of glory2 and so shall the church of ,god1 as to her church-state1 be in the latter days4 ,but yet the beast shall not altogether have his will1 7if that at all was his will7 that these witnesses1 in this second war1 should be conquered to a compliance with ,antichrist in his foolish and vain religion3 ,for it is not with dead men to comply2 but as they are dead to their own church-state1 so they are to his4 ,when the ,jews had killed ,christ1 it was beyond all the art of hell to cause that his body should see corruption2 so when the beast has killed the witnesses1 he shall not be able to corrupt them with any of his vices4 ,hence you find1 that not the witnesses1 but the dwellers upon the earth were them that danced after the devil's pipe1 when he had fulfilled their murder4 ,nor doth this murder1 as to the fulfilling of it in those nations where the woman sitteth1 seem to be a great way off1 if all be true that from foreign parts some have said3 ,for what a withdrawing of ,god and of his ,spirit is there already in some of the churches of ,god6 ,the word worketh not that sound repentance which it was wont to do3 ,preachers preach for little1 but to spend themselves1 as men that are wounded do when with groans they let out their life4 ,where 7say some7 is the spirit and life of communion8 ,and where that practical holiness that formerly used to be seen in the houses1 lives and conversations of professors8 ,the whole head is sick1 and the whole heart faint already2 and how long will it be before churches die of the wound that the beast has given them1 time must make appear3 ,but die ,i perceive they must2 for if the wound already given will not kill1 repeated blows shall4 ,by all that ,i have said1 ,i do not deny but that many of the people of ,god may die corporeally1 by the hand of the beast1 in this second war that shall be made by him against the witnesses4 ,but should as many more die1 that will not prove that that death will be that that by the killing of the witnesses is intended4 ,some thing ,i would bestow upon the reader1 for him to carry with him as a memorandum1 while he reads this account of things3 ,as1 ,first1 ,this victory of the beast1 is not to be until the witnesses have finished their testimony2 and so by all that he shall do1 he shall not hinder the revelation of any of the truths that they either were to bring to light1 or to confirm by their witness-bearing4 ,witnesses are not always bound to speak3 ,there is a time 'to keep silence' 7,eccl #c3g71 and 'thou shalt be dumb' 7,eze #c3bf74 ,but how shall we know when this time is come8 #a4 ,when a sufficient testimony has been given for ,christ1 and against ,antichrist1 before the ,god of heaven2 for he must be the judge4 #b4 ,when her enemies forbear to plead against her by argument1 and rather betake themselves to blows 7,matt #aj3ai74 #c4 ,when the spirit of testimony-bearing is taken from the church2 for that is not essential to ,christianity1 but is given and taken away as there is occasion4 #d4 ,when testimony-bearing becomes a vain or needless repetition1 when they have heard sufficiently of things before 7,john #i3bg74 ,secondly1 ,this victory of the beast shall not invalidate or weaken their testimony2 no1 not in the eyes of the world2 for they will still remember1 and have a reverence for it3 ,this is intimated by this1 ,that 'they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations--7that are neither the witnesses1 nor they that in the next verse are called the inhabiters1 or they that dwell upon the earth17--shall not suffer their dead bodies to be 7buried1 or be7 put in graves' 7,rev #aa3i74 ,thirdly1 ,this shall not lengthen the reign and tranquility of the antichristian kingdom2 nor frustrate1 drive back 7or cause to tarry7 the glorious freedom and liberty of the saints4 ,but some may say1 ,this will be a ,,sad day4 ,so it will1 and gloomy2 but it will be but short1 and 'the righteous shall have dominion over them next morning4' ',twill last but three days and an half2 nor shall it come1 but for the sins of churches and saints1 and to hasten the downfall of the kingdom of the beast1 and for the sweetening to the church her future mercies4 ,christ ,jesus1 our ,lord1 in answer to the question of his disciples1 about the destruction of ,jerusalem1 presented them with a relation of many sad things2 but when he was come even to the hearts of men1 and had told them 'that they should fail for fear'3 ,he said1 'when these things begin to come to pass1 then look up1 and lift up your heads2 for your redemption draweth nigh' 7,luke #ba3be-bh74 ',tis as ordinary as for the light to shine1 for ,god to make black and dismal dispensations1 to usher in bright and pleasing ones2 yea1 and the more frightful that is which goes before1 the more comforting is that which follows after4 ,instances in abundance might be given as to this1 but at present let this suffice that is here upon the paper before us2 namely1 the state of the witnesses1 with their glorious resurrection4 ,,fifth ,,sign4 ,fifthly1 ,another sign of the approach of the ruin of ,antichrist1 will be this3 ,the great joy that will be in her1 and among her disciples1 when they shall see that the witnesses are slain1 and lie dead upon the spot3 ',and they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them1 and make merry1 and shall send gifts one to another2 because these two prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth' 7,rev #aa3aj74 ,babylon has been always a merry city1 and her disciples merry men2 but the poor church of ,christ has been solitary1 and as a wife forsaken2 her tears upon her cheeks bear her witness1 and so doth her sackcloth-weed4 ,hence our ,babylon1 under the name of ,nineveh1 is called1 'the rejoicing city' 7,zeph #b3ae74 ,only her joy is distinguished from that which is the joy of ,god's people1 by these two things4 ,first1 ,either she rejoiceth in outward and carnal glory1 or else in the ruin of the church of ,god4 ,this last1 to wit1 the supposed ruin of the church of ,god1 is that which will be now the cause of her glorying4 ,and this is the joy that ,god complaineth of1 and for the which he said that he would punish ,babylon3 ',chaldea shall be a spoil3 ,all that spoil her shall be satisfied1 saith the ,lord4 ,because ye were glad1 because ye rejoiced1 ,o ye destroyers of mine heritage1' c4 7,jer #ej3aj1aa74 ,the joy therefore of ,babylon1 ,antichrist2 the joy that she shall conceive in her heart upon the slaughter of the witnesses1 is a sure sign of her unavoidable ruin and destruction4 ,these two prophets tormented her2 they were to ,babylon as ,mordecai was to ,haman1 a continual plague and eye-sore3 ,as also was ,david to the wretched ,saul3 ,but now they are overcome1 now they are killed2 now she rejoiceth1 and maketh merry4 ,and this her joy was of old prefigured by them that in her spirit have gone before her3 ,as1 ,first1 ,when the ,philistines had1 as they thought1 for ever overcome ,samson1 that ,nazarite of ,god1 how joyful were they of the victory6 ',then the lords of the ,philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto ,dagon their god1 and to rejoice3 for they said1 ,our god hath delivered ,samson our enemy into our hand4 ,and when the people saw him1 saw him in chains ,they praised their god3 for they said1 ,our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy1 and the destroyer of our country1 which slew many of us' 7,judg #af3bc1bd74 ,poor ,samson6 ,while thou hadst thy locks1 thy liberty1 and thine eyes1 thou didst shake the pillar that did bear up their kingdom6 ,but now they have conquered thee1 how great is their joy6 ,how great is their joy1 and how near their downfall6 ,this therefore is a joy that is like that we have under consideration1 to wit1 the joy of them that dwell upon the earth2 for that the witnesses that did bear up the name of ,god in the world1 were overcome and killed4 ,secondly1 ,like to this1 is that which you read of in the first book of ,samuel1 concerning the men that had burnt ,david's ,ziklag4 ,ziklag was poor ,david's place of safety2 nor had he any else but that under the whole heaven3 ,but the children of the east came upon it1 and took it2 set it on fire1 and carried thence all ,david's substance1 with his wives and his children4 7,very ill done to a man in affliction2 to a man that went always in fear of his life1 because of the rage of his master ,saul47 ,but how were they that had got the victory8 ,oh6 joyful1 and glad1 and merry at heart at the thoughts of the richness of the booty8 ',behold1 they were spread abroad upon all the earth1 eating and drinking1 and dancing1 because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the ,philistines 7from ,ziklag7 and out of the land of ,judah' 7#a ,sam #cj3af74 ,here again you find a joy and merriment like these that we have under consideration1 and that upon such like accounts4 ,nothing pleases the wicked more1 than to see the godly go down the wind2 for their words1 and lives1 and actions are a plague and a torment to them3 ,as 'tis said of these two prophets1 ',they tormented them that dwelt on the earth4' ,thirdly1 ,while the church of ,god lay dead in ,babylon1 and as bones exceeding dry2 what a trampling upon them was there by ,belshazzar a little before his death6 ,he called for his golden and silver vessels that his father ,nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple of ,god that was at ,jerusalem1 7those holy vessels once dedicated to the worship and service of ,god7 that his princes1 his wives and his concubines might drink therein4 ,an high affront to heaven3 ',they drank wine1 and praised the gods of gold1 and of silver1 of brass1 of iron1 of wood1 and of stone' 7,dan #e3d74 ,and all to shew what a conquest1 as he thought1 he had got over the ,god of heaven1 and over his people that dwelt in ,jerusalem1 and over his ordinances and vessels used in his worship and service3 ,yea1 this he did with such joy that was not usual1 as is intimated by his doing of it before 'a thousand of his lords1' and that till he had drank himself drunken4 ,but all this while1 as was hinted before1 the church of ,god1 as it were1 lay dead at his feet2 or as the phrase is1 'as bones exceeding dry4' ,this too will be the joy of the beast and his followers in the latter days2 they will make war with the witnesses2 they shall overcome them1 and kill them2 and when that is done1 they shall rejoice over them1 and make merry4 ,but as ,belshazzar soon after this1 saw the handwriting that made his knees knock together2 and as he lived not to see the light of another day2 so 'twill be with the beast and his followers2 the next news that we hear upon this mirth and jollity1 is1 the tenth part of his kingdom falls1 and so on till the whole is ruined4 ,thirdly1 ,moab also1 in the day that ,israel was taken captive by their enemies1 could not forbear but skip for joy1 so glad was he in his heart thereat4 ,but what saith the jealous ,lord8 ',make ye him drunken3 for he magnified himself against the ,lord3 ,moab also shall--be in derision3 ,for was not ,israel 7saith ,god7 a derision unto thee8 was he found among thieves8 for since thou spakest of him1 thou skippedst for joy' 7,jer #dh3bf1bg74 ,of all things1 ,god cannot away with this3 ,for when the wicked would rejoice that they have been suffered to make havoc of the church of ,god1 they deny the wisdom and power by which they were permitted to do this1 and offer sacrifice to their own net and drag 7,hab #a3af72 which provoketh the holiness of ,israel3 ',shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith8 or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it8 ,as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up1 or as if the staff should lift up itself1 as if it were no wood4' ,but what follows8 ,why1 burning and consuming of soul and body of them that do such a thing 7,isa #aj3ae-ah74 ,and this text ,i the rather bring1 because 'tis to be the portion of ,antichrist4 ,and therefore let this be a caution to the men that wonder after the beast1 to caution them to repentance1 for he will assuredly go into perdition4 ,what6 shall the witnesses of ,god be killed6 ,shall the beast stand glorying over them while they are dead1 with his feet in their neck8 and shall none be angry at it8 ,let them that love themselves look to themselves3 ,god will be concerned1 and will assuredly for this quickly put a period to the kingdom and reign of ,antichrist 7,jer #ej3ac74 ,and although this glorying mistress of iniquity1 this ,antichrist and ,babylon1 may say that her power is the hammer of the whole earth2 yet ,god will cut him in sunder1 and break him in pieces with his bout-hammers1#ac with the kings#ad of the earth1 that he will use to do this work withal2 that is1 when this last sign is fulfilled3 ,i call it the last sign2 ,i find none that doth intervene betwixt the slaying of the witnesses1 and the beginnings of the ruin of ,antichrist but this4 ,but a little to comment upon their joy1 as the ,holy ,ghost doth set it forth4 ,the cause of their joy we have touched already2 which was1 for that they had slain their tormentors4 ,for1 as was shewed you1 the witnesses had been their tormentors3 ,but when they shall overcome them1 and kill them1 they rejoice1 make merry1 and send gifts one to another4 ,this repeating1 and repeating with aggravation1 doth manifest1 and at that day their joy will be exceeding great3 ',they shall rejoice1 and make merry1' c4 ,they shall rejoice over them1 over their slain1 their enemies1 their tormenting enemies4 ,this joy therefore1 is a joy that flows from victory1 from victory after a war that has lasted a thousand two hundred and threescore years4 ,they shall rejoice1 as they do that have a most potent1 vexatious1 and tormenting enemy lying dead at their foot1 and as those that ride in triumph over them4 ,they shall therefore rejoice as conquerors used to do1 who make the slaughters of their spoiled enemies the trophy of their joy4 ,for the devil1 that great deceiver of mankind1 will so flush up and bewitch the men that wonder after the beast1 with the victory that they shall get over the faithful witnesses for ,god and his ,son1 that they will think 7'twill never be day7 that the victory is so complete1 so universal1 so thorough1 that the conquest must be lasting4 ,and from sense and reason they will have ground to think so2 for who now is left in the world any more to make head against them8 but here comes in that which will utterly spoil this joy2 these conquered1 killed1 dead men must come to life again1 and then what's become of their joy8 ',and great fear fell upon them which saw them' 7,rev #aa3aa74 ,wherefore1 this joy must fade and vanish3 ,but1 ,i say1 the followers of the beast will be far from thinking so2 for they will 'rejoice over them1 make merry1 and send gifts one to another1' concluding that these tormentors shall never torment them more4 ,but ,jacob's blessing upon his son ,gad1 shall be fulfilled upon these witnesses3 ',gad saith he a troop shall overcome him3 but he shall overcome at the last' 7,gen #di3ai74 ,so then these conquerors must not always rejoice1 though they will suppose they shall1 and also make merry too4 ',and make merry4' ,to make merry1 is more than to rejoice4 ,to rejoice1 doth shew the present act of the soul2 but to make merry1 is to use the means as will keep this joy alive1 and on foot4 ,joy is one thing1 and the continuance of it is another 7#a ,sam #be3cf74 ,joy may be begotten by a conceit1 a thought2 but it cannot be maintained so2 because deliberation will come in and spoil it 7,esth #e3d71 if sufficient means is not used to continue it3 wherefore he adds1 ,they rejoiced over them1 ',and made merry4' ,and there are five things that are usually made use of to keep up wicked joy4 #a4 ,there is the merriment of music 7,luke #ae3be1cb74 #b4 ,the merriment of feasting 7,judg #ai3f1i74 #c4 ,the merriment of laughter 7,eccl #aj3ai74 #d4 ,the merriment of fleshly solace 7,jer #ca3d74 #e4 ,revenge upon a supposed enemy 7#b ,sam #ac3bh74 ,so then1 by these five things we see what is the way that sinful joy is maintained in the hearts of wicked men2 and also by what means the limbs and brats of ,antichrist will keep up that joy that at first will be conceived in their hearts at the thought that now they have killed their tormentors4 ,they shall have music4 ,they shall have feasting4 ,they shall have laughter4 ,they shall have fleshly solace4 ,and they shall have their fill1 for the time1 of revenge4 ,thus therefore shall they rejoice over them1 and make merry1 all the time of that little1 short everlasting that they are to live in the world4 ',and make merry4' ,to make merry1 to make wicked mirth1 there must be a continual fraternity1 or brotherhood in iniquity1 maintained among them1 and that where none may come to interrupt2 and that they will be capable of doing any where then1 for that their tormentors will be dead4 ,wickedness shall walk with open face in those days2 for then there will be none alive for ,god and his ways2 wherefore1 the beast and his train may do what they will3 now will be the time for men to live carelessly and wantonly1 and to make their wantonness their joy1 7after the manner of the ,zidonians7 for there will be none to put them to shame4 ',and shall send gifts one to another4' ,this is another token of their gladness1 and also a means to buoy them up still4 ,and it will be a sign that they have joined hand in hand to do this wickedness1 not dreaming of the punishment that must follow4 ,this sending of gifts to each other1 and that after they have slain these two prophets1 doth also declare that they will be far from repentance1 for the commission of so great an offence4 ,nay1 it signifies further1 that they were resolved1 and determined to quench all manner of convictions one in another1 that might arise in their hearts for the sin which they had committed3 for a gift blinds the eyes of the wise1 and perverts the judgment of the righteous2 how much more then will it stifle and choke appearances of such upon the spirits of wicked men6 ,i question not at all but many have been1 by the favours and gifts of wicked men1 drawn down into the belly of hell4 ,now what these gifts will be1 either as to kind or quantity1 that ,i can say nothing to3 but probably1 whatever they will be1 there will be but little of their own cost in them4 ,victors and conquerors do used to visit their friends with their spoils won in battle1 with the spoil of the enemies of their ,god 7,ezra #aj3g74 ,and this was ,david's way1 after ha had recovered the loss that he had sustained at the burning of his ,ziklag2 he sent to his friends of what he had taken from his enemies1 as token of victory3 ',david sent of the spoil 7says the text7 unto the elders of ,judah1 even to his friends1 saying1 ,behold a present for you of the spoils of the enemies of the ,lord' 7#a ,sam #cj3bf72 ,and why may not those we have now under consideration1 do so to their god1 and their friends also8 ,spoiling is like to be one of the last of the mischiefs that ,antichrist shall do to the church of ,god in this world3 ,and methinks1 since the beast will have power to overcome1 and to kill1 he should also have power to take away 7,dan #aa3cc73 ',hast thou killed1 and also taken possession8' said the prophet to wicked ,ahab4 ,however1 whatever their gifts may be1 and at whose cost soever bought1 'tis a sign their hearts will be open1 they shall send gifts one to another3 their merry days will then be come1 and their enemies will then be dead at their feet2 wherefore1 now they will have nothing to do but to rejoice over them1 and to make merry1 and to send gifts one to another4 ,thus as to sense and reason1 all shall be hush1 all shall be quiet and still3 the followers of the ,lamb shall be down2 the followers of the ,beast be up1 cry peace and safety1 and shall be as secure as an hard heart1 false peace1 and a deceitful devil can make them4 ,but behold6 ,while they thus 'sing in the windows1' death is straddling over the threshold6 7,zeph #b3ad74 ,while they are crying peace and safety1 sudden destruction cometh3 ,by that they have well settled themselves at their table with ,adonijah 7#a ,kings #a71 they shall hear it proclaimed with sound of trumpet1 the witnesses are risen again4 ,now the ,christians' pipes will go again1 and surely the earth will be rent with the sound of their shouts and acclamations1 while they cry with joyful sound1 ',the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our ,lord1 and of his ,christ2 and he shall reign for ever and ever' 7,rev #aa3ae74 ,but woe to the wicked1 it shall be ill with them2 for the ,lord ,jesus will now begin to shew his jealousy1 and to make known his indignation towards those that have thus cruelly slain his prophets1 digged down his altars1 and made such havoc of the afflicted church of ,god 7,isa #ff3ad74 ,now will he whet his glittering sword1 and his hand shall take hold on vengeance1 that he may render a recompence to his enemies1 and repay them that hate him 7,deu #cb3da74 ,but this he will not do immediately by himself1 but by such instruments as have been spoken of before3 of which more particularly to treat1 shall be that ,i shall next take in hand4 ,,of ,,the ,,instruments ,,that ,,god ,,will ,,use ,,to ,,bring ,,antichrist ,,to ,,his ,,ruin4 ,although ,i have hinted at this before1 yet it may be convenient briefly to touch it again4 ,antichrist1 as ,i have told you1 consisteth of soul and body1 and must be destroyed by such instruments as may most properly be applied to each4 ,further1 ,as to the soul1 spirit or life of ,antichrist1 and its destruction1 of that we have also spoken already3 ,it remains then that now we discourse of the ruin of his body and flesh4 ,i then take it1 ,that the destruction of her flesh shall come by the sword1 as managed in the hands of kings1 who are ,god's ministers for the punishment of evil deeds1 and the praise of them that do well 7,rom #ac74 ,not that the church1 even as a church1 shall be quite exempt and have therein no hand at all2 for she1 even as such1 shall with her faith and prayers help forward that destruction4 ,the church therefore1 as a church1 must use such weapons as are proper to her as such2 and the magistrate1 as a magistrate1 must use such weapons as are proper to him as such4 ,when the church of ,israel were prisoners in ,babylon1 they did not fight their way through their foes1 and the countries to ,jerusalem2 but waited in their captivated state with patience1 until the kings of the ,medes and ,persians came to deliver them4 ,nor is it to be sleighted1 but to be thought on seriously1 that before there was an ,israelite captive in ,babylon1 their deliverer ,cyrus was prophesied of3 which ,cyrus did afterwards come and take ,babylon1 and deliver the captives1 as it was foretold he should4 ,he saith unto ,cyrus1 ',he is my shepherd1 and shall perform all my pleasure3 even saying to ,jerusalem1 ,thou shalt be built2 and to the temple1 ,thy foundation shall be laid' 7,isa #dd3bh74 ,and again1 ',thus saith the ,lord to his anointed1 to ,cyrus1 whose right hand ,i have holden to subdue nations before him1 c4 ,i have raised him up in righteousness1 and ,i will direct all his ways3 he shall build my city1 and he shall let go my captives1 not for price nor reward1 saith the ,lord of ,hosts' 7,isa #de3a1ac74 ,and this accordingly he did1 to wit1 when the time was come2 as may be seen in those holy records where these things are made mention of4 ,indeed1 as ,i said1 the church is not excluded 7#b ,chron #cf3b72 she may1 and ought1 with her faith and prayer1 and holy life1 to second this work of kings 7,ezra #a3b1c74 ,wherefore1 when ,god speaks of bringing down the lofty city and of laying it low in the dust by the church1 he saith1 they shall do it by their feet1 and with their steps3 ',the foot shall tread it down1 even the feet of the poor1 and the steps of the needy' 7,isa #bf3f74 ,by feet and steps1 ,i understand the good lives of the children of ,god3 but now1 when kings come to deal with her1 as kings1 they serve her as ,samuel served ,agag1 as a judge1 'cut her in pieces with their swords'3 or as you have it elsewhere1 ',they make her desolate and naked2 they eat her flesh1 and burn her with fire4' ,the sword will be put into their hands for this very purpose4 ,thus therefore must their deliverance be begun4 ,it is also to be considered1 ,that after these first kings of the ,medes and ,persians had broken the yoke of the king of ,babylon from off the neck of the captive church1 and had given her license to go to her place to build her temple and city1 and to sacrifice there according to the law of their ,god1 7as both in ,ezra and ,nehemiah we read27 and when their work was hindered by under-officers1 or they endeavoured so to do1 they pleaded the license that they received to build and sacrifice by the decree of the first kings1 and so finished their deliverance3 ,they went not on in headstrong manner1 as if they regarded neither king nor ,caesar3 ',but ,zerubbabel1 and ,joshua1 and the rest of the chief of the fathers of ,israel1 said unto them1' that sought to hinder their work1 ',ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our ,god2 but we ourselves will build unto the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 as king ,cyrus the king of ,persia hath commanded us' 7,ezra #d3c74 ,and as they said1 so also they did3 ',the elders of the ,jews builded1 and they prospered through the prophesying of ,haggai the prophet and ,zechariah the son of ,iddo4 ,and they builded1 and finished it1 according to the commandment of the ,god of ,israel1 and according to the commandment of ,cyrus1 and ,darius1 and ,artaxerxes king of ,persia' 7,ezra #f3ad74 ,yea1 they did not only accept of the kindness of kings1 but did acknowledge that kindness with thanksgiving1 as a gift of the ,god of heaven3 for the kings had commanded and given leave to the ,jews to go to ,jerusalem1 to build their temple1 and to do sacrifice there1 according to the counsel of the priests that were at ,jerusalem1 and according to the law of ,god that they had in their hand 7,ezra #g3ac1ad74 ,for ,artaxerxes sent ,ezra the priest to inquire after the condition that ,jerusalem and ,judah was in1 according to1 or by the law of ,god that was in his hand 7verse #ad74 ,and he had license also further to do with the king's silver and gold1 which he gave of the service of the house of the ,lord1 'according to the will1 word or law of ,,his ,god4' ',and thou1 ,ezra1 says the king after the wisdom of thy ,god1 that is1 after his word that is in thine hand1 set magistrates and judges1 which may judge all the people that are beyond the river1 all such as know the laws of thy ,god2 and teach ye them that know them not4 ,and whosoever will not do the law of thy ,god1 that is1 worship1 and walk by the rule of his testament1 and the law of the king1 that is1 shall refuse to give ,ezra such things as by the king was appointed for ,ezra's help in the furthering of the worship of ,god1 according to the law of his ,god1 let judgment be executed speedily upon him whether it be unto death1 or to banishment1 or to confiscation of goods1 or to imprisonment' 7,ezra #g3be1bf74 ,this was therefore a wonderful gracious license that the king now gave to ,ezra3 he imposed nothing upon him or the ,jews in matters of religion and worship1 but left him and them wholly to the law1 will1 and word of ,god1 only he laid check upon wicked and ungodly people3 that if they did things contrary to the laws of ,ezra's ,god1 or did sleight the king's law1 as aforesaid1 that then such penalties and pains should be inflicted upon them4 ,to the same purpose was the decree of ,cyrus1 and that of ,darius1 to put it in execution4 ,also the penalty enacted against such offenders1 was full as sharp and severe3 ',also ,i have made a decree said the king1 that whosoever shall alter this word1 let timber be pulled down from his house1 and being set up1 let him be hanged thereon2 and let his house be made a dunghill for this4--,and the ,god that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people1 that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of ,god which is at ,jerusalem4 ,i ,darius have made a decree2 let it be done with speed' 7,ezra #f3aa1ab74 ,indeed1 sometimes a stop was put to this work by the kings1 and the ,jews were made to cease by force and power1 7,ezra #d3bc1bd7 the which the good people did bear with patience 7,ezra #d3aa-ba73 also they waited to see their ,god go before them among the kings1 who at length took away ,artaxerxes1 who for a time had put a stop to the work1 and brought in another1 who gave leave that with speed it should be set on foot again 7,ezra #e74 ,the ,jews did also in these vacancies1 or times in the which hindrances were put1 carry it very tenderly and lovingly to those kings that at present they were under1 submitting of their bodies and their goods to their will1 and meekly endured the trial and affliction1 serving them with all faithfulness1 watching to save their lives from the hands of bloody men4 ,also when the king's laws1 and the law of their ,god1 did at any time come in competition1 they would indeed adhere to1 and do the law of their ,god2 yet with that tenderness to the king1 his crown and dignity1 that they could at all times appeal to the righteous ,god about it 7,dan #f3bb74 ,nor did they lose by so doing2 yea1 they prospered2 for by this means ,mordecai was made a great man1 and a saviour of his people 7,esth #b3ba-bc7 ,by this means also was ,daniel made a great man1 and helpful to his brethren 7,dan #e3bi74 ,kings1 ,i say1 must be the men that must down with ,antichrist1 and they shall down with her in ,god's time4 ,god hath begun to draw the hearts of some of them from her already1 and he will set them1 in time1 against her round about4 ,if therefore they do not that work so fast as we would have them1 let us exercise patience and hope in ,god3 'tis a wonder that they go so fast as they do1 since the concerns of whole kingdoms lie upon their shoulders1 and that there are so many ,sanballats and ,tobias's to flatter with them and misinform them concerning the people that are delivered but in part4 ,see what an ugly account was given of ,jerusalem by the enemies of the ,jews1 even then when they were in the hands of their deliverers3 ',be it known unto the king1 that the ,jews which came up from thee to us1 are come unto ,jerusalem1 building the rebellious and bad city1 and have set up the walls thereof1 and joined the foundations4--,be it known now unto the king1 that1 if this city be builded1 and the walls set up again1 then will they not pay toll1 tribute1 and custom1 and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings' 7,ezra #d3ab1ac74 ,oh6 what a be it known1 be it known1 is here6 ,but were not these gentlemen more afraid of losing their own places and preferments1 than of the king's losing of his toll and custom8 ,but the whole was a lie1 though it hindered the work for a time1 and the patience of the people1 and their loyalty to the king1 did conquer and overcome all4 ,i speak the more to this1 because1 7as ,i have said7 ,i believe that by magistrates and powers we shall be delivered and kept from ,antichrist2 and because ,god has already begun to do it by such1 by which also she shall be destroyed3 and ,i have a few things to present to good men1 to be conversant in1 in such a day as this4 ,let the king have verily a place in your hearts1 and with heart and mouth give ,god thanks for him2 he is a better saviour of us than we may be aware of1 and may have delivered us from more deaths than we can tell how to think4 ,we are bidden to 'give thanks to ,god for all men1 and in the first place1 for kings1 and all that are in authority' 7#a ,tim #b3a1b74 ,be not angry with them1 no1 not in thy thought2 but consider1 if they go not on in the work of reformation so fast as thou wouldest they should1 the fault may be thine2 know that thou also hast thy cold and chill frames of heart1 and sittest still when thou shouldest be up and doing4 ,pray for kings to the ,god of heaven1 who has the hearts of kings in his hand3 and do it 'without wrath1 and doubting'2 without wrath1 because thy self is not perfect2 and without doubting1 because ,god governeth them1 and has promised to bring down ,antichrist by them4 ,pray for the long life of the king4 ,pray that ,god would always give wisdom and judgment to the king4 ,pray that ,god would discover all plots and conspiracies against his person and government4 ,pray also that ,god would make him able to drive away all evil and evil men from his presence2 and that he may be a greater countenancer than ever1 of them that are holy and good1 and wait and believe1 that ,god that has begun his quarrel with ,babylon1 ,antichrist1 the mother of ,antichrist1 the whore2 would in his own time1 and in his own way1 bring her down by the means which he has appointed4 ,i do confess myself one of the old-fashion professors1 that covet 'to fear ,god1 and honour the king4' ,i also am for blessing of them that curse me1 for doing good to them that hate me1 and for praying for them that despitefully use me1 and persecute me4 ,and have had more peace in the practice of these things1 than all the world are aware of4 ,i only drop this1 because ,i would shew my brethren that ,i also am one of them2 and to set them right that have wrong thoughts of me1 as to so weighty matters as these4#ae ,now these kings whose hearts ,god shall set to destroy ,antichrist1 shall do it without those inward reluctancies that will accompany inferior men3 they shall be stript of all pity and compassion4 ,hence they are compared to the mighty waves of the sea 7,jer #ea3db71 which saith1 when the wrecked and dying mariners cry out for mercy for themselves1 and for their children1 ,i am a sea2 ',i travail not1 nor bring forth children1 neither do ,i nourish up young men1 nor bring up virgins' 7,isa #bc3d1e73 ,i have therefore no pity for these1 or any of them4 ,therefore they must be swallowed up of this sea1 and sink like a stone in the midst of these mighty waters4 ,and thus much for the means by which ,god will destroy the body and flesh of ,antichrist4 ,,of ,,the ,,causes ,,of ,,the ,,ruin ,,of ,,antichrist4 ,although the causes of the ruin of ,antichrist be to some conspicuous enough1 yet to some they may be otherwise2 yea1 and will to all kings and people whose eyes shall be held1 that they may not see the judgment1 in the reasonableness and equitableness thereof2 and these shall wail when they see 'the smoke of her--torment'2 and these shall cry1 ,alas6 ,alas6 7,rev #ah3aj74 ,wherefore1 for further edification1 as ,i have treated of the man of sin already2 so will ,i now1 of the causes of his downfall4 ,and1 ,,first ,,cause4 ,first1 ,he must down1 for that he hath usurped1 and taken the name and attributes of ,god upon himself3 ,he hath said1 ',i am ,god'3 ,he hath set in the temple of ,god1 'shewing himself that he is ,god'2 yea1 and that in contempt and scorn of any other1 'exalting himself above all that is called ,god1 or that is worshiped' 7#b ,thess #b72 yea1 hath cried down all gods but himself4 ,wherefore it must needs be1 that he be brought to judgment1 that the truth of his saying may be proved4 ,and for this cause he is threatened1 under the name of the prince of ,tyrus3 ',because thine heart is lifted up 7saith the ,lord7 and thou hast said1 ,i am a god1--therefore ,i will bring strangers upon thee1 the terrible of the nations3 and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom1 and they shall defile thy brightness4 ,they shall bring thee down to the pit1 and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas4 ,wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee1 ,i am god8 but thou shalt be a man1 and no god1 in the hand of him that slayeth thee' 7,eze #bh3b1g-i74 ,if ,god will not give his name or glory to another1 be sure he will not be under another2 but this to have1 and thus to do1 ,antichrist has attempted4 ,but how8 ,in that he has been so bold as to prescribe and impose a worship besides1 and without reverence of that which ,god has prescribed and imposed3 ,for to do this1 is1 to make one's self a ,god4 ',thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image1 or the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above1 or that is in the earth beneath1 or that is in the water under the earth3 thou shalt not bow down thyself to them1 nor serve them'3 ,for he that thus doth1 is an idolater2 and he that these things doth impose1 is one that shews himself a ,god4 ,but this doth ,antichrist do3 ,and 'tis worth the noting1 ,that ,god forbids not only images1 but the likeness of any thing2 books1 altars1 fancies1 imaginations1 or any thing in heaven above1 or in the earth beneath1 to bow down to1 or to make them a means to worship or come to ,god by1 if he has not commanded nor tolerated them in his holy word4 ,thus saith the ,lord3 ,and1 ,i am the ,lord1 is the stamp1 the seal1 and sign of all true rules of worship2 and therefore it is so often repeated both in ,moses1 and in the prophets1 where ,god commandeth worship to be performed1 and imposeth the means and methods of it4 ,now this1 ,thus saith the ,lord1 ,antichrist has rejected2 and ,i am the ,lord1 he hath assumed to himself3 and therefore without the law1 the word and commandment1 hath framed and imposed a worship1 exalting himself in the temple of ,god1 although he is but the man of sin1 above all that is called ,god1 or that is worshiped4 ,nor is he in this his so foul a fact1 without them that adore1 worship his image1 and wonder after him2 yea1 he hath got by this means almost the whole world to himself1 who say1 ',who is like unto the beast8 ,who is able to make war with him8' 7,rev #ac3d74 ,and that they might shew their resolvedness to stand by him1 they receive his mark in their forehead1 or in their hand2 ,his mark2 that is1 they either openly or seriously become his disciples1 and worship him according to the rules1 methods1 and ways that he hath prescribed4 ,wherefore1 these with him1 are also to drink of the fierceness of the wrath of ,almighty ,god3 ',if any man worship the beast and his image1 and receive his mark in his forehead1 or in his hand1 the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of ,god1 which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation2 and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels1 and in the presence of the ,lamb' 7,rev #ad3i1aj74 ,but1 ,i say1 for that ,antichrist hath thus taken the place of ,god1 prescribed and imposed a worship as a ,god1 got the world to worship and wonder after him as after a ,god4 ,therefore shall he die the death of the uncircumcised1 both in the soul1 spirit1 body1 or flesh of ,antichrist2 therefore will ,god enlighten1 and gather1 and set the kings and nations against him1 that both he and his may be buried1 and have their dolesome withdrawing-rooms from the world in the sides of the pit's mouth4 ,,second ,,cause4 ,secondly1 ,antichrist must be destroyed1 because he hath set himself against the ,son of ,god2 against the ,father1 and against the ,son4 ,he had a spite against the ,son betimes1 even then when he came forth but in little bits1 when he attempted to deny that he was come in the flesh 7#a ,john #d3a-d74 ,but seeing he could make no earnings of that1 he hath changed his methods1 and seeks to run him out and down by other means and ways3 because therefore he hath set himself against the ,son of ,god1 the king1 therefore he must die4 ,that he hath set himself against the ,son of ,god1 is also evident2 for he hath his name from thence3 ,he is therefore called ,antichrist4 ,that he hath set himself against him1 is yet further evident2 for that he hath endeavoured to take from him his headship over1 and his offices for and in the church1 which is his body4 ,he hath plainly endeavoured to be head1 for that he hath striven to take his wife from him1 and to cause that she should be called ,,his3 ,yea1 he hath endeavoured by all inventions to prostrate her to his lusts1 to deflower her1 and to maker her an adulteress4 ,he has been worse than ,pharaoh1 who took ,abraham's wife 7,gen #ab72 and worse than ,abimelech1 who lusted after ,isaac's 7,gen #bf73 ,yea1 worse than ,phalti1 who run away with ,david's 7#a ,sam #be3dd72 forasmuch as she is higher1 beloved better1 and cost more than did any of these4 ,would it not be counted an high affront1 for a base inferior fellow1 to call himself the head of the queen8 ,yet thus has ,antichrist done1 and worse2 he has called himself the head of the universal church of ,god4 ,and as he has attempted to be head in his stead1 so to be king1 priest1 and prophet4 #a4 ,he has attempted to wrest his sceptre and kingdom from him1 in that he hath endeavoured to thrust himself into his throne1 which is the heart and conscience of his people4 ,the heart and conscience is that which ,christ claimeth for his own proper and peculiar seat3 ',my son1 give me thy heart4' ',that ,christ may dwell in your hearts by faith' 7,eph #c3ag74 ,in this therefore the church is not to be for another man1 so will he be for her2 but this throne ,antichrist has lusted for1 attempted to take1 and made war with ,christ and his church1 because they would not yield up to him this glorious throne of his1 and therefore he must die4 #b4 ,he hath intruded upon the priestly office of ,christ1 hath called himself high-priest2 though the ,lord hath said1 ',because thou has rejected knowledge1 ,i will also reject thee1 that thou shalt be no priest to me3 seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy ,god1 ,i will also forget thy children' 7,hosea #d3f74 ,but he will make himself a priest2 he hath invented sacrifices for the quick and the dead3 he hath put1 as he presumes1 merit and worth into these sacrifices2 he hath commanded that those that worship1 should have faith in1 and expect benefit by these sacrifices1 although he offereth to his ,god nought else but the flesh of the hog1 and of the mouse1 with the broth of his abominable things 7,isa #ff3ag74 ,many and sundry ways he hath set himself up to be high-priest1 though ,god knows no high-priest but one1 though the church ought to know no high-priest but one2 yea1 though no high-priest but one can approach ,god's mercy-seat1 to do for us the necessary and desired work4 #c4 ,he hath intruded upon the prophetical office of ,jesus ,christ4 ,what else means his pretences to infallibility8#af ,and that too when he imposes unwritten verities1 abominable traditions1 blasphemous rites and ceremonies2 and forbids or dispenseth with the holy commands of ,god3 ,yea1 when he enforceth these his ,omrian statutes1 and doth impose the works of the house of ,ahab 7,micah #f3af71 he doth all in the name of the ,lord ,christ1 when himself hath set himself in his place1 and in his room4 ,this is mystery ,babylon1 the mystery of iniquity3 ,this is ,antichrist's soul and body1 and as such1 must be destroyed4 ,but1 ,,third ,,cause4 ,thirdly1 ,antichrist must be destroyed1 because he hath blasphemed against the ,holy ,ghost1 and so set himself above the ,father1 the ,son1 the ,spirit2 against ,,all that is called ,god4 ,the ,holy ,ghost is that ,spirit of truth that ,christ has promised to give unto his church1 to help her in the understanding of his holy word1 and to enable her to believe1 and walk humbly and holily before ,god and man4 ,the spirit of ,antichrist is that spirit of error that hath puffed up the false church into a conceit of herself1 and unscriptural worship2 and that hath made this false church1 which is his body1 to ascribe all the horrible things and acts thereof1 to the wisdom1 guidance1 directions or operations of the ,holy ,ghost3 ,as1 #a4 ,in all her unscriptural councils1 assemblies and convocations1 they blasphemously father what they do upon the ,holy ,ghost1 and make him the inventor and approver thereof4 #b4 ,she also blasphemeth the ,holy ,ghost1 in accusing and condemning the holy scriptures of insufficiency1 for that she saith1 though it is a rule1 yet but an imperfect one2 one deficient1 one that is not able to make the man of ,god perfect in all things1 without the traditions1 inventions1 and blasphemous helps of antichristian wisdom4 #c4 ,she hath also blasphemed the ,holy ,ghost1 in that she hath set up her own church-government1 offices1 officers and discipline3 ,none of all which is the church of ,christ directed to by the wisdom of the ,spirit of ,god in his testament4 #d4 ,she hath also sinned against the ,holy ,ghost1 in that she hath1 as it were1 turned the ,holy ,ghost out of doors1 in concluding that he1 without the works of the flesh1 is not sufficient to govern the hearts of worshippers1 in the service and worship of ,god4 #e4 ,she hath also thus sinned1 in that she hath wrought many lying miracles in the face of the world1 and imposed them upon her disciples for the confirming of her errors and blasphemous opinions1 to the confronting of the true miracles wrought by the ,holy ,ghost2 and also to the concluding1 that there was an insufficiency in those that were true1 to confirm the truth1 without the addition of hers2 which she has wrought by the power of ,satan1 and the spirit of delusion1 only to confirm her lies4 #f4 ,she hath sinned against the ,holy ,ghost1 in that she hath1 with ,jeroboam the son of ,nebat1 striven against the judgments wherewith ,god hath punished her2 to call her back from her wicked way2 and persisted therein1 to the effectual proving of herself to be the lewd woman 7#b ,kings #ac3d-g1bc1bd74 #g4 ,she hath sinned1 by labouring to hide all her wickedness1 by lies1 dissimulations1 and filthy equivocations of her priests1 friars1 ,jesuits1 c4 ,i say1 her labouring to hide the wickedness that she hath committed against kings1 countries1 nations1 kingdoms and people4 ,she hath hid these things by the means or persons made mention of before2 as by the tail2 for they indeed are the tail of the beast1 that cover his most filthy parts3 ,the prophet that speaketh lies1 he is the tail 7,isa #i3ae74 ,but1 ,,fourth ,,cause4 ,fourthly1 ,antichrist must be destroyed1 for the horrid outrage1 and villainous murders that she hath committed upon the bodies of the saints4 ,for there is none1 as to these things1 for cruelty1 to be compared with the church of ,antichrist1 and her followers3 ,for upon whom hath not her cruelty been shewed2 have they never so little stood in her way1 though never so innocently and honestly by so doing1 stood to the truth and verity of ,god8 ,yea1 the promoting of her own superstition1 idolatry1 and blasphemous rites and ceremonies1 have been so pursued by her1 that she has waded through a sea of innocent blood for the accomplishment thereof4 ,the poor church of ,god is a sensible bleeding witness of this1 and so has been for hundreds of years together2 witness the chronicles of all nations where she hath had to do2 yea1 and the sackcloth and ashes1 and tears1 and widows1 and fatherless children1 and their cries1 of all which the holy word of ,god is a sufficient confirmation2 ',and in her1' when ,god shall come to make inquisition for blood1 'will be found the blood of prophets and of saints1 and of all that were slain upon the earth' 7,rev #ah3bd74 ,and yet has she such a whore's forehead1 such a blindness in her judgment1 and such an hard and obdurate heart1 that it is not possible she should ever repent4 ,murders have been so natural to her1 and in them her hand has been so exercised1 that it is now become a custom1 a trade1 a pastime to her1 to be either in the act1 or laying some foundation for murders3 ,witness those plots1 designs conspiracies1 and frequent attempts that are1 one or other of them1 continually on foot in the world for the commission of murders4 ,nay1 the text last mentioned seems to import1 that blood is so natural to her1 that she sticketh not at any condition1 sex1 age1 or degree1 so she may imbrue her hands in blood4 ,in her was found the blood of saints and prophets1 and of all other carnal1 natural1 ignorant1 graceless men that have been slain upon the earth4 ,it is she that sets kings and kingdoms at variance3 ,it is she that sets parents and children at variance1 by her abuse of the word of our ,lord and ,christ4 ,and besides1 is it not easy1 if we do but consider those bloody massacres that have been committed by her hand1 both in ,france1 ,ireland1 ,piedmont1 and in several places besides1 without wronging of her1 to conclude1 that the blood of thousands1 that have not known their right hand from their left in religion1 hath been shed1 to quench1 if it might have been1 her insatiate thirst after blood4 ,therefore1 for these things shall she be judged1 as women that shed blood are judged2 because she is an adulteress1 and blood is in her hands 7,eze #bc3de74 ,she hath been as a beast of prey3 ,nay1 worse2 for they do but kill and tear for the hunger of themselves1 and of their whelps3 but she1 to satisfy her wanton and beastly lusts4 ',they have cast lots for my people2 saith ,god and have given a boy for an harlot1 and sold a girl for wine1 that they might drink' 7,joel #c3c73 and therefore must ,antichrist be destroyed4 ,forbearance is no payment1 ,god's patience is not a sign that he forgetteth to take vengeance2 but rather1 that he waiteth till his own are come out of her1 and until her iniquity is filled up3 ,for then he will execute the judgment written1 and will remember1 as has been said1 the ,babylonians1 and all their ways4 #ag ,,fifth ,,cause4 ,fifthly1 ,antichrist must be destroyed1 because she hath put out of order1 and confounded the rule and government that ,god has set up in the world4 ,i say1 she has put it out of order1 and confounded it in all places where she rules2 so that it cannot accomplish the design of him that ordained it1 ,to wit1 ,to be a terror to evil works1 and a praise to them that do well4 ,wherefore we read1 ,that those horns or kings where ,mystery ,babylon sitteth1 are upon the heads of that beast that carrieth her1 which beast is her protector4 ,magistracy is ,god's ordinance1 appointed for the good of society1 and for the peace and safety of those that are good4 ,but this ,antichrist has1 where she rules1 put all out of order2 and no wonder1 for she has bepuddled the word of ,god2 no wonder1 then1 ,i say1 if the foundations of the world be out of course4 ',tis she that hath turned the sword of the magistrate against those that keep ,god's law3 ',tis she that has made it the ruin of the good and virtuous1 and a protection to the vile and base4 ,wherefore1 when the ,holy ,ghost tells us1 that the time is coming in which ,god will count with the bloody-minded1 for the murders that they have committed2 he in a manner doth quite excuse the magistrate1 saying1 ',woe to the bloody city6 it is all full of lies and robbery2 the prey departeth not3 ,the noise of a whip1 and the noise of the rattling of the wheels1 and of the prancing horses1 and of the jumping chariots4 ,the horseman lifteth up both the bright sword1 and the glittering spear3 and there is a multitude of slain1 and a great number of carcases2 and there is no end of their corpses2 they stumble upon their corpses' 7,nahum #c3a-c74 ,but what is the cause of all this slaying1 and the reason of this abundance of corpses8 ,why1 it is because of the unsatiable thirst of the bloody city after blood3 and1 ',because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the well-favoured harlot1 the mistress of witchcrafts1 that selleth nations through her whoredoms1 and families through her witchcrafts' 7verse #d74 ,but doth this bloody city spill this blood by herself simply1 as she is the adulterated whore8 ,no1 this church has found out a trick2 that is to say1 to quarrel with ,christ in his members2 and to persuade the powers where she rules to set ensnaring laws to catch them1 and to execute the same upon them4 ,thus when the synagogue of ,satan1 of old1 had taken ,christ1 and accused him1 they made ,pontius ,pilate to condemn and hang him4 ,but ,god has begun to shew to some of the kings this wickedness1 and has prevailed with them to ,,protest against her4 ,and in the mean time1 for those that are yet in the bed of love with her1 the ,holy ,ghost doth1 in the text last mentioned1 and in ,revelation #ah3bd much excuse them for the blood that they have shed1 and for the injuries that they have done to his people2 because they have not done it of their mere inclinations1 nor in the prosecution of their office1 but through the whoredoms and witchcrafts of this well-favoured harlot1 who hath with false doctrines1 false promises1 and causeless curses1 prevailed on them to do it4 ,and they have done it1 rather of fear than favour4 ,some indeed have more doted upon her beauty1 and have more thoroughly been devoted to her service3 ,but they also had not that aptness to do so of themselves1 but have been forced to it by the power of her enchantments3 ,therefore1 ,i say1 the main guilt shall be laid at her door1 for that she in chief has deserved it4 ',son of man says ,god take up a lamentation for the princes of ,israel4' ,why8 ,because their mother1 the church1 was at that time adulterated1 and become a lioness1 had lain down with the heathen1 and so brought forth young lions1 that is1 rulers3 ',and she brought up one of her whelps3 it became a young lion1 and it learned to catch the prey2 it devoured men' 7,eze #ai3a-c74 ,it learnt1 ,it learnt3 ,but of who but of its dam1 or of the lioness to whom she had put it to learn to do such things8 ,therefore they are to be lamented and pitied1 rather than condemned1 and their mother made to bear the blame4 ,wherefore it follows1 ',she was plucked up in fury1 she was cast down to the ground1 and the east wind dried up her fruit3 her strong rods were broken and withered2 the fire consumed them4 ,and now she is planted in the wilderness1 7in the provinces of ,babylon17 in a dry and thirsty ground4 ,and fire is gone out of a rod of her branches1 which hath devoured her fruit1 so that he hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule4 ,this is a lamentation1 and shall be for a lamentation' 7,eze #ai3ab-ad74 ,,sixth ,,cause4 ,sixthly1 ,antichrist must be destroyed1 because of her exceeding covetousness4 ,religion1 such as it is1 is the thing pretended to3 ,but the great things of this world1 are the things really intended by her in all her seeming self-denials and devotions4 ,and for this covetousness also it is that this destruction is to fall upon her3 ',woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house1 7to his church7 that he may set his nest on high' 7,hab #b3i72 7for he could not do the one1 before he had obtained the other37 for then indeed they began to be high1 when they had so inveigled ,constantine1 that he bestowed upon them much riches and honour2 and then it was cried by an angel1 and the cry was heard in the city1 ,constantinople6 ',woe6 woe6 woe6 this day is venom poured into the church of ,god6' 7as both my ,lord ,cobham and ,mr4 ,fox witness in the book of ,acts and ,monuments74#ah ,nor has any generation since the world began1 been so insatiably greedy of gain1 as these poor people have been3 ,they have got kingdoms1 they have got crowns1 they have got1--,what have they not got8 ,they have got everything but grace and pardon4 ,did ,i say before1 that religion is their pretence8 ,doth not the whole course of their way declare it to their face8 ,every one of them1 from the least even to the greatest1 is given to covetousness1 from the prophet even to the priest1 every one dealeth falsely 7,jer #f3ac1 #h3aj73 ,money1 money1 as the peddlar cries1#ai broken or whole1 is the sinews of their religion3 ,and it is for that they set kingdoms1 crowns1 principalities1 places1 preferments1 sacraments1 pardons1 prayers1 indulgences1 liberty2 yea1 and souls and bodies of men1 women and children1 to sale4 ,yea1 it is for this that they have invented so many places1 offices1 names1 titles1 orders1 vows1 c4 ,it is to get money1 to rob countries1 that they may make their nests on high4 ,and indeed they have done it1 to the amazement of all the world4 ,they are clambered up above kings and princes1 and emperors3#bj ,they wear the triple-crown3 ,they have made kings bow at their feet1 and emperors1 stand barefoot at their gates3 ,they have kicked the crowns of princes from their heads1 and set them on again with their toes4#ba ,thus their covetousness has set them high1 even above the suns1 moons and stars of this world3 but to what end8 ,that they may be cast down to hell4 ,,seventh ,,cause4 ,seventhly1 ,antichrist must be destroyed1 because he standeth in the way of the setting up of the kingdom of ,christ in the world4 ,many princes were in ,edom before there was a king in ,israel2 and ,christ has suffered ,antichrist to set up before him4 ,and he standeth in his way1 and has so overspread the world in all places1 with that which is directly contrary to him1 that he cannot set up his kingdom1 until that which is ,antichrist's is tumbled down to the ground2 even as a man whose ground is full of thorns1 and briars1 and weeds1 cannot sow in expectation of a crop1 until he hath removed them4 ,and these seeds has ,antichrist sown where the kingdom of ,christ should stand3 ',upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briars2 yea1 upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city3 ,because the palaces shall be forsaken2 the multitude of the city shall be left2 the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever1 a joy of wild asses1 a pasture of flocks1 this is to happen to the church of ,god1 ,until the ,spirit be poured upon us from on high1 and the wilderness be a fruitful field1 and the fruitful field be counted for a forest' 7,isa #cb3ac-ae74 ,and the antichristian synagogue be turned into a wilderness4 ,when ,god came from ,egypt with his people1 to set up his kingdom in ,canaan1 he cast out the heathen before them in order thereunto2 ',thou hast brought a vine out of ,egypt3 thou hast cast out the heathen1 and planted it' 7,psa #hj3h74 ,wherefore1 ,antichrist must be removed and destroyed for this3 ,for ,antichrist is in flat opposition to ,christ1 as ,tibni was to ,omri 7#a ,kings #af3ba1bb73 ,wherefore ,antichrist must die4 ,the reason is1 because ,christ's kingdom shall be peaceable1 without molestation2 and glorious1 without the fumes and fogs of antichristian darkness3 ,because also1 as the world hath seen the manner of the reign of ,antichrist1 and how tyrannical and outrageous a kingdom his is3 so they shall see the reign of ,christ1 by his word and spirit in his people1 how peaceable1 how fruitful in blessedness and prosperity his kingdom is4 ,and hence it is that ,god purposeth to bury ,antichrist1 before he sets 'glory in the land of the living' 7,eze #bf3bj1ba74 ,as also you read in the book of ,revelations2 for there you find the kingdom of ,antichrist was destroyed before the new ,jerusalem was set up4 ,when men intend to build a new house1 if in the place where the old one stood1 they first pull down the old one1 raze the foundation1 and then they begin their new4 ,now ,god1 as ,i said1 will have his primitive church-state set up in this world1 7even where ,antichrist has set up his27 wherefore1 in order to this1 ,antichrist must be pulled down1 down stick and stone2 and then they that live to see it1 will behold the new ,jerusalem come down from heaven1 as a bride adorned for her husband4 ,new wine is not put into old bottles1 nor a new piece into an old garment2 nor shall any of the old anti-scriptural ordinances1 ceremonies1 rites1 or vessels of the man of sin1 be made use of1 or accounted anything worth1 in this day of the kingdom of ,jesus ,christ4 ,and thus ,i have shewed you something of ,antichrist1 of his ruin1 and of the manner and signs of the approach thereof2 together with the means and causes of his ruin4 ,all which ,i leave to the judgment of the godly1 and beg their instruction where they see me to be out2 and shall conclude1 after a short word of application4 ,first1 ,must ,antichrist be destroyed8 ,then this informs us1 that a time is coming wherein there shall be no ,antichrist to afflict ,god's church any more4 ',tis ,antichrist1 antichristians1 and antichristianism1 that is the cause of the troubles of ,christians1 for being ,christians4 ,and therefore 'tis from the consideration of this that it is said1 men 'shall beat their swords into plough-shares1 and their spears into pruning-hooks1' and that they 'shall learn war no more' 7,isa #b3d73 ,yea it is from the consideration of this1 that it is said the child shall play with venomous and destroying beasts1 and that a little child shall lead the wolf1 the leopard1 and the young lion1 and that the weaned child shall put his hand into the cockatrice's den1 and catch no hurt thereby 7,isa #aa3f-i74 ,for as was said before1 'tis through the instigation of this spirit of error1 that the governors of the world have heretofore done hurt to ,zion1 and ,i say now again1 all things shall turn to their right course1 and occupy their places1 as do the bodies in the higher orbs4 ,secondly1 ,is ,antichrist to be destroyed1 and must she have an end8 ,then this gives us to understand1 that a day is coming when ,antichrist shall be unknown1 not seen1 nor felt by the church of ,god4 ,there are men to be born who shall not know ,antichrist1 but as they read in the word that such a thing has been4 ,these shall talk of her1 as ,israel's childrens' children were to talk of ,pharaoh1 of his cruelty2 of his tasks1 of his pride1 of the ,red ,sea1 and how he was drowned there3 ,they shall talk of them1 as of those that have been long dead2 as of those who for their horrible wickedness1 are laid in the pit's mouth4 ,this will be some of that sweet chat that the saints shall1 at their spare hours1 have in time to come4 ,when ,god has pulled this dragon out of the sea1 this leviathan out of his river1 and cast his dead carcase upon the open field1 then shall those whose ancestors have been put into terrors by him1 come flocking to see the monster2 and shall rejoice for all the mercy4 ,in that day1 the church of ,god shall say1 ',o ,lord ,i will praise thee3 though thou wast angry with me1 thine anger is turned away1 and thou comfortest me4--,in that day shall ye say1 ,praise the ,lord1 call upon his name1 declare his doings among the people1' c4 7,isa #ab3a1d74 ,o how sweetly did ,david1 and the church in his day1 sing of the ruins of the ,egyptians1 and the deliverances of their fathers1 which had been in times of old6 7,psa #fh74 to wit1 what ,god did in ,egypt1 what he did at the ,red ,sea2 what he did to ,sihon1 to ,og1 and to the remnant of the giants3 ,how he divided the waters of ,jordan1 and gave the land of ,canaan in its fruitfulness among his people 7,psa #aje73 ,how that though ,pharaoh and his horsemen and chariots were terrible then1 yet now there is nothing left but their souls1 their feet1 and the palms of their hands2 nothing but that which can do no hurt2 nothing but what may minister an occasion of joyful remembrance of them 7,psa #ajf2 #acb74 ,thirdly1 ,is ,antichrist to be destroyed8 ,then this calls aloud to ,god's people to make haste to come out of her4 ',ho1 ho1' says the prophet3 ,he cries out as if the people were asleep3 ',come forth1 and flee from the land of the north' 7,zech #b3f74 ,the people of ,god in the latter days will want a heart to come out of her1 with that fear of her plagues as they should3 ,wherefore another says1 ',come out of her1 my people1 that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues' 7,rev #ah3d74 ,when ,israel was carried into ,babylon1 'twas not that they should dwell there for ever3 ,though they were bid to build them houses1 and beget them children there4 ,but when they had built1 planted vineyards1 and got wives and children there1 'twas hard getting them from thence again3 ,for now they were as it were naturalized to the country1 and to the manners of it 7,jer #bi3d-g74 ,but ,god will have them out1 7but they must not think to carry thence their houses and vineyards on their backs17 or he will destroy them with those destructions wherewith he hath threatened to destroy ,babylon itself4 ,flesh will hang behind1 because it favoureth the things of the flesh1 plenty of which there is in that country3 ,but they that will live after the flesh must die4 ',wherefore come out from among them1 and be ye separate1--and touch not the unclean thing2 and ,i will receive you1 and will be a father unto you1 and ye shall be my sons and daughters1 saith the ,lord ,almighty' 7#b ,cor #f3ag1ah74 ,but why 7some may say7 must we come out8 ,i answer1 because ,god has temple-work to do1 temple-worship to do1 temple-sacrifices to offer1 and none of these things can by any means be done1 but at ,jerusalem4 ,but if you still object and say1 ',the ,lord has raised us up prophets in ,babylon1' and we will not come out2 you must not murmur if you feel what is to follow4 ,and that such may know upon what bottom they stand1 let them read the #bith chapter of ,jeremiah #ae-ai4 ,fourthly1 ,must ,antichrist be destroyed8 ,then what mean they1 who were to appearance once come out1 but now are going thither again8 ,if it cost ,lot's wife dear for but looking back1 shall not it cost them much dearer1 that are going back1 that are gone back again8 and that1 ,,after the angel had fled through the midst of heaven1 preaching the gospel to those that dwell on the earth8 7,rev #ad3f-aj74 ,they that received the mark of the beast at first1 before this angel came forth1 are when compared with these1 excusable 7,rev #ac3af1ag73 ,wherefore1 they are not threatened with that smoking wrath1 as are these which are here under consideration4 ,you dread1 that which is like to become of them that will be so mad to run into an house1 when fire is putting to the gunpowder barrel1 in order to its blowing up3 ,why thus do they1 let their pretended cause be what it will1 that are returning again to ,babel4 ,are her plagues pleasant or easy to be borne8 ,or dost thou think that ,god is at play with thee1 and that he threateneth but in jest8 ,her plagues are death1 and mourning1 and famine1 and fire 7,rev #ah3h72 are these things to be overlooked8 ,and they that1 as before is hinted1 shall receive the mark of the beast in their forehead1 or in their hand1 and shall worship him1 they1 'the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of ,god' 7,rev #ad3aj73 ,and will this be a delightsome draught8 ,remember how ill ,god took it1 that his people of old1 in their hearts1 though but in their hearts1 went back again into ,egypt4 ,you may say1 but ,i have friends1 relations1 and concerns in ,babylon4 ,and1 ,i answer1 so had ,lot in ,sodom 7,gen #ai3ad-af72 but for all that1 he must either quickly come out1 or run the hazard of being burned there with them4 ,but methinks1 a people that belong to ,god1 should be willing to leave all to follow him3 ,besides1 his presence is promised at ,jerusalem1 there also will he accept thy offerings4 ,fifthly1 ,is ,antichrist to be destroyed8 ,then let them that love ,god1 his ,son1 and his ,zion1 cry to ,god1 that it may be hastened in its time4 ,one of the songs of ,zion is1 that ,babylon shall be destroyed4 ,the cries of the souls of them that were slain for the witness of ,jesus is1 that ,babylon may be counted with1 and that their blood may be revenged upon her4 ,the promise is1 that ,babylon shall be destroyed3 ,and do we hold our tongues8 ,the church of ,god will not flourish as it should1 until ,babylon is destroyed3 ,the world will never be in its right wits1 until ,babylon is destroyed3 ,the kingdom of ,christ will never be set up1 in and by his church1 as it ought1 and shall1 until ,antichrist is destroyed3 ,there will never be peace upon earth till ,antichrist is destroyed3 ,and ,god has promised that there shall be peace and truth1 and glory1 when ,babylon is destroyed3 ,and do we hold our peace8 ,besides1 your innocency in suffering2 your honesty towards ,god1 in your testimony for his truth2 the substantial ground which you have for the bottom of your faith1 as to things controverted betwixt ,antichrist and you1 will never be manifested as it will then2 and so consequently1 you never so brought out to the light1 and your enemies never so put to shame as then4 ',then shame shall cover her that said unto thee1 ,where is the ,lord thy ,god8' ,wherefore1 as ,i said1 cry unto the ,lord1 keep not silence1 give him no rest1 let him not alone1 until he has delivered his miserable people out of the mouth of this lion1 and from the paw of this bear4 ,sixthly1 ,is ,antichrist to be destroyed8 ,then let us live in the expectation of it2 and let this be one of our songs in the house of our pilgrimage4 ,god bids his people1 while in ,babylon1 to let ,jerusalem come into their mind 7,jer #ea3ej71 and writes to them that then were in her1 to acquaint them that he remembered them still1 and would assuredly deliver them from that place and state4 ,and wherefore doth he thus1 but to beget an expectation in them of their salvation and deliverance8 7,jer #bi3ac1ad74 ,the ,lord is so pleased with the faith and expectation of his people1 as to this1 that they seldom are herein concerned as they should1 but he steps in with them1 and warms their hearts4 ,the reason is1 because the faith of ,god's people1 as to the downfall of ,babylon1 stands upon as sure a foundation as doth the salvation of their souls2 and that next to that1 ,god is as much delighted in what he has purposed to do against ,babylon1 as in anything else in the earth3 ,and therefore1 if you consider it well1 the great and glorious promises that are to be fulfilled on earth1 are to be fulfilled when ,antichrist is dead and buried3 ,these bits are too good even for his children to have1 so long as this dog is by1 lest he should snatch at the crumbs thereof2 wherefore they are reserved until he is gone3 ,for thus saith the ,lord1 ',that after seventy years be accomplished at ,babylon1 ,i will visit you1 and perform my good word towards you1 in causing you to return to this place3 ,for ,i know the thoughts that ,i think toward you1 saith the ,lord2 thoughts of peace1 and not of evil1 to give you an expected end4' ,this is in ,jeremiah the #bith chapter1 verses #aj1 #aa and in the #cast chapter he adds1 ',therefore they shall come and sing in the height of ,zion1 and shall flow together to the goodness of the ,lord1 for wheat1 and for wine1 and for oil1 and of the young of the flock and of the herd3 and their soul shall be as a watered garden2 and they shall not sorrow any more at all4 ,then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance1 both young men and old together3 for ,i will turn their mourning into joy1 and will comfort them1 and make them rejoice from their sorrow4 ,and ,i will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness1 and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness1 saith the ,lord' 7verse #ab-ad74 ,again1 in the #cbnd chapter1 still speaking of the same thing1 he saith1 ',yea1 ,i will rejoice over them to do them good1 and ,i will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul' 7verse #da74 ,i conclude this with that which ,i find in the #ccrd chapter3 ',and ,i will cleanse them from all their iniquity1 whereby they have sinned against me2 and ,i will pardon all their iniquities1 whereby they have sinned1 and whereby they have transgressed against me4 ,and it shall be to me a name of joy1 a praise1 and an honour before all the nations of the earth1 which shall hear all the good that ,i do unto them3 and they shall fear and tremble1 for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that ,i procure unto it' 7verse #h1i74 ,seventhly1 ,must ,antichrist be destroyed8 ,then this should make us glad1 when we see the signs of his fall presenting themselves to our view4 ,indeed1 the signs of his fall1 or those that forerun it1 are terrible1 and amazing to behold4 ,but what of that1 since the wrinkles that are in their faces threaten not us but them8 ,a man is angry1 and will punish2 yea1 and whets his sword1 makes his rod1 and he speaks not a word1 but blood1 blood1 is in it4 ,indeed1 this should make them that are concerned in this anger1 be afraid2 7but the judgment is1 they are fast asleep17 but what is in all this of terror to them1 for the pleading whose cause he is so angry with the other8 ,nothing whereat the innocent should be afraid4 ,cold blasts in ,november are not received with that gentleness as are colder in ,march and ,april2 for that these last cold ones are but the farewell notes of a piercing winter2 they also bring with them the signs and tokens of a comfortable summer4 ,why1 the church is now at the rising of the year2 let then the blasts at present1 or to come1 be what they will1 ,antichrist is assuredly drawing towards his downfall3 ,and though the devil1 knowing what is to be done to him1 and to his kingdom1 shall so blind his disciples1 and fright the godly1 do something like it upon the church of ,christ2 yet we should look through these paper-winkers1#bb and espy in all this1 that fear1 yea1 certain terrible judgments are following of him at the heels1 by which not only the soul1 spirit1 and life of ,antichrist1 but the body thereof2 yea1 body1 and soul1 and head1 are quickly to go down thither2 from whence they1 as such1 shall not arise again4 ,amen4 ,,footnotes3 #a ',paper-winkers1' in every edition1 except the first1 which was from the author's manuscript1 has been altered to 'paper-windows4' ,bunyan's allusion is to the winkers1 called by many 'blinkers1' put by the side of a horse's eyes1 to keep him under the complete control of his driver--and by 'paper-winkers' the flimsy attempt of ,antichrist to hoodwink mankind by printed legends1 miracles1 and absurd assumptions--it is one of the almost innumerable sparks of wit1 which render all the writings of ,bunyan so entertaining and strikingly instructive4--,ed4 #b ,the absurd act to compel uniformity in modes of worship1 7#ad7 ,charles ,,ii1 had then recently passed2 and when this treatise was written1 it desolated the country4 ,this paved the way for the glorious ,revolution4 ,the wicked fell into the pit which they had dug for the righteous2 the hopes of the ,papists were crushed2 toleration to worship ,god was established4 ,let us follow ,bunyan's example1 and attribute these mercies to a gracious ,god4--,ed4 #c ,when seven members of the first protesting church in ,london were burned1 a proclamation was made that no one should pray for them1 speak to them1 nor once say1 ',god help them4' ,but the church pressed through the officers1--embraced and prayed for and with the martyrs2 and all the people with one consent said1 ,amen2 to the astonishment of the officers4 ,and so these godly martyrs1 praying and praising ,god1 sweetly ended their lives in the flames at ,smithfield4--,clarke's ,martyrology1 p4 #ejj and #eaf4--;,ed4 #d ,christian1 read in these words your duty4 ,bunyan felt the tusks of the wild boar1 even to the peril of his life4 ,he bore with resignation all his sufferings1 and was blest4 ,pity those whose souls are under the yoke4 ,antichrist1 if cruel to the body1 is more dangerous to the souls of men4 ,your prayers and exertions should be redoubled until it is delivered up to the just judgment of the ,almighty4 ,come out1 ,o ,christian1 and be separate from every system which is stained with the blood and defiled with the soul-harrowing groans of the saints of ,god4--,ed4 #e ,no man of the most refined education could have manifested greater delicacy than ,bunyan has in treating this subject1 leaving his reader to imagine whether the high-sounding titles1 such as ',his ,holiness1' ',god's ,vicegerent upon earth1' which are given to men1 are consistent with the simplicity of the gospel or not4 ,if they are not1 they belong to ,antichrist1 and will be consumed with the stubble at the brightness of ,christ's coming1 when he shall judge the earth4--,ed4 #f ,antichristian statists of ,antichrist4 ,those who weigh things to place them in their relative order in the kingdom of ,antichrist1 as the decree followed by the lions' den1 c4 #g ,the homilies read in the ,church of ,england prior to the ,reformation1 called ',the ,festival1' contains the pith of these lying legends and pretended miracles4 ,omitting the obscene parts1 it ought to be republished1 to exhibit the absurdities of popery as it was then seen in ,england4--,ed4 #h ',the last stroke of the batter1' probably alludes to an engine of war used by the ancients1 called a battering-ram4--,ed4 #i ,upon the ,sunday sports being authorized1 and pious ministers persecuted for refusing to wear popish vestments in the reign of ,james ,i1 that godly ,puritan1 ,mr4 ,carter1 exclaimed1 ',i have had a longing desire to see or hear of the fall of ,antichrist3 but ,i check myself4 ,i shall go to heaven1 and there news will come1 thick1 thick1 thick4'--,life by his ,son1 p4 #ac4 #aj ,how remarkably has this come to pass since ,bunyan's time2 a slow but sure progression4 ,that darling ugly daughter1 ,intolerance1 was executed by the ,act of ,toleration4 ,the impious ,test by the repeal of the ,sacramental ,test ,act1 c41 c4--,ed4 #aa ,there is great difficulty in estimating the weight of a talent4 ,dr4 ,gill considers it about sixty pounds2 this was the lesser ,roman talent4 ,michaelis estimates the ,jewish talent at thirty-two pounds and a half4 ,the attic talent of gold used in ,greece in the time of ,homer is estimated at less than an ounce4 ,the safest conclusion as to the weight of the hail-stones is1 that they were enormous1 and fell with a velocity to crush all animals to instant death4--,ed4 #ab ,the reader must not misunderstand the words1 ',the king kills her body4' ,bunyan does not in the slightest degree concede to kings or nations a right to interfere with 'the soul' or religious principles or practices--these are to be slain1 if false1 by persecution of the preacher4 ,kings and nations will restore to the people the immense property and revenue of which they have been plundered1 under the hollow knavish pretence of curing souls and forgiving sins4 ,,thus will human laws kill the body of ,antichrist4 ,every motive for professing to believe absurdities and contradictions will be at an end1 when neither rule nor honour1 nor pelf is to be gained by hypocrisy4--,ed4 #ac ,this is a very expressive term1 but better understood by ,bunyan the brazier than by many of his readers4 ,it is well known to those who live near a coppersmith's1 when three or four athletic men are keeping up1 bout and bout1 incessant blows upon a rivet1 until their object is accomplished4--,ed4 #ad ,protestant kings4 #ae ,this ,christian temper of ,bunyan certainly saved him from much suffering while under persecution4 ,it probably saved his invaluable life4 ,but how deeply it increases the guilt of his persecutors1 to send such a man to a damp wretched prison1 for more than twelve years1 because he dared not join in the worship established by law2 and after all this1 to hear his prayers and good wishes to his persecutors1 ought to have cut them to the quick4--,ed4 #af ,lord1 what is man1 to pretend to infallibility6 ,his heart1 be he pope or pagan1 is 'deceitful above all things1 and desperately wicked4' ,pope ,sixtus ,v in #aehi issued his infallible ,bible2 but the edition of ,clement ,,viii1 in #aeib1 differs much from that of #aehi4 ,infallibles ought never to differ with each other2 but how often it has happened4--,ed4 #ag ,these bloody massacres1 to which ,bunyan here alludes1 were attended with atrocities at which nature shudders4 ,in ,france1 under a ,bourbon and a ,guise1 the murder of hundreds of thousands of pious men and women1 with helpless infants1 threw down every barrier to the spread of infidelity1 and a frightful reaction took place at the ,revolution4 ,in ,ireland1 under a ,stuart and a ,bourbon1 still more frightful atrocities were perpetrated1 and which were severely punished by ,cromwell and his ,roundheads4 ,under a second ,stuart1 awful wholesale murders were again committed1 and punished by ,william ,,iii2 and the voice of the blood that was shed by ,antichrist1 and the voices of people enslaved by prejudice1 and vindictive1 ferocious enmity--these voices cry for vengeance1 and desolate that unhappy country4--,ed4 #ah ,in the first examination of ,lord ,cobham 7,fox1 vi p4 #gcb1 edit4 #afcb7 the gallant knight was asked by his bitter persecutor1 what he meant by 'the venom shed over the church'2 his reply was1 ',your possession and lordships4' ,for then cried an angel in the air--',wo6 ,wo6 ,wo6 this day is venom shed into the church of ,god4--,rome is the very nest of ,antichrist--prelates1 priests and monks are the body2 and these pild bald1 but query1 pillaging friars are the tail1 which covereth his most filthy part4' ,how peaceful and blessed will be the church when ,,all her ministers can glory with ,paul1 in ,acts #bj3cc1cd4--;,ed4 #ai ,the principal cry of the traveling peddlars was for broken or light money1 to exchange for their wares3 now obsolete4--,ed4 #bj ,such has been the tendency of the antichristian church in all ages2 witness the cases of the ,emperor ,henry ,,iv1 ,henry ,,ii of ,england1 and many others4 ,the spirit and precept of ,christianity1 on the contrary1 is1 while fearing ,god1 to honour the king2 and that we be subject to principalities and powers1 ,titus #c3a2 see also ,matthew #bb3ba2 ,romans #ac3a-g4--;,ed4 #ba ,see ,fox's ,martyr1 folio1 vol4 i41 last leaf4--,ed4 #bb ',paper-winkers1' in every edition1 except the first1 which was from the author's manuscript1 has been altered to 'paper-windows4' ,bunyan's allusion is to the winkers1 called by many 'blinkers1' put by the side of a horse's eyes1 to keep him under the complete control of his driver--and by 'paper-winkers' the flimsy attempt of ,antichrist to hoodwink mankind by printed legends1 miracles1 and absurd assumptions--it is one of the almost innumerable sparks of wit1 which render all the writings of ,bunyan so entertaining and strikingly instructive4--,ed4 999999 ,,the ,,resurrection ,,of ,,the ,,dead1 ,,and ,,eternal ,,judgment3 ,,or1 ,,the ,,truth ,,of ,,the ,,resurrection ,,of ,,the ,,bodies1 ,,both ,,of ,,good ,,and ,,bad ,,at ,,the ,,last ,,day3 ,,asserted1 ,,and ,,proved ,,by ,,god',s ,,word4 ,,also1 ,,the ,,manner ,,and ,,order ,,of ,,their ,,coming ,,forth ,,of ,,their ,,graves2 ,,as ,,also1 ,,with ,,what ,,bodies ,,they ,,do ,,arise4 ,,together1 ,,with ,a ,,discourse ,,of ,,the ,,last ,,judgment1 ,,and ,,the ,,final ,,conclusion ,,of ,,the ,,whole ,,world4 ,,by ,,john ,,bunyan1 ,a ,,servant ,,of ,,the ,,lord',s ,,christ4 ,behold1 ,i shew you a mystery2 ,we shall not all sleep1 but we shall all be changed1 in a moment1 in the twinkling of an eye1 at the last trump3 for the trumpet shall sound1 and the dead shall be raised incorruptible1 and we shall be changed--7#a ,cor #ae3ea1eb74 ,marvel not at this3 for the hour is coming1 in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice1 and shall come forth2 they that have done good1 unto the resurrection of life2 and they that have done evil1 unto the resurrection of damnation--7,john #e3bh1bi74 ,,advertisement ,,by ,,the ,,editor4 ,this very important treatise1 judging from the style in which it is written1 was1 probably1 one of the first books composed by ,bunyan4 ,the form in which it is prepared1 with minute divisions to assist the memory1 and its colloquial language1 indicate that it was first intended for the pulpit and then enlarged to form a more complete treatise2 while the frequent recurrence of the words ,i say1 shew the unpolished style in which he was in the habit of committing his thoughts to paper1 when he became an author4 ,a good copy of what appears to be the first edition1 is in the ,british ,museum1 a small #hvo1 without date--and from this1 collated with the reprint by ,c4 ,doe in ,bunyan's works1 #afia1 the present edition is published4 ,doe1 in his catalogue of all ,mr4 ,bunyan's books1 appended to the ,heavenly ,footman1 #afij1 states that ,the resurrection of the ,dead1 and eternal ,judgment by ,john ,bunyan1 a servant of the ,lord's ,christ1 was first published in #affe4 ,i have not been able to discover any subsequent edition in a separate volume4 ,the resurrection of the body is a subject of universal and deep importance4 ,it defies our reasoning powers1 while it exalts our ideas of the divine omnipotence4 ,with ,god1 all things revealed in his word are not only possible1 but certain of accomplishment4 ,the bodies of the saints1 which are a part of the ,redeemer's purchase will be raised in heavenly and wondrous perfection2 like to the ,saviour's glorious body4 ,that body1 which being transfigured did shine as the sun1 and his raiment became as the light4 ,that body which1 after his resurrection1 might be touched1 but which could appear and disappear to mortal eyes2 in the room at ,emmaus1 or in a closed room filled with his disciples2 could be touched1 yet vanish away2 could eat with them on the sea shore1 and could ascend to heaven from the mount4 ,thus it was foretold by the prophet and reiterated by the apostle--,eye hath not seen1 nor ear heard1 neither have entered into the heart of man1 the things which ,god hath prepared for them that love him 7,isa #fd3d2 #a ,cor #b3i74 ,not one atom of our dust can be lost2 a bright1 a glorious anticipation to the saints2 but how solemn and awful a thought to those who die without hope4 ,among ,christians it is common to think and talk of the happiness of the spirits of the just made perfect2 but alas1 how seldom do we think or speak of the perfect bliss of our whole nature1 body1 soul1 and spirit--incorruptible1 undefiled1 glorified--every part equally the object of the ,saviour's purchase and of his care4 ,this treatise1 which will be ever new1 and ever important1 was peculiarly required in ,bunyan's early days4 ,under the protectorate1 the minds of men1 which had been kept in slavery1 became suddenly emancipated from human creeds and formularies of public worship4 ,the personal attention of every one was then directed to the ,bible--the ,lord's day was observed1 men were chosen as ministers not from high connections1 but from deep and humble piety4 ,tens of thousands became happy in a personal knowledge of divine truth4 ,at such a period1 it must have happened that some evil spirits would exalt themselves1 and that even some serious inquirers would draw strange conclusions from a misconception of divine truth2 and dimly see men as trees walking4 ,among these there appeared teachers1 who1 unable to comprehend how that body1 which had gone to dust1 or in some cases had been reduced by fire to its primary elements1 and dispersed to the winds or waves1 could be again produced4 ,they revived an ancient error1 ,that the new birth was the only resurrection from death2 and consequently1 that to those who were born again1 the resurrection was passed4 ,the individuals who promulgated these opinions1 do not appear to have been associated together as a sect1 or a church4 ,the greater number were called in derision ranters1 and some quakers4 ,it is very probable1 that this treatise was intended as an antidote to these delusions4 ,we must not infer from the opinions of a few unworthy individuals1 who justly deserved censure1 that ,bunyan meant to reflect upon the ,society of ,friends4 ,this treatise was printed in #affe3 but it was not until #afge that the ,quakers' rules of discipline were first published1 and they from that time as a sect have been1 in a high degree1 conformable to the morality and heavenly influences of the gospel4 ,but even before this1 ,fox1 ,crisp1 ,penn1 ,barclay1 and others1 who afterwards formed the ,society of ,friends1 had declared their full belief in this doctrine4 ,the resurrection of the just and unjust--the last judgment--heaven and hell as future rewards--we believe and confess4 ,we believe the holy manhood of ,christ to be in heavenly glory4 ,we acknowledge a resurrection in order to eternal recompence1 and rest contented with that body which it shall please ,god to give us4 ,we do firmly believe that besides the resurrection of the soul from the death of sin1 to a life of righteousness while here1 there will be a resurrection of the dead hereafter1 and that we must all appear before the judgment seat of ,christ4 ,barclay1 in his catechism1 #afgc1 clearly asserts ,bunyan's own ideas of the resurrection4 ,but in the face of these1 and a thousand similar declarations1 the grossest calumnies were asserted by a fanatic clergyman1 ,alexr4 ,ross1 in his ,view of all ,religions3--,the ,ranters are a sect of beasts that neither divide the hoof1 nor chew the cud2 that is to say1 very unclean ones4 ,they1 like the ,quakers1 oppose forms and order 7the form and order of ,common ,prayer74 ,to anatomize this monster3 #ast1 ,they hold that ,god1 ,devils1 ,angels1 ,heaven1 and ,hell1 are fictions4 #b;d1 ,that ,moses1 the ,baptist1 and ,christ were impostors4 #c;d1 ,that preaching and praying is lying4 #hvo41 #afif1 p4 #bgc4 ,and such wild slanders were uttered occasionally against all dissenters1 until a much later period4 ,happily they are now better known1 and the truths of ,christianity are more appreciated4 ,i have been careful to guard the reader upon this subject1 lest it should be thought that ,bunyan had in any degree manifested the spirit of those1 who even to the present day misrepresent the opinions of the ,quakers4 ,this may be occasioned by their distinguishing tenet--,that the work of the ministry is purely a labour of love1 and ought not to be performed for hire--derived from the command of ,christ to his disciples1 ,freely ye have received1 freely give4 ,this1 however1 is no reason that they should be1 as to their general views of divine truth1 misrepresented and traduced4 ,bunyan1 at all times solemn and impressive1 is peculiarly earnest and searching in this treatise4 ,the dead will arise involuntarily and irresistibly--conscience uncontrolled1 must testify the truth1 yea1 all the truth to the condemnation of the soul and body1 unless cleansed from sin by faith in the ,redeemer and the sacred influences of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,the books will be opened1 and every thought and word and action be seen inscribed in characters legible to all4 ,every soul will be able to read and clearly to understand those mysterious books--,god's omniscient1 his penetrating1 his universal sight of all things from the creation of the world to the final consummation2 and his perfect remembrance of all that he saw--are one and the same4 ,there is then no refuge1 no escape--the word depart impels obedience1 and the sinner plunges into eternal woe66 ,o that the living may lay these awful realities to heart1 and fly for refuge to the bosom of the ,redeemer--he only is able--he is willing to save to the uttermost all that come unto ,god by him4 ,and they who find in him a refuge from the storms of life1 shall hear his voice irresistibly impelling them to heaven1 ,come1 ye blessed of my ,father1 inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world4 ,o glorious hour6 ,o blest abode6 ,i shall be like and near my ,god6 ,and flesh and sin no more control ,the sacred pleasures of the soul4 ,may the divine blessing abundantly attend the reading of these awful or joyful realities4 ,,geo4 ,,offor4 ,,preface4 ,,courteous ,,reader1 ,though this be a small treatise1 yet it doth present thee with things of the greatest and most weighty concernment1 even with a discourse of life and death to eternity3 opening1 and clearing1 by the scriptures of ,god1 that the time is at hand1 when1 there shall be a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust2 even of the bodies of both1 from the graves where they are1 or shall be1 at the approach of that day4 ,thou hast also in these few lines1 the order and manner of the rising of these two sorts of people1 wherein is shewed thee with what body they shall then rise1 as also their states and condition at this day1 with great clearness4 ,for here thou shalt see the truth1 and manner of the terrible judgment1 the opening of the books1 the examining of witnesses1 with a final conclusion upon good and bad4 ,which1 ,i hope will be profitable to thy soul that shall read it4 ,for if thou art godly1 then here is that which will1 through ,god's blessing1 encourage thee to go on in the faith of the truth of the gospel2 but if thou art ungodly1 then here thou mayst meet with conviction3 yea1 and that of what will be1 without fail1 thy end1 at the end of the world3 whether thou continue in thy sins1 or repent4 ,if thou continue in them1 blackness1 and darkness1 and everlasting destruction2 but if thou repent1 and believe the gospel1 then light1 and life1 and joy1 and comfort1 and glory1 and happiness1 and that to eternity4 ,wherefore let me here beg these things at thy hand1 ,first1 ,that thou take heed of that spirit of mockery that saith1 ,where is the promise of his coming8 7#b ,peter #c3d1e74 ,secondly1 ,take heed that thy heart be not overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness1 and the cares of this life1 and so that day come upon thee unawares 7,luke #ba3cd1ce74 ,thirdly1 ,but be diligent in making thy calling and election sure2 that thou in the day1 of which thou shalt read more in this book1 be not found without that glorious righteousness that will then stand thee in stead1 and present thee before his glorious presence1 with exceeding joy4 ,to him be glory in the church by ,christ ,jesus1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,,john ,,bunyan4 ,,of ,,the ,,resurrection ,,of ,,the ,,dead4 ,,but ,,this ,i ,,confess ,,unto ,,thee1 ,,that ,,after ,,the ,,way ,,which ,,they ,,call ,,heresy1 ,,so ,,worship ,i ,,the ,,god ,,of ,,my ,,fathers1 ,,believing ,,all ,,things ,,which ,,are ,,written ,,in ,,the ,,law ,,and ,,in ,,the ,,prophets3 ,,and ,,have ,,hope ,,toward ,,god1 ,,which ,,they ,,themselves ,,also ,,allow1 ,,that ,,there ,,shall ,,be ,a ,,resurrection ,,of ,,the ,,dead1 ,,both ,,of ,,the ,,just ,,and ,,unjust--7,acts #bd3ad1ae74 ,my discourse upon this text1 will chiefly concern the resurrection of the dead3 wherefore to that ,i shall immediately apply myself1 not meddling with what else is couched in the words4 ,you see here1 that ,paul1 being upon his arraignment1 accused of many things1 by some that were violent for his blood2 and being licensed to speak for himself by the then heathen magistrate2 he doth in few words tell them1 that as touching the crimes wherewith they charged him1 he was utterly faultless1 only this he confessed1 that after that way which they call heresy1 so he worshipped the ,god of his fathers2 believing all things that are written in the law and the prophets1 and that he had the same hope towards ,god1 which they themselves did allow1 that there should be a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust4 ,whence note by the way1 that a hypocritical people1 will persecute the power of those truths in others1 which themselves in words profess4 ,i have hopes towards ,god1 and that1 such a hope which themselves do allow1 and yet ,i am this day1 and that for this very thing1 persecuted by them4 ,but to come to my purpose1 ,there shall be a resurrection of the dead1 c4 ,by these words1 the apostle sheweth us what was the substance of his doctrine1 to wit1 that there should be a resurrection of the dead2 and by these words also1 what was the great argument with his soul1 to carry him through these temptations1 afflictions1 reproaches1 and necessities he met with in this world1 even the doctrine of a resurrection4 ,i have hope towards ,god1 saith he1 and there is my mind fixed2 for there shall be a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust4 ,the reason why ,i cannot do what these ,jews would have me2 also why ,i cannot live as do the ,gentiles1 it is1 because ,i have in my soul1 the faith of the resurrection4 ,this is the doctrine ,i say1 which makes me fear to offend1 and that is as an undergirder to my soul1 whereby ,i am kept from destruction and confusion1 under all the storms and tempests ,i here go through4 ,in a word1 this is it that hath more awe upon my conscience than all the laws of men1 with all the penalties they inflict4 ,and herein do ,i exercise myself1 to have always a conscience void of offence toward ,god and toward men 7verse #af74 ,now here1 seeing this doctrine of the resurrection of the dead hath that power1 both to bear up and to awe2 both to encourage and to keep within compass1 the spirit and body of the people of ,god2 it will be requisite1 and profitable for us1 to inquire into the true meaning and nature of this word1 the resurrection of the dead4 ,and for the better compassing of this matter1 ,i shall briefly enquire1 ,first1 ,what in this place is meant by the dead4 ,secondly1 ,what is meant by the resurrection4 ,thirdly1 ,why the apostle doth here speak of the resurrection of the dead as of a thing yet to come--,there shall be a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust4 ,first4 ,the dead in scripture go under a five-fold consideration2 as1 #a4 ,such as die a natural death1 or as when a man ceaseth to be any more in this world1 as ,david1 whom ,peter tells us is both dead and buried1 and his sepulchre is with us to this day 7,acts #b3bi74 #b4 ,there is a people that are reckoned dead in trespasses and sins1 as those are1 who never yet were translated from darkness to light1 and from the power of ,satan to ,god4 ,such1 ,i say1 who yet never felt the power of the ,word and ,spirit of ,god1 to raise them from that state1 to walk with him in the regeneration2 making a life out of ,christ1 and his present benefits 7,eph #b3a1b2 ,john #e3be74 #c4 ,there is a death seizeth men often after some measure of light received from ,god1 and some profession of the gospel of ,christ4 ,these1 for the certainty of their damnation1 are said to be dead--dead1 twice dead1 and plucked up by the roots 7,jude #ab74 #d4 ,there is in scripture mention made of a death to sin1 and the lusts of the flesh2 this death is the beginning of true life and happiness1 and is a certain forerunner of a share in ,christ1 and with him in another world 7,rom #f3f-h2 #b ,tim #b3aa74 #e4 ,lastly1 ,there is also in the word1 a relation of eternal death4 ,this is the death that those are in1 and swallowed up of1 that go out of this world ,godless1 ,christless1 and graceless2 dying in sin1 and so under the curse of the dreadful ,god2 who1 ,i say1 because they have missed of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the ,saviour in this day of grace3 are fallen into the gulf and jaws of eternal death and misery1 in the fire that never shall be quenched 7,mark #i3dc1dd2 ,luke #af3bc-bf74 ,now then1 seeing there is death1 or to be dead1 taken under so many considerations in the scripture2 it is evident1 that to be dead in ,christ1 the text is not meant of them all3 ,i then must distinguish1 and inquire which of these deaths it is1 that here the apostle did look for a resurrection from4 7#a47 then1 ,it cannot be meant a resurrection from eternal death1 for from that there is no redemption 7,psa #di3h74 7#b47 ,neither is it a resurrection from that double death2 for they that are in that1 are past recovery also4 7#c47 ,and as for those that are dead to sin1 it is nonsense to say there shall1 or can be a resurrection from that3 for that itself is a resurrection2 which resurrection also1 the apostle had then passed through3 and also all the brethren1 as he saith1 ,you hath he quickened1 who were dead in trespasses and sins 7,col #b3ab1ac1bj74 ,and again1 ,if ye then be risen with ,christ 7,col #c3a71 and again1 ,wherein also ye are risen with him1 through the faith of the operation of ,god1 who hath raised him from the dead 7,col #b3ab74 7#d47 ,the dead therefore in this scripture1 must be understood of those that have departed this life1 that have body and soul separated each from the other2 and so the resurrection1 a resurrection of the body out of the grave2 as ,daniel saith1 ,many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake 7,dan #ab3b74 ,and again1 ,the hour is coming1 in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice1 and shall come forth1 c4 7,john #e3bh1bi74 ,second4 ,what is meant by the resurrection4 ,the resurrection of the just1 then1 is the rising of the bodies of the just1 and the resurrection of the unjust1 the rising of their bodies1 at the last judgment4 ,this also is the meaning of that saying of ,paul to ,agrippa1 ,i stand1 saith he1 and am judged for the hope of the promise made of ,god unto our fathers 7,acts #bf3f71 which promise at first began to be fulfilled in the resurrection of the body of ,christ 7,acts #ac3cb1cc71 and hath its accomplishment1 when the dead1 small and great1 are raised out of their graves4 ,wherefore1 though ,paul saith in the #acth of the ,acts1 it is already fulfilled2 yet here he saith1 he hopes it shall come4 ,which promise1 saith he1 our twelve tribes1 instantly serving ,god day and night1 hope to come 7,acts #bf3g74 ,as ,god told ,daniel1 saying1 go thy way1 till the end be3 for thou shalt rest and stand in thy lot at the end of the days 7,dan #ab3ac74 ,christ is already risen1 and therefore so far the promise is fulfilled2 but his saints are yet in their graves1 and therefore that part of the fulfilling of it is yet to come1 as he saith1 ,why should it be thought a thing incredible with you1 that ,god should raise the dead8 7,acts #bf3h74 ,again1 ,that it is the resurrection of the dead bodies of both saints and sinners that is here inserted1 it is further evident2 because the apostle saith1 it is the resurrection1 that the very ,pharisees themselves allowed4 ,i have hope towards ,god1 saith he1 which themselves also allow2 then what that hope is1 he in the next words sheweth1 namely1 that there shall be a resurrection of the dead1 c4 ,now we know1 that the ,pharisees did not allow of a resurrection from a state of nature1 to a state of grace1 which is the same with the new birth2 but did confidently allow and teach1 that they were the children of ,abraham1 according to the flesh4 ,yea1 when any of them began to adhere1 or incline to ,christ's doctrine in some things1 yet the doctrine of the new birth1 or of being raised from a state of nature1 to a state of grace1 they would very much stick at2 though in the meantime1 they utterly were against the doctrine of the ,sadducees1 which denied the resurrection of the body 7,john #c3a-i2 #h3ea-ef2 ,acts #bc3f-h74 ,further1 the resurrection here spoken of1 must needs be the resurrection of the body1 because it is called1 a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust--that is1 of both saints and sinners1 according to the saying of ,christ1 ,the hour is coming1 in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice1 and shall come forth2 they that have done good1 unto the resurrection of life2 and they that have done evil1 unto the resurrection of damnation 7,john #e3bh1bi74 ,third4 ,the resurrection spoken of is a thing yet to come2 the resurrection here mentioned1 is a resurrection to come1 not already enjoyed1 either by saints or sinners--,there shall be a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust4 ,now1 ,i say1 the resurrection here being yet deferred by the just1 and counted also the resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust3 it must needs be the same resurrection that is spoken of by ,job1 who saith1 ,so man lieth down1 and riseth not3 till the heavens be no more1 they shall not awake1 nor be raised out of their sleep 7,job #ad3ab74 ,having thus1 in few words1 opened this scripture unto you1 ,i shall in the next place1 for the further satisfaction of those that are yet wavering1 and for the refreshment of those that are strong and steadfast1 lay down before you1 several undeniable scripture demonstrations of the resurrection of the dead1 both of the just1 and unjust4 ,,first1 ,i shall first begin with1 ,,the ,,resurrection ,,of ,,the ,,just4 ,first1 ,the just must arise1 because ,christ is risen from the dead4 ,christ is the head of the just1 and they are the members of his body2 and because of this union1 therefore the just must arise4 ,this is the apostle's own argument--,if ,christ1 saith he1 be preached that he rose from the dead1 how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead8 ,but if there be no resurrection of the dead1 then is ,christ not risen 7#a ,cor #ae3ab1ac74 ,now1 ,i say1 the reason why the apostle thus argueth the resurrection from the dead1 by the resurrection of ,christ1 it is1 because the saints1 of whose resurrection he here chiefly discourseth1 are in their bodies1 as well as in their souls1 the members of ,christ2 ,know ye not1 saith he1 that your bodies are the members of ,christ 7#a ,cor #f3ae74 ,a very weighty argument2 for if a good man be a member of ,christ1 then he must either be raised out of his grave1 or else sin and death must have power over a member of ,christ4 ,i say again1 if this body be not raised1 then also ,christ is not a complete conqueror over his enemies2 forasmuch as death and the grave have still power over his members4 ,the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death 7#a ,cor #ae3bf74 ,now1 though ,christ in his own person hath a complete conquest over death1 c41 yet death hath still power over the bodies of all that are in their graves3 now1 ,i say1 ,christ being considered with relation to his members1 then he hath not yet a complete conquest over death1 neither will he1 until they every one be brought forth of their graves2 for then1 and not till then1 shall that saying be every way fulfilled1 ,death is swallowed up in victory 7#a ,cor #ae3ec1ed74 ,second1 ,as there must be a resurrection of the just1 because ,christ is their head1 and they his members3 so also1 because the body of the saints1 as well as their soul1 is the purchase of ,christ's blood4 ,ye are bought with a price3 saith ,paul2 therefore glorify ,god in your body1 and in your spirit1 which are ,god's 7#a ,cor #f3bj74 ,christ will not lose the purchase of his blood4 ,o death1 saith ,christ1 ,i will have them2 ,o grave1 ,i will make thee let them go2 ,i will ransom them from the power of the grave1 ,i will redeem them from death4 ,i have bought them1 and they shall be mine4 ,o death1 ,i will be thy plagues2 ,o grave1 ,i will be thy destruction 7,hosea #ac3ad73 ,i say1 though the power of the grave be invincible1 and death be the king of terrors 7,job #ah3ad71 yet he who hath the keys of hell and of death at his girdle 7,rev #a3ah71 to him belongeth the issues from death4 ,he that is our ,god is the ,god of salvation2 and unto ,god the ,lord belong the issues from death 7,psa #fh3bj71 and we1 the price of his blood1 shall be delivered4 ,third1 ,as the body is the member of ,christ1 and the price of his blood3 so it is the temple of the ,holy ,ghost1 which is in us4 ,what8 know ye not that your body is the temple of the ,holy ,ghost which is in you1--and ye are not your own8 7#a ,cor #f3ai74 ,the body is no such ridiculous thing in the account of ,christ as it was in the account of the ,sadducees4 ,the body is not for fornication1 but for the ,lord2 and the ,lord for the body 7verse #ac71 and that not only in this world1 but that which is to come2 wherefore he saith1 ,god hath both raised up the ,lord ,jesus1 and will also raise us up by his own power--that is1 as he hath raised up the body of ,christ1 so will he raise up ours also by ,christ4 ,fourth1 ,the bodies of the just must arise again1 because of that similitude1 that must be betwixt the body of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ and the bodies of the saints4 ,when he shall appear1 we shall be like him 7#a ,john #c3b74 ,now we have it abundantly manifest in scripture1 that the body of the ,lord ,jesus1 was raised out of the grave1 caught up into heaven1 and that it ever remaineth in the holiest of all1 a glorified body 7,luke #bd3c-g2 #cf-dc2 ,john #bj3bd-bh2 ,acts #a3b-aa2 #b3ca2 #ag3cj-cb2 ,mark #af3f1g1ai2 ,heb #g3bd-bf2 #h3a-c2 #aj3ab74 ,now1 ,i say1 it would be very strange to me if ,christ should be raised1 ascended1 and glorified in that body2 and yet that his people should be with him1 no otherwise than in their spirits2 especially1 seeing that he in his resurrection1 is said to be but the first-born from the dead1 and the first-fruits of them that sleep 7,col #a3ah2 #a ,cor #ae3bc74 ,for we know1 that a first-begotten doth imply more sons1 and that first-fruits do foreshew an after-crop2 wherefore we conclude1 that as in ,adam all die1 even so in ,christ shall all be made alive4 ,but every man in his own order3 ,christ the first-fruits2 afterward they that are ,christ's at his coming 7#a ,cor #ae3bb1bc74 ,and hence it is that the scripture saith1 ,he shall change our vile body1 that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body 7,phil #c3ba74 ,and hence it is again1 that the day of ,christ is said to be the day of the manifestation of the sons of ,god1 and of the redemption of our body 7,rome #h3ba-bd71 for then shall the saints of ,god not only be1 but appear as their ,saviour1 being delivered from their graves1 as he is from his1 and glorified in their bodies1 as he is in his4 ,fifth1 ,there must be a resurrection of the body of the saints1 because the body1 as well as the mind1 hath been a deep sharer in the afflictions that we meet with for the gospel's sake4 ,yea1 the body is ofttimes the greater sufferer1 in all the calamities1 that for ,christ's sake we here undergo2 it is the body that feels the stocks1 the whip1 hunger and cold1 the fire and rack1 and a thousand calamities2 it is the body in which we have the dying marks of the ,lord ,jesus1 that the life also of ,jesus might be made manifest in our mortal#a flesh 7,gal #f3ag2 #b ,cor #d3aa74 ,god is so just a ,god1 and so merciful to his people1 that though the bodies of his saints should1 through the malice of the enemy1 be never so dishonourably tortured1 killed1 and sown in the grave3 yet he will1 as further will be shewn anon1 raise it again in incorruption1 glory1 and honour3 as he saith also in another place1 that we who have continued with ,christ in his temptations1 that have for his sake underwent the reproach and malice of the world1 to you1 saith ,christ4 ,i appoint a kingdom1 as my ,father hath appointed unto me 7,luke #bb3bh1bi74 ,if we suffer1 we shall also reign with him 7#b ,tim #b3ab73 and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal 7,john #ab3be74 ,all this is to be enjoyed1 especially at the resurrection of the just4 ,but1 ,sixth1 ,there must be a resurrection of the just1 otherwise1 there will be the greatest disappointment on all sides that ever was1 since man had a being on the earth4 ,a disappointment1 ,i say1 #a4 ,of the will of ,god--,and this is the ,father's will which hath sent me1 saith ,christ1 that of all which he hath given me ,i should lose nothing1 not a dust1 but should raise it up again at the last day 7,john #f3ci74 #b4 ,a disappointment of the power of ,god2 for he that hath raised up the ,lord ,jesus1 doth also intend to raise us up by his power1 even our bodies2 as ,paul saith1 ,the body is not for fornication1 but for the ,lord2 and the ,lord for the body4 ,and ,god hath both raised up the ,lord1 and will also raise up us by his power 7#a ,cor #f3ac1ad74 #c4 ,if there should be no resurrection of the just1 ,christ also would be wonderfully disappointed of the fruits of all his sufferings4 ,as ,i told you before1 his people are the price of his blood1 and the members of his body1 and he is now at the right hand of ,god1 far above all principalities and powers1 and every name that is named1 expecting till his enemies be made his footstool 7,heb #a3ac71 and brought under the foot of the weakest saint2 which will not be1 until the last enemy death is destroyed4 ,we know that he said1 when he went away1 that he would come again1 and fetch all his people to himself1 even up into heaven1 that where he is1 there we may be also 7,john #ab3bf2 #ad3a-c2 #ag3bd74 ,but1 ,i say1 how will he be disappointed1 if when he comes1 the grave and death should prevent and hinder him1 and with its bars1 keep down those1 whom he hath ransomed with his blood1 from the power thereof4 #d4 ,if the bodies of the just arise not from the dead1 then they also will be disappointed4 ',tis true1 the saints departed1 have far more fellowship and communion with ,god and the ,lord ,jesus1 than we have1 or are not yet capable of having1 they being in paradise1 and we in this world 7,luke #bc3dc72 but yet1 ,i say for all that1 they are1 though there1 very much longing for the day of the ,lord's vengeance1 which will be the day in which they will1 and must arise from the dead4 ,this1 ,i say1 is the time that they long for1 when they cry under the altar1 ,how long1 ,o ,lord1 holy and true1 dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth8 7,rev #f3aj1aa74 ,when they died1 they died in hope to obtain a better resurrection 7,heb #aa3ce71 and now they are gone1 they long till that day be come2 till the day come1 ,i say1 when the dead1 even all the enemies of ,christ1 shall be judged2 for then will he give rewards to his servants the prophets1 and to his saints1 and to all that fear his name1 small and great 7,rev #aa3ah74 #e4 ,if the just arise not1 great disappointment also will be to the saints yet alive in this world2 for1 notwithstanding they have already received the first-fruits of the ,spirit1 yet they wait1 not only for more of that1 but also for the resurrection1 redemption1 and changing of this vile body4 ,for our conversation is in heaven1 saith ,paul1 from whence also we look for the ,saviour1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who shall change our vile body1 that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body 7,rom #h3bj-bc2 ,phil #c3bj1ba74 ,but now1 ,i say1 if the body riseth not1 then how can it be made like to the glorious body of ,christ ,jesus3 yea1 what a sad disappointment1 infatuation1 and delusion1 are those poor creatures under1 that look1 and that by scripture warrant1 for such a thing8 ,they look for good1 but behold evil2 they expect to be delivered in their whole man from every enemy2 but lo1 both death and the grave1 their great enemies1 do swallow them up for ever4 ,but1 beloved1 be not deceived4 ,the needy shall not always be forgotten1 the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever 7,psa #i3ah74 ,saith ,christ1 ,he that seeth the ,son1 and believeth on him that sent him1 hath everlasting life1 and ,i will raise him up at the last day 7,john #f3dj74 #f4 ,if the just arise not out of their graves1 then also is every grace of ,god in our souls defeated2 for though the spirit of devotion can put forth a feigned show of holiness with the denial of the resurrection1 yet every grace of ,god in the elect doth prompt them forward to live as becomes the gospel1 by pointing at this day2 as1 7#a47 ',tis this that faith looks at1 according as it is written1 ,i believed1 and therefore have ,i spoken2 we also believe1 and therefore speak2 knowing that he which raised up the ,lord ,jesus shall raise up us also by ,jesus1 and shall present us with you 7#b ,cor #d3ac1ad74 7#b47 ,hope looks at this4 ,we1 saith ,paul1 which have the first-fruits of the ,spirit1 even we ourselves groan within ourselves1 waiting for the adoption1 to wit1 the redemption of our body--that is1 we expect this by hope2 but hope that is seen is not hope3 for what a man seeth1 or hath in present possession1 why doth he yet hope for8 7,rom #h3bc1bd74 7#c47 ,the grace of self-denial also worketh by this doctrine--,if after the manner of men ,i have fought with beasts at ,ephesus1 what advantageth it me1 if the dead rise not8 7#a ,cor #ae3cb74 ,as who should say1 ,wherefore do ,i deny myself of those mercies and privileges that the men of this world enjoy8 ,why do not ,i also1 as well as they1 shun persecution for the cross of ,christ8 ,if the dead rise not1 what shall ,i be the better for all my trouble that here ,i meet with for the gospel of ,christ8 7#d47 ,both zeal and patience1 with all other the graces of the ,spirit of ,god in our hearts1 are much1 yea1 chiefly encouraged1 animated1 and supported by this doctrine2 as ,james saith1 ,be patient1 therefore1 brethren1 unto the coming of the ,lord1 for then shall the dead be raised 7#a ,thess #d3af1ag74 ,behold1 the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth1 and hath long patience for it1 until he receive the early and latter rain4 ,be ye also patient2 stablish your hearts2 for the coming of the ,lord draweth nigh 7,james #e3g1h74 ,seventh1 ,the doctrine of the resurrection of the just1 must needs be a certain truth of ,god1 if we consider the devilish1 and satanical errors and absurdities that must unavoidably follow the denial thereof2 as1 he that holdeth no resurrection of our body1 he denieth the resurrection of the body of ,christ4 ,this is the ,spirit's own doctrine--,for if the dead rise not1 then is not ,christ raised 7#a ,cor #ae3af74 ,he that denieth the resurrection of the members1 denieth the resurrection of the head2 for seeing the resurrection of the saints is proved by the resurrection of ,christ1 he that doth deny the resurrection of the saints1 must needs deny the resurrection of ,christ1 that proves it4 ,now this error1 as it is in itself destructive to all ,christian religion3 so it1 like an adder1 carrieth within its bowels1 many other alike devilish and filthy2 as1 #a4 ,he that denieth the resurrection of the saints1 he concludeth1 that to preach deliverance from sin and death1 it is vain preaching2 for how can he be freed of sin1 that is swallowed up for ever of death and the grave8 as he most certainly is1 that is always contained therein1 as ,paul saith1 ,if ,christ be not risen1 whose resurrection is the ground of ours1 then is our preaching vain1 and your faith is also vain 7#a ,cor #ae3ad71 then we preach fables1 and you receive them for truth4 #b4 ,this error1 casteth the lie in the face of ,god1 of ,christ1 and the ,scriptures--,yea1 and we1 saith ,paul1 are found false witnesses of ,god2 because we have testified of ,god that he raised up ,christ3--if so be that the dead rise not 7#a ,cor #ae3ae74 ,mark1 before he said1 ,christ in his resurrection1 doth prove our resurrection2 but now he saith1 that our resurrection will prove the truth of his2 and indeed both are true2 for as by ,christ's rising1 ours is affirmed2 so by ours1 his is demonstrated4 #c4 ,the denial of the resurrection1 it also damneth all those that have departed this world in the faith of this doctrine4 ,if ,christ be not raised1 7as if he is not1 we rise not1 then is not only7 your faith vain1 ye are yet in your sins 7that are alive17 but then they also which are fallen asleep in ,christ are perished 7#a ,cor #ae3ag1ah74 #d4 ,he that denieth the resurrection of the just1 he concludeth1 that the ,christian is of all men the most miserable4 ,mark the words3 ,if in this life only we have hope in ,christ1 we are of all men most miserable 7#a ,cor #ae3ai74 ,first of all1 men the most miserable1 because we let go present enjoyments for those that will never come1 if the dead rise not4 ,of all men most miserable1 because our faith1 our hope1 our joy1 and peace1 are all but a lie1 if the dead rise not4 ,but you will say1 he that giveth up himself to ,god shall have comfort in this life4 ,ah6 but if the dead rise not1 all our comfort that now we think we have from ,god1 will then be found presumption and madness1 because we believe1 that ,god hath so loved us1 as to have us in his day1 in body and soul1 to heaven3 which will be nothing so1 if the dead rise not4 ,if in this life only1 we have hope in ,christ1 we are of all men most miserable4 ,poor ,christian6 thou that lookest for the blessed hope of the resurrection of the body1 at the glorious appearing of the great ,god1 and our ,saviour ,jesus ,christ1 how wilt thou be deceived1 if the dead rise not6 ,but now is ,christ risen from the dead1 and become the first-fruits of them that slept4 ,for since by man came death1 by man came also the resurrection of the dead 7#a ,cor #ae3bj1ba74 #e4 ,but again2 he that denieth the resurrection of the dead1 he setteth open a flood-gate to all manner of impiety2 he cutteth the throat of a truly holy life1 and layeth the reins upon the neck of the most outrageous lusts2 for if the dead rise not1 let us eat and drink2 that is1 do anything1 though never so diabolical and hellish2 let us eat and drink1 for to-morrow we die 7#a ,cor #ae3cb71 and there is an end of us2 we shall not arise again1 to receive either evil or good4 #f4 ,to deny this resurrection1 nay1 if a man do but say1 it is past either with him or any ,christian3 his so saying tendeth directly to the destruction and overthrow of the faith of them that hear him2 and is so far from being according to the doctrine of ,god1 that it eateth out good and wholesome doctrine even as cankers eat the face and flesh of a man4 ,how ill-favouredly do they look1 that have their nose and lips eaten off with the canker8 ,even so badly doth the doctrine of no resurrection of the dead1 look in the eyes of ,god1 ,christ1 saints1 and scripture 7#b ,tim #b3ah74 #g4 ,i conclude then1 that to deny the resurrection of the bodies of the just1 it argueth1 7#a47 ,great ignorance of ,god1 ignorant of his power to raise1 ignorant of his promise to raise1 ignorant of his faithfulness to raise2 and that both to himself1 ,son1 and saints1 as ,i shewed before4 ,therefore saith ,paul to those that were thus deluded1 ,awake to righteousness1 and sin not2 for some have not the knowledge of ,god4 ,i speak this to your shame 7#a ,cor #ae3cd74 ,as if he had said1 ,do you profess ,christianity8 and do you question the resurrection of the body8 ,do you now know1 that the resurrection of the body1 and glory to follow1 is the very quintessence of the gospel of ,jesus ,christ8 ,are you ignorant of the resurrection of the ,lord ,jesus1 and do you question the power and faithfulness of ,god1 both to his ,son and his saints2 because you say1 there shall be no resurrection of the dead8 ,you are ignorant of ,god2 of what he can do1 of what he will do1 and of what he will by doing glorify himself4 7#b47 ,as it argueth very great ignorance of ,god's power1 faithfulness1 c41 so it argueth gross ignorance of the tenor and current of the scriptures2 for as touching the dead1 that they rise3 have ye not read in the book of ,moses saith ,christ how in the bush1 ,god spake unto him1 saying1 ,i am the ,god of ,abraham1 and the ,god of ,isaac1 and the ,god of ,jacob8 ,he is not the ,god of the dead1 but the ,god of the living3 ye therefore do greatly err 7,mark #ab3bf1bg74 ,to be the ,god of ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob1 it is to be understood of his being their ,god under a new covenant consideration2 as he saith1 ,i will be their ,god1 and they shall be my people4 ,now1 thus he is not the ,god of the dead--that is1 of those that perish1 whether they be angels or men 7,heb #h3aj1aa2 ,john #h3db2 #a ,john #c3h-aj2 ,hosea #f3b2 ,col #c3d2 ,eph #a3d74 ,now1 ,i say1 they that are the children of ,god1 as ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob1 they are counted the living under a threefold consideration--7a47 ,in their ,lord and head1 and thus all the elect may be said to live2 for they are from eternity chosen in him1 who also is their life1 though possibly many of them yet unconverted4 ,i say1 yet ,christ is their life1 by the eternal purpose of ,god4 7b47 ,the children of the new covenant1 do live both in their spirits in glory1 by open vision1 and here by faith and the continual communication of grace from ,christ into their souls 7,gal #b3bj74 7c47 ,they live also with respect to their rising again2 for ,god calleth those things which be not as though they were 7,rom #d3ag74 ,to be born1 dead1 buried1 risen1 and ascended1 are all present with ,god1 he liveth not by time1 as we do--a thousand years to him are but as the day that is past4 ,and again1 ,one day is as a thousand years 7#b ,peter #c3h74 ,eternity1 which is ,god himself1 admitteth of no first1 second1 and third2 all things are naked and bare before him1 and present with him 7,heb #d3ac2 ,isa #df3i1aj72 all his live unto him4 ,there shall be a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust 7,rom #h3bi-cd74 ,a resurrection--of what8 ,of that which is sown1 or of that which was never sown8 ,if of that which is sown1 then it must be either of that nature that was sown1 or else of the corruption that cleaveth to it2 but it is the nature1 and not the corruption that cleaveth unto it1 that riseth again4 ,and verily1 the very term resurrection is a forcible argument to prove the dead shall come forth of their graves2 for the ,holy ,ghost hath always spoken more properly than to say1 ,there shall be a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust2 when yet neither the good nor the bad shall come forth of their graves1 but rather something else to delude the world withal4 ,having thus in few words1 shewed you the truth of the resurrection of the dead1 ,i now come1 ,,second--,to the manner of their rising4 ,,the ,,manner ,,of ,,the ,,resurrection ,,of ,,the ,,just4 ,and ,,first of the just4 ,the apostle1 when he had in the fifteenth of the #ast of the ,corinthians proved the truth and certainty of the resurrection1 he descends to the discovery of the manner of it2 and to the end1 he might remove those foolish scruples that attend the hearts of the ignorant1 he begins with one of their questions--,but some man will say1 saith he1 ,how are the dead raised up8 and with what body do they come8 7verse #ce74 ,to which he answereth1 ,first1 ,by a similitude of seed1 that is sown in the earth4 ,in which similitude1 he inserteth three things-- #a4 ,that our reviving or rising1 must be after death--,that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die 7verse #cf74 #b4 ,that at our rising1 we shall not only revive and live1 but be changed into a far more glorious state than when we were sown4 ,that which thou sowest1 thou sowest not that body that shall be1 c4 ,but ,god giveth it a body as it hath pleased him 7verse #ch7--that is1 he giveth the body more splendour1 lustre1 and beauty at its resurrection4 ,but1 #c4 ,neither its quickening1 not yet its transcendent splendour1 shall hinder it from being the same body--as to the nature of it--that was sown in the earth2 for as ,god giveth it a body1 for honour and splendour as it pleaseth him1 so to every seed his own body 7verse #ch74 ,and1 indeed1 this similitude by which he here reasoneth the manner of the resurrection of the just1 is very natural1 and fitly suiteth each particular2 for1 as to its burial--7#a47 ,the corn of wheat is first dead1 and after sown and buried in the earth2 and so is the body of man4 7#b47 ,after the corn is thus dead and buried1 then it quickeneth and reviveth to life3 so also shall it be with our body2 for after it is laid in the grave and buried1 it shall then quicken1 rise1 and revive4 ,again1 as to the manner of its change in its rising1 this similitude also doth fitly suit2 as1 ,it is sown a dead corn2 it is raised a living one4 ,it is sown dry1 and without comeliness2 it riseth green and beautiful4 ,it is sown a single corn2 it riseth a full ear4 ,it is sown in its husk2 but in its rising it leaveth that husk behind it4 ,further1 though the kernel thus die1 be buried1 and meet with all this change and alteration in these things1 yet none of them can cause the nature of the kernel to cease--it is wheat still4 ,wheat was sown and wheat ariseth2 only it was sown dead1 dry1 and barren wheat2 and riseth living1 beautiful1 and fruitful wheat4 ,it hath this alteration1 then1 that it doth greatly change its resemblance1 though yet it hath this power1 as still to retain its own nature4 ,god giveth it a body as it pleaseth him1 but to every seed his own body4 ,the apostle having thus presented the manner of the resurrection of the saints by the nature of seed sown and rising again2 he proceedeth1 ,second1 for further illustration1 to three more similitudes--,the first is1 to shew us the variety and glory of flesh4 ,the second is1 to shew us the difference of glory that is between heavenly bodies1 and those that are earthy4 ,the third is1 to shew us the difference that is between the glory of the light of the sun1 from that of the moon2 and also how one star differeth from another in glory3 and then concludeth1 so is the resurrection of the dead 7#a ,cor #ae3ci-dc74 ,as who should say1 at the resurrection of the bodies1 they will be abundantly more altered and changed1 than if the flesh of beasts and fowls were made as noble as the flesh of men2 or the bodies of earth1 were made as excellent as the heavenly bodies1 or as if the glory of the moon should be made as bright1 and as clear as the glory of the sun2 or as if the glory of the least star was as glorious1 and as shining1 as the biggest in the firmament of heaven4 ,it is a resurrection indeed1 a resurrection every way4 ,the body ariseth1 as to the nature of it1 the self-same nature2 but as to the manner of it2 how far transcendent is it6 ,there is a poor1 dry1 wrinkled kernel cast into the ground1 and there it lieth1 and swelleth1 breaketh1 and1 one would think1 perisheth2 but behold1 it receiveth life1 it chitteth1#b it putteth forth a blade1 and groweth into a stalk1 there also appeareth an ear2 it also sweetly blossoms1 with a full kernel in the ear3 it is the same wheat1 yet behold how the form and fashion of that which now ariseth1 doth differ from that which then was sown2 its glory also when 'twas sown1 is no glory1 when compared with that in which it riseth4 ,and yet it is the same that riseth that was sown1 and no other2 though the same after a far more glorious manner2 not the same with its husk1 but without it4 ,our bran shall be left behind us when we rise again4 ,the comparison also between the bodies heavenly and bodies earthly holds forth the same--,the glory of the celestial is one1 and the glory of the terrestrial is another4 ,now mark it2 he doth not speak here of the natures of each of these bodies2 but of the transcendent glory of one above another4 ,the glory of the heavenly is one1 and the glory of the earthly is another4 ,wherefore ,i say1 at our rising1 we shall not change our nature1 but our glory2 we shall be equal to the angels 7,luke #bj3cf71 not with respect to their nature1 but glory4 ,the nature also of the moon is one thing1 and the glory of the moon is another2 and so one star also differeth from another in glory4 ,a beggar hath the same nature as a king1 and gold in the ore1 the same nature with that which is best refined2 but the beggar hath not the same glory with the king1 nor yet the gold in ore1 the same glory with that which is refined4 ,but our state will be far more altered than any of these in the days when we1 like so many suns in the firmament of heaven1 arise out of the heart and bowels of the earth4 ,these things thus considered do shew you how vainly they argue1 that say1 our human nature consisting of body and soul1 shall not inherit the kingdom of ,god1 and also how far from their purpose1 that saying of the apostle is1 which saith1 that flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of ,god4 ,and now also1 because ,i am fallen upon the objection itself1 ,i shall not pass it1 but with a short dash at it4 ,wherefore reader1 whoever thou art1 consider that frequently in scripture the words flesh and blood1 as also in the place alleged1 are not to be understood of that matter which ,god made2 which flesh cleaveth to our bones1 and blood runs in our veins3 but is taken for that corruption1 weakness1 mortality1 and evil that cleaveth to it2 which weakness and corruption1 because it possesseth all men1 and also wholly ruleth where the soul is unconverted2 therefore it beareth the name of that which is ruled and acted by it--to wit1 our whole man1 consisting of body and soul2 yet1 ,i say1 is a thing distinct from that flesh and blood which is essential to our being1 and without which we are no men4 ,as1 for instance1 he that is ,christ's1 saith ,paul1 hath crucified the flesh1 with the affections and lusts 7,gal #e3bd71 ,who is so vain as to think that the apostle by these words1 should mean our material flesh that hangeth on our bones1 and that is mixed with our natural blood1 sinews1 and veins2 and not rather of that inward fountain of sin1 corruption1 and wickedness1 which in another place he calleth the old man1 with his deceitful lusts 7,eph #d3bb74 ,again1 ,the flesh lusteth against the spirit1 and the spirit against the flesh4 ,is it our flesh that hangeth on our bones1 which lusteth against the spirit8 and that also against which the spirit lusteth8 ,certainly1 if the spirit lusteth against our material flesh1 then it is our duty not to nourish it at all1 because1 by nourishing of it we nourish that against which the ,spirit of ,god fighteth1 and warreth4 ,nay1 if the spirit lust against the flesh on our bones simply considered as flesh2 and if it be our duty to follow the ,spirit1 as it is1 then we must needs kill ourselves1 or cut our flesh from our bones4 ,for whatever the ,spirit of ,god lusteth against1 it must be destroyed2 yea1 it is our duty with all speed to destroy it4 ,but wilt thou know1 ,o vain man1 that by flesh here is to be understood1 not the nature that ,god hath made1 but the corrupt apprehension1 and wisdom1 with those inclinations to evil1 that lodge within us1 which in another place are called the wisdom of the flesh1 yea1 in plain terms1 flesh and blood1 where ,christ saith1 ,flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee1 but my ,father which is in heaven 7,matt #af3ag74 ,nay1 observe it1 all these places1 with many others1 do rather point at a corrupt soul1 than a corrupt body2 for1 indeed1 sin and all spiritual wickedness1 they have their seat in the heart and soul of a man1 and by their using this or that member of the body1 so defile the man2 the weaknesses of the body1 or that attend our material flesh and blood1 they are weaknesses of another kind1 as sickness1 aches1 pains1 sores1 wounds1 defection of members1 c4 ,wherefore1 where you read of flesh and blood1 as rejected of ,god2 especially1 when it speaks of the flesh and blood of saints1 you are not to understand it as meant of the flesh1 which is their proper human nature1 but of that weakness which cleaveth to it4 ,paul in another place1 reckoneth up the works of the flesh1 in many things1 as in witchcraft1 hatred1 variance1 strife1 emulation1 fornication1 and many others4 ,but can any imagine1 that he there should strike at that flesh which hangeth on our bones1 or rather at that malignity and rebellion that is in the mind of man against the ,lord1 by reason of which the members of the body are used this way1 and also sometimes that1 to accomplish its most filthy and abusive deeds 7,gal #e3ag-ba74 ,they were--enemies in their mind by wicked works 7,col #a3ba74 ,thus you see that flesh and blood is not to be taken always for the flesh that is upon our hands1 and feet1 and other parts of our body2 but for that sin1 weakness1 and infirmity1 that cleaveth to our whole man4 ,further then1 touching our real substantial flesh1 it may be either considered as ,god's creature purely1 or as corrupted with sin and infirmity4 ,now if you consider it as corrupted1 so it shall not inherit the kingdom of ,god3 but yet consider it as ,god's creature1 and so all that ,god hath converted to himself1 through ,jesus ,christ1 shall1 even with that body when changed1 inherit the kingdom of ,god4 ,the woman whose clothes are foul1 can yet distinguish between the dirt and the cloth on which it hangeth2 and so deals ,god with us4 ',tis true1 there is not one saint1 but while he liveth here1 his body is arrayed and infected with many corrupt and filthy things1 as touching bodily weaknesses2 yea1 and also with many sinful infirmities1 by reason of that body of sin and death that yet remains in us3 but yet ,god1 ,i say1 distinguisheth between our weaknesses1 and his workmanship1 and can tell how to save the whole man of his people1 while he is destroying the corruption and weakness that cleaveth to them4 ,and now to return to the place objected--,flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of ,god4 ,it cannot be truly understood1 that that flesh which is man's nature shall not enter the kingdom2 for then1 as ,i said before1 ,christ must lose his members1 the purchase of his blood1 the vessels and temples of his ,spirit2 for all this is our body4 ,again1 then ,christ also1 in that his body1 which is also our flesh and blood1 is not in glory1 contrary to the whole current of the ,new ,testament 7,heb #b3ad1ae2 #g3bd1be2 #h2c1d2 #aj3aj-ab2 ,rev #a3ah2 #b3h74 ,yea1 it would be nonsense to say1 there should be a resurrection1 and that our vile body shall be changed1 and made like to the glorious body of the ,son of ,god2 if this body do not at all rise again1 but some other thing1 which is not in us1 and our nature4 ,but to be short2 the apostle here1 when he saith1 ,flesh and blood cannot inherit1 c41 speaks properly of that mortality and weakness1 that now attends our whole man1 and not of our real substantial body itself4 ,for after he had said1 ,flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of ,god1 he adds1 neither doth corruption inherit incorruption1 which two sayings are answerable to what he presently adds1 saying1 ,behold1 ,i shew you a mystery2 we shall not all sleep1 but we shall all be changed1 in a moment1 in the twinkling of an eye1 at the last trump3 for the trumpet shall sound1 and the dead--mark1 the dead shall be raised incorruptible--that is1 the dead shall be so raised as that in their rising1 incorruption shall possess them instead of corruption1 and immortality instead of that mortality that descended to the grave with them1--for this corruptible--mark1 this corruptible--must put on incorruption1 and this mortal must put on immortality4 ,mark1 ,i say1 it is this corruptible1 and this mortal1 that must be raised1 though not corruptible and mortal1 as it was buried2 but immortal and incorruptible2 it shall leave its grave-clothes of corruption and mortality behind it 7#a ,cor #ae3ej-ec74 ,,third4 ,the manner of which their rising1 the apostle doth more distinctly branch out a little above in four particulars1 which particulars are these that follow--#a4 ,it is sown in corruption2 it is raised in incorruption4 #b4 ,it is sown in dishonour1 it is raised in glory4 #c4 ,it is sown in weakness1 it is raised in power4 #d4 ,it is sown a natural body1 it is raised a spiritual body 7#a ,cor #ae74 #a4 ,it is raised in incorruption4 ,we are brought into this world by sin and corruption2 corruption is our father1 and in sin did our mother conceive us 7,job #ag3ad2 ,psa #ea3e74 ,and hence it is that we have our life1 not only like a span1 shadow1 or post1 for shortness1 but also1 that it is attended with so much vanity and vexation of spirit4 ,but now being raised from the dead incorruptible1 which is also called a begetting and birth1 these things that now in our life annoy us1 and at last take away our life1 are effectually destroyed2 and therefore we live for ever1 as saith the ,spirit--,and there shall be no more death1 neither sorrow1 nor crying1 neither shall there be any more pain3 for the former things1 that is1 all our corruptibleness1 are passed away 7,rev #ba3d74 ,there shall be in our resurrection no corruption1 either of body or of soul2 no weakness1 nor sickness1 nor anything tending that way2 as he saith1 ,he will present us to himself a glorious church1 not having spot1 or wrinkle1 or any such thing 7,eph #e3bg74 ,therefore1 when he saith it is raised in incorruption1 it is as if he had said1 ,it is impossible that they should ever sin more1 be sick more1 sorrow more1 or die more4 ,they which shall be counted worthy to obtain that world1 and the resurrection from the dead1 neither marry1 nor are given in marriage2 though 'twas thus with them in this world2 neither can they die any more1 for they are equal unto the angels2 and are the children of ,god1 being the children of the resurrection 7,luke #bj3ce1 #cf74 #b4 ,it is raised in glory4 ,the dishonour that doth attend the saint at his departing this world1 it is very great--he is sown in dishonour2 he is so loathsome at his death1 that his dearest friends are weary of him1 stop their noses at him1 see no beauty in him1 nor set any price upon him1 7,i speak nothing here how some of them are hanged1 starved1 banished1 and so die1 torn to pieces1 and not suffered to be put into graves17 but it is raised in glory4 ,glory is the sweetness1 comeliness1 purity1 and perfection of a thing4 ,the light is the glory of the sun1 strength is the glory of youth1 and grey hairs are the glory of old age--that is1 it is the excellency of these things1 and that which makes them shine 7#a ,cor #ae3dj1da2 ,prov #bj3bi74 ,therefore1 to arise in glory1 it is first to arise in all the beauty1 and utmost completeness that is possible to possess a human creature2 ,i say1 in all its features and members1 inconceivably beautiful4 ,sin and corruption have made mad work in our bodies as well as in our souls4 ',tis sin commonly that is the cause of all the deformity and ill-favouredness that now cleaveth to us1 and that also rendereth us so dishonourable at our death2 but now at our rising1 we being raised incorruptible1 we shall appear in such perfections1 and that of all sorts1 belonging to the body1 that all the beauty and comeliness1 sweetness and amiableness1 that hath at any time been in this world1 it shall be swallowed up a thousand times told with this glory4 ,the ,psalmist saith of ,christ that he was fairer than the children of men 7,psa #de3b71 and that1 as ,i believe1 in his outward man1 as well as in his inward part4 ,he was the exactest1 purest1 completest1 and beautifulest creature that ever ,god made1 till his visage was so marred by his persecutions2 for in all things he had and shall have the pre-eminence 7,isa #eb3ad2 ,col #a3ah74 ,why1 our bodies at our resurrection will not only be as free from sin1 as his was before he died1 but also as free from all other infirmities as he was after he was raised again4 ,in a word1 if incorruptibleness can put a beauty upon our bodies when they arise1 we shall have it4 ,there shall be no lame legs1 nor crump shoulders1 no bleared eyes1 nor yet wrinkled faces--,he shall change our vile body1 that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body 7,phil #c3ba74 ,again1 all the glory that a glorified soul can help this body to1 it at this day shall enjoy4 ,that soul that hath been these hundreds or thousands of years in the heavens1 soaking in the bosom of ,christ1 it shall in a moment come spangling into the body again1 and inhabit every member and vein of the body1 as it did before its departure4 ,that ,spirit of ,god also that took its leave of the body when it went to the grave1 shall now in all perfection dwell in this body again2 ,i tell you1 the body at this day will shine brighter than the face of ,moses or ,stephen1 even as bright as the sun1 the stars1 and angels4 ,when ,christ who is our life1 shall appear1 then shall ye also appear with him in glory 7,exo #cd3bi1ce2 ,acts #f3ae2 ,dan #ab3c2 ,matt #ac3dc2 ,luke #bj3cf2 ,col #c3c1d74 #c4 ,it is raised in power4 ,while we are here1 we are attended with so many weaknesses and infirmities1 that in time the least sin or sickness is too hard for us1 and taketh away both our strength1 our beauty1 our days1 our breath1 and life1 and all 7,job #ch3ag74 ,but behold1 we are raised in power1 in that power that all these things are as far below us as a grasshopper is below a giant2 at the first appearance of us the world will tremble4 ,behold1 the gates of death and the bars of the grave are now carried away on our shoulders1 as ,samson carried away the gates of the city 7,judg #af3c74 ,death quaketh1 and destruction falleth down dead at our feet3 ,what1 then1 can stand before us8 ,we shall then carry that grace1 majesty1 terror1 and commanding power in our souls that our countenances shall be like lightning#c 7,compare ,luke #bj3af with ,matthew #bh3b1c74 ,for this corruptible must put on incorruption1 and this mortal must put on immortality4 ,so when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption1 and this mortal shall have put on immortality1 then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written1 ,death is swallowed up in victory 7#a ,cor #ae3ec1ed74 #d4 ,it is raised a spiritual body4 ,this is the last particular1 and is indeed the reason of the other three2 it is an incorruptible body1 because it is a spiritual one2 it is a glorious body1 because it is a spiritual one2 it doth rise in power1 because it is a spiritual body4 ,when the body is buried1 or sown in the earth1 it is a body corruptible1 dishonourable1 weak1 and natural2 but when it ariseth1 it doth rise incorruptible1 glorious1 powerful1 and spiritual2 so that so far as incorruption is above corruption1 glory above dishonour1 power above weakness1 and spiritual above natural2 so great an alteration will there be in our body1 when raised again4 ,and yet it is this body and not another2 this in nature1 though changed into a far more glorious state1 a thousand times further than if a hoggard#d was changed to be an emperor4 ,mark1 it is sown a natural body2 a very fit word2 for though there dwell never so much of the ,spirit and grace of ,god in it while it liveth1 yet so soon as the soul is separate from it1 so soon also doth the ,spirit of ,god separate from it1 and so will continue while the day of its rising be come4 ,therefore1 it is laid into the earth a mere lump of man's nature--,it is sown a natural body2 but now at the day when the heavens be no more1 as ,job saith 7#ad3ab71 then the trump shall sound1 even the trump of ,god1 and1 in a moment1 the dead shall be raised incorruptible1 glorious1 and spiritual 7#a ,cor #ae3eb2 #a ,thess #d3af1ag74 ,so that ,i say1 the body when it ariseth1 will be so swallowed up of life and immortality1 that it will be1 as if it had lost its own human nature2 though1 in truth1 the same substantial real nature is every whit there still4 ',tis the same it that riseth1 that was sown2 ,it is sown1 it is raised2 it is sown1 it is raised1 saith the apostle4 ,you know1 that things which are candied1 by the art of the apothecary1 they are so swallowed up with the sweetness and virtue of that in which they are candied1 that they are now1 as though they had no other nature1 than that in which they are boiled3 when yet1 in truth1 the thing candied doth still retain its own proper nature and essence2 though by virtue of its being candied1 it loseth its former sourness1 bitterness1 stinking1 smell1 or the like4 ,just thus1 at the last day1 it will be with our bodies3 we shall be so candied1 by being swallowed up of life1 as before is shewed1 that we shall be1 as if we were all spirit1 when in truth1 it is but this body that is swallowed up of life4 ,and it must needs be1 that our nature still remain1 otherwise it cannot be us that shall be in heaven1 but something besides us4 ,let us lose our proper human nature1 and we lose absolutely our being1 and so are annihilated into nothing4 ,wherefore it1 the same it1 that is sown a natural body1 it shall rise a spiritual body4 ,but again1 as ,i said1 concerning things that are candied2 our body1 when thus risen1 it shall lose all that sourness and stink1 that now1 by reason of sin and infirmity1 cleaveth to it3 neither shall its lumpishness1 or unwieldiness1 be any impediment to its acting after the manner of angels4 ,christ hath shewed us1 what our body at our resurrection shall be1 by shewing of us1 in his word1 what his body was1 at and after1 his resurrection4 ,we read1 that his body1 after he was risen from the dead1 though it yet retained the very same flesh and bones that did hang upon the cross1 yet how angelical was it at all times1 upon all occasions6 ,he could come in to his disciples with that very body1 when the doors were shut upon them3 ,he could1 at pleasure1 to their amazement1 appear in the twinkling of an eye1 in the midst of them3 he could be visible and invisible as he pleased1 when he sat at meat with them3 in a word1 he could pass and repass1 ascend and descend in that body1 with far more pleasure and ease1 than the bird by the art of her wing 7,luke #bd3ca1cb1cf-db1ej1ea2 ,john #bj3ai1bd-bf2 ,acts #a3a-ab2 ,mark #af3ai2 ,eph #d3g-aj74 ,now1 ,i say1 as we have in this world borne the image of our first father2 so1 at that day1 we shall have the image of ,jesus ,christ1 and be as he is--,as is the earthy1 such are they also that are earthy3 and as is the heavenly1 such are they also that are heavenly4 ,and as we have borne the image of the earthy1 we shall also1 7at our resurrection17 bear the image of the heavenly 7#a ,cor #ae3dh1di74 ,it is so in part now1 but shall so be in perfection then4 ,to mount up to heaven1 and to descend again at pleasure1 shall1 with us1 in that day1 be ordinary4 ,if there were ten thousand bars of iron1 or walls of brass1 to separate between us1 and our pleasure and desire1 at that day1 they should as easily be pierced by us1 as is the cobweb1 or air by the beams of the sun3 ,and the reason is1 because to the ,spirit1 wherewith we shall be inconceivably filled at that day1 nothing is impossible 7,matt #ag3bj72 and the working of it at that day1 shall be in that nature and measure as to swallow up all impossibilities4 ,he shall change our vile body1 that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body1--now mark1 according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself 7,phil #c3ba74 ,as who should say1 ,i know that there are many things1 that in this world hinder us from having our bodies like the body of ,christ2 but when ,god shall raise us from the dead1 because he will then have our body like the body of his ,son2 ,he will stretch forth such a power to work upon1 and in our body1 that he will remove all impossibilities and hindrances4 ,nay1 further1 we do not only see what operation the ,spirit will have in our body1 by the carriage of ,christ1 after his resurrection2 but even by many a saint before their death4 ,the ,spirit used to catch ,elijah away1 no man could tell whither4 ,it carried ,ezekiel hither and thither3 ,it carried ,christ from the top of the pinnacle of the temple into ,galilee2 through it he walked on the sea2 the ,spirit caught away ,philip from the eunuch1 and carried him as far as ,azotus 7#a ,kings #ah3aa1ab2 #b ,kings #b3aa2 ,eze #c3ad2 ,luke #d3ad2 ,matt #ad3be2 ,acts #h3ci1dj74 ,thus the great ,god hath given us a taste of the power and glory that is in himself1 and how easily it will help us1 by its possessing #e of us at the resurrection1 to act and do like angels2 as ,christ saith1 ,they that shall be counted worthy of that world1 and of the resurrection from the dead1 they shall not die1 but be equal to the angels 7,luke #ba3cf74 ,further1 as the body by being thus spiritualized1 shall be as ,i have said2 so again it must needs be1 that hereby all the service of the body1 and faculties of the soul1 must be infinitely enlarged also4 ,now we shall see him as he is1 and now we shall know even as we are known 7#a ,john #c3b2 #a ,cor #ac3ab74 ,first1 ,now we shall see him2 to wit1 ,christ in his glory2 not by revelation only1 as we do now1 but then face to face2 and he will have us with him to this very end 7,john #ag3bd74 ,though ,john was in the ,spirit when he had the vision of ,christ1 yet it made him fall at his feet as dead 7,rev #a3ag72 and also turned ,daniels' beauty into corruption 7,dan #aj3h74 ,it was so glorious1 and so overweighing a glory1 that he appeared in2 but we shall1 at the day of our resurrection1 be so furnished1 that we shall with the eagle1 be able to look upon the sun in his strength3 we shall then1 ,i say1 see ,him as he is1 who now is in the light1 that no eye hath seen1 nor any man can see till that day 7#a ,tim #f3af74 ,now we shall see into all things2 there shall not be anything hid from us2 there shall not be a saint1 a prophet1 or saved soul1 small or great1 but we shall then perfectly know them4 ,also1 all the works of creation1 election1 and redemption1 and shall see and know as thoroughly1 all the things of heaven1 and earth1 and hell1 even as perfectly1 as now we know our ,a1 ,b1 ,c4 ,for the ,spirit1 with which we shall in every cranny of soul and body be filled1 ,i say1 searcheth all things1 yea1 the deep things of ,god 7#a ,cor #b3aj74 ,we see what strange things have been known by the prophets and saints of ,god1 and that when they knew but in part4 ,abraham could1 by it1 tell to a day1 how long his seed should be under persecution in ,egypt 7,gen #ae3ac72 ,elisha1 by it1 could tell what was done in the king of ,assyria's bed-chamber 7#b ,kings #f3ab72 ,ahijah could know by this1 ,jeroboam's wife1 so soon1 yea before her feet entered within his door1 though he saw her not 7#a ,kings #ad3a-f74 ,the prophet of ,judah could tell by this1 what ,god would do to ,bethel1 for the idolatry there committed2 and could also point out the man by name that should do the execution1 long before he was born 7#a ,kings #ac3b74 ,what shall ,i say1 ,enoch by it could tell what should be done at the end of the world 7,jude #ad1ae74 ,how did the prophets1 to a circumstance1 prophesy of ,christ's birth1 his death1 his burial1 of their giving him gall and vinegar1 of their parting his raiment1 and piercing his hands and feet6 7,isa #ec74 ,of his riding on an ass also2 all this they saw1 when they spake of him 7,john #ab3da74 ,peter also1 though half asleep1 could at the very first word1 call ,moses and ,elias by their names1 when they appeared to ,christ in the holy mount 7,luke #i3cc74 ,he is very ignorant of the operation of the ,spirit of ,god1 that scrupleth these things4 ,but now1 ,i say1 if these things have been done1 seen1 and known1 by spiritual men1 while their knowledge hath been but in part1 how shall we know1 see1 and discern1 when that which is perfect is come8 ,which will be at the resurrection2 ,it is raised a spiritual body4 ,thus1 in few words1 have ,i shewed you the truth of the resurrection of the just1 and also the manner of their rising4 ,had ,i judged it convenient1 ,i might have much enlarged on each particular1 and have added many more2 for the doctrine of the resurrection1 however questioned by heretics1 and erroneous persons2 yet is such a truth1 that almost all the holy scriptures of ,god point at1 and centre in it4 ,god hath1 from the beginning of the world1 shewed to us1 that our body must be with him1 as well as our soul1 in the kingdom of heaven4 ,i say1 he hath shewed us1 how he will deal with those that are alive at ,christ's coming1 by his translating of ,enoch 7,gen #e3bd71 and by taking him body and soul to himself 7,heb #aa3e72 ,as also1 by his catching of ,elias up body and soul into heaven1 in a fiery chariot 7#b ,kings #b3aa71 and1 ,secondly ,he hath often put us in remembrance of the rising of those that are dead1 at that day1 as1 7#a47 ,by the faith he gave ,abraham1 concerning the offering of his son3 for when he offered him1 he accounted that ,god was able to raise him up1 even from the dead2 from whence also he received him in a figure 7,heb #aa3ai74 ,in a figure of the resurrection of ,christ1 for ,abraham's justification2 and of ,abraham's resurrection by ,christ at the last day1 for his glorification4 7#b47 ,by the faith he gave ,joseph concerning his bones2 which charge1 the godly in ,egypt1 did diligently observe1 and to that end1 did keep them four hundred years2 and at length1 carried them1 ,i say1 from ,egypt to ,canaan1 which was a type of our being carried in our body1 from this world to heaven 7,heb #aa3bb74 ,besides1 how oft did ,god give power to his prophets1 servants1 and ,christ ,jesus1 to raise some that were now dead1 and some that had been long so2 and all1 no doubt1 to put the present generations1 as also the generations yet unborn1 in mind of the resurrection of the dead4 ,to this end1 ,i say1 how was the ,shunammite's son raised from the dead8 7#b ,kings #d74 ,the man also at the touching of the bones of ,elisha8 7#b ,kings #ac3bj1ba74 ,together with the body of ,lazarus1 with ,jairus's daughter1 and ,tabitha1 and many others1 who1 after their souls were departed from them1 ,lazarus lying in his grave four days1 were all raised to life again1 and lived with that very body out of which the soul1 at their death1 had departed 7,luke #h3ec-ef2 ,john #aa3dc1dd2 ,acts #i3dj1da74 ,but above all1 that notable place in ,matthew1 at the resurrection of the ,lord ,jesus1 gives us a notable fore-word of the resurrection of the just4 ,saith the text1 ,and the graves were opened2 and many bodies of the saints which slept arose1 and came out of the graves after his resurrection1 and went into the holy city1 and appeared unto many 7,matt #bg3eb1ec74 ,when the author to the ,hebrews had given us a catalogue of the worthies of the ,old ,testament1 he saith at last1 ,these all died in faith4 ,in the faith of what8 ,that they should lie and rot in their grave eternally8 ,no1 verily2 this is the faith of ,ranters1 not of ,christians4 ,they all died in faith1 that they should rise again2 and therefore counted this world not worth the living in1 upon unworthy terms1 that after death they might obtain a better resurrection 7,heb #aa3ac1ce74 ,it is also worth the considering1 that of ,paul to the ,philippians1 where he saith that he was confident that that ,god that had begun a good work in them would perform it until the day of ,jesus ,christ 7,phil #a3f74 ,which day of ,christ1 was not the day of their conversion1 for that was passed with them already1 they were now the children of ,god2 but this day of ,christ1 it is the same which in other places is called the day when he shall come with the sound of the last trump to raise the dead4 ,for you must know1 that the work of salvation is not at an end with them that are now in heaven2 no1 nor ever will1 until 7as ,i shewed you before7 their bodies be raised again4 ,god1 as ,i have told you1 hath made our bodies the members of ,christ1 and ,god doth not count us thoroughly saved1 until our bodies be as well redeemed and ransomed out of the grave and death1 as our souls from the curse of the law1 and dominion of sin4 ,though ,god's saints have felt the power of much of his grace1 and have had many a sweet word fulfilled on them2 yet one word will be unfulfilled on their particular person1 so long as the grave can shut her mouth upon them3 but1 as ,i said before1 when the gates of death do open before them1 and the bars of the grave do fall asunder2 then shall be brought to pass that saying that is written1 ,death is swallowed up of victory2 and then will they hear that most pleasant voice1 ,awake and sing1 ye that dwell in dust3 for thy dew is as the dew of herbs1 and the earth shall cast out the dead 7,isa #bf3ai74 ,thus much touching the truth of the resurrection of the just1 with the manner of their rising4 ,now you must know1 that the time of the rising of these just1 will be at the coming of the ,lord3 for when they arise1 nay1 just before they are raised1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ will appear in the clouds in flaming fire1 with all his mighty angels2 the effect of which appearing will be the rising of the dead1 c4 ,for the ,lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout1 saith ,paul1 and with the voice of the archangel1 and with the trump of ,god1 and the dead shall rise 7#b ,thess #a3h2 #a ,thess #d3af2 #a ,cor #ae3eb74 ,now at the time of the ,lord's coming1 there will be found in the world alive both saints and sinners4 ,as for the saints that then shall be found alive1 they shall1 so soon as all the saints are raised out of their graves1 not die1 but be changed1 and swallowed up of incorruption1 immortality1 and glory2 and have the soul-spiritual translation1 as the raised saints shall have2 as he saith1 ,we shall not all die1 or sleep1 but we shall all be changed1 in a moment1 in the twinkling of an eye1--for the trumpet shall sound1 and the dead shall be raised incorruptible1 and we shall be changed 7#a ,cor #ae3ea1eb74 ,and again1 ,for the ,lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout1 with the voice of the archangel1 and with the trump of ,god3 and the dead in ,christ shall rise first3 then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds1 to meet the ,lord in the air3 and so shall we ever be with the ,lord 7#a ,thess #d3af1ag74 ,as he saith also in another place1 he shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom 7#b ,tim #d3a74 ,now when the saints that sleep shall be raised thus incorruptible1 powerful1 glorious1 and spiritual2 and also those that then shall be found alive1 made like them3 then forthwith1 before the unjust are raised1 the saints shall appear before the judgment-seat of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 there to give an account to their ,lord the ,judge1 of all things they have done2 and to receive a reward for their good according to their labour4 ,they shall rise1 ,i say1 before the wicked1 they being themselves the proper children of the resurrection2 that is1 ,those that must have all the glory of it1 both as to pre-eminency and sweetness2 and therefore they are said1 when they rise1 to rise from the dead2 that is1 in their rising1 they leave the reprobate world behind them 7,luke #bj3ce1cf2 ,acts #c3ae2 #d3aj2 #ac3cj2 ,john #ab3a1i1ag74 ,and it must be so1 because also the saints will have done their account1 and be set upon the throne with ,christ1 as kings and princes with him1 to judge the world1 when the wicked world are raised4 ,the saints shall judge the world2 they shall judge angels2 yea1 they shall sit upon the thrones of judgment to do it 7#a ,cor #f3b1c2 ,psa #abb3e74 ,but to pass that1 we come ,,third1 to the examination the just must undergo1 and the account they must give to the ,lord the ,judge2 or1 ,,the ,,judgment ,,of ,,the ,,just4 ,now when the saints are raised1 as ye have heard1 they must give an account of all things1 in general1 that they have done while they were in the world2 of all things1 ,i say1 whether they be good or bad4 ,,first1 ,of all their bad2 but mark1 not under the consideration of vagabonds1 slaves and sinners1 but as sons1 stewards1 and servants of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,that this shall be1 it is evident from divers places of the holy ,scriptures3 ,first1 ,paul saith1 ,we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of ,christ1--we saints--,for it is written1 ,as ,i live1 saith the ,lord1 every knee shall bow to me1 and every tongue shall confess to ,god4 ,so then every one of us shall give account of himself to ,god 7,rom #ad3aj-ab74 ,again1 ,wherefore we labour1 that1 whether present or absent1 we may be accepted of him4 ,for we must all appear before the judgment-seat of ,christ2 that every one of us may receive the things done in his body1 according to what he hath done1 whether it be good or bad 7#b ,cor #e3i1aj74 ,it is true1 ,god loveth his people1 but yet he loveth not their sins1 nor anything they do1 though with the greatest zeal for him1 if he be contrary to his word2 wherefore as truly as ,god will given a reward to his saints and children for all that they have indeed well done2 so truly will he at this day distinguish their good and bad3 and when both are manifest by the righteous judgment of ,christ2 he will burn up their bad1 with all their labour1 travel1 and pains in it for ever4 ,he can tell how to save his people1 and yet take vengeance on their inventions 7,psa #ii3h74 ,that is an observable place1 in the first epistle of ,paul to the ,corinthians1 and the third chapter1 ,if any man build1 saith he1 upon this foundation ,christ gold1 silver1 precious stones1 wood1 hay1 stubble2 every man's work shall be made manifest3 for the day shall declare it1 because it shall be revealed by fire2 and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is4 ,if any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon1 he shall receive a reward4 ,if any man's work shall be burned1 he shall suffer loss2 but he himself shall be saved2 yet so as by fire 7#a ,cor #c3ab-ae74 ,now observe1 #a4 ,as ,i said before1 the foundation is ,christ 7verse #aa74 #b4 ,the gold1 silver1 and precious stones that here are said to be built upon him1 are all the actings in faith and love1 according to the word1 that the saints are found doing for his sake in the world 7#a ,peter #a3g2 ,rev #c3ah74 #c4 ,to build on him wood1 hay1 and stubble1 it is to build1 together with what is right in itself1 human inventions and carnal ordinances1 fathering them still on ,god and his allowance4 #d4 ,the fire that here you read of1 it is the pure word and law of ,god 7,jer #bc3bi2 ,john #ab3dh74 #e4 ,the day that here you read of1 it is the day of ,christ's coming to judgment1 to reveal the hidden things of darkness1 and to make manifest the counsels of the heart 7#a ,cor #d3e74 #f4 ,at this day1 the gold1 silver1 precious stones1 wood1 hay1 and stubble1 and that of every man1 shall be tried by this fire1 that it may be manifest of what sort it is2 the wind1 the rain1 and floods1 beat now as vehemently against the house upon the rock1 as against that on the sand 7,luke #f3dh1di74 ,observe again1 7#a47 ,that the apostle speaks here of the saved1 not of the reprobate--,he himself shall be saved4 7#b47 ,that this saved man may have wood1 hay1 and stubble2 that is1 things that will not abide the trial4 7#c47 ,that neither this man's goodness1 nor yet ,god's love to him1 shall hinder all his wood1 hay1 or stubble from coming on the stage1 ,every man's work shall be manifest3 the fire shall try every man's work1 of what sort it is4 7#d47 ,thus1 a good man shall see all his wood1 hay1 and stubble burnt up in the trial before his face4 7#e47 ,that good man then shall suffer loss1 or1 the loss of all things that are not then according to the word of ,god--,if any man's works shall be burnt1 or any of them1 he shall suffer loss2 but he himself shall be saved2 yet so as by fire--that is1 yet so as that all that ever he hath done1 shall be tried1 and squared by the word of ,god4 ,from all which1 it must be unavoidably concluded1 that the whole body of the elect must count with their ,lord for all things they have done1 whether good or bad1 and that he will destroy all their bad1 with the purity of his word1 yea1 and all their pains1 travel1 and labour that they have spent about it4 ,i am persuaded that there are now many things done by the best of saints1 that then they will gladly disown and be ashamed of2 yea1 which they have and do still do with great devotion4 ,alas1 what gross things do some of the saints in their devotion father upon ,god1 and do reckon him the author thereof1 and that he also prompts them forward to the doing thereof1 and doth give them his presence in the performance of them6 ,yea1 and as they father many superstitions and scriptureless things upon him2 so they die in the same opinion1 and never come in this world1 to the sight of their evil and ignorance herein4#f ,but now the judgment-day is the principal time wherein everything shall be set in its proper place2 that which is of ,god in its place1 and that which is not1 shall now be discovered1 and made manifest4 ,in many things now we offend all2 and then we shall see the many offences we have committed1 and shall ourselves judge them as they are4 ,the ,christian1 is in this world1 so candid a creature1 that take him when he is not under some great temptation1 and he will ingeniously confess to his ,god1 before all men1 how he hath sinned and transgressed against his ,father2 and will fall down at the feet of ,god1 and cry1 ,thou art righteous1 for ,i have sinned2 and thou art gracious1 that1 notwithstanding my sin1 thou shouldest save me4 ,now1 ,i say1 if the ,christian is so simple and plain-hearted with ,god1 in the days of his imperfection1 when he is accompanied with many infirmities and temptations2 how freely will he confess and acknowledge his miscarriages1 when he comes before his ,lord and ,saviour2 absolutely stript of all temptation and imperfection4 ,as ,i live1 saith the ,lord1 every knee shall bow to me1 and every tongue shall confess to ,god 7,rom #ad3aa2 ,phil #b3aj1aa74 ,every knee shall bow1 and reverence ,god the ,creator1 and ,christ the ,redeemer of the world2 and every tongue shall confess1 that his will alone ought by them to have been obeyed in all things2 and shall confess also1 and that most naturally and freely--,i mean1 the saints shall--in how many things they were deceived1 mistaken1 deluded1 and drawn aside in their intended devotion and honour to ,god4 ,second4 ,but yet take notice1 that in this day1 when the saints are thus counting for their evil before their ,saviour and ,judge2 they shall not then1 as now1 at the remembrance and confession of sin1 be filled with the guilt1 confusion1 and shame that now through the weakness of faith attendeth their souls2 neither shall they in the least be grieved or offended1 that ,god hath before the angels and the rest of their holy brethren1 laid open to a tittle their infirmities1 from the least and first1 to the biggest and last4 ,for1 #a4 ,the ,god to whom they confess all1 they will now more perfectly than ever see he doth love them1 and free them from all1 even when and before they confess and acknowledge them to him2 and they shall1 ,i say1 have their soul so full of the ravishing raptures of the life and glory that now they are in1 that they shall be of it swallowed up in that measure and manner1 that neither fear1 nor guilt1 nor confusion can come near them1 or touch them4 ,their ,judge is their ,saviour1 their ,husband1 and ,head2 who1 though he will bring every one of them for all things to judgment1 yet he will keep them for ever out of condemnation1 and anything that tendeth that way4 ,perfect love casteth out fear1 even while we are here2 much more then1 when we are with our ,saviour1 our ,jesus1 being passed from death to life 7,john #e3bd2 #a ,john #d3ah74 #b4 ,the saints at this day1 shall have their hearts and souls so wrapped up in the pleasure of ,god their ,saviour1 that it shall be their delight1 to see all things1 though once never so near and dear unto them2 yet now to perish1 if not according to his word and will4 ,thy will be done1 is to be always our language here 7,matt #f3aj72 but to delight to see it done in all things1 though it tend never so much to the destruction of what we love2 to delight1 ,i say1 to see it done in the height and perfection of delight2 it will be when we come to heaven1 or when the ,lord shall come to judge the world4 ,but1 #c4 ,the sole end of the counting of the saints at the day of ,god1 it will be1 not only for the vindication of the righteousness1 holiness1 and purity of the word1 neither will it centre only in the manifestation of the knowledge and heart-discerning nature of ,christ though both these will be in it1 7,rev #b3bb1bc74 ,but their very remembrances and sight of the sin and vanity that they have done while here2 it shall both set off1 and heighten the tender affections of their ,god unto them2 and also increase their joy and sweetness of soul1 and clinging of heart to their ,god4 ,saints while here1 are sweetly sensible that the sense of sin1 and the assurance of pardon1 will make famous work in their poor hearts4 ,ah1 what meltings without guilt6 what humility without casting down6 and what a sight of the creature's nothingness1 yet without fear1 will this sense of sin work in the soul6 ,the sweetest frame1 the most heart-endearing frame1 that possibly a ,christian can get into while in this world1 is to have a warm sight of sin1 and of a ,saviour upon the heart at one time4 ,now it weeps not for fear and through torment1 but by virtue of constraining grace and mercy1 and is at this very time1 so far off of disquietness of heart1 by reason of the sight of its wickedness1 that it is driven into an ecstasy1 by reason of the love and mercy that is mingled with the sense of sin in the soul4 ,the heart never sees so much of the power of mercy as now1 nor of the virtue1 value1 and excellency of ,christ in all his offices as now1 and the tongue so sweetly enlarged to proclaim and cry up grace as now2 now will ,christ come to be glorified in his saints1 and to be admired in all them that believe 7#b ,thess #a3aj74 ,wherefore1 though the saints receive by faith the forgiveness of sins in this life1 and so are passed from death to life2 yet again1 ,christ ,jesus1 and ,god his ,father1 will have every one of these sins reckoned up again1 and brought fresh upon the stage in the day of judgment1 that they may see and be sensible for ever1 what grace and mercy hath laid hold upon them4 ,and this ,i take to be the reason of that remarkable saying of the apostle ,peter1 ,repent ye therefore1 and be converted1 that your sins may be blotted out1 when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the ,lord2 and he shall send ,jesus ,christ1 which before was preached unto you3 whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things1 which ,god hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began 7,acts #c3ai-ba74 ,if a sense of some sin1 for who sees all8 7,psa #ai3ab71 and a sight of the love of ,god1 will here so work upon the spirit of the godly3 what will a sight of all sin do1 when together with it they are personally present with their ,lord and ,saviour8 ,yea1 if a sight of some sins1 with a possibility of pardon1 will make the heart love1 reverence1 and fear with guiltless and heart-affecting fears2 what will a general sight of all sin1 and together with them an eternal acquittance from them1 work on the heart of the saint for ever8 ,yea1 ,i say again1 if a sight of sin1 and the love of ,god1 will make such work in that soul where yet there is unbelief1 blindness1 mistrust1 and forgetfulness3 what will a sight of sin do in that soul1 who is swallowed up of love1 who is sinless1 and temptationless2 who hath all the faculties of soul and body strained by love and grace1 to the highest pin of perfection1 that is possible to be in glory enjoyed and possessed8 ,oh the wisdom and goodness of ,god1 that he at this day1 should so cast about the worst of our things1 even those that naturally tend to sink us1 and damn us1 for our great advantage6 ,all things shall work together for good1 indeed1 to them that love ,god 7,rom #h3bh74 ,those sins that brought a curse upon the whole world1 that spilt the heart-blood of our dearest ,saviour1 and that laid his tender soul under the flaming wrath of ,god1 shall by his wisdom and love1 tend to the exaltation of his grace1 and the inflaming of our affections to him for ever and ever 7,rev #e3i-ad74 ,it will not be thus with devils2 it will not be thus with reprobates2 the saved only have this privilege peculiar to themselves4 ,wherefore1 to vary a little from the matter in hand3 will ,god make that use of sin1 even in our counting for it1 that shall in this manner work for our advantage8 ,why then1 let saints also make that advantage of their sin1 as to glorify ,god thereby1 which is to be done1 not by saying1 ,let us do evil1 that good may come2 or1 ,let us sin1 that grace may abound2 but by taking occasion by the sin that is past to set the crown upon the head of ,christ for our justification2 continually looking upon it1 so as to press us1 to cleave close to the ,lord ,jesus1 to grace and mercy through him1 and to the keeping of us humble for ever1 under all his dispensations and carriages to us4 ,now1 having counted for all their evil1 and confessed to ,god's glory1 how they fell short1 and did not the truth in this1 or that1 or other particulars1 and having received their eternal acquittance from the ,lord and ,judge1 in the sight of both angels and saints2 forthwith the ,lord ,jesus will make inquiry1 ,,second1 into all the good and holy actions and deeds they did do in the world4 ,now here shall all things be reckoned up1 from the very first good thing that was done by ,adam or ,abel1 to the last that will fall out to be done in the world4 ,the good of all the holy prophets1 of all apostles1 pastors1 teachers1 and helps in the church2 here also will be brought forth and to light1 all the good carriages of masters of families1 of parents1 of children1 of servants1 of neighbours1 or whatever good thing any man doth4 ,but to be general and short1 ,first1 here will be a recompense for all that have sincerely laboured in the word and doctrine--,i say1 a recompense for all the souls they have saved by their word1 and watered by the same4 ,now shall ,paul the planter1 and ,apollos the waterer1 with every one of the their companions1 receive the reward that is according to their works 7#a ,cor #c3f-h74 ,now1 all the preaching1 praying1 watching1 and labour thou hast been at1 in thy endeavouring to catch men from ,satan to ,god1 shall be rewarded with spangling glory4 ,not a soul thou hast converted to the ,lord ,jesus1 nor a soul thou hast comforted1 strengthened1 or helped by thy wholesome counsel1 admonition1 and comfortable speech1 but it shall stick as a pearl in that crown which the ,lord the righteous ,judge1 shall give thee at that day 7#b ,tim #d3g1h74 ,that is1 if thou dost it willingly1 delighting to lift up the name of ,god among men2 if thou doest it with love1 and longing after the salvation of sinners1 otherwise thou wilt have only thy labour for thy pains1 and no more4 ,if ,i do this thing willingly1 ,i have a reward3 but if against my will1 a dispensation of the gospel is committed to my charge 7#a ,cor #i3ag2 ,phil #a3ae74 ,but1 ,i say1 if thou do it graciously1 then a reward followeth2 ,for what is our hope1 or joy1 or crown of rejoicing8 ,are not even ye1 saith ,paul1 in the presence of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ at his coming8 ,for ye are our glory and joy 7#a ,thess #b3ai1bj74 ,let him therefore that ,christ hath put into his harvest1 take comfort in the midst of all his sorrow1 and know that ,god acknowledgeth1 that he that converteth a sinner from the error of his way1 doth even save that soul from death1 and covereth a multitude of sins 7,james #e3bj74 ,wherefore labour to convert1 labour to water1 labour to build up1 and to ,feed the flock of ,god which is among you1 taking the oversight thereof1 not by constraint1 but willingly2 not for filthy lucre1 but of a ready mind2--and when the chief ,shepherd shall appear1 ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away 7#a ,peter #e3b1d74 ,secondly1 ,and as the ministers of ,christ's gospel shall at this day be recompensed2 so shall also those more private saints be with tender affections1 and love looked on1 and rewarded for all their work and labour of love1 which they have shewed to the name of ,christ1 in ministering to his saints1 and suffering for his sake 7,heb #f3aj74 ,whatsoever good thing any man doeth1 the same shall he receive of the ,lord1 whether he be bond or free 7,eph #f3h74 ,ah6 little do the people of ,god think1 how largely and thoroughly1 ,god will at that day1 own and recompense all the good and holy acts of his people4 ,every bit1 every drop1 every rag1 and every night's harbour1 though but in a wisp of straw1 shall be rewarded in that day before men and angels--,whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple1 verily ,i say unto you1 saith ,christ1 he shall in no wise lose his a disciple's reward 7,matt #aj3db74 ,therefore ,when thou makest a feast1 saith he1 call the poor1 the maimed1 the lame1 the blind3 ,and thou shalt be blessed2 for they cannot recompense thee3 for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just 7,luke #ad3ac1ad74 ,if there be any repentance among the godly at this day1 it will be1 because the ,lord ,jesus1 in his person1 members1 and word1 was no more owned1 honoured1 entertained1 and provided for by them1 when they were in this world3 ,for it will be ravishing to all1 to see what notice the ,lord ,jesus will then take of every widow's mite4 ,he1 ,i say1 will call to mind1 even all those acts of mercy and kindness1 which thou hast shewed to him1 when thou wast among men4 ,i say1 he will remember1 cry up1 and proclaim before angels and saints1 those very acts of thine1 which thou hast either forgotten1 or1 through bashfulness wilt not at that day count worth the owing4 ,he will reckon them up so fast1 and so fully1 that thou wilt cry1 ,lord1 when did ,i do this8 and when did ,i do the other8 ,when saw we thee an hungered1 and fed thee8 or thirsty1 and gave thee drink8 ,when saw we thee a stranger1 and took thee in8 or naked1 and clothed thee8 ,or when saw we thee sick1 or in prison1 and came unto thee8 ,and the ,king shall answer and say unto them1 ,verily ,i say unto you1 inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren1 ye have done it unto me 7,matt #be3cg-dj74 ,the good works of some are manifest beforehand2 and they that are otherwise cannot be hid 7#a ,tim #e3be74 ,whatever thou hast done to one of the least of these my brethren1 thou hast done it unto me4 ,i felt the nourishment of thy food1 and the warmth of thy fleece4 ,i remember thy loving and holy visits when my poor members were sick1 and in prison1 and the like4 ,when they were strangers1 and wanderers in the world1 thou tookest them in4 ,well done1 thou good and faithful servant2--enter thou into the joy of thy ,lord 7,matt #be3ba-bc2 #cd-dg74 ,thirdly1 ,here also will be a reward for all that hardness1 and ,christian enduring of affliction that thou hast met with for thy ,lord1 while thou wast in the world4 ,here now will ,christ begin from the greatest suffering1 even to the least1 and bestow a reward on them all3 from the blood of the suffering saint1 to the loss of a hair3 nothing shall go unrewarded 7,heb #aa3cf-dj2 #b ,cor #h3h-ad74 ,for our light affliction1 which is but for a moment1 worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 7#b ,cor #d3ag74 ,behold by the scriptures how ,god hath recorded the sufferings of his people1 and also how he hath promised to reward them--,blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake3 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven4 ,blessed are ye1 when men shall revile you1 and speak all manner of evil against you falsely1 for my sake4 ,rejoice1 leap for joy1 and be exceeding glad3 for great is your reward in heaven 7,matt #e3aa1ab2 ,luke #f3bb1bc74 ,and every one that hath forsaken houses1 or brethren1 or sisters1 or father1 or mother1 or wife1 or children1 or lands1 for my name's sake1 shall receive an hundred-fold1 and shall inherit everlasting life 7,matt #ai3bi74 ,fourthly1 ,there is also a reward at this day1 for all the more secret1 and more retired works of ,christianity4 #a4 ,there is not now one act of faith in thy soul1 either upon ,christ1 or against the ,devil1 and ,antichrist2 but it shall in this day be found out1 and praised1 honoured and glorified1 in the face of heaven 7#a ,peter #a3g74 #b4 ,there is not one groan to ,god in secret1 against thy own lusts1 and for more grace1 light1 spirit1 sanctification1 and strength to go through this world like a ,christian3 but it shall even at the coming of ,christ be rewarded openly 7,matt #f3f74 #c4 ,there hath not one tear dropped from thy tender eye against thy lusts1 the love of this world1 or for more communion with ,jesus ,christ1 but as it is now in the bottle of ,god2 so then it shall bring forth such plenty of reward1 that it shall return upon thee with abundance of increase4 ,blessed are ye that weep now3 for ye shall laugh 7,luke #f3ba74 ,thou tellest my wanderings3 put thou my tears into thy bottle2 are they not in thy book8 7,psa #ef3h74 ,they that sow in tears shall reap in joy4 ,he that goeth forth and weepeth1 bearing precious seed1 shall doubtless come again with rejoicing1 bringing his sheaves with him 7,psa #abf3e1f74 ,having thus in brief shewed you something concerning the resurrection of the saints1 and that they shall count with their ,lord at his coming1 both for the burning up what was not according to the truth1 and rewarding them for all their good4 ,it remains1 that ,i now in few words1 ,,fourth1 ,shew you something also of that with which they shall be rewarded4 ,,the ,,reward ,,of ,,the ,,just4 ,first then1 those that shall be found in the day of their resurrection1 when they shall have all their good things brought upon the stage2 they ,i say1 that then shall be found the people most laborious for ,god while here2 they shall at that day enjoy the greatest portion of ,god1 or shall be possessed with most of the glory of the ,godhead then4 ,for that is the portion of saints in general 7,rom #h3ag2 ,lam #c3bd74 ,and why shall he that doth most for ,god in this world1 enjoy most of him in that which is to come8 ,but because by doing and acting1 the heart1 and every faculty of the soul is enlarged1 and more capacitated1 whereby more room is made for glory4 ,every vessel of glory shall at that day be full of it2 but every one will not be capable to contain a like measure2 and so if they should have it communicated to them1 would not be able to stand under it2 for there is an eternal weight in the glory that saints shall then enjoy 7#b ,cor #d3ag71 and every vessel must be at that day filled--that is1 have its heavenly load of it4 ,all ,christians have not the same enjoyment of ,god in this life1 neither indeed were they able to bear it if they had it 7#a ,cor #c3b74 ,but those ,christians that are most laborious for ,god in this world1 they have already most of him in their souls1 and that not only because diligence in ,god's ways1 is the means whereby ,god communicates himself2 but also because thereby the senses are made more strong1 and able1 by reason of use1 to understand ,god1 and to discern both good and evil 7,heb #e3ac1ad74 ,to him that hath1 to him shall be given1 and he shall have more abundance 7,matt #ac3aa1ab74 ,he that laid out his pound for his master1 and gained ten therewith1 he was made ruler over ten cities2 but he that by his pound gained but five1 he was made ruler over but five 7,luke #ai3af-ai74 ,often1 he that is best bred in his youth1 he is best able to manage most1 when he is a man1 touching things of this life 7,dan #a3c1d72 but always he that is best bred1 and that is most in the bosom of ,god1 and that so acts for him here2 he is the man that will be best able to enjoy most of ,god in the kingdom of heaven4 ,it is observable that ,paul saith1 ,our--affliction--worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 7#b ,cor #d3ag74 ,our afflictions do it1 not only because there is laid up a reward for the afflicted1 according to the measure of affliction2 but because afflictions1 and so every service of ,god1 doth make the heart more deep1 more experimental1 more knowing and profound2 and so more able to hold1 contain1 and bear more 7,psa #aai3ga74 ,every man shall receive his own reward1 according to his own labour 7#a ,cor #c3h74 ,and this is the reason of such sayings as these--,lay up for yourselves a good foundation against the time to come1 that you may lay hold on eternal life 7#a ,tim #f3ai71 which eternal life1 is not the matter of our justification from sin in the sight of ,god2 for that is done freely by grace1 through faith in ,christ's blood2 7but here the apostle speaks of giving of alms7 but it is the same that in the other place he calls the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory4 ,and hence it is that he in his stirring them up to be diligent in good works1 doth tell them1 that he doth not exhort them to it because he wanted1 but because he would have fruit that might abound to their account 7,phil #d3ag72 as he saith also in another place1 ,beloved brethren1 be ye stedfast1 unmoveable1 always abounding in the work of the ,lord1 forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the ,lord 7#a ,cor #ae3eh74 ,therefore ,i say1 the reward that the saints shall have at this day for all the good they have done1 it is the enjoyment of ,god1 according to their works3 though they shall be freely justified and glorified without works4 ,second1 ,as the enjoyment of ,god at that day1 will be to the saints1 according to their works and doings--,i speak not now of justification from sin--so will their praise and commendations at that day1 be according to the same1 and both of them their degrees of glory2 for ,i say1 as ,god by communicating of himself unto us at that day1 will thereby glorify us1 so also he will for the adding all things that may furnish with glory every way1 cause to be proclaimed in the face of heaven1 and in the presence of all the holy angels2 everything that hath for ,god1 his ways1 and people1 been done by us while here we have been4 ,whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light2 and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops 7,luke #ab3b1c74 ,again1 ,he that shall confess me1 saith ,christ1 before men1 him will ,i confess also before my ,father which is in heaven 7,matt #aj3cb74 ,now as he of whom ,christ is ashamed when he comes in his glory1 and in the glory of the holy angels1 will then lie under inconceivable disgrace1 shame1 dishonour1 and contempt3 so he whom ,christ shall confess1 own1 commend1 and praise at that day1 must needs have very great dignity1 honour1 and renown1 for then shall every man have praise of ,god--to wit1 according to his works 7#a ,cor #d3e74 ,now will ,christ proclaim before thee and all others what thou hast done1 and what thou hast suffered1 what thou hast owned1 and what thou hast withstood for his name 7,mark #h3ch74 ,this is he that forsook his goods1 his relations1 his country1 and life for me3 this is the man that overcame the flatteries and threats1 allurements and enticings1 of a whole world for me2 behold him1 he is an ,israelite indeed 7,john #a3dg71 the top man in his generation1 none like him in all the earth 7,job #a3h74 ,it is said1 that when king ,ahasuerus had understanding of how good service ,mordecai the ,jew had done to and for him1 he commanded that the royal apparel and the crown1 with the horse that the king did ride on1 should be given to him1 and that he should with that crown1 apparel1 and horse1 be had through the city1 in the presence of all his nobles1 and that proclamation should be made before him1 ,thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour 7,esth #f3i-aa74 ,ahasuerus in this was a type to hold forth to the children of ,god1 how kindly he will take all their labour and service of love1 and how he will honour and dignify the same2 as ,christ saith1 ,let your loins be girded about1 and your lights burning2 ,and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord1 when he will return from the wedding2 that when he cometh and knocketh1 they may open unto him immediately4 ,blessed are those servants1 whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching3 verily ,i say unto you1 that he shall gird himself1 and make them sit down to meat1 and will come forth and serve them 7,luke #ab3ce-eg74 ,the meaning is1 that those souls that shall make it their business to honour the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 in the day of their temptation2 he will make it his business to honour and glorify them in the day of his glorification 7,john #ab3bf74 ,verily1 ,i say unto you1 that he will make them sit down to meat1 and shall come forth and serve them4 ,if any man will serve me1 saith he1 him will my ,father honour4 ,it hath been ,god's way in this world to proclaim the acts and doings of his saints in his word before all in this world1 and he will do it in that which is to come 7,mark #ad3i2 ,rev #c3d2 #ad3a-f74 ,third1 ,another thing that shall be yet added to the glory of the saints1 in the kingdom of their ,saviour1 at his coming is1 they shall every one of them then have his throne and place of degree on ,christ's right hand1 and on his left1 in his glorious kingdom1 according to the relation they stand in to ,christ1 as the members of his body2 for as ,christ will have a special eye on us1 and a tender and affectionate heart1 to recompense to the full every good thing that any man doth for his name in this world3 so also he will have as great regard1 that there be to every member of his body1 the place1 and state that is comely for every such member4 ,when the mother of ,zebedee's children petitioned our ,saviour that he would grant to her1 that her two sons might sit1 the one on his right hand1 and the other on his left1 in his kingdom3 though he did not grant to her the request for her children1 yet he affirmed that there would be places of degrees and honour in heaven1 saying1 ,to sit on my right hand1 and on my left1 is not mine to give1 but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my ,father 7,matt #bj3bj-bc74 ,in the temple1 there were chambers bigger and lesser1 higher and lower1 more inward and more outward3 which chambers were types of the mansions that our ,lord when he went away1 told us he went to prepare for us4 ,in my ,father's house are many mansions3 if it were not so1 ,i would have told you4 ,i go to prepare a place for you 7,john #ad3b1c74 ,the foot here1 shall not have the place prepared for the eye1 nor yet the hand1 that which is prepared for the ear1 but every one shall have his own place in the body of ,christ1 and the glory also prepared for such a relation4 ,order1 as it is comely in earth1 so much more in the kingdom of the ,god of order1 in heaven2 where all things shall be done in their utmost perfections4 ,here shall ,enoch1 ,noah1 ,abraham1 ,moses1 ,joshua1 ,david1 with the prophets1 have every one his place1 according to the degree of ,old ,testament saints4 ,as ,god said to ,daniel1 ,go thou thy way till the end be3 for thou shalt rest1 and stand in thy lot at the end of the days 7,dan #ab3ac74 ,and here also shall ,peter1 ,paul1 ,timothy1 and all other the church officers have their place1 and heavenly state1 according as ,god hath set them in the church in the ,new ,testament4 ,as ,paul saith of the deacons1 ,they that have used the office of a deacon well1 purchase to themselves a good degree1 and great boldness in the faith which is in ,christ ,jesus 7#a ,tim #c3ac74 ,and so of all other saints1 be they here of what rank1 quality1 or place in the church soever1 they shall have every one his state1 his heavenly state1 according as he standeth in the body4 ,as he saith1 seeing those members that are most feeble are necessary1 to them shall be given more abundant honour 7#a ,cor #ab3bb1bc74 ,of this heavenly order in the kingdom of ,christ1 when his saints are risen from the dead1 was ,solomon a notable type in his family1 and among his servants and officers1 who kept such exactness in the famous order in which he had placed all about him1 that it did amaze and confound beholders4 ,for when the queen of ,sheba had seen the wisdom of ,solomon1 and the house that he had built1 and the meat of his table1 and the sitting of his servants1 and the attendance of his ministers1 and their apparel2 his cup-bearers also1 and their apparel2 and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the ,lord1 there was no more spirit in her 7#b ,chron #i3c1d74 ,glorious things are spoken of thee1 ,o city of ,god 7,psa #hg3c74 ,having gone thus far1 ,i shall now come to ,,the ,,second ,,part ,,of ,,the ,,text1 ,to wit1 that there shall be a resurrection of the wicked4 ,there shall be a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust2 for as the just go before the unjust1 in name and dignity1 and honour1 so they shall in the last day1 go before them in the resurrection4 ,now1 then1 when the saints have thus risen out of their graves1 given up their accounts1 received their glory1 and are set upon the thrones1 for there are set thrones of judgment1 the thrones of the house of ,david 7,psa #abb3e74 ,when1 ,i say1 they are all of them in their royal apparel1 with crowns of glory1 every one presenting the person of a king1 then come the unjust out of their graves1 to receive their judgment for what they have done in the body4 ,as ,paul saith1 ,we must all appear before the judgment-seat of ,christ1 that every one1 both saints and sinners1 may receive the things done in the body1 whether it be good1 or whether it be bad4 ,but now1 because ,i would prove by the word1 whatever ,i would have others receive for a truth1 therefore ,i shall in few particulars1 ,,first1 prove the resurrection of the wicked4 ,,the ,,resurrection ,,of ,,the ,,wicked4 ,first1 then1 it is evident1 that the wicked shall rise1 from the very terms and names that the raised shall then go under1 which are the very same names that they did go under when they lived in this world4 ,they are called the heathen1 the nations1 the world1 the wicked1 and those that do iniquity2 they are called men1 women1 of ,sodom1 ,sidon1 ,bethsaida1 ,capernaum1 and ,tyre4 ,the men of ,nineveh shall rise up in judgment 7,luke #aj3ab-ad72 the queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment 7,matt #ab3da1db72 and it shall be more tolerable for ,sodom in the day of judgment than for other sinners that have resisted more light 7,matt #aa3ba-bd74 ,the heavens and the earth1 which are now1--are kept in store1 reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men 7#b ,peter #c3g2 ,joel #c3ab-ad74 ,now these terms1 or names1 are not given to the spirits of the wicked only1 but to them as consisting of body and soul4 ,further1 ,christ tells his adversaries1 when they had apprehended him1 and shamefully entreated him1 that yet they should see him sit on the right hand of power1 and coming in the clouds of heaven 7,matt #be3ca1cb2 #bf3fd2 ,jude #ad1ae71 as ,john also doth testify1 saying1 ,behold1 he cometh with clouds2 and every eye shall see him1 and they also which pierced him3 and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him 7,rev #a3g74 ,now none of these sayings are yet fulfilled1 neither shall they1 until his second coming2 for though the ,jews did many of them see him1 when he did hang upon the cross1 yet then he was not coming in the clouds of heaven1 neither did then all kindreds of the earth wail because of him4 ,no1 this is reserved till he comes to judge the world2 for then shall the ungodly be so put to it1 that gladly they would creep into the most invincible rock or mountain under heaven1 to hide themselves from his face1 and the majesty of his heavenly presence 7,rev #f3ad-ag74 ,there shall therefore1 that this may be brought to pass1 be a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust4 ,for though an opinion of no resurrection may now lull men asleep1 in security and impiety1 yet the ,lord when he comes will rouse them1 and cause them to awake2 not only out of their security1 but out of their graves1 to their doom1 that they may receive for their error1 the recompense that is meet4 ,second1 ,the body of the ungodly must1 at the last1 arise out of the grave1 because that body and their soul1 while they lived in the world1 were co-partners in their lusts and wickedness4 ,the ,lord is a ,god of knowledge1 and by him actions are weighed 7#a ,sam #b3c74 ,he will therefore bring every work into judgment1 with every secret thing 7,eccl #ab3ad74 ,and as he will bring into judgment every work1 so will he also the worker thereof1 even the dead1 small and great 7,rev #bj3ab-ad74 ,it is not in ,god to lay the punishment where the fault is not1 neither to punish a part of the damned for the whole4 ,with righteousness shall he judge the world1 and the people with equity 7,psa #ih3i74 ,shall not the ,judge of all the earth do right8 7,gen #ah3be74 ,as therefore the body was co-partner with the soul in sinning1 so shall every man receive the things done in his body1 according to what he hath done4 ,wherefore he saith in another place1 ,behold1 ,i come quickly2 and my reward is with me1 to give every man according as his work shall be 7,rev #bb3ab74 ,there shall therefore be a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust4 ,third1 ,the body of the wicked must rise again1 because as the whole man of the just also that is the vessel of mercy and glory2 so the whole man of the unjust is the vessel of wrath and destruction4 ,there are1 saith ,paul1 in a great house not only vessels of gold and of silver1 but also of wood and of earth1 and some to honour and some to dishonour4 ,now1 as he sheweth us1 these vessels to honour1 they are good men1 and the vessels to dishonour are the bad 7#b ,tim #b3bj1ba74 ,now as these vessels to dishonour1 are called the vessels of wrath3 so it is said1 that ,god with much long-suffering1 doth suffer them to be fitted to destruction 7,rom #i3bb74 ,how they are thus fitted he also further sheweth1 where he saith1 ,they do after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasure up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of ,god 7,rom #b3e71 which treasures of wickedness1 ,james saith1 it is treasure up against the last days 7which is the time of judgment71 and observe it1 he saith1 that then it shall eat their flesh as it were fire 7,james #e3b1c74 ,now then1 their bodies being the vessels of the wrath of ,god1 and again1 seeing with this wrath they must be possessed at the last day1 that their flesh must with it be eaten1 it is evident1 that their body must rise again out of their graves1 and before the judgment-seat appear2 for it is from thence1 that each of them must go with his full load to their long and eternal home1 where their worm dieth not1 and the fire is not quenched 7,mark #i3dg1dh74 ,fourth1 ,the severity of the hand of ,god towards his children1 with his forbearance of his enemies1 doth clearly bespeak a resurrection of the ungodly1 that they may receive the reward for their wickedness which they have committed in this world4 ,we know1 that while the eyes of the wicked start out with fatness1 the godly are plagued all the day long1 and chastened every morning 7,psa #gc3c-ae71 wherefore it is evident1 that the place and time of the punishment of the ungodly1 it is another world4 ,if judgment must begin at the house of ,god1--what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of ,god8 ,and if the righteous scarcely be saved1 where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear8 7#a ,peter #d3ag1ah74 ,alas1 poor creatures6 they now plot against the righteous1 and gnash upon them with their teeth2 but the ,lord shall laugh at him1 for he seeth that his day is coming 7,psa #cg3ac72 for as he saith1 the wicked is reserved1 or let alone in his wickedness1 to the day of destruction1 and shall then be brought forth to the day of wrath1 though in the meantime1 he may go to his grave in his banner1 and rest within is tomb#g 7,job #ba3bi-cb74 ,as ,peter saith again1 ,the ,lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations1 and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished 7#b ,peter #b3i73 ,and ,jude saith1 ,for them is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever 7,jude #ac74 ,the punishment of the ungodly1 it is reserved till the day of judgment1 which will be the time of their resurrection4 ,observe1 #a4 ,the wicked must be punished4 #b4 ,the time of their punishment is not now1 but at the day of judgment4 #c4 ,this day of judgment1 must be the same with the resurrection of the dead1 at the end of this world4 ,as therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire2 so shall it be in the end of this world4 ,the ,son of man shall send forth his angels1 and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend1 and them which do iniquity2 ,and shall cast them into a furnace of fire3 there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth 7,matt #ac3dj1da74 ,there shall then be resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust4 #d4 ,the sovereignty of the ,lord ,jesus over all creatures1 doth plainly foreshew a resurrection of the bad1 as well as of the good4 ,indeed1 the unjust shall not arise1 by virtue of any relation they stand in to the ,lord ,jesus1 as the saints shall2 but yet1 because all are delivered into his hand1 and he made sovereign ,lord over them2 therefore by an act of his sovereign power1 they that are ungodly1 shall arise2 this is ,christ's own argument1 ,the ,father judgeth no man1 saith he1 but hath committed all judgment unto the ,son--that is1 count him1 and fall before him as their sovereign ,lord1 even as they honour the ,father1 and he hath given him authority to execute judgment also1 because he is the ,son of man4 ,and then he adds1 ,marvel not at this3 for the hour is coming1 in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice1 ,and shall come forth2 they that have done good1 unto the resurrection of life2 and they that have done evil1 unto the resurrection of damnation 7,john #e3bb-bi74 ,from hence also ,paul argueth1 saying1 ,for to this end ,christ both died1 and rose1 and revived1 that he might be ,lord both of the dead and living1 and then adds1 ,we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of ,christ 7,rom #ad3i1aj74 ,pray mind these words1 ,jesus ,christ by his death and resurrection1 did not only purchase grace1 and remission of sins1 for his elect1 with their eternal glory2 but did thereby also obtain of the ,father to be ,lord1 and head over all things1 whether they be things in heaven1 or things on earth1 or things under the earth4 ,all power1 saith he1 is given unto me1 in heaven and in earth1 and ,i have the keys of hell and of death 7,matt #bh3ah2 ,rev #a3ah71 ,so that all things1 ,i say1 whether they be visible1 or invisible1 whether they be thrones or dominions1 or principalities or powers2 all things were created by him1 and for him 7,col #a3af74 ,this being thus1 at the name of ,jesus every knee should bow1--and that every tongue should confess that ,jesus ,christ is ,lord1 to the glory of ,god the ,father 7,phil #b3aj1aa74 ,now1 that this may be done1 ,he hath his resolutions upon a judgment-day1 in which he1 to shew himself his people1 his way1 and word in their glory1 will have all his enemies raised out of their graves1 and brought before him1 where he will sit upon them in the throne of his glory1 and will shew them then1 who is the blessed and only potentate1 the ,king of kings1 and ,lord of lords 7,matt #be3ca1cb2 #a ,tim #f3ad1ae74 ,behold1 ,he comes1 with ten thousand of his saints1 to execute judgment upon all1 and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed1 and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him 7,jude #ad1ae74 ,fifth1 ,the great preparation that ,god hath made for the judgment of the wicked1 doth clearly demonstrate their rising forth out of their graves4 #a4 ,he hath appointed the day of their rising4 #b4 ,he hath appointed their judge1 to judge them4 #c4 ,he hath recorded all their acts and doings against that day4 #d4 ,he hath also already appointed the witnesses to come in against them4 #e4 ,the instruments of death and misery1 are already prepared for them4 #a4 ,he hath appointed the day of their rising1 which day ,john calleth the time of the dead1 that they should be judged 7,rev #aa3ah71 which time1 ,paul saith1 is a time fixed2 ,he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world1 c4 7,acts #ag3ca74 ,this time and day ,christ brings down to an hour1 saying1 ,the hour is coming1 in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice1 and shall come forth2 c4 7,john #e3bh1bi74 #b4 ,as he hath appointed the day1 so he hath appointed the judge1 ,he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness1 by that man whom he hath ordained1 whereof he hath given assurance to all men1 in that he hath raised him from the dead 7,acts #ag3ca74 ,this man is ,jesus ,christ2 for it is he that is ordained of ,god to be the judge of quick an dead 7,acts #aj3db74 #c4 ,all their deeds and works1 to a word and thought1 are every one already recorded and enrolled in the books of the laws of heaven against that day4 ,the sin of ,judah is written with a pen of iron1 and with the point of a diamond3--upon the table of their heart 7,jer #ag3a74 ,and again saith ,god1 ,write it--in a table1 and note it in a book1 that it may be for the time to come1 even for ever and ever1 that this is a rebellious people1 c4 7,isa #cj3h1i74 #d4 ,god hath prepared his witnesses against this day 7,james #e3a-c2 ,job #bj3bg2 ,matt #bd3ad2 ,rom #b3ad1ae2 ,mal #c3e74 #e4 ,the instruments of death1 and eternal misery1 are already prepared4 ,he hath also prepared for him the instruments of death2 he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors 7,psa #g3ac2 #ba3ab74 ,hell is of old prepared1 he hath made it deep and large1 the fire1 the everlasting fire1 is also now of a long time prepared 7,isa #cj3cc2 ,matt #be3da72 the heavy weights of ,god's curse are also ready 7,deu #bi3bj7 and their damnation now of a long time slumbereth not 7#b ,peter #b3c74 ,but now ,i say1 how ridiculous a business would all this be1 if these things should be all prepared of the only wise ,god1 and there should be none to be judged2 or if he that is ordained judge1 should not1 either through want of power or will1 command these rebels1 and force them before his judgment-seat4 ,glad indeed1 would the sinners be1 if these things might be true2 glad ,i say1 at very heart1 if they might be in their secret places of darkness1 and the grave for ever2 but it must not be2 the day of their rising is set2 the judge is appointed2 their deeds are written2 the deep dungeon is with open mouth ever waiting for them2 wherefore at the day appointed1 neither earth1 nor death1 nor hell can hinder3 ,there shall be a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust4 ,sixth and ,lastly1 ,besides what hath been said1 ,i cannot but believe1 there shall be a resurrection of the wicked at the last day1 because of the ungodly consequences1 and errors that do most naturally follow the denial thereof4 ,for1 #a4 ,he that taketh away the doctrine of the resurrection of the wicked2 he taketh away one of the main arguments that ,god hath provided for to convince a sinner of the evil of his ways2 for how shall a sinner be convinced of the evil of sin1 if he be not convinced of the certainty of eternal judgment8 and how shall he be convinced of eternal judgment1 if you persuade him1 that when he is dead1 he shall not at all rise8 especially seeing the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment must unavoidably be one the forerunner of the other 7,heb #f3b74 ,it was ,paul's reasoning of righteousness1 temperance1 and judgment to come that made ,felix tremble 7,acts #bd3be74 ,it is this also he calleth the argument of terror1 wherewith he persuaded men 7#b ,cor #e3aj1aa74 ,this was ,solomon's argument 7,eccl #aa3i72 and ,christ's also1 where he saith1 that every idle word that men shall speak1 they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment 7,matt #ab3cf74 #b4 ,they that deny the resurrection of the wicked1 they do both allow and maintain the chief doctrine of the ranters1 with most of the debauched persons in the world4 ,for the ranters deny it both in principle and practice1 and the other in practice at least4 ,now to me it is very strange1 that these men above all other1 should both know and live#h in the doctrines of the kingdom of ,god3 especially seeing the denial hereof is an evident token of one appointed to wrath and destruction 7#b ,tim #b3ah74 ,but to be plain2 there shall be a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust3 wherefore1 whatever others may say or profess1 being beguiled by ,satan1 and their own hearts1 yet do thou fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell 7,matt #aj3bh74 ,there shall be a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust4 ,and the sea gave up the dead which were in it1 and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them 7,rev #bj3ac74 ,having in the first place shewed you1 that the wicked must arise2 ,i shall in the next place1 ,,second1 ,shew you the manner of their rising4 ,and observe it1 as the very title of the just and unjust1 are opposites1 so they are in all other matters1 and in their resurrections4 ,,manner ,,of ,,the ,,resurrection ,,of ,,the ,,wicked4 ,first then1 as the just in their resurrection do come forth in incorruption3 the unjust in their resurrection1 shall come forth in their corruptions2 for though the ungodly at their resurrection1 shall for ever after1 be incapable of having body and soul separate2 or of their being annihilated into nothing1 yet it shall be far from them to rise in incorruption2 for if they arise in incorruption1 they must arise to life1 and also must have the conquest over sin and death 7#a ,cor #ae3de71 but that they shall not2 for it is the righteous only1 that put on incorruption1 that are swallowed up of life4 ,the wicked's resurrection1 it is called the resurrection of damnation 7,john #e3bh74 ,these in their very resurrection1 shall be hurt of the second death4 ,they shall arise in death1 and shall be under it1 under the gnawings1 and terrors of it1 all the time of their arraignment4 ,as it were1 a living death shall feed upon them2 they shall never be spiritually alive1 nor yet absolutely dead2 but much after that manner1 that natural death1 and hell1 by reason of guilt1 doth feed on him1 that is going before the judge1 to receive his condemnation to the gallows4 ,you know1 though a felon go forth of the jail1 when he is going to the bar for his arraignment1 yet he is not out of prison1 or out of his irons for that2 his fetters are still making a noise on his heels1#i and the thoughts of what he is to hear by and by from the judge1 is still frighting and afflicting his heart2 death1 like some evil spirit or ghost1 doth continually haunt him1 and playeth the butcher continually in his soul and conscience1 with frights and fears about the thoughts of the sudden1 and insupportable after-clap1 by and by he is to meet withal4 ,thus ,i say1 will the wicked come out of their graves1 having yet the chains of eternal death hanging on them1 and the talons of that dreadful ghost fastened in their souls2 so that life will be far from them1 even as far as heaven is from hell4 ,this morning to them1 is even as the shadow of death4 ,they will then be in the very terrors of the shadow of death 7,job #bd3ag74 ,as ,christ saith1 ,their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched 7,mark #i3dd74 ,from death to eternity1 it never shall be quenched1 their bed is now among the flames2 and when they rise1 they will rise in flames2 while they stand before the judge1 it will be in flames1 even in the flames of a guilty conscience2 they will in their coming before the judge1 be within the very jaws of death and destruction4 ,thus ,i say1 the ungodly shall be far off from rising as the saints2 for they will be even in the region and shadow of death4 ,the first moment of their rising1 death will be ever over them1 ever feeding on their souls2 and ever presenting to their hearts1 the heights and depths1 of the misery that now must seize them1 and1 like a bottomless gulf1 must swallow them up4 ,they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth3 ,they shall be afraid of the ,lord our ,god 7,micah #g3ag74 ,second1 ,as the resurrection of the godly shall be a resurrection in glory3 so the resurrection of the wicked1 it will be a resurrection in dishonour4 ,yea1 as the glory of saints1 at the day of their rising1 will be glory unspeakable2 so the dishonour of the ungodly at that day1 it will be dishonour beyond expression4 ,as ,daniel saith1 the good shall rise to everlasting life1 but the wicked to shame and everlasting contempt 7,dan #ab3b74 ,and again1 ,o ,lord1 when thou awakest1 that is1 to judge them1 thou shalt despise their image 7,psa #gc3bj74 ,never was toad or serpent more loathsome to any1 than these will be in the eyes of ,god1 in their rising forth of their graves4 ,when they go to their graves1 saith ,job1 ,his bones are full of the sin of his youth1 which shall lie down with him in the dust 7,job #bj3aa74 ,and arise they shall1 in the same noisome and stinking condition2 for as death leaves1 so judgment finds them4 ,at the resurrection then of these ungodly1 they will be in a very loathsome condition4 ,the ungodly at their death are like the thistle seed1 but at their rising1 they will be like the thistle grown2 more noisome1 offensive1 and provoking to rejection abundance4#aj ,then such dishonour1 shame1 and contempt will appear in them1 that neither ,god nor ,christ1 saints nor angels1 will so much as once regard them1 or vouchsafe once to come near them4 ,he beholdeth the wicked afar off2 because in the day of grace1 they would not come to hand1 and be saved1 therefore now they shall1 all as thorns1 be thrust away1 as with fences of iron 7#b ,sam #bc3f1g71 ,their rising1 is called the resurrection of the unjust1 and so they at that day will appear1 and will more stink in the nostrils of ,god1 and all the heavenly hosts1 than if they had the most irksome plague-sores in the world running on them4 ,if a man at his birth1 be counted as one cast forth to the loathing of his person2 how loathsome1 and irksome1 dishonourable1 and contemptible1 will those be that shall arise ,godless1 ,christless1 ,spiritless1 and graceless1 when the trumpet sounds to their judgment1 they coming out of their graves1 far more loathsome1 and filthy1 than if they should ascend out of the most filthy hole on earth4 ,third1 ,as the just shall arise in power1 so the wicked and unjust1 in weakness and astonishment4 ,sin and guilt bringeth weakness1 and faintness in this life2 how much more1 when both with all their power and force1 like a giant1 fasten on them2 as ,god saith1 ,can thine heart endure1 or can thine hands be strong1 in the days that ,i shall deal with thee8 7,eze #bb3ad74 ,now will the ghastly jaws of despair gape upon thee1 and now will condemnings of conscience1 like thunder-claps1 continually batter against thy weary spirit4 ,it is the godly that have boldness in the day of judgment 7#a ,john #d3ag72 but the wicked will be like the chaff which the wind driveth away 7,psa #a3d74 ,oh the fear1 and the heart-aching that will seize them in their rising6 the frightful thoughts that then will fill their throbbing hearts6 ,now must that soul that hath been in hell-fire among the devils possess the body again4 ,possess it1 ,i say1 with the hot scalding stink of hell upon it4 ,they shall not be able to lift up the head for ever2 pangs shall take hold on them1 all their hands shall faint1 and every man's heart shall melt2 ,they shall be amazed one at another1 their faces shall be as flames 7,isa #ac3f-h74 ,everything they see1 hear1 or think of1 shall tend to their discomfort4 ,they must needs be weak1 whom ,god hath left1 whom guilt hath seized1 and whom death is swallowing up for ever4 ,fourth1 ,as the just shall arise spiritual bodies1 so the unjust shall arise only as mere and naked lumps of sinful nature2 not having the least help from ,god1 to bear them up under this condition4 ,wherefore1 so soon as ever they are risen out of their graves2 they will feel a continual sinking under every remembrance of every sin1 and thoughts of judgment2 in their rising they fall--fall1 ,i say1 from thenceforth1 and for ever4 ,and for this reason the dungeon into which they fall is called bottomless 7,rev #bj3a74 ,because1 as there will be no end of their misery1 so there will be no stay or prop to bear them up in it4 ,only1 as ,i said before1 they shall not now1 as afore1 be separate body from soul2 but both together1 be bound in the cords of sin and iniquity1 in which they shall now tremble as thieves and murderers1 c41 as they go before the ,judge1 to hear what he will say unto them4 ,,third--,the examination and judgment of the wicked4--,now1 when the wicked are thus raised out of their graves1 they shall1 together with all the angels of darkness1 their fellow-prisoners1 be brought up1 being shackled in their sins1 to the place of judgment2 where there shall sit upon them ,jesus ,christ1 the ,king of kings and ,lord of lords1 the ,lord ,chief ,judge of things in heaven1 and things in earth1 and things under the earth4 ,on whose right hand1 and left1 shall sit all the princes1 and heavenly nobles2 the saints and prophets1 the apostles and witnesses of ,jesus2 every one in his kingly attire1 upon the throne of his glory 7,joel #c3aa-ad74 ,then shall be fulfilled that which is written1 ,but those mine enemies1 which would not that ,i should reign over them1 bring hither1 and slay them 7,luke #ai3bg74 ,,the ,,judgment ,,of ,,the ,,wicked4 ,when every one is thus set in his proper place1 the ,judge on his throne1 with his attendants1 and the prisoners coming up to judgment1 forthwith there shall issue forth a mighty fire and tempest from before the throne1 which shall compass it round about2 which fire1 shall be as bars and bounds to the wicked1 to keep them at a certain distance from the heavenly ,majesty4 ,as ,david saith1 ,our ,god shall come1 and shall not keep silence2 a fire shall devour before him1 and it shall be very tempestuous round about him 7,psa #ej3c74 ,and again1 ,his throne was like the fiery flame1 and his wheels as burning fire4 ,a fiery stream issued and came forth from before him2 c4 7,dan #g3i1aj74 ,this preparation being made1 to wit1 the ,judge with his attendants1 on the throne2 the bar for the prisoners1 and the rebels all standing with ghastly jaws1 to look of what comes after3 presently the books are brought forth1 to wit1 the books both of death and life2 and every one of them opened before the sinners1 now to be judged and condemned4 ,for after that he had said before1 ,a fiery stream issued and came forth from before him3 he adds1 ,thousand thousands ministered unto him1 and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him3 the judgment was set1 and the book was opened 7,dan #g3aj74 ,and again1 ,i saw a great white throne1 and him that sat on it1 from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away2 and there was found no place for them4 ,and ,i saw the dead1 small and great1 stand before ,god2 and the books were opened3 and another book was opened1 which is the book of life3 and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books1 according to their works 7,rev #bj3aa1ab74 ,he doth not say1 the book was opened1 as of one1 but the books1 as of many4 ,and indeed1 they are more than one1 two1 or three1 out of which the dead shall in the judgment be proceeded against4 ,first then1 there is the book of the creatures to be opened4 ,second1 ,the book of ,god's remembrance4 ,third1 ,the book of the law4 ,and fourth1 the book of life4 ,for by every one of these1 that is1 out of what is written in them1 shall the world of the ungodly be judged4 ,and the books were opened4 ,first1 ,the book of the creatures shall be opened1 and that first1 it concerns man's nature2 and next1 as it relates to all other creatures4 ,i4 ,he will shew in what the principles of nature were1 as they were ,god's creation2 and how contrary to these principles1 the world have walked1 acted1 and done4 ,the principles of nature are concluded under three general heads4 #a4 ,that man by his own natural reason and judgment may gather1 that there is a ,god1 a ,deity1 a chief1 or first1 or principal ,being1 who is over all1 and supreme above all4 ,this instinct1 ,i say1 man merely as he is a rational creature findeth in himself2 and hence it is1 that all heathens that mind their own natural reason1 do conclude1 that we are his offspring2 that is1 ,his creation and workmanship4 ,that ,he made heaven and earth1 and hath made of one blood1 all nations of men2 that in him we live1 and move1 and have our being2 c4 7,acts #ag3bd-bi74 ,it appears further1 that man by his own nature1 doth know that there is such a ,god4 7#a47 ,by his being able to judge by nature1 that there is such a thing as sin2 as ,christ saith1 ,why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right8 7,luke #ab3eg74 ,as if he had said1 ,you are degenerated even from the principles of nature1 and right reason2 as ,paul saith in another place1 ,doth not even nature itself teach you8 7#a ,cor #aa3ad74 ,now he that can judge1 that there is such a thing as sin1 it must of necessity be1 that he understandeth that there is a ,god1 to whom sin is opposite2 for if there be no ,god1 there is no sin against him2 and he that knows not the one1 knows not the other4 7#b47 ,it is evident further1 that man by nature knows that there is a ,god1 by those fits of fear1 and dread that are often begotten in themselves1 even in every man that breatheth in this world2 for they are by their own consciences1 and thoughts1 convicted and reproved1 judged and condemned1 though they know neither ,moses nor ,christ--,for the ,gentiles which have not the law1 these are a law to themselves1 and shew the work of the law written in their hearts 7,rom #b3ad1ae7--that is1 by this very thing1 they hold forth to all men1 that ,god created them in that state and quality1 that they might in and by their own nature1 judge and know that there is a ,god4 ,and it further sheweth itself1 saith he1 by those workings of heart1 convictions of conscience1 and accusations1 that every thought maketh within them1 together with the fear that is begotten in them1 when they transgress1 or do those things that are irrational1 or contrary to what they see they shall do4 ,i might add further1 that the natural proneness that is in all men to devotion and religion1 that is1 of one kind or another1 doth clearly tell us1 that they by the book of nature1 which book is themselves1 do read that there is one great and eternal ,god4 #b4 ,the second principle of nature is1 that this ,god should by man be sought after1 that they might enjoy communion with him for ever4 ,as ,i said before1 the light of nature sheweth man1 that there is a great ,god1 even ,god that made the world2 and the end of its shewing him this is1 that they should seek the ,lord1 if haply they might feel after him1 and find him1 though he be not far from every one of us 7,acts #ag3bg74 #c4 ,this light of nature teacheth1 that men between themselves1 should do that which is just and equal4 ,as ,moses said1 and that long before the law was given1 ,sirs1 ye are brethren1 why do ye wrong one another8 7,acts #g3bf2 ,exo #b3ac74 as who should say1 ,you are of equal creation1 you are the same flesh2 you both judge1 that it is not equally done of any1 to do you wrong1 and therefore ought to judge by the same reason1 that ye ought not to wrong one another4 ,now against every one of these three principles1 hath every man in the whole world transgressed2 as ,paul saith1 ,for both ,jews and ,gentiles--are all under sin 7,rom #c3i74 ,for as touching the first1 7#a47 who is he that hath honoured1 reverenced1 worshipped1 and adored the living ,god1 to the height1 both of what they saw in him1 and also according to the goodness and mercy they have as men received from him8 ,all have served and worshipped the creature more than the ,creator1 who is blessed for ever 7,rom #a3be71 and so have walked contrary to1 and have sinned against1 this bond of nature1 in this first principle of it4 7#b47 ,men1 instead of minding their own future happiness1 as nature teacheth1 they have1 through their giving way to sin and ,satan1 minded nothing less2 for though reason teacheth all men to love that which is good and profitable1 yet they1 contrary to this1 have loved that which is hurtful and destructive4 ,yea1 though sense teacheth to avoid the danger that is manifest2 yet man1 contrary to reason and sense both1 even all men1 have both against light and feeling1 rejected their own happiness2 as ,paul saith1 ,who knowing the judgment of ,god1 that they which commit such things are worthy of death1 not only do the same1 but have pleasure in them that do them 7,rom #a3ca74 7#c47 ,man1 instead of doing equity1 and as he would be done by1 which nature itself teacheth3 he hath given up himself to vile affections1 being filled1 by refusing the dictates of nature1 with all unrighteousness1 fornication1 wickedness1 covetousness1 maliciousness2 full of envy1 murder1 debate1 deceit1 malignity2 whisperers1 backbiters1 haters of ,god1 despiteful1 proud1 boasters1 inventors of evil things1 disobedient to parents1 without understanding1 covenant-breakers1 without natural affection1 implacable1 unmerciful 7,rom #a3bi-ca74 ,and observe it1 he doth not say1 that all these things are by every man put into practice2 but every man hath all these in his heart1 which there defile the soul1 and make it abominable in the sight of ,god4 ,they are filled with all unrighteousness1 which also appears1 as occasion serveth1 sometimes one of them1 sometimes more4 ,now1 man having sinned against that natural light1 judgment1 reason1 and conscience1 that ,god hath given him2 therefore1 though as ,i said before1 he neither knew ,moses nor ,christ1 yet he shall perish4 ,as many1 saith ,paul1 as have sinned without law1 shall also perish without law 7,rom #b3ab74 ,yea1 here will man be found not only a sinner against ,god1 but an opposer of himself1 a contradictor of his own nature1 and one that will not do that which he judgeth even of himself to be right 7#b ,tim #b3be74 ,their sin is written upon the tables of their own heart 7,jer #ag3a71 and their own wickedness and backsliding shall both correct and reprove them 7,jer #b3ai74 ,it is marvellous1 if we consider1 how curious a creature man was made of ,god2 to behold how much below1 besides1 and against that state and place1 man acts and does in this state of sin and degeneracy4 ,man in his creation was made in the image of ,god 7,gen #a3bf71 but man1 by reason of his yielding to the tempter1 hath made himself the very figure and image of the devil4 ,man by creation was made upright and sinless2 but man by sin1 hath made himself crooked and sinful 7,eccl #g3bi74 ,man by creation had all the faculties of his soul at liberty to study ,god his creator1 and his glorious attributes and being2 but man by sin1 hath so bound up his own senses and reason2 and hath given way for blindness and ignorance of ,god1 so to reign in his soul2 that now he is captivated and held bound in alienation and estrangedness both from ,god1 and all things truly spiritually good2 ,because1 saith he1 that when they knew ,god1 they glorified him not as ,god1--but became vain in their imaginations1 and their foolish heart was darkened 7,rom #a3ba74 ,and again1 ,having the understanding darkened1 being alienated from the life of ,god1 through the ignorance that is in them1 because of the blindness of their hearts 7,eph #d3ah74 ,now1 for this abuse of the workmanship of ,god1 shall man be brought forth to the judgment1 shall be convicted1 cast1 and condemned as a rebel1 against both ,god and his own soul1 as ,paul affirmeth1 and that when he reasoned but as a man 7,rom #c3e1f74 ,when this part of the book touching man's nature is opened1 and man convicted and cast by it1 by reason of his sinning against the three general principles thereof3 ,,ii4 ,then forthwith is the second part of the book opened1 which is the mystery of the creatures2 for the whole creation1 that is before thee1 are not only made to shew the power of ,god in themselves2 but also to teach thee1 and to preach unto thee1 both much of ,god and thyself2 as also the righteousness1 and justice of ,god against sin2 ,for the wrath of ,god is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men1 who hold the truth in unrighteousness2 ,because that which may be known of ,god is manifest in them2 for ,god hath shewed it unto them4 ,for the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen1 being understood by the things that are made1 even his eternal power and ,godhead2 so that they are without excuse 7,rom #a3ah-bj74 #a4 ,the creation then of the world1 namely1 of the heavens1 earth1 sun1 moon1 stars1 with all other the creatures of ,god3 they preach aloud to all men1 the eternal power and ,godhead of their ,creator 7,psa #h3c74 ,in wisdom he hath made them all 7,psa #ajd3bd73 to be teachable1 and carrying instruction in them2 and he that is wise1 and will understand these things1 even he shall understand the loving-kindness of the ,lord2 for the works of the ,lord are great1 sought out of all them that have pleasure therein 7,psa #ajg2 #aaa3b74 #b4 ,as the creation in general preacheth to every man something of ,god2 so they do hold forth1 how man should behave himself both to ,god1 and one to another2 and will assuredly come in1 in the judgment1 against all those that shall be found crossers1 and thwarters of what ,god by the creatures doth hold forth to us4 7#a47 ,as ,first1 ,the obedience of the creatures1 both to ,god and thee4 7a47 ,to ,god1 they are all in subjection 7set devils and men aside7 even the very dragons1 and all deeps1 fire1 hail1 snow1 and vapours 7,psa #adh3g1h71 fulfilling his word4 ,yea1 the winds and seas obey him 7,mark #d3da74 ,thus1 ,i say1 by their obedience to ,god they teach thee obedience1 and by their obedience shall thy disobedience be condemned in the judgment 7,psa #adg3ae-ah74 7b47 ,their obedience to thee1 also teacheth thee obedience to all superiors2 for every kind of beasts1 and of birds1 and serpents1 and things in the sea1 is tamed1 and hath been tamed1 and brought into obedience by mankind4 ,man only remains untamed and unruly1 and therefore by these is condemned 7,james #c3g1h74 7#b47 ,the fruitfulness of all the creatures in their kind1 doth teach and admonish thee to a fruitful life to ,godward1 and in the things of his holy word4 ,god did but say in the beginning1 ,let the earth bring forth fruit1 grass1 herbs1 trees1 beasts1 creeping things1 and cattle after their kind2 and it was so 7,gen #a3bd74 ,but to man1 he hath sent his prophets1 rising early1 and sending them1 saying1 ,o do not this abominable thing that ,i hate 7,jer #dd3d74 but they will not obey4 ,for if the ,gentiles1 which have not the law1 do1 by some acts of obedience1 condemn the wickedness of those who do by the letter and circumcision1 break the law3 how much more shall the fruitfulness of all the creatures come in1 in the judgment1 against the whole world6 ,as ,job saith1 ,by the obedience and fruitfulness of the creatures he judgeth1 and so will judge1 the people 7,job #cf3bg-cb74 7#c47 ,the knowledge and wisdom of the creatures1 do with a check1 command thee to be wise1 and do teach thee wisdom4 ,the stork in the heaven1 the swallow and the crane1 by observing the time and season of their coming1 do admonish thee to learn the time of grace1 and of the mercy of ,god 7,jer #h3g74 ,the ox and the ass1 by the knowledge they have of their master's crib1 do admonish thee to know the bread and table of ,god1 and both do and shall condemn thy ignorance of the food of heaven 7,isa #a3c74 7#d47 ,the labour and toil of the creatures doth convict thee of sloth and idleness4 ,go to the ant1 thou sluggard2 consider her ways1 and be wise2 for she provideth her food in the summer1 and layeth up against the day of trial 7,prov #f3f1g74 ,but thou spendest the whole summer of thy life in wasting both time and soul4 ,all things are full of labour1 saith ,solomon 7,eccl #a3h71 only man spendeth all the day idle 7,matt #bj3f71 and his years like a tale that is told 7,psa #ij3i2 ,rom #aj3ba74 ,the coney is but a feeble folk1 yet laboureth for a house in the rock1 to be safe from the rage of the hunter 7,prov #cj3bf74 ,the spider also1 taketh hold with her hands1 and is in king's palaces 7,prov #cj3bh74 ,it is man only that turneth himself upon the bed of sloth1 as the door doth itself upon the hinges4 ',tis man1 ,i say1 that will neither lay hold on the rock ,christ1 as the coney doth teach1 nor lay hold on the kingdom of heaven1 as the spider doth bid him 7,john #e3dj74 7#e47 ,the fear that is in all creatures1 when they perceive that danger is near1 it teacheth men to fly from the wrath to come1 ,in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird 7,prov #a3ag71 but man1 man only is the fool-hardy creature1 that lieth wait for his own blood1 and that lurketh privily for his own life4 ,how ,i say1 will every creature fly1 run1 strive1 and struggle to escape the danger it is sensible of6 ',tis man only that delighteth to dance about the mouth of hell1 and to be knowingly smitten with ,satan's snare 7,rom #a3cb74 7#f47 ,the dependence that all the creatures have upon ,god2 they teach thee to depend on him that made thee2 yea1 and will in the judgment condemn thee for thy unlawful practices1 and dealings for thy preservation4 ,the young ravens seek their food from ,god 7,psa #adg3i2 ,job #ch3da71 and will condemn thy lying1 cheating1 overreaching1 defrauding1 and the like4 ,they provide neither storehouse1 nor barn 7,luke #ab3bd72 but thou art so greedy of these things1 that thou for them shuttest thyself out of the kingdom of heaven 7,prov #ag3af74 7#g47 ,the love and pity that is in their hearts to their young1 and one another3 will judge and condemn the hard-heartedness that is in thee to thy own soul4 ,what shall ,i say8 ,the heaven shall reveal his iniquity2 and the earth shall rise up against him 7,job #bj3bg74 ,that is1 all the creatures of ,god1 they will1 by their fruitfulness and subjection to the will of their ,creator1 judge and condemn thee for thy disobedience1 and rebellion against him4 #c4 ,now1 as these creatures do every day call unto thee1 and lay before thee these things3 so he hath for thy awakening1 in case thou be asleep1 and senseless1 creatures of another nature2 as1 7#a47 ,thy bed1 when thou liest down in it1 preacheth to thee thy grave2 thy sleep1 thy death2 and thy rising in the morning1 thy resurrection to judgment 7,job #ad3ab2 #ag3ac2 ,isa #bf3ai74 7#b47 ,the jail that thou seest with thine eyes1 and the felons that look out at the grate1 they put thee in mind of the prison of hell1 and of the dreadful state of those that are there 7,luke #ab3eh1ei74 7#c47 ,the fire that burns in thy chimney1 it holds forth the fire of hell unto thee 7,isa #aj3af2 ,rev #bj3ad74 7#d47 ,the ugly smell1 stench1 and steam1 of the burning brimstone1 it shews thee the loathsome1 odious1 and dreadful torments of hell 7,rev #ai3bj74 7#e47 ,the darkness of the night in solitary places1 and the fears that do commonly haunt those that walk therein3 it preacheth to thee the fears and frights1 the scares and amazements1 that will for ever attend all damned souls 7,matt #h3ab2 ,deu #bh3fe-fg74 7#f47 ,by thy delighting1 when thou art cold1 to lay sticks on the fire to warm thyself1 not caring how fiercely they flame therein1 so thou canst be warm and be refreshed thereby1 by this1 ,i say1 ,god preacheth to thee1 with what delight he will burn sinners in the flames of hell1 for the easing of his mind1 and the satisfaction of his justice4 ,ah1 saith he1 ,i will ease me of mine adversaries1 and avenge me of mine enemies 7,isa #a3bd74 7#d47 ,yea1 by thy blowing the fire1 that it may fasten upon the wood the better2 thou preachest to thyself how ,god will blow the fire of hell by the rigour of his law1 to the end1 it may by its flames1 to purpose1 kindle upon damned sinners 7,isa #cj3cc74 ,all these things1 as inconsiderable and unlikely as they may appear to you now1 yet in the judgment will be found the items1 and warning words of ,god to your souls4 ,and know1 that he who could overthrow the land of ,egypt with frogs1 lice1 flies1 locusts1 c41 will overthrow the world1 at the last day1 by the book of the creatures2 and that by the least and most inconsiderable of them1 as well as by the rest4 ,this book of the creatures1 it is so excellent1 and so full1 so easy1 and so suiting the capacity of all1 that there is not one man in the world but is catched1 convicted1 and cast by it4 ,this is the book1 that he who knows no letters may read in2 yea1 and that he who neither saw ,new ,testament1 nor ,old1 may know both much of ,god1 and himself by4 ',tis this book1 out of which generally1 both ,job and his friends did so profoundly discourse of the judgments of ,god2 and that out of which ,god himself did so convincingly answer ,job4 ,job was as perfect in this book1 as we are1 many of us in the scriptures2 yea1 and could see further by it1 than many now adays do see by the ,new ,testament and ,old4 ,this is the book out of which1 both ,christ1 the prophets1 and apostles1 do so frequently discourse by their similitudes1 proverbs1 and parables1 as being the most easy way to convince the world1 though by reason of their ignorance1 nothing will work with them1 but what is set on their heart by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,one word further1 and ,i have done with this1 and that is1 ,god hath sealed the judgment of the world by the book of the creatures2 even by man's own carriage unto such of them1 which1 through any impediment1 have disappointed his expectations4 ,as thus3 if thou hast but a tree in thy orchard1 that neither beareth fruit1 nor aught else that is good2 why1 thou art for hewing it down1 and for appointing it1 as fuel for the fire4 ,now thou little thinkest that by thy thus judging thou shouldst pass sentence upon thy own fruitless soul2 but it is so2 ,and now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees1 therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down1 and cast into the fire4 ,for as truly as thou sayest of thy fruitless tree1 ,cut it down1 why doth it cumber the ground8 so truly doth thy voice cause heaven to echo again upon thy head1 ,cut him down2 why doth he cumber the ground8 7,matt #c3aj2 ,luke #ac3f-h2 ,eze #ae3a-f74aa ,further1 the inclination of thy heart towards fruitless and unprofitable creatures1 doth fore-preach to thee1 the inclination of the heart of ,god towards thee in the judgment4 ,if thou hast either cow1 or any other beast1 that is now unprofitable to thee1 though thou mayst suffer them for some time to be with thee1 as ,god suffereth sinners in the world1 yet all this while thy heart is not with them1 but thou wilt take thy time to clear thy hands of them4 ,why1 just so shall thy judgment be1 as ,god saith1 ,though ,moses and ,samuel stood before me1 that is1 to pray me to spare this people1 yet my mind could not be towards this people3 cast them out of my sight1 and let them go forth 7,jer #ae3a2 ,eze #ad3ac1ad74 ,thus ,i say1 will ,god judge the world at the last day2 he will open before them1 how they have degenerated and gone back from the principles of nature in which he created them4 ,also how they have slighted all the instructions that he hath given them1 even by the obedience1 fruitfulness1 wisdom1 labour1 fear1 and love of the creatures2 and he will tell them1 that as to their judgment1 they themselves have decided it1 both by their cutting down that which was fruitless1 and by the withdrawing of their hearts from those things1 which to them were unprofitable1 ,as therefore the tares are gathered1 and burned in the fire1 so shall it be in the end of the world4 ,as men deal with weeds1 and rotten wood3 so will ,god deal with sinners in the day of judgment3 and will bring in1 ,i say1 all the counsels and warnings he hath given men by these things1 both to clear up and to aggravate their judgment to them4 ,second4 ,the second book that will be opened at this day1 it will be the book of ,god's remembrance 7,mal #c3af74 ,for as ,god hath in his remembrance1 recorded all and every particular good thing that his own people hath done to1 and for his name while they were in this world3 so he hath in his remembrance1 recorded all the evil and sin of his adversaries1 even everything 7,eccl #ab3ad74 ,now ,god's remembrance is so perfect every way1 that it is impossible that anything should be lost1 that is committed to it to be kept1 and brought forth to the judgment at the time appointed2 for as a thousand years are but as yesterday1 with his eternity3 so the sins that have been committed thousands of years since1 they are all so firmly fixed in the remembrance of the eternal ,god1 that they are always as fresh and clear in his sight1 as if they were but just now in committing4 ,he calleth again the things that are past 7,eccl #c3ae71 and hath set our most secret sins in the light of his countenance 7,psa #ij3h74 ,as he also saith in another place1 ,hell itself is naked before him1 and destruction hath no covering 7,job #bf3f71 that is1 the most secret1 cunning1 and hidden contrivances of the most subtle of the infernal spirits1 which yet are far more slethy1#ab than men1 to hide their wickedness2 yet1 ,i say1 all their ways1 hearts1 and most secret doings1 are clear1 to the very bottom of them1 in the eyes of the great ,god4 ,all things are open and bare before the eyes of him with whom we have to do2 who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness1 and will make manifest the counsels of the heart 7,heb #d3ac2 #a ,cor #d3e74 ,ye that say1 ,the ,lord shall not see1 neither shall the ,god of ,jacob regard it4 ,understand1 ,o ye brutish among the people3 and ye fools1 when will ye be wise8 ,he that planted the ear1 shall he not hear8 he that formed the eye1 shall he not see8 he that chastiseth the heathen1 shall not he correct8 he that teacheth man knowledge1 shall not he know8 7,psa #id3h-aj2 ,hosea #g3b2 #h3ac74 ,can any hide himself in secret places that ,i shall not see him8--that is1 when he is committing wickedness--saith the ,lord3 ,do not ,i fill heaven and earth8 saith the ,lord 7,jer #bc3bd74 ,now to know and see things1 it is the cause among men of their remembrance4 ,wherefore1 ,god to shew us1 that he will remember all our sins if we die out of ,christ1 he tells us1 that he knoweth1 and seeth them all1 and therefore must needs remember them2 for as is his sight and knowledge1 so is his remembrance of all things4 ,when this book of his remembrance therefore is opened1 as it shall be1 in the judgment1 then shall be brought forth of their hidden holes1 all things1 whatsoever hath been done since the world began1 whether by kingdoms in general1 or persons in particular4 ,now also shall be brought forth to open view1 all the transactions of ,god and his ,son1 among the sons of men1 and everything shall be applied to every particular person1 in equity and justice1 to whom they belong3 the sins that thou hast committed shall be thy own1 and thou thyself shalt bear them4 ,the ,lord is a ,god of knowledge1 and by him actions are weighed 7#a ,sam #b3c74 ,it will be marvellous to behold how by thousands1 and ten thousands1 ,god will call from their secret places1 those sins1 that one would have thought1 had been dead1 and buried1 and forgotten2 yea1 how he will shew before the sun1 such things1 so base and so horrid1 that one would think1 it was not in the hearts of any to commit2 for all is recorded in the book of ,god's remembrance4 ,while men are here1 they have a thousand tricks to present themselves one to another1 far more fair1 and honest than they are1 or ever were4 ,as ,christ said to the ,pharisees1 ,ye are they which justify yourselves before men3 but ,god knoweth your hearts 7,luke #af3ae73 ,ay1 ,god knoweth1 indeed1 what a nest1 what a heap1 what swarms2 yea1 what legions of hellish wickednesses1 there are with power lurking1 like cockatrices1 in those men1 that one would swear a thousand times1 are good and honest men4 ,the way of men in their sins1 it is like an eagle in the air1 the way of a serpent upon a rock1 the way of a ship in the midst of the sea2 and the way of a man with a maid1 saith ,solomon 7,prov #cj3ai71 that is1 hiddenly1 closely1 covertly1 burying all under fair pretences1 wipeth their mouths in the close of their evil1 saying1 ,i have done no wickedness 7,prov #cj3bj74 ,but this1 though it may serve for the time present1 and no longer1 ,god will not be deluded1 nor blinded1 nor mocked1 nor put off 7,gal #f3g74 ,they consider not--that ,i remember all their wickedness 7,hosea #g3b72 saith he1 but ,i will reprove thee1 and set them in order before thine eyes 7,psa #ej3ba74 ,here will be laid open the very heart of ,cain the murderer1 of ,judas the traitor1 of ,saul the adversary of ,david1 and of those that under pretences of holiness have persecuted ,christ1 his word1 and people4 ,now shall every drunkard1 whoremaster1 thief1 and other wicked person1 be turned their inside outward2 their hearts right open1 and every sin1 with every circumstance of place1 time1 person with whom1 with the causes also that drew them to the commission of every evil1 be discovered to all4 ,here will be no hiding yourselves behind curtains1 nor no covering yourselves with the black and dark night4 ,if ,i say1 ,surely the darkness shall cover me2 even the night shall be light about me3 ,yea1 ,o ,god1 darkness hideth not from thee2 but the night shineth as the day3 the darkness and the light are both alike to thee 7,psa #aci3aa1ab74 ,the piercing eye of ,god1 beholds all places1 persons1 and things2 the holy hand of his justice writeth them down in the book of his remembrance2 and by his power and wisdom1 will he open and read to all men exactly1 distinctly1 and convincingly1 whatever hath passed from them1 or been done by them1 in their whole life2 for1 ,for all these things ,god will bring thee into judgment 7,eccl #aa3i74 ,again1 as ,god will bring out of the book of his remembrance1 whatever hath passed from thee against him2 so also will he then bring forth by the same book1 all things and carriages of his towards thee4 ,here will he bring to thy mind1 every sermon thou hast heard1 every chapter thou hast read2 every conviction thou hast had on thy conscience2 and every admonition that hath been given thee in all thy life1 when thou wast in the land of the living4 ,now will ,god lay open before thee1 what patience he extended to thee1 how he let thee live one year1 two years1 ten1 yea1 twenty and twenty years1 #ac and all to try thee4 ,yea1 now also will he bring to thy view1 how many times he warned1 rebuked1 threatened1 and chastised thee for thy wickedness2 how many awakening providences and judgments he continually laid before thy face2 yea1 how many a time thou didst1 like ,balaam1 run upon the point of the sword of justice1 and how he gave back1 as being loath to kill thee 7,num #bb3bc-cd74 ,now also again1 shall be brought before thee and all men1 how many strugglings ,god had with thy heart1 on thy sick-bed1 to do thee good2 yea1 and at such times1 how many vows1 promises1 engagements1 and resolutions thou madest before ,god1 to turn1 if he would release thee from thy affliction1 and take off his rod from thy back2 and yet1 how thou didst1 like the man possessed 7,mark #e3a-e71 break and snap in twain all these chains of iron1 with which thou hadst bound thy soul1 and that for a very lust and sin4 ,here also1 will be opened before thee1 how often thou hath sinned against thy light and knowledge2 how often thou hast laid violent hands on thy own conscience2 how often thou hast laboured to put out that light that hath stood in thy way to hinder thee from sinning against thy soul4 ,ah1 ,lord1 what a condition will the ,christless soul be in at this day6 how will every one of these things afflict the damned soul6 ,they will pierce like arrows1 and bite like serpents1 and sting like an adder4 ,with what shame1 will that man stand before the judgment-seat of ,christ who must have all things he hath done against ,god1 to provoke the eyes of his glory to jealousy1 laid open before the whole host of the heavenly train6 ,it would make a man blush to have his pockets searched1 for things that are stolen in the midst of a market1 especially1 if he stand upon his reputation and honour4 ,but thou must have thy heart searched1 the bottom of thy heart searched2 and that1 ,i say1 before thy neighbour whom thou hast wronged1 and before the devils whom thou hast served2 yea1 before ,god1 whom thou hast despised1 and before the angels1 those holy and delicate creatures1 whose holy and chaste faces will scarce forbear blushing1 while ,god is making thee vomit up1 all thou hast swallowed2 for ,god shall bring it out of thy belly 7,job #bj3ab-ae74 ,for as for ,god to forget iniquity1 is one of the chief heads of the covenant of grace1 and is an argument of the highest nature1 to beget and to continue consolation in the godly3 so the remembrance of iniquity1 by the ,lord1 it is one of the heaviest loads and judgments1 that can befall any poor creature4 ,lord1 saith the prophet1 remember not against us former iniquities4 ,and again1 ,if thou1 ,lord1 shouldst mark iniquities1 ,o ,lord1 who shall stand8 7,psa #acj3c74 ,and the reason is1 because1 that which the ,lord forgetteth1 is forgiven for ever 7,heb #h3ab2 ,rom #d3f-h72 but that which he remembereth1 it is charged for ever1 and nothing can take it away--,though thou wash thee with nitre1 and take thee much soap1 yet thine iniquity is marked before me1 saith the ,lord ,god 7,jer #b3bb74 ,third4 ,the third book that will at this day be opened1 and out of which ,god will judge the world3 it is the book of the law1 or ten words given forth on the ,mount ,sinai4 ,but this book will more specially concern those that have received it1 or that have had knowledge thereof4 ,every one shall not be judged by this book1 as there delivered1 though they shall be judged by the works of it1 which are written in their hearts4 ,as many as have sinned without law1 shall also perish without law3 and as many as have sinned in the law1 shall be judged by the law 7,rom #b3ab74 ,that is1 the heathens that never knew the law1 as delivered on ,sinai1 they shall be judged by the law1 as it was written in man's heart in his creation1 which is comprised within the book of the creatures1 but those that have knowledge of the law1 as delivered on ,sinai3 they shall be judged by the law as there given4 ,now then1 this book when it is opened at the day of judgment1 it will to those to whom it especially relates1 be a most terrible law1 far surpassing the two afore-mentioned4 ,this law1 as ,i may so say1 it is the chief and most pure resemblance of the justice and holiness of the heavenly majesty1 and doth hold forth to all men the sharpness and keenness of his wrath above the other two that ,i have before mentioned4 ,i say1 both because it hath been delivered more plain and open1 both as to the duty enjoined1 and the sin prohibited2 and therefore must of necessity1 fall with the more violence upon the head of all that shall be found within the compass of it4 ,this law1 it hath in it to be opened at this day1 these two general heads3 #a4 ,a discovery of the evil of sin1 that is so1 against plain light and truth2 and1 secondly1 a discovery of the vanity of all things1 that will at this day be brought by sinners for their help and plea at the judgment4 ,alas1 who can but imagine1 that the poor world1 at the day of their arraignment1 should muster up all that ever they can think of1 as arguments to shelter them from the execution of that fierce wrath1 that then1 with sinking souls1 they will see prepared for them4 ,as to the first of these1 the apostle tells us that the law entered1 that the offence might abound 7,rom #e3bj71 or be discovered what it is4 ,as he saith again1 ,i had not known sin1 but by the law 7,rom #g3g1ac74 ,thus it is in this life1 and thus it will be in the day of judgment1 that is1 those that see sin1 and that in its abounding nature1 and in its exceeding sinfulness1 they must see it by the law1 for that is indeed the glass by which ,god discovereth sin1 and the filthy spots of leprosy1 that are in the soul 7,james #a3bb-be74 ,now those that have not the happiness to see their sin by the law in this life1 while there is a fountain of grace to wash in1 and be clean2 they must have the misery to see it at the judgment1 when nothing is left but misery and pain1 as the punishment for the same4 ,at which day1 those little tittles of this holy law1 that now men so easily look over1 and sin against with ease1 they will every one of them appear with such dread1 and with such flaming justice against every offence committed2 that if heaven and earth itself1 should step in to shelter the sinner from the justice and wrath due to sin1 it would turn them up by the roots4 ,it is easier for heaven and earth to pass1 than one tittle of the law to fail 7,luke #af3ag74 ,if there appeared such flames1 such thunderings1 and tempests1 as there were at the giving of the law2 what flames and blackness will there appear at the execution thereof6 ,and if at the giving of the law there appeared so much holiness and justice1 that it made all ,israel fly2 yea1 holy ,moses exceedingly fear and quake1 what will become of these that ,god shall judge by the rigour of this law in the day of judgment8 7,exo #ai3af2 ,heb #ab3ba74 ,o what thunderings and lightnings1 what earthquakes and tempests1 will there be in every damned soul1 at the opening of this book8 ,then1 indeed1 will ,god visit them with thunder1 and with earthquake1 and great noise1 with storm and tempest1 and the flame of devouring fire 7,isa #bi3f74 ,for behold1 saith the prophet1 the ,lord will come with fire1 and with his chariots like a whirlwind1 to render his anger with fury1 and his rebuke with flames of fire 7,isa #ff3ae74 ,the ,lord will come with fire1 that is1 in the flaming heat of his justice and holiness against sin1 and sinners1 to execute the rigour of his threatenings upon their perishing souls4 #b4 ,the second general head1 that is contained in this law1 to be opened at this day is1 its exactness1 and purity1 and strictness as to all acts of good that any poor creature hath done in this life1 whereby he in the judgment will think to shelter1 or secure himself from the wrath of ,god4 ,this is the rule1 and line1 and plummet1 whereby every act of every man shall be measured 7,rom #c3ba1bb72 and he whose righteousness is not found every way answerable to this law1 which all will fall short of1 but they that have the righteousness of ,god by faith in ,jesus ,christ3 he must perish1 as he saith1 ,judgment also will ,i lay to the line1 and righteousness to the plummet3 and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies1 and the waters shall overflow the hiding place 7,isa #bh3ag74 ,that is1 though men may not shelter themselves under legal repentance1 cold profession1 good meaning1 thinkings1 and doings3 yet all these things must be measured1 and weighed in the balance of ,god's most righteous law3 and1 as ,i said1 whatever in that day is not found the righteousness of ,god1 it will be found a refuge of lies1 and will be drowned by the overflowing of the wrath of ,god1 as the waters of ,noah overflowed the world4 ,and hence it is that all the ungodly will at this day1 be found as stubble1 and the law as fire 7,mal #d3a74 ,as it saith1 ,from his right hand went a fiery law 7,deu #cc3b74 ,and again1 ,his lips are full of indignation1 and his tongue as a devouring fire 7,isa #cj3bg74 ,for as fire1 where it seizeth1 doth burn1 eat1 destroy1 devour and consume3 so will the law1 all those that at this day1 shall be found under the transgression of the least tittle of it4 ,it will be with these souls at the day of judgment1 as it is with those countries that are overrun with most merciless conquerors1 who leave not anything behind them1 but swallow up all with fire and sword4 ,for by fire1 and by his sword1 will the ,lord plead with all flesh3 and the slain of the ,lord shall be many 7,isa #ff3af74 ,there are two things at the day of judgment1 will meet in their height and utmost strength1 and they are sin and the law2 for the judgment will not be1 till the iniquity of the world be full ripe 7,joel #c3ac2 ,rev #ad3ae-bj74 ,now then1 when sin is come to its full1 having played all its pranks1 and done all the mischief it can against the ,lord of glory3 then ,god brings forth the law1 his holy and righteous law1 one of which will now reign for ever1 that is1 either the law or sin3 wherefore sin and sinners1 they must tremble1 with all that help1 and hold them up2 for ,god will magnify the law1 and make it honourable 7,isa #db3ba74 ,that is1 will give it the victory over the world for ever2 for that is holy1 just1 and good2 they are unholy1 unjust1 and bad4 ,therefore by this law the ,lord shall rain snares1 fire1 and brimstone1 and an horrible tempest3 this shall be the portion of their cup 7,psa #aa3f74 ,let no man say then1 that because ,god is so famous in his mercy and patience1 in this day of his grace1 that therefore he will not be fierce1 and dreadful in his justice1 in the day of judgment2 for judgment and justice1 are the last things that ,god intends to bring upon the stage1 which will then be to the full1 as terrible1 as now his goodness and patience1 and long-sufferance are admirable4 ,lord1 who knoweth the power of thine anger8 even according to thy fear1 so is thy wrath 7,psa #ij3aa74 ,you may see1 if you will1 a few of the sparks of the justice of ,god against sin and sinners4 ,by his casting off angels for sin1 from heaven to hell2 by his drowning the old world2 by his burning of ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 to ashes2 condemning them with an overthrow1 making them an example to those that after should live ungodly 7#b ,peter #b3d-f2 ,jude #f1g74 ,for what things soever the law saith1 it saith to them who are under the law2 that every mouth may be stopped1 and all the world may become guilty before ,god 7,rom #c3ai74 ,moses seems to wonder1 that the children of ,israel could continue to live1 when they did but hear the law delivered on the mountain--,did ever people1 saith he1 hear the voice of ,god speaking out of the midst of the fire1 as thou hast heard1 and live8 7,deu #d3cc74 ,o that ye did but know the law1 and the wondrous things that are written therein1 before the ,lord cause that fearful voice to be heard--,cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law to do them 7,gal #c3aj72 which curse must fall on all that walk not in all the commandments of ,god without iniquity 7,eze #cc3ae72 which none do1 ,i say1 but they that walk in ,christ1 who hath alone fulfilled them all 7,col #b3aj74 ,the law is that which standeth at the entrance of the paradise of ,god1 as a flaming sword1 turning every way to keep out those that are not righteous with the righteousness of ,god 7,gen #c3bd72 that have not skill to come to the throne of grace by that new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the veil2 that is to say1 his flesh 7,heb #aj3bj71 for though this law1 ,i say1 be taken away by ,christ ,jesus1 for all that truly and savingly believe 7,col #b3ad72 yet it remains in full force and power1 in every tittle of it1 against every soul of man1 that now shall be found in his tabernacle1 that is1 in himself1 and out of the ,lord ,jesus 7,rom #c3ai72 it lieth1 ,i say1 like a lion rampant at the gates of heaven1 and will roar upon every unconverted soul1 fiercely accusing every one that now would gladly enter in through the gates into this city 7,job #ah3ad2 ,john #e3de74 ,so1 then1 he that can answer all its most perfect and legal commands1 and that can live in the midst of devouring fire1 and there enjoy ,god and solace himself1 he shall dwell on high1 and shall not be hurt by this law--,his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks3 bread shall be given him2 his waters shall be sure4 ,thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty3 they shall behold the land that is very far off 7,isa #cc3af1ag74 ,blessed then is he whose righteousness doth answer every point of the law of ,god1 according to #a ,corinthians #a3cj he shall be able to escape all those things that shall come to pass1 and to stand before the ,son of man2 for in himself1 our ,god is a consuming fire1 and man out of ,christ1 is but as stubble1 chaff1 thorns1 briars1 and fuel for the wrath of this holy and sinner-consuming ,god to seize upon for ever 7,heb #ab3bi2 ,mal #d3a2 ,matt #c3ab2 ,heb #f3h2 ,isa #bg3d2 #b ,sam #bc3f1g74 ,who can stand before his indignation8 ,and who can abide the fierceness of his anger8 ,his fury is poured out like fire1 and the rocks are thrown down by him 7,nahum #a3f74 ,now when these three books are thus opened1 there will without doubt1 be sad throbbing and pricking1 in every heart that now stands for his life1 before the judgment-seat of ,christ1 the righteous ,judge2 and without all question1 they will be studying a thousand ways to evade and shift the stroke1 that by the sin that these three books do charge them with1 will immediately fall upon them4 ,but now to cut off all these at a blow1 forthwith appear the witnesses1 who are ready to evince1 and make full and soul-killing proof of every particular charged against them4 ,first ,witness4--and the first is ,god himself4 ,i1 saith he1 will be a swift witness against the sorcerers1 and against the adulterers1 and against false swearers1 and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages1 the widow1 and the fatherless1 and that turn aside the stranger from his right1 and fear not me1 saith the ,lord of hosts 7,mal #c3e74 ,this must needs be of great sway with every soul1 that ,god should now come in4 ,i will witness1 saith ,god1 that these things of which you are accused before the ,judge are true4 ,i have seen all1 know all1 and write down all4 ,there hath not been a thought in your heart1 nor a word in your tongue1 but ,i have known it altogether2 all things have always been open and naked to mine eye 7,heb #d3ac74 ,yea1 my eyelids try the children of men 7,psa #aa3d74 ,i have known your down-sitting1 and your up-rising2 and have understood your thoughts afar off4 ,i have compassed your path1 and am well acquainted with all your ways 7,psa #aci3a-c74 #a4 ,you have not continued in that state of nature in which ,i did at first create you 7,eccl #g3bi72 you have not liked to retain that knowledge and understanding of ,god1 that you had1 and might have had1 by the very book of the creatures 7,rom #a74 ,you gave way to the suggestions of fallen angels1 and so your foolish hearts were darkened and alienated1 and estranged from ,god4 #b4 ,all the creatures that were in the world1 have even condemned you2 they have been fruitful1 but you fruitless2 they have been fearful of danger1 but you foolhardy2 they have taken the fittest opportunity for their own preservation1 but thou hast both blindly1 and confidently gone on to thy punishment 7,prov #bb3c74 #c4 ,touching the book of my remembrance1 who can contradict it8 ,do not ,i fill heaven and earth8 saith the ,lord4 ,was not ,i in all places to behold1 to see1 and to observe thee in all thy ways8 ,my eye saw the thief1 and the adulterer1 and ,i heard every lie and oath of the wicked4 ,i saw the hypocrisy of the dissembler4 ,they have committed villany in ,israel1 and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives1 and have spoken lying words in my name1 which ,i have not commanded them2 even ,i know1 and am a witness1 saith the ,lord 7,jer #bi3bc74 #d4 ,god will also come in against them for their transgressing his law1 even the law which he delivered on ,mount ,sinai2 he will1 ,i say1 open every tittle thereof in such order and truth3 and apply the breach of each particular person with such convincing argument1 that they will fall down silenced for ever--,every mouth shall be stopped1 and all the world shall become guilty before ,god 7,rom #c3ai74 ,second ,witness4--,there is yet another witness1 for the condemning the transgressors of these laws1 and that is1 conscience--,their conscience also bearing witness1 saith the apostle 7,rom #b3ae74 ,conscience is a thousand witnesses4 ,conscience1 it will cry amen to every word that the great ,god doth speak against thee4 ,conscience is a terrible accuser1 it will hold pace with the witness of ,god as to the truth of evidence1 to a hair's breadth4 ,the witnesses of conscience1 it is of great authority1 it commands guilt1#ad and fasteneth it on every soul which it accuseth2 and hence it is said1 ,if our heart or conscience condemn us 7#a ,john #c3bj74 ,conscience will thunder and lighten at this day2 even the consciences of the most pagan sinners in the world1 will have sufficiently wherewith to accuse1 to condemn1 and to make paleness appear in their faces1 and breaking in their loins1 by reason of the force of its conviction4 ,oh1 the mire and dirt1 that a guilty conscience1 when it is forced to speak1 will cast up1 and throw out before the judgment-seat6 ,it must out1 none can speak peace1 nor health1 to that man upon whom ,god hath let loose his own conscience4 ,cain will now cry1 ,my punishment is greater than ,i can bear2 ,judas will hang himself2 and both ,belshazzar and ,felix will feel the joints of their loins to be loosened1 and their knees to smite one against another1 when conscience stirreth 7,gen #d3ac2 ,matt #bg3c2 ,dan #e3f2 ,acts #bd3bc74 ,when conscience is once thoroughly awakened1 as it shall be before the judgment-seat3 ,god need say no more to the sinner than ,solomon said to filthy ,shimei1 thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to 7#a ,kings #b3dd74 ,as who should say1 ,thy conscience knoweth1 and can well inform thee of all the evil1 and sin that thou art guilty of4 ,to all which it answereth1 even as face answereth to face in a glass2 or as an echo answereth the man that speaketh2 as fast1 ,i say1 as ,god chargeth conscience will cry out1 ,guilty1 guilty2 ,lord1 guilty of all1 of every whit2 ,i remember clearly all the crimes thou layest before me4 ,thus1 ,i say1 will conscience be a witness against the soul1 in the day of ,god4 ,third ,witness4--,as ,god and conscience will at this day be most dreadful witnesses against the sinful man2 so also will those several thoughts that have passed through man's heart1 be a witness also against him4 ,as he said before1 ,their conscience also baring witness1 and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing1 or else excusing one another2 ,in the day when ,god shall judge the secrets of men by ,jesus ,christ according to my gospel 7,rom #b3ae1af74 ,the thoughts come in as a witness for ,god against the sinner upon the account of that unsteadiness and variety that were in them1 both touching ,god1 and their own selves4 ,sometimes the man thinks there is no ,god1 but that everything hath its rise of itself1 or by chance1 or fortune--,the fool hath said in his heart1 ,there is no ,god 7,psa #ad3a74 ,sometimes1 again1 they think there is a ,god1 but yet they think and imagine of him falsely4 ,thou thoughtest that ,i was altogether such an one as thyself1 saith ,god2 but ,i will reprove thee 7,psa #ej3ba74 ,men think1 that because they can sin with delight3 that therefore ,god can let them escape without punishment4 ,nay1 oftentimes they think1 that ,god doth either quite forget their wickedness1 or else that he will be pleased with such satisfaction as they are pleased to give him1 even a few howling prayers 7,hosea #g3ad71 feigned and hypocritical tears1 and weepings1 which pass from them more for fear of the punishment of hell-fire1 than because they have offended so holy1 so just1 and so glorious a ,god1 and so loving and so condescending a ,jesus 7,mal #b3ac74 ,sometimes again1 they have had right thoughts of something of ,god1 but not of him together2 either thinking so of his justice1 as to drive them from him1 and also cause them to put him out of their mind 7,job #ba3ad74 ,or else so thinking of his mercy as that they quite forget his holiness and justice4 ,now both these are but base thoughts of ,god1 and so erroneous1 and sinful thoughts4 ,sometimes also1 they have pretty right thoughts of ,god1 both as to justice and mercy1 but then1 through the wretchedness of their unsatisfied nature1 they1 against this light and knowledge1 do1 with shut eyes1 and hardened hearts1 rush fiercely1 knowingly1 and willingly again into their sins and wickedness 7,heb #f3d-f2 #aj3bf2 #b ,peter #b3bj74 ,as men have these various thoughts of ,god1 so also their thoughts are not steady about themselves4 ,sometimes they think they are sinners1 and therefore they have need of mercy4 ,sometimes again1 they think they are righteous1 and so have not so much need2 mark1 and yet both alike rotten and base2 because1 as the last is altogether senseless1 so the first is not at all savingly sensible 7,mark #aj3ag-bb2 ,luke #ah3aa1ab74 ,sometimes again1 they think they are gods 7,eze #bh3a-f72 that they shall never die2 or that if they do die1 yet they shall never rise again 7#a ,cor #ae3ab72 or if they do rise again1 yet they shall be saved1 though they have lived vilely and in their sins all the days of their life 7,deu #bi3ah-bj74 ,now1 ,i say1 every one of these thoughts1 with ten thousand more of the like nature1 will ,god bring in against the rebels in the judgment-day4 ,which thoughts shall every one of them be brought forth in their distinct order4 ,he sheweth to man what is his thought 7,amos #d3ac74 ,and1 again1 ,i know that thou canst do every thing1 and that no thought can be with-holden from thee 7,job #db3b74 ,we read1 that when the strangers at ,jerusalem did but hear the apostles speak to every one of them in their own language1 how it amazed and confounded them 7,acts #b3f-h74 ,but1 ,i say1 how will they look and be amazed when ,god shall evidently1 clearly1 and fully speak out all their hearts1 and every thought they have had before them6 ,now the reason and strength of this witness will lie here1 that ,god will by the variety and crossness that their thoughts had one to another1 and by the contradiction that was in them1 prove them sinners and ungodly2 because that1 ,i say1 sometimes they thought there was a ,god1 sometimes again1 they thought there was none4 ,sometimes they thought1 that he was such a ,god1 and sometimes again1 they thought of him quite contrary2 sometimes they thought he was worth regarding1 and sometimes they thought he was not2 as also1 sometimes they thought he would be faithful1 both to mercy1 and justice1 and sinners2 and sometimes again1 they thought he would not4 ,what greater argument now can there be1 to prove men1 vanity1 froth1 a lie1 sinners1 deluded by the devil1 and such as had false apprehensions of ,god1 his ways1 his word1 his justice1 his holiness1 of themselves1 their sins1 and every action8 ,now they will indeed appear a very lump of confusion1 a mass of sin1 a bundle of ignorance1 of atheism1 of unbelief1 and of all things that should lay them obnoxious to the judgments of ,god4 ,this will ,god1 ,i say1 by mustering up the thoughts of man1 and by shewing of them1 that every imagination and thought of their heart was only evil1 and that continually1 7by shewing of them what staggering1 drunken1 wild1 and uncomely thoughts they have had1 both of him1 and of themselves17 convince them1 cast them1 and condemn them for sinners1 and transgressors against the book of creatures1 the book of his remembrance1 and the book of the law4 ,by the variety of their thoughts1 they shall be proved unstable1 ignorant1 wandering stars1 clouds carried with a tempest1 without order or guidance1 and taken captive of the devil at his will4 ,now1 while the wicked are thus standing upon their trial and lives before the judgment-seat1 and that in the view of heaven and hell1 they1 ,i say1 hearing and seeing such dreadful things1 both written and witnessed against every one of them1 and that by such books and such witnesses as do not only talk1 but testify1 and that with the whole strength of truth against them3 they will then begin1 though poorly1 and without any advantage1 to plead for themselves1 which plea will be to this effect4 ,lord1 we did find in the scriptures1 that thou didst send a ,saviour into the world1 to deliver us from these sins and miseries4 ,we heard this ,saviour also published1 and openly proffered to such poor sinners as we are4 ,lord1 ,lord1 we also made profession of this ,saviour1 and were many of us frequenters of his holy ordinances4 ,we have eaten and drank in thy presence1 and thou hast taught in our streets4 ,lord1 we have also some of us1 been preachers ourselves1 we have prophesied in thy name1 and in thy name have we cast out devils1 and done many wondrous works4 ,nay1 ,lord1 we did herd among thy people2 we forsook the profane and wicked world1 and carried our shining lamps before us in the face of all men2 ,lord1 ,lord1 open to us 7,matt #g3ba-bc2 #be3a1b1aj1aa2 ,luke #ac3bd-bh74 ,and all the while they are thus pleading1 and speaking for themselves3 behold1 how earnestly they groan1 how ghastly they look1 and how now the brinish tears flow down like rivers from their eyes1 ever redoubling their petition1 ,lord1 ,lord1 ,lord1 ,lord3 first thinking of this thing1 and then of that1 ever contending1 seeking1 and striving to enter in at this strait gate4 ,as ,christ saith1 ,when once the master of the house is risen up1 that is1 when ,christ hath laid aside his mediation for sinners1 and hath taken upon him only to judge and condemn2 then will the wicked begin to stand without1 and to knock and contend for a portion among them that are the blessed4 ,ah1 how will their hearts twitter while they look upon the kingdom of glory6 and how will they ache and throb at every view of hell1 their proper place6 still crying1 ,o that we might inherit life1 and ,o that we might escape eternal death6 ,fourth1 ,but now1 to take away all cavils and objections1 that of this nature will arise in the hearts of these men3 forthwith the book of life is brought out for a conclusion1 and a final end of eternal judgment4 ,as ,john saith1 ,the books were opened2 and another book was opened1 which is the book of life3 and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books1 according to their works 7,rev #bj3ab74 ,but this book of life1 it is not at this time opened1 because there are not any godly to be tried2 for as ,i have shewed before1 their judgment is past and over1 before the wicked rise4 ,the book of life1 then1 is now opened for further conviction of damned reprobates1 that their mouths may be stopped for ever1 as touching all their cavils1 contendings1 and arguments against ,god's proceeding in judgment with them4 ,for believe it1 while ,god is judging them1 they will fall to judging him again2 but he will be justified in his sayings1 and will overcome when he is judged at this day 7,rom #c3d-f74 ,yet not by a hasty and angry casting them away1 but by a legal and convincing proceeding against them1 and overthrowing all their cavils by his manifest and invincible truth4 ,wherefore1 to cut off all that they can say1 he will now open the book of life before them1 and will shew them what is written therein1 both as to election1 conversion1 and a truly gospel conversation4 ,and will convince them that they neither are of the number of his elect1 neither were they ever regenerate1 neither had they ever a truly gospel conversation in the world4 ,by these three things1 then1 out of this book1 thou1 who art not saved1 must at last be judged and overcome4 #a4 ,here will be tried1 whether thou art within that part of this book wherein all the elect are recorded2 for all the elect are written here1 as ,christ saith1 ,rejoice1 because your names are written in heaven 7,luke #aj3bj72 and again1 ,in thy book1 saith he to his ,father1 all my members were written 7,psa #aci3af2 ,heb #ab3bb1bc74 ,now1 then1 if thy name be not found1 either among the prophets1 apostles1 or the rest of saints1 thou must be put by1 as one that is cast away1 as one polluted1 and as an abominable branch 7,isa #ad3ai72 thy name is wanting in the genealogies and rolls of heaven 7,ezra #b3fb71 thou art not pricked#ae for everlasting life1 therefore thou must not be delivered from that soul-amazing misery2 for there are no souls can1 though they would give a thousand worlds1 be delivered at the day of ,god but such that are found written in this book4 ,every one of those that are written1 though never an one of those that are not written1 shall in that day be delivered from the wrath to come 7,dan #ab3a74 ,but1 ,o methinks1 with what careful hearts will the damned now begin to look for their names in this book4 ,those that1 when once the long-suffering of ,god waited on them1 made light of all admonition1 and slighted the counsel of making their calling and election sure3 would now give thousands of treasures1 that they could but spy their names1 though last and least among the sons of ,god4 ,but1 ,i say1 how will they fail8 how will they faint8 how will they die and languish in their souls8 when they shall still as they look1 see their names wanting4 ,what a pinch will it be to ,cain to see his brother there recorded1 and he himself left out4 ,absalom will now swoon1 and be as one that giveth up the ghost1 when he shall see ,david his father1 and ,solomon his brother written here1 while he withal is written in the earth1 among the damned4 ,thus1 ,i say1 will sadness be added to sadness1 in the soul of the perishing world when they fail of finding their names in this part of the book of life of the ,lamb slain from the foundation of the world 7,rev #ac3h74 #b4 ,the second part of this book1 is that in which is recorded1 the nature of conversion1 of faith1 love1 c4 ,and those that have not had the effectual word of ,god upon them1 and the true and saving operation of grace in their hearts1 which is indeed the true life which is begun in every ,christian1 they will be found still not written in this book2 for the living1 the holy living souls1 are they only that are written therein2 as the prophet saith1 and he that remaineth in ,jerusalem1 shall be called holy1 even every one that is written among the living in ,jerusalem 7,isa #d3c73 ,eternal life is already in this life1 begun in every soul that shall be saved2 as ,christ saith1 ,he that believeth in me hath everlasting life4 ,and again1 ,whoso eateth my flesh1 and drinketh my blood1 hath eternal life2 and ,i will raise him up at the last day 7,john #f3ed74 ,and hence they are called the living1 that are written in this book4 ,here then1 the ,lord will open before thee1 what conversion is1 in the true and simple nature of it1 which when thou beholdest1 thou wilt then be convinced1 that this thou hast missed of2 for it must needs be1 that when thou beholdest by the records of heaven1 what a change what a turn2 what an alteration the work of regeneration maketh on every soul1 and in every heart1 where the effectual call1 or the call according to his purpose1 is2 that thou who hast lived a stranger to this1 or that hast contented thyself with the notion only1 or a formal1 and feigned profession thereof3 ,i say1 it cannot be but that thou must forthwith fall down1 and with grief conclude1 that thou hast no share in this part of the book of life neither1 the living only are written herein4 ,there is not one dead1 carnal1 wicked man recorded here4 ,no2 but when the ,lord shall at this day make mention of ,rahab1 of ,babylon1 of ,philistia1 and ,ethiopia3 that is1 of all the cursed rabble and crew of the damned3 then he will say1 that this man was born there--that is1 amongst them1 and so hath his name where they have theirs2 namely1 under the black rod1 in the king's black book1 where he hath recorded all his enemies and traitors4 ,it shall be said of this man1 of this ungodly man1 that he was born there 7,psa #hg3d71 that he lived and died in the state of nature1 and so under the curse of ,god1 even as others3 for as he said of wicked ,coniah1 ,write ye this man childless 7,jer #bb3cj71 so he saith of every ungodly man that so departeth out of this world1 ,write this man graceless4 ,wherefore1 ,i say1 among the ,babylonians and ,philistines2 among the unbelieving ,moors and pagans1 his name will be found in the day when it will be inquired where every man was born2 for ,god at this day1 will divide the whole world into these two ranks--the children of the world1 and the children of ,zion4 ,wherefore here is the honour1 the privilege1 and advantage that the godly above the wicked will have at the day of their counting1 when the ,lord maketh mention of ,zion1 it shall be then acknowledged that this and that 7good7 man was born in her4 ,the ,lord shall count1 saith the prophet1 when he writeth up the people1 that this man was born there 7,psa #hg3f74 ,this man had the work of conversion1 of faith1 and grace in his soul4 ,this man is a child of ,zion1 of the heavenly ,jerusalem1 which is also written in heaven 7,gal #d3bf2 ,heb #ab3bc74 ,blessed is the people that is in such a case 7,psa #add3ae74 ,but1 poor soul1 counters#af will not go for gold now2 for though so long as thou didst judge thyself by the crooked rule of thy own reason1 fancy1 and affection1 thou wast pure in thine own eyes3 yet now thou must be judged alone by the words and rule of the ,lord ,jesus3 which word shall not now1 as in times past1 be wrested and wrung1 both this way and that1 to smooth thee up in thy hypocrite's hope and carnal confidence2 but be thou king or keser1#ag be thou who thou wilt1 the word of ,christ1 and that with this interpretation only1 it shall judge thee in the last day 7,john #ab3dh74 ,now will sinners begin to cry with loud and bitter cries1 ,oh6 ten thousand worlds for a saving work of grace4 ,crowns and kingdoms for the least measure of saving faith1 and for the love1 that ,christ will say1 is the love of his own ,spirit4 ,now they will begin also to see the work of a broken and a contrite spirit1 and of walking with ,god1 as living stones1 in this world4 ,but alas6 these things appear in their hearts to the damned too late2 as also do all things else4 ,this will be but like the repentance of the thief1 about whose neck is the halter1 and he turning off the ladder2 for the unfortunate hap of the damned will be1 that the glory of heavenly things will not appear to them till out of season4 ,christ must now indeed be shewed to them1 as also the true nature of faith and all grace2 but it will be1 when the door is shut1 and mercy gone4 ,they will pray1 and repent most earnestly2 but it will be in the time of great waters of the floods of eternal wrath1 when they cannot come nigh him 7#a ,tim #f3ae2 ,matt #be3aj1aa2 ,psa #cb3f74 ,well1 then1 tell me1 sinner1 if ,christ should now come to judge the world1 canst thou abide the trial of the book of life8 art thou confident that thy profession1 that thy conversion1 thy faith1 and all other graces thou thinkest thou hast1 will prove gold1 silver1 and precious stones in this day8 ,behold1 he comes as a refiner's fire1 and as fuller's soap4 ,shalt thou indeed abide the melting and washing of this day8 ,examine1 ,i say1 beforehand1 and try thyself unfeignedly2 for every one that doth truth cometh to the light1 that his deeds may be made manifest1 that they are wrought in ,god 7,john #c3ba74 ,thou sayest thou art a ,christian1 that also thou hast repented1 dost believe1 and love the ,lord ,jesus2 but the question is1 whether these things will be found of equal length1 height1 and breadth with the book of life1 or whether1 when thou art weighed in the balance1 thou wilt yet be found wanting 7,dan #e3bg74 ,how if1 when thou comest to speak for thyself before ,god1 thou shouldst say ,sibboleth instead of ,shibboleth3 that is1 though almost1 yet not rightly and naturally the language of the ,christians 7,judg #ab3f74 ,if thou miss but one letter in thy evidence1 thou art gone2 for though thou mayest deceive thy own heart with brass1 instead of gold1 and with tin instead of silver1 yet ,god will not be so put off 7,gal #f3g74 ,you know how confident the foolish virgins were1 and yet how they were deceived4 ,they herded with the saints1 they went forth from the gross pollutions of the world1 they every one had shining lamps1 and all went forth to meet the bridegroom1 and yet they missed the kingdom2 they were not written among the living at ,jerusalem2 they had not the true1 powerful1 saving work of conversion1 of faith1 and grace in their souls3 they that are foolish take their lamps1 but take no oil1 no saving grace1 with them 7,matt #be3a-d74 ,thus you see how sinners will be put to it before the judgment-seat from these two parts of this book of life4 ,but1 #c4 ,there is yet another part of this book to be opened1 and that is1 that part of it in which are recorded those noble and ,christian acts1 that they have done since the time of their conversion and turning to ,christ4 ,here1 ,i say1 are recorded the testimony of the saints against sin and antichrist2 their suffering for the sake of ,god1 their love to the members of ,christ1 their patience under the cross1 and their faithful frequenting the assemblies of the saints1 and their encouraging one another to bear up in his ways in the worst of times2 even when the proud were called happy1 and when they that wrought wickedness were even set up4 ,as he there saith1 ,then they that feared the ,lord spake often one to another3 and the ,lord hearkened1 and heard it1 and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the ,lord1 and that thought upon his name 7,mal #c3af74 ,for indeed1 as truly as any person hath his name found in the first part of this book of life1 and his conversion in the second2 so there is a third part1 in which there are his noble1 spiritual1 and holy actions recorded and set down4 ,as it is said by the ,spirit to ,john1 concerning those that suffered martyrdom for the truth of ,jesus1 ,write1 ,blessed are the dead which die in the ,lord3--,yea1 saith the ,spirit1 that they may rest from their labours2 and their works do follow them 7,rev #ad3ac74 ,and hence it is that the labours of the saints and the book of life1 are mentioned together1 signifying that the travels1 and labours1 and acts of the godly1 are recorded therein 7,phil #d3c74 ,and hence it is again1 that the ,lord doth tell ,sardis1 that those among them that stood it out to the last gasp1 in the faith and love of the gospel1 should not be blotted out of the book of life2 but they1 with the work of ,god on their soul1 and their labour for ,god in this world2 should be confessed before his ,father1 and before his angels 7,rev #c3e74 ,this part of this book1 is in another place called1 ,the book of the wars of the ,lord1 7,num #ba3ad71 because in it1 ,i say1 are recorded these famous acts of the saints against the world1 flesh1 and the devil4 ,you find also1 how exact the ,holy ,ghost is1 in recording the travels1 pains1 labour1 and goodness of any of the children of ,israel1 in their journey from ,egypt to ,canaan1 which was a representation of the travels of the saints1 from nature to grace1 and from grace to glory4 ,king ,ahasuerus1 kept in his library a book of records1 wherein was written1 the good service that his subjects did for him at any time1 which was a type also of the manner and order of heaven4 ,and as sure as ever ,mordecai1 when search was made in the rolls1 was found there to have done such and such service for the king and his kingdom 7,esth #f3a1b73 so surely will it be found1 what every saint hath done for ,god1 at the day of inquiry4 ,you find in the ,old ,testament also1 still as any of the kings of ,judah died1 there was surely a record in the book of ,chronicles1 of their memorable acts and doings for their ,god1 the church1 and the commonwealth of ,israel1 which still doth further hold forth unto the children of men1 this very thing1 that all the kings of the ,new ,testament1 which are the saints of ,god1 have all their acts1 and what they have done for their ,god1 c41 recorded in the book of ,chronicles in the heavenly ,jerusalem4 ,now1 ,i say1 when this part of the book of life shall be opened1 what can be found in it1 of the good deeds and heaven-born actions of wicked men8 ,just nothing2 for as it is not to be expected that thorns should bring forth grapes1 or that thistles should bear figs3 so it cannot be imagined1 that ungodly men should have anything to their commendations1 recorded in this part of the book of life4 ,what hast thou done1 man1 for ,god in this world8 ,art thou one of them that hast set thyself against those strong strugglings of pride1 lust1 covetousness1 and secret wickedness1 that remain in thy heart1 like ,job and ,paul8 7,job #a3h2 #b ,cor #aj3d1e74 ,and do these strugglings against these things1 arise from pure love to the ,lord ,jesus1 or from some legal terrors and conviction for sin 7,gal #e3f74 ,dost thou1 ,i say1 struggle against thy lusts1 because thou dost in truth1 love the sweet1 holy1 and blessed leadings of the ,spirit of the ,lord ,jesus2 its leadings of thee1 ,i say1 into his blood and death1 for thy justification and deliverance from wrath to come 7,phil #c3f-h2 #b ,cor #e3ad74 ,what acts of self-denial1 hast thou done for the name of the ,lord ,jesus1 among the sons of men8 ,i say1 what house1 what friend1 what wife1 what children1 and the like1 hast thou lost1 or left for the word of ,god1 and the testimony of his truth in the world8 7,matt #ai3bg1bh2 ,rev #ab3aa74 ,wast thou one of them1 that didst sigh1 and afflict thyself for the abominations of the times8 and that ,christ hath marked and recorded for such an one8 7,eze #i3d2 ,zeph #c3ah74 ,in a word1 art thou one of them1 that wouldst not be won1 neither by fear1 frowns1 nor flatteries1 to forsake the ways of ,god1 or wrong thy conscience8 or art thou one of them that slightest those opportunities that ,satan and this world did often give thee to return to sin in secret 7,heb #aa3ae74 ,these be the men whose praise is in the gospel1 and whose commendable and worthy acts are recorded before the ,judge of all the world4 ,alas1 alas1 these things are strange things to a carnal and wicked man4 ,nothing of this hath been done by him in this life1 and therefore how can any such be recorded for him in the book of life8 wherefore he must needs be shut out of this part also4 ,as ,david saith1 ,let them be blotted out of the book of the living1 and not be written with the righteous 7,psa #fi3bh74 ,thus ,i say1 the wicked will find nothing for their comfort1 either in the first part of this book1 where all the names of the elect are1 neither will they find anything in the second part thereof1 where are recorded the true nature and operation of effectual conversion1 of faith1 or love1 or the like2 and ,i say1 neither can anything be found in this third part1 wherein are recorded the worthy acts1 and memorable deeds of the saints of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,thus1 when ,christ therefore hath opened before them this book of life1 and convinced the ungodly at this day out of it1 he will then shut it up again1 saying1 ,i find nothing herein that will do you good2 you are none of my elect1 you are the sons of perdition4 ,for as these things will be found clear and full in the book of life1 so they will be found effectually wrought in the hearts of the elect1 all whose conversion and perseverance shall now be opened before thine eyes1 as a witness1 ,i say1 of the truth of what thou here seest opened before thee1 and also of thy unregenerate estate4 ,now1 thou wilt see what a turn1 what a change1 and what a clinging to ,god1 to ,christ1 and his word and ways2 there was found in the souls of the saved ones6 ,here shall be seen also how resolvedly1 unfeignedly1 and heartily the true child of ,god did oppose1 resist1 and war against his most dear and darling lusts and corruptions4 ,now the saints are hidden ones1 but then they shall be manifest2 this is the morrow in which the ,lord will shew who are his1 and who they are that fear the ,lord1 and who that fear him not 7,psa #hc3c2 #a ,sam #h3ai2 ,num #af3e2 ,mal #c3ah74 ,now you shall see how ,abraham left his country 7,heb #aa3h72 how close good ,lot did stick to ,god in profane and wicked ,sodom 7#b ,peter #b3g1h72 how the apostles left all to follow ,jesus ,christ 7,matt #ai3bi72 and how patiently they took all crosses1 afflictions1 persecutions1 and necessities for the kingdom of heaven's sake2 how they endured burning1 striving1 stoning1 hanging1 and a thousand calamities2 how they manifested their love to their ,lord1 his cause1 and people in the worst of times1 and in the days when they were most rejected1 slighted1 abused1 and abased2 then shall the ,king say to them on his right hand1 7and that when all the devils and damned sinners stand by17 ,come1 ye blessed of my ,father1 inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world3 7you are indeed the truly converted souls1 as appears by the grace that was in your hearts7 for ,i was an hungered1 and ye gave me meat3 ,i was thirsty1 and ye gave me drink3 ,i was a stranger1 and ye took me in3 ,naked1 and ye clothed me3 ,i was sick1 and ye visited me3 ,i was in prison1 and ye came unto me 7,matt #be3cd-cf74 ,you owned me1 stood by me1 and denied yourselves to nourish me and my poor members1 in our low1 and weak1 and most despised condition4 ,this1 ,i say1 the world shall see1 hear1 and be witnesses of1 against themselves and their souls for ever2 for how can it be1 but these poor damned sinners should be forced to confess1 that they were both ,christless and graceless1 when they shall find1 both in the book of life1 and in the hearts of the holy and beloved souls1 that which themselves are quite barren of1 and greatest strangers to4 ,the saints1 by the fruits of regeneration1 even in this world1 do testify to the world1 not only the truth of conversion in themselves1 but also that they are yet ,christless1 and so heavenless1 and salvationless1 that are not converted 7#a ,tim #f3ab2 #a ,thess #b3aj2 #b ,tim #b3b74 ,but alas6 while we are here1 they will evade this testimony1 both of our happiness1 by calling our faith1 phantasy2 our communion with ,god1 delusion2 and the sincere profession of his word before the world1 hypocrisy1 pride1 and arrogancy3 yet1 ,i say1 when they see us on the right hand of ,christ1 commingled among the angels of light1 and themselves on his left hand1 and commingled with the angels of darkness2 and1 ,i say1 when they shall see our hearts and ways opened before their eyes1 and owned by the ,judge for honest hearts and good ways1 and yet the same ways that they hated1 slighted1 disowned and contemned1 what will they1 or what can they say1 but thus--,we fools counted their lives madness1 and their end to be without honour2 but how are they numbered with the saints1 and owned by ,god and ,christ6 ,and truly1 was it not that the world might1 by seeing the turn that is wrought on the godly at their conversion1 be convinced of the evil of their ways1 or be left without excuse the more in the day of ,god1 7with some other reasons7 they should not1 ,i am persuaded1 stay so long from heaven as they do1 nor undergo so much abuse and hardship as frequently befalls them4 ,god1 by the lengthening out the life of his people that are scattered here and there among men in this world1 is making work for the day of judgment1 and the overthrow of the implacable1 for ever and ever2 and1 as ,i have said1 will by the conversion1 life1 patience1 self-denial1 and heavenly-mindedness of his dear children1 give them a heavy and most dreadful blow4 ,now1 when ,god hath thus laid open the work of grace1 both by the book of life and the ,christian's heart3 then1 of itself will fall to the ground1 their pleading what gifts and abilities they had in this world2 they will now see that gifts1 and grace1 are two things3 and also1 that whosoever is graceless1 let their gifts be never so excellent1 they must perish and be lost for ever2 wherefore1 for all their gifts1 they shall be found the workers of iniquity1 and shall so be judged and condemned 7,matt #g3bb1bc74 ,that is a notable place in the prophecy of ,ezekiel1 ,thus saith he ,lord ,,god1 saith he1 ,if the prince1 the ,prince of ,life1 give a gift to any of his sons1--that is1 to any that are truly gracious--the inheritance1 or the profit that he gets thereby1 shall be his son's--that is1 for the exercise of his gift he shall receive a reward2 but if he give a gift of his inheritance to one of his servants1 that is not a son1 then it shall be his but to the year of liberty2 after1 it shall return to the prince1 c4 7,eze #df3af1ag74 ,this day of liberty it is now1 when the ,judge is set upon the throne to judgment1 even the glorious liberty of the children of ,god 7,rom #h3ba71 wherefore then will ,christ say to them that stand by1 ,take from him the pound1 and give it to him that hath ten pounds4 ,this servant must not abide in the house for ever1 though with the son it shall be so 7,john #h3ce2 ,luke #ai3bd74 ,a man may be used as a servant in the church of ,god1 and may receive many gifts1 and much knowledge of the things of heaven1 and yet at last himself be no more than a very bubble and nothing 7#a ,cor #ac3a-c74 ,but now1 ,i say1 at this day1 they shall clearly see the difference between gifts and grace1 even as clearly1 as now they that have eyes can see the difference between gifts and ignorance1 and very foolishness4 ,this our day doth indeed abound with gifts2 many sparkling wits are seen in every corner2 men have the word and truths of ,christ at their fingers' ends2 but alas1 with many1 yea1 a great many1 there is nought but wits and gifts2 they are but words1 all their religion lieth in their tongues and heads1 the power of what they say and know1 it is seen in others1 not in themselves4 ,these are like the lord on whom the king of ,israel leaned1 they shall see the plenty1 the blessed plenty that ,god doth provide1 and will bestow upon his church1 but they shall not taste thereof 7#b ,kings #g3ag-bj74 ,obs4 ,first4 ,before ,i conclude this matter1 observe1 first1 that among all the objections and cavils that are made1 and will be made1 by the ungodly1 in the day of the ,lord ,jesus1 they have not one hump#ah about election and reprobation2 they murmur not at all that they were not predestinated to eternal life2 and the reason is1 because then they shall see1 though now they are blind1 that ,god could in his prerogative royal1 without prejudice to them that are damned1 choose and refuse at pleasure2 and besides1 they at that day shall be convinced1 that there was so much reality and downright willingness in ,god1 in every tender of grace and mercy to the worst of men2 and also so much goodness1 justness1 and reasonableness in every command of the gospel of grace1 which they were so often entreated and beseeched to embrace1 that they will be drowned in the conviction of this1 that did refuse love1 grace1 reason1 c43 love1 ,i say1 for hatred1 grace for sin1 and things reasonable1 for things unreasonable and vain4 ,now they shall see they left glory for shame1 ,god for the devil1 heaven for hell1 light for darkness4 ,now they shall see that though they made themselves beasts1 yet ,god made them reasonable creatures1 and that he did with reason expect that they should have adhered to1 and have delighted in1 things that are good1 and according to ,god2 yea1 now they shall see1 that though ,god did not determine to bring them to heaven against their hearts and wills1 and the love that they had to their sins3 yet then they shall be convinced1 that ,god was far from infusing anything into their souls1 that should in the least hinder1 weaken1 obstruct1 or let them in seeking the welfare of their souls4 ,now men will tattle and prattle at a mad rate1 about election and reprobation1 and conclude1 that because all are not elected1 therefore ,god is to blame that any are damned3 but then they will see1 that they are not damned because they were not elected1 but because they sinned2 and also that they sinned1 not because ,god put any weakness into their souls1 but because they gave way1 and that willfully1 knowingly1 and desperately1 to ,satan and his suggestions2 and so turned away from the holy commandment delivered unto them2 yea1 then they will see1 that though ,god at some times did fasten his cords about their heads1 and heels1 and hands1 both by godly education1 and smarting convictions1 yet they rushed away with violence from all1 saying1 ,let us break their bands asunder1 and cast away their cords from us 7,psa #b3c74 ,god will be justified in his sayings1 and clear when he judgeth 7,psa #ea3d71 though thy proud ignorance thinks to have1 and to multiply1 cavils against him4 ,obs4 ,second4 ,but secondly1 as the whole body of the elect1 by the nature of conversion in their hearts1 shall witness a non-conversion in the hearts of the wicked2 and as the ungodly shall fall under the conviction of this cloud of witnesses3 so1 to increase their conviction1 there will also be opened before them all the labours of the godly1 both ministers and others1 and the pains that they have taken1 to save1 if it had been possible1 these damned wretches2 and now will it come burning hot upon their souls1 how often they were forewarned of this day2 now they shall see1 that there was never any quarter-sessions1 nor general jail-delivery more publicly foretold of1 than this day4 ,you know that the judges before they begin their assizes1 do give to the country in charge1 that they take heed to the laws and statutes of the king4 ,why rebel1 thou shalt be at this day convicted1 that every sermon thou hast heard1 and that every serious debate thou hast been at about the things of ,god1 and laws of eternity1 they were to thee as the judge's charge before the assizes and judgment began4 ,every exhortation of every minister of ,god1 it is as that which ,paul gave to ,timothy1 and commanded him to give in charge to others--,i charge thee before ,god1 and the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and the elect angels1 saith he1 that thou observe these things2 and again1 ,i give thee charge in the sight of ,god1 who quickeneth all things1 and before ,jesus ,christ1 who before ,pontius ,pilate witnessed a good confession2 ,that thou keep this commandment without spot1 unrebukeable1 until the appearing of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ 7#a ,tim #e3ba2 #f3ac1ad74 ,these things give in charge1 saith he1 that they may be blameless4 ,this1 ,i say1 hast thou heard and seen1 and yet thou hast not held fast1 but hast cast away the things that thou hast heard1 and hast been warned of3 alas6 ,god will multiply his witnesses against thee4 #a4 ,thy own vows and promises shall be a witness against thee1 that thou hast1 contrary to thy light and knowledge1 destroyed thy soul1 as ,joshua said to the children of ,israel1 when they said the ,lord should be their ,god4 ,well1 saith he1 ,ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the ,lord1 to serve him4 ,that is1 if now you turn back again1 even this covenant and resolution of yours will in the great day be a witness against you--,and they said1 ,we are witnesses 7,josh #bd3bb74 #b4 ,every time you have with your mouth said well of godliness1 and yet gone on in wickedness2 or every time you have condemned sin in others1 and yet have not refrained it yourselves2 ,i say1 every such word and conclusion that hath passed out of thy mouth1 sinner1 it shall be as a witness against thee in the day of ,god1 and the ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 as ,christ saith1 ,by thy words thou shalt be justified1 and by thy words thou shalt be condemned 7,matt #ab3cg74 ,i observe1 that talk with who you will1 they will with their mouth say1 serving of ,god1 and loving of ,christ1 and walking in ways of holiness1 are best1 and best will come of them4 ,i observe again1 that men that are grossly wicked themselves1 will yet1 with heavy censures and judgments1 condemn drunkenness1 lying1 covetousness1 pride1 and whoring1 with all manner of abominations in others2 and yet1 in the meantime1 continue to be neglecters of ,god1 and embracers of sin and the allurements of the flesh themselves4 ,why1 such souls1 every time they speak well of godliness1 and continue in their sins2 they do pass judgment upon themselves1 and provide a witness1 even their own mouth1 against their own soul1 at the judgment-seat--,out of thy own mouth1 saith ,christ1 will ,i judge thee1 thou wicked servant2 thou knewest what ,i was1 and that ,i loved to see all my servants zealous1 and active for me1 that at my coming1 ,i might have received again what ,i gave thee1 with increase2 thou oughtest therefore to have been busying thyself in my work1 for my glory1 and thy own good2 but seeing thou hast1 against thy own light and mouth gone contrary3 ,angels1 take this unprofitable servant1 and cast ye him into utter darkness1 there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth2 he sinned against his light1 he shall go to hell against his will 7,matt #be3bf-ca74 ,the very same ,i say1 will befall all those that have used their mouth to condemn the sins of others1 while they themselves live in their sins4 ,saith ,god1 ,o thou wicked wretch1 thou didst know that sin was bad1 thou didst condemn it in others1 thou dist also condemn1 and pass judgment upon them for their sin1 ,therefore thou art inexcusable1 ,o man1 whosoever thou art that judgest3 for thou that judgest dost the same thing2 wherefore1 wherein thou hast judged another1 thou condemnest thyself4 ,i must therefore1 saith ,christ1 look upon thee to be no other but a sinner against thy own mouth1 and cannot but judge thee as a despiser of my goodness1 and the riches of my forbearance2 by which means1 thou hast treasured up wrath against this day of wrath1 and revelation of the righteous judgment of ,god 7,rom #b3a-e74 ,he that knoweth to do good1 and doth it not1 to him it is sin4 ,thus will ,god1 ,i say1 judge and condemn poor sinners1 even from and by themselves1 to the fire1 that lake of brimstone and fire4 #c4 ,god hath said in his word1 that rather than there shall want witness at the day of judgment1 against the workers of iniquity3 the very dust of their city1 that shall cleave to his messengers that publish the gospel shall itself be a witness against them2 and so ,christ bid his servants say--,into whatsoever city ye enter1 and they receive you not1 go your ways out into the streets of the same1 and say1 ,even the very dust of your city1 which cleaveth on us1 we do wipe off against you3 c4 ,but ,i say unto you1 saith he to his ministers1 it shall be more tolerable for ,sodom at the judgment than for that city 7,luke #aj3aj-ab74 ,it may be1 that when thou hearest that the dust of the street1 7that cleaveth to a minister of the gospel1 while thou rejectest his word of salvation17 shall be a witness against thee at the day of judgment3 thou wilt be apt to laugh1 and say1 ,the dust a witness6 ,witnesses will be scarce where dust is forced to come in to plead against a man4 ,well sinner1 mock not2 ,god doth use to confound the great and mighty by things that are not1 and that are despised4 ,and how sayest thou8 ,if ,god had said by a prophet to ,pharaoh1 but two years before the plague1 that he would shortly come against him with one army of lice1 and a second army of frogs1 and with a third army of locusts1 c41 and would destroy his land1 dost thou think it had been wisdom in ,pharaoh1 now to have laughed such tidings to scorn8 ,is anything too hard for the ,lord8 ,hath he said it1 and shall he not bring it to pass8 ,you shall see in the day of judgment1 of what force all these things will be1 as witnesses against the ungodly4 ,many more witnesses might ,i here reckon up1 but these at this time shall suffice to be nominated2 for out of the mouth of two or three witnesses1 every word shall be established 7#b ,cor #ac3a74 ,and at the mouth of two or three witnesses1 shall he that is worthy of death1 be put to death 7,deu #ag3f2 ,john #h3ag74 ,fourth--the sentence of the ungodly4 ,thus then1 the books being opened1 the laws read1 the witnesses heard1 and the ungodly convicted2 forthwith the ,lord and ,judge proceeds to execution4 ,,the ,,sentence ,,and ,,punishment ,,of ,,the ,,wicked4 ,and to that end doth pass the sentence of eternal death upon them1 saying1 ,depart from me1 ye cursed1 into everlasting fire1 prepared for the devil and his angels 7,matt #be3da74 ,you are now by the book of the creatures1 by the book of ,god's remembrance1 by the book of the law1 and by the book of life1 adjudged guilty of high treason against ,god and me2 and as murderers of your own souls1 as these faithful and true witnesses here have testified1 every one of them appearing in their most upright testimony against you4 ,also1 you never had a saving work of conversion1 and faith1 passed upon you1 you died in your sins2 neither can ,i find anything in the last part of this book that will serve your turn1 no worthy act is here recorded of you--,when ,i was an hungered1 and ye gave me no meat3 when ,i was thirsty1 ye game me no drink3 when ,i was a stranger1 ye took me not in3 ,i was naked1 but ye clothed me not3 ,i was sick and in prison1 but ye visited me not3 ,i have made a thorough search among the records of the living1 and find nothing of you1 or of your deeds1 therein--,depart from me1 ye cursed1 c4 7,matt #be3db1dc74 ,thus will these poor ungodly creatures be stripped of all hope and comfort1 and therefore must need fall into great sadness and wailing1 before the ,judge2 yea1 crying out1 as being loath to let go all for lost2 and even as the man that is fallen into the river1 will catch hold of anything when he is struggling for life1 though it tend to hold him faster under the water to drown him3 so1 ,i say1 while these poor creatures1 as they lie struggling and twining under the ireful countenance of the ,judge2 they will bring out yet one more faint and weak groan1 and there goes life and all2 their last sigh is this--,lord1 when saw we thee an hungered1 and gave thee no meat3 or when saw we thee thirsty1 and gave thee no drink8 when saw we thee a stranger1 and took thee not in8 or naked1 and clothed thee not8 or when wast thou sick1 or in prison1 and we did not minister unto thee8 7,matt #be3dd74 ,thus you see1 how loath the sinner is now to take a nay of life everlasting4 ,he that once would not be persuaded to close with the ,lord ,jesus1 though one should have persuaded him with tears of blood3 behold how fast he now hangs about the ,lord1 what arguments he frames with mournful groans2 how with shifts and words he seeks to gain the time1 and to defer the execution3 ,lord1 open unto us6 ,lord1 ,lord1 open unto us6 7,matt #be3aa74 ,lord1 thou hast taught in our streets1 and we have both taught in thy name and in thy name have we cast out devils 7,matt #g3bb74 ,we have eaten and drank in thy presence 7,luke #ac3bf74 ,and when did we see thee an hungry1 or thirsty1 or a stranger1 or naked1 or sick1 or in prison1 and did not minister to thee8 7,matt #be3aj1aa74 ,o poor hearts6 how loath1 how unwillingly do they turn away from ,christ6 ,how loath are they to partake of the fruit of their ungodly doings6 ,christ must say1 ,depart once1 and depart twice1 before they will depart4 ,when he hath shut the door upon them1 yet they knock1 and cry1 ,lord1 open unto us2 when he hath given them their answer1 that he knows them not1 yet they plead and mourn4 ,wherefore he is fain to answer again1 ,i tell you1 ,i know you not whence you are2 depart 7,luke #ac3be-bg74 ,,depart4 ,o this word1 ,depart6 ,how dreadful is it6 with what weight will it fall on the head of every condemned sinner6 ,for you must note1 that while the ungodly stand thus before the ,judge2 they cannot choose but have a most famous view both of the kingdom of heaven1 and of the damned wights in hell4 ,now they see the ,god of glory1 the ,king of glory1 the saints of glory1 and the angels of glory2 and the kingdom in which they have their eternal abode4 ,now1 they also begin to see the worth of ,christ1 and what it is to be smiled upon by him2 from all which they must depart2 and as ,i say1 they shall have the view of this2 so they will most famously#ai behold the pit1 the bottomless pit1 the fire1 the brimstone1 and the flaming beds that justice hath prepared for them of old 7,jude #d74 ,their associates also1 will be very conspicuous1 and clear before their watery eyes4 ,they will see now1 what and which are devils1 and who are damned souls2 now their great-grandfather ,cain1 and all his brood1 with ,judas and his companions1 must be their fellow-sighers in the flames and pangs for ever4 ,o heavy day6 ,o heavy word6 ,this word depart1 therefore1 it looketh two ways1 and commands the damned to do so too4 ,depart from heaven1 depart to hell2 depart from life1 depart to death3 depart from me--now the ladder doth turn from under them indeed4#bj ,the ,saviour turns them off1 the ,saviour throws them down4 ,he hath given him authority to execute judgment also1 because he is the ,son of man 7,john #e3bg74 ,depart from me3 ,i would come to have done you good2 but then you would not4 ,now then1 though you would have it never so willingly1 yet you shall not4 ,depart from me1 ye cursed4 ,you lie open to the stroke of justice for your sins2 ye forsaken1 and left of ,god1 ye vessels of wrath1 ye despisers of ,god and goodness1 you must now have vengeance feed on you2 for you did1 when you were in the world1 feed on sin1 and treasure up wrath against this day of wrath1 and revelation of the righteous judgment of ,god 7,rom #b3c-f74 ,depart1 ye cursed1 into everlasting fire4 ,fire is that which of all things is the most insufferable and insupportable4 ,wherefore1 by fire1 is shewed the grievous state of the ungodly1 after judgment4 ,who can eat fire1 drink fire1 and lie down in the midst of flames of fire8 ,yet this must the wicked do4 ,again2 not only fire1 but everlasting fire4 ,behold how great a fire a little matter kindleth4 ,a little sin1 a little pleasure1 a little unjust dealing and doing2 what preparation is made for the punishment thereof4 ,and hence it is1 that the fire into which the damned fall1 is called the lake1 or sea of fire--,and whosoever1 saith ,john1 was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone 7,rev #bj3ae74 ,little did the sinner seriously think1 that when he was sinning against ,god1 he was making such provision for his poor soul2 but now 'tis too late to repent1 his worm must never die1 and his fire never shall be quenched 7,mark #i3dh74 ,though the time in which men commit sin is short1 yet the time of ,god's punishing of them for their sin1 is long4 ,depart from me1 ye cursed1 into everlasting fire1 prepared for the devil and his angels4 ,in that he saith1 prepared for the devil and his angels3 he insinuates a further conviction upon the consciences of the damned4 ,as if he had said1 ,as for this fire and lake that you must go to1 though you thought but little of it1 because you were careless1 yet ,i did betimes put you in mind of what would be the fruits of sin2 even by preparing of this judgment for the devil and his angels4 ,the devil in his creation is far more noble than you2 yet when he sinned1 ,i spared him not4 ,he sinned also before man2 and ,i1 upon his sinning1 did cast him down from heaven to hell1 and did hang the chains of everlasting darkness upon him 7,jude #f71 which might1 yea1 ought to have been a fair item to you to take heed1 but you would not 7,gen #c3b-e74 ,wherefore1 seeing you have sinned as he hath done1 and that too1 after he had both sinned1 and was bound over to eternal punishment2 the same justice that layeth hold on these more noble creatures1 must surely seize on you 7,rev #bj3a74 ,the world should be convinced of judgment then1 because the prince of this world is judged 7,john #af3h74 ,and that before they came to this condition of hearing the eternal sentence rattle in their ears2 but seeing they did not regard it then1 they must and shall feel the smart of it now4 ,depart from me1 ye cursed1 into everlasting fire1 prepared for the devil and his angels4 ,god would have men learn both what mercy and justice is to them1 by his shewing it to others2 but if they be sottish and careless in the day of forbearance1 they must learn by smarting in the day of rebukes and vengeance4 ,thus it was with the old world2 ,god gave them one hundred and twenty years' warning1 by the preparation of ,noah1 for the flood that should come2 but forasmuch as they then were careless1 and would not consider the works of the ,lord1 nor his threatening them by this preparation3 therefore he brought in the flood upon the world of the ungodly1 as he doth here the last judgment upon the workers of iniquity1 and sweeps them all away in their willful ignorance 7,matt #bd3cg-ci74 ,wherefore1 ,i say1 the ,lord ,chief ,judge by these words1 ,prepared for the devil and his angels1 doth as good as say1 ,this fire into which now ,i send you1 it did of itself1 even in the preparation of it1 had you considered it1 forewarn you of this that now is come upon you4 ,hell-fire is no new1 or unheard-of thing2 you cannot now plead1 that you heard not of it in the world1 neither could you with any reason judge1 that seeing ,i prepared it for angels1 for noble1 powerful1 and mighty angels2 that you1 poor dust and ashes1 should escape the vengeance4 ,depart from me1 ye cursed1 into everlasting fire1 prepared for the devil and his angels3 ,the sentence being thus passed1 it remains now1 the work being done1 that every one goeth to his eternal station4 ,wherefore1 forthwith this mighty company1 do now with heavy heart1 return again from before the judgment-seat3 and that full hastily1 ,god knoweth1 for their proper centre1 is the hell of hell2 into which they descend like a stone into a well1 or like ,pharaoh into the bottom of the ,red ,sea 7,exo #ae3aj74 ,for all hope being now taken from them1 they must needs fall with violence1 into the jaws of eternal desperation1 which will deal far worse with the souls of men1 and make a greater slaughter in their tortured consciences1 than the lions in the den with ,daniel1 could possibly do with the men that were cast in among them 7,dan #f3bd74 ,this is that which ,paul calleth eternal judgment 7,heb #f3b71 because it is that which is last and final4 ,many are the judgments that ,god doth execute among the sons of men1 some after this manner1 and some after that2 divers of which1 continue but for awhile1 and none of them are eternal2 no1 the very devils and damned spirits in hell1 though there1 is the longest and most terrible of all the judgments of ,god1 yet on foot3 yet ,i say1 they must pass under another judgment1 even this last1 great1 and final judgment--,the angels which kept not their first estate1 but left their own habitation1 he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness1 unto the judgment of the great day 7,jude #f74 ,and so also it is with damned souls2 for both ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 with all other1 though already in hell in their souls2 yet they must1 as ,i have before shewed1 all arise to this judgment1 which will be their final judgment4 ,other of the judgments of ,god1 as they have an end1 so the end of many of them prove the profit of those on whom they are inflicted1 being ,i say1 ,god's instrument of conversion to sinners2 and so may fitly be compared to those petty judgments among men1 as putting in the stocks1 whipping1 or burning in the hand3 which punishments1 and judgments1 do often prove profitable to those that are punished with them2 but eternal judgment1 it is like those more severe judgments among men1 as beheading1 shooting to death1 hanging1 drawing and quartering1 which swoop#ba all1 even health1 time1 and the like1 and cut off all opportunity of good1 leaving no place for mercy or amendment--,these shall go away into everlasting punishment1 c4 7,matt #be3df74 ,this word1 depart1 c41 is the last word the damned for ever are like to hear--,i say1 it is the last voice1 and therefore will stick longest1 and with most power1 on their slaughtered souls2 there is no calling of it back again2 it is the very wind-up of eternal judgment4 ,thus then1 the judgment being over1 the kingdom ceaseth to be any longer in the hand of the man ,christ ,jesus2 for as the judges here among men1 when they have gone their circuit1 do deliver up their commission to the king2 so ,christ the judge1 doth now deliver up his kingdom to his ,father 7,matt #ba3h71 and now1 all is swallowed up of eternity4 ,the damned are swallowed up of eternal justice and wrath2 the saved1 of eternal life and felicity2 and the ,son also delivereth up1 ,i say1 the kingdom to the ,father1 and subjects himself under him that did put all things under him1 that ,god may be all in all 7#a ,cor #ae3bd-bh74 ,for now is the end come1 and not before1 even the end of the reign of death itself2 for death1 and hell1 and sinners1 and devils1 must now fall together into the lake1 that burns with fire and brimstone 7,rev #bj3ad1ae74 ,and now is the end of ,christ's reign1 as the ,son of man2 and the end of the reign of the saints with him1 in this his kingdom1 which he hath received of his ,father for his work sake1 which he did for him1 and for his elect4 ,then cometh the end1 saith ,paul1 when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to ,god1 even the ,father2 ,but when shall that be8 ,why1 he answers saying1 ,when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power4 ,for he must reign1 saith he1 till he hath put all enemies under his feet1 which will not be until the final sentences and judgment be over2 for the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death4 ,for he 7,god7 hath put all things under his feet4 ,but when he saith1 ,all things are put under him1 it is manifest that he is excepted which did put all things under him4 ,and when all things shall be subdued unto him1 then shall the ,son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him1 that ,god may be all in all 7#a ,cor #ae3bd-bh74 ,all things being now at this pass--to wit1 every one being in its proper place1 ,god in his1 ,christ in his1 the saint in his1 and the sinner in his2 ,i shall conclude with this brief touch upon both the state of the good and bad after this eternal judgment-- ,the righteous now shall never fear death1 the devil1 and hell more2 and the wicked shall never hope of life4 ,the just shall ever have the victory over these things3 but the wicked shall everlastingly be swallowed up of them4 ,the holy shall be in everlasting light3 but the sinner in everlasting darkness4 ,without light1 ,i say1 yet in fire ever burning1 yet not consumed2 always afraid of death and hell1 vehemently desiring to be annihilated to nothing4 ,continually fearing to stay long in hell1 and yet certainly sure they shall never come out of it4 ,ever desiring the saints' happiness1 and yet always envying their felicity4 ,they would have it1 because it is easy and comfortable2 yet cannot abide to think of it1 because they have lost it for ever4 ,ever laden with the delight of sin2 and yet that is the greatest torture2 always desiring to put it out of their mind1 and yet assuredly know they must for ever abide the guilt and torment thereof4 ,the saints are always inflamed with the consideration of the grace that once they embraced2 but the wicked1 most flamingly tormented with the thoughts of rejecting and refusing it4 ,the just1 when they think of their sins1 they are comforted with the thoughts of their being delivered from them2 but the ungodly1 when they think of their righteousness1 will gnaw themselves1 to think that this would not deliver them from hell4 ,when the godly think of hell1 it will increase their comfort2 but when the wicked think of heaven1 it will twinge them like a serpent4 ,oh1 this eternal judgment6 ,what would a damned soul give that there might be1 though after thousands and hundreds of thousands of millions of years1 an end put to this eternal judgment4 ,but their misery is1 they have sinned against a ,god that is eternal2 they have offended that justice that will never be satisfied2 and therefore they must abide the fire that never shall be quenched4 ,here is judgment1 just and sad4 ,again2 as it will be thus with good and bad in general1 so again1 more particularly1 when the wicked are thus adjudged and condemned1 and also received of the fiery gulf1 then they shall find1 ,that as he that busieth himself to do good1 shall have more glory than others2 so they that have been more busy and active in sin than others1 they shall have more wrath and torment than others4 ,for as doing good abundantly1 doth enlarge the heart to receive and hold more glory3 so doing evil abundantly1 doth enlarge the heart and soul to receive punishment so much the more4 ,and hence it is that you have such sayings as these--,it shall be more tolerable in the judgment for ,sodom than for others 7,luke #aj3ab7--that is1 than for those that had sinned against much greater light and mercy4 ,for these1 as he saith in another place1 shall receive greater damnation 7,luke #bj3dg74 ,yea1 it standeth to reason1 that he who had most light1 most conviction1 most means of conversion1 and that was highest towards heaven1 he must needs have the greatest fall1 and so sink deepest into the jaws of eternal misery4 ,as one star--that is1 as one saint--differeth from another in heaven2 so one damned soul shall differ from another in hell4 ,it is so among the devils themselves2 they are some worse than others2 ,beelzebub is the prince1 or chief of the devils 7,matt #i3cd2 ,mark #c3bb74 ,that is1 one that was most glorious in heaven2 chief among the reprobate angels before his fall 7,isa #ad3ab71 and therefore sinned against the greater light1 mercy1 and goodness2 and so became the chief for wickedness1 and will also have as the wages thereof1 the chief of torments4 ,for that will be true of the damned in hell1 which is prayed for against ,babylon4--,how much she hath glorified herself1 and lived deliciously1 so much torment and sorrow give her 7,rev #ah3g74 ,can it be imagined that ,judas should have no more torment1 who betrayed the ,prince of life and ,saviour of the world1 than others who never came near his wickedness by ten thousand degrees8 ,he that knew his master's will1 and prepared not himself1 neither did according to his will1 shall be beaten with many stripes2 with many more stripes1 than others that through ignorance did commit sin worthy of many stripes4 ,but what should ,i thus discourse of the degrees of the torments of the damned souls in hell8 ,for he that suffers least1 will the waters of a full cup be wrung out to him2 the least measure of wrath1 it will be the wrath of ,god1 eternal and fiery wrath1 insupportable wrath2 it will lay the soul in the gulf of that second death1 which will for ever have the mastery over the poor damned perishing sinner4 ,and death and hell were cast into the lake of fire4 ,this is the second death4 ,and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire 7,rev #bj3ad1ae74 ,,footnotes3 #a ,bunyan quotes this from the ,genevan or ,puritan version2 our present translation has in our body4--,ed4 #b ,from the verb to chit1 to sprout--to shoot at the end of the grain2 provincial and almost obsolete4--,ed4 #c ,these ideas are as new as they are striking and splendid4 ,our vile bodies1 when raised from the dust1 shall be spiritual--like that of ,christ--with him in glory2 bright as the sun and stars and angels4 ,how amazingly superior is our preaching mechanic1 to all the fathers 7so called7 and dignitaries of state churches that ever wrote upon this subject4 ,bunyan proves his apostolic descent in the right line2 he breathes the spirit--the holy fire of the inspired writers4--,ed4 #d ,i have continued this word as ,bunyan spelt it1 but he probably meant hog-herd1 a keeper or driver of swine1 one of the dirtiest and lowest employments4 ,no boorish hog-herd fed his rooting swine ,browne's ,pastorals4--,ed4 #e ,its possessing of us1 or to give us possession4 ,this possesses us of the most valuable blessing of human life1 friendship4 ,gov4 of ,tongue4--,ed4 #f ,this is an awful state of delusion2 to imagine that ,god is the author of gross things1 such as worshipping a wafer1 or applying to a priest to forgive sins2 and that a holy ,god prompts them to the doing thereof1 and sanctions them by his presence66 ,every man is tempted1 when he is drawn away of his own lust1 and enticed1 ,james #a3ad4 ,christian1 take care that you receive not any doctrine1 nor conform to any practice in religion1 without prayerful investigation1 and a thus saith the ,lord for its sanction4--,ed4 #g ,go to his grave in his banner1 alluding to splendid funerals1 the hearse being ornamented with banners captured in war1 or armorial bearings4--,ed4 #h ,unsanctified knowledge1 accompanied by a degree of conformity in conduct1 may be the portion of some who indulge soul-destroying heresies4--,ed4 #i ,a graphic writer1 addressing us at the distance of two centuries1 frequently makes interesting mention of manners and customs prevailing at the time wherein he lived4 ,from the illustration here employed by ,bunyan1 we learn that the culprit before trial1 and therefore before convicted of crime1 was in a manner prejudged1 and loaded with fetters4 ,these extreme judicial severities belong to the past4 #aj ,abundance1 exuberance1 more than enough4--,ed4 #aa ,bunyan's sanctified mind1 well stored with the sacred scriptures1 richly enjoyed the contemplation of nature4 ,no writer1 however blessed with extensive learning1 sanctified by deep and glowing piety1 has opened the book of creation with such a master mind1 as a witness against man at the day of judgment4 ,in this1 as in many other things1 ,bunyan stands pre-eminent2 a striking illustration of the ways of ,god1 who poured such abundance of heavenly treasure into an earthen vessel1 despised and persecuted of men4--,ed4 #ab ,slethy1 now obsolete1 sly1 cunning1 stealthy4 ,darkened with men's sleightie jugling1 and counterfeit crafts4 ,bishop ,gardiner4--,ed4 #ac ,twenty and twenty years1 a singular mode of expression1 probably alluding to the forty years' trial of the ,israelites in the wilderness4--,ed4 #ad ,conscience1 at the day of judgment1 will imperatively command guilt1 which had been committed1 to appear1 and will fasten it upon the soul1 which it accuseth4 ,this is a most impressive and solemn appeal2--there can then be no concealment1 no subterfuge4--,ed4 #ae ,pricked1 nominated by a puncture or mark1 as our sheriffs are pricked4--,ed4 #af ,counters1 false coin--,will you with counters sum ,the vast proportion of his infinite4 ,shakespeare4--,ed4 #ag ,keser1 ,caesar or emperor4--,ed4 #ah ,hump2 or hump-back is a deformity in nature1 so ,bunyan uses the word hump as a deformity in judgment4--,ed4 #ai ,famously1 plainly1 openly2 in this sense obsolete4 ,tillotson used the words famous malefactors4 ,sermon on #a ,john #d3i4--;,ed4 #bj ,bunyan here alludes to men convicted of crime2 but how many innocent1 nay1 pious servants of ,christ1 have been compelled to go up the ladder to the gibbet1 and when the rope has been adjusted and the ladder turned1 have been ignominiously murdered by the sanction of wicked laws4--,ed4 #ba ,the physician looks with another eye on the medicinal herb than the grazing ox1 which swoops it in with the common grass4 ,glanville4--,ed4 999999 ,,some ,,gospel ,,truths ,,opened1 ,,according ,,to ,,the ,,scriptures2 ,,or1 ,,the ,,divine ,,and ,,human ,,nature ,,of ,,christ ,,jesus2 ,,his ,,coming ,,into ,,the ,,world2 ,,his ,,righteousness1 ,,death1 ,,resurrection1 ,,ascension1 ,,intercession1 ,,and ,,second ,,coming ,,to ,,judgment1 ,,plainly ,,demonstrated ,,and ,,proved4 ,,and ,,also1 ,answers to several ,questions1 with profitable ,directions to stand fast in the ,doctrine of ,jesus the ,son of ,,mary1 against those blustering ,storms of the ,devil's ,temptations1 which do at this ,day1 like so many ,scorpions1 break loose from the bottomless ,pit1 to bite and torment those that have not tasted the ,vertue of ,jesus1 by the ,revelation of the ,spirit of ,god4 ,published for the good of ,god's chosen ones1 by that unworthy servant of ,,christ1 ,,john ,,bunyan1 of ,,bedford1 ,by the grace of ,,god1 preacher of the ,,gospel of his dear ,,son4 ',jesus saith1--,i am the way1 and the truth and the life3 no man cometh unto the ,father but by me4'--,john #ad3f ',neither is there salvation in any other4'--,acts #d3ab ,,editor',s ,,advertisement4 ,this was the first work published by the indefatigable servant of ,christ1 ,john ,bunyan2 and he modestly sought the patronage of his brethren in the ministry1 and ,messrs4 ,burton1 ,spencly and ,child wrote prefatory recommendations4 ,the latter of these1 ,mr4 ,john ,child1 for some temporal advantages afterwards conformed2 and became notorious for having1 in a fit of despair1 destroyed himself4 ,well might ,bunyan in this treatise1 call the early period of his ministry 'distracted and dangerous times1' in which many a poor sincere inquirer stood 'tottering and shaking1' bewildered with the new din of sectaries1 each boldly declaring his divine authority4 ,in the midst of this storm of contending opinions1 ,bunyan stood forth conspicuously to declare ',gospel ,truths'2 and to open and vindicate them these discourses were written4 ,to enable the reader to understand and appreciate them1 it will be needful to take a rapid glance at the state of society which then prevailed4 ,the frivolities of dress and laxity of morals introduced by ,james the ,first1 increased by the mixture of ,french fashions under the popish wife of ,charles the ,first1 had spread their debauching influence throughout the kingdom4 ,george ,fox1 the founder of the ,society of ,friends1 in an address ',to such as follow the world's fashions1' gives an almost incredible description of the tomfooleries of dress which prevailed4 ',how doth the devil garnish himself1 and the people are carried away with vanity--women plaiting their hair--men and women powdering it1 making their backs like bags of meal4 ,the men having store of ribbands of divers colours about their waists1 and at their knees1 and in their hats4 ,the women with their spots on their noses1 cheeks1 and foreheads--rings on their fingers--cuffs double1 like a butcher in his white sleeves--ribbands about their arms1 hands1 back1 waists1 knees--and hats like unto fidlers' bags--is not this the devil's adorning8'#a ,at this period the iron hand of tyranny and oppression over the worship of ,god had been suddenly paralyzed4 ,the ruinous penalties1 and even capital punishments1 which had enforced attendance on a form of common prayer1 and a pretence to believe articles1 creeds1 and catechisms1 ordained by ,acts of ,parliament1 were removed4 ,man1 by nature averse to religious inquiries1 was now stimulated1 under a threat of eternal ruin1 personally and individually1 to seek for truth and salvation4 ,at this time a little persecuted band of puritans had directed every inquirer after salvation to the sacred ,scriptures1 which alone were able to make wise unto salvation1 by the aid of the ,holy ,spirit enlightening their minds to understand1 and subduing their wills to receive those eternal truths4 ,but a new light was now discovered--that which lighteneth every man that cometh into the world2 and which1 it was alleged1 would alone1 if cherished and followed1 lead the honest inquirer into all truth4 ,national religion1 so called1 had been propagated at an incredible expense of treasure1 and by the sacrifice of the best blood in the country1 to the shrine of infallibility--called uniformity4 ,a hireling priesthood had limited to themselves the right to teach men how to be ,christians4 ,the result of all this was clearly seen1 when the people were driven to think and choose for themselves4 ,their minds were in darkness and confusion1 which quickly produced the most whimsical1 mischievous1 and even ludicrous opinions1 mixed with truth4 ,national establishments1 whether ,pagan1 ,mohamedan1 or ,christian--be this latter either ,greek1 ,roman1 or ,protestant--have a direct and natural tendency to repress and prevent personal inquiries1 lest they should interfere with uniformity in faith and worship2 which is a presumed incapability of error on the part of those who impose them4 ,systems1 which ,,in ,,fact1 although not in words1 claim infallibility1 by requiring implicit and absolute submission1 must have had a direct tendency to hoodwink and blind the people2 nor can we be surprised1 that when their eyes were first opened1 they saw indistinctly2 or1 to use a scripture phrase1 'men as trees walking4' ,they utterly failed in preparing the mind to receive divine truth1 or in furnishing an antidote to extravagant speculations in religion4 ,the state of the millions can hardly be conceived2 they had paid a priest to think on religion for them--to read the ,bible for them--and to pray for them4 ,they had paid the church to make them ,christians--to confirm them--to forgive their sins--and to bury their bodies in sure and certain hope of heaven4 ,from this fatal sleep of ignorance and error1 they were aroused by itinerant preachers2 many of whom were men of education1 of irreproachable morals1 and most benevolent habits4 ,they went forth upon their mission at a fearful sacrifice of comfort1 property1 health1 and even of life2 calling all to repentance1 and to obey the light within--to follow on to perfection in this life--and1 at the same time1 denouncing all hireling ministers4 ,they were called in derision1 ,familists1 ,ranters1 ,quakers1 ,new ,lights1 c4 ,the old leaven1 which had led the people without inquiry to follow the priests1 now operated on multitudes to follow those ardent and self-denying leaders4 ,the ,familists1 or family of love1 were consistent in their lives2--considered every day a sabbath1 and baptized none under thirty years of age4 ,the ,ranters mingled a little truth with much error--abused their ,christian liberty--and lived licentiously1 and were a scandal to religion4 ,the ,quakers--so called from their trembling agitation when under a powerful sense of eternal realities1 and because1 in preaching1 they admonished their hearers to tremble and quake at the word of ,god--considered the sacraments as mere ceremonies1 inconsistent with spiritual worship--lived and dressed with the utmost simplicity1 and took the lead in attacking error at all risks4 ,these itinerants went through the whole length and breadth of the land1 and in every place of public resort they made proclamation4 ,in fairs1 markets1 meetings1 assizes1 and steeple-houses1 their voice was heard denouncing evil and exhorting to righteousness4 ,short weights and deceit were declared an abomination to the ,lord1 in fairs and markets4 ,every religious delusion was exposed in meetings and parish churches4 ,the journals of ,george ,fox1 and others1 are exceedingly interesting in recounting their hazardous adventures1 zeal1 and no ordinary degree of ready wit and talent4 ,some of these itinerants came to ,bedford1 and in the parish church1 called 'the steeple-house1' in ,bedford town1 on the #bc;d of ,may1 #afef1 they met ,john ,bunyan1 probably after he had been ministering there4 ,with him they held a public disputation or controversy1 to which allusions are made by both parties1#b and in ,bunyan they met a master spirit who confounded them4 ,the subjects in dispute were of the deepest importance--the work of the ,holy ,spirit in conversion--the authority of the ,bible--the perfection of holiness in this life--and whether it was lawful to perform the work of the ministry for hire4 ,after a very careful perusal of ,e4 ,burrough's answers to ,bunyan1 it is gratifying to find that the whole truth is set forth in the following pages2--some of the facts are worthy of a careful notice4 ,the ,baptists and ,independents had long existed in this country1 and had published confessions of faith4 ,the ,ranters and ,familists existed not as sects but in name1 and soon disappeared4 ,the ,quakers1 who were confounded with the ,ranters and ,familists1 were not at this time formed into a society2 nor had they published any book of discipline4 ,the ,society of ,friends were some years after united1 and have been one of the most useful as well as the brightest ornaments to this kingdom4 ,the works of ,fox1 ,penn1 ,barclay1 and others1 with their books of discipline1 and yearly epistles1 shew that they1 to a very great extent1 agree with ,bunyan in his sentiments2 and it is well worthy of notice that1 in the latter part of his life1 when he wrote his admirable treatise on the resurrection of the dead1 he does not accuse the ,society of ,friends with holding any false opinions4 ,bunyan is clear and scriptural upon the ',light within1' or that conscience of right and wrong which all possess to their condemnation--as distinguished from the indwelling of the ,holy ,spirit1 the gift of ,god to his people1 revealing in them the pardon of sin and hope of glory1 by opening their understandings to receive the truths of the ,bible4 ,when ,ann ,blakeley bid ,bunyan 'throw away the ,scriptures1' he replied1 ',no1 for then the devil would be too hard for me4'#c ,and when accused of being a hireling priest1 how triumphant was the reply--it ought to be printed in letters of gold4 ,he was charged with making merchandize of souls1 and he answered--',friend1 dost thou speak this from thy own knowledge1 or did any other tell thee so8 ,however1 that spirit that led thee out this way is a lying spirit4 ,for though ,i be poor1 and of no repute in the world1 as to outward things2 yet through grace ,i have learned by the example of the apostle1 to preach the truth2 and also to work with my hands1 both for my own living1 and for those that are with me1 when ,i have opportunity4 ,and ,i trust that the ,lord ,jesus1 who hath helped me to reject the wages of unrighteousness hitherto1 will also help me still1 so that ,i shall distribute that which ,god hath given me ,,freely1 and not for filthy lucre's sake4'#d ,how does this contrast with the description of the state clergy1 before the triers were appointed4#e ,favoured by the kind assistance of ,charles ,bowden1 the secretary to the ,society of ,friends1 access was afforded me to the extensive library in ,devonshire ,house1 and upon collation of ,bunyan's quotations with the original editions of ,burrough's exceedingly rare tracts1 my gratification was great to find that every extract made by ,john ,bunyan was perfectly faithful4 ,edward ,burrough1 called a son of thunder and of consolation1 answered both these treatises of ,bunyan's1--denying1 on the part of the ,quakers1 many of the charges made against them1 as connected with the ,ranters4 ,he was a man of great talent--fearless1 devoted1 and pious4 ,he became extensively useful2 and like thousands of most excellent men1 was sacrificed at the shrine of that fanatical church over which the profligate and debauched ,charles the ,second was the supreme head4 ,he died in the prime of life1 receiving the crown of martyrdom1 when his happy spirit ascended from ,newgate in #affb3 aged #bh years4 ,no sect was so severely tormented as the ,quakers4 ,a fanatical clergyman1 ,edward ,lane1 in a book called ',look unto ,jesus1' #affc1 thus pours forth his soul1 breathing out cruelty--',i hope and pray the ,lord to incline the heart of his majesty our religious ,king1 to suppress the ,quakers1 that none of them may be suffered to abide in the land4' ,a prayer as full of cruelty against a most peaceful and valuable part of the community1 as it was hypocritical in calling a debauched and profligate man ,charles the ,second 'our religious king4' ,controversy was carried on in those days with extreme virulence2 learned and unlettered men alike used violent language1 which1 in this enlightened and comparatively happy age1 is read with wonder4 ,burrough called his answer ',the ,gospel of ,peace contended for in the spirit of meekness and of love4' ,he meekly commences with--',how long1 ye crafty fowlers1 will ye prey upon the innocent2 how long shall the righteous be a prey to your teeth1 ye subtle foxes2 your dens are in darkness1 and your mischief is hatched upon your beds of secret whoredoms4' ,he says1 ',i own the words but ,i deny thy voice4' ,such was the unhallowed spirit of controversy in that age4 ,a harsh epithet was called faithful dealing3 thus1 a learned clergyman1 writing upon ,baptism1 entitled his work--',the ,anabaptists ducked and plunged over head and ears--washed and shrunk in the washing'2 to which an equally learned ,baptist replied1 in his ',baby ,baptism mere ,babyism4' ,all this unseemly violence has passed away1 and with it much of the virulence of persecution2 soon may it pass away altogether1 only to be pointed at as the evidence of a barbarous age4 ,we now look back to cruelties perpetrated in the times of ,bunyan by the national religion1 as a stigma upon human nature4 ',what a church is this of yours1 to be defended by gaols1 and prisons1 and whips1 and stocks1 and violent dealing4' ',let us fairly try our spiritual weapons1 and not carnal cruel tortures4' ',let us not hurt or imprison each other1 nor put in the stocks1 nor cruelly whip and lacerate each others' bodies2 but let us thrash deceit1 whip and beat that and all false doctrines'3 these were the breathings of our pilgrim forefathers1--it is the language of common sense and of real religion4 ,may such sentiments spread1 and soon cover the earth6--,,geo4 ,,offor4 ,,footnotes3 #a4 ,george ,fox's ,journal1 folio1 p4 #add4 #b4 ,see ,burrough's ,works1 p4 #cjd4 #c4 ,page #bja4 #d4 ,page #bja4 #e4 ,page #agh4 ,,the ,,author ,,to ,,the ,,reader4 ,seeing the ,lord hath been pleased to put it into my heart1 to write a few things to thee 7,reader7 touching those things which are most surely believed by all those that are1 or shall be saved 7,luke #a3a2 ,acts #ac3ch74 ,i think it meet also1 to stir up thy heart by way of remembrance1 touching those things that are the hindrances of thy believing the things that are necessary to the welfare of thine immortal soul4 ,and indeed1 this is the only thing necessary2 it is better to lose all that ever thou hast1 than to have thy soul and body for ever cast into hell2 ,and therefore1 ,i beseech thee to consider with me a few things touching the stratagems1 or subtle temptations of the devil1 whereby he lieth in wait1 if by any means he may1 to make thee fall short of eternal life 7#a ,peter #e3h74 ,and first of all1 he doth endeavour by all means to keep thee in love with thy sins and pleasures1 knowing that he is sure of thee1 if he can but bewitch thee to live and die in them 7#a ,cor #f3i1aj2 #b ,thess #b3ab74 ,yea1 he knows that he is as sure of thee1 as if he had thee in hell already 7,john #c3ai74 ,and that he might accomplish his design on thee in this particular1 he laboureth by all means possible to keep thy conscience asleep in security and self-conceitedness1 keeping thee from all things that might be a means to awaken and rouse up thine heart4 ,as first1 he will endeavour to keep thee from hearing of the word1 by suggesting unto thee this and the other worldly business which must be performed2 so that thou wilt not want excuse to keep thee from the ordinances of ,christ1 in hearing1 reading1 meditation1 c41 or else1 he seeks to disturb1 and distract thy mind when thou art conversant in these things1 that thou canst not attend to them diligently1 and so they become unprofitable2 or else if thou art a little more stirred1 he labours to rock thee asleep again1 by casting thee upon1 and keeping thee in evil company1 as among rioters1 drunkards1 jesters1 and other of his instruments1 which he employeth on purpose to keep thee secure1 and so ruin thy soul and body for ever and ever4 ,if not thus1 then peradventure he will seek to persuade thee it is but a melancholy fit1 and will put thee upon the works of thy calling1 or thy pleasures1 or phys2 or some other trick he will invent1 such as best agreeth with thy nature4 ,and thus thy heart is again deaded1 and thou art kept in carnal security1 that thou mightest perish for ever4 ,but if notwithstanding these1 and many cunning slights more which might be named1 he cannot so blind1 and benumb thy conscience1 but that it doth see and feel sin to be a burden1 intolerable and exceeding sinful2 ,then in the second place1 his design is to drive thee to despair1 by persuading thee that thy sins are too big to be pardoned2 he will seek by all means possible to aggravate them by all the circumstances of time1 place1 person1 manner1 nature1 and continuance of thy sins1 he will object in thy soul1 thou hast out-sinned grace1 by rejecting so many exhortations1 and admonitions1 so many reproofs1 so many tenders of grace2 hadst thou closed in with them it had been well with thee1 but now thou hast stood it out so long1 that there is no hope for thee3 thou mightest have come sooner1 if thou didst look to be saved1 but now it is too late4 ,and withal1 that he might carry on his design upon thee to purpose1 he will be sure to present to thy conscience1 the most sad sentences of the scripture2 yea1 and set them home with such cunning arguments1 that1 if it be possible1 he will make thee despair1 and make away thyself1 as did ,judas4 ,but if he be prevented in this his intended purpose2 the next thing he doth beset thee with1 is to make thee rest upon thine own righteousness1 telling thee1 that if thou wilt needs be saved1 thou must earn heaven with thy fingers' ends2 and it may be1 he represents to thy soul such a scripture2 ',if thou doest well1 shalt thou not be accepted8' ,and thou having 7but in the strength of nature7 kept thyself from thy former grosser pollutions1 and it may be from some more secret sins1 are ready to conclude1 now thou dost well2 now ,god accepts thee2 now he will pardon1 yea1 hath pardoned thee2 now thy condition is good1 and so goest on till thou meetest with a searching word1 and ministry1 which tells thee1 and discovers plainly unto thee1 that thou doest all this while deceive thyself1 by a vain hope and confidence2 for tho' thou seek after the law of righteousness1 thou hast not yet attained to the law of righteousness1 nor yet canst1 because thou seekest it 'not by faith1 but as it were1 by the works of the law' 7,rom #i3ca1cb74 ,here again1 thou art left in the mire1 and now peradventure thou seest1 that thou art not profited by the works of the law1 nor thy own righteousness3 ,and this makes thee stir a little1 but in process of time1 7through the subtle sleights of the devil1 and the wickedness of thine own heart27 thou forgettest thy trouble of conscience1 and slippest into a notion of the gospel1 and the grace thereof1 and now thou thinkest thyself cock-sure3 ,now thou art able to say1 ',he that lives and dies in his sins1 shall be damned for them3 ,he that trusts in his own righteousness1 shall not be saved'3 ,now thou canst cry1 'grace1 grace1 it's freely by grace1 it's through the death of the man ,christ ,jesus1 that sinners do attain unto eternal life' 7,heb #i3ad74 ,this1 ,i say1 thou hast in the notion1 and hast not the power of the same in thine heart1 and so it may be thine head is full of the knowledge of the scriptures1 though thine heart be empty of sanctifying grace4 ,and thus thou dost rejoice for a time4 ,yet because thou hast not the root of the matter within thee1 in time of temptation thou fallest away 7,luke #h3ac74 ,now being in this condition1 and thinking thyself to be wondrous well1 because of that notion of the truth1 and that notion thou hast in the things of ,god3 ,i say1 being in this state1 thou art liable to these dangers4 ,first1 ,thou art like to perish if thou die with this notion in thine head1 except ,god out of his rich grace do work a saving work of grace and knowledge in thy heart2 for know this1 thou mayest understand glorious mysteries1 and yet be a cast-away 7#a ,cor #ac3a-c74 ,or else1 ,secondly1 ,thou art liable to the next damnable heresy that the devil sendeth into the world4 ,see and consider ,luke #h3ac2 #b ,timothy #b3ah4 ,i say1 thou dost lie liable to be carried away with it1 and to be captivated by it2 so that at last1 through the delusions of the devil1 thou mayest have thy conscience seared as with an hot iron1 so hard1 that neither law1 nor gospel1 can make any entrance thereinto1 to the doing of thee the least good4 ,and indeed1 who are the men that at this day are so deluded by the quakers1 and other pernicious doctrines2 but those who thought it enough to be talkers of the gospel1 and grace of ,god1 without seeking and giving all diligence to make it sure unto themselves8 ',and for this cause ,god' shall send hath sent 'them strong delusion1 that they should believe a lie3 ,that they all might be damned1 who believed not the truth1 but had pleasure in unrighteousness1' as it is written 7#b ,thess #b3aa1ab74 ,and indeed if you mark it1 you shall see1 that they be such kind of people1 who at this day are so carried away with the quakers' delusions2 namely1 a company of loose ranters1 and light notionists1 with here and there a legalist1 which were shaking in their principles from time to time1 sometimes on this religion1 sometimes on that4#a ,and thus these unstable souls are deluded and beguiled at last 7#b ,peter #b3ad74 ,so that these who before 7as one would have thought7 had something of ,god in them1 are now turned such enemies to the glorious truths of the gospel1 that there are none so obstinately erroneous as they4 ,and indeed it is just with ,god1 to give them over to 'believe a lie' 7#b ,thess #b3aa71 who before were so idle that they would not receive the truth of ,god into their hearts1 in the love of it4 ,and to be bewitched by the devil to obey his temptations1 and be damned1 who would not obey the truth1 that they might be saved 7,gal #c3a74 ,but you will say1 what lies are those1 that the devil beguileth poor souls withal8 ,i shall briefly tell you some of them1 but having before said1 that they especially are liable to the danger of them1 who slip into high notions1 and rest there2 taking that for true faith which is not4 ,i shall desire thee seriously to consider this one character of a ,,notionist4 ,such an one1 whether he perceives it or not1 is puffed up in his fleshly mind1 and advanceth himself above others1 thinking but few may compare with him for religion and knowledge in the scriptures1 but are ignorant and foolish in comparison of him3 7,thus knowledge puffeth up1 7#a ,cor #h3a77 whereas when men receive truth in the love of the truth1 the more the head and heart is filled with the knowledge of the mystery of godliness1 the more it is emptied of its own things1 and is more sensible of its own vileness1 and so truly humbled in its own eyes4 ,and further1 a notionist1 though he fall from his former strictness and seeming holiness1 and appear more loose1 and vain in his practices1 yet speaks as confidently of himself1 as to assurance of salvation1 the love of ,god1 and union with ,god1 as ever4 ,but now to return1 and declare some of those lies which the devil persuades some of these men to believe4 ,i4 ,that salvation was not fully1 and completely wrought out for poor sinners by the man ,christ ,jesus1 though he did it gloriously 7,acts #ac3ch1ci71 by his death upon the cross1 without the gates of ,jerusalem 7,heb #ac3ab compared with ,john #ai3ai1bj74 ,,ii4 ,this is another of his lies wherewith he doth deceive poor sinners1 bidding them follow the light that they brought into the world with them1 telling them1 that light will lead them to the kingdom2 for 7say they7 it will convince of sin1 as swearing1 lying1 stealing1 covetousness1 and the rest of the sins against the law 7,rom #c3bj74 ,but 'the law is not of faith' 7,gal #c3ac74 ,and then ,i am sure1 that it1 with all its motions and convictions1 is never able to justify the soul of any poor sinner4 ',for as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse3 for it is written1 ,cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them' 7,gal #c3aj71 but that no man is justified by the law is evident1 'for1 ,the just shall live by faith' 7v #aa74 ,now because ,i am not altogether ignorant of the delusion of the devil touching this grace of faith also1 ,i shall therefore in short give thee 7reader7 a brief1 yet true description from the scripture4 #a4 ,what true justifying faith is1 and what it lays hold upon4 #b4 ,i shall shew who it doth come from4 #c4 ,that every one hath it not4 #d4 ,what are the fruits of it4 #a4 ,first therefore1 true faith is a fruit1 work1 or gift of the ,spirit of ,god 7,gal #e3bb2 #b ,thess #a3aa2 #a ,cor #ab3i7 whereby a poor soul is enabled through the mighty operation of ,god 7,col #b3ab7 in a sense of its sins and wretched estate to lay hold on the righteousness1 blood1 death1 resurrection1 ascension1 intercession1 and coming again of the ,son of ,god which was crucified without the gates of ,jerusalem1 for eternal life 7,john #c3af-ah compared with ,matt #c3ag2 ,gal #b3bj2 ,rom #e3h-aj2 ,rom #c3be2 ,acts #af3ca2 ,heb #ac3ab7 according to that saying in ,hebrews #aa3a ',now faith is the substance of things hoped for1' and 'the evidence of things not seen1' that is1 the things that are hoped for faith sees1 lays hold upon1 and embraces them 7,heb #aa3ac7 as if they were present2 yea1 it seals up the certainty of them to the soul4 ,therefore saith the ,apostle1 it is the evidence1 or testimony1 or witness1 of those things that are not seen as yet with a bodily eye2 which are obtained by the blood of the man ,christ ,jesus 7,heb #i3ad compared with ,heb #aj3ab1ai1bj7 by which the soul sees as in a glass the things that ,god hath laid up for them that fear him 7#a ,cor #ac3ab2 #b ,cor #c3ah74 #b4 ,if you would know who this faith comes from1 read ,ephesians #b3h ',for by grace ye are saved saith the scripture through faith2 and that not of yourselves3 it is the gift of ,god4' ,again1 in ,philippians #a3bi it is thus written3 ',for unto you that are believers it is given in the behalf of ,christ1 not only to believe on him1 but also to suffer for his sake'2 ,and thus much do the ,apostles hold forth to us in their prayer1 or request to the ,lord ,jesus1 when they say1 ',lord increase our faith' 7,luke #ag3e71 and he is therefore called 'the author and finisher of our faith' 7,heb #ab3b74 ,also we find in ,james #a3ag that ',every good gift and every perfect gift is from above1 and cometh down from the ,father of lights1' c41 and therefore faith comes from ,god1 for true justifying faith is a good gift1 and perfect in respect of the author ,god1 in respect of its object1 ,christ2 and in respect of the nature1 though not in respect of the degree1 and measure of it in us3 even as a grain of gold1 is as perfect gold1 as a pound of gold1 though not so much4 #c4 ,all men have not faith1 this the ,apostle witnesseth in so many words as we find 7#b ,thess #c3b2 ,deut #cb3bj74 ,also in ,timothy #a3ae ',unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure1' c4 ,it appeareth also in this1 that all do not attain salvation1 which they must needs do if they had true justifying faith 7compare ,luke #ac3bd and #a ,john #e3ai with ,mark #af3af4 ,and ,heb #d3c with vv #f and #aa 'they that believe shall be saved'74 #d4 ,the fruits of it are1 7#a47 to purify the heart 7,acts #ae3i2 #a ,john #c3c71 and that1 as ,i said before1 by laying hold on what ,jesus ,christ had done and suffered for sinners 7,acts #ac3ch1ci74 7#b47 ,it fills the soul with peace and joy1 in that it lays hold on the things that are obtained for it 7,rom #e3a2 #b ,tim #a3i1aj2 #a ,peter #a3h74 7#c47 ,it makes the soul to wait patiently1 for the glory that is to be revealed at the second appearing of the man ,christ ,jesus1 whom ,god hath raised from the dead1 which hath also delivered it from the wrath to come1 as in ,timothy #b3ac1 #ad2 #a ,peter #d3ac and #e3a1 #d2 #a ,thessalonians #a3aj4 ,quest4--,but how 7may some say7 doth the devil make his delusions take place in the hearts of poor creatures8 ,ans4 #a4--,why1 first1 ,he labours to render the doctrine of the ,lord ,jesus1 and salvation by him alone1 very odious and low3 and also his ordinances1 as hearing1 reading1 meditation1 use of the scriptures1 c4 telling poor sinners that these things are but poor1 low1 carnal1 beggarly1 empty notions2 preached up by the clergymen1 who are the scribes and pharisees of this generation2 who have the letter1 but not the ,spirit of ,god in them2 which lead men into the form1 but not into the power of the ,lord ,jesus3 ,and with this persuasion1 he also represents the ungodly and base carriage1 or behaviour1 of some1 who have taken in hand to preach the doctrine of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and thereby he doth render the gospel of our ,lord ,jesus the more contemptible and base4 ,but woe1 woe1 woe1 be to them by whom such offences come 7,matt #ah3g2 ,luke #ag3a1b74 ,ans4 #b4 ,he pretends to lead them up into some higher light1 mysteries1 and revelations of the ,spirit1 into which a very few have attained or can attain1 also bewitching their affections1 and taking them with an earnest pursuit after these his pretended truths2 persuading them1 that they shall be as ,god himself1 able to discern between good and evil 7,gen #c3e74 ,and in this he is exceeding subtle and expert1 as having practised it ever since the days of ,adam4 ,these things being thus considered1 and in some measure hungered after1 and the rather because they are good 7as they think7 to make one wise 7,gen #c3f74 ,the poor soul is all on the sudden possessed with a desperate spirit of delusion1 which carries it away headlong with some high1 light1 frothy notions1 and spiritual wickedness 7which drown it in perdition and destruction7 that doth feed and tickle the heart a while1 to the end it may make way for a farther manifestation of itself in the poor deluded soul2 which when it hath attained to1 it doth then begin to bring the soul into a clearer sight of those things1 which it was loth it should know at the first2 but having fitted the soul by degrees for a further possession of itself1 at last it begins to hold forth its new gospel2 shewing the soul a new ,christ1 and new scriptures4 ,the new and false ,christ1 is a ,christ crucified within1 dead within1 risen again within1 and ascended within1 in opposition to the ,son of ,mary1 who was crucified without1 dead without1 risen again without1 and ascended in a cloud away from his disciples into heaven without them 7,acts #a3i-aa74 ,now this new and false ,christ1 hath a new and false faith belonging to his gospel1 which faith is this1 to apprehend this ,christ crucified within1 dead within1 risen again within1 and ascended within3 ,but ask them for a scripture that doth positively prove their doctrine1 they also have a scripture1 but it is within1 it doth bear witness within1 and if they had not that1 7though that be of the devil's making7 ,i am sure they would have none out of ,god's holy scriptures1 for they will allow of no crucified ,christ1 but he that was crucified without the gates of ,jerusalem 7,heb #ac3ab2 ,john #ai3ag1ah74 ,dead and buried in the sepulchre of ,joseph of ,arimathea 7,john #ai3ch-da74 ,was raised again out of that sepulchre into which ,joseph had laid him 7,john #bj3a-ab74 ,who went before his disciples into ,galilee 7,mark #af3g74 ,and to ,emmaus 7,luke #bd3ae74 ,shewed them his hands and his feet1 where the nails had gone through 7,luke #bd3ci1dj74 ,did eat and drink with them after his resurrection3 ,was seen of them on earth forty days after his resurrection 7,acts #a3c74 ,and after that ascended away in a cloud1 out of the sight of his disciples into heaven 7,acts #a3i-aa74 ,which ,christ ever lives to make intercession for us 7,heb #g3be74 ,who will come again also at the end of the world to judgment 7,acts #aj3db1 #ag3ca2 #b ,peter #c3aj1aa74 ,who also is the same that hath obtained eternal redemption for us 7,acts #ac3cg-ci2 ,rom #c3be2 ,eph #a3g2 ,rev #a3e2 ,heb #a3b1 #i3ad74 ,this ,i say1 or rather the scriptures say1 is ,god's ,christ 7,matt #af3af74 ,in whom he is well pleased 7,matt #c3ag74 ,neither doth ,god own any other1 or allow of any other3 ,for there is none other name under heaven given among men1 whereby we must be saved1 than the name of ,jesus of ,nazareth 7,acts #d3aj compared with vv #aa1ab74 ,but as ,i told you before1 the way to be thus deluded1 is first to render ,god's ,christ odious and low1 with a pretence of some further light and revelations2 and thus professing themselves to be wise1 they became fools 7,rom #a3bb74 ,quest4--,but you will say1 doth not the scripture make mention of a ,christ within8 7,col #a3bg2 #b ,cor #ac3e2 ,rom #h3aj74 ,ans4--,i answer1 ,god's ,christ was1 and is1 true ,god and true man2 he was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 true ,god1 and true man 7,matt #a3bc74 ',and they shall call his name ,emmanuel1 which being interpreted is1 ,god with us1' or ,god in our nature1 according to #a ,timothy #c3af ',god was manifested in the flesh'3 ,and ,john #a3ad 'the word was made flesh1 and dwelt among us1 and we beheld his glory1 the glory as of the only begotten of the ,father1 full of grace and truth4' ,and in ,hebrews #b3ad ',forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood1 he1' that is1 ,god 7,heb #a3h71 'also himself likewise took part of the same1 that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death1 that is1 the devil4' ,now as he was thus true ,god1 and true man1 so he became our redeemer and ,saviour4 ,compare the first and second chapters to the ,hebrews together1 and you may clearly see that this is a glorious truth1 that he who is the first and the last 7,rev #a3ag1ah1 #b3h7 humbled himself1 and made himself of no reputation1 and took upon him the form of a servant1 and was made in the likeness of men3 ,and was this all8 ,no4 ,he humbled himself unto death1 even the death of the cross 7,phil #b3g1h compared with ,rev #a3ag1ah and ,rev #b3h with ,gal #a3d74 ,now after this ,christ of ,god1 true ,god and true man1 had wrought out eternal redemption for us poor miserable sinners 7,heb #i3ad compared with #a ,tim #a3ae74 ,i say1 after he had done this1 he ascended up into heaven1 and there ever lives to make intercession for us4 ,now this ,christ1 having thus completely wrought out our salvation1 sends his disciples abroad to preach the same to poor sinners 7,acts #b2 #b ,cor #e3ai1bj7 and so many as were ordained to eternal life1 when they heard the word1 or the gospel preached by the ,apostles1 which gospel was this ,christ 7#a ,cor #a3ag compared with v #bc74 ,i say1 so many as were ordained to eternal life1 when they heard the word1 the ,holy ,ghost or ,spirit of ,christ1 fell upon them 7,acts #aj3dd compared with ,acts #ac3dh7 which did lead them into the redemption and glorious things that the ,lord ,jesus had laid up and prepared for them 7,john #af3ac-ae2 #a ,cor #b3i74 ,which ,spirit was the earnest of their inheritance1 until the redemption of the purchased possession1 to the praise of his glory 7,eph #a3ac1ad74 ,the earnest of their inheritance was a glorious encouragement to them that had it1 to hope for the glory that was to be revealed at the appearing of ,jesus ,christ1 which is the meaning of that place in ,colossians #a3bg4 ,and that will be seen clearly1 if we compare it with ,ephesians #a3ac1ad before recited4 ,now this ,spirit1 which sometimes is called the ,spirit of ,christ 7#b ,cor #ac3e74 ,this ,spirit1 ,i say1 being given to all those that were ordained to eternal life1 it must needs follow1 that those that had not this ,spirit1 but did live and die without it1 were not ordained to eternal life1 and so were none of ,christ's2 but were reprobates 7,rom #h3i7 for the ,spirit of ,christ is the distinguishing character betwixt a believer and an unbeliever1 he that hath it1 and is led by it1 is a child of ,god 7,rom #g3d71 but he that hath it not is none of ,christ's4 ,so then1 the answer that ,i give to the question1 is this4 ,the ,spirit of ,christ that is given to believers1 is the earnest or hope of that inheritance that ,christ hath already purchased1 and is now preparing for so many as he hath given1 or shall give this holy spirit unto4 ,and for the proof hereof1 read ,ephesians #a3ac1 #ad4 ,in whom 7saith the scripture7 ye also trusted1 after that ye heard the word of truth1 the gospel of your salvation4 ,in whom also1 after that ye believed1 ye were sealed with the holy ,spirit of promise1 which is the earnest of our inheritance2 7which inheritance is the eternal redemption that was purchased by ,christ for poor sinners 7,heb #i3ae77 until the redemption of the purchased possession1 unto the praise of his glory4 ,again 7,gal #e3e71 ',for ye through the ,spirit1 wait for the hope of righteousness by faith4' ,and 7,col #a3bg7 the ,apostle speaking of this great mystery1 saith1 ',to whom ,god would make know what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the ,gentiles2 which is ,christ in you the hope of glory'2 which glory was then revealed to the saints no otherwise than by faith1 as the ,apostle saith1 ',we rejoice in hope of the glory of ,god' 7,rom #e3b74 ,which hope is begotten by the ,spirit's shedding abroad the love of ,god in our hearts 7v #e71 which hope is not yet seen1 that is1 not yet actually enjoyed2 ',for we are saved by hope3 ,but hope that is seen is not hope3 for what a man seeth1 why doth he yet hope for8 ,but if we hope for that we see not1 then do we with patience wait for it' 7,rom #h3bd1be74 ,and as ,i say1 the cause of believers' hope is this1 ,christ1 or the ,spirit of ,christ1 in them1 the hope of glory4 ,and indeed he may well hope for glory to come1 who hath already an earnest thereof given him of ,god1 and that earnest no less than the ,spirit of the ,lord ,jesus 7,rom #h3af1ag74 ,but now1 this ,spirit1 which is the cause of a believer's hope1 all men have not 7,jude #ai2 ,eph #b3ab2 ,rom #h3i2 ,john #ad3af1ag74 ,therefore what a sad doctrine is that which saith1 follow the light that ,christ hath enlightened every man withal1 which cometh into the world2 which light is the conscience1 that convinceth of sins against the law2 and that you may see clearly if you mind that scripture 7,john #h3i7 which saith1 ,that the ,pharisees1 which had neither the love of ,god1 nor his word1 abiding in them 7,john #e3ch1dc7 when they had heard ,christ speaking thus to them1 ,he that is without sin among you1 c4 being convicted by their own consciences1 went out one by one1 beginning at the eldest1 even to the least4 ,but the devil1 that he might be sure not to miss of his design1 labours by all means to render the scriptures also odious and low1 telling them of the scriptures within2 which ,christ never taught1 nor yet his disciples3 ,but they being given up of ,god to a reprobate mind1 have given themselves over1 rather to follow the suggestions of the devil1 than the holy scriptures which ,god hath commanded us to betake ourselves to 7,isa #h3bj compared with ,john #e3ci7 which scripture is called the sword of the ,spirit 7,eph #f3ag71 which weapon our ,lord ,jesus himself held up1 to overcome the devil withal 7,matt #d3d1g1aj2 ,luke #d3d1h1ab74 ,but this design 7as ,i told you7 the devil carries on1 by pretending to shew them a more excellent way which they may attain to1 if they be but wise1 and follow what is made known unto them from the light within them4 ,but1 reader1 that thou mayest be able to escape the snare of this cunning hunter1 ,i shall lay thee down some few directions1 which if the ,lord give thee grace to follow1 thou shalt escape these ,,wicked ,,delusions4 ,direct4 #a4 ,and first of all1 ,i do admonish thee to be very serious touching thine estate and condition2 and examine thine own heart by the rule of the word of ,god1 whether or no1 thou hast as yet any beginnings of desiring after religion3 and if thou findest that thou hast lived until now in ignorance1 and hast not set thyself to remember thy ,creator as thou art commanded 7,eccl #ab3a71 then ,i beseech thee consider that thou art under the wrath of ,almighty ,god1 and hast been so ever since thou camest into the world 7,eph #b3a1b71 being then in thy first parents1 those didst transgress against thy maker 7,rom #e3ah71 ',therefore as by the offence of one1' that is1 of ,adam 7v #ad71 'judgment came upon all men to condemnation4' ,besides the many ,,sins thou hast committed ever since thou wast born3 sins against the law of ,god1 and sins against the gospel of the grace of ,god2 sins against the long-suffering and forbearance of ,god1 and sins against his judgments2 sins of omission1 and sins of commission1 in thoughts1 words1 and actions3 consider1 ,i say1 thy condition2 yea1 get a very great sense of thy sins that thou hast committed2 and that thou mayest so do1 beg of ,god to convince thee by his ,holy ,spirit1 not only of sins against law1 but also of that damning sin1 the sin of unbelief4 ,direct4 #b4 ,if thou by grace1 art but brought into such an estate as to see thyself in a lost condition because of sin1 without the ,lord ,jesus2 then in the next place1 have a care of resting on any ,,duty done1 though it be never so specious2 ,i say1 have a care of making any stay anywhere on this side the ,lord ,jesus ,christ3 but above all strive to believe1 that that very ,man that was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 did come into the world on purpose to save thee1 as well as other poor sinners3 ,i say1 thou must not be content till thou art enabled to say1 ',he loved me1 and gave himself for me' 7,gal #b3bj74 ,and that thou mayest be sure to attain to this most precious faith1 7for so it is7 be much in applying the freest promises to thy own soul2 yea1 those that have no conditions annexed to them1 as these1 or other like 7,rev #bb3ag2 ,jer #ca3c1 ,john #f3cg also #ad3ai2 ,hosea #ad3c74 ,i say1 labour to apply to thy own soul in particular1 the most glorious and freest promises in the book of ,god4 ,and if at any time the devil besets thee by his temptations1 7for so is his wonted manner to do1 and so much the more1 as he sees thee labour to get out of his reach7 ,i say1 when he assails thee with his fiery darts1 be sure to act faith on the most free promises1 and have a care that thou dost not enter into any dispute with him1 but rather resist him by those blessed promises that are laid down in the word of ,god3 ,and withal1 be sure to meditate upon the blood of the man ,christ ,jesus1 who also is the true ,god1 and read those scriptures that do most fully and clearly speak of it 7as #a ,john #a3g2 ,eph #a3g2 ,heb #i3ad2 ,rom #c3be74 ,direct4 #c4 ,but if thou say 7as it is often the speech of poor souls lying under a sense of sin1 and the apprehensions of wrath due to it7 ,i cannot apply the promises to mine own soul2 and the reason is1 because my ,,sins are so great1 and so many4 ,consider1 and know it for a truth1 that the more and greater thou seest thy sins to be1 the more cause hast thou to believe2 yea1 thou must therefore believe because thy sins are great3 ,david made it an encouragement to himself1 or rather the ,spirit of the ,lord made it his encouragement1 to crave1 yea to hope for pardon1 because he had greatly transgressed 7,psa #be3aa74 ',for thy name's sake1 ,o ,lord1 saith he pardon mine iniquity2 for it is great4' ,as if he had said1 ,o ,lord1 thy name will be more glorified1 the riches of thy grace will be more advanced1 thy mercy and goodness will more shine1 and be magnified in pardoning me who am guilty of great iniquity1 than if thou pardonest many others who have not committed such heinous offences4 ,and ,i dare say1 the reason why thou believest not1 is not because thy sins are great1 but because thou dost reason too much with that wicked enemy of man's salvation1 and givest way too much to the fleshly reasoning of thine own heart4 ,for ,christ hath said1 ',he that cometh unto me1 ,i will in no wise cast out' 7,john #f3cg74 ,and again1 ',though your sins be as scarlet1 they shall be as white as snow' 7,isa #a3ah74 ,and ,christ calleth those that labour1 and are heavy laden1 to come to him1 with promise to give them rest 7,matt #aa3bh74 ,wherefore thou must not say1 my sins are too big2 but thou must say1 because ,i am a great sinner2 yea1 because ,i have sinned above many of my companions1 and am nearer to hell1 and eternal damnation than they1 because of my sins1 therefore will ,i cry unto the ,lord1 and say1 ,o ,lord1 pardon my sins1 for they are great4 ,now that thou mayest not be deceived in a matter of so great concernment1 have a special care of these three things4 ,caution #a4 ,first1 ,have a care of putting off thy trouble of spirit the wrong way1 which thou mayest do three ways2 7#a47 ,when thy conscience flieth in thy face1 and tells thee of thy sins1 thou dost put off convictions the wrong way1 if thou dost stop thy conscience by promising to reform thyself1 and lead a new life1 and gettest off thy guilt by so doing3 for though thou mayest by this means still and quiet thy conscience for a time1 yet thou canst not hereby satisfy and appease the wrath of ,god3 yea1 saith ,god to such1 ',though thou wash thee with nitre1 and take thee much soap1 yet thine iniquity is marked before me' 7,jer #b3bb74 7#b47 ,if when thou art under the guilt of thy sins1 thou puttest off convictions by thy performance of ,,duties1 and so satisfiest thy conscience1 then also thou dost put off thy convictions the wrong way3 for ,god will not be satisfied with anything less than the blood1 righteousness1 resurrection1 and intercession of his own ,son 7,acts #d3ab74 ,and thou shouldest not satisfy thyself with any less than ,god would have thee to satisfy thyself withal1 and that is the water of life 7,isa #ee3a1b7 which water of life thy duties1 and all thy righteousness1 is not2 for they are as filthy rags 7,isa #fd3f74 7#c47 ,have a care that when thou art under conviction1 thou dost not satisfy thyself with a notion of the free grace of the gospel2 my meaning is1 do not content thyself with any measure of knowledge that thou canst attain unto1 or bottom thy peace upon it1 thinking thou art now well enough1 because thou canst speak much of the grace of ,god1 and his love in ,christ to poor sinners4 ,for this thou mayest have1 and do2 and yet be but a companion for ,demas1 yea1 for ,judas and the rest of the damned multitude3 ,as the ,apostle saith1 ,for all this thou mayest be but as sounding brass1 and as a tinkling cymbal2 that is1 nothing but a sound 7#a ,cor #ac3a-c74 ,caution #b4 ,but ,secondly1 ,if thou wouldest not be deceived1 then have a care to avoid false doctrines1 which are according to the spirit of the devil1 and not after ,christ4 ,as1 7#a47 ,if any doctrine doth come unto thee1 that tells thee1 except thou art circumcised after the manner of ,moses1 thou canst not be saved3 that is1 if any man come unto thee1 and tell thee1 thou must do such and such works of the law1 to the end thou mayest present thyself the better before ,god1 do not receive him3 ,for 'to him that worketh not1 but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly1 his faith is counted for righteousness' 7,rom #d3e74 7#b47 ,if any come unto thee1 and bring such a doctrine as this2 ,that thou mayest be saved by grace1 though thou walk in the imaginations of thy own wicked heart3 ,his doctrine also is devilish1 do not receive him 7,deut #bi3ai-bc74 7#c47 ,but if any come unto thee1 and doth in truth advance the blood1 righteousness1 resurrection1 intercession1 and second coming of that very ,man in the clouds of heaven1 that was born of the virgin ,mary2 and doth press thee to believe on what he hath done 7shewing thee thy lost condition without him7 and to own it as done for thee in particular1 and withal doth admonish thee1 not to trust in a bare notion of it1 but to receive it into thy heart1 so really1 that thy very heart and soul may burn in love to the ,lord ,jesus ,christ again3 and doth also teach thee1 that the love of ,christ should and must constrain thee1 not to live to thyself3 ,but to him that loved thee1 and gave himself for thee 7#b ,cor #e3ad1ae2 ,eph #d3ba-bd2 #a ,cor #g3bc74 ',ye are bought with a price2 be not ye the servants of men4' ,if his conversation be also agreeable to his doctrine1 a believing1 honest1 loving self-denying1 courteous conversation1 7he also is a true ,christian74 ,receive that doctrine and receive it really2 for it is the doctrine of ,god1 and of ,christ 7,gal #d3d1 #a3d2 ,eph #a3g2 ,rev #a3e2 ,acts #ac3ch2 ,john #a3bi2 ,acts #d3ab1 #aj3dj-db2 #a ,thess #a3aj2 ,mark #ac2 #b ,peter #a3e-aj74 ,considering the end of their conversation ,jesus ,christ1 yesterday1 and to-day1 and the same for ever 7,heb #ac3g1h74 ,caution #c4 ,again1 ,if thou wouldest not be deceived1 then beware of slighting any known truth that thou findest revealed1 or made known to thee in the gospel2 but honour and obey it in its place1 be it 7as thou thinkest7 never so low 7,john #ad3ae74 7#a47 ,have a care that thou do not undervalue1 or entertain low thoughts of ,god1 ,christ the ,son of ,mary1 and the holy scriptures1 but search them 7,john #e3ci74 ,and give attendance to the reading of them 7#a ,tim #d3ac74 ,for1 ,i will tell thee1 he that slights the scriptures1 doth also slight him of whom they testify4 ,and ,i will tell thee also1 that for this cause ,god hath given up many to strong delusions1 that they might believe a lie3 'that they all might be damned who believed not the truth1 but had pleasure in unrighteousness' 7#b ,thess #b3aa1ab74 7#b47 ,therefore ,i say unto thee1 ,in the name of the ,lord ,jesus1 the ,son of ,mary1 the ,son of ,god1 the very creator of heaven and earth1 and all things that are therein2 have a care of thyself2 for the devil doth watch for thee day and night 7#a ,peter #e3h74 ,thine own heart also doth labour to deceive thee1 if by any means it may 7,jer #ag3i74 ,therefore do not thou trust it2 for if thou do1 thou wilt not do wisely 7,prov #bh3bf74 ,i say therefore1 have a care that thou labour in the strength of the ,lord ,jesus1 to escape all these things2 for if thou fall into any one of them1 it will make way for a farther income of sin and the devil1 through whose deceitfulness thy heart will be hardened1 and thou wilt be more incapable of receiving instruction1 or reaping advantage1 by and from the ordinances of ,jesus ,christ3 the rather therefore1 give all diligence to believe in the ,christ of ,god1 which is the ,son of ,mary1 and be sure to apply all that he hath done1 and is doing1 unto thyself1 as for thee in particular2 which thing if thou dost1 thou shalt never fall4 ,and now1 reader1 ,i shall also give thee some few considerations1 and so ,i shall commit thee to the ,lord4 ,consider1 #a4 ,that ,god doth hold out his grace1 and mercy freely1 and that to every one 7,rev #bb3ag2 ,isa #ee3a-g74 ,consider1 #b4 ,that there is no way to attain to this free mercy and grace1 but by him that was born of the ,virgin ,mary2 for he himself saith1 ',i am the way1 and the truth1 and the life3 no man cometh unto the ,father but by me' 7,john #ad3f compared with ,matt #a3bj1ba74 ,consider1 #c4 ,if thou strivest to go over any other way1 thou wilt be but a thief and a robber 7,john #aj3a compared with #i74 ,and know that none of these 7so continuing7 shall enter into the kingdom of heaven 7#a ,cor #f3i1aj74 ,consider1 #d4 ,that if the devil should be too hard for thee1 and deceive thee1 by persuading thee to embrace1 or entertain a new gospel1 which neither ,christ nor his disciples did allow of1 it would make thee gnash teeth when it is too late4 ,consider1 #e4 ,that though thou hast been deluded by ,satan to this day1 yet if now thine eyes be opened to see and acknowledge it1 though as yet thou hast been either exceedingly wicked 7#a ,tim #a3ac71 or an idle 7,matt #bj3f1g7 lukewarm1 hypocritical professor 7,rev #c3ag-ai72 and hast stood it out to the last 7,eze #ah3bj-bb72 for all this there is hope2 and if now thou receive the truth in the love of the truth1 being as willing to be rid of the filth of sin1 as the guilt of it1 thou shalt be saved4 ,consider1 #f4 ,that the ,lord will call thee to judgment for all thy sins past1 present1 and what else thou shalt practise hereafter1 especially for thy rejecting and trampling on the blood of his ,son1 the ,man ,christ ,jesus3 ,and if thou dost not agree with thine adversary1 now1 while thou art in the way1 ',lest he hale thee to the judge1 and the judge deliver thee to the officer1 and the officer cast thee into prison4 ,i tell thee1 thou shalt not depart thence1 till thou hast paid the very last mite' 7,luke #ab3eh1ei74 ,and therefore ,i beseech thee to consider2 ,here is at this time life and death1 heaven and hell1 everlasting joy1 and everlasting torment set before thee4 ,here is also the way to have the one1 and the way to escape the other4 ,now if the ,lord shall do thee any good by what ,i have spoken1 ,i hope it will be a means to stir me up to thank the ,lord that ever he did use such a sinner as ,i am1 in the work of his gospel4 ,and here ,i shall close up what ,i have said1 desiring thee 7if thou be a christian7 to pray for him who desires to continue4 ,thy servant in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 though less than the least of all saints1 ,,john ,,bunyan ,,footnote3 #a4 ,the word 'quakers' must not be misunderstood as referring to the society of friends1 but to some deluded individuals calling themselves quakers2 the friends were not formed into a society for some years after this was written--,ed4 ,,the ,,epistle ,,writ ,,by ,,mr4 ,,burton1 ,,minister ,,at ,,bedford ,,to ,,the ,,reader1 ,reader1 thou hast in this small treatise1 set before thee1 the several pieces of that great and glorious mystery1 ,jesus ,christ1 ,god manifested in the flesh3 ,and if thou art enlightened by the ,spirit of ,christ1 here thou mayest see by that ,spirit how ,jesus ,christ the ,son of ,god1 the ,son of ,mary1 is both true ,god and true ,man1 both natures making but one ,christ1 one ,jesus1 as ,philippians #b3e-i where speaking first of his being ,god1 and then of his taking upon him the nature of man2 afterwards in the #hth and #ith verses1 he saith1 he 7meaning this ,jesus7 humbled himself1 c41 and ,god 7meaning the ,father7 hath highly exalted him1 c4 speaking of both natures ,god and man as together making but one ,christ2 who is the ,saviour1 and is to be believed and trusted in for salvation not only as ,god1 but as man also2 and those who do not thus make him the object of their faith1 will surely fall short of pardon of sin1 and of salvation2 'through this man speaking of ,christ as crucified at ,jerusalem is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins' 7,act #ac3ch74 ,and saith he1 there is 'one mediator between ,god and men1 the man ,christ ,jesus' 7#a ,tim #b3e72 and this discovers the damnable errors of those commonly called ,socinians1 who on the one hand deny him that was born of the ,virgin ,mary to be true ,god as well as true ,man3 ,and this is also quite contrary to those commonly called ,familists1 ,ranters1 ,quakers1 or others1 who on the other hand either deny ,christ to be a real ,man without them1 blasphemously fancying him to be only ,god manifest in their flesh2 or else make his human nature with the fulness of the godhead in it1 to be but a type of ,god1 to be manifest in the saints1 and so according to their wicked imagination1 his human nature was to be laid aside after he had offered it up on the cross without the gate at ,jerusalem1 contrary to ,acts #a3a-c1 #i-aa compared with the last chapter of ,luke1 vv #ci1 #dj1 #ej1 #ea where it is clearly held forth1 that the man ,christ rose again out of the grave1 with the same body which was crucified and laid in the grave1 and was taken up above the clouds into heaven with the same real body1 and that he shall again descend form heaven in that same glorious body of flesh1 as ,acts #a3i-aa4 ,and this sure truth of ,christ being the ,saviour and ,mediator1 as ,man1 and not only as ,god1 will also shew serious believers what to think of some1 who though they will not 7it may be7 deny that ,christ is a real man without them in the heavens as well as ,god1 yet do own him to be the ,saviour only as ,god1 first dwelling in that flesh that was born of the ,virgin1 and then dwelling in saints1 and thus both beginning and perfecting their salvation within them1 and so indeed do hold ,christ as ,man1 to be only 7,i say to be only7 the saved or glorified one of ,god1 together with the saints his members1 only something in another and more glorious manner and measure than the saints2 and these high flown people are in this very like to ,familists and ,quakers1 undervaluing the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,god-man1 and though they may speak much of ,christ1 yet they do not rightly and savingly lay him for their foundation4 ,now as a help against all these dangerous things1 thou hast here the main things of ,christ laid down before thee briefly1 and fully proved by the scriptures3 ,first1 ,of his being true ,god out of flesh from eternity1 and then of his taking flesh1 or the nature of man upon him in the womb of the ,virgin1 and so his fulfilling the law1 his dying for sins at ,jerusalem1 his rising again without1 his ascending into heaven without1 and not into a fancied heaven only within1 as some say2 his interceding in heaven for all his1 and his coming again in his body of flesh to judge the world4 ,and if thou art yet in a state of nature1 though covered over with an outside profession1 here thou mayest find something 7if the ,spirit of ,christ meet thee in reading7 to convince thee of the sad condition thou art in1 and to shew thee the righteousness thou art to fly to by faith1 and to trust in for salvation1 when convinced of sin2 which is a righteousness wrought by that ,god-man ,jesus ,christ without thee1 dying without thee at ,jerusalem for sinners3 here also thou mayest see the difference between true and false faith4 ,if thou art a true believer1 as these things are the foundation of thy faith1 so they may be of great use for thee to mediate upon1 and to exercise thy faith in1 particularly in mediation1 and in this way to seek daily for a higher faith in these truths1 to be given into thy heart from heaven2 and there is a great need of this1 for though these truths be commonly known amongst professors to the notion of them1 yet very few know or believe them aright3 nay1 it may well be said in this age1 that1 if the faith of the true saints was well sifted1 and tradition1 notion1 and the apprehensions of their own reason and fancy was sifted out1 most of them would be found to have very little knowledge of1 and faith in1 these common truths4 ,secondly1 ,these truths being put thus together1 and plainly proved by the scriptures1 may be a great help 7through the ,spirit concurring7 to strengthen thee against all those damnable heresies which are spread abroad1 which deny the ,lord ,jesus ,christ either plainly1 or more cunningly and mysteriously4 ,and ,thirdly1 ,the more thou art rooted and set down from heaven in the faith of these truths of ,christ1 to believe fully the glorious reality of them1 and their interest in them1 the more heavenly peace and joy thou wilt have 7#a ,peter #a3g1h7 and also thou wilt hereby attain the more true holiness and purity of heart and life1 'purifying their hearts by faith' 7,acts #ae3i74 ,and then the more thou hast of the right faith of ,christ1 and of his things in thy heart1 the more strong and valiant wilt thou be in spirit1 to do any work private or public for ,jesus ,christ1 like ,stephen1 who being full of faith1 and of the ,holy ,spirit1 was also full of power 7,acts #f3h74 ,in this book thou hast also laid down from the scriptures1 how ,jesus ,christ is without the saints as ,man1 and yet dwelleth within them1 that is1 something of his divine nature or his blessed ,spirit dwells within them1 which ,spirit is sometime called1 ,the ,spirit of ,christ 7,rom #h3i74 ,he that hath not the ,spirit of ,christ1 c4 and sometime called ,christ1 ',if ,christ be in you' c4 7,rom #h3aj74 ,and also how we may know whether it be ,christ and the ,spirit of ,christ within1 or a false spirit calling itself ,christ1 and that is thus2 ,if it be indeed ,christ within1 that is1 the ,spirit of ,christ ,god-man2 why then it teaches that man or woman in whom it is1 to apply1 and trust in ,christ without for salvation2 ,christ as born of the ,virgin ,mary1 as fulfilling the law without them1 as dying without the gate of ,jerusalem as a sacrifice for sin2 it teaches them to trust in the ,man ,christ as rising again out of the grave without them1 as ascending into1 and interceding in heaven without for them2 and as to come from that heaven again in his flesh to judge the world4 ,thus the man ,christ himself saith1 ',when he the ,spirit of truth is come1 c4 he shall glorify me' 7,john #af3ac1ad74 ,he shall make you more to prize1 admire and glorify me1 who am both ,god and man1 and who shall be absent from you touching my body4 ,then follows1 for he shall take of mine 7of my glorious things7 and shew them to you2 he shall take my divine and human nature1 my birth1 my person and offices1 my obedience1 death1 satisfaction1 my resurrection1 ascension and intercession1 and of my second coming in the clouds with my mighty angels to judgment1 and shall shew them1 or clear them up to you3 ,he shall take of my salvation1 which ,i have wrought for you in my own person without you3 ,and he shall take of my glory and exaltation in the heavens1 and shew to you4 ,now to mind this one thing1 and to be set down in a right understanding of it1 by the ,spirit1 from the scriptures1 will be of great concernment to thee and me2 for1 for want of this1 many professors have split themselves1 some looking only on what ,christ hath done and suffered without them1 resting in an historical1 traditional1 and indeed a fancied faith of it1 without looking for the ,spirit of ,jesus ,christ to come with power into their hearts1 without which they cannot rightly know1 nor rightly believe in ,christ the ,son of ,god without them1 so as to have any share or interest in him1 ',if any man have not the ,spirit of ,christ1 he is none of his' 7,rom #h3i74 ,others have been depending too much upon something they call ,christ1 and the righteousness of ,christ within them1 in opposition to ,christ and his righteousness without them1 from which all true saints have their justification and comfort1 it being received through the operation of the ,spirit which dwells in them2 and however these may talk much of ,christ within them1 yet it is manifest1 that it is not the ,spirit of ,christ1 but the spirit of the devil2 in that it doth not glorify1 but slight and reject the man ,christ and his righteousness which was wrong without them3 ,reader1 in this book thou wilt not meet with high flown airy notions1 which some delight in1 counting them high mysteries1 but the sound1 plain1 common1 7and yet spiritual and mysterious7 truths of the gospel1 and if thou art a believer1 thou must needs reckon them so1 and the more1 if thou hast not only the faith of them in thy heart1 but art daily living in the spiritual sense and feeling of them1 and of thy interest in them4 ,neither doth this treatise offer to thee doubtful controversial things1 or matters of opinions1 as some books chiefly do1 which when insisted upon1 the weightier things of the gospel have always done more hurt than good3 ,but here thou hast things certain1 and necessary to be believed1 which thou canst not too much study4 ,therefore pray1 that thou mayest receive this word which is according to the scriptures in faith and love1 not as the word of man1 but as the word of ,god1 without respect of persons1 and be not offended because ,christ holds forth the glorious treasure of the gospel to thee in a poor earthen vessel1 by one who hath neither the greatness nor the wisdom of this world to commend him to thee2 for as the scripture1 saith ,christ1 7who was low and contemptible in the world himself7 ordinarily chooseth such for himself1 and for the doing of his work 7#a ,cor #a3bf-bh74 ,not many wise men after the flesh1 not many mighty1 not many noble are called3 ,but ,god hath chosen the foolish things of the world1 c4 ,this man is not chosen out of an earthly1 but out of the heavenly university1 the church of ,christ1 which church1 as furnished with the ,spirit1 gifts1 and graces of ,christ1 was in the beginning1 and still is1 and will be to the end of the world1 that out of which the word of the ,lord1 and so all true gospel ministers must proceed1 whether learned or unlearned1 as to human learning 7#a ,cor #ab3bg1bh74 ,and though this man hath not the learning or wisdom of man1 yet1 through grace he hath received the teaching of ,god1 and the learning of the ,spirit of ,christ1 which is the thing that makes a man both a ,christian and a minister of the gospel4 ',the ,lord ,god hath given me the tongue of the learned1' c4 7,is #ej3d compared with ,luke #d3ah7 where ,christ1 as man1 saith1 ',the ,spirit of the ,lord is upon me1 because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor1' c4 ,he hath1 through grace taken these three heavenly degrees1 to wit1 union with ,christ1 the anointing of the ,spirit1 and experience of the temptations of ,satan1 which do more fit a man for that mighty work of preaching the gospel1 than all university learning and degrees that can be had4 ,my end in writing these few lines is not to set up man1 but having had experience with many other saints of this man's soundness in the faith1 of his godly conversation1 and his ability to preach the gospel1 not by human art1 but by the ,spirit of ,christ1 and that with much success in the conversion of sinners when there are so many carnal empty preachers1 both learned and unlearned2 ,i say having had experience of this1 and judging this book may be profitable to many others1 as well as to myself3 ,i thought it my duty upon this account 7though ,i be very unfit for it7 to bear witness with my brother to the plain and simple 7and yet glorious7 truths of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,and now reader1 the ,lord give thee and me a right understanding in these things1 that we may live and die not with a traditional notional dead faith1 but with a right spiritual lively faith of ,christ in our heart1 wrought by the mighty power of ,god2 such a faith as may make ,jesus ,christ more real and precious to us than any thing in the world1 as may purify our hearts1 and make us new creatures1 that so we may be sure to escape the wrath to come1 and after this life enjoy eternal life and glory through the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 to whom be glory for ever and ever4 ,amen4 ,farewell1 thine to serve thee in the ,lord ,jesus1 ,,john ,,burton4 ,,some ,,gospel ,,truths ,,opened1 c4 ,forasmuch as many have taken in ,hand to set forth their several ,judgments concerning the ,son of the ,virgin ,mary1 the ,lord ,,jesus ,,christ2 and some of those many having most grossly erred from the simplicity of the ,gospel1 it seemed good to me1 having had some ,knowledge of these things1 to write a few words1 to the end1 if the ,lord will1 ,souls might not be so horribly deluded by those several corrupt ,principles that are gone into the ,world concerning him4 ,now1 that there is such a thing as a ,christ1 ,i shall not spend much time in proving of2 only ,i shall shew you1 that he was first promised to the fathers1 and afterwards expected by their children3 ,but before ,i do that1 ,i shall speak a few words concerning ,god's ,,fore-,,ordaining ,,and ,,purposing1 ,,that ,a ,,christ1 ,a ,,saviour1 ,,should ,,be1 ,,and ,,that ,,before ,,the ,,world ,,began4 ,now ,god in his own wisdom and counsel1 knowing what would come to pass1 as if it were already done 7,rom #d3ag74 ,he knowing that man would break his commandments1 and so throw himself under eternal destruction1 did in his own purpose fore-ordain such a thing as the rise of him that should fall1 and that by a ,saviour1 ',according as he hath chosen us in him1 meaning the ,saviour before the foundation of the world' 7,eph #a3d74 ,that is1 ,god seeing that we would transgress1 and break his commandment1 did before choose some of those that would fall1 and give them to him that should afterward purchase them actually1 though in the account of ,god1 his blood was shed before the world was 7,rev #ac3h74 ,i say1 in the account of ,god1 his ,son was slain6 that is1 according to ,god's purpose and conclusion1 which he purposed in himself before the word was2 as it is written 7#b ,tim #a3i71 ',who hath saved us1 and called us with an holy calling1 according to his own purpose and grace1 which was given us in ,christ ,jesus before the world began4' ,as also1 in #a ,peter #a3bj1 ,where the ,apostle speaking of ,christ1 and the redemption purchased by him for sinners1 saith of him1 ',who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world1 but was manifest in these last days for you1 who by him do believe in ,god1 that raised him up from the dead4' ,god having thus purposed in himself1 that he would save some of them that by transgression had destroyed themselves1 did with the everlasting ,son of his love1 make an agreement1 or bargain1 that upon such and such terms1 he would give him a company of such poor souls as had by transgression fallen from their own innocency and uprightness1 into those wicked inventions that they themselves had sought out 7,eccl #g3bi74 ,the agreement also how this should be1 was made before the foundation of the world was laid 7,titus #a3b74 ,the ,apostle1 speaking of the promise1 or covenant made between ,god and the ,saviour 7for that is his meaning17 saith on this wise2 ',in hope of eternal life1 which ,god that cannot lie1 promised before the world began4' ,now this promise1 or covenant was made with none but with the ,son of ,god1 the ,saviour4 ,and it must needs be so2 for there was none with ,god before the world began1 but he by whom he made the world1 as in ,proverbs #h from verse #bb to verse #ca which was and is1 the ,son of his love4 ,this covenant1 or bargain1 had these conditions in it4 ,first1 ,that the ,saviour should take upon him flesh and blood1 the same nature that the sons of men were partakers of 7sin only excepted7 7,heb #b3ad1 #d3ae74 ,and this was the will or agreement that ,god had made with him3 ,and therefore when he speaks of doing the will of ,god 7,heb #aj3e7 he saith1 'a body hast thou prepared me1' 7as according to thy promise 7,gen #c3ae7 which ,i was to take of a woman17 and in it ,i am come to do thy will1 ,o ,god1 as it is written of me in the volume of thy book 7v #g74 ,second1 ,the ,saviour was to bring everlasting righteousness to justify sinners withal 7,dan #i3bd1be74 ,the ,messias1 or ,saviour1 shall bring in everlasting righteousness1 and put an end to iniquity1 as it is there written1 ',to make an end of sins1 and to make reconciliation for iniquity1 and to bring in everlasting righteousness4' ,this1 ,i say1 was to be brought into the world by the ,saviour1 according to the covenant1 or agreement1 that was between ,god and ,christ before the world began1 which ,god1 that cannot lie1 promised at that time 7,titus #a3b74 ,third1 ,he was to accomplish this everlasting righteousness by spilling his most precious blood1 according to the terms of the covenant1 or bargain2 and therefore when ,god would shew his people what the agreement was that he and the ,saviour had made1 even before the covenant was accomplished and sealed actually4 ,see for this ,zechariah #i 7where he is speaking of him that should be the ,saviour17 verse #aa1 ',as for thee also meaning the ,saviour by the blood of thy covenant1' or as some render it1 whose covenant is by blood 7which is all to one purpose7 ',i meaning ,god have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water4' ,the meaning is this3 ,as for thee also1 seeing the covenant1 or bargain that was made between me and thee before the world was1 is accomplished in my account1 as if it were actually and really done1 with all the conditions that were agreed upon by me and thee2 ,i have therefore1 according to that agreement that was on my part1 sent forth the prisoners1 and those that were under the curse of my law1 out of the pit wherein there is no water2 seeing thou also hast completely fulfilled in my account whatsoever was on thy part to be done1 according to our agreement4 ,and thus is that place to be understood in ,john #ag3i1 ',i pray for them3 ,i pray not for the world1 but for them which thou hast given me' 7which ,i covenanted with thee for7 'thine they were and thou gavest them me1' 7but on such and such conditions as are before-mentioned 7,zech #i774 ,and again1 ',according as he hath chosen us in him1 that is1 in ,christ1 before the foundation of the world1 that we should be holy and without blame before him in love' 7,eph #a3d74 ,now1 seeing this was thus concluded upon by those that did wish well to the souls and bodies of poor sinners1 after the world was made by them1 and after they had said1 'let us make man in our image1 after our likeness' 7,gen #a3bf74 ,and after man1 whom ,god had made upright1 had by transgression fallen from that state into which ,god at first placed him1 and thrown himself into a miserable condition by his transgression1 then ,god brings out of his love that which he and his ,son had concluded upon1 and begins now to make forth that to the world1 which he had purposed in himself before the world began 7,eph #a3d1i2 #b ,tim #a3i74 #a4 ,now the first discovery that was made to a lost creature of the love of ,god1 was made to fallen ,adam 7,gen #c3ae74 ,where it is said1 ',i will put enmity between thee and the woman1 and between thy seed and her seed'2 which is the ,saviour 7,gal #d3d71 ',it shall bruise thy head1 and thou shalt bruise his heel4' ,this was the first discovery of the love of ,god to lost man3 ,this was the gospel which was preached to ,adam in his generation2 in these words was held forth to them in that generation1 that which should be farther accomplished in after generations4 #b4 ,another discovery of the love of ,god in the gospel1 was held forth to ,noah1 in that he would have him to prepare an ark to save himself withal2 which ark did type out the ,lord that was to come1 and be the ,saviour of those whom he before had covenanted for with ,god the ,father4 ',and ,god said unto ,noah1 ,the end of all flesh is come before me2--make thee an ark of gopher wood' 7,gen #f3ac1ad1 #g3a74 ',the ,lord said unto ,noah1 ,come thou and all thy house into the ark2 for thee have ,i seen righteous before me in this generation4' #c4 ,god breaks out with a farther discovery of himself in love to that generation in which ,abraham lived1 ,where he saith1 ',and in thee1 that is1 from thee shall ,christ come through1 in whom shall all families of the earth be blessed' 7,gen #ab3c74 ,this was also a farther manifestation of the good will of ,god to poor lost sinners2 and through this discovery of the gospel1 did ,abraham see that which made him rejoice 7,john #h3ef74 #d4 ,when the time was come that ,moses was to be a prophet to the people of his generation1 then ,god did more gloriously yet break forth with one type after another1 as the blood of bulls1 and lambs1 and goats3 ,also sacrifices of divers manners1 and of several things1 which held forth that ,saviour more clearly which ,god had in his own purpose and decree determined to be sent2 for these things 7the types7 were a shadow of that which was to come1 which was the substance 7,heb #i3i1aj1 #aj3a1e-g74 ,now when these things were thus done1 when ,god had thus signified to the world1 what he intended to do in after times1 presently all that had faith to believe that ,god would be as good as his word1 began to look for1 and to expect that the ,lord should accomplish and bring to pass what he had promised1 what his hand and counsel had before determined to be done4 7#a47 ,now ,abraham begins to look for what ,god had promised and signified2 namely1 that he would send a ,saviour into the world in his appointed time1 which thing being promised1 ,abraham embraces1 being persuaded of the certainty of it2 as in ,hebrews #aa3ac4 ,and this did fill his heart with joy and gladness1 as ,i said before2 for 'he saw it1 and was glad' 7,john #h3ef74 7#b47 ,jacob also1 while he was blessing his sons1 concerning things to come1 breaks forth with these words1 ',i have waited for thy salvation' 7,gen #di3ah74 ,he was also put in expectation of salvation to come by this ,saviour4 7#c47 ,david was in earnest expectation of this1 which was held forth by types and shadows in the law2 for as yet the ,saviour was not come1 which made him cry out with a longing after it1 ',o that the salvation of ,israel were come out of ,sion' 7,psa #ec3f74 ,and again1 ',o that the salvation of ,israel were come out of ,sion6' 7,psa #ad3g74 ,the thing that ,david waited for1 was not in his time come1 though before his time it was promised2 which makes him cry out1 ,o that it were come1 that it were come out of ,sion6 ,where1 by the way1 take notice1 that the true salvation and ,saviour of ,israel was to come out of ,sion1 that is1 out of the church of ,god1 touching the flesh1 as it is written2 ,a prophet shall the ,lord your ,god raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me 7,deut #ah3ae1ah74 ,and again1 ',i have laid help upon one that is mighty2 ,i have exalted one chosen out of the people' 7,psa #hi3ai2 ,rom #i3e74 ',whoso are the fathers1 and of whom as concerning the flesh ,christ came1 who is over all1 ,god blessed for ever4' ,christ1 as concerning the flesh1 did come of the fathers4 7#d47 ,isaiah did prophesy of this1 that ,god would thus save his people2 yea1 he breaks forth with these words1 ',but ,israel shall be saved in the ,,lord with an everlasting salvation' 7,isa #de3ag74 ,he also tells them how it shall be accomplished in that #ec;d chapter4 ,yea1 he had such a glorious taste of the reality of it1 that he speaks as though it had been actually done4 7#e47 ,in the days of ,jeremiah1 this that ,god had promised to the fathers1 was not yet accomplished2 in chapter #bc3e he saith1 ',behold1 the days come1 saith the ,lord1 that ,i will mark1 it was not yet done but ,i will saith ,god raise unto ,david a righteous branch1 and a king shall reign and prosper4--,in his days ,judah shall be saved1 and ,israel shall dwell safely2 and this is his name wherewith he shall be called1 ,,the ,,lord ,,our ,,righteousness4' 7#f47 ,he was also to come in ,zechariah's time 7,zech #c3h74 ,where he saith 'for1 behold1 ,i will bring forth my servant the ,,branch4' 7#g47 ,he was not come in the time of ,malachi neither1 though he was indeed at that time near his coming4 ,for he saith himself1 ',behold1 ,i will send my messenger1 meaning ,john the baptist1 and he shall prepare the way before me3 and the ,lord whom ye seek1 shall suddenly come to his temple1 even the messenger of the covenant1 whom ye delight in3 behold he shall come1 saith the ,lord of hosts' 7,mal #c3a2 ,isa #dj3c2 ,luke #a3gf74 7#h47 ,old ,simeon did also wait for the consolation of ,israel a long time 7,luke #b3be74 ,where it is said1 ',and1 behold1 there was a man in ,jerusalem1 whose name was ,simeon2 and the same man was just and devout1 waiting for the consolation of ,israel4' ,that is1 waiting for him that was to be the ,saviour1 as is clear1 if you read with understanding a little farther3 ',and it was revealed unto him by the ,holy ,ghost1 that he should not see death1 before he had seen the ,lord's ,christ' 7v #bf74 ,and thus have ,i in brief shewed you1 #a4 ,that there is such a thing as ,christ4 #b4 ,that this ,christ was promised and signified out by many things before he did come4 #c4 ,how he was waited for1 and expected before the time that ,god had appointed in the which he should come4 ,the ,,second ,,thing that ,i will 7through the strength of ,christ7 prove1 is this1 ,,that ,,he ,,that ,,was ,,of ,,the ,,virgin1 ,,is ,,he ,,that ,,is ,,the ,,saviour4 ,,first1 ,and first1 ,i shall lay down this for a truth2 ,that it is not any ,spirit only by1 and of itself1 without it do take the nature of man1 that can be a ,saviour of man from eternal vengeance4 ,or thus3 ,that that which will be a ,saviour of man1 must in the nature of man satisfy and appease the justice and wrath of ,god4 ,and the arguments that ,i do bring to prove it by1 are these4 ,first1 ,because it was man that had offended2 and justice required that man must give the satisfaction3 ,and therefore1 when he that should be the ,saviour1 was come1 he 'took upon him the form of a servant1 and was made in the likeness of men' 7,phil #b3g2 ,heb #b3ad74 ,because 'the children are partakers of flesh and blood2 he also himself likewise took part of the same'2 ,to what end8 'that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death1 that is1 the devil4' ,and is that all8 ,no2 but also that he might 'deliver them who through fear of death1 were all their lifetime subject to bondage' 7v #ae74 ,second1 ,the second argument is this2 because1 if a spirit only could have made satisfaction for the sin of mankind1 and have subdued ,satan for man1 without the nature of man1 either there had been weakness in ,body when he made that promise to fallen ,adam1 ,that the seed of the woman should break the serpent's head2 7for there hath been no need of and so no room for that promise7 or else ,god having made it1 would have appeared unfaithful1 in not fulfilling his promise1 by redeeming the world without it4 ,third1 ,if a spirit only could have made satisfaction1 and so have saved man2 then ,christ needed not to have come into the world1 and to have been born of a woman 7,gal #d3d74 ,but in that he must come into the world1 and must be born of a woman1 it is clear1 that without this1 he could not have been a ,saviour3 ,for he was made of a woman1 made under the law1 to this end1 that he might redeem them that were under the law2 implying1 ,no subjection to this1 7viz4 the taking of the nature of man7 no redemption from the curse of the law4 ,but ,christ hath delivered from the curse of the law 7all that believe in his name7 being in their nature made a curse for them4 ,and this is the reason1 why the fallen angels are not recovered from their damnable estate1 because1 he did not take hold of their nature1 ',for verily he took not on him the nature of angels2 but he took on him the seed of ,abraham' 7,heb #b3af74 ,,second1 ,now then1 seeing this is the very truth of ,god1 ,i shall next prove1 that ,jesus that was born of the virgin1 to be the ,saviour4 ,and1 ,first1 ,i shall prove it by comparing some places of the ,old and ,new testament together1 and by some arguments drawn from the scriptures4 #a4 ,and first1 see ,genesis #c3ae1 where he is called the seed of the woman1 saying1 ',i will put enmity between thee and the woman1 and between thy seed and her seed'2 and so was ,jesus 7,gal #d3d7 where it is said1 ',god sent forth his ,son1 made of a woman1' or born of a woman4 #b4 ,this woman must be a virgin 7,isa #g3ad7 where it is said1 ',a virgin shall conceive1 and bear a son1 and shall call his name ,imanuel4' ,and ,jesus is he that was the fulfilling of this scripture 7,matt #a3bb1bc71 ',now all this was done1 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the ,lord by the prophet1 saying1 ,behold1 a virgin shall be with child1 and shall bring forth a ,son1 and they shall call his name ,imanuel4' #c4 ,the ,saviour must be of the tribe of ,judah4 ,and this ,jacob prophesied of on his death-bed1 saying1 ',judah1 thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise1' or honour1 'thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies2 thy father's children shall bow down before thee' 7,gen #di3h74 ,and again 7,micah #e3b71 ',but thou1 ,bethlehem ,ephratah1 though thou be little among the thousands of ,judah1 yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in ,israel4' ,jesus also came of the tribe of ,judah1 and that will clearly appear1 if you read 7,matt #a74 ,matthew1 he begins first with ,abraham 7v #b7 and thence to ,judah 7v #c7 from ,judah to ,david 7v #f7 from ,david to ,zorobabel 7v #ac7 then to ,jacob the father of ,joseph1 the husband of ,mary1 of whom was born ,jesus 7v #af74 ,now ,mary was one of the same house also1 and for this consider1 ,jesus came from the loins of ,david 7,matt#a72 but that he could not do1 if ,mary had not been of the seed of ,david3 ,for ,christ came from her1 not from him1 for ,joseph 'knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born' 7,matt #a3be74 ,again1 the angel told her1 that he was the son of ,david1 saying1 ',and the ,lord ,god shall give unto him the throne of his father ,david' 7,luke #a3cb74 ,and again1 ,the ,jews knew this very well1 or else they would have been sure to have laid it open before all the world2 for they sought by all means to disown him4 ,and though they did through the devilishness of their unbelief disown him1 yet could they find no such thing as to question the right of his birth from ,mary4 ,if it had been to be done1 they would no doubt have done it2 they did not want malice to whet them on2 neither did they want means so far as might help forward their malice2 without manifest and apparent injury2 for they had exact registers1 or records of their genealogies1 so that1 if they had had any colour for it1 they would sure have denied him to have been the son of ,david4 ,there was reasoning concerning him when he was with them 7,john #g3bg1dc7 and ,i do believe1 part of it was about the generation of which he came4 ,and this was so commonly known1 that the blind man that sat by the way-side could cry out1 ',jesus thou ,son of ,david1 have mercy on me4--,thou ,son of ,david1 have mercy on me' 7,luke #ah3ch1ci74 ,it was so common1 that he came from the loins of his father ,david according to the flesh1 that it was not so much as once questioned4 ',and when' ,herod 'demanded of the chief priests and scribes of the people where ,christ should be born4 ,they said unto him1 in ,bethlehem of ,judea3 ,for thus it is written by the prophet1 ,and thou ,bethlehem1 in the land of ,juda1 art not the least among the princes of ,juda1 for out of thee shall come a governor1 that shall rule my people ,israel' 7,matt #a3d-f74 7,for out of thee7 mark that2 if ,mary had not been of ,judah1 ,christ had not come out of ,judah1 but ,christ came out of ,judah2 therefore ,mary is also a daughter of ,judah4 ,and this is evident1 as saith the scripture1 'for--our ,lord sprang out of ,judah' 7,heb #g3ad74 ,again1 when ,christ the ,saviour was to come into the world1 at that time the sceptre was to depart from ,judah1 according to the prophecy of ,jacob4 ',the sceptre shall not depart from ,judah1 nor a law-giver from between his feet1 until ,shiloh come' 7,gen #di3aj74 ,now the sceptre was then departed from those that were ,jews by nature1 and also the law-giver1 and ,herod who was a stranger1 and not of ,judea1 was king over them1 as ,caesar's deputy2 and ,caesar ,augustus imposed laws on them4 ,the stubborn ,jews also confessed the sceptre to be departed1 when before ,pontius ,pilate a ,roman governor of ,judea1 they cried out against ,christ3 ',we have no king but ,cesar' 7,john #ai3ae74 ,nay farther1 the ,jews from that day to this1 have been without a king of their own nation to govern them3 they never had the sceptre swayed since by any of themselves1 but have been a scattered despised people1 and have been as it were liable to all dangers1 and for a long time driven out from their country1 and scattered over all the nations of the earth1 as was prophesied concerning them 7,jer #ad3aj2 ,zech #f3ad1ae74 ,and yet these poor souls are so horribly deluded by the devil1 that though they see these things come to pass1 yet they will not believe4 ,and one reason among many1 of their being thus deluded1 is this1 they say that the word sceptre in ,genesis #di is not meant of a kingly government2 but the meaning is1 7say they7 a rod1 or persecutions shall not depart from ,judah till ,shiloh come4 ,now they do most grossly mistake that place2 for though ,i am not skilled in the ,hebrew tongue1 yet through grace1 ,i am enlightened into the scriptures2 whereby ,i find that the meaning is not persecutions1 nor the rod of afflictions1 but a governor or sceptre of the kingdom shall not depart from ,judah till ,shiloh come4 ,and that this is the meaning of the place1 weigh but the very next words of the same verse1 and you will find it to be the sceptre of a king that is meant2 for he addeth1 'nor a law-giver from between his feet4' ,mark it1 ,the sceptre1 nor a law-giver2 the legislative power depending on the sceptre of the kingdom1 shall not depart from ,judah till ,shiloh come4 ,according to that scripture1 written in ,isaiah #g3af1 ',for before the child shall know to refuse the evil1 and choose the good1 the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings4' ,which scripture hath been fulfilled from that same time4 ,but a word to the ,jews' exposition of the sceptre to be a rod1 or persecutions2 saying1 that persecutions shall not depart from ,judah till ,shiloh come4 ,this cannot be the meaning of the place2 for the ,jews have had rest oftentimes1 and that before ,shiloh did come2 at one time they 'had rest four-score years' 7,judg #c3cj74 ,again1 ',and the land had rest from war' 7,josh #ad3ae74 ,and again1 ',and the ,lord gave them rest round about1 according to all that he sware unto their fathers1 and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them' 7,josh #ba3dd74 ',and the land had rest forty years' 7,judg #c3aa74 ,there was rest many a time from persecution and from the rod1 though it were but for a season2 but the sceptre1 or kingdom1 did not depart from ,judah1 and a law-giver from between his feet till ,shiloh came4 ,second1 ,again1 ,to prove that ,jesus is the ,christ1 it is clear from the hand of ,god against the ,jews1 for putting him to death4 ,what was the reason why they did put him to death1 but this1 ,he did say that he was the ,christ the ,son of ,god8 7,luke #bb3gj7 ',then said they all1 ,art thou then the ,son of ,god8 ,and he said unto them1 ,ye say that ,i am4' ,that is1 ,i am he as you say1 ,i am the ,son of ,god2 yea1 the only begotten ,son of the ,father1 and ,i was with him before the world was 7,john #i3cg1 #ag3e74 ,now the ,jews did put him to death for his thus owning his own2 that is1 for not denying of his ,sonship1 but making himself equal with ,god1 therefore did they put him to death 7,john #ai3g74 ,now ,god did1 and doth most miserably plague them to this very day1 for their crucifying of him3 ,but ,i say1 had he not been the ,christ of ,god1 ,god's ,son1 he would not have laid sin to their charge1 for crucifying him2 but rather have praised them for their zeal1 and for taking him out of the way1 who did rob ,god of his honour1 in that he made himself equal with ,god1 and was not4 ,he would have praised them for doing the thing that was right1 as he did ,phineas the son of ,eleazar1 for executing judgment in his time1 on the adulterer and adulteress 7,num #be3h74 ,but in that he said he was the ,son of ,god1 and accounted it no robbery so to call himself 7,phil #b3f74 ,and seeing that they did put him to death1 because he said he was the ,son of ,god2 and in that ,god doth so severely charge them with1 and punish them for their sin in putting him to death1 for saying that he was the ,son of ,god1 it is evident that he was and is the ,son of ,god1 and that ,saviour that should come into the world4 ,for his blood hath been upon them to this very day for their hurt1 according to their desire 7,matt #bg3be74 ,again1 ,jesus himself doth in this day hold forth that he is the ,christ1 where he saith1 ',the time is fulfilled1 and the kingdom of ,god is at hand' 7,mark #a3ae74 ,what time is this that ,jesus speaks of8 ,surely1 'tis that of ,daniel's seventy weeks1 spoken of in chapter #i3bd where he saith1 ',seventy weeks are determined upon thy people--to finish the transgression1 and to make an end of sins1 and to make reconciliation' or satisfaction 'for iniquity1 and to bring in everlasting righteousness1--and to anoint the most ,holy4' ,this time1 that here ,daniel speaks of1 is it that ,christ saith hath an end2 and the argument that he brings to persuade them to believe the gospel1 is this1 ',the kingdom of ,god is at hand1' 7according as was prophesied of it by ,daniel7 'repent1 and believe the gospel4' ,repent1 and believe that this is the gospel2 and that this is the truth of ,god2 consider1 that ,daniel had a revelation of these days from the angel of ,god1 and also the time in which it should be accomplished3 namely1 ,seventy weeks was the determined time of the ,messias his coming1 from the time when the angel spake these words to ,daniel3 ,seventy weeks1 that is1 about #dij years1 if you reckon every day in the said seventy weeks for a year3 ,a day for a year1 a day for a year2 for so is the ,holy ,spirit's way sometimes to reckon days 7,eze #d3f74 ,and this the ,jews were convinced of1 when ,christ saith to them1 ',ye hypocrites1 ye can discern the face of the sky2 but can ye not discern the signs of the times8' 7,matt #af3c74 ,do you not see that those things that are spoken of as forerunners of my coming1 are accomplished8 ,do you not see that the sceptre is departed from ,judah8 ,do you not see the time that ,daniel spake of is accomplished also8 ,there shall no sign be given unto it1 but the sign of the prophet ,jonas3 ,o ye hypocritical generation6 7v #d74 ,third1 ,another argument to prove that ,jesus is the ,christ1 is this1 ,by his power the blind see1 the lame walk1 the deaf hear1 the dumb speak1 the dead are raised up1 the devils are dispossessed4 ,in ,isaiah #ce3d it is thus prophesied of him1 ',behold your ,god will come with vengeance1 even ,god with a recompense2 he will come and save you'2 ,but how shall we know when he is come8 ,why1 ',then the eyes of the blind shall be opened1 and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped4 ,then shall the lame man leap as an hart1 and the tongue of the dumb sing2 for in the wilderness shall waters break out1 and streams in the desert' 7vv #e1f74 ,now when ,john would know whether he were the ,christ or no1 ,jesus sends him this very answer1 ',go1 and shew ,john saith he again those things which you do hear and see3 the blind receive their sight1 and the lame walk1 the lepers are cleansed1 and the deaf hear1 the dead are raised up1 and the poor have the gospel preached to them' 7,matt #aa3c-e74 ,fourth1 ,another argument that doth prove this ,jesus to be the ,christ1 is this1 namely1 he to whom it was revealed1 that he should see him1 though he waited long for him4 ,so soon as ever he did but see that sweet babe that twas born of the virgin ,mary1 he cried out1 ',lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace1 according to thy word3 ,for mine eyes have seen thy salvation1 which thou hast prepared before the face of all people'2 as it is in ,luke #b3bf-ca4 ,the prophetess ,anna also1 so soon as she had seen him1 'gave thanks to the ,lord1 and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in ,jerusalem' 7vv #cf-ch74 ,fifth1 ,another argument is1 the sign of the prophet ,jonah4 ,he1 even ,jonah1 was three days and three nights in the whale's belly 7,jonah #a3ag7 and ,jesus makes this very thing an argument to the ,jews1 that he was the true ,messias1 where he saith1 ',an evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign'2 that is1 they would have me to show them a sign1 to prove that ,i am the ,saviour1 ',and there shall no sign be given to it1 but the sign of the prophet ,jonah3 ,for as ,jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly2 so shall the ,son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth' 7,matt #ab3ci1dj74 ,and this1 the ,apostle makes mention of to be accomplished1 where he says1 ,the ,jews slew ,jesus1 and hanged him on a tree 7,acts #aj3ci7 and laid him in a sepulchre 7,matt #bg74 ,but ,god raised him up the third day1 and shewed him openly 7,acts #aj3dj74 ,sixth1 ,another scripture argument to prove that ,jesus is the ,christ1 is this1 that there was not one of his bones broken2 which thing was foretold and typed out by the ,paschal ,lamb1 where he saith1 ',they shall leave none of it unto the morning1 nor break any bone of it' 7,exo #ab3df2 ,num #i3ab71 which thing was fulfilled in the ,son of the virgin1 7though contrary to the customs of that nation17 as it is written1 ',then came the soldiers1 and brake the legs of the first1 and of the other which was crucified with him4 ,but when they came to ,jesus1 and saw that he was dead already1 they break not his legs' 7,john #ai3cb1cc73 'that the scripture should be fulfilled1 ,a bone of him shall not be broken' 7v #cf74 ,seventh1 ,another scripture demonstration is1 in that they did fulfil the saying that was written1 ',they part my garments among them1 and cast lots upon my vesture' 7,psa #bb3ah74 ,but this was also fulfilled in ,jesus1 as it is written2 ',then the soldiers1 when they had crucified ,jesus1 took his garments1 and made four parts1 to every soldier a part2 and also his coat3 now the coat was without seam1--,they said therefore among themselves1 let us not rend it1 but cast lots for it whose it shall be3 that the scripture might be fulfilled1 which saith1 ,they parted my raiment among them1 and for my vesture they did cast lots' 7,john #ai3bc1bd74 ,eighth1 ,again1 ,the scripture saith1 'they shall look upon me1 whom they have pierced' 7,zech #ab3aj74 ,but the soldier thrust a spear into his side1 ,that it might be fulfilled which was written1 'they shall look on him whom they pierced' 7,john #ai3cd-cg74 ,error #a4 ,now then1 seeing this is the truth of ,god1 that ,jesus that was born of the virgin1 is the ,christ of ,god2 how horribly are those deceived who look on ,jesus the ,son of ,mary1 to be but a shadow or type1 of something that was afterward to be revealed2 whereas the scriptures most lively hold him forth to be the ,christ of ,god1 and not a shadow of a spirit1 or of a body afterwards to be revealed1 but himself was the very substance of all things that did any way type out ,christ to come2 and when he was indeed come1 then was an end put to the law for righteousness1 or justification to every one that believeth2 ',christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth1' as it is written 7,rom #aj3d74 ,that is1 he was the end of the ceremonial law1 and of that commonly called the moral law1 the substance of which is laid down 7,exo #bj3a-ag7 though that law1 as handed out by ,christ1 still remains of great use to all believers1 which they are bound to keep for sanctification1 as ,christ saith 7,matt #e3ai to the end of the chapter74 ,but ,christ ,jesus hath obtained everlasting righteousness1 having fulfilled all the law of ,god in the body of his flesh1 wherein he also suffered on the cross without the gates1 and doth impute this righteousness to poor man1 having accomplished it for him in the body of his flesh1 which he took of the virgin 7,gal #d3d74 ',god sent forth his ,son1 made of a woman1 that is1 born of the virgin made under the law1' that is1 to obey it1 and to bear the curse of it1 'being made a curse for us' 7,gal #c3ac72 to redeem them that were under the law1 that is1 to redeem such as were ordained to life eternal1 from the curse of the law4 ,and this he did by his birth1 being made or born of a woman2 by his obedience1 yea1 by his perfect obedience 'he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him' 7,heb #e3h1i72 and by his doing and suffering1 did completely satisfy the law and the justice of ,god1 and bring in that glorious and everlasting salvation1 without which we had all eternally been undone1 and that without remedy2 for without shedding of his blood there was no remission4 ,error #b4 ,seeing ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of the virgin ,mary1 was and is the ,christ of ,god3 and that salvation came in alone by him1 for there is salvation in no other 7,acts #d3ab71 then how are they deceived1 that think to obtain salvation by following the convictions of the law1 which they call ,christ 7though falsely7 when alas1 let them follow those convictions that do come from the law1 and conscience set on work by it2 ,i say1 let them follow all the convictions that may be hinted in upon their spirits from that law1 they shall never be able to obtain salvation by their obedience to it1 'for by the law is the knowledge of sin' 7,rom #c3bj2 ,gal #c3aj2 ,john #aj3ae2 ,heb #i3ab74 ,and ',it is not of works lest any man should boast1' as those fond hypocrites called ,quakers would do4 ,and again1 ',if righteousness come by the law1 then ,christ is dead in vain' 7,gal #b3ba74 ',but that no man is justified by the works of the law1 in the sight of ,god1 it is evident3 for1 ,the just shall live by faith' 7,gal #c3aa74 ,which living by faith1 is to apply the ,lord ,jesus ,christ his benefits1 as birth1 righteousness1 death1 blood1 resurrection1 ascension1 and intercession1 with the glorious benefits of his second coming to me1 as mine1 being given to me1 and for me1 and thus much doth the ,apostle signify1 saying2 ',the life which ,i now live in the flesh ,i live by the faith of the ,son of ,god1 who loved me1 and gave himself for me' 7,gal #b3bj74 ,error #c4 ,again1 ,seeing ,god's ,christ1 which was with him before the world was 7,john #ag3e7 took upon him flesh and blood from the virgin ,mary1 7who was espoused to ,joseph the carpenter7 and in that human nature yielded himself an offering for sin1 7for it was the body of his flesh by which sin was purged ,col #a3bb74 ,i say1 seeing the ,son of ,god1 as he was in a body of flesh1 did bring in salvation for sinners1 and by this means1 as ,i said before1 we are saved1 even by faith in his blood1 righteousness1 resurrections1 c4 ,how are they then deceived who own ,christ no otherwise than as he was before the world began1 who was then without flesh and blood 7for he took that in time of the virgin ,gal #d3d2 ,heb #b3ad74 ,i say1 they are wickedly deluded1 who own him no otherwise but as he was before the world was3 ,for in their owning of him thus and no otherwise1 they do directly deny him to be come in the flesh1 and are of that antichristian party which ,john speaks of 7#a ,john #d3c7 ',every spirit that confesseth not that ,jesus ,christ is come in the flesh1 is not of ,god3 and this is that spirit of antichrist1 whereof ye have heard that it should come1 and even now already is it in the world4' ,now because the enemy doth most notably wrest this scripture1 as they do others1 to their own damnation1 ,i shall speak something to it2 and therefore1 when he saith1 every spirit that confesseth not that ,jesus ,christ is come in the flesh1 is not of ,god1 his meaning is1 ,every spirit that doth not confess that that ,christ that was with the ,father before the world was1 did in the appointed time of the ,father come into the world1 took on him a body from the virgin1 and was very man as well as very ,god1 and in that body of flesh did do and suffer whatsoever belonged to the sons of men for the breach of the holy law of ,god1 and impute his glorious righteousness which he fulfilled in that body of his flesh1 to the souls that shall believe on what he hath done1 and is adoing in the same body4 ,consider #a4 ,and that this is the mind of the ,spirit of ,god1 consider1 first1 he himself saith1 handle me and see1 for a spirit hath not flesh and bones1 as ye see me have1 when his disciples had thought he had been but a spirit 7,luke #bd3ci1dj74 ,consider #b4 ,now that in this flesh he died for sins3 consider1 secondly1 that scripture which saith1 ',who his own self1 that is1 the ,christ that was born of the ,virgin bare our sins in his own body on the tree' 7#a ,peter #b3bd74 ,see ,colossians #a3bb 'in the body of his flesh1' saith he1 'to present you holy and unblameable1 and unreprovable in his sight4' ,now that he arose again from the dead1 with the body of flesh wherewith he was crucified1 consider1 that forenamed scripture 7,luke #bd3ci1dj7 spoken after his resurrection4 ,now that he went away with the same body from them into heaven1 consider that it is said1 ',and he led them out as far as to ,bethany1 and he lifted up his hands1 and blessed them4 ,and it came to pass1 while he blessed them1 he was parted from them1 and carried up into heaven' 7,luke #bd3ej1ea74 ,this is the meaning of those words therefore2 ,jesus ,christ is come into the flesh1 that is1 ,jesus ,christ hath come in the flesh that he took of the ,virgin1 hath brought us who were enthralled to the law1 the devil1 and sin1 to liberty2 and that by his obedience and death4 ',forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood1 saith the scripture he1 ,christ also himself likewise took part of the same'2 wherefore8 ',that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death1 that is1 the devil2 and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage' 7,heb #b3ad1ae74 ,for he 'was delivered for our offences1 and was raised again for our justification' 7,rom #d3be74 ,for he1 even that man1 through the power of the eternal ,spirit1 did offer up himself without spot to ,god1 and thereby1 or by that offering1 'obtained eternal redemption for us' 7,heb #i3ab1ad74 ,and therefore ,i say again and again1 look to yourselves1 that you receive no ,christ except ,god's ,christ3 ,for he is like to be deceived that will believe every thing that calls itself a ,christ4 ',for many1 saith he shall come in my name1--and shall deceive many' 7,matt #bd3e74 ,now having spoken thus much touching the ,saviour1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,i shall1 according to the assistance of the ,lord ,jesus1 proceed1 and shall speak something of his godhead1 birth1 death1 resurrection1 ascension1 and intercession2 together with his most glorious and personal appearing the second time1 which will be to raise the dead1 and bring every work to judgment 7,eccl #ab3ad74 ,and ,,first ,i shall shew you that he 7,christ7 is very ,god1 co-eternal1 and also co-equal with his ,father4 ,,second1 ,that by this ,son of ,mary 7which is equal with his ,father7 the world was made4 ,,third1 ,that he in the fulness of time1 was made of a woman1 made under the law1 to redeem them that were 7or are7 under the law2 that is1 was born of a woman3 and in our nature 7for he made himself of no reputation1 and took on him the form of a servant1 and was made in the likeness of men7 and in our stead he did fulfil the law in point of justification 7,rom #aj3d7 and was crucified for our transgressions 7#a ,cor #a3bc-be74 ,,fourth1 ,that very body of the ,son of ,mary which was crucified1 did rise again from the dead1 after he had been buried in ,joseph's sepulchre2 that he in that very body ascended up into heaven2 and in that very body shall come again to these ends1 #a4 ,to judge the quick and the dead4 #b4 ,to receive his saints to himself4 #c4 ,to pass eternal condemnation on his enemies4 ,these things in brief ,i shall touch upon1 according to the wisdom given me4 ,,first1 ,and therefore that ,christ is very ,god1 ,i shall first prove by plain texts of scripture4 ,second1 ,from the testimony of ,god1 angels1 and men1 witnessed by the scriptures4 ,third1 ,by several arguments drawn from scripture1 which will prove the same clearly4 ,first1 ,then to prove it by the scriptures2 tho' indeed the whole book of ,god's holy scripture1 testify these things plainly to be most true1 yet there be some places more pregnant and pertinent to the thing than others2 and therefore ,i shall mention some of them3 as that in ,proverbs #h3bb1 c4 and there you shall find him spoken of under the name of wisdom1 the same name that is given him in #a ,corinthians #a3bd4 ,i say in that place of the ,proverbs above mentioned1 you shall find these expressions from his own mouth4 ',the ,lord possessed me in the beginning of his way1 before his works of old4 ,i was set up from everlasting1 from the beginning1 or ever the earth was4 ,when there were no depths1 ,i was brought forth2 when there were no fountains abounding with water4 ,before the mountains were settled1 before the hills was ,i brought forth3 ,while as yet he had not made the earth1 nor the fields1 nor the highest part of the dust of the world4 ,when he prepared the heavens1 ,i was there3 when he set a compass upon the face of the depth3 ,when he established the clouds above3 when he strengthened the fountains of the deep3 ,when he gave to the sea his decree1 that the waters should not pass his commandment3 when he appointed the foundations of the earth3 ,then ,i was by him1 as one brought up with him3 and ,i was daily his delight1 rejoicing always before him2 rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth2 and my delights were with the sons of men4' ,also in ,john #a3a1 #b you have these words spoken of ,christ1 ',in the beginning was the ,word1 and the ,word was with ,god1 and the ,word was ,god4 ,the same was in the beginning with ,god4' ,as also in ,hebrews #a3b the ,apostle being about to prove the ,son of ,mary to be very ,god1 saith2 ,he 'hath in these last days spoken unto us by his ,son'2 which ,son is the ,son of ,mary1 as in ,matthew #c1 ',but saith the ,apostle 7,heb #a3h7 unto the ,son he saith1 ,thy throne1 ,o ,god1 is for ever and ever1 a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom4' ,again1 in ,john #ag3e you have the words of the ,son of ,mary for it1 saying1 ',and now1 ,o ,father1 glorify thou me with thine own self1 with the glory which ,i had with thee before the world was4' ,again1 he himself saith1 before ,abraham was1 ,i am3 ,and again1 ,i and my ,father are one4 ,and in ,philippians #b3e the ,apostle saith1 ',let this mind be in you which was also in ,christ ,jesus3 who1 being in the form of ,god1 thought it not robbery to be equal with ,god3 ,but made himself of no reputation1 and took upon him the form of a servant1 and was made in the likeness of men4' ,also ,revelation #b3h ,christ himself saith1 ,i am 'the first and the last1 which was dead1 and is alive4' ,and thus have ,i quoted some few scriptures to prove that the ,son of ,mary is the true ,god4 ,second1 ,i shall give you the testimony of ,god himself touching the truth of this1 viz4 ,that ,christ1 the ,son of the ,virgin1 is the true ,god3 #a4 ,and first see ,zechariah #ab3g and there you shall find these words1 ',awake1 ,o sword1 against my shepherd1 and against the man that is my fellow1 saith the ,lord of hosts4' ,in this place the ,lord doth call that ,man his fellow1 which he doth not do to any mere creature4 ,again1 in ,matthew #c3ag he calls him his beloved ,son1 saying1 ',this is my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased4' ,and in the aforesaid place of the ,hebrews 7ch #a7 the ,apostle advancing the ,lord ,jesus1 brings in this question4 ',to which of the angels said he at any time1 ,thou art my ,son8' 7v #e74 ',but unto the ,son he saith' 7v #h7 ',thy throne1 ,o ,god1 is for ever and ever'3 ,and thus far of the testimony that ,god himself hath given of the ,son of ,mary1 ,jesus ,christ4 #b4 ,the angels do shew that he is ,god3 7#a47 ,in that they do obey him4 7#b47 ,in that they worship him4 7#a47 ,that they obey him1 is clear1 if we compare ,revelation #ba3i with #bb3f4 ,in the first of these places we find1 that there came one of the angels of the seven vials1 which had the seven last plagues1 and talked with ,john4 ,he came not of himself2 for in that #bbnd chapter1 verse #f he saith1 ',the ,lord--sent his angel to shew unto his servants1 the things which must shortly be done4' ,now in the #afth verse you may see who this ,lord ,god is3 ,he saith there1 ',i ,jesus have sent mine angel to testify--these things in the churches compare ,rev #a3a4 ,i am the root and as well as the offspring of ,david1 and the bright and morning star4' ,i say this obedience of the angels doth testify that ,jesus1 which is the ,son of ,mary1 is the true and very ,god2 for they do obey ,god only4 7#b47 ,the angels do shew that the ,son of ,mary1 is the true ,god1 in that they do not only obey him1 but worship him also2 yea1 they are commanded so to do 7,heb #a3f7 where it is written1 ',when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world1 he i4e4 ,god1 saith1 ,and let all the angels of ,god worship him1' viz4 the ,son of ,mary4 ,now the angels themselves command that we worship none but ,god 7,rev #bb3h1i74 ,when ,john fell down to worship the angel1 the angel said1 ',see thou do it not3 for ,i am thy fellow servant1--worship ,god4' ,now if the angels should command to worship ,god1 and they themselves should worship him that by nature is no god1 they should overthrow themselves1 in commanding one thing1 and doing another1 and so lose their own habitations1 and be shut up in chains of darkness1 to be punished with everlasting destruction from ,god himself at the great day4 ,and thus much concerning the testimony of angels touching ,jesus the son of ,mary1 the ,son of ,god1 yea1 very and true ,god 7,isa #i3f74 #c4 ,the testimony of men witnessed by the scriptures do shew that ,christ is very ,god4 ,now followeth ,david his testimony among other of the saints1 who witness ,jesus the ,son of ,mary to be true ,god2 and that you may find in ,psalm #aaj3a where he saith1 ',the ,,lord said unto my ,lord1 ,sit thou at my right hand1 until ,i make thine enemies thy footstool4' ,also ,isaiah in the #ith chapter1 verse #f saith1 ',for unto us a child is born1 unto us a son is given2 and the government shall be upon his shoulder3 and his name shall be called ,wonderful1 ,counsellor1 ,the mighty ,god1 ,the everlasting ,father1 the ,prince of ,peace4 ,of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end1 upon the throne of ,david1 which is not1 nor ever was the heart of any believer and upon his kingdom1 to order it1 and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever4 ,the zeal of the ,,lord of hosts will perform this4' ,again1 see ,peter's testimony of this ,son of ,mary2 ,when ,jesus asked his disciples1 whom say ye that ,i am8 ,peter1 as the mouth of the rest1 said1 ',thou art the ,christ1 the ,son of the living ,god' 7,matt #af3af74 ,also when ,thomas1 one of ,christ's disciples1 would not be persuaded by the others that they had seen the ,lord1 except he did also see in his hands the print of the nails1 and put his fingers into the print of the nails1 and thrust his hand into his side1 he would not believe4 ,saith the ,son of ,mary1 ',reach hither thy finger1 and behold my hands2 and reach hither thy hand1 and thrust it into my side2 and be not faithless but believing4' ,and then ,thomas breaks out with a mighty faith1 and a glorious testimony for his master1 and saith1 ',my ,lord1 and my ,god' 7,john #bj3bg1bh74 ,again1 ,see ,paul's testimony of him 7,rom #i3e7 where speaking of the ,son of ,mary1 he saith1 ,that ,christ came of the ,father1 'who is over all1 ,god blessed for ever1 ,amen4' ,and the apostle ,john doth also witness as much 7#a ,john #e3bj7 where speaking of ,jesus ,christ1 he saith on this wise1 ',and we know that the ,son of ,god is come1 and hath given us an understanding1 that we may know him that is true1 and we are in him that is true1 ,who is that8 why1 saith ,john even in his ,son ,jesus ,christ4' ,who is he8 ,why1 ',this is the true ,god1 and eternal life4' ,i could here also bring in the testimony of the very devils themselves as ,luke #d3da1 #h3bh where he is by them acknowledged to be the ,son of the living ,god3 ,but it is needless so to do2 for we have plainly proved it already4 ,third1 ,now followeth the several scripture arguments1 which will prove that ,jesus the ,son of ,mary is very ,god4 #a4 ,there is none but he that is the true ,god1 can satisfy the justice of the true ,god1 for the breach of his holy law2 but if you compare ,isaiah #ec3f with ,matthew #c3ag you shall find1 that ,jesus the ,son of ,mary did give ,god a full and complete satisfaction for the breach of his holy law2 therefore ,jesus the ,son of ,mary must needs be the great and true ,god4 #b4 ,he that hath power of his own to lay down his life1 and hath power of his own to take it up again1 must needs be the true ,god3 but this did ,jesus the ,son of ,mary the virgin2 therefore he must needs be the true ,god 7,john #aj3ag2 ,rom #a3d74 #c4 ,there was never any able to bear the sins of all the believers in the world1 that ever were1 now are1 or hereafter shall be1 but the true ,god3 ,but ,jesus1 the ,son of the ,virgin ,mary1 did bear them all1 'in his own body on the tree' 7#a ,peter #b3bd2 ,isa #ec3f74 ,therefore ,jesus the ,son of ,mary must needs be the true ,god as well as man4 #d4 ,there was never any mere man able1 by his own power1 to overcome the devil in all his temptations1 but he that is also the true ,god 7for ,adam in his state of innocency was overcome by them1 and fell under them37 ,but ,jesus the ,son of the ,virgin did overcome them all by his own power2 therefore he is very ,god1 as well as very ,man4 ,see ,genesis #c3ae2 ,isaiah #ea3i1 #fc3e2 ,matthew #d3bd2 ,luke #d3ab4 #e4 ,there was never any that did call himself the true ,god 7and was not7 which did please ,god in so doing4 ,but ,jesus the ,son of ,mary did call himself the true ,god1 or account himself equal with ,god 7which is all one7 yet ,god was well pleased with him 7,matt #c3ag2 ,phil #b3f1g2 ,john #h3bi74 ,and therefore ,jesus the ,son of ,mary must needs be true ,god as well as man4 #f4 ,there was never any that had all power in heaven and in earth1 but the true ,god4 ,jesus the ,son of the ,virgin ,mary1 who was espoused to ,joseph1 hath all power in heaven and in earth in his own hand4 ,therefore he is the true and great ,god 7,matt #bh3ah74 #g4 ,there was never any able to keep poor souls from falling from ,god1 saving he that is the true ,god4 ,jesus the ,son of ,mary did1 and doth this 7,john #aj3bg-cj1 #ag3ab74 ,therefore he is the true and great ,god4 #h4 ,never could any justly call himself the first and the last1 except the true ,god1 nor truly 7as the ,lord did say7 ,i ,,am4 ,but these did ,jesus the ,son of ,mary 7,rev #a3a compared with vv #ag1ah2 ,rev #b3h and ,john #h3eh74 ,therefore ,jesus must needs be true ,god as well as man4 #i4 ,never was there any that could absolutely forgive sins but ,god 7,mark #b3g2 ,luke #e3ba74 ,but ,jesus the ,son of the ,virgin ,mary1 can forgive sins 7,luke #e3bj2 ,mark #b3e74 ,therefore ,jesus the ,son of ,mary must needs be true ,god1 as well as man4 #aj4 ,the scriptures never call any the true and living ,god2 but he that is the true ,god4 ,the scriptures call ,jesus1 the ,son of the ,virgin1 the true ,god 7,isa #i3f2 #a ,john #e3bj74 ,therefore he is the true and great ,god4 #aa4 ,he that made all things1 whether they be visible1 or invisible1 whether they be thrones or dominions1 or principalities1 or powers1 must needs be the true ,god4 ,but ,jesus the ,son of the ,virgin ,mary did make all these 7,col #a3ad-ah2 ,john #a3a-af2 ,heb #a3b1c74 ,and therefore he is the true ,god as well as man4 #ab4 ,the blood of a mere finite creature could never obtain eternal redemption for sinners4 ,but the blood of ,jesus1 the ,son of the ,virgin ,mary1 hath obtained eternal redemption for sinners 7,rom #c3bc1 #e3i2 ,heb #i3ab1ad1 #aj3ai1bj74 ,therefore the blood of the ,son of the ,virgin1 must needs be the blood of ,god4 ,and so the ,apostle calleth it1 saying to the pastors of the churches1 ',feed the church of ,god1 which he hath purchased with his own blood' 7,acts #bj3bh2 #a ,john #c3af74 #ac4 ,never was there any that could overcome death in his own power1 but the true ,god 7,hosea #ac3ad2 #b ,tim #a3aj2 ,heb #a3b74 ,jesus the ,son of the ,virgin ,mary did overcome death by himself 7,heb #c3ad74 ,therefore he is the true ,god as well as man4 #ad4 ,he that searcheth the hearts1 and knoweth the thoughts of men1 must needs be the true ,god 7,jer #ag3aj74 ,but ,jesus the ,son of the ,virgin doth 7,luke #e3bb1 #i3dg2 ,john #b3bd1be74 ,therefore he is the true ,god4 #ae4 ,he that by his own power commandeth the raging sea1 must needs be the true ,god 7,job #ch3aj1aa2 ,prov #h3bi74 ,but this did ,jesus the ,son of ,mary 7,mark #d3ci-da2 ,luke #h3bd74 ,therefore1 he is the true ,god4 #af4 ,he that is the ,,wisdom1 power1 and glory of ,god1 must needs be the true ,god4 ,but ,jesus the ,son of the ,virgin is all these as #a ,corinthians #a3bd2 ,hebrews #a3c4 ,therefore ,jesus the ,son of the ,virgin must needs be true ,god as well as man4 ,,second4--,the next thing that ,i am to prove1 is this2 namely1 ,that by this ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of the ,virgin1 the world was made3 ,and here ,i shall be brief1 having touched on it already4 ,only ,i shall lay down some of the scriptures1 that hold forth this to be a truth1 and so pass to the next things that ,i intend to speak of4 ,and therefore in the first place1 see ,hebrews #a3b where the ,apostle is speaking of the ,son of ,god1 which ,son was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 according to these scriptures mentioned before 7,matt #a3ah-bc2 ,luke #b2 ,matt #c3ag7 where ,god himself saith1 ,this is my beloved ,son1 c4 ,this ,son of ,god1 saith the ,apostle1 by whom ,god hath spoken to us1 by him also he made the worlds4 ,and ,colossians #a the ,apostle speaking of the deliverance of the saints1 saith1 'who hath delivered us from the power of darkness1 and translated us into the kingdom of his dear ,son3 ,in whom we have redemption through his blood1 even the forgiveness of sins'3 ,and is that all8 ,no1 but he is 7also7 'the image of the invisible ,god1 the first born of every creature' 7v #ae74 ,and in verses #af1 #ag1 ',by him were all things created that are in heaven1 and that are in earth1 visible and invisible1 whether they be thrones1 or dominions1 or principalities1 or powers3 all things were created by him1 and for him3 ,and he is before all things1 and by him all things consist4' ,also ,hebrews #a3aj it is thus written of this ,son of ,god1 ,christ ,jesus the ,son of ,mary1 ',and1 ,thou1 ,lord1 in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth3 and the heavens are the works of thine hands4' ,and again1 ,john #a and the first #i verses1 the ,evangelist1 or ,apostle1 speaking of the ,son1 saith1 ',in the beginning was the ,word1' which ,word was the ,son 7,rev #ai3ac74 ,this ,word1 or ,son1 was with ,god1 and the ,word was ,god4 ,all things were made by him1 and without him was not any thing made that was made4 ',in him was life2 and the life was the light of men4 ,and the light shineth in darkness2 and the darkness comprehended it not4' ,but in the ninth verse of this first chapter of ,john1 it is written1 ',that was the true light1 which lighteth every man that cometh into the world4' ,now seeing the ,lord hath brought me thus far2 and because the ,quakers by wresting this scripture1 do not only split themselves upon it1 but endeavour also to split others1 ,i shall therefore1 before ,i proceed any further1 speak a few words to it2 and they are these that follow4 ,the ,apostle in these nine first verses1 or most of them1 is speaking of the divinity or godhead of the ,son of ,mary1 and shewing that he made the world3 ,now in this ninth verse he speaketh of man as he is in his coming into the world1 and not as he is a regenerate person4 ,now every man as he comes into the world1 receives a light from ,christ1 as he is ,god1 which light is the conscience1 that some call ,christ though falsely4 ,this light1 or conscience1 will shew a man that there is a ,god1 and that this ,god is eternal 7,rom #a3bj74 ,this light doth discover this eternal ,god by his works in the world2 for saith the scripture before named1 ',the invisible things of him meaning ,god from the creation of the world are clearly seen1 being understood by the things that are made1 even his eternal power and godhead'2 ,this light also will reprove of sin1 or convince of1 and make manifest sins against the law of this eternal ,god3 so that man1 before he is regenerate1 is able by that light to know that sins against the law1 are sins against ,god1 as is manifested in the unconverted ,pharisees1 who1 7as ,christ told them7 had neither the love of ,god1 nor the word of ,god abiding in them 7,john #e3ch1db7 yet knew sins against the law1 to be sins2 for they were offended at a woman for committing adultery1 which act was forbidden1 by the law 7,matt #e3bg1bh72 and it is said also1 they were convicted of sin by their own consciences 7,john #h3g-aj74 ,again1 ,the ,apostle writing to the ,corinthians1 and admonishing them to walk orderly 7#a ,cor #aa3ad7 turns them to nature itself1 saying1 ',doth not even nature itself teach you8' c4 ,this light surely is that1 wherewith ,christ1 as he is ,god1 hath enlightened every man that cometh into the world1 which doth convince of sins against the law of ,god4 ,therefore1 as the ,apostle saith 7,rom #a3bj74 ,they are left without excuse4 ,that is1 they have their own conscience1 that doth shew them there is a ,god1 and that this ,god is to be served and obeyed2 and the neglect of this will be sure to damn them1 though the obedience to the law will not save them1 because they are not able to make a full recompense to ,god for the sins that are past2 neither are they able for the time to come1 to yield a full1 continual1 and complete obedience to the law of this almighty1 infinite1 and eternal ,god4 ,for as many as are of the works of the law1 are under the curse2 for it is written1 ',cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them4 ,but that no man is justified by the works of the law1--it is evident3 for1 ,the just shall live by faith' 7,gal #c3aj1aa74 ,but now1 though ,christ1 as he is ,god1 doth give a light to every one that cometh into the world1 which light is the conscience1 7as they themselves confess27 yet it doth not therefore follow that this conscience is the ,spirit of ,christ1 or the work of grace1 wrought in the heart of any man whatsoever2 for every one hath conscience1 yet every one hath not the ,spirit of ,christ3 ,for ,jude speaks of a company of men in his days1 who had not the ,spirit of ,christ 7,jude #ai74 ',these be they who separate themselves1 saith he sensual1 having not the spirit4' ,yea1 ,heathens1 ,turks1 ,jews1 ,pagans1 ,atheists1 have that also that doth convince of sin1 and yet are so far from having the ,spirit of ,christ in them1 that it is their great delight to serve their lusts1 this world1 their sins2 whereas the ,apostle saith plainly1 ',if ,christ be in you1 the body is dead because of sin2 but the ,spirit is life for righteousness sake' 7,rom #h3aj7a ,so that those who are alive to their sins1 have not the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,nay1 let me tell you1 the very devils themselves1 who were thrown from their first state by sin 7,jude #f7 have such a taste of their horrible sins 7#b ,peter #b3d7 that when they did but suppose that ,jesus was come to put an end to their tyrannical dealing with the world1 and to bring them to judgment for their sins1 7to which they know they shall be brought17 it made them cry out1 ',art thou come hither to torment us before the time8' 7,matt #h3bi74 ,james doth also signify this much unto us1 where he saith1 ',the devils also believe and tremble' 7,james #b3ai74 ,which belief of theirs is not a believing in ,christ to save them2 for they know he did not take hold on their nature 7,heb #b3af74 ,but they do believe that ,christ will come to their everlasting torment2 and the belief of this doth make these proud spirits to tremble4 ,again1 ,man at his coming into the world1 hath his conscience given him1 which doth convince of sin 7,john #b3i1 #h3i71 yet man1 as he cometh into the world1 hath not the ,spirit of ,christ in him2 for that must be received afterward1 by the preaching of the word1 which is preached by the ministers and servants of ,jesus ,christ4 ,this is ,god's usual way to communicate of his ,spirit into the hearts of his elect2 and this is clear in so many words1 where ,peter preaching to a certain number1 the scripture saith1 ',while ,peter yet spake these words1 the ,holy ,ghost1 or ,holy ,spirit1 fell on all them which heard the word' 7,acts #aj3dd74 ,and again 7,gal #c3b1e compared together71 ',received ye the ,spirit by the works of the law1 saith the ,apostle or by the hearing of faith8' or the ,gospel1 which is the word of faith preached by us8 ,which ,spirit1 as ,christ saith1 the world cannot receive1 because it seeth him not1 neither knoweth him1 though his children shall have fellowship with him to the great comfort of their own souls 7,john #ad3af1ag74 ,but now1 this merciless butcherer of men1 the devil1 that he might be sure to make the soul fall short of glory1 if possible1 endeavours to persuade the soul that its state is good2 that it hath the ,spirit of ,christ in it2 and for a proof of the same1 saith he1 turn thy mind inward1 and listen within1 and see if there be not that within thee that doth convince of sin3 ,now the poor soul2 finding this to be so1 all on haste 7if it be willing to profess7 through ignorance of the ,gospel1 claps in with these motions of its own conscience1 which doth command to abstain from this evil1 and to practise that good2 which1 if neglected1 will accuse and torment for the same neglect of others1 both now and hereafter 7,rom #b3ae74 ,now the soul seeing that there is something within that convinceth of sin1 doth all on a sudden close with that1 supposing it is the ,spirit of ,christ1 and so through this mistake1 is carried away with the teachings and convictions of its own conscience1 7being misinformed by the devil7 unto the works of the law2 under which1 though it work all its days1 and labour with its might and main1 yet it never will be able to appease the wrath of ,god1 nor get from under the curse of the law1 nor get from under the guilt of one sinful thought the right way1 which is to be done by believing what another man hath done by himself1 without us1 on the cross1 without the gates of ,jerusalem 7,heb #a3b1c2 ,rom #e3ae74 ,see also for this #a ,peter #b3bd2 ,hebrews #ac3ab4 ,the one saith1 ,he bare our sins in his own body on the tree2 the other saith1 ,it was done without the gate4 ,and thus the poor soul is most horribly carried away headlong1 and thrown down violently under the curse of the law1 under which it is held all its days1 if ,god of his mere mercy prevent not2 and at the end of its life doth fall into the very belly of hell4 ,again1 ,that the devil might be sure to carry on his design1 he now begins to counterfeit the work of grace3 here he is very subtle1 and doth transform himself into an angel of light 7#b ,cor #aa3ad74 ,now he makes the soul believe that he is its friend1 and that he is a gospel minister2 and if the soul will be led by what shall be made known unto it by the light 7or conscience7 within1 it shall not need to fear but it shall do well4 ,now he counterfeits the new birth1 persuading them1 that it is wrought by following the light that they brought into the world with them4 ,now he begins also to make them run through difficulties3 and now1 like ,baal's priests1 they must lance themselves with knives1 c4 ,now1 #afef1 quakers are changed to the laws of the world4 ,now they must wear no hatbands2 now they must live with bread and water2 now they must give heed to seducing spirits1 and doctrines of devils1 which bids them abstain from marriage1 and commands them to abstain from meats1 which ,god hath created to be received with thanksgiving1 of them which love and know the truth1 as in #a ,timothy #d3a-c4 ,now they must not speak1 except their spirit moves them1 7,i do not say the ,spirit of ,christ7 though when it moves1 they will speak such sad blasphemies1 and vent such horrible doctrines1 that it makes me wonder to see the patience of ,god1 in that he doth not command1 either the ground to open her mouth1 and swallow them up1 or else suffer the devil to fetch them away alive1 to the astonishment of the whole world4 ,object4 ,but you will say1 doth not the scripture say1 that it is the ,spirit of ,christ that doth make manifest or convince of sin8 7,john #af3h74 ,ans4 ,yes1 it doth so4 ,but for the better understanding of this place1 ,i shall lay down this2 namely1 ,that there are two things spoken of in the scriptures1 which do manifest sin1 or convince of sin4 ,first1 ,the law1 as saith the ,apostle 7,rom #c3bj74 ',therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight3 viz41 ,god's sight3 for by the law is the knowledge of sin4' ,secondly1 ,the ,spirit of ,christ doth make manifest1 or reprove of sin1 as it is written 7,john #af3h1i74 ',and when he the ,spirit is come1 he will reprove the world of sin1 and of righteousness1 and of judgment3 ,of sin1 because they believe not on me'2 saith the ,son of ,mary1 which is ,christ4 ,now the law doth sometimes by its own power manifest sin without the ,spirit of ,christ2 as in the case of ,judas1 who was convinced of the sin of murder1 which made him cry out1 ',i have sinned'2 yet at that time he was so far from having the ,spirit of ,christ in him1 that he was most violently possessed of the devil 7,luke #bb3c1d74 ,again1 ,sometimes the ,spirit of ,christ takes the law1 and doth effectually convince of sin1 of righteousness1 and judgment to come4 ,query4 ,but you will say1 ,how should ,i know whether ,i am convinced by the law alone1 or that the law is set home effectually by the ,spirit of the ,lord ,jesus upon my conscience8 ,ans4 #a4 ,unto this ,i answer4 ,first1 ,when the law doth convince by its own power1 without the help of the ,spirit of ,christ1 it doth only convince of sins against the law1 as of swearing1 lying1 stealing1 murdering1 adultery1 covetousness1 and the like4 ,i say1 it doth only make manifest sins against the law1 pronouncing a horrible curse1 against thee1 if thou fulfil it not1 and so leaves thee2 but it gives thee no strength to fulfil it completely1 and continually1 7which thou must do1 if thou wilt be saved thereby74 ,now thy own strength being insufficient for these things1 having lost it in ,adam1 thou art a breaker of the law4 ,here the law finds thee in thy sins1 and condemns thee for thy sins3 ,but gives thee no power to come wholly out of them2 neither doth it shew thee thy right ,saviour1 to save thee from them 7which is the ,son of the ,virgin ,mary1 the man ,christ ,jesus7 but commands thee upon pain of eternal damnation1 to continue in all things that are written in the book of the law to do them 7,gal #c3aj74 ,and therefore if thou hast been convinced of no other sins1 but what are against the law1 for all thy convictions and horror of conscience1 thou mayest be but a natural man1 at the best1 and so under the curse4 7,obj47 ,but1 perhaps thou wilt say1 ,i am not only convinced of my sins against the law1 but ,i have also some power against my sins1 so that ,i do in some considerable measure abstain from those things that are forbidden in the law4 7,ans47 ,this thou mayest have1 and do1 as thou thinkest1 perfectly1 as those blind ,pharisees called quakers1 do think that they also do1 and yet be but a natural man3 ,and therefore ,i pray consider that place1 in ,romans #b3ad1 #ae1 the ,apostle there speaks on this wise1 concerning the ,gentiles' obedience to the law1 ',for when the ,gentiles1 which have not the law1 do by nature the things contained in the law1 these1 having not the law1 are a law unto themselves3 ,which shew the work of the law written in their hearts4' ,which work of the law1 ,christ as he is ,god1 hath enlightened every one withal1 that cometh into the world 7,john #a3i71 which1 as the quakers say1 doth convince of sin1 yet of no other than sins against the law3 and therefore must needs be all one light or law2 for 'the law is light' 7,prov #f3bc7 and gives 'the knowledge of sin' 7,rom #c3bj74 ,and therefore1 as ,i said before1 so say ,i now again1 if thy convictions are no other than for the sins against the law1 though thy obedience be the strictest that ever was wrought by any man1 7except the ,lord ,jesus the ,son of ,mary7 thou art at the best but under the law1 and so consequently under the curse1 and under the wrath of ,god1 whether thou believest it or not 7,gal #c3aj2 ,john #c3cf74 ,ans4 #b4 ,but now the second thing1 how thou shouldest know1 whether the ,spirit of ,christ doth effectually set home the law upon thy conscience1 or not2 and therefore to speak directly to it1 if the ,spirit of the ,lord ,jesus1 the ,son of ,god1 doth set home the law effectually2 then the same ,spirit of ,christ shews thee more sin than the sins against the law4 ,for1 7#a47 ,it shews thee1 that 'all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags' 7,isa #fd3f74 ,thou seest all thy praying1 meditation1 hearing1 reading1 alms-deeds1 fasting1 reformation1 and whatsoever else thou hast done1 doest1 or canst do1 being an unbeliever1 deserves at the hands of ,god his curse and condemnation1 and that for ever3 ,and therefore thou art so far from trusting to it1 that in some measure thou even loathest it1 and art ashamed of it1 as being a thing abominable1 both in ,god's sight and thine own 7,phil #c3h74 ,thou countest thy own performances1 when at best1 and thine own righteousness1 ,a bed too short to stretch thyself upon1 and a covering too narrow to wrap thyself in 7,isa #bh3bj74 ,and these things thou seest not#b overly1 or slightly1 and as at a great distance1 but really and seriously1 and the sense of them sticks close unto thee4 7#b47 ,it shews thee that thou hast no faith in the man ,christ ,jesus by nature1 and that though thou hadst no other sins1 yet thou art in a perishing state because of unbelief1 according to that #afth of ,john1 verse #i1 ',of sin1 because they believe not on me4' ,if therefore thou hast been convinced aright by the ,spirit1 thou hast seen that thou hadst no faith in ,christ the ,son of ,mary1 the ,son of ,god1 before conversion4 ,it shews thee also1 that thou canst not believe in thine own strength1 though thou wouldest never so willingly2 yea1 though thou wouldest give all the world 7if thou hadst it7 to believe1 thou couldest not4 7#c47 ,in the next place it will shew thee1 that if thou doest not believe in the man ,christ ,jesus1 and that with 'the faith of the operation of ,god' 7,col #b3ab71 thou wilt surely perish1 and that without remedy2 ,also it shews thee1 that if thou hast not that righteousness1 which the man ,christ ,jesus accomplished in his own person for sinners2 ,i say1 if thou be not clothed with that instead of thine own1 thou art gone for ever2 and therefore saith ,christ1 7speaking of the ,spirit7 ',when he is come he will reprove the world of sin1 and of righteousness' too 7,john #af3h74 ,that is1 the ,spirit shall convince men and women of the sufficiency of that righteousness that ,christ1 in his human nature1 hath fulfilled3 ,so that they need not run to the law for righteousness3 ',for ,christ is the end of the law for righteousness1 to every one that believeth' 7,rom #aj3d74 ,again1 if the ,spirit of ,jesus setteth home the law upon thy conscience1 thou wilt freely confess1 that although the law curseth1 and condemneth thee for thy sins1 and gives thee no power either to fulfil it1 or to come out of thy sins3 ,yet ,god is just in giving that law1 and 'the law is holy1 and the commandment holy1 and just1 and good' 7,rom #g3ab74 7#d47 ,lastly1 ,it also convinceth of judgment to come3 ,he 7viz4 the ,spirit7 shall reprove the world of sin1 of righteousness1 yea1 and of judgment too 7,acts #bd3be74 ,then doth the soul see1 that that very man that was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 crucified upon the cross without the gates of ,jerusalem1 shall so come again2 even that same ,jesus1 in like manner as he was seen to go up from his disciples 7,acts #a3aa74 ,yea1 they that are thus convinced by the ,spirit of ,christ1 know that ,god 'hath appointed a day1 in the which he will judge the world in righteousness1 by that man whom he hath ordained' 7,acts #ag3ca73 which is the man ,christ ,jesus3 ,for 'it is he which was ordained of ,god to be the judge of quick and dead' 7,acts #aj3db74 ,and now1 ,o man1 or woman1 whoever thou art1 that art savingly convinced by the ,spirit of ,christ1 thou hast such an endless desire after the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that thou canst not be satisfied or content with anything below the blood of the ,son of ,god to purge thy conscience withal2 even that blood that was shed without the gate 7,heb #ac3ab1 #i3ad74 ,also thou canst not be at quiet1 till thou dost see by true faith1 that the righteousness of the ,son of ,mary is imputed unto thee1 and put upon thee 7,rom #c3ba-bc74 ,then also thou canst not be at quiet1 till thou hast power over thy lusts1 and corruptions1 till thou hast brought them into subjection to the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,then thou wilt never think that thou hast enough faith4 ,no1 thou wilt be often crying out1 ,lord1 give me more precious faith3 ,lord1 more faith in thy righteousness2 more faith in thy blood and death2 more faith in thy resurrection3 ,and ,lord1 more faith in this1 that thou art now at the right hand of thy father in thy human nature1 making intercession for me a miserable sinner 7,john #af3e-g2 #a ,tim #b3e2 ,heb #g3bd1be74 ,and then1 ,o poor soul1 if thou comest but hither1 thou wilt never have an itching ear after another gospel4 ,nay1 thou wilt say1 if a presbyter1 or anabaptist1 or independent1 or ranter1 or quaker1 or papist1 or pope1 or an angel from heaven1 preach any other doctrine1 let him be accursed1 again and again 7,gal #a3h74 ,and thus have ,i briefly shewed you4 ,first1 ,how ,christ1 as he is ,god1 doth enlighten every man that comes into the world4 ,secondly1 ,what this light will do1 viz4 shew them that there is a ,god1 by the things that are made2 and that this ,god must be worshiped 7,rom #a3bj74 ,thirdly1 ,i have shewed you the difference between that light and the ,spirit of ,christ the ,saviour4 ,fourthly1 ,i have also shewed you1 how you should know the one from the other1 by their several effects4 ,the first light convinces of sins1 but of none other than sins against the law2 neither doth it shew the soul a ,saviour1 or deliver 7for that is the work of the ,spirit7 from the curse wherewith it doth curse it4 ,but ,i shewed you1 that when the ,spirit of ,christ comes and works effectually1 it doth not only shew men their sins against the law1 but also shews them their lost condition1 if they believe not in the righteousness1 blood1 death1 resurrection1 and intercession of ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,mary1 the ,son of ,god 7,john #f3dd1 #af3bd2 ,matt #c3ag2 ,heb #a3i74 ,and thus much ,i thought necessary to be spoken at this time1 touching the nature of conviction4 ,,third4 ,now in the third ,place4 ,though ,i have spoken something to this thing already1 namely1 concerning our ,lord the ,saviour1 yet again1 in few words1 through grace1 ,i shall shew1 that he was made1 that is1 born of a woman1 and made under the law1 to redeem them that are under the law4 ,my meaning is1 ,that ,god is our ,saviour4 ,first1 ,and for this1 see ,isaiah #de3ae where you have these words1 ',verily1 thou art a ,god that hidest thyself1 ,o ,god of ,israel1 the ,saviour'3 ,and verse #ba1 #bb you have these words1 ',who hath declared this from ancient time8--,have not ,i the ,,lord8 ,and there is no ,god else beside me2 a just ,god and a ,saviour2 there is none beside me4 ,look unto me1 and be ye saved1 all the ends of the earth'3 ,why1 who art thou8 ',for ,i am ,god1 and there is none else4' ,also in ,isaiah #ed3e ',for thy ,maker is thine husband2 the ,,lord of hosts is his name2 and thy ,redeemer the ,holy ,one of ,israel2 the ,god of the whole earth shall he be called4' ,read also verses #f-h of that chapter4 ,i could abundantly multiply scriptures to prove this to be truth1 but ,i shall only mind you of two or three1 and so pass on2 the first is in ,jude1 verse #be1 ',to the only wise ,god our ,saviour be glory4' ,and ,acts #bj3bc2 ,john #c3af2 #a ,john #e3bj4 ,object4 ,but you will say1 ,how is ,god a ,saviour of sinners1 seeing his eyes are so pure that he cannot behold iniquity 7,hab #a3ac74 ,answ4 ,for answer hereunto4 ',when the fulness of the time was come' wherein the salvation of sinners should be actually wrought out1 ',god sent forth his ,son1 which ,son is equal with the ,father 7,john #a3a1 #ag3e1 #aj3cj7 made of a woman1 made under the law1' 7that is1 he was subject to the power and curse of the law7 to this end1 'to redeem them that are1 or were under the law' 7,gal #d3d1e71 that is1 to deliver us 'from the curse of the law1 being made a curse for us' 7,gal #c3ac74 ,from whence take notice1 that when the salvation of sinners was to be actually wrought out1 then ,god sent forth the everlasting ,son of his love into the world1 clothed with the human nature1 according to that in ,john #a3ad2 ,hebrews #b3ad and #a ,timothy #c3af which saith1 ',god was manifest in the flesh1' that is1 took flesh upon him4 ,second1 ,this ,son of ,god1 which is equal with the ,father1 did in that flesh1 which he took upon him1 completely fulfil the whole law3 ,so that the ,apostle saith1 ',christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth' 7,rom #aj3d74 ,this righteousness which this ,christ did accomplish1 is called1 ',the righteousness of ,god' 7,rom #c3bb74 ,this righteousness of ,god1 is by the faith of ,jesus ,christ1 unto all1 and upon all them that believe3 ,my meaning is1 it is imputed to so many as shall by faith lay hold on it4 ,this is also part of the meaning of that speech of the ,apostle3 ',as many of you as have been baptized into ,christ1 have put on ,christ' 7,gal #c3bg74 ,that is1 by faith have put on the righteousness of ,christ1 with the rest of that which ,christ hath bestowed upon you1 having accomplished it for you4 ,this is also the meaning of the ,apostle 7,col #b3i1aj7 where he saith1 'for in him that is the ,son of ,mary1 7#a3ac1ad7 dwelleth all the fulness of the godhead bodily4 ,and ye are complete in him4' ,that is1 in his obedience and righteousness2 which also the ,apostle himself doth so hard press after 7,phil #c3h1i71 saying1 'doubtless1 and ,i count all things but loss1 for the excellency of the knowledge of ,christ ,jesus my ,lord'2 which ,lord was crucified by the ,jews1 as it is in #a ,corinthians #b3h 'for whom1 that is for ,christ1 ,i have suffered the loss of all things as well the righteousness of the law1 in which ,i was blameless 7,phil #c3f7 as all other things and do count them but dung1 that ,i may win ,christ3 ,and be found in him1 not having mine own righteousness1 which is of the law1 but that which is through the faith of ,christ1 the righteousness which is of ,god by faith'3 which is 'unto all1 and upon all them that believe' 7,rom #c3bb74 ,that place also in the ninth of ,daniel 7vv #bd1be71 holdeth forth as much where prophesying of the ,messias1 he saith1 that it is he that came 'to finish the transgression1 and to make an end of sins1 and to make reconciliation for iniquity1 and to bring in everlasting righteousness4' ,now that the righteousness of the ,son of ,mary is it1 mind the #bfth verse1 where he saith thus1 ',and after threescore and two weeks shall ,messiah be cut off1' that is1 ,christ shall be crucified1 'but not cut off1' that is1 ,christ shall be crucified1 'but not for himself1' that is1 not for any sin that he hath committed2 for he committed none4 ,then surely1 it must be for the sins of the people 7,john #aa3ej71 as the high priest said1 ',it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people1' which man was the true ,messias 7,dan #i3bd71 which also is the ,son of ,mary 7,matt #a3ah-bc74 ,and the ,son of ,god 7,matt #c3ag74 ,and also the true ,god 7#a ,john #e3bj74 ,and this ,messias1 this ,son of the ,virgin1 this ,son of ,god1 this true ,god1 did not die for himself1 for he had not offended2 neither did he fulfil the law or finish transgression1 and bring in everlasting righteousness for himself1 for he had not sinned 7#a ,peter #b3bb71 therefore it must of necessity follow1 that this righteousness of ,god1 this everlasting righteousness1 is imputed to all1 and upon all them that believe 7,rom #c3bb2 #b ,cor #e3ai-ba74 ,but1 ,thirdly1 this ,messias1 this ,son of ,mary1 this ,son of ,god1 this true ,god1 he was put to death for the sins that his children had committed1 according to that saying1 ',herein perceive we the love of ,god1 because he laid down his life for us' 7#a ,john #c3af74 ,also in ,acts #bj3bh the apostle speaking to the pastors of the churches1 saith1 'feed the church of ,god1 which he hath purchased with his own blood4' ,see also ,zechariah #ab3aj4 ,now1 ,i would not be mistaken4 ,i do not think1 or say1 that he died in his divine nature1 but as it is written1 he in his own body on the tree did bear our sins 7#a ,peter #b3bd72 which tree was the cross 7,col #b3ad74 ,and as the apostle saith again1 who 'when he had by himself purged our sins1 sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high' 7,heb #a3c74 ,and again1 the apostle speaking of this glorious ,god1 saith on this wise1 7being before speaking of his godhead7 in ,colossians #a3ai-bb1 ',for it pleased the ,father that in him should all fulness dwell2 and having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things to himself3 by him1 ,i say1 whether they be things in earth1 or things in heaven4 ,and you1 who were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works1 yet now hath he reconciled4' ,but how8 why in verse #bb he tells you1 that it is 'in the body of his flesh through death1 to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight4' ,that is1 ,christ1 who is the true ,god1 after that he had finished all actual obedience on earth1 did in the power and strength of his godhead 7,john #ai3cj1 #aj3ah7 yield up himself to the wrath of his ,father1 which was due to poor sinners 7and that willingly7 7,isa #fc3c7 see ,heb #i3ad and read that verse with understanding according to that saying in #a ,peter #c3ah1 ',for ,christ also hath once suffered for sins1 the just for the unjust'3 ,that is1 the ,son of ,god for poor sinners3 'that he might bring us to ,god1 being put to death in the flesh1 but quickened by the ,spirit4' ,again 7#a ,peter #d3a71 ',forasmuch then as ,christ hath suffered for us not for himself 7,dan #i3bf7 in the flesh1 in his own body which he took of the ,virgin 7#a ,peter #b3bd7 arm yourselves likewise with the same mind'3 ,that is1 let us die to sin as he did1 that we might live to ,god as he did1 and doth 7,rom #f3aj74 ,and thus have ,i briefly showed you4 ,i4 ,that the ,son of ,mary is very ,god4 ,,ii4 ,that he made the world4 ,,iii4 ,that he is our ,saviour1 and how4 ,,iv4 ,that he died for sinners1 and how1 namely1 not in his divine nature1 but in his human1 in his own body1 and in his own flesh 7,col #a3bb7 redeeming his church with his own blood 7,acts #bj3bh7 and with his own life 7#a ,john #c3af2 ,john #aj3ah74 ,we shall now pass on to some other things 7the ,lord willing7 touching his burial1 resurrection1 ascension1 intercession1 second coming1 resurrection of the body1 and eternal judgment4 ,,his ,,burial ,,proved4--,i shall prove by several scriptures that he was buried1 and so pass on4 ,therefore see that place1 ,matthew #bg verse #eg and so forward4 ,after that ,jesus the ,son of ,god had been crucified a while1 he gave up the ghost2 that is1 he died2 and after he had been awhile dead1 ,joseph of ,arimathea went into ,pilate1 and begged the body of ,jesus1 and ,pilate gave consent thereto4 ,and ,joseph took the body of ,jesus and wrapped it in clean linen1 and laid it 7viz4 the body of ,jesus7 in his own tomb1 and rolled a stone upon the mouth of the sepulchre1 and departed4 ,also in ,luke #bc3ea-ec4 ,the apostle ,paul also teacheth so much 7#a ,cor #ae3c1d7 where he saith1 ',for ,i delivered unto you first of all that which ,i also received1 how that ,christ died for our sins according to the scripture2 ,and that he was buried4' ,again1 in ,acts #ac3bi the apostle speaking there of ,jesus ,christ1 saith1 ',and when they had fulfilled all that was written of him1 they took him down from the tree1 and laid him in a sepulchre4' ,and so much touching the burial of ,jesus ,christ the ,son of ,god4 ,,resurrection4 ,in the next place1 ,i am to prove1 ,that that very man1 whom the ,jews did crucify between two thieves1 called ,jesus ,christ1 did rise again4 ,that very man1 with that very body wherewith he was crucified upon the cross1 did rise again out of the grave in which he was laid4 ,and this ,i shall prove #a4 by scripture1 #b4 by the testimony of angels1 #c4 by ,christ's own words after he was risen1 and #d4 by the testimony of the apostles in the scripture4 ,first therefore consider1 ,psalm #af verse#aj where the prophet speaks on this wise of ,christ's resurrection2 ',for thou wilt not leave my soul in hell2 neither wilt thou suffer thine ,holy ,one to see corruption4' ,which words the ,apostle ,peter cites in ,acts #b from verse #bb to #cb1 also ,isaiah #bf3ai in the person of ,christ saith1 ',thy dead men shall live1 together with my dead body shall they rise4' ,see also ,john #bj3ae1 #af where mention is made of his appearing unto ,mary ,magdalene1 and he called her ,mary1 and she called him master2 which signifies that he was risen1 and that she knew him after his resurrection2 for he was come out of the grave1 see verses #f1 #g1 #h4 ,again1 another scripture is that in ,luke #bd3a-c4 ,the disciples of ,jesus coming to the sepulchre1 thinking to anoint the body of ,jesus1 found the stone that was on the mouth of the sepulchre rolled away2 and when they went in1 they found not the body of the ,lord ,jesus2 and at this they were troubled and perplexed 7v #d74 ,but as two of them went up to ,emmaus1 and were talking of what had befallen to ,jesus1 ,jesus himself drew near1 and went with them 7v #ae74 ,another scripture is that in ,mark #af3i which saith on this wise1 ',now when ,jesus was risen early the first day of the week1 he appeared first to ,mary ,magdalen1 out of whom he had cast seven devils4' ,where take notice how the ,holy ,ghost lays it down in these words1 out of whom he had cast seven devils4 ,to intimate to us the certainty1 that it was the same ,jesus that was born of the virgin ,mary1 who did many miracles1 and cured many diseases1 who did also cast seven devils out of ,mary ,magdalen1 that did rise again4 ,yea1 saith the ,holy ,ghost1 it was the same ,jesus that did work such a wonderful miracle on ,mary1 he appeared to her first1 out of whom he had cast seven devils4 ,and let these scriptures suffice to prove the resurrection of the ,son of ,god4 ,second1 you shall have the testimony of the holy angels also by the scriptures4 ,and first look into ,mark #af3c-g the words are these1 ',and they viz4 the disciples said among themselves1 ,who shall roll us away the stone8' ,they had a good mind to see their ,lord1 but they could not1 as they thought1 get away the stone which covered the mouth of the sepulchre4 ',and when they looked that is1 towards the sepulchre they saw that the stone was rolled away3 for it was very great4 ,and entering into the sepulchre1 they saw a young man that is1 an angel sitting on the right side1 clothed in a long white garment2 and ,they the disciples were affrighted4 ,and he saith unto them1 ,be not affrighted you have no cause for it ,ye seek ,jesus of ,nazareth1 which was crucified3 he is risen1 he is not here2 behold the place where they laid him4' ,what scripture can be plainer spoken than this8 ,here is an angel of the ,lord ready to satisfy the disciples of ,jesus1 that he was risen from the dead4 ,and lest they should think it was not the right ,jesus he spoke of1 ,yes1 saith he1 it is the same ,jesus that you mean2 you seek ,jesus of ,nazareth1 do you not8 ,why he is risen1 he is not here4 ,but do you speak seriously1 and in good earnest8 ,yea surely1 if you will not believe me1 behold the place where they laid him4 ,this scripture1 or testimony is very clear to our purpose4 ,but again1 the next place is in ,matthew #bh3c-g4 ,in the third verse there is an angel 7as before7 bearing witness of the resurrection of ,jesus4 ',his countenance was like lightning1 and his raiment white as snow3 ,and for fear of him the keepers did shake1 and became as dead men4 ,and the angel answered and said unto them1 viz4 to the women who came to seek ,jesus ,fear not ye'3 but let them that seek to keep the ,lord in his grave fear if they will2 for you have no ground of fear1 who seek ,jesus who was crucified2 ,he is not here1 for he is risen2 he cannot be in body here and risen too3 ,if you will not believe me1 come1 see where the ,lord lay1 and go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead2 and behold1 he goeth before you into ,galilee1 there shall you see him4 ,but shall we be sure of it8 ,yea1 saith the angel1 ,lo1 it is ,i that have told you4 ,see how plainly this scripture also doth testify of ,christ his resurrection4 ,here1 saith the angel1 you seek a ,saviour and none will content you but he1 even the same that was crucified3 ,well you shall have him1 but he is not here4 ,why1 where is he then8 ,he is risen from the dead4 ,but are you sure it is the same that we look for8 ,yea1 it is the same that was crucified 7v #e74 ,but where should we find him8 why1 he goeth before you into ,galilee1 where he used to be in his life-time1 before he was crucified3 ,and that you might be sure of it1 there to find him1 know that he is an angel of ,god that hath told you 7v #g74 ,and thus have you in brief the testimony of the angels of ,god1 to witness that ,jesus the son of the virgin1 the ,son of ,god1 is risen from the dead4 ,object4 ,but you will say1 might they not be deceived8 ,might not their eyes dazzle1 and they might think they did see such a thing1 when indeed there was no such matter8 ,ans4 ,well1 because it is so difficult a matter1 to be persuaded of the truth of this thing1 that ,christ is raised again out of the grave1 that very man1 with that very body2 though these things that have been already spoken1 might be enough 7through grace7 to satisfy1 yet because of the unbelief of some1 we shall turn to some more of those infallible proofs that are spoken of in ,acts #a3c to prove the point yet more clear4 ,third1 ,do but see how the ,lord doth deal with an unbelieving disciple 7,john #bj3bc-bi74 ,you shall see in the #bc;d verse1 ,christ after his resurrection is talking with his disciples1 but ,thomas was not with them4 ,but when the disciples saw him again1 they said unto him1 ,we have seen the ,lord 7v #be7 but ,thomas would not believe them4 ,another time ,jesus comes to his disciples again1 and then ,thomas was with them2 then so soon as the ,lord had said1 ',peace be unto you1' he turned himself to ,thomas1 and said to him2 ',thomas1 reach hither thy finger1 and behold my hands2 and reach hither thy hand1 and thrust it into my side3 and be not faithless1 but believing' 7v #bg74 ,as much as if the ,lord should have said1 ,come ,thomas1 thou hast doubted of the truth of my resurrection very much2 thou sayest that thou wilt not believe1 except thou do feel with thy fingers the print of the nails1 and do thrust thy hand into my side4 ,come ,thomas1 reach hither thy finger1 and behold my hands1 and see if there were not the nails driven through them2 and reach hither thy hands and thrust them into my side1 and feel if ,i have not the very hold in it still1 that was made with the spear that the soldier did thrust into it1 and be not so full of unbelief1 but believe that my resurrection is a glorious truth4 ,another infallible proof1 is that in ,luke #bd from the #cfth1 to the end of the #ddth verse4 ,in verse #cj it is said that the ,lord1 7even while they were talking7 'stood in the midst of them and saith unto them1 ,peace be unto you'3 ,but they were so far from being at peace1 that they were terrified1 and supposed that they had seen a spirit4 ,and ,jesus said to them1 ',why are ye troubled1 and why do thoughts arise in your hearts8' ,what1 do you think that ,i am a spirit8 ,do you think your eyes dazzle8 ',behold my hands and my feet4' ,look well upon me1 and see my hands1 and the holes in them1 and likewise my feet1 and the holes in them1 and know that it is ,i myself1 and not a spirit1 as you suppose4 ,know1 that it is ,i myself1 and not another4 ,doth your hearts fail you8 ,then take hold of me with your hands1 yea1 'handle me1 and see2 for a spirit hath not flesh and bones1 as ye see me have4 ,and when he had thus spoken he shewed them his hands and his feet4' ,as if he had said1 ,come my disciples1 take special notice of me1 do not be daunted1 nor affrighted1 but consider that it is ,i myself4 ,well1 they could not believe as yet1 but wondered that such a thing as this should be3 ,and while they were thus wondering he will give them another infallible proof3 ,and 'he said unto them1 have you here any meat8' 7v #da74 ,as if the ,lord had said1 ,come my disciples1 ,i see that you are very full of unbelief1 if you have here any meat1 you shall see me eat before you all4 ,and they gave him a piece of a broiled fish1 and of an honeycomb1 ',and he took it1 and did eat before them4' ,again 7v #db71 the ,lord strives with another infallible proof against their doubting1 saying1 ,my disciples1 do you not remember what discourse you and ,i had before ,i was crucified1 how that ,i told you1 that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of ,moses1 and in the prophets concerning me 7,mark #h3ca1 #ad3ba74 ,another infallible proof was1 that appearance of his at the sea of ,tiberias1 where he came to them on the shore1 and called them1 and provided for them a dinner1 and wrought a notable miracle while he was there with them at that time1 namely1 the catching of #aec great fishes1 and yet their net break not4 7,john #ba1 read that whole chapter1 and ,acts #aj3da47 ,which as it was a great miracle1 so it did also show his power and authority over his creatures4 ,besides his eating and drinking with his disciples after his resurrection2 and also his preaching to them 7,acts #a3c74 ,this is not the least1 viz4 that he was with his disciples on earth forty days1 which was almost six weeks1 speaking to them the things concerning his kingdom3 which was a mighty confirmation of their faith in his resurrection4 ,fourth1 ,i shall now briefly touch two or three scriptures1 the which hold forth his disciples' testimony of his resurrection4 ,and the first is in ,acts #aj3dj1 #da4 ,in which place the ,apostle speaking of the ,lord ,jesus1 saith1 ',him ,god raised up the third day1 and shewed him openly1' yet ',not to all the people1 but unto witnesses chosen before of ,god1 even to us saith the ,apostle who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead4' ,again1 ,acts #d3aj and #ac3bi-ca4 ,the words run thus 7the ,apostle speaking of ,jesus1 saith7 ',and when they had fulfilled all that was written of him1 they took him down from the tree1 and laid him in a sepulchre4 ,but ,god raised him from the dead3 ,and he was seen many days of them which came up with him from ,galilee to ,jerusalem1 who are his witnesses unto the people4' ,see #a ,corinthians #ae3a-h4 ,and thus far touching his resurrection from the dead4 ,,ascension4 ,in the next place ,i am to prove that this very man1 ,christ ,jesus1 the ,son of the virgin1 in his very body1 the same body that was crucified1 is above the clouds and the heavens4 ,and though this is made light of by those men called quakers1 and other infidels of this generation3 ,yet ,i am sure that it will prove true to their cost1 who reject it as erroneous and vain4 ,but to prove it1 ,first1 ,i shall prove that he is ascended4 ,secondly1 that he is ascended above the clouds1 and the heaven4 ,first1 that he is ascended1 see ,ephesians #d3h-aj4 ',wherefore saith the ,apostle ,when he ascended up on high1 he led captivity captive1 and gave gifts unto men4 ,now that he ascended1 what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth1 he that descended is the same also that ascended again up far above all heavens4' ,again1 read ,john #bj3ag where ,christ after his resurrection from the dead1 saith to ,mary ,magdalen1 ',touch me not2 for ,i am not yet ascended to my ,father'3 ,that is1 ,i have not yet ascended with this my body wherewith ,i was crucified on the cross4 ',but go to my brethren1 and say unto them meaning his disciples ,i ascend unto my ,father and your ,father2 and to my ,god and your ,god4' ,object4 ,but in that place1 7may some say7 7,eph #d3aj7 ,he that descended1 is said to be the same that ascended4 ,now there was no human nature with ,god in heaven before the world was2 ,therefore if he be but the same that was with the ,father from all eternity1 then the humanity of the ,son of ,mary is not ascended into heaven4 ,ans4 ,for answer1 ,it is clear from ,john #a3a that the ,word or ,son of ,god1 as he was a ,spirit1 was with the ,father before the world was 7,titus #a3b74 ,but now1 in the fulness of time1 that is1 when that time that the ,father and he had concluded on1 was come1 ',god sent forth his son which was with him before the world was 7,john #ag3e7 made of a woman' 7,gal #d3d72 that is1 born of a woman4 ',and took upon him the form of a servant1 and was made in the likeness of men' 7,phil #b3f1g74 ,now as he was born of a woman1 as he was in the likeness of men1 so he ascended to the right hand of his ,father1 in our nature4 ,and for this1 ,i pray turn to ,acts #a3i-aa and there you shall find1 that he is the same that was born of the virgin1 that very man that was crucified2 if you compare verse #c with verses #i1 #aj1 #aa you will find it so to be4 ,now in verse #i after he had spoken many things while they beheld1 that is1 while his disciples looked on him1 he was taken up1 that is1 he was taken up from them into heaven1 as in verse #aa and a cloud received him out of their sight4 ,and while they looked up stedfastly towards heaven1 as he went up 7which heaven1 was not within them2 if it had1 they needed not to have looked toward the clouds and the heaven without them7 behold two men stood by them1 not in them1 in white apparel1 which also said 7that is1 the two men1 or angels which stood by them said7 ,ye men of ,galilee1 why stand ye gazing up into heaven8 ,here again1 they did not look within them1 but stood gazing or looking after the ,lord ,jesus1 the ,son of ,mary1 who was carried away from them in a cloud 7v #i74 ,but why 7say the angels7 do you stand gazing so much into heaven3 your master will come again after a certain time 7,matt #be3ai2 ,mark #ac3cd74 ,for1 ,this same ,jesus1 namely1 which was crucified1 which rose again1 and hath been with you these forty days1 which also you see go into heaven1 shall so come1 7namely in a cloud7 as ye have seen him go into heaven 7,acts #a3c74 ,but shall he not lose his body before he come again8 ,no say the angels1 he shall so come1 that is1 as ye have seen him go2 in like manner1 that is1 with the same body4 ,or else ,i am sure he cannot come in the same manner1 if he lose his body before he comes again2 for he went thither with that body4 ,but that same ,jesus that was crucified1 is he that went1 or ascended up into heaven4 ,if you compare ,luke #bd3ci-dd with the #ejth and #east verses of the same chapter1 you may clearly find it so to be4 ,and therefore if he come again in like manner1 he must come again with the same body wherewith he was crucified4 ,object4 ,but you will say1 ,the scripture saith1 he that descended is the same that ascended1 which to me 7say you7 implies1 none but the ,spirit's ascending8 ,ans4 ,for answer1 we do not say1 7as ,i said before7 that it is another that ascended1 but the very same3 ,that is1 the very same ,christ1 that was with the ,father from everlasting did come down from heaven3 ,that same ,christ also that came down from heaven did ascend up thither again2 only1 he descended without a body from heaven1 and took flesh and blood upon him from the virgin4 ,and though he descended without a body1 yet he1 the very same ,christ that descended without a body1 the same did ascend again with a body1 even that very body that he took of the virgin ,mary4 ,see ,luke #bd from #cith to #east verses2 ,acts #b3cj1 #ca2 ,john #ae3a2 #a ,corinthians #i3bd1 #be4 ,now let me give you a similitude1 for it is warrantable2 for both ,christ and his apostles did sometimes use them1 to the end1 souls might be better informed4 ,the similitude is this1 ,suppose there come into thine house a man that is naked1 and without clothing1 though he go out of thy house again well clothed1 yet the same man that came in without clothing1 is the same man also that goes out of thy house1 though very well clothed4 ,even so it is in this case1 ,the ,lord ,jesus came into the womb of the virgin1 ,spirit 7,matt #a3ah71 but he came out of the womb clothed with a body1 and went up into heaven again clothed with a body4 ,compare ,luke #bd3ci with ,acts #a3aa and #b 3#cj1 #ca4 ,now also ,i shall lay down some few things to be considered1 for the better clearing of it4 ,consider #a4 ,that he did say to his disciples that he would go away from them 7,john #ad3c1 #af3g2 ,matt #be3ai74 ,yea1 saith he1 ,i go and prepare a place for you1 and then ,i will1 after a long time1 come again1 and take you to myself1 that where ,i am1 that is1 whither ,i am going1 there ye may be also4 ,now1 ,i say1 if ,christ had not gone from his disciples 7for that was his meaning7 touching his bodily presence2 ,i say1 if he had not gone away from them1 in respect of his bodily presence1 he had said more than he had performed2 which is horrible blasphemy once to assert2 which going of his1 is his going into heaven4 ,see #a ,peter #c3bb4 ,consider #b4 ,that there it was that he was to receive the promise of the ,father 7,luke #bd3di71 which promise was the shedding forth in an abundant manner the blessed ,holy ,ghost4 ,and for this see ,acts #b3cc-cf1 ',therefore being by the right hand of ,god which is in heaven exalted1 and having received of the ,father the promise of the ,holy ,ghost1 he hath shed forth this1 which ye now see and hear4 ,for ,david is not ascended into the heavens3 but he saith himself1 the ,lord said unto my ,lord1 ,sit thou on my right hand1 until ,i make thy foes thy footstool4 ,therefore let all the house of ,israel know assuredly for 'tis very true that ,god hath made that same ,jesus1 whom ye have crucified1 both ,lord and ,christ4' ,consider #c4 ,that if he were on earth1 he could not be a priest 7,heb #h3d74 ,now the man ,christ ,jesus is a glorious priest 7,heb #g3bd7 in the heavens 7,heb #i3bd74 ,and therefore he is able to save to the uttermost1 all that come to ,god by him1 seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them4 7,this man 7#g3be774 ,consider #d4 ,if he be not gone into heaven1 both his own1 and his ,apostles' doctrine is false2 yea1 the witness of the angels also1 which to think were damnable infidelity in any man 7#a ,peter #c3bb2 ,acts #a3i-aa74 ,consider #e4 ,know that he is gone into heaven1 because the scriptures say he is2 which is the very truth of ,god1 spoken by his holy ,apostles and prophets3 ,yea1 holy men of ,god1 spake them as they were moved by the ,holy ,ghost 7,eph #f3i2 #a ,peter #c3bb2 ,heb #i3bd74 ,consider #f4 ,if thou sayest that that man is not gone into heaven1 then thou must also conclude that he is still in the grave2 and if so1 then thou sayest that the prophets1 apostles1 angels1 ,christ1 ,god1 and all are liars1 who have testified these things in the scriptures for glorious truths 7,isa #bf3ai2 ,acts #aj3dj-dc1 #ac3cj-ci1 #a3i-aa2 ,rev #a3ag1ah1 #b3h74 ,and as the ,apostle saith of himself1 and the rest of the ,apostles and ministers of ,jesus ,christ1 ',and we are found false witnesses of ,god2 because we have testified of ,god that he raised up ,christ3 whom he raised not up1 if so be that the dead rise not4--,but now is ,christ risen from the dead1 and become the first fruits of them that slept4 ,for as by man came death1 by ,,man came also the resurrection of the dead' 7#a ,cor #ae3ae1bj-bb74 ,second1 ,now ,i am to prove1 that he is above the clouds and the heavens4 ,my meaning is1 he is above the lowest heavens4 ,for there are three1 as appears in #b ,corinthians #ab3a-d4 ,i knew a man in ,christ1 7saith ,paul there7 caught up into the third heaven4 ,now1 ,heaven in scripture1 is taken sometimes metaphorically1 and sometimes properly4 ,first1 ,metaphorically it is taken for the church and people of ,god1 as in ,revelation #ab3ab4 ,second1 ,properly1 it is taken for the material heaven1 where the sun1 moon1 and stars are placed1 as in ,genesis #a3h1 #ad1 #ae1 #af compared together3 above which heaven1 ,jesus the ,son of ,mary is ascended4 ,therefore ,i pray you consider with me a little4 ,consider #a4 ,that when he went into this heaven into which he is gone1 he went ,,away from his disciples1 as it is written1 ,if ,i go not away1 the comforter will not come 7,john #ad3b1c2 ,john #af3g2 ,acts #a3i-aa74 ,so that he did not go into a heaven within them in his person and human nature4 ,if so1 he must needs go into that heaven without1 above the clouds and the stars 7,gen #a3h1e1af74 ,consider #b4 ,he was caught away in a cloud2 yea1 and was caught upwards from them1 as it is ,acts #a3i-aa and carried away into heaven2 yea1 and his disciples stood gazing or looking up after him into heaven1 which heaven must needs be that above the clouds4 7#a47 ,if you consider the posture of the disciples1 they looked upwards after the cloud that did take him away4 7#b47 ,consider the manner of his going1 it was in a cloud4 7#c47 ,he was received out of their sight4 7#d47 ,and so received up into heaven2 which heaven must needs be above the clouds1 where ,god is in his special presence 7,job #bb3ab-ad74 ,but further1 ,consider #c4 ,that those believers that are alive at this day in the body1 'are absent from the ,lord' 7#b ,cor #e3f71 but now1 if the man ,christ were ascended into that heaven within them1 he would neither be 'absent from them1' nor they from him2 but in that he is absent from them touching his bodily presence1 and they from him touching the same1 it is evident that that heaven into which he is ascended1 must needs be without1 above the clouds4 ,consider #d4 ,that that heaven into which the man ,christ is ascended1 must contain him till the time of the restitution of all things1 as in ,acts #c3ba into which heaven he hath been ascended above sixteen hundred years by computation4 ,and ,i am sure there is not a saint that doth live in the world half so long1 before he fall asleep1 and be gathered to his fathers2 so that that heaven into which he is ascended1 is not within1 but must needs be that above the clouds4 ,but ,consider #e4 ,that he that ascended from his disciples1 was a man1 with flesh and bones1 not a sprit only2 for handle me1 and see1 7saith he7 for a spirit hath not flesh and bones1 as ye see me have 7,luke #bd3ci1ej1ea74 ,now let the adversaries show by the scriptures1 that there is any place in them called heaven1 that is able to contain a man of some four or five feet long1 the space of fifteen or sixteen hundred years2 besides that3 therefore1 it must needs be that heaven without1 which is above the clouds and stars4 ,consider #f4 ,that heaven into which the ,lord ,jesus that man is ascended must not contain him always2 for1 saith the ,apostle 7#a ,thess #d3af7 ',the ,lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout1 with the voice of the archangel4' ,so that there is another descending from that heaven into which he is ascended2 and his descending from that heaven is to this end1 namely1 to take his people to himself1 as it is verse #ag so that it is clear that it is not any heaven within thee1 into which the man ,christ that was born of the ,virgin ,mary is ascended1 but it must needs be that heaven without1 which is above the clouds 7,heb #ab3bb74 ,if thou consider1 that the place into which he ascended1 even the heaven into which he is entered1 is the same place where all the deceased saints are in their spirits3 ',therefore1' saith ,paul1 ',i desire to depart1 and to be with ,christ1 which is far better4' ,now ,paul did not in this place 7,phil #a3bc7 mean the enjoying of ,christ only in the ,spirit2 for that he enjoyed in great measure when he spake these words2 but he spake of a dying1 and being with ,christ after this life is ended2 as is clear if you compare the #bjth to the #bfth verses together1 being absent from him while he was here in the body 7#b ,cor #e3f74 ,for 'whilst we are at home in the body1 we are absent from the ,lord4' ,consider #g4 ,that that heaven into which the man ,christ is ascended1 is not into his church on earth2 but into heaven without1 above the clouds and the stars 7,john #af3g1 #ad3a-c2 #a ,tim #b3e74 ,and this ,david doth prophesy of 7,psa #dg3e71 where he saith1 ',god is gone up with a shout1 the ,,lord with the sound of a trumpet4' ,now ,christ1 as ,god merely1 could not go up1 being no less in one place than another2 but as ,god-man1 or in his human nature1 he went up2 as will clearly appear 7,eph #d3h-aj7 where he speaketh of his triumph over all the enemies of his people at his resurrection and ascension into heaven above the clouds4 ,consider #h4 ,when ,christ doth descend from that heaven into which he is now ascended1 his saints and he will meet one another1 just in the air1 according to the scripture 7#a ,thess #d3af1ag71 ',for1' 7saith he7 'the ,lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout1 with the voice of the archangel1 and with the trump of ,god3 and the dead in ,christ shall rise first3 that is1 they shall come out of their graves4 ,then we which shall be saved are alive at that day and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds1 to meet the ,lord in the air1 and so shall we ever be with the ,lord4' ,pray mark here a little1 and see what heaven the man ,christ is ascended into1 and see if it be not the heaven without1 above the sun1 moon1 and stars4 ,when ,christ and his saints do meet a second time together1 the one ascends and the other descends2 the one is caught up in the clouds towards the heaven1 the other descends from heaven towards the earth1 and they must needs meet one another just in the air1 that is1 between the heaven and the earth4 ,so then1 the one coming from heaven and the other from the earth1 and their meeting being in the air1 which is between heaven and earth1 is an undeniable demonstration1 that that heaven into which the man ,christ is ascended1 must needs be that heaven without1 above the sun1 moon1 and stars 7,phil #c3bj2 #a ,thess #a3aj74 ,and thus much touching the ,son of ,mary1 his ascending up into the heaven without above the clouds 7,acts #a3i-aa1 #c3ba2 #a ,peter #c3bb74 ,,intercession4 ,in the next place1 now ,i shall prove the intercession of the man ,christ ,jesus to be in the heaven that ,i have been speaking of2 though some have mocked at it1 and others have called it juggling2 which names here ,i shall not mention1 only ,i shall admonish them1 that they do not blaspheme the truth and ,son of ,god in his intercession4 ,i shall quote some of the scriptures that hold out this truth1 and so pass on4 ,first1 ,and first of all1 see ,psalm #af3d where ,david prophesying of the intercession of ,christ1 saith1 ',their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another ,god1 speaking of the wicked their drink-offerings of blood will ,i not offer1 nor take up their names into my lips4' ,now1 compare this with ,hebrews #h3d where he saith1 'if he were on earth1 he should not be a priest4' ,and ,hebrews #i3bd1 ',for ,christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands1 meaning the temple which ,solomon built which are the figures of the true2 but into heaven itself1 now to appear in the presence of ,god for us'3 'wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost1 that come unto ,god by him1 seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them' 7,heb #g3be74 ,second1 ,but you will say1 is there a man made mention of here8 ,yes1 for the scripture saith1 ',there is one ,god1 and one mediator between ,god and men1 the man ,christ ,jesus' 7#a ,tim #b3e74 ,and in that #hth to the ,hebrews made mention of before2 where the ,apostle is speaking of ,christ's priestly office1 as he is in the heavens1 compared with other priests that are on earth2 he saith 7v #c71 ',for every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices3 wherefore speaking of ,christ it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer4 ,for if he were on earth1 he should not be a priest1 seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law1' which law was the law of ,moses 7#i3ai-bc71 where also he is speaking of the priesthood of the priests under the law1 and their offering of the blood of bulls and goats 7v #ab compared with vv #ai-ba74 ,and of the ,lord ,jesus the high priests of saints1 and of his blood 7v #ad compared with v #bd74 ,now as men under the law did offer up the blood of bulls and goats1 so the man ,christ ,jesus did offer up his own blood to his ,father2 and this you may clearly see1 if you compare ,hebrews #i3ad where he saith1 ',how much more shall the blood of ,christ1 who through the eternal ,spirit offered himself without spot to ,god1 purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living ,god8' with ,hebrews #aj3ab where he saith1 ',but this man meaning the ,son of the ,virgin 7#b3ad compared with ,matt #a3ba7 after he had offered one sacrifice for sins1 for ever sat down on the right hand of ,god'2 again 7,heb #g7 the chapter ,i mentioned before1 you shall find his intercession plainly held forth1 if you read verse #bb and so on1 where the scripture saith1 ',by so much was ,jesus made a surety of a better testament4 ,and they truly were many priests meaning the priests under the law because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death'3 7that is1 the high-priest under the law1 could not live ever in this world1 because it was appointed to all men once to die7 7,rev #b3h74 ,but when he speaks of ,christ ,jesus1 he saith on this wise1 ',but this man1 because he continueth ever1 hath an unchangeable priesthood' 7,rev #a3ah74 ,wherefore he 7this man7 is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto ,god by him1 seeing he 7this man7 ever liveth to make intercession for them4 ,and thus in brief have ,i proved through the assistance of the ,lord1 the intercession of the ,son of ,mary1 which is also the ,son of ,god4 ,and this concerning ,christ's priestly office1 might serve also for a proof of his being in the heaven without1 above the stars4 ,but all men may see 7unless they be blind7 that these are the truths of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and of ,god his ,father2 and that those men that oppose them 7as the quakers do7 are very violently possessed of the devil1 and besides themselves2 and have neither the truth of ,god1 nor his ,spirit in them 7#b ,john #i3aj2 ,john #e3ch1db74 ,,christ ,,judge ,,of ,,quick ,,and ,,dead4 ,and now through the assistance of the ,lord1 ,i shall come to the last that ,i promised1 and that is to prove1 that this very man ,christ1 will come to judge the quick and the dead4 ,and first1 ,i shall prove the truth itself1 viz41 ,that that man shall come again to judge the world1 quick and dead4 ,second1 ,i shall shew you that his coming will be very shortly4 ,third1 ,what shall be done at his coming4 fourth1 ,who shall stand when he shall come1 and who not4 ,first1 ,that that man that was born of the ,virgin ,mary shall come again to judge the quick and the dead1 read #b ,timothy #d3a4 ',i1 saith ,paul charge thee therefore before ,god1 speaking to him1 even to ,timothy1 and so to all believers and the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom4' ,now if you would know who this ,lord ,jesus is1 look into ,acts #aj3bh and you shall see it was ,jesus of ,nazareth2 would you know who that was8 read ,matthew #b towards the end1 and you shall see it was the ,son of ,mary the ,virgin1 who was espoused to ,joseph the carpenter4 ,but read ,acts #aj3ch-db1 you shall find these words1 ',god anointed ,jesus of ,nazareth with the ,holy ,ghost and with the power3 who went about doing good1 and healing all that were oppressed of the devil2 for ,god was with him3 ,and we are witness of things which he did both in the land of the ,jews1 and in ,jerusalem2 whom they slew and hanged on a tree1 even ,jesus of ,nazareth ,him ,god raised up the third day1 and shewed him openly2 not to all the people1 but unto witnesses chosen before of ,god1 even to us1 who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead4 ,and he commanded us to preach unto the people1 that is1 ,god commanded us and to testify that is1 to be bold in our preaching that it is he namely1 ,jesus of ,nazareth1 whom the ,jews did thus crucify which was ordained of ,god to be the judge of quick and dead4' ,this is he also that is spoken of in ,acts #ag3cj1 #ca4 ',the times of this ignorance ,god winked at2 meaning men's being without the gospel but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent3 ,because he hath appointed a day which day is the day of judgment 7,matt #ab3cf7 in the which he will judge the world in righteousness1 by that man namely1 ,jesus of ,nazareth whom he hath ordained1 compare this with that in ,acts #aj3ch-db whereof he hath given assurance unto all men that is1 hath given a sure sign unto all men in that he hath raised him1 that is1 in that he hath raised ,jesus of ,nazareth from the dead4' ,this also is ,christ's own meaning 7,matt #bd7 where speaking of his second coming1 he styleth himself the ,son of man1 saying3 ',and then shall appear the sign of the ,son of man' 7v #cj71 and 'so shall also the coming of the ,son of man be' 7v #bg74 ,so shall also the coming of the ,son of man be 7v #cg74 ,so shall also the coming of the ,son of man be 7v #ci74 ,where1 by the way1 it is observable to see how the ,lord of life and glory doth in this chapter1 where he speaketh of his second coming1 for the most part style himself the ,son of man4 ,sure he doth it to this end1 because he will not have his humanity and the doctrine thereof1 to be razed out from under heaven3 ,for he knew1 that in the last days1 there would come mockers 'walking after their own lusts1 and saying1 ,where is the promise of his coming' 7#b ,peter #c3c74 ,i could multiply scriptures to prove this doctrine of his second coming1 as ,hebrews #i3bh2 #b ,peter #c2 #b ,thess #a3f-h2 ,luke #ba2 ,matt #bd1 #be2 ,eve #bb3g1 #ab and #bj2 #b ,corinthians #e3aj2 ,romans #ad3aj2 ,acts #bd3be4 ,but1 ,secondly1 ,i will shew you that his coming will be shortly4 ,it is true1 no man can tell neither the day nor the hour1 yet so far as the scriptures will give us light into the nearness of his coming1 so far we may go4 ,and if you read ,matthew #bd you shall see many sings of his coming spoken of4 #a4 ,there is falling away from the faith spoken of4 ,and that hath been fulfilled and is fulfilling every day4 #b4 ,wars and rumours of wars is another sign that his coming doth draw night1 even at the doors4 #c4 ,the love of many waxing cold1 is another sign that it is nigh1 even the coming of ,christ4 ,and how cold is the love of many at this day8 ,they that were hot two or three years ago1 are now grown lukewarm and cold4 ,they are cold in the ,lord's appearing4 ,they are cold in the profession of the gospel4 ,they are cold in love to the saints1 they are cold in the worship of ,god2 ,yea1 very cold1 which is a notable demonstration that the coming of the ,lord draweth nigh4 #d4 ,the stars falling from heaven2 7,that is professors falling from the faith which once they professed7 is another sign that the coming of the ,lord is at hand4 ,and how many professors do you see now a-days1 fall from the doctrine of ,god1 and his ,son ,jesus ,christ1 as though there were no such thing as a world to come1 and no such thing as a ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and his second coming4 #e4 ,many poor souls will go on in their profession with lamps without oil1 just before his second coming 7,matt #be3a-g74 ,and the ,lord knows that most of the professors of this generation1 are such kind of professors1 yea1 very foolish professors1 which is another sure sign1 that the coming of the ,lord draws nigh4 #f4 ,when the time of ,christ's second coming is at hand1 there will be but a very little faith in the world4 ,and the ,lord knows1 that there be many1 who are now as high as lucifer1 that at that day for want of faith will be thrown down to the sides of the pit3 even in the very belly of hell4 #g4 ,another sign of ,christ's second coming1 is the carnal mindedness of the most of the world2 and the very carriages of almost all men now living do discover this truth to be at this day fulfilled1 and know that when they shall say peace and safety1 then sudden destruction comes1 and they shall not escape 7#a ,thess #e3a-d74 #h4 ,before ,christ's second coming1 there shall come many false ,christs and false prophets1 and shall shew great signs1 and wonders1 to seduce if it were possible the elect 7,matt #bd3bd2 ,mark #ac3bb74 ,and is not this more clearly fulfilled in our days than ever it was1 especially among those men called quakers1 who being as persons1 whose consciences are seared with an hot iron1 and they being sealed up unto destruction1 do some of them call themselves ,christ1 and shew great signs1 7as their quaking7 and such a legal holiness1 as makes the simple admire them1 and wonder after them1 which shews the coming of ,christ to be very nigh4 #i4 ,before ,christ's second coming1 there shall come scoffers in the world1 walking after their own lusts 7#b ,peter #c3c7 and if ever this scripture was fulfilled1 it is fulfilled on these men called quakers3 ,for they are the men1 that at this day make a mock at ,christ's second coming1 which shall be from heaven without 7#a ,thess #a3aj2 ,phil #c3bj72 and therefore saith the ,holy ,ghost1 these mockers shall be such as shall say1 where is the promise of his coming8 ,for since the fathers fell asleep1 all things continue as they were1 see #b ,peter #c3c-g4 ,and there you shall see their mocking and the reason of it4 ,read and the ,lord give thee understanding4 ,but ,i would not have thee think that ,i speak at random1 in this thing1 ,know for certain1 that ,i myself have heard them blaspheme2 yea1 with a grinning countenance1 at the doctrine of that man's second coming from heaven above the stars1 who was born of the ,virgin ,mary4 ,yea1 they have told me to my face1 that ,i have used conjuration1 and witchcraft1 because what ,i preached was according to the scriptures4 ,i was also told to my face1 that ,i preached up an idol1 because ,i said1 that the ,son of ,mary was in heaven1 with the same body that was crucified on the cross2 ,and many other things have they blasphemously vented against the ,lord of life and glory1 and his precious gospel4 ,the ,lord reward them according as their work shall be4 ,i could have hinted in many other things which ,christ and his ,apostles have shewed to be signs of his coming4 ,but ,i shall commend the holy scriptures unto thee1 which are able to make the man of ,god perfect in all things1 through faith in the ,lord ,jesus 7#b ,tim #c3ag74 ,now you have also the manner of his coming how it shall be1 most notably laid down in the scriptures4 ,i shall hint in a few things touching it4 #a4 ,he will come when there is but very few looking for his coming4 ',when they shall say1 peace and safety2 then sudden destruction cometh' 7#a ,thess #e3a-c74 ,which sudden destruction will be at his second coming1 for that is it which the ,apostle spake of in those three verses4 ,then will all the world be caught at such an unexpected time1 that it will come upon them1 even as a snare cometh upon those creatures that are caught in it4 ,as it is written 7,luke #ba3ce7 ',for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth4' ,which is all on a sudden1 before they are aware4 #b4 ,he cometh with all his saints and angels4 ,then will the ,lord descend from that heaven1 into which he is now ascended1 as it is written in #a ,thessalonians #d3af4 ,then will he come1 and all his saints with him1 as ,jude saith in his ,epistle1 #ae4 then shall ,abel and ,enoch1 ,noah and ,abraham1 ,david and ,job1 ,peter and ,paul3 ,together with all the saints which have been1 now are1 or hereafter shall be1 and they shall sit on the throne with the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 as in ,matthew #ai3bh4 ,before whom shall all the nations of the world be gathered1 as it is written 7,joel #c3ab74 ',let the heathen be wakened or raised out of their graves 7,dan #ab3b7 and come up to the valley of ,jehoshaphat3 for there will ,i sit to judge the heathen round about4' ,which never was yet accomplished1 though it shall certainly be1 in ,god's time3 ,to the astonishment1 and everlasting damnation of all those that shall continue mocking1 or sinning against ,god and his ,christ4 #c4 ,he shall come in a flaming fire1 7when he doth come again3 he will come in such a manner1 as will make all that shall be found in their sins rather seek to creep under a mountain1 than to meet the ,lord of glory 7,rev #f3ae774 ,as ,isaiah saith1 ',for1 behold1 the ,,lord will come with fire1 and with his chariots like a whirlwind1 to render his anger with fury1 and his rebuke with flames of fire' 7,isa #ff3ae74 ',to execute judgment upon all1 and to convince all that are ungodly among them1 of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed1 and of all their hard speeches1 which ungodly sinners have spoken against him' 7,jude #ae71 as ,i shall shew farther by and by4 ,third1 ,and therefore in the next place1 ,i shall shew you1 what shall be done when he is come4 #a4 ,when ,christ is come the second time1 they that are in their graves shall arise1 and come forth of their graves 7as ,i said before7 in which they have lain according to that in ,john #e3bh1 #bi4 ,where ,christ saith1 ',marvel not at this3 for the hour is coming1 in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice1 and shall come forth2 they that have done good1 unto the resurrection of life2 and they that have done evil1 unto the resurrection of damnation4' ,you will say1 ,are these graves spoken of here1 the graves that are made in the earth8 ,yea1 that they are1 and for a further proof of the same1 look into ,daniel #ab3b4 ,daniel there speaking of the same thing saith1 ',and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake1 or arise some to everlasting life1 and some to shame and everlasting contempt' 7or damnation74 ,i shall not stand here to dispute any distinctions of the resurrections1 only prove that the dead shall arise2 and that is a clear truth from the scriptures 7,acts #aj3db2 ,rev #bj3aa-ad2 #a ,thess #d3af2 #a ,cor #ae3eb74 ',the dead shall be raised4' #b4 ,he shall call all men and women to an account for all their#c close sinful thoughts1 words and actions2 then will the secrets of all hearts be made manifest4 ,then shall all thy adulterous1 and thievish1 and covetous1 idolatrous1 and blasphemous thoughts be laid open1 according to that saying1 ',their consciences also bearing witness1 and their thoughts the mean time1 or while accusing or else excusing one another' 7,rom #b3ae74 ,but when8 ,why1 ',in the day when ,god shall judge the secrets of men by ,jesus ,christ' 7v #af74 ,see also #a ,corinthians #d3e1 ',therefore judge nothing before the time4' ,what time is that8 ,why1 when the ,lord comes2 what will he do8 ,he 'will bring to light the hidden things of darkness1' that is1 all those cunning1 close1 hidden wickednesses that thou in thy life-time hast committed2 yea1 he will 'make manifest the counsels of the hearts'2 that is1 the most hidden and secret things that are contrived and plotted by the sons of men4 ,then shall all the midnight whore-mongers be laid open with all their sins2 ,then thou 7it may be7 who has committed such sins as thou wouldest not have thy neighbour1 thy father1 thy wife1 thy husband1 or any one else know of for thousands1 then thou shalt have them all laid open1 even upon the house tops 7,luke #ab3c74 ,then thou that hatest ,god's children2 his ways1 his word1 his ,spirit2 then thou that makest a mock at ,jesus of ,nazareth's second coming1 then thou that livest in open prophaneness1 or secret hypocrisy1 then ,i say1 will be such a time of reckoning for you1 as never was since the world began1 then you that shall die in your sins1 will cry to the mountains1 ,fall on us1 and cover us from the face of him that sits on the throne1 and from the wrath of the ,lamb 7which ,lamb is the ,man ,christ ,jesus 7,john #a3bi774 ,and ah1 my friends6 ,if the very looks of ,god be so terrible1 what will his blows be1 think you8 ,then if all thy idle words shall be accounted for1 as it is written1 ',but ,i say unto you1 ,that every idle word that men shall speak1 they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment' 7,matt #ab3cf7 and also all thy filthy actions shall be then regarded in such sort1 as thou shalt receive a just recompense for them4 ,and know1 saith the scripture1 'that for all these things1 ,god will bring thee into judgment' 7,eccl #aa3i74 ,then ,thou that art an unbeliever1 shalt be sure to fall under the judgment for all thy sins4 7#a47 ,thou must give an account4 7#b47 ,thou must fall in the judgment4 ,oh my friends1 there are hot days a-coming for all those that are found out of the ,lord ,jesus3 ,behold1 saith ,malachi1 ',the day cometh1 that shall burn as an oven2 and all the proud1 yea1 and all that do wickedly1 shall be stubble3 and the day that cometh shall burn them up1 saith the ,,lord of hosts1 that it shall leave them neither root nor branch' 7#d3a74 ,the day of judgment will burn like an oven1 and all that have not the righteousness of ,christ upon them shall be as stubble4 ,ah friends1 put a red hot oven and stubble together1 and what work will there be6 ,even the one will burn and destroy the other4 #c4 ,when ,christ doth come the second time1 another end of his coming will be to pure out all things that offended in this kingdom 7,matt #ac3da1db74 ',the ,son of ,man shall send forth his angels1 and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend1 and them which do iniquity2 ,and shall cast them into a furnace of fire2 there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth4' ,there are many things that do offend in his kingdom now3 namely 7#a47 ,the lukewarm professor1 he doth offend1 7a47 the ,lord1 7b47 his people4 ,but then thou lukewarm offending professor shalt offend the church of ,god no more4 7#b47 ,the loose professors do also offend ,god1 ,christ and his church4 7a47 ,he scandals the gospel by his loose walking1 and naughty carriages4 7b47 ,he doth make the world blaspheme the name of ,god by the same4 7c47 ,he grieves the hearts of ,god's people 7,phil #c3ah74 ,but know that thou also shalt be taken away from offending any more1 ,god1 ,christ1 and his saints1 and thou shalt have weeping and gnashing of teeth1 for thy thus offending 7,matt #ah3f1g74 #d4 ,another end of ,christ's second coming1 is to cut off all the ignorant persons that are in the world4 ,there is a generation of poor souls that do think to be excused for their ignorance3 ,alas6 saith one1 ,i am a poor ignorant man1 or woman2 and therefore ,i hope that the ,lord will have mercy upon me3 we cannot1 say others1 do as such and such1 and will the ,lord condemn us8 ,and thus poor souls1 as they are in the broad way to destruction1 lest they should miss of the way to hell2 do swallow down by clusters1 that which will poison them1 body and soul for ever and ever4 ,quest4 ,but you will say1 ,what1 will not the ,lord have mercy on ignorant souls8 ,ans4 ,not on those who live and die in their ignorance4 ,he himself hath said 7,isa #bg3aa71 ',for it is a people of no understanding3 therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them1 and he that formed them will shew them no favour4' ,again1 ,paul also in that #b ,thessalonians #a3h saith1 that when ,jesus ,christ shall come to judge the world1 he doth come to take vengeance on all 'them that know not ,god1 and that obey not the gospel of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4' ,but ye will say1 ,who are those ignorant persons1 that shall find no favour at that day8 or how doth the ignorance discover itself8 ,i shall only mention three or four sorts of men2 and leave thee to the scriptures1 which if thou read them diligently1 will further lay them open before thee4 ,and1 7#a47 ,the profane scoffer1 who makes a mock at the truths of ,god1 and so goes on in his sins1 for this see in #b ,peter #c3c which the apostle attributes to their ignorance 7v #e74 ,and therefore he likens them to brute beasts 7#b3aj1ab7 who 'walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness1' and 'speak evil of the things that they understand not2 and shall utterly perish in their own corruption'2 who because they understand not the scripture1 nor the power of ,god in them1 speak evil of the truths therein contained1 and think the ,lord like unto themselves 7,psa #ej74 7#b47 ,the formal professor1 who hath only a notion of the gospel1 and some seeming holiness1 but wants gospel faith3 such are called foolish virgins 7,matt #be3b1c7 to whom ,christ will say in that day1 ,verily1 ',i know you not4' ,add hereto1 those that think it enough to confess ,christ with their mouths1 and profess that they know ,god1 but deny him in their works2 such notwithstanding all their profession1 shall1 if they so continue1 perish eternally1 being abominable1 disobedient1 and to every good work reprobate1 or void of judgment1 that is1 ignorant 7,titus #a3af74 7#c47 ,the legal righteous man or woman1 though they walk blameless1 as touching the righteousness that is in the law3 ,for they being ignorant of ,god's righteousness1 go about to establish their own righteousness1 as reading1 hearing sermons1 prayers1 public or private1 peaceableness with their neighbours1 fasting1 alms1 good works as they count them1 just dealings1 abstinence from the grosser pollutions of the world1 stricter obedience to the commandments of the first and second table2 all which with many other things may be comprehended in their own righteousness1 and it is grounded on their ignorance1 and goes on in rebellion2 and such ignorant persons shall in that day perish1 not submitting through ignorance to the righteousness of ,god1 ,romans #aj3c compared with ,luke #ai3bg where ,christ saith1 that when he shall come the second time1 he will command those his enemies1 who submitted not themselves to him1 7who is called the righteousness of ,god 7,isa #df3ac77 or would not have him to reign over them1 to be slain before his face4 7#d47 ,those whose hearts are set upon the world1 and follow the alluring persuasions of it2 the ,lord calls such fools 7,luke #ab3bj2 ,prov #g3g71 who go after it 7viz4 the world1 held forth by a similitude of a woman with the attire of an harlot7 as an ox to the slaughter1 or a fool to the correction of the stocks1 till a dart strike through his liver1 as a bird hasteth to the snare1 and knoweth not that it is for his life3 and knows not1 mark1 it is through ignorance 7v #bc74 #e4 ,a fit end of ,christ's coming1 is1 that his righteous ones might shine as the sun in the glory1 or kingdom of their father 7,matt #ac3dc74 ,there are many things that do hinder the people of ,god from shining forth as the sun now4 ,as1 ,they have a body of death1 which makes them fetch many a groan in their journey to ,canaan 7,rom #g3bd2 #b ,cor #e3b74 ,they meet with many a sad temptation1 which also makes them in heaviness many a time 7#a ,peter #a3f74 ,they have also many other things that do hinder their shining now2 but then the body of death shall be left off4 ,my meaning is1 that sin shall be no more in the natures of ,god's people then3 ,their bodies that are now so vile1 shall then be made like unto the glorious body of the ,son of ,god1 ',who shall change our vile body1 that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body1 according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself' 7,phil #c3ba74 #f4 ,another end of ,christ's coming shall be to take an account of his children1 how they have laid out their talents1 that he hath committed to their trust 7,matt #be3ai2 ,rom #ad3ab2 #b ,cor #e3aj74 #g4 ,another end of his coming is1 to set up his kingdom1 which will be glorious indeed at his appearing 7#b ,tim #d3a2 ,rom #h3ai-ba74 ,i do but touch these things1 because ,i would hasten towards a conclusion2 many other things might have been spoken to1 but at this time ,i shall forbear4 ,but you will say1 ,who shall stand when he appears8 ,why1 ,i told you before1 that 'the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment1 nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous' 7,psa #a3e74 ,let him be close or profane1 as ,i told you even now1 all shall be laid open1 all shall be made manifest1 all shall come into judgment4 ,ah poor soul6 ,it is not then thy brave words will save thee2 it is not thine eloquent tongue that will then do thee any good3 if thou be without the wedding garment1 thou wilt be speechless1 as in ,matthew #bb3ab4 ,but thou that art a converted person1 shalt stand in the judgment2 thou that art born again shalt enter into the kingdom1 and none else 7,john #c3e2 ,rev #ba3bg74 ,but how shall ,i know that ,i am born again8 7#a47 ,why1 if thou art born again1 then thou knowest that thou wast not born a ,christian at first 7,eph #b3a-c74 ',you hath he quickened1 who were dead in trespasses and sins4' 7#b47 ,thou knowest that once thou hadst no faith in the ,lord ,jesus2 and wert convinced of sin because thou didst not believe in the ,son of ,mary 7,john #af3i74 7#c47 ,thou seest all true joy through the blood and righteousness of the ,son of ,mary 7#a ,cor #ae3eg2 ,rom #g3be74 7#d47 ,art thou born again8 ,then thou canst not be quiet till thou seest ,god smile1 and lift up the light of his countenance upon thee 7#b ,cor #d3f2 ,psa #d3f7 and that through the face of the ,son of ,mary1 the ,son of ,god4 7#e47 ,thou knowest that ,god hath given thee thy faith 7,phil #a3bi2 ,eph #b3h74 7#f47 ,art thou born again8 ,then thou knowest that the doctrine of the ,son of ,mary the ,virgin1 is a right doctrine 7#b ,john #i74 7#g47 ,then also thou lookest for the personal appearing of the ,son of ,mary from heaven in the clouds1 the second time 7,heb #i3bh2 ,rev #a3g74 ,these things1 though plain1 yet if the ,lord set them home upon thy conscience1 may be profitable both to thee and me4 ,therefore let us examine the matter a little4 ,and ,examine #a4 ,thou thinkest that thou art a ,christian2 thou shouldest be sorry else3 ,well1 ,but when did ,god shew thee that thou wert no ,christian8 ,when didst thou see that3 ,and in the light of the ,spirit of ,christ1 see that thou wert under the wrath of ,god because of original sin8 7,rom #e3ab74 ,nay1 dost thou know what original sin means8 ,is it not the least in thy thoughts8 ,and dost thou not rejoice in secret1 that thou art the same that thou ever wert8 ,if so1 then know for certain that the wrath of ,god to this very day abideth on thee 7,john #c3cf74 ,and if so1 then thou art one of those that will fall in the judgment1 except thou art born again1 and made a new creature 7#b ,cor #e3ag74 ,exam4 #b4 ,thou thinkest that thou hast been born again1 7'tis well if thou hast7 but least thou shouldest deceive thy poor soul1 ,i pray thee consider1 when did the ,spirit of the ,lord ,jesus shew thee1 that thou hadst no faith in thee by nature8 ,and when did the ,spirit of ,christ convince thee of sin1 because thou didst not believe in him8 ,it may be thou hast been convinced of sins against the law1 by the law1 and thine own conscience1 as the ,pharisees were 7,john #h3i2 ,rom #c3bj74 ,ay1 but when didst thou see thyself a lost creature for want of faith in the son of ,mary8 ,if not1 thou hast not yet been savingly convinced by the ,spirit of ,christ2 for that1 when it convinceth effectually of sin1 it convinceth of unbelief2 though thou hast been never so much convinced of sins against the law1 if thou hast not seen thyself under the power and dominion1 guilt and punishment of sin1 because thou didst not believe in ,christ1 thou hast not yet been savingly convinced2 for that's one work of the ,spirit to convince of sin1 ',because they believe not on me1' saith ,jesus the ,son of ,mary1 who was espoused to ,joseph the carpenter3 ,but on the contrary1 dost thou not say in thy heart1 thou never hadst thy faith to seek1 but hast always believed with as good a faith as any one alive8 ,if so1 then know for certain that thou hast no faith of the operation of ,god in thee1 according to ,god's ordinary working2 and if so1 then know1 that if the ,son of ,man should come to judge the world at this moment of time1 that thou with all thy faith 7thou thinkest thou hast7 wouldst fall in the judgment 7#b ,thess #b3ab74 ,exam4 #c4 ,art thou born again8 ,then thou seest that thy great sin was want of faith in the ,son of ,mary4 ,then thou seest that it is he that was sent of ,god to die for the sins of the world 7,john #a3bi1 #c3af-ai2 ,acts #ac3ch1ci7 and that thou art complete in him1 without any works of the law 7,rom #d3e71 then thou rejoicest in ,christ ,jesus1 and puttest no confidence in the flesh 7,phil #c3c7 yet thou rejoicest in the flesh and blood of the ,son of ,mary1 knowing that his flesh is meat indeed1 and his blood is drink indeed 7,john #f3ee7 out of which thou wouldest very willingly make thy life all thy days2 out of his birth1 obedience1 death1 resurrection1 ascension1 and glorious intercession1 now at the right hand of his ,father 7,heb #g3bd1be71 but if thou art wavering in these things1 know that thou art but a babe at the best1 and for ought thou knowest1 ,god may cut thee off in thy unbelief1 and cast thee into utter darkness1 where there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth4 ,exam4 #d4 ,art thou born again8 ,then thou seest all true peace and joy comes through the blood of the ,son of ,mary1 and his righteousness1 as in ,romans #g3be and #a ,corinthians #ae3eg1 there are many poor souls that are taken with raptures of joy1 and false conceited consolation 7,john #af3bj7 which doth come from the devil1 and their own deceitful hearts2 but their joy shall be turned into mourning and sorrow of heart 7,luke #f3bd1be71 but thou that art a ,christian in deed1 and not in word only1 rejoicest in ,christ ,jesus the ,son of ,mary2 yea though now you see him not1 yet believing1 you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory 7#a ,peter #a3h74 ,and these two things are the fruits of thy faith1 and of thy joy4 7#a47 ,the ,lord ,jesus ,christ is very precious unto thee 7#a ,peter #b3g74 7#b47 ,thou dost purify thine heart by this faith1 and the power of the ,spirit of ,christ1 which thou hast received into thy soul 7,rom #h3ac2 ,acts #ae3i2 ,john #c3c74 ,but if thy guilt of sin goes off1 and convictions go off any other way than by the blood and righteousness of the ,man ,christ ,jesus1 thy guilt goes off not right1 but wrong1 and thy latter end will be a very bitter end without faith and repentance2 for it is his blood through which all true peace comes 7,col #a3bj71 and there is no other name under heaven given among men1 whereby we should be saved1 but by the ,lord ,jesus of ,nazareth 7,acts #d3aj-ab compared together74 ,exam4 #e4 ,art thou born again8 ,then thou canst not be quiet till thou doest see ,god lift up the light of his countenance upon thee2 yea1 thou hast such a desire after the light of ,god's countenance1 that1 all the glory1 riches1 honour1 pleasure1 profits1 c4 of this world will not satisfy1 till thou doest see ,god to be a reconciled ,father to thee in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 as it is ,psalm #d3f2 ,john #ad3h2 ,psalm #ce3c4 ,then thou wilt not be quiet till thou dost hear from the ,son of ,mary1 which is the ,lord of glory1 such a voice as this1 ,son be of good cheer1 thy sins are forgiven thee3 ,and 'my grace is sufficient for thee' 7#b ,cor #ab3i2 #a ,cor #b3h74 ,but if thou canst content thyself with anything below this1 thou wilt1 when all comes to all1 be found but a rotten-hearted professor1 who will have thy portion among the slothful ones1 who will fall in the judgment of the ,son of ,man1 when he comes in flaming fire with his mighty angels 7#b ,thess #a3h74 ,exam4 #f4 ,art thou born again8 ,then thou knowest that ,god hath given thee thy faith that thou hast in his ,son3 ,then thou art to say through grace1 there was a time in which ,i had no faith2 there was a time in which ,i could not believe in the ,son of ,god for eternal life4 ',but ,god1 who is rich in mercy1 for his great love wherewith he loved us1 even when we were dead in sins and unbelief2 which is the greatest2 hath quickened us together with ,christ1 by grace ye are saved' 7,eph #b3d1e71 'through faith' 7v #h74 ,exam4 #g4 ,art thou born again8 ,then thou knowest that the doctrine of the ,son of ,god1 the ,son of ,mary1 is a right doctrine1 which is this3 ,that the ,son of ,god which was with his ,father before the world was 7,john #a3a1 #ag3e7 came into the world in the fulness of time1 and was made in the likeness of man 7,phil #b3g7 being made of a woman or virgin1 made under the law1 to redeem them that were under the law 7,gal #d3d74 ,and that was done in this wise4 ,what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh2 that is1 through our flesh2 ,god sending his own ,son in likeness of sinful flesh1 and for sin1 condemned sin in the flesh1 that is1 condemned him in the flesh for the sins of poor sinners3 ,for this1 compare ,romans #h3c2 #b ,corinthians #e3ba with ,galatians #c3ac and it will appear clearly to be the truth of ,god3 ,also1 that this ,son of ,god1 which is the true ,god1 as well as the ,son of ,mary1 did bear our sins in his own body on the tree 7#a ,peter #b3bd7 and did spill his own blood1 which is also the blood of ,god 7,acts #bj3bh71 that he died1 and was laid in ,joseph's sepulchre 7,john #ai3ch-db7 and rose again the third day 7,acts #aj3dj71 that very ,man 7,luke #bd3ci-de71 and ascended up into heaven in a cloud 7,acts #a3i-aa7 and there ever lives to make intercession for us1 that very man 7,heb #g3bd1be1 #h3c1 #aj3ab74 ,exam4 #h4 ,and in the last place1 ,if thou art a ,christian1 then thou lookest for that very ,jesus again1 whom the ,jews did crucify 7,john #ai71 whom ,god raised again1 as it is #a ,thessalonians #a3aj4 ,i say1 thou lookest1 thou waitest1 thou hasteneth after the coming of this ,lord ,jesus1 which doth deliver thee from the wrath to come 7#b ,peter #c3aj-ab2 ,heb #i3bf-bh2 #a ,thess #a3aj74 ,yea1 thou knowest1 that this very man shall so come in like manner1 as his disciples did see him go into heaven1 which was a very man 7,luke #bd3ci compared with vv #ej1ea of the same chapter74 ,yea1 in a cloud he went away from his disciples1 and in the clouds he shall come again 7,rev #a3g7 to judge all that are in their graves 7,john #e3bh1bi2 ,dan #ab3b7 and shall receive all that look for1 and love his second coming1 to himself 7,heb #i3bg1bh74 ,and they shall be for ever with him 7#a ,thess #d3af1ag74 ,but the wicked shall be cast into eternal damnation 7,matt #be3df74 ,these things1 ,i say1 if thou be a ,christian indeed1 thou believest1 and ownest1 and the faith of them doth purify thy heart 7#a ,john #c3c7 and wean thee from this world1 and the things thereof2 and if it is not from this principle2 that is1 if thy obedience do not flow from this faith1 which is the faith of ,god's elect1 as ,i have proved at large1 thy obedience1 thy zeal1 thy self-denial1 thy holiness1 righteousness2 yea1 all that thou canst do1 is but sin in the sight of the great ,god of heaven and earth 7,heb #aa3f2 ,rom #ad3bc74 ,for all true sanctification comes through the name of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 by the operation of the ,spirit of ,god 7#a ,cor #f3aa74 ',but ye are washed1 but ye are sanctified1 but ye are justified in the name of the ,lord ,jesus1 and by the ,spirit of our ,god4' ,and 7,cant #a3c71 ',thy name is as ointment poured forth1 therefore do the virgins love thee4' ,well then1 seeing this is a truth of so great concernment1 ,i beseech you1 seek to be thoroughly rooted into it by faith4 ,and that thou mayest so be1 examine thy heart2 yea1 beg of ,god to help thee to examine it1 and to throw out all that fancy that thou takest instead of faith2 also throw away all thine own wisdom2 yea1 thy own righteousness also1 and come to ,god in the name of the ,son of ,mary1 which is the ,son of ,god1 and beg faith of him1 true faith1 the faith of the operation of ,god2 such a faith as he gives to his own elect1 which will shew thee clearly of these things2 so that thou shalt not deceive thyself with a fancy of them2 and the advantages will be many4 ,advantage #a4 ,it will comfort thy heart against persecutions1 temptations1 and cross providences1 as also ,james saith to his persecuted brethren2 ',be patient my brethren1 saith he1 stablish your hearts1 for the coming of the ,lord draweth nigh' 7,john #e3h74 ,advantage #b4 ,it will through grace1 wean thy heart and affections abundantly from this world1 and the things therein4 ',who is he that overcometh the world1 saith ,john but he that believeth that ,jesus is the ,son of ,god8' 7#a ,john #e3e74 ,who is he also that purifies his heart1 but he that looketh for the second coming of ,christ from heaven to judge the world8 as in #a ,john #c3c compared with #b ,peter #c3aj1 #aa4 ,advantage #c4 ,hereby thou wilt be able to judge of all doctrines whatsoever1 though they come never so nigh the truth1 yet if they be not indeed the very truth1 thou wilt find them and their doctrine liars 7,rev #b3b2 #a ,cor #b3ae74 ,advantage #d4 ,if thou beest thoroughly set down in this doctrine1 even in the faith of this doctrine which ,i have held forth unto thee1 thou wilt not be taken with any other doctrine whatsoever4 ,what is the reason ,i pray you1 that there are so many giddy-headed professors in these days1 that do stagger to and fro like a company of drunkards1 but this1 ,they were never sealed in the doctrine of the ,father1 and the ,son8 ,they were never enabled to believe that that child that was born of the virgin ,mary1 was the mighty ,god 7,isa #i3f74 ,no1 saith ,christ1 he that is built upon this rock1 7meaning the faith of himself1 which is to believe that the son of ,mary is the ,christ of ,god 7,matt #af3af77 the gates of hell shall not prevail against him 7v #ah74 ,advantage #e4 ,the faith of this doctrine1 will make thee labour in the work of ,god in the world4 ,oh1 it will liven thy heart in the work of the ,lord2 especially1 if thou livest in the faith of thy interest in ,christ1 it will make thee labour to be found watching when thy ,lord shall return from the wedding2 that when he doth come1 thou mayest open to him immediately 7,luke #ab3ce1cf74 ,now seeing the coming of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ is so nigh1 even at the doors1 what doth this speak to all sorts of people 7under heaven7 but this8 ,admonition #a4 ,first1 to see whether they have oil in their lamps or not2 that is1 to search and see1 whether the ,spirit of the ,man ,christ ,jesus be in them or no2 for he that hath not the ,spirit of ,christ in him1 is none of ,christ's 7,rom #h3i74 ,thou that hast not the ,spirit of ,christ in thee1 why1 at that day 7let thy profession be what it will7 he will say to thee1 ,depart1 ,i know you not 7,matt #be71 and if so1 then thy latter end will be worse than thy beginning1 as in #b ,peter #b3bj4 ,admonition #b4 ,then what will become of all the profane1 ignorant1 scoffers1 self-righteous1 proud1 bastard-professors in the world8 ,if the children of ,god shall 'scarcely be saved1 where shall the ungodly1 and the sinner appear8' 7#a ,peter #d3ah74 ,admonition #c4 ,then what will become of all those that creep into the society of ,god's people without a wedding garment on8 ,why1 it will be said unto them1 ,friends1 how came you hither8 ,take them1 and bind them hand and foot1 and cast them into utter darkness2 ',there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth' 7,matt #bb3aa-ac74 ,admonition #d4 ,then what will become of all those that mock at the second coming of the ,man ,christ1 as do the ,ranters1 ,quakers1 drunkards1 and the like8 ,why read their doom in ,matthew #bd3ej1 #ea1 ',the ,lord of that or these servants1 shall come in a day when they look not for him1 and in an hour that they are not aware of1 and shall cut them asunder1 and appoint them their portion with the hypocrites1' ,and 'there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth4' ,admonition #e4 ,then what doth this speak to the ,lord's own people8 ,surely this1 that they should be in a watchful posture 7,mark #ac3cg74 7#a47 ,watch therefore over your own hearts1 least they should be over-charged with surfeiting and drunkenness1 and the cares of this life1 and so that day come upon you unawares2 for as a snare shall it come upon all the dwellers upon the face of the earth1 as it is in ,luke #ca3cd-cf4 7#b47 ,watch over the devil's temptations4 ,oh1 have a care in the first place1 lest by any means1 as the serpent beguiled ,eve1 so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in ,christ3 ,and the rather1 because at this day he is very busy with his doctrines1 and his ministers2 trying all ways1 if by any means he might deceive you with fair speeches1 and enticing carriages2 what a fair shew in the flesh1 yet denying the ,lord1 and refusing to be justified by the blood of ,jesus the ,son of ,mary1 the ,son of ,god4 ,watch ,i say over the devil touching doctrines1 for he labours as much this way as any way1 for he knows that if he can but get you to lay a rotten foundation1 he is sure of you1 live as godly in your conceit as you will1 and therefore1 it is worth your observation1 in that #bdth of ,matthew when ,christ is speaking of the signs of his coming1 he breaks forth with a warning word to his disciples1 to beware of false teachers 7v #d74 ,the very first words that he answers to a question that his disciples put to him is this1 ',take heed that no man deceive you4' ,again 7v #aa71 ',and many false prophets shall rise1 and shall deceive many4' ,and 7v #bd7 he saith again1 ',for there shall come or arise1 false ,christs1 and false prophets1 and shall shew great signs and wonders2 insomuch that1 if it were possible1 they shall deceive the very elect4' 7#c47 ,take heed that he doth not deceive you in point of worship1 that he make you not slight any of the ordinances of ,god2 for if he do1 he will quickly make way for another temptation4 7#d47 ,take heed also that you have not your lamps to trim when the bridegroom comes2 if you have1 you may peradventure be ashamed and blush before him at his coming 7#a ,john #b3bh74 ,therefore content not yourselves with a profession of ,christ1 and no more1 for the devil may deceive1 yea1 doth deceive a professing people many times4 ,and if he will deceive a professing generation1 he must come in this manner3 ,under the name of ,christ4 ,with a fair shew in the flesh of outward holiness 7,gal #f3ab74 ,he must come 'with good words and fair speeches' 7,rom #af3ah74 ,now though he come to drunkards1 swearers1 whore mongers1 thieves1 liars1 murderers1 and covetous persons1 in his black colours2 yet if he will come to deceive a professing party1 he must appear like an angel of light 7#b ,cor #aa3ad74 ,and the reason why souls are deceived by him in these his appearances1 is1 because they are not able to distinguish betwixt the law and the gospel1 the convictions of conscience by the law only1 and convictions by the ,spirit1 but do 7though they profess the ,lord ,jesus7 give ear to every wind of doctrine1 and being unstable1 as ,peter saith1 do fall into the temptations of the devil1 in wresting the scriptures to their own destruction 7#b ,peter #c3af74 ,admonition #f4 ,in a word1 you that have not yet laid hold on the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 for eternal life1 lay hold upon him2 upon his righteousness1 blood1 resurrection1 ascension1 intercession1 and wait for his second coming to 'judge the world in righteousness' 7,acts #ag3ca74 ,and you that have laid hold1 ,i say to you1 lay faster hold on your ,lord ,jesus1 ',who hath ears to hear1 let him hear' 7,matt #ac3dc74 ,now1 that thou mayest the more clearly understand my faith in the doctrines of ,god's dear ,son1 ,i have thought good to hold forth again the doctrine of the former treatise by way of question and answer1 as followeth4 ,quest4 ,seeing there are many false ,christs gone out into the world1 according as was prophesied of in former times by the ,lord himself 7,matt #bd3e1bc74 ,and seeing 7if we be saved7 we must be saved by a ,christ2 for he that misses of him 7saith the scriptures7 cannot be saved1 because there is no way to come to the ,father but by him1 as it is written 7,john #ad3f2 ,acts #d3ab74 ,how therefore1 is the knowledge of the true ,christ to be attained unto1 that we may be saved by him8 ,ans4 ,indeed to know ,christ1 7,god's ,christ7 is as the scripture saith1 the one thing necessary 7,luke #aj3db71 without which all other things will avail nothing3 ,and therefore ,i shall according to the scriptures1 7#a47 ,tell you what ,god's ,christ is4 ,and1 7#b47 ,how the knowledge of him is attained unto4 ,and therefore1 ,god's ,christ is true ,god1 and true man4 ,that he is true ,god1 is manifest by that scripture1 in ,isaiah #i3f where it is said1 'unto us a child is born1 unto us a ,son is given3 and the government shall be upon his shoulder3 and his name shall be called ,wonderful1 ,counsellor1 the mighty ,god1 the everlasting ,father1 the ,prince of ,peace4' ,also #a ,john #e3bj4 ,and we are in him that is true1 7saith the apostle7 even in his ,son ,jesus ,christ4 ,this is the true ,god1 and eternal life4 ,see ,hebrews #a3h2 ,john #a3ab2 ,romans #i3e2 ,john #bj3bh4 ,that he is true man1 see again 7,isa #i3f7 where it is said1 ',unto us a child is born1 unto us a ,son is given'2 and compare it with ,matthew #a3ba where it is said1 ',and she shall bring forth a ,son1 and thou shalt call his name ,,jesus3 for he shall save his people from their sins1' see ,john #a3ad1 ',and the word was made flesh4' 7#a ,tim #c3af7 ',god was manifest in the flesh4' ,these two scriptures are expounded by ,hebrews #b3ad where it is said1 ',forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood1 he also himself likewise took part of the same'2 that is1 of flesh and blood1 see ,romans #h3c and compare it with ,luke #bd3ci where ,christ saith1 ',behold my hands and my feet1 that it is ,i myself3 handle me1 and see2 for a spirit hath not flesh and bones1 as ye see me have4' ,and he doth often call himself by the name of the ,son of man to signify that he is very man1 as well as very ,god 7,matt #bd1 #af3ac74 ,quest4 ,but why was he true ,god and true man8 ,ans4 ,he was true man1 because man had offended1 and justice required that man should suffer and make satisfaction1 and so it is written 7#a ,cor #ae3ba74 ',for since by man came death1 by man came also the resurrection of the dead4' ,and again1 ',all we like sheep have gone astray2--and the ,lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all4' ,and in #a ,peter #b3bd where that #ecrd of ,isaiah is mentioned1 he saith1 ',who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree1 that we1 being dead to sins1 should live unto righteousness2 by whose stripes ye were healed4' ,and again1 ,god did prepare this body1 the human nature of ,christ1 that it should be a sacrifice for sins1 'wherefore--he saith1 ,sacrifice and offering that is1 such as were offered by the law of ,moses thou wouldest not1 but a body hast thou prepared me' 7,heb #aj3e74 ,in the body which ,god had prepared for him1 which he took of the virgin 7,gal #d3d7 in this he did bear all the sins of all his elect 7#a ,peter #b3bd74 ,and he must needs be true ,god1 because1 it was an infinite ,god that was transgressed against1 and justice required an infinite satisfaction1 and therefore he must be infinite that must give this satisfaction1 or else justice could not be satisfied1 and so it was written1 where the apostle is telling the pastors of the church of ,ephesus1 by what they were redeemed1 he tells them1 that ,god did purchase them 'with his own blood' 7,acts #bj3bh74 ,see #a ,john #c3af where he saith1 ',hereby perceive we the love of ,god1 because he laid down his life for us4' ,not in his divine1 but in his human nature2 for as ,i said before1 ,god's ,christ was of both natures 7,rom #i3e2 #a ,john #e3bj2 ,john #a3a-ad74 ,true ,god1 and true man1 and the divine nature did enable him to undergo in his human nature1 all that sin1 curse1 and wrath that was laid upon him for us2 and to overcome1 and obtain eternal redemption for us 7,heb #i3bd74 ,quest4 ,how did this ,christ bring in redemption for man8 ,ans4 7#a47 ,why first1 man broke the law of ,god2 but this man did fulfil it again1 and became the end of it 'for righteousness to every one that believeth' 7,rom #aj3d74 7#b47 ,man was foiled and overcome by the devil2 but this ,man ,christ did overcome him again1 and that for us 7,luke #d2 ,heb #b3ad1ae74 7#c47 ,man did lose the glory of ,god1 but this ,man hath obtained it again4 7#d47 ,man by sin lost eternal salvation2 but this ,man by his own blood hath obtained it again for him 7,heb #i3ab74 7#e47 ,man by sin brought death into the world 7,rom #e3ab74 ,but ,jesus ,christ1 that ,man1 hath destroyed it again 7,heb #b3ad compared with ,hosea #ac3ad7 and brought in life and immortality 7#b ,tim #a3aj2 ,rom #e3ae74 ,quest4 ,but how are we justified by this man's obedience8 ,ans4 ,all our iniquities were laid upon him 7,isa #ec3f1h1aa1ab74 ,and his righteousness is bestowed on us1 if we believe1 as it is written1 ',even the righteousness of ,god which is by faith of ,jesus ,christ unto all and upon all them that believe' 7,rom #c3bb74 ,and this is it which ,paul so much sought after1 when he saith1 ',yea doubtless1 and ,i count all things but loss1--and do count them but dung1 that ,i may win ,christ1 and be found in him1 not having mine own righteousness1 which is of the law1 but that which is through the faith of ,christ1 the righteousness which is of ,god by faith' 7,phil #c3h1i74 ,quest4 ,how do men come by this righteousness and everlasting life8 ,ans4 ,by faith men lay hold upon it1 and apply it to their own souls in particular 7,gal #b3bj74 ,for it is by faith they are justified1 as also saith the scripture 7,rom #e3a74 ,that his faith lays hold on and applies1 that which this ,christ of ,god hath done1 and is a doing1 and owns it as his own4 ,quest4 ,what is this faith that doth justify the sinner8 ,ans4 ,it is a gift 7,eph #b3h71 fruit 7,gal #e3bb7 or work1 of the ,spirit of ,god1 whereby a soul is enabled1 under a sight of its sins1 and wretched estate1 to lay hold on the birth1 righteousness1 blood1 death1 resurrection1 ascension and intercession of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ 7#a ,thess #b3g71 and by the assistance of the ,spirit1 whereby it is wrought1 to apply all the virtue1 life and merit of what hath been done and suffered1 or is a doing by the same ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 to its own self in particular 7,gal #b3bj2 ,rom #g3bd1be71 as if itself had really done all that the ,lord ,jesus ,christ hath done3 ,i do not say that the soul doth any thing for justification1 but it doth know1 that whatsoever ,jesus ,christ hath done in point of justification1 is given to1 and bestowed upon it 7,rom #c3bb7 and ,god finding the soul in him1 that is in ,christ1 doth 'justify it from all things1 from which it could not be justified by the law of ,moses' 7,acts #ac3ci74 ,quest4 ,well1 but is there no way to come to the ,father of mercies but by this man that was born of the virgin8 ,is there no way to come to ,god but by the faith of him8 ,ans4 ,no1 'there is none other name under heaven given among men1 whereby we must be saved' 7,acts #d3ab74 ,and ,jesus himself1 that was born of the virgin ,mary1 said1 ',i am the way1 and the truth1 and the life3 no man cometh unto the ,father1 but by me' 7,john #ad3f74 ,quest4 ,and where is this man1 that was born of the virgin1 that we may come to the ,father by him8 ,ans4 ,he ascended away from his disciples in a cloud1 into heaven1 as we may read 7,acts #a3i-aa74 ,quest4 ,what doth he there8 ,ans4 ,he ever lives to make intercession for all that come unto ,god by him 7,heb #g3be74 ,that is1 they shall come out of themselves to him1 and venture their souls on what he did and suffered when he was on earth1 and is doing now in heaven2 shall certainly be saved3 ,for he ever lives to save them1 that do thus come to the ,father by him4 ,and it is1 because he spilt his blood for all that shall by the faith of ,god's elect lay hold upon him4 ,and thus it is written where he saith1 ',being justified freely by his grace1 through the redemption that is in ,christ ,jesus1 ,mark this whom ,god hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood1 to declare his righteousness1 that is1 to declare ,god's righteousness for the remission of sins that are past1 through the forbearance of ,god2 to declare1 ,i say1 at this time his righteousness3 that he might be just1 and the justifier of him which believeth or layeth hold in ,jesus' 7,rom #c3bd-bf74 ,quest4 ,but did this man rise again from the dead1 that very man1 with that very body wherewith he was crucified8 for you do seem1 as ,i conceive1 to hold forth so much by these your expressions4 ,ans4 ,why do you doubt of it8 ,quest4 ,do you believe it8 ,ans4 ,yes1 by the grace of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 for he hath enabled me so to do4 ,quest4 ,and can you prove it by the scripture8 ,ans4 ,yes4 ,quest4 ,how8 ,ans4 ,first1 ,from that scripture in ,luke #bd3ci1 #dj where ,christ himself after he was crucified appeared to his disciples1 7who having seen him7 supposed they had seen a spirit4 ,but he said1 ,why are ye troubled1 and why do thoughts arise in your hearts8 ,behold my hands and my feet1 that it is ,i myself1 and do not think you see a spirit2 handle me1 and see1 for a spirit hath not flesh and bones1 as you see me have4 ,this he spake after he was crucified 7,luke #bc3cc7 and buried 7v #ec7 and rose again from the dead 7#bd3f1g71 many other scriptures could ,i give for the proof hereof1 as ,acts #aj3dj1 #da4 ,and ,acts #ac3cj1 #ca2 #a ,thessalonians #a3aj4 ,only read ,acts #b3bi-cb where the apostle proveth the same1 bringing in the words of the prophet ,david for a testimony thereof1 saying1 ,he 'being a prophet1 and knowing that ,god had sworn with an oath to him1 that of the fruit of his loins1 according to the flesh1 he would raise up ,christ to sit on his throne2 saith he seeing this before1 spake of the resurrection of ,christ1 that his soul was not left in hell1 neither his flesh did see corruption4' ,mark it1 his flesh did see no corruption 7v #ca74 ,but if he had not risen again1 his flesh had seen corruption4 ,but he rose again from the dead1 that very man1 that very body2 for his flesh did see no corruption4 ,quest4 ,why did he rise again from the dead1 with that very body8 ,ans4 7#a47 ,because it was not possible he should be holden of death4 7#b47 ,because in his human nature he suffered for sin2 and if he had not recovered himself from that very curse1 even from under death1 and all other things that lay on him1 which he had through the sins of his children subjected himself unto1 he had not overcome sin1 hell1 death1 the law1 and the devil 7,acts #b3bd73 but had been overcome by them2 and if so1 then had not redemption been obtained for sinners2 for it was at his resurrection from the dead1 that ,god said unto him1 ',thou art my ,son1 this day have ,i begotten thee'3 7,as saith the ,apostle7 ',and we declare unto you glad tidings1 how that the promise which was made unto the fathers1 ,god hath fulfilled the same unto us their children1 in that he hath raised up ,jesus again'2 as it is also written in the second psalm1 ',thou art my ,son1 this day have ,i begotten thee' 7,acts #ac3cj-cf74 ,and it is this1 namely1 the resurrection of that ,man from the dead1 that doth give us ground of hope2 as in #a ,peter #a3c where he saith1 ,he 'hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of ,jesus ,christ from the dead4' 7#c47 ,because ,god intends to redeem the bodies of his saints out of their graves in which they have lain many a year 7,john #e3bh1bi2 ,rom #h3bc2 #a ,cor #ae3eb7 and to possess them with his own glory2 and when this comes to pass1 then shall that scripture be fulfilled1 that saith1 ,he 'shall change our vile body1 that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body1 according to the working of his mighty power whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself' 7,phil #b3ba74 ,and he hath given us assurance thereof1 in that he hath raised up ,jesus our ,lord again from the dead 7,acts #ag3ca74 ,quest4 ,but do you think1 that these our bodies that we do carry about with us in this world1 after that they are dead and buried1 and rotten1 shall rise again out of those graves into which they are laid2 when the scripture saith1 flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of ,god8 7#a ,cor #ae3ej74 ,ans4 ,flesh in scripture is taken more ways than one3 ,as1 ,it is taken for the works of the law2 where the ,apostle saith1 ',received ye the ,spirit by the works of the law1 or by the hearing of faith8 ,are ye so foolish8 having begun in the ,spirit1 are ye now made perfect by the flesh8' 7,gal #c3b1c74 ,by flesh here1 he means the law2 as is clear1 if you compare it with verses #aj-ab4 ,again1 sometimes flesh is taken for sins 7,rom #h3a1e74 ,and sometimes it is taken for the bodies of the saints1 as subject to distempers1 to pain1 sickness1 corruptions1 to death2 by reason of sin 7#b ,cor #d3aa1 #g3e74 ,now the ,apostle in that place1 where he saith1 ',flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven1 or of ,god1' his meaning is1 sinful flesh and blood1 or the sin1 with any imperfection that is in the bodies of the saints1 shall not inherit the kingdom2 and that you shall find to be the mind of the ,holy ,ghost1 if you read with understanding the latter end of the same verse1 where he saith1 ',neither doth corruption inherit incorruption4' ,that is1 sin1 or any imperfection of the body1 shall not inherit eternal life2 for1 saith he1 in verse #ec1 ',this corruptible must put on incorruption1 and this mortal must put on immortality4' ,mark here1 ,i pray you1 though he saith1 ',flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of ,god'2 yet he saith1 ',this corruptible must put on incorruption4' ,for the trump shall blow1 and the dead shall be raised 7as ,christ saith7 ',they that are in the graves shall hear his voice' 7,john #e3bh74 ,and shall come forth of their grave incorruptible 7#a ,cor #ae3eb74 ,and shall 'all appear before the judgment seat of ,christ' 7#b ,cor #e3aj2 ,rev #b3ab1ac74 ,see also that scripture 7,phil #c3bj1ba7 where the ,apostle saith1 ,he waited for ,christ the ,saviour from heaven4 ,and what shall he do when he comes8 why1 ,he 'shall change our vile body4' ,mark it1 it must be our vile body that must be changed4 ,but if it be changed1 then how can it be the same8 not the same in respect of sin1 or bodily infirmities1 but the very same in respect of substance3 ,for1 saith he1 ,it is our vile body that must be changed2 and it is the very same1 ,it shall be 'fashioned like unto his glorious body4' ,and if you ask1 ,how is it possible that this should be done8 ,he answers1 ',according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself4' ,quest4 ,but do you think this is certain8 methinks the scriptures seemingly hold forth so much1 yet ,i cannot believe it1 for it is contrary to all reason4 ,ans4 ,truly the scriptures do not only hold forth so much seemingly1 but they do most really1 and plainly1 hold out these things to all those that have received the ,spirit of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,for it is it1 and it alone1 that can reveal these things4 ',for the things of ,god knoweth no man1 but the ,spirit of ,god' 7#a ,cor #b3aa74 ,now if thou wouldest know these things1 thou must first receive the ,spirit of the ,son of ,god1 without which1 thou canst not know so much as one of the fundamental truths of the gospel of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,quest4 ,but there are those in our days1 who reject this doctrine that you lay down1 concerning the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 as you lay it down1 and they are for a ,christ within1 for a cross within1 for a resurrection1 and intercession within2 and they do not hold as you do1 a ,christ without1 and a resurrection of ,christ without2 and intercession of ,christ without2 ,ay1 and they have very much scripture for that which they say too3 ,and therefore what shall such as we do1 that stand tottering and shaking in these distracted and dangerous times8 ,for our poor souls are in very much doubt what way to take4 ,ans4 ,therefore ,i will speak a few words to you by way of discovery of the falsity of such opinions2 and a word of direction1 how you should understand the truth4 ,therefore1 he that cries up a ,christ within1 in opposition to a ,christ without1 that man instead of having the ,spirit of ,christ in him1 is possessed with a spirit of delusion2 for where the ,spirit of ,christ is in truth1 that ,spirit causeth the soul to look to the ,christ that was born of the ,virgin1 for all justification2 as it is written1 ',howbeit when he1 the ,spirit of truth1 is come1 he will guide you into all truth3 for he shall not speak of himself2 but whatsoever he shall hear1 that shall he speak3 and he will shew you things to come1' mark the next verse1 ',he saith the ,son of the ,virgin shall receive of mine1 and shall shew it unto you' 7,john #af3ac1ad74 ,he shall take of mine2 ,what is that8 ,why surely it is1 he shall take of my ,godhead1 my humanity1 my birth1 my righteousness1 my blood1 my death1 my resurrection1 my ascension and intercession1 my kingly1 priestly1 and prophetical offices1 and shall shew you the life1 merit1 and value of them4 ,and this was it which was revealed to ,paul by the ,holy ,spirit1 here spoken of 7#a ,cor #ae3a-h74 ',moreover brethren1 saith he ,i declare unto you the gospel which ,i preached unto you1 which also ye have received1 and wherein ye stand2 ,by which also ye are saved1 if ye keep in memory what ,i preached unto you1 unless ye have believed in vain4' ,but what is this doctrine8 why1 ',i delivered unto you first of all that which ,i also received4' ,what was that8 ,why1 ',how that ,christ died for our sins according to the scriptures2 ,and that he was buried1 and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures3 there is his death and resurrection preached4 ,and that he was seen of ,cephas1 then of the twelve2 after that1 he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once2 of whom the greater part remain unto this present1 but some are fallen asleep4 ,after that1 he was seen of ,james2 then of all the ,apostles4 ,and last of all he was seen of me also1 saith ,paul as of one born out of due time4' ,this is it1 ,i say1 that the ,spirit of ,truth doth hold forth to poor sinners1 a ,christ crucified without the gates of ,jerusalem 7,luke #bc3cc71 buried in ,joseph's sepulchre 7#ec71 risen again the third day 7,luke #bd3f7 ascended away from his disciples in a cloud into heaven1 as in ,acts #a3i-aa4 ,and there ever liveth1 that very man1 with that very body1 to make intercession for all that receive him 7,heb #g3bd1be74 ,this is1 ,i say1 the doctrine of the ,spirit of truth1 whatsoever is the spirit of error4 ,quest4 ,but do not the scriptures make mention of a ,christ within8 7#b ,cor #ac3e2 ,col #a3bg74 ,ans4 ,yes1 ,and he that hath not the ,spirit of ,christ1 is none of his 7,rom #h3i74 ,but he that hath it1 is led out of himself by it2 and as ,i said before1 it shews the soul1 what the blessed ,son of the ,virgin ,mary hath done and suffered1 and is a doing for it4 ,therefore hereby know we the ,spirit of truth from the spirit of error 7#b ,john #g74 ',every spirit that doth confess that ,jesus ,christ is come in the flesh1 is of ,god' 7#a ,john #d3b74 ,that is1 that spirit that doth confess1 that ,jesus ,christ took flesh upon him and in that flesh did bear our sins 7#a ,peter #b3bd2 ,col #a3bj-bb2 #a ,peter #c3ah1 #d3a74 ,and after he was taken down from the cross1 and laid in a sepulchre1 rose again from the dead2 that very ,man with that very body1 wherewith he was crucified3 ,that spirit that doth believe and confess this1 is of ,god1 and is the blessed ,spirit of ,christ1 whereof he spake1 when he was yet with his disciples touching his bodily presence3 ,for 'he saith the ,son of ,mary shall glorify me1 for he shall receive of mine and shew it unto you' 7,john #af3ac1ad74 ,i have answered this already in my epistle to the first treatise4 ,therefore believe not every spirit1 but try the spirits whether they be of ,god1 for many false spirits and prophets are gone out into the world1 therefore have a care how thou receivest the voice that speaks to thee1 but try whether they are according to the truth of ,god's word as it is written1 ',to the law and to the testimony3 if they speak not according to this word1 it is because there is no light in them' 7,isa #h3bj74 7#a47 ,therefore try a little1 ,do they slight ,god's ,christ1 which is the ,son of the ,virgin8 that spirit is of the devil 7#a ,cor #ab3c74 7#b47 ,do they say that that blood of his which was shed without the gates of ,jerusalem1 doth not wash away sin1 yea1 all sin from him that believes8 ,that is a spirit of antichrist 7#a ,john #a3g74 7#c47 ,do they say1 that that ,man that was crucified without the gates of ,jerusalem1 is not risen again 7with that very body wherewith he was crucified7 out of the sepulchre8 7,luke #bd3ch1ci74 ,that is a spirit of antichrist4 7#d47 ,do they say that that very ,man that was crucified with that very body1 is not now in the presence of his ,father1 absent from his people touching his bodily presence1 though present in ,spirit8 ,i say whoever they be1 that say he is not there1 they are of the devil3 for the proof of this see ,acts #e3cj and #ca and compare it with ,hebrews #g3bd1 #be4 ',the ,god of our fathers saith the ,apostle raised up ,jesus4' ,but what ,jesus8 'he whom ye slew1' saith he to the ,jews4 ',him the very same whom ye slew hath ,god exalted with his right hand to be a ,prince and a ,saviour1 for to give repentance to ,israel1 and forgiveness of sins4' ,and indeed1 here is my ,,life1 namely1 the birth of this ,man1 the righteousness of this ,man1 the blood of this ,man1 the death and resurrection of this ,man1 the ascension and intercession of this ,man for me2 and the second coming of this ,man to judge the world in righteousness 7,acts #ag3ca74 ,i say1 here is my ,,life1 if ,i see this by faith without me1 through the operation of the ,spirit within me3 ,i am safe1 ,i am at peace1 ,i am comforted1 ,i am encouraged1 and ,i know that my comfort1 peace1 and encouragement is true1 and given me from heaven1 by the ,father of mercies1 through the ,son of the ,virgin ,mary 7,matt #a3ba7 who is the way to the ,father of mercies 7,john #ad3f71 who is able to save to the uttermost1 all that come to the ,father by him 7,heb #g3be74 ,because he1 that very ,man1 with that very body wherewith he was crucified1 is ascended into heaven 7,acts #a3i-aa71 and there ever lives to make intercession for them that come to ,god by him4 ,this is the rock1 sinner1 upon which1 if thou be built1 the gates of hell1 nor ,ranter1 ,quaker1 sin1 law1 death1 no nor the devil himself1 shall ever be able to prevail against thee 7,matt #af3af-ah74 ,and here ,i leave thee to the wisdom of the great ,god1 who if he hath chosen thee in his ,son1 and brought thee to him2 and hath made thee by faith to lay hold on him1 thou needest not fear the devil with his siftings1 snares1 wiles1 and fiery darts1 wherewith he doth destroy thousands2 but mayest with the ,apostle 7if thou live in the power and life of the love of ,god towards thee7 cry out1 ',i am persuaded1 that neither death1 nor life1 nor angels1 nor principalities1 nor powers1 nor things present1 nor things to come1 nor height1 nor depth1 nor any other creature1 shall be able to separate us from the love of ,god which is in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord' 7,rom #h3ch1ci74 ,and now reader1 if thou be a true ,christian1 ,i am sure that these be the things that appear to be the glorious substantial truths to thy soul1 and thou doest not care for that comfort that doth not make this ,man1 the ,son of the ,virgin1 precious to thy soul 7#a ,peter #b3g7 for thou knowest1 that it is he1 that hath delivered thee from the wrath to come 7#a ,thess #a3aj74 ,but as for you that are disobedient1 except you mend your manners1 you will stumble 'and fall backward1 and be broken1 and snared1 and taken' 7,isa #bh3ac7 and wonder and perish because you believe not 7,acts #ac3da74 ,a few words more1 and so ,i shall have done1 and they are words of counsel to thee4 ,have a care thou receive not every ,christ that is proffered to thee1 though it may appear very excellent to thy foolish heart3 for under the name ,christ1 are men deceived1 as it is written1 'many shall come in my name1 saying1 ,i am ,christ2 and shall deceive many' 7,matt #bd3e74 ,but have a care that thou receive that ,christ1 that was born without thee1 fulfilled the law in his human nature without thee2 spilt his blood without thee1 is risen again and ascended without thee1 and maketh intercession without thee3 ,and that he that very ,man that was born of the virgin1 will come again in the clouds without thee2 and this truth must thou receive by that ,spirit that he hath promised to send and give to them that ask him3 ,and that shall dwell in thy heart1 and shall shew thee what the ,son of ,mary the virgin1 the ,son of man1 the ,son of ,god1 the true ,god hath in his body done for thy soul 7,john #af3ac1ad74 ,and if thou receive him in truth1 then though thou do not boast1 nor brag of thy holiness1 as those painted hypocrites called ,quakers do3 yet thou wilt do more work for ,god in one hour1 than they1 even all of them1 can do in all their lifetime4 ,take my counsel1 and the ,lord ,jesus ,christ have mercy upon thy soul and body4 ,farewell4 ,,some ,,questions ,,to ,,the ,,quakers1 ,,or ,a ,,few ,,queries ,,to ,,those ,,who ,,are ,,possessed ,,with ,a ,,spirit ,,of ,,delusion ,,in ,,this ,,generation4 ',be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you1' 7#a ,peter #c3ae74 ,and ,i beseech you do it in sincerity4 #a4 ,if thou sayest that every one hath a measure of the ,spirit of ,jesus ,christ within him1 why say the scriptures that some are 'sensual having not the ,spirit' 7,jude #ai74 ,and when ,christ tells his disciples of sending them the ,spirit1 he also saith1 ,the world cannot receive it 7,john #ad3ag74 #b4 ,what is the church of ,god redeemed by1 from the curse of the law8 ,is it by something that is done within them1 or by something done without them8 ,if thou answer1 it is redeemed from the curse of the law by something that worketh in them2 then ,i ask1 why did the ,man ,christ ,jesus hang upon the cross on ,mount ,calvary1 without the gates of ,jerusalem1 for the sins of the people8 7,gal #c3c2 #a ,peter #b3bd74 ,and why do the scriptures say1 that through this ,man1 is preached to us the forgiveness of sins 7,acts #ac3ch74 ,that is1 through his blood 7,eph #a3g2 ,col #a3bj7 which was shed without the gates of ,jerusalem 7,heb #ac3ab74 #c4 ,what scripture have you to prove1 that ,christ is1 or was crucified within you1 dead within you1 risen within you1 and ascended within you8 #d4 ,is that very ,man that was crucified on ,mount ,calvary between two thieves1 whose name is ,jesus1 the ,son of ,mary1 ,i say1 is he the very ,christ of ,god1 yea1 or no8 #e4 ,is that very ,man1 with that very body1 within you1 yea1 or no8 #f4 ,was that ,jesus1 that was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 a real ,man of flesh and bones1 after his resurrection from the dead1 out of ,joseph's sepulchre1 yea1 or no8 ,for the scripture saith he was1 as in ,luke #bd3ci4 ,if so1 then did that ,man that said handle me and see1 for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have2 ,i say1 did that ,man go away from his disciples 7and not into them1 in his body7 as these scriptures declare 7,luke #bd3ci1dj compared with #ej1ea1 also ,acts #a3i-aa7 or did he with that body of flesh go into his disciples1 as some fond dreamers think8 #g4 ,hath that ,christ that was with ,god the ,father before the world was1 no other body but his church8 ,if you say no1 as it is your wonted course2 then again ,i ask you1 what that was in which he did bear the sins of his children8 ,if you answer1 ,it was 'in his own body on the tree1' for so saith the scripture 7#a ,peter #b3bd74 ,then ,i ask you further1 whether that body in which he did bear our sins1 7which is also called his own body7 was1 or is1 the church of ,god1 yea1 or no8 ,again if you say he hath no body but the church1 the saints1 ,then ,i ask1 what that was that was taken down from the cross1 and laid into ,joseph's sepulchre 7,luke #bc3ec74 ,now ,i know1 that as ,christ is the head of his church1 so the church is the body of the head1 which is ,christ4 ,but as ,christ is the mediator between ,god and man1 ,i say1 as he is mediator1 so he is a man 7#a ,tim #b3e7 and absent from his saints in the world1 as is clear 7#b ,cor #e3f74 ,therefore as he is a mediator1 and a ,man1 so he hath a body that is absent from his church1 which body is ascended from his disciples1 above the clouds into heaven 7,luke #bd3ea2 ,acts #a3i-aa74 ,if you say no1 then ,i ask you1 ,did he leave the body behind him1 which was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 which walked up and down with his disciples in the world1 was afterwards hanged upon the cross 7,luke #bc3bf1cc1ec71 buried1 rose again from the dead 7,matt #bd3c1f1ae1da1da1ci1ej7 with which body he did eat1 drink1 and likewise walk with his disciples after his resurrection from the dead 7,acts #aj3da71 and did bid his disciples see if he were not flesh and bones1 yea1 or no8 ,,john ,,bunyan ,,footnotes3 #a4 ,bunyan quotes this passage from the ,genevan or ,puritan version4--,ed4 #b4 ',overly1' carelessly1 negligently1 inattentively4--,ed4 #c4 ',close1' secret1 not disclosed4--,ed4 999999 ,a ,,vindication of ,,gospel ,,truths ,,opened1 ,,according ,,to ,,the ,,scriptures2 ,,and ,,the ,,opposition ,,made ,,against ,,it ,,by ,,edward ,,borrough1 ,a ,,professed ,,quaker1 ,,but ,,proved ,,an ,,enemy ,,to ,,the ,,truth1 ,,examined ,,and ,,confuted ,,by ,,the ,,word ,,of ,,god1 ,,and ,,also1 ,the ,things that were then laid down1 and declare to the ,world by me1 are a second ,time borne witness to1 according to truth3 ,with the ,answer of ,edward ,borrough to the ,queries then laid down in my ,book reproved4 ,and also1 a plain answer to his ,queries1 given in ,simplicity of ,soul2 and is now also presented to the ,world1 or who else may read1 or hear them2 to the end 7if ,god will 7 that ,truth may be discovered thereby4 ,i have found ,david444a man after mine own heart1 7saith ,god1 ,acts #ac3bb7 ,of his man's seed hath ,god according to his promise raised unto ,israel a ,saviour1 ,jesus3 7saith the ,apostle verse #bc74 ,and when they had fulfilled all that was written of him1 they took him down from the tree1 and laid him in a sepulchre3 7verse #bi74 ,but ,god raised him from the dead3 7verse #cj74 ,and we declare unto you glad tidings how that the ,promise which was made unto the fathers1 ,god hath fulfilled the same unto us their children1 in that he hath raised up ,jesus again2 7verse #cb1 #cc74 ,be it known unto you therefore1 men and brethren1 that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins3 7verse #ch74 ,and by him all that believe are justified from all things1 from which ye could not be justified by the law of ,moses4 7verse #ci74 ,,to ,,the ,,reader4 ,since it hath please the ,lord to work in my soul by his holy ,spirit1 and hath translated me in some measure from darkness to light1 ,i have seen and heard1 that such things have been done by those who did once pretend themselves to be the servants of ,jesus ,christ1 that it hath made me marvel3 ,partly1 while ,i have beheld the vile conversation of some1 and also the seeming legal holiness of others1 together with their damnable doctrine2 which have1 notwithstanding their professions1 made shipwreck of the faith1 both to themselves1 and their followers4 ,i having had some in-sight into such things as these1 was provoked to publish a small treatise touching the fundamentals of religion1 supposing that ,god might add his blessing thereto1 both for the establishing of some1 and the convincing of others2 which things ,i doubt not but they have been accomplished2 and will be still more and more4 ,but1 as it was in former days1 so it is now3 ,that is1 some in all former ages have been on foot in the world1 ready to oppose the truth3 ,so it is now1 there are certain men newly started up in our days1 called ,quakers1 who have set themselves against the truth of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and do in very deed deny1 that salvation was then obtained by him1 when he did hang on the cross without ,jerusalem's gate4 ,now these men do pretend1 that they do verily and truly profess the ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 but when it comes to the trial1 and their principles be thoroughly weighed1 the best that they do1 is to take one truth1 and corrupt it1 that they may thereby fight more stoutly against another4 ,as for instance3 ,,first1 ,they will own that salvation was obtained by ,christ1 this is truth1 that salvation was obtained by ,christ2 ,but come close to the thing1 and you will find1 that they corrupt the word1 and only mean thus much1 ,that salvation is wrought out by ,christ as he is within2 and by it 7though not warranted by the scripture7 they will fight against the truth3 ,namely1 that salvation was obtained for sinners1 by the man that did hang on the cross on ,mount ,calvary1 between two thieves1 called ,jesus ,christ4 ,i say1 by what he did then for sinners in his own person or body1 which he took from the ,virgin ,mary1 according to the word of ,god4 ,,second1 ,they will own the doctrine of ,christ within4 ,this is truth1 that ,christ is within his saints3 ,but this doctrine they will take to fight against the doctrine of ,christ without1 ascended from his disciples into heaven1 by whom salvation was obtained1 neither is there salvation in any other 7,acts #d3ab74 ,,third1 ,they will won the resurrection of the saints1 but their meaning is only thus much1 ,that the saints are raised from the state of nature to a state of grace1 and herewith they will fight against this truth2 namely1 the resurrection of the bodies of saints out of their graves1 into which they were laid1 some thousands1 some hundreds of years before4 ,and if they do say1 they do own the resurrection of the saints out of their graves1 they so mean out of the grave of sin only1 and nothing else4 ,,fourth1 ,they will say1 they do own the second coming of ,christ to judge the world2 but search them to the bottom1 and you will find them only to own him in his coming in spirit1 within1 in opposition to the glorious coming of the ,lord ,jesus1 the ,son of ,mary1 from heaven in the clouds1 with all his mighty angels1 to raise the dead1 and bring them to judgment1 according to the scripture4 ,and so for the intercession of ,christ1 and the truths of the gospel1 they only own them to be within2 in opposition to the glorious intercession1 and mediation of the man ,christ ,jesus in his own person without1 now in the presence of his ,father1 between us and him1 pleading and making intercession for his children4 ,these things1 together with many more1 ,i might mention1 but now ,i forbear1 knowing the none shall be lost1 nor altogether carried away by them1 nor any heretics1 but the sons of perdition4 ,now that they might the better make their doctrine take place in the hearers1 they endeavour to make a fair shew in the flesh1 that thereby they now1 as did their fathers in time past1 compel and constrain them who are not by the ,lord's right hand planted into the truth of ,jesus1 to follow their covered errors1 as it is written 7,gal #f3ab74 ,as many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh1 ,that is1 according to works of the law2 do by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple 7,rom #af3ah74 ,and indeed it doth clearly appear1 that those that are carried away1 are such as are not able to discern between fair speeches declared by heretics1 and sound doctrine declared by the simple-hearted servants of ,jesus4 ,first1 ,now ,i shall lay down several grounds1 not only why errors are broached in the world2 but also1 why so many are carried away with them4 #a4 ,one ground1 why so many errors do from time to time come into the world1 is because those that are not indeed of the planting of the ,lord's right hand1 might be rooted out 7,matt #ae3ac74 ,now these are many times carried away by deceivable doctrines3 ,and truly in this our ,god hath both a care of his own glory1 and of his church's welfare4 ,for first1 should they not be swept away by some heresy or other1 there might be great dishonour brought to his name by their continuing among his people3 ,and secondly1 that he might take away such grievances as such may bring1 had they continued still in the society of his children4 #b4 ,another ground why the ,lord doth suffer such errors to come into the world is1 because1 those that are ,christians indeed might be approved and appear 7#a;,cor #aa3ai74 ,for there must be also heresies among you1 that they which are approved may be made manifest4 ,should not the ,lord go this way to work 7sometimes7 there would be many that would make people believe that they are ,christians1 and yet are not4 ,and again1 that he might make it appear1 that though there be heretics1 yet he hath a people1 enabled by his ,spirit1 to contradict1 and oppose them1 and plead to the truth of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and his glorious gospel against them4 #c4 ,another ground why the ,lord doth suffer1 yea1 even send delusions among the people1 is1 ,that those who were so idle and slothful1 as not to seek after the ,lord ,jesus ,christ in sincerity1 might be taken away1 and violently possessed with error1 and be made to run greedily after the same2 that they might smart the more for their neglect of the truth4 ,for always1 those who were lazy in seeking after the truth when it was proffered1 and afterward hasty after the doctrine of devils1 when that is declared to them1 shall be sure to have their latter behavior to rise up in judgment against them1 in that when the truth was proffered to them they were idle and did not receive it1 and yet when delusion did proffer itself1 they were industrious1 and labouring4 ,now mark1 that they all might be damned who believed not the truth1 but had pleasure in unrighteousness2 because they received not the truth in the love of it1 that they might be saved4 ,and for this cause ,god shall send them strong delusions1 that they might believe a lie1 and be dammed 7#b,thess #b3aj-ab74 ,second1 ,now in the second place1 why so many are so easily carried away with errors in this day3 the grounds are these ,that follow4 #a4 ,because men count it enough to be professors of the truth1 without seeking to be possessors of the same4 ,now because men are but only professors of the truth1 not having it in their hearts in reality1 they are carried away with an error1 if it come in never so little power1 more that the truth they profess4 ,and this is the reason why so many are carried away with the errors that are broached in these days1 because they have not indeed received the ,lord ,jesus by the revelation of the ,spirit1 and with power1 but by the relation of others only2 and so having no other witness to set them down withal1 but the history of the word1 and the relation of others concerning the truth contained therein1 7though the knowledge of the truth this way shall abundantly aggravate their damnation7 yet they having not had the ,spirit of the ,lord to confirm these things effectually unto them1 they are carried away with delusions4 #b4 ,another reason why so many are carried away with delusions1 is1 those differences that are among the children of ,god about smaller matter4 ,o ,friends6 how is the hand of the enemy strengthened by our carnality1 while one saith1 ,i am of ,paul2 and another1 ,i am of ,apollos2 many a poor soul is carried away with delusion4 ,and why so8 ,they are not satisfied that this is the truth1 because the children are at difference among themselves1 about some outward things4 ,and again1 it makes those that are not so desperately possessed with a spirit of delusion1 as are others1 but are mere moral men3 ,i say it makes them to say within themselves1 and one to another2 ,there are so many sects and judgments in the world1 that we cannot tell which way to take4 ,and therefore you that have the ,spirit1 pray that these things may cease1 least you blush for your folly1 at the appearing of ,jesus our ,lord4 #c4 ,the pride1 covetousness1 and impiety of hypocrites1 and carnal professors1 are great stumbling-blocks to the poor world2 and the cause why many at this day do drink down so greedily a deluding doctrine1 and especially if it come with a garment of pretended holiness4 ,but as for these1 they shall go to their place in their time1 with the curse of the ,almighty poured out upon them1 for their casting of stumbling-blocks before the simple by their loose conversation1 if they do not hastily repent of their wickedness1 and close in reality with our blessed ,lord ,jesus4 #d4 ,another reason why delusions do so easily take place in the hearts of the ignorant1 is1 because those that pretend to be their teachers1 do behave themselves so basely among them4 ,and indeed ,i may say of these1 as our ,lord said of the ,pharisees in another case1 all the blood of the ignorant1 from the beginning of the world1 shall be laid to the charge of this generation4 ,they that pretend they are sent of the ,lord1 and come1 saying1 ,thus saith the ,lord2 we are the servants of the ,lord1 our commission is from the ,lord 7by succession7 and the like2 ,i say1 these pretending themselves to be the preachers of truth1 7but are not 7 do by their loose conversation1 render the doctrine of ,god1 and his ,son ,jesus ,christ1 7by whom the saints are saved7 contemptible1 and do give the adversary mighty encouragement1 to cry out against the truths of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 because of their wicked walking4 ,now shall not his soul be avenged on such a nation as this1 who pretend to be teachers of the people in goodness1 when1 as for the most part of them1 they are the men1 that at this day do so harden their hearers1 such ill examples1 that none goeth beyond them for impiety4 ,as for example2 ,would a parishioner learn to be proud8 he or she need look no farther than to the priest1 his wife and family2 for there is a notable pattern before them4 ,would the people learn to be wanton1 they may also see a pattern among their teachers4 ,would they learn to be drunkards8 they may also have that from some of their minister2 for indeed they are ministers in this1 to minister ill example to their congregations4 ,again1 would the people learn to be covetous1 they need but look to their minister1 and they shall have a lively1 or rather a deadly resemblance set before them1 in both riding and running after great benefices1 and parsonages by night and by day4 ,nay1 they among themselves will scramble for the same4 ,i have seen1 that so soon as a man hath but departed from his benefice as he calls it1 either by death or out of covetousness of a bigger1 we have had one priest from this town1 and another from that1 so run1 for these tithe-cocks and handfuls of barley1 as if it were their proper trade1 and calling1 to hunt after the same4 ,o wonderful impiety and ungodliness6 are you not ashamed of your doings8 ,if you say no1 it is 7perhaps7 because you are given over of ,god to a reprobate mind 7,read ,romans #a74 towards the end4 ,as it was with them1 so 7it is to be feared7 it is with many of you1 who knowing the judgments of ,god1 that they who do such things are worthy of death1 not only do the same1 but have 7as ,i may so say7 pleasure also in them that do them4 ,and now you that pretend to be the teachers of the people in verity and truth1 though we know that some of you are not3 ,is it a small thing with you1 to set them you say are your flock such an example as this4 ,were ever the ,pharisees so profane2 to whom ,christ said1 ye vipers1 how can ye escape the damnation of hell2 doth not the ground groan under you8 surely1 it will favour you no more than it favoured your fore-runners4 ,certainly the wrath of ,god lies heavy at your doors1 it is but a very little while1 and your recompense shall be upon your own head4 ,and as for you that are indeed of ,god among them1 though not of them2 separate yourselves4 ,why should the righteous partake of the same plagues with the wicked8 ,o ye children of the harlot6 ,i cannot well tell how to have done with you1 your stain is so odious1 and you are so senseless1 as appears by your practices4 ,but ,i shall at this time forbear1 having in some measure discharged my conscience according to the truth against you2 hoping if ,god do give me opportunity1 and a fair call1 that ,i shall say no more1 only thus much2 ,be ashamed of your earthly-mindedness1 if you can2 and be converted1 or else you shall never be healed4 ,here might ,i also aggravate your sin by its several circumstances1 but ,i shall rather forbear2 supposing that you may entertain wrong and harsh thoughts of me1 though ,i have spoken the truth2 therefore ,i shall at his time rather keep silence1 and wish you to amend1 than to rake in your sores2 for thereby would your stink go more abroad in the world1 ,therefore ,i say forbear4 ,and now to the reader1 ,i beseech thee to have a care of thy soul1 and look well to the welfare of it3 ,and that you may do so1 have a care what doctrine it is the your receivest4 ,be not contented until thou in deed and in truth1 in the light of the ,spirit of ,christ1 see thy sins washed away in the blood of that ,lamb1 who did offer up himself a ransom on the cross on ,mount ,calvary1 for the sins of thy soul and body1 together with the rest of the saints of ,god4 ,and let not the legal holiness of the one1 nor the loose profane conversation of the other1 beat thee of from pursuing after the truths of ,jesus1 as the truth is in ,jesus1 7and so laid down in this my discourse7 neither let the plausibleness of the other beguile thy simple heart4 ,and now to you that are carried away with the delusions at this day broached in the world1 by the instruments of ,satan1 and that after a profession of the truth3 ,i say to you1 ,turn again1 7if you can7 peradventure there may be hope1 and that you may escape that wrath which justly you have deserved3 ,but if you shall still refuse the ,lord that speaks now from heaven in mercy to you1 you shall not hereafter escape the ,lord1 that in his own time will speak to you in his wrath1 and vex you in his sore displeasure4 ,and now a few words to you that have indeed closed in with the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,mary1 and they are these that follow4 7#a47 ,be of good cheer1 all your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake 7#a;,john #b3ab74 7#c47 ,know that though your ,lord ,jesus1 who is in you by his ,spirit1 be absent from you touching his bodily presence1 yet he is not forgetful of you1 but is preparing a place for you 7,john #ad3a-c74 7#d47 ,consider1 ,that he is also at his very present1 in his very person in the presence of his ,father now in the heavens1 praying and making intercession for you1 that you may be brought safe to glory 7,heb #g3bd74 ,father1 ,i will 7saith he7 that they also1 whom thou hast given me1 be with me where ,i am2 that they may behold my glory 7,john #ag3be74 7#e47 ,know also1 ,that he hath overcome in his own person 7when he was in the world7 devil1 death1 sin1 hell1 the curse of the law1 the power of the grave1 and all other evils1 in the body of his flesh for you 7,heb #b3ad74 7#f47 ,believe also1 that while you are in the world1 all things shall fall out for your good at the end1 whether they be temptations1 doctrines of devils1 workings of corruption1 all things shall fall out for your good1 who love our precious ,lord ,jesus 7,rom #h3bh74 7#g47 ,be assured1 that all your enemies shall very suddenly be under your feet1 even ,satan and all 7,rom #af3bj74 7#h47 ,consider1 ,that there shall no temptation befall you in the days of your pilgrimage1 but ,god will enable you to bear it2 ,ay1 and make a way also for you to escape the destroying danger of it 7#a;,cor #aj3ac74 7#i47 ,when the time of your dissolution shall come1 your ,jesus will deal with you1 as he did with blessed ,lazarus1 that is1 he will send his angels to fetch your souls away to glory 7,luke #af3bb74 7#aj47 ,believe also1 and know assuredly1 that at the last day1 he will also raise your bodies out of their graves1 and make them also for ever vessels of his glory 7,rom #h3bc71 compared with 7,john #e3bh2 #a,thess #d3ad-ah74 7#aa47 ,and lastly1 consider1 ,that though now by the world1 and heretics1 you be counted as not worth the looking after2 ,yet you have your day a coming1 when as the ,dive's of this and all other ages1 would be glad if they might have but the least favour from you1 one drop of cold water on the tip of your fingers4 ,o you despised begging ,lazarus's 7as in ,luke #af3bd47 ,for the world1 for all their stoutness1 must be forced to come to judgment1 before your ,lord and you 7#a;,cor #f3b74 ,this honour have all his saints 7,psa #adi3i74 ,now seeing that these things be so1 ,i beseech you by 7those 7 the mercies of ,god1 7#a47 ,that you do give up your bodies1 as hands1 tongue1 strength1 health1 wealth1 and all that you have and are1 to the service of ,god1 your ,god 7,rom #ab3a74 7#b47 ,let your moderation in every thing be known unto all men4 7for7 ,the ,lord is at hand 7,phil #d3e74 7#c47 ,study to walk as like the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 as ever you can1 for your lives 7,matt #aa3bi74 7#d47 ,let that you strive for1 be the faith of the gospel of your precious ,lord ,jesus 7,phil #a3bg74 7#f47 ,let your hearts be always in heaven1 where our ,lord ,jesus is 7,col #c3a-c74 7#g47 ,forbear and forgive one another1 in love1 and with all your hearts1 as ,god for ,christ sake hath forgiven you 7,eph #d3b74 7#h47 ,let your light so shine before men1 that they may see your good works and glorify your ,father which is in heaven 7,matt #e3af74 7#i47 ,you are the salt of the earth1 have a care you lose not your savour 7,matt #e3ac74 7#aj47 ,be forward to distribute to those that are in want1 for this is well-pleasing to your most glorious loving ,father 7,heb #ac3af74 7#aa47 ,learn all one of another the things that are good1 for this is the command of ,god1 and also commendable in saints 7,phil #c3ag74 7#ab47 ,and lastly1 ,o brethren1 consider what the ,lord hath done for you2 he hath bought you1 and paid for you with his blood1 and he doth now also make it his business to pray for your safe conduct to glory 7,heb #g3be74 ,he hath delivered you from those that would have been your ruin1 and hath promise to you everlasting life1 ,let the love of ,christ constrain you1 let the love of ,god win upon your souls4 ,what6 he that spared not his own ,son1 but delivered him up for us all3 ,how shall he not with him freely give us all things4 ,hold out my brethren1 hold out1 for you have but a little while to run3 ,hold fast unto the death1 and ,christ will give you a crown of life 7,rev #b3aj74 ,farewell1 dear brethren2 the mighty ,god of ,jacob preserve and deliver you from every evil work2 and all the days of our pilgrimage let us pray one for another1 that our ,god will count us worthy of this rich and glorious calling1 and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness1 and the work of faith with power1 to whom be glory now and ever4 ,and now reader1 before ,i make an end of this discourse1 ,i think it meet to let thee understand1 that though there hath been a book put forth by ,edward ,borrough1 in seeming opposition to that of mine1 called1 ,some ,gospel-,truths opened according to the scripture1 ,yet the substance of my discourse then published by me1 standeth uncontrolled by scripture1 as from him or others4 ,i do not say he doth not wrangle with them1 but ,i say1 he doth not by any one plain scripture contradict them4 ,as for instance3 #a4 ,the first great thing that ,i do hold forth in that discourse1 is this3 ,that that babe that was born of the virgin ,mary1 and that at that time did give satisfaction for sin1 was the very ,christ of ,god1 and not a type of anything afterward to be revealed for the obtaining redemption for sinners within them4 ,which thing my adversary can find no ground in scripture to build an opposition upon1 see his book1 page #ab4 but is forced to confess it in word1 though he do deny the very same in doctrine1 see his book p4 #bi4 at his #fth query4 ,and p4 #bf4 where in answer to this question of mine2 ,why did the ,man ,christ hang on the cross on ,mount ,calvary8 ,all the answer he gives1 is this2 ,because they wickedly judged him to be a blasphemer2 and as in their account 7saith he7 he died as and evil doer4 ,and his is all the ground he giveth3 ,see his answer to my second query in this my book1 taken word for word as he laid them down4 #b4 ,the next thing ,i do prove in that book is1 that that light which every one hath1 is not the ,spirit of ,christ2 because the scripture saith ,some have it not 7,jude #ai74 ,but ,edward ,borrough saith1 ,it is given to every one2 p4 #ah4 of his book3 ,and he saith1 ,they have it within them too2 p4 #bf4 of his book1 in answer to my first question1 though he hath no scripture to confirm the same1 as ,i have had to contradict it4 ,see his book4 #c4 ,the next thing ,i prove1 is ,that ,jesus ,christ did fulfil the law in his own person without us for justification1 and that his blood then shed1 hath washed away the sins of the children of ,god1 as aforesaid4 ,which thing he would oppose1 but finds no footing for his discourse4 ,see his book1 p4 #ab4 where he saith1 ,the law is not fulfilled3 7read the latter end of that page7 which is contrary to scripture 7,col #b3ad2 ,rom #aj3d74 which saith1 ,for ,christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth4 ,another thing ,i prove in that book is1 ,that ,christ is ascended into that heaven without1 above the clouds and stars2 and that ,i prove by eight several scripture demonstration1 of which not one is confuted by scripture1 though secretly in his book smitten against4 ,read his whole book4 #d4 ,the next thing ,i prove1 is1 ,that the same ,jesus that was born of ,mary1 laid in the manger1 who is the ,saviour1 is at this day making intercession in that body he then took of ,mary2 which thing also is not confuted by him1 by the scripture2 though cunningly smitten against in his discourse1 where he saith1 ,it is only necessary to salvation to preach ,christ within1 laying aside all that ,christ did when he was in his own person in the world4 ,see p4 #bi4 of his book1 ,qu4 #f4 #e4 ,another truth ,i prove1 is1 ,that the very same ,jesus that was born of ,mary1 that very ,man 7that was also hanged on the cross7 will come the second time1 and that shall be to save his children1 and to judge the world at the last day1 that great day of judgment4 ,and though they will not own1 that he shall so come as he went away1 which was a very ,man without2 yet they could not at all by the scripture contradict it4 ,but the very sum of his discourses is a wrangling with the thing laid down1 as a dog with a bone2 but hath not1 nor cannot by scripture overcome the same4 ,this have ,i written1 that the reader into whose hand this book may come1 may have the more certain information concerning the things before published by me1 and also concerning the opposition made against them by the adversary4 ,and here1 because ,i am loath to be too tedious1 ,i do conclude1 and desire thy prayers to ,god for me 7if thou be a ,christian7 that ,i may not only be preserved to the end in the faith of ,jesus1 cut that ,god would enable me to be an earnest contender for the same1 even to the last2 and rest1 ,the servant of the ,lord ,,jesus1 ,john ,bunyan4 ,reader1 ,we1 whose names are here under-written1 having 7through grace7 some blessed faith and experience of the truths declared in this book1 and knowing them so to be2 having tried them by the scriptures in the light of the ,spirit1 thought it our duty to bear witness thereunto1 together with our brother1 desiring the blessing of ,god may go along with these endeavours of his1 for the doing good to our ,christian brethren1 of any other who may read it4 ,farewell4 ,yours in the faith of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 for which faith we desire to contend1 ,richard ,spencly4 ,john ,burton4 ,john ,child4 ,a ,,vindication ,,of ,,gospel ,,truths1 c4 ,it is very expedient that there should be heresies amongst us1 that thereby those which are indeed of the truth might be made manifest2 and also that the doctrine of ,god1 and his ,son ,jesus ,christ1 might the more cast forth its luster and glory4 ,for the truth is of that nature1 that the more it is opposed1 the more glory it appears in2 and the more the adversary objects against it1 the more it will clear itself2 which doth give me1 and all that stand for it1 and doth plead on its side in the wisdom of the ,spirit1 much boldness and encouragement1 to venture without any slavish fear upon those that have already1 or shall hereafter1 stand up to oppose it4 ,i did some few weeks past1 put forth a small book1 called1 ,some ,gospel-,truths opened1 and so forth2 and the thing ,i looked for from them was1 namely1 opposition from the adversary1 which hath been accomplished in that1 namely1 as ,i did look for it1 so did it happen2 not that it daunted me1 for if it had so done1 it might have made me kept those truths within my breast1 which are now made manifest by me 7as well as others7 to the world4 ,now ,i have not only met with some opposition from others face to face in secret1 but there is one ,edward ,burrough 7as ,i heard his name is so1 by some of themselves7 that hath ventured to stand up against the truth1 with the rest of his companions1 and hath published a book1 called1 ,the true faith of the gospel of peace contended for1 c4 ,in which book of his there is a very great number of heresies cunningly vented by him1 and also many things there falsely reported of me1 which things in this my discourse ,i shall very plainly discover2 and the way that ,i shall take1 shall be by laying down some of thy expressions1 and also some of mine2 and by inquiring into the truth of one1 and the error of the other1 through the assistance of the ,spirit of ,christ1 and according to the scriptures4 ,only by the way1 ,i think good to mind thee of thy clothing thyself with the words of the prophets and apostles1 against whom thou dost fight 7as will appear in my following discourse7 and also of thy endeavouring to wrest the sword out of the hands of the saints1 and art fighting against them bitterly1 with a parcel of scolding expressions4 ,but ,i wish thee to learn1 7if thou canst7 to be sober1 and to keep under thy unruly spirit2 and do not so much appear1 at least not so grossly1 a railing ,rabshakeh2 but contrariwise1 if you would be looked upon to be holy1 which 7 we know and believe that 7 as yet1 many of you are not4 ,let at the least some appearance of moderation be manifest among you4 ,after many words that are flung into the wind by thee my adversary1 in the first and second page of thy book1 thou couldst not be contented therewith1 as being too few to vent thyself withal2 but thou breakest out in page #c4 with a small testimony of ,john ,burton1 and his fellow1 saying1 ,they have joined themselves with the broken army of ,magog--,and have shewed themselves in the defence of the dragon against the ,lamb1 in the day of war betwixt them4 ,when alas6 poor soul we do know1 and are bold to declare1 in the name of the ,lord ,jesus the ,son of ,mary1 that our ,god hath owned us1 with others of his servants1 in his own work against the devil's devices and false doctrine2 as instruments both for the comforting and establishing of his own1 and also for the convincing and converting of some of them1 who aforetime was not converted4 ,and friend1 why dost thou say1 that we join with ,magog in the defence of the dragon against the ,lamb1 when thou seest the whole drift both of my brother's epistle1 and also of my writing1 is to exalt and advance the first-born of ,mary1 the ,lord of glory1 and to hold on his side1 notwithstanding there are so many tempests go through the world1 ,and the rather1 because we know that it is he1 and he alone1 that did bear our sins in his own body on the tree 7#a,peter #b3bd71 for it is he that hath taken away the sins of the world4 ,now ,i say therefore1 do not thou thus accuse the brethren1 for speaking good of the name of ,jesus1 lest thou be troubled at thy end for thus spending thy beginning in taking part with the devil to accuse ,god's children4 ,then in the same page thou sayest1 thou hast numbered up part of our work1 and the sum is1 ,a corrupted grain of ,babylon's treasure1 c4 ,ans4 ,friend1 ,the sum of our discourse is of the birth1 righteousness1 death1 blood1 resurrection1 ascension1 intercession1 and second coming of the ,son of ,mary the virgin1 by which righteousness1 blood1 death1 burial1 resurrection1 ascension1 and intercession we are saved4 ,and dost thou count this a corrupted grain of ,babylon's treasure8 ,have a care what thou sayest1 least thou utter that with thy mouth now1 which will lie heavy on thy conscience for ever4 ,then1 as though this thy unwise speaking were too little1 thou breakest out with a taunt1 or a jeer1 saying2 ,a larger portion1 and more to the purpose might have been brought in1 but with such as you had1 or could procure from your neighbours are you come4 ,ans4 ,friend1 ,who hath despised the day of small things8 ,but again1 we desire not to bring to others1 no nor to know ourselves1 anything else but ,jesus ,christ 7the ,son of ,mary7 and him crucified for our sins 7#a;,cor #b3b74 ,then thou sayest further in the same page1 that though thou hast not seen our faces1 yet our spirit is tried1 and we are clearly described to thee1 7sayest thou7 to be of the stock of ,ishmael1 and of the seed of ,cain1 whose line reacheth to the murdering priests1 c4 ,ans4 ,friend1 thou art very censorious1 and utterest many words without knowledge4 ,we bless ,god1 for the most part of our line1 we do labour to stretch it out1 either in building up and exhorting the saints of the most ,high1 to cleave close to their ,jesus1 or else as much as in us lies1 we labour to convince poor souls of their lost condition1 according to the word of ,god1 and not to murder any4 ,nay contrariwise1 we desire through grace1 if at any time we chance to see any of ,christ's lambs in the teeth of any wolf or bear1 be they never so terrible in appearance2 ,i say1 we desire1 we labour1 we strive1 and lay out ourselves1 if it be possible1 to recover the same1 though with the hazard of our lives1 or whatsoever may befall us in doing our duty4 ,and whereas thou sayest in the #dth page1 that we are found enemies to ,christ1 revealed in his saints4 ,ans4 ,thou dost us wrong1 for we labour all that we may to countenance the same1 where he doth indeed appear3 and if at any time we do see or discern1 that any soul hath any breathing after the knowledge of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 we are so far from disowning or discountenancing of the same1 that we give them all the encouragement we may3 ,nay1 and we are so far from discountenancing the doctrine of ,god1 and his ,son ,jesus ,christ1 that we say plainly1 some have not the ,spirit of ,christ in them1 and they are reprobates1 according to that scripture 7,rom #h3i74 ,if any man have not the ,spirit of ,christ1 he is none of his4 ,and again1 ,some are sensual1 having not the ,spirit 7,jude #ai74 ,and again1 we are so far from being against the doctrine of the ,spirit of ,christ in his saints1 we bless ,god that we say1 ,it is the distinguishing character of a true believer1 from others3 ,all which things do ,i also affirm in my book1 and hold forth1 as doth also my brother in his epistle4 ,therefore1 ,i marvel1 that you should be overseen1 as to utter so many false things together1 in less than four sides of paper1 ,i wonder what will be the end of your discourse4 ,well1 now thou dost come and fall a wrangling with some of the words of my brother ,burton1 which are to this purpose1 7he speaking before of the doctrine of ,jesus7 and this is quite contrary 7saith he7 to those commonly called ,familists1 ,ranters1 ,quakers1 and others1 who on the other hand either deny ,christ to be a real man without them1 blasphemously fancying him to be only ,god manifest in their flesh2 or else make his human nature with the fulness of the ,godhead in it1 to be but a type of ,god to be manifested in the saints4 ,now first of all1 the great offence thou takest of some of these words1 is1 because he doth join in his discourse1 ,familists1 ,ranters1 and ,quakers together4 ,friend1 what harm is it to join a dog and a wolf together8 ,a fawning dog and a wolf in sheep's clothing2 they differ a little in outward appearance1 but they can both agree to worry ,christ's lambs4 ,but again1 friend1 let us a little compare the principles of a ,ranter and a ,quaker together1 and it will clearly appear1 that in many of their principles 7at least7 they agree1 or jump in one3 ,as #a4 ,the ,ranters will own ,christ no otherwise1 than only within2 and this is also the principle of the ,quakers1 they will not own ,christ without them4 #b4 ,the ,ranters1 they cry down all teaching1 but the teaching within3 and so do the ,quakers 7witness thousands7 and yet condemn their principles by their practice1 as the ,ranters also did and do4 ,now the apostle saith the contrary1 saying1 ,he that knoweth ,god heareth us2 7meaning himself with the rest of the apostles and servants of ,christ47 ,he that is not of ,god heareth not us 7#a;,john #d3f74 ,again1 #c4 the ,ranters are neither for the ordinance of baptism with water1 nor breaking of bread4 ,and are not you the same8 #d4 ,the ,ranters would profess that they were without sin3 and how far short of his opinion are the ,quakers8 #e4 ,the ,ranters would not own the resurrection of the bodies of the saints after they were laid in the graves3 ,and how say you1 ,do you believe that the very bodies of the saints1 as the very body of ,abraham1 and the body of ,isaac1 with the bodies of all the saints1 notwithstanding some of them have been in the graves thousands of years4 others hundreds1 some less3 ,i say1 ,do you believe the resurrection of these very bodies again1 which were buried so long since2 or do you hold1 as the ,ranters do1 nothing but the resurrection from a sinful to an holy state in this life4 ,and really ,i tell thee 7reader7 plainly1 that for the generality1 the very opinions that are held at this day by the ,quakers1 are the same that long ago were held by the ,ranters4 ,only the ,ranters had made them threadbare at an alehouse1 and the ,quakers have set a new gloss upon them again1 by an outward legal holiness1 or righteousness4 ,but again1 ,why should you be so angry with my brother1 for joining of a sinner and a liar together8 ,is there any great harm in that8 ,surely no4 ,and the joining ,ranters and ,quakers together1 is but so4 ,the ,quakers themselves confess1 the ,ranters are to be disowned1 page #d4 ,nay if they would not1 yet ,god hath disowned them in the open view of the nations4 ,now that the ,quakers are liars1 ,i shall prove from their own mouth4 ,as first1 from the several things that ,i did oppose even now1 page #a-d1 of this book1 called1 the true ,faith of the ,gospel of ,peace1 c4 ,now lest they should be slighted and set at nought1 ,i shall shew you clearly this man's lies manifestly laid down in his book1 page #aa1 #ab4 ,that ,i said positively1 the blood of ,christ was shed before the world began4 ,whereas ,i said only this1 ,that in the account of ,god 7mark it1 in the account of ,god7 his blood was shed before the world was1 according to that scripture 7,rev #ac3h74 ,the ,lamb slain from the foundation of the world1 in my book1 page #c #ada4 ,secondly1 he saith1 that ,i cry aloud against ,christ within1 in page #bd4 ,of his book4 ,and again he saith1 ,that all my work is an obscure shooting against the manifestation of ,christ within4 ,where he speaks very falsely of me1 for ,i confess and own ,god's ,christ within as well as without1 as appears in my book1 page #bjf4 towards the end #agc4 ,and in the epistle to my book you may find the same held out by me for two or three leaves together2 besides1 many other places of my book dith testify of the same2 therefore1 doth not he lie miserably in this also8 ,again1 he saith1 that ,i am one of those that do preach for hire1 through covetousness1 making merchandise of souls1 page #bc4 of book1 which is also an untruth1 as ,i shall shew further when ,i come to the place4 ,again he saith1 in page #cj1 that ,i said ,christ's coming in the ,spirit was no coming4 ,here also he uttereth falsehood4 ,i never said so1 as many or our brethren can witness4 ,but of his also in its place1 when ,i come to it1 with many other things which he hath very untruly vented of me1 which ,i fear not but they shall be cleared1 both now1 and also at the second appearance of the man ,christ ,jesus4 ,and therefore friend 7,i say to thee7 be not so pharisaical as to say within thine heart1 ,i am not as this publican4 ,why am ,i reckoned with the ,ranters8 thou art1 both thou and thy fellows1 of the same mind with them in many things1 and shall assuredly partake of the same plague with them1 if they and you repent not speedily4 ,again1 in page#g1 thou wouldest make us believe1 that the ,quakers do really and truly lay the ,christ of ,god1 ,god-man1 for their foundation4 ,saying1 ,we prize the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,god-man1 to be precious to us1 and to all that do believe1 and have owned him to be the foundation1 c4 ,now friend1 this is fairly spoken2 but by word in general we may be deceived1 because a man may speak one thing with his mouth1 and mean another thing in his heart2 especially it is so with those that use to utter themselves doubtfully2 therefore we will a little enquire what it is to lay ,christ1 ,god-man for a foundation4 #a4 ,then1 to lay ,god's ,christ1 ,god-man1 for a foundation1 is to believe that man that was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 to be the saviour4 ,how he was and is the saviour1 and therefore if you do indeed lay him for your foundation1 then you do believe that when the man ,christ did hang on the cross on ,mount ,calvary1 that then your sins were satisfied for at that time1 as it is written1 ,who his ownself bare our sins in his own body on the tree 7#a,peter #b3bd74 #b4 ,if the ,christ of ,god1 ,god-man1 be indeed your foundation1 then you do believe1 that that very man in that very body1 did fulfil all the law1 in the point of justification1 as it is written1 ,christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth 7,rom #aj3d74 ,so that now1 believe aright in what the ,son of ,mary hath done without on the cross1 and be saved4 #c4 ,if you have laid ,christ that man aright for your foundation1 then you do believe1 that when he was raised out of the sepulchre into which ,joseph had laid him1 then at that time was accomplished your justification 7,rom #d3be74 ,how say you to these things1 ,do you make an open profession of them without dissembling8 ,or do you not 7notwithstanding your talk of ,christ7 in very deed deny the virtue of the death and blood of ,christ without1 as for justification and life8 ,if so1 you have not laid him for your foundation4 #d4;,i you have indeed laid ,christ1 ,god-man for your foundation1 then you do lay the hope of your felicity and joy on this1 ,that the son of ,mary is now absent from his children in his person and humanity1 making intercession for them and for thee1 in the presence of his ,father 7#b ,cor #e3f74 ,and the reason that thou canst rejoice here at is1 because thou hast not only heard of it with thine ear only1 but dost enjoy the sweet hope and faith of them in thy heart2 which hope and faith is begotten by the ,spirit of ,christ1 which ,spirit dwelleth in thee1 7if thou be a believer7 and sheweth those things to thee to be the only things4 ,and ,god having shewn thee these things1 thus without thee by the ,spirit that dwelleth in thee1 thou hast mighty encouragement to hope for the glory that shall be revealed at the coming again of the man ,christ ,jesus1 of which glory thou hast also greater ground to hope for a share in1 because that that ,spirit that alone is able to discover to thee the truth of these things1 is given to thee of ,god1 as the first fruits of that glory which is here-after to be revealed1 being obtained for thee by the man ,christ ,jesus's death on ,mount ,calvary1 and by his blood that was shed there1 together with his resurrection from the dead1 out of the grave where they had laid him4 ,also1 thou believest that he is gone away from thee in the same body which was hanged on the cross1 to take possession of that glory1 which thou1 through his obedience1 shall at his 7the very same man's7 return from heaven the second time1 have bestowed upon thee1 having all this while prepared and preserved it for thee1 as he saith himself3 ,i go to prepare a place for you4 ,and if ,i go and prepare a place for you1 ,i will come again1 and receive you unto myself1 that where ,i am1 there ye may be also 7,john #ad3b1c74 ,again4 #e4;,if thou hast laid ,christ1 ,god-man1 for thy foundation1 though thou hast the ,spirit of this man ,christ within thee1 yet thou dost not look that justification should be wrought out for thee1 by that ,spirit of ,christ that dwelleth within thee1 for thou knowest that salvation is already obtained for thee by the man ,christ ,jesus without thee1 and is witnessed to thee by his ,spirit which dwelleth within thee4 ,and thus much doth this man ,christ ,jesus testify unto us where he saith he shall glorify me2 mark1 ,he shall glorify2 7saith the ,son of ,mary7but how8 ,why1 he shall receive of mine 7what ,i have done1 and am doing in the presence of the ,father7 and shall shew it unto you 7,john #af3ad74 ,i have been a little the larger in this1 because it is of weight4 ,but again1 thou sayest further1 ,the rest of this first epistle ,i shall say little to2 only thus much is the mind of the penman's spirit1 secretly smiting at the doctrine of true faith and salvation1 7to wit7 ,christ within4 ,ans4 ,my friend1 by saying that my brother doth strike at the doctrine of true faith and salvation1 thou dost him a great deal of wrong2 for it is so far from him so to do1 that he telleth souls plainly1 that without true faith in the blood of the ,son of ,mary1 who was crucified on ,mount ,calvary1 there is no remission2 for saith he1 it is only through that one offering then given up to the ,father1 that you must be justified4 ,and that is according to the whole stream of scripture3 ,for by one offering1 ,what was that8 ,why1 the offering up of the body of ,jesus once for all 7,heb #aj3aj71 he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified4 ,but this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins1 for ever sat down4 ,mark it3 this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins1 for ever sat down on the right hand of ,god 7verse #ai74 ,and as for thy saying1 that salvation is ,christ within2 if thou mean in opposition to ,christ without2 instead of pleading for ,christ1 thou wilt plead against him2 for ,christ1 ,god-man1 without on the cross1 did bring in salvation for sinners4 ,and the right believing of the1 doth justify the soul4 ,therefore ,christ within1 of the ,spirit of him who did give himself a ransom1 doth not work out justification for the soul in the soul2 but doth lead the soul out if itself1 and out of that that can be done within itself1 to look for salvation in that man that is now absent from his saints on earth 7#b;,cor #e3f74 ,why so8 ,for because it knoweth that there is salvation in none other 7,acts #d3ab74 ,and therefore ,i would wish thee to have a care what thou dost1 for ,i tell thee1 that man who is now jeered by some1 because he is preached to be without them1 will very suddenly come the second time1 to the great overthrow of those1 who have spoken1 and shall still speak against him 7,jude #ad1ae74 ,thou sayest also the next thing thou mindest1 is this in the second epistle1#a where a questions asked1 ,who are the men that at this day are so deluded by the ,quakers1 and other pernicious doctrines1 but they that counted it enough to be talkers of the gospel1 c4 ,and why8 because he saith the ,quakers are those deceivers that at this day beguile poor souls by their doctrine4 ,alas poor man1 why shouldest thou be angry for my speaking the truth1 in saying3 ,the ,quakers are deceivers1 this will easily appear4 #a4 ,they deny the man ,christ to be without them1 and own ,christ no otherwise1 but as he is within1 contrary to that scripture1 which saith1 for while we are at home in the body we are absent from the ,lord4 ,this is touching his bodily presence4 ,and again1 he was parted from them1 and a cloud received him out of their sight4 ,and he was carried away from them1 and so received up into heave 7,acts #a3i-aa74 ,now he that denieth this1 is a deceiver1 as is clear1 in that he doth speak against the truth laid down in the scripture4 #b4 ,the ,quakers are deceivers1 in that they persuade souls that ,christ is crucified in them1 dead within them1 and kept down with some thing within them1 which was never taught by those that spoke the scripture from the ,spirit of ,god4 ,shew me a scripture to confirm such a doctrine as this1 which hath been avouched over and over by the ,quakers4 #c4 ,the ,quakers are deceivers1 because they do persuade souls1 that that man that was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 is not above the clouds and the stare1 when the scripture saith1 a cloud received him out of the sight of his saints4 ,and again1 that he is above the highest heavens1 which must needs be above the stars1 for they are not the highest4 #d4 ,the ,quakers are deceivers1 because they persuade souls not to believe1 that that man that was crucified1 and rose again flesh and bones 7,luke #bd3ch-dj74 shall so come again1 that very man1 in the clouds of heaven to judgment as he went away2 and at the very same time shall raise up all the men and women out of their graves1 and cause them to come to the valley of ,jehoshaphat2 because there will he1 that very man1 sit to judge all the heathen round about4 ,i say1 they strive t beat souls off from believing this1 though it be the truth of ,god witnessed by the scripture 7,joel #c3aa1ab2 ,acts #a3aj1aa74 ,this same ,jesus1 which is taken up from you into heaven1 shall so come 7mark1 the very same7 in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven4 ,and his feet shall stand in that day 7the day of his second coming7 upon the ,mount of ,olives 7,zech #ad3d74 ,where is that8 ,not within thee1 but that which is without ,jerusalem1 before1 it on the east side4 ,i say now1 he that persuades souls not to believe this1 but makes them believe there is no such thing1 as the ,quakers do1 he is a deceiver4 ,again1 the ,quakers make no difference between that light wherewith ,christ1 as he is ,god1 hath enlightened all2 and the ,spirit of ,christ he gives not to all2 and the ,spirit of ,christ he gives not to all1 which ,i shall show by and by to be a deceit4 #e4 ,the ,quakers are deceivers1 because they say1 ,that every one hath that which is like the ,spirit of ,christ1 even as good as the ,spirit of ,christ1 page #aj of his book1 which is desperate blasphemy4 ,the scripture saith plainly1 ,that some are sensual1 having not the ,spirit4 ,and yet though they have not that1 they have1 says the ,quakers1 that which is as good as that4 ,o wonderful deceit1 as ,i shall farther show by and by when ,i come to the place4 ,but to cover himself1 and so his deceit1 he doth apply that to himself that should be applied for the encouragement of the children of ,god3 saying1 the children of ,god was always counted deceivers1 we 7saith he7 have a cloud of witnesses4 ,answer1 friend1 they were called deceivers1 and were not so2 but you are rightly called so1 as ,i have already showed1 and shall show farther by and by4 ,in the meantime1 know1 that the devil knows how to take children's bread1 and cost it to the dogs4 ,then the next thing that he is grieved with1 is1 because ,i said1 there are none but a company of light notionists1 ranters1 with here and there a legalist1 that was shaking in their principles1 that were carried away by the ,quakers1 c4 ,when this appears in all men's sight that can see1 though you would not have it so 7it is like47 ,and as for your saying1 because all sorts of people are brought to ,god1 ,i am offended therewith2 ,i answer1 ,no friend1 ,i bless ,god my soul can rejoice that souls come in to ,jesus ,christ1 though it grieves me to see1 how some with a spirit of delusion are deceived1 and destroyed1 by its coming unto them as an angel of light4 ,and whereas thou sayest ,i am like the ,pharisees1 who said1 none believe1 but a company of poor people1 which know not the law4 ,answ4 ,i bless ,god1 ,i do know they are ,i bless ,god1 ,i do know they are the poor that receive the gospel2 but friend1 ,i must tell you1 that you and your fellows may seek for justification from the law1 and yet have no better a recompense1 than to be condemned by the law4 ,now passing many railings1 ,i come to the next thing that thou dost stumble at1 which is in that ,i say1 some of those delusions the devil doth deceive poor souls withal1 is first1 in that he doth persuade them1 that salvation was not completely wrought out for sinners by the man ,christ ,jesus1 though he did it gloriously upon the cross without the gates of ,jerusalem4 ,now these words1 he did it gloriously on the cross1 without the gates of ,jerusalem1 thou leavest out4 ,therefore ,i ask1 do you believe that at that time1 when he did hang upon that cross on ,mount ,calvary1 that he did by that death he died there1 redeem all his elect from eternal vengeance8 ,if not1 whatever thou sayest1 thou wilt certainly see1 that ,satan hath caught thee in his snare1 notwithstanding thy railing against the ,lord ,jesus4 ,and friend1 thou mayest call thy conscience the man ,christ ,jesus1 or the light 7as thou callest it7 in thy conscience the man ,christ ,jesus2 which if thou do1 this is a delusion1 and a dangerous doctrine4 ,for a ,spirit hath not flesh and bones1 and so hath the man ,christ ,jesus4 ,now it may be1 you think farther that the church1 with the ,spirit of ,christ1 is the man ,christ ,jesus1 which is also a damnable heresy4 ,therefor1 speak plainly2 ,dost thou believe that that man ,christ ,jesus is ascended from his people in his person8 ,and again1 dost thou believe that he which ascended from his disciples1 did bring in everlasting salvation for them1 in that his body which ascended from them8 ,an answer to this might give great satisfaction to souls1 if also it might be made in words easily to be understood4 ,again1 ,thou art also offended with the second deceit which ,i lay down in my epistle1 which is 7say ,i7 for the devil to bid souls follow that light which they brought into the world with them1 telling them1 that that will lead them to the kingdom4 ,now thou seemest gravelled1 because ,i said1 which they brought into the world with them4 ,if thou art offended at that1 show me when1 and at what time every soul receives a light from ,christ after it comes into the world4 ,now this ,i say1 ,that every man hath not the ,spirit of ,christ within him 7,jude #ai74 ,and that there is nothing that can show the soul the things of ,christ savingly1 but the ,spirit of ,christ 7#a;,cor #b3aa74 ,then will not you yourself confess1 that he is deluded1 that is persuaded to follow that light that cannot reveal ,christ unto him8 ,but ,i must mind you of one filthy error also which thou layest down in page #aj4 ,corrupting the scripture to make it good1 but in vain2 where thou sayest1 ,that light which every man is lightened withal1 will lead unto the kingdom of peace and righteousness4 ,and then thou addest1 for saith ,christ1 ,i am the light of the world1 he that followeth me shall not abide in darkness1 or walk in darkness4 ,pray mark1 ,first1 thou callest it the light of ,christ1 where with he hath lightened every one2 and here thou comest a step higher1 and callest it1 ,christ himself2 and then corruptest that scripture1 where the ,son of ,mary saith1 ,i am the light of the world1 c4 ,here thou wouldest very willingly have room to broach they folly1 but it may not be2 for though ,christ be the light of the world1 yet he is not in every one in the world4 ,but secondly1 ,i pray where was ,christ when he spake those words8 was he ,i say1 within his disciples1 or without them1 when he said1 ,i am the light of the world8 ,he was without them1 and walked up and down in the world with them from place to place1 a very man4 ,therefore he did not mean at that time any light within1 but himself who was without4 ,and indeed1 they who will follow ,christ aright1 must follow him without1 to the cross without1 for justification on ,mount ,calvary without1 7that is1 they must seek for justification by his obedience without47 ,to the grave without1 and to his ascension and intercession in heaven without2 and this must be done through the operation of his own ,holy ,spirit1 that he hath promised shall show these things unto them1 being given within them for that purpose 7,john #af3ad74 ,now the ,spirit of ,christ that leads also1 but whither8 ,i leads to ,christ without1 which said1 being without1 ,i am the light of the world3 he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness1 but shall have the light of life 7,john #h3ab74 ,deny this1 that ,christ was without when he spake those words 7,i am the light of the world7 if you can4 ,but to come more close1 to the thing4 ,that light wherewith ,christ1 as he is ,god1 hath lightened every one that cometh into the world1 is the soul of man1 which is the life of the body1 and yet itself is but a creature1 and made by the creator of all things 7,isa #eg3af74 and is not the ,spirit1 as some do think it is4 ,this creature hath one faculty of its own nature1 called conscience1 which hath its place in the soul1 where it is as a judge to discern of things good or bad1 and judge them accordingly1 as the apostle saith1 speaking of the heathens1 ,their conscience also bearing witness and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another 7,rom #b3ad74 ,this conscience is that in which is the law of nature 7#a;,cor #aa3ad74 which is able to teach the ,gentiles1 that sin against the law1 is sin against ,god3 ,and yet it is called but even nature itself1 as he saith there1 ,doth not even nature itself teach you8 c4 ,now this conscience1 this nature itself1 because it can control1 and chide them for sin1 who give ear unto it1 therefore must it be idolized1 and made a ,god of4 ,o wonderful6 that men should make a ,god and a ,christ of their consciences1 because they can convince of sin4 ,but thou goest ramping on1 and sayest1 there is nothing but the light of ,christ that will convince of sin1 and thou biddest me1 mind that4 ,now dost thou mean the ,spirit of ,christ8 dost thou say that that which thou callest the light of ,christ1 is the ,spirit of ,christ8 ,if so1 then there is conscience which is not the ,spirit of ,christ1 but a poor dunghill creature1 in comparison of the ,spirit of ,christ2 yet will convince of sin1 as is clear1 from that #hth of ,john4 ,where the woman is mentioned1 who was taken in adultery by the ,pharisees1 or others1 who when they heard brought her to ,chris1 and began to accuse her1 ,christ said1 ,he that is without sin among you let him first cast a stone at her4 ,and what then8 ,when they heard that1 they were convicted by their own consciences4 ,mark1 he doth not say1 by the light of ,christ in their consciences1 as some would have it be2 ,no1 but by their own consciences they were convinced1 and went out one by one4 ,and were they all served so8 ,yea1 from the eldest1 even to the last2 for they all had consciences1 though not the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,so that friend1 here is something beside the ,spirit of ,christ1 that can and doth convince of sin1 even a man's own conscience1 the law of nature2 nay nature itself1 which no man will say is as good as the ,spirit of ,christ1 except they are guided by a deluding ,spirit4 ,again1 thou sayest1 ,he that convinceth of sins against the law1 leads up to the fulfilling of the law4 ,friend1 thy conscience convinceth of sins against the law1 follow thy conscience1 it may lead thee under the curse of the law1 through its weakness2 but it can never deliver thee from the curse of the law by its power4 ,for if righteousness come by the obedience to the law1 or by thy conscience either1 then ,christ is dead in vain 7,gal #b3ba74 ,again thou sayest1 ,that ,i and my generation would leap over the law4 ,answ4 ,for justification we look beyond it to the ,son of ,mary2 yet we know that the law is good1 if it be used lawfully2 but if it be used unlawfully1 as those do use it1 who seek to be justified by their obedience to it1 it is made and idol of1 and a saviour1 though it were given to no such purpose3 ,for if there had been a law given which could have given life1 verily righteousness should have come by 7thy obedience to7 the law 7,gal #c3ba74 ,now at thy conclusions1 sometimes thou dost utter thyself in this wise1 ,learn what this means4 ,answ4 ,indeed thy words are dark1 and enough to deceive the hearts of the simple2 but blessed be ,god1 he hath given me to understand1 that thou dost all along in the drift of thy discourse1 disown ,christ without1 by pretending to a ,christ within2 whereas hadst thou indeed the ,spirit of ,christ within thee1 it would be thy great business to extol and magnify the ,son of ,mary1 the ,christ of ,god without thee1 because it is the nature of the same ,spirit so to do1 even to glorify ,christ without1 who went away from his disciples into heaven1 to prepare a place for them 7,luke #bd3ej1ea74 ,then thou further sayest 7with a kind of disdaining spirit7 ,many things more thou passest by in my book1 as being not pertinent to the thing in hand4 ,but ,i believe they are so pertinent1 that neither thou1 nor thy friends or fellows are able to contradict without blaspheming1 in the view of all them that have eyes to see3 for if they could1 it should have been done by thee4 ,and whereas thou sayest1 ,fools must be meddling4 ,answer1 ,it must needs be1 that the saints of ,god should be called fools by the enemies of the man ,christ ,jesus without1 because that the doctrine of the man ,christ ,jesus1 crucified without for the sins of poor sinners1 is also held to be foolishness by them2 although it be the wisdom2 and also the power of ,god1 unto every one that believeth 7#a;,cor #a3bc1bd74 ,and further1 thou sayest1 that the ,pope can speak as much of ,christ without1 as ,i4 ,answer1 friend1 dost thou put no difference betwixt the speaking of ,christ without1 and believing in ,christ without8 ,i tell thee1 though there may be many that can speak of the ,christ of ,god without1 yet there are but very few that can1 or do believe indeed in him without1 by the mighty operation of his ,holy ,spirit within4 ,nay1 you yourselves do testify this1 who deny that the salvation of sinners was completely wrought out by that one offering of ,jesus ,christ without upon the cross on ,mount ,calvary1 and that he is ascentded from his disciples above the clouds1 touching his bodily presence4 7as in #b;,cor #e3f compared with ,acts #a3i-aa74 ,then again thou sayest1 ,i do ask myself a question1 and do also answer it myself deceitfully4 ,the question is1 ,do not the scriptures make mention of a ,christ within8 ,and thou sayest1 ,i answer it deceitfully myself4 ,but ,i answer again1 that ,i am not ashamed of the answer ,i then gave1 because ,i know it is truth2 and whereas thou sayest it is deceitful1 and yet canst not find fault with any point thereof1 it confirms me1 that had there been falsity in it1 such an enemy to the truth1 as thou art1 would have taken that advantage1 as to have discovered1 that thereby thou mightest have rendered the truth the more odious4 ,the answer ,i shall leave to the ,christian reader1 which is so indeed2 yet am confirmed myself concerning it1 and shall give thee an answer to thy question1 which is1 ,doth not the scriptures say1 or witness1 that all that have not ,christ within are reprobates8 ,answer3 ,yes1 the scripture saith so1 and it is true1 they that have not the ,spirit of ,christ in them1 are reprobates4 ,but there are some that are reprobates1 that you will confess4 ,then by your own argument you must grant1 that some have not the ,spirit of ,christ in them4 ,pray take notice1 they that have not the ,spirit of ,christ in them are reprobates4 ,there are some who are reprobates2 therefore there are some who are sensual1 having not the ,spirit of ,christ in them 7see thy folly how it is made manifest47 7,jude #e3ai74 ,the next thing thou art offended withal1 is1 because ,i say1 the devil deceives poor souls by persuading them to follow the light within which all men have4 answer1 friend1 ,i say1 again1 and again1 ,that there is nothing less than the ,spirit of ,christ1 that can give a soul a sight of justification by the blood of the man ,christ ,jesus without1 by following of it4 ,now as thou sayest thyself1 some are reprobates1 and have not the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,then is it any heresy to say1 that it is of the devil to persuade a soul to follow that light which is no better than conscience1 or nature itself 7,rom #b3ad71 which are not able to lead to ,christ his things1 being foolishness to it2 or is conscience1 which every one is lightened withal1 the ,spirit of ,christ8 give an answer in sincerity4 ,then thou sayest1 that my whole purpose is a secret smiting at the light wherewith ,christ hath lightened every man4 ,i answer1 my whole design in my book1 is1 and was1 these following things3- #a4 ,to show souls1 where salvation is to be had4 ,namely1 in ,christ without1 #b4 ,to show souls how they should lay hold of this salvation2 namely1 by the operation of the ,spirit of ,christ1 which must be given within4 #c4,to forewarn poor souls1 that they should not deceive themselves1 neither by conscience1 nor the law2 which are both inferior1 and much below the ,spirit of ,christ2 even as much as he that buildeth the house1 hath more honour than the house 7,heb #c3c74 #d4 ,to show how poor souls should know1 whether they had the ,spirit of ,christ1 or not1 within them1 or whether the ,spirit of the devil had exalted himself above the ,spirit of ,christ1 by transforming himself into an angel of light4 ,farther1 thou thinkest ,i contradict myself1 because ,i admonish poor souls to beg of ,god to convince them by his ,holy ,spirit2 and thou sayest1 ,this is my confusion4 ,when alas1 confusion is of1 and from thyself1 who wouldst make a defiled conscience1 the law and the ,spirit of ,christ to be all one2 as ,i shall further clear to the reader by and by4 ,but tell thee friend1 there are many who have not the ,spirit of ,christ1 and yet are convinced of sin by their own consciences 7,john #h3i74 ,he doth not say1 by the light of ,christ in their consciences1 ,mark that3 ,now ,i knowing1 that a man may be convinced1 and yet not by the ,spirit of ,christ 7for he may be without that7 but by nature itself 7#a;,cor #aa3ad74 ,i do admonish every soul if they love themselves1 to beg of ,god for ,jesus ,christ his sake1 that he would not only let them be convince by these poor1 low1 empty1 beggarly things 7their consciences7 in respect of the ,spirit of ,christ1 but that he would convince them by that ,spirit of his effectually1 which is not only able to show their lost state because of sins against the law1 but also1 to lead them to the right ,saviour1 and plant them into him1 which all other things are not able to do4 ,and thus much in answer to thy scolding against my epistle the truth of which ,i bless ,god through the strength of ,christ1 ,i could be willing to seal with my blood4 ,and now friend1 in love to thy soul1 ,i say1 have a care of thyself1 that thou do not satisfy thyself with anything1 until thou seest by the operation of the ,spirit of ,christ 7which thou must have given thee from heaven1 as being without it before conversion7 that the blood of that man ,christ ,jesus that was crucified on ,mount ,calvary1 did at that same time1 when it was there shed1 wash thee from all thy sins1 and be not so stout1 and so stern against the truth1 because it suits not with thy beguiled conscience4 7bear with me in patience7 and seriously inquire into the truth of things according to the scriptures4 ,for they are they that testify of ,christ1 and how salvation doth come by him4 ,in thy entering upon my book1 the first thing ,i find thee wrangling with1 is by corrupting my words1 and then by calling me liar4 ,thou corruptest my words saying1 that ,i said1 the blood of ,christ was shed before the world began4 ,whereas ,i said1 that in the account of ,god1 7mark1 in the account of ,god7 the blood of ,christ was shed before the world began4 ,friend1 art thou not able to distinguish1 betwixt a thing being done in ,god's account1 or according to his foreknowledge1 and a thing at that is really and actually done4 ,surely it was either thy folly to speak evil of the thing thou knowest not1 or else thy madness doth much appear1 in that though thou understandest these things1 yet for to wrangle by corrupting my sayings here1 as also in other places1 as will afterwards appear4 this is in page #aa1 of thine1 page #c1 of my book4 ,then thou goest on1 page #ab1 and quotest the place where ,i say1 page #cg4 ,how horribly are those deceived who look on ,jesus 7but thou leavest out those words1 the ,son of ,mary7 to be but a type2 which thing you say1 you know none that do4 ,and again thou sayest1 that ,i say1 he is of something afterwards to be revealed4 ,my words thou corruptest2 thou wouldst fain gather thus much out of my words1 by corrupting them4 that though ,i denied ,christ ,jesus the ,son of ,mary to be a type1 yet ,i myself say1 ,he was a type1 yet ,i myself say1 ,he was a type of something afterward to be revealed4 ,which thing1 as there in my book1 so here again ,i do most positively deny1 and ,i quote the same words again1 for a second confirmation of the same1 saying as then ,i died2 ,how horribly are those deceived1 who look on ,jesus the ,son of ,mary to be but a shadow1 or type of something that was afterwards to be revealed4 ,whereas the scriptures most lively hold him forth to be the ,christ of ,god2 and not a type or shadow of a ,spirit1 or body afterwards to be revealed1 but himself was the very substance of all things that did any way hold forth1 or type out1 ,christ to come3 ,and when he was indeed come1 then was an end put to the law for righteousness or justification to every one that believeth 7,rom #aj3d74 ,and therefore1 friend1 though thou hast1 or wouldest corrupt my words1 yet have a care of corrupting ,christ's words1 lest thou dost even heap up wrath against the day of wrath1 and revelation of the righteous judgment of ,god4 ,and whereas thou sayest1 ,thou deniest not but ,jesus is the substance4 ,answer1 ,i doubt thou dost not speak thine heart plainly1 but hidest thyself with so saying1 as with an apron2 if we inquire into what it is to hold froth ,jesus the ,son of ,mary to be the substance4 ,therefor he that holds forth ,jesus the ,son of ,mary to be indeed the substance1 and not a type2 holds forth and believes1 that that ,jesus that was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 did in his own body of flesh fulfil the law1 and impute the righteousness of his obedience unto them that he accomplished then without them2 and that his blood that was shed without on the cross1 doth1 and hath washed away all sin past1 present1 and to come1 from him that believeth his2 as it is written1 ,for what the law could not do1 in that it was weak through the flesh1 7that is1 through our flesh47 ,god sending his own ,son in the likeness of sinful flesh1 and for sin1 condemned sin in the flesh3 ,that is1 he was condemned in the flesh that he took on him of the ,virgin ,mary 7,rom #h3c74 ,and again1 he bore our sins in his own body on the tree1 which was the cross on ,mount ,calvary4 ,jesus also 7saith the apostle7 that he might sanctify the people with his own blood1 suffered3 ,where8 ,not in any believer1 but without the gate of ,jerusalem 7,heb #ac3ab74 ,how say you1 do you really believe that at that time when ,jesus did hang on the cross without ,jerusalem's gate1 even at that time he did give the justice of ,god a full and complete satisfaction for all the sins of all believers1 that have been formerly1 or are now1 or hereafter shall be8 ,or do you look upon ,jesus at that time to be but a shadow1 or type of some what that was afterwards to be done within8 ,answer plainly1 yea1 or no2 that the simple may understand you4 ,i now ,i come to answer thy query laid down1 page #ab1 in these words2 ,did ,christ ,jesus put an end to the law1 for them who live yet in the transgression of the law condemned8 ,indeed a right answer to this will be great satisfaction to some1 though ,i think some trouble to others4 ,and therefore in answer to thy question ,i shall lay down these following things3 ,answ4 #a4 ,christ ,jesus did put an end to the law for righteousness1 for all that shall be saved2 for he shall not be offered a second time3 ,no1 but once for all 7,heb #aj3aj74 ,once in the end of the world hath he appeared1 to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself2 and he hath done it once by himself for all 7,heb #i3bf74 ,otherwise he must have often suffered since the world began3 ,but that must not be2 for he dieth no more 7,rom #f3i74 ,but say you1 ,did he put and end to the law for them who still live in transgression8 ,answ4 #b4 ,there are many poor souls that are given unto ,christ1 who yet live in their sins4 ,but ,christ did at that time1 when he hanged on the cross1 give a full and complete satisfaction for them4 ,in due time ,christ died for the ungodly3 ,for scarcely for a righteous man will one die1 yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die4 ,ay1 ,but ,god commendeth his love towards us1 in the1 while we were yet sinners1 ,christ died for us4 while we were yet sinners1 yet ungodly 7,rom #e3f-h74 ,nay1 he did not only die for those who still live in sin1 but he also makes intercession now at the throne of his ,father's grace for them4 ,and he made intercession for the transgressors 7,isa #ec3ab74 ,thou hast ascended on high1 thou hast led captivity captive2--and received gifts for men4 ,for what men8 ,even for the rebellious also4 ,to what end8 ,that the ,lord ,god might dwell among them 7,psa #fh3ch74 ,answ4 #c4 ,that at that very time when ,jesus ,christ did hang on the cross on ,mount ,calvary1 was buried1 rose again from the dead1 and ascended above the clouds from his disciples1 at that very time was all the law fulfilled for righteousness4 ,he is the end of the law1 mark2 he is the end of the law for righteousness4 ,but if there were anything yet to be done for justification1 which was not then done2 there could not be an end put to the law for righteousness1 for every one that believeth4 ,but in that there is an end put to the law for righteousness by ,jesus for all the elect of ,god1 ,christ having once fulfilled it for them3 ,it is manifest1 that there was not anything then left undone by ,christ at that time1 which was afterward to be done by his own ,spirit in his children for justification1 only believe what the man ,christ1 at that time did do1 and saved 7,acts #ac3bi-ci72 and whereas thou asketh1 whether ,christ did justify that which the law condemneth8 ,answ4 #d4 ,i answer1 ,fourthly1 ,that though ,christ ,jesus did not justify sins of ungodliness1 yet he justifieth the ungodly4 ,now to him that worketh is the reward given1 or not reckoned of grace1 but of debt4 ,but to him that worketh not1 but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly1 7mark the ungodly7 his faith is counted for righteousness 7,rom #d3d74 ,he is he that justifieth1 having finished the righteousness of the law in his own person for them4 ,mine own arm brought salvation1 saith he1 but how8 ,even by his bleeding on the cross2 we have redemption through his blood 7,eph #a3g71 which was shed without the gate 7,heb #ac3ab74 ,ay1 and though the law condemneth a sinner1 yet let but that sinner believe in ,christ1 in what he hath done in his own person1 and he shall be justified from all things1 from which he could not be justified by the law of ,moses 7,acts #ac3ci74 ,and whereas thou asketh me the meaning of that scripture1 not one tittle of the law shall fail till all be fulfilled4 ,i answer1 ,that the law hath already been fulfilled for justification1 for every one that believeth3 ,and a believer is to do nothing for justification1 only believe and be saved2 though that law be a rule for every one that believeth to walk by1 but not for justification4 ,but if you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the man ,christ without1 and sanctification wrought by the ,spirit of ,christ1 within2 teaching believers their duty to their ,god1 for his love in giving ,christ2 you are not able to divide the word aright3 but contrariwise1 you corrupt the word of ,god1 and cast stumbling-blocks before the people2 and will certainly one day most deeply smart for your folly1 except you repent4 ,here is a plain answer that may satisfy the simple4 ,the ,lord ,god grant that they may lay it to heart effectually4 ,now this ,i say further1 that if ,god enable any to receive this doctrine aright 7 namely what ,i said even now7 it will more engage the soul to ,god1 than all the threatenings1 thunder-claps1 and curses that come from the law itself4 ,and a soul will do more for ,god1 seeing itself redeemed by the blood of the ,lamb the ,son of ,mary 7,john #a3bi74 than if he had all the conditions of the law to fulfil1 and might be sure to have heaven for the fulfilling of them4 ,now as to the assurance thou speakest of at the end of thy question4 ,i know in the first place1 that though believers themselves do sin1 yet they have an advocate with the ,father1 ,jesus ,christ the righteous2 7#a;,john #b3a74 ,and though the doctrine of the gospel be to abstain from all appearance of evil1 yet our ,lord ,jesus ,christ is so pitiful1 as not altogether to deprive his children of an assurance of their salvation1#b though sometimes through weakness they do transgress4 ,and whereas you would lay an assurance on our obedience to the law2 ,i say1 our assurance comes through our believing1 and our obedience to the law is a fruit of our believing2 for every one that hath this hope1 that he is one of the children1 or sons of ,god1 by faith in ,jesus 7#a;,john #c3c71 purifieth himself1 even as he is pure4 ,holiness of life1 if it be right1 flows from an assurance of our being justified by ,christ's death on the cross1 on ,mount ,calvary2 as it is written again1 that he might sanctify his people with his own blood1 he suffered without the gate4 ,but again1 page #ab4 thou seemest offended1 because ,i say1 ,they are deceived1 who think to obtain salvation by following the law1 which they call ,christ1 though falsely4 ,why shouldst thou be offended at this1 when the scripture saith plainly1 ,that by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight3 for by the law is the knowledge of sin 7,rom #c3bj74 ,but this is thy frothy argument1 ,the law convinceth1 and is our schoolmaster to bring us to ,christ2 therefore the law is not taken away1 sayest thou4 ,friend1 what is this to the purpose8 must we seek for justification by the works of the law1 because the law convinceth8 you may as well say1 we must seek for justification from our consciences1 because they do convince3 ,now where the scripture saith1 the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to ,christ2 do you think it means1 we must be first fitted by purification of ourselves by1 or according to the law1 before we can be saved by ,christ from the curse of the law8 ,if you say1 yea2 then doth not this follow1 that ,christ ,jesus did not come to save sinners1 but to save the righteous2 and if so1 then you must say1 that ,christ1 ,peter1 ,paul1 and all the servants of the ,lord are liars1 who have testified that ,christ died not for the godly1 but for the ungodly and sinners4 ,but where the scripture saith1 the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to ,christ3 ,i ask again1 is it the ceremonial law1 or the moral law that is meant in this place8 ,if you say the moral1 or the ten commandments1 ,i answer2 ,that doth not lead to life and so not to ,christ2 but is properly the ministration of condemnation 7#b;,cor #c3f-aa74 ,that is1 the proper work of the moral law1 or ten commandments1 is to condemn1 if it be not obeyed2 and yet not to bless1 until it be every jot fulfilled1 which is impossible to be done by any man for justification1 in that exact and severe way which the law calls for2 which makes the ,apostle say1 as many as are of the works of the law1 are under the curse4 ,mark1 he doth not say1 as many as are of the works of sin1 are under the curse1 though that be true2 but as many as are of the works of the law1 are under the curse3 for it is written1 ,cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them4 ,but that no man is justified by the law in the sight of ,god1 it is evident3 for1 ,the just shall live by faith 7,gal #c3aj1aa74 ,if it be meant of the ceremonial law1 as ,i am most inclinable to believe1 because he saith it was our schoolmaster2 he doth not say it is1 but it was our schoolmaster to bring us to ,christ1 being tutor or governor2 holding and significations forth1 ,christ to come by its types until the time appointed of the ,father1 which appointed time 7and so that law7 was to have an end1 when ,god sent forth his ,son made of a woman1 ,jesus the ,son of ,mary1 who was made under the law1 to redeem those that were under the law4 ,now the ceremonial law did bring or lead to ,christ these two ways3 ,first1 ,in that it did continue in full force until he did come into the world1 and had done that which was by it held out for him to do4 ,secondly1 ,in that the several types and shadows1 as the blood of bulls and lambs1 with diverse other services did lead to1 or hold forth ,christ that was to come3 ,but the moral law1 or ten commandments1 is so far from leading us to ,christ by our following it1 that it doth even lead those that are led by it under the curse4 ,not because the law hath an evil end in it1 but because of our weakness and inability to do it2 therefore it is forced1 as it is just1 to pass a sentence of condemnation on every one1 that in every particular fulfils it not4 ,in the next place1 thou art offended because ,i said1 ,it is not1 for ,i do not know your fellows for boasting under heaven1 in that you1 7,pharisees like7 do cry up yourselves to be the men1 and condemns all others2 when you are ,,the ,,men that are the greatest enemies to the ,christ of ,god without 7who is the ,saviour7 of any men under heaven4 ,and in that you pretend you are perfect1 when you are the notablest liars and corrupters of the sayings of the people of ,god1 yea1 and of the scriptures also1 that ever ,i came near in all the days of my life2 and ,i doubt not but before ,i have done with you1 ,i shall make it appear to them that read or hear my lines aright4 the query in page #ac4 runs thus1 ,will that faith which is without works justify8 ,i answer1 ,no1 neither will those works which are without faith sanctify4 ,what then1 ,is it faith and works together that doth justify8 ,no1 it is only faith in the blood of the man ,christ1 that did hang on the cross on ,mount ,calvary1 that doth justify in the sight of ,god and the soul1 and it is the fruits of faith1 good works1 which do justify in the sight of men4 ,so that when it is said1 we are justified by works2 it is not meant that works will justify in the sight of ,god4 ,no1 but shew me 7or shew men7 thy faith1 of justify thy faith to be true and right before men by thy works4 ,shew men thy faith by thy works1 it is in the sight of men4 ,so that we conclude a man is justified1 or made manifest to be indeed that which is right1 both to believers1 and to the world by its works4 ,though ,i must confess1 that both ,paul and ,peter1 and the rest of the saints1 may sometimes be deceived in the truth of the faith of others by their works4 ,again ,i page #ag thou seemest to be offended1 because1 ,i say loving by faith1 is to apply the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 his benefits1 as birth1 righteousness1 death1 blood1 resurrection1 ascension1 and intercession1 together with the glorious benefits of his second coming to me1 as mine1 and for me1 c 7,gal #b3bj74 ,friend1 methinks thou shouldest find no fault with this1 but that the ,man ,christ ,jesus1 the ,son of ,mary1 is not very pleasant to thee1 because thou hast swallowed down secretly another doctrine2 but friend1 ,i speak of applying these things4 and thou speakest of talking of them1 ,i know that there are many who talk of ,christ1 that will fall short of heaven and glory4 ,but tell me1 what sayest thou to him that doth apply all these things to his soul1 is there not enough in them to justify him1 that doth really and truly in the power of the ,spirit1 believe this to be true which ,i have said8 or dost thou deny it and preach another gospel saith not1 who shall ascend1 to fetch ,christ from above for salvation4 ,though there is never a scripture that saith these words1 word for word2 yet the scripture saith1 the word is nigh thee1 even in thy mouth1 and in thy heart2 but mark1 it is the word of faith1 not the ,man ,christ ,jesus1 but faith which layeth hold on him 7,rom #aj3h-i71 which is this1 ,that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the ,lord ,jesus1 7who was born of the ,virgin1 ,matt #a3ba7 and shalt believe in thine heart that ,god hath raised him from the dead1 thou shalt be saved4 ,these great and precious scriptures1 with which by corrupting of them1 the ,quakers have beguiled many1 have this meaning1 that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the ,lord ,jesus2 that is1 in profession and practice1 own him1 and believe him to be the anointed ,saviour4 ,and shalt believe in thine heart1 that ,god raised him from the dead1 thou shalt be saved2 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness2 and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation4 ,but what should men believe with the heart8 ,namely this1 that ,god raised him 7 that is ,christ7 from the dead 7verse #aj74 ,and therefore1 ,i wonder thou shouldest so scold1 as thou dost1 against the truth3 ,if this be not truth1 blame the scriptures which do testify of these things for truth4 ,for ,i am ruled and would be ruled by them through the ,spirit4 ,but farther1 thou art offended that ,i should say1 ,they are deceived who own ,christ no otherwise than as he was before the world began4 ,this question1 ,i briefly ask thee1 ,had ,christ a body of flesh before the world began8 ,if you say no1 as you must1 if you say true2 then do not ,i say true1 when ,i say1 they are deceived who own ,christ no otherwise than as he was before the world began8 because they own him not with that body of flesh which he took of the ,virgin ,mary2 and so are antichrists1 as the scripture saith4 ,and how say you8 ,do you believe that the same ,christ who was before the world1 without a body1 did in time come into the world and take a body from the ,virgin1 and in that body did obtain everlasting redemption for sinners83 and is gone with that very body into the presence of this ,father above the clouds into heaven1 from his saints on earth1 though in them by his ,spirit4 ,a plain answer to this would unlock your double meanings4 ,again1 thou sayest the saints drank of the spiritual rock that followed them4 ,friend1 ,i confess1 that that spiritual rock that did follow the fathers1 and long after1 was from the same loins with them1 even from the loins of ,abraham1 and the rest of the children of the promise1 according to the promise1 was the meat and drink of saints 7,rom #i3d1e74 ,but to look upon ,christ no otherwise than as he was before the world was1 which was a ,spirit only1 and not to own him now clothed with a body1 absent from his children touching the same body1 ,i dare be bold to say1 they are no ,christians1 but antichristians1 yea antichrists4 ,he that confesseth not that ,jesus ,christ is come in the flesh is antichrist1 and of antichrist4 ,again1 ,at this also thou wranglest1 because ,i said that every spirit that confesseth not that ,jesus ,christ1 who was with the ,father before the world was1 did in the appointed time of the ,father1 come into the world1 take a body upon him1 and was very ,man as well as very ,god3 and did in the very body suffer what did belong to the sons of men1 c4 ,so my book1 page #db1 #dc1 #dd4 ,i answer1 if thou didst indeed believe the truth1 thou wouldest own these things4 ,but being deceived1 rather that thou wilt let his pass for truth1 though thou wilt put on a vail1 and venture upon it thus1 saying1 ,if every spirit were of ,god1 which doth confess in words this1 then is not the ,pope himself antichrist4 ,answ4 ,friend1 it is one thing to confess the things in words and another thing to believe them1 and to make a life out of them2 and there fore is thy life made out of ,christ without thee1 by the operation of his ,spirit within thee1 yea or no8 then in answer to my bidding people receive no ,christ except ,god's ,christ1 thou sayest thus1 ,that ,christ is a mystery1 and unto him is light1 and shall be salvation where his person never came4 this question ,i ask thee1 did or doth ,christ obtain salvation for any1 without that body which he took of the ,virgin8 ,and yet thou sayest1 it cannot be said1 here is the place where the ,son is not4 ,i answer3 ,as the ,son of ,god is also very ,man1 so it may be said1 here is the place where he is not1 and there is the place where he hath not been1 though as he is ,god it is otherwise3 lit him that reads understand4 ,and now passing by many things that ,i might justly examine1 and also many unseemly expressions1 ,i come to the next thing1 and that is1 where you say1 you wrest not the scriptures in ,john #a3i4 ,but it is evident1 that you do most horribly wrest it1 in the you1 though you seem to take it in the plain words1 yet would hold1 that that light is the ,spirit of ,christ1 notwithstanding here is no such thing mentioned in that scripture4 ,for mark1 as ,i have sometimes said1 and now also will say1 that that light wherewith ,christ1 as he is ,god1 hath lightened every one with1 is not the ,spirit of ,christ1 as is clear1 in that some are sensual having not the ,spirit1 which they must needs have1 if it were given to every one that comes into the world1 and therefore1 in that you say1 ,i say you lay down that scripture false2 ,i say again1 that you say many things which ,i do know to be blasphemy1 as ,i shall prove clearly anon1 as also ,i have already4 ,and therefore1 to take thee of from this1 ,i shall say1 that ,christ as he is a mediator1 a ,man between ,god and man1 so he doth not lighten every man that comes into the world1 though as he is ,god he doth4 ,and this is manifest1 where he often1 7as he was ,man7 saith1 ,these things are spoken to them that are without in parables2 that seeing they might not see1 and hearing they might not understand1 7,luke #h3aj74 ,and again1 where ,judas 7not ,iscariot7 said2 ,lord1 how is it1 that thou wilt manifest thyself to us1 and not unto the world8 ,he saith1 ,if a man love me1 he will keep my words3 and my ,father will love him1 and we 7,i as mediator1 and my ,father as reconciled in me7 will come unto him1 and make our abode with him 7,john #ad3bc74 ,and again1 ,no man knoweth him as a father1 but the ,son1 and he to whom the ,son will reveal him 7,matt #aa3bg74 ,but above all1 take that scripture where the ,son saith1 ,i thank thee ,o ,father1 ,lord of heaven and earth1 because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent1 and hast revealed them unto babes 7verse #be74 ,here the ,son and the ,father are speaking one to another2 the ,father he hides the glorious things of the gospel from the1 world 7,matt #aa3be-bg71 and the ,son he rejoices in so doing4 ,at the same hour ,jesus rejoiced in ,spirit1 and said1 ,i thank thee1 ,o ,father1 c4 ,therefore understand thus much1 that though ,christ as he is ,god1 doth give to every man a light1 which is conscience1 otherwise called nature 7,rom #b3ad2 #a;,cor #aa2ad71 yet it doth not follow1 that every man hath enlightening from ,christ as he is mediator4 ,no1 ,christ as he is mediator doth neither pray for the world 7,john #ag3i71 neither doth he give his ,spirit to all that are in the world2 for some are sensual1 and have it not4 ,but now the argument that thou dost bring to colour the contrary with1 is this2 for what the ,father doth1 sayest thou1 the ,son doth also4 ,answ4 ,though this be true1 that the ,son doth what the ,father doth2 yet it doth not appear that either the ,father or the son hath given the ,spirit to every one that comes into the world 7,jude #ai74 ,again thou sayest1 thou deniest those that say1 ,that light which every one hath as he comes into the world1 is conscience2 though some call it ,christ falsely4 ,answ4 ,friend1 ,what wilt thou have it called2 ,christ4 ,no1 if not conscience1 then call it nature itself2 for all have not the ,spirit4 ,but another great argument thou bringest in page #ae1 is1 ,the light of ,christ doth convince of sin4 ,now do you call conscience the light of ,christ8 that will convince of sin 7,john #h3i74 ,and they being convinced by their own consciences1 c4 if thou dost call the law the light of ,christ1 that also will convince of or make known sin2 ,for by the law is the knowledge of sin 7,rom #c3bj74 ,if thou dost call even nature itself1 the light of ,christ2 ,that also doth shew1 that sins are a shame1 even those sins which some leap over 7#a;,cor #aa3ad71 and ruffian-like they will wear long hair1 which nature itself forbiddeth1 and is commended for the same by the apostle4 ,the ,spirit of ,christ also will convince of sin4 ,that1 because these several things will convince of sin1 therefore will they needs be the ,spirit of ,christ8 ,or do they altogether make but one ,spirit of ,christ8 dost thou profess thyself to walk in the light1 and art not able to know these things2 ,or1 if thou dost know them art thou so unfaithful as not to tell poor people of them1 who are some of them at their wits end1 by reason they are not enlightened into these things4 ,another of thy arguments is1 ,they saw the eternal power and ,godhead1 by that which was made manifest of ,god in them4 ,i reply ,the scripture say not so word for word1 but thus3 ,because that which might be known of ,god1 was manifested in them4 ,but how8 for he hath shewed it unto them4 ,but how8 why the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen1 being understood by the things that are made1 7which words in thy charge against me thou didst leave out7 but mark3 ,the invisible things of ,god from the creation of the world are clearly seen1 being understood by the things that are made4 ,but how then doth it say1 that the knowledge of ,god is manifested in them8 ,why1 because ,god hath shewed it unto them by the things that are made1 even by the creation of the world4 so that this scripture holdeth forth thus much2 that the invisible things of ,god1 as his power1 holiness1 and common goodness to the sons of men are clearly seen1 being understood by the things that are made4 ,but how feeble an argument is this1 to prove such a doctrine as this3 ,that every one hath the ,spirit when this light discovers ,god only by his works in the world4 ,friend1 if they that know ,god1 because he doth shew himself to them by his works in the world1 have the ,spirit of ,christ1 then the same argument will serve to speak thus much2 that the devils themselves have the ,spirit of ,christ1 which would be wonderful blasphemy once to affirm4 ,and friend1 the very devils1 both for the knowledge of sin1 and also for the knowledge of ,god's eternal power and ,godhead1 have more experience than all the unregenerate men in the world2 and yet have not the least spark of the ,spirit of ,christ in them4 ,other lame arguments thou tumblest over1 like a blind man in a thicket of bushes1 which ,i pass by4 ,but one thing more thou hast1 and that is this1 ,thou askest me whether ,i do know this light which god and ,christ hath given to every man 7,rom #b3ad2 #a;,cor #aa3ad78 ,first1 ,i deny that ,christ as he is mediator1 hath given to every man his ,spirit4 ,and ,secondly1 ,i deny1 that ,christ as he is ,god hath given to every one his ,spirit2 but this ,i say as ,i have often said1 it is conscience of nature itself that every one hath1 take it in either of these scripture terms1 as ,i have proved at large4 ,and whereas thou askest me1 ,whether that light1 which ,christ as he is ,god hath lightened every one with that comes into the world1 be sufficient in itself for life and salvation4 ,i answer plainly1 no2 for then ,christ ,jesus needed not to have come into the world to die for sinners2 for every one had that light before ,christ did come into the world4 #b4 ,and secondly ,i answer1 it is not able1 for then it would have been a needles thing for ,christ to tell his disciples of sending them his ,spirit1 to lead them into all truth4 ,the might have said1 why dost thou talk of sending us they ,spirit1 who have that that can do the deed already1 if that could have done it4 #c4 ,because the scripture saith1 some are sensual1 not having the ,spirit4 ,now a man cannot lay hold on ,christ1 nor believe in him savingly without the ,spirit1 because faith is the work of the ,spirit4 #d4 ,because then it had been in vain for the ,lord to have given the scriptures to teach men out of1 either concerning himself or themselves3 ,why8 because without it1 they had a sufficient light to guide them3 that thing must not be so4 ,and whereas thou asketh1 whether the fault be then in ,god1 or in that thou callest his light1 or in the creature8 ,i answer2 ,what if ,god willing to shew his wrath1 and to make his power known1 endured with much patience the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction2 and that he might make know the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy1 which he had afore 7before the world was1 ,eph #a3d7 ordained unto glory8 ,and secondly1 ,o vain man6 ,what is that to thee if ,god should make some vessels to dishonour3 hath not the potter power over the clay1 of the same lump to do therewith as he pleases 7,rom #i3af-bb74 ,and where ,i say1 ,christ as he is ,god hath lightened every one that cometh into the world3 to it thou givest a glavering answer2 but having touched on this before1 ,i pass it by4 ,to the next thing1 where ,i say1 men's neglecting this light1 or law1 will be sure to damn them1 though their obedience to the law will not save them4 ,here thou sayest ,i have confessed truth1 7and ,i know it is true by experience7 and thou commentest on those things laid down by me thus3 ,then surely 7sayest thou 7 ,i t is good not to neglect it2 that is1 not to neglect following the law4 ,to which ,i answer1 as their obedience to the law will not save them1 so their neglect of obedience to the law will be sure to damn them2 these things thou canst not deny4 ,but is this all the wit thou hast8 ,because the neglect of the law will be sure to damn them2 therefore wouldst thou put poor souls to follow that which will not save them8 7,o wonderful ignorance47 ,nay1 but thou shouldest have said1 then surely the best course is1 for a poor soul in this case1 to fly to the ,lord ,christ1 even the ,man ,christ ,jesus1 who was slain on ,mount ,calvary for the sins of poor sinners4 ,and the rather1 because he did so willingly1 of his own accord lay down his life for them4 ,methinks1 ,i say1 thou shouldest rather have said1 then lit us follow the ,son of ,mary1 the ,man ,christ ,jesus1 the ,lamb of ,god that takest away the sins of the world1 by his blood on the cross2 who is now also at his ,father's right hand making intercession for all those that do come to the ,father by him2 but they that are not for the truth1 will advance anything but the truth4 ,and as for that which thou callest the second clause1 which is4 ,the law 7sayest thou7 must by obeyed4 ,i answer1 ,christ ,jesus hath done that in his own person1 and justified me thereby1 and for my part1 ,i will not labour now to fulfil the law for justification1 least ,i should undervalue the merits of the ,man ,christ ,jesus1 and what he hath done without me3 and yet will ,i labour to fulfil1 if it were possible1 then thousand laws1 if they were so many2 ,an ,o6 let it be out of love to my sweet ,lord ,jesus 7#b;,cor #e3ad7 for the love of ,christ constrains me4 ,and thus much to thy #afth page4 ,in the next place1 thou art offended with this1 because ,i say1 though ,christ doth give a light to every one that comes into the world1 yet it doth not therefore follow1 that this conscience1 7or light7 is the ,spirit of ,christ1 or the work of grace wrought in the heart of any believer4 ,this ,i shall pass also1 as having spoken to it already1 only mind thee of they weakness1 in that thou shouldest make this conscience1 that ,christ hath given to every man1 to be the same with the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,and thou sayest further1 that the light1 that ,christ hath lightened every one with1 is the same in nature with the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,o wonderful6 that a man should be so foolish1 and so much besides the truth1 as to compare that nature1 or conscience1 that is given to every man2 equal to the ,spirit of ,christ3 nay1 thou sayest that it is one with it in nature4 ,didst thou not blush when thou laidst it down8 if thou didst not1 thou mightest have done with shame enough4 ,as ,i said before1 because thy conscience will convince thee of sin1 therefore the law must be called ,christ1 or as good as ,christ4 ,what6 because the law will convince of sin1 therefore the law must be called ,christ4 ,what ignorance is this8 ,nay1 nature itself1 that must have the pre-eminency1 even as high as ,christ ,jesus1 because it can tell a man that it is a shame for him to wear long hair4 ,then thou askest me1 can there be a surer thing for the creature to walk by1 than by the light of ,christ1 which thou confessest every one hath1 that cometh into the world4 ,answer1 ,friend1 to the law1 and to the testimony 7sayeth the scriptures7 for they testify of ,christ4 ,and if thou or any else1 shall leave the scriptures1 to follow the convictions of their own conscience2 ye are not like to know ,christ ,jesus the ,lord1 for they may be defiled4 ,and again1 it is through the promises laid down in the scriptures1 that we might be partakers of the divine nature 7#b,peter #a3d71 and not by our following of the law1 or conscience 7,gal #c3a-d74 ,but again1 where ,i say1 ,heathens1 ,turks1 ,jews1 ,atheists1 c4 have that which doth convince of sin1 and yet are so far from having the ,spirit of ,christ in them1 that they delight to do iniquity2 and serve their lust4 ,upon this thou movest this query2 do they1 or ,i1 or any other1 serve sin and lust1 because ,christ hath not given us light1 or because we hate this light4 ,ans4 ,this ,i do really confess1 that every ,heathen1 ,turk1 or ,jew1 in this world1 hath a conscience within them1 that doth convince of sin2 for the ,gentiles which have not the law1 that is1 not the law in tables of stone1 or written as we have2 these do by nature1 the things contained in the law2 these having not the law1 are a law unto them selves2 which shew the work of the law written in their hearts1 their consciences also bearing them witness1 c4 ,and all men and women shall be left without excuse1 even by the convictions of their own consciences1 or the law4 ,but now that these things are the ,spirit of ,christ1 that ,i deny4 ,for conscience is but a creature1 a faculty of the soul of man1 which ,god hath made4 ,neither is the law the ,spirit of ,christ2 for the law is not of faith4 ,they that are of the works of the law1 are under the curse1 but they that have the spirit of ,christ they are the children of ,god1 and under grace1 and delivered from the curse1 as it is written 7,gal #c3aj7 ,as many as are of the words of the law are under the curse4 ,but what is it to be of the works of the law1 or under the law8 ,ans4 ,why to seek to be justified by their obedience to the law4 ,israel which followed after the law of righteousness1 mark4 ,they that follow after righteousness1 do not attain to the law of righteousness2 if they seek it not by faith3 but as it were by the works of the law 7,rom #i3cj1ca74 ,but ,christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law1 being 7 in our nature7 made a curse for us 7,gal #c3aj-ac74 ,but whereas thou sayest1 this conscience or law1 which you would fain have called the ,spirit of ,christ1 works in all men either to justify1 or condemn4 ,i do plainly deny1 that either conscience1 or the law can justify1 though they can condemn4 ,mark1 ,the law is called the ministration of condemnation1 but not of life4 ,the gospel is called the ministration of life1 but not of condemnation4 7#b;,cor #c3i74 ,the law was given that sin might be discovered4 ,the gospel was sent1 that sin might be taken away4 ,the law worketh wrath2 but the gospel is a gospel of peace 7,rom #aj74 ,the law made nothing perfect 7,heb #g3ai74 ,but ,christ justifieth from all those things from which we could not be justified by the law of ,moses 7,acts #ac3ci74 ,and whereas thou askest me whether any thing doth convince of sin contrary to1 or besides the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,i answer4 ,there is conscience1 and the law1 yea1 and nature itself that doth convince of son2 as before ,i have proved at large4 ,yet neither is conscience1 that law2 or nature itself the ,spirit of ,christ2 no1 but are much inferior to it1 as being things of no glory in respect of it4 ,and again1 that something doth convince of sin besides the ,spirit of ,christ1 it is evident1 for the law saith1 ,cursed is every on e that continueth not in all things which are written in it to do them 7,gal #c3aj74 ,but the ,spirit convinceth men of their unbelief1 together with other sins4 ,now mark1 ,the law also convinceth to work for life1 the ,spirit convinceth to believe for life2 the law saith1 ,he that doth not fulfil me1 shall be damned4 ,the ,spirit saith1 ,he that believeth in ,christ shall be saved4 ,now observe the terms of the law and of the gospel1 are different one from another as to justification4 ,if men seek for life by the law2 then the law saith1 ,fulfil me perfectly1 and thou shalt live4 ,the spirit saith1 that ,christ ,jesus came into the world to save those that by transgression had broken the law4 ,for1 for this cause saith the ,spirit ,he 7,jesus the ,son of ,mary1 the ,man ,christ between ,god and us #a,tim #b3e7 is the mediator of the ,new ,testament4 ,for what8 that by means of death1 for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament1 they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance 7,heb #i3ae74 ,now ,i would not be mistaken2 ,i do not say1 that the ,spirit of ,christ doth give the least liberty to sin2 ,god forbid4 ,but its convictions are of a more saving and refreshing nature than the convictions of the law1 and do more constrain the soul to holiness than that4 ,the law saying1 work for life2 the ,spirit saying1 ,now to him that worketh not1 7for life7 but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly1 his faith is counted for righteousness 7,rom #d3e71 as thus1 if ,i should owe to two creditors ten thousand talents2 the one should say unto me1 thou owest me five thousand talents1 pay that thou owest2 the other should say1 thou owest me five thousand talents1 and ,i frankly and freely forgive thee all4 ,now these expressions are contrary one to another3 even so is the end of the convictions of the law1 not according to the end of the convictions of the ,spirit of ,christ2 the one saying1 pay me that thou owest1 the other saying1 thou art frankly and freely forgiven all4 ,the next thing thou utterest is1 where ,i say1 ,those that are alive unto sins1 have not the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,but sayst thou1 it is given to every man4 ,mark1 thou sayest1 ,it is given to every man4 ,the apostle saith1 some are sensual1 having not the ,spirit 7,jude #ai74 ,who must we now believe1 the ,apostle or you8 ,certainly your doctrine is not according to truth1 but a lie2 as is clear1 in the you will affirm1 that which the ,apostle doth deny4 ,then thou sayest1 ,i bring other vain arguments to prove that every one hath not the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,this one is enough to prove it1 that the ,apostle saith1 ,some men have it not4 ,but that which thou callest vain1 ,i am sure neither thou nor any of they fellows1 are able to answer4 ,one is to this purpose2 the devils are so convinced of son1 that they did fear the torment that was to come upon them for their sins2 and did fear also that the son of ,man was come to torment them for their sins1 and yet the devils have not the spirit of ,christ4 so that it is evident1 that we may be convinced of sin1 and yet not by the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,a second argument which thou callest vain1 is this1 ,man in his coming into the world1 hath his conscience given him1 which doth convince of sin 7,john #h3i71 yet man in his coming into the world1 or as he cometh into the world1 hath not the ,spirit of ,christ given him1 for that must be received ordinarily afterward by the preaching of the word1 which is preached by the ministers and servants of ,jesus ,christ 7,acts #aj3dd74 while ,peter yet spake to the people1 the ,holy ,ghost fell on all them which heard the word4 ,but farther1 thou sayest1 ,until ,i prove the light of ,christ contrary to the ,spirit of ,christ1 thou wilt say1 that every man hath that which is one in union1 and like the ,spirit of ,christ1 even as good as the ,spirit of ,christ in its measure4 ,answer4 ,friend1 ,i have proved already that every man hath not the ,spirit of ,christ1 though they have that which thou dost call the ,spirit of ,christ1 which is conscience and nature itself4 ,and this ,i say again1 that thou hast laid open thy weakness very much1 to say that every man hath that which is as good as the ,spirit of ,christ1 ,friend1 seeing the scriptures say1 some have not the ,spirit of ,christ1 how durst thou so blaspheme1 as to say1 then it is as good as the ,spirit of ,christ in its measure4 ,was there ever such a deal of ignorance discovered at one time by man1 as to say1 that every man hath the spirit1 or that which is as good as the ,spirit2 though the ,spirit saith plainly1 that some have not the ,spirit1 as ,i have proved plainly 7,jude #ai74 ,friend1 what is there besides the ,spirit that is as good as the ,spirit4 ,be silent1 and say no more so1 lest thou dost through ignorance1 or presumption1 set up thy conscience or nature1 as high and as good as the ,spirit of ,christ1 when indeed they are not worthy to be compared with it1 being weak1 and not able to do that which is and hath been done by the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,then thou art offended1 because ,i said the devil doth deceive poor souls by bidding them listen within1 and see if there be not that which doth convince of sin4 friend1 all men have not the ,spirit1 though they have that conscience that doth convince of son 7,john #h3i74 ,now seeing all men have not the ,spirit1 is it not a great deceit of the devil to persuade poor souls1 that because they are convinced for son by their own consciences1 therefore they have the ,spirit of ,christ3 surely it is from the devil4 ,because he would make thee believe that conscience1 which is but a creature1 is the ,spirit of ,christ1 by whom the world was made4 ,again1 because the soul1 being persuaded that it hath the ,spirit 7when it hath it not7 as all men naturally are without it 7,eph #e3ac1ad71 it is kept off from seeking and begging for it1 being already persuaded 7falsely7 that it hath it4 ,and whereas thou sayest1 the voice of the gospel is to bid listen within the heart1 as ,paul preacheth4 ,i deny that ,paul biddeth listen within4 ,but the scripture that you would fain make shelter for your error is this1 where he saith1 ,the word is nigh thee1 even in thy mouth1 and in thy heart 7,rom #aj3h74 ,that is1 ,the word of faith which we preach4 ,now1 ,friend1 faith is that which layeth hold of1 or believeth the gospel4 ,and that his is the meaning read the next verse3 ,that 7saith he7 ,if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the ,lord ,jesus1 and shalt believe in thine heart that ,god hath raise him from the dead1 thou shalt be saved4 so that it is clear that the word of faith1 is to believe assuredly from the very heart1 that ,god hath raised up ,jesus from the dead1 out of the grave into which he was laid by ,joseph2 and that he was raised again for my justification 7,rom #d3be71 as it is written 7#a;,cor #ae71 ,moreover brethren 7saith he17 ,i declare unto you the gospel which ,i preached unto you at the first1 which also you have received1 and wherein ye stand1 by which also ye are saved1 if ye keep in memory1 7 or assuredly believe17 what ,i preached unto you1 unless ye have believed in vain4 but what was that gospel you preached8 why1 saith he 7verse #c71 ,i delivered unto you first of all1 that which ,i also received1 how that ,christ died for our sins according to the scriptures2 and that he was buried1 and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures3 and that he was seen of--the brethren after his resurrection1 c4 the word of the gospel1 my friend1 is1 ,christ died for our sins according to the scriptures1 and that he rose again according to the scriptures1 and that he is ascended from his disciples1 to prepare a place for them according to the scripture4 ,that he ever liveth to make intercession in his own person without1 as mediator between ,god and man1 according to the scripture 7,heb #g3be74 ,that he will come again in the clouds with all his mighty angels1 and before him shall all nation be gathered1 according to the scriptures 7#a,thess #d3af1ag2 ,matt #be3ca1cb71 after which time1 his saints shall be ever with him according to the scriptures4 ,again1 thou art offended in that ,i said1 ,now the poor soul finding this to be so 7that it is convinced of sin7 all in haste 7if it be willing to profess7 through ignorance of the gospel1 claps in with the motions of its own conscience1 which doth command to abstain from this evil1 and to practise that good4 ,which words of mine thou corruptest1 and wrestest1 and layest down in another form1 as are to be seen in thy book1 page #ah4 ,but now1 friend1 is not he ignorant of the gospel1 which thinks his own conscience will lead him to eternal life1 by commanding to abstain from this evil1 and practise that good8 ,surely1 if salvation comes by our conscience1 or by the convictions or commands thereof1 ,christ ,jesus died for nothing 7,gal #b3ba74 ,and whereas thou askest1 what1 and how doth the light of the gospel work1 if not in the conscience4 ,i answer1 ,though the light of the ,spirit of ,god and the gospel light is hid1 and dith not shine so much as unto1 much less into the consciences of some of them that be lost 7#b;,cor #d3c1d7 that though the light of the gospel dith shine1 and that gloriously too in the hearts of ,god's elect1 yet it dith not follow1 that the convictions of conscience is the gospel2 no1 nor the convictions of the law neither4 ,and again1 though every one of ,god's elect have the light of the glorious gospel shining in them1 what argument is this to prove all men have the light of the gospel shining in them4 ,no1 saith ,christ1 ,i thank thee1 ,o ,father1 because thou hast hid these things 7the things of the gospel7 from the wise and prudent1 and hast revealed them unto babes 7,matt #ab3be74 ,and whereas thou sayest 7as ,i gather by thy words7 that ,i call conscience the light of ,christ1 ,i say1 if thou meanest by these words 7the light of ,christ7 the ,spirit of ,christ1 ,i do deny that every man hath it3 but if thou callest conscience the light of ,christ1 or the highest light that is in an unconverted man the light of ,christ2 then1 ,i say1 that the highest light that is in a natural or unconverted man 7which you call the light of ,christ7 is not able by all its motions an convictions1 nor yet by all the obedience that a man ca yield to these convictions2 ,i say1 they are not able to deliver him from the wrath to come2 for deliverance from that s obtained by the blood of ,jesus1 which was shed on the cross1 without the gate of ,jerusalem 7as ,i have often said7 7,eph #a3g compared with ,heb #ac3ab74 and not any light within a natural man4 ,and whereas thou sayest that ,i said1 the devil counterfeits the new birth by persuading to follow the light of the world4 ,i answer1 #c ,thou hast most naughtily belied me4 ,the words that ,i said 7speaking of the devil before7 are these2 ,now he counterfeits the new birth 7said7 by persuading them that it is wrought by following the light that they brought into the world with them2 as is clearly seen in my book1 page #gf4 ,friend1 ,i wonder that you should so boldly profess yourself to be led by the ,spirit of ,christ1 when you make it manifest that you are guided by the spirit of ,satan4 ,was not he a liar8 and hast not thou been led by a lying spirit also1 in wresting of my words as thou hast done8 ,but ,i do freely declare again1 that ,satan doth deceive those souls1 whom he persuades the new birth is wrought in1 by following the light they brought into the world with them2 for men as they come into the world1 do not receive the ,spirit1 for it is given to the elect afterwards2 neither have all men the ,spirit4 ,and he that hath the new birth1 must have it by1 and through the ,spirit2 as it is written1 ,except a man be born of water and of the ,spirit1 he cannot enter into the kingdom of ,god4 ,therefore1 if men do not bring the ,spirit into the world with them2 and if nothing without the ,spirit1 or nothing but the ,spirit1 will or can work the new birth in a man3 it must needs follow1 that they who think the new birth is wrought by that light or conscience which they brought into the world with them1 must needs be beguiled by ,satan4 ,i do pass by many of thy raging expressions1 which ,i might justly charge with much unrighteousness2 but ,i know the time is short1 and then whatsoever thou has done in secret1 shall be laid open upon the house tops1 therefore ,i forbear them4 ,again1 thou art offended because ,i said1 now ,satan makes the soul believe he is its friend1 and that he is a gospel minister 7#b;,cor #aa3ad71 and if the soul will be led by what shall be made known to it1 from the light or conscience within1 it shall not need to fear1 but it shall do well1 page #gf4 of my book #aec4 ,i said it then1 and ,i say it now2 and ,i know that he that doth think to be born again by following his conscience1 or any other light that is in an unregenerate man1 will be deceived1 and shall one day know1 that there is a difference between conscience and ,christ2 between the light of nature1 and the ,spirit of ,god4 ,quest4 ,but you may say1 how can you prove that conscience is not of the same nature1 of the ,spirit of ,christ8 ,answ4 #a4 ,they that are unbelieving1 even their conscience is defiled4 ,tit4 i4 #ae4 ,but so cannot be the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,answ4 #b4 ,conscience is not of the same nature with the ,spirit of ,christ1 for conscience may be hardened or seared with an hot iron3 as it is written 7#a,tim #d3b74 ,but so cannot be the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,answ4 #c4 ,our consciences naturally are evil1 having 7saith the scripture7 our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience 7,heb #aj3bb74 ,but so is not the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,but again whereas you said1 that ,i said1 they will not speak except the ,spirit move the1 c thou dost falsely speak of me1 and dost corrupt my words2 for ,i said1 ,how they will not speak except their spirit move them1 7,i do not say the ,spirit of ,christ7 7said ,i7 ,friend2 if you can be lead to life by your own spirit1 if your own spirit will learn you the things of the ,spirit of ,god2 and if you can speak them with and in your own spirit1 in the demonstration that they are spoken1 when they are spoken in the ,spirit of ,christ2 7which all men have not7 then say that ,i speak false things2 but till that time hold your peace4 ,thus ,i pass by they #bj4 page1 leaving many of thy scolding terms to thyself4 ,the next thing you sayest ,is1 that ,i did run but was not sent1 like unto my forefathers3 and therefore sayest thou1 ,i do not profit the people at all4 ,answ4 ,which accusation of thine1 ,i shall leave to be taken notice of by the people of ,god in the country where ,i dwell1 who will testify the contrary for me1 setting aside the carnal ministry1 with their retinue2 who are as mad against me as thyself4 ,but farther1 thou art somewhat distempered1 and discontented that ,i said1 ,many sad and horrible doctrines are vented by you1 ,and your said1 ,i named nothing4 ,answ4 ,i need not1 thine own speech betrayeth thee1 that thou art one of them1 that do such things2 and ,i need go no further than thy own mouth and doctrine4 ,but if it will be more satisfaction to tell you wherein1 they or your society do hold sad doctrine ,i shall4 #a4 ,therefore your society do hold and affirm1 that that man which was hanged on the cross between two thieves1 called ,jesus2 in his person is within you1 contrary to the scripture 7,acts #a3aa74 #b4 ,you say that ,christ is crucified within1 dead within risen and ascended within2 which also you have no word of scripture to prove4 #c4 ,your society affirm1 that the coming of the ,spirit into the hearts of believers do plainly hold forth1 that the coming of ,christ in the spirit was before his coming in the flesh2 as in #a,peter #a3aj1aa where the apostle speaking of the prophets inquiring into the great salvation which was afterwards to be accomplished1 saith1 searching what1 of what manner of time the ,spirit of ,christ which was in them did signify1 when it testified before hand the sufferings of ,christ1 and the glory that should follow4 ,mark1 here is the ,spirit of ,christ in the prophets1 long before the first coming of ,christ in the flesh1 which was when he was born of ,mary the ,virgin1 the ,spirit of ,christ1 saith he1 did testify before hand the suffering of ,christ1 to the prophets1 which were before ,christ came in the flesh1 as the scriptures hold forth plentifully4 #d4 ,but again1 you deny the second coming of that very ,man1 with that very body1 which was born of the ,virgin ,mary2 and say1 his second coming is not his coming again personally1 but his coming in the ,spirit only2 and that is all you look for1 when the scripture saith2 ,that same ,jesus 7who appeared to his disciples after his passion 7,acts #a3c771 shall so come1 even as they did see him depart from them into heaven2 which was a very ,man1 as well as very ,god4 ,and will come again1 a very ,man1 as well as very ,god1 at the end of the world4 ,for it is that ,man2 namely1 he that was crucified1 whom ,god raised again1 must be the judge of quick and dead 7,acts #aj3ci-db4 seriously compared74 #e4 ,again1 you say1 that every man hath the spirit of ,christ1 which is a sad doctrine1 because contrary to the scripture 7,jude #ai74 ,and you say1 there is that in every man which is as good as the ,spirit of ,christ2 which is a blasphemous doctrine4 ,besides many other things which they of your own spirit have most sadly spoken2 which ,i shall not mention1 being so commonly known to the saints of the ,lord1 before whom you have openly1 and without fear 7at least in shew7 spoken4 ,which will doubtless be laid open to your sorrow and great amazement1 at the appearing of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,then thou art offended because ,i said1 ,i wonder that the ,lord doth not either cause the ground to open her mouth and swallow you up3 or else suffer the devil to fetch you away1 to the astonishing the whole world4 ,certainly1 ,korah1 ,dathan1 and ,abiram did not so horribly transgress1 as you have it were the astonishment of the world4 ,therefore ,i may well wonder that you are not served so4 ,only this ,i consider1 it may be1 you have not yet filled up the measure of your wickedness2 therefor is not the hand of ,god as yet upon you4 ,the next thing ,i take notice of is1 that thou findest fault with mine answer to this question4 ,but doth not the scripture say1 that it is the ,spirit of ,christ that doth convince of sin8 ,thou sayest it is a good question1 but ,i have confounded it in the answer1 and not answered plainly4 ,wherefore ,i shall not at all stick at the pains1 to give the reader in brief some of the heads of the answer ,i then gave to it word for word1 or to the same purpose4 ,the answer was1 yes1 that ,spirit doth convince of sin2 but for the better understanding of this place1 ,i shall lay down this1 said ,i1 ,that there are two things spoken of in scripture1 that do manifest or convince of sin4 ,first1 the law 7,rom #c3bj74 ,for by the law is the knowledge of sin4 ,secondly1 the ,spirit of ,christ doth also the same1 as it is written1 ,and when he is come1 he will #d;convince the world of sin 7,john #af3g-i74 ,now say ,i1 sometimes the law itself1 by its own power doth manifest sin1 as in the case of ,judas1 who was so far from having the ,spirit of ,christ1 that the devil had very great possession of him4 ,which things my adversary doth wrangle at1 yet dares not affirm the contrary3 only saith this1 he had the righteous law of ,god written in his heart3 which thing is not the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,the law in not of faith4 ,the law is not the comforter1 but rather a tormentor3 yet the ,spirit of ,christ is a comforter4 ,again say ,i1 the ,spirit of ,christ doth take the law1 and doth effectually convince of sin1 c4 ,then ,i put forth another question1 saying1 ,but how should ,i know whether ,i am convinced by the law alone1 or whether the law be effectually set home by the spirit8 ,to which ,i answer1 when the law doth convince by its own power1 it doth convince only of sins against the law2 as lying1 swearing1 stealing1 c4 pronouncing an horrible curse against thee if thou fulfil it not1 and there leaves thee1 but gives thee no power to fulfil it completely and continually1 which thou must do1 if thou be saved thereby4 ,with which my adversary is much offended2 also saying1 that ,i am confounded in my discourse1 and so leaves me1 confuting none of my words by holy scripture1 but falls a railing1 because ,i reckon ,pharisees and ,quakers together4 ,only this much he saith2 ,that ,i make it a light thing to be convinced by the law1 and then brings in that scripture2 this is the condemnation1 that light is come into the world1 and men love darkness rather than light2 cunningly corrupting of it1 and would fain have you understand it as spoken of the law1 when the son of ,mary speaks it of himself1 which was not the law1 but the ,saviour4 ,and that he might the better go away undiscerned1 he saith1 and the law is light1 therefor the light is the law 7saith he74 ,but ,i perceive that he doth not yet understand the difference between the light of the law1 and the light of the gospel2 but would fain make the law and ,christ one ,saviour3 the one being but only a condemning light1 and nothing else2 the other a saving comfortable light4 ,and whereas thou sayest1 ,i make it a light thing to be convinced by the law1 ,i answer2 the law is good1 if a man use it lawfully2 and ,i hour it in its place2 yet if they make a ,saviour if it1 they make an idol of it1 and wrest it out of its proper place4 ,also1 if they think that it is ,christ1 they are much deceived4 ,but farther1 he put me to prove any such distinction in scripture as that there is anything made mention of therein that doth convince of son1 beside the ,spirit of ,christ3 which thing ,i have already answered1 where ,i said the scripture saith1 ,by the law is the knowledge of sin 7,rom #b3bj71 and again1 doth not even nature itself teach you1 that it is a shame for a man to wear long hair 7#a;,cor #aa3ad71 and also conscience1 which are neither of them the spirit of ,christ1 but much inferior to the same2 yet this also convinceth of sin 7,john #h3i74 ,but to the other thing1 which is the answer that ,i give in my book to this objection3 ,but ,i am not only convinced of my sins 7may some say7 but have also some power against my sins2 so that ,i do in some measure abstain from the sins forbidden in the law4 ,and because ,i say1 this thou mayest have and do1 as thou thinkest1 perfectly too as thou thinks1 mark that as those fond hypocrites1 called ,quakers think that they also do1 and yet be but a natural man4 ,here my adversary is very much offended1 and calls me perverter of the right way of the ,lord2 and saith1 ,shew me any natural man in the scripture that hath done it4 ,whereas had he been but willing to have laid down the scripture ,i brought to prove it1 he needed not to have looked for a second answer4 ,but because he would have it again1 ,i will therefore shew you1 that natural men merely by nature may be convinced1 and abstain from those things forbidden in the law1 and think they do it perfectly1 nay1 they do the things contained in the law4 ,for saith the apostle 7,rom #b3ad71 when the ,gentiles1 which have not the law1 do by nature mark1 do by nature the things contained in the law1 these1 the ,gentiles having not the law1 are a law unto themselves4 ,mark2 the ,gentiles do by nature the things contained in1 or held forth1 or made mention of by the law2 the light also that they have1 it is themselves1 being a law to themselves2 that is1 their consciences 7being of themselves7 bearing them witness and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing1 or else excusing one another 7verse #ae71 though they cannot be saved thereby4 ,again1 when ,paul was a natural man1 and a persecutor of ,jesus ,christ1 he saith of himself1 that then he was1 touching the righteousness which is in the law1 blameless 7,phil #c3f74 ,and whereas thou sayest1 thou hadst rather choose to be one of those who abstain from those things forbidden in the law1 and to have power over sin1 than to live in the transgression of the law2 this is fair spoken1 and it doth shew that thou art under the convictions of the law2 and if it be no worse1 ,i fear thy state the less1 though it be bad enough2 yet this ,i say1 ,if thy soul be not saved freely by the blood of that man who was crucified on ,mount ,calvary1 and by his merits alone done by himself in his own person1 thou1 notwithstanding wilt fall short of eternal life4 for by the works of the law1 shall no flesh living be justified 7,rom #c3bj74 ,though by it be the knowledge of sin1 and a command to abstain from the same4 ,and thus have ,i spoken to thy #ba page4 ,but farther thou sayest1 that thou fearest ,i worship the name ,mary1 because ,i mention her name so much4 ,i reply ,if thou hadst said1 ,i worship her ,son1 thou hadst said truly 7,i hope7 ,but is not thy spite more against her son1 than her8 ,i doubt it is2 for neither thou1 nor they companions can endure that one should say1 he is still the same that was born ,mary1 flesh and bones1 a very man1 now absent from his people1 though in them in his ,spirit4 ,again1 thou sayest ,i said1 ,that as he is ,god1 ,christ lighteneth every man that comes into the world2 which thing again ,i say4 ,what then8 ,then say you1 ,i will mind you of one scripture which you yourself have quoted1 which saith ,the law is light 7,prov #f3bc74 ,therefore sayest thou1 ,the light is the law4 ,give me leave here to take thy words in twain3 ,first1 if when thou sayest1 then the law is light1 thou mean1 the light of the law is the light of the law1 and no more1 thou sayest right4 ,but if thou mean the light of the law1 is the light of the gospel1 or the ,spirit of ,christ1 ,i must needs reprove thee4 ,for ,i tell thee again1 the law is not of faith1 the law makes nothing perfect 7,heb #g3ai74 ,the law is but a weak and unprofitable thing1 as to justification 7,heb #g3ah71 though as ,i said before1 it is good if it be used lawfully2 which is1 not to seek or look for justification thereby1 nor yet to say1 it is the sprit of ,christ4 ,then farther thou art offended1 because ,i said1 when the spirit of ,christ convinceth1 it convinceth of more sins than the sins against the law4 ,friend1 will the law shew a man that his righteousness is sin and dung8 ,no1 for though the law will shew a man that his failing in the acts of righteousness is sin2 yet ,i question1 whether the law will shew1 that a man's own righteousness is sin4 ,for there is in scripture that which saith it doth1 or can4 ,secondly1 shew me1 if thou canst1 that the sin of unbelief is spoken against in all the ten commandments1 or that called the moral law4 ,but now the ,spirit of ,christ convinceth of unbelief1 that is1 it sheweth1 that if men do not believe1 that they have redemption by the obedience of that man who was laid in the manger1 hanged on the cross1 c4 ,i say1 it sheweth1 that those who do not lay hold on what he hath done and suffered without them in his own body on the tree 7through the operation of his ,spirit1 which he hath promised to give to them that ask him7 or else they have not yet been convinced of the sin of unbelief1 and so are still in a perishing condition2 notwithstanding their strict obedience1 to the light within them1 or to the law4 ,and now tell me1 you that desire to mingle the law and the gospel together1 and to make of both one and the same gospel of ,christ3 did you ever see yourselves undone and lost1 unless the righteousness1 blood1 death1 resurrection and intercession of the man ,christ ,jesus 7in his own person7 was imputed to you8 and until you could by faith own it as done for you1 and counted yours by reputation1 yea1 or no8 ,nay rather1 have you not set up your consciences1 and the law1 and counted your obedience to them better1 and more value1 that the obedience of the son of ,mary without you1 to be imputed to you8 and if so1 it is because you have not been savingly convinced by the ,spirit of ,christ1 of the sin of unbelief4 ,other things thou dost quarrel against1 but seeing they are in effect the same with the former1 ,i pass them by2 and shall come to the next thing thou dost think to catch me withal1 and that is2 because ,i say1 that ,god only is the ,saviour1 there is none besides him4 ,therefore sayest thou1 how contrary is this to that in p4 #bd1 where ,i say1 ,how wickedly are they deluded1 who own ,christ no otherwise that as he was before the world began4 ,now this in no contradiction as thou wouldest have it2 for though ,i say there is none but ,god our ,saviour1 yet ,i did also then in my book shew how he was our ,saviour1 namely1 in that he came into the world1 being born of a virgin1 made under the law1 that he might redeem them that were under the law1 by his obedience in that nature1 by suffering in that nature1 by his rising again in that nature1 and by carrying that nature into heaven with him1 as the scriptures at large declare2 and therefore1 though ,i say ,god is our ,saviour1 and none besides him2 yet they that own him to be the ,saviour no otherwise than as he was before the world began1 are such as deny that he is come in the flesh1 and so are of antichrist 7#a;,john #b7 ,for before ,god could actually be a ,saviour1 he must partake of another nature than the divine1 even the nature of man 7,heb #b3ad1ae74 ,again1 thou sayest1 it is a sander put upon the ,quakers1 to say1 they slight the resurrection3 ,ans4 ,what say you1 do you believe the resurrection of the body after it is laid in the grave8 ,do you believe that the saints that have been this four or five thousand years in their graves shall rise1 and also the wicked1 each one with that very body wherein they acted in this world2 some to everlasting life1 and some to everlasting contempt8 ,answer plainly1 and clear yourselves1 but ,i know you dare not1 for you deny these things4 ,but if you speak doubtfully1 or covertly in answer there unto2 ,i doubt not but ,god will help me to find you out1 and lay open your folly2 if ,i shall live till another cavil by you be put forth against the truth4 ,the next thing thou cavillest at is1 that query raised from 7,eph #d3aj74 and thou sayest ,i have not answered it4 ,you should have answered it better1 or else have confuted that answer ,i gave unto it1 and then you had done something3 ,but the great thing that troubles thee is1 because ,i say1 7further in my book7 he that ascended from his disciples1 was a very man1 ,handle me and see2 saith ,christ1 for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have4 ,now let the adversary shew by the scripture 7said ,i7 that there is in them any place called heaven1 which is able to contain a man of some four or five foot long 7or a competent man of flesh and bones7 for the space of fifteen or sixteen hundred years1 but that above the clouds1 which troubles thee so1 that it makes thy tongue run thou canst not tell how2 but know1 that when the son of man shall come from heaven to judge the world in righteousness1 that which thou callest foolishness now1 thou wilt find a truth thereby to thy own wrong1 if thou close not in with him1 who said1 ,handle me and see1 for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have 7,luke #bd3ci74 ,another thing that thou art troubled at1 is1 in that ,i do reckon the ,quakers to be of the deluding party2 when alas1 all men that have eyes to see2 may easily discern1 that you are of the generation1 as will appear in part by your own expressions1 both now1 and also at other times4 ,but that you may take off the brand from yourselves1 you say1 that the false prophets and antichrist1 were in the apostle days1 as though there should be no false prophets now1 when the very time we live in doth manifestly declare1 and hold forth1 that there are many1 who at this day seek to beguile unstable souls1 of which sort you are not the least1 though for ought ,i can learn as yet1 you are the last1 7that are come into the world7 but that you may the better shift it form yourselves1 you say1 that in those days there was not a ,quaker heard of2 namely1 in the days of ,john4 ,friend1 thou hast rightly said1 there was not a ,quaker heard of indeed1 though there were many ,christians heard of then4 ,by this you yourselves do confess1 that you are a new upstart sect1 which was not at other times in the world1 though ,christian saints have been always in the world4 ,friend1 here like a man in the dark1 in seeking to keep thyself out of one ditch1 thou art fallen into another2 instead of proving yourselves no false prophets1 you prove yourselves no ,christians1 saying1 ,there was not a ,quaker heard of then4 ,but if ,quakers had been ,christians1 then they would have been heard of the glory of ,god1 and his ,christ4 ,again to defend thyself thou throwest the dirt in my face1 saying2 ,,if we should diligently trace thee1 we should find thee in their steps1 meaning false prophets1 through fained words1 through covetousness making merchandise of souls1 loving the wages of unrighteousness4 ,friend1 dost thou speak this as from thy own knowledge1 or did any other tell thee so8 ,however1 that spirit that led thee out this way1 is a lying spirit4 ,for though ,i be poor1 and of no repute in the world1 as to outward things2 yet through grace ,i have learned by the example of the apostle to preach the truth2 and also to work with my hands1 both for mine own living1 and for those that are with me1 when ,i have opportunity4 ,and ,i trust that the ,lord ,jesus1 who hath helped me to reject the wages of unrighteousness hitherto1 will also help me still1 so that ,i shall distribute that which ,god hath given me freely1 and not for filthy lucre's sake4 ,other things ,i might speak in vindication of my practice in this thing3 but ask of others1 and they will tell thee that the things ,i say are truth3 and hereafter have a care of receiving anything by hearsay only1 lest you be found a publisher of those lies which are brought to you by others1 and so render yourself the less credible2 but be it so4 ,and as for your thinking1 that to drink water1#e and wear no hatbands1 is not walking after your own lusts2 ,i say1 that whatsoever men do make a religion out of1 having no warrant for it in the scripture1 is but walking after their own lusts1 and not after the ,spirit of ,god4 ,thus have ,i passed thy #bc;d page4 ,and lest you should think that the ,quakers are not such as condemned me and others for preaching according to the scriptures2 as you would fain clear your selves of this charge laid against you in my book1 by your saying1 you deny the accusation to be true upon any of the ,quakers4 ,i shall therefore tell you of your sister ,anne ,blackly1 who did bid me in the audience of many1 ,to throw away the scriptures4 to which ,i answered1 ,no1 for then the devil would be too hard for me4 ,and again1 because ,i said1 ,the man ,christ ,jesus was above the clouds and the heavens1 now absent from his people in the world1 touching his bodily presence2 she said1 ,i preached up an idol1 and used conjuration and witchcraft4 which things ,i should rather have desire her to repent of1 than to make her a public example for others to take warning by2 but that it is expedient that your folly be laid open1 that others may fear to do as you have done4 ,but farther1 thou chargest me with a loud crying out against ,christ within4 ,this is thy throwing of dirt in my face again1 for ,i have said it often1 that if any man have not the ,sprit of ,christ he is none of his4 ,again thou sayest that in page #bjc1 ,i do take in hand to prove or discover that the doctrine of ,christ within1 is a false opinion4 ,thou dost also here speak falsely of me1 for all that ,i take in hand to prove1 is this1 that they hold a false opinion 7and principles too7 who hold up a ,christ within1 in opposition to ,christ without1 who is the ,saviour2 as doth plainly appear by my following discourse1 if you read from page #bjc to the end of my book4 ,but in the next place1 after much railing1 thou comest to the place where ,i again ask this question1 doth not the scripture make mention of a ,christ within8 ,to which ,i answer1 ,yes1 and he that hath it not is note of his4 ,but to lay open my folly at last thou sayest1 ,doth not the scripture say1 ,christ is within you1 except ye be reprobates8 and is not this thus much1 are not all they reprobates 7say you7 but they in whim ,christ is within8 ,ans4 ,they are indeed reprobates who have not ,christ within them2 but now1 how is thy folly manifest8 that in one place thou shouldest confess some are reprobates1 who have not ,christ within2 and yet in page #ah1 of thy book thou sayest1 it is given to every man4 ,and in page #bf1 of thy book1 thou sayest1 that a measure of the ,spirit is given to every man1 and is given within him too1 though the scripture declareth the contrary1 and thyself also now at last4 ,it is well thou dost recant so much1 as to eat thy first words at the last1 or at least to show thyself unstable in judgment3 ,friend1 thou mayest see1 the more thou dost fight against the truth1 the more thou foilest thyself3 ,partly by helping of it1 and partly by contradiction thyself4 ,one thing more thou dost befool thyself with2 and that is1 in that thou in the first place sayest thou ownest the words in my book1 and yet hath spent some four sheets of paper to vent thy thoughts against them4 ,but peradventure thou wilt say2 those words that ,i own are not those that ,i speak against1 but the other4 to which ,i answer1 ,there are many things in my book spoken of by me that are truth1 which if you own1 you must leave professing your self a ,quaker4 ,as1 #a4 ,that that man that was born of the virgin ,mary1 called ,jesus 7,i say you will not own7 that he in his own person1 by himself without us1 die completely bring in everlasting life for us1 by offering up himself once for all upon the cross4 #b4 ,that ,christ who wrought out redemption for his children1 did after he had wrought it out1 go away from them1 and not into them in his person4 #c4 ,that he ever liveth1 that very man to make intercession in his person1 in the presence of his ,father without1 until the end of the world4 #d4 ,that that very man who did go away from his disciples into heaven1 will come again personally the same man the second time1 and before him shall be gathered all nations1 and he shall judge them for their sins3 and take his to himself1 who shall soul and body be with him to all eternity2 these things 7,i say7 thou couldest not own1 though they are the truth of ,god4 ,but leaving thee to the great ,god1 who will give thee according to thy works1 in this as in other things3 ,i shall come to thy answers to my queries4 ,query #a4 ,the first query that ,i propounded is1 ,if thou sayest that every man hath a measure of the ,spirit of ,christ within him1 why say the scriptures1 ,some are sensual1 having not the ,spirit4 ,and when ,christ telleth his disciples1 of sending them the ,spirit1 he saith1 the world cannot receive it4 ,here in the first place thou hast not only answered deceitfully1 but hast also corrupted my words in laying down the query1 in that thou didst leave out some words1 for thou didst lay it down thus3 ,if thou sayest that every man hath a measure of the ,sprit of ,christ within him1 why say the scriptures1 some are sensual1 having not the ,spirit3 and ,christ saith1 ,the world cannot receive it4 7,reader1 compare them both together47 ,now thy answer1 is1 ,some are sensual1 having not the spirit1 because they receive it not1 and some cannot receive it1 because they believe not on him from whence it comes4 ,yet sayest thou1 ,the measure of the ,spirit is given to every man to profit withal1 as the scriptures say3 when there is no scripture faith1 a measure of the ,spirit is given to every man to profit withal4 ,but again1 see here thy strange confusion4 #a4 ,say1 some have it not4 #b4 ,to say every man hath it4 but you would make a difference between having and receiving3 but ,i tell thee1 he that hath not received it1 hath it not 7,jude #ai74 ,query #b4 ,my second query was1 ,what is the church of ,god redeemed by from the curse of law8 ,is it by something done within them1 or by something done without them8 ,if you say1 it is redeemed by something that worketh in them1 then why did the man ,christ ,jesus hang on the cross on ,mount ,calvary1 without the gate of ,jerusalem1 for the sins of his children8 ,and why do the scriptures say1 that through this man is preached to us the forgiveness of sins8 ,the answer thou givest is1 ,the church of ,god is redeemed by ,christ ,jesus1 which is revealed in all believers4 and ,christ ,jesus wrought in them mightily2 and it was he that wrought in them to will and to do4 ,this is plain scripture1 and the man ,christ ,jesus 7sayest thou7 hanged on the cross on ,mount ,calvary3 because1 they wickedly judged him to be a blasphemer1 and through their envy persecuted him to death2 because he bare witness against them1 and as in their account he died1 and hanged on the cross1 for an evil doer4 ,and this is one ground 7at least7 why he hanged on the cross1 c4 ,ha ,friend8 ,i had thought thou hadst not been so much hardened2 art thou not ashamed thus to slight the death of the ,man ,chris ,jesus on the cross2 and reckon it not effectually for salvation1 but sayest1 the church is redeemed by ,christ ,jesus which is revealed within4 and to confirm it1 thou dost also corruptly bring in two scriptures4 ,the one saith1 ,whereunto ,i also labour according to his working1 which worketh in me mightily4 ,by which word ,paul signifies thus much1 ,that as ,god was with him in the ministry of the word1 so did he also strive according to his working which wrought in him mightily4 what is this to the purpose 7,see ,col #a3bf-cj78 ,and also1 the other scripture makes nothing to prove1 that the church of ,god is redeemed by ,christ within1 as he is within4 ,only you must corrupt the scriptures1 and be transform 7though ministers of darkness7 into an angel of light1 if you will do any mischief4 ,and now1 that thy answer is false1 ,i shall clearly prove4 ,fist1 because thou deniest that redemption was wrought out for sinners by the ,man ,christ ,jesus on the cross1 or tree1 on ,mount ,calvary2 when the scripture saith plainly1 that when he did hang on the tree1 then did he bear all our sins there in his own body 7#a,peter #b3bd74 ,and secondly1 being within2 when the work of the ,spirit of ,christ in believers1 is to make known to the soul by dwelling within1 which way and how they were redeemed by the ,man ,christ ,jesus on the cross4 ,and this ,i prove farther1 because when thou art forced to answer to these words1 why did the ,man ,christ ,jesus hang on the cross on ,mount ,calvary for the sins of his children8 ,thou sayest1 because they wickedly judged him to be a blasphemer4 ,friend1 ,i did not ask thee why the ,jews did put him to death8 ,but why was he crucified there for the sins of his children8 ,but thou willing to cover over thine error1 goest on cunningly saying1 and though their envy they persecuted him to death1 for an evil doer4 ,this is one ground at least1 c4 ,friend1 but that thou art ashamed to own the gospel of ,jesus ,christ1 thou wouldest have said1 he was crucified there for the sins of the world2 and by his offering up of himself upon the cross1 he did for ever perfect them that are sanctified4 ,nay1 thou wouldest have studied to exalt his dying there2 first1 by shewing what a sad condition we were in without it2 ,secondly1 by holding forth the manifold and great privileges that we have by his dying for us there4 ,but thou art at enmity against the things of ,god1 as is clearly seen by those that have indeed the spirit of ,god in them1 and are enabled thereby to discern you4 and though you say1 there is no other that can forgive sin1 but the blood of god4 ,yet thou deniest1 that the blood of him1 who was1 and is truly god as well as ,man1 ,christ ,jesus3 ,i say1 thou deniest that his blood that was shed without ,jerusalem ,gates1 doth wash away sin from the saints of ,god3 and cunningly 7though not at this time uttered7 concluding that the blood of ,god was shed for sin on a cross within4 ,if it be not so1 then call me liar2 but it will clearly appear so to be in your answer to my third query4 ,query #c4 ,what scripture have you to prove1 that ,christ is1 or was crucified within you1 dead within you1 risen within you1 ascended within you8 ,thy answer is1 ,there is no scripture that mentions every of our names in particular4 and thy standing of us1 so ,i judge4 ,but ,christ is within us1 that we do not deny1 and he is the ,lamb that was slain in the streets of the great city1 which is spiritually called ,sodom1 and ,egypt 7mind spiritually7 and he is now risen1 and ascended2 this we know1 and leave thee to receive a further answer from them that are led by a spirit of delusion4 ,friend1 ,how dost thou run about the bush1 seeking to scrabble up an answer1 but findest not a right one1 and wouldest also fain hold out1 that ,christ is1 or was crucified within1 dead within1 risen and ascended within2 but seeing thou canst not with or by the scriptures give an answer2 then see in thyself left of them1 through the strength of carnal reason1 thou goest about this way4 ,is there any of our names made mention of in scripture1 or to that purpose1 and wouldst fain infer from thence1 that because we have names1 though not mentioned in scripture1 therefore1 ,christ is1 and was crucified within1 though not mentioned in the scriptures4 ,friend1 they sophistry deceives thee4 ,the second ,argument1 which is like the first1 is this1 ,he is the ,lamb slain in the streets of the great city1 spiritually called ,sodom and ,egypt4 ,now from the word spiritually1 thou wouldest willingly infer also1 that ,christ is and was crucified within1 dead within1 and risen within you1 and therefore thou sayest1 mind spiritually4 ,friend1 ,i may well mind thy spiritual wickedness1 by which thou wouldest willingly cover thy heresy1 but it will not be4 ,though thou dare not speak plainly in so many words1 yet the thoughts of thy heart are made manifest1 by the words that flow from thee4 ,ah ,friend6 ,that thou couldest but close with the truth1 and venture thy soul upon what was done by ,jesus on the cross without the gates of ,jerusalem1 for it is by and through that blood that was there shed that we have redemption 7,heb #ac3ab compare with ,col #a3bj71 and remission of sins 7,eph #a3g and #a,peter #b3bd74 ,query #d4 ,my fourth query was1 ,is that very ,man that was crucified between two thieves1 whose name was ,jesus the ,son of ,mary1 is he the very ,christ of ,god1 yea1 or nay8 ,thy ,answer is1 ,yes1 he is the very ,christ of ,god1 which was before the world was1 by whom the world was made1 who was made manifest from ,mary's womb1 and was persecuted to death by the ,scribes and ,pharisees1 in whose steps thou treadest in asking subtile questions to ensnare the innocent1 as they did4 ,read thy example 7sayest thou7 and thyself to be an enemy to ,god's ,christ4 ,this ,answer is doubtfully given1 ,i did not ask thee whether he was the ,christ of ,god1 that was before the world was2 but ,i asked thee whether he was the ,christ of ,god1 that did hang between two thieves on ,mount ,calvary4 ,now ,i know the ,christ of ,god was before the world was2 but thou art afraid to look upon him1 as suffering on the cross on ,mount ,calvary1 between two thieves for our sins4 ,but contrary-wise1 wouldst willingly own him to be no otherwise1 but as he was before the world1 which thing is very dangerous2 for he that doth so1 doth lay aside all things1 that in his own person he did in the flesh that he took from the ,virgin ,mary1 as to justification and salvation2 only supposing him to be but an example1 and so bespatters all his merit and righteousness1 by your false conclusions1 which in his own person he accomplished for our justification4 ,and ,friend1 hadst thou not been afraid of thyself1 thou wouldst have been so far from calling these my queries1 subtil questions1 that thou wouldst have owned them1 and have given a sober ,christian answer to them1 instead of a railing accusation4 ,but it matters not1 it hath but made thee shew thyself the more1 which peradventure for a time might otherwise have lien hid4 ,query #e4 ,my fifth query was1 ,is that very man with that very body within you1 yea1 or no8 to which thou answerest3 ,the very ,christ of ,god is within us1 we dare not deny him2 and we are members of his body1 of his flesh1 and of his bones1 as the ,ephesians were3 they that are led with a spirit of delusion1 shall answer the rest of this thy query1 if they will4 ,thy answer is nothing to the question1 for ,i did not ask1 whether the ,spirit of ,christ was in thee8 7though ,i question the truth of that7 ,but ,i asked you whether that very ,man1 with that very body1 7or the body of ,christ that was hanged on the cross7 be within you8 ,but ,i see you are minded to famble1#f and will not answer plainly4 ,but thou answerest1 saying1 ,we are members of his body1 of his flesh1 and of his bones1 as the ,ephesians were4 ,this is nothing to the purpose neither2 for it is one thing for a man to be a member of the flesh and bones of ,christ1 and another thing to have the flesh and bones of ,christ within him4 ,what1 because believers are members one of another1 must they therefore be also one in another8 ,no4 ,even so1 though a believer be a member of the body1 flesh and bones of ,christ2 it doth not therefor follow1 that ,christ1 flesh and bones is within him4 ,but thou art loth to discover thyself in plain terms1 though thou art made manifest full sore against thy will2 for thou dost here also1 though very cunningly1 signify1 that thou ownest ,christ no otherwise1 but as he is within4 ,and to own him no otherwise1 is still against the gospel and faith of the ,apostles1 who said1 they were absent from him while they were at home in the body1 or here below 7#b;,cor #e3f74 ,query #f4 ,my sixth query was this1 ,was that very ,jesus1 that was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 a real man of flesh and bones after his resurrection out of ,joseph's sepulchre1 yea1 or nay4 ,the scriptures say he was2 and if so1 then did that man go away from his disciples1 and not into them1 as the scriptures declare2 or did he with that body of flesh go into his disciples1 as some fond dreamers think4 ,thy answer is1 ,what the scripture speaks of ,christ1 we own to be truth1 and own him to be what the scriptures speak of him2 and all men's imaginations of him we deny1 and their false interpretations of the scripture concerning him4 and let the fond dreamers1 who err in their thoughts1 be reproved2 for we dare own nothing but what the ,spirit of the ,lord bears witness of according to the scriptures4 ,and thus far ,i and answer in behalf of the ,quakers2 and let them that are led with a spirit of delusion answer the rest1 which concerns themselves4 ,this answer hath some pretended fairness in it4 ,but yet we know you1 that you can wrest the scriptures to your own destruction2 and that is clear1 in that though you say you own him as the scriptures speak of him1 yet you deny him as the scriptures speak of him in part4 ,and if at any time you plead on truth1 it is that you might by your corrupt dealing with that1 clash against another3 as for instance3 ,you profess you own ,christ within1 but withal1 with that doctrine you sill smite against the doctrine of ,christ ,jesus in his person without1 and deny that though that is a truth1 as is also the other4 ,you do use the truth of the resurrection of saints1 from a state of nature1 to a state of grace1 to fight against that truth of the resurrection of the bodies of saints out of their graves2 together with other things that ,i might add1 as you holding forth the intercession of the ,spirit of ,christ within1 in opposition to the intercession of ,christ in his person without in the heavens4 ,which things being thus done1 they shew forth a great deal either of ignorance or presumption1 knowingly to fight against the truth4 ,and in this that thou answerest so generally1 and not particularly to the question1 it is evident that thou dost not plainly declare thy mind1 but dost keep that in thy bosom1 which thou darest not manifest to the world4 ,query #g4 ,my seventh query was1 ,hath that ,christ that was with ,god the ,father before the world was1 no other body but his church8 ,if you say ,no1 as it is your wonted course2 then again ,i ask you1 what was that in which he did bear our sins1 was1 or is1 the church of god1 yea1 or no8 ,again1 if you say he hath no other body but his church1 then ,i ask1 ,what that was that was taken down from the cross8 ,but here thou puttest a stop to the rest of my words1 with an c4 ,thy answer is1 ,i this thou hast not only queried1 but slandered2 therefore thy slander 7sayest thou7 ,i do remove4 ,it is our wonted course1 sayest thou1 to say1 that ,christ hath no other body but his church4 thou art here a false accuser4 ,but we say1 the church is ,christ's body2 and it is sufficient for salvation to know ,christ ,jesus to be head in us1 and over us1 and ourselves to be members of his body2 which thou sayest is his church4 ,and what thou intendest by making so many foldings in one query1 sayest thou1 it may be judged it is to insnare2 and in that thou answerest1 thou answerest thyself for us in some things1 that thou mightest have a further ground to lay a deeper snare2 we do deny thee and thy spirit1 and see thee to be only feeding in thy imaginations upon the report of things1 without the life3 ,and thy religion stands in disputes and controversies1 and queries1 and many words4 ,but our religion stands in the exercise of a pure conscience towards ,god1 and towards man2 whether we speak1 or be silent3 ,these are thy words4 ,now in my query thou sayest ,i slander1 in that ,i say1 you ,quakers allow of no other body of ,christ2 but the ,church of ,christ2 yet dost thou not clear thyself at all1 only thou wouldest say something to dazzle the eyes of the ignorant4 ,but friend1 if thou wouldest have made it appear that ,i slandered in saying1 you own on other body but the church2 you should have said yes1 we do own this1 that ,christ hath a body that is now in glory1 ascended from his disciples1 according to the scripture 7,acts #a3c compared with verses #i-aa74 ,but thou dost only fling up a few words into the air1 that thou mightest thereby puzzle thy simple reader4 ,but ,i bless ,god1 for my part ,i do see thee1 that thou dost1 like a beguiled man1 seek by all means to beguile others4 ,and whereas thou sayest1 ,it is sufficient to salvation1 to know ,christ ,jesus as head in us1 and over us4 ,to this ,i answer1 whatsoever thy meaning is by these words1 yet there are none shall be saved1 but those who through the mighty operation of the ,spirit of ,christ1 are enabled to apply what the man ,christ ,jesus the ,son of ,mary hath done and suffered1 and is now a-doing for sinners and saint1 7and for him7 in the presence of his ,father1 now ascended in his body of flesh and bones1 from his children which are alive in this world4 ,i say1 there are none shall be saved1 but those that are thus established1 or shall be so1 as is clear from these 7#a,peter #a3ah1ai2 #b3bd2 #c3ah1bb42 #d3a2 #b,peter #a3ag2 ,heb #g3bd1be2 #aj3g1i2 #ac3ab2 #a,tim #b3e1f2 ,eph #a3g2 ,acts #ac3cg-ci7 with many other scriptures4 ,and again1 when you say1 ,i answer you in something1 if you mean1 that the body in which he did bare the sins of his children1 is his church 7for that is partly my query17 then ,i do say1 that your doctrine is desperate and devilish2 and you do thereby undervalue the death1 blood1 resurrection an ascension1 intercession and second coming again of that man for salvation2 and therefore for a better satisfaction to all who may read your book1 ,i entreat you to answer1 ,did he bear our sins in that body which is his church1 or did he bear our sins in that body that did hang on the cross on ,mount ,calvary8 ,answer plainly ,i beseech you4 ,and now friend1 passing by the rest of thy brawlings1 ,i shall come to thy several queries1 and shall answer to them in the simplicity of my soul1 not laying down any doubtful expressions1 but in all plainness1 and not as you do1 for the better understanding of them by those that read them4 ,these be the ,quaker's ,queries1 and my ,answers to them4 ,query #a4 ,is any man justified in the sight of ,god1 but he that followeth ,christ2 and is it not a work to follow ,christ1 yea or nay1 and what is the sight of ,god4 ,ans4 ,he that followeth ,christ2 aright1 must first believe in ,christ2 for how shall they follow him1 in whom they believe not4 ,now then the scripture saith1 ,he that believeth on the ,son hath everlasting life 7,john #c3af-ah71 so then we are justified by believing2 and if so1 then to follow ,christ is rather a fruit of our believing1 that justification itself4 ,and whereas you ask1 ,what is the sight of ,god8 ,i answer1 ,to be justified in the sight of ,god by ,jesus ,christ1 is for ,god to look on such poor creatures as we are2 as complete1 without spot or wrinkle1 in the obedience of the man ,christ ,jesus2 who otherwise could not behold them in love1 because of their iniquity 7,hab #a3c74 ,query #b4 ,whether will that faith justify a man which hath not works1 seeing the scripture1 or the ,apostle saith1 faith without works is dead2 and what is that which worketh faith2 and where is it1 within1 or without8 ,ans4 ,that faith that hath not works is dead1 being alone4 ,yet it doth not follow1 that all that have works1 have faith4 ,no2 but contrary-wise1 men may have works1 yea1 the works of the law of ,god too1 and yet be under the curse 7,gal #b3aj-ac72 which they could not be if they had saving faith4 ,so then1 if faith without works is dead2 and again1 if men may have works1 and yet no faith1 no saving faith1 ,i mean3 ,then it will be good to inquire1 what it is to have a right faith1 which doth bring forth right good works2 and who have works without a right faith4 ,and 7#a47 ,a right saving faith1 is1 for a man to be enabled of ,god's holy ,spirit1 to lay hold on what the man ,christ hath done in his won person1 when he was in the world8 as his birth1 righteousness1 death1 blood1 resurrection1 ascension1 and intercession2 and to apply the virtue and merit thereof to himself1 so as to see himself saved thereby 7,rom #d3bd1be74 ,being justified freely by his grace3 ,how8 ,even through the redemption that is in ,christ ,jesus4 ,whom ,god hath set forth to be a propitiation1 or reconciler1 through faith in his blood1 c4 ,again1 ,be it known unto you1--that through this man is preached unto the forgiveness of sins3 ,and by him all that believe3 7,mark1 all that believe2 namely1 in his blood which was shed on ,mount ,calvary7 are justified from all things1 from which ye could not be justified by the law of ,moses 7,acts #ac3ch1ci74 ,if the faith that applies these things be of the operation of ,god1 it is very much accompanied with good works4 ,for the love of ,christ constraineth us2 because we thus judge1 that if one died for all1 then were all dead1 and that he died for all1 that they which live 7namely by the faith of this1 that ,christ died for all 7,gal #b3bi771 should not henceforth live unto themselves1 but unto him which died for them 7#b;,cor #e3ad1ae74 ,but 7#b47 they that deny the merits of the birth1 death1 righteousness1 blood1 c4 of the man that was born of ,mary1 which he fulfilled in his own person1 by himself 7,heb #a3c74 ,i say1 they that do not venture their souls on these glorious1 mysterious truths1 but deny the belief of them to be sufficient of themselves to save from hell1 and all other things1 and doth expect that salvation should be obtained by some thing that worketh in them1 by working in them4 ,it is impossible that these1 though they may be1 touching the righteousness of the law blameless1 7as ,paul was while he was a persecutor 7,phil #c3f771 to be saved hereby4 ,wherefore8 because they seek it not by the faith of ,christ1 but as it were by the works of the law 7,rom #i3cj1ca74 ,and whereas you ask me1 ,what is that which worketh faith8 ,and where is it1 within or without8 ,i answer1 ,that which worketh saving faith1 is the holy spirit of ,god1 which is renewed through the hearing of the word1 preached by the apostles or ministers of ,jesus ,christ3 ,now the ,spirit when it doth work1 it entereth into the soul1 and as ,i said before1 doth enable the soul to believe1 and lay hold on the merits of the son of ,mary1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,for saith he1 when he is come1 he shall glorify me1 for he shall take of mine1 and shew it unto you 7,john #af3ad74 ,query #c4 ,whether any be justified but he that is born of ,god8 ,and whether doth he that is born of ,god commit sin8 ,and is that within the creature1 or without1 that worketh the new birth8 ,ans4 ,justification may be taken two ways1 7#a47 either in the sight of ,god1 or in the sight of the soul1 or creature2 my meaning is1 that all that are or shall be saved1 are justified in the sight and foreknowledge of ,god before the foundation of the world 7,eph #a3d74 ,according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world1 c4 ,having predestinated us to the us to the adoption of children by ,jesus ,christ unto himself4 ,and again1 ,moreover whom he did predestinate1 them he also called2 and whom he called1 them he also justified2 and whom he justified1 them he also glorified 7,rom #h3cj74 ,mark1 all these thing are spoken as being already done2 predestinated1 called1 justified1 glorified4 ,he doth not say1 they shall be1 but he hath done it1 that is1 in and according to the foreordination of ,god4 7#b47 ,saints are said to by justified in their own sight or knowledge1 as when ,god doth make manifest to the soul1 what he had determined before should be done4 ,be of good cheer1 thy sins are forgiven thee4 this is justification in the sight of the creature4 ,and whereas you ask me1 do they that are born of ,god commit sin8 ,to this ,i answer1 ,they shall never commit the sin against the ,holy ,ghost1 as is the meaning of that place 7#a;,john #e3af-ah74 ,there is a sin unto death1 and there is a sin not unto death4--,he that is born of ,god sinneth not1 but keepeth himself2 and that wicked one1 7mark1 that wicked one1 the sin unto death17 toucheth him not3 ,but they that are born of ,god notwithstanding1 do daily sin1 as it is evident 7,john #c3b74 ,in many things we offend all1 saith he1 ,i and you1 all of us4 ,and again1 if we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves1 and 7instead of having no sin7 the truth is not in us 7#a;,john #a3h74 ,and who can say1 my heart is clean8 ,there is none righteous1 no not one4 ,and again1 ,there is not a must man upon earth that doeth good1 and sinneth not 7,eccl #g3bj74 ,and ,i am confident1 that while some would persuade others that they have no sin1 their own consciences tell them they lie2 and if it be not so in the rest1 it is because they are hardened1 and given to believe a lie4 ,as to the latter part of your query1 ,i answer2 ,the new birth is wrought through hearing of the word preached4 ,and yet not by conscience1 nor by the obedience to the law1 or dictates of nature2 but by the ,spirit coming into the soul1 and shewing its lost condition without the obedience of the ,jesus of ,mary1 the ,son of ,god2 and his freeness and willingness to communicate1 or give himself1 and all his things unto it2 which being done1 the man is thereupon given up to god1 and is become a new creature4 ,i might spend much time in speaking to this1 but ,i forbear1 because of itself it is enough to fill up a small volume4 ,query #d4 ,if ,christ hath enlightened all men as he is ,god 7as thou confessest7 then hath he not enlightened all men as he is the ,son of ,god8 and is not the light of ,god sufficient in itself1 to lead to ,god all that follow it1 yea1 or nay8 ,ans4 7#a47 ,christ as he is ,god1 doth enlighten every man that comes into the world1 which light is conscience1 or otherwise nature itself1 which doth also convince of sin 7,john #g3i74 ,yet ,christ as he is ,god2 doth not give unto every man that spirit that doth lead to eternal life1 for all men have it not 7,jude #ai74 7#b47 ,christ as he was and is the son of ,god before the world was1 being one in power1 and being with his ,father1 hath enlightened every one that comes into the world1 as aforesaid2 but hath not so neither given them his spirit4 ,some are sensual1 c4 7#c47 ,christ as ,god-man1 or as he came into the world to die for those whom before as ,god he knew and loved2 ,i say1 he doth not in this way neither enlighten every man with the saving light of life1 or give unto them his holy ,spirit4 ,no1 they that have been1 and now are believers1 do know and can remember1 that all the time of their unregenerate state1 they were without ,christ 7,eph #b3ab74 so that here is no way or room for your doctrine1 take it how you will1 ,christ hath not given to every one his ,spirit4 ,second ,part of the ,query4 ,is not the light of ,god sufficient in itself1 to lead to god all that follow it1 yea1 or nay8 ,ans4 7#a47 ,as ,i said before1 some are sensual1 and have not the ,spirit of ,christ4 7#b47 ,no man can come to ,god as a ,father by adoption1 but by ,jesus ,christ2 then it must needs be that all men1 though they do follow that light which is given to every man1 it is not able to lead to ,god as a ,father in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,ye this light that every man hath1 will shew a man there is a ,god1 and that this ,god is eternal2 and also will clear out something of him1 to them1 by the things that are made4 ,but now1 if this light would lead to everlasting life1 then might the devils also be delivered from everlasting damnation2 seeing they also do know god as a creator and revenger of sin1 more perfectly than any natural man in the world1 though not as a ,father by adoption4 ,but you say1 ,doth it not lead to ,god all that follow it8 ,answ4 7q47 ,not to be saved1 though to be condemned1 through the weakness and unprofitableness of that light1 or conscience1 or the law1 call it either1 and ,i clear it thus3 ,because1 if that light that every man receives1 were able by our following it1 to save us1 then ,christ needed not to gave suffered1 seeing all men had that light4 7#b47 ,if that light that every man hath1 which is conscience1 were able to lead a man to justification by following it2 that promise was made in vain by ,jesus the ,son of ,mary1 when he said1 ,i will send you2 ,mark1 ,i will send you the ,spirit1 and he shall lead you into all truth3 for they had a light before4 ,but it is evident1 that that was not sufficient1 because they must have another sent them by ,jesus ,christ1 and that must be that ,spirit4 ,query #e4 ,whether is not the same light in him that hates it1 as it is in him that loves it 7,john #c74 ,if there be a difference in the light1 show it wherein2 whether in the nature1 or otherwise8 ,answ4 7#a47 ,that scripture quoted in ,john #c4 ,light is come into the world1 c41 is not meant of that light1 or conscience1 that every man hath2 but the ,man ,christ ,jesus is speaking there of himself1 as ,god-man1 come into the world1 born of the ,virgin1 if thou compare verses #ai-ba with #ad-ah of the same chapter1 it is clear1 for they all do speak of the same thing2 namely1 the ,son of ,mary4 ,and again1 saith he1 ,i am the light of the world4 ,now the man ,christ1 though he was then in the world1 and walked up and down in the same1 yet he was not within any man in the world as man1 7though he calls himself the light thereof7 though he was in some2 ,i say1 in some1 as ,god by his ,spirit4 ,now the light1 which was the ,man ,christ1 was the very same1 whether loved by some1 or hated by others2 but if you conclude every man hath ,christ1 or that light spoken of there 7,john #c71 within him2 that ,i deny1 having proved the contrary4 ,but 7#b47 ,whether is there a difference in the light8 ,answ4 ,there are more lights than one1 there is a light that may be suspected to be darkness1 where he saith1 ,if the light that is in thee be darkness1 c4 ,again1 there is the light of the law 7,prov #f3bc74 ,again1 conscience also will convince of sin4 ,now there is none of these that can save a sinner from the evil of his ways4 ,take the best of them1 which is the righteous law of ,god1 that cannot4 ,for had there been a law given1 which might have given life1 then verily righteousness had come by the law3 ,but if you conclude that righteousness1 or everlasting life cometh by the law1 you must conclude this again2 that ,christ did die in vain 7,gal #b3ba74 ,so then these things being not able to save the soul1 the next thing is1 the ,son of ,god1 the ,son of righteousness arising with healing under his wings2 he is also a light1 and indeed the saving light1 for surpassing all the other mentioned4 ,now though ,christ doth not differ in himself1 yet there is a difference in the power of these lights2 the law and ,christ1 the one not being able to save1 the other being able4 ,and again1 there is also a difference in the nature of them2 the one being a condemning light1 the other a saving light4 ,it is ,moses that accuseth you 7saith ,christ7 even ,moses in whom ye trust3 ,but do not think1 saith ,christ1 that ,i will accuse you to the ,father3 ,no1 saith he1 it is ,moses1 or the law given by him4 ,but again1 where ,christ speaks for himself as a ,saviour1 he saith ,god sent not his ,son into the world to condemn the world2 but that the world through him might be saved 7,john #c3ag74 ,so that ,i say1 7a47 ,that light spoken of 7,john #c71 which is the ,man ,christ1 is not in every man that comes into the world4 7b47 ,that the ,man ,christ1 or the light spoken of there1 is not against himself4 7c47 ,there is the light of the law1 conscience1 and nature itself1 which are in all men1 which things are altogether insufficient to save a man from death1 by his seeking of justification thereby4 again1 there is ,jesus ,christ1 he is the ,saviour1 but not in all men4 ,and again1 neither is the ,man ,christ ,jesus the condemning light4 ,query #f4 ,whether is it possible1 that any can be saved1 without ,christ manifested within8 ,if no1 then whether is not the doctrine of salvation1 which is only necessary1 to preach ,christ within3 ,and is not the whole mystery of salvation1 ,god manifest in the flesh8 ,answ4 ,there can none be saved1 but they that have the ,spirit of ,christ given unto them4 ,but it is not the ,spirit of ,christ given to the elect1 that doth work out the salvation of their souls within them1 for that was obtained by the blood of the ,man ,christ ,jesus on the cross 7,heb #i3ai compared with ,heb #ac3ab74 ,again1 every one that is1 or shall be saved1 must1 and shall have the ,spirit of ,christ within them2 yet doth it not follow1 that to preach ,christ 7only7 within1 is the only doctrine of salvation4 ,for then also the preaching of the blood of ,christ shed on the cross1 as ,i said before1 must be of non effect4 ,but he that doth preach the doctrine of salvation aright1 must first begin to preach that doctrine that ,paul preached in #a;,corinthians #ae3c1d4 ,for ,i delivered unto you 7saith he7 first of all that which ,i also received1 how that ,christ died for our sins according to the scriptures2 and that he was buried1 and that he arose again the third day according to the scriptures4 ,now ,christ1 or the ,spirit of ,christ1 is received by such preaching as this is1 as is clear from that scripture 7,acts #aj3ch-dd74 ,where ,peter speaking of the word that was published throughout all ,judea3 ,how ,god anointed ,jesus of ,nazareth 7or which dwelt at ,nazareth7 with the ,holy ,ghost and with power3 who went about doing good1 and healing all that were oppressed of the devil2 for ,god was with him4 ,and we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the ,jews1 and in ,jerusalem2 7saith ,peter7 whom they slew and hanged on a tree3 ,him ,god raise up the third day1 and shewed him openly2 ,not to all the people1 but unto witnesses chosen before of ,god1 even to us1 who did eat and drink with him1 after he rose from the dead4 ,and he commanded us to preach unto the people1 and to testify that it is he which was ordained of ,god to be the ,judge of quick and dead4 ,and is that all8 ,no1 ,but to him give all the prophets witness1 7to hem1 even ,jesus of ,nazareth whom the ,jews crucified on the tree7 that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission 7 or forgiveness7 of sins4 ,now mark4 ,and while ,peter yet spake these word1 the ,holy ,ghost fell on all them which heard the word4 ,while ,peter spake these words1 that by ,jesus of ,nazareth forgiveness of sins was preached to them that believe in his name1 the ,holy ,ghost fell on all them that heard the word4 ,namely1 which ,peter spake3 ,this is the way in which the ,spirit is given8 namely1 by preaching a crucified ,christ4 ,but now1 no man can be saved without ,christ1 or the ,spirit of ,christ be given to him1 because he cannot be able to lay hold savingly of1 and to hope for that glory that ,christ as he is ,god-man hath accomplished in his own person without1 unless he have the ,spirit4 ,but farther1 thou sayest2 ,is it not the whole mystery of salvation1 ,god manifested in the flesh8 ,answ4 ,truly1 to know that ,god out of love to poor sinners1 did in the fulness of time send forth his only begotten ,son1 who is equal with his ,father1 to be born of a woman1 and made under the law1 might receive the adoption of sons2 this is to know the mystery of godliness4 ,therefore1 when the scriptures say1 ,god was manifested in the flesh1 they mean1 ,god sent forth his ,son1 which was and is the word of ,god1 ,god himself1 and he was made flesh 7,john #a3ad74 ,and so in the nature of man he did become the ,lamb of ,god1 or the sacrifice of ,god1 that doth take away the sins of the world 7verse #bi74 ,now here ,i might enlarge abundantly1 but that would not be tedious4 ,query #g4 ,whether is it not possible1 that many may profess as much of ,christ without1 as thou hast said of him1 and yet be damned2 and if this be the faith to profess him born1 dead1 risen and ascended without2 then is there any unbeliever in ,england8 seeing all in the outward sound believes1 and professes as much as thou hast said4 ,yea1 or nay8 ,answ4 #a4 ,i know there are many that do profess in word1 that ,christ was born1 dead1 risen1 and ascended without1 and yet may be damned4 ,yet he that doth really1 with the faith of the operation of ,god1 believe these things1 and doth also apply the virtue and merit of the same to themselves for justification and life1 shall be saved4 ,if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the ,lord ,jesus1 and shalt believe in thine heart that ,god hath raised him from the dead1 thou shalt be saved 7,rom #aj3i ,and also #a;,cor #ae3b74 ,by which also ye are saved1 if ye keep in memory what ,i preached unto you44 ,what was that8 why1 how that ,christ died for our sins according to the scriptures2 and that he was buried1 and rose again1 c4 7#b47 ,it is not faith1 only to talk of him with the mouth1 but as ,i said before1 to believe the same by the operation of the ,spirit in our hearts4 ,if this be faith1 7sayest thou7 to profess him born1 dead1 risen and ascended without1 then is there any unbeliever in ,england8 ,i reply ,all that profess this do not truly believe it2 for to profess in word alone1 and believe in heart1 are two things4 ,secondly1 ,if to profess this were the ,faith1 yet for the ,quakers will not profess him ascended without1 neither making intercession without1 but contrarywise strike at this doctrine4 ,query #h4 ,whether hath that man faith in ,christ that is not changed in the nature1 and is not the liar and slanderer an unbeliever1 and of the cursed nature1 yea or no8 ,answ4 ,he that hath faith in ,christ is a new creature3 and the liar and slanderer is and unbeliever3 and if he live and die in that condition1 his state is very sad1 though if he turn quickly1 or else look to yourselves1 for you are the men1 as is clear by your discourse4 ,query #i4 ,whether doth and man receive ,christ1 who receives him no into him8 if not1 show how ,christ can be received1 and whether many professes him not which never received him4 ,answ4 ,christ as he is ,man1 as he was a sacrifice for sin1 cannot be received really and personally into any1 but yet1 he that doth indeed receive the gospel1 and believe that he was a sacrifice upon the cross for his sins1 doth and hath also received his ,spirit into him1 which giveth him the comfort of these things 7,john #ad3bf74 ,and there are very many that profess him1 that at the day of judgment will fall short of eternal life1 notwithstanding all their profession2 for as ,i said before2 it is not the professor1 but the sound believer that shall be saved by him4 ,but let the reader mark1 how thou condemnest thy own doctrine by this query1 for thou grantest many profess ,christ that never receive him4 ,how then hath every man ,christ1 or the light of ,christ within him8 ,if it be within him1 either he must receive it1 or snatch it by force against the will of another1 however the scripture saith1 what is it that thou hast not received2 7yet all men have not received that7 7,jude #ai74 ,query #aj4 ,whether to preach for hire1 for gifts and rewards1 and to divine for money1 and to make merchandise of the people for so much a year for preaching to them1 be not true marks and signs of false prophets8 or can any give truer signs of false prophets than ,isaiah and ,micah give1 yea or nay8 ,answ4 ,there are a company of dumb dogs that are crept into the nation1 that love give ye1 and desire to bear rule by their means2 and they are every one for his gain from their quarter4 there are a company of wolves crept out also1 having wrapped themselves about with sheep's clothing1 and these are both alike abominable to the ,lord4 ,neither can a man give a more right description of a false prophet1 than the prophets and ,christ with his apostles did give1 therefore examine yourselves4 ,query #aa4 ,whether must not the devil be chained before ,christ reign1 and what is that which chains him1 and whether art thou come to one of the days of the thousand years1 yea1 or no8 ,answ4 ,christ hath two several times wherein ,satan must be bound by him1 one is at the conversion of sinners1 the other when he shall come the second time1 and personally appear1 and reign1 in the world to come4 ,again1 ,whether ,i am come to one of the days of the thousand years8 ,i reply ,no1 because he that doth reign with ,christ one of these days1 shall live and reign with ,christ a thousand years 7,rev #b3d74 ,but there is never a believer in the world1 that doth1 or in any likelihood shall live half so long1 before they die or be changed at the coming of the ,man ,christ ,jesus4 ,query #ab4 ,whether dost thou know any ,christ1 preach or profess any ,christ who hath not lightened every man that comes into the world with the light of life1 or of condemnation2 and is he not a deceiver that exhorts people for salvation to any other thing than the light of ,christ1 yea1 or no8 ,and how hath ,christ lightened every man if not within him8 ,answ4 ,that ,christ ,i preach1 is the ,christ of ,god1 who as he is ,god hath enlightened every man that comes into the world with conscience1 and the law1 which is the light of condemnation1 but not of life2 ,for the law is the ministration of condemnation 7#b;,cor #c3g1h74 ,and all men have the law and conscience3 but these will not save them4 ,again1 there are some that do indeed enjoy the light of life4 ,and whereas thou askest1 is not he a deceiver1 that exhorts people to anything else than the light of ,christ8 ,answ4 ,he that telleth any man that the ministration of condemnation will save him1 which is the law1 he is a liar1 and a deceiver3 but he that exhorts people to lay hold on what the ,man ,christ ,jesus hath done in his own person for sinners1 and presseth souls to venture upon that for salvation1 preacheth the truth4 ,christ hath given to every one the law1 and conscience within him3 yet these are not able to save him1 but let him follow the righteousness of the law never so much1 yet if he be not directed of ,god to fly to ,jesus the son of ,mary1 and to what he hath done in his own person for them he shall never be saved 7,acts #d3ab74 ,friend1 ,thus have ,i with all plainness of speech answered thy queries1 and ,i fear not at all1 but ,i have spoken the truth as it is in ,jesus4 ,and as for committing them to the judgment of others1 as thou wouldst have me2 let others say what they will1 ,i am sure ,i have spoken the truth of ,god2 and ,i make no question but at the second coming of my ,lord ,jesus from heaven to judge the world1 these things ,i shall not be ashamed of2 neither am ,i now2 but am ready1 if ,god shall give me life1 to speak the same things to any man1 face to face2 and ,i desire thee1 and all1 even as many as shall read or hear this treatise1 to consider1 and look to themselves1 lest they sin against ,god so much in their lifetime by rejecting these truths1 that it shall never be forgiven them to all eternity1 though they repent them of their rejecting the same4 ,there is one thing more to which ,i shall speak a few words1 and that is to a few words written at the end of thy book1 which is called the postscript1 wherein is several charges against myself and some others1 which ,i shall speak somewhat to4 ,the first is against ,john ,burton1 thus3 ,john ,burton said in a discourse with some friends1 that ,christ had two bodies1 and one of them is out of the sight of the saints4 ,my brother ,burton being absent1 ,i shall answer for him concerning the charge laid against him4 ,and therefore1 that ,christ1 who is and was before the world began1 ,god equal with his ,father1 did in the fulness of time take upon him a body from the ,virgin ,mary1 which was so prepared by ,god his ,father1 it is evident in scripture2 and in it after he had lived a while in the world1 he did hang on the cross1 was taken down thence again1 and laid in ,joseph's sepulchre1 was raise again1 and ascended away from his disciples therewith into glory 7,acts #a3c1i-aa74 ,again he hath another body1 and that is his church 7,eph #a3bc74 ,now that he is out of the sight of his saints in one of the bodies2 namely1 that which did hang on the cross1 it is also evident 7#a,tim #d71 where ,paul speaking of the very ,jesus1 who did bear a faithful witness before ,pontius ,pilate1 saith in verse #af ,who only hath immortality1 dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto2 whom no man hath seen1 nor can see4 ,that is1 not with their mortal eyes1 in that glory as yet4 ,if you say still1 notwithstanding this1 that ,christ as he was before the world began1 hath but one body1 and that to be his church4 ,i ask you what that was that was taken down from the cross1 and laid into ,joseph's sepulchre 7,luke #bc3ec74 ,the second charge is against myself1 and is this2 ,john ,bunyan said1 ,christ's second coming is not his coming in ,spirit1 for his coming in ,spirit is no coming4 ,the former part of the words1 namely1 ,christ's second coming is not his coming in the ,spirit1 those ,i own4 ,but the ,spirit is no coming1 is a lie1 made of me by the ,author1 ,edward ,borrough4 ,the former words were spoken at a meeting in ,bedford1 some ,quakers being present contradicting and blaspheming3 ,and now they could not be content with that2 but they must make up all with a lie1 and publish it in print4 ,a ,quaker there and ,i had some discourse concerning ,christ's second coming1 and he would affirm1 that his coming in ,spirit1 was his second coming spoken of in scripture4 ,then ,i asked him which was his first coming8 ,he answered1 when he was born of the ,virgin1 and took flesh upon him from her4 ,then said ,i1 shall easily prove1 that his coming in the ,spirit is not his second coming1 for ,i will prove that his coming in the ,spirit was before that which the scripture and you also do call his first coming2 and proved it by that plain scripture1 where ,peter speaking of the prophets1 saith1 searching what1 or what manner of time the ,spirit of ,christ which was in them 7the prophets7 did signify1 when it testified before-hand the sufferings of ,christ1 and the glory that should follow 7#a,peter #a3aa and #c3ai71 where speaking of ,christ's being put to death in the flesh1 but quickened in the ,spirit4 by which ,spirit also he went and preached unto the spirits 7now7 in prison2 but when was this1 only when once the longsuffering of ,god waited in the days of ,noah 7verse #bj74 ,which was long before the first coming of ,christ1 so called in scripture1 for that was1 as ,i said1 when he took a body from the ,virgin ,mary4 ,but is seems clearly by these words that you do look for no other coming but his coming in ,spirit4 ,o6 how suddenly and unexpected of you1 will the ,son of ,man break down from heaven1 with all his mighty angels in flaming fire1 and call you1 together with all nations to judgment4 ,and though now peradventure you are ready to slight the personal appearing of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that ,man to judgment1 only looking for a judgment within1 yet you will ,i am certain1 very suddenly be made to pass under another judgment1 which will be more exceeding great than any judgment you shall have here1 and more terrible4 ,as for the latter part of the charge1 which is a very lie2 though ,i shall not trouble myself to lay it to your charge 7you have so manifestly declared yourselves already what you are7 yet ,i beseech you1 that hereafter you would not be so read to receive lies from others1 and publish them to the view of the world1 least you appear to all men 7as you do to some7 to be such as are of an accusing lying spirit4 ,but farther1 ,that ,christ's coming in the ,spirit is not his second coming1 it is evident2 partly1 in that the coming of ,christ in ,spirit1 was before that called in scripture1 his first coming4 ,secondly1 he that comes the second time is he that came the first time4 ,now he that came the first time was very ,god and very ,man1 and not a ,spirit only2 for handle me1 saith he1 a ,spirit hath not flesh and bones1 as you see me have 7,luke #bd3ci74 ,now this same ,jesus that was very ,god and very ,man1 so born of ,mary1 saith1 ,i go and prepare a place for you2 and ,i 7the very same as also ,acts #a3aj1aa71 will come again1 and receive you unto myself2 that where ,i am1 there ye may be also 7,john #ad3c74 ,here ,i might spend many word1 but it needs not2 the whole current of scriptures do confirm this thing2 and therefore ,i shall forbear1 and content myself with this4 ,he that will be filthy let him be filthy1 for the day is at hand4 ,the ,third ,charge is also against me1 saying1 ,i said there was nothing in me1 nor any man to be taken notice of4 ,though in some sense ,i do not deny these words1 yet ,i know1 and am sure1 that directly in this form of words1 ,i did never lay them down1 but ,i pass that4 ,now in this sense ,i do not deny them1 there was nothing in me1 as ,i was in my unregenerate estate2 nor in any man else in the same estate1 that is worthy to be taken notice of for justification4 ,because every unregenerate man is without ,christ1 before he be converted 7,eph #b3ab74 ,wherefore remember1 that ye being ,gentiles in the flesh 7unconverted7 that at that time ye were without ,christ4 ,now a man that is without ,christ1 and hath not his ,spirit in him1 as some1 yea1 most men are 7,jude #ai74 ,what is there in that man1 that is worth the taking notice of to justify him4 ,also converted ,paul saith1 ,i know that in me1 7that is1 in my flesh17 dwelleth no good thing 7,rom #g3ah74 ,as for others that are charged with things1 because their names are not also mentioned1 ,i shall pass them by2 only thus much ,i shall say further to the last charge4 that there is nothing in any man by nature1 before he be converted1 that is worth the taking notice of1 as to seek justification thereby4 ,and that that light which every man hath1 being at the best but conscience1 nature1 or the law1 let a man take notice of it1 follow it1 obey it never so much1 it is not able to justify the soul3 ,for if righteousness come by the law1 then ,christ is dead in vain4 ,and as ,i said before1 every man hath not ,christ to take notice of1 though every man hath conscience1 or the light of nature in him1 which is also able to convince of sins against the law of ,god1 yet is not able to deliver from that curse pronounced by the ,lord1 against them that disobey the law4 ,nay the law itself is not able to save them that do follow it1 being too weak for such a thing4 ,and indeed god did not give it to that end1 that saints should have life by it4 ,no 7compare ,gal #b3ba with ,rev #e3bj71 you may clearly see why ,god gave the law1 namely1 that sins or offences might abound4 ,but how8 ,by discovering sin by its workings4 ,now then you that follow the law1 and seek life by it1 this is all you are like to have of it3 ,you shall see your transgression against it1 made known to you by it 7,rev #c3bj71 and an horrible curse pronounced against you1 because you cannot give a complete continual obedience to every tittle of it4 ,and now friend to thee1 who hast taken in hand to answer my queries laid down in the end of my book2 ,i say1 thou hast only wrangled and quarrelled at them2 but hast not given on plain and right answer to any one of them4 ,therefor ,i shall leave them still to be answered by you1 or others of your spirit4 ,you will find them at the end of the foregoing discourse3 ,and ,i beseech you to answer them in all plainness of heart1 and with as moderate a spirit as you may4 ,it is like there may be some addition to them3 ,but as ,i have dealt plainly and sincerely with yours1 so do you deal uprightly and plainly with mine1 for the satisfaction of those who shall read them4 ,and here ,i shall draw towards a conclusion1 only speak some words to those who unawares to themselves may be carried away with the doctrines of the ,quakers3 ,and ,i shall be brief in speaking to it4 ,the way that ,i shall take1 shall be very plain to be understood2 for ,i shall not lay down any doubtful sentence in my speech to them1 nor others4 ,first1 ,i shall shew you that the doctrine of the ,quakers is an error1 and how4 ,second1 ,who they are that are carried away with it1 and why4 ,third1 ,the way ,satan takes to make this delusion1 or filthy doctrine to take place in the soul4 ,first1 ,that the doctrine of the ,quakers is false1 or an error1 ,i shall shew1 #a4 ,by discovering the doctrine itself4 ,now the doctrine of the ,quakers is plainly this2 namely1 that every man that comes into the world1 hath the ,spirit of ,christ in him4 ,now that his is an error is clear1 because the word of ,god saith plainly1 that some are sensual1 having not the ,spirit 7,jude #ai74 ,and again1 the unregenerate man1 in the time of his unregenerate state1 is without ,christ 7,eph #b3ab74 #b4 ,he that will but observe the motions of that light which very man hath within him 7say they7 so as to obey and close in with it to follow it1 shall undoubtedly be saved from the wrath to come4 ,now this is clearly a gross error2 for first1 ,if all men have not ,christ1 as they have not1 then is it not an error to press men to seek for life1 by following that which is not able to give life4 ,yet this they do1 who labour to persuade men1 yea1 the souls of men1 that it is no less than the very ,spirit of ,christ in every man1 that doth convince of sin1 when the scriptures say plainly the law 7,rom #c3ad71 ,conscience 7,rom #b3ae71 and nature itself 7,rom #b3ad2 #a;,cor #aa3ad71 will and doth convince of sin1 yet none of these is the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,and the great argument that they bring to prove that it is the ,spirit of ,christ1 is1 because the ,spirit doth also convince of sin4 ,now what a poor argument is this1 to say1 ,that because the ,spirit of ,christ doth convince of sin1 therefore whatsoever doth convince of sin1 must needs be the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,as much as to say1 because the saints are called the light of the word 7,matt #e3ad74 ,therefore the saints are the ,saviour of the world1 seeing ,christ also doth call himself the light of the world 7,john #h3ab71 or because the moon hath1 or is light1 therefore the moon is the sun4 ,this is but sophistical arguing1 and doth beget most damnable errors and heresies in the world2 but his is the way that they take1 to entangle poor souls with their sad and erroneous doctrine1 see page #bb of his book1 lines #ab and #ac4 ,they say1 that it must be ,christ within them1 that must within them work out justification for them2 when it is evident from the whole current of scripture1 that the ,son of ,mary was delivered to be crucified for our offences1 and his resurrection1 through faith in it1 is our justification2 as all along1 through grace1 ,i have declared and cleared4 ,and the work that the ,spirit doth in point of justification1 is1 to shew us what the ,son of ,mary hath done an suffered in his own body on the tree1 and is now doing in the presence of his ,father1 in the highest heaven4 ,and to help us to apply this to our souls by faith now1 for a preservative against these and the like delusions1 observe1 7#a47 ,as ,i said before1 all have not the spirit of ,christ 7,jude #ai2 ,eph #b3ab74 7#b47 ,that the law1 with all our obedience to it1 is not able to save1 or justify any poor soul 7,rom #c3bj74 ,for by the works of the law shall no flesh living be justified1 though it gives the knowledge of sin4 7#c47 ,that there is none other way to be justified in the sight of ,god1 but by laying hold of what the ,son of ,mary 7,jesus7 did do and suffer in his own person1 when he was in the world4 ,for it is by him 7and what he hath done in his own person by himself 7,heb #a3c771 that any man is justified from his sins1 and the wrath of ,god due to the same1 by believing that his blood was shed for their sins2 as it is written1 ,with his stripes we are healed 7,isa #c3e71 as if their own blood had been shed for their won sins2 and that his righteousness is theirs by imputation1 as if they themselves had actually fulfilled all the law of ,god for their own justification 7,rom #aj3d74 ,second1 ,the second thing is1 who are they that are carried away with this delusion1 and why8 #a4 ,not one of ,god's elect whom he foreknew1 shall be utterly destroyed thereby2 7,i do not say they shall not be led away for a time2 but they shall not be utterly destroyed7 for they are kept by the mighty power of ,god through faith unto salvation4 ,but they are such as are not indeed the elect of god1 nor chosen in ,christ before the world began4 ,though ,hymeneus and ,philetus fall away1 and overthrow the faith of some1 yet the foundation of ,god stands sure1 having this seal1 ,the ,lord knoweth them that are his 7#b,tim #b3ag-ai74 #b4 ,they are such as in time past1 for the generality of them were either but light1 frothy professors1 or else were shaken in their principles1 and unstable therein1 as saith the scriptures1 ,they that are deceivers do beguile unstable souls4 ,or if they were such as were in appearance sober and serious in the account of others1 it was wither from these convictions thy had from the law1 or else from high notions they had of the gospel2 which have both such influence at some time on the soul 7though not savingly7 that the soul will go very far in obedience to them2 as for example1 ,herod who was an enemy to the truth1 yet for a time had such heart-workings1 being convinced by the preaching of ,john the ,baptist1 that he feared him1 and observed him1 and when he heard him1 he did many things1 and heard hem gladly 7,mark #f3bj74 ,now the reason why such people are carried away with such heresies as these1 or the like1 is1 7#a47 ,that as they were not of the elect of ,god1 so ,god by suffering them to be carried away finally1 may make it appear1 that they were not of his elect4 ,they went out from us1 but they were not of us3 for if they had been of us1 they would no doubt have continued with us4 ,but they went out from us1 that it might be made manifest 7or that men might see7 that they were not all of us 7#a;,john #b3ai74 7#b47 ,because ,god will not have his church so disturbed always with such as are not of the truth4 ,now there are some men that have their time to walk with the church of ,god by permission1 and these men are ever and anon ready to broach their errors1 even while they are among the saints1 to their trouble4 ,now ,god having a care of his church1 hath a time to suffer the devil to run through the world with some erroneous doctrine or other1 which when these men taste1 being spirited beforehand for that purpose1 do presently close in with the same1 to the purifying of the church1 and the manifestation of themselves4 ,and thus every branch which the ,lord's right hand hath not planted1 shall and must have a time to be rooted up 7,matt #ae3ac74 7#c47 ,because others that are of the right graffing in1 may notwithstanding not presume but fear1 lest they also fall through the same example of others who are already fallen1 or may fall hereafter 7,heb #d3a1b1aa74 7#d47 ,because others may see1 that it is not by their own strength that they do stand1 but freely by the grace of god1 and his power and love towards them in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,god hath chosen some before the foundation of the world4 ,now to manifest this1 though they are even as bad as the worst by nature1 yet ,i say1 because ,god will shew his power and his love1 he doth preserve some to eternal life1 though others fall into eternal damnation4 ,of all that thou hast given me1 saith ,christ1 have ,i lost none but the son of perdition1 that the scripture might be fulfilled 7,john #ag3ab74 ,many other reasons might be given why theses things must and shall be2 but ,i rather choose to forbear4 ,only this much ,i have spoken1 because ,i know it is my duty to speak a few words unto you1 that you may either close in with the truth1 or else the more clearly be left without excuse at the great day4 ,third4 ,the third and last thing1 is the way that ,satan takes to make those delusions take place in the soul4 ,now the way whereby he makes these or any other delusions to take place in the soul1 is1 #a4 to persuade the soul an enmity to any thing or person that shall declare the contrary4 #a4 ,they are given over to believe a lie2 that is1 to believe false doctrine to be the doctrine of ,god and of ,christ4 ,and that he might bring this to pass1 he goeth about to change the names of things2 and because the law1 conscience1 and nature itself can convince of sin1 therefore he calleth them ,christ1 or the light of ,christ2 saying to a natural man1 one that is not yet converted1 ,mind the light within you4 ,if they ask what light8 say they1 ,that which doth convince of sin4 ,if they farther ask1 why1 what is that8 ,they say1 ,it is the light of ,christ1 the light of life1 or ,christ within4 ,now these things are nothing else but conscience1 nature1 or the law1 for a natural man hath nothing else that dwelleth within him to convince him of sin2 only these things have a new name put upon them4 ,and poor creatures hearing the name ,christ1 being ignorant of the nature of ,christ1 do presently close in with these things1 supposing1 nay1 verily believing that these are the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,which things being thus received1 if at any time one come and oppose them1 and tell them that it is an error that they have taken up1 to think that that which is in an unregenerate man is the ,spirit of ,christ1 and contrarywise telleth them plainly1 that it is but their own conscience that doth convince them1 or the law written in their hearts by nature4 ,nay1 say they1 it is the light of ,christ in the conscience1 when there is no scripture hath any such manner of expressions1 only a fancy of their own1 taken up without ground from the word4 #b4 ,but the soul being possessed with this doctrine1 presently its heart riseth against anything that doth contradict it1 and is filled with a secret enmity against it4 ,now the way that ,satan takes to bring this about1 is to persuade poor souls1 that all these thoughts that do any wise contradict the principles received1 is but a temptation of the devil4 ,and if at any time there be the doctrine of ,jesus held forth in truth1 his death1 burial1 resurrection1 ascension1 and intercession2 now without in the presence of his ,father for sinners1 and that there is salvation no where else but in the merits of the firstborn ,mary1 which is ,jesus ,christ1 without the works of the law 7,rom #c3bh74 ,presently with envy they are enraged and cry1 ,dost thou not know that every man hath a measure of the spirit given to him8 ,follow that1 listen to that1 turn thy mind to that1 and walk in the light of that4 ,when alas1 there is no such thing as the ,spirit of ,christ in every man1 as ,i said1 and proved before at large2 only the devil hath gotten this way to call conscience ,christ1 the law ,christ2 and hereby to entangle the soul with the name of a thing1 without the thing itself4 ,but now the soul is set down in its principles1 and he that doth any way confute that spirit1 presently it falls a raging1 and cries out1 serpent1 liar1 wolf1 dragon1 devil1 be silent with thy serpentine wisdom1 and smoke of the bottomless pit4 ,now in this the devil is wonderfully cunning2 for least he should indeed be discovered1 he doth set the face hard against the truth1 and counteth it such a deadly enemy1 that he will not1 cannot bear it2 but lets fly against it all the hellish words and madness he can3 ,and now he begins first to cry1 avoid ,satan4 ,all which is only to harden him in whom he doth dwell1 more and more against the truth4 ,now he doth also harden souls in delusions1 by presenting the ugly and base conversations of a company of covetous wretches1 who do profess themselves to be the ministers of the gospel1 but are not2 now poor creatures being shaking and doubtful what way to take1 seeing the conversation of these men to be wicked1 and the doctrine of these deluders covered with a seeming holiness2 they presently embrace it1 saying1 surely these men are in the right way2 they cry down the priests1 whose lives we also see to be profane1 they are very strict in their ways1 and if such be not good men1 who are8 ,but yet that which is most taking is 7through the corruption and pride that is naturally in the heart of man7 these men propose such a way to salvation1 as is in the compass of a man's own ability1 even works of righteousness done by him1 which is very agreeable to man's nature1 which would willingly be saved1 but would not be altogether beholden to god for it3 and these works not being wrought by the priests or national ministers1 but by the other1 though in opposition to the righteousness of ,christ1 the ,messias ,god-man1 poor souls not only suck in these erroneous principles1 but are hardened in them against the doctrine of ,god and his ,son ,jesus ,christ1 by their ungodly conversation2 and thus dishonour the ,son of ,god4 ,but come brethren1 let us be patient1 stablish our hearts1 wait but a while1 and ,i doubt not but you will see that those who dishonour our ,jesus shall soon be brought down1 both ,ranters1 ,quakers1 priests1 and people also1 that shall continue in opposing him either in doctrine or practice2 for our ,god hath said1 ,ah6 ,i will ease me of my adversaries4 ,now1 a few words more to those who do believe in ,christ aright1 and lay him for their foundation4 ,first1 ,bless ,god that you are not carried away with the delusions that are on foot in this generation4 ,secondly1 ,see that you are labourers after a more experimental knowledge of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 fly more to his birth1 death1 blood1 resurrection1 ascension and intercession3 and fetch refreshing for your souls more and more from him without1 through the operation of his ,spirit within2 and though the fruits of the ,spirit be excellent1 and to be owned where they are found2 yet have a care you take not away the glory of the blood of ,christ shed on the cross without the gates of ,jerusalem1 and give it them2 which you will do1 if you do content yourselves1 and satisfy your consciences with this2 that you find the fruits of the ,spirit within you1 and do not go for peace and consolation of conscience to the blood of ,jesus shed on the cross4 ,therefore learn of the saints1 or rather of the ,spirit 7,rev #e3i74 who teacheth to sing this song1 ,thou art worthy to take the book1 and to open the seals thereof1 for thou wast slain1 and hast redeemed us to ,god by thy blood4 ,and as for you that cannot yet well endure to think you should be justified by the blood of the ,son of ,mary shed on the cross without the gate1 ,i say to you1 ,kiss the ,son1 lest he be angry1 and ye perish from the way1 when his wrath is kindled but a little4 ,blessed are all they that put their trust in him 7,psa #b3ab74 ,,footnotes3 #a ,bunyan's epistle to ,some ,gospel ,truths ,opened4 #b ,for the proof of this1 read the good love of ,god to ,david1 ,peter1 and others1 which did most woefully sin again after they were converted4 #c ,here is another of his false accusations of me4 #d ,see margin of the bible4--,ed4 #e ,there is nothing new under the sun4 ,it appears from this that there was a tee-total movement in the time of the commonwealth4 ,for the meaning of hatband1 see editor's advertisement4--,ed4 #f ,to famble1 to falter1 or stammer in speech3 obsolete4--,ed4 #d 999999 ,a ,,discourse ,,upon ,,the ,,pharisee ,,and ,,the ,,publican ,,wherein ,,several ,,great ,,and ,,weighty ,,things ,,are ,,handled3 ,,as1 ,,the ,,nature ,,of ,,prayer1 ,,and ,,of ,,obedience ,,to ,,the ,,law1 ,,with ,,how ,,far ,,it ,,obliges ,,christians1 ,,and ,,wherein ,,it ,,consists4 ,,wherein ,,is ,,also ,,shewed1 ,,the ,,equally ,,deplorable ,,condition ,,of ,,the ,,pharisee1 ,,or ,,hypocritical ,,and ,,self-,,righteous ,,man2 ,,and ,,of ,,the ,,publican1 ,,or ,,sinner ,,that ,,lives ,,in ,,sin1 ,,and ,,in ,,open ,,violation ,,of ,,the ,,divine ,,laws4 ,,together ,,with ,,the ,,way ,,and ,,method ,,of ,,god',s ,,free ,,grace ,,in ,,pardoning ,,penitent ,,sinners2 ,,proving ,,that ,,he ,,justifies ,,them ,,by ,,imputing ,,christ',s ,,righteousness ,,to ,,them4 ,,by ,,john ,,bunyan1 ,,author ,,of ,,the ,,pilgrim',s ,,progress4 ,,advertisement ,,by ,,the ,,editor4 ,this important treatise unvails1 in few but telling words1 the nature of prayer1 about which mankind has made most awful mistakes4 ,multitudes conceive that the heart-searching ,god can be influenced and propitiated by eloquent words and forms of prayer2 whilst the few1 who are taught by the ,holy ,spirit1 feel and know that the ardent desire1 the aspirations1 the fervent wishes of the mind1 can alone be accepted by the ,eternal2 and even then only through the merits of the ,redeemer4 ,the first edition appeared in #afce1 and it soon became a very popular book4 ,the use and application announced at the end do not appear to have been published1 unless the author meant one of his later productions to answer that purpose4 ,the twelfth edition has no date on the title page2 to it is added ,bunyan's last ,sermon1 and his dying sayings1--,licensed1 ,sept4 #ajth1 #afhh2 but this announcement had been probably continued from some earlier edition4 ,the number of cheap reprints of this little volume may account1 in some measure1 for the amazing errors which crept in and deformed the book2 for with the exception of ,grace ,abounding1 ,the ,pilgrim1 and ,the ,holy ,war1 few books have been so carelessly and disgracefully printed4 ,for more than a century ,bunyan has been represented as saying1 ,how did ,god deal with sinners before his righteousness was actually in being4 ,in fact1 no reader can conceive the mutilated state in which this valuable treatise has been published1 unless by actual comparison with those printed before the author's decease4 ,some considerable omissions1 doubtless1 arose from political causes4 ,bunyan died very shortly before the glorious revolution in #afhh1--;and in drawing a faithful portrait of a publican or tax gatherer1 he supposed the country to be conquered by a foreign power4 ,would it not be an insufferable thing8 yea1 did not that man deserve hanging ten times over1 that should1 being a ,dutchman1 fall in with a ,french invader1 and farm at his hands1 those cruel and grievous taxations1 which he1 in barbarous wise1 should at his conquest lay upon them2 and exact and force them to be paid with an over1 and above of what is appointed4 ,he goes on to argue1 that if this would be a severe trial at the hand of a foreigner1 how much more oppressive would it appear if exercised by a fellow countryman4 ,if these things are intolerable1 what shall we think of such men as shall join to all this compliance with a foreign prince1 to rob the church of ,god8 yea1 that shall become a man in power under them1 to wring out of the hand of a brother1 his estate2 yea1 his bread and livelihood4 ,these paragraphs1 and much more1 were omitted1 probably1 from a fear of giving offence to the new government1 and1 until the present edition1 they had not been restored4 ,in ,bunyan's time1 severe and awful persecutions fell upon the church of ,god in ,england1 and he must have felt the utmost compassion1 mingled with deep abhorrence1 for those emissaries of ,satan1 the ,informers1 who plundered mercilessly all who refused obedience to the order of common prayer4 ,these men1 aided by fanatic justices and clergymen1 reduced many pious families to the severest sufferings1 while thousands fled to the wilds of ,america for that refuge among men called savages1 which was denied them by their much more savage countrymen4 ,it is distressing to read the narrative1 published in #afgj1 of those proceedings in ,bedford1 while ,bunyan was an inmate in its jail4 ,the porters1 charged to assist in carrying off the people's goods1 ran away1 saying1 that they would be hanged1 drawn1 and quartered1 before they would assist in that work2 two of them were sent to gaol for thus refusing to aid in this severe enforcement of impious laws4 ,this populous town was so thin of people that it looked more like a country village than a corporation2 and the shops being generally shut down1 it seemed like a place visited with the pest1 where usually is written upon the door--,lord1 have mercy upon us4 ,when in the presence of the justice the officers took all his goods from ,thomas ,arthur1 he appealed to the humane feelings of the magistrate on behalf of his children1--,sir1 shall my children starve1 to which he replied1 yes1 your children shall starve4 ,all these bitter sufferings were inflicted for worshipping ,god according to the directions of his holy word4 ,can we wonder then that ,bunyan uses hard words4 ,he felt that state hierarchies were anti-christian2 their fruit declared that those who supported them by such cruelties were aliens and enemies to the church of ,christ4 ,as a theological treatise1 this of the ,pharisee and ,publican is invaluable4 ,it is clear and perfectly intelligible to every candid and prayerful inquirer4 ,when our author is proving the impossibility of a sinner's recommending himself to the divine favour by any imperfect good works of his own1 he draws a vivid picture4 ,a lord invites his friends to a sumptuous banquet1 the provision is bountiful and in rich abundance1 when some of the guests take a few mouldy crusts out of their pockets and lay them on their plates1 lest the prince had not provided a sufficient repast for his friends2 would it not be a high affront to1 a great contempt of1 and a distrust in1 the goodness of the ,lord4 ,we are bound to produce good works as a fruit of faith--a proof of love to him that hath redeemed us1 but not to recommend us to his favour4 ,the picture of such a feast drawn by ,john ,bunyan must make upon every reader a deep1 a lasting1 an indelible impression4 ,how bitter and how true is the irony1 when the ,pharisee is represented as saying1 ,i came to thy feast out of civility1 but for thy dainties ,i need them not1 ,i have enough of my own2 ,i thank thee for thy kindness1 but ,i am not as those that stand in need of thy provisions1 nor yet as this ,publican4 ,and how excellent is the reasoning and the ,christian philosophy of that paragraph which was suppressed after ,bunyan's death4 ,the language is bold and striking1 but it exhibits the unvarnished truth2 an inward change of nature is the only cause of good and acceptable works--good or evil actions are but the evidences of our state by grace or by nature--they do not work that change or produce that state4 ,it is a soul-humbling view of our state of death by sin1 or of life by the righteousness and obedience of ,christ4 ,bunyan's train of reasoning on ,romans #e is worthy of our profound consideration1--,when we were enemies we were reconciled to ,god by the death of his ,son4 ,what is a sinful man in himself1 or in his approach to ,god1 but as stubble fully dry in the presence of a consuming fire1 unless he is washed and cleansed by the atoning sacrifice of ,jesus4 ,may the glorified spirit of ,bunyan rejoice among the angels of heaven1 over souls converted by the instrumentality of this solemn and searching treatise4 ,,george ,,offor4 ,,to ,,the ,,reader4 ,courteous ,reader1 ,i have made bold once again to present thee with some of my meditations2 and they are now about the ,,pharisee and the ,,publican3 ,two men in whose condition the whole world is comprehended1 both as to their state now1 and condition at the judgment4 ,wherefore in reading this little book thou must needs read thyself4 ,i do not say thou must understand thy condition2 for it is the gift of ,god must make thee do that4 ,howbeit1 if ,god will bless it to thee1 it may be a means to bring thee to see whose steps thou art treading1 and so at whose end thou art like to arrive4 ,and let me beg this at thy hand1 now thou art about to read2 reserve thy judgment or sentence as to me1 until thou hast passed through the discourse4 ,justification is treated of here1 and the way for men to be saved4 ,i have also ,o ,,publican here1 as my skill hath served me1 for thy encouragement1 set before thee the ,pharisee and the ,publican in their colours1 and shewed thee1 that though the ,publican seemed to be far behind1 yet in running he got the prize from the lofty ,pharisee4 ,i say1 ,art thou a ,pharisee8 ,here is a ,pharisee for thee6 ,art thou a ,publican8 ,here is a ,publican for thee6 ,god give thee the ,publican's heart1 if thou art in the ,publican's sins1 that thou mayest partake with the ,publican1 of mercy4--,so wisheth thy friend4 ,,john ,,bunyan4 ,a ,,discourse ,,upon ,,the ,,pharisee ,,and ,,publican4 ,,two ,,men ,,went ,,up ,,into ,,the ,,temple ,,to ,,pray2 ,,the ,,one ,a ,,pharisee1 ,,and ,,the ,,other ,a ,,publican3 ,,the ,,pharisee ,,stood ,,and ,,prayed ,,thus ,,with ,,himself1 ,,god1 ,i ,,thank ,,thee1 ,,that ,i ,,am ,,not ,,as ,,other ,,men ,,are1 ,,extortioners1 ,,unjust1 ,,adulterers1 ,,or ,,even ,,as ,,this ,,publican4 ,i ,,fast ,,twice ,,in ,,the ,,week1 ,i ,,give ,,tithes ,,of ,,all ,,that ,i ,,possess4 ,,and ,,the ,,publican1 ,,standing ,,afar ,,off1 ,,would ,,not ,,lift ,,up ,,so ,,much ,,as ,,his ,,eyes ,,unto ,,heaven1 ,,but ,,smote ,,upon ,,his ,,breast1 ,,saying1 ,,god ,,be ,,merciful ,,to ,,me ,a ,,sinner4 ,,luke #ah3aj-ac4 ,in the beginning of this chapter you read of the reason of the parable of the unjust judge and the poor widow2 namely1 to encourage men to pray4 ,he spake a parable to ,,this ,,end1 that men ought always to pray and not to faint4 ,and a most sweet parable for that purpose it is3 ,for if through importunity1 a poor widow-woman may prevail with an unjust judge2 and so consequently with an unmerciful and hard-hearted tyrant2 how much more shall the poor1 afflicted1 distressed1 and tempted people of ,god1 prevail with1 and obtain mercy at the hands of a loving1 just and merciful ,god8 ,the unjust judge would not hearken to1 nor regard1 the cry of the poor widow for a while3 ,but afterward he said within himself1 ,though ,i fear not ,god1 nor regard man2 yet because this widow troubleth me1 ,i will avenge her1 lest by her continual coming she weary me4 ,hark1 saith ,christ1 what the unjust judge saith4 ,and shall not ,god avenge his own elect1 which cry day and night unto him8 ,i tell you1 that he will avenge them speedily4 ,this is therefore a very comfortable parable to such of the saints1 that are under hard usages by reason of evil men1 their might1 and tyranny4 ,for by it we are taught to believe and expect1 that ,god1 though for a while he seemeth not to regard1 yet will1 in due time and season1 arise and set such in safety from them that puff at them4 7,psa #ab3e7 ,let the good ,christian pray always2 let him pray and not faint at seeming delays2 for if the widow by importunity prevailed with the unjust judge1 how much more shall he with his heavenly ,father4 ,i tell you1 says ,christ1 that he will avenge them speedily4 ,but now1 forasmuch as this parable reacheth not 7so directly7 the poor publican in the text1 therefore our ,lord begins again1 and adds to that another parable1 this parable1 which ,i have chosen for my text4 ,by the which he designeth two things3 ,first1 ,the conviction of the proud and self-conceited ,pharisee4 ,secondly1 ,the raising up and healing of the cast down and dejected ,publican4 ,and observe it1 as by the first parable he chiefly designeth the relief of those that are under the hand of cruel tyrants3 ,so by this he designeth the relief of those that lie under the load and burden of a guilty and disquieted conscience4 ,this therefore is a parable that is full of singular comfort to such of the sinners in the world1 that are clogged with guilt1 and a sense of sin2 and that lie under the apprehensions of1 and that are driven to ,god by1 the sense of the judgment1 that for sin is due unto them4 ,in my handling of this text1 ,i shall have respect to these things4 ,first1 ,to the ,,persons in the text4 ,secondly1 ,to the ,,condition of the persons in the text4 ,thirdly1 ,to the ,,conclusion that ,christ makes upon them both4 ,first1 ,for the ,,persons4 ,they were1 as you see1 far one from another in their own apprehension of themselves2 one good1 the other bad2 but yet in the judgment of the law1 both alike1 both the same1 both sinners2 for they both stood in need of merit4#a ,true1 the first mentioned did not see it1 as the other poor sinner did2 but that altereth not the case4 ,he that is in the judgment of the law a sinner1 is in the judgment of the law for sin condemned1 though in his own judgment he be never so righteous4 ,men must not be judged1 or justified1 according to what themselves do think1 but according to the verdict and sentence that cometh out of the mouth of ,god about them4#b ,now the sentence of ,god is1 ,they are all under sin--,there is none righteous1 no1 not one7,rom #c73 ',tis no matter then what the ,pharisee did think of himself1 ,god by his word hath proclaimed him a sinner4 ,a sinner1 by reason of original sin4 ,a sinner by reason of actual transgression4 ,personally therefore1 with reference to the true nature of their state1 they both were sinners1 and both by the law under condemnation4 ,true1 the ,publican's leprosy was outward2 but the ,pharisee's leprosy was inward3 his heart1 his soul1 his spirit1 was as foul1 and had as much the plague of sin1 as had the other in his life or conversation4 ,secondly1 ,as to their ,,condition4 ,i do not mean by condition1 so much a habit of mind1 as the state that they had each of them put themselves into by that mind4 ,the one1 says the text1 was a ,pharisee1 the other a ,publican4 ,a ,pharisee3 ,that is1 one that hath chosen to himself such a course of life4 ,a ,publican3 ,that is1 one that hath chosen to himself such a course of life4 ,these terms therefore shew1 the divers courses of life that they had put themselves into4 ,the ,pharisee1 as he thought1 had put himself into a condition for heaven and glory2 but the ,publican was for this world1 and his lusts4 ,wherefore when the ,pharisee stands in the temple1 he boasteth of himself and good condition2 but condemneth the ,publican1 and bitterly inveigheth against him4 ,but1 as ,i said1 their personal state by the law1 was not at all changed4 ,the ,pharisee made himself never the better2 the ,publican also abode in his place4 ,indeed the ,publican is here found to recant1 and repent of his condition2 of the condition that he had put himself into2 and the ,pharisee to boast of his3 ,but the ,publican's repentance was not of himself1 but of ,god2 who can also1 yea1 and sometimes it is evident 7,acts #i71 he doth make ,pharisees also repent of that condition that they have chosen to be in themselves4 7,phil #c3c-h7 ,the ,pharisee1 therefore in commending of himself1 makes himself never the better4 ,the ,publican also1 in condemning of himself1 makes himself never the worse4 ,nay1 contrariwise1 the ,pharisee by commending of himself makes himself much the worse 7verse #ad74 ,and the ,publican1 by condemning of himself1 makes himself much the better4 ,i tell you1 says ,christ ,this man went down to his house justified rather than the other3 ,for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased2 and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted4 ,but1 ,i say1 as to men's commending of themselves1 yea1 though others should commend them also1 that availeth1 to ,godward1 nothing at all4 ,for not he that commendeth himself is approved1 but whom the ,lord commendeth4 ,so then1 men in measuring themselves by themselves1 and comparing themselves among themselves1 are not wise4 7#b ,cor #aj3ah1ab7 ,now this was the way of the ,pharisee1 ,i am not1 saith he1 as other men2 ,i am no extortioner1 nor unjust1 no adulterer1 nor yet as this ,publican4 ,,two ,,men ,,went ,,up ,,into ,,the ,,temple ,,to ,,pray4 ,and they two1 as ,i said1 as opposite one to the other1 as any two men that ever went thither to pray4 ,one of them was over righteous1 and the other wicked over much4 ,some would have thought1 had they not by the word of ,christ been otherwise described1 that they had been both of the same religion2 for they both went up into the temple to pray2 yea1 both to pray1 and that at the same time1 as if they did it by appointment1 by agreement1 but there was no such thing4 ,the one was a ,pharisee1 the other a ,publican2 for so saith the after words3 ,and therefore persons as opposite as light and darkness1 as fire and water2 ,i mean as to their apprehensions one of another4 ,the ,pharisee could not abide the ,publican1 nor could the ,publican brook the ,pharisee1 and yet both went up into the temple to pray4 ,it is strange to see1 and yet it is seen1 that men cross in their minds1 cross in their principles1 cross in their apprehensions2 yea1 and cross in their prayers too1 should yet meet together in the temple to pray4 ,,two ,,men1 ,men not of the middle sort1 as afore is shewed2 but two1 and them too1 picked out of the best and worst that was3 as shall now be a little more largely handled4 ,two men1 a ,pharisee and a ,publican4 ,to be a ,pharisee was in those days counted honourable for religion1 and for holiness of life4 ,a ,pharisee was a man of esteem and repute among the ,jews1 though it is a term of reproach with us4 ,else ,paul would not as he did1 and at such a time as he did it1 have said1 ,men and brethren1 ,i am a ,pharisee1 the son of a ,pharisee4 7,acts #bc3f1 ,phil #c3e7 ,for now he stood upon his purgation and justification1 especially it appears so by the place first named4 ,and far be it from any to think1 that ,paul would make use of a colour of wickedness1 to save1 thereby1 himself from the fury of the people4 ,a ,publican was in those days counted one of the vilest of men1 as is manifest2 because when they are by the word1 by way of discrimination1 made mention of1 they are ranked with the most vile and base4 ,therefore they are joined with sinners4 ,he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners2 and with harlots4 ,the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of ,god4 ,yea1 when our ,lord ,christ would have the rebellious professor stigmatized to purpose1 he saith3 ,let him be unto thee as an heathen man1 and a publican4 ,we therefore can make no judgment of men upon the outward appearance of them4 ,who would have thought1 but that the ,pharisee had been a good man1 for he was righteous2 for he prayed4 ,and who could have thought1 that the other had been a good man8 ,for he was a ,publican3 ,a man1 by good men1 and bad men1 joined with the worst of men1 to wit1 with sinners1 harlots1 heathens4 ,the ,pharisee was a sectarian2 the ,publican was an officer4 ,the ,pharisee even because he was a sectarian1 was had the more in esteem2 and the ,publican because he was an officer1 was had the more in reproach4 ,to speak a little to both these4 ,the ,pharisee was a sectarian1 one that deviated1 that turned aside in his worshipping from the way of ,god1 both in matter and manner of worship2 for such an one ,i count a sectarian4 ,that he turned aside from the matter1 which is the rule of worship1 to wit1 the written word1 it is evident2 for ,christ saith1 ,that they rejected the commandments of ,god1 and made them of no effect1 that they might keep their own traditions4 7,mark #g3i-ad7 ,that they turned aside also as to their manner of worship1 and became sectarians there1 is with no less authority asserted2 ,for all their works they do for to be seen of men4 7,acts #bf3e1 ,matt #bc3e7 ,now this being none of the order or ordinance of ,christ1 and yet being chose by1 and stuck to of these sort of men1 and also made a singular and necessary part of worship1 became a sect1 or bottom for these hypocritical factious men to adhere unto1 and to make of others1 disciples to themselves4 ,and that they might be admired1 and rendered venerable by the simple people to their fellows1 they loved to go in long robes2 they loved to pray in markets1 and in the corners of the streets2 they shewed great zeal for the small things of the law1 but had only great words for things that were substantial4 ,they make broad their phylacteries1 and enlarge the borders of their garments4 7,matt #bc3e7 ,when ,i say the ,pharisee was a sectarian1 ,i do not mean that every sectarian is a ,pharisee4 ,there was the sect of the ,herodians1 and of the ,alexandrians1 of the ,sadducees1 with many others2 but to be a ,pharisee1 was to be of the straitest sect3 ,after the most straitest sect of our religion ,i lived a ,pharisee2 that therefore of all the sects1 was the most strait and strict4 ,therefore1 saith he in another place1 ,i was taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers4 7,acts #bb3c1 #bf3d-f7 ,and again1 ,touching the law a ,pharisee4 7,phil #c3e7 ,the ,pharisees therefore did carry the bell1#c and did wear the garland for religion2 for he out-did1 he went beyond all other sectarians in his day4 ,he was the strictest1 he was the most zealous2 therefore ,christ in his making of this parable1 waveth all other sects then in being1 and pitcheth upon the ,pharisee as the man most meet1 by whose rejection he might shew forth1 and demonstrate the riches of his mercy in its extension to sinners3 ,two men went up into the temple to pray1 the one a ,pharisee4 ,the one such a brave man as you have heard4 ,the ,,publican also went up thither to pray4 ,the ,publican1 ,i told you before1 was an officer4 ,an officer that served the ,romans and themselves too2 for the ,romans at that time were possessors of the land of ,jewry1 the lot of ,israel's inheritance1 and the ,emperor ,tiberius ,caesar placed over that land four governors1 to wit1 ,pilate1 ,herod1 ,philip1 and ,lysanias 7,luke #c3a72 all these were ,gentiles1 heathens1 infidels2 and the ,publicans were a sort of inferior men1 to whom was let out to farm1 and so men that were employed by these to gather up the taxes and customs1 that the heathens had laid upon the ,jews to be paid to the emperor4 7,luke #b3a1 #c3ab1ac7 ,but they were a generation of men that were very injurious in the execution of their office4 ,they would exact and demand more than was due of the people2 yea1 and if their demands were denied1 they would falsely accuse those that so denied them to the governor1 and by false accusation obtain the money of the people1 and so wickedly enrich themselves4 7,luke #c3ac1 #ai3b1h7 ,this was therefore grievous to the ,jews1 who always counted themselves a free people1 and could never abide to be in bondage to any4 ,and this was something of the reason1 that they were so generally1 by all the ,jews1 counted so vile and base1 and reckoned among the worst of men1 even as our informers and bum bailiffs are with us at this day4 ,but that which heightened the spirit of the people against them1 and that made them so odious and filthy in their eyes1 was for that1 at least so ,i think1 these ,publicans were not1 as the other officers1 aliens1 heathens1 and ,gentiles1 but men of their own nation1 ,jews1 and so the brethren of those that they so abused4 ,had they been ,gentiles1 it had not been to be wondered at2 that they abused1 accused and by false accusations peeled and wasted the people2 for that cannot but be expected at the hands of aliens and strangers4 ,the ,publican then was a ,jew1 a kind of a renegade ,jew1 that through the love that he had to unjust gains1 fell off in his affections from his brethren1 adhered to the ,romans1 and became a kind of servant to them against their brethren1 farming the heathenish taxations at the hand of strangers1 and exacting of them upon their brethren with much cruelty1 falsehood1 and extortion4 ,and hence1 as ,i said1 it was1 that to be a ,publican1 was to be so odious a thing1 so vile a sinner1 and so grievous a man in the eyes of the ,jews4 ,and would it not be an insufferable thing8 ,yea1 did not that man deserve hanging ten times over1 that should1 being a ,dutchman1 fall in with a ,french invader1 and take place or farm at his hands1 those cruel and grievous taxations1 which he in barbarous wise should at his conquest lay upon them2 and exact and force them to be paid him with an over and above of what is appointed4#d ,why this was the ,publican1 he was a ,jew1 and so should have abode with them1 and have been content to share with his brethren in their calamities2 but contrary to nature1 to law1 to religion1 reason1 and honesty1 he fell in with the heathen1 and took the advantage of their tyranny1 to pole1 to peel1#e to rob and impoverish his brethren4 ,but for proof that the ,publican was a ,jew4 #a4 ,they are1 even then1 when compared with1 yet distinguished from the heathen2 ,let him be to thee as an heathen man and a ,publican 7,matt #ah71 which two terms1 ,i think1 must not here be applied to one and the self-same man1 as if the heathen was a ,publican1 or the ,publican a heathen1 but to men of two distinct nations2 as that ,publican and ,harlot1 is to be understood of sinners of both sexes4 ,the ,publican is not an harlot1 for he is a man1 c4 and such a man as has been described before4 ,so by ,publicans and ,sinners1 is meant ,publicans1 and such sinners as the ,gentiles were2 or such as1 by the text1 the ,publican is distinguished from3 ,where the ,pharisee saith he was not an extortioner1 unjust1 adulterer1 or even as this ,publican4 ,nor can he by ,heathen ,man1 intend the person1 and by the term ,publican1 the office or place of the heathen man2 but by ,publican is meant the renegade ,jew1 in such a place1 c4 as is yet further manifest by that which follows4 ,for1 #b4 ,those ,publicans1 even every one of them that by name are made mention of in the ,new ,testament1 have such names put upon them2 yea1 and other circumstances thereunto annexed1 as doth demonstrate them to be ,jews4 ,i remember the names of no more but three1 to wit1 ,matthew1 ,levi1 and ,zaccheus1 and they were all ,jews4 7#a47 ,matthew was a ,jew1 and the same ,matthew was a ,publican2 yea1 and also afterward an apostle4 ,he was a ,jew1 and wrote his gospel in ,hebrew2 ,he was an apostle1 and is therefore found among the twelve4 ,that he was a ,publican too1 is as evident by his own words3 ,for though ,mark and ,luke in their mentioning of his name and apostleship1 do forbear to call him a ,publican4 7,mar #c3ah1 ,luke #f3ae7 ,yet when this ,matthew comes to speak of himself1 he calls himself ,matthew the ,publican 7,matt #aj3c71 for ,i count this the self-same ,matthew that ,mark and ,luke maketh mention of1 because ,i find no other ,matthew among the apostles but he3 ,matthew the ,publican1 ,matthew the man so deep in apostasy1 ,matthew the man of that ill fame among his brethren4 ,love in ,mark and ,luke1 when they counted him among the apostles1 did cover with silence this his ,publican state2 and it is meet for ,peter to call ,paul his beloved brother1 when ,paul himself shall call himself the chief of sinners2 but faithfulness to the world1 and a desire to be abased1 that ,christ thereby1 and grace by him1 might be advanced1 made ,matthew1 in his evangelical writings1 call himself by the name of ,matthew the ,publican4 ,nor has he lost thereby2 for ,christ again to exalt him1 as he hath also done by the apostle ,paul1 hath set1 by his special providence1 the testimony that this ,matthew hath given of his birth1 life1 death1 doctrine1 and miracles1 in the front of all the ,new ,testament4 7#b47 ,the next ,publican that ,i find by the testament of ,christ1 made mention of by name1 is ,levi1 another of the apostles of ,jesus ,christ4 ,this ,levi also1 by the ,holy ,ghost in holy writ1 is called by the name of ,james4 ,not ,james the brother of ,john1 for ,zebedee was his father2 but ,james the son of ,alpheus4 ,now ,i take this ,levi also to be another than ,matthew2 first1 because ,matthew is not called the son of ,alpheus2 and because ,matthew and ,levi1 or ,james the son of ,alpheus1 are distinctly counted where the names of the apostles are mentioned 7,matt #aj3c71 for two distinct persons3 ,and that this ,levi1 or ,james the apostle was a ,publican1 as was the apostle ,matthew1 whom we mentioned before1 is evident2 for both ,mark and ,luke do count him such4 ,first1 ,mark saith1 ,christ found him when he called him1 as he also found ,matthew1 sitting at the receipt of custom2 yea1 ,luke words it thus3 ,he went forth1 and saw a publican1 named ,levi1 sitting at the receipt of custom3 and he said unto him1 ,follow me4 7,mark #b3ad1 ,luke #e3bg7 ,now that this ,levi1 or ,james the son of ,alpheus1 was a ,jew1 his name doth well make manifest4 ,besides1 had there been among the apostles any more ,gentiles save ,simon the ,canaanite2 or if this ,levi ,james had been one here1 ,i think the ,holy ,ghost would1 to distinguish him1 have included him in the same discriminating character as he did the other1 when he called him ,simon the ,canaanite4 7,matt #aj3d7 ,matthew1 therefore1 and ,levi or ,james1 were both ,publicans1 and1 as ,i think1 called both at the same time2#f were both ,publican-,jews1 and made by grace the apostles of ,jesus ,christ4 7#c47 ,the next ,publican that ,i find by name1 made mention of in the testament of ,christ1 is one ,zaccheus4 ,and he was a chief ,publican2 yea1 for ought ,i know1 the master of them all4 ,there was a man1 saith ,luke1 named ,zaccheus1 which was the chief among the ,publicans1 and he was rich4 7,luke #ai3b7 ,this man1 ,christ saith1 was a son of ,abraham1 that is1 as other ,jews were2 for he spake that to stop the mouths of their ,pharisaical cavillations4 ,besides1 the ,publican shewed himself to be such an one1 when under a supposition of wronging any man1 he has respect to the ,jewish law of restoring four-fold4 7,exo #bb3a1 #b ,sam #ab3f7 ,it is further manifest that he was a ,jew1 because ,christ puts him among the lost2 to wit1 among the lost sheep of the house of ,israel 7,luke #ai3h-aj1 ,matt #ae3bd71 for ,zaccheus was one that might properly be said to be lost1 and that in the ,jews account3 ,lost ,i say1 and that not only in the most common sense1 by reason of transgression against the law1 but for that he was an apostate ,jew2 not with reference to heathenish religion1 but as to heathenish1 cruel1 and barbarous actions2 and therefore he was1 as the other1 by his brethren counted as bad as heathens1 ,gentiles1 and harlots4 ,but salvation is come to this house1 saith ,christ1 and that notwithstanding his ,publican practices1 forasmuch as he also is the son of ,abraham4 #c4 ,again1 ,christ by the parable of the lost sheep1 doth plainly intimate1 that the ,publican was a ,jew4 ,then drew near unto him all the ,publicans and sinners for to hear him4 ,and the ,pharisees and ,scribes murmured1 saying1 ,this man receiveth sinners1 and eateth with them4 7,luke #ae3a1b7 ,but by what answer doth ,christ repel their objections8 ,why1 he saith1 ,what man of you1 having an hundred sheep1 if he lose one of them1 doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness1 and go after that which is lost until he find it8 ,doth he not here1 by the lost sheep1 mean the poor ,publican8 ,plenty of whom1 while he preached this sermon1 were there1 as objects of the ,pharisees' scorn2 but of the pity and compassion of ,jesus ,christ6 he did without doubt mean them4 ,for1 pray1 what was the flock1 and who ,christ's sheep under the law1 but the house and people of ,israel8 7,exo #cd3cj1ca7 ,so then1 who could be the lost sheep of the house of ,israel1 but such as was ,matthew1 ,james1 ,zaccheus1 and their companions in their1 and such like transgressions4 #d4 ,besides1 had not the ,publican been of the ,jews1 how easy had it been for the ,pharisees to have objected1 that an impertinency was couched in that most excellent parable of the lost sheep8 ,they might have said1 ,we are offended1 because thou receivest the ,publicans1 and thou for vindication of thy practice1 propoundest a parable of lost sheep2 but they are the sinners of the house of ,israel1 and the ,publicans are aliens and ,gentiles4 ,i say1 ,how easily might they thus have objected8 ,but they knew full well1 that the parable was pertinent1 for that the ,publicans were of the ,jews1 and not of the aliens4 ,yea1 had they not been ,jews1 it cannot1 it must not be thought1 that ,christ1 in sum1 should call them so2 and yet he did do so1 when he called them lost sheep4 ,now that these ,publicans were ,jews1 what follows1 but that for this they were a great deal the more abominated of their brethren4 ,and1 as ,i have also hinted before1 it is no marvel though they were2 for a treacherous brother is worse than an open enemy4 7,psa #ee3ab1ac7 ,for1 if to be debauched in open and common transgressions is odious1 how odious is it for a brother to be so8 ,for a brother in nature and religion to be so8 ,i say again1 if these things are intolerable1 what shall we think of such men1 as shall join to all this compliance with a foreign prince to rob the church of ,god8 ,yea1 that shall become a tenant1 an officer1 a man in power under them1 to exact1 force1 and wring out of the hand of a brother his estate2 yea1 his bread and livelihood4 ,add to all this1 ,what shall we say to him that shall do for an enemy against a brother in a way of injury and wrong1 more than in strictness of law they were commanded by that same enemy to do8 ,and yet all this they did1 as both ,john insinuates1 and ,zaccheus confesses4#g ,the ,pharisee therefore was not so good1 but the ,publican was as bad3 ,indeed1 the ,publican was a notorious wretch1 one that had a way of transgressing by himself2 one that could not be sufficiently condemned by the ,jews1 nor coupled with a viler than himself4 ',tis true1 you find him here in the temple at prayer2 not because he retained in his apostasy1 conscience of the true religion1 but ,god had awakened him1 shewn him his sin1 and bestowed upon him the grace of repentance1 by which he was not only fetched back to the temple1 and prayer1 but to his ,god1 and to the salvation of his soul4 ,the ,pharisee1 then1 was a man of another complexion1 and stood as to his own thoughts of himself2 yea1 and in the thoughts of others also1 upon the highest and better ground by far4 ,the ,publican was a notorious sinner2 the ,pharisee was a notorious righteous man4 ,the ,publican was a sinner out of the ordinary way of sinning2 and the ,pharisee was a man for righteousness in a singular way also4 ,the ,publican pursued his villanies1 and the ,pharisee pursued his righteousness2 and yet they both meet in the temple to pray4 ,yea1 the ,pharisee stuck to1 and boasted in the law of ,god2 but the ,publican did forsake it1 and hardened his heart against his way and people4 ,thus diverse were they in their appearances2 the ,pharisee1 very good2 the ,publican1 very bad4 ,but as to the law of ,god1 which looked upon them with reference to the state of their spirits1 and the nature of their actions1 by that they were both found sinners2 the ,publican an open outside one1 and the ,pharisee a filthy inside one4 ,this is evident1 because the best of them was rejected1 and the worst of them was received to mercy4 ,mercy standeth not at the ,publican's badness1 nor is it enamoured with the ,pharisee's goodness3 ,it suffereth not the law to take place on both1 though it findeth them both in sin1 but graciously embraceth the most unworthy1 and leaveth the best to shift for himself4 ,and good reason that both should be dealt with after this manner2 to wit1 that the word of grace should be justified upon the soul of the penitent1 and that the other should stand or fall to that1 which he had chosen to be his master4 ,there are three things that follow upon this discourse4 ,conclusion4 #a4 ,that the righteousness of man is not of any esteem with ,god1 as to ,justification4 ,it is passed by as a thing of naughtiness1 a thing not worth the taking notice of4 ,there was not so much as notice taken of the ,pharisee's person1 or prayer1 because he came into the temple mantled up in his own good things4 ,conclusion4 #b4 ,that the man that has nothing to commend him to ,god1 but his own good doings1 shall never be in favour with him4 ,this also is evident from the text3 ,the ,pharisee had his own righteousness1 but had nothing else to commend him to ,god2 and therefore could not by that obtain favour with ,god1 but abode still a rejected one1 and in a state of condemnation4 ,conclusion4 #c4 ,wherefore1 though we are bound by the law of charity to judge of men1 according as in appearance they present themselves unto us3 yet withal1 to wit1 though we do so judge1 we must leave room for the judgment of ,god4 ,mercy may receive him that we have doomed to hell1 and justice may take hold on him1 whom we have judged to be bound up in the bundle of life4 ,and both these things are apparent by the persons under consideration4 ,we1 like ,joseph1 are for setting of ,manasseh before ,ephraim2 but ,god1 like ,jacob1 puts his hands across1 and lays his right hand upon the worst man's head1 and his left hand upon the best1 to the amazement and wonderment even of the best of men4 7,gen #dh3ad7 ,,the ,,pharisee',s ,,prayer4 ,two men went up into the temple to pray2 the one a ,pharisee1 and the other a ,publican4 ,the ,pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself1 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 that ,i am not as other men are1 extortioners1 unjust1 adulterers1 or even as this ,publican4 ,i fast twice in the week1 ,i give tithes of all that ,i possess4#h ,in these words many things are worth the noting4 ,as1 ,,first4 ,,the ,,pharisee',s ,,definition ,,of ,,righteousness2 the which standeth in two things3 #a4 ,in negatives4 #b4 ,in positives4 ,in negatives2 to wit1 what a man that is righteous must not be3 ,i am no extortioner1 no unjust man1 no adulterer1 nor yet as this ,publican4 ,in positives2 to wit1 what a man that is righteous must be3 ,i fast twice a week1 ,i give tithes of all that ,i possess1 c4 ,that righteousness standeth in negative and positive holiness is true2 but that the ,pharisee's definition is1 notwithstanding1 false1 will be manifest by and by4 ,but ,i will first treat of righteousness in the general1 because the text leadeth me to it4 ,first then1 ,a ,man that is righteous1 must have negative holiness2 that is1 he must not live in actual transgressions3 ,he must not be an extortioner1 unjust1 an adulterer1 or1 as the ,publican was4 ,and this the apostle intends1 when he saith1 ,flee fornication 7#b ,tim #b3bb71 flee also youthful lusts 7#a ,cor #f3ah71 flee from idolatry 7#a ,cor #aj3ad71 and ,little children1 keep yourselves from idols4 7#a ,john #e3ba7 ,for it is a vain thing to talk of righteousness1 and that ourselves are righteous1 when every observer shall find us in actual transgression4 ,yea1 though a man shall mix his want of negative holiness1 with some good actions1 that will not make him a righteous man4 ,as suppose1 a man that is a swearer1 a drunkard1 an adulterer1 or the like1 should1 notwithstanding this1 be open handed to the poor1 be a greater executor of justice in his place1 be exact in his buying1 selling1 keep touch with his promise and with his friend1 or the like4 ,these things1 yea1 many more such1 cannot make him a righteous man2 for the beginning of righteousness is yet wanting in him1 which is this negative holiness3 ,for except a man shall leave off to do evil he cannot be a righteous man4 ,negative holiness is therefore of absolute necessity to make one in one's self a righteous man4 ,this therefore condemns them1 that count it sufficient if a man have some actions that in themselves1 and by virtue of the command are good1 to make him a righteous man1 though negative holiness is wanting4 ,this is as saying to the wicked1 ,thou art righteous1 and a perverting of the right way of the ,lord4 ,negative holiness therefore must be in a man before he can be accounted righteous4 ,second4 ,as negative holiness is required to declare one a righteous man2 so also positive holiness must be joined therewith1 or the man is unrighteous still4 ,for it is not what a man is not1 but what a man does1 that declares him a righteous man4 ,suppose a man be no thief1 no liar1 no unjust man2 or1 as the ,pharisee saith1 no extortioner1 no adulterer1 c41 this will not make him a righteous man4 ,but there must be joined to these1 holy and good actions1 before he can be declared a righteous man4 ,wherefore1 as the apostle1 when he pressed the ,christians to righteousness1 did put them first upon negative holiness1 so he joineth thereto an exhortation to positive holiness2 knowing1 that where positive holiness is wanting1 all the negative holiness in the whole world cannot declare a man a righteous man4 ,when therefore he had said1 ,but thou1 ,o man of ,god1 flee these things1 7sins and wickedness7 he adds1 and follow after righteousness1 godliness1 faith1 love1 patience1 meekness4 7#a ,tim #f3aa7 ,here ,timothy is exhorted to negative holiness1 when he is bid to flee sin4 ,here also he is exhorted to positive holiness1 when he is bid to follow after righteousness1 c41 for righteousness can neither stand in negative nor positive holiness1 as severed one from another4 ,that man then1 and that man only1 is1 as to actions a righteous man1 that hath left off to do evil1 and hath learnt to do well 7,isa #a3af1ag71 that hath cast off the works of darkness1 and put on the armour of light4 ,flee also youthful lusts1 7said ,paul17 but follow righteousness1 faith1 charity1 peace1 with them that call on the ,lord out of a pure heart4 7#b ,tim #b3bb7 ,the ,pharisee therefore1 as to the general description of righteousness1 made his definition right2 but as to his person and personal righteousness1 he made his definition wrong4 ,i do not mean1 he defined his own righteousness wrong2 but ,i mean1 his definition of true righteousness1 which standeth in negative and positive holiness1 he made to stoop to justify his own righteousness1 and therein he played the hypocrite in his prayer3 ,for although it is true righteousness1 that standeth in negative and positive holiness2 yet that is not true righteousness1 that standeth but in some pieces and ragged remnants of negative and positive righteousness4 ,if then the ,pharisee would in his definition of personal righteousness1 have proved his own righteousness to be good1 he must have proved1 that both his negative and positive holiness had been universal3 to wit1 that he had left off to act in any wickedness1 and that he had given up himself to the duty enjoined in every commandment4 ,for so the righteous man is described 7,job #a3h71 ,as it is also said of ,zacharias and ,elizabeth his wife1 they were both righteous before ,god1 walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the ,lord blameless4 7,luke #a3f7 ,here the perfection1 that is1 the universality of their negative holiness is implied1 and the universality of their positive holiness is expressed3 ,they walked in all the commandments of the ,lord2 but that they could not do1 if they had lived in any unrighteous thing or way4 ,they walked in all blamelessly1 that is1 sincerely with upright hearts4 ,the ,pharisee's righteousness therefore1 even by his own implied definition of righteousness1 was not good1 as is manifest these two ways4 #a4 ,his negative holiness was not universal4 #b4 ,his positive holiness was rather criminal#i than moral4 #a4 ,his negative holiness was not universal4 ,he saith indeed1 he was not an extortioner1 nor unjust1 no adulterer1 nor yet as this ,publican3 but now of these expressions apart1 nor all1 if put together1 do prove him to be perfect as to negative holiness2 that is1 they do not prove him1 should it be granted1 that he was as holy with this kind of holiness1 as himself of himself had testified4 ,for1 7#a47 ,what though he was no extortioner1 he might yet be a covetous man4 7,luke #af3ad7 7#b47 ,what though1 as to dealing1 he was not unjust to others1 yet he wanted honesty to do justice to his own soul4 7,luke #af3ae7 7#c47 ,what1 though he was free from the act of adultery1 he might yet be made guilty by an adulterous eye1 against which the ,pharisee did not watch1 of which the ,pharisee did not take cognizance4 7,matt #e3bh7 7#d47 ,what1 though he was not like the ,publican1 yet he was like1 yea1 was a downright hypocrite2 he wanted in those things wherein he boasted himself1 sincerity2 but without sincerity no action can be good1 or accounted of ,god as righteous4 ,the ,pharisee therefore1 notwithstanding his boasts1 was deficient in his righteousness1 though he would fain have shrouded it under the right definition thereof4 #b4 ,nor doth his positive holiness help him at all1 forasmuch as it is grounded mostly1 if not altogether1 in ceremonial holiness4 ,nay1 ,i will recollect myself1 it was grounded partly in ceremonial1 and partly in superstitious holiness1 if there be such a thing as superstitious holiness in the world1 this paying of tithes was ceremonial1 such as came in and went out with the typical priesthood4 ,but what is that to positive holiness1 when it was but a small pittance by the by4 ,had the ,pharisee argued plainly and honestly2 ,i mean1 had he so dealt with that law1 by which now he sought to be justified1 he should have brought forth positive righteousness in morals1 and should have said and proved it too1 that1 as he was no wicked man with reference to the act of wickedness1 he was indeed a righteous man in acts of moral virtues4 ,he should1 ,i say1 have proved himself a true lover of ,god1 no superstitious one1 but a sincere worshipper of him2 for this is contained in the first table 7,exo #bj71 and is so in sum expounded by the ,lord ,christ himself4 7,mark #ab3cj7 ,he should also in the next place have proved himself truly kind1 compassionate1 liberal1 and full of love and charity to his neighbour2 for that is the sum of the second table1 as our ,lord also doth expound it1 saying1 ,thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself4 7,mark #ab3ca7 ,true1 he says1 he did them no hurt2 but did he do them good8 ,to do no hurt is one thing2 and to do good1 is another2 and it is possible for a man to do neither hurt nor good to his neighbour4 ,what then1 ,is he a righteous man because he hath done him no hurt8 ,no verily2 unless1 to his power1 he hath also done him good4 ,it is therefore a very fallacious and deceitful arguing of the ,pharisee1 thus to speak before ,god in his prayer3 ,i am righteous1 because ,i have not hurt my neighbour1 and because ,i have acted in ceremonial duties4 ,nor will that help him at all to say1 he gave ,,tithes of all that he possessed4 ,it had been more modest to say1 that he had paid them2 for they1 being commanded1 were a due debt2 nor could they go before ,god for a free gift1 because by the commandment they were made a payment2 but proud men and hypocrites1 love so to word it both with ,god and man1 as at least to imply1 that they are more forward to do1 than ,god's commandment is to require them to do4 ,the second part of his positive holiness was superstitious2 for ,god hath appointed no such set fasts1 neither more nor less1 but just twice a week3 ,i fast twice a week4 ,ay1 but who did command thee to do so2#aj commanded to fast when occasion required if thou wast1 but that thou shouldest have any occasion to do so as thou doest1 other than by thy being put upon it by a superstitious and erroneous conscience1 doth not1 nor canst thou make to appear4 ,this part therefore of this positive righteousness1 was positive superstition1 an abuse of ,god's law1 and a gratification of thy own erroneous conscience4 ,hitherto therefore1 thou art defective in thy so seemingly brave and glorious righteousness4 ,yet this let me say in commendation of the ,pharisee3 ,in my conscience he was better than many of our ,english ,christians2 for many of them are so far off from being at all partakers of positive righteousness1 that all their ministers1 bibles1 good books1 good sermons1 nor yet ,god's judgments1 can persuade them to become so much as negatively holy1 that is1 to leave off evil4 ,,second4--,the second thing that ,i take notice of in this prayer of the ,pharisee1 is1 ,,his ,,manner ,,of ,,delivery1 as he stood praying in the temple4 ,god1 ,i thank thee said he that ,i am not as other men are4 ,he seemed to be at this time1 in more than an ordinary frame1 while now he stood in the presence of the divine majesty3 for a prayer made up of praise1 is a prayer of the highest order1 and is most like the way of them that are now in a state beyond prayer4 ,praise is the work of heaven2 but we see here1 that an hypocrite may get into that vein1 even while an hypocrite1 and while on earth below4 ,nor do ,i think that this prayer of his was a premeditated stinted form1 but a prayer extempore1 made on a sudden1 according to what he felt1 thought1 or understood of himself4 ,here therefore1 we may see1 that even prayer1 as well as other acts of religious worship1 may be performed in great hypocrisy2 although1 ,i think1 that to perform prayer in hypocrisy1 is one of the most daring sins that are committed by the sons of men4 ,for by prayer1 above all duties1 is our most direct1 and immediate personal approach into the presence of ,god3 and as there is an uttering of things before him1 especially a giving of him thanks for things received1 or a begging1 that such and such things might be bestowed upon me4 ,but now to do these things in hypocrisy1 and 'tis easy to do them so1 when we go up into the temple to pray1 must needs be intolerable wickedness1 and it argueth infinite patience in ,god1 that he should let such as do so1 arise alive from their knees1 or that he should suffer them to go away from the place where they stand1 without some token or mark of his wrath upon them4 ,i also observe1 ,that this extempore prayer of the ,pharisee1 was performed by himself1 or in the strength of his own natural parts2 for so the text implieth1 ,the ,pharisee1 saith the text1 stood and prayed thus with himself1 with himself1 or by himself1 and may signify1 either that he spoke softly1 or that he made this prayer by reason of his natural parts4 ,i will pray with the ,spirit1 said ,paul4 7#a ,cor #ad3ae7 ,the ,pharisee prayed with himself1 said ,christ4 ,it is at this day wonderful common1 for men to pray extempore also4 ,to pray by a book1 by a premeditated set form1 is now out of fashion4 ,he is counted no body now1 that cannot at any time1 at a minute's warning1 make a prayer of half an hour long4 ,i am not against extempore prayer1 for ,i believe it to be the best kind of praying2 but yet ,i am jealous1 that there are a great many such prayers made1 especially in pulpits and public meetings1 without the breathing of the ,holy ,ghost in them3 ,for if a ,pharisee of old could do so1 ,why may not a ,pharisee do the same now8 ,wit1 and reason1 and notion is now screwed up to a very great height2 nor do men want words1 or fancies1 or pride1 to make them do this thing4 ,great is the formality of religion this day1 and little the power thereof4 ,now where there is a great form and little power1 and such there was also among the ,jews1 in the time of our ,saviour ,jesus ,christ1 there men are most strangely under the temptation to be hypocrites2 for nothing doth so properly and directly oppose hypocrisy1 as the power and glory of the things we profess4 ,and so on the contrary1 nothing is a greater temptation to hypocrisy1 than a form of knowledge of things without the savour thereof4 ,nor can much of the power and savour of the things of the gospel be seen at this day upon professors1 ,i speak not now of all1 if their notions and conversations be compared together4 ,how proud1 how covetous1 how like the world in garb and guise1 in words and actions1 are most of the great professors of this our day6 ,but when they come to divine worship1 especially to pray1 by their words and carriages there1 one would almost judge them to be angels in heaven4 ,but such things must be done in hypocrisy1 as also the ,pharisee's were4 ,the ,pharisee stood and prayed ,,thus ,,with ,,himself4 ,and1 in that it is said1 he prayed with himself2 it may signify1 that he went in his prayer no further than his sense and reason1 feeling and carnal apprehensions went4 ,true1 ,christian prayer ofttimes leaves sense and reason1 feeling1 and carnal apprehensions behind it1 and it goeth forth with faith1 hope1 and desires to know what at present we are ignorant of1 and that unto which our sense1 feeling1 reason1 c41 are strangers4 ,the apostle indeed doth say1 ,i will pray with the understanding 7#a ,cor #ad3ae71 but then it must be taken for an understanding spiritually enlightened4 ,i say1 it must be so understood1 because the natural understanding1 properly as such1 receiveth not the things of the ,spirit of ,god when offered1 and therefore cannot pray for them2 for they to such1 are foolish things4 7#a ,cor #b3ad7 ,now a spiritually enlightened understanding may be officious in prayer these ways4 #a4 ,as it has received conviction of the truth of the being of the things that are of the ,spirit of ,god2 ,for to receive conviction of the truth and being of such things1 comes from the ,spirit of ,god1 not from the law1 sense1 or reason4 7#a ,cor #b3aj-ab7 ,now the understanding having1 by the ,holy ,ghost1 received conviction of the truth of the being of such things1 draweth out the heart to cry in prayer to ,god for them4 ,therefore he saith1 he would pray with the understanding4 #b4 ,a spiritually enlightened understanding1 hath also received by the ,holy ,ghost1 conviction of the excellency and glory of the things that are of the ,spirit of ,god1 and so enflameth the heart with more fervent desires in this duty of prayer2 for there is a supernatural excellency in the things that are of the ,spirit2 ,but if the ministration of death1 to which the ,pharisee adhered written and engraven in stones1 was glorious1 so that the children of ,israel could not stedfastly behold the face of ,moses for the glory of his countenance2 which glory was to be done away3 ,how shall not the ministration of the ,spirit be rather glorious4 ,for if the ministration of condemnation be glory1 much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory4 ,for even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect1 by reason of the glory that excelleth4 7#b ,cor #c3g-aj7 ,and the ,spirit of ,god sheweth1 at best1 some things of that excellent glory of them to the understanding that it enlighteneth4 7,eph #a3ag-ai7 #c4 ,the spiritually enlightened understanding hath also thereby received knowledge1 that these excellent supernatural things of the ,spirit1 are given by covenant in ,christ to those that love ,god1 that are beloved of him4 ,now we have received1 says ,paul not the ,spirit of the world1 that the ,pharisee had but the ,spirit which is of ,god1 that we might know the things that are freely given to us of ,god4 7#a ,cor #b3ab7 ,and this knowledge1 that the things of the ,spirit of ,god are freely given to us of ,god1 puts yet a greater edge1 more vigour1 and yet further confidence into the heart to ask for what is mine by gift1 by a free gift of ,god in his ,son4#aa ,but all these things the poor ,pharisee was an utter stranger to2 he knew not the ,spirit1 nor the things of the ,spirit1 and therefore must neglect faith1 judgment1 and the love of ,god 7,matt #bc3bc1 ,luke #aa3db71 and follow himself1 and himself only1 as to his sense1 feeling1 reason1 and carnal imagination in prayer4 ,he stood and prayed thus ,,with ,,himself4 ,he prayed thus1 talking to himself2 for so also it may1 ,i think1 be understood4 ,it is said of the unjust judge1 he said within himself1 ,though ,i fear not ,god1 nor regard man1 c4 7,luke #ah3d7 ,that is1 he said it to himself4 ,so the ,pharisee is said to pray with himself4 ,god and the ,pharisee were not together1 there was only the ,pharisee and himself4 ,paul knew not what to pray for without the ,holy ,ghost joined himself with him1 spake with him and helped him with groans unutterable4 ,but the ,pharisee had no need of that1 it was enough that ,,he and ,,himself were together at this work2 for he thought without doubting that he and himself together could do4 ,how many times have ,i heard ancient men1 and ancient women1 at it1 with themselves1 when all alone in some private room1 or in some solitary path2 and in their chat1 they have been sometimes reasoning1 sometimes chiding1 sometimes pleading1 sometimes praying1 and sometimes singing2 but yet all has been done by themselves when all alone3 ,but yet so done1 as one that has not seen them1 must needs have concluded1 that they were talking1 singing1 and praying with company1 when all that they said1 they did it with themselves1 and had neither auditor nor regarder4 ,so the ,pharisee was at it with himself1 he and himself performed1 at this time1 the duty of prayer4 ,now ,i observe1 that usually when men do speak to1 or with themselves1 they greatly strive to please themselves3 ,therefore it is said1 there is a man1 ,that flattereth himself in his own eyes1 until his iniquity be found to be hateful4 7,psa #cf3b7 ,he flattereth himself in his own way1 according as his sense and carnal reason dictates to him2 and he might do it as well in prayer1 as in any other way4 ,some men will so hear sermons1 and apply them that they may please themselves3 ,and some men will pray1 but will refuse such words and thoughts in prayer as will not please themselves4 ,oh1 how many men speak all that they speak in prayer1 rather to themselves1 or to their auditory1 than to ,god that dwelleth in heaven6 ,and this ,i take to be the manner1 ,i mean something of the manner of the ,pharisee's praying4 ,indeed1 he made mention of ,god1 as also others do2 but he prayed with himself to himself1 in his own spirit1 and to his own pleasing1 as the matter of his prayer doth manifest4 ,for was it not pleasant to this hypocrite1 think you1 to speak thus well of himself at this time8 doubtless it was4 ,also children and fools are of the same temper with hypocrites as to this2 they also love without ground1 as the ,pharisee1 to flatter themselves in their own eyes4 ,but not he that commendeth himself is approved4 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 that ,i am not as other men are1 extortioners1 unjust1 adulterers1 or even as this ,publican1 c4 ,thus he begins his prayer2 and it is1 as was hinted before1 a prayer of the highest strain4 ,for to make a prayer all of thanksgiving1 and to urge in that prayer1 the cause of that thanksgiving1 is the highest manner of praying1 and seems to be done in the strongest faith1 c41 in the greatest sense of things4 ,and such was the ,pharisee's prayer1 only he wanted substantial ground for his thanksgiving2 to wit1 he wanted proof of that he said1 he was not as other men were1 except he had meant1 as he did not1 that he was even of the worst sort of men3 ,for even the best of men by nature1 and the worst1 are all alike4 ,what1 then8 are we better than they8 said ,paul1 ,no1 in no wise4 7,rom #c3i7 ,so then1 he failed in the ground of his thankfulness1 and therefore his thankfulness was grounded on an untruth1 and so became feigned1 and self-flattering1 and could not be acceptable with the ,god of heaven4 ,besides1 in this high prayer of the ,pharisee1 he fathered that upon ,god which he could by no means own2 to wit1 that his being so good as he thought himself to be1 was through distinguishing love and favour of ,god1 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 that ,i am not as other men are4 ,i thank thee1 that thou hast made me better than others4 ,i thank thee that my condition is so good1 and that ,i am so far advanced above my neighbour4 ,,there ,,are ,,several ,,things ,,flow ,,from ,,this ,,prayer ,,of ,,the ,,pharisee1 ,,that ,,are ,,worth ,,our ,,observation4 ,as1 ,first1 ,that the ,pharisees and hypocrites1 do not love to count themselves sinners1 when they stand before ,god4 ,they choose rather to commend themselves before him for virtuous and holy persons1 sometimes saying1 and oftener thinking1 that they are more righteous than others4 ,yea1 it seems by the word1 to be natural1 hereditary1 and so common for hypocrites to trust to themselves that they are righteous1 and then to condemn others2 this is the foundation upon which this very parable is built3 ,he spake this parable1 saith ,luke unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous2 or that they were so1 and despised others4 7verse #i7 ,i say1 hypocrites love not to think of their sins1 when they stand in the presence of ,god2 but rather to muster up1 and to present him with their several good deeds1 and to venture a standing or falling by them4 ,second1 ,this carriage of the ,pharisee before ,god informs us1 that moral virtues1 and the ground of them1 which is the law1 if trusted to1 blinds the mind of man1 that he cannot for them perceive the way to happiness4 ,while ,moses is read1 and his law1 and the righteousness thereof trusted to1 the vail is upon their heart4 ,for until this day1 said ,paul remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament1 which vail is done away in ,christ4 ,but even unto this day1 when ,moses is read1 the vail is upon their heart4 7#b ,cor #c3ad1ae7 ,and this is the reason that so many moral men1 that are adorned with civil and moral righteousness1 are yet so ignorant of themselves1 and the way of life by ,christ4 ,the law of works1 and the righteousness of the flesh1 which is the righteousness of the law1 blinds their minds1 shuts up their eyes1 and causeth them to miss of the righteousness that they are so hotly in the pursuit of4 ,their minds were blinded1 saith the text3 ,whose minds8 ,why those that adhered to1 that stood by1 and that sought righteousness of the law4 ,now1 ,the ,pharisee was such an one1 he rested in the law1 he made his boasts of ,god1 and trusted to himself that he was righteous2 ,and all this proceeded of that blindness and ignorance that the law had possessed his mind withal2 for it is not granted to the law to be the ministration of life and light1 but to be the ministration of death1 when it speaks2 and of darkness1 when trusted unto1 that the ,son of ,god might have the pre-eminence in all things3 ,therefore 'tis said1 ,when the heart shall turn to him1 the vail shall be taken away4 7#b ,cor #c3af7 ,third1 ,we may see by this prayer1 the strength of vain confidence2 it will embolden a man to stand in a lie before ,god2 it will embolden a man to trust to himself and to what he hath done2 yea1 to plead his own goodness instead of ,god's mercy before him4 ,for the ,pharisee was not only a man that justified himself before men1 but one that justified himself before ,god4 ,and what was the cause of his so justifying of himself before ,god2 but that vain confidence that he had in himself and his works1 which were both a cheat and a lie to himself4 ,but1 ,i say1 the boldness of the man was wonderful1 for he stood to the lie that was in his right hand1 and pleaded the goodness of it before him4 ,but1 besides these things1 there are four things more that are couched in this prayer of the ,pharisee4 ,fourth1 ,by this prayer the ,pharisee doth appropriate to himself conversion1 he challengeth it to himself and to his fellows4 ,i am not1 saith he1 as other men2 that is1 in unconversion1 in a state of sin1 wrath1 and death4 ,and this must be his meaning2 for the religion of the ,pharisee was not grounded upon any particular natural privilege4 ,i mean not singly1 not only upon that1 but upon a falling in with those principles1 notions1 opinions1 decrees1 traditions1 and doctrines that they taught distinct from the true and holy doctrines of the prophets4 ,and they made to themselves disciples by such doctrine1 men1 that they could captivate by those principles1 laws1 doctrines1 and traditions3 ,and therefore such are said to be of the sect of the ,pharisees2 that is1 the scholars1 and disciples of them1 converted to them and to their doctrine4 ,oh6 it is easy for souls to appropriate conversion to themselves1 that know not what conversion is4 ,it is easy1 ,i say1 for men to lay conversion to ,god1 on a legal1 or ceremonial1 or delusive bottom1 on such a bottom that will sink under the burden that is laid upon it2 on such a bottom that will not stand when it is brought under the touch-stone of ,god1 nor against the rain1 wind1 and floods that are ordained to put it to the trial1 whether it is true or false4 ,the ,pharisee here stands upon a supposed conversion to ,god2 ,i am not as other men2 but both he1 and his conversion are rejected by the sequel of the parable3 ,that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of ,god4 7,luke #af3ae7 ,that is1 that conversion1 that men1 as men1 flatter themselves that they have1 is such4 ,but the ,pharisee will be a converted man1 he will have more to shew for heaven than his neighbour1 ,i am not as other men are2 to wit1 in a state of sin and condemnation1 but in a state of conversion and salvation4 ,but see how grievously this sect1 this religion beguiled men4 ,it made them two-fold worse the children of hell than they were before3 ,and than their teachers were 7,matt #bc3ae71 that is1 their doctrine begat such blindness1 such vain confidence1 and groundless boldness in their disciples1 as to involve them in that conceit of conversion that was false1 and so if trusted to1 damnable4 ,fifth1 ,by these words1 we find the ,pharisee1 not only appropriating conversion to himself1 but rejoicing in that conversion3 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 saith he1 that ,i am not as other men2 which saying of his1 gives us to see that he gloried in his conversion2 he made no doubt at all of his state1 but lived in the joy of the safety that he supposed his soul by his conversion to be in4 ,oh6 thanks to ,god1 says he1 ,i am not in the state of sin1 death1 and damnation1 as the unjust1 and this ,publican is4 ,but a strong delusion6 to trust to the spider's web1 and to think1 that a few of the most fine of the works of the flesh1 would be sufficient to bear up the soul in1 at1 and under the judgment of ,god4 ,there is a generation that are pure in their own eyes1 and yet is not washed from their filthiness4 7,prov #cj3ab7 ,this text can be so fitly applied to none1 as to the ,pharisee1 and to those that tread in the ,pharisee's steps1 and that are swallowed up with is conceits1 and with the glory of his own righteousness4 ,so again1 ,there is a way a way to heaven which seemeth right unto a man1 but the end thereof are the ways of death1 7,prov #ad3ab7 ,this also is fulfilled in these kind of men2 at the end of their way is death and hell1 notwithstanding their confidence in the goodness of their state4 ,again1 ,there is that maketh himself rich1 yet hath nothing4 7,prov #ac3g7 ,what can be more plain from all these texts1 than that some men1 that are out of the way think themselves in it2 and that some men think themselves clean that are yet in their filthiness2 and that think themselves rich for the next world1 and yet are poor1 and miserable1 and wretched1 and blind1 and naked4#ab ,thus the poor1 blind1 naked1 hypocritical ,pharisee thought of himself1 when ,god threatened to abase him3 ,yea1 he thought himself thus1 and joyed therein1 when indeed he was going down to the chambers of death4 ,sixth1 by these words1 the ,pharisee seems to put the goodness of his condition upon the goodness of ,god4 ,i am not as other men are1 and ,i thank ,god for it4 ,god1 saith he1 ,i thank thee that ,i am not as other men are4 ,he thanked ,god when ,god had done nothing for him4 ,he thanked ,god1 when the way that he was in was not of ,gods prescribing1 but of his own inventing4 ,so the persecutor thanks ,god that he was put into that way of roguery that the devil had put him into1 when he fell to rending and tearing of the church of ,god3 ,whose possessors slay them1 saith the prophet1 and hold themselves not guilty3 and they that sell them say1 ,blessed be the ,lord1 for ,i am rich4 7,zech #aa3e7 ,i remember that ,luther used to say1 ,in the name of ,god begins all mischief4 ,all must be fathered upon ,god3 the ,pharisee's conversion must be fathered upon ,god2 the right or rather the villany of the outrageous persecution against ,god's people1 must be fathered upon ,god4 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 and blessed be ,god1 must be the burthen of the heretic's song4 ,so again1 the free-willer1 he will ascribe all to ,god2 the quaker1 the ranter1 the socinian1 c4 will ascribe all to ,god4 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 is in every man's mouth1 and must be entailed to every error1 delusion1 and damnable doctrine that is in the world3 ,but the name of ,god1 and their doctrine1 worship1 and way1 hangeth together1 much as doth it and the ,pharisee's doctrine2 that is to say1 nothing at all2 for ,god hath not proposed their principles1 nor doth he own them1 nor hath he commanded them1 nor doth he convey by them the least grace or mercy to them2 but rather rejecteth them1 and holdeth them for his enemies1 and for the destroyers of the world4 ,seventh1 ,we come in the next place to the ground of all this2 and that is1 to what the ,pharisee had attained4 ,to wit1 that he was no extortioner1 no unjust man1 no adulterer1 nor even as this ,publican1 and for that he fasted twice a week1 and paid tithes of all that he possessed4 ,so that you see he pretendeth to a double foundation for his salvation1 a moral and a ceremonial one2 but both very lean1 weak1 and feeble3 ,for the first of his foundations1 what is it more1 if all be true that he saith1 but a being removed a few inches from the vilest men in their vilest actions1 a very slender matter to build my confidence for heaven upon4 ,and for the second part of his ground for life1 what is it but a couple of ceremonies1 if so good4 ,the first is questioned as a thing not founded in ,god's law2 and the second is such1 as is of the remotest sort of ceremonies1 that teach and preach the ,lord ,jesus4 ,but suppose them to be the best1 and his conformity to them the thoroughest1 they never were ordained to get to heaven by1 and so are become but a sandy foundation4 ,but anything will serve some men for a foundation and support for their souls1 and to build their hopes of heaven upon4 ,i am not a drunkard1 says one1 nor a liar1 nor a swearer1 nor a thief1 and therefore1 ,i thank ,god1 ,i have hopes of heaven and glory4 ,i am not an extortioner1 nor an adulterer1 nor unjust1 nor yet as this ,publican2 and therefore do hope ,i shall go to heaven4 ,alas6 poor men6 will your being furnished with these things1 save you from the thundering claps and vehement batteries1 that the wrath of ,god will make upon sin and sinners in the day that shall burn like an oven8 ,no1 no1 nothing at that day can shroud a man from the hot rebukes of that vengeance1 but the very righteousness of ,god1 which is not the righteousness of the law1 however christened1 named1 or garnished with all those gew-gaws that men's heads and fancies can invent1 for that is but the righteousness of man4 ,,man',s ,,righteousness ,,rejected1 ,,and ,,the ,,imputed ,,righteousness ,,of ,,christ ,,alone ,,to ,,be ,,relied ,,on ,,for ,,justification4 ,but1 ,o thou blind ,pharisee1 since thou art so confident that thy state is good1 and thy righteousness is that that will stand1 when it shall be tried with fire 7#a ,cor #c3ac71 let me now reason with thee of righteousness4 ,my terror shall not make thee afraid2 ,i am not ,god1 but a man as thou art1 we both are formed out of the clay4 ,first1 ,prithee when didst thou begin to be righteous8 ,was it before or after thou hadst been a sinner8 ,not afore1 ,i dare say2 but if after1 then the sins that thou pollutedst thyself withal before1 have made thee uncapable of acting legal righteousness4 ,for sin1 where it is1 pollutes1 defiles1 and makes vile the whole man2 therefore thou canst not by after acts of obedience make thyself just in the sight of that ,god thou pretended now to stand praying unto4 ,indeed1 thou mayest cover thy dirt1 and paint thy sepulchre2 for that acts of after obedience will do1 though sin has gone before4 ,but ,pharisee1 ,god can see through the white of this wall1 even to the dirt that is within3 ,god also can see through the paint and garnish of thy beauteous sepulchre1 to the dead men's bones that are within2 nor can any of thy most holy duties1 nor all1 when put together1 blind the eye of the all-seeing majesty from beholding all the uncleanness of thy soul4#ac 7,matt #bc3bg7 ,stand not therefore so stoutly to it1 now thou art before ,god2 sin is with thee1 and judgment and justice is before him4 ,it becomes thee1 therefore1 rather to despise and abhor this life of thy hand1 and to count all thy doings but dross and dung1 and to be content to be justified with another's righteousness instead of thine own4 ,this is the way to be secured4 ,i say1 blind ,pharisee1 this is the way to be secured from the wrath which is to come4 ,there is nothing more certain than this1 that as to justification from the curse of the law1 ,god has rejected man's righteousness1 for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof2 and hath accepted in the room of that glorious righteousness of his ,son2 because indeed1 that1 and that only1 is universal1 perfect1 and equal with his justice and holiness4 ,this is in a manner the contents of the whole bible1 and therefore must needs be most certainly true4 ,now then1 ,mr4 ,pharisee1 methinks1 what if thou didst this1 and that while thou art at thy prayers2 to wit1 cast in they mind what doth ,god love most1 and the resolve will be at hand4 ,the ,,best righteousness1 surely the ,,best righteousness2 for that thy reason will tell thee3 ,this done1 even while thou art at thy devotion1 ask thyself again1 ,but ,,who has the best righteousness8 ,and that resolve will be at hand also2 to wit1 he that in person is equal with ,god2 and that is his ,son ,jesus ,christ4 ,he that is separate from sinners1 and made higher than the heavens2 and that is his ,son ,jesus ,christ4 ,he that did no sin1 nor had any guile found in his mouth2 and there never was any such ,,he in all the world but the ,son of ,god1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,now ,pharisee1 when thou hast done this1 then as thou art in thy devotion1 ask again1 ,but what is this best righteousness1 the righteousness of ,christ1 to do8 ,and the answer will be ready4 ,it is to be made by an act of the sovereign grace of ,god over to the sinner1 that shall dare to trust thereto for justification from the curse of the law4 ,he is made unto us of ,god1 righteousness4 7#a ,cor #a3cj7 ,he hath made him to be sin for us1 who knew no sin1 that we might be made the righteousness of ,god in him4 7#b ,cor #e3ba7 ,for ,christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth4 7,rom #aj3d7 ,this done1 and concluded on1 then turn again ,pharisee1 and say thus with thyself2 ,is it most safe for me to trust in this righteousness of ,god8 ,this righteousness of ,god-man1 this righteousness of ,christ8 ,certainly it is4 ,since1 by the text1 it is counted the best1 and that which best pleaseth ,god2 since it is that which ,god hath appointed1 that sinners shall be justified withal4 ,for in the ,lord have we righteousness if we believe3 ,and1 in the ,lord we are justified1 and do glory4 7,isa #de3bd1be7 ,nay ,pharisee1 suppose thine own righteousness should be as long1 as broad1 as high1 as deep1 as perfect1 as good1 even every way as good1 as the righteousness of ,christ4 ,yet since ,god has chosen by ,christ1 to reconcile us to himself1 canst thou attempt to seek by thine own righteousness to reconcile thyself to ,god1 and not be guilty of attempting1 at least1 to confront this righteousness of ,christ before ,god4 ,yea1 to dare with it1 yea1 to challenge by it1 acceptance of thy person contrary to ,god's design4 ,suppose1 that when the king has chosen one to be judge in the land1 and has determined that he shall be judge in all cases1 and that by his verdict every man's judgment shall stand4 ,i say1 suppose1 after this another should arise1 and of his own head resolve to do his own business himself4 ,now1 though he should be every whit as able as the judge of the king's appointing to do it2 yea1 and suppose he should do it as justly and righteously too1 yet his making of himself a judge1 would be an affront to the king1 and an act of rebellion1 and so a transgression worthy of punishment4 ,why ,pharisee1 ,god hath appointed1 that by the righteousness of his ,son1 and by that righteousness only1 men shall be justified in his sight from the curse of the law4 ,wherefore1 take heed1 and at thy peril1 whatever thy righteousness is1 confront not the righteousness of ,christ therewith4 ,i say1 bring it not in1 let it not plead for thee at the bar of ,god1 nor do thou plead for that in his court of justice2 for thou canst not do that and be innocent4 ,if he trusts to his righteousness1 he hath sinned1 says ,ezekiel4 ,mark the text1 ,when ,i shall say to the righteous1 that he shall surely live2 if he trust to his own righteousness1 and commit iniquity1 all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered3 but for his iniquity that he hath committed1 he shall die for it4 7,chron #cc3ac7 ,observer a few things from this text1 and they are these that follow4 ,first1 ,here is a righteous man2 a man1 with whom we do not hear that the ,god of heaven finds fault4 ,secondly1 ,here is a promise made to this man1 that he shall surely live2 but on ,,this condition1 that he trusts not to his own righteousness4 ,whence it is manifest1 that the promise of life to this righteous man1 is not for the sake of his righteousness1 but for the sake of something else1 to wit1 the righteousness of ,christ4 #a4 ,not for the sake of his own righteousness4 ,this is evident1 because we are admitted1 yea1 commanded1 to trust in the righteousness that saveth us4 ,the righteousness of ,god is unto all1 and upon all that believe2 that is1 trust in it1 and trust to it for justification4 ,now therefore1 if thy righteousness1 when most perfect1 could save thee1 thou mightest1 yea oughtest most boldly to trust therein4 ,but since thou art forbidden to trust to it1 it is evident it cannot save1 nor is it for the sake of that1 that the righteous man is saved4 7,rom #c3ba1 #bb7 #b4 ,but for the sake of something else2 to wit1 for the sake of the righteousness of ,christ1 whom ,god hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood1 to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past1 through the forbearance of ,god4 ,to declare1 ,i say1 at this time his righteousness1 that he might be just1 and the justifier of him that believeth in ,jesus4 7,rom #c3bf7 ,see also ,philippians #c3g-i4 ,if he trusts to his own righteousness1 and commit iniquity1 all his righteousness shall not be remembered2 but for his iniquity that he hath committed in trusting to his own righteousness he shall die for it4 ,note hence further4 #a4 ,that there is more virtue in one sin to destroy1 than in all thy righteousness to save thee alive4 ,if he trust1 if he trust never so little1 if he do at all trust to his own righteousness1 all his righteousness shall be forgotten2 and by1 and for1 and in1 the sin that he hath committed in trusting to it1 he shall die4 #b4 ,take notice also1 that there are more damnable sins than those that are against the moral law4 ,by which of the ten commandments is trusting to our own righteousness forbidden8 ,yet it is a sin4 ,it is a sin therefore forbidden by the gospel1 and is included1 lurketh close in1 yea1 is the1 or a root of unbelief itself2 ,he that believeth not shall be damned4 ,but he that trusteth in his own righteousness doth not believe1 neither in the truth or sufficiency of the righteousness of ,christ to save him1 therefore he shall be damned4 ,but how is it manifest1 that he that trusteth to his own righteousness1 doth it through a doubt1 or unbelief of the truth or sufficiency of the righteousness of ,christ8 ,i answer1 ,because1 even because he trusteth to his own4 ,a man will never willingly choose to trust to the worst of helps1 when he believes there is a better as near1 and to be had as soon1 and that too1 upon as easy1 if not more easy terms4 ,if he that trusteth to his own righteousness for life1 did believe1 that there is indeed such a thing as the righteousness of ,christ to justify2 and that this righteousness of ,christ has in it ,,all sufficiency to do that blessed work1 be sure he would choose that1 thereon to lay1 lean1 and venture his soul1 that he saw was the best1 and most sufficient to save2 especially when he saw also1 7and see that he must1 when he sees the righteousness of ,christ7 to wit1 that that is to be obtained as soon1 because as near1 and to be had on as easy terms2 nay1 upon easier than may man's own righteousness4 ,i say1 he would sooner choose it1 because of the weight of salvation1 of the worth of salvation1 and of the fearful sorrow1 that to eternity will overtake him1 that in this thing shall miscarry4 ,it is for heaven1 it is to escape hell1 wrath1 and damnation1 saith the soul2 and therefore ,i will1 ,i must1 ,i dare not but choose that1 and that only1 that ,i believe to be the best and most sufficient help in so great a concern1 as soul-concern is4 ,so then he that trusteth to his own righteousness1 does it of unbelief of the sufficiency of the righteousness of ,christ to save him4 ,wherefore this sin of trusting to his own righteousness is a most high and damning transgression3 because it contemneth the righteousness of ,christ1 which is the only righteousness that is sufficient to save from the curse of the law4 ,it also disalloweth the design of heaven1 and the excellency of the mystery of the wisdom of ,god1 in designing this way of salvation for man4 ,what shall ,i say1 ,it also seeketh to rob ,god of the honour of the salvation of man4 ,it seeketh to take the crown from the head of ,christ1 and to set it upon the hypocrite's head2 therefore1 no marvel1 that this one sin be of that weight1 virtue and power1 as to sink that man and his righteousness into hell1 that leaneth thereon1 or that trusteth unto it4 ,but ,pharisee1 ,i need not talk thus unto thee1 for thou art not the man that hath that righteousness1 that ,god findeth not fault withal2 nor is it to be found1 but with him that is ordained to be the ,saviour of mankind2 nor is there any such one besides ,jesus1 who is called ,christ4 ,thy righteousness is a poor pittance1 a serap3 nay1 not so good as a serap of righteousness4 ,thine own confession makes thee partial in the law2 for here1 in the midst of thy boasts1 thou hast not1 because thou canst not say1 thou hast fulfilled all righteousness4 ,what madness then has brought thee into the temple1 there in audacious manner to stand and vaunt before ,god2 saying1 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 ,i am not as other men are4 ,dost thou not know1 that he that breaks one1 breaks all the commandments of ,god2 and consequently1 that he that keeps not all1 keeps none at all of the commandments of ,god4 ,say ,i this of myself8 saith not the scriptures the same8 ,for whosoever shall keep the whole law1 and yet offend in one point1 he is guilty of all4 7,james #b3aj7 ,be confounded then1 be confounded4 ,dost thou know the ,god with whom now thou hast to do8 ,he is a ,god that cannot1 no1 that cannot1 as he is just1 accept of an half righteousness for a whole2 nor of a lame righteousness for a sound2 nor of a sick righteousness for a well and healthy one4 7,mal #a3h7 ,and if so1 how should he then accept of that which is not righteousness8 ,i say1 how should he accept of that which is none at all1 save an hypocritical and feigned one1 for thine is only such4 ,and if ,christ said1 when you have done all1 say1 ,we are unprofitable1 ,how camest thou to say before thou hadst done one thing well1 ,i am better1 more righteous than other men8 ,didst thou believe1 when thou saidst it1 ,that ,god knew thy heart8 ,hadst thou said this to the ,publican1 it had been a high and rampant expression2 but to say this before ,god1 to the face of ,god1 when he knew that thou wast vile1 and a sinner from the womb1 and from the conception1 spoils all4 ,it was spoken to put a check to thy arrogancy1 when ,christ said1 ,ye are they which justify yourselves before me2 but ,god knoweth your hearts4 7,luke #af3ae7 ,hast thou taken notice of this1 that ,god judgeth the fruit by the heart from whence it comes8 ,a good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good2 and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil4 7,luke #f3de7 ,nor can it be otherwise concluded1 but that thou art an evil man1 and so that all thy supposed good is nought but badness4 ,for that thou hast made it to stand in the room of ,jesus1 and hast dared to commend thyself to the living ,god thereby3 ,for thou hast trusted in thy shadow of righteousness1 and committed iniquity4 ,thy sin hath melted away thy righteousness1 and turned it to nothing but dross2 or1 if you will1 to the early dew1 like to which it goeth away1 and so can by no means do thee good1 when thou shalt stand in need of salvation and eternal life of ,god4 ,but further1 thou sayest thou art righteous1 but they are but vain words4 ,knowest thou not that thy zeal1 which is the life of thy righteousness1 is preposterous in many things4 ,what else means thy madness1 and the rage thereof1 against men as good as thyself4 ,true1 thy being ignorant that they are good1 may save thee from the commission of the sin that is unpardonable1 but it will never keep thee from spot in ,god's sight1 but will make both thee and thy righteousness culpable4 ,paul1 who was once as brave a ,pharisee as thou canst be1 calleth much of that zeal1 which he in that estate was possessed with1 and lived in the exercise of1 madness2 yea1 exceeding madness 7,acts #bf3i-aa1 ,phil #c3e1f71 and of the same sort is much of thine1 and it must be so2 for a lawyer1 a man for the law1 and that resteth in it1 must be a persecutor2 yea1 a persecutor of righteous men1 and that of zeal to ,god2 because by the law is begat1 through the weakness that it meeteth with in thee1 sourness1 bitterness of spirit1 and anger against him that rightfully condemneth thee of folly1 for choosing to trust to thine own righteousness1 when a better is provided of ,god to save us4 7,gal #d3bh-ca7 ,thy righteousness therefore is deficient2 yea1 thy zeal for the law1 and the men of the law1 has joined madness with thy moral virtues1 and made thy righteousness unrighteousness2 ,how then canst thou be upright before the ,lord8 ,further1 ,has not the pride of thy spirit in this hot-headed zeal for thy ,pharisaical notions1 run thee upon thinking that thou art able to do more than ,god hath enjoined thee1 and so able to make thyself more righteous1 than ,god requireth thou shouldest be4 ,what else is the use of thy adding of laws to ,god's laws1 precepts to ,god's precepts1 and traditions to ,god's appointments8 7,mark #g3h7 ,nay1 hast thou not by thus doing1 condemned the law of want of perfection1 and so the ,god that gave it1 of want of wisdom1 and faithfulness to himself and thee8 ,nay1 ,i say again1 hath not thy thus doing charged ,god with being ignorant of knowing1 what rules there needed to be imposed on his creatures to make their obedience complete8 ,and doth not this apish madness of thine intimate1 moreover1 that if thou hadst not stept in with the bundle of thy traditions1 righteousness had been imperfect1 not through man's weakness1 but through impediment in ,god1 or in his ministering rules of righteousness unto us4 ,now1 when thou hast thought on these things fairly1 answer thyself in these few questions3 ,is not this arrogancy8 ,is not this blasphemy8 ,is not this to condemn ,god1 that thou mightest be righteous8 ,and dost thou think1 this is1 indeed1 the way to be righteous8 ,but again1 what means thy preferring of thine own rules1 laws1 statues1 ordinances and appointments1 before the rules1 laws1 statutes and appointments of ,god8 ,thinkest thou this to be right8 ,whither will thy zeal1 thy pride1 and thy folly carry thee8 ,is there more reason1 more equity1 more holiness in thy traditions1 than in the holy1 and just1 and good commandments of ,god8 7,rom #g3ab7 ,why then1 ,i say1 dost thou reject the commandment of ,god1 to keep thine own tradition8 ,yea1 ,why dost thou rage1 and rail1 and cry out when men keep not thy law1 or the rule of thine order1 and tradition of thine elders2 and yet shut thine eyes1 or wink with them1 when thou thyself shalt live in the breach of the law of ,god8 ,yea1 why wilt thou condemn men1 when they keep not thy law1 but study for an excuse1 yea1 plead for them that live in the breach of ,god's 7,mark #g3aj-ac7 ,will this go for righteousness in the day of ,god ,almighty8 ,nay rather1 will not this1 like a millstone about thy neck1 drown thee in the deeps of hell8 ,oh1 the blindness1 the madness1 the pride1 and spite1 that dwells in the hearts of these pretended righteous men4 ,again1 ,what kind of righteousness of thine1 is this1 that standeth in a misplacing1 and so consequently in a misesteeming of ,god's commands8 ,some thou settest too high1 and some too low2 as in the text1 thou hast set a ceremony above faith1 above love1 and above hope in the mercy of ,god3 ,when1 as it is evident1 the things last mentioned1 are the things of the first rate1 the weightier matters4 7,matt #bc3bc7 ,again1 ,thou hast preferred the gold above the temple that sanctifieth the gold1 and the gift upon the altar1 above the altar that sanctifies the gift4 7,matt #bc3ag7 ,i say again1 ,what kind of righteousness shall this be called8 ,what back will such a suit of apparel fit1 that is set together just cross and thwart to what it should be8 ,just as if the sleeves should be sewed upon the pocket-holes1 and the pockets set on where the sleeves should stand4 ,nor can other righteousness proceed where a wrong judgment precedeth it4 ,this misplacing of ,god's laws cannot1 ,i say1 but produce misshaped and misplaced obedience4 ,it indeed produceth a monster1 an ill-shapened thing1 a mole1 a mouse1 a pig1 all which are things unclean1 and an abomination to the ,lord4 ,for see1 saith he1 if thou wilt be making1 that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount4 ,set faith1 where faith should stand1 a moral1 where a moral should stand2 and a ceremony1 where a ceremony should stand2 for this turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay3 ,and wilt thou call this thy righteousness2 yea1 wilt thou stand in this1 plead for this1 and venture an eternal concern in such a piece of linsey-woolsey as this8 ,o fools1 and blind6 ,but further1 let us come a little closer to the point4 ,o blind ,pharisee4 ,thou standest to thy righteousness1 what dost thou mean8 ,wouldest thou have ,,mercy for thy righteousness1 or ,,justice for thy righteousness8 ,,first ,,mercy4 ,if mercy1 what mercy8 ,temporal things ,god giveth to the unthankful and unholy2 nor doth he use to ,,sell the world to man for righteousness4 ,the earth hath he ,,given to the children of men4 ,but this is not the thing2 thou wouldest have eternal mercy for thy righteousness2 thou wouldest have ,god think upon what an holy1 what a good1 what a righteous man thou art1 and hast been4 ,but ,christ died not for the good and righteous1 nor did he come to call such to the banquet1 that grace hath prepared for the world4 ,i came not1 ,i am not come1 saith ,christ1 to call the righteous1 but sinners to repentance4 7,mark #b3bg1 ,rom #e7 ,yet this is thy plea2 ,lord ,god1 ,i am a righteous man1 therefore grant me mercy1 and a share in thy heavenly kingdom4 ,what else dost thou mean1 when thou sayest1 ,god ,i thank thee1 that ,i am not as other men are8 ,why dost thou rejoice1 why art thou glad that thou art more righteous1 if indeed thou art1 than thy neighbour1 if it is not because thou thinkest1 that thou hast got the start of1 the better of thy neighbour1 with reference to mercy2 and that by thy righteousness thou hast insinuated thyself into ,god's affections1 and procured an interest in his eternal favour4 ,but1 ,what1 ,what hast thou done by thy righteousness8 ,i say1 ,what hast thou given to ,god thereby8 ,and what hath he received of thy hand8 ,perhaps thou wilt say1 righteousness pleaseth ,god3 ,but ,i answer no1 not thine1 with respect to justification from the curse of the law1 unless it be as perfect1 as the justice it is yielded to1 and as the law that doth command it4 ,but thine is not such a righteousness3 no1 thine is speckled1 thine is spotted1 thine makes thee to look like a speckled bird in his eye-sight4 ,thy righteousness has added iniquity1 to thy iniquity1 because it has kept thee from a belief of thy need of repentance1 and because it has emboldened thee to thrust thyself audaciously into the presence of ,god1 and made thee there1 even before his holy eyes1 which are so pure1 that they cannot look on iniquity 7,hab #a3ac71 to vaunt1 boast1 and brag of thyself1 and of thy tottering1 ragged1 stinking uncleanness2 for all our righteousnesses are as menstruous rags1 because they flow from a thing1 a heart1 a man that is unclean4 ,but1 ,again1 ,wouldest thou have mercy for thy righteousness8 ,for who wouldest thou have it2 for another1 or for thyself8 ,if for another1 and it is most proper1 that a righteous man should intercede for another by his righteousness1 rather than for himself1 then thou thrusteth ,christ out of his place and office1 and makest thyself to be a saviour in his stead2 for a mediator there is already1 even a mediator between ,god and man1 and he is the man ,christ ,jesus4 ,there is therefore no need of thine interceding by thy righteousness for the acceptation of any unto justification from the curse4 ,but dost thou plead by thy righteousness1 for mercy for thyself8 ,why1 in so doing thou impliest1 ,first1 ,that thy righteousness can prevail with ,god1 more than can thy sins4 ,i say1 that thy righteousness can prevail with ,god1 to preserve thee from death1 more than thy sins can prevail with him to condemn thee to it4 ,and if so1 what follows8 but that thy righteousness is more1 and has been done in a fuller spirit than ever were thy sins3 but thus to insinuate is to insinuate a lie2 for there is no man1 but while he is a sinner1 sinneth with a more full spirit1 than any good man can act righteousness withal4 ,a sinner when he sinneth1 he doth it with all his heart1 and with all his mind1 and with all his soul1 and with all his strength2 nor hath he in his ordinary course any thing that bindeth4 ,but with a good man it is not so2 all1 and every whit of himself1 neither is1 nor can be1 in every good duty that he doth4 ,for when he would do good evil is present with him4 ,and again1 ,the flesh lusteth against the ,spirit1 and the ,spirit against the flesh3 and these are contrary the one to the other1 so that ye cannot do the things that ye would4 7,gal #e3ag7 ,now if a good man cannot do good things with that wholeness and oneness of soul1 with that oneness and universalness of mind1 as a wicked man doth sin with1 then is his sin heavier to weigh him down to hell1 than is his righteousness to buoy him up to the heavens4 ,and again1 ,i say1 if the righteousness of a good man comes short of his sin1 both in number1 weight and measure1 as it doth1 for a good man shrinks and quakes at the thoughts of ,god's entering into judgment with him 7,psa #adc3b71 then is his iniquity more than his righteousness4 ,and ,i say again1 if the sin of one that is truly gracious1 and so of one that hath the best of principles1 is heavier and mightier to destroy him1 than is his righteousness to save him1 how can it be1 that the ,pharisee1 that is not gracious1 but a mere carnal man1 somewhat reformed and painted over with a few1 lean1 and lousy formalities1 should with his empty1 partial1 hypocritical righteousness1 counterpoise his great1 mighty1 and weighty sins1 that have cleaved to him in every state and condition of his1 to make him odious in the sight of ,god8 ,second4 ,dost thou plead by thy righteousness for mercy for thyself8 ,why in so doing thou impliest1 that mercy thou deservedst2 and that is next door to1 or almost as much as to say1 ,god oweth me what ,i ask for4#ad ,the best that can be put upon it1 is1 thou seekest security from the direful curse of ,god1 as it were by the works of the law1 and to be sure betwixt ,christ and the law1 thou wilt drop into hell4 7,rom #i3ca-cc7 ,for he that seeks for mercy1 as it were1 and but as it were1 by the works of the law1 doth not altogether trust thereto4 ,nor doth he that seeks for that righteousness1 that should save him1 as it were1 by the works of the law1 seek it only1 wholly and solely at the hands of mercy4 ,so then1 to seek for that that should save thee1 neither at the hands of the law1 nor at the hands of mercy1 is1 to be sure1 to seek it where it is not to be found2 for there is no medium betwixt the righteousness of the law1 and the mercy of ,god4 ,thou must have it either at the door of the law1 or at the door of grace4 ,but sayest thou1 ,i am for having of it at the hands of both4 ,i will trust solely to neither4 ,i love to have two strings to my bow4 ,if one of them1 as you think1 can help me by itself1 my reason tells me1 that both can help me better4 ,therefore will ,i be righteous1 and good1 and will seek by my goodness to be commended to the mercy of ,god3 for surely1 he that hath something of his own to ingratiate himself into the favour of his prince withal1 shall sooner obtain his mercy and favour1 than one that comes to him as stript of all good4 ,i answer1 ,but there are not two ways to heaven1 not two living ways2 there is one new and living way1 which ,christ hath consecrated for us through the vail1 that is to say1 his flesh2 and besides that one1 there is no more4 7,heb #aj3ai-bd7 ,why then dost thou talk of two strings to thy bow8 ,what became of him that had1 and would have1 two stools to sit on8 ,yea1 the text says plainly1 that therefore they obtained not righteousness1 because they sought it not by faith1 but1 as it were1 by the works of the law4 ,see here1 they are disowned by the gospel1 because they sought it not by faith2 that is1 by faith only4 ,again1 the law1 and the righteousness thereof1 flies from them1 nor could they attain it1 though they followed after it1 because they sought it not by faith4 ,mercy then is to be found alone in ,jesus ,christ6 ,again1 the righteousness of the law is to be obtained only by faith of ,jesus ,christ3 that is1 in the ,son of ,god is the righteousness of the law to be found2 for he1 by his obedience to his ,father1 is become the end of the law for righteousness4 ,and for the sake of his legal righteousness1 which is also called the righteousness of ,god1 because it was ,god in the flesh of the ,lord ,jesus that did accomplish it1 is mercy and grace from ,god extended1 to whoever dependeth by faith upon ,god by this ,jesus his righteousness for it4 ,and hence it is1 that we so often read1 that this ,jesus is the way to the ,father3 ,that ,god1 for ,christ's sake1 forgiveth us3 ,that by the obedience of one1 many are made righteous or justified3 ,and that through this man1 is preached to us the forgiveness of sins2 and that by him all that believe are justified from all things1 from which they could not be justified by the law of ,moses4 ,now1 though ,i here do make mention of righteousness and mercy1 yet ,i hold there is but one way1 to wit1 to eternal life2 which way1 as ,i said1 is ,jesus ,christ2 for he is the new1 the only new1 and living way to the ,father of mercies1 for mercy to make me capable of abiding with him in the heavens for ever and ever4 ,but sayest thou1 ,i will be righteous in myself that ,i may have wherewith to commend me to ,god1 when ,i go to him for mercy8 ,i answer1 ,but thou blind ,pharisee2 ,i tell thee thou hast no understanding of ,god's design by the gospel2 which is1 not to advance man's righteousness1 as thou dreamest2 but to advance the righteousness of his ,son1 and his grace by him4 ,indeed1 if ,god's design by the gospel was to exalt and advance man's righteousness1 then that which thou hast said1 would be to the purpose4 ,for what greater dignity can be put upon man's righteousness1 than to admit it8 ,i say then1 for ,god to admit it1 to be an advocate1 an intercessor1 a mediator2 for all these is that which prevaileth with ,god to shew me mercy4 ,but this ,god never thought of1 much less could he thus design by the gospel3 for the text runs flat against it4 ,not of works1 not of works of righteousness1 which we have done2 not of works1 lest any man should boast1 saying1 ,well1 ,i may thank my own good life for mercy4 ,it was partly for the sake of mine own good deeds that ,i obtained mercy to be in heaven and glory4 ,shall this be the burden of the song of heaven8 ,or is this that which is composed by that glittering heavenly host1 and which we have read of in the holy book of ,god6 ,no1 no1 that song runs upon other feet1 standeth in far better strains1 being composed of far higher1 and truly heavenly matter3 ,for ,god has predestinated us unto the adoption of children by ,jesus ,christ to himself1 according to the good pleasure of his will1 to the praise of the glory of his grace1 wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved4 ,in whom we have redemption through his blood1 the forgiveness of sins1 according to the riches of his grace4 7,eph #a3e-g7 ,and it is requisite1 that the song be framed accordingly2 wherefore he saith1 that the heavenly song runs thus3 ,thou art worthy to take the book1 and to open the seals thereof3 for thou wast slain1 and hast redeemed us to ,god by thy blood1 out of every kindred1 and tongue1 and people1 and nation2 and hast made us unto our ,god kings and priests2 and we shall reign on the earth4 7,rev #e3i1aj7 ,he saith not that they have redeemed1 or helped to redeem and deliver themselves2 but that the ,lamb1 the ,lamb that was slain2 the ,lamb only was he that had redeemed them4 ,nor1 saith he1 that they had made themselves kings and priests unto ,god to offer any oblation1 sacrifice1 or offering whatsoever2 but that the same ,lamb had made them such4 ,for they1 as is insinuated by the text1 were in1 among1 one with1 and no better1 than the kindreds1 tongues1 nations1 and people of the earth4 ,better6 ,no1 in no wise1 saith ,paul 7,rom #c3i71 therefore their separation from them was of mere mercy1 free grace1 good will1 and distinguishing love3 not for1 or because of1 works of righteousness which any of them have done2 no1 they were all alike4 ,but these1 because beloved1 when in their blood1 according to ,ezekiel #af were separated by free grace4 ,and as another scripture hath it1 redeemed from the earth1 and from among men by blood4 7,rev #ad3c1d7 ,wherefore deliverance from the ireful wrath of ,god1 must not1 neither in whole1 nor in part1 be ascribed to the whole law1 or to all the righteousness that comes by it2 but to the ,lamb of ,god1 ,jesus1 the ,saviour of the world2 for it is ,he that delivered us from the wrath to come3 and that according to ,god's appointment2 ,for ,god hath not appointed us to wrath1 but to obtain salvation by or through our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 7#a ,thess #e3i7 ,let every man1 therefore1 take heed what he doth1 and whereon he layeth the stress of his salvation1 ,for other foundation can no man lay1 than that is laid1 which is ,jesus ,christ4 7#a ,cor #c3aa7 ,but dost thou plead still as thou didst before1 and wilt thou stand thereto8 ,why then1 thy design must overcome ,god1 or ,god's design must overcome thee4 ,thy design is to give thy good life1 thy good deeds1 a part of the glory of thy justification from the curse4 ,and ,god's design is to throw all thy righteousness out into the street1 into the dirt1 and dunghill1 as to that4 ,thou art for glory1 and for glorying here before ,god2 yea1 thou art for sharing in the glory of justification1 when that alone belongeth to ,god4 ,and he hath said1 ,my glory will ,i not give to another4 ,thou wilt not trust wholly to ,god's grace in ,christ for justification2 and ,god will not take thy stinking righteousness in1 as a partner in thy acquitment from sin1 death1 wrath1 and hell4 ,now the question is1 who shall prevail8 ,god1 or the ,pharisee8 ,and whose word shall stand8 ,his1 or the ,pharisee's8 ,alas6 ,the ,pharisee here must needs come down1 for ,god is greater than all4 ,also1 he hath said1 that no flesh shall glory in his presence2 and that he will have mercy1 and not sacrifice4 ,and again1 that it is not1 nor shall be1 in him that wills1 nor in him that runs1 but in ,god that sheweth mercy4 ,what hope1 help1 stay1 or relief then is there left for the merit-monger8 ,what twig1 or straw1 or twined thread is left to be a stay for his soul8 ,this besom will sweep away his cobweb3 ,the house that this spider doth so lean upon1 will now be overturned1 and he in it to hell fire2 for nothing less than everlasting damnation is designed by ,god1 and that for this fearful and unbelieving ,pharisee3 ,god will prevail against him for ever4 ,third1 ,but wilt thou yet plead thy righteousness for mercy8 ,why1 in so doing1 thou takest away from ,god the power of giving mercy4 ,for if it be thine as wages1 it is no longer his to dispose of all pleasure2 for that which another man oweth me1 is in equity not at his1 but at my disposal4 ,did ,i say1 that by this thy plea1 thou takest away from ,god the power of giving mercy2 ,i will add1 yea1 and also of disposing of heaven and life eternal4 ,and then1 ,i pray you1 what is left unto ,god1 and what can he call his own8 ,not mercy2 for that by thy good deeds thou hast purchased4 ,not heaven2 for that by thy good deeds thou hast purchased4 ,not eternal life2 for that by thy good deeds thou hast purchased4 ,thus1 ,pharisee1 ,o thou self-righteous man1 hast thou set up thyself above grace1 mercy1 heaven1 glory2 yea1 above even ,god himself1 for the purchaser should in reason be esteemed above the purchase4 ,awake man6 ,what hast thou done8 ,thou hast blasphemed ,god1 thou hast undervalued the glory of his grace2 thou hast1 what in thee lieth1 opposed the glorious design of heaven6 ,thou hast sought to make thy filthy rags to share in thy justification4 ,now1 all these are mighty sins2 these have made thine iniquity infinite4 ,what wilt thou do8 ,thou hast created to thyself a world of needless miseries4 ,i call them needless1 because thou hadst more than enough before4 ,thou hast set thyself against ,god in a way of contending2 thou standest upon thy points and pantables3#ae ,thou wilt not bate ,god an ace1 of what thy righteousness is worth1 and wilt also make it worth what thyself shalt list4 ,thou wilt be thine own judge1 as to the worth of thy righteousness2 thou wilt neither hear what verdict the word has passed about it1 nor wilt thou endure1 that ,god should throw it out in the matter of thy justification1 but quarrellest with the doctrine of free grace1 or else dost wrest it out of its place to serve thy ,pharisaical designs2 saying1 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 ,i am not as other men2 fathering upon thyself1 yea1 upon ,god and thyself1 a stark lie2 for thou art as other men are1 though not in this1 yet in that2 yea1 in a far worse condition than the most of men are4 ,nor will it help thee any thing to attribute this thy goodness to the ,god of heaven3 for that is but a mere toying2 the truth is1 the ,god that thou intendest1 is nothing but thy righteousness2 and the grace that thou supposest1 is nothing but thine own good and honest intentions4 ,so that1 ,fourth1 ,in all that thou sayest1 thou dost but play the downright hypocrite4 ,thou pretendest indeed to mercy1 but thou intendest nothing but merit4 ,thou seemest to give the glory to ,god2 but at the same time takest it all to thyself4 ,thou despisest others1 and criest up thyself1 and in conclusion fatherest all upon ,god by word1 and upon thyself in truth4 ,nor is there any thing more common among this sort of men1 than to make ,god1 his grace1 and kindness1 the stalking-horse to their own praise1 saying1 ,god1 ,i thank thee when they trust to themselves that they are righteous1 and have not need of any repentance2 when the truth is1 they are the worst sort of men in the world1 because they put themselves into such a state as ,god hath not put them into1 and then impute it to ,god1 saying1 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 that thou hast done it2 for what greater sin is there than to make ,god a liar1 or than to father that upon ,god which he never meant1 intended1 or did4 ,and all this under a colour to glorify ,god2 when there is nothing else designed1 but to take all glory from him1 and to wear it on thine own head as a crown1 and a diadem in the face of the whole world4 ,a self-righteous man therefore can come to ,god for mercy none otherwise than fawningly3 ,for what need of mercy hath a righteous man8 ,let him then talk of mercy1 of grace1 and goodness1 and come in an hundred times with him1 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 in his mouth1 all is but words1 there is no sense1 nor savour1 nor relish of mercy and favour2 nor doth he in truth1 from his very heart1 understand the nature of mercy1 nor what is an object thereof2 but when he thanks ,god1 he praises himself2 when he pleads for mercy1 he means his own merit2 and all this is manifest from what doth follow2 for1 saith he1 ,i am not as this ,publican6 ,thence clearly insinuating1 that not the good1 but the bad1 should be rejected of the ,god of heaven3 ,that not the bad but the good2 not the sinner1 but the self-righteous1 are the most proper objects of ,god's favour4 ,the same thing is done by others in this our day3 ,favour1 mercy1 grace1 and ,god ,i thank thee1 is in their mouths1 but their own strength1 sufficiency1 free-will1 and the like1 they are the things they mean1 by all such high and glorious expressions4 ,,second ,,justice4 ,but1 secondly1 ,if thy plea be not for mercy1 but for justice1 then to speak a little to that4 ,justice has measures and rules to go by2 unto which measures and rules1 if thou comest not up1 justice can do thee no good4 ,come then1 ,o thou blind ,pharisee1 let us pass away a few minutes in some discourse about this4 ,thou demandest justice1 because ,god hath said1 that the man that doth these things shall live in and by them4 ,and again1 the doers of the law shall be justified2 not in a way of mercy1 but in a way of justice4 ,he shall live by them4 ,but what hast thou done1 ,o blind ,pharisee6 ,what hast thou done1 that thou art emboldened to venture1 to stand and fall to the most perfect justice of ,god8 ,hast thou fulfilled the whole law1 and not offended in one point8 ,hast thou purged thyself from the pollutions and motions of sin that dwell in the flesh1 and work in thy own members8 ,is the very being of sin rooted out of thy tabernacle8 ,and art thou now as perfectly innocent as ever was ,jesus ,christ8 ,hast thou1 by suffering the uttermost punishment that justice could justly lay upon thee for thy sins1 made fair and full satisfaction to ,god1 according to the tenor of his law for thy transgressions8 ,if thou hast done all these things1 then thou mayest plead something1 and yet but something for thyself in a way of justice4 ,nay1 in this ,i will assert nothing1 but rather inquire3--,what hast thou gained by all this thy righteousness8 7we will now suppose what must not be granted7 ,was not this thy state when thou wast in thy first parents8 ,wast thou not innocent1 perfectly innocent and righteous8 ,and if thou shouldest be so now1 what hast thou gained thereby8 ,suppose that the man1 that had forty years ago forty pounds of his own1 and had spent it all since1 should yet be able now to show his forty pounds again8 ,what has he got thereby1 or how much richer is he at last1 than he was1 when he first set up for himself4 ,nay1 doth not the blot of his ill living betwixt his first and his last1 lie as a blemish upon him1 unless he should redeem himself also by works of supererogation1 from the scandal that justice may lay at his door for that8 ,but1 ,i say1 suppose1 ,o ,pharisee1 this should be thy case1 yet ,god is not bound to give thee in justice that eternal life1 which by his grace he bestoweth upon those1 that have redemption from sin1 by the blood of his ,son4 ,in justice therefore1 when all comes to all1 thou canst require no more than an endless life in an earthly paradise2 for there thou wast set up at first2 nor doth it appear from what hath been said1 touching all that thou hast done or canst do1 that thou deservedst a better place4 ,did ,i say1 that thou mayest require justly an endless life in an earthly paradise4 ,why8 ,i must add to that saying1 this proviso3 ,if thou continuest in the law1 and in the righteousness thereof1 else not4 ,but how dost thou know that thou shalt continue therein8 ,thou hast no promise from ,god's mouth for that1 nor is grace or strength ministered to mankind by the covenant that thou art under4 ,so that still thou standest bound to thy good behaviour1 and in the day that thou dost give the first1 though never so little a trip1 or stumble in thy obedience1 thou forfeitest thine interest in paradise1 and in justice1 as to any benefit there4 ,but alas1 what need is there that we should thus talk of things1 when it is manifest1 that thou hast sinned1 not only before thou wast a ,pharisee1 but when1 after the most strictest sect of thy religion1 thou livedst also a ,pharisee2 yea1 and now in the temple1 in thy prayer there1 thou showest thyself to be full of ignorance1 pride1 self-conceit1 and horrible arrogancy1 and desire of vain-glory1 c41 which are none of them the seat of fruits of righteousness1 but the seat of the devil1 and the fruit of his dwelling1 even at this time1 in thy heart4 ,could it ever have been imagined1 that such audacious impudence could have put itself forth in any mortal man1 in his approach unto ,god by prayer1 as has showed itself in thee8 ,i am not as other men6 sayest thou2 but is this the way to go to ,god in prayer8 ,is this the way for a mortal man1 that is full of sin1 that stands in need of mercy1 and that must certainly perish without it1 to come to ,god in prayer8 ,the prayer of the upright is ,god's delight4 ,but the upright man glorifies ,god's justice1 by confessing to ,god the vileness and pollution of his state and condition3 ,he glorifies ,god's mercy by acknowledging1 that that1 and that only1 as communicated of ,god by ,christ to sinners1 can save and deliver from the curse of the law4 ,this1 ,i say1 is the sum of the prayer of the just and upright man 7,job #a3h1 #dj3d1 ,acts #ac3bb1 ,psa #ch1 #ea1 #b ,sam #f3ba1bb71 and not as thou most vain-gloriously vauntest1 with thy1 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 that ,i am not as other men are4 ,true1 when a man is accused by his neighbours1 by a brother1 by an enemy1 and the like2 if he be clear1 and he may be so1 as to what they shall lay to his charge1 then let him vindicate1 justify1 and acquit himself1 to the utmost that in justice and truth he can2 for his name1 the preservation whereof is more to be chosen than silver and gold2 also his profession1 yea1 the name of ,god too1 and religion1 may now lie at stake1 by reason of such false accusations1 and perhaps can by no means1 as to this man1 be recovered1 and vindicated from reproach and scandal1 but by his justifying of himself4 ,wherefore in such a work1 a man serveth ,god1 and saves religion from hurt2 yea1 as he that is a professor1 and has his profession attended with a scandalous life1 hurteth religion thereby3 ,so he that has his profession attended with a good life1 and shall suffer it notwithstanding1 to lie under blame by false accusations1 when it is in the power of his hand to justify himself1 hurteth religion also4 ,but the case of the ,pharisee is otherwise4 ,he is not here a dealing with men1 but ,god2 not seeking to stand clear in the sight of the world1 but in the sight of heaven itself2 and that too1 not with respect to what men or angels1 but with respect to what ,god and his law1 could charge him with and justly lay at his door4 ,this therefore mainly altereth the case2 for a man here to stand thus upon his points1 it is death2 for he affronteth ,god1 he giveth him the lie1 he reproveth the law1 and in sum1 accuseth it of bearing false witness against him2 he doth this1 ,i say1 even by saying1 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 that ,i am not as other men are2 for ,god hath made none of this difference4 ,the law condemneth all men as sinners1 and testifieth1 that every imagination of the thought of the heart of the sons of men is only evil1 and that continually4 ,wherefore they that do as the ,pharisee did1 to wit1 seek to justify themselves before ,god from the curse of the law1 by their own good doings1 though they also1 as the ,pharisee did1 seem to give ,god the thanks for all1 yet do most horribly sin1 even by their so doing1 and shall receive a ,pharisee's reward at last4 ,wherefore1 ,o thou ,pharisee1 it is a vain thing for thee either to think of1 or to ask for1 at ,god's hand1 either mercy or justice4 ,because mercy thou canst not ask for1 from sense of want of mercy1 because thy righteousness1 which is by the law1 hath utterly blinded thine eyes1 and complimenting with ,god doth nothing4 ,and as for justice1 that can do thee no good1 but the more just ,god is1 and the more by that he acteth towards thee1 the more miserable and fearful will be thy condition1 because of the deficiency of thy1 so much by thee1 esteemed righteousness4 ,the ,pharisee seeth no need of mercy1 but thinketh himself righteous before ,god4 ,what a deplorable condition then is a poor ,pharisee in6 ,for mercy he cannot pray1 he cannot pray for it with all his heart2 for he seeth1 indeed1 no need thereof4 ,true1 the ,pharisee1 though he was impudent enough1 yet would not take all from ,god2 he would still count1 that there was due to him a tribute of thanks3 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 saith he1 but yet not a bit of this1 for mercy2 but for that he had let him live1 for ,i know not for what he did thank himself1 till he had made himself better than other men2 but that betterment was a betterment in none other judgment than that of his own1 and that was none other but such an one as was false4 ,so then1 the ,pharisee is by this time quite out of doors2 his righteousness is worth nothing1 his prayer is worth nothing1 his thanks to ,god are worth nothing2 for that what he had was scanty1 and imperfect1 and it was his pride that made him offer it to ,god for acceptance2 nor could his fawning thanksgiving better his case1 or make his matter at all good before ,god4 ,but ,i'll warrant you1 the ,pharisee was so far off from thinking thus of himself1 and of his righteousness1 that he thought of nothing so much as of this1 that he was a happy man2 yea1 happier by far than other his fellow rationals4 ,yea1 he plainly declares it when he saith1 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 that ,i am not as other men are4 ,o what a fool's paradise was the heart of the ,pharisee now in1 while he stood in the temple praying to ,god6 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 said he1 for ,i am good and holy1 ,i am a righteous man2 ,i have been full of good works2 ,i am no extortioner1 unjust1 nor adulterer1 no nor yet as this wretched ,publican4 ,i have kept myself strictly to the rule of mine order1 and my order is the most strict of all orders now in being3 ,i fast1 ,i pray1 ,i give tithes of all that ,i possess4 ,yea1 so forward am ,i to be a religious man2 so ready have ,i been to listen after my duty1 that ,i have asked both of ,god and man the ordinances of judgment and justice2 ,i take delight in approaching to ,god4 ,what less now can be mine than the heavenly kingdom and glory8 ,now the ,pharisee1 like ,haman1 saith in his heart1 ,to whom would the king delight to do honour1 more than to myself8 ,where is the man that so pleaseth ,god1 and consequently1 that in equity and reason should be beloved of ,god like me8 ,thus like the prodigal's brother1 he pleadeth1 saying1 ,lo1 these many years do ,i serve thee1 neither transgressed ,i at any time thy commandment4 7,luke #ae3bi7 ,o brave ,pharisee6 ,but go on in thine oration3 ,nor yet as this ,publican4 ,poor wretch1 quoth the ,pharisee to the ,publican1 ,what comest thou for8 ,dost think that such a sinner as thou art shall be heard of ,god8 ,god heareth not sinners2 but if any man be a worshipper of ,god as ,i am1 as ,i thank ,god ,i am1 him he heareth4 ,thou1 for thy part1 hast been a rebel all thy days3 ,i abhor to come nigh thee1 or to touch thy garments4 ,stand by thyself1 come not near me1 for ,i am more holy than thou4 7,isa #fe3e7 ,hold1 stop there1 go no further2 fie ,pharisee1 fie2 ,dost thou know before whom thou standest1 to whom thou speakest1 and of what the matter of thy silly oration is made8 ,thou art now before ,god1 thou speakest now to ,god1 and therefore in justice and honesty thou shouldest make mention of his righteousness1 not of thine2 of his righteousness1 and of his only4 ,i am sure ,abraham1 of whom thou sayest he is thy father1 never had the face to do as thou hast done1 though it is to be presumed he had more cause so to do1 than thou hast1 or canst have4 ,abraham had whereof to glory1 but not before ,god2 yea1 he was called ,god's friend1 and yet would not glory before him2 but humbled himself1 was afraid1 and trembled in himself1 when he stood before him1 acknowledging of himself to be but dust and ashes4 7,gen #ah3bg1cj1 ,rom #d3b7 ,but thou1 as thou hadst quite forgot1 that thou wast framed of that matter1 and after the manner of other men1 standest and pleadest thy goodness before him4 ,be ashamed ,pharisee6 ,dost thou think1 that ,god hath eyes of flesh1 or that he seeth as man sees8 ,is not the secrets of thy heart open unto him8 ,thinkest thou with thyself1 that thou1 with a few of thy defiled ways canst cover thy rotten wall1 that thou hast daubed with untempered mortar1 and so hide the dirt thereof from his eyes3 ,or that these fine1 smooth1 and oily words1 that come out of thy mouth1 will make him forget that thy throat is an open sepulchre1 and that thou within art full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness8 ,thy thus cleansing of the outside of the cup and platter1 and thy garnishing of the sepulchres of the righteous1 is nothing at all in ,god's eyes1 but things that manifest1 that thou art an hypocrite1 and blind1 because thou takest no notice of that which is within1 which yet is that1 which is most abominable to ,god4 ,for the fruit1 alas1 what is the fruit to the tree1 or what are the streams to the fountain6 ,thy fountain is defiled2 yea1 a defiler1 and so that which maketh thy whole self1 with thy works unclean in ,god's sight4 ,but ,pharisee1 how comes it to pass1 that the poor ,publican is now such a mote in thine eye1 that thou canst not forbear1 but must accuse him before the judgment of ,god3 for in that thou sayest1 that thou art not even as this ,publican1 thou bringest in an accusation1 a charge1 a bill against him4 ,what has he done8 ,has he concealed any of thy righteousness1 or has he secretly informed against thee that thou art an hypocrite1 and superstitious8 ,i dare say1 the poor wretch has neither meddled nor made#af with thee in these matters4 ,but what aileth the ,pharisee8 ,doth the poor ,publican stand to vex thee8 ,doth he touch thee with is dirty garments2 or doth he annoy thee with his stinking breath8 ,doth his posture of standing so like a man condemned offend thee8 ,true1 he now standeth with his hand held up at ,god's bar1 he pleads guilty to all that is laid to his charge4 ,he cannot strut1 vapour1 and swagger as thou dost8 but why offended at this8 ,oh but he has been a naughty man6 and ,i have been righteous1 sayest thou4 ,well1 ,pharisee1 well1 his naughtiness shall not be laid to thy charge1 if thou hast chosen none of his ways4 ,but since thou wilt yet bear me down1 that thou art righteous1 shew now1 even now1 while thou standest before ,god with the ,publican1 some1 though they be but small1 yea1 though but very small fruits of thy righteousness4 ,let the ,publican alone1 since he is speaking of his life before ,god4 ,or if thou canst not let him alone1 yet do not speak against him2 for thy so doing will but prove1 that thou rememberest the evil that the man has done unto thee2 yea1 and that thou bearest him a grudge for it too1 and that while you stand before ,god4 ,but ,pharisee1 the righteous man is a merciful man1 and while he standeth praying1 he forgiveth2 yea1 and also crieth to ,god that he will forgive him too4 7,mark #aa3be1bf1 ,acts #g3fj7 ,hitherto then thou hast shewed none of the fruits of thy righteousness4 ,pharisee1 righteousness would teach thee to love this ,publican1 but thou showest that thou hatest him4 ,love covereth the multitude of sins2 but hatred and unfaithfulness revealeth secrets4 ,pharisee1 thou shouldest have remembered this thy brother in this his day of adversity1 and shouldest have shewed1 that thou hadst compassion to thy brother in this his deplorable condition2 but thou1 like the proud1 the cruel1 and arrogant man1 hast taken thy neighbour at the advantage1 and that when he is even between the straits1 and standing upon the very pinnacle of difficulty1 betwixt the heavens and the hells1 and hast done what thou couldest1 what on thy part lay1 to thrust him down to the deep1 saying1 ,i am not even as this ,publican4 ,what cruelty can be greater2 what rage more furious2 and what spite and hatred more damnable and implacable1 than to follow1 or take a man while he is asking of mercy at ,god's hands1 and to put in a caveat#ag against his obtaining of it1 by exclaiming against him that he is a sinner8 ,the master of righteousness doth not so3 ,do not think1 saith he1 that ,i will accuse you to the ,father4 7,john #e3de7 ,the scholars of righteousness do not so4 ,but as for me1 said ,david1 when they mine enemies were sick1 and the ,publican here was sick of the most malignant disease my clothing was sackcloth1 ,i humbled my soul with fasting2 and my prayer to wit1 that ,i made for them returned into mine own bosom4 ,i behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother3 ,i bowed down heavily1 as one that mourneth for his mother4 7,psa #ce3ac1ad7 ,pharisee1 ,dost thou see here how contrary thou art to righteous men8 ,now then1 where shall we find out one to parallel thee1 but by finding out of him that is called the dragon2 for he it is that accuseth poor sinners before ,god4 7,zech #c1 ,rev #ab7 ,i am not as this ,publican3 ,modesty should have commanded thee to have bit thy tongue as to this4 ,what could the angels think1 but that revenge was now in thine heart1 and but that thou comest up into the temple1 rather to boast of thyself and accuse thy neighbour1 than to pray to the ,god of heaven3 ,for what one petition is there in all thy prayer1 that gives the least intimation1 that thou hast the knowledge of ,god or thyself8 ,nay1 what petition of any kind is there in thy vain-glorious oration from first to last8 only an accusation drawn up1 and that against one helpless and forlorn2 against a poor man1 because he is a sinner2 drawn up1 ,i say1 against him by thee1 who canst not make proof of thyself that thou art righteous3 ,but come to proofs of righteousness1 and there thou art wanting also4 ,what though thy raiment is better than his1 thy skin may be full as black3 ,yea1 what if thy skin be whiter than his1 thy heart may be yet far blacker4 ,yea1 it is so1 for the truth hath spoken it2 for within you are full of excess and all uncleanness4 7,matt #bc7 ,pharisee1 there are transgressions against the second table1 and the ,publican shall be guilty of them3 ,but there are sins also against the first table1 and thou thyself art guilty of them4 ,the ,publican1 in that he was an extortioner1 unjust1 and an adulterer1 made it thereby manifest that he did not love his neighbour2 and thou by making a ,god1 a ,saviour1 a deliverer1 of thy filthy righteousness1 doth make it appear1 that thou dost not love thy ,god2 for as he that taketh1 or that derogateth from his neighbour in that which is his neighbour's due1 sinneth against his neighbour1 so he that taketh or derogateth from ,god1 sinneth against ,god4 ,now then1 though thou hast not1 as thou dost imagine1 played at that low game as to derogate from thy neighbour2 yet thou hast played at that high game as to derogate from thy ,god2 for thou hast robbed ,god of the glory of salvation2 yea1 declared1 that as to that there is no trust to be put in him4 ,lo1 this is the man that made not ,god his strength2 but trusted in the abundance of his riches1 and strengthened himself in his wickedness or substance4 7,psa #eb3g7 ,what else means this great bundle of thy own righteousness1 which thou hast brought with thee into the temple8 yea1 what means else thy commending of thyself because of that1 and so thy implicit prayer1 that thou for that mightest find acceptance with ,god8 ,all this1 what does it argue1 ,i say1 but thy diffidence of ,god8 and that thou countest salvation safer in thine own righteousness1 than in the righteousness of ,god2 and that thy own love to1 and care of thy own soul1 is far greater1 and so much better1 than is the care and love of ,god4 ,and is this to keep the first table2 yea1 the first branch of that table1 which saith1 ,thou shalt love the ,lord thy ,god8 ,for thy thus doing cannot stand with love to ,god4 ,how can that man say1 ,i love ,god1 who from his very heart shrinketh from trusting in him8 ,or1 how can that man say1 ,i would glorify ,god1 who in his very heart refuseth to stand and fall by his mercy8 ,suppose a great man should bid all the poor of the parish to his house to dinner1 and should moreover send by the mouth of his servant1 saying1 ,my lord hath killed his fatlings1 hath furnished his table1 and prepared his wine1 nor is there want of anything1 come to the banquet3 ,would it not be counted as a high affront to1 great contempt of1 and much distrust in the goodness of the man of the house1 if some of these guests should take with them1 out of their own poor store1 some of their mouldy crusts1 and carry them with them1 lay them on their trenchers upon the table before the lord of the feast1 and the rest of his guests1 out of fear that he yet would not provide sufficiently for those he had bidden to his dinner that he made8 ,why ,pharisee1 this is thy very case1 ,thou hast been called to a banquet1 even to the banquet of ,god's grace1 and thou hast been disposed to go2 but behold1 thou hath not believed1 that he would of his own cost make thee a feast1 when thou comest2 wherefore of thy own store thou hast brought with thee1 and hast laid upon thy trencher #ah on his table1 thy mouldy and hoary crusts in the presence of the angels1 and of this poor ,publican2 yea1 and hast vauntingly said upon the whole1 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 that ,i am not as other men are4 ,i am no such ,,needy man4 7,luke #ae3g7 ,i am no extortioner1 nor unjust1 no adulterer1 nor even as this ,publican4 ,i am come indeed to thy feast1 for of civility ,i could do no less2 but for thy dainties1 ,i need them not1 ,i have of such things enough of mine own4#ai 7,luke #ah3i7 ,i thank thee therefore for thy offer of kindness1 but ,i am not as those that have1 and stand in need thereof1 nor yet as this ,publican4 ,and thus feeding upon thine own fare1 or by making a composition of his and thine together1 thou condemnest ,god1 thou countest him insufficient or unfaithful2 that is1 either one that hath not enough1 or having it1 will not bestow it upon the poor and needy1 and therefore1 of mere pretence thou goest to his banquet1 but yet trustest to thine own1 and to that only4 ,this is to break the first table2 and so to make thyself a sinner of the highest form3 for the sins against the first table1 are sins of an higher nature than are the sins against the second4 ,true1 the sins of the second table are also sins against ,god1 because they are sins against the commandments of ,god3 but the sins that are against the first table1 are sins not only against the command1 but against the very love1 strength1 holiness1 and faithfulness of ,god4 ,and herein stands thy condition2 thou hast not1 thou sayest thou hast not done injury to thy neighbour2 but what of that1 ,,if ,,thou ,,hast ,,reproached ,,god ,,thy ,,maker8 ,this is1 as if a man should be in with his fellow-servant1 and out with his master4 ,pharisee1 ,i will assure thee1 thou art besides the saddle2#bj thy state is not good1 thy righteousness is so far off from doing of thee any good1 that it maketh thee to be a greater sinner than if thou hadst none at all1 because it fighteth more immediately against the mercy1 the love1 the grace1 and goodness of ,god1 than the sins of other sinners1 as to degree1 does4 ,and as they are more odious and abominable in the sight of ,god1 as they needs must1 if what is said be true1 as it is2 so they are more dangerous to the life and soul of man3 for that they always appear unto him in whom they dwell1 and to him that trusteth in them1 not to be sins and transgressions1 but virtues and excellent things4 ,not things that set a man further off1 but the things1 that bring a man nearer to ,god1 than those that want them are or can be4 ,this therefore is the dangerous estate of those that go about to establish their own righteousness1 that neither have1 nor can1 while they are so doing1 submit themselves to the righteousness of ,god4 7,rom #aj3c7 ,it is far more easy to persuade a poor wretch1 whose life is debauched1 and whose sins are written in his forehead1 to submit to the righteousness of ,god1 that is1 to the righteousness that is of ,god's providing and giving2 than it is to persuade a self-righteous man to do it4 ,for the profane are sooner convinced1 as of the necessity of righteousness to save him3 so that he has none of his own to do him that pleasure1 and therefore most gladly he accepteth of1 and submitteth himself to the help and health and salvation that is in the righteousness and obedience of another man4 ,and upon this account it is1 that ,christ saith1 ,the ,publicans and the ,harlots enter into the kingdom of heaven before the ,scribes and ,pharisees4 7,matt #ba3ca7 ,poor ,pharisee1 what a loss art thou at8 thou art not only a sinner1 but a sinner of the highest form4 ,not a sinner by such sins 7by such sins chiefly7 as the second table doth make manifest2 but a sinner chiefly in that way1 as no self-righteous man did ever dream of4 ,for when the righteous man or ,pharisee shall hear that he is a sinner1 he replieth1 ,i am not as other men are4 ,and because the common and more ordinary description of sin1 is the transgression against the second table1 he presently replieth again1 ,i am not as this ,publican is2 and so shrowdeth himself under his own lame endeavours1 and ragged1 partial patches of moral or civil righteousness4 ,wherefore when he heareth1 that his righteousness is condemned1 slighted1 and accounted nothing worth1 then he fretteth1 and fumeth1 and chafeth and would kill the man1 that so slighteth and disdaineth his goodly righteousness2 but ,christ and the true gospel-teacher still goeth on1 and condemneth all his righteousness to be as menstruous rags1 an abomination to ,god1 and nothing but loss and dung4 ,now menstruous rags1 things that are an abomination1 and dung1 are not fit matter to make a garment of to wear1 when ,i come to ,god for life1 much less to be made my friend1 my advocate1 my mediator and spokesman1 when ,i stand betwixt heaven and hell1 to plead for me that ,i might be saved4 7,isa #fd3f1 ,luke #af3ae1 ,phil #c3f-h7 ,perhaps some will blame me1 and count me also worthy thereof1 because ,i do not distinguish betwixt the matter and the manner of the ,pharisee's righteousness4 ,and let them condemn me still2 for1 saving the holy law1 which is neither the matter nor manner of the ,pharisee's righteousness1 but rather the rules1 if he will live thereby1 up to which he should completely come in every thing that he doth4 ,and ,i say again1 that the whole of the ,pharisee's righteousness is sinful1 though not with and to me1 yet with and before the ,god of heaven4 ,sinful ,i say it is1 and abominable1 both in itself1 and also in its effects4 ,the ,pharisee's whole righteousness sinful4 ,first1 ,in itself2 for that it is imperfect1 scanty1 and short of the rule by which righteousness is enjoined1 and ,,even with which every act should be3 ,for shortness here1 even every shortness in these duties1 is sin1 and sinful weakness2 wherefore the curse taketh hold of the man for coming short1 but that it could not justly do1 if he coming short was not his sin3 ,cursed is every one that doeth not1 and that continueth not to do all things written in the law4 7,deu #bg3bf1 ,gal #c3aj7 ,second1 ,it is sinful1 because it is wrought by sinful flesh2 for all legal righteousness is a work of the flesh4 7,rom #d3a1 ,phil #c3c-h7 ,a work1 ,i say1 of the flesh2 even of that flesh1 who1 or which also committeth the greatest enormities4 ,for the flesh is but one1 though its workings are divers3 ,sometimes in a way most notoriously sensual and devilish1 causing the soul to wallow in wickedness as the sow doth to wallow in the mire4 ,but these are not all the works of the flesh2 the flesh sometimes will attempt to be righteous1 and set upon doing actions1 that in their perfection would be very glorious and beautiful to behold4 ,but because the law is only commanding words1 and yieldeth no help to the man that attempts to perform it2 and because the flesh is weak1 and cannot do of itself that which it beginneth to meddle with1 therefore this most glorious work of the flesh faileth4 ,but1 ,i say1 as it is a work of the flesh1 it cannot be good1 forasmuch as the hand that worketh it1 is defiled with sin3 ,for in a good man1 one spiritually good1 that is in his flesh there dwells no good thing1 but consequently that which is bad2 how then can the flesh of a carnal1 graceless man1 and such a one is every ,pharisee and self-righteous man in the world1 produce1 though it joineth itself to the law1 to the righteous law of ,god1 that which is good in his sight4 ,if any shall think that ,i pinch so hardly1 because ,i call man's righteousness which is of the law1 of the righteous law of ,god1 flesh2 let them consider that which follows2 to wit1 ,that though man by sin1 is said to be dead in sin and trespasses1 yet not so dead1 but that he can act still in his own sphere4 ,that is1 to do1 and choose to do1 either that which by all men is counted base1 or that which by some is counted good1 though he is not1 nor can all the world make him capable of doing anything that may please his ,god4 ,man by nature1 as dead as he is1 can1 and that with the will of his flesh1 will his own salvation4 ,man by nature can1 and that by the power of the flesh1 pursue and follow after his own salvation2 but then he wills it1 and pursues or follows after it1 not in ,god's way1 but his own4 ,not by faith in ,christ1 but by the law of ,moses1 see ,romans #aj3af1 #ca1 #aj3c-g4 ,wherefore it is no error to say1 that a man naturally has ,will1 and a ,power to pursue his will1 and that as to his salvation4 ,but it is a damnable error to say1 that he hath will and power to pursue it1 and that in ,god's way4 ,for then we must hold that the mysteries of the gospel are natural2 for that natural men1 or men by nature1 may apprehend and know them2 yea1 and know them to be the only means by which they must obtain eternal life3 for the understanding must act before the will2 yea1 a man must approve of the way to life by ,jesus ,christ1 before his mind will budge1 or stir1 or move that way3 ,but the natural man receiveth not the things of the ,spirit of ,god2 of the gospel for they are foolishness unto him1 neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned4 7#a ,cor #b3ad7 ,he receiveth not these things2 that is1 his mind and will lie cross unto them1 for he counts them foolishness2 nor can all the natural wisdom in the world1 cause that his will should fall in with them1 because it cannot discern them4 ,nature discerneth the law1 and the righteousness thereof2 yea1 it discerneth it1 and approveth thereof2 that is1 that the righteousness of it is the best and only way to life1 and therefore the natural will and power of the flesh1 as here you see in the ,pharisee1 do steer their course by that for eternal life4 7#a ,cor #b3ad7 ,the righteousness of the law therefore is a work of the flesh1 a work of sinful flesh1 and therefore must needs be as filth and dung1 and abominable as to that for which this man hath produced it1 and presented it in the temple before ,god4 ,nor is the ,pharisee alone entangled in this mischief2 many souls are by these works of the flesh flattered1 as also the ,pharisee was1 into an opinion1 that their state is good1 when there is nothing in it4 the most that their conversion amounteth to1 is1 the ,publican is become a ,pharisee2 the open sinner is become a self-righteous man4 ,of the black side of the flesh he hath had enough1 now therefore with the white side of the flesh he will recreate himself4 ,and now1 most wicked must he needs be1 that questioneth the goodness of the state of such a man4 ,he1 of a drunkard1 a swearer1 an unclean person1 a sabbath-breaker1 a liar1 and the like1 is become reformed2 a lover of righteousness1 a strict observer1 doer1 and trader in the formalities of the law1 and a herder with men of his complexion4 ,and now he is become a great exclaimer against sin and sinners1 defying to acquaint with those that once were his companions1 saying1 ,i am not even as this ,publican4 ,to turn therefore from the flesh to the flesh1 from sin to man's righteousness3 yea1 to rejoice in confidence1 that thy state is better than is that of the ,publican3 ,i mean1 better in the eyes of divine justice1 and in the judgment of the law2 and yet to be found by the law1 not in the spirit1 but in the flesh2 not in ,christ1 but under the law2 not in a state of salvation1 but of damnation1 is common among men3 ,for they1 and they only1 are the right men1 which worship ,god in the ,spirit1 and rejoice in ,christ ,jesus1 and have no confidence in the flesh4 ,where by flesh1 must not be meant the horrible transgressions against the law1 though they are also called the works of the flesh 7,gal #e3ai71 for they minister no occasion unto men1 to have confidence in them towards ,god3 but that is that1 which is insinuated by ,paul1 where he saith1 he had no confidence in the flesh1 though he might have had it1 as he said1 ,though ,i might also have confidence in the flesh4 ,if any other man1 saith he1 thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh1 ,i more 7,phil #c3c1d73 ,and then he repeats a two-fold privilege that he had by the flesh4 ,first1 ,that he was one of the seed of ,abraham1 and of the tribe of ,benjamin1 an ,hebrew of the ,hebrews1 c4 ,secondly1 ,that he had fallen in with the strictest men of that religion1 which was such after the flesh2 to wit1 to be a ,pharisee1 and was the son of a ,pharisee1 had much fleshly zeal for ,god1 and was touching the righteousness which is in the law blameless4 7,phil #c3f7 ,but1 ,i say still1 there is nothing but flesh1 flesh2 fleshly privileges1 and fleshly righteousness1 and so consequently a fleshly confidence1 and trust for heaven4 ,this is manifest for these very things1 when the man had his eyes enlightened1 he counted all but loss and dung1 that he might be found in ,christ1 not having his own righteousness which is of the law1 but that which is through the faith of ,christ1 the righteousness which is of ,god by faith4 ,godly men are afraid of their own righteousness4 ,and this leads me to another thing1 and that is1 to tell thee1 ,o thou blind ,pharisee that thou canst not be in a safe condition1 because thou hast thy confidence in the flesh1 that is1 in the righteousness of the flesh4 ,for all flesh is grass1 and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field3 and the flesh and the glory of that being as weak as the grass1 which today is1 and tomorrow is cast into the oven1 is but a weak business for a man to venture his eternal salvation upon4 ,wherefore1 as ,i also hinted before1 the godly-wise have been afraid to be found in their righteousness1 ,i mean their own personal righteousness1 though that is far better1 than can be the righteousness of any carnal man3 for the godly man's righteousness is wrought in the spirit and faith of ,christ2 but the ungodly man's righteousness is of the flesh1 and of the law4 ,yet ,i say1 this godly man is afraid to stand by his righteousness before the tribunal of ,god1 as is manifest in these following particulars4 ,first1 ,he sees sin in his righteousness1 for so the prophet intimates1 when he saith1 ,all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags 7,isa #fd3f73 but there is nothing can make one's righteousness filthy but sin4 ,it is not the poor1 the low1 the mean1 the sickly1 the beggarly state of a man1 nor yet his being hated of devils1 persecuted of men1 broken under necessities1 reproaches1 distresses1 or any kind of troubles of this nature1 that can make the godly man's righteousness filthy2 nothing but ,,sin can do it1 and that can1 doth1 hath1 and will do it4 ,nor can any man1 be he who he will1 and though he watches1 prays1 strives1 denies himself1 and puts his body under what chastisement or hardships he can2 yea1 though he also shall get his spirit and soul hoisted up to the highest peg1 or pin of sanctity1 and holy contemplation1 and so his lusts to the greatest degree of mortification2 but sin will be with him in the best of his performances4 ,with him1 ,i say1 to pollute and defile his duties1 and to make his righteousness specked and spotted1 filthy and menstruous4 ,i will give you two or three instances for this4 #a4 ,nehemiah was a man1 in his day1 one that was zealous1 very zealous for ,god1 for his house1 for his people1 and for his ways2 and so continued1 and that from first to last1 as they may see that please to read the relation of his action2 yet when he comes seriously to be concerned with ,god about his duties1 he relinquisheth a standing by them4 ,true1 he mentioneth them to ,god1 but confesseth that there is imperfections in them1 and prayeth that ,god will not wipe them away3 ,wipe not out my good deeds1 ,o my ,god1 that ,i have done for the house of my ,god1 and for the offices thereof4 ,and again1 ,remember me1 ,o my ,god1 concerning this1 also another good deed1 and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy3--,remember me1 ,o my ,god1 for good4 7,neh #ac7 ,i do not think that by these prayers he pleadeth for an acceptation of his person1 as touching justification from the curse of the law1 as the poor blind ,pharisee doth2 but that ,god would accept of his service1 as he was a son1 and not deny to give him a reward of grace for what he had done1 since he was pleased to declare in his testament1 that he would reward the labour of love of his saints with an exceeding weight of glory2 and therefore prayeth1 that ,god would not wipe away his good deeds1 but remember him for good1 according to the greatness of his mercy4 #b4 ,a second instance is that of ,david1 where he saith1 ,enter not into judgment with thy servant3 ,o ,lord2 for in thy sight shall no man living be justified4 7,psa #adc3b7 ,david1 as ,i also have hinted before is said to be a man after ,god's own heart 7,acts #ac3bb71 and as here by the ,spirit he acknowledges him for his servant2 yet behold how he shrinketh1 how he draweth back1 how he prayeth1 and petitioneth1 that ,god would vouchsafe so much as not to enter into judgment with him4 ,lord1 saith he1 if thou enterest into judgment with me1 ,i die1 because ,i shall be condemned2 for in thy sight ,i cannot be justified2 to wit1 by my own good deeds4 ,lord1 at the beginning of thy dealing with me1 by thy law and my works ,i die1 therefore do not so much as enter into judgment with me1 ,o ,lord4 ,nor is this my case only1 but it is the condition of all the world3 ,for in thy sight shall ,,no man living be justified4 #c4 ,a third instance is1 that general conclusion of the apostle1 ,but that no man is justified by the law in the sight of ,god1 it is evident3 for1 ,the just shall live by faith4 7,gal #c3aa7 ,by this saying of ,paul1 as he taketh up the sentence of the prophet ,habakkuk 7#b3d71 so he taketh up this sentence1 yea1 and the personal justice of ,david also4 ,no man1 saith he1 is justified by the law in the sight of ,god2 no1 no just man1 no holy man1 not the strictest and most righteous man4 ,but why not8 why8 ,because the just shall live by faith4 ,the just man1 therefore1 must die1 if he has not faith in another righteousness1 than that which is of the law2 called his own3 ,i say1 he must die1 if he has none other righteousness than that which is his own by the law4#ba ,thus also ,paul confesses of himself3 ,i1 saith he1 know nothing by myself1 either before conversion or after2 that is1 ,i knew not1 that ,i did anything before conversion1 either against the law1 or against my conscience2 for ,i was then1 touching the righteousness which is of the law1 blameless4 ,also1 since my conversion1 ,i know nothing by myself2 for ,i have lived in all good conscience before ,god unto this day4 7,acts #bc3a7 ,a great saying1 ,i promise you4 ,i doubt this is more than our glorious justitiaries can say1 except they say and lie4 ,well1 but yet1 ,i am not hereby justified4 7#a ,cor #d3d1 ,phil #c3g7 ,nor will ,i dare to venture the eternal salvation of my soul upon mine own justice1 but he that judgeth me is the ,lord4 ,that is1 though ,i1 through my dimsightedness1 cannot see the imperfections of my righteousness2 yet the ,lord1 who is my judge1 and before whose tribunal ,i must shortly stand1 can and will2 and if in his sight there shall be found no more but one spot in my righteousness1 ,i must1 if ,i plead my righteousness1 fall for that4 ,second1 ,that the best of men are afraid to stand before ,god's tribunal1 there to be judged by the law as to life and death1 according to the sufficiency or non-sufficiency of their righteousness1 is evident1 because by casting away their own1 in this matter1 they make all the means they can for this2 that is1 that his mercy1 by an act of grace1 be made over to them1 and that they in it may stand before ,god to be judged4 ,hence ,david cries out so often1 ,lead me1 ,o ,lord1 in thy righteousness4 7,psa #e3h7 ,deliver me in thy righteousness4 7,psa #ca3a7 ,judge me1 ,o ,lord my ,god1 according to thy righteousness4 7,psa #ce3bd7 ,quicken me in thy righteousness4 7,psa #aai3dj7 ,o ,lord1 says he1 give ear to my supplications2 in thy faithfulness answer me1 and in thy righteousness4 ,and enter not into judgment with thy servant3 ,o ,lord3 ,for in thy sight shall no man living be justified4 7,psa #adc3a1b7 ,and ,david1 ,what if ,god doth thus8 ,why then1 saith he1 ,my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness4 7,psa #ce3bh7 ,my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness4 7,psa #ea3ad7 ,my mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness4 ,yea1 ,i will make mention of thy righteousness1 even of thine only4 7,psa #ga3ae1af7 ,daniel also1 when he comes to plead for himself and his people1 he first casts away his and their righteousness1 saying1 ,for we do not present out supplications before thee for our righteousnesses4 ,and pleads ,god's righteousness1 and that he might have a share and interest in that1 saying1 ,o ,lord1 righteousness belongeth unto thee 7#i3g1ah71 to wit1 that righteousness1 for the sake of which1 mercy and forgiveness1 and so heaven and happiness is extended to us4 ,righteousness belongeth to thee1 and is thine1 as nearly as sin1 shame1 and confusion1 is ours1 and belongeth to us1 which righteousness he afterwards calleth ,the ,lord1 saying1 do it1 for the ,lord's sake2 read the #af1 #ag1 verses of the ninth of ,daniel4 ,o ,lord1 saith he1 according to all thy righteousness1 ,i beseech thee1 let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city ,jerusalem1 thy holy mountain3 because for our sins1 and for the iniquities of our fathers1 ,jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us4 ,now therefore1 ,o our ,god1 hear the prayer of thy servant1 and his supplications1 and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate1 for the ,lord's sake4 ,for the sake of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 for on him ,daniel now had his eye1 and through him to the ,father he made his supplication2 yea1 and the answer was according to his prayer1 to wit1 that ,god would have mercy on ,jerusalem1 and that he would in his time send the ,lord1 the ,messias1 to bring them in everlasting righteousness for them4 ,paul also1 as ,i have hinted before1 disclaims his own righteousness1 and layeth fast hold on the righteousness of ,god3 seeking to be found in that1 or in him that has it1 not having his own righteousness2 for he knew that when the rain descends1 the winds blow1 and the floods come down falls on all men1 but they that have that righteousness4 7,phil #c7 ,now the earnest desire of the righteous to be found in ,god's righteousness1 ariseth from strong conviction of the imperfections of their own1 and of good knowledge that was given them of the terror that will attend men at the day of the fiery trial2 to wit1 the day of judgment4 ,for although men can now flatter themselves into a fool's paradise1 and persuade themselves that all shall be well with them then1 for the sake of their own silly and vain-glorious performances2 yet when the day comes that shall burn like an oven1 and when all that have done wickedly shall be as stubble1 and so will all appear to be that are not found in ,christ1 then will their righteousness vanish like smoke1 or be like fuel for that burning flame4 ,and hence the righteousness that the godly seek to be found in1 is called the name of the ,lord1 a strong tower1 a rock1 a shield1 a fortress1 a buckler1 a rock of defence1 ,,unto which they resort1 and ,,into which they run and are safe4 ,the godly wise therefore do not1 as this ,pharisee1 bring their own righteousness into the temple1 and there buoy up themselves and spirits by that into a conceit1 that for the sake of that1 ,god will be merciful and good unto them3 but throwing away their own1 they make to ,god for his1 because they certainly know1 even by the word of ,god1 that in the judgment none can stand the trial1 but those that are found in the righteousness of ,god4 ,third1 ,that the best of men are afraid to stand before ,god's tribunal by the law1 there to be judged to life and death1 according to the sufficiency or non-sufficiency of their righteousness1 is evident3 for they know1 that it is a vain thing to seek by acts of righteousness to make themselves righteous men1 as is the way of all them that seek to be justified by the deeds of the law4 ,and herein lieth the great difference between the ,pharisee and the true ,christian man4 ,the ,pharisee thinks1 by acts of righteousness he shall make himself a righteous man1 therefore he cometh into the presence of ,god well furnished1 as he thinks1 with his negative and positive righteousness4 ,grace suffereth not a man to boast it before ,god1 whatever he saith before me3 ,his soul which is lifted up1 is not upright in him 7,hab #b3d73 ,and better is the poor in spirit1 than the proud in spirit4 ,the ,pharisee was a very proud man1 a proud1 ignorant man1 proud of his own righteousness1 and ignorant of ,god's3 for had he not1 he could not1 as he did1 have so condemned the ,publican1 and justified himself4 ,the ,pharisee ignorant that he must be righteous before he can do righteousness4 ,and ,i say again1 that all this pride and vain-glorious shew of the ,pharisee1 did arise from his not being acquainted with this2 that a man must be good1 before he can do good2 he must be righteous1 before he can do righteousness4 ,this is evident from ,paul1 who insinuateth this as the reason1 why none do good1 even because ,there is none that is righteous1 no1 not one4 ,there is none righteous1 saith he2 and then follows1 ,there is none that doeth good4 7,rom #c3aj-ab7 ,for it is not possible for a man1 that is not first made righteous by the ,god of heaven1 to do anything that in a proper1 in a law1 or in a gospel-sense may be called righteousness4 ,meddle with righteous things he may2 attempt to make himself a righteous man1 by his so meddling with them1 he may2 but work righteousness1 and so by such works of righteousness1 make himself a righteous man1 he cannot4 ,the righteousness of a carnal man1 is indeed by ,god called righteousness2 but it must be understood1 as spoken in the dialect of the world2 or with reference to the world's matters4 ,the world indeed calls it righteousness2 and it will do no harm1 if it bear that term with reference to worldly matters4 ,hence worldly civilians are called good and righteous men1 and so1 such as ,christ1 under that notion1 neither died for1 nor giveth his grace unto4 7,rom #e3g1h7 ,but we are not now discoursing about any other righteousness1 than that which is so accounted either in a law1 or in a gospel-sense2 and therefore let us a little more touch upon that4 ,a man then must be righteous in a law-sense1 before he can do acts of righteousness1 ,i mean that are such1 in a gospel-sense4 ,hence first1 you have true gospel-righteousness made the fruit of a second birth4 ,if ye know that he ,christ is righteous1 ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him4 7#a ,john #b3bi7 ,not born of him by virtue of his own righteous actions1 but born of him by virtue of ,christ's mighty working with his word upon the soul2 who afterwards1 from a principle of life1 acteth and worketh righteousness4 ,and he saith again1 ,little children1 let no man deceive you1 he that doeth righteousness is righteous1 even as he is righteous4 7#a ,john #c3g7 ,upon this scripture1 ,i will a little comment1 for the proof of what is urged before2 namely1 that a man must be righteous in a law-sense1 before he can do such things that may be called acts of righteousness in a gospel-sense4 ,and for this1 this scripture1 ministereth to us two things to be considered by us4 ,the first is1 that he that doeth righteousness is righteous4 ,the second is1 that he that doeth righteousness is righteous1 as ,christ is righteous4 ,first1 ,he that doeth righteousness2 that is1 righteousness which the gospel calleth so1 is righteous2 that is1 precedent to1 or before he doth that righteousness4 ,for he doth not say1 he shall make his person righteous by acts of righteousness that he shall do2 for then an evil tree may bear good fruit3 yea1 and may make itself good by doing so3 ,but he saith1 he that doeth righteousness is righteous2 as he saith1 he that doeth righteousness ,,is born of him4 ,so then1 a man must be righteous before he can do righteousness1 before he can do righteousness in a gospel-sense4 ,second1 ,our second thing then is to inquire1 with what righteousness a man must be righteous1 before he can do that which in a gospel-sense is called righteousness8 ,and first1 ,i answer1 ,he must be righteous in a law-sense2 that is1 he must be righteous in the judgment of the law4 ,this is evident1 because he saith1 he that doeth righteousness is righteous as he is righteous4 ,that is1 in a law-sense2 for ,christ in no sense is righteous in the judgment of charity only2 but in his meanest acts1 if it be lawful to make such comparison1 he was righteous in a law-sense1 or in the judgment of the law4 ,now the apostle saith1 ,that he that doeth righteousness ,,is righteous1 as ,,he is righteous4 ,they are the words of ,god1 and therefore ,i cannot err in quoting of them1 though ,i may not so fully1 as ,i would1 make the glory of them shine in speaking to them4 ,but what righteousness is that1 with which a man must stand righteous in the judgment of the law1 before he shall or can be found to do acts of righteousness1 that by the gospel are so called8 ,i answer4 ,first1 ,it is none of his own which is of the law1 you may be sure2 for he hath this righteousness before he doeth any that can be called his own4 ,he that doeth righteousness is righteous already1 precedent to1 or before he doth that righteousness2 yea1 he is righteous before1 even as ,,he is righteous4 ,second1 ,it cannot be his own which is of the gospel2 that is1 that which floweth from a principle of grace in the soul3 for he is righteous before he doeth this righteousness4 ,he that doeth righteousness1 ,,is righteous4 ,he doth not say he that hath done it1 but he that doeth it2 respecting the act while it is in doing1 he is righteous4 ,he is righteous even then1 when he is a doing of the very first act of righteousness2 but an act1 while it is in doing1 cannot1 until it is done1 be called an act of righteousness2 yet1 saith the text1 ,he is righteous4 ,but again1 if an act1 while it is in doing1 cannot be called an act of righteousness2 to be sure1 it cannot have such influences as to make the actor righteous2 to make him righteous1 as the ,son of ,god is righteous1 and yet the righteousness with which this doer is made righteous1 and that before he doeth righteousness1 is such2 for so saith the text1 that makes him righteous as he is righteous4 ,besides1 it cannot be his own1 which is gospel-righteousness1 flowing from a principle of grace in the soul2 for that in its greatest perfection in us1 while we live in this world1 is accompanied with some imperfections2 to wit1 our faith1 love1 and whole course of holiness is wanting1 or hath something lacking in it4 ,they neither are apart1 nor when put all together1 perfect1 as to the degree1 the uttermost degree of perfection4 ,but the righteousness under consideration1 with which the man1 in that of ,john1 is made righteous1 is a perfect righteousness2 not only with respect to the nature of it1 as a penny is as perfect silver as a shilling2 nor yet with respect to a comparative degree2 for so a shilling arriveth more toward the perfection of the number twenty1 than doth a two-penny or a three-penny piece3 but it is a righteousness so perfect1 that nothing can be added to it1 nor can any thing be taken from it3 for so implieth the words of the text1 he is righteous1 as ,christ is righteous4 ,yea1 thus righteous before1 and in order to his doing of righteousness4 ,and in this he is like unto the ,son of ,god1 who was also righteous before he did acts of righteousness referring to a law of commandment3 wherefore it is said1 that as he is1 so are we in this world4 ,as he is or was righteous1 before he did acts of righteousness among men by a law1 so are ,,his righteous1 before they act righteousness among men by a law4 ,he that doth righteousness is righteous1 as ,,he is righteous4 ,christ was righteous1 before he did righteousness1 with a two-fold righteousness4 ,he had a righteousness as he was ,god2 his godhead was perfectly righteous2 yea1 it was righteousness itself4 ,his human nature was perfectly righteous1 it was naturally spotless and undefiled4 ,thus his person was righteous1 and so qualified to do that righteousness1 that because he was born of a woman1 and made under the law1 he was bound by the law to perform4 ,now1 as he is1 so are we3 not by way of natural righteousness1 but by way of resemblance thereunto4 ,had ,christ1 in order to his working of righteousness1 a two-fold righteousness inherent in himself1 the ,christian1 in order to his working of righteousness1 hath belonging to him a two-fold righteousness4 ,did ,christ's two-fold righteousness qualify him for that work of righteousness1 that was of ,god designed for him to do8 ,why the ,christian's two-fold righteousness doth qualify him for that work of righteousness1 that ,god hath ordained1 that he should do and walk in this world4 ,but you may ask1 what is that righteousness1 with which a ,christian is made righteous before he doth righteousness8 ,i answer1 ,it is a two-fold righteousness4 ,i4 ,it is a righteousness put upon him4 ,,ii4 ,it is a righteousness put into him4 ,i4 ,for the first1 ,it is righteousness put upon him1 with which also he is clothed as with a coat or mantle 7,rom #c3bb71 and this is called the robe of righteousness2 and this is called the garments of salvation4 7,isa #fa3aj7bb ,this righteousness is none other but the obedience of ,christ2 the which he performed in the days of his flesh1 and can properly be called no man's righteousness1 but the righteousness of ,christ2 because no man had a hand therein1 but he completed it himself4 ,and hence it is said1 ,that by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous4 7,rom #e3ai7 ,by the obedience of one1 of one man ,jesus ,christ1 as you have it in verse #ae for he came down into the world to this very end2 that is1 to make a generation righteous1 not by making of them laws1 and prescribing unto them rules3 for this was the work of ,moses1 who said1 ,and it shall be our righteousness1 if we observe to do all these commandments before the ,lord our ,god1 as he hath commanded us4 7,deu #f3be1 #bd3ac7 ,nor yet by taking away by his grace the imperfections of their righteousness1 and so making of that perfect by additions of his own2 but he makes them righteous by his obedience2 not in them1 but for them1 while he personally subjected himself to his ,father's law on our behalf1 that he might have a righteousness to bestow upon us4 ,and hence we are said to be made righteous1 while we work not2 and to be justified while ungodly 7,rom #d3e71 which can be done by no other righteousness than that1 which is the righteousness of ,christ by performance1 the righteousness of ,god by donation1 and our righteousness by imputation4 ,for1 ,i say1 the person that wrought this righteousness for us1 is ,christ ,jesus2 the person that giveth it to us1 is the ,father2 who hath made ,christ to be unto us righteousness1 and hath given him to us for this very end1 that we might be made the righteousness of ,god in him 7#a ,cor #a3cj1 #b ,cor #e3ba71 ,and hence it is so often said1 ,one shall say1 surely in the ,lord have ,i righteousness and strength4 ,and again1 ,in the ,lord shall all the seed of ,israel be justified1 and shall glory4 ,this is the heritage of the servants of the ,lord1 and their righteousness is of me1 saith the ,lord4 7,isa #de3bd1be1 #ed3ag7 ,this righteousness is that which justifieth1 and which secureth the soul from the curse of the law2 by hiding1 through its perfection1 all the sins and imperfections of the soul4 ,hence it follows1 in that fourth of the ,romans1 ,even as ,david also describeth the blessedness of the man1 unto whom ,god imputeth righteousness without works1 saying1 ,blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven1 and whose sins are covered4 ,blessed is the man to whom the ,lord will not impute sin4 ,and this it doth1 even while the person that by grace is made a partaker1 is without good works1 and so ungodly4 ,this is the righteousness of ,christ1 ,christ's personal performances1 which he did when he was in this world2 that is that1 by which the soul while naked1 is covered1 and so hid as to its nakedness1 from the divine sentence of the law2 ,i spread my skirt over thee1 and covered thy nakedness4 7,eze #af3h7 ,now this obediential righteousness of ,christ1 consisteth of two parts4 #a4 ,in a doing of that which the law commanded us to do4 #b4 ,in a paying that price for the transgression thereof1 which justice hath said1 shall be required at the hand of man2 and that is the cursed death4 ,in the day that thou eatest thereof1 thou shalt die the death2 to wit1 the death that comes by the curse of the law4 ,so then1 ,christ having brought in that part of obedience for us1 which consisteth in a doing of such obediential acts of righteousness which the law commands2 he addeth thereto the spilling of his blood1 to be the price of our redemption from that cursed death1 that by sin we had brought upon our bodies and souls4 ,and thus are the ,christians made perfectly righteous2 they have the whole obedience of ,christ made over to them2 to wit1 that obedience that standeth in doing the law1 and that obedience that standeth in paying of a price for our transgressions4 ,so then1 ,doth the law call for righteousness8 ,here it is4 ,doth the law call for satisfaction for our sins8 ,here it is4 ,and what can the law say any more to the sinner but that which is good1 when he findeth in the personal obedience of ,christ for him1 that which answereth to what it can command1 that which it can demand of us4 ,herein then standeth a ,christian's safety1 not in a bundle of actions of his own1 but in a righteousness which cometh to him by grace and gift2 for this righteousness is such as comes by gift1 by the gift of ,god4 ,hence it is called the gift of righteousness1 the gift by grace1 the gift of righteousness by grace1 which is the righteousness of one1 to wit1 the obedience of ,jesus ,christ4 7,rom #e3ae-ai7 ,and this is the righteousness by which1 he that doth righteousness1 is righteous as ,,he is righteous2 because it is the very self-same righteousness1 that the ,son of ,god hath accomplished by himself4 ,nor has he any other or more excellent righteousness1 of which the law taketh notice1 or that it requireth1 than this4 ,for as for the righteousness of his godhead1 the law is not concerned with that2 for as he is such1 the law is his creature1 and servant1 and may not meddle with him4 ,the righteousness also of his human nature1 the law hath nothing to do with that2 for that is the workmanship of ,god1 and is as good1 as pure1 as holy and undefiled1 as is the law itself4 ,all then that the law hath to do with1 is to exact complete obedience of him that is made under it1 and a due satisfaction for the breach thereof1 the which1 if it hath1 then ,moses is content4 ,now1 this is the righteousness1 with which the ,christian1 as to justification1 is made righteous2 to wit1 a righteousness1 that is neither essential to his godhead1 nor to his manhood2 but such as standeth in that glorious person1 who was such1 his obedience to the law4 ,which righteousness himself had1 with reference to himself1 no need of at all1 for his godhead2 yea1 his manhood was perfectly righteous without it4 ,this righteousness therefore was there1 and there only1 necessary1 where ,christ was to be considered as ,god's servant and our surety1 to bring to ,god ,jacob again1 and to restore the preserved of ,israel4 ,for though ,christ was a ,son1 yet he became a servant to do1 not for himself1 for he had no need1 but for us1 the whole law1 and so bring in everlasting righteousness for us4 ,and hence it is said1 that ,christ did what he did for us3 ,he became the end of the law for righteousness for us2 he suffered for us 7#a ,peter #b3ba72 he died for us 7#a ,thess #e3aj72 he laid down his life for us 7#a ,john #c3af71 and he gave himself for us4 7,gal #a3d7 ,the righteousness then that ,christ did fulfil1 when he was in the world1 was not for himself simply considered1 nor for himself personally considered1 for he had no need thereof2 but it was for the elect1 the members of his body4 ,christ then did not fulfil the law for himself1 for he had no need thereof4 ,christ again did fulfil the law for himself1 for he had need of the righteousness thereof2 he had need thereof for the covering of his body1 and the several members thereof2 for they1 in a good sense1 are himself1 members of his body1 of his flesh1 and of his bones2 and he owns them as parts of himself in many places of the holy scripture4 7,eph #e3cj1 ,acts #i3d1e1 ,matt #be3de1 #aj3dj1 ,mark #i3cg1 ,luke #aj3af1 #a ,cor #ab3ab1bg7 ,this righteousness then1 even the whole of what ,christ did in answer to the law1 it was for his1 and ,god hath put it upon them1 and they are righteous in it1 even righteous as he is righteous4 ,and this they have before they do acts of righteousness4 ,,ii4 ,there is righteousness put into them1 before they act righteous things4 ,a righteousness1 ,i say1 put into them2 or ,i had rather that you should call it a principle of righteousness2 for it is a principle of life to righteousness4 ,before man's conversion1 there is in him a principle of death by sin2 but when he is converted to ,christ1 there is put into him a principle of righteousness1 that he may bring forth fruit unto ,god4 7,rom #g3d-f7 ,hence they are said to be quickened1 to be made alive1 to be risen from death to life1 to have the ,spirit of ,god dwelling in them2 not only to make their souls alive1 but to quicken their mortal bodies to that which is good4 7,rom #h3aa7 ,here1 as ,i hinted before1 they that do righteousness are said to be born of him1 that is1 antecedent to their doing of righteousness 7#a ,john #b3bi71 born of him1 that is1 made alive with new spiritual and heavenly life4 ,wherefore the exhortation to them is1 ,neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin3 but yield yourselves unto ,god1 as those that are alive from the dead1 and your members as instruments of righteousness unto ,god4 7,rom #f3ac7 ,now this principle must also be in men1 before they can do that which is spiritually and gospelly good3 ,for whatever seeming good thing any man doth1 before he has bestowed upon him this heavenly principle from ,god1 it is accounted nothing1 it is accounted sin and abomination in the sight of ,god2 for an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit3 ,men do not gather grapes of thorns2 neither of a bramble gather they figs4 ,either make the tree good and his fruit good1 or the tree evil and his fruit evil4 7,luke #f3dc-de7 ,it is not the fruit that makes the tree1 but the tree that makes the fruit4 ,a man must be good1 before he can do good1 and evil before he can do evil4 ,they be not righteous actions that make a righteous man2 nor be they evil actions that make a wicked man3 for a tree must be a sweeting tree before it yield sweetings2#bc and a crab tree before it bring forth crabs4#bd ,this is that which is asserted by the ,son of ,god himself2 and it lieth so level with reason and the nature of things1 that it cannot be contradicted4 7,matt #g3af-ah7 ,a good man out of the good treasure of his heart1 bringeth forth that which is good2 and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart1 bringeth forth that which is evil4 7,luke #f3de7 ,but this1 notwithstanding all that can be said1 seemeth very strange to the carnal world2 for they will not be otherwise persuaded1 but that they be good deeds that make good men1 and evil ones that make evil men3 ,and so by such dotish apprehensions do what in them lieth to fortify their hearts with the mists of darkness against the clear shining of the word1 and conviction of the truth4 ,and thus it was from the beginning3 ,abel did his first services to ,god from this principle of righteousness2 but ,cain would have been made righteous by his deed2 but his deed not flowing from the same root of goodness1 as did ,abel's1 notwithstanding he did it with the very best he had1 is yet called evil3 ,for he wanted1 ,i say1 the principles1 to wit1 of grace and faith1 without which no action can be counted good in a gospel sense4 ,these two things then1 that man must have that will do righteousness4 ,he must have put upon him the perfect righteousness of ,christ2 and he must have dwelling in him1 as a fruit of the new birth1 a principle of righteousness4 ,then indeed he is a tree of righteousness1 and ,god is like to be glorified in1 and by him2 but this the ,pharisee was utterly ignorant of1 and at the remotest distance from it4 ,the righteousness of ,christ1 unto justification1 must be imputed to the ,christian before he can attain the principle of righteousness unto sanctification4 ,quest4 ,you may ask me next1 ,but which of these are first bestowed upon the ,christian1 the perfect righteousness of ,christ unto justification1 or this gospel principle of righteousness unto sanctification8 ,answ4 ,the perfect righteousness of ,christ unto justification1 must first be made over to him by an act of grace4 ,this is evident1 #a4 ,because1 he is justified as ungodly2 that is1 whilst he is ungodly3 ,but it must not be said of them1 that have this principle of grace in them1 that they are ungodly2 for they are saints and holy4 ,but this righteousness1 by ,,it ,god justifieth the ungodly1 by imputing it to them1 when1 and while they1 as to a principle of grace1 are graceless4 ,this is further manifested thus3 ,the person must be accepted before the performance of the person can2 ,and the ,lord had respect unto ,abel1 and to his offering4 7,gen #d3d7 ,if he had respect to ,abel's person first1 yet he must have respect unto it for the sake of some righteousness2 but ,abel1 in that1 had no righteousness2 for that he acted after that ,god had had respect unto his person4#be ,and the ,,lord had respect unto ,abel1 and to his offering3 ,but unto ,cain1 and to his offering1 he had not respect4 ,the prophet ,ezekiel also shows us this2 where1 by the similitude of the wretched infant1 and of the manner of ,god's receiving it to mercy1 he shows how he received the ,jews to favour4 ,first1 saith he1 ,i spread my skirt over thee1 and covered thy nakedness4 7#af3h7 ,there is justification2 ,i covered thy nakedness4 ,but what manner of nakedness was it8 ,was it utter nakedness1 nakedness in its perfection8 ,yes1 it was then as naked as naked could be1 even as naked as in the day that it was born4 ,and as thus naked1 it was covered1 not with anything1 but with the skirt of ,christ2 that is1 with his robe of righteousness1 with his obedience1 that he performed by himself for that very purpose4 ,for by the obedience of one many are made righteous4 #b4 ,righteousness unto justification must be first1 because the first duty that a ,christian performeth to ,god1 must be accepted1 not for the sake of the principle from which in the heart it flows1 nor yet for the sake of the person that acts it2 but for the sake of ,christ1 whose righteousness it is1 by which1 before the sinner1 he stands just before ,god4 ,and hence it is said1 ,by faith ,abel offered unto ,god a more excellent sacrifice than ,cain4 7,heb #aa3d7 ,by faith he did it2 but faith hath respect to the righteousness that justifies4 ,for we are justified by faith1 not by faith as it is a grace1 nor by faith as it is an acting grace2 but by the righteousness of faith2 that is1 by that righteousness that faith embraceth1 layeth hold of1 and helpeth the soul to rest upon1 and to trust to1 for justification of life1 which is the obedience of ,christ4 ,besides1 it is said1 by faith he offered2 faith then1 faith in ,christ1 was precedent to his offering4 ,now since faith was in being and in act before his offer1 and since before his offer1 he had no personal goodness of his own1 faith must look out from home3 ,i say1 it must look out to another than to him in whom it resided for righteousness2 and finding the righteousness of ,christ to be the righteousness1 which by ,god was designed to be performed for the justification of a sinner1 it embraces it1 and through it offereth to ,god a more excellent sacrifice than ,cain4 ,hence it follows1 by which he obtained witness that he was righteous4 ,by which1 not by his offering1 but by his faith4 ,for his offering1 simply as an offering1 could not have made him righteous1 if he had not been righteous before2 for an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit4 ,besides1 if this be granted1 why had not ,god respect to ,cain's offering1 as well as to ,abel's8 ,for1 did ,abel offer8 so did ,cain4 ,did ,abel offer his best8 so did ,cain his4 ,and if with this1 we shall take notice of the order of their offering1 ,cain seemed to offer first1 and so with the frankest will1 and forwardest mind2 but yet1 saith the text1 ,the ,lord had respect to ,abel and to his offering4 ,but why to ,abel8 ,why1 because his person was made righteous before he offered his gift3 ,by which he obtained witness that he was righteous4 ,god testifying of his gifts1 that they were good and acceptable1 because they declared ,abel's acceptation of the righteousness of ,christ1 for his justice1 through the riches of the grace of ,god4 ,by faith then1 ,abel offered to ,god a more excellent sacrifice than ,cain4 ,he shrouded himself under the righteousness of ,christ1 and so1 as out of that righteousness1 he offered to ,god2 ,god also looking and finding him there1 where also he could not have been1 as to his own apprehension1 no otherwise than by faith1 he accepted of his gift2 by which acceptation1 for so you may understand it also1 ,god testified that he was righteous3 ,for ,god receiveth not the gifts and offerings of those that are not righteous1 for their sacrifices are an abomination unto him4 7,prov #ba3bg7 ,abel then was righteous before2 he was1 ,i say1 made righteous first1 as he stood ungodly in himself2 ,god justifieth the ungodly4 7,rom #d7 ,now being justified1 he was righteous2 and being righteous1 he offered his sacrifice of praise to ,god1 or other offerings which ,god accepted1 because he believed in his ,son1 as also other scriptures manifest abundantly4 ,but this our ,pharisee understandeth not4 #c4 ,righteousness by imputation must be first1 because we are made so1 to wit1 by another1 ,by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous4 ,now to be made righteous1 implies a passiveness in him that is so made1 and the activity of the work to lie in some body else2 except he had said1 they had made themselves righteous2 but that it doth not1 nor doth the text leave to any the least countenance so to insinuate3 ,nay1 it plainly affirms the contrary1 for it saith1 by the obedience of one1 of one man ,jesus ,christ1 many are made righteous2 by the righteousness of one 7,rom #e71 ,so then1 if they be ,,made righteous by the righteousness of one3 ,i say1 if many be made righteous by the righteousness of one1 then are they that are so1 as to themselves1 passive and not active1 with reference unto the working out of this righteousness4 ,they have no hand in that2 for that is the act of ,,one1 the righteousness of ,,one1 the obedience of ,,one1 the workmanship of ,,one1 even of ,christ ,jesus4 ,again1 if they are made righteous by this righteousness1 then also they are passive1 as to their first privilege by it2 for they are made righteous by it2 they do not make themselves righteous2 no1 they do not make themselves righteous by it4 ,imputation is also the act of ,god4 ,even as ,david also describeth the blessedness of the man1 unto whom ,god imputeth righteousness4 ,the righteousness then is the work of ,christ1 his own obedience to his father's law2 the making of it ours1 is the act of his father1 and of his infinite grace2 ,but of him are ye in ,christ ,jesus1 who of ,god is made unto us wisdom1 and righteousness4 ,for he ,god hath made him to be sin for us1 who knew no sin1 that we might be made the righteousness of ,god in him4 ,and both these things ,god showed to our first parents when he acted in grace towards them after the fall4 ,there it is said1 the ,lord ,god made unto ,adam1 and unto his wife1 coats of skins1 and clothed them4 7,gen #c3ba7 ,whence note1 7#a47 ,that ,adam and his wife were naked both in ,god's eye1 and in their own4 7verse #aj1aa7 7#b47 ,that the ,lord ,god made coats of skins4 7#c47 ,that in his making of them1 he had respect to ,adam and to his wife1 that is1 he made them for them4 7#d47 ,that when he had made them1 he also clothed them therewith4 ,they made not the coats1 nor did ,god bid them make them2 but ,god did make them himself to cover their nakedness with4 ,yea1 when he had made them1 he did not bid them put them on1 but he himself did clothe them with them3 ,for thus runs the text2 ,unto ,adam also and to his wife did the ,lord ,god make coats of skins1 and clothed them4 ,o6 ,it was the ,lord ,god that made this coat1 with which a poor sinner is made righteous6 ,and it is also the ,lord ,god that putteth it upon us4 ,but this our ,pharisee understandeth not4 ,but now1 if a man is not righteous before he is made so1 before the ,lord ,god has1 by the righteousness of another1 made him so2 then whether this righteousness come first or last1 the man is not righteous until it cometh1 and if he be not righteous until it cometh1 then what works soever are done before it comes1 they are not the works of a righteous man1 nor the fruits of a good tree1 but of a bad4 ,and so again1 this righteousness must first come before a man be righteous1 and before a man does righteousness4 ,make the tree good and its fruit will be good4 ,now1 since a man must be made righteous before he can do righteousness1 it is manifest his works of righteousness do not make him righteous1 no more than the fig makes its own tree a fig-tree1 or than the grape doth make its own vine a vine4 ,hence those acts of righteousness1 that ,christian men do perform1 are called the fruits of righteousness1 which are by ,jesus ,christ to the glory and praise of ,god4 7,phil #a3aa7 ,the fruits of righteousness they are by ,jesus ,christ1 as the fruits of the tree are by the tree itself4 ,for the truth is1 that principle of righteousness1 of which mention has been made before1 and concerning which ,i have said1 it comes in1 in the second place2 it is also originally to be found for us no where but in ,christ4 ,hence it is said to be by ,jesus ,christ1 and again1 of his fulness have all we received1 and grace for grace4 7,john #a3af7 ,a man must then be united to ,christ first1 and so being united1 he partaketh of this benefit1 to wit1 a principle that is supernatural1 spiritual1 and heavenly4 ,now his being united to ,christ1 is not of1 or from himself1 but of1 and from the ,father1 who1 as to this work1 is the husbandman2 even as the twig that is grafted into the tree1 officiateth not1 that is1 grafteth not itself thereinto1 but is grafted in by some other1 itself being utterly passive as to that4 ,now being united unto ,christ1 the soul is first made partaker of justification1 or of justifying righteousness1 and now no longer beareth the name of an ungodly man1 for he is made righteous by the obedience of ,christ1 he being also united to ,christ1 partaketh of the root and fatness of ,christ2 the root1 that is1 his divine nature2 the fatness1 that is1 that fulness of grace that is laid up in him to be communicated unto us1 even as the branch that is grafted into the olive-tree1 partaketh of the root and fatness of the olive-tree4 ,now partaking thereof1 it quickeneth1 it groweth1 it buddeth1 and yieldeth fruit to the glory and praise of ,god4 7,rom #aa3ag7 ,but these things1 as ,i have often said1 the poor ,pharisee was ignorant of1 when so swaggeringly he1 with his1 ,god ,i thank thee1 came into the temple to pray and indeed1 in that which hath here been said1 is something of the mystery of ,god's will in his way with his elect2 and such a mystery it is1 that it lieth hid for ever to nature and natural men2 for they think of nothing less than of this1 nor of nothing more1 when they think of their souls and of salvation1 than that something must be done by themselves to reconcile them to ,god4 ,yea1 if through some common convictions their understandings should be swayed to a consenting to that1 that justification is of grace by ,christ1 and not of works by men2 yet conscience1 reason1 and the law of nature1 not being as yet subdued by the power and glory of grace unto the obedience of ,christ1 will rise up in rebellion against this doctrine1 and will overrule and bow down the soul again to the law and works thereof for life4 #d4 ,righteousness by imputation must be first1 because1 else faith1 which is a part1 yea1 a great part1 of that which is called a principle of grace in the soul1 will have nothing to fix itself upon1 nor a motive to work by4 ,let this therefore be considered by those that are on the contrary side4 ,faith1 so soon as it has being in the soul1 is like the child that has being in the mother's lap1 it must have something to feed upon1 not something at a distance1 afar off1 or to be purchased1 ,i speak now as to justification from the curse1 but something by promise made over of grace to the soul2 something to feed upon to support from the fears of perishing by the curse for sin4 ,nor can it rest content with all duties and performances1 that other graces shall put the soul upon2 nor with any of its own works1 until it reaches and takes hold of the righteousness of ,christ4 ,faith is like the dove1 that found no rest any where in all the world until it returned to ,noah into the ark4 ,but this our ,pharisee understandeth not4 ,objection4 ,perhaps some may object1 ,that from this way of reasoning it is apparent1 that sanctification is first1 since the soul may have faith1 and so a principle of grace in it2 and yet1 as yet it cannot find ,christ to feed and to refresh the soul withal4 ,answ4 ,from this way of reasoning it is not at all apparent1 that sanctification1 or a principle of grace is in the soul before righteousness is imputed1 and the soul made perfectly righteous thereby4 ,and for the clearing up of this let me propose a few things4 7#a47 ,justifying righteousness1 to wit1 the obedience of that one man ,christ is imputed to the sinner to justify him in ,god's sight4 ,for his law calls for perfect righteousness1 and before that be come ,,to1 and put ,,upon the poor sinner1 ,god cannot bestow other spiritual blessings upon him2 because by the law he has pronounced him accursed2 by the which curse1 he is also so holden1 until a righteousness shall be found upon the sinner1 that the law1 and so divine justice can alike approve of1 and be contented with4 ,so then1 as to the justification of the sinner1 there must be a righteousness for ,god2 ,i say1 for the sinner1 and for ,god4 ,for the sinner to be clothed with1 and for ,god to look upon1 that he may1 for the sake thereof in a way of justice1 bless the sinner with forgiveness of sins3 ,for forgiveness of sins is the next thing that followeth upon the appearance of the sinner before ,god in the righteousness of ,christ4 7,rom #d3f1g7 ,now1 upon this forgiveness1 follows the second blessing4 ,christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law1 being made a curse for us4 ,and so1 consequently1 hath obtained for us the forgiveness of sins3 for he that is delivered from the curse1 hath received forgiveness of sins1 or rather is made partaker thereof2 now being made a partaker thereof1 the second blessing immediately follows3 to wit1 the blessing of ,abraham1 that is1 the promise of the spirit through faith 7,gal #c3ac1ad71 but this our ,pharisee understandeth not4 ,but now1 although it be of absolute necessity that imputed righteousness be first ,,to the soul2 that is1 that perfect righteousness be found upon the sinner first by ,god1 that he may bestow other blessings in a way of justice4 ,yet it is not of absolute necessity that the soul should see this first4 ,let ,god then put righteousness1 the righteousness of his ,son upon me2 and by virtue of that1 let the second blessing of ,god come in to me2 and by virtue of that1 let me be made to see myself a sinner1 and ,christ's righteousness1 and my need of it1 in the doctrine of it1 as it is revealed in the scriptures of truth4 ,let me then believe this doctrine to be true1 and be brought by my belief to repentance for my sins1 to hungering and thirsting vehemently after this righteousness2 for this is the kingdom of ,god and his righteousness4 ,yea1 let me pray1 and cry1 and sigh1 and groan day and night to the ,god of this righteousness1 that he will of grace make me a partaker3 ,and let me thus prostrate before my ,god1 all the time that in wisdom he shall think fit4 ,and in his own time he shall show me1 that ,i am a justified person1 a pardoned person1 a person in whom the ,spirit of ,god hath dwelt for some time1 though ,i knew it not4 ,so then justification before ,god is one thing2 and justification in mine own eyes is another3 not that these are two justifications1 but the same righteousness by which ,i stand justified before ,god1 may be seen of ,god1 when ,i am ignorant of it2 yea1 for the sake of it ,i may be received1 pardoned1 and accounted righteous of him1 and yet ,i may not understand it4 ,yea1 further1 he may proceed in the way of blessing1 to bless me with additional blessings1 and yet ,i be ignorant of it4 ,so that the question is not1 ,do ,i find that ,i am righteous8 ,but am ,i so8 ,doth ,god find me so1 when he seeth that the righteousness of his ,son is upon me1 being made over to me by an act of his grace8 ,for ,i am justified freely by his grace1 through the redemption which is in ,jesus ,christ1 whom ,god hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood1 to declare his righteousness for the redemption of sins that are past1 through the forbearance of ,god4 7,rom #c3be7 ,but this our ,pharisee understandeth not4 ,i am then made righteous first1 by the righteousness of another2 and because ,i am thus righteous1 ,god accepteth of my person as such1 and bestoweth upon me his grace2 the which1 at first1 for want of skill and experience in the word of righteousness1 ,i make use of but poorly1 and have need to be certified that ,i am made righteous1 and that ,i have eternal life 7,heb #e3ac71 not by faith first and immediately1 but by the written word1 which is called the word of faith2 which word declareth unto me1 to whom grace1 and so faith in the seed of it is given1 that ,i have eternal life2 and that ,i should with boldness1 in peace and joy1 believe on the ,son of ,god4 7,rom #ae3ac1 #a ,john #e3ac7 ,but1 ,again1 ,i1 in the first acts of my faith1 when ,i am come at ,christ1 do not accept of him1 because1 ,i know ,i am righteous1 either with imputed righteousness1 or with that which is inherent3 both these1 as to my present privilege in them1 may be hidden from mine eyes1 and ,i only put upon taking of encouragement to close with ,christ for life and righteousness1 as he is set forth to be a propitiation before mine eyes1 in the word of the truth of the gospel2 to which word ,i adhere as1 or because ,i find1 ,i want peace with ,god in my soul1 and because ,i am convinced1 that the means of peace is not to be found any where but in ,jesus ,christ4 ,now1 by my thus adhering to him1 ,i find stay for my soul1 and peace to my conscience1 because the word doth ascertain me1 that he that believeth on him hath remission of sins1 hath eternal life1 and shall be saved from the wrath to come4 ,but alas6 who knows the many straights1 and as ,i may say1 the stress of weather1 ,i mean the cold blasts of hell1 with which the poor soul is assaulted1 betwixt its receiving of grace1 and its sensible closing with ,jesus ,christ8 #bf ,none1 ,i daresay1 but ,,it and its ,,fellows4 ,the heart knoweth his own bitterness2 and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy4 7,prov #ad3aj7 ,no sooner doth ,satan perceive that ,god is doing with the soul1 in a way of grace and mercy1 but he endeavoureth what he may1 to make the renewing thereof bitter and wearisome work to the sinner4 ,o what mists1 what mountains1 what clouds1 what darkness1 what objections1 what false apprehensions of ,god1 of ,christ1 of grace1 of the word1 and of the soul's condition1 doth he now lay before it1 and haunt it with2 whereby he fighteth1 dejecteth1 casteth down1 daunteth1 distresseth1 and almost driveth it quite into despair4 ,now1 by the reason of these things1 faith1 and all the grace that is in the soul1 is hard put to it to come at the promise2 and by the promise to ,christ1 as it is said1 when the tempest and great danger of shipwreck lay upon the vessel in which ,paul was1 ,they had much work to come by the boat4 7,acts #bg3af7 ,for ,satan's design is1 if he cannot keep the soul from ,christ1 to make his coming to him1 and closing with him1 as hard1 difficult1 and troublesome1 as he by his devices can4 ,but faith1 true justifying faith1 is a grace1 that is not weary by all that ,satan can do2 but meditateth upon the word1 and taketh stomach1 and courage1 fighteth1 and crieth1 and by crying and fighting1 by help from heaven1 its way is made through all the oppositions that appear so mighty1 and draweth up at last to ,jesus ,christ1 into whose bosom it putteth the soul1 where1 for the time1 it sweetly resteth after its marvellous tossings to and fro4#bg ,and besides what hath been said1 let me yet illustrate this truth unto you by this familiar similitude4 ,suppose a man1 a traitor1 that by the law should die for his sin1 is yet such an one1 that the king hath exceeding kindness for2 may not the king pardon this man of his clemency2 yea1 order that his pardon should be drawn up and sealed1 and so in every sense be made sure2 and yet1 for the present1 keep all this close enough from the ears1 or the knowledge of the person therein concerned4 ,yea1 may not the king after all leave this person1 with others under the same transgression1 to sue for1 and obtain this pardon with great expense and difficulty1 with many tears and heart-achings1 with many fears1 and dubious cogitations4 ,why this is the case between ,god and the soul that he saveth2 he saveth him1 pardoneth him1 and secureth him from the curse and death that to him is due for sin1 but yet doth not tell him so1 but ascends in his great suit unto ,god for it4 ,only this difference we must make in this between ,god and the potentates of this world3 ,god cannot pardon before the sinner stands before him righteous by the righteousness of ,christ2 because he has in judgment1 and justice1 and righteousness threatened and concluded1 that he that wants righteousness shall die4 ,and ,i say again1 because this righteousness is ,god's1 and at ,god's disposal only2 it is ,god that must make a man righteous before he can forgive him his sins1 or bestow upon him of his secondary blessings2 to wit1 his ,spirit1 and the graces thereof4 ,and ,i say again1 it must be this righteousness2 for it can be no other1 that must justify a sinner from sin in the sight of ,god1 and from the sentence of his law4 ,but 7#b47 ,this is1 and must be the way of ,god with the sinner1 that faith may not only have an object to work upon1 but a motive to work by4 ,here1 as ,i said1 ,faith hath an object to work upon1 and that is the person of ,christ1 and that personal righteousness of his1 which he in the days of his flesh did finish to justify sinners withal4 ,this is1 ,i say1 the object of faith for justification1 whereunto the soul by it doth continually resort4 ,hence ,david said to ,christ1 ,be thou my strong habitation2 or as you have it in the margin1 ,be thou to me for a rock of habitation1 whereunto ,i may continually resort 7,psa #ga3c73 ,and two things he inserts by so saying4 ,the first is1 ,that the ,christian is a man under continual exercises1 sometimes one way1 and sometimes another2 but all his exercises have a tendency in them more or less to spoil him2 if he deals with them hand to hand2 therefore he is rather for flying than standing2 for flying to ,christ1 than for grappling with them in and by his own power4 ,the second is1 ,that ,christ is of ,god1 provided to be our shelter as to this very thing4 ,hence his name is said to be a strong tower1 and that the righteous run into it1 and are safe4 7,prov #ah3aj7 ,that also of ,david in the #efth psalm is very pregnant to this purpose2 ,mine enemies1 saith he1 would daily swallow me up1 for they be many that fight against me1 ,o thou most high4 ,and what then8 ,why1 what time ,i am afraid1 saith he1 ,i will trust in thee4 ,thus you see1 faith hath an object to work upon to carry the soul unto1 and to secure the soul in1 in times of difficulty1 and that they are almost continually1 and that object is ,jesus ,christ1 and his righteousness4 ,but1 ,again1 as faith hath an object to work upon1 so it hath a motive to work by2 and that is the love of ,god in giving of ,christ to the soul for righteousness4 ,nor is there any profession1 religion1 or duty and performance1 that is at all regarded1 where this faith1 which by such means can work1 is wanting4 ,for in ,jesus ,christ neither circumcision availeth any thing1 nor uncircumcision2 but faith which worketh by love4 7,gal #e3f7 ,so he saith not here1 but faith which acteth lovely1 or but faith whose fruit is love1 though true faith hath love for its offspring1 but faith which worketh ,,by love2 that is true saving justifying faith1 as it beholdeth the righteousness of ,christ1 as made over to the soul for justification1 so it beholdeth love1 love to be the cause of its so being made over4 ,it beholdeth love in the ,father1 in giving of his ,son2 and love in the ,son1 in giving of himself to be made soul-saving righteousness for me4 ,and this seeing1 it worketh or this apprehending1 it worketh by it2 that is1 it is stirred up to an holy boldness of venturing all eternal concerns upon ,christ1 and also to an holy endeared affecting love of him for his sweet and blessed redeeming love4 ,hence the apostle saith1 ,the love of ,christ constraineth us2 because we thus judge1 that if one died for all1 then were all dead3 ,and that he died for all1 that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves1 but unto him which died for them1 and rose again4 7#b ,cor #e3ad1ae7 ,thus then is the heart united in affection and love to the ,father and the ,son1 for the love that they have shewed to the poor sinner1 in their thus delivering him from the wrath to come4 ,nor doth this love of ,god cause that the faith of the poor man should work by ,,it to him alone1 no2 for by this love faith worketh1 in sweet passions and pangs of love1 to all that are thus reconciled1 as this sinner seeth he is4 ,the motive then1 whereby faith worketh1 both as to justification1 and sanctification1 the great motive to them1 ,i say1 is love1 the love of ,god1 and the love of ,christ3 ,we love him because he first loved us4 ,that is1 when our faith hath told us so2 for so are the words above1 ,we have known and believed the love that ,god hath to us4 ,and then1 ,we love him because he first loved us4 ,and then1 ,this commandment have we from him1 ,that he who loveth ,god1 love his brother also4 7#a ,john #d3af-ba7 ,but this our poor ,pharisee understandeth not4 ,but1 #e4 ,righteousness by imputation must be first1 to cut off boasting from the heart1 conceit1 and lips of men1 ,wherefore he saith as also was hinted before1 ,that we are justified freely by the grace of ,god1 not through1 or for the sake of an holy gospel principle in us2 but through the redemption that is in ,jesus ,christ1 c4 ,where is boasting then8 ,it is excluded4 ,by what law8 of works8 ,nay3 but by the law of faith4 7,rom #c3bd1bg7 ,and this is the law of faith that we are justified as afore is shewn4 ,nor can any man propound such an essential way to cut off boasting as this1 which is of ,god's providing3 for what has man here to boast of8 ,no righteousness1 nor yet of the application of it to his soul4 ,the righteousness is ,christ's1 not the sinner's4 ,the imputation is ,god's1 not the sinner's4 ,the cause of imputation is ,god's grace and love1 not the sinner's works of righteousness4 ,the time of ,god's imputing righteousness1 is when the sinner was a sinner1 wrapped up in ignorance1 and wallowing in his vanity2 not when he was good1 or when he was seeking of it2 for his inward gospel goodness is a fruit of the imputation of justifying righteousness1 as has been already shewed4 ,where is boasting then8 ,where is our ,pharisee then1 with his brags of not being as other men are8 ,it is excluded1 and he with it1 and the poor ,publican taken into favour1 that boasting might be cut off4 ,not of works1 lest any man should boast4 ,there is no trust to be put in men1 those that seem most humble1 and that to appearance1 are farthest off from pride1 it is natural to them to boast2 yea1 to boast now1 now they have no cause to boast4 ,for by grace are we saved through ,,faith1 and that not of ourselves1 it is the gift of ,god4 ,not of works1 lest any man should boast4 ,but if man is so prone to boast1 when yet there is no ground of boasting in him1 nor yet in what he doeth1 how would he have boasted1 had he been permitted by the ,god of heaven to have done something1 though that something had been but a very little something towards his justification4 ,but ,god has prevented boasting by doing as he has done4 7,eph #b3h1i7 ,nay1 the apostle addeth further1 lest any man should boast1 that as to good works1 we are ,god's workmanship1 created in ,christ ,jesus unto good works1 which ,god hath before ordained1 that we should walk in them4 7verse #aj7 ,can the tree boast1 because it is a sweeting tree1#bh since it was not the tree1 but ,god that made it such3 ,where is boasting then8 ,but of him are ye in ,christ ,jesus1 who of ,god is made unto us wisdom1 and righteousness1 and sanctification1 and redemption3 ,that according as it is written1 ,he that glorieth1 let him glory in the ,lord4 7#a ,cor #a3cj1ca7 ,where is boasting then8 ,where is our ,pharisee then1 with all his works of righteousness1 and with his boasts of being better than his neighbours8 ,objection4 ,it may be said1 ,if we should be justified for the sake of our inherent righteousness1 since that righteousness is the gift of ,god1 will it not follow that boasting is in the occasion thereof1 cut off4 ,ans4 ,no1 for although the principle of inherent righteousness be the gift of ,god1 yet it bringeth forth fruits by man1 and through man1 and so man having a hand therein1 though he should have never so little1 he has an occasion offered him to boast4 ,yea1 if a man should be justified before ,god by the grace1 or the working of the grace of faith in him1 he would have ground of occasion to boast1 because faith1 though it be the gift of ,god1 yet as it acteth in man1 takes man along with it in its so acting2 yea1 the acting of faith is as often attributed to the man by whom it is acted1 and oftener1 than to the grace itself4 ,how then can it be1 but that man must have a hand therein1 and so a ground therein1 or thereof to boast4 ,but now6 since justification from the curse of the law before ,god1 lieth only and wholly in ,god's imputing of ,christ's righteousness to a man1 and that too1 while the man to whom it is imputed1 is in himself wicked and ungodly1 there is no room left for boasting before ,god1 for that is the boasting intended2 but rather an occasion given to shame and confusion of face1 and to stop the mouth for ever1 since justification comes to him in a way so far above him1 so vastly without him1 his skill1 help1 or what else soever4 7,eze #af3fa-fc7 #f4 ,righteousness by imputation must be first1 that justification may not be of debt1 but of mercy and grace4 ,this is evident from reason3 ,it is meet that ,god should therefore justify us by a righteousness of his own1 not of his own prescribing1 for that he may do1 and yet the righteousness be ours2 but of his own providing1 that the righteousness may be his4 ,now to him that worketh1 is the reward not reckoned of grace1 but of debt4 7,rom #d3d7 ,if ,i work for justifying righteousness1 and that way get righteousness1 my justification is not of grace but of debt1 ,god giveth it not unto me1 for he oweth it unto me2 so then it is no longer his but mine3 ,mine not of grace1 but debt3 ,and if so then1 ,i thank him not for remission of sins1 nor for the kingdom of heaven1 nor for eternal life2 for if justifying righteousness is of debt1 then when ,i have it1 and what dependeth thereon1 ,i have but mine own1 that which ,god oweth to me4 ,nor will it help at all to say1 but ,i obtain it by ,god's grace in me1 because that doth not cut off my work1 nor prevent my having of an hand in my justifying righteousness4 ,suppose ,i give a man materials1 even all materials that are necessary to the completing of such or such a thing2 yet if he worketh1 though the materials be mine1 ,i am to him a debtor1 and he deserveth a reward4 ,thou sayest1 ,god has given thee his ,spirit1 his grace1 and all other things that are necessary for the working up of a complete righteousness4 ,well1 but is thy work required to the finishing of this righteousness8 ,if so1 this is not the righteousness that justifieth1 because it is such as has thy hand1 thy workmanship therein1 and so obtains a reward4 ,and observe it1 righteousness1 justifying righteousness1 consisteth not in a principle of righteousness1 but in works of righteousness2 that is1 in good duties1 in obedience1 in a walking in the law to the pleasing of the law1 and the content of the justice of ,god4 ,i suppose again1 that thou shalt conclude with me1 that justifying righteousness1 ,i mean that which justifies from the curse of the law1 resideth only in the obedience of the ,son of ,god2 and that the principle of grace that is in thee1 is none of that righteousness1 no1 not then when thou hast to the utmost walked with ,god according to thy gift and grace3 ,yet if thou concludest that this principle must be in thee1 and these works done by thee1 before this justifying righteousness is imputed to thee for justification1 thou layest in a caveat against justification by grace2 and also concludest1 that though thou art not justified by thy righteousness1 but by ,christ1 yet thou art justified by ,christ's righteousness1 for the sake of thine own1 and so makest justification to be still a debt4 ,but here the scripture doth also cut thee off3 ,not for thy righteousness1 or for the uprightness of thine heart dost thou go to possess their land2 which was but a type of heaven1 and if our righteousness cannot give us by its excellency a share in the type1 be sure1 that for it1 we shall never be sharers in the antitype itself4 ,understand therefore1 that the ,lord thy ,god giveth thee not this good land to possess it1 for thy righteousness2 for thou art a stiff-necked people4 7,deu #i3e1f7 ,gospel-performances therefore are not first2 that was first1 for the sake of which1 ,god did receive these people into favour with himself1 and that was a covenant righteousness2 and where could that covenant righteousness be found but in the prince1 mediator1 and high priest of the covenant8 ,for it was ,,he and ,,he only that was appointed of ,god1 nor could any but himself1 bring in everlasting righteousness4 7,dan #i3bd1be7 ,this is evident from these texts last mentioned2 it was not for their righteousness1 that they possessed the land4 ,again1 ,as it was not for their righteousness1 that they were made possessors of the land1 so it was not for the sake of their righteousness1 that they were made partakers of such a righteousness that did make them possess the land4 ,this is plain to reason2 for then inherent or inherent and personal righteousness1 when by us performed1 is of worth to obtain of ,god a justifying righteousness4 ,but if it be of worth to obtain a justifying righteousness1 then it seems1 it is more commodious to both parties than is justifying righteousness4 ,first1 it is more commodious to him that worketh it1 for by it he obtaineth everlasting righteousness2 and secondly1 it is more commodious unto him that receiveth it1 else why doth he for it give us a due debt1 and so put upon us the everlasting justifying righteousness4 ,perhaps it will be objected1 that ,god doth all this of grace2 but ,i answer1 that these are but fallacious words1 spake by the tongue of the crafty4 ,for we are not now discoursing of what rewards ,god can give to the operations of his own grace in us1 but whether he can in a way of justice1 or how he will1 bestow any spiritual blessings upon sinful creatures1 against whom1 for sin1 he has pronounced the curse of the law1 before he hath found them in a righteousness1 that is proved to be as good justice and righteousness1 as is the justice and righteousness of the law1 with which we have to do4 ,i assert he cannot1 because he cannot lie1 because he cannot deny himself3 ,for if he should first threaten the transgression of the law with death1 and yet afterwards receive the transgressor to grace1 without a plenary satisfaction1 what is this but to lie1 and to diminish his truth1 righteousness1 and faithfulness2 yea1 and also to overthrow the sanction and perfect holiness of his law4 ,his mercy therefore must act so towards this sinner1 that justice may be content1 and that can never be1 without a justifying righteousness4 ,now what this justifying righteousness should be1 and when imputed1 that is the question4 ,i say1 it is the righteousness or the obedience of the ,son of ,god in the flesh1 which he assumed1 and so his own1 and the righteousness of no body else1 otherwise than by imputation4 ,i say again1 that this righteousness must be imputed first1 that the sinner may stand just in ,god's sight from the curse1 and that ,god might deal with him both in a way of justice as well as mercy1 and yet do the sinner no harm4 ,but you may ask1 ,how did ,god deal with sinners before this righteousness was actually in being8 ,i answer1 ,he did then deal with sinners even as he dealeth with them now2 he justifieth them by it1 by virtue of the suretiship of him that was to bring it in4 ,christ became surety for us1 and by his suretiship laid himself under an obligation to bring in1 in time1 for those for whom he became a surety1 this everlasting and justifying righteousness1 and by virtue of this those of his elect that came into and went out of the world1 before he came to perform his work1 were saved through the forbearance of ,god4 ,wherefore1 before the ,lord came1 they were saved for the ,lord's sake1 and for the sake of his name4 ,and they that were spiritually wise understood it1 and pleaded it as their necessities required1 and the ,lord for ,,his sake also accepted them4 7,heb #g3bb1 ,rom #d3bd1 ,dan #i3ag1 ,psa #be3aa7 #g4 ,righteousness by imputation must be first3 that justification may be certain2 therefore it is of faith1 of the righteousness that faith layeth hold on that it might be by grace2 to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed4 7,rom #d3af7 ,that the promise1 ,what promise8 ,the promise of remission of sins1 c4 might be sure4 ,now a promise of remission of sins supposeth a righteousness1 a righteousness going before2 for there is no forgiveness of sins1 nor promise of forgiveness1 but for the sake of righteousness3 but not for the sake of righteousness that shall be by us1 but that ,,is already found in ,christ as head1 and so imputed to the elect for their remission4 ,god for ,christ's sake hath forgiven you4 7,eph #d3cb7 ,for ,christ's sake2 that is1 for the sake of the righteousness of ,christ4 ,therefore imputed righteousness must be first2 yea1 it must be before forgiveness1 and forgiveness is extended by ,god1 then when we lie in our blood1 though to us it is manifested afterwards4#bi ,therefore it is ,,of faith1 he saith not ,,by it1 respecting the act of faith2 but of1 respecting the doctrine or word which presenteth me with this blessed imputed righteousness3 ,they that are of faith1 are the children of faithful ,abraham4 ,they that are of the doctrine of faith1 for all the elect are the sons of that doctrine in which is this righteousness of ,christ contained2 yea1 they are begotten by it of ,god to this inheritance1 to their comfortable enjoyment of the comfort of it by faith4 ,that the promise might be sure to all the seed2 to all them wrapped up in the promise1 and so begotten and born4 ,that it might be sure1 implying that there is no certain way of salvation for the elect but this1 because ,god can never by other means reconcile us to himself2 for his heavenly eyes perceive through and through the silly cobweb righteousness that we work2 yea1 they spy faults and sins in the best of our gospel performances4 ,how then can ,god put any trust in such people1 or how can remission be extended to us for the sake of that8 ,yea1 our faith is faulty1 and also imperfect2 how then should remission be extended to us for the sake of that8 ,but now the righteousness of ,christ is perfect1 perpetual and stable as the great mountains1 wherefore he is called the rock of our salvation1 because a man may as soon tumble the mountains before him1 as one would tumble a little ball1 ,i say1 as soon as sin can make invalid the righteousness of ,christ1 when1 and unto whom1 ,god shall impute it for justice4 7,psa #cf3f7 ,in the margin it is said1 to be like the mountain of ,god2 to wit1 that is called ,mount ,zion1 or that ,moriah on which the temple was built1 and upon which it stood3 ,all other bottoms are fickle1 all other righteousnesses are so feeble1 short1 narrow1 and thin1 yea1 so specked and full of imperfections4 ,for what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh1 ,christ did for us in the similitude of sinful flesh4 ,but what could not the law do8 ,why it could not give us righteousness1 nor strengthen us to perform it4 ,it could not give us any certain1 solid1 well-grounded hope of remission of sin and salvation1 but the bringing in of a better hope did1 by the which we draw nigh unto ,god4 ,wherefore this righteousness being imputed1 justice findeth no fault therewith1 but consenteth to the extending to the sinner those blessings that tend to perfect his happiness in the heavens4 #h4 ,righteousness by imputation must be first1 that in all things he ,christ might have the pre-eminence4 ,christ is head of the church1 and therefore let him have the highest honour in the soul2 but how can he have that1 if any precede as to justification1 before his perfect righteousness be imputed8 ,if it be said1 grace may be in the soul1 though the soul doth not act it1 until the moment that justifying righteousness shall be imputed4 ,i ask1 ,what should it do there before1 or to what purpose is it there1 if it be not acted8 ,and gain1 how came it thither1 how got the soul possession of it1 while it was unjustified8 ,or1 ,how could ,god in justice give it to a person1 that by the law stood condemned1 before they were quitted from that condemnation8 ,and ,i say1 nothing can set the soul free from that curse1 but the perfect obedience of ,christ2 nor that either1 if it be not imputed for that end to the sinner by the grace of ,god4 ,imputed1 that is1 reckoned1 or accounted to him4 ,and why should it not be accounted to him for righteousness8 ,who did ,christ bring it into the world for1 for the righteous or for sinners8 no doubt for sinners4 ,and how must it be reckoned to them8 when in circumcision or in uncircumcision2 not in circumcision1 but in uncircumcision2 not as righteous1 but as sinners4 ,and how are they to consider of themselves1 even then when they first are apprehensive of their need of this righteousness8 ,are they to think1 that they are righteous or sinners4 ,and again1 ,how are they to believe concerning themselves1 then when they put forth the first act of faith towards this righteousness for justification8 ,are they to think1 that they are righteous or sinners8 ,sinners1 sinners doubtless they are to reckon themselves1 and as such to reckon themselves justified by this righteousness4 ,and this is according to the sentence of ,god1 as appeareth by such sayings4 ,for when we were yet without strength1 in due time ,christ died for the ungodly4 ,but ,god commended his love toward us1 in that1 while we were yet sinners1 ,christ died for us4 ,for if when we were enemies1 we were reconciled to ,god by the death of his ,son1 c4 7,rom #e3f1h1aj7 ,out of these words ,i gather these three things4 #a4 ,that ,christ by ,god's appointment died for us4 #b4 ,that by his death he reconciled us to ,god4 #c4 ,that even then1 when the very act of reconciliation was in performing1 and also when performed1 we were ungodly1 sinners1 enemies4 ,now the act by which we are said to be reconciled to ,god while ungodly1 while sinners1 and while enemies1 was ,christ's offering himself a sacrifice for us1 which is1 in the words above-mentioned1 called his death4 ,christ died1 ,christ died for the ungodly1 ,christ died for us while sinners4 ,christ reconciled us to ,god by his death4 ,and just as here ,christ is said to die for us1 so the ,father is said to impute righteousness to us2 to wit1 as we are without works1 as we are ungodly3 ,now to him that worketh not1 but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly1 his faith is counted for righteousness4 7,rom #d3e7 ,he worketh not1 but is ungodly1 when this gracious act of ,god1 in imputing of the righteousness of ,christ to him1 is extended1 the which when he shall believe1 his faith is counted to him for righteousness4 ,and why should we not have the benefit of the righteousness1 while we are ungodly1 since it was completed for us while we were yet ungodly8 ,yea1 we have the benefit of it3 ,for--when we were enemies1 we were reconciled to ,god by the death of his ,son4 7,rom #e3aj7 ,when ,i say1 the benefit1 ,i mean that benefit that we are capable of1 and that is justification before ,god2 for that a man may be capable of while he is in himself ungodly1 because this justice comes to him by the righteousness of another4 ,true1 was it to be his own righteousness by which he was to be justified1 he should not1 could not so be1 as or while he is ungodly4 ,but the righteousness is ,christ's1 and that imputed by ,god1 not as a reward for work1 or of debt1 but freely by his grace1 to the glory of it1 and therefore may be done1 and is so1 while the person concerned is without works1 ungodly1 and a sinner4 ,and he that denieth that we are capable of this benefit while we are sinners and ungodly1 may with like reason deny that we are created beings4 ,for that which is done for a man without him1 may be done for him1 not only at any time which they that do it shall appoint1 but for him while in any condition in this world4 ,while a man is a beggar1 may not ,i make him worth ten thousand a year1 if ,i can and will2 yea and yet he shall not know thereof in that moment that ,i make him so8 yet the revenue of that estate shall really be his from the moment that ,i make him so1 and he shall know it too at the rent-day4 ,this is the case1 we are sinners and ungodly2 there is a righteousness wrought out by ,jesus ,christ1 the which ,god hath designed we shall be made righteous by2 and by it1 if he will impute it to us1 we shall be righteous in his sight1 even then when we are yet ungodly in ourselves2 for he justifies the ungodly4 ,now though it is irregular and blame-worthy in man to justify the wicked1 because he cannot for the wicked provide1 and clothe him with a justifying righteousness2 yet it is glorious and for ever worthy of praise for ,god to do it2 because it is in his power not only to forgive1 but to make a man righteous1 even then when he is a sinner1 and to justify him1 as afore is proved1 while he is ungodly4 ,objection4 ,but it may be yet objected1 ,that though ,god has received satisfaction for sin1 and so sufficient terms of reconciliation by the obedience and death of his ,son1 yet he imputeth it not unto us but upon condition of our becoming good4 ,answ4 ,this must not be admitted3 ,for1 #a4 ,the scripture saith not so2 but that we are reconciled to ,god by the death of his ,son1 and justified too1 and that while1 or when we are sinners and ungodly4 #b4 ,if this objection carrieth the truth in it1 then it follows1 that the ,holy ,ghost1 faith1 and so all grace1 may be given to us1 and we may have it dwelling in us1 yea1 acting in us1 before we stand righteous in the judgment of the law before ,god2 for nothing can make us stand just before ,god in the judgment of the law1 but the obedience of the ,son of ,god without us4 ,and if the ,holy ,ghost1 faith and so consequently the habit of every grace1 may be in us1 acting in us1 before ,christ's righteousness be by ,god imputed to us1 then we are not justified as sinners and ungodly3 but as persons inherently holy and righteous before4 ,but ,i have over and over already shewed you1 that this cannot be1 therefore righteousness for justification must be imputed first4 ,and here let me present the reader with two or three things4 7#a47 ,that justification before ,god is one thing2 and justification to the understanding and conscience is another4 ,now1 ,i am treating of justification before ,god1 not of it as to man's understanding and conscience1 and ,i say1 a man may be justified before ,god1 even then when himself knoweth nothing thereof 7,isa #dj3b1 ,matt #i3b71 and so when and while he hath not faith about it1 but is ungodly4 7#b47 ,there is a justification by faith1 by faith's applying of that righteousness to the understanding and conscience1 which ,god hath afore of his grace imputed for righteousness to the soul for justification in his sight4 ,and this is that by which we1 as to sense and feeling1 have peace with ,god3 ,being justified by faith we have peace with ,god through our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 7,rom #e3a7 ,and these two the ,apostle keepeth distinct1 a little lower in this chapter3 for after that he had said in the tenth verse1 that while we were enemies we were reconciled to ,god by the death of his ,son3 ,he addeth1 ,and not only so1 but we also joy in ,god through our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 by whom we have now received the atonement4 7verse #aa7 ,here you see that to be reconciled to ,god by the death of his ,son1 is one thing2 and for us actually1 for that ,i think he aimeth at1 to receive by faith1 this reconciliation1 is another4 ,that is a thing over and above1 and not only so1 but we have received the atonement4 7#c47 ,men do not gather their justification from ,god's single act of imputing of righteousness1 that we might stand clear in his sight from the curse and judgment of the law2 but from the word1 the which they neither see nor understand1 till it is brought to their understanding by the light and glory of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,we are not therefore in the ministry of the word to pronounce any man justified1 from a supposition that ,god has imputed righteousness to him1 since that act is not known to us1 until the fruits that follow thereupon do break out before our eyes2 to wit1 the signs and effects of the ,holy ,ghost's indwelling in our souls4 ,and then we may conclude it2 that is1 that such a one stands just before ,god1 yet not for the sake of his inherent righteousness1 nor yet for the fruits thereof1 and so not for the sake of the act of faith1 but for the sake of ,jesus ,christ his doing and suffering for us4 ,nor will it avail to object1 ,that if at first we stand just before ,god by his imputing of ,christ's righteousness unto us1 though faith be not in us to act1 we may always stand justified so2 and so what need of faith8 ,for therefore are we justified1 first1 by the imputation of ,god1 as we are ungodly1 that thereby we might be made capable of receiving of the ,holy ,ghost1 and his graces in a way of righteousness and justice4 ,besides1 ,god will have those that he shall justify by his grace through the redemption that is in ,jesus ,christ1 to have the ,holy ,ghost1 and so faith1 that they may know and believe the things not only that shall be1 but that already ,,are1 freely given to us of ,god4 ,now1 says ,paul1 we have received1 not the spirit of the world1 but the spirit which is of ,god2 that we might know the things that are freely given to us of ,god4 7#a ,cor #b3ab7 ,to know1 that is1 to believe4 ,it is given to you to believe1 who believe according to the working of his mighty power1 and we have known and believed the love that ,god hath to us1 preceding to our believing4 7#a ,john #d3af7 ,he then that is justified by ,god's imputation1 shall believe by the power of the ,holy ,ghost2 for that must come1 and work faith1 and strengthen the soul to act it1 because imputed righteousness has gone before4 ,he then that believeth shall be saved2 for his believing is a sign1 not a cause1 of his being made righteous before ,god by imputation3 ,and he that believeth not shall be damned1 because his non-belief is a sign that he is not righteous1 and a cause that his sins abide upon him4 ,and thus much for the ,pharisee1 and for his information2 and now ,i come to that part of the text which remains1 which part in special respecteth the ,publican4 ,,the ,,publican',s ,,prayer4 ,and ,,the ,,publican1 ,,standing ,,afar ,,off1 ,,would ,,not ,,lift ,,up ,,so ,,much ,,as ,,his ,,eyes ,,unto ,,heaven1 ,,but ,,smote ,,upon ,,his ,,breast1 ,,saying1 ,,god ,,be ,,merciful ,,to ,,me ,a ,,sinner4 ,what this ,publican was1 ,i have shewed you1 both with respect to his nation1 office1 and disposition4 ,wherefore ,i shall not here trouble the reader as to that1 with a second rehearsal of these things2 we now therefore come to his repentance in the whole and in the parts of it2 concerning which ,i shall take notice of several things1 some more remote1 and some more near to the matter and life of it4 ,but first let us see how thwart and cross the ,pharisee and the ,publican did lie in the temple one to another1 while they both were presenting of their prayers to ,god4 ,first1 ,the ,pharisee he goes in boldly1 fears nothing1 but trusteth in himself that his state is good1 that ,god loves him1 and that there was no doubt to be made but of his good speed in this his religious enterprize4 ,but alas6 poor ,publican1 he sneaks1 he leers1 he is hardly able to crawl into the temple1 and when he comes there1 stands behind1 aloof off1 as one not worthy to approach the divine presence4 ,second1 ,the ,pharisee at his approach hath his mouth full of something1 yea of many fine things1 whereby he strokes himself over the head1 and in effect calls himself1 and that in his presence1 one of ,god's white boys1 that always kept close to his will1 abode with him2 or as the prodigal's brother said1 ,lo1 these many years do ,i serve thee1 neither transgressed ,i at any time thy commandment 7,luke #ae3bi72 ,but alas6 poor ,publican thy guilt1 as to these pleas1 stops thy mouth1 thou hast not one good thing to say of thyself1 not one rag of righteousness2 thy conversation tells thee so1 thy conscience tells thee so2 yea1 and if thou shouldest now attempt to set a good face on it1 and for thy credit say something after the ,pharisee in way of thine own commendations1 yet here is ,god on the one side1 the ,pharisee on the other1 together with thine own heart to give thee check1 to rebuke thee1 to condemn thee1 and to lay thee even with the ground for thy insolency4 ,third1 ,the ,pharisee in his approach to ,god1 wipes his fingers of the ,publican's enormities1 will not come nigh him1 lest he should defile him with his beastly rags3 ,i am not as other men are1--or even as this ,publican4 ,but the poor ,publican1 alas for him1 his fingers are not clean1 nor can he tell how to make them so2 besides1 he meekly and quietly puts up this reflection of the ,pharisee upon him1 and by silent behaviour1 justifies the severe sentence of that self-righteous man1 concluding with him1 that for his part1 he is wretched1 and miserable1 and poor1 and blind1 and naked1 and not worthy to come nigh1 or to stand by1 so good1 so virtuous1 so holy1 and so deserving a man as our spangling ,pharisee is4 ,fourth1 ,the ,pharisee1 as at feasts and synagogues1 chose the chief and first place for his person1 and for his prayer1 counting that the ,publican was not meet1 ought not to presume to let his stinking breath once come out of his polluted lips in the temple1 till he had made his holy prayer4 ,and poor ,publican1 how dost thou hear and put up this with all other affronts1 counting even as the ,pharisee counted of thee1 that thou wast but a dog in comparison of him1 and therefore not fit to go before1 but to come as in chains1 behind1 and forbear to present thy mournful and debrorous#cj supplication to the holy ,god1 till he had presented him with his1 in his own conceit1 brave1 gay1 and fine oration4 ,fifth1 ,the ,pharisee1 as he is numerous in his repeating of his good deeds1 so is stiff in standing to them1 bearing up himself1 that he hath now sufficient foundation on which to bear up his soul against all the attempts of the law1 the devil1 sin and hell4 ,but alas1 poor ,publican6 ,thou standest naked2 nay1 worse than naked2 for thou art clothed with filthy garments1 thy sins cover thy face with shame3 nor hast thou in1 from1 or of thyself1 any defence from1 or shelter against the attempts1 assaults1 and censures of thy ghostly enemies1 but art now in thine own eyes1 though in the temple1 cast forth into the open field stark naked1 to the loathing of thy person1 as in the day that thou was born1 and there ready to be devoured or torn in pieces for thy transgressions against thy ,god4 ,what wilt thou do ,publican6 ,what wilt thou do6 ,come1 let's see1 which way wilt thou begin to address thyself to ,god2 bethink thyself man1 has thou any thing to say1 speak out man1 the ,pharisee by this time has done1 and received his sentence4 ,make an ,o yes2#ca let all the world be silent2 yea1 let the angels of heaven come near and listen2 for the ,publican is come to have to do with ,god6 ,yea1 is come from the receipt of custom into the temple to pray to him4 ,and the ,publican1 standing afar off1 would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven1 but smote upon his breast1 saying1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,and is this thy way poor ,publican6 ,o cunning sinner6 ,o crafty ,publican6 thy wisdom has outdone the ,pharisee1 for it is better to apply ourselves to ,god's mercy1 than to trust to ourselves that we are righteous4 ,but that the ,publican did hit the mark1 yea1 get nearer unto1 and more into the heart of ,god and his ,son than did the ,pharisee1 the sequel of the matter will make manifest4 ,take notice then of this profound speech of the ,publican1 every word is heavier than the earth1 and has more argument in it1 than has ten thousand ,pharisaical prayers4 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,yea1 the ,son of ,god was so delighted with this prayer1 that for the sake of it1 he1 even as a limner1 draweth out the ,publican in his manner of standing1 behaviour1 gestures1 c4 while he makes this prayer to ,god3 ,wherefore we will take notice both of the one and of the other2 for surely his gestures put lustre unto his prayer and repentance4 ,,first1 ,his prayer you see is this1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,,second1 ,his gestures in his prayer were in general three4 ,first1 ,he stood afar off4 ,second1 ,he would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven4 ,third1 ,he smote upon his breast1 with his fist1 saying1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,,first1 ,to begin first with is prayer4 ,in his prayer we have two things to consider of4 ,first1 ,his confession3 ,i am a sinner4 ,second1 ,his imploring of help against this malady3 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,his ,confession4 ,first1 ,in his confession divers things are to be taken notice of4 ,as1 #a4 ,the fairness and simplicity of his confession3 ,a sinner3 ,i am a sinner2 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,this indeed he was1 and this indeed confesses2 and this1 ,i say1 he doth of godly simplicity4 ,for1 for a man to confess himself a sinner1 it is to speak all against himself that can be spoken4 ,and man1 as degenerate1 is too much an hypocrite1 and too much a self-flatterer1 thus to confess against himself1 unless made simple and honest about the thing through the power of conviction upon his heart4 ,and it is yet worth your noting1 that he doth not say he was1 or had been1 but that at that time his state was such1 to wit1 a sinner4 ,god be merciful to me a sinner1 or who am1 and now stand before thee a sinner1 or1 in my sins4 ,now a little to shew you what it is to be a sinner2 for every one that sinneth may not in a proper sense be called a sinner4 ,saints1 the sanctified in ,christ ,jesus1 do often sin1 but it is not proper to call them sinners3 ,but here the ,publican calls himself a sinner2 and therefore in effect1 calls himself an evil tree1 one that hath neither good nature1 nor that beareth good fruit3 one whose body and soul is polluted1 whose mind and conscience is defiled3 one who hath walked according to the course of this world1 and after the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience4 ,they having their minds at enmity with or against ,god1 and are taken captive by the devil at his will4 ,a sinner1 one whose trade hath been in and about sin1 and the works of ,satan all his days4 ,thus he waves all pleas1 and shews of pleas1 and stoops his neck immediately to the block4 ,though he was a base man1 yet he might have had pleas2 pleas1 ,i say1 as well as the ,pharisee1 though not so many1 yet as good4 ,he was of the stock of ,abraham1 a ,jew1 an ,israelite of the ,israelites1 and so a privileged man in the things and religion of the ,jews1 else what doth he do in the temple8 ,yea1 why did not the ,pharisee1 if he was a heathen1 lay that to his charge while he stood before ,god8 but the truth is1 he could not2 for the ,publican was a ,jew as well as the ,pharisee1 and consequently might1 had he been so disposed1 have pleaded that before ,god4 ,but that he would not1 he could not1 for his conscience was under convictions1 the awakenings of ,god were upon him2 wherefore his privileges melt away like grease1 and fly from him like the chaff of the summer threshing-floor1 which the wind taketh up and scattereth as the dust2 he therefore lets all privileges fall1 and pleads only that he is a sinner4 #b4 ,in this confession he judges and condemns himself3 ,for1 for a man to say1 ,i am a sinner1 is as much as to say1 ,i am contrary to the holiness of ,god1 a transgressor of his law1 and consequently an object of the curse1 and an heir of hell4 ,the ,publican therefore goeth very far in this his confession1 but this is not all2 for1 for a man to confess that he is a sinner1 is in the #c4 ,third place1 to confess1 that there is nothing in him1 done1 or can be done by him1 that should allure1 or prevail with ,god to do any thing for him4 ,for a sinner cannot do good2 no1 nor work up his heart unto one good thought3 no1 though he should have heaven itself1 if he could2 or was sure to burn in hell fire for ever and ever if he could not4 ,for sin1 where it is in possession and bears rule1 as it doth in every one that we may properly call a sinner1 there it hath the mastery of the man1 hath bound up his senses in cords and chains1 and made nothing so odious to the soul as are the things that be of the ,spirit of ,god4 ,wherefore it is said of such1 that they are enemies in their minds2 that the carnal mind is enmity to ,god1 and that wickedness proceedeth of the wicked2 and that the ,ethiopian may as well change his skin1 or the leopard his spots1 as they that are accustomed to do evil may learn to do well4 7,eph #b1 ,rom #h1 #a ,sam #bd3ac1 ,jer #ac3bc7 #d4 ,in this confession1 he implicitly acknowledgeth1 that sin is the worst of things1 forasmuch as it layeth the soul without the reach of all remedy that can be found under heaven4 ,nothing below1 or short of the mercy of ,god1 can deliver a poor soul from this fearful malady4 ,this the ,pharisee did not see4 ,doubtless he did conclude1 that at some time or other he had sinned2 but he never in all his life did arrive to a sight of what sin was3 ,his knowledge of it was but false and counterfeit1 as is manifest by his cure2 to wit1 his own righteousness4 ,for take this for a truth undeniable1 that he that thinks himself better before ,god1 because of his reformations1 never yet had the true knowledge of his sin3 ,but the poor ,publican he had it1 he had it in truth1 as is manifest1 because it drives him to the only sovereign remedy4 ,for indeed1 the right knowledge of sin1 in the guilt and filth1 and damning power thereof1 makes a man to understand1 that not any thing but grace and mercy by ,christ1 can secure him from the hellish ruins thereof4 ,suppose a man sick of an apoplexy unto death1 and should for his remedy make use only of those things that are good against the second ague1 would not this demonstrate that this man was not sensible of the nature and danger of this disease4 ,the same may be said of every sinner1 that shall make use only of those means to justify him before ,god1 that can hardly make him go for a good ,christian before judicious men4 ,but the poor ,publican1 he knew the nature of his disease1 the danger of his disease2 and knew also1 that nothing but mercy1 infinite mercy could cure him thereof4 #e4 ,this confession of the ,publican1 declareth that he himself was born up now1 by an almighty1 though invisible hand4 ,for sin1 when seen in its colours1 and when appearing in its monstrous shape and hue1 frighteth all mortals out of their wits1 away from ,god2 and if he stops them not1 also out of the world4 ,this is manifest by ,cain1 ,judas1 ,saul1 and others1 who could not stand up before ,god under the sense and appearance of their sin1 but fly before him1 one to one fruit of despair1 and one to another4 ,but now this ,publican1 though he apprehends his sin1 and that himself was one that was a sinner1 yet he beareth up1 cometh into the temple1 approaches the presence of an holy and sin-revenging ,god1 stands before him1 and confesses that he is that ugly man1 that man that sin had defiled1 and that had brought himself into the danger of damnation thereby4 ,this therefore was a mighty act of the ,publican4 ,he went against the voice of conscience1 against sense and feeling1 against the curse and condemning verdict of the law2 he went1 as ,i may say1 upon hot burning coals to one1 that to sin and sinners is nothing but consuming fire4 ,now then1 did the ,publican this of his own head1 or from his now mind8 ,no verily1 there was some supernatural power within that did secretly prompt him on1 and strengthen him to this most noble venture4 ,true1 there is nothing more common among wicked men1 than to tick and toy1 and play with this saying of the ,publican1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner2 not at all being sensible either what sin is1 or of their need of mercy4 ,and such sinners shall find their speed in the ,publican's prayer1 far otherwise than the ,publican sped himself2 it will happen unto them much as it happened unto the vagabond ,jews1 exorcists1 who took upon them to call over them that had evil spirits1 the name of the ,lord ,jesus2 that were beaten by that spirit and made fly out of that house naked and wounded4 7,acts #ai3ac-af7 ,poor sinner1 dead sinner1 thou wilt say the ,publican's prayer1 and make the ,publican's confession1 and say1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,but hold1 dost thou do it with the ,publican's heart1 sense1 dread and simplicity8 ,if not1 thou dost but abuse the ,publican and his prayer1 and thyself1 and his ,god2 and shalt find ,god rejecting of thee and thy prayers1 saying1 ,the ,publican ,i know1 his prayers1 and tears1 and godly tears ,i know2 but who or what art thou8 ,and will send thee away naked and wounded4 ,they are the hungry that he filleth with good things1 but the rich and the senseless1 he sendeth empty away4 ,for my part1 ,i find it one of the hardest things that ,i can put my soul upon1 even to come to ,god1 when warmly sensible that ,i am a sinner1 for a share in grace and mercy4 ,oh6 methinks it seems to me as if the whole face of the heavens were set against me4 ,yea1 the very thought of ,god strikes me through1 ,i cannot bear up1 ,i cannot stand before him1 ,i cannot but with a thousand tears say1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 7,ezra #i3ae7 ,at another time when my heart is more hard and stupid1 and when his terror doth not make me afraid1 then ,i can come before him and talk of my sins1 and ask mercy at his hand1 and scarce be sensible of sin or grace1 or that indeed ,i am before ,god3 ,but above all1 they are the rare times1 when ,i can go to ,god as the ,publican1 sensible of his glorious majesty1 sensible of my misery1 and bear up1 and affectionately cry1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,but again1 the ,publican by his confession1 showeth a piece of the highest wisdom that a mortal man can show2 because by so doing1 he engageth as well as imploreth the grace and mercy of ,god to save him4 ,you see by the text he imploreth it2 and now ,i will shew you that he engageth it1 and makes himself a sharer in it4 ,he that covereth his sins shall not prosper3 but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy4 7,prov #bh3ac7 ,and again1 ,if we confess our sins1 he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins1 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness4 7#a ,john #a3i7 ,he engageth it4 ,in the promise of pardon1 ,he shall find mercy2 he shall have his sins forgiven4 ,as also ,solomon prays1 that ,god will forgive them that know their own sore1 and they are indeed1 such as are sensible of the plague of their own heart4 7#b ,chron #f3bi1cj1 #a ,kings #h3cg1ch7 ,and the reason is1 because the sinner is now driven to the farthest point2 for confession is the farthest point1 and the utmost bound unto which ,god has appointed the ,publican to go1 with reference to his work4 ,as it is said of ,saul to ,david1 when he was about to give him ,micah his daughter to wife1 ,the king desireth not any dowry1 but an hundred foreskins of the ,philistines1 to be avenged of the king's enemies4 7#a ,same #ah3be7 ,so says ,god in this matter1 ,i desire no sacrifices1 nor legal righteousness to make thee acceptable to me1 only acknowledge and confess thine iniquity that thou hast transgressed against me4 7,jer #c3ab1ac7 ,and though this by some may be thought to be a very easy way to come at1 and partake of1 the mercy of ,god2 yet let the sensible sinner try it1 and he shall find it one of the hardest things in the world4 ,and there are two things1 to which man is prone1 that makes confession hard4 ,i4 ,there is a great incidency in us to be partial1 and not thorough and plain in our confessions4 ,we are apt to make half confessions2 to confess some1 and hide some2 or else to make feigned confessions1 flattering both ourselves1 and also ,god1 while we make confession unto him2 or else to confess sin as our own fancies apprehend1 and not as the word descries them4 ,these things we are very incident to3 ,men can confess little sins1 while they hide great ones4 ,men can feign themselves sorry for sin1 when they are not1 or else in their confessions forget to judge of sin by the word4 ,hence it is said1 ,they turned to ,god1 not with their whole heart1 but as it were feignedly4 ,they spake not aright1 saying1 what have ,i done8 ,they flatter him with their lips1 and lie unto him with their tongues1 and do their wickedness in the dark1 and sin against him with a high hand1 and then come to him and cover the altar with their tears4 ,these things therefore1 demonstrate the difficulty of sincere confession of sin2 and that to do it as it should1 is no such easy thing4 ,to right confession of sin1 several things must go4 ,as1 #a4 ,there must be found conviction for sin upon the spirit3 for before a man shall be convinced of the nature1 aggravation1 and evil of sin1 how shall he make godly confession of it8 ,now to convince the soul of sin1 the law must be set home upon the conscience by the ,spirit of ,god2 ,for by the law is the knowledge of sin4 7,rom #c3bj7 ,and again1 ,i had not known sin except the law had said1 ,thou shalt not covet4 7,rom #g3g7 ,this law1 now1 when it effectually ministereth conviction of sin to the conscience1 doth it by putting of life1 and strength1 and terror into sin4 ,by its working on the conscience1 it makes sin revive1 and the strength of sin is the law4 7#a ,cor #ae3ef7 ,it also increaseth and multiplieth sin1 both by the revelation of ,god's anger against the soul2 and also by mustering up1 and calling to view sins committed1 and forgotten time out of mind4 ,sin seen in the glass of the law is a terrible thing1 no man can behold it and live4 ,when the commandment came1 sin revived1 and ,i died2 when it came from ,god to my conscience1 as managed by an almighty arm1 then it slew me4 ,and now is the time to confess sin1 because now a soul knows what it is1 and sees what it is1 both in the nature and consequence of it4 #b4 ,to right confession of sin1 there must be sound knowledge of ,god1 especially as to his justice1 holiness1 righteousness1 and purity2 wherefore the ,publican here begins his confession by calling upon1 or by the acknowledgement of his majesty3 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,as if he should say1 ,god1 ,o ,god1 ,o great ,god1 ,o sin-revenging ,god1 ,i have sinned against thee1 ,i have broken thy law1 ,i have opposed thy holiness1 thy justice1 thy law1 and thy righteous will4 ,o consuming fire6 for our ,god is a consuming fire1 ,i have justly provoked thee to wrath1 and to take vengeance of me for my transgressions4 ,but1 alas6 how few1 that make confession of sin1 have right apprehension of ,god1 unto whom confession of sin doth belong6 ,alas1 'tis easy for men to entertain such apprehensions of ,god as shall please their own humours1 and as will admit them without dying1 to bear up under their sense of sin1 and that shall make their confession rather facile1 and fantastical1 than solid and heart-breaking4 ,the sight and knowledge of the great ,god is to the sinful man the most dreadful thing in the world2 and is that which makes confession of sin so rare and wonderful a thing4 ,most men confess their sins behind ,god's back1 but few to his face2 and you know there is ofttimes a vast difference in one thus doing among men4 #c4 ,to right confession of sin1 there must be a deep conviction of the certainty and terribleness of the day of judgment4 ,this ,john the ,baptist inserts1 where he insinuates1 that the ,pharisees' want of sense of1 and the true confession of sin1 was because they had not been warned1 or had not taken the alarm1 to flee from the wrath to come4 ,what dread1 terror1 or frightful apprehension can there be put into a revelation of sin1 where there is no sense of a day of judgment1 and of our giving there unto ,god an account for it4 7,matt #c3g1 ,luke #c3g7 ,i say therefore1 to right confession of sin there must be1 7#a47 ,a deep conviction of the certainty of the day of judgment2 namely1 that such a day is coming1 that such a day shall be4 ,this the apostle insinuates1 where he saith1 ,god commandeth all men every where to repent2 ,because he hath appointed a day1 in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained2 whereof he hath given assurance unto all men1 in that he hath raised him from the dead4 7,acts #ag3cj1ca7 ,this will give a sense of what the soul must expect at that day for sin1 and so will drive to an hearty acknowledgment of it1 and strong cries for deliverance from it4 ,for thus will the soul argue that expecteth the judgment day1 and that believes that he must count for all there4 ,o my heart6 ,it is in vain now to dissemble1 or to hide1 or to lessen transgressions2 for there is a judgment to come1 a day in which ,god will judge the secrets of men by his ,son1 and at that day he will bring to light the hidden things of darkness1 and will make manifest the counsel of the heart4 ,if it must be so then1 to what boot#cb will it be now to seek to dissemble1 or to lessen in this matter4 7#a ,cor #d3e7 ,this also is in the ,old ,testament urged as an argument to cause youth1 and persons of all sizes to recall themselves to sobriety1 and so to confession of their sin to ,god2 where the ,holy ,ghost saith ironically1 ,rejoice1 ,o young man1 in thy youth2 and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth1 and walk in the ways of thine heart1 and in the sight of thine eyes3 but know thou1 that for all these things ,god will bring thee into judgment4 7,eccl #aa3i7 ,so again1 ,god shall bring every work into judgment1 with every secret thing1 whether good1 or whether evil4 7,eccl #ab3ad7 ,the certainty of this1 ,i say1 must go to the producing of a sincere confession of sin1 and this is intimated by the ,publican1 who1 with his confession1 addeth a hearty crave for mercy1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,as if he should say1 if thou art not merciful to me1 by thy judgment when thou comest ,i shall be swallowed up2 without thy mercy ,i shall not stand1 but fall by the judgment which thou hast appointed4 7#b47 ,as there must be1 for the producing of sincere confession of sin1 a deep conviction of the certainty1 so there must also be of the terribleness of the day of judgment4 ,wherefore the apostle1 makes use of the first1 so of this to put men upon repentance1 an ingredient of which is sincere confession of sin4 ,for we must all appear before the judgment seat of ,christ2 that every one may receive the things done in his body1 according to that he hath done1 whether it be good or bad4 ,knowing therefore the terror of the ,lord1 we persuade men4 7#b ,cor #e3aj1aa7 ,the terror of the ,lord1 as we see here1 he makes use of that1 to persuade men to come by confession of sin1 and repentance1 to ,god for mercy4 ,and ,i am persuaded1 that it will be found a truth one day that one reason that this day doth so swarm with wanton professors1 is1 because they have not begun at sound conviction for1 nor gone to ,god at first with sincere confession of sin4 ,and one cause of that has been1 for that they did never seriously fall in with1 nor yet in heart sink under1 either the certainty or terribleness of the day of judgment4 ,o6 the terrors of the ,lord6 the amazing face that will be put upon all things before the tribunal of ,god4 ,yea1 the terror that will then be read in the face of ,god1 of ,christ1 of saints and angels1 against the ungodly2 whoso believes and understands it1 cannot live without confession of sin to ,god1 and coming to him for mercy4 ,mountains1 mountains fall upon us1 and cover us1 will then the cry of the ungodly be1 and hide us from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne1 and from the wrath of the ,lamb3 ,for the great day of his wrath is come1 and who shall be able to stand8 ,this terror is also signified where it is said1 and ,i saw a great white throne1 and him that sat on it1 from whose face the very earth and the heaven fled away1 and there was found no place for them4 ,and ,i saw the dead1 small and great1 stand before ,god2 and the books were opened3 and another book was opened1 which is the book of life3 and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books1 according to their works4 ,and the sea gave up the dead which were in it2 and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them3 and they were judged every man according to their works4 ,and death and hell were cast into the lake of fire4 ,this is the second death4 ,and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire4 7,rev #bj7 ,here is terror1 and this terror is revealed afore-hand in the word of the truth of ,god1 that sinners might hear and read and consider it1 and so come and confess1 and implore ,god's mercy4 ,the terror of the ,lord1 how will it appear1 when he shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels1 in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not ,god1 and that obey not the gospel of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 7#b ,thess #a3g-i7 ,the terror of the ,lord1 how will it appear1 when his wrath shall burn and flame out like an oven1 or a fiery furnace before him1 while the wicked stand in his sight4 7,matt #ac3ej7 ,the terror of the ,lord1 how will it appear1 while the angels at his commandment shall gather the wicked in bundles to burn them6 ,as--the tares are gathered and burned in the fire2 so shall it be in the end of this world4 ,the ,son of ,man shall send forth his angels1 and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend1 and them which do iniquity2 and shall cast them into a furnace of fire3 there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth4 7,matt #ac3dj-db7 ,who can conceive of this terror to its full with his mind8 ,wherefore much more unable are men to express it with tongue or pen2 yet the truly penitent and sin-confessing ,publican1 hath apprehension so far thereof1 by the word of the testimony1 that it driveth him to ,god1 with a confession of sin for an interest in ,god's mercy4 ,but1 #d4 ,to right and sincere confession of sin1 there must be a good conviction of a probability of mercy4 ,this also is intimated by the ,publican in his confession2 ,god saith he be merciful to me a sinner4 ,he had some glimmerings of mercy1 some conviction of a probability of mercy1 or that he might obtain mercy for his pardon1 if he went1 and with unfeigned lips did confess his sins to ,god4#cc ,despair of mercy1 shuts up the mouth1 makes the heart hard1 and drives a man away from ,god2 as is manifest in the case of ,adam and the fallen angels4 ,but the least intimation of mercy1 if the heart can but touch1 feel1 taste1 or have the least probability of it1 that will open the mouth1 tend to soften the heart1 and to make a very ,publican come up to ,god into the temple and say1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,there must then be this holy mixture of things in the heart of a truly confessing ,publican4 ,there must be sound sense of sin1 sound knowledge of ,god3 deep conviction of the certainty and terribleness of the day of judgment1 as also of the probability of obtaining mercy4 ,but to come to that which remains2 ,i told you that there were two things that did make unfeigned confession hard4 ,the first ,i have touched upon4 ,,ii4 ,and now the second follows3 ,and that is1 some private1 close leaning to some piece or parcel of goodness1 that a man shall conceit that he hath done before1 or is doing now1 or that he purposeth in his deceitful heart that he will do one of these days1 with which he hopes to prevail with ,god for the pardon of his sins4 ,this man to be sure knows not sin in the nature and evil of it1 only he has some false apprehensions about it4 ,for where the right knowledge of sin is in the heart1 that man sees so much evil in the least transgression1 as that it would1 even any one sin1 break the backs of all the angels of heaven1 should the great ,god but impute it to them4 ,and he that sees this is far enough off from thinking of doing to mitigate1 or assuage the rigour of the law1 or to make pardonable his own transgressions thereby4 ,but he that sees not this1 cannot confess his transgressions aright2 for the confession consisteth in the general1 in a man's taking to himself his transgressions1 and standing in them1 with the acknowledgement of them to be his1 and that he cannot stir from under them1 nor do any thing to make amends for them1 or to palliate the rigour of justice against the soul4 ,and this the ,publican did when he cried1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,he made his sins his own1 he took them to him1 he stood before in them1 accounting that he was surely undone for ever if ,god did not extend forgiveness unto him4 ,and this is to do as the prophet ,jeremy bids2 to wit1 only to acknowledge our iniquities1 to acknowledge them and to stand in them at the terrible bar of ,god's justice1 until mercy takes them out of the way2 not shifting our shoulders or conscience of them1 by doing1 or promising to do1 either this or that good work1 only acknowledge1 acknowledge only4 ,and the reason of this kind of confession is1 #a4 ,because this carrieth in it the true nature of confession1 to confess1 and to abide under the crimes confessed1 without shifts and evasions1 is the only real simple way of confessions4 ,i said ,i would confess my transgressions unto the ,lord2 and what then1 and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin4 7,psa #cb3e7 ,mark1 nothing comes in betwixt confession and forgiveness of sin1 nothing of works of righteousness1 nothing of legal amendments1 nothing but an outcry for mercy2 and that act is so far off from lessening the offence1 that it greatly heighteneth and aggravates it4 ,that is the first reason4 #b4 ,a second reason is1 because ,god doth expect that the penitent confessors should for the time that his wisdom shall think meet1 not only confess1 but bear their shame upon them2 yea1 saith ,god1 be thou confounded also and bear thy shame1 when ,god takes away thine iniquity1 thou shalt be confounded and never open thy mouth more because of thy shame4 7,eze #af3eb1fc7 ,we count it convenient that men1 when their crimes and transgressions are to be manifested1 that they be set in some open place1 with a paper1 wherein their transgressions are inserted1 pinned upon their back or their forehead1 that they may not only confess1 but bear their own shame4#cd ,and at the penitential confession of sinners1 ,god has something of this kind to do2 if not before men1 yet before angels1 that they may behold1 and be affected1 and rejoice when they shall see1 after the revelation of sin1 the sinner taken into the favour and abundant mercy of ,god4 7,luke #ae7 #c4 ,a third reason is1 ,for that ,god will in the forgiveness of sin1 magnify the riches of his mercy2 but this cannot be1 if ,god shall suffer1 or accept of such confession of sin1 as is yet intermixed with those things that will darken the heinousness of the offence1 and that will be darkened either by a partial1 feigned1 or overly confession3 or by a joining with the confession any of the sinners pretended good deeds4 ,that ,god in the salvation1 and so in the confession of the sinner1 designs the magnifying of his mercy1 is apparent enough from the whole current of scripture1 and that any of the things now mentioned will1 if suffered to be done1 darken and eclipse this thing1 is evident to reason itself4 ,suppose a man stand indicted for treason1 yet shall so order the matter1 that it shall ring in the country1 that his offences are but petty crimes2 though the king shall forgive this man1 much glory shall not thereby redound to the riches and greatness of his mercy4 ,but let all things lie naked1 let nothing lie hid or covered1 let sin be seen1 shewn1 and confessed1 as it is with and in the sinner himself1 and then there will be in his forgiveness a magnifying of mercy4 #d4 ,a fourth reason is1 for that else ,god cannot be justified in his sayings1 nor overcome when he is judged4 7,psa #ea1 ,rom #c7 ,god's word hath told us what sin is1 both as to its nature and evil effects4 ,god's word hath told us1 that the best of our righteousnesses are not better than filthy rags4 ,god's word has also told us1 that sin is forgiven us freely by grace1 and to for the sake of our amendments3 and all this ,god will have shewn1 not only in the acts of his mercy towards1 but even in the humiliations and confessions of the penitent3 ,for ,god will have his mercy begin to be displayed even there where the sinner hath taken his first step toward him3 ,that as sin hath reigned unto death1 even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 7,rom #e3ba7 #e4 ,a fifth reason is1 because ,god would have by the ,publican's conversion1 others affected with the displays and discoveries of wonderful grace2 but to cloud and cover it with lessening of sin1 and the sinful righteousness of man1 is not the way to do this4 ,wherefore the sinner's confession must be such as is full1 nor must anything of his to lessen sin come in betwixt confession and mercy2 and this is the way to affect others who are as bad as ,publicans and sinners1 and to make them come in to ,god for mercy4 ,for what will such say when sin begins to appear to the conscience1 and when the law shall follow it with a voice of words1 each one like a clap of thunder8 ,i say1 what will such say when they shall read that the ,publican did only acknowledge his iniquity1 and found grace and favour at the hand of ,god8 ,but that ,god is infinitely merciful2 merciful indeed1 and that to those1 or to such1 as do in truth stand in need of mercy4 ,also that he sheweth mercy of his own good pleasure1 nothing moving him thereto but the bounty of his own goodness and the misery of his creature4 ,i say1 this is the way to make others be affected with mercy2 as he saith1 by the apostle ,paul1 ,but ,god1 who is rich in mercy1 for his great love wherewith he loved us1 even when we were dead in sins1 hath quickened us together with ,christ1 by grace ye are saved and hath raised us up together1 and made us sit together in heavenly places in ,christ ,jesus3 ,that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through ,christ ,jesus4 7,eph #b3d-g7 ,you may also see that3 #a ,timothy #a3ae1 #af4 #f4 ,another reason of this is1 because this is the way to heighten the comfort and consolation of the soul2 and that both here and hereafter4 ,what tendeth more to this1 than for sinners to see1 and with guilt and amazement to confess what sin is1 and so to have pardon extended from ,god to the sinner as such8 ,this fills the heart2 this ravishes the soul6 this puts a whole heaven of joy into every one of the thoughts of salvation from sin1 and deliverance from wrath to come4 ,and the ransomed of the ,lord shall return1 and come to ,zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads3 they shall obtain joy and gladness1 and sorrow and sighing shall flee away4 7,isa #ce3aj7 ,indeed the belief of this makes joy and gladness endless3 ,i say1 it will make it begin here1 and make that it shall never have consummation in heaven4 #g4 ,besides1 it layeth upon the soul the greatest obligations to holiness2 what like the apprehension of free forgiveness1 and that apprehension must come in through a sight of the greatness of sin1 and of my inability to do anything towards satisfaction1 to engage the heart of a rebel and traitor to love his prince1 and to submit to his laws4 ,when ,elisha had taken the ,syrians captives1 some were for using severities towards them2 but he said1 ,set bread and water before them1 that they may eat and drink1 and go to their master2 and they did so4 ,and what follows1 ,so the bands of ,syria came no more into the land of ,israel4 ,he conquered their malice with his compassion4 ,and it is the love of ,christ that constraineth to live to him4 7#b ,kings #f3bb1bc1 #b ,cor #e3ad7 ,many other things might possibly be urged1 but at present let these be sufficient4 ,his imploring of mercy4 ,second4 ,the second thing that we made mention of in the ,publican's prayer was1 an imploring of help against this malady2 ,,god ,,be ,,merciful ,,to ,,me ,a ,,sinner4 ,in which petition ,i shall take notice of several things4 ,i4 ,that a man's help against sins1 doth not so absolutely lie in his personal conquest1 as in the pardon of them4 ,i suppose a conquest1 though there can indeed by man be none1 so long as he liveth in this world2 ,i mean1 a complete conquest and annihilation of sin4 ,the ,publican1 and so every graciously awakened sinner1 is doubtless for the subduing of sin2 but yet he looketh that the chief help against it doth lie in the pardon of it4 ,suppose a man should stab his neighbour with his knife1 and afterwards burn his knife to nothing in the fire1 would this give him help against his murder8 ,no verily1 notwithstanding this1 his neck is obnoxious to the halter1 yea1 and his soul to hell fire4 ,but a pardon gives him absolute help3 ,it is ,god that justifies1 who shall condemn4 7,rom #h7 ,suppose a man should live many days in rebellion against ,god1 and after that leave off to live any longer so rebelliously1 would this help him against the guilt which he contracted before8 ,no verily1 without remission there is no help1 but the rebel is undone4 ,wherefore the first blessedness1 yea1 and that without which all other things cannot make one blessed1 it lies in pardon4 ,blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven1 whose sin is covered4 7,psa #cb3a7 ,blessed is the man to whom the ,lord will not impute sin4 7,rom #d3h7 ,suppose a man greatly sanctified and made holy2 ,i say1 suppose it2 yet if the sins1 before committed by him1 be not pardoned1 he cannot be a blessed man4 ,yet again1 ,suppose a man should be caught up to heaven1 not having his sins pardoned1 heaven itself cannot make him a blessed man4 ,i suppose these things1 not that they can be1 but to illustrate my matter4 ,there can be not blessedness upon any man who yet remaineth unforgiven4 ,you see therefore here1 that there was much of the wisdom of the ,holy ,ghost in this prayer of the ,publican4 ,he was directed the right1 the only1 the next#ce way to shelter1 where blessedness begins even to mercy for the pardon of his sins4 ,alas6 ,what would it advantage a traitor to be taken up into the king's coach1 to be clothed with the king's royal robe1 to have put upon his finger the king's gold ring1 and to be made to wear1 for the present1 a chain of gold about his neck1 if after all this the king should say unto him1 but ,i will not pardon thy rebellion2 thou shalt die for thy treason8 ,pardon then1 to him that loves life1 is chiefest1 is better1 and more to be preferred and sought after1 than all other things2 yea1 it is the highest point of wisdom in any sinner to seek after that first4 ,this therefore confuteth the blindness of some1 and the hypocrisy of others4 ,some are so silly1 and so blind1 as quite to forget and look over the pardon of sin1 and to lay their happiness in some external amendments2 when alas poor wretches1 as they are1 they abide still under the wrath of ,god4 ,or if they be not quite so foolish as utterly to forget the forgiveness of sin1 yet they think of it1 but in the second place2 they are for setting of sanctification before justification1 and so seek to confound the order of ,god2 and that which is worse unto them1 they by so doing1 do what they can to keep themselves indeed from being sharers in that great blessing of forgiveness of sins by grace4 ,but the ,publican here was guided by the wisdom of heaven3 ,he comes into the temple1 he confesseth himself a sinner1 and forthwith1 without any delay1 before he removeth his foot from where he stands1 craveth help of pardon2 for he knew that all other things1 if yet he remained as involved in guilt1 would not help him against that damnation that belonged to a vile and unforgiven sinner4 ,this also confuteth the hypocrites1 such as is our ,pharisee here in the text1 that glory in nothing more1 or so much1 as that they are not as other men1--unjust1 adulterers1 extortioners1 or even as this ,publican2 for these men have missed of the beginning of good which is the forgiveness of sin2 and if they have missed of the first1 of the beginning good1 they shall never1 as so standing1 receive the second1 or the third3 ,justification1 sanctification1 glorification1 they are the three things1 but the order of ,god must not be perverted4 ,justification must be first1 because that comes to man while he is ungodly and a sinner4 ,justification cannot be where ,god has not passed a pardon4 ,a pardon then is the first thing to be looked after by the sinner2 this the ,pharisee did not1 therefore he went down to his house unjustified2 he set the stumbling-block of his iniquity before his face when he went to enquire of the ,lord2 and as he neglected1 slighted1 scorned1 because he thought that he had no need of pardon2 therefore it was given to the poor1 needy1 and miserable ,publican1 and he went away with the blessing of it4 ,,publicans1 since this is so weighty a point1 let me exhort you that you do not forget this prayer of your wise and elder brother1 to wit1 the ,publican1 that went up into the temple to pray4 ,i say1 forget it not1 neither suffer any vain-glorious or self-conceited hypocrite to beat you with arguments1 or to allure you with their silly and deceitful tongues1 from this most wholesome doctrine4 ,remember that you are sinners1 equal to1 or as abominable as are the ,publicans1 wherefore do you1 as you have him for your pattern1 go to ,god1 and to him confess in all simple1 honest1 and self-abasing-wise your great1 numerous1 and abominable sins2 and be sure that in the very next place you forget not to ask for pardon1 saying1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,and remember that heaven itself cannot help you against1 nor keep you from1 the damnation and misery that comes by sin1 if 'twas possible you should go thither1 if you miss of pardon and forgiveness4 ,,ii4 ,as the ,publican imploreth help1 so withal he closely approveth1 notwithstanding1 of the sentence of the law that was gone out against him4 ,this is manifest1 for he saith to ,god1 be merciful to me2 and also in that he concludes himself a sinner4 ,i say1 he justifieth1 he approveth of the sentence of the law1 that was gone out against him1 and by which he now stood condemned in his own conscience before the tribunal of ,god's justice4 ,he saith not as the hypocrite1 ,because ,i am innocent1 surely his anger shall turn from me 7,jer #b3ce72 or ,what have we spoken so much against thee8 7,mal #c3ac7 ,no1 he is none of these murmurers or complainers1 but fairly falls before the law1 witnesses1 judge and jury1 and consenteth to the verdict1 sentence1 and testimony of each of them4 ,to illustrate this a little1 suppose a malefactor should be arraigned before a judge1 and that after the witnesses1 jury1 and judge1 have all condemned him to death for his fact1 the judge again should ask him what he can say for himself why sentence of death should not pass upon him8 ,now if he saith1 nothing1 but good1 my lord1 mercy2 he in sum confesseth the indictment1 justifieth the witnesses1 approveth of the verdict of the jury1 and consenteth to the judgment of the judge4 ,the ,publican therefore in crying mercy1 justifieth the sentence of the law that was gone out against his sins3 ,he wrangleth not with the law1 saying1 that was too severe1 though many men do thus1 saying1 ,god forbid1 for then woe be to us4 ,he wrangleth not with the witness1 which was his own conscience1 though some will buffet1 smite1 and stop its mouth1 or command it to be silent4 ,he wrangleth not with the jury1 which was the prophets and apostles1 though some men cannot abide to hear all that they say4 ,he wrangleth not with the judge1 nor sheweth himself irreverently before him1 but in all humble-wise1 with all manner of gestures that could bespeak him acquiescing with the sentence1 he flieth to mercy for relief4 ,nor is this alone the way of the ,publican2 but of other godly men before his time3 ,when ,david was condemned1 he justified the sentence and the judge1 out of whose mouth it proceeded1 and so fled for succour to the mercy of ,god4 7,psa #ea7 ,when ,shemaiah the prophet pronounced ,god's judgments against the princes of ,judah for their sin1 they said1 ,the ,lord is righteous4 7#b ,chron #ab3f7 ,when the church in the ,lamentations had reckoned up several of her grievous afflictions wherewith she had been chastised of her ,god1 she1 instead of complaining1 doth justify the ,lord1 and approve of the sentence that was passed upon her1 saying1 ,the ,lord is righteous2 for ,i have rebelled against his commandment4 7,lam #a3ah7 ,so ,daniel1 after he had enumerated the evils that befell the church in his day1 addeth1 ,therefore hath the ,lord--brought it upon us2 for the ,lord our ,god is righteous in all his works which he doeth3 for we obeyed not his voice4 7,dan #i3ad7 ,i know that all these do justify the judgment of ,god that was gone out against them1 as the ,publican did the sentence wherewith he was condemned4 ,and ,i say1 that unless a man doth come hither1 his confession and cry for mercy is not right1 and so according to the scripture1 reason1 and nature of things as they ought to be2 for he that has any other plea1 why doth he cry ,god1 ,mercy6 ,surely not because he concludes that what is done1 is done justly and righteously against him1 but because he is overruled by spite1 prejudice1 tyranny1 or the like4 ,but this is not the case with our ,publican4 ,he has transgressed a law that is holy1 just1 and good3 the witness that accuseth him of this1 is ,god and his conscience2 he is also cast by the verdict of holy men of ,god2 and all this he knows1 and implicitly confesses1 even in that he directs his prayer unto his judge for pardon4 ,and it is one of the excellentest sights in the world to see1 or understand a sinner thus honestly receiving the sentence of the law that is gone out against him2 to see and hear a ,publican thus to justify ,god4#cf ,and this ,god will have done for these reasons4 #a4 ,that it might be conspicuous to all that the ,publican has need of mercy4 ,this is for the glory of the justice of ,god1 because it vindicates it in its goings out against the ,publican4 ,god loveth to do things in justice and righteousness1 when he goeth out against men1 though it be but such a going out against them as only tendeth to their conviction and conversions4 ,when he dealt with our father ,abraham in this matter1 he called him to his foot1 as here he doth the ,publican4 ,and sinner1 if ever ,god counts thee worthy to inherit the throne of glory1 he will bring thee hither4 ,but1 #b4 ,the ,publican1 by the power of conviction stoops to1 and falleth under the righteous sentence gone forth against him1 that it might be also manifest that what afterward he shall receive is of the mere grace and sovereign goodness of ,god4 ,and indeed there is no way that doth more naturally tend to make this manifest than this4 ,for thus2 there is a man proceeded against for life1 by the law1 and the sentence of death is in conclusion most justly and righteously passed upon him by the judge4 ,suppose now that after this1 this man lives1 and is exalted to honour1 enjoys great things1 and is put into place of trust and power1 and that by him that he has offended1 even by him that did pass the sentence upon him4 ,what will all say1 or what will they conclude1 even upon the very first hearing of this story8 ,will they not say1 well1 whoever he was that found himself wrapped up in this strange providence1 must thank the mercy of a gracious prince2 for all these things bespeak grace and favour4 ,but1 #c4 ,as the ,publican falleth willingly under the sentence1 and justifieth the passing of it upon him2 so by his flying to mercy for help1 he declareth to all that he cannot deliver himself3 ,he putteth help away from himself1 or saith1 it is not in me4 ,this1 ,i say1 is another thing included in this prayer1 and it is a thing distinct from that but now we have been speaking to4 ,for it is possible for a man to justify and fall under the sentence of the judge1 and yet retain that with himself that will certainly deliver him from that sentence when it has done its worst4 ,many have held up their hand1 and cried guilty at the bar1 and yet have fetched themselves off well enough for all that2 but then they have not pleaded mercy1 for he that doth so1 puts his life altogether into the hands of another1 but privilege or good deeds either done or to be done by them4 ,but the ,publican in the text puts all out of his own hand2 and in effect saith to that ,god before whom he went up into the temple to pray2 ,lord1 ,i stand here condemned at the bar of thy justice1 and that worthily1 for the sentence is good1 and hath in righteousness gone out against me2 nor can ,i deliver myself1 ,i heartily and freely confess ,i cannot2 wherefore ,i betake myself only to thy mercy1 and do pray thee to forgive the transgressions of me a sinner4 ,o how few be there of such kind of ,publicans6 ,i mean of ,publicans thus made sensible1 that come unto ,god for mercy4 ,mercy with most1 is rather a compliment1 ,i mean1 while they plead it with ,god1 than a matter of absolute necessity2 they have not awfully1 and in judgment and conscience fallen under the sentence1 nor put themselves out of all plea but the plea of mercy4 ,indeed1 thus to do1 is the effect of the proof of the vanity and emptiness of all experiments made use of before4 ,now there is a two-fold proof of experiments2 the one is1 the result of practice2 the other is1 the result of faith4 ,the woman with her bloody issue made her proof by practice1 when she had spent all that she had upon physicians and was nothing bettered1 but rather grew worse4 7,mark #e3bf7 ,but our ,publican here proves the emptiness and vanity of all other helps1 by one cast of faith upon the contents of the bible1 and by another look upon his present state of condemnation2 wherefore he presently1 without any more ado1 condemneth all other helps1 ways1 modes1 or means of deliverance1 and betakes himself only to the mercy of ,god1 saying1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,and herein he showeth wonderful wisdom4 ,for1 7#a47 ,by this1 ,he thrusts himself under the shelter and blessing of the promise3 and ,i am sure it is better and safer to do so1 than to rely upon the best of excellences that this world can afford4 7,hosea #ad3a-d7 7#b47 ,he takes the ready way to please ,god2 for ,god takes more delight in showing of mercy1 than in any thing that we can do4 7,hosea #f3f1 ,matt #i3ac1 #ab3g7 ,yea and that also is the man that pleaseth him1 even he that hopes in his mercy4 7,psa #adg3aa7 ,the ,publican therefore1 whatever the ,pharisee might think1 stood all this while upon sure ground1 and had by far the start of him for heaven4 ,alas6 his dull head could look no further than to the conceit of the pitiful beauty and splendour of his own stinking righteousness4#cg ,nor durst he leave that to trust wholly to the mercy of ,god2 but the ,publican comes out1 though in his sins1 yet like an awakened1 enlightened1 resolved man1 and first abases himself1 then gives ,god the glory of his justice1 and after that the glory of his mercy1 by saying1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner2 and thus in the ears of the angels he did ring the changes of heaven4 ,again1 7#c47 ,the ,publican1 in his thus putting himself upon mercy1 showeth1 that in his opinion there is more virtue in mercy to save1 than there is in the law and sin to condemn4 ,and although this is not counted a great matter to do1 while men are far from the law1 and while their conscience is asleep within them2 yet when the law comes near1 and conscience is awake1 who so tries it1 will find it a laboursome work4 ,cain could not do thus for his heart1 no1 nor ,saul2 nor ,judas1 neither4 ,this is another kind of thing than most men think it to be1 or shall find it1 whenever they shall behold ,god's angry face1 and when they shall hear the words of his law4 ,however our ,publican did it1 and ventured his body1 soul1 and future condition for ever in this bottom1 with other the saints and servants of ,god1 leaving of the world to swim over the sea of ,god's wrath if they will1 in their weak and simple vessels of bulrushes1 or to lean upon their cobweb-hold1 when he shall arise to the judgment that he hath appointed4 ,in the mean time pray ,god awaken us as he did the ,publican2 pray ,god enlighten us as he did the ,publican2 pray ,god grant us boldness to come to him as the ,publican did2 and also in that trembling spirit as he did1 when he cried in the temple before him1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,his ,gestures4 ,,third4 ,thus having in brief passed over his prayer1 we come in the next place to his gestures2 for in my judgment the right understanding of them will give us yet more conviction of the ,publican's sense and awakening of spirit under this present action of his4 ,and ,i have observed many a poor wretch that has readily had recourse to the ,publican's prayer1 that never knew what the ,publican's ,,gestures1 in the presence of ,god1 while in prayer before him1 did mean4 ,nor must any man be admitted to think1 that those gestures of his were in custom1 and a formality among the ,jews in those days2 for 'tis evident enough by the carriage of the ,pharisee1 that it was below them and their mode1 when they came into the temple1 or when they prayed any where else2 and they in those days were counted for the best of men1 and men too in religious matters they were to imitate and take their examples at the hands of the best1 not at the hands of the worst4 ,the ,publican's gestures then1 were properly his own1 caused by the guilt of sin1 and by that dread of the majesty of ,god that was upon his spirit4 ,and a comely posture it was1 else ,christ ,jesus1 the ,son of ,god1 would never have taken that particular notice thereof as he did1 nor have smiled upon it so much as to take it1 and distinctly repeat it as that which made his prayer the more weighty1 and the more also to be taken notice of4 ,yea1 in mine opinion1 the ,lord ,jesus has committed it to record1 for that he liked it1 and for that it shall pass for some kind of touchstone of prayer1 that is made in good sense of sin1 and of ,god1 and of need of his goodness and mercy4 ,for verily1 all these postures signify sense1 sight of a lost condition1 and a heart in good earnest for mercy4 ,i know that they may be counterfeited1 and ,christ ,jesus knows who doth so too2 but that will not hinder1 or make weak or invalid what hath already been spoken about it4 ,but to forbear to make a further prologue1 and to come to the handling of particulars4 ,and the ,publican1 standing afar off1 would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven1 but smote upon his breast4 ,three things1 as ,i told you already1 we may perceive in these words1 by which his ,publican posture1 or gestures are set forth4 ,first4 ,he stands afar off4 ,second4 ,he would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven4 ,third4 ,he smote upon his breast4 ,first4 ,for the first of these1 ,he stood afar off4 ,and the ,publican standing afar off4 ,this is1 ,i say1 the first thing1 the first posture of his with which we are acquainted1 and it informeth us of several things4 #a4 ,that he came not with senselessness of the majesty of ,god when he came to pray1 as the ,pharisee did1 and as sinners commonly do4 ,for this standing back1 or afar off1 declares that the majesty of ,god had an awful stroke upon his spirit3 ,he saw whither1 to whom1 and for what1 he was now approaching the temple4 ,it is said in that #bjth of ,exodus1 ,that when the people saw the thunderings and the lightnings1 and the noise of the trumpet1 and the mountain smoking1 and all these were signs of ,god's terrible presence1 and dreadful majesty1 they removed themselves1 and stood afar off4 7,exo #bj3ah7 ,this behaviour therefore of the ,publican did well become his present action1 especially since1 in his own eyes1 he was yet an unforgiven sinner4 ,alas6 ,what is ,god's majesty to a sinful man1 but a consuming fire8 ,and what is a sinful man in himself1 or in his approach to ,god1 but as stubble fully dry4 ,how then could the ,publican do otherwise than what he did1 than stand afar off1 if he either thought of ,god or himself4 ,indeed the people afore-named1 before they saw ,god in his terrible majesty1 could scarce be kept off from the mount with words and bounds1 as it is now the case of many3 ,their blindness gives them boldness2 their rudeness gives them confidence2 but when they shall see what the ,publican saw1 and felt1 and understood as he1 they will pray1 and stand afar off1 even as these people did4 ,they removed and stood afar off1 and then fell to praying of ,moses that this dreadful sight and sound might be taken from them4 ,and what if ,i should say1 he stood afar off for fear of a blow1 though he came for mercy1 as it is said of them1 ,they stood afar off for the fear of her torment4 7,rev #ah3aj7 ,i know what it is to go to ,god for mercy1 and what it is to stand all that while in my spirit through fear afar off1 being possessed with this1 will not ,god now smite me at once to the ground for my sins4 ,david thought something when he said as he prayed1 ,cast me not away from thy presence1 and take not thy ,holy ,spirit from me4 7,psa #ea3aa7 ,there is none knows1 but those that have them1 what turns and returns1 what coming on and going off1 there is in the spirit of a man that indeed is awakened1 and that stands awakened before the glorious ,majesty in prayer4#ch ,the prodigal also made his prayer to his ,father intentionally1 while he was yet a great way off4 ,and so did the lepers too2 ,and as he entered into a certain village1 there met him ten men that were lepers1 which stood ,,afar ,,off3 ,and they lift up their voices and said1 ,jesus1 ,master1 have mercy on us4 7,luke #ag3ab1ac7 ,see here1 it has been the custom of praying men to keep their distance1 and not to be rudely bold in rushing into the presence of the holy and heavenly majesty2 especially if they have been sensible of their own vileness and sins1 as the prodigal1 the lepers1 and our ,publican was4 ,yea1 ,peter himself1 when upon a time he perceived more than commonly he did of the majesty of ,jesus his ,lord1 what doth he do6 ,when ,simon ,peter saw it1 says the text1 he fell down at ,jesus' knees1 saying1 ,depart from me2 for ,i am a sinful man1 ,o ,lord4 7,luke #e3h7 ,oh6 when men see ,god and themselves1 it fills them with holy fear1 of the greatness of the majesty of ,god1 as well as with love to1 and desire after his mercy4 ,besides1 by his standing afar off1 it might be to intimate that he now had in mind1 and with great weight upon his conscience1 the infinite distance that was betwixt ,god1 and him4 ,men should know that1 and tremble in the thoughts of it1 when they are about to approach the omnipotent presence4 ,what is poor sorry man6 poor dust and ashes1 that he should crowd it up1 and go jostlingly in the presence of the great ,god8 especially since it is apparent1 that besides the disproportion that is betwixt ,god and him1 he is a filthy1 leprous1 polluted1 nasty1 stinking1 sinful bit of carrion4#ci ,esther1 when she went to supplicate the king her husband for her people1 made neither use of her beauty1 nor relation1 nor other privileges of which she might have had temptation to make use1 especially at such a time1 and in such exigencies1 as then did compass her about3 ,but ,i say1 she made not use of them to thrust herself into his presence1 but knew1 and kept her distance1 standing in the inward court of his palace1 until he held out the golden sceptre to her2 ,,then ,esther drew near1 and touched the top of the sceptre4 7,esth #e3b7 ,men also when they come into the presence of ,god1 should know their distance2 yea1 and shew that they know it too1 by such gestures and carriages1 and behaviors that are seemly4 ,a remarkable saying is that of ,solomon4 ,keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of ,god1 and be more ready to hear1 than to give the sacrifice of fools2 for they consider not that they do evil4 ,and as they should keep their foot1 so also he adds ,be not rash with thy mouth1 and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before ,god3 for ,god is in heaven1 and thou upon earth3 therefore let thy words be few4 7,eccl #e3a1b7 ,three things the ,holy ,ghost exhorteth to in this text4 ,the one is1 that we look to our feet1 and not be forward to crowd into ,god's presence4 ,another is1 ,that we should also look well to our tongues1 that they be not rash in uttering anything before ,god4 ,and the third is1 because of the infinite distance that is betwixt ,god and us1 which is intimated by those words1 ,for ,god is in heaven1 and thou upon earth4 ,the ,publican therefore shewed great wisdom1 holy shame1 and humility1 in this brave gesture of his1 namely1 in his standing afar off1 when he went up into the temple to pray4 ,but this is not all4 #b4 ,the ,publican1 in standing afar off1 left room for an advocate1 an high priest1 a day's-man to come betwixt1 to make peace between ,god and this poor creature4 ,moses1 the great mediator of the ,old ,testament1 was to go nigher to ,god than the rest of the leaders1 or of the people were4 7,exo #bj3ba7 ,yea1 the rest of the people were expressly commanded to worship1 standing afar off4 7#ai3ba7 ,no man of the sons of ,aaron that hath a blemish was to come nigh4 ,no man that hath a blemish of the seed of ,aaron the priest1 shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the ,lord made by fire3 ,he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his ,god4 7,lev #ba3ba7 ,the ,publican durst not be his own mediator1 he knew he had a blemish1 and was infirm1 and therefore he stands back2 for he knew that it was none of him that his ,god had chosen to come near unto him1 to offer the fat and the blood4 7,eze #dd3ac-ae7 ,the ,publican therefore was thus far right3 he took not up the room himself1 neither with his person1 nor his performances1 but stood back1 and gave place to the high priest that was to be intercessor4 ,we read1 that when ,zacharias went into the temple to burn incense1 as at that time his lot was1 ,the whole multitude of the people were praying without4 7,luke #a3i1aj7 ,they left him where he was1 near to ,god1 between ,god and them1 mediating of them2 for the offering of incense by the chief priest was a figurative making of intercession for the people1 and they maintained their distance4 ,it is a great matter in praying to ,god1 not to go too far1 nor come too short in that duty4 ,i mean in the duty of prayer1 and a man is very apt to do one or the other4 ,the ,pharisee went so far1 he was too bold1 he came into the temple making such a ruffle with his own excellences1 there was in his thoughts no need of a ,mediator4 ,he also went up so nigh to ,god1 that he took up the room and place of the ,mediator himself2 but this poor ,publican1 he knows his distance1 and kept it1 and leaves room for the ,high ,priest to come and intercede for him with ,god4 ,he stood afar off1 not too far off2 for that is the room and place of unbelievers1 and in this sense that saying is true1 ,for1 lo1 they that are far from thee shall perish 7,psa #gc3bg73 ,that is1 they whose unbelief hath set them in their hearts and affections more upon their idols1 and that have been made to cast ,god behind their backs1 to follow and go a whoring after them4 ,hitherto therefore it appears1 that though the ,pharisee had more righteousness than the ,publican1 yet the ,publican had more spiritual righteousness than the ,pharisee3 ,and that though the ,publican had a baser1 and more ugly outside than the ,pharisee1 yet the ,publican knew how to prevail with ,god for mercy better than he4 ,as for the ,publican's posture of standing in prayer1 it is excusable1 and that by the very father of the faithful himself3 ,for ,abraham stood praying when he made intercession for ,sodom4 7,gen #ah3bb1bc7 ,christ also alloweth it where he saith1 ,and when ye ,,stand ,,praying1 forgive1 if ye have ought against any3 that your ,father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses4 7,mark #aa3be7 ,indeed there is no stinted order prescribed for our thus or thus behaving of ourselves in prayer1 whether kneeling1 or standing1 or walking or lying1 or sitting2 for all these postures have been used by the godly4 ,paul ,,kneeled down and prayed4 7,acts #bj3cf7 ,abraham and the ,publican ,,stood and prayed4 ,david prayed as he ,,walked4 7#b ,sam #ae3cj1ca7 ,abraham prayed ,,lying upon his face4 7,gen #ag3ag1ah7 ,moses prayed ,,sitting4 7,exo #ag3ab7 ,and indeed prayer1 effectual fervent prayer1 may be1 and often is1 made unto ,god1 under all these circumstances of behaviour3 for ,god has not tied us to any of them2 and he that shall tie himself1 or his people1 to any one of these1 doth more than he hath warrant for from ,god2 and let such take care of innovating1 it is the next way to make men hypocrites and dissemblers in those duties1 in which they should be sincere4 ,true1 which of those soever a man shall chose to himself for the present1 to perform this solemn duty in1 it is required of him1 and ,god expects it1 that he should pray to him in truth1 and with desire1 affection1 and hunger1 after those things1 that with his tongue he maketh mention of before the throne of ,god4 ,and indeed without this1 all is nothing4 ,but alas6 how few be there in the world whose heart and mouth in prayer shall go together8 ,dost thou1 when thou askest for the spirit1 or faith1 or love to ,god1 to holiness1 to saints1 to the word1 and the like1 ask for them with love to them1 desire of them1 hungering after them8 ,oh6 this is a mighty thing6 and yet prayer is no more before ,god1 than as it is seasoned with these blesssed qualifications4 ,wherefore it is said1 that while men are praying1 ,god is searching of the heart1 to see what is the meaning of the spirit1 or whether there be the spirit and his meaning in all that the mouth hath uttered1 either by words1 sighs1 or groans2 because it is by him1 and through his help only that any make prayers according to the will of ,god4 7,rom #h3bf1bg7 ,whatever thy posture therefore shall be1 see that thy prayers be pertinent and fervent1 not mocking of thine own soul with words1 while thou wantest and art an utter stranger to the very vital and living spirit of prayer4 ,now our ,publican1 had1 and did exercises1 the very spirit of prayer in prayer4 ,he prayed sensibly1 seriously1 affectionately hungering1 thirsting1 and with longing after that1 for which with his mouth he implored the ,god of heaven3 ,his heart and soul were in his words1 and it was that which made his ,,prayer2 even because he prayed in ,,prayer2 he prayed inwardly1 as well as outwardly4 ,david tells us1 that ,god heard the ,,voice of his supplication1 the voice of his cry1 the voice of his tears1 and the voice of his roaring4 ,for indeed there are all these without this acceptable sound in them1 nor can any thing but sense1 and affection1 and fervent desire1 make them sound well in the ears of ,god4 ,tears1 supplications1 prayers1 cries1 may be all of them done in formality1 hypocrisy1 and from other causes1 and to other ends than that which is honest and right in ,god's sight3 ,for ,god as he had experience of1 would search and look after the ,,voice of his tears1 supplications1 roarings1 prayers1 and cries4 ,and if men had less care to please men1 and more to please ,god1 in the matter and manner of praying1 the world would be at a better pass than it is4 ,but this is not in man's power to help1 and to amen3 ,when the ,holy ,ghost comes upon men with greater conviction of their state and condition1 and of the use and excellency of the grace of sincerity and humility in prayer1 then1 and not till then1 will the grace of prayer be more prized1 and the spacious flouting1 complimentary lips of flatterers be more laid aside4 ,i have said it already1 and ,i will say it again1 that there is now-a-days a great deal of wickedness committed in the very duty of prayer2 by words1 of which men have no sense1#dj by reaching after such conclusions and clenches therein1 as may make their persons to be admired2 by studying for1 and labouring after such enlargements as the spirit accompanieth not the heart in4 ,o ,lord ,god1 ,o ,lord ,god1 make our hearts upright in us1 as in all points and parts of our profession1 so in this solemn appointment of ,god1 ,if ,i regard iniquity in my heart1 said ,david1 the ,lord will not hear me4 ,but if ,i be truly sincere he will1 and then it is no mater whether ,i kneel1 or stand1 or sit1 or lie1 or walk2 for ,i shall do none of these1 nor put up my prayers under any of these circumstances1 lightly foolishly1 and idly1 but to beautify this gesture with the inward working of my mind and spirit in prayer2 that whether ,i stand or sit1 walk or lie down1 glory and gravity1 humility and sincerity shall make my prayer profitable1 and my outward behaviour comely in his eyes1 with whom in prayer ,i now have to do4 ,and had not our ,publican been inwardly seasoned with these1 ,christ would have taken but little pleasure in his modes and outward behaviour3 but being so honest inwardly1 and in the matter of his prayer1 his gestures by that were made beauteous also2 and therefore it is that our ,lord so delightfully dilateth upon them1 and draweth them out at length before the eyes of others4 ,i have often observed1 that that which is natural1 and so comely in one1 looks odiously when imitated by another1 ,i speak as to gestures and actions in preaching and prayer4 ,many1 ,i doubt not1 but will imitate the ,publican1 and that both in the prayer and gestures of the ,publican1 whose persons and actions will yet stink full foully in the nostrils of him that is holy and just1 and that searcheth the heart and the reins4 ,well1 the ,publican ,,stood and prayed1 he stood afar off1 and prayed1 and his prayers came even to the ears and heart of ,god4 ,,and ,,the ,,publican ,,standing ,,afar ,,off1 ,,would ,,not ,,lift ,,up ,,so ,,much ,,as ,,his ,,eyes ,,unto ,,heaven4 ,second1 ,we are now come to another of his postures4 ,he would not1 says the text so much as lift up his eyes to heaven4 ,here therefore was another gesture added to that which went before2 and a gesture that a great while before had been condemned by the ,holy ,ghost himself4 ,is it such a fast that ,i have chosen8 ,a day for a man to afflict his soul8 ,is it to bow down his head as a bulrush4 7,isa #eh3e7 ,but why condemned then1 and smiled upon now8 ,why6 ,because done in hypocrisy then1 and in sincerity now4 ,hypocrisy and a spirit of error will so besmut ,god's ordinances1 that he shall take no pleasure in them3 but sincerity1 and honesty in duties1 will make even those circumstances that in themselves are indifferent1 at least comely in the sight of men4 ,may ,i not say before ,god8 the ,rechabites were not commanded of ,god1 but of their father1 to do as they did2 but1 because they were sincere in their obedience thereto1 even ,god himself maketh use of what they did to condemn the disobedience of the ,jews2 and moreover doth tell the ,rechabites1 at last1 that they should not want a man to stand before him for ever4 ,and ,jeremiah said unto the house of the ,rechabites1 ,thus saith the ,,lord of ,hosts1 the ,god of ,israel2 ,because ye have obeyed the commandment of ,jonadab your father1 and kept all his precepts1 and done according unto all that he hath commanded you2 therefore1 thus saith the ,,lord of ,hosts1 the ,god of ,israel2 ,jonadab the son of ,rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever4 7,jer #ce3ah1ai7 ,he would not life up his eyes to heaven4 ,why8 ,surely because shame had covered his face4 ,shame will make a man blush and hang his head like a bulrush4 ,shame for sin is a virtue1 a comely thing2 yea1 a beauty-spot in the face of a sinner that cometh to ,god for mercy4 ,god complains of the house of ,israel1 that they could sin1 and that without shame2 yea1 and threateneth them too with sore and repeated judgments1 because they were not ashamed1 it is in ,jeremiah #h3ab4 ,their crimes in general were1 they turned every one to his course1 as the horse runneth into the battle4 ,in particular1 they were such as rejected ,god's word1 they loved this world1 and set themselves against the prophet's crying peace1 peace1 peace1 when they cried judgment1 judgment3 ,were they ashamed when they had committed abomination3 nay1 they were not at all ashamed1 neither could they blush3 therefore shall they fall among them that fall3 in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down1 saith the ,lord4 ,oh6 to stand1 or sit1 or lie1 or kneel1 or walk before ,god in prayer1 with blushing cheeks for sin1 is one of the excellentest sights that can be seen in the world4 ,wherefore the church taketh some kind of heart to herself in that she could lie down in her shame2 yea1 and makes that a kind of an argument with ,god1 to prove that her prayers did come from her heart1 and also that he would hear them4 7,jer #c3be7 ,shame for sin argueth sense of sin1 yea1 a right sense of sin1 a godly sense of sin2 ,ephraim pleads this when under the hand of ,god3 ,i was1 saith he1 ashamed1 yea1 even confounded1 because ,i did bear the reproach of my youth4 ,but what follows8 ,is ,ephraim my dear son8 is he a pleasant child8 for since ,i spake against him1 ,i do earnestly remember him still3 therefore my bowels are troubled for him3 ,i will surely have mercy upon him1 saith the ,lord4 7,jer #ca3ai1bj7 ,i know that there is a shame that is not the spirit of an honest heart2 but that rather floweth from sudden surprisal1 when the sinner is unawares taken in the act1 in the very manner4 ,and thus sometimes the house of ,israel was taken1 and then when they blushed1 their shame is compared to the shame of a thief4 ,as the thief is ashamed when he is found1 so is the house of ,israel ashamed2 they1 their kings1 their princes and their priests1 and their prophets4 ,but where were they taken1 or about what were they found8 ,why they were found saying to a stock1 ,thou art my father2 and to a stone1 ,thou hast brought me forth4 7,jer #b3bf1bg7 ,god catched them thus doing1 and this made them ashamed1 even as the thief is ashamed when the owner doth catch him stealing of his horse4 ,but this was not the ,publican's shame2 this shame brings not a man into the temple to pray1 to stand willingly1 and to take shame before ,god in prayer4 ,this shame makes one rather to fly from his face1 and to count one's self most at ease when they get farthest off from ,god4 ,the ,publican's shame therefore1 which he demonstrateth that he had1 even by hanging down of his head1 was godly and holy1 and much like that of the prodigal1 when he said1 ,father1 ,i have sinned against heaven1 and in thy sight1 and am no more worthy to be called thy son4 7,luke #ae3ba7 ,i suppose that his postures were much the same with the ,publican's1 as were his prayers1 for the substance of them4 ,o however grace did work in both to the same end1 they were both of them1 after a godly manner ashamed of their sins4 ,he would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven4 ,it saith not he could not1 but he would not2 which yet more fully makes it appear that it was shame1 not guilt1 not guilt only or chiefly1 though it is manifest enough that he had guilt also by his crying1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,i say1 guilt was not the chief cause of hanging down his head1 because it saith1 he would not2 for when guilt is the cause of stooping1 it lieth not in the will1 or in the power thereof1 to help one up4 ,david tells us1 that when he was under guilt1 his iniquities were gone over his head3 ,as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me4 7,psa #ch3d7 ,and that with them he was bowed down greatly4 ,or1 as he says in another place1 ,mine iniquities have taken hold upon me1 so that ,i am not able to look up 7,psa #dj3ab72 ,i am not ,,able to do it2 guilt disableth the understanding and conscience1 shame makes all willingly fall and bare at the feet of ,christ4 ,he would not4 ,he knew what he was1 what he had been1 and should be1 if ,god had not mercy upon him3 ,yea1 he knew also that ,god knew what he was1 had been1 and would be1 if mercy prevented not2 wherefore thought he1 ,wherefore should ,i lift up the head8 ,i am no righteous man1 no godly man2 ,i have not served ,god1 but ,satan2 this ,i know1 this ,god knows1 this angels know1 wherefore ,i will not lift up the head4 ,it is as much as to say1 ,i will not be an hypocrite1 like the ,pharisee2 for lifting up of the head signifies innocency and harmlessness of life1 or good conscience1 and the testimony thereof1 under1 and in the midst of all accusations4 ,wherefore this was the counsel of ,zophar to ,job3 ,if thou prepare thine heart1 and stretch out thine hands towards him2 ,if iniquity be in thine hand1 put it far away1 and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles4 ,for then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot2 yea1 thou shalt be stedfast1 and shalt not fear4 7,job #aa3ac-ae7 ,this was not the ,publican's state1 he had lived in lewdness and villany all his days2 nor had he prepared his heart to seek the ,lord ,god of his fathers1 he had not cleansed his heart nor hands from violence1 nor done that which was lawful and right4 ,he only had been convinced of his evil ways1 and was come into the temple as he was1 all foul1 and in his filthy garments1 and amidst his pollutions2 how then could he be innocent1 holy or without spot8 ,and consequently how could he lift up his face unto ,god8 ,i remember what ,abner said to ,asahel1 ,turn thee aside1 from following me2 wherefore should ,i smite thee to the ground8 how then should ,i hold up my face to ,joab thy brother8 7#b ,sam #b3bb7 ,as if he had said1 if ,i kill thee1 ,i shall blush1 be ashamed1 and hang my head like a bulrush1 the next time ,i come into the company of thy brother4 ,this was the ,publican's case1 he was guilty1 he had sinned1 he had committed a trespass1 and now being come into the temple1 into the presence of that ,god whose laws he had broken1 and against whom he had sinned1 how could he lift up his head8 how could he bear the face to do it8 ,no1 it better became him to take his shame1 and to hang his head in token of guilt2 and indeed he did1 and did it to purpose too1 for he would not lift up1 no1 not so much as his eyes to heaven4 ,true1 some would have done it1 the ,pharisee did it2 though if he had considered1 that hypocrisy1 and leaning to his own righteousness had been sin1 he would have found as little cause to have done it1 as did the ,publican himself4 ,but1 ,i say1 he did it1 and sped thereafter2 he went down to his house as he came up into the temple1 a poor unjustified ,pharisee1 whose person and prayers were both rejected1 because1 like the whore of whom we read in the ,proverbs1 after he had practised all manner of hypocrisy1 he comes into the temple and wipes his mouth1 and saith1 ,i have done no wickedness4 7,prov #cj3bj7 ,he lifts up his head1 his face1 his eyes to heaven2 he struts1 he vaunts himself2 he swaggers1 he vapours1 and cries up himself1 saying1 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 that ,i am not as other men are4 ,true1 had he come and stood before a stock or a stone1 he might have said thus1 and not have been reprehended2 for such are gods that see not1 nor hear1 neither do they understand4 ,but to come before the true ,god1 the living ,god1 the ,god that fills heaven and earth by his presence1 and that knows the things that come into the mind of man1 even every one of them1 ,i say1 to come into his house1 to stand before him1 and thus to lift up his head and eyes in such hypocrisy before him3 this was abominable1 this was to tempt ,god1 and to prove him2 yea1 to challenge him to know what was in man if he could even as those did who said1 ,how doth ,god see know8 can he judge through the dark cloud8 7,job #bb3ac1 ,psa #gc3aa7 ,but the ,publican1 no the ,publican could not1 durst not1 would not do thus3 ,he would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven4 ,as who should say1 ,o ,lord1 ,i have been against thee1 a traitor and a rebel1 and like a traitor and rebel before thee will ,i stand4 ,i will bear my shame before thee in the presence of the holy angels2 yea1 ,i will prevent thy judging of me by judging myself in thy sight1 and will stand as condemned before thee1 before thou passest sentence upon me4 ,this is now for a sinner to go to the end of things4 ,for what is ,god's design in the work of conviction for sin1 and in his awakening of the conscience about it8 ,what is his end ,i say1 but to make the sinner sensible of what he hath done1 and that he might unfeignedly judge himself for the same4 ,now this our ,publican doth2 his will therefore is now subject to the word of ,god1 and he justifies him in all his ways and works towards him4 ,blessed be ,god for any experience of these things4 ,he would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven4 ,he knew by his deeds and deservings that he had no portion there2 nor would he divert his mind from the remembering1 and from being affected with the evil of his ways4 ,some men when they are under the guilt and conviction of their evil life1 will do what they can to look any ways1 and that on purpose to divert their minds1 and to call them off from thinking on what they have done2 and by their thus doing1 they bring many evils more upon their own souls3 for this is a kind of striving with ,god1 and a shewing a dislike to his ways4 ,would not you think1 if when you are shewing your son or your servant his faults1 if he should do what he could to divert and take off is mind from what you are saying1 that he striveth against you1 and sheweth dislike of your doings4 ,what else means the complaints of masters and of fathers in this matter8 ,i have a servant1 ,i have a son1 that doth contrary to my will4 ,o but why do you not chide them for it3 ,the answer is1 so ,i do2 but they do not regard my words2 they do what they can1 even while ,i am speaking1 to divert their minds from my words and counsels4 ,why1 all men will cry out this is base1 this is worthy of great rebuke2 such a son1 such a servant deserveth to be shut out of doors1 and so made to learn better breeding by want and hardship4 ,but the ,publican would not divert his mind from what at present ,god was about to make him sensible of1 no1 not by a look on the choicest object1 he would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven4 ,they are but bad scholars1 whose eyes1 when their master is teaching of them1 are wandering off of their books4 ,god saith unto men1 when he is a teaching them to know the evil of their ways1 as the angel said to the prophet1 when he came to shew him the pattern of the temple2 ,son of man1 says he1 behold with thine eyes1 and hear with thine ears1 and set thine heart upon all that ,i shall shew thee2 for to the intent that ,i might shew them unto thee1 art thou brought hither4 7,eze #dj3d7 ,so to the intent that ,god might shew to the ,publican the evil of his ways1 therefore was he brought under the power of convictions1 and the terrors of the law2 and he also like a good learner gave good heed unto that lesson that now he was learning of ,god2 for he would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven4 ,looking downwards doth ofttimes bespeak men very ponderous and deep in their cogitations2 also that the matter about which in their minds they are now concerned1 hath taken great hold of their spirits4 ,the ,publican hath now new things1 great things1 and long-lived things1 to concern himself about3 ,his sins1 the curse1 with death1 and hell1 began now to stare him in the face2 ,wherefore it was no time now to let his heart1 or his eyes1 or his cogitations wander1 but to be fixed1 and to be vehemently applying of himself as a sinner1 to the ,god of heaven for mercies4 ,few know the weight of sin1 and how1 when the guilt thereof takes hold of the conscience1 it commands homewards all the faculties of the soul4 ,no man can go out or off now4 ,now he is wind-bound1 or as ,paul says1 caught4 ,now he is made to possess bitter days1 bitter nights1 bitter hours1 bitter thoughts2 nor can he shift them1 for his sin is ever before him4 ,as ,david said1 ,for ,i acknowledge my transgressions3 and my sin is ever before me1 in mine eye1 and sticketh fast in every one of my thoughts4 7,psa #ea3c7 ,he would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven4 ,,third1 ,,but ,,smote ,,upon ,,his ,,breast4 ,this was the third and last of his gestures4 ,he smote upon his breast2 to wit1 with his hand1 or with his fist4 ,i read of several gestures with the hand and foot1 according to the working and passions of the mind4 ',tis said ,balak smote his hands together1 being angry because that ,balaam had blessed and not cursed for him the children of ,israel4 7,num #bd3aj7 ,god says also1 that he had smitten his hands together1 at the sins of the children of ,israel4 7,eze #bb3ac7 ,god also bids the prophet stamp with his feet1 and smite with his hand upon his thigh1 upon sundry occasions1 and at several enormities1 but the ,publican here is said to smite upon his breast4 7,chron #f3aa1 #ba3ab7 ,and1 #a4 ,smiting upon the breast betokeneth sorrow for something done1 this is an experiment common among men4 ,and indeed1 therefore as ,i take it1 doth our ,lord ,jesus put him under this gesture in the act and exercise of his repentance1 because it is that which doth most lively set it forth4 ,suppose a man comes to great damage for some folly that he has wrought1 and he be made sorrowful for being and doing such folly3 ,there is nothing more common than for such a man1 if he may1 to walk to and fro in the room where he is1 with head hung down1 fetching ever and anon a bitter sigh3 and smiting himself upon the breast in his dejected condition2 ,but smote upon his breast1 saying1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 #b4 ,smiting upon the breast is sometimes a token of indignation and abhorrence of something thought upon4 ,i read in ,luke1 that when ,christ was crucified1 those spectators that stood to behold the barbarous usage that he endured at the hands of his enemies1 smote their breasts and returned4 ,and all the people that came together to that sight1 beholding the things which were done1 smote their breasts1 and returned4 7,luke #bc3dh7 ,smote their breasts2 that is1 in token of indignation against1 and abhorrence of their cruelty1 that so grievously used the ,son of ,god4 ,here also we have our ,publican smiting upon his breast1 in token of indignation against1 and abhorrence of his former life4 ,and indeed without indignation against1 and abhorrence of his former life1 his repentance had not been good4 ,wherefore the apostle doth make indignation against sin1 and against ourselves for that1 one sign of true repentance 7#b ,cor #g3aa71 and his indignation against sin in general1 and against his former life in particular1 was manifested by his smiting upon the breast4 ,even as ,ephraim's smiting upon the thigh was a sign and token of his3 ,surely1 says he1 after that ,i was turned1 ,i repented2 and after that ,i was instructed1 ,i smote upon my thigh3 ,i was ashamed1 yea1 even confounded1 because ,i did bear the reproach of my youth4 7,jer #ca3ai7 ,man when he vehemently dislikes a thing1 is very apt to shew that dislike that to that thing he hath1 by this or another outward gesture3 as in putting the branch to the nose1#da in snuffing or snorting at it 7,eze #h3ag1 ,mal #a3ac72 or in deriding2 or1 as some say1 in blowing of their noses at it4 7,luke #af3ad7 ,but the ,publican here chooseth rather to use this most solemn posture2 for smiting upon the breast1 seems to imply a more serious1 solemn1 grave way or manner of dislike1 than any of those last mentioned do4 #c4 ,smiting upon the breast1 seems to intimate a quarrel with the heart for beguiling1 deluding1 flattering1 seducing1 and enticing of him to sin3 ,for as conviction for sin begets in man1 ,i mean if it be thorough1 a sense of the sore and plague of the heart4 ,so repentance1 if it be right1 begets in the man an outcry against the heart2 for as much as by that light1 by which repentance takes occasion1 the sinner is made to see1 that the heart is the fountain1 and well-spring of sin4 ,for from within1 out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts1 adulteries1--covetousness1 c4 7,mark #g3ba1bb7 ,and hence it is1 that commonly young converts do complain so of their hearts1 calling them wicked1 treacherous1 deceitful1 desperate ones4 ,indeed one difference between true and false repentance lieth in this4 ,the man that truly repents crieth out of his heart2 but the other1 as ,eve1 upon the serpent1 or something else4 ,and that the ,publican perceived his heart to be naught ,i conclude1 by his smiting upon his breast4 #d4 ,smiting upon the breast1 seems to intimate one apprehensive of some new1 sudden1 strange and amazing thing3 ,as when a man sees some strange sight in the air1 or heareth some sudden or dismal sound in the clouds3 ,why1 as he is struck into a deep damp in his mind1 so 'tis a wonder if he can keep or hold back from smiting upon his breast4 ,now ofttimes a sight of ,god and sense of sin1 comes to the sinner like a flash of lightning1 not for short continuance1 but for suddenness1 and so for surprisal2 so that the sinner is struck1 taken and captivated to his own amazement1 with what so unexpectedly is come upon him4 ,it is said of ,paul at his conversion1 that when conviction of his bad life took fast hold of his conscience1 he trembled1 and was astonished4 7,acts #i3f7 ,and although we read not of any particular circumstance of his behaviour under his conviction outwardly1 yet it is almost impossibly but he must have some1 and those of the most solid sort4 ,for there is such a sympathy betwixt the soul and the body1 that the one cannot be in distress or comfort1 but the other must partake of1 and also signify the same4 ,if it be comfort1 then 'tis shewn2 ,if comfort of mind1 then by leaping1 skipping1 cheerfulness of the countenance1 or some other outward gesture4 ,if it be sorrow or heaviness of spirit1 then that is shewed by the body1 in weeping1 sighing1 groaning1 softly-going1 shaking of the head1 a lowering countenance1 stamping1 smiting upon the thigh or breast as here the ,publican did1 or somewhat4 ,we must not therefore look upon these outward actions or gestures of the ,publican1 to be empty insignificant things2 but to be such1 that in truth did express and shew the temper1 frame1 and present complexion of his soul4 ,for ,christ1 the wisdom of ,god1 hath mentioned them to that very end1 that in and by them1 might be held forth1 and that men might see1 as in a glass1 the very emblem of a converted1 and truly penitent sinner4 ,he smote upon his breast4 #e4 ,smiting upon the breast1 is sometimes to signify a mixture of distrust1 joined with hope4 ,and indeed in young converts1 hope and distrust1 or a degree of despair1 do work and answer one another1 as doth the noise of the balance of the watch in the pocket4 ,life and death1 life and death is always the motion of the mind then1 and this noise continues until faith is stronger grown1 and until the soul is better acquainted with the methods and ways of ,god with a sinner4 ,yea1 was but a carnal man in a convert's heart1 and could see1 he should discern these two1 to wit1 hope and fear1 to have a continual motion in the soul3 wrestling and opposing one another1 as doth light and darkness1 in striving for the victory4 ,and hence it is that you find such people so fickle and uncertain in their spirits2 ,now on the mount1 then in the valleys2 now in the sunshine1 then in the shade2 now warm1 then frozen2 now bonny and blithe1 then in a moment pensive and sad2 as thinking of a portion nowhere but in hell4 ,this will cause smiting on the breast2 nor can ,i imagine that the ,publican was as yet farther than thus far in the ,christian's progress1 since yet he was smiting upon his breast4 #f4 ,smiting upon the breast1 seems to intimate1 that the party so doing is very apprehensive of some great loss that he has sustained2 either by negligence1 carelessness1 foolishness1 or the like1 and this is the way in which men do lose their souls4 ,now to lose a thing1 a great thing1 the only choice thing that a man has1 negligently1 carelessly1 foolishly1 or the like1 why it puts aggravations into the thoughts of the loss that the man has sustained2 and aggravations in the thoughts of them go out of the soul1 and come in upon a sudden1 even as the bailiff1 or the king's sergeant at arms1 and at every appearance of them makes the soul start2 and starting1 it smites upon the breast4 ,i might multiply particulars2 but to be brief1 we have before us a sensible soul1 a sorrowful soul1 a penitent soul3 one that prays indeed1 that prays sensibly1 affectionately1 effectually4 ,one that sees his loss1 that fears and trembleth before ,god in consideration of it1 and one that knows no way1 but the right way1 to secure himself from perishing1 to wit1 by having humble and hearty recourse to the ,god of heaven for mercy4 ,i should now come to speak something by way of use and application2 but before ,i do that1 ,i will briefly draw up1 and present you with a few conclusions that in my judgment do naturally flow from the text1 therefore in this place ,i will read over the text again4 ,two men went up into the temple to pray2 the one a ,pharisee1 and the other a ,publican3 ,the ,pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself1 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 that ,i am not as other men are1 extortioners1 unjust1 adulterers1 or even as this ,publican3 ,i fast twice in the week1 ,i give tithes of all that ,i possess4 ,and the ,publican1 standing afar off1 would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven1 but smote upon is breast1 saying1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,from these words ,i gather these several conclusions1 with these inferences4 ,conclusion ,first1 ,it doth not always follow1 that they that pray do know ,god1 or love him1 or trust in him4 ,this conclusion is evident by the ,pharisee in the text2 he prayed1 but he knew not ,god1 he loved not ,god1 he trusted not in ,god2 that is1 he knew him not in his ,son1 nor so loved1 nor trusted in him4 ,he was1 though a praying man1 far off from this4 ,whence it may be inferred1 that those that pray not at all cannot be good1 cannot know1 love1 or trust in ,god4 ,for if the star1 though it shines1 is not the sun1 then surely a clod of dirt cannot be the sun4 ,why1 a praying man doth as far outstrip a non-praying man1 as a star outstrips a clod of earth4 ,a non-praying man lives like a beast1 nay worse1 and with reference to his station1 a more sottish life than he4 ,the ox knoweth his owner1 and the ass his master's crib3 but this man ,israel doth not know1 but this man my people doth not consider4 7,isa #a3c7 ,the prayerless man is therefore of no religion1 except he be an ,atheist1 or an ,epicurean4 ,therefore the non-praying man is numbered among the heathens1 and among those that know not ,god1 and is appointed and designed by the sentence of the word to the fearful wrath of ,god4 7,psa #gi3f1 ,jer #aj3be7 ,conclusion ,second1 ,a second conclusion is1 ,that the man that prays1 if in his prayer he pleads for acceptance1 either in whole or in part1 for his own good deeds1 is in a miserable state4 ,this also is gathered from the ,pharisee here1 he prayed1 but in his prayer he pleaded his own good deeds for acceptance1 that is1 of his person1 and therefore went down to his house unjustified4 ,now to be unjustified is the worst condition that a man can be in1 and he is in this condition that doth thus4 ,the conclusion is true1 forasmuch as the ,pharisee mentioned in the parable is not so spoken of1 for the only sake of that sect of men1 but to caution1 forewarn1 and bid all men take heed1 that they by doing as he1 procure not his rejection of ,god1 and be sent away from his presence unjustified4 ,i do therefore infer from hence1 that if he that pleadeth his own good doing for personal acceptance with ,god1 be thus miserable2 then he that teacheth men so to do1 is much more miserable4 ,we always conclude1 that a ring-leader in an evil way1 is more blame-worthy1 than those that are led of him4 ,this falls hard upon the leading ,socinians and others1 who teach1 that men's works make their person accepted of ,god4 ,true1 they say1 through ,christ2 but that is brought in as a blandation1#db merely to delude the simple with1 and is an horrible lie2 for we read not in all the word of ,god1 as to personal justification in the sight of ,god from the curse1 and that is the question under consideration1 that it must be by man's righteousness1 as made prevalent by ,christ's1 but contrariwise by his1 and his only1 without the deeds1 works1 or righteousness of the law which is our righteousness4 ,wherefore ,i say1 the teachers and leaders of this doctrine have the greater sin4 ,conclusion ,third1 ,a third conclusion is4 ,they that use high and flaunting language in prayer1 their simplicity and godly sincerity is to be questioned1 as to the doing of that duty sincerely4 ,this still flows from our text1 the ,pharisee greatly used this2 for higher and more flaunting language can hardly be found1 than in the ,pharisee's mouth2 nor will ascribing to ,god by the same mouth laud and praise1 help the business at all3 ,for to be sure1 where the effect is base and rotten1 the cause cannot be good4 ,the ,pharisee would hold himself in hand that he was not as other men1 and then gives thanks to ,god for this3 ,but the conclusion was most vilely false1 and therefore the praise for it could not but be foolish1 vain1 and frivolous4 ,whence ,i infer1 that if to use such language in prayer is dangerous1 then to affect the use thereof is yet more dangerous3 ,prayer must be made with humble hearts1 and sensible words1 and of that we have treated before1 wherefore high1 flaunting1 swelling words of vanity becomes not a sinner's mouth1 no1 not at any time1 much less when he comes to1 and presents himself before ,god in that solemn duty of prayer4 ,but1 ,i say1 there are some that so affect the ,pharisee's mode1 that they cannot be well if in some sort or other they be not in the practice of it2 not knowing what they say1 nor whereof they affirm2 but these are greatly addicted to hypocrisy1 and to desire of vain-glory1 especially if the sound of their words be within the reach of other men's ears4 ,conclusion ,fourth1 ,a fourth conclusion is1 that reformation and amendment1 though good1 with1 and before me1 are nothing as to justification with ,god4 ,this is manifest by the condition of our ,pharisee2 he was a reformed man1 a man beyond others for personal righteousness1 yet he went out of the temple from ,god unjustified1 his works1 came to nothing with ,god4 ,hence ,i infer1 that the man that hath nothing to commend him to ,god of his own1 yet stands as fair before ,god for justification1 and so acceptance1 as any other man in the world4 ,conclusion ,fifth1 ,a fifth conclusion is1 it is the sensible sinner1 the self-bemoaning sinner1 the self-judging sinner1 the self-abhorring sinner1 and the self-condemning sinner1 whose prayers prevail with ,god for mercy4 ,hence ,i infer1 that one reason why men make so many prayers1 and prevail no more with ,god1 is because their prayers are rather the floatings of ,pharisaical fancies1 than the fruits of sound sense of sin1 and sincere desire of enjoying ,god in mercy1 and in the fruits of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the use and application we must let alone till another time4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,the word merit was changed for mercy after the author's death4--,ed4 #b ,not he that commendeth himself is approved1 but whom the ,lord commendeth4 7#b ,cor #aj3ah7 #c ,carry the bell and wear the garland1 alluding to our old ,english races2 the winner being rewarded with a silver bell1 and crowned with a garland3 or to the morris dance1 in which the leader carried the garland and danced with bells fixed to his dress4--,ed4 #d ,the glorious revolution1 conducted by ,william1 ,prince of ,orange1 afterwards ,king ,william the #crd1 took place soon after ,bunyan's decease4 ,it was probably on this account that this paragraph was omitted from the edition of ,september1 #afhh1 and all the subsequent ones to the present time4 ,the popular opinion1 in those times1 was1 that ,dutchman and extortioner were nearly synonymous4 ,we trade wid de ,yankey1 we deal wid de ,scot4 ,and cheaten de tain and de teither3 ,we cheaten de ,jew1 aye and better dan dat1 ,we cheaten well ein aniether4 ,old ,song4 #e ,to pole1 to peel1 to take off the top and branches of a tree1 and then to peel off the bark2 terms used to designate violent oppressions under pretended legal authority4 ,which pols and pils the poor in piteous wise4 ,fairy ,queen4 ,pilling and polling is grown out of request1 since plain pilfering came into fashion4 ,winwood's ,memorials4 ,they had rather pill straws than read the scriptures4 ,dent's ,pathway4--,ed4 #f ,immediately after the calling of ,matthew and of ,james1 our ,lord sat at meat in ,levi's ,james' house1 and made that gracious declaration1 ,i am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance2 compare ,matthew #i3aj-ac1 with ,mark #b3ad-ag and ,luke #e3bg-cb4--;,ed4 #g ,nearly half this paragraph is omitted from every edition since #afhh1 probably from a fear lest it should be misinterpreted as reflecting upon the glorious revolution under ,william and ,mary4--,ed4 #h ,this proud beggar shews not his wounds but his worth2 not his rags1 but his robes2 not his misery1 but his stoutheartedness3 he brings in ,god ,almighty as a debtor to him for his services1 and thanks ,god more that others were bad1 than for his own fancied goodness4--,ryland4 #i ,the word criminal1 used by ,bunyan1 has been altered in modern editions to ceremonial2 but it was not only ceremonial but superstitious1 and therefore more criminal than moral4 #aj ,it is singular that our modern ,pharisees continue the custom of fasting twice a week1 on ,wednesday and ,friday4 ,this is not so monstrous as pretending to do what ,god manifest in the flesh alone could do--to fast for forty consecutive days4--,ed4 #aa ,god heareth the heart1 without the mouth2 but never heareth the mouth acceptably1 without the heart4 7#a ,sam #a3ac1ae7 ,puritan ,saying4 #ab ,to such poor deceived souls1 our ,lord's words are extremely applicable2 ,if therefore the light that is in thee be darkness1 how great is that darkness6 ,if poor blind sinners are1 through the ignorance of their minds1 fully persuaded that the destructive way in which they walk is the road to true happiness1 how dangerous is their error1 and how deplorable the consequences4--,ryland4 #ac ,what home-thrusts are here6 ,the two-edged sword of the ,spirit1 wielded by such a man1 pierces--divides--lays bare every refuge of lies to which poor souls vainly fly for succour4 ,it is a solemn and most important subject4 ,may every reader have grace given him to weigh his hopes of heaven in the balances of divine unerring truth4--,ed4 #ad ,those who plead for mercy1 as the reward of their own righteousness1 are guilty of gross absurdity4 ,they may claim to employ the mercy which they have earned3 why plead with the ,god of justice for that to which they consider themselves in justice entitled8 ,god will give to all that to which they are entitled1 without being sued for their earnings4--,ed4 #ae ,points and pantables2 quibbles and quirks4 ,with periods1 points1 and tropes1 he slurs his crimes2 ,he robb'd not1 but he borrowed from the poor4--,dryden4 ,pantable1 from pantoufle1 a slipper4 ,to stand upon his pantables1 was a contemptuous mode of speech1 to express a very dishonourable man's standing upon his honour1 which could so easily be slipped from under him4 ,what pride is equal to the pope's in making kings kiss his pantables4 ,sir ,e4 ,sandys4 ,he standeth upon his pantables1 and regardeth greatly his reputation4 ,saker's ,character of a ,fraudulent ,fellow4 ,bunyan was peculiarly happy in his use of popular and proverbial expressions4--,ed4 #af ,meddle nor make1 to interfere with matters that do not concern us4 ,i think it no sin1 to sleep in a whole skin1 ,so ,i neither meddle nor make4--,old ,play4 ,he that will meddle with all things1 may go shoe the goslings4 ,i'll neither meddle nor make1 said ,bill ,heaps1 when he spill'd the butter milk4 ,old ,proverbs4--,ed4 #ag ,the accurate knowledge of ,bunyan as to the meaning of law terms is very surprising1 and proves him to have been an apt scholar4 ,a caveat is a caution not to admit a will that may injure some other party4--,ed4 #ah ,in this country the introduction of earthenware plates has driven the less cleanly wooden plate1 called a trencher1 entirely out of use4--,ed4 #ai ,sin-sick souls alone seek the ,great ,physician1 and are the proper subjects of ,christ's healing power4 ,pride and unbelief bar the door of mercy and grace2 and if not subdued by the blood of the cross1 will ruin the soul4--,ryland4 #bj ,thou art besides the saddle4 ,i have no spur ,to prick the sides of my intent1 but only ,vaulting ambition2 which o'erleaps itself1 ,and falls on the other4--- ,macbeth4 ,a proud ecclesiastic requested one of his devotees to give him a leg on mounting his horse1 which he did so heartily as to throw him to the other side of the saddle1 and broke his neck4--,ed4 #ba ,for whosoever shall keep the whole law1 and yet offend in one point1 he is guilty of all 7,james #b3aj74 #bb ,when we had no righteousness of our own to cover us1 he put on us naked beggars that rich robe1 the righteousness of ,christ4 ,though black in ourselves1 we are comely in ,christ's comeliness2 but we never live upon his righteousness1 only as we see none in ourselves4--,ryland4 #bc ,sweeting1 an obsolete term for a sweet apple4--,ed4 #bd ,this whole paragraph is omitted from all editions subsequent to #afhh1 when the author died4 ,it is the practical illustration of his whole theory4 ,by their fruit ye shall know them2 the fruit does not make them what they are by nature and sin or by grace and righteousness4 ,the rebuke of the ,saviour1 ,matthew #ae3af1 falls heavily on the man who rejected this paragraph4--,ed4 #be ,abel possessed righteousness before his offering1 which influenced him to make this acceptable sacrifice4--,ed4 #bf ,then was ,i most distressed with blasphemies1 if ,i have been hearing the word1 then uncleanness1 blasphemies1 and despair would hold me as captive4 ,i blessed the condition of the dog and toad1 and counted their state far better than this sate of mine4--,grace ,abounding4 #bg ,many are the devices of ,satan to keep souls from ,christ4 ,the world and the flesh are his grand instruments of seduction1 while his temptations and snares drown them in despair4 ,their wisdom is to resist manfully by faith in the serpent-bruiser1 ,jesus4 ,he will consummate his victories by a glorious triumph over all the powers of hell and darkness4--,ryland4 #bh ,a sweeting tree1 a sweet apple1 and not a crab apple tree4--,ed4 #bi ,as the disobedience of the first ,adam is imputed to all his natural posterity1 and brings death upon all2 so the righteousness of the second ,adam is imputed to all his spiritual progeny1 to obtain life for them4 ,as the carnal ,adam1 lost original righteousness1 derives a corrupt nature to all his descendants2 so the spiritual ,adam1 by his obedience1 conveys a vital efficacy of grace to us4 ,the same ,spirit of holiness which anointed our ,redeemer doth quicken all his race1 that as they have borne the image of the earthly1 ,,they may henceforth bear the image of the heavenly ,adam4--,ryland4 #cj ,debrorous1 probably a misprint for dolorous1 sorrowful or dismal4 ,through many a dark and dreary vale ,they passed1 and many a region dolorous4--,milton4 #ca ,make an ,o yes1 alluding to the form of proclamation at sessions of the peace--,oyer1 the ,french for ,hear1 now corrupted to ,o yes4--,ed4 #cb ,boot1 profit or advantage4--,ed4 #cc ,the mercy of ,god has not only a quick eye to spy out a penitent1 but a swift foot to run and embrace him4 ,what infinite condescension6 ,god the ,father is said to run1 fall on the neck of1 and kiss the sinner1 whom he has by his ,spirit inclined to sue for mercy and peace1 which1 being obtained1 he will withhold from him no manner of thing that is good4--,ryland4 #cd ,the pillory1 to which allusion is here made1 was a cruel mode of punishment1 now out of date4 ,in earlier times1 the ears were nailed to the wood1 and after an hour's anguish were cut off1 and the nose and cheeks slit2 thus were treated ,leighton and other holy men4 ,in later days1 the victims were subjected to the brutality of a mob1 and sometimes excited by factious men4 ,tell us who 'tis upon the ridge stands there ,so full of fault1 and yet so void of fear2 ,and from the paper in his hat ,let all mankind be told for what4--,defoe4 #ce ,next1 nighest or nearest4 ,this sentence is highly poetical1 as much or more so as any in the writings of the most cultivated scholars4--,ed4 #cf ,a humbling view of our sinful selves is manifested to the soul by the ,word and ,spirit of ,god4 ,the gospel of ,jesus ,christ has all the properties of a great and true light2 it has a piercing power and penetrating virtue2 it enters the darkest recesses of the soul1 and detects the errors of men's judgment1 as well as discovers the enormities of their lives4--,ryland4 #cg ,this sentence is peculiarly striking1 and is very illustrative of ,bunyan's homely1 cutting1 faithful phraseology4--,ed4 #ch ,the newly awakened soul1 beholding itself in the glass of the law1 is shocked at its own deformity4 ,sin is truly odious1 and an intolerable burthen4 ,so felt the royal penitent when he cried1 ,my flesh trembleth for fear of thee2 and ,i am afraid of thy judgments4 ,god's indignation at sin must be felt on this side the grave1 in the conscience of the sinner1 if ever he hopes to escape the dreadful punishment of it in the world to come4 ,but blessed be ,god1 the blood of atonement is a sovereign balsam for sick and wounded souls1 and is abundantly efficacious for procuring pardon1 peace1 and reconciliation by the application of the eternal ,spirit4--,ryland4 #ci ,these humbling words1 being too rough for ears polite1 have been omitted from all the editions of this book published since the author's death1 except the fifth1 #agjb4--;,ed4 #dj ,a simple-hearted man1 at a prayer meeting1 used the words1 ,incline our hearts to cast our bread upon the waters1 that we may find it after many days4 ,upon leaving the prayer meeting1 while crossing a bridge1 a youth said to him1 ,if you were to throw a loaf into the river1 what good would it be even if you did find it after many days2 to which his elder replied1 ,oh1 it is a scripture expression1 though ,i do not know its meaning666 ,this happened to the editor forty-five years ago1 before ,sunday schools and the ,tract ,society had spread their flood of scriptural knowledge over the kingdom4--,ed4 #da ,this is variously interpreted1 but may it not mean an ancient mode of mocking1 now called taking a sight8--,ed4 #db ,blandation1 a piece of flattery4 ,they flattered the ,bishop of ,ely with this blandation4--,camden4 999999 ,a ,,defence ,,of ,,the ,,doctrine ,,of ,,justification1 ,,by ,,faith ,,in ,,jesus ,,christ2 ,,shewing1 ,,true ,,gospel-,,holiness ,,flows ,,from ,,thence2 ,,or1 ,,mr4 ,,fowler',s ,,pretended ,,design ,,of ,,christianity1 ,,proved ,,to ,,be ,,nothing ,,more ,,than ,,to ,,trample ,,under ,,foot ,,the ,,blood ,,of ,,the ,,son ,,of ,,god2 ,,and ,,the ,,idolizing ,,of ,,man',s ,,own ,,righteousness ,,as ,,also1 ,,how ,,while ,,he ,,pretends ,,to ,,be ,a ,,minister ,,of ,,the ,,church ,,of ,,england1 ,,he ,,overthroweth ,,the ,,wholesome ,,doctrine ,,contained ,,in ,,the #aj,,th1 #aa,,th1 ,,and #ac,,th1 ,,of ,,the ,,thirty-,,nine ,,articles ,,of ,,the ,,same1 ,,and ,,that ,,he ,,falleth ,,in ,,with ,,the ,,quaker ,,and ,,romanist1 ,,against ,,them4 ,,by ,,john ,,bunyan ',disallowed indeed of men1 but chosen of ,god1 and precious4'--#a ,peter #b3d ,printed for ,francis ,smith1 at the ,elephant and ,castle1 without ,temple ,bar1 #afgb4 ,,editor',s ,,advertisement4 ,this is one of the least known but most deeply interesting productions of ,john ,bunyan4 ,it has never been reprinted in a separate form2 and once only in any edition of his works--that with notes1 by ,mason and ,ryland1 and then with great carelessness1 the errata remaining uncorrected1 and one leaf being entirely omitted4 ,this treatise was published to counteract the pernicious errors in a very popular volume called ',the ,design of ,christianity1 by ,edward ,fowler1 minister of ,god's ,word at ,northill1 in ,bedfordshire4 ,printed by the authority of the ,bishop of ,london1 ,april #agth1 #afga'2 an octavo volume of #cjh pages4 ,the whole object proposed by ,mr4 ,fowler was to shew1 that ,christianity is intended merely to restore man to the original state which he enjoyed before the fall4 ,bunyan was at that time suffering his tedious imprisonment for conscience sake in ,bedford jail2 and having refused to expatriate himself1 was in daily fear lest his cruel sentence1 'you must stretch by the neck' for refusing to attend the church service1 should be carried into execution4 ,the fame of ,fowler's gross perversion of the design of ,christ's gospel reached ,bunyan in prison1 and its popularity grieved his spirit4 ,at length1 on the #acth of the #aath ,month 7,february71 a copy of the book was brought to him2 and in the almost incredible space of forty-two short days1 on the #bgth of the #abth ,month 7,march7 #afga-b1 he had fully analysed ',the ,design1' exposed the sophistry1 and scripturally answered the gross errors which abound in every page of this learned and subtle piece of casuistry4 ,the display of ,latin and ,greek quotations from the heathens and fathers1 those thunderbolts of scholastic warfare1 dwindled into mere pop-gun weapons before the sword of the ,spirit1 which puts all such rabble to utter rout4 ,never was the homely proverb of ,cobbler ,howe more fully exemplified1 than in this triumphant answer to the subtilities of a man deeply schooled in all human acquirements1 by an unlettered mechanic1 whose knowledge was drawn from one book1 the inspired volume3-- ',the ,spirit's teaching in a cobbler's shop1 ,doth ,oxford and ,cambridge o'ertop4' ,the ,babel building of the learned clergyman could not withstand the attack of one who was armed with such irresistible weapons4 ,his words burn 'like a fire1' and consume the wood1 hay and stubble2 while they fell with overpowering weight1 as 'a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces' 7,jer #bc3bi74 ,so cunningly was 'the design' constructed1 that nothing but the fire and hammer of ,god's word could have demolished it4 ,armed with such weapons1 he fearlessly from his dungeon made the attack2 and1 encouraged by the ,spirit which animated the prophet1 he was not 'dismayed at their faces1' but became as 'a defenced city1 and an iron pillar1 and brazen walls against the whole land' 7,jer #a3dh74 ,such internal and powerful support encouraged ,bunyan to use the greatest plainness of speech4 ,he as fully aware of his danger1 and of the great influence of ,mr4 ,fowler1 but he had counted the cost of plain honest dealing1 and was undaunted by the perils which surrounded him4 ,with noble bearing1 worthy the descendant of the apostles1 he declares1 ',as for your subtle and close incensing ,,the ,,power to persecute ,nonconformists1 know that we are willing1 ,god assisting1 to overcome you with truth and patience2 not sticking to sacrifice our lives1 and dearest concerns in a faithful witness-bearing4' ',wherefore1 sir1 laying aside all fear of men1 not regarding what you may procure to be inflicted upon me1 for this my plain dealing with you1 ,i tell you again1 that you are one of them that have closely1 privily1 and devilishly1 by your book1 turned the grace of our ,god into a lascivious doctrine4' ,mr4 ,fowler's opinions were not only contrary to scripture1 but to that which some esteem a more heinous offence1 they opposed the thirty-nine articles2 and the result was that ,bunyan1 who vindicated the scriptures and those articles1 was kept in prison1 while the clergyman who opposed them was soon after consecrated ,bishop of ,gloucester6 ,it may lead some simple readers to wonder how it could be1 that state religion thus made a mockery of itself4 ,the reason is perfectly obvious2 ,fowler's religion was that of a statesman1 which may be comprised in one word1 expediency2 and the man who could publish as truth1 that religion consists in obeying the orders made therein by the state1 deserved the primacy of the united churches of ,england and ,ireland4 ,his words are1 speaking of religious observances1 ',whatsoever of such are commended by the custom of the places we live in1 or commanded by superiors1 or made by any circumstance convenient to be done2 our ,christian liberty consists in this1 that we have leave to do them4 ,and1 indeed1 it is so far from being a sin1 that it would be so to refuse so to do4' ,could the state have selected a fitter tool for their purposes8 ,mr4 ,fowler is somewhat inconsistent with regard to persecution2 in p4 #bff he says1 ',as for factious hypocrite1 they would be with ease supprest'2 in p4 #bfb he describes these factious hypocrites1 ',such as preach up free grace1--laying hold on ,christ's righteousness and renouncing our own righteousness4' ,such are to be suppressed1 but for ,roman catholics 'imposing their own sense upon the word of ,god1 and their persecuting1 burning1 and damning men for not subscribing to theirs as to ,god's word can be no better than an act of devilish pride and barbarous cruelty1' p4 #bdg4 ,does not the same pride and cruelty apply equally to the church of ,bonner for burning ,latimer1 of ,fowler1 for the imprisonment of ,bunyan2 and of ,philpot1 for dragging his brother1 ,shore1 from his family1 and shutting him up in ,exeter jail8 ,the admirers of ,bunyan will feel surprised at his strictures upon persons calling themselves ,quakers4 ,in these severe remarks he does not refer to the ,society of ,friends2 but to some unworthy individuals who assumed the name of ,quakers4 ,they will be equally surprised at his freedom of speech with one who he considered to be an enemy to his ,lord4 ,he calls ,mr4 ,fowler 'a brutish1 beastly man1' 'this thief1' 'a blasphemer1' 'horribly wicked1' 'a learned ignorant ,nicodemus1' 'one that would fling heaven's gates off the hinges1' 'a bat1' 'an angel of darkness4' ,such epithets sound strangely in our more refined age2 but they were then considered essential to faithful dealing4 ,the ,bishop in his reply1 called ',dirt wiped off1' beat the tinker in abusive language2 he calls ,bunyan ',a wretched scribbler1' 'grossly ignorant1' 'most unchristian and wicked1' 'a piece of proud folly1' 'so very dirty a creature that he disdains to dirt his fingers with him1' ',bunyan can no more disgrace him than a rude creature can eclipse the moon by barking at her2 or make palaces contemptible by lifting up their legs against them1' 'a most black-mouthed calumniator1' 'infamous in ,bedford for a pestilent schismatic1' and with a heart full of venom he called upon his majesty not to let such a firebrand1 impudent1 malicious schismatic to enjoy toleration1 or go unpunished1 lest he should subvert all government4 ,bunyan had then suffered nearly twelve years' incarceration in a miserable jail1 and was more zealous and intrepid than ever3 and yet this learned fanatic would have added to his privations1 because he could not resist the arrows of truth with which this poor prisoner for ,christ assailed him1 drawn all burning from the furnace of ,god's holy word4 ,bunyan's views of the kingly office of ,christ are very striking3 not only is he king over the church requiring personal obedience1 but over the universe for the benefit of believers4 ',christ is as well a ,lord for us1 as to1 or over us2 and it highly concerneth the soul--when it believeth in1 or trusteth to1 the righteousness of ,christ1 for justification with ,god--to see that this righteousness lords it over death and sin1 and the devil and hell for us4' ',he led captivity captive1 that is1 carried them prisoners1 whose prisoners we were3 ,he rode to heaven in triumph1 having in chains the foes of believers4' ,this compendious treatise is upon a most important subject1 and detects dangerous errors enveloped in most insinuating sophistry4 ,in preparing this edition for the press1 the text has been carefully collated with the original1 which is in the editor's possession4 ,the quotations have been verified2 those from ,fowler by the first edition of his ',design of ,christianity1' #afga4 ,the extracts from ',penn's ,sandy ,foundation1' by the second edition1 in the ,friends' library1 ,devonshire ,house4 ,those from ,campian have not been discovered2 the author's being confined at ,bedford1 while his book was printing in ,london1 occasioned numerous typographical errors which have been corrected1 and all the obsolete words explained4 ,to assist the reader1 a few leading words have been introduced in italics1 and between brackets1 to distinguish them from the text4 ,,george ,,offor4 ,a ,,premonition ,,to ,,the ,,reader ,,gentle ,,reader1 ,that thou mayest not be tired with longing to know what errors1 and doctrines destructive to ,christianity1 ,mr4 ,fowler in his feigned design of ,christianity1 hath presented the world withal2 and that thou mayest even in the entry1 see that which more fully is shewn in the house3 namely1 of the contradiction that is in his book1 to the wholesome doctrine of the church of ,england1 while he stands a minister of the same1 ,i have thought convenient1 instead of an epistle1 to present thee with those doctrines contained in his2 and that are refuted by the book that thou hast in thy hand4 ,the which also1 ,i hope1 will be a sufficient apology for this my undertaking4 ,his ,doctrines are these3 #a4 ,that the first principles of morals1 those first written in men's hearts1 are the essentials1 the indispensable1 and fundamental points or doctrines of the gospel 7p4 #h1 #bha1 #bhb74 #b4 ,that these first principles1 are to be followed1 principally1 as they are made known to us1 by the dictates of human nature3 and that this obedience is the first1 and best sort of obedience1 we ,christians can perform 7p4 #h1 #i1 #aj74 #c4 ,that there is such a thing as a soundness of soul2 and the purity of human nature in the world 7p4 #f74 #d4 ,that the law1 in the first principles of it1 is far beyond1 and more obliging on the hearts of ,christians1 than is1 that of coming to ,god by ,christ 7p4 #g-aj74 #e4 ,that the precept of coming to ,god by ,christ1 c41 is in its own nature1 a thing indifferent1 and absolutely considered neither good nor evil 7p4 #g1 #h1 #i74 #f4 ,that ,christ's great errand1 in coming into the world1 was to put us again in possession of the holiness we had lost 7p4 #ab74 #g4 ,that ,john the ,baptist1 the ,angel that was sent to ,zacharias1 and ,mary1 preached this doctrine1 and so also did ,malachi the prophet 7p4 #ac74 #h4 ,that ,christ by saving us from sin1 is meant1 not first1 his saving us from the punishment1 but from the filth1 and from the punishment1 as a consequence of that 7p4 #ad1 #ae74 #i4 ,that ,christ's work1 when he was come1 was to establish ,,only an inward real righteousness 7p4 #af74 #aj4 ,that ,christ's fulfilling the law ,,for ,,us1 was by giving more perfect1 and lighter instances of moral duties1 than were before expressly given 7p4 #ag74 #aa4 ,that ,christ's doctrine1 life1 actions1 miracles1 death1 resurrection1 ascension1 and coming again to judgment1 is all preached to establish us in this righteousness 7chap4 #b-h74 #ab4 ,that it is not possible a wicked man should have ,god's pardon 7p4 #aai74 #ac4 ,that it is impossible ,christ's righteousness should be imputed to an unrighteous man 7p4 #abj74 #ad4 ,and that if it were1 he boldly affirms1 it would signify as little to his happiness1 while he continueth so1 as would a gorgeous and splendid garment1 to one that is almost starved 7p4 #abj74 #ae4 ,for ,god to justify a wicked man1#a c41 would far more disparage his justice and holiness1 than advance his grace and kindness 7p4 #acj74 #af4 ,he saith1 men are not capable of ,god's pardoning grace1 till they have truly repented them of all their sins 7p4 #acj74 #ag4 ,the devils1 saith he1 have a large measure of these attributes of ,god2 as his power1 knowledge1 c4#b 7p4 #abd74 #ah4 ,that ,christ did himself perform1 as our example1 whatever he required of us to do2 yea1 that he trod himself ,,every step of our way to heaven 7p4 #adh74 #ai4 ,the salvation of ,christ1 first1 consists in curing our wounds 7our filth7 and secondarily1 in freeing us from the smart 7p4 #baf74 #bj4 ,that pardon doth not so much consist in remission1 as in healing2 to wit1 our filth1 7p4 #baf74 #ba4 ,faith justifieth1 as it includeth true holiness in the nature of it2 it justifieth ,,as it doth so 7p4 #bba74 #bb4 ,that faith which entitles a sinner to so high a privilege as that of justification1 must needs be such as complieth with all the purposes of ,christ's coming into the world1 c4 ,and it is no less necessary that it should justify as it doth this 7p4 #bbb74 #bc4 ,he wonders that any worthy man should be so difficultly persuaded1 to embrace ,,this account of justifying faith 7p4 #bbb74 #bd4 ,there can be no pretence for a man1 to think that faith should be the condition or instrument of justification1 as it complieth with1 only the precept of relying on ,christ's merits for the obtaining of it 7p4 #bbc74 #be4 ,it is1 saith he1 as clear as the sun at noon-day1 that obedience to the other precepts must go before obedience to this 7p4 #bbc74 #bf4 ,he shall be his ,apollo1 that can give him a sufficient reason1 why justifying faith should consist in recumbence#c and reliance on ,christ's merits for the pardon of sin#d 7p4 #bbd74 #bg4 ,he will take the boldness to tell those who are displeased with this account of justifying faith1 that in his opinion it is impossible they should ,,once think of any other 7p4 #bbe74 #bh4 ,the imputation of ,christ's righteousness1 consisteth in dealing with sincerely righteous persons1 as if they were perfectly so1 c4 7p4 #bbe74 #bi4 ,the grand intent of the gospel is1 to make us partakers of inward real righteousness2 and it is but secondary1 that we should be accepted as before 7p4 #bbf74 #cj4 ,it is not possible 7he saith7 that any other notion of this doctrine should have truth in it 7p4 #bbf74 #ca4 ,whatsoever is commended by the customs of the place we live in1 or commanded by superiors1 or made by ,,any circumstance convenient to be done1 our ,christian liberty consists in this that we have leave to do them 7p4 #bdb74 #ca4 ,for our refusing to comply with these1 can hardly proceed from any thing1 than a proud affectation of singularity1 or at best from superstitious scrupluosity 7p4 #bdb74 #cc4 ,those ministers hinder the design of ,christianity1 that preach up free grace1 and ,christian privileges1 ,,other ,,ways than as motives to obedience1 and that scarce ever insist upon any other duties than those of believing1 laying hold of ,christ's righteousness1 applying the promises1 c4 7p4 #bfb74 #cd4 ,but to make the ,christian duties to consist either wholly or mostly in these1 c41 is the way effectually to harden hypocrites 7p4 #bfb74 #ce4 ,those ministers do nothing less than promote the design of ,christianity1 that are never in their element1 but when they are talking of the irrespectiveness of ,god's decrees1 the absolute ness of his promises1 the utter disability1 and perfect impotence of natural men1 to do any thing towards their own conversion 7p4 #bfb74 #cf4 ,he is the only child of ,abraham1 who in the purity of his heart obeyeth those substantial laws1 that are by ,god imposed upon him 7p4 #bhc74 #cg4 ,there is ,,no duty more affectionately commanded in the gospel1 than that of almsgiving 7p4 #bhd74 #ch4 ,it is impossible we should not have the design of ,christianity accomplished in us1 c41 if we make our ,saviour's most excellent life1 the pattern of our lives 7p4 #bif74 #ci4 ,to do well is better than believing 7p4 #bii74 #dj4 ,to be imitators of ,christ's righteousness1 even of the righteousness we should rely on1 is counted by ,mr4 ,fowler1 more noble1 than to rely thereon1 or trust thereto 7p4 #cjj74 ,,reader1 ,i have given thee here but a taste of these things2 and by my book but a brief reply to the errors that he by his hath divulged to the world3 ,ay1 though many more are by me reflected than the forty thou are here presented with4 ,god give thee eyes to see1 and an heart to shun and escape all these things that may yet come to pass1 for hurt1 and to stand before the ,son of ,man4 ,thus hoping that this short taste may make ,mr4 ,fowler ashamed1 and thee receive satisfaction1 touching the truth and state of this man's spirit and principles2 ,i rest1 ,thine to serve thee in the gospel of ,christ1 ,j4 ,,bunyan ,from ,prison1 the #bgth of the #abth ,month1 #afga4 #bgth ,march1 #afgb ,,footnotes3 #a4 ,fowler's words1 in place of1 c41 are 'while he continues so 7if it were possible for ,god to do it74' #b4 ,holiness is excepted66 #c4 ',recumbence1' depending upon4 #d4 ,fowler adds1 'and not also in his power for the mortification of it4' ,a ,,defence ,,of ,,the ,,doctrine ,,of ,,justification ,,by ,,faith ,,in ,,jesus ,,christ2 ,,proving ,,that ,,gospel-,,holiness ,,flows ,,from ,,thence4 ,,sir1 ,having heard of your book1 entitled1 ,the ,design of ,christianity2 and that in it was contained such principles as gave just offence to ,christian ears2 ,i was desirous of a view thereof1 that from my sight of things ,i might be the better able to judge4 ,but ,i could not obtain it till the #acth of this #aath month1 which was too soon for you1 ,sir1 a pretended minister of the word1 so vilely to expose to public view the rottenness of your heart in principles diametrically opposite to the simplicity of the gospel of ,christ4 ,and had it not been for this consideration1 that it is not too late to oppose open blasphemy 7such as endangereth the souls of thousands7 ,i had cast by this answer1 as a thing out of season4 ,two things are the design of your book4 #a4 ,to assert and justify a thing which you call inward1 real righteousness and holiness4 #b4 ,to prove1 ,that the whole1 the grand1 the only1 and ultimate design of the gospel of ,christ1 is to begin and perfect this righteousness4 ,into the truth1 or untruth1 of both these1 as briefly as ,i may1 ,i shall at this time inquire4 ,first1 ,therefore1 a little to examine the nature of your holiness and righteousness1 as yourself hath described the same4 ',it is 7say you7 so sound a complexion of soul1 as maintains in life and vigour1 whatsoever is essential to it1 and suffereth not anything unnatural to mix with that which is so2 by the force and power whereof a man is enabled to behave himself as becometh a creature indued with a principle of reason1 keeps his supreme faculty in its throne1 brings into due subjection all his inferior ones1 his sensual imagination1 his brutish passions and affections4' ,you add farther1 ',it is the purity of the human nature1 engaging those in whom it resides1 to demean themselves suitably in that state in which ,god hath placed them1 and not to act disbecomingly in any condition1 circumstance or relation4' ,you say1 moreover1 ',it is a divine1 or ,god-like nature1 causing an hearty approbation of1 and an affectionate compliance with the eternal laws of righteousness2 and a behaviour agreeable to the essential1 and immutable differences of good and evil' 7p4 #f74 ,farther1 ,you call it a principle or habit of soul1 'originally dictates of human nature' 7p4#h74 ',a disposition and temper of the inward man1 as powerfully inclines it to regard1 and attend to2 affectionately to embrace and adhere to2 to be actuated by1 and under the government of1 all those good practical principles1 that are made known either by revelation1 nature1 or the use of reason' 7p4 #aa74 ,which in conclusion you call that holiness which already we have lost 7p4 #ab74 ,thus1 ,sir1 is your holiness1 by you described2 which holiness you aver is that1 which is the great and only design of ,christ to promote both by his life and glorious gospel4 ,to take therefore your description in pieces1 if happily there may be found ought1 but naught therein4 #a4 ',it is 7say you7 an healthful complexion of soul1 the purity of the human nature1' c4 ,ans4 ,these are but words2 there is no such thing as the purity of our nature1 abstract and distinct from the sinful pollution that dwelleth in us 7,rom #g3bd74 ,it is true1 a man may talk of1 and by argument distinguish between nature and sin2 but that there is such a principle in man 7since ,adam's fall7 a principle by which he may act1 or that ,christ's whole gospel-design is1 the helping forward such a principle1 is altogether without scripture or reason4 ,there is no man by nature1 that hath any soundness in him 7,isa #a3f71 no1 neither in soul or body2 his understanding is darkened1 his mind and conscience is defiled 7,titus #a3ae71 his will is perverted and obstinate 7,eph #d3ah74 ',there is no judgment in his goings' 7,isa #ei3f-aj74 ,where now is the sound and healthful complexion of soul8 ,let the best come to the best1 when we have mustered up all the excellences of the soul of man1 as man1 shall nought we find there1 but the lame1 the blind1 the defiled1 the obstinate and misled faculties thereof4 ,and never think to evade me by saying1 the graces of the ,spirit of ,god are pure3 for with them you have nothing to do2 your doctrine is of the sound complexion of soul1 the purity of the human nature1 a habit of soul1 and the holiness we lost in ,adam1 things a great way off from the spirit of grace1 or the gracious workings of the spirit4 ,you talk indeed of a divine or godlike nature1#a but this is still the same with your pure human nature1 or with your sound complexion1 or habit of soul2 and so must either respect man1 as he was created in the image or likeness of ,god1 or else you have palpable contradiction in this your description4 ,but it must be concluded1 that the divine nature you talk of1 is that1 and no other than the dictates of the human nature1 or your feigned purity thereof2 because you make it by your words the self same2 it is the purity of the human nature1 it is a divine or ,godlike nature4 #b4 ,but you proceed to tell us of a degree1 it is so sound and healthful a complexion or temperature of the faculties1 qualities1 or virtues of soul1 'as maintains in life and vigour whatsoever is essential to it1 and suffereth not anything unnatural to mix with that which is so4'#b ,ans4 ,if1 as was said before1 there is no soundness of soul in man1 as man1 and no such thing as a purity of our nature1 abstract from that which is sin2 then where shall we find so healthful a complexion1 or temperature of soul1 as to maintain in life and vigour whatsoever is essential to it1 and that suffereth not any thing unnatural to mix with that which is so8 ,but let us take ,paul's definition of a man2 ',there is none righteous1 no1 not one3 there is none that understandeth1 there is none that seeketh after ,god4 ,they are all gone out of the way1 they are together become unprofitable2 there is none that doeth good1 no1 not one4 ,their throat is an open sepulchre2 with their tongues they have used deceit2 the poison of asps is under their lips3 whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness3 their feet are swift to shed blood3 destruction and misery are in their ways3 and the way of peace have they not known3 there is no fear of ,god before their eyes' 7,rom #c74 ,i the rather give you this of ,paul1 than any of my own2 because it is the soundest complexion of soul1 that the ,holy ,ghost himself could draw4 ,here is now no purity of the human nature1 nor such sound complexion of soul as can keep itself from mixing with that which is contrary to itself4 ,and note1 that this is the state of all men1 and that as they stand in themselves before ,god3 wherefore together1 even altogether1 all the men in the world1 take them in their most pure naturals1 or with all the purity of humanity1 which they can make1 and together1 they still will be unprofitable1 and so much come short of doing good1 'that every mouth might be stopped1 and all the world become guilty before ,god' 7v #ai74c #c4 ,but proceeding1 you say1 that this complexion is so forcible as to 'keep his supreme faculty 7,i suppose you mean the conscience7 in its throne1 7and that7 brings into due subjection all his inferior ones1 7as namely7 his sensual imagination1 brutish passions and affections4'#d ,ans4 ,these words suppose that it is within the power of a man's own soul1 always to keep sin out of itself1 and so guilt out of the conscience2 albeit the scripture saith1 that both the mind and it are defiled with the filth of sin1 in all whoever do not believe the gospel1 with which belief this description meddleth not 7,titus #a3ae74 ,they suppose that this conscience is perfectly clear and light1 when the scriptures say they have the understanding darkened2 yea and farther1 in despite of these your sayings of the sound complexion of soul1 of the purity of human nature1 and of this supreme faculty1 the scriptures teach1 that man in his best estate is altogether vanity1 that they are darkness and night1 c4 7,eph #d3ah1ai2 #a ,thess #e2 ,psa #ci3e74 ',yea1 7say you7 this sound complexion brings into due subjection all his inferior ones4'#e ,ans4 ,here seems to be a contradiction to the former part of this description1 yea1 to the nature of the soul itself2 for you say before1 it suffereth not any thing unnatural to mix itself therewith1 when yet here you seem to suggest that part1 ,i say1 even part of itself is disobedient and rebellious1 'it brings into subjection all his inferior ones4' ',it brings into due subjection4' ,ans4 ,due subjection is such as is everlasting1 universal1 perfect in nature1 kind1 and manner1 such as the most righteous1 perfect1 comprehensive law1 or commandment cannot object against1 or find fault therewith4 ,here's a soul6 here's a pure human nature6 here are pure dictates of a brutish beastly man1 that neither knows himself nor one title of the word of ,god4 ,but ',there is a generation that are pure in their own eyes1 and yet are not washed from their filthiness' 7,prov #cj3ab74 ',it is the purity of the human nature1 engaging those in whom it resides1' c4#f ,ans4 ,that is1 verily in none at all2 for there is no such thing in any man in this world1 as a purity of human nature3 'we are all as an unclean thing' 7,isa #fd3f7 and ',who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean8 not one' 7,job #ad3d74 ,again1 ',what is man1 that he should be clean8 or he which is born of a woman1 that he should be righteous8' 7,job #ae3ad74 ,these are therefore expressions without the testimony of the word1 arising from your own phantasy4 ',it is a divine1 or ,godlike nature4'#g ,ans4 ,this you seem also to fetch from the similitude or likeness of ,god that was in us at our first creation1 before we sinned2 but that similitude being at best but created1 and since most unspeakably defiled1 defaced and polluted with sin2 there is now1 no not in the best of men1 as men1 any sinless likeness1 and similitude of ,god to be found1 no such petty divine1 or ,godlike nature to be found1 as you imagine4 ,but having thus stated your holiness in its nature and essence1 you come in the next place to tell us1 under what considerations it moveth a person to act1 also by what rules and laws it squareth its acts and doings4 ,,first1 ,by or under what considerations it acts1 and these you scatter here and there in your description of holiness1 under these heads4 ,i4 ,to act 'as becomes a creature endued with a principle of reason1' eyeing the state or place in which ,god hath set him2 approving of1 affecting and complying with the eternal laws of righteousness 7p4 #f71 which eternal laws in page #h you call 'divine moral laws1' those that were first written in the hearts of men1 'and originally dictates of human nature1' c4 ,,ii4 ',to do these1 from truly generous motives and principles' 7p4 #g74 ,such as these1 #a4 ,because 'it is most highly becoming all reasonable creatures 7you might also have added1 and those unreasonable7 to obey ,god in everything2 7within their spheres7 and as much disbecoming them1 to disobey him' 7p4 #h74 #b4 ',because it is a base thing to do unjustly' 7p4 #aa74 ,now a little to touch upon all these1 and then to proceed to what is behind4 ,i4 ,to act and do the things of the moral law1 but as 'creatures endued with a principle of reason1' is but to do things in our sphere as men1 as the beast1 the hog or horse doth things in his1 as a beast2 which is at best1 if it could be attained1 to act but as pure naturals1 which state of man is of at infinite distance from that1 in which it is by ,god expected the man must act1 that doth ought that is pleasing in his sight4 ,for1 #a4 ,the qualification and consideration by you propounded1 is that which is in all men1 in men simply as men1 they being reasonable creatures1 and somewhat1 though but somewhat capable of acting as such4 #b4 ,this qualification is not only in1 but of men2 reason is of the man himself1 even that which is as essential to him1 as is that of his being created or made4 #c4 ,the law also1 which you call divine1 moral1 and eternal1 is that which is naturally seated in the heart1 and as you yourself express it1 is originally the dictates of human nature1 or that which mankind doth naturally assent to 7p4 #aa74 ,now ,i say1 that a man cannot by these principles1 and these qualifications1 please the ,god of heaven1 is apparent4 7#a47 ,because none of these are faith1 ',but without faith it is impossible to please him' 7,heb #aa3f74 7#b47 ,because none of these are of the ,holy ,ghost1 but there is nothing accepted of ,god1 under a ,new ,testament consideration1 but those which are the fruits of the ,spirit 7,gal #e3bb-bd74 7#c47 ,the man and principles you have stated1 may be such as are utterly ignorant of ,jesus ,christ1 and of all his ,new ,testament things1 as such3 ',but the natural man receiveth not the things of the ,spirit of ,god3 the things of his ,new ,testament for they are foolishness unto him3 neither can he know them1 because they are spiritually discerned' 7#a ,col #b3ad74 7#d47 ,your qualifications and considerations1 know nothing at all of the adoption of sons1 and of our acting and doing our duty as such4 ,you only content yourself to rest within the confines of the human nature1 acts of reason1 as men or creatures only1 or in their supposed pure1 natural principles4 ,and ,sir1 a little by way of digression2 ,i will tell you also of our truly ,christian righteousness1 both as to its original or first principle2 and also how1 or under what capacity1 it puts the person that is acted by it4 ,first1 ,the principle which is laid within us1 it is not the purity of the human nature1 but of the ,holy ,ghost itself1 which we have of ,god received1 by believing in the ,son of ,god1 a principle as far above yours of humanity1 as is the heavens above the earth2 yours being but like those of the first ,adam1 but ours truly those of the second 7#a ,col #f3ai74 ',as is the earthy1 such are they also that are earthy3 and as is the heavenly1 such are they also that are heavenly' 7#a ,cor #ae3dh74 ,now whosoever hath not this principle1 although he be a creature1 and also have the dictates of the human nature1 yea1 and also follows them1 yet he is not ,christ's3 ',if any man have not the ,spirit of ,christ1 he is none of his' 7,rom #h3i74 ,thus therefore is the ,christian principle another from1 and far above1 your heathenish ,pagan one4 ,by this ,spirit is the ,christian qualified with principles1 not natural1 but spiritual1 such as faith1 hope1 joy1 peace1 c4 all which are the fruits of the revelation of the forgiveness of sins1 freely by grace 7,gal #e3be71 'through the redemption that is in ,jesus ,christ' 7,rom #c3bd74 ,in this spirit and faith we walk1 by this spirit we are led 7,rom #h3ad71 even into the joy and peace of the ,new ,testament of our ,lord2 wherefore our holy actions are the fruits of righteousness1 that is by ,jesus ,christ1 not by our human nature1 or the purity of it in us2 yea1 they are the fruits of the ,spirit of ,god1 the qualifications that attend the new covenant1 and those that by the work of regeneration are brought within the bounds and privileges thereof4 ,wherefore1 ,second1 ,the capacity that we are in1 who act and do from the heavenly principle2 it is that of sons1 the sons of ,god by adoption1 as the apostle said1 ',because ye are sons1 ,god hath sent forth the ,spirit of his ,son into your hearts1 crying1 ,abba1 ,father' 7,gal #d3f74 ,and again1 ',as many as are led by the ,spirit of ,god1 they are the sons of ,god' 7,rom #h3ad74 ,this is a far other than is your human description of acting as a creature1 endued with a principle of reason2 for here is a man acts as a son1 endued with the ,holy ,spirit of ,god1 who hath1 before the world was1 predestinated him to this estate1 by ,jesus ,christ1 to himself 7,eph #a3d1 #d3f74 ,as a son therefore1 the ,christian acts and does1 because he is endued with that high and heavenly principle mentioned before2 by which principle this man hath received a new heart1 a new spirit1 a new understanding1 a good conscience1 so made by 'faith in the blood of the ,lord ,jesus' 7,heb #aj74 ,thus being made again anew and another man1 he acts from a new and another principle than yours2 a principle as far beyond and above you1 as is a man above a brute1 and as is grace above nature 7#b ,col #e3ad-af74 ,third1 ,as the ,christian acts and does from a better principle1 and under a better capacity or consideration than that you have described2 so 7to allude to your own notion7 the first principles by which they receive this spirit and adoption1 are not those principles of morals1 or those originally dictates of human nature2 but it is through the hearing of faith 7,gal #c3a-c71 by which we understand1 that the ,son of ,god became a man1 died for our sins1 hath saved us from the curse of ,god1 and accounted us to be the righteousness of ,god in him2 this being heard with the gospel1 and a ,new ,testament hearing1 the ,holy ,ghost forthwith possesseth us1 by the glorious working whereof we are helped1 through the ,son1 to call the ,god of heaven1 our ,father4 ,now thus being made free from sin1 by the only faith of ,jesus ,christ1 'we have our fruit unto holiness1 and the end everlasting life' 7,rom #f3bb74 ,and here come in those reasonable conclusions1 which you would make the very radicals of ,christianity1 they being only remote1 and after conclusions1 drawn from the fore-mentioned mercy of ,god1 viz41 from predestination1 calling1 adoption1 and justification by ,christ's blood1 while we in ourselves are sinners4 ,i say these are the things which ,paul endeavoured to provoke the ,romans1 ,philippians1 and ,colossians1 to an holy conversation by4 ,to the ,romans1 ',i beseech you therefore1' saith he1 'by the mercies of ,god1 7,what mercies8 ,why those of election1 redemption1 calling1 justification1 and adoption1 mentioned in the foregoing chapters7 that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice1 holy1 acceptable unto ,god1 which is your reasonable service' 7,rom #ab3a74 ,to the ,philippians1 ',if there be therefore any consolation in ,christ1 if any comfort of love1 if any fellowship of the ,spirit1 if any bowels and mercies1 fulfil ye my joy1 that ye be like minded' 7,phil #b3a1b74 ,to the ,colossians1 ',if ye then be risen with ,christ1 seek those things which are above1 where ,christ sitteth on the right hand of ,god2 set your affection on things above1 not on things on the earth2 for ye are dead1 and your life is hid with ,christ in ,god4 ,when ,christ1 who is our life1 shall appear1 then shall ye also appear with him in glory' 7,col #c3a-d74 ,now mark2 mortify therefore1 therefore6 wherefore8 why1 because they were risen with ,christ2 because they should appear at the end of this world with ,christ himself in glory2 therefore mortify the deeds of the body1 or our members that are upon the earth4 ,these ,sir1 are the motives by which we ,christians act2 because we are forgiven1 because we are sons1 and if sons1 then heirs1 and so we act2 but to speak to this more anon4 ,perhaps you will say ,i deal not fairly with you1 because you treat1 as of moral1 so of gospel or ,new ,testament laws4 ,but to that ,i will answer at present1 that in this description of your holy principle1 which is the foundation of your book1 whether the laws be natural or spiritual1 moral or of grace1 the principle by which you do them1 is no other than the principle of nature1 the dictates of the human nature2 and so such as can by no means reach the doctrines of the gospel any farther than to make a judgment of them1 by that wisdom which is 'enmity with ,god1' as will farther be seen in my progress through your book4 ,indeed you make mention of divine laws1 and that under two heads4 #a4 ,such as are of an indispensable and eternal obligation1 as those purely moral4 #b4 ,such which you call positive precepts1 in themselves of an indifferent nature1 and absolutely considered1 are neither good nor evil4 ,of those of this kind that we have under the gospel1 you say you know but three1 viz41 ,that of coming to ,god by ,christ1 and the institutions of baptism1 and the ,lord's supper4 ,so then1 although you talk of gospel positive laws1 and particularly that of coming to ,god by ,christ2 yet those which you call first principles of morals1 are of higher concern with you1 and more indispensable by far than this1 this being a thing of an indifferent nature1 and in itself absolutely considered1 is neither good nor evil2 but the other is the life of the matter4 ,but a little to gather you up4 ,the morals1 say you1 are indispensable1 and good in themselves1 but that of coming to ,god by ,christ1 a thing indifferent1 and in itself neither good nor evil4 ,wherefore though in this your description1 you talk of conforming to all those good and practical principles1 that are made known either by revelation1 nature1 or the use of reason1 yet in this your obedience you reckon coming to ,god by ,christ1 but an act of a very indifferent nature1 a thing if done not good in itself1 neither evil in itself1 should a man leave it undone2 and so consequently a man may have in him the ground and essentials of ,christianity without it1 may be saved1 and go to heaven without it3 for this ,i say1 whatsoever is of an indifferent nature in itself1 is not essential to the ,christian religion2 but may or may not be done without the hazard of eternal salvation2 but say you1 this of coming to ,god by ,christ1 is one of the positive precepts1 which are in themselves things indifferent1 and neither good nor evil3 therefore not of the substance of ,christianity4 ,but1 ,sir1 where learned you this new doctrine1 as to reckon coming to ,god by ,christ1 a thing of so indifferent a nature1 a thing not good in itself1 but with respect to certain circumstances4 ,had you said this of baptism and the ,supper of the ,lord1 ,i could with some allowance have borne your words1 but to count coming to ,god by ,christ a thing indifferent in itself1 is a blasphemy that may not be borne by ,christians1 it being too high a contempt of the blood1 and too great a disgrace to the person of the ,lord1 the king of glory2 of which more hereafter1 but to return4 ,,ii4 ,the intent of this your description is to set before us these two things4 7#a47 ,what are the essentials of the rule of that holiness1 which by the gospel we are immediately obliged to1 if we would be justified in the sight of ,god4 7#b47 ,what are the principles by which we act1 when we do these works aright4 #a4 ,for the first you tell us1 'they are the first principles of morals1 such as are self-evident1 and therefore not capable of being properly demonstrated2 as being no less knowable1 and easily assented to1 than any proposition that may be brought for the proof of them4' ,such as are self-evident or evident of themselves2 to what8 ,to us as men that know the principles of reason1 and that are as easily assented to as any proposition2 why said you not such as may be as easily known1 as we know there is a day or night1 winter and summer1 or any other thing that may be brought for the proof of them4 ,this law therefore is none other than that mentioned in ,romans #b3ad1 #ae which is the law of our nature1 or that which was implanted in us in the day of our creation1 and therefore is said to be ourselves1 even nature itself 7#a ,cor #aa3ad74 #b4 ,the principle1 say you1 by which we act1 and in the strength of which we do this law1 it is the principle of reason1 or a reasonable compliance with this law written in our hearts1 and originally dictates of human nature1 c4 which certain principle1 say you1 is this1 to count it 'most highly becoming all reasonable creatures1 to obey ,god in every thing2 and as much disbecoming them1 in any thing to disobey him4' ,the sum is2 this your holiness both in root and act is not other than what is common to all the men on earth2 ,i mean so common as that for the first1 is in their nature1 as the second is also part of themselves1 they being creatures whose prime or principal distinction from other1 consisteth more in that they are reasonable1 and such as have reason as a thing essential to them2 wherefore the excellency that you have discoursed of1 is none other than the excellency and goodness that is of this world1 such as in the first principles of it1 is common to ,heathens1 ,pagans1 ,turks1 ,infidels3 and that as evidently dictates to those that have not heard the gospel 7,i mean as to the nature the good and evil7 as it doth in them that sit under the sound thereof2 and is the self-same which our late ungodly heretics the ,quakers have made such a stir to promote and exalt1 only in the description thereof you seem more ingenious than they3 for whereas they erroneously call it ,christ1 the light of ,christ1 faith1 grace1 hope1 the spirit1 the word that is nigh1 c4 you give it the names due thereto1 viz4 ,a complexion or complication and combination of all the virtue of the soul1 the human nature1 the dictates of it1 the principles of reason1 such as are self-evident1 than which there is nothing mankind doth naturally assent to 7p4 #f-aa74 ,only here1 as ,i have said1 you glorify your errors also1 with names and titles that are not to be found1 but in your own deluded brains3 as that the virtues of the souls can keep themselves incommixed1 that there is yet in us the purity of the humane nature1 or such a disposition1 that can both by light and power give a man to see1 and powerfully incline him to1 and bring him under the government of all those good and practical principles1 that are made known either by revelation1 nature1 or the use of reason4 ,but ,i say1 these principles thus stated by you1 being the principles1 and the goodness of this world1 and such as have not faith1 but the law2 not the ,holy ,ghost1 but humane nature in them2 they cannot be those which you affirm1 was or is the design1 the great1 the only1 and ultimate design of ,christ1 or his gospel to promote1 and propagate in the world2 neither with respect to our justification before ,god from the curse2 neither with respect to the workings of his ,spirit1 and the faith of ,jesus in our hearts1 the true gospel or evangelical holiness4 ,first1 ,it is not the righteousness that justifieth us before ,god from the curse2 because it is that which is properly our own2 and acted and managed by principles of our own1 arising originally in the roots of it1 from our own4 ,there is the righteousness of men1 and the righteousness of ,god3 that which is the righteousness of men1 is that which we do work from matter and principles of our own2 but that which is the righteousness of ,god1 is that which is wrought from matter and principles purely divine1 and of the nature of ,god4 ,again1 that which is our own righteousness1 is that which is wrought in and by our own persons as men2 but that which is the righteousness of ,god1 is that which is wrought in and by the second person in the ,trinity1 as ,god and man in one person2 and that resideth only in that person of the ,son4 ,i speak now of the righteousness by which we stand just before ,god1 from the curse of the law4 ,now this righteousness of ours1 our own righteousness1 the apostle always opposeth to the righteousness of ,god1 saying1 ',they going about to establish their own righteousness1 have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of ,god' 7,rom #i3c74 ,father1 ,this righteousness of our own1 ,paul counts loss and dog's-meat1 in comparison of that other1 far more glorious righteousness1 which he calleth as it is in truth1 the righteousness of ,god 7,phil #c3g-i71 which as ,i said but now1 resideth in the person of the ,son4 ,therefore 7saith ,paul7 ,i cast away my own righteousness1 and do count it loss1 and 'but dung1 that ,i may win ,christ1 and be found in him1 not having mine own righteousness1 which is of the law1 but that which is through the faith of ,christ1 the righteousness which is of ,god by faith4' ,the righteousness therefore1 that is our own1 that ariseth from matter and principles of our own 7such as that which you have described7 justifieth us not before ,god from the curse4 ,second1 ,the righteousness that you have described1 justifieth us not1 as before1 because it is the righteousness which is of the moral law1 that is1 it is wrought by us1 as walking in the law4 ,now it mattereth not1 whether you respect the law in its first principles1 or as it is revealed in the table of the ten commandments1 they are in nature but one and the same1 and their substance and matter is written in our hearts1 as we are men4 ,now this righteousness1 the apostle casteth away1 as was shewn before2 ',not having mine own righteousness 7saith he7 which is of the law'2 why8 ,because the righteousness that saveth us from the wrath of ,god1 is the righteousness of ,god2 and so a righteousness that is without the law4 ',but now the righteousness of ,god without the law is manifested1 being witnessed by the law and the prophets2 even the righteousness of ,god1 which is by faith of ,jesus ,christ unto all and upon all them that believe' 7,rom #c3ba1bb74 ,the righteousness of ,god without the law2 the righteousness of ,christ who is naturally ,god2 wherefore such a righteousness as was accomplished by him that was ,lord1 and the very ,god of the law2 whose nature was infinite1 and not that which the law could command or condemn2 neither was the command of the law1 the great and principal argument with him1 no1 not in its first and highest principles1 to do or continue to do it2 but even that which the law commanded of us1 that he did1 not by the law1 but by that spirit of life1 that eternal spirit1 and ,godhead1 which was essential to his very being3 ,he did naturally and infinitely that which the law required of us1 from higher1 and more mighty principles than the law could require of him3 for ,i should reckon it a piece of prodigious blasphemy to say1 that the law could command his ,god2 the creature1 his ,lord and ,creator3 but this ,lord ,god1 ,jesus ,christ1 even he hath accomplished righteousness1 even righteousness that is without1 that is above1 higher1 and better than that of the law2 and that is the righteousness that is given to1 and put upon all them that believe4 ,wherefore the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 in his most blessed life1 was neither prompted to actions of holiness1 nor managed in them1 by the purity of humane nature1 or those you call first principles of morals1 or as he was simply a reasonable creature2 but being the natural ,son of ,god1 truly1 and essentially1 eternal as the ,father2 by the eternal ,spirit1 his ,godhead1 was his manhood governed1 and acted1 and spirited to do and suffer4 ',he through the eternal ,spirit offered himself without spot to ,god' 7,heb #i3ad72 which offering respects not only his act of dying1 but also that by which he was capacitated to die without spot in his sight2 which was the infinite dignity1 and sinlessness of his person2 and the perfect justice of his actions4 ,now this person1 thus acting1 is approved of1 or justified by the law to be good3 for if the righteousness of the law be good1 which law is but a creature1 the righteousness of the ,lord1 the ,god of this law1 must needs be much more good2 wherefore here is the law1 and its perfection swallowed up1 even as the light of a candle1 or star is swallowed up by the light of the sun4 ,thus then is the believer made1 not the righteousness of the law1 'but the righteousness of ,god in ,christ' 7#b ,cor #e3ba71 because ,christ ,jesus1 who is the righteousness of the ,christian1 did walk in this world1 in1 and under the law2 not by legal and humane principles1 which are the excellences of men1 but in1 and by those that are divine1 even such as were1 and are of his own nature1 and the essence of his eternal ,godhead4 ,this is the righteousness without the law1 accomplished by a person and principles1 far otherwise1 than is he1 or those you make description of2 and therefore yours cannot be that1 by which we stand just before the justice of ,god without the law4 ,now if it be a righteousness without the law1 then it is a righteousness without men1 a righteousness that cannot be found in the world2 for take away the law1 the rule1 and you take away1 not only the righteousness1 but that by which men1 as men1 work righteousness in the world3 ',mine own righteousness which is of the law4' ,the righteousness then by which a man must stand just in the sight of ,god from the curse1 is not to be found in men1 nor in the law1 but in him1 and him only1 who is greater1 and also1 without the law2 for albeit1 for our sakes he became under the law1 even to the curse and displeasure of ,god2 yet the principles by which he walked in the world to ,godward1 they were neither humane1 nor legal1 but heavenly1 and done in the ,spirit of the ,son4 ,wherefore it is not the righteousness you have described1 by which we stand just before ,god4 ,third1 ,the righteousness you have described1 cannot be that which justifieth us before ,god1 because of its imperfections1 and that both with respect to the principle1 and the power with which it is managed3 for though you have talked of a sound complexion of soul1 the purity of the humane nature1 and that with this addition of power1 as to be able to keep itself incommixt with that which is not of itself2 yet we ,christians know1 and that by the words of ,god1 that there is in man1 as man1 now no soundness at all1 but from the crown of the head1 to the sole of the foot1 botches and boils1 putrefactions and sores 7,isa #a3f74 ,we are ,,all an unclean thing1 and our righteousness as filthy ulcerous rags 7,isa #fd3f74 ',if there had been a law given which could have given life1 verily righteousness should have been by the law' 7,gal #c3ba74 ,could a man perform the law to the liking of the justice of the eternal majesty1 then would the law give life to that man2 but because of the perfection of an infinite justice1 and the weakness and unprofitableness of the law through our flesh 7,rom #h3c71 therefore1 though you speak yet farther of the excellency of your sound complexion1 and of the purity of the human nature1 you must fly from yourself1 to another righteousness for life1 or at the last stick in the jaws of death and everlasting desperation4 ',for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified' 7,gal #b3af74 ,it is therefore no better than error1 thus to ascribe to poor man1 'that hath drank iniquity like water1' a soundness of soul1 a purity of human nature4 ,wherefore ,jude saith of you1 and of all such naturalists1 ',that even in the things that you know naturally1 as the brute1 in them you corrupt yourselves' 7,jude #aj71 even in the very principles1 the first or original dictates of your nature or humanity4 ,there is none that understandeth or is good1 therefore there is none that doth good1 no not one3 that is1 none as continuing in a natural state2 none by the power or principles of nature2 for he meaneth here1 in your own sense1 as men by natural principles have to do with the justice of the law4 ,fourth1 ,the righteousness which you have described cannot be that which justifieth us before ,god1 because it is that which is not of faith4 ',the law is not of faith3 but1 ,the man that doeth them shall live in them' 7,gal #c3ab74 ,the apostle also in the #ajth chapter of the ,romans tells us1 that the righteousness that is completed by doing the law is one1 and another besides the righteousness of faith4 ,for faith in the justification of a sinner from the curse and wrath of ,god1 respecteth only the mercy of ,god1 and forgiveness of sins for the sake of ,christ4 ',god for ,christ's sake hath forgiven him that is enabled to believe1 that is1 trust to1 and venture the eternal concern of his soul upon the righteousness that is no where to be found1 but in the person of the ,son of ,god4' ,for there is justice more than answerable to all the demands of the law1 and equal to the requirements of the eternal justice of ,god1 and he is our justice2 he is made unto us of ,god1 righteousness1 or justice2 that is1 the righteousness or justice that is in him1 is by ,god accounted the man's that shall accept thereof by faith1 that he might be made the justice or righteousness of ,god in him4 ,for the righteousness that saveth a sinner from damnation must be equal to that in the eternal ,deity3 ,but where can that be found but in him that is naturally ,god1 as is indeed the ,son of the ,father2 in him1 therefore1 and not in the law1 there is a righteousness fit for faith to apply to4 ,besides1 the law is not1 neither can be1 the object of faith to men2 for that which is the object of faith 7,i speak now as to justifying righteousness7 it must be a righteousness already completed1 and as ,i said1 a righteousness to be received and accepted1 being now perfected and offered1 and given to us by the kindness and mercy of ,god2 but a man may believe long enough in the law1 before that performs for him a perfect righteousness4 ,the law can work nothing unless it be wrath4 ',no thou must work by1 and not believe in1 the law' 7,rom #d74 ,besides1 all that cometh out of the mouth of the law is1 ',cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them' 7,gal #c3aj71 which no man is capable of doing1 so as to escape the curse by doing1 that hath once1 or first transgressed the same4 ,wherefore it is a vain thing1 yea an horrible wickedness in you1 thus to abuse the law1 and the weakness of man1 by suggesting that the only1 the ultimate1 or grand design of ,christ ,jesus was1 or is1 the promoting of a righteousness by the law1 that is performed by humane principles in us4#h ,i could double1 yea ten times double the number of these arguments against you1 but ,i will pass from this to the second thing4 ',the righteousness you have described1 is not the true gospel inward holiness4' ,i told you before1 that the principles which you have described1 are not evangelical principles2 and now ,i will add1 that as they are not such in themselves1 so neither do they fetch in1 or obtain by our adhering to them1 those things which alone can make1 or work in the soul1 those truly gospel inward acts of holiness4 ,things essential to inward gospel holiness4 ,there are three things which are essential to the inward gospel holiness2 of which as your description is utterly destitute1 so neither can they by that be obtained1 or come into the heart4 #a4 ,the ,holy ,ghost4 #b4 ,faith in ,christ4 #c4 ,a new heart1 and a new spirit4 ,without these three1 there is no such thing as gospel holiness in man1 as before ,i have also hinted at4 ,but now as there are none of these three found in your description of inward holiness2 so neither can you1 or others1 by all your inclinations1 either to those you call first principles of natural reason1 or the dictates of human nature1 obtain or fetch into the soul the least dram of that which is essential1 to that which is indeed according to the gospel description of inward gospel holiness1 as will further be manifest in this that followeth4 #a4 ,the ,holy ,ghost is not obtained by your description1 that consisting only in principles of nature1 and in putting forth itself in acts of civility and morality4 ,when the apostle would convince the bewitched ,galatians1 that your doctrine which was also the doctrine of the false apostles1 was that1 which instead of helping forward1 did hinder1 and pervert the gospel of ,christ2 he applieth himself to them in this manner4 ',this only would ,i learn of you1 ,received ye the ,spirit by the works of the law1 or by the hearing of faith8' 7,gal #c3b7 ,by the works of the law1 that is1 by putting of your principles into practice4 ,nay1 may ,i not add1 by putting of your principles into practice1 by a more bright and clear rule1 than in the beginning of your description is inserted by you2 for the law as written and engraven in stones1 with the addition of all the ,mosaical precepts1 was a more ample1 and full discovery of the mind of ,god1 than can be obtained by your virtues of soul1 your purity of human nature1 or the first principles of morals1 as they are written in the heart of man2 and originally dictates of human nature 7,rom #c3a-c74 ,yet by these1 by following these1 by labouring to live up to the light of these1 their own experience told them1 that they neither could1 nor did obtain the enjoyment of the ,holy ,ghost2 but that rather their now declining the word of faith1 by which indeed they receive it at first 7whatever pretences of holiness1 and godliness were the arguments to prevail with them so to do7 was in truth none other but the very witchcraft1 and enchantments of the devil4 ,farther1 ,the apostle sets this your spirit and principles1 and that which indeed is the ,spirit of ,god1 in a line diametrically opposite one against another2 yea the receiving of the one1 opposeth the receiving of the other4 ',now we have received1 saith he not the spirit of the world1' 7that is1 your spirit1 and principles of humanity7 to walk by it1 or live in it2 'but the ,spirit which is of ,god2 that we may know the things that are freely given to us of ,god' 7#a ,cor #b3ab74 ,but what is the spirit of the world8 ,he tells us in the verse before1 it is the spirit of a man2 which ,solomon calls1 'the candle of the ,lord2 searching all the inward parts of the belly' 7,prov #bj3bg71 by human principles1 good motions to moral duties1 workings of reason1 dictates of nature to obey ,god as ,creator4 ,these things flow from the spirit of a man1 which is the spirit of all the world4 ,they that preach1 or speak by this spirit1 they preach or speak of the world1 of the virtues of the world2 and the world1 'the whole world heareth them1' or know in themselves what they say 7#a ,john #d3e74 ,now when this spirit is received1 embraced1 and followed1 as the spirit that is of ,god1 then it must be branded with the mark of the spirit of error1 and of antichrist2 because the act in so doing1 is most wicked2 yea1 and ,christ himself is made head against1 by it4 ,but ,i say1 the ,holy ,ghost is not obtained by these principles1 nor by the pursuit of them4 #b4 ,faith is not obtained by the pursuit of your principles1 but by hearing of another doctrine2 he that presseth men to look to1 and live by the purity of human nature1 principles of natural reason1 or by the law1 as written in the heart1 or bible2 he sets the word of faith out of the world2 for these doctrines are as opposite1 as the spirits ,i spake of before2 ',for ,moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law1 ,that the man which doeth those things shall live by them4' ,now he that receiveth this law1 to do1 and live by2 he hath set up1 and is in pursuit of a doctrine of another nature1 than that which is called the righteousness of faith2 that being such1 as for justification1 and deliverance from the curse1 maketh no mention at all of hearing the law1 or of doing good works2 but of hearing of the mercy of ,god1 as extended to sinners2 and of its coming to us through the death1 and resurrection of ,christ ,jesus4 ',the righteousness which is of faith1 speaketh on this wise1 ,say not in thine heart1 ,who shall ascend into heaven8 that is1 to bring ,christ down from above3 or1 ,who shall descend into the deep8 that is1 to bring up ,christ again from the dead4 ,but what saith it8 ,the word is nigh thee1 even in thy mouth1 and in thy heart3 that is1 the word of faith1 which we preach2 ,that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the ,lord ,jesus1 and shalt believe in thine heart that ,god hath raised him from the dead1 thou shalt be saved' 7,rom #aj3e1i74 ,this then is the doctrine of faith1 or the righteousness with which faith hath to do4 ,now as old covenant-works are begotten in men by the doctrine of works2 so faith is begotten by the doctrine of faith4 ,therefore after he had said1 'faith cometh by hearing'2 he insinuates it to be the hearing the preaching of the gospel of peace 7peace by the blood of the cross7 and the glad tidings of good things 7vv #ad-ag71 of good things promised for the sake of the ,lord ,jesus2 not for the sake of good deeds done of us1 by human principles1 or the dictates of our nature4 ,faith1 ,then the second essential1 comes into the heart1 not by the preaching1 or the practice of your principles2 but by another1 a higher1 and far more heavenly doctrine4 ,and hence the apostle completely puts the difference betwixt the worker of good works in the spirit of the law1 and the believer that taketh hold of grace by ,christ1 that he may be saved thereby4 ,the one he calls ',them that are of the works of the law'2 the other1 ',they which are of faith' 7,gal #c74 ,this being done1 he tells us1 that as they differ in the principles1 to wit1 of faith and works1 so they shall differ in conclusion3 ',for the law is not of faith1 the promise is only made to faith2 therefore1 they only that are of faith1 are blessed with faithful ,abraham4' #c4 ,the third essential is1 a new heart1 and a new spirit or mind2 and this also comes not by your principle1 that being but the old covenant that gendereth to bondage1 and that holds its ,ishmaels under the curse for ever3 there comes no new heart by the law1 nor new spirit4 ,it is by the new covenant1 even the gospel1 that all things are made new 7,jer #ca3cc2 ,eze #cf2 ,heb #h3h2 #b ,cor #e3ag-ai74 ,the apostle1 after a large discourse of the two ministrations1 and their excellencies 7#b ,cor #c71 tells us that the heart is nothing changed1 so long as it abideth in the works of the law1 but remaineth blind and ignorant3 ',nevertheless saith he when it shall turn from the law to the ,lord1 the vail shall be taken away4' ,but what is it to turn from the law to the ,lord8 ,why1 even to leave and forsake your spirit and principles1 and works from those principles1 and fly to the grace and merits2 'the glory of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4' ,now when the heart is turned to ,christ1 then the vail of ,moses is taken off2 wherefore then the soul 'with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the ,lord1 is changed--from glory to glory1 even as by the ,spirit of the ,lord' 7#b ,cor #c3ad1ah74 ,objection4 ,but it seems a paradox to many1 that a man should live to the law1 that is1 devote himself to the works of the ten commandments1 the most perfect rule of life2 and yet not be counted one changed1 or new4 ,answer4 ,though it seemeth an untruth1 yet it is most true1 that by the works of the law1 no heart is made new1 no man made new4 ,a man from principle of nature and reason1 7which principles are of himself1 and as old7 may give up himself to the goodness of the law3 yet these principles are so far off from being new1 that they are as old as ,adam in ,paradise2 and come into the world with all the children of men4 ,to which principles the law1 or the first principles of morals1 so equally suit1 that1 as you have said 7p4 #h71 'they are self-evident1 than which there is nothing mankind doth more naturally assent to' 7p4 #aa74 ,now nature is no new principle1 but an old3 even our own1 and of ourselves4 ,the law is no new principle1 but old1 and one with ourselves 7as also you well have called it7 'first written in men's hearts1 and originally dictates of human nature4' ,let a man then be as devout1 as is possible for the law1 and the holiness of the law4 ,yet if the principles from which he acts1 be but the habit of soul1 the purity 7as he feigns7 of his own nature2 principles of natural reason1 or the dictates of human nature2 all this is nothing else but the old gentleman in his holiday clothes3 the old heart1 the old spirit1 the spirit of the man1 not the spirit of ,christ1 is here4 ,and hence the apostle1 when he would shew us a man alive1 or made a new man indeed2 as he talketh of the ,holy ,ghost and faith1 so he tells us such are dead to the law1 to the law1 as a law of works2 to the law as to principles of nature4 ',wherefore1 my brethren1 ye also are become dead to the law the moral law1 and the ceremonial law by the body of ,christ1 that ye should be married to another another than the law even to him who is raised from the dead1 that we should bring forth fruit unto ,god' 7,rom #g3d74 ,ye are become dead to the law4 ,dead to the law6 ,why8 ,that you should be married to another4 ,married to another6 ,why8 ',that you should bring forth fruit unto ,god4' ,but doth not a man bring forth fruit unto ,god1 that walketh orderly according to the ten commandments8 ,no1 if he do it before faith make this in the spirit of a man1 by the dictates of human nature1 respecting the law1 as that1 by the obeying of which1 he must obtain acceptance with ,god4 ,this is bringing forth fruit unto himself2 for all that he doth1 he doth it as a man1 as a creature1 from principles natural1 and of himself1 his own1 and for none other than himself2 and therefore he serveth in an old spirit1 the oldness of the letter1 and for himself4 ,but now 7that is1 ye being dead to the law1 and married to ,christ7 that 7the law7 being dead2 by which 7while in ourselves7 we were held2 now we are delivered from that law1 both as to its curse and impositions1 as it stands a law of works in the heart of the world2 we serve in newness of the spirit1 'and not in the oldness of the letter' 7v #f74 ,a man must first then be dead to your principles1 both of nature and the law2 if he will serve in a new spirit1 if he would bring forth fruit unto ,god4#i ,wherefore your description of the principle of holiness in man1 and also the principles by which this holiness is put forth by him into righteous nets2 they are such as are altogether void of the true essentials of inward gospel-holiness and righteousness4 ,,fowler',s ,,assertion ,,that ,,the ,,grand1 ,,the ,,only ,,and ,,ultimate ,,design ,,of ,,the ,,gospel ,,of ,,christ ,,is ,,to ,,re-,,produce ,,man',s ,,original ,,righteousness ,,examined ,,and ,,confuted4 ,but there is one thing more in this description1 or rather effect thereof1 which ,i shall also inquire into3 and that is your saying1 ',as it was the errand of ,christ to effect our deliverance out of that sinful state we had brought ourselves into3 so to put us again into possession of that holiness which we had lost' 7p4 #ab74 ,the proof of this position is now your next business2 that is1 if ,i understand your learning1 the remaining part of your book1 which consisteth of well nigh #cjj pages1 is spent for proof thereof2 which ,i doubt not but effectually to confute with less than #cjj lines4 ,only first by the way1 ,i would have my reader to take notice that in this last clause1 7to put us again into possession of that holiness which we had lost7 is the sum of all this large description of his holiness in the foregoing pages2 that is1 the holiness and righteousness that ,mr4 ,fowler hath been describing2 and adds1 that ,christ's whole business when he came into the world was1 as to effect our deliverance from sin2 'so to put us again in possession of that holiness which we had lost4' ,the holiness therefore that here he contendeth for1 is that1 and only that which was in ,adam before the fall1 which he lost by transgression2 and we by transgressing in him4 ,a little therefore to inquire into this1 if perhaps his reader and mine may come to a right understanding of things4 ,first then1 ,adam before the fall1 even in his best and most sinless state1 was but a pure natural man1 consisting of body and soul2 these1 to use your own terms1 were his pure essentials3 7p4 #aa7 in this man's heart1 ,god also did write the law2 that is1 as you term them1 the first principles of morals 7p4 #h74 ,this then was the state of ,adam1 he was a pure natural man2 made by ,god sinless2 all the faculties of his soul and members of his body were clean4 ',god made man upright' 7,eccl #g3bi74 ,but he made him not then a spiritual man2 'the first ,adam was made a living soul1' 'howbeit that was not first which is spiritual2 but that which is natural1 and afterward that which is spiritual3 ,the first man is of the earth1 earthy' 7#a ,cor #ae3de-dg74 ,a living soul he was2 yet but a natural man1 even in his first and best estate2 but earthly1 when compared with ,christ1 or with them that believe in ,christ4 ,so then1 the holiness of ,adam in his best estate1 even that which he lost1 and we in him1 it was none other1 than that which was natural1 even the sinless state of a natural man4 ,this holiness then was not of the nature of that1 which hath for its root the ,holy ,ghost2 for of that we read not at all in him1 he only was indued with a living soul2 his holiness then could not be gospel1 nor that which is a branch of the second covenant3 his acts of righteousness1 were not by the operations of the ,spirit of grace1 but the dictates of the law in his own natural heart4 ,but the apostle when he treateth of the christian inherent holiness2 first excluding that in ,adam1 as earthly2 he tells us1 it is such as is in ,christ3 ',as is the earthy1 such are they that are earthy2 and as is the heavenly1 such are they that are heavenly4' ,let then those that are the sons of ,adam1 in the state of nature as he1 though not so pure1 and spotless as he1 be reckoned to bear his image and similitude3 but let them that are the children of ,christ1 though not so pure as he1 bear the image and similitude of ,christ3 'for they are conformable to the image of the ,son of ,god' 7,rom #h3bi74 ,the holiness therefore that was in ,adam1 being but that which was natural1 earthly1 and not of the ,holy ,ghost1 cannot be that which ,christ came into the world to give us possession of4 ,second1 ,adam in his best1 and most sinless state1 was but a type or figure3 ',the figure of him that was to come' 7,rom #e3ad74 ,a type in what8 ,a type or figure doubtless1 in his sinless and holy estate1 a type and figure of the holiness of ,christ3 ,but if ,christ should come from heaven1 to put us in possession of this sinless holiness that was in ,adam1 or that we lost in him3 to what more would his work amount1 than to put us into the possession of a natural1 figurative1 shadowish righteousness or holiness4 ,but this he never intended2 therefore it is not the possessing of his people with that holiness1 that was the great errand ,christ came into the world upon4 ,third1 ,the holiness and righteousness that was in1 and that we lost by1 ,adam before the fall2 was such as stood in1 and was to be managed by his natural perfect compliance with a covenant of works4 ,for1 ',do this sin and die1' were the terms that was from ,god to ,adam4 ,but ,christ at his coming brings in another1 a better1 a blessed covenant of grace2 and likewise possesseth his children1 with the holiness1 and privileges of that covenant2 not with ,adam's heart nor ,adam's mind2 but a new heart1 a new spirit1 a new principle to act by1 and walk in a new covenant4 ,therefore the holiness that was in ,adam before1 or that we lost in him by the fall1 could not be the holiness that ,christ at his coming made it his great or only business to put us in possession of4 ,fourth1 ,the holiness that was in ,adam before1 and that we lost in him by the fall1 was such as might stand with perfect ignorance of the mediation of ,jesus ,christ3 for ,christ was not made known to ,adam as a ,saviour1 before that ,adam was a sinner2 neither needed he at all to know him to be his ,mediator1 before he knew he had offended 7,gen #c74 ,but ,christ did not come into the world to establish us in1 or give us possession of such holiness as might stand with perfect ignorance of his ,mediatorship4 ,no2 the holiness that we believers have1 and the righteous acts that we fulfil1 they come to us1 and are done by us1 through the knowledge of the ,lord ,jesus1 and of his being the ,messias promised 7,eph #d3ba1bb2 #b ,peter #a3c74 ,fifth1 ,the holiness that was in ,adam1 was neither given him through the promise1 neither encouraged by the promise4 ,adam had no promise to possess him with a principle of holiness2 it came to him by creation2 neither had he any promise to strengthen or encourage him in holiness4 ,all he had was instructions concerning his duty1 and death threatened if he did it not 7,gen #b3ae-ag74 ,but ,christ came not to give us possession of an holiness or righteousness1 that came to us by our creation1 without a promise2 and that hath no promise to encourage us to continue therein2 but of an holiness that comes to us by the best of promises1 and that we are encouraged to by the best of promises4 ,therefore it was not his great errand when he came from heaven to earth1 to put us in possession of that promiseless holiness that ,adam had before1 and that was lost in him by the fall4 ,lastly1 ,in a word2 the holiness that ,adam had before1 and that we lost in him by the fall2 it was a natural shadowish old covenant1 promiseless holiness2 such as stood and might be walked in1 while he stood perfectly ignorant of the ,mediator ,christ4 ,wherefore it is rather the design of your ,apollo the devil1#aj whom in p4 #aja you bring forth to applaud your righteousness2 ,i say1 it is rather his design than ,christ's1 to put men upon an endeavour after a possession of that3 for that which is truly evangelical1 is the spiritual1 substantial1 new covenant promised holiness2 that which cometh to us by1 and standeth in the ,spirit1 faith and knowledge of the ,son of ,god1 not that which we lost in ,adam4 ,wherefore the song which there you learnt of the devil1 is true1 in the sense he made it1 and in the sense for which you bring it2 which is1 to beget in men1 the highest esteem of their own human nature2 and to set up this natural1 shadowish1 promiseless1 ignorant holiness1 in opposition to that which is truly ,christ's4 ,to dwell in heaven doth not more please him1 than ,within the souls of pious mortal men4 ,this is the song2 but you find it not in ,matthew1 ,mark1 ,luke1 or ,john1 but among the heathens who were his disciples1 and who were wont to inquire at his mouth1 and learn of him4 ,thus have ,i razed the foundation of your book1 even by overthrowing the holiness1 and righteousness1 which by you is set up1 as that which is the only true gospel1 and evangelical4 ,wherefore it remaineth1 that the rest of your book1 viz4 whatever therein is brought1 and urged for the proof of this your description of holiness1 c4 it is but the abuse of ,christ1 of scripture1 and reason2 it is but a wresting and corrupting the word of ,god1 both to your own destruction1 and them that believe you4 ,fowler's insidious errors routed4 ,but to pass this1 and to come to some other passages in your book2 and first to that in p4 #e where you say1 ',the holiness1 which is the design of the religion of ,christ ,jesus1--is not such as is subjected in any thing without us1 or is made ours by a mere external application1' c4 ,answer4 #a4 ,these words secretly smite at the justification that comes by the imputation of that most glorious righteousness that alone resideth in the person of the ,lord ,jesus2 and that is made ours by an act of eternal grace1 we resting upon it by the faith of ,jesus4 #b4 ,but if the holiness of which you speak1 be not subjected in any thing without us2 then it is not of all that fulness which it pleased the ,father should dwell in ,christ3 for the holiness and righteousness1 even the inward holiness that is in saints1 it is none other than that which dwelleth in the person of the ,son of ,god in heaven3 neither doth any man partake of1 or enjoy the least measure thereof1 but as he is united by faith to this ,son of ,god1 the thing is as true in him as in us2 in him as the head1 and without measure 7#a ,john #b3h72 and is originally seated in him1 not in us4 ',of his fulness have all we saints received1 and grace for grace' 7,john #a3af74 ,wherefore the holiness that hath its original from us1 from the purity of the human nature 7which is the thing you aim at7 and that originally1 as you term it1 is the dictates thereof1 is the religion of the ,socinians1 ,quakers1#aa c41 and not the religion of ,jesus ,christ4 ,and now ,i will come to your indifferent things1 viz41 those which you call 'positive precepts'2 things1 say you1 'of an indifferent nature2 and absolutely considered1 are neither good1 nor evil2--but are capable of becoming so2 only by reason of certain circumstances'3 of these positive indifferent precepts1 you say1 you know but three in the gospel2 but three1 that are purely so1 viz41 ',that of going to ,god by ,christ1 and the institutions of baptism1 and the ,lord's ,supper4' ,this we have in p4 #g and #i4 ,answer4 ,these words1 as ,i hinted before1 are highly derogatory to the ,lord1 the ,king of glory2 and trample as much upon the blood of the ,son of ,god1 as words can likely do4 ,for1 #a4 ,if going to ,god by ,christ1 be in itself but an indifferent thing1 then1 as ,i also hinted before1 it is not of the substance of ,christianity2 but a man may be truly a ,christian without it2 may be saved1 and go to heaven without it2 this is in truth the consequence of your words3 for things purely of an indifferent nature1 do not in themselves either make or mar the righteousness that justifieth us from the curse before ,god4 ,wherefore1 by your argument1 if a man remain ignorant of that positive precept1 of 'coming to ,god by ,christ'2 he remaineth ignorant but of an indifferent thing1 a thing that in itself is neither good nor evil1 and therefore not essentially material to his faith or justifying righteousness4 #b4 ,an indifferent thing in itself is next to nothing1 neither good nor evil then1 but a thing betwixt them both4 ,then is the blood of the ,lord ,jesus1 in itself1 of no value at all2 nor faith in him1 of itself1 any more than a thing of nought2 their virtue and goodness only dependeth upon certain circumstances that make them so4 ,for the indifferency of the thing lieth not simply in coming to ,god1 but in coming to him by ,christ3 coming otherwise to ,god1 even in this man's eyes1 being the all in all2 but in this coming1 in coming to him by ,christ1 there lieth the indifferency4 ,i marvel what injury the ,lord ,jesus hath done this man1 that he should have such indifferent thoughts of coming to ,god by him8 ,but hath he no better thoughts of his own good deeds1 which are by the law8 ,yes1 doubtless1 for those 7saith he7 'are of an indispensable1 and eternal obligation1 which were first written in men's hearts1 and originally dictates of human nature' 7p4 #h74 ,mark1 not a dictate of human nature1 or necessary conclusion or deduction from it1 is of an indifferent1 but of an indispensable2 not of a transient1 but of an eternal obligation4 ,it is only going to ,god by ,christ1 and two other things that he findeth in the gospel1 that of themselves are of an indifferent nature4 ,but how indifferent8 ,even as indifferent in itself as the blood of a silly sheep1 or the ashes of an heifer2 for these are his very words4 ',,such that is1 such ordinances as in themselves are of an indifferent nature were all the injunctions and prohibitions of the ceremonial law2 and some few such we have under the gospel' 7p4 #g74 ,then1 in p4 #i he tells you what these positive precepts under the gospel1 or things indifferent1 are3 ',,that of going to ,god by ,christ1 is one2 and the other two1 are the institutions of baptism1 and the ,lord's supper4' ,such therefore as were the ceremonies of the law1 such1 even such1 saith he1 is that of going to ,god by ,christ1 c4 ,wherefore1 he that shall lay no more stress upon the ,lord ,jesus to come to ,god by1 than this man doth1 would lay as much1 were the old ceremonies in force1 upon a silly sheep1 as upon the ,christ of ,god4 ,for these are all alike positive precepts1 such as were the ceremonies of the law1 things in themselves neither good nor evil1 but absolutely considered of an indifferent nature4 ,so that to come to ,god by ,christ1 is reckoned1 of itself1 by him1 a thing of a very indifferent nature1 and therefore this man cannot do it1 but with a very indifferent heart2 his great1 and most substantial coming to ,god1 must needs be by some other way 7,john #aj3a74 ,but why should this ,,thief love thus to clamber1 and seek to go to ,god by other means2 such which he reckoneth of a more indispensable nature1 and eternal2 seeing ,christ only1 as indifferent as he is1 is the only way to the ,father4 ',i am the way1 saith he the truth and the life2 no man cometh to the ,father but by me4' ,if he be the only way1 then there is none other2 if he be thus the truth1 then is all other the lie2 and if he be here the life1 then is all other the death2 let him call them indispensable and eternal never so often4 ,so then1 how far off this man's doctrine is1 of sinning against the ,holy ,ghost1 let him that is wise consider it4 ,for if coming to ,god by ,christ1 be in itself but a thing indifferent1 and only made a duty upon the account of certain circumstances2 then1 to come to ,god by ,christ1 is a duty incumbent upon us only by reason of certain circumstances2 not that the thing in itself is good1 or that the nature of sin1 and the justice of ,god1 layeth a necessity on us so to do4 ,but what be these certain circumstances8 ,for it is because of these1 if you will believe him1 that ,god the ,father1 yea1 the whole ,trinity1 did consult in eternity1 and consent1 that ,christ should be the way to life3 now1 ,i say1 it is partly because by him was the greatest safety1 he being naturally the justice1 wisdom1 and power of ,god2 and partly1 because it would1 we having sinned1 be utterly impossible we should come to ,god by other means and live4 ,he that will call these circumstances1 that is1 things over and above besides the substantials of the gospel1 will but discover his unbelief and ignorance1 c4 ,as for your saying1 that ,calvin1 ,peter ,martyr1 ,musculus1 ,zanchy1#ab and others1 did not question1 but that ,god could have pardoned sin1 without any other satisfaction1 than the repentance of the sinner 7p4 #hd74 ,it matters nothing to me1 ,i have neither made my creed out of them1 nor other1 than the holy scriptures of ,god4 ,but if ,christ was from before all worlds ordained to be the ,saviour1 then was he from all eternity so appointed and prepared to be4 ,and if ,god be1 as you say1 infinitely 7p4 #acf71 and ,i will add1 eternally just2 how can he pardon without he be presented with that satisfaction for sin1 that to all points of the highest perfection doth answer the demands of this infinite1 and eternal justice8 ,unless you will say1 that the repentance of a sinner is sufficient to answer whatever could be justly demanded as a satisfaction thereto2 which if you should1 you would in consequence say1 that man is1 or may be in himself1 just1 that is1 equal with ,god2 or that the sin of man was not a transgression of the law that was given1 and a procurer of the punishment that is threatened1 by that eternal ,god that gave it4 7,but let me give you a caution1 take heed that you belie not these men7 ,christ cries1 ',if it be possible let this cup pass from me' 7,matt #bf3ci74 ,if what be possible8 ,why1 that sinners should be saved without his blood 7,heb #i3bb2 ,luke #bd3bf2 ,acts #ag3c74 ',ought not ,christ to have suffered8' ',christ must needs have suffered1' not because of some certain circumstances1 but because the eternal justice of ,god1 could not consent to the salvation of the sinner1 without a satisfaction for the sin committed4#ac ,of which1 more in the next1 if you shall think good to reply4 ,now1 that my reader may see that ,i have not abused you in this reply to your sayings1 ,i will repeat your words at large1 and leave them upon you to answer it4 ,you say1 ',actions may become duties or sins these two ways2 first1 as they are compliances with1 or transgressions of1 divine positive precepts3 ,these are the declarations of the arbitrary will of ,god1 whereby he restrains our liberty1 for great and wise reasons1 in things that are of an indifferent nature1 and absolutely considered are neither good nor evil2 and so makes things not good in themselves and capable of becoming so only by reason of certain circumstances duties1 and things not evil in themselves1 sins4 ,such were all the injunctions and prohibitions of the ceremonial law1 and some few such we have under the gospel' 7p4 #g74 ,then p4 #i you tell us1 that 'the reasons of the positive laws that is1 concerning things in themselves indifferent contained in the gospel are declared2 of which say you ,i know not above three that are purely so1 viz4 ,that of going to ,god by ,christ1 and the institutions of baptism1 and the ,lord's ,supper4' ,here now let the reader note1 ,that the positive precepts1 declarations of the arbitrary will of ,god1 in things of an indifferent nature1 being such1 as absolutely considered1 are neither good nor evil2 some few ,,such1 say you1 we have under the gospel1 namely1 that of coming to ,god by ,christ1 c4 ,i am the more punctual in this thing1 because you have confounded your weak reader with a crooked parenthesis in the midst of the paragraph1 and also by deferring to spit your intended venom at ,christ1 till again you had puzzled him1 with your mathematics and metaphysics1 c41 putting in another page1 betwixt the beginning and the end of your blasphemy4 ,indeed1 in the seventh chapter of your book1 you make a great noise of the effects and consequences of the death of ,christ1 as that it was a sacrifice for sin1 an expiatory1 and propitiatory sacrifice 7p4 #hc74 ,yet1 he that well shall weight you1 and compare you with yourself1 shall find that words and sense1 with you are two things2 and also1 that you have learned of your brethren of old1 to dissemble with words1 that thereby your own heart-errors1 and the snake that lieth in your bosom1 may yet there abide the more undiscovered4 ,for in the conclusion of that very chapter1 even in and by a word or two1 you take away that glory1 that of right belongeth to the death and blood of ,christ1 and lay it upon other things4 ,for you say1 ',the scriptures that frequently affirm1 that the end of ,christ's death was the forgiveness of our sins1 and the reconciling of us to his ,father1 we are not so to understand1 those places where this is expressed as if these blessings were absolutely thereby procured for us any otherwise1 than upon condition of our effectual believing' 7p4 #ia74 ,i answer1 ,by the death of ,christ was the forgiveness of sins effectually obtained for all that shall be saved1 and they1 even while yet enemies1 by that were reconciled unto ,god4 ,so that1 as to forgiveness from ,god1 it is purely upon the account of grace in ,christ2 ',we are justified by his blood1 we are reconciled to ,god by the death of his ,son' 7,rom #e3i1aj74 ,yea peace is made by the blood of his cross 7,cor #a3bj71 and ,god for ,christ's sake hath forgiven us 7,eph #d3cb74 ,so then1 our effectual believing is not a procuring cause in the sight of ,god1 or a condition of ours foreseen by ,god1 and the motive that prevaileth with him to forgive us our manifold transgressions3 ,believing being rather that which makes application of that forgiveness1 and that possesseth the soul with that peace that already is made for us with ,god1 by the blood of his ,son ,christ ,jesus2 ',being justified by faith1 we have peace with ,god through our ,lord ,jesus ,christ' 7,rom #e3a74 ,the peace and comfort of it cometh not to the soul1 but by believing4 ,yet the work is finished1 pardon procured1 justice being satisfied already1 or before1 by the precious blood of ,christ4 ,observe1 ,i am commanded to believe1 but what should ,i believe8 ,or what should be the object of my faith in the matter of my justification with ,god8 ,why1 ,i am to believe in ,christ1 ,i am to have faith in his blood8 ,but what is it to believe in ,christ3 and what to have faith in his blood8 ,verily1 ,to believe that while we were yet sinners ,christ died for us1 that even then1 when we were enemies1 we were reconciled to ,god by the death of his ,son3 ,to believe that there is a righteousness already for us completed4 ,i had as good give you the apostle's argument and conclusion in his own language4 ',but ,god commendeth his love toward us1 in that1 while we were yet sinners1 ,christ died for us4 ,much more then1 being now justified by his blood1 we shall be saved from wrath through him' 7,rom #e3h1i74 ,and note that the word ,,now respects the same time with ,,yet that went before4 ',for if1 when we were enemies1 we were reconciled to ,god by the death of his ,son1 much more1 being reconciled1 we shall be saved by his life1' or intercession 7,rom #e3aj74 ,believing then1 as to the business of my deliverance from the curse before ,god1 is an accepting of 7#a ,tim #a3ae71 a trusting to 7,eph #a3ab1ac71 or a receiving 7,john #a3ab71 the benefit that ,christ hath already obtained for me2 by which act of faith1 ,i see my interest in that peace that is made before with ,god by the blood of his cross3 ,for if peace be made already by his blood1 then is the curse taken away from his sight2 if the curse be taken away from his sight1 then there is no sin with the curse of it to be charged from ,god by the law1 for so long as sin is charged by the law1 with the curse thereto belonging1 the curse1 and so the wrath of ,god remaineth4 ',but say you ,christ died to put us into a capacity of pardon' 7p4 #ia74 ,answer4 ,true2 but that is not all4 ,he died to put us into the personal possession of pardon3 ,yea1 to put us into a personal possession of it1 and that before we know it4 ',but say you the actual removing of our guilt is not the necessary and immediate result of his death' 7p4 #ia74 ,answer4 ,yea1 but it is from before the face of ,god1 and from the judgment and curse of the law2 for before ,god the guilt is taken away1 by the death and blood of his ,son1 immediately1 for all them that shall be saved2 else how can it be said we are justified by his blood2 he hath made peace by his blood4 ',he loved us1 and washed us from our sins in his own blood' 7,rev #a3e71 and that we are reconciled to ,god by the death of his ,son2 which can by no means be2 if1 notwithstanding his death and blood1 sin in the guilt1 and consequently the curse that is due thereto1 should yet remain in the sight of ,god4 ,but what saith the apostle8 ',god was in ,christ1 reconciling the world to himself1 not imputing their trespasses unto them' 7#b ,cor #e3ai74 ,those that are but reconciling1 are not yet reconciled3 ,i mean1 as ,paul1 not yet come aright over in their own souls by faith2 yet to these he imputeth not their trespasses3 ,wherefore8 because they have none3 or because he forgiveth them as they believe and work3 ,neither of both2 but because he hath first made his ,son to be sin for them1 and laid all the guilt and curse of their sin upon him1 that they might be made the righteousness of ,god in him4 ,therefore even because by him their sin and curse is taken off1 from before the law of ,god2 therefore1 ,god for the sake of ,christ1 seeketh for1 and beseecheth the sinner to be reconciled2 that is1 to believe in1 and embrace his majesty4 ',no say you the actual removing of our guilt1 is not the necessary and immediate result of his death2 but suspended until such time as the forementioned conditions1 by the help of his grace1 are performed by us' 7p4 #ib74 ,answer4 #a4 ,then may a man have the grace of ,god within him2 yea1 the grace and mercy of the new covenant1 viz4 ,faith1 and the like1 that yet remaineth under the curse of the law2 and so hath yet his sins untaken away from before the face of ,god2 for where the curse is only suspended1 it may stand there notwithstanding1 in force against the soul4 ,now1 let the soul stand accursed1 and his duties must stand accursed3 ,for first the person1 and then the offering must be accepted of ,god4 ,god accepted not the works of ,cain1 because he had not accepted his person 7,gen #d3e74 ,but having first accepted ,abel's person1 he therefore did accept his offering 7,heb #aa3d74 ,and hence it is said1 that ,abel offered by faith3 ,he believed that his person was accepted of ,god1 for the sake of the promised ,messias1 and therefore believed also that his offering should be accepted4 #b4 ,faith1 as it respecteth justification in the sight of ,god1 must know nothing to rest upon but the mercy of ,god1 through ,christ's blood3 ,but if the curse be not taken away1 mercy also hangeth in suspense2 yea1 lieth as drowned1 and hid in the bottom of the sea4 ,this doctrine then of your's overthroweth faith1 and rusheth#ad the soul into the works of the law1 the moral law2 and so quite involveth it in the fear of the wrath of ,god1 maketh the soul forget ,christ1 taketh from it the object of faith2 and if a miracle of mercy prevent not1 the soul must die in everlasting desperation4 ',but say you it is suspended till such time as the forementioned conditions1 by the help of his grace1 are performed by us' 7p4 #ib74 ,answer4 ,had you said the manifestation of it is kept from us1 it might1 with some allowance1 have been admitted2 but yet the revelation of it in the word1 which in some sense may be called a manifestation thereof1 is first discovered to us by the word2 yea1 is seen by us1 and also believed as a truth recorded2 before the enjoyment thereof be with comfort in our own souls 7#a ,john #e3aa74 ,but you proceed and say1 ',therefore was the death of ,christ designed to procure our justification from all sins past1 that we might be by this means provoked to become new creatures' 7p4 #ib74 ,answer4 ,that the death of ,christ is a mighty argument to persuade with the believer1 to devote himself to ,god in ,christ1 in all things1 as becometh one that hath received grace and redemption by his blood1 is true2 but that it is in our power1 as is here insinuated1 to become new creatures1 is as untrue4 ,the new creature1 is of ,god2 yea1 immediately of ,god2 man being as incapable to make himself anew1 as a child to beget himself 7#b ,cor #e3ag1ah74 ,neither is our conformity to the revealed will of ,god1 any thing else1 if it be right1 than the fruit and effect of that4 ,all things are already1 or before1 become new in the ,christian man4 ,but to return3 ,after all the flourish you have made about the death of ,christ1 even as he is an expiatory1 and propitiatory sacrifice2 in conclusion1 you terminate the business far short of that for which it was intended of ,god3 for you almost make the effects thereof but a bare suspension of present justice and death for sin2 or that which hath delivered us at present from a necessity of dying1 that we might live unto ,god2 that is1 according as you have stated it4 ',that we might from principles of humanity and reason1 act towards the first principles of morals1 c4 till we put ourselves into a capacity of personal and actual pardon4' ,answer4 ,the sum of your doctrine therefore is1 that ,christ by his death only holds the point of the sword of justice1 not that he received it into his own soul2 that he suspends the curse from us1 not that himself was made a curse for us1 that the guilt might be remitted by our virtues2 not that he was made to be our sin3 ,but ,paul and the ,new ,testament1 giveth us account far otherwise2 viz4 ',that ,christ was made our sin1 our curse1 and death1 that we by him not by the principles of pure humanity1 or our obedience to your first principles of morals1 c4 should be set free from the law of sin and death' 7#b ,cor #e3ba2 ,gal #c3ac74 ,if any object that ,christ hath designed the purifying our hearts and natures2 ,i answer1 ,but he hath not designed to promote1 or to perfect that righteousness that is founded on1 and floweth from1 the purity of our human nature2 for then he must design the setting up man's righteousness1 that which is of the law3 and then he must design also the setting up of that which is directly in opposition1 both to the righteousness1 that of ,god is designed to justify us2 and that by which we are inwardly made holy4 ,as ,i have shewed before4 ,you have therefore1 ,sir1 in all that you have yet asserted1 shewed no other wisdom than a heathen1 or of one that is short1 even of a novice in the gospel4 ,in the next place1 ,i might trace you chapter by chapter2 and at large refute1 not only the whole design of your book by a particular replication to them2 but also sundry and damnable errors1 that like venom drop from your pen4 ,but as before ,i told you in general1 so here ,i tell you again1 ,that neither the scriptures of ,god1 the promise1 or threatenings1 the life1 or death1 resurrection1 ascension1 or coming again of ,christ to judgment2 hath the least syllable or tendency in them to set up your heathenish and pagan holiness or righteousness2 wherefore your whole discourse is but a mere abuse of1 and corrupting the holy scriptures1 for the fastening1 if it might have been1 your errors upon the godly4 ,i conclude then upon the whole1 that the gospel hath cast out man's righteousness to the dogs2 and conclude that there is no such thing as a purity of human nature1 as a principle in us1 thereby to work righteousness withal4 ,farther1 ,it never thought of returning us again to the holiness we lost in ,adam1 or to make our perfection to consist in the possession of so natural1 and ignorant#ae a principle as that is1 in all the things of the holy gospel2 but hath declared another and far better way1 which you can by no means understand by all the dictates of your humanity4 ,i will therefore content myself at present with gathering up some few errors1 out of those abundance which are in your book2 and so leave you to ,god1 who can either pardon these grievous errors1 or damn you for your pride and blasphemies4 ,fowler's false quotations of scripture4 ,you pretend in the beginning of your second chapter1 to prove your assertion1 viz4 ',that the great errand that ,christ came upon1 was to put us again into possession of that holiness which we had lost' 7p4 #ab74 ,for proof whereof you bring ,john the ,baptist's doctrine 7,matt #c3a1b71 and the angel's saying to ,zacharias 7,luke #a3af1ag71 and the prophet ,malachi 7#c3a-c71 in which texts there is as much for your purpose1 and no more1 than there is in a perfect blank2 for which of them speak a word of the righteousness or holiness which we have lost8 ,or where is it said1 either by these mentioned1 or by the whole scripture1 that we are to be restored to1 and put again into possession of that holiness8 ,these are but the dictates of your human nature4 ,john's ministry was1 ',to make ready a people prepared for the ,lord ,jesus'2 not to possess them with themselves and their own1 but now lost1 holiness4 ,and so the angel told his father1 saying1 ',many of the children of ,israel shall he turn to the ,lord their ,god'3 ,not to ,adam's innocency1 or to the holiness that we lost by him4 ,neither did the prophet ,malachi prophesy that ,christ at his coming should put men again in possession of the holiness we had lost4 ,and ,i say again1 as you here fall short of your purpose1 so ,i challenge you to produce but one piece of a text1 that in the least looketh to such a thing4 ,the whole tenor of the scripture1 that speaks of the errand of ,christ ,jesus1 tells us another lesson1 to wit1 ,that he himself came to save us1 and that by his own righteousness2 not that in ,adam1 or which we have lost in him1 unless you can say and prove that we had once1 even before we were converted1 the holiness of ,christ within us1 or the righteousness of ,christ upon us4 ,but you yet get on1 and tell us1 ',that this was also the prophesy of the angel to ,joseph 7p4 #ad7 in these words ,,he ,jesus shall save his people from their sins4' ',not say you from the punishment of them1 although that be a true sense too2 but not the primary1 but secondary1 and implied only1 and the consequence of the former salvation' 7p4 #ae74 ,answer4 ,thus ,penn the quaker and you run in this1 in one and the self same spirit2 he affirming that sanctification is antecedent to justification1 but not the consequence thereof4 #b4 ,but what salvation8 ,why salvation8 say you3 ,first from the filth2 for that is the primary and first sense3 justification from the guilt1 being the never-failing consequence of this4 ,but how then must ,jesus ,christ1 first save us from the filth8 ,you add in p4 #af1 ',that he shall bring in1 instead of the ceremonial observations1 a far more noble1 viz41 ,an inward substantial righteousness3 and by abrogating that namely of the ceremonies he shall establish only this inward righteousness4' ,this is1 that holiness1 or righteousness you tell us of1 in the end of the chapter going before1 that you acknowledge we had lost2 so that the sum of all that you have said1 is1 ,that the way that ,christ will take to save his people from their sins1 is1 first to restore unto them1 and give them possession of1 the righteousness that they had lost in ,adam3 and having established this in them1 he would acquit them also of guilt4 ,but that this is a shameless error1 and blasphemy1 is apparent1 from which hath already been asserted of the nature of the holiness1 or righteousness1 that we have lost1 viz41 ,that it was only natural of the old covenant1 typical3 and such as might stand with perfect ignorance of the mediation of ,jesus ,christ3 and now ,i add1 ,that for ,christ to come to establish this righteousness1 is alone1 as if he should be sent from heaven1 to overthrow1 and abrogate the eternal purpose of grace1 which the ,father had purposed should be manifested to the world by ,christ4 ,but ,christ came not to restore1 or to give us possession of that which was once our own holiness1 but to make us partakers of that which is in him1 'that we might be made partakers of ,,his holiness4' ,neither 7were it granted that you speak the truth7 is it possible for a man to be filled with inward gospel holiness1 and righteousness1 that yet abideth1 as before the face of ,god1 under the curse of the law1 or the guilt of his own transgressions 7,heb #ab74 ,the guilt must therefore1 first be taken off1 and we set free by faith in that blood1 that did it1 before we can act upon pure ,christian principles4 ,pray tell me the meaning of this one text2 which speaking of ,christ1 saith1 ',who when he had by himself purged our sins1 sat down on the right hand of the ,majesty on high' 7,heb #a3c74 ,tell me1 ,i say1 by this text1 whether is here intended the sins of all that shall be saved8 ,if so1 what kind of a purging is here meant1 seeing thousands1 and thousands of thousands1 of the persons intended by this act of purging were not then in being1 nor their personal sins in act8 ,and note1 he saith1 he purged them1 before he sat down at the right hand of ,god3 purging then1 in this place1 cannot first1 and primarily1 respect the purging of the conscience3 but the taking1 the complete taking of the guilt1 and so the curse from before the face of ,god1 according to other scriptures3 ',he hath made him to be sin1 and accursed of ,god for us4' ,now he being made the sin which we committed1 and the curse which we deserved2 there is no more sin nor curse2 ,i mean to be charged by the law1 to damn them that shall believe1 not that their believing takes away the curse1 but puts the soul upon trusting to him1 that before purged this guilt1 and curse3 ,i say1 before he sat down on the right hand of ,god2 not to suspend1 as you would have it1 but to take away the sin of the world4 ',the ,lord hath laid upon him the iniquities of us all' 7,isa #ec3f74 ,and he bare them in his own body on the tree 7#a ,peter #b3bd73 nor yet that he should often offer himself2 for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world3 but now1 7and that at once17 in the end of the world hath he appeared1 to put away sin1 by the sacrifice of himself 7,heb #i3bd-bf74 ,mark1 he did put it away by the sacrifice of his body and soul1 when he died on the cross3 but he could not then put away the inward filth of those1 that then remained unconverted2 or those that as yet wanted being in the world4 ,the putting away of sin therefore1 that the ,holy ,ghost here intendeth1 is1 such a putting of it away1 as respecteth the guilt1 curse1 and condemnation thereof1 as it stood by the accusations of the law1 against all flesh before the face of ,god2 which guilt1 curse1 and condemnation1 ,christ himself was made in that day1 when he died the death for us4 ,and this is the first and principal intendment of the angel1 in that blessed saying to godly ,joseph1 concerning ,christ2 ',he shall save his people from their sins'2 from the guilt and curse due to them1 first3 and afterwards from the filth thereof4 ,this is yet manifest1 further2 because the heart is purified by faith1 and hope 7,acts #ae3i2 #a ,john #c3c74 ,now it is not the nature of faith2 ,i mean1 of justifying faith1 to have any thing for an object2 from which it fetcheth peace with ,god1 and holiness before1 or besides the ,christ of ,god himself2 for he is the way to the ,father3 and no man can come to the ,father1 but by him4 ,come2 that is1 so as to find acceptance1 and peace with him3 the reason is1 because without his blood1 guilt remains 7,heb #i3bb74 ,he hath made peace by the blood of his cross3 so then1 faith in the first place seeketh peace4 ,but why peace first8 ,because till peace is fetched into the soul1 by faith's laying hold on the blood of ,christ3 sin remains in the guilt and curse1 though not in the sight of ,god1 yet upon the conscience1 through the power of unbelief4 ',he that believeth not1 stands yet condemned' 7,john #c3ah1ai74 ,now1 so long as guilt1 and the curse in power remains1 there is not purity1 but unbelief2 not joy1 but doubting2 not peace1 but peevishness2 not content1 but murmuring1 and angering against the ,lord himself4 ',the law worketh wrath' 7,rom #d3ae74 ,wherefore1 as yet there can be no purity of heart1 because that faith yet wants his object4 ,but having once found peace with ,god by believing what the blood of ,christ hath done2 joy followeth2 so doth peace1 quietness1 content1 and love2 which is also the fulfilling of the law3 yet not from such dungish principles as yours1 for so the apostle calls them 7,phil #c3h74 ,but from the ,holy ,ghost itself2 which ,god1 by faith1 hath granted to be received by them that believe in the blood of his ,jesus4 ,but you add1 ,that ,christ giveth1 first repentance1 and then forgiveness of sins 7p4 #ag74 ,answer4 #a4 ,this makes nothing for the holiness which we lost in ,adam3 for the proof of which you bring that text 7,acts #e3ca74 #b4 ,but for ,christ to take way guilt1 and the curse1 from before the face of ,god1 is one thing2 and to make that discovery1 is another4 #c4 ,again1 ,christ doth not give forgiveness for the sake of that repentance1 which hath its rise1 originally from the dictates of our own nature1 which is the thing you are to prove2 for that repentance is called the sorrow of this world1 and must be again repented of3 but the repentance mentioned in the text1 is that which comes from ,christ3 ,but1 #d4 ,it cannot be for the sake of gospel-repentance1 that the forgiveness of sins is manifested1 because both are his peculiar gift4 #e4 ,therefore1 both faith1 and repentance1 and forgiveness of sins1 are given by ,christ2 and come to us1 for the sake of that blessed offering of his body1 once for all4 ,for after he arose from the dead1 having led captivity captive1 and taken the curse from before the face of ,god3 therefore his ,father gave him gifts for men1 even all the things that are necessary1 and effectual1 for our conversion1 and preservation in this world1 c4 7,eph #d3h74 ,this text1 therefore1 with all the rest you bring1 falleth short of the least shew of proof1 ',that the great errand for which ,christ came into the world was--to put us in possession of the holiness that we had lost4' ,your third chapter is as empty of the proof of your design as that through which we have passed3 there being not one scripture therein cited1 that giveth the least intimation1 that ever it entered into the heart of ,christ to put us again into possession of that holiness which we had before we were converted3 for such was that we lost in ,adam4 ,you tell us the sum of all is1 'that we are commanded to add to our faith1 virtue1' c4 7p4 #be74 ,i suppose you intend a gospel faith1 which if you can prove ,adam had before the fall1 and that we lost this faith in him2 and also that this gospel faith is none other1 but that which originally ariseth from1 or is the dictates of human nature1 ,i will confess you have scripture1 and knowledge beyond me4 ,in the mean time you must suffer me to tell you1 you are as far in this from the mind of the ,holy ,ghost1 as if you had yet never in all your days heard whether there be a ,holy ,ghost or no4 ,add to your faith4 ,the apostle here lays a gospel principle1 viz41 ,faith in the ,son of ,god3 which faith layeth hold of the forgiveness of sins1 alone for the sake of ,christ2 therefore he is a great way off1 of laying the purity of the human nature1 the law1 as written in the heart of natural man1 as the principle of holiness2 from whence is produced good works in the soul of the godly4 ,in your fourth chapter also 7p4 #bh7 even in the beginning thereof2 even with one text you have overthrown your whole book4 ,this chapter is to prove1 that the only design of the promises1 and threatenings of the gospel1 is to promote1 and put us again in possession of the holiness we had lost4 ,for that the reader must still remember1 is the only design of your book 7p4 #ab74 ,whereas the first text you speak of 7#b ,peter #a3d71 maketh mention of the ,divine nature1 or of the ,spirit of the living ,god1 which is also received by the precious faith of ,christ1 and the revelation of the knowledge of him2 this blessed ,spirit1 and therefore not the dictates of human nature1 is the principle that is laid in the godly3 but ,adam's holiness had neither the knowledge1 or faith1 or ,spirit of the ,lord ,jesus1 as its foundation1 or principle3 yea1 nature was his foundation1 even his own nature was the original1 from whence his righteousness and good works arose4 ,the next scriptures also1 viz4 #b ,corinthians #g3a2 ,romans #ab3a overthrow you2 for they urge the promises as motives to stir us up to holiness4 ,but ,adam had neither the ,spirit of ,jesus1 or faith him in him1 as a principle3 nor any promises to him as motives3 wherefore this was not that to which he1 or which we ,christians are exhorted to seek the possession of2 but that which is operated by that ,spirit which we receive by the faith of ,jesus1 and that which is encouraged by those promises1 that ,god hath since given to them that have closed by faith with ,jesus4 ,the rest also 7in p4 #bi71 not one of them doth promise us the possession of the holiness we have lost1 or any mercy to them that have it4 ,you add3 ',and whereas the promises of pardon1 and of eternal life are very frequently made to believing2 there is nothing more evidently declared1 than that this faith is such as purifieth the heart1 and is productive of good works' 7p4#cj74 ,answer4 #a4 ,if the promise be made at all to believing1 it is not made to us upon the account of the holiness we had lost2 for ,i tell you yet again1 that holiness is not of faith1 neither was faith the effect thereof4 ,but1 #b4 ,the promises of pardon1 though they be made to such a faith as is fruitful in good works3 yet not to it1 as it is fruitful in doing1 but in receiving good4 ,sir1 the quality of justifying faith is this1 ,not to work1 but to believe1 as to the business of pardon of sin3 and that not only1 because of the sufficiency that this faith sees in ,christ to justify1 but also for that it knows those whom ,god thus pardoneth1 he justifieth as ungodly4 ',but to him that worketh not1 but believeth'2 7,mark1 here faith and works are opposed7 ',but to him that worketh not1 but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly1 his faith is counted for righteousness' 7,rom #d3e74 ,you add farther1 ',that the promises may be reduced to these three heads2 that of the ,holy ,spirit1 of remission of sins1 and eternal happiness1 in the enjoyment of ,god' 7p4 #cj74 ,answer4 ,if you can prove that any of these promises were made to the holiness that we had lost1 or that by these promises we are to be possessed with that holiness again2 ,i will even now lay down the bucklers4 ,for albeit1 the time will come when the saints shall be absolutely1 and perfectly sinless2 yet then shall they be also spiritual1 immortal1 and incorruptible1 which you cannot prove ,adam was1 in the best of his holiness1 even that which we lost in him4 ,the threatenings you speak of#af are every one made against sin1 but not one of them to drive us into a possession of that holiness that we had lost3 nay1 contrariwise1 he that looks to1 or seeks after that1 is as sure to be damned1 and go to hell1 as he that transgresseth the law2 because that is not the righteousness of ,god1 the righteousness of ,christ1 the righteousness of faith1 nor that to which the promise is made4 ,and this was manifested to the world betimes1 even in that day1 when ,god drove the man and his wife out of ,eden1 and placed cherubims1 and a flaming sword1 in the way by which they came out1 to the end1 that by going back by that way1 they might rather be killed and die1 than lay hold of the 'tree of life' 7,gen #c74 ,which the apostle also respects1 when he calleth the way of the gospel1 the ,,new and ,,living way1 even that which is made by the blood of ,christ 7,heb #aj3bj72 concluding by this description of the way that is by blood1 that the other is old1 and the way of death1 even that which is by the moral law1 or the dictates of our nature1 or by that fond conceit of the goodly holiness of ,adam4 ,our ,lord's object not merely to restore man's natural holiness1 but to impart his own infinite and eternal holiness to those that believe4 ,your fifth chapter tells us1 ',that the promoting of holiness was the design of our ,saviour's whole life and conversation among men' 7p4 #cf74 ,answer4 #a4 ,were this granted1 it reacheth nothing at all the design for which you in your way present us with it3 ,for1 #b4 ,that which you have asserted is3 ,that the errand about which ,christ came1 was1 as the effecting our deliverance out of that sinful state we had brought ourselves into1 so to put us again in possession of that holiness which we had lost2 for that1 you say1 is the business of your book 7p4 #ab74 ,wherefore you should have told us in the head of this chapter1 not so much that our ,saviour designed the promoting of holiness in general by his life1 but that the whole design of our ,saviour's life and conversation1 was to put us again into possession of that holiness which we had lost1 into a possession of that natural1 old covenant1 figurative1 ignorant holiness4 ,but it seems you count that there is no other than that now lost1 but never again to be obtained holiness1 that was in ,adam4 #c4 ,farther1 you also falter here1 as to the stating of the proposition2 for in the beginning of your book1 you state it thus3 ,that the enduing men with inward real righteousness1 or true holiness1 was the ultimate end of our ,saviour's coming into the world1 still meaning the holiness we lost in ,adam4 ,you should therefore in this place also1 have minded your reader of this your proposition1 and made it manifest if you could1 'that the ultimate end of our ,saviour's whole life and conversation1 was the enduing men with this ,adamitish holiness4' ,but holiness1 and that holiness1 is alone with you2 and to make it his end1 and whole end2 his business1 and the whole business of his life2 is but the same with you4 ,but you must know1 that the whole life and conversation of our ,saviour1 was intended for another purpose1 than to drive us back to1 or to endue us with1 such an holiness and righteousness as ,i have proved this to be4 ,you have therefore1 in this your discourse1 put an insufferable affront upon the ,son of ,god1 in making all his life and conversation to centre and terminate in the holiness we had lost3 ,as if the ,lord ,jesus was sent down from heaven1 and the word of ,god made flesh2 that by a perfect life and conversation1 he might shew us how holy ,adam was before he fell2 or what an holiness that our holiness was1 which we had before we were converted4 ,your discourse therefore1 of the life and conversation of the ,lord ,jesus1 is none other than heathenish3 ,for you neither treat of the principle1 his ,godhead1 by which he did his works2 neither do you in the least1 in one syllable1 aver the first1 the main and prime reason of this his conversation2 only you treat of it so far1 as a mean man might have considered it4 ,and indeed it stood not with your design to treat aright with these things2 for had you mentioned the first1 though but once1 your ,babel had tumbled about your ears2 for if in the holy ,jesus did 'dwell the word1' one of the three in heaven2 or if the ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ was truly1 essentially1 and naturally ,god2 then must the principle from whence his works did proceed1 be better than the principle from whence proceeded the goodness in ,adam2 otherwise ,adam must be ,god and man4 ,also you do1 or may know that the self-same act may be done from several principles3 and again1 that it is the principle from whence the act is done1 and not the bare doing of the act1 that makes it better or worse accepted1 in the eyes either of ,god or men4 ,now then1 to shew you the main1 or chief design of the life and conversation of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,first1 ,it was not to shew us what an excellent holiness we once had in ,adam1 but that thereby ,god1 the ,eternal ,majesty1 according to his promise1 might be seen by1 and dwell with1 mortal men3 ,for the ,godhead being altogether in its own nature invisible1 and yet desirous to be seen by1 and dwell with the children of men2 therefore was the ,son1 who is the self-same substance with the ,father1 closed with1 or tabernacled in our flesh2 that in that flesh1 the nature and glory of the ,godhead might be seen by1 and dwell with us3 ',the word was made flesh1 and dwelt among us1 and we beheld his glory1 7what glory8 the glory17 as of the only begotten of the ,father full of grace and truth' 7,john #a3ad74 ,again1 ',the life that is1 the life of ,god1 in the works and conversation of ,christ was manifested1 and we have seen it1 and bear witness1 and shew unto you that eternal life1 which was with the ,father1 and was manifested unto us' 7#a ,john #a3b74 ,and hence he is called the image of the invisible ,god 7,col #a3ae72 or he by whom the invisible ,god is most perfectly presented to the sons of men4 ,did ,i say before1 that the ,god of glory is desirous to be seen of us8 ,even so also1 have the pure in heart1 a desire that it should be so3 ',lord1 say they1 shew us the ,father1 and it sufficeth us' 7,john #ad3h74 ,and therefore the promise is for their comfort1 that 'they shall see ,god' 7,matt #e3h74 ,but how then must they see him8 ,why1 in the person1 and by the life and works of ,jesus4 ,when ,philip1 under a mistake1 thought of seeing ,god some other way1 than in and by this ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 ,what is the answer8 ',have ,i been so long time with you1 saith ,christ and yet hast thou not known me1 ,philip8 ,he that hath seen me1 hath seen the ,father2 and how sayest thou then1 ,shew us the ,father8 ,believest thou not that ,i am in the ,father1 and the ,father in me8 ,the words that ,i speak unto you ,i speak not of myself3 but the ,father1 that dwelleth in me1 he doth the works4 ,believe me1 that ,i am in the ,father1 and the ,father in me2 or else believe me for the very works' sake' 7,john #ad3i-aa74 ,see here1 that both the words and works of the ,lord ,jesus1 were not to shew you1 and so to call you back to the holiness that we had lost1 but to give us visions of the perfections that are in the ,father4 ,he hath given us 'the knowledge of the glory of ,god1 in the face of ,jesus ,christ' 7#b ,cor #d3f74 ,and hence it is1 that the apostle1 in that brief collection of the wonderful mystery of godliness1 placeth this in the front thereof3 ',god was manifest in the flesh' 7#a ,tim #c3af74 ,was manifest1 viz4 ,in and by the person of ,christ1 when in the flesh he lived among us2 manifest1 ,i say1 for this1 as one reason1 that the pure in heart1 who long after nothing more1 might see him4 ',i beseech thee1' said ,moses1 'shew me thy glory4'#ag 'and will ,god indeed dwell with men on the earth8' saith ,solomon4 ,now to fulfil the desires of them that fear him1 hath he shewed himself in flesh unto them2 which discovery principally is made by the words and works of ,christ4 ,but1 ,second1 ,christ by his words and works of righteousness1 in the days of his flesh1 neither shewed us which was1 nor called us back to the possession of the holiness that we had lost2 but did perfect1 in1 and by himself1 the law for us1 that we had broken4 ,man being involved in sin and misery1 by reason of transgression committed against the law1 or ministration of death1 and being utterly unable to recover himself therefrom1 the ,son of ,god himself assumeth the flesh of man1 and for sin condemned sin in that flesh4 ,and that first1 by walking1 through the power of his eternal ,spirit1 in the highest perfection to every point of the whole law1 in its most exact and full requirements2 which was to be done1 not only without commixing sin in his doing1 but by one that was perfectly without the least being of it in his nature2 yea1 by one that now as ,god-,man1 because it was ,god whose law was broken1 and whose justice was offended3 ,for1 were it now possible to give a man possession of that holiness that he hath lost in ,adam1 that holiness could neither in the principle nor act deliver from the sin by him before committed4 ,this is evident by many reasons3 #a4 ,because it is not a righteousness able to answer the demands of the law for sin2 that requiring not only a perfect abiding in the thing commanded1 but a satisfaction by death1 for the transgression committed against the law4 ',the wages of sin is death' 7,rom #f3bc74 ,wherefore he that would undertake the salvation of the world1 must be one who can do both these things2 one that can perfectly do the demands of the law in thought1 word1 and deed1 without the least commixture of the least sinful thought in the whole course of his life3 ,he must be also able to give by death1 even by the death that hath the curse of ,god in it1 a complete satisfaction to the law for the breach thereof4 ,now this could none but ,christ accomplish2 none else having power to do it4 ',i have power said he to lay down my life1 and ,i have power to take it again3 ,and this commandment have ,i received of my ,father' 7,john #aj3ah74 ,this work then must be done1 not by another earthly ,adam1 but by the ,lord from ,heaven2 by one that can abolish sin1 destroy the devil1 kill death1 and rule as ,lord in heaven and earth4 ,now the words and works of the ,lord ,jesus1 declared him to be such an one4 ,he was first without sin2 then he did no sin2 neither could either the devil1 the whole world1 or the law1 find any deceit in his mouth3 ,but by being under the law1 and walking in the law1 by that ,spirit which was the ,lord ,god of the law1 he not only did always the things that pleased the ,father1 but by that means in man's flesh1 he did perfectly accomplish and fulfil that law which all flesh stood condemned by4 ,it is a foolish and an heathenish thing1 nay worse1 to think that the ,son of ,god should only1 or specially fulfil1 or perfect the law1 and the prophets1 by giving more and higher instances of moral duties than were before expressly given 7p4 #ag74 ,this would have been but the lading of men with heavy burthens4 ,but know then1 whoever thou art that readest1 that ,christ's exposition of the law was more to shew thee the perfection of his own obedience1 than to drive thee back to the holiness thou hadst lost2 for ,god sent him to fulfil it1 by doing it1 and dying to the most sore sentence it could pronounce3 not as he stood a single person1 but common1#ah as ,mediator between ,god and man2 making up in himself the breach that was made by sin1 betwixt ,god and the world4 ,for1 ,third1 ,he was to die as a lamb1 as a lamb without blemish1 and without spot1 according to the type2 ',your lamb shall be without blemish' 7,exo #ab3e74 ,but because there was none such to be found ,,by and ,,among all the children of men2 therefore ,god sent ,,his from heaven4 ,hence ,john calls him the ,lamb of ,god 7,john #a3bi71 and ,peter him that was without spot1 who washed us by his blood 7#a ,peter #a3ai74 ,now wherein doth it appear that he was without spot and blemish1 but as he walked in the law8 ,these words therefore without spot are the sentence of the law1 who searching him could find nothing in him why he should be slain1 yet he died because there was sin3 ,sin6 where8 ,not in him1 but in his people2 ',for the transgression of my people was he stricken' 7,isa #ec3h74 ,he died then for our sins1 and qualified himself so to do1 by coming sinless into the world1 and by going sinless through it2 for had he not done both these1 he must have died for himself4 ,but being ,god1 even in despite of all that stumble at him1 he conquered death1 the devil1 sin1 and the curse1 by himself1 and then sat down at the right hand of ,god4 ,fourth1 ,and because he hath a second part of his priestly office to do in heaven2 therefore it was thus requisite that he should thus manifest himself to be holy and harmless1 undefiled1 and separate from sinners on the earth 7,heb #g3bf74 ,as ,aaron first put on the holy garments1 and then went into the holiest of all4 ,the life1 therefore1 and conversation of our ,lord ,jesus1 was to shew us with what a curious robe and girdle he went into the holy place2 and not to shew us with what an ,adamitish holiness he would possess his own4 ',such an high priest became us1 who is holy1 harmless1 undefiled1 separate from sinners1 and made higher than the heavens'2 that he might always be accepted1 both in person and offering1 when he presenteth his blood to ,god1 the atonement for sin4 ,indeed in some things he was an example to us to follow him2 but mark1 it was not as he was ,mediator1 not as he was under the law to ,god1 not as he died for sin1 nor as he maketh reconciliation for iniquity4 ,but in these things consist the life of our soul1 and the beginning of our happiness4 ,he was then exemplary to us1 as he carried it meekly and patiently1 and self-denyingly towards the world3 ,but yet not so neither to any but such to whom he first offered justification by the means of his righteousness2 for before he saith 'learn of me1' he saith1 ',i will give you rest'2 rest from the guilt of sin1 and fear of everlasting burnings 7,matt #aa74 ,and so ,peter first tells us1 he died for our sins2 and next1 that he left us an example 7#a ,peter #b3ba74 ,but should it be granted that the whole of ,christ's life and conversation among men was for our example1 for no other end at all1 but that we should learn to live by his example1 yet it would not follow1 but be as far from truth as the ends of the earth are asunder1 that by this means he sought to possess us with the holiness we had lost1 for that he had not in himself2 it is true he was born without sin1 yet born ,god and man2 he lived in the world without sin1 but he lived as ,god-,man3 he walked in and up to the law1 but it was as ,god-,man4 ,neither did his manhood1 even in those acts of goodness1 which as to action1 most properly respected it2 do ought without1 but by and in conjunction with his ,godhead3 ,wherefore all and every whit of the righteousness and good that he did was that of ,god-,man1 the righteousness of ,god4 ,but this was not ,adam's principle1 nor any holiness that we had lost4 ,your fifth chapter1 therefore1 consisteth of words spoken to the air4 ,your sixth chapter tells us1 ',that to make men truly virtuous and holy1 was the design of ,christ's inimitable actions1 or mighty works and miracles1 and these did only tend to promote it' 7p4 #fh74 ,he neither did1 nor needed1 so much as one small piece of a miracle to persuade men to seek for the holiness which they had lost1 or to give them again possession of that2 for that as ,i have shewed1 though you would fain have it otherwise1 is not at all the ,christian or gospel righteousness4 ,wherefore1 in one word1 you are as short by this chapter to prove your natural old covenant1 promiseless1 figurative holiness1 to be here designed1 as if you had said so much as amounts to nothing4 ,farther1 ,christ needed not to work a miracle to persuade men to fall in love with themselves1 and their own natural dictates2 to persuade them that they have a purity of the human nature in them2 or that the holiness which they have lost1 is the only true1 real1 and substantial holiness3 ,these things1 both corrupted nature and the devil1 have of a long time fastened1 and fixed in their minds4 ,his miracles therefore tend rather to take men off of the pursuit after the righteousness or holiness that we had lost1 and to confirm unto us the truth of a far more excellent and blessed thing2 to wit1 the righteousness of ,god1 of ,christ1 of faith1 of the ,spirit1 which that you speak of never knew2 neither is it possible that he should know it who is hunting for your sound complexion1 your purity of human nature1 or its dictates1 as the only true1 real1 and substantial righteousness4 ',they are ignorant of ,god's righteousness1 that go about to establish their own righteousness'2 and neither have1 nor can1 without a miracle1 submit themselves unto the righteousness of ,god4 ,they cannot submit themselves thereto2 talk thereof they may1 notion it they may1 profess it too they may2 but for a man to submit himself thereto1 is by the might power of ,god4 ,miracles and signs are for them that believe not 7#a ,cor #ad3bb74 ,why for them8 ,that they might believe2 therefore their state is reckoned fearful that have not yet believed for all his wondrous works4 ,and though he did so many miracles among them1 yet they believed him not 7,john #ab3cg-dj74 ,but what should they believe8 ,that ,jesus is the true ,messias1 the ,christ that should come into the world4 ,do you say that ,i blaspheme 7saith ,christ7 because ,i said ,i am the ,son of ,god3 ',if ,i do not the works of my ,father believe me not2 but if ,i do1 though ye believe not me believe the works3 that ye may know1 and believe that the ,father is in me1 and ,i in him' 7,john #aj3cg1ch74 ,but what is it to believe that he is ,messias1 or ,christ8 ,even to believe that this man ,jesus was ordained and appointed of ,god 7and that before all worlds7 to be the ,saviour of men1 by accomplishing in himself an everlasting righteousness for them1 and by bearing their sins in his body on the tree2 that it was he that was to reconcile us to ,god1 by the body of his flesh1 when he hanged on the cross4 ,this is the doctrine that at the beginning ,christ preached to that learned ignorant ,nicodemus4 ',as ,moses said he lifted up the serpent in the wilderness1 even so must the ,son of ,man be lifted up1 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish1 but have eternal life' 7,john #c3ad1ae74 ,the serpent was lifted up upon a pole 7,num #ba3i73 ',christ was hanged on a tree4' ,the serpent was lifted up for murmurers3 ,christ was hanged up for sinners3 ,the serpent was lifted up for them that were bitten with fiery serpents1 the fruits of their wicked murmuring3 ,christ was hanged up for them that are bitten with guilt1 the rage of the devil1 and the fear of death and wrath3 ,the serpent was hanged up to be looked on3 ,christ was hanged up that we might believe in him1 that we might have faith in his blood3 ,they that looked upon the serpent of brass lived3 ,they that believe in ,christ shall be saved1 and shall never perish4 ,was the serpent then lifted up for them that were good and godly8 ,no1 but for the sinners3 ',so ,god commended his love to us1 in that1 while we were yet sinners ,christ died for us4' ,but what if they that were stung1 could not1 because of the swelling of their face1 look up to the brazen serpent8 then without remedy they die3 ,so he that believeth not in ,christ shall be damned4 ,but might they not be healed by humbling themselves8 one would think that better than to live by looking up only3 ,no1 only looking up did it1 when death swallowed up them that looked not4 ,this then is the doctrine1 ',christ came into the world to save sinners'3 according to the proclamation of ,paul1 ',be it known unto you therefore1 men and brethren1 that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins2 ,and by him all that believe are justified from all things1 from which ye could not be justified by the law of ,moses4' ,the forgiveness of sins3 ,but what is meant by forgiveness8 ,forgiveness doth strictly respect the debt1 or punishment that by sin we have brought upon ourselves4 ,but how are we by this man forgiven this8 ,because by his blood he hath answered the justice of the law1 and so made amends to an offended majesty4 ,besides1 this man's righteousness is made over to him that looks up to him for life2 yea1 that man is made the righteousness of ,god in him4 ,this is the doctrine that the miracles were wrought to confirm1 and that1 both by ,christ1 and his apostles1 and not that holiness and righteousness1 that is the fruit of a feigned purity of our nature4 ,take two or three instances for all4 ,first1 ',then came the ,jews round about him1 and said unto him1 ,how long dost thou make us to doubt8 ,if thou be the ,christ1 tell us plainly4 ,jesus answered them1 ,i told you1 and ye believed not2 the works that ,i do in my ,father's name1 they bear witness of me4 ,but ye believe not1 because ye are not of my sheep' 7,john #aj3bd-bf74 ,by this scripture the ,lord ,jesus testifies what was the end of his words and wondrous works1 viz4 ,that men might know that he was the ,christ2 that he was sent of ,god to be the ,saviour of the world2 and that these miracles required of them1 first of all1 that they accept of him by believing2 a thing little set by1 by our author1 first in p4 #bii he preferreth his doing righteousness far before it1 and above all things else1 his words are verbatim thus1 ',let us exercise ourselves unto real and substantial godliness1 such as he hath described in the first part of his book1 viz4 ,that which is the dictates of his human nature1 c4 and in keeping our consciences void of offence1 both towards ,god and towards men1 and in studying the gospel to enable us1 not to discourse1 or only to believe1 but also and above all things to do well4' ,but believing1 though not with this man1 yet by ,christ and his wondrous miracles1 is expected first1 and above ,,all things1 from men2 and to do well1 in the best sense 7though his sense is the worst7 is that which by the gospel is to come after4 ,second1 ',go into all the world1 and preach the gospel to every creature4 ,he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved2 but he that believeth not shall be damned4 ,and these signs shall follow them that believe3 ,in my name shall they cast out devils1 they shall speak with new tongues2 they shall take up serpents1 and if they drink any deadly thing1 it shall not hurt them1' c4 7,mark #af3ae-ah74 ,mark you here1 it is believing1 believing2 ,it is1 ,i say1 believing that is here required by ,christ4 ,believing what8 ,the gospel2 even good tidings to sinners by ,jesus ,christ2 good tidings of good1 glad tidings of good things4 ,mark how the apostle hath it2 the glad tidings is1 ',that through this man ,jesus is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins2 and by him all that believe are justified from all things1 from which ye could not be justified by the law of ,moses' 7,acts #ac3ch1ci74 ,these signs shall follow them that believe4 ,mark1 signs before1 and signs after1 and all to excite to1 and confirm the weight of believing4 ',and they went forth1 and preached everywhere1 the ,lord working with them1 and confirming the word with signs following4 ,amen' 7,mark #af3bj74 ,third1 ',therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard1 lest at any time we should let them slip4 ,for if the word spoken by angels was stedfast1 and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward2 ,how shall we escape1 if we neglect so great salvation2 which at the first began to be spoken by the ,lord1 and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him2 ,god also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders1 and with divers miracles1 and gifts of the ,holy ,ghost1 according to his own will' 7,heb #b3a-d74 ,here we are excited to the faith of the ,lord ,jesus1 under these words 'so great salvation4' ,as if he had said1 give earnest heed1 the most earnest heed1 to the doctrine of the ,lord ,jesus1 because it is 'so great salvation4' ,what this salvation is1 he tells us1 it is that which was preached by the ,lord himself2 ',for ,god so loved the world1 that he gave his only begotten ,son1 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish1 but have everlasting life' 7,john #c3af74 ,god so loved1 that he gave his ,son to be so great salvation4 ,now as is expressed in the text1 to be the better for this salvation1 is1 to give heed to hear it2 for ',faith cometh by hearing' 7,rom #aj3ag74 ,he saith not give heed to doing1 but to the word you have heard2 faith1 ,i say1 cometh by hearing1 and hearing by the word of ,god 7,rom #aj74 ,but that this hearing is the hearing of faith1 is farther evident3 #a4 ,because he speaketh of a great salvation1 accomplished by the love of ,god in ,christ1 accomplished by his blood4 ',by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place1 having obtained eternal redemption for us' 7,heb #i3ab74 #b4 ,this salvation is set in opposition to that which was propounded before1 by the ministration of angels1 which consisted in a law of works2 that which ,moses received to give to the children of ,israel4 ',for the law a command to works and duties was given by ,moses1 but grace and truth came by ,jesus ,christ' 7,john #a3ag74 ,to live by doing works is the doctrine of the law and ,moses2 but to live by faith and grace1 is the doctrine of ,christ1 and the gospel4 ,besides1 the threatening being pressed with an ',how shall we escape8' ,respects still a better1 a freer1 a more gracious way of life1 than either the moral or ceremonial law2 for both these were long before3 ,but here comes in another way1 not that propounded by ,moses1 or the angels1 but since by the ,lord himself4 ',how shall we escape1 if we neglect so great salvation2 which at the first began to be spoken by the ,lord1 and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him4' ,now mark1 ,it is this salvation1 this so great and eternal salvation1 that was obtained by the blood of the ,lord himself4 ,it was this1 even to confirm faith in this1 that the ,god of heaven himself came down to confirm1 by signs and wonders2 ',god bearing them witness1 both with signs and wonders1 and with divers miracles1 and gifts of the ,holy ,ghost1 according to his own will' 7,heb #b3d74 ,thus we see1 that to establish a holiness that came from the first principles of morals in us1 or that ariseth from the dictates of our human nature1 or to drive us back to that figurative holiness that we had once1 but lost in ,adam1 is little thought on by ,jesus ,christ1 and as little intended by any of the gospel miracles4 ,a word or two more4 ,the tribute money you mention1#ai was not as you would clawingly insinuate for no other purpose1 than to shew ,christ's loyalty to the magistrate3 ,but first1 and above all1 to shew his godhead1 to confirm his gospel1 and then to shew his loyalty1 the which1 ,sir1 the persons you secretly smite at1 have respect for1 as much as you4 ,again1 ,also the curse of the barren fig-tree1 mentioned 7p4 #gc7 was not 7if the ,lord himself may be believed7 to give us an emblem of a person void of good works2 but to shew his disciples the power of faith1 and what a wonder-working thing that blessed grace is4 ,wherefore1 when the disciples wondered at that sudden blast that was upon the tree1 ,jesus answered not1 behold an emblem of one void of moral virtues2 but ',verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,if ye have faith1 and doubt not1 ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig-tree1 but also if ye shall say unto this mountain1 ,be thou removed1 and be thou cast into the sea2 it shall be done4 ,and all things1 whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing1 ye shall receive' 7,matt #ba3ba1bb74 ,again1 ,mark saith1 ,when ,peter saw the fig-tree that the ,lord had cursed dried up from the roots1 he said to his master1 'behold the fig-tree which thou cursedst is withered away' 7#aa3ba74 ,christ now doth not say as you1 this tree was an emblem of a professor void of good works2 but1 ',have faith in1 or the faith of ,god4 ,for1 verily ,i say unto you1 ,that whosoever shall say unto this mountain1 ,be thou removed1 and be thou cast into the sea1 and shall not doubt in his heart1 but shall believe that those things which he said shall come to pass1 he shall have whatsoever he saith4 ,therefore ,i say unto you1 ,what things soever ye desire1 when ye pray1 believe that ye receive them1 and ye shall have them4' ,christ ,jesus therefore had a higher1 and a better end1 than that which you propound1 in his cursing the barren fig-tree1 even to shew1 as himself expounds it1 the mighty power of faith2 and how it lays hold of things in heaven1 and tumbleth before it things on earth4 ,wherefore your scriptureless exposition1 doth but lay#bj you even ,solomon's proverb1 ',the legs of the lame are not equal1' c4 7,prov #bf3g74 ,i might enlarge2 but enough of this2 only here ,i add1 that the wonders and miracles that attend the gospel1 were wrought1 and are recorded1 to persuade to faith in ,christ4 ,by faith in ,christ men are justified from the curse1 and judgment of the law4 ,this faith worketh by love1 by the love of ,god it brings up the heart to ,god1 and goodness2 but not by your covenant 7,eze #af3fa71 not by principles of human nature1 but of the ,spirit of ,god2 not in a poor1 legal1 old covenant1 promiseless1 ignorant1 shadowish1 natural holiness1 but by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the death of ,christ accomplished an infinitely greater object than the restoring of man to his original temporal holiness4 ,i come now to your seventh chapter2 but to that ,i have spoken briefly already1 and therefore here shall be the shorter4 ,in this chapter you say1 'that to make men holy was the design of ,christ's death' 7p4 #gh74 ,answer4 #a4 ,but not with your described principles of humanity1 and dictates of human nature4 ,he designed not1 as ,i have fully proved1 neither by his death1 nor life1 to put us into a possession of the holiness which we had lost1 though the proof of that be the business of your book4 #b4 ,to make men holy1 was doubtless designed by the death and blood of ,christ3 but the way and manner of the proceeding of the ,holy ,ghost therein1 you write not of2 although the first text you mention 7p4 #gh1gi7 doth fairly present you with it4 ,for the way to make men inwardly holy1 by the death and blood of ,christ1 is1 first1 to possess#ba them with the knowledge of this1 that their sins were crucified with him1 or that he did bar them in his body on the tree3 ',knowing this1 that our ,old ,man is crucified with him1 that the body of sin might be destroyed1 that henceforth we should not serve sin' 7,rom #f3f74 ,so he died for all1 that they that live1 should not henceforth live unto themselves1 as you would have them1 nor to the law or dictates of their own nature1 as your doctrine would persuade them2 'but to him that died for them1 and rose again' 7#b ,cor #e3ae74 ,there are two things1 in the right stating of the doctrine of the effects of the death and blood of ,christ1 that do naturally effect in us an holy principle1 and also a life becoming such a mercy4 ,first1 ,for that by it we are set at liberty1 by faith therein1 from the guilt1 and curse that is due to guilt1 from death1 the devil1 and the wrath to come4 ,no encouragement to holiness like this1 like the persuasion1 and belief of this2 because this carrieth in it the greatest expression of love1 that we are capable of hearing or believing1 and there is nothing that worketh on us so powerfully as love4 ',herein is love1 not that we loved ,god1 but that he loved us1 and sent his ,son to be the propitiation for our sins' 7#a ,john #d3aj74 ,he then that by faith can see that the body of his sin did hang upon the cross1 by the body of ,christ1 and that can see by that action1 death and sin1 the devil and hell1 destroyed for him2 it is he that will say1 ',bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul1 and all that is within me bless his holy name1' c4 7,psa #ajc3a-d74 ,second1 ,moreover1 the knowledge of this giveth a man to understand this mystery1 ,that ,christ and himself are united in one4 ,for faith saith1 ,if our ,old ,man was crucified with ,christ1 then were we also reckoned in him1 when he hanged on the cross1 ',i am crucified with ,christ' 7,gal #b3bj74 ,all the ,elect did mystically hang upon the cross in ,christ4 ,we then are dead to the law1 and sin1 first1 by the body of ,christ 7,rom #g3d74 ,now he that is dead is free from sin2 now if we be dead with ,christ1 we believe that we shall live with him1 knowing that ,christ being raised from the dead1 dieth no more1 death hath no more dominion over him2 for in that he died1 he died unto sin once2 but in that he liveth1 he liveth unto ,god3 likewise reckon yourselves also dead unto sin1 but alive unto ,god1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord 7,rom #f74 ,this also ,peter doth lively discourse of1 ',forasmuch then saith he as ,christ hath suffered for us in the flesh1 arm yourselves likewise with the same mind3 for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin' 7#a ,peter #d3a74 ,by which words he insinuateth the mystical union that is between ,christ the head1 and the ,elect his body3 arguing from the suffering of a part1 there should be a sympathy in the whole4 ,if ,christ then suffered for us1 we were 7even our sins1 bodies and souls7 reckoned in him when he so suffered4 ,wherefore1 by his sufferings1 the wrath of ,god for us is appeased1 the curse is taken from us3 for as ,adam by his acts of rebellion1 made all that were in him guilty of his wickedness2 so ,christ by his acts1 and doings of goodness1 and justice2 made all that were reckoned in him good1 and just also3 but as ,adam's transgression did first1 and immediately reside with1 and remain in the person of ,adam only1 and the imputation of that transgression to them that sprang from him2 so the goodness1 and justice1 that was accomplished by the second ,adam1 first1 and immediately resideth in him1 and is made over to his also1 by the imputation of ,god4 ,but again1 as they that were in ,adam1 stood not only guilty of sin1 by imputation1 but polluted by the filth that possessed him at his fall2 so the children of the second ,adam1 do not only1 though first1 stand just by virtue of the imputation of the personal acts of justice1 and goodness done by ,christ2 but they also receive of that inward quality1 the grace1 and holiness that was in him1 at the day of his rising from the dead4#bb ,thus therefore come we to be holy1 by the death1 and blood of the ,lord3 this also is the contents of those other scriptures1 which abusively you cite1 to justify your assertion1 to wit4 ',that the great errand of ,christ in coming into the world1 was--to put us again into possession of the holiness which we had lost4 ,and that only designed the establishing such a holiness1 as is seated originally in our natures1 and originally dictates of the human nature4' ,the rest of the chapter being spoken to already1 ,i pass it1 and proceed to the next4 ,your eighth chapter tells us1 ',that it is only the promoting of the design of making men holy1 that is aimed at by the apostles insisting on the doctrines of ,christ's resurrection1 ascension1 and coming again to judgment4' ,though this should be granted1 as indeed it ought not2 yet there is not one syllable in all their doctrines1 that tendeth in the least to drive men back to the possession of the holiness we had lost2 which is still the thing asserted by you1 and that1 for the proof of which you make this noise1 and ado4 ,neither did ,christ at all design the promoting of holiness1 by such principles as you have asserted in your book2 neither doth the holy ,spirit of ,god1 either help us in1 or excite us to our duty1 ,,simply from such natural principles4 ,but the apostles in these doctrines you mention1 had far other glorious designs2 such as were truly gospel1 and tended to strengthen our faith yet farther3 ,as1 ,first1 ,for the resurrection of ,christ2 they urge ,,that1 as an undeniable argument1 of his doing away sin1 by his sacrifice and death3 ',he was delivered for our offences1' because he put himself into the room1 and state of the wicked1 as undertaking their deliverance from death1 and the everlasting wrath of ,god4 ,now putting himself into their condition1 he bears their sins1 and dies their death2 but how shall we know1 that by undertaking this work1 he did accomplish the thing he intended8 the answer is1 ',he was raised again for our justification' 7,rom #d3be74 ,even to make it manifest1 that by the offering of himself he had purged our sins from before the face of ,god4 ,for in that he was raised again1 and that by him1 for the appeasing of whose wrath he was delivered up to death2 it is evident that the work for us1 was by him effectually done3 for ,god raised him up again4 ,and hence it is that ,paul calls the resurrection of ,christ1 'the sure mercies of ,david4 ,and as concerning that he raised him up from the dead1 now no more to return to corruption1 he said on this wise1 ,i will give you the sure mercies of ,david' 7,acts #ac3cd74 ,for ,christ having conquered and overcome death1 sin1 the devil1 and the curse1 by himself1 as it is manifest he did1 by his rising from the dead2 what now remains for him1 for whom he did this1 but mercy and goodness for ever8 ,wherefore the resurrection of ,christ is that which sealeth the truth of our being delivered from the wrath by his blood4 ,second1 ,as to his ascension they the inspired writers urge and make use of that1 for divers weighty reasons also4 #a4 ,as a farther testimony yet1 of the sufficiency of his righteousness to justify sinners withal3 for if he that undertaketh the work1 is yet entertained by him1 whose wrath he was to appease thereby3 ,what is it8 ,but that he hath so completed that work4 ,wherefore he saith1 that the ,holy ,ghost shall convince the world2 that he hath a sufficient righteousness1 and that because he went to the ,father and they saw him no more 7,john #af71 because he1 when he ascended up to the ,father1 was there entertained1 accepted1 and embraced of ,god4 ,that is an excellent word4 ',he is chosen of ,god1 and precious4' ,chosen of ,god to be the righteousness1 that his ,divine ,majesty is pleased with1 and takes complacency in2 ,god hath chosen1 exalted1 and set down ,christ at his own right hand2 for the sweet savour that he smelled in his blood1 when he died for the sins of the world4 #b4 ,by his ascension he sheweth how he returned conqueror1 and victor over our enemies4 ,his ascension was his going home1 from whence he came1 to deliver us from death3 now it is said1 that when he returned home1 or ascended1 'he led captivity captive' 7,eph #d71 that is1 carried them prisoners1 whose prisoners we were3 ,he rode to heaven in triumph1 having in chains the foes of believers4 #c4 ,in that he ascended1 it was1 that he might perform for us1 the second part of his priestly office1 or mediatorship4 ,he is gone into heaven itself1 there 'now to appear in the presence of ,god for us' 7,heb #i3bd74 ',wherefore1 he is able also to save them to the uttermost1 that come unto ,god by him1 as indifferent a thing as you make it to be seeing he ever liveth viz4 in heaven1 whither he is ascended to make intercession for them' 7#g3be74 #d4 ,he ascended1 that he might be exalted not only above1 but be made head over all things to the church4 ,wherefore now in heaven1 as the ,lord in whose hand is all power1 he ruleth over1 both men1 and devils1 sin1 and death1 hell1 and all calamities1 for the good and profit of his body1 the church 7,eph #a3ai-bc74 #e4 ,he ascended to prepare a place for us1 who shall live and die in the faith of ,jesus 7,john #ad3a-c74 #f4 ,he ascended1 because there he was to receive the ,holy ,ghost1 the great promise of the ,new ,testament2 that he might communicate of that unto his chosen ones1 to give them light to see his wonderful salvation1 and to be as a principle of holiness in their souls3 ',for the ,holy ,ghost was not yet given1 because that ,jesus was not yet glorified' 7,john #g3ci74 ,but when he ascended on high1 even as he led captivity captive1 so he received gifts for men2 by which gifts he meaneth the ,holy ,ghost1 and the blessed and saving operations thereof 7,luke #bd2 ,acts #a3b74 ,third4 ,as to his coming again to judgment1 that doctrine is urged1 to shew the benefit that the godly will have at that day1 when he shall gather together his elect1 and chosen1 from one end of heaven unto the other4 ,as also to shew you what an end he will make with those who have not obeyed his gospel 7,matt #be2 #b ,thess #a3h2 #b ,peter #c3g-aa74 ,now it is true1 all these doctrines do forcibly produce an holy1 and heavenly life1 but neither from your principles1 nor to the end you propound2 to wit1 that we should be put into possession of our first1 old covenant righteousness1 and act from human and natural principles4 ,your ninth chapter is spent1 as you suppose1 to shew us the nature1 and evil of sin2 but because you do it more like a heathen philosopher1 than a minister of the gospel1 ,i shall not much trouble myself therewith4 ,your tenth chapter consisteth in a commendation of virtue1 but still of that1 and no other1 though counterfeited for another1 than at first you have described 7chap4 #a7 even such1 which is as much in the heathens you make mention of1 as in any other man1 being the same both in root1 and branches1 which is naturally to be found in all men1 even as is sin and wickedness itself4 ,and hence you call it here1 a living up to your feigned 'highest principles1 like a creature possessed of a mind and reason4' ,again1 ',while we do thus1 we act most agreeably to the right frame and constitution of our souls1 and consequently most naturally2 and all the actions of nature1 are confessedly very sweet and pleasant'2 of which very thing you say1 'the heathens had a great sense' 7p4 #aac1aad74 ,ans4 ,no marvel1 for it was their work1 not to search the deep things of ,god1 but those which be the things of a man1 and to discourse of that righteousness1 and principle of holiness1 which was naturally founded1 and found within themselves1 as men2 or1 as you say1 'as creatures possessed with a mind and reason4' ,but as ,i have already shewed1 all this may be1 where the ,holy ,ghost and faith is absent1 even by the dictates1 as you call them1 of human nature2 a principle1 and actions1 when trusted to that1 as much please the devil1 as any wickedness that is committed by the sons of men4 ,i should not have thus boldly inserted it1 but that yourself did tell me of it 7p4 #aja74 ,but ,i believe it was only extorted from you2 your judgment1 and your ,apollo1 suit not here1 though indeed the devil is in the right2 for this righteousness and holiness which is our own1 and of ourselves1 is the greatest enemy to ,jesus ,christ3 the post against his post1 and the wall against his wall4 ',i came not to call the righteous puts you quit of the world but sinners to repentance4' ,man in wretched uncertainty if he possessed no better holiness than that of ,adam in his creation4 ,your eleventh chapter is1 to shew what a miserable creature that man is1 that is destitute of your holiness4 ,ans4 ,and ,i add1 as miserable is he1 that hath1 or knoweth no better4 ,for such an one is under the curse of ,god1 because he abideth in the law of works1 or in the principles of his own nature1 which neither can cover his sins from the sight of ,god1 nor possess him with faith or the ,holy ,ghost4 ,there are two things in this chapter1 that proclaim you to be ignorant of ,jesus ,christ4 ,first1 you say1 ,it is not possible a wicked man should have ,god's pardon 7p4 #aai1acj74 ,secondly1 ,you suppose it to be impossible for ,christ's righteousness to be imputed to an unrighteous man 7p4 #abj74 ,ans4 ,to both which1 a little briefly2 ,god doth not use to pardon painted sinners1 but such as are really so4 ,christ died for sinners 7#a ,tim #a3ae71 and ,god justifieth the ungodly 7,rom #e3f-i71 even him that worketh not 7#d3c-e71 nor hath no works to make him godly 7#i3ah2 ,isa #cc3aa74 ,besides1 pardon supposes sin2 now he that is a sinner is a wicked man2 by nature a child of wrath1 and1 as such1 an object of the curse of ,god1 because he hath broken the law of ,god4 ,but such ,god pardoneth2 not because they have made themselves holy1 or have given up themselves to the law of nature1 or to the dictates of their human principles1 but because he will be gracious1 and because he will give to his beloved ,son ,jesus ,christ1 the benefit of his blood4 ,as to the second head1 what need is there that the righteousness of ,christ should be imputed1 where men are righteous first8 ,god useth not thus to do2 his righteousness is for the 'stout-hearted1 that are far from righteousness' 7,isa #df3ab74 ,the believing of ,abraham was while yet he was uncircumcised2 and circumcision was added1 not to save him by1 but as a seal of the righteousness of that faith1 which he had1 being yet uncircumcised4 ,now we know that circumcision in the flesh1 was a type of circumcision in the heart 7,rom #b72 wherefore the faith that ,abraham had1 before his outward circumcision1 was to shew us1 that faith1 if it be right1 layeth hold upon the righteousness of ,christ1 before we be circumcised inwardly2 and this must needs be so3 for if faith doth purify the heart1 then it must be there before the heart is purified4 ,now this inward circumcision is a seal1 or sign of this3 that that is the only saving faith1 that layeth hold upon ,christ before we be circumcised4 ,but he that believeth before he be inwardly circumcised1 must believe in another1 in a righteousness without him1 and that1 as he standeth at present in himself ungodly2 for he is not circumcised2 which faith1 if it be right1 approveth itself also so to be1 by an after work of circumcising inwardly4 ,but1 ,i say1 the soul that thus layeth hold on ,christ1 taketh the only way to please his ,god1 because this is that also1 which himself hath determined shall be accomplished upon us4 ',now to him that worketh1 is the reward not reckoned of grace1 but of debt4 ,but to him that worketh not1 but believeth on him that justifieth ,,the ,,ungodly1 his faith is counted for righteousness' 7,rom #d74 ,he that is ungodly1 hath a want of righteousness1 even of the inward righteousness of works3 but what must become of him8 ,let him believe in him that justifieth the ungodly1 because1 for that purpose1 there is in him a righteousness4 ,we will now return to ,paul himself2 he had righteousness before he was justified by ,christ2 yet1 he choose to be justified rather as an unrighteous man1 than as one endued with so brave a qualification4 ,that ,i may 'be found in him1 not having mine own righteousness1' away with mine own righteousness2 ,i choose rather to be justified as ungodly1 by the righteousness of ,christ1 than by mine own1 and his together 7,phil #c74 ,you argue therefore1 like him that desireth to be a teacher of the law1 7nay worse17 that neither knoweth what he saith1 nor whereof he affirmeth4 ,but you say1 ',were it possible that ,christ's righteousness could be imputed to an unrighteous man1 ,i dare boldly affirm that it would signify as little to his happiness1 while he continueth so1 as would a gorgeous1 and splendid garment1 to one that is almost starved1' c 7p4 #ab74 ,ans4 #a4 ,that ,christ's righteousness is imputed to men1 while sinners1 is sufficiently testified by the word of ,god 7,eze #af3a-h2 ,zech #c3a-e2 ,rom #c3bd-be1 #d3a-e1 #e3f-i2 #b ,cor #e3ah-ba2 ,phil #c3f-h2 #a ,tim #a3ae1af2 ,rev #a3e74 #b4 ,and that the sinner1 or unrighteous man1 is happy in this imputation1 is also as abundantly evident4 ,for1 7#a47 ,the wrath of ,god1 and the curse of the law1 are both taken off by this imputation4 7#b47 ,the graces and comforts of the ,holy ,ghost1 are all entailed to1 and followers of1 this imputation4 ',blessed is he to whom the ,lord will not impute sin4' ,it saith not1 that he is blessed that hath not sin to be imputed1 but he to whom ,god will not impute them1 he saith1 therefore the non-imputation of sin1 doth not argue a non being thereof in the soul1 but a glorious act of grace1 imputing the sufficiency of ,christ's righteousness1 to justify him that is yet ungodly4 ,but what blessedness doth follow the imputation of the righteousness of ,christ1 to one that is yet ungodly8 ,ans4 ,even the blessing of ,abraham1 to wit1 grace and eternal life3 ,for ,christ was made the curse1 and death1 that was due to us as sinners2 ',that the blessing of ,abraham might come on the ,gentiles1 through faith in ,jesus ,christ2 that we might receive the promise of the ,spirit through faith' 7,gal #c3ac1ad74 ,now faith hath its eye upon two things1 with respect to its act of justifying4 ,first1 it acknowledgeth that the soul is a sinner1 and then1 that there is a sufficiency in the righteousness of ,christ1 to justify it in the sight of ,god1 though a sinner4 ,we have believed in ,jesus ,christ1 that we might be justified by the faith of ,christ1 and not by the works of the law2 therefore they that believe aright1 receive righteousness1 even the righteousness of another1 to justify them1 while yet in themselves they are sinners4 ,why do they believe in ,christ8 the answer is3 that they might be justified1 not because in their own eyes they are4 ,they therefore at present stand condemned in themselves1 and therefore they believe in ,jesus ,christ1 that they might be set free from present condemnation4 ,now being justified by his blood1 as ungodly1 they shall be saved by his life1 that is1 by his intercession3 for whom he justifieth by his blood1 he saveth by his intercession2 for by that is given the spirit1 faith1 and all grace that preserveth the elect unto eternal life and glory4 ,i conclude therefore1 that you argue not gospelly1 in that you so ,boldly affirm1 ,that it would signify as little to the happiness of one1 to be justified by ,christ's righteousness1 while a sinner2 as would a gorgeous and splendid garment to one that is ready to perish4 ,for farther1 thus to be justified1 is meat and drink to the sinner2 and so the beginning of eternal life in him4 ',my flesh is meat indeed said ,christ and my blood is drink indeed2 and he that eateth my flesh1 and drinketh my blood1 hath eternal1 or everlasting life4' ,he affirmeth it once again3 ',as the living ,father hath sent me1 and ,i live by the ,father1 so he that eateth me1 even he shall live by me' 7,john #f3eg74 ,here now is a man an hungered1 what must he feed upon8 ,not his pure humanity1 not upon the sound complexion of his soul1 nor yet on the dictates of his human nature1 nor those neither1 which you call truly generous principles3 but upon the flesh and blood of the ,son of ,god1 which was once given for the sin of the world4 ,let those then1 that would be saved from the devil and hell1 and that would find a fountain of grace in themselves1 first receive1 and feed upon ,christ1 as sinners and ungodly2 let them believe that both his body1 and blood1 and soul1 was offered for them1 as they were sinners4 ,the believing of this1 is the eating of ,christ2 this eating of ,christ1 is the beginning of eternal life1 to wit1 of all grace and health in the soul2 and of glory to be enjoyed most perfectly in the next world4 ,your twelfth chapter is to shew1 ',that holiness being perfected is blessedness itself2 and that the glory of heaven consists chiefly in it4' ,ans4 ,but none of your holiness1 none of that inward holiness1 which we have lost before conversion1 shall ever come to heaven3 that being1 as ,i have shewed1 a holiness of another nature1 and arising from another root1 than that we shall in heaven enjoy4 ,but further1 your description of the glory that we shall possess in heaven1 is questionable1 as to your notion of it2 your notion is1 that the substance of it consists 'in a perfect resemblance to the divine nature' 7p4 #abc1abd74 ,ans4 ,therefore not in the enjoyment of the divine nature itself3 for that which in substance is but a bare resemblance1 though it be a most perfect one1 is not the thing itself1 of which it is a resemblance4 ,but the blessedness that we shall enjoy in heaven1 in the very substance of it1 consisteth not wholly1 nor principally1 in a resemblance of1 but in the enjoyment of ,god himself2 ',heirs of ,god4' ,wherefore there shall not be in us a likeness only to1 but the very nature of ,god3 ',heirs of ,god1 and joint heirs with ,christ' 7,rom #h3ag74 ,hence the apostle tells us1 that he 'rejoiced in hope of the glory of ,god' 7,rom #e3b74 ,not only in hope of a resemblance of it4 ',the ,lord is my portion1 saith my soul4' ,but this is like the rest of your discourse4 ,you are so in love with your ,adamitish holiness1 that with you it must be ,god in earth1 and heaven4 ,who they are that hold1 that our happiness in heaven shall come by a mere fixing our eyes upon the divine perfections1 ,i know not3 ,but thus ,i read1 'we shall be like him4' ,why8 or how8 ',for we shall see him as he is4' ,our likeness then to ,god1 even in the very heavens1 will in great part come by the visions of him4 ,and to speak the truth1 our very entrance into eternal life1 or the beginnings of it here1 they come to us thus1 ',but we all every one of us that shall be saved1 come by it only thus with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the ,lord1 are changed into the same image from glory to glory1 even as by the ,spirit of the ,lord' 7#b ,cor #c3ah74 ,and whereas you tell us 7p4 #abd74 ,that the devils themselves have a large measure of some of the attributes of ,god1 as knowledge1 power1 c4 though themselves are unlike unto them4 ,in this you most prodigiously blaspheme4 ,your thirteenth chapter is to show1 ',that our ,saviour's preferring the business of making men holy1 before any other1 witnesseth1 that this is to do the best service to ,god4' ,but still respecting the holiness1 you have in your first chapter described1 which still the reader must have his eye upon1 it is false1 and a slander of the ,son of ,god4 ,he never intended to promote or prefer your natural old covenant holiness1 viz4 that which we had lost in ,adam1 or that which yet from him1 in the dregs thereof1 remaineth in human nature2 but that which is of the ,holy ,ghost1 of faith1 of the new covenant4 ,i shall not here again take notice of your #acjth page1 nor with the error contained therein1 about justification by imputed righteousness4 ,but one thing ,i observe1 that in all this chapter you have nothing fortified what you say1 by any word of ,god2 no1 though you insinuate 7p4 #abi and p4 #aca7 that some dissent from your opinion4 ,but instead of the holy words of ,god1 being as you feign1 conscious to yourself1 you cannot do it so well as by another method1 viz4 ,the words of ,mr4 ,john ,smith2 therefore you proceed with his1 as he with ,plato's1 and so wrap you up the business4 ,christ gives a new and spiritual light4 ,you come next to an improvement upon the whole1 where you make a comparison between the heathens and the gospel2 shewing how far the gospel helpeth the light the heathens had1 in their pursuit after your holiness4 ,but still the excellency of the gospel1 as you have vainly dreamt1 is to make improvement first of the heathen principles2 such good principles1 say you1 'as were by the light of nature dictated to them' 7p4 #acc74 ,as1 #a4 ',that there is but one ,god2 that he is infinitely perfect1' c4 #b4 ',that we owe our lives1 and all the comforts of them to him4' #c4 ',that he is our sovereign ,lord4' #d4 ',that he is to be loved above all things' 7p4 #acf74 ,ans4 #a4 ,seeing all these are1 and may be known1 as you yourself confess1 by them that have not the gospel2 and ,i add1 nor yet the ,holy ,ghost1 nor any saving knowledge of ,god1 or eternal life3 ,therefore it cannot be the design of ,jesus ,christ by the gospel to promote or help forward this knowledge1 simply from this principle1 viz4 ,natural light1 and the dictates of it4 ,my reason is1 because when nature is strained to the highest pin1 it is but nature still2 and so all the improvement of its light and knowledge is but an increase of that which is but natural4 ',but saith ,paul the natural man receiveth not the things of the ,spirit of ,god3 for they are foolishness unto him3 neither can he know them1 because they are spiritually discerned' 7#a ,cor #b3ad74 ,but the gospel is the ministration of the ,spirit2 a revelation of another thing than is found in1 or can be acquired by1 heathenish principles of nature4 ,i say1 a revelation of another thing2 or rather1 another discovery of the same4 ,as1 #a4 ,concerning the ,godhead2 the gospel giveth us another discovery of it1 than is possible to be obtained by the dictates of natural light2 even a discovery of a trinity of persons1 and yet unity of essence1 in the same ,deity 7#a ,john #e3a1e1h74 #b4 ,the light of nature will not shew us1 that ,god was in ,christ1 reconciling the world to himself4 #c4 ,the light of nature will not shew us1 that we owe what we are1 and have1 to ,god1 because we are the price of the blood of his ,son4 #d4 ,the light of nature will not shew1 that there is such a thing as election in ,christ4 #e4 ,or1 that there is such a thing1 as the adoption of children to ,god1 through him4 #f4 ,nor1 that we are to be saved by faith in his blood4 #g4 ,or1 that the man ,christ shall come from heaven to judgment4 ,these things1 ,i say1 the light of nature teacheth not2 but these things are the great and mighty things of the gospel1 and those about which it chiefly bendeth itself1 touching upon other things1 still as those that are knowable1 by a spirit inferior to this of the gospel4 ,besides1 as these things are not known by the light of nature1 so the gospel1 when it comes1 as ,i also told you before1 doth implant in the soul another principle1 by which they may be received1 and from which the soul should act and do1 both towards ,god and towards men2 as namely the ,holy ,ghost1 faith1 hope1 the joy of the ,spirit1 c4 ,the other things you mention1 viz4 #a4 ',the immorality of the soul' 7p4 #ach74 #b4 ',the doctrine of rewards and punishments in the life to come' 7p4 #adj74 #c4 ',of the forgiveness of sin upon true repentance1' c4 7p4 #adb74 #d4 ,the doctrine of ,god's readiness to assist men by his special grace in their endeavours after virtue 7p4 #adc74 ,ans4 ,all these things may be assented to1 where yet the grace of the gospel is not1 but yet the apprehension must be such1 as is the light by which they are discovered2 but the light of nature cannot discover them1 according to the light and nature of the gospel2 because the gospel knowledge of them1 ariseth also from another principle3 ,so then1 ,these doctrines are not confirmed by the gospel1 as the light of nature teacheth them3 ,wherefore1 ,paul1 speaking of the things of the gospel1 and so consequently of these1 he saith1 ',which things also we speak1 ,,not in the ,,words which ,,man',s wisdom teacheth1 but which the ,,holy ,,ghost teacheth2 comparing spiritual things with spiritual' 7#a ,cor #b3ac74 ,as if he should say1 ,we speak of ,god1 of the soul1 of the life to come1 of repentance1 of forgiveness of sins1 c4 ,not as philosophers do1 nor yet in their light2 but as saints1 ,christians1 and sons of ,god1 as such who have received1 not the spirit of the world1 but the spirit which is of ,god2 that we may know the things that are freely given to us of ,god4 ,but you add 7for the glory of the gospel7 ,that we have other things1 which no man could1 without divine revelation1 once have dreamed of4 ,as1 ,that ,god hath made miserable sinners the objects of such transcendent love1 as to give them his only begotten ,son4 ,ans4 ,i must confess1 ,if this one head had by you been handled well1 you would have written like a worthy gospel minister4 ,but you add 7p4 #adf74 #a4 ,that when ,christ was sent1 it was to shew us upon what terms ,god was reconcilable to us1 viz4 ,by laying 'before us all the parts of that holiness1 which is necessary to restore our natures to his own likeness2--and most pathetically1 moreover to intreat us to do what lieth in us to put them in practice1 that so it may be to eternity well with us4' ,what these things are1 you mention not here2 therefore ,i shall leave them to be spoken to under the third head4 #b4 ,a second thing you mention is1 ',that this ,son of ,god conversed upon equal terms with men1 becoming the ,son of ,man1 born of a woman a great demonstration that ,god hath a liking to the human nature4' ,but little to the purpose as you have handled it4 #c4 ',that the ,son of ,god taught men their duty1 by his own example1 and did himself perform what he required of them2 and that himself did tread before us ,,every step of that way1 which he hath told us leadeth to eternal life4' ,ans4 ,now we are come to the point1 viz43 ',that the way to eternal life is1 ,first of all to take ,christ for our example1 trading his step'3 ,and the reason1 if it be true1 is weighty3 ',for he hath trod every step before us1 which he hath told us leads to eternal life4' #a4 ,every step4 ,therefore he went to heaven by virtue of an imputative righteousness4 ,for this is one of our steps thither4 #b4 ,every step4 ,then he must go thither1 by faith in his own blood for pardon of sin4 ,for this is another of our steps thither4 #c4 ,every step4 ,then he must go thither by virtue of his own intercession at the right hand of ,god1 before he came thither3 ,for this is one of our steps thither4 #d4 ,every step4 ,then he must come to ,god1 and ask mercy for some great wickedness1 which he had committed4 ,for this is also one of our steps thither4 ,but again1 we will consider it the other way4 #a4 ,every step4 ,then we cannot come to heaven1 before we first be made accursed of ,god4 ,for so was he before he came thither4 #b4 ,every step4 ,then we must first make our body and soul an offering for the sin of others4 ,for this did he before he came thither4 #c4 ,every step4 ,then we must go to heaven for the sake of our own righteousness4 ,for that was one of his steps thither4 ,o1 ,sir6 ,what will thy gallant1 generous mind do here8 ,indeed you talk of his being an expiatory sacrifice for us1 but you put no more trust to that1 than to ,baptism1 or the ,lord's ,supper2 counting that1 with the other two1 but things indifferent in themselves 7p4 #f-i74 ,you add again1 ',that this ,son of ,god being raised from the dead1 and ascended to heaven1 is our high priest there'3 ,but you talk not at all of his sprinkling the mercy seat with his blood1 but clap upon him1 the heathens demons2 negotiating the affairs of men with the supreme ,god1 and so wrap up1 with a testification that it is needless to enlarge on the point 7p4 #adi74 ,but to be plain1 and in one word to tell you1 about all these things you are heathenishly dark2 there hath not in these one hundred and fifty pages one gospel truth been christianity handled by you2 but rather a darkening of truth by words without knowledge4 ,what man that ever had read1 or assented to the gospel1 but would have spoken1 yet kept within the bounds of truth1 more honourably of ,christ1 than you have done8 ,his sacrifice must be stept over1 as the spider straddleth over the wasp1 his intercession is needless to be enlarged upon4 ,but when it falleth in your way to talk of your human nature1 of the dictates1 of the first principles of morals within you1 and of your generous mind to follow it3 oh what needs is there now of amplifying1 enlarging1 and pressing it on men's consciences6 ,as if that poor heathenish1 pagan principle1 was the very spirit of ,god within us3 ,and as if righteousness done by that1 was that1 and that only1 that would or could fling heaven gates off the hinges4 ,yea1 a little after you tell us1 that ',the doctrine of his sending the ,holy ,ghost1 was to move and excite us to our duty1 and to assist1 cheer1 and comfort us in the performance of it4' ,still meaning our close adhering1 by the purity of our human nature1 to the dictates of the law1 as written in our hearts as men4 ,which is as false as ,god is true4 ,for the ,holy ,ghost is sent into our hearts1 not to excite us to a compliance with our old and wind-shaken excellencies1 that came into the world with us2 but to write new laws in our hearts2 even the law of faith1 the word of faith and of grace1 and the doctrine of remission of sins1 through the blood of the ,lamb of ,god1 that holiness might flow from thence4 ,your #aeth chapter is to shew1 ,that the gospel giveth far greater helps to an holy life1 than the ,jewish ceremonies did of old4 ,i answer1 ,but the reader must here well weigh1 that in the gospel you find also some positive precepts1 that are of the same nature with the ceremonies under the law2 of which1 that of coming to ,god by ,christ1 you call one1 and baptism1 and the ,lord's supper1 the other two4 ,so then by your doctrine1 the excellency of the gospel doth not lie in that we have a ,christ to come to ,god by1 but in things as you feign more substantial4 ,what are they8 ',inward principles of holiness' 7p4 #aei74 ,spiritual precepts 7p4 #afb74 ,that height of virtue1 and true goodness1 that the gospel designeth to raise us to3 all which are general words1 falling from a staggering conscience1 leaving the world1 that are ignorant of his mind1 in a muse2 but tickling his brethren with the delights of their moral principles1 with the dictates of their human nature1 and their gallant generous minds4 ,thus making a very stalking-horse of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and of the words of truth and holiness1 thereby to slay the silly one2 making the ,lord of life and glory1 instead of a saviour1 by his blood1 the instructor1 and schoolmaster only of human nature1 a chaser away of evil affections1 and an extinguisher of burning lusts2#bc and that not so neither1 but by giving perfect explications of moral precepts 7p4 #ag71 and setting himself an example before them to follow him 7p4 #big74 ,your sixteenth chapter1 containeth an answer to those that object against the power of the christian religion to make men holy4 ,ans4 ,and to speak truth1 what you at first render as the cause of the unholiness of the professors thereof 7p4 #aga7 is to the purpose1 had it been christianly managed by you1 as namely1 men's gross unbelief of the truth of it2 for it 'effectually worketh in them that believe' 7#a ,thess #b3ac74 ,but that you only touch and away1 neither showing what is the object of faith1 nor the cause of its being so effectual to that purpose2 neither do you at all treat of the power of unbelief1 and how all men by nature are shut up therein 7,rom #aa3cb74 ,but presently1 according to your old and natural course1 you fall1 first1 upon a supposed power in men1 to embrace the gospel1 both by closing with the promise1 and shunning the threatening 7p4 #agb72 farther adding1 that 'mankind is endued with a principle of freedom1 and that this principle is as essential1 as any other to the human nature' 7p4 #agc74 ,by all which it is manifest1 that however you make mention of unbelief1 because the gospel hath laid the same in your way1 yet your old doctrine of the purity of the human nature1 now broken out into a freedom of will1 and that1 as an essential of the human nature1 is your great principle of faith1 and your following of that1 as it dictateth to you obedience to the first principles of morals1 the practice of faith1 by which you think to be saved4 ,that this is so1 must unavoidably be gathered from the good opinion you have yourself of coming to ,god by ,christ2 viz41 ,that in the command thereof1 it is one of these positive precepts1 and a thing in itself absolutely considered indifferent1 and neither good nor evil4 ,now he that looketh upon coming to ,god by ,christ with such an eye as this1 cannot lay the stress of his salvation upon the faith1 or belief thereof3 indifferent faith1 will serve for indifferent things2 yea1 a man must look beyond that which he believeth is but one with the ceremonial laws1 but not the same with baptism1 or the ,lord's supper2 for with those you compare that of coming to ,god by ,christ4 ,wherefore faith1 with you1 must be turned into a cheerful and generous complying with the dictates of the human nature2 and unbelief1 into that which opposeth this1 or that makes the heart backward and sluggish therein4 ,this is also gathered from what you aver of the divine moral laws1 that they be of an indispensable and eternal obligation 7p4 #h71 things that are good in themselves 7p4 #i71 considered in an abstracted notion 7p4 #aj74 ,wherefore1 things that are good in themselves1 must needs be better than those that are in themselves but indifferent2 neither can a positive precept make that1 which of itself is neither good nor evil1 better than that which in its own nature remaineth the essentials of goodness4 ,i conclude then1 by comparing you with yourself1 by bringing your book to your book1 that you understand neither faith1 nor unbelief1 any farther than by obeying or disobeying the human nature1 and its dictates in chief2 and that of coming to ,god by ,christ1 as one of the things that is indifferent in itself4 ,but a little to touch upon your principle of freedom1 which in p4 #i you call an understanding and liberty of will4 ,ans4 ,first1 ,that there is no such thing in man by nature1 as liberty of will1 or a principle of freedom1 in the saving things of the kingdom of ,christ1 is apparent by several scriptures4 ,indeed there is in men1 as men1 a willingness to be saved their own way1 even by following1 as you1 their own natural principles1 as is seen by the ,quakers1 as well as yourself2 but that there is a freedom of will in men1 as men1 to be saved by the way which ,god hath prescribed1 is neither asserted in the scriptures of ,god1 neither standeth with the nature of the principles of the gospel4 ,the apostle saith1 ',the natural man receiveth not the things of the ,spirit of ,god4' ,and the reason is1 not because1 not principally because1 he layeth aside a liberty of will1 but because 'they are foolishness to him' 7#a ,cor #b3ad74 ,because in his judgment they are things of no moment1 but things1 as you ,mr4 ,fowler have imagined of them1 that in themselves are but indifferent4 ,and that this judgment that is passed by the natural man1 concerning the things of the ,spirit of ,god1 of which1 that of coming to ,god by ,christ1 is the chief1 is that which he cannot but do as a man1 is evident from that which followeth3 'neither ,,can he know them1 because they are spiritually discerned4' ,neither ,,can he know them as a man1 because they are spiritually discerned4 ,now1 if he cannot know them1 from what principle should he will them8 ,for judgment1 or knowledge1 must be before the will can act4 ,i say1 again1 a man must know them to be things in chief1 that are absolutely1 and indispensably necessary1 and those in which resteth the greatest glory2 or else his will will not comply with them1 nor centre and terminate in them as such1 but still count themselves1 as you1 though somewhat convinced that he ought to adhere unto them1 things that in themselves are only indifferent1 and absolutely considered neither good nor evil4 ,a farther enlargement upon this subject1 will be time enough1 if you shall contradict4 ,another reason1 or cause1 which you call an immediate one1 of the unsuccessfulness of the gospel1 is 'men's strange and unaccountable mistaking the design of it1--not to say worse1 as to conceive no better of it1 than as a science1 and a matter of speculation1' c4 7p4 #agc74 ,ans4 ,if this be true1 you have shewed us the reason1 why yourself have so base and unworthy thoughts thereof3 for although coming to ,god by ,christ be the very chief1 first1 the substance1 and most essential part of obedience thereto2 yet you have reckoned this but like one of the ceremonies of the law1 or as baptism with water1 and the ,lord's supper 7,p4 #g-i74 ,falling more directly upon the body of the moral law1 as written in the heart of men1 and inclining more to the teaching1 or dictates of human nature1 which were neither of them both ever any essential part of the gospel1 than upon that which indeed is the gospel of ,christ4 ,and here ,i may1 if ,god will1 timely advertise my reader1 that the gospel1 and its attendants1 are to be accounted things distinct3 the gospel1 properly taken1 being glad tidings of good things2 or1 the doctrine of the forgiveness of sins freely by grace1 through the redemption that is in ,christ ,jesus4 ,for to speak strictly1 neither is the grace of faith1 hope1 repentance1 or newness of life1 the gospel2 but rather things that are wrought by the preaching thereof1 things that are the effects of it2 or its inseparable companions1 to all them that shall be saved4 ,wherefore the gospel is said to be preached in all nations1 for the obedience of faith 7,rom #af3bf74 ,hope also is called the hope of the gospel1 not the gospel itself4 ,so again1 the gospel is preached that men should repent1 but it is not preached that men should gospel4 ,but your gospel1 which principally or chiefly1 centres in the dictates of human nature2 and your faith1 which is chiefly a subjecting to those dictates1 are so far off from being at all any near attendants of the gospel1 that they never are urged in the ,new ,testament1 but in order to show men they have forgotten to act as men 7,rom #a3ai-ba1 #b3ad1ae2 #a ,cor #aa3ad74 ,your last reason is1 because of 'several untoward opinions1' the gospel is very unsuccessful 7p4 #agd74 ,ans4 ,but what these opinions are1 we hear not2 nor how to shun them1 you tell us here nothing at all4 ,this ,i am sure1 there are no men in this day have more opposed the light1 glory1 and lustre of the gospel of ,christ1 than those1 as the ,quakers and others1 that have set up themselves1 and their own humanity1 as the essential parts of it4 ,you in answer to other things1 add many other reasons to prove they are mistaken that count the gospel a thing of but mean operation to work holiness in the heart3 at which you ought yourself to tremble1 seeing the ,son himself1 who is the ,lord of the gospel1 is of so little esteem with you1 as to make coming to ,god by him so trivial a business as you have done4 ,your large transcript of other men's sayings1 to prove the good success of the gospel of old1 did better become that people and age1 than you and yours2 they being a people that lived in the power thereof1 but you such bats as cannot see it4 ,that saying you mention of ,rigaltias1 doth better become you and yours3 ',those now-a-days do retain the name1 and society of ,christians1 which live altogether antichristian lives4 ,take away publicans1 and a wretched rabble1 c4 and our ,christian churches will be lamentably weak1 small1 and insignificant things' 7p4 #aha74 ,i shall add to yours another reason of the unsuccessfulness of the gospel in our days1 and that is1 because so many ignorant ,sir ,johns1#bd on the one hand1 and so many that have done violence to their former light1 and that have damned themselves in their former anathematizing of others1 have now for a long time1 as a judgment of ,god1 been permitted to be1 and made the mouth to the people3 persons whose lives are debauched1 and who in the face of the world1 after seeming serious detestings of wickedness1 have for the love of filthy lucre1 and the pampering their idle carcasses1 made shipwreck of their former faith1 and that feigned good conscience they had4 ,from which number if you1 ,sir1 have kept yourself clear1 the less blood of the damned will fall upon your head3 ,i know you not by face1 much less your personal practice2 yet ,i have heard as if blood might pursue you1 for your unstable weathercock spirit1 which doubtless could not but stumble the weak1 and give advantage to the adversary to speak vilifyingly of religion4 ,living faith essential to salvation4 ,as to your seventeenth and eighteenth chapters1#be ,i shall say little1 only ,i wish that your eighteenth had been more express in discovering how far a man may go1 with a notion of the truth of the gospel1 and yet perish because he hath it not in power4 ,only in your inveighing so much against the pardon of sin1 while you seem so much to cry up healing2 you must know that pardon of sin is the beginning of health to the soul3 ,he pardoneth our iniquities1 and healeth all our diseases 7,psa #ajc3c74 ,and where he saith1 by the stripes of ,christ we are healed1 it is evident that healing beginneth at pardon1 and not pardon after healing1 as you would rather have it 7#a ,peter #b3bd1 compare ,isa #ec74 ,as for your comparison of the plaister1 and the physician's portion1#bf ,i say you do but abuse your reader1 and muddy the way of the gospel4 ,for the first thing of which the soul is sick1 and by which the conscience receiveth wounding2 it is the guilt of sin1 and fear of the curse of ,god for it4 ,for which is provided the wounds and precious blood of ,christ1 which flesh and blood1 if the soul eat thereof by faith1 giveth deliverance therefrom4 ,upon this the filth of sin appears most odious1 for that it hath not only at present defiled the soul1 but because it keeps it from doing those duties of love1 which by the love of ,christ it is constrained to endeavour the perfecting of4 ,for filth1 appears filth2 that is irksome1 and odious to a contrary principle now implanted in the soul2 which principle had its conveyance thither by faith in the sacrifice and death of ,christ going before4 ',the love of ,christ constraineth us2 because we thus judge1 that if one died for all1 then were all dead3 ,and that he died for all1 that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves1 but unto him which died for them1 and rose again' 7#b ,cor #e3ad74 ,the man that hath received ,christ1 desireth to be holy1 because the nature of the faith that layeth hold on ,christ 7although ,i will not say as you1 it is of a generous mind7 worketh by love1 and longeth1 yea1 greatly longeth that the soul may be brought1 not only into an universal conformity to his will1 but into his very likeness2 and because that state standeth not with what we are now1 but with what we shall be hereafter3 therefore 'in this we groan1--being burdened with that which is of a contrary nature to be clothed upon--with our house which is from heaven' 7#b ,cor #e3a-h74 ,which state is not that of ,adam's innocency2 but that which is spiritual and heavenly1 even that which is now in the ,lord in heaven4 ,but ,i will descend to your nineteenth chapter1 it may be more may be discovered there4 ,justifying faith and the imputation of ,christ's righteousness4 ,your nineteenth chapter is to shew2 ',that a right understanding of the design of ,christianity viz4 as you have laid it down will give satisfaction concerning the true notion4' ,first1 ',of justifying faith4' ,second1 ',of the imputation of ,christ's righteousness' 7p4 #bba74 ,first1 ,of justifying faith2 ',it is say you such a belief of the truth of the gospel1 as includes a sincere resolution of obedience unto all its precepts4' ,ans4 ,to this ,i shall answer1 first1 that the faith which we call justifying faith1 ',is like precious faith' with all the elect 7#b ,peter #a3a71 and that which is most holy 7,jude #bj73 but those acts of it1 which respect our justification with ,god from the curse of the law that is due for sin2 are such1 as respect not any good work done by us1 but the righteousness that resideth in the person of ,christ2 and is made ours by the imputation of grace4 ,his faith1 ,i say1 accounteth him in whom it is1 now a sinner1 and without works2 yea1 if he have any that in his own eyes are such1 this faith rejects them1 and throweth them away2 for it seeth a righteousness in the person of ,christ sufficient2 even such as is verily the righteousness of ,god4 ',now to him that worketh not1 but believeth4' ,works and faith are put here in opposition1 faith being considered as justifying1 in the sight of ,god from the curse4 ,the reason is1 because the righteousness by which the soul must thus stand justified1 is a righteousness of ,god's appointing1 not of his prescribing us2 a righteousness that entirely is included in the person of ,christ4 ,the apostle also1 when he speaks of ,god's saving the election1 which hangeth upon the same hinge1 as this of justification doth1 to wit1 on the grace of ,god2 he opposeth it to works2 and that1 not to this or that sort only1 but even to work1 in the nature of work1 ',if by grace1 then is it no more of works3 otherwise grace is no more grace4 ,but if it be of works1 then is it no more grace3 otherwise work is no more work' 7,rom #aa3f74 ,by this text1 ,i say1 the apostle doth so thoroughly distinguish between grace and works as that which soever standeth in the case1 the other must be annihilated3 ,if it be by grace1 then must works be no more1 'then it is no more of works'3 but if it be of works1 then is grace no more1 'then it is no more of grace4' ,but this1 notwithstanding1 you urge farther2 'that faith justifieth1 as it includes a sincere resolution1' c4 ,ans4 ,although1 as ,i have said before1 the faith which is the justifying faith1 is that of the holiest nature1 yet in the act1 by which it layeth hold of justifying righteousness1 it respects it1 simply1 as a righteousness offered by grace1 or given unto the person that by faith layeth hold thereon as he stands yet ungodly and a sinner4 ,faith justifieth not separate from the righteousness of ,christ as it is a grace in us1 nor as it subjecteth the soul to the obedience of the moral law1 but as it receiveth a righteousness offered to that sinner1 that as such will lay hold on1 and accept thereof4 ,christ ,jesus came into the world to save sinners1 by being their redemption1 and righteousness himself 7#a ,cor #a3cj74 ,but you add1 ',the faith which entitles a sinner to so high a privilege as that of justification1 must needs be such as complieth with all the purposes of ,christ's coming into the world1' c4 7p4 #bbb74 ,ans4 ,by this supposition1 faith justifieth not by receiving of the righteousness that ,christ by himself accomplished for sinners2 but by falling in with all good works1 which because they cannot be known1 much less done1 by the soul at first1 his faith being then1 as to the perfection of knowledge of duties1 weak1 he standeth still before ,god unjustified1 and so must stand until he doth comply with all those purposes of ,christ's coming into the world4 ,but yet again you recall yourself1 and distinguish one purpose from the rest1 as a grand one 7p4 #bbb74 ,and that is to receive ,christ as ,lord1 as well as a ,saviour4 ,ans4 #a4 ,although the soul that in truth receiveth ,christ1 receiveth him wholly1 and entirely as ,christ1 and not as chopt1 and pulled in pieces3 yet ,i distinguish between the act of faith1 which layeth hold of ,christ for my justification from the curse before ,god1 and the consequences of that act1 which are to engage me to newness of life4 ,and indeed1 as it is impossible for a man to be a new man1 before he be justified in the sight of ,god2 so it is also as impossible1 but that when faith hath once laid hold on ,christ for life1 it should also follow ,christ by love4 ,but1 #b4 ,christ may be received at first as ,lord1 and that in our justification1 and yet not at all be considered as a law-giver1 for so he is not the object of faith for our justification with ,god1 but a requirer of obedience to laws and statutes1 of them that already are justified by the faith that receiveth him as righteousness4 ,but ,christ is as well a ,lord for us1 as to1 or over us2 and it highly concerneth the soul1 when it believeth in1 or trusteth to the righteousness of ,christ1 for justification with ,god1 to see that this righteousness lords it over death1 and sin1 and the devil1 and hell for us3 the name wherewith he shall be called1 is1 'the ,lord our righteousness' 7,jer #bc3f74 ,our righteousness1 then is ,lord1 and conqueror over all2 and we more than conquerors through this ,lord that loved us 7,rom #h74 ,the author to the hebrews calls him ',king of righteousness' 7,heb #g71 because by his righteousness he ruleth as ,lord and ,king1 and can reign and lord it1 at all times over all those that seek to separate us from the presence1 and glory of ,god4#bg ,now1 how you will brook this doctrine ,i know not2 ,i am sure he stands in need thereof1 that is lorded over by the curse of the law1 the guilt of sin1 the rage of the devil1 and the fear of death and hell2 he1 ,i say1 would be glad to know that in ,christ there is a righteousness that ,,lords ,,it1 or that ,christ1 as he is righteousness1 is ,,lord4 ,wherefore reader1 when thou shalt read or hear1 that ,jesus ,christ is ,lord1 if thou art at the same time under guilt of sin1 and fear of hell1 then do thou remember that ,christ is ,lord more ways than one1 ,he is ,lord as he is righteousness2 he is ,lord as he is imputative righteousness2 he is 'the ,lord our righteousness' 7,jer #bc3f74 ,of the same import is that also1 ',he is a ,prince1 and a ,saviour1' he is a ,prince1 as he is a ,saviour2 because the righteousness by which he saveth1 beareth rule in heaven1 and earth4 ,and hence we read again1 that even when he was in the combat with our sins1 the devils1 the curse1 and death1 upon the cross1 he even in that place 'made a shew of them openly1 triumphing over them' 7,col #b3ae1af74 ,now in these things he is ,lord for us1 and the ,captain of our salvation2 as also in that ',he led captivity captive' 7,eph #d3h72 all which places1 with many more1 being testimonies to us1 of the sufficiency of that righteousness which saveth us from the justice of the law and wrath of ,god4 ,but you respect not this his manner of lording2 but will have him be a ,saviour1 as he giveth laws1 especially those you call indispensable1 and eternal1 the moral law4 ,you would have him a ,saviour1 as he bringeth us back to the holiness we had lost4 ,but this is none other than barbarous quakerism1 the stress of their writing also tending to no other purpose4 ,but you tell us1 ',that you scarcely admired at any thing more in all your life1 than that any worthy men especially1 should be so difficultly persuaded to embrace this account of justifying faith1 and should perplex and make intricate so very plain a doctrine' 7p4 #bbb74 ,ans4 ,and doubtless they far more#bh groundedly stand amazed at such as you1 who while you pretend to shew the design of the gospel1 make the very essential of it1 a thing in itself indifferent1 and absolutely considered neither good nor evil 7p4 #g71 that makes obedience to the moral laws 7p4 #h71 more essential to salvation1 than that of going to ,god by ,christ 7p4 #i71 that maketh it the great design of ,christ1 to put us into a possession of that promiseless1 natural1 old covenant holiness which we had lost long since in ,adam1 that maketh as if ,christ1 rejecting all other righteousness1 or holiness1 hath established only this 7p4 #aj-af74 ,yea1 that maketh the very principle of this holiness to consist in 'a sound complexion of soul1 the purity of human nature in us1 a habit of soul1 truly generous motives and principles1 divine moral laws which were first written in men's hearts1 and originally dictates of human nature4' ,all this villainy against the ,son of ,god1 with much more as bad1 is comprized within less than the first sixteen pages of your book4 ,but say you1 'what pretence can there be for thinking1 that faith is the condition1 or instrument of justification1 as it complieth with only the precept of relying upon ,christ's merits for the obtaining of it3 especially when it is no less manifest than the sun at noon-day1 that obedience to the other precepts must go before obedience to this2 and that a man may not rely upon the merits of ,christ for the forgiveness of his sins1 and he is most presumptuous in so doing1 and puts an affront upon his ,saviour too1 till he be sincerely willing to be reformed from them' 7p4 #bbc74 ,ans4 ,that the merits of ,christ1 for justification1 are made over to that faith that receiveth them1 while the person that believeth it1 stands in his own account1 by the law a sinner2 hath already been shewed4 ,and that they are not by ,god appointed for another purpose1 is manifest through all the bible4 #a4 ,in the type1 when the bloody sacrifices were to be offered1 and an atonement made for the soul1 the people were only to confess their sins over the head of the bullock1 or goat1 or lamb1 by laying their hands thereon1 and so the sacrifice was to be slain4 they were only to acknowledge their sins4 ,and observe it1 in the day that these offerings were made1 they were 'not to work at all2 for he that did any work therein1 was to be cut off from his people' 7,lev #d1 #af1 #bc74 #b4 ,in the antitype thus it runs2 ',christ died for our sins2 ,christ gave himself for our sins2 he was made to be sin for us2 ,christ was made a curse for us4' ',yea1 but say you ,what pretence can there be1 that faith is the condition1 or instrument of justification1 as it complieth with only the precepts of relying upon ,christ's merits'2 that is1 first1 or before the soul doth other things4 ,ans4 ,i say1 avoiding your own ambiguous terms1 that it is the duty1 the indispensable duty of all that would be saved1 ,first1 ,immediately1 now to close in by faith with that work of redemption1 which ,christ by his blood hath purchased for them1 as they are sinners4 #a4 ,because ,god doth hold it forth1 yea1 hath set it forth to be received by us1 as such 7,rom #c3bc-bg74 #b4 ,because ,god hath commanded us by faith to receive it as such 7,acts #af74 ,and ,i add1 ,if the jailor was altogether ignorant of what he must do to be saved1 and ,paul yet bids him then1 before he knew anything else1 ',believe in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and he should be saved1' that then believing1 even believing on ,christ for a righteousness to justify and save him1 must go first1 and may1 nay ought to be pressed1 even then1 when the soul stands ignorant of what else he ought to do 7,acts #af3cj-cb74 ',but you say ,it is evident as the sun at noon-day1 that obedience to the other precepts must go before obedience to this1 that is1 before faith in ,christ4' ,ans4 ,this you say2 but ,paul said to the ignorant jailor1 that knew nothing of the mind of ,god in the doctrine of justification1 that he should first believe on the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and so should be saved4 ,again1 when ,paul preached to the ,corinthians1 the first doctrine that he delivered unto them was1 ',that ,christ died for their sins1 according to the scriptures1' c4 7#a ,cor #ae3a-c74 ,but what be these other precepts8 ,not ,baptism1 nor the supper of the ,lord2 for these you say are1 as poor and inconsiderable1 as that of coming to ,god by ,christ1 even all three1 things in themselves neither good nor evil1 but of an indifferent nature2 they must be therefore some more weighty things of the gospel1 than these positive precepts4 ,but what things are they8 ,it is good that you tell us1 seeing you tacitly forbid all men upon pain of presumption and of doing affront to ,jesus ,christ1 that they rely not on the merits of ,christ for forgiveness till they be sincerely willing to perform them first2 yet ,i find not here one particular precept instanced by you3 ,but perhaps we shall hear of them hereafter1 therefore now ,i shall let them pass4 ,you tell us farther1 ',that such a reliance as that of acting faith1 first1 on the merits of ,christ for justification is ordinarily to be found amongst unregenerate1 and even the worst of men' 7p4 #bbc74 ,ans4 ,this is but a falsehood and a slander1 for the unregenerate know him not2 how then can they believe on him8 7#a ,john #c3a74 ,besides1 the worst of men1 so far as they pretend religion1 set up your idol in their hearts1 viz4 their own good meanings1 their own good nature1 the notions and dictates of their nature1 living that little which they do live upon the snuff of their own light1 the sparks of their own fire1 and therefore woe unto them4 ,but you add1 ',how can it be otherwise1 than that that act of faith must needs have a hand in justifying1 and the special hand too1 which distinguisheth it from that which is to be found in such persons4' ,ans4 #a4 ,there is no act of faith doth more distinguish true faith from false1 and the ,christian from the painted hypocrite1 than that which first lays hold on ,christ1 while the person that hath it stands in his own esteem1 ungodly2 all over like yourself1 being fearful and unbelieving 7,rev #ba3h7 despisers1 who wonder1 and perish 7,acts #ac3dj-da74 #b4 ,and this faith1 by thus acting1 doth more subdue sin1 though it doth not justify as subduing1 but as applying ,christ's righteousness1 than all the wisdom and purity of human nature1 or the dictates of that nature that is found in the whole world4 ,but you add farther3 ',what good ground can men have for this fancy1 when as our ,saviour hath merited the pardon of sin for this end1 that it might be an effectual motive to turn from it8' ,ans4 ,although you speak this in great derision to faith when it worketh right1 yet know that therefore 7seeing you would hear it7 ,i say1 therefore hath our ,saviour merited pardon1 and bestowed it on men freely1 and bid them believe or receive it1 and have it2 that thereby they might be encouraged to live to him1 and love him1 and comply with his commandments4 ',for scarcely for a righteous man will one die1 yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die3 ,but ,god commendeth his love toward us1 in that1 while we were yet sinners1 ,christ died for us4 ,much more then1 being ,,now justified by his blood1 we shall be saved from wrath through him' 7,rom #e74 ,now1 as here we are said to be justified by his blood1 that is1 as his blood appeaseth the justice of ,god2 so again1 it is said that this blood is set forth by ,god for us to have faith in it1 by the term of a propitiation4 ',whom ,god hath set forth to be a propitiation or a sacrifice to appease the displeasure of ,god through faith in his blood4--,to declare at this time his righteousness1 that he might be just1 and the justifier of him which believeth in ,jesus' 7,rom #c3be1bf74 ,again1 ,as we are thus justified by blood in the sight of ,god1 by faith in it1 so also it is testified of his blood1 that it sprinkleth the conscience of the faithful1 but still only as it is received by faith4 ,but from what is the conscience sprinkled1 but from those dead works that remain in all that have not yet been justified by faith in this blood4 ,now if faith in this blood doth sprinkle the conscience1 and so doth purge it from all dead works1 then must faith go first to the blood of ,christ for justification1 and must bring this home to the defiled conscience1 before it be delivered from those dead works that are in it1 and made capable of serving the living ,god 7,rom #e3g-aj1 #c3bd1be2 ,heb #i3ad1 #aj3ai-bb74 ,but you say1 'you will never trust your discursive faculty so long as you live1 if you are mistaken here' 7p4 #bbd74 ,tell not me of your discursive faculty3 ,the word of ,god is plain4 ,and never challenge man1 for he that condemneth your way to heaven1 to the very pit of hell1 as ,paul doth1 can yet set forth a better4 ,second1 ,i come now to the second thing1 viz4 the doctrine of the imputation of ,christ's righteousness1 which you thus expound4 ',it consists in dealing with sincerely righteous persons1 as if they were perfectly so1 for the sake1 and upon the account of ,christ's righteousness' 7p4 #bbe1 #bbf74 ,ans4 #a4 ,any thing but truth2 but ,i would know how sincerely righteous they were that were justified without works8 ,or how sincerely righteous they were whom ,god justified as ungodly8 7,rom #d3c-e74 #b4 ,your explication of the imputation of ,christ's righteousness makes it respect our works rather than our persons3 ',it consists say you in dealing with sincerely righteous persons1 as if they were perfectly so'3 ,that is1 it justifieth their imperfect righteousness first1 and so secondarily their persons for the sake of that4 ,but observe a few things from this explication4 #a4 ,this concludeth that a man may be sincerely righteous in ,god's account1 ,,without the righteousness of ,christ2 for that is to be imputed to such1 and none but such4 #b4 ,this concludeth that men may be sincerely righteous1 before ,christ's righteousness is imputed3 ,for this sincere righteousness is precedent to the imputation of ,christ's4 #c4 ,this concludeth that a man may have true1 yea saving grace in great and mighty action in him1 before he hath faith in the righteousness of ,christ4 ,for if a man must be sincerely righteous first2 then he must not only have that we call the habit1 but the powerful acts of grace4 ,besides1 if the righteousness of ,christ is not to be looked to first1 but secondarily2 not before1 but after we be made sincerely righteous2 then may not faith be thus acted if a man should have it1 until he be first a sincerely righteous person4 #d4 ,this concludeth that a man may be brought from under the curse of the law in ,god's sight1 before he have faith in the righteousness of ,christ1 yea before it be imputed to him3 for he that in ,god's account is reckoned sincerely righteous1 is beloved of his ,god4 #e4 ,this concludeth that a man may be from under the curse of ,god1 without the imputation of the righteousness of ,christ3 ,for if a man must be sincerely righteous in ,god's account without it1 then he is from under the curse of ,god without it4 #f4 ,this doctrine teacheth farther1 that ,christ came to call1 and justify the righteous1 contrary to his express word4 ,in short1 by this account of things1 first we must be healed1 and then the plaister comes4 ,yea1 so confident is this man in this his assertion1 that he saith1 ',it is not possible any other notion of this doctrine should have truth in it' 7p4 #bbf74 ,o this ,jesus6 ,this rock of offence6 ,but he that believeth on him shall not be confounded4 ,but blessed be ,god for ,jesus ,christ1 and for that he took our nature1 and sin1 and curse1 and death upon him3 ,and for that he did also by himself1 by one offering purge our sins4 ,we that have believed have found rest1 even there where ,god and his ,father hath smelled a sweet savour of rest2 because we are presented to ,god1 even now complete in the righteousness of him1 and stand discharged of guilt1 even by the faith of him3 yea1 as sins past1 so sins to come1 were taken up and satisfied for1 by that offering of the body of ,jesus1 we who have had a due sense of sins1 and of the nature of the justice of ,god1 we know that no remission of the guilt of any one can be1 but by atonement made by blood 7,heb #i3bb74 ,we also know that where faith in ,jesus ,christ is wanting1 there can be neither good principle1 nor good endeavour4 ,for faith is the first of all graces1 and without it there is nothing but sin 7,rom #ad3bc74 ,we know also1 that faith as a grace in us1 severed from the righteousness of ,christ1 is only a beholder of things1 but not a justifier of persons1 and that if it lay not hold of1 and applieth not that righteousness which is in ,christ1 it carrieth us no farther than to the faith of devils4 ,we know that this doctrine killeth sin1 and curseth it at the very roots2 ,i say we know it1 'who have mourned over him whom ,,we have pierced' 7,zech #ab3aj71 and who have been confounded to see that ,god by his blood should be pacified towards us for all the wickedness we have done 7,eze #af3fc74 ,yea1 we have a double motive to be holy and humble before him2 one because he died for us on earth1 another because he now appears for us in heaven1 there sprinkling for us the mercy seat with his blood1 there ever-living to make intercession for them that come unto ,god by him4 ',if any man sin1 we have an advocate with the ,father1 ,jesus ,christ the righteous1 and he is the propitiation for our sins' 7#a ,john #b3a1b74 ,yet this worketh in us no looseness1 nor favour to sin1 but so much the more an abhorrence of it3 ',she loveth much1 for much was forgiven her' 7,luke #g3dg74 ,yea1 she weeps1 she washeth his feet1 and wipeth them with the hairs of her head1 to the confounding of ,simon the pharisee1 and all such ignorant hypocrites4 ,the ,bible the only measure and standard of truth4 ,but ,i pass this1 and come to the twentieth chapter1 which is to learn us by what measure and standard we are to judge of doctrines2 and that is by the design of ,christianity as stated1 you must know1 by ,mr4 ,fowler4 ,wherefore it will be requisite here again1 that a collection of principles and doctrines be gathered out of this book1 that the man that hath a short memory may be helped the better to bear them in mind1 and to make them1 if he shall be so bewitched by them1 instead of the ,bible1 a standard for truth1 and a rule for him to obtain salvation by4 ,first then1 he must know that the principle by which he must walk must be the purity of the human nature1 a divine or ,god-like nature1 which yet is but an habit of soul1 or more plainly the moral law1 as written in the heart1 and originally the dictates of human nature1 a generous principle1 such an one as although it respects law1 yet acts in a sphere above it2 above it as a written law1 that acts even in the first principles of it 7p4 #g-aj74 ,second1 ,he must know1 that the holiness ,christ designed to possess his people with1 is that which we had lost in ,adam1 that which he had before he fell1 that natural old covenant ,christ-less holiness 7p4 #ab74 ,third1 ,he must put a difference between those laws of the gospel that are essential to holiness1 and those positive precepts that in themselves are indifferent1 and absolutely considered neither good nor evil2 but must know also that of these positive precepts1 he alloweth but three in the gospel1 but three that are purely such2 to wit1 that of coming to ,god by ,christ1 the institutions of baptism1 and the ,lord's supper 7p4 #g-i74 ,fourth1 ,he must hold for certain1 that the faith which entitleth a sinner to so high a privilege as that of justification1 must needs be such as complieth with all the purposes of ,christ's coming into the world1 whether at present it understands them or not1 and it is no less necessary it should justify as it doth so 7p4 #bbb74 ,fifth1 ,he must know1 that a man may not rely upon the merits of ,christ for the forgiveness of his sins1 before he have done other good works first 7p4 #bbc74 ,sixth1 ,and that the right explication of the imputation of ,christ's righteousness is this1 that it consisteth in having to do with persons that are sincerely righteous 7p4 #bbe74 ,for it is not possible for ,christ's righteousness to be imputed to an unrighteous man 7p4 #abj74 ,these things1 with many like to them1 being the main points by this man handled1 and by him asserted to be the design of ,christianity1 by these we must1 as by a rule and standard1 understand how to judge of the truth of doctrines4 ,and1 saith he1 'seeing the design of ,christianity is to make men holy1 still meaning from principles of humanity1 and by possessing us again1 with the often repeated holiness which we had lost1 whatsoever opinions do either directly1 or in their evident consequences1 obstruct the promoting of it1 are perfectly false' 7p4 #bbg1bbh74 ,ans4 ,thus with one word1 as if he were ,lord and ,judge himself1 he sendeth to the pit of hell1 all things that sanctify or make holy the hearts of men1 if they oppose the design of his christianity4 ,but what if the ,holy ,ghost will become a principle in the hearts of the converted1 and will not now suffer them to act simply and alone upon the principles of pure humanity2 or what now if faith will become a principle to act by1 instead of these that are originally dictates of human nature8 ,or what if a man should act now as a son1 rather than simply as a creature endued with a principle of reason8 ,i question here whether these things thus doing do not obstruct1 put by1 yea and take the way#bi of his pure humanity1 dictates of human nature1 and instead thereof act and govern the soul by and with their own principles4 ,for albeit1 there be the dictates of human nature in the sons of men1 yet neither is this nature1 nor yet the dictates of it1 laid by ,jesus ,christ as the truly christian principles in his4 ,but you add3 ',those doctrines which in their own nature do evidently tend to the serving of ,,this design of ,christianity1 we may conclude are most true and genuine' 7p4 #bbi74 ,ans4 ,the holiness which you so often call the design of ,christianity1 being by yourself said to be that which we had lost1 for this one sentence is it on which your whole book is built 7p4 #ab71 whatsoever doctrine or doctor it be that asserts it1 both that doctrine is of the devil1 and that doctor an angel of darkness1 or rather a minister of ,satan1 become as a minister of righteousness4 ,for where is it said in all the whole book of ,god1 that ever the ,lord ,christ designed1 yea made it his errand from heaven1 to put us again in possession of the holiness which we had lost8 ,yet this you affirm1 and tell us the business of your book is to prove it4 ,but blessed be ,god1 your shifts are discovered1 and your fig-leaves rent from off you1 and the righteousness or holiness so much cried up by you1 proved to be none of the holiness of the gospel1 but that which stood with perfect ignorance thereof4 ,i might speak to what yet remains of falsehood1 in the other part of this chapter2 but having overthrown the foundation1 and broken the head of your ,leviathan2 what remains falleth of itself1 and dieth of its own accord4 ,what you say of modes or forms1 and sticklers for little trifles1 such as place their religion in mere externals1 you may fasten them where of due they belong3 ,yet ,i tell you the least of the commandments of ,christ is better than your ,adamitish holiness4 ,the necessity of a sound foundation4 ,your twenty-first chapter tells us1 if we will believe you1 how we shall judge of the necessity of doctrine1 to be embraced or rejected2 also you say1 it giveth us a brief discourse of the nature of fundamentals3 ,but because your discourse of them is general1 and not any one particularized1 ,i might leave you in your generals till you dealt more candidly1 both with the word of ,god and your abused reader4 ,first1 ,indeed you tell us of primary fundamentals4 ',such1 as without the knowledge and belief of which it is impossible to acquire that inward righteousness and true holiness which the christian religion aimeth at2--but the particulars of these1 say you1 ,i shall not enumerate1 because as will appear from what will be said anon it is not needful to have a just table of them' 7p4 #bcd74 ,ans4 ,deep divinity6 7#a47 ,they are such as without the knowledge and belief of them1 it is not possible we should acquire your true holiness2 and yet for all that1 it is not needful that we be told what they are1 or that we should have a just table of them4 7#b47 ,but if they be things necessary1 things without the knowledge of which it is impossible we should be truly holy1 then is it needful that we understand what they are3 yea1 then is it needful that they be written1 and presented one by one unto us1 that our knowledge of them being distinct and full1 we may the better be able to obtain or acquire your glorious 7so pretended7 holiness4 ,but ,i know your primary fundamentals1 they are your first principles of morals2 not faith in the righteousness of ,christ1 for that is comprehended in your positive1 and in themselves indifferent things3 your morals are the things in themselves absolutely necessary2 of an indispensable and eternal obligation 7p4 #h1i74 ,but1 ,second1 ,you tell us of points of faith that are secondarily fundamental2 the disbelief of which cannot consist with true holiness1 in those to whom the gospel is sufficiently made known4 ,ans4 ,the secondary fundamentals also1 are all kept close and hid1 and not otherwise to be understood1 but by implication2 however1 the disbelief of these is not of so sad a consequence as is that of the former1 because1 say you1 ',they are not in their own nature1 holiness' 7p4 #bce74 ,yea1 he insinuateth that the disbelief of them may stand with true holiness in those to whom the gospel is not sufficiently made known4 ,of these secondary fundamentals therefore1 whatever is their number1 this is one1 even coming to ,god by ,christ2 for as in p4 #g and #i he calleth it a positive precept1 a thing that in itself is neither good nor evil2 so here he speaks of such as are not in their own nature holy2 not such1 as that holiness is not in some degree or other attainable without the belief of them4 ,that one of these secondary fundamentals intended by ,mr4 ,fowler1 is1 that of coming to ,god by ,christ1 ,i farther gather1 because he saith1 that 'in the number of these1 are all such doctrines1 as are with indisputable clearness revealed to us1' that is1 by the holy scriptures of the ,new ,testament 7p4 #bce74 ,for therein is this revealed to be a fundamental2 but he saith1 not a primary one1 because1 that in itself1 it is but indifferent1 and not in its own nature good4 ',now the belief of these1 saith he1 though it is not in itself any more1 than in higher or lower degrees1 profitable1 confusions6 darkness6 confusion6 yet it is absolutely necessary from an external cause'3 ,that is1 with such abundant clearness1 as that nothing can cause men to refuse to admit them1 but that which argueth them to be stark naught4 ,ans4 ,then1 hence it seems that the reason why you admit these secondary sort of fundamentals1 is not from any internal power1 but an external declaration only4 #b4 ,nay1 and you do but admit them neither1 and that too1 for some external cause2 not because of the worthiness of the nature of the points themselves4 #c4 ,and were it not1 but that you are loth to be counted stark naught in the eyes of men1 so far as ,i can discern1 you would not at all make profession of them1 with pretence as unto ,god2 for1 say you1 ',we must take notice here1 that all such points as theseviz4 these fundamentals1 are not of equal necessity to be received by all ,christians1 because1 that in regard of the diversity of their capacities1 educations1 and other means and advantages1 some of them may be most plainly perceived by some1 to be delivered in the scriptures1 which cannot be so by others1 with the like ease4' ,ans4 ,from these words ,i take notice of four things4 #a4 ,that by this universal 7all ,christians7 is comprehended the ,heathen and ,pagan people1 they give heed to1 and mind to follow that light1 that originally1 and naturally1 stirreth them to moral duties4 ,these be they that want the education1 and advantages of others1 and are not in such a capacity1 as they to whom these things are delivered by the scriptures4 #b4 ,that this people1 notwithstanding they want a scripture revelation of these secondary fundamentals1 yet have the more necessary1 the first sort of fundamentals2 for the secondary sort1 say you1 are not in their own nature such1 as that holiness is not in some degree or other attainable without the belief of them4 #c4 ,that therefore1 these secondary sort of fundamentals1 are only necessary to be believed by them that have the indisputable 7the scripture7 revelation of them2 and that1 in truth1 the others may be saved without them4 #d4 ,but yet1 even those that are made capable1 by education and other advantages1 to obtain the belief of them1 ought1 notwithstanding1 not to have the same respect for them1 as for those of the first sort of fundamentals1 because they are not in their own nature such4 ,but will this man know1 that ,christ is not only a fundamental1 but the very foundation of all other fundamental truths1 revealed both in the ,old ,testament and the ,new2 and that his pure human nature1 with the dictates of it1 with his feigned ,adamitish holiness1 is no fundamental at all2 ,i mean no fundamental of faith1 no gospel fundamental 7#a ,cor #c3ad2 ,eph #b3ai1bj74 ,yea1 will he know1 that from heaven there is none other name given1 than the name of ,jesus ,christ1 whereby we must be saved1 none other name given under the whole heavens 7,acts #d3ab74 ,oh the witchcrafts1 by which some men's spirits are intoxicated6 and the strength of delusion1 by which some are infatuated1 and turned aside from the simplicity that is in ,jesus ,christ6 ,but ,i proceed3 ,your great question1 or rather your ,urim and ,thumim1 by which you would have all men make judgment of their saveable1 or damnable state7p4 #bcf7 is1 according to your description of things1 most devilish and destructive4 ,for to obey ,god and ,christ in all things1 with you1 is to do it from principles purely human in the faith of this3 that ,christ hath designed to possess us again with that holiness we had lost4 ,again1 to obey ,god and ,christ1 with you1 is1 so to obey all their laws1 as respecting the first principles of morals2 and our obedience to them1 far more indispensable than that of coming to ,god by ,christ4 ,farther1 he that obeys them in all things1 with your directions1 must not look upon faith in the blood of ,christ1 and justification by his righteousness1 as the main and first1 but the second part of our duty2 other commands1 or precepts1 more naturally holy and good1 first being embraced1 and lived in the practice of1 by us4 ,this1 ,i say1 being the doctrine you have asserted1 and the foundation on which your ,urim and ,thummim stands2 the foundation1 with your trial1 are both from the devil and hell1 as hath at large been proved1 and discovered in this book4 ,and ,i now will add1 and bid you take your advantage1 that should a man with all his might1 strive to obey all the moral laws1 either as they are contained in the first principles of morals1 or in the express decalogue1 or ,ten ,commandments2 without faith1 first1 in the blood1 and death1 and resurrection of ,christ1 c4 ,for his justification with ,god2 his thus doing would be counted wickedness1 and he in the end1 accounted a rebel against the gospel1 and shall be damned for want of faith in the blood of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,the ,christian's great principles4 ,your twenty-second chapter1 saith1 ',that the design of ,christianity1 teacheth us what doctrines and practices we ought1 as ,christians1 to be most zealous for1 or against' 7p4 #bcg74 ,ans4 ,but there is not by that1 it being rightly stated1 one syllable that tendeth to encourage any man1 to have lower thoughts of coming to ,god by ,christ1 than of keeping the moral law4 ,for even the first text you bring1 doth utterly overthrow it4 ',contend earnestly1 say you1 for the faith'2 ,i answer then1 not for the law of works1 for the law is not of faith2 but the man that doth these things1 shall live in them1 by them4 ',contend earnestly for the faith1 for there are certain men crept in unawares1 which were before of old1 ordained unto this condemnation'2 even the condemnation that is to come upon them that contend against the faith2 for these ungodly men turn the grace of ,god into lasciviousness1 and deny the only ,lord ,god1 and our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,now these creeping ungodly men1 may be divided in three ranks4 #a4 ,such as by principle1 and practice both1 say1 ',let us do evil1 that good may come3 whose damnation is just' 7,rom #c3h74 #b4 ,such as by practice only1 appear to be such1 denying to profess the principle thereof1 such are they that made excuse and delay1 when invited to come to the wedding 7,matt #bb3a-e2 ,luke #ad74 #c4 ,there is yet another sort2 and they are such as seem to deny it1 both in principle1 and practice also2 only they do it covertly1 ,,privily bringing in damnable heresies1 even denying the ,lord that bought them4 ,these 'bring upon themselves swift destruction' 7#b ,peter #b3a74 ,this third sort1 made of the doctrine of grace1 and of the forgiveness of sins1 through the faith of the righteousness of ,christ1 a loose and licentious doctrine1 or a doctrine that giveth liberty to the flesh4 ,by reason of these the way of truth is evil spoken of1 and the hearts of innocent ones alienated therefrom4 ,these will not stick to charge it upon the very chief of the brethren1 if they shall say1 ',as sin abounded1 grace hath much more abounded3 that they press men to do evil1 that good may come of it' 7,rom #c3h1i74 ,but1 as ,i said1 these vilify ,christ1 not with open words1 but covertly2 privily they bring in their blasphemy under a cloak1 crying1 the law1 holiness1 strictness1 good works1 c4 ,besides1 these clothe their doctrines with names and notions that belong not at all unto them2 as of ,christ1 grace1 the spirit1 the gospel1 when there is only there1 the devil1 and his angels1 and errors2 as angels of light1 and ministers of righteousness4 ,of this last sort are you1 and the subject matter of your book2 for you bring into the world an anti-gospel holiness1 anti-gospel principles1 and anti-gospel fundamentals2 and that these things might be worshiped by your disciples1 you give them the name of holiness1 the design of ,christ1 and of ,christianity2 by which means you remove the ,christ of ,god1 from before1 and set him behind1 forbidding men to believe on him1 till they have practised your things first3 nay1 after they have practised yours1 they then must come to ,god by him1 still respecting the principles and dictates of humanity1 as things of the greatest weight1 things that are good in themselves2 still considering that 'coming to ,god by ,christ1 is not good in itself1 but so only upon the account of certain circumstances2 a thing in itself of an indifferent nature1 and absolutely considered neither good nor evil4' ,wherefore1 ,sir1 laying aside all fear of men1 not regarding what you may procure to be inflicted upon me for this my plain dealing with you1 ,i tell you again1 that yourself is one of them1 that have closely1 privily1 and devilishly1 by your book1 turned the grace of our ,god into a lascivious doctrine1 bespattering it with giving liberty to looseness1 and the hardening of the ungodly in wickedness1 against whom1 shall you persist in your wickedness1 ,i shall not fail1 may ,i live1 and know it1 and be helped of ,god to do it1 to discover yet farther the rottenness of your doctrine1 with the accursed tendencies thereof4 ,what you say about 'doubtful opinion1 alterable modes1 rites1 and circumstances in religion' 7p4 #bci74 ,i know none so wedded thereto as yourselves1 even the whole gang of your rabbling counterfeit clergy2 who generally like the ape you speak of1#cj lie blowing up the applause and glory of your trumpery1 and like the tail1 with your foolish and sophistical arguings1 you cover the filthy parts thereof1 as you sweetly argue in the next chapter 7p4 #bdb7 saying1 ',whatsoever of such are commended by the custom of the place we live in1 or commanded by superiors1 or made by any circumstance convenient to be done1 our christian liberty consists in this1 that we have leave to do them4'#ca ,so that do but call them things indifferent1 things that are the customs of the place we live in1 or made by ,,any circumstance convenient1 and a man may not doubt but he hath leave to do them1 let him live at ,rome or ,constantinople1 or amidst the greatest corruption of worship and government4 ,these are therefore doubtless1 a third sort of fundamentals1 by which you can wrestle with conviction of conscience1 and stifle it2 by which you can suit yourself for every fashion1 mode1 and way of religion4 ,here you may hop from ,presbyterianism1 to a prelatical mode2 and if time and chance should serve you1 backwards1 and forwards again3 yea1 here you can make use of several consciences1 one for this way now1 another for that anon2 now putting out the light of this by a sophistical delusive argument1 then putting out the other1 by an argument that best suits the time4#cb ,yea1 how oft is the candle of the wicked put out1 by such glorious learning as this4 ,nay1 ,i doubt not1 but a man of your principles1 were he put upon it1 would not stick to count those you call gospel-positive precepts1 of no value at all in the christian religion2 for now1 even now1 you do not stick to say that1 that even that of going to ,god by ,christ1 is one of these1 and that such an one1 as if absolutely considered in itself1 is neither good nor evil4 ,how then1 if ,god should cast you into ,turkey1 where ,mahomet reigns as ,lord8 ,it is but reckoning that it is the religion1 and custom of the country1 and that which is authorized by the power that is there2 wherefore it is but sticking to your dictates of human nature1 and remembering that coming to ,god by ,christ is a thing of an indifferent nature in itself1 and then for peace sake1 and to sleep in a whole skin1 you may comply1 and do as your superior commands4 ,why8 ,because in ,turkey1 are your first sort of fundamentals found3 there are men that have human nature1 and the law of morals written in their hearts2 they have also the dictates thereof written within them1 which teach them1 those you call the eternal laws of righteousness2 wherefore you both would agree in your essential1 and immutable differences of good and evil 7p4 #f71 and differ only about these positive laws1 indifferent things4 ,yea1 and ,mahomet also for the time1 because by a custom made convenient1 might be now accounted worshipful1 and the circumstances that attend his worship1 especially those of them that clash not with the dictates of your human nature1 might also be swallowed down4 ,behold you here then1 good reader1 a glorious ,latitudinarian1 that can1 as to religion1 turn and twist like an eel on the angle2 or rather like the weather-cock that stands on the steeple4 ',for saith he our refusing to comply with either of these can hardly proceed from anything better than a proud affectation of singularity1 or at best1 from superstitious scrupulosity' 7p4 #bdbd74 ,do but believe him therefore in what he saith1 and you cannot choose but be ready with him to comply with all modes that may serve for advantage4 ,besides1 he saith1 'that the word superstition1 in the ,greek implieth1 a frightful1 and over-timorous apprehension of the divine nature2 and consequently a base and under-valuing conception of it4' ,so that to be tender of conscience1 especially in things of divine worship1 binding up the soul to the words of the everlasting testament1 in such things especially1 as a fool can call little1 and insignificant trivial matters1 rendereth a man such an one as hath a very erroneous conscience4 ,but he would not be understood 7p4 #bdd7 as if he here intended to vilify things that are plainly commanded1 or to tolerate that which is plainly forbidden1 only he would have all things that may fall within the reach of these two general heads1 be examined by this general rule1 ',,his description of the design of ,christianity4' ,ans4 ,but ,i could tell him1 that whatsoever is imposed as a part of ,god's worship1 is judged by a better rule than his1 both as to its goodness and badness1 neither can we account any thing indifferent that is a part thereof4 ,besides1 whatsoever is reputed a part of ,god's worship1 layeth hold on the conscience of the godly3 although a ranting ,latitudinarian may say1 ',if the devil should preach1 ,i would hear him1 before ,i would suffer persecution4' ,as a brave fellow which ,i could name1 in his zeal was pleased to declare4 ,but what trust should any man put to the rule to which you direct him for help1 and relief therein2 seeing that from the beginning to the end1 from the top to the bottom1 it is a cursed blasphemous book2 a book that more vilifieth ,jesus ,christ1 than many of the ,quakers themselves3 for which of them said worse of him1 and make coming to ,god by him1 a more insignificant thing1 than you by your pretended design of ,christianity have done4 ,we have therefore a more sure word of the prophets1 to the which 'we do well to take heed' 7#b ,peter #a3ai71 by which1 both your doctrine1 and practice1 is already judged to be naught1 as will be farther discovered time enough1 when you shall justify or condemn particulars4 ,your twenty-fourth chapter ,i shall now pass by1 until ,i can better compare you and popery1 against which you there so stoutly#cc diggle together4 ,the scandalous lives and foolish doctrines of state priests1 not the true ground of dissent4 ,your twenty-fifth chapter carrieth in it an hideous outcry against many of your ministers and guides1 complaining and confessing1 ',that no one thing hath so conduced to the prejudice of your church of ,england1 and done the separating parties so much service1 as the scandalous lives of some that exercise the ministerial function in her' 7p4 #beh74 ,ans4 ,i will grant it1 if you respect these poor carnal people1 who yet have been shamed from your assemblies1 by such vicious persons you mention3 but the truly godly1 and spiritually judicious have left you from other arguments1 of which ,i shall not here dilate4 ,but from p4 #bfa to the end of the chapter1 you take upon you to particularize other of your ministers that are an offence to you1 and to the design of your ,christianity4#cd #a4 ',such as affect to make people stare at their high flown bombast language1 or to please their phantasies with foolish jugglings1 and pedantic or boyish wit2 or to be admired for their ability in dividing of an hair1 their metaphysical acuteness1 and scholastic subtilty1 or for their doughty dexterity in controversial squabbles4' ,and ,i add1 had you joined herewith1 such as vilify and trample upon the blood of the ,lord ,jesus1 preferring the snivel of their own brains before him1 you had herein but drawn your own picture1 and given your reader an emblem of yourself4 #b4 ,the second sort you blame1 are 'such as seek to approve themselves to their auditories to be men of mysteries1 and endeavour to make the plain and easy doctrines of the gospel as intricate and obscure as ever they are able4' ,i will add to these1 such as take away the doctrine of faith1 and that set themselves and their works in the room thereof3 such as have sought to overturn the foundation1 ,jesus ,christ1 and have made coming to ,god by him1 in itself of a far more indifferent nature than the dictates of our humanity4 #c4 ,another sort 7you say7 are 'such as preach upon free grace1 and christian privileges1 otherwise than as motives to cite to obedience1 and never scarce insist upon any duties1 but those of believing1 laying hold on ,christ's righteousness1 applying the promises1 and renouncing our own righteousness1' which they that have none at all to renounce1 have a mighty kindness for4 ,ans4 7#a47 ,who they are that preach free grace in your church1 to excite men to uncleanness1 you may know better than ,i4 ,but if these words1 otherwise than to cite men to obedience1 be thus thrust in1 of purpose thereby to speak evil of the preachers of free grace1 and the exalters of the imputed righteousness of ,christ1 then look to it2 for such venom language as this1 doth but involve you within the bowels of that most dreadful prophecy1 concerning the false prophets of the last days1 that shall privily bring in damnable heresies1 even denying the ,lord that bought them4 7#b47 ,the preaching of free grace1 pressing to believing1 and laying hold on ,christ's righteousness1 is the most available means under heaven1 to make men holy1 and righteous3#ce #a4 ,before ,god4 #b4 ,then before men4 7#c47 ,the preaching of these are first1 and principally to beget faith1 to beget life1 to beget souls to ,god2 yea1 to beget in men such a principle1 whereby they may serve ,god acceptably1 with reverence and godly fear4 7#d47 ,but to preach free grace1 doth much condemn your free will2 to preach ,christ's righteousness doth utterly curse1 and condemn yours2 and to preach the promise of grace1 doth quite shut out a covenant of works3 therefore no marvel if you1 who are so wedded to these things1 be such an enemy to free grace1 the righteousness of ,christ1 and the gospel promises1 that you make even these things a characteristical note 7first abusing the consequences of them7 of a church-troubling preacher4 7#e47 ,you tauntingly proceed1 saying1 'such preachers also press us to renounce our own righteousness1 which they that have none at all to renounce1 have a mighty kindness for4' ,ans4 ,indeed those that have a righteousness of their own1 as the pharisees1 and hypocrites of old1 had never much kindness for the doctrine of grace1 and the ministers of ,christ1 but the publicans and harlots had3 and therefore1 these1 while they that had righteousness stumbled and fell1 entered into the kingdom of heaven4 ',the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of ,god before you4' ,but what righteousness have you of your own1 to which you so dearly are wedded1 that it may not be let go1 for the sake of ,christ8 seeing also so long as you go about to establish it1 you submit not yourself 'to the righteousness of ,god' 7,rom #aj3c74 ,yea1 why do you taunt those ministers that persuade us to renounce our own righteousness1 and those also that follow their doctrine8 ,seeing this was both the doctrine and practice of ,paul and all others1 save only those that had ,moses' veil over their hearts4 ,another sort of ministers that you say are enemies to the promoting of holiness1 are such as 'are never in their element1 but when they are talking of the irrespectiveness of ,god's decrees1 the absoluteness of his promises1 the utter disability and perfect impotence of natural men1 to do any thing towards their own conversion1 and that insist with great emphasis1 and vehemence1 upon such like false1 and dangerous opinions' 7p4 #bfb74 ,ans4 ,the men that preach these things1 being rightly stated1 preach the truth of ,god1 if the scriptures may bear sway2 they having all been proved the truth of the gospel1 both by the prophets and apostles3 and when you shall think meet by argument to contradict them1 either ,i1 or same other may show you the folly of your undertaking4 ,in the mean time let the reader take notice that here you have judged not by scripture1 nor by reason1 but upon a bare presumption1 arising from your pride or ignorance4 ,wherefore pray you in your next1 shew us1 7#a47 ,what is in man that the decree of election should respect as a thing foreseen of ,god1 to prevail with him to predestinate him to eternal life by ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 7#b47 ,make it manifest that in the word of ,god there neither is1 nor can be any absolute promise contained4 7#c47 ,shew us what ability there is in a natural man1 as such1 to do things towards his own conversion2 ,i mean things immediately tending to1 and that must infallibly consummate therein1 and let us see what things they are4 ,and know that when you have well done all this1 according to the scriptures of truth1 that then it will be time enough to condemn the contrary for false1 and dangerous opinions4 ,but shall ,i speak the truth for you8 ,the reason of this your presumptuous exclamation1 and condemnation of these things2 is because they stand in the way of promoting your ignorant1 tottering1 promiseless1 and gospelless holiness2 they stand in the way of old ,adam1 they stand in the way of your dunghill rebellious righteousness1 they stand in the way of your freedom of will1 and a great rabble more of such like pretended virtues4 ,yea1 they do1 and must1 and shall stand there1 when you and the rest of the ,socinians1 and ,quakers1 have said their all against them4 ,there is yet another sort of preachers whom you condemn1 and so do ,i as well as you1 though not in your spirit1 nor to advance your pestiferous principles3 and they are 'such as make it their great business1 to advance the petty interest of any party whatsoever1 and concern themselves more about doing this1 than about promoting1 and carrying on that1 wherein consists the chief good of all mankind1 and are more zealous to make proselytes to their particular sects1 than converts ,i will add first to ,jesus ,christ1 and then to an holy life2 and press more exact and rigid conformity to their modes and forms1 than to the laws of ,god1 and the essential duties of the christian religion' 7p4 #bfc74 ,lastly1 ,the caution which you give to ministers1 because there wanteth for it1 among you a foundation1 is to be esteemed but an error1 and an abuse of the words1 and practices of the apostle4 ,and as for your subtil and close incensing the power to persecute ,nonconformists1 know that we are willing1 ,god assisting1 to overcome you with truth and patience1 not sticking to sacrifice our lives1 and dearest concerns in a faithful witness-bearing against your filthy errors1 compiled and foisted into the world1 by your devilish design to promote ,paganism1 against ,christianity 7p4 #bfe1bff74 ,a compliant temper may prove dangerous4 ,i come now to your twenty-sixth chapter1 which is spent to prove1 ',that an obedient temper of mind1 is a necessary and excellent qualification to prepare men for a firm belief1 and a right understanding of the gospel of ,christ' 7p4 #bfg74 ,ans4 #a4 ,forasmuch as the obedient temper you mention1 is precedent to1 or before1 faith1 and the right understanding of the gospel1 it must needs be also1 that which stands with unbelief1 and ignorance of the same4 ,now that this should be an excellent1 and necessary qualification1 to a firm belief1 and right understanding of the gospel1 is altogether without proof1 and truth4 ,but this is affirmed for the farther promoting of your human nature1 and the things that originally are dictates thereof4 ,but1 #b4 ,the obedience1 or inclination to obedience1 that is before faith1 or the understanding of the gospel1 is so far off from being an excellent preparative1 or good qualification for faith1 and the knowledge of the gospel1 that in its own nature1 which is more than in its consequences1 it is a great obstruction thereto4 ,for1 while a man remains faithless and ignorant of the gospel1 to what doth his obedient temper of mind incline8 ,not to faith1 nor the gospel of ,christ2 for with these1 as yet you suppose he hath not to do2 therefore he inclineth to the law of morals1 either as it was delivered in tables of stone from ,sinai1 or as written in the hearts of all the children of men1 to it1 under the last consideration1 which is in truth1 the most heathen and pagan to it1 as so you intend1 your obedient temper of mind should incline 7p4 #g-aj74 ,now this doctrine1 being in itself of quite another nature than the doctrine of faith1 and also1 as such1 a covenant by itself1 it requireth the mind by virtue of its commands1 to stand to ,,that1 and to rest in that2 for of necessity1 the heart and mind of a man can go no farther than it seeth1 and hath learnt1 but by this moral doctrine1 the heart and mind is bound and limited to itself1 by the power of the dictate to obedience1 and the promise of obtaining the blessing1 when the preceptive part of it is fulfilled4 ,hence ,paul tells us1 that though that ministration1 that was written1 and engraven in stones1 7which in nature is the same with this7 is glorious1 yet these imperfections attended the man that was in it 7#b ,cor #c74 #a4 ,he was but within the bounds of the ministration of death4 #b4 ,in this estate he was blind1 and could not see how to be delivered therefrom3 ',the vail is over their heart1' so that they could not heretofore1 neither can they now1 see to the end of that which was commanded1 neither to the perfection of the command1 nor their own insufficiency to do it1 nor to the death and curse of ,god1 that attended him1 that in every thing continued not in all that was written in the book of the law to do them4 #c4 ,every lecture1 or reading of this old law1 is as a fresh hood-winking of its disciples1 and a doubling of the hindrance of their coming to ,christ for life4 ',but their minds were blinded1 for until this day1 remaineth the same vail untaken away in reading of the old testament2 which vail is done away in ,christ4 ,but even unto this day1 when ,moses is read1 the vail is upon their hearts' 7#b ,cor #c3ad1ae74 ,and let the reader note1 that all these things attend the doctrine of morals3 the ceremonies being in themselves more apt to instruct men in the knowledge of ,christ1 they being by ,god's ordination1 figures1 shadows1 representations1 and emblems of him2 but the morals are not so1 neither1 as written in our natures1 nor as written and engraven in stones 7,gal #c3bd74 ,wherefore1 your so highly commended obedient temper of mind1 you intending thereby an hearty compliance before faith1 with morals for righteousness1 is so far off from being an excellent temper1 and a necessary qualification1 to help a man to a firm belief1 and right understanding of the gospel2 that it is the most ready way of all ways in the world1 to keep a man perpetually blind1 and ignorant thereof4 ,wherefore the apostle saith1 that the vail1 the ignorance1 cannot be taken away1 but when the heart shall turn to the ,lord1 that is1 from the doctrine of morals1 as a law and covenant in our natures1 or1 as it was written and engraven in stones1 to ,christ for mercy to pardon our transgressions against it1 and for imputative righteousness to justify us from it4 ,while ,moses is read1 the vail is over the heart2 that is1 while men with their minds stand bending also to do it4 ,but mark1 when it1 the heart1 shall turn to the ,lord1 or to the word of the gospel1 which is the revelation of him1 then the vail shall be taken away4 ,and hence it will not be amiss1 if again we consider how the ,holy ,ghost compareth1 or setteth one against another1 these two administrations4 ,the law he calls the letter1 even the law of morals1 that law that was written and engraven in stones4 ,the other ministration1 he calls the ministration of the spirit1 even that which ,christ offered to the world1 upon believing4 ,again1 he denieth himself to be a minister of the law of morals4 ,he hath made us able ministers of the ,new ,testament1 not of the letter1 or law2 but of the spirit or gospel4 ,the reason is1 for the letter1 or law1 can do nothing but kill1 curse1 or condemn2 but the spirit1 or the gospel1 giveth life4 ,farther1 in comparing1 he calls the law1 the ministration of death1 or that which layeth death at the doors of all flesh2 but the gospel1 the ministration of righteousness1 because1 by this ministry1 there is a revelation of that righteousness that is fulfilled by the person of ,christ2 and to be imputed for righteousness to them that believe1 that they might be delivered from the ministration of death4 ,how then8 ,hath the ministration of ,god no glory8 ,yes1 forasmuch as it is a revelation of the justice of ,god against sin4 ,but yet again1 its glory is turned into no glory1 when it is compared with that which excelleth4 ',but if the ministration of death1 written and engraven in stones1 was glorious1 so that the children of ,israel could not stedfastly behold the face of ,moses for the glory of his countenance2 which glory was to be done away2 how shall not the ministration of the ,spirit be rather glorious8 ,for if the ministration of condemnation be glory1 much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory4 ,for even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect1 by reason of the glory that excelleth' 7#b ,cor #c3g-aj74 ,so then1 your obedient temper of mind1 forasmuch as it respecteth the law of morals1 and that too1 before faith1 or a right understanding of the gospel1 is nothing else but an obedience to the law1 a living to death1 and the ministration of condemnation2 and is a persuading the world1 that to be obedient to that ministration1 that is not the ministration of the gospel1 but holdeth its disciples in blindness and ignorance1 in which it is impossible ,christ should be revealed1 is an excellent1 yea1 a necessary qualification to prepare men for a firm belief1 and a right understanding of the gospel of ,christ1 which yet even blindeth1 and holdeth all blind that are the followers of that ministration4 ,i come now to your proof1 which indeed is no proof of this anti-gospel assertion1 but texts abused1 and wrested out of their place1 to serve to underprop your erroneous doctrine4 ,the first is1 ',if any man will do his will1 he shall know of the doctrine1 whether it be of ,god1 or whether ,i speak of myself' 7,john #g3ag1 p4 #bfh74 ,ans4 ,this scripture respecteth not at all the moral law1 or obedience to the dictates of human nature1 as an acceptable qualification precedent to faith2 or that1 for the sake of which ,god will give men faith in1 and a right understanding of the gospel1 but is itself an immediate exhortation to believing1 with a promise of what shall follow2 as who shall say1 ,the ,father hath sent me into the world to be salvation to it1 through faith in my blood3 ,my ,father's will therefore is1 'that men believe in me'2 and if any will do his will1 he shall know of the doctrine1 he shall feel the power thereof1 by the peace and comfort that will presently possess the soul1 and by the holy effects that follow4 ,that this is the true exposition of this place will be verified if you consider1 that to do the will of ,god1 in a ,new ,testament sense1 is to be taken under a double consideration4 #a4 ,as it respecteth ,christ4 #b4 ,man4 #a4 ,as it respecteth ,christ1 so it concerns his completing the redemption of man by himself1 by his own personal performances 7,john #f3ch1ci2 ,heb #aj3e-aj74 #b4 ,as it respecteth man1 it doth first and immediately respect our believing on him for remission of sins and eternal life4 ',and this is the will of him the ,father which sent me saith ,christ that every one that seeth the ,son1 and believeth on him1 may have everlasting life3 and ,i will raise him up at the last day' 7,john #f3dj74 ,this then is the will of ,god2 that men do believe in ,jesus ,christ4 ,against1 when the ,jews asked ,jesus ,christ what they should do1 that they might work the works of ,god1 he did not send them first to the moral precept1 or to its first principles in the hearts of men2 by obeying that1 to fit themselves for faith2 but immediately he tells them1 ',this is the work of ,god1 that ye believe on him whom he hath sent' 7,john #f3bi74 ,this is the work of ,god2 that is1 ',this is his commandment1 ,that we should believe on the name of his ,son ,jesus ,christ1 and love one another1 as he gave us commandment' 7#a ,john #c3bc74 ,if any man will do his will1 he shall know of the doctrine1 that is1 as ,i have said1 he shall feel1 and have the authority of this faith in his heart1 both to give peace and joy in his heart1 and assurance1 and the sealing of his soul to glory4 ,for all these things come in upon believing first in ,christ4 #a4 ',by faith we have peace with ,god' 7,rom #e3a74 #b4 ',we have joy and peace through believing' 7,rom #ae3ac74 #c4 ',assurance comes also through believing' 7,john #f3fi2 ,heb #aj3bb74 #d4 ,yea1 and the sealings up to eternal life2 ',in whom also after that ye believed1 ye were sealed with that holy spirit of promise' 7,eph #a3ac74 #e4 ,sanctification1 and a right obedient temper1 is not to be found in men before1 but after they have believed2 ',he purified their hearts by faith' 7,acts #ae3i74 ,yea1 heaven and eternal happiness is promised to them who are sanctified by faith which is in ,christ 7#bf3ah74 ,this first text1 therefore1 hath been by you abused1 in that you have ungodlily strained it1 but in vain1 to make it warrant your heathenish preparations to faith4 ,the second scripture2 ',he that is of ,god heareth ,god's words2 ye therefore hear them not1 because ye are not of ,god' 7,john #h3dg74 ,ans4 ,this scripture supposeth men must first be of ,god1 before they can hear ,god's word2 before they can hear it with the hearing of faith2 and therefore nothing respecteth those that before they have faith1 live in the law of works2 and least of all1 those that become obedient thereto1 that thereby they may obtain everlasting life4 ,for these are not of ,god1 not of him in a ,new ,testament sense2 not sons1 because they are born of men1 of the will of men1 of the law1 and according to the wisdom of flesh and blood 7,john #a3ab1ac74 ,your third scripture is1 ',and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed' 7,acts #ac3dh74 ,which text you thus expound3 ',that as many of the ,gentiles as were disposed1 or in a ready preparedness for eternal life1 believed2 that is1 those which were proselytes of the gate1 who were admitted by the ,jews to the hope of eternal life1 and to have their portion in the age to come1 without submitting to their whole law1 or any more than owning the ,god of ,israel1 and observing the seven precepts of ,noah' 7p4 #bfi7cf4 ,ans4 #a4 ,that obedience to the moral law is not a preparative to faith1 or an excellent and necessary qualification to the right understanding of the gospel ,i have proved4 #b4 ,that to be a ,jewish proselyte was to live in the faith of ,messias to come1 is the strain of all the scriptures that have to deal with them4 #c4 ,but that ordaining men to eternal life respects an act of the ,jews1 or that the ,jews did dispense with the ,gentile proselytes1 in their casting off all their laws1 but the seven precepts of ,noah4 #d4 ,or that ,god counted this a fit1 or forerunning qualification to faith in ,jesus ,christ1 neither stands with the word of ,god1 nor the zeal of that people4 #e4 ,besides1 the words presently following seem to me to insinuate more1 viz4 ,that the ,jews and religious proselytes that adhered to ,paul at his first sermon 7v #dc71 did contradict and blaspheme at his second 7v #de71 and moreover1 that it was they that raised persecution upon him1 and expelled him out of their coasts 7v #ej74 ,when the ,gentiles1 even those that were more barbarously ignorant at his coming1 when they heard that by ,christ there was offered to them the forgiveness of sins1 they believed 7v #dh71 and glorified the word of the ,lord3 ,the wisdom of heaven so disposing such of their hearts1 that were before by ,,him1 not by ,jews ordained to life4 ',and as many as were ordained to eternal life1 believed4' ,but you come again1 in p4 #bfi to the scripture first urged by you1 ',if any man will do his will1' c4 and you tell us1 that this must also needs be implied1 he shall rightly understand the doctrine too2 which word 7understand7 you so carry1 as may best help you in case you should meet with an adversary4 ,as if any should thus object1 that here you have granted that the words make promise of an understanding of the gospel2 yea require in it the very first act of the will2 then you readily shift it by saying1 ,that this is implied only1 suggesting that obedience to morals is expressed1 and therefore must first be thought on and done4 ,but if one of your brotherhood stop here1 and make the objection2 then you add1 ',it is knowledge1 at least1 in all the necessary points thereof1 absolutely necessary and essential parts1 from among which you long since did cast out1 ,coming to ,god by ,jesus ,christ4' ,yea you add1 ',that by that which you call the design of the gospel1 it may be presumed1 that whosoever considereth it1 with a design of being so1 that is1 of living up to human principles1 and that desireth to be possessed again of the holiness he hath lost1 for that is it for the proof of which you have written above #cjj pages he must needs believe the gospel to have come from ,god1 and also be enlightened in the true knowledge of at least the necessary points of it1' viz4 ,all moral duties contained therein1 which are never a one of them as such an essential of the gospel1 but are such duties as are consequential to the belief thereof4 ,wherefore1 although you feign it1 'this honest temper1' as you call it1 will not help you1 #a4 ,to judge of the gospel without prejudice2 nor #b4 ,to evidence it with satisfaction2 nor #c4 ,secure those in whom it is from error and delusion2 no man being more brutish or heathenish1 nor so void of satisfaction about it1 nor more involved in error concerning it1 than yourself2 being truly what you charge upon others2 #a4 ,grossly ignorant2 #b4 ,too highly opinionate2 #c4 ,proud in affectation2 #d4 ,liquorish2 #e4 ,a self-lover2 #f4 ,and for your blasphemy under the just judgment of ,god4 ',if our gospel be hid1 it is hid to them that are lost3 ,in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not1 lest the light of the glorious gospel of ,christ1 who is the image of ,god1 should shine into them' 7#b ,cor #d3c1d74 ',for me to live is ,christ' includes in it more than good habits or holy frames of soul4 ,i am come now to your last chapter1 which tells us wherein the essence and life of ,christianity consisteth1 viz4 ,in a good state and habit of mind1 in a holy frame and temper of soul 7p4 #bhb74 ,ans4 #a4 ,it consisteth in a life of faith1 when ,i live in the belief of this1 that ,christ loved me1 and gave himself for me4 ',the life that ,i now live in the flesh saith ,paul ,i live by the faith of the ,son of ,god1 who loved me1 and gave himself for me4' #b4 ,and besides1 a good state and habit of mind1 or an holy frame and temper of soul1 in your notion of them1 which respecteth purely obedience to morals1 from natural impulses1 or dictates of our humanity1 they are rather heathenish than ,christian1 and being alone1 end in death rather than life4 ',as many as are of the works of the law1 are under the curse1' he saith not they that sin against it1 but they that are ,,of the works of it1 such as do justice1 righteousness1 charity1 goodness1 mercy1 patience1 and all kind of moral duties1 from principles human1 natural1 or as men1 they are under the curse1 because they have sinned first1 and also are infirm and weak in their pursuit after the perfections they desire4 ,these follow after righteousness1 but that flies from them2 wherefore they do not obtain it1 because they seek it not by faith in ,christ1 but as it were by the works2 the righteous1 good1 and holy works of the law 7,rom #i3cj1cb74 ,but you add1 ',it is such a habit of mind1 such a frame and temper of soul1 as esteemeth ,god as the chiefest good1 and preferreth him and his ,son ,jesus ,christ before all the world1 and that prizeth above all things an interest in the divine perfections1' c4 7p4 #bhb74 ,ans4 #a4 ,god must needs be esteemed the chiefest good1 by all that have but1 and are ruled by1 the light of nature1 because they see him by his works to be almighty1 merciful1 and eternal 7,rom #a3bj74 ,but this may be where the knowledge of the man1 the ,mediator is not2 therefore this1 in this and in your sense1 cannot be of the essence of ,christianity1 for that it is common to all the world4 ,that estimation of ,god which is common to natural men1 cannot be of the essence of ,christianity1 because they want that knowledge of him that comes by ,jesus ,christ1 and so are not capable to esteem of him under a ,christian consideration4 ,but you say1 'it is that good habit and temper of mind that preferreth ,god1 and his ,son ,jesus ,christ1 before all the world4' ,ans4 ,he that esteemeth ,god above all1 must needs1 at least in his judgment1 so prefer him2 but whereas you add1 and his ,son ,jesus ,christ1 you put in them words but as a cloak1 for yourself have not preferred his ,son ,jesus ,christ1 no1 not before a moral law1 no not before your obedience to it1 although but by human principles2 yea1 you have accounted the command of ,god1 by which we are enjoined by him to come to ,god1 a thing in itself but like levitical ceremonies1 or as ,baptism and the ,lord's ,supper2 a thing in itself indifferent1 and absolutely considered neither good nor evil 7p4 #g1h1i74 ,you add2 ',it is such a temper as prizeth above all things1 an interest in the divine perfections2 such as justice and righteousness1 universal charity1 goodness1 mercy1 patience1 and all kinds of purity' 7p4 #bhb74 ,ans4 ,seeing by these expressions you only intend moral virtues1 and those that are inherent in you1 and originally operations of humanity1 it is evident that you have but impiously and idolatrously attributed to your own goodness so high and blessed a title4 ,for whatsoever is in your nature1 and originally the dictates thereof1 and whatsoever proficiency you make therein by human principles1 and helps of natural endowments2 these things are but of yourself1 your own justice1 your own righteousness1 your own charity1 goodness1 mercy1 patience1 kindness1 c4 ,now to call these the divine perfections1 when they are only your own human virtues1 bespeaks you1 ,i say1 fond1 impious1 and idolatrous1 and shews you1 in the midst of all your pretended design to glorify ,god1 such an one who have set up your own goodness with him1 yea and given it the title of his blessed grace and favour4 ,that scripture you mention 7,rom #ad3ag71 although by the word righteousness there1 is intended obedience to the moral law1 yet to it by persons already justified by ,christ's righteousness2 hence they are said to do it in the joy and peace of the ,holy ,ghost1 or by the joy and peace which they had by faith in ,christ's righteousness1 as revealed to them by the ,spirit of ,god4 ,hence again1 they are said in ,,it to serve ,christ1 or to receive the law at his hand1 which he giveth to them to walk after1 having first justified them from the curse thereof by his blood4 #b4 ,the law was given twice on ,sinai1 the last time1 with a proclamation of mercy going before1 and he that receiveth it thus1 receiveth it after a gospel manner4 ,for they as justified persons are dead to the law as a covenant of works by the body of ,christ1 that they might live to another1 even to him that is raised from the dead 7,rom #g2 ,gal #b3ai74 ,but you by this scripture intend not this doctrine1 for you make justification by ,christ1 come after1 not before obedience to the law2 yea1 you make obedience thereto1 the essential1 and coming to ,god by ,christ1 but a thing of a more remote nature1 from true and substantial gospel-righteousness4 ,in p4 #bhc1 you speak again of the old principle1 and thus you comment1 ',a principle of holiness that respecteth duty1 as with respect to the nature of the command1 so not with respect to the duty as occasioned by certain external inducements and motives1 but from a good temper and disposition of soul4' ,ans4 ,this ,i say1 still respecting your old principle of humanity1 and the purity of your nature1 the most amounts but to this3 ,your principle is confined to a liberty of will and affections1 with respect to doing of the law of works1 which many have professed to have1 and do before you1 and yet have come short of the glory of ,god4 ,for as ,i told you before1 ,i tell you now again1 that the gospel-principles are the ,holy ,ghost and faith1 which help that soul in whom they dwell to count believing in ,jesus ,christ the great and essential part of our ,christianity1 and our reckoning ourselves pardoned for the sake of him3 ',and thus being set free from sin1 we become the servants of ,god1 and have our fruit unto holiness1 and the end everlasting life' 7,rom #f3bb74 ,your description of a child of ,abraham1 you meaning in a ,new ,testament sense1 is quite beside the truth4 ,for albeit1 the sons of ,abraham will live holy lives1 and become obedient to the substantial laws2 yet it is not their subjection to morals1 but faith in ,jesus1 that giveth them the denomination of children of ,abraham4 ',know ye1 therefore1 that they that are of faith are the children of faithful ,abraham3 ,they that are of faith1 the same are the children of ,abraham3 ,yea1 they that are of faith are blessed with faithful ,abraham' 7,gal #c3g1i74 ,in p4 #bhd1 you say1 ',that there is no one duty more affectionately recommended to us in the gospel than is alms-giving4' ,ans4 ,yes1 ,that there is1 and that which more immediately respecteth our justification with ,god1 than ten thousand such commandments2 and that is faith in ,christ4 ,alms-deeds is also a blessed command2 yet but one of the second table1 such as must flow from faith going before4 ,faith ,i mean that layeth hold on ,christ's righteousness1 if it be accepted of ,god4 ,for before the heart be good the action must be naught2 now the heart is good by faith1 because faith1 by applying ,christ's righteousness1 makes over a whole ,christ to the soul1 of whose fulness it receiveth1 and grace for grace 7,john #a3af74 ,many things in this last chapter are worthy reprehension1 but because you tell us1 in the last two pages thereof1 is the sum of all that need to be said1 ,i will immediately apply myself to what is there contained4 ,you say 7p4 #bif71 ',it is not possible we should not have the design of ,christianity accomplished in us1 and therefore that we should be destitute of the power of it1 if we make our ,saviour's most excellent life the pattern of our lives4' ,by our ,saviour's life1 as by a parenthesis you also express1 you mean1 as yourself hath in short described it 7ch #e7 viz41 ',the greatest freedom1 affability1 courtesy1 candour1 ingenuity1 gentleness1 meekness1 humility1 contempt of the world1 contention1 charity1 tenderness1 compassion1 patience1 submission to the divine will1 love of ,god1 devoutest temper of mind towards him1 mighty confidence and trust in ,god1' c4 ,ans4 ,our ,saviour's life1 in not only these1 but all other duties that respected morals1 was not principally or first to be imitated by us1 but that the law1 even in the preceptive part thereof1 might be fully and perfectly fulfilled for us4 ',christ is the end of the law for righteousness'2 the end1 not only of the ceremonial law1 but the ten commandments too2 for if the word righteousness1 respecteth in special them4 ',jesus increased in favour with ,god' 7,luke #b3eb2 ,matt #c3ag74 ,this respecteth him as made under the law1 and his pleasing of ,god in that capacity4 ,so also doth that1 ',in him ,i am well pleased4' ,now ,i say1 as ,jesus stood in this capacity1 he dealt with the law in its greatest force and severity1 as it immediately came from ,god1 without the advantage of a ,mediator1 and stood by his perfect complying with1 and fulfilling every tittle thereof4 ,besides1 as ,jesus ,christ had thus to do with the law1 he did it in order to his 'finishing transgression1 and putting an end to sin' 7,dan #i3bd71 and so consequently as ,mediator1 and undertaker for the world4 ,for his perfect complying withal1 and fulfilling every tittle of the law1 respected nothing his own private person1 that he for himself might be righteous thereby2 for in himself he was eternally just and holy1 even as the ,father1 but it respected us1 even us4 ,for ,,us he was made under the law1 that we1 by his fulfilling the law1 might by him be redeemed from under the law1 and also receive the adoption of ,,sons 7,gal #d3d1e74 ,for we having sinned1 and transgressed the law1 and the justice of ,god1 yet requiring obedience thereto1 and the law being too weak through our flesh to do it1 ,god therefore sent his own ,son in the likeness of sinful flesh1 who himself for us did first of all walk in the law1 and then for sin suffered also in his flesh1 the sentence1 and curse pronounced against us by the law4 ,for it was nothing less necessary1 when the ,son of ,god became undertaker for the sin of the world1 that he should walk in obedience to the whole of the precepts of the law1 to deliver us from the judgment of the law2 ,i say it was no less necessary he should so do1 than that he should bear our curse and death4 ,for it would have been impossible for him to have overcome the last1 if he had not been spotless touching the first4 ,for therefore it was impossible he should be holden of death1 because he did nothing worthy of death2 no1 not in the judgment of the law1 to which he immediately stood4 ,now as ,christ ,jesus stood thus to1 and walked in the law1 it is blasphemy for any to presume to imitate him2 because thus to do is to turn ,mediator and undertaker for the sin of the world4 ,besides1 whoso doth attempt it1 undertakes an impossibility2 for no man can stand by the moral law1 as it immediately comes from the divine majesty2 he having sinned first1 even before he goeth about to fulfil it4 ,and in this sense is that to be understood1 'as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse1' held accursed1 because they have sinned first2 accursed in their performances1 because of imperfection1 and therefore assuredly accursed at last1 because they come short of the righteousness thereof4 #a4 ,christ ,jesus did never set himself forth for an example1 that by imitating his steps in morals should obtain justification with ,god from the curse of that law2 for this would be to overthrow1 and utterly abolish the work which himself came into the world to accomplish1 which was not to be our example1 that we by treading his steps might have remission of sins1 but that through the faith of him1 through faith in his blood1 we might be reconciled to ,god4 #b4 ,besides1 thus to imitate ,christ1 is to make of him a ,saviour1 not by sacrifice1 but by example4 ,nay1 to speak the whole1 this would be to make his mediatorship wholly to center1 rather in prescribing of rules1 and exacting obedience to morals1 than in giving himself a ransom for men2 yea1 ,i will add to imitate ,christ1 as you have prescribed1 may be done by him1 that yet may be ignorant of the excellency of his person1 and the chief end of his being made flesh3 ,for in all these things which you have discoursed in that fifth chapter of him1 you have only spoken of that1 something of which is apprehended by the light of nature2 yea1 nature itself will teach that men should trust in ,god1 which is the most excellent particular that there you mention4 ,wherefore our ,lord ,jesus himself foreseeing1 that in men there will be a proudness1 to content themselves with that confidence1 he intimateth that it would be in us insignificant1 if it stand without faith in himself4 ',ye believe naturally in ,god saith he believe also in me' 7,john #ad3a74 ,faith in ,jesus is as absolutely necessary as to believe immediately in the divine being4 ,yea1 without faith in ,jesus1 whosoever believeth in ,god is sure to perish and burn in hell4 ',if you believe not that ,i am he1 ye shall die in your sins' 7,john #h3bd74 ,and to take ,jesus in morals for example1 is nowhere called believing in him1 neither is there one promise of eternal life1 annexed to such a practice4 ,but you say1 ',if we tread in his blessed steps1 and be such1 according to our measure and capacity1 as we have understood he was in this world' 7p4 #bif74 ,ans4 ,i say1 for a man to confine himself only to the life of the ,lord ,jesus1 for an example1 or to think it enough to make him1 in his life1 a pattern for us to follow1 leaveth us1 through our shortness in the end1 with the devil and his angels1 for want of faith in the doctrine of remission of sins2 for ,christ did nowhere make another mediator between ,god and him1 nor did he ever trust to another man's righteousness1 to be thereby justified from the curse of the law2 neither did he at all stand in need thereof1 without which1 we must be damned and perish4 ,now ,i say1 these things being nowhere practised by him1 he cannot therein be an example to us4 ,and ,i say again1 seeing that in these things1 by faith in them1 is immediately wrapped up our reconciliation with ,god2 it followeth1 that though a man take the ,lord ,christ in his whole life1 for an example in the end1 that notwithstanding1 he abideth unreconciled to ,god4 ,neither will that clause1 'and be such1' help such a person at all3 ,for justification with ,god1 comes not by imitating ,christ as exemplary in morals1 but through faith in his precious blood4 ,in the law ,i read1 that the ,paschal ,lamb was neither to be eaten sodden nor raw1 but roast with fire1 must it be eaten 7,exo #ab74 ,now to make salvation principally to depend upon imitating ,christ's life1 it is to feed upon him raw1 or at most1 as sodden1 not sanctified and holy3 ,but the precept is1 ',eat it roast with fire'2 is to be the antitype1 as accursed of ,god for sin1 and enduring the punishment for it 7,exo #ai2 ,deu #cc3b2 ,mal #d3a74 ,the law is compared to fire1 and its curse to a burning oven4 ,now under the curse of this fiery law1 was the ,lord ,jesus afflicted for the sins of the world3 wherefore1 as so considered1 our faith must lay hold upon him1 for justification with ,god4 ',this is the law of the burnt-offering3 which was the offering for sin2 ,it is the burnt-offering1 because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning1 and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it' 7,lev #f3i74 ,but now ,i would inquire3 ,had ,israel done the commandment1 if they had eaten the passover raw1 or boiled in water8 ,or if they had offered that offering1 that was to be burnt as a sin-offering1 otherwise than it was commanded8 ,even so1 to feed upon ,christ1 as he is holy1 and of good life only2 and also1 as taking him therein for an example to us1 to follow his steps for justification with ,god2 this is1 to eat the passover raw1 and not as roast with fire2 this is1 to feed upon ,jesus1 without respecting him as accursed of ,god for our sin1 and so consequently to miss of that eternal life1 that by his blood he hath obtained for every one that believeth on him4 ,i have been pleased with this observation3 ,that none of the signs and wonders in ,egypt1 could deliver the children of ,israel thence1 till the ,lamb was slain1 and roast with fire 7,exo #ab3ca74 ,and ,i have been also pleased with this3 ,that the ,father1 not ,moses1 gave the manna from heaven1 which was a type of the flesh1 and blood of ,christ1 that whoso feedeth on1 shall live for ever 7,john #f3cb74 ,yea1 circumcision also1 which was a type of inward1 and heart-holiness1 was not of ,moses1 but of the ,fathers1 and principally a consequence of the faith of ,abraham 7,john #g3bb74 ,whence ,i gather1 that no wonder1 but the blood of ,christ can save2 that no kindness1 but the mercy of ,god1 can give this to us2 and that no law1 but the law of faith1 can make us truly holy in heart4 ,but you add1 ',those that sincerely1 and industriously1 endeavour to imitate the holy ,jesus in his ,spirit and actions1 can never be ignorant what it is to be truly ,christians4' ,those that follow ,jesus in his ,spirit1 must first receive that ,spirit from heaven1 which ,spirit is received1 as ,i have often said1 by applying first1 by faith1 the merits of ,christ to the soul1 for life and justification with ,god4 ,the ,spirit is not received by the works of the law1 but by the hearing of faith2 neither comes it in the ministry1 or doctrine of morals1 but in and by the ministry of faith2 and the law is not of faith4 ,wherefore seeing you have1 in p4 #bbc of your book1 forbidden sinners to come first to ,jesus for justification with ,god2 the ,spirit you talk of1 however you call it the ,spirit of ,jesus1 can be no other than the spirit of a man2 which you also yourself1 in p4 #g1 #h1 #i call 'the purity of human nature1 a principle of reason1 the first principles of morals1 or those that are originally dictates of human nature4' ,wherefore by these words1 'in his ,spirit1' you do but blaspheme the ,holy ,ghost1 and abuse your ignorant reader2 calling now1 ,quaker-like1 the dictates of your humanity1 and your ,socinian compliances therewith1 the ,spirit of ,holy ,jesus4 ,i conclude therefore1 that the way of salvation1 or the design of ,christianity as prescribed by you1 is none other than the errors of your own brain1 the way of death1 the sum and heart of ,papistical ,quakerism1 and is quite denied by the ,lord ,jesus1 and by his blessed ,testament4 ,and now go your ways1 and imitate the ,lord ,jesus1 and take the whole history of his life for your example1 and walk in his steps1 and be such as much as you can1 yet without faith in his blood1 first2 yea1 and if you stand not just before ,god through the imputation of his righteousness1 your imitating will be found no better than rebellion1 because by that1 instead of faith in his blood1 you hope to obtain remission of sins1 thrusting him thereby from his office and work1 and setting your dunghill righteousness up in his stead4 ,fowler's false and dangerous conclusions4 ,i come now to your conclusion4 ,first1 in p4 #bih ',you press men to betake themselves to find that which you call the design of ,christianity1 accomplished in their hearts and lives4' ,ans4 ,seeing that the holiness that your erroneous book has exalted1 is none other but that which we have lost2 yea1 and again1 seeing you have set this in the head of1 and before the righteousness of ,christ1 ,i admonish my reader to tremble at the blasphemy of your book1 and account the whole design therein1 to be none other but that of an enemy to the ,son of ,god1 and salvation of the world4 ,for that holiness as ,i have shewed1 is none other but a shadowish1 ,christless1 graceless holiness2 and your so exalting of it1 very blasphemy4 ,you proceed1 saying1 ',let us exercise ourselves unto real and substantial godliness2 still meaning your ,adamitish holiness let us study the gospel not to discourse1 or only to believe1 but also1 and above all things1 to do well4' ,ans4 ,herein still you manifest1 either ignorance of1 or malice against1 the doctrine of faith2 that doctrine1 which above all doctrines1 is the quintessence of the ,new ,testament1 because therein1 and not principally1 as you feign1 by doing well1 is the righteousness of ,god revealed1 and that from faith to faith2 not from faith to works1 nor yet from works to faith4 ,besides1 the gospel is preached in all nations1 for the obedience of faith 7,rom #af3bf74 ,neither works1 the law1 the dictates of humanity1 nor the first principles of morals1 knowing what to do with the righteousness of the gospel1 which is a righteousness imputed by ,god1 not wrought by us2 a righteousness given1 not earned1 a righteousness received by believing1 not that which floweth from our obedience to laws1 a righteousness which comes from ,god to us1 not one that goeth from us to ,god4 ,besides1 as ,i also have hinted before1 the apostle and you are directly opposite4 ,you cry1 'above all things1 do well'3 that is1 work and do the law2 but he1 'above ,,all1 take the shield of faith1 wherewith are quenched all the fiery darts of the wicked' 7,eph #f3af74 ,but you add 7p4 #cjj71 ',let us do what lieth in us to convince our ,atheists1 that the religion of the blessed ,jesus1 is no trick or device2 and our wanton and loose ,christians1 that it is no notional business1 or speculative science4' ,ans4 ,this you cannot do by your moral natural principles of humanity3 ,for even some of your brave philosophers1 whose godliness you have so much applauded1 were even then in the midst of their1 and your virtues1 atheistically ignorant of the religion of ,jesus4 ,and as to the loose ,christian2 ,christ neither hath need of1 nor will he bless your blasphemous opinions1 nor feigned godliness1 but real ungodliness1 to make them converts to his faith and grace1 neither can it be expected it should1 seeing you have not only dirty thoughts1 but vilifying words1 and sayings of his person1 work1 and righteousness4 you have set your works before his 7p4 #bbc71 calling them substantial1 indispensable1 and real2 but coming to ,god by him1 a thing in itself indifferent 7p4 #g-i74 ,you go on1 and say1 ',let us declare--that we are not barely reliers on ,christ's righteousness1 by being imitators of it' 7p4 #cjj74 ,you cannot leave off to contemn and blaspheme the ,son of ,god4 ,do you not yet know that the righteousness of ,christ on which the sinner ought to rely for life1 is such1 as consisted in his standing to1 and doing of the law1 without a ,mediator8 ,and would you be doing this8 ,what know you not1 that an essential of the righteousness he accomplished for sinners when he was in the world2 is1 ',that he was conceived by the ,holy ,ghost1 born without sin1 did all things in the power of1 and union with his own eternal ,godhead4' ,and are you able thus to imitate him8 ,again1 the righteousness on which we ought to rely for life1 is that which hath in it the merit of blood3 we are 'justified by his blood' through faith in his blood 7,rom #e3i74 ,is this the righteousness you would imitate8 ,farther1 the righteousness on which poor sinners should rely1 is that1 for the sake of which ,god forgiveth the sins of him that resteth by faith thereupon4 ,but would you be imitating of1 or accomplishing such a righteousness8 ,your book1 ,sir1 is begun in ignorance1 managed with error1 and ended in blasphemy4 ,now the ,god of glory1 if it may stand with his glory1 give you a sight of your sins1 against the ,son of ,god1 that you may1 as ,saul1 lie trembling1 and being astonished1 cry out to be justified1 with the righteousness of ,god without the law1 even that which is by faith of ,jesus ,christ1 unto all1 and upon all them that believe4 ,many other gross absurdities1 which ,i have omitted in your whole book1 may perhaps1 be more thoroughly gathered up1 when you shall have taken the opportunity to reply4 ,in the meantime ,i shall content myself with this4 ',behold the ,lamb of ,god1 which taketh away the sin of the world' 7,john #a3bi74 ',even ,jesus1 which delivered us from the wrath to come' 7#a ,thess #a3aj74 ',who when he had by himself purged our sins1 sat down on the right hand of the ,majesty on high' 7,heb #a3c74 ',christ died for our sins' 7#a ,cor #ae3c74 ',god hath made him to be sin for us' 7#b ,cor #e3ba74 ',christ was made a curse for us' 7,gal #c3ac74 ',he bare our sins in his own body on the tree' 7#a ,peter #b3bd74 ',he loved us1 and washed us from our sins in his own blood' 7,rev #a3e74 ',god for ,christ's sake hath forgiven you' 7,eph #d3cb74 ',we have redemption through his blood1 the forgiveness of sins1 according to the riches of his grace' 7,eph #a3g74 ,now unto the ,king1 eternal1 immortal1 invisible1 the only wise ,god1 be honour1 and glory1 for ever1 and ever4 ,amen4 ,,the ,,conclusion4 ,that my reader may farther perceive that ,mr4 ,fowler1 even by the chief of the articles of the church of ,england1 is adjudged erroneous2 and besides the very fundamentals of the doctrine of ,jesus ,christ1 and that in those very principles that are in the main1 ,i say1 and that most immediately concern ,christ1 faith1 and salvation1 will be evident to them that compare his design of ,christianity1 with these articles hereunto recited4 ,the ,article ,x4 concerning ,free-will4 ',the condition of man1 after the fall of ,adam1 is such1 that he cannot turn and prepare himself1 by his own natural strength and good works1 to faith1 and calling upon ,god3 wherefore we have no power to do good works1 pleasant and acceptable to ,god1 without the grace of ,god by ,christ preventing#cg us1 that we may have a good will1 and working with us1 when we have that good will4' ,the ,article ,,xi4 concerning ,justification4 ',we are accounted righteous before ,god1 ,,only for the merit of our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ1 by faith2 and not for our own works1 or deservings4 ,wherefore that we are justified by faith ,,only1 is a most wholesome doctrine1 and very full of comfort1' c4 ,the ,article ,,xiii4 of ,works before ,justification4 ',works done before the grace of ,christ1 and the inspiration of his ,spirit1 are not pleasant to ,god1 for as much as they spring not of faith in ,jesus ,christ1--or deserve grace of congruity3 yea rather1 for that they are not done as ,god hath willed and commanded them to be done1 we doubt not but they have the ,,nature of sin4' ,these articles1 because they respect the points in controversy betwixt ,mr4 ,fowler1 and myself2 and because they be also fundamental truths of the christian religion1 as ,i do heartily believe1 let all men know that ,i quarrel not with him1 about things wherein ,i dissent from the church of ,england1 but do contend for the truth contained1 even in these very articles of theirs1 from which he hath so deeply revolted1 that he clasheth with every one of them1 as may farther be shewn when he shall take heart to reply4 ,but to wind up this unpleasant scribble1 ,i shall have done when ,i have farther shewed1 how he joineth with papist1 and quaker1 against these wholesome1 and fundamental articles4 ,mr4 ,fowler's ,doctrine compared with ,campian the ,jesuit1 upon that question whether ,faith only justifieth3 saith ,campian1 #a4 ,campian4 ',we ,papists say1 that as grace is put into us in justification1 so also our righteousness is enlarged through good works1 and is inherent in us2 therefore it is not true that ,god doth justify by faith ,,only4' ,fowler 7p4 #bba71 ',justifying faith is such a belief of the truth of the gospel1 as includes a sincere resolution of obedience unto all its precepts3 and that it justifieth as it doth so4--,in short1 is it possible that faith in ,christ's blood1 for the forgiveness of sins1 should be the only act which justifieth a sinner8' 7p4 #bbd74 #b4 ,campian4 ',so that faith is urged1 but not faith ,,only2 again1 by faith is meant all ,christianity1 and the whole religion of ,christians4' ,fowler 7p4 #bbb71 ',for surely the faith which entitles the sinner to so high a privilege1 as that of justification1 must needs be such as complieth with all the purposes of ,christ's coming into the world2 especially with his grand purpose1--as ,lord1 and that it is no less necessary that it should justify as it doth this4' #c4 ,campian4 ',though works void of ,christ are nothing2 yet through grace they serve to justification4' ,fowler 7p4 #bbe1bbf71 ',of the imputation of ,christ's righteousness1--this is the true explication2 it consists in dealing with sincerely righteous persons3 as if they were perfectly so1 for the sake and upon the account of ,christ's righteousness4 ,the grand intent of the gospel being to make us partakers of an inward and real righteousness2 and it being but a secondary one1 that we should be accepted1 and rewarded1 as if we were completely righteous4' #d4 ,campian4 ',speaking of faith1 hope1 and charity1 he confesseth2 that faith in nature is before them1 but it doth not justify before they come4' ,fowler 7p4 #bbc71 ',what pretence can there be for thinking1 that faith is the condition1 or instrument of justification1 as it complieth with only the precept of relying on ,christ's merits1 for the obtaining of it3 especially when it is no less manifest than the sun at noon-day1 that obedience to the other precepts1 or works of love1 must go before obedience to this' 7p4 #bhd74 #e4 ,campian4 ',i deny that faith ,,only doth justify for you have not in all the word of ,god1 that faith only doth justify4' ,fowler 7p4 #bbe71 ',and for my part1 ,i must confess1 that ,i would not willingly be he that should undertake to encounter one of the champions of that foul cause1 with the admission of this principle1 that faith justifieth1 only as it apprehendeth resteth or relieth on 7p4 #bbd7 the merits1 and righteousness of ,jesus ,christ1 ,i must certainly have great luck1 or my adversary but little cunning1 if ,i were not forced to repent me of such an engagement4' #f4 ,campian4 ',abraham being a just man1 was made more just by a living faith4' ,fowler 7p4 #bhc71 ',he only is a true child of ,abraham1 who in the purity of the heart obeyeth those substantial laws1 that are imposed by ,god1 upon him4' #g4 ,campian4 ',i say that charity and good works1 are not excluded in the causes of our justification4' ,fowler 7p4 #bad1bae71 ',for we have shewn1 not only that reformation of life from the practice1 and purification of heart from the liking of sin1 are as plainly as can be asserted in the gospel to be absolutely necessary to give men a right to the promises of it1 but also that its great salvation doth even consist in it4' ,mr4 ,fowler's ,doctrine compared with ,william ,penn the ,quaker4 #a4 ,penn's ,sandy ,foundation 7p4 #ai p4 #af ed4 #afhd71 ',life and salvation is to them that follow ,christ the light1 in all his righteousness1 which every man comes only to experiment1 as he walks in a holy subjection to that measure of light and grace1 wherewith the fulness hath enlightened him4' ,fowler 7p4 #h71 ',that is1 those which are of an indispensable1 and eternal obligation1 which were first written in men's hearts1 and originally dictates of human nature4' #b4 ,penn 7p4 #cb p4 #bf ed4 #afhd71 ',i really confess that ,jesus ,christ fulfilled the ,father's will1 and offered up a most satisfactory sacrifice1 but not to pay ,god1 or help him as otherways being unable to save men4' ,fowler 7p4 #he71 ',christ was set forth to be a propitiatory sacrifice for sin2 ,i will not say that his ,father who is perfectly sui juris might be put by this means into a capacity of forgiving it4' #c4 ,penn 7p4 #af p4 #ad ed4 #afhd71 ',god's remission is grounded on man's repentance1 not that it is impossible for ,god to pardon without a plenary satisfaction4' ,fowler 7p4 #hd71 ',there are many that do not question but that ,god could have pardoned sin1 without any other satisfaction1 than the repentance of the sinner1' c4 #d4 ,penn 7p4 #bg p4 #bb ed4 #afhd71 ',justification doth not go before1 but is subsequential to the mortification of lusts4' ,fowler 7p4 #ad1ae71 ',this blessing of making men holy1 was so much the design of ,christ's coming1 that he had his very name from it'3 observe the words are1 ',he shall save his people from their sins'2 not from the punishment of them4 ,and that is the primary sense of them1 which is most plainly expressed in them3 ',that he shall save his people from the punishment of sin1 is a true sense too2 but it is secondary and implied only2 as this latter is the never failing and necessary consequent of the former salvation4' #e4 ,penn 7p4 #be p4 #ba ed4 #afhd71 ',since therefore there can be no admittance had1 without performing that righteous will1 and doing those holy1 and perfect sayings2 alas6 to what value will an imputative righteousness amount8' c4 ,fowler 7p4 #af71 ',christ shall bring in an inward substantial1 and everlasting righteousness1 and by abrogating the outward ceremonial and establishing ,,only this righteousness1 he should enlarge the ,jewish ,church1 an accession of the ,gentiles1 being by that means made unto it4' #f4 ,penn 7p4 #bd1be p4 #bj ed4 #afhd71 ',since ,god has prescribed an inoffensive life1 as that which only can give acceptance with him2 and on the contrary hath determined never to justify the wicked1 c4--,will not the abomination appear greatest of all1 where ,god shall be found condemning the just1 on purpose to justify the wicked2 and that he is thereto compelled1 or else no salvation1 which is the tendency of their doctrine1 who imagine the righteous1 and merciful ,god to condemn and punish his innocent#ch righteous ,son1 that he having satisfied for our sins1 we might be justified while unsanctified by the imputation of his perfect righteousness4 ,o why should this horrible thing be contended for by ,christians6' ,fowler 7p4 #aai71 ',if it were possible as it hath been proved it is not that a wicked man should have ,god's pardon1 it would not make him cease to be miserable4' ,fowler 7p4 #abj71 ',were it possible that ,christ's righteousness could be imputed to an unrighteous man1 ,i dare boldly affirm it would signify as little to his happiness1 as would a gorgeous and splendid garment1 to one that is almost starved with hunger1 or that lieth racked by the torturing diseases of the stone1 or colic4' ,fowler 7p4 #acj71 ',to justify a wicked man1 while he continueth so1 if it were possible for ,god to do it1 would far more disparage his justice1 and holiness1 than advance his grace and kindness4' #g4 ,penn 7p4 #bf p4 #bb ed4 #afhd71 ',unless we become doers of that law1 which ,christ came not to destroy1 but as our example to fulfil1 we can never be justified before ,god4' ,fowler 7p4 #bif71 ',it is impossible we should not have the design of ,christianity accomplished in us1 and therefore that we should be destitute of the power of it1 if we make our ,saviour's most excellent life1 the pattern of our lives4 ,those that sincerely1 and industriously endeavour to imitate the holy ,jesus in his spirit and actions1 can never be ignorant what it is to be truly ,christians1 nor can they fail to be so4' #h4 ,penn 7p4 #bf71 ',nor let any fancy that ,christ hath so fulfilled it for them1 as to exclude their obedience1 from being requisite to their acceptance1 but only as their pattern4' ,fowler 7p4 #adh71 ',this ,son of ,god taught men their duty1 by his own example1 and did himself perform among them1 what he required of them4 ,now that he should tread before us ,,every step of that way1 which he hath told us leadeth to eternal happiness1 and commend those duties which are most ungrateful to our corrupt inclinations1 by his own practice2 our having so brave an example is no small encouragement1 to a cheerful performance of all that is commanded4' ,understandest thou what thou readest8 ,,footnotes3 #a4 ,fowler's ,design1 p4 #f4 #b4 ,ibid4 #c4 ,seeing1 then1 it is evident from scripture1 how deeply and dreadfully man is fallen from ,god1 what a folly it is to suppose1 in such a depraved creature1 conditions previous to his justification6 ,they who talk at this rate1 know not what they say1 nor whereof they affirm4 ,in a natural man there is no meetness1 but a meetness to sin1 and a meetness to be damned4 ,they who know themselves1 know this4 ,and there are no pre-requisites to justification1 but what ,god1 by his ,spirit1 is pleased to work in men's hearts4 ,none are meet to obey the gospel1 till ,god implants in their souls a principle of faith and evangelical obedience4 ,before this is done1 there is no meetness in the creature1 no disposition to do anything spiritually good2 neither are any of our works1 till a change of nature takes place1 acceptable and well-pleasing in the sight of ,almighty ,god4--,mason and ,ryland4 #d4 ,fowler1 p4 #f4 #e4 ,ibid4 #f4 ,fowler1 p4 #f4 #g4 ,ibid4 #h4 ,man1 in his first estate1 was holy and righteous2 and he continued to be possessed of this righteousness as long as he was obedient to his ,creator2 but as soon as he disobeyed the divine command1 he lost all his holiness and righteousness at once2 he emptied himself of every spark of goodness1 and was full of all manner of wickedness2 he forfeited all his primitive purity1 and became a sinful1 impure1 and unrighteous creature4 ,hence1 all mankind are destitute of original righteousness3 there is none of the children of men righteous1 'no not one3 there is none that doeth good1 no not one' 7,rom #c3aj1ab74 ,what then becomes of the purity and dignity of human nature1 so vainly boasted of8 or how shall man be righteous before ,god8 ,to this last question1 we answer with ,paul1 in the above-quoted chapter 7vv #ba1 #bb71 ',now the righteousness of ,god without the law is manifested1 being witnessed by the law and the prophets2 even the righteousness of ,god1 which is by faith of ,jesus ,christ1 unto all and upon all them that believe4' ,without this righteousness1 no soul ever was1 no soul ever will be1 justified before ,god4--,mason and ,ryland4 #i4 ,great will be the condemnation of all those who profess to know ,god1 but in works deny him2 who are abominable and disobedient1 and unto every good work reprobate 7,titus #a3af74 ,a great profession1 without a suitable life and conversation1 will only procure a greater condemnation4 ,therefore1 up1 ye sleepy virgins2 up1 and be doing2 shew your faith by your works4 ,there is no true religion without good works1 attended with a godly walk and behaviour4 ,there may be works seemingly good1 where there is no true religion4 ,good works are not the causes1 but the fruits and effects of true religion1 of justifying faith wrought in the soul by the ,holy ,ghost2 and where true religion is1 good works1 of every divine kind and quality1 will naturally follow1 to the glory and praise of that grace which alone brings salvation to miserable ruined sinners4--,mason and ,ryland4 #aj4 ,hierocles1 the ,greek philosopher4 #aa4 ,bunyan must have formed his opinions of the ,quakers from some persons who passed as such4 ,no form either of doctrine or discipline had appeared in #afgb4 ,as soon as their tenets were published1 they professed1 as they do to this day1 entire dependence upon ,jesus ,christ for holiness4--,ed4 #ab4 ,mr4 ,fowler gives no reference to any of the works of these learned divines1 nor could he66 ,he traduces these great reformers and the doctrines of his own church1 and yet was soon after made a bishop666--,ed4 #ac4 ,the saints of ,god experience a mystery of iniquity1 a horrible depth of corruption in their own hearts1 and groan under the plague and burden of it4 ,if we rightly know ourselves1 and behold our vileness1 filthiness1 and exceeding sinfulness1 in their true colours1 we shall be obliged to own that we are very wicked1 unholy1 ungodly1 abominable2 and that a principle and inclination to evil is so prevalent in the best of us1 that were ,god to leave us to ourselves1 we should greedily commit the most heinous sins4 ,these truly humbled persons1 and these alone1 are made sensible of the want of the application of the precious atoning blood of ,christ to cleanse them from the pollution of sin1 and of the sanctifying grace of the ,spirit to deliver them from the dominion and tyranny of it4--,mason and ,ryland4 #ad4 ',rusheth the soul4' ,to rush is a neuter verb1 here used in an active sense2--'precipitateth' gives the correct idea4--,ed4 #ae4 ',so natural1 and ignorant1' in distinction from that spiritual wisdom which is immortal and illuminating4--,ed4 #af4 ,against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men1 such as disbelief1 idolatry1 adultery1 c4 7p4 #ce74 #ag4 ,how astonishing the mystery6 how condescending the love6 that the infinite ,deity and finite flesh should meet in one person 7,christ71 in order to display to mankind the glory of ,god in that divine person6 to bring hell-deserving mortals into a nearness1 yea1 into a oneness with his ,creator1 that they might be made partakers of his holiness1 and adore and admire his perfections for ever6 ,o ,christians1 know and prize your inestimable privileges1 and be instant at the throne of grace1 that your souls may be so far assimilated to the image of the ever-blessed and adorable ,jesus1 that you may be constantly looking and hastening to1 and longing for that happy time1 when1 having dropt the dimming rages of mortality1 the veil of sinful flesh1 you shall be brought to 'know him even as you are known' of him1 because you shall 'see him as he is4'--,ryland4 #ah4 ',common1' as the head of his church1 in whom all his people have an equal or common right4--,ed4 #ai4 ',and even that miracle which might seem the most inconsiderable1 namely1 his causing his disciple ,peter to catch a fish with a small piece of money in its mouth1 was also instructive of a duty2 it being an instance of his loyalty to the supreme magistrate2 for the money was expended in paying tribute1 and taken out of the sea in that strange manner for no other purpose4'--,fowler's ,design1 c4 p4 #gb4 #bj4 ',lay you1' brings forth to yourself4 ',lay' is here used as in 'a hen lays eggs'2 such an application to this proverb is a cutting satire4--,ed4 #ba4 ',to possess them4' ,possess was formerly used as an active verb1 but now is only used as a neuter verb2 the meaning is 'to fill them with the certainty of the knowledge4' #bb4 ',as in ,adam all died1' were bereft of every good1 and became obnoxious to wrath and endless misery1 so ',,in ,christ1' by virtue of his life1 death1 and resurrection1 'shall all be made alive'2 they shall have that incorruptible seed implanted in their hearts1 which liveth and abideth for ever4 ,every grace and blessing is derived to the renewed soul from its union to ,christ1 as its living head1 through the eternal ,spirit4 ,christ hath fulfilled all righteousness for us and in our stead1 and this was the end and intent of his coming into the world2 so that ,christ is now become the righteousness of all them that do truly believe in him4 ',created ,,in ,christ ,jesus unto good works1 which ,god hath before ordained that we should walk in them' 7,eph #b3aj74--,mason and ,ryland4 #bc4 ,would to ,god this legal1 self-exalting1 ,christ-dishonouring doctrine had been confined to the times in which our author wrote1 or had been then banished to hell1 from whence it came2 but alas6 it is but too prevalent in these degenerate times1 in which ,arianism1 ,arminianism1 ,socinianism1 c41 c41 so dreadfully infect the multitude even of professors6 ,in the national churches1 what do we hear but ,moses and the law1 ',this do and live'2 or1 in other words1 do your duty as well as you can1 and ,christ will do the rest3 thus making the gospel the sacrifice of ,christ1 and the work of the ,spirit1 of no effect4 ,whereas1 on the contrary1 unregenerate1 depraved1 and sinful mortals 'have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to ,god1 without the grace of ,god preventing or going before them1 that they may have a good will2 and working in and by them1 when they have that good will'2 which is perfectly agreeable to our ,lord's declaration1 7,john #ae3e7 ',without me1 ye can do nothing4'--,mason and ,ryland4 #bd4 ',sir ,johns1' formerly the title given to the priests4 ,it was succeeded by the title 'reverend4'--,ed4 #be4 ,chap4 #ag3 ',how fearfully the gospel is abused by the papists4' ,chap4 #ah3 ',those sottish1 who expect salvation without holiness2 and those more so who encourage themselves by the grace of the gospel in unholiness4'--,heads of these ,chapters4--,ed4 #bf4 ',would that man be accounted any better than a perfect idiot1 who1 being sorely hurt1 should expect from his surgeon perfect ease1 when he will not permit him to apply any plaister for the healing of his wound8 ,or that being deadly sick1 should look that his physician should deliver him from his pain1 when he will not take any course he prescribes for the removal of the distemper that is the cause of it8'--,fowler's ,design1 p4 #baf4 ,how admirably does ,bunyan detect and unravel this casuistic sophistry4--,ed4 #bg4 ',the righteousness of ,god is revealed from faith to faith'2 that is1 from one degree of faith to another3 therefore increase in faith2 live nearer to ,christ2 and the nearer you live to the ,saviour1 the farther you will be from sin2 yea1 he will make you1 by precious faith in him1 more than conqueror over all your spiritual enemies3 therefore venture wholly upon ,christ1 and see if he will cast you out3 indeed1 he never will4 ,trust in him1 hope in him1 believe in him1 and you will never be disappointed4 ,all our fitness is in ,christ4 ,believe in him1 and he is yours4 ,in him dwells all fullness4 ,believe in ,christ1 and all that ,christ has is yours3 his blood is yours1 his wisdom is yours1 his righteousness1 his sanctification is yours2 yea1 ,christ ,jesus himself is yours--he is yours in this world1 and in the world to come2 he is yours in time1 and in eternity4 ,even so1 ,amen4--,mason and ,ryland4 #bh4 ',more groundedly1' with better foundation4 #bi4 ',take the way1' occupy the place4--,ed4 #cj4 ',doubtful opinions1 modes and rites1 eagerly opposed1 is like the apes blowing at a glowworm1 which affords neither light nor warmth' 7p4 #bci74 #ca4 ,these sentiments are the essential fundamentals of all state religions1 be they heathen1 christian1 or mohamedan4 ,this plain avowal of them might have been the cause why the author was soon after made a bishop of the ,church of ,england4--,ed4 #cb4 ,like the vicar of ,bray1 near ,maidenhead1 who boasted of his consistency4 ,he was under ,henry ,,viii a papist1 then a semi-protestant2 under ,edward1 a protestant2 under ,mary1 again a papist2 and under ,elizabeth1 a protestant4 ,still he had never ceased to be vicar of ,bray4--,ed4 #cc4 ',diggle together1' probably from 'degladiation1' a combat1 quarrel1 or contest2 a fencing match between two friends4--,ed4 #cd4 ,fowler's picture of the want of uniformity in the preachers of his sect1 all being under the ',act of ,uniformity1' is very amusing and instructive66--,ed4 #ce4 ,undoubtedly so2 because the good works of a man who is under the influence and power of divine grace1 flow from the constraining love of a coveannt-reconciled ,god in ,christ ,jesus1 whom the holy-making ,spirit glorifies and renders precious to every true believer in him4--,mason and ,ryland4 #cf4 ,the ,jews were divided into three sections3 ,i4 ,the descendants of ,israel2 ,,ii4 ,proselytes who conformed to all the ,mosaic rites2 and1 ,,iii4 ,those who were bound to obey the seven precepts of ,noah--and these1 although they did not conform to the ,jewish rites1 yet were admitted to the worship of the true ,god and the hope of the life to come4 ,according to the ,talmud these precepts were--#a4 ,to renounce idols and all idolatrous worship4 #b4 ,to worship the true ,god1 the creator of heaven and earth4 #c4 ,bloodshed1 to commit no murder4 #d4 ,not to be defiled with fornication4 #e4 ,rapine1 against theft and robbery4 #f4 ,to administer justice4 #g4 ,not eating flesh with the blood in it4--,ed4 #cg4 ',to prevent1' from 'praevenio1' to go before2 'preventing us' was formerly used for 'preparing us4' ,it is now obsolete in this sense1 but frequently occurs in the ,bible4--,ed4 #ch4 ',innocent' instead of 'righteous1' ed4 #afhd4 999999 ,,reprobation ,,asserted3 ,,or1 ,,the ,,doctrine ,,of ,,eternal ,,election ,,and ,,reprobation ,,promiscuously ,,handled1 ,,in ,,eleven ,,chapters4 ,,wherein ,,the ,,most ,,material ,,objections ,,made ,,by ,,the ,,opposers ,,of ,,this ,,doctrine1 ,,are ,,fully ,,answered2 ,,several ,,doubts ,,removed1 ,,and ,,sundry ,,cases ,,of ,,conscience ,,resolved4 ,,by ,,john ,,bunyan ,,of ,,bedford1 ,a ,,lover ,,of ,,peace ,,and ,,truth4 ',what then8 ,israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for2 but the election hath obtained it1 and the rest were blinded4'--,romans #aa3g ,london3 ,printed for ,g4 ,l41 and are to be sold in ,turn-stile-alley1 in ,holbourn4 ,small #dto1 #dd pages4 ,,editor',s ,,advertisement4 ,this valuable tract was first published without a date1 but according to ,doe's ,list1 about the year #afgd1 and has never been reprinted in a separate volume2 it appeared in only one edition of the collected works of ,john ,bunyan--that with the notes by ,ryland and ,mason2 and in his select works1 published in ,america in #ahcb4 ,no man could have been better qualified to write upon the subject of reprobation than ,bunyan4--,his extraordinary knowledge of1 and fervent attachment to1 the holy oracles1 peculiarly fitted him with unwavering verity to display this doctrine of divine truth4 ,he was incapable of any misrepresentation with a view of concealing what fallen reason might deem a deformity1 or to render the doctrines of the cross palatable to mankind4 ,his object is to display the truth1 and then humbly to submit to the wisdom of ,god1 and zealously to vindicate it4 ,there is no subject which more fully displays our fallen nature1 than that of reprobation4 ,all mankind agree in opinion1 that there ever has been an elect1 or good class of society2 and a reprobate1 or worthless and bad class2 varying in turpitude or in goodness to a great extent and in almost imperceptible degrees4 ,all must unite in ascribing to ,god that divine foreknowledge that renders ten thousand years but as one day1 or hour1 or moment in his sight4 ,all ascribe to his omnipotence the power to ordain or decree what shall come to pass--and where is the spirit that can demonstrate a shade of difference between such foreknowledge and preordination4 ,all agree that in the lower class of animals some of the same species pass their lives in luxury and comfort1 while others are cruelly tormented1 this world comprising their whole term of existence2 and will those who refuse to submit to the sovereignty of ,god in the doctrine of election dare to arraign his conduct in leaving some out of his electing love8 ,the reprobate or worthless lose nothing by the happiness of others4 ,it is inscrutably hid from mankind who are the elect1 until the ,holy ,spirit influences them with the love of ,god in ,christ ,jesus1 and this sometimes in the last moments of life4 ,there is every encouragement1 nay incentive1 to the sinner who feels the burthen of guilt to fly for refuge to the hope set before him in the gospel4 ',it is a faithful saying1 and worthy of all acceptation1 that ,christ ,jesus came into the world to save ,,sinners'2 even the chief of sinners4 ,the glad tidings are addressed to ,,all sin-sick souls2 and ,bunyan's statement of this truth is clear1 scriptural1 and reasonable4 ,very different is the account of the reprobation given by ,r4 ,resburie in his ,stop to the ,gangrene of ,arminianism1 #afea4 ',for the reprobate ,god decrees the permitting of sin in order to hardening1 and their hardening in it1 in order to their condemnation4' p4 #fi4 ',as election is the book of life1 so reprobation of death2 the names of the reprobate are there registered for destruction4' p4 #gc4 ,it is much to be regretted that sentiments like these have been too commonly uttered4 ,it is as an antidote to such ideas that this little work was written2 but1 unfortunately1 it has never been widely circulated and read4 ,may the divine blessing follow this attempt to spread these important1 although to many1 unpalatable1 doctrines4 ,,george ,,offor4 ,,reprobation ,,asserted4 ,,chapter #a4 ,that there is a ,reprobation4 ,in my discourse upon this subject1 ,i shall study as much brevity as clearness and edification will allow me2 not adding words to make the volume swell1 but contracting myself within the bounds of few lines1 for the profit and commodity of those that shall take the pains to read my labours4 ,and though ,i might abundantly multiply arguments for the evincing and vindicating this conclusion1 yet ,i shall content myself with some few scripture demonstrations3 the first of which ,i shall gather out of the ninth of the ,romans1 from that discourse of the apostle's1 touching the children of the flesh1 and the children of the promise4 #a4 ,at the beginning of this chapter1 we find the apostle grievously lamenting and bemoaning of the ,jews1 at the consideration of their miserable state3 ',i say the truth in ,christ1 saith he ,i lie not1 my conscience also bearing me witness in the ,holy ,ghost1 that ,i have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart4 ,for ,i could wish that myself were accursed from ,christ for my brethren1 my kinsmen according to the flesh'3 ,poor hearts1 saith he1 they will perish2 they are a miserable sad and helpless people2 their eyes are darkened that they may not see1 and their back is bowed down alway 7,rom #aa3aj74 ,wherefore8 ,have they not the means of grace8 ,yes verily1 and that in goodly measure4 ,first they 'are ,israelites2 to whom pertaineth the adoption1 and the glory1 and the covenants1 and the giving of the law1 and the service of ,god1 and the promises2 whose are the fathers1 and of whom as concerning the flesh ,christ came1 who is over all1 ,god blessed for ever4 ,amen4' ,what then should be the reason8 ,why saith he1 though they be the children of ,abraham according to the flesh1 yet they are the children of ,abraham ,,but according to the flesh3 ',for they are not all ,israel in the best sense which are of ,israel3 neither1 because they are the seed of ,abraham1 are they all children3 but1 in ,isaac shall thy seed be called4' ,that is1 they that are the children of the flesh1 they are not the children of ,god2 but the children of the promise shall be counted for the seed4 ,so then1 here you see that they that are only the children of the flesh1 as the greatest part of ,israel were1 they are those that are neither counted for the seed1 the children of promise1 nor the children of ,god2 but are rejected1 and of the reprobation4 ,this therefore shall at this time serve for the first scripture-demonstration4 #b4 ,another scripture you have in the eleventh chapter of this epistle1 from these words1 ',the election hath obtained it1 and the ,,rest were blinded' 7,rom #aa3g74 ,these words are shedding#a words1 they sever between men and men2 the election1 the rest2 the chosen1 the left2 the embraced1 the refused3 ',the election have obtained it1 and the rest were blinded4' ,by rest here1 must needs be understood those not elect1 because set one in opposition to the other2 and if not elect1 what then but reprobate8 #c4 ,a third scripture is that in the ,acts of the ,apostles1 ',and as many as were ordained to eternal life1 believed' 7#ac3dh74 ',and as many'2 by these words1 as by the former1 you may see how the ,holy ,ghost distinguisheth or divideth between men and men2 the sons1 and the sons of ,adam4 ',as many as were ordained to eternal life1 believed'3 ,if by many here1 we are to understand every individual1 then not only the whole world must at least believe the gospel1 of which we see the most fall short1 but they must be ordained to eternal life2 which other scriptures contradict3 for there is the rest1 besides the elect2 the stubble and chaff1 as well as wheat3 many therefore must here include but some2 ',for though--,israel be as the sand of the sea1 a remnant shall be saved' 7,rom #i3bg2 ,isa #a3i1 #aj3bb1bc74 ,i might here multiply many other texts1 but in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established4 ,let these therefore for this1 suffice to prove that there is a reprobation4 ,for this ,i say1 though the children of the flesh1 the rest besides the election1 and the like1 were not mentioned in the word2 yet seeing there is such a thing as the children of the promise1 the seed1 the children of ,god1 and the like1 and that too under several other phrases1 as predestinated1 foreknown1 chosen in ,christ1 and written in the ,book of life1 and appointed unto life1 with many others3 ,i say seeing these things are thus apparent1 it is without doubt1 that there is such a thing as a reprobation also 7,rom #h2 ,eph #a3c1d2 #a ,thess #e3i74 ,nay1 further1 ,from the very word election1 it followeth unavoidably2 for whether you take it as relating to this1 of distinguishing between persons as touching the world to come1 or with reference to ,god's acts of choosing this or that man to this or that office1 work1 or employment in this world1 it still signifieth such a choosing1 as that but some are therein concerned1 and that therefore some are thence excluded4 ,are all the elect1 the seed1 the saved1 the vessels of mercy1 the chosen and peculiar8 ,are not some1 yea the most1 the children of the flesh1 the rest1 the lost1 the vessels of wrath1 of dishonour1 and the children of perdition8 7,rom #aa3i2 #a ,peter #b3h1i2 ,matt #aj3af2 #b ,sam #f3ba2 ,psa #gh3fg1fh2 ,john #ae3af2 #b ,cor #d3c2 ,rom #i3ba1bb2 ,john #ag3ab74 ,,chapter #b ,what ,reprobation is4 ,having thus shewed you that there is such a thing as a reprobation1 ,i come now to shew you what it is4 ,which that ,i may do to your edification1 ,i shall ,first shew you what this word reprobation signifieth in the general1 as it concerneth persons temporary and visibly reprobate3 ,second1 more particularly1 as it concerneth persons that are eternally and invisibly reprobate4 ,first1 ,generally1 ,as it concerneth persons temporarily and visibly reprobate1 thus3 ,to be reprobate is to be disapproved1 void of judgment1 and rejected1 c4 ,to be disapproved1 that is1 when the word condemns them1 either as touching the faith or the holiness of the gospel2 the which they must needs be1 that are void of spiritual and heavenly judgment in the mysteries of the kingdom2 a manifest token that they are rejected4 ,and hence it is that they are said to be reprobate or void of judgment concerning the faith2 reprobate or void of judgment touching every good work2 having a reprobate mind1 to do those things that are not convenient1 either as to faith or manners4 ,and hence it is again1 that they are also said to be rejected of ,god1 cast away1 and the like 7#b ,cor #ac3f1g2 #b ,tim #c3h2 ,titus #a3af2 ,rom #a3bh2 ,jer #f3cj2 #a ,cor #i3bg74 ,i call this temporary visible reprobation1 because these appear1 and are detected by the word as such that are found under the above-named errors1 and so adjudged without the grace of ,god4 ,yet it is possible for some of these1 however for the present disapproved1 through the blessed acts and dispensations of grace1 not only to become visible saints1 but also saved for ever4 ,who doubts but that he who now by examining himself1 concerning faith1 doth find himself1 though under profession1 graceless1 may after that1 he seeing his woeful state1 not only cry to ,god for mercy1 but find grace1 and obtain mercy to help in time of need8 though it is true1 that for the most part the contrary is fulfilled on them4 ,second1 ,but to pass this1 and more particularly to touch the eternal invisible reprobation1 which ,i shall thus hold forth3 ,it is to be passed by in1 or left out of1 ,god's election2 yet so1 as considered upright4 ,in which position you have these four things considerable3 #a4 ,the act of ,god's election4 #b4 ,the negative of that act4 #c4 ,the persons reached by that negative4 ,and1 #d4 ,their qualification when thus reached by it4 #a4 ,for the first4 ,this act of ,god in electing1 it is a choosing or fore-appointing of some infallibly unto eternal life1 which he also hath determined shall be brought to pass by the means that should be made manifest and efficacious to that very end 7,eph #a3c-e2 #a ,peter #a3b74 #b4 ,now the negative of this act is1 a passing by1 or a leaving of those not concerned in this act2 a leaving of them1 ,i say1 without the bounds1 and so the saving privileges of this act2 as it followeth by natural consequence1 that because a man chooseth but some1 therefore he chooseth not all1 but leaveth1 as the negative of that act1 all others whatsoever4 ,wherefore1 as ,i said before1 those not contained within this blessed act1 are called the rest besides the election4 ',the election hath obtained it1 and the rest were blinded4' #c4 ,the persons then that are contained under the negative of this act1 they are those1 and those only1 that pass through this wicked world without the saving grace of ,god's elect2 those1 ,i say1 that miss the most holy faith1 which they in time are blest withal1 who are fore-appointed unto glory4 #d4 ,and now for the qualification they were considered under1 when this act of reprobation laid hold upon them2 to wit1 ,they were considered upright4 ,this is evident1 ,from this consideration1 that reprobation is ,god's act1 even the negative of his choosing or electing1 and none of the acts of ,god make any man a sinner4 ,it is further evident by the similitude that is taken from the carriage of the potter in his making of his pots2 for by this comparison the ,god of heaven is pleased to shew unto us the nature of his determining in the act of reprobation4 ',hath not the potter power over the clay1 of the same lump8' c4 7,rom #i3ba74 ,consider a little1 and you shall see that these three things do necessarily fall in1 to complete the potter's action in every pot he makes4 7#a47 ,a determination in his own mind what pot to make of this or that piece of clay2 a determination1 ,i say1 precedent to the fashion of the pot2 the which is true in the highest degree1 in him that is excellent in working2 he determines the end1 before the beginning is perfected 7,isa #da3bb1 #df3aj74 ',for this cause very purpose have ,i raised thee up' 7,exo #i3af74 7#b47 ,the next thing considerable in the potter2 it is the so making of the pot1 even as he determined2 a vessel to honour1 or a vessel to dishonour4 ,there is no confusion nor disappointment under the hand of this eternal ,god1 his work is perfect1 and every way doth answer to what he hath determined 7,deut #cb3d74 7#c47 ,observe again1 ,that whether the vessel be to honour or to dishonour1 yet the potter makes it good1 sound1 and fit for service2 his fore-determining to make this a vessel to dishonour1 hath no persuasion at all with him to break or mar the pot3 ,which very thing doth well resemble the state of man as under the act of eternal reprobation1 for ',god made man upright' 7,eccl #g3bi74 ,from these conclusions then1 ,consider1 #a4 ,that the simple act of reprobation1 it is a leaving or passing by1 not a cursing of the creature4 ,consider1 #b4 ,neither doth this act alienate the heart of ,god from the reprobate1 nor tie him up from loving1 favouring1 or blessing of him2 no1 not from blessing of him with the gift of ,christ1 of faith1 of hope1 and many other benefits4 ,it only denieth them that benefit1 that will infallibly bring them to eternal life1 and that in despite of all opposition2 it only denieth so to bless them as the elect themselves are blessed4 ,abraham loved all the children he had by all his wives1 and gave them portions also2 but his choice blessing1 as the fruit of his chiefest love1 he reserved for chosen ,isaac 7,gen #be3e1f74 ,consider ,lastly1 ,the act of reprobation doth harm to no man1 neither means him any2 nay1 it rather decrees him upright1 lets him be made upright1 and so be turned into the world4#b ,,chapter #c4 ,of the ,antiquity of ,reprobation4 ,having now proceeded so far as to shew you what reprobation is1 it will not be amiss if in this place ,i briefly shew you its antiquity1 even when it began its rise2 the which you may gather by these following particulars4 ,first1 ,reprobation is before the person cometh into the world1 or hath done good or evil3 ,this is evident by that of ,paul to the ,romans3 ',for the children being not yet born1 neither having done any good or evil1 that the purpose of ,god according to election might stand not of works1 but of him that calleth2 it was said unto ,rebecca1 ,the elder shall serve the younger' 7#i3aa74 ,here you find twain in their mother's womb1 and both receiving their destiny1 not only before they had done good or evil1 but before they were in a capacity to do it1 they being yet unborn2 their destiny1 ,i say1 the one unto1 the other not unto1 the blessing of eternal life2 the one chose1 the other refused2 the one elect1 the other reprobate4 ,the same also might be said of ,ishmael and his brother ,isaac1 both which did also receive their destiny before they came into the world3 for the promise that this ,isaac should be the heir1 it was also before ,ishmael was born1 though he was elder by fourteen years1 or more1 than his brother 7,gen #ae3d1e1 #af3d1e1af1 #ag3be1 #ba3e74 ,and it is yet further evident1 #a4 ,because election is an act of grace2 ',there is a remnant according to the election of grace' 7,rom #aa3e74 ,which act of grace saw no way so fit to discover its purity and independency1 as by fastening on the object before it came into the world2 that being the state in which at least no good were done1 either to procure good from ,god1 or to eclipse and darken this precious act of grace4 ,for though it is true that no good thing that we have done before conversion1 can obtain the grace of election2 yet the grace of election then appeareth most1 when it prevents#c our doing good1 that we might be loved therefore3 wherefore he saith again1 ',that the purpose of ,god according to election might stand1 not of works1 but of him that calleth2 it was said unto her1 ,the elder shall serve the younger' 7,rom #i3aa1ab74 #b4 ,this is most agreeable to the nature of the promise of giving seed to ,abraham2 which promise1 as it was made before the child was conceived1 so it was fulfilled at the best time1 for the discovery of the act of grace1 that could have been pitched upon3 ,at this time will ,i come 7saith ,god7 'and ,sarah shall have a son' 7,gen #ah3ad72 which promise1 because it carried in its bowels the very grace of electing love1 therefore it left out ,ishmael1 with the children of ,keturah3 ',for in ,isaac shall thy seed be called' 7,rom #d3af-ai1 #i3g74 #c4 ,this was the best and fittest way for the decrees to receive sound bottom1 even for ,god both to choose and refuse1 before the creature had done good or evil1 and so before they came into the world3 ',that the purpose of ,god according to election might stand1' saith he1 therefore before the children were yet born1 or had done any good or evil1 it was said unto her1 c4 ,god's decree would for ever want foundation1 should it depend at all upon the goodness and holiness either of men or angels2 especially if it were to stand upon that good that is wrought before conversion1 yea1 or after conversion either4 ,we find1 by daily experience1 how hard and difficult it is1 for even the holiest in the world1 to bear up and maintain their faith and love to ,god2 yea1 so hard1 as not at all to do it without continual supplies from heaven4 ,how then is it possible for any so to carry it before ,god1 as to lay1 by this his holiness1 a foundation for election1 as to maintain that foundation1 and thereby to procure all those graces that infallibly saveth the sinner8 ,but now the choice1 ,i say1 being a choice of grace1 as is manifest1 it being acted before the creature's birth2 here grace hath laid the cornerstone1 and determined the means to bring the work to perfection4 ,thus 'the foundation of ,god standeth sure1 having this seal1 ,the ,lord knoweth them that are his' 7#b ,tim #b3ai74 ,that is1 who he hath chosen1 having excluded works1 both good and bad1 and founded all in an unchangeable act of grace2 the negative whereof1 is this harmless reprobation4 ,second1 ,but secondly1 ,to step a little backward1 and so to make all sure3 ,this act of reprobation was before the world began2 which therefore must needs confirm that which was said but now1 that they were1 before they were born1 both destinated before they had done good or evil4 ,this is manifest by that of ,paul to the ,ephesians1 at the beginning of his epistle2 where1 speaking of ,election1 whose negative is reprobation1 he saith1 ',god hath chosen us in ,christ before the foundation of the world4' ,nay further1 if you please1 consider1 that as ,christ was ordained to suffer before the foundation of the world1 and as we that are elected were chosen in him before the foundation of the world2 so it was also ordained we should know him1 before the foundation of the world2 ordained that we should be holy before him in love1 before the foundation of the world2 and that we in time should be created in him to good works1 and ordained before that we should walk in them4 ,wherefore reprobation also1 it being the negative of electing love2 that is1 because ,god elected but some1 therefore he left the rest3 these rest therefore must needs be of as ancient standing under reprobation1 as the chosen are under election2 both which1 it is also evident1 was before the world began4 ,which serveth yet further to prove that reprobation could not be with respect to this or the other sin1 it being only a leaving them1 and that before the world1 out of that free choice which he was pleased to bless the other with4 ,even as the clay with which the dishonourable vessel is made1 did not provoke the potter1 for the sake of this or that impediment1 therefore to make it so2 but the potter of his own will1 of the clay of the same lump1 of the clay that is full as good as that of which he hath made the vessel to honour1 did make this and the other a vessel of dishonour1 c4 7#a ,peter #a3bj1ba2 #a ,cor #b3g2 ,eph #a3c1d1 #b3aj74d ,,chapter #d4 ,of the causes of ,reprobation4 ,having thus in a word or two shewed the antiquity of ,reprobation1 ,i now come in this place to shew you the cause thereof2 for doubtless this must stand a truth1 ,that whatever ,god doth1 there is sufficient ground therefore1 whether by us apprehended1 or else without our reach4 ,first then1 ,it is caused from the very nature of ,god4 ,there are two things in ,god1 from which1 or by the virtue of which1 all things have their rise1 to wit1 the eternity of ,god in general1 and the eternal perfection of every one of his attributes in particular3 for as by the first1 he must needs be before all things2 so by virtue of the second1 must all things consist4 ,and as he is before all things1 they having consistence by him2 so also is he before all states1 or their causes1 be they either good or bad1 of continuance or otherwise1 he being the first without beginning1 c41 whereas all other things1 with their causes1 have rise1 dependance1 or toleration of being from him 7,col #a3ag74 ,hence it follows1 that nothing1 either person or cause1 c41 can by any means have a being1 but first he knows thereof1 allows thereof1 and decrees it shall be so4 ',who is he that saith1 and it cometh to pass1 when the ,lord commandeth it not8' 7,lam #c3cg74 ,now then1 because that reprobation1 as well as election1 are subordinate to ,god2 his will also1 which is eternally perfect1 being most immediately herein concerned2 it was impossible that any should be reprobate1 before ,god had both willed and decreed it should be so4 ,it is not the being of a thing that administers matter of knowledge or foresight thereof to ,god1 but the perfection of his knowledge1 wisdom1 and power1 c41 that giveth the thing its being3 ,god did not fore-decree there should be a world1 because he foresaw there would be one2 but there must be one1 because he had before decreed there should be one4 ,the same is true as touching the case in hand3 ',for this cause very purpose have ,i raised thee up1 for to shew in thee my power' 7,exo #i3af2 ,rom #i3ag74 ,second1 ,a second cause of eternal reprobation1 is the exercise of ,god's sovereignty2 for if this is true1 that there is nothing either visible or invisible1 whether in heaven or earth1 but hath its being from him3 then it must most reasonably follow1 that he is therefore sovereign ,lord1 c41 and may also according to his own will1 as he pleaseth himself1 both exercise and manifest the same2 being every whit absolute2 and can do and may do whatsoever his soul desireth3 and indeed1 good reason1 for he hath not only made them all1 but 'for his pleasure they both were and are created' 7,rev #d3aa74 ,now the very exercise of this sovereignty produceth reprobation3 ',therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy1 and whom he will he hardeneth' 7,rom #i3ah74 ',hath not the potter power over the clay1 of the same lump8' ,and doth he not make his pots according to his pleasure8 ,here therefore the mercy1 justice1 wisdom and power of ,god1 take liberty to do what they will2 saying1 ',my counsel shall stand1 and ,i will do all my pleasure' 7,isa #df3aj2 ,job #bc3ac2 ,dan #d3ce2 ,isa #dc3ac74 ,third1 ,another cause of eternal reprobation1 is the act and working of distinguishing love1 and everlasting grace4 ,god hath universal love1 and particular love2 general love1 and distinguishing love2 and so accordingly doth decree1 purpose1 and determine3 from general love1 the extension of general grace and mercy3 but from that love that is distinguishing1 peculiar grace and mercy3 ',was not ,esau ,jacob's brother8' saith the ,lord1 'yet ,i loved ,jacob' 7,mal #a3b74 ,yet ,i loved ,jacob1 that is1 with a better love1 or a love that is more distinguishing4 ,as he further makes appear in his answer to our father ,abraham1 when he prayed to ,god for ,ishmael3 ',as for ,ishmael1 saith he ,i have heard thee3 ,behold1 ,i have blessed him1 and will make him fruitful4 ,but my covenant will ,i establish with ,isaac1 which ,sarah shall bear unto thee' 7,gen #ag3bj1ba74 ,touching which words1 there are these things observable4 #a4 ,that ,god had better love for ,isaac1 than he had for his brother ,ishmael4 ,yet1 #b4 ,not because ,isaac had done more worthy and goodly deeds1 for ,isaac was yet unborn4 #c4 ,this choice blessing could not be denied to ,ishmael1 because he had disinherited himself by sin2 for this blessing was entailed to ,isaac1 before ,ishmael had a being also 7,rom #d3af-ai2 ,gen #ae3d1e1 chapter #af74 #d4 ,these things therefore must needs fall out through the working of distinguishing love and mercy1 which had so cast the business1 'that the purpose of ,god according to election might stand4' ,further1 ,should not ,god decree to shew distinguishing love and mercy1 as well as that which is general and common1 he must not discover his best love at all to the sons of men4 ,again1 if he should reveal and extend his best love to all the world in general1 then there would not be such a thing as love that doth distinguish2 for distinguishing love appeareth in separating between ,isaac and ,ishmael1 ,jacob and ,esau1 the many called1 and the few chosen4 ,thus by virtue of distinguishing love1 some must be reprobate3 for distinguishing love must leave some1 both of the angels in heaven1 and the inhabitants of the earth2 wherefore the decree also that doth establish it1 must needs leave some4 ,fourth1 ,another cause of reprobation1 ,is ,god's willingness to shew his wrath1 and to make his power known4 ,this is one of those arguments that the holy apostle setteth against the most knotty and strong objection that ever was framed against the doctrine of eternal reprobation3 ',thou wilt say then unto me1 saith he ,why doth he yet find fault8' ,for if it be his will that some should be rejected1 hardened1 and perish1 why then is he offended that any sin against him2 'for who hath resisted his will8' ,hold1 saith the apostle2 stay a little here2 first remember this1 ,is it meet to say unto ,god1 ,what doest thou8 ',shall the thing formed say to him that formed it1 ,why hast thou made me thus8 ,hath not the potter power over the clay1 of the same lump1' c4 ,besides1 when you have thought your worst1 to wit1 that the effects of reprobation must needs be consummate in the eternal perdition of the creature2 yet again consider1 ',what if ,god1 willing to shew his wrath1' as well as grace and mercy8 ,and what if he1 that he may so do1 exclude some from having share in that grace that would infallibly1 against all resistance1 bring us safe unto eternal life8 ,what then8 ,is he therefore the author of your perishing1 or his eternal reprobation either8 ,do you not know that he may refuse to elect who he will1 without abusing of them8 ,also that he may deny to give them that grace that would preserve them from sin1 without being guilty of their damnation8 ,may he not1 to shew his wrath1 suffer 'with much long-suffering' all that are 'the vessels of wrath1' by their own voluntary will1 to fit themselves for wrath and for destruction8 7,rom #i3ai-bb74 ,yea1 might he not even in the act of reprobation1 conclude also to suffer them thus left1 to fall from the state he left them in1 that is1 as they were considered upright2 and when fallen1 to bind them fast in chains of darkness unto the judgment of the great day1 but he must needs be charged foolishly8 ,you shall see in that day what a harmony and what a glory there will be found in all ,god's judgments in the overthrow of the sinner2 also how clear the ,lord will shew himself of having any working hand in that which causeth eternal ruin2 notwithstanding he hath reprobated such1 doth suffer them to sin1 and that too1 that he might shew his wrath on the vessels of his wrath2 the which ,i also1 after this next chapter1 shall further clear up to you4 ,as 'the ,lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations1' without approving of their miscarriages2 so he also knoweth how 'to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished' 7#b ,peter #b3i73 yet never to deserve the least of blame for his so reserving of them2 though none herein can see his way1 for he alone knows how to do it4#e ,,chapter #e4 ,of the ,unchangeableness of ,eternal ,reprobation4 ,many opinions have passed through the hearts of the sons of men concerning reprobation2 most of them endeavouring so to hold it forth1 as therewith they might1 if not heal their conscience slightly1 yet maintain their own opinion1 in their judgment1 of other things2 still wringing1 now the word this way1 and anon again that1 for their purpose2 also framing within their soul such an imagination of ,god and his acts in eternity1 as would suit with such opinions1 and so present all to the world4 ,and the rather they have with greatest labour strained unweariedly at this above many other truths1 because of the grim and dreadful face it carrieth in most men's apprehensions4 ,but none of these things1 however they may please the creature1 can by any means in any measure1 either cause ,god to undo1 unsay1 or undetermine what he hath concerning this1 decreed and established4 ,first1 ,because they suit not with his nature1 especially in these foundation-acts3 ',the foundation of ,god standeth sure' 7#b ,tim #b3ai71 even touching reprobation1 'that the purpose of ,god according to election might stand' 7,rom #i3aa74 ',i know saith ,solomon that whatsoever ,god doeth1 it shall be for ever3 nothing can be put to it1 nor any thing taken from it1' c4 7,eccl #c3ad74 ',hath he said1 and shall he not do it8 ,hath he spoken1 and shall not make it good8' 7,num #bc3ai74 ,his decrees are composed according to his eternal wisdom1 established upon his unchangeable will1 governed by his knowledge1 prudence1 power1 justice1 and mercy1 and are brought to conclusion1 on his part1 in perfect holiness1 through the abiding of his most blessed truth and faithfulness3 ',he is the rock1 his work is perfect3 for all his ways are judgment3 a ,god of truth and without iniquity1 just and right is he' 7,deut #cb3d74 ,second1 ,this decree is made sure by the number1 measure1 and bounds of election2 for election and reprobation do inclose all reasonable creatures2 that is1 either the one or the other2 election1 those that are set apart for glory2 and reprobation1 those left out of this choice4 ,now as touching the elect1 they are by this decree confined to that limited number of persons that must amount to the complete making up the fulness of the mystical body of ,christ2 yea so confined by this eternal purpose1 that nothing can be diminished from or added thereunto3 and hence it is that they are called his body and members in particular1 'the fulness of him that filleth all in all' 7,eph #a3bc7 and 'the measure of the stature of the fulness of ,christ' 7,eph #d3ac74 ,which body1 considering him as the head thereof1 in conclusion maketh up one perfect man1 and holy temple for the ,lord4 ,these are called ,christ's substance1 inheritance and lot 7,psa #af72 and are said to be booked1 marked1 and sealed with ,god's most excellent knowledge1 approbation and liking 7#b ,tim #b3ai74 ,as ,christ said to his ,father1 ',thine eyes did see my substance1 yet being unperfect2 and in thy book all my members were written1 which in continuance were fashioned1 when as yet there was none of them' 7,psa #aci3af74 ,this being thus1 ,i say1 it is in the first place impossible that any of those members should miscarry1 for ',who shall lay any thing to the charge of ,god's elect8' 7,rom #h3cc7 and because they are as to number every way sufficient1 being his body1 and so by their completing to be made a perfect man3 therefore all others are rejected1 that the 'purpose of ,god according to election might stand' 7,rom #i3aa74 ,besides1 it would not only argue weakness in the decree1 but monstrousness in the body1 if after this1 any appointed should miscarry1 or any besides them be added to them 7,matt #bd3bd74 ,thirdly1 ,nay further1 that all may see how punctual1 exact1 and to a tittle this decree of election is1 ,god hath not only as to number and quantity confined the persons1 but also determined and measured1 and that before the world1 the number of the gifts and graces that are to be bestowed on these members in general2 and also what graces and gifts to be bestowed on this or that member in particular3 ,he 'hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings--in ,christ1 according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the word' 7,eph #a3c1d74 ,and bestoweth them in time upon us1 ',according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord' 7,eph #c3aa74 ,he hath given to the eye1 the grace that belongeth to the eye2 and to the hand that which he also hath appointed for it4 ,and so to every other member of the body elect1 he doth deal out to them their determined measure of grace and gifts most fit for their place and office4 ,thus is the decree established1 both of the saved1 and also the non-elect 7,rom #ab3c2 ,eph #d3af2 ,col #b3ai2 ,eph #d3ab1ac74 ,fourth1 ,but again1 another thing that doth establish this decree of eternal reprobation1 is the weakness that sin1 in the fall1 and since1 hath brought all reprobates into3 ,for though it be most true1 that sin is no cause of eternal reprobation2 yet seeing sin hath seized on the reprobate1 it cannot be but thereby the decree must needs be the faster fixed4 ,if the king1 for this or the other weighty reason1 doth decree not to give this or that man1 who yet did never offend him1 a place in his privy chamber2 if this man after this shall be infected with the plague1 this rather fastens than loosens the king's decree4 ,as the angels that were left out of ,god's election1 by reason of the sin they committed after1 are so far off from being by that received into ,god's decree1 that they are therefore bound for it in chains of everlasting darkness to the judgment of the great day4 ,,chapter #f4 ,whether to be reprobated be the same with being appointed before-hand unto eternal condemnation8 ,if not1 how do they differ8 ,also whether reprobation be the cause of condemnation8 ,it hath been the custom of ignorant men much to quarrel at eternal reprobation1 concluding1 for want of knowledge in the mystery of ,god's will1 that if he reprobate any from eternity1 he had as good have said1 ,i will make this man to damn him2 ,i will decree this man1 without any consideration1 to the everlasting pains of hell4 ,when in very deed1 for ,god to reprobate1 and to appoint before-hand to eternal condemnation1 are two distinct things1 properly relating to two distinct attributes1 arising from two distinct causes4 ,first1 ,they are two distinct things3 ,reprobation1 a simple leaving of the creature out of the bounds of ,god's election2 but to appoint to condemnation is to bind them over to everlasting punishment4 ,now there is a great difference between my refusing to make of such a tree a pillar in my house1 and of condemning it unto the fire to be burned4 ,second1 ,as to the attributes2 reprobation respects ,god's sovereignty2 but to appoint to condemnation1 his justice 7,rom #i3ah2 ,gen #ah3be74 ,third1 ,as to the causes2 sovereignty being according to the will of ,god1 but justice according to the sin of man4 ,for ,god1 though he be the only sovereign ,lord1 and that to the height of perfection2 yet he appointeth no man to the pains of everlasting fire1 merely from sovereignty1 but by the rule of justice3 ,god damneth not the man because he is a man1 but a sinner2 and fore-appoints him to that place and state1 by fore-seeing of him wicked 7,rom #a3ah1ai2 ,col #c3f74 ,again1 ,as reprobation is not the same with fore-appointing to eternal condemnation2 so neither is it the cause thereof4 ,if it be the cause1 then it must either1 #a4 ,leave him infirm4 ,or1 #b4 ,infuse sin into him4 ,or1 #c4 ,take from him something that otherwise would keep him upright4 #d4 ,or both license ,satan to tempt1 and the reprobate to close in with the temptation4 ,but it doth none of these2 therefore it is not the cause of the condemnation of the creature4 ,that it is not the cause of sin1 it is evident1 #a4 ,because the elect are as much involved therein1 as those that are passed by4 #b4 ,it leaveth him not infirm2 for he is by an after-act1 to wit1 of creation1 formed perfectly upright4 #c4 ,that reprobation infuseth no sin1 appeareth1 because it is the act of ,god4 #d4 ,that it taketh nothing1 that good is1 from him1 is also manifest1 it being only a leaving of him4 #e4 ,and that it is not by this act that ,satan is permitted to tempt1 or the reprobate to sin1 is manifest2 because as ,christ was tempted1 so the elect fall as much into the temptation1 at least many of them1 as many of those that are reprobate3 whereas if these things came by reprobation1 then the reprobate would be only concerned therein4 ,all which will be further handled in these questions yet behind4 ,object4 ,from what hath been said1 there is concluded this at least1 ,that ,god hath infallibly determined1 and that before the world1 the infallible damnation of some of his creatures3 for if ,god hath before the world was made bound some over to eternal punishment1 and that as you say1 for sin2 then this determination must either be fallible or infallible2 not fallible1 for then your other position of the certainty of the number of ,god's elect1 is shaken2 unless you hold that there may be a number that shall neither go to heaven nor hell4 ,well then1 if ,god hath indeed determined1 fore-determined1 that some must infallibly perish2 doth not this his determination lay a necessity on the reprobate to sin1 that he may be damned2 for1 no sin1 no damnation2 that is your own argument4 ,ans4 ,that ,god hath ordained 7,jude #d71 the damnation of some of his creatures1 it is evident2 but whether this his determination be positive and absolute1 there is the question3 for the better understanding whereof1 ,i shall open unto you the variety of ,god's determinations1 and their nature1 as also rise4 ,the determinations of ,god touching the destruction of the creature1 they are either ordinary or extraordinary3 those ,i count ordinary that were commonly pronounced by the prophets and apostles1 c41 in their ordinary way of preaching2 to the end men might be affected with the love of their own salvation3 now these either bound or loosed1 but as the condition or qualification was answered by the creature under sentence1 and no otherwise 7#a ,sam #ab3be2 ,isa #a3bj2 ,matt #ah3c2 ,luke #ac3a-c2 ,rom #b3h1i1 #h3ac1 #aa3bc2 #a ,cor #f3i-aa74 ,again1 ,these extraordinary1 though they respect the same conditions1 yet they are not grounded immediately upon them1 but upon the infallible fore-knowledge and fore-sight of ,god1 and are thus distinguished4 ,first the ordinary determination1 it stands but at best upon a supposition that the creature may continue in sin1 and admits of a possibility that it may not2 but the extraordinary stands upon an infallible fore-sight that the creature will continue in sin2 wherefore this must needs be positive1 and as infallible as ,god himself4 ,again1 ,these two determinations are also distinguished thus3 the ordinary is applicable to the elect as well as to the reprobate1 but the other to the reprobate only4 ,it is proper to say even to the elect themselves1 ',he that believeth shall be saved1 and he that believeth not shall be damned'2 but not to say to them1 ,these are appointed to ,,utter destruction1 or that they shall utterly perish in their own corruptions2 or that for them is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever 7#a ,kings #bj3db2 #b ,peter #b3ab2 ,jude #ac74 ,so then1 though ,god by these determinations doth not lay some under irrecoverable condemnation1 yet by one of them he doth2 as is further made out thus3 #a4 ,god most perfectly foreseeth the final impenitency of those that so die1 from the beginning to the end of the world 7,prov #ae3aa2 ,psa #aci3b2 ,isa #df3aj74 #b4 ,now from this infallible foresight1 it is most easy and rational to conclude1 and that positively1 the infallible overthrow of every such creature4 ,did ,i infallibly foresee that this or that man would cut out his heart in the morning1 ,i might infallibly determine his death before night4 ,object4 ,but still the question is1 ,whether ,god by this his determination doth not lay a necessity on the creature to sin8 ,for1 no sin1 no condemnation3 this is true by your own assertion4 ,ans4 ,no1 by no means3 for1 #a4 ,though it be true1 that sin must of absolute necessity go before the infallible condemnation and overthrow of the sinner2 and that it must also be pre-considered by ,god2 yet it needs not lay a necessity upon him to sin3 for let him but alone to do what he will1 and the determination cannot be more infallible than the sin1 which is the cause of its execution4 #b4 ,as it needs not1 so it doth not3 for this positive determination is not grounded upon what ,god will effect1 but on what the creature will2 and that not through the instigation of ,god1 but the instigation of the devil4 ,what8 might not ,i1 if ,i most undoubtedly foresaw that such a tree in my garden would only cumber the ground1 notwithstanding reasonable means1 might not ,i1 ,i say1 from hence determine1 seven years before1 to cut it down1 and burn it in the fire1 but ,i must1 by so determining1 necessitate this tree to be fruitless8 the case in hand is the very same4 ,god therefore may most positively determine the infallible damnation of his creature1 and yet not at all necessitate the creature to sin1 that he might be damned4 ,object4 ,but how is this similitude pertinent8 ,for ,god did not only foresee sin would be the destruction of the creature1 but let it come into the world1 and so destroy the creature4 ,if you1 as you foresee the fruitlessness of your tree1 should withal see that which makes it so1 and that too before it makes it so1 and yet let the impediment come and make it so2 are not you now the cause of the unfruitfulness of that tree which you have before condemned to the fire to be burned8 for ,god might have chose whether he would have let ,adam sin1 and so sin to have got into the world by him4 ,ans4 ,similitudes never answer every way2 if they be pertinent to that for which they are intended1 it is enough2 and to that it answereth well1 being brought to prove no more but the natural consequence of a true and infallible foresight4 ,and now as to what is objected further1 as that ,god might have chose whether sin should have come into the world by ,adam1 to the destruction of so many3 to that ,i shall answer1 #a4 ,that sin could not have come into the world without ,god's permission1 it is evident1 both from the perfection of his foresight and power4 #b4 ,therefore all the means1 motives1 and inducements thereunto1 must also by him be not only foreseen1 but permitted4 #c4 ,yet so1 that ,god will have the timing1 proceeding1 bounding1 and ordering thereof1 at his disposal3 ',surely the wrath of man shall praise thee1 and the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain' 7,psa #gf3aj2 #a ,kings #bb3bj-bb2 ,john #h3bj2 ,luke #bb3ea1eb74 #d4 ,therefore it must needs come into the world1 not without1 but by the knowledge of ,god2 not in despite of him1 but by his suffering of it4 ,object4 ,but how then is he clear from having a hand in the death of him that perisheth8 ,ans4 ,nothing is more sure than that ,god could have kept sin out of the world1 if it had been his will2 and this is also as true1 that it never came into the world with his liking and compliance2 and for this1 you must consider that sin came into the world by two steps3 #a4 ,by being offered4 #b4 ,by prevailing4 ,touching the first of these1 ,god without the least injury to any creature in heaven or earth1 might not only suffer it1 but so far countenance the same3 that is1 so far forth as for trial only3 as it is said of ,abraham2 ',god tempted ,abraham' to slay his only son 7,gen #bb3a71 and led ,christ by the ,spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil 7,mark #a3ab2 ,luke #d3a74 ,this is done without any harm at all2 nay1 it rather produceth good2 for it tends to discover sincerity1 to exercise faith in1 and love to his ,creator2 also to put him in mind of the continual need he hath of depending on his ,god for the continuation of help and strength1 and to provoke to prayers to ,god1 whenever so engaged 7,deut #h3a-c2 #a ,peter #a3g2 ,heb #e3g2 ,matt #bf3bb1da74 ,object4 ,but ,god did not only admit that sin should be offered for trial1 and there to stay2 but did suffer it to prevail1 and overcome the world4 ,ans4 ,well1 this is granted3 but yet consider1 #a4 ,god did neither suffer it1 nor yet consent it should1 but under this consideration2 ,if ,adam1 upright ,adam1 gave way thereto1 by forsaking his command1 ',in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die' 7,gen #b3ag1 #c3c74 ,which ,adam did1 not because ,god did compel him or persuade him to it1 but voluntarily of his own mind1 contrary to his ,god's command3 so then1 ,god by suffering sin to break into the world1 did it rather in judgment1 as disliking ,adam's act1 and as a punishment to man for listening to the tempter2 and as a discovery of his anger at man's disobedience2 than to prove that he is guilty of the misery of his creature4 #b4 ,consider also1 that when ,god permitted sin for trial1 it was1 when offered first1 to them only who were upright1 and had sufficient strength to resist it4 #c4 ,they were by ,god's command to the contrary1 driven to no strait to tempt them to incline to ,satan3 ',of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely at1' saith ,god2 only let this alone4 #d4 ,as touching the beauty and goodness that was in the object unto which they were allured2 ,what was it8 ,was it better than ,god8 ,yea1 was it better than the tree of life8 ,for from that they were not exempted till after they had sinned4 ,did not ,god know best what was best to do them good8 #e4 ,touching him that persuaded them to do this wicked act2 was his word more to be valued for truth1 more to be ventured on for safety1 or more to be honoured for the worthiness of him that spake1 than was his that had forbad it8 ,the one being the devil1 with a lie1 and to kill them2 the other being ,god1 with his truth1 and to preserve them safe4 ,quest4 ,but was not ,adam unexpectedly surprised8 ,had he notice beforehand1 and warning of the danger8 ,for ,god foresaw the business4 ,ans4 ,doubtless ,god was fair and faithful to his creature in this thing also2 as clearly doth appear from these considerations4 #a4 ,the very commandment that ,god gave him1 fore-bespake him well to look about him2 and did indeed insinuate that he was likely to be tempted4 #b4 ,it is yet more evident1 because ,god doth even tell him of the danger2 ',in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die4' #c4 ,nay ,god by speaking to him of the very tree that was to be forborn1 telling him also where it stood1 that he might the better know it2 did in effect expressly say unto him1 ,adam1 if thou be tempted1 it will be about that tree1 and the fruit thereof3 wherefore if thou findest the tempter there1 then beware thy life4 7#a47 ,to conclude then3 though sin did not come into the world without ,god's sufferance1 yet it did without his liking3 ,god suffered also ,cain to kill his brother1 and ,ishmael to mock at ,isaac1 but he did not like the same 7,gen #d3i-aa2 ,gal #d3cj74 7#b47 ,therefore though ,god was first in concluding sin should be offered to the world2 yet man was the first that consented to a being overcome thereby4 7#c47 ,then1 ,though ,god did fore-determine that sin should enter1 yet it was not but with respect to certain terms and conditions1 which yet was not to be enforced by virtue of the determination1 but permitted to be completed by the voluntary inclination of a perfect and upright man4 ,and in that the determination was most perfectly infallible1 it was through the foresight of the undoubted inclination of this good and upright person4 ,quest4 ,but might not ,god have kept ,adam from inclining1 if he would8 ,ans4 ,what more certain8 ,but yet consider1 #a4 ,adam being now an upright man1 he was able to have kept himself1 had he but looked to it as he should and might4 #b4 ,this being so1 if ,god had here stept in1 he had either added that which had been needless1 and so had not obtained thankfulness2 or else had made the strength of ,adam useless1 yea his own workmanship in so creating him1 superfluous2 or else by consequence imperfect4 7#c47 ,if he had done so1 he had taken ,adam from his duty1 which was to trust and believe his ,maker2 he had also made void the end of the commandment1 which was to persuade to watchfulness1 diligence1 sobriety1 and contentedness2 yea1 and by so doing would not only himself have tempted ,adam to transgression1 even to lay aside the exercise of that strength that ,god had already given him2 but should have become the pattern1 or the first father to all looseness1 idleness1 and neglect of duty4 ,which would also not only have been an ill example to ,adam to continue to neglect so reasonable and wholesome duties1 but would have been to himself an argument of defence to retort upon his ,god1 when he had come at another time to reckon with him for his misdemeanours4#f ,many other weighty reasons might here be further added for ,god's vindication in this particular1 but at this time let these suffice4 ,,chapter #g4 ,whether any under ,eternal ,reprobation have just cause to quarrel with ,god for not electing of them8 ,that the answer to this question may be to edification1 recall again what ,i have before asserted2 to wit1 ,that for a man to be left out of ,god's election1 and to be made a sinner1 is two things2 and again1 ,for a man to be not elect1 and to be condemned to hell-fire1 is two things also4 ,now ,i say1 if non-election makes no man a sinner1 and if it appoints no man to condemnation neither1 then what ground hath any reprobate to quarrel with ,god for not electing of him8 ,nay1 further1 reprobation considereth him upright1 leaveth him upright1 and so turneth him into the world2 what wrong doth ,god do him1 though he hath not elected him8 ,what reason hath he that is left in this case to quarrel against his ,maker8 ,if thou say1 because ,god hath not chosen them1 as well as chosen others3 ,i answer1 ',nay but1 ,o man1 who art thou that repliest against ,god8 ,shall the thing formed say to him that formed it1 ,why hast thou made me thus8' 7,rom #i3bj74 ',behold1 as the clay is in the potter's hand1 so are ye in my hand1 ,o house of ,israel1' saith the ,lord ,god 7,jer #ah3f74 ,so then1 if ,i should say no more but that ,god is the only ,lord and ,creator1 and that by his sovereignty he hath power to dispose of them according to his pleasure1 either to choose or to refuse1 according to the counsel of his own will1 who could object against him and be guiltless8 ',he giveth not account of any of his matters' 7,job #cc3ac74 ',and what his soul desireth1 even that he doeth' 7,job #bc3ac74 ,again1 ,god is wiser than man1 and therefore can shew a reason for what he acts and does1 both when and where at present thou seest none4 ,shall ,god the only wise1 be arraigned at the bar of thy blind reason1 and there be judged and condemned for his acts done in eternity8 ,who hath directed the ,spirit of the ,lord1 'or who hath been his counsellor8' 7,rom #aa3cd74 ,do you not know that he is far more above us1 than we are above our horse or mule that is without understanding8 ',great things doeth he1 which we cannot comprehend' 7,job #cg3e74 ',great things and unsearchable1 marvellous things without number' 7,job #e3i74 ,but1 ,i say1 should we take it well if our beast should call us to account for this and the other righteous act1 and judge us unrighteous1 and our acts ridiculous1 and all because it sees no reason for our so doing8 ,why1 we are as beasts before ,god 7,psa #gc3bb74 ,but again1 to come yet more close to the point3 the reprobate quarrels with ,god1 because he hath not elected him2 well1 but is not ,god the master of his own love8 ,and is not his will the only rule of his mercy8 ,and may he not1 without he give offence to thee1 lay hold by electing love and mercy on whom himself pleaseth8 ,must thy reason1 nay1 thy lust1 be the ruler1 orderer1 and disposer of his grace8 ',is it not lawful for me to do what ,i will with mine own8' saith he1 ',is thine eye evil1 because ,i am good8' 7,matt #bj3ae74 ,further1 ,what harm doth ,god to any reprobate1 by not electing of him2 he was1 as hath been said1 considered upright1 so formed in the act of creation1 and so turned into the world3 indeed he was not elected1 but hath that taken anything from him8 ,no1 verily1 but leaveth him in good condition3 there is good1 and better1 and best of all2 he that is in a good estate1 though others through free grace are in a far better1 hath not any cause to murmur either with him that gave him such a place1 or at him that is placed above him4 ,in a word1 reprobation maketh no man personally a sinner1 neither doth election make any man personally righteous4 ,it is the consenting to sin that makes a man a sinner2 and the imputation of grace and righteousness that makes men gospelly and personally just and holy4 ,but again1 seeing it is ,god's act to leave some out of the bounds of his election1 it must needs be1 therefore1 positively good3 ,is that then which is good in itself made sin unto thee8 ,god forbid3 ,god doth not evil by leaving this or that man out of his electing grace1 though he choose others to eternal life1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,wherefore there is not a reprobate that hath any cause1 and therefore no just cause1 to quarrel with his ,maker1 for not electing of him4 ,and that1 besides what hath been spoken1 if you consider1 #a4 ,for ,god to elect1 is an act of sovereign grace2 but to pass by1 or to refuse so to do1 is an act of sovereign power1 not of injustice4 #b4 ,god might therefore have chosen whether he would have elected any1 or so many or few2 and also which and where he would4 #c4 ,seeing then that all things are at his dispose1 he may fasten electing mercy where he pleaseth2 and other mercy1 if he will1 to whom and when he will4 #d4 ,seeing also that the least of mercies are not deserved by the best of sinners2 men1 instead of quarrelling against the ,god of grace1 because they have not what they list1 should acknowledge they are unworthy of their breath2 and also should confess that ,god may give mercy where he pleaseth1 and that too1 both which or what1 as also to whom1 and when he will2 and yet be good1 and just1 and very gracious still3 ,nay1 ,job saith1 ',he taketh away1 who can hinder him8 ,who will say unto him1 ,what doest thou8' 7,job #i3ab74 ,the will of ,god is the rule of all righteousness1 neither knoweth he any other way by which he governeth and ordereth any of his actions4 ,whatsoever ,god doth1 it is good because he doth it2 whether it be to give grace1 or to detain it2 whether in choosing or refusing4 ,the consideration of this1 made the holy men of old ascribe righteousness to their ,maker1 even then when yet they could not see the reason of his actions4 ,they would rather stand amazed1 and wonder at the heights and depths of his unsearchable judgments1 than quarrel at the strange and most obscure of them 7,job #cd3aj-ab1 #cf3c1 #cg3bc2 ,jer #ab3a2 ,rom #aa3cc74 ,god did not intend that all that ever he would do1 should be known to every man1 no nor yet to the wise and prudent4 ,it is as much a duty sometimes to stay ourselves and wonder1 and to confess our ignorance in many things of ,god1 as it is to do other things that are duty without dispute4 ,so then1 let poor dust and ashes forbear to condemn the ,lord1 because he goeth beyond them2 and also they should beware they speak not wickedly for him1 though it be1 as they think1 to justify his actions4 ',the ,lord is righteous in all his ways1 and holy in all his works' 7,psa #ade3ag2 ,matt #aa3be2 #a ,cor #b3h2 ,job #ac3f-h74g ,,chapter #h4 ,whether ,eternal reprobation in itself1 or in its doctrine1 be in very deed an hindrance to any man in seeking the salvation of his soul4 ,in my discourse upon this question1 ,i must entreat the reader to mind well what is premised in the beginning of the former chapter1 which is1 ,that reprobation makes no man a sinner1 appoints no man to condemnation1 but leaveth him upright after all4 ,so then1 though ,god doth leave this most of men without the bounds of his election1 his so doing is neither in itself1 nor yet its doctrine1 in very deed1 an hindrance to any man in seeking the salvation of his soul4 ,first1 ,it hindreth not in itself1 as is clear by the ensuing considerations3-- #a4 ,that which hindreth him is the weakness that came upon him by reason of sin4 ,now ,god only made the man1 but man's listening to ,satan made him a sinner1 which is the cause of all his weakness3 this therefore is it that hindreth him1 and that also disenableth him in seeking the salvation of his soul4 ',let no man say when he is tempted1 ,i am tempted of ,god3 for ,god cannot be tempted with evil1 neither tempteth he any man' 7,james #a3ac74 ',god made man upright2 but they have sought out many inventions' 7,eccl #g3bi2 ,eze #af3cj2 ,hosea #ac3i1 #ad3a2 ,gen #c3h-aa74 #b4 ,it hindreth not in itself1 for it taketh not anything from a man that would help him1 might it continue with him2 it takes not away the least part of his strength1 wisdom1 courage1 innocency1 or will to good2 all these were lost by the fall1 in that day when he died the death4 ,nay1 reprobation under some consideration did rather establish all these upon the reprobate2 for as it decrees him left1 so left upright4 ,wherefore man's hindrance cometh on him from other means1 even by the fall1 and not by the simple act of eternal reprobation 7,gen #c74 #c4 ,as reprobation hindreth not either of these two ways1 so neither is it from this simple act that ,satan is permitted either to tempt them1 that they might be tried1 or that they might be overthrown4 7#a47 ,it is not by this act that ,satan is permitted to tempt them that they might be tried2 because then the ,son of ,god himself must be reached by this reprobation2 he being tempted by the devil as much1 if not more than any4 ,yea1 and then must every one of the elect be under eternal reprobation2 for they also1 and that after their conversion1 are greatly assaulted by him4 ',many are the troubles of the righteous1' c4 7,matt #d3a1b2 ,heb #b3ag1 #d3ae74 7#b47 ,neither is it from the act of reprobation that sin hath entered the world1 no more than from election1 because those under the power of election did not only fall at first1 but do still generally as foully1 before conversion1 as the reprobate himself4 ,whereas1 if either the temptation1 or the fall1 were by virtue of reprobation1 then the reprobates1 and they only1 should have been tempted1 and have fallen4 ,the temptation then1 and the fall1 doth come from other means1 and so the hindrance of the reprobate1 than from eternal reprobation4 ,for the temptation1 the fall and hindrance being universal1 but the act of reprobation particular1 the hindrance must needs come from such a cause as taketh hold on all men1 which indeed is the fall2 the cause of which was neither election nor reprobation1 but man's voluntary listening to the tempter 7,rom #c3i74 7#c47 ,it is yet far more evident that reprobation hindreth no man from seeking the salvation of his soul3 because notwithstanding all that reprobation doth1 yet ,god giveth to divers of the reprobates great encouragements thereto2 to wit1 the tenders of the gospel in general1 not excluding any2 great light also to understand it1 with many a sweet taste of the good word of ,god1 and the powers of the world to come2 he maketh them sometimes also to be partakers of the ,holy ,ghost1 and admitteth many of them into fellowship with his elect2 yea1 some of them to be rulers1 teachers1 and governors in his house3 all which1 without doubt1 both are and ought to be great encouragements even to the reprobates themselves1 to seek the salvation of their souls 7,matt #aa3bh2 ,rev #bb3ag2 ,heb #f3d1e2 ,matt #be3a1b2 ,acts #a3af1ag74 ,second1 ,as it hindreth not in itself1 so it hindreth not by its doctrine3 for1 all that this doctrine saith is1 that some are left out of ,god's election1 as considered upright4 ,now this doctrine cannot hinder any man4 ,for1 #a4 ,no man still stands upright4 #b4 ,though it saith some are left1 yet it points at no man1 it nameth no man1 it binds all faces in secret4 ,so then1 if it hinder1 it hindreth all1 even the elect as well as reprobate2 for the reprobate hath as much ground to judge himself elect1 as the very elect himself hath1 before he be converted1 being both alike in a state of nature and unbelief1 and both alike visibly liable to the curse1 for the breach of the commandment4 ,again1 ,as they are equals here1 so also have they ground alike to close in with ,christ and live2 even the open1 free1 and full invitation of the gospel1 and promise of life and salvation1 by the faith of ,jesus ,christ 7,eph #b3a1b2 ,rom #c3i2 ,john #c3af2 #b ,cor #e3ai-ba2 ,rev #ba3f1 #bb3ag74 #c4 ,it is evident also by experience1 that this doctrine doth not1 in deed1 neither can it hinder any 7this doctrine ,i mean1 when both rightly stated and rightly used7 because many who have been greatly afflicted about this matter1 have yet at last had comfort2 which comfort1 when they have received it1 hath been to them as an argument that the thing they feared before1 was not because of reprobation rightly stated2 but its doctrine much abused was the cause of their affliction3 and had they had the same light at first they received afterwards1 their troubles then would soon have fled1 as also now they do4 ,wherefore discouragement comes from want of light1 because they are not skilful in the word of righteousness3 for had the discouragement at first been true1 which yet it could not be1 unless the person knew by name himself under eternal reprobation1 which is indeed impossible1 then his light would have pinched him harder2 light would rather have fastened this his fear1 than at all have rid him of it 7,heb #e3ab-ad74 ,indeed the scripture saith1 the word is to some the savour of death unto death1 when to others the savour of life unto life4 ,but mark1 it is not this doctrine in particular1 if so much as some other1 that doth destroy the reprobate4 ,it was respited at which ,pharaoh hardened his heart2 and the grace of ,god that the reprobates of old did turn into lasciviousness4 ,yea1 ,christ the ,saviour of the world1 is a stumbling-block unto some1 and a rock of offence unto others4 ,but yet again1 consider that neither ,,he1 nor any of ,god's doctrines1 are so simply1 and in their own true natural force and drift3 for they beget no unbelief1 they provoke to no wantonness1 neither do they in the least encourage to impenitency2 all this comes from that ignorance and wickedness that came by the fall3 ,wherefore it is by reason of that also1 that they stumble1 and fall1 and grow weak1 and are discouraged1 and split themselves1 either at the doctrine of reprobation1 or at any other truth of ,god 7,exo #h3ae2 ,jude #d3a2 #a ,peter #b3h74 ,lastly1 ,to conclude as ,i began1 there is no man while in this world1 that doth certainly know that he is left out of the electing love of the great ,god2 neither hath he any word in the whole bible1 to persuade him so to conclude and believe2 for the scriptures hold forth salvation to the greatest of sinners4 ,wherefore1 though the act of reprobation were far more harsh1 and its doctrine also more sharp and severe1 yet it cannot properly be said to hinder any4 ,it is a foolish thing in any to be troubled with those things which they have no ground to believe concerns themselves2 especially when the latitude of their discouragement is touching their own persons only4 ',the secret things belong unto the ,lord our ,god' 7,deut #bi3bi74 ,indeed every one of the words of ,god ought to put us upon examination1 and into a serious enquiry of our present state and condition1 and how we now do stand for eternity2 to wit1 whether we are ready to meet the ,lord1 or how it is with us4 ,yet1 when search is fully made1 and the worst come unto the worst1 the party can find himself no more than the chief of sinners1 not excluded from the grace of ,god tendered in the gospel2 not from an invitation1 nay a promise1 to be embraced and blest1 if he comes to ,jesus ,christ4 ,wherefore he hath no ground to be discouraged by the doctrine of reprobation 7#a ,tim #a3ae2 ,acts #c3ai2 #b ,chron #cc2 ,john #g3cg1 #f3cg2 ,mark #b3ag74 ,,chapter #i4 ,whether ,god would indeed and in truth1 that the gospel1 with the grace thereof1 should be tendered to those that yet he hath bound up under ,eternal ,reprobation8 ,to this question ,i shall answer1 ,first1 ,in the language of our ,lord1 ',go preach the gospel unto every creature' 7,mark #af3ae72 and again1 ',look unto me1 and be ye saved2 all ye ends of the earth' 7,isa #de3bb74 ',and whosoever will1 let him take the water of life freely' 7,rev #bb3ag74 ,and the reason is1 because ,christ died for all1 'tasted death for every man' 7#b ,cor #e3ae2 ,heb #b3i72 is 'the ,saviour of the world' 7#a ,john #d3ad71 and the propitiation for the sins of the whole world4 ,second1 ,i gather it from those several censures that even every one goeth under1 that doth not receive ,christ1 when offered in the general tenders of the gospel2 ',he that believeth not1--shall be damned' 7,mark #af3af72 ',he that believeth not ,god hath made him a liar1 because he believeth not the record that ,god gave of his son' 7#a ,john #e3aj72 and1 ,woe unto thee ,capernaum1 ',woe unto thee ,chorazin6 woe unto thee ,bethsaida6' 7,matt #aa3ba7 with many other sayings1 all which words1 with many other of the same nature1 carry in them a very great argument to this very purpose2 for if those that perish in the days of the gospel1 shall have1 at least1 their damnation heightened1 because they have neglected and refused to receive the gospel1 it must needs be that the gospel was with all faithfulness to be tendered unto them2 the which it could not be1 unless the death of ,christ did extend itself unto them 7,john #c3af2 ,heb #b3c72 for the offer of the gospel cannot1 with ,god's allowance1 be offered any further than the death of ,jesus ,christ doth go2 because if that be taken away1 there is indeed no gospel1 nor grace to be extended4 ,besides1 if by every creature1 and the like1 should be meant only the elect1 then are all the persuasions of the gospel to no effect at all2 for still the unconverted1 who are here condemned for refusing of it1 they return it as fast again3 ,i do not know ,i am elect1 and therefore dare not come to ,jesus ,christ2 for if the death of ,jesus ,christ1 and so the general tender of the gospel1 concern the elect alone2 ,i1 not knowing myself to be one of that number1 am at a mighty plunge2 nor know ,i whether is the greater sin1 to believe1 or to despair3 for ,i say again1 if ,christ died only for the elect1 c4 then1 ,i not knowing myself to be one of that number1 dare not believe the gospel1 that holds forth his blood to save me2 nay1 ,i think with safety may not1 until ,i first do know ,i am elect of ,god1 and appointed thereunto4 ,third1 ,god the ,father1 and ,jesus ,christ his ,son1 would have all men whatever1 invited by the gospel to lay hold of life by ,christ1 whether elect or reprobate2 for though it be true1 that there is such a thing as election and reprobation1 yet ,god1 by the tenders of the gospel in the ministry of his word1 looks upon men under another consideration1 to wit1 as sinners2 and as sinners invites them to believe1 lay hold of1 and embrace the same4 ,he saith not to his ministers1 ,go preach to the elect1 because they are elect2 and shut out others1 because they are not so3 ,but1 ,go preach the gospel to sinners as sinners2 and as they are such1 go bid them come to me and live4 ,and it must needs be so1 otherwise the preacher could neither speak in faith1 nor the people hear in faith4 ,first1 the preacher could not speak in faith1 because he knoweth not the elect from the reprobate2 nor they again hear in faith1 because1 as unconverted1 they would be always ignorant of that also4 ,so then1 the minister neither knowing whom he should offer life unto1 nor yet the people which of them are to receive it2 how could the word now be preached in faith with power8 ,and how could the people believe and embrace it8 ,but now the preacher offering mercy in the gospel to sinners1 as they are sinners1 here is way made for the word to be spoke in faith1 because his hearers are sinners2 yea1 and encouragement also for the people to receive and close therewith1 they understanding they are sinners3 ',christ ,jesus came into the world to save sinners' 7#a ,tim #a3ae2 ,luke #bd3df1dg74 ,fourth1 ,the gospel must be preached to sinners as they are sinners1 without distinction of elect or reprobate2 because neither the one nor yet the other1 as considered under these simple acts1 are fit subjects to embrace the gospel3 for neither the one act1 nor yet the other1 doth make either of them sinners2 but the gospel is to be tendered to men as they are sinners1 and personally under the curse of ,god for sin3 wherefore to proffer grace to the elect because they are elect1 it is to proffer grace and mercy to them1 as not considering them as sinners4 ,and1 ,i say1 to deny it to the reprobate1 because he is not elected1 it is not only a denial of grace to them that have no need thereof1 but also before occasion is given on their part1 for such a dispensation4 ,and ,i say again1 therefore1 to offer ,christ and grace to man elect1 as simply so considered1 this administers to him no comfort at all1 he being here no sinner2 and so engageth not the heart at all to ,jesus ,christ2 for that comes in1 and is effected on them as they are sinners4 ,yea1 to deny the gospel also to the reprobate1 because he is not elect1 it will not trouble him at all2 for saith he1 ,so ,i am not a sinner1 and so do not need a ,saviour4 ,but now1 because the elect have no need of grace in ,christ by the gospel1 but as they are sinners2 nor the reprobates cause to refuse it1 but as they are sinners2 therefore ,christ by the word of the gospel1 is to be proffered to both1 without considering elect or reprobate1 even as they are sinners4 ',the whole have no need of the physician1 but they that are sick3 ,i came not to call the righteous1 but sinners to repentance' 7,mark #b3ag2 #b ,cor #e3ad1ae2 ,luke #g3dg74 ,thus you see the gospel is to be tendered to all in general1 as well to the reprobate as to the elect1 ,,to ,,sinners ,,as ,,sinners2 and so are they to receive it1 and to close with the tenders thereof4#h ,,chapter #aj4 ,seeing then that the grace of ,god in the gospel1 is by that to be proffered to sinners1 as sinners2 as well to the reprobate as the elect2 ,is it possible for those who indeed are not elect1 to receive it1 and be saved8 ,to this question ,i shall answer several things3 but first ,i shall shew you what that grace is1 that is tendered in the gospel2 and secondly1 what it is to receive it and be saved4 ,first then1 ,the grace that is offered to sinners as sinners1 without respect to this or that person1 it is a sufficiency of righteousness1 pardoning grace1 and life1 laid up in the person of ,christ1 held forth in the exhortation and word of the gospel1 and promised to be theirs that receive it2 yea1 ,i say1 in so universal a tender1 that not one is by it excluded or checked in the least1 but rather encouraged1 if he hath the least desire to life2 yea1 it is held forth to beget both desires and longings after the life thus laid up in ,christ1 and held forth by the gospel 7,john #a3af2 ,col #a3ai1bc2 #a ,john #e3aa1ab2 ,acts #ac3ch1ci2 ,rom #aj3ab-ad1 #af3be1bf74 ,secondly1 ,to receive this grace thus tendered by the gospel1 it is1 #a4 ,to believe it is true4 #b4 ,to receive it heartily and unfeignedly through faith4 ,and1 #c4 ,to let it have its natural sway1 course and authority in the soul1 and that in that measure1 as to bring forth the fruits of good living in heart1 word1 and life1 both before ,god and man4 ,now then to the question4 ,is it possible that this tender1 thus offered to the reprobate1 should by him be thus received and embraced1 and he live thereby8 ,to which ,i answer in the negative4 ,nor yet for the elect themselves1 ,i mean as considered dead in trespasses and sins1 which is the state of all men1 elect as well as reprobate4 ,so then1 though there be a sufficiency of life and righteousness laid up in ,christ for all men1 and this tendered by the gospel to them without exception2 yet sin coming in between the soul and the tender of this grace1 it hath in truth disabled all men1 and so1 notwithstanding this tender1 they continue to be dead4 ,for the gospel1 ,i say1 coming in word only1 saveth no man1 because of man's impediment2 wherefore those that indeed are saved by this gospel1 the word comes not to them in word only1 but also in power1 and in the ,holy ,ghost2 is mixed with faith even with the faith of the operation of ,god1 by whose exceeding great and mighty power they are raised from this death of sin1 and enabled to embrace the gospel4 ,doubtless1 all men being dead in trespasses and sins1 and so captivated under the power of the devil1 the curse of the law1 and shut up in unbelief2 it must be the power of ,god1 yea the exceeding greatness of that power that raiseth the soul from this condition1 to receive the holy gospel 7,eph #b3a-c2 #a ,thess #a3e1f2 ,col #b3ab2 ,heb #d3a1b2 ,eph #a3ah1ai1 c474 ,for man by nature1 7consider him at best71 can see no more1 nor do no more than what the principles of nature understands and helps to do2 which nature being below the discerning of things truly1 spiritually1 and savingly good1 it must needs fall short of receiving1 loving and delighting in them4 ',the natural man receiveth not the things of the ,spirit of ,god1 for they are foolishness unto him3 neither can he know them1 because they are spiritually discerned' 7#a ,cor #b3ad74 ,now ,i say1 if the natural man at best 7for the elect before conversion are no more1 if quite so much7 cannot do this1 how shall they attain thereto1 being now not only corrupted and infected1 but depraved1 bewitched and dead2 swallowed up of unbelief1 ignorance1 confusion1 hardness of heart1 hatred of ,god1 and the like8 ,when a thorn by nature beareth grapes1 and a thistle beareth figs1 then may this thing be 7,matt #g3af-ah74 ,to lay hold of and receive the gospel by a true and saving faith1 it is an act of the soul as made a new creature1 which is the workmanship of ,god3 ',now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is ,god' 7#b ,cor #e3e74 ',for a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit' 7,luke #f3dc-de74 ',can the ,ethiopian change his skin8' 7,jer #ac3bc74 ,but yet the cause of this impossibility4 #a4 ,lieth not in reprobation1 the elect themselves being as much unable to receive it as the other4 #b4 ,neither is it because the reprobate is excluded in the tender1 for that is universal4 #c4 ,neither is it because there wanteth arguments in the tenders of the gospel1 for there is not only plenty1 but such as be persuasive1 clear1 and full of rationality4 #d4 ,neither is it because these creatures have no need thereof1 for they have broken the law4 #e4 ,wherefore it is1 because indeed they are by sin dead1 captivated1 mad1 self-opposers1 blind1 alienated in their minds1 and haters of the ,lord4 ,behold the ruins that sin hath made6 ,wherefore whoever receiveth the grace that is tendered in the gospel1 they must be quickened by the power of ,god1 their eyes must be opened1 their understandings illuminated1 their ears unstopped1 their hearts circumcised1 their wills also rectified1 and the ,son of ,god revealed in them4 ,yet as ,i said1 not because there wanteth argument in these tenders1 but because men are dead1 and blind1 and cannot hear the word4 ',why do ye not understand my speech saith ,christ2 ,even because ye cannot hear my word' 7,john #h3dc2 ,acts #i3ae1 #bf3i1aj2 ,psa #aaj3c2 ,gal #a3ae2 ,matt #aa3bg74 ,for otherwise1 as ,i said but now1 there is1 #a4 ,rationality enough in the tenders of the gospel4 #b4 ,persuasions of weight enough to provoke to faith4 ,and1 #c4 ,arguments enough to persuade to continue therein4 #a4 ,is it not reasonable that man should believe ,god in the proffer of the gospel and life by it8 ,is there not reason1 ,i say1 both from the truth and faithfulness of ,god1 from the sufficiency of the merits of ,christ1 as also from the freeness and fullness of the promise8 ,what unreasonable thing doth the gospel bid thee credit8 ,or what falsehood doth it command thee to receive for truth8 ,indeed in many points the gospel is above reason1 but yet in never a one against it2 especially in those things wherein it beginneth with the sinner1 in order to eternal life4 #b4 ,again1 touching its persuasions to provoke to faith3 ,with how many signs and wonders1 miracles and mighty deeds1 hath it been once and again confirmed1 and that to this very end8 7,heb #a3a-c2 #a ,cor #ad3bb74 ,with how many oaths1 declarations1 attestations1 and proclamations1 is it avouched1 confirmed1 and established8 7,heb #f3ag1ah2 ,acts #ac3cb2 ,jer #c3ab2 ,gal #c3ae74 ,and why should not credence be given to that gospel that is confirmed by blood1 the blood of the ,son of ,god himself8 ,yea1 that gospel that did never yet fail any that in truth hath cast themselves upon it1 since the foundation of the world 7,heb #i3af-ah1 #ab3a-c74 #c4 ,again1 as there is rationality enough1 and persuasions sufficient1 so there is also argument most prevalent to persuade to continue therein1 and that to heartily1 cheerfully1 and unfeignedly1 unto the end3 did not1 as ,i have said1 blindness1 madness1 deadness1 and willful rebellion1 carry them away in the vanity of their minds1 and overcome them 7,eph #d3ag-ai74 7#a47 ,for1 first1 if they could but consider how they have sinned1 how they have provoked ,god1 c41 if they could but consider what a dismal state the state of the damned is1 and also1 that in a moment their condition is like to be the same1 would they not cleave to the gospel and live8 7#b47 ,the enjoyment of ,god1 and ,christ1 and saints1 and angels1 being the sweetest2 the pleasures of heaven the most comfortable1 and to live always in the greatest height of light1 life1 joy1 and gladness imaginable1 one would think were enough to persuade the very damned now in hell4 ,there is no man then perisheth for want of sufficient reason in the tenders of the gospel1 nor any for want of persuasions to faith2 nor yet because there wanteth arguments to provoke to continue therein4 ,but the truth is1 the gospel in this hath to do with unreasonable creatures2 with such as will not believe it1 and that because it is truth3 ',and because ,i tell you the truth1 saith ,christ therefore ye believe me not' 7,john #h3de74 ,quest4 ,well1 but if this in truth be thus1 how then comes it to pass that some receive it and live for ever8 ,for you have said before1 that the elect are as dead as the reprobate1 and full as unable as they1 as men1 to close with these tenders1 and live4 ,answ4 ,doubtless this is true1 and were the elect left to themselves1 they1 through the wickedness of their heart1 would perish as do others4 ,neither could all the reasonable persuasive prevalent arguments of the gospel of ,god in ,christ1 prevail to make any receive it1 and live4 ,wherefore here you must consider1 that as there is mercy proclaimed in the general tenders of the gospel1 so there is also the grace of election2 which grace kindly over-ruleth and winneth the spirit of the chosen1 working in them that unfeigned closing therewith1 that makes it effectual to their undoubted salvation2 which indeed is the cause that not only in other ages1 but also to this day1 there is a remnant that receive this grace2 they being appointed1 ,i say1 thereto1 before the world began2 preserved in time from that which would undo them1 and enabled to embrace the glorious gospel of grace1 and peace1 and life 7#a ,kings #ai3ah2 ,rom #aa3e2 #a ,thess #e3i74 ,now there is a great difference between the grace of election1 and the grace that is wrapped up in the general tenders of the gospel a difference1 ,i say1 and that both as to its timing1 latituding1 and working4 #a4 ,touching its timing2 it is before1 yea long before1 there was either tender of the grace wrapped up in the gospel to any1 or any need of such a tender 7,eph #a3d1e74 #b4 ,they also differ in latitude2 the tenders of grace in the gospel are common and universal to all1 but the extension of that of election special and peculiar to some4 ',there is a remnant according to the election of grace' 7,rom #aa3e74 #c4 ,touching the working of the grace of election2 it differs much in some things from the working of the grace that is offered in the general tenders of the gospel4 ,as is manifest in these particulars3 7#a474 ,the grace that is offered in the general tenders of the gospel1 calleth for faith to lay hold upon1 and accept thereof2 but the special grace of election1 worketh that faith which doth lay hold thereof 7,acts #af3ca1 #ac3dh2 ,phil #a3bi2 #b ,thess #a3aa74 7#b47 ,the grace that is offered in the general tenders of the gospel1 calleth for faith1 as a condition in us1 without which there is no life2 but the special grace of election worketh faith in us without any such condition 7,mark #af3ae1af2 ,rom #aa3e1f74 7#c47 ,the grace that is offered in the general tenders of the gospel1 promiseth happiness upon the condition of persevering in the faith only2 but the special grace of election causeth this perseverance 7,col #a3bc2 ,eph #b3aj2 ,rom #aa3g2 #a ,peter #a3e-g74 7#d47 ,the grace offered in the general tenders of the gospel1 when it sparkleth most1 leaveth the greatest part of men behind it2 but the special grace of election1 when it shineth least1 doth infallibly bring every soul therein concerned to everlasting life 7,rom #aj3af1 #h3cc-ce74 7#e47 ,a man may overcome and put out all the light and life that is begotten in him by the general tenders of the gospel2 but none shall overcome1 or make void1 or frustrate the grace of election 7,jude #d2 #b ,peter #b3bj-bb2 ,matt #bd3bd2 ,rom #aa3a-c1 c474 7#f47 ,the general tenders of the gospel1 considered without a concurrence of the grace of election1 helps not the elect himself1 when sadly fallen4 ,wherefore1 when ,i say the grace that is offered in the general tenders of the gospel1 ,i mean that grace when offered1 as not being accompanied with a special operation of ,god's eternal love1 by way of conjunction therewith4 ,otherwise the grace that is tendered in the general offers of the gospel1 is that which saveth the sinner now1 and that brings him to everlasting life2 that is1 when conjoined with that grace that blesseth and maketh this general tender effectually efficacious4 ,the grace of election worketh not without1 but by these tenders generally2 neither doth the grace thus tendered1 effectually work1 but by and with the grace of election3 ',as many as were ordained to eternal life believed' 7,acts #ac3dh73 ,the word being then effectual to life1 when the hand of the ,lord is effectually therewith to that end 7,mark #af3bj74 ,they 'spake saith the text unto the ,grecians1 preaching the ,lord ,jesus4 ,and the hand of the ,lord was with them2 and a great number believed1 and turned unto the ,lord' 7,acts #aa3bj1ba74 ,we must always put difference between the word of the gospel1 and the power that manageth that word2 we must put difference between the common and more special operations of that power also2 even as there is evidently a difference to be put between those words of ,christ that were effectual to do what was said1 and of those words of his which were but words only1 or at least not so accompanied with power4 ,as for instance3 that same ,jesus that said to the ,leper1 ',say nothing to any man1' said also to ,lazarus1 ',come forth'2 yet the one obeyed1 the other did not2 though he that obeyed was least in a capacity to do it1 he being now dead1 and stunk in his grave4 ,indeed unbelief hath hindered ,christ much1 yet not when he putteth forth himself as ,almighty1 but when he doth suffer himself by them to be abused who are to be dealt with by ordinary means3 ,otherwise legions of devils1 with ten thousand impediments1 must fall down before him1 and give way unto him4 ,there is a speaking1 and a so speaking3 ',they so spake1 that a great multitude1 both of the ,jews1 and also of the ,greeks1 believed' 7,acts #ad3a74 ,even as ,i have hinted already1 there is a difference between the coming of the word when it is in power 7#a ,thess #a3e71 and when it is in word only4 ,so then1 the blessed grace of election chooseth this man to good1 not because he is good2 it chooseth him to believe1 not because he doth believe2 it chooseth him to persevere1 not because he doth so2 it fore-ordains that this man shall be created in ,christ ,jesus unto good works 7,eph #a3d-f71 not if a man will create himself thereto 7#a ,peter #a3b2 ,eph #b3aj74 ,what shall we say then8 ,is the fault in ,god1 if any perish8 ,doubtless no2 nor yet in his act of eternal reprobation neither3 it is grace that saveth the elect1 but sin that damns the rest3 it is superabundant grace that causeth the elect to close with the tenders of life1 and live2 and it is the aboundings of sin that holds off the reprobate from the rational1 necessary1 and absolute tenders1 of grace4 ,to conclude then2 the gospel calleth for credence as a condition1 and that both from the elect and reprobate2 but because none of them both1 as dead in sin1 will close therewith1 and live2 therefore grace1 by virtue of electing love1 puts forth itself to work and do for some beyond reason2 and justice cuts off others1 for slighting so good1 so gracious1 and necessary a means of salvation1 so full both of kindness1 mercy and reason4 ,,chapter #aa4 ,seeing that it is not possible that the reprobate should receive this grace and live1 and also seeing that this is infallibly foreseen of ,god2 and again1 seeing ,god hath fore-determined to suffer it so to be2 ,why doth he yet will and command that the gospel1 and so grace in the general tenders thereof1 should be proffered unto them8 ,why then is the gospel offered them8 ,well1 that there is such a thing as eternal reprobation1 ,i have shewed you2 also what this eternal reprobation is1 ,i have opened unto you3 and shall now shew you also1 that though these reprobates will infallibly perish1 which ,god not only foresaw1 but fore-determined to suffer them most assuredly so to do2 yet there is reason1 great reason1 why the gospel1 and so the grace of ,god thereby1 should be tendered1 and that in general terms1 to them as well as others4 ,but before ,i come to lay the reasons before you1 ,i must mind you afresh of these particulars3 #a4 ,that eternal reprobation makes no man a sinner4 #b4 ,that the fore-knowledge of ,god that the reprobate would perish makes no man a sinner4 #c4 ,that ,god's infallibly determining upon the damnation of him that perisheth1 makes no man a sinner4 #d4 ,god's patience and long-suffering1 and forbearance1 until the reprobate fits himself for eternal destruction1 makes no man a sinner4 ,so then1 ,god may reprobate1 may suffer the reprobate to sin1 may pre-determine his infallible damnation1 through the pre-consideration of him in sin1 and may also forbear to work that effectual work in his soul that would infallibly bring him out of this condition1 and yet neither be the author1 contriver1 nor means of man's sin and misery4 ,again1 ,god may infallibly foresee that this reprobate1 when he hath sinned1 will be an unreasonable opposer of his own salvation2 and may also determine to suffer him to sin1 and be thus unreasonable to the end1 yet be gracious1 yea very gracious1 if he offer him life1 and that only upon reasonable terms1 which yet he denieth to close with 7,isa #a3ah2 #ee3ab74 ,the reasons are1 #a4 ,because not ,god1 but sin1 hath made him unreasonable2 without which1 reasonable terms had done his work for him3 for reasonable terms are the most equal and righteous terms that can be propounded between parties at difference2 yea the terms that most suiteth and agreeth with a reasonable creature1 such as man2 nay1 reasonable terms are1 for terms1 the most apt to work with that man whose reason is brought into and held captive by very sense itself 7,eze #ah2 #cc74 #b4 ,god goeth yet further1 he addeth promises of mercy1 as those that are inseparable to the terms he offereth1 even to pour forth his ,spirit unto them2 ',turn at my reproof1 and behold ,i will pour forth of my ,spirit unto you1 and incline your ear2 come unto me1 hear and your soul shall live' 7,prov #a3bc-bg74 ,now then to the question itself1 to wit1 that seeing it is impossible the reprobate should be saved2 seeing also this is infallibly foreseen of ,god1 and seeing also that ,god hath beforehand determined to suffer it so to be2 yet ,i shall shew you it is requisite1 yea very requisite1 that he should both will and command that the gospel1 and so grace in the general tenders thereof should be proffered unto them4 ,,first ,,reason4--,and that first1 to shew that this reprobation doth not in itself make any man absolutely incapable of salvation3 for if ,god had intended that by the act of reprobation1 the persons therein concerned should also by that only act have been made incapable of everlasting life1 then this act must also have tied up all the means from them1 that tendeth to that end2 or at least have debarred the gospel's being offered to them by ,god's command1 for that intent2 otherwise who is there but would have charged the ,holy ,one as guilty of guile1 and worthy of blame1 for commanding that the gospel of grace and salvation should be offered unto this or that man1 whom yet he hath made incapable to receive it1 by his act of reprobation4 ,wherefore this very thing1 to wit1 that the gospel is yet to be tendered to these eternally reprobated1 sheweth that it is not simply the act of ,god's reprobation1 but sin1 that incapacitateth the creature of life everlasting4 ,which sin is no branch of this reprobation1 as is evident1 because the elect and reprobate are both alike defiled therewith4 ,,second ,,reason4--,god also sheweth by this1 that the reprobate do not perish for want of the offers of salvation1 though he hath offended ,god1 and that upon most righteous terms2 according to what is written1 ',as ,i live1 saith the ,lord ,god1 ,i have no pleasure in the death of the wicked1 but that the wicked turn from his way1 and live' 7,eze #cc3aa1 #ah3ca1cb74 ',turn ye unto me1 saith the ,lord of ,hosts1 and ,i will turn unto you1 saith the ,lord of ,hosts' 7,zech #a3c74 ,so then1 here lieth the point between ,god and the reprobate1 ,i mean the reprobate since he hath sinned1 ,god is willing to save him upon reasonable terms1 but not upon terms above reason2 but not reasonable terms will go down with the reprobate1 therefore he must perish for his unreasonableness4 ,that ,god is willing to save even those that perish for ever1 is apparent1 both from the consideration of the goodness of his nature 7,psa #ade3i71 of man's being his creature1 and indeed in a miserable state 7,job #ad3ae1 #c3af74 ,but ,i say1 as ,i have also said already1 there is a great difference between his being willing to save them1 through their complying with these his reasonable terms1 and his being resolved to save them1 whether they1 as men1 will close therewith1 or no2 so only he saveth the elect themselves1 even 'according to the riches of his grace' 7,eph #a3g74 ,even 'according to his riches in glory1 by ,christ ,jesus' 7,phil #d3ai74 ,working effectually in them1 what the gospel1 as a condition1 calleth for from them4 ,and hence it is that he is said to give faith 7,phil #a3bi71 yea the most holy faith1 for that is the faith of ,god's elect1 to give repentance 7,acts #e3ca71 to give a new heart1 to give his fear1 even that fear that may keep them for ever from everlasting ruin 7,eph #a3d72 still engaging his mercy and goodness to follow them all the days of their lives 7,jer #cb3dj2 ,eze #cf3bf1bg71 that they may dwell in the house of the ,lord for ever 7,psa #bc3f71 and as another scripture saith1 ',now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing1 is ,god' 7#b ,cor #e3e2 ,rom #h3bf1 c474 ,but ,i say1 his denying to do thus for every man in the world1 cannot properly be said to be because he is not heartily willing they should close with the tenders of the grace held forth in the gospel1 and live4 ,wherefore you must consider that there is a distinction to be put between ,god's denying grace on reasonable terms1 and denying it absolutely2 and also that there is a difference between his withholding further grace1 and of hindering men from closing with the grace at present offered2 also that ,god may withhold much1 when he taketh away nothing2 yea1 take away much1 when once abused1 and yet be just and righteous still4 ,further1 ,god may deny to do this or that absolutely1 when yet he hath promised to do1 not only that1 but more1 conditionally4 ,which things considered1 you may with ease conclude1 that he may be willing to save those not elect1 upon reasonable terms1 though not without them4 ,it is no unrighteousness in ,god to offer grace unto the world1 though but on these terms only1 that they are also foreseen by him infallibly to reject2 both because to reject it is unreasonable1 especially the terms being so reasonable1 as to believe the truth and live2 and also because it is grace and mercy in ,god1 so much as once to offer means of reconciliation to a sinner1 he being the offender2 but the ,lord1 the ,god offended2 they being but dust and ashes1 he the heavenly ,majesty4 ,if ,god1 when man had broke the law1 had yet with all severity kept the world to the utmost condition of it1 had he then been unjust8 ,had he injured man at all8 ,was not every tittle of the law reasonable1 both in the first and second table8 ,how much more then is he merciful and gracious1 even in but mentioning terms of reconciliation8 especially seeing he is also willing so to condescend1 if they will believe his word1 and receive the love of the truth4 ,though the reprobate then doth voluntarily1 and against all strength of reason1 run himself upon the rocks of eternal misery1 and split himself thereon1 he perisheth in his own corruption1 by rejecting terms of life 7#b ,thess #b3aj2 #b ,peter #b3ab1ac74 ,object4 ,but the reprobate is not now in a capacity to fulfil these reasonable terms4 ,ans4 ,but ,i say1 suppose it should be granted1 is it because reprobation made him incapable1 or sin8 ,not reprobation1 but sin3 if sin1 then before he quarrel1 let him consider the case aright1 where1 in the result1 he will find sin1 being consented to by his voluntary mind1 hath thus disabled him3 and because1 ,i say1 it was sin by his voluntary consent that did it1 let him quarrel with himself for consenting1 so as to make himself incapable to close with reasonable terms2 yea1 with those terms because reasonable1 therefore most suitable1 as terms1 for him notwithstanding his wickedness4 ,and ,i say again1 forasmuch as those reasonable terms have annexed unto them1 as their inseperable companions1 such wonderful mercy and grace as indeed there is1 let even them that perish1 yet justify ,god2 yea cry1 ',his goodness endureth for ever'2 though they1 through the wretchedness of their hearts1 get no benefit by it4 ,,third ,,reason4--,god may will and command that his gospel1 and so the grace thereof1 be tendered to those that shall never be saved1 7besides what hath been said7 to shew to all spectators what an enemy sin1 being once embraced1 is to the salvation of man4 ,sin1 without the tenders of the grace of the gospel1 could never have appeared so exceeding sinful1 as by that it both hath and doth3 ',if ,i had not come and spoken unto them1 saith ,christ they had not had sin3 but now they have no cloke for their sin' 7,john #ae3bb74 ,as sins that oppose the law1 are discovered by the law1 that is1 by the goodness1 and justness1 and holiness of the law 7,rom #g72 so the sins that oppose the gospel1 are made manifest by that1 even by the love1 and mercy1 and forgiveness of the gospel3 ,if 'he that despised ,moses' law died without mercy1--of how much sorer punishment1 suppose ye1 shall he be thought worthy1 who hath trodden under foot the ,son of ,god8' 7,heb #aj3bh1bi74 ,who could have thought that sin would have opposed that which is just1 but especially mercy and grace1 had we not seen it with our eyes8 ,and how could we have seen it to purpose1 had not ,god left some to themselves8 ,here indeed is sin made manifest3 ',for all he had done so many miracles amongst them1' 7to wit1 to persuade them to mercy7 'yet they believed not on him' 7,john #ab3cg74 ,sin1 where it reigneth1 is a mortal enemy to the soul2 it blinds the eyes1 holds the hands1 ties the legs1 and stops the ears1 and makes the heart implacable to resist the ,saviour of souls4 ,that man will neither obey the law nor the gospel1 who is left unto his sin3 which also ,god is willing should be discovered and made manifest1 though it cost the damnation of some3 ,for this very purpose1 saith ,god to ,pharaoh1 'have ,i raised thee up1 for to shew in thee my power2 and that my name may be declared in all the earth' 7,exo #i3af2 ,rom #i3ag74 ,for ,god1 by raising up ,pharaoh to his kingdom1 and suffering him to walk to the height1 according as his sin did prompt him forward1 shewed unto all beholders what a dreadful thing sin is2 and that without the special assistance of his ,holy ,spirit1 sin would neither be charmed by law nor gospel4 ,this reason1 though it be no profit unto those that are damned2 yet it is for the honour of ,god1 and the good of those he hath chosen4 ,it is for the honour of ,god1 even for the honour of his power and mercy3 for his power is now discovered indeed1 when nothing can tame sin but that2 and his mercy is here seen indeed2 because that doth engage him to do it4 ,read ,romans #i3bb1bc4 ,,fourth ,,reason4--,god commandeth that the tender of the gospel1 and the grace thereof1 be in general offered to all1 that means thereby might be sufficiently provided for the elect1 both to beget them to faith1 and to maintain it in them to the end1 in what place1 or state1 or condition soever they are 7,eph #a74 ,god1 through the operation of his manifold wisdom1 hath an end and an end in his acts and doings amongst the children of men3 and1 so in that he commandeth that his gospel be tendered to all1 an end1 ,i say1 to leave the damned without excuse1 and to provide sufficiency of means for the gathering all his elect4 ',oh that ,god would speak1 saith ,zophar and open his lips against thee2 and--shew thee the secrets of wisdom1 that they are double to that which is' 7,job #aa3e1f74 ,for though ,god worketh with and upon the elect1 otherwise than with and upon the reprobate2 yet he worketh with and upon the elect1 with and by the same word he commandeth should be held forth and offered to the reprobate4 ,now the text thus running in most free and universal terms1 the elect then hearing thereof1 do through the mighty power of ,god close in with the tenders therein held forth1 and are saved4 ,thus that word that was offered to the reprobate ,jews1 and by them most fiercely rejected1 even that word became yet effectual to the chosen1 and they were saved thereby4 ,they gladly received the word1 'and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed' 7,acts #ac3dh74i ',not as though the word of ,god had taken none effect' 7,rom #i3f74 ',god hath not cast away his people whom he foreknew' 7#aa3b74 ,the word shall accomplish the thing for which ,god hath sent it1 even the salvation of the few that are chosen1 when tendered to all2 though rejected by most1 through the rebellion of their hearts 7,acts #bh3bh2 ,heb #d3a-c74 ,object4 ,but if ,god hath elected1 as you have said1 what need he lay a foundation so general for the begetting faith in his chosen particulars1 seeing the same ,spirit that worketh in them by such means1 could also work in them by other1 even by a word1 excluding the most1 in the first tenders thereof1 amongst men8 ,ans4 ,i told you before1 that though this be a principal reason of the general tenders of the grace of the gospel1 yet it is not all the reason why the tender should be so general1 as the three former reasons shew4 ,but again1 in the bowels of ,god's decree of election1 is contained the means that are also ordained for the effectual bringing of those elected to that glory for which they were fore-appointed2 even to gather together in one1 all the children of ,god 7,john #aa3eb74 ',whereunto he called you1 saith ,paul by our gospel1 to the obtaining of the glory of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ' 7#b ,thess #b3ad74 ,god's decree of election then1 destroyeth not the means which his wisdom hath prepared1 it rather establisheth1 yea ordains and establisheth it2 and maketh that means which in the outward sound is indefinite and general1 effectual to this and that man1 through a special and particular application 7,gal #b3bj1ba73 thus that ,christ that in general was offered to all1 is by a special act of faith applied to ,paul in particular2 ',he loved me1 and gave himself for me4' ,further1 ,as the design of the ,heavenly ,majesty is to bring his elect to glory by means1 so by the means thus universal and general1 as most behooveful and fit2 if we consider not only the way it doth please him to work with some of his chosen1 in order to this their glory1 but also the trials1 temptations1 and other calamities they must go through thereto4 #a4 ,touching his working with some1 how invisible is it to these in whose souls it is yet begun8 ,how is the word buried under the clods of their hearts for months1 yea years together8 ,only thus much is discovered thereof1 it sheweth the soul its sin1 the which it doth also so aggravate and apply to the conscience 7,jesus still refraining1 like ,joseph1 to make himself known to his brethren7 that were there not general tenders of mercy1 and that to the worst of sinners1 they would soon miscarry1 and perish1 as do the sons of perdition4 ,but by these the ,lord upholdeth and helpeth them1 that they stand1 when others fall for ever 7,psa #aai3di74 #b4 ,and so likewise for their trials1 temptations1 and other calamities1 because ,god will not bring them to heaven without1 but by them2 therefore he hath also provided a word so large1 as to lie fair for the support of the soul in all conditions1 that it may not die for thirst4 #c4 ,i might add also in this place1 their imperfect state after grace received1 doth call for such a word2 yea1 many other things which might be named3 which ,god1 only wise1 hath thought fit should accompany us to the ship1 yea in the sea1 to our desired haven4 ,,fifth ,,reason4--,god willeth and commandeth the gospel should be offered to all1 that thereby distinguishing love1 as to an inward and spiritual work1 might the more appear to be indeed the fruit of special and peculiar love4 ,for in that the gospel is tendered to all in general1 when yet but some do receive it2 yea1 and seeing these some are as unable1 unwilling1 and by nature1 as much averse thereto1 as those that refuse it1 and perish2 it is evident that something more of heaven and the operation of the ,spirit of ,god doth accompany the word thus tendered for their life and salvation that enjoy it 7#a ,thess #a3d-g74 ,not now as a word barely tendered1 but backed by the strength of heaven3 ',behold what manner of love the ,father hath bestowed upon us1 that we should be called the sons of ,god6' 7#a ,john #c3a7 even we who believe 'according to the working of his mighty power1 which he wrought in ,christ1 when he raised him from the dead' 7,eph #a3bj74 ,this provoketh to distinguishing admiration1 yea1 and also to a love like that which hath fastened on the called1 the preserved1 and the glorified3 ',he hath not dealt so with any nation3 and as for his judgments1 they have not known them4 ,praise ye the ,lord' 7,psa #adg3bj74 ,now are the sacrifices bound even to the horns of the altar1 with a ',lord1 how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us1 and not unto the world6' 7,john #ad3bb74 ,he 'sent from above1 he took me2 he drew me out of many waters2 he delivered me from my strong enemy1 and from them that hated me2 for they were too strong for me' 7#b ,sam #bb3ag2 ,psa #ah3af74 ,for thus the elect considereth3 though we all came alike into the world1 and are the children of wrath by nature 7,eph #b3a-c72 yea1 though we have alike so weakened ourselves by sin 7,rom #c3i71 that the whole head is sick1 and the whole heart faint 7,isa #a3e71 being altogether gone out of the way1 and every one become altogether unprofitable1 both to ,god and ourselves 7,rom #c3ab72 yet that ,god should open mine eyes1 convert my soul1 give me faith1 forgive my sins1 raise me1 when ,i fall2 fetch me again1 when ,i am gone astray2 this is wonderful6 7,psa #cg3bc74 ,yea1 that he should prepare eternal mansions for me 7,psa #bc3f72 and also keep me by his blessed and mighty power for that2 and that in a way of believing1 which without his assistance ,i am no way able to perform6 7#b ,cor #e3e74 ,that he should do this notwithstanding my sins1 though ,i had no righteousness6 7,deut #i3e-g74 ,yea1 that he should do it according to the riches of his grace1 through the redemption that is in ,jesus ,christ our ,lord6 ,even according to an everlasting covenant of grace1 which yet the greatest part of the world are void of1 and will for ever miss and fall short of6 7,eze #af3fj-fc74 ,besides1 that he should mollify my heart6 break it1 and then delight in it 7,psa #ea3ag72 put his fear in it1 and then look to me 7,isa #ff3b2 ,psa #ach3f71 and keep me as the apple of his eye 7,deut #cb3aj72 yea1 resolve to guide me with his counsel1 and then receive me to glory6 ,further1 that all this should be the effect of unthought of1 undeserved1 and undesired love6 7,mal #a3b2 ,deut #g3g1h74 ,that the ,lord should think on this before he made the world 7,jer #ca3c71 and sufficiently ordain the means before he had laid the foundation of the hills6 ,for this he is worthy to be praised 7#a ,cor #b3i73 yea1 ',let every thing that hath breath praise the ,lord2 praise ye the ,lord4' ,object4 ,but you have said before1 that the reprobate is also blessed with many gospel mercies1 as with the knowledge of ,christ1 faith1 light1 the gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 and the tastes or relish of the powers of the world to come3 if so1 then what should be the reason that yet he perisheth8 ,is it because the grace that he receiveth differeth from the grace that the elect are saved by8 ,if they differ1 where lieth the difference8 ,whether in the nature1 or in the degree1 or in the management thereof8 ,ans4 ,to this objection ,i might answer many things2 but1 for brevity1 take this reply3 ,that the non-elect may travel very far both in the knowledge1 faith1 light1 and sweetness of ,jesus ,christ1 and may also attain to the partaking of the ,holy ,ghost2 yea1 and by the very operation of these things also1 escape the pollutions of the world1 and become a visible saint1 join in church-communion1 and be as chief amongst the very elect themselves4 ,this the scriptures every where do shew us4 ,the question then is1 whether the elect and reprobate receive a differing grace8 ,to which ,i answer1 ,yes1 in some respects1 both as to the nature thereof1 and also the degree4 #a4 ,to begin then with the nature of it4 7#a47 ,the faith that the chosen are blessed with1 it goeth under another name than any faith besides1 even the faith of ,god's elect 7,titus #a3a71 as of a faith belonging to them only1 of which none others do partake2 which faith also1 for the nature of it1 is called faith most holy 7,jude #bj72 to shew it goes beyond all other1 and can be fitly matched no where else1 but with their most blessed faith who infallibly attain eternal glory3 even 'like precious faith with us1' saith ,peter 7#b ,peter #a3a72 with his elect companions4 ,and so of other things4 ,for if this be true1 that they differ in their faith1 they must needs therewith differ in other things3 for faith being the mother grace1 produceth all the rest according to its own nature1 to wit1 love that abounds1 that never fails1 and that is never contented till it attain the resurrection of the dead1 c4 7#b ,thess #a3c2 #a ,cor #ac3h2 ,phil #c74 7#b47 ,they differ as to the nature1 in this2 the faith1 and hope1 and love1 that the chosen receive1 it is that which floweth from election itself2 he hath blessed us 'according as he hath chosen us' 7,eph #a3d1e71 even with those graces he set apart for us1 when he in eternity did appoint us to life before the foundation of the world3 which graces1 because the decree in itself is most absolute and infallible1 they also1 that they may completely answer the end1 will do the work infallibly likewise1 still through the management of ,christ3 ',i have prayed for thee1 that thy faith fail not' 7,luke #bb3cb74 ,but1 #b4 ,as they differ in nature1 they differ also in degree3 for though it be true that the reprobate is blessed with grace1 yet this is also as true1 that the elect are blessed with more grace4 ,it is the privilege only of those that are chosen1 to be blessed with ,,all spiritual blessings1 and to have ,,all the good pleasure of the goodness of ,god fulfilled in and upon them4 ,those who are blessed with ,,all spiritual blessings must needs be blessed with eternal life2 and those in whom the ,lord1 not only works all his good pleasure1 but fulfilleth all the good pleasure of his goodness upon them1 they must needs be preserved to his heavenly kingdom 7,eph #a3d1e2 #a ,thess #a3aj72 but none of the non-elect have these things conferred upon them2 therefore the grace bestowed upon the one1 doth differ both in nature and degree from the other4 #c4 ,there is a difference as to the management also4 ,the reprobate is principal for the management of the grace he receiveth1 but ,jesus ,christ is principal for the management of the grace the elect receiveth4 ,when ,i say principal1 ,i mean chief2 for though the reprobate is to have the greatest hand in the management of what mercy and goodness the ,lord bestoweth on him1 yet not so as that the ,lord will not help him at all2 nay contrariwise he will1 if first the reprobate do truly the duty that lieth on him3 ',if thou doest well1 shalt thou not be accepted8 but if thou doest not well1 sin lieth at the door' 7,gen #d3g74 ,thus it was also with ,saul1 who was rejected of ,god upon this account 7#a ,sam #ac3aa-ad1 #ae3bf74 ,and ,i say1 as to the elect themselves1 though ,jesus ,christ our blessed ,saviour be chief1 as to the management of the grace bestowed on his chosen1 yet not so as that he quite excludeth them from 'striving according to his working1 which worketh in me mightily' 7,col #a3bi74 ,nay contrariwise1 if those who in truth are elect1 shall yet be remiss1 and do wickedly1 they shall feel the stroke of ,god's rod1 it may be till their bones do break4 ,but because the work doth not lie at their door to manage as chief1 but as ,christ's1 therefore though he may perform his work with much bitterness and grief to them2 yet he being engaged as the principal1 will perform that which concerneth them1 even until the day 7the coming7 of ,jesus ,christ 7,psa #ach3h2 ,phil #a3f74 ,from what hath been said1 there ariseth this conclusion3 ,the elect are always under eternal mercy1 but those not elect always under eternal justice2 for you must consider this3 there is eternal mercy and eternal justice1 and there is present mercy and present justice4 ,so then1 for a man to be in a state of mercy1 it may be either a state of mercy present1 or both present and eternal also4 ,and so again for a man to be in a state under justice1 it may be understood either of present justice only1 or of both present and eternal also4 ,that this may yet further be opened1 ,i shall somewhat enlarge4 ,i begin with present mercy and present justice4 ,that which ,i call present mercy1 is that faith1 light1 knowledge1 and taste of the good word of ,god1 that a man may have1 and perish4 ,this is called in scripture1 ,believing for a while1 during for a while1 and rejoicing in the light for a season 7,heb #f3d1e2 #b ,peter #b3bj2 ,matt #ac3bb2 ,luke #h3ac74 ,now ,i call this mercy1 both because none1 as men1 can deserve it1 and also because the proper end thereof is to do good to those that have it4 ,but ,i call it present mercy1 because those that are only blessed with that1 may sin it away1 and perish2 as did some of the ,galatians1 ,hebrews1 ,alexandrians1 with the ,asians1 and others 7,gal #e3d2 ,heb #ab3ae1af2 #a ,tim #a3bj2 #b ,tim #b3ah1 #a3ae2 ,heb #ab3ae74 ,but yet observe again1 ,i do not call this present mercy1 because ,god hath determined it shall last but a while absolutely2 but because it is possible for man to lose it1 yea determined he shall1 conditionally 7,john #e3ce2 #a ,cor #ab3g74 ,again1 as to present justice1 it is that which lasteth but a while also2 and as present mercy is properly the portion of those left out of ,god's election1 so present justice chiefly hath to do with ,god's beloved2 who yet at that time are also under eternal mercy4 ,this is that justice that afflicted ,job 7#f3d71 ,david 7,psa #hh1 #ch3c71 ,heman1 and the godly1 who notwithstanding do infallibly attain1 by virtue of this mercy1 eternal life and glory 7,amos #c3b2 #a ,cor #aa3cj1ca2 ,psa #cj3e1 #ajc3i2 #a ,peter #a3f74 ,i call this justice1 because in some sense ,god dealeth with his children according to the quality of their transgressions2 and ,i call it also present justice1 because though the hand of ,god for the present be never so heavy on those that are his by election1 yet it lasteth but a while2 wherefore though this indeed be called wrath1 yet is but a little wrath1 wrath for a moment1 time1 or season4 ',in a little wrath ,i hid my face from thee for a moment2 but with everlasting kindness will ,i have mercy on thee1 saith the ,lord thy ,redeemer' 7,isa #ed3h74 ,thus you see there is present mercy and present justice2 also that the elect may be under present justice1 when the rest may be under present mercy4 ,again1 ,as there is present mercy and present justice1 so there is eternal mercy and eternal justice3 and ,i say1 as the elect may be under present justice1 when the non-elect may be under present mercy2 so the elect at that time are also under eternal mercy1 but the other under eternal justice4 ,that the elect are under eternal mercy1 and that when under present justice1 is evident from what hath been said before1 namely1 from their being chosen in ,christ before the foundation of the world2 as also from the consideration of their sound conversion1 and safe preservation quite through this wicked world1 even safe unto eternal life2 as he also saith by the prophet ,jeremiah1 ',yea1 ,i have loved thee with an everlasting love3 therefore with loving kindness have ,i drawn thee' 7#ca3c74 ,and hence it is that he calleth the elect his sheep 7,john #aj3af71 his children 7#aa3eb71 and people 7,acts #ah3i1aj71 and that before conversion2 for though none of them as yet were his children by calling1 yet were they his according to election4 ,now the elect being under this eternal grace and mercy1 they must needs be under it both before present justice seizeth upon them1 while it seizeth them1 and also continueth with them longer than present justice can1 it being from everlasting to everlasting4 ,this being so1 here is the reason why no sin1 nor yet temptation of the enemy1 with any other evil1 can hurt or destroy those thus elect of ,god3 yea this is that which maketh even those things that in themselves are the very bane of men1 yet prove very much for good to those within this purpose 7,rom #h3bh74 ,and as ,david saith1 ',it is good for me that ,i have been afflicted' 7,psa #aai3ga74 ,and again1 ',but when we are judged we are chastened of the ,lord1 that we should not be condemned with the world' 7#a ,cor #aa3cb74 ,now afflictions1 c41 in themselves are not only fruitless and unprofitable1 but1 being unsanctified1 are destructive2 ',i smote him1 and he went on frowardly' 7,isa #eg3ag74 ,but now eternal mercy working with this or that affliction1 makes it profitable to the chosen2 ',i have seen his ways1 and will heal him1 and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners' 7v #ah74 ,as he saith in another place1 ',blessed is the man whom thou chastenest1 and teachest him out of thy law' 7,psa #id3ab74 ,for eternal mercy doth not look on those who are the elect and chosen of ,god1 as poor sinful creatures only1 but also as the generation whom the ,lord hath blessed1 in whom he hath designed to magnify his mercy to the utmost1 by pardoning the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage 7#a ,peter #b3i2 ,micah #g3ah1ai74 ',having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by ,jesus ,christ to himself1--wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved' 7,eph #a3f74 ,wherefore1 ,i say1 the elect1 as they do also receive that grace and mercy that may be sinned away1 so they have that grace and mercy which cannot be lost1 and that sin cannot deprive them of1 even mercy that abounds1 and goeth beyond all sin2 such mercy as hath engaged the power of ,god1 the intercession of ,christ1 and the communication of the blessed ,spirit of adoption1 which ,spirit also engageth the heart1 directs it into the love of ,god1 that it may not depart from ,god after that rate as the reprobates do 7,eph #e3bi1cj74 ',i will make an everlasting covenant with them1 saith ,god that ,i will not turn away from them1 to do them good2 but ,i will put my fear in their hearts1 that they shall not depart from me' 7,jer #cb3dj74 ,but now ,i say1 ,god's dealing with the non-elect1 is far otherwise1 they being under the consideration of eternal justice1 even then when in the enjoyment of present grace and mercy4 ,and hence it is that as to their standing before the ,god of heaven1 they are counted dogs1 and sows1 and devils1 even then when before the elect of ,god themselves they are counted saints and brethren3 ',the dog is turned to his own vomit again1 and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire' 7#b ,peter #b3bb74 ,and the reason is1 because notwithstanding all their shew before the world1 their old nature and corruptions do still bear sway within1 which in time also1 according to the ordinary judgment of ,god1 is suffered so to shew itself1 that they are visible to saints that are elect1 as was the case of ,simon ,magus1 and that wicked apostate ,judas1 who 'went out from us1 but they were not of us2 for if they had been of us1 they would no doubt have continued with us3 but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us' 7#a ,john #b3ai74 ,they were not elect as we1 nor were they sanctified as the elect of ,god themselves2 wherefore eternal justice counts them the sons of perdition1 when under their profession4 ,and ,i say1 they being under this eternal justice1 it must needs have to do with them in the midst of their profession2 and because also it is much offended with them for conniving with their lust1 it taketh away from them1 and that most righteously1 those gifts and graces1 and benefits and privileges that present mercy gave them2 and not only so1 but cuts them off for their iniquity1 and layeth them under wrath for ever4 ,they 'have forsaken the right way1 saith ,god--following the way of ,baalam the son of ,bosor2--these are wells without water1 clouds that are carried with a tempest'2 trees whose fruit withereth1 without fruit1 twice dead1 plucked up by the roots1 'for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever' 7#b ,peter #b3e1af1ag2 ,jude #aa-ac2 ,john #ag3ab2 ,matt #ac3ab1 #be3bi2 ,mark #d3be2 ,luke #h3ah74 ,these things thus considered1 you see1 #a4 ,that there is present grace and present mercy1 eternal grace and eternal mercy4 #b4 ,that the elect are under eternal mercy1 and ,,that1 when under present justice2 and that the reprobate is under eternal justice1 and ,,that when under present mercy4 #c4 ,thus you see again1 that the non-elect perish by reason of sin1 notwithstanding present mercy1 because of eternal justice2 and that the elect are preserved from the death1 though they sin and are obnoxious to the strokes of present justice1 by reason of eternal mercy4 ,what shall we say then8 ,is there unrighteousness with ,god8 ,god forbid3 ',he hath mercy on whom he will have mercy1 and compassion on whom he will have compassion' 7,rom #i3ae74 ,,footnotes3 #a ',shedding words' means 'scattering or spreading words1' as in ,acts #b3cc2 now obsolete4--,ed4 #b ,as election took place before the creation of man--all men in ,adam were decreed1 made and turned into the world upright4--,ed4 #c ',prevents our doing good4' ,few words in the ,english language have more altered in their meaning than 'prevent'2 it is derived from 'praevenio1' to go before4 ,in ,bunyan's time1 it meant 'to go before1' 'clear the way1' 'make the way easy' for our doing good4 ,its present meaning is 'to obstruct1' by going or standing before us4--,ed4 #d ,they who diligently attend to the scriptures1 will find throughout the whole a vein of election and reprobation4 ,the holy seed may be traced in many instances1 and in divers families1 in the ,bible1 from ,adam to the birth of our ,saviour1 whose ancestors1 according to the flesh1 were of the line of election or the godly2 which those who are only born after the flesh1 and not after the ,spirit1 namely1 the reprobate1 have always despised and persecuted1 and will do so to the end of time--,mason and ,ryland4 #e ,it is of ,god's mere mercy and grace that any sinners are called and admitted to the privilege of justification and adoption1 upon ,god's own terms4 ,the reason why the sinful and unworthy heathen 7of whom ,britain is a part7 were called to be a people1 who were not a people1 while the ,jews were left out and cast off for their obstinate unbelief1 was not because the ,gentiles were either more worthy or more willing 7for they were all dead in trespasses and sins71 but from ,god's discriminating grace and mercy4--,mason and ,ryland4 #f ,the final condemnation of the wicked does not spring from ,god's sovereign will to destroy any of his rational creatures2 this is evident from the many pressing invitations1 declarations1 and promises in the word of ,god3 for ,jehovah swears by his great self1 that he desires not the death of a sinner4 ,our ,lord assigns the cause of reprobation in these words1 7,john #e3dj7 ',ye will not come unto me1 that ye might have life'2 wherefore ,christ1 the only remedy for their cure1 being rejected1 the sinner is condemned1 and rendered the object of wrath and punishment by the law and justice of ,god2 because the same word of truth which says1 ',whosoever will1 let him come1 and take of the water of life freely1' also says1 ',the soul that sinneth or lives and dies in sin unpardoned shall die4' ,thus sin is the object of ,god's hatred1 and not the man1 abstractedly considered4 ,may we therefore each of us have grace to look to ,christ for full and complete salvation1 who hath put away sin by the sacrifice of himself1 whereby he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified6--,ryland and ,mason4 #g ',secret things belong to ,god1 but those that are revealed belong to us4' ,it is a vain thing for men to cavil at the doctrine of peculiar election1 and to quarrel with ,god for choosing some1 and passing by others4 ,their best way would be to assure themselves of their own election1 by using the means1 and walking in the ways of ,god's appointment1 as laid down in the word1 and then they will find that ,god cannot deny himself1 but will make good to them every promise therein2 and thus1 by scripture evidence1 they will find that they are elected unto life1 and will be thankful and humble4 ,they will then find that an hearty affectionate trusting in ,christ for all his salvation1 as freely promised to us1 hath naturally enough in it to work in our souls a natural bent and inclination to1 and ability for1 the practice of all holiness4--,ryland and ,mason4 #h ,none are excluded the benefit of the great and precious salvation procured and finished by the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 but they1 who by perverseness1 unbelief1 and impenitency1 exclude themselves4 ,sinners1--miserable1 helpless1 and hopeless sinners1 are the objects of this salvation3 whosoever is enabled to see1 in the light of ,god's ,spirit1 their wretched and forlorn state2 to feel their want of ,christ as a suitable ,saviour1 and to repent and forsake their sins1 shall find mercy2 for ',god is no respecter of persons' 7,acts #aj3cd74--,ryland and ,mason4 #i ,as the same sun which softens the wax1 hardens the clay1 so it is with the preached gospel1 which is to some 'the savour of death unto death1 and to others the savour of life unto life' 7#b ,cor #b3af74 ,the gospel is ineffectual to any saving purpose respecting the reprobate2 partly through pride1 and in not enduring to be reproved by it2 partly through slothfulness1 in not coming under the sound of it2 and principally through cursed infidelity1 in not believing the gracious message it brings4 ,let it be well attended to1 that all who hear the gospel1 are obliged to the duty of believing1 as well as to all the duties of the moral law1 and that before they know their particular election2 for we cannot have a certain knowledge of our election to eternal life before we do believe3 it is a thing hidden in the unsearchable counsel of ,god1 until it be manifest by our effectual calling1 and believing on ,christ2 therefore we must believe on ,christ before we know our election2 or else we shall never know it1 and shall never believe4 ,all joy1 peace1 comfort1 assurances1 are communicated to the soul in the way of believing4 ,may the ,lord give and increase saving faith6--,mason and ,ryland4 999999 ,,questions ,,about ,,the ,,nature ,,and ,,perpetuity ,,of ,,the ,,seventh-,,day ,,sabbath4 ,,and ,,proof1 ,,that ,,the ,,first ,,day ,,of ,,the ,,week ,,is ,,the ,,true ,,christian ,,sabbath4 ,,by ,,john ,,bunyan4 ',the ,son of man is lord also of the ,sabbath day4' ,london3 ,printed for ,nath1 ,ponder1 at the ,peacock in the ,poultry1 #afhe4 ,,editor',s ,,advertisement4 ,all our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally1 solemnly1 prayerful4 ,to 'prove all things1' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good1' is a precept1 equally binding upon the clown1 as it is upon the philosopher4 ,satisfied from our observations of nature1 that there is a ,god2 our next inquiry is into the revelation of his will3 which1 when understood1 must be implicitly obeyed1 in defiance of any usages of society1 and of every erroneous pre-conceived opinion4 ,in this important investigation1 we shall find1 that the commands of ,god revealed to man1 fall under two classes4 ,first1 ,moral and ,eternal1 being essential to the happiness of all created intelligences1 whether pure or sinful4 ,as1 the fear and love of the ,creator1 who preserves and bountifully blesses his creatures2 and flowing from this is love to all his creation4 ,he who wantonly destroys life in order that he may glut a demoniac propensity with the agonizing death struggle1 is a practical atheist4 ,the ,christian will cherish and promote the happiness of all2 he dares only to take away life to preserve life4 ,second1 ,ceremonial or ,temporal4 ,those which have been commanded by ,god1 for local1 family or national observances1 and which1 when they have fulfilled their intended object1 are removed or suffered gradually to die away4 ,the well-being of society requires that a portion of time be set apart for divine worship4 ,individuals are commanded to pray without ceasing4 ,an invaluable custom leads families to unite in morning and evening prayer2 and it is an important question whether the ,creator having sanctified1 and rested on1 the seventh day1 intended that rest as a pattern to all his rational creatures4 ,if so1 the seventh day must depend upon our being able to fix upon which day of the week the creation commenced4 ,again our inquiries will extend to those injunctions1 given to the ,jews in the wilderness1 to sanctify certain days to public worship2 and whether that law was intended for all mankind4 ,in either case it is essential that we ascertain whether those various ,sabbaths of weeks--of months or of years--with the ceremonies to be performed on them1 were to continue to the end of time or for a limited period4 ,in all these inquiries we are strictly confined to revelation1 for there is no indication in nature1 or in any of its laws1 of a day of rest2 but on the contrary a state of progression marks every day alike4 ,our ,lord has taught us that 'the ,sabbath was made for man1' and therefore did not exist among the angels1 prior to the creation of man1 as all moral or universal obligations must have existed2 for they are the same from eternity to eternity2 and over this1 like other ceremonial or local commands1 the ,creator claims dominion4 ',the ,son of man is ,lord also of the ,sabbath4' ,researches into these questions were made in earlier times1 and some curious calculations have appeared to prove1 that the work of creation commenced on the day called ,monday1 so that what is now termed the first day of the week1 was originally the rest of ,god from creation2 as it was his rest from the work of redemption1 by rising from the tomb4 ,but the extent of that period called a day1 in creation1 has never been defined3 and the terms 'work' or 'rest1' as applied to the ,deity1 are used in condescension to our finite powers4 ,the controversy upon this subject assumed a more public and definite form at the ,reformation4 ,sir ,thomas ,more asserted that the seventh day was superseded by the first1 in obedience to tradition3#a it forms the first of the five commandments of ,holy ,church--',the ,sundays hear thou mass4' ,william ,tyndale1 in reply1 contends that 'we be lords over the ,sabbath'2 we may change it for ,monday1 or any other day1 as we see need1 or have two every week1 if one is not enough to teach the people4#b ,calvin preferred a daily assembling of the church1 but if that was impossible1 then at stated intervals3 his words are--',since the ,sabbath is abrogate1 ,i do not so rest upon the number of seven1 that ,i would bind the church to the bondage thereof2 neither will ,i condemn those churches that have other solemn days for their meetings4'#c ,luther considers the observance of the ,jewish ,sabbath one of the 'weak and beggarly rudiments4'#d ,the controversy became still more popular in this country1 when ,james the ,first and ,charles the ,first put forth the book of sports to be allowed and encouraged on ,sundays4 ,the ,puritans called ,sunday ',the ,sabbath1' and a voluminous contest was carried on as to whether it ought not rather to be called ',the ,lord's day4' ,in #afbh1 ,mr4 ,brabourne1 a clergyman of note1 kept the ,jewish ,sabbath1 and in a short time several churches1 in ,england1 assembled on that day1 and were called 'seventh day1 or ,sabbath keepers'--many of them were ,baptists4 ,this led to the controversy in which ,bunyan took his part1 in this very conclusive and admirable treatise4 ,the work was first published in the year #afhe1 and was not reprinted until the year #ahjf1 when it appeared in the third volume of select works by ,john ,bunyan2 since then it has been reprinted in two ,american editions of his works4 ,the reason why it was not republished1 probably was1 that the churches of the ,sabbath keepers died away4 ,at this time only three are known in ,england2 one of these is at ,millyard1 ,london1 where my talented antiquarian friend1 ,w4 ,h4 ,black1 is elder and pastor4 ,these places of worship are supported by an endowment4 ,bunyan's book does not appear to have been answered2 indeed1 it would require genius of no ordinary kind to controvert such conclusive evidence4 ,his arguments are1 that the appearances of nature shew no difference of days--that no ,sabbath or other day was set apart for worship before the giving of the ,law at ,sinai4 ',thou camest down also upon ,mount ,sinai1 and madest ,,known unto them thy holy ,sabbaths1 by the hand of ,moses' 7,neh #i3ac1ad74 ',the seventh day is the ,sabbath of the ,lord thy ,god3 in it thou shalt not do any work--and remember that thou wast a servant in the land of ,egypt1 and that the ,lord thy ,god brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm1 ,,therefore the ,lord thy ,god commanded thee to keep the ,sabbath day' 7,deut #e3ad1ae74 ,while many crimes are mentioned in patriarchal times1 there is no complaint of ,sabbath-breaking4 ,we read of fratricide1 drunkenness1 lying1 unbelief1 theft1 idolatry1 slave-dealing1 and other crimes1 but no hint as to sanctifying or desecrating the ,sabbath4 ,at length1 a few days before the giving of the law1 a natural phenomenon announced to the ,jews the great change that was at hand--the manna fell in double quantity on ,friday1 and was not found on ,saturday4 ,so new was this that1 contrary to the command1 the people went out on the seventh day as on other days1 and were rebuked but not punished for it4 ,but no sooner is the ,sabbath instituted by ,moses1 than it is broken1 and the ,sabbath-breaker is punished with a cruel death4 ,it was instituted as a peculiar observance to distinguish the ,jews from all other nations--',the ,lord hath given ,,you the ,sabbath' 7,exo #af3ci74 ',the children of ,israel shall keep the ,sabbath' 7,exo #ca3af1ag74 ',i gave them the ,israelites who were delivered from ,egypt my ,sabbaths to be a sign between me and them' 7,eze #bj3ab74 ,ceremonies were commanded to be performed as the ,sabbath worship1 which cannot now be observed 7see ,lev #bd2 ,numb #bh3 ,neh #ac3bb2 ,eze #df3d74 ,the ,jewish ,sabbath was 'a shadow of things to come1 but the body is of ,christ' 7,col #b3af1ag74 ,the shadows have fled away2 we possess the substance4 ,the covenant of ,moses was written on stone--the new covenant is written on our hearts 7,heb #h3i1aj74 ,bunyan admits no uncertainty as to a fixed day for christian worship3 the law of nature requires it2 the ,god of nature fixes the day1 without borrowing it from the ministration of death4 ,the ,jewish passover and ,sabbaths are superseded2 ,christ our passover is slain1 and we have not an annual but a perpetual feast4 ,we have an infinitely greater deliverance to commemorate than that of the ,jews from ,egypt4 ,released from the dominion and punishment of sin1 we have entered into a rest boundless as eternity4 ,manna1 which never fell on the ,jewish ,sabbath1 falls in peculiar and rich abundance on the first day of the week1 when it first began to fall4 ,the first day is peculiarly sanctified and honoured of ,god4 ,on this day the ,son rested from ,his work of redemption 7,heb #d3aj74 ,he is ,lord of the ,sabbath1 and hath peculiarly blessed his own day4 ,on this day some of the saints that slept arose 7,matt #bg3eb1ec74 ,on this day ,christ was made the head of the corner1 and we will rejoice and be glad in it4 ,on the first day ,god begat his beloved ,son from the dead 7,acts #ac3cc74 ,let all the angels of ,god worship him 7,heb #a3f74 ,hence it is called the ,lord's day 7,rev #a3aj74 ,this day is the only one named upon which ,christ appeared to his disciples after his resurrection3 it was on the evening of the first day of the week1 and on the evening of the following eighth day1 that they assembled and ,christ appeared in the midst of them4 ,on this day he walked with his disciples to ,emmaus1 and made their hearts to burn within them with holy joy and wonder4 ,the marvels of the day of ,pentecost honoured the first day of the week4 ,on this day the first great conversion of 'about three thousand souls' took place4 ,on this day the disciples at ,jerusalem came together to break bread 7,acts #bj3g74 ,upon ,,the1 not ,a1 first day they broke bread2 and upon ,,the first day1 the collections were made for the poor saints 7#a ,cor #af3a1b74 ,with such concurrent and ample testimony we must conclude that the seventh day ,sabbath1 with its ,jewish ritual1 is dissolved1 and the first day has taken its place4 ,the ,saviour said1 ',it is finished'2 and from that moment to the end of the inspired volume1 the seventh day is swallowed up in the glories of the first day of the week4 ,let ,jews commemorate their temporal deliverance from ,pharaoh and ,egypt with their divers ceremonies2 but ,christians1 blessed with a foretaste of eternal glory1 will commemorate the resurrection of their ,lord1 as the first fruits of an unspeakable rest from the dominion of sin1 of ,satan1 and of hell4 ,our glorified ,redeemer sanctioned and blessed the first day1 with his personal appearance in the assemblies of his saints4 ,his inspired apostles kept it1 as it is recorded1 and thus it is sanctioned by the ,holy ,ghost2 and their descendants are bound to keep it to the end of the world4 ,go1 little treatise1 and carry conviction with thee4 ,emancipate the christian mind from all the beggarly rudiments of ,jewish rites and ceremonies4 ,add to the holy enjoyments of ,god's saints in public worship1 on the day when their eternal redemption is commemorated by the triumphant resurrection of their ,lord4--,,geo4 ,,offor4 ,,to ,,the ,,reader4 ,some may think it strange1 since ,god's church has already been so well furnished with sound grounds and reasons by so many wise and godly men1 for proof that the first day of the week is our true ,christian sabbath1 that ,i should now offer this small treatise upon the same account4 ,but when the scales are even by what already is put in1 a little more1 you know1 makes the weight the better4 ,or grant we had down weight before1 yet something over and above may make his work the harder1 that shall by hanging fictions on the other end1 endeavour to make things seem too light4 ,besides1 this book being little1 may best suit such as have but shallow purses1 short memories1 and but little time to spare1 which usually is the lot of the mean and poorer sort of men4 ,i have also written upon this subject1 for that ,i would1 as in other gospel truths1 be a fellow witness with good men that the day in which our ,lord rose from the dead should be much set by of ,christians4 ,i have observed that some1 otherwise sound in faith1 are apt to be entangled with a ,jewish sabbath1 c41 and that some also that are afar off from the observation of that1 have but little to say for their own practice1 though good2 and might ,i help them ,i should be glad4 ,a ,jewish seventh-day sabbath has no promise of grace belonging to it1 if that be true1 as to be sure it is1 where ,paul says1 ,the command to honour parents is the first commandment with promise 7,eph #f3a-c74 ,also it follows from hence1 that the sabbath that has a promise annexed to the keeping of it1 is rather that which the ,lord ,jesus shall give to the churches of the ,gentiles 7,isa #ef74 ,perhaps my method here may not in all things keep the common path of argumentation with them that have gone before me3 but ,i trust that the godly wise will find a taste of scripture truth in what ,i present them with as to the sanction of our ,christian sabbath4 ,i have here1 by handling four questions1 proved1 that the seventh day sabbath was not moral4 ,for that must of necessity be done1 before it can be made appear that the first day of the week is that which is the sabbath day for ,christians4 ,but withal it follows1 that if the seventh day sabbath was not moral1#e the first day is not so4 ,what is it then8 ,why1 a sabbath for holy worship is moral2 but this or that day appointed for such service1 is sanctified by precept or by approved example4 ,the timing then of a sabbath for us lies in ,god1 not man2 in grace1 not nature2 nor in the ministration of death1 written and engraven in stones3 ,god always reserving to himself a power to alter and change both time and modes of worship according to his own will4 ,a sabbath then1 or day of rest from worldly affairs to solemnize worship to ,god in1 all good men do by nature conclude is meet2 yea1 necessary3 yet that1 not nature1 but ,god reveals4 ,nor is that day or time by ,god so fixed on1 in its own nature1 better than any other3 the holiness then of a sabbath lies1 not in the nature or place of a day1 but in the ordinance of ,god4 ,nor doth our sanctifying of it1 to the ends for which it is ordained1 lie in a bare confession that it is such2 but in a holy performance of the duty of the day to ,god by ,christ1 according to his word4 ,but ,i will not enlarge to detain the reader longer from the following sheets2 but shall commit both him and them to the wise dispose of ,god1 and rest1 ,thine to serve thee1 ,,joh4 ,,bunyan4 ,,questions ,,about ,,the ,,nature ,,and ,,perpetuity ,,of ,,the ,,seventh-,,day ,,sabbath4 ,,question ,i4 ,whether the seventh day sabbath is of1 or made known to1 man by the law and light of nature8 ,something must be here premised before ,i show the grounds of this question4 ,first then1 by the law or light of nature1 ,i mean that law which was concreate with man2 that which is natural to him1 being original with1 and essential to1 himself2 consequently1 that which is invariable and unalterable1 as is that nature4 ,secondly1 ,i grant that by this law of nature1 man understands that there is one eternal ,god2 that this ,god is to be worshiped according to his own will2 consequently1 that time must be allowed to do it in3 but whether the law or light of nature teacheth1 and that of itself1 without the help of revelation1 that the seventh day of the week is that time sanctified of ,god1 and set apart for his worship1 that is the question2 and the grounds of it are these3 ,first1 ,because the law of nature is antecedent to this day1 yea completed as a law before it was known or revealed to man1 that ,god either did or would sanctify the seventh day of the week at all4 ,now this law1 as was said1 being natural to a man1 for man is a law unto himself 7,rom #b71 could only teach the things of a man1 and there the ,apostle stints it 7#a ,cor #b3aa74 ,but to be able to determine1 and that about things that were yet without being1 either in nature or by revelation1 is that which belongs not to a man as a man2 and the seventh day sabbath1 as yet1 was such4 ,for ,adam was completely made the day before2 and ,god did not sanctify the seventh day before it was1 none otherwise than by his secret decree4 ,therefore1 by the law of nature1 ,adam understood it not1 it was not made known to him thereby4 ,second1 ,to affirm the contrary1 is to make the law of nature supernatural1 which is an impossibility4 ,yea1 they that do so make it a predictor1 a prophet2 a prophet about divine things to come2 yea1 a prophet able to foretell what shall be1 and that without a revelation2 which is a strain that never yet prophet pretended to4 ,besides1 to grant this1 is to run into a grievous error2 for this doth not only make the law of nature the first of prophets1 contrary to ,genesis #c3aj compared with ,john #a3a but it seems to make the will of ,god1 made known by revelation1 a needless thing4 ,for if the law of nature1 as such1 can predict1 or foretell ,god's secrets1 and that before he reveals them1 and this law of nature is universal in every individual man in the world1 what need is there of particular prophets1 or of their holy writings8 ,and indeed here the ,quakers and others split themselves4 ,for if the law of nature can of itself reveal unto me one thing pertaining to instituted worship1 for that we are treating of now1 and the exact time which ,god has not yet sanctified and set apart for the performance thereof1 why may it not reveal unto me more1 and so still more2 and at last all that is requisite for me to know1 both as to my salvation1 and how ,god is to be worshiped in the church on earth4 ,third1 ,if it be of the law of nature1 then all men by nature are convinced of the necessity of keeping it1 and that though they never read or heard of the revealed will of ,god about it2 but this we find not in the world4 ,for though it is true that the law of nature is common to all1 and that all men are to this day under the power and command thereof2 yet we find not that they are by nature under the conviction of the necessity of keeping of a seventh day sabbath4 ,yea1 the ,gentiles1 though we read not that they ever despised the law of nature1 yet never had1 as such1 a reverence of a seventh day sabbath1 but rather the contrary4 ,fourth1 ,if therefore the seventh day sabbath is not of the law of nature1 then it should seem not to be obligatory to all4 ,for instituted worship1 and the necessary circumstances thereunto belonging1 is obligatory but to some4 ,the tree that ,adam was forbid to eat of1 we read not but that his children might have eat the fruit thereof3 and circumcision1 the passover1 and other parts of instituted worship was enjoined but to some4 ,fifth1 ,i doubt the seventh day sabbath is not of the law of nature1 and so not moral2 because though we read that the law of nature1 and that before ,moses1 was charged upon the world1 yet ,i find not till then1 that the profanation of a seventh day sabbath was charged upon the world3 and indeed to me this very thing makes a great scruple in the case4 ,a law1 as ,i said1 we read of1 and that from ,adam to ,moses 7,rom #e3ac1ad74 ,the transgressions also of that law1 we read of them1 and that particularly1 as in ,genesis #d3h1 #f3e1 #i3ba1 #bb1 #ab3ac1 #ac3ac1 #ah3ab-ae1 #ai3e2 7,eze #af3di1ejf72 ,genesis #ca3cj1 #ce3b1 #dj3ae1 #dd3h-aj2 ,deuteronomy #h3ai1 #bj1 #ab3b2 ,psalm #ajf3ce-cg and ,romans the first and second chapters4 ,but in all the scriptures we do not read1 that the breach of a seventh day sabbath was charged upon men as men all that time4 ,whence ,i gather1 that either a seventh day sabbath was not discerned by the light of nature1 and so not by that law imposed2 or else1 that men by the help and assistance of that1 for we speak of men as men1#g in old time kept it better1 than in after ages did the church of ,god with better assistance by far4 ,for they are there yet found fault with as breakers of the sabbath 7,eze #bj3ac74 ,it follows therefore1 that if the law of nature doth not of itself reveal to us1 as men1 that the seventh day is the holy sabbath of ,god4 ,that that day1 as to the sanction of it1 is not moral1 but rather arbitrary1 to wit1 imposed by the will of ,god upon his people1 until the time he thought fit to change it for another day4 ,and if so1 it is hence to be concluded1 that though by the light of nature men might see that time must be allowed and set apart for the performance of that worship that ,god would set up in his house1 yet1 as such1 it could not see what time the ,lord would to that end choose4 ,nature therefore saw that1 by a positive precept1 or a word revealing it1 and by no other means4 ,nor doth this at all take away a whit of that sanction which ,god once put upon the seventh day sabbath2 unless any will say1 and by sufficient argument prove1 that an ordinance for divine worship receiveth greater sanction from the law of nature than from a divine precept3 or standeth stronger when it is established by a law humane1 for such is the law of nature1 than when imposed by revelation of ,god4 ,but the text will put this controversy to an end4 ,the sanction of the seventh day sabbath1 even as it was the rest of ,god1 was not till after the law of nature was completed2 ,god rested the seventh day and sanctified it 7,gen #b3c74 ,sanctified it2 that is1 set it apart to the end there mentioned1 to wit1 to rest thereon4 ,other grounds of this question ,i might produce1 but at present ,i will stop here1 and conclude1 ,that if a seventh day sabbath was an essential necessary to the instituted worship of ,god1 then itself also as to its sanction for that work1 was not founded but by a positive precept2 consequently not known of man at first1 but by revelation of ,god4 ,,question ,,ii4 ,whether the seventh day sabbath1 as to man's keeping of it holy1 was ever made known to1 or imposed by1 a positive precept upon him until the time of ,moses8 which from ,adam was about two thousand years4 ,something must also be here premised1 in order to my propounding of my grounds for this question2 and that is1 ,that the seventh day was sanctified so soon as it had being in the world1 unto the rest of ,god1 as it is ,genesis #b3b1 #c and he did rest1 from all his works which he had made therein4 ,but the question is1 ,whether when ,god did thus sanctify this day to his own rest1 he did also by the space of time above-mentioned1 impose it as an holy sabbath of rest upon men2 to the end they might solemnize worship to him in special manner thereon8 ,and ,i question this1 ,first1 ,because we read not that it was4 ,and reading1 ,i mean1 of the divine testimony1 is ordained of ,god1 for us to find out the mind of ,god1 both as to faith and our performance of acceptable service to him4 ,in reading also1 we are to have regard to two things4 ,i4 ,to see if we can find a precept3 or1 ,,ii4 ,a countenanced practice for what we do4 ,for both these ways we are to search1 that we may find out what is that good1 that acceptable will of ,god4 ,for the first of these we have ,genesis #b3af1 #ag and for the second1 ,genesis #h3bj1 #ba as to public worship but not on a stated day4 ,now as to the imposing of a seventh day sabbath upon men from ,adam to ,moses1 of that we find nothing in holy writ either from precept or example4 ,true1 we find that solemn worship was performed by the saints that then lived3 for both ,abel1 ,noah1 ,abraham1 ,isaac1 ,jacob1 sacrificed unto ,god 7,gen #d3d1 #h3bj1ba1 #ab3g1 #ac3d1 #ce3a71 but we read not that the seventh day was the time prefixed of ,god for their so worshipping1 or that they took any notice of it4 ,some say1 that ,adam in eating the forbidden fruit1 brake also the seventh day sabbath1 because he fell on that day2#h but we read not that the breach of a sabbath was charged upon him4 ,that which we read is this2 ',hast thou eaten of the tree1 whereof ,i commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat8' 7,gen #c3aa74 ,some say also that ,cain killed ,abel on a sabbath day2#i but we read not that1 in his charge1 ,god laid any such thing at his door4 ,this was it of which he stood guilty before ,god2 namely1 ,that his brother's blood cried unto ,god against him from the ground 7,gen #d3aj74 ,i therefore take little notice of what a man saith1 though he flourisheth his matter with many brave words1 if he bring not with him1 ',thus saith the ,lord4' ,for that1 and that only1 ought to be my ground of faith as to how my ,god would be worshiped by me4 ,for in the matters material to the worship of ,god1 it is safest that thus ,i be guided in my judgment3 for here only ,i perceive 'the footsteps of the flock' 7,cant #a3h2 ,eze #c3aa74 ,they say further1 that for ,god to sanctify a thing1 is to set it apart4 ,this being true2 then it follows1 that the seventh day sabbath was sanctified1 that is1 set apart for ,adam in paradise2 and so1 that it was ordained a sabbath of rest to the saints from the beginning4 ,but ,i answer1 as ,i hinted before1 that ,god did sanctify it to his own rest4 ',the ,,lord also hath set apart him that is godly for himself4' ,but again1 it is one thing for ,god to sanctify this or that thing to an use1 and another thing to command that that thing be forthwith in being to us4 ,as for instance3 the land of ,canaan was set apart many years for the children of ,israel before they possessed that land4 ,christ ,jesus was long sanctified2 that is1 set apart to be our redeemer before he sent him into the world 7,deut #cb3h2 ,john #aj3cf74 ,if then1 by ,god's sanctifying of the seventh day for a sabbath1 you understand it for a sabbath for man1 7but the text saith not so7 yet it might be so set apart for man1 long before it should be1 as such1 made known unto him4 ,and that the seventh day sabbath was not as yet made known to men4 ,second1 ,consider secondly1 ,moses himself seems to have the knowledge of it at first1 not by tradition1 but by revelation2 as it is ,exodus #af3bc1 ',this is that saith he which the ,lord hath said1 namely to me2 for we read not1 as yet1 that he said it to any body else4 ,to morrow is the sabbath of the holy rest unto the ,lord4' ,also holy ,nehemiah suggesteth this1 when he saith of ,israel to ,god1 ,thou 'madest known unto them thy holy sabbath by the hand of ,moses thy servant' 7,neh #i3ad74 ,the first of these texts shews us1 that tidings of a seventh day sabbath for men1 came first to ,moses from heaven3 and the second1 that it was to ,israel before unknown4 ,but how could be either the one or the other1 if the seventh day sabbath was taught to men by the light of nature1 which is the moral law8 ,or if from the beginning it was given to men by a positive precept for to be kept4 ,this therefore strengtheneth my doubt about the affirmative of the first question1 and also prepareth an argument for what ,i plead as to this we have now under consideration4 ,third1 ,this yet seems to me more scrupulous1 because that the punishment due to the breach of the seventh day sabbath was hid from men to the time of ,moses2 as is clear1 for that it is said of the breaker of the sabbath1 ',they put him in ward1 because it was not as yet declared what should be done to him' 7,num #ae3cb-cf74 ,but methinks1 had this seventh day sabbath been imposed upon men from the beginning1 the penalty or punishment due to the breach thereof had certainly been known before now4 ,when ,adam was forbidden to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil1 the penalty was then1 if he disobeyed1 annexed to the prohibition4 ,so also it was as to circumcision1 the passover1 and other ordinances for worship4 ,how then can it be thought1 that the seventh day sabbath should be imposed upon men from the beginning2 and that the punishment for the breach thereof1 should be hid with ,god for the space of two thousand years6 7,gen #b3af1ag1 #ag3ac1ad2 ,exo #ab3dc-dh7 and the same chapter 7v #ai74 ,fourth1 ,god's giving of the seventh day sabbath was with respect to stated and stinted worship in his church2 the which1 until the time of ,moses1 was not set up among his people4 ,things till then were adding or growing3 now a sacrifice1 then circumcision1 then again long after that the passover1 c4 ,but when ,israel was come into the wilderness1 there to receive as ,god's congregation1 a stated1 stinted1 limited way of worship1 then he appoints them a time1 and times1 to perform this worship in2 but as ,i said afore1 before that it was not so1 as the whole five books of ,moses plainly shew3 wherefore the seventh day sabbath1 as such a limited day cannot be moral1 or of the law of nature1 nor imposed till then4 ,and methinks ,christ ,jesus and his apostles do plainly enough declare this very thing4 ,for that when they repeat unto the people1 or expound before them the moral law1 they quite exclude the seventh day sabbath4 ,yea1 ,paul makes that law to us complete without it4 ,we will first touch upon what ,christ doth in this case4 ,as in his sermon upon the mount 7,matt #e-g74 ,in all that large and heavenly discourse upon this law1 you have not one syllable about the seventh day sabbath4 ,so when the young man came running1 and kneeling1 and asking what good thing he should do to inherit eternal life1 ,christ bids him keep the commandments2 but when the young man asked which2 ,christ quite leaves out the seventh day1 and puts him upon the other4 ,as in ,matthew #ai3af-ai4 ,as in ,mark #aj3ag-bj4 ,as in ,luke #ah3ah-bj4 ,you will say1 he left out the first1 and second1 and third likewise4 ,to which ,i say1 that was because the young man by his question did presuppose that he had been a doer of them3 for he professed in his supplication1 that he was a lover of that which is naturally good1 which is ,god1 in that his petition was so universal for every thing which he had commanded4 ,paul also when he makes mention of the moral law1 quite leaves out of that the very name of the seventh day sabbath1 and professeth1 that to us ,christians the law of nature is complete without it4 ,as in ,romans #c3g-ai4 ,as in ,romans #ac3g-aj4 ,as in #a ,timothy #a3h-aa4 ',he that loveth another1 saith he1 hath fulfiled the law4 ,for this1 ,thou shalt not commit adultery1 ,thou shalt not kill1 ,thou shalt not steal1 ,thou shalt not covet2 and if there be any other commandment1 it is briefly comprehended in this saying1 ,thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself4 ,love worketh no ill to his neighbour3 therefore love is the fulfilling of the law4' ,i make not an argument of this1 but take an occasion to mention it as ,i go4 ,but certainly1 had the seventh day sabbath been moral1 or of the law of nature1 as some would fain persuade themselves1 it would not so slenderly have been passed over in all these repetitions of this law1 but would by ,christ or his apostles have been pressed upon the people1 when so fair an opportunity as at these times offered itself unto them4 ,but they knew what they did1 and wherefore they were so silent as to the mention of a seventh day sabbath when they so well talked of the law as moral4 ,fifth1 ,moses and the prophet ,ezekiel both1 do fully confirm what has been insinuated by us2 to wit1 that the seventh day1 as a sabbath1 was not imposed upon men until ,israel was brought into the wilderness4 #a4 ,moses saith to ,israel1 ',remember that thou wast a servant int he land of ,egypt1 and that the ,lord thy ,god brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm3 ,,therefore the ,lord thy ,god commanded thee to keep the sabbath day4' ,yea1 he tells us1 that the covenant which ,god made with them in ,horeb1 that written in stones1 was not made with their forefathers1 to wit1 ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob1 but with them 7,deut #e3a-ae74 #b4 ,ezekiel also is punctual as to this3 ,i caused them1 saith ,god by that prophet1 'to go forth out of the land of ,egypt1 and brought them into the wilderness4 ,and ,i gave them my statutes1 and shewed them my judgments1 which if a man do1 he shall even live in them4 ,moreover also ,i gave them my sabbaths1 to be a sign between me and them1 that they might know that ,i am the ,lord that sanctify them' 7,eze #bj3aj-ab2 ,exo #bj3h1 #ca3ac1 #ce3b74 ,what can be more plain8 ,and these to be sure1 are two notable witnesses of ,god1 who1 as you see1 do jointly concur in this2 to wit1 ,that it was not from paradise1 nor from the fathers1 but from the wilderness1 and from ,sinai1 that men received the seventh day sabbath to keep it holy4 ,true1 it was ,god's sabbath before3 for on the first seventh day we read1 that ,god rested thereon1 and sanctified it4 ,hence he calls it in the first place1 ,,my sabbath4 ,i gave them my sabbath3 ,but it seems it was not given to the church till he had brought them into the wilderness4 ,but ,i say1 if it had been moral1 it had been natural to man2 and by the light of nature men would have understood it1 even both before it was1 and otherwise4 ,but of this you see we read nothing1 either by positive law1 or countenanced example1 or any other way1 but rather the flat contrary2 to wit1 that ,moses had the knowledge of it first from heaven1 not by tradition4 ,that ,israel had it1 not of1 or from their fathers1 but in the wilderness1 from him1 to wit1 ,moses1 after he had brought them out of the land of ,egypt4 ,and that that whole law in which this seventh day sabbath is placed1 was given for the bounding and better ordering of them in their church state for their time1 till the ,messias should come and put1 by a better ministration1 this out of his church1 as we shall further shew anon4 ,the seventh day sabbath therefore was not from paradise1 nor from nature1 nor from the fathers1 but from t he wilderness1 and from ,sinai4 ,,question ,,iii4 ,whether when the seventh day sabbath was given to ,israel in the wilderness the ,gentiles1 as such1 was concerned therein4 ,before ,i shew my ground for this question1 ,i must also first premise1 ,that the ,gentiles1 as such1 were then without the church of ,god1 and pale thereof2 consequently had nothing to do with the essentials or necessary circumstances of that worship which ,god had set up for himself now among the children of ,israel4 ,now then for the ground of the question4 ,first1 we read not that ,god gave it to any but to the seed of ,jacob4 ,hence it is said to ,israel1 and to ,israel only1 ',the ,lord hath given ,,you the sabbath' 7,exo #af3bi74 ,and again1 'also ,i gave ,,them my sabbath' 7,eze #bj3e1ab74 ,now1 if the gift of the seventh day sabbath was only to ,israel1 as these texts do more than seem to say2 then to the ,gentiles1 as such1 it was not given4 ,unless any shall conclude1 that ,god by thus doing preferred the ,jew to a state of gentileism2 or that he bestowed on them1 by thus doing1 some high ,gentile privilege4 ,but this would be very fictious4 ,for1 to lay aside reason1 the text always1 as to preference1 did set the ,jew in the first of places 7,rom #b3aj74 ,nor was his giving the seventh day sabbath to them but a sign and token thereof4 ,but the great objection is1 because the seventh day sabbath is found amongst the rest of those precepts which is so commonly called the moral law2 for thence it is concluded to be of a perpetual duration4 ,but ,i answer3 ,that neither that as given on ,sinai is moral2 ,i mean1 as to the manner and ends of its ministration1 of which1 ,god permitting1 we shall say more in our answer to the fourth question1 whither ,i direct you for satisfaction4 ,but1 ,second1 ,the ,gentiles could not be concerned1 as such1 with ,god's giving of a seventh day sabbath to ,israel1 because1 as ,i have shewed before1 it was given to ,israel1 considered as a church of ,god 7,acts #g3cb74 ,nor was it given to them1 as such1 but with rites and ceremonies thereto belonging1 so ,leviticus #bd3e-i2 ,numbers #bh3i1 #aj2 ,nehemiah #ac3bb2 ,ezekiel #df3d4 ,now1 ,i say1 if this sabbath hath ceremonies thereto belonging1 and if these ceremonies were essential to the right keeping of the sabbath3 and again1 if these ceremonies were given to ,israel only1 excluding all but such as were their proselytes1 then this sabbath was given to them as excluding the ,gentiles as such4 ,but if it had been moral1 the ,gentiles could as soon have been deprived of their nature as of a seventh day sabbath1 though the ,jews should have appropriated it unto themselves only4 ,again1 to say that ,god gave this seventh day sabbath to the ,gentiles1 as such1 7and yet so he must1 if it be of the moral law7 is as much as to say1 that ,god hath ordained that that sabbath should be kept by the ,gentiles without2 but by the ,jews1 not without her ceremonies4 ,and what conclusion will follow from hence1 but that ,god did at one and the same time set up two sorts of acceptable worships in the world3 one among the ,jews1 another among the ,gentiles6 ,but how ridiculous such a thought would be1 and how repugnant to the wisdom of ,god1 you may easily perceive4 ,yea1 what a diminution would this be to ,god's church that then was1 for one to say1 the ,gentiles were to serve ,god with more liberty than the ,jew6 ,for the law was a yoke1 and yet the ,gentile is called the dog1 and said to be without ,god in the world 7,deut #g3g2 ,psa #adg3ai1bj2 ,matt #ae3bf2 ,eph #b3aa1ab74 ,third1 ,when the ,gentiles1 at the ,jews' return from ,babylon1 came and offered their wares to sell to the children of ,israel at ,jerusalem on this sabbath2 yea1 and sold them to them too3 yet not they1 but the ,jews were rebuked as the only breakers of that sabbath4 ,nay1 there dwelt then at ,jerusalem men of ,tyre1 that on this sabbath sold their commodities to the ,jews1 and men of ,judah3 yet not they1 but the men of ,judah1 were contended with1 as the breakers of this sabbath4 ,true1 good ,nehemiah did threaten the ,gentiles that were merchants1 for lying then about the walls of the city1 for that by that means they were a temptation to the ,jews to break their sabbaths2 but still he charged the breach thereof only upon his own people 7,neh #ac3ae-bj74 ,but can it be imagined1 had the ,gentiles now been concerned with this sabbath by law divine1 that so holy a man as ,nehemiah would have let them escape without a rebuke for so notorious a transgression thereof2 especially considering1 that now also they were upon ,god's ground1 to wit1 within and without the walls of ,jerusalem4 ,fourth1 ,wherefore he saith to ,israel again1 ',verily my sabbaths ,,ye shall keep4' ,and again1 ',,ye shall keep the sabbath4' ,and again1 ',the children of ,israel shall keep the sabbath1 to observe the sabbath throughout ,,their generations' 7,exo #ca3ad-af1 #af3bi74aj ,what can be more plain1 these things thus standing int he testament of ,god1 than that the seventh day sabbath1 as such1 was given to ,israel1 to ,israel ,,only2 and that the ,gentiles1 as such1 were not concerned therein6 ,fifth1 ,the very reason also of ,god's giving of the seventh day sabbath to the ,jews1 doth exclude the ,gentiles1 as such1 from having any concern therein4 ,for it was given to the ,jews1 as was said before1 as they were considered ,god's church1 and for a sign and token by which they should know that he had chosen and sanctified them to himself for a peculiar people 7,exo #ca3ac-ag2 ,eze #bj3ab1ac74 ,and a great token and sign it was that he had so chosen them3 for in that he had given to them this sabbath1 he had given to them 7his own rest7 a figure and pledge of his sending his ,son into the world to redeem them from the bondage and slavery of the devil3 of which indeed this sabbath was a shadow or type 7,col #b3af1ag74aa ,thus have ,i concluded my ground for this third question4 ,i shall therefore now propound another4 ,,question ,,iv4 ,whether the seventh day sabbath did not fall1 as such1 with the rest of the ,jewish rites and ceremonies8 ,or whether that day1 as a sabbath1 was afterwards by the apostles imposed upon the churches of the ,gentiles8 ,i would now also1 before ,i shew the grounds of my proposing this question1 premise what is necessary thereunto2 to wit1 ,that time and day were both fixed upon by law1 for the solemn performance of divine worship among the ,jews2 and that time and day is also by law fixed1 for the solemnizing of divine worship to ,god in the churches of the ,gentiles4 ,but that the seventh day sabbath1 as such1 is that time1 that day1 that still ,i question4 ,now before ,i shew the grounds of my questioning of it1 ,i shall enquire into the nature of that ministration in the bowels of which this seventh day sabbath is placed4 ,and1 ,first1 ,i say1 as to that1 the nature of that law is moral1 but the ministration1 and circumstances thereunto belonging1 are shadowish and figurative4 ,by the nature of it1 ,i mean the matter thereof3 by the ministration and circumstances thereto belonging1 ,i do mean the giving of it by such hands1 at such a place and time1 in such a mode1 as when it was given to ,israel in the wilderness4 ,the matter therefore1 to wit1 ',thou shalt love the ,lord thy ,god with all thy heart1 and with all thy soul1 and with all thy mind1 and with all thy strength'3 and 'thy neighbour as thyself1' is everlasting 7,mark #ab3bi-ca71 and is not from ,sinai1 nor from the two tables of stone1 but in nature2 for this law commenced and took being and place that day in which man was created4 ,yea1 it was concreate with him1 and without it he cannot be a rational creature1 as he was in the day in which ,god created him4 ,but for the ministration of it from ,sinai1 with the circumstances belonging to that ministration1 they are not moral1 nor everlasting1 but shadowish and figurative only4 ,that ministration cannot be moral for three reasons4 #a4 ,it commenced not when morality commenced1 but two thousand years after4 #b4 ,it was not universal as the law1 as moral1 is2 it was given only to the church of the ,jews in those tables4 #c4 ,its end is past as such a ministration1 though the same law as to the morality thereof abides4 ,where are the tables of stone and this law as therein contained8 ,we only1 as to that1 have the notice of such a ministration1 and a rehearsal of the law1 with that mode of giving of it1 in the testament of ,god4 ,but to come to particulars4 #a4 ,the very preface to that ministration carrieth in it a type of our deliverance from the bondage of sin1 the devil1 and hell4 ,pharaoh1 and ,egypt2 and ,israel's bondage there1 being a type of these4 #b4 ,the very stones in which this law was engraven1 was a figure of the tables of the heart4 ,the first two were a figure of the heart carnal1 by which the law was broken3 the last two1 of the heart spiritual1 in which the new law1 the law of grace is written and preserved 7,exo #cd3a2 #b ,cor #c3c74 #c4 ,the very mount on which this ministration was given1 was typical of ,mount ,zion4 ,see ,hebrews #ab where they are compared 7vv #ah-bb74 #d4 ,yea1 the very church to whom that ministration was given1 was a figure of the church of the gospel that is on ,mount ,zion4 ,see the same scripture1 and compare it with ,acts #g3ch2 ,revelation #ad3a-e4 #e4 ,that ministration was given in the hand and by the disposition of angels1 to prefigure how the new law or ministration of the ,spirit was to be given afterwards to the churches under the ,new ,testament by the hands of the angel of ,god's everlasting covenant of grace1 who is his only begotten ,son 7,isa #fc3i2 ,mal #c3aab2 ,acts #c3bb1bc74 #f4 ,it was given to ,israel also in the hand of ,moses1 as mediator1 to shew1 or typify out1 that the law of grace was in after times to come to the church of ,christ by the hand and mediation of ,jesus our ,lord 7,gal #c3ai2 ,deut #e3e2 ,heb #h3f2 #a ,tim #b3e2 ,heb #i3ae1 #ab3bd74 #g4 ,as to this ministration1 it was to continue but 'till the seed should come'2 and then must1 as such1 give place to a better ministration 7,gal #c3ai74 ',a better covenant1 established upon better promises' 7,heb #h3f74 ,from all this therefore ,i conclude1 that there is a difference to be put between the morality of the law1 and the ministration of it upon ,sinai4 ,the law1 as to its morality was before2 but as to this ministration1 it was not till the church was with ,moses1 and he with the angels on ,mount ,sinai in the wilderness4 ,now in the law1 as moral1 we conclude a time propounded1 but no seventh day sabbath enjoined4 ,but in that law1 as thus ministered1 which ministration is already out of doors2#ac we find a seventh day2 that seventh day on which ,god rested1 on which ,god rested from all his works1 enjoined4 ,what is it then8 ,why the whole ministration as written and engraven in stones being removed1 the seventh day sabbath must also be removed2 for that the time nor yet the day1 was as to our holy sabbath1 or rest1 moral2 but imposed with that whole ministration1 as such1 upon the church1 until the time of reformation3 which time being come1 this ministration1 as ,i said1 as such1 ceaseth2 and the whole law1 as to the morality of it1 is delivered into the hand of ,christ1 who imposes it now also2 but not as a law of works1 nor as that ministration written and engrave in stones1 but as a rule of life to those that have believed in him 7#a ,cor #i3ba74 ,so then1 that law is still moral1 and still supposes1 since it teaches that there is a ,god1 that time must be set apart for his church to worship him in1 according to that will of his that he had revealed in his word4 ,but though by that law time is required2 yet by that1 as moral1 the time never was prefixed4 ,the time then of old was appointed by such a ministration of that law as we have been now discoursing of2 and when that ministration ceaseth1 that time did also vanish with it4 ,and now by our new law-giver1 the ,son of ,god1 he being 'lord also of the sabbath day1' we have a time prefixed1 as the law of nature requireth1 a new day1 by him who is the lord of it2 ,i say1 appointed1 wherein we may worship1 not in the oldness of that letter written and engraven in stones1 but according to1 and most agreeing with1 his new and holy testament4 ,and this ,i confirm further by those reasons that now shall follow4 ,first1 ,because we find not from the resurrection of ,christ to the end of the ,bible1 anything written by which is imposed that seventh day sabbath upon the churches4 ,time1 as ,i said1 the law as moral requires2 but that time we find no longer imposed4 ,and in all duties pertaining to ,god and his true worship in his churches1 we must be guided by his laws and testaments4 ,by his old laws1 when his old worship was in force2 and by his new laws1 when his new worship is in force4 ,and he hath verily now said1 ',behold1 ,i make all things new' 7,rev #ba3e74 ,second1 ,i find1 as ,i have shewed1 that this seventh day sabbath is confined1 not to the law of nature as such1 but to that ministration of it which was given on ,sinai3 which ministration as it is come to an end as such1 so it is rejected by ,paul as a ministration no ways capable of abiding in the church now1 since the ministration of the ,spirit also hath taken its place 7#b ,cor #c74 ,wherefore instead of propounding it to the churches with arguments tending to its reception1 he seeks by degrading it of its old lustre and glory1 to wean the churches from any likement#ad thereof3 #a4 ,by calling of it the ministration of death1 of the letter1 and of condemnation1 a term most frightful1 but no ways alluring to the godly4 #b4 ,by calling it a ministration that now has no glory1 by reason of the exceeding glory of that ministration under which by the ,holy ,spirit the ,new ,testament churches are4 ,and these are weaning considerations 7#b ,cor #c74 #c4 ,by telling of them it is a ministration that tendeth to blind the mind1 and to veil the heart as to the knowledge of their ,christ3 so that they cannot1 while under that1 behold his beauteous face1 but as their heart shall turn from it to him 7#b ,cor #c74 #d4 ,and that they might not be left in the dark1 but perfectly know what ministration it is that he means1 he saith expressly1 it is that 'written and engraven in stones4' ,see again #b ,corinthians #c4 ,and in that ministration it is that this seventh day sabbath is found4 ,but shall we think that the apostle speaks any thing of all here said1 to wean saints off from the law of nature1 as such6 ,no verily1 that he retains in the church1 as being managed there by ,christ3 but ,,this ministration is dangerous now1 because it cannot be maintained in the church1 but in a way of contempt to the ministration of the ,spirit1 and is derogatory to the glory of that4 ,now these1 as ,i said1 are weaning considerations4 ,no man1 ,i do think1 that knows himself1 or the glory of a gospel ministration1 can1 if he understands what ,paul says here1 desire that such a ministration should be retained in the churches4 ,third4 ,this seventh day sabbath has lost its ceremonies 7those unto which before you are cited by the texts7 which was with it imposed upon the old church for her due performance of worship to ,god thereon4 ,how then can this sabbath now be kept8 ,kept1 ,i say1 according to law4 ,for if the church on which it was first imposed1 was not to keep it1 yea1 could not keep it legally without the practising of those ceremonies3 and if those ceremonies are long ago dead and gone1 how will those that pretend to a belief of a continuation of the sanction thereof1 keep it1 ,i say1 according as it is written8 ,if they say1 they retain the day1 but change their manner of observation thereof2 ,i ask1 who has commanded them so to do8 ,this is one of the laws of this sabbath4 ',thou shalt take fine flour1 and bake twelve cakes thereof3 two tenth deals shall be in one cake4 ,and thou shalt set them in two rows1 six on a row1 upon the pure table before the ,lord4 ,and thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row1 that it may be on the bread for a memorial1 even an offering made by fire unto the ,lord4 ,every sabbath he shall set it in order before the ,lord continually1 being taken from the children of ,israel by an everlasting covenant' 7,lev #bd3e-h74 ,you may see also other places1 as ,numbers #bh3i1 #aj2 ,nehemiah #ac3bb and ,ezekiel #df3d4 ,now if these be the laws of the sabbath1 this seventh day sabbath2 and if ,god did never command that this sabbath should by his church be sanctified without them3 and1 as was said before1 if these ceremonies have been long since dead and buried1 how must this sabbath be kept8 ,let men take heed1 lest while they plead for law1 and pretend themselves to be the only doers of ,god's will1#ae they be not found the biggest transgressors thereof4 ,and why can they not as well keep the other sabbaths8 ,as the sabbath of months1 of years1 and the jubilee8 ,for this1 as ,i have shewed1 is no moral precept1 it is only a branch of the ministration of death and condemnation4 ,fourth1 ,the seventh day sabbath1 as such1 was a sign and shadow of things to come2 and a sign cannot be the thing signified and substance too4 ,wherefore when the thing signified or substance1 is come1 the sign or thing shadowing ceaseth4 ,and1 ,i say1 the seventh day sabbath being so1 as a seventh day sabbath it ceaseth also4 ,see again ,exodus #ca3ac1 #ad2 ,ezekiel #bj3ab1 #ba2 ,colossians #b3ad4 ,nor do ,i find that our ,protestant writers1 notwithstanding their reverence of the sabbath1 do conclude otherwise2 but that though time as to worshipping ,god1 must needs be contained in the bowels of the moral law1 as moral2 yet they for good reasons forbear to affix the seventh day as that time there too4 ,they do it1 ,i say1 for good reasons2 reason drawn from the scripture2 or rather1 for that the scripture draws them so to conclude3 yet they cast not away the morality of a sabbath of rest to the church4 ,it is to be granted them1 that time for ,god's worship abideth for ever1 but the seventh day vanishes as a shadow and sign2 because such indeed it was1 as the scripture above cited declares as to the sanction thereof as a sabbath4 ,the law of nature then calls for time2 but the ,god of nature assigns it1 and has given power to his ,son to continue ,,such time as himself shall by his eternal wisdom judge most meet for the churches of the ,gentiles to solemnize worship to ,god by him in4 ,hence he is said to be ',lord even of the sabbath day' 7,matt #ab3h74 ,fifth1 ,i find by reading ,god's word1 that ,paul by authority apostolical1 takes away the sanctions of all the ,jews' festivals and sabbaths4 ,this is manifest1 for that he leaves the observation or non-observation of them1 as things indifferent1 to the mind and discretion of the believers4 ',one man esteemeth one day above another3 another esteemeth every day alike4 ,let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind' 7,rev #ad3e74 ,by this last clause of the verse1 ',let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind1' he doth plainly declare1 that such days are now stript of their sanction4#af ,for none of ,god's laws1 while they retain their sanction1 are left to the will and mind of the believers1 as to whether they will observe them or no4 ,men1 ,i say1 are not left to their liberty in such a case2 for when a stamp of divine authority is upon a law1 and abides1 so long we are bound1 not to our mind1 but to that law3 but when a thing1 once sacred1 has lost its sanction1 then it falls1 as to faith and conscience1 among other common or indifferent things4 ,and so the seventh day sabbath did4 ,again1 ,sixth1 ,thus ,paul writes to the church of ,colosse4 ',let no man therefore judge you in meat1 or in drink1 or in respect of an holyday1 or of the new moon1 or of the sabbath3 which are a shadow of things to come2 but the body is of ,christ' 7,col #b3af1ag74 ,here also1 as he serveth other holy days1 he serveth the sabbath4 ,he gives a liberty to believers to refuse the observation of it1 and commands that no man should judge against them for their so doing4 ,and as you read1 the reason of his so doing is1 because the body1 the substance is come4 ,christ saith he1 is the body1 or that which these things were a shadow or figure of4 ',the body is of ,christ4' ,nor hath the apostle1 since he saith 'or of the sabbath' one would think1 left any hole1 out at which men's inventions could get3 but man has sought out many2 and1 so1 many he will use4 ,but again1 ,that the apostle by this word 'sabbath' intends the seventh day sabbath1 is clear2 for that it is by ,moses himself counted for a sign1 as we have shewed3 and for that none of the other sabbaths were a more clear shadow of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ than this4 ,for that1 and that alone1 is called 'the rest of ,god'3 in it ,god rested from all his works4 ,hence he calls it by way of eminency1 ',,my sabbath1 and ,,my holy day' 7,isa #ef3d1 #eh3ac74 ,yet could that rest be nothing else but typical2 for ,god1 never since the world began1 really rested1 but in his ,son4 ',this is he1' saith ,god1 'in whom ,i am well pleased4' ,this sabbath then1 was ,god's rest typically1 and was given to ,israel as a sign of his grace towards them in ,christ4 ,wherefore when ,christ was risen1 it ceased1 and was no longer of obligation to bind the conscience to the observation thereof4 ,or of the sabbath4 ,he distinctly singleth out this seventh day1 as that which was a most noble shadow1 a most exact shadow4 ,and then puts that with the other together2 saying1 they are a shadow of things to come2 and that ,christ has answered them all4 ',the body is of ,christ4' ,seventh1 ,no man will1 ,i think1 deny but that ,hebrews #d3de intends the seventh day sabbath1 on which ,god rested from all his works2 for the text doth plainly say so3 yet may the observing reader easily perceive that both it1 and the rest of ,canaan also1 made mention of verse #e were typical1 as to a day made mention of verses #g and #h which day he calls another4 ,he would not afterwards have made mention of another day4 ,if ,joshua had given them rest1 he would not4 ,now if they had not that rest in ,joshua's days1 be sure they had it not by ,moses2 for he was still before4 ,all the rests therefore that ,moses gave them1 and that ,joshua gave them too1 were but typical of another day1 in which ,god would give them rest 7,heb #d3i1aj74 ,and whether the day to come1 was ,christ1 or ,heaven1 it makes no matter3 it is enough that they before did fail1 as always shadows do1 and that therefore mention by ,david is1 and that afterward1 made of another day4 ',there remains therefore a rest to the people of ,god4' ,a rest to come1 of which the seventh day in which ,god rested1 and the land of ,canaan1 was a type2 which rest begins in ,christ now1 and shall be consummated in glory4 ,and in that he saith ',there remains a rest1' referring to that of ,david1 what is it1 if it signifies not1 that the other rests remain not8 ,there remains therefore a rest1 a rest prefigured by the seventh day1 and by the rest of ,canaan1 though they are fled and gone4 ',there remains a rest'2 a rest which stands not now in signs and shadows1 in the seventh day1 or ,canaan1 but in the ,son of ,god1 and his kingdom1 to whom1 and to which the weary are invited to come for rest 7,isa #bh3ab2 ,matt #aa3bj2 ,heb #d3aa74 ,yet this casts not out the ,christians holiday or sabbath3 for that was not ordained to be a type or shadow of things to come1 but to sanctify the name of their ,god in1 and to perform that worship to him which was also in a shadow signified by the ceremonies of the law1 as the epistle to the ,hebrews doth plentifully declare4 ,and ,i say again1 the seventh day sabbath cannot be it1 for the reasons shewed afore4 ,eighth1 ,especially if you add to all this1 that nothing of the ministration of death written and engraven in stones1 is brought by ,jesus1 or by his apostles1 into the kingdom of ,christ1 as a part of his instituted worship4 ,hence it is said of that ministration in the bowels of which this seventh day sabbath is found1 that it has now ,,no glory2 that its glory is done away1 in or by ,christ1 and so is laid aside1 the ministration of the ,spirit that excels in glory1 being come in the room thereof4 ,i will read the text to you4 ',but if the ministration of death1 written and engraven in stones1 was glorious1 so that the children of ,israel could not stedfastly behold the face of ,moses for the glory of his countenance2 which glory was to be done away3 ,it was given at first with this proviso1 that it should not always retain its glory1 that sanction1 as a ministration4 ,how shall not the ministration of the ,spirit be rather glorious8 ,for if the ministration of condemnation be glory1 much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory4 ,for even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect1 by reason of the glory that excelleth4 ,for if that which was done away was glorious1 much more that which remaineth is glorious' 7#b ,cor #c3g-aa74 ,what can be more plain8 ,the text says expressly1 that this ministration doth ,,not remain2 yea1 and insinuates1 that in its first institution it was ordained with this proviso1 ',it was to be done away4' ,now if in its first institution upon ,sinai it was thus ordained2 and if by the coming in of the ministration of the spirit1 this ordination is now executed2 that is1 if by it1 and the apostle saith it1 it is done away by a ministration that remains3 then where is that seventh day sabbath8 ,thus therefore ,i have discoursed upon this fourth question3 ,and having shewed by this discourse that the old seventh day sabbath is abolished and done away1 and that it has nothing to do with the churches of the ,gentiles2 ,i am next to shew what day it is that must abide as holy to the ,christians1 and for them to perform their ,new ,testament church service in4 ,take the question thus4 ,,question ,v4 ,since it is denied that the seventh day sabbath is moral1 and it is found that it is not to abide as a sabbath for ever in the church1 ,what time is to be fixed on for ,new ,testament saints to perform together1 divine worship to ,god by ,christ in8 ,upon this question hangs the stress of all1 as to the subject now under consideration3 but before ,i can speak distinctly to it1 ,i must premise1 as ,i have in order to my speaking to the questions before1 something for the better clearing of our way-- ,therefore ,i remark1 that we are not now speaking of all manner of worshipping ,god1 nor of all times in which all manner of worship is to be performed2 but of that worship1 which is church worship1 or worship that is to be performed by the assembly of saints1 when by the will of ,god they in all parts of his dominion assemble together to worship him2 which worship hath a prefixed time allotted to1 or for its performance1 and without which it cannot1 according to the mind of ,god1 be done4 ,this is the time1 ,i say1 that we are to discourse of1 and not of ,,all time appointed for all manner of worship4 ,i do not question but that worship by the godly is performed to ,god every day of the week2 yea1 and every night too1 and that time is appointed or allowed of ,god for the performance of such worship4 ,but this time is not fixed to the same moment or hour universally1 but is left to the discretion of the believers1 as their frame of spirit1 or occasions1 or exigencies1 or temptations1 or duty shall require4 ,we meddle then only with that time that the worship aforesaid is to be performed in2 which time the law of nature as such supposes1 but the ,god of nature chooses4 ,and this time as to the churches of the ,gentiles1 we have proved is not that time which was assigned to the ,jews1 to wit1 ,,that seventh day which was imposed upon them by the ministration of death2 for1 as we have shewed already1 that ministration indeed is done away by a better and more glorious ministration1 the ministration of the spirit2 which ministration surely would be much more inferior than that which has now no glory1 was it defective as to this4 ,that is1 if it imposed a gospel service1 but appointed not time to perform that worship in3 or if notwithstanding all its commendation1 it should be forced to borrow of a ministration inferior to itself2 that1 to wit1 the time without which by no means its most solemn worship can be performed4 ,this then is the conclusion1 that ,,time to worship ,god in1 is required by the law of nature2 but that the law of nature doth1 as such1 fix it on the seventh day from the creation of the world1 that ,i utterly deny1 by what ,i have said already1 and have yet to say on that behalf4 ,yea1 ,i hope to make it manifest1 as ,i have1 that this seventh day is removed2 that ,god1 by the ministration of the spirit1 has changed the time to another day1 to wit1 ,the first day of the week4 ,therefore we conclude the time is fixed for the worship of the ,new ,testament ,christians1 or churches of the ,gentiles1 unto that day4 ,now in my discourse upon this subject1 ,i shall1 ,i4 ,touch upon those texts that are more close1 yet have a divine intimation of this thing in them4 ,,ii4 ,and then ,i shall come to texts more express4 ,,first1 for those texts that are more close1 yet have a divine intimation of this thing in them4 ,first1 ,the comparison that the ,holy ,ghost makes between the rest of ,god from his works1 and the rest of ,christ from his1 doth intimate such a thing4 ',he that is entered into his rest1 he also hath ceased from his own works1 as ,god did from his' 7,heb #d3aj74 ,now ,god rested from his works1 and sanctified a day of rest to himself1 as a signal of that rest1 which day he also gave to his church as a day of holy rest likewise4 ,and if ,christ thus rested from his own works1 and the ,holy ,ghost says he did thus rest1 he also hath sanctified a day to himself1 as that in which he hath finished his work1 and given it 7that day7 also to his church to be an everlasting memento of his so doing1 and that they should keep it holy for his sake4 ,and see1 as the ,father's work was first1 so his day went before2 and as the ,son's work came after1 so his day accordingly succeeded4 ,the ,father's day was on the seventh day from the creation1 the ,son's the first day following4 ,nor may this be slighted1 because the text says1 as ,god finished his work1 so ,christ finished his2 ,he also hath ceased from his own works as ,god did from his4 ,he rested1 ,i say1 as ,god did2 but ,god rested on his resting day1 and therefore so did ,christ4 ,not that he rested on the ,father's resting day2 for it is evident1 that then he had great part of his work to do2 for he had not as then got his conquest over death1 but the next day he also entered into his rest1 having by his rising again1 finished his work1 viz41 made a conquest over the powers of darkness1 and brought life and immortality to light through his so doing4 ,so then1 that being the day of the rest of the ,son of ,god1 it must needs be the day of the rest of his churches also4 ,for ,god gave his resting day to his church to be a sabbath2 and ,christ rested from his own works as ,god did from his1 therefore he also gave the day in which he rested from his works1 a sabbath to the churches1 as did the ,father4 ,not that there are ,,two sabbaths at once3 the ,father's was imposed for a time1 even until the ,son's should come2 yea1 as ,i have shewed you1 even in the very time of its imposing it was also ordained to be done away4 ,hence he saith1 that ministration 'was to be done away' 7#b ,cor #c3g74 ,therefore we plead not for two sabbaths to be at one time1 but that a succession of time was ordained to the ,new ,testament saints1 or churches of the ,gentiles1 to worship ,god in2 which time is that in which the ,son rested from his own works as ,god did from his4 ,second1 ,hence he calls himself1 ,the ',lord even of the sabbath day1' as ,luke #e2 ,matthew #ab3h shews4 ,now to be a ,,lord1 is to have dominion1 dominion over a thing1 and so power to alter or change it according to that power2 and where is he that dares say ,christ has not this absolutely6 ,we will therefore conclude that it is granted on all hands he hath4 ,the question then is1 ,whether he hath exercised that power to the demolishing or removing of the ,jews' seventh day1 and establishing another in its room8 ,the which ,i think is easily answered1 in that he did not rest from his own works therein1 but chose1 for his own rest1 to himself another day4 ,surely1 had the ,lord ,jesus intended to have established the seventh day to the churches of the ,gentiles1 he would himself in the first place have rested from his own works therein2 but since he passed by that day1 and took no notice of it1 as to the finishing of his own works1 as ,god took notice of it when he had finished his2 it remains that he fixed upon another day1 even the first of the week2 on which1 by his rising again1 and shewing himself to his disciples before his passion1 he made it manifest that he had chosen1 'as ,lord of the sabbath1' that day for his own rest3 consequently1 and for the rest of his churches1 and for his worship to be solemnized in4 ,third1 ,and on ,,this day some of the saints that slept arose1 and began their eternal sabbath 7,matt #bg3eb1ec74 ,see how the ,lord ,jesus hath glorified this day6 ,never was such a stamp of divine honour put upon any other day1 no not since the world began4 ',and the graves were opened2 and many bodies of the saints which slept arose1 and came out of the graves after his resurrection1' c4 ,that is1 they arose as soon as he was risen4 ,but why was not all this done on the seventh day8 ,no1 that day was set apart that saints might adore ,god for the works of creation1 and that saints through that might look for redemption by ,christ4 ,but now a work more glorious than that is to be done1 and therefore another day is assigned for the doing of it in4 ,a work1 ,i say1 of redemption completed1 a day therefore by itself must be assigned for this2 and some of the saints to begin their eternal sabbath with ,god in heaven1 therefore a day by itself must be appointed for this4 ,yea1 and that this day might not want that glory that might attract the most dim-sighted ,christian to a desire after the sanction of it1 the resurrection of ,christ1 and also of those saints met together on it3 yea1 they both did begin their eternal rest thereon4 ,fourth1 ,the psalmist speaks of a day that the ,lord ,jehovah1 the ,son of ,god1 has made2 and saith1 'we will rejoice and be glad in it4' ,but what day is this8 ,why the day in which ,christ was made the 'head of the corner1' which must be applied to the day in which he was raised from the dead1 which is the first of the week4 ,hence ,peter saith to the ,jews1 when he treateth of ,christ before them1 and particularly of his resurrection4 ',this is the stone which ,,was set at nought of you builders1 which ,,is become the head of the croner4' ,he was set at nought by them1 the whole course of his ministry unto his death1 and was made the head of the corner by ,god1 on that day he rose from the dead4 ,this day therefore is the day that the ,lord ,jehovah has made a day of rejoicing to the church of ,christ1 and we will rejoice and be glad in it 7,psa #aah3bd74 ,for can it be imagined1 that the ,spirit by the prophet should thus signalise this day for nothing2 saying1 ',this is the day which the ,lord hath made'2 to no purpose8 ,yes1 you may say1 for the resurrection of his son4 ,but ,i add1 that that is not all1 it is a day that the ,lord has both made for that1 and that we might 'rejoice and be glad in it4'#ag ,rejoice1 that is before the ,lord while solemn divine worship is performed on it1 by all the people that shall partake of the redemption accomplished then4 ,fifth1 ,god the ,father again leaves such another stamp of divine note and honour upon this day as he never before did leave upon any2 where he saith to our ,lord1 ',thou art my ,son1 this day have ,i begotten thee' 7,acts #ac3cc74 ,still1 ,i say1 having respect to the first day of the week2 for that1 and no other1 is the day here intended by the apostle4 ,this day1 saith ,god1 is the day3 ',and as concerning that he raised him up from the dead1 now no more to return to corruption1 he said on this wise1 ,i will give thee the sure mercies of ,david4 ,wherefore he saith also in another ,psalm1 ,thou shalt not suffer thine ,holy ,one to see corruption4' ,wherefore the day in which ,god did this work1 is greater than that in which he finished the work of creation2 for his making of the creation saved it not from corruption1 but now he hath done a work which corruption cannot touch1 wherefore the day on which he did this1 has this note from his own mouth1 ,,this day1 as a day that doth transcend4 ,and1 as ,i said1 this day is the first of the week2 for it was on that day that ,god begat his beloved ,son from the dead4 ,this first day of the week therefore1 on it ,god found that pleasure which he found not in the seventh day from the world's creation1 for that in it his ,son did live again to him4 ,now shall not ,christians1 when they do read that ,god saith1 ',this day1' and that too with reference to a work done on it by him1 so full of delight to him1 and so full of life and heaven to them1 set also a remark upon it1 saying1 ,this was the day of ,god's pleasure1 for that his ,son did rise thereon1 and shall it not be the day of my delight in him6 ,this is the day on which his ,son was both begotten and born1 and became the first fruits to ,god of them that sleep2 yea1 and in which also he was made by him the chief1 and head of the corner2 and shall not we rejoice in it8 7,acts #ac3cc2 ,heb #a3e2 ,col #a3ah2 ,rev #a3e74 ,shall kings1 and princes1 and great men set a remark upon the day of their birth and coronation1 and expect that both subjects and servants should do them high honour on that day1 and shall the day in which ,christ was both begotten and born1 be a day contemned by ,christians6 ,and his name not be but of a common regard on that day8 ,i say again1 shall ,god1 as with his finger1 point1 and that in the face of the world1 at this day1 saying1 ',thou art my ,son1 this day1' c41 and shall not ,christians fear1 and awake from their employments1 to worship the ,lord on this day6 ,if ,god remembers it1 well may ,i6 ,if ,god says1 and that with all gladness of heart1 ',thou art my ,son1 this day have ,i begotten thee6' may not6 ought not ,i also to set this day apart to sing the songs of my redemption in8 ,,this day my redemption was finished4 ,this day my dear ,jesus revived4 ,this day he was declared to be the ,son of ,god with power4 ,yea this is the day in which the ,lord ,jesus finished a greater work than ever yet was done in the world2 yea1 a work in which the ,father himself was more delighted than he was in making of heaven and earth4 ,and shall darkness and the shadow of death stain this day6 ,or shall a cloud dwell on this day6 ,shall ,god regard this day from above6 ,and shall not his light shine upon this day6 ,what shall be done to them that curse this day1 and would not that the stars should give their light thereon4 ,this day6 ,after this day was come1 ,god never1 that we read of1 made mention with delight1 of the old seventh day sabbath more4 ,sixth1 ,nor is that altogether to be slighted1 when he saith1 ',when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world1 ,let all the angels of ,god worship him4' ,to wit1 at that very time and day 7,heb #a3f74 ,i know not what our expositors say of this text1 but to me it seems to be meant of his resurrection from the dead2 both because the apostle is speaking of that 7v #e71 and closes that argument with this text1 ',thou art my ,son1 this day have ,i begotten thee8 and again1 ,i will be to him a ,father1 and he shall be to me a ,son8 ,and again1 when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world1 he saith1 ,and let all the angels of ,god worship him4' ,so then1 for ,god's bringing of his first-begotten now into the world1 was by his raising him again from the dead after they by crucifying of him had turned him out of the same4 ,thus then ,god brought him into the world1 never by them to be hurried out of it again4 ,for ,christ being now raised from the dead1 dies no more2 death hath no more dominion over him4 ,now1 saith the text1 when he bringeth him thus into the world1 he requireth that worship be done unto ,,him4 ,when8 ,that very day1 and that by all the angels of ,god4 ,and if by all1 then ministers are not excluded2 and if not ministers1 then not churches2 for what is said to the angels1 is said to the church itself 7,rev #b3a-g1h1aa1ab1ag1ah1bi1 #c3a1f1g1ac1ad1bb74 ,so then1 if the question be asked1 when they must worship him3 the answer is1 when he brought him into the world1 which was on the first day of the week2 for then he bringeth him again from the dead1 and gave the whole world and the government thereof into his holy hand4 ,this text therefore is of weight as to what we have now under consideration1 to wit1 that the first day of the week1 the day in which ,god brought his first-begotten into the world1 should be the day of worshipping him by all the angels of ,god4 ,seventh1 ,hence this day is called 'the ,lord's day1' as ,john saith1 ',i was in the ,spirit on the ,lord's day1' the day in which ,jesus rose from the dead 7,rev #a3aj74 ',the ,lord's day4' ,every day1 say some1 is the ,lord's day4 ,indeed this for discourse sake may be granted2 but strictly1 no day can so properly be called the ,lord's day1 as this first day of the week2 for that no day of the week or of the year has those badges of the ,lord's glory upon it1 nor such divine grace put upon it as has the first day of the week4 ,this we have already made appear in part1 and shall make appear much more before we have done therewith4 ,there is nothing1 as ,i know of1 that bears this title but the ,lord's supper1 and this day 7#a ,cor #aa3bj2 ,rev #a3aj74 ,and since ,christians count it an abuse to allegorize the first1 let them also be ashamed to fantasticalize the last4 ,the ,lord's day is doubtless the day in which he rose from the dead4 ,to be sure it is not the old seventh day2 for from the day that he arose1 to the end of the ,bible1 we find not that he did hang so much as one twist of glory upon that2 but this day is beautified with glory upon glory1 and that both by the ,father and the ,son2 by the prophets and those that were raised from the dead thereon2 therefore this day must be more than the rest4 ,but we are as yet but upon divine intimations1 drawn from such texts which1 if candidly considered1 do very much smile upon this great truth2 namely1 that the first day of the week is to be accounted the ,christian sabbath1 or holy day for divine worship in the churches of the saints4 ,and ,,second1 ,now ,i come to the texts that are more express4 ,then ,first1 ,this was the day in the which he did use to shew himself to his people1 and to congregate with them after he rose from the dead4 ,on the first first-day1 even on the day on which he rose from the dead1 he visited his people1 both when together and apart1 over1 and over1 and over1 as both ,luke and ,john do testify 7,luke #bd2 ,john #bj74 ,and preached such sermons of his resurrection1 and gave unto them2 yea1 and gave them such demonstration of the truth of all1 as was never given them from the foundation of the world4 ,shewing1 he shewed them his risen body2 opening1 he opened their understandings2 and dissipating1 he so scattered their unbelief on ,,this day1 as he never had done before4 ,and this continued one way or another even from before day until the evening4 ,second1 ,on the next first day following the church was within again2 that is1 congregated to wait upon their ,lord4 ,and ,john so relates the matter1 as to give us to understand that they were not so assembled together again till then4 ',after eight days1' saith he1 'again his disciples were within1' clearly concluding1 that they were not so on the days that were between1 no not on the old seventh day4 ,now why should the ,holy ,ghost thus precisely speak of their assembling together upon the first day1 if not to confirm us in this1 that the ,lord had chosen that day for the new sabbath of his church8 ,surely the ,apostles knew what they did in their meeting together upon that day2 yea1 and the ,lord ,jesus also2 for that he used so to visit them when so assembled1 made his practice a law unto them4 ,for practice is enough for us ,new ,testament saints1 especially when the ,lord ,jesus himself is in the head of that practice1 and that after he rose from the dead4 ,perhaps some may stumble at the word 'after1' after eight days2 but the meaning is1 at the conclusion of the eighth day1 or when they had spent in a manner the whole of their sabbath in waiting upon their ,lord1 then in comes their ,lord1 and finisheth that their day's service to him with confirming of ,thomas' faith1 and by letting drop other most heavenly treasure among them4 ,christ said1 he must lie three days and three nights in the heart of the earth1 yet it is evident1 that he rose the third day 7#a ,cor #ae3d74 ,we must take then a part for the whole1 and conclude1 that from the time that the ,lord ,jesus rose from the dead1 to the time that he shewed his hands and his side to ,thomas1 eight days were almost expired2 that is1 he had sanctified unto them two first days1 and had accepted that service they had performed to him therein1 as he testified by giving of them so blessed a farewell at the conclusion of both those days4 ,hence now we conclude1 that this was the custom of the church at this day1 to wit1 upon the first day of the week to meet together1 and to wait upon their ,lord therein4 ,for the ,holy ,ghost counts it needless to make a continued repetition of things2 it is enough therefore if we have now and then mention made thereof4 ,obj4 ,but ,christ shewed himself alive to them at other times also1 as in ,john #ba c4 ,ans4 ,the names of all those days in which he so did are obliterated and blotted out1 that they might not be idolized2 for ,christ did not set them apart for worship1 but this day1 the first day of the week1 by its name is kept alive in the church1 the ,holy ,ghost surely signifying thus much1 that how hidden soever other days were1 ,christ would have his day1 the first day had in everlasting remembrance among saints4 ,churches also meet together now on the week days1 and have the presence of ,christ with them too in their employments2 but that takes not off from them the sanction of the first day of the week1 no more than it would take away the sanction of the old seventh day1 had it still continued holy to them3 wherefore this is no let or objection to hinder our sanctifying of the first day of the week to our ,god4 ,but1 ,third1 ,add to this1 that upon ,pentecost1 which was the first day of the week1 mention is made of their being together again3 for ,pentecost was always the morrow after the sabbath1 the old seventh day sabbath4 ,upon this day1 ,i say1 the ,holy ,ghost saith1 they were again 'with one accord together in one place4' ,but oh6 the glory that then attended them1 by the presence of the ,holy ,ghost among them3 never was such a thing done as was done on that first day until then4 ,we will read the text1 ',and when the day of ,pentecost was fully come1 they were all with one accord in one place4 ,and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind1 and it filled all the house where they were sitting4 ,and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire1 and it sat upon each of them4 ,and they were all filled with the ,holy ,ghost' 7,acts #b3a-d74 ,here is a first day glorified6 ,here's a countenance given to the day of their ,christian assembling4 ,but we will note a few things upon it4 #a4 ,the church was now1 as on other first days1 all with one accord in one place4 ,we read not that they came together by virtue of any precedent revelation1 nor by accident1 but contrariwise by agreement1 they were together 'with one accord1' or by appointment1 in pursuance of their duty1 setting apart that day1 as they had done the first days afore1 to the holy service of their blessed ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ4 #b4 ,we read that this meeting of theirs was not begun on the old sabbaths1 but when ,pentecost was fully come3 the ,holy ,ghost intimating1 that they had left now1 and began to leave1 the seventh day sabbath to the unbelieving ,jews4 #c4 ,nor did the ,holy ,ghost come down upon them till every moment of the old sabbath was past1 ,pentecost1 as was said1 was ,,fully come first4 ',and when the day of ,pentecost was fully come1 they were all with one accord in one place4' ,and then1 c4 ,and why was not this done on the seventh day sabbath8 ,but1 possibly1 to shew1 that the ministration of death and condemnation was not that1 by or through which ,christ the ,lord would communicate so good a gift unto his churches 7,gal #c3a-e74 ,this gift must be referred to the ,lord's day1 the first day of the week1 to fulfil the scripture1 and to sanctify yet farther this holy day unto the use of all ,new ,testament churches of the saints4 ,for since on the first day of the week our ,lord did rise from the dead1 and by his special presence1 ,i mean his personal1 did accompany his church therein1 and so preach as he did1 his holy truths unto them1 it was most meet that they on the same day also should receive the first fruits of their eternal life most gloriously4 ,and1 ,i say again1 since from the resurrection of ,christ to this day1 the church then did receive upon the first day1 but as we read1 upon no other1 such glorious things as we have mentioned1 it is enough to beget in the hearts of them that love the ,son of ,god1 a high esteem of the first day of the week4 ,but how much more1 when there shall be joined to these1 proof that it was the custom of the first gospel church1 the church of ,christ at ,jerusalem1 after our ,lord was risen1 to assemble together to wait upon ,god on the first day of the week with their ,lord as leader4 ,to say little more to this head1 but only to repeat what is written of this day of old1 to wit1 that it should be proclaimed the selfsame day1 to wit1 the morrow after the sabbath1 which is the first day of the week1 'that it may be an holy convocation unto you2 ye shall do no servile work therein3 it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings' 7,lev #bc3ba74 ,this ceremony was about the sheaf that was to be waved1 and bread of first fruits1 which was a type of ,christ2 for he is unto ,god 'the first fruits of them that slept' 7#a ,cor #ae3bj74 ,this sheaf1 or bread1 must not be waved on the old seventh day1 but on the morrow after1 which is the first day of the week1 the day in which ,christ rose from the dead1 and waved himself as the first fruits of the elect unto ,god4 ,now from this day they were to count seven sabbaths complete1 and on the morrow after the seventh sabbath1 which was the first day of the week again2 and this ,pentecost upon which we now are1 then they were to have a new meat offering1 with meat offerings and drink offerings1 c4 ,and on the selfsame day they were to proclaim that that first day should be a holy convocation unto them4 ,the which the apostles did1 and grounded that their proclamation so on the resurrection of ,jesus ,christ1 not on ceremonies1 that at the same day they brought three thousand souls to ,god 7,acts #b3da74 ,now what another signal applause was here put upon the first day of the week6 ,the day in which our ,lord rose from the dead1 assembled with his disciples1 poured out so abundantly of the ,spirit1 and gathered even by the first draught that his fishermen made by the gospel1 such a number of souls to ,god4 ,thus then they proclaimed1 and thus they gathered sinners on the first first-day that they preached2 for though they had assembled together over and over with their ,lord before therein1 yet they began not jointly to preach until this first day ,pentecost4 ,now1 after this the apostles to the churches did never make mention of a seventh day sabbath4 ,for as the wave sheaf and the bread of first fruits were a figure of the ,lord ,jesus1 and the waving1 of his life from the dead3 so that morrow after the sabbath on which the ,jews waved their sheaf1 was a figure of that on which our ,lord did rise2 consequently1 when their morrow after the sabbath ceased1 our morrow after that began1 and so has continued a blessed morrow after their sabbath1 as a holy sabbath to ,christians from that time ever since4 ,fourth1 ,we come yet more close to the custom of churches2 ,i mean1 to the custom of the churches of the ,gentiles2 for as yet we have spoken but of the practice of the church of ,god which was at ,jerusalem2 only we will add1 that the customs that were laudable and binding with the church at ,jerusalem1 were with reverence to be imitated by the churches of the ,gentiles2 for there was but one law of ,christ for them both to worship by4 ,now then1 to come to the point1 to wit1 that it was the custom of the churches of the ,gentiles1 on the first day of the week1 but upon no other that we read of1#ah to come together to perform divine worship to their ,lord4 ,hence it is said ',and upon the first day of the week1 when the disciples came together to break bread1' c4 7,acts #bj3g74 ,this is a text1 that as to matter of fact cannot be contradicted by any1 for the text saith plainly they did so1 the disciples then came together to break bread1 the disciples among the ,gentiles1 did so4 ,thus you see that the solemnizing of a first day to holy uses was not limited to1 though first preached by the church that was at ,jerusalem4 ,the church at ,jerusalem was the mother church1 and not that at ,rome1 as some falsely imagine2 for from this church went out the law and the holy word of ,god to the ,gentiles4 ,wherefore it must be supposed that this meeting of the ,gentiles on the first day of the week to break bread1 came to them by holy tradition#ai from the church at ,jerusalem1 since they were the first that kept the first day as holy unto the ,lord their ,god4 ,and indeed1 they had the best advantage to do it2 for they had their ,lord in the head of them to back them to it by his presence and preaching thereon4 ,but we will a little comment upon the text4 ',upon the first day of the week4' ,thus you see the day is nominated1 and so is kept alive among the churches4 ,for in that the day is nominated on which this religious exercise was performed1 it is to be supposed that the ,holy ,ghost would have it live1 and be taken notice of by the churches that succeed4 ,it also may be nominated to shew1 that both the church at ,jerusalem1 and those of the ,gentiles did harmonize in their sabbath1 jointly concluding to solemnize worship on a the same day4 ,and then again to shew1 that they all had left the old sabbath to the unbelievers1 and jointly chose to sanctify the day of the rising of their ,lord1 to this work4 ,they 'came together to break bread1' to partake of the super of the ,lord4 ,and what day so fit as the ,lord's day for this8 ,this was to be the work of that day1 to wit1 to solemnize that ordinance among themselves1 adjoining other solemn worship thereto1 to fill up the day1 as the following part of the verse shews4 ,this day therefore was designed for this work1 the whole day1 for the text declares it4 ,the first day of the week was set by them apart for this work4 ',upon ,,the first day'2 not upon ,a first day1 or upon one first day1 or upon such a first day2 for had he said so1 we had had from thence not so strong an argument for our purpose3 but when he saith1 'upon the first day of the week' they did it1 he insinuates1 that it was their custom4 ,it was also upon one of these1 that ,paul being among them1 preached unto them1 ready to depart on the morrow4 ,upon the first day3 what1 or which first day of this1 or that1 of the third or fourth week of the month8 ,no1 but upon the first day1 every first day2 for so the text admits us to judge4 ',upon the first day of the week1 ,,when the disciples came together1' supposes a custom when1 or as they were wont to come together to perform such service among themselves to ,god3 then ,paul preached unto them1 c4 ,it is a text also that supposes an agreement among themselves as to this thing4 ,they came together then to break bread2 they had appointed to do it then1 for that then was the day of their ,lord's resurrection1 and that in which he himself congregated after he revived1 with the first gospel church1 the church at ,jerusalem4 ,thus you see1 that breaking of bread1 was the work1 the work that by general consent was agreed to be by the churches of the ,gentiles performed upon the first day of the week4 ,i say1 by the churches2 for ,i doubt not but that the practice here1 was also the practice of the rest of the ,gentile churches1 even as it had been before the practice of the church at ,jerusalem4 ,for this practice now did become universal1 and so this text implies2 for he speaks here universally of the practice of all disciples as such1 though he limits ,paul preaching to that church with whom he at present personally was4 ,upon the first day of the week1 'when the disciples came together to break bread1' ,paul being at that time at ,troas preached to them on that day4 ,thus then you see how the ,gentile churches did use to break bread1 not on the old sabbath1 but on the first day of the week4 ,and1 ,i say1 they had it from the church at ,jerusalem2 where the apostles were first seated1 and beheld the way of their ,lord with their eyes4 ,now1 ,i say1 since we have so ample an example1 not only of the church at ,jerusalem1 but also of the churches of the ,gentiles1 for the keeping of the first day to the ,lord1 and that as countenanced by ,christ and his apostles1 we should not be afraid to tread in their steps1 for their practice is the same with law and commandment4 ,but1 ,fifth1 ,we will add to this another text4 ',now saith ,paul concerning the collection for the saints1 as ,i have given order to the churches of ,galatia1 even so do ye4 ,upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store1 as ,god hath prospered him1 that there be no gatherings when ,i come' 7#a ,cor #af3a1b74 ,this text some have greatly sought to evade1 counting the duty here1 on this day to be done1 a duty too inferior for the sanction of an old seventh day sabbath2 when yet to show mercy to an ass on the old sabbath1 was a work which our ,lord no ways condemns 7,luke #ac3ae1 #ad3e74 ,but to pursue our design1 we have a duty enjoined1 and that of no inferior sort4 ,if charity be indeed as it is1 the very bond of perfectness3 and if without it all our doings1 yea and sufferings too1 are not worthy so much as a rush 7#a ,cor #ac2 ,col #c3ad74 we have here a duty1 ,i say1 that a seventh day sabbath1 when in force1 was not too big for it to be performed in4 ,the work now to be done1 was1 as you see1 to bestow their charity upon the poor2 yea1 to provide for time to come4 ,and ,i say1 it must be collected upon the first day of the week4 ,upon ,,the first day2 not ,a first day1 as signifying one or two1 but upon ,,the first day1 even every first day2 for so your ancient ,bibles have it2#bj also our later must be so understood1 or else ,paul had left them to whom he did write1 utterly at a loss4 ,for if he intended not every first day1 and yet did not specify a particular one1 it could hardly even have been understood which first day he meant4 ,but we need not stand upon this4 ,this work was a work for ,a first-day1 for ,,every first day of the week4 ,note again that we have this duty here commanded and enforced by an apostolical order3 ',i have given order1' saith ,paul1 for this2 and his orders1 as he saith in another place1 'are the commandments of the ,lord4' ,you have it in the same epistle 7chap4 #ad3cg74 ,whence it follows1 that there was given even by the apostles themselves1 a holy respect to the first day of the week above all the days of the week2 yea1 or of the year besides4 ,further1 ,i find also by this text1 that this order is universal4 ,i have1 saith he1 given this order not only to you1 but to the churches of ,galatia4 ,consequently to all other that were concerned in this collection 7#b ,cor #h1 #i1 c474 ,now this1 whatever others may think1 puts yet more glory upon the first day of the week4 ,for in that all the churches are commanded1 as to make their collections1 so to make them on this day3 what is it1 but that this day1 by reason of the sanction that ,christ put upon it1 was of virtue to sanctify the offering through and by ,christ ,jesus1 as the altar and temple afore did sanctify the gift and gold that was1 and was offered on them4 ,the proverb is1 ',the better day1 the better deed4' ,and ,i believe1 that things done on the ,lord's day1 are better done1 than on other days of the week1 in his worship4 ,obj4 ,but yet1 say some1 here are no orders to keep this first day holy to the ,lord4 ,ans4 #a4 ,that is supplied2 for that by this very text this day is appointed1 above all the days of the week1 to do this holy duty in4 #b44 ,you must understand that this order is but additional1 and now enjoined to fill up that which was begun as to holy exercise of religious worship by the churches long before4 #c4 ,the universality of the duty being enjoined to this day1 supposes that this day was universally kept by the churches as holy already4 #d4 ,and let him that scrupleth this1 shew me1 if he can1 that ,god by the mouth of his apostles did ever command that all the churches should be confined to this or that duty on such a day1 and yet put no sanction upon that day2 or that he has commanded that this work should be done on the first day of the week1 and yet has reserved other church ordinances as a public solemnization of worship to him1 to be done of another day1 as of a day more fit1 more holy4 #e4 ,if charity1 if a general collection for the saints in the churches is commanded on this day1 and on no other day but this day2 for church collection is commanded on no other1 there must be a reason for it3 and if that reason had not respect to the sanction of the day1 ,i known to why the duty should be so strictly confined to it4 #f4 ,but for the apostle now to give with this a particular command to the churches to sanctify that day as holy unto the ,lord1 had been utterly superfluous2 for that they already1 and that by the countenance of their ,lord1 and his church at ,jerusalem1 had done4 ,before now1 ,i say1 it was become a custom1 as by what hath been said already is manifest3 wherefore what need that their so solemn a practice be imposed again upon the brethren8 ,an intimation now of a continued respect thereto1 by the very naming of the day1 is enough to keep the sanctity thereof on foot in the churches4 ,how much more then1 when the ,lord is still adding holy duty to holy duty1 to be performed upon that day4 ,so then1 in that the apostle writes to the churches to do this holy duty on the first day of the week1 he puts them in mind of the sanction of the day1 and insinuates1 that he would still have them have a due respect thereto4 ,quest4 ,but is there yet another reason why this holy duty should1 in special as it is1 be commanded to be performed on the first day of the week8 ,ans4 #a4 ,yes3 for that now the churches were come together in their respective places1 the better to agree about collections1 and to gather them4 ,you know church worship is a duty1 so long as we are in the world1 and so long also is this of making collections for the saints4 ,and for as much as the apostle speaks here1 as ,i have hinted afore1 of a church collection1 when is it more fit to be done1 than when the church is come together upon the first day of the week to worship ,god8 #b4 ,this part of worship is most comely to be done upon the first day of the week1 and that at the close of that day's work4 ,for thereby the church shows1 not only her thankfulness to ,god for a sabbath day's mercy1 but also returneth him1 by giving to the poor1 that sacrifice for their benefit that is most behoveful to make manifest their professed subjection to ,christ 7,prov #ai3ag2 #b ,cor #i3ab-ae74 ,it is therefore necessary1 that this work be done on the first day of the week1 for a comely close of the worship that we perform to the ,lord our ,god on that day4 #c4 ,on the first day of the week1 when the church is performing of holy worship unto ,god1 then that of collection for the saints is most meet to be performed2 because then1 in all likelihood1 our hearts will be most warm with the divine presence2 consequently most open and free to contribute to the necessity of the saints4 ,you know1 that a man when his heart is open1 is taken with some excellent thing2 then1 if at all1 it is most free to do something for the promoting thereof4 ,why1 waiting upon ,god in the way of his appointments1 opens1 and makes free1 the heart to the poor3 and because the first day of the week was it in which now such solemn service to him was done1 therefore also the apostle commanded1 that upon the same day also1 as on a day most fit1 this duty of collecting for the poor should be done4 ',for ,god loveth a cheerful giver' 7#b ,cor #i3f1g74 ,wherefore the apostle by this1 takes the churches as it were at the advantage1 and as we say1 strikes while the iron is hot1 to the intent he might1 what in him lay1 make their collections1 not sparing nor of a grudging mind1 but to flow from cheerfulness4 ,and the first day of the week1 though its institution be set aside1 doth most naturally tend to this2 because it is the day1 the only day1 on which we received such blessings from ,god 7,acts #c3bf74 ,this is the day on which1 at first1 it rained manna all day long from heaven upon the new testament church1 and so continues to do this day4 ,oh6 the resurrection of ,christ1 which was on this day1 and the riches that we receive thereby4 ,though it should be1 and is1 ,i hope thought on every day2 yet when the first of the week is fully come6 ,then to-day6 ,this day6 ,this is the day to be warmed2 this day he was begotten from the dead4 ,the thought of this1 will do much with an honest mind3 this is the day1 ,i say1 that the first saints did find1 and that after saints do find the blessings of ,god come down upon them2 and therefore this is the day here commanded to be set apart for holy duties4 ,and although what ,i have said may be but little set by of some1 yet1 for a closing word as to this1 ,i do think1 could but half so much be produced from the day ,christ rose from the dead quite down to the end of revelation1 for the sanction of a seventh day sabbath in the churches of the ,gentiles1 it would much sway with me4 ,but the truth is1 neither doth the apostle ,paul1 nor any of his fellows1 so much as once speak one word to the churches that shows the least regard1 as to conscience to ,god1 of a seventh day sabbath more4 ,no1 the first day1 the first day1 the first day1 is now all the cry in the churches by the apostles1 for the performing church worship in to ,god4 ,christ began it on ,,that day3 then the ,holy ,ghost seconded it on that day3 then the churches practised it on that day4 ,and to conclude2 the apostle by the command now under consideration1 continues the sanction of that day to the churches to the end of the world4 ,but as to the old seventh day sabbath1 as hath been said afore in this treatise1 ,paul1 who is the apostle of the ,gentiles1 has so taken away that whole ministration in the bowels of which it is2 yea1 and has so stript it of its old testament grandeur1 both by terms and arguments1 that it is strange to me it should by any be still kept up in the churches2 specially1 since the same apostle1 and that at the same time1 has put a better ministration in its place 7#b ,cor #c74 ,but when the consciences of good men are captivated with an error1 none can stop them from a prosecution thereof1 as if were itself of the best of truths4 ,obj4 ,but ,paul preached frequently on the old sabbath1 and that after the resurrection of ,christ4 ,ans4 ,to the unbelieving ,jews and their proselytes1 ,i grant he did4 ,but we read not that he did it to any new testament church on that day3 nor did he celebrate the instituted worship of ,christ in the churches on that day4 ,for ,paul1 who had before cast out the ministration of death1 as that which had no glory1 would not now take thereof any part for new testament instituted worship2 for he knew that that would veil the heart1 and blind the mind from that1 which yet instituted worship was ordained to discover4 ,he preached then on the seventh day sabbath1 of a divine and crafty love to the salvation of the unbelieving ,jews4 ,i say1 he preached now on that day to them and their proselytes1 because that day was theirs by their estimation4 ,he did it1 ,i say1 of great love to their souls1 that if possible1 he might save some of them4 ,wherefore1 if you observe1 you shall still find1 that where it is said that he preached on that day1 it was to that people1 not to the churches of ,christ4 ,see ,acts #i3bj1 #ac3ad-af1 #af3ac1 #ag3a-c1 #ah3d4 ,thus1 though he had put away the sanction of that day as to himself1 and had left the ,christians that were weak to their liberty as to conscience to it1 yet he takes occasion upon it to preach to the ,jews that still were wedded to it1 the faith1 that they might be saved by grace4 ,paul did also many other things that were ,jewish and ceremonial1 for which he had1 as then1 no conscience at all1 as to any sanction that he believed was in them4 ,as his circumcising of ,timothy 7,acts #af3a-c74 ,his shaving of his head 7,acts #ah3ah74 ,his submitting to ,jewish purifications 7,acts #ba3bd-bf74 ,his acknowledging of himself a ,pharisee 7chap4 #bc3f74 ,his implicitly owning of ,ananias for high priest after ,christ was risen from the dead 7,acts #bc3a-e74 ,he tells us also that1 'unto the ,jews he became as a ,jew' that he might save the ,jew4 ,and 'without law1' to them that were without law1 that also he might gain them4 ,yea1 he became1 as he saith1 'all things to all men1' that he might gain the more1 as it is #a ,corinthians #i3ai-bc4 ,but these things1 as ,i said1 he did not of conscience to the things2 for he knew that their sanction was gone4 ,nor would he suffer them to be imposed upon the churches directly or indirectly2 no1 not by ,peter himself 7,gal #b3aa74 ,were ,i in ,turkey with a church of ,jesus ,christ1 ,i would keep the first day of the week to ,god1 and for the edification of his people3 and would also preach the word to the infidels on their sabbath day1 which is our ,friday2 and be glad too1 if ,i might have such opportunity to try to persuade them to a love of their own salvation4 ,obj4 ,but if the seventh day sabbath is1 as you say1 to be laid aside by the churches of the ,gentiles1 why doth ,christ say to his1 ',pray ye that your flight be not in the winter1 neither on the sabbath day8' ,for1 say some1 by this saying it appears1 that the old seventh day sabbath1 as you have called it1 will as to the sanction of it1 abide in force after ,christ is ascended into heaven4 ,ans4 ,i say first1 these words were spoken to the ,jewish ,christians1 not to the ,gentile churches4 ,and the reason of this first hint1 you will see clearer afterwards4 ,the ,jews had several sabbaths2 as1 their seventh day sabbath1 their monthly sabbaths1 their sabbath of years1 and their jubilee 7,lev #be74 ,now if he means their ordinary sabbaths1 or that called the seventh day sabbath1 why doth he join the winter thereto8 for in that he joineth the winter with that sabbath that he exhorteth them to pray their flight might not be in1 it should seem that he meaneth rather their sabbath of years1 or their jubilee1 which did better answer one to another than one day and a winter could4 ,and ,i say again1 that ,christ should suppose that their flight should1 or might last some considerable part of a winter1 and yet that then they should have their rest on those seventh day sabbaths1 is a little beside my reason1 if it be considered again1 that the ,gentiles before whom they were then to fly1 were enemies to their sabbath1 and consequently would take opportunity at their sabbaths to afflict them so much the more4 ,wherefore1 ,i would that they who plead for a continuation of the seventh day sabbath from this text1 would both better consider it1 and the incoherence that seems to be betwixt such a sabbath and a winter4 ,but again1 were it granted that it is the seventh day sabbath that ,christ here intendeth2 yet1 since as we have proved1 the sanction before this was taken away2 ,i mean before this flight should be1 he did not press them to pray thus because by any law of heaven they should then be commanded to keep it holy2 but because some would1 through their weakness1 have conscience of it till then4 ,and such would1 if their flight should happen thereon1 be as much grieved and perplexed1 as if it yet stood obligatory to them by a law4 ,this seems to have some truth in it1 because among the ,jews that believed1 there continued a long time many that were wedded yet to the law1 to the ceremonial part thereof1 and were not so clearly evangelized as the churches of the ,gentiles were4 ',thou seest brother1' said ,james to ,paul1 'how many thousands of ,jews there are which believe2 and they are all zealous of the law' 7,acts #ba3bj1 #ae3e74 ,of these1 and such weak unbelieving ,jews1 perhaps ,christ speaks1 when he gives this exhortation to them to pray thus2 whose consciences he knew would be weak1 and being so1 would bind when they were entangled with an error1 as fast as if it bound by a law indeed4 ,again1 though the seventh day sabbath and ceremonies lost their sanction at the resurrection of ,christ1 yet they retained some kind of being in the church of the ,jews1 until the desolation spoken of by ,daniel should be4 ,hence it is said1 that then the oblation and sacrifices shall cease 7,dan #i3bg74 ,and hence it is1 that ,jerusalem and the temple are still called the holy place1 even until this flight should be 7,matt #bd3ae74 ,now if ,jerusalem and the temple are still called holy1 even after the body and substance1 of which they were shadows1 were come2 then no marvel though some to that day that believed were entangled therewith1 c4 ,for it may very well be supposed that all conscience of them would not be quite taken away1 until all reason for that conscience should be taken away also4 ,but when ,jerusalem1 and the temple1 and the ,jews' worship1 by the ,gentiles was quite extinct by ruins1 then in reason that conscience did cease4 ,and it seems by some texts1 that all conscience to them was not taken away till then4 ,quest4 ,but what kind of being had the seventh day sabbath1 and other ,jewish rites and ceremonies1 that by ,christ's resurrection were taken away8 ,ans4 ,these things had a virtual and a nominal being4 ,as to their virtual being1 that died that day ,christ did rise from the dead1 they being crucified with him on the cross 7,col #b74 ,but now1 when the virtual being was gone1 they still with the weak retained their name1 among many of the ,jews that believed1 until the abomination that maketh desolate stood in the holy place3 for in ,paul's time they were1 as to that1 but ready to vanish away4 ,now1 ,i say1 they still retaining their nominal grandeur1 though not by virtue of a law1 they could not1 till time and dispensation came1 be swept out of the way4 ,we will make what hath been said1 as to this1 out by a familiar similitude4 ,there is a lord or great man dies2 now being dead1 he has lost his virtual life4 ,he has now no relation to a wife1 to children1 virtually2 yet his name still abides1 and that in that family1 to which otherwise he is dead4 ,wherefore they embalm him1 and also keep him above ground for many days4 ,yea1 he is still reverenced by those of the family1 and that in several respects4 ,nor doth any thing but time and dispensation wear this name away4 ,thus then the ,old ,testament signs and shadows went off the stage in the church of ,christ among the ,jews4 ,they lost their virtue and signification when ,christ nailed them to his cross 7,col #b74 ,but as to their name1 and the grandeur that attended that1 it continued with many that were weak1 and vanished not1 but when the abomination that made them desolate came4 ,the sum then and conclusion of the matter is this2 the seventh day sabbath lost its glory when that ministration in which it was1 lost its3 ,but yet the name thereof might abide a long time with the ,jewish legal ,christians1 and so might become obligatory still1 though not by the law1 to their conscience1 even as circumcision and other ceremonies did3 and to them it would be as grievous to fly on that day1 as if by law it was still in force4 ,for1 ,i say1 to a weak conscience1 that law which has lost its life1 may yet through their ignorance1 be as binding as if it stood still upon the authority of ,god4 ,things then become obligatory these two ways4 7#a47 ,by an institution of ,god4 7#b47 ,by the over-ruling power of a man's misinformed conscience4 ,and although by virtue of an institution divine worship is acceptable to ,god by ,christ1 yet conscience will make that a man shall have but little ease if such rules and dictates as it imposes be not observed by him4 ,this is my answer1 upon a supposition that the seventh day sabbath is in this text intended3 and the answer1 ,i think1 stands firm and good4 ,also1 there remains1 notwithstanding this objection1 no divine sanction in or upon the old seventh day sabbath4 ,some indeed will urge1 that ,christ here meant the first day of the week1 which here he puts under the term of sabbath4 ,but this is foreign to me1 so ,i waive it till ,i receive more satisfaction in the thing4 ,quest4 ,but if indeed the first day of the week be the new christian sabbath1 why is there no more spoken of its institution in the testament of ,christ8 ,ans4 ,no more6 ,what need is there of more than enough6 ,yea1 there is a great deal found in the testament of the ,lord ,jesus to prove its authority divine4 7#a47 ,for we have shewed from sundry scriptures1 that from the very day our ,lord did rise from the dead1 the church at ,jerusalem1 in which the twelve apostles were1 did meet together on that day1 and had the ,lord himself for their preacher1 while they were auditors2 and thus the day began4 7#b47 ,we have shewed that the ,holy ,ghost1 the third person in the ,trinity1 did second this of ,christ1 in coming down from heaven upon this day to manage the apostles in their preaching2 and in that very day so managed them in that work1 that by his help they then did bring three thousand souls to ,god4 7#c47 ,we have shewed also1 that after this the gentile churches did solemnize this day for holy worship1 and that they had from ,paul both countenance and order so to do4 ,and now ,i will add1 that more need not be spoken3 for the practice of the first church1 with their ,lord in the head of them to manage them in that practice1 is as good as many commands4 ,what then shall we say1 when we see a first practice turned into holy custom8 ,i say1 moreover1 that though a seventh day sabbath is not natural to man as man1 yet our christian holy day is natural to us as saints1 if our consciences are not clogged before with some old fables1 or ,jewish customs4 ,but if an old religion shall get footing and rooting in us1 though the grounds thereof be vanished away1 yet the man concerned will be hard put to it1 should he be saved1 to get clear of his clouds1 and devote himself to that service of ,god which is of his own prescribing4 ,luther himself1 though he saw many things were without ground which he had received for truth1 had yet work hard enough1 as himself intimates1 to get his conscience clear from all those roots and strings of inbred error4 ,but1 ,i say1 to an untainted and well bred ,christian1 we have good measure1 shaken together1 and running over1 for our christian ,lord's day4 ,and ,i say again1 that the first day of the week1 and the spirit of such a ,christian1 suit one another as nature suiteth nature2 for there is as it were a natural instinct in ,christians1 as such1 when they understand what in a first day was brought forth1 to fall in therewith to keep it holy to their ,lord4 #a4 ,the first day of the week6 ,why it was the day of our life4 ',after two days he will revive us1' and in the third day 'we shall live in his sight4' ',after two days' there is the ,jews' preparation1 and seventh day sabbath1 quite passed over2 and in the third day1 that is the first day of the week1 which is the day our ,lord did rise from the dead1 we began to live by him in the sight of ,god 7,hosea #f3b2 ,john #bj3a2 #a ,cor #ae3d74 #b4 ,the first day of the week6 ,that is the day in which1 as ,i hinted before1 our ,lord was wont to preach to his disciples after he rose form the dead2 in which also he did use to shew them his hands and his feet 7,luke #bd3ch1ci2 ,john #bj3be74 ,to the end they might be confirmed in the truth of his victory over death and the grave for them4 ,the day in which he made himself known to them in breaking bread4 ,the day in which he so plentifully poured out the ,holy ,ghost upon them4 ,the day in which the church1 both at ,jerusalem and those of the ,gentiles1 did use to perform to ,god divine worship3 all which has before been sufficiently proved4 ,and shall we not imitate our ,lord1 nor the church that was immediately acted#ba by him in this1 and the churches their fellows8 ,shall1 ,i say1 the ,lord ,jesus do all this in his church1 and they together with him6 ,shall the churches of the ,gentiles also fall in with their ,lord and with their mother at ,jerusalem herein6 ,and again1 shall all this be so punctually committed to sacred story1 with the day in which these things were done1 under denomination1 over and over1 saying1 ,these things were done on the first day1 on the first day1 on the first day of the week1 while all other days are1 as to name1 buried in everlasting oblivion6 ,and shall we not take that notice thereof as to follow the ,lord ,jesus and the churches herein8 ,oh stupidity6 #c4 ,this day of the week6 ,they that make but observation of what the ,lord did of old1 to as many sinners1 and with his churches on this day1 must needs conclude1 that in this day the treasures of heaven were broken up1 and the richest things therein communicated to his church4 ,shall the children of this world be1 as to this also1 wiser in their generations than the children of light1 and former saints1 upon whose shoulders we pretend to stand1 go beyond us here also4 ,jacob could by observation gather that the place where he lay down to sleep was no other but the house of ,god1 and the very gate of heaven 7,gen #bh3ag74 ,laban could gather by observation1 that the ,lord blessed him for ,jacob's sake 7,gen #cj3bg74 ,david could gather by what he met with upon ,mount ,moriah1 that that was the place where ,god would have the temple builded1 therefore he sacrificed there 7#a ,chron #ba3bf-bh1 #bb3a1b2 #b ,chron #c3a74 ,ruth was to mark the place where ,boaz lay down to sleep1 and shall not ,christians also mark the day in which our ,lord rose from the dead 7,ruth #c3d74 ,i say1 shall we not mark it1 when so many memorable things were done on it1 for1 and to and in the churches of ,god6 ,let saints be ashamed to think that such a day should be looked over1 or counted common1 when tempted to it by ,satan1 when it was kept to religious service of old1 and when beautified with so many divine characters of sanctity as we have proved1 by ,christ1 his church1 the ,holy ,ghost1 and the command of apostolical authority it was4 ,but why1 ,i say1 is this day1 on which our ,lord rose from the dead1 nominated as it is8 why was it not sufficient to say 'he rose again1' or1 he rose again the third day8 without a specification of the very name of the day4 ,for1 as was said afore1 ,christ appeared to his disciples1 after his resurrection1 on other days also1 yea1 and thereon did miracles to4 ,why then did not these days live8 ,why was their name1 for all that1 blotted out1 and this day only kept alive in the churches8 ,the day on which ,christ was born of a virgin2 the day of his circumcision1 the day of his baptism1 and of his transfiguration1 are not by their names committed by the ,holy ,ghost to holy writ to be kept alive in the world1 nor yet such days in which he did many great and wonderful things4 ,but ,,this day1 this day is still nominated2 the first day of the week is the day4 ,i say1 why are things thus left with us8 ,but because we1 as saints of old1 should gather1 and separate1 what is of divine authority from the rest4 ,for in that this day is so often nominated while all other days lie dead in their graves1 it is as much as if ,god should say1 ,remember the first day of the week to keep it holy to the ,lord your ,god4 ,and set this aside1 and ,i know not what reason can be rendered1 or what prophecy should be fulfilled by the bare naming of the day4 ,when ,god1 of old1 did sanctify for the use of his church a day1 as he did many1 he always called them either by the name of the day of the month1 or of the week1 or by some other signal by which they might be certainly known1 why should it not then be concluded1 that for this very reason the first day of the week is thus often nominated by the ,holy ,ghost in the testament of ,christ8 ,moreover1 he that takes away the first day1 as to this service1 leaves us now no day1 as sanctified of ,god1 for his solemn worship to be by his churches performed in4 ,as for the seventh day sabbath1 that1 as we have seen1 is gone to its grave with the signs and shadows of the ,old ,testament4 ,yea1 and has such a dash left upon it by apostolical authority1 that it is enough to make a ,christian fly from it for ever 7#b ,cor #c74 ,now1 ,i say1 since that is removed by ,god3 if we should suffer the first day also to be taken away by man1 what day that has a divine stamp upon it1 would be left for us to worship ,god in8 ,alas6 the first day of the week is the ,christian's market day1 that which they so solemnly trade in for sole provision for all the week following4 ,this is the day that they gather manna in4 ,to be sure the seventh day sabbath is not that4 ,for of old the people of ,god could never find manna on that day4 ',on the seventh day said ,moses which is the sabbath1 in it there shall be none' 7,exo #af3bf74 ,any day of the week manna could be found1 but on that day it was not to be found upon the face of the ground4 ,but now our first day is the manna day2 the only day that the churches of the ,new ,testament1 even of old1 did gather manna in4 ,but more of this anon4 ,nor will it out of my mind but that it is a very high piece of ingratitude1 and of uncomely behaviour1 to deny the ,son of ,god his day1 the ,lord's day1 the day that he has made4 ,and as we have shewed already1 this first day of the week is it2 yea1 and a great piece of unmannerliness is it too1 for any1 notwithstanding the old seventh day is so degraded as it is1 to attempt to impose it on the ,son of ,god4 ,to impose a day upon him which yet ,paul denies to be a branch of the ministration of the ,spirit1 and of righteousness4 ,yea1 to impose a part of that ministration which he says plainly 'which was done away1' for that a better ministration stript it of its glory1 is a high attempt indeed 7#b ,cor #c74 ,yet again1 the apostle smites the teachers of the law upon the mouth1 saying1 'understanding neither what they say1 nor whereof they affirm' 7#a ,tim #a3g74 ,the seventh day sabbath1 was indeed ,god's rest from the works of creation2 but yet the rest that he found in what the first day of the week did produce1 for ,christ was born from the dead on it1 more pleased him than did all the seventh days that ever the world brought forth3 wherefore1 as ,i said before1 it cannot be but that the well-bred ,christian must set apart this day for solemn worship to ,god1 and to sanctify his name therein4 ,must the church of old be bound to remember that night in which they did come out of ,egypt6 must ,jephtha's daughter have four days for the virgins of ,israel yearly to lament her hard case in6 ,yea1 must two days be kept by the church of old1 yearly1 for their being delivered from ,haman's fury6 ,and must not one to the world's end be kept by the saints for the ,son of ,god their ,redeemer1 for all he has delivered them from a worse than ,pharaoh or ,haman1 even from the devil1 and death1 and sin1 and hell6 ,oh stupidity6 7,exo #ab3bd2 ,judg #aa3ci1dj2 ,esth #i3bf-cb74 ,a day6 say some1 ,god forbid but he should have a day4 ,but what day8 ,oh6 ,the old day comprised within the bounds and bowels of the ministration of death4 ,and is this the love that thou hast to thy ,redeemer1 to keep that day to him for all the service that he hath done for thee1 which has a natural tendency in it to draw thee off from the consideration of the works of thy redemption1 to the creation of the world6 ,oh stupidity6 ,but why must he be imposed upon8 ,has he chosen that day8 ,did he finish his work thereon8 ,is there in all the ,new ,testament of our ,lord1 from the day he rose from the dead1 to the end of his holy book1 one syllable that signifies in the least the tenth part of such a thing8 where is the scripture that saith that this ,lord of the sabbath commanded his church1 from that time1 to do any part of church service thereon8 ,where do we find the churches to gather together thereon8 ,but why the seventh day8 ,what is it8 ,take but the shadow thereof away4 ,or what shadow now is left in it since its institution as to divine service is taken long since from it8 ,is there any thing in the works that was done in that day1 more than shadow1 or that in the least tends otherwise to put us in mind of ,christ2 and he being come1 what need have we of that shadow8 ,and ,i say again1 since that day was to be observed by a ceremonial method1 and no way else1 as we find2 and since ceremonies have ceased1 what way of divine appointment is there left to keep that old sabbath by ,christians in8 ,if they say1 ceremonies have ceased4 ,by the same argument1 so is the sanction of the day in which they were to be performed4 ,i would gladly see the place1 if it is to be found1 where it is said1 ,that day retains its sanction1 which yet has lost that method of service which was of ,god appointed for the performance of worship to him thereon4 ,when ,canaan worship fell1 the sanction of ,canaan fell4 ,when temple worship1 and altar worship1 and the sacrifices of the ,levitical priesthood fell1 down also came the things themselves4 ,likewise so1 when the service1 or shadow and ceremonies of the seventh day sabbath fell1 the seventh day sabbath fell likewise4 ,on the seventh day sabbath1 as ,i told you1 manna was not to be found4 ,but why8 ,for that that day was of ,moses and of the ministration of death4 ,but manna was not of him4 ,moses1 saith ,christ1 'gave you not that bread of heaven' 7,john #f3ca1cb74 ,moses1 as was said1 gave that sabbath in tables of stone1 and ,god gave that manna from heaven4 ,christ1 nor his ,father1 gives grace by the law2 no not by that law in which is contained the old seventh day sabbath itself4 ,the law is not of faith1 why then should grace be by ,christians expected by observation of the law8 ,the law1 even the law written and engraven in stones1 enjoins perfect obedience thereto on pain of the curse of ,god4 ,nor can that part of it now under consideration1 according as is required1 be fulfilled by any man1 was the ceremony thereto belonging1 allowed to be laid aside 7,isa #eh3ac74 ,never man yet did keep it perfectly1 except he whose name is ,jesus ,christ3 in him therefore we have kept it1 and by him are set free from that law1 and brought under the ministration of the ,spirit4 ,but why should we be bound to seek manna on that day1 on which ,god says1 none shall be found4 ,perhaps it will be said1 that the sanction of that day would not admit that manna should be gathered on it4 ,but that was not all1 for on that day there was none to be found4 ,and might ,i choose1 ,i had rather sanctify that day to ,god on which ,i might gather this bread of ,god all day long1 then set my mind at all upon that in which no such bread was to be had4 ,the ,lord's day1 as was said1 is to the ,christians the principal manna day4 ,on this day1 even on it manna in the morning very early was gathered by the disciples of our ,lord1 as newly springing out of the ground4 ,the true bread of ,god3 the sheaf of first fruits1 which is ,christ from the dead1 was ordained to be waved before the ,lord on the morrow after the sabbath1 the day on which our ,lord ceased from his own work as ,god did from his 7,lev #bc74 ,now therefore the disciples found their green ears of corn indeed6 ,now they read life1 both in and out of the sepulchre in which the ,lord was laid4 ,now they could not come together nor speak one to another1 but either their ,lord was with them1 or they had heart enflaming tidings from him4 ,now cries one and says1 ,the ,lord is risen3 ,and then another and says1 ,he hath appeared to such and such4 ,now comes tidings to the eleven that their women were early at the sepulchre1 where they had a vision of angels that told them their ,lord was risen3 ,then comes another and says1 ,the ,lord is risen indeed4 ,two also came from ,emmaus and cried1 ,we have seen the ,lord3 and by and by1 while they yet were speaking1 their ,lord shows himself in the midst of them4 ,now he calls to their mind some of their eminent passages of his life1 and eats and drinks in their presence1 and opens the scriptures to them3 yea1 and opens their understanding too1 that their hearing might not be unprofitable to them2 all which continued from early in the morning till late at night4 ,oh6 what a manna day was this to the church4 ,and more than all this you will find1 if you read but the four evangelists upon this subject4 ,thus began the day after the sabbath1 and thus it has continued through all ages to this very day4 ,never did the seventh day sabbath yield manna to ,christians4 ,a new world was now begun with the poor church of ,god1 for so said the ,lord of the sabbath1 ',behold1 ,i make all things new4' ,a new covenant1 and why not then a new resting day to the church8 ,or why must the old sabbath be joined to this new ministration8 let him that can1 show a reason for it4 ,christians1 if ,i have not been so large upon things as some might expect2 know1 that my brevity on this subject is1 from consideration that must needs not be spoken thereto1 and because ,i may have occasion to write a second part4 ,christians1 beware of being entangled with old testament ministrations1 lest by one you be brought into many inconveniencies4 ,i have observed1 that though the ,jewish rites have lost their sanction1 yet some that are weak in judgment1 do bring themselves into bondage by them4 ,yea1 so high have some been carried as to a pretended conscience to these that they have at last proceeded to circumcision1 to many wives1 and the observation of many bad things besides4 ,yea1 ,i have talked with some pretending to ,christianity1 who have said1 and affirmed1 as well as they could1 that the ,jewish sacrifices must up again4 ,but do you give no heed to these ,jewish fables ',that turn from the truth' 7,titus #a3ad74 ,do you1 ,i say1 that love the ,lord ,jesus1 keep close to his testament1 his word1 his gospel1 and observe ,,his holy day4 ,and this caution in conclusion ,i would give1 to put stop to this ,jewish ceremony1 to wit1 ,that a seventh day sabbath pursued according to its imposition by law1 7and ,i know not that it is imposed by the apostles7 leads to blood and stoning to death those that do but gather sticks thereon 7,num #ae3cb-cf74 ,a thing which no way becomes the gospel1 that ministration of the ,spirit and of righteousness 7#b ,cor #c74 ,nor yet the professors thereof 7,luke #i3ed-ef74 ,nor can it with fairness be said1 that that sabbath day remains1 although the law thereof is repealed4 ,for confident ,i am1 that there is no more ground to make such a conclusion1 than there is to say1 that circumcision is still of force1 though the law for cutting of the uncircumcised is by the gospel made null and void4 ,i told you also in the epistle1 that if the fifth commandment was the first that was with promise2 then it follows1 that the fourth1 or that seventh day sabbath1 had no promise entailed to it4 ,whence it follows1 that where you read in the prophet of a promise annexed to a sabbath1 it is best to understand it of our gospel sabbath 7,isa #ef74 ,now if it be asked1 ,what promise is entailed to our first day sabbath8 ,i answer1 ,the biggest of promises4 ,for1 ,first1 ,the resurrection of ,christ was tied by promise to this day1 and to none other4 ,he rose the third day after his death1 and that was the first day of the week1 'according' to what was fore-promised in the scriptures 7,hosea #f3a1b2 #a ,cor #ae3c-f74 ,second1 ,that we should live before ,god by him1 is a promise to be fulfilled on this day2 ',after two days will he revive us3 in the third day--we shall live in his sight' 7,hosea #f3b74 ,see also ,isaiah #bf3ai and compare them again with #a ,corinthians #ae3d4 ,third1 ,the great promise of the new testament1 to wit1 the pouring out of the ,spirit1 fixeth upon these days2 and so he began in the most wonderful effusion of it upon ,pentecost1 which was the first day of the week1 that the scriptures might be fulfilled 7,acts #b3af-ai74 ,nor could these three promises be fulfilled upon any other days1 for that the scripture had fixed them to the first day of the week4 ,i am of opinion that these things1 though but briefly touched upon1 cannot be fairly objected against1 however they may be disrelished by some4 ,nor can ,i believe1 that any part of our religion1 as we are ,christians1 stand in not kindling of fires1 and not seething of victuals1 or in binding of men not to stir out of those places on the seventh day1 in which at the dawning thereof they were found4 ,and yet these are ordinances belonging to that seventh day sabbath 7,exo #af3bc-bi74 ,certainly it must needs be an error to impose these things by divine authority upon new testament believers1 our worship standing now in things more weighty1 spiritual and heavenly4 ,nor can it be proved1 as ,i have hinted before1 that this day was1 or is to be imposed without those ordinances1 with others in other places mentioned and adjoined1 for the sanction of that day they being made necessary parts of that worship that was to be performed thereon4 ,i have charity for those that abuse themselves and their ,lord1 by their preposterous zeal and affection for the continuing of this day in the churches4 ,for ,i conclude1 that if they did either believe1 or think of the incoherence that this day with its rites and ceremonies has with the ministration of the ,spirit1 our new testament ministration1 they would not so stand int heir own light as they do1 nor so stiffly plead for a place for it in the churches of the ,gentiles4 ,but as ,paul insinuates in other cases1 there is an aptness in men to be under the law because they do not hear it 7,gal #d74 ,nor will it out of my mind1 but if the seventh day sabbath was by divine authority1 and to be kept holy by the churches of the ,gentiles1 it should not have so remained among the ,jews1 ,christ's deadliest enemies1 and have been kept so much hid from the believers1 his best friends4 ,for who has retained the pretended sanction of that day from ,christ's time1 quite down in the world1 but the ,jews1 and a few ,jewish ,gentiles1 ,i will except some4 ,but1 ,i say1 since a sabbath is that without which the great worship of ,god under the gospel cannot be well performed3 how can it be thought1 that it should as to the knowledge of it1 be confined to so blasphemous a generation of the ,jews1 with whom that worship is not8 ,i will rather conclude1 that those ,gentile professors that adhere thereto are ,jewified1 legalized1 and so far gone back from the authority of ,god1 who from such bondage has set his churches free4 ,i do at this time but hint upon things1 reserving a fuller argument upon them for a time and place more fit2 where1 and when1 ,i may perhaps also show1 some other wild notions of those that so stiffly cleave to this4 ,meantime1 ,i entreat those who are captivated with this opinion1 not to take it ill at my hand that ,i thus freely speak my mind4 ,i entreat them also to peruse my book without prejudice to my person4 ,the truth is1 one thing that has moved me to this work1 is the shame that has covered the face of my soul1 when ,i have thought of the fictions and fancies that are growing among professors4 ,and while ,i see each fiction turn itself to a faction1 to the loss of that good spirit of love1 and that oneness that formerly was with good men4 ,i doubt not but some unto whom this book may come1 have had seal from ,god1 that the first day of the week is to be sanctified by the church to ,jesus ,christ4 ,not only from his testimony1 which is1 and should be1 the ground of our practice2 but also1 for that the first conviction that the ,holy ,ghost made upon their consciences1 to make them know that they were sinners1 began with them for breaking this sabbath day2 which day1 by that same spirit was told them1 was that now called the first day1 and not the day before1 and the ,holy ,ghost doth not use to begin this work with a lie1 which first conviction the ,spirit has followed so close1 with other things tending to complete the same work1 that the soul from so good a beginning could not rest until it found rest in ,christ4 ,let this then to such be a second token that the ,lord's day is by them to be kept in commemoration of their ,lord and his resurrection1 and of what he did on this day for their salvation4 ,amen4 ,,footnotes3 #a4 ,dialogues1 #ast chapter1 xxv4 #b4 ,answer to ,more4 #c4 ,institutes1 b4 ii4 ch4 #h4 #d4 ,com4 on ,gal4 #d3i4 #e4 ,the word 'moral' is here used to mark the difference between obligations binding on all mankind and a positive or limited command3 thus1 to love ,god is a moral or universal obligation1 but to be baptized is positive and obligatory only on those who believe 7,acts #h3cg74--;,ed4 #f4 ,the original edition refers to 7,eze #di1 #ej71 but it is evidently a typographical error in omitting the chapter4 #g4 ,man unaided by revelation4 #h4 ,adam is supposed by some rabbins not to have passed one night in a state of perfection1 7see ,ainsworth on ,gen #c3a1 #bh3aa2 ,psa #di3ac71 and to have fallen on the ,sabbath day4 #i4 ,the murder of ,abel took place 'at the end of days'2 see margin to ,genesis #d3c4 ,properly rendered 'in process of time'2 but by some supposed to mean at the end of the week4 ,see ,dr4 ,gill's ,commentary4 #aj4 ',the ,lord hath given ,,you the sabbath4' ,see also #ca3ag1 ',it the observance of the sabbath is a sign between me and the children of ,israel for ever4'--,ed4 #aa4 ,this is a striking application of ,colossians #b3ag4 ,the sabbath 'a shadow of things to come'2 to the ,jews it was a shadow of the rest that remaineth to the children of ,god1 reflected from the completion of the work of creation4 ,the day of rest and worship to the ,christian1 is a much stronger type1 yet but a shadow of the holy enjoyments of his eternal rest1 prefigured from the finishing of the mightier work of redemption4--,ed4 #ab4 ,in ,bunyan's original edition it is ',matt #c1 #a1' but this must be a typographical error4--,ed4 #ac4 ',out of doors1' no more to be found1 quite gone1 fairly sent away4--,locke4 ',out of court4'--,law-term4--,ed4 #ad4 ',any likement1' any fondness or partiality4--,ed4 #ae4 ,this spirit is not extinct4 ,mr4 ,shenston1 in his ',plea for the ,seventh-day1' charges those who keep the ,lord's day 'that they yield to the tide--keep their friends--riches--comforts2 they believe that the seventh-day is the sabbath1 and would greatly prefer keeping it1 if the rulers of the nation would alter the day2 they imagine that their ,god is some dumb idol6' ,language most unseemly and insulting--charging all who observe the ,lord's day with being hypocrites and the worst of fools4 ,mr4 ,s4 forgot the solemn proverb1 'with what judgment ye judge ye shall be judged4' ,edit4 #ahbf1 pp4 #da1 #db4 #af4 ,this was the opinion of those great reformers1 ,tyndale1 ,calvin1 and ,luther2 see introduction by the ,editor4 ,it was a sentiment which led to no practical evil4--,ed4 #ag4 ,psalm #aah3bd4 #ah4 ',that we read of' in the ,new ,testament2 for this is our sole authority in all inquiries as to a ,christian's faith and practice4--,ed4 #ai4 ',tradition' is a communication without writing1 and when made orally by some apostle or messenger from the first church at ,jerusalem1 and the message so obeys as to be left upon record by the ,holy ,ghost1 it has the same authority as if it had been commanded in an epistle4 ,it has nothing to do with the vain traditions of the fathers 7so called71 which were not heard of until after the inspired volume was completed and closed4 ,any subsequent commands are censures upon ,god's omniscience1 and are deserving only of contempt4--,ed4 #bj4 ,the ,new ,testament by ,whittinghan1 #aeeg2 the ,genevan or ,puritan ,bible by ,knox1 ,coverdale1 and others1 #aefj2 and the ,new ,testament revised by ,tomson1 #aegf1 very frequently reprinted1 and very favourite translations among our puritan and pilgrim forefathers in the faith4 ,the marginal note to the ,puritan ,bible1 in ,acts #bj3g1 'first day1' is1 'which we call ,sunday4 ,of this place1 and also of the #a ,corinthians #af3b1 we gather that the ,christians used to have their solemn assemblies this day1 laying aside the ceremony of the ,jewish sabbath4'--,ed4 #ba4 ',acted by1' a mode of speech now obsolete2 it means 'actuated by' or 'influenced by4'--,ed4 999999 ,,of ,,the ,,trinity ,,and ,a ,,christian1 ,,and ,,of ,,the ,,law ,,and ,a ,,christian4 ,,editor',s ,,advertisement4 ,these two short treatises were found among ,mr4 ,bunyan's papers after his decease4 ,they probably were intended for publication1 like his ',prison ,meditations' and his ',map of ,salvation1' on a single page each1 in the form of a broadside1 or handbill4 ,this was the popular mode in which tracts were distributed2 and when posted against a wall1 or framed and hung up in a room1 they excited notice1 and were extensively read4 ,they might also have afforded some trifling profit to aid this poor but eminent servant of ,christ in his very limited income4 ,they form two pages in that exceedingly interesting volume of ',the ,works of ,mr4 ,john ,bunyan1' in small folio1 #afib4 ,to which is added ',the ,struggler1' containing some most valuable facts1 relative to the various works1 imprisonment and sufferings of the author4 ,the titles to these treatises were added by ,mr4 ,doe1 the personal friend of ,bunyan1 who edited the works and wrote ',the ,struggler1' the author having left them without any heading or title4 ,they are very unfinished1 and may have been intended as a syllabus or outline of more extended treatises4--,,geo4 ,,offor4 ,,of ,,the ,,trinity ,,and ,a ,,christian ,how a young1 or shaken ,christian should demean himself under the weighty thoughts of the doctrine of the ,trinity1 or plurality of persons in the eternal godhead4 ,the reason why ,i say a young1 or shaken ,christian2 it is because some that are not young1 but of an ancient standing1 may not only be assaulted with violent temptations1 concerning gospel principles1 but a second time may become a child1 a babe1 a shallow man1 in the things of ,god2 especially1 either when by backsliding he hath provoked ,god to leave him1 or when some new1 unexpected1 and1 as to present strength1 over-weighty objection doth fall upon the spirit2 by means of which1 great shakings of mind do commonly attend such a soul1 in the most weighty matters of the concerns of faith1 which this is one that have supposed in the above-named question4 ,wherefore passing other things1 ,i will come directly to that1 and briefly propose some helps to a soul in such a case4 ,,the ,,first ,,preparative4 ,first1 then1 be sure thou keep close to the word of ,god2 for that is the revelation of the mind and will of ,god1 both as to the truth of what is either in himself or ways2 and also as to what he requireth and expecteth of thee1 either concerning faith in1 or obedience to1 what he hath so revealed4 ,now for thy better performing of this ,i shall give thee in brief these following directions4 #a4 ,suffer thyself1 by the authority of the word1 to be persuaded that the scripture indeed is the word of ,god2 the scriptures of truth1 the words of the holy one2 and that they therefore must be every one true1 pure1 and for ever settled in heaven4 #b4 ,conclude therefore from the former doctrine1 that that ,god whose words they are1 is able to make a reconciliation and most sweet and harmonious agreement with all the sayings therein1 how obscure1 cross1 dark1 and contradictory soever they seem to thee4 ,to understand all mysteries1 to have all knowledge1 to be able to comprehend with all saints1 is a great work2 enough to crush the spirit1 and to stretch the strings of the most capacious and widened soul that breatheth on this side glory1 be they notwithstanding exceedingly enlarged by revelation4 ,paul1 when he was caught up to heaven1 saw that which was unlawful1 because impossible for man to utter4 ,and saith ,christ to the reasoning ,pharisee1 ',if ,i have told you earthly things1 and ye believe not1 how shall ye believe1 if ,i tell you of heavenly things8' 7,john #c3ab74 ,it is great lewdness1 and also insufferable arrogancy to come to the word of ,god1 as conceiting already that whatever thou readest1 must either by thee be understood1 or of itself fall to the ground as a senseless error4 ,but ,god is wiser than man1 wherefore fear thou him1 and tremble at his word1 saying still1 with godly suspicion of thine own infirmity1 what ,i see not1 teach thou me1 and thou art ,god only wise2 but as for me1 ',i was as a beast before thee' 7,psa #gc3bb74 #c4 ,take heed of taking a part of the word only1 lest thou thereby go away with the truth as mangled in pieces4 ,for instance1 where thou readest1 ',the ,,lord our ,god is one ,lord' 7,deut #f3d72 there take heed that thou dost not thence conclude1 ,then there are not three persons in the godhead3 ,or when thou readest of the ,father1 the ,son1 and the ,holy ,spirit1 then take heed of concluding1 there must therefore either be three ,gods1 or else that ,jesus ,christ and the ,holy ,ghost are not true ,god1 but the ,father only4 ,wherefore to help thee here1 observe1 ,,the ,,second ,,preparative4 #a4 ,that ,christian religion requireth credit concerning every doctrine contained in the word2 credit1 ,i say1 according to the true relation of every sentence that the ,holy ,ghost hath revealed for the asserting1 maintaining1 or vindicating that same truth4 #b4 ,and therefore hence it is that a ,christian is not called a doer1 a reasoner1 an objector1 and perverse disputer2 but a ,,believer4 ,be thou an example to the believer4 ',and believers were the more added to the ,lord1' c4 7,acts #e3ad2 #a ,tim #d3ab74 #c4 ,therefore know again that the word1 if it saith and expresseth that this or that is so and so1 as to the matter in hand1 thou art bound and obliged both by the name1 profession1 and the truth1 unto which thou hast joined thyself1 to assent to1 confess and acknowledge the same1 even then when thy carnal reason will not stoop thereto4 ',righteous art thou1 ,o ,lord1' saith ,jeremiah1 'yet let me talk with thee3 ,wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper8' 7,jer #ab3a74 ,mark1 first he acknowledgeth that ,god's way with the wicked is just and right1 even then when yet he could not see the reason of his actings and dispensations towards them4 ,the same reason is good as to our present case4 ,and hence it is that the apostle teacheth1 the spiritual armour of ,christians should be much exercised against those high-towering and self-exalting imaginations1 that within our own bosoms do exalt themselves against the knowledge of ,god4 ,that every thought1 or carnal reasoning1 may be not only taken1 but brought as captive into obedience to ,christ2 that is1 be made to stoop to the word of ,god1 and to give way and place to the doctrine therein contained1 how cross soever our thoughts and the word lie to each other4 ,and it is observable that he here teacheth1 ,they exalt themselves against the knowledge of ,god1 which cannot be understood that our carnal or natural reason doth exalt itself against an eternal deity1 simply considered2 for that nature itself doth gather from the very things that are made1 even his eternal power and godhead2 it must be then that they exalt themselves against that ,god as thus and thus revealed in the word1 to wit1 against the knowledge of one ,god consisting of three persons1 ,father1 ,son1 and ,spirit2 for this is the doctrine of the scriptures of truth2 and therefore it is observable these thoughts must be brought captive1 and be made subject in particular to the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 as to the second person in the godhead2 for the ,father is ever acknowledged by all that profess the least of religion2 but the ,son is that stubmling-stone1 and rock of offence1 against which thousands dash themselves in pieces2 though in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge1 and in him dwells the fulness of the godhead bodily4 ,,of ,,the ,,law ,,and ,a ,,christian4 ,the law was given twice upon mount ,sinai1 but the appearance of the ,lord when he gave it the second time1 was wonderfully different from that of his appearance1 when at the first he delivered it to ,israel 7,exo #ai and #cd74 #a4 ,when he gave it the first time1 he caused his terror and severity to appear before ,moses1 to the shaking of his soul1 and the dismaying of ,israel 7,exo #ai3af2 ,heb #ab3ah-bj74 ,but when he gave it the second time1 he caused all his goodness to pass before ,moses1 to the comfort of his conscience1 and the bowing of his heart 7,exo #cd3h74 #b4 ,when he gave it the first time1 it was with thunderings and lightnings1 with blackness and darkness1 with flame and smoke1 and a tearing sound of the trumpet 7,exo #ai3af-ah74 ,but when he gave it the second time1 it was with a proclamation of his name to be merciful1 gracious1 long-suffering1 and abundant in goodness and truth1 keeping mercy for thousands1 forgiving iniquity1 transgressions and sins 7,exo #cd3f1g74 #c4 ,when he gave it the first time1 ,moses was called to go up to receive it through the fire1 which made him exceedingly fear and quake 7,exo #ai3ah2 ,heb #ab3ba74 ,but when he went to receive it the second time1 he was laid in a clift of the rock 7,exo #ca3bb74 #d4 ,from all which ,i gather1 that1 though as to the matter of the law1 both as to its being given the first time1 and the second1 it binds the unbeliever under the pains of eternal damnation1 if he close not with ,christ by faith2 yet as to the manner of its giving at these two times1 ,i think the first doth more principally intend its force as a covenant of works1 not at all respecting the ,lord ,jesus2 but this second time not1 at least in the manner of its being given1 respecting such a covenant1 but rather as a rule1 or directory1 to those who already are found in the clift of the rock1 ,christ3 for the saint himself1 though he be without law to ,god1 as it is considered the first or old covenant1 yet even he is not without law to him as considered under grace1 not without law to ,god1 but under the law to ,christ 7#a ,cor #i3ba74 #e4 ,though therefore it be sad with the unbeliever1 because he only and wholly standeth under the law1 as it is given in fire1 in smoke1 in blackness1 and darkness1 and thunder2 all which threaten him with eternal ruin if he fulfil not the utmost tittle thereof2 yet the believer stands to the law under no such consideration1 neither is he so at all to hear or regard it1 for he is now removed from thence to the blessed mountain of ,zion1 to grace and forgiveness of sins2 he is now1 ,i say1 by faith in the ,lord ,jesus shrouded under so perfect and blessed a righteousness1 that this thundering law of mount ,sinai cannot find the least fault or diminution therein2 but rather approveth and alloweth thereof either when1 or wherever it find it 7,heb #ab74 ,this is called the righteousness of ,god without the law1 and is also said to be witnessed by both the law and the prophets3 even the righteousness of ,god1 which is by faith in ,jesus ,christ 'unto all and upon all them that believe1 for there is no difference' 7,rom #c3bb74 #f4 ,wherefore whenever thou who believest in ,jesus1 dost hear the law in its thundering and lightning fits1 as if it would burn up heaven and earth2 then say thou1 ,i am freed from this law1 these thunderings have nothing to do with my soul2 nay even this law1 while it thus thunders and roareth1 it doth both allow and approve of my righteousness4 ,i know that ,hagar would sometimes be domineering and high1 even in ,sarah's house and against her2 but this she is not to be suffered to do1 nay though ,sarah herself be barren2 wherefore serve ,,it also as ,sarah served her1 and expel her out from thy house4 ,my meaning is1 when this law with its thundering threatenings doth attempt to lay hold on thy conscience1 shut it out with a promise of grace2 cry1 the inn is took up already1 the ,lord ,jesus is here entertained1 and here is no room for the law4 ,indeed if it will be content with being my informer1 and so lovingly leave off to judge me2 ,i will be content1 it shall be in my sight1 ,i will also delight therein2 but otherwise1 ,i being now made upright without it1 and that too with that righteousness1 which this law speaks well of and approveth2 ,i am not1 will not1 cannot1 dare not make it my saviour and judge1 nor suffer it to set up its government in my conscience2 for by so doing ,i fall from grace1 and ,christ ,jesus doth profit me nothing 7,gal #e3a-e74 #g4 ,thus therefore the soul that is married to him that is raised up from the dead1 both may and ought to deal with this law of ,god2 yea1 it doth greatly dishonour its ,lord and refuse its gospel privileges1 if it at any time otherwise doth1 whatever it seeth or feels4 ,the law hath power over the wife so long as her husband liveth1 but if her husband be dead she is freed from that law1 so that she is no adulteress though she be married to another man 7,rom #g3a-c74 ,indeed so long as thou art alive to sin1 and to thy righteousness which is of the law1 so long thou hast them for thy husband and they must reign over thee3 ,but when once they are become dead unto thee1 as they then most certainly will1 when thou closest with the ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 then ,i say1 thy former husbands have no more to meddle with thee1 thou art freed from their law4 ,set a case1 a woman be cast into prison for a debt of hundreds of pounds1 if after this she marry2 yea1 though while she is in the gaoler's hand1 in the same day that she is joined to her husband1 her debt is all become his2 yea1 and the law also that arrested and imprisoned this woman1 as freely tells her1 go1 she is freed1 saith ,paul1 from that1 and so saith the law of this land4 ,the sum then of what hath been said is this1 the ,christian hath now nothing to do with the law1 as it thundereth and burneth on ,sinai1 or as it bindeth the conscience to wrath and the displeasure of ,god for sin2 for from its thus appearing1 it is freed by faith in ,christ4 ,yet it is to have regard thereto1 and is to count it holy1 just and good 7,rom #g3ab72 which that it may do1 it is always whenever it seeth or regards it1 to remember that he who giveth it to us is 'merciful1 and gracious1 long-suffering1 and abundant in goodness and truth1' c4 7,exo #cd3f74 999999 ,,scriptural ,,poems2 ,,being ,,several ,,portions ,,of ,,scripture ,,digested ,,into ,,english ,,verse viz41 ,i4 ,the ,book of ,ruth ,,ii4 ,the ,history of ,samson ,,iii4 ,christ's ,sermon on the ,mount ,,iv4 ,the ,prophecy of ,jonah ,v4 ,the ,life of ,joseph ,,vi4 ,the ,epistle of ,james ,,by ,,john ,,bunyan ,licensed ,according to ,order4 ,london3 ,printed for ,j4 ,blare1 at the ,looking ,glass1 on ,london ,bridge1 #agja4 ,,advertisement ,,by ,,the ,,editor4 ,this very interesting little volume of poems1 we believe1 has not been reprinted since the year #agja1 nor has it ever been inserted in any edition or catalogue of ,bunyan's works4 ,this may have arisen from the author's having sold his entire copyright--a fact which prevented ,charles ,doe from publishing many other of ,bunyan's treatises1 when he projected his edition of the entire works1 of which the first volume only was printed4 ,with some other of ,bunyan's rarest tracts1 it escaped the researches of ,wilson1 who published the works in #agcg1 and also of ,whitefield1 ,mason1 and all other editors of ,bunyan's works4 ,mr4 ,doe1 in his very interesting pages called ',the ,struggler1 for the ,preservation of ,mr4 ,john ,bunyan's ,labours1' gives a catalogue table of his books in the order in which they were published2 but he had not discovered these poems1 nor the ,emblems1 nor the ,exhortation to ,peace and ,unity4 ,the volume from which this edition is printed consists of one hundred pages in crown octavo1 with a very rude cut of ,ruth and ,boaz4 ,it is of extreme rarity1 if not unique1 in a perfect state4 ,the imprint is--,london1 for ,j4 ,blare1 at the ,looking ,glass1 on ,london ,bridge1 #agja4 ,it forms part of the ,editor's extensive collection of the original or early editions of ,bunyan's tracts and treatises2 the scarcity of which may be accounted for1 from their having been printed on very bad paper1 and worn out by use1 being so generally and eagerly read by pious persons among the labouring classes of the community4 ,the style and substance of these scriptural poems are entirely ,bunyan's4 ,his veneration for the holy oracles appears through every page1 by his close adherence to the text4 ,he fully proves what he asserts in his address to the reader-- ',the ,,word are for the most part all the same1 ,for ,i affected plainness more than fame4' ,however uncouth it may appear to use a plural verb after a singular noun1 it really expresses his meaning1 which is evidently1 that portions of the ,,word of ,god are rendered into poetry as nearly as possible1 word for word with the original2 and he immediately apologizes for this rudeness1 in neglecting the rules of grammar1 by stating his earnest plainness of speech1 and his want of education in early life4 ',nor could'st thou hope to have it better done1 ,for ,i'm no poet1 nor a poet's son1 ,but a mechanic1 guided by no rule1 ,but what ,i gained in a grammar school ,in my minority4' ,how exactly does this agree with his account of himself in boyhood1--',it pleased ,god to put it into my parent's heart to put me to school1 to learn both to read and write2 though1 to my shame ,i confess1 ,i did soon lose that ,i learnt1 even almost utterly4'#a ,our surprise will be excited1 not by little inaccuracies of style or departures from the rules of grammar1 but at the talent of a poor mechanic1 in so faithfully rendering scripture histories in such simple and striking language4 ,as ,mr4 ,burton says1 in commending his ,gospel ,truths ,vindicated1--',this man hath not the learning or wisdom of man1 yet through grace he hath received the teaching of ,god1 and the learning of the ,spirit of ,christ1 which is the thing that makes a man both a ,christian and a minister of the gospel 7,isa #ej3d74 ,he was not chosen out of an earthly1 but out of the heavenly ,university1 and hath taken these three heavenly degrees--,union with ,christ--,the ,anointing of the ,spirit1 and ,experience of the ,temptations of ,satan2 far better than all the ,university learning and degrees that can be had4' ,may ,bunyan's desire be realized1 and his verses prove to all our readers ',as delighting ,to thee in reading1 as to me in writing4' ,,geo4 ,,offor4 ,hackney1 ,august #bb1 #ahdi ,,scriptural ,,poems ,,to ,,the ,,reader4 ,whoe'er thou art that shall peruse this book1 ,this may inform thee1 when ,i undertook ,to write these lines1 it was not my design ,to publish this imperfect work of mine3 ,composed only for diversion's sake4 ,but being inclin'd to think thou may'st partake ,some benefit thereby1 ,i have thought fit1 ,imperfect as it is1 to publish it4 ,the subjects are a part of the contents1 ,both of the ,old and the ,new ,testaments2 ,the word are for the most part all the same1 ,for ,i affected plainness more than fame4 ,nor could'st thou hope to have it better done3 ,for ,i'm no poet1 nor a poet's son1 ,but a mechanic1 guided by no rule1 ,but what ,i gained in a grammar school ,in my minority3 ,i can't commend it1 ,such as it is into the world ,i send it1 ,and should be glad to see some hand to mend it4 ,would but those men whose genius leads them to't1 ,and who have time and parts wherewith to do't1 ,employ their pens in such a task as this1 ',twould be a most delightsome exercise ,of profit to themselves and others too3 ,if what the learned ,herbert says1 holds true1 ,a verse may find him1 who a sermon flies1 ,and turn delight into a sacrifice2#b ,thus ,i conclude1 and wish it as delighting ,to thee in reading as to me in writing4 ,,john ,,bunyan4 ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,ruth ,a ,,very ,,rude ,,woodcut3--,,ruth ,,gleaning4--,,ruth ,,creeping ,,to ,,boaz1 ,,who ,,is ,,asleep4 ,,chap4 ,i4 ,in ancient times1 e'er ,israel knew the way ,of kingly power1 when judges bore the sway3 ,a certain man of ,bethlehem ,juda fled1 ,by reason of a famine that o'erspread ,the land1 into the land of ,moab1 where ,he and his wife1 and sons1 sojourners were4 ,his name ,elimelech1 his eldest son ,was called ,mahlon1 t'other ,chilion1 ,his wife was ,naomi1 ,ephrathites they were3 ,they went to ,moab and continued there3 ,where of her husband ,naomi was bereft1 ,and only she and her two sons were left3 ,who took them wives of ,moab in their youth4 ,the name of one was ,orpah1 t'other ,ruth3 ,and there they died ere twice five years were gone2 ,and ,naomi was wholly left alone4 ,then she arose1 and her step-daughters with her1 ,to leave the land of ,moab altogether3 ,for she had heard the ,lord had visited ,her native country1 with increase of bread1 ,wherefore the land of ,moab she forsook1 ,and to her native place her course she took1 ,her daughters with her3 whom she did desire1 ,that to their mother's house they would retire4 ,the ,lord1 said she1 be kind to you again1 ,as you to me1 and to the dead have been4 ,god grant you each may be with husbands blest1 ,and in the enjoyment of them both find rest1 ,then she embraced them1 and there withal1 ,down from their cheeks1 the tears began to fall4 ,they wept aloud1 and said1 ,most surely we ,unto thy people will return with thee4 ,but ,naomi replied1 ,wherefore will ye1 ,my daughters1 thus resolve to go with me8 ,are there yet any more sons in my womb1 ,that may your husbands be in time to come8 ,return again1 my daughters1 go your way1 ,for ,i'm too old to marry3 should ,i say ,i've hope8 ,should ,i this night conceive a son8 ,would either of you stay till he is grown8 ,would you so long without an husband#c live8 ,nay1 nay1 my daughters1 for it doth me grieve ,exceedingly1 even for your sakes1 that ,i ,do under this so great affliction lie4 ,and here they wept again4 ,and ,orpah kiss'd ,her mother1 ,but ,ruth would be not dismiss'd ,but clave unto her3 unto whom she spake ,and said1 ,behold1 thy sister is gone back1 ,with her own gods1 and people to abide1 ,go thou along with her4 ,but ,ruth replied1 ,intreat me not to leave thee1 or return3 ,for where thou goest1 ,i'll go1 where thou sojourn1 ,i'll sojourn also4 ,and what people's thine1 ,and who thy ,god1 the same shall both be mine4 ,where thou shalt die1 there will ,i die likewise1 ,and ,i'll be buried where thy body lies4 ,the ,lord do so to me1 and more1 if ,i ,do leave thee1 or forsake thee till ,i die4 ,and when she saw the purpose of her heart1 ,she left off to desire her to depart4 ,so they two travelled along together ,to ,bethlehem1 and when they were come thither1 ,behold6 the people were surprised1 and cried1 ,what1 is this ,naomi8 ,but she replied1 ,oh6 call me ,mara1 and not ,naomi2 ,for ,i have been afflicted bitterly4 ,i went out from you full1 but now ,i come1 ,as it hath pleased ,god1 quite empty home3 ,why then call ye me ,naomi8 ,since ,i ,have been afflicted so exceedingly4 ,so ,naomi return'd1 and ,ruth together1 ,who had come from the land of ,moab with her3 ,and unto ,bethlem ,judah did they come1 ,just as the ,barley ,harvest was begun4 ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,there was a man of kin to ,naomi1 ,one that was of her husband's family1 ,his name was ,boaz1 and his wealth was great4 ,and ,ruth1 the ,moabitess1 did intreat ,her ,mother's leave1 that she might go1 and gather ,some ears of corn1 where she should most find favour3 ,go1 daughter1 go1 said she4 ,she went and came ,near to the reapers1 to glean after them3 ,and lo1 it was her hap to light among ,the reapers1 which to ,boaz did belong4 ,behold1 now ,boaz came from ,bethlehem ,unto his reapers1 and saluted them1 ,and they bless'd him again3 and he enquired ,of him that was set over them he hired1 ,from whence the damsel was1 and was inform'd ,she was the ,moabitess that return'd ,with ,naomi3 and she did ask1 said he1 ,that here amongst the reapers she might be1 ,and that she might have liberty to glean ,among the sheaves4 ,and she all day hath been1 ,ev'n from the morning until now1 with us1 ,that she hath stay'd a little in the house4 ,then ,boaz said to ,ruth1 observe1 my daughter1 ,that thou go not from hence1 or follow after ,the reapers of another field1 but where ,my maidens are1 see that thou tarry there3 ,observe what field they reap1 and go thou there1 ,have ,i not charged the young men to forbear ,to touch thee8 ,and when thou dost thirst1 approach ,and drink of what the youths have set abroach4#d ,then she fell on her face1 and to the ground ,she bow'd herself1 and said1 ,why have ,i found ,such favour in thine eyes2 that thou1 to me ,who am a stranger1 should so courteous be8 ,and ,boaz said1 it hath been fully shewn ,to me1 what to thy mother-in-law thou'st done1 ,since of thine husband thou hast been bereft3 ,how thou thy father and thy mother left1 ,and thine own native land2 to come unto ,a land which thou before didst never know3 ,the ,lord1 the ,god of ,israel1 the defence ,whom now thou'st chosen1 be thy recompence4 ,then said she1 let me in thy sight1 my lord1 ,find favour in that thou dost thus afford ,me comfort1 and since thou so kind to me ,dost speak1 though ,i thereof unworthy be4 ,and ,boaz said1 at meal time come thou near1 ,eat of the bread1 and dip i' th' vinegar4 ,and by the reapers she sat down to meat1 ,he gave her parched corn1 and she did eat1 ,and was suffic'd2 and left1 and rose to glean3 ,and ,boaz gave command to the young men1 ,let her come in among the sheaves1 said he1 ,to glean1 and let her not reproached be4 ,let fall some handfuls also purposely1 ,and let her take them without injury4 ,so she till even glean'd1 and then beat out ,her barley1 being an ephah#e or thereabout4 ,she took it up1 and to the city went1 ,and to her mother-in-law did it present3 ,and what she had reserv'd to her she gave1 ,when she had took what she design'd to have4 ,then unto her1 her mother-in-law did say1 ,in what field hast thou been to glean to-day8 ,and where hast thou been working8 ,blest be he1 ,that thus hath taken cognizance of thee4 ,she told with whom1 and furthermore did say1 ,the man's name's ,boaz1 where ,i wrought to-day4 ,and ,naomi replied1 may he be blest1 ,even of the ,lord1 whose kindness manifest ,unto the living and the dead hath been3 ,the man's our kinsman1 yea1 the next of kin4 ,and ,ruth1 the ,moabitess1 said1 he gave ,me likewise a commandment not to leave1 ,or to depart from following his young men1 ,until they had brought all his harvest in4 ,and ,naomi said unto ,ruth1 my daughter1 ',tis good that thou observe to follow after ,his maidens1 that they meet thee not elsewhere4 ,so she to ,boaz's maidens still kept near1 ,till barley and wheat harvest both1 she saw ,were done1 and she dwelt with her mother-in-law4 ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,then ,naomi said1 ,shall ,i not1 my daughter1 ,seek rest for thee1 that thou do well hereafter8 ,and is not ,boaz1 with whose maids thou wast1 ,one of the nearest kinsmen that thou hast8 ,behold1 this night he in his threshing floor ,is winnowing ,barley1 wash thyself therefore1 ,anoint thee1 put thy clothes on1 and get down ,unto the floor2 but make not thyself known1 ,till he hath eat and drank1 and shall prepare ,to lie him down2 then take good notice where ,he goes about to take his night's repose1 ,and go thou in there1 and lift up the clothes ,from off his feet1 and likewise lay thee down1 ,and what thou hast to do he will make known4 ,and she made answer1 ,whatsoever thou ,hast me commanded1 will ,i gladly do4 ,and down unto the floor she hasted1 and ,forthwith fulfilled her mother-in-law's command4 ,so now when ,boaz had his heart refresh'd1 ,with meat and drink1 he laid him down to rest1 ,near to the heap of corn2 she softly came1 ,uncover'd's feet1 and lay down by the same4 ,and1 lo6 at midnight1 as he turn'd him round1 ,he was afraid1 for at his feet he found ,a woman lay4 ,who art thou8 then said he4 ,i am thine handmaid ,ruth1 replied she1 ,over thine handmaid therefore spread thy skirt1 ,i pray1 because thou a near kinsman art4 ,blessed be thou1 said he1 because thou hast ,made manifest more kindness at the last1 ,than at the first1 in that thou did'st1 my daughter1 ,no young men1 whether poor or rich1 go after4 ,and now1 my daughter1 be not thou afraid1 ,i will do to thee all that thou hast said3 ,for all the city of my people knows1 ,thou art a woman truly virtuous2 ,and now though ,i am kin and undoubtedly1 ,yet there is one that's nearer kin than ,i4 ,tarry this night1 and when 'tis morning light1 ,if he will like a kinsman1 do thee right1 ,we'll let him1 but if not1 ,i myself will1 ,as the ,lord lives2 till morning lie thou still4 ,and till the morning at his feet she lay1 ,and then arose about the break of day2 ,and he gave her a charge1 not to declare ,that there had any womankind been there4 ,he also said1 bring here thy veil1 and hold ,to me2 she did1 and thereinto he told ,six measures full of barley1 and did lay ,it on her1 and she hasted thence away4 ,and when unto her mother-in-law she came1 ,art thou1 said she1 my daughter come again8 ,then what the man had done she told1 and said1 ,he these six measures full of barley laid ,upon me1 for said he1 ,this ,i bestow1 ,lest to thy mother thou should'st empty go4 ,then1 said she1 sit still daughter1 till thou see ,what the event of this intrigue will be2 ,for till the man this day hath made an end1 ,no satisfaction will on him attend4 ,,chap4 ,,iv4 ,and ,boaz went up to the city gate1 ,and after a short space1 while there he sate1 ,the kinsman of whom he had spoke1 came by1 ,to whom he said1 ,ho1#f such a one1 draw nigh1 ,and sit down here4 ,he came and sat him down4 ,then he took ten men1 elders of the town1 ,and caused them to sit down4 ,then to the man ,that was of kin1 thus he his speech began1 ,naomi1 said he1 who not long since sojourn'd ,among the ,moabites1 is now return'd2 ,and doth intend to sell a piece of ground1 ,the which ,elimelech our brother own'd4 ,and now to give thee notice1 ,i thought fit1 ,that if thou pleasest1 thou may'st purchase it4 ,in presence of these men assembled here4 ,then if thou wilt redeem it1 now declare ,thy mind1 but if thou wilt not1 then let me1 ,for thou art next of kin1 and ,i next thee4 ,then said the kinsman1 ,i will it redeem4 ,boaz reply'd1 if good to thee it seem1 ,to buy it of the hand of ,naomi1 ,thou also art obliged the same to buy ,of ,ruth the ,moabitess1 wife o' th' dead2 ,on his inheritance to raise up seed4 ,the kinsman said1 ,i cannot do this thing ,myself1 lest ,i an inconvenience bring ,upon mine own inheritance1 what's mine ,by right1 therefore ,i now to thee resign4 ,now this in ,israel did a custom stand1 ,concerning changing and redeeming land2 ,to put all controversy to an end1 ,a man pluck'd off his shoe1 and gave his friend2 ,and this in ,israel was an evidence1 ,when e'er they changed an inheritance4 ,then said the kinsman unto ,boaz1 do ,thou take my right4 ,and off he pluck'd his shoe4 ,then ,boaz to the elders thus did say ,and to the people1 all of you this day ,appear for me as witnesses1 that ,i ,have bought all of the land of ,naomi1 ,that was ,elimelech's or did belong ,either to ,mahlon or to ,chilion3 ,and ,ruth the ,moabitess1 who some time ,was ,mahlon's wife1 ,i've purchas'd to be mine1 ,still to preserve alive the dead man's name ,on his inheritance1 lest that the same ,should in the gate where he inhabited1 ,or 'mongst his brethren be extinguished3 ,behold1 this day1 my witnesses you are4 ,then all the people that were present there1 ,and elders said1 ,we are thy witnesses3 ,may ,god this woman thou hast taken bless1 ,that she1 like ,rachel1 and like ,leah be1 ,which two did build up ,israel's family3 ,and thou in ,ephratah exalt thy name1 ,and through the town of ,bethl'hem spread thy fame2 ,and may the seed which ,god shall give to thee ,of this young woman1 full as prosperous be1 ,as was the house of ,pharez heretofore1 7,pharez1 whom ,tamar unto ,judah bore47 ,so he took ,ruth1 and as his wife he knew her1 ,and ,god was pleased1 when he went in to her ,to grant the blessing of conception1 ,and she accordingly bare him a son4 ,then said the woman1 ,blessed be the ,lord6 ,bless thou him ,naomi1 who doth afford ,to thee this day a kinsman1 which shall be ,famous in ,israel2 and shall be to thee ,as the restorer of thy life again1 ,and in thy drooping age shall thee sustain3 ,for that thy daughter-in-law1 who loves thee well ,and in thy sight doth seven sons excel1 ,hath born this child4 ,then ,naomi took the boy ,to nurse2 and did him in her bosom lay4 ,her neighbours too1 gave him a name1 for why1 ,this son1 say they1 is born to ,naomi3 ,they called him ,obed1 from whose loins did spring ,jesse1 the sire of ,david1 ,israel's king4 ,,the ,,history ,,of ,,samson ,,judges1 ,,chap4 ,,xiii4 ,when ,israel's sins th' ,almighty did provoke1 ,to make them subject to ,philistine yoke ,for forty years3 in ,zorah dwelt a man1 ,his name ,manoah1 of the tribe of ,dan2 ,his wife was barren1 unto whom appeared ,the angel of the ,lord1 and thus declared3 ,though thou1 said he1 art barren1 time shall come ,thou shalt enjoy the blessing of thy womb2 ,now therefore ,i entreat thee to refrain ,from wine1 strong drink1 and things that are unclean1 ,for lo1 thou shalt conceive1 and bear a son1 ,upon whose head there shall no razor come3 ,for he to ,god a ,nazarite shall be1 ,and shall begin to set his people free ,from the ,philistine yoke4 ,the woman came ,and told her husband1 she had seen a man ,of ,god3 his dreadful look made me1 said she1 ,think him an angel of the ,lord to be3 ,but ,i inquired not from whence he came1 ,neither did he make known to me his name3 ,but thus he said1 ,thou shalt conceive a son2 ,wherefore strong drink and wine1 see that thou shun1 ,and have a care that thou be not defil'd ,with things that are unclean2 for why1 the child ,shall from his separation from the womb1 ,become a ,nazarite1 ev'n to his tomb4 ,manoah then did supplicate the ,lord1 ,and said1 ,o ,lord1 be pleased to afford ,this favour unto me1 to send again ,the man of ,god1 more fully to explain ,thy will to us1 that we may rightly know1 ,when this child shall be born1 what we must do4 ,and to ,manoah's prayer ,god gave ear1 ,and to his wife the angel did appear ,again1 as she did in the field retire1 ,at such time as her husband was not nigh her4 ,and she made haste1 and ran1 and strait declared ,unto her husband1 that the man appeared ,again1 whom she had seen the other day4 ,manoah then arose1 and went his way1 ,and when he came1 he said1 ,art thou the man ,that spakest to my wife8 ,he said1 ,i am4 ,manoah said1 ,now let thy words be true2 ,how shall we use the child1 ,what must we do8 ,then said the angel of the ,lord1 let her ,of all that ,i have charged her beware3 ,she may not taste of what comes of the vine1 ,nor may she drink strong drink1 or any wine1 ,nor may she eat of things that are unclean1 ,from all that ,i have said let her refrain4 ,manoah said unto the angel1 stay ,with us1 till we have dress'd a kid1 ,i pray4 ,but he reply'd1 though thou shalt me detain1 ,i'll eat no bread1 but if thou dost design ,a sacrifice unto the ,lord1 then offer3 ,for ne'er till now1 ,manoah did discover ,it was a man of ,god he spake unto4 ,then said he to the angel1 ,let me know ,thy name1 that when these things shall be perform'd1 ,the honour due to thee may be return'd4 ,whereto the man of ,god made this reply1 ,why askest thou1 since 'tis a mystery8 ,so he a kid1 and a meat-off'ring took1 ,and offer'd to the ,lord upon a rock4 ,and there the man of ,god did wond'rously1 ,the whilst ,manoah and his wife stood by3 ,for as the altar did send up the flame1 ,the man of ,god ascended in the same4 ,manoah and his wife stood looking on1 ,and on their faces to the ground fell down4 ,but then the angel did appear no more4 ,manoah then knew who he was3 therefore ,he said unto his wife1 most surely we ,shall die1 for we the face of ,god did see4 ,but she reply'd1 ,if ,god would such a thing1 ,he would not now accept our offering1 ,or would he have to us these things made known2 ,or told us1 as at this time he hath done4 ,and now1 according to the angel's word1 ,the woman bare a son1 to whom the ,lord ,was pleas'd1 his blessing graciously to give3 ,she call'd him ,samson1 and the child did thrive4 ,and lo6 the spirit of the ,lord began1 ,at times to move him in the camp of ,dan4 ,,chap4 ,,xiv4 ,now down to ,timnath ,samson's steps incline1 ,where seeing the daughter of a ,philistine1 ,he came up and did of his parents crave1 ,that he in marriage might the woman have4 ,then thus his father and his mother said1 ',mongst all thy kin can'st thou find ne'er a maid2 ,nor yet among my people1 fit to make ,a wife1 but thou wilt this ,philistine take1 ,of race uncircumcised8 ,he replied1 ,get her for me1 for ,i'm well satisfied4 ,but neither of his parents then did know1 ,it was the ,lord that moved him thereto1 ,to seek a way to accomplish his designs1 ,upon the then o'er-ruling ,philistines4 ,then ,samson and his parents both went down ,to ,timnath1 and as they came near the town1 ,among the vineyards a young lion roar'd3 ,then on him came the spirit of the ,lord1 ,and though unarm'd1 he rent him like a kid1 ,but he discovered not to them the deed4 ,and he went down1 and with the woman treated1 ,and was well pleas'd to have the match completed4 ,and in a while as he returned again ,to take his wife1 behold1 where he had slain ,the beast1 he there a swarm of bees set eye on1 ,and honey in the carcase of the lion3 ,he took thereof1 and eating1 on he went1 ,and to his parents did a part present3 ,and they did also eat1 but did not know ,that from the lion's carcase it did flow4 ,so down his father went unto the woman1 ,and ,samson made a feast1 as it was common ,among young men4 ,the ,philistines provide ,thirty companions with him to abide ,and ,samson said unto them1 now behold1 ,i have a riddle for you to unfold2 ,which if you do before the seven days' feast ,be ended1 ,i will give to every guest ,a sheet and change of garments2 but if ye ,cannot declare it1 ye shall give to me ,full thirty sheets1 and thirty changes too4 ,then said they1 ,what's thy riddle1 let us know8 ,and ,samson said1 ,the eater sent forth meat1 ,and from the strong there came a thing most sweet4 ,and they could not in three days find it out1 ,wherefore before the seventh came about1 ,they said unto his wife1 ,thou must entice ,thy husband to discover this device ,lest we burn thee1 and all thy father's house3 ,is it not so1 that ye have called us ,to make a spoil8 ,and ,samson's wife wept sore1 ,and said1 thou dost but hate me1 and no more2 ,to put a riddle to my countrymen ,and not tell't me4 ,and he reply'd again1 ,i have not told my father or my mother1 ,and shall ,i now to thee this thing discover4 ,and she continually before him wept1 ,during the time the feasting days were kept4 ,and now behold it came to pass that he1 ,by reason of her importunity1 ,did on the seventh day to her unfold ,the riddle1 which she to her brethren told2 ,and e'er the sun went down on that same day1 ,the ,philistines to ,samson thus did say1 ,what is more sweet than honey8 ,what more strong ,than is a lion8 ,and he said1 how long ,would it have been1 e'er you had understood ,this thing1 had you not with my heifer plow'd8 ,then came the spirit of the ,lord upon ,him1 and he hasted down to ,askelon1 ,and thirty of the ,philistines he slew1 ,and took their clothes1 and gave the garments due4 ,to every one of them that had disclosed ,the meaning of the riddle he proposed2 ,and towards them his anger fiercely burned1 ,and he unto his father's house returned4 ,but ,samson's wife was given unto one ,that was his friend and chief companion4 ,,chap4 ,,xv4 ,but in a while1 as ,samson visited ,his wife1 in the wheat harvest with a kid1 ,to her into her chamber he would go1 ,the which her father would not let him do2 ,but said1 ,i thought that thou had'st quite forsook her1 ,wherefore ,i gave consent1 and thy friend took her2 ,doth not her sister's beauty her's exceed1 ,though young8 ,i pray then take her in her stead4 ,and ,samson said1 ,i shall more blameless be ,than they1 though ,i shall do them injury4 ,and then he caught three hundred foxes1 and ,turn'd tail to tail1 and put a fiery brand ,between two tails1 and setting fire thereto1 ,into the standing corn he let them go1 ,and burnt both shocks and standing corn and vines1 ,and all the olives of the ,philistines4 ,then they inquired who this thing had done1 ,and were inform'd it was the ,timnite's son2 ,because his father took his wife away1 ,and gave her his companion to enjoy4 ,and the ,philistines came up1 full of wrath1 ,and burnt with fire1 her and her father both4 ,and ,samson said1 though you have done this thing1 ,a further evil ,i will on you bring2 ,and my avenging hand shall cease hereafter2 ,and hip and thigh he smote them with great slaughter4 ,and he return'd1 and came up to the top ,of ,etam1 and dwelt there upon the rock4 ,then the ,philistines up to ,judah went1 ,and in the vale of ,lehi pitched their tent4 ,then said the men of ,judah1 for what reason ,are you come up against us at this season8 ,and they made answer1 ,we are come to bind ,samson1 to do to him in the same kind ,as he hath done to us4 ,then there went up ,three thousand men of ,judah to the top ,of the rock ,etam1 and to ,samson said1 ,dost thou not know that we have long obey'd ,the ,philistines8 ,wherefore is it that thou ,hast done this thing1 to bring this evil now1 ,upon us1 let us know it8 ,then said he ,i did to them as they have done to me4 ,then said they we are come1 and have brought bands1 ,to bind1 and give thee up into their hands4 ,and he made answer1 you shall swear unto me1 ,that you yourselves no injury will do me4 ,and they reply'd1 no no1 we will but bind thee1 ,we will not kill thee1 but to them resign thee4 ,and they took two new cords1 and therewith tied him1 ,and from the rock where he abode convey him3 ,whom when they to the camp at ,lehi brought1 ,the ,philistines against him gave a shout3 ,and mightily the ,spirit of the ,lord ,came on him1 and like burning flax each cord ,that was upon his arms became2 the bands ,were likewise separated from his hands4 ,and he the jaw-bone of an ass espied1 ,and took and smote them till a thousand died4 ,then said he1 with an ass's jaw-bone ,i ,have made mine enemies in heaps to lie4 ,behold ,i have destroy'd a thousand men ,with this same worthless ass's jaw4 ,and when ,he made an end to speak1 it came to pass ,he cast away the jaw-bone of the ass1 ,and said1 ,now let the place where this was done ,be by the name of ,ramath-,lehi known4 ,and he was sore athirst1 and to the ,lord ,he cried1 and said1 ,o ,lord1 thou did'st afford ,this great deliverance1 and now shall ,i1 ,by reason of my thirst fall down and die1 ,and fall into the most accursed hands ,of these uncircumcis'd ,philistine bands8 ,but ,god was pleas'd to cleave an hollow place1 ,within the jaw1 from whence did water pass2 ,whereof when he had drunk1 his spirit came ,as heretofore1 and he reviv'd again3 ,wherefore that place1 which is in ,lehi1 bore ,unto this day the name of ,en-hakkore4 ,and in the days the ,philistines bore sway1 ,israel for twenty years did him obey4 ,,chap4 ,,xvi4 ,then down to ,gaza ,samson went1 and there ,seeing an harlot1 went in unto her4 ,and when the ,gazites heard he was come thither3 ,straightway they gathered themselves together ,to compass him about1 and lay in wait ,all night1 to take him in the city gate2 ,and they were still all night1 for why8 ,say they1 ,to-morrow we shall kill him when 'tis day4 ,and he till midnight lay1 and then arose1 ,and with the city gates away he goes1 ,bearing the posts and bar and all away1 ,and on an hill near ,hebron did them lay4 ,and afterward it came to pass he saw1 ,and lov'd a woman named ,delilah1 ,who in the vale of ,sorek dwelt1 to whom ,there did the lords of the ,philistines come1 ,and said1 ,if thou wilt but entice him to reveal ,where lies his strength1 and which way we may deal ,with him1 to bind him1 to afflict him1 we ,each one will give a great reward to thee4 ,and she to ,samson said1 ,i pray thee1 tell ,wherein thy strength doth other men excel1 ,and how thou may'st be bound4 ,and he replied1 ,if they with seven green withs that ne'er were dried1 ,shall bind me hand and foot1 ,i shall be then ,as weak and impotent as other men4 ,then the ,philistine lords for her provide ,the seven green withs which never had been dried1 ,and she therewith did bind him1 7now there were ,men lying in wait whom she had placed there17 ,then she cried out1 and said1 ,now ,samson stand ,thy ground1 for the ,philistines are at hand4 ,and straight he brake the withs1 and they became ,like to a thread of tow when touch'd with flame3 ,so was his strength not found out4 ,then said she1 ,samson1 behold1 thou hast deceived me1 ,and told me lies3 therefore no longer blind me1 ,but tell1 ,i pray thee1 wherewith ,i may bind thee4 ,bind me with ropes that ne'er were us'd1 said he2 ,then weak as other men are1 shall ,i be4 ,she therefore took new ropes1 and bound him1 and ,cried1 ,samson1 the ,philistines are at hand3 7,and in the chamber there were man lay hid7 ,and from his arms he brake them like a thread4 ,then said she1 ,thou hast mocked me hitherto1 ,and told me lies3 now tell me what to do ,to bind thee4 ,he replied1 ,thou with the web ,must interweave the seven locks of my head4 ,then she his locks did fasten with the pin1 ,and said1 ,the ,philistines are coming in1 ,shift1 ,samson1 for thyself2 then he awoke1 ,and pin and web1 and all away he took4 ,then said she1 ,how canst thou pretend to love me1 ,when thus thy doing towards me disprove thee8 ,for now1 behold1 thou hast deceived me thrice1 ,and hast not told me where thy great strength lies4 ,at length his soul being vex'd exceedingly1 ,by reason of her importunity3 ,he told the secrets of his heart1 and said1 ,never yet razor on my head was laid2 ,for ,i have been to ,god a ,nazarite1 ,even from the day that first ,i saw the light3 ,wherefore like other men1 if ,i am shaven1 ,i shall be weak1 and of my strength bereaven4 ,and when she saw that he had told her all ,the secrets of his heart1 she sent to call ,the lords of the ,philistines4 ,come1 said she1 ,this once1 for now he hath made known to me ,the very truth4 ,then they came up together1 ,and brought the money in their hands to give her4 ,then down to sleep upon her knees she laid him1 ,and call'd a man1 who of his locks betray'd him4 ,and to afflict him she began1 and then ,his strength became like that of other men4 ,then said she1 ,samson1 thy ,philistine foes ,are just at hand3 and he from sleep arose1 ,and as at other times went forth to shake him1 ,not knowing that the ,lord did now forsake him4 ,but the ,philistines seized him1 and brought ,him down to ,gaza1 having first put out ,his eyes1 and did with brazen fetters bind ,and made him in the prison house to grind4 ,howbeit the hair upon his head began1 ,after he had been shaved1 to grow again4 ,then the ,philistine lords together met1 ,and a thanksigivng-day apart they set1 ,for to rejoice1 and unto ,dagon pay ,their highest service2 ,for our ,god1 say they1 ,did this3 and when the people did behold ,poor captive ,samson1 they their god extoll'd1 ,and said1 ,our ,god hath given into our hand ,him that destroy'd us1 and laid waste our land4 ,and in their height of mirth they sent to call ,samson1 to come and make sport for them all4 ,and from the prison-house they brought him1 and ,between the pillars they set him to stand2 ,and there he made them sport4 ,then to the lad ,that led him by the hand1 thus ,samson said2 ,let me now feel the pillars that sustain ,the house1 that ,i myself thereon may lean4 ,now in the house there was a mighty throng ,of men and women gather'd1 and among ,them1 all the lords of the ,philistines were4 ,besides1 upon the roof there did appear1 ,about three thousand men and women1 who ,beheld1 while ,samson made them sport below4 ,and ,samson1 calling on the ,lord1 did say1 ,o ,lord1 my ,god1 remember me1 ,i pray1 ,this once give strength1 that ,i aveng'd may be ,of those ,philistines who have blinded me4 ,and with his right hand and his left1 he held ,two middle pillars which the house upheld2 ,and said1 ,let me with the ,philistines die1 ,and then he bowed himself most mightily3 ,and down the house fell on the lords1 and all ,the people that were in't2 so that the fall ,thereof1 slew at his dying many more ,than he had slain in all his life before4 ,then did his brethren and his kinfolks come ,and took him up1 and brought him with them home1 ,and laid him in his father's sepulchre1 ,when he had judged ,israel twenty year4 ,,christ',s ,,sermon ,,on ,,the ,,mount ,,matthew1 ,,chap4 ,v4 ,and ,jesus1 seeing the multitudes1 ascended ,up to a mount1 where sitting1 and attended ,by his disciples1 he began to preach2 ,and on this manner following did them teach4 ,blessed are all such as are poor in spirit1 ,for they the heavenly kingdom do inherit4 ,blessed are they that mourn2 for in the stead ,thereof shall comfort be administered4 ,blessed are they1 whose meekness doth excel3 ,for on the earth their portion is to dwell4 ,blessed are they1 who after righteousness ,hunger and thirst2 for they shall it possess4 ,blessed are they1 for they shall mercy find1 ,who to do mercifully are inclin'd4 ,blessed are all such as are pure in heart2 ,for ,god his presence shall to them impart4 ,blessed are they that do make peace2 for why8 ,they shall be call'd the sons of the ,most ,high4 ,blessed are they which suffer for the sake ,of righteousness3 for they of heav'n partake4 ,blessed are ye1 when men shall falsely speak ,all kind of ill against you for my sake1 ,and shall revile1 and persecute you sore2 ,rejoice1 and be exceeding glad therefore3 ,for your reward in heav'n will be great3 ,for thus of old they did the prophets treat4 ,ye are the salt o' th' earth2 but wherewith must ,the earth be season'd when the savour's lost8 ,it is from thenceforth good for nothing1 but ,to be cast out1 and trodd'n under foot4 ,ye are the light o' th' world2 a city set ,upon an hill cannot be hid2 nor yet ,do men a candle with a bushel cover1 ,but set it where it lights the whole house over4 ,so shine your light1 your good works seen thereby ,men may your heavenly ,father glorify4 ,think not that to destroy the law ,i came1 ,or prophets2 no1 but to fulfil the same4 ,for till the heav'n and earth shall pass away1 ,one jot or tittle from the law1 ,i say1 ,shall never pass1 till all shall be complete4 ,whoso therefore presumes to violate1 ,one of these least commands1 and teacheth so1 ,shall in ,god's kingdom be accounted low4 ,but he that doth1 and teacheth them likewise1 ,shall in ,god's kingdom have great dignities4 ,for ,i declare unto you1 that unless ,you shall exceed the scribe and pharisees ,in righteousness2 you shall on no condition1 ,into the heavenly kingdom gain admission4 ,ye've heard 'twas said of old1 ',thou shalt not kill4' ,and he incurs the judgment who shall spill ,his brother's blood3 but ,i to you declare1 ,that he that's wroth without a cause1 shall bear ,the judgment4 ,likewise of the council he ,that sayeth 'racha' shall in danger be4 ,but whosoe'er shall say1 ,thou fool1 the same ,shall be in danger of eternal flame4 ,when therefore to the altar thou dost bring ,thy gift1 and there rememb'rest any thing ,thy brother hath against thee3 leave it there ,before the altar1 and come thou not near1 ,till thou hast first made reconciliation1 ,then may'st thou come and offer thine oblation4 ,make an agreement with thine adversary ,whilst thou art in the way1 and do not tarry2 ,lest he at any time deliver thee ,unto the judge1 and by the judge thou be ,unto the officer forthwith resign'd1 ,and in imprisonment thou be confin'd2 ,i do affirm thou shalt not be enlarg'd1 ,till thou the utmost farthing hast discharg'd4 ,ye've heard that they of old did testify1 ,that men should not commit adultery3 ,but ,i pronounce him an adulterer1 ,who views a woman to lust after her4 ,and if thy right eye shall offensive be1 ,pluck thou it out and cast the same from thee2 ,for it is better lose one1 than that all ,thy members should into hell torments fall4 ,and if thy right hand doth offend1 cut off it1 ,and cast it from thee1 for it will thee profit ,much rather that one of thy members fell1 ,than that they should be all condemned to hell4 ,it hath been said1 whoso away shall force ,his wife1 shall give her a bill of divorce3 ,but whosoe'er shall put his wife away1 ,except for fornication's sake1 ,i say1 ,makes her adult'ress1 and who marries her1 ,so put away1 is an adulterer4 ,again3 ,ye've heard1 ,thou shalt not be forsworn1 ,was ancient doctrine1 but thou shalt perform ,unto the ,lord thine oaths3 ,but ,i declare1 ,that thou shalt not at all presume to swear2 ,neither by heaven1 for it is ,god's throne2 ,nor by the earth1 for his foot stands thereon3 ,neither swear by ,jerusalem1 for why8 ,it is the city of the ,king ,most ,high3 ,nor swear thou by thine head1 for thou canst make ,no hair thereof to be or white or black3 ,but let yea1 yea2 nay1 nay1 in speech suffice1 ,for what is more from evil doth arise4 ,ye've heard1 it hath been said2 ,eye for an eye1 ,and tooth for tooth3 ,but ,i do testify1 ,that you shall not resist2 but let him smite ,thy left cheek also1 who assaults thy right4 ,and if that any by a lawsuit shall ,demand thy coat1 let them have cloak and all4 ,and whosoe'er compelleth thee to go ,a mile1 refuse not to go with him two4 ,give him that asketh1 and from him that may ,have need to borrow1 turn not thou away4 ,ye've heard1 'twas said3 ,that thou shalt love thy friend ,and hate thy foe3 ,but let your love extend ,unto your enemies3 thus ,i declare1 ,bless them that curse1 do good to them that bear ,ill will1 and for your persecutors pray1 ,and them that do reproach you2 that you may ,be children of your ,father that's in heaven2 ,for he on good and bad alike hath given ,his sun to rise1 and in like manner doth ,send rain upon the just and unjust both ,for what is your reward1 if you love them ,that love you8 ,do not publicans the same8 ,and if your brethren only you salute1 ,what more than they do ye8 ,they also do't4 ,i will therefore that you be perfect1 ev'n ,as is your ,father perfect that's in heaven4 ,,chap4 ,,vi4 ,take heed you do not your alms-deed bestow ,before men1 purposely to make a shew2 ,for then there will no recompence be given ,unto you of your ,father that's in heaven3 ,with sound of trumpet do not thou therefore ,proclaim what thou art giving to the poor2 ,as is the manner of the hypocrites ,to do i' th' synagogues1 and in the streets2#g ,that men may give them praises4 ,verily ,they have their recompence1 ,i testify4 ,but when thou dost alms1 let thy left hand know ,not what thy right hand is about to do3 ,that giving secretly1 thy ,father may1 ,who sees in secret1 openly repay4 ,and when thou pray'st be not as hypocrites2 ,for they love in the corners of the streets1 ,and in the synagogues to stand and pray1 ,there to be seen3 they've their reward ,i say4 ,but thou1 when thou dost make thy pray'r1 go thee ,into thy closet1 shut thy door unto thee1 ,and there in secret to thy ,father cry1 ,who seeing thee shall reward thee openly4 ,but when ye pray use not vain repetitions1 ,as heathens do1 for they think their petitions ,prevail2 when they the same do multiply3 ,be ye not like to them therefore2 for why2 ,your ,father knows what things you need before ,you ask him1 on this wise pray ye therefore4 ,our ,father which art in heav'n1 thy name alone ,be hallowed4 ,thy glorious kingdom come4 ,thy will be done on earth as 'tis in heaven4 ,give us this day our daily bread4 ,and ev'n ,as we remit our debtors1 grant remission ,to us4 ,and lead us not into temptation1 ,but from all evil do thou us deliver2 ,for th' kingdom1 power and glory's thine for ever4 ,amen4 ,for if you do forgive men that offend1 ,your heavenly ,father will to you extend ,forgiveness2 but if not1 nor will he spare1 ,at any time when you offenders are4 ,moreover when you fast beware lest you ,look sad1 as hypocrites are wont to do2 ,for they disguise their faces1 that they may ,appear to fast3 they've their reward ,i say4 ,but thou1 when thou dost fast1 anoint thine head ,and wash thy face1 that undiscovered ,thy fasting may be unto men1 but rather ,that thou be seen in secret of thy ,father3 ,and then thy ,father1 who in secrecy ,beholds thee1 shall reward thee openly4 ,lay not up treasure for yourselves in store ,upon the earth1 where moth and rust devour1 ,and where by thieves you may be quite bereaven4 ,but lay up treasure for yourselves in heaven1 ,where neither moth1 nor rust1 nor thieves can enter3 ,for where's your treasure there your hearts will centre4 ,the eye's the light o' th' body1 which if right ,then thy whole body will be full of light3 ,but if thine eye be evil1 then there will ,a total darkness thy whole body fill4 ,if therefore all the light that is in thee ,be darkness1 how great must that darkness be8 ,no man can serve two masters1 either he ,will hate one1 and love t'other1 or will be ,faithful to one1 and t'other will forego4 ,ye cannot serve both ,god and mammon too4 ,take no thought therefore for your life1 ,i say1 ,what you shall eat or drink2 or how you may ,your bodies clothe4 ,is not the life much more ,than meat2 ,is not the body far before ,the clothes thereof8 ,behold the fowls o' th' air1 ,nor sow nor reap1 nor take they any care2 ,how they provision into barns may gather2 ,yet they are nourish'd by your heavenly ,father3 ,are ye not worth much more8 ,which of you can ,by taking thought add to his height one span8 ,and why for raiment are ye taking thought8 ,see how the lilies grow2 they labour not1 ,nor do they spin2 yet ,solomon1 ,i say1 ,in all his pomp1 had no such gay array4 ,if in the field ,god so doth clothe the grass1 ,which is to-day1 and doth to-morrow pass ,into the oven1 shall he not therefore ,o ye of little faith1 clothe you much more8 ,take no thought therefore1 saying1 ,what shall we eat1 ,or drink1 or where shall we our raiment get3 7,for thus the heathen people use to do7 ,for that you need them doth your ,father know4 ,but seek ,god's kingdom1 and his righteousness ,first1 and then all these things you shall possess4 ,be not then exercis'd with care and sorrow1 ,in making preparation for the morrow2 ,the morrow shall things for itself prepare3 ,sufficient to the day is each day's care4 ,,chap4 ,,vii4 ,judge not that you may not be judg'd2 for even ,as you pass judgment1 judgment shall be giv'n3 ,and with such measure as you mete to men1 ,it shall be measured unto you again4 ,and why dost thou take notice of the mote ,that's in thy brother's eye2 but dost not note ,the beam that's in thine own8 ,how wilt thou say ,unto thy brother1 let me take away ,the mote that's in thine eye1 when yet 'tis plain ,the beam that's in thine own doth still remain8 ,first cast away the beam1 thou hypocrite1 ,from thine own eye1 so shall thy clearer sight ,the better be enabled to descry1 ,and pluck the mote out of thy brother's eye4 ,give not to dogs the things that are divine1 ,neither cast ye your pearls before the swine ,lest that they should their feet them trample under1 ,and turn upon you1 and rend you asunder4 ,ask1 and obtain2 seek1 and ye shall find2 do ye ,knock1 and it shall be opened unto ye3 ,for he that seeks1 shall find2 that asks1 obtain1 ,and he that knocks1 shall an admittance gain4 ,or what man is there of you1 if his son ,shall ask him bread1 will he give him a stone8 ,or if he ask a fish1 will he bestow ,a serpent8 ,if then ye being evil know ,to give your children good gifts1 how much rather ,to them that ask him shall your heav'nly ,father4 ,then what you wou'd men shou'd to you1 so do ,to them3 for that's the law and prophets too4 ,enter in at the strait gate1 for the road ,that doth unto destruction lead1 is broad2 ,and wide the gate2 and many there be that ,enter therein3 because strait is the gate1 ,and narrow is the way that is inclin'd ,to life1 and which there are but few that find4 ,false prophets shun1 who in sheep's clothes appear1 ,but inwardly devouring wolves they are3 ,ye by their fruits shall know them4 ,do men either ,pluck grapes of thorns1 or figs or thistles gather8 ,even so each good tree good fruit will produce2 ,but a corrupt tree fruit unfit for use3 ,a good tree cannot bring forth evil food1 ,nor can an evil tree bear fruit that's good3 ,each tree that bears not good fruit's hewn down ,and burnt1 thus by their fruits they shall be known4 ,not every one that saith ,lord1 ,lord1 but he ,that doth my heav'nly ,father's will shall be ,an heir of heaven3 many in that day ,will call ,lord1 ,lord1 and thus to me will say2 ,have we not prophesied in thy name8 ,cast devils out1 done wonders in the same8 ,and then will ,i profess ,i know you not2 ,depart from me ye that have evil wrought4 ,whoso therefore these sayings of mine doth hear1 ,and doth them1 to a wise man ,i'll compare1 ,the which upon a rock his building founded1 ,the rain descended and the floods surrounded1 ,the winds arose1 and gave it many a shock1 ,and it fell not1 being founded on a rock4 ,and ev'ry one that hears these sayings of mine1 ,and not to do them doth his heart incline1 ,unto a foolish man shall be compar'd2 ,who his foundation on the sand prepar'd3 ,the rain descended and the floods were great1 ,the winds did blow1 and vehemently beat ,against that house2 and down the building came1 ,and mighty was the downfall of the same4 ,and now when ,jesus thus had finished ,his sayings1 the people were astonished ,thereat3 for not as do the scribes taught he ,them1 but as one that had authority4 ,,the ,,prophecy ,,of ,,jonah ,,chap4 ,i4 ,now unto ,jonah1 old ,amittai's son1 ,thus did the word of the ,almighty come1 ,and said1 ,arise1 go thou forthwith and cry ',gainst that great city ,nineveh2 for why1 ,the sins thereof are come up in my sight4 ,but he arose1 that he to ,tarshish might ,flee from ,god's presence2 and went down and found ,a ship at ,joppa unto ,tarshish bound3 ,he paid the fare1 and with them went on board ,for ,tarshish1 from the presence of the ,lord4 ,but the ,almighty a great wind did raise1 ,and sent a mighty tempest on the seas1 ,so that the ship was likely to be broken4 ,then were the mariners with horror stricken2 ,and to his ,god they cried every one2 ,and overboard was the ship's lading thrown ,to lighten it3 but down into the ship ,was ,jonah gone1 and there lay fast asleep4 ,so to him came the master and did say1 ,what meanest thou1 ,o sleeper6 rise and pray ,unto thy ,god1 and he perhaps will hear1 ,and save us from the danger that we fear4 ,then said they to each other1 ,come let's try1 ,by casting lots1 on whom the fault doth lie1 ,in bringing all this evil now upon us4 ,so they cast lots1 and the lot fell on ,jonas4 ,then said they1 ,we entreat thee let us know1 ,for whose cause we this evil undergo1 ,whence comest thou8 ,what is thine occupation8 ,what countryman art thou8 ,and of what nation8 ,and unto them himself he did declare1 ,and said1 ,i am an ,hebrew1 and do fear ,the living ,lord1 the ,god of heaven1 who ,alone hath made the sea and dry land too4 ,then were the men exceedingly afraid2 ,and1 wherefore hast thou done this thing8 they said3 7,for they did understand he did forego ,god's presence1 for himself had told them so47 ,what shall we do unto thee1 then they said1 ,that so the raging of the sea be stay'd8 7,for it did rage and foam47 ,take me1 said he1 ,and cast me overboard into the sea2 ,so shall the sea be calm1 for on my score ,i know it is1 that thus the waves do roar4 ,nevertheless they rowed hard to gain ,the land1 but all their labour was in vain2 ,so much against them did the tempest beat4 ,wherefore they the ,almighty did entreat1 ,and said1 ,we do beseech thee1 and we pray1 ,o ,lord1 that thou would'st not upon us lay ,the charge of guiltless blood1 nor let it be1 ,that now we perish1 on th' account that we ,take this man's life away2 for thou alone ,as it hath pleased thee1 ,o ,lord1 hast done4 ,so they took ,jonah up1 and to the seas ,committed him1 then did the tempest cease4 ,then did the dread of the great ,god on high1 ,seize on the mariners exceedingly4 ,and they did offer up a sacrifice1 ,and vowed vows unto the ,lord likewise4 ,and now the ,lord for ,jonah did contrive ,a mighty fish1 to swallow 'im up alive1 ,and in the fish's belly for the space ,of three days and three nights1 poor ,jonah was4 ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,unto the ,lord his ,god then ,jonah pray'd ,out of the belly of the fish1 and said1 ,by reason of affliction1 which lay sore ,upon me1 ,i the ,lord ,god did implore1 ,and he gave ear2 and from ,hell's ,belly ,i ,cry'd unto thee1 and thou1 ,lord1 heard'st my cry3 ,for thou into the deep hadst cast me out1 ,and there the floods did compass me about2 ,in the midst of the sea1 thy waves were sent1 ,and all thy billows which my head o'erwent4 ,then said ,i though thy presence hath forsook ,me1 to thy holy temple will ,i look4 ,the waters compassed about my soul1 ,and the great deeps did round about me roll1 ,the weeds were wrapt about my head1 ,i went ,down to the bottom of the element2 ,the earth with her strong bars surrounded me1 ,yet thou1 ,o ,lord1 from death hast set me free4 ,when my soul fainted1 on the ,lord ,i thought1 ,and to thee1 to thy temple then was brought ,my prayer4 ,they their own mercies do despise1 ,who have regard to lying vanities4 ,but with the voice of my thanksgiving1 ,i ,will offer sacrifice to thee on high1 ,and pay my vows which ,i have vow'd1 each one1 ,for why8 ,salvation's of the ,lord alone4 ,and now the fish1 as ,god did give command1 ,did vomit ,jonah out upon dry land4 ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,and now the second time to ,jonah came ,god's word1 and said1 ,arise1 go and proclaim ,to that great city ,nineveh1 what ,have heretofore commanded thee to cry4 ,so ,jonah rose up1 and prepar'd to go ,to ,nineveh1 as ,god had bid him do4 7,now was the city ,nineveh so great1 ,that it was three days' journey long complete7 ,and as into the city ,jonah made ,his first day's journey1 he cry'd out and said1 ,when forty days shall be expired and past1 ,this city ,nineveh shall be laid waste4 ,then did the ,ninevites with one accord1 ,believe this was the message of the ,lord2 ,and did proclaim a fast1 and every one1 ,from greatest to the least1 put sackcloth on3 ,for to the king this news was quickly flown1 ,and he arose1 and came down from his throne1 ,and having laid aside his robes of state1 ,he put on sackcloth1 and in ashes sate3 ,and issuing out his royal proclamation1 ,and through the city making publication ,thereof 7being by the king and council sign'd7 ,a solemn and a general fast enjoin'd2 ,and said1 ,i will1 that neither man nor beast1 ,nor flock1 nor herd1 shall their provision taste3 ,but let them all put sackcloth on and cry ,unto the ,lord with greatest fervency2 ,yea1 let them all their evil ways refrain1 ,and from the violence which they retain4 ,who knows if ,god will yet be pleas'd to spare1 ,and turn away the evil that we fear8 ,and ,god beheld their works1 and saw that they ,had turned from the evil of their way4 ,and ,god turn'd from his wrath1 and did revoke ,the dreadful judgment whereof he had spoke4 ,,chap4 ,,iv4 ,but hereat ,jonah was extremely vext1 ,and in his mind exceedingly perplext3 ,and to the ,lord his ,god he pray'd1 and said1 ,o ,lord1 ,i pray thee1 was not ,i afraid ,of this1 when ,i was yet at home8 ,therefore ,i unto ,tarshish took my flight before3 ,for that thou art a gracious ,god ,i know1 ,of tender mercy1 and to anger slow1 ,of great compassion1 and dost oft recall ,the evil thou dost threat mankind withal4 ,now therefore1 ,lord1 ,i earnestly do pray ,that thou would'st please to take my life away1 ,for ,i had better die than live4 ,dost thou ,do well1 said ,god1 to be so angry now8 ,so then out of the city ,jonah went1 ,and on the east side of it made a tent1#h ,and underneath the shade thereof he sate1 ,expecting what would be the city's fate4 ,and over ,jonah's head behold the ,lord ,prepar'd1 and caused to come up a gourd ,to shadow him1 and ease him of his grief2 ,and ,jonah was right glad of this relief4 ,but ,god a worm sent early the next day1 ,which smote the gourd2 it withered away3 ,and when the sun arose1 it came to pass1 ,that ,god a vehement east wind did raise2 ,besides the sun did beat upon his head1 ,so that he fainted1 saying1 ,would ,i were dead1 ,for it is better for me now to die1 ,than thus to lead my life in misery4 ,and to distressed ,jonah1 said the ,lord1 ,dost thou well to be angry for the gourd8 ,and he unto the ,lord made this reply1 ,i do well to be angry e'en to die4 ,thou hast had pity1 ,jonah1 on the gourd1 ,for which thou didst not labour1 said the ,lord1 ,nor madest it to grow1 which also came ,up in a night1 and perish'd in the same4 ,and should not ,i extend my gracious pity ,to ,nineveh1 so populous a city1 ,where more than six score thousand persons dwell1 ,who 'twixt their right hand1 and their left can tell ,no difference1 wherein are also found ,cattle which do in multitudes abound4 ,,the ,,life ,,of ,,joseph1 ,,taken ,,out ,,of ,,the ,,latter ,,part ,,of ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,genesis4 ,,chap ,,xxxvii4 ,when ,jacob from his brother ,esau fled1 ,he by the hand of providence was led ,to ,padan-aram1 in ,assyria1 where ,he serv'd his uncle ,laban twenty year2 ,during which time he was in all things blest1 ,and with a num'rous issue 'mongst the rest3 ,amongst whom none so pleasing in his sight ,as ,joseph was1 who was his chief delight3 ,who by the time that ,jacob was return'd ,into the land1 where's fathers had sojourn'd1 ,was full arrived at seventeen years of age2 ,and by his hopefulness did then presage1 ,he was endued with a noble mind1 ,that would to virtuous actions be inclin'd2 ,for being sent to feed his father's flock1 ,among his brethren he great notice took ,of what they did1 and if in any sort ,they did amiss1 he thereof made report ,unto his father1 and did thus create ,his father's favour1 but his brethren's hate4 ,his father loved him better than the rest1 ,as being the son wherewith his age was blest4 ,and that his kindness might the more appear1 ,made him a party colour'd coat to wear4 ,but as it often haps1 his father's love ,did in his brethren greater hatred move4 ,but that which most incens'd them was his dreams1 ,by which1 in a prophetic way1 he seems ,their low submission1 and his future state ,of greatness plainly to prognosticate4 ,for to his brethren thus his dreams he told1 ,and said1 ,as we were binding sheaves1 behold1 ,my sheaf arose and stood up in the field1 ,and all your sheaves stood round about1 to yield ,obeisance unto mine3 ,and what1 must we ,indeed1 say they1 be subject unto thee8 ,their wrath increas'd1 this added to his crime4 ,and ,joseph dreamed yet a second time2 ,and said1 ,behold1 ,i saw the sun and moon1 ,and the eleven stars to me fall down4 ,at which his father highly was offended1 ,and for these words1 the lad he reprehended1 ,and said1 ,fond youth1 dost thou pretend to shew ,that ,i1 thy mother1 and thy brethren too1 ,must all submit to thee8 ,thou dost but dream3 ,but ,jacob kept his words1 and thought of them4 ,now ,jacob's sons did feed their flocks in ,shechem1 ,and he desired ,joseph to go seek them1 ,and find them out1 and come again and tell ,if all things with them and their flocks were well4 ,so ,joseph went1 and wander'd here and there1 ,but could not find out where his brethren were1 ,until a man had told him their intent ,of going to ,dotham1 where he also went4 ,and when his brethren at a distance saw him1 ,they held a consultation how to slay him1 ,and said1 ,here comes the dreamer1 we shall see ,what the event of all his dreams will be2 ,for we will kill1 and in a pit will hide him1 ,and say some beast or other hath destroy'd him4 ,but ,reuben somewhat tend'rer than the rest1 ,endeavour'd to persuade them to desist ,from murder1 saying1 ,into this pit let's cast him1 ,and this he said in hopes to have releas'd him4 ,and now when ,joseph came not dreading ought1 ,they stript him of his party colour'd coat1 ,and led him to a pit that was hard by1 ,and threw him into't1 but the pit was dry4 ,and sitting down to eat1 they chanc'd to spy1 ,a company of ,ishmaelites pass by1 ,who with balm1 myrrh1 and spice1 their camels lading1 ,from ,gilead came1 and were to ,egypt trading4 ,then ,judah said1 ',twill do us little good ,to slay our brother1 and conceal his blood2 ,come therefore1 brethren1 be advis'd by me1 ,let's sell him to these ,ishmaelites1 for he ,is our own flesh1 and 'tis a cruel deed1 ,to kill him1 and to this they all agreed4 ,their brother then out of the pit they hale1 ,and to these merchants offer'd him to sale3 ,who1 him for twenty silver pieces bought1 ,and with them to the land of ,egypt brought4 ,but ,reuben1 ignorant of what was done1 ,came to the pit1 and seeing the lad was gone1 ,he rent his clothes in a great consternation1 ,returning back with heavy lamentation4 ,and now that they might make their story good ,they kill'd a kid1 and dipped in the blood ,their brother ,joseph's coat1 and home they came1 ,and to their father's view expos'd the same1 ,and said1 ,this we have found1 now thou dost know ,whether it be thy son's coat1 yea or no4 ,and ,jacob knew the coat full well1 and said1 ,now hath some evil beast devour'd the lad2 ,joseph is torn in pieces without doubt1 ,for1 too1 too well ,i know this is his coat4 ,he rent his clothes1 and putting sackcloth on1 ,he for a long time mourned for his son4 ,his children striving to assuage his grief ,endeavour'd to administer relief3 ,but he refus'd1 and said1 ,since he is gone1 ,i will in sorrow to the grave go down4 ,such lamentation made he for his son4 ,,chap4 ,,xxxix4 ,and now these merchants1 sons of ,ishmael1 ,again did poor afflicted ,joseph sell1 ,to an ,egyptian1 named ,potiphar1 ,the captain of ,king ,pharaoh's men of war4 ,and ,god was with him1 and did greatly bless1 ,and crown his undertakings with success4 ,whereof his master being well aware1 ,committed all he had to ,joseph's care2 ,and made him overseer of his house1 ,and1 from the time his master us'd him thus1 ,the ,lord was pleas'd to give him to partake1 ,so many blessings1 e'en for ,joseph's sake3 ,of that with plenty he was hedg'd about1 ,and prospered within door and without4 ,such was his master's love1 and he so just1 ,that all things were committed to his trust4 ,now ,joseph was grown up to manly stature1 ,of goodly presence1 and most comely feature4 ,wherefore his mistress1 with a lustful eye1 ,beheld his beauty1 and resolv'd to try1 ,if to unchaste embraces she could gain ,the youth1 but her endeavours prov'd in vain3 ,for he refus'd1 and said1 ,my master knows ,in all the house of nothing that he owes1#i ,for his concerns are all at my dispose3 ,there's not a thing that he hath kept from me ,but all is in my hand1 save only thee2 ,then how can ,i commit so foul a fact1 ,and the displeasure of my ,god contract8 ,yet still she sued1 and still did he deny her1 ,refusing to be with her1 or lie by her4 ,now on a time when all the men were gone ,out of the house1 and she was left alone3 ,and ,joseph at that instant coming in1 ,about some business he'd to do within2 ,she took advantage of their being together1 ,and held his clothes to force him to lie with her4 ,but ,joseph strove1 and from her hands got loose1 ,and left his coat1 and fled out of the house4 ,and when she saw that he had made's escape1 ,she call'd her servants1 and proclaim'd a rape3 ,come see now how this ,hebrew slave1 said she1 ,your master's favourite1 hath affronted me4 ,he came to violate my chastity1 ,and when he heard that ,i began to cry1 ,and call for help1 afraid lest you should find him1 ,he's fled1 and left his garment here behind him4 ,and now to give her words the greater credit1 ,until her husband's coming home1 she hid it1 ,to whom she spake1 and said1 ,why hast thou brought ,this ,hebrew here1 to set me thus at nought8 ,the slave attempted to defile my bed1 ,and when ,i cry'd1 he left his coat and fled1 ,see here it is4 ,which when he saw1 and heard ,the heavy accusation she preferr'd1 ,he was exceeding wroth at his behavior1 ,and utterly cashier'd him from his favour2 ,nay more1 he cast him into prison1 where ,in fetters bound1 ,king ,pharaoh's pris'ners were4 ,but ,joseph's ,god1 who never yet forsook ,him in extremity1 was pleas'd to look ,with great compassion on his injuries1 ,and gave him favour in the keeper's eyes2 ,so that he was entrusted with the care ,and charge of all the pris'ners that were there3 ,all were committed unto ,joseph's hand1 ,and what was done1 was done at his command4 ,the prison-keeper took no care at all1 ,of ought that he entrusted him withal2 ,because he saw that ,god was with him1 and ,all things did prosper that he took in hand4 ,,chap4 ,,xl4 ,and now1 whilst ,joseph in confinement lay1 ,it came to pass upon a certain day1 ,that ,pharaoh ,king of ,egypt1 being wroth ,with his chief butler1 and chief baker both1 ,for their offences1 put them both in ward1 ,in the house of the captain of the guard3 ,into the place where ,joseph was confin'd1 ,unto whose custody they were resign'd2 ,and he attended on them in the prison4 ,and there they were continue'd for a season1 ,during which time it chanced both of them ,did in the same night dream each man his dream3 ,which dreams1 according to interpretation1 ,had to themselves particular relation4 ,and ,joseph coming early the next day1 ,into the room where ,pharaoh's servants lay1 ,beheld their countenances much dejected3 ,wherefore he said1 ,what evil hath effected ,this melancholy frame1 what is't that causes ,these marks of discontentment in your faces8 ,then said they1 ,we have dream'd each man his dream1 ,and there is no man to interpret them4 ,then ,joseph said1 ,your dreams to me make known4 ,interpretations are from ,god alone4 ,then unto ,joseph the chief butler told ,his dream1 and said1 ,methought ,i did behold ,a vine1 whereon three branches did appear1 ,which seem'd to bud1 to blossom1 and to bear ,clusters of full ripe grapes1 which to my thinking ,i press'd into the cup for ,pharaoh's drinking4 ,and ,joseph said1 ,thy dream doth signify1 ,thou shalt enjoy thy former dignity3 ,the branches which thou sawest are three days1 ,in which ,king ,pharaoh will his butler raise ,and to thy place again will thee restore1 ,and thou shalt serve him as thou'st done before3 ,but do not1 when it shall be well with thee1 ,forget me1 but show kindness unto me1 ,and unto ,pharaoh represent my case1 ,that ,i may be deliver'd from this place2 ,for ,i was stol'n out of the ,hebrew's land1 ,and also here am wrongfully detained4 ,then the chief baker having understood1 ,that the interpretation was so good1 ,he told his dream to ,joseph too1 and said1 ,lo1 ,i had three white baskets on my head1 ,and in the uppermost there seem'd to be1 ,of baked provision1 great variety1 ,fit for ,king ,pharaoh's table1 and there came ,a flock of birds1 and seem'd to eat the same4 ,and ,joseph said1 ,thy dream portends thy fall1 ,for at the end of three days ,pharaoh shall ,lift up thy head1 and hang thee on a tree1 ,so that the birds shall feast themselves on thee4 ,and on the third day ,pharaoh made a feast ,unto his servants1 and among the rest ,the butler and the baker were brought forth1 ,the day being kept in memory of his birth4 ,and to his place ,king ,pharaoh did restore ,his butler1 and he served him as before4 ,but the chief baker he condemn'd to die1 ,according unto ,joseph's prophecy4 ,yet though the butler had regain'd his place1 ,he was unmindful of poor ,joseph's case4 ,,chap4 ,,xli4 ,and now when two years' time was fully past1 ,and ,joseph from confinement not releast1 ,it came to pass that ,pharaoh dream'd1 and ,he seemed by a river-side to stand1 ,whence he seven fat well-favour'd kine beheld1 ,come up and grazed in the neighbouring field4 ,and after them there came up seven more1 ,lean and ill-favour'd1 and did soon devour ,the seven fat kine which came up just before4 ,so ,pharaoh 'woke1 and mus'd awhile1 and then ,soon as his sleep his dream returned again3 ,wherein he saw upon one stalk there stood ,seven ears of corn exceeding rank and good1 ,and seven others1 with the east wind blasted1 ,and withered1 sprang up1 and quickly wasted ,the seven good ears1 and quite devour'd them3 ,and ,pharaoh 'woke1 and lo1 it was a dream4 ,and in the morning he was discontent1 ,and for the wise men and magicians sent1 ,to ease his mind2 but there was none of them ,that could interpret to the king his dream4 ,then the chief butler1 making his address ,unto ,king ,pharaoh1 said1 ,i now confess ,my former faults1 for when the king was wroth ,with his chief butler1 and chief baker both1 ,it pleased him1 to put us both in ward1 ,in the house of the captain of the guard3 ,and in one night we dream'd a dream1 each one ,according to 's interpretation3 ,and there was then an ,hebrew there in ward1 ,a youth that serv'd the captain of the guard3 ,to whom we told whereof we had been dreaming1 ,and he interpreted to us the meaning2 ,and what he said fell out accordingly1 ,me he restored to my dignity1 ,but told the baker he should surely die4 ,then ,pharaoh sent a messenger in haste1 ,and ,joseph from the dungeon was releas'd3 ,and having shav'd himself and chang'd his clothes1 ,into the presence of the king he goes4 ,to whom ,king ,pharaoh said1 ,i have been told ,thou canst the meaning of a dream unfold3 ,now ,i have dream'd a dream1 and there is none ,can give me the interpretation4 ,and ,joseph said1 ,i cannot do this thing ,myself1 but ,god shall answer thee1 oh king4 ,then ,pharaoh said to ,joseph1 ,in my dream1 ,as ,i stood by a river's side1 there came ,up from the river seven well-favour'd kine1 ,and fed upon the banks1 all fat and fine1 ,and after them there came up seven more1 ,lean and ill-favour'd1 and exceeding poor3 ,such as the land of ,egypt never bred1 ,and on the seven well-favour'd kine they fed1 ,and eat them up1 but 'twas not to be seen ,that they had eat them1 they look'd still so thin4 ,so ,i awoke1 and mus'd awhile1 and then ,soon as my sleep1 my dream return'd again2 ,wherein ,i saw upon one stalk there stood ,seven ears of corn1 exceeding rank and good3 ,then seven others1 with the east wind blasted1 ,and withered1 came up1 and quickly wasted ,the seven good ears1 and quite devoured them4 ,and being unsatisfied about my dream1 ,i sought unto the wise men of the nation1 ,but they could give me no interpretation4 ,and ,joseph said1 ,thy dream1 oh king6 is one1 ,god shews to ,pharaoh what he will have done4 ,the seven fat kine and seven good ears agree ,to shew1 seven years of plenty there shall be4 ,the seven lean kine1 and seven blasted ears1 ,denote there shall be famine seven years4 ,this ,i declare to ,pharaoh1 ,god doth shew ,to thee1 oh king6 what he's about to do4 ,behold seven years of plenty are at hand1 ,which shall be very great throughout the land4 ,and after them seven years of famine shall ,arise1 and shall consume the land1 and all ,the former plenty shall not be perceiv'd1 ,so much the land with famine shall be griev'd4 ,and since the dream was doubl'd to the king1 ,it is because ,god hath decreed the thing1 ,and on this land the same will shortly bring3 ,now therefore if ,i may the king advise1 ,let him look out a man discreet and wise1 ,and make him overseer of the land3 ,and substitute men under his command ,to gather a fifth part for public use1 ,of what the seven plenteous years produce2 ,and in the cities lay it up for store1 ,against the famine in the land grows sore2 ,and let it be repos'd in ,pharaoh's hand1 ,that so the famine may not waste the land4 ,and when ,king ,pharaoh and his servants heard ,the propositions ,joseph had preferr'd1 ,they were acceptable in ,pharaoh's eyes1 ,and in the eyes of all his court likewise3 ,so that he said1 ,can such an one be found8 ,a man in whom ,god's ,spirit doth abound4 ,and ,pharaoh said to ,joseph1 ,forasmuch ,as ,god's great kindness unto thee is such1 ,as to reveal this thing to thee1 ,i know ,no man so wise or so discreet as thou4 ,be thou therefore the ruler of the land1 ,and let my people be at thy command2 ,thou shalt in all things be as great as ,i1 ,save only in the royal dignity4 ,behold this day ,i have advanced thee ,said he1 to be a man of high degree ,throughout the land4 ,and therewithal the king ,bestow'd on ,joseph his own royal ring2 ,and him with robes of state did richly deck1 ,and put a chain of gold about his neck1 ,and in his second chariot made him ride1 ,and as he past1 ,bow down the knee they cry'd1 ,with so great honour was he dignifi'd4 ,and ,pharaoh said moreover1 ,i am king1 ,no man shall dare to purpose any thing1 ,or move his hand or foot in all this nation1 ,unless it shall be by thy approbation4 ,he also gave to ,joseph a new name1 ,and for a wife gave him a princely dame1 ,who was the daughter of a priest of fame4 7,now ,joseph had attained his thirtieth year1 ,when he before ,king ,pharaoh did appear47 ,and he went out from ,pharaoh's presence1 and ,began his progress over all the land4 ,now in the seven plenteous years1 the field ,did its increase in great abundance yield4 ,and ,joseph gather'd all that plenteous crop1 ,and in th' adjacent cities laid it up3 ,which like unto the sand upon the shore1 ,did so abound that he could count no more1 ,such was the plenty that the earth then bore4 ,and unto ,joseph there was born a son1 ,even by the daughter of the priest of ,on1 ,before the years of famine were begun2 ,the which he call'd ,manasseh1 for1 said he1 ,god makes me to forget my misery1 ,and all my father's house4 ,and after him ,was born another he called ,ephraim2 ,for ,god1 saith he1 hath made me to possess ,abundance in the land of my distress4 ,and when the seven plenteous years were gone1 ,the seven years of famine next came on1 ,as ,joseph said1 and there was a great dearth ,in every nation throughout all the earth2 ,but in the land of ,egypt there was bread4 ,and when the people almost famished1 ,complained to the king1 he bade them go ,to ,joseph1 and whate'er he said to do4 ,and now the famine daily waxing sore1 ,joseph began to bring forth of his store1 ,which he had laid up for the public good2 ,to whom th' ,egyptians came and bought their food4 ,and people from all countries far and near ,to ,egypt came to buy provision there2 ,for in all lands the famine was severe4 ,,chap4 ,,xlii4 ,and now1 behold1 when ,jacob had been told ,that there was corn in ,egypt to be sold1 ,he said unto his sons1 ,why stand ye thus8 ,go down to ,egypt and buy corn for us2 ,that so our craving stomachs may be fed1 ,and not be here and die for lack of bread4 ,thus ,jacob's ten sons were to ,egypt sent1 ,but ,joseph's brother ,benjamin ne'er went4 ,for why1 his father said1 ,i will not send him1 ,lest peradventure some ill chance attend him4 ,and ,joseph's brethren came among the rest ,to buy provision1 for they were distress'd4 ,now he was governor of all the land1 ,and all the corn of ,egypt in his hand4 ,wherefore his brethren1 when they came to treat ,with him for corn1 bow'd down e'en at his feet3 ,and he no sooner saw them but he knew them1 ,and show'd himself extremely strange unto them3 ,and very roughly asked who they were1 ,from whence they came1 and what their bus'ness there4 ,and they made answer1 ,we thy servants from ,the land of ,canaan to buy food are come4 ,now tho' they knew him not1 yet he knew them1 ,and calling now to mind his former dream1 ,he said1 ,i do suspect ye're come as spies1 ,to see in what distress our country lies4 ,but they reply'd again1 ,my lord1 we're come ,only to buy some food to carry home4 ,think not thy servants spies1 but true men rather1 ,for we are all the children of one father4 ,nay1 nay1 said he1 but ye are come to pry ,into the nation's great necessity4 ,but they reply'd again1 ,thy servants are ,inhabitants of ,canaan1 and declare1 ,that we're twelve brethren1 whom one man begot1 ,the youngest is at home1 and one is not ,well then1 said ,joseph1 hereby shall ,i know1 ,whether ye're spies1 as ,i have said1 or no2 ,now by the life of ,pharaoh do ,i swear1 ,until your brother come ,i'll keep you here4 ,send one of you and fetch the lad to me1 ,and you shall be confin'd1 so shall there be ,a proof of what you say before mine eyes1 ,or by the life of ,pharaoh ye are spies4 ,then he for three days put them all in ward1 ,and on the third day said1 ,i have regard ,to equity1 therefore if ye are true ,and honest men1 do this2 let one of you ,be bound in prison here1 and let the other ,go carry corn home and bring me your brother2 ,so shall ye be approv'd and shall not die4 ,and they prepared to do accordingly4 ,and as they were discoursing to each other1 ,they said1 ,we were in fault about our brother1 ,in that we saw his soul in great distress1 ,and yet were so exceeding pitiless1 ,as not to hearken to his earnest cries3 ,this is the cause of these our miseries4 ,and ,reuben said1 ,you know ,i did forewarn1 ,and beg that you would do the child no harm2 ,but you would not do then as ,i desir'd1 ,and now his blood is at our hands requir'd4 ,thus they discours'd about the cause that brought ,their present trouble1 but they little thought ,that ,joseph knew of what they did confer1 ,because he spake by an interpreter4 ,and he being moved at their words withdrew ,to weep1 and then returned to renew ,his former talk2 and choosing ,simeon out1 ,before them all he bound him hand and foot4 ,and gave command to fill their sacks with grain1 ,and to restore their money to 'em again2 ,and for their journey gave them food to eat2 ,in such sort ,joseph did his brethren treat4 ,then with their asses laden towards home ,they went1 and when into their inn they come ,as one of them his sack of corn unty'd1 ,to give his ass some provender1 he spy'd ,his money in his sack again return'd2 ,wherefore he call'd his brethren and inform'd ,them that his money was returned back4 ,behold1 said he1 it is here in my sack4 ,on sight whereof their hearts were sore dismay'd1 ,and being very much affrighted said1 ,what is the thing that ,god's about to do1 ,that we do thus these troubles undergo8 ,then coming to their father they related1 ,after what sort they were in ,egypt treated3 ,and said1 the man that's lord of all the land1 ,and hath the store of corn all in his hand1 ,spake roughly to us1 and affirm'd that we ,were come the weakness of the land to see4 ,to whom we said1 ,we are all honest men2 ,we are twelve brethren1 whereof here are ten1 ,and two elsewhere1 all which one man begot1 ,the youngest's with our father1 one is not4 ,then said the ruler of the land1 ,hereby ,shall ,i make proof of your integrity3 ,let one of you continue here with me1 ,and take provision for your family2 ,and get you gone and bring the youngest hither1 ,that so ,i may be satisfied whether ,ye are true men1 as you make protestation1 ,then ,i'll release him1 and give toleration ,to you to come and traffic in the nation4 ,and now behold as they their sacks unloos'd ,to empty out their corn1 there was unclos'd ,in each man's sack his money therein bound1 ,as when they came from home1 which when they found1 ,both they and their old father were afraid2 ,and to his sons afflicted ,jacob said1 ,you of my children have bereaved me1 ,joseph and ,simeon now do cease to be2 ,and of my ,benjamin you would deprive me1 ,these things do ev'n into distraction drive me4 ,then ,reuben said1 ,my father ,i resign ,to thy disposing these two sons of mine2 ,give me the lad1 and let them both be slain1 ,if ,i do not return him safe again4 ,but he reply'd1 ,i will not let him go1 ,for why his brother is deceas'd you know2 ,and if upon the way some evil thing ,should happen to the lad1 you then will bring ,these my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave2 ,for he's the only comfort that ,i have4 ,,chap4 ,,xliii4 ,and now the famine still continuing sore1 ,and having spent all their late purchas'd store1 ,their father bids them to go down for more ,to whom when ,judah had himself address'd1 ,he said1 ,the man did solemnly protest1 ,if we without our brother came again1 ,to seek his face would be for us in vain3 ,if therefore thou wilt send him1 well and good1 ,then will we willingly go down for food2 ,but if thou wilt not1 we must let thee know1 ,we are resolved that we will not go3 ,for1 as ,i said before1 the ruler swore ,without him we should see his face no more4 ,then ,israel said1 ,why were you so unkind ,to say you had a brother left behind8 ,the man1 said they1 was so inquisitive1 ,he asked if our father were alive1 ,or if we had a brother1 whereunto ,accordingly we answer'd1 could we know ,if he would bid us bring the lad or no8 ,moreover ,judah to his father said1 ,if thou wilt but entrust me with the lad1 ,we will begone1 that so both thou and we ,may be preserved with our family3 ,i will be surety for him1 if ,i fail ,to bring him back1 on me the blame entail2 ,for if we had not lingered1 we had been ,by this time here the second time again4 ,well then1 said ,isr'el1 if it must be so1 ,my sons1 take my advice before you go2 ,provide some of the best fruits of the land1 ,to give the man a present from your hand2 ,balm1 myrrh1 and spices1 and a little honey1 ,some nuts and almonds1 and take double money1 ,for peradventure it was a mistake1 ,in that our money was returned back4 ,and take your brother ,benjamin and go1 ,and ,god ,almighty grant the man may shew ,you mercy1 that you may bring back again ,your other brother1 and my ,benjamin1 ,and if ,i am bereav'd1 so have ,i been4 ,then did the men prepare the present1 and ,they took their money double in their hand ,with ,benjamin1 and down to ,egypt went1 ,who unto ,joseph did themselves present4 ,who1 when he saw that ,benjamin was come1 ,order'd his steward to conduct them home1 ,and to provide a dinner1 for1 said he1 ,i do intend these men shall dine with me4 ,then did the steward as his master said1 ,and brought them home1 whereat they were afraid1 ,and said1 ,the man hath caus'd us to come in1 ,because our money was return'd again2 ,to take occasion now to fall upon us1 ,and make us slaves1 and take our asses from us4 ,unto the steward they drew nigh therefore1 ,and thus communed with him at the door3 ,o sir1 say they1 we came at first indeed ,to buy provision to supply our need2 ,and in our inn as we our sacks unloos'd1 ,we found our money therein all inclos'd ,in its full weight1 whereat surpris'd with fear1 ,not knowing who had put our money there1 ,we now have brought it in full weight again1 ,and other money too1 to buy more grain4 ,peace1 peace1 said he1 let not fear seize upon you ,for ,i had the disposing of your money3 ,god1 unto whom you and your father bow1 ,hath giv'n you treasure in your sacks ,i trow4 ,and then releasing ,simon1 who had been ,confin'd in ,joseph's house1 he brought them in ,and set them water1 and they wash'd their feet2 ,and gave their asses provender to eat4 ,then they made ready1 against ,joseph came1 ,their gifts1 in order to present the same ,at noon2 for they were told he did design ,to have their company with him to dine4 ,and now when ,joseph was returned home1 ,into his presence they with rev'rence come1 ,and brought their presents in and laid before him1 ,and fell down at his feet for to adore him4 ,then he inquired if they all were well1 ,and said1 ,when you were here ,i heard you tell ,of an old man1 your father1 how does he8 ,is he in health1 or doth he cease to be8 ,whereto in humble sort they thus reply'd1 ,thy servant1 ev'n our father1 doth abide ,in perfect health1 which having said1 ,they bowed their heads and great obeisance made4 ,and ,joseph viewing ,benjamin his brother 7,they being both the children of one mother7 ,he asked if he were the lad of whom ,they spake1 then said1 ,god give thee grace1 my son4 ,then making haste to find a secret place ,to weep1 because his bowels yearn'd apace ,upon his brother1 to his chamber went1 ,where having giv'n his troubled spirits vent1 ,he washed his face1 and did himself refrain1 ,and to his brethren then came forth again1 ,and bade his servants they should set on bread4 ,at his command the tables were all spread2 ,one for himself1 and for his friends another1 ,and for the ,egyptians one apart from either1 ,that so they might not eat bread altogether2 ,for it is held a great abomination ,for them to eat among the ,hebrew nation1 ,and they were placed as their age required1 ,the eldest first1 whereat the men admired4 ,and from his table ,joseph sent them messes2 ,but in a larger manner he expresses ,to ,benjamin his kindness1 which was such1 ,that he appointed him five times as much ,as to the rest3 and they drank plenteously1 ,till they were merry in his company4 ,,chap4 ,,xliv4 ,and to his steward ,joseph spake1 and said1 ,give these men corn as much as they can lade2 ,and in their sacks bind each man's money up1 ,and in the youngest's put my silver cup ,besides his money3 and he made haste and did ,according as his master had commanded4 ,and in the morning by the break of day1 ,with asses laden they were sent away3 ,and now1 e'er they had scarce the town's end pass'd1 ,he sent his steward after them in haste1 ,and said1 ,go1 follow them1 and ask them why ,they have dealt by me so ungratefully8 ,and say unto them1 ,you have done great evil ,to rob my master1 who hath been so civil1 ,and steal the cup wherein he drinks his wine2 ,is it not it whereby he doth divine8#aj ,then he pursu'd and quickly overtook ,them1 and these very words to them he spoke4 ,to whom they said1 ,why hath my lord such thought8 ,oh1 ,god forbid that we should be so naught2#aa ,behold1 thou know'st we brought the money back ,the which we found bound up in each man's sack1 ,which shews that we had no design to cheat2 ,how then should we now steal your master's plate8 ,with which of us thy servants it is found ,let him be slain1 and we to slavery bound4 ,now as you say1 said he1 so let it be1 ,he shall be bound1 but you shall all go free4 ,then they unladed ev'ry man his beast1 ,and to his view expos'd their sacks in haste4 ,and he from first to last them searched round1 ,and lo1 the cup on ,benjamin was found3 ,thereat surpris'd1 each man his garment rent1 ,and lade his beast1 and back again they went4 ,and now when ,judah and the rest were come ,to ,joseph's house1 7for he was yet at home7 ,they fell before him to the ground1 to whom ,he said1 ,what deed is this that you have done8 ,are you not sensible that such a one ,as ,i1 can certainly thereof make trial8 ,then ,judah said1 ,my lord1 there's no denial3 ,we cannot clear ourselves4 ,the ,lord hath sent1 ,for our misdeed1 this heavy punishment4 ,behold1 to be thy slaves we all are bound1 ,both we1 and he on whom the cup was found4 ,then ,joseph said1 ,the ,lord forbid that ,i ,should exercise so great severity3 ,for he with whom 'tis found1 and he alone ,shall be my servant1 you may all be gone4 ,then unto ,joseph1 ,judah drawing near1 ,said1 ,o my lord6 ,i pray be pleas'd to hear ,thy servant speak1 and be not angry now1 ,for as ,king ,pharaoh is ev'n so art thou4 ,my lord did bid thy servants to discover ,whether we had a father or a brother2 ,and we made answer that thy servants had ,an ancient father and a little lad1 ,the child of his old age1 who was our brother1 ,and he the only child left of his mother1 ,his brother being dead2 and that this lad ,was all the comfort that our father had4 ,then thou wert pleas'd to bid thy servants bring ,the lad1 that thou might'st have a sight of him4 ,and we made answer1 if the lad should leave ,his father1 it would bring him to his grave3 ,and thou didst then protest it was in vain ,for us without him to come here again4 ,then towards home thy servants went their way1 ,and told our father what my lord did say4 ,and in a while1 when all our corn was spent1 ,thy servant1 ev'n our father1 would have sent ,to buy more food2 to whom thy servant said1 ,we cannot go except thou send the lad4 ,because the man did solemnly declare1 ,unless we brought him we should not come there4 ,and then thy servant1 ev'n our father1 said1 ,ye know that by my wife two sons ,i had1 ,and one of them went forth and came no more1 ,which made me think some beast did him devour4 ,and if ,i now should also condescend ,to let this go1 and mischief should attend1 ,you will with sorrow bring me to my end4 ,when to my father ,i shall come therefore1 ,and he shall see that ,i do not restore ,the lad again1 he certainly will die1 7,since in his life my father's life doth lie7 ,and we shall bring him to his grave thereby4 ,for ,i became a surety for the lad ,unto my father1 unto whom ,i said1 ,if ,i do not in safety him deliver1 ,then let me bear the blame to thee for ever4 ,i humbly pray thee1 therefore1 to accept ,me in his stead1 and let me here be kept ,my lord's bond-slave1 and let the lad go free3 ,for how can ,i1 thy servant1 bear to see ,the evil that shall on my father come1 ,if that the lad return not safely home4 ,,chap4 ,,xlv4 ,then ,joseph1 who by no means now could hide ,his brotherly affection longer1 cry'd1 ,put all men forth2 and he was left alone ,when to his brethren he himself made known4 ,then ,joseph weeping lifted up his voice ,so loud1 that ,pharaoh's servants heard the noise4 ,and to his brethren did himself discover1 ,and said1 ,lo6 ,i am ,joseph your own brother2 ,and doth my father live8 ,whereat amaz'd1 ,they could not speak1 but at each other gaz'd4 ,then ,joseph said1 ,come near1 ,i pray1 behold1 ,i am your brother ,joseph whom ye sold ,to ,egypt1 be not grieved now therefore1 ,nor vex yourselves1 for ,god sent me before ,to save life2 for these two years there hath been ,a famine1 and five more to come1 wherein ,seed time nor harvest shall at all be seen4 ,the ,lord1 ,i say1 hath sent me to provide ,a place1 and strangely save your lives beside4 ,so now ye sent me not1 but it was rather ,the ,lord1 and he hath made me as a father ,unto the king1 lord of his household1 and ,a ruler over all this spacious land4 ,unto my father1 therefore1 go your way1 ,and tell him1 ,thus doth thy son ,joseph say3 ,the ,lord hath rais'd me to a high degree ,in ,egypt1 tarry not1 but come to me1 ,and thou shalt dwell in ,goshen and be nigh me1 ,and with provision there will ,i supply thee2 ,both thou and thine1 flocks1 herds1 and all thou hast1 7,for yet these five years will the famine last7 ,lest otherwise1 provision being scant1 ,thou and thy family may come to want4 ,behold1 both you and ,benjamin my brother ,do see that it is ,i and not another4 ,go tell my father this amazing story1 ,and bring him hither to behold my glory4 ,then falling on his youngest brother's neck1 ,and he on his1 they o'er each other wept4 ,and to the rest he did likewise1 wherefore ,they now were more familiar than before4 ,and now whilst they discoursed1 the report ,of their arrival came to ,pharaoh's court1 ,and he was pleas'd thereat1 wherefore he said ,to ,joseph1 let thy brethren straightway lade ,their beasts with corn1 and thus unto them say1 ,unto your native country haste away1 ,and fetch your father1 and your households1 and ,i'll feed you with the good things of the land2 ,and since you are commanded by the king1 ,take wagons with you hence wherein to bring ,your wives1 your little ones1 and come down hither1 ,your father1 you and yours altogether2 ,and never heed to bring your household stuff1 ,for here in ,egypt you shall have enough4 ,then did the ,isr'elites accordingly3 ,and ,joseph ordering them a large supply ,of necessaries for their journey1 sent ,wagons according to the king's intent4 ,and to each man he gave a suit of clothes1 ,but on his brother ,benjamin bestows ,five suits1 and as a token of his love1 ,a sum of money over and above4 ,and thus he sent ev'n for his father's use1 ,of the best things that ,egypt did produce1 ,ten asses load1 and ten she asses load ,of bread and meat1 to spend upon the road4 ,then sending them away1 he said1 ,i pray ,see that you do not fall out by the way4 ,and leaving ,egypt with their num'rous train1 ,unto their father they returned again3 ,to whom1 as soon as e'er they did arrive1 ,they said1 ,our brother ,joseph's yet alive1 ,and lord of all the land1 which sore dismay'd ,him1 for he scarce believed what they said4 ,then they of all that pass'd gave him relation4 ,and shewed the wagons for a confirmation ,which being manifest before his eyes1 ,he rais'd himself1 and said1 ,it doth suffice2 ,joseph my son is yet alive1 and ,i ,will go to see him once before ,i die4 ,,chap4 ,,xlvi4 ,then ,isr'el setting forward on his way ,with all his household1 came to ,beersheba2 ,and offer'd sacrifice there to implore ,the ,god his father ,isaac did adore4 ,and in the visions of the night ,god spake ,to him1 and said1 ,fear not to undertake ,this journey into ,egypt1 for ,i am ,the ,god of thy forefathers1 ,abraham ,and ,isaac2 to the land of ,egypt ,i ,will go with thee1 and there will multiply ,thy offspring1 and of thee will surely make ,a mighty nation1 and will bring thee back2 ,and thy son ,joseph there thine eyes shall close4 ,after which vision he from thence arose1 ,and in the wagons which ,king ,pharaoh sent1 ,he and his family to ,egypt went3 ,his sons1 their wives and children1 and the rest ,of their concerns1 whereof they were possest ,when they in ,canaan dwelt1 and they were then ,no more in number but threescore and ten4 ,and when to ,egypt ,israel drew near ,he sent before him ,judah1 to prepare ,his way to ,goshen1 which when ,joseph heard1 ,immediately his chariot he prepar'd2 ,and unto ,goshen he directly went1 ,and to his father did himself present3 ,and being over-joy'd fell on his neck1 ,and for a good while thereupon he wept4 ,then ,jacob said1 ,since thou yet liv'st1 and ,i ,have seen thy face once more1 now let me die4 ,and ,joseph said1 ,my brethren ,i will go ,unto ,king ,pharaoh1 and will let him know ,that you1 and all my father's house are come2 ,and that your occupation when at home1 ,hath been in feeding cattle altogether1 ,and that you've brought your flocks and herds all hither4 ,now therefore when you come before the king1 ,and he should ask you what your trade hath been1 ,say thus3 ,thy servants from our youth till now ,have dealt in cattle1 we and our fathers too1 ,that he may let you dwell in ,goshen1 for ,th' ,egyptians do a shepherd's life abhor4 ,,chap4 ,,xlvii4 ,then to ,king ,pharaoh ,joseph went and said1 ,my father and his sons1 with all they had ,in their own country1 are come down to me1 ,and in the land of ,goshen now they be4 ,five of his brethren also with him went1 ,whom he unto ,king ,pharaoh did present1 ,and ,pharaoh asked them about their trade1 ,and they unto the king reply'd and said3 ,we and our fathers while we were at home ,were shepherds all1 and now behold1 we come ,with all our flocks1 to get some pasture here1 ,for in our land the famine is severe4 ,we therefore pray thee to appoint a portion ,unto thy servants in the land of ,goshen4 ,and ,pharaoh said to ,joseph1 ,i empow'r thee ,to use thy pleasure1 ,goshen is before thee2 ,settle thy father and thy brethren there1 ,and if among them active men there are1 ,commit my cattle to their special care4 ,and ,joseph brought his aged father in ,before the king1 and ,jacob blessed him4 ,and ,pharaoh asking him about his age1 ,he said1 ,the years of my life's pilgrimage ,are but an hundred thirty1 very few ,and evil1 nor have ,i attain'd unto ,the years of my forefathers longer age1 ,which they pass'd thro' in this their pilgrimage4 ,and ,jacob bless'd the king again1 and then ,out of his presence he return'd again4 ,and ,joseph plac'd his father and relations ,in ,egypt1 and appointed them possessions ,in the best of the land1 ev'n in the land ,of ,rameses1 according to the king's command3 ,and there he nourished them with fit supplies ,of bread1 according to their families4 ,and now the people having spent their store1 ,and famine still increasing more and more1 ,egypt and ,canaan too1 for want of bread1 ,were sore distress'd and almost famished4 ,and ,joseph took the money they did bring ,to buy their corn1 and kept it for the king4 ,wherefore the people came to represent ,their case to him1 both corn and coin being spent4 ,and ,joseph said1 ,if money be grown scant1 ,bring me your cattle and ye shall not want4 ,and they brought horses1 asses1 and their flocks ,and herds of cattle1 ev'n all their stocks1 ,and gave to ,joseph in exchange for bread1 ,for which the people he for that year fed3 ,and when that year was past1 the second year ,they came again1 and said1 ,we can't forbear ,to let thee know our want1 my lord doth know ,thou hast our money and our cattle too1 ,and there is nothing left 7so hard's our fate7 ,but only each man's person and estate3 ,if thou wilt give us bread1 into thy hands ,will we resign our persons and our lands3 ,and be the servants of the king for ever4 ,from death therefore our hungry souls deliver1 ,and take some pity on our wretched state1 ,lest we die1 and the land be desolate4 ,and the ,egyptians sold each man his field1 ,because the famine over them prevail'd2 ,and all their lands became the king's possession1 ,and ,joseph placed them at his own discretion4 ,but the land of the priests he purchased not1 ,for ,pharaoh had assigned to them their lot3 ,and they received their food from ,pharaoh's hands1 ,wherefore they had no need to sell their lands4 ,and ,joseph said unto them1 ,now behold1 ,you and your lands are unto ,pharaoh sold3 ,lo6 here is seed to sow in each man's field1 ,and when the land its ripe increase shall yield1 ,a fifth part shall belong unto the crown1 ,and the other four parts shall be your own1 ,for seed to sow your lands1 and for supplies ,of food convenient for your families4 ,and they said2 ,thou hast sav'd our lives1 my lord1 ,thy gracious favour unto us afford1 ,and we will do according to thy word4 ,and ,joseph made it a decree1 to stand ,ev'n to this day throughout th' ,egyptian land2 ,that ,pharaoh should have a fifth part1 except ,the priests' lands1 which unto themselves they kept4 ,and in the land of ,egypt ev'n in ,goshen1 ,did ,isr'el dwell1 and therein had possession2 ,and grew and multiply'd exceeding fast4 ,and ,jacob liv'd till seventeen years were past3 ,so that the sum of ,jacob's age appears ,to be an hundred forty-seven years4 ,and when the time approach'd that he must die1 ,he called ,joseph1 unto whom he said1 ,if ,i ,have now found favour in thy sight1 ,i pray1 ,swear thou unto me that thou wilt not lay ,my bones in ,egypt1 for ,i fain would lie ,among my ancestors when e'er ,i die1 ,and not be bury'd here2 therefore fulfil ,this my desire2 and he reply'd1 ,i will3 ,and he said1 ,swear unto me1 which he did3 ,then ,jacob bow'd himself upon his bed4 ,,chap4 ,,xlviii4 ,and now when ,joseph heard his father lay ,even at the point of death he hastes away ,to visit him1 and took along with him ,his son ,manasseh1 and's son ,ephraim4 ,whereof when ,jacob heard he strength'ned ,himself1 and rose and sat upon the bed3 ,and thus to ,joseph said1 ,lo6 ,god appeared ,to me at ,luz in ,canaan1 and declared1 ,that he would bless1 and make me a great nation1 ,and give my seed that land for a possession3 ,and ,jacob said1 ,behold1 these sons of thine ,as ,reuben and as ,simeon shall be mine2 ,and all the rest that shall be born to thee ,hereafter1 shall be thine1 and they shall be ,call'd by the name of their own family4 ,behold thy mother died upon the way1 ,when ,i from ,padan came1 near ,ephratah1 ,the which is in the land of ,canaan1 where1 ,to wit1 in ,bethlem1 did ,i bury her4 ,and ,jacob seeing ,joseph's sons were there1 ,he asked of him who the children were4 ,and ,joseph said1 ,my father1 lo6 these be ,the sons1 ,god in this place hath given me4 ,then ,jacob said1 ,i pray thee bring them nigh ,to me1 and ,i will bless them e'er ,i die4 7,now ,jacob's eyes1 by reason of age1 were dim7 ,and ,joseph brought his sons near unto him1 ,and ,jacob kissed and embraced them3 ,and said1 ,i never thought to see thy face1 ,and lo6 the ,lord hath shewn me of thy race4 ,and ,joseph from between his knees brought forth ,his sons1 and bow'd himself even to the earth3 ,and in his right hand held up ,ephraim1 ,towards his father's left hand guiding him ,and in his left hand to his father's right1 ,he held his son ,manasseh opposite4 ,and ,isra'l stretching our his right hand1 laid ,it on the youngest1 namely ,ephraim's head3 ,and laid his left hand wittingly upon ,manasseh's head1 although the eldest son4 ,and ,jacob blessed ,joseph1 saying1 ,the ,god ,of heaven1 in whose paths my fathers trod1 ,who all my life hath nourish'd me1 even he ,who from all evil hath redeemed me1 ,bless both the lads1 and let them bear my name1 ,and the name of my fathers ,abraham ,and ,isaac1 and let them multiply ,in the midst of the earth exceedingly4 ,and ,joseph seeing his father's right hand laid ,on ,ephraim's head1 he was displeas'd1 and said1 ,not so1 my father1 lay this hand upon ,manasseh's head1 for he's the eldest son3 ,and therewithal attempted to have laid ,his father's right hand on ,manasseh's head ,but he refus'd and said1 ,i know't my son1 ,i know't full well1 he also shall become ,a people1 and be mighty3 ,but indeed ,his younger brother shall him far exceed1 ,and many nations shall come from his seed4 ,thus ,jacob blessed them1 and said1 ,in thee ,shall ,isra'l bless1 and say1 ,god make thee be ,like ,ephraim and ,manasseh4 ,thus did he ,prefer the youngest to the first degree4 ,and ,isra'l said to ,joseph1 ,lo6 ,i die1 ,but ,god shall visit you1 and certainly ,shall bring you back unto your father's land4 ,and thou shalt have a portion from my hand1 ,above thy brethren1 which with sword and bow ,i took from th' ,amorite1 my deadly foe4 ,,chap4 ,,xlix4 ,and ,jacob called all his sons together1 ,and said1 ,ye sons of ,jacob come you hither3 ,and hearken what your aged father says1 ,who tells you what shall be in the last days4 ,reuben my first born1 of my strength the flow'rs1 ,the excellency of dignity and power3 ,unstable as water1 be for ever vile1 ,because thou did thy father's bed defile4 ,simeon and ,levi 're brethren4 ,instruments ,of cruelty lodged in their tents4 ,come not1 my soul1 their secret councils nigh1 ,my honour1 with them have no unity3 ,for in their wrath they caused a man to fall1 ,and in their self-will digged down a wall4 ,curs'd be their anger1 fierce1 yea cursed be ,their wrath1 for it was full of cruelty4 ,in ,jacob therefore let their seed be spread1 ,and every where in ,israel scattered4 ,judah shall have his brethren's praise1 and they ,shall bow before him2 he his foes shall slay4 ,judah's a lion's whelp return'd from prey1 ,he stoop'd1 he couch'd1 and as a lion lay2 ,as an old lion1 who shall dare molest1 ,or rouse him up1 when he lies down to rest4 ,the sceptre shall from ,judah never start1 ,nor a lawgiver from his feet depart2 ,until the blessed ,shiloh come1 to whom ,the scatter'd people shall from all parts come3 ,binding his foal unto the choicest vine1 ,he wash'd his garments1 all of them in wine3 ,his eyes shall with the blood of th' grapes look red1 ,and milky whiteness shall his teeth o'erspread4 ,lo6 ,zabulon shall dwell upon the sea1 ,and heaven for the ship's security1 ,and unto ,zidon shall his border be4 ,and ,issachar is a strong ass between ,two burdens crouching1 who when he had seen ,that rest was pleasant1 and the land was good1 ,his servile neck unto the yoke he bow'd4 ,dan as a judge shall over ,isra'l sway1 ,he shall be as a serpent in the way1 ,to bite the horse1 and cast the rider down4 ,o ,god6 ,i have look'd for thy salvation4 ,gad by a troop shall be o'ercome1 but he ,shall at the last obtain the victory4 ,the bread of ,ashur shall be fat indeed1 ,and royal dainties shall from his proceed4 ,like to a hind let loose is ,naphtali1 ,he speaketh all his words acceptably4 ,joseph's a fruitful bough1 whose branches tall ,grow by a well1 and over-top the wall3 ,by reason of hatred which the archers bore1 ,they shot at him and griev'd him very sore1 ,but ,joseph's bow in its full strength abode ,and by the arm of ,jacob's mighty ,god1 ,he was indu'd with strength1 from whence alone ,is ,isra'l's shepherd1 and chief corner-stone3 ,ev'n by my father's ,god1 who shall assist ,thee1 by th' ,almighty ,god shalt thou be blest1 ,with blessings from above1 and from below1 ,with blessings of the breast1 and womb also4 ,thy father's blessings have prevail'd beyond ,my ancestors4 ,unto the utmost bound ,of the perpetual hills1 yea let them rest ,on ,joseph's head1 and let him be possest ,of all1 who was divided from the rest4 ,young ,benjamin shall wolf-like take his prey1 ,and part by night what he hath took by day4 ,all these are the ten tribes of ,israel1 ,and thus their father did their fate foretell3 ,and blessed every one of them apart1 ,according to their personal desert4 ,moreover he gave them a charge and said1 ,lo6 ,i shall die1 but let my bones be laid ,among my ancestors in ,canaan1 where ,of ,ephron1 ,abraham bought a sepulchre1 ,together with a field1 to be a place ,of burial1 for him and all his race4 7,there ,abraham and ,sarah lie1 and there ,they ,isaac and ,rebecca did inter1 ,and there when ,leah died ,i buried her47 ,the field was purchas'd of the sons of ,heth4 ,thus having said1 resigning up his breath ,to him that gave 't1 his feet into the bed ,he drew1 and so was number'd to the dead4 ,,chap4 ,l4 ,and ,joseph fell upon his father's face1 ,and did with tears his lifeless lips embrace3 ,and sends for his physicians and advises ,them to embalm his father's corpse with spices4 ,and they did so1 and forty days did pass4 7,for so the manner of embalming was7 ,and the ,egyptians mourned for the space ,of three score and ten days1 which being expired ,he spake to ,pharaoh's servants and desired1 ,that they would please to speak in ,pharaoh's ear1 ,and tell him that my father made me swear1 ,that ,i should bury him in ,canaan1 where ,he hath provided his own sepulchre4 ,i therefore pray thee that ,i may obtain ,thy leave1 and ,i will soon return again4 ,and ,pharaoh said1 ,since thou hast sworn1 fulfil ,thy oath1 according to thy father's will4 ,and ,joseph went up to accompany ,his father's corpse with great solemnity4 ,and with him went up ,pharaoh's servants1 and ,the prime nobility of all the land1 ,and ,joseph's household1 and his brethren all1 ,only their flocks1 and herds1 and children small ,were left behind4 ,moreover there went up ,chariots and horsemen1 ev'n a mighty troop4 ,and they came up to ,atad's threshing floor ,beyond the river ,jordan1 where full sore ,they mourned for him till seven days were past1 ,so long their mourning in that place did last4 ,which when the ,canaanites beheld they said1 ,surely some eminent ,egyptian's dead4 ,wherefore they call'd it ,abel-mizraim4#ab ,thus did his sons as he commanded them4 ,for to the land of ,canaan they convey'd ,him1 and in ,machpelah near ,mamre1 laid ,his body in the cave which ,ephron sold ,to ,abraham1 for him and his to hold4 ,and thus when ,joseph fully had perform'd ,his father's will1 to ,egypt he return'd1 ,together with his brethren1 and with all ,them that came with him to the funeral4 ,now ,joseph's brethren being well aware ,that they were fatherless1 began to fear ,that he would hate them1 and requite them all ,the evil they had treated him withal4 ,wherefore to him they sent a messenger ,and said1 ,behold our father did declare ,before he died1 that we should come and say1 ,forgive thy brethren's trespasses1 ,i pray2 ,and their misdeeds1 for they have been unkind4 ,and now we humbly pray thee be inclin'd ,to pardon our offences1 and the rather ,for that we serve the ,god e'en of thy father4 ,and ,joseph wept when they thus spake1 and they ,came nearer1 and before him prostrate lay1 ,and said1 ,we are thy servants all this day4 ,and ,joseph bad them not to be afraid1 ,for in the place of ,god am ,i he said3 ,for though you meant me ill1 ,god meant it good1 ,and sent me hither to provide you food4 ,now therefore trouble not yourselves1 for ,i ,will nourish you1 and all your family4 ,after this manner did he satisfy1 ,and treat them with extreme civility4 ,and ,joseph and his father's house remain'd ,in ,egypt1 and he liv'd till he attain'd ,an hundred and ten years1 and liv'd to see ,of ,ephraim's children to the third degree4 ,and ,macher's children of ,manasseh's tribe ,were also born some time before he died4 ,then ,joseph said1 ,my brethren1 lo6 ,i die1 ,but ,god will visit you undoubtedly2 ,and to that land again whereof he spake ,unto our ancestors1 will bring you back4 ,and ,joseph also made his brethren swear1 ,that they would not inter his body there4 ,and thus he ended his life's pilgrimage1 ,being an hundred and ten years of age2 ,and was embalm'd1 and in a coffin laid1 ,in ,egypt1 till he could be thence convey'd4 ,,the ,,general ,,epistle ,,of ,,james ,,chap4 ,i4 ,unto the twelve tribes scattered abroad1 ,james1 an apostle of the living ,god1 ,and of the ,lord ,christ ,jesus1 salutation4 ,my brethren1 when you fall into temptation ,of divers kinds1 rejoice1 as men that know ,from trial of your faith doth patience flow4 ,but let your patience have its full effect1 ,that you may be entire1 without defect4 ,if any of you lack wisdom1 let him cry ,to ,god1 and he will give it lib'rally1 ,and not upbraid4 ,but let him ask in faith1 ,not wavering1 for he that wavereth1 ,unto a wave o' th' sea ,i will compare1 ,driv'n with the wind and tossed here and there4 ,for let not such a man himself deceive1 ,to think that he shall from the ,lord receive4 ,a double-minded man most surely lacketh ,stability in all he undertaketh4 ,let ev'ry brother of a low degree ,rejoice in that he is advanc'd1 but he ,that's rich in being made low1 for he shall pass ,away1 as doth the flow'r of the grass4 ,for as the grass1 soon as the sun doth rise1 ,is scorch'd by reason of the heat1 and dies2 ,its flow'r fades1 and it retains no more ,the beauteous comeliness it had before1 ,so fades the rich man1 maugre all his store4 ,the man is blest that doth endure temptation ,for when he's try'd1 the crown of ,god's salvation1 ,the which the ,lord hath promised to give ,to them that love him1 that man shall receive4 ,let no man be possest with a persuasion1 ,to say1 when he falls under a temptation1 ,that ,god's the cause2 for with no evil can ,god be tempted1 nor tempts he any man4 ,but every man is tempted when he's drawn ,away1 and by his lusts prevail'd upon2 ,then when lust hath conceiv'd1 it ushereth ,in sin1 and sin when finished brings death4 ,err not1 my brethren1 whom ,i dearly love1 ,each good and perfect gift is from above1 ,down from th' original of lights descending1 ,with whom's no change1 nor shadow thereto tending1 ,according to his own good pleasure1 he ,begat us with the word of truth1 that we ,should as the first fruits of his creatures be4 ,wherefore1 beloved brethren1 ,i entreat ,you to be swift to hear1 and slow to speak1 ,and slow to wrath1 for wrath cannot incline ,the sons of men to righteousness divine4 ,wherefore avoiding ev'ry filthiness1 ,and superfluity of naughtiness3 ,receive with meekness the engrafted word1 ,which can salvation to your souls afford4 ,but be ye doers of the word each one1 ,and not deceive yourselves to hear alone2 ,for he that hears the word and doth it not1 ,is like unto a man that hath forgot ,what kind of man he was1 tho' in a glass ,he just before beheld his nat'ral face4 ,but whoso minds the law of liberty ,in its perfection1 and continually ,abides therein1 forgets not what he's heard1 ,but doth the work and therein hath reward4 ,if any man among you seem to be ,religious1 he deceives himself if he ,doth not his tongue as with a bit restrain2 ,and all that man's religion is but vain4 ,religion1 pure and undefil'd1 which is ,acceptable before the ,lord1 is this3 ,to visit widows and the fatherless1 ,in time of their affliction or distress2 ,and so to regulate his conversation1 ,as to be spotless in his generation4 ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,faith of the ,lord of glory1 ,jesus ,christ1 ,doth with respect of persons not consist2 ,for if1 my brethren1 when there shall come in ,to your assembly one with a gold ring1 ,in goodly clothes1 and there shall also be ,another man that's meanly cloth'd1 and ye ,shall have respect to him in rich attire1 ,and say unto him1 come thou1 sit up higher2 ,and bid the poor man stand or sit below1 ,are ye not partial then1 and plainly show1 ,that you do judge amiss in what you do8 ,hearken1 my brethren1 hath not ,god elected ,the poor1 who by this world have been rejected2 ,yet rich in faith1 and of that kingdom heirs1 ,which ,god will give his foll'wers to be theirs8 ,but you1 my brethren1 do the poor despise4 ,do not the rich men o'er you tyrannise2 ,and hale ye to their courts2 that worthy name ,by which you're call'd do not they blaspheme8 ,then if ye do the royal law fulfil1 ,to love thy neighbour as thyself1 'tis well1 ,according to the scripture2 but if ye ,shall have respect to persons1 ye shall be ,guilty of sin1 and by the law condemn'd1 ,as such who have its righteousness contemn'd4 ,for he that shall but in one point offend1 ,breaks the whole law1 whate'er he may pretend4 ,for he that doth forbid adultery1 ,forbids likewise all acts of cruelty4 ,now tho' thou be not an adulterer1 ,yet if thou kill1 thou shalt thy judgment bear4 ,so speak and do as those men that shall be ,judg'd by the perfect law of liberty3 ,for he shall judgment without mercy know2 ,that to his neighbour doth no mercy show2 ,and mercy triumphs against judgment too4 ,brethren what profit is't if a man saith ,that he hath faith1 and hath not works2 can faith ,save him8 ,if any of the brotherhood ,be destitute of clothes or daily food1 ,and one of you shall say1 ,depart in peace1 ,be warned or be ye fill'd ne'ertheless4 ,ye do not furnish them with what they need1 ,wat boots it8 ,thus faith without works is dead4 ,yea may a man say1 thou dost faith profess1 ,and ,i good works1 to me thy faith express ,without thy works1 and ,i will plainly show ,my faith unto thee by the works ,i do4 ,thou dost believe there is one ,god1 'tis true1 ,the devils do believe and tremble too4 ,but wilt thou know1 vain man1 that faith is dead1 ,which with good works is not accompany'd4 ,was not our father ,abraham justify'd ,by works1 and by the same his faith was try'd2 ,when he his ,isaac to the altar brought2 ,seest thou how with his works his faith then wrought8 ,and with his works he perfected his faith8 ,and so the scripture was fulfill'd1 which saith1 ,abraham believed ,god1 and 'twas imputed ,for righteousness1 and he ,god's friend reputed4 ,thus may you see1 that by works ev'ry one ,is justify'd1 and not by faith alone4 ,thus was the harlot ,rahab justify'd ,by works1 when she the messengers did hide1 ,and by another way their feet did guide4 ,for as the body's dead without the spirit1 ,so aith without works never can inherit4 ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,affect not1 brethren1 superiority1 ,as knowing that we shall receive thereby ,the greater condemnation in the end3 ,for we in many things do all offend4 ,who doth not with his tongue offend1 he can ,guide his whole body1 he's a perfect man4 ,behold1 in horses' mouths we bridles put1 ,to rule and turn their bodies quite about4 ,behold likewise the ships1 which tho' they be ,of mighty bulk1 and thro' the raging sea ,are driv'n by the strength of winds1 yet they ,by a small helm the pilot's will obey4 ,ev'n so the tongue of man1 which tho' it be ,but a small member1 in a high degree ,it boasts of things4 ,behold1 we may remark ,how great a matter's kindled by a spark4 ,the tongue's a fire1 a world of ill1 which plac'd ,among the members1 often has disgrac'd ,all the whole body1 firing the whole frame ,of nature1 and is kindl'd by hell flame4 ,all kind of beasts and birds that can be nam'd1 ,serpents and fishes1 are and have been tam'd ,by mankind2 but the tongue can no man tame1 ,a stubborn evil full of deadly bane4 ,we therewith ,god the ,father bless1 and we ,therewith curse men made like the ,deity3 ,blessing and cursing from the same mouth flow1 ,these things1 my brethren1 ought not to be so4 ,is any fountain of so strange a nature1 ,at once to send forth sweet and bitter water8 ,can olives1 brethren1 on a fig-tree grow1 ,or figs on vines8 no more can water flow ,from the same fountain sweet and bitter too4 ,he that's endu'd with wisdom and discretion ,amongst you1 let that may by the profession ,of meekness1 wisely give a demonstration1 ,of all his works1 from a good conversation4 ,but if your hearts are full of bitterness ,and strife1 boast not1 nor do the truth profess4 ,this wisdom is not from above descending1 ,but earthly1 sensual1 and to evil tending3 ,for where there's strife and envying there's confusion ,and ev'ry evil work in the conclusion4 ,but the true wisdom that is from above1 ,is1 in the first place1 pure1 then full of love1 ,then gentle and entreated easily1 ,next merciful1 without partiality1 ,full of good fruits1 without hypocrisy4 ,and what is more1 the fruits of righteousness ,is sown in peace1 of them that do make peace4 ,,chap4 ,,iv4 ,from whence come wars and fights1 come they not hence1 ,ev'n from th' inordinate concupiscence ,that in your members prompts to variance8 ,you lust and have not1 kill and desire to have2 ,but ne'ertheless obtain not what you crave4 ,with war and fighting ye contend1 yet have not ,the things which you desire1 because you crave not2 ,ye crave but don't receive1 the reason's just1 ,ye crave amiss to spend it on your lust4 ,you that live in adultery1 know not ye ,the friendship of the world is enmity ,with ,god8 ,he is ,god's enemy therefore ,that doth the friendship of the world adore4 ,do ye think that th' scripture saith in vain1 ,the spirit that lusts to hate1 doth in you reign8 ,but he bestows more grace1 wherefore he says1 ,god scorns the proud1 but doth the humble raise4 ,unto the ,lord therefore submissive be1 ,resist the devil and he'll from you flee4 ,draw nigh to ,god1 and he'll to you draw nigh4 ,make clean your hands you sinners1 purify ,your hearts you double-minded1 weep and mourn1 ,and be afflicted1 let your laughter turn ,to sorrow1 and your joy to sadness3 stoop ,before the ,lord1 and he will lift you up4 ,my brethren1 speak not evil of each other2 ,he that doth judge and speak ill of his brother1 ,doth judge and speak ill of the law2 therefore ,if thou dost judge the law1 thou art no more ,a doer of the same1 but dost assume ,the judgment-seat1 and art thyself become ,a judge thereof4 ,there is but one law-giver1 ,that's able to destroy and to deliver2 ,who then art thou that dost condemn thy neighbour8 ,go to now1 you that say1 to such a place ,to-morrow will we go1 and for the space ,of one whole year1 or so1 will there remain1 ,and buy and sell1 and get great store of gain3 ,whereas ye know not what a day may do4 ,for what's the life of man8 ,ev'n like unto ,a vapour1 which1 tho' for a while it may ,appear1 it quickly vanisheth away4 ,so that ye ought to say1 ,if ,god permit ,us life and health1 we will accomplish it4 ,but now ye glory in your confidence1 ,such glorying is of evil consequence4 ,he therefore that doth know1 and doth not act ,the thing that's good1 doth guilt thereby contract4 ,,chap4 ,v4#ac ,go to now1 ,o ye rich men1 howl and cry1 ,because of your approaching misery3 ,your riches are corrupted1 and the moths ,have ent'red1 and have eaten up your clothes4 ,your gold and silver's canker'd1 and the rust ,thereof1 shall be an evidence that's just ,against you1 and like fire your flesh devour3 ,against the last days ye have heap'd up store4 ,the hire of them that reaped down your field1 ,the which by you is wrongfully withheld4 ,cries1 and the voice thereof hath reach'd the ears ,ev'n of the ,god of sabbath1 and he hears4 ,your lives in pleasure ye on earth have led1 ,and as in days of slaughter nourished ,your wanton hearts1 and have condemn'd and slain ,the just1 and he doth not resist again4 ,be patient therefore1 brethren1 ev'n unto ,the coming of the ,lord3 behold1 ev'n so ,the husbandman expecteth patiently ,the precious increase of the earth to see1 ,with patience waiting till he doth obtain ,the showers of early and of latter rain4 ,so be ye patient1 fixing stedfastly ,your hearts1 for the coming of the ,lord draws nigh4 ,grieve not each other1 brethren1 lest ye bear ,the condemnation2#ad lo6 the judge stands near4 ,the prophets1 brethren1 who all heretofore ,in the name of the ,lord their witness bore1 ,take for examples in their sufferings ,and patience3 they that endure such things1 ,ye know are counted blest4 ,have ye not read ,of ,job1 how patiently he suffered8 ,have ye not seen in him what was ,god's end2 ,how he doth pity and great love extend8 ,my brethren1 but above all things forbear1 ,by heav'n or earth1 or otherwise to swear2 ,but let your yea be yea1 your nay be nay1 ,lest ye become reprovable ,i say4 ,let him sing psalms that's merry2 he that's griev'd1 ,let him by prayer seek to be reliev'd4 ,if any of you by sickness be distress'd1 ,let him the elders of the church request ,that they would come and pray for him a while2 ,anointing him in the ,lord's name with oil2 ,so shall the pray'r that is of faith restore ,the sick1 and ,god shall raise him as before4 ,and all th' offences which he hath committed ,shall be forgiv'n1 and he shall be acquitted4 ,confess your faults each one unto his brother1 ,and put up supplications for each other1 ,that so you may be heal'd2 the fervency ,of just men's prayers prevails effectually4 ,elias was a man as frail as we are1 ,and he was earnest with the ,lord in pray'r1 ,that there might be no rain1 and for the space ,of three years and six months no rain there was3 ,and afterward1 when he again made suit1 ,the heav'n gave rain1 the earth brought forth her fruit4 ,if any one shall from the truth desert1 ,and one1 my brethren1 shall that man convert2 ,let him be sure1 that he that doth recall ,the poor backsliding sinner from his fall1 ,shall save a soul from death1 and certainly ,shall hide a multitude of sins thereby4 ,,footnotes3 #a4 ,grace ,abounding1 ,no4 #c4 #b4 ,george ,herbert1 in that admirable poem called ',the ,temple1' introduces his reader tot he church porch thus3-- ',thou1 whose sweet youth and early hopes enhance ,thy rate and price1 and mark thee for a treasure2 ,hearken unto a verser1 who may chance ,rhyme thee to good1 and make a bait of pleasure4 ,a verse may find him1 who a sermon flies1 ,and turn delight into a sacrifice4' #c4 ',an husband1' c4 i4 #ab4 #d4 ',set abroach1' in a posture to run out1 or yield the liquor contained4--,ed4 #e4 ',an ephah1' a measure containing three pecks and three pints4--,calmet4 #f4 ,similar to ,christian's exclamation1 when calling to ,faithful to stop and bear him company4 ,see ,pilgrim's ,progress1 ,part #ast4 #g4 ,these lines1 and those on the next page1 ',the eye's the light o' th' body1' remind one of ,bunyan's style in his ,apology for the ,pilgrim's ,progress1-- ',dost thou love picking meat8 ,or would'st thou see ,a man i' th' clouds1 and hear him speak to thee8'--,ed4 #h4 ,a cover1 a booth1 bower1 or hut made of the boughs of trees4--,ed4 #i4 ',he owes1' a contraction for 'he owneth4'--,ed4 #aj4 ,the word translated 'divine1' means to eye subtly1 to search1 to try4 ,verse #e may be rendered1 ',and he will search deeply for it'2 and in verse #ae1 ',know ye not that a man like me would search deeply1' alluding to the certainty of detection1 but not by divination4--,ed4 #aa4 ',so naught1' so corrupt1 bad1 or worthless4--,ed4 #ab4 ,the mourning of ,egypt4--,ed4 #ac4 ,by a typographical error1 in the original edition1 it is misprinted ,,chap4 ,,xlvi4 #ad4 ,how admirably does ,bunyan enlarge upon this in his ',peaceable principles yet true4' 999999 ,an ,exposition on the ,,first ,,ten ,,chapters ,,of ,,genesis1 ,and ,part of the ,eleventh ,an unfinished commentary on the ,bible1 found among the author's papers after his death1 in his own handwriting2 and published in #afia1 by ,charles ,doe1 in a folio volume of the works of ,john ,bunyan4 ,,advertisement ,,by ,,the ,,editor ,being in company with an enlightened society of ,protestant dissenters of the ,baptist denomination1 ,i observed to a doctor of divinity1 who was advancing towards his seventieth year1 that my time had been delightfully engaged with ,john ,bunyan's commentary on ,genesis4 ,what1 said the ,d4,d41 with some appearance of incredulity1 ,bunyan a commentator--upon ,genesis66 ,impossible6 ,well1 ,i never heard of that work of the good ,bunyan before4 ,why1 where is it to be found8 ,yes1 it is true that he has commented on that portion of sacred scripture1 containing the cosmogony of creation--the fall of man--the first murder--the deluge--and other facts which have puzzled the most learned men of every age2 and he has proved to be more learned than all others in his spiritual perceptions4 ,he graduated at a higher university--a university unshackled by human laws1 conventional feelings1 and preconceived opinions4 ,his intense study of the ,bible1 guided by the teaching of the ,holy ,spirit1 enabled him to throw a new and beautiful light upon objects which are otherwise obscure4 ,oh6 that young ministers1 while attaining valuable book learning1 may see the necessity of taking a high degree in1 and of never forgetting this ,bible university6 ,reader1 is it not surprizing1 that such a treatise should have remained comparatively hidden for more than one hundred and fifty years4 ,it has been reprinted in many editions of ,bunyan's works3 but in all1 except the first1 with the omission of the scripture references2 and with errors of so serious a character as if it was not intended to be read4 ,even in printing the text of ,genesis #g3g ,noah's three sons do not enter the ark6 although in #h3af they are commanded to go forth out of the ark4 ,it is now presented to the public exactly as the author left it1 with the addition of notes1 which it is hoped will illustrate and not encumber the text4 ,this exposition is evidently the result of long and earnest study of the holy scriptures4 ,it is the history of the creation and of the flood explained and spiritualized1 and had it been originally published in that form and under a proper title1 it would most probably have become a very popular work4 ,the author's qualifications for writing this commentary were exclusively limited to his knowledge of holy writ4 ,to book learning he makes no pretensions4 ,he tells us that in his youth ,god put it into my parents hearts to put me to school1 to learn to read and write as other poor men's children2 though1 to my shame1 ,i confess1 ,i did soon lose that little ,i learnt even almost utterly4 ,in after life1 his time was occupied in obtaining a livelihood by labour4 ,when enduring severe mental conflicts1 and while he maintained his family by the work of his hands1 he was an acceptable pastor1 and extensively useful in itinerant labours of love in the villages round ,bedford4 ,his humility1 when he had used three common ,latin words1 prompted him to say in the margin1 ,the ,latine ,i borrow4 ,and this unlettered mechanic1 when he might have improved himself in book wisdom1 was shut up within the walls of a prison for nearly thirteen years1 for obeying ,god1 only solaced with his ,bible and ,fox's ,book of ,martyrs4 ,yet he made discoveries relative to the creation1 which have been very recently again published by a learned philosopher1 who surprised and puzzled the world with his vestiges of creation4 ,omitting the fanciful theories of the vestige philosopher1 his two great facts1 proved by geological discoveries1 are-- ,i4 ,that when the world was created and set in motion1 it was upon principles by which it is impelled on to perfection--a state of irresistible progress in improvement4 ,this is the theory of ,moses3 and ,bunyan's exposition is1 that all was finished1 even to the creation of all the souls which were to animate the human race1 and then ,god rested from his work4 ,,ii4 ,the second geological discovery is that the world was far advanced towards perfection producing all that was needful for human life1 before man was created4 ,upon this subject1 ,bunyan's words are--,god shews his respect to this excellent creature1 in that he first provideth for him before he giveth him his being4 ,he bringeth him not to an empty house1 but to one well furnished with all kind of necessaries1 having beautified the heaven and the earth with glory1 and all sorts of nourishment for his pleasure and sustenance4 ,but the most pious penetration is exhibited in the spiritualizing of the creation and of the flood--every step produces some type of that new creation1 or regeneration1 without which no soul can be fitted for heaven4 ,the dim twilight before the natural sun was made1 is typical of the state of those who believed before ,christ1 the ,sun of righteousness1 arose and was manifested4 ,the fixed stars are emblems of the church1 whose members all shine1 but with different degrees of lustre--sometimes eclipsed1 and at others mistaken for transient meteors4 ,the whales and lions are figures of great persecutors4 ,but the most singular idea of all is1 that the moral degradation of human nature before the flood1 was occasioned by hypocrisy and persecution for conscience sake1 arising from governors interfering with matters of faith and worship2 in fact1 that a ,,state ,,church occasioned the deluge--and since that time has been the fruitful source of the miseries and wretchedness that has afflicted mankind4 ,his prediction of the outpouring of the ,spirit in the conversion of sinners1 when the church shall be no longer enthralled and persecuted by the state1 is remarkable4 ,o thou church of ,god in ,england1 which art now upon the waves of affliction and temptation1 when thou comest out of the furnace1 if thou come out at the bidding of ,god1 there shall come out with thee1 the fowl1 the beast1 and abundance of creeping things4 ,o ,judah1 he hath set an harvest for thee1 when ,i returned the captivity of my people4 ,may this prediction soon be verified1 and the temporal government no longer vex and torment the church by interfering with spiritual things4 ,it is remarkable that of the vast number of pious and enlightened mechanics who adorn this country and feed its prosperity1 so few read the extraordinary writings of ,john ,bunyan1 a brother mechanic2 for with the exception of the ,pilgrim's ,progress and ,holy ,war1 they are comparatively little known4 ,his simple but illustrative commentary--his book of ,antichrist--his solemn and striking treatise on the resurrection and final judgment--in fact1 all his works1 are peculiarly calculated to inform the minds of the millions--to reform bad habits1 and1 under the divine blessing1 to purify the soul with that heavenly wisdom which has in it the promise of the life that now is as well as of that which is to come4 ,it is also a fact which ought to be generally known1 that those preachers who have edited ,bunyan's works and have drunk into his spirit1 have been most eminently blessed in their ministry2 ,wilson1 ,whitefield1 and ,ryland1 can never be forgotten4 ,if the thousands of godly preachers who are scattered over our comparatively happy island were to take ,bunyan's mode of expounding scripture as their pattern1 it would increase their usefulness1 and consequently their happiness1 in the great work of proclaiming and enforcing the doctrines of the gospel4 ,,geo ,,offor4 ,,an ,,exposition ,,on ,,the ,,first ,,ten ,,chapters ,,of ,,genesis1 ,,and ,,part ,,of ,,the ,,eleventh ,in the first edition of this commentary1 a series of numbers from #a to #bid were placed in the margin1 the use of which the editor could not discover2 probably the work was written on as many scraps of paper1 thus numbered to direct the printer4 ,they are omitted1 lest1 among divisions and subdivisions1 they should puzzle the reader4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,of ,god4 ,god is a ,spirit 7,john #d3bd71 eternal 7,deu #cc3bg71 infinite 7,rom #a3ag-bj71 incomprehensible 7,job #aa3g71 perfect1 and unspeakably glorious in his being1 attributes1 and works 7,gen #ag3ea2 ,isa #f3c2 ,exo #cc3bj74 ,the eternal ,god4 ,do not ,i fill heaven and earth8 saith the ,lord 7,jer #bc3bd74 ,neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight 7,heb #d3ac2 ,pro #ae3aa74 ,in his attributes of wisdom1 power1 justice1 holiness1 mercy1 c41 he is also inconceivably perfect and infinite1 not to be comprehended by things in earth1 or things in heaven2 known in the perfection of his being only to himself4 ,the seraphims cannot behold him1 but through a veil2 no man can see him in his perfection and live4 ,his attributes1 though apart laid down in the word of ,god1 that we1 being weak1 might the better conceive of his eternal power and godhead2 yet in him they are without division2 one glorious and eternal being4 ,again1 though sometimes this1 as of wisdom1 or that1 as of justice and mercy1 is most manifest in his works and wonders before men2 yet every such work is begun and completed by the joint concurrence of all his attributes4 ,no act of justice is without his will1 power1 and wisdom2 no act of mercy is against his justice1 holiness and purity4 ,besides1 no man must conceive of ,god1 as if he consisted of these attributes1 as our body doth of its members1 one standing here1 another there1 for the completing personal subsistence4 ,for though by the word we may distinguish1 yet may we not divide them1 or presume to appoint them their places in the ,godhead4 ,wisdom is in his justice1 holiness is in his power1 justice is in his mercy1 holiness is in his love1 power is in his goodness 7#a ,john #a3i1 ,num #ad3ag1ah74 ,wherefore1 he is in all his attributes almighty1 all-wise1 holy and powerful4 ,glory is in his wisdom1 glory is in his holiness1 glory is in his mercy1 justice1 and strength2 and ,god is love 7#a ,john #d3af74a ,,ii4 ,of the ,persons or ,subsistances in the ,godhead4 ,the ,godhead is but one1 yet in the ,godhead there are three4 ,there are three that can bear record in heaven 7#a ,john #e3g-i74 ,these three are called the ,father1 the ,son ,word1 and the ,holy ,spirit2 each of which is really1 naturally and eternally ,god3 yet there is but one ,god4 ,but again1 because the ,father is of himself1 the ,son by the ,father1 and the ,spirit from them both1 therefore to each1 the scripture not only applieth1 and that truly1 the whole nature of the ,deity1 but again distinguisheth the ,father from the ,son1 and the ,spirit from them both2 calling the ,father ,,he1 by himself2 the ,son ,,he1 by himself2 the ,spirit ,,he1 by himself4 ,yea1 the ,three of themselves1 in their manifesting to the church what she should believe concerning this matter1 hath thus expressed the thing3 ,let us make man in ,,our image1 after ,,our likeness 7,gen #a3bf74 ,again1 ,the man is become as one of ,,us 7,gen #c3bb74 ,again1 ,let ,,us go down1 and there confound their language 7,gen #aa3f1g74 ,and again1 ,whom shall ,i send1 and who will go for ,,us8 7,isa #f3h74 ,to these general expressions might be added1 ,that ,adam heard the voice of the ,lord ,god walking in the midst of the garden3 ,genesis #c3h4 ,which voice ,john will have1 to be one of the ,three1 calling that which ,moses here saith is the voice1 the word of ,god3 ,in the beginning1 saith he1 was the word3 the voice which ,adam heard walking in the midst of the garden4 ,this word1 saith ,john1 was with ,god1 this word was ,god4 ,the same was in the beginning with ,god 7,john #a3a1b74 ,marvellous language6 ,once asserting the unity of essence1 but twice insinuating a distinction of substances therein4 ,the word was with ,god1 the word was ,god1 the same was in the beginning with ,god4 ,then follows1 ,all things were made by him1 the word1 the second of the three4 ,now the godly in former ages have called these three1 thus in the ,godhead1 ,persons or ,subsistances2 the which1 though ,i condemn not1 yet choose rather to abide by scripture phrase1 knowing1 though the other may be good and sound1 yet the adversary must needs more shamelessly spurn and reject1 when he doth it against the evident text4 ,to proceed the1 ,first1 ,there are ,three4 ,second1 ,these three are distinct4 ,first1 ,by this word ,three1 is intimated the ,father1 the ,word1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 and they are said to be three1 #a4 ,because those appellations that are given them in scripture1 demonstrate them so to be1 to wit1 ,father1 ,son and ,holy ,ghost4 #b4 ,because their acts one towards another discover them so to be4 ,secondly1 ,these three are distinct4 #a4 ,so distinct as to be more than one1 only3 ,there are three4 #b4 ,so distinct as to subsist without depending4 ,the ,father is true ,god1 the ,son is true ,god1 the ,spirit is true ,god4 ,yet the ,father is one1 the ,son is one1 the ,spirit is one3 ,the ,father is one of himself1 the ,son is one by the ,father1 the ,spirit is one from them both4 ,yet the ,father is not above the ,son1 nor the ,spirit inferior to either3 ,the ,father is ,god1 the ,son is ,god1 the ,spirit is ,god4 ,among the three then there is not superiority4 #a4 ,not as to time2 the ,father is from everlasting1 so is the ,son1 so is the ,spirit4 #b4 ,not as to nature1 the ,son being of the substance of the ,father1 and the ,spirit of the substance of them both4 #c4 ,the fulness of the ,godhead is in the ,father1 is in the ,son1 and is in the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the ,godhead then1 though it can admit of a ,trinity1 yet it admitteth not of inferiority in that ,trinity3 if otherwise1 then less or more must be there1 and so either plurality of gods1 or something that is not ,god3 so then1 ,father1 ,son and ,spirit are in the ,godhead1 yet but one ,god2 each of these is ,god over all1 yet no ,trinity of ,gods1 but one ,god in the ,trinity4 ,explication4--,the ,godhead then is common to the three1 but the three themselves abide distinct in that ,godhead3 ,distinct1 ,i say1 as ,father1 and ,son1 and ,holy ,spirit4 ,this is manifest further by these several positions4 ,first1 ,father and ,son are relatives1 and must needs therefore have their relation as such3 ,a ,father begetteth1 a ,son is begotten4 ,proof4--,who hath ascended up into heaven1 or descended8 ,who hath gathered the wind in his fists8 ,who hath bound the waters in a garment8 ,what is his name1 and what is his son's name1 if thou canst tell8 7,pro #cj3d74 ,god so loved the world1 that he gave his only begotten ,son1 c4 7,john #c3af74 ,the ,father sent the ,son to be the ,saviour of the world 7#a ,john #d3ad74 ,secondly1 ,the ,father then cannot be that ,son he begat1 nor the ,son that ,father that begat him1 but must be distinct as such4 ,proof4--,i am one that bear witness of myself1 and the ,father that sent me beareth witness of me 7,john #h3ag1ah74 ,i came forth from the ,father1 and am come into the world2 again1 ,i leave the world1 and go to the ,father 7,john #af3bh74 ,the ,father judgeth no man1 but hath committed all judgment unto the ,son3 ,that all men should honour the ,son1 even as they honour the ,father 7,john #e3bb1bc74 ,thirdly1 ,the ,father must have worship as a ,father1 and the ,son as a ,son4 ,proof4--,they that worship the ,father must worship him in spirit and in truth3 for the ,father seeketh such to worship him 7,john #d3bc1bd74 ,and of the ,son he saith1 and when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world1 he saith1 ,and let all the angels of ,god worship him 7,heb #a3f74 ,fourthly1 ,the ,father and ,son have really these distinct1 but heavenly1 relative properties1 that discover them1 as such1 to be two as well as one4 ,proof4--,the ,father loveth the ,son1 and sheweth him all things 7,john #e3bj74 ,therefore doth my ,father love me1 because ,i lay down my life1 that ,i might take it again 7,john #aj3ag74 ,the ,father sent the ,son2 the ,father commanded the ,son2 the ,son prayed to the ,father1 and did always the things that pleased him4 ,the absurdities that flow from the denial of this are divers1 some of which hereunder follow4 #a4 ,absurdity4--,it maketh void all those scriptures that do affirm the doctrine2 some of which you have before4 #b4 ,absurdity4--,if in the ,godhead there be but one1 not three1 then the ,father1 ,son1 or the ,spirit1 must needs be that one1 if any one only3 so then the other two are nothing4 ,again1 ,if the reality of a being be neither in the ,father1 ,son1 nor ,spirit1 as such1 but in the eternal deity1 without consideration of ,father1 ,son1 and ,spirit as three2 then neither of the three are anything but notions in us1 or manifestations of the ,godhead2 or nominal distinctions2 so related by the word2 but if so1 then when the ,father sent the ,son1 and the ,father and ,son the ,spirit1 one notion sent another1 one manifestation sent another4 ,this being granted1 this unavoidably follows1 there was no ,father to beget a ,son1 no ,son to be sent to save us1 no ,holy ,ghost to be sent to comfort us1 and to guide us into all the truth of the ,father and ,son1 c4 ,the most amounts but to this1 a notion sent a notion1 a distinction sent a distinction1 or one manifestation sent another4 ,of this error these are the consequences1 we are only to believe in notions and distinctions1 when we believe in the ,father and the ,son2 and so shall have no other heaven and glory1 than notions and nominal distinctions can furnish us withal4 #c4 ,absurdity4--,if ,father and ,son1 c41 be no otherwise three1 than as notions1 names1 or nominal distinctions2 then to worship these distinctly1 or together1 as such1 is to commit most gross and horrible idolatry3 ,for albeit we are commanded to fear that great and dreadful name1 ,the ,lord our ,god2 yet to worship a ,father1 a ,son1 and ,holy ,spirit in the ,godhead1 as three1 as really three as one1 is by this doctrine to imagine falsely of ,god1 and so to break the second commandment3 but to worship ,god under the consideration of ,father1 and ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost1 and to believe them as really three as one when ,i worship1 being the sum and substance of the doctrine of the scriptures of ,god1 there is really substantially three in the eternal ,godhead4 ,but to help thee a little in thy study on this deep4 #a4 ,thou must take heed when thou readest1 there is in the ,godhead1 ,father1 and ,son1 c41 that thou do not imagine about them according to thine own carnal and foolish fancy2 for no man can apprehend this doctrine but in the light of the word and ,spirit of ,god4 ,no man knoweth the ,son1 but the ,father2 neither knoweth any man the ,father1 save the ,son2 and he to whom the ,son will reveal him 7,matt #aa3bg74 ,if therefore thou be destitute of the ,spirit of ,god1 thou canst not apprehend the truth of this mystery as it is in itself1 but will either by thy darkness be driven to a denial thereof2 or if thou own it1 thou wilt 7that thy acknowledgment notwithstanding7 falsely imagine about it4 #b4 ,if thou feel thy thoughts begin to wrestle about this truth1 and to struggle concerning this one against another2 take heed of admitting of such a question1 ,how can this thing be8 ,for here is no room for reason to make it out1 here is only room to believe it is a truth4 ,you find not one of the prophets propounding an argument to prove it2 but asserting it1 they let it lie1 for faith to take it up and embrace it4 ,the grace of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and the love of ,god1 and the communion of the ,holy ,ghost1 be with you all4 ,amen 7#b ,cor #ac3ad74 ,,iii4 ,of the ,creation of the ,world 7,gen #a74 ,the ,apostle saith1 ,that to us there is but one ,god1 the ,father1 of whom are all things1 and we in him1 and one ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 by whom are all things1 and we by him 7#a ,cor #h3f74 ,god that made the world 7,acts #ag3bd74 ,all things were made by him2 and without him was not any thing made that was made 7,john #a3c74 ,this world therefore had a beginning1 and was created by the ,god of heaven4 ,which work1 because it is wonderful1 and discovereth much of the greatness1 of the wisdom and power of the eternal ,godhead1 it behoveth such poor mortals as we to behold these works of the mighty ,god1 that thereby we may see how great he is1 and be made to cry out1 ,what is man6 #b 7,psa #h3c1d7 ,now in the creation of the world we may consider several things2 as1 ,what was the order of ,god in this work8 ,and1 whether there was a secret or mystery in this work containing the truth of some higher thing8 ,for the first of these3 ,of the ,order of ,god in ,making the ,world4 ,,the ,,heaven4 ,although ,god be indeed omnipotent1 and not only can1 but doth do whatsoever he will2 and though to do his works he needeth not length of time2 yet it pleased him best1 in the creation of the world 7though it could1 had it pleased him1 have done all by one only word7 to proceed by degrees from one thing to another1 to the completing of six days' work in the making thereof4 ,and forasmuch as this work went on by degrees1 now this thing1 and then another1 it may not be amiss1 if in our discourse on this wonderful work1 we begin where ,god began2 and if we can1 go wondering after him who hath thus wrought4 #a4 ,the first thing that ,god made was time2 ,i say1 it was time3 ,all the plain in which he would build this beautiful world2 he made nothing before1 but in the beginning3 ,in the beginning ,god created the heaven and the earth 7,gen #a3a74 ,in the beginning of time4 ,for in six days the ,,lord made heaven and earth1 the sea1 and all that in them is 7,exo #bj3aa74 ,therefore the first day must first have a beginning to be4 ,whatsoever was before time1 was eternal2 but nothing but ,god himself is eternal1 therefore no creature was before time4 ,time1 therefore1 which was indeed the beginning1 was the first of the creatures of ,god4 #b4 ,i think1 the second of creatures that the ,lord created1 were the holy angels of ,god1 they being called the morning stars1 as created and shining in the morning of the world2 and therefore they are said to be by1 when the corner-stone of the universe was laid2 that is1 when he laid the foundations of the world3 ,then the morning stars sang together1 and all the sons of ,god shouted for joy 7,job #e3d-g74 #c4 ,i think the third thing that the ,lord created1 was these large and copious heavens2 for they are mentioned with respect to their being before the earth1 or any visible creature4 ,in the beginning ,god created the heavens 7,gen #a3a71 c4 ,neither do ,i think that the heavens were made of that confused chaos that afterwards we read of4 ,it is said1 he stretched out the heavens as a curtain1 and with his hand he hath spanned the heavens 7,psa #ajd3b2 ,isa #dj3bb2 #dh3ac742 intimating1 that they were not taken out of that formless heap1 but were immediately formed by his power4 ,besides1 the ,holy ,ghost1 treating of the creating of heaven and earth1 he only saith1 ,the earth was void1 and without form2 but no such thing of the heavens4 ,,the ,,earth4 #d4 ,the fourth thing that ,god created1 it was 7in mine opinion7 that chaos1 or first matter1 with which he in the six days framed this earth1 with its appurtenances2 for the visible things that are here below1 seem to me to be otherwise put into being and order1 than time1 the angels1 and the heavens1 they being created in their own simple essence by themselves3 ,but the things that are visibly here below1 whatever their essence and nature be1 they were formed of that first deformed chaos4 ,in the beginning ,god created the heaven and the earth1 and the earth was without form and void 7,gen #a3a1b74 ,he saith not so of the heavens2 they1 as ,i said1 were at first stretched forth as a curtain2 indeed they were afterwards garnished with the beauty which we now behold2 but otherwise they had1 at their first instant of being1 that form which now they have4 ,this seems clear by the antithesis which the ,holy ,ghost put between them1 ,god created the heaven and the earth1 but the earth was without form and void 7,gen #a3b74 ,the earth was without form1 c41 without order2 things were together on a confused heap2 the waters were not divided from the earth1 neither did those things appear which are now upon the face of the earth2 as man1 and beast1 fish1 fowls1 trees1 and herbs2 all these did afterwards shew themselves1 as the word of ,god gave them being1 by commanding their appearance1 in what form1 order1 place and time he in himself had before determined2 but all1 ,i say1 took their matter and substance of that first chaos1 which he in the first day of the world had commanded to appear1 and had given being to3 ,and therefore 'tis said1 ,god said1 ,let the earth bring forth grass1 herbs1 trees1 c41 7v #ab7 and that the waters brought forth the fish1 and fowl1 yea1 even to the mighty whales 7vv #ba1bb74 ,also the earth brought forth cattle1 and creeping things 7v #bd74 ,and that ,god made man of the dust of the ground 7#c3ai74 ,all these things therefore were made of1 or caused by his word distinctly to appear1 and be after its kind1 of that first matter which he had before created by his word4 ,observe therefore1 ,that the matter of all earthly things was made at the same instant1 but their forming1 c41 was according to the day in which ,god gave them their being1 in their own order and kind4 ,and hence it is said1 that after that first matter was created1 and found without form and void1 that the ,spirit of ,god moved upon the face of the waters2 that is to work1 and cause those things to appear in their own essence and form1 which1 as to matter and substance1 was before created3 ,wherefore it follows1 ,and ,god said1 ,let there be light2 and ,god divided the light from the darkness1 c4 ,now he set to putting in frame that which before lay in disorder and confusion3 ,and this was a great part of the six days' work2 ,i say1 a great part1 but not all2 for 7as ,i said7 before that time1 the angels1 and the heavens were made2 yea1 after the beginning of the morning of the first day4 ,i am of the belief1 that other things also1 that were formed after1 were not made of that first chaos1 as the sun1 the moon1 the stars1 the light1 the souls of men1 and possibly the air1 c4 ,the sun1 and moon1 and stars1 are said to be made the fourth day1 yet not of the body of heaven itself1 much less1 in my opinion1 of any earthly matter3 ,god made them1 and set them in the firmament of heaven 7vv #af1ag74 ,so the light that was made before1 it seems to be a thing created after the heavens and the earth were created3 ,created1 ,i say1 as a thing that wanted a being before1 any otherwise1 than in the decree of ,god3 and ,god said1 ,let there be light2 ,let it have a being 7v #c74 ,and so1 though the body of man was made of the substance of earth1 yet as to his soul1 it is said1 ,god breathed into his nostrils the breath of life1 and man became a living soul 7#b3g74 ,whether there was a secret or mystery in this work1 containing the truth of some higher thing4 ,though ,god in very deed1 by his eternal power1 created heaven and earth of things that do not appear1 we that are ,christians believe3 yet in this his wonderful work1 neither his will or understanding did here terminate1 or make a stop2 but being infinite in wisdom1 he made them1 that both as to matter and manner1 they might present unto us1 as in a mystery1 some higher and more excellent thing2 in this wisdom he made them all4 ,and hence it is that other things are also called a creation3 ,as1 #a4 ,the essential conversion of a sinner 7#b ,cor #e3ag74 #b4 ,the recovery of the church from a degenerate state 7,rev #ba3e74 ,and therefore1 as ,moses begins with the creation of the world1 so ,john begins with the gospel of salvation 7,gen #a3a2 ,john #a3a74 ,there is also besides many excellent things in the manner and order of the creation of the world1 held forth to those that have understanding3 ,some of which ,i may touch upon by way of observation4 ,but to begin with the first3 ,the first appearance of this earthy part of the world1 is recorded to be but a formless and void heap or chaos2 and such is man before a new creation3 formless1 ,i mean1 as to the order of the ,testament of ,christ1 and void of the holy order thereof3 ,and hence ,jeremiah1 when he would set forth the condition of a wicked people1 he doth it under this metaphor3 ,i beheld saith he the earth1 and1 lo1 it was without form and void 7,jer #d3bc74 ,indeed1 the world would make this a type of ,christ2 to wit1 a man of no form or comeliness 7,isa #ec3b74 ,but 'tis only true of themselves2 they are without a ,new ,testament impression upon them2 they are void of the sovereign grace of ,god4 ,so then the power of ,god gave the world a being1 but by his word he set it in form and beauty2 even as by his power he gives a being to man1 but by his word he giveth him ,new ,testament framing and glory 7,eph #b3aj-ac74 ,this is still followed by that which follows3 ,and darkness was upon the face of the deep 7v #b74 ,the ,deep here1 might be a type of the heart of man before conversion2 and so ,solomon seems to intimate4 ,now as the darkness of this world did cover the face of this first chaos2 so spiritual darkness the heart of the sons of men3 and hence they are said to be darkened1 to be in darkness1 yea1 to be very darkness itself4 ,and the ,spirit of ,god moved upon the face of the waters4 ,a blessed emblem of the word of ,god in the matter of regeneration2 for as the first chaos remained without form1 and void1 until the ,spirit of ,god moved to work upon it1 and by working1 to put this world into frame and order2 so man1 as he comes into the world1 abides a confused lump1 an unclean thing2 a creature without ,new ,testament order1 until by the ,spirit of the ,lord he is transformed into the image of ,jesus ,christ 7,gal #a3ae74 ,and the ,spirit of ,god moved upon the face4 ,solomon compares the heart to a man's face2 because as in the face may be discerned whether there is anger or otherwise2 so by the inclinations of the heart are discovered the truth of the condition of the man1 as to his state either for heaven or hell4 ,and besides1 as the ,spirit of ,god moved upon the face of the waters2 so in the work of our conversion1 the ,spirit of ,god beginneth with the heart of the sons of men2 because the heart is the main fort 7,acts #b3cg74 ,now if the main fort be not taken1 the adversary is still capable of making continual resistance4 ,therefore ,god first conquers the heart2 therefore the ,spirit of ,god moveth upon the face of our heart1 when he cometh to convert us from ,satan to ,god4 ,and ,god said1 ,let there be light4 ,this is the first thing with which ,god began the order of the creation2 to wit1 light1 ,let there be light3 ,from which many profitable notes may be gathered1 as to the order of ,god in the salvation of the soul4 ,as1 #a4 ,when the ,holy ,ghost worketh upon us1 and in us1 in order to a new creation2 he first toucheth our understanding1 that great peace of the heart1 with his spiritual illumination 7,matt #d3af74 ,his first word1 in order to our conversion1 is1 ,let there be light3 light1 to see their state by nature2 light1 to see the fruits and effects of sin2 light1 to see the truth and worth of the merits of ,jesus ,christ2 light1 to see the truth and faithfulness of ,god1 in keeping promise and covenant with them that embrace salvation upon the blessed terms of the gospel of peace 7,heb #aj3cb74 ,now that this word1 ,let there be light1 was a semblance of the first work of the ,holy ,ghost upon the heart1 compare it with that of ,paul to the ,corinthians2 ,for ,god1 who commanded the light to shine out of darkness1 that is1 at the beginning of the world1 hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of ,god in the face of ,jesus ,christ 7#b ,cor #d3f74 #b4 ,and ,god said1 ,let there be light4 ,as here1 the light of this world2 so in conversion1 the light of the ,new ,testament of ,christ1 it comes by the word of ,god4 ,no word1 no light3 therefore the apostle saith1 ,he hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel 7#b ,tim #a3aj74 ,and therefore ,paul saith again1 ,that salvation is manifest through preaching1 through the expounding or opening of the word of faith4 #c4 ,and ,god said1 ,let there be light2 and there was light3 ,he spake the word1 and it was done2 all that darkness that before did cover the face of the deep1 could not now hinder the being of light4 ,so neither can all the blindness and ignorance that is in the heart of man1 hinder the light of the knowledge of the glory of ,god in the face of ,jesus ,christ 7,rev #c3g74 ,when it pleaseth ,god to reveal1 it is revealed2 when he openeth1 none can shut3 ,he said1 ,let there be light1 and there was light4 ,and ,god saw that the light was good4 ,truly the light is good 7saith ,solomon7 and a pleasant thing it is for the eye to behold the sun4 ,it was good1 because it was ,god's creature2 and so in the work of grace that is wrought in our hearts1 that light of the new covenant1 it is good1 because it is ,god's work1 the work of his good pleasure 7#b ,thess #a3aa72 that good work which he hath not only begun1 but promised to fulfil until the day of ,jesus ,christ 7,phil #a3f74 ,god saw that the light was good4 ,the darkness that before did cover the face of the waters1 was not a creature of ,god1 but a privation1 or that which was caused by reason that light was not as yet in the world3 so sin1 that darkness that might be felt1 is not the workmanship of ,god in the soul1 but that which is the work of the devil2 and that taketh occasion to be1 by reason that the true light1 as yet1 doth not shine in the soul4 ,and ,god divided the light from the darkness4 ,as ,paul saith1 ,what communion hath light with darkness8 they cannot agree to dwell together 7#b ,cor #f3ad74 ,we see the night still flies before the day1 and dareth not come upon us again1 but as the light diminisheth and conveyeth itself away4 ,so it is in the new creation2 before the light of the glorious gospel of ,christ appears1 there is night1 all night1 in the soul 7,eph #e3h73 but when that indeed doth shine in the soul1 then for night there is day in the soul3 ,ye were darkness saith ,paul but now are ye light in the ,lord 7v #i73 ,and1 ,the darkness is past saith ,john and the true light now shineth 7#a ,john #b3h74 ,and ,god divided the light from the darkness4 ,god took part with the light1 and preserved it from the darkness4 ,by these words1 it seems that darkness and light began the quarrel1 before that bloody bout of ,cain and ,abel 7,gal #e3ag74 ,the light and the darkness struggled together1 and nothing could divide or part them but ,god4 ,darkness is at implacable enmity with light in the creation of the world2 and so it is in that rare work of regeneration1 the flesh lusteth against the spirit1 and the spirit against the flesh2 as ,peter saith1 ,fleshly lusts1 they war against the soul4 ,this every ,christian feels1 and also that which ,i mentioned before1 namely1 ,that before he be capable of opposing antichrist1 with ,abel1 in the world1 he findeth a struggling in his own soul between the light and the darkness that is there4 ,and ,god called the light ,day1 and the darkness he called ,night4 ,god doth not only distinguish by separating1 but also by certain characters2 that things which are distinguished and separate1 may to us be the better known2 he did so here in the work of creating the world1 and he doth so also in the great concern of man's eternal happiness4 ,the place of felicity is called heaven3 ,the place of torment is called hell3 that which leads to hell is called sin1 transgression1 iniquity1 and wickedness2 that which leads to heaven1 righteousness1 holiness1 goodness and uprightness3 even as in these types ,god called the light day1 of which the godly are the children 7#a ,thess #e3e72 but the darkness he called night1 of which all ungodly men are the inhabiters and children also4 ,thus after the ,spirit of ,god had moved upon the face of the waters2 after ,god had commanded the light to shine1 and had divided between the light and the darkness1 and had characterized them by their proper names1 he concludes the first day's work1 ,and the evening and the morning were the first day4 ,in which conclusion there is wrapped up a blessed gospel-mystery2 for ,god1 by concluding the first day here1 doth shew us how we ought to determine that one is made indeed a ,christian3 ,even then when the ,spirit of ,god hath moved upon the face of the heart1 when he hath commanded that light should be there1 when he divideth between1 or setteth the light at variance with the darkness2 and when the soul doth receive the characters of both1 to observe them1 and carry it to each according to the mouth of ,god4 ,and ,god saith1 ,let there be a firmament 7v #f74 ,this firmament he calleth heaven 7v #h74 ,now this firmament1 or heaven1 was to make a separation1 or to divide between the waters and the waters 7v #g72 ,to separate1 ,i say1 the waters from the waters2 the waters which were under the firmament1 from the waters which were above the firmament4 ,now by waters is signified in the scriptures many things1 as afflictions1 worldly people 7,psa #fi3a1b71 and particularly the saints 7,rev #ai3f72 but in this place is figured forth1 all the people in the world1 but so as consisting of two parts1 the children of ,god1 and the children of the wicked one3 ,they under the heaven1 figure out the world1 or ungodly3 they above the firmament1 the elect and chosen of ,god4 ,and hence in scripture the one is called heaven1 and the other is called earth1 to signify the separation and difference that there is between the one and the other4 ,and ,god made the firmament1 and divided the waters--from the waters4 ,indeed the world think that this separation comes1 or is made1 through the captiousness of the preacher3 ,but in truth it is the handy work of ,god2 ,and ,god made the firmament1 and ,god divided1 c4 ,i1 saith he1 will put enmity between thee and the woman1 and between thy seed and her seed 7,gen #c3ae74 ,the good seed are the children of the kingdom of ,god1 but the bad are the children of the wicked one 7,matt #ac3ch74 ,and ,god made the firmament1 and divided the waters which were under the firmament1 from the waters which were above the firmament3 and it was so 7v #g74 ,whatsoever the ,lord doth1 it abideth for ever 7,eccl #c3ad74 ,and again1 ,what he hath made crooked1 who can make straight8 7,eccl #a3ae74 ,he said it in the beginning1 and behold how it hath continued6 ,yea1 though there hath been endeavours on ,satan's part1 to mingle his children with the seed of men2 yet it hath not been possible they should ever cleave one to another1 even as iron is not mixed with clay 7,dan #b3dc74 ,yea1 let me add further1 ,what laws have been made1 what blood hath been shed1 what cruelty hath been used1 and what flatteries and lies invented1 and all to make these two waters and people one8 ,and yet all hath failed1 and fallen short of producing the desired effect2 for the ,lord hath made a firmament1 even heaven itself hath divided between them4 ,and ,god called the firmament heaven4 ,and the evening and the morning were the second day 7v #h74 ,after the waters were divided from the waters1 ,god called the cause of dividing1 heaven2 and so concluded the second day's work4 ,and indeed it was a very great work1 as in the antitype we feel it to this very day4 ,dividing work is difficult work1 and he that can1 according to ,god1 completely end and finish it1 he need do no more that day of his life4 ,and ,god said1 ,let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place1 and let the dry land appear3 and it was so 7v #i74 ,although in the second day's work1 the waters above the firmament1 and those that be under1 are the two peoples1 or great families of the world 7,pro #h3ca72 yet because ,god would shew us by things on earth1 the flourishing state of those that are his 7,hosea #aj3ab2 ,joel #b3ba-bc2 ,psa #ia3a2 ,heb #f3g71 therefore he here doth express his mind by another kind of representation of things 7,jer #d3c1d73 ,and ,god said1 ,let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place2 and let the dry land appear4 ,the waters here signifying the world2 but the fruitful earth1 the thrifty church of ,god4 ,that the fruitful earth is a figure of the thriving church of ,god in this world1 is evident from many scriptures1 7and there was nothing but thriftiness till the curse came74 ,and hence it is said of the church1 ,that she should break the clods of the ground2 that she should sow righteousness1 and reap it2 that she should not sow among thorns2 that if this be done1 the heart is circumcised1 and spiritual fruit shall flow forth1 and grow abundantly3 ,and hence again it is that the officers and eminent ones in the church1 are called vines1 trees1 and other fruitful plants4 ,and hence it is said again1 ,when the ,lord reigneth1 let the earth 7that is1 the church7 rejoice4 ,that earth which bringeth forth fruit meet for him by whom it is dressed1 receiveth blessing from ,god4 ,in all which places1 and many more that might be named1 the earth is made a figure of the church of ,god2 and so ,i count it here in this place4 ,and ,god said1 ,let the waters under the heaven be gathered into one place4 ,let them be together3 ,it is not thus of all waters1 but of the sea1 which is still here a type of the world4 ,let them be so together1 that the earth may appear2 that the church may be rid of their rage and tumult1 and then she will be fruitful1 as it follows in this first book of ,genesis4 ,the church is then in a flourishing state1 when the world is farthest off from her1 and when the roaring of their waves are far away4 ,now therefore let all the wicked men be far from thence 7,ezra #f3f73 ,the ,lord gather these waters1 which in another place are called the doleful creatures1 and birds of prey2 ,let these1 ,o ,lord1 be gathered together to their own places1 and be settled in the land of ,shinar upon their own base 7,zech #e3aa73 ,then the wilderness and the solitary places shall be glad for them2 that is1 for that they are departed thence1 the desert shall rejoice and blossom as a rose 7,isa #cd and #ce74 ,and ,god called the dry land ,earth2 and the gathering together of the waters called he seas3 and ,god saw that it was good 7v #aj74 ,god saw1 that to separate the waters from the earth was good3 ,and so it is1 for then have the churches rest4 ,then doth this earth bring forth her fruit1 as in the #aath and #abth verses may here be seen4 ,and ,god said1 ,let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven 7v #ad74 ,the wisdom of ,god1 is there to make use of figures and shadows1 even where most fit things1 the things under consideration1 may be most fitly demonstrated4 ,the dividing the waters from the waters1 most fitly doth show the work of ,god in choosing and refusing2 by dividing the waters from the earth1 doth show how fruitful ,god's earth1 the church is1 when persecutors are made to be far from thence4 ,wherefore he speaketh not of garnishing of his church until he comes to this fourth day's work3 by his ,spirit he hath garnished the heavens1 that most fitly showing the glory of the church4 ,let there be lights2 to wit1 the sun1 the moon1 and the stars4 ,the sun is in this place a type of ,christ1 the ,sun of ,righteousness3 ,the moon is a type of the church1 in her uncertain condition in this world3 ,the stars are types of the several saints and officers in this church4 ,and hence it is that the sun is said not only to rule1 but it1 with the moon and stars1 to be set for signs1 and for seasons1 and for days1 and for years1 c4 7,rev #a3bj74 ,but if we take the heaven for the church1 then how is she beautified1 when the ,son of ,god is placed in the midst of her6 7,rev #a3ab1ac74 ,and how plainly is her condition made out1 even by the changing1 increasing1 and diminishing of the moon6 ,and how excellent is that congregation of men1 that for light and glory are figured by the stars6 7,matt #bh3bj74 ,from this day's work much might be observed4 ,first1 ,that forasmuch as the sun was not made before the fourth day1 it is evident there was light in the world before the sun was created2 for in the first day ,god said1 ,let there be light1 and there was light4 ,this may also teach us thus much1 ,that before ,christ came in person1 there was spiritual light in the saints of ,god4 ,and again1 ,that as the sun was not made before the fourth day of the creation1 so ,christ should not be born before the fourth mystical day of the world2 for it is evident1 that ,christ1 the true light of the world1 was not born till about four thousand years after the world was made4 ,second1 ,as to the moon1 there are four things attending her1 which fitly may hold forth the state of the church4 7#a47 ,in that she changeth from an old to a new1 we may conceive1 that ,god by making her so1 did it to show he would one day make a change of his church1 from a ,jewish to a ,gentile congregation4 7#b47 ,in that she increaseth1 she showeth the flourishing state of the church4 7#c47 ,in her diminishing1 the diminishing state of the church4 7#d47 ,the moon is also sometimes made to look as red as blood1 to show how dreadful and bloody the suffering of the church is at some certain times4 ,third1 ,by the stars1 we understand two things4 7#a47 ,how innumerable the saints1 those spiritual stars shall be 7,heb #aa3ab74 7#b47 ,how they shall differ each from other in glory 7#a ,cor #ae3da74 ,and ,god said1 ,let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven1 to divide the day from the night4 ,for though before the light was divided from the darkness1 yet the day and night was not so kept within their bounds1 as now by these lights they were3 probably signifying1 that nothing should be so clearly distinguished and made appear1 as by the sun light of the gospel of ,christ3 for by that it is that the shadows flee away 7,song #b3ag74 ,the light of the sun gathers the day to its hours1 both longer and shorter1 and forceth also the night to keep within his bounds4 ,and ,god made two great lights2 the greater light to rule the day1 and the lesser light to rule the night 7v #af74 ,signifying1 ,that ,christ should be the light and governor of his church1 which are the children of the day2 but the church1 a light to the children of the night1 that by them they might learn the mysteries of the kingdom4 ,saith ,christ to his own1 ,ye are the light of the world3 ,and again1 ,let your light so shine1--that men may see1 c41 for though they that only walk in the night1 cannot see to walk by the sun1 yet by the moon they may4 ,thus the heaven is a type of the church1 the moon a type of her uncertain state in this world2 the stars are types of her immovable converts2 and their glory1 of the differing degrees of theirs1 both here1 and in the other world4 ,much more might be said1 but ,i pass this4 ,and ,god said1 ,let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life 7v #bj74 ,the sea1 as ,i said1 is a figure of the world2 wherefore the creatures that are in it1 of the men of the world 7,zech #ac3h2 ,isa #fj3e74 ,this sea bringeth forth small and great beasts1 even as the world doth yield both small and great persecutors1 who like the fishes of prey1 eat up and devour what they can of those fish that are of another condition4 ,now also out of the world that mystical sea1 as fishers do out of the natural2 both ,christ and his servants catch mystical fish1 even fish as of the great sea4 ,in the sea ,god created great whales1 he made them to play therein4 ,which whales in the sea are types of the devils in the world3 ,therefore as the devil is called1 the prince of this world2 so the whale is called1 king over all the children of pride 7,job #da3cc1cd74 ,and ,god said1 ,let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind 7v #bd74 ,of the beginning of this sixth day's work that may be said which is said of the fishes1 and the rest of the sea2 for as there is variety of fish in the one1 so of beasts and cattle in the other1 who also make a prey of their fellows1 as the fishes do2 a most apt representation of the nature and actions of bloody and deceitful men3 ,hence persecutors are called bulls1 bears1 lions1 wolves1 tigers1 dragons1 dogs1 foxes1 leopards1 and the like4#c ,and ,god said1 ,let us make man 7v #bf74 ,i observe1 that in the creation of the world1 ,god goeth gradually on1 from things less1 to things more abundantly glorious2 ,i mean1 as to the creation of this earth2 and the things that thereto appertain4 ,first he bringeth forth a confused chaos1 then he commands matter to appear distinct1 then the earth bringeth forth trees1 and herbs1 and grass2 after that beasts2 and the sea1 fowls2 and last of all1 ,let us make man4 ,now passing by the doctrine of the trinity1 because spoken to before1 ,i come to make some observation upon this wonderful piece of the workmanship of ,god4 ,let us make man4 ,man in whom is also included the woman1 was made the last of the creatures4 ,from whence we may gather1 ,god's respect to this excellent creature1 in that he first provideth for him1 before he giveth him his being3 ,he bringeth him not to an empty house1 but to one well furnished with all kind of necessaries1 having beautified the heaven and the earth with glory1 and all sorts of nourishment1 for his pleasure and sustenance4#d ,let us make man in our image1 after our likeness4 ,an image1 or the likeness of any thing1 is not the thing of which it is a figure2 so here1 ,adam is an image1 or made in the likeness of ,god4 ,now as ,adam is the image of ,god1 it must either respect him1 as he consisteth of the soul1 as a part2 or as he consists of a body and soul together3 ,if as he is made a reasonable soul1 then he is an excellent image of the eternal ,godhead1 the attributes of the one being shadowed out by the qualities and passions of the other2 for as there is in the ,godhead1 power1 knowledge1 love1 and righteousness2 so a likeness of these is in the soul of man1 especially of man before he had sinned3 ,and as there is passions of pity1 compassion1 affections1 and bowels in man2 so there are these in a far more infinite way in ,god4 ,again1 ,if this image respect the whole man1 then ,adam was a figure of ,god1 as incarnate2 or of ,god1 as he was to be made afterwards man4 ,and hence it is1 that as ,adam is called the image of ,god 7,rom #e3ad72 so also is ,christ himself called and reckoned as the answering antitype of such an image4 ,but again1 ,though ,adam be here called the image or similitude of ,god2 yet but so as that he was the shadow of a more excellent image4 ,adam was a type of ,christ1 who only is the express image of his ,father's person1 and the likeness of his excellent glory 7,heb #a3c74 ,for those things that were in ,adam1 were but of a humane1 but of a created substance2 but those that were in ,christ1 of the same divine and eternal excellency with the ,father4 ,is ,christ then the image of the ,father1 simply1 as considered of the same divine and eternal excellency with him8 ,certainly1 ,no3 for an image is doubtless inferior to that of which it is a figure4 ,understand then1 that ,christ is the image of the ,father's glory1 as born of the ,virgin ,mary1 yet so1 as being very ,god also3 ,not that his ,godhead in itself was a shadow or image1 but by the acts and doing of that man1 every act being infinitely perfect by virtue of his ,godhead1 the ,father's perfections were made manifest to flesh4 ,an image is to be looked upon1 and by being looked upon1 another thing is seen2 so by the person and doings of the ,lord ,jesus1 they that indeed could see him as he was1 discovered the perfection and glory of the ,father4--,philip1 ,he that hath seen me hath seen the ,father2 and how sayest thou then1 ,shew us the ,father8 7,john #ad3i74 ,neither the ,father nor the ,son can by us at all be seen1 as they are simply and entirely in their own essence4 ,therefore the person of the ,father must be seen by us1 through the ,son1 as consisting of ,god and man2 the ,godhead1 by working effectually in the manhood1 shewing clearly there through the infinite perfection and glory of the ,father3 ,the word was made flesh1 and--then we beheld his glory1 the glory as of the only begotten of the ,father1 ,he being in his personal excellencies1 infinitely and perfectly1 what is recorded of his ,father1 full of grace and truth 7,john #a3ad74 ,so again1 he is the image of the invisible ,god 7,col #a3ae74 ,the ,godhead is indeed invisible2 how then is ,christ the image of it8 ,not by being invisible also2 for so is he as much hid as the ,father2 but being clothed with flesh1 that the works of the ,son might by us be seen1 he thereby presenteth to us1 as in a figure1 the eternal excellency of the ,father4 ,and hence as he is called an image1 he is also called the first-born of every creature 7,col #a3ah74 ,his being a creature1 respecting his manhood1 and his birth1 and his rising again from the dead4 ,therefore a little after1 he is called1 the first-born from the dead 7v #ai73 ,and in another place1 the first-begotten of the dead 7,rev #a3e73 ,and the first-fruits of them that slept 7#a ,cor #ae3bj74 ,so then1 though ,adam was the image of ,god1 yet ,god's image but as a mere creature3 ,but ,christ though a creature as touching his manhood2 yet being also ,god1 as the ,father1 he shewed forth expressly1 in capital characters1 by all his works and doings in the world1 the beauty and glory of the ,father3 ,the light of the knowledge of the glory of ,god1 is given in the face of ,jesus ,christ 7#b ,cor #d3f74 ,where by face1 we must understand that which is visible1 that being open when all else is covered1 and that by which most principally we are discovered to others1 and known4 ,now as to the case in hand1 this face must signify to us the personal virtues and doings of ,christ1 by which the glory of the ,father is exposed2 the glory of his justice1 by ,christ's exactness of life2 the glory of his love1 by ,christ's compassion to sinners1 c4 ,ver4 #bf4 ,and ,god said1 ,let us make man in our image1 after our likeness3 and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea1 and over the fowl of the air1 and over the cattle1 and over all the earth1 and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth4 ,as ,adam was a type of ,christ1 as the image and glory of ,god2 so by these words he further showeth1 that he was a type of his sovereign power2 for to him be dominion and power everlasting 7,heb #b3h1i71 to whom be praise and dominion for ever 7#a ,peter #d3aa2 ,jude #be74 ,now by the fish of the sea1 the beasts of the earth1 the fowls of the air1 and every creeping thing1 we may understand all creatures1 visible and invisible1 whether they be men1 angels1 or devils2 in heaven1 earth1 or under the earth3 also all thrones1 authorities and powers1 whether in heaven1 in earth1 or hell3 ,christ is made head over all2 ,he hath also a name above every name1 not only in this world1 but in that which is to come 7,eph #a3be74 ,ver4 #bh4 ,and ,god blessed them2 and ,god said unto them1 that is1 to the man and his wife ,be fruitful1 and multiply1 and replenish the earth1 and subdue it1 c4 ,this in the type doth show1 in the antitype1 how fruitful ,christ and his church shall be2 and how he at last shall1 all over the earth1 have a seed to replenish and subdue it by the power of the immortal seed of the word of ,god3 how his name shall be reverenced from one end of the earth to the other3 how the kingdoms of the earth shall ,,all at last become the kingdoms of our ,lord1 and of his ,christ4 ,and subdue it4 ,god did put that majesty and dread upon ,adam1 at his creation1 that all the beasts of the field submitted themselves unto him4 ,as ,god also said to ,noah1 ,the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth1 and upon every fowl of the air1 upon all that moveth upon the earth1 and upon all the fishes of the sea2 into your hand are they delivered 7,gen #i3b74 ,and ,god said1 ,behold ,i have given you every herb bearing seed1 which is upon the face of all the earth2 and every tree1 in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed2 to you it shall be for meat 7,gen #a3bi74 ,these herbs and trees are types of the wholesome word of the gospel1 on which both ,christ1 his church1 and unconverted sinners1 ought to feed and be refreshed2 and without which thee is no subsisting either of one or the other3 ,he causeth the grass to grow for the cattle1 and herb for the service of man3 that he may bring forth food out of the earth2 and wine that maketh glad the heart of man1 and oil to make his face to shine1 and bread which strengtheneth man's heart 7,psa #ajd3ad1ae74 ,and ,god saw every thing that he had made1 and1 behold1 it was very good 7v #ca74 ,all things have their natural goodness by creation4 ,things are not good1 because they have a being only1 but because ,god gave them such a being4 ,neither did ,god make them1 because he saw they would attract a goodness to themselves2 but he made them in such kind1 as to bring forth that goodness he before determined they should4 ,and the evening and the morning were the sixth day4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,ver4 #c4 ,and ,god blessed the seventh day1 and sanctified it3 because that in it he had rested from all his work which ,god created and made4 ,the seventh day did signify two things3 ,first1 ,christ ,jesus1 who is as well the rest of the justice of ,god1 as a rest for sinful man4 ,secondly1 ,it was also a type of that glorious rest that saints shall have when the six days of this world are fully ended4 ,for the first1 the apostle makes the sabbath a shadow of ,jesus ,christ1 a shadow of things to come2 but the body or substance is of ,christ 7,col #b3ag74 ,and hence it is that he is so often said to be a rest to the ,gentiles1 a glorious rest1 and that he promiseth rest to such as cast their burthen upon him 7,matt #aa3bi74 ,the second also the apostle asserteth in that fourth chapter to the ,hebrews1 ,there remaineth therefore a rest1 or the keeping of a sabbath1 to the people of ,god 7v #i read also vv #d-aa74 ,which sabbath1 as ,i conceive1 will be the seventh thousand of years1 which are to follow immediately after the world hath stood six thousand first3 for as ,god was six days in the works of creation1 and rested the seventh2 so in six thousand years he will perfect his works and providences that concern this world4 ,as also he will finish the toil and travel of his saints1 with the burthen of the beasts1 and the curse of the ground2 and bring all into rest for a thousand years4 ,a day with the ,lord1 is as a thousand years3 wherefore this blessed and desirable time is also called a day1 a great day1 that great and notable day of the ,lord 7,acts #b3bj71 which shall end in the eternal judgment of the world4 ,god hath held forth this by several other shadows1 as the sabbath of weeks1 the sabbath of years1 and the great jubilee1 which is to be the year after forty-nine years are expired 7,lev #be3a-ac74 ,of all which1 more in their place1 if ,god permit4 ,ver4 #d4 ,these are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created1 in the day that the ,,lord ,god made the earth and the heavens4 ,moses seems by these words1 ,in the day1 to insist principally upon them in their first and primitive state1 before there was sin or curse in the world2 for in the day that they were created1 there was a far more glorious lustre and beauty than now can be seen2 the heaven1 for sin1 is1 as it were1 turned into brass2 and the rain into powder and dust1 in comparison of what it was as it came from the fingers of ,god4 ,the earth hath also from that time a curse upon it2 yea1 the whole creation1 by sin1 is even made subject to vanity1 is in travail1 and groans under the burthen that sin hath brought upon it 7,rom #h3ai-bc74 ,ver4 #e4 ,and every plant of the field before it was in the earth1 and every herb of the field before it grew4 ,thus it was in the first creation2 they therefore became neither herbs nor trees1 by the course of nature1 but by the creation of ,god4 ,and even so it is in the new creation1 men spring not up by nature to be saints3 ,no1 not in the church of ,god1 but first they are created in ,christ ,jesus1 and made meet to be partakers of the benefit1 and then planted in the church of ,god2 planted1 ,i say1 as plants before prepared4 ,indeed hypocrites1 and formal professors1 may spring up in the church1 by virtue of her forms1 and outward services1 as thorns and thistles spring up in the earth1 by virtue of her moisture and heartiness4 ,but these are but the fruits of the curse1 and are determined to be burned at last in the fire3 ,every plant saith ,christ which my heavenly ,father hath not planted1 shall be rooted up 7,matt #ae3ac2 ,heb #f3h74e ,for the ,lord ,god had not caused it to rain upon the earth4 ,this is the reason that they came not up by nature first1 but were first created1 then planted1 then made to grow4 ,so the reason why men by nature grow not in the church1 is1 because the ,lord doth not cause it to rain upon them1 they still abiding and doing according to the course of this world2 but he plants them in his house by the mighty power of his word and ,spirit1 by which they are created saints1 and then they afterwards grow in grace1 and in the knowledge of our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ4 ,and there was not a man to till the ground4 ,it seems by this there was a kind of necessity why ,god should make man1 yea1 a multitude of men2 for otherwise he had made what before he made in vain2 that is1 his end in making so glorious a creature as this world1 which was to shew forth his glory by1 had been void1 and without effect2 for although it was glorious1 as it came out of the hand of ,god2 yet it was not of power so to preserve itself1 but would1 without men to look after and dress it1 be turned into a wilderness4 ,thus it is with the world of men1 if there was not the second ,adam to plough them and sow them1 they could none of them become saints2 ,no1 not the elect themselves2 because the means are determined1 as well as the end4 ,by this we may likewise see what a woeful condition that people is in1 that have no ministers of the word of the gospel3 ,my people perish1 are destroyed for lack of knowledge 7,hosea #d3f73 ,and again1 ,where there is no vision1 the people perish 7,pro #bi3ah74 ,pray therefore to the ,lord of the harvest1 that he would send out his ploughers to plough1 and his labourers into his harvest4 ,ver4 #f4 ,but there went up a mist from the earth1 and watered the whole face of the ground4 ,although as yet there was no ploughman nor rain1 yet a mist arose from the earth2 so where there is not the word of the gospel1 there is yet sufficiency of light1 to teach men how to govern themselves in civil and natural society4 ,but this is only a mist1 men cannot gospelly grow by this2 therefore1 as in the next verse1 of necessity man must be formed4 ,but again1 ,i have sometimes thought by this mist1 might be held forth that nourishment men had by the doctrine of faith1 before the gospel was divulged by ,moses1 the prophets1 or ,christ1 c4 for before these1 that nourishment the church received1 was but slender and short1 even as short as the nourishing of the mist is to sober and moderate showers of rain2 to which both the law and the gospel is compared4 ,again1 ,i have also sometimes thought1 that by this mist might be typified those excellent proverbs and holy sayings of the men of old1 before there was a written word2 for it cannot be but the godly did contain in proverbs1 and certain sayings1 the doctrine of salvation hereafter1 and of good living here see ,romans #b3ad2 of which we have a touch in ,genesis1 but more at large by that blessed book of ,job2 which book1 in my opinion1 is a holy collection of those proverbs and sayings of the ancients1 occasioned by the temptation of that good man4 ,but whatever this mist did signify 7in other men's judgment7 certain it is1 it was for present necessity1 till a man should be made to till the ground1 and the fruits thereof watered with the bottles of heaven3 ,which1 so far as ,i see yet1 most aptly presents us with some of all these4 ,ver4 #g4 ,and the ,lord ,god formed man of the dust of the ground1 c4 ,in the creation of man1 ,god began with his outside2 but in the work of regeneration1 he first begins within1 at the heart4 ,he made him2 that is1 his body1 of the dust of the ground2 but he abides a lifeless lump1 till the ,lord puts forth a second act4 ,and he breathed into his nostrils the breath of life2 and man became a living soul4 ,now he lives1 now he acts3 so it is in the kingdom of ,christ1 no man can be a living soul in that kingdom by his first creation1 he must have life breathed into him1 life and spirit from ,jesus ,christ 7,john #bj3bb74 ,now therefore is ,adam a type1 yet but an earthly one1 of things more high and heavenly2 ,and as we have borne the image of the earthy1 we shall also bear the image of the heavenly 7#a ,cor #ae3di74 ,ver4 #h4 ,and the ,lord ,god planted a garden eastward in ,eden1 and there he put the man whom he had formed4 ,and the ,lord ,god planted a garden4 ,thus the ,holy ,ghost speaks clearer and clearer2 for now he presents the church to us under the similitude of a garden1 which is taken out of the wide and open field1 and inclosed2 ,a garden inclosed is my sister1 my spouse2 a garden inclosed1 a spring shut up1 a fountain sealed 7,cant #d3ab72 and there he put the man whom he had formed4 ,an excellent type of the presence of ,christ with his church 7,rev #a3ab1ac74 ,ver4 #i4 ,and out of the ground made the ,lord ,god to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight1 c4 ,these trees1 and their pleasurableness1 do shew us the beauty of the truly godly1 whom the ,lord hath beautified with salvation4 ,and hence it is said1 the glory of ,lebanon1 of ,sharon1 and of ,carmel1 is given to the church3 that is1 she is more beautified with gifts and graces than can by types and shadows be expressed4 ,the tree of life also in the midst of the garden1 and the tree of knowledge of good and evil4 ,this tree of life1 was another type of ,christ1 as the bread and healing medicine of the church1 that stands in the midst of the paradise of ,god 7,rev #b3g2 #bb3b74 ,the tree of the knowledge of good and evil1 was a type of the law1 or covenant of works1 as the sequel of the story clearly manifesteth2 for had not ,adam eaten thereof1 he had enjoyed for ever his first blessedness4 ,as ,moses saith1 ,it shall be our righteousness1 if we observe to do all these commandments before the ,lord our ,god1 as he hath commanded us 7,deu #f3be74 ,but both ,adam and we have touched1 that is1 broken the boughs and fruit of this tree1 and therefore now for ever1 by the law1 no man can stand just before ,god 7,gal #b3af74 ,ver4 #aj4 ,and a river went out of ,eden to water the garden2 and from thence it was parted1 and became into four heads4 ,this river while it abided in ,eden1 in the garden1 it was the river of ,god2 that is1 serviceable to the trees and fruit of the garden1 and was herein a type of those watering ministers that water the plants of the ,lord4 ,but observe1 when it had passed the garden1 had gotten without the bound of the garden1 from thence it was parted1 and became into four heads2 from thence it was transformed1 or turned into another manner of thing3 it now became into four heads2 a type of the four great monarchies of the world1 of which ,babylon1 though the first in order of being1 yet the last in a gospel or mysterious sense4 ,the fourth is the river ,euphrates1 that which was the face of the kingdom of ,babel of old4 ,hence note1 ,that how eminent and serviceable soever men are while they abide in the garden of ,eden1 ,,the ,,church2 yet when they come out from thence1 they evilly seek the great things of the world3 one is for compassing the whole land of ,havilah1 where is gold2 another is for compassing this1 a third that1 and a fourth another thing1 according as you see these four heads did4 ,observe again1 ,that while men abide in the church of ,god1 there is not by them a seeking after the monarchies of this world2 but when they depart from thence1 then they seek and strive to be heads2 as that cursed monster the pope1 forsaking the garden of ,god1 became in a manner the prince of all the earth3 ,of whom ,tyrus mentioned by ,ezekiel1 was a very lively type1 ,thou hast been in ,eden1 the garden of ,god2 every precious-stone1 that is1 doctrine1 was thy covering2 as the sardius1 topaz1 diamond1 c41 till iniquity was found in thee 7,eze #bh3ac-ah72 till thou leftest thy station1 and place appointed of ,god1 and then thou wast cast as profane out of the mountain of ,god1 yea1 though a covering cherub4 ,see it again in ,cain1 who while he continued in the church1 he was a busy sacrificer1 as busy as ,abel his brother2 but when he left off to fear the ,lord1 and had bloodily butchered his holy brother1 then he seeks to be a head1 or monarch2 then he goeth and buildeth a city to preserve his name and posterity for ever 7,gen #d3ag74 ,ver4 #ae4 ,and the ,lord ,god took the man1 and put him into the garden of ,eden1 to dress it and to keep it4 ,in this also ,adam was a figure of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 as pastor and chief bishop of his church4 ,i the ,lord1 saith ,christ1 do keep it2 ,i will water it every moment1 ,i will keep it night and day 7,isa #bg3c74 ,and the ,lord ,god took the man4 ,no man taketh this honour upon him1 but he that is called of ,god1 as was ,aaron4 ,blessed is he also that can say as the prophet ,amos2 ,and the ,lord took me said he as ,i followed the flock1 and the ,lord said unto me1 ,go1 prophesy unto my people ,israel 7,amos #g3ae74 ,to dress it and to keep it4 ,he that is not dressed1 is not kept3 ,that is a sad judgment1 ,that which dieth1 let it die2 ,that which is diseased1 let it not be dressed1 let it die of that disease4 ,by dressing therefore ,i understand1 pruning1 manuring and the like1 which the dresser of the vineyard was commanded to do1 without which all is overrun with briers and nettles1 and is fit for nothing but cursing1 and to be burned 7,luke #ac3f-i2 ,pro #bd3cj-cd2 ,heb #f3g1h74 ,and the ,lord commanded the man1 saying1 ,of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat 7v #af74 ,it is ,god's word that giveth us power to eat1 to drink1 and do other our works1 and without the word we may do nothing4 ,the command gave ,adam leave3 ,every creature of ,god is good1 and nothing to be refused1 if it be received with thanksgiving2 for it is sanctified by the word of ,god by the command of the word1 and by receiving of it according to the limits thereof1 and prayer 7#a ,tim #d3d1e74 ,ver4 #ag4 ,but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil1 thou shalt not eat of it4 ,i said before1 ,what ,god's word prohibits1 we must take care to shun4 ,this tree of knowledge1 as ,i said before1 was a type of the covenant of works1 the which had not ,adam touched1 7for by touching it he broke that covenant17 he then had lived ever1 but touching it he dies 7,gen #c3c74 ,adam going into the garden under these conditions and penalties1 was therein a type of the humiliation of ,christ2 who at his coming into the world1 was made under the law1 under its command and penalty1 even as other men1 but without sin 7,gal #d3d1e74 ,for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die4 ,for in the day4 ,adam lived to ,god no longer than while he kept himself from eating forbidden fruit2 in that very day he died2 first a spiritual death in his soul2 his body also was then made capable of mortality1 and all diseases1 which two great impediments in time brought him down to dust again4 ,ver4 #ah4 ,and the ,lord ,god said1 ,it is not good that man should be alone2 ,i will make him an help meet for him4 ,by these words1 ,adam's state1 even in innocency1 seems to crave for help2 wherefore it is manifest that that state is short of that we attain by the resurrection from the dead2 yea1 for as much as his need required earthly help1 it is apparent his condition was not heavenly2 ,the first man is of the earth1 earthy3 the second man is the ,lord from heaven 7#a ,cor #ae3dg74 ,adam in his first estate was not spiritual3 ,that was not first which is spiritual1 but that which is natural2 and afterwards that which is spiritual 7v #df74 ,wherefore those that think it enough to attain to the state of ,adam in innocency1 think it sufficient to be mere naturalists2 think themselves well1 without being made spiritual3 yea1 let me add1 they think it safe standing by a covenant of works2 they think themselves happy1 though not concerned in a covenant of grace2 they think they know enough1 though ignorant of a mediator1 and count they have no need of the intercession of ,christ4#f ,adam stood by a covenant of works3 ,adam's kingdom was an earthly paradise2 ,adam's excellency was1 that he had not need of a ,saviour2 and ,adam's knowledge was ignorance of ,jesus ,christ3 ,adam in his greatest glory1 wanted earthly comforts2 ,adam in his innocency1 was a mere natural man4 ,ver4 #ai4 ,and out of the ground the ,lord ,god formed every beast of the field1 and every fowl of the air4 ,this proveth further what ,i said at first1 ,that in the first chaos was contained all that was made upon the earth4 ,and brought them unto ,adam1 to see what he would call them3 and whatsoever ,adam called every living creature1 that was the name thereof4 ,in this ,adam was a lively type of the ,lord ,christ's sovereign and glorious power over all flesh3 ,thou hast given him power over all flesh1 that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him 7,john #ag3b74 ,and brought them unto ,adam to see what he would call them4 ,so ,christ nameth the world2 whom he will he calleth saints2 and whom he will he calleth the world1 ungodly1 serpents1 vipers1 and the like4 ,i pray for them1 ,i pray not for the world 7,john #ag3i74 ,and whatsoever ,adam called every living creature1 that was the name thereof4 ,even as ,christ passes sentence1 so shall their judgment be4 ,ver4 #bj4 ,and ,adam gave names to all cattle1 and to the fowl of the air1 and to every beast of the field4 ,so ,christ judgeth of angels1 devils1 and men4 ,but for ,adam1 there was not found an help meet for him4 ,all the glory of this world1 had not ,adam had a wife1 could not have completed this man's blessedness2 he would yet have been wanting3 so all the glory of heaven1 considering ,christ as mediator1 could not1 without his church1 have made him up complete4 ,the church1 ,i say1 which is his body1 the fulness of him that filleth all in all4 ,ver4 #ba1 #bb4 ,and the ,lord ,god caused a deep sleep to fall upon ,adam1 and he slept3 and he took one of his ribs1 and closed up the flesh instead thereof2 and the rib which the ,lord ,god had taken from man1 made he a woman1 and brought her unto the man4 ,in these words we find an help provided for ,adam2 also whence it came4 ,the help was a wife2 she came out of his side2 she was taken thence while ,adam slept4 ,a blessed figure of a further mystery4 ,adam's wife was a type of the church of ,christ2 for that she was taken out of his side1 it signifies we are flesh of ,christ's flesh1 and bone of ,christ's bone 7,eph #e3cj74 ,and in that she was taken thence while ,adam slept1 it signifies1 the church is ,christ's1 by virtue of his death and blood3 ,feed the church of ,god1 which he hath purchased with is own blood 7,acts #bj3bh74 ,and he brought her to the man4 ,that is1 ,and ,god brought her to the man4 ,by which he clearly intimates1 ,that as the church is the workmanship of ,god1 and the purchase of the blood of ,christ2 so yet she cannot come to ,christ1 unless brought to him of ,god3 ,no man can come to me saith ,christ except the ,father which hath sent me1 draw him 7,john #f3dd74 ,ver4 #bc4 ,and ,adam said1 ,this is now bone of my bones1 and flesh of my flesh3 she shall be called ,woman1 because she was taken out of ,man4 ,in that ,adam doth thus acknowledge his wife to be bone and flesh of his substance1 it shews us1 that ,christ will acknowledge those that are his3 ,he is not ashamed to call them brethren1 saying1 ,i will declare thy name unto my brethren1 in the midst of the church will ,i sing praise unto thee 7,heb #b3aa1ab74 ,and observe it1 ,he said1 ,she is bone of my bone1 c4 before that ,god1 that brought her to him2 intimating1 that ,christ both owns us now at his ,father's right hand1 and will not be ashamed of us1 even in the day of judgment 7,matt #aj3cc2 ,luke #ab3h74 ,ver4 #bd4 ,therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother1 and shall cleave unto his wife3 and they shall be one flesh4 ,this ought to be truly performed in our married estate in this world4 ,but here endeth not the mystery4 ,therefore shall a man leave his father4 ,thus did ,christ when he came into the world to save sinners3 ,he came forth from the ,father2 ,i came forth from the ,father1 and am come into the world 7,john #af3bh74 ,therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother4 ,the ,jewish church may1 in a mystical sense1 be called the mother of ,christ2 for she was indeed ,god's wife1 and of her came his ,son ,jesus ,christ3 yet his mother he left and forsook1 to be joined to his ,gentile spouse1 which is now his only wife4 ,ver4 #be4 ,and they were both naked1 the man and his wife1 and were not ashamed4 ,no sin1 no shame3 ,let men stand where ,god hath set them1 and there is no cause of shame1 though they be exposed in outward appearance to never so much contempt4 ,and they were both naked4 ,apparel is the fruits of sin2 wherefore let such as pride themselves therein1 remember1 that they cover one shame with another4 ,but let them that are truly godly have their apparel modest and sober1 and with shamefacedness put them on1 remembering always the first cause of our covering our nakedness1 was the sin and shame of our first parents 7#a ,peter #c3c74 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,ver4 #a4 ,now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the ,lord ,god had made4 ,and he said unto the woman1 ,yea1 hath ,god said1 ,ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden8 ,in these words we have an entrance of the first great spiritual conflict that was fought between the devil and flesh2 and it is worth the observing1 how the enemy attempted1 engaged1 and overcame the world 7#b ,cor #aa3c74 #a4 ,he tempts by means2 he appeareth not in his own shape and hue1 but assumeth the body of one of the creatures1 the body of the serpent1 and so begins the combat4 ,and from hence it is1 that in after ages he is spoken of under the name of that creature1 the dragon1 that old serpent which is the devil1 and ,satan 7,rev #bj3b72 because1 as the ,holy ,ghost would have us beware of the devil1 so of the means and engines which he useth2 for where one is overcome by his own fearful appearance1 ten thousand are overcome by the means and engines that he useth4 #b4 ,the serpent was more subtil4 ,the devil1 in his attempts after our destruction1 maketh use of the most suitable means4 ,the serpent was more subtil1 therefore the cunning of the devil was least of all discerned4 ,had he made use of some of the most foolish of the creatures1 ,adam had luckily started back1 for he knew the nature of all the creatures1 and gave them names accordingly2 wherefore the serpent1 ,adam knew1 was subtil1 therefore ,satan useth him1 thereby to catch this goodly creature4 ,hereby the devil least appeared2 and least appearing1 the temptation soonest took the tinder4#g ,now the serpent was more subtil4 ,more subtil4 ,hence the devil is called1 the serpent with heads1 with great cunning2 the crooked serpent1 with knotty objections2 the piercing serpent1 for he often wounds2 and his ways are called devices1 temptations1 delusions1 wiles1 power1 and the gates of hell2 because of their mighty prevalency4 ,this is he that undertook our first parents4 ,but how did he undertake them8 ,he labours to make them question the simplicity of the word of ,god1 bearing ,adam's wife in hand1 that there must needs be some meaning that palliates the text2 ,hath ,god said ye shall not eat of the tree8 ,which interrogatory suggested them with a strong doubt that this word would not appear a truth1 if you compare it with the #dth verse4 ,hence learn1 that so long as we retain the simplicity of the word1 we have ,satan at the end of the staff2 for unless we give way to a doubt about that1 about the truth and simplicity of it1 he gets no ground upon us4 ,and hence the apostle says1 ,he feared lest by some means1 as the serpent beguiled ,eve through his subtilty1 so our minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in ,christ 7#b ,cor #aa3c72 that is1 lest our minds should be drawn off from the simplicity of the word of the gospel by some devilish and delusive arguments2 ,for mark1 ,satan doth not first of all deny1 but makes a doubt upon the word1 whether it is to be taken in this or another sense2 and so first corrupting the mind with a doubt about the simplicity of the true sense1 he after brings them to a denial thereof2 ,hath ,god said1 ,ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden8 ,ver4 #b4 ,and the woman said unto the serpent1 ,we may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden4 ,and the woman said4 ,indeed1 the question was put to her1 but the command was not so immediately delivered to her3 ,the ,lord ,god commanded the man 7#b3af74 ,this therefore ,i reckon a great fault in the woman1 an usurpation1 to undertake so mighty an adversary1 when she was not the principal that was concerned therein2 nay1 when her husband who was more able than she1 was at hand1 to whom also the law was given as chief4 ,but for this act1 ,i think it is1 that they are now commanded silence1 and also commanded to learn of their husbands 7#a ,cor #ad3cd1ce73 ,a command that is necessary enough for that simple and weak sex3#h ,though they see it was by them that sin came into the world1 yet how hardly are some of them to this day dissuaded from attempting unwarrantably to meddle with potent enemies1 about the great and weighty matters that concern eternity 7#a ,tim #b3aa-ae74 ,hence note1 ,that often they who are least able1 will first adventure to put in their head to defend that1 from whence they return with shame4 ,and the woman said unto the serpent1 ,we may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden4 ,this was her prologue to her defence1 but that also for which she had no warrant4 ,in time of temptation1 it is our wisdom and duty to keep close to the word1 that prohibits and forbids the sin2 and not to reason with ,satan1 of how far our outward and worldly privileges go1 especially of those privileges that border upon the temptation1 as she here did3 ,we may eat of all but one4 ,by this she goeth to the outside of her liberty1 and sets herself upon the brink of the danger4 ,christ might have told the tempter1 when he assaulted him1 ,that he could have made stones bread2 and that he could have descended from the pinnacle of the temple1 as afterwards he did 7,matt #d3c-g2 ,luke #d72 but that would have admitted of other questions4 ,wherefore he chooseth to lay aside such needless and unwarrantable reasonings1 and resisteth him with a direct word of ,god1 most pertinent to quash the tempter1 and also to preserve himself in the way4 ,to go to the outside of privileges1 especially when tempted of the devil1 is often1 if not always very dangerous and hazardous4 ,by these words therefore1 in mine opinion1 she spoke at this time too much in favour of the flesh2 and made way for what after came upon her1 ,we may eat of all but one4 ,ver4 #c4 ,but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden1 ,god hath said1 ,ye shall not eat of it1 neither shall ye touch it1 lest ye die4 ,now1 too late1 she urgeth that which should have been her only stay and weapon2 to wit1 the express word of ,god2 ,that she should1 if she would have disputed with the tempter1 have urged at the first that only1 and have thought of nothing else4 ,thus did the ,lord himself3 but she looking first into those worthy privileges which ,god had given her1 and dilating delightfully of them before the devil1 she lost the dread of the command from off her heart1 and retained now but the notion of it3 which ,satan perceiving1 and taking heart therefrom to make his best advantage1 he now adds to his former forged doubt1 a plain and flat denial1 ,ye shall not surely die4 ,ver4 #d4 ,and the serpent said unto the woman1 ,ye shall not surely die4 ,when people dally with the devil1 and sit too near their outward advantages2 when they are tempted to break the command of ,god1 it is usual for them1 even by setting their hearts upon things that in themselves are honest and lawful1 to fall into temptation3 ,to see a piece of ground1 to prove a yoke of oxen1 to marry a wife1 are doubtless lawful things2 but upon the borders of these privileges lay the temptation of the devil2 therefore by the love of these1 which yet were lawful in themselves1 the devil hardened the heart1 and so at last made way for1 and perfectly produced in them1 flatly to deny1 as then1 to embrace the words of ,god's salvation 7,matt #bb3e2 ,luke #ad3af-bj74 ,the like befel our first mother2 wherefore though at last she freely objected the word2 yet because before she had so much reasoned to the pleasing of the flesh1 she lost the dread and savour of the command1 and having nought but notion left1 she found not wherewith to rebuke so plain a lie of the devil1 but hearkened to his further reasoning4 ,ye shall not surely die4 ,not surely2 in the word there is some slight meaning1 of which you need not be so afraid4 ,and besides1 ,ver4 #e4 ,god doth know that in the day ye eat thereof1 then your eyes shall be opened1 and ye shall be as gods1 knowing good and evil4 ,in these words two privileges are asserted3 one1 ,that their eyes should be opened2 the other1 ,that they should be as gods1 knowing good and evil4 ,the first is very desirable1 and was not at all abridged by them2 the second1 as to their knowing good and evil1 was absolutely forbidden2 because they could not attain to the knowledge of that which was evil1 but by transgressing1 or by eating of that forbidden tree4 ,hence observe1 ,that it is usual with the devil1 in his tempting of poor creatures1 to put a good and bad together1 that by shew of the good1 the tempted might be drawn to do that which in truth is evil4 ,thus he served ,saul2 he spared the best of the herd and flock1 under pretence of sacrificing to ,god1 and so transgressed the plain command 7#a ,sam #ae3bj-bb74 ,but this the apostle saw was dangerous1 and therefore censureth such1 as in a state of condemnation 7,rom #c3h74 ,thus he served ,adam2 he put the desirableness of sight1 and a plain transgression of ,god's law together1 that by the loveliness of the one1 they might the easier be brought to do the other4 ,o poor ,eve6 ,do we wonder at thy folly6 ,doubtless we had done as bad with half the argument of thy temptation4 ,ye shall be as gods4 ,in these words he attempts to beget in them a desire to be greater than ,god had made them 7#a ,tim #c3f74 ,he knew this was a likely way1 for by this means he fell himself2 for being puffed up with pride1 they left their own estate1 or habitation1 and so became devils1 and were tumbled down to hell1 where they are reserved in everlasting chains1 under darkness1 unto the judgment of the great day 7,jude #f74 ,ye shall be as gods4 ,when souls have begun to hearken to the tempter1 that hearkening hath made way for1 and given way to so much darkness of mind1 and hardness of heart1 that now they can listen to anything3 as to hear ,god charged with folly1 ,ye shall not surely die2 as to hear him made the author of ignorance1 and that he delights to have it so1 by seeking by a command to prohibit them from knowing what they could2 for ,god doth know1 that in the day ye eat thereof1 then your eyes shall be opened2 and therefore he forbids to touch it4 ,ye shall be as gods4 ,here is also a pretence of holiness1 which he knew they were prone unto2 ,ye shall be as gods1 as knowing and perfect as ,god4 ,oh6 ,thousands are1 even to this day1 by such temptations overcome6 ,thus he wraps his temptations up in such kind of words and suggestions as will carry it either way4 ,but mark his holiness1 or the way that he prescribes for holiness2 it is1 if not point blank against1 yet without and besides the word1 not by doing what ,god commands1 and abhorring what he forbids1 but by following the delusion of the devil1 and their own roving fancies2 as ,eve here does4 ,ver4 #f4 ,and when the woman saw that the tree was good for food1 and that it was pleasant to the eyes1 and a tree to be desired to make one wise1 she took of the fruit thereof1 c4 ,this verse presents us with the use that ,eve made of the reasonings of the serpent2 and that was1 to take them into consideration2 not by the word of ,god1 but as her flesh and blood did sense them3 ,a way very dangerous and devouring to the soul1 from which ,paul fled1 as from the devil himself3 ,immediately ,i conferred not with flesh and blood 7,gal #a3af74 ,wherefore1 pausing upon them1 they entangled her as with a threefold cord4 #a4 ,the lust of the flesh2 she saw it was good for food4 #b4 ,the lust of the eye2 she saw it was pleasant to the eye4 #c4 ,the pride of life2 a tree to be desired1 to make one wise 7#a ,john #b3af74 ,being taken1 ,i say1 with these three snares of the adversary1 which are not of the ,father1 but of the world1 and the devil the prince thereof1 forthwith she falls before him3 ,and when the woman saw this1 she took of the fruit thereof1 and did eat4 ,and when the woman saw4 ,this seeing1 as ,i said1 is to be understood of her considering what ,satan presented to her1 and of her sensing or tasting of his doctrine2 not by the word1 which ought to be the touch stone of all1 but by and according to her own natural reason without it4 ,now this makes her forget that very command that but now she had urged against the tempter3 ,this makes her also to consent to that very reason1 as an inducement to transgress2 which1 because it was the nature of the tree1 was by ,god suggested as a reason why they should forbear2 it was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil1 therefore they should not touch it2 it was the tree1 that would by touching it1 make them know good and evil2 therefore she toucheth1 and also eateth thereof4 ,see therefore what specious pretences the devil1 and those that are under the power of temptation1 will have to transgress the command of ,god4 ,that which ,god makes a reason of the prohibition1 even that the devil will make a reason of their transgression4 ,god commands to self-denial1 but the world makes that a reason of their standing off from the very grace of ,god in the gospel4 ,god also commands1 ,that we be sober1 chaste1 humble1 just1 and the like2 but the devil1 and carnal hearts1 make these very things the argument that keeps sinners from the word of salvation4 ,or rather take it thus2 ,god forbids wickedness1 because it is delightful to the flesh1 and draws the heart from ,god1 but therefore carnal men love wickedness and sin3 ,therefore they go on in sin1 and therefore they say unto ,god1 ,depart from us1 for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways 7,job #ba3ad2 #bb3ae-ag74 ,she did eat1 and gave also unto her husband with her1 and he did eat4 ,the great design of the devil1 as he supposed1 was now accomplished2 for he had both in the snare1 both the man and his wife1 and in them1 the whole world that should be after4 ,and indeed the chief design of ,satan was at the head at first1 only he made the weakest the conveyance for his mischief4 ,hence note again1 ,that ,satan by tempting one1 may chiefly intend the destruction of another4 ,by tempting the wife1 he may aim at the destruction of the husband2 by tempting the father1 he may design the destruction of the children2 and by tempting the king1 he may design the ruin of the subjects4 ,even as in the case of ,david3 ,satan stood up against ,israel1 and provoked ,david to number the people4 ,he had a mind to destroy seventy thousand1 therefore he tempted ,david to sin 7#a ,chron #ba3a74 ,she gave also to her husband1 and he did eat4 ,sin seldom or never terminates in one person2 but the pernicious example of one1 doth animate and embolden another2 or thus1 the beholding of evil in another1 doth often allure a stander-by4 ,adam was the looker-on1 he was not in the action as from the serpent3 ,adam was not deceived1 that is1 by having to do with the devil1 but the woman1 the woman being deceived1 was in the transgression 7#a ,tim #b3ad74 ,this should exhort all men that they take heed of so much as beholding evil done by others1 lest also they should be allured4 ,when ,israel went into ,canaan1 ,god did command them not so much as to ask1 ,how those nations served their gods8 lest by so doing1 ,satan should get an advantage of their minds1 to incline them to do the like 7,deu #ab3cj74 ,evil acts1 as well as evil words1 will eat as doth a canker4 ,this then is the reason of that evil-favouredness that you see attending some men's lives and professions2 they have been corrupted1 as ,adam was1 either by evil words or bad examples1 even till the very face of their lives and professions are disfigured as with the pox or canker 7#b ,tim #b3ag74 ,thus have we led you through that woeful tragedy that was acted between the woman and the serpent2 and have also shewed1 how it happened that the serpent went away as victor4 #a4 ,the woman admitted of a doubt about the truth of the word that forbad her to eat2 for unbelief was the first sin that entered the world4 #b4 ,she preferred the privileges of the flesh1 before the argument to self-denial2 by which means her heart became hardened1 and grew senseless of the dread and terror of the words of ,god4 #c4 ,she took ,satan's arguments into consideration1 and sensed1#i or tasted them2 not by the word of ,god1 but her own natural1 or rather sore-deluded fancy4 #d4 ,she had a mind to gratify the lusts of the flesh1 the lusts of the eyes1 and the pride of life4 ,now to speak of the evil consequences that followed this sinful act3 ,that is not in the wisdom of mortal man to do2 partly1 because we know but in part even the evil and destructive nature of sin2 and partly1 because much of the evil that will follow this action1 is yet to be committed by persons unborn4 ,yet enough might be said to astonish the heavens1 and to make them horribly afraid 7,jer #b3ab74 #a4 ,by this act of these two1 the whole world became guilty of condemnation and eternal judgment 7,rom #e74 #b4 ,by this came all the blindness1 atheism1 ignorance of ,god1 enmity and malice against him1 pride1 covetousness1 adultery1 idolatry1 and implacableness1 c41 that is found in all the world4 ,by this1 ,i say1 came all the wars1 blood1 treachery1 tyranny1 persecution1 with all manner of rapine and outrage that is found among the sons of men4 #c4 ,besides1 all the plagues1 judgments1 and evils that befal us in this world1 with those everlasting burnings that will swallow up millions for ever and ever2 all and every whit of these came into the world as the portion of mankind1 for that first transgression of our first parents4 ,ver4 #g4 ,and the eyes of them both were opened1 and they knew that they were naked2 and they sewed fig-leaves together1 and made themselves aprons4 ,that their eyes might be opened1 was one branch of the temptation1 and one of the reasons that prevailed with the woman to forsake the word of ,god3 ,but she little thought of seeing after this manner1 or such things as now she was made to behold4 ,she expected some sweet and pleasant sight1 that might tickle and delight her deluded fancy2 but behold1 sin and the wrath of ,god appears1 to the shaking of their hearts6 ,and thus1 even to this very day1 doth the devil delude the world3 ,his temptations are gilded with some sweet and fine pretences2 either they shall be wiser1 richer1 more in favour1 live merrier1 fare better1 or something2 and that they shall see it1 if they will but obey the devil3 ,which the fools easily are1 by these and such like things1 allured to do4 ,but behold1 when their eyes are opened1 instead of seeing what the devil falsely told them1 they see themselves involved in sin1 made guilty of the breach of ,god's command1 and subject to the wrath of ,god4#aj ,and they knew that they were naked4 ,not only naked of outward clothing1 but even destitute of righteousness2 they had lost their innocency1 their uprightness1 and sinless vail1 and had made themselves polluted creatures1 both in their hearts and in their flesh2 this is nakedness indeed2 such a kind of nakedness as ,aaron made ,israel naked with1 when he set up his idol calf for them to worship3 ,for ,aaron had made them naked unto their shame 7,exo #cb3be74 ,naked before the justice of the law4 ,and they knew that they were naked4 ,and they knew it3 ,why1 did they not know it before8 ,the text says1 ,they were naked1 and were not ashamed4 ,o6 they stood not naked before ,god6 they stood not without righteousness1 or uprightness before him1 and therefore were not ashamed1 but now they knew they were naked as to that4 ,and they sewed fig-leaves together1 and made themselves aprons4 ,a fit resemblance of what is the inclination of awakened men1 who are yet but natural6 ,they neither think of ,christ1 or of the mercy of ,god in him for pardon1 but presently they betake themselves to their own fig-leaves1 to their own inventions1 or to the righteousness of the law1 and look for healing from means which ,god did never provide for cure4 ,when ,ephraim saw his sickness1 and ,judah saw his wound1 then went ,ephraim to the ,assyrian 7,hosea #e3ac74 ,not to ,god1 and sent to ,king ,jarib1 not to ,christ1 yet could they not heal him1 nor cure him of his wound4 ,and made themselves aprons4 ,not coats1 as ,god did afterwards4 ,a carnal man thinks himself sufficiently clothed with righteousness1 if the nakedness which he sees1 can be but covered from his own sight3 ,as if ,god also did see that and only that which they have a sight of by the light of nature2 and as if because fig-leaves would hide their nakedness from their sight1 that therefore they would hide it from the sight of ,god4 ,but alas6 ,no man1 without the help of another1 can bring all his nakedness to the sight of his own eye2 much is undiscovered to him1 that may yet lie open and bare to a stander-by3 ,so it is with the men that stand without ,christ before ,god1 at best they see but some of their nakedness1 to wit1 their most gross and worst faults1 and therefore they seek to cover them2 which when they have hid from their own sight1 they think them hid also from the sight of ,god4 ,thus did ,adam1 he saw his own most shameful parts1 and therefore them he covered3 ,they made themselves aprons1 or things to gird about them1 not to cover them all over withal4 ,no man by all his own doings can hide all his own nakedness from the sight of the justice of ,god1 and yet1 but in vain1 as busy as ,adam to do it4 ,and they sewed fig-leaves together1 and made themselves aprons4 ,fig-leaves6 ,a poor apron1 but it was the best they could get4 ,but was that a sufficient shelter against either thorn or thistle8 ,or was it possible but that after a while these fig-leaves should have become rotten1 and turned to dung8 ,so will it be with all man's own righteousness which is of the law2 ,paul saw it so1 and therefore counted it but loss and dung1 that he might win ,christ1 and be found in him 7,phil #c3g1h74 ,ver4 #h4 ,and they heard the voice of the ,lord ,god walking in the garden in the cool of the day3 and ,adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the ,lord ,god1 among the trees of the garden4 ,and they heard the voice of the ,lord ,god4 ,this voice was not to be understood according1 as if it was the effect of a word2 as when we speak1 the sound remains with a noise for some time after2 but by voice here1 we are to understand the ,lord ,christ himself2 wherefore this voice is said to walk1 not to sound only3 ,they heard the voice of the ,lord ,god walking4 ,this voice ,john calls the word1 the word that was with the ,father before he made the world1 and that at this very time was heard to walk in the garden of ,adam3 ,therefore ,john also saith1 this voice was in the beginning2 that is1 in the garden with ,adam1 at the beginning of his conversion1 as well as of the beginning of the world 7,john #a3a74 ,and they heard the voice of the ,lord ,god walking in the garden in the cool of the day4 ,the gospel of it is1 in the season of grace2 for by the cool of the day1 he here means1 in the patience1 gentleness1 goodness and mercy of the gospel2 and it is opposed to the heat1 fire1 and severity of the law4 ,and ,adam and his wife hid themselves4 ,hence observe1 ,that a man's own righteousness will not fortify his conscience from fear and terror1 when ,god begins to come near to him to judgment4 ,why did ,adam hide himself1 but because1 as he said1 he was naked8 ,but how could he be naked1 when before he had made himself an apron8 ,o6 the approach of ,god consumed and burnt off his apron6 ,though his apron would keep him from the sight of a bird1 yet it would not from the eye of the incorruptible ,god4 ,let therefore all self-righteous men beware1 for however they at present please themselves with the worthiness of their glorious fig-leaves2 yet when ,god shall come to deal with them for sin1 assuredly they will find themselves naked4#aa ,and they hid themselves4 ,a man in a natural state1 cannot abide the presence of ,god2 yea1 though a righteous man4 ,adam1 though adorned with his fig-leaves1 flies4 ,observe again1 ,that a self-righteous man1 a man of the law1 takes grace and mercy for his greatest enemy4 ,this is apparent from the carriage of the ,pharisees to ,jesus ,christ1 who because they were wedded to the works of their own righteousness1 therefore they hated1 persecuted1 condemned1 and crucified the ,saviour of the world4 ,as here in the text1 though the voice of the ,lord ,god walked in the garden in the cool of the day1 in the time of grace and love1 yet how ,adam with his fig-leaves flies before him4 ,and ,adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the ,lord ,god4 ,these latter words are spoken1 not to persuade us that men can hide themselves from ,god1 but that ,adam1 and those that are his by nature1 will seek to do it1 because they do not know him aright4 ,these words therefore further shew us what a bitter thing sin is to the soul2 it is only for hiding work1 sometimes under its fig-leaves1 sometimes among the trees of the garden4 ,o what a shaking1 starting1 timorous evil conscience1 is a sinful and guilty conscience6 especially when 'tis but a little awakened1 it could run its head into every hole1 first by one fancy1 then by another2 for the power and goodness of a man's own righteousness1 cannot withstand or answer the demands of the justice of ,god1 and his holy law4 ,and ,adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the ,lord ,god1 among the trees of the garden4 ,if you take the trees in a mystical sense as sometimes they may be taken 7,eze #ca3h-aa72 then take them here to signify1 or to be a type of the saints of ,god1 and then the gospel of it is1 ,that carnal men1 when they are indeed awakened1 and roused out of their foolish fig-leaf righteousness2 then they would be glad of some shelter with them that are saved and justified freely by grace1 as they in the ,gospel of ,matthew2 ,give us of your oil2 for our lamps are gone out 7,matt #be3h74 ,and again1 ,the man without the wedding garment had crowded himself among the wedding guests3 ,had hid themselves among the trees of the garden 7,matt #bb3aa74 ,ver4 #i4 ,and the ,lord ,god called unto ,adam1 and said unto him1 ,where art thou8 ,adam having eaten of the forbidden tree1 doth now fleet his station1 is gone to another than where ,god left him4 ,wherefore1 if ,god will find ,adam1 he must now look him where he had hid himself4 ,and indeed so he does with ,adam1 where art thou8 ,and the ,lord ,god called1 c4 ,here begins the conversion of ,adam1 from his sinful state1 to ,god again4 ,but mark1 it begins not at ,adam's calling upon ,god1 but at ,god calling upon him3 ,and the ,lord ,god called unto ,adam4 ,wherefore1 by these words1 we are to understand the beginning of ,adam's conversion4 ,and indeed1 grace hath gone the same way with the elect1 from that time to this day4 ,thus he dealt with ,abraham1 ,isaac and ,jacob2 he called them from their native country1 the country of their kindred4 ,and hence it is1 that1 especially in the ,new ,testament1 the saints are said to be the ,called2 ,called of ,god1 and ,called of ,jesus ,christ4 ,and hence again it is that ,calling is by ,paul made the first demonstration of election1 and that saints are admonished to prove their election by their calling2 for as ,adam was in a lost1 miserable and perishing condition1 until ,god called him out of those holes into which sin had driven him3 so we do lie where sin and the devil hath laid us1 until by the word of ,god we are called to the fellowship of his ,son ,jesus ,christ4 ,by these words therefore we have the beginning of the discovery of effectual calling or conversion2 ,and the ,lord ,god called3 ,in which call observe three things1 #a4 ,god called so that ,adam heard him4 ,and so it is in the conversion of the ,new ,testament saints1 as ,paul says1 ,if ye have heard him1 and have been taught by him1 as the truth is in ,jesus 7,eph #d3ba74 ,that therefore is one discovery of effectual calling1 the sinner is made to ,,hear him1 even to hear him distinctly1 singling out the very person1 calling1 ,adam1 ,where art thou8 ,saul1 ,saul1 why persecutest thou me8 ,i have called thee by thy name1 thou art mine4 ,as he also said to ,moses1 ,i know thee by name1 and thou hast also found grace in my sight 7,exo #cc3ab74 #b4 ,god called so1 as to fasten sin upon his conscience1 and as to force a confession from him of his naked and shameful state4 #c4 ,god called so1 as to make him tremble under1 and be afraid of the judgment of ,god4 ,and the ,lord ,god called unto ,adam1 and said unto him1 ,where art thou8 ,indeed1 ,where art thou must of necessity be forcibly urged to every man on whose soul ,god doth work effectual conversion2 for until the person is awakened1 as to the state and condition he is in1 he will not desire1 nay1 will not endure to be turned to ,god2 but when in truth they are made to see what condition sin hath brought them to1 namely1 that it hath laid them under the power of sin1 the tyranny of the devil1 the strength of death1 and the curse of ,god by his holy law2 then is mercy sweet4 ,where art thou8 ,god knew where he was1 but foolish ,adam thought otherwise2 he thought to hide himself from the presence of the ,lord1 but the ,lord found him out4 ,indeed1 deluded sinners think that they can hide themselves and sins from ,god4 ,how doth ,god know1 say they1 ,can he judge through the thick cloud8 7,job #bb3ac74 ,but such shall know he sees them2 they shall know it1 either to their correction1 or to their condemnation4 ,though they dig into hell1 saith ,god1 thence shall mine hand take them2 though they climb up to heaven1 thence will ,i bring them down3 ,and though they hide themselves in the top of ,carmel1 ,i will search and take them out thence1 c4 7,amos #i3b1c74ab ,can any hide himself in secret places that ,i shall not see him1 saith the ,lord8 ,do not ,i fill heaven and earth8 saith the ,lord 7,jer #bc3bd74 ,ver4 #aj4 ,and he said1 ,i heard thy voice in the garden1 and ,i was afraid1 because ,i was naked2 and ,i hid myself4 ,this then was the cause of his flying1 he heard the voice of ,god3 ,a wicked and evil conscience saith1 every thing is to it as the messenger of death and destruction2 for1 as was said before1 the voice of the ,lord walked in the garden in the cool of the day1 in the time of grace and mercy4 ,but it mattereth not whether he came with grace or vengeance2 guilt was in ,adam's heart1 therefore he could not endure the presence of ,god3 ,he that doeth evil hateth the light 7,john #c3bj74 ,and again1 ,the wicked flee when no man pursueth 7,pro #bh3a74 ,cain thought all that met him1 would seek his blood and life4 ,i heard thy voice4 ,something by the word of ,god was spoken1 that shook the heart of this poor creature2 something of justice and holiness1 even before they fell into this communication3 for observe it1 ,adam went forthwith from the tree of knowledge of good and evil a convinced man1 first to his fig-leaves1 but they would not do2 therefore he seeks to be hid among the trees4 ,and observe again1 ,that the insufficiency of fig-leaves were discovered by this voice of the ,lord ,god1 that at this time walked in the garden3 ,i heard thy voice in the garden1 and ,i was afraid1 because ,i was naked2 and ,i hid myself4 ,so then1 there was a first and second voice which ,adam heard2 the first he ran away from1 ,i heard thy voice1 and hid myself4 ,the second was this1 wherein they commune each with other4 ,the first therefore was the word of justice1 severity1 and of the vengeance of ,god2 like that in the #aith of ,exodus1 from the pronouncing of which1 a trembling1 and almost death1 did seize six hundred thousand persons4 ,i heard thy voice in the garden4 ,it is a word from without that doth it4 ,while ,adam listened to his own heart1 he thought fig-leaves a sufficient remedy1 but the voice that walked in the garden shook him out of all such fancies3 ,i heard thy voice in the garden1 and ,i was afraid1 because ,i was naked2 and ,i hid myself4 ,ver4 #aa4 ,and he said1 ,who told thee that thou wast naked8 ,hast thou eaten of the tree1 whereof ,i commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat8 ,who told thee8 ,this1 as ,i said before1 supposeth a third person1 a preacher1 and that was the ,son of ,god2 the voice of the ,lord ,god that walked in the garden4 ,hast thou eaten of the tree8 ,that is1 ,if thou hast been shewed thy nakedness1 thou hast indeed sinned2 for the voice of the ,lord ,god will not charge guilt1 but where and when a law hath been transgressed4 ,god therefore1 by these words1 driveth ,adam to the point1 either to confess or deny the truth of the case4 ,if he confess1 then he concludes himself under judgment2 if he deny1 then he addeth to his sin3 ,therefore he neither denieth nor confesseth1 but so as he may lessen and extenuate his sin4 ,ver4 #ab4 ,and the man said1 ,the woman whom thou gavest to be with me1 she gave me of the tree1 and ,i did eat4 ,he had endeavoured with fig-leaves to hide his transgressions before1 but that being found too scanty and short1 he now trieth what he can do with arguments4 ,indeed he acknowledgeth that he did eat of the tree of which he was forbidden2 but mark where he layeth the reason3 ,not in any infection which was centred in him by reason of his listening to the discourse which was between the woman and the serpent2 but because ,god had given him a woman to be with him3 ,the woman whom thou gavest to be with me1 she gave me of the tree4 ,the woman was given for an help1 not an hindrance2 but ,satan often maketh that to become our snare1 which ,god hath given us as a blessing4 ,adam therefore here mixeth truth with falsehood4 ,it is true1 he was beguiled by the woman2 but she was not intended of ,god1 as he would insinuate1 to the end she might be a trap unto him4 ,here therefore ,adam sought to lessen and palliate his offence1 as man by nature is prone to do2 for if ,god will needs charge them with the guilt of sin for the breach of the law1 they will lay the fault upon anything1 even upon ,god's ordinance1 as ,adam here doth1 rather than they will honestly fall under the guilt1 and so the judgment of the law for guilt4 ,it is a rare thing1 and it argueth great knowledge of ,god1 and also hope in his mercy1 when men shall heartily acknowledge their iniquities1 as is evident in the case of ,david3 ,wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity1 and cleanse me from my sin4 ,for ,i acknowledge my transgressions3 and my sin is ever before me 7,psa #ea3b1c74 ,but his knowledge is not at first in young converts2 therefore when ,god begins to awaken1 they begin1 as sleepy men1 to creep further under their carnal covering2 which yet is too short to hide them1 and too narrow to cover their shame 7,isa #bh3bj74 ,the woman whom thou gavest to be with me1 she gave me of the tree4 ,although1 as ,i said1 this sinner seeks to hide1 or at least to lessen his sin1 by laying the cause upon the woman1 the gift of ,god2 yet it argueth that his heart was now filled with shame and confusion of face1 for that he had broken ,god's command2 for indeed it is the nature of guilt1 however men may in appearance ruffle under it1 and set the best leg before1 for their vindication2 yet inwardly to make them blush and fail before their accuser4 ,indeed their inward shame is the cause of their excuse2 even as ,aaron1 when he had made the golden calf1 could not for shame of heart confess in plainness of speech the truth of the fact to his brother ,moses1 but faulteringly3 ,they gave me their gold1 saith he1 and ,i cast it into the fire1 and there came out this calf 7,exo #cb3bd74 ,and there came out this calf2 a pitiful fumbling speech3 ,the ,holy ,ghost saith1 ,aaron had made them naked2 had made them naked unto their shame1 for he1 as also ,adam1 should1 being chief and lord in their place1 have stoutly resisted the folly and sin which was to them propounded2 and not as persons of a womanish spirit1 have listened to wicked proposals4#ac ,ver4 #ac4 ,and the ,lord ,god said unto the woman1 ,what is this that thou hast done8 c41 ,forasmuch as ,adam did acknowledge his sin1 though with much weakness and infirmity1 ,god accepts thereof2 and now applieth himself to the woman1 whom ,satan had used as his engine to undo the world4 ,hence observe1 ,that when ,god sets to search out sin1 he will follow it from the seduced to the seducer1 even till he comes to the rise and first author thereof1 as in the following words may more clearly appear4 ,not that he excuseth or acquitteth the seduced1 because the seducer was the first cause1 as some do vainly imagine2 but to lay all under guilt who are concerned therein3 the woman was concerned as a principal1 therefore he taketh her to examination4 ,and the ,lord ,god said unto the woman1 ,what is this that thou hast done8 ,what is this8 ,god seems to speak as if he were astonished at the inundation of evil which the woman by her sin had overflowed the world withal3 ,what is this that thou hast done6 ,thou hast undone thyself1 thou hast undone thy husband1 thou hast undone all the world2 yea1 thou hast brought a curse upon the whole creation1 with an overplus of evils1 plagues1 and distresses4 ,what is this that thou hast done6 ,thou hast defiled thy body and soul1 thou hast disabled the whole world from serving ,god2 yea1 moreover1 thou hast let in the devil at the door of thy heart1 and hast also made him the prince of the world4 ,what is this that thou hast done6 ,ah6 little1 little do sinners know what they have done1 when they have transgressed the law of the ,lord4 ,i say1 they little know what death1 what plagues1 what curse1 yea1 what hell they1 by so doing1 have prepared for themselves4 ,what is this that thou hast done6 ,god therefore1 by these words1 would fasten upon the woman's heart a deep sense of the evil of her doings4 ,and indeed1 for the soul to be brought into a deep sense of its sin1 to cry out before ,god1 ,ah6 what have ,i done6 it is with them the first step towards conversion3 ,acknowledge thy iniquity saith ,god that thou hast transgressed against me 7,jer #c3ac74 ,and again1 ,if we confess our sins1 he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins1 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 7#a ,john #a3i74 ,the want of this is the cause of that obdurate and lasting hardness that continueth to possess so many thousands of sinners1 they cry not out before ,god1 ,what have ,i done8 but foolishly they rush into1 and continue in sin1 till their iniquity be found to be hateful1 yea1 their persons1 because of their sin4 ,what is this that thou hast done8 ,by this interrogatory the ,lord also implieth an admonition to the woman1 to plead for herself1 as he also did to her husband4 ,he also makes way for the working of his bowels towards her1 which 7as will be shewn anon7 he flatly denies to the serpent1 the devil3 ,i say he made way for the woman to plead for1 or bemoan herself2 an evident token that he was unwilling to cast her away for her sin3 ,i have surely heard ,ephraim bemoaning himself2--,i will surely have mercy upon him1 saith the ,lord 7,jer #ca3ah-bj74 ,again1 by these words1 he made way for the working or yearning of his own bowels over her2 for when we begin to cry out of our miscarriages1 and to bewail and bemoan our condition because of sin1 forthwith the bowels of ,god begin to sound1 and to move towards his distressed creature1 as by the place before alleged appears4 ,i have surely heard ,ephraim bemoaning himself2--therefore my bowels are troubled for him3 ,i will surely have mercy upon him1 saith the ,lord4 ,see also the #aath and #adth chapters of ,hosea4 ,and the woman said1 the serpent beguiled me and ,i did eat4 ,a poor excuse1 but an heart affecting one2 for many times want of wit and cunning to defend ourselves1 doth affect and turn the heart of a stander-by to pity us4 ,and thus1 as ,i think1 it was with the woman2 she had to do with one that was too cunning for her1 with one that snapt her by his subtilty or wiles2 which also the woman most simply confesses1 even to the provoking of ,god to take vengeance for her4 ,ver4 #ad4 ,and the ,lord ,god said unto the serpent1 ,because thou hast done this1 thou art cursed above all cattle1 and above every beast of the field4 ,the serpent was the author of the evil2 therefore the thunder rolls till it comes over him1 the hot burning thunder-bolt falls upon him4 ,the ,lord1 you see1 doth not with the serpent as with the man and his wife2 to wit1 minister occasion to commune with him1 but directly pronounceth him cursed above all1 above every beast of the field4 ,this sheweth us1 that as concerning the angels that fell1 with them ,god is at eternal enmity1 reserving them in everlasting chains under darkness4 ,cursed art thou3 ,by these words1 ,i say1 they are prevented of a plea for ever1 and also excluded a share in the fruits of the ,messiah which should afterwards be born into the world 7,heb #b3b74 ,because thou hast done this1 cursed art thou4 ,because thou hast done this3 ,not as though he was blessed before2 for had he not before been wicked1 he had not attempted so wicked a design4 ,the meaning then is1 ,that either by this deed the devil did aggravate his misery1 and make himself the faster to hang in the everlasting chains under darkness2 or else by this he is manifested to us to be indeed a cursed creature4 ,further1 ,because thou hast done this1 may also signify how great complacency and content ,god took in ,adam and his wife while they continued without transgression2 ,but how much against his mind and workmanship this wicked work was4 #a4 ,against his mind2 for sin so sets itself against the nature of ,god1 that1 if possible1 it would annihilate and turn him into nothing1 it being in its nature point blank against him4 #b4 ,it is against his workmanship2 for had not the power of the ,messias stept in1 all had again been brought to confusion1 and worse than nothing3 as ,christ himself expresses it3 ,the earth1 and all the inhabitants thereof1 are dissolved3 ,i bear up the pillars of it 7,psa #ge3c74 ,and again1 ,he upholdeth all things by the word of his power 7,heb #a3c74 ,besides1 this being done1 man1 notwithstanding the grace of ,god1 and the merits of ,jesus ,christ1 doth yet live a miserable life in this world2 for albeit that ,christ hath most certainly secured the elect and chosen of ,god from perishing by what ,satan hath done2 yet the very elect themselves are1 by reason of the first transgression1 so infested and annoyed with inward filth1 and so assaulted still by the devil1 and his vassals the proper children of hell1 that they groan unutterably under their burthen2 yea1 all creatures1 the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now 7,rom #h3bb74 ,and that most principally upon the very account of this first sin of ,adam2 it must needs be therefore1 this being so high an affront to the divine majesty1 and so directly destructive to the work of his hands2 and the aim of the devil most principally also at the most excellent of his creation 7for man was created in ,god's own image7 that he should hereat be so highly offended1 had they not sinned at all before1 to bind them over for this very fact to the pains of the eternal judgment of ,god4 ,ver4 #ae4 ,and ,i will put enmity between thee and the woman1 and between thy seed and her seed2 it shall bruise thy head1 and thou shalt bruise his heel4 ,the woman may1 in this place1 be taken either really or figuratively2 if really and naturally1 then the threatening is also true1 as to the very natures of the creatures here under consideration1 to wit1 the serpent and the woman1 and so all that come of human race2 for we find that so great an antipathy is between all such deadly beasts1 as serpents and human creatures1 that they abiding in their own natures1 it is not possible they should ever be reconciled3 ,i will put enmity3 ,i will put it4 ,this enmity then was not infused in creation1 but afterwards2 and that as a punishment for the abuse of the subtlety of the serpent2 for before the fall1 and before the serpent was assumed by the fallen angels1 they were1 being ,god's creatures1 good1 as the rest in their kind2 neither was there any jarring or violence put between them2 but after the serpent was become the devil's vizor1 then was an enmity begot between them4 ,i will put enmity between thee and the serpent4 ,if by woman1 we here understand the church1 7but then we must understand the devil1 not the natural serpent simply17 then also the threatening is most true2 for between the church of ,god1 and the devil1 from the beginning of the world1 hath been maintained most mighty wars and conflicts1 to which there is not a like in all the blood shed on the earth4 ,yea1 here there cannot be a reconciliation1 7the enmity is still maintained by ,god73 ,the reason is1 because their natural dispositions and inclinations1 together with their ends and purposes1 are most repugnant each to other1 even full as much as good and evil1 righteousness and sin1 ,god's glory1 and an endeavour after his utter extirpation4 ,indeed1 ,satan hath tried many ways to be at amity with the church2 not because he loves her holiness1 but because he hates her welfare1 7wherefore such amity must only be dissembled17 and that he might bring about his enterprise1 he sometimes hath allured with the dainty delicates of this world1 the lusts of the flesh1 of the eyes1 and the pride of life3 ,this being fruitless1 he hath attempted to entangle and bewitch her with his glorious appearance1 as an angel of light2 and to that end hath made his ministers as the ministers of righteousness1 preaching up righteousness1 and contending for a divine and holy worship 7#b ,cor #aa3ab-ae73 but this failing also1 he hath taken in hand at length to fright her into friendship with him1 by stirring up the hellish rage of tyrants to threaten and molest her2 by finding out strange inventions to torment and afflict her children2 by making many bloody examples of her own bowels1 before her eyes1 if by that means he might at last obtain his purpose3 ,but behold6 all hath been in vain1 there can be no reconciliation4 ,and why1 but because ,god himself maintains the enmity8 ,and this is the reason why the endeavours of all the princes and potentates of the earth1 that have through ignorance or malice managed his design against the church1 have fallen to the ground1 and been of none effect4 ,god hath maintained the enmity3 doubtless the mighty wonder1 that their laws cannot be obeyed2#ad ,i mean their laws and statutes1 which by the suggestion of the prince of this world they have made against the church3 ,but if they understood but this one sentence1 they might a little perceive the reason4 ,god hath put enmity between the devil and the woman2 between that old serpent called1 ,the ,devil and ,satan1 and the holy1 and beloved1 and espoused wife of ,christ4 ,i will put enmity between thee and the woman1 and between thy seed and her seed4 ,the seeds here are the children of both1 but that of the woman1 especially ,christ 7,gal #c3af74 ,god sent forth his ,son made of a woman 7,gal #d3d74 ,whether you take it literally or figuratively2 for in a mystery the church is the mother of ,jesus ,christ1 though naturally1 or according to ,his flesh1 ,he was born of the virgin ,mary1 and proceeded from her womb3 ,but take it either way1 the enmity hath been maintained1 and most mightily did shew itself against the whole kingdom of the devil1 and death1 and hell2 by the undertaking1 engaging1 and war which the ,son of ,god did maintain against them1 from his conception1 to his death and exaltation to the right hand of the ,father1 as is prophesied of1 and promised in the text1 ,it shall bruise thy head4 ,it shall bruise thy head4 ,by head1 we are to understand the whole power1 subtilty1 and destroying nature of the devil2 for as in the head of the serpent lieth his power1 subtilty1 and poisonous nature2 so in sin1 death1 hell1 and the wisdom of the flesh1 lieth the very strength of the devil himself4 ,take away sin then1 and death is not hurtful3 ,the sting of death is sin3 ,and take away the condemning power of the law1 and sin doth cease to be charged1 or to have any more hurt in it1 so as to destroy the soul3 ,the strength of sin is the law 7#a ,cor #ae3ef74 ,wherefore1 the seed1 ,jesus ,christ1 in his bruising the head of the serpent1 must take away sin1 abolish death1 and conquer the power of the grave4 ,but how must this be done8 ,why1 he must remove the curse1 which makes sin intolerable1 and death destructive4 ,but how must he take away the curse8 ,why1 by taking upon ,him flesh1 as we 7,john #a3ad72 by being made under the law1 as we 7,gal #d3d72 by being made to be sin for us 7#b ,cor #e3ba71 and by being made a curse for us 7,gal #c3aj-ac74 ,he standing therefore in our room1 under the law and the justice of ,god1 did both bear1 and overcome the curse1 and so did bruise the power of the devil4 ,it shall bruise thy head4 ,to bruise is more than to break2 he shall quash thy head to death2 so he also quashed the heel of ,christ2 which would1 had not his eternal power and ,godhead sustained1 have caused that he had perished for ever4 ,and thou shalt bruise his heel4 ,by these words1 a necessity was laid upon ,jesus ,christ to assume our flesh1 to engage the devil therein2 and also because of the curse that was due to us for sin1 that he might indeed deliver us therefore2 even for awhile to fall before this curse1 and to die that death that the curse inflicteth3 ,christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law1 being made a curse for us4 ,thus therefore did ,satan1 that is1 by the fruits and effects of sin1 bruise1 or kill1 the flesh of ,christ3 ,but he being ,god1 as the ,father1 it was not possible he should be overcome4 ,therefore his head remaineth untouched4 ,a man's life lieth not in his heel1 but in his head and heart2 but the ,godhead being the head and heart of the manhood1 it was not possible ,satan should meddle with that2 he only could bruise his heel2 which yet by the power of the ,godhead of this eternal ,son of the ,father1 was raised up again from the dead3 ,he was delivered for our offences1 and was raised again for our justification 7,rom #d3be74 ,in these words therefore the ,lord ,god gave ,adam a promise1 ,that notwithstanding ,satan had so far brought his design to pass1 as to cause them by falling from the command1 to lay themselves open to the justice and wrath of ,god2 yet his enterprise by grace1 should be made of none effect4 ,as if the ,lord had said1 ,adam1 thou seest how the devil hath overcome thee2 how he1 by thy consenting to his temptation1 hath made thee a subject of death and hell3 but though he hath by this means made thee a spectacle of misery1 even an heir of death and damnation3 yet ,i am ,god1 and thy sins have been against me4 ,now because ,i have grace and mercy1 ,i will therefore design thy recovery4 ,but how shall ,i bring it to pass8 ,why ,i will give my ,son out of my bosom1 who shall in your room1 and in your nature encounter this adversary1 and overcome him4 ,but how8 ,why1 by fulfilling my law1 and by answering the penalties thereof4 ,he shall bring in a righteousness which shall be everlasting1 by which ,i will justify you from sin1 and the curse of ,god due thereto3 ,but this work will make him smart1 he must be made a man of sorrows1 for upon him will ,i lay your iniquities 7,isa #ec3f72 ,satan shall bruise his heel4 ,ver4 #af4 ,unto the woman he said1 ,i will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception2 in sorrow#ae shalt thou bring forth children2 and thy desire shall be to thy husband1 and he shall rule over thee4 ,i will greatly multiply thy sorrow1 c4 ,this is true1 whether you respect the woman according to the letter of the text1 or as she was a figure of the church2 for in both senses their sorrows for sin are great1 and multiplied upon them3 ,the whole heap of the female sex know the first1#af the church only knows the second4 ,in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children4 ,the more fruitful1 the more afflicted is the church in this world2 because the rage of hell1 and the enmity of the world1 are by her righteousness set on fire so much the more4 ,but again3 ,forasmuch as the promise is made before this judgment of ,god for sin is threatened1 we must count these afflictions not as coming from the hand of ,god in a way of vengeance1 for want of satisfaction for the breach of the law2 but to shew and keep us in mind of his holiness1 that henceforth we should not1 as at first through ignorance1 so now from notions of grace and mercy1 presume to continue in sin4 ,i might add1 ,that by these words it is manifest1 that a promise of mercy and forgiveness of sin1 and great afflictions and rebukes for the same1 may and shall attend the same soul3 ,i will greatly multiply thy sorrow1 comes after the promise of grace4 ,and thy desire shall be to thy husband1 and he shall rule over thee4 ,doubtless the woman was1 in her first creation1 made in subordination to her husband1 and ought to have been under obedience to him3 ,wherefore1 still that had remained a duty1 had they never transgressed the commandment of ,god2 but observe1 the duty is here again not only enjoined1 and imposed1 but that as the fruit of the woman's sin2 wherefore1 that duty that before she might do as her natural right by creation1 she must now do as the fruits of her disobedience to ,god4 ,women therefore1 whenever they would perk it and lord it over their husbands1 ought to remember1 that both by creation and transgression they are made to be in subjection to their own husbands4 ,this conclusion makes ,paul himself3 ,let saith he the woman learn in silence with all subjection4 ,but ,i suffer not a woman to teach1 nor to usurp authority over the man1 but to be in silence2 for ,adam was first formed1 then ,eve2 and ,adam was not deceived1 but the woman being deceived1 was in the transgression 7#a ,tim #b3aa-ad74 ,ver4 #ag4 ,and unto ,adam he said1 ,because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife1 and hast eaten of the tree of which ,i commanded thee1 saying1 ,thou shalt not eat of it3 cursed is the ground for thy sake1 in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life4 ,god having laid his censure upon the woman1 he now proceedeth and cometh to her husband1 and also layeth his judgment on him3 ,the judgment is1 ,cursed is the ground for thy sake1 and in sorrow thou shalt eat thereof4 ,the causes of this judgment are1 ,first1 ,for that he hearkened to his wife3 ,and also1 ,for that he had eaten of the tree4 ,because thou hast hearkened to thy wife4 ,why8 ,because therein he left his station and headship1 the condition which ,god had appointed him1 and gave way to his wife to assume it1 contrary to the order of creation1 of her relation1 and of her sex2 for ,god had made ,adam lord and chief1 who ought to have taught his wife1 and not to have become her scholar4 ,hence note1 ,that the man that suffereth his wife to take his place1 hath already transgressed the order of ,god4#ag ,because thou hast hearkened to the voice1 c4 ,wicked women1 such as ,eve was now1 if hearkened unto1 are the snares of death to their husbands2 for1 because they are weaker built1 and because the devil doth easier fasten with them than with men1 therefore they are more prone to vanity and all mis-orders in the matters of ,god1 than they2 the men and so1 if hearkened unto1 more dangerous upon many accounts3 ,did not ,solomon king of ,israel sin by these things8 yet among many nations was there no king like him1 who was beloved of his ,god1 nevertheless even him did outlandish wicked women cause to sin 7,neh #ac3bf74 ,but there was none like unto ,ahab1 which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the ,lord1 whom ,jezebel his wife stirred up 7#a ,kings #ba3be74 ,hence note further1 ,that if it be thus dangerous for a man to hearken to a wicked wife1 how dangerous is it for any to hearken unto wicked whores1 who will seldom yield up themselves to the lusts of beastly men1 but on condition they will answer their ungodly purposes6 ,what mischief by these things hath come upon souls1 countries and kingdoms1 will here be too tedious to relate4 ,because thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife1 and hast eaten of the tree4 ,that is1 ,from the hand of thy wife2 for it was she that gave him to eat3 ,therefore1 c4 ,although the scripture doth lay a great blot upon women1 and cautioneth man to beware of these fantastical and unstable spirits1 yet it limiteth man in his censure3 ,she is only then to be rejected and rebuked1 when she doth things unworthy her place and calling4 ,such a thing may happen1 as that the woman1 not the man1 may be in the right1 7,i mean1 when both are godly17 but ordinarily it is otherwise 7,gen #ba3ab74 ,therefore the conclusion is1 ,let ,god's word judge between the man and his wife1 as it ought to have done between ,adam and his1 and neither of both will do amiss2 but contrariwise1 they will walk in all the commandments of ,god without fault 7,luke #a3f74 ,therefore cursed be the ground for thy sake4 ,behold what arguments are thrust into every corner1 thereby to make man remember his sin2 for all the toil of man1 all the barrenness of the ground1 and all the fruitlessness after all2 ,what is it but the fruits of sin8 ,let not us then find fault with the weed1 with the hotness1 coldness1 or barrenness of the soil2 but by seeing these things1 remember our sin1 ,cursed be the ground for thy sake2 for this ,god makes our heaven as iron1 and our earth as brass 7,exo #bf3ai74 ,the ,lord shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust2 from heaven shall it come down upon thee1 until thou be destroyed 7,deu #bh3bj-bd74 ,in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life4 ,he then is much deceived1 who thinks to fill his body with the delicates of this world1 and not therewith to drink the cruel venom of asps3 ,yea1 ,he shall suck the poison of asps1 the viper's tongue shall slay him 7,job #bj3af74 ,the reason is1 because he that shall give up himself to the lusts and pleasures of this life1 he contracts guilt1 because he hath sinned2 which guilt will curdle all his pleasures1 and make the sweetest of them deadly as poison4 ,in sorrow shalt thou eat4 ,even thou that hast received the promise of forgiveness3 ,how then can they do it with pleasure1 who eat1 and forget the ,lord8 7,pro #cj3i2 #ca3e74 ,again1 ,let not the sorrows1 crosses1 and afflictions1 that attend the godly in the things of this life1 weaken their faith in the promise of grace1 and forgiveness of sins2 for such things may befal the dearest ,christian4 ,ver4 #ah4 ,thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee2 and thou shalt eat the herb of the field4 ,this shews us 7as ,i also hinted before71 ,that the thorns and thistles of the ground1 are but as the excrements thereof2 and the fruits of sin1 and the curse for sin4 ,this world1 as it dropt from the fingers of ,god1 was far more glorious than it is now3 ,now it is loaden with a burden of corruption1 thorns1 thistles1 and other annoyances1 which ,adam knew none of in the days of his innocency4 ,none therefore ever saw this world1 as it was in its first creation1 but only ,adam and his wife2 neither shall any ever see it1 until the manifestation of the children of ,god3 that is1 until the redemption or resurrection of the saints3 but then it shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption1 into the glorious liberty of the children of ,god4 ,and thou shalt eat the herb of the field4 ,these words are for his comfort1 under all the sorrow sin should bring upon him2 ,thou shalt eat the herb3 ,the herb was a type of the gosepl-comforts which the destroying angels were forbidden to smite 7,rev #g3c74 ,of these medicinal and healing herbs therefore ,adam and his seed are admitted to eat1 that their soul may be replenished in the midst of their sorrow4 ,ver4 #ai4 ,in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread1 till thou return unto the ground2 for out of it wast thou taken3 for dust thou art1 and unto dust shalt thou return4 ,in the sweat of thy face4 ,this is true1 whether literally or allegorically understood3 ,for as touching the things that pertain to this life1 as they become not ours without toil and labour2 so the spiritual comforts of the kingdom of heaven are not obtained without travail and sweat3 ,labour saith ,christ for the bread and meat which endureth to everlasting life 7,john #f3bg74 ,in the sweat of thy face4 ,those that make conscience of walking in the commandments of ,god1 they shall be blessed with the bread of life1 when others shall be hunger-bit4 ,that may also be mystically applied1 ,on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock1 there shall not come thither the fear of briars and thorns2 but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen1 and for the treading of lesser cattle 7,isa #g3be74 ,the meaning is1 ,where people are diligent according to the word of ,god1 especially in spiritual and heavenly things1 they shall be fat and flourishing1 though sorrow be mixed therewith3 ,when men are cast down3 then thou shalt say1 there is lifting up2 and he shall save the humble person 7,job #bb3bi74 ,till thou return to the ground4 ,a ,christian should not leave off sweating labour so long as he is above the ground2 even until he returneth thither1 he ought to be diligent in the way and worship of ,god4 ,jacob1 when sick1 would worship ,god1 though so weak as not able to do it1 without leaning upon the top of his staff3 ,a blessed example for the diligent1 and reproof for those that are slothful 7,heb #aa3ba74 ,for out of it wast thou taken4 ,that is1 out of the ground4 ,behold how the ,lord doth mix his doctrine6 ,now he tells him of his sin1 then he promiseth to give him a ,saviour1 then again he shews him the fruits of his sin1 and immediately after the comforts of the promise2 yet again1 he would have him remember that he is but a mortal creature1 not to live here for ever2 neither made of silver nor gold1 but even of a clod of dust3 ,for dust thou art4 ,observe therefore1 that in the midst of all our enjoyments1 ,god would have us consider our frame1 that we may know how frail we are4 ,for out of it was thou taken4 ,it is hard for us to believe it1 though we daily see it is the way even of all the earth1 to return thither again3 ,for dust thou art1 and to dust shalt thou return4 ,whether this was spoken to ,adam1 as a judgment1 or a mercy1 or both1 is not hard to determine1 7this first premised1 that ,adam had received the promise27 for as it was the fruit of sin1 so a judgment and a token of ,god's displeasure2 for the wages of sin is death 7,rom #f3bc74 ,but as it is made by the wisdom of ,god1 a prevention of further wickedness1 and a conveyance through faith in ,christ1 to a more perfect enjoyment of ,god in the heavens2 so it is a mercy and blessing of ,god 7,isa #eg3a1b72 ,for thus to die is gain4 ,wherefore thus we may praise the dead1 that are already dead1 more than the living1 which are yet alive 7,eccl #d3b74 ,this made ,paul desire to depart2 for he knew that through death was the way to have more perfect sight of1 and more close and higher communion with the ,father1 and the ,son1 and the ,spirit in the heavens 7#b ,cor #e3f74 ,i have a desire to depart1 and be with ,christ1 which is far better 7,phil #a3ba-bc74 ,thus therefore those things that in their own nature are the proper fruits and wages of sin1 may yet through the wisdom of ,god be turned about for our good 7,jer #bd3e72 but let not this embolden to sin1 but rather minister occasion to us to magnify the wisdom of ,god 7,rom #h3bh74 ,ver4 #bj4 ,and ,adam called his wife's name ,eve2 because she was the mother of all living4 ,by this act ,adam returneth to his first station and authority in which ,god had placed him1 from which he fell when he became a scholar to his wife2 for to name the creatures1 was in ,adam a note of sovereignty and power3 ,this he attained to1 as an effect of his receiving the promise2 for before the promise is received1 man cannot serve ,god in his station1 because as he wanteth the power of will1 so also a good understanding2 but when he hath received the promise1 he hath also received the ,holy ,ghost1 which giveth to the godly to know and do his duty in his station3 ,the spiritual man discerneth1 and so judgeth all things2 but he is not discerned nor judged of any 7#a ,cor #b3ae74 ,and he called his wife's name ,eve1 or ,hevah3 ,because she gave life to1 or was the first mother of all mankind4 ,this then admits of two positions4 ,first1 ,that the world was created when ,adam was created4 ,and1 ,secondly1 ,that there were none of the sons of men in the world before ,adam1 as some have not only vainly1 but irreligiously and blasphemously suggested4 ,eve is the mother of all living3 ,not a man therefore that is the son of man1 but had his being since the woman was made4 ,ver4 #ba4 ,unto ,adam also and to his wife did the ,lord ,god make coats of skins1 and clothed them4 ,by this action the ,lord ,god did preach to ,adam1 and to his wife1 the meaning of that promise that you read of in verse #ae4 ,namely1 ,that by the means of ,jesus ,christ1 ,god himself would provide a sufficient clothing for those that accept of his grace by the gospel3 ,the coats here1 being a type of that blessed and durable righteousness4 ,the ,lord ,god made the coats4 ,not ,adam now1 because now he is received into a covenant of grace with ,god3 ,indeed before he entered into this covenant1 he made his own clothing1 such as it was1 but that could not cover his nakedness2 but now the ,lord will make them3 ,and unto ,adam also and to his wife did the ,lord ,god make coats3 ,their righteousness is of me1 saith the ,lord 7,isa #ed3ag74 ,of me1 that is1 of my providing1 of my performing4 ,and this is the name whereby he shall be called1 ,,the ,,lord ,,our ,,righteousness 7,jer #bc3f74 ,he made them coats1 and clothed them4 ,as the righteousness by which a sinner stands just in the sight of ,god from the curse1 is a righteousness of ,god's providing2 so also it is of his putting on4 ,no man can put on the righteousness of ,christ1 otherwise than by ,god's imputation3 if ,god reckon it ours then it is ours indeed2 but if he refuseth to shew that mercy1 who can impute that righteousness to me8 ,blessed are they to whom the ,lord imputeth righteousness 7,rom #d74 ,cursed then must they needs be to whom ,god hath not imputed the righteousness of his ,son4 ,the ,lord clothed them1 according to that of ,paul1 ,christ is made unto us of ,god wisdom and righteousness1 c4 7#a ,cor #a3cj74 ,and of that ,god who hath made him thus to us1 even of him are we in ,christ ,jesus4 ,did the ,lord ,god make coats of skins4 ,the coats were made of the skins of beasts1 of the skins of the slain1 which were slain either for food only1 or for sacrifice also3 ,this being so1 the effects of that promise mentioned before were by this action the more clearly expounded unto ,adam2 to wit1 ,that ,christ1 in the fulness of time1 should be born of a woman clothed with flesh2 and as so considered1 should be made a curse1 and so die that cursed death which by sin we had brought upon ourselves2 the effects and fruits of which should to us be durable clothing2 that is1 ,everlasting righteousness 7,dan #i3bd74 ,ver4 #bb1 #bc4 ,and the ,lord ,god said1 ,behold1 the man is become as one of us1 to know good and evil3 and now1 therefore lest he put forth his hand1 and take also of the tree of life1 and eat1 and live for ever3 therefore the ,lord ,god sent him forth from the garden of ,eden1 to till the ground from whence he was taken4 ,behold the man is become as one of us4 ,these words respect the temptation of the devil2 the argument that prevailed with ,adam2 and the fruits of their consenting3 ,and therefore ,i understand them as spoken ironically1 or in derision to ,adam4 ,as if ,god had said1 ,now ,adam1 you see what a god you are become3 ,the serpent told you you should be as gods1 as one that was infinite in wisdom4 ,but behold1 your godhead is horrible wickedness1 even pollution of body and soul by sin4 ,a thing you little thought of when you pleased yourself with the thought of that high attainment2 and now if you be not prevented1 you will proceed from evil to evil2 for notwithstanding ,i have made promise of sending a ,saviour1 you will1 through the pollution of your mind1 forget and set at nought my promise2 and seek life and salvation by that tree of life which was never intended for the justification of sinners2 therefore ,i will turn you out of the garden1 to till the ground whence thou wast taken4 #a4 ,hence observe1 ,that it often falls out1 after the promised blessing is come1 that ,god yet maketh us to possess our former sins1 not that the guilt thereof might be charged to condemnation1 but that remembering of them1 we might blush before ,god1 and be the more effectually driven to a continual embracing of the mercy promised4 #b4 ,observe again1 ,that as ,god would have us to remember our former sins1 so he would not that we should feed upon ought but the very mercy promised4 ,we must not rest in shadowish sacraments1 as the typical tree of life1 but must remember it is our duty to live by faith in the promised seed4 #c4 ,observe also1 ,that even our outward and temporal employments1 if they be lawful and honest1 are so ordered of ,god1 as that we may gather some heavenly mystery from them3 ,to till the ground from whence he was taken3 ,mysteriously intimating two things to ,adam4 7#a47 ,that seeing he was of the earth1 he stood in as much need to be ordered and dressed by ,god1 in order to his future happiness1 as the ground1 in order to its thrift and fruitfulness4 7#b47 ,again1 ,seeing he was taken from the ground1 he is neither ,god1 nor angel1 but a poor earthen vessel1 such as ,god can easily knock in pieces1 and cause to return to the ground again4 ,these things therefore ,adam was to learn from his calling1 that he might neither think too highly of himself1 nor forget to live by faith1 and depending on the ,lord ,god1 to be blessed of him4 ,ver4 #bd4 ,so he drove out the man2 and he placed at the east of the garden of ,eden ,cherubims1 and a flaming sword which turned every way1 to keep the way of the tree of life4 ,so he drove out the man4 ,adam was loth to forsake this garden of ,eden1 because there was the tree of life4 ,the promise will hardly satisfy1 where faith is weak and low4 ,had this man with great faith received and retained the gospel preached before1 he would not have so hankered after a shadow2 but the conscience being awakened1 and faith low and weak there1 because faith wants the flower or bloom of assurance1 the ceremonial or moral law doth with ease engender bondage4 ,and he placed at the east of the garden of ,eden ,cherubims1 and a flaming sword4 ,this shows the truth of what ,i said before2 to wit1 ,that ,adam was loth to forsake the garden1 loth to forsake his doing of something2 but ,god sets a shaking sword against him1 a sword to keep that way1 or to prevent that ,adam should have life by eating of the tree of life4 ,observe1 ,this tree of life1 though lawful for ,adam to feed on before he had transgressed1 yet now is wholly forbidden him2 intimating1 that that which would have nourished him before he brake the law1 will now avail him nothing as to life before the justice of ,god3 the tree of life might have maintained his life before he sinned2 but having done that1 he hath no ways now but to live by faith in the promise2 which that he might effectually do1 ,god takes from him the use of all other things1 he driveth him out of the garden1 and sets to keep him from the tree of life1 ,cherubims1 and a flaming sword4 ,and he placed at the east of the garden ,cherubims1 and a flaming sword4 ,these cherubims are one sort of the angels of ,god1 at this time made ministers of justice1 shaking the flaming sword of ,god's severity against ,adam for sin1 threatening to cut him off thereby1 if he ever return by the way that he went4 ,we read also1 that the law was delivered to ,israel from ,sinai1 by the hand and disposition of angels 7,acts #g72 the gospel1 only by the ,son himself 7,heb #a3b74 ,to keep the way4 ,hence the apostle implicitly concludes it a way1 that is1 to death and damnation2 by opposing another against it1 even the new and living one2 a new1 not this the old2 a living one1 not this the dead one 7,heb #aj74 ,for1 for that the cherubims are here placed with a flaming1 shaking sword1 to keep the tree of life1 it is evident that death is threatened to him that shall at any time attempt to come at1 or that seeks for life that way4 ,a flaming sword1 turning every way to keep1 c4 ,this still shews us1 that man1 though he hath already received the promise1 is yet exceeding prone to seek life by another way than free grace by ,jesus ,christ2 to wit1 either by the law he hath broken1 or by the law and ,christ together2 and so though not directly1 yet as it were by the works of the law 7,rom #i3cb74 ,but all is to no purpose1 they are every way prevented4 ,for1 forsake the simplicity of the promise in the gospel1 and thou shalt meet with the stroke of the justice of ,god2 for that flaming sword of his vengeance1 it turneth every way1 and therefore will in every way lay wrath upon thee1 if thou seek life by ought but ,christ4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,ver4 #a4 ,and ,adam knew ,eve his wife2 and she conceived1 and bare ,cain1 and said1 ,i have gotten a man from the ,lord4 ,now we are come to the generation of mankind4 ,adam knew his wife3 ,a modest expression2 and it should teach us1 in all such matters where things are discoursed of1 that are either the fruits of sin1 or the proper effects of man's natural infirmities1 there to endeavour the use of such expressions1 as neither to provide to lust1 nor infect us with evil and uncivil communication4 ,adam knew his wife2 ,jacob1 ,samson1 ,david1 and others1 are said to go in unto them4 ,so as to our natural infirmities of the stool1 the scripture expression is1 ,when thou goest abroad to ease thyself1 thou shalt turn again and cover that which cometh from thee3 ,modest and bashful expressions1 and such as become the godly1 being those that are furthest off of occasioning evil1 and nearest to an intimation1 that such infirmities bespeak us infirm and imperfect creatures4 ,and she conceived and bare ,cain4 ,the first sprout of a disobedient couple1 a man in shape1 but a devil in conditions4 ,this is he that is called elsewhere1 ,the child of that wicked one 7#a ,john #c3ab74 ,and she said1 ,i have gotten a man from the ,lord4 ,if ,eve by these words did only ascribe the blessing of children to be the gift of ,god1 then she spake like a godly woman2 but if she supposed that this man ,cain was indeed the seed promised1 then it shows1 that she in this was also deceived1 and was therein a figure of all such as make false and strange delusions1 signs of the mercy of ,god towards them3 ,the man she thought she had got from the ,lord as a mercy1 and to be a ,saviour1 he proved a man of the devil1 a curse1 and to be a destroyer4 ,ver4 #b4 ,and she again bare his brother ,abel1 ,and ,abel was a keeper of sheep1 but ,cain was a tiller of the ground4 ,observe here1 ,that the good child is not the first-born1 but ,abel1 a breath 7#a ,cor #a3bg1bh74 ,god often doth as ,jacob did1 even cross hands1 in bestowing blessings1 giving that which is best to him that is least esteemed3 ,for ,cain was the man in ,eve's esteem2 she thought1 when she had him1 she had got an inheritance2 but as for ,abel1 he was little worth2 by his name they showed how little they set by him4 ,it is so with the sincere to this day2 they bear not the name of glory with the world3 ,cain with them is the profitable son2 ,abel is of no credit with them1 neither see they form or comeliness in him2 he is the melancholy1 or lowering child1 whose countenance spoileth the mirth of the world3 ,the heart of the wise is in the house of mournings2 but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth 7,eccl #g3d74 ,and ,abel was a keeper of sheep1 but ,cain was a tiller of the ground4 ,by this it seems yet further1 that ,cain was the man in favour1 even him that should1 by his ,father's intentions1 have been heir1 and have enjoyed the inheritance3 ,he was nurtured up in his father's employment1 but ,abel was set in the lower rank4 ,it was also thus with ,isaac and ,jacob1 ,ishmael and ,esau1 being the eldest1 and those that by intention were to be heirs4 ,now in the inheritance lay1 of old1 a great blessing3 so that ,esau in losing his father's inheritance1 lost also the blessing of grace1 and moreover the kingdom of heaven 7,heb #ab3af1ag74 ,wherefore ,cain had by this the better of ,abel1 even as the ,jews by their privileges had the better of the ,gentiles 7,rom #c3a1b74 ,but mark it1 the blessing of grace is not led by outward order1 but by electing love3 ,where the person then is under the blessing of election1 be he the first or the second son1 the highest or lowest in the family1 or whether he be more or less loved of his friends1 'tis he that with ,abel hath the everlasting blessing4 ,ver4 #c4 ,and1 in process of time1 it came to pass that ,cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the ,lord4 ,mark here1 ,that the devil can suffer his children1 in outward forms of worship1 to be godly and righteous men3 ,cain1 a limb of the devil1 and yet the first in order that presents himself and his service to ,god4 ,cain brought of the fruit of the ground1 as of wheat1 oil1 honey1 or the like2 which things were also clean and good4 ,hence it is intimated1 that his offering was excellent2 and ,i conceive1 not at all1 as to the matter itself1 inferior to that of ,abel's2 for in that it is said that ,abel's was more excellent1 it is not with respect to the excellency of the matter or things with which they sacrificed1 but with respect to ,abel's faith1 which gave glory and acceptableness to his offering with ,god1 ,by faith he offered unto ,god a more excellent sacrifice than ,cain 7,heb #aa3d74 ,and ,abel1 he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof c4 ,abel1 last in appearance1 but in truth the first in grace2 as it also is at this day3 ,who do so flutter it out as our ruffling formal worshippers8 ,alas6 the good1 the sincere and humble1 they seem to be least and last2 but the conclusion of the tragedy will make manifest that the first is last1 and the last first2 for the many are but called1 the few are chosen4 ,and the ,lord had respect unto ,abel1 and to his offering4 ,herein are the true footsteps of grace discovered2 to wit1 the person must be the first in favour with ,god1 the person first1 the performance afterwards4 ,and the ,lord had respect to ,abel4 ,but how can ,god respect a man1 before he respect his offering8 ,a man's gift 7saith ,solomon7 makes way for him3 ,it should seem therefore that there lies no such stress in the order of words1 but that it might as well be read1 ,the ,lord had respect to ,abel1 because he respected his offering4 ,answ4 ,not so3 ,for though it be true among men1 that the gift makes way for the acceptance of the person1 yet in the order of grace it is after another manner2 for if the person be not first accepted1 the offering must be abominable2 for it is not a good work that makes a good man1 but a good man makes a good work4 ,the fruit doth not make a good tree1 but a good tree bringeth forth good fruit4 ,make 7saith ,christ7 the tree good1 and his fruit good2 or the tree evil1 and his fruit evil3 ,do men gather grapes of thorns1 or figs of thistles8 ,had ,abel been a thorn1 he had not brought forth grapes2 had he been a thistle1 he had not brought forth figs4 ,so then1 ,abel's person must be first accepted1 and after that his works4 ,object4 ,but ,god accepteth no man while he remains a sinner1 but all men are sinners before they do good works1 how then could the person of ,abel be accepted first8 ,answ4 ,abel was ,,just before he did offer sacrifice4 ,just1 ,i say1 in the sight of ,god4 ,this ,god witnessed by testifying of his gift3 ,by faith ,abel offered unto ,god a more excellent sacrifice than ,cain1 by which he obtained witness that he was righteous3 ,that is1 ,god by accepting of the gift of ,abel1 did testify that ,abel was a righteous man2 for we know ,god heareth not sinners3 ,the prayers of the wicked are an abomination unto ,god4 ,but ,abel was accepted1 therefore he was righteous first4 ,hence observe1 ,that a man must be righteous before he can do any good work4 ,quest4 ,righteous6 ,with what righteousness8 ,answ4 ,with the righteousness of faith4 ,and therefore it is said1 that ,abel had faith before he offered sacrifice4 ,by faith he offered 7,heb #aa3d74 ,where faith is made to precede or go before the work which by faith he offered unto ,god4 ,quest4 ,but are not good works the righteousness of faith8 ,answ4 ,they are the fruits of faith3 ,as here in the case of ,abel2 his faith produced an offering2 but before he gave his offering1 his faith had made him righteous2 for faith respects a promise of grace1 not a work of mine3 ,now the promise of grace1 being this1 that the seed of the woman1 which is ,christ1 should destroy the power of the devil2 by this ,abel saw that it was ,christ that should abolish sin and death by himself1 and bring in everlasting righteousness for sinners4 ,thus believing1 he had accepted of ,christ for righteousness1 which because he had done1 ,god in truth proclaims him righteous1 by accepting of his person and performances when offered4 ,abel then presented his person and offering1 as shrouding both1 by faith1 under the righteousness of ,christ1 which lay wrapped up in the promise2 but ,cain stands upon his own legs1 and so presents his offering4 ,abel therefore is accepted1 both his person and his offering1 while ,cain remains accursed4 ,ver4 #e4 ,but unto ,cain1 and to his offering1 he the ,lord had not respect4 ,and ,cain was very wroth1 and his countenance fell4 ,mark3 ,as first ,abel's person is accepted1 and then his offering2 so first ,cain's person is rejected1 and afterwards his offering3 ,for ,god seeth not sin in his own institutions1 unless they be defiled by them that worship him2 and that they needs must1 when persons by#ah themselves offer sacrifice to ,god1 because then they want the righteousness of faith4 ,this then made the difference betwixt ,abel and his brother2 ,abel had faith1 but ,cain had none4 ,abel's faith covered him with ,jesus ,christ1 therefore he stood righteous in his person before ,god3 ,this being so1 his offering was accepted1 because it was the offering of one that was righteous4 ,but unto ,cain1 and to his offering1 the ,lord had not respect4 ,hence note1 ,that a ,christless man is a wicked man1 let him be never so full of actions that be righteous2 for righteous actions make not a righteous man1 the man himself must first be righteous4#ai ,wherefore1 though ,cain was the eldest1 and first in the worship2 yet ,abel was the wisest1 and the most acceptable therein4 ,and ,cain was very wroth1 and his countenance fell4 ,from these words it may be gathered1 that ,cain had some evident token from the observation of ,god's carriage towards both himself and brother2 that his brother was smiled upon1 but he rejected3 ,he was wroth3 wroth with ,god1 and wroth with his brother4 ,and indeed1 before the world hate us1 they must needs hate ,jesus ,christ3 ,it hated me saith he before it hated you 7,john #ae3ah74 ,he was wroth3 and why8 ,wroth because his sacrifice was not accepted of ,god3 ,and yet the fault was not in the ,lord1 but ,cain3 ,he came not before the ,lord1 as already made righteous with the righteousness of ,christ1 which indeed had been doing well1 but as a cursed wicked wretch1 he thought that by his own good works he must be just before the ,lord4 ,the difference therefore that was between these worshippers1 it lay not in that they worshipped divers gods1 but in that they worshipped the same ,god after a diverse manner3 ,the one in faith1 the other without2 the one as righteous1 the other as wicked4 ,and even thus it is between us and our adversaries3 ,we worship not divers gods1 but the same ,god in a diverse manner3 ,we according to faith2 and they according to their ,,own ,,inventions4#bj ,and ,cain was wroth4 ,this further shows us the force of the law1 and the end of those that would be just by the same2 namely1 ,that in conclusion they will quarrel with ,god2 for when the soul in its best performances1 and acts of righteousness1 shall yet be rejected and cast off by ,god1 it will fret and wrangle1 and in its spirit let fly against ,god4 ,for thus it judgeth1 ,that ,god is austere and exacting2 it hath done what it could to please him1 and he is not pleased therewith4 ,this again offendeth ,god1 and makes his justice curse and condemn the soul4 ,condemn it1 ,i say1 for imagining that the righteousness of a poor1 sinful1 wretched creature1 should be sufficient to appease eternal justice for sin4 ,thus the law worketh wrath1 because it always bindeth our transgression to us1 and still reckoneth us sinners1 and accursed1 when we have done our utmost to answer and fulfil it 7,rom #d3ae74 ,and his countenance fell4 ,however1 an hypocrite1 while ,god forbeareth to smite him1 may triumph and joy in his goodness2 yet when ,god shall pronounce his judgment according as he approve of his act1 he needs must lower and fall in his countenance2 for his person and gift are rejected1 and he still counted a sinner4 ,ver4 #f4 ,and the ,lord said unto ,cain1 ,why art thou wroth8 and why is thy countenance fallen8 ,these words are applied to ,cain1 for a further conviction of his state to be miserable4 ,why art thou wroth8 ,is it because ,i have not accepted thy offering8 ,this is without ground1 thy person is yet an abomination to me3 ,must ,i be made by thy gift1 which is polluted1 for and by thy person1 to justify thee as righteous8 ,thou hast not yet done well4 ,wherefore1 ,cain had no cause to be wroth2 ,for ,god rejected only that which was sinful1 as was both his person1 and gift for the sake thereof3 ,neither had he grounds to lift up his looks on high1 when he came to offer his sacrifice2 because he came not as a man in a justify'd state4 ,but there is a generation that are pure in their ow eyes1 and yet is not washed from their filthiness4 ,there is a generation1--,o how lofty are their eyes6 and their eyelids are lifted up 7,pro #cj3ab1ac74 ,such an one1 or the father of these1 was ,cain2 he counted himself clean1 and yet was not washed2 he lifted up his looks on high1 before he was changed from his iniquity4 ,ver4 #g4 ,if thou doest well1 shalt thou not be accepted8 and if thou doest not well1 sin lieth at the door4 ,and unto thee shall be his desire1 and thou shalt rule over him4 ,if thou do well4 ,why1 is not worshipping of ,god1 well-doing8 ,it may1 and may not1 even as the person that worships is found4 ,if he be found righteous at his coming to worship1 and if he worship according to rule1 then he does well1 then he is accepted of ,god2 but if he be not found righteous before1 be you sure he cannot do well1 let the matter with which he worshippeth be wrong or right4 ,who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean8 7,john #ad3d74 ,let ,cain be clean1 and his offering will be clean1 because brought to ,god in a vessel that is clean2 but if ,cain be unclean1 all the holy things he toucheth1 or layeth up in his skirt1 it is made unclean by the uncleanness of his person3 ,and so is this nation before me1 saith the ,lord2 and so is every work of their hands1 and that which they offer there is unclean 7,haggai #b3aa-ad74ba ,men therefore ought to distinguish between doing and well-doing1 even in the worship of ,god4 ,all that worship do not do well1 though the matter of worship be good in itself4 ,cain's offering you find not blamed1 as if it had been of a superstitious complexion2 but he came not aright to worship4 ,why8 he came not as one made righteous before4 ,wherefore1 as ,i have already touched1 the difference that lay between the gifts of ,abel and ,cain1 was not in the gifts themselves1 but the qualifications of the persons4 ,abel's faith1 and ,cain's works1 made ,god approve and reject the offering3 by faith ,abel offered to ,god a more excellent sacrifice than ,cain3 ,for1 as ,i said1 ,faith in ,christ1 as promised to come1 made him righteous1 because thereby he obtained the righteousness of ,god2 for so was ,christ in himself1 and so to be to him that by faith received and accepted of him3 ,this1 ,i say1 ,abel did2 wherefore now he is righteous or just before ,god4 ,this being so1 his offering is found to be an offering of ,abel the just1 and is here said to obtain witness even of ,god1 that he was righteous1 because he accepted his gift4 ,wherefore1 he that does well must first be good3 ,he that doeth righteousness is must first be righteous 7#a ,john #c3g74 ,he is righteous first2 he is righteous even as ,christ is righteous1 because ,christ himself is the righteousness of such a person4 ,and so on the contrary2 the reason why some men's good deeds are accursed of ,god1 it is because in truth1 and according to the law1 the ,lord finds sin in them2 which sins he cannot pardon1 because he finds them not in ,christ4 ,thus they being evil for want of the righteousness of the ,son of ,god1 they worship ,god as sinners1 according to that of the apostle1 ,because they are not good1 therefore they do not good1 no1 not one of them 7,rom #c3aj-ab74 ,the way therefore to do well1 it is first to receive the mercy of ,god in ,christ2 which act of thine will be more pleasing to the ,divine ,majesty1 than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices3 ,i will have mercy saith ,god ,i will have mercy1 and not sacrifice 7,matt #i3ac2 #ab3g74 ,this ,cain did not understand1 therefore he goes to ,god in his sins1 and without faith in the mercy of ,god through ,christ1 he offereth his sacrifice4 ,wherefore because his sacrifice could not take away his sin1 therefore it still abode upon him4 ,but if thou doest not well1 sin lieth at the door4 ,this reasoning therefore was much to ,cain's condition2 he would be wroth1 because ,god did not accept his offering1 and yet he did not well3 ,now1 if he had done well1 ,god1 by receiving of his brother's sacrifice1 shows1 he would have accepted him2 for this is evident1 they were both alike by nature2 their offerings also were in themselves one as holy as the other3 ,how then comes it to pass that both were not accepted1 they both offered to ,god8 ,why1 ,abel only sacrificed well1 because he first by faith in ,christ was righteous3 ,this because ,cain wanted1 sin abideth at his door4 ,and to thee shall be his desire1 and thou shalt rule over him4 ,that is if sin abideth at thy door still1 to thee shall be his desire2 he shall love1 pity1 pray for thee1 and endeavour thy conversions2 but thou shalt be lord over him1 and shalt put thy yoke upon his neck4 ,this was ,jacob's portion also2 for after ,esau had got head1 he broke ,jacob's yoke from off his neck1 and reigned by nineteen or twenty dukes and princes1 before there was any king in ,israel 7,gen #bg3dj74 ,it is the lot of ,cain's brood1 to be lords and rulers first1 while ,abel and his generation have their necks under persecution2 yet while they lord it1 and thus tyrannically afflict and persecute1 our very desire is towards them1 wishing their salvation3 ,while they curse1 we bless2 and while they persecute1 we pray4 ,ver4 #h4 ,and ,cain talked with ,abel his brother3 and it came to pass1 when they were in the field1 that ,cain rose up against ,abel his brother1 and slew him4 ,when ,cain saw that by ,god's judgment ,abel was the better worshipper1 and that himself must by no means be admitted for well-doing1 his heart began to be more obdurate and hard1 and to grow into that height of desperateness1 as to endeavour the extirpating of all true religion out of the world2 which it seems he did1 by killing his brother1 mightily accomplish1 until the days of ,enos2 for then began men again to call upon the name of the ,lord 7v #bf74 ,hence see the spite of the children of hell against ,god3 ,they have slain thy prophets1 and digged down thine altars 7#a ,kings #ai3aj74 ,if they may have their wills1 ,god must be content with their religion1 or none2 other they will not endure should have show within their reach1 but with ,cain1 will rather kill their brother2 or with the ,pharisees1 kill their ,lord2 and with the evil kings of old1 will rather kill their sons and subjects4 ,that the truth1 ,i say1 may fall to the ground1 and their own inventions stand for acceptable sacrifices1 they will not only envy1 but endeavour to invalidate all the true worship and worshippers of ,god in the world2 the which if they cannot without blood accomplish1 they will slay and kill till their cruelty hath destroyed many ten thousands1 even as ,cain1 who slew his brother ,abel4#bb ,and ,cain talked with his brother4 ,he had not a law whereby to arraign him1 but malice enough1 and a tongue to set all on fire1 of which no doubt1 by the goodly replies of his brother1 was easily blown up into choler and madness1 the end of which was the blood of his brother4 ,and ,cain talked with ,abel1 c4 ,to wit1 about the goodness and truth of his religion4 ,for that the ,new ,testament seems to import1 he slew him because his works were righteous 7#a ,john #c3ab72 which ,abel1 no doubt1 had justified before his brother1 even then when he most set himself to oppose him4 ,besides this1 the connection of the relation importeth1 he talked with him1 he slew him2 he talked with him and slew him1 purely upon a religious account1 because his works were righteous4 ,hence note1 ,that when wicked men have the head in the world1 professors had need be resolved to hazard the worst1 before they do enter debate with ungodly men about the things that pertain to the kingdom of ,god4 ,for behold here1 words did not end in words1 but from words came blows1 and from blows blood4 ,the counsel therefore is1 ,that you sit down first1 and count up the cost1 before ye talk with ,cain of religion 7,luke #ad3bg-cc74 ,they make a man an offender for a word1 and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate1 and turn aside the just for a thing of nought 7,isa #bi3ba74 ,and ,cain talked with ,abel his brother4 ,with ,abel his only brother1 who also was a third part of the world4 ,but tyrants matter nothing1 neither nearness of kin1 nor how much they destroy3 ,the brother shall betray the brother to death1 c4 ,and it came to pass1 when they were in the field1 that ,cain rose up against ,abel his brother1 and slew him4 ,when they were in the field1 from home1 out of the sight1 and far from the help of his father3 ,subtle persecutors love not to bite1 till they can make their teeth to meet2 for which they observe their time and place4 ,joseph was also hated of his brethren1 but they durst not meddle till they found him in the field 7,gen #cg3ae74 ,here it is also that the holy virgin falleth3 ,he found her in the field1--and there was none to save her 7,deut #bb3bg74 ,hence observe again1 ,that be the danger never so imminent1 and the advantage of the adversary never so great1 the sincere professor of the truth stands his ground against wind and weather4 ,bloody ,cain daunted not holy ,abel2 no1 though now he have his advantage of him 7,dan #c3af-ah74 ,he rose up against ,abel his brother1 and slew him4 ,and wherefore slew he him8 ,because his own works were evil1 c4 7#a ,john #c3ab74 ,it is therefore hence to be observed1 ,that it is a sign of an evil way1 be it covered with the name of the worship of ,god1 when it cannot stand without the shedding of innocent blood4 ,wherefore slew he him8 ,because his own works were evil4 ,had his works been good1 they had been accepted of ,god3 ,he had also had the joy thereof in his conscience1 as doubtless ,abel had2 which joy and peace would have produced love and pity to his brother1 as it was with his brother towards him2 but his works being evil1 they minister to him no heavenly joy1 neither do they beget in him love to his brother2 but contrariwise1 his heart fill his eye with evil also2 which again provoketh 7while it beholdeth the godly carriage of ,abel7 the heart to more desperate resolutions1 even to set upon him with all his might1 and to cut him off from the earth4 ,thus the goodness of ,god's people provoketh to envy the wicked heart of the hypocrite4 ,as it was betwixt ,saul and ,david2 for after ,saul had seen that ,god had rejected him for his wickedness1 the more he hated the goodness of ,david3 ,and ,saul saw and knew that the ,lord was with ,david 7#a ,sam #ah3h-ae74 ,and ,saul was yet the more afraid of ,david2 and ,saul became ,david's enemy continually 7v #bi74 ,ver4 #i4 ,and the ,lord said unto ,cain1 ,where is ,abel thy brother8 ,and he said1 ,i know not3 ,am ,i my brother's keeper8 ,cain thought it had been no more but to kill his brother1 and his intentions and desires must needs be accomplished1 and that himself should then be the only man4 ,come1 let us kill him1 and the inheritance shall be ours 7,mark #ab3g74 ,but stay1 ,abel was beloved of his ,god1 who had also justified his offering1 and accepted it as a service more excellent than his brother's4 ,so then1 because the quarrel arose between them upon this very account1 therefore ,abel's ,god doth reckon himself as engaged 7seeing he is not7 to take up his servant's cause himself4 ,and the ,lord said unto ,cain1 ,where is ,abel thy brother8 ,a question not grounded on uncertainty1 but proposed as a beginning of further reasoning2 and also to make way to this wicked wretch1 to discover the desperate wickedness of his bloody heart the more4 ,for questions that stand at first afar off1 do draw out more of the heart of another3 and also do minister more occasion for matter1 than if they had been placed more near to the matter4 ,where is ,abel8 ,god missed the acceptable sacrifices of ,abel2 ,abel was dead1 and his sacrifices ceased1 which had wont to be savoury in the nostrils of ,god2 ,cain could not supply them2 his sacrifices were deficient1 they were not of faith4 ,hence note1 that if tyrants should have their will1 even to the destroying of all the remnant of ,god1 their sacrifices and worship would be yet before ,god as abominable as they were before4 ,and the ,lord said unto ,cain1 ,where is ,abel8 ,o dreadful question6 ,the beginning of ,cain's hell1 for now ,god entereth into judgment with him4 ,wherefore1 however this wretch endeavoured at first to stifle and choke his conscience1 yet this was to him the arrow of death3 ,abel crieth1 but his brother would not hear him while alive1 and now being dead ,god hears the cry of his blood4 ,when he maketh inquisition for blood1 he remembereth them3 he forgetteth not the cry of the humble 7,psa #i3ab74 ,blood that is shed for the sake of ,god's word1 shall not be forgotten or disregarded of ,god3 ,precious in his sight is the death of his saints 7,psa #aaf3ae74 ,and precious shall their blood be in his sight 7,psa #gb3ad74 ,where is ,abel thy brother8 ,this word1 thy brother1 must not be left out1 because it doth greatly aggravate his wickedness4 ,he slew his brother2 which horrid act the very law and bond of nature forbiddeth4 ,but when a man is given up of ,god1 it is neither this nor another relation that will bind his hands1 or make him keep within the bound of any law4 ,judas will seek his master's1 and ,absalom his father's blood4 ,where is ,abel thy brother8 ,and he said1 ,i know not4 ,he knew full well what he had done1 and that by his hands his brother's blood was fallen to the ground1 but now being called into question for the same1 he endeavoureth to plead ignorance before ,god4 ,i know not4 ,when men have once begun to sin1 they know not where they shall end2 he slew his brother1 and endeavours to cover his fact with a lie4 ,david also little thought his act of adultery would have led him to have spilt the blood of ,uriah1 and afterwards to have covered all with dissembling lips and a lying tongue 7#b ,sam #aa74 ,i know not3 am ,i my brother's keeper8 ,this is the way of all ungodly men1 they will not abide that guilt should be fastened4 ,sin they love1 and the lusts and delights thereof1 but to count for it they cannot abide2 they will put it off with excuses1 or denials3 ,even like ,saul1 who though he had spared the cattle and ,agag contrary to the command of ,god1 yet would needs bear ,samuel down1 that he had kept1 yea performed the commandment of the ,lord 7#a ,sam #ae3ac1bj74 ,but they are denials to no boot1 and excuses that will not profit1 that are made to hide the sin of the soul from the sight and judgment of ,god4 ,lies and falsehood will here do nothing4 ,ver4 #aj4 ,and he said1 ,what hast thou done8 the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground4 ,poor ,cain1 thy feeble shifts help thee nothing1 thy excuses are drowned by the cries of the blood which thou hast shed4 ,what hast thou done8 the blood of thy brother cries4 ,beware persecutors1 you think that when you have slain the godly1 you are then rid of them2 but you are far wide1 their blood which you have shed1 cries in the ears of ,god against you4 ,o the cries of blood are strong cries1 they are cries that reach to heaven2 yea they are cries that have a continual voice1 and that never cease to make a noise1 until they have procured vengeance form the hands of the ,lord of sabbath 7,job #af3ah73 ,and therefore this is the word of the ,lord against all those that are for the practice of ,cain3 ,as ,i live1 saith the ,lord ,god1 ,i will prepare thee unto blood and blood shall pursue thee3 sith thou hast not hated blood1 that is1 hated to shed it1 even blood shall pursue thee 7,eze #ce3f74 ,the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me4 ,the apostle makes this voice of the blood of ,abel1 a type of the voice of the justice of the law1 and so extends it further than merely to the act of murder2 intimating that he sheds blood1 that breaks any of the commands of ,god1 7and indeed so he doth1 he layeth wait of his own blood1 and privily lurketh for his own life 7,prov #a3ah774 ,wherefore the apostle compareth the blood of ,abel and the blood of ,christ together2 but so as by the rule of contraries1 making betwixt them a contrary voice1 even as there is between a broken command and a promise of grace1 the one calling for vengeance and damnation2 the other calling for forgiveness and salvation2 the blood of sprinkling it speaketh better things than the blood of ,abel 7,heb #ab3bd72 that is1 it calls to ,god to forgive the sinner2 but ,abel's blood1 of the breach of the law1 that cries damn them1 damn them4 ,christ also sets his own blood in opposition to the blood of all that was shed before him2 concluding that the proper voice of all the blood of the godly1 is to call for vengeance on the persecutors1 even from the blood of ,abel to the blood of ,zecharias1 that was slain between the altar and the temple 7,matt #bc3ce74 ,and let me here take leave to propound my private thoughts3 namely1 that the ,zecharias that here is mentioned1 might not be he that we find in the book of ,chronicles 7#b ,chron #bd3ba72 but one of that name that lived in the days of ,christ1 possibly ,john ,baptist's father1 or some other holy man4 ,my reasons for this conjecture1 are1 #a4 ,because the murderers are convict by ,christ himself3 ,zecharias1 whom ye slew between the altar and the temple4 #b4 ,because ,christ makes a stop at the blood of ,zecharias1 not at the blood of ,john the ,baptist3 wherefore1 if the person here mentioned were not murdered after1 but before ,john the ,baptist1 then ,christ seems to excuse them for killing his servant ,john2 for the judgment stops at the including of the guilt of the blood of ,zecharias4 #c4 ,i think such a thing1 because the voice of all holy blood that hath been shed before the law by the adversary1 excepting only the blood of ,jesus1 must needs be included here2 the proper voice of his1 only being to plead for mercy to the murderers4 ,however1 the voice of blood is a very killing voice1 and will one day speak with such thunder and terror in the consciences of all the brood of ,cain1 that their pain and burthen will be for ever insupportable4 ,ver4 #aa4 ,and now art thou cursed from the earth1 which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand4 ,here begins the sentence of ,god against this bloody man2 a sentence fearful and terrible1 for it containeth a removing of him from all the privileges of grace and mercy1 and a binding of him over to the punishment and pains of the damned4 ,and now art thou cursed from the earth4 ,peace on earth1 is one branch of those blessed tidings that were brought into the world1 at the coming of the ,messias 7,luke #b3ad74 ,again1 before ,christ was come in the flesh1 it is said1 ,he rejoiced in the habitable part of his earth 7,pro #h3cj74 ,wherefore1 by the earth in this place1 ,i understand the state that the men are in1 to whom1 by the mind of ,god1 the gospel and grace of ,god is to be tendered4 ,now1 whether it respect that state of man by nature1 or the state of those that are saints1 from both these privileges ,cain is separate1 as are all whom the ,lord hath utterly rejected4 ,not but that yet they may live long in the world1 but ,god hath cut them off from the earth1 and all the gospel privileges therein1 and set them in the condition of devils2 so that as to grace and mercy they are separate therefrom1 and stand as men1 though alive1 bound over to eternal judgment4 ,and as to their lives1 it matters not how long they live1 there is no sacrifice for their sins1 but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation1 which shall devour the adversaries 7,heb #aj3bf1bg74 ,so that ,i say1 as the devils be bound in hell1 so such lie bound in earth2 bound ,i say in the chains of darkness1 and their own obstinate heart1 over to the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of ,god4 ,cain therefore by these words is denied the blessing of future means of grace1 and stands bound over to answer for his brother's blood1 which the ground had received form his cruel hand4 ,ver4 #ab4 ,when thou tillest the ground1 it shall not henceforth yield to thee her strength2 a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth4 ,this is a branch1 or the fruits of this wilful murder4 ,indeed1 sins carry in them not only a curse with respect to eternity1 but are also the cause of all the miseries of this life4 ,god turneth--a fruitful land into barrenness1 for the wickedness of them that dwell therein 7,psa #ajg3cd74 ,when thou tillest the ground4 ,sin committed doth not always exclude the sinner from an enjoyment of ,god's mercies1 but yet if unrepented of1 bringeth a curse upon them4 ,i will curse1 saith ,god1 your blessings3 yea1 ,i have cursed them already1 because ye do not lay it to heart 7,mal #b3b74 ,this also is the reason that the table of some is made their snare1 their trap1 a stumbling-block and a recompence unto them 7,rom #aa3i72 men ought not therefore to judge of the goodness of their state1 by their enjoyment of ,god's creatures1 but rather should tremble while they enjoy them1 lest for sin they should become accursed to them1 as were the enjoyments of this wicked man4 ,a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth4 ,the meaning is1 thou shalt not have rest in the world1 but shalt be continually possessed with a guilty conscience1 which shall make thy condition restless1 and void of comfort4 ,for the man that indeed is linked in the chains of guilt and damnation1 as ,cain here was2 he cannot rest1 but 7as we say7 fudge up and down from place to place1 because his burthen is insupportable4 ,as ,david said1 ,let their eyes be darkened that they see not1 and make their loins continually to shake 7,psa #fi3bc74 ,a continual shaking and restlessness doth therefore possess such persons as are given up of ,god1 and swallowed up of guilt4 ,a fugitive and vagabond shalt thou be in the earth4 ,some men certainly know1 even while they are in this world1 their state to be most miserable1 and damnable1 as ,cain1 ,saul and ,judas did2 which knowledge1 as ,i have hinted1 puts them besides the very course of other carnal men2 who while they behold them at quiet under their enjoyments1 these cannot but wonder1 fear1 and be amazed with the deep cogitations which will abide upon them1 of their certain misery and everlasting perdition4 ,ver4 #ac4 ,and ,cain said unto the ,lord1 ,my punishment is greater than ,i can bear4 ,or as the margin hath it1 ,mine iniquity is greater than that it may be forgiven4 ,and both readings are true3 for however some men please themselves in lessening sin1 and the punishment thereof1 yet a burdened conscience judgeth otherwise4 ,and if ,cain failed in either1 it was in that he counted his sin 7if he did so7 beyond the reach of ,god's mercy4 ,but again1 when men persecute the worship and people of ,god1 as ,cain did his blessed and religious brother1 even of spite1 and because he envied the goodness of his brother's work2 ,i question whether it be lawful for a minister to urge to such the promise of grace and forgiveness2 and also whether it be the mind of ,god such persons should hope therein4 ,he that sins the sin unto death1 is not to be prayed for 7#a ,john #e3af71 but contrariwise he is to be taken from ,god's altar that he may die 7,exo #ba3ad74 ,this was ,cain's case1 and now he knew it2 therefore as one excluded of ,god from his mercy and all the means thereof1 he breaks out with roaring under the intolerable burden of the judgment of ,god upon him1 concluding his punishment at present greater than he could bear1 and that yet his sin should remain unpardonable for ever3 ,as saith our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,he hath neither forgiveness here nor in the world to come 7,matt #ab3cb74 ,ver4 #ad4 ,behold1 thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth2 and from thy face shall ,i be hid2 ,and ,i shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth1 and it shall come to pass1 that every one that findeth me shall slay me4 ,by these words is confirmed what was said before1 to wit1 to be cursed from the earth1 was to be separate from the privileges of the gospel4 ,for ,cain was not now to die1 neither was he driven into any den or cave2 yet driven out from the face of the earth1 that is1 as ,i have said1 he was excluded from a share in those special mercies that by the gospel were still offered by grace to the others that inhabited the world3 ,the mercies1 ,i say1 that are offered by the gospel1 as namely1 ,the mercy of eternal life3 ,for as to the blessings of this world1 he had yet a notable share thereof4 ,besides1 he groaneth under this judgment1 as an insupportable curse3 ,thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth4 ,and indeed1 if we take it according as ,i have laid it down1 it is a curse that would break the whole world to pieces2 for he that is denied a share in the grace that is now offered1 must needs be denied a portion in ,god's kingdom4 ,and this ,cain saw2 wherefore he adds in the process of his complaint1 ,and from thy face shall ,i be hid3 ,i shall never come into thy kingdom1 ,i shall never see thy face in heaven4 ,this is therefore the highest of all complaints2 namely1 for a man from a certain conviction that his condition must without fail be damnable1 to condole and bemoan his forlorn condition4 ,thou hast driven me out4 ,o6 when ,god shall bind one over for his sin1 to eternal judgment1 who then can release him8 ,this was ,cain's state1 ,god had bound him over4 ,the blood of his brother was to rest upon him and not to be purged with sacrifice for ever4 ,thou hast driven me out ,,this ,,day4 ,he knew by the sentence that fell from heaven upon him1 even from that very day that he was made a companion of1 and an associate with devils4 ,this day1 or for this day's work1 ,i am made an inhabitant of the pit with the devil and his angels4 ,hence note1 ,that ,god doth sometimes smite the reprobate so apparently1 that himself from that day may make a certain judgment of the certainty of his damnation4 ,thus did ,balaam3 ,i shall see him1 but not now3 ,i shall behold him1 but not nigh 7,num #bd3ag74 ,where by now1 he respects the time of grace2 and by nigh1 the time or day of judgment3 ,as who should say1 ,i1 for my sorceries1 and wicked divinations1 am excluded a portion in the day of grace1 and therefore shall not see the ,saviour ,,now3 ,i am also rejected1 as to a portion in the blessed world to come3 and therefore when he judgeth1 ,i shall not see him ,,nigh3 ,nigh1 as a friend1 as a saviour to my soul4 ,i doubt this is the condition of many now alive1 who for their perfidiousness and treachery to ,christ1 and his church1 have already received1 even in themselves1 that recompence of their error which was meet 7,rom #a3bg74 ,ishmael also1 in the day he laughed at ,isaac 7,gen #ba3i71 and ,esau in the day he sold his birthright 7,gen #bg2 #bh71 might have gathered1 the one from ,god's concurring with the judgment of ,sarah1 the other1 from his father's adhering to his brother2 his adhering1 ,i say1 in a prophetic spirit 7,gal #d3bi72 that from thenceforth they both were excluded grace and glory1 as the apostle by the ,holy ,ghost afterwards doth 7,heb #ab3af1ag74 ,and from thy face shall ,i be hid4 ,by face here1 we are to understand ,god's favour1 and blessed presence1 which is enjoyed by the saints both here1 and in the world to come 7,psa #d3f1g2 #af3aa74 ,both which this wicked man1 for the murdering of his brother1 and his envy to the truth1 now knew himself excluded from4 ,from thy face shall ,i be ,,hid4 ,the pit of hell1 to which the damned go1 besides the torment that they meet with there1 is such a region of darkness1 and at such a distance from the heavens1 and the glorious comfortable presence of ,god1 that those that shall be found the proper subjects of it1 shall for ever be estranged from one glimpse of him3 besides1 sin shall bind all their faces in secret1 and so confound them with horror1 shame1 and guilt that they shall not be able from thenceforth for ever1 so much as once to think of ,god with comfort4 ,from thy ,,face4 ,as it were all the glory of heaven1 it lieth in beholding the face of ,god3 ,a thing the ungodly little think of2 yet the men that have received in themselves already the sentence of eternal damnation1 they know it after a wonderful rate2 and the thoughts of the loss of his face and presence1 doth1 do what they can1 as much torment them1 as the thoughts of all the misery they are like to meet withal besides4 ,and a fugitive and a vagabond shall ,i be on the earth4 ,even from the present frame of his spirit1 ,now1 having received the sentence1 he knew1 the judgment past being unrevokable1 how it would be with him all his life long2 that he should spend his days in trouble and guilt1 rolling under the justice of ,god1 being always a terror and burthen to himself1 to the day he was to be cut off from the earth1 that he might go to the place appointed for him4 ,and it shall come to pass1 that every one that findeth me shall slay me4 ,guilt is a strange thing1 it makes a man think that every one that sees him1 hath knowledge of his iniquity4 ,it also bringeth such a faintness into the heart 7,lev #bf3cf71 that the sound of a shaken leaf doth chase such persons3 and above all things1 the cries of blood are most fearful in the conscience2 the cries of the blood of the poor innocents1 which the seed of ,cain hath shed on the face of the earth 7,jer #b3cd2 #ai3d74 ,thus far of ,cain's complaint4 ,ver4 #ae4 ,and the ,lord said unto him1 ,therefore whosoever slayeth ,cain1 vengeance shall be taken on him seven-fold4 ,and the ,lord set a mark upon ,cain1 lest any finding him should kill him4 ,by these words1 the judgment is confirmed1 which ,cain1 in the verse before1 so mournfully pronounced against his own soul4 ,as if the ,lord had said1 ,cain1 thy judgment is as thou hast said1 ,i have driven thee out this day from a share in my special favour2 and when thy life is ended1 thou shalt be hid from my face1 and a blessed presence for ever2 and seeing it is thus1 therefore ,i will not suffer that thou die before thy time3 ,alas1 thy glass will be quickly run6 ,besides1 thy days1 while thou art here1 will sufficiently be filled with vexation and distress2 for thou shalt always carry in thy conscience the cries of innocent blood1 and the fear of the wrath of ,god3 ,i have said it1 and will perform it3 ,i am not a man1 that ,i should repent3 ,so that thus shall thy judgment be3 ,therefore he that killeth ,cain1 ,i will take vengeance on him4 ,hence note1 ,that none need to add to the sorrows of the persecutors4 ,they above all men are prepared unto wrath4 ,let them alone 7saith ,christ7 they will quickly fall into the ditch4 ,besides1 ,god hath taken the revengement of the blood of his servants into his own hand1 and will execute his wrath himself4 ,therefore he saith to his saints 7as in this case71 ,dearly beloved1 avenge not yourselves1 but rather give place unto wrath3 for it is written1 ,vengeance is mine1 ,i will repay1 saith the ,lord 7,rom #ab3ai74 ,and the reason is1 because the quarrel is in special between the prosecutor and ,god himself4 ,for we are not hated because we are men1 nor because we are men of evil and debauched lives2 but because we are religious2 because we stand to maintain the truth of ,god4 ,therefore no man must here intercept1 but must leave the enemy in the hand of that ,god he hath slighted and condemned4 ,this made ,moses that he meddled not with ,corah and his company1 but left them to that new thing which the ,lord himself would do unto them1 because they had condemned the ordinance of ,god 7,num #af3be-ce74 ,this made ,david also that he meddled not with ,saul1 but left him to the vengeance of ,god1 though he had opportunity to have destroyed him 7#a ,sam #bd and #bf3aj-ab74 ,let us learn therefore to be quiet and patient under the hand of wicked and blood-thirsty men4 ,let us fall before them like holy ,abel2 it is and will be grief enough to them1 that when we are dead1 our blood will cry from the ground against them4#bc ,therefore he that killeth ,cain1 vengeance shall be taken1 c4 ,he now that shall1 after this admonition1 plead for religious blood with the sword1 vengeance shall be taken on him1 because he giveth not place to the wrath of ,god1 but intercepts with his own1 which worketh not the righteousness of ,god 7,james #a3ai1bj74 ,say therefore with ,david1 when you are vexed with the persecutor1 ,mine hand shall not be upon him2 but as the ,lord liveth1 the ,lord shall smite him2 or1 his day shall come to die2 or1 he shall descend in battle1 and perish4 ,vengeance shall be taken on him seven fold4 ,it would not be hard to shew how little they have prevailed1 who have taken upon them to take vengeance for the blood of saints1 on them that have been the spillers of it4 ,but my business here is brevity1 therefore ,i shall not launch into that deep1 only shall say to such as shall attempt it hereafter1 ,put up thy sword into his place2 for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword6 7,matt #bf3eb74 ,and here is the patience and faith of the saints 7,rev #ac3aj74 ,let ,cain and ,god alone1 and do you mind faith and patience2 suffer with ,abel1 until your righteous blood be spilt3 even the work of persecutors1 is1 for the present1 punishment enough2 the fruits thereof being the provoking ,god to jealousy1 a denying of them the knowledge of the way of life1 and a binding of them over to the pains and punishment of hell4 ,and the ,lord set a mark upon ,cain4 ,what the opinion of others is about this mark1 ,i know not2 to me it seems like those in ,timothy1 who had their conscience seared with a hot iron 7#a ,tim #d3b74 ,which words are an allusion to the way of the magistrates in their dealing with rogues and felons2 who that they may be known to all1 are either in the hand1 shoulder1 or cheek branded with a hot iron4 ,so ,cain was marked of ,god for a reprobate1 for one that had murdered a righteous man1 even of envy to the goodness of his work3 ,but the mark 7as it was on those in ,timothy7 was not on any outward or visible part of his body1 but 7as there the apostle expresseth it7 even upon his very conscience2 his conscience then had received the fire-mark of the wrath and displeasure of ,god1 which1 as a burning iron doth to the flesh1 had left such deep impression therein1 that it abode as a scar or brand upon him1 in token that good would for ever after hold him for a fugitive rogue or vagabond4 ,and the ,lord set a mark upon ,cain1 lest any finding him should kill him4 ,for though the mark was branded with burning upon his conscience1 and so inward and invisible2 yet the effects of this hot iron might be visible1 and seen of all3 the effects1 ,i say1 which were1 or might be1 his restlessness in every place1 his dejectedness1 the sudden and fearful pangs and agonies of his mind1 which might break out into dolorous and amazing complaints2 besides1 his timorous carriage before all he met1 lest they should kill him2 gave all to understand1 that ,god had with a vengeance branded him4 ,and indeed this was such a mark as was amazing to all that beheld him1 and did ten times more make them afraid of spilling blood1 than if any visible mark had been set upon him2 of for by his trouble and distress of mind1 they saw1 what was the guilt of blood3 and by his continual fear and trembling under the judgment of ,god1 what it was to be in fear of1 nay1 to have the first fruits of everlasting damnation4 ,thus therefore ,god reserved ,cain to the judgment which he had appointed for him4 ,ver4 #af4 ,and ,cain went out from the presence of the ,lord1 and dwelt in the land of ,nod1 on the east of ,eden4 ,the right carriage of a reprobate1 and the infallible fruits of final desperation4 ,for a man that hath received in his mind the stroke of the judgment of ,god1 and that is denied all means of saving and sanctifying grace1 7as the great transgressors are17 the presence of ,god is to such most dreadful2 whether we understand the knowledge of him as he is in himself1 or as he discovereth himself in his church2 for the thought of his being1 and eternal majesty1 keeps the wound open1 and makes terror and guilt revive4 ,to such it would be the best of news1 to hear that the ,godhead doth cease to be1 or that themselves were high above him4 ,but that they are in the hand of the living ,god1 this is the dreadful and fearful thought4 ,and ,cain went out from the presence of the ,lord4 ,these words may be taken many ways4 #a4 ,that he separated himself from the church 7the place of ,god's presence7 7#b ,cor #f3af7 which then consisted of his father and mother1 and of those other children they had4 ,and this appears by the text1 ,he went out from the presence of the ,lord1 and dwelt in the land of ,nod4 #b4 ,a man goes out from the presence of ,god1 when he withdraws his thoughts from holy meditations1 and employeth the strength of his mind about the things of this life 7,job #ba3ad-ah74 ,and thus he also did2 he went into the land of ,nod1 and there fell to building a city1 and to recreate himself with the pleasures of the flesh what he might4 #c4 ,a man goes out from the presence of ,god1 when he throweth up the worship and way of ,god2 and this he did in departing from the church 7#b ,chron #ai3a-c74 #d4 ,besides1 his going out from the presence of the ,lord1 implieth1 that he hardened his heart against him1 that he set his spirit against him2 that he said to ,god1 ,depart from me 7,heb #c3ab72 that he grew an implacable enemy to him1 and to every appearance of good in the world 7,job #ae3ab1ac74 ,and ,cain went out from the presence of the ,lord4 ,these words may also respect his being thrust out from ,god1 as one anathematized1 accursed1 or cut off1 in effect the same with excommunication4 ,but be it so1 the act was extraordinary1 being administered by ,god himself2 even as he served ,corah and his company1 though in kind there was a difference1 the one1 even ,cain1 being yet permitted to live for a while in the world2 the other being sent down quick into hell2 but both1 for their villany against the worship and people of ,god1 stand bound over to answer it at the eternal judgment4 ,ver4 #ag4 ,and ,cain knew his wife2 and she conceived1 and bare ,enoch3 and he builded a city1 and called the name of the city1 after the name of his son1 ,enoch4 ,cain's wife was his sister1 or near kinswoman2 for she sprang of the same loins with himself2 because his mother was the mother of all living 7,gen #c3bj74 ,this wife bare him a son2 for whose sake1 as it seems1 he built the city4 ,hence note1 ,that men who are shut out of heaven1 will yet use some means to be honourable on earth4 ,cain being accursed of ,god1 yet builds him a city2 the renown of which act1 that it might not be forgotten1 he calleth it after the name of his son4 ,much like this was that carnal act of blasted ,absalom2 because he had no child1 he would erect a pillar1 which must forsooth be called ,absalom's place1 after the name of ,absalom1 to keep his name in remembrance upon earth 7#b ,sam #ah3ah74 ,and he builded a city1 c4 ,note1 ,that it is the design of ,satan1 and the deceitful heart of man1 to labour to quiet a guilty conscience1 not by faith in the blood of ,christ1 but by over much business in the things of this world4 ,and called the name of the city1 after the name of his son1 ,enoch4 ,although ,cain had a mind to keep up his name with fame in the world1 yet he would not venture to dedicate the city to his own name2 that would have been too gross2 and perhaps others would have called it1 ,the ,,city ,,of ,,the ,,murderer2 but he calleth it after the name of his son1 his son ,enoch2 whom he pretended was a man both taught1 and dedicate1 as it seems his name imports4 ,hence note again1 ,that men who themselves are accursed of ,god1 will yet put as fair glosses on their actions1 as their hypocritical hearts can invent4 ,who must this city be dedicated to1 but to him whom ,cain had dedicated and taught4 ,i will not say that in truth he gave him to ,god1 for that his reprobate heart would not suffer2 but being given up of ,god1 yet retaining1 with ,saul1 considerations of honour3 therefore1 as is the custom of ungodly hypocrites1 he would put the best show on his ungodly actions4 ,thus ,saul1 when he had received the sentence of the ,lord against him2 yet1 ,turn again with me 7saith he to ,samuel7 yet honour me now before--the people1 and before ,israel 7#a ,sam #ae3cj74 ,so the money wherewith the high priests and scribes had bought the life1 and obtained the death of ,christ2 with that they make some shew of godliness1 in buying with it a piece of ground to bury strangers in 7,matt #bg3c-g74 ,ver4 #ah4 ,and unto ,enoch was born ,irad3 and ,irad begat ,mehujael3 and ,mehujael begat ,methusael3 and ,methusael begat ,lamech4 ,these are the offspring of ,cain2 the ,english of whose names1 if the nature and disposition of the persons were according1 they might well be called1 with abhorrence1 the brood of wicked ,cain1 even the generation whom the ,lord had cursed1 notwithstanding ,enoch was their father4 ,enoch begat ,irad1 a wild ass2 ,irad begat ,mehujael1 one presumptuous above measure1 his name signifies1 one teaching ,god4 ,but who hath directed the ,spirit of the ,lord8 7,isa #dj3ac74 ,or ,shall any teach ,god knowledge8 7,job #ba3bb74 ,the son of this man was ,methusael1 asking death1 the true fruit of all such presumptuous ones1 his confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle1 and it shall bring him to the king of terrors 7,job #ah3ad74 ,his son was ,lamech1 one poor or smitten3 ,the first1 that1 as we read1 did break the order of ,god in the matter of marriage4 ,ver4 #ai4 ,and ,lamech took unto him two wives3 the name of the one was ,adah1 and the name of the other ,zillah4 ,this man was the first that brake the first institution of ,god concerning marriage4 ,he took unto him two wives4 ,the ,new ,testament says1 ,let every man have his own wife4 ,and so said the law in its first institution3 therefore plurality of wives first came into practice by the seed of cursed ,cain1 and for a time was suffered in the world through the hardness of man's heart4 ,ver4 #bj1 #ba4 ,and ,adah bare ,jabal3 he was the father of such as dwell in tents1 and of such as have cattle4 ,and his brother's name was ,jubal3 he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ4 ,jabal signifies bringing1 or budding2 ,jubal1 bringing or fading4 ,so then in these two sons might be shewed unto us the world1 as it is in its utmost glory3 that is1 it brings buds1 it brings fading3 today in the field1 tomorrow in the oven3 ,all flesh is grass1 and all the goodliness thereof1 is as the flower of the field4 ,the grass withereth1 the flower fadeth3 because the ,spirit of the ,lord bloweth upon it3 surely the people is grass 7,isa #dj3f-h74 ,and observe in these1 the last was the musical one4 ,indeed1 the spirit of the world1 after things have budded1 is so far off from remembering that they again must fade2 that then it begins its ,requiem2 then it saith to itself1 ,eat1 drink1 and be merry2 then it is for handling the harp and organ 7,luke #ab3af-bj74 ,ver4 #bb4 ,and ,zillah1 she also bare ,tubal-,cain1 an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron3 and the sister of ,tubal-,cain was ,naamah4 ,tubal-,cain1 a worldly possession2 and ,naamah1 one that by her name should be beautiful4 ,lamech his fruit then was1 a budding1 fading1 worldly possession1 with a little deceitful1 vain beauty1 for favour is deceitful1 and beauty is vain3 but a woman that feareth the ,lord1 she shall be praised 7,pro #ca3cj74 ,ver4 #bc4 ,and ,lamech said unto his wives1 ,adah and ,zillah1 hear my voice2 ye wives of ,lamech1 hearken unto my speech3 for ,i have slain a man to my wounding1 and a young man to my hurt4 ,he that sticks not to exceed in one point1 will not fear to transgress in another4 ,he had hardened his heart1 by breaking the modest and orderly bounds of marriage1 and so fitted himself to shed blood1 or do any other wickedness4 ,hearken to me1 ye wives4 ,lustful men break their minds to their fleshly companions1 sometimes1 sooner than to wiser counsellors4 ,even as ,ahab1 in the business of the vineyard of ,naboth1 breaks his mind to that ungodly ,jezebel his wife4 ,i have slain a man to my wounding4 ,who1 or what man this murdered person was1 therein the word is silent3 yet this ,lamech being the son of a bloody murderer1 it is possible he was some godly man1 one of ,adam's other children1 or of his grandchildren1 the son of ,seth3 for these sons of ,cain1 and namely this in special1 as it seems1 took not heed to the mark wherewith ,god branded ,cain2 but like ,belshazzar1 he hardened his heart1 though he knew it1 and would turn murderer also 7,dan #e3ah-bb74 ,i have slain a man to my wounding4 ,the guilt of blood who can bear8 or who can help himself thereby8 ,it is a wounding thing1 it is a hurtful thing1 he that sheds man's blood wrongfully1 cannot establish himself thereby 7,matt #bb3f1g74 ,the ,jews thought to have preserved themselves and country by killing ,jesus ,christ2 but this so provoked the justice of ,god1 that for this thing's sake he sent the ,gentiles upon them to burn up their city2 who when they were come1 if stories be true1 slew of them eleven hundred thousand2 and those of them that were taken alive1 were sold to who would buy them1 ,thirty a penny4 ,ye shed blood says ,god and shall ye possess the land8 ,ye stand upon your sword1 ye work abomination1 and ye defile every one his neighbour's wife3 and shall ye possess the land8 7,eze #cc3be1bf74 ,ver4 #bd4 ,if ,cain shall be avenged sevenfold1 truly ,lamech seventy and sevenfold4 ,though wicked men may be willingly ignorant of that part of the judgments of ,god1 that are to premonish them1 that they do not that wicked thing for which the judgment was executed2 yet if there be anything like favour mixed with the judgment1 of that they will take notice1 to encourage themselves to evil3 even as this ungodly person1 he would not be stopped from blood by the judgment of ,god upon ,cain2 but rather1 as it seems1 because the judgment was not speedily executed1 his heart was fully set in him to do evil 7,eccl #h3aa74 ,much like that of the ,jews1 who because ,jehoiakim had slain ,uriah the prophet1 and yet ,god spared the land2 therefore make that an argument to prevail with ,zedekiah to kill ,jeremiah also 7,jer #bf3bj-bc74 ,if ,cain shall be avenged sevenfold1 truly ,lamech seventy and sevenfold4 ,give wicked men leave to judge of themselves1 and they will pass a sentence favourable enough4 ,though ,lamech had not pity when he spilt blood2 yea1 though the judgment of ,god upon ,cain could not hold his murderous hands3 yet now he is guilty1 let him but make a law in the case1 and woe be to him that killeth ,lamech3 ,vengeance shall be taken of him seventyfold and seven4 ,joab could with pitiless hands spill the blood of men more righteous than himself1 not regarding what became of their souls3 but when his blood was by vengeance required for the same1 then he would take sanctuary at the horns of the altar 7#a ,kings #b3bh74 ,but judgment is not wholly left to me1 the ,lord is judge himself2 before whom both ,cain and ,lamech1 and all their successors1 shall be arraigned1 and receive just doom1 and that never to be reversed4 ,ver4 #be4 ,and ,adam knew his wife again2 and she bare a son1 and called his name ,seth3 for ,god1 said she1 hath appointed me another seed instead of ,abel1 whom ,cain slew4 ,now we have done1 for a while1 with ,cain1 and are come again to the church of ,god4 ,cain had slain ,abel1 and by that means1 for a while1 had greatly suppressed the flourishing of religion2 in which time his own brood began to be mighty upon earth2 so increasing1 as if religion was put to an end for ever4 ,but behold their disappointment6 ,adam knew his wife again1 7for ,adam's family was then the true church of ,god27 or take ,adam for a type of ,christ1 and his wife for a type of the church1 and then this observation followeth2 namely1 ,that so long as ,christ and the church hath to do with one another1 it is in vain for ,cain to think of suppressing religion4 ,adam knew his wife again4 ,if ,eve had now been barren1 or ,adam had died without farther issue1 then ,cain might have carried the day2 but behold another seed6 a seed to stand in ,abel's place3 therefore she called his name ,seth2 that is1 ,set or ,put1 as namely1 in the room of ,abel1 to stand up for1 and to defend the truth against all the army and power of ,cain4 ,as ,paul also saith of himself1 ,i am set1 or put1 for the defence of the gospel 7,phil #a3ag74 ,this man therefore1 so far as can be gathered1 was the first that put check to the outrage of ,cain and his company4 ,but mark some observations about him4 #a4 ,he was set in the stead or place of ,abel2 not an inch behind him1 but even at the place where his blood was spilt4 ,so that he that will revive lost religion1 must avow it as ,god's ,abels have done before him3 every talker cannot do this4 ,the blood that was shed before his face1 must not put check to his godly stomach2 yea1 he must say to religion1 as ,ruth said once to her mother1 ,where thou diest1 ,i will die1 and there will ,i be buried 7,ruth #a3ag74 ,this is the way to revive and to maintain the ways of ,god1 in despite of bloody ,cain4#bd #b4 ,this ,seth that was set to put check to ,cain1 did not do it of his own brain1 but the hand of ,god was principal in the work4 ,god1 said she1 hath appointed me another seed to be set in the place of ,abel4 ,and indeed it is otherwise in vain1 when religion is once suppressed1 to think it should ever revive again4 ,alas6 where is the man1 if he want ,god's ,spirit1 that will care for the flourishing state of religion8 and that in truth will make the ,lord his delight3 ,this is ,zion1 whom no man seeketh for1 or seeketh after 7,jer #cj3ag74 ,all men here say1 ,see to thine own house1 ,david 7#a ,kings #ab3af74 ,but when ,seth comes1 then the ground is made good again2 then a living saint is found to stand and maintain that truth which but now his brother bled for4 ,when ,james was killed1 ,peter stands up1 c4 7,acts #ab3a-c74 ,and therefore ,seth is said to be another seed1 a man of another spirit3 ,one who was principled with a spirit beyond and above the spirit of the world4 ,another seed1 one that was spirited for ,god's word1 and ,god's worship1 and that would maintain his brother's cause4 #c4 ,observe1 ,that when ,seth maintains his brother's lot1 you hear no more of the brood of ,cain4 ,and indeed1 the way to weary out ,god's enemies1 it is to maintain and make good the front against them3 ,resist the devil1 and he will fly 7,james #d3g74 ,now if the ,captain1 their king ,apollion1 be made to yield1 how can his followers stand their ground8 ,the dragon1--the devil1 ,satan1--he was cast out into the earth1 and his angels were cast out with him 7,rev #ab3i74 ,but how8 ,it was by fighting3 ,michael and his angels fought against the dragon2--and overcame him by the blood of the ,lamb1 and by the word of their testimony1 and by not loving of their lives unto the death 7,rev #ab3g1h1ab74 #d4 ,let this1 in the last place1 serve for persecutors1 ,that when you have cast down many ten thousands1 and also the truth to the ground2 there is yet a ,seth1 another seed behind1 that ,god hath appointed to stand in the stead of his brethren1 by whom you will certainly be put to flight1 and made to cease from oppressing the truth4 ,ver4 #bf4 ,and to ,seth1 to him also there was born a son2 and he called his name ,enos3 ,then began men to call upon the name of the ,lord4 ,the ,holy ,ghost1 in recording the birth of ,enos1 goeth out of his ordinary style1 in that he doubleth the mentioning of his father1 with respect to the birth of this son4 ,and indeed it is worth the observing2 for it staggereth the faith of some1 to think that the man that makes good the ground of a murdered brother1 should not leave issue behind him3 ,but to ,seth1 to him was born a son4 ,our faithfulness to the truth1 shall be no hindrance to the flourishing state of our offspring1 take them either for the fleshly or spiritual seed of ,god's servants1 but sons1 7especially in the latter sense1 if we truly stand by the word of ,god7 shall surely be born unto us4 ,and to ,seth1 to him also there was born a son2 and he called his name ,enos4 ,enos1 a man2 not a devil1 like ,cain1 but a man2 or1 a man that was miserable in this world1 for the sake and cause of ,god2#be for it seems1 as was his father1 so was he1 even both given up to maintain ,god's truth2 which cannot be done but with great hazard1 so long as ,cain or his offspring remain4 ,his father therefore1 by his very name1 did offer him up to bear all hardships for the name and cause of ,god3 ,behold ,i send you forth saith ,christ as lambs in the midst of wolves4 ,in effect1 he called their name ,enos1 men to be acquainted with grief and miseries3 ,but mark1 ,then began men to call upon the name of the ,lord4 ,then1 when ,seth maintained ,abel's ground1 and when ,enos endured all miseries for the same3 ,for indeed this makes spectators believe that religion is more than a fictitious notion3 ,the hardships1 miseries1 and blood of the saints1 will make men1 otherwise heedless1 consider and ponder their cause aright4 ,then began4 ,for1 as ,i also before have hinted1 the outrage of bloody ,cain did put1 for a time1 a stop to the flourishing state of ,god's worship2 which in all probability was not so little as half a hundred years1 even till ,seth1 and the son of ,seth1 stood up to maintain the same2 but then1 ,,then men began more men than ,seth and ,enos to call upon the name of the ,lord4 ,note again1 ,that all true religion beginneth with fervent prayer3 ,or thus1 ,that when men begin to be servants to ,god1 they begin it with calling upon him4 ,thus did ,saul1 ,behold he prayeth 7,acts #i73 ,and1 ,lord have mercy upon me1 is the first of the groans of a sanctified heart4 ,the margin hath it1 ,they began to call themselves by the name of the ,lord4 ,as ,god saith in another place1 ,my name is called on them4 ,the disciples were called ,christians1 7nay1 the saints are called the anointed ones1 and the church is called ,christ7 7#a ,cor #ab3ab74 ,but note1 ,that fervent prayer ends in faith and confidence in ,god4 ,they called themselves by the name2 they counted themselves not from a vain and groundless opinion1 but through the faith they had in the mercy of ,god1 ,the saints and holy people of ,god4 ,they began to publish themselves1 in contradistinction to the offspring of ,cain1 the holy people of ,god4 ,wherefore1 a separation from the wicked began betimes2 the one going by the name of the sons of ,god2 the other1 by the sons and daughters of men 7#f3a1b73 ,then began men to call upon the name of the ,lord4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,ver4 #a4 ,this is the book of the generations of ,adam4 ,in the day that ,god created man1 in the likeness of ,god made he him4 ,the ,holy ,ghost having thus largely treated of ,cain and his offspring1 and of the head made against him by ,seth and ,enos1 and of the good success that followed1 he now comes to treat of the church in particular1 and of the flourishing state of the same4 ,this is the book4 ,the ,holy ,ghost cuts off the genealogy of ,cain1 accounting him none of the race of the church1 although before he was within the pale thereof4 ,john observing this1 calls him1 a child of that wicked one 7#a ,john #c3ab71 as our ,lord also accounted ,judas4 ,wherefore1 he here begins his book again1 that this wicked race might be quite excluded4 ,let them be blotted out of the book of the living1 and not be written with the righteous 7,psa #fi3bh74 ,in the day that ,god created man1 in the likeness of ,god made he him4 ,although by this new beginning the ,holy ,ghost excludeth ,cain1 yet he fetcheth the genealogy of the church from the day that man was created2 intimating that ,god1 in the very act of creation1 had a special intention to plant him a church in the world2 and therefore1 even before sin was in the world1 the image of ,god was upon man1 as a token of his special respect1 and of the great delight that he intended to take in that creature above all that he had made 7,pro #h3cj1ca74 ,ver4 #b4 ,male and female created he them2 and blessed them1 and called their name ,adam1 in the day when they were created4 ,when ,adam was created1 the ,lord created two in one3 ,so when ,christ1 the head of the church1 was chosen1 the church was also chosen in him4 ,and blessed them4 ,with the blessing of generation3 ,a type of the blessing of regeneration that was to be by ,christ in the church1 according to that which is written1 ,so shall thy seed be 7,eph #a3d74 ,and called their name ,adam1 in the day when they were created4 ,so that in the man the woman is included3 ,neither is the man without the woman1 neither the woman without the man1 in the ,lord 7#a ,cor #aa3aa74 ,for the ,holy ,ghost1 in the work of the new creation1 of which this creation was a type1 counteth not by male and female1 but ye are all one in ,christ ,jesus 7,gal #c3bh74 ,wherefore1 women are not to be excluded out of the means of salvation2 nay1 they have1 if they believe1 a special right to all the promises of grace that ,god hath made to his saints in all ages3 ,yea1 she shall be saved in childbearing1 though she bear children1 if she continue in faith1 and charity1 and holiness with sobriety 7#a ,tim #b3ae74 ,ver4 #c4 ,and ,adam lived an hundred and thirty years1 and begat a son in his own likeness1 after his image2 and called his name ,seth4 ,here also by the book of ,chronicles1 the ,holy ,ghost carrieth away the genealogy1 because ,abel had no children1 saying ,adam1 ,seth1 c4 7#a ,chron #a3a74 ,an hundred and thirty years4 ,behold the rage of hell6 ,for until ,seth stood in ,abel's place1 religion was greatly hindered1 and that was after the world had stood an hundred and thirty years4 ,indeed1 ,abel1 while he had his breath1 did hold it up in the world2 but ,cain1 who was of that wicked one1 smote him and religion both to the ground4 ,and begat a son in his own likeness4 ,who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean8 not one 7,job #ad3d74 ,if the father be polluted with the inward filth of sin1 the son must needs be like him3 ,i was shapen in iniquity2 said ,david and in sin did my mother conceive me 7,psa #ea3e74 ,seth then was no better than we by nature1 but came into the world in the blood of his mother's filth3 ,what is man1 that he should be clean8 and he which is born of a woman1 that he should be righteous8 7,job #ae3ad74 ,this therefore should teach us not to count of our election1 and of our effectual calling but by the word of ,god4 ,seth by nature was a sinful man1 and yet the chosen servant of ,god2 the first that took up ,god's quarrel after the death of blessed ,abel4 ,this should also help us to hold up the bucklers against the kingdom of the devil and hell4 ,seth was subject to like infirmities with us1 and yet he got ground of the children of iniquity4 ,i know a sense of our own infirmities is apt to weaken our hand in so mighty an undertaking1 but it should not3 ,although we be like old ,adam by nature1 yet ,god is able to make us stand4 ,ver4 #d4 ,and the days of ,adam1 after he had begotten ,seth1 were eight hundred years3 and he begat sons and daughters4 ,adam therefore1 as a type of ,christ1 reigned in the church almost a thousand years4 ,the world therefore beginning thus1 doth shew us how it will end2 namely1 by the reign of the second ,adam1 as it began with the reign of the first4 ,these long-lived men therefore shew us the glory that the church shall have in the latter day1 even in the seventh thousand years of the world1 that sabbath when ,christ shall set up his kingdom on earth1 according to that which is written1 ,they lived and reigned with ,christ a thousand years 7,rev #bj3a-d74 ,they3--,who8 ,the church of ,god1 according also as it was with ,adam4 ,therefore they are said by ,john to be holy1 as well as blessed3 ,blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection3 on such the second death hath no power1 but they shall be priests of ,god1 and of ,christ1 and shall reign with him a thousand years 7v #f74 ,in all which time the wicked in the world shall forbear to persecute1 as did also the brood of wicked ,cain in the days of ,adam1 ,seth1 c4 ,hence therefore we find in the first place the dragon chained for these thousand years4 ,ver4 #e4 ,and all the days that ,adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years3 and he died4 ,adam therefore lived to see the translation of ,enoch3 ,in whose translation a conquest was got over all the enemies of his soul and body3 ,so ,christ shall reign in and among his saints till all his enemies be destroyed4 ,the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death 7#a ,cor #ae3bf72 which shall be swallowed up when the members of that glorious head have put on incorruption1 and their mortal shall have put on immortality4 ,adam's reigning therefore until ,enoch's translation1 looks like a prophecy of the perfection of ,christ's kingdom3 ,for he shall reign till he hath delivered up the kingdom to ,god1 even the ,father 7v #bd73 ,as ,adam1 till his ,enoch was translated and took up to ,god4 ,ver4 #f4 ,and ,seth lived an hundred and five years1 and begat ,enos4 ,seth therefore stood by the truth of ,god1 a long time1 without much help or encouragement from man2 which was a great trial to his spirit1 and proof of the truth of his faith1 and tended much to the perfection of his patience4 ,somewhat like this was that of ,paul1 who had no man stood with him when he stood before ,nero4 ,seth was set in the stead of ,abel1 to keep the gap against the children of hell2 which1 by the grace of ,god1 he faithfully did1 even till ,enos was sent to his aid and assistance4 ,seth therefore was the forlorn hope of the church in those days4 ,so set of ,god to put check to the enemy1 until the church was increased1 and more able to defend herself from the outrage4 ,this therefore should teach the saints of ,god1 especially those that are sent before1 against the offspring of ,cain1 to stand their ground1 and not to shrink like ,saul1 till ,god shall send others to take part with them 7#a ,sam #aj3h2 #ac3h-ad74 ,thus ,david stood1 as it were1 by himself1 against the wicked that was in his day2 which made him cry1 ,who will rise up for me against the evil doers1 or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity8 7,psa #id3af74 ,ver4 #g4 ,and ,seth lived after he begat ,enos eight hundred and seven years1 and begat sons and daughters4 ,hence also we may gather great encouragement who are set in the front of the army of the ,lamb1 against the army and regiment of ,cain4 ,seth1 saith the ,spirit1 was set in the stead of ,abel1 there as forlorn1 to defend religion3 ,must he not now be swallowed up8 ,will the blood-hounds let him escape8 ,behold1 therefore his life must be accounted a wonder6 ,as was also that of ,paul 7#a ,cor #f3i74 ,but for ,seth to stand eight hundred years against such a murderous crew1 and yet to have his breath in his nostrils6 ,our times are in thy hands1 and thou1 ,lord1 holdeth our soul in life 7,psa #ff3i74 ,and all the days of ,seth were nine hundred and twelve years1 and he died 7v #h74 ,his life was therefore eighteen years shorter than that of ,adam2 he lived fifty-five years after ,enoch1 and died six hundred and fourteen years before the flood4 ,ver4 #i4 ,and ,enos lived ninety years1 and begat ,cainan4 ,cainan signifieth a buyer1 or owner4 ,let it be with respect to religion1 and then the sense may be1 that he had this privilege in religion by the hazard of his father and grandfather's life2 they bought it for him1 and made him the owner of it3 ,as ,paul saith1 ,he gave not place to the false ,apostles1 that the truth of the gospel might continue with the ,galatians 7#b3e74 ,as ,jotham also said to ,shechem1 ,my ,father fought for you1 and adventured his life far1 and delivered you out of the hand of ,midian 7,jude #i3ag74 ,namely1 that they might still be owners of the inheritance that the ,lord had given them4 ,this shews us then1 that the fruit of a constant standing to the word of ,god1 is1 ,that the generations yet unborn shall be made the possessors and owners of it4 ,ver4 #aj4 ,and ,enos lived after he begat ,cainan eight hundred and fifteen years1 and begat sons and daughters4 ,he lived then to see his son enjoy the fruits of his own constancy to the truth1 so long a time as eight hundred years1 c4 as we hope ,god's people now may do4 ',tis true1 they now do own the truth with hazard1 and do hold it up by enduring much misery1 according to the rage of wicked men2 but1 ,i say1 'tis hoped others will reap the fruits of our travails1 and that some of us shall live to see it1 as ,enos lived to see his ,cainan possess religion eight hundred years4#bf ,ver4 #aa4 ,and all the days of ,enos were nine hundred and five years3 and he died4 ,he lived then one hundred fifty-three years after ,enoch1 and died five hundred and sixteen years before the flood4 ,ver4 #ab4 ,and ,cainan lived seventy years1 and begat ,mahalaleel4 ,mahalaleel1 signifieth praising ,god4 ,wherefore he was born in settled times1 wherein religion met with little or no molestation4 ,it began to be as hereditary in the days of blessed ,cainan2 wherefore it was requisite that the very next that should possess the truth1 should spend their days in praising ,god 7,rev #aa3ae74 ,and thus it will be at the downfall of ,antichrist3 ,after this saith ,john ,i heard a great voice of much people in heaven1 saying ,allelujah2 ,salvation1 and glory1 and honour1 and power unto the ,lord our ,god444,and a voice came out of the throne saying1 ,praise our ,god1 all ye his servants2 and ye that fear him1 both small and great 7,rev #ai3a-f74 ,the whole earth saith the ,prophet is at rest and is quiet1 they break forth into singing4 ,yea1 the fir-trees rejoice at thee1 ,o thou brood of the blood-thirsty ,cain1 and the cedars of ,lebanon1 saying1 ,since thou art laid down1 no feller is come up against us 7,isa #ad3g1h74 ,ver4 #ac4 ,and ,cainan lived after he begat ,mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years1 and begat sons and daughters4 ,god gave him a long possession and enjoyment of the fruits of his father's labours4 ,they sowed 7as ,christ said7 and he was entered into their labours3 ,they sowed in tears1 and he reaped in joy4 ,mahalaleel1 or praise our ,god1 was the language of those times4 ,ver4 #ad4 ,and all the days of ,cainan were nine hundred and ten years3 and he died4 ,he lived then two hundred and forty-eight years after ,enoch1 and died four hundred twenty-one years before the flood4 ,ver4 #ae4 ,and ,mahalaleel lived sixty and five years1 and begat ,jared4 ,jared signifies ruling1 and sheweth us what is the holy fruits of peace and thanksgiving in the church2 to wit1 government according to the testament of ,christ 7,acts #i3ca74 ,it is hard to have all things according to rule1 in the day of the church's affliction2 because of the weakness and fearfulness of some2 and because possibly those who have most skill in that matter1 may for a time be laid up in chains3 but now when the church hath rest and quietness1 then as she praiseth ,god1 so she conceiveth and bringeth forth governors1 and good government and rule among her members4 ,david1 a man of blood1 could not build that house to the ,lord1 which peaceable ,solomon1 that man of rest1 afterwards did 7#a ,chron #bh3c1f74 ,when armies are engaged1 and hot in battle1 'tis harder to keep them in rank and file1 than when they have rest1 and time for discipline4 ,jared therefore is the fruits of thanksgiving1 as thanksgiving is the fruits of peace and possession4 ,ver4 #af4 ,and ,mahalaleel lived after he begat ,jared eight hundred and thirty years1 and begat sons and daughters4 ,he lived not only to give thanks unto ,god1 but to shew to all that he gave thanks in truth1 by submitting his neck the rest of the hundred of years that he lived1 to the holy law and word of ,god4 ,a good rule to prove people by2 for all that pretend to give thanks for liberty1 put not their neck under the yoke1 but rather use their liberty as an occasion for the flesh1 than by love to serve and advantage one another in the things of the kingdom of ,christ 7,gal #e3ac2 #a ,peter #b3af74 ,but as the bramble said to the rest of the trees1 so saith ,christ to such feigned thanksgivers1 ,if in truth ye anoint me king over you1 then come and put your trust in my shadow 7,judg #i3ae74 ,submit to my law1 and be governed by my testament4 ,let your thanksgiving bring forth ,jared1 and walk with ,god in the days of ,jared4 ,ver4 #ag4 ,and all the days of ,mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years3 and he died4 ,he lived then three hundred and three years after ,enoch1 and died three hundred and sixty-six years before the flood4 ,ver4 #ah4 ,and ,jared lived an hundred sixty and two years1 and he begat ,enoch4 ,enoch1 is taught1 or dedicate3 ,the true effect of rule or government1 be it good or bad3 in ,cain's posterity it was bad2 for an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit4 ,by ,enoch here1 we are to understand1 one taught in1 and dedicated unto1 ,god4 ,this ,enoch therefore was a son that would hear the rules1 and submit to the government of his father ,jared4 ,as an ear-ring of gold1 and an ornament of fine gold1 so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear 7,pro #be3ab74 ,ver4 #ai4 ,and ,jared lived after he begat ,enoch eight hundred years1 and begat sons and daughters4 ,he lived therefore to see the fruit of his good rule and government in the church1 even to see his teachable and dedicated son caught up to ,god1 and to his throne4 ,a good encouragement to all rulers in the house of ,god1 and also to all godly parents to teach and rule in the fear of ,god2 for that is the way to part with church members1 and children with comfort2 yea1 that is the way1 if we shall out-live them1 to send them to heaven1 and to ,god before us4 ,ver4 #bj4 ,and all the days of ,jared were nine hundred sixty and two years3 and he died4 ,he lived then three hundred thirty-five years after ,enoch1 and died two hundred thirty-four before the flood4 ,ver4 #ba4 ,and ,enoch lived sixty and five years1 and begat ,methuselah4 ,methuselah signifieth1 ,spoiling his death3 this therefore is the true fruits of one that is truly taught in1 and dedicate to the service of ,god1 as ,enoch was2 by this means he spoileth his death3 wherefore he adds1 ,and ,enoch walked with ,god4 ,walking with ,god1 spoileth death1 or overcomes it1 or it shall be prevented1 he shall not be hurt therewith3 ,as ,christ saith1 ,if a man keep my saying1 he shall never taste death 7,john #h3eb74 ,ver4 #bb4 ,and ,enoch walked with ,god1 after he begat ,methuselah three hundred years1 and begat sons and daughters4 ,these words after he begat ,methuselah may have respect either to his beginning to walk with ,god1 or to the number of the years that he lived after the birth of ,methuselah1 or both4 ,if it respect the fist1 then it sheweth that the only encouragement that a sinner hath to walk with ,god1 it is to see ,methuselah1 or his death spoiled3 for when a man seeth death1 and all evils1 conquered and overcome1 then his soul is encouraged in holiness 7#a ,cor #ae3ee-eh74 ,no encouragement to walking with ,god like this3 ,enoch walked with ,god after he begat ,methuselah4 ,as ,paul saith1 ,now being made free from sin1--which indeed is the sting of death ye have your fruit unto holiness1 and the end everlasting life 7,rom #f3bb74 ,if it respect the second1 then it shews us the invincible nature of true faith1 7for by faith ,enoch walked with ,god37 ,i say1 it sheweth us the invincible nature of true faith1 in that it would hold up a man in close communion with ,god for the space of three hundred years4 ,he walked with ,god three hundred years4 ,how will the conversation of ,enoch rise up in judgment with this generation1 that walk not with ,god at all6 ,or if they do1 do it so by fits1 as if walking with ,god was but a work by the by4 ,he walked with ,god and begat sons and daughters4 ,and kept house1 and lived with his wife1 according to knowledge4 ,this shews then1 that it is sin1 not our lawful and honest employment1 that hindreth one's walking with ,god4 ,ver4 #bc1 #bd4 ,and all the days of ,enoch were three hundred and sixty and five years3 ,and ,enoch walked with ,god3 ,and he was not2 for ,god took him 7vv #bc1bd74 ,the ,new ,testament saith1 ,by faith ,enoch was translated that he should not see death2 and was not found1 because ,god had translated him3 for before his translation he had this testimony1 that he pleased ,god4 ,and all the days of ,enoch were three hundred and sixty and five years4 ,enoch therefore lived here but a while2 he was too good to live long in this world1 the world was not worthy of him2 neither would he be spared so long out of heaven1 for ,god took him4 ,the end of walking with ,god or the path-way thereof1 it leads men to heaven1 to the enjoyment of the glory of ,god4 ,thus also it was with blessed ,elijah1 he followed ,god from place to place1 till at length he was caught up into heaven 7#b ,kings #b3a-aa74 ,a word or two more of ,enoch4 ,jude observes1 ,that he was the seventh from ,adam3 ,closely intimating 7as ,i conceive7 that by him ,god prefigured the resurrection and end of the world3 ,and intimated1 ,that in the seventh great day of the world this resurrection should be1 each generation from ,adam being a type of a thousand years3 ,so that ,enoch1 the seventh from ,adam1 was a type of the seventh thousand1 in which the ,lord will reign with his church a thousand years4 ,there are two things in ,enoch that incline me to this opinion4 ,first1 he crieth out1 ,behold the ,lord comes6 and then is translated that he should not see death4 ,the right posture and end of those that shall live at the day of ,god ,almighty2 and that shall1 like ,enoch1 be found walking with ,god1 when the ,lord shall come from heaven 7,jude #ad1ae74 ,ver4 #be4 ,and ,methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years1 and begat ,lamech4 ,lamech signifieth poor1 or smitten2 wherefore ,i doubt that the apostacy that you read of in the next chapter1 began either in the days of1 or by1 this man3 he being1 as it seems1 more dry and void of grace than those that went before him2 poor1 or smitten4 ,hence note1 ,that faith and godliness1 though often it goeth from the father to the son1 as from ,seth to ,enos1 and from him to ,cainan1 yet it is not tied here1 but runs according to electing love1 as also do the fruits thereof4 ,ver4 #bf1 #bg4 ,and ,methuselah lived after he begat ,lamech seven hundred eighty and two years1 and begat sons and daughters4 ,and all the days of ,methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years1 and he died4 ,methuselah1 the spoiling of death1 is the longest liver in the world2 yet he died in the year that the flood was upon the earth2 not by the flood1 but by the course of nature1 as also did ,lamech his son1 for the wicked reprobate only was swept away by that1 according to the apostle ,peter4 ,ver4 #bh1 #bi4 ,and ,lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years1 and begat a son3 and he called his name ,noah1 saying1 ,this same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands1 because of the ground which the ,lord hath cursed4 ,and he called his name ,noah4 ,noah signifieth rest2 his name was therefore according to his work1 for he was a preacher of righteousness1 which giveth rest to all that embraceth it4 ,besides1 it was he that prepared the ark1 the place of rest to the church of ,god4 ,this same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands1 because of the ground which the ,lord hath cursed4 ,these words seem to carry in them1 repentance for the apostacy that before was mentioned4 ,this same shall comfort us1 by restoring the church to her former rest1 and by delivering us from the toil of our hands2 for sin once admitted of in the church1 is not without much toil extirpated1 and driven forth of the same2 yea sometimes it getteth such footing and root1 that it cannot again be purged and destroyed1 but by breaking the very being of the church where it is4 ,thus it was as to the case in hand1 and is signified also by pulling down the house in which the leprosy was 7,lev #ad3dc-de74 ,yea ,ephesus itself was almost thus far infected1 had not a threatening prevented 7,rev #b3a-c74 ,because of the ground which the ,lord hath cursed4 ,the ,lord did curse it for the sin of ,adam3 ,he also renewed the curse to ,cain1 because he was guilty of the blood of his brother4 ,i incline also to think1 that the curse here mentioned1 is the first1 reiterated for the grievous apostacy of this congregation2 according to that which is written1 ,if ye walk contrary unto me1 ,i will punish you seven times more3 ,i will bring seven times more plagues upon you1 according to your sins 7,lev #bf3ah-ba74 ,ver4 #cj4 ,and ,lamech lived after he begat ,noah1 five hundred ninety and five years1 and begat sons and daughters4 ,wherefore ,lamech heard the preaching of ,noah1 who was the only minister of ,god in those days1 to recover the church to repentance from their apostacy1 which also he did in some good measure effect1 while he condemned1 the world for their unbelief 7,heb #aa3g74 ,ver4 #ca4 ,and all the days of ,lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years3 and he died4 ,he died five years before the flood4 ,methuselah therefore was the longest liver of those godly that fell on the other side the flood1 for he died not before the very year the flood came1 not by the water1 but before4 ,the righteous is taken away from the evil to come2 though1 as the prophet saith1 no man of the wicked laid it to heart4 ,ver4 #ca4 ,and ,noah was five hundred years old3 and ,noah begat ,shem1 ,ham1 and ,japhet4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,ver4 #a4 ,and it came to pass1 when men began to multiply on the face of the earth1 and daughters were born unto them4 ,moses now leaveth the genealogy for a while1 and searcheth into the state and condition of the church now after so long a time as its standing upwards of1 or above1 a thousand years3 where he presently findeth two things4 #a4 ,the church declined4 #b4 ,and ,god provoked4 ,wherefore he maketh inquiry into the nature of the church's sin2 which he relateth in this following chapter4 ,and it came to pass1 when men began to multiply4 ,the men here ,i understand to be the children of ,cain1 the church and synagogue of ,satan1 because they are mentioned by way of antithesis to the church and sons of ,god4 ,and daughters were born unto them4 ,a snare that was often used in the hand of the devil1 to intangle withal the church of ,god2 yea1 and doth so usually speed1 that it hath often been counted by him as infallible2 so that this is the doctrine of his prophet ,balaam1 and it prevailed1 when all the engines of hell beside were prevented4 ,the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of ,moab 7,num #be3a1b74 ,it may be this child of hell1 in this his advice to ,balak looked back to the daughters of ,cain1 and calling to remembrance how of old they intangled the church1 advertised him to put the same into practice again 7,rev #b3ad74 ,ver4 #b4 ,that the sons of ,god saw the daughters of men1 that they were fair2 and they took them wives of all which they chose4 ,this was the way then of the sons of ,cain1 to let their fair daughters be shewed to the sons of ,god 7,pro #bb3ad74 ,for it seems all other their wiles and devices were not able to bring the church and the world together1 and to make them live as in one communion4 ,these to the church were such1 whose hearts were snares and nets1 and whose hands were bands to intangle and hold them from observing the laws and judgments of ,god 7,eccl #g3bf74 ,and they took them wives4 ,first their eye saw them1 and then their heart lusted after them4 ,thus the devil deceived the woman1 and by this means perished cursed ,achan4 ,and ,achan answered ,joshua1 and said1 ,indeed ,i have sinned against the ,lord1 and thus and thus have ,i done3 ,when ,i saw among the spoils a goodly ,babylonish garment1 c41 then ,i coveted them 7,josh #g3bj1ba74 ,note therefore1 that it is not good to behold with the eye that which ,god hath forbid us to touch with our hand4 ,i made a covenant with mine eyes1 saith ,job 7,job #cj3a74 ,and again1 if at unawares a thing was cast before him1 the beholding of which was of an intangling nature1 he forthwith would hold back his heart as with a bridle1 lest the design of hell should be effected upon him 7v #g74 ,crush sin then in the conception1 lest it bring forth death in thy soul4 ,ver4 #c4 ,and the ,lord said1 ,my ,spirit shall not always strive with man1 for that he also is flesh3 yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years4 ,by these words is aggravated the sin of the church1 that she would attempt to close with1 and hold a sinful communion1 against the dissuasions of the ,spirit of ,god4 ,my ,spirit shall not always strive4 ,to wit1 my ,spirit in ,noah1 for he was the only preacher of righteousness to the church in those backsliding times4 ,by this then1 ,i find1 that the doctrine of ,noah1 was1 ,to declare against a sinful communion1 or to command the church1 in the name of ,god1 that she still maintain a separation from the cursed children of ,cain3 ,as he said to the prophet ,jeremiah1 ,if thou separate the precious from the vile1 thou shalt be as my mouth 7#ae3ai74 ,noah therefore had a hard task1 when he preached this doctrine among them3 for this above all is hard to be borne1 for by this he condemned the world4 ,the first great quarrel therefore that ,god had with his church1 it was for their holding unwarrantable communion with others4 ,the church should always dwell alone1 and not be reckoned among the nations 7,num #bc3i74 ,the church is a chosen generation1 a royal priesthood1 an holy nation1 a peculiar people 7#a ,peter #b3i74 ,therefore the work of the church of ,god1 is not to fall in with any sinful fellowship1 or receive into their communion the ungodly world1 but to shew forth the praises and virtues of him who hath called them out from among such communicants into his marvellous light4 ,my ,spirit shall not always strive4 ,hence note1 that the people that shall continue to grieve the ,spirit of ,god1 and to resist the doctrine of ,noah1 they are appointed for heavy judgments4 ,come out of her1 my people1 that ye be not partakers of her sins1 and that ye receive not of her plagues 7,rev #ah3d74 ,this because those 7finally impenitent7 in ,noah's time refused to do1 therefore the wrath of ,god overtook them1 and swept them off the face of the earth4 ,yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years4 ,noah therefore began his preaching about the four hundred and fourscore year of his life1 which continuing the space of sixscore more1 it reached to the day that the flood came4 ,in which time doubtless his faith was sufficiently tried1 both by the hard censures of the hypocrites of the church1 and the open profane of the world1 against whom he daily pronounced the judgments of ,god for maintaining their forbidden communion 7,gen #c3ae74 ,yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years4 ,god also would yet have patience with these people1 if peradventure they would repent that his hand might not be upon them4 ,ver4 #d4 ,there were giants in the earth in those days2 and also after that1 when the sons of ,god came in unto the daughters of men1 and they bare children to them1 the same became mighty men1 which were of old1 men of renown4 ,there were giants in the earth in those days4 ,these words seem to be spoken1 to shew us the hazards that ,noah ran1 while he preached the truth of ,god3 ,he incurred the displeasure of the giants1 which doubtless made all men tremble1 and kept the whole world in awe4 ,but ,noah must engage the giants1 he must not fear the face of a giant4 ,this way ,god took also with ,moses1 and with his people of ,israel1 they must go to possess the land of the giants1 a people high and tall as the cedars1 a people of whom went that proverb1 ,who can stand before the children of ,anak8 7,deu #i3b74 ,they must not be afraid of ,og the king of ,bashan1 though his head be as high as the ridge of a house1 and his bedstead a bedstead of iron 7,deu #c3aa74 ,this should teach us then not to fear the faces of men3 no1 not the faces of the mighty2 not to fear them1 ,i say1 in the matters of ,god1 though they should run upon us like a giant4 ,these giants ,i suppose were the children of ,cain1 because mentioned as another sort than those that were the fruit of their forbidden and ungodly communion3 ,for he adds1 ,and also after that1 or besides them1 when the sons of ,god came in unto the daughters of men1 and they bare children to them1 the same1 or they also became mighty men which were of old1 men of renown4 ,then ,noah found giants every where3 ,giants in the world1 and giants in this confused communion4 ,and thus it is at this day2 we do not only meet with giants abroad1 among the most ungodly and uncircumcised in heart1 but even among those that seem to be of the religious1 among them we also meet with giants2 men mighty to oppose the truth1 and very profound to make slaughter3 ,but mark the advice of the ,lord1 ,fear not their fear1 nor be afraid4 ,sanctify the ,lord of hosts himself1 who is stronger than all the giants that are upon the face of the earth and let him be your fear1 and let him be your dread 7,isa #h3ab1ac74 ,and when the sons of ,god came in unto the daughters of men1 and they bare children to them1 the same became mighty men2 much like to the giants4 ,the fruit therefore of ungodly communion is monstrous1 and of a very strange complexion4 ,they are like unto them that worshipped the ,lord1 and served their own gods also 7#b ,kings #ag3bd1da72 or like to those of the church1 of whom ,nehemiah speaks1 that had mixed themselves with the children of ,ashdod1 ,ammon and ,moab1 whose children were a monstrous brood1 that spake half the language of ,ashdod1 and could not speak the ,jews' language 7,neh #ac3bc1bd74 ,by both these sorts of giants was faithful ,noah despised1 and his work for ,god condemned4 ,in ,david's time also ,goliath defied ,israel1 and so did his brethren also 7#a ,sam #ag3aj74 ,giants1 the sons of the giant2 but ,david and his servants must engage them1 and fight them1 though they were giants 7#a ,chron #bj3d-h74 ,mighty men which were of old4 ,persecution therefore1 or the appearance of the giants against the servants of ,god1 is no new business2 not a thing of yesterday1 but of old1 even when ,noah did minister for ,god in the world4 ,there were giants in the earth in those days1 to oppose him4 ,men of renown4 ,not for faith and holiness1 but for some other high achievements1 may be1 mighty to fight1 and to shed man's blood2 or to find out arts1 and the nature of things2 both which did render them famous1 and men to be noted in their place4 ,such kind of men might be ,corah1 ,dathan1 and their company also2 yet they opposed ,moses and ,aaron1 yea1 ,god1 his way and worship1 and perished after an unheard of manner 7,num #af3a1b74 ,as also did the opposers of righteous ,noah1 in the day of the flood4 ,ver4 #e4 ,and ,god saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth1 and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually4 ,the margin saith1 not only the imagination1 but also the purposes and desires4 ,these words are to be understood1 as still respecting the apostacy that we read of in the first and second verses1 and are 7in my thoughts7 to be taken as the effect of their degeneracy4 ,for though it be true1 that the best of men1 in their most holy and godly behaviour1 have wicked and sinful hearts2 yet so long as they walk sincerely according to the rules prescribed of ,god1 there is no such character upon them2 especially as it stands related to the words that immediately follow2 to wit1 that it repented the ,lord that he made them4 ,these evil and wicked purposes then were in special the fruit of their apostacy3 for indeed1 when men are once fallen from ,god1 they then1 as the judgment of ,god upon them1 are given up to all unrighteousness4 ,again1 apostatizing persons are counted abhorrers of ,god 7,zech #aa3h74 ,yet persons in this condition will seek their own justification1 turning things upside down1 traversing their ways like the dromedaries2 bearing us still in hand1 that they stand not guilty of sin1 but that what they do is allowable1 or winked at of ,god4 ,besides1 they say their hearts are still upright with ,god1 and that they have not forsaken the simplicity of his way1 of a wicked and ungodly design1 with an hundred more the like pretences2 all which are condemned of ,god1 and held by him as abominable and vile 7,jer #b3ca-cg74 ,and ,god saw1 c4 ,they covered their shame from men1 like the adulterous woman in the ,proverbs1 and would speak with oily mouths1 thereby to cozen the world 7,pro #cj3bj72 but ,god knew their hearts1 and had revealed their sin to his servant ,noah2 he therefore in the ,spirit of ,god1 as one alone1 cried out against their wickedness4 ,hence learn to judge of apostates1 not by their words1 nor pretences1 nor ungodly coverings1 whereby they may seek to hide themselves from the stroke of a convincing argument1 but judge them by the words of ,god2 for however they think of themselves1 or would be accounted of others1 ,god sees their wickedness is great4 ,and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart1 was only evil continually4 ,if they think they have not sinned2 if they think they promote religion2 if they think to find out a medium to make peace between the seed of the woman1 and the wicked seed of ,cain2 all is alike ungodly1 they have forsaken the right way1 they have dissembled the known truth1 they have rejected the word of the ,lord3 ,and what wisdom or goodness is in them8 ,ver4 #f4 ,and it repented the ,lord that he had made man on the earth1 and it grieved him at his heart4 ,repentance is in us a change of the mind2 but in ,god1 a change of his dispensations2 for otherwise he repenteth not1 neither can he2 because it standeth not with the perfection of his nature3 ,in him is no variableness1 neither shadow of turning 7,james #a3ag74 ,wherefore1 it is man1 not ,god1 that turns4 ,when men therefore reject the mercy and ways of ,god1 they cast themselves under his wrath and displeasure2 which because it is executed according to the nature of his justice1 and the severity of his law1 they miss of the mercy promised before 7,num #bc3ai74 ,which that we may know1 those shall one day feel that shall continue in final impenitency4 ,therefore1 ,god speaking to their capacity1 he tells them1 he hath repented of doing them good4 ,the ,lord repented that he had made ,saul king 7#a ,sam #ae3ce74 ,and yet this repentance was only a change of the dispensation1 which ,saul by his wickedness had put himself under2 otherwise the strength1 the eternity of ,israel1 will not lie nor repent 7v #bi74 ,the sum is therefore1 that men had now by their wickedness put themselves under the justice and law of ,god2 which justice by reason of its perfection1 could not endure they should abide on the earth any longer2 and therefore now1 as a just reward of their deed1 they must be swept from the face thereof4 ,and it grieved him at his heart4 ,this is spoken to show1 that he did not feign1 but was simple and sincere in his promise of remission and forgiveness of sins1 had they kept close to his word1 according as he had commanded4 ,wherefore ,god's heart went not with them in their backsliding1 but left them1 and was offended with them4 ,ver4 #g4 ,and the ,lord said1 ,i will destroy man whom ,i have created1 from the face of the earth1 both man1 and beast1 or from man to beast1 and the creeping thing1 and the fowls of the air2 for it repenteth me that ,i have made them4 ,this may be either understood as a threatening1 or a determination3 if as a threatening then it admitted of time for repentance2 but if it was spoken as a determination1 then they had stood out the day of grace1 and had laid themselves under unavoidable judgment4 ,if it respected the first1 then it was in order to the ministry of ,noah1 or in order to the effecting the ends of its sending2 which were either to soften or harden1 or bring to repentance1 or to leave them utterly and altogether inexcusable4 ,but if it respected the second1 as it might1 then it was pronounced as an effect of ,god's displeasure1 for their abuse of his patience1 his minister1 and word4 ,as it also was with ,israel of old2 ,they mocked the messengers of ,god1 and despised his words1 and misused his prophets1 until the wrath of the ,lord arose against his people1 till there was no remedy 7#b ,chron #cf3af74 ,and the ,lord said1 ,i will destroy man whom ,i have created4 ,this word created1 is added1 on purpose to show that the world is under the power of his hand2 for who can destroy1 but he that can create8 ,or who can save alive1 when the maker of the world is set against them8 ,there is one lawgiver1 who is able to save and to destroy 7,james #d3ab74 ,and again1 ,fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell 7,matt #aj3bh74 ,in both which places power to destroy is insinuated from his power and ,godhead3 ,as he saith in another place1 ,all souls are mine2--the soul that sinneth1 it shall die 7,eze #ah3d74 ,both man and beast1 and the creeping thing1 and the fowls1 c4 ,thus it was at first the sin of a man brought a curse and judgment upon other the creatures whom ,god had made3 ,as ,paul says1 ,the whole creation groaneth 7,rom #h3bb74 ,but again1 ,this threatening upon the beasts1 the fowls1 and creeping thing1 might arise from a double consideration3 ,first1 ,to show1 that when ,god intends the destruction of man1 he will also destroy the means of his preservation 7,josh #f3bj74 ,or1 secondly1 ,to shew1 that when he is determined to execute his judgments1 he will cut off all that stands in his way 7#b ,chron #ce3ba74 ,he could not destroy the earth without a flood1 and preserve the beast1 c41 alive2 therefore he destroys them also4 ,for it repenteth me that ,i have made them4 ,this seems to fall under the first consideration1 to wit1 ,that ,god repented that he made the beasts and fowls2 because now they were used to sustain his implacable enemies4 ,ver4 #h4 ,but ,noah found grace in the eyes of the ,,lord4 ,this word ,,grace1 must in special be observed2 for grace is it which delivereth from all deserved judgments and destruction4 ,noah1 by nature was no better than other men3 therefore the reason why he perished not with others1 it was because he found grace in the eyes of the ,lord4 ,ye are saved by grace 7,eph #b3h74 ,and thus was ,noah1 as is evident1 because he was saved by faith 7,heb #aa3g74 ,for faith respecteth not works1 but grace3 ,ye are saved by grace through faith4 ,as ,paul says again1 ,therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace1 c4 7,rom #d3af74 ,we must therefore1 in our deliverance from all the judgments of ,god1 sing grace1 grace1 unto it4 ,ver4 #i4 ,these are the generations of ,noah3 ,noah was a just man1 and perfect in his generations2 and ,noah walked with ,god4 ,the ,holy ,ghost here makes a short digression from his progress1 in his relation of the wickedness of the world2 and yet not impertinently2 for seeing ,noah was the man that escaped the judgment1 his escape must be for some reason2 which was1 because ,god was gracious to him1 and because ,god had justified him4 ,besides ,noah being now made righteous1 faithfully walketh with ,god4 ,he was just and perfect in his generations4 ,but why it is said1 ,generations8 ,it might be1 because he was faithful to ,god and man1 having the armour of righteousness on the right hand1 and on the left4 ,it is said in ,isaiah1 ,that ,christ made his grave with the wicked1 and with the rich in his death 7#ec3i74 ,to import1 ,that they only have benefit by him to eternal life1 that die by his example1 as well as live by his blood2 for in his death was both merit and example2 and they are like to miss in the first1 that are not concerned in the second 7,phil #h3af74 ,perfect in his generations4 ,in his carriage1 doctrines and life1 before both ,god and man4 ,and thus ought every preacher to be2 he ought to do in the sight of ,god1 what he commands to men2 by this means he saveth both himself1 and them that hear him 7#a ,tim #d3af74 ,besides1 ,noah was a man1 as well as a saint1 and in either sense had a generation3 to both of which grace made him faithful2 and he that shall not serve his generation as a man1 will hardly serve his generation as a ,christian4 ,but ,noah was perfect in both1 he was perfect in his generations4 ,and ,noah walked with ,god4 ,this shews he was sincere in his work2 for a hypocrite may1 as to outward shew1 do as the saint of ,god3 but he doth it with respect to men1 not ,god1 and therefore he is a hypocrite4 ,to walk with ,god then1 is not only to do the duty commanded1 but to do it as ,god requireth it2 that is1 to do it with faith1 and son-like fear1 as in ,god's sight1 with singleness of heart4 ,ver4 #aj4 ,and ,noah begat three sons1 ,shem1 ,ham1 and ,japheth4 ,these are the offspring of ,noah1 and by these was the earth replenished after the flood1 as will be further seen hereafter4 ,ver4 #aa4 ,the earth also was corrupt before ,god1 and the earth was filled with violence4 ,he has now returned to the matter in hand before2 to wit1 the causes of the flood4 ,the earth also was corrupt4 ,by earth1 he may here mean1 those that are without the church3 and if so1 then by corrupt here1 we must understand1 wicked after a most high manner2 for albeit the world and generation of ,cain be always sinners before ,god1 yet the ,lord cutteth not off the world in general1 nor a nation in particular1 but because of the commission of eminent outrage and wickedness4 ,thus it was with those of ,sodom1 a little before the ,lord with fire devoured them4 ,the men of ,sodom saith the text were wicked1 and sinners before the ,lord exceedingly 7,gen #ac3ac74 ,again3 ,as by corrupt1 we may understand1 corrupt by way of eminency2 so again1 they were corrupt incurably4 ,this is evident1 because they were not brought off from sin by the ministry of ,noah1 the only appointed means of their conversion4 ,hence note1 ,that when men are sinners exceedingly1 and when the means of grace appointed of ,god for their recovery1 prove ineffectual1 then they are near some signal judgment 7#b ,chron #cf74 ,thus back-sliding ,jerusalem1 because she was wicked with an high hand 7,eze #bd3ac1ad71 and could not be cured by the ministry of the prophets1 therefore her sons must go forth of her into captivity1 and the city burned to the ground with fire 7,jer #ae3a-c74 ,and the earth was filled with violence4 ,first1 they had violated the law of ,god1 in making and maintaining ungodly and wicked communion2 according to that of the prophet1 ,her priests have violated my law1 and have profaned mine holy things4 ,but how8 ,they have put no difference between the holy and profane1 neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean 7,eze #bb3bf74 ,they also perverted judgment between a man and his neighbour3 adhering to their own party1 in disaffection to the religious4 ,this is supposed1 because of the exceeding latitude of the expression1 ,the earth was filled with violence2 that is1 all manner of violence1 outrage and cruelty was committed by this sort of people4 ,this takes in that saying of ,solomon1 the oppression of the poor1 especially ,god's poor1 is included1 in a violent perverting of judgment and justice 7,eccl #e3h74 ,they also shewed violence to the lives of good men1 as may be gathered by the act of ,lamech1 one of the sons of ,cain4 ,in a word1 ,the earth was filled with violence2 violence of every kind2 lust and wickedness was outrageous1 there was a world of ungodliness among these ungodly men4 ,ver4 #ab4 ,and ,god looked upon the earth1 and1 behold1 it was corrupt2 for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth4 ,by these words therefore is confirmed the sense of the former verse1 ,the earth was corrupt2 for ,god saw it was so3 ,the earth was full of violence1 for they had corrupted ,god's way4 ,and ,god looked upon the earth4 ,this shews us1 ,that the ,lord doth not with haste1 or in a rash inconsiderate way1 pour his judgments upon the world2 but that with judgment and knowledge1 the wickedness first being certain1 and of merit deserving the same4 ,this is seen in his way of dealing with ,sodom4 ,and the ,lord said1 ,because the cry of ,sodom and ,gomorrah is great1 and because their sin is very grievous1 ,i will go down now1 and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it1 which is come unto me2 and if not1 ,i will know 7,gen #ah3ba74 ,and1 behold1 it was corrupt2 for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth4 ,it proved1 as that of ,sodom did1 according to the cry thereof2 for all flesh had corrupted his way4 ,god's ,,way1 by violating his law1 and perverting of judgment1 as was hinted before4 ,all flesh had corrupted it1 therefore the evil needed not to be long in searching out3 ,as ,god saith by the prophet ,jeremiah1 ,i have not found it by diligent search1 but upon all these 7#b3cd74 ,here upon the whole earth1 none exempted but righteous ,noah4 ,ver4 #ac4 ,and ,god said unto ,noah1 ,the end of all flesh is come before me2 for the earth is filled with violence through them2 and1 behold1 ,i will destroy them with the earth4 ,and ,god said unto ,noah1 or told ,noah his purpose3 ,the same way he went with ,abraham3 ,shall ,i hide from ,abraham that thing which ,i do8 7,gen #ah3ag74 ,surely the ,lord will do nothing1 but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets 7,amos #c3g74 ,the end of all flesh is come4 ,the time or expiration of the world is at hand4 ,god speaks before he smites4 ,thus he did also by the prophet ,ezekiel1 saying1 ,an end is come1 the end is come3 ,and again1 ,an end is come1 the end is come3 it watcheth for thee2 behold1 it is come 7#g3a-f74 ,the end of all flesh is come before me4 ,sin and wickedness doth not put an end to the ungodly before their own face1 yet it brings their end before the face of ,god4 ,it is said of these very people1 they knew not of their destruction1 until the day the flood came1 and took them all away 7,matt #bd3cg-ci74 ,indeed1 the nature of sin is to blind the mind1 that the person concerned may neither see mercy nor judgment2 but ,god sees their end3 ,the end of all flesh is come before me4 ,the end of all flesh4 ,by these words1 the souls are left to1 and reserved for another judgment3 ,wherefore1 though here we find the flesh consumed2 yet ,peter saith1 their spirits are still in prison1 even the souls that ,christ once preached to in the days1 and by the ministry of ,noah3 ,even the souls which sometime were disobedient when once the long-suffering of ,god waited in the days of ,noah1 while the ark was a preparing1 c4 7#a ,peter #c3ai1bj74 ,ver4 #ad4 ,make thee an ark of gopher wood2 rooms shalt thou make in the ark1 and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch4 ,this is the fruits of the grace of ,god3 ,he said before1 ,that ,noah found grace in the eyes of the ,lord3 ,which grace appoints to him the means of his preservation4 ,make ,,thee an ark4 ,he saith not1 ,make one2 or1 ,make one for me3 ,but1 ,make one2 make one for thee3 ,make ,,thee an ark of gopher wood4 ,noah therefore1 from this word ,,thee1 did gather1 ,that ,god did intend to preserve him from the judgment which he had appointed in this his work3 ,therein lay his own profit and comfort2 not a thought which he had1 not a blow that he struck1 about the preparing the ark1 but he preached1 as to others their ruin1 to himself1 his safeguard and deliverance3 ,he prepared an ark1 to the saving of his house 7,heb #aa3g74 ,this therefore must needs administer much peace and content to his mind1 while he preached to others their overthrow4 ,as the prophet saith1 ,the work of righteousness shall be peace2 and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever4 ,and my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation 7,isa #cb3ag1ah74 ,thus did ,noah when he dwelt in the ark1 and in sure dwellings1 and in quiet resting-places4 ,make thee an ark4 ,the ark was a figure of several things4 #a4 ,of ,christ1 in whom the church is preserved from the wrath of ,god4 #b4 ,it was a figure of the works of the faith of the godly3 ,by faith he prepared an ark2 by which the followers of ,christ are preserved from the rage and tyranny of the world 7for the rage of the water was a type of that1 as ,i shall shew you hereafter74 ,so then ,noah1 by preparing an ark1 or by being bid so to do of ,god1 was thereby admonished1 ,first1 ,to live by the faith of ,christ1 of whom the ark was a type3 and hence it is said1 that in preparing the ark1 he became heir of the righteousness which is by faith2 because he understood the mind of ,god therein1 and throughout his figure acted faith upon ,christ4 ,but1 ,secondly1 ,his faith was not to be idle1 and therefore he was bid to work4 ,this begat in him an obediential fear of doing ought which ,god had forbidden3 ,by faith ,noah1 being warned of ,god of things not seen as yet1 moved with fear1 prepared an ark1 to the saving of his house2 by the which he condemned the world1 and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith 7,heb #aa3g74 ,rooms nests shalt thou make in the ark4 ,to wit1 for himself1 and the beasts1 and birds of the field1 c4 ,implying1 that in the ,lord ,jesus there is room for ,jews and ,gentiles4 ,yea1 forasmuch as these rooms were prepared for beasts of every sort1 and for fowls of every wing3 it informs us1 that for all sorts1 ranks and qualities of men1 there is preservation in ,jesus ,christ3 ,compel them to come in2 drive them 7in a gospel sense as ,noah did the beasts of old into the ark71 that my house may be full1 and yet there is room #bg 7,luke #ad3bb1bc74 ,and thou shalt pitch it within and without with pitch4 ,this was to secure all from the flood1 or to keep them that were in the ark from perishing in the waters4 ,ver4 #ae4 ,and this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of3 the length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits1 the breadth of it fifty cubits1 and the height of it thirty cubits4 ,a vessel fit to swim upon the waters4 ,and this is the fashion1 c4 ,god's ordinances must be according to ,god's order and appointment1 not according to our fancies1 ,this is the fashion1 to wit1 according to what is after expressed4 ,by these words therefore ,noah was limited and bound up1 as to a direction from which he must not vary2 according to that of the angel to the prophet1 ,son of man saith he behold with thine eyes1 and hear with thine ears1 and set thine heart upon all that ,i shall shew thee3 for to the intent that ,i might shew them unto thee1 art thou brought hither 7,eze #dj3d74 ,as the ,lord said also to his servant ,moses1 ,in all things that ,i have said unto you1 be circumspect 7,exo #bc3ac74 ,and so again1 about making the tabernacle in the wilderness1 which the apostle also takes special notice of1 saying1 ,see1 saith he1 that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount 7,heb #h3e74 ,hence note1 ,that ,god's command must be the rule whereby we order all our actions1 especially when we pretend to worship that is divine and religious4 ,if our works1 orders1 and observances1 have not this inscription upon them1 ,this is the fashion1 or ,this is according to the pattern1 such works and orders will profit us nothing3 neither have we any promise when all is done1 it wanting the order of ,god1 that we should escape those judgments which those shall assuredly escape1 that have their eye in their work to the pattern revealed in the word4#bh ,ver4 #af4 ,a window shalt thou make to the ark1 and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above2 and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof3 with lower1 second1 and third stories shalt thou make it4 ,i told you before1 ,that the ark was a type of ,christ1 and also of the works of the faith of the godly4 ,and now he seems to bring in more1 and to make it a type of the church of ,christ3 as indeed the prophet also does1 when he calls the church1 one afflicted1 and tossed with tempests2 and compareth her troublers to the waters of ,noah1 saying1 ,this is as the waters of ,noah 7,isa #ed3i74 ,now as the ark was a type of the church1 so according to the description of this verse she hath three most excellent things attending her4 #a4 ,light4 #b4 ,a door4 #c4 ,stories of a lower and higher rank4 #a4 ,she hath a window for light1 and that when she was to be tossed upon the waters4 ,hence note1 ,that the church of ,christ wanteth not light1 no1 not in the worst of times4 ,this light is the ,word and ,spirit of ,god which ,christ hath given to them that obey him 7,john #ag74 #b4 ,she hath a door4 ,this door was a type of ,christ2 so was also the door of the tabernacle4 ,and hence it is that you read1 ,that ,moses1 when he went to talk with ,god1 would stand to talk in the door of the tabernacle2 also that the cloudy pillar stood at the door 7,exo #cc3i1aj74 ,i saith ,christ am the door3 ,again1 ,i am the door of the sheep 7,john #aj74 ,by this door then1 entered all that went into the ark1 as by ,christ all must enter that enter aright into the church4 #c4 ,she had stories in her1 of first1 second1 and third degree3 ,to shew that also in the church of ,christ there are some higher than some1 both as to persons and states3 #a4 apostles2 #b4 evangelists2 #c4 pastors and teachers4 ,and again1 there are in the church degrees of states1 as also there are in heaven4 ,ver4 #ag4 ,and1 behold1 ,i1 even ,i1 do bring a flood of waters upon the earth1 to destroy all flesh1 wherein is the breath of life from under heaven2 and every thing that is in the earth shall die4 ,this is the reason of the former commandment1 of making an ark3 ,but some time was yet to intervene3 the flood was hereafter to overflow the world3 wherefore1 from this it is that those words are inserted1 of things not seen as yet3 ,and that the ark was a work1 or the fruit of ,noah's faith3 by faith ,noah1 being warned of ,god of things not seen as yet1 c4 7,heb #aa74 ,and1 behold1 ,i1 even ,i1 c4 ,these words excuse ,noah of treason or rebellion1 forasmuch as his preparation for himself1 and his warning and threatening the whole world with death and judgment for their transgression1 was solely grounded upon the word of ,god3 ,god bid him prepare1 ,god said he would punish the world for their iniquity4 ,hence note1 ,that a man is not to be counted an offender1 how contrary soever he lieth1 either in doctrine or practice1 to men1 c4 if both have the command of ,god1 and are surely grounded upon the words of his mouth4 ,this made ,jeremiah1 though he preached1 ,that the city of ,jerusalem should be burnt with fire1 the king and people should go into captivity2 yet stand upon his own vindication before his enemies1 and plead his innocency against them that persecuted him 7,jer #bf3aj-ae74 ,daniel also1 though he did openly break the king's decree1 and refused to stoop to his idolatrous and devilish demand2 yet purged himself of both treason and sedition1 and justifies his act as innocent and harmless1 even in the sight of ,god4 ,my ,god saith he hath sent his angel1 and hath shut the lions' mouths1 that they have not hurt me3 forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me2 and also before thee1 ,o king1 have ,i done no hurt 7,dan #f3bb74 ,further1 ,paul also1 although by his doctrine he did cry down the ceremonies of the ,jews1 and the idolatry of the heathen emperor1 yet he quits himself of blame from either side3 ,neither against the law of the ,jews1 saith he1 neither against the temple1 nor yet against ,caesar1 have ,i offended anything at all 7,acts #be3h74 ,the reason is1 because the words of ,god1 how severely soever they threaten sinners1 and how sharply soever 7the preacher keeping within the bowels of the word7 this doctrine be urged on the world1 if it destroy1 it destroyeth but sin and impenitent sinners1 even as the waters of ,noah must do4 ,this then affords us another note worth remarking1 to wit1 ,that what ,god hath said in his word1 how offensive soever it be to ungodly men1 ,,that we that are ,christians ought to observe3 whether it direct us to declare against others' enormities1 or to provide for ourselves against the judgment to come4 ,and1 behold1 ,i1 even ,i1 do bring a flood1 c4 ,hence note again1 ,let us preach and practise well1 and let ,god alone the execute his judgments4 ,it is said of ,samuel1 ,that not one of his words did fall to the ground 7#a ,sam #c3ai74 ,he preached1 and ,god1 according to his blessing or cursing1 did either spare and forgive1 or execute his judgments4 ,and1 behold1 ,i1 even ,i4 ,note again1 ,that when sinners have with the utmost contempt slighted and despised the judgment threatened1 yet forasmuch as the execution thereof is in the hand of an omnipotent majesty1 it must fall with violence upon the head of the wicked4 ,i1 even ,i1 therefore1 were words of a strong encouragement to ,noah1 and the godly with him2 but black1 and like claps of thunder to the pestilent unbelieving world3 as the prophet says1 ,he is strong that executes his word3 ,and again1 ,not one of his judgments fail4 ,and1 behold1 ,i1 even ,i1 do bring a flood4 ,the flood was a type of three things4 #a4 ,a type of the enemies of the church 7,isa #ed3i-ad74 #b4 ,a type of the water baptism under the new testament 7#a ,peter #c3bj1ba74 #c4 ,a type of the last and general overthrow of the world by fire and brimstone 7#b ,peter #c3f1g74 ,but here1 as it simply respecteth the cause1 which 7as is afore related7 was the sin that before you read of2 so it precisely was a type of the last of these1 and to that end put an end to the world that then was4 ,the world that then was1 being overflowed with water1 perished1 to signify1 ,that the heavens and the earth which are now1 are reserved unto fire1 against the day of judgment1 and perdition of ungodly men4 ,i bring a flood of waters upon the earth1 to destroy all flesh1 wherein is the breath of life from under heaven3 and every thing that is in the earth shall die4 ,by these latter words1 as the cause1 so the extension of this curse is expressed2 and that under a threefold denotation4 #a4 ,every thing that is in the earth4 #b4 ,all flesh wherein is the breath of life4 #c4 ,every thing that is under heaven4 ,so then1 this deluge was universal1 and extended itself not only to those parts of the world where ,noah and that generation lived1 which we find repeated before1 but even over the face of all the earth2 and it took hold of the life of every living thing that was either on all the earth1 or in the air1 excepting only those in the ark1 as will the general judgment do3 ,and ,noah only remained alive1 and they that were with him in the ark 7,gen #g3bc74 ,ver4 #ah4 ,but with thee will ,i establish my covenant2 and thou shalt come into the ark1 thou1 and thy sons1 and thy wife1 and thy sons' wives with thee4 ,but with thee1 c4 ,this concerns what was said before concerning the universality of the flood3 ,as he also said above1 ,but ,noah found grace in the eyes of the ,,lord4 ,this ,peter also notes1 ,he saved ,noah the eighth person1 a preacher of righteousness1 bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly 7#a ,peter #b3e74 ,with thee will ,i establish my covenant4 ,my covenant of mercy1 or my promise to save thee when ,i drown the whole world for their iniquity3 ,and therefore he adds1 ,and thou shalt come into the ark4 ,i will establish4 ,making and establishing of promises are not always the same3 ,he made his promise to ,abraham1 he seconded it with an oath unto ,isaac1 and he confirmed1 or established it to ,jacob2 for by him he multiplied the seed of ,abraham as the stars of heaven for multitude 7,psa #aje3h-aj74 ,with thee will ,i establish4 ,or1 unto thee will ,i perform my promise1 ,thou shalt come into the ark4 ,hence note again1 ,that we ought to look upon signal and great deliverances from sore and imminent dangers1 to be confirmations of the promise or covenant of ,god4 ,or thus1 ,when ,god finds means of deliverance1 and instateth our souls in a special share of that means1 this we should take as a sign1 ,that with us ,god hath confirmed1 or established1 his covenant 7,luke #a3fh-gh74 ,thou1 and thy sons1 and thy wife1 and thy sons' wives with thee4 ,because in that family did now reside the whole of the visibility of the church upon the earth2 all the rest were lost1 as ,peter also intimates1 when he calleth ,noah the eighth person1 or one1 and the chief of the eight that made up the visible church1 or that maintained the purity of the worship of ,god upon the face of the whole earth3 ,as he explains it a little after3 ,for thee have ,i seen righteous before me in this generation 7#g3a74 ,ver4 #ai4 ,and of every living thing of all flesh1 two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark1 to keep them alive with thee2 they shall be male and female4 ,by these words1 ,noah should seem to be1 in this action1 a figure or semblance of ,christ2 who before the ,lord shall rain fire and brimstone from heaven1 shall gather into his ark1 the church1 of all kindreds1 and tongues1 and people1 and nations 7,luke #ac3bi2 #ad3ba74 ,even as ,noah was to gather of all1 of everything1 of all flesh1 of every sort1 with him into the ark4 ,two of every sort4 ,this two1 in special1 respecteth the unclean 7#g3b71 which were a type of the ,gentiles1 and so further confirms the point4 ,they shall be male and female4 ,he would not make a full end1 he would in judgment remember mercy 7,acts #aj3aa1ab1ag1bh74 ,ver4 #bj4 ,of fowls after their kind1 and of cattle after their kind1 of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind3 two of every sort shall come unto thee1 to keep them alive4 ,of fowls after their kind1 and of cattle after their kind4 ,this1 still respecting the antitype1 may shew us also1 how that ,god1 for proof of the prophecy of the spreading of the gospel1 doth not only tell us1 that the ,gentiles were gathered into his ark1 but as here the beasts and birds1 according to their kind1 are specified3 so the ,gentiles are also denominated according to their several countries1 ,galatians1 ,corinthians1 ,ephesians1 ,colossians1 ,thessalonians1 ,bereans1 c41 these1 after their country and nation1 were gathered unto ,jesus to be preserved from the flood of wrath that at last shall fall from ,god who dwells in heaven1 to the burning up of the sinner and ungodly4 ,two of every sort shall come unto thee1 to keep them alive4 ,if the emphasis lieth in ,come1 as ,i am apt to think1 and as the eighth verse of the next chapter fairly allows me to judge2 then we must observe still1 ,that ,noah was not only first in the ark1 as our ,lord and ,christ is the first from the dead2 but that the cattle1 the fowls1 and the creeping things1 did come to him into the ark1 by a special instinct from heaven of the fruits of a divine election4#bi ,noah therefore1 as a man1 did not make choice which of every kind2 but he went first into the ark1 and then of clean beasts by sevens1 and of unclean beasts by twos1 went in unto ,noah into the ark1 as the ,lord commanded ,noah4 ,and thus it is in the antitype3 ,unto thee shall all flesh come1 saith the prophet 7,psa #fe3b74 ,and again1 ,to him shall the gathering of the people be 7,gen #di3aj74 ,but how8 ,why1 by an instinct from heaven1 the fruit of a divine election3 ,all that the ,father giveth me shall come to me2 but no man can come to me saith ,christ except the ,father which hath sent me draw him 7,john #f3cg1dd74 ,the beasts therefore which came into the ark1 were neither chosen by men1 neither came they in by any instinct of nature which was common to them all1 but as being by a divine hand singled out and guided thither1 so they entered in3 the rest were left to the fury of the flood4 ,like to this also is the antitype1 sinners come not to ,jesus by any work or choice of flesh and blood1 nor yet by any instinct of nature that is common to all the world2 but they come1 as being by a divine hand singled out from others2 and as guided of the ,father1 so they come to ,christ into the ark3 ,the rest are left to the fury of the wrath of ,god1 which1 in the day of judgment1 shall swallow them up for ever4 ,they shall come unto thee to keep them alive4 ,indeed1 they lived not for their own sakes1 they being not better than them that perished2 but they shall come unto thee to save them3 for1 for the sake of ,noah they were preserved1 when many millions were drowned in the waters4 ,bring this also to the antitype1 and you find them look like one another3 for the reason why some are saved from the wrath to come1 it is not for that they are better in themselves1 for both ,jews and ,gentiles are all under sin3 ,but it is ,christ that saveth by his righteousness1 as ,noah saved the beasts and fowls1 c4 ,let us therefore1 as the beasts did1 go to ,jesus ,christ1 that he may keep us alive from perishing in the day of judgment4 ,ver4 #ba4 ,and take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten1 and thou shalt gather it to thee1 and it shall be for food for thee1 and for them4 ,this therefore was for the preservation of the life of those that were in the ark2 by which action there is1 as in the former1 inclosed a gospel-mystery4 ,take thou unto thee of all food4 ,this food was not to be at the will and dispose of unruly beasts2 but ,noah was1 as the lord of all that was in the ark1 to take it into his own custody3 and therefore he doubleth the command1 ,take it unto thee2 ,gather it unto thee2 to wit1 to dispose of after thy discretion and faithfulness4 ,in this therefore he was a type of ,christ1 whom ,god hath set as ,lord and ,king in the church1 and to feed his flock as a shepherd2 for the bread of ,god is in the hand of ,christ1 for him to communicate unto his spouses1 saints1 and children2 as ,joseph did to ,egypt1 according to the power committed to him1 and trust reposed in him4 ,and hence it is said1 as concerning the bread that endureth to everlasting life1 the ,son of man shall give it you2 for ,him hath ,god the ,father sealed1 or appointed thereunto 7,john #f3bg73 and therefore1 that he giveth1 we receive1 and no more of the bread of ,god3 ,that thou givest them1 they gather3 thou openest thine hand1 they are filled with good 7,psa #ajd3bh74 ,take unto thee all food4 ,that is1 to be eaten by man and beast2 the fowl also1 and the creeping thing4 ,this still followed1 and brought in to the gospel1 it shews us1 that1 even then1 when the church is driven up into a hole1 and tossed upon the waves of the rage and fury of the world1 as the ark was upon the face of the waters1 that even then her ,noah hath all food for her1 or food of all sorts for her support and refreshment3 ,bread shall be given him2 his waters shall be sure 7,isa #cc3af74 ,take unto thee4 ,how blessedly was this answered1 when the ,lion of the tribe of ,judah took the book out of the hand of him that sat upon the throne 7,rev #e3g72 for in the book is contained the words of everlasting life2 and the words of ,god are the food of his church1 which this ,noah hath received to nourish them withal3 ,man liveth not by bread only1 but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the ,lord1 doth man live 7,matt #d3d2 ,deu #h3c74 ,and it shall be for food for thee1 and for them4 ,that is1 each according to their kind4 ,the same is true also under our present consideration2 ,christ is the shepherd1 we are the sheep1 yet ,he feedeth with us in the ark3 ,i will come in to him1 and will sup with him1 and he with me 7,rev #c3bj74 ,again1 here ,christ transcends this action of ,noah2 for he was to have his food of his own1 but ,christ feedeth on the same with us1 even on the words of ,god3 ,yet herein again we differ2 he feedeth as a ,lord1 we as servants2 he as a ,saviour1 we as the saved2 but in general1 respecting the words of ,god1 we feed all but of one dish1 but at one table2 the bread therefore that he hath provided1 gathered and taken to him1 it was food for him1 as well as for us4 ,ver4 #bb4 ,thus did ,noah2 according to all that ,god commanded him1 so did he4 ,these words therefore present us with a description of the sincerity and simplicity of the faith of ,noah2 who received the word at the mouth of ,god2 not to hear only1 but to do and live in the same4 ,thus did ,noah4 ,as it is also said of his servant ,moses1 ,as the ,lord commanded ,moses1 so did he3 ,as the ,lord commanded ,moses1 so did he1 ,yea1 to shew us how pleasant a thing the ,holy ,ghost accounteth this holy obedience of faith1 he is not weary with repeating1 and repeating again not less than eight times in one chapter1 the punctuality of ,moses's conformity with the word of ,god1 in this manner1 ,thus did ,moses2 according to all that the ,lord commanded ,moses1 so did he 7,exo #dj3af1ai1ba1bc1be1bg1bi1cb74 ,thus did ,noah1 ,this note therefore is1 as it were1 a character or mark by which the ,lord's people are known from the world3 ,they have special regard to the word4 ,all his saints are in thy hand3 they sat down at thy feet2 every one shall receive of thy words 7,deu #cc3c74 ,as ,christ said1 ,i have given them thy words and they have received them 7,john #ag3e1f73 ,yea1 and they have kept thy word4 ,thus did ,noah4 ,let this then be the discriminating character of the saints from the men of this world4 ,it was so in the days of ,noah1 when all the world went a whoring from their ,god1 and said1 ,we desire not the knowledge of thy ways 7,job #ba3ad74 ,then ,noah kept the words of ,god4 ,thus did ,noah2 according to all that ,god commanded him1 so did he4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,ver4 #a4 ,and the ,lord said unto ,noah1 ,come thou and all thy house into the ark2 for thee have ,i seen righteous before me in this generation4 ,the ark being now prepared1 and the day of ,god's patience come to an end1 he now is resolved to execute his threatening upon the world of ungodly men2 but withal1 in the first place1 to secure his saints1 and them that have feared his name4 ,in this therefore we have a semblance of the last judgment1 and how ,god will dispose of his friends and enemies4 ,come thou into the ark4 ,god1 ,i say1 will take care of1 and safely provide for us that have feared him1 when he most eminently entereth into judgment with the world3 ,as he also saith by ,isaiah the prophet1 ,come1 my people1 enter thou into thy chambers1 and shut thy doors about thee3 hide thyself as it were for a little moment1 until the indignation be over-past 7#bf3bj74 ,he shall send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet1 and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds1 from one end of heaven to another4 ,come thou and all thy house4 ,not an hoof must be left behind2 ,god will not lose the very dust of his people3 ,of all that thou hast given me have ,i lost nothing1 but will raise it up at the last day 7,john #f3ci74 ,god therefore was careful not only of ,noah1 but of all that were in his house2 because they were all of his visible church1 they must therefore be preserved from the rage and fury of the deluge4 ,gather my saints together unto me2 saith he those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice 7,psa #ej3e74 ,for thee have ,i seen righteous before me4 ,this is not to be understood as the meritorious cause1 but as the characteristical note that distinguisheth them that are gods1 from others that are subjects of his wrath and displeasure3 wherefore1 those that at this time perished1 bear the badge of ungodliness1 as that which made them obnoxious to this overflowing judgment3 ,as also we have it in the book of ,job1 ,hast thou saith ,eliphaz marked the old way which wicked men have trodden8 ,which were cut down out of time1 whose foundation was overflown with a flood 7,job #bb3ae1af74 ,righteousness therefore1 is the distinguishing character whereby the good are known from the bad4 ,thus it was in ,ezekiel's time3 ,set a mark saith ,god upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst of the city 7,eze #i3d74 ,which mark was to distinguish them from those that were profane1 and that for their wickedness were to be destroyed by the ministers of ,god's justice4 ,for thee have ,i seen righteous before me4 ,these words1 before me1 are inserted on purpose to shew us1 that ,noah was no feigned worshipper1 but one who did all things in the sight of ,god4 ,indeed1 there are two things which are of absolute necessity for the obtaining of this approbation of ,god4 #a4 ,all things must be done as to manner according to the word4 #b4 ,all things must be done as to the matter of them also according to the word4 ,both which were found in ,noah's performances2 and therefore he is said to be perfect in his generations1 and that he walked with ,god4 ,thus it was also with ,zacharias and ,elizabeth1 they were both righteous before ,god2 that is1 sincere and unfeigned in their obedience 7,luke #a3f74 ,righteous before me in this generation4 ,by this we see1 righteousness1 or the truth of ,god's worship in the world1 was now come to a low ebb2 the devil1 and the children of ,cain1 had bewitched the church of ,god1 and brought the professors thereof so off from the truth of his way1 that had they got ,noah also1 the church had been quite extinct1 and gone3 wherefore1 it now was time for ,god to work1 and to cherish what was left1 even by sending a besom of destruction upon all the face of the earth1 to sweep away all the workers of iniquity4 ,ver4 #b1 #c4 ,of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens1 the male and his female3 and of beasts that are not clean by two1 the male and his female4--,of fowls also of the air by sevens1 the male and his female2 to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth4 ,something hath been said to this already2 only this ,i will add further1 ,that by this commandment of ,god1 both ,noah1 and all that were with him1 were pre-admonished to look to their hearts2 that they continued unfeigned before him4 ,for if ,god would save unclean beasts1 and fowls1 from the present and terrible destruction2 why also might not some of them1 though they partook of this temporal deliverance1 be still reputed as unclean in his sight8 ,as indeed it came to pass2 for a cursed ,ham was there4 ,wherefore1 read not lightly the commands of ,god1 there may be both doctrine and exhortation2 both item1#cj as well as an obligation to a duty containd therein4 ,circumcision was a duty incumbent as to the letter of the commandment2 but there was also doctrine in it1 as to a more high and spiritual teaching than the letter simply imported4 ,note then from hence1 ,that when you read that unclean beasts and unclean birds1 may be in the ark of ,noah3 ,that unclean men1 and unclean women1 may be in the church of ,god3 ,one of you is a devil1 was an admonition to all the rest3 ,let this also of the beasts unclean be an admonition to you4 ,ver4 #d4 ,for yet seven days1 and ,i will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights2 and every living substance that ,i have made1 will ,i destroy1 or1 blot out from off the face of the earth4 ,now the judgment is at the door2 it is time to make haste1 and pack into the ark4 ,god doth not love to have his people have much vacancy from employment while they are in this world4 ,idle times are dangerous2 ,david found it so in the business of ,uriah's wife4 ,wherefore ,noah having finished the ark1 he hath another work to do1 even to get himself1 with his family and household1 fitly settled in the vessel that was to save him from the deluge1 and that at his peril in seven days' time4 ,for yet seven days1 and ,i will bring a flood4 ,note again1 ,that it hath been the way of ,god1 even when he doth execute the severest judgments1 to tell it in the ears of some of his saints sometime before he doth execute the same3 ,yea1 it seems to me1 that it will be so even in the great day of ,god ,almighty2 for ,i read1 that before the bridegroom came1 thee was a cry made1 ,behold the bridegroom cometh6 7,matt #be3f74 ,which cry doth not seem to me1 to be the ordinary cry of the ministers of the gospel1 but a cry that was effected by some sudden and marvellous awakening1 the product of some new and extraordinary revelation4 ,that also seems to look like some fore-word to the church1 ,then shall appear the sign of the ,son of man in heaven 7,matt #bd3cj73 ,some strange and unusual revelation of that notable day to be near1 which in other ages was not made known to the world2 upon which sign he presently appears4 ,now whether this sign will be the appearing of the angels first2 or whether the opening of the heavens1 or the voice of the arch-angel1 and the trump of ,god1 or what1 ,i shall not here presume to determine2 but a fore-word there is like to be1 yet so immediately followed with the personal presence of ,christ1 that they who had not grace before1 shall not have time nor means to get it then3 ,and while they went to buy1 the bridegroom came2 and they that were ready went in with him1 and the door was shut 7,matt #be74 ,and ,i will cause it to rain forty days and forty nights4 ,this length of time doth fore-pronounce the completing of the judgment3 ,as who should say1 ,i will cause it to rain until ,i have blotted out all the creatures1 both of men1 beasts1 and fowls3 and so the after-words import2 ,and every living substance that ,i have made1 will ,i destroy from off the face of the earth4 ,ver4 #e4 ,and ,noah did according to all that the ,lord commanded him4 ,this note1 as already ,i have said1 doth denote him to be a righteous man2 one that might with honour to his ,god1 escape the judgment now to be executed3 wherefore1 the reiterating of this character is much for the vindicating of ,god's justice1 and for the justification of his overthrowing the world of ungodly sinners4 ,but again1 these words seem to respect in special1 what ,noah did in the last seven days1 in order to the commandment laid before him in the three first verses of this chapter2 and so they signify his faithfulness to the word1 and his observance of the law of his ,god1 even to the day that the rain began to fall upon the earth4 ,and therefore they preach unto us1 not only that he began well1 but that he continued in godly and unfeigned perseverance2 which when perfected1 is the most effectual proof1 that what before he did1 he did with uprightness of heart1 and therefore now must escape the judgment4 ,as it is said in the gospel of ,matthew1 ,he that shall endure unto the end1 the same shall be saved 7,matt #bd3ac74 ,ver4 #f4 ,and ,noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth4 ,four hundred and fourscore of which the world had leisure to study the prophecy that ,god gave of him by the mouth of his father ,lamech 7,gen #e3bi72 the other hundred and twenty he spent in a more open testifying1 both by word1 and his preparing the ark1 that ,god would one day overtake them with judgment2 yet to the day that the flood came1 the world was ignorant thereof 7,matt #bd3ch1ci74 7,astonishing is the fruits of sin37 ,so it came to pass1 that in the six hundredth year of ,noah's life1 which was the one thousand six hundred fifty sixth year of the world's age1 the flood of waters were upon the earth1 to the utter destruction of all that was found upon the face thereof1 ,noah only being left alive1 and they that were with him in the ark4 ,ver4 #g4 ,and ,noah went in1 and his sons1#ca and his wife1 and his sons' wives with him1 into the ark1 because of the waters of the flood4 ,they had hardly done their work in the world1 by that it began to rain1 by that the first drops of the judgment appeared4 ,they went into the ark1 says the text1 because of the waters of the flood4 ,this should teach ,christians diligence1 lest they be called for by ,god's dispensations1 either of death or judgment1 before they have served completely their generations1 by the will of ,god4 ,noah had done it1 but it seems he had but done it2 his work was ended just as the judgment came3 ,be ye also ready2 for in such an hour as ye think not the ,son of man cometh 7,matt #bd3dd74 ,ver4 #h1 #i4 ,of clean beasts1 and of beasts that are not clean1 and of fowls1 and of everything that creepeth upon the earth1 there went in two and two unto ,noah into the ark1 the male and the female1 as ,god had commanded ,noah4 ,by these words it seems 7as ,i also touched before7 that the beasts1 and fowls1 both clean and unclean1 did come in to ,noah into the ark2 not by ,noah's choice1 nor by any instinct that was common to all1 but by an instinct from above1 which so had determined the life and death of these creatures1 even to a very sparrow2 for not one of them doth fall to the ground without the providence of our heavenly ,father4 ,they went in unto ,noah4 ,and let no man deride1 for that ,i say1 ,by an instinct from above2 for ,god hath not only wrought wonders in men1 but even in the beasts1 and fowls of the air2 to the making of them act both above and against their own nature4 ,how did ,baalam's ass speak6 7,num #bb3bh-cj74 ,and the cows that drew the ark1 have it right to the place which ,god had appointed1 not regarding their sucking calves6 7#a ,sam #f3aj-ad74 ,yea1 how did those ravenous creatures1 the ravens1 bring the prophet bread and flesh twice a day1 but by immediate instinct from heaven8 7#a ,kings #ag3f74 ,even by the same did these go in to ,noah1 into the ark4 ,ver4 #aj4 ,and it came to pass after seven days1 that the waters of the flood were upon the earth4 ,just as the ,lord had denounced before3 ,look therefore1 what ,god hath said1 shall assuredly come to pass1 whether it be believed1 or counted an idle tale4 ,the confirmation therefore of what ,god hath spoken1 depended not upon the credence of man1 because it came not by the will of man3 ,he hath said it1 and shall he not make it good8 ,it will therefore assuredly come to pass1 whatever ,god hath spoken1 be it to save his ,noahs1 or be it to drown his enemies2 and the reason is1 ,because to do otherwise1 is inconsistent with his nature4 ,he is faithful1 holy and true1 and cannot deny himself1 that is1 the word which he hath spoken4 ,ver4 #aa4 ,in the six hundredth year of ,noah's life1 in the second month1 the seventeenth day of the month1 the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up1 and the windows or flood-gates of heaven were opened4 ,as to the month1 and the day of the month ,i have but little to say3 though doubtless1 had not there been something worthy of knowing therein1 it would not so punctually have been left upon record2 for ,i dare not say this scribe wrote this in vain1 or that it was needless thus to punctilio it2 a mystery is in it1 but my darkness sees it not2 ,i must speak according to the proportion of faith4 ,the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up4 ,by these words1 it seems that it did not only rain from heaven1 but also the springs and fountains were opened2 which together with the great rain of his strength1 did overflow the world the sooner4 ,this great deep1 in mine opinion1 was also a type of the bottomless pit1 that mouth and gulf of hell1 which at the day of judgment shall gape upon the world of ungodly men1 to swallow them up from the face of the earth1 and to carry them away from the face and presence of ,god4 ,and the windows or flood-gates of heaven were opened4 ,that is1 that the water might descend without measure or order1 even in its own natural force1 with violence upon the head of the wicked4 ,it came as water out of his buckets upon them1 judgment without mercy 7,num #bd3g74 ,this opening of the flood-gates of heaven1 was a type of the way that shall be made for the justice of ,god upon ungodly men1 when ,christ hath laid aside his mediatorship2 for he indeed is the sluice that stoppeth this justice of ,god from its dealing according to its infinite power and severity with men4 ,he stands1 like ,moses1 and1 as it were1 holdeth the hands of ,god4 ,oh6 but when he shall be taken away6 ,when he shall have finished his mediatory work3 then will the flood-gates of heaven be opened1 and then will the justice and holiness of ,god deal with men without stint or diminution1 even till it hath filled the vessels of wrath with vengeance till they run over4 ,it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living ,god4 ,ver4 #ab4 ,and the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights4 ,that is1 ,it rained so long without stop or sting 7v #d74 ,ver4 #ac4 ,in the self same day entered ,noah1 and ,shem1 and ,ham1 and ,japheth1 the sons of ,noah1 and ,noah's wife1 and the three wives of his sons with them1 into the ark4 ,this therefore more fully approveth of what ,i said before2 to wit1 ,that they had hardly done their work in the world1 by that it began to rain2 but so soon as they had done1 the flood was upon the earth4 ,much like this is that of ,lot2 it was not to rain fire and brimstone upon ,sodom1 till he was got to ,zoar3 ,but when ,lot was entered1 but just entered1 ,then the ,lord rained upon ,sodom1 and upon ,gomorrah1 brimstone and fire from the ,,lord out of heaven 7,gen #ai3ba-bd74 ,hence note1 ,that the reason why ,god doth forbear to destroy the world for the wickedness of them that dwell therein1 it is for the sake of the elect2 because his work upon them is not fully perfected4 ,the ,lord is not slack concerning his promise 7#b ,peter #c3i72 no1 nor as concerning his threatening neither1--but is long-suffering to us-ward who are the elect2 not willing that any of us should perish3 ,but when ,christ1 head and members1 are complete in all things1 let the world look for patience and forbearance no longer2 for in that self same day the trump of ,god will sound1 and the ,lord descend with a shout from heaven1 to execute his anger with fury1 and his rebukes with flames of fire4 ,behold1 he is now ready to judge the quick and the dead6 7#a ,peter #d3e7 ready to be revealed in the last time6 7#a ,peter #a3e74 ,the judge also stands at the door 7,james #e3i72 it is but opening therefore1 and his hand is upon you1 which most assuredly he will do when his body is full and complete4 ,observe again1 that providence sometimes so ordereth it1 that as touching the command of the ,lord1 necessity is as it were the great wheel that brings men into the performances of them1 as here the flood drove them into the ark2 as he said above1 they went in because of the waters of the flood3 ,so concerning the ordinance of unleavened bread1 the first institution of that law1 was as it were accompanied with an unavoidable necessity1 it was unleavened1 saith the text1 because they were thrust out of ,egypt1 and could not tarry1 neither had they prepared for themselves any victual 7,exo #ab3ci74 ,it will be thus also at the day of judgment3 ,israel will be sufficiently wary of this world1 they will even as it were unexpressibly groan to be taken up from hence2 wherefore the ,lord will come1 as making use of the weariness and groaning of his people1 and will take them up into his chambers of rest1 and will wipe away all tears from their eyes1 as here ,noah and his sons1 c4 did enter into the ark4 ,ver4 #ad4 ,they1 and every beast after his kind1 and all the cattle after their kind1 and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind1 and every fowl after his kind1 every bird of every sort or wing4 ,without doubt this careful repetition is not without a cause1 and have also in the bowels of it some comfortable doctrine for the church of ,god2 every beast1 all cattle1 every creeping thing that creepeth2 every fowl and bird of every wing4 ,fist this sheweth1 that ,god hath respect to the fulfilling of his word in the midst of all his zeal and anger against sin 7,gen #ai74 ,he doth not as we1 being angry1 run headlong upon the offenders1 but if there be but three in a kingdom1 or one in four cities1 he will have respect to them 7,eze #ad3ai1bj74 ,secondly1 ,it sheweth that1 how inconsiderable soever the persons are1 that are within the compass1 and care of the love and mercy of ,god1 that inconsiderableness shall not be a let to their safety and preservation3 ,yea1 though they are but as these creeping things1 that creep upon the earth1 or as the saying is1 but as a flea1 a dead dog1 or a grasshopper1 or one of the least of the grains of wheat1 not one of them1 nay1 not a hair of the head of them shall fall to the ground and perish4 ,ver4 #ae1 #af4 ,and they went in unto ,noah into the ark1 two and two of all flesh1 wherein is the breath of life4 ,and they that went in1 went in male and female of all flesh1 as ,god had commanded him3 and the ,lord shut him in4 ,the ,holy ,ghost in this relation is wonderfully punctual and exact3 every beast1 all cattle1 every creeping thing1 every fowl1 and every bird1 after their kind went in2 and saith he again1 they that went in1 went in two and two2 as if there had been an intelligence among these irrational creatures1 that the flood was shortly to be upon the earth4 ,indeed1 many among the sensitives have strange instincts1 as appendixes to their nature1 by which they do1 and leave to do1 to the astonishment of them that have reason3 ,but that any instinct in nature should put them upon afore providing of shelter from the flood1 by going into the ark1 7a place to secure them1 rather than to save them1 had not the occasion and command of ,god been otherwise7 it cannot be once with reason imagined4 ,wherefore1 as their going into the ark1 so their going in two by two1 and that too male and female1 plainly declares that their motion was ordered and governed by heaven1 themselves being utterly ignorant thereof4 ,and they that went in went in male and female of all flesh1 both man and beast and the ,lord shut him in1 that is ,noah2 and those that were with him4 ,these latter words are of great importance1 and do shew us the distinguishing grace of ,god1 for by his thus shutting the door of the ark1 he not only confirmed his mercy to ,noah1 but also discovered the bounds and limits thereof4 ,as who should say1 ,now ,noah you have your full tale1 just thus many ,i will save from the flood3 and with that he shut the door leaving all other1 both man and beast1 c4 to the fury of the waters4 ,god therefore by this act hath shewed how it will go in the day of judgment with men4 ,those that 7like those beasts1 and birds1 and creeping things7 shall come to ,christ1 into his ark1 before it rain fire and brimstone from heaven1 those will ,god shut up in the ark1 and they shall live in that day2 but those that shall then be found in the world strangers to ,jesus ,christ1 those will ,god shut out3 ,they that were ready went in with him to the marriage3 and the door was shut 7,matt #be3aj74 ,and observe1 it is not said1 that ,noah shut the door1 but the ,lord shut him in3 ,if ,god shuts in or out1 who can alter it8 ,i shut1 and no man openeth 7,rev #c3g74 ,doubtless before the flood had carried off the ark1 others besides would with gladness have had there a lodging room1 though no better than a dog-kennel2 but now it was too late1 the ,lord had shut the door4 ,besides1 had there been now in the heart of ,noah1 bowels or compassion to those without the ark1 or had he had desire to have received them to him1 all had been worth nothing1 the ,lord had shut him in4 ,this signifying1 that at the day of judgment1 neither the bowels of ,jesus ,christ1 neither the misery that damned men shall be in1 will anything at all avail with ,god to save one sinner more1 the door is shut4 ,where you read therefore both in ,matthew and ,luke of the shutting of the door1 understand that by such expressions ,christ alludeth to the door in ,noah's ark1 which door was open while ,noah and his attendants were entering into the ark1 but they being got in1 the ,lord shut the door4 ,then they that stood without and knocked1 did weep1 and knock1 and ask too late4 ,as ,christ saith1 ,when once the master of the house is risen up1 and hath shut to the door1 and ye begin to stand without1 and to knock at the door1 saying1 ,lord1 ,lord1 open unto us2 and he shall answer and say unto you1 ,i know you not whence ye are3 ,then shall ye begin to say1 ,we have eaten and drunk in thy presence1 and thou hast taught in our streets1 as ,noah did of old4 ,but he shall say1 ,i tell you1 ,i know you not whence ye are2 depart from me1 all ye workers of iniquity4 ,there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth1 when ye shall see ,abraham1 and ,isaac and ,jacob1 and all the prophets1 in the kingdom of ,god1 and you yourselves thrust out 7,luke #ac3be-bh74 ,ver4 #ag4 ,and the flood was forty days upon the earth1 and the waters increased1 and bare up the ark1 and it was lift up above the earth4 ,while the ark rested1 and abode in his place1 no doubt but the ears of ,noah were filled with doleful cries from the wretched and miserable people1 whom ,god had shut without the ark1 one while crying1 another while knocking1 according to what but now was related2 which for ought ,i know might be many of the forty days1 but when the waters much increased1 and lift up the ark above the earth1 this miserable company were soon shaken off4#cb ,it will be thus also in the day of judgment2 at the beginning of that day the ears of the godly will sufficiently be filled with the cries and tears of the damned and miserable world2 but when the ark shall be taken up1 that is1 when the godly shall ascend into the clouds1 and so go hence with ,jesus1 they will soon lose this company1 and be out of the hearing of their lamentable dolours4 ,and the waters increased4 ,god's judgments have no ears to receive the cries1 nor heart to pity the miseries of the damned4 ,they cry1 it rains2 they increase their cries1 and the ,lord does increase his judgment4 ,and it came to pass1 that as he cried1 and they would not hear2 so they cried1 and ,i would not hear1 saith the ,lord of hosts 7,zech #g3ac74 ,again1 ,as the waters were a type of the wrath of ,god that in the day of judgment shall fall upon ungodly men3 ,so they were also a type of those afflictions and persecutions that attend the church2 for that very water that did drown the ungodly1 that did also toss and tumble the ark about2 wherefore by the increase of the waters1 we may also understand1 how mighty and numerous sometimes the afflictions and afflictors of the godly be3 ,as ,david said1 ,lord1 how are they increased that trouble me8 many are they that rise up against me 7,psa #c3a74 ,and the waters increased1 and bare up the ark4 ,the higher the rage and tyranny of this world goeth against the church of ,god1 the higher is the ark lifted up towards heaven1 the most proud wave lifts it highest3 ,the church is also by persecution more purged and purified from earthly and carnal delights2 therefore it is added1 the waters bare up the ark1 and it was lift up above the earth4 ,ver4 #ah4 ,and the waters prevailed1 and were increased greatly upon the earth2 and the ark went upon the face of the waters4#cc ,these words are still to be considered under the former double consideration1 to wit1 both1 as they present us with ,god's wrath at the last judgment1 and as they present us with a sign of the rage and malice of ungodly men4 ,and the waters prevailed2 that is1 over all ungodly sinners2 though they were mighty1 and stout1 and cared for none1 yet the waters prevailed against them1 as the fire and brimstone will do over all the world at the day and coming of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,wherefore1 well may it be said to all impenitent sinners1 ,can thy heart endure1 or can thy hands be strong1 in the days that ,i shall deal with thee 7,eze #bb3ad71 saith the ,lord ,god8 ,oh they cannot1 the waters of the wrath of ,god will prevail against1 and increase upon them1 until they have utterly swallowed them up4 ,and the waters prevailed4 ,take it now as a type of the nature of persecution1 and then it sheweth1 that as the waters here did swallow up all but the ark1 so when persecution is mighty in the world1 it prevaileth to swallow up all but the church2 for none else can aright withstand or oppose their wickedness4 ,it is said1 when the beast had power to work1 the whole world wondered after the beast 7,rev #ac3c71 and all men who were not sealed1 and that had not the mark of ,god in their foreheads1 fell in with the worship of the beast2 as it is said1 ,and all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him1 whose names are not written in the book of life of the ,lamb c4 7v #h71 ,so then it might well be said1 ,the waters prevailed and increased4 ,and the ark went upon the face of the waters4 ,it is said that in the beginning the ,spirit of ,god moved upon the face of the waters1 and here that the ark went upon the face of them4 ,indeed the ,spirit of ,god moveth1 and the church1 as ,god1 walketh in strange and unthought of stations4 ,it is said1 that ,god hath a way in the whirlwind1 and in the storm 7,nahum #a3c74 ,so he hath upon the very face of the persecution of the day1 but none but the church can follow him here2 it is the ark that can follow him upon the face of the waters4 ,deep things are seen by them that are upon the waters3 ,they that go down to the sea in ships1 that do business in great waters2 ,they see the works of the ,lord1 and his wonders in the deep 7,psa #ajg3bc1bd74 ,indeed it oft falls out1 that the church seeth more of ,god in affliction1 than when she is at rest and ease2 when she is tumbled to and fro in the waters1 then she sees the works of ,god1 and his wonders in the deep4 ,and this makes persecution so pleasant a thing1 this makes the ark go upon the face of the waters1 she seeth more in this her state1 than in all the treasures of ,egypt 7,heb #aa3bd1be74 ,ver4 #ai4 ,and the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth2 and all the high hills1 that were under the whole heaven1 were covered4 ,this second repetition of the prevailing of the waters1 doth also call for a second consideration4 #a4 ,it shews us1 that all hope that any ungodly man might have at the beginning of the flood to escape the rage thereof1 was now swallowed up in death4 ,indeed it is natural to the creatures1 when floods and inundations are upon the earth1 to repair to the high places1 as they only that are left for preservation of life2 where life may be also continued if the waters do not overflow them3 but when it comes to pass as here we read1 that all the hills under the heavens are covered3 then life takes its farewell1 and is gone from the world1 as was the effect of the waters of ,noah4 ,the hills therefore were types of the hope of the hypocrite1 upon which they clamber till their heads do touch the clouds1 thinking thereby to escape the judgment of ,god2 but though they hide themselves in the top of ,carmel1 ,i will search and take them out thence1 saith ,god 7,amos #i3b1c74 ,the flood of his wrath will come thither1 even over the tops of all the hills4 ,so that safety is only in the ark with ,noah1 in the church with ,christ1 all other places must be drowned with the flood4 #b4 ,we may also understand by this verse1 how ,god in a time of persecution will cut off the carnal confidence of his people4 ,we are apt to place our hope somewhere else than in ,god1 when persecution ariseth because of the word4 ,we hope that such a man1 or that such outward means may prevent our being swept away with this flood4 ,but because this confidence is not after ,god1 but tendeth to weaken our stedfast dependence on him2 therefore this flood shall cover all our hills1 not one shall be found for us under the whole heaven 7,jer #b3cf1cg74 ,when the king of ,babylon came up against ,jerusalem to war1 then ,israel1 instead of trusting in ,god1 put their confidence in the king of ,egypt1 but he also was swallowed up by this flood1 that ,israel might be ashamed of such confidence2 and this at last they confessed4 ,as for us1 said they1 our eyes as yet failed for our vain help3 in our watching1 we have watched for a nation that could not save us 7,lam #d3ag74 ,it was requisite therefore that the hills should be covered1 that ,noah might not have confidence in them2 but surely this dispensation of ,god was an heart-shaking providence to ,noah1 and they that were with him2 for here indeed was his faith tried1 there was no hill left in all the world2 now were his carnal helpers gone1 there was none shut up or left3 ,now therefore1 if they could rejoice1 it must be only in the power of ,god4 ,as ,david said1 ,shall ,i lift up mine yes to the hills8 whence should my help come8 ,so the margin3 ,my help cometh from the ,lord that made heaven and earth 7,psa #aba3a1b74 ,ver4 #bj4 ,fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail2 and the mountains were covered4 ,the height of ,goliath was but six cubits and a span 7#a ,sam #ag3d71 neither was ,og's bedstead any more than nine 7,deu #c3aa74 ,wherefore this flood prevailed far the highest of those mighty ones3 even fifteen cubits above the highest mountains4 ,ver4 #ba1 #bb1 #bc4 ,and all flesh died that moved upon the earth1 both of fowl1 and of cattle1 and of beast1 and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth1 and every man3 ,all in whose nostrils was the breath of life1 of all that was in the dry land1 died4 ,and every living substance was destroyed1 which was upon the face of the ground1 both man1 and cattle1 and the creeping things1 and the fowls of the heaven2 and they were destroyed from the earth1 and ,noah only remained alive1 and they that were with him in the ark4 ,in these words you have the effects of the flood1 which was punctually according to the judgment threatened4 ,but observe1 ,i pray you1 how the ,holy ,ghost1 by repeating1 doth amplify the matter4 ,all flesh1 ,all in whose nostrils was the breath of life2 ,all that was in the dry land1 every living substance1 every man2 and they were destroyed from off the earth3 ,by which manner of language doubtless there is insinuated a threatening to them who should afterward live ungodly4 ,and indeed the ,holy ,ghost affirmeth1 that these judgments1 with that of ,sodom1 are but examples set forth before our eyes1 to shew us that such sins1 such punishment4 ,making them an ensample1 saith ,peter1 unto those that after should live ungodly 7#b ,peter #b3f74 ,nay1 ,jude saith1 they are set forth in their overthrow1 for that very purpose 7v #g74 ,wherefore this careful repeating of this judgment of ,god1 doth carry threatening in it1 assuredly foreshewing the doom and downfall of those that shall continue to tread their steps4 ,yea1 mind how ,peter hath it3 ,for if ,god spared not the old world1 c4 7#b ,peter #b3e74 ,secretly intimating1 that those that then lived1 being the first of his workmanship1 and far surpassing in magnificence1 if he would have spared1 he would have spared them2 but seeing he so dreadfully swept them away1 let no man be so bold to presume that wickedness shall now deliver him that is given to it4 ,and ,noah only remained alive1 and they that were with him in the ark4 ,noah was that man of ,god that had set himself against a world of ungodly men4 ,the man that had hazarded life and limb for the word of ,god committed to him2 he only remained alive1 c4 ,hence note1 ,that he was the man that outlived the world1 that would for ,god venture life against all the world4 ,wherefore the saying in the gospel is true1 ,he that will lose his life for my sake1 shall save it unto life eternal4 ,thus did ,noah1 and passed the end1 and went over the bounds1 that ,god had appointed for every living thing4 ,behold6 he was a man in both worlds1 yea1 the world then to come was given him for a possession4 ,and the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days4 ,about the same time the scorpions mentioned of ,john1 had power to hurt the earth 7,rev #i3aj74 ,wherefore1 the thus prevailing of the water1 might be a type of our persecution now in the ,new ,testament days4 ,all which time doubtless ,noah was sufficiently tried1 while the waves of the water had no pity for him4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,ver4 #a4 ,and ,god remembered ,noah1 and every living thing1 and all the cattle that was with him in the ark2 and ,god made a wind to pass over the earth1 and the waters asswaged4 ,moses having thus related the judgment of the waters1 as they respected the drowning of the world1 and so typed forth the last judgment3 he now returneth to speak of them more largely1 as they were a type of the persecution and afflictions of the church1 and so sheweth how ,god delivered ,noah from the merciless violence of the waves thereof4 ,and ,god remembered ,noah4 ,this word remembered is usual in scripture2 both when ,god is about to deliver his people out of affliction1 and to grant them the petition which they ask of him4 ,it is said1 ,god remembered ,abraham2 and sent ,lot out of ,sodom 7,gen #ai3bi72 that he remembered ,rachel1 and hearkened to her 7#cj3bb72 that he also remembered his covenant with ,abraham1 when he went to bring ,israel out of their bondage 7,exo #b3bd74 ,hence note1 that ,noah was not both in an afflicted and a praying condition2 afflicted with the dread of the waters1 and prayed for their asswaging4 ,it is a question accompanied with astonishment1 ,how the ark being of no bigger an hull or bulk should contain so many creatures1 with sustenance for them8 ,and verily1 ,i think that ,noah himself was put to it1 to believe and wait for so long a time4 ,but ,god remembered him1 and also the beasts1 and every living thing that was with him1 and began to put an end to these mighty afflictions1 by causing the waters to asswage4 ,and ,god made a wind to pass over the earth4 ,the waters being here a type of persecutors and persecution3 this wind was a type of the breath of the ,lord's mouth1 by which he is said to slay the wicked4 ,he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth1 and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked 7,isa #aa3d74 ,it was a wind also that blew away the locusts of ,egypt 7,exo #aj3ai71 which locusts were a type of our graceless clergy1 that have covered the ground of our land4#cd ,again the kingdom of ,babel was to be destroyed by a destroying wind1 which the ,lord would send against her 7,jer #ea3a1b71 which ,paul expounds to be by the breath of the ,lord's mouth1 and by the brightness of his coming4 ,this wind therefore1 as ,i said1 was a type of the breathing of the ,spirit of the ,lord1 by which means these tumultuous waves shall be laid over1 and ,god's ark in a while made to rest upon the top of his mountain 7#b ,sam #bb3ai74 ,for by the breath of the ,lord the earth is lightened1 and by this lightning coals are kindled2 yea1 he sent out his arrows and scattered them1 and he shot out lightnings1 and discomfited them4 ,then the channels of waters were seen1 and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke1 ,o ,lord1 at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils 7,psa #ah3ad1ae74 ,and ,god made a wind to pass over the earth1 and the waters asswaged4 ,that is1 in ,new ,testament language1 the afflictors and afflictions of the church did cease and decay1 and came to nought4 ,and the waters asswaged3 ,to wit1 by the blowing of this wind1 wherefore1 as this wind did assault the waters1 so it did refresh the spirit of this servant of ,god1 because by it the affliction was driven away4 ,thus then by the wind of the ,lord were these dry bones refreshed1 and made to stand upon their feet 7,eze #cg3i1aj74 ,and ,god made a wind to pass over4 ,and ,god made it2 when ,god blows1 the enemies of his truth shall pass away like waters that fail4 ,ver4 #b4 ,the fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped1 and the rain from heaven was restrained4 ,by these words we see1 that when the church of ,god is afflicted1 both heaven and hell have their hand therein1 but so as from a differing consideration1 and to a diverse end4 ,from heaven it comes1 that we may remember we have sinned1 and that we may be made white1 and tried 7,dan #aa3ce72 but from hell1 from the great deep1 that we might sin the more1 and that we might despair1 and be damned 7,job #a3aa2 #b3e74 ,and the fountains of the great deep4 ,when ,god begins to slack and abate the afflictions of his church1 he rebukes1 as it were first1 the powers of hell2 for should he take off his own hand1 while they have leave to do what they list1 the church for this would be worse not better3 ,but first he rebuketh them3 ,the ,lord rebuke thee1 ,o ,satan1 that's the first2 and then he clothes them with change of raiment 7,zech #c3a-e73 ,the fountains of the great deep were stopped1 and then the bottles of heaven 7,gen #ae3ad74 ,and the rain from heaven was restrained1 or held back1 or made to cease4 ,afflictions are governed by ,god1 both as to time1 number1 nature and measure4 ,in measure when it shooteth forth1 thou wilt debate with it3 he stayeth his rough wind in the day of his east wind 7,isa #bg3h74 ,our times therefore1 and our conditions in those times1 are in the hand of ,god2 yea1 and so are our souls and bodies1 to be kept and preserved from the evil1 while the rod of ,god is upon us 7,jer #ae3a-c74 ,ver4 #c4 ,and the waters returned from off the earth continually3 and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated4 ,the verse before doth treat of the original1 the fountains of the deep1 and the windows of heaven1 that they were shut1 or stopped2 which being done1 the effect beginneth to cease4 ,hence note1 that case and release from persecution and affliction cometh not by chance1 or by the good moods1 or gentle dispositions of men1 but the ,lord doth hold them back from sin1 the ,lord restraineth them4 ,it is said the ,lord stirred up the adversaries of ,solomon 7#a ,kings #aa3ad1bc74 ,again1 when the ,syrians fought against ,jehoshaphat1 the ,lord helped him1 and ,god moved them to depart from him 7#b ,chron #ah3ca74 ,the ,lord sent the flood1 and the ,lord took it away4 ,and the waters returned from off the earth continually4 ,when ,god ceaseth to be angry1 the hearts and dispositions of the adversaries shall be palliated1 and made more flexible4 ,it is said1 when the afflictions of ,israel were ended in ,egypt1 the hearts of the people were turned to pity them2 yea1 he caused them to be pitied of all those that carried them captives 7,psa #ajf3df74 ,when you see therefore1 that the hearts of kings and governors begin to be moderated toward the church of ,god1 then acknowledge that this is the hand of ,god4 ,i1 saith he1 will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil1 and in the time of affliction 7,jer #ae3aa74 ,for by waters here are typed out the great and mighty of the world1 by the flowing of them1 their rage2 and by their ebbing and returning their stillness and moderation4 ,and the waters returned4 ,that is1 to the sea 7,gen #a3i1aj74 ,he gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap3 he layeth up the depth in store houses 7,psa #cc3g74 ,by gathering up1 the persecutors may be understood1 his gathering them to their graves1 as he did ,herod1 who stood in the way of ,christ 7,matt #b3ai1bj74 ,and as he did those in ,ezekiel1 who hindered the promotion of truth1 and the exaltation of the gospel 7#ca3ad74 ,and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated4 ,these words then imply1 that for so long time1 ,noah1 and the church with him1 were to exercise patience4 ,they also show us1 ,that when the waters are up1 they do not suddenly fall3 ,they were up four hundred years1 from ,abraham to ,moses 7,gen #ae3ac74 ,they were up threescore and ten years in the days of the captivity of ,babylon 7,jer #be3ab2 ,zech #a3ab74 ,they were up ten mystical days in the persecution that was in the days of ,antipas 7,rev #b3aj74 ,and are to be up forty and two months1 in the reign1 and under the tyranny of antichrist 7#ac3e74 ,but they will abate2 the house of ,saul will grow weaker2 yea1 they shall be gathered to their sea1 and shall be laid in the pit2 yea1 they shall not be on the earth1 when ,god shall set glory in the land of the living 7,eze #bf3ai-ba74 ,ver4 #d4 ,and the ark rested in the seventh month1 on the seventeenth day of the month1 upon the mountains of ,ararat4 ,these instances therefore were a type of ,christ1 the munition of rocks 7,isa #cc3af71 who is elsewhere called1 the mountain of the ,lord's house 7,micah #d3a72 the rock upon which he will build his church1 and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it 7,matt #af3ah74 ,for after the ark had felt the ground1 or had got settlement upon the tops of these mountains2 however1 the waters that came from the great deep1 did notwithstanding1 for some time1 shake1 and make it stir1 yet off from these mountains they could not get it with all their rage and fury4 ,it rested there2 these gates of hell could not prevail4 ,but mark1 it did rest on these mountains almost a quarter of a year1 before any ground appeared to ,noah4 ,a right figure of saving faith2 for that maketh not outward observation a ground and foundation for faith1 but ,christ the rock1 who as to sense and feeling is at first quite out of sight4 ,hence the hope of the godly is compared to the anchor of a ship1 which resteth on1 or taketh hold of the rock that is now invisible under the water1 at the bottom of the sea 7,heb #f3ai74 ,this then should learn us to stay on the ,lord ,jesus1 and there to rest when the waters have drowned all the world1 and when all the mountains and hills for help are as if they were cast into the midst of the sea4 ,that is an excellent saying of the prophet1 ,god is our refuge and strength1 a very present help in trouble4 ,therefore will not we fear1 though the earth be removed1 as now it seemed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea2 ,though the waters thereof roar and be troubled2 though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof4 ,selah 7,psa #df3a-c74 ,ver4 #e4 ,and the waters decreased continually until the tenth month3 in the tenth month1 on the first day of the month1 were the tops of the mountains seen4 ,in the third verse we read1 that after an hundred and fifty days flood1 the waters returned2 that is1 began to return1 from off the earth3 ,which beginning of their return1 was1 because that ,god had mercifully remembered the prayer and affliction of ,noah4 ,again1 in this verse we read1 that from the day that the ark did rest upon the mountains of ,ararat1 the waters decreased continually4 ,now the resting of the ark on the mountain1 was a figure of our trusting on ,christ4 ,hence it follows1 that the tumults and raging of the mystical waters1 are made to decrease by the power of faith3 ,this is the victory1 even our faith 7#a ,john #e3d74 ,as it is also said of ,moses1 ,by faith they passed through the ,red sea 7,heb #aa3bi74 ,but above all take that as most pertinent1 ,through faith they subdued kingdoms1--stopped the mouths of lions1--and turned to flight the armies of aliens 7,heb #aa3cc1cd74 ,here you see faith made the waters decrease2 it took away the heat and rage of the adversary4 ,and the waters decreased continually until the tenth month1 another period of time1 and in the first day of the tenth month were the tops of the mountains seen4 ,these mountains were before the flood1 a type of the hope of the hypocrites1 and therefore then were swallowed up1 fifteen cubits under the waters4 ,but now1 methinks1 they should be a figure to the church of some visible ground of deliverance from the flood2 for almost three months the ark did rest on the invisible mountains of ,ararat4 ,but now are the tops of the mountains seen3 ,a further sign that the waters were abated2 and a ground1 that at length they would be quite dried up4 ,let these mountains then be types of the high and mighty1 which ,god is used to stir up to deliver his church from the heat and rage of tyranny and persecution1 as they are often termed and called in scripture1 the mountains of ,israel1 for this very end4 ,so then1 from our thus considering the mountains1 ,two things we are taught thereby4 #a4 ,that when the great ones of this world begin to discover themselves to the church1 by way of encouragement1 it is a sign that the waters are now decreasing4 ,or thus3 ,when ,god lets us see the tops of the mountains1 then we may certainly conclude1 that the rage of the waters abate4 ,doubtless when ,god made promise of raising up ,josias to ,israel1 in ,canaan 7#a ,kings #ac3a-c72 and of raising up for them ,cyrus1 in ,babylon 7,isa #de2 ,eze #a3a-c74 ,the thus appearing of the tops of these mountains1 was comfort to the church in her day of affliction4 #b4 ,this should teach us while we are in affliction1 to look this way and that1 if it may be that the tops of the mountains may be seen by us 7#a ,sam #aa3a-c74 ,for though it be too much below a ,christian to place his confidence in men1 yet when ,god shall raise up ,josias or a ,cyrus1 we may take encouragement at this working of ,god4 ,therefore is that in the ,psalms read both ways1 shall ,i look to the mountains8 ,i will lift up mine eyes unto the hills1 from whence cometh my help4 ,yet so1 as that he would also conclude his help did come from the ,lord 7,psa #aba3a1b74 ,so then1 we must take heed that we look not to the mountains alone4 ,again1 it is our wisdom to look to the mountains3 only look not to them but when ,god discovers them4 ,look unto them if ,god discovereth them2 yet then but so as means of ,god's appointing4 ,but again1 ,god doth not let us see the hills for our help1 before we have first of all seen them drowned4 ,look not to them therefore while the water is at the rising2 but if they begin to cease their raging1 if they begin to fall1 and with that the tops of the mountains be seen1 you may look upon them with comfort1 they are tokens of ,god's deliverance4 ,ver4 #f4 ,and it came to pass at the end of forty days1 that ,noah opened the window of the ark which he had made4 ,these forty days seem to commence from the discovery of the tops of the mountains4 ,wherefore he did not presently go out of the ark1 but stayed there above fourteen days still1 signifying unto us1 that we must not be therefore delivered so soon as the tops of the mountains are seen1 but may yet be assaulted with the waters of the flood1 days1 and weeks1 and months1 c4 ,when ,moses was sent to deliver ,israel1 they came not presently out of ,egypt2 neither seemed their burthens ever the light to sense or feeling1 though faith indeed did see the end 7,exo #e3ae-bc74 ,again1 ,when he had brought them forth of ,egypt1 they came not in a day1 or a month1 to ,canaan2 but1 saith the ,holy ,ghost1 ,he brought them out1 7or1 forth of affliction7 after that he had showed wonders and signs in the land of ,egypt1 and in the ,red sea1 and in the wilderness forty years4 ,let us therefore take heed of a feverish spirit1 while we behold the tops of the mountains2 possibly1 for all they are visible tokens to us of deliverance1 themselves may be yet much under water4 ,we see what work ,moses1 ,gideon1 ,jephthah and ,samson had to deliver ,israel1 even after more than their tops were seen4 ,be content to stay yet forty days4 ,david stayed1 after he was anointed1 till years and times went over him1 before he could deliver ,israel from the tyranny of its opposers4 ,at the end of forty days ,noah opened the window of the ark4 ,this opening of the window also1 was a type1 that now he was preparing to take possession of the world4 ,it also might be a type of the opening the law and testimony1 that light might by that come into the church2 for we find not that this window had any other use1 but to be a conveyance of light into the ark1 and as a passage for the raven and the dove1 as may be further showed after4 ,now much like this1 is that of ,john3 ,the temple of ,god was opened in heaven1 and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament 7,rev #aa3ai74 ,and again1 ,i looked1 and1 behold1 the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened4 ,and then1 as the raven1 and the dove came out of the window of the ark2 so the angels1 that is1 the ,lord's executioners1 came out of the temple that was opened in heaven 7,rev #ae3e1f74 ,hence note1 ,that though men may be borne with1 if they lie in their holes in the height of the tempest2 but to do it when the tops of the mountains were seen1 if they then shall forbear to open their window1 they are worthy of blame indeed4 ,when the lepers saw the ,assyrians were fled1 and that liberty from heaven was granted to ,samaria1 then they feared to conceal the thing any further2 ,they feared1 ,i say1 that if they went not to the city to declare it1 some judgment of ,god would befall them 7#b ,kings #g3i74 ,ver4 #g1 #h4 ,and he sent forth a raven1 which went forth to and fro1 until the waters were dried up from off the earth4 ,also he sent forth a dove from him1 to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground4 ,behold1 the raven and dove are now sent out at the window of the ark1 as the angels are said to come out of the temple1 when it was opened in heaven4 ,this raven therefore1 and the dove1 were figures and types of those angels 7,rev #ae3e1f74 ,but to speak to them both apart4 ,the raven went forth1 but returned not again to the ark4 ,this is intimated by these words1 ,she went to and fro1 until the waters were abated1 and dried up4 ,this is further evident by that antithesis that the word doth put between the practice of the raven and the dove4 ,the raven went forth1 and went to and fro till the waters were dried up4 ,but mark it1 ,but the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot1 and she returned unto him into the ark 7v #i74 ,the raven then did find rest elsewhere1 the raven then returned not to him into the ark4 ,but what did the raven then do8 ,why1 certainly she made a banquet of the carcasses of the giants that were drowned by the flood2 it fed upon the flesh of the men that had sinned against the ,lord4 ,the raven therefore was a type of those messengers that ,god sends out of his temple against ,antichrist2 that is1 for eating the flesh of kings1 and the flesh of captains1 and the flesh of mighty men1 and the flesh of horses4 ,he was1 ,i say1 a type of those professors that ,god saith he hath a great sacrifice to sacrifice unto1 a sort of professors in his church2 as the raven was one that had his being in the ark3 ,these are they which ,ezekiel mentions1 that were to eat flesh1 and drink blood2 to eat the fat till they be filled1 and to drink blood till they be drunken 7#ci3ag-bj74 ,these also are the guests that ,zephaniah mentions1 and saith1 ,god hath bidden to the same feast also 7#a3g-ad74 ,and let no man be offended that ,i say these birds are in the church3 ,for one effect of the sixth vial1 was that battle of the great day of ,god ,almighty 7,rev #af3af74 ,further1 ,the angel that proclaims this feast1 calls to those that are ,god's guests1 by the name of1 the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven3 ,that they should come and gather together to the supper of the great ,god3 ,that they may eat the flesh of kings1 and the flesh of captains1 and the flesh of mighty men1 c4 7,rev #ai3ag1ah74 ,besides1 this supper is the effect of the going forth of the ,king of kings against the ,antichristian whore1 whose going forth was at the opening of heaven1 as the going forth of the raven was at the opening of the window of the ark 7v #aa-af74 ,note therefore1 ,that ,god1 in the overthrow of the kingdom of ,antichrist1 and at the asswaging of the rage of her tumultuous waves1 will send forth his birds amongst her fat ones1 to partake of the banquet that he hath appointed2 who when they shall be tolerated by that angel that standeth in the sun1 will come down to their feast with such greediness1 that neither king nor captain shall keep them from their prey3 ,they will eat flesh1 and fat1 till they be full1 and drink the blood till they be drunk4 ,also he sent forth a dove from him1 to see if the waters were abated4 ,this dove was a type of another sort of professors in the church1 that are of a more gentle nature 7,matt #aj3af72 for all the saints are not for such work as the raven2 they are not all for feeding upon the carcasses1 the kingdoms and estates of the ,antichristian party1 but are for spending their time1 and for bending their spirits to a more spiritual and retired work2 even as the dove is said to be harmless1 and to mourn for communion with her companion 7,isa #ch3ad71 and that is content if she hath her nest in the sides of the rock1 ,christ 7,jer #dh3bh74 ,wherefore he adds1 ,ver4 #i4 ,but the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot1 and she returned unto him into the ark1 for the waters were on the face of the whole earth1 c4 ,the dove could not live as the raven2 the raven being content1 so long as she found the carcasses2 but the dove found no rest till she returned again to ,noah4 ,the raven therefore1 though he was in the ark1 was not a type of the most spiritual ,christian2 nay rather1 ,i think1 of the worldly professor1 who gets into the church in the time of her affliction1 as ,ziba did into the army of ,david1 in the day of his trouble2 not for love to the grace of ,david1 but that1 if time should serve1 he might be made the ,lord of his master's inheritance 7#b ,sam #af3a-d74 ,but ,david was content to let him go with him1 and that too as under such a consideration3 as ,christ also lets these ravens to herd with his innocent doves2 because he hath flesh to give them1 which the doves care not for eating4#ce ,but the dove found no rest4 ,it seems the raven did1 as it is also with some professors1 who when they by their profession have advanced themselves to some worldly honour1 they have ease and rest1 though1 like the raven1 they have it by going out of the church4 ,but the dove found no rest4 ,though all the enemies of ,god lay tumbling in the sea1 this could not satisfy a gracious soul3 divide her from the ark1 and she finds no rest1 she is not at ease till she be with ,noah4 ,and she returned unto him into the ark2--and he put forth his hand1 and took her1 and pulled her in unto him into the ark 7v #i74 ,noah here was a type of ,christ1 who took the dove unto him3 ,and it shows us1 ,that ,christ hath a bosom open for the cries and complaints of his people2 for the dove returned a-weary with the tidings of this1 that the waters still raged4 ,a fit figure of those of the saints that are groaning and weary under the oppression and cruelty of the enemy4 ,hence note1 ,that though thou hast no other tidings to ,christ but sighs and groans1 and weariness1 because of the rage of the waters2 yet he will not despise thee2 yea1 he invites thee1 as weary1 to come 7,matt #aa3bh-cj74 ,ver4 #aj4 ,and he stayed yet other seven days2 and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark4 ,this staying shows us1 ,that he exercised patience1 waiting ,god's leisure till the flood should be taken away4 ,this grace therefore had yet seven day's work to do1 before he obtained any further testimony that the waters were decreasing4 ,o this staying work is hard work6 ,alas6 sometimes patience is accompanied with so much heat and feverishness1 that every hour seems seven until the end of the trial1 and the blessing promised be possessed by the waiting soul4 ,it may be ,noah might not be altogether herein a stranger3 ,i am sure the ,psalmist was not1 in that he often under affliction1 cries1 ,but how long1 ,o ,lord6 for ever6 7,psa #f3c2 #gi3e2 #ac3a2 #gd3a2 #hi3df74 ,make haste6 ,o ,lord1 how long6 7#ij3ac2 #id3c74 ,and again he sent forth the dove4 ,the first time he sent her1 she brought no good news1 but came panting and weary home2 yet he sends her a second time4 ,this should teach us1 not to make conclusions too suddenly about ,god's dispensation1 saying it must be now or never2 for it may be the seven days are not out4 ,the men of ,david said1 ,this is the day that the ,lord will give thee the kingdom of ,israel3 ,but ,david perceived otherwise1 and therefore adds yet to his temperance1 patience 7#a ,sam #bd3a-d2 #bf3h-aj74 ,not sullenly saying like that wicked king1 ,why should ,i wait on the ,lord any longer8 7#b ,kings #f3cb74 ,but comforts himself with the truth of the promise1 saying1 ,his time shall come to die1 c4 ,he that believeth1 maketh not haste1 but waiteth patiently1 for the perfecting ,god's work in ,god's time4 ,that is excellent in the song3 ,i charge you saith the church that ye stir not up1 nor awake my love1 until he please 7,cant #h3d74 ,noah was much for this1 wherefore he stayed yet other seven days4 ,and again he sent forth the dove4 ,elias did much like this1 when his servant1 at the first sending1 brought him no tidings of rain1 he gave him his errand again1 saying1 ,go again3 go seven times 7#a ,kings #ah3dc-de74 ,as ,noah here did with the dove1 and again he sent her4 ,seeming delays are no hindrance to faith2 they ought to try it1 and put it into exercise3 ,as here it was with this good man about the waters of the flood2 he fainted not1 but believed to see the goodness of the ,lord4 ,that in the prophet is notable as to this1 ,the vision is yet for an appointed time1 but at the end it shall speak1 and not lie3 thought it tarry1 wait for it2 because it will surely come1 it will not tarry 7,hab #b3c74 ,ver4 #aa4 ,and the dove came in to him in the evening2 and lo6 in her mouth was an olive-leaf plucked off3 so ,noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth4 ,and the dove came in to him in the evening4 ,wherefore his patience was tried this day also4 ,all the day he heard nothing of his dove4 ,surely she could not keep the wing all the day4 ,is she drowned ,i tro8 ,is she lost8 ,o1 no6 ,she comes at last1 though she stayed long4 ,samuel also stayed long before he came to ,saul2 but ,saul could not wait as ,noah did1 therefore he had not the benefit of the mercy promised4 ,the dove came in to him in the evening1 and lo1 in her mouth was an olive-leaf1 c4 ,now he is recompensed for the exercise of patience3 ,as also was ,abraham when ,god gave him ,isaac2 for after he had patiently endured1 he obtained the promise4 ,and lo1 an olive-leaf4 ,a sign that ,god was going through with his work of diminishing the waters3 ,a sign1 ,i say1 and a good experience of the continued love of ,god to his servant2 according to that of ,paul1 patience worketh experience2 that is1 it at last obtaineth the blessing promised1 and so settleth the soul in a fresh experience of the love and faithfulness of ,god4 ,and lo6 ,this word ,lo1 it is1 as it were an appeal to all readers to judge1 whether ,god to ,noah was faithful or no4 ,so then1 this was not written for his sake only1 but for us also that believe in ,god1 that we might now exercise patience1 as ,noah2 and obtain the tokens of ,god's goodness1 as he2 for lo the dove1 at last1 though 'twas night first1 came to ,noah into the ark1 and lo in her mouth was an olive-leaf plucked off3 so ,noah knew that the waters were abated4 ,an olive-leaf plucked off4 ,these words1 an olive-leaf plucked off1 do intimate1 that ,noah was now inquisitive and searching how the dove obtained the leaf2 that is1 whether she found it as dead1 and upon the waters2 or whether she plucked it off some tree3 ,but he found by the greenness and freshness of the slip1 that she plucked it off from the olive4 ,wherefore1 he had good ground now to be comforted2 for if this leaf was plucked off from a tree1 then the waters could not be deep2 especially1 because as the story tells us1 the olive used also to stand in the bottoms1 or valleys4 ,this should teach us1 ,that not over highly we conclude messages or tokens1 to be signs of ,god's mercy4 ,there are lying visions1 and they are causes of banishment2 they we should beware of1 or else we are not only at present deceived1 but our faith is in danger of the rocks2 for not a few have cast up all1 because the truth of some seeming vision hath failed4 ,mark how ,david handleth the messenger that brought him tidings of the death of ,saul3 says he1 ,how dost thou know that ,saul is dead8 ,what proof canst thou make of the truth of this story8 7#a ,sam #a3a-aj74 ,so should we say of all those visions or messengers that come to persuade us1 that either inward or outward deliverance is for us at the door4 ,prove these stories2 look if they be not dead and lifeless fancies2 see if you can find that they were plucked off from the tree that is green4 ,ver4 #ab4 ,and he stayed yet other seven days2 and sent forth the dove2 which returned not again unto him any more4 ,we read before of forty days' patience1 and after that of seven days' patience2 and that after the waters began to return from off the earth1 and here again of seven days more4 ,whence not1 ,that the best of ,god's people1 in the times of trials1 find their patience too short-winded to hold out the whole length of a trial1 unless the time be1 as it were1 cut in pieces4 ,the prophet when he was to lay siege against ,jerusalem1 he must rest the one side1 by turning him upon the other 7,eze #d3b-f74 ,it was with holy ,job exceeding hard1 when he might not have time to swallow his spittle1 when he might not a little sit down and rest him4 ,and if you observe him1 he doth not desire an absolute deliverance as yet1 but only time to take wind and breathe awhile2 and then1 if ,god will1 to engage in the combat again3#cf ,how long saith he wilt thou not depart from me4 ,depart3 what quite8 ,o6 ,no1 saith he1 ,i beg not that absolutely1 but only so long as till a man might swallow down his spittle 7,job #g3ai74 ,this the church in ,ezra's time took as an exceeding favour4 ,and now say they for a little space1 grace hath been shewed from the ,lord our ,god1 to leave us a remnant to escape1 and to give us a nail in his holy place1 that our ,god may lighten our eyes1 and give us a little reviving in our bondage 7,ezra #i3h74 ,and he stayed yet other seven days4 ,note again1 ,that it is not ,god's way with his people to shew them all their troubles at once2 but first he shews them a part2 first forty days1 after that seven other days1 and yet again seven days more2 that1 they coming upon them by piecemeal1 they may the better be able to travel through them4 ,while ,israel was in affliction in ,egypt1 they knew not the trial that would meet them at the ,red ,sea4 ,again1 ,when they had gone through that1 they little thought that yet for forty years they must be tempted and proved in the wilderness4 ,and thus it was with this blessed ,noah2 he thought that by the first seven days his trials might be ended4 ,but behold1 there is yet seven days more behind3 and he stayed yet other seven days4 ,further3 ,there may also be by these words thus much insinuated1 ,that these periods of time might be also of ,noah's prefixing3 and if so1 then note1 ,that the people of ,god in these days are not the first that have been under mistake1 as to the timing of their afflictions4 ,noah counted it would end many days before it ended indeed1 even seven days1 and seven days1 and seven days to that2 for he sent forth his dove about the beginning of the first month1 in which month also were his two seven days' trials4 ,again1 after that he had stayed two seven days more1 to wit1 to the end of that first month4 ,again1 he stayed almost four sevens more2 for he came not out of the ark till the twenty-seventh day of the second month4 ,hence therefore let ,christians beware that they set not times for ,god1 lest all men see their folly4 ,it is not for you to know the times or the seasons1 which the ,father hath put in his own power 7,acts #a3g74 ,yea1 ,i say again1 take heed lest that for thy setting of ,god a seven days' time1 he set not thee so many as seven times seven4 ,and he sent forth the dove1 which returned not again unto him any more4 ,this is the third time that the dove was sent to see how the waters were abated on the face of the earth4 ,the first time she1 by her restlessness1 bespake the waters to be high and mighty4 ,the second time1 by her olive-leaf1 she notifieth that the waters were low and ebbing4 ,but this third time1 she seems to be weary or her service1 she returned not again to him any more2 yet in her so absenting herself1 she gives confirmation to ,noah1 that the waters were even in a manner quite gone4 ,if he will take this for a proof let him1 if not1 let him hang in suspense with himself4 ,hence note1 that ,god will not be always testifying1 by renewing of his tokens1 to that about which we have had sufficient conviction before2 for in so doing he should gratify and humour our unbelief4 ,noah had received already two sufficient testimonies that the waters were decreasing4 ,first by his seeing the tops of the mountains1 and then by the olive-leaf2 but notwithstanding these two testimonies1 his unbelief in part remains2 but ,god will not humour such a groundless mistrust1 by giving him any further token1 than the very absenting of the dove4 ,much like this was that of ,samson's father2 the angel once had told his wife1 that she should have a son that should deliver ,israel2 well1 ,manoah heard of this1 he also desired that he might see that man that had told his wife this happy news4 ,now ,god thus far condescends1 as to send the angel a second time2 but then1 this being now a sufficient antidote against their unbelief1 the angel after the next departing1 was not seen again of them at all4 ,but saith the word1 ,the angel of the ,lord did no more appear to ,manoah1 and to his wife3 ,so that now they must live by faith1 or not at all 7,judg #ac3c1i1ba74 ,god's dealing with his people with respect to their spiritual condition1 is much like this4 ,the ,holy ,ghost doth not use to confirm us by new revelations of grace and justification1 so often as by our fond doubts or mistrust we call for and desire the same4 ,but having confirmed in us the testimony of ,christ1 it may be twice or thrice1 7for the testimony of two men are true7 he then expects we should live by faith4 ,and observe it1 if we have after such testimony joyful communion with ,god1 it is either by retreating to former experience1 or by arguing according to faith2 that because ,god hath done thus before1 he therefore hath given me interest in such and such promises and mercies besides4 ,i speak now of the first seals of the love of ,god to the soul1 after we have been sufficiently tossed upon the waves of unbelief1 as ,noah was by the waters of the flood3 such seals are few1 the ,lord gave them to ,solomon twice 7#a ,kings #aa3i74 ,and also twice to his servant ,paul 7,acts #bb3f1ah74 ',tis enough that they have seen the tops of the mountains1 and have had brought to them the olive-leaf4 ,let them now believe this confirmation of mercy is sufficient1 and if they will not believe now1 they shall not be established4 ,ver4 #ac4 ,and it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year1 in the first month1 the fist day of the month1 the waters were dried up from off the earth3 and ,noah removed the covering of the ark1 and looked1 and behold1 the face of the ground was dry4 ,and it came to pass4 ,that is1 by the working of ,god1 that the waters were dried up4 ,this came to pass in ,god's time1 to wit1 in the six hundredth and first year1 in the first month1 the first day of the month2 not in the times of ,noah's prefixing4 ,god's time is ,,the time1 the best time1 because it is the time appointed by him for the proof and trial of our graces1 and that in which so much1 and so much of the rage of the enemy1 and of the power of ,god's mercy1 may the better be discovered unto us2 ,i the ,lord will hasten it in ,,his time 7,isa #fj3bb71 not before1 though we were the signet upon his right hand 7,jer #bb3bd74 ,noah the only man with ,god in that generation1 could not be restored before the time2 no more could ,israel from the thraldom of ,egypt 7,exo #ac3d74 ,yea1 the ,son of ,god himself must here give place and be content4 ,and when ,satan had ended all the temptation1 when he had ended all1--then he departed from him for a season 7,luke #d3ac74 ,and ,noah removed the covering of the ark1 and looked4 ,the failing again of his expected comforter1 caused him to be up and doing2 probably he had not as yet uncovered the ark1 that is1 to look round about him had the dove by returning pleased his humour2 but she failing him1 he stirs up himself1 ,thus it should also be with the ,christian now3 doth he dove forbear to come to thee with a leaf in her bill as before1 let not this make thee sullen and mistrustful1 but uncover the ark1 and look1 and by looking thou shalt see a further testimony of what thou receivedst by the first manifestations3 ,he looked1 and behold the earth was dry4 ,paul tells us1 that by looking we have a testimony like1 or as that1 which at first was given us by the ,spirit of the ,lord 7#b ,cor #c3ah74 ,and behold the face of the earth was dry4 ,ver4 #ad4 ,and in the second month1 on the seven and twentieth day of the month1 was the earth dried4 ,this prospect was like the rain that we read of in another place1 that confirmed ,god's inheritance when it was weary3 ,it was a comfortable sight to ,noah to see that the face of the earth was dry2 and now he could wait upon ,god with less trial and strain to his patience the remaining days1 which were fifty and four1 to wit1 from the first of the first1 to the twenty-seventh of the second month1 than he could one of the sevens that he met with before4 ,indeed the path is narrowest just at entrance as also our nature is then the most untoward2 but after we are in1 the walk seems to be wider and easy2 the flesh is also then more mortified and conformable4 ,the walk is but a cubit wide at the door1 but inward ten times as broad 7,eze #db3d1aa74 ,and in the second month1 on the seven and twentieth day of the month1 was the earth dried4 ,so that from the first day it began to rain1 which was the seventeenth day of the second month in the year before1 unto this day1 was ,noah in the ark2 it was just a year and ten days4 ,that was the time then that ,god had appointed to try his servant ,noah1 by the waters of the flood3 in which time he was so effectually crucified to the things of the world1 that he was as if he was never more to enjoy the same4 ,wherefore ,peter making mention of this estate of his1 he tells us1 it was even like unto our baptism2 wherein we profess ourselves dead to the world1 and alive to ,god by ,jesus ,christ 7#a ,peter #c3ba74 ,in the first verse of this chapter1 we read that ,god remembered ,noah2 but till now we read not1 that the face of the earth was dried4 ,hence note that our being under the rage of the enemy1 doth not argue that we are therefore forgotten of ,god1 he remembereth us in our low estate1 even when tossed to and fro by the waters of a flood of temptations4 ,ver4 #ae1 #af4 ,and ,god spake unto ,noah1 saying1 ,go forth of the ark1 thou1 and thy wife1 and thy sons1 and thy sons' wives with thee4 ,now we are come to the end of the trial1 and so to the time of ,noah's deliverance1 and behold as he went in1 so he came out3 ,he went into the ark at the commandment of the ,lord4 ,and the ,lord said unto ,noah1 ,come thou and all thy house into the ark 7,gen #g3a74 ,and here again1 ,and ,god spake unto ,noah1 saying1 ,go forth of the ark4 ,hence note1 that notwithstanding the earth was dry about fifty-four days before1 yet ,noah waited for the word of ,god for his commission to bring him forth of the ark4 ,providence seemed to smile before1 in that the earth was dry1 to which had but ,noah added reason1 he must have concluded1 the time is come for me to go forth of the ark4 ,but ,noah knew1 that as well the providences of ,god1 as the waters of the flood might be to try his dependence on the word of the ,lord3 wherefore1 though he saw this1 yet because he had no answer of ,god1 he will not take the opportunity4 ,it is dangerous1 or at least very difficult1 to make the most smiling providence of ,god our rule to act by3 ,had ,david done it1 he had killed ,saul before the time1 ,but ,david respected the word of ,god 7#b ,sam #bd3ag-bj74 ,elisha also would not suffer the king to make that improvement of the providence of ,god1 which reason should be put in execution1 when he rebuked the king's desire that he had to have killed the ,syrians1 and commanded that bread should be set before them1 that they might eat1 and go home again to their master 7#b ,kings #f3ai-bc74 ,hear the word of the ,lord1 ye that tremble at his word4 ,at the commandment of the ,lord the children of ,israel journeyed1 and at the commandment of the ,lord they pitched4--,at the commandment of the ,lord they rested in their tents1 and at the commandment of the ,lord they journeyed2 they kept the charge of the ,lord1 at the commandment of the ,lord1 by the hand of ,moses 7,num #i3ah-bc74 ,go forth of the ark1 thou1 and thy wife1 and thy sons1 and thy sons' wives with thee4 ,when ,god delivereth1 he delivereth completely4 ,thus ,israel also went out of ,egypt1 they1 their wives1 their children1 with their flocks and herds1 not an hoof was left behind 7,exo #aj3bd-bf74 ,when ,david's time was come to possess the kingdom1 he brought along with him those six hundred men that had been his companions in his suffering state1 every man with his household4 ,but ,i say1 he went up to possess it1 not simply by the voice of providence1 though ,saul was dead1 but ,david inquired of the ,lord1 saying1 ,shall ,i go up into any of the cities of ,judah8 ,nay1 a general answer1 even from ,god1 would not satisfy this holy man4 ,the ,lord said1--,go1 but ,david replied1 ,whither shall ,i go8 and he said unto ,hebron 7#a ,sam #b3a74 ,oh6 it is safe to regard the word of the ,lord2 this makes us all come safe to land4 ,when men wrest themselves from under the hand of ,god1 taking such opportunities for their deliverance1 which are laid before them only for trial of obedience to the word3 they may1 it is probable1 have a seeming success2 the end will be as with ,zedekiah king of ,judah1 affliction with addition4 ,the ,jews that were left in the land of ,israel1 from the hand of the king of ,babylon1 would flee to the land of ,egypt 7,jer #da3ag71 that they might have quietness there1 but they went without the word of ,god1 and therefore their rest brought them to their ruin 7#db2 #dc74 ,noah therefore chose the safest way1 even to stay in the ark1 till ,god's word came4 ,as it is also said of ,joseph1 ,the word of the ,lord tried him2 till the word of the ,lord came to deliver him1 and then he had deliverance indeed 7,psa #aje3ai71 as ,noah also and ,david had safe deliverance for himself and relations4 ,ver4 #ag4 ,bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee1 of all flesh1 both of fowl1 and of cattle1 and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth2 that they may breed abundantly in the earth1 and be fruitful1 and multiply upon the earth4 ,noah was not only to have in this deliverance1 respect to himself and family1 but to the good of all the world4 ,men's spirits are too narrow for the mind of ,god1 when their chief end1 or their only design in their enjoying this or the other mercy1 is for the sake of their ownselves only4 ,it cannot be according to ,god1 that such desires should be encouraged3 none of us liveth unto himself1 why then should we desire life only for ourselves4 ,the church cries thus1 ,god be merciful unto us1 and bless us2 and cause his face to shine upon us4 ,why8 ,that thy way may be known upon earth1 thy saving health among all nations 7,psa #fg3a1b74 ,so ,david1 ,restore unto me the joy of thy salvation2 and uphold me with thy free spirit4 ,then will ,i teach transgressors thy ways2 and sinners shall be converted unto thee 7,psa #ea3ab1ac74 ,so then1 we must not desire to come out of trials and afflictions alone1 or by ourselves1 but that in our deliverance the salvation of many may be concerned4 ,it is said1 when ,israel went up out of ,egypt1 there went up with them a mixed multitude1 to wit1 of ,egyptians1 and other nations3 ,this going out of captivity was right1 they carried out with them the fowls1 the beasts1 and the creeping things2 to wit1 the heathens of other lands1 and so added increase to the church of ,god 7,exo #ab3cg1ch74 ,in ,esther's time also1 when the ,jews came from under the snare of ,haman1 they brought with them to ,god many of the people of the provinces4 ,many of the people of the land became ,jews 7,esth #h3ag74 ,these words therefore1 bring forth with thee every living thing1 c4 are not lightly to be passed over2 for they shew us1 that we ought in our deliverance to have special respect to the deliverance of others4 ,and if our deliverance be with the word and liking of ,god1 it must needs have this effect4 ,when ,i shall bring again their captivity1 the captivity of ,sodom and her daughters1 and the captivity of ,samaria1 and her daughters1 then will ,i bring again the captivity of thy captives in the midst of them 7,eze #ag3ec74 ,and indeed there is reason for this1 for in every affliction and persecution1 the devil's design is to impair ,christ's kingdom3 wherefore no marvel1 that ,god designeth in our deliverance1 the impairing and lessening the kingdom of sin and ,satan4 ,wherefore1 ,o thou church of ,god in ,england1 which art now upon the waves of affliction1 and temptation1 when thou comest out of the furnace1 if thou come out at the bidding of ,god1 there shall come out with thee the fowl1 the beast1 and abundance of creeping things4 ,o ,judah1 he hath set an harvest for thee1 when ,i returned the captivity of my people 7,hosea #f3aa74 ,that they may breed abundantly in the earth1 and be fruitful1 and multiply upon the earth4 ,this was ,god's end in preserving the creatures from the flood1 that again the earth might be replenished therewith4 ,the same end he hath in his suffering of the persecutors1 and all manner of adversity to take away but a part1 some 7,amos #g3d74 ,some of them they shall kill and crucify1 leaving a remnant alive in the world1 namely1 that they might breed abundantly in the earth1 and be fruitful1 and multiply upon the earth4 ,as he saith by the prophet ,isaiah1 ,he shall cause them that come of ,jacob to take root3 ,israel shall blossom and bud1 and fill the face of the world with fruit 7,isa #bg3f74 ,and this after their deliverance from persecution3 ,according as he saith again1 ,the remnant that is escaped of the house of ,judah1 shall again take root downward1 and bear fruit upward3 ,for out of ,jerusalem shall go forth a remnant that is yet to replenish the earth with converts 7#cg3cb74 ,as ,luke observes1 that when the churches in ,judea1 ,galilee1 and ,samaria had rest1 they walking in the fear of the ,lord1 and in the comfort of the ,holy ,ghost1 were multiplied 7,acts #i3ca74 ,ver4 #ah4 ,and ,noah went forth1 and his sons1 and his wife1 and his sons' wives with him4 ,obedience is better than sacrifice4 ,noah is at the beck of ,god1 what he bid him do1 that does he2 and indeed this is in truth to worship ,god1 yea1 this is to know and worship ,god4 ,it is said of ,abraham1 when he went at ,god's command to offer up ,isaac1 that he counted it going to worship the ,lord 7,gen #bb3e74 ,and ,god saith of ,hezekiah1 that he did judgment and justice1 judging the cause of the poor and needy2 and then adds1 ,is not this to know me1 saith the ,lord8 7,jer #bb3ae1af74 ,i bring these to shew1 that obedience to the word of ,god1 is the true character of ,god's people in all ages2 and this very text1 as also such others before1 is on purpose recorded by the ,holy ,ghost1 to shew you1 that ,noah was obedient in all things2 yea1 ,i may add1 these commands were to discover the proof of him1 whether he would be obedient in all things2 and this was also his way with ,new ,testament churches 7#b ,cor #b3i74 ,the sincerity of love1 and of the uprightness of the heart1 is greatly discovered by the commandments of ,god4 ,he that hath my commandments1 and keepeth them1 saith ,christ1 he it is that loveth me c4 7,john #ad3ba74 ,ver4 #ai4 ,every beast1 every creeping thing1 and every fowl1 and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth after their kinds1 went forth out of the ark4 ,these words are yet a further expression of the sincerity of ,noah's obedience1 for that he at the command of ,god1 did carefully search and seek out every little creeping thing that ,god had brought to him into the ark4 ,obedience in little things do ofttimes prove us most2 for we through the pride of our hearts are apt to look over little things1 because though commanded1 they are but little 7,jer #bc3ch74 ,o1 but ,noah was of another spirit1 he carefully looked after little things1 even after every thing1 whatsoever creepeth upon the earth2 and not only so1 but sought diligently that they might go out in order1 to wit1 male and female1 according to their kind4 ,sometimes ,god would have men exact to a word1 sometimes exact to a tache1 or pin1 or loop 7,exo #cf3ab1ac72 sometimes to a step 7,eze #dj3c1d1cg74 ,be careful then in little things1 but yet leave not the other undone 7,matt #bc3bc74 ,indeed the command of ,god is great2 if ,,he therefore commands us to worship him1 though but with a bird1 we must not count such ordinances insignificant1 or below a human creature 7,lev #ad3eb74 ,ver4 #bj4 ,and ,noah builded an altar unto the ,,lord1 and took of every clean beast1 and of every clean fowl1 and offered burnt-offerings on the altar4 ,this is the fist work that we read ,noah did1 when he came forth of the ark2 and it shews us1 that at this time he had a deep sense of the distinguishing mercy of ,god4 ,and indeed he had sufficient cause to wonder1 for the whole world was drowned1 save only himself1 and they that were with him in the ark4 ,but ,i say1 this was the first work1 to wit1 to worship ,god4 ,hence note1 ,that a sense of mercy1 of distinguishing mercy1 naturally engageth the heart to worship4 ,it is said of ,moses1 when the name of the ,lord was proclaimed before him1 as merciful and gracious1 --and abundant in goodness and truth1--and that he pardoned iniquity1 transgression and sin2 that he made haste1 and bowed his head toward the earth1 and worshipped 7,exo #cd3h74 ,and ,noah builded an altar4 ,although this altar be the first that we read of1 yet forasmuch as there was before a blessed church1 and also an open profession of godliness1 together with offering sacrifice1 in all probability this was not the first altar that was builded unto the ,lord4 ,besides1 we read not of any immediate revelation1 from which ,noah had light and instruction to build it4 ,the text only saith1 he built an altar unto the ,lord2 which may be aptly expounded1 according as he was wont in the other world4 ,this altar was a type of ,christ1 as capacitated to bear the sin of the world 7for the altar was it1 upon which the sacrifices were burnt27 wherefore it1 in mine opinion1 in special respected his ,godhead1 by the power of which he offered himself1 that is1 his flesh4 ,again it is said1 ,the altar sanctifieth the gift 7,matt #bc3ai74 ,so did the ,godhead the humanity of ,christ1 through which eternal ,spirit1 he offered himself without spot to ,god 7,heb #i3ad74 ,by this altar then this blessed man preached to his family the ,godhead and eternity of ,christ4 ,and took of every clean beast1 and of every clean fowl4 ,these beasts and fowls were types of the flesh of the ,son of ,god1 as ,paul in the ninth and tenth chapters to the ,hebrews affirms2 wherefore by this act he also preached to his family the incarnation of the ,lord ,christ1 how that in the fulness of time he should in our flesh offer himself a sacrifice for us2 for as all the ordinances of the ,new ,testament ministration preach to us1 ,that ,christ is come2 so all the ordinances of worship under the ,old ,testament preached to them that were under it1 ,christ1 as yet ,,to come4 ,of every clean beast and of every clean fowl4 ,this was to shew1 ,that when ,christ did come1 he should not take hold of the ,jew1 and exclude the ,gentile2 but that in his flesh he should present unto ,god ,,every clean beast1 and ,,every clean fowl2 that is1 all the elect1 both of ,jew and ,gentile 7,acts #aj3aa-af74 ,and it was requisite that this by ,noah should be preached1 because the whole world was yet in his family2 from whence1 at the multiplication of men1 if through their rebellion and idolatry they lost not this doctrine1 they might to all their offspring preach the ,lord ,jesus4 ,wherefore1 the doctrine of the gospel1 had the world been faithful1 might have been to this day retained amongst them that now are the most barbarous people4#cg ,ver4 #ba4 ,and the ,lord smelled a sweet savour2 a savour of rest2 and the ,lord said in his heart1 ,i will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake2 for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth2 neither will ,i again smite any more every living thing1 as ,i have done4 ,these words more fully shew1 that this sacrifice of ,noah was a type of the offering up of the body of ,jesus ,christ1 he being said to be that blessed sacrifice that is as perfume in the nostrils of ,god3 ,he gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to ,god for a sweet-smelling savour 7,eph #e3b74 ,besides1 this offering of ,noah was a burnt-offering to ,god2 which burning signified1 the curse of ,god1 which ,christ was made in his death for us4 ,wherefore1 the burnt offerings were all along a type of him2 as by reading the epistle to the ,hebrews you may see3 ,it is the burnt-offering1 saith ,god1 because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning1 and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it 7,lev #f3i74 ,which was a type of the fire of the law1 and the guilt of sin1 that ,christ1 when he offered himself1 should undergo for the sins of man4 ,and the ,lord smelled a sweet savour4 ,this signifies the content and satisfaction that for the sin of the world1 ,god should have by the offering upon of his ,son for us upon the cross3 ,wherefore1 he is said to be now in ,christ1 reconciling the world unto himself1 not imputing their trespasses unto them 7#b ,cor #e3ai74 ,now it is observable1 ,that ,noah was a man of faith long before this4 ,hence note two things4 #a4 ,that men1 even of eminent faith have yet need of a continual remembrance of the death and sufferings of ,christ2 yea1 and that in the most plain and easiest manner to understand4 #b4 ,they have need also1 notwithstanding they have faith before1 to present themselves before ,god1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord3 ,for as our persons are not accepted1 but in and through him1 no more are our performances2 yea1 though they be spiritual services or sacrifices2 it is the blood that maketh the atonement1 as well for work as persons 7,lev #ag3aa2 ,heb #i3ba74 ,as he saith in another place1 ,i will accept you with your sweet savour1 but not without it 7#a ,peter #b3e2 ,eze #bj3da74 ,as he also said to his church in ,egypt1 ,when ,i see the blood1 ,i will pass over you1 and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you1 when ,i smite the land of ,egypt 7,exo #ab3ac74 ,and the ,lord said in his heart1 ,i will not again curse1 c4 ,by heart here1 we may understand two things4 #a4 ,that ,god was altogether unfeigned in this promise4 ,he spake it from his very heart3 which we use to count the most sincere expressing of our mind3 ,according to that of the prophet1 ,yea1 ,i will rejoice over them to do them good1 and ,i will plant them in this land assuredly--in truth1 in stability1 with my whole heart1 and with my whole soul 7,jer #cb3da74 ,mark1 ,i will rejoice to do it1 ,i will do it assuredly1 ,i will do it in truth1 even with my whole heart1 and with my whole soul4 #b4 ,by his saying1 ,in his heart1 we may understand the secrecy of his purpose2 for this doctrine1 ,of not cursing again1 it is hid from all but those to whom it is revealed by the ,spirit of ,god4 ,for this purpose1 in the heart of ,god1 is one of the depths1 or of the deep things of ,god1 which the spirit of a man cannot understand4 ,who hath known the mind of the ,lord8 ,none of all the sons of men1 but those that have the ,holy ,ghost3 ,therefore ,paul applieth that to himself and fellows1 as that which is peculiar to them to know1 ,we have the mind of ,christ 7#a ,cor #b3af74 ,it is said1 that after ,christ had by his parables preached his gospel to the world1 he in private expounded all things to his disciples 7,mark #d3cd74 ,hence note1 ,that they that will hear ,god speak this1 they must be near his very heart4 ,they that are in his heart1 may hear it3 but to them that are without1 in parables4 ,this secret1 in revelation of the gospel1 is also expressed in other terms3 as1 ,that the ,lord spake in mine ears 7,isa #e3i71 and it was revealed in mine ears 7,isa #bb3ad74 ,and again1 ,hear now this word that ,i speak in thine ears 7,jer #bh3g74 ,i will not again curse the ground any more4 ,these words are also under ,moses' veil2 for in them is contained the sin of the world1 and damnation thereof4 ,he said1 when he was to bring the flood1 that the earth was corrupt1 and that he would destroy the earth 7#f3aa1ac72 but his great meaning1 was1 of the sinners that dwelt therein2 as the effect of that flood declared4 ,so he saith again1 he will not bring any more a flood to destroy the earth2 and that the bow in the cloud should be a sign of peace between him and the earth3 ,by all which is meant in special1 the men that dwell on the earth 7,psa #aad3g2 ,deu #cb3a2 ,jer #f3ai2 #bb3bi72 and they are called1 the ,ground1 and the ,earth1 because they came from thence4 ,so then1 there is1 as it were1 the foundation of all spiritual blessedness couched under these words1 ,i will not curse the ground1 ,i will not destroy man4 ,and that this must needs be the meaning thereof1 consider1 that this promise ariseth from the sweet savour that he smelt before in the burnt-offering2 which was a figure of ,christ1 who was made a curse for us 7,gal #c3ac71 to deliver us from the curse of the law2 that we might through him obtain the blessing of forgiveness of sins2 to which the curse stands directly opposite4 ,i will not again curse the ground for man's sake2 for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth4 ,the imagination of man's heart was the ground of this dreadful curse2 and the effect of this curse1 was1 to lay them up in chains in hell3 ,wherefore ,peter saith1 ,these men are now in prison4 ,the curse therefore1 in its most eminent extension1 reached the souls of those ungodly ones that were swept away with the flood4 ,but it seems a strange argument1 or reason rendered of ,god1 why again he would not curse the ground1 if it was because of the evil imagination of man's heart1 this being the only argument that prevailed with him to send the flood4 ,the meaning therefore is rather this1 ,that because of the satisfaction that ,christ hath given to ,god for sin1 therefore he said in his heart1 he would not again curse the ground1 for the evil imagination of man2 that is1 he would not do it1 for want of a sacrifice that had in it a sufficient propitiation 7,john #c3ah1ai74 ,hence note1 ,that the great cause now of man's condemnation1 is not because of his inherent pollution1 but because he accepteth not1 with ,noah1 of the satisfaction made by ,christ2 for to all them that have so accepted thereof1 there is now no curse nor condemnation 7,rom #h3a71 though still the imagination of their heart be evil4 ,if any man sin1 we have an advocate with the ,father1 ,jesus ,christ the righteous 7#a ,john #b3a74 ,for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth4 ,these words seem to insinuate the cause of these evil imaginations2 and that is1 from the corruption of their youth4 ,now how soon their youth was corrupted1 ,david shows by these words1 ,i was shapen in iniquity2 and in sin did my mother conceive me 7,psa #ea3e74 ,ezekiel also shows1 we were polluted in the day that we were born 7,eze #af3a-h74 ,further1 ,god to ,moses strongly affirms it1 in that he commands1 ,that for the firstborn1 in whom the rest were included1 an offering should be offered1 by that they were a month old 7,exo #ac3ac2 #cd3bj74 ,god seems therefore1 by this word1 to look back to the transgression of our first parents1 by whom sin came into our natures2 and by so doing he not only intimateth1 yea1 promiseth a pardon to personal miscarriages2 but assureth us1 ,that neither them1 nor yet our inward pollutions1 shall destroy us1 because of the rest that he found before in ,christ 7,rom #e74 ,neither will ,i again smite any more every living thing1 as ,i have done4 ,the creatures therefore also have some kind of benefit by the death and blood of ,christ2 that is1 so as to live1 and have a being2 for infinite justice is so perfectly just1 as that without a sacrifice it could not have suffered the world to stand1 after sin was in the world1 but must have destroyed1 for the sake of sin1 the world which he had made4 ,for although it be foully absurd to say that beasts and fowls are defiled with sin1 as man2 yet doubtless they received detriment thereby4 ,the creature was made subject to vanity1 by reason of him who hath subjected the same1 c4 ,that is1 by ,adam's sin4 ,which vanity they also show by divers of their practise2 as both in their enmity to man1 and one to another1 with which they were not created2 this came by the sin of man4 ,now that man lives1 yea1 that beasts live1 it is because of the offering up of ,christ3 ,wherefore it is said in that of the ,colossians1 ,the gospel is preached to every creature2 in every creature under heaven2 to wit1 in that they live and have a being 7#a3bc74 ,neither will ,i again smite any more every living thing1 as ,i have done4 ,these words1 as ,i have done1 doth not exempt the creature from every judgment of ,god1 but from this1 or such as this2 for we know1 that other judgments do befall ungodly men now2 and if they continue in final impenitence1 they shall partake of far greater judgments than to be drowned by the waters of a flood4 ,the wicked is reserved unto judgment 7,job #ba3cj74 ,yea1 the heavens and the earth that now are1 are reserved unto fire1--and perdition of ungodly men 7#b ,peter #c3g74 ,ver4 #bb4 ,while the earth remaineth1 seed time and harvest1 and cold and heat1 and summer and winter1 and day and night1 shall not cease4 ,while the earth remaineth4 ,these words may have respect both to the words before1 and to them that follow after4 ,if they respect the words before1 then they are as limits to that large promise1 of not destroying the world again3 not but that the day will come1 as ,i said1 in which another general judgment1 and that too far more dreadful than this of water1 will overflow the world1 and every living thing shall again be cut off from the face of all the earth3 as now by rain of water1 then by rain of fire and brimstone3 ,which day and sore judgment1 ,god showed unto men1 when he burned ,sodom and ,gomorrah with fire and brimstone from heaven4 ,but1 ,while the earth remaineth1 this shall not be4 ,but in the end1 then indeed both it and the works that are therein1 shall as ,peter saith be burned up 7#b ,peter #c3aj74 ,but so long as it remaineth1 that is1 until it be overtaken with this second1 and that too the beginning of eternal judgment1 no universal judgment shall overrun the earth3 ,for albeit that since that flood1 the earth hath been smitten with many a curse2 yet it hath been but here and there1 not in every place at once4 ,famines1 and earthquakes1 and pestilences1 have been in divers places1 but yet at the same time hath there been seed time and harvest also 7,mark #ac3h2 ,luke #ba3aa74 ,seed time and harvest1 and cold and heat1 and summer and winter1 and day and night1 shall not cease4 ,these words were some of the first1 with that of the bow in the cloud1 that prevailed with me to believe that the scriptures were the word of ,god4 ,for my reason tells me1 they are1 and have continued a true prophecy1 from the day that they were related2 otherwise the world could not have subsisted2 for take away seed time and harvest1 cold and heat1 c41 and an end is put to the#ch beginning of the universe4 ,besides1 if these words be taken in a spiritual sense1 they have also stood true from that very day2 otherwise the church had ceased to have a being long before this3 ,for take away seed time and harvest from the church1 with cold and heat1 and day and night1 and those ordinances of heaven are taken from her1 which were ordained for her begetting and continuation4 ,this head might with much largeness be insisted on2 but to pass it1 and to come to the next chapter4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,ver4 #a4 ,and ,god blessed ,noah1 and his sons1 and said unto them1 ,be fruitful and multiply1 and replenish the earth4 ,noah having thus waded through these great temptations1 and being made also to partake of the mercy of ,god1 in preserving and saving him from the evil thereof1 and being brought to partake of the beginning of a new world1 while the ungodly that were before the flood were perished for their iniquity3 he receiveth now from the mouth of the ,lord1 before whom he walked before the flood1 laws and ordinances1 as rules by which he should still govern his life before him4 ,but mark1 ,before he receiveth these rules and commandments1 he receiveth blessing from ,god2 blessing1 ,i say1 as that which should yet fore-fit him to do his will4 ,and ,god blessed ,noah4 ,blessed him with spiritual and special grace2 for without that1 no man can walk1 with ,god's acceptance before him4 ,he blessed him with grace suitable to the work he was now to begin2 to wit1 for the replenishing and governing the new world ,god had brought him to3 so that ,noah did not without precedent qualifications take this work upon him4 ,god also gave ,caleb and ,joshua another spirit1 and then they followed him fully4 ,that of ,david is for this remarkable1 ,who am ,i1 said he and what is my people1 that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort8 for all things come of thee1 and of thine own have we given thee4 ,o ,lord our ,god1 saith he1 all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name1 cometh of thine hand1 and is all thine own 7#a ,chron #bi3aj-af74 ,so is faith1 love1 strength1 wisdom1 sincerity1 and all other good things wherewith and by which we walk with ,god1 worship him1 and do his will3 all which is comprised in these words1 ,i will give them an heart to know me1 that ,i am the ,,lord3 and they shall be my people1 and ,i will be their ,god2 for they shall return unto me with their whole heart 7,jer #bd3g74 ,a new heart also will ,i give them 7,eze #cf3be-bi74 ,and again1 ,i will put my fear in their hearts1 that they shall not depart from me 7,jer #cb3cg-dj74 ,and ,god blessed ,noah and his sons1 and said unto them1 ,be fruitful1 and multiply1 and replenish the earth4 ,after he had blessed him1 then he tells him what they should do2 namely1 ,be fruitful1 and multiply4 ,this he spake with respect to the seed that he and his sons should beget1 therewith to people the world2 which was now the remaining part of his work1 and he had three arguments to encourage him thereto4 ,first1 ,he was delivered from the wicked and sinners of the old world3 #b4 ,he was made the heir of a new world2 and #c4 ,was to leave it as an heritage to his children4 ,this therefore should teach us1 who are brought into the kingdom of ,christ1 that new world that hath taken its beginning in the word of the gospel1 not to be idle1 but to be fruitful1 and to labour to fill the world with a spiritual seed to ,god3 for as ,noah1 so are we made heirs of this blessed kingdom2 and shall also1 as that good man1 leaven1 when we sleep in ,jesus1 this spiritual seed to possess the kingdom after us4 ,ver4 #b4 ,and the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth1 and upon every fowl of the air1 upon all that moveth upon the earth1 and upon all the fishes of the sea2 into your hand are they delivered4 ,these words seem to be a promise of what shall be a consequence of their putting into practice what was commanded in the verse before2 namely1 of their being fruitful1 and of their multiplying in the earth4 ,hence note1 ,that the faithful observation of ,god's word1 puts majesty1 and dread1 and terror upon them that do it3 ,therefore it is said1 that when the church is fair as the moon1 and clear as the sun1 she is terrible as an army with banners 7,cant #f3d1aj74 ,the presence of godly ,samuel made the elders of ,bethlehem tremble2 yea1 when ,elisha was sought for by the king of ,syria1 he durst not engage him1 but with chariots and horses1 and an heavy host 7#b ,kings #f3ac1ad74 ,godliness is a wonderful thing1 it commandeth reverence1 and the stooping of the spirits1 even of the world of ungodly ones 7,acts #e3ac74 ,and the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast4 ,this is true in the letter2 for because there is upon man1 as man1 more of the image and similitude of ,god1 than there is upon other creatures2 therefore the beasts1 and all the creatures1 are made to stoop and fall before them2 yea1 though in themselves they are mighty and fierce4 ,every kind or1 nature of birds1 and of serpents1 and things in the sea1 is tamed1 and hath been tamed by mankind 7,james #c3g74 ,but to allegorize the word1 for by the word1 ungodly men are beasts2 then1 as ,i said before1 godliness puts such a majesty and dread upon the professors of it1 that their enemies are afraid of them2 yea1 even then when they rage against them1 and lay heavy afflictions upon them4 ,it is marvellous to see in what fear the ungodly are1 even of godly men1 and godliness2 in that they stir up the mighty1 make edicts against them2 yea1 and raise up armies1 and what else can be imagined1 to suppress them2 while the persons thus opposed1 if you consider them as to their state and capacity in this world2 they are most inconsiderable2 but as a dead dog1 or a flea 7#a ,sam #bd3ad74 ,o but they are clothed with godliness6 ,the image and presence of ,god is upon them6 ,this makes the beasts of this world afraid4 ,one of you shall chase a thousand4 ,into your hands are they delivered4 ,that is1 the beasts1 birds1 and fish of the sea 7as ,david saith7 to be for the service of man4 ,but again1 ,this is also true in a higher nature2 for taking these beasts1 c4 for men1 even they are delivered into the hand of the church1 by whose doctrine1 power and faith1 they are smitten with severest judgments 7#b ,cor #b3ae1af74 ,laying all that reject them even in the depth of death1 and smiting them with all plagues as often as they will 7,rev #aa3f74 ,the world is therefore in our hand1 and disposed of by our doctrine1 by our faith and prayers1 although they think far otherwise1 and shall one day feel their judgments are according4 ,ver4 #c4 ,every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you2 even as the green herb have ,i given you all things4 ,from these words some would insinuate1 that before the flood men lived only upon herbs1 not eating flesh2 as here they have authority granted to do3 but1 in mine opinion1 such should be mistaken1 for this reason1 if there were no other3 because they offered sacrifice before2 sacrifices1 ,i say1 as types and representatives to the church1 of the death and sufferings of ,christ4 ,now1 of such sacrifices the offerers used to eat1 as is clear by the lamb of the passover1 and many other offerings3 so that these words seem to be but a renewing of their former privileges1 not a granting new liberty to the world4 ,every moving thing4 ,this must be taken with this restriction1 ,that is wholesome and good for food3 for by the law of nature1 nothing of that is forbidden to man1 though for some significations many such creatures were forbidden us to use for a time 7,deu #ad74 ,even as the green herb4 ,for which they expressly had liberty granted them1 in the first chapter of this book 7v #bi74 ,and this liberty might afresh be here repeated1 from some scruple that might arise in ,noah1 c4 ,he remembering that the world before might1 for the abuse of the creatures of ,god1 as well as for the abuse of his worship1 be drowned with the flood2 for sometimes the abuse of that which is lawful to one1 may be a snare1 abuse and stumbling to another 7#a ,cor #g3a2 #h74 ,ver4 #d4 ,but flesh with the life thereof1 which is the blood thereof shall ye not eat4 ,this law seems to be ceremonial1 although given long before ,moses was2 as also some sacrifices and circumcision were 7,john #g3bb74 ,wherefore we must seek for the reason of this prohibition4 ,whatsoever man saith ,god there be of the house of ,israel1--that eateth any manner of blood1 ,i will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood1 and will cut him off from among his people4 ,why8 ,for the life of the flesh is in the blood3 and ,i have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls3 for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul4 ,therefore ,i said unto the children of ,israel1 ,no soul of you shall eat blood 7,lev #ag3aj-ab74 ,again1 ,as here the prohibition is only concerning blood2 so in another place1 the word is as well against our eating the fat2 ,it shall be a perpetual statute for your generations1 throughout all your dwellings1 that ye neither eat fat nor blood4 ,and the reason rendered1 is1 ,for all the fat is the ,,lord',s 7,lev #c3af1ag74 ,so then the meaning1 the spiritual meaning1 seems to be this1 ,that forasmuch as the blood is the life1 and that which maketh the atonement2 and the fat1 the glory1 and the ,lord's2 therefore they both were to be offered to the ,lord4 ,that is1 we ought always to offer the merit of our salvation to ,god1 by a continual acknowledgment1 that it was through the blood of ,christ2 and we ought always to give him the glory thereof1 and this is the fat of all our performances 7,isa #be3f74 ,now this is so blessed a thing1 and calleth for that grace1 that every professor hath not1 every one cannot ascribe to the blood of the ,lamb1 the whole of his reconciliation to ,god2 nor offer up the fat1 the glory1 which is ,god's1 to the ,lord for so great a benefit3 this is the benefit of a peculiar people1 even of the priests the ,levites1 the sons of ,zadok1 or they that are justified1 or just thereby2 7,for so ,zadok signifies7 that kept the charge of my sanctuary1 when the children of ,israel went astray from me2 they shall come near to me1 to minister unto me1 and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood1 saith the ,lord ,god 7,eze #dd3ae74 ,wherefore1 for men to ascribe to their own works the merit of their salvation1 or to take the glory thereof to themselves2 it is as eating the blood and the fat themselves1 and they shall be cut off from the people of ,god4 ,ver4 #e4 ,and surely your blood of your lives will ,i require2 at the hand of every beast will ,i require it1 and at the hand of man2 at the hand of every man's brother1 will ,i require the life of man4 ,these words are spoken to the church1 which then resided in this family3 ,not but that ,god will avenge the blood that is wrongfully shed1 though the person murdered be most carnal and irreligious4 ,a man that doeth violence to the blood of any person1 shall flee to the pit2 let no man stay him 7,pro #bh3ag74 ,but ,i say1 these words respect the church in a more special and eminent way4 ,surely saith ,god your blood of your lives will ,i require4 ,thus also ,david insinuates the thing3 when he maketh the inquisition for blood1 he remembereth them3 the saints and godly in special1 he forgetteth not the cry of the humble1 the afflicted 7,psa #i3ab74 ,at the hand of every beast will ,i require it4 ,the beasts are here also to be taken for men1 to whom they are frequently likened in scripture2 and that because they have cast off human affections2 and1 like savage creatures1 make a prey of those that are better than themselves4 ,ignorance therefore or brutishness1 ,o thou wicked man6 will not excuse thee in the day of judgment2 all the injuries that thou doest to the people of ,god1 shall for certain be required of thee4 ,at the hand of man will ,i require it4 ,by man here1 we may understand1 such as have greater placed and shew of reason wherewith they manage their cruelty1 than those that are as the natural beast3 for all persecutors are not brutish alike2 some are in words as smooth as oil2 others can shew a semblance of reason of state1 why they should see the righteous for silver1 and the poor for a pair of shoes 7,amos #b3f74 ,these act1 to carnal reason1 like men1 as ,saul against ,david1 for the safety of his kingdom2 but these must give an account of their cruelty1 for blood is in their hands4 ,at the hand of every man's brother will ,i require the life of man4 ,this word brother may reach to all the apostatized hypocrites that forsake or betray the godly1 for brother shall betray the brother to death 7,matt #aj3ba74 ,such are spoken of in ,isaiah1 ,your brethren that hated you1 saith ,god1 and that cast you out for my name's sake1 said1 ,let the ,,lord be glorified3 but he shall appear to your joy1 and they shall be ashamed 7,isa #fe3e74 ,so that let them be as vile as the brute1 or as reasonable in appearance as men1 or as near in relation as a brother2 neither their ignorance1 nor their reason1 nor their relation to the saints1 shall secure them from the stroke of the judgment of ,god4 ,ver4 #f4 ,whoso sheddeth man's blood1 by man shall his blood be shed3 for in the image of ,god made he man4 ,in these words we have both a threatening and a command2 and the same words carry both3 ,by man shall his blood be shed1 there is the threatening2 ,by man shall his blood be shed1 there is the command4 ,for as they threaten1 so they instruct us1 that he is worthy of the loss of his own blood1 that doth wickedly shed the blood of another 7,matt #bf3eb2 ,rev #ac3aj74 ,blood for blood1 equal measure3 ,as he also saith elsewhere1 ,an eye for an eye1 a tooth for a tooth 7,exo #ba3bd71 wound for wound1 burning for burning 7,lev #bd3bj2 ,deu #ai3ba74 ,for in the image of ,god made he man4 ,this seems as the reason of this equal law2 because no man can slay his neighbour1 but he striketh at the image of ,god4 ,it is counted a heinous crime for a man to run his sword at the picture of a king1 how much more to shed the blood of the image of ,god8 ,he that mocketh1 or oppresseth1 the poor reproacheth his ,maker2 but he that honoureth him1 hath mercy on the poor 7,pro #ad3ca2 #ag3e74 ,and if so1 how much more do they reproach1 yea1 despise and abhor their ,maker1 that slay and murder his image6 ,but most of all those do prove themselves the enemies of ,god1 that make the holiness1 the goodness1 the religion and sobriety that is found in the people of ,god1 the object of their wrath and hellish cruelty4 ,hence murder is1 in the ,new ,testament1 imputed to that man that hated holy and godly man3 ,he that hateth his brother1 is a murderer2 and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him 7#a ,john #c3ae74 ,ver4 #gl4 ,and you1 be ye fruitful1 and multiply2 bring forth abundantly in the earth1 and multiply therein4 ,thus he doubleth the blessing and command1 of multiplying and increasing the church in the earth1 for that is the delight of ,god1 and of ,christ4 ,ver4 #h1 #i4 ,and ,god spake unto ,noah1 and to his sons with him1 saying1 ,and ,i1 behold1 ,i establish my covenant with you1 and with your seed after you4 ,god having thus blessed them1 and given them laws and judgments to walk by1 for the further confirmation of their hope in ,god1 he propoundeth to them the immutability of his mind1 by the establishing of his covenant with them2 for a covenant is that1 which not only concludeth the matter concerned between the persons themselves2 but it provideth remedy against after temptations1 and fears1 and mistrusts1 as to the faithful performance of that which is spoken of4 ,as ,laban said to ,jacob1 ,now therefore said he come thou1 let us make a covenant1 ,i and thou2 and let it be for a witness between me and thee 7,gen #ca3dd74 ,thus also the apostle insinuates2 where making mention of the promise and oath of ,god1 he saith1 this promise and oath are both immutable1 that we might have a strong consolation1 or always ground for great rejoicing who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us 7,heb #f3ah74 ,this covenant therefore1 it was for the encouragement of ,noah and his sons1 that they might walk before ,god without fear4 ,yea1 it was to maintain their hope in his promise of forgiveness1 though they should find their after-performances mixed with infirmities2 for so he had told them before1 namely1 ,that he would not again destroy the earth for man's sake1 albeit the imagination of man's heart be evil from his youth4 ,i will establish my covenant with you1 and with your seed after you4 ,ver4 #aj4 ,and with every living creature that is with you3 of the fowl1 of the cattle1 and of every beast of the earth with you2 from all that go out of the ark1 to every beast of the earth4 ,these words respect the whole creation 7see chapter #h72 for all the things in the world1 devils only excepted1 have a benefit by this covenant of ,god4 ,and hence it is1 that not man only1 but every thing that hath breath1 is commanded to praise the ,lord 7,psa #aej3f73 ,but observe it2 as for the sin of man1 they before were destroyed by the flood2 so now by reason of the mercy of ,god to man1 they are spared1 and partake of mercy also4 ,this is intimated by these words3 ,every creature that is with you2 every beast of the earth with you4 ,ver4 #aa4 ,and ,i will establish my covenant with you1 neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood2 neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth4 ,this is the sum of the covenant1 as it respecteth the letter1 and the type1 and the whole creation in general4 ,but yet as to the spirit and gospel of it1 the ,holy ,ghost must needs have a further reach1 an intention of more glorious things1 as may further be shewed anon4 ,and ,i will establish my covenant with you4 ,for you that are men1 and especially the members of the church1 have the most peculiar share therein4 ,neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood4 ,for because of my covenant which ,i establish with you1 ,i will spare them also1 and give them the taste of my mercy and goodness4 ,neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth4 ,this covenant therefore1 is not of that nature as the covenant was which was made with ,adam1 to wit1 a covenant of works1 as the only conditions of life2 for by that was the ground1 for man's sin1 accursed1 accursed1 and accursed again4 ,but now the ,lord goeth another way1 the way of grace1 and forgiveness of sins3 ,wherefore now1 not the curse1 but the mercy of ,god1 comes in on the back and neck of sin1 still sparing and forgiving man1 the great transgressor1 and the beast1 c4 and the earth1 for the sake of him4 ,ver4 #ab1 #ac4 ,and ,god said1 ,this is the token of the covenant which ,i make between me and you and every living creature that is with you1 for perpetual generations4 ,i do set my bow in the cloud1 and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and all the earth4 ,so then1 the way to find out the covenant1 what that is1 it is to see if we can find out this token of it2 to wit1 the ,,bow1 of which the rainbow is but a type4 ,i find then by the scriptures1 where this ,,bow is mystically spoken of1 that the ,lord ,jesus ,christ himself is encompassed with the bow4 ,the first is this3 ,and above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne1 as the appearance of a sapphire stone3 and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness1 as the appearance of a man above upon it4 ,and ,i saw1 as the colour of amber1 as the appearance of fire round about within it1 from the appearance of his loins even upward1 and from the appearance of his loins even downward1 ,i saw as it were the appearance of fire1 and it had brightness round about4 ,as the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain1 so was the appearance of the brightness round about4 ,this was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the ,,lord 7,eze #a3bf-bh71 the man1 the ,lord's ,christ1 c4 ,the second scripture is this4 ,i was in the ,spirit3 and1 behold a throne was set in heaven1 and one sat on the throne4 ,and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone3 and there was a rainbow round about the throne1 in sight like unto an emerald 7,rev #d3b1c74 ,in these two texts there is mention of the rainbow1 that was1 not to be the covenant1 but the token or sign thereof4 ,now then the covenant itself must needs be the man that was set in the midst of the bow upon the throne2 for so he saith by the prophet1 ,i the ,,lord have called thee in righteousness1 and will hold thine hand1 and will keep thee1 and give thee for a covenant of the people 7,isa #db3f74 ,the covenant therefore is ,jesus ,christ the ,saviour1 whom the bow in the clouds was a sign or a token of4 ,so then the sum of the text is this1 ,that ,god1 for the sake of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 will not again all the days of the earth1 bring an universal judgment upon the creature1 as in the days of ,noah1 and of the old world he did2 for ,christ by the worth of his blood and righteousness hath pacified the justice of the law for sin4 ,so then the whole universe standeth not upon a bottom of its own1 but by the word and power of ,christ 7,heb #a3b1c74 ,the earth said he and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved3 ,i bear up the pillars of it 7,psa #ge3c74 ,quest4 ,but how must ,christ be reckoned of ,god1 when he maketh him the poize against all the sin of the world4 ,the prophet tells us thus3 ,he shall be the covenant of the people1 or he shall be accounted the conditions and worth of the world2 ,he shall be the covenant1 or works1 or righteousness of the people2 for1 ,he as the high-priest under the law1 is set for the people to ,godward2 that is1 he standeth always in the presence of ,god1 as the complete obedience of the people4 ,so then1 so long as the ,lord ,christ bears up his mediatorship1 ,god in justice will neither destroy the world1 nor the things that are therein4 ,in this covenant therefore1 the justice as well as the mercy of ,god is displayed in its perfection1 inasmuch as without the perfection of the mediator ,christ1 the world could not be saved from judgment4 ,ver4 #ad4 ,and it shall come to pass1 when ,i bring a cloud over the earth1 that the bow shall be seen in the cloud4 ,by these words the ,lord looks back to the flood that before had drowned the earth2 for in these clouds there was no bow1 no token of ,christ1 or of the mercy of ,god4 ,but now1 saith ,god1 ,i will do far otherwise2 from henceforth when ,i bring a cloud1 and there be showers of rain on the earth1 these clouds shall not be as the other4 ,but my bow shall be therein4 ,the cloud then that here is spoken of1 must be understood of the judgment of ,god for sin1 like those before1 and at the overthrow of the world2 only with this difference1 they were clouds1 judgments without mercy1 but these judgments mixed therewith2 and often the clouds are thus to be understood4 ,job when he curseth his day1 saith1 ,let a cloud dwell upon it 7#c3e74 ,so the judgments of ,god upon ,zion1 are called the covering of a cloud 7,lam #b3a74 ,so in ,joel also1 to the darkness of clouds1 are the judgments of the church compared 7#b3b72 yea1 that pillar that went before the children of ,israel1 it being a judgment to the people of ,egypt1 goes under this epithet1 as a term most fit to express this judgment by1 it was a cloud and darkness to them 7,exo #ad3bj74 ,and now to the cloud in hand1 the cloud in which is the bow1 the cloud of rain1 although by the mercy and grace of ,god it is so great a blessing as it is1 yet it sometimes becomes a judgment1 it comes for correction1 as a rod to afflict the inhabitants of the world withal 7,job #cg3ac74 ,thus it was in the days of ,ezra1 and very often both before and since 7#aj3ab-ad74 ,the bow shall be seen in the cloud4 ,this is the mercy of ,god to the world1 and that by which it hath been hitherto preserved2 ,the bow shall be seen in the cloud4 ,you know ,i told you of the bow before1 that it was a sign or token of the covenant of ,god with the world1 and that the covenant itself was ,christ1 as given of ,god unto us1 with all his good conditions1 merit1 and worth4 ,so then1 in that1 ,god set this bow in the cloud1 and especially in the clouds that he sends for judgment1 he would have the world remember1 that there comes no judgment as yet on the world1 but it is mixed with1 or poized by the mercy of ,god in ,christ4 ,the bow shall be seen in the cloud4 ,this may respect ,god1 or the world1 that is1 the seeing of the bow in the cloud2 if it respect ,god1 then it tells us he in judgment will remember mercy2 if it respect the world1 then it admonisheth us not to despond1 or sink in despair under the greatest judgment of ,god1 for the bow1 the token of his covenant1 is seen in the judgments that he executeth4 ,when the vision of the ruin of ,jerusalem was revealed to the prophet ,ezekiel1 he saw that yet ,christ sat under the bow 7#a3bh74 ,when antichrist was to come against the saints of ,god1 the commission came from ,christ1 as he sat under the bow 7,rev #d3c74 ,this ,john did see and relate1 of which we should take special notice3 for by this token ,god would have us to know that these clouds1 though they come for correction1 yet not to destroy the church4 ,my bow shall be seen in the cloud4 ,ver4 #ae4 ,and ,i will remember my covenant1 which is between me and you1 and every living creature of all flesh2 and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh4 ,and ,i will remember my covenant4 ,much like this is that of the ,lord to ,israel1 when they are under all1 or any of those forty judgments mentioned 7,lev #bf74 ,if they shall confess their iniquity1 saith he1 and the iniquity of their fathers1 c41 ,then will ,i remember my covenant with ,jacob1 and also my covenant with ,isaac1 and also my covenant with ,abraham will ,i remember2 and ,i will remember the land 7,lev #bf3dj-db74 ,his usual way in other sayings is1 to begin with ,abraham1 but here he ends with him2 and the reason is1 because there1 as it were1 the great promise of the ,messiah to that people began1 ,saying1 in thy seed shall all nations be blessed4 ,and ,i will remember my covenant which is between me and you4 ,we read not here of any compact or agreement between ,noah and ,god ,almighty2 wherefore such conditions and compacts could not be the terms between him and us4 ,what then8 why that covenant that he calls his1 which is his gift to us1 ,i will give thee for a covenant1 this is the covenant which is between ,god and us3 ,there is one ,god1 and one mediator between ,god and man1 the man ,christ ,jesus4 ,this then is the reason why all the waters1 why all the judgments of ,god1 and why all the sins that have provoked those judgments1 cannot become a flood to destroy all flesh4 ,ver4 #af4 ,and the bow shall be in the cloud2 and ,i will look upon it1 that ,i may remember the everlasting covenant between ,god and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth4 ,and the bow shall be in the cloud4 this is a kind of a repetition2 for this he had told us before1 saying1 ,i do set my bow in the cloud1 and the bow shall be seen in the cloud3 which repetition is very needful1 for it is hard for us to believe that ,christ and grace are wrapped up in the judgments of ,god 7#a ,peter #a3ab74 ,wherefore it had need be attested twice and thrice4 ,to write the same things to you1 saith ,paul1 to me indeed is not grievous1 but for you it is safe7,phil #c3a74 ,and ,i will look upon4 ,a familiar expression1 and suited to our capacity1 and spoken to prevent a further ground of mistrust2 much like to that of ,god1 when he was to send the plague upon ,egypt3 ,the blood1 saith ,god1 of the ,lamb1 shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are3 and when ,i see the blood ,i will pass over you1 and the plague shall not be upon you1 to destroy you1 when ,i smite the land of ,egypt 7,exo #ab3ac74 ,and ,i will look upon it that ,i may remember4 ,not that ,god is forgetful1 ,he is ever mindful of his covenant4 ,but such expressions are used to shew and persuade us that the whole heart and delight of ,god is in it4 ,that ,i may remember the everlasting covenant4 ,this word covenant is also the sixth repetition thereof2 my covenant1 the covenant1 a covenant1 and the everlasting covenant4 ,o how fain would ,god beat it into the heads of the world1 that he hath for men a covenant of grace4 ,the everlasting covenant4 ,because the parties on both sides are faithful1 perfect1 and true2 the ,father being the one1 and the ,son of his love the other2 for this covenant1 as ,i said before1 is not a compact and agreement betwixt ,god and the world1 but his ,son1 as his gift to men1 is set for them to ,godward 7,zech #i3aa74 ,so that what conditions there are1 they are perfectly found in ,christ1 by whose blood the covenant is sealed and established1 and indeed becomes everlasting1 hence it is called the blood of the everlasting covenant 7,heb #ac3bj74 ,and again1 the ,new ,testament is said to be in this blood4 ,besides1 the promises are all in ,christ1 ,i mean the promises of this covenant2 in him they are yea1 and in him amen1 to the glory of ,god the ,father3 now they being all in him1 and yea and amen no where else1 the covenant itself must needs be of pure grace and mercy1 and the bow in the cloud1 not qualifications in us1 but the proper token of this covenant4 ,ver4 #ag4 ,and ,god said unto ,noah1 ,this is the token of the covenant1 which ,i have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth4 ,behold a repetition of all things that were essential either to the covenant itself1 or to our faith therein1 the making of the covenant1 the looking on the covenant1 and the token of the covenant2 how often are they mentioned1 that we might be more fully convinced of the unchangeable nature of it4 ,as ,joseph said unto ,pharaoh1 ,for that the dream was doubled unto ,pharaoh twice1 it is because the thing is established by ,god 7,gen #da3cb74 ,and ,god said unto ,noah4 ,where ,god loveth1 he delighteth to apply himself to such1 in a more than general way2 he singleth out the person1 ,noah1 ,abraham1 and the like4 ,i know thee by name1 saith he to ,moses1 and thou hast found grace in my sight4 ,this is the token of the covenant4 ,it still wants beating into people's heads1 where they should look for the covenant itself1 to wit1 the throne which the rainbow compasseth round about2 for that is the token of the presence of the ,messias1 and thither we are to look for salvation from all plagues1 and from all the judgments that are due to sin3 ,the ,lord for ,christ's sake forgave you1 this is the token of the covenant4 ,of the covenant which ,i have established4 ,this word ,i1 as also hinted before1 doth intimate that this covenant is the covenant of grace and mercy1 for a covenant of works cannot be established2 that is1 settled between ,god and men1 before both parties have either by sureties1 or performance ratified and confirmed the same4 ,indeed it may be so established1 as that ,god will appoint no other2 but to be so established1 as to give us the fruits thereof1 that must be the effects of his being well pleased with the conditions of those concerned in the making thereof4 ,but that is not the world1 but the ,son of ,god1 and therefore it is called his covenant1 and he as given to us of ,god1 is so reckoned our condition and worth 7,zech #i3aa74 ,which ,i have established4 ,to wit1 upon better promises than duties purely commanded1 or than the obedience of all the angels in heaven4 ,i have established it in the truth and faithfulness1 in the merit and worth of the blood of my ,son1 of whom the rainbow that you see in the cloud is a token4 ,ver4 #ah4 ,and the sons of ,noah1 that went forth of the ark1 were ,shem1 and ,ham1 and ,japheth3 and ,ham is the father of ,canaan4 ,by these words ,moses is returned again to the history of ,noah4 ,and the sons of ,noah that went forth of the ark4 ,if these words1 that went forth of the ark1 bear the emphasis of this part of the verse1 then it may seem that ,noah had more children than these2 but they were not accounted of2 for they being ungodly1 as the rest of the world1 they perished with them in their ungodliness4 ,these only went in1 and came out of the ark with him2#ci to wit1 ,shem1 and ,ham1 and ,japheth4 ,the names thus placed are not according to their birth2 for ,japheth was the elder1 ,ham the younger1 and ,shem the middlemost of the two4 ,shem therefore takes the place1 because of his eminency in godliness 7#i3bd72 also1 because from him went the line up to ,christ 7#aj3b74 ,for which cause also the family of the sons of ,judah1 though he was but the fourth son of ,israel1 was reckoned before the family of ,reuben1 ,jacob's first born2 or before the rest of the sons of his brethren 7#a ,chron #b3c74 ,sometimes persons take their place in genealogy1 from the fore-sight of the mightiness of their offspring4 ,thus was ,ephraim placed before ,manasseh2 for truly said ,jacob his younger brother shall be greater than he 7,gen #dc3ag-bj74 ,and he set ,ephraim before ,manasseh4 ,ham is the next in order2 not for the sake of his birthright1 or because he was much1 if anything1 now for godliness2 but for that he was the next to be eminent in his offspring1 for opposing and fighting against the same4 ,shem and ,ham therefore the two heads1 or chief1 from whence sprang good and evil men1 by way of eminency4 ,ham is the father of ,canaan1 or of the ,canaanites1 the people of ,god's curse1 whom the sons of ,shem who afterwards sprang from ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob1 were to cut off from the earth1 for their most high abominations4 ,japheth comes in1 in the first place1 as one that at present was least concerned either in the mercy or displeasure of ,god2 being neither1 in his offspring1 to be devoutly religious1 nor yet incorrigibly wicked1 though afterwards he was to be persuaded to dwell in the tents of ,shem4 ,ver4 #ai4 ,these are the three sons of ,noah2 and of them was the whole earth overspread4 ,thus though ,noah's beginning was small1 his latter end did greatly increase4 ,ver4 #bj1 #ba4 ,and ,noah began to be an husbandman1 and he planted a vineyard3--,and he drank of the wine1 and was drunken2 and he was uncovered within his tent4 ,this is the blot in this good man's scutcheon2 and a strange blot it is1 that such an one as ,noah should be thus overtaken with evil6 ,one would have thought that ,moses should now have began with a relation of some eminent virtues1 and honourable actions of ,noah1 since now he was saved from the death that overtook the whole world1 and was delivered1 both he and his children1 to possess the whole earth himself4 ,indeed1 he stepped from the earth to the altar2 as ,israel of old did sing on the shore of the red ,sea3 ,but1 as they1 he soon forgat2 he rendered evil to ,god for good4#dj ,neither is ,noah alone in this matter3 ,lot also being delivered from that fire from heaven that burnt up ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 falls soon after into lewdness with the children of his body1 and begetteth his own two daughters with child 7,gen #ai3cj-cf74 ,gideon also1 after he was delivered out of the hands of his enemies1 took that very gold which ,god had given him1 as the spoil of them that hated him1 and made himself idols therewith 7,judg #h3bd-bg74 ,what shall ,i say of ,david8 and of ,solomon also1 who after he had been twenty years at work for the service of the true ,god1 both in building and preparing for his worship1 and in writing of ,proverbs by divine inspiration2 did1 after this1 make temples for idols2 yea1 almost for the gods of all countries8 ,yea1 he did it when he was old1 when he should have been preparing for his grave1 and for eternity4 ,it came to pass1 when ,solomon was old1 that his wives turned away his heart after other gods3--,for ,solomon went after ,ashtoreth1 the goddess of the ,zidonians2 and after ,milcom1 the abomination of the ,ammonites4--,he did also build an high place for ,chemosh1 the abomination of ,moab1 in the hill that is before ,jerusalem2 and for ,molech1 the abomination of the children of ,ammon4 ,and likewise did he for all his strange wives1 which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods 7#a ,kings #aa3d-h74 ,all these sins were sins against mercies2 yea1 and doubtless against covenants1 and the most solemn resolutions to the contrary4 ,for who can imagine1 but that when ,noah was tossed with the flood1 and ,lot within the scent and smell of the fire and brimstone that burnt down ,sodom1 with his sons1 and his daughters2 and ,gideon1 when so fiercely engaged with so great an enemy1 and delivered by so strange a hand2 should in the most solemn manner both promise and vow to ,god4 ,but behold6 now they in truth are delivered and saved1 they recompense all with sin4 ,lord1 what is man6 ,how--abominable and filthy is man1 which drinketh iniquity like water 7,job #ae3af74 ,let these things learn us to cease from man1 whose breath is in his nostrils3 for wherein is he to be accounted of8 7,isa #b3bb74 ,indeed1 it is a vain thing to build our faith upon the most godly man in the world1 because he is subject to err2 yea1 far better than ,he1 was so4 ,if ,noah1 and ,lot1 and ,gideon1 and ,david1 and ,solomon1 who wanted not matter from arguments1 and that of the strongest kind2 as arguments that are drawn from mercy and goodness be1 to engage to holiness1 and the fear of ,god2 yet after all1 did so foully fall1 as we see3 let us admire grace1 that any stand2 let the strongest fear1 lest he fearfully fall2 and let no man but ,jesus ,christ himself be the absolute platform and pattern of faith and holiness4 ,as the prophet saith1 ,let us cease from man4 ,but to return3 ,and ,noah began to be an husbandman4 ,this trade he took up for want of better employment2 or rather1 in mine opinion1 from some liberty he took to himself1 to be remiss in his care and work1 as a preacher4 ,for seeing the church was now at rest1 and having the world before them1 they still retaining outward sobriety1 poor ,noah1 good man1 now might think with himself1 ,i need not now be so diligent1 watchful and painful in my ministry as formerly2 the church is but small1 without opposition1 and also well settled in the truth2 ,i may now take to myself a little time to tamper with worldly things4 ,so he makes an essay upon husbandry4 ,he began to be an husbandman4 ,ha1 ,noah6 it was better with thee when thou wast better employed6 ,yea1 it was better with thee1 when a world of ungodly men set themselves against thee6 ,yea1 when every day thy life was in danger to be destroyed by the giants1 against whom thou wast a preacher above a hundred years6 ,for then thou didst walk with ,god2 ,then thou wast better than all the world2 but now thou art in the relapse6 ,hence note1 ,that though the days of affliction1 of temptation and distress1 are harsh to flesh and blood2 yet they are not half so dangerous as are the days of peace and liberty4 ,wherefore ,moses pre-admonished ,israel1 ,that when they had received the land of ,canaan1 and had herds1 and silver and gold in abundance1 that then their heart be not lifted up to forget the ,lord their ,god4 ,jesurun kicked when he was fat4 ,o6 ,when provender pricks#da us1 we are apt to be as the horse or mule1 that is without understanding 7,deu #h3aj-ae74 ,he planted a vineyard3 and he drank of the wine1 and was drunken4 ,although in the course of godliness1 many men have but a speculative knowledge of things2 yet it is not so in the ways of this world and sin1 the practical part of these things are lived in by all the world4 ,they are sinners indeed1 ,he drank of the wine4 ,he drank of the wine1 and was drunken4 ,the ,holy ,ghost1 when it hath to do with sin1 it loveth to give it its own name3 drunkenness must be drunkenness1 murder must be murder1 and adultery must bear its own name4 ,nay1 it is neither the goodness of the man1 nor his being in favour with ,god1 that will cause him to lessen or mince his sin4 ,noah was drunken2 ,lot lay with his daughters2 ,david killed ,uriah2 ,peter cursed and swore in the garden1 and also dissembled at ,antioch4 ,but this is not recorded1 to the intent that the name of these godly should rot or stink3 but to shew1 that the best men are nothing without grace2 and1 that he that standeth1 should not be high minded1 but fear4 ,yea1 they are also recorded1 for the support of the tempted1 who when they are fallen1 are oft raised up by considering the infirmities of others4 ,whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning1 that we through patience1 and comfort of the scriptures might have hope 7,rom #ae3d74 ,and he was uncovered within his tent4 ,that is1 he lay like a drunken man1 that regarded not who saw his shame4 ,hence note1 how beastly a sin drunkenness is2 it bereaveth a man of consideration1 and civil behaviour2 it makes him as brutish and shameless as a beast2 yea1 it discovereth his nakedness to all that behold4 ,and he was uncovered4 ,that is1 lay naked1 ,behold ye now1 that a little of the fruit of the vine1 lays gravity1 grey hairs1 and a man that for hundreds of years was a lover of faith1 holiness1 goodness1 sobriety1 and all righteousness2 shamelessly1 as the object to the eye of the wicked1 with his nakedness in his tent4 ,he was uncovered within his tent4 ,the best place of retirement he had1 but it could not hide him from the eye of the ungodly2 it is not therefore thy secret chamber1 nor thy lurking in holes1 that will hide thee from the eye of the reproacher3 nothing can do this but righteousness1 goodness1 sobriety and faithfulness to ,god2 this will hide thee2 these are the garments1 which1 if they be on thee1 will keep thee1 that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear 7,rev #af3ae74 ,ver4 #bb4 ,and ,ham1 the father of ,canaan1 saw the nakedness of his father1 and told his two brethren without4 ,ham was the unsanctified one1 the father of the children of the curse of ,god4 ,he saw the nakedness of his father1 and he blazed abroad the matter4 ,hence note1 ,that the wicked and ungodly man1 is he that doth watch for the infirmities of the godly3 as ,david says1 ,they watched for my halting4 ,indeed1 they know not else how to justify their own ungodliness2 but this1 instead of excusing them of their wickedness1 doth but justify the word against them2 for by this they prove themselves graceless1 and men that watch for iniquity4 ,let them not say in their hears said ,david ,ah6 so would we have it 7,psa #ce3be74 ,ammon said1 ,aha6 against the sanctuary when it was profaned2 and against the land of ,israel when it was desolate1 and against the house of ,judah when it went into captivity 7,eze #be3c74 ,the enmity that is in the hearts of ungodly men1 will not suffer them to do otherwise2 when they see evil befall the saint1 they rejoice and skip for joy 7,eze #bf3b2 #cf3b74 ,he saw the nakedness of his father4 ,hence note1 ,that saints can rarely slip1 but the eyes of the ,canaanites will see them4 ,this should make us walk in the world with jealous eyes1 with eyes that look round about1 not only to what we are and do1 but also1 how what we do is#db resented in the world 7,gen #ac3g74 ,abraham was good at this1 and so was ,isaac and ,jacob 7#cd3cj72 for they tendered more the honour and glory of ,god1 than they minded their own concerns4 ,he saw the nakedness of his father4 ,who was the nearest and dearest relation he had in the world2 yet neither relation nor kin1 nor all the good that his father had done him1 could keep his polluted lips from declaring his father's follies1 but out they must go2 the sin of his own defiled heart must take place of the fifth commandment1 and must rather solace itself in rejoicing in his father's iniquity1 than in covering his father's nakedness4 ,wicked men regard not kindred2 and no marvel1 for they love not godliness4 ,he that loveth not ,god1 loveth not his brother1 or father3 nay1 he wrongeth his own soul 7,pro #h3cf74 ,and told his two brethren without4 ,he told them1 that is1 mockingly1 reflecting not only upon ,noah but also upon his brethren2 to all of whom himself was far inferior1 both as to grace and humanity4 ,ver4 #bc4 ,and ,shem and ,japheth took a garment1 and laid it upon both their shoulders1 and went backward1 and covered the nakedness of their father2 and their faces were backward1 and they saw not their father's nakedness4 ,shem and ,japheth did it3 ,this is recorded for the renown of these1 as the action of ,ham is for his perpetual infamy4 ,they took a garment1 and went backward1 and covered their father1 and saw not his nakedness4 ,love will attempt to do that with difficulty1 that it cannot accomplish otherwise4 ,i think it might be from this action1 that the wise man gathereth his proverb from4 ,hatred stirreth up strifes2 but love covereth all sins 7,pro #aj3ab74 ,indeed1 ,ham would fain have made variance between his father and his brethren1 by presenting the folly of the one1 to the shame and provocation of the other4 ,but ,shem1 and his brother ,japheth1 they took the course to prevent it2 they covered their father's nakedness4 ,ver4 #bd4 ,and ,noah awoke from his wine1 and knew what his younger son had done unto him4 ,by these words more is implied than expressed2 for this awaking of ,noah1 not only informeth us of natural awaking from sleep1 but of his spiritual awaking from his sin4 ,he awoke from his wine4 ,as ,ely said to ,hannah1 ,how long wilt thou be drunken8 ,put away thy wine from thee 7#a ,sam #a3ad74 ,by which words he exhorteth to repentance4 ,it is said of ,nabal1 ,that his wine went from him1 as many men's sins forsake them1 because they are decayed1 and want strength and opportunity to perform them4 ,now this may be done1 where the heart remaineth yet unsanctified3 but ,noah awoke from his wine1 put it away1 or1 repented him of the evil of his doing4 ,a just man falleth seven times1 and riseth up again3 but the wicked shall fall into mischief 7,pro #bd3af74 ,wherefore they have cause to say to all the ,hams in the world1 ,rejoice not against me1 ,o mine enemy3 when ,i fall1 ,i shall arise 7,micah #g3h72 but your fall1 is a fall into mischief4 ,he knew what his younger son had done unto him4 ,whether this was by revelation from heaven1 or through the information of ,japheth and ,shem1 ,i determine not2 but so it was1 that the good man had understanding thereof3 which might be requisite upon a double account2 not only that he might now be ashamed thereof2 but take notice1 that he had caused the enemies of ,god to reproach2 for this sinks deep into a good man's heart1 and afflicteth him so much the more4 ,ver4 #be4 ,and he said1 ,cursed be ,canaan2 a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren4 ,by these words one would think that ,canaan1 the grand-child of ,noah1 was the first that discovered his nakedness2 but of this ,i am uncertain3 ,i rather think that ,noah1 in a spirit of prophecy1 determined the destruction of ,ham's posterity1 from the prodigiousness of his wicked action1 and of his name1 which signifieth indignation1 or heat2 for names of old were ofttimes given according to the nature and destiny of the persons concerned4 ,is not he rightly called ,jacob8 7,gen #bg3cf74 ,and again1 ,as his name is1 so is he 7#a ,sam #be3be74 ,besides1 by this act did ,ham declare himself void of the grace of ,god2 for he that rejoiceth in iniquity1 or that maketh a mock1 as being secretly pleased with or at the infirmities of the godly1 he is declared already1 by the ,spirit of ,god1 to be nothing 7#a ,cor #ac74 ,a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren4 ,this was accomplished when ,israel took the land of ,canaan1 and made the offspring of this same ,ham1 even so many as escaped the edge of the sword1 to be captives and bondsmen1 and tributers unto them4 ,hence note1 that the censures of good men are dreadful1 and not lightly to be passed over1 whether they prophesy of evil or good2 because they speak in judgment1 and according to the tenor of the word of ,god4 ,ver4 #bf4 ,and he said1 ,blessed be the ,,lord ,god of ,shem2 and ,canaan shall be his servant4 ,shem seems by this to be the first in that action of love to his father3 and that ,japheth did help through his persuasion2 for ,shem is blessed in a special manner1 and ,canaan is made his servant4 ,hence note1 ,that forwardness in things that are good1 is a blessed sign that the ,lord is our ,god3 ,blessed be the ,lord ,god of ,shem4 ,it is said of ,hananiah1 ,that he was a faithful man1 and feared ,god above many 7,neh #g3b74 ,now such men are provocations to good1 as ,i doubt not but ,shem's was to ,japheth3 ,as ,paul saith of some1 ,your zeal hath provoked very many 7#b ,cor #i3b74 ,ver4 #bg4 ,god shall enlarge ,japheth1 and he shall dwell in the tents of ,shem4 ,in the margin1 it is ,god shall persuade3 ,and it looks like a confirmation of what ,i said before1 and is a prophecy of that requital of love that ,god should one day give his posterity1 for his kindness to ,noah his father4 ,as if ,noah had said1 ,well1 ,japheth1 thou wast soon persuaded by ,shem to shew kindness to me thy father1 and the ,lord shall hereafter persuade thy posterity to trust in the ,god of ,shem4 ,god shall enlarge4 ,this may respect liberty of soul1 or how great the church of the ,gentiles should be2 for ,japheth was the father of the ,gentiles 7,gen #aj3e74 ,if it respect the fist1 then it shows that sin is as fetters and chains that holds souls in captivity and thraldom4 ,and hence1 when ,christ doth come in the gospel1 it is to preach deliverance to the captives1--and to set at liberty them that are bruised 7,luke #d3ah74 ,god shall persuade4 ,that is1 ,god shall enlarge him by persuasion2 for the gospel knows no other compulsion1 but to force by argumentation4 ,them therefore that ,god brings into the tents1 or churches of ,christ1 they by the gospel are enlarged form the bondage and thraldom of the devil1 and persuaded also to embrace his grace to salvation4 ,ver4 #bh4 ,and ,noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years4 ,he lived therefore to see ,abraham fifty and eight years old3 ,he lived also to see the foundation of ,babel laid2 nay1 the top stone thereof3 and also the confusion of tongues4 ,he lived to see of the fruit of his loins1 mighty kings and princes4 ,but in all this time he lived not to do one work that the ,holy ,ghost thought worthy to record for the savour of his name1 or the edification and benefit of his church1 save only1 ,that he died at nine hundred and fifty years2 so great a breach did this drunkenness make upon his spirit4 ,ver4 #bi4 ,so all the days of ,noah were nine hundred and fifty years3 and he died4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,ver4 #a4 ,now these are the generations of the sons of ,noah1 ,shem1 ,ham1 and ,japheth3 and unto them were sons born after the flood4 ,having thus passed over the flood1 with what ,noah and his sons did after2 we now come to the second plantation of the world1 to wit1 by the three sons of ,noah2 for by these three was the world replenished after the flood4 ,shem was the father of the ,jews2 ,ham the father of the ,canaanites2 and ,japheth1 the father of the ,gentiles4 ,so then1 of ,shem came the then present visible church2 of ,ham the opposers and enemies of it2 but of ,japheth came those that should be received into the church afterwards2 as also abundance of the haters of the ,lord4 ,ver4 #b4 ,the sons of ,japheth2 ,gomer1 and ,magog1 and ,madai1 and ,javan1 and ,tubal1 and ,meshech1 and ,tiras4 ,gomer1 a consumer2 ,magog1 covering1 or melting2 ,madai1 measuring1 or judging2 ,javan1 making sad2 ,tubal1 born1 brought1 or worldly2 ,meshech1 prolonging2 ,tiras1 a destroyer2 these are the ,english of their names4 ,gomer1 and ,magog1 and ,meshech1 and ,tubal1 are the great persecutors of the church in the latter days 7,eze #ch3b74 ,they shall be persecuted then by consumers1 melters1 and men of this world 7,rev #bj3h74 ,madai1 and ,javan1 7as some say17 were the fathers of the ,medes and ,greeks4 ,these therefore did sometimes help1 and not always hinder the church4 ,ver4 #c1 #d4 ,and the sons of ,gomer2 ,askenaz1 and ,riphath1 and ,togarmah4 ,and the sons of ,javan2 ,elishah1 and ,tarshish1 ,kittim1 and ,dodanim4 ,riphath1 medicine1 or release2 ,elishah1 the ,lamb of ,god2 ,dodanim1 beloved4 ,either these names were given them by way of prophecy2 implying1 that of their seed should arise many ,gentile churches2 or to show us1 that when men1 as their fathers1 have left or lost the power of godliness1 yet something of the notion they may yet retain 7,isa #fj3i74 ,ver4 #e4 ,by these were the isles of the ,gentiles divided in their lands1 every one after his tongue1 after their families1 in their nations4 ,but this must be understood to be after the building of1 and confusion at ,babel2 for before they had all but one tongue2 and besides1 they kept all together 7#aa3a1b74 ,ver4 #f4 ,and the sons of ,ham2 ,cush1 and ,mizraim1 and ,phut1 and ,canaan4 ,cush1 black4 ,of ,ham and ,mizraim came the ,ethiopians1 or blackamoor 7,psa #aje3bc73 ,the land of ,ham was the country about ,egypt2 wherefore ,israel was first afflicted by them4 ,ver4 #g4 ,and the sons of ,cush2 ,seba and ,havilah1 and ,sabtah1 and ,raamah1 and ,sabtechah3 and the sons of ,raamah2 ,sheba and ,dedan4 ,seba and ,sheba1 sometimes look well upon the church2 but when they did not1 ,god gave them for her ransom 7,psa #gb3aj2 ,isa #dc3c74 ,ver4 #h4 ,and ,cush begat ,nimrod3 or the rebellious one2 he began to be a mighty one in the earth4 ,the begetting of ,nimrod1 is accounted a thing that is over and above1 and is laid by the ,holy ,ghost as a blot upon ,cush for ever2 for when men would vilify1 they used to say1 ,thou art the son of the rebellious1 the son of a murderer4 ,so again1 ,he that begetteth ,solomon's fool1 7or1 wicked one7 he begetteth him to his own shame 7,prov #ag3ba74 ,cush begat ,nimrod4 ,so then1 the curse came betimes upon the sons of ,ham2 for he was the father of ,cush4 ,for the curse1 as it were1 begins in rebellion1 and a rebellious one was ,nimrod1 both by name and nature4 ,he began to be a mighty one in the earth4 ,i am apt to think he was the first that in this new world sought after absolute monarchy4 ,he began to be a mighty one in the earth1 7or1 among the children of men74 ,i suppose him to be a giant2 not only in person1 but in disposition2 and so1 through the pride of his countenance1 did scorn that others1 or any1 should be his equal2 nay1 could not be content1 till all made obeisance to him4 ,he therefore would needs be the author and master of what religion he pleased2 and would also subject the rest of his brethren thereto1 by what ways his lusts thought best4 ,wherefore here began a fresh persecution4 ,,that sin therefore which the other world was drowned for was again revived by this cursed man1 even to lord it over the sons of ,god1 and to enforce idolatry and superstition upon them2 and hence he is called the mighty hunter4 ,ver4 #i4 ,he was a mighty hunter before the ,,lord3 wherefore it is said1 even as ,nimrod the mighty hunter before the ,,lord4 ,he was a mighty hunter4 ,that is1 a persecutor3 ,wherefore ,saul's persecuting of ,david is compared to hunting 7#a ,sam #bf3bj73 and so is the persecution of others 7,lam #d3ah74 ,they hunt every man his brother with a net 7,micah #g3b73 and it may well be compared thereto2 of the dog or lion that hunteth1 is void of bowels and pity2 and if they can but satisfy their doggish and lionish nature1 they care neither for innocence1 nor goodness1 nor life of that they pursue 7#a ,sam #bd3aa74 ,the life1 the blood1 the extirpation of the contrary party1 is the end of their course of hunting 7,eze #ac3ah1bb74dc ,he was a mighty hunter4 ,as it is said of ,jabin1 ,he mightily oppressed ,israel twenty years2 that is1 he did it exceedingly2 he went beyond others2 he was more cruel and barbarous2 he was a mighty hunter4 ,wherefore the children of blessed ,shem1 by this monster1 had sore affliction 7,judg #d3b1c74 ,noah therefore lived to see ,nimrod1 the mighty one1 make havock of the children of his bowels1 to his no little grief and compunction of spirit4 ,he was a mighty hunter before the ,,lord2 or1 in the presence of the ,lord2 or1 in defiance to him4 ,this shows1 ,that the hand of ,god was stretched forth against his work2 as also it was against ,jeroboam's1 by that man of ,god that from ,judah went down to prophesy against him2 but he abode obdurate and hard2 he regarded not the ,lord1 nor the operation of his hands 7#a ,kings #ac3a-c74 ,as he also saith in another place of the cursed brood of ,antichrist1 ,when they fall upon the sword1 they shall not be wounded 7,joel #b3h74 ,let them do things never so much against the plain text1 they feel not the wounds of conscience2 but this is a sore judgment1 and that under which this hunter was2 and therefore the presence and hand of ,god would not break him off1 nor hinder his hunting of souls4 ,but even before the face of the keeper of the godly1 would ,nimrod1 the rebel1 hunt for their precious life to destroy it4 ,wherefore it is said1 even as ,nimrod1 the mighty hunter1 before the ,lord4 ,these words1 as it seems1 was the proverb that went of him among the godly in after generations2 for he had so left his marks in the sides of the church1 that she could not quickly forget him4 ,wherefore1 when at any time there arose another that showed cruelty to the ways of ,god1 he was presently compared to ,nimrod1 that hunted before the ,lord4 ,nimrod therefore was rebellious to a proverb3 ,and as it is said of ,ahab1 so might it be said of him1 ,there was none like ,nimrod1 which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of1 or1 before the ,,lord 7#a ,kings #ba3be74dd ,ver4 #aj4 ,and the beginning of his kingdom was ,babel1 and ,erech1 and ,accad1 and ,calneh1 in the land of ,shinar4 ,by these words1 as ,i suppose1 are those in the chapter that followeth expounded3 ,where it says1 ,let us build us a city1 and a tower2 for this work was chiefly the invention of ,nimrod1 who1 with his wicked council1 contrived this work2 and as one that had made himself head of the people1 he enjoined them to set to the work4 ,and the beginning of his kingdom was ,babel4 ,babel therefore was the first great seat of oppressors after the flood2 whose situation was in the land of ,shinar1 in that land which is now called ,babylon4 ,by this we may also gather1 by whom our mystical ,babel was builded2 to wit1 by those that rebelled 7as ,nimrod7 from the simplicity of the gospel of ,christ2 for the builders1 especially the chief1 have a semblance one of another4 ,it was even such as came of the seed of the godly1 as these did of blessed ,noah2 who1 in time1 apostatizing from the word1 and desiring mastership over their brethren2 they1 as lords1 fomented their own conceptions1 and then enjoined the people to build4 ,as ,rehoboam forsook the counsel of the ancients1 that stood before his father ,solomon2 so these have forsaken the counsel of the old men1 the apostles that stood before ,jesus ,christ2 and hearkening to the counsel of a younger sort of wanters of their grace and wisdom1 they imagine and build a ,babel4#de ,ver4 #aa1 #ab4 ,out of that land went forth ,asshur1 and builded ,nineveh1 and the city ,rehoboth1 and ,calah1 and ,resen1 between ,nineveh1 and ,calah3 ,the same is a great city4 ,nimrod having began to exalt himself2 others1 that were big with desires of ostentation1 did soon follow his example1 making themselves captains and heads of the people1 and built them strong holds for the supportation of their glory4 ,but they did it1 as ,i said1 by ,nimrod's example2 wherefore it is said they went out of that land4 ,just thus it was at the beginning of mystical ,babel3 ,first the tyranny began at ,babel itself1 where the usurper was seen to sit in his glory1 before whose face the world did tremble4 ,now other inferior persons1 inferior1 ,i say1 in power1 but not in pride1 having desire to be lords1 as ,nimrod himself1 they will also go build them cities2 by which means ,nimrod's invention could not be kept at ,rome1 but hath spread itself in many and mighty kingdoms4#df ,out of that land went forth ,asshur1 and builded ,nineveh1 c4 ,asshur seems to be the second son of ,shem 7v #bb74 ,a fit resemblance of those persons that have come from mystical ,babel1 to build their ,ninevehs1 and ,rehoboths1 and ,calnehs1 in all lands4 ,still they have pretended religion4 ,that they had their orders from the apostolical see4 ,that they were the true sons of ,shem1 or disciples of ,christ4 ,but the seeing ,christian should remember1 that some of the children of ,shem were in ,babel with rebellious ,nimrod4 ,that instead of learning humility of their father1 through the pride and rebellion of their own vain-glorious fancies1 they learned wickedness and rebellion of cursed and prodigious ,nimrod4 ,hence note1 that what cities1 that is1 churches soever have been builded by persons that have come from ,romish ,babel1 those builders and cities are to be suspected for such as had their founder and foundation from ,babel itself4 ,wherefore let ,israel say1 ,asshur shall not save us 7,hosea #ad3c71 for he shall not save himself 7,num #bd3bd72 but as the star of ,jacob ariseth1 he shall fade and perish for ever4 ,so perish all the builders and building that hath had its pattern from mystical ,babel1 unless a miracle of grace prevents4 ,it was ,asshur that carried away the ten tribes 7,ezra #d3b72 it is ,asshur that joineth with the enemies of the church 7,psa #hc3h72 it is ,asshur that with others upholds the great mart of the nations 7,eze #bg3bc74 ,wherefore ,asshur and all his company1 must at last go down into their pit 7,eze #cb3bb74 ,so then1 let ,augustine the monk1 come from ,rome into ,england1 and let him build his ,nineveh here2 let others go also into other countries1 and build their ,resens and ,calahs there2 these are all but brats of ,babel1 and their end shall be1 ,that they perish for ever4 ,john saw it1 and the cities1 that is1 the churches of the nations1 or the national churches1 fell2 and great ,babylon1 their inventor and founder1 came into remembrance before ,god1 to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath 7,rev #af3ai74 ,ver4 #ac1 #ad4 ,and ,mizraim begat ,ludim1 and ,anamim1 and ,lehabim1 and ,naphtuhim1 and ,pathrusim1 and ,casluhim1 out of whom came ,philistim1 and ,caphtorim4 ,ludim1 as ,i suppose1 may be the same with ,lubim that came up with the ,egyptians and ,ethiopians against ,israel 7#b ,chron #ab3c2 #af3h71 of whose cruelty ,nahum complains2 where he saith1 ,they also helped ,nineveh against the children of ,god 7#c3i74 ,the rest of them were of the same disposition1 especially the ,philistine that came of ,casluhim2 for they1 both in ,saul and ,david's days1 were implacable against the church and people of ,god2 they were a giantish people1 and trusted in their strength1 and seldom overcome but when ,israel went against them in the name of the ,lord their ,god4 ,ver4 #ae-ah4 ,and ,canaan begat ,sidon his first born1 and ,heth1 and the ,jebusite1 and the ,amorite1 and the ,girgasite1 and the ,hivite1 and the ,arkite1 and the ,sinite1 and the ,arvadite1 and the ,zemarite1 and the ,hamathite3 ,and afterward were the families of the ,canaanites spread abroad4 ,these are the children of ,canaan1 the son of ,ham1 the accursed of the ,lord4 ,these did chiefly possess the land of ,canaan before ,israel went out of ,egypt3 they were a mighty giantish people1 yet ,israel must fight with them1 notwithstanding they were1 in comparison to these1 but as the grasshopper4 ,ver4 #ai4 ,and the border of the ,canaanites was from ,sidon1 as thou comest to ,gerar1 unto ,gaza2 as thou goest1 unto ,sodom1 and ,gomorrah1 and ,admah1 and ,zeboim1 even unto ,lasha4 ,they bordered therefore upon the ,philistines on the one side 7,gen #bf3ae1ah1ai72 for ,gerar and ,gaza belonged to them1 and they touched upon ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 c4 on the other 7,judg #af3a1ba74 ,they were placed therefore1 by the judgment of ,god1 between these two wicked and sinful people1 that they might1 as a punishment for their former sins1 be infected with the sight and infection of their ungodly and monstrous abominations4 ,they that turn aside unto their crooked ways1 the ,,lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity 7,psa #abe3e74 ,ver4 #bj4 ,these are the sons of ,ham1 after their families1 after their tongues1 in their countries1 and in their nations4 ,ham had a mighty offspring2 but the judgment of ,god was1 ,that they should be wicked men1 idolaters1 persecutors1 sinners with a high hand2 such as ,god was resolved to number to the sword1 both in this world1 and that to come2 ,i mean1 for the generality of them4 ,ver4 #ba4 ,unto ,shem also1 the father of all the children of ,eber1 the brother of ,japheth the elder1 even to him were children born4 ,the manner of style which the ,holy ,ghost here useth in his preamble to the genealogy of ,shem1 is worthy to be taken notice of2 as that he is called1 the father of all the children of ,eber1 and the brother of ,japheth4 ,by his being called1 the father of all the children of ,eber1 we may suppose1 that from ,eber to ,abraham1 7by whom the reckoning of the genealogy was cut off from ,eber1 and entailed to the name of ,abraham17 all the children of ,eber were1 as it were1 the disciples of ,shem1 for he lived awhile after ,abraham4 ,his doctrine therefore they might profess1 though possibly with some mixture of those inventions that came in among men afterwards2 which ,i think were at the greatest about ,abraham's time4 ,besides1 he shews by this1 that the other children of ,shem1 as ,elam1 ,asshur1 ,lud and ,aram1 with ,uz1 ,hul1 ,gether and ,mash1 went away with ,nimrod1 and the rest of that company1 into idolatry1 tyranny and other profaneness2 so that only the line from ,shem to ,eber1 and from thence to ,abraham1 c4 were the visible church in those days4 ,the brother of ,japheth4 ,so he was of ,ham1 but because ,ham was cut off for his wickedness to his father1 therefore both ,shem and ,japheth did hold him in abomination1 and would not own that relation that before was between them1 especially in things pertaining to the kingdom of ,god1 and of ,christ3 ,wherefore the ,holy ,ghost also1 in reckoning up the kindred of ,shem1 excludeth ,ham the younger brother1 and stops after he had mentioned ,japheth3 ,the brother of ,japheth the elder4 ,unto him were children born1 unto ,shem also4 ,unto him were children born3 ,the ,holy ,ghost doth secretly here1 as he did before in the generation of ,seth1 insinuate a wonder4 ,for considering the godliness of ,shem1 and the ungodliness of ,ham1 and the multitude of his tyrannical brood1 it is a wonder that there should such a thing as the offspring of ,shem be found upon the face of the earth4 ,for ,i am apt to think that ,shem1 with his posterity1 did testify against the actions of ,nimrod2 as also against the children of ,ham1 in their wickedness and rebellion against the way of ,god2 as may be hinted after4 ,wherefore he1 with his seed1 were in jeopardy1 among that tumultuous generation4 ,yet ,god preserved him and his seed upon the face of the earth4 ,for let the number and wickedness of men be never so great in the world1 there must be also a church1 by whose actions the ways of the wicked must be condemned4 ,ver4 #bb4 ,the children of ,shem2 ,elam1 and ,asshur1 and ,arphaxad1 and ,lud1 and ,aram4 ,these children were born unto ,shem3 ,the book of ,chronicles mentions four more1 as ,uz1 and ,hul1 and ,gether1 ,meshech1 or ,mash2 but these were the natural sons of ,aram1 ,shem being only their father's father4 ,elam and ,asshur1 as also ,lud and ,aram1 notwithstanding they were the sons of ,shem1 struck off1 as ,i think1 with ,nimrod1 and left their father1 for the glory of ,babel2 yea1 they had a province there in the days of ,daniel 7#h3b74 ,wherefore great judgments are threatened against ,elam2 as1 ,that ,elam shall drink the cup of ,god's fury3 ,that their bow shall be broken3 ,that ,god would bring upon him the four winds 7,jer #di3cf74 ,and1 ,that there should be no nation whither the captives of ,elam should not come3 ,yet ,god would save them in the latter days 7v #ci74 ,as for ,lud although through the wickedness of his heart he forsook his father ,shem1 and so the true religion2 yet a promise is made of his conversion1 when ,god calls home the children of ,japheth1 and persuadeth them to dwell in the tents of ,shem4 ,i will set a sign among them saith ,god1 and ,i will send those that escape of them1 unto the nations to ,tarshish1 ,pul and ,lud1--to ,tubal and ,javan1 to the isles afar off1 that have not heard my fame 7,isa #ff3ai74 ,yea1 thus it shall be1 although they were once the soldiers of the adversaries of the church1 and bare the shield and helmet against her 7,eze #bg3aj74 ,of ,asshur ,i have spoken before4 ,aram became also an heathen1 and dwelt among the mountains of the east3 ,out of him came ,balaam the soothsayer that ,balak sent for1 to curse the children of ,israel 7,num #bc3g74 ,in ,arphaxad1 though he was not the eldest1 remained the line that went from ,abraham to ,david2 and from him to ,jesus ,christ 7,luke #c3cf74 ,ver4 #bc4 ,and the children of ,aram2 ,uz1 and ,hul1 and ,gether1 and ,mash4 ,uz went also off from ,shem1 but yet good men came from his loins2 for ,job himself was of that land 7,job #a3a74 ,yet the wrath of ,god was threatened to go forth against them1 because they had a hand in the persecution of the children of ,israel1 c4 7,jer #be3bj2 ,lam #d3ba74 ,ver4 #bd1 #be4 ,and ,arphaxad begat ,salah2 and ,salah begat ,eber4 ,and unto ,eber were born two sons3 the name of one was ,peleg2 for in his days was the earth divided2 and his brother's name was ,joktan4 ,this ,eber was a very godly man1 the next after ,shem that vigorously stood up to maintain religion4 ,two things are entailed upon him to his everlasting honour3 ,first1 ,the children of ,god1 even ,abraham himself1 was not ashamed to own himself one of this man's disciples1 or followers2 and hence he is called ,abraham the ,hebrew1 or ,ebrew 7,gen #ad3ac74 ,joseph also will have it go there3 ,i was stolen 7said he7 out of the land of the ,hebrews 7,gen #dj3ae74 ,nay1 the ,lord ,god himself1 to show how he honoured this man's faith and life1 doth style himself the ,god of his fathers1 to wit1 the ,god of the ,hebrews1 the ,lord ,god of the ,hebrews 7,exo #c3ah2 #g3af2 #i3a1ac74 ,secondly1 ,this was the man that kept that language with which ,adam was created1 and that in which ,god spake to the fathers of old1 from being corrupted and confounded by the confusion of ,babel2 and therefore it is for ever called his1 the ,hebrew tongue 7,john #e3b2 #ai3ac1bj71 the tongue in which ,christ spake from heaven to and by ,saul 7,acts #ba3dj2 #bb3b2 #bf3ad74 ,this man therefore1 was a stiff opposer of ,nimrod2 neither had he a hand in the building of ,babel2 for all that had1 had their language confounded by that strange judgment of ,god4 ,and unto ,eber were born two sons3 the name of the one was ,peleg1 or ,division1 for in his days was the earth divided2 and his brother's name was ,joktan4 ,this division1 in mine opinion1 was not only that division that was made by the confusion of tongues1 but a division also that was made among men by the blessed doctrine of ,god1 which most eminently rested in the bosom of ,shem and ,eber1 neither of which had their hands in the monstrous work4#dg ,wherefore1 as ,eber by abstaining kept entire the holy language2 so ,shem1 to shew that he was clear from this sin also1 is by the ,holy ,ghost called1 ,the father of all the children of ,eber4 ,implying1 that ,eber and ,shem did mightily labour to preserve a seed from the tyranny and pollution of ,nimrod and ,babel2 and by that means made a division in the earth2 unto whom because the rebels would not adhere1 therefore did ,god the ,lord smite them with confusion of tongues1 and scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth4 ,ver4 #bf4 ,and ,joktan begat ,almodad1 and ,sheleph1 and ,hazarmaveth1 and ,jerah4 ,here again he hath left the holy line1 which is from ,eber to ,abraham1 and makes a stop upon ,joktan's genealogy1 and so comes down to the building of ,babel4 ,ver4 #bg-cj4 ,these therefore begat ,joktan3 ,he also begat ,hadoram1 and ,uzal1 and ,diklah1 and ,obal1 and ,abimael1 and ,sheba2 and ,ophir1 and ,havilah1 and ,johab3 ,all these were the sons of ,joktan4--,and their dwelling was from ,mesha1 as thou goes1 unto ,sephar a mount of the east4 ,ver4 #ca4 ,these are the sons of ,shem1 after their families1 after their tongues1 in their lands1 after their nations4 ,moses1 as ,i said1 by this relation1 respecteth1 and handleth chiefly those1 or them persons1 who were at first the planters of the world after the flood2 leaving the church1 or a relation of that1 and its seed1 to be discoursed after the building of ,babel1 unto the tenth verse of the next chapter4 ,hence methinks one might gather1 that these above mentioned1 whose genealogies are handled at large1 as the families of ,japheth1 of ,ham1 and ,joktan are1 were both1 in their persons and offsprings engaged 7some few only excepted1 who might adhere to ,noah1 ,shem1 and ,eber7 in that foul work1 the building of ,babel4 ,now that which inclineth me thus to think1 it is because immediately after their thus being reckoned by ,moses1 even before he taketh up the genealogy of ,shem1 he bringeth in the building thereof2 the which he not only mentioneth1 but also enlargeth upon2 yea1 and also telleth of the cause of the stopping of that work1 before he returneth to the church1 and the line that went from ,shem to ,abraham4 ,ver4 #cb4 ,these are the families of the sons of ,noah after their generations1 in their nations3 and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,ver4 #a4 ,and the whole earth was of one language1 and of one speech4 ,moses having thus briefly passed through the genealogies of ,japheth1 ,ham1 and ,joktan2 in the next place he cometh to shew us their works which they had by this time engaged to do2 and that was1 to build a ,babel1 whose tower might reach to heaven4 ,now1 in order to this their work1 or rather to his relation thereof1 he maketh a short fore-speech1 which consisteth of two branches4 ,the first is1 ,that now they had all one language or lip4#dh ,the other was1 ,that they yet had kept themselves together1 either resting or walking1 as an army compact4 ,an excellent resemblance of the state of the church1 before she imagined to build her a ,babel4 ,for till then1 however one might outstrip another in knowledge and love2 yet so far as they obtained1 their language or lip was but one4 ,having but one heart1 and one soul1 they with one mouth did glorify ,god1 even the ,father4 ,and the whole earth was of one language4 ,by these words therefore1 we may conceive the reason why so great a judgment as that great wickedness1 ,babel1 should be contrived1 and endeavoured to be accomplished4 ,the multitude was one4 ,not but that it is a blessed thing for the church to be one3 as ,christ saith1 ,my beloved is but one 7,john #ag3aa74 ,but here was an oneness1 not only in the church1 but in her mixing with the world4 ,the whole earth1 among which1 as ,i suppose1 is included ,noah1 ,shem1 and others2 who being overtopt by ,nimrod1 the mighty hunter1 might company with him until he began to build ,babel4 ,therefore it is said in the next verse1 that they companied together from the east1 to the land of ,shinar4 ,hence note1 ,that the first and primitive churches were safe and secure1 so long as they kept entire by themselves2 but when once they admitted of a mixture1 great ,babel1 as a judgment of ,god1 was admitted to come into their mind4 ,ver4 #b4 ,and it came to pass1 as they journeyed from the east1 that they found a plain in the land of ,shinar2 and they dwelt there4 ,by these words1 we gather1 that the first rest of ,noah1 and so the inhabiting of his posterity1 was still eastward from ,babylon1 towards the sun rising4 ,but to gospelise3 ,they journeyed from the east3 and so consequently they turned their backs upon the rising of the sun4 ,so did also the primitive church1 in the day when she began to decline from her first and purest state4 ,indeed1 so long as she kept close to the doctrine and discipline of the gospel1 according to the word and commandment of the ,lord ,jesus1 then she kept her face still towards the sun rising3 ,according to the type in ,ezekiel1 who saith of the second and mystical temple1 ,her fore front1 or face1 did stand towards the east 7#dg3a74 ,also he saith1 when he saw the glory of ,god1 how it came unto this temple1 it came from the way of the east 7#dc3b74 ,their journeying therefore from the east1 was1 their turning their backs upon the sun4 ,and to us1 in gospel times1 it holdeth forth such a mystery as this3 ,that their journey was thus recorded1 to show they were now apostatized2 for assuredly they had turned their back upon the glorious ,sun of ,righteousness1 as upon that which shineth in the firmament of heaven4 ,they found a plain in the land of ,shinar4 ,shinar is the land of ,babylon 7,dan #a3b2 ,zech #e3aa71 as those scriptures in the margin declare4 ,they found a plain4 ,or1 place of fatness and plenty1 as usually the plains are2 and are1 upon that account1 great content to our flesh3 ,this made ,lot separate from ,abraham1 and choose to dwell with the sinners of ,sodom2 why1 the country was a plain1 and therefore fat and plentiful1 even like the garden of the ,lord1 and the land of ,egypt4 ,here therefore they made a stop2 here they dwelt and continued together4 ,a right resemblance of the degenerators' course in the days of general apostacy from the true apostolical doctrine1 to the church of our ,romish ,babel4 ,so long as the church endured hardship1 and affliction1 she was greatly preserved from revolts and backslidings2 but after she had turned her face from the sun1 and had found the plain of ,shinar2 that is1 the fleshly contents that the pleasures1 and profits1 and honours of this world afford2 she forgetting the word and order of ,god1 was content1 with ,lot1 to pitch towards ,sodom2 or1 with the travellers in the text1 to dwell in the land of ,babel4 ,ver4 #c4 ,and they said one to another1 ,go to1 let us make brick1 and burn them thoroughly and burn them to a burning4 ,and they had brick for stone1 and slime had they for mortar4 ,now they being filled with ease and plenty1 they begin to lift up the horn1 and to consult one with another what they were best to do3 ,whereupon1 after some time of debate1 they came to this conclusion1 ,that they would go build a ,babel4 ,and they said one to another1 ,go to4 ,this manner of phrase is often used in scripture2 and is some times1 as also here1 used to show1 ,that the thing intended1 must come to pass1 what opinion or contradiction to the contrary soever there be4 ,it argueth that a judgment is made in the case1 and proceedings shall be accordingly4 ,thus it is also to be taken in ,judges #g3c2 ,ecclesiastes #b3a2 ,isaiah #e3e2 ,james #e3a1 c4 ,wherefore it shows1 that these men had cast off the fear of ,god1 and1 like ,israel in the days of the prophet ,jeremiah1 they resolved to follow their own imagination1 let ,god or his judgments speak never so loud to the contrary4 ,and so indeed he says of them at verse the sixth3 ,and this they begin to do3 saith ,god and now nothing will be restrained from them4 ,this is all ,mr4 ,bunyan hath writ of this ,,exposition1 as we perceive by the blank paper following the manuscript4#di ,,footnotes3 #a;,although no mortal mind can by searching find out the ,almighty to perfection1 yet ,bunyan's views of the ,divine ,being is an approach to perfection4 ,it is worthy the pen of the most profound ,christian philosopher4--,ed4 #b,the more extensive our inquiries are into the wonders of creation1 the more deeply will our souls be humbled4 ,the answer to the inquiry1 ,what is man8 can then1 and only then1 be made in the language of ,isaiah1 ,nothing--vanity--a drop of a bucket--the small dust of the balance1 #dj3ae4--;,ed4 #c;,how sad1 but true1 is this type of many governments1 especially of the olden times2 the strong devour the weak--strong in person or by subtilty1 or by combination4 ,should this earth ever be blessed with a ,christian government1 the governors will exclusively seek the welfare and happiness of the governed4--,ed4 #d,this is one of those beautiful discoveries which modern geology fully confirms4 ,the earth is created1 matured1 prepared and fitted for him1 before man is created4 ,that modern popular work1 ,the ,vestiges of ,creation1 elucidates the same fact from the phenomena of nature3 but the philosopher who wrote that curious book little thought that these sublime truths were published more than a century and a half ago1 by an unlettered mechanic1 whose sole source of knowledge was his being deeply learned in the holy oracles4 ,they discover in a few words that which defies centuries of philosophic researches of the most learned men4 ,a wondrous book is ,god's ,book6--,ed4 #e;,in what pointed language are these solemn warnings put4 ,reader1 in the sight of god1 let the heart-searching inquiry of the apostle's be yours2 ,lord1 is it ,i8 #f;,bunyan beautifully illustrates this view of divine truth in his controversy with ,edward ,fowler1 ,bishop of ,gloucester4 ,see ,the ,defence of the ,doctrine of ,justification by ,faith in ,jesus ,christ4--,ed4 #g;,christian1 you are specially cautioned to beware of the flatterer4 ,the ,pilgrim's ,christian and ,hopeful forgot the caution1 and a man black of flesh but covered with a very light robe1 caught them in his net1 and they were chastised sore4--,ed4 #h,much allowance must be made for the state of female education in ,bunyan's days4 ,every effort was made to keep women in subordination--a mere drudging1 stocking mending help meet for man4 ,now we feel that the more highly she is cultivated1 the more valuable help she becomes1 and that in intellect she is on a perfect equality with man4--,ed4 #i ,and sensed4 ,not now used as a verb4 ,the meaning is1 that ,eve1 instead of instantly rejecting the temptation1 because contrary to ,god's command1 she reasoned upon it1 and sought counsel of her carnal senses4--,ed4 #aj,this passage would have done honour to ,bishop ,taylor1 or any one of our best ,english writers4 ,how blessed are we1 if our eyes have been thus painfully opened to see and feel the awful state into which sin plunges us4--,ed4 #aa;,how solemn are these awful facts1 and how impressively does ,bunyan fix them on our hears4 ,as ,adam and ,eve attempted to hide their guilt and themselves by fig-leaves and bushes1 so does man now endeavour to screen his guilt from the omniscient eye of ,god by refuges of lies1 which1 like the miserable fig-leaf apron1 will be burnt up by the presence of ,god4 ,oh1 sinner6 seek shelter in the robe of the ,redeemer's righteousness2 the presence of your ,god will add to its lustre1 and make it shine brighter and brighter4--,ed4 #ab,the remaining words of this alarming verse are very striking1 ,though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea1 thence will ,i command the serpent1 and he shall bite them4 ,oh1 sinner6 whither can you flee from the punishment of sin1 but to the ,saviour's bosom8 ,leave your sins and fly to him2 that almighty eternal refuge is open night and day4--,ed4 #ac;,how art thou fallen1 oh ,adam6 thus to lay the blame of thy sin upon ,god1--the woman whom thou gavest me1 she tempted me4 ,well does ,bunyan term these defences--pitiful fumbling speeches1 faulteringly made4 ,how would the glorified spirits of ,adam and ,aaron embrace him1 when he entered heaven1 for such honest dealing4--,ed4 #ad;,a decided ,christian cannot obey human laws affecting divine worship4 ,all such are of ,antichrist2 ,ye cannot obey ,god and mammon4 ,god requires an undivided allegiance4--,ed4 #ae;,genevan or ,puritan version4 #af,many are the anxieties1 sorrows1 and pains1 that females undergo1 from which man is comparatively exempt4 ,how tenderly then ought they to be cherished4--,ed4 #ag,most married men find this to be an exceedingly difficult duty4 ,there are few ,eves but whose dominant passion is to rule a husband4 ,perhaps the only way to govern a wife is to lead her to think that she rules1 while in fact she is ruled4 ,one of the late ,abraham ,booth's maxims to young ministers1 was1 ,if you would rule in your church1 so act as to allow them to think that they rule you4--,ed4 #ah ,by themselves4 ,this does not mean without human company1 but without divine aid1 without the sanction and presence of ,god4--,ed4 #ai,there is no error more universal1 nor more fatal1 than that which ,bunyan here1 as well as in other of his treatises1 so admirably elucidates and explodes4 ,no sooner does a poor sinner feel the necessity of flying from the wrath to come1 than ,satan suggests that some good works must be pleaded1 instead of casting the soul1 burthened with sin1 upon the compassion of the ,lord1 and pleading for unconditional mercy4 ,good works must flow from1 but cannot be any cause of grace4--,ed4 #bj;,adversaries to ,christ and his church1 although professing to be ,christians2 worshipping according to the traditions of men1 and putting the saints into wretched prisons1 and to a frightful death4 ,an awful state of self-delusion2 how ,cain-like6--,ed4 #ba;,if it be asked1 ,why take your unregenerate children1 and invite the ungodly1 to the place of worship8 ,our answer is1 ,,there the ,lord is pleased to meet with sinners--convince1 convert1 and purify them--giving them a good hope that their persons and services are accepted4--,ed4 #bb;,how awfully is this illustrated by acts of uniformity4 ,if it be lawful to pass such acts1 it must be requisite and a duty to enforce them4 ,it was this that filled ,europe with tears1 and the saints with anguish1 especially in ,piedmont1 ,france1 and ,england4 ,mercifully1 the tyrant ,antichrist's power is curtailed4--,ed4 #bc;,how solemn are these injunctions1 and how opposed to the violent conduct of mankind4 ,a most appalling murder has been committed2--a virtuous and pious young man is brutally murdered by his only brother3--what is the divine judgment8 ,if any man kill him1 vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold3 set a mark upon him--drive him from the abodes of man--shut him up in a cage like a wild beast--but shed not his blood4--,ed4 #bd,when ,bunyan was in prison1 under sentence to be hung1 all his thoughts were1 not how to escape1 but1 how so to suffer as to glorify ,god2 ,i thought with myself if ,i should make a scrabbling shift to clamber up the ladder1 yet ,i should either with quaking or other symptoms of faintings1 give occasion to the enemy to reproach the way of ,god and his people for their timorousness4 ,this1 therefore1 lay with great trouble upon me1 for1 methought1 ,i was ashamed to die with a pale face and tottering knees for such a cause as this4--,grace ,abounding1 ,no4 #ccd4--;,ed4 #be;,bunyan has taken the meaning of all these ,scripture names from the first table to the ,genevan or ,puritan version1 vulgarly called ,the ,breeches ,bible1 as invaluable translation4--,ed4 #bf;,bunyan1 after suffering much1 and witnessing the cruel havoc made with the church of ,god in his time1 fell asleep in peace on the eve of the glorious revolution2--while many of his cotemporaries did1 he did not live to see it4 ,he died ,august #ca1 #afhh--;as ,james the ,second fled and lost his crown on the #aath of ,december following4--,ed4 #bg ,and yet there is room4 ,as in ,christ1 the ark of his church1 so it was in ,noah's ark4 ,the best calculations1 allowing eighteen inches to a cubit1 show that the ark was capable of receiving many more than this selection from all the animals now known1 together with their requisite provender4 ,dr4 ,hunter estimated the tonnage at #db1dac tons measurement4--,ed4 #bh;,how astonishing is the fact1 that man dares to introduce his miserable inventions to deform the scriptural simplicity of divine worship2 as if ,,he who make all things perfect1 had1 in this important institution1 forgotten to direct the use of liturgies--organs--vestments--pomps and ceremonies4 ,when will man1 with child-like simplicity1 follow gospel rules8--,ed4 #bi;,how mysterious are ,god's ways3 some animals of every kind are saved1 and all the rest destroyed4 ,so throughout every age some animals have been treated with kindness1 and others of the same species cruelly maltreated4 ,can those who stumble at the doctrine of election1 account for this difference4 ,reason must submit with reverence to the voice of ,christ2 ,what ,i do1 thou knowest not ,,now2 but thou shalt know hereafter4--,ed4 #cj ,item1 a new article added2 a caution or warning4--,ed4 #ca;,every edition1 but the first1 has left out ,noah's sons66 from the ark1 while they all put in his sons' wives4--,ed4 #cb,they perish in sight of a place of security which they cannot reach2 they perish with the bitter remorse of having despised and rejected the means of escape1 like the rich man in hell1 whose torment was grievously augmented by the sight of ,lazarus1 afar off1 in the bosom of ,abraham4--,ed4 #cc;,calmet says1 ,apres que l',arche eut fait le tour du monde pendant l'espace de six mois4--,supplement to ,dictionary4 ,he gives no authority for this improbable notion4--,ed4 #cd ,a graceless clergy66 ,so numerous as to cover the ground of our land66 ,how awful a fact--taking the name of ,god on polluted lips1 and professing to teach what they do not comprehend4 ,men in a state of rebellion against heaven1 calling upon others to submit to ,god's gospel4 ,solemn hypocrites1 fearful will be your end4--,ed4 #ce,this should prompt every professing ,christian to self-examination--,am ,i of the raven class1 or that of the dove8 ,may my heart1 while trembling at the thought that there are ravens in the church1 appeal to the heart-searching ,god1 ,lord1 is it ,i8--,ed4 #cf,this may have suggested an idea to ,bunyan in writing the second part of his ,pilgrim4 ,in the battle between ,great ,heart and ,giant ,maul the sophist1 after an hour's hard fighting1 they sat down to rest them1 but ,mr4 ,great ,heart betook him to prayer4 ,when they had rested them1 and taken breath1 they both fell to it again4--,ed4 #cg;,instead of progressing to the meridian sunshine of ,christianity1 they have retrograded to a darker gloom than the twilight of ,judaism4 ,still1 some vestiges of knowledge remain--some idea of a future state1 and of sacrifice for sin4 ,christian1 how blessed art thou6 ,how ought your light to shine among men1 to the glory of your heavenly ,father6--,ed4 #ch ,the beginning1 the foundation2 that which is essential to the existence1 as1 ,the fear of the ,lord is the beginning of wisdom4 ,take away the fear of the ,lord1 and this heavenly wisdom ceaseth to exist4--,ed4 #ci,that absurd jumble1 called ,the ,koran1 mentions a fourth son of ,noah1 named ,kinan1 who refused to enter the ark with his family1 preferring to trust them on the top of a mountain1 where they all perished4 ,see the chapter entitled ,hod4--,ed4 #dj;,faithful is the record of ,holy ,writ4 ,no excuse is offered for the sin of this great patriarch4 ,grapes eaten from the vine1 or after having been dried1 are nutritious1 like grain from the ear of corn2 pressed out and fermented1 they lose that nutriment--acquire a fiery force--mount to the brain--lead reason captive--and triumphs over decency3 the most enlightened man becomes the savage4--,ed4 #da,to prick--to incite--to spur--to dress oneself for show2 thus it was commonly used in ,bunyan's time1 but in this sense has become obsolete4--,ed4 #db,to resent--to consider as an injury or affront--to take ill4--,ed4 #dc;,how dreadfully was this exemplified in the cruelties perpetrated on the dissenters in the valleys of ,piedmont1 and on the ,english dissenters in the reign of ,mary1 of ,elizabeth1 and of the ,stuarts4--,ed4 #dd ,the hunting tribes of air and earth1 ,respect the brethren of their birth2 ,the eagle pounces on the lamb2 ,the wolf devours the fleecy dam2 ,even tiger fell1 and sullen bear1 ,their likeness and their lineage spare4 ,man only mars this household plan1 ,and turns the fierce pursuit on man2 ,since ,nimrod1 ,cush's mighty son1 ,at first the bloody game begun4 ,scott's ,rokeby #de;,great allowances might be made for ,bunyan's severe language with respect to state interference in matters of faith and worship1 because he so cruelly suffered by it in his own person4 ,but had he escaped persecution1 the same awful reflections are just and true4 ,if a ,christian monarchy robs1 imprisons1 and murders dissenters1 surely a ,mohammedan state may do the same to all those who refuse to curse ,christ and bless ,mahomet4 ,bunyan appears to consider that the great wickedness of man which caused the flood arose from the state interfering with faith and worship4 ,this is certainly a fruitful source of those dreadful crimes1 hypocrisy and persecution1 but whether it was the cause of that awful event1 the flood1 or of that splendid absurdity1 the tower of ,babel1 the reader must judge for himself4--,ed4 #df;,first ,rome1 then the ,greek and ,russian church2 then ,henry the ,,viii and the church over which that lascivious monster was the supreme head2 then the ,lutheran church of ,germany and ,holland2 and then444,how admirably true is the genealogy of ,antichrist as drawn out by ,bunyan4--,ed4 #dg ,that monstrous work1 the attempting to build the tower of ,babel4--,ed4 #dh ,language or lip4 ,a lip1 is also used for speech4 ,in the figurative language1 of one lip1 means that they all spoke one language2 so in ,job #aa3b1 literally1 a man of lips1 is translated a man full of talk4--,ed4 #di,that ,bunyan intended to have continued this commentary there can be no doubt1 not only from the abrupt termination of his labours1 and the blank paper following the manuscript1 but from an observation he makes on the sabbath--the sabbath of years1 the jubilee1 c41 of all which1 more in their place1 ,,if ,,god ,,permit4 ,see ,genesis #b3c4--;,ed4 999999 ,a ,,holy ,,life ,,the ,,beauty ,,of ,,christianity3 or1 ,,an ,,exhortation ,,to ,,christians ,,to ,,be ,,holy4 ,,by ,,john ,,bunyan4 ,holiness becometh thine house1 ,o ,lord1 for ever4'--,psalm #ic3e ,london1 by ,b4 ,w41 for ,benj4 ,alsop1 at the ,angel and ,bible1 in the ,poultrey4 #afhd4 ,,the ,,editor',s ,,advertisement4 ,this is the most searching treatise that has ever fallen under our notice4 ,it is an invaluable guide to those sincere ,christians1 who1 under a sense of the infinite importance of the salvation of an immortal soul1 and of the deceitfulness of their hearts1 sigh and cry1 ,o ,lord of hosts1 that judgest righteously1 that triest the reins 7most secret thoughts7 and the heart4' ,try ,,my reins and my heart4' for it is deceitful above all things1 and desperately wicked3 who can know it8 ,i the ,lord search the heart1 ,i try the reins1 even to give every man according to his ways1 and according to the fruit of his doings4' ,he1 in whose heart the ,holy ,spirit has raised the solemn inquiry1 ,what must ,i do to be saved8' flies from his own estimate of himself1 with distrust and fear1 and appeals to an infallible and unerring scrutiny4 ,search me1 ,o ,god1 and know my heart3 try me1 and know my thoughts3 ,and see if there be any wicked way in me1 and lead me in the way everlasting4' ,reader1 are you desirous of having your hopes of pardon1 and of heaven1 weighed in the unerring balances of the sanctuary2 while you are yet in a state of probation8 ,meditate and ponder over this faithful little work4 ,if accompanied by the ,divine blessing1 it will test your faith and practice in the crucible and by the fire of ,god's word4 ,it is intended to turn your spirit inside out--to lay bare every insidious enemy that may have crept in and lie lurking in the walls of ,mansoul4 ,it exhibits sin in all its hideous deformity1 stript of its masquerade and disguises2 so that it appears1 what it really is1 the great enemy to human happiness4 ,it is calculated to stir up our pure minds to incessant vigilance1 lest we should wander upon tempting1 but forbidden paths2 and be caught by ,giant ,despair1 to become the object of his cruelty in ,doubting ,castle4 ,this work was first published in #afhd1 in a pocket volume1 comprising nine sheets duodecimo2 but became so rare1 as to have escaped the researches of ,wilson1 ,whitefield1 and other editors of the collected works of ,mr4 ,bunyan1--until about the year #aghj1 when it was first re-published in an edition of his works1 with notes1 by ,mason and ,ryland4 ,the evident object of this treatise was to aid ,christian efforts1 under the ,divine blessing1 in stemming the torrent of iniquity1 which1 like an awful flood1 was overspreading this country4 ,the moral and religious restraints1 which the government under the ,commonwealth had imposed1 were dissolved by the accession of a debauched prince to the throne of ,england2 a prince who was bribed1 to injure or destroy the best interests of the country1 by the voluptuous court of ,france4 ,he had taken refuge there from the storm2 and had been defiled and corrupted beyond ordinary conception4 ,the king and his court were surrounded by pimps1 panders1 courtesans1 and flatterers4 ,the example of the court spread throughout the country--religion became a jest and laughing-stock2 and those who were not to be cajoled out of their soul's eternal happiness--whose vital godliness preserved them in the midst of such evil examples and allurements1 were persecuted with unrelenting rigour4 ,the virtuous ,lord ,william ,russel1 and the illustrious ,sydney1 fell by the hands of the executioner3 ,john ,hampden was fined forty thousand pounds4 ,the hand of ,god was stretched out4 ,an awful pestilence carried off nearly seventy thousand of the inhabitants of ,london4 ,in the following year1 that rich and glorious city1 with the cathedral--the churches--public buildings-and warehouses1 replenished with merchandise--were reduced to ashes4 ,the ,dutch fleet sailed up the ,thames and threatened destruction to our navy1 and even to the government1--filling the court and country with terror4 ,still profligacy reigned in the court and country--a fearful persecution raged against all who refused to attend the church service4 ,thousands perished in prison1 and multitudes were condemned to expatriate themselves4 ,the timid and irresolute abandoned the faith1--desolation spread over the church of ,god4 ,at this time1 at imminent risk1 ,john ,bunyan not only fearlessly preached1 but published his faithful ,advice to ,sufferers2' which was immediately followed by this important work1 calling upon every one who named the name of ,christ1 'at all hazards1 to depart from iniquity4' ,they were words in season1' and were good1' like apples of gold in pictures of silver4' 7,prov4 #be3aa7 ,the contrast in public manners must have been painfully felt by one1 who had seen and enjoyed the general appearances1 and doubtless many real proofs of piety1 which prevailed under the protectorate of ,cromwell4 ,he was now called to witness the effects of open and avowed wickedness among governors and nobles1 by which the fountains of iniquity were opened up1 and a flood of immorality let loose upon all classes2 demoralizing the nation1 and distressing the church4 ,it must have been difficult to form any thing like an accurate estimate of the number of those who abandoned their ,christian profession4 ,the immoral conduct of one bad man is more conspicuous than the unobtrusive holiness of ninety-nine good men2 more especially1 when a professor becomes profane4 ,thus ,bunyan argues1 ',one black sheep is quickly espied among five hundred white ones1 and one mangey one will soon infect many4 ,one also1 among the saints1 that is not clean1 is a blemish to the rest1 and as ,solomon says1 ',one sinner destroyeth much good4' p4 #ebg4 ,it is more congenial to our fallen nature to notice1 and be grieved with1 evil conduct1 than it is to rejoice over that excellence which may cast the observer into the shade2 besides the jaundiced fear that good works may arise from improper motives4 ,these principles equally applied to the state of society under the ,presbyterian government3 but when the restoration to the old system took place1 so vast a change passed over society1 like a pestilence1 'that sin1 through custom1 became no sin4 ,the superfluity of naughtiness1' says ,bunyan1 'is at this day become no sin with many4' p4 #eji4 ',there are a good many professors now in ,england that have nothing to distinguish them from the worst of men1' but their praying1 reading1 hearing of sermons1 baptism1 church fellowship1 and breaking of bread4 ,separate them but from these1 and every where else they are as black as others1 even in their whole life and conversation4' p4 #ejh4 ',it is marvellous to me to see sin so high amidst the swarms of professors that are found in every corner of this land4' ,if the conduct of many professors were so vile1 as there can be no doubt but that it was1 how gross must have been that of the openly profane8 ,it accounts for the wicked wit and raillery of ,hudibras1 when so many professors threw off the mask and gloried in their hypocrisy--,butler shut his eyes to the cruel sufferings of thousands who perished in jails1 the martyrs to the sincerity of their faith and conduct4 ,the falling away was indeed great2 and ,bunyan1 with all earnestness1 warns his readers that1 ',to depart from iniquity is to shun those examples1 those beastly examples to drunkenness--to whoredom--to swearing--to lying--to stealing--to sabbath-breaking--to pride--to covetousness--to deceit--to hypocrisy1 that in every corner of the country present themselves to men4' p4 #eag4 ',o the fruits of repentance thick sown by preachers1 come up but thinly6 ,where are they found8 ,confession of sin1 shame for sin1 amendment of life1 restitution for cozening1 cheating1 defrauding1 beguiling thy neighbour1--where shall these fruits of repentance be found8 ,repentance is the bitter pill1 without the sound working of which1 base and sinful humour rest unstirred1 unpurged1 undriven out of the soul4' p4 #eai4 ',i would not be austere1' said ,bunyan1 'but were wearing of gold1 putting on of apparel1 dressing up houses1 decking of children1 learning of compliments1 boldness in women1 lechery in men1 wanton behaviour1 lascivious words1 and tempting carriages1 signs of repentance2 then ,i must say1 the fruits of repentance swarm in our land4' ',the tables of ,god's book are turned upside down4 ,love1 to their doctrine1 is gone out of the country4' ',love is gone1 and now coveting1 pinching1 griping1 and such things1 are in fashion2 now iniquity abounds instead of grace1 in many that name the name of ,christ4' p4 #ebi1 #ebj4 ',alas6 alas6 there is a company of half priests in the world2 they dare not teach the people the whole counsel of ,god1 because they would condemn themselves1 and their manner of living in the world3 where is that minister now to be found1 that dare say to his people1 walk as you have me for an example1 or that dare say1 what you see and hear to be in me1 do1 and the ,god of peace shall be with you4' p4 #ebj4 ,such was the general character of the parish priests1 after the black ,bartholomew ,act had driven the pious and godly ministers from the parish churches4 ,it is almost a miracle that ,bunyan escaped persecution for his plain dealing4 ,we cannot wonder1 that under such teachers1 ',christians learned to be proud one of another1 to be covetous1 to be treacherous1 and false1 to be cowardly in ,god's matters1 to be remiss and negligent in christian duties1 one of another4' p4 #ebe4 ,a scandal was thus brought upon religion4 ',upon this ,i write with a sigh2 for never more than now4 ,there is no place where the professors of religion are1 that is free from offence and scandal4 ,iniquity is so entailed to religion1 and baseness of life to the naming the name of ,christ1 that ',all places are full of vomit and filthiness4' ',ah6 ,lord ,god1 this is a lamentation1 that a sore disease is got into the church of ,god4' p4 #ebi4 ,it was a period when a more awful plague raged as to morals and religion1 than that which1 about the same time1 had ravaged ,london with temporal death--the plague of hypocrisy--of naming the name of ,christ1 and still living in sin4 ',hypocrisies are of that nature1 that they spread themselves over the mind as the leprosy does over the body4 ,it gets in the pulpit1 in conference1 in closets1 in communion of saints1 in faith1 in love1 in repentance1 in zeal1 in humility1 in alms1 in the prison1 and in all duties1 and makes the whole a loathsome stink in the nostrils of ,god4' p4 #ech ,these licentious times1 in which we live1 are full of iniquity4' p4 #eci4 ',they change one bad way for another1 hopping1 as the squirrel1 from bough to bough1 but not willing to forsake the tree1--from drunkards to be covetous1 and from that to pride and lasciviousness--this is a grand deceit1 common1 and almost a disease epidemical among professors4' p4 #ecb4 ',the sins of our day are conspicuous and open as ,sodom's were2 pride and covetousness1 loathing of the gospel1 and contemning holiness1 have covered the face of the nation4' p4 #ecd4 ,the infection had spread into the households of professors4 ',bless me1 saith a servant1 are those the religious people6 ,are these the servants of ,god1 where iniquity is made so much of1 and is so highly entertained6 ,and now is his heart filled with prejudice against all religion1 or else he turns hypocrite like his master and his mistress1 wearing1 as they1 a cloak of religion to cover all abroad1 while all naked and shameful at home4' p4 #ecf4 ',he looked for a house full of virtue1 and behold nothing but spider-webs2 fair and plausible abroad1 but like the sow in the mire at home4' ,the immoral taint infected the young4 '#j6 it is horrible to behold how irreverently1 how easily1 and malapertly1 children1 yea1 professing children1 at this day1 carry it to their parents2 snapping and checking1 curbing and rebuking of them1 as if they had received a dispensation from ,god to dishonour and disobey parents4' p4 #ece4 ',this day1 a sea and deluge of iniquity has drowned those that have a form of godliness4 ,now immorality shall1 with professors1 be in fashion1 be pleaded for1 be loved and more esteemed than holiness2 even those that have a form of godliness1 hate the life and power thereof1 yea1 they despise them that are good4' p4 #edc4 ,this melancholy picture of vice and profligacy was drawn by one whose love of truth rendered him incapable of deceit or of exaggeration4 ,it was published at the time1 and was unanswered1 because unanswerable4 ,it was not painted from imagination by an ascetic2 but from life by an enlightened observer--not by the poor preaching mechanic when incarcerated in a jail for his godliness2 but when his painful sufferings were past--when his ,pilgrim1 produced by the folly of persecutors1 had rendered him famous through ,europe--when his extraordinary pulpit talents were matured and extensively known1 so that thousands crowded to hear him preach--when his labours were sought in ,london and in the country--when his opportunities of observation had become extended far beyond most of his fellow-ministers4 ,the tale is as true as it is full of painful interest4 ,the causes of all this vice are perfectly apparent4 ,whenever a government abuses its powers by interfering with divine worship--by preferring one sect above all others2 whether it be ,presbyterian1 ,independent1 or ,episcopalian--such a requiring the things that are ,god's to be rendered unto ,caesar1 must be the prolific source of persecution1 hypocrisy1 and consequent immorality and profaneness4 ,the impure process of immorality as checked by the rival labours of all the sects to promote vital godliness4 ,can we wonder that such a state of society was not long permitted to exist8 ,in three troublous years from the publication of this book1 the licentious monarch was swept away by death1 not without suspicion of violence1 and his besotted popish successor fled to die in exile4 ,an enlightened monarch was placed upon the vacant throne1 and persecution was deprived of its tiger claws and teeth by the act of toleration4 ,however interesting to the christian historian1 and humbling to human pride1 the facts may be which are here disclosed2 it was not the author's intention thus to entertain his readers4 ,no2 this invaluable tract has an object in view of far greater importance4 ,it is an earnest1 affectionate1 but pungent appeal to all professors of every age1 and nation1 and sect1 to the end of time4 ,the admonition of the text is to you1 my reader1 and to me2 whether we be rich or poor1 ministers or ministered unto1 it comes home equally to every heart1 from the mightiest potentate through every grade of society to the poorest peasant4 ,may the sound ever reverberate in our ears and be engraven upon our hearts1 ',let every one that nameth the name of ,christ depart from iniquity4' ,the analysis of this book exhibits--,how solemn a thing it is to name the name of ,christ1 as the author and finisher of our faith--,god manifest in the flesh1 to bear the curse for us1 and to work out our everlasting salvation4 ,the hosts of heaven rejoice over the penitent sinner ransomed from the pit of wrath4 ,is it possible for the soul that has escaped eternal burnings--that has experienced the bitterness and exceeding sinfulness of sin--that has felt the misery of transgression--that has been brought up out of that deep and horrible pit--to backslide and plunge again into misery1 with his eyes open to see the smoke of their torments ascending up before him8 ,is it possible that he should heedlessly enter the vortex1 and be again drawn into wretchedness8 ,yes2 it is alas too true4 ,well may the ,lord1 by his prophet1 use these striking words1 ',be astonished1 ,o ye heavens1 at this1 and be horribly afraid1 be ye very desolate1 saith the ,lord4 ,for my people have committed two evils2 they have forsaken me1 the fountain of living waters1 and hewed out broken cisterns1 that can hold no water4' 7,jer4 #b3ab1ac7 ,the extreme folly of such conduct would render the fact almost incredible1 did we not too frequently witness it in others1 and feel it in our own hearts4 ,this volume places these facts plainly before us1 and affectionately exhorts us to be watchful1 and diligently to inquire into the causes of such evil1 and the remedies which ought to be applied4 ,it shews us the great varieties that are found in the tempers and qualities of ,god's children1 in words calculated to make an indelible impression4 ',but in this great house of ,god there will not only be golden and silver ,christians1 but wooden and earthly ones4 ,and if any man purge himself from these earthly ones1 from their companies and vices1 he shall be a vessel to honour1 sanctified1 and meet for the masters use1 and prepared for every good work4' p4 #eah ,bunyan earnestly cautions his readers to constant watchfulness1 'for sin is one of the most quick and brisk things that are4' p4 #eae4 ,and jealousy over ourselves1 lest our hearts should deceive us4 ',the young man in the gospel that cried to ,christ to shew him the way to life1 had some love to his salvation2 but it was not a love that was strong as death1 cruel as the grave1 and hotter than coals of juniper4' 7,song #h3f7 ,it cost nothing--no self denial1 no sacrifice4 ',such will love as long as mouth and tongue can wag' will pray and hear sermons1 but will not cut off a darling lust2 such deceive their own souls4 ,some are allured but not changed3 ',there is some kind of musicalness in the word2 when well handled and fingered by a skilful preacher1' it has a momentary influence2 'they hear thy words1 but do them not4' 7,eze4 #cc3cj7 ,above all things1 beware of hypocrisy1 for when it once enters1 it spreads over the soul1 as the leprosy does over the body4 p4 #eba4 ',he is the same man1 though he has got a new mouth4 p4 #ecb4 ',many that shew like saints abroad1 yet act the part of devils when they are at home4 ,wicked professors are practical atheists4 ',the dirty life of a professor lays stumbling blocks in the way of the blind4' p4 #ede4 ',a professor that hath not forsaken his iniquity1 is like one that comes out of the pest-house1 among the whole1 with his plaguey sores running upon him4 ,this is the man that hath the breath of a dragon2 he poisons the air round about him4 ,this is the man that slays his children1 his kinsmen1 his friend1 and himself4 ,they are the devil's most stinking tail1 with which he casts many a professor into carnal delights1 with their filthy conversations4' p4 #ecj4 ',oh6 the millstone that ,god will shortly hang about your necks1 when the time is come that you must be drowned in the sea and deluge of ,god's wrath4' p4 #ecj4 ,rather than thus rush upon ,jehovah's fiercest anger1 ',tell the world1 if you will not depart from iniquity1 that ,christ and you are parted1 and that you have left him to be embraced by them to whom iniquity is an abomination4' p4 #ecj4 ,thus faithfully and affectionately did ,bunyan deal with his hearers and readers4 ,and he takes an occasion1 now in his maturer years1 to confirm the sentiments which he had formerly published in his ',differences in ,judgment about ,water ,baptism no ,bar to ,communion4' ',it is strange to see at this day how1 notwithstanding1 all the threatenings of ,god1 men are wedded to their own opinions1 beyond what the law of grace and love will admit4 ,here is a ,presbyterian1 here an ,independent1 here a ,baptist1 so joined each man to his own opinion1 that they cannot have that communion one with another1 as by the testament of the ,lord ,jesus they are commanded and enjoined4' ',to help thee in this1 keep thine eye much upon thine own base self1 be clothed with humility1 and prefer thy brother before thyself2 and know that ,christianity lieth not in small matters1 neither before ,god nor understanding men4' ,i have often said in my heart1 what is the reason that some of the brethren should be so shy of holding communion with those1 every whit as good1 if not better than themselves8 ,is it because they think themselves unworthy of their holy fellowship8 ,no1 verily2 it is because they exalt themselves4' p4#ech4 ,he goes on to declare that the difficulties which sin and ,satan place in the way of the ,christian pilgrim ought never to be concealed4 ,salvation is to be worked out with fear and trembling4 ,it is only by divine aid1 by dependence upon our heavenly ,father1 that it can be accomplished4 ',to depart from iniquity to the utmost degree of requirement1 is a copy too fair for mortal flesh exactly to imitate1 while we are in this world4 ,but with good paper1 good ink1 and a good pen1 a skilful and willing man may go far4' p4 #edf1 #edg4 ,mr4 ,ryland's note on the ,christian's trials is1 'when the love of sin is subdued in the conscience1 then peace will flow in like a river1 ,god will be glorified1 ,christ exalted2 and the happy soul1 under the teachings and influence of the all-wise1 omnipotent ,spirit1 will experience sweet peace and joy in believing4' ,millions of pilgrims have entered the celestial city1 having fought their way to glory2 and then1 while singing the conqueror's song1 all their troubles by the way must have appeared as sufferings but for a moment1 which worked out for them an eternal and exceeding weight of glory1 ,and then how blessed the song to him that hath loved us1 and washed us from our sins in his own blood1 and made us kings and priests unto our ,god4 ,to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever4 ,amen4--,geo4 ,offor4 ,,an ,,introduction ,,to ,,the ,,following ,,discourse ,when ,i write of justification before ,god from the dreadful curse of the law2 then ,i must speak of nothing but grace1 ,christ1 the promise1 and faith4 ,but when ,i speak of our justification before men then ,i must join to these good works4 ,for grace1 ,christ1 and faith1 are things invisible1 and so not to be seen by another1 otherwise than through a life that becomes so blessed a gospel as has declared unto us the remission of our sins for the sake of ,jesus ,christ4 ,he then that would have forgiveness of sins1 and so be delivered from the curse of ,god1 must believe in the righteousness and blood of ,christ3 but he that would shew to his neighbours that he hath truly received this mercy of ,god1 must do it by good works2 for all things else to them is but talk3 as for example1 a tree is known to be what it is1 to wit1 whether of this or that kind1 by its fruit4 ,a tree it is1 without fruit1 but as long as it so abideth1 there is ministered occasion to doubt what manner of tree it is4 ,a professor is a professor1 though he hath no good works2 but that1 as such1 he is truly godly1 he is foolish that so concludeth4 7,matt4 #g3ag1ah2 ,james #b3ah7 ,not that works makes a man good2 for the fruit maketh not a good tree1 it is the principle1 to wit1 ,faith1 that makes a man good1 and his works that shew him to be so4 7,matt4 #g3af2 ,luke #f3dd7 ,what then8 why all professors that have not good works flowing from their faith are naught2 are bramble bushes2 are 'nigh unto cursing1 whose end is to be burned4' 7,heb4 #f3h7 ,for professors by their fruitlessness declare that they are not of the planting of ,god1 nor the wheat1 'but tares and children of the wicked one4' 7,matt4 #ac3cg1 #ch7 ,not that faith needeth good works as an help to justification before ,god4 ,for in this matter faith will be ignorant of all good works1 except those done by the person of ,christ4 ,here1 then1 the good man 'worketh not1 but believeth4' 7,rom4 #d3e74 ,for he is not now to carry to ,god1 but to receive at his hand the matter of his justification by faith2 nor is the matter of his justification before ,god ought else but the good deeds of another man1 to wit1 ,christ ,jesus4 ,but is there1 therefore1 no need at all of good works1 because a man is justified before ,god without them8 or can that be called a justifying faith1 that has not for its fruit good works8 7,job #bb3c2 ,james #b3bj1 #bf7 ,verily good works are necessary1 though ,god need them not2 nor is that faith1 as to justification with ,god1 worth a rush1 that abideth alone1 or without them4 ,there is1 therefore1 a twofold faith of ,christ in the world1 and as to the notion of justifying righteousness1 they both concur and agree1 but as to the manner of application1 there they vastly differ4 ,the one1 to wit1 the non-saving faith1 standeth in speculation and naked knowledge of ,christ1 and so abideth idle3 but the other truly seeth and receives him1 and so becometh fruitful4 7,john #a3ab2 ,heb4 #aa3ac2 ,rom4 #aj3af7 ,and hence the true justifying faith is said to receive1 to embrace1 to obey the ,son of ,god1 as tendered in the gospel3 by which expression is shewed both the nature of justifying faith1 in its actings in point of justification1 and also the cause of its being full of good works in the world4 ,a gift is not made mine by my seeing of it1 or because ,i know the nature of the thing so given2 but then it is mine if ,i receive and embrace it1 yea1 and as to the point in hand1 if ,i yield myself up to stand and fall by it4 ,now1 he that shall not only see1 but receive1 not only know1 but embrace the ,son of ,god1 to be justified by him1 cannot but bring forth good works1 because ,christ who is now received and embraced by faith1 leavens and seasons the spirit of this sinner1 through his faith1 to the making of him capable so to be justified47,acts #ae3i2 ,gen4 #ah3ai2 ,heb4 #aa3aa7 ,faith made ,sarah receive strength to conceive seed1 and we are sanctified through faith1 which is in ,christ4 ,for faith hath joined ,christ and the soul together1 and being so joined1 the soul is one spirit with him2 not essentially1 but in agreement and oneness of design4 ,besides1 when ,christ is truly received and embraced to the justifying of the sinner1 in that man's heart he dwells by his word and ,spirit1 through the same faith also4 ,now ,christ by his ,spirit and word must needs season the soul he thus dwells in3 so then the soul being seasoned1 it seasoneth the body2 and body and soul1 the life and conversation4 ,we know it is not the seeing1 but taking of a potion1 that maketh it work as it should1 nor is the blood of ,christ a purge to this or that conscience1 except received by faith4 7,heb4 #i3ad7 ,shall that then be counted right believing in ,christ unto justification1 that amounts to no more than to an idle speculation1 or naked knowledge of him8 shall that knowledge of him1 ,i say1 be counted such1 as only causes the soul to behold1 but moveth it not to good works8 ,no1 verily4 ,for the true beholding of ,jesus to justification and life1 changes from glory to glory4 7#b ,cor4 #c3ah7 ,nor can that man that hath so believed1 as that by his faith he hath received and embraced ,christ for life before ,god1 be destitute of good works3 for1 as ,i said1 the word and ,spirit comes also by this faith1 and dwells in the heart and conscience4 ,now1 shall a soul where the word and ,spirit of ,christ dwells1 be a soul without good works8 ,yea1 shall a soul that has received the love1 the mercy1 the kindness1 grace and salvation of ,god through the sorrows1 tears1 groans1 cross1 and cruel death of ,christ1 be yet a fruitless tree6 ,god forbid4 ,this faith is as the salt which the prophet cast into the spring of bitter water1 it makes the soul good and serviceable for ever4 7#b ,kings #b3ai-bb7 ,if the receiving of a temporal gift naturally tends to the making of us to move our cap and knee1 and binds us to be the servant of the giver1 shall we think that faith will leave him who by it has received ,christ1 to be as unconcerned as a stock or stone1 or that its utmost excellency is to provoke the soul to a lip-labour1 and to give ,christ a few fair words for his pains and grace1 and so wrap up the business8 ,no1 no2 'the love of ,christ constraineth us' thus to judge that it is but reasonable1 since he gave his all for us1 that we should give our some for him4 7#b ,cor4 #e3ad1ae7 ,let no man1 then1 deceive himself1 as he may and will if he takes not heed with true notions1 but examine himself concerning his faith1 to wit2 ,whether he hath any8 and if some1 ,whether of that kind that will turn to account in the day when ,god shall judge the world4 ,i told you before that there is a twofold faith1 and now ,i will tell you that there are two sorts of good works2 and a man may be shrewdly guessed at with reference to his faith1 even by the works that he chooseth to be conversant in4 ,there are works that cost nothing1 and works that are chargeable4 ,and observe it1 the unsound faith will choose to itself the most easy works it can find4 ,for example1 there is reading1 praying1 hearing of sermons1 baptism1 breaking of bread1 church fellowship1 preaching1 and the like2 and there is mortification of lusts1 charity1 simplicity1 open-heartedness1 with a liberal hand to the poor1 and their like also4 ,now the unsound faith picks and chooses1 and takes and leaves1 but the true faith does not so4 ,there are a great many professors now in ,england that have nothing to distinguish them from the worst of men1 but their praying1 reading1 hearing of sermons1 baptism1 church-fellowship1 and breaking of bread4 ,separate them but from these1 and everywhere else they are as black as others1 even in their whole life and conversation4 ,thus they have chosen to them the most easy things to do them1 but love not to be conscionably found in the practice of the other2 a certain sign their faith is nought1 and that these things1 even the things they are conversant in1 are things attended to of them1 not for the ends for which ,god has appointed them1 but to beguile and undo themselves withal4 ,praying1 hearing1 reading2 for what are these things ordained1 but that we might by the godly use of them attain to more of the knowledge of ,god1 and be strengthened by his grace to serve him better according to his moral law8 ,baptism1 fellowship1 and the ,lord's supper1 are ordained for these ends also4 ,but there is a vast difference between using of these things1 and a using of them for these ends4 ,a man may pray1 yea pray for such things1 had he them1 as would make him better in morals1 without desire to be better in morals1 or love to the things he prays for4 ,a man may read and hear1 not to learn to do1 though to know2 yea he may be dead to doing moral goodness1 and yet be great for reading and hearing all his days4 ,the people then among all professors that are zealous of good works are the peculiar ones to ,christ4 7,titus #b3ad7 ,what has a man done that is baptized1 if he pursues not the ends for which that appointment was ordained4 ,the like ,i say of fellowship1 of breaking of bread1 etc44 ,for all these things we should use to support our faith1 to mortify the flesh1 and strengthen us to walk in newness of life by the rule of the moral law4 ,nor can that man be esteemed holy whose life is tainted with immoralities1 let him be what he can in all things else4 ,i am of that man's mind as to practical righteousness1 who said to ,christ upon this very question1 ',well1 master1 thou hast said the truth2--for to love the ,lord our ,god with all the heart1 and with all the understanding1 and with all the soul1 and with all the strength1 and to love his neighbour as himself1 is more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices4' 7,mark #ab3bh-cc7 ,to love my neighbour as myself1 to do as ,i would be done unto1 this is the law and the prophets4 ,and he that is altogether a stranger to these things1 how dwelleth the love of ,god in him2 or how will he manifest to another that his faith will save him8 ,satan is afraid that men should hear of justification by ,christ1 lest they should embrace it4 ,but yet1 if he can prevail with them to keep fingers off1 though they do hear and look on1 and practise lesser things1 he can the better bear it2 yea1 he will labour to make such professors bold to conclude they shall by that kind of faith enjoy him1 though by that they cannot embrace him1 nor lay hold of him4 ,for he knows that how far soever a man engages in a profession of ,christ with a faith that looks on1 but cannot receive nor embrace him1 that faith will leave him to nothing but mistaken and disappointments at last4 ,the gospel comes to some in word only1 and the faith of such stands but in a verbal sound2 but the apostle was resolved not to know or take notice of such a faith4 7#a ,thess4 #a3d1 #e7 ',for the kingdom of ,god1 saith he1 'is not in word1 but in power4' 7#a ,cor4 #a3ah-bj7' ,he whose faith stands only in a saying1 ,i believe1 has his works in bare words also1 and as virtual is the one as the other1 and both insignificant enough4 ',if a brother or sister be naked1 and destitute of daily food1 and one of you say unto them1 ,depart in peace1 be ye warmed and filled2 notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body2 what doth it profit8 ,even so faith1 if it hath not works is dead1 being alone4' 7,james #b3ae-ag7 ,this faith1 therefore1 ,satan can allow1 because it is somewhat of kin to his own4 7vs4 #aj7 ,besides1 what greater contempt can be cast upon ,christ than by such wordy professors is cast upon him8 ,these are the men that by practice say1 the gospel is but an empty sound4 ,yet1 the more they profess1 the louder they proclaim it thus to be1 to his disgrace1 while they1 not withstanding their profession of faith1 hold and maintain their league with the devil and sin4 ,the ,son of ,god was manifest that he might destroy the works of the devil1 but these men profess his faith and keep these works alive in the world4 7#a ,john #c7 ,shall these pass for such as believe to the saving of the soul8 ,for a man to be content with this kind of faith1 and to look to go to salvation by it1 what to ,god is a greater provocation8 ,the devil laugheth here1 for he knows he has not lost his vassal by such a faith as this1 but that rather he hath made use of the gospel1 that glorious word of life1 to secure his captive1 through1 his presumption of the right faith1 the faster in his shackles4 ,it is marvellous to me to see sin so high amidst the swarms of professors that are found in every corner of this land4 ,nor can any other reason be given for it1 but because the gospel has lost its wonted virtue1 or because professors want faith therein4 ,but do you think it is because of the first8 no1 the word of our ,god shall stand in its strength for ever2 the faith of such therefore is not right2 they have for shields of gold1 made themselves shields of brass2 or instead of the primitive faith1 which was of the operation of ,god1 they have got to themselves a faith that stands by the power1 and in the wisdom of man4 7#b ,chron4 #ab3i1 #aj2 ,col4 #b3ab2 #a ,cor4 #b3d1 #e7 ,and1 to say no more to this1 for what is ,god so angry with this land1 but for the sin of the professors that dwell therein1 while they have polluted his name with their gifts1 and with their idols8 ,god1 ,i say1 has been provoked most bitterly by us1 while we have profaned his name1 making use of his name1 his word1 and ordinances1 to serve ourselves1 '#j ,lord1 what wilt thou do to this land4' ,we are every one looking for something2 even for something that carrieth terror and dread in the sound of its wings as it comes1 though we know not the form nor visage thereof4#a ,one cries out1 another has his hands upon his loins1 and a third is made mad with the sight of his eyes1 and with what his ears do hear4 ,and as their faith hath served them about justification1 so it now serves them about repentance and reformation3 it can do nothing here neither2 for though1 as was said1 men cry out1 and are with their hands upon their loins for fear2 yet1 where is the church1 the house1 the man that stands in the gap for the land1 to turn away this wrath by repentance1 and amendment of life8 ,behold the ,lord cometh forth out of his place1 and will come down and tread upon the places of the earth1 and the mountains shall be molten under him1 and the valleys shall be cleft1 as wax before the fire1 and as the waters that are poured down a steep place4 ,but what is the cause of all this8--,for the transgression of ,jacob is all this1 and for the sins of the house of ,israel4 7,micah #a3e7 ,it is that that is observed by them that can make observation1 that all that ,god has done to us already has been ineffectual as to cause that humility and reformation1 by which his judgments must be turned away4 ,repentance is rare this day1 and yet without doubt1 that without which1 things will grow worse and worse4 ,as for them that hope that ,god will save his people1 though but from temporal judgments1 whether they repent and reform1 or do otherwise1 ,i must leave them and their opinions together3 this ,i have found1 that sometimes the repentance1 even of the godly1 has come too late to divert such judgments4 ,and1 how some of the godly should be so indulged as to be saved from punishment without repentance1 when the true and unfeigned repentance of others will not deliver them1 leaves me1 ,i confess1 in a wilderness6 ,but that which is most of all to be lamented is1 that sin1 through custom1 is become no sin4 ,the superfluity of naughtiness is at this day become no sin with many4 ,surely this was the case with ,israel1 else how could they say when the prophets so bitterly denounced ,god's judgments against them1 ',because we are innocent1 surely his anger shall turn from us4' 7,jer4 #b3ce7 ,when custom or bad example has taken away the conscience of sin1 it is a sign that that soul is in a dangerous lethargy2 and yet this is the condition of the most that profess amongst us this day4 ,but to leave this and to proceed4 ,as there is a twofold faith1 two sorts of good works1 and the like1 so there is also a twofold love to ,christ2 the one standing1 or stopping1 in some passions of the mind and affections2 the other is that which breaks through all difficulties to the holy commandment to do it4 ,of both these there is mention made in the scripture2 and though all true love begins at the heart1 yet that love is but little set by that breaks not through to practice4 ,how many are there in the world that seem to have the first1 but how few shew the second4 ,the young man in the gospel1 7,mark #aj3ag7 did by his running1 kneeling1 crying1 inquiring1 and entreating of ,christ1 to shew him the way to life1 shew that he had inward love to ,christ and his own salvation2 but yet it was not a love that was 'strong as death1' 'cruel as the grave1' and hotter than the coals of juniper4 7,song #h3f7 ,it was a love that stopped in mind and affection1 but could not break out into practice4 ,this kind of love1 if it be let alone1 and not pressed to proceed till it comes into a labouring practising of the commandment1 will love as long as you will1 to wit1 as long as mouth and tongue can wag2 but yet you shall not1 by all your skill drive this love farther than the mouth2 'for with their mouth they shew much love1 but their heart goeth after their covetousness4' 7,ezek4 #cc3ca7 ,nor may this love be counted for that of the right kind1 because it is in the heart1 for the heart knows how to dissemble about love1 as much as about other matters4 ,this is feigned love1 or love that pretends to dear affections for ,christ1 but can bestow no cost upon him4 ,of this kind of love the world is full at this day1 especially the professors of this age2 but as ,i said1 of this the ,lord ,jesus makes little or no account1 for that it hath in it an essential defectiveness4 ,thus1 therefore1 ,christ and his servants describe the love that is true and of the right kind1 and that with reference to himself and church4 ,first1 with reference to himself4 ',if a man love me1' saith he1 'he will keep my words4' 7,john #ad3bc7 ,and again1 ',he that hath my commandments1 and keepeth them1 he it is that loveth me4' ,and1 ',he that loveth me not1 keepeth not my sayings4' ',and the word which ye hear is not mine1 but the ,father's which sent me4' ,behold you now where ,christ placeth a sign of love1 it is not in word nor in tongue1 not in great and seemingly affectionate gestures1 but in a practical walking in the law of the ,lord4 ,hence such1 and such only1 are called the undefiled in the way4 ,you know who says1 ',i am the way4' ',blessed1' saith ,david1 'are the undefiled in the way1 who walk in the law of the ,lord4' 7,ps4 #aai3a7 ,but here again the hypocrite will give us the slip by betaking himself to exterior matters1 as to his 'mint and anise and cummin4' 7,matt4 #bc3bc7 ,still neglecting the more weighty matters of the law1 to wit1 judgment1 mercy1 faith2 or else to the significative ordinances1 still neglecting to do to all men as he would they should do to him4 ,but let such know that ,god never ordained significative ordinances1 such as baptism1 the ,lord's supper1 or the like1 for the sake of water1 or of bread and wine2 nor yet because he takes any delight that we are dipped in water1 or eat that bread2 but they were ordained to minister to us by the aptness of the elements1 through our sincere partaking of them1 further knowledge of the death1 burial1 and resurrection of ,christ1 and of our death and resurrection by him to newness of life4 ,wherefore1 he that eateth and believeth not1 and he that is baptized1 and is not dead to sin1 and walketh not in newness of life1 neither keepeth these ordinances nor pleaseth ,god4 ,now to be dead to sin1 is to be dead to those things forbidden in the moral law4 ,for sin is the transgression of that1 and it availeth not to vaunt that ,i am a saint and under this or that significative ordinance1 if ,i live in' the transgression of the law4'7#a ,john #c3d7 ,for ,i am convicted of the law as a transgressor1 and so concluded to be one that loveth not ,christ1 though ,i make a noise of my obedience to ,christ1 and of my partaking of his significative ordinances4 ,the ,jews of old made a great noise with their significative ordinances1 while they lived in the breach of the moral law1 but their practice of significative ordinances could not save them from the judgment and displeasure of their ,god4 ,they could frequent the temple1 keep their feasts1 slay their sacrifices1 and be mighty apt about all their significative things4 ,but they loved idols1 and lived in the breach of the second table of the law3 wherefore ,god cast them out of his presence3 hark what the prophet saith of them1 7,amos #d3d7 ',come to ,bethel1 and transgress2 at ,gilgal multiply transgression2 and bring your sacrifices every morning1 and your tithes after three years3 and offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven1 and proclaim and publish the free-will offerings3 for this liketh you1 #j ye children of ,israel1 saith the ,lord ,god4' ,thus1 as ,i said1 the hypocrite gives us the slip2 for when he heareth that love is in the keeping of the commandments of ,god1 then he betakes him to the more external parts of worship1 and neglecteth the more weighty matters to the provoking of the ,god of ,israel4 ,second1 ,as love to ,god is shewed by keeping of his commandments2 so love to my neighbour1 is the keeping of the commandments of ,god likewise4 ',by this we know that we love the children of ,god1 when we love ,god1 and keep his commandments4 ,for this is the love of ,god1'--in us1 both to ,god and man1 'that we keep his commandments3 and his commandments are not grievous4' 7#a ,john #e3b1 #c7 ,he that keepeth not ,god's commandments1 loves neither ,god nor men4 ,thus then we must learn to love one another4 ,he that keepeth ,god's commandment1 doth to his brother what is right1 for that is ,god's commandment4 ,he that keeps ,god's commandment1 doth to his brother even as he would be done unto himself1 for that is ,god's commandment4 ,he that keeps ,god's commandment1 shutteth not up his bowels of compassion from him1 for the contrary is his commandment4 ,further1 he that keepeth ,god's commandment sheweth his brother what he must do to honour the ,christ that he professeth1 aright3 therefore1 he that keeps the commandment1 loves his brother4 ,yea1 the keeping of the commandment is loving the brethren4 ,but if all love1 which we pretend to have one to another1 were tried by this one text1 how much of that that we call so1 would be found to be nothing less8 ,preposterous are our spirits in all things1 nor can they be guided right1 but by the word and ,spirit of ,god2 the which1 the good ,lord grant unto us plentifully1 that we may do that which is well pleasing in his sight1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,yea1 and that there may1 by them1 be wrought sound repentance in us for all that hath been done by us amiss1 lest he give ',jacob to the spoil1 and ,israel to the robbers2' for that they have sinned against him by not walking in his ways1 and by not being obedient to his law4 7,isa4 #db3bd7 ,let me add1 lest ,god doth not only punish us in the sight1 and by the hand of the wicked2 but embolden them to say1 it was ,god that set them on2 yea1 lest they make those sins of ours1 which we have not repented of1 not only their bye-word against us to after generations1 but the argument1 one to another1 of their justification for all the evil that they shall be suffered to do unto us3 saying1 when men shall ask them1 ',wherefore hath the ,lord done thus unto this land8 what meaneth the heat of this great anger8' 7,deut4 #bi3bd2 #a ,kings #i3h2 ,jer4 #bb3h7 ',even because they have forsaken the covenant of the ,lord ,god of their fathers1 and walked not in his ways4' ,,john ,,bunyan ,a ,,holy ,,life ,,the ,,beauty ,,of ,,christianity ',,and1 ,,let ,,every ,,one ,,that ,,nameth ,,the ,,name ,,of ,,christ ,,depart ,,from ,,iniquity1--#b ,,tim4 #b3ai ,,timothy1 unto whom this epistle was writ1 was an evangelist1 that is1 inferior to apostles and extra-ordinary prophets1 and above ordinary pastors and teachers4 7#b ,tim4 #d3e2 ,eph4 #d3aa7 ,and he with the rest of those under his circumstances was to go with the apostles hither and thither1 to be disposed of by them as they saw need1 for the further edification of those who by the apostolical ministry were converted to the faith3 and hence it is1 that ,titus was left at ,crete1 and that this ,timothy was left at ,ephesus4 7#a ,tim4 #a3c7 ,for they were to do a work for ,christ in the world1 which the apostles were to begin1 and leave upon their hands to finish4 ,now when the apostles departed from places1 and had left these evangelists in their stead1 usually there did arise some bad spirits among those people1 where these were left for the furtherance of the faith4 ,this is manifest by both the epistles to ,timothy1 and also by that to ,titus3 wherefore ,paul1 upon whom these two evangelists waited for the fulfilling of their ministry1 writeth unto them while they abode where he left them1 concerning those turbulent spirits which they met with1 and to teach them how yet further they ought to behave themselves in the house of ,god1 which is the church of the living ,god1 the pillar and ground of truth4 ,and to this purpose he gives them1 severally1 divers instructions1 as the judicious reader may easily understand1 by which he encourageth them to the prosecution of that service which for ,christ they had to do for those people where he had left them1 and also instructeth them how to carry it towards their disturbers1 which last he doth1 not only doctrinally1 but also by shewing them1 by his example and practice1 what he would have them do4 ,this done1 he laboureth to comfort ,timothy with the remembrance of the steadfastness of ,god's eternal decree of election1 because grounded on his foreknowledge2 saying1 though ,hymeneus and ,philetus have erred from the faith1 and1 by their fall1 have overthrown the faith of some1 ',yet the foundation of ,god standeth sure1 having this seal1 ,the ,lord knoweth them that are his4' ,now lest this last hint should still encourage some to be remiss and carnally secure1 and foolish1 as ,i suppose this doctrine abused1 had encouraged them to be before2 therefore the apostle immediately conjoineth to it this exhortation2 ',and1 let every one that nameth2 the name of ,christ depart from iniquity4' ,two truths strangely1 but necessarily joined together1 because so apt to be severed by the children of men2 for many1 under the pretence of their being elected1 neglect to pursue holiness2 and many of them again that pretend to be for holiness1 quite exclude the doctrine and motives that election gives thereto4 ,wherefore the apostle1 that he might set men's notions as to these things right1 he joins these two together1 signifying thereby1 that as electing love doth instate a man in the blessing of eternal life2 so holiness is the path thereto2 and1 that he that refuseth to depart from iniquity shall be dammed2 notwithstanding he may think himself secured from hell by the act of ,god's electing love4 ,for election designeth men not only to eternal glory1 but to holiness of life1 a means1 thereto4 7,eph4 #a3d1 #e7 ,and the manner of this connection of truth is the more to be noted by us1 because the apostle seems to conjoin#b them1 in an holy heat of spirit1 saying1 ',the foundation of ,god standeth sure1 having this seal1 ,the ,lord knoweth them that are his4' ,and1 'let every one that shall but so much as name the name of ,christ1 depart from iniquity2' or1 as who should say1 ,god will be revenged upon them for all1 or1 notwithstanding1 they appropriate unto themselves the benefits of election4 ,in the text we have1 ,,first1 ,an exhortation4 ,,second1 ,the extension of that exhortation4 ,the exhortation is1 ,that men depart from iniquity4 ,the extension of it is1 to them1 all of them1 every one of them that name the name of ,christ4 ',and let every one that nameth the name of ,christ1 depart from iniquity4' ,,first1 ,,the ,,exhortation--,,that ,,men ,,depart ,,from ,,iniquity ,in the exhortation there are several things to be taken notice of1 because insinuated by the apostle4 ,the first is1 that iniquity is a very dangerous and hurtful thing1 as to the souls of sinners in general2 so to them that name the name of ,christ4 ,first1 ,iniquity is a very dangerous and hurtful thing to men in general2 for it is that which did captivate the world at the beginning1 and that made it a bond-slave to the devil4 ,it has also done great hurt to mankind ever since4 ,to instance a few things3 #a4 ,it is that which hath stupefied and besotted the powers of men's souls1 and made them even next to a beast and brute in all matters supernatural heavenly4 7#b ,peter #b3ab7 ,for as the beast minds nothing but his lusts and his belly1 by nature1 so man minds nothing but things earthly1 sensual1 and devilish1 by reason of iniquity4 #b4 ,it has blinded and darkened the powers of the soul1 so that it can neither see where it is1 nor which is the way out of this besotted condition4 7,eph4 #d3ah7 #c4 ,it has hardened the heart against ,god1 and against all admonition and counsel in the things of the gospel of ,christ4 7,rom4 #b3e7 #d4 ,it has alienated the will1 the mind1 and affections1 from the choice of the things that should save it1 and wrought them over to an hearty delight in those things that naturally tend to drown it in perdition and destruction4 7,col4 #a3ba7 #e4 ,it has made man odious in ,god's eyes1 it has provoked the justice of ,god against him1 and made him obnoxious to hell-fire4 7,ezek4 #af3e7 #f4 ,yea1 it so holds him1 so binds him1 so reserves him to this1 that not he himself1 nor yet all the angels of heaven1 can deliver him from this deplorable condition4 7,prov4 #e3bb7 #g4 ,to say nothing of their pleasure and delight that it makes him take in that way to hell in which he walketh4 7,isa4 #ff3c2 ,prov4 #g3bb1 #bc7 ,never went fat ox so gamesomely to the shambles1 nor fool so merrily to the correction of the stocks1 nor silly bird so wantonly to the hidden net1 as iniquity makes men go down her steps to the pit of hell and damnation4 ,o it is amazing1 it is astonishing to consider what hurt sin hath done to man1 and into how many dangers it has brought him2 but let these few hints at this time suffice as to this4 ,i will now speak a word to the other particular1 namely1 ,second1 ,that as iniquity is dangerous and hurtful to the souls of men in general1 so it is to them that name the name of ,christ4 ,as to the so and so naming of him1 to that ,i shall speak by and by1 but at this time take it thus3 ,that religiously name his name4 ,and ,i say iniquity is hurtful to them4 #a4 ,it plucks many a one of them from ,christ and the religious profession of him4 ,i have even seen1 that men who have devoutly and religiously professed ,jesus ,christ1 have been prevailed withal1 by iniquity1 to cast him and the profession of his name quite off1 and to turn their backs upon him4 ',israel1' saith the prophet1 'hath cast off the thing that is good4' 7,hosea #h3c7 ,but why8 ',of their silver and their gold have they made them idols4' ,the sin of idolatry threw their hearts from ,god2 their love to that iniquity made them turn their backs upon him4 ,wherefore ,god complains1 that of forwardness to their iniquity1 and through the prevalence thereof1 they had cast him behind their back4 7,ezek4 #bc3ce7 #b4 ,as it plucks many a professor from ,christ1 so it keeps many a one from an effectual closing with him4 ,how many are there that religiously profess and make mention of the name of ,christ1 that yet of love to1 and by the interest that iniquity hath in their affections1 never close with him unto salvation1 but are like to them1 of whom you read in ,paul to ,timothy1 that they are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth4 7#b ,tim4 #c3a-g7 #c4 ,and concerning those that have indeed come to him1 and that have effectually closed with him1 and that name his name to good purpose2 yet how hath iniquity hurt and abused many of them4 7#a47 ,it has prevailed with ,god to hide his face from them1 a thing more bitter than death4 7#b47 ,it has prevailed with ,god to chastise1 and to afflict them sorely1 a thing in which he taketh no pleasure4 7,lam #c3cc7 7#c47 ,it has provoked ,god to give them over to the hand of the enemy1 and to deliver them to the tormentors4 7,jer4 #ab3g2 ,matt4 #ah3cd7 7#d47 ,it hath brought them to question their interest in ,christ1 and whether they ever had grace in their souls4 7,psa4 #ca3bb7 7#e47 ,and for those that have yet believed they were in his favour1 this iniquity hath driven them to fear that ,god would cast them away1 and take all his good things from them4 7,psa4 #ea7 ,yea1 he that would know the hurt that iniquity hath done to them that name the name of ,christ1 let him consider the cries1 the sighs1 the tears1 the bemoanings1 the bewailings1 the lamentations1 the sorrows1 the confessions1 the repentings and griefs wherewith they have been attended1 while they have complained that they have been put in the stocks1 laid in the dungeon1 had their bones broken1 suffered the terrors of ,god1 been distressed almost to distraction1 and have been fed with gravel1 gall1 wormwood1 and with the water of astonishment1 for days1 yea1 years together4 7,job #ac3bg2 ,psa4 #f3f2 ,psa4 #ca3i1 #aj2 ,psa4 #ch3h2 ,psa4 #fj3c2 ,psa4 #hh2 ,psa4 #aaf3c2 ,jer4 #h3ad2 ,jer4 #bc3ae2 ,jer4 #ca3ah2 ,lam4 #c3d1 #af2 ,ezek4 #d3af2 #b ,cor4 #ab3ba7 ,by all which1 and many more which might be mentioned1 it appears that iniquity is a dangerous and hurtful thing4 ,,second1 ,,the ,,extension ,,of ,,the ,,exhortation--,,to ,,every ,,one ,,that ,,nameth ,,the ,,name ,,of ,,christ4 ,but ,i proceed1 and come in the next place to the extension of the exhortation1 namely1 that it reacheth to all those that name the name of ,christ4 ',and let every one that nameth the name of ,christ depart from iniquity4' ,to handle this a little1 and to shew you what the apostle here means by naming of the name of ,christ3 he meaneth not an irreligious naming of that worthy name1 nor those that name it irreligiously4 ,this is evident1 because he passeth by their manner of naming of it without the least reproof1 the which he would not have done had the fault been in their manner of naming of the name of ,christ4 ,now ,i say1 if he intendeth not those that name the name of ,christ irreligiously1 then1 though the exhortation1 'let every one1' seems to extend itself to all1 and all manner of persons1 that any ways name the name of ,christ1 yet it is limited by this1 to wit1 that rightly1 religiously1 or according to the way of the professors of ,christ1 name his worthy name4 ,and it must needs be so taken1 and that for these reasons3 ,first1 ,for that1 as ,i said before1 the apostle taketh no notice of their manner of naming of his name1 so as to reprove any indecency or unseemliness in their naming of him2 wherefore he alloweth of the manner of their naming of him4 ,secondly1 because the apostle's design in this exhortation was1 and is1 that the naming of the name of ,christ might be accompanied with such a life of holiness as might put an additional lustre upon that name whenever named in a religious way2 but this cannot be applied to every manner of naming the name of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,for if a man shall name the name of ,christ unduly1 or irreligiously1 though he shall never so much therewithal depart from iniquity1 and be circumspect to the utmost in all civility and morality1 yet he answers not the apostle's end1 which he seeks by this his exhortation4 ,for1 #a4 ,suppose a man should name the name of ,christ vainly1 idly1 in vain mirth1 wantonness1 false or vain swearing1 or the like1 and shall back this1 his manner of naming the name of ,christ1 with all manner of justness and uprightness of life1 would this answer the apostle's end in this his exhortation8 ,verily no2 for this manner of naming the name is worthy reprehension2 ',thou shalt not take my name in vain1' or vainly make use thereof3 and moral goodness attending the so-naming of the name of ,christ will do more hurt than good4 7,ex4 #bj7 #b4 ,there is a reproachful and scandalous naming of the name of ,christ1 such as the ,jews and ,pharisees did accustom themselves unto1 as to call him ,jesus1 the deceiver2 and ,christ1 in a way of scorn and contempt4 ,nor were these men quite destitute of that which put a lustre upon their opinions2 for1 said the ,lord ,christ himself unto them1 ',ye indeed appear beautiful outward4' 7,matt4 #bc3bg7 #c4 ,there is such a naming of the name of ,christ as to make it a cloak for false and dangerous errors3 that men1 by the use of that name1 and the putting of it upon such errors and delusions1 may put off their errors to others the better4 ',many shall come in my name1 to wit1 with their delusions1 presenting them1 in my name1 to the world1 and shall put them off1 in my name1 to the destruction of the soul4 7,matt4 #bd3e7 ,now1 can any imagine that the apostle should extend his exhortation to such1 that they1 thus continuing to name the name of ,christ1 should depart from iniquity4 ,to what end should such be comprehended in this of exhortation of his8 to no purpose at all3 for the more an erroneous person1 or a deceiver of souls1 shall back his errors with a life that is morally good1 the more mischievous1 dangerous1 and damnable is that man and his delusions2 wherefore such a one is not concerned in this exhortation4 #d4 ,there is a naming of the name of ,christ magically1 and after the manner of exorcism1 or1 conjuration2 as we read in the ,acts of the apostles4 vagabond ,jews1 the exorcists1 there say1 ',we adjure you by ,jesus1 whom ,paul preacheth4' 7,acts #ai3ac-ae7 ,thus they called over them that had evil spirits1 the name of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,but what if these should clothe this1 their devilish art1 and devilish way1 of using or naming of the name of the ,lord ,jesus1 with departing from iniquity1 so as to commend their whole life to by-standers1 for such3 as is morally good3 what advantage would ,christ1 or ,paul1 or the gospel1 get thereby8 verily none at all2 but rather damage and reproach1 as will soon appear to any man's reason1 if it be considered that goodness of life1 joined to badness of principles is like the devil clothed in white1 or ,satan transformed into an angel of light4 ,and ,paul was grieved in his spirit1 when the wench that had a spirit of divination did acknowledge him to be the servant of the most high ,god1 for he knew it would nothing further1 or help forward1 the ,lord's design1 but be rather an hinderance thereto4 ,for when witches and devils come once to commend1 or make use of the name of ,christ1 ,christ and ,paul like it not2 therefore ,paul's exhortation1 which here are presented with by the text1 is not extended to any of the four sorts aforenamed1 but1 ,third1 ,to those upon whom his name is called1 they should depart from iniquity4 ,i say those whom ,god has so far dignified1 as to put the name of ,christ upon them4 7,acts #ae3ag7 ,and ,i will add1 that apply that name to themselves4 ,and the reason is1 because ,god is now concerned4 7ch4 #aa3bf7 ,god has changed thy name from ,pagan to ,christian1 and thou choosest to call thyself by that name1 saying1 ',i belong to ,christ4' ,now thou must depart from iniquity1 for that notice is taken of thee1 both by heaven and earth1 that thou art become a disciple1 and 'let every one that' so 'nameth the name of ,christ1' or that nameth it1 being himself by ,god and himself put under such circumstances as these1 'depart from iniquity4' 7#a ,peter #d3af7 ,fourthly1 ,it is spoken to those that name the name of ,christ either in the public or private worship of ,god1 being themselves professed worshippers of him2 and the reason is1 for that the ordinances1 as well as the name of ,god1 is holy1 and 'he will be sanctified in them that come nigh him4' 7,lev4 #aj3c7 ,he therefore that approacheth the presence of ,christ in prayer1 or any other divine appointment1 must take heed of regarding 'iniquity in his heart4' 7,psa4 #ff3ah7 ,else the ,lord will stop his ears to his prayers1 and will shut his eyes1 and not take notice of such kind of worship or worshippers4 ,fifthly1 ,those that the apostle in this place exhorts to depart from iniquity are such as have taken unto themselves the boldness to say1 that they are in him1 abide in him1 and consequently are made partakers of the benefits that are in him4 ',he that saith he abideth in him1 ought himself also to walk1 even as he walked4' 7#a ,john #b3f7 ,and the reason is1 because ,christ is a fruitful root1 and a free conveyer of sap into the branches2 hence it is written1 that 'the trees of the ,lord are full of sap4' 7,psa4 #ajd3af7 ,so then1 he that nameth the name of ,christ by way of applying to himself his benefits1 and as counting that he is found of ,god in him1 and so abideth1 ought himself to walk even as he walked1 that he may give proof of what he saith to be true1 by bearing forth before men that similitude of righteousness that is in his root and stem3 for such as the stock or tree is1 such let the branches be1 but that cannot be known but by the fruit3 'ye shall know them by their fruit4' 7,matt4 #g3af7 ,so then1 he that thus shall name the name of ,christ1 let him depart from iniquity3 yea1 let every such man do so4 ,sixthly1 ,this exhortation is spoken to them that name ,christ as their ,sovereign ,lord and ,king3 let them 'depart from iniquity4' ',the ,lord is our judge1 the ,lord is our ,lawgiver1 the ,lord is our ,king2 he will save us4' 7,isa4 #cc3bb7 ,these are great words2 and as they cannot be spoken by every one1 so they ought not to be spoken lightly by them that can4 ,nor may he that claims so high a privilege be but obedient1 submissive1 apt to learn1 conscientiously to put in practice what he hath learnt of his ,judge1 his ,lawgiver1 and his ,king4 ,lest when some shall hear him say that ,christ1 by name1 is his ,lawgiver and his ,king1 and shall yet observe him to do things evil1 and to walk in ways that are not good1 they shall think evil1 and speak so of his ,king2 saying1 ,learnt you this of ,christ your ,king8 or doth your ,king countenance you in ways that are so bad8 or1 do you by thus and thus doing submit to the laws of your king8 yea1 your ,king1 his name and gospel shall bear the burden of the evil1 together with the shame thereof1 if thou that namest the name of ,christ shalt not depart from iniquity4 ,lastly1 ,whatever man he be that by his naming of the name of ,christ shall intimate that he hath any reverence of love to1 or delight in that ,christ1 whose name he nameth1 that man should depart from iniquity1 not only for the reasons that are above mentioned1 but for those that may be named afterwards4 ,but having thus far opened the word1 and shewed who and what manner of man the apostle had in his eye1 in this his exhortation1 ,i shall come1 in the next place1 to make some observations upon the text4 ,as1 ,,observation ,,first4 ,that it is incident to men to name the name of ,christ religiously1 that is1 rightly as to words and nations1 and not to 'depart from iniquity4' ,this was the occasion of this exhortation1 for ,paul saw that there were some that did so2 to wit1 that named the name of ,christ well1 as to words1 but did not depart from iniquity4 ,some such he also ,i found among them at ,corinth1 which made him say1 ',awake to righteousness1 and sin not4' 7#a ,cor4 #ae3cd7 ,he found such at ,ephesus1 and cries out to them most earnestly1 saying1 ',awake thou that sleepest1 and arise from the dead4' 7,eph4 #e3ad7 ,for albeit they were professors of ,christ1 yet they lived too much like those that were dead in trespasses and sins1 ,this he also found among the ,hebrews1 wherefore he saith to them1 ',let us lay aside every weight1 and the sin which doth so easily beset us1 and let us run with patience the race that is set before us4' 7,heb4 #ab3a7 ,these professors are easily beset with sin1 yea1 it did hang upon them as weights to hinder them from making of that profession of ,christ1 whose name they named1 as beautiful as did become both him and them4 ,in my discourse upon this subject1 ,i must endeavour to shew you two things4 ,,first1 ,what ,paul means when he saith1 'depart from iniquity4' ,,secondly1 ,why some1 that as to words1 rightly name the name of ,christ1 do not 'depart from iniquity4' ,the first of those doth need some explanation1 because in some sense even the best of saints cannot depart from sin1 or iniquity4 #a4 ,because as to the being of it1 it is seated and rooted in their flesh1 and hath its dwelling there4 ,yea1 it hath1 and so will have an abiding there1 so long as man is on this side that state of perfection1 which is not to be enjoyed while we are in the flesh3 'for in me1 that is1 in my flesh1' sin dwells1 7,rom4 #g3ah7 nor doth any thing else but sin dwell there3 'for in me1 that is1 in my flesh1 said ,paul1 'dwelleth no good thing3' therefore the apostle must not be understood as if he intended to insinuate that there was a possibility that the nature and being of sin could be plucked up by the roots1 and so cast clean away from us1 as to the very nature thereof4 ,no1 that will abide with us1 for it hath its dwelling in us4 #b4 ,and as they cannot depart from the nature1 of it as such1 that is1 as they cannot be rid of the being of sin1 so neither can they depart from the motions and stirrings of sin1 no more than they can stir from the motions or stirrings of their natural senses1 or of their natural reason3 the motions of sin1 which ,paul also calls the lusts thereof1 will be where the nature and being of sin is1 because it is not dead2 for that which liveth1 what manner of life soever it hath1 will have motion according to the manner of life which it hath2 and sin being one of the most quick and brisk things that are1 it will also have its motions and lusts accordingly4 ,hence ,paul says1 it lusts1 and will lust1 where it is and dwells2 though the very ,spirit of ,god and the utmost diligence of a ,christian be also there to oppose it4 7,rom4 #f3ab2 ,gal4 #e3ag7 #c4 ,again1 as the being and motions of sin will be with us1 so also will it in its endeavours4 ,it will endeavour to overcome us1 and to make us captives to itself and to ,satan2 and these endeavours will be with us4 7,eph4 #f3aa1 #ab2 #b ,cor4 #aj3e2 ,heb4 #ab3d7 ,nor can we so depart from iniquity1 as to be utterly rid of all sense and feeling of what endeavours there are in sin and iniquity to be master and lord1 and reign4 ,sin will endeavour to defile the mind1 to defile the conscience1 to defile the life and conversation2 and this endeavour1 as endeavour1 we cannot depart from2 that is1 cause that it should not be in our flesh2 for there it will be1 since sin in its being is there4 #d4 ,as the being1 motions1 and endeavours of sin will still abide in our flesh1 so consequently will its polluting fumes be upon us2 nor doth the apostle mean1 when he bids us depart from iniquity1 that we should think that we can so be1 or so do1 in this life1 as that our being or doing should not smell of the strong scent of sin4 ',who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean8 not one4'7 ,job #ad3d7 ',we are all as an unclean thing1 and' therefore 'all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags4' 7,isa4 #fd3f7 ,the scent1 the smell1 the rank and odious stink of sins abide upon1 yea1 and will abide upon us1 when most spiritual here1 and upon our most spiritual actions too1 until they be taken away by ,christ4 ,thus far1 therefore1 we cannot be concerned in the exhortation4 ,for should ,paul exhort us to depart from the being1 motion1 endeavour1 and polluting fumes and scent of sin--,i mean so to depart from them1 as that there shall no such thing have place1 or motion1 or striving1 or scent in1 or upon us--he would exhort us to that which is altogether impossible for us to perform1 yea1 to perform through that working of the ,spirit of ,god1 which is to be with us and in us here4 ,yea1 he must exhort us to that which be could not perform himself4 ,but such exhortations did not stand with the wisdom of an apostle4 ,wherefore there is a certain meaning in this exhortation1 from the which if we swerve1 we shall both wrong the apostle and ourselves4 ,,first--,let us inquire then what ,paul should mean1 where he bids them 'that name the name of ,christ depart from iniquity4' ,and for our better understanding of him1 we must consider that there is an iniquity that is inherent in us1 and an iniquity that is apart1 and at a distance from us4 ,now if he means1 as certainly he doth1 that they that name the name of ,christ should depart from that sin and iniquity that is in themselves2 then1 though he cannot mean that we should separate that from our persons1 for that is impossible1 yet he would have us1 ,first1 ,take off and withdraw our ,,minds and ,,affections therefrom4 ,and he tells us that they that are ,christ's do so4 ',and they that are ,christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts4' 7,gal4 #e3bd7 ,sinful lusts and sinful motions our minds and affections should depart from them4 ,there are the affections and lusts of sin2 and there are the affections and lusts1 or desires of the soul2 and again1 there are the affections and lusts of the new man in saints4 ,now this is that that the apostle would have1 to wit1 that the affections and passions of our souls should not choose but depart from the affections and lusts of our old man1 and should be renewed and made willing to be led by the ,holy ,ghost from them4 ',this ,i say1' says he1 ',walk in the ,spirit1 and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh4' 7ver4 #af7 ,wherefore1 when he saith1 depart from iniquity1 if he means from our own inherent iniquity1 then he must mean thus1 take your mind and your affections off1 carry your minds away from them1 set your minds and affections upon other objects1 and let your minds and affections be yielded up to the conduct of the word and ,spirit of ,god1 ',let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body1 that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof4' 7,rom4 #f3ab7 ,now a man1 in mind and affections1 may depart from that which yet will not depart from him2 yea1 a man in mind may depart from that which yet will dwell in him as long as he lives4 ,for instance1 there are many diseases that cleave to men1 from which1 in their minds1 they willingly depart4 ,yea1 their greatest disquietment is1 that so bad a distemper will abide by them1 and might they but have their desire accomplished1 they would be as far therefrom as the ends of the earth are asunder1 and while they are found to continue together1 the mind departs therefrom1 and is gone either to ,god or to physicians for help and deliverance from it4 ,and thus it is with the saint1 and should be with every one that by way of profession nameth the name of ,christ1 he should depart from his indwelling sin1 with his mind4 ',with his mind he should serve the law of ,god4' 7,rom4 #g3be7 ,and this is an excellent thing to do1 and can be done by none but such as are possessed with an excellent spirit4 ,ah6 to find a man that really departs from himself1 and that draweth the affections of the soul1 from the affections and lusts of his flesh is rare thing4 7,ezek4 #aa3ai-ba7 ,the heart of the most of professors goeth after their detestable lusts1 and after their inward abominations4 ,but such shall of the flesh reap corruption1' notwithstanding they name the name of ,christ4 7,gal4 #f3h7 ,sin is sweet to him that is nothing but flesh1 or that can savour nothing but what is of the flesh4 7,job #bj3ab7 ,nor can it be that be that is such should depart from himself1 his sweet self4 7,rom4 #h3e-h7 ,no1 they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh2 wherefore they that are in the flesh1 though they profess religion and name the name of ,christ1 cannot please ,god2 for such1 instead of walking in and after the ,spirit1 have put the stumbling-block of their iniquity before their faces1 to hinder their departing therefrom4 7,ezek4 #ad3g1 #h7 nor will all their inquiring of ,god1 nor their seeking and praying to him1 keep them from stumbling and falling1 and splitting themselves in sunder upon the rocks and ruins that are provided for them1 as a reward of the evil of their doings4 7,job #ad3af7 ,yea1 they shall suck the poison of asps1 and the viper's tongue shall slay them1 notwithstanding all their profession4 ,question4 ,but some may say1 how shall ,i know that ,i do depart from the iniquity of my flesh1 from the iniquity that is in me4 ,answer4 ,i shall answer this question briefly thus3 7#a47 ,how is iniquity in thine eye1 when severed from the guilt and punishment that attends it8 ,is it as separate from these1 beauteous1 or ill-favoured8 ,i ask thee how it looks1 and how thou likest it1 suppose there were no guilt or punishment to attend thy love to1 or commission of it8 ,for if in its own nature it be desirable to thy mind1 and only therefore shunned for fear of the punishment that attends the commission of it1 without doubt thou art none of them that do depart from it2 all that thou dost is1 thou shunnest the sin1 not of abhorrence of the sin1 but for fear of the punishment that attends it4 ,like the thief that yet refuseth to take away his neighbour's horse1 not of hatred of theft1 but for fear of the gallows4 7#b47 ,how dost thou like thyself1 as considered possessed with a body of sin1 and as feeling and finding that sin worketh in thy members8 doth this yield thee inward pleasedness of mind1 and a kind of secret sweetness1 or bow8 for to be sure1 where a sanctified mind is1 there is nothing more2 odious in itself1 nor that makes a man so in his own eyes1 as doth this sight1 the sight of sin in him1 of the working of lust in him4 7,job #db3f2 ,ezek4 #af3fc2 ,rom4 #f3ab7 ,it is this that makes the good man ashamed1 that makes him blush1 and that makes him abhor himself4 7#c47 ,how look thy duties in thine eyes1 ,i mean thy duties which thou doest in the service of ,god8 ,i say1 how look the best of these1 the most warm and spiritual of these1 since not one of them can be performed1 but they do catch the stain of sin1 as coming from thee8 or art thou through the ignorance that is in thee as one unacquainted with these things8 7#d47 ,why wouldst thou go to heaven8 ,is it because thou wouldst be saved from hell1 or because thou wouldst be freed from sin8 ,i say1 wouldst thou go to heaven1 because it is a place that is holy1 or because it is a place remote from the pains of hell8 ,i ask again1 wherein dost thou think the blessedness of heaven consists8 is it in the holiness that is there1 or in the freedom that is there from hell8 ,there is not a man alive but would go to heaven1 that he may be saved from hell3 but how many would go thither that they might be saved from the pleasures of sin1 from the inward pleasure of sin2 of that ,i will be silent1 though surely they are those that are out of love with sin1 and that do depart from iniquity4 ,verily1 my brethren1 it is a great thing to depart from iniquity2 it is a great thing to have my will1 my mind1 and my affections departing from it4 ,but1 ,second1 ,as they that depart from iniquity withdraw their minds and affections from the lusts and motions of it1 so they depart also from the ,,occasions of it2 there are occasions by which sin worketh to bring forth the fruits thereof1 and some seek those occasions4 7,rom4 #ad3ac2 #a ,tim4 #e3d2 ,ex4 #bc3g2 ,prov4 #e3h2 #b ,tim4 #b3af7 ,but he that hath set himself to depart from sin in himself1 will not seek occasions from abroad to do it4 ,such a man as will keep far from an evil matter will not company with a person that pollutes and defiles1 nor will he come near the door of the adulteress's house2 he will shun profane and vain babbling1 for fear of the ungodliness that attends it2 he will walk with wise men that he may be wise1 knowing that 'a companion of fools shall be destroyed4' 7,prov4 #ac3bj7 ,now there are occasions given and occasions taken to sin against the ,lord ,jesus2 but he that departeth from iniquity departeth from them both4 ,he is not for giving any occasion to others to sin2 he had rather wrong himself and put up with injuries done1 than give occasion to others to do iniquity2 and as he is for giving none1 so neither is he for taking any3 he is for partaking of no man's sins1 but for keeping of himself pure4 7#a ,tim4 #e3bb7 ,third1 ,to depart from iniquity1 is to depart from it in those ,,examples that are set before us thereto3 occasions and examples are sometimes the same1 but there may be occasions to sin where there are no examples thereto1 and therefore in that they differ4 ,and to depart from iniquity is to shun and depart from those examples1 those beastly examples1 that in every corner of the country present themselves to men4 ,examples to drunkenness2 examples to whoredom2 examples to swearing1 to lying1 to stealing1 to sabbath-breaking1 to pride1 to covetousness1 to deceit1 to hypocrisy1 and to what not1 are now-a-days common among men1 and he that is to seek in this matter1 and that know not how to be expertly base1 may have patterns and examples thereto in every hole4 ,but to depart from iniquity is to depart from sinful examples1 to shut the eyes at them1 to turn the back upon them1 and to cry out to heaven for grace to be kept in the path of life4 ,and1 ',let every one that nameth the name of ,christ depart from iniquity4' ,fourth1 ,to depart from iniquity is to depart from the ,,enticings of iniquity4 ,there is that in iniquity that is of an enticing nature4 ,its pleasures1 profits1 honours1 delights1 and sweetnesses are enticing1 and he that hankers after these is not departed nor departing from iniquity4 ,a man must be weaned from these things1 and must find some things somewhere else that are better than these1 else he cannot depart from iniquity4 ,question4 ,but some may say1 ,i go from it and it follows me2 ,i reject it and it returns upon me2 ,i have said it nay1 a thousand times1 and yet it offereth itself and its deceits to me again1 what would you have me do8 ,answer4 ,i would answer thus2 ,departing from iniquity is not a work of an hour1 or a day1 or a week1 or a month1 or a year2 but it is a work that will last thee thy lifetime1 and there is the greatness and difficulty of it3 were it to be done presently1 or were the work to be quickly over1 how many are there that would be found to have departed from iniquity2 but for that it is a work of continuance1 and not worth anything1 unless men hold out to the end1 therefore it is that so few are found actors or overcomers therein4 ,departing from iniquity1 with many1 is but like the falling out of two neighbours1 they hate one another for a while1 and then renew their old friendship again4 ,but again1 since to depart from iniquity is a work of time--of all thy time1 no wonder if it dogs thee1 and offereth to return upon thee again and again2 for ,,that is mischievous1 and seeks nothing less than thy ruin3 wherefore thou must1 in the first place1 take it for granted that thus it will be and so cry the harder to ,god for the continuing of his presence and grace upon thee in this blessed work1 that as thou hast begun to call upon the name of the ,lord ,jesus1 and begun to depart from iniquity1 so thou mayest have strength to do it to the last gasp of thy life4 ,and further1 for that departing from iniquity is a kind of a warfare with it1 for iniquity will hang in thy flesh what it can1 and will not be easily kept under2 therefore no marvel if thou find it wearisome work1 and that the thing that thou wouldest be rid of1 is so unwilling to let thee depart from it4 ,and since the work is so weighty1 and that it makes thee to go groaning on1 ,i will for thy help give thee here a few things to consider of3 and remember1 #a4 ,remember that ,god sees thee1 and has his eyes open upon thee1 even then when sin and temptation is lying at thee to give it some entertainment4 ,this was that that made ,joseph depart from it1 when solicited to embrace it by a very powerful argument4 7,gen4 #cd3f-g7 #b4 ,remember that ,god's wrath burns against it1 and that he will surely be revenged on it1 and on all that give it entertainment4 ,this made ,job afraid to countenance it1 and put him upon departing from it2 ',for destruction from ,god was a terror to me1 and by reason of his highness ,i could not endure4' 7,job #ca3bc7 #c4 ,remember the mischiefs that it has done to those that have embraced it1 and what distress it has brought upon others4 ,this made the whole congregation of ,israel tremble to think that any of their brethren should give countenance to it4 7,josh4 #bb3af-ah7 #d4 ,remember what ,christ hath suffered by it1 that he might deliver us from the power of it4 ,this made ,paul so heartily to depart from it1 and wish all ,christians to do so as well as he4 7#b ,cor4 #e3ad7 #e4 ,remember that those that are now in hell-fire went thither for that they loved iniquity1 and would not depart from it4 7,psa4 #i3ag2 #aa3f7 #f4 ,remember that a profession is not worth a pin1 if they that make it do not depart from iniquity4 7,james #b3af1 #ag7 #g4 ,remember that thy death-bed will be very uneasy to thee1 if thy conscience at that day shall be clogged with the guilt of thy iniquity4 7,hosea #g3ac1 #ad7 #h4 ,remember that at the judgment-day ,christ will say to those1 ,depart from me1 that have not here departed from their sin and iniquity4 7,luke #ac3bg2 ,matt4 #be3da7 ,lastly1 ,remember well1 and think much upon what a blessed reward the ,son of ,god will give unto them at that day that have joined to their profession of faith in him a holy and blessed conversation4 ,having thus briefly showed you these things1 ,i shall come in the next place1 ,,second1 ,to show you1 why some1 that as to words rightly name the name of ,christ1 do not depart from iniquity4 ,that it is incident to men to name the name of ,christ religiously1 and not to depart from iniquity1 ,i have proved already1 and now ,i must show you why it is so1 and the reasons are of three sorts3 ,first1 ,some profess him1 yet have not saving faith in him1 nor yet received grace from him4 ,that some profess him that have not faith in him1 nor received grace from him1 ,i will make appear first2 and then that they do not depart from iniquity1 shall be shown afterwards4 ,that the first is true consider1 ,christ says to his disciples1 ',there are some of you that believe not4' ,and again1 ',for ,jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not1 and who should betray him4' 7,john #d3fd7 ,now if they believe not1 they have none of his grace in them2 for faith is the first and head grace1 the beginning and leading grace2 he1 therefore1 that is destitute of that is empty of all the rest4 ,besides1 other scriptures also confirm this truth4 ,james calls ,i some of the professors of ,christ that were in his day vain or empty men4 7,james #b3bj7 ,that is1 men void of grace4 ,and the apostle suggesteth in the very words below the text1 that as in ,god's house there are golden and silver saints1 so there are also earthy and wooden ones4 ,for 'in a great house' as ,god's is1 'are not only vessels of gold and silver1 but also of wood and of earth1 and some to honour1 and some to dishonour4' 7#b ,tim #b3bj7 ,that is1 some for heaven and some for hell4 7,rom #i3 #bj-bc7 ,now they are these wooden and earthy professors that he aimeth at in the text2 to wit1 that they should depart from iniquity1 or else their profession would do them no good1 and these also that he despaireth of in the next words1 saying1 ,but in this great house of ,god there will not only be golden and silver ,christians1 but wooden and earthly ones3 ,and if any man purge himself from these1 from these men's companies1 and from these men's vices1 he shall be a vessel to honour1 sanctified1 and meet for the master's use1 and prepared to every good work4 ,from all which it is gathered that there are some that name the name of ,christ in a way of profession1 that have neither faith nor grace in them1 and so1 consequently1 that do not depart from iniquity4 ,for1 ,these want that principle1 that holy and blessed principle1 that should induce them thereunto2 to wit1 the great and principal graces of the ,spirit1 and they are four4 #a4 ,as ,i have said1 they want ,,faith1 that heart-purifying grace1 for the heart is purified by faith4 7,acts #ae3i7 ,i have showed you already that departing from iniquity must be with the mind and affections1 or with the heart4 ,but how can that be1 where the heart is not sanctified and made holy8 ,for1 an unsanctified mind cannot depart from iniquity1 no more than the ,ethiopian can change his skin4 7,jer4 #ac3c7 ,but nothing can purify the heart but faith4 ,therefore nothing can make a professor depart from iniquity where faith is wanting4 ,so then1 when men professedly name the name of ,christ without having holy faith in him1 they still abide by their iniquity2 they depart not from their iniquity1 but rather make of their profession a cloak for their iniquity1 for their malice1 and for their covetousness1 and the like4 7#a ,thess #b3ae2 #a ,peter #b3af7 ,it is not profession1 but faith1 that bringeth ,god and the soul together2 and as long as ,god and the soul are at a distance1 whatever profession is made1 there is not a departing1 not an heart-departing from iniquity4 ,wherefore to these professors ,james writeth thus1 ',draw nigh to ,god1 and he will draw nigh to you4 ,cleanse your hands1 ye sinners3 and purify your hearts1 ye double-minded4' 7,james #d3h7 ,men1 far from ,god1 cannot think reverently of him1 nor so speak and profess him1 as standeth with the nature of gospel religion2 wherefore ,god saith1 draw near hither1 that is by faith2 and again1 'let them come near1 then let them speak1' then let them profess4 7,isa #da3a7 ,without faith a man cannot please ,god1 because he cannot without it stand before him in the spotless righteousness of ,christ1 nor yet depart from iniquity1 and live a holy life4 7,heb #aa3f7 ,there are three things in faith1 that directly tend to make a man depart from iniquity4 7l47 ,it apprehendeth the truth of the being and greatness of ,god1 and so it aweth the spirit of a man4 7#b47 ,it apprehendeth the love of this ,god in ,christ1 and so it conquereth and overcometh the spirit of a man4 7#c47 ,it apprehendeth the sweetness and blessedness of the nature of the ,godhead1 and thence persuadeth the soul to desire here1 communion with him1 that it may be holy1 and the enjoyment of him1 when this world is ended1 that it may be happy in1 and by him1 for ever4 ,but without faith these things cannot be apprehended1 and therefore those that want it1 whatever2 their profession is1 they will not depart from iniquity4 #b4 ,they want ,,repentance4 ,repentance is another of the great and principal graces which the ,holy ,ghost worketh in the heart4 ,wherefore1 without this also there can be no departing from iniquity4 ,it is in vain to expect it of any man1 let his profession be never so stately and great1 if he is a stranger to sound repentance4 ,how many are there in our day1 since the gospel is grown so common1 that catch up a notion of good things and from that notion make a profession of the name of ,christ1 get into churches1 and obtain the title of a brother1 a saint1 a member of a gospel congregation1 that have clean escaped repentance4 ,i say1 they have catched up a notion of good things1 and have through that adventured to name the name of ,christ1 quite forgetting to take repentance with them4 ,repentance should be1 and is one of the first steps into the true gospel profession4 7,mark #a3ae2 ,prov #c3g2 #af3f7 ,but some know nothing of it1 until they come to the end of all1 and their repentance will do them no good4 ,repentance is not but where the true fear of ,god is2 yea1 the fear of ,god is one ground of repentance4 ,repentance is the scouring grace1 it is that which purges4 ,repentance is1 as ,i may call it1 that bitter pill without the taking1 and sound working of which1 base and sinful humours will rest unstirred1 unpurged1 undriven out of the soul4 ,can repentance be where godly sorrow is not8 or can repentance be where the fruits of repentance are not8 ,o the fruits of repentance1 thick sown by preachers1 but it comes up but thinly6 7,mark #a3d1e2 ,rom #f3ba2 ,jer #g3c1e7 ,where shall the fruits of repentance be found8 ,confession of sin is one fruit of repentance2 shame for sin is another fruit of repentance2 amendment of life is another fruit of repentance2 restitution for couzening1 cheating1 defrauding1 beguiling thy neighbour1 is another fruit of repentance4 7,luke #ai3e-h7 ,yea1 if you would see the fruits of repentance as described by the ,holy ,ghost1 and put together for the further conviction and shame of the impenitent professor1 look into the second epistle to the ,corinthians1 #ab3i-aa4 ,but this is a day that was never read of1 a day wherein conversion is frequent without repentance2 such a conversion as it is1 and therefore doth the church of ,god now swarm with them that religiously name the name of ,christ1 and yet depart not from iniquity4 ,alas6 all houses1 all tables1 all shops1 have hanging up in them the sign of the want of repentance4 7,eccl #g3bg1bh7 ,to say nothing of the talk1 of the beds and the backs of most that profess1 by which of these is it that one of a thousand for men2 and for women1 one of ten thousand1 do show that they have repentance8 ,no marvel then that the name of ,christ is so frequently mentioned there1 where iniquity dwells1 yea1 reigns1 and that with the consent of the mind4 ,i would not be austere1 but were wearing of gold1 putting on of apparel1 dressing up houses1 decking of children1 learning of compliments1 boldness in women1 lechery in men1 wanton behaviour1 lascivious words1 and tempting carriages1 signs of repentance2 then ,i must say1 the fruits of repentance swarm in our land2 but if these be none of the fruits of repentance then1 ,o1 the multitude of professors1 that religiously name the name of ,christ1 and do not depart from iniquity4#c ,but1 #c4 ,they want ,,love4 ,love is another of those great and principal graces which the ,holy ,ghost worketh in the heart2 wherefore let profession be never so high1 yet if love be wanting there1 to be sure such professors 'depart not from iniquity1' 7#a ,cor #ac7 ,hence all profession1 and subjecting to profession1 are counted nothing1 where love is not4 ,love is counted a most infallible sign that a man is in a state of salvation4 ',he that loveth dwells in ,god1 is born of ,god1 and knoweth him4' 7#a ,john #d3g1af1ba7 ,love divideth itself1 to ,god1 and to my neighbour4 ,love to ,god is1 that we keep his sayings1 his commandments1 his laws4 ',if a man love me1' saith ,christ1 'he will keep my words2--and he that loveth me not1 keepeth not my sayings4' 7,john #ad3bc1bd7 ,for this is the love of ,god1 that we keep his commandments3 and his commandments are not grievous4' 7#a ,john #e3c7 ,so then1 that professor that hath not love1 cannot depart from iniquity4 7l47 ,where no love is1 men cannot be tender of the name of ,god1 they are not afflicted because men keep not ,god's law4 7,psa #aai3acf2 #a ,col #ac3e7 7#b47 ,where no love is1 men cannot deny themselves of that which otherwise they might lawfully do1 lest the weak should fall1 and the world be destroyed4 7,rom #ad3ae7 7#c47 ,where love to ,god is1 there is hatred against iniquity2 'ye that love the ,lord1 hate evil4' 7,psa4 #ig3aj7 ,a man cannot love ,god that loves not holiness2 he loves not holiness that loves not ,god's word2 he loves not ,god's word that doth not do it4 ,it is a common thing to find men partial in ,god's law1 setting much by small things1 and neglecting the weightier matters1 paying tithe of mint1 and anise1 and cummin1 and neglecting the weightier matters4 ,these turn the tables of ,god's book upside down2 making little laws of great ones2 and great ones of little ones2 counting half an hour's bodily service better than a moral life4 ,love6 love is gone out of the country2 love to the doctrine of the first table1 love to the doctrine of the second table4 ,o how many professors1 in ,god's eyes1 are accounted of no more than sounding brass1 for want of this ornament1 love6 7#a ,cor #ac7 ,to speak nothing of the first table1 where is he that hath his love manifested by the second8 where are they that feed the hungry and clothe the naked1 and send portions to them1 for whom nothing is prepared8 ,where is ,paul that would not eat meat while the world standeth1 lest he made his brother offend8 7#a ,cor #h3ac7 ,where is ,dorcas1 with her garments she used to make for the widow1 and for the fatherless8 7,acts #i3cf-ci7 ,yea1 where is that rich man that1 to his power1 durst say as ,job does8 as recorded in ,job #cj3be2 #ca3ac1cb4 ,love6 love is gone1 and now coveting1 pinching1 griping1 and such things are in fashion3 now iniquity abounds1 instead of grace1 in many that name the name1 of ,christ4 ,they want love1 and therefore cannot depart from iniquity4#d #d4 ,they want ,,hope4 ,hope is another of those great and principal graces1 which the ,holy ,ghost worketh in the heart1 and without which1 let a man be never so high in profession1 and so open in naming the name of ,christ1 he cannot depart from iniquity4 ,as was said before of faith1 so we say now of hope4 ',and every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself1 even as he is pure4' 7#a ,john #c3c7 ,here is that excellent office1 or rather effect of hope made manifest1 it purifieth1 it cleanseth a man2 it makes him make the ,lord ,jesus his example1 as well as his ,saviour4 ,he purifieth himself even as he is pure2 to wit1 in soul1 in body1 in spirit1 in life and conversation4 ,hope of life1 eternal by ,christ1 makes a man purify himself in obeying the truth through the ,spirit4 ,hope to be with ,christ hereafter1 will make me strive to believe him here4 ,hope of being with angels then1 will make a man strive to live like an angel here4 ,alas6 alas6 there is a company of half-priests in the world1 and they cannot1 they dare not teach the people the whole counsel of ,god1 because in so doing they will condemn themselves and their manner of living in the world2 where is that minister now to be found that dare say to his people1 ,look on me1 and walk as you have me for an example8 or that dare say1 ,what you see and hear to be in me1 do1 'and the ,god of peace shall be with you 8' 7,phil #c3ag2 #d3i7 ,these men had hope and hope purified them to an example1 till they became patterns to others4 ,is not this now far off from some professors in the world8 ,are they purified1 are they clean that name the name of ,christ8 are they weaned from that milk1 and drawn from the breasts8 ,no1 nor their profession is not attended with grace2 they name the name of ,christ2 well1 but they do not depart from iniquity4 ,let a man believe a lie1 and according to the reality of his belief1 such will his obedience be2 let a man hope for that for which he hath no ground to hope1 yet his hope will work with him according to the power thereof2 and yet we have a generation of men that profess the blessed gospel1 which yieldeth the most substantial ground for faith and hope2 yea1 we have a company of men that will be naming the name of ,christ1 which is the sweetest1 the most taking1 and desirable name that is named among the sons of men1 and for all that1 this gospel1 this worthy name1 nor yet their naming of it1 doth make them depart from iniquity4 ,but what's the reason8 why1 they have taken up a profession1 but want the grace of ,christ2 the faith1 the repentance1 the love and hope of the gospel4 ,no marvel then1 if they abide among the wooden sort of professors3 no marvel then1 though the iniquity of their heels still follows them1 and that it droppeth from them wherever they go4 ,but so much for the first reason1 why men do name the name of ,christ and yet do not depart from iniquity4 ,second1 ,the second reason1 why some that name the name of ,christ1 depart not from iniquity1 is1 for that1 though they rest not in bare notions1 as those forementioned1 yet they take up as they1 short of the saving grace of ,god4 ,there are bare notions1 there are common workings1 and there is a work that is saving1 and that will do the soul good to eternity4 #a4 ,there are bare notions1 and they that have them are such unto whom the gospel comes ,,in ,,word ,,only4 7#a ,thess #a3e2 #a ,cor #d3ai1bj7 ,such whose religion stands in word only1 and is not attended with a power suitable2 that is1 there goeth not along with the word1 a power sufficient to subdue1 and work over the heart to a cordial and gracious close with that word that comes to them4 ,yet such is the noise and sound of the word1 that they are willing to become professors thereof2 there is some kind of musicalness in it1 especially when well handled and fingered by a skilful preacher4 ,and lo1 saith ,god unto such preachers1 when their auditory is made up of such kind of hearers1 ',and lo1 thou art unto them as a very lovely song1' or as one that sings a song of loves1 'of one that hath a pleasant voice1 and can play well on an instrument3 for they hear thy words but they do them not4' 7,eze4 #cc3cj-cb7 #b4 ,but then1 besides these1 there is another sort1 and they go further than these4 ,for to them the word came1 not in word only1 but also in ,,power3 though not in that or in such a power as is sufficient absolutely against all attempts whatsoever to bring the soul to glory4 ,of these we read in several places2 to wit1 that they have tasted of the powers of the world to come2 but not so as to bring them safe to glory4 ,yet thus far they go4 7#a47 ,they attain light or illumination1 to see much of their state by nature with4 7,heb #f3d7 7#b47 ,this light standeth not in bare speculation1 but lets fall upon the conscience convincing arguments to the bowing and humbling of the spirit4 7#a ,kings #ba3bg-bi7 7#c47 ,they submit to these convictions1 and reform1 and may for a time not only come out from them that live in error1 but escape the pollutions of the world1 by the knowledge of our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ4 7#b ,peter #b3ah-bj2 ,gal #c3d2 #d3bj7 7#d47 ,yea1 so powerful will this dispensation be1 that it will prevail with them to do and suffer many things for the vindication of the truth of that gospel which they profess4 ,for the word will be sweet unto them4 ,christ1 the gift of ,god1 will be relished by them4 7,heb #f3d1e7 ,the powers of the world to come will be in them4 ,some workings of the ,holy ,ghost will be in them4 ,and joy1 which is as oil to the wheels1 will be with their souls4 7,luke #h3ac7 ,thus1 ,i say1 it is with some professors1 who yet cannot be said to depart from iniquity1 that is1 for all ado1 because the things that now are upon them1 abide with them but awhile4 ',for awhile they believe3 they rejoice in the light for a season4' 7,luke #h3ac1 ,john #e3ce1 #b ,peter #b3ba7 ,so they clean escape from them1 who live in error for a little1 or awhile2 and after that return to their old course1 and are again entangled with their iniquities and overcome4 ,this is called1 ',a turning with the dog to his own vomit again1 and with the sow that was washed1 to her wallowing in the mire4' ,and some of these are set forth by this and such like sayings1 ',when the unclean spirit is gone out of a man1 he walketh through dry places1 seeking rest1 and finding none4 ,then he saith1 ,i will return into my house from whence ,i came out2 and when he is come1 he findeth it empty1 swept1 and garnished4 ,then goeth he1 and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself1 and they enter in and dwell there3 and the last state of that man is worse than the first4' 7,matt #ab3dd1de7 ,now the causes of this declension1 returning1 or falling away again into iniquity1 are many4 ,first ,cause of falling away4 ,one is for that this work1 this work of power that they have been made partakers of1 has not been thorough enough upon all the powers of their souls4 ,their understandings1 their judgments and consciences have been dealt with1 but the power of ,god has not been upon their wills and minds1 and affections1 rightly to subdue them to the grace of the gospel4 7,psa4 #aaj3c7 ,indeed there seems to be subjection of the will1 and an overruling of the mind1 and affections also1 else they could not for a time lay aside their iniquity1 come off from the pollutions of the world1 and for a season rejoice in the world and be pleased with the light thereof4 ,but we may consider1 that this may be1 not for that a sound work of ,god hath passed upon these powers of the soul1 but that rather this was by reason of those reflex acts1 that the understanding now enlightened1 the judgment now informed1 and the conscience now convinced1 had upon these other powers of the soul4 ,and ,i the rather think it so1 because willingness1 mindfulness of1 and affection for1 this gospel1 lasted no longer than the light shined in their understandings1 or than the things were relished by their judgment and conscience4 ,so that when the light of their candle went out1 and when the taste of this sugar-plum was out of their mouth1 their wills and affections1 not being possessed with the fear of ,god1 they returned again to their course1 and went away as before with iniquity4 ,nor do ,i by anything here discoursed1 lay blame or fault at the door of ,god4 ,for1 #a4 ,he is a free agent to do what he pleaseth1 and may1 if he please1 refuse to give anything1 or if he gives something1 why may he not give what he pleases also8 ,he may give special grace to one1 and that which is not so to another3 he may open ,balaam's eyes1 7,num4 #bd3c7 and open ,lydia'a heart2 7,acts #af3ad7 he may give some but a taste1 and cause some to eat abundantly4 7,heb4 #f2 ,songs #e3a7 ,he may suffer some to fall away1 and keep others1 by his power1 through faith unto salvation4 #b4 ,besides1 ,god's withdrawing1 to wit1 of those common workings1 if they were withdrawn without1 a cause given--which yet ,i question--yet why may they not be withdrawn from these1 as well as from his own peculiar ones4 ,he knows but little1 that doth not know that ,god ofttimes hides his face from his own1 and also withdraws from them the light and great influences of the ,holy ,ghost3 and turns them over1 at least in their own apprehensions1 to the ungodly1 and to fallen angels for their chastisement1 or trial2 or instruction1 c4 #c4 ,and why may not ,god1 since these rebels had such working with them1 as that their minds1 by their understanding1 their will and affections2 by their judgment and consciences were somewhat taken and allured1 cause a withdrawing of these for trial1 and to see if they would cry after him to return4 ,but we will let these things pass1 and call you again to remembrance of what is in hand3 we are now shewing that there be them that name the name of ,christ1 'that yet depart not from iniquity1' and in shewing the cause of their not so doing1 one was for that the gospel came to them in word only2 and the other was1 for that though it came to others in power1 yet not in power1 or in that power1 that effectually keepeth some to salvation4 ,upon this second reason ,i now am1 and am shewing how it comes to pass that they that are under the power of the things that we have afore discoursed1 should notwithstanding that1 return to their vomit again4 ,one cause of this declension1 or going back to iniquity1 ,i have just now touched upon1 and we have some more behind4 ,second ,cause of falling away4 ,therefore such persons upon the withdrawing of those influences that at present are mighty upon them1 do forthwith2 forget1 both what they had1 and what work it made upon them4 ,straightway they forget what manner of men they were4 ,it is said of ,israel1 they sang his praises1 they soon forgot his word4 ,so these they forget4 #a4 ,they forget what light and what conviction they had4 #b4 ,they forget what sorrow for sin they had4 #c4 ,they forget what tastes of ,christ and his word they had4 #d4 ,they forget what joy and comfort they had4 #e4 ,they forget how fair for heaven they were4 #f4 ,and they forget how cleansed once they were4 ',they have forgotten that they were purged from their old sins4' 7#b ,peter #a3i7 ,now forgetfulness makes things that are past as nothing2 and if so1 then it can lay no obligations upon the mind1 to engage it to the delight of them1 and to the enjoying of them1 no not in the thoughts of them1 as if they were remembered by us4 ,forgetfulness is a very dangerous thing3 it makes preaching vain1 profession vain1 faith vain1 and all to no purpose4 7#a ,cor4 #ae3a1 #b7 ,such profession is but a dream1 and the professors but as dreamers3 all vanishes in the morning4 ,this made ,paul so caution the ,corinthians1 that they forgot not the preaching2 and the author to the ,hebrews1 so earnestly calls them1 in their back-sliding1 back to the remembrance of former days1 and to the recollecting of what it was that then had made them so willingly endure their great fight of affliction4 7,heb4 #aj3cb1 #cc7 ,forgetfulness1 ,i say1 makes things nothing2 it makes us as if things had never been2 and so takes away from the soul one great means of stay1 support1 and encouragement2 when choice ,david was dejected1 the remembrance of the hill ,hermon was his stay2 when he was to go out against ,goliah1 the remembrance of the lion and the bear was his support3 so when those that have had the power of the things of ,god upon them1 can think of this2 when they are withdrawn1 it will1 even the thinking of it1 have some kind of operation upon the soul4 ,and therefore you shall find1 that the recovering of a backslider usually begins at the remembrance of former things4 ',remember therefore from whence thou art fallen1 and repent1 and do the first works4' 7,rev4 #b3e7 ,it is marvellous to see how some men are captivated with this forgetfulness4 ,those that sometimes have prayed1 cried1 groaned1 and sighed1 for eternal life2 those that sometimes thought no pains too much1 no way too far1 no hazards too great to run1 for eternal life2 those who sometimes were captivated with the word1 and with the comforts and joy thereof1 and that1 had it been possible1 could have pulled out their eyes1 and have given them to a gospel minister1 so dear and sweet were the good tidings which they brought to such4 7,gen4 #d3ad1 #ae7 ,i say it is marvellous to see how such men are captivated with the forgetfulness of this4 ,they are as if they never had been those men2 they are as if they had never had such things2 or1 as if they never had thought about them4 ,yea1 they are strange1 and carry it strangely to all those that still are under the power of that word1 and of that mighty band by which sometimes themselves were guided4 ,should one say to some1 ,art not thou the man that ,i once saw crying under a sermon1 that ,i once1 heard cry out1 ,what must ,i do to be saved8 and1 that some time ago ,i heard speak well of the holy word of ,god8 how askew will they look upon one2 or if they will acknowledge that such things were with them once1 they do it more like images and rejected ghosts1 than men4 ,they look as if they were blasted1 withered1 cast out1 and dried to powder1 and now fit for nothing but to be cast into the fire1 and burned4 7,john #ae3f7 ,the godliness from which they are departed1 and the iniquity unto which again they have joined themselves1 has so altered1 so metamorphosed and changed their heart1 and mind1 and ways4 ,this therefore as the second thing which shews why some that have been under something of the power of things1#e are again with iniquity entangled and overcome4 ,third ,cause of falling away4 ,another thing that makes these enlightened ones1 that they continue not to depart from iniquity1 is the persecution that always attends the word3 for persecution always attends the word1 that of the tongue1 or that of the sword4 ,now these men that were once enlightened1 though they cannot remember what they were themselves1 yet ,satan helps them to think that their neighbours remember what they were3 and having now lost the savour1 the sense of what they once had1 and sinned away that ,spirit that brought it to them1 they grow weak2 yea are above all men the most unable to stand up1 to abide the shock and trial1 that for their profession is coming upon them4 ,wherefore1 by and by they are offended2 to wit1 with their own profession1 and call themselves an hundred fools1 for being so heedless1 so witless1 and unwary1 to mind ,god's holy things in such a time and day4 7,matt4 #d3af1 #ag2 ,luke #h3ac7 ,then they bethink with themselves1 how to make an honourable retreat1 which they suppose they usually do1 by finding fault1 first with their own unadvisedness1 and of the over-persuasiveness of others2 they also now begin to say farewell conscience1 yea1 ,god and heaven and all1 and join in confederacy with the world again4 ,thus are they in fear1 where no fear is2 and the sound of a shaken leaf doth chase them4 ,and there are four things that are the cause of this4 #a4 ,for that not withstanding the former power that attended the word to their hearts1 their hearts did still abide as hard as a rock1 there was no true and sound breaking1 nor softening in that2 wherefore there the word wanted depth of earth1 as our ,lord is pleased to call it2 and anon when the sun was up1 that which remained was presently scorched1 and so withered away4 #b4 ,notwithstanding what they had sometimes enjoyed1 yet the grace of the fear of ,god was wanting in them4 7,eccl4 #g3af-ah7 ,so wanting that1 what should hinder but that they should return to go as they came1 and leave ,christ1 the gospel1 and the people of ,god to shift as well as they can for themselves4 #c4 ,all that they enjoyed did not estrange their hearts from their lusts1 though when they were in the power of things1 they were deader to them than formerly2 ,i say than formerly4 7,psa4 #gh3cj1 #cf1 #cg7 ,and it is even with such1 as with them1 who are for a time taken off from what yet they love1 by some new employ in which they are engaged4 ,saul went out to look for ,david to kill him1 but when he came at ,naioth1 in ,ramah1 the ,spirit of ,god came upon him1 and he prophesied4 7#a ,sam4 #ai3ah1 #bd7 ,but this lasted but for a while4 ,saul soon returned to his old envy against the holy man again4 #d4 ,it comes upon them even of judgment and wrath1 for since they so soon give way to sin1 and forget1 ,god suffereth them to fall into the fear of men1 and to force their hearts to comply with bad things1--even as ,judas and ,demas did1--till they are swallowed up of that gulph1 into which the ungodly descend4 ',as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways1 the ,lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity4' 7,psa4 #abe3e7 ,when once ,god is angry with a people1 he can deal with them1 he can give them up to those lusts in judgment1 that they will not be separated from by mercy4 ,yea1 he can make a way for his anger to overtake them that have made a way1 by the deceits of their hearts1 to go a-whoring from under him4 ,and these are the causes why those that were once enlightened1 and have tasted the good word of ,god1 and the powers of the world to come1 return with the dog to his own vomit again2 and so1 though they have or do name the name of ,christ1 yet depart not from iniquity4 ,third1 ,a third reason1 why they that name the name of ,christ do not depart from iniquity1 may be1 because ,,grace ,,is ,,weak and ,,corruption ,,strong4 ,i speak now of them that are truly gracious2 for as those that never had nothing but notion1 did never at all depart from iniquity3 and as those that never had saving grace1 though common workings were with them1 do but a little depart from iniquity2 so those that yet have the grace of ,god in them1 in truth1 do not1 as they should1 depart from iniquity2 wherefore the exhortation is as much to them as it is to any body else2 'and let them that name the name of ,christ1' with gracious lips1 'depart from iniquity4' ,for though there is a great difference betwixt these and the two sorts that ,i mentioned before1--these having the true principles of holiness in them1 but the other nothing thereof1--yet they1 even they1 also have need of this exhortation2 for they do not1 as they should1 'depart from iniquity4' ,their graces1 as ,i said1 are weak1 and that is the reason thereof4 ,that these do not depart from iniquity1 as they should1 is clear4 #a4 ,for that their highest acts of holiness are tainted therewith1 and made imperfect thereby4 7,isa4 #fd3f2 ,psa4 #adc3b2 ,heb4 #ab3ae2 ,matt4 #f3bc7 ,this is manifest1 because they still are afraid to shew themselves before ,god in their own works1 and because they betake them for acceptation with ,god1 to the priestly office of ,christ1 and pray by him1 'forgive us our trespasses4' #b4 ,this is clear also1 because we are1 while in this world1 nowhere by the word said to have attained to the mark and point of absolute perfection2 but are bid to grow1 to follow on1 to press forward1 and to perfect holiness in the fear of ,god4 7#b ,peter #c3ah2 ,heb4 #f3ab2 ,phil4 #c3ab-ad2 #b ,cor4 #g3a7 ,yea1 the best of us all1 even the apostles and prophets1 have not only made it manifest by their imperfections1 that as yet they have not departed from iniquity as they should2 but they have confessed1 and denied not1 that they were yet in the pursuit of righteousness1 and had not already attained4 #c4 ,this is clear also1 for that the righteousness1 by the which the best of saints are justified in the sight of ,god1 is a righteousness of another1 not their own2 the righteousness of another man1 for that there is not any upon earth that doth good and sins not4 ,and what need we pray1 'forgive us our trespasses1' approach ,god in the perfections of another1 and be bid 'to perfect holiness1' if we had already attained1 or were already perfect1 or were so departed from iniquity as we should4 #d4 ,alas1 the complaints of ,god concerning this matter1 doth sufficiently testify the truth of what ,i say4 ,when ,god came to his people in ,egypt1 and bid them forsake the idols of ,egypt1 they did not4 ,but they rebelled against me1 says he1 and would not hearken unto me2 they did not1 every man1 cast away the abominations of his eyes1 neither did they forsake the idols of ,egypt4 ,well1 he saved them out of ,egypt1 and brought them into the wilderness1 and said to them there1 ,obey my laws1 and my commandments2 but the house of ,israel rebelled against me in the wilderness1 they walked not in my statutes1 they despised my judgments4 ,well1 then he had them from the wilderness to ,canaan1 and then said to them1 ,keep my laws4 7,eze4 #bj7 ,but when he had brought them into the land1 then they also polluted themselves1 and sinned1 against him as before4 ,again1 when ,god brought them out of captivity1 both they1 and every thing that they did1 was unclean4 7,hag4 #b3ad7 ,to be short1 what says ,paul in the seventh to the ,romans8 what says ,james in the third chapter of his epistle8 7ch4 #c3b7 ,and what says ,john in his first epistle1 and first chapter8 7#a ,john #a3i7 ,do they not all confess1 though themselves were apostles1 and so for grace and gifts beyond any that breathe in this world1 that sin and iniquity was yet with them2 and so consequently1 that there was not as yet that departing by them therefrom1 as there should4 ,and the reason1 as ,i have said1 is1 because grace is weak1 weak in the beat and most strong of the saints of ,god4 ,hence the greatest saints use to complain1 when much assaulted with corruptions1 or attended with very hard service for ,god1 of their weakness and insufficiency1 as to a completeness of doing the will of ,god4 7#a47 ,moses1 when ,god did but bid him nourish and succour ,israel in the wilderness1 and carry them in his bosom1 as the nursing-father beareth the sucking child1 was stricken with such fear of miscarrying1 through the weakness of his graces and the power of his corruptions1 that he cried to ,god1 saying1 ',i am not able to bear all this people alone1 because it too heavy for me4 ,and if thou deal thus with me1 kill me1 ,i pray thee1 out of hand1--and let me not see my wretchedness4' 7,num4 #aa3ad1 #ae7 7#b47 ,job1 when he was1 for a proof of his integrity1 to be exercised a while with some of the judgments of ,god1 cries out1 in a sense of his weakness to bear them1 and to go through as he should1 ',is my strength the strength of stones8 or is my flesh of brass8' ,and again1 ',am ,i a sea1 or a whale1 that thou settest a watch over me8 ,wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro8 ,and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble8' 7,job #f3ab2 #h3ab2 #ac3be7 7#c47 ,so ,daniel1 when he was but to stand and talk with the angel1 how weak did he find himself2 ',there remained1' saith he1 'no strength in me2' and1 '#j my ,lord1 by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me1 and ,i have retained no strength4 ,for how can the servant of this my ,lord talk with this my ,lord8 for as for me1 straightway there remained no strength in me1 neither is there breath left in me4' 7,dan4 #aj7 ,some may say1 but this is natural weakness4 ,but ,i ask1 how came nature to be so weak1 but through sin8 the remains whereof abiding still upon the best of saints1 make them1 not withstanding their graces1 incapable to do any thing as they should4 7#d47 ,paul1 a man of men1 who had so much grace1 revelation of grace and communion with ,christ1 that sometimes he knew not whether he was in or out of the body1 and yet you find him making bitter complaint of the weakness of his grace1 and of the power of his corruptions4 ',i am carnal1' saith he1 and what ,i hate that do ,i4 ',how to perform that which is good ,i find not2' 'when ,i would do good evil is present with me4' ',but ,i see another law in my members1 warring against the law of my mind1 and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin1 which is in my members4' '#j wretched man that ,i am1' c4 ,what complaints1 what confessions1 what bewailing of weakness is here8 ,and what need was there of any of this1 if ,paul could1 as he would1 have departed from iniquity8 7,rom4 #h7 ,i have instanced in these four men1 because as to failings and miscarriages they are as free--by what the holy record saith--as any four of whose lives you shall read in all the ,bible2 but you see that they were too weak to do good and depart from iniquity as they would4 ,grace may be said to be weak1 either when a lower or less degree thereof is compared with a higher and greater degree of the same2 or it may be said to be weak when1 in what degree of it you will1 it shall be engaged by1 or engage itself against sin1 c4 ,there are degrees of grace in the world1 some have less1 and some bigger measures thereof1 and according to the measure of grace received1 so is a ,christian capable of action4 ,he that has little1 acts but weakly2 he that has much1 acts more strongly2 and he of the saints that has most1 acteth best of all3 but yet none of these three can act so as they should and would1 and1 consequently1 so depart from iniquity as is their duty4 ,witness those four that ,i mentioned but now1 for they are among the first-rate of saints1 yet you see what they did1 and hear what they said4 ,sin is a mighty tyrant2 it is also installed in our flesh1 and has moreover that in it which suiteth with whatever is sensual in us4 ,the flesh relisheth it well1 though the spirit of the ,christian is against it4 ,sin is an active beast1 and will not admit that the soul should attempt to put forth itself in any good thing1 without opposition and contradiction4 ',when ,i should do good evil is present with me4'#f ,sin is of a polluting and defiling nature1 and what grace soever it toucheth it staineth1 and in staining makes it weaker1 than were it not so defiled it would be4 ,besides1 not a grace1 nor an act of grace in the soul can escape untouched4 ,unbelief stands ready to annoy faith in the grace1 as well as in the act of faith4 ,hardness of heart will not let love so affectionately and sympathisingly act as it should4 ,sense and reason being polluted will not let hope be so steadfastly fixed upon unseen things as it should4 ,pride will not let us be so humble as we ought1 nor self so self denying4 ,passion often interrupts our patience1 and angry motions our meekness4 ,by these1 and more that might be named1 it appears that sin is in us1 opposeth our graces1 and letteth#g them from acting as they should2 and because this sin has part of ourself in its possession1 therefore though our more noble part be utterly against it1 yet we depart not from it as we should4 ,god chargeth ,moses with rash and unadvised words1 and so he doth ,job also3 ,daniel did wear the name of an idol god1 and ,paul freely confesseth himself unfirm4 7,num4 #bj3ab2 ,psa4 #ajf3cb2 ,job #ch3b2 ,job #db3f2 ,dan4 #d3h2 ,rom4 #g3bd7 ,nor may what hath now been said be applied to those that are weak in faith1 and so in every other grace2 for the strongest grace when acted as well as we can1 cannot cause that we depart from iniquity as we should4 7l47 ,because the strongest grace cannot act without opposition4 7#b47 ,because we that are the actors are lame1 infirm1 and made weak by sin that dwells in us4 7#c47 ,because grace and a state of grace is not that wherein the perfection designed for us doth lie1 for that is in another world4 7a47 ,this is a place to act faith in4 7b47 ,this is a place to labour and travel in4 7c47 ,this is a place to fight and wrestle in4 7d47 ,this is a place to be tried in4 ,and therefore this is no place of perfection1 and consequently no place where ,god's people can depart from iniquity as they should4 ,now there is a twofold way of departing from iniquity4 ,i4 ,one is when the mind is set against it1 and withdrawn from the love and liking of it4 ,,ii4 ,the other is when the practice of it is shunned by the whole man4 ,i4 ,the first of these ways1 the saints1 though they truly do depart from iniquity1 yet depart not from it as they should4 7#a47 ,their understanding sees not the utmost baseness that is in it4 7#b47 ,their judgment is not informed about the vileness of it to perfection4 7#c47 ,the conscience has not yet been convinced of all the evil that is in it4 ,then1 7a47 ,how should the soul abhor it as it should8 7b47 ,how should the desires depart from it with that fervency as they should8 7c47 ,and the will and affections so turn away from it as they should8 ,,ii4 ,second1 ,as to the shunning of the acts of sin1 there we also come wonderful short4 ,we shun not the sins of others as we should4 ,this is made appear1 7#a47 ,for that we shun not the company of base men as we should4 7#b47 ,nor shun or refuse to imitate them in their evil1 as we should4 ,how easily are good men persuaded to comply with bad men's ways4 ,yea1 ,jehoshaphat himself said to ,ahab1 that base one3 ,behold1 ',i am as thou art1 my people as thy people1 my horses as thy horses4' 7#a ,kings #bb3d7 ,joseph could learn in ,pharaoh's court1 to 'swear by ,pharaoh's life4' 7,gen4 #db3ae1 #af7 ,peter also1 when dissembling1 was in fashion among the people1 could learn to dissemble likewise4 7,gal4 #b3aa-ad7 ,we shun not our own sins or the sine of our own company as we should4 ,christians learn to be proud one of another1 to be covetous one of another1 to be treacherous and false one of another1 to be cowardly in ,god's matters one of another1 to be remiss and negligent in christian duties one of another4 ,besides1 if ,i should go about to shew here1 how ,christians will hide iniquity1 as ,david4 7#b ,sam4 #ab3ab7 ,how they will excuse it1 as did ,aaron4 7,ex4 #cb3bb-bd7 ,how they will plead for it1 as did the men of the city of ,joash for ,baal4 7,jud4 #f3bi-ca7 and the like1 ,i might soon make it abundantly appear1 that ,christians do not depart from iniquity as they should2 and therefore the exhortation stands2 good1 and of use to the best of saints on earth1 that they and every of them 'should depart from iniquity4' ,yea1 the observation also that they do not do it as they should1 doth still stand good against us4 ,wherefore1 as it is true in those that have nothing but notion1 and that it is true in those that are wrought upon1 but not effectually1 so it is true upon those that are truly gracious2 observation proves it1 fears of damnation prove it1 the outcry of the world proves it1 and the confession of the best men proves it4 ,,observation ,,second4 ,i come now to another observation with which ,i will present you1 and that is this1 namely1 that every one that in way of profession and religion names the name of ,christ1 ',,should ,,depart from iniquity4' ,i say1 that every one that in a way of profession and religion1 'nameth the name of ,christ1 should depart from iniquity4' ,this truth needs more practice than proof4 ,for ,i think there are none that have either scripture or reason by them1 but will freely consent to this4 ,nor is there any thing ambiguous in the observation1 that we need now to stand upon the explaining of4 ,for1 ,what iniquity is1 who knows not8 ,that it cleaves to the best1 who knows not8 ,that it is disgraceful to profession1 who knows not8 and therefore that it ought to be departed from1 who knows not8 ,but because the motives in particular may not be so much considered as they ought1 and because it is ,satan's design to tempt us to be unholy1 and to keep iniquity and the professing man together2 therefore ,i will in this place spend some arguments upon you that profess1 and in a way of profession do name the name of ,christ1 that you depart from iniquity2 to wit1 both in the inward thought and in the outward practice of it4 ,and those arguments shall be of four sorts1 some respecting ,christ1 some his ,father1 some ourselves1 and some the world4 ,first1 ,arguments that respect ,,christ4 ,first1 ,the ,christ1 whom you profess1 whose name you name1 and whose disciples you pretend to be1 is holy4 ',be ye holy1 for ,i am holy1' 7#a ,peter #a3af7 ,this is natural to our discourse2 for if ,christ be holy1 and if we profess him1 and in professing of him1 declare that we are his disciples1 we ought therefore to depart from iniquity1 that we may shew the truth of our profession to the world4 ,second1 ,they that thus name the name of ,christ should depart from iniquity1 because this ,christ1 whose name we name1 is loving4 ,those that have a loving master1 a master that is continually extending his love unto his servants1 should be forward in doing of his will1 that thereby they may shew their sense1 and acceptation of the love of their master4 ,why1 this is his will1 'that we depart from iniquity1 that we throw sin away2 that we fly every appearance of evil4' 7#a ,thess4 #e3bb2 ,heb4 #g3bf7 ,third1 ,they that thus name the name of ,christ should depart from iniquity1 because of the honour and reputation of their ,lord4 ,it is a disparagement to ,christ1 that any of his servants1 and that any that name his name1 should yet abide by1 and continue with1 iniquity4 ',a son honoureth his father1 and a servant his master3 if then ,i be a ,father1 where is mine honour8 and if ,i be a ,master1 where is my fear8 saith the ,lord of hosts1 unto you1 ,o priests1 that despise my name4 ,and ye say1 ,wherein have we despised thy name8' 7,mal4 #a3f7 ,fourth1 ,they that name the name of ,christ should depart from iniquity1 because of his name1 that his name may not be evil spoken of by men2 for our holiness puts a lustre and a beauty upon the name of ,christ1 and our not departing from iniquity draws a cloud upon it4 ,wherefore we ought to depart from iniquity1 that the name of the ,lord ,jesus may be glorified1 and not reproached through us4 ,fifth1 ,they that name the name of ,christ should depart from iniquity1 because of the gospel of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,that the gospel of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 which they profess1 may not be evil spoken of by our neighbours4 ,the gospel is called holy1 therefore let them be holy that profess it4 7#b ,peter #b3ba7 ,the which they can by no means be1 if they depart not from iniquity4 ,men cannot serve the designs of the gospel1 and their own worldly and fleshly designs4 ,but they that profess the name of ,christ1 they should be tender of his gospel1 that they keep that in good esteem and reputation in the world4 ,the which they can by no means do1 unless they depart from iniquity4 ,sixth1 ,they that name the name of ,christ should depart from iniquity1 because the very profession of that name is holy4 ,the profession is an holy profession4 ,be ye clean that bear the vessels of the ,lord2 the vessels1 that is1 the profession1 for by that is as it were carried about the name and gospel of ,jesus ,christ4 ,we must therefore lay aside all iniquity1 and superfluity of naughtiness1 and do as persons professing godliness1 as professing a profession1 that ,christ is the priest of1 yea the high-priest of #a ,thess4 #b3cj2 ,heb4 #c3c4 ,it is a reproach to any man to be but a bungler at his profession1 to be but a sloven in his profession4 ,and it is the honour of a man to be excellent in the managing of his profession4 ,christians should be excellent in the management of their profession1 and should make that which is good in itself1 good to the church and to the world1 by a sweet and cleanly managing of it4 ,seventh1 ,they that profess the name of ,christ1 or that name it religiously1 should to their utmost depart from iniquity1 because of the church of ,christ which is holy4 ,he that religiously professeth the name of ,christ1 has put himself into the church of ,christ1 though not into a particular one1 yet into the universal one4 ,now that is holy4 ,what agreement then hath the temple of ,god with idols8 ,ay1 or any pillar1 or post1 or pin1 or member of that temple4 7#b ,cor4 #f3af7 ,one black sheep is quickly espied among five hundred white ones1 and one mangey one will soon affect many4 ,one also among the saints1 that is not clean1 is a blemish to the rest1 and1 as ,solomon says1 'one sinner destroyeth much good4' 7,eccl4 #i3ah7 ,eighth1 ,they that profess the name of ,christ1 or that name that name religiously1 should depart from iniquity1 because of the ordinances of ,christ1 for they are holy4 7,ex4 #cj3ag-ca7 ,men of old before they went in to meddle with holy things1 were to wash their hands and their feet in a vessel prepared for that purpose4 ,now since they that name that name religiously do also meddle with ,christ's appointments1 they must also wash and be clean2 cleanse your hands ye sinners1 if you mean to meddle with ,christ in his appointment2 wash lest ,god cut you off for your not departing from iniquity4 ,ninth1 ,they that name the name of ,christ religiously should depart from iniquity1 because of ,christ's observers4 ,there are many that keep their eye upon ,christ1 and that watch for an opportunity to speak against him1 even through the sides of those that profess him4 ',behold1 this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in ,israel2 and for a sign that shall be spoken against4' 7,luke #b3cd7 ,some take occasion to speak against him1 because of the meanness of his person2 here some again speak against him1 because of the plainness of his doctrine2 also some speak against him1 because of the meanness of his followers2 and some speak against him1 because of the evil deeds of some that profess him4 ,but if he that gives just occasion of offence to the least of the saints had better be drowned in the sea with a mill-stone about his neck2 what think you shall his judgment be1 who1 through his mingling of his profession of ,christ's name with a wicked life shall tempt or provoke men to speak against ,christ8 ,,second1 ,i come now to those arguments that respect ,,god ,,the ,,father4 ,first1 ,then1 they that profess the name of ,christ should depart from iniquity2 because of ,god the ,father1 because ,god the ,father has made ,christ to be to us what he is2 to wit1 the ,apostle and high-priest of our profession4 ',he that honoureth not the ,son1 honoureth not the ,father which hath sent him4' 7#a ,cor4 #a3cj2 ,john #e3bc2 #ae3h7 ,nor can the ,father be honoured by us1 but by our departing from iniquity4 ,all our talk and profession of ,christ1 adds no glory to his ,father1 who has made him our ,king1 and ,priest1 and ,prophet1 if it be not joined to an holy conversation4 ,wherefore1 if you profess the name of ,christ1 and would hold the word in hand1 that you have believed in him1 depart from iniquity1 for the ,father's sake that hath sent him4 ,second1 ,as it is the ,father which hath made ,christ to us what he is2 so it is the ,father who hath called us to partake of ,christ and all his benefits4 ',wherefore we must depart from iniquity that profess the name of ,christ1 that we may glorify him for his call4' 7#a ,cor4 #a3i2 ,heb4 #c3a7 ,he has called us to the fellowship of his ,son ,jesus ,christ2 that is1 to partake of all that good that is in him1 as ,mediator1 and to be done by him for those that trust in him4 ,nor had we ever come out of a cursed and condemned condition1 to ,christ1 for life and blessedness1 but by the call of the ,father2 ',for it is not of works1 but of him that calleth4' 7,rom4 #i3aa7 ,now since he has called us to this privilege--even us whom he has called--and left others in their sins to perish by his judgments1 it is meet we should depart from iniquity4 7,heb4 #c3a2 #b ,peter #a3b1 #c7 ,especially since the call by which he called us is heavenly1 and holy1 and because he has not only called us to glory1 but to virtue4 ,third1 ,we that religiously name the name of ,christ1 should depart from iniquity1 because ,god the ,father of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ has commanded us to do4 ,wherefore gird up the loins of your minds1 be sober1 and hope to the ene for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of ,jesus ,christ4 ,as obedient children1 not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in your ignorance2 but as he that has called you is holy1 so be ye holy in all manner of conversation3 because it is written1 ',be ye holy1 as ,i am holy4' ,fourth1 ,they that religiously name the name of ,christ should depart from iniquity1 that they may answer the end for which they are called to profess his name4 ,the ,father has1 therefore1 called them to profess his name1 that they might be trees of righteousness1 the planting of the ,lord1 that he might be glorified4 ,dost thou then profess the name of ,christ3 bring forth those fruits that become that holy profession1 that you may be called 'trees of righteousness1' and that ,god may be glorified for and by your professed subjection to the gospel of his ,son4 7,isa4 #fa3c7 ,fifth1 ,they that name--as afore--the name of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 should depart from iniquity1 that they may shew to the world the nature and power of those graces1 which ,god the ,father has bestowed upon them that do religiously name the name of ,christ4 ,and the rather1 because he that religiously nameth that name1 declareth even by his so naming of him1 that he has received grace of the ,father1 to enable him so to do4 ,now he cannot declare this by deeds1 unless he depart from iniquity2 and his declaring of it by words alone1 signifies little to ,god or man4 7,titus #a3af7 ,sixth1 ,we therefore that religiously name the name of ,christ1 should also depart from iniquity1 because the ,spirit of the ,father will else be grieved4 7,eph4 #d3cj7 ,the countenancing of iniquity1 the not departing therefrom1 will grieve the ,holy ,spirit of ,god1 by which you 'are sealed to the day of redemption2' and that is a sin of a higher nature that men commonly are aware of4 ,he that grieveth the ,spirit of ,god shall smart for it here1 or in hell1 or both4 ,and that ,spirit that sometimes did illuminate1 teach1 and instruct them1 can keep silence1 can cause darkness1 can withdraw itself1 and suffer the soul to sin more and more2 and this last is the very judgment of judgments4 ,he that grieves the ,spirit1 quenches it2 and he that quenches it1 vexes it2 add he that vexes it1 sets it against himself1 and tempts it to hasten destruction upon himself4 7#a ,thess4 #e3ai7 ,wherefore take heed1 professors1 ,i say take heed1 you that religiously name the name of ,christ1 that you meddle not with iniquity1 that you tempt not the ,spirit of the ,lord to do such things against you1 whose beginnings are dreadful1 and whose end in working of judgments is unsearchable4 7,isa4 #fc3aj2 ,acts #e3i7 ,a man knows not whither he is going1 nor where he shall stop1 that is but entering into temptation2 nor whether he shall ever turn back1 or go out at the gap that is right before him4 ,he that has begun to grieve the ,holy ,ghost1 may be suffered to go on until he has sinned that sin which is called the sin against the ,holy ,ghost4 ,and if ,god shall once give thee up to that1 then thou art in the iron cage1 out of which there is neither deliverance nor redemption4 ,let every one1 therefore1 that nameth the name of ,christ1 depart from iniquity1 upon this second consideration4 ,,third1 ,in the next place1 ,i come now to those arguments that do respect ,,thyself4 ,first1 ,those that religiously name the name of ,christ should1 must1 depart from iniquity1 because else our profession of him is but a lie4 ',if we say that we have fellowship with him1 and walk in darkness1 we lie4' 7,i ,john #a3f7 ',and walk in darkness2' that is1 and walk in iniquity1 and depart not from a life that is according to the course of this world4 ',he that saith1 ,i know him1 and heepeth not his commandments1 is a liar1 and the truth is not in him4' 7ch4 #b3d7 ,the truth that he professes to know1 and that he saith he hath experience of1 is not in him4 ,every man that nameth the name of ,christ is not therefore a man of ,god1 nor is the word in every man's mouth1 truth1 though he makes profession of that worthy name4 7#a ,kings #ag3bd7 ,it is then truth in him1 and to others with reference to him1 when his mouth and his life shall agree4 7,rev4 #b3b1 #i2 #c3i7 ,men may say they are apostles1 and be liars3 they may say they are ,jews1 that is1 ,christians1 and lie1 and be liars1 and lie in so saying4 ,now this is the highest kind of lying1 and certainly must therefore work the saddest sort of effects4 ,thus man's best things are lies4 ,his very saying1 ,i know him1 ,i have fellowship with him1 ,i am a ,jew1 a ,christian1 is a lie4 ,his life giveth his mouth the lie3 and all knowing men are sure he lies4 #a4 ,he lies unto ,god3 he speaks lies in the presence1 and to the very face of ,god4 ,now this is a daring thing3 ,i know their lies1 saith he2 and shall he not recompense for this8 ,see ,acts #e3d2 ,rev4 #ba3h1 #bg2 #bb3ae4 and take heed4 ,i speak to you that religiously name the name of ,christ1 and yet do not depart from iniquity4 #b4 ,he lies unto men2 every knowing man2 every man that is able to judge of the tree by the fruit1 knows that that man is a liar1 and that his whole profession as to himself is a lie1 if he doth not depart from iniquity4 ,thus ,paul called the slow bellies1#h the unsound professors among the ,cretians1 liars4 ,they were so in his eyes1 for that their profession of the name of ,christ was not seconded with such a life as became a people professing godliness4 7,titus #a3ab-af7 ,they did not depart from iniquity4 ,but again1 #c4 ,such a man is a liar to his own soul4 ,whatever such an one promiseth to himself1 his soul will find it a lie4 ,there be many in the world that profess the name of ,christ1 and consequently promise their soul the enjoyment of that good1 that indeed is wrapt up in him1 but they will certainly be mistaken hereabout1 and with the greatest terror will find it so1 when they shall hear that direful sentence1 ',depart from me1 all ye workers of iniquity4' 7,luke #h3bg7 ,christ is resolved that the loose-lived professor shall not stand in the judgment1 nor any such sinners in the congregation of the righteous4 ,they have lied to ,god1 to men1 and to themselves2 but ,jesus then will not lie unto them3 he will plainly tell them that he hath not known them1 and that they shall not abide in his presence4 ,but1 ,second1 ,those that religiously name the name of ,christ should depart from iniquity1 else1 as they are liars in their profession1 so they are self deceivers4 ,i told you but now such lie to themselves1 and so consequently they deceive themselves4 ',but be ye doers of the word1 and not hearers only1 deceiving your ownselves4' 7,john #a3bb7 ,it is a sad thing for a man1 in and about eternal things1 to prove a deceiver of others2 but for a man to deceive himself1 his ownself of eternal life1 this is saddest of all2 yet there is in man a propenseness so to do4 ,hence the apostle says1 be not deceived1 and let no man deceive himself4 ,and again1 verse #bf1 ',if any man among you seem to be religious1 and bridleth not his tongue1 but deceiveth his own heart1 this man's religion is vain4' ,these words1 'but deceiveth his own heart1' ,i have much mused about3 for they seem to me to be spoken to show how bold and prodigiously desperate some men are1 who yet religiously name the name of ,christ3 desperate1 ,i say1 at self deceiving4 ,he deceiveth his own heart2 he otherwise persuadeth it1 than of its ownself it would go3 ordinarily men are said to be deceived by their hearts1 but here is a man that is said to deceive his own heart1 flattering it off from the scent and dread of those convictions1 that by the ,word1 sometimes it hath been under3 persuading of it that there needs no such strictness of life be added to a profession of faith in ,christ1 as by the gospel is called for3 or that since ,christ has died for us1 and rose again1 and since salvation is alone in him1 we need not be so concerned1 or be so strict to matter how we live4 ,this man is a self deceiver2 he deceives his own heart4 ,self deceiving1 and that about spiritual and eternal things1 especially when men do it willingly1 is one of the most unnatural1 unreasonable1 and unaccountable actions in the world4 #a4 ,it is one of the most unnatural actions2 for here a man seeks his own ruin1 and privily lurks for his own life4 7,prov4 #a3ah7 ,we all cry out against him that murders his children1 his wife1 or his own body1 and condemn him to be one of those that has forgot the rules and love of nature4 ,but behold the man under consideration is engaged in such designs as will terminate in his own destruction3 he deceiveth his own soul4 #b4 ,this is also the most unreasonable act2 there can no cause1 nor crumb of cause that has the least spark or dram of reason1 or of anything that looks like reason1 be shown why a man should deceive himself1 and bereave his soul of eternal life4 ,therefore1 #c4 ,such men are usually passed over with astonishment and silence4 ',be astonished1 ,o ye heavens1 at this6 and be horribly afraid1 for my people have committed two evils2 they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters1 and hewed them out cisterns1 broken cisterns1 that can hold no water4' 7,jer4 #b3aa-ac7 ,but1 above all this1 as to this head1 is the most amazing place1 where it is said1 that the self deceiver makes his self deceiving his sport3 ',sporting themselves with their own deceivings4' 7#b ,peter #b3ac7 ,these are a people far gone1 to be sure1 that are arrived to such a height of negligence1 carelessness1 wantonness1 and desperateness of spirit1 as to take pleasure in1 and make a sport of1 that which will assuredly deceive them for ever4 ,but this is the fruit of professing of ,christ1 and of not departing from iniquity4 ,the wisdom and judgment of ,god is such1 as to give such over to the sporting of themselves in their own deceivings4 ,,fourth4 ,those arguments that respect ,,the ,,world4 ,first1 ,those that religiously name the name of ,christ should depart from iniquity1 because of the scandal that will else assuredly come upon religion1 and the things of religion1 through them4 ,upon this head ,i may begin to write with a sigh1 for never more of this kind than now6 ,there is no place1 where the professors of religion are1 that is clean and free from offence and scandal4 ,iniquity is so entailed to religion1 and baseness of life to the naming of the name of ,christ1 that one may say of the professors of this age1 as it was said of them of old1 ',all tables are full of vomit and filthiness1 so that there is no place clean4' 7,isa4 #bh3h7 ,where are they even amongst those that strive for the rule1 that mind it at all1 when it pinches upon their lusts1 their pride1 avarice1 and wantonness8 ,are not1 now-a-days1 the bulk of professors like those that 'strain at a gnat and swallow a camel8' 7,matt4 #bc3bd7 ,yea1 do not professors teach the wicked ones to be wicked8 7,jer4 #b3cc7 ,ah6 ,lord ,god1 this is a lamentation1 and will be for a lamentation4 ,what a sore disease is now got into the church of ,god1 that the generality of professors should walk with scandal6 ,no fashion1 no vanity1 no profuseness1 and yet no niggardliness1 but is found among professors4 ,they pinch the poor1 and nip from them their due1 to maintain their own pride and vanity4 ,i shall not need to instance particulars2 for from the rich to the poor1 from the pastor to the people1 from the master to his man1 and from the mistress to her maiden1 all are guilty of scandal1 and of reproaching1 by their lives1 the name of the ,lord2 for they profess1 and name that worthy name of ,christ1 but are not as they should be1 departed from iniquity4 #a4 ,hence the name of ,god is polluted and reproached1 even till ,god is weary and cries out1 ',pollute ye my name no more with your gifts and with your idols4' 7,eze4 #bj3ci7 ,o do not pollute my name1 says ,god2 rather leave off profession1 and go every one to his wickedness4 ,tell the world1 if you will not depart from iniquity1 that ,christ and you are parted1 and that you have left him1 to be embraced by them to whom iniquity is an abomination4 ,it would far better secure the name of ,god from scandal and reproach1 than for you to name the name of ,christ1 and yet not to depart from iniquity4 ,then1 though you sin1 as now you do1 the poor world would not cry out1 ,ay1 this is your religion6 ,then they would not have occasion to vilify religion because of you1 since you tell them that ,christ and you are parted4 ,but1 #b4 ,if you will not leave off to name the name of ,christ1 nor yet depart from iniquity1 you also scandal the sincere professors of religion1 and that is a grievous thing4 ,there are a people in the world that have made it their business1 ever since they knew ,christ1 to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit1 and that desire to perfect holiness in the fear of ,god2 and you scandalous professors mixing yourselves with them1 'make their gold look dim4' 7,lam4 #d3a7 ,you are spots and blemishes to them2 ,jude #ab1 you are an evil mixing itself with their good1 and a scandal to their holy profession4 7#b ,peter #b3ac7 ,you are they that make the heart of the righteous sad1 whom ,god would not have1 sad2 you are they that offend his little ones4 ,oh6 the millstone that ,god will shortly hang about your necks1 when the time is come that you must be drowned in the sea and deluge of ,god's wrath4 #c4 ,if you will not leave off to name the name of ,christ1 nor yet depart from iniquity1 you continue to extend your scandal also to the word and doctrine of ,god4 ,they that name the name of ,jesus religiously1 should so carry it in the world1 that they might adorn the doctrine of ,god their ,saviour2 but thou that professest and yet departest not from iniquity1 thou causest the name and doctrine which thou professest to be blasphemed and reproached by the men of this world2 and that is a sad thing1 a thing that will bring so heavy a load upon thee1 when ,god shall open thine eyes1 and he will open them either here or in hell-fire1 that thou wilt repent it with great bitterness of soul4 7#a ,tim4 #f3a7 ,the ,lord smite thee to the making of thee sensible to thy shame and conversion1 if it be his blessed will4 ,amen6 ,but1 #d4 ,if thou wilt not leave off to name the name of ,christ1 nor yet depart from iniquity1 thou wilt bring reproach1 scorn1 and contempt upon thyself4 ,for 'sin is a reproach to any people4' 7,prov4 #ad3cd74 7#a47 ,these are they that ,god will hold in great contempt and scorn4 7,isa4 #a7 7#b47 ,these are they that his people shall have in great contempt4 ',therefore1' saith he1 'have ,i also made you contemptible and base before all the people1 according as ye have not kept my ways1' but have lifted up the face against my law4#i 7,mal4 #b3i2 ,jer4 #be3i1 #ah7 #c4 ,such shall also be contemned and had in derision of the men of this world4 ,they shall be a hissing1 a bye-word1 a taunt1 and a reproach among all people4 ',for them that honour me1' saith ,god1 ',i will honour1 and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed4 7#a ,sam4 #b3cj7 ,i remember that ,philpot used to tell the ,papists that they danced with their buttocks uncovered1 in a net1#aj because of the evil of their ways2 7,isa4 #bj3d7 and the ,lord bids professors have a care1 'that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear1' or lest they walk naked1 and their shame be discovered4 ,for those professors that depart not from iniquity1 however they think of themselves1 their nakedness is seen of others3 and if it be a shame to the modest to have their nakedness seen of others1 what bold and brazen brows have they who are not ashamed to show their nakedness1 yea1 the very shame of it1 to all that dwell about them8 ,and yet thus doth every one that religiously names the name of ,christ1 and yet doth not depart from iniquity4 ,second1 ,those that religiously name the name of ,christ1 and do not depart from iniquity1 they are the cause of the perishing of many4 ',woe1' saith ,christ1 'unto the world because of offences1' 7,matt4 #ah3g74 ,and again1 ',woe to that man by whom the offence cometh6' ,these are they that cause many to stumble at sin1 and fall into hell4 ,hark1 you that are such1 what ,god says to you3 ',ye have caused many to stumble at the law1' and at religion4 7,mal4 #b3h7 ,men that are for taking of occasion you give it them2 men that would enter into the kingdom1 you puzzle and confound them with your iniquity1 while you name the name of ,christ1 and do not depart therefrom4 ,one sinner destroyeth much good2 these are the men that encourage the vile to be yet more vile2 these be the men that quench weak desires in others2 and these be the men that tempt the ignorant to harden themselves against their own salvation4 ,a professor that hath not forsaken his iniquity1 is like one that comes out of the pest-house1 among the whole1 with his plague sores running upon him4 ,this is the man that hath the breath of a dragon1 he poisons the air round about him4 ,this is the man that lays his children1 his kinsmen1 his friend1 and himself4 ,what shall ,i say8 ,a man that nameth the name of ,christ1 and that departeth not from iniquity1 to whom may he be compared8 ,the ,pharisees1 for that they professed religion1 but walked not answerable thereto1 unto what doth ,christ compare them but to serpents and vipers8 ,what does he call them but hypocrites1 whited walls1 painted sepulchres1 fools1 and blind8 and tells them that they made men more the children of hell than they were before4 7,matt4 #bc7 ,wherefore such an one cannot go out of the world by himself3 for as he gave occasion of scandal when he was in the world1 so is he the cause of the damnation of many4 ',the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life4' 7,prov4 #aa3cj7 ,but what is the fruit of the wicked1 of the professors that are wicked8 why1 not to perish alone in their iniquity4 7,job #bb3bj7 ,these1 as the dragon1 draw many of the stars of heaven1 and cast them to the earth with their most stinking tail4 7,rev4 #ab3d7 ,cast many a professor into earthly and carnal delights1 with their most filthy conversations4 ,the apostle did use to weep when he spake of these professors1 such offence he knew they were and would be in the world4 7,acts #bj3cj2 ,phil #c3ah1 #ai7 ,these are the chief of the engines of ,satan1 with these he worketh wonders4 ,one ,baalam1 one ,jeroboam1 one ,ahab2 ,o how many fish bring such to ,satan's net6 ,these are the tares that he strives to sow among the wheat1 for he knows they are mischief to it4 ',wherefore1 let every one that nameth the name of ,christ depart from iniquity4' ,fifth1 ,those that religiously name the name of ,christ1 and do not depart from iniquity1 how will they die2 and how will they look that man in the face1 unto the profession of whose name they have entailed an unrighteous conversation8 ,or do they think that he doth not know what they have done1 or that they may take him off with a few cries and wringing of hands1 when he is on the throne to do judgment against transgressors8 ,oh6 it had been better they had not known1 had not professed2 yea1 better they had never been born2 for as ,christ said of ,judas1 so may it be said of these1 it had been good for that man if he had never been born2 and as ,christ says it had been good1 so ,peter says it had been better4 7,mark #ad3ba2 #b ,peter #b3bj1 #ba7 ,good they had not been born1 and better they had not known and made profession of the name of ,christ4 ,but perhaps some may ask me1 ,,what ,,iniquity ,,they ,,must ,,depart ,,from ,,that ,,religiously ,,name ,,the ,,name ,,of ,,christ8 ,first1 ,i answer first1 in general1 those that religiously profess the name of ,christ1 must depart from ,,all iniquity4 ,they should lay aside every weight2 they should fly 'all appearance of evil4' 7,heb #ab3b2 #a ,thess4 #e3bb7 ,many there be that are willing to part with some sins1 some pleasures1 some unjust profits1 if they may be saved2 but this selling of all1 parting with all1 forsaking of all1 is a very hard chapter4 ,and yet the ,lord ,jesus lays it there1 saying so likewise1 'whosoever he be of you1' of any of you that professeth my name1 'that forsaketh not all that he hath1 he cannot be my disciple4' 7,luke #ad3cc7 ,christ by this text requireth more of them that are his than to forsake all iniquity4 ,wherefore1 to be sure1 every sin is included4 ,no less than universal obedience will prove a man sincere4 ,a divided heart is a faulty one4 7,hosea #aj3b7 ,he that forsaketh not every sin is partial in the law1 nor can he have respect to all ,god's commandments4 7,job #bj3ac2 ,john #ad3ba-bd7 ,there can be no true love to ,christ where there are reserves2 he that will hide any one sin in his bosom1 or that will keep it1 as the phrase is1 under his tongue1 is a secret enemy to ,jesus ,christ4 ,he loveth not ,christ that keepeth not his sayings4 ,to halt between two is nought1 and no man can serve two masters4 ,christ is a master1 and sin is a master2 yea1 and masters are they so opposite1 that he that at all shall cleave to the one shall by the other be counted his enemy4 ,if sin at all be countenanced1 ,christ counts himself despised4 ,what man would count himself beloved of his wife that knows she hath a bosom for another8 ',thou shalt not be for another man' saith he1 'so will ,i be for thee4' 7,hosea #c3c7 ,would the king count him a loyal subject who would hide in his house1 nourish in his bed1 and feed at his table1 one that implacably hateth and seeketh to murder his majesty8 ,why1 sin is such an enemy to the ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 therefore1 as kings command that traitors be delivered up to justice1 so ,christ commands that we depart from iniquity4 ',take away all iniquity1' is a good prayer1 and to 'resist unto blood1 striving against sin1' is a good warfare1 and he that brings 'every thought to the obedience of ,christ' gets a brave victory4 7,hosea #ad3b2 ,heb4 #ab3d2 #b ,cor4 #aj3e7 ,grace leaveneth the whole soul1 and so consequently all the parts thereof4 ,now where the whole is leavened1 the taste must needs be the same throughout4 ,grace leaves no power1 faculty1 or passion of the soul unsanctified1 wherefore there is no corner in a sanctified soul where sin may hide his head1 to find rest and abode without control4 ,consequently1 he that has a harbour for this or that sin1 and that can find a hiding-place and an abode for it in his heart1 is no ,christian man4 ,let them then that christianly name the name of ,christ1 make it manifest that they do not do it feignedly1 by departing from iniquity4 ,but1 ,second1 ,and more particularly1 they that name the name of ,christ1 as above1 let them depart from their ,,constitution-,,sin1 or1 if you will1 the sin that their temper most inclines them to4 ,every man is not alike inclined to the same sin1 but some to one and some to another4 ,now let the man that professes the name of ,christ religiously1 consider with himself1 unto what sin or vanity am ,i most inclined2 ,is it pride8 ,is it covetousness8 ,is it fleshly lusts8 ,and let him labour1 by all means1 to leave off and depart from that4 ,this is that which ,david called his own iniquity1 and saith1 ',i was also upright before him1 and ,i kept myself from mine iniquity4' 7,psa4 #ah3bc7 ,rightly are these two put together1 for it is not possible that he should be an upright man that indulgeth or countenanceth his constitution-sin2 but on the contrary1 he that keeps himself from that will be upright as to all the rest2 and the reason is1 because if a man has that grace1 as to trample upon and mortify his darling1 his bosom1 his only sin1 he will more easily and more heartily abhor and fly the rest4 ,and1 indeed1 if a man will depart from iniquity1 he must depart from his darling sin first2 for as long as that is entertained1 the others1 at least those that are most suiting with that darling1 will always be haunting of him4 ,there is a man that1 has such and such haunt his house1 and spend his substance1 and would be rid of them1 but cannot2 but now1 let him rid himself of that1 for the sake of which they haunt his house1 and then he shall with case be rid of them4 ,thus it is with sin4 ,there is a man that is plagued with many sins1 perhaps because he embraceth one3 well1 let him turn that one out of doors1 and that is the way to be rid of the rest4 ,keep thee from thy darling1 thy bosom1 thy constitution-sin4 ,motives to prevail with thee to fall in with this exhortation1 are several4 #a4 ,there can no great change appear in thee1 make what profession of ,christ thou wilt1 unless thou cast away thy bosom sin4 ,a man's constitution-sin is1 as ,i may call it1 his visible sin2 it is that by which his neighbours know him and describe him1 whether it be pride1 covetousness1 lightness1 or the like4 ,now if these abide with thee1 though thou shouldest be much reformed in thy notions1 and in other parts of thy life1 yet say thy neighbours1 he is the same man still2 his faith has not saved him from his darling2 he was proud afore1 and is proud still2 was covetous afore1 and is covetous still2 was light and wanton afore1 and is so still4 ,he is the same man1 though he has got a new mouth4 ,but now1 if thy constitution-sin be parted with1 if thy darling be cast away1 thy conversion is apparent1 it is seen of all1 for the casting away of that is death to the rest1 and ordinarily makes a change throughout4 #b4 ,so long as thy constitution-sin remains1 as winked at by thee1 so long thou art an hypocrite before ,god1 let thy profession be what it will2 also1 when conscience shall awake and be commanded to speak to thee plainly what thou art1 it will tell thee so1 to thy no little vexation and perplexity4 #c4 ,besides1 do what thou canst1 so long as thou remainest thus thou wilt be of a scandalous life4 ,no honour is brought to religion by such4 ,but1 ,again1 ,as they that name the name of ,christ 'should depart from their constitution-sin1 so they should depart from the sins of other men's tempers also4 ,much harm among professors is done by each others' sins4 ,there is a man that has clean escaped from those who live in error1 has shaken off the carnal world and the men thereof1 and is come among professors2 but1 behold1 there also he meeteth with wicked men1 with men that have not departed from iniquity2 and there he is entangled4 ,this is a sad thing1 and yet so it is4 ,i doubt there are some in the world1 ,i mean professors1 that will curse the day that ever they were acquainted with some professors4 ,there are professors that are defilers1 professors that are 'wicked men1' professors of whom a wicked man may learn to sin4 7,jer4 #e3bf2 #b3cc7 ,take heed of these1 lest1 having fled from thine own sins1 thou shouldest be taken with the sins of others4 ',be not partakers of other men's sins1' is the counsel and caution that ,paul giveth to ,timothy1 if he would keep himself pure4 7#a ,tim4 #e3bb7 #d4 ,dost thou profess the name of ,christ1 and dost thou pretend to be a man departing from iniquity8 ,then take heed thou dost not deceive thyself1 by changing one bad way of sinning for another bad way of sinning4 ,this was a trick that ,israel played of old2 for when ,god's prophets followed them hard with demands of repentance and reformation1 then they would 'gad about to change their ways4' 7,jer4 #b3cf7 ,but1 behold1 they would not change a bad way for a good1 but one bad way for another1 hopping1 as the squirrel1 from bough to bough1 but not willing to forsake the tree4 ,hence they were said to return1 but not to the ,most ,high4 ,take heed1 ,i say1 of this4 ,many leave off to be drunkards1 and fall in with covetousness4 ,many fall off from covetousness to pride and lasciviousness3 take heed of this4 7,hosea #g3af7 ,this is a grand deceit1 and a common one too1 a deceit of a long standing1 and almost a disease epidemical among professors4 ,many times men change their darling sins1 as some change their wives and servants3 that which would serve for such an one this year may not serve to be so for the year ensuing4 ,hypocrisy would do awhile ago1 but now debauchery4 ,profaneness would do when profaneness was in fashion1 but now a deceitful profession4 ,take heed1 professor1 that thou dost not throw away thy old darling sin for a new one4 ,men's tempers alter4 ,youth is for pride and wantonness2 middle age for cunning and craft2 old age for the world and covetousness4 ,take heed1 therefore1 of deceit in this thing4 #e4 ,dost thou profess the name of ,christ1 and dost thou pretend to be a man departing from iniquity8 take heed1 lest thy departing from iniquity should be but for a time4 ,some do depart from iniquity1 as persons in wrangling fits depart from one another2 to wit1 for a time1 but when the quarrel is over1 by means of some intercessor1 they are reconciled again4 ,o6 ,satan is the intercessor between the soul and sin1 and though the breach between these two may seem to be irreconcilable2 yea1 though the soul hath sworn it will never give countenance to so vile a thing as sin is more2 yet he can tell how to make up this difference1 and to fetch them back to their vomit again1 who1 one would have thought1 had quite escaped his sins1 and been gone4 7#b ,peter #b3ah-bb7 ,take heed1 therefore1 ,o professor4 ,for there is danger of this1 and the height of danger lies in it2 and ,i think that ,satan1 to do this thing1 makes use of those sins again1 to begin this rejoinder1 which he findeth most suitable to the temper and constitution of the sinner4 ,these are1 as ,i may call them1 the master sins2 they suit1 they jump with the temper of the soul4 ,these1 as the little end of the wedge1 enter with ease1 and so make way for those that come after1 with which ,satan knows he can rend the soul in pieces4 ,wherefore1 #f4 ,to help this1 take heed of parleying with thy sins again1 when once thou hast departed from them3 sin has a smooth tongue2 if thou hearken to its enchanting language1 ten thousand to one but thou art entangled4 ,see the saying of the wise man1 'with her much fair speech she caused him to yield1 with the flattering of her lips she forced him4 ,he goeth after her straightway1 as an ox goeth to the slaughter1 or as a fool to the correction of the stocks4' 7,prov4 #g3ba1 #bb7 ,he heard her charm1 and by hearing is noosed1 and led away to her house1 which is the way to hell1 'going down to the chambers of death4'7ver4 #bg7 ,take heed1 therefore1 of listening to the charms wherewith sin enchanteth the soul4 ,in this1 be like the deaf adder1 stop thine ear1 plug it up to sin1 and let it only be open to hear the words of ,god4 ,third1 ,let them that name the name of ,christ depart from the iniquity of ,,the ,,times4 ,there are sins that may be called the iniquity of the day4 ,it was thus in ,noah's day1 it was thus in ,lot's day1 and it was thus in ,christ's day--,i mean1 in the days of his flesh3 and it is a famous thing for professors to keep themselves from the iniquities of the times4 ,here lay ,noah's excellency1 here lay ,lot's excellency1 and here will lie thy excellency1 if thou keep thyself from the iniquity of this day4 ,keep or 'save yourselves from this untoward generation1' is seasonable counsel1 7,acts #b3dj7 but taken of but few2 the sin of the time1 or day1 being as a strong current or stream that drives all before it4 ,hence ,noah and ,lot were found1 as it were1 alone1 in the practice of this excellent piece of righteousness in their generation4 ,hence it is said of ,noah1 that he 'was a just man1 and perfect in his generations4' 7,gen4 #f3i7 ,and again1 the ,lord said unto ,noah1 ',come thou and all thy house into the ark1 for thee have ,i seen righteous before me1 in this generation4' ,the meaning is1 he kept himself clear of the sin of his day1 or of the generation among which he lived4 7,gen4 #g3a7 ,the same ,i say of ,lot1 he kept himself from the sin of ,sodom2 and hence ,peter cries him up for such a righteous man4 ',just ,lot1' saith he1 'that righteous man1' whose righteous soul was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked4 ,mark1 'a just man1' 'a righteous man1' 'his righteous soul1' c4 ,but how obtained he this character8 ,why1 he abhorred the sin of his time1 he fell not in with the sin of the people1 but was afflicted and vexed thereabout2 yea1 it was to him a daily burden4 ',for that righteous man dwelling among them1 in seeing and hearing1 vexed his righteous soul from day to day1 with their unlawful deeds4 ,so ,david1 ',i beheld1' saith he1 'the transgressors1 and was grieved1 because they kept not thy word4' 7,psa4 #aai3aeh7 ,the sin of the times is to ,god the worst of sins2 and to fall in with the sin of the times is counted as the highest of transgressions4 ,consequently1 to keep from them1 though a man should1 through infirmity1 be guilty of others1 yet he is accounted upright4 ,and hence it is1 ,i think1 that ,david was called a man after ,god's own heart2 to wit1 because he served his own generation by the will of ,god2 or1 as the margent reads1 after he had1 in his own age1 served the will of ,god4 7,acts #ac7 ,by the sin of the times1 ,satan1 as it were1 set up his standard in defiance to ,god2 seeking then to cause his name1 in a signal way1 to be dishonoured1 and that by the professors of that age4 ,and hence it is that the ,lord doth manifest such wrath against his people that are guilty of the common sin of their day1 and that he shews such special favour to them that abstain therefrom4 ,was there no more1 think you1 but ,noah1 in his generation1 that feared ,god8 ,yes1 several1 no doubt2 but he was the man that kept clear of the sin of his day1 therefore he and his family must be partakers of ,god's deliverance2 the other must die before1 and not be permitted to the mercy of the ark1 nor to see the new world with ,noah4 ,unbelief was the sin of the day when ,israel was going from ,egypt to ,canaan2 therefore all that were guilty of that transgression must be denied to go in to see that good land1 yea1 though it were ,moses himself4 ',and the ,lord spake unto ,moses and ,aaron1 ,because ye believed me not1 to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of ,israel1 therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which ,i have given them4' 7,num4 #bj3ab7 ,the sin of the day is an high transgression2 from the which1 because ,caleb and ,joshua1 kept then selves1 ,god kept them from all the blasting plagues that overtook all the rest1 and gave them the land which he had promised to their fathers4 ',but my servant ,caleb1 because he had another spirit with him1 and hath followed me fully1 him will ,i bring into the land whereinto he went2 and his seed shall possess it4' 7,num4 #ad3bd7 ,idolatry was the sin of the day just before ,israel were carried captive into ,babylon4 ,now those of the priests that went astray then1 even they say1 ,god shall bear their iniquity4 ',but the priests1 the ,levites1 the sons of ,zadok1 that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of ,israel went astray from me1 they shall come near unto me1 to minister unto me2 and they shall stand before me1 to offer unto me the fat and the blood1 saith the ,lord ,god4 ,they shall enter into my sanctuary1 and they shall come near to my table1 to minister unto me1 and they shall keep my charge4' 7,ezek4 #dd3ae1 #af7 ,great complaints have we now among professors1 of deadness in duties1 barrenness of the ministry1 and of the withdrawing of ,god from his people2 but ,i can tell you a cause of all this1 namely1 the sin of the day is got into the church of ,god1 and has defiled that holy place4 ,this is the ground and cause of all these things2 nor is it like to be otherwise1 till the cause shall be removed4 ,if any should ask me what are the sins of our day1 ,i would say they are conspicuous1 they are open1 they are declared as ,sodom's were4 7,isa4 #c3i7 ,they that have embraced them1 are not ashamed of them2 yea1 they have got the boldness to plead for them1 and to count them their enemies that seek to reform them4 ,all tables are full of vomit and filthiness4 ,and for pride and covetousness1 for loathing of the gospel1 and contemning holiness1 as these have covered the face of the nation1 as they have infected most of them that now name the name of ,christ4 ,and ,i say again1 when you find out a professor that is not horribly tainted with some of these things1 ,i exclude not the ministers nor their families1 let him be as a beacon upon a hill1 or as an ensign in our land4 ,but says one1 ,would you have us singular8 and says another1 ,would you have us make ourselves ridiculous8 and says a third1 ,such and such1 more godly-wise than we1 do so4 ,but ,i answer1 if ,god has made you singular1 and called you to grace1 that is singular2 and bid you walk in ways that are singular1 and diverse from the ways of all others4 ,yea1 if to depart from iniquity will make you ridiculous1 if to be holy in all manner of conversation will make you ridiculous1 then be contented to be counted so4 ,as for the godly-wise you speak of1 let them manifest themselves to be such by departing from iniquity4 ,i am sure that their being tainted with sins of the day1 will not prove them godly-wise4 ',behold1 ,i have taught you1' said ,moses1 'statute and judgments1 even as the ,lord my ,god commanded me2 that ye should do so in the land whither you go to possess it4 ,keep therefore1 and do them1 for this is your wisdom1 and your understanding in the sight of the nations1 which shall hear of all these statutes1 and say1 ,surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people4' ,here then is wisdom1 and this is that that manifesteth a people to be1 understanding1 and godly-wise1 even the keeping of the commandments of ,god4 ,and why follow the apish fashions of the world8 ,hath the ,god of wisdom set them on foot among us8 or is it because the devil and wicked men1 the inventors of these vain toys1 have outwitted the law of ,god8 'what nation is there so great1 who hath ,god so nigh unto them' as his people have1 and as he 'is in all things that we call upon him for8 ,and what nation is there so great1 that hath statutes and judgments so righteous1 as all this law1' said ,moses1 which ,i set before you this day8' 7,deut4 #d3e-h7 ,this then is that which declareth us to be godly-wise1 when we keep our soul diligently to the holy words of ,god2 and fit not only our tongues and lips1 but also our lives thereto4 ,fourth1 ,but again1 let them that name the name of ,christ depart from the iniquity1 that is1 as ,i may call it1 from ,,family ,,iniquity4 ,there is a house iniquity2 an iniquity that loves not to walk abroad1 but to harbour within doors4 ,this the holy man ,david was aware of1 therefore he said that he would behave himself 'wisely1 in a perfect way2' yea1 saith he1 ',i will walk within my house with a perfect heart4' 7,psa4 #aja3b7 ,now this house iniquity standeth in these things4 7l47 ,in domestic broils and quarrels4 7#b47 ,in domestic chamberings and wantonness4 7#c47 ,in domestic misorders of children and servants4 #a4 ,for house broils and quarrels1 it is an iniquity to be departed from1 whether it be betwixt husband and wife1 or otherwise4 ,this1 as ,i said1 is an iniquity that loves not to walk abroad1 but yet it is an horrible plague within doors4 ,and1 many that shew like saints abroad1 yet act the part of devils when they are at home1 by giving way to this house iniquity2 by cherishing of this house iniquity4 ,this iniquity meeteth the man and his wife at the very threshold of the door1 and will not suffer them to enter1 no not with one foot into the house in peace1 but how far this is from walking together as heirs of the grace of life1 is easy to be determined4 ,men should carry it in love to their wives1 as ,christ doth to his church2 and wives should carry it to their husbands1 as the church ought to carry it to her ,saviour4 7,eph4 #e3ba-bh2 #a ,peter #c3g7 ,and until each relation be managed with respect to these things1 this house iniquity will be cherished there4 ,o6 ,god sees within doors as well as without1 and will judge too for the iniquity of the house as well as for that more open4 #b4 ,as house iniquity standeth in domestic broils and contentions2 so it also standeth in chamberings and wantonness4 7,rom4 #ac3ac7 ,wherefore the apostle putteth them both together1 saying1 'not in chambering and wantonness1 not in strife and envying4' ,this chambering and wantonness is of a more general extent1 being entertained by all1 insomuch1 that sometimes from the head to the foot all are horribly guilty4 ,but1 'it is a shame to speak of those things that are done of some in secret2' for 'through the lusts of their own hearts1 they dishonour their own bodies between themselves1' 'working that which is unseemly1' 7,eph4 #e3ab2 ,rom4 #a3bd1 #bg7 to their ignominy and contempt1 if not with their fellows et with ,god1 who sees them1 for the darkness hideth not from him4' 7,psa4 #aci3ab7 ,it was for this kind of iniquity with other1 that ,god told ,eli that he would 'judge his house for ever4' 7#a ,sam4 #c3ac7 also the words that follow are to be trembled at1 that say1 ',the iniquity of ,eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever4' 7ver4 #ad7 ,such an evil thing is house iniquity in the eyes of the ,god that is above4 #c4 ,as domestic iniquity standeth in these1 so also in the disorders of children and servants4 ,children's unlawful carriages to their parents is a great house iniquity2 yea1 and a common one too4 7#b ,tim4 #c3b1 #c7 ,disobedience to parents is one of the sins of the last days4 ,o6 it is horrible to behold how irreverently1 how irrespectively1 how saucily and malapertly1 children1 yea1 professing children1 at this day1 carry it to their parents2 snapping1 and checking1 curbing and rebuking of them1 as if they had never received their beings by them1 or had never been beholden to them for bringing of them up2 yea1 as if the relation was lost1 or as if they had received a dispensation from ,god to dishonour and disobey parents4 ,i will add1 that this sin reigns in little and great1 for not only the small and young1 but men1 are disobedient to their parent2 and indeed1 this is the sin with a shame1 that men shall be disobedient to parents2 the sin of the last times1 that men shall be 'disobedient to parents1' and 'without natural affection4' ,where now-a-days shall we see children that are come to men and women's estate1 carry it as by the word they are bound1 to their aged and worn-out parents8 ,i say1 where is the honour they should put upon them8 who speaks to their aged parents with that due regard to that relation1 to their age1 to their worn-out condition1 as becomes them8 ,is it not common now-a-days1 for parents to be brought into bondage and servitude by their children8 ,for parents to be under1 and children above2 for parents to be debased1 and children to lord it over them4 ,nor doth this sin go alone in the families where it is2 no1 those men are lovers of their ownselves2 covetous1 boasters1 proud1 blasphemous1 that are disobedient to their parents4 ,this is that the prophet means1 when he saith1 ',the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient1 and the base against the honourable4' 7,isa4 #c3e7 ,this is a common sin1 and a crying sin1 and to their shame be it spoken that are guilty2 a sin that makes men vile to a high degree1 and yet it is the sin of professors4 ,but behold how the apostle brands them2 he saith1 such have but 'a form of godliness1 but denying the power thereof1' and bids the godly shut them out of their fellowship4 7#a ,tim4 #c3e7 ,this sin also is1 ,i fear1 grown to such a height in some1 as to make them weary of their parents1 and of doing their duty to them4 ,yea1 ,i wish that some are not 'murderers of fathers and mothers1' by their thoughts1 while they secretly long after1 and desire their death1 that the inheritance may be theirs1 and that they may be delivered from obedience to their parents47#a ,tim4 #a3i7 ,this is a sin in the house1 in the family1 a sin that is kept in hugger-mugger1 close2 but ,god sees it1 and hath declared his dislike against it1 by an implicit threatening1 to cut them off that are guilty of it4 7,eph4 #e3a-e7 ,let them then that name the name of ,christ1 depart from this iniquity4 ,disorders of servants is also an house iniquity1 and to be departed from by the godly4 ',he that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my1 house2' said ,david2 and 'he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight4' 7,psa4 #aja3g7 ,one of the rarities in ,solomon's house1 and which the queen of ,sheba was so taken with1 was the goodly order of his servants4 7#b ,chron4 #i3d7 ,some of the disorders of servants are to be imputed to the governors of families1 and some to the servants themselves4 ,those that are to be imputed to the governors of families1 are such as these3 7#a47 ,when the servant learns his vileness of his master1 or of her mistress4 7#b47 ,when servants are countenanced by the master against the mistress2 or by the mistress against the master2 or when in opposition to either1 they shall be made equals in things4 7#c47 ,when the extravagancies of servants are not discountenanced and rebuked by their superiors1 and the contrary taught them by word and life4 ,those to be imputed to the servants themselves are3 7#a47 ,their want of reverence to their superiors4 7#b47 ,their backbiting and slandering of them4 7#c47 ,their unfaithfulness in serving of them4 7#d47 ,their murmuring at their lawful commands1 c4 ,from all these domestic iniquities1 let every one depart that religiously nameth the name of ,christ4 ,and before ,i leave this head1 let me1 to enforce my exhortation1 urge upon you a few considerations to work with you yet further to depart from these house iniquities4 ,consider #a4 ,a man's house1 and his carriage there1 doth more bespeak the nature and temper of his mind1 than all public profession4 ,if ,i were to judge of a man for my life1 ,i would not judge of him by his open profession1 but by his domestic behaviours4 ,open profession is like a man's best cloak1 the which is worn by him when he walketh abroad1 and with many is made but little use of at home4 ,but now what a man is at home1 that he is indeed4 ,there is abroad1 my behaviour to my friends1 and customers1 my outward honesty in dealing and avoiding gross sins4 ,there is at home1 my house1 my closet1 my heart2 and my house1 my closet1 shew most what ,i am3 though not to the world1 yet to my family1 and to angels4 ,and a good report from those most near1 and most capable of advantage to judge1 is like to be truer than to have it only from that which is gotten by my observers abroad4 ,the outside of the platter and cup may look well1 when within they may be full of excess4 7,matt4 #bc3be-bh7 ,the outward shew and profession may be tolerable1 when within doors may be bad enough4 ,i and my house 'will serve the ,lord1' is the character of a godly man4 7,josh4 #bd3ae7 ,consider #b4 ,as the best judgment is made upon a man from his house1 so that man is like to have the approbation of ,god for good1 that is faithful in all his house4 ',i know ,abraham1' says ,god1 'that he will command his children1 and his household after him1 and they shall keep the way of the ,lord4' 7,gen4 #ah3ae7 ,to make religion and the power of godliness the chief of my designs at home1 among those among whom ,god by a special hand has placed me1 is that which is pleasing to ,god1 and that obtaineth a good report of him4 ,but to pass these1 and to come to other things4 ,consider #c4 ,a master of a family1 and mistress of the same1 are those that are entrusted of ,god with those under their tuition and care1 to be brought up for him1 be they children or servants4 ,this is plain from the text last mentioned2 wherefore here is a charge committed to thee of ,god4 ,look to it1 and consider with thyself1 whether thou hast done such duty and service for ,god in this matter1 as1 setting common frailties aside1 thou canst with good conscience lift up thy face unto ,god2 the which to be sure thou canst by no means do1 if iniquity1 to the utmost1 be not banished out of thy house4 ,consider #d4 ,and will it not be a sad complaint that thy servant shall take up against thee1 before the ,judge at the last day1 that he learnt the way to destruction in thy house1 who art a professor4 ,servants1 though themselves be carnal1 expect1 when they come into the house of professors1 that there they shall see religion in its spangling colours2 but behold1 when he enters thy door1 he finds sin and wickedness there4 ,there is pride instead of humility1 and height and raillery#aa instead of meekness and holiness of mind4 ,he looked for a house full of virtue1 and behold nothing but spider-webs2 fair and plausible abroad1 but like the sow in the mire at home4 ,bless me1 saith such a servant1 are these the religious people6 ,are these the servants of ,god1 where iniquity is made so much of1 and is so highly entertained6 ,and now is his heart filled with prejudice against all religion1 or else he turns hypocrite like his master and his mistress1 wearing1 as they1 a cloak of religion to cover all abroad1 while all naked and shameful at home4 ,but perhaps thy heart is so hard1 and thy mind so united to the pleasing of thy vile affections1 that thou wilt say1 ',what care ,i for my servant8 ,i took him to do my work1 not to train him up in religion4 ,well1 suppose the soul of thy servant be thus little worth in thine eyes2 yet what wilt thou say for thy children1 who behold all thy ways1 and are as capable of drinking up the poison of thy footsteps1 as the swine is of drinking up swill3 ,i say1 what wilt thou do for them8 ,children will learn to be naught of parents1 of professing parents soonest of all4 ,they will be tempted to think all that they do is right4 ,i say1 what wilt thou say to this8 ,or art thou like the ostrich whom ,god hath deprived of wisdom1 and has hardened her heart against her young8 7,job #ci3ac-ag7 ,will it please thee when thou shalt see that thou hast brought forth children to the murderer8 or when thou shalt hear them cry1 ,i learnt to go on in the paths of sin by the carriages of professing parents4#ab 7,heb4 #i3ac7 ,if it was counted of old a sad thing for a man to bring forth children to the sword1 as ,ephraim did1 what will it be for a man to bring up children for hell and damnation8 ,but1 ,fifth1 ,let those that name the name of ,christ depart from the iniquity of ,,their ,,closet4 ,this may be called part of the iniquity of the house2 but because it is not public1 but as a retired part1 therefore ,i put it here by itself4 ,there are many closets sins that professors may be guilty of1 and from which they have need to depart4 ,as1 #a4 ,there is the pride of a library1 that is1 the study or closet1 and ,i doubt this sin and iniquity to this day is with many great professors1 and in my judgment it is thus manifested4 7l47 ,when men secretly please themselves to think it is known what a stock of books they have1 or when they take more pleasure in the number of1 than the matter contained in1 their books4 7#b47 ,when they buy books rather to make up a number than to learn to be good and godly men thereby4 7#c47 ,when1 though they own their books to be good and godly1 yet they will not conform thereto4 ,this is an iniquity now on foot in this land1 and ought to be departed from4 ,it is better to have no books1 and depart from iniquity1 than to have a thousand1 and not to be bettered in my soul thereby4 #b4 ,there is an iniquity that attends the closet1 which ,i may call by the name of vacancy4 ,when men have a closet to talk of1 not to pray in2 a closet to look upon1 not to bow before ,god in3 a closet to lay up gold in1 but not to mourn in for the sins of my life2 a closet that could it speak1 would say1 ,my owner is seldom here upon his knees before the ,god of heaven2 seldom here humbling himself for the iniquity of his heart1 or to thank ,god for the mercies of his life4 #c4 ,then also a man is guilty of closet-iniquity1 when though he doth not utterly live in the neglect of duty1 he formally1 carnally1 and without reverence1 and godly fear1 performs it4 ,also1 when he asketh ,god for that which he cannot abide should be given him1 or when he prayeth for that in his closet1 that he cannot abide in his house1 nor in his life4 #d4 ,then also a man is guilty of closet-iniquity1 when he desireth that the sound of the devotion he doth there1 may be heard by them without in the house1 the street1 or of those that dwell by2 for a closet is only for the man and ,god to do things in secretly4 7,matt4 #f3f7 ,these things let the professor beware of1 lest he add to his iniquity1 sin1 until he and it comes to be loathsome4 ,the closet is by ,god appointed for men to wait upon him in1 and to do it without hypocrisy2 to wait there for his mind and his will1 and also for grace to perform it4 ,and how can a man that went last time out of his closet to be naught1 have the face to come thither again8 ,if ,i regard iniquity in my heart1 the ,lord will not hear my prayer2 and if so1 then he will not meet me in my closet2 and if so1 then ,i shall quickly be weary thereof1 being left to myself1 and the vanity of my mind4 ,it is a great thing to be a closet ,christian1 and to hold it2 he must be a close ,christian1 that will be a closet ,christian4 ,when ,i say a closet ,christian1 ,i mean one that is so in the hidden part1 and that also walks with ,god4 ,many there be that profess ,christ who do oftener1 in ,london#ac frequent the coffee-house than their closet2 and that sooner in a morning run to make bargains than to pray unto ,god1 and begin the day with him4 ,but for thee1 who professest the name of ,christ1 do thou depart from all these things2 do thou make conscience of reading and practising2 do thou follow after righteousness2 do thou make conscience of beginning the day with ,god2 for he that begins it not with him will hardly end it with him2 he that runs from ,god in the morning will hardly find him at the close of the day2 nor will he that begins with the world and the vanities thereof1 in the first place1 be very capable of walking with ,god all the day after4 ,it is he that finds ,god in his closet that will carry the savour of him into his house1 his shop1 and his more open conversation4 ,when ,moses had been with ,god in the mount his face shone1 he brought of that glory into the camp4 7,exo4 #cd7 ,sixth1 ,i add again1 let those that name the name of ,christ depart from the iniquity ,,that ,,cleaveth ,,to ,,opinions4 ,this is a sad age for that2 let opinions in themselves be never so good1 never so necessary1 never so innocent1 yet there are spirits in the world that will entail iniquity to them1 and will make the vanity so inseparable with the opinion1 that it is almost impossible with some to take in the opinion and leave out the iniquity1 that by the craft and subtility of ,satan is joined thereto4 ,nor is this a thing new1 and of yesterday2 it has been thus almost in all ages of the church of ,god1 and that not only in things small and indifferent1 but in things fundamental and most substantial4 ,i need instance in none other for proof thereof1 but the doctrine of faith and holiness4 ,if faith be preached as that which is absolutely necessary to justification1 then faith fantastical1 and looseness and remissness in life1 with some1 are joined therewith4 ,if holiness of life be preached as necessary to salvation1 then 7they say that7 faith is undervalued1 and set below its place1 and works as to justification1 with ,god set up and made co-partners with ,christ's merits in the remission of sins4 ,thus iniquity joineth itself with the great and most substantial truths of the gospel1 and it is hard to receive any good opinion whatever1 but iniquity will join itself thereto4 7,eph4 #e3ab1 #ac7 ,wicked spirits do not only tempt men to transgress the moral law1 but do present themselves in heavenly things1 working there1 and labouring in them1 to wrest the judgment1 and turn the understanding and conscience awry in those high and most important things4 ,wherefore1 ,i say1 we must be the more watchful and careful lest we be abused in our notions and best principles1 by the iniquities that join themselves thereto4 ,it is strange to see at this day how1 not withstanding all the threatenings of ,god1 men are wedded to their own opinions1 beyond what the law of grace and love will admit4 ,here is a ,presbyter1 here is an ,independent1 and a ,baptist1 so joined each man to his own opinion1 that they cannot have that communion one with another1 as by the testament of the ,lord ,jesus they are commanded and enjoined4 ,what is the cause8 ,is the truth8 ,no8 ,god is the author of no confusion in the church of ,god4 7#a ,cor4 #ad3cc7 ,it is1 then1 because every man1 makes too much of his own opinion1 abounds too much in his own sense1 and takes not care to separate his opinion from the iniquity that cleaveth thereto4 ,that this confusion is in the church of ,christ1 ,i am of ,paul1 ,i of ,apollos1 ,i of ,cephas1 and ,i of ,christ1 is too manifest4 ,but what unbecoming language is this for the children of the same father1 members of the same body1 and heirs of the same glory1 to be accustomed to8 ,whether is it pride1 or hypocrisy1 or ignorance1 or self1 or the devil1 or the jesuit1 or all these jointly working with the church1 that makes and maintains these names of distinction8 ,this distinction and want of love1 this contempt of one another1 those base and undervaluing thoughts of brethren1 will be better seen1 to the shame and confusion of some1 in the judgment4 ,in the meantime1 ,i advise thee with whom ,i am at this time concerned1 to take heed of this mixture1 this sinful mixture of truth and iniquity together2 and to help thee in this thing1 keep thine eye much upon thine own base self1 labour also to be sensible of the imperfections that cleave to thy best performances1 be clothed with humility1 and prefer thy brother before thyself2 and know that ,christianity lieth not in small matters1 neither before ,god1 nor understanding men4 ,and it would be well if those that so stickle by their private and unscriptural notions1 which only is iniquity cleaving to truth1--,i say1 it would be well if such were more sound in faith and morals1 and if by their lives they gave better conviction to the world that the truth and grace of ,christ is in them4 ,sometimes so much iniquity is mixed with good opinions1 that it prevails1 not only to hurt men in this world1 but to drown them in misery everlasting4 ,it was good that the ,jews did own and allow the ceremonies of the law1 but since the iniquity that joined itself thereto did prevail with them to make those ceremonies copartners with ,christ in those matters that pertained to ,christ alone1 therefore they perished in them4 ,the ,galatians also1 with many of the ,corinthians1 had like to have been overthrown by these things4 ,take heed1 therefore1 of that iniquity that seeketh to steal with the truth into thy heart1 thy judgment1 and understanding4 ,nor doth one iniquity come without another2 they are linked together1 and come by companies1 and therefore usually they that are superstitious in one thing1 are corrupted in several other4 ,the more a man stands upon his points#ad to justify himself and to condemn his holy brethren1 the more danger he is in of being overcome of diverse evils4 ,and it is the wisdom of ,god to let it be so1 that flesh might not glory in his presence4 ',his soul1 which is lifted up1' 7,hab4 #b3d7 to wit1 with his good doings1 with his order and methods in religion1 'his soul is not upright in him4' ,i have often said in my heart1 ,what is the reason that some of the brethren should be so shy of holding communion with those every whit us good1 if not better than themselves8 ,is it because they think themselves unworthy of their holy fellowship8 ,no1 verily2 it is because they exalt themselves1 they are leavened with some iniquity that hath mixed itself with some good opinions that they hold1 and therefore it is that they say to others1 ',stand by thyself1 come not near to me1 for ,i am holier than thou4' 7,isa4 #fe3e7 ,but what is the sentence of ,god concerning those8 ,why1 these are a smoke in my nose1 a fire that burneth all the day4 ,wherefore1 as ,i said before1 so ,i say now again1 take heed of the iniquity that cleaveth to good opinions2 the which thou wilt in nowise be able to shun unless thou be clothed with humility4#ae ,but1 ,seventh1 ,let them that name the name of ,christ depart from ,,hypocrisies4 ,this exhortation is as the first1 general2 for hypocrisies are of that nature1 that they spread themselves as the leprosy of the body1 all over2 not the faculties of the soul only1 but all the duties of a man4 ,so that here is a great iniquity to be parted from1 an over-spreading iniquity4 ,this sin will get into all thy profession1 into every whit of it1 and will make the whole of it a loathsome stink in the nostrils of ,god4 ,hypocrisy will be in the pulpit1 in conference1 in closets1 in communion of saints1 in faith1 in love1 in repentance1 in zeal1 in humility1 in alms1 in the prison1 and in all duties4 7,ezek4 #h3ab2 ,mal4 #b3b2 ,matt4 #f3b2 #h3bj1 #ba2 #bc3ae2 ,luke #ab3a1 #b2 #bj3ai1 #bj2 #a ,cor4 #ac3c2 #b ,cor4 #f3f2 ,col4 #b3bc2 #b ,tim4 #a3e7 ,so that here is1 for the keeping of thy soul upright and sincere1 more than ordinary diligence to be used4 ,hypocrisy is one of the most abominable of iniquities4 ,it is a sin that dares it with ,god4 ,it is a sin that saith ,god is ignorant1 or that he delighteth in iniquity4 ,it is a sin that flattereth1 that dissembleth1 that offereth to hold ,god1 as it were1 fair in hand1 about that which is neither purposed nor intended4 ,it is also a sin that puts a man upon studying and contriving to beguile and deceive his neighbour as to the bent and intent of the heart1 and also as to the cause and end of actions4 ,it is a sin that persuadeth a man to make a show of civility1 morality1 or ,christian religion1 as a cloak1 a pretence1 a guise to deceive withal4 ,it will make a man preach for a place and praise1 rather than to glorify ,god and save souls2 it will put a man upon talking1 that he may be commended2 it will make a man1 when he is at prayer in his closet1 strive to be heard without doors2 it will make a man ask for that he desireth not1 and show zeal in duties1 when his heart is as cold1 as senseless1 and as much without savour as a clod2 it will make a man pray to be seen and heard of men1 rather than to be heard of ,god2 it will make a man strive to weep when he repenteth not1 and to pretend much friendship when he doth not love2 it will make a man pretend to experience and sanctification when he has none1 and to faith and sincerity when he knows not what they are4 ,there is opposed to this sin simplicity1 innocency1 and godly sincerity1 without which three graces thou wilt be a hypocrite1 let thy notions1 thy knowledge1 thy profession1 and commendations from others1 be what they will4 ,helps against this sin there are many1 some of which ,i shall now present thee with4 7,psa4 #af3b2 #ba3b2 ,luke #af3ae74 #a4 ,believe that ,god's eye is always upon thy heart1 to observe all the ways1 all the turnings and windings of it4 #b4 ,believe that he observeth all thy ways and marks thy actions4 ',the ways of man are before the eyes of the ,lord1 and he pondereth all his goings4' 7,prov4 #e3ba7 #c4 ,believe that there is a day of judgment a-coming1 and that then all things shall be revealed and discovered as they are4 ',for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed2 neither hid that shall not be known4 ,therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light1 and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the house-tops4' 7,luke #bb3b1c7 #d4 ,believe that a hypocrite1 with the cunning and shrouds for his hypocrisy1 can go unseen no further than the grave1 nor can he longer flatter himself with thoughts of life4 ,for 'the triumphing of the wicked is short1 and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment4 ,though his excellency mount up to the heavens1 and his head reach unto the clouds2 yet he shall perish for ever1 like his own dung3 they which have seen him shall say1 ,where is he8 ,he shall fly away as a dream1 and shall not be found2 yea1 he shall be chased away as a vision of the night4' 7,job #bj3e-h7 #e4 ,believe that ,god will not spare a hypocrite in the judgment1 no1 nor punish him neither with ordinary damnation2 but as they have here sinned in a way by themselves1 so there they shall receive greater damnation4 7,luke #bj3dg7 ,of all sins1 the sin of hypocrisy bespeaks a man most in love with some lust1 because he dissembleth both with ,god and man to keep it4 ,for a conclusion upon this sevenfold answer to the question above propounded1 let me advise those that are tender of the name of ,christ1 to have regard to these things4 ,advice ,first1 as well acquainted with the ,word1 and with the general rules of holiness2 to wit1 with the moral law2 the want of this is a cause of much unholiness of conversation4 ,these licentious and evil times wherein we live are full of iniquity2 nor can we1 though we never so much love ,god1 do our duty1 as we are enjoined1 if we do not know it4 ,the law is cast behind the back of many1 when it should be carried in the hand and heart1 that we might do it1 to the end that the gospel which we profess might be glorified in the world4 ,let then the law be with thee to love it1 and do it in the spirit of the gospel1 that thou be not unfruitful in thy life4 ,let the law1 ,i say1 be with thee1 not as it comes from ,moses1 but from ,christ2 for though thou art set free from the law as a covenant of life1 yet thou still art under the law to ,christ2 and it is to be received by thee as out of his hand1 to be a rule for thy conversation in the world4 7#a ,cor4 #i3ah7 ,what then thou art about to do1 do it or leave it undone1 as thou shalt find it approved or forbidden by the law4 ,and when ought shall come into thy mind to be done1 and thou art at a stand1 and at a loss about the lawfulness or unlawfulness thereof1 then betake thyself to the law of thy ,god1 which is in thy hand1 and ask if this thing be good or to be avoided4 ,if this were practised by professors1 there would not be so much iniquity found in their beds1 their houses1 their shops1 and their conversations1 as there is4 ,advice ,second1 ,as thou must be careful to find out the lawfulness or unlawfulness of a thing before thou puttest forth thy hand thereto1 so thou must also consider again whether that which is lawful is expedient4 ,a thing may be lawful in itself1 and may yet be unlawful to thee2 to wit1 if there be an inconveniency1 or an inexpediency attending the doing of it4 ',all things are lawful unto me1' says the apostle1 'but all things are not expedient2 all things are lawful for me1 but all things edify not4' 7#a ,cor4 #f3ab2 #aj3bc7 ,this then thou must consider1 and this also thou must practise4 ,but this is a hard lesson1 and impossible to be done1 except thou art addicted to self-denial2 for this text1 and so the practice of what is contained therein1 has respect chiefly to another1 to wit1 to thy neighbour1 and his advantage and edification2 and it supposeth1 yea1 enjoineth thee1 if thou wilt depart from iniquity1 to forbear also some things that are lawful1 and consequently profitable to thee1 for the sake of1 and of love to1 thy neighbour4 ,but how little of this is found among men8 ,where is the man that will forbear some lawful things1 for fear of hurting the weak thereby8 ,alas6 how many are there that this day profess1 that will not forbear palpable wickedness2 no1 though the salvation of their own souls are endangered thereby2 and how then should these forbear things that are lawful1 even of godly tenderness to the weakness of their neighbour8 ,thus much have ,i thought good to speak in answer to this question1 ,what iniquity should we depart from that religiously name the name of ,christ8 ,and now we will make some use of what hath been spoken4 ,,use ,,first4 ,and the first shall be a use of examination4 ,art thou a professor8 ,dost thou religiously name the name of ,christ8 ,if so1 ,i ask1 dost thou1 according to the exhortation here1 ',depart from iniqnity8' ,i say1 examine thyself about this matter1 and be thou faithful in this work1 for the deceit in this will fall upon thine own pate4 ,deceive thyself thou mayest1 but beguile ,god thou shalt not4 ',be not deceived1 ,god is not mocked3 for whatsoever a man soweth1 that shall he also reap4' 7,gal4 #f3g7 ,wherefore let no man deceive himself1 either in professing while he lives viciously1 or in examining whether his profession of this name1 and his life1 and conversation1 do answer one another4 ,what departing from iniquity is1 ,i have already showed in the former part of this book2 wherefore ,i shall not here handle that point farther1 only press upon thee the necessity of this exhortation1 and the danger of the not doing of it faithfully4 ,the necessity of it is urged1 ,first1 ,from the deceitfulness of man's heart which will flatter him with promises of peace and life1 both now and hereafter1 though he live in iniquity while he professeth the name of ,christ4 ,for there are that say in their hearts1 or that have their hearts say unto them1 ',i shall have peace though ,i walk in the imagination of mine heart1 to add drunkenness to thirst4' 7,deut4 #bi3ai7 ,and what will become of them that so do1 you may see by that which followeth in the text4 ,the heart therefore is not to be trusted1 for it will promise a man peace in the way of death and damnation4 ,i doubt not but many are under this fearful judgment to this day4 ,what means else their quietness of mind1 their peace and boasts of heaven and glory1 though every step they take1 as to life and conversation1 is an apparent step to hell and damnation1 ',the heart is deceitful4' 7,jer4 #ag3i7 and1 ',he that trusteth in his own heart is a fool4' 7,prov4 #bh3bf7 ,these sayings were not written without a cause4 ,let as many1 therefore1 as would examine themselves about this matter1 have a jealous eye over their own heart1 and take heed of being beguiled thereby2 let them mix hearty prayer with this matter unto ,god1 that he will help them to be faithful to themselves in this so great a matter2 yea1 let them compare their lives with the holy commandment1 and judge by that rather than by the fleshly fondness that men naturally are apt to have for1 and of1 their own actions2 for by the verdict of the ,word thou must stand and fall1 both now1 at death1 and in the day of judgment4 ,take heed1 therefore1 of thy heart1 thy carnal heart1 when thou goest into thy life1 to make a search for iniquity4 ,take the ,word with thee1 and by the ,word do thou examine thyself4 7,john #ab3dh7 ,second1 ,it is urged from the cunning of ,satan4 ,wouldest thou examine thyself faithfully as to this thing1 then take heed of the flatteries of the devil3 can he help it1 thou shalt never find out the iniquity of thy heels4 ,he will labour to blind thy mind1 to harden thy heart1 to put such virtuous names upon thy foulest vices1 that thou shalt never1 unless thou stoppest thine ear to him1 after a godly sort1 truly examine and try thy ways1 according as thou art commanded4 7,lam4 #c3dj2 #b ,cor4 #ac3e7 ,wherefore take heed of him1 for he will be ready at thy side when thou goest about this work4 ,now for thy help in this matter1 set ,god1 the holy ,god1 the all-seeing ,god1 the sin--revenging ,god1 before thine eyes2 'for our ,god is a consuming fire4' 7,heb4 #ab3bi7 ,and believe that he hath pitched his eyes upon thy heart2 also that 'he pondereth all thy goings1' and that thy judgment1 as to thy faithfulness1 or unfaithfulness1 in this work1 must proceed out of the mouth of ,god4 7,prov4 #e3ba2 #ba3b7 ,this will be thy help in this thing1 that is1 if thou usest it faithfully2 also this will be thy hindrance1 if thou shalt neglect it1 and suffer thyself to be abused by the devil4 ,third1 ,it is urged from the dangerousness of the latter days4 ,wouldst thou examine thyself1 then make not the lives of others any rule to thee in this matter4 ,it is prophesied long ago1 by ,christ and by ,paul1 concerning the latter times1 'that iniquity shall abound1 and be very high among professors4' 7,matt4 #bd3ab2 #b ,tim4 #c3a-h7 ,therefore it will be a rare thing to find an exemplary life among professors4 ,wherefore cease from man1 and learn of the ,word1 try thyself by the ,word1 receive conviction from the ,word2 and to take off thyself from taking of encouragement from others1 set the judgment before thine eyes1 and that account that ,god will demand of thee then2 and know that it will be but a poor excuse of thee to say1 ,lord1 such a one doth so1 did so1 would do so3 and they professed1 c4 ,whether thou wilt hear me or not1 ,i know not1 yet this ,i know1 ',if thou be wise1 thou shalt be wise for thyself3 but if thou scornest1 thou alone shalt bear it4' 7,prov4 #i3ab7 ,let me then1 to press this use further upon thee1 show thee in a few particulars the danger of not doing of it1 that is1 of not departing from iniquity1 since thou professest4 ,danger #a4 ,the iniquity that cleaveth to men that profess1 if they cast it not away1 but countenance it1 will a#aa prove nettles and briars to them2 and ,i will assure thee1 yea1 thou knowest1 that nettles and thorns will sting and scratch but ill-favouredly4 ',i went1' saith ,solomon1 'by the field of the slothful1 and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding4 ,and lo1 it was all grown over with thorns1 and nettles had covered the face thereof1 and the stone wall thereof was broken down4' 7,prov4 #bd3cj1 #ca7 ,suppose a man were1 after work all day1 to be turned into a bed of nettles at night3 or after a man had been about such a business1 should be rewarded with chastisements of briars and thorns3 this would for work be but little help1 relief1 or comfort to him2 why this is the reward of a wicked man1 of a wicked professor from ,god2 nettles and thorns are to cover over the face of his vineyard1 his field1 his profession1 and that at the last of all2 for this covering over the face of his vineyard1 with nettles and thorns1 is to show what fruit the slovenly1 slothful1 careless professor1 will reap out2 of his profession1 when reaping time shall come4 ,nor can he whose vineyard1 whose profession is covered over with these nettles and thorns of iniquity1 escape being afflicted with them in his conscience3 for look as they cover the face of his vineyard through his sloth now1 so will they cover the face of his conscience1 in the day of judgment4 ,for profession and conscience cannot be separated long2 if a man then shall make profession without conscience of ,god's honour in his conversation1 his profession and conscience will meet in the day of his visitation4 ,nor will he1 whose condition this shall be1 be able to ward off the guilt and sting of a slothful and bad conversation1 from covering the face of his conscience1 by retaining in his profession the name of ,jesus ,christ3 for naming and professing of the name of ,christ will1 instead of salving such a conscience1 put venom1 sting1 and keenness into those nettles and thorns1 that then shall be spread over the face of such consciences4 ,this will be worse than was that cold wet cloth that ,hazael took and spread over the face of ,benhadad1 that he died4 7#b ,kings #h3ae7 ,this will sting worse1 tear worse1 torment worse1 kill worse4 ,therefore look to it6 ,danger #b4 ,nor may men shift this danger by their own neglect of inquiring into the truth of their separation from iniquity1 for that ,god himself will search them4 ,i search the reins and the heart1 saith he1 'to give unto every one of you according to your works4' 7,rev4 #b3bc7 ,there are many that wear the name of ,christ for a cloak1 and so make their advantages by their iniquity2 but ,christ1 at death and judgment1 will rend this cloak from off such shoulders1 then shall they walk naked1 yea1 the shame of their nakedness shall then appear4 ,now since no man can escape the search of ,god1 and so1 not his judgment2 it will be thy wisdom to search thine own ways1 and to prevent judgment by judging of thyself4 ,danger #c4 ,christ will deny those to be his that do not depart from iniquity1 though they shall name his name among the rest of his people4 ',depart from me1' saith he1 'all you that departed not from iniquity4' 7,luke #ac3be-bg7 ,yea1 they that shall name his name religiously1 and not depart from iniquity1 are denied by him all along4 #a4 ,he alloweth them not now to call him ,lord4 ',and why call ye me ,lord1 ,lord1' saith he1 'and do not1 the things which ,i say8' 7,luke #f3df7 ,he cannot abide to be reputed the ,lord of those that presume to profess his name1 and do not depart from iniquity4 7,ezek4 #bj3ci7 ,the reason is1 for that such do but profane his name1 and stave others off from falling in love with him and his ways4 ,hence he says again ',behold1 ,i have sworn by my great name1 saith the ,lord1 that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of ,judah4' 7,jer4 #dd3bf2 ,rom4 #b3bd7 #b4 ,he regardeth not their prayers4 ',if ,i regard iniquity in my heart1 the ,lord will not hear' my prayer4 7,psa4 #ff3ah7 ,and if so1 then whatever thou hast at the hand of ,god1 thou hast it1 not in mercy1 but in judgment1 and to work out farther thine everlasting misery4 #c4 ,he will not regard their soul1 but at the last day will cast it from him1 as a thing abhorred by him4 ,as is evidently seen by that thirteenth of ,luke1 but now noted above4 ,wherefore1 from these few hints1 thou1 whoever thou art1 mayest well perceive what a horrible thing it is to make a profession of the name of ,christ1 and not to depart from iniquity4 ,therefore let me exhort thee again to examine thyself1 if thou hast1 and dost--since thou professest that name--depart from iniquity4 ,and here ,i would distinguish1 for there is two parts in iniquity1 to wit1 the guilt and filth4 ,as for the guilt that is contracted by iniquity1 ,i persuade myself1 no man who knows it1 needs to be bid to desire to depart from that2 nay1 ,i do believe that the worst devil in hell would depart from his guilt1 if he could1 and might3 but this is it1 to wit1 to depart from the sweet1 the pleasure1 and profit of iniquity4 ,there are that call evil good1 iniquity good1 and that of professors too3 this is that to be departed from1 and these are they that are exhorted to forsake it upon the pains and penalties before threatened4 ,therefore1 as ,i said1 let such look to it1 that they examine themselves if they depart from iniquity4 ,and come1 now thou art going about this work1 let me help thee in this matter4 ,i4 ,ask thy heart1 ,what evil dost thou see in sin8 ,,ii4 ,how sick art thou of sin8 ,,iii4 ,what means dust thou use to mortify thy sins8 ,,iv4 ,how much hast thou been grieved to see others break ,god's law1 and to find temptations in thyself to do it8 ,i4 ,for the first1 ,there is a soul-polluting evil in iniquity4 ,there is a ,god-provoking evil in iniquity4 ,there is a soul-damning evil in iniquity4 ,and until thou comest experimentally to know these things1 thou wilt have neither list1 nor will1 to depart from iniquity4 ,,ii4 ,for the second4 ,i mean not sick with guilt1 for so the damned in hell are sick1 but ,i mean sick of the filth1 and polluting nature of it4 ,thus was ,moses sick of sin1 thus ,jabez was sick of sin1 and thus was ,paul sick of sin4 7,num4 #aa3ad1 #ae2 #a ,chron4 #d3i1 #aj2 ,rom4 #g3ad2 #b ,cor4 #e3a-c2 ,phil4 #c3aj-ad7 ,,iii4 ,for the third4 ,you know that those that are sensible of a sickness1 will look out after the means to be recovered2 there is a means also for this disease1 and dost thou know what that means is1 and hast thou indeed a desire to it8 yea1 couldest thou be willing even now to partake of the means that would help thee to that means1 that can cure thee of this disease8 there are no means can cure a man that is sick of sin1 but glory2 and the means to come by that is ,christ1 and to go out of this world by the faith of him4 ,there is no grace can cure this disease2 yes1 grace doth rather increase it2 for the more grace any man has1 the more is he sick of sin2 the greater an offence is iniquity to him4 ,so then1 there is nothing can cure this disease1 but glory3 but immortal glory4 ,and dost thou desire this medicine8 and doth ,god testify that thy desire is true1 not feigned8 7#b ,cor4 #e3d7 ,i know that there are many things that do make some even wish to die3 but the question is not whether thou dost wish to die3 for death can cure many diseases3 but is this that that moveth thee to desire to depart3 to wit1 that thou mightest be rid1 quite rid1 and stripped of a body of death1 because nothing on this side the grave can rid thee and strip thee of it4 ,and is hope1 that this day is approaching1 a reviving cordial to thee8 and doth the hope of this strike arrows into the heart of thy lusts1 and draw off thy mind and affections yet farther from iniquity4 ,,iv4 ,to the fourth4 ,how much hast thou been grieved to see others break ,god's law1 and to find temptations in thyself to do it8 ',i beheld the transgressors1 and was grieved1' said ,david1 'because men kept not thy word4' 7,psa4 #aai3aeh7 ,the same also had ,paul1 because of that body of sin and death which was in him4 ,professor1 ,i beseech thee be thou serious about this thing because it will be found1 when ,god comes to judge1 that those that profess ,christ1 and yet abide with their iniquity1 are but wooden1 earthy professors1 and none of the silver or golden ones3 and so1 consequently1 such as shall be vessels1 not to honour1 but to dishonour2 not to glory1 but to shame4 ,,use ,,second4 ,my next shall be a use of terror4 ,has ,god commanded by the mouth of his holy apostles and prophets1 that those that name the name of ,christ should depart from iniquity3 then what will become of those that rebel against his ,word4 ,where the word of a king is1 there is power2 and if the wrath of a king be as the roaring of a lion1 what is1 and what will be the wrath of ,god1 when with violence it falls upon the head of the wicked8 ,sirs1 ,i beseech you consider this1 namely1 that the man that professeth the name of ,christ1 and yet liveth a wicked life1 is the greatest enemy that ,god has in the world1 and1 consequently1 one that ,god1 in a way most eminent1 will set his face against4 ,hence he threateneth such so hotly1 saying1 ',and the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinner shall be together1' and that 'they that forsake the ,lord shall be consumed4' 7,isa4 #a3bh2 #cc3ad7 ,but what sinners are these8 why1 the sinners in ,zion1 the hypocrites in the church4 ,so again the ,lord shall 'purge out from among you the rebels1 and them that transgress against him4' 7,ezek4 #bj3ch7 ',all the sinners of my people shall die by the sword1 which say1 ,the evil shall not overtake nor prevent us4' 7,amos #i3aj7 ,for though such do think that by professing of the name of ,christ1 they shall prevent their going down to hell1 yet they shall go down thither1 with those that have lived openly wicked and profane3 ,egypt1 and ,judah1 the circumcised with them that are not1 for it is not a profession of faith that can save them4 7,jer4 #i3bf7 ',whom dost thou pass in beauty1' saith ,god8 wherein art thou bettered by the profession1 than the wicked8 'go down1 and be thou laid with the uncircumcised4' 7,ezek4 #cb3ai7 ,this in general2 but more particularly1 the wrath of ,god manifesteth itself against such kind of professors4 ,in that the gospel and means of salvation shall not be effectual for their salvation1 but that it shall work rather quite contrary effects4 ,it shall bring forth1 as ,i said1 quite contrary effects4 7#b ,cor4 #b3ae1 #af7 ,as1 ,first1 ,the preaching of the ,word shall be to such the savour of death unto death1 and that is a fearful thing4 ,second1 ,yea ,christ ,jesus himself shall be so far off from being a savour unto them1 that he shall be a snare1 a trap and a gin to catch them by the heel withal2 that they may go and fall backward1 and be broken1 and snared1 and taken4' 7,isa4 #h3ad1 #ae2 #bh3ac7 ,third1 ,the ,lord also will choose out such delusions1 or such as will best suit with the workings of their flesh1 as will effectually bring them down1 with the bullocks and with the bulls to the slaughter3 yea1 he will lead such forth with the workers of iniquity4 7,isa4 #ff3c1 #d2 ,psa4 #abe3e7 ,fourth1 ,such1 above all1 lie open to the sin against the ,holy ,ghost1 that unpardonable sin1 that must never be forgiven4 ,for alas1 it is not the poor ignorant world1 but the enlightened professor that committeth the sin that shall never be forgiven4 ,i say1 it is one enlightened1 one that has tasted the good word of ,god1 and something of the powers of the world to come4 7,heb4 #f3d2 #a ,john #e3af7 ,it is one that was counted a brother1 that was with us in our profession3 it is such an one that is in danger of committing of that most black and bloody sin4 ,but yet all and every one of those that are such are not in danger of this2 but those among these that take pleasure in unrighteousness1 and that rather than they will lose that pleasure1 will commit it presumptuously4 ,presumptuously1 that is1 against light1 against convictions1 against warnings1 against mercies4 ,or thus1 a presumptuous sin is such an one as is committed in the face of the command1 in a desperate venturing to run the hazard1 or in a presuming upon the mercy of ,god1 through ,christ1 to be saved not withstanding3 this is a leading sin to that which is unpardonable1 and will be found with such professors2 that do hanker after iniquity4 ,i say1 it is designed by the devil1 and suffered by the just judgment of ,god1 to catch and overthrow the loose and carnal gospellers4 ,and hence it is that ,david cries unto ,god1 that he would hold him back from these sort of sins4 ',cleanse thou me from secret faults1' says he4 ,and then adds1 ',keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins2 let them not have dominion over me3 then shall ,i be upright1 and ,i shall be innocent from the great transgression4' 7,psa4 #ai3ab1 #ac7 ,if there were any dread of ,god1 or of his word1 in the hearts of the men of this generation1 the consideration of this one test is enough to shake them in pieces3 ,i speak of those that name the name of ,christ1 but do not depart from iniquity4 ,but the word of ,god must be fulfilled2 in the last days iniquity must abound2 wherefore these days will be perilous and dangerous to professors4 ',in the last days perilous times shall come1 for men shall be lovers of their ownselves1 covetous1 boasters1 proud1 blasphemers1 disobedient to parents1 unthankful1 unholy4' 7#b ,tim4 #c3a1 #b2 ,matt4 #bd3ab7 ,i do the oftener harp upon this test at this time1 because it is a prediction of what shall be in the latter days1 to wit1 what a sea and deluge of iniquity shall in the latter days overspread and drown those that then shall have a form of godliness1 and of religion4 ,so that this day is more dangerous than were the days that have been before us4 ,now iniquity1 even immorality1 shall with professors be in fashion1 be pleaded for1 be loved and more esteemed than holiness itself4 ,now godliness and self denial shall be little set by2 even those very men that have a form of godliness hate the life and power thereof2 yea1 they shall despise them that are good4 ,now therefore ministers must not think that what they say of the doctrine of self denial among professors1 will be much1 if at all regarded4 ,i say1 regarded1 so as to be loved and put in practice by them that name the name of ,christ4 ,for the strong hold that iniquity shall have of their affections will cause that but little effectualness to this end will be found to attend the preaching of the ,word unto them4 ,but what will these kind of men do1 when ,god that is just1 ,god that is holy1 and ,god that is strong to execute his word1 shall call them to an account for these things8 ,now some may say1 ,but what shall we do to depart from iniquity8 ,i answer1 #a4 ,labour to see the odiousness and unprofitableness thereof1 which thou mayest do by the true knowledge of the excellent nature of the holiness of ,god4 ,for until thou seest a beauty in holiness1 thou canst not see odiousness in sin and iniquity4 ,danger thou mayest see in sin before1 but odiousness thou canst not4 #b4 ,be much in the consideration of the power1 justice1 and faithfulness of ,god to revenge himself on the workers of iniquity4 #c4 ,be much in the consideration of the greatness and worth of thy soul4 #d4 ,be often asking of thyself what true profit did ,i ever get by the commission of any sin4 #e4 ,bring thy last day often to thy bedside4 #f4 ,be often thinking of the cries and roarings of the damned in hell4 #g4 ,be often considering the lastingness of the torments of hell4 #h4 ,be often thinking what would those that are now in hell give that they might live their lives over again4 #i4 ,consider often of the frailty of thy life1 and that there is no repentance to be found in the grave1 whither thou goest4 #aj4 ,consider that hell is a doleful place1 and that the devils are but uncomfortable companions4 #aa4 ,again1 consider together with those how the patience of ,god has been abused by thee2 yea1 how all his attributes have been despised by thee1 who art a professor1 that does not depart from iniquity4 #ac4 ,moreover1 ,i would ask with what face thou canst look the ,lord ,jesus in the face1 whose name thou hast profaned by thine iniquity8 #ac4 ,also1 how thou wilt look on those that are truly godly1 whose hearts thou has grieved1 while they have beheld the dirt and dung that hath cloven to thee and to thy profession4 #ad4 ,but especially consider with thyself how thou wilt bear1 together with thine own1 the guilt1 of the damnation of others4 ,for as ,i have often said1 a professor1 if he perishes1 seldom perishes alone1 but casteth others down to hell with himself4 ,the reason is1 because others1 both weak professors and carnal men1 are spectators and observers of his ways2 yea1 and will presume also to follow him especially in evil courses1 concluding that he is right4 ,we read that the tail of the dragon1 or that the dragon by his tail1 did draw and cast down abundance of the stars of heaven to the earth4 7,rev4 #ab3d2 ,isa4 #i3ad1 #ae7 ,the tail6 ',the prophet that teacheth lies1 he is the tail4' ,the prophet that speaketh lies1 either by opinion or practice1 he is the tail1 the dragons's tail1 the serpentine tail of the devil4 7,isa4 #i3ad1 #ae7 ,and so in his order1 every professor that by his iniquity draweth both himself and others to hell1 he is the tail4 ,the tail1 says the ,holy ,ghost1 draws them down2 draws down even the stars of heaven2 but whither doth he draw them8 ,the answer is1 from heaven1 the throne of ,god1 to earth1 the seat of the dragon2 for he is the god of this world4 ,the professor then that is dishonourable in his profession1 he is the tail4 ',the ancient and honourable1 he is the head2 and the prophet that teacheth lies1 he is the tail4' ,nor can ,satan work such exploits by any1 as he can by unrighteous professors4 ,these he useth in his hand1 as the giant useth his club2 he1 as it were1 drives all before him with it4 ,it is said of ,behemoth1 that 'he moveth his tail like a cedar4' 7,job #dj3g7 ,behemoth is a type of the devil1 but behold how he handleth his tail1 even as if a man should swing about a cedar4 7,rev4 #i3aj1 #ai7 ,this is spoken to shew the hurtfulness of the tail1 as it is also said in another place4 ,better no professor than a wicked professor4 ,better open profane than a hypocritical namer of the name of ,christ2 and less hurt shall such an one do to his own soul1 to the poor ignorant world1 to the name of ,christ1 and to the church of ,god4 ,let professors1 therefore1 take heed to themselves1 that they join to their naming of the name of ,christ an holy and godly conversation2 for away they must go else with the workers of iniquity to the pit1 with more guilt1 and bigger load1 and more torment by far than others1 ,but1 ,,use ,,third4 ,my next word shall be to those that desire to be true1 sincere professors of the name of ,christ4 ,first1 ,do you bless ,god1 for that he has put not only his name into your lips1 but grace into your hearts1 that thereby that profession which thou makest of him may be seasoned with that salt4 ',every sacrifice shall be seasoned with salt4' 7,mark #i3di7 ,now naming of the name of ,christ is a sacrifice1 and a sacrifice acceptable1 when the salt of the covenant of thy ,god is not lacking1 but mixed therewith4 7,heb4 #ac3ae2 ,lev4 #b3ac7 ,therefore ,i say1 since ,god has put his name into thy mouth to profess the same1 and grace into thy heart to season that profession with such carriage1 such behaviour1 such life1 and such conversation as doth become the same1 thou hast great cause to thank ,god4 ,a man into whose mouth ,god has put the name of ,christ to profess it1 is as a man that is to act his part upon a stage in the market place2 if he doth it well1 he brings praise both to his master and himself2 but if he doth it ill1 both are brought into contempt4 ,no greater praise can by man be brought to ,god1 than by joining to the profession of the name of ,christ a fruitful life and conversation4 ',herein1' saith ,christ1 'is my ,father glorified1 that ye bear much fruit2 so shall ye be my disciples4' 7,john #ae3h7 ,fruitful lives ,god expecteth of all that profess the name of ,christ4 ,and let every one that nameth the name of ,christ depart from iniquity4 ,bless ,god1 therefore1 if he hath kept thee from blotting and blemishing of thy profession2 if thy conversation has not been stained with the blots and evils of the times4 ,what thou feelest1 fightest with1 and groanest under1 by reason of the working of thine inward corruptions1 with that ,i meddle not2 nor is thy conversation the worse for that1 if thou keepest them from breaking out4 ,thou also shalt be counted holy unto ,god1 through ,christ1 if thou be of an upright conversation2 though plagued every day with the working of thine own corruption4 ,ad ,god's grace is the salt of saints1 so saints are the salt of ,god4 ,the one is the salt of ,god in the heart1 and the other is the salt of ,god in the world4 ',ye are the salt of the earth3' 7,matt4 #e3ac7 that is the salt of ,god in the earth4 ,for the earth would be wholly corrupt1 and would altogether stink1 if professors were not in it4 ,but now if the professor1 which is the salt1 shall indeed lose his savour1 and hath nothing in his conversation to season that part of the earth1 in which ,god has placed him1 wherewith shall it be seasoned8 ,the place where he dwells1 as well as his profession1 will both stink odiously in the nostrils of the ,lord1 and so both come to ruin and desolation4 ,indeed1 as ,i have shewed1 the professor will come to the worst of it2 for that ,god doth deny further to give him salt4 ',if the salt have lost his savour1 wherewith shall it be seasoned8' 7,luke #ad3cd7 ,wherewith shall the salt be salted8 with nothing4 ,therefore it is thenceforth good for nothing4 ,no1 not for the dunghill1 but to be cast out1 and trodden under foot of men4 ',he that hath ears to hear let him hear4' ,how much1 therefore1 is the tender-hearted1 and he that laboureth to beautify his profession with a gospel conversation1 bound to bless ,god for the salt of his grace1 by the which his heart is seasoned1 and from his heart1 his conversation4 ,second1 ,as such ,christians should bless ,god1 so let them watch1 let them still watch1 let them still watch and pray1 watch against ,satan1 and pray yet for more grace1 that they may yet more and more beautify their profession of the worthy name of ,christ with a suitable conversation4 ,blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garment2 that is1 his conversation clean1 nor is there anything1 save the overthrowing of our faith1 that ,satan seeketh more to destroy4 ,he knows holiness in them that rightly1 as to doctrine1 name the name of ,christ1 is a maul and destruction to his kingdom1 an allurement to the ignorant1 and a cutting off those occasions to stumble1 that by the dirty life of a professor is laid in the way of the blind4 7,lev4 #ai3ad7 ,he knows that holiness of lives1 when they shine in those that profess the name of ,christ1 doth cut off his lies that he seeketh to make the world believe1 and slanders that he seeketh to fasten upon the professors of the gospel4 ,wherefore1 as you have begun to glorify ,god in your body and in your spirit1 which are ,god's2 so ,i beseech you do it more and more4 ,third1 ,to this end1 shun those professors that are loose of life and conversation3 ',from such withdraw thyself1' saith ,paul1 and follow 'righteousness1 faith1 charity1 peace1 with them that call on the ,lord out of a pure heart4' 7#a ,tim4 #f3e2 #b ,tim4 #b3bb7 ,if a man1 if a good man takes not good heed to himself1 he shall soon bring his soul into a snare4 ,loose professors are defilers and corrupters2 a man shall get nothing but a blot by having company with them4 7,isa4 #a3d7 ,besides1 as a man shall get a blot by having much to do with such2 so let him beware that his heart learn none of their ways4 ,let thy company be the excellent in the earth even those that are excellent for knowledge and conversation4 ',he that walketh with wise men shall be wise2 but a companion of fools shall be destroyed4' ,be content to be counted singular1 for so thou shalt1 if thou shalt follow after righteousness1 41 in good earnest2 for holiness is a rare thing now in the world4 ,i told thee before that it is foretold by the ,word1 that in the last days perilous times shall come1 and that men shall walk after their own lusts2 yea1 professors1 to their destruction4 ,nor will it be easy to keep thyself therefrom4 ,but even as when the pestilence is come into a place1 it infecteth and casteth down the healthful2 so the iniquity of the last times will infest and pollute the godly4 ,i mean the generality of them4 ,were but our times duly compared with those that went before1 we should see that which now we are ignorant of4 ,did we but look back to the ,puritans1 but especially to those that1 but a little before them1 suffered for the word of ,god1 in the ,marian days1 we should see another life than is now among men1 another manner of conversation than now is among professors4 ,but1 ,i say1 predictions and prophecies must be fulfilled2 and since the ,word says plainly1 that 'in the last days there shall come scoffers1 walking after their own lusts1' 7#b ,peter #c3ag7 and since the ,christians shall be endangered thereby1 let us look to it1 that we acquit ourselves like men1 seeing we know these things before2 'lest we1 being led away with the error of the wicked1 fall from our own steadfastness4' ,singularity in godliness1 if it be in godliness1 no man should be ashamed of4 ,for that is no more than to be more godly1 than to walk more humbly with ,god than others2 and1 for my part1 ,i had rather be a pattern and example of piety4 ,i had rather that my life should be instructing to the saints1 and condemning to the world1 with ,noah and ,lot1 than to hazard myself among the multitude of the drossy4 ,i know that many professors will fall short of eternal life1 and my judgment tells me1 that they will be of the slovenly sort of professors that so do4 ,and for my part1 ,i had rather run with the foremost and win the prize1 than come behind1 and lose that1 and my labour1 and all4 ',if a man also strive for masteries1 yet is he not crowned1 except he strive lawfully4' ,and when men have said all they can1 they are the truly redeemed 'that are zealous of good works4' 7#a ,cor4 #i3bd2 #b ,tim4 #b3d1 #e2 ,titus #b3ad7 ,not that works do save us1 but faith1 which layeth hold on ,christ's righteousness for justification1 sanctifies the heart1 and makes men desirous to live in this world1 to the glory of that ,christ who died in this world to save us from death4 ,for my part ,i doubt of the faith of many1 and fear that it will prove no better at the day of ,god than will the faith of devils4 ,for that it standeth in bare speculation1 and is without life and soul to that which is good4 ,where is the man that walketh with his cross upon his shoulder8 ,where is the man that is zealous of moral holiness8 ,indeed1 for those things that have nothing of the cross of the purse1 or of the cross of the belly1 or of the cross of the back1 or of the cross of the vanity of household affairs2 for those things1 ,i find we have many1 and those1 very busy sticklers2 but otherwise1 the cross1 self denial1 charity1 purity in life and conversation1 is almost quite out of doors among professors4 ,but1 man of ,god1 do thou be singular as to these and as to their conversation4 ',be not ye therefore partakers with them1' 7,eph4 #e3g71 in any of their ways1 but keep thy soul diligently2 for if damage happeneth to thee1 thou alone must bear it4 ,but he that will depart from iniquity must be well fortified with faith1 and patience1 and the love of ,god2 for iniquity has its beauty spots and its advantages attending on it2 hence it is compared to a woman1 for it allureth greatly4 7,zech4 #e3g7 ,wherefore1 ,i say1 he that will depart therefrom had need have faith1 that being it which will help him to see beyond it1 and that will shew him more in things that are invisible1 that can be found in sin1 were it ten thousand times more entangling than it is4 7#b ,cor4 #d3ah7 ,he has need of patience also to hold out in this work of departing from iniquity4 ,for1 indeed1 to depart from that1 is to draw my mind off from that1 which will follow me with continual solicitations4 ,samson withstood his ,delilah for a while1 but she got the mastery of him at the last2 why so8 ,because he wanted patience1 he grew angry and was vexed1 and could withstand her solicitation no longer4 7,judges #af3ae-ag7 ,many there be also1 that can well enough be contented to shut sin out of doors for a while2 but because sin has much fair speech1 therefore it overcomes at last4 7,prov4 #g3ba7 ,for sin and iniquity will not be easily said nay2 it is like her of whom you read--she has a whore's forehead1 and refuses to be ashamed4 7,jer4 #c3c7 ,wherefore1 departing from iniquity is a work for length1 as long as life shall last4 ,a work did ,i say8 ,it is a war2 a continual combat2 wherefore he that will adventure to set upon this work must needs be armed with faith and patience1 a daily exercise he will find himself put upon by the continual attempts of iniquity to be putting forth itself4 7,matt4 #bd3ac2 ,rev4 #c3aj7 ,this is called an enduring to the end1 a continuing in the word of ,christ and also a keeping of the word of his patience4 ,but what man in the world can do this whose heart is not seasoned with the love of ,god and the love of ,christ8 ,therefore1 he that will exercise himself in this work must be often considering of the love of ,god to him in ,christ2 for the more sense1 or apprehension1 a man shall have of that1 the more easy and pleasant will this work be to him3 yea1 though the doing thereof should cost him his heart's blood4 ',thy loving-kindness is before mine eyes1' says ,david1 'and ,i have walked in thy truth4' 7,psa4 #bf3c7 ,nothing like the sense1 sight1 or belief of that1 to the man of ,god1 to make him depart from iniquity4 ,but what shall ,i do1 ,i cannot depart therefrom as ,i should8 ,keep thine eye upon all thy shortnesses1 or upon all thy failures1 for that that is profitable for thee4 #a4 ,the sight of this will make thee base in thine own eyes4 #b4 ,it will give thee occasion to see the need and excellency of repentance4 #c4 ,it will put thee upon prayer to ,god for help and pardon4 #d4 ,it will make thee weary of this world4 #e4 ,it will make grace to persevere the more desirable in thine eyes4 ,also1 it will help thee in the things which follow3--l4 ,it will make thee see the need of ,christ's righteousness4 #b4 ,it will make thee see the need of ,christ's intercession4 #c4 ,it will make thee see thy need of ,christ's advocateship4 #d4 ,it will make thee see the riches of ,god's patience4 #e4 ,and it will make heaven and eternal life the sweeter to thee when thou comest there4 ,but to the question4 ,get more grace1 for the more grace thou hast the further is thine heart set off of iniquity1 the more1 also1 set against it1 and the better able to depart from it when it cometh to thee1 tempteth thee1 and entreats thee for entertainment4 ,now the way to have more grace is to have more knowledge of ,christ1 and to pray more fervently in his name2 also1 to subject thy soul and thy lusts1 with all thy power1 to the authority of that grace thou hast1 and to judge and condemn thyself most heartily before ,god1 for every secret inclination that thou findest in thy flesh to sinward4 ,the improvement of what thou hast is that1 as ,i may say1 by which ,god judges how thou wouldest use1 if thou had it1 more2 and according to that so shalt thou have1 or not have1 a farther measure4 ,he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful1 and will be so1 also in much2 and he that is unjust in the least1 is1 and will be1 unjust also in much4 ,i know ,christ speaks here about the unrighteous mammon1 but the same may be applied also unto the thing in hand4 7,luke #af3aj-ab7 ,and if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's1 who will commit unto you that which is your own8 ,that is a remarkable place to this purpose in the ,revelation--',behold1' saith he1 ',i have set before thee an open door1' that thou mayest have what thou wilt1 as was also said to the improving woman of ,canaan1 'and no man can shut it3 for thou hast a little strength1 and hast kept my word1 and hast not denied my name4' 7,rev4 #c3h2 ,matt4 #ae3bh7 ,a good improvement of what we have of the grace of ,god at present pleases ,god1 and engages him to give us more2 but an ill improvement of what we at present have will not do so4 ',to him that hath1' that hath an heart to improve what he hath1 to him shall be given2 but to him that hath not1 from him shall be taken even that which he hath4' 7,matt4 #be3bd-cj7 ,well1 weigh the place and you shall find it so4 ,i know that to depart from iniquity so as is required1 that is1 to the utmost degree of the requirement1 no man can1 for it is a copy too fair for mortal flesh exactly to imitate while we are in this world4 ,but with good paper1 good ink1 and a good pen1 a skilful and willing man may go far4 ,and it is well for thee if thy complaint be sincere1 to wit1 that thou art troubled that thou canst not forsake iniquity as thou shouldest2 for ,god accepteth of thy design and desire1 and it is counted by him as thy kindness4 7,prov4 #ai3bb7 ,but if thy complaint in this matter be true1 thou wilt not rest nor content thyself in thy complaints1 but wilt1 as he that is truly hungry or greatly burdened useth all lawful means to satisfy his hunger and to ease himself of his burden1 use all thy skill and power to mortify and keep them under1 by the word of ,god4 ,nor can it otherwise be but that such a man must be a growing man4 ',every branch that beareth fruit1 he purgeth it1 that it may bring forth more fruit' 7,john #ae3b7 ,such a man shall not be a stumbling in religion1 nor a scandal to it1 in his calling2 but shall1 according to ,god's ordinary way with his people1 be a fruitful and flourishing bough4 ,and ,i would to ,god this were the sickness of all them that profess in this nation2 for then should we soon have a new leaf turned over in most corners of this nation2 then would graciousness of heart1 and life1 and conversation be more prized1 more sought after1 and better improved and practised than it is2 yea1 then would the throats of ungodly men be better stopt1 and their mouths faster shut up1 as to their reproaching of religion1 than they are4 ,a ,christian man must be the object of the envy of the world2 but it is better1 if the will of ,god be so1 that we be reproached for well-doing than for evil4 7#a ,peter #b3c7 ,if we be reproached for evil-doing1 it is our shame2 but if for well-doing1 it is our glory4 ,if we be reproached for our sins1 ,god cannot vindicate us2 but if we be reproached for a virtuous life1 ,god himself is concerned1 will espouse our quarrel1 and1 in his good time1 will shew our foes our righteousness1 and put them to shame and silence4 ,briefly1 a godly life annexed to faith in ,christ is so necessary1 that a man that professes the name of ,christ is worse than a beast without it4 ,but thou wilt say unto me1 ,why do men profess the name of ,christ that love not to depart from iniquity8 ,i answer1 there are many reasons for it4 #a4 ,the preaching of the gospel1 and so the publication of the name of ,christ1 is musical and very taking to the children of men4 ,a ,saviour6 a ,redeemer6 a loving1 sin-pardoning ,jesus6 what better words can come from man8 what better melody can be heard8 ',son of man1' said ,god to the prophet1 ',lo1 thou art unto them as a very lovely song'2 or1 as a song of loves1 'of one that hath a pleasant voice1 and can play well on an instrument4' 7,ezek4 #cc3cb7 ,the gospel is a most melodious note and sweet tune to any that are not prepossessed with slander1 reproach1 and enmity against the professors of it4 ,now1 its melodious notes being so sweet1 no marvel if it entangle some even of them that yet will not depart from iniquity to take up and profess so lovely a profession4 ,but1 #b4 ,there are a generation of men that are and have been frightened with the law1 and terrified with fears of perishing for their sins1 but yet have not grace to leave them4 ,now1 when the sound of the gospel shall reach such men's ears1 because there is by that made public the willingness of ,christ to die for sin1 and of ,god to forgive them for his sake2 therefore they presently receive and profess those notions as the only ones that can rid them from their frights and terrors1 falsely resting themselves content with that faith thereof which standeth in naked knowledge2 yea1 liking of that faith best that will stand with their pride1 covetousness1 and lechery1 never desiring to hear of practical holiness1 because it will disturb them2 wherefore they usually cast dirt at such1 calling them legal preachers4 #c4 ,here also is a design of ,satan set on foot2 for these carnal gospellers are his tares1 the children of the wicked one2 those that he hath sowed among the wheat of purpose1 if possible1 that that might be rooted up by beholding and learning to be vile and filthy of them4 7,matt4 #ac3cf-dc7 #d4 ,another cause hereof is this1 the hypocrites that begin to profess find as bad as themselves already in a profession of this worthy name2 and1 think they1 these do so and so1 and1 therefore1 so will ,i4 #e4 ,this comes to pass1 also1 through the righteous judgment of ,god1 who1 through the anger that he has conceived against some men for their sins1 will lift them up to heaven before he casts them down to hell1 that their fall may be the greater and their punishment the more intolerable4 7,matt4 #aa3bj-bd7 ,i have now done when ,i have read to you my text over again--',and1 let every one that nameth the name of ,christ depart from iniquity4' ,,footnotes4 #a4 ,how clearly is here portrayed the wretched state of this country towards the close of the reign of ,charles ,,ii4 ,it is the natural eloquence of one whose very thoughts were governed by scriptural expressions4 ,the martyrdoms of ,essex1 of ,russel1 and of ,sydney--the uncertainty of the life of a debauched monarch1 with the gloomy prospect of a popish successor1 filled the country with dismal forebodings4--,,ed4 #b4 ,this is a solemn truth1 which ought ever to be recollected when studying the mysteries of electing love4 ,election is as much to a holy life as it is to eternal glory4-,,ed4 #c4 ,how much is it to be feared that some towering professors1 upon impartial self-examination1 will find upon themselves some of these black spots2 all of which are utterly inconsistent with that humility which is the proper and only becoming garb of a ,christian4--,ryland--,,ed4 #d4 ,selfishness is the great enemy to happiness4 ,a heart steeled against all1 naturally brings upon itself the hostility of all4 ,love to the ,redeemer1 for emancipation from that great curse1 is the only antidote to selfishness4--,,ed4 #e4 ',power of things2' the influence of convictions and hopes named in the six divisions on the preceding page4--,,ed4 #f4 ,plato says that some men are impotent by reason of sin2 but ,christianity alone develops the awful fact1 that sin has poisoned our nature1 and that its effects are felt in the holiest of saints4 ,the reference to the experience of ,paul in ,romans #h is conclusive of the fact4--,,ed4 #g4 ',letteth2' hindereth or obstructeth3 now obsolete4--,,ed4 #h4 ',slow bellies2' gluttons1 drunkards1 slothful1 idle1 eating the bread of others without working4--,,ed4 #i4 ,margin4 #aj4 ,fox #ast edit41 p4 #adcb4 #aa4 ',raillery2' jesting1 merriment4 #ab4 ,a ,christian parent has peculiar and solemn duties to perform1 in addition to those of every other class of ,christians4 ,this ought to lead him perpetually to seek wisdom from his heavenly ,father2 and in such close communion he becomes as peculiarly blessed as he is burthened4--,,ed4 #ac4 ,bunyan was in the habit of visiting ,london1 the seat of government1 and doubtless saw a sad change in the conduct of many professors1 under a profligate monarch1 to what it had been under the pious protector4--,,ed #ad4 ',his points2' an heraldic term1 expressive of the exact position of the various bearing on the shield--a scrupulous or superstitious niceness as to points of doctrine4--,,ed4 #ae4 ,these are faithful words1 giving offence to bigots of every sect4 ,the church of ,england excluded all from her communion except conformists--,independents held no fellowship with ,baptists1 nor ,baptists with ,independents4 ,happily1 ,christians are coming to their senses4 ,the ,test ,act is repealed--nor dare we now call that unclean which ,god has cleansed4--,,ed4 999999 ,,christian ,,behavior ,being the fruits of true ,christianity3 ,teaching husbands1 wives1 parents1 children1 masters1 servants1 etc41 how to walk so as to please ,god4 ,with a word of direction to all backsliders4 ,advertisement by the ,editor ,this valuable practical treatise1 was first published as a pocket volume about the year #afgd1 soon after the author's final release from his long and dangerous imprisonment4 ,it is evident from the concluding paragraph that he considered his liberty and even his life to be still in a very uncertain state2 not from the infirmities of age1 for he was then in the prime of life2 but from the tyranny of the government1 and probably from the effects of his long incarceration in a damp1 unhealthy jail4 ,it is the best and most scriptural guide that has ever appeared to aid us in the performance of relative duties3 written with originality of thought and that peculiar and pious earnestness which so distinguishes all his works4 ,no one can read this book1 without finding in it his own portrait truly and correctly drawn to the life4 ,many have been the hearers of the word in its public ministration1 who have been astonished that a faithful minister has not only opened their outward conduct1 but the inward recesses of their heartsand have inquired with wonder1 ',where could he get such a knowledge of my heart8' ,the usages and feelings of every part of the human family the rich and poor outward professors or openly profane ,god fearers or ,god defiersare displayed in the following pages as accurately as if the author had been present in every family upon earth1 and had not only witnessed the conduct of the happy and of the miserable in every grade2 but he goes within and unvails that mystery of iniquity the human heart1 its secret springs1 feelings1 and machinations4 ,what mysterious power could this uneducated man have possessed1 thus to dive into the most subtle of all secret repositories1 the human heart6 ,could he have left his body at times and his invisible spirit have entered all chambers1 as was said of an ancient philosopher1 #a still time would have been too short even to have transiently surveyed outward conduct2 and then he could not have entered into the thoughts of others4 ,reader1 the fountain of all hidden things was open to him4 ,shut up for many years in prison1 with the key in his possession which unlocks all the mysteries of earth1 and heaven1 and hellhe diligently used his time and all was revealed to him4 ,he makes the source of his knowledge no secret1 but invites you to search1 as he did1 this storehouse of things new and old4 ,it was the ,bible which unfolded to him all the great events of time and of eternity all the secret springs of states1 and families1 and individuals wonderous book6 ,it made an uneducated artizan wiser than all the philosophers who have been contented with ,plato1 ,aristotle1 ,pliny1 ,plutarch1 and the most renowned of human writers4 ,not only is the real state of human nature revealed with unerring truth1 as suffering under a cruel malady1 strangely diverse in its operations1 but all tending to the downward1 dark1 dreary road to misery temporal and eternal3 but it also displays the antidote2 an infallible remedy against all the subtilties of this tortuous disease4 ,reader1 this treasure is in our hands4 ,how great is the responsibility4 ,how blessed are those who with earnest prayer for divine illumination read ponder and relying upon the aid of the ,holy ,spirit1 understand and instantly obey the sacred precepts which its pages unfold4 ,weigh well their nature and tendency1 as ,bunyan opens them in this invaluable treatise4 ,they lead step by step from darkness to light4 ,it may be a tempestuous passage in the dim twilight1 as it was with him but it is safe and leads to the fountain of happiness the source of blessedness the presence and smiles of ,god and the being conformed to his image4 ,in proportion as we are thus transformed in our minds1 we shall be able to fulfil all our duties and behavior as becometh ,christians4 ,we dare not seek to avoid these duties because they are full of anxieties4 ,blessed are those who know and feel the ties of church fellowship or the nearer union of husband and wife1 that type of the mystical union of ,christ and his church4 ,happy are those who piously discharge parental and filial duties1 that figure of the relationship which the ,almighty1 in infinite condescension1 owns between him and his fallen but renewed creatures4 ,vows of celibacy disturb all the order and harmonies of creation1 and are fleshly1 sensual1 devilish4 ,the unmarried are strangers to those delightful or painful sensibilities which drive the soul to continual converse with ,god1 either in heart-felt praises or for divine assistance to glorify him in the discharge of domestic duties4 ,they who vow celibacy1 fly in the face of the infinitely wise eternal1 who said1 ',it is not good for man to be alone4' ,he sets up his puny antagonism to omnipotence4 ,it is true1 that in the prospect of the desolations which were foretold by the ,saviour and were about to be poured out upon ,jerusalem1 'for the present distress1' 'the short time' ,paul advised1 not commanded1 a temporary deviation from the order of naturelike an eclipse of the sun or moonfor a 'short time' which no one could wish to be prolonged4 ,we are bound1 in the expectation of the divine approbation1 not to shrink from duties1 but to seek wisdom to fulfil them2 and in this little work we have a scriptural guide to which we shall do well to take heed4 ,it is a peculiarly solemn legacythe author's ardent desire is thus expressed2 ',before ,i die as the greatest of all the duties he had to perform let me provoke you to faith and holiness4' ,be it our duty and privilege to examine our conduct faithfully by those portions of holy writ1 with which this treatise is beautifully adorned4 ,it was written in the prospect of sufferings and death1 and yet how serene was his soul4 ,no cloud1 no doubts or fears are seen2 his legacy to us as well as to those who survived him is1 ',love one another when ,i am deceased4' ,my labours of love to you are limited to this world4 ',though there ,i shall rest from my labours1 and be in paradise1 as through grace1 ,i comfortably believe2 yet it is not there but here ,i must do you good4' ,consider what he has advanced1 and the scriptures by which every sentence is confirmed1 and may his concluding and fervent prayer be answered to our souls3 ',the ,lord give us understanding in all things4 ,farewell4' ,,geo4 ,,offor4 ,the ,epistle to the ,reader ,courteous ,reader1 ,having formerly writ some small matter touching the doctrine of faith1 as justification by grace through the faith of ,christ's blood1 c41 ,i do here1 as the second to that doctrine1 present thee with a few lines touching good works1 that ,i might1 as at first ,i showed thee the good and glory of the one1 so now show thee the beauty and excellency of the other3 for though we are justified freely by grace through ,christ before ,god 7,rom #c3bd1 c472 yet we are justified before men by our works 7,james #b3ah73 nay1 a life of holiness flowing from faith in us that are saved by grace1 it doth justify that grace before the world1 that justifies us before ,god 7#b ,cor #f3a1c2 #i3ab1ac2 #a ,peter #b3aa1ab74 ,i have not here only in general treated of this doctrine of good works1 but particularly1 after some discourse about works flowing from faith1 and what makes it truly and gospelly good1 ,i discourse of them as we stand under our several relations in this world among men4 ,as1 ,the duty of the master of a family3 ,of the husband to his wife2 and of hers to him3 ,of the duty of parents to their children2 and of children to their parents3 ,of masters also to their servants2 and of the servant again to his master3 with a brief touch upon good neighbourhood2 and a discovery of covetousness1 pride1 and uncleanness1 which are great obstructions to a truly gospel conversation4 ,i know there are many that have treated of good works in large and learned discourses2 but ,i doubt all have not so gospelized their discourses as becomes them1 and as the doctrine of the grace of ,god calleth for4 ,however1 ,i thought it my duty to add this discourse to all that are past2 and that for these reasons4 #a4 ,to take away those aspersions that the adversaries cast upon our doctrineas also in the days of ,paulthat because we preach justification without works of the law2 therefore they pretend we plead for looseness of life3 'whose damnation is just' 7,rom #c3h74 #b4 ,because1 though there be much discourse about works in general1 yet a particular discourse of them1 as before is touched1 is too much neglected2 and by this means every one too much left at uncertainties 7as from them7 of their several works under their particular relations2 which ,i think is one reason of that disorder in families and places where ,god's people live2 to their shame1 and the dishonour of ,god4 #c4 ,because these few books that do particularly treat thus of good works1 are1 ,i think1 now so scarce1 or so big1 that but few have them1 and few buy them1 if they may be had1 especially our new converts1 for whose sakes principally this short discourse is intended2 and indeed1 this is one reason of my brevity1 that the price might neither be burdensome1 nor the reading long and tedious4 ,multitude of words drown the memory2 and an exhortation in few words may yet be so full1 that the reader may find that in one side of a sheet1 which some are forced to hunt for in a whole book4 ,the ,lord teach us this wisdom4 #d4 ,i have written this book1 to show that ,i bear a fellow-testimony and witness1 with all that know ,god1 of the operation that grace hath1 and will have1 in the heart that hath savingly received it4 ,lastly1 ,i have thus written1 because it is amiable and pleasant to ,god1 when ,christians keep their rank1 relation1 and station1 doing all as becometh their quality and calling4 ,when ,christians stand every one in their places1 and do the work of their relations1 #b then they are like the flowers in the garden1 that stand and grow where the gardener hath planted them1 and then they shall both honour the garden in which they are planted1 and the gardener that hath so disposed of them4 ,from the hyssop in the wall1 to the cedar in ,lebanon1 their fruit is their glory4 #c ,and seeing the stock into which we are planted1 is the fruitfullest stock1 the sap conveyed thereout the fruitfullest sap1 and the dresser of our souls the wisest husbandman1 7,john #ae3a7 how contrary to nature1 to example1 and expectation1 should we be1 if we should not be rich in good works6 ,wherefore take heed of being painted fire1 wherein is no warmth2 and painted flowers1 which retain no smell2 and of being painted trees1 whereon is no fruit4 ',whoso boasteth himself of a false gift1 is like clouds and wind without rain' 7,prov #be3ad74 ,farewell4 ,the ,lord be with thy spirit1 that thou mayest profit for time to come4 ,j4 ,,bunyan4 ,christian ,behavior ',,that ,,being ,,justified ,,by ,,his ,,grace1 ,,we ,,should ,,be ,,made ,,heirs ,,according ,,to ,,the ,,hope ,,of ,,eternal ,,life4 ,,this ,,is ,a ,,faithful ,,saying1 ,,and ,,these ,,things ,i ,,will ,,that ,,thou ,,affirm ,,constantly1 ,,that ,,they ,,which ,,have ,,believed ,,in ,,god ,,might ,,be ,,careful ,,to ,,maintain ,,good ,,works4 ,,these ,,things ,,are ,,good ,,and ,,profitable ,,unto ,,men4',,titus #c3g1h4 ,i shall not at this time discourse of every particular at large included in these words2 but shall briefly fall upon those things that ,i judge most necessary for the people of ,god4 ,neither shall ,i need to make any great preamble to the words for their explication2 they themselves being plain1 and without that ambiguity that calleth for such a thing2 the general scope being this1 ,,that ,,they ,,which ,,have ,,believed ,,in ,,god ,,should ,,be ,,careful ,,to ,,maintain ,,good ,,works4 ,but yet1 to prosecute what ,i intend1 with what clearness ,i may1 ,i shall in a word or two make way for what is to be the main of this book4 ',this is a faithful saying4' ,this2 ,which8 ,why1 that which goeth before1 namely1 ',that being justified by his grace1 we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life4 ,this is a faithful saying1 and these things ,i will that thou affirm constantly4' ,why so8 ,why1 ',that they which have believed in ,god1 might be careful to maintain good works4' ,the meaning is1 that the way to provoke others to good works1 is constantlyin the evidence and demonstration of the spiritto show them the certainty of their these believers being by grace made heirs of eternal life4 ,from this scripture1 therefore1 ,i do gather these things observable4 ,,first1 ,that good works do flow from faith4 ,yea1 ,,second1 ,that every one that believeth should be careful that their works be good4 ,,third1 ,that every believer should not only be careful that their works be good1 and for the present do them1 but should also be careful to maintain them2 that is1 they should carefully study to keep in a constant course of good works4 ,,fourth1 and lastly1 ,that the best way to provoke both ourselves and others to this work1 it is to be often affirming to others the doctrine of justification by grace1 and to believe it ourselves3 ',this is a faithful saying1 and these things ,i will1' saith ,paul1 'that thou affirm constantly1 that they which have believed in ,god might be careful to maintain good works4' ,,first4 ,i begin with the first4 ,that good works do flow from faith4 ,this is evident divers ways4 ,first1 ,from the impossibility of their flowing from any other thing2 they must either flow from faith1 or not at all3 ',for whatsoever is not of faith1 is sin' 7,rom #ad3bc74 ,and again1 ',without faith it is impossible to please him' 7,heb #aa3f74 ,every man by nature1 before faith1 is an evil and a corrupt tree2 and a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit3 ',do men gather grapes of thorns1 or figs of thistles8' 7,matt #g3af1ag74 ,now a man is made good by faith1 and by that bringeth forth the fruits that are acceptable to ,god 7,heb #aa3d2 ,col #a3d-f74 ,wherefore sinners1 before faith1 are compared to the wilderness1 whose fruits are briars and thorns2 and whose hearts are the habitation of dragons2 that is1 of devils #d 7,isa #ce3f1g2 ,heb #f3g1h74 ,and hence again it is1 that they are said to be ,godless1 ,christless1 ,spiritless1 faithless1 hopeless2 without the covenant of grace1 without strength2 enemies in their minds by wicked works1 and possessed by the spirit of wickedness1 as a castle by a conqueror 7,eph #b3ab2 ,jude #ai2 #b ,thess #c3b2 ,col #a3ba2 ,luke #aa3ba74 ,now1 these things being thus1 it is impossible that all the men under heaven1 that are unconverted1 should be able to bring forth one work rightly good2 even as impossible1 as for all the briars and thorns under heaven to bring forth one cluster of grapes1 or one bunch of figs2 for indeed they want the qualification4 ,a thorn bringeth not forth figs1 because it wanteth the nature of the fig-tree2 and so doth the bramble the nature of the vine4 ,good works must come from a good heart4 ,now1 this the unbeliever wanteth1 because he wanteth faith2 for it is that which purifieth the heart 7,luke #f3de2 ,acts #ae3i74 ,good works must come from love to the ,lord ,jesus2 but this the unbeliever wanteth also1 because he wanteth faith3 ,for faith 'worketh by love1' and by that means doth good 7,gal #e3f74 ,and hence again it is1 that though the carnal man doth never so much which he calleth good1 yet it is rejected1 slighted1 and turned as dirt in his face again2 his prayers are abominable 7,prov #ae3h71 his ploughing is sin 7,prov #ba3d71 and all his righteousness as menstruous rags 7,isa #fd3f74 ,thus you see that without faith there are no good works4 ,now then1 to show you that they flow from faith3 and that1 ,for that ,,faith is a principle of life1 by which a ,christian lives 7,gal #b3ai1bj71 a principle of motion1 by which it walks towards heaven in the way of holiness 7,rom #d3ab2 #b ,cor #e3g74 ,it is also a principle of strength1 by which the soul opposeth its lust1 the devil1 and this world1 and overcomes them4 ',this is the victory1 even our faith' 7#a ,john #e3d1e7 ,faith1 in the heart of a ,christian1 is like the salt that was thrown into the corrupt fountain1 that made the naughty waters good1 and the barren land fruitful 7#b ,kings #b3ai-bb74 ,faith1 when it is wrought in the heart1 is like leaven hid in the meal1 7,matt #ac3cc7 or like perfume that lighteth upon stinking leather1 turning the smell of the leather into the savour of the perfume2 faith being then planted in the heart1 and having its natural inclination to holiness4 ,hence it is that there followeth an alteration of the life and conversation1 and so bringeth forth fruit accordingly4 ',a good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good' 7,luke #f3de74 ,which treasure1 ,i say1 is this faith 7,james #b3e2 #a ,peter #a3g74 ,and therefore it is that faith is called 'the faith according to godliness1' 7,titus #a3a7 and the 'most holy faith' 7,jude #bj74 ,second1 ,good works must needs flow from faith1 or no way2 because that alone carrieth in it an argument sufficiently prevalent to win upon our natures1 to make them comply with holiness4 ,faith showeth us that ,god loveth us1 that he forgiveth us our sins1 that he accounteth us for his children1 having freely justified us through the blood of his ,son 7,rom #c3bd1be2 #d2 ,heb #aa3ac2 #a ,peter #a3h74 ,faith receiveth the promise1 embraceth it1 and comforteth the soul unspeakably with it4 ,faith is so great an artist in arguing and reasoning with the soul1 that it will bring over the hardest heart that it hath to deal with4 ,it will bring to my remembrance at once1 both my vileness against ,god1 and his goodness towards me2 it will show me1 that though ,i deserve not to breathe in the air1 yet that ,god will have me an heir of glory4 ,now1 there is no argument greater than this4 ,this will make a man run through ten thousand difficulties1 to answer ,god1 though he never can1 for the grace he hath bestowed on him4 ,further1 ,,faith will show me how distinguishingly this love of ,god hath set itself upon me2 it will show me1 that though ,esau was ,jacob's brother1 yet he loved ,jacob 7,mal #a3b74 ,that though there were thousands more besides me that were as good as me1 yet ,i must be the man that must be chosen4 ,now this1 ,i say1 is a marvellous argument1 and unspeakably prevaileth with the sinner1 as saith the apostle3 ',for the love of ,christ constraineth us2 because we thus judge1 that if one died for all1 then were all dead3 ,and that he died for all2 that they which live1' that is1 by faith1 'should not henceforth live unto themselves1 but unto him which died for them1 and rose again' 7#b ,cor #e3ad1ae74 ',love1' saith the wise man1 'is strong as death2 ,many waters cannot quench love1 neither can the floods drown it3 if a man would give all the substance of his house for love1 it would utterly be contemned' 7,song #h3f1g74 ,oh6 when the broken1 dying1 condemned soul1 can but see1 by faith1 the love of a tender-hearted ,saviour1 and also see what he underwent to deliver it from under that death1 guilt1 and hell1 that now it feels and fears2 which also it knoweth it hath most justly and highly deserved2 ',then bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul' 7,psa #ajc3a1b1c72 and ',what shall ,i render unto the ,lord for all his benefits8' 7,psa #aaf3a-ad74 ,thus is faith a prevailing argument to the sinner1 whereby he is fetched off from what he was1 and constrained to bend and yield to what before he neither would nor could 7#a ,cor #b3ad2 ,rom #h3g74 ,and hence it is1 that gospel obedience is called 'the obedience of faith1' as well as obedience to the faith 7,rom #af3bf74 ,for it must be by the faith of ,christ in my heart1 that ,i submit to the word of faith in the ,bible1 otherwise all is to no profit3 as saith the apostle1 ',the word preached did not profit them1 not being mixed with faith in them that heard it' 7,heb #d3b74 ,for faith alone can see the reality of what the gospel saith2 and so ,i say1 argue over the heart to the embracing of it4 ,third1 ,faith is such a grace1 as will represent to the soul all things in their proper colours4 ,it doth not1 as doth unbelief and ignorance1 show us all things out of order2 putting darkness for light1 and bitter for sweet2 but will set every thing in its proper place before our eyes2 ,god and ,christ shall be with it1 the chiefest good1 the most lovely and amiable2 a heavenly life shall be of greater esteem1 and more desirable1 than all the treasures of ,egypt6 ,righteousness and sanctification will be the thing after which it will most vehemently press2 because it seeth not only death and damnation as the fruits of sin1 but sin also in itself1 distinct from the punishment belonging to it1 a detestable1 horrible1 and odious thing 7,heb #aa3be-bg2 ,phil #c3g-ab2 ,rom #ab3i74 ,by faith we see that this world hath no abiding in it for us1 nor no satisfaction if it were otherwise 7,prov #c3ce2 ,heb #aa3ae1af2 #ac3ad2 #a ,cor #g3i-ca74 ,and hence it is1 that the people of ,god have groaned to be gone from hence1 into a state that is both sinless and temptationless4 ,and hence it is again that they have run through so many trials1 afflictions1 and adversities1 even because of that love to holiness of life that faith being in their hearts did prompt them to1 by showing them the worth and durableness of that which was good1 and the irksomeness and evil of all things else 7#b ,cor #e3a-h2 ,heb #aa3cc-ci74 ,fourth1 ,faith layeth hold of that which is able to help the soul to bring forth good works3 it layeth hold of1 and engageth the strength of ,christ1 and by that overcometh that which oppresseth2 ',i can do all things through ,christ which strengtheneth me' 7,phil #d3ac74 ,in a word1 a life of holiness and godliness in this world1 doth so inseparably follow a principle of faith1 that it is both monstrous and ridiculous to suppose the contrary4 ,what1 shall not he that hath life have motion6 7,gal #b3bj74 ,he that hath by faith received the spirit of holiness1 shall not he be holy8 7,gal #c3b74 and he that is called to glory and virtue1 shall not he add to his faith virtue8 7#b ,peter #a3d1e74 ,we are by faith made good trees1 and shall not we bring forth good fruit8 7,luke #f3dc74 ,they that believe are created in ,christ ,jesus unto good works2 and ,god hath1 before the world was1 ordained that we should walk in them2 and shall both our second creation1 and ,god's foreordination be made frustrate8 7,eph #a3d2 #b3aj74 ,besides1 the children of faith are the children of light1 and of the day 7#a ,thess #e3e74 ,lights upon a hill1 and candles on a candlestick1 and shall not they shine8 ,they are the salt of the earth1 shall not they be seasoning8 7,matt #e3ac-af74 ,the believer is the alone man1 by whom ,god showeth to the world the power of his grace1 the operation of his people's faith1 c4 ,the unbelievers read indeed of the power of grace2 of the faith1 hope1 love1 joy1 peace1 and sanctification of the heart of the ,christian2 but they feel nothing of that sin-killing operation that is in these things2 these are to them as a story of ,rome or ,spain4 ,wherefore to show them in others1 what they find not in themselves1 ,god worketh faith1 hope1 love1 c41 in a generation that shall serve him2 and by them they shall see what they cannot find in themselves2 and by this means they shall be convinced1 that though sin1 and the pleasures of this life1 be sweet to them1 yet there is a people otherwise minded2 even such a people1 that do indeed see the glory of that which others read of1 and from that sight take pleasure in those things which they are most averse unto4 ,to this1 ,i say1 are ,christians called2 herein is ,god glorified2 hereby are sinners convinced2 and by this the world condemned 7#a ,thess #d3g2 #a ,peter #b3ab2 #c3a2 ,heb #aa3g74 ,object4 ,but if faith doth so naturally cause good works1 what then is the reason that ,god's people find it so hard a matter to be fruitful in good works8 ,answer #a4 ,god's people are fruitful in good works according to the proportion of their faith2 if they be slender in good works1 it is because they are weak in faith4 ,little faith is like small candles1 or weak fire1 which though they shine and have heat2 yet but dim shining and small heat1 when compared with bigger candles and greater fire4 ,the reason why ,sardis had some in it whose works were not perfect before ,god1 it was1 because they did not hold fast by faith the word that they had formerly heard and received 7,rev #c3a-c74 #b4 ,there may be a great mistake in our judging of our own fruitfulness4 ,the soul that indeed is candid and right at heart1 is taught by grace to judge itself1 though fruitful1 yet barren upon two accounts4 7#a47 ,when it compareth its life to the mercy bestowed upon it3 for when a soul doth indeed consider the greatness and riches of the mercy bestowed upon it1 then it must needs cry out1 ',o wretched man that ,i am1' 7,rom #g3bd7 for it seeth itself wonderfully to fall short of a conversation becoming one who hath received so great a benefit4 7#b47 ,it may also judge itself barren1 because it falleth so far short of that it would attain unto1 'it cannot do the thing that it would' 7,gal #e3ag74 #c4 ,the heart of a ,christian is naturally very barren2 upon which1 though the seed of grace1 that is the fruitfullest of all seeds1 be sown1 yet the heart is naturally subject to bring forth weeds 7,mat #ae3ai74 ,now1 to have a good crop from such ground1 doth argue the fruitfulness of the seed4 ,wherefore ,i conclude upon these three things1 7#a47 ,that the seed of faith is a very fruitful seed1 in that it will be fruitful in so barren a soil4 7#b47 ,that faith is not beholden to the heart1 but the heart to it1 for all its fruitfulness4 7#c47 ,that therefore the way to be a more fruitful ,christian1 it is to be stronger in believing4 ,,second ,now for the second thing1 to wit1 ,that every one that believeth should be careful that their works be good4 ,this followeth from what went just before2 to wit1 ,that the heart of a ,christian is a heart subject to bring forth weeds4 ,there is flesh as well as spirit in the best of saints3 and as the spirit of grace will be always putting forth something that is good1 so the flesh will be putting forth continually that which is evil4 ',for the flesh lusteth against the ,spirit1 and the ,spirit against the flesh' 7,gal #e3ag74 ,now this considered1 is the cause why you find so often in the ,scriptures so many items and cautions to the ,christians to look to their lives and conversations4 ,as1 ',keep thy heart with all diligence' 7,prov #d3bc74 ',watch ye1 stand fast in the faith1 quit you like men1 be strong' 7#a ,cor #af3ac74 ',be not deceived2 ,god is not mocked3 for whatsoever a man soweth1 that shall he also reap4 ,for he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption2 but he that soweth to the ,spirit shall of the ,spirit reap life everlasting' 7,gal #f3g1h74 ,all works are not good that seem to be so4 ,it is one thing for a man's ways to be right in his own eye1 and another for them to be right in ,god's4 ,often 'that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of ,god' 7,prov #cj3ab2 ,luke #af3ae74 ,seeing corruption is not yet out of our natures1 there is a proneness in us to build even upon the right foundation1 wood1 hay1 and stubble1 instead of gold and silver1 and precious stones 7#a ,cor #c3aa-ae74 ,how was both ,david the king1 ,nathan the prophet1 and ,uzza the priest1 deceived1 touching good works6 7#a ,chron #ag3a-d2 #ac3i-aa74 ,peter also1 in both his defending his ,master in the garden1 and in dissuading of him from his sufferings1 though both out of love and affection to his ,master1 was deceived touching good works4 7,matt #af3bb1bc2 ,john #ah3aj1aa74 ,many have miscarried both as to doctrine1 worship1 and the prosecution of each4 ,first1 ,for doctrine4 ,christ tells the ,jews1 that they taught for the doctrines of ,god the doctrines and traditions of men 7,matt #ae3i2 ,mark #g3g74 ,as also1 saith the apostle1 ,they teach 'things they ought not1 for filthy lucre's sake' 7,titus #a3aa74 ,second1 ,also touching worsphip1 we find how frequently men have mistaken1 both for time1 place1 and matter1 with which they worshipped4 #a4 ,for time4 ,it hath been that which man hath devised1 not which ,god hath commanded 7#a ,kings #ab3cb74 ,they 'change the ordinance1' saith ,isaiah1 #bd3e4 ,they change ,god's 'judgments into wickedness1' saith ,ezekiel #e3f4 #b4 ,for place4 ,when they should have worshipped at ,jerusalem1 they worshipped at ,bethel1 at ,gilgal and ,dan1 in gardens1 under poplars and elms4 7#a ,kings #ab3bf-cj2 ,hosea #d3ac-ae2 ,isa #fe3b-e74 #c4 ,for the matter with which they worshipped4 ,instead of bringing according to the commandment1 they brought the lame1 the torn1 and the sick2 they would sanctify themselves in gardens1 with swine's flesh and mice1 when they should have done it at ,jerusalem1 with bullocks and lambs 7,isa #ff3ag74 ,third1 ,again1 touching men's prosecuting their zeal for their worship1 c41 that they do think right2 how hot hath it been1 though with no reason at all8 ,nebuchadnezzar will have his fiery furnace1 and ,darius his lions' den for ,nonconformists 7,dan #c3f2 #f3g1 c47 ,again1 they have persecuted men even to strange cities2 have laid traps and snares in every corner1 to entrap and to entangle their words2 and if they could at any time but kill the persons that dissented from them1 they would think they did ,god good service 7,acts #bf3aa2 ,luke #aa3ec1ed2 ,john #ai3a1b74 ,but what need we look so far from home1 were it not that ,i would seal my sayings with truth4 ,we need look no farther to affirm this position1 than to the ,papists and their companions4 ,how many have they in all ages hanged1 burned1 starved1 drowned1 racked1 dismembered1 and murdered1 both openly and in secret8 and all under a pretence of ,god1 his worship1 and good works4 #e ,thus you see how wise men and fools1 saints and sinners1 ,christians and heathens1 have erred in the business of good works2 wherefore every one should be careful to see that their works ,,be good4 ,now1 then1 to prevent1 if ,god will1 miscarriage in this matter1 ,i shall propound unto you what it is for a work to be rightly good4 ,first1 ,a good work must have the word for its authority4 ,second1 ,it must1 as afore was said1 flow from faith4 ,third1 ,it must be both rightly timed and rightly placed4 ,fourth1 ,it must be done willingly1 cheerfully1 c4 ,first1 ,it must have the word for its authority4 ,zeal without knowledge is like a mettled horse without eyes1 or like a sword in a madman's hand2 and there is no knowledge where there is not the word3 for if they reject the word of the ,lord1 and act not by that1 'what wisdom is in them8' saith the prophet 7,jer #h3i2 ,isa #h3bj74 ,wherefore see thou have the word for what thou dost4 ,second1 ,as there must be the word for the authorising of what thou dost1 so there must be faith1 from which it must flow1 as ,i showed you before3 'for whatsoever is not of faith is sin2' and 'without faith it is impossible to please ,god4' ,now1 ,i say1 without the word there is no faith1 7,rom #aj3ag71 as without faith there is no good1 let men's pretences be what they will4 ,third1 ,as it must have these two aforenamed1 so also it must have1 #a4 ,right time2 and1 #b4 ,right place4 #a4 ,it must be rightly timed4 ,every work is not to be done at the same time2 every time not being convenient for such a work2 ,there is a time for all things1 and every thing is beautiful in its time 7,eccl #c3aa74 ,there is a time to pray1 a time to hear1 a time to read1 a time to confer1 a time to meditate1 a time to do1 and a time to suffer4 ,now1 to be hearing when we should be preaching and doing1 that is1 yielding active obedience to that under which we ought to suffer1 is not good4 ,christ was very wary1 that both his doings and sufferings were rightly timed 7,john #b3c1d2 #ac3a1b74 ,and herein we ought to follow his steps4 ,to be at plough in the field1 when ,i should be hearing the word1 is not good2 and to be talking abroad1 when ,i should be instructing my family at home1 is as bad3 ',whoso keepeth the commandment1 shall feel no evil thing3 'and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment' 7,eccl #h3e74 ,good things mistimed1 are fruitless1 unprofitable1 and vain4 #b4 ,as things must have their right time1 so they must be rightly placed2 for the misplacing of any work is as bad as the mistiming of it4 ,when ,i say1 things1 if good1 must be rightly placed1 ,i mean1 we should not give to any work more than the word of ,god alloweth it1 neither should we give it less4 ,mint1 anise1 and cummin1 are not so weighty matters as faith and the love of ,god2 as in 7,matt #bc3bc74 ,for a pastor to be exercising the office of a deacon1 instead of the office of a pastor1 it is misplacing of works 7,acts #f3b74 ,for ,martha to be making outward provision for ,christ1 when she should have sat at his feet to hear his word1 was the misplacing a work2 and for her sister to have done it at her requestthough the thing in itself was goodhad been her sin also 7,luke #aj3ci-db74 ,now1 to prevent the misplacing of good works1 7#a47 ,they misplace them that set them in the room of ,christ 7,rom #aj3 #a-c74 7#b47 ,they also misplace them that make them copartners with him 7,rom #i3ca1cb2 ,acts #ae3a74 ,this is setting up our post by ,god's posts1 and man's righteousness by the righteousness of ,christ 7,eze #dc3g1h74 ,these are said to be teachers of the law1 not knowing what they say1 nor whereof they affirm 7#a ,tim #a3g74 7#c47 ,they also misplace works1 who ascribe to a work of less moment that honour that belongeth to a work more noble4 ,and such are 7a7 ,those who count the ceremonial part of an ordinance as good as the doctrine and signification of it4 #f 7b7 ,such who account the dictates and impulses of a mere natural conscience1 as good1 as high1 and divine1 as the leadings and movings of the ,spirit of ,christ4 7c7 ,those also who count it enough to do something of what ,god hath commanded1 and that something1 possibly the least1 instead of all1 and the things more necessary and weighty4 7d7 ,they also much misplace them1 who count things indifferent as high as those that are absolutely necessary in the worship of ,god4 7e7 ,but the grosser1 who place men's traditions above them4 7f7 ,and they greatest of all1 who put bitter for sweet1 and darkness for light4 ,all these things we must shun and avoid1 as things absolutely obstructive to good works4 ,wherefore touching good works2 obedience is better than sacrifice2 that is1 to do things according to the word of ,god1 is better than to do them according to my fancy and conceit 7#a ,sam #ae3bb74 ',wherefore1 let all things be done decently and in order' 7#a ,cor #ad3dj74 ,fourth1 ,again1 as good works should be ordered and qualified1 as before is touched1 so they should be done from the heart1 willingly1 cheerfully1 with simplicity and charity1 according to what a man hath 7#a ,john #e3c2 #b ,cor #i3g2 ,rom #ab3h2 ,col #c3ab2 #a ,cor #aj3bd2 #b ,cor #h3ab74 ,farther1 there are three things that a man should have in his eye in every work he doth4 #a4 ,the honour of ,god 7#a ,cor #f3bj74 #b4 ,the edification of his neighbour 7#a ,cor #ad3bf74 #c4 ,the expediency or inexpediency of what ,i am to do 7#a ,cor #f3ab74 ,and always observe it1 that the honour of ,god is wrapped up in the edification of thy neighbour2 and the edification of thy neighbour in the expediency of what thou dost4 ,again1 if thou wouldst walk to the edification of thy neighbour1 and so to ,god's honour1 in the midst of thy observers1 beware1 #ast4 ,that thou in thy words and carriages dost so demean thyself1 that ,christ in his precious benefits may be with clearness spoken forth by thee2 and take heed1 that thou dost not enter into doubtful points with them that are weak 7,rom #ae3a74 ,but deal chiefly1 lovingly1 and wisely1 with their consciences about those matters that tend to their establishment in the faith of their justification1 and deliverance from death and hell4 ',comfort the feeble-minded1' confirm the weak 7#a ,thess #e3ad74 #bndly4 ,if thou be stronger than thy brother1 take heed that thou do not that before him1 that may offend his weak conscience2 ,i mean1 things that in themselves may be lawful4 ,all that is lawful is not expedient2 all that is lawful edifieth not 7#a ,cor #f3ab74 ,wherefore here is thy wisdom and love1 that thou in some things deny thyself for thy brother's sake4 ',i will eat no flesh while the world standeth1' saith ,paul1 'lest ,i make my brother to offend' 7#a ,cor #h3ac74 ,wherefore have this faith to thyself before ,god 7,rom #ad3bb74 ,but if thou walk otherwise1 know1 thou walkest not charitably1 and so not to edification1 and so not to ,christ's honour1 but dost sin against ,christ1 and wound thy weak brother1 for whom ,christ died 7,rom #ad3ae2 #a ,cor #h3ab74 ,but ,i say1 all this while keep thy eye upon the word2 take heed of going contrary to that under any pretence whatever2 for without the word1 there is nothing to ,god's glory1 nor thy brother's edification4 ,wherefore1 walk 'wisely in a perfect way' 7,psa #aja3b1 #c74 ,having thus1 in few words1 showed you what are works rightly good1 ,i beseech you in the name of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that you put yourselves into a conscientious performance of them1 that you may1 while you live here1 be vessels of honour1 and fit for the master's use1 and prepared to every good work 7#a ,tim #f3ah74 ,study to approve things that are excellent1 'that you may be sincere1 and without offence1 until the day of ,christ' 7,phil #a3aj74 ,covet communion with ,god3 'covet earnestly the best gifts' 7#a ,cor #ab3ca74 ,ah6 we that are redeemed from among men 7,rev #ad3d71 and that rejoice in the hope of the glory of ,god 7,rom #e3b71 we that look1 ,i say1 for the blessed hope1 and the glorious appearing of the great ,god and our ,saviour ,jesus ,christ 7,titus #b3ac71 'what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness' 7#b ,peter #c3aa74 ,to conclude1 for your farther edification1 take a plain rehearsal of your several general duties and works1 to which ,god engageth you in his word1 according to your places1 callings1 and relations in this world2 ,,duties ,,of ,,the ,,master ,,of ,a ,,family4 ,if thou have under thee a family1 then thou art to consider the several relations thou standest under2 and art to know1 that thou in each of them hast a work to do for ,god1 and that he expecteth thy faithful deportment under every one of them4 ,as1 in general2 ,,duty ,,to ,,the ,,family ,,in ,,general4 ,he that is the master of a family1 he hath1 as under that relation1 a work to do for ,god2 to wit1 the right governing of his own family4 ,and his work is twofold4 ,first1 ,touching the spiritual state thereof4 ,second1 ,touching the outward state thereof4 ,first1 ,as touching the spiritual state of his family2 he ought to be very diligent and circumspect1 doing his utmost endeavour both to increase faith where it is begun1 and to begin it where it is not4 ,wherefore1 to this end1 he ought diligently and frequently to lay before his household such things of ,god1 out of his word1 as are suitable for each particular4 ,and let no man question his rule in the word of ,god for such a practice2 for if the thing itself were but of good report1 and a thing tending to civil honesty1 it is within the compass and bounds even of nature itself1 and ought to be done2 much more things of a higher nature2 besides1 the apostle exhorts us to ',whatsoever things are honest1 whatsoever things are just1 pure1 lovely1 and of good report1 to think of them1' that is1 to be mindful to do them 7,phil #d3h74 ,but to be conversant in this godly exercise in our family1 is very worthy of praise1 and doth much become all ,christians4 ,this is one of the things for which ,god so highly commended his servant ,abraham1 and that with which his heart was so much affected4 ,i know ,abraham1 saith ,god1 ',i know him' to be a good man in very deed1 for 'he will command his children1 and his household after him1 and they shall keep the way of the ,lord' 7,gen #ah3ai74 ,this was a thing also which good ,joshua designed should be his practice as long as he had a breathing time in this world4 ',as for me1' saith he1 ,i 'and my household1 we will serve the ,lord' 7,josh #bd3ae74 ,further1 we find also in the ,new ,testament1 that they are looked upon as ,christians of an inferior rank that have not a due regard to this duty2 yea1 so inferior as not fit to be chosen to any office in the church of ,god4 ,a bishop or pastor must be one that ruleth well his own house1 having his children in subjection with all gravity2 ,for if a man know not how to rule his own house1 how shall he take care of the church of ,god8 ',the deacon' also1 saith he1 must 'be the husband of one wife1 ruling their children1 and their own house well' 7#a ,tim #c74 ,mark a little1 the apostle seems to lay down thus much1 that a man that governs his family well1 hath one qualification belonging to a pastor or deacon in the house of ,god1 for he that knoweth not how to rule his own house1 how shall he take care of the church of ,god8 which thing considered1 it giveth us light into the work of the master of a family1 touching the governing of his house4 #a4 ,a pastor must be sound and uncorrupt in his doctrine2 and indeed so must the master of a family 7,titus #a3i2 ,eph #f3d74 #b4 ,a pastor should be apt to teach1 to reprove1 and to exhort2 and so should the master of a family 7#a ,tim #c3b2 ,deut #f3g74 #c4 ,a pastor must himself be exemplary in faith and holiness2 and so also should the master of a family 7#a ,tim #c3b-d2 #d3ab74 ',i1' saith ,david1 'will behave myself in a perfect way2 ,i will walk in1' or before1 'my house with a perfect heart' 7,psa #aja3b74 #d4 ,the pastor is for getting the church together2 and when they are so come together1 then to pray among them1 and to preach unto them4 ,this is also commendable in ,christian masters of families4 ,object4 ,but my family is ungodly and unruly1 touching all that is good4 ,what shall ,i do8 ,answer4 #a4 ,though this be true1 yet thou must rule them1 and not they thee6 ,thou are set over them of ,god1 and thou art to use the authority which ,god hath given thee1 both to rebuke their vice1 and to show them the evil of their rebelling against the ,lord4 ,this did ,eli1 though not enough2 and thus did ,david 7#a ,sam #b3bd1 #be2 #a ,chron #bh3i74 ,also1 thou must tell them how sad thy state was when thou wast in their condition1 and so labour to recover them out of the snare of the devil 7,mark #e3ai74 #b4 ,thou oughtest also to labour to draw them forth to ,god's public worship1 if peradventure ,god may convert their souls4 ,saith ,jacob to his household1 and to all that were about him1 ',let us arise and go up to ,bethel2 and ,i will make there an altar unto ,god1 who answered me in the day of my distress' 7,gen #ce3c74 ,hannah would carry ,samuel to ,shiloh1 that he might abide with ,god for ever 7#a ,sam #a3bb74 ,indeed a soul rightly touched1 will labour to draw1 not only their families1 but a whole city after ,jesus ,christ 7,john #d3bh-cj74 #c4 ,if they are obstinate1 and will not go forth with thee1 then do thou get godly and sound men to thy house1 and there let the word of ,god be preached1 when thou hast1 as ,cornelius1 gathered thy family and friends together 7,acts #aj74 ,you know that the jailor1 ,lydia1 ,crispus1 ,gaius1 ,stephanus1 and others1 had not only themselves1 but their families1 made gracious by the word preached1 and that some of them1 if not all1 by the word preached in their houses 7,acts #af3ad-cd2 #ah3g1 #h2 #a ,cor #a3af74 ,and this1 for ought ,i know1 might be one reason among many1 why the apostles taught in their day1 not only publicly1 but from house to house2 ,i say1 that they might1 if possible1 bring in those in some family1 which yet remained unconverted1 and in their sins 7,acts #aj3bd2 #bj3bj1 #ba74 ,for some1 you know how usual it was in the day of ,christ1 to invite him to their houses1 if they had any afflicted1 that either would not or could not come unto him 7,luke #g3b1 #c2 #h3da74 ,if this be the way with those that have outward diseases in their families1 how much more then1 where there are souls that have need of ,christ1 to save them from death and eternal damnation6 #d4 ,take heed that thou do not neglect family duties among them thyself2 as1 reading the word and prayer2 if thou hast one in thy family that is gracious1 take encouragement2 nay1 if thou art alone1 yet know that thou hast both liberty to go to ,god through ,christ1 and also art at that time in a capacity of having the universal church join with thee for the whole number of those that shall be saved4 #e4 ,take heed that thou suffer not any ungodly1 profane1 or heretical books1 or discourse in thy house4 ',evil communications corrupt good manners' 7#a ,cor #ae3cc74 ,i mean such profane or heretical books1 c41 as either tend to provoke to looseness of life1 or such as do oppose the fundamentals of the gospel4 ,i know that ,christians must be allowed their liberty as to things indifferent2 but for those things that strike either at faith or holiness1 they ought to be abandoned by all ,christians1 and especially by the pastors of churches1 and masters of families2 which practice was figured out by ,jacob's commanding his house1 and all that was with him1 to put away the strange gods from among them1 and to change their garments 7,gen #ce3b74 ,all those in the ,acts set a good example for this1 who took their curious books and burned them before all men1 though they were worth fifty thousand pieces of silver 7,acts #ai3ah1 #ai74 ,the neglect of this fourth particular hath occasioned ruin in many families1 both among children and servants4 ,it is easier for vain talkers1 and their deceivable works1 to subvert whole households1 than many are aware of 7,titus #a3aj1 #aa74 ,thus much touching the spiritual state of thy household4 ,and now to its outward4 ,second1 ,touching the outward state of thy family1 thou art to consider these three things4 #a4 ,that it lieth upon thee to care for them that they have a convenient livelihood4 ',if any man provide not for his own1 and specially for those of his own house1 he hath denied the faith1 and is worse than an infidel' 7#a ,tim #e3h74 ,but mark1 when the ,word saith1 thou art to provide for thy house1 it giveth thee no license to distracting carefulness2 neither doth it allow thee to strive to grasp the world in thy heart1 or coffers1 nor to take care for years or days to come1 but so to provide for them1 that they may have food and raiment2 and if either they or thou be not content with that1 you launch out beyond the rule of ,god 7#a ,tim #f3h2 ,matt #f3cd74 ,this is to labour1 that you may have wherewith 'to maintain good works for necessary uses' 7,titus #c3ad74 ,and never object1 that unless you reach farther1 it will never do2 for that is but unbelief4 ,the word saith1 ',that ,god feedeth ravens1 careth for sparrows1 and clotheth the grass2' in which three1 to feed1 clothe1 and care for1 is as much as heart can wish 7,luke #ab3f-bh74 #b4 ,therefore though thou shouldest provide for thy family2 yet let all thy labour be mixed with moderation2 ',let your moderation be known unto all men' 7,phil #d3e74 ,take heed of driving so hard after this world1 as to hinder thyself and family from those duties towards ,god1 which thou art by grace obliged to2 as private prayer1 reading the scriptures1 and ,christian conference4 ,it is a base thing for men so to spend themselves and families after this world1 as that they disengage their heart to ,god's worship4 ,christians1 ',the time is short3 it remaineth that both they that have wives be as though they had none2 and they that weep1 as though they wept not2 and they that rejoice1 as though they rejoiced not2 and they that use this world1 as not abusing it2 for the fashion of this world passeth away' 7#a ,cor #g3bi-ca74 ,many ,christians live and do in this world1 as if religion were but a by-business1 and this world the one thing necessary2 when indeed all the things of this world are but things by the by2 and religion only the one thing needful 7,luke #aj3dj-db74 #c4 ,if thou wouldst be such a master of a family as becomes thee1 thou must see that there be that ,christian harmony among those under thee1 as becomes that house where one ruleth that feareth ,god4 7#a47 ,thou must look that thy children and servants be under subjection to the word of ,god2 for though it is of ,god only to rule the heart1 yet he expecteth that thou shouldest rule their outward man2 which if thou dost not1 he may in a short time cut off all they stock1 even every male 7#a ,sam #c3aa-ad74 ,see therefore that thou keep them temperate in all things1 in apparel1 in language1 that they be not gluttons1 nor drunkards2 not suffering either thy children vainly to domineer over thy servants1 nor they again to carry themselves foolishly towards each other4 7#b47 ,learn to distinguish between that injury that in thy family is done to thee1 and that which is done to ,god2 and though thou oughtest to be very zealous for the ,lord1 and to bear nothing that is open transgression to him2 yet here will be thy wisdom1 to pass by personal injuries1 and to bury them in oblivion3 ',love covereth a multitude of sins4' ,be not then like those that will rage and stare like madmen1 when they are injured2 and yet either laugh1 or at least not soberly rebuke1 and warn1 when ,god is dishonoured4 ',rule thy own house well1 having thy childrenwith others in thy familyin subjection1 with all gravity' 7#a ,tim #c3d74 ,solomon was so excellent sometimes this way1 that he made the eyes of his beholders to dazzle 7#b ,chron #i3c1 #d74 #g ,but to break off from this general1 and to come to particulars4 ,,duty ,,in ,,relation ,,to ,,the ,,wife4 ,hast thou a wife8 ,thou must consider how thou oughtest to behave thyself under that relation3 and to do this aright1 thou must consider the condition of thy wife1 whether she be one that indeed believeth or not4 ,first1 ,if she believeth1 then1 #a4 ,thou art engaged to bless ,god for her3 ',for her price is far above rubies1 and she is the gift of ,god unto thee1 and is for thy adorning and glory' 7,prov #ab3d2 #ca3aj2 #a ,cor #aa3g74 ',favour is deceitful1 and beauty is vain3 but a woman that feareth the ,lord1 she shall be praised' 7,prov #ca3cj74 #b4 ,thou oughtest to love her1 under a double consideration3 7#a47 ,as she is thy flesh and thy bone3 ',for no man ever yet hated his own flesh' 7,eph #e3bi74 7#b47 ,as she is together with thee an heir of the grace of life 7#a ,peter #c3g74 ,this1 ,i say1 should engage thee to love her with ,christian love2 to love her1 as believing you both are dearly beloved of ,god and the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and as those that must be together with him in eternal happiness4 #c4 ,thou oughtest so to carry thyself to and before her1 as doth ,christ to and before his church2 as saith the apostle3 ,so ought men to love their wives1 'even as ,christ loved the church1 and gave himself for it' 7,eph #e3be74 ,when husbands behave themselves like husbands indeed1 then will they be not only husbands1 but such an ordinance of ,god to the wife1 as will preach to her the carriage of ,christ to his spouse4 ,there is a sweet scent wrapped up in the relations of husbands and wives1 that believe 7,eph #d3cb72 the wife1 ,i say1 signifying the church1 and the husband the head and saviour thereof1 ',for the husband is the head of the wife1 even as ,christ is the head of the church' 7,eph #e3bc74 and he is the ,saviour of the body4 ,this is one of ,god's chief ends in instituting marriage1 that ,christ and his church1 under a figure1 might be wherever there is a couple that believe through grace4 ,wherefore that husband that carrieth it undiscreetly towards his wife1 he doth not only behave himself contrary to the rule1 but also maketh his wife lose the benefit of such an ordinance1 and crosseth the mystery of his relation4 ,therefore1 ,i say1 ',so ought men to love their wives as their own bodies4 ,he that loveth his wife1 loveth himself4 ,for no man ever yet hated his own flesh2 but nourisheth and cherisheth it1 even as the ,lord the church3' 7,eph #e3 #h1 #bi74 ,christ laid out his life for his church1 covereth her infirmities1 communicates to her his wisdom1 protecteth her1 and helpeth her in her employments in this world2 and so ought men to do for their wives4 ,solomon and ,pharaoh's daughter had the art of thus doing1 as you may see in the book of ,canticles4 ,wherefore bear with their weaknesses1 help their infirmities1 and honour them as the weaker vessels1 and as being of a frailer constitution 7#a ,peter #c3g74 ,in a word1 be such a husband to thy believing wife1 that she may say1 ,god hath not only given me a husband1 but such a husband as preacheth to me every day the carriage of ,christ to his church4 ,second1 ,if thy wife be unbelieving or carnal1 then thou hast also a duty lying before thee1 which thou art engaged to perform under a double engagement3 #a4 ,for that she lieth liable every moment to eternal damnation4 #b4 ,that she is thy wife that is in this evil case4 ,oh6 how little sense of the worth of souls is there in the heart of some husbands2 as is manifest by their unchristian carriage to and before their wives6 ,now1 to qualify thee for a carriage suitable1 #a4 ,labour seriously after a sense of her miserable state1 that thy bowels may yearn towards her soul4 #b4 ,beware that she take no occasion from any unseemly carriage of thine1 to proceed in evil4 ,and here thou hast need to double thy diligence1 for she lieth in thy bosom1 and therefore is capable of espying the least miscarriage in thee4 #c4 ,if she behave herself unseemly and unruly1 as she is subject to do1 being ,christless and graceless1 then labour thou to overcome her evil with thy goodness1 her forwardness with thy patience and meekness4 ,it is a shame for thee1 who hast another principle1 to do as she4 #d4 ,take fit opportunities to convince her4 ,observe her disposition1 and when she is most likely to bear1 then speak to her very heart4 #e4 ,when thou speakest1 speak to purpose4 ,it is no matter for many words1 provided they be pertinent4 ,job in a few words answers his wife1 and takes her off from her foolish talking3 ',thou speakest1' saith he1 'as one of the foolish women4 ,what8 shall we receive good at the hand of ,god1 and shall we not receive evil8' 7,job #b3aj74 #f4 ,let all be done without rancour1 or the least appearance of anger3 ',in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves1 ifperadventure they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil1 who are taken captive by him at his will' 7#b ,tim #b3be1 #bf74 ',and how knowest thou1 ,o man1 whether thou shalt save thy wife' 7#a ,cor #g3af74 ,,duty ,,of ,,parents ,,to ,,children ,if thou are a parent1 a father1 or a mother1 then thou art to consider thy calling under this relation4 ,thy children have souls1 and they must be begotten of ,god as well as of thee1 or they perish4 ,and know also1 that unless thou be very circumspect in thy behavior to and before them1 they may perish through thee3 the thoughts of which should provoke thee1 both to instruct1 and also to correct them4 ,first1 ,to instruct them as the scripture saith1 and to 'bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the ,lord'2 and to do this diligently1 'when thou sittest in thine housewhen thou liest down1 and when thou risest up' 7,eph #f3d2 ,deu #f3g74 ,now to do this to purpose3 #a4 ,do it in terms and words easy to be understood3 affect not high expressions1 they will drown your children4 ,thus ,god spake to his children 7,hosea #ab3aj71 and ,paul to his 7#a ,cor #c3b74 #b4 ,take heed of filling their heads with whimsies1 and unprofitable notions1 for this will sooner learn them to be malapert and proud1 than sober and humble4 ,open therefore to them the state of man by nature2 discourse with them of sin1 of death1 and hell2 of a crucified ,saviour1 and the promise of life through faith3 ',train up a child in the way he should go3 and when he is old1 he will not depart from it' 7,prov #bb3f74 #c4 ,there must be much gentleness and patience in all thy instructions1 'lest they be discouraged' 7,col4 #c3ba74 ,and1 #d4 ,labour to convince them by a conversation answerable1 that the things of which thou instructest them are not fables1 but realities2 yea1 and realities so far above what can be here enjoyed1 that all things1 were they a thousand times better than they are1 are not worthy to be compared with the glory and worthiness of these things4#h ,isaac was so holy before his children1 that when ,jacob remembered ,god1 he remembered that he was 'the ,fear of his father ,isaac' 7,gen #ca3ec74 ,ah6 when children can think of their parents1 and bless ,god for that instruction and good they have received from them1 this is not only profitable for children1 but honourable1 and comfortable to parents3 ',the father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice3 and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him' 7,prov #bc3bd1 #be74 ,second1 ,the duty of correction4 #a4 ,see if fair words will win them from evil4 ,this is ,god's way with his children 7,jer #be3d1 #e74 #b4 ,let those words you speak to them in your reproof1 be both sober1 few1 and pertinent1 adding always some suitable sentence of the scripture therewith2 as1 if they lie1 then such as 7,rev #ba3h1 #bg74 ,if they refuse to hear the word1 such as 7#b ,chron #be3ad-af74 #c4 ,look to them1 that they be not companions with those that are rude and ungodly2 showing with soberness a continual dislike of their naughtiness2 often crying out to them1 as ,god did of old unto his1 ',oh1 do not this abominable thing that ,i hate' 7,jer #dd3d74 #d4 ,let all this be mixed with such love1 pity1 and compunction of spirit1 that if possible they may be convinced you dislike not their persons1 but their sins4 ,this is ,god's way 7,psa #ii3h74 #e4 ,be often endeavouring to fasten on their consciences the day of their death1 and judgment to come4 ,thus also ,god deals with his 7,deu #cb3bi74 #f4 ,if thou art driven to the rod1 then strike advisedly in cool blood1 and soberly show them1 7#a47 their fault2 7#b47 how much it is against thy heart thus to deal with them2 7#c47 and that what thou dost1 thou dost in conscience to ,god1 and love to their souls2 7#d47 and tell them1 that if fair means would have done1 none of this severity should have been4 ,this1 ,i have proved it1 will be a means to afflict their hearts as well as their bodies2 and it being the way that ,god deals with his1 it is the most likely to accomplish its end4 #g4 ,follow all this with prayer to ,god for them1 and leave the issue to him3 ',foolishness is bound in the heart of a child2 but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him' 7,prov #bb3ae74 ,lastly1 ,observe these cautions1 #a4 ,take heed that the misdeeds for which thou correctest thy children be not learned them by thee4 ,many children learn that wickedness of their parents for which they beat and chastise them4 #b4 ,take heed thou smile not upon them1 to encourage them in small faults1 lest that thy carriage to them be an encouragement to them to commit greater4 #c4 ,take heed thou use not unsavoury and unseemly words in thy chastising of them1 as railing1 miscalling1 and the like3 this is devilish4 #d4 ,take heed thou do not use them to many chiding words and threatenings1 mixed with lightness and laughter2 this will harden4 ,speak not much1 nor often1 but pertinent to them with all gravity4 #i ,,duties ,,of ,,masters ,,to ,,servants4 ,masters also have a work to do as they stand related to their servants4 ,and1 ,first1 ,if possibly they can1 to get them that fear ,god3 ',he that worketh deceit1' saith ,david1 'shall not dwell within my house2 he that telleth lies1 shall not tarry in my sight' 7,psa #aja3g74 ,second1 ,but if none at the present but unbelievers can be got to do thy labour1 then1 #a4 ,know that it is thy duty so to behave thyself to thy servant1 that thy service may not only be for thy good1 but for the good of thy servant1 and that both in body and soul4 ,wherefore deal with him1 as to admonition1 as with thy children2 given him the same bread of ,god thou givest to them2 and who knows1 but that if thou with spiritual delicates bringest up thy servant1 but he may become thy spiritual son in the end 7,prov #bi3ba74 #b4 ,take heed thou do not turn thy servants into slaves1 by overcharging them in thy work1 through thy greediness4 ,to make men serve with rigour1 is more like to ,israel's enemies than ,christian masters 7,exo #a3ad74 #aj #c4 ,take heed thou carry not thyself to thy servant as he of whom it is said1 ',he is such a man of ,belial1 that his servants could not speak to him4' 7#a ,sam #be3ad-ag74 ,and the apostle bids you forbear to threaten them1 because you also have a ,master in heaven 7,eph #f3i74 ,as who should say1 ,your servants cannot be guilty of so many miscarriages against you1 as you are guilty of against ,christ4 ,wherefore do with1 and to your servants1 as you would have your master do with you4 #d4 ,take heed that thou neither circumvent him at his coming in to thy service1 nor at his going out4 ,servants1 at their going into service1 may be beguiled two ways4 7#a47 ,by their masters lying unto them1 saying1 their work is so small and so easy1 when it is indeed1 if not too burdensome1 yet far beyond what at first was said of it4 ,this is beguiling of them4 7#b47 ,the other way is1 when masters greedily seek to wire-draw their servants to such wages as indeed is too little and inconsiderable for such work and labour4 ,both these the apostle opposeth1 where he saith1 ',masters give unto your servants that which is just1' just labour1 and just wages1 'knowing that ye also have a master in heaven' 7,col #d3a74 ,as servants may be circumvented at their coming into their labour1 so also they may be at their going out3 which is done by masters that either change their wages1 like heathenish ,laban1 7,gen #ca3g74 or by keeping it back1 like those against whom ,god will be a swift witness 7,mal #c3e74 #e4 ,take heed that thou make not a gain of thy place1 because thou art gracious1 or livest conveniently for the means of grace4 #aa ,servants that are truly godly they care not how cheap they serve their masters1 provided they may get into godly families1 or where they may be convenient for the word4 ,but now1 if a master or mistress should take this opportunity to make a prey of their servants1 this is abominable1 this is making a gain of godliness1 and merchandise of the things of ,god1 and of the soul of thy brother 7#a ,tim #f3e74 ,i have heard some poor servants say1 ,that in some carnal families they have had more liberty to ,god's things1 and more fairness of dealing1 than among professors4 ,but this stinketh4 ,and as ,jacob said concerning the cruelty of his two sons1 so may ,i say of such masters1 they make religion stink before the inhabitants of the land 7,gen #cd3cj74 ,in a word1 learn of the ,lord ,jesus to carry yourselves well to your servants1 that your servants also may learn something of the kindness of ,christ by your deportment to them4 ,servants are goers as well as comers2 take heed that thou give them no occasion to scandal the gospel when they are gone1 for what they observed thee unrighteously to do when they were with thee4 ,then masters carry it rightly toward their servants1 when they labour both in word and life to convince them that the things of ,god are the one thing necessary4 ,that which servants are commanded to do1 touching their fear1 their singleness of heart1 their doing what they do as to the ,lord1 and not to men2 the master is commanded to do the same things unto them4 7,eph #f3f-i74 ,,the ,,duty ,,of ,,wives4 ,but passing the master of the family1 ,i shall speak a word or two to those that are under him4 ,and1 first1 to the wife3 ,the wife is bound by the law to her husband1 so long as her husband liveth 7,rom #g3b74 ,wherefore she also hath her work and place in the family1 as well as the rest4 ,now there are these things considerable in the carriage of a wife toward her husband1 which she ought conscientiously to observe4 ,first1 ,that she look upon him as her head and lord4 ',the head of the woman is the man' 7#a ,cor #aa3c74 ,and so ,sarah called ,abraham lord 7#a ,peter #c3f74 ,second1 ,she should therefore be subject to him1 as is fit in the ,lord4 ,the apostle saith1 ',that the wife should submit herself to her husband1 as to the ,lord' #ab 7#a ,peter #c3a2 ,col #c3ah2 ,eph #e3bb74 ,i told you before1 that if the husband doth walk towards his wife as becomes him1 he will therein be such an ordinance of ,god to her1 besides the relation of a husband1 that shall preach to her the carriage of ,christ to his church4 ,and now ,i say also1 that the wife1 if she walk with her husband as becomes her1 she shall preach the obedience of the church to her husband4 ',therefore as the church is subject unto ,christ1 so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything' 7,eph #e3bd74 ,now for thy performing of this work1 thou must first shun these evils4 #a4 ,the evil of a wandering and a gossiping spirit2 this is evil in the church1 and is evil also in a wife1 who is the figure of a church4 ,christ loveth to have his spouse keep at home2 that is1 to be with him in the faith and practice of his things1 not ranging and meddling with the things of ,satan2 no more should wives be given to wander and gossip abroad4 ,you know that ,proverbs #g3aa saith1 ',she is loud and stubborn2 her feet abide not in her house4' ,wives should be about their own husbands' business at home2 as the apostle saith1 ,let them 'be discreet1 chaste1 keepers at home1 good1 obedient to their own husbands4' ,and why8 ,because otherwise 'the word of ,god will be blasphemed' 7,titus #b3e74 #b4 ,take heed of an idle1 talking1 or brangling tongue4 ,this also is odious1 either in maids or wives1 to be like parrots1 not bridling their tongue2 whereas the wife should know1 as ,i said before1 that her husband is her lord1 and is over her1 as ,christ is over the church4 ,do you think it is seemly for the church to parrot it against her husband8 ,is she not to be silent before him1 and to look to his laws1 rather than her own fictions8 ,why so1 saith the apostle1 ought the wife to carry it towards her husband8 ',let the woman1' saith ,paul1 'learn in silence with all subjection4 ,but ,i suffer not a woman to teach1 nor to usurp authority over the man1 but to be in silence' 7#a ,tim #b3aa1 #ab74 ,it is an unseemly thing to see a woman so much as once in all her lifetime to offer to overtop her husband2 she ought in everything to be in subjection to him1 and to do all she doth1 as having her warrant1 licence1 and authority from him4 ,and indeed here is her glory1 even to be under him1 as the church is under ,christ3 ,now 'she openeth her mouth with wisdom1 and in her tongue is the law of kindness' 7,prov #ca3bf74 #c4 ,take heed of affecting immodest apparel1 or a wanton gait2 this will be evil both abroad and at home2 abroad1 it will not only give ill example1 but also tend to tempt to lust and lasciviousness2 and at home it will give an offence to a godly husband1 and be cankering to ungodly children1 c4 ,wherefore1 as saith the apostle1 ,let women's apparel be modest1 as becometh women professing godliness1 with good works1 'not with broidered hair1 or gold1 or pearls1 or costly array' 7#a ,tim #b3i1 #aj74 ,and as it is said again1 ',whose adorning1 let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair1 and of wearing of gold1 or of putting on of apparel3 ,but let it be the hidden man of the heart1 in that which is not corruptible1 even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit1 which is in the sight of ,god of great price4 ,for after this manner in the old time the holy women also1 who trusted in ,god1 adorned themselves1 being in subjection unto their own husbands' 7#a ,peter #c3c-e74 ,but yet1 do not think that by the subjection ,i have here mentioned1 that ,i do intend women should be their husbands' slaves4 ,women are their husbands' yokefellows1 their flesh and their bones2 and he is not a man that hateth his own flesh1 or that is bitter against it 7,eph #e3bi74 ,wherefore1 let every man 'love his wife even as himself2 and the wife see that she reverence her husband' 7,eph #e3cc74 ,the wife is master next her husband1 and is to rule all in his absence2 #ac yea1 in his presence she is to guide the house1 to bring up the children1 provided she so do it1 as the adversary have no occasion to speak reproachfully 7#a ,tim #e3aj1 #ac74 ',who can find a virtuous woman8 for her price is far above rubies4 ,a gracious woman retaineth honour3' and guideth her affairs with discretion 7,prov #ca3aj2 #aa3af2 #ab3d74 ,object4 ,but my husband is an unbeliever2 what shall ,i do8 ,answer4 ,if so1 then what ,i have said before lieth upon thee with an engagement so much the stronger4 ,for1 #a4 ,thy husband being in this condition1 he will be watchful to take thy slips and infirmities1 to throw them as dirt in the face of ,god and thy ,saviour4 #b4 ,he will be apt to make the worst of every one of thy words1 carriages1 and gestures4 #c4 ,and all this doth tend to the possessing his heart with more hardness1 prejudice1 and opposition to his own salvation2 wherefore1 as ,peter saith1 'ye wives1 be in subjection to your husbands2 that1 if any obey not the word1 they may also without the word be won by the conversation of the wives2 while they behold your chaste conversation1 coupled with fear' 7#a ,peter #c3a1 #b74 ,thy husband's salvation or damnation lieth much in thy deportment and behaviour before him2 wherefore1 if there be in thee any fear of ,god1 or love to thy husband1 seek1 by a carriage full of meekness1 modesty1 and holiness1 and a humble behaviour before him1 to win him to the love of his own salvation2 and by thus doing1 how 'knowest thou1 ,o wife1 whether thou shalt save thy husband8' 7#a ,cor #g3af74 ,object4 ,but my husband is not only an unbeliever1 but one very froward1 peevish1 and testy1 yea1 so froward1 c41 that ,i know not how to speak to him1 or behave myself before him4 ,answer4 ,indeed there are some wives in great slavery by reason of their ungodly husbands2 and as such should be pitied1 and prayed for2 so they should be so much the more watchful and circumspect in all their ways4 #a4 ,therefore be thou very faithful to him in all the things of this life4 #b4 ,bear with patience his unruly and unconverted behaviour2 thou art alive1 he is dead2 thou art principled with grace1 he with sin4 ,now1 then1 seeing grace is stronger than sin1 and virtue than vice2 be not overcome with his vileness1 but overcome that with thy virtues 7,rom #ab3ba74 ,it is a shame for those that are gracious to be as lavishing in their words1 c41 as those that are graceless3 ,they that are 'slow to wrath are of great understanding2 but they that are hasty of spirit1 exalteth folly' 7,prov #ad3bi74 #c4 ,thy wisdom1 therefore1 if at any time thou hast a desire to speak to thy husband for his conviction1 concerning anything1 either good or evil1 it is to observe convenient times and seasons3 ,there is 'a time to keep silence1 and a time to speak' 7,eccl #c3g74 ,now for the right timing thy intentions1 7#a47 ,consider his disposition2 and take him when he is farthest off of those filthy passions that are thy afflictions4 ,abigail would not speak a word to her churlish husband till his wine was gone from him1 and he in a sober temper 7#a ,sam #be3cf1 #cg74 ,the want of this observation is the cause why so much is spoken1 and so little effected4 #ad 7#b47 ,take him at those times when he hath his heart taken with thee1 and when he showeth tokens of love and delight in thee4 ,thus did ,esther with the king her husband1 and prevailed 7,ester #e3c1 #f2 #g3a1 #b74 7#c47 ,observe when convictions seize his conscience1 and then follow them with sound and grave sayings of the ,scriptures4 ,somewhat like to this dealt ,manoah's wife with her husband 7,judg #ac3bb1 #bc74 ,yet then1 7a7 ,let thy words be few4 7b7 ,and none of them savouring of a lording it over him2 but speak thou still as to thy head and lord1 by way of entreaty and beseeching4 7c7 ,and that in such a spirit of sympathy1 and bowels of affection after his good1 that the manner of thy speech and behaviour in speaking may be to him an argument that thou speakest in love1 as being sensible of his misery1 and inflamed in thy soul with desire after his conversion4 7d7 ,and follow thy words and behaviour with prayers to ,god for his soul4 7e7 ,still keeping thyself in a holy1 chaste1 and modest behaviour before him4 ,object4 ,but my husband is a sot1 a fool1 and one that hath not wit enough to follow his outward employment in the world4 ,answer4 #a4 ,though all this be true1 yet thou must know he is thy head1 thy lord1 and thy husband4 #b4 ,therefore thou must take heed of desiring to usurp authority over him4 ,he was not made for thee2 that is1 for thee to have dominion over him1 but to be thy husband1 and to rule over thee 7#a ,tim #b3ab2 #a ,cor #aa3c1 #h74 #c4 ,wherefore1 though in truth thou mayest have more discretion than he1 yet thou oughtest to know that thou1 with all that is thine1 is to be used as under thy husband2 even 'every thing' 7,eph #e3bd74 ,take heed therefore1 that what thou dost goes not in thy name1 but his2 not to thy exaltation1 but his2 carrying all things so1 by thy dexterity and prudence1 that not one of thy husband's weaknesses be discovered to others by thee3 ',a virtuous woman is a crown to her husband3 but she that maketh ashamed1 is as rottenness in his bones4' ,for then1 as the wise man sayeth1 'she will do him good and not evil1 all the days of her life' 7,prov #ab3d2 #ca3ab74 #d4 ,therefore act1 and do still1 as being under the power and authority of thy husband4 ,now touching thy carriage to thy children and servants4 ,thou art a parent1 and a mistress1 and so thou oughtest to demean thyself4 ,and besides1 seeing the believing woman is a figure of the church1 she ought1 as the church1 to nourish and instruct her children1 and servants1 as the church1 that she may answer in that particular also2 and truly1 the wife being always at home1 she hath great advantage that way2 wherefore do it1 and the ,lord prosper your proceeding4 ,,duties ,,of ,,children ,,to ,,parents4 ,there lieth also a duty upon children to their parents1 which they are bound both by the law of ,god and nature conscientiously to observe3 ',children1 obey your parents in the ,lord3 for this is right4' ,and again1 ',children1 obey your parents in all things2 for this is well pleasing unto the ,lord' 7,eph #f3a2 ,col #c3bj74 ,there are these general things in which children should show forth that honour that is due to their parents from them4 ,first1 ,they should always count them better than themselves4 ,i observe a vile spirit among some children1 and that is1 they are apt to look over their parents1 and to have slighting and scornful thoughts of them4 ,this is worse than heathenish2 such an one hath got just the heart of a dog or a beast1 that will bite those that begot them1 and her that brought them forth4 ,object4 ,but my father1 c41 is now poor1 and ,i am rich1 and it will be a disparagement1 or at least a hinderance to me1 to show that respect to him as otherwise ,i might4 ,answer4 ,i tell thee thou arguest like an atheist and a beast1 and standest in this full flat against the ,son of ,god 7,mark #g3i-ac74 ,must a gift1 and a little of the glory of the butterfly1 make thee that thou shalt not do for1 and honour to1 thy father and mother8 ',a wise son maketh a glad father3 but a foolish man despiseth his mother' 7,prov #ae3bj74 ,though thy parents be never so low1 and thou thyself never so high1 yet he is thy father1 and she thy mother1 and they must be in thy eye in great esteem3 ',the eye that mocketh at his father1 and despiseth to obey his mother1 the ravens of the valley shall pick it out1 and the young eagles shall eat it' 7,prov #cj3ag74 ,second1 ,thou oughtest to show thy honour to thy parents1 by a willingness to help them with such necessaries and accommodations which they need4 ',if anyhave children or nephews1 let them learn to show piety #ae at home1 and to requite their parents3' saith ,paul1 'for that is good and acceptable before ,god' 7#a ,tim #e3d74 ,and this rule ,joseph observed to his poor father1 though he himself was next the king in ,egypt 7,gen #dg3ab2 #da3ci-dd74 ,but mark1 let them 'requite their parents4' ,there are three things for which1 as long as thou livest1 thou wilt be a debtor to thy parents4 #a4 ,for thy being in this world4 ,they are they from whom1 immediately under ,god1 thou didst receive it4 #b4 ,for their care to preserve thee when thou wast helpless1 and couldst neither care for1 nor regard thyself4 #c4 ,for the pains they have taken with thee to bring thee up4 ,until thou hast children of thy own1 thou wilt not be sensible of the pains1 watchings1 fears1 sorrow1 and affliction1 that they have gone under to bring thee up2 and when thou knowest it1 thou wilt not easily yield that thou has recompensed them for thy favour to thee4 ,how often have they sustained thee in thy hunger1 clothed thy nakedness8 ,what care have they taken that thou mightest have wherewith to live and do well when they were dead and gone8 ,they possibly have spared it from their own belly and back for thee1 and have also impoverished themselves1 that thou mightest live like a man4 #af ,all these things ought duly1 and like a man1 to be considered by thee2 and care ought to be taken on thy part to requite them4 ,the ,scripture saith so1 reason saith so1 and there be none but dogs and beasts that deny it4 ,it is the duty of parents to lay up for their children2 and the duty of children to requite their parents4 ,third1 ,therefore show1 by all humble and son-like carriage1 that thou dost to this day1 with thy heart1 remember the love of thy parents4 ,thus much for obedience to parents in general4 ,again1 if thy parents be godly1 and thou wicked1 as thou art1 if thou hast not a second work or birth from ,god upon thee1 then thou art to consider1 that thou art more strongly engaged to respect and honour thy parents1 not now only as a father in the flesh1 but as godly parents2 thy father and mother are now made of ,god thy teachers and instructors in the way of righteousness4 ,wherefore1 to allude to that of ,solomon1 ',my son1 keep thy father's commandment1 and forsake not the law of thy mother2 bind them continually upon thine heart1 and tie them about thy neck' 7,prov #f3bj1 #ba74 ,now1 to provoke thee hereto1 consider1 #a4 ,that this hath been the practice always of those that are and have been obedient children2 yea1 of ,christ himself to ,joseph and ,mary1 though he himself was ,god blessed for ever 7,luke #b3ea74 #b4 ,thou hast also the severe judgments of ,god upon those that have been disobedient1 to awe thee4 ,as1 7#a47 ,ishmael1 for but mocking at one good carriage of his father and mother1 was both thrust out of his father's inheritance and the kingdom of heaven1 and that with ,god's approbation 7,gen #ba3i-ad2 ,gal #d3cj74 7#b47 ,hophni and ,phinehas1 for refusing the good counsel of their father1 provoked the great ,god to be their enemy3 ',they hearkened not unto the voice of their father1 because the ,lord would slay them' 7#a ,sam #b3bc-be74 7#c47 ,absalom was hanged1 as ,i may say1 by ,god himself1 for rebelling against his father 7#b ,sam #ah3i74 ,besides1 little dost thou know how heart-aching a consideration it is to thy parents1 when they do but suppose thou mayest be damned6 ,how many prayers1 sighs1 and tears1 are there wrung from their hearts upon this account8 ,every miscarriage of thine goeth to their heart1 for fear ,god should take an occasion thereat to shut thee up in hardness for ever4 ,how did ,abraham groan for ,ishmael8 ',o1' saith he1 to ,god1 'that ,ishmael might live before thee6' 7,gen #ag3ah74 ,how was ,isaac and ,rebecca grieved for the miscarriage of ,esau8 7,gen #bf3cd1 #ce74 ,and how bitterly did ,david mourn for his son1 who died in his wickedness8 7#b ,sam #ah3cb1 #cc74 ,lastly1 ,and can any imagine1 but that all these carriages of thy godly parents1 will be to thee the increase of thy torments in hell1 if thou die in thy sins notwithstanding8 ,again1 if thy parents1 and thou also1 be godly1 how happy a thing is this8 ,how shouldest thou rejoice1 that the same faith should dwell both in thy parents and thee8 ,thy conversion1 possibly1 is the fruits of thy parents' groans and prayers for thy soul2 and they cannot choose but rejoice2 do thou rejoice with them4 ,it is true1 in the salvation of a natural son1 which is mentioned in the parable3 ',this my son was dead1 and is alive again2 he was lost1 and is found4 ,and they began to be merry' 7,luke #ae3bd74 ,let therefore the consideration of this1 that thy parents have grace1 as well as thee1 engage thy heart so much the more to honour1 reverence1 and obey them4 ,thou art better able now to consider the pains and care that thy friends have been at1 both for thy body and soul2 wherefore strive to requite them4 ,thou hast strength to answer in some measure the command3 wherefore do not neglect it4 ,it is a double sin in a gracious son not to remember the commandment1 yea1 the first commandment with promise 7,eph #f3a1 #b74 ,take heed of giving thy sweet parents one snappish word1 or one unseemly carriage4 ,love them because they are thy parents1 because they are godly1 and because thou must be in glory with them4 ,again1 if thou be godly1 and thy parents wicked1 as often it sadly falls out2 then1 #a4 ,let thy bowels yearn towards them2 it is thy parents that are going to hell6 #b4 ,as ,i said before to the wife1 touching her unbelieving husband1 so now ,i say to thee1 ,take heed of a parroting tongue3 speak to them wisely1 meekly1 and humbly2 do for them faithfully without repining2 and bear1 with all child-like modesty1 their reproaches1 their railing1 and evil speaking4 ,watch fit opportunities to lay their condition before them4 ,o6 how happy a thing would it be1 if ,god should use a child to beget his father to the faith6 ,then indeed might the father say1 ,with the fruit of my own bowels hath ,god converted my soul4 ,the ,lord1 if it be his will1 convert our poor parents1 that they1 with us1 may be the children of ,god4 #ag ,,concerning ,,servants4 ,servants also1 they have a work to do for ,god1 in their place and station among men4 ,the apostles assert masters under a threefold consideration4 ,first1 ,the believing master4 ,second1 ,the unbelieving master4 ,third1 ,the froward master4 ,for all which1 servants are furnished with counsel and advice in the word1 for the demeaning of themselves1 under each of them4 ,but before ,i speak in particular to any of these1 ,i will in general show you the duty of servants4 #a4 ,thou art to look upon thyself as thou art2 that is1 as a servant1 not a child1 nor a wife2 thou art inferior to these2 wherefore count thyself under them1 and be content with that station4 ',for three things the earth is disquieted1 and for four which it cannot bear4' ,one is 'a servant when he reigneth' 7,prov #cj3ba1 #bb74 ,it is out of thy place1 either to talk or do1 as one that reigneth4 #b4 ,consider1 that thou being a servant1 what is under thy hand is not thy own but thy master's4 ,now1 because it is not thy own thou oughtest not to dispose of it2 but because it is thy master's1 thou oughtest to be faithful4 ,thus it was with ,joseph 7,gen #ci3h1 #i74 ,but if thou do otherwise1 know that thou shalt receive of ,god for the wrong that thou dost2 and there is with ,god 'no respect of persons' 7,col #c3be74 ,wherefore1 #c4 ,touching thy work and employment1 thou art to do it as unto the ,lord1 and not for man2 and1 indeed1 then servants do their business as becomes them1 when they do all in obedience to the ,lord1 as knowing that the place in which they now are1 it is the place where ,christ hath put them1 and in which he expecteth they should be faithful4 ',servants1' saith ,paul1 'be obedient to them that are your master's1--with fear and trembling1 in singleness of your heart as unto ,christ2 not with eye-service1 as men-pleasers2 but as the servants of ,christ1 doing the will of ,god from the heart' 7,eph #f3e1 #f74 ,observe a little the word of ,god to servants4 #a4 ,servants must be obedient2 yet1 #b4 ,not with that obedience that will serve man only4 ,servants must have their eye on the ,lord1 in the work they do for their masters4 #c4 ,that their work in this service is the will and ordinance of ,god4 ,from which ,i conclude1 that thy work in thy place and station1 as thou art a servant1 is as really ,god's ordinance1 and as acceptable to him1 in its kind1 as is preaching1 or any other work1 for ,god2 and that thou art as sure to receive a reward for thy labour1 as he that hangs or is burnt for the gospel4 ,wherefore1 saith the apostle to servants1 ',whatsoever ye do1 do it heartily1 as to the ,lord1 and not unto men1 knowing that of the ,lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance2 for ye serve the ,lord ,christ' 7,col #c3bc1 #bd74 ,and now touching the three sorts of masters mentioned before4 ,first1 ,for the believing master2 saith ,paul1 ',they that have believing masters1 let them not despise them1 because they are brethren2 but rather do them service1 because they are faithful and beloved1 and partakers1 with the servants1 'of the' heavenly 'benefit' 7#a ,tim #f3b74 ,servants1 if they have not a care of their hearts1 will be so much in the consideration of the relation that is betwixt their masters and they1 as brethren1 that they will forget the relation that is between them as masters and servants4 ,now1 though they ought to remember the one1 yet let them take heed of forgetting the other4 ,know thy place1 as a servant1 while thou considerest that thy master and thee are brethren1 and do thy work for him faithfully1 humbly1 and with meekness1 because he is a master faithful and beloved1 and partaker of the heavenly benefit4 ',if any man teach otherwise1' saith the apostle ,paul1 'and consent not to wholesome words1 even the words of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and to the doctrine which is according to godliness2 he is proud1 knowing nothing1 but doting about questions1 and strifes of words2 whereof cometh envy1 strife1 railings1 evil surmisings1 perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds1 and destitute of the truth1 supposing that gain is godliness3 from such withdraw thyself' 7#a ,tim #f3c-e74 ,second1 ,for the unbelieving masters1 for of them ,paul speaks in the first verse of the #fth of ,timothy1 ',let as many servants1' saith he1 'as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour1 that the name of ,god and his doctrine be not blasphemed4' ,servants living with unbelieving masters1 are greatly engaged to be both watchful1 faithful1 and trusty4 ,engaged1 ,i say1 #a4 ,from the consideration of the condition of their master2 for he being unbelieving1 will have an evil eye upon thee1 and upon thy doings1 and so much the more because thou professest4 ,as in the case of ,saul and ,david 7#a ,sam #ah3h1 #i c74 #b4 ,thou art engaged because of the profession thou makest of the word of ,god2 for by thy profession thou dost lay both ,god and his word before thy master1 and he hath no other wit but to blaspheme them1 if thou behave thyself unworthily4 ,wherefore ,paul bids ,titus 'exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters1 and to please them well in all things1 not answering again2' not giving parroting answers1 or such as are cross or provoking1 not purloining1 but showing all good fidelity1 that they may adorn the doctrine of ,god our ,saviour in all things' 7,titus #b3i1 #aj74 ,that servant1 who in an unbeliever's family doth his work before ,god1 as ,god's ordinance1 he shall adorn the doctrine of ,god1 if not save his master by so doing2 but if he doth otherwise1 he shall both stumble the unbeliever1 dishonour ,god1 offend the faithful1 and bring guilt upon his own soul4 ,third1 ,for the froward master1 though ,i distinguish him from the unbeliever1 yet it is not because he may not be such1 but because every unbeliever doth not properly go under that name4 ,now with this froward and peevish fellow1 thou art to serve as faithfully for the time thou standest bound1 as with the most pleasant and rational master in the world3 ',servants1' saith ,peter1 'be subject to your masters with all fear2 not only to the good and gentle1 but also to the froward' 7#a ,peter #b3ah74 ,and if thy peevish master will still be froward1 either out of spite to thy religion1 or because he is without reason concerning thy labour thou to the utmost of thy power labouring faithfully ,god then reckoneth thee a sufferer for well-doing1 as truly as if thou wert called upon the stage of this world before men1 for the matters of thy faith4 ,wherefore ,peter adds this encouragement to servants1 to the exhortation he gave them before3 ',this is thank worthy1' saith he1 'if a man for conscience toward ,god endure grief1 suffering wrongfully4 ,for what glory is it1 if when ye be buffeted for your faults1 ye shall take it patiently8 ,but if when ye do well1 and suffer for it1 ye take it patiently1 this is acceptable with ,god' 7#a ,peter #b3ai1 #bj74 ,wherefore be comforted concerning thy condition1 with considering that ,god looks upon thee1 as on ,jacob in the family of ,laban2 and will right all thy wrongs1 and recompense thee for thy faithful1 wise1 and godly behaviour1 before1 and in the service of thy froward master4 ,wherefore1 be patient1 ,i say1 and abound in faithfulness in thy place and calling1 till ,god make a way for thy escape from this place2 and when thou mayest be made free1 use it rather 7#a ,cor #g3ba74 ,,duties ,,of ,,neighbours ,,each ,,to ,,other4 ,having thus in few words showed you what is duty under your several relations1 ,i shall now at last speak1 in a word or two1 touching good neighbourhood1 and then draw towards a conclusion4 ,touching neighbourhood1 there are these things to be considered and practised1 if thou wilt be found in the practical part of good neighbourhood4 ,first1 ,thou must be of a good and sound conversation in thy own family1 place1 and station1 showing to all1 the power that the gospel and the things of another world hath in thy heart1 ',that ye may be blameless1 and harmless1 the sons of ,god1 without rebuke1 in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation1 among whom ye shine as lights in the world' 7,phil #b3ae1 #af74 ,second1 ,as persons must be of good behavior at home1 that will be good neighbours1 so they must be full of courtesy and charity to them that have need about them 7,luke #aj3cf1 #cg74 ,right good neighbourhood is for men readily to communicate1 as of their spirituals1 so of their temporalities1 as food1 raiment1 and help to those that have need2 to be giving to the poor as thou seest them go by thee1 or to inquire after their condition1 and according to thy capacity to send unto them 7,job #ca3ae-ag1 c74 ,third1 ,thou must be always humble and meek among them1 as also grave and gracious2 not light and frothy1 but by thy words and carriage ministering 'grace to the hearers' 7,eph #d3bi74 ,thus also ,job honoured ,god among his neighbours 7,job #bi3f-ab74 ,fourth1 ,thy wisdom will be1 rightly to discountenance sin1 and to reprove thy neighbour for the same 7,lev #ai3ag71 denying thyself in some things1 for the preventing an injury to thy neighbour1 that thou mayest please him for his edification 7,rom #ae3b74 ,fifth1 ,if thou wouldest be a good neighbour1 take heed of thy tongue upon two accounts4 #a4 ,that thou with it give no offensive language to thy neighbour1 to the provoking of him to anger4 ,bear much1 put up wrongs1 and say little3 ',it is an honour for a man to cease from strife3 but every fool will be meddling' 7,prov #bj3 #c74 ,and again1 ',he loveth transgression that loveth strife' 7,prov #ag3ai74 #b4 ,and as thou shouldest take heed that thou be not the original of contention and anger1 so also take heed that thou be not an instrument to beget it between parties1 by tale-bearing and a gossiping spirit3 ',he that passeth by1 and meddleth with strife belonging not to him1 is like one that taketh a dog by the ears4 ,as coals are to burning coals1 and wood to fire2 so is a contentious man to kindle strife' 7,prov #bf3ag-ba74 ,i do observe two things very odious in many professors2 the one is a head-strong and stiff-necked spirit1 that will have its own way2 and the other is1 a great deal of tattling and talk about religion1 and but a very little1 if anything1 of those ,christian deeds that carry in them the cross of a ,christian in the doing thereof1 and profit to my neighbour4 7#a47 ,when ,i say a head-strong and stiff-necked spirit1 ,i mean1 they are for pleasing themselves and their own fancies1 in things of no weight1 though their so doing be as the very slaughter-knife to the weak conscience of a brother or neighbour4 ,now this is base4 ,a ,christian1 in all such things as intrench not the matters of faith and worship1 should be full of self-denial1 and seek to please others rather than themselves2 ',give none offence--to the ,jews1 nor to the #ah ,greeks1 nor to the church of ,god3--not seeking mine own profit1 but the profit of many1 that they may be saved' 7#a ,cor #aj3cb1 #cc74 7#b47 ,and the second is as bad1 to wit1 when professors are great prattlers and talkers1 and disputers1 but do little of anything that bespeaketh love to the poor1 or self-denial in outward things4 ,some people think religion is made up of words2 a very wide mistake6 ,words without deeds is but a half-faced religion3 ',pure religion1 and undefiled before ,god and the ,father is this1 ,to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction1 and to keep himself unspotted from the world' 7,james #a3bg74 ,again1 ',if a brother or sister be naked1 and destitute of daily food1 and one of you say unto them1 ,depart in peace1 be warmed and filled1' which are very fine words1 yet if you 'give them not those things that are needful to the body1 what doth it profit8' 7,james #b3ae1 #af74 ,sins which interfere with the duties of ,christian ,brotherhood and ,civil ,neighbourhood4 ,now then1 before ,i go any farther1 ,i will here take an occasion to touch a little upon those sins that are so rife in many professors in this day3 and they are1 covetousness1 pride1 and uncleanness4 ,i would speak a word to them in this place1 the rather because they are they which spoil both ,christian brotherhood1 and civil neighbourhood1 in too great a measure4 ,,of ,,covetousness4 ,first1 ,for ,covetousness4 #a4 ,covetousness2 it is all one with desire2 he that desires1 covets1 whether the thing he desires be evil or good4 ,wherefore that which is called coveting1 in ,exodus #bj3ag1 is called desire1 in ,deuteronomy #e3ba4 ,as the apostle also saith1 ',i had not known lust1 except the law had said1 ,thou shalt not covet' 7,rom #g3g74 ,that is1 ,i had not known lust to be a sin1 unless the law had forbid it4 ,wherefore1 though lawful desires are good 7#a ,cor #ab3ca71 and to be commended1 yet covetousness1 as commonly understood1 is to be fled from1 and abhorred1 as of the devil4 #b4 ,covetousness1 or evil desire1 it is the first mover1 and giveth to every sin its call1 as ,i may say1 both to move and act2 as was said before1 the apostle had not known sin1 except the law had said1 ,thou shalt not desire or covet2 for where there is no desire to sin1 there appears no sin4 #c4 ,therefore covetousness carrieth in it every sinwe speak of sins against the second tableeven as a serpent carrieth her young ones in her belly4 ,this the scripture affirms1 where it saith1 ',thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife1 nor his man-servant1 nor his maid-servant1 nor his ox1 nor his ass1 nor anything that is thy neighbour's' 7,exo #bj3ag74 ,covetousness will meddle with anything4 ,now1 there are in my mind at present these eight notes of covetousness1 which hinder good works1 and a ,christian coversation among men1 wherever they are harboured4 7#a47 ,when men1 to whom ,god hath given a comfortable livelihood1 are yet not content therewith4 ,this is against the apostle1 where he saith1 ',let your conversation be without covetousness2 and be content with such things as ye have3 for he hath said1 ,i will never leave thee1 nor forsake thee' 7,heb #ac3e74 7#b47 ,it is covetousness in the seller1 that puts him to say of his traffic1 it is better than it is1 that he may heighten the price of it2 and covetousness in the buyer1 that prompts him to say worse of a thing than he thinks in his conscience it is1 and that for an abatement of a reasonable price4 ,this is that which the apostle forbids under the name of defraud1 #a ,corinthians #f3h1 and that which ,solomon condemns 7,prov #bj3ad74 7#c47 ,it is through covetousness that men think much of that which goeth beside their own mouth1 though possibly it goeth to those that have more need than themselves1 and also that better deserve it than they4 7#d47 ,it argueth covetousness1 when men will deprive themselves1 and those under them1 of the privileges of the gospel1 for more of this world2 and is condemned by ,christ 7,luke #ad3ah-bj74 7#e47 ,it argueth covetousness1 when men that have it1 can go by1 or hear of the poor1 and shut up their bowels and compassions from them 7#a ,john #c3ag74 7#f47 ,also when men are convinced it is their duty to communicate to such and such that have need1 yet they defer it1 and if not quite forget it1 yet linger away the time1 as being loth to distribute to the necessities of those in want4 ,this is forbidden by the ,holy ,ghost3 ',withhold not good from them to whom it is due1 when it is in the power of thine hand to do it4' ,now1 it is due from thee to the poor1 by the commandment of ,god1 if they want1 and thou hast it2 ',say not unto thy neighbour1 ,go1 and come again1 and tomorrow ,i will give2 when thou hast it by thee' 7,prov #c3bg1 #bh74 7#g47 ,it argueth a greedy mind also1 when1 after men have cast in their minds what to give1 they then from that will be pinching and clipping1 and taking away2 whereas the ,holy ,ghost saith1 ',every man according as he purposeth in his heart1 so let him give1 not grudgingly1 or of necessity3 for ,god loveth a cheerful giver' 7#b ,cor #i3g74 7#h47 ,and lastly1 ,it argueth a filthy greedy heart also1 when a man1 after he hath done any good1 then in his heart to repent1 and secretly wish that he had not so done1 or at least1 that he had not done so much3 this is to be weary of well-doing2 7,i speak now of communicating17 and carrieth in it two evils1 ,first1 ,it spoileth the work done4 ,and1 secondly1 ,it1 if entertained1 spoileth the heart for doing any more so4 ',the vile person shall be no more called liberal1 nor the churl said to be bountiful1' for 'the liberal deviseth liberal things2 and by liberal things shall he stand' 7,isa #cb3e1 #h74 ,now then1 to dissuade all from this poisonous sin1 observe1 that above all sins in the ,new ,testament1 this is called idolatry 7,eph #e3e2 ,col #c3e74 ,and therefore ,god's people should be so far from being taken with it1 that they should be much afraid of the naming of it one among another1 lest it should1 as adulterous thoughts1 infect the heart1 by the talking of it 7,eph #e3c74 ,quest4 ,but why is covetousness called idolatry8 ,answer4 #a4 ,because it engageth the very heart of man in it1 to mind earthly things2 it gets our love1 which should be set on ,god2 and sets it upon poor empty creatures2 it puts our affections out of heaven1 where they should be1 and sets them on earth1 where they should not be 7,eze #cc3ca2 ,phil #c3ah1 #ai2 ,col #c3a-c74 ,thus it changeth the object on which the heart should be set1 and setteth it on that on which it should not4 ,it makes a man forsake ,god1 'the fountain of living waters1' and causeth him to hew to himself 'cisterns1 broken cisterns1 that can hold no water' 7,jer #b3aa-ac74 ,for1 #b4 ,it rejecteth the care1 government1 and providence of ,god towards us1 and causeth us to make of our care and industry a god1 to whom1 instead of ,god1 we fly continually1 both for the keeping what we have and for getting more4 ,this was ,israel's idolatry of old1 and the original of all her idolatrous practices4 ',for their mother hath played the harlot1' that is1 committed idolatry3 'she that conceived them hath done shamefully3 for she said1 ,i will go after my lovers1 that gave me my bread and my water1 my wool and my flax1 mine oil and my drink' 7,hosea #b3e74 #c4 ,it disalloweth of ,god's way of disposing his creatures1 and would have them ordered and disposed of otherwise than his heavenly wisdom seemeth meet2 and hence ariseth all discontents about ,god's dealing with us4 ,covetousness never yet said1 ,it is the ,lord1 let him do what he pleaseth2 but is ever objecting1 like a god1 against everything that goeth against it2 and it is that which1 like a god1 draweth away the heart and soul from the true ,god1 and his ,son ,jesus ,christ3 ',and he went away sorrowful2 for he had great possessions' 7,matt #ai3af-bb74 ,now then1 that which engageth the heart1 that rejecteth the providence of ,god1 and that is for ordering and disposing of things contrary to ,god1 and for breaking with ,god upon these terms1 is idolatry2 and all these do covetousness4 ',the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire1 and blesseth the covetous1 whom the ,lord abhorreth' 7,psa #aj3c74 ,now the way to remedy this disease is1 to learn the lesson which ,paul had got by heart2 to wit1 ',in whatsoever state you are1 therewith to be content' 7,phil #d3aa74 ,,of ,,pride4 ,second1 ,i come1 in the second place1 to speak a word of pride1 and loftiness of heart and life4 #a4 ,pride1 in general1 it is that which causeth a man to think of man and his things1 above what is written 7#a ,cor #d3f74 #b4 ,it hath its seat in the heart among these enormities1 fornications1 adulteries1 lasciviousness1 murders1 deceit1 c4 7,mark #g3ba-bc7 and showeth itself in these following particulars4 7#a47 ,when you slight this or that person1 though gracious2 that is1 look over them1 and shun them for their poverty in this world1 and choose rather to have converse with others1 that possibly are less gracious1 because of their greatness in this world4 ,this the apostle ,james writes against1 ,james #b3a-c1 under the name of partiality2 'for indeed the fruits of a puffed-up heart is to deal in this manner with ,christians' 7#a ,cor #d3f1 #g74 ,now this branch of pride floweth from ignorance of the vanity of the creature1 and of the worth of a gracious heart2 wherefore get more of the knowledge of these two1 and this sprig will be nipped in the head1 and you will learn to condescend to men of low degree 7,rom #ab3af74 7#b47 ,it argues pride of heart1 when men will not deny themselves in things that they may1 for the good and profit of their neighbours4 ,and it argueth now1 that pride has got so much up into self-love and self-pleasing1 that they little care who they grieve or offend1 so they may have their way 7,oba #ab-ae74 7#c47 ,it argueth pride of heart1 when sober reproofs for sin1 and unbeseeming carriages1 will not down with thee1 but that rather thou snuffest1 and givest way to thy spirit to be peevish1 and to retain prejudice against those that thus reprove thee4 ,saith the prophet1 ',hear ye1 and give ear2 be not proud3 for the ,lord hath spoken4' ,that is1 hear the reproofs of ,god for your sins1 and break them off by repentance2 'but if ye will not hear it1 my soul shall weep in secret for your pride1' c4 7,jer #ac3ae-ag74 ,so also in ,hosea1 ',they will not frame their doings to turn unto their ,god3 for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them1 and they have not know the ,lord4 ,and the pride of ,israel doth testify to his face' c4 7,hosea #e3d1 #e74 ,this argueth great senselessness of ,god1 and a heart greatly out of frame4 7#d47 ,it argueth pride also1 when a reproof or admonition will not down as well from the poorest saint1 as from the greatest doctor2 and it argueth a glory in men1 #a ,corinthians #c3ba1 and that they would1 that their faith should stand in their wisdom1 and not 'in the power of ,god2' that is1 of naked truth #a ,corinthians #b3e4 7#e47 ,it argueth pride of heart1 when a man that hath this or that in his heart to do1 in reference to ,god1 but yet will slight a sober asking counsel and direction of ,god in this matter3 ',the wicked1 through the pride of his countenance1 will not seek after ,god1' saith ,david 7,psa #aj3d74 7#f47 ,it argueth pride of heart1 when persons are tickled with thoughts of their own praise1 that secretly lust after it2 that think of themselves and others above what is written2 which those do who do not acknowledge that man in his best estate is altogether vanity3 but such kind of people have forgot the exhortation1 ',be not high-minded1 but fear3' 7,rom #aa3bj74 ,and also1 ,that there is a knowledge that puffeth up1 and edifieth neither themselves nor others 7#a ,cor #h3a1 #b74 ,wherefore1 to such the apostle saith1 ,be 'not desirous of vain-glory1' but in lowliness of mind 'let each esteem others better than themselves' 7,phil #b3c2 ,gal #e3bf74 ,pride also there is in outward carriage1 behaviour1 and gesture1 which is odious for ,christians to be tainted with2 and this pride is discovered by mincing words1 a made carriage1 and an affecting the toys and baubles that ,satan1 and every lightheaded fool bringeth into the world4 ,as ,god speaketh of the daughters of ,zion1 'they walk with stretched forth necks1 and wanton eyes1 mincing as they go1 and making a tinkling with their feet' 7,isa #c3af74 ,a very unhandsome carriage for a people that profess godliness1 and that use to come before ,god to confess their sins1 and to bemoan themselves for what they have done4 ,how can a sense of thy own baseness1 of the vileness of thy heart1 and of the holiness of ,god1 stand with such a carriage8 ,dost thou see the vileness of thy heart1 the fruit of sin8 ,and art thou afflicted with that disagreement that is between ,god and thy heart1 that layest the reins on the neck of thy lusts1 and lettest them run whither they will8 ,be not deceived1 pride ariseth from ignorance of these things 7#a ,tim #f3c1 #d74 ,a sense of my vileness1 of what ,i have deserved1 and of what continually in my heart opposeth ,god1 cannot stand with a foolish1 light1 and wanton carriage3 thou wilt then see there is other things to mind than to imitate the butterfly4 ,alas1 all these kind of things are but a painting the devil1 and a setting a carnal gloss upon a castle of his2 thou art but making gay the spider3 is thy heart ever the sounder for thy fine gait1 they mincing words1 and thy lofty looks8 ,nay1 doth not this argue1 that thy heart is a rotten1 cankered1 and besotted heart8 ,oh6 that ,god would but let thee see a little of thy own inside1 as thou hast others to behold thy outside3 thou painted sepulchre1 thou whited wall1 will these things be found virtues in the day of ,god8 ,or1 is this the way that thou takest to mortify sin8 ',an high look1 and a proud heart1 the plowing of the wicked1 is sin' 7,prov #ba3d74 ,pride is the ringleader of the seven abominations that the wise man nameth1 ,proverbs #f3af1 #ag1 and is that above all that causeth to fall into the condemnation of the devil 7#a ,tim #c3f74 ,,of ,,adultery ,,or ,,uncleanness4 ,now ,i come in the last place to touch a word or two of adultery1 and then to draw towards a conclusion4 ,adultery1 it hath its place in the heart1 among the rest of those filthinesses ,i mentioned before 7,mark #g3ba1 #bb7 of which sin ,i observe two things4 #a4 ,that almost in every place where the apostle layeth down a catalogue of wickednesses1 he layeth down adultery1 fornication1 and uncleanness in the front2 as that in ,mark #g3ba1 ,romans #a3bi1 #a ,corinthians #f3 #i1 ,galatians #e3ai1 ,ephesians #e3c1 #a ,thessalonians #d3c-e1 ,hebrews #ab3af1 ,james #b3aa1 #a ,peter #b3aa1 and #b ,peter #b3aj4 ,from this ,i gather that the sin of uncleanness is a very predominant and master sin1 easy to overtake the sinner1 as being one of the first that is ready to offer itself on all occasions to break the law of ,god4 #b4 ,i observe that this sin is committed unawares to many1 even so soon as a man hath but looked upon a woman3 ',i say unto you1' saith ,christ1 'that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust1' or desire1 'after her1 he hath committed adultery with her already in his heart' 7,matt #e3bh74 ,this sin of uncleanness1 ,i say1 is a very taking sin2 it is natural above all sins to mankind2 as it is most natural1 so it wants not tempting occasions1 having objects for to look on in every corner3 wherefore there is need of a double and treble watchfulness in the soul against it4 ,it is better here to make a covenant with our eyes1 like ,job 7,job #ca3a7 than to let them wander to ,god's dishonour1 and our own discomfort4 ,there are these three things which discover a man or woman too much inclining to the uncleanness of their own hearts4 7#a47 ,the first is a wanton eye1 or an eye that doth secretly affect itself with such objects as are tickling of the heart with the thoughts of immodesty and uncleanness4 ,isaiah calls this a wanton eye3 and ,peter an eye full of adultery1 that cannot cease from sin 7#b ,peter #b3ad2 ,isa #c3af74 ,this is that also which ,christ calleth an evil eye1 and ,john the lust of the flesh1 and of the eyes1 and doth defile those who are not very watchful over their own hearts 7,mark #g3bb2 #a ,john #b3af74 ,this wanton eye is that which the most holy saints should take heed of1 because it is apt to seize upon them also4 ,when ,paul bids ,timothy beseech the young women to walk as becomes the gospel1 he bids him do it with all purity 7#a ,tim #e3a1 #b74 ,as1 who should say1 ,take heed that while thou instructest them to holiness1 thou thyself be not corrupted with the lust of thy eye4 ,o how many souls1 in the day of ,god1 will curse the day that ever they gave way to a wanton eye6 7#b47 ,the second thing that discovereth one much inclining to the lusts of uncleanness1 it is wanton and immodest talk2 such as that brazen-faced whore in the #gth of the ,proverbs had1 or such as they in ,peter1 who allured 'through the lusts of the flesh1 through much wantonness1 those that were clean escaped from them who live in error' 7#b ,peter #b3ah74 ',out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh1' wherefore if we be saints1 let us take heed1 as of our eye1 so of our tongue1 and let not the lust of uncleanness1 or of adultery1 be once named among us1 'named among us as becometh saints' 7,eph #e3c74 ,mark1 ',let it not be once named4' ,this implies1 that the lusts of uncleanness are devilishly taking1 they will both take the heart with eyes and tongue3 ',let it not be once named among you1' c4 7#c47 ,another thing that bespeaks a man or woman inclining to wantonness and uncleanness1 it is an adorning themselves in light and wanton apparel4 ,the attire of an harlot is too frequently in our day the attire of professors2 a vile thing1 and argueth much wantonness and vileness of affections4 ,if those that give way to a wanton eye1 wanton words1 and immodest apparel1 be not whores1 c41 in their hearts1 ,i know not what to say4 ,doth a wanton eye argue shamefacedness8 ,doth wanton talk argue chastity8 ,and doth immodest apparel1 with stretched-out necks1 naked breasts1 a made speech1 and mincing gaits1 c41 argue mortification of lusts8 ,if any say1 that these things may argue pride as well as carnal lusts2 well1 but why are they proud8 ,is it not to trick up the body8 ,and why do they with pride trick up the body1 if it be not to provoke both themselves and others to lusts8 ,god knoweth their hearts without their outsides3 and we know their hearts by their outsides4 ,my friends1 ,i am here treating of good works1 and persuading you to fly those things that are hindrances to them3 wherefore bear with my plainness when ,i speak against sin4 ,i would strike it through with every word1 because else it will strike us through with many sorrows 7#a ,tim #f3i1 #aj74 ,i do not treat of good works as if the doing of them would save us1 for we are justified by his grace1 according to the hope of eternal life2 yet our sins and evil works will lay us obnoxious to the judgments both of ,god and man4 ,he that walketh not uprightly1 according to the truth of the gospel1 is like to have his peace assaulted often1 both by the devil1 the law1 death1 and hell2 yea1 and is like to have ,god hide his face from him also1 for the iniquity of his covetousness 7,isa #eg3ag74 ,how can he that carrieth himself basely in the sight of men1 think he yet well behaveth himself in the sight of ,god8 ,and if so dim a light as is in man can justly count thee as a transgressor1 how shall thy sins be hid from him whose 'eye-lids try the children of men8' 7,psa #aa3d74 ,it is true1 faith without works justifies us before ,god 7,rom #c3bh2 #d3e73 yet that faith that is alone1 will be found to leave us sinners in the sight both of ,god and man 7,james #b3ah74 ,and though thou addest nothing to that which saveth thee by what thou canst do1 yet thy righteousness may profit the son of man2 as also saith the text3 but if thou shalt be so careless as to say1 ,what care ,i for being righteous to profit others8 ,i tell thee1 that the love of ,god is not in thee 7,job #ce3h2 #a ,john #c3ag2 #a ,cor #ac3a-c74 ,walk therefore in ,god's ways1 and do them1 for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations1 which shall hear of all these statutes1 and say1 ',this great nation is a wise and understanding people' 7,deu #d3f74 ,,third4 ,observe4 ,every believer should not only take heed that his works be good1 and so for the present do them1 but should carefully study to maintain them2 that is1 to keep in a continual exercise of them4 ,it is an easier matter to begin to do good1 than it is to continue therein2 and the reason is1 there is not so much of a ,christian's cross in the beginning of a work1 as there is in a continual1 hearty1 conscientious practice thereof4 ,therefore ,christians have need1 as to be pressed to do good1 so to continue the work4 ,man1 by nature1 is rather a hearer than a doer1 ,athenian like1 continually listening after some new thing2 seeing many things1 but observing nothing 7,acts #ag3bj2 ,isa #db3bj74 ,it is observable1 that after ,christ had divided his hearers into four parts1 he condemned three of them for fruitless hearers 7,luke #h3e-h74 ,o it is hard continuing believing1 continuing loving1 continuing resisting all that opposeth2 we are subject to be weary of well-doing 7,gal #f3i74 ,to pluck out right eyes1 to cut off right hands and feet1 is no pleasant thing to flesh and blood2 and yet none but these shall have the promise of life2 because none but these will be found to have the effectual work of ,god's grace in their souls 7,matt #ah3h1 #i73 ',if ye continue in my word1 then are you my disciples' ,,indeed 7,matt #bd3ac2 ,john #h3ca74 ,and hence it is1 that you find so many ,,ifs in the ,scripture about men's happiness2 as1 'if children1 then heirs2' and 'if ye continue in the faith2' and 'if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end' 7,rom #h3ag2 ,col #a3bc2 ,heb #c3ad74 ,not that their continuing in the way of ,god is the cause of the work being right2 but the work being right causeth the continuance therein4 ,as ,john saith in another place1 ',they went out from us1 but they were not of us2 for if they had been of us1 saith he they would1 no doubt1 have continued with us' 7#a ,john #b3ai74 ,but ,i say1 where the work of ,god indeed is savingly begun1 even there is flesh1 corruption1 and the body of death to oppose it4 ,therefore should ,christians take heed1 and look that against these opposites they maintain a continual course of good works among men4 ,besides1 as there is that in our own bowels that opposeth goodness1 so there is the tempter1 the wicked one1 both to animate these lusts1 and to join with them in every assault against every appearance of ,god in our souls4 ,and hence it is1 that he is called the devil1 the enemy1 the destroyer1 and him that seeks continually to devour us 7#a ,peter #e3h71 ,i need say no more but this4 ,he that will walk like a ,christian indeed1 as he shall find it is requisite that he continue in good works1 so his continuing therein will be opposed2 if therefore he will continue therein1 he must make it his business to study how to oppose those that oppose such a life1 that he may continue therein4 ,,fourth4 ,now then to help in this1 here fitly comes in the last observation1 to wit1 ,that the best way both to provoke ourselves and others to good works1 it is to be often affirming to others the doctrine of justification by grace1 and to believe it ourselves4 ',this is a faithful saying1 and these things ,i will that thou affirm constantly1 that they which have believed in ,god1 might be careful to maintain good works' 7,titus #c3h74 ,i told you before1 that good works must flow from faith3 and now ,i tell you1 that the best way to be fruitful in them1 is to be much in the exercise of the doctrine of justification by grace2 and they both agree2 for as faith animates to good works1 so the doctrine of grace animates faith4 ,wherefore1 the way to be rich in good works1 it is to be rich in faith2 and the way to be rich in faith is to be conscientiously affirming the doctrine of grace to others1 and believing it ourselves4 ,first1 ,to be constantly affirming it to others4 ,thus ,paul tells ,timothy1 that if he put the brethren in mind of the truths of the gospel1 he himself should not only be a good minister of ,christ1 but should be nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine 7#a ,tim #d3f74 ,it is the ordinance of ,god1 that ,christians should be often asserting the things of ,god each to others2 and that by their so doing they should edify one another 7,heb #aj3bd1 #be2a ,thess #e3aa74 ,the doctrine of the gospel is like the dew and the small rain that distilleth upon the tender grass1 wherewith it doth flourish1 and is kept green 7,deu #cb3b74 ,christians are like the several flowers in a garden1 that have upon each of them the dew of heaven1 which being shaken with the wind1 they let fall their dew at each other's roots1 whereby they are jointly nourished1 and become nourishers of one another4 ,for ,christians to commune savourly of ,god's matters one with another1 it is as if they opened to each other's nostrils boxes of perfume4#ai ,saith ,paul to the church at ,rome1 ',i long to see you1 that ,i may impart unto you some spiritual gift1 to the end ye may be established2 that is1 that ,i may be comforted together with you1 by the mutual faith both of you and me' 7,rom #a3aa1 #ab74 ,christians should be often affirming the doctrine of grace1 and justification by it1 one to another4 ,second1 ,as they should be thus doing1 so they should live in the power of it themselves2 they should by faith suck and drink in this doctrine1 as the good ground receiveth the rain2 which being done1 forthwith there is proclaimed good works4 ,paul to the ,colossians saith thus1 ',we give thanks to ,god and the ,father of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 praying always for you1 since we heard of your faith in ,christ ,jesus1 and love to all the saints2 for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven1 whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel1 which is come unto you1 as it is in all the world1 and bringeth forth fruit1 as it doth also in you4' ,but how long ago8 ,why1 'since the day ye heard it1 saith he1 and knew the grace of ,god in truth' 7,col #a3c-f74 ,apples and flowers are not made by the gardener2 but are an effect of the planting and watering4 ,plant in the sinner good doctrine1 and let it be watered with the word of grace2 and as the effect of that1 there is the fruits of holiness1 and the end everlasting life 7,rom #f3bb74 ,good doctrine is the doctrine of the gospel1 which showeth to men1 that ,god clotheth them with the righteousness of his ,son freely1 and maketh him with all his benefits over to them2 by which free gift the sinner is made righteous before ,god2 and because he is so1 therefore there is infused a principle of grace into the heart1 whereby it is both quickened1 and bringing forth fruit 7,rom #c3ba-bf2 #a ,cor #a3cj2 #b ,cor #e3ba2 ,john #a3af74 ,now then1 seeing good works do flow from faith1 and seeing faith is nourished by an affirming of the doctrine of the gospel1 c41 take here these few considerations from the doctrine of the gospel1 for the support of thy faith1 that thou mayest be indeed fruitful and rich in good works4 ,consider #a4 ,the whole ,bible was given for this very end1 that thou shouldest both believe this doctrine1 and live in the comfort and sweetness of it3 ',for whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning1 that we through patience and comfort of the ,scriptures might have hope' 7,rom #ae3d2 ,john #bj3ca74 ,consider #b4 ,that therefore every promise in the ,bible is thine1 to strengthen1 quicken1 and encourage thy heart in believing4 ,consider #c4 ,that there is nothing that thou dost1 can so please ,god as believing2 ',the ,lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him1 in those that hope in his mercy' 7,psa #adg3aa74 ,they please him1 because they embrace his righteousness1 c4 ,consider #d4 ,that all the withdrawings of ,god from thee1 are not for the weakening1 but for the trial of thy faith2 and also1 that whatever he suffers ,satan1 or thy own heart to do1 it is not to weaken faith 7,job #bc3h-aj2 #a ,peter #a3g74 ,consider #e4 ,that believing is that which will keep in thy view the things of heaven and glory2 and that at which the devil will be discouraged1 sin weakened1 and thy heart quickened and sweetened 7,heb #aa3bg2 ,james #d3g2 #a ,peter #e3i2 ,eph #f3af2 ,rom #ae3ac74 ,consider lastly1 ,by believing1 the lover of ,god is kept with warmth upon the heart1 and that this will provoke thee continually to bless ,god for ,christ1 for grace1 for faith1 hope1 and all these things1 either in ,god1 or thee1 that doth accompany salvation 7#b ,cor #b3ad2 ,psa #ajc3a-c74 ,third1 ,the doctrine of the forgiveness of sins received by faith1 will make notable work in the heart of a sinner1 to bring forth good works4 ,but1 ,forasmuch as there is a body of death and sin in every one that hath the grace of ,god in this world2 and because this body of death will be ever opposing that which is good1 as the apostle saith 7,rom #g3ba71 therefore take these few particulars further1 for the suppressing that which will hinder a fruitful life4 #a4 ,keep a continual watch over the wretchedness of thy own heart1 not to be discouraged at the sight of thy vileness1 but to prevent its wickedness2 for that will labour either to hinder thee from doing good works1 or else will hinder thee in the doing thereof2 for evil is present with thee for both these purposes4 ,take heed then1 that thou do not listen to that at any time1 but deny1 though with much struggling1 the workings of sin to the contrary4 #b4 ,let this be continually before thy heart1 that ,god's eye is upon thee1 and seeth every secret turning of thy heart1 either to or from him3 ',all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do' 7,heb #d3ac74 #c4 ,if thou deny to do that good which thou oughtest1 with what thy ,god hath given thee2 then consider1 that though he love thy soul1 yet he can chastise2 ,first1 ,thy inward man with such troubles1 that thy life shall be restless and comfortless4 ,secondly1 ,and can also so blow upon thy outward man1 that all thou gettest shall be put in a bag with holes 7,psa #hi3ca-cc2 ,hag #a3f74 ,and set the case he should licence but one thief among thy substance1 or one spark of fire among thy barns1 how quickly might that be spent ill1 and against thy will1 which thou shouldest have spent to ,god's glory1 and with thy will2 and ,i tell thee further1 that if thou want a heart to do good when thou hast about thee1 thou mayest want comfort in such things thyself from others1 when thine is taken from thee4 ,see ,jude #a3f1 #g4 #d4 ,consider1 that a life full of good works is the only way1 on thy part1 to answer the mercy of ,god extended to thee2 ,god hath had mercy on thee1 and hath saved thee from all thy distresses2 ,god hath not stuck to give thee his ,son1 his ,spirit1 and the kingdom of heaven4 ,saith ,paul1 ',i beseech you therefore by the mercies of ,god1 that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice1 holy1 acceptable unto ,god1 which is your reasonable service' 7,rom #ab3a2 ,matt #ah3cb1 #cc74 #e4 ,consider1 that this is the way to convince all men1 that the power of ,god's things hath taken hold of thy heart ,i speak to them that hold the head #bj;and say what thou wilt1 if thy faith be not accompanied with a holy life1 thou shalt be judged a withered branch1 a wording professor1 salt without savour1 and as lifeless as a sounding brass1 and a tinkling cymbal 7,john #ae2 ,matt #ac3a ,cor #ac3a1 #b74 ,for1 say they1 show us your faith by your works1 for we cannot see your hearts 7,james #b3ah74 ,but ,i say on the contrary1 if thou walk as becomes thee who art saved by grace1 then thou wilt witness in every man's conscience1 that thou art a good tree2 now thou leavest guilt on the heart of the wicked 7#a ,sam #bd3af1 #ag74 ,now thou takest off occasion from them that desire occasion2 and now thou art clear from the blood of all men 7#b ,cor #aa3ab2 ,acts #bj3bf1 #ca-ce74 ,this is the man also that provoketh others to good works4 ,the ear that heareth such a man shall bless him2 and the eye that seeth him shall bear witness to him4 ',surely1' saith ,david1 'he shall not be moved for ever3 ,the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance' 7,heb #aj3bd2 ,job #bi3aa2 ,psa #aab3 #f74 #f4 ,again1 ,the heart that is fullest of good works1 hath in it at least room for ,satan's temptations4 ,and this is the meaning of ,peter1 where he saith1 ',be sober1 be vigilant2' that is1 be busying thyself in faith and holiness1 'because1 your adversary the devil1 as a roaring lion1 walketh about1 seeking whom he may devour' 7#a ,peter #e3h74 ',he that walketh uprightly1 walketh safely2 and they that add to faith1 virtue2 to virtue1 knowledge2 to knowledge1 temperance2 to temperance1 brotherly kindness2 and to these charity2 and that abounds therein1 he shall neither be barren nor unfruitful2 he shall never fall2 but so an entrance shall be ministered to him abundantly1 into the everlasting kingdom of our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ' 7#b ,peter #a3e-aj2 ,prov #aj3i74 #g4 ,the man who is fullest of good works1 he is fittest to live and fittest to die3 ',i am now1' at any time1 'ready to be offered1' saith fruitful ,paul 7#b ,tim #d3f74 ,whereas he that is barren1 he is neither fit to live1 nor fit to die3 to die1 he himself is convinced he is not fit1 and to live ,god himself saith he is not fit2 'cut him down1 why doth he cumber the ground8' 7,luke #h3g74 ,lastly1 ,consider1 to provoke thee to good works1 thou shalt have of ,god when thou comest to glory1 a reward for everything thou dost for him on earth4 ,little do the people of ,god consider1 how richly ,god will reward1 what from a right principle and to a right end1 is done for him here2 not a bit of bread to the poor1 not a draught of water to the meanest of them that belong to ,christ1 or the loss of a hair of your head1 shall in that day go without its reward 7,luke #ad3ac1 #ad2 ,matt #aj3db74 ',for our light affliction1' and so all other pieces of self-denial1 'which is but for a moment1 worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory' 7#b ,cor #d3ag74 ,i tell thee1 ,christian1 be but rich in good works1 and thou shalt have more than salvation2 thy salvation thou hast freely by grace through ,christ1 without works 7,eph #b3h-aj71 but now being justified and saved1 and as the fruits hereof1 renewed by the ,holy ,ghost2 after this1 ,i say1 thou shalt be rewarded for every work that proved good2 ',for ,god is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love1 which ye have showed toward his name1 in that ye have ministered to the saints1 and do minister' 7,heb #f3aj2 #a ,cor #c3ad74 ,moses counted the reward that he was to have1 for a short suffering with the people of ,god1 of greater worth than the treasures of ,egypt1 the smiles of the king1 or the honour of his kingdom 7,heb #aa3be-bg74 ,in a word1 let the disappointments that do1 and shall most surely befall the fruitless professors1 provoke thee to look with all diligence to thy standing4 ,for1 #a4 ,such a one is but deceived and disappointed touching the work of grace he supposeth to be in his heart2 he thinks he is a ,christian1 and hath grace1 as faith1 hope1 and the like1 in his soul1 yet no fruits of these things manifest themselves in him2 indeed his tongue is tipt with a talk and tattle of religion4 ,poor man1 poor empty man6 ,faith without works is dead2 thy hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost2 thy gifts with which thy soul is possessed1 are but such as are common to reprobates2 thou art therefore disappointed2 ,god reputes thee still but wicked1 though thou comest and goest to the place of the ,holy 7,james #b3ai1 #bj2 ,job #aa3bj2 #a ,cor #ac3a-c74 #b4 ,therefore all thy joy and comfort must needs fall short of saving comfort1 and so leave thee in the suds notwithstanding2 thy joy is the joy of the ,pharisees 7,john #e3ce71 and thy gladness as that of ,herod 7,mark #f3bj71 and the longest time it can last1 it is but a ,scripture-moment 7,job #bj3e74 ,alas6 in all thy gladness and content with thy religion1 thou art but like the boy that plays with brass instead of gold2 and with counters instead of that which will go for current coin4 ,thus1 'if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing1 he deceiveth or disappoints himself' 7,gal #f3c74 #c4 ,this is not all1 but look thou certainly for an eternal disappointment in the day of ,god2 for it must be2 thy lamp will out at the first sound the trump of ,god shall make in thine ears2 thou canst not hold up at the appearance of the ,son of ,god in his glory2 his very looks will be to thy profession as a strong wind is to a blinking candle1 and thou shalt be left only to smoke4 ,oh the alteration that will befal a foolish virgin6 ,she thought she was happy1 and that she should have received happiness with those that were right at the heart2 but behold the contrary1 her lamp is going out1 she is now to seek for saving grace1 when the time of grace is over8 ,her heaven she thought of1 is proved a hell1 and her god is proved a devil4 ,god hath cast her out of his presence1 and claps the door upon her4 ,she pleads her profession1 and the like1 and she hath for her answer repulses from heaven4 ',so are the paths of all that forget ,god2 and the hypocrite's hope shall perish2 whose hope shall be cut off1 and whose trust shall be a spider's web4 ,he shall lean upon his house but it shall not stand2 he shall hold it fast1 but it shall not endure' 7,matt #be3a-aj2 ,luke #h3be1 #bf2 ,job #h3ac-ae74 ,take heed therefore2 thy soul1 heaven1 and eternity1 lies at stake2 yea1 they turn either to thee or from thee upon the hinge of thy faith2 if it be right1 all is thine3 if wrong1 then all is lost1 however thy hopes and expectations are to the contrary3 ',for in ,jesus ,christ neither circumcision availeth any thing1 nor uncircumcision2 but faith which worketh by love4 ,let no man deceive you with vain words3 for because of these things cometh the wrath of ,god upon the children of unbelief4 #ba ,for the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it1 and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed1 receiveth blessing from ,god3 but that which beareth thorns and briars is ,,rejected1 and is nigh unto cursing1 whose end is to be burned' 7,gal #e3f2 ,eph #e3c-f2 ,heb #f3g1 #h74 ,object4 ,but what shall ,i do1 who am so cold1 slothful1 and heartless1 that ,i cannot find any heart to do any work for ,god in this world8 ,indeed time was when his dew rested all night upon my branches1 and when ,i could with desire1 with earnest desire1 be doing and working for ,god2 but1 alas6 now it is otherwise4 ,answer4 ,if this be true1 thy case is sad1 thou art to be pitied2 the ,lord pity thee4 ,and for thy recovery out of this condition1 ,i would give thee no other counsel than was given to ,ephesus when she had lost her first love4 #a4 ',remember1' saith ,christ1 'from whence thou art fallen1 and repent1 and do the first works1' c4 7,rev #b3e74 ,mark3 ,thy first work is to enter into a serious considering1 and remembrance from whence thou art fallen4 ,remember that thou hast left thy ,god1 the stay of thy soul1 and him without whom there is no stay1 comfort1 or strength1 for thee either to do or suffer anything in this world3 ',without me1' saith he1 'ye can do nothing' 7,john #ae3e74 ,a sad condition2 the remembrance of this1 for certain1 is the first step to the recovering a backsliding heart2 for the right remembrance of this doth bring to mind what loss that soul hath sustained that is in this condition1 how it hath lost its former visits1 smiles1 and consolations of ,god4 ,when thy conscience was suppled with the blood of thy ,saviour2 when every step thou tookest was1 as it were1 in honey and butter2 and when thy heart could meditate terror with comfort 7,job #bi3b-f2 ,isa #cc3ad-ai74 ,instead of which1 thou feelest darkness1 hardness of heart1 and the thoughts of ,god are terrible to thee 7,psa #gg3c74 ,now ,god never visits thee2 or if he doth1 it is but as a wayfaring man1 that tarrieth but for a night 7,jer #ad3h1 #i74 ,this also brings to mind how the case is altered with thee1 touching thy confidence in ,god for thy future happiness1 how uncertain thou now art of thy hopes for heaven1 how much this life doth hang in doubt before thee 7,deu #bh3fe1 #ff74 #b4 ',remember therefore from whence thou art fallen1 and repent4' ,these are words well put together2 for a solid considering of what ,i have lost in my declining1 will provoke in my heart a sorrow1 and godly heaviness1 whereby ,i shall be forced to bemoan my condition1 and say1 ',i will go and return to my first husband1 for then was it better with me than now' 7,hos #b3g74 ,and believe it1 the reason of ,god's standing off from giving the comfortable communion with himself1 it is that thou mightest first see the difference between sticking close to ,god1 and forsaking of him2 and next1 that thou mightest indeed acknowledge thy offence1 and seek his face 7,hos #e3ae74 ,he taketh no pleasure in thy forlorn condition2 he had rather thou shouldest have him in thy bosom1 only he will have it in his own way4 ',he looketh upon men1 and if any say1 ,i have sinned1 and perverted that which was right1 and it profited me not2 then he will deliver his soul from going into the pit1 and his life shall see the light' 7,job #cc3bg1 #bh74 #c4 ',remember from whence thou art fallen1 and repent1 and do the first works4' ,as there should be a remembering and a repenting so there should be a hearty doing our first works2 a believing as before1 a laying hold of the things of heaven and glory1 as at the first2 for now is ,god returned to thee1 as before 7,zech #a3af74 ,and though thou mayest1 through the loss of thy locks1 with ,samson1 be weak at the first1 yet1 in short time1 thy hair will grow again2 that is1 thy former experience will in short space be as long1 large1 and strong1 as in the former times4 ,indeed at the first thou wilt find all the wheels of thy soul rusty1 and all the strings of thine heart out of tune2 as also when thou first beginnest to stir1 the dust and filth of thy heart will1 like smoke1 trouble thee from that clear beholding the grace of thy ,god1 and his love to thy soul2 but yet wait1 and go on1 and though thou findest thyself as unable to do anything as thou formerly couldest2 yet ,i say1 up1 and be doing1 and the ,lord will be with thee2 for he hath not despised the day of thy small things 7#a ,chron #bb3af2 ,zech #d3aj74 ,i know thou wilt be afflicted with a thousand temptations to drive thee to despair1 that thy faith may be faint1 c4 ,but against all them set thou the word of ,god1 the promise of grace1 the blood of ,christ1 and the examples of ,god's goodness to the great backsliders that are for thy encouragement recorded in the scriptures of truth2 and remember1 that turning to ,god after backsliding1 is the greatest piece of service thou canst do for him1 and the greatest honour thou canst bring to the blood of ,christ2 and know farther1 that ,god1 to show his willing reception of so unworthy a creature1 saith1 there shall be joy in heaven at thy conversion to him again 7,luke #ae3g1 #aj74 ,,to ,,conclude4 ,if thou yet1 notwithstanding what hath been said1 dost remain a backslider3 #a4 ,then remember that thou must die2 and remember also1 that when the terrors of ,god1 of death1 and a backslidden heart1 meet together1 there will be sad work in that soul2 this is the man that hangeth tilting over the mouth of hell1 while death is cutting the thread of his life4 #b4 ,remember1 that though ,god doth sometimes1 yea1 often1 receive backsliders1 yet it is not always so4 ,some draw back into perdition2 for1 because they have flung up ,god1 and would none of him1 he in justice flings up them and their souls for ever 7,prov #a3bd-bh74 ,i have observed1 that sometimes ,god1 as it were in revenge for injury done him1 doth snatch away souls in the very nick of their backsliding1 as he served ,lot's wife1 when he turned her into a pillar of salt1 even while she was looking over her shoulder to ,sodom 7,gen #ai3bf74 ,an example that every backslider should remember with astonishment 7,luke #ag3cb74 ,thus have ,i1 in few words1 written to you1 before ,i die1 a word to provoke you to faith and holiness1 because ,i desire that you may have the life that is laid up for all them that believe in the ,lord ,jesus1 and love one another1 when ,i am deceased4 ,though there ,i shall rest from my labours1 and be in paradise1 as through grace ,i comfortably believe1 yet it is not there1 but here1 ,i must do you good4 ,wherefore1 ,i not knowing the shortness of my life1 nor the hindrance that hereafter ,i may have of serving my ,god and you1 ,i have taken this opportunity to present these few lines unto you for your edification4 ,consider what hath been said2 and the ,lord give you understanding in all things4 ,farewell4 ,,footnotes #a ,hermotimus of ,lucian4 ,during one of these wanderings his wife thought him dead1 and his body was burnt4 ,whether the poor soul1 thus suddenly ejected1 obtained another habitation is not narrated4 #b ',of their relations1' related or belonging to themselves4 ,ed4 #c ,also where the gardener hath set them1 there they stand1 and quarrel not one with another4 ,pilgrim1 part #b4 ,interpreter's ,house1 vol4 #c4 #ahf2 see also vol4 #b4 #egj4 ,ed4 #d ',where the great red dragon ,satan had his seat4',dr4 ,gill's ,commentary4 ,see also ,revelation #ab ,ed4 #e ,this manly1 bold1 and upright statement of truth1 was published in #afgd1 only two years afer the author's deliverance from twelve years and a half's incarceration in a damp1 miserable jail1 for nonconformity6 ,none but those whose close communion with ,god inspires them with the confessor's courage1 can understand the spirit which dictated such language4 ,had all dissenters used such faithful words1 the church would long ago have been emancipated from persecution in this country4 ,ed4 #f ,this is a very extensive and awful delusion4 ,to mistake the 'outward and visible sign' for the 'inward and spiritual grace' is a very general and fatal error4 ,of it's sad effects all religious parties have warned their members4 ,it has done infinite mischief to the souls of men4 ,ed4 #g ,the queen of ,sheba was as much or more delighted with the order1 harmony1 and happiness of ,solomon's household than she was with all his splendour and magnificence4 ,it is to this ,bunyan refers in this quotation4 ,ed4 #h ',though the words of the wise--are as nails fastened by the master of assemblies 7,eccl4 #ab3aa7 yet sure their examples are the hammer to drive them in to take the deeper hold4 ,a father that whipt his son for swearing1 and swore himself while he whipt him1 did more harm by his example than good by his correction4',fuller's ,holy ,state1 p4 #aa4 ,ed4 #i ,how exceedingly admirable are all these scriptural directions1 warnings1 and cautions4 ,happy are those parents and their children where such wisdom is manifested in that painful duty of administering counsel and correction4 ,ed4 #aj ,one of the ,saxon laws was1 that if a serf or villain work on ,sunday by his lord's command1 he shall be a free man4 ,spelman's ,concilia1 ,an4 #fib4 ,ed4 #aa ,the rust of money in the rich man's purse1 unjustly detained from the labourer1 will poison and infect his whole estate4 ,fuller's ,holy ,state1 p4 #af4 ,ed4 #ab ,the apostle ,peter1 in his solemn injunctions to married persons1 commences with the wife4 ,fuller observes upon this1 ',and sure it was fitting that women should first have their lesson given them1 because it is harder to be learned1 and therefore they need have the more time to con it4' ,holy ,state1 p4 #a4 ,ed4 #ac ',in her husband's absence she is wife and deputy husband1 which makes her double the files of her diligence4 ,at his return he finds all things so well1 that he wonders to see himself at home when he was abroad4',fuller's ,holy ,state1 p4 #b4 ,ed4 #ad ',she never crosseth her husband in the spring-tide of his anger1 but stays till it be ebbing water4',fuller's ,maxims4 ,ed4 #ae ,bunyan's words are 'to show pity1' probably taken from the word 'goodness' in the margin of the ,bible2 but lest it might be a typographical error1 the usual rendering is given in this quotation4 ,ed4 #af ',what is the child but a piece of the parents wrapped up in another skin4',flavel4 ,on seeing a ,mother with her ,infant asleep in her ,arms4 ',thine is the morn of life1 ,all laughing1 unconscious of the evening with her anxious cares1 ,thy mother filled with the purest happiness and bliss ,which an indulgent ,heaven bestows upon a lower world1 ,watches and protects her dearest life1 now sleeping in her arms4' ,german ,poem4 ,ed4 #ag ,bunyan's silence1 in all his writings1 concerning the state of his parents as to godliness1 may lead us to fear that this fervent ejaculation had often been poured forth by his own soul on behalf of his father and mother4 ,all that we know of them is1 that they were poor1 but gave their children the best education their means afforded2 as to their piety he is silent4 ,ed4 #ah ',to the ,greeks4' ,bunyan in this follows the ,puritan translation4 ,the word ',greeks' is in the margin of the authorized ,bible4 ,ed4 #ai ,this is a most beautiful passage1 unequalled by any ancient or modern author4 ,such a view of church fellowship does honour to the head and heart of the prince of allegorists4 ,it is worthy to be printed in letters of gold1 and presented to every candidate for church fellowship among all ,christian societies of every denomination4 ,see p4 #eej1 and note4 ,ed4 #bj ,to 'hold the head' is to make a very prominent profession of religion4 ,ed4 #ba ',of unbelief' see margin of the ,bible4 ,ed4 999999 ,a ,,caution ,,to ,,stir ,,up ,,to ,,watch ,,against ,,sin ,,by ,j4 ,,bunyan ,,advertisement ,,by ,,the ,,editor4 ,this faithful and affectionate appeal to conscience1 was originally published on a half-sheet of copy paper1 and being only printed on one side of the leaf was called a broadside2 probably intended to hang up in the house1 or to be pasted inside the cover of the family bible4 ,charles ,doe gives the date #afhe2 but a copy of this rare sheet1 clean and perfect as when first printed1 was lately discovered in the ,stowe ,library1 among a great number of single-sheet poems1 songs1 and proclamations2 a memorandum on it1 in the writing of ,narcissus ,luttrel1 shews that he bought it for one penny1 on the #hth of ,april1 #afhd4 ,by the liberal permission of ,mr4 ,pickering1 of ,piccadilly1 the present owner of that extraordinary collection1 ,i have been able accurately to correct the very numerous alterations and errors which abound in all the later editions4 ,reader1 whoever thou art1 but especially the young1 this unassuming poem is most worthy of being committed to memory4 ,it is a striking detection of the devil's sophistry4 ,strive1 as you value your peace and happiness1 to escape the depths of moral degradation and misery1 by avoiding the ,,first overtures of sin4--,,geo4 ,,offor4 ,,caution ,,to ,,stir ,,up ,,to ,,watch ,,against ,,sin ,the first eight lines one did commend to me1 ,the rest ,i thought good to commend to thee3 ,reader1 in reading be thou rul'd by me1 ,with rhimes nor lines1 but truths1 affected be4#a #h ,april #afhd ,i4 ,sin will at first1 just like a beggar1 crave ,one penny or one half-penny to have2 ,and if you grant its first suit1 'twill aspire1 ,from pence to pounds1 and so will still mount higher ,to the whole soul3 but if it makes its moan1 ,then say1 here is not for you1 get you gone4 ,for if you give it entrance at the door1 ,it will come in1 and may go out no more4 ,,ii4 ,sin1 rather than 'twill out of action be1 ,will pray to stay1 though but a while with thee2 ,one night1 one hour1 one moment1 will it cry1 ,embrace me in thy bosom1 else ,i die3 ,time to repent saith it ,i will allow1 ,and help1 if to repent thou know'st not how4 ,but if you give it entrance at the door1 ,it will come in1 and may go out no more4 ,,iii4 ,if begging doth not do1 sin promise will ,rewards to those that shall its lusts fulfill3 ,penny in hand1 yea pounds 'twill offer thee1 ,if at its beck and motion thou wilt be4 ',twill seem heaven to out-bid1 and all to gain ,thy love1 and win thee it to entertain4 ,but give it not admittance at thy door1 ,lest it comes in1 and so goes out no more4 ,,iv4 ,if begging and promising will not do1 ',twill by its wiles attempt to flatter you4 ,i'm harmless1 mean no ill1 be not so shy ,will ev'ry soul-destroying motion cry4 ',twill hide its sting1 'twill change its native hue1 ,vile 'twill not1 but a beauty seem to you4 ,but if you give it entrance at the door1 ,its sting will in1 and may come out no more4 ,v4 ,rather than fail1 sin will itself divide1 ,bid thee do this1 and lay the rest aside4 ,take little ones 7'twill say7 throw great ones by1 7,as if for little sins men should not die47 ,yea ,,sin with ,,sin a quarrel will maintain1 ,on purpose that thou by it might'st be slain4 ,beware the cheat then1 keep it out of door1 ,it would come in1 and would go out no more4 ,,vi4 ,sin1 if you will believe it1 will accuse1 ,what is not hurtful and itself excuse3 ',twill make a vice of virtue1 and 'twill say ,good is destructive1 doth men's souls betray2 ',twill make a law1 where ,god has made man free1 ,and break those laws by which men bounded be4 ,look to thyself then1 keep it out of door1 ,thee 'twould entangle1 and enlarge thy score4 ,,vii4 ,,sin is that beastly thing that will defile ,soul1 body1 name1 and fame in little while2 ',twill make him1 who some time ,god's image was1 ,look like the devil1 love1 and plead his cause2 ,like to the plague1 poison1 or leprosy ,defile 'twill1 and infect contagiously4 ,wherefore beware1 against it shut the door2 ,if not1 it will defile thee more and more4 ,,viii4 ,,sin1 once possessed of the heart1 will play ,the tyrant1 force its vassal to obey3 ',twill make thee thine own happiness oppose ,and offer open violence to those ,that love thee best2 yea make thee to defy ,the law and counsel of the deity4 ,beware then1 keep this tyrant out of door1 ,lest thou be his1 and so thy own no more4 ,,ix4 ,,sin harden can the heart against its ,god1 ,make it abuse his grace1 despise his rod1 ',twill make one run upon the very pikes1 ,judgments foreseen bring such to no dislikes ,of sinful hazards2 no1 they venture shall ,for one base lust1 their soul1 and heav'n and all4 ,take heed then1 hold it1 crush it at the door1 ,it comes to rob thee1 and to make thee poor4 ,x4 ,,sin is a prison1 hath its bolts and chains1 ,brings into bondage who it entertains2 ,hangs shackles on them1 bends them to its will1 ,holds them1 as ,samson grinded at the mill1 ',twill blind them1 make them deaf2 yea1 'twill them gag1 ,and ride them as the devil rides his hag4 ,wherefore look to it1 keep it out of door1 ,if once its slave1 thou may'st be free no more4 ,,xi4 ,though ,,sin at first its rage dissemble may1 ',twill soon upon thee as a lion prey2 ',twill roar1 'twill rend1 'twill tear1 'twill kill out- right1 ,its living death will gnaw thee day and night3 ,thy pleasures now to paws and teeth it turns1 ,in thee its tickling lusts1 like brimstone burns4 ,wherefore beware1 and keep it out of door1 ,lest it should on thee as a lion roar4 ,,xii4 ,,sin will accuse1 will stare thee in the face1 ,will for its witnesses quote time and place ,where thou committedst it2 and so appeal ,to conscience1 who thy facts will not conceal2 ,but on thee as a judge such sentence pass1 ,as will to thy sweet bits prove bitter sauce4 ,wherefore beware1 against it shut thy door1 ,repent what's past1 believe and sin no more4 ,,xiii4 ,,sin is the worm of hell1 the lasting fire1 ,hell would soon lose its heat1 could ,,sin expire2 ,better sinless1 in hell1 than to be where ,heav'n is1 and to be found a sinner there4 ,one sinless1 with infernals might do well1 ,but ,,sin would make a very heav'n a hell4 ,look to thyself then1 to keep it out of door1 ,lest it gets in1 and never leaves thee more4 ,,xiv4 ,no match hast sin save ,god in all the world1 ,men1 angels it has from their stations hurl'd3 ,holds them in chains1 as captives1 in despite ,of all that here below is called ,might4 ,release1 help1 freedom from it none can give1 ,but he by whom we also breathe and live4 ,watch therefore1 keep this giant out of door ,lest if once in1 thou get him out no more4 ,,xv4 ,fools make a mock at ,,sin1 will not believe1 ,it carries such a dagger in its sleeve2 ,how can it be 7say they7 that such a thing1 ,so full of sweet1 should ever wear a sting3 ,they know not that it is the very ,,spell ,of ,,sin1 to make men laugh themselves to hell4 ,look to thyself then1 deal with ,,sin no more1 ,lest he that saves1 against thee shuts the door4 ,,xvi4 ,now let the ,god that is above1 ,that hath for sinners so much love2 ,these lines so help thee to improve1 ,that towards him thy heart may move4 ,keep thee from enemies external1 ,help thee to fight with those internal3 ,deliver thee from them infernal1 ,and bring thee safe to life eternal4--,,amen4 ,london3 ,printed for ,n4 ,ponder at the ,peacock in the ,poultrey4 ,,footnote3 #a4 ,this same sentiment is well expressed in ,bunyan's verses at the conclusion of the ,pilgrim1 part ,first4 ',nor let my figure or similitude ,put thee into a laughter or a feud2 ,leave this to boys and fools1 but as for thee1 ,do thou the substance of my matter see4' 999999 ,a ,,discourse ,,of ,,the ,,building1 ,,nature1 ,,excellency1 ,,and ,,government ,,of ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,god2 ,,with ,,counsels ,,and ,,directions ,,to ,,the ,,inhabitants ,,thereof4 ,,by ,,john ,,bunyan1 ,,of ,,bedford4 ',lord1 ,i have loved the habitation of thy house1 and the place where thine honour dwelleth4'--,psalm #bf3h ,,advertisement ,,by ,,the ,,editor4 ,beautiful in its simplicity is this treatise on the ,church of ,christ1 by ,john ,bunyan4 ,he opens1 with profound knowledge and eminent skill1 all those portions of sacred writ which illustrate the nature1 excellency1 and government of the house of ,god1 with the personal and relative duties of its inhabitants4 ,it was originally published in a pocket volume of sixty-three pages1 by ,g4 ,larkin1 #afhh1 and is now for the first time reprinted4 ,we are deeply indebted to the unknown owner of this rare volume1 and to ,mr4 ,creasy1 bookseller1 ,sleaford1 through whom the copy was borrowed to enrich this edition4 ,what is the church8 is a question upon which all the subtilty of jesuitic schoolmen and casuists has been exhausted1 to mystify and mislead the honest inquirer in every age4 ,the ,jews1 ,papists1 ,greeks1 ,english1 have each claimed the divine favour as being exclusively limited to their respective sects4 ,apostolic descent has been considered to depend upon human ceremonies1 instead of its consisting in a similarity of mind and conduct to that of the apostles1 through the powerful influences of the ,holy ,spirit upon the heart4 ,judging from this latter mode1 we conclude that ,bunyan the brazier was very nearly related to1 and descended from1 ,paul the tentmaker1 and the other apostles4 ,but we form a very different judgment as to the descent of ,bonner and other persecuting bishops4 ,a visible church of ,christ is a congregation of the faithful1 who having personally and individually given themselves to the ,saviour1 unite together to promote each other's spiritual happiness4 ,such were the churches to whom the epistles in the ,new ,testament were addressed4 ,the instructions given to this spiritual community1 in the following treatise1 are drawn solely from the sacred volume1 and are full of peace and righteousness--tending purely to its happiness and prosperity4 ,if these directions were strictly and constantly followed1 our churches1 notwithstanding the liability of the members to err1 would each present 'a little heaven below4' ,the officers in these communities are--,i4 ,bishops1 or preaching elders1 to dispense the word and ordinances2 a plurality in every church1 to supply the services of such as suffered under affliction of body1 or were imprisoned for conscience-sake4 ,,ii4 ,ruling elders1 to assist the preachers--to admit the serious inquirer1 or shut out the profane backslider1 and to re-admit the penitent--to watch over the members1 that they be diligent in their worldly callings1 that there be no drones or idlers--to heal offences--to feed the church with admonitions1 and to visit and comfort the sick4 ,,iii4 ,deacons1 to manage the temporal affairs--provide for the ,lord's table and for that of the bishops and elders--and to distribute the alms to the infirm and needy4 ,,iv4 ,female deacons1 to nurse the sick1 and direct their attention to that home where there shall be no more sorrow2 and generally to aid the deacons and elders4 ,the duty of the private members is to walk humbly with ,god1 and to be devoted to each other's happiness4 ,in all these particulars ,dr4 ,john ,cotton of ,new ,england1 in his ',true ,constitution of a ,visible ,church1'#a fully concurs with ,bunyan1 as does also ,dr4 ,john ,owen1 in his ',nature of a ,gospel ,church1' excepting that he is silent as to female deacons4 ,let every church be thus affectionately and scripturally governed1 and in their works of faith and labours of love they will become terrible to the enemy 'as an army with banners' 7,cant #f3d74 ,at the present day1 great laxity of discipline has crept in4 ,some offices have been discontinued1 others altered1 and it becomes us most solemnly to judge ourselves by the unerring word of the living ,god1 whether we have deviated from the order recorded by the ,holy ,ghost1 and if so1 to repent and return to the scriptural model4--,,geo4 ,,offor ,a ,,discourse ,,of ,,the ,,building1 c41 ,,of ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,god4 ,i4 ,,by ,,whom ,,this ,,house ,,is ,,built4 ,the builder's ,god1 materials his ,elect2 ,his ,son's the rock on which it is erect2 ,the ,scripture is his rule1 plummet1 or line1 ,which gives proportion to this house divine1 ,his working-tools his ordinances are1 ,by them he doth his stones and timber square1 ,affections knit in love1 the couplings are2 ,good doctrine like to mortar doth cement ,the whole together1 schism to prevent3 ,his compass1 his decree2 his hand's the ,spirit ,by which he frames1 what he means to inherit1 ,a holy temple1 which shall far excel ,that very place1 where now the angels dwell4 ,call this a temple or a house of prayer1 ,a palace1 oracle1 or spouse most fair2 ,or what you will3 ,god's love is here displayed1 ,and here his treasure safely up is laid2 ,for his own darling none can find a place1 ,where he1 as here1 is wont to show his face4 ,what though some slight it1 it a cottage call1 ,give't the reproachful name of beggar's hall2 ,yea1 what though to some it an eyesore is1 ,what though they count it base1 and at it hiss1 ,call it an alms-house1 builded for the poor2 ,yet kings of old have begged at the door4 ,,ii4 ,,of ,,the ,,beauty ,,of ,,the ,,church4 ,lo her foundations laid with sapphires are2 ,her goodly windows made of agates fair1 ,her gates are carbuncles1 or pearls2 nor one ,of all her borders but's a precious stone2 ,none common1 nor o' th' baser sort are here1 ,nor rough1 but squar'd and polish'd everywhere2 ,her beams are cedars1 fir her rafters be1 ,her terraces are of the algum-tree2 ,the thorn or crab-tree here are not of us2 ,who thinks them here utensils1 puts abuse ,upon the place1 yea1 on the builder too2 ,would they be thus controll'd in what they do8 ,with carved-work of lily1 and palm-tree1 ,with cherubims and chains adorned be ,the doors1 the walls1 and pillars of this place2 ,forbidden beasts here must not show their face4 ,with grace like gold1 as with fine painting1 he ,will have this house within enriched be2 ,fig-leaves nor rags1 must here keep out no cold1 ,this builder covers all with cloth of gold1 ,of needle-work prick'd more than once or twice 7,the oft'ner prick'd1 still of the higher price7 ,wrought by his ,,son1 put on her by his merit1 ,applied by faith1 revealed by the ,spirit4 ,,iii4 ,,of ,,the ,,conveniences ,,of ,,this ,,house4 ,within these walls the builder did devise ,that there the householders might sacrifice2 ,here is an altar1 and a laver too1 ,and priests abundance1 temple work to do2 ,nor want they living offerings1 nor yet fire1 ,nor holy garments2 what divine desire ,commands1 it has bestowed on this place2 ,here be the censors1 here's the throne of grace2 ,none of the householders need go elsewhere1 ,to offer incense1 or good news to hear4 ,a throne for judgment he did here erect1 ,virtue to cherish1 folly to detect2 ,statutes and laws1 unto this house he gave1 ,to teach who to condemn1 and who to save3 ,by things thus wholesome taught is every brother ,to fear his ,god1 and to love one another4 ,and now for pleasure1 solace1 recreation1 ,here's such as helpeth forward man's salvation4 ,equal to these none can be found elsewhere1 ,all else turn to profuseness1 sin1 and care4 ,so situate it is1 so roomy1 fair1 ,so warm1 so blessed1 with such wholesome air1 ,that 'tis enticing3 whoso wishes well ,to his soul's health1 should covet here to dwell4 ,here's necessaries1 and what will delight ,the godly ear1 the palate1 with the sight ,of each degree and sex2 here's everything ,to please a beggar1 and delight a king4 ,chambers and galleries1 he did invent1 ,both for a prospect and a retirement4 ,for such as unto music do incline1 ,here are both harps and psalteries divine3 ,her cellars and banqueting-house have been1 ,in former days1 a palace for a queen4 ,o house6 what title to thee can be given1 ,so fit as that which men do give to heaven6 ,,iv4 ,,of ,,the ,,strength ,,and ,,defence ,,of ,,this ,,house4 ,this house1 you may be sure1 will always stand2 ,she's builded on a rock1 not on the sand2 ,storms1 rain1 yea floods have oft upon her beat1 ,yet stands she1 here's a proof she is no cheat2 ,fear not therefore in her for to abide1 ,she keeps her ground1 come weather1 wind or tide4 ,her corner-stone has many times been try'd1 ,but never could the scorn1 or rage1 or pride1 ,of all her foes1 by what force they could make1 ,destroy her battlements1 or ground-work shake4 ,here's ,god the ,lord encamping round about ,his dwelling place2 nor ought we once to doubt ,but that he as a watchman succour will ,those that do dwell upon his holy hill4 ,a wall of fire about her ,i will be1 ,and glory in the midst of her1 and she ,shall be the place where ,i my name record2 ,here ,i will come and bless you1 saith the ,lord4 ,the holy watchers at her gates do stand1 ,with their destroying weapons in their hand1 ,those to defend1 that in this house do dwell1 ,from all her enemies in earth and hell2 ,safety6 where is it1 if it is not here8 ,god dwelleth in her1 doth for her appear1 ,to help her early1 and her foes confound1 ,and unto her will make his grace abound2 ,safety is here1 and also that advance1#b ,will make a beggar sing1 a cripple dance4 ,v4 ,,the ,,delicateness ,,of ,,the ,,situation ,,of ,,this ,,house4 ,as her foundation and her beauty's much2 ,conveniences1 and her defences such ,as none can parallel1 so doth the field ,about her richest1 rarest dainties yield4 ,moriah1 where ,isaac was offered1 ,where ,david from his sin was ransomed2 ,where ,solomon the temple did erect1 ,compar'd with this is worthy no respect4 ,under the very threshold of this place ,arise those goodly springs of lasting grace1 ,whose crystal streams minister like to those ,that here of love to her1 make their repose4 ,sweet is her aid1 7as one may well infer7 ',cause 'tis the breathings of the comforter4 ,the pomegranates at all her gates do grow1 ,mandrakes and vines1 with other dainties mo2#c ,her gardens yield the chief1 the richest spice1 ,surpassing them of ,adam's paradise3 ,here be sweet ointments1 and the best of gums2 ,here runs the milk1 here drops the honey-combs4 ,here are perfumes most pleasant to the sense1 ,here grows the goodly trees of frankincense2 ,her arbours1 walks1 fountains1 and pleasant springs1 ,delightful formerly have been to kings4 ,such mountains round about this house do stand ,as one from thence may see the holy land4 ,her fields are fertile1 do abound with corn2 ,the lilies fair1 her vallies do adorn4 ,the birds that do come hither every spring1 ,for birds1 they are the very best that sing4 ,her friends1 her neighbours too1 do call her blest2 ,angels do here go by1 turn in and rest4 ,the road to paradise lies by her gate1 ,here pilgrims do themselves accommodate ,with bed and board1 and do such stories tell ,as do for truth and profit all excel4 ,nor doth the porter here say any nay1 ,that hither would turn in1 that there would stay4 ,this house is rent-free2 here the man may dwell ,that loves his landlord1 rules his passions well4 ,,vi4 ,,the ,,way ,,of ,,receiving ,,those ,,that ,,would ,,here ,,inhabit4 ,and wouldst thou know the customs of this place1 ,how men are here admitted to this grace2 ,and consequently whether thou mayst be ,made one of this most blest fraternity8 ,come hither then1 unto me lend an ear2 ,and what is doubtful to thee1 ,i will clear4 #a4 ,this place1 as mercy's arms1 stands ope to those ,that their own happiness us'd to oppose2 ,those under hedges1 high-way men1 or they ,that would not ,god1 nor yet good men obey2 ,those that among the bushes us'd to browse1 ,or under hedges us'd themselves to louze4 ,the vilest men1 of sinners who are chief1 ,a fornicator1 liar1 or a thief1 ,may turn in hither1 here take up and dwell ,with those who ransom'd are from death and hell4 #b4 ,this place1 as hospitals1 will entertain1 ,those which the lofty of this world disdain3 ,the poor1 the lame1 the maimed1 halt and blind1 ,the leprous1 and possessed too1 may find ,free welcome here1 as also such relief ,as ease them will of trouble1 pain and grief4 #c4 ,this place1 as ,david's heart1 with free consent ,opens to th' distressed1 and the discontent2 ,who is in debt1 that has not wherewithal ,to quit his scores1 may here be free from thrall3 ,that man that fears the bailiff1 or the jail1 ,may find one here that will become his bail4 #d4 ,art thou bound over to the great assize1 ,for heark'ning to the devil and his lies2 ,art thou afraid thereat to shew thy head1 ,for fear thou then be sent unto the dead8 ,thou may'st come hither1 here is room and place1 ,for such as willingly would live by grace4 #e4 ,this place1 as father's house in former days1 ,is a receptacle for runaways2#d ,he that1 like to the ox1#e backslidden is1 ,forfeited hath for sin his share of bliss2 ,may yet come hither1 here is room and rest2 ,of old such have come hither and been blest4 ,had this been false1 ,o woe had been to ,david6 ,nor ,peter had1 nor ,magdalen1 been saved4 ,nor ,jonah1 nor ,manasseh1 nor the rest2 ,no runaway from ,god could been blest ,with kind reception at his hands2 return ,would here come too late1 if nought but burn ,had been the lot of the backsliding man3 ,but we are told there's no rebellion can ,prevent1 or hinder him from being saved1 ,that mercy heartily of ,god hath crav'd4 ,she that went from her ,god to play the whore1 ,returning may be as she was before3 ,he that refuses to his ,god to turn1 ,that is resolved in hell fire to burn2 ,if he bethinks himself1 and turns again1 ,may find them here that will him entertain4 #f4 ,but bring thou with thee a certificate1 ,to show thou seest thyself most desolate2 ,writ by the master1 with repentance seal'd1 ,to shew also that here thou would'st be heal'd1 ,by those fair leaves of that most blessed tree1 ,by which alone poor sinners healed be2 ,and that thou dost abhor thee for thy ways4 ,and wouldst in holiness spend all thy days2 ,and here be entertained2 or thou wilt find ,to entertain thee here are none inclin'd4#f ,,vii4 ,,of ,,the ,,governors ,,of ,,this ,,house4 ,the governors that here in office are1 ,such be as service do with love and care2 ,not swerving from the rule1 nor yet intrude ,upon each other's work1 nor are they rude ,in managing their own3 but to their trust ,they labour to be honest1 faithful1 just4 #a4 ,the chief is he who is the ,lord of all1 ,the ,saviour2 some him physician call4 ,he's cloth'd in shining raiment to the ground1 ,a golden girdle doth begirt him round2 ,his head and hairs are white as any snow1 ,his eyes are like a flame of fire also2 ,his feet are like fine brass1 as if they burn'd ,within a furnace1 or to fire were turn'd2 ,his voice doth like to many waters sound2 ,in his right hand1 seven glittering stars are found4 ,out of his mouth goes a two-edged sword1 ,sharper than any 7'tis his holy word7 ,and for his countenance1 'tis as the sun ,which shineth in its strength1 till day is done4 ,his name is call'd holy1 ,the ,,word ,,of ,,god2 ,the wine-press of his father's wrath he trod2 ,at all the power of sin he doth deride1 ,the keys of hell and death hang at his side4 ,this is our governor1 this is the chief1 ,from this physician comes our soul's relief4 ,he is the tree of life and hidden manna2 ',tis he to whom the children sing hosanna4 ,the white stone he doth give with a new name2 ,in heaven and earth he is of worthy fame4 ,this man hath death destroy'd and slain the devil1 ,and doth secure all his from damning evil4 ,he is the prince of life1 the prince of peace2 ,he doth us from the bonds of death release4 ,his work is properly his own2 nor may1 ,in what he doth1 another say him nay4 ',tis he who pays our hospitalian scores1 ,he's here to search1 supple1 and bind up sores2 ,he is our plaster-maker1 he applies ,them to our wounds1 he wipes our wetted eyes4 ',tis he that gives us cups of consolation1 ',tis he renews the hopes of our salvation4 ,he'll take our parts1 oft times to us unknown1 ,and make as if our failings were his own2 ,he'll plead with ,god his name and doings too1 ,and save us will1 from those would us undo4 ,his name is as an ointment poured forth2 ',tis sweet from east to west1 from south to north4 ,he's white and ruddy2 yea of all the chief2 ,his golden head is rich beyond belief4 ,his eyes are like the doves which waters wet1 ,well wash'd with milk1 and also fitly set1 ,his cheeks as beds of spices1 and sweet flowers4 ,he us'd to water with those crystal showers1 ,which often flowed from his cloudy eyes2 ,better by far than what comes from the skies4 ,his lips like lilies1 drop sweet-smelling myrrh1 ,scenting as do those of the comforter4 ,his hands are as gold rings set with the beryls2 ,by them we are delivered out of perils2 ,his legs like marble1 stand in boots of gold1 ,his countenance is ex'lent to behold4 ,his mouth1 it is of all a mouth most sweet1 ,o kiss me then1 ,lord1 every time we meet6 ,thy sugar'd lips1 ,lord1 let them sweeten mine1 ,with the most blessed scent of things divine4 #b4 ,this is one ,governor2 and next in place1 ,one call'd the ,ghost1 in ,honour and in ,grace ,no whit inferior to him2 and ,,he ,will also in this house our helper be1 ,he 'twas who did at first brood the creation2 ,and he's the cause of man's regeneration4 ',tis he by whom the heavens were garnished1 ,with all their host they then abroad did spread 7,like spangles1 pearls1 diamonds or richest gems7 ,far richer than the fairest diadems4 ',twas he who with his cloven tongues of fire ,made all those wise ones of the world admire1 ,who heard his breathing in unlearned men4 ,o blessed ruler6 now the same as then6 ,his work our mind is to illuminate ,with things divine1 and to accommodate ,us with those graces1 which will us adorn1 ,and make us look like men indeed new-born4 ,for our inheritance he makes us meet2 ,he makes us also in this world discreet4 ,prudent and wise in what we take in hand1 ,to do and suffer at our ,lord's command4 ',tis he that leads us to the tomb and cross1 ,where ,jesus crucified and buried was2 ,he shews us also1 that he did revive1 ,and doth assure us that he is alive2 ,and doth improve the merit of his blood1 ,at grace's throne for our eternal good4 ,dark riddles he doth here to us unfold1 ,yea1 makes us things invisible behold4 ,he sheds abroad ,god's love in every heart1 ,where he doth dwell1 yea to them doth impart1 ,such tokens of a future happiness1 ,that's past the tongue of angels to express4 ',tis he which helpeth us1 that to perform1 ,whether becalm'd1 or whether in a storm1 ,which ,god commands3 without him we do nought ,that's good1 either in deed1 or word1 or thought4 ',tis he that doth with jewels us bedeck1 ',tis he puts chains of gold about our neck2 ',tis he that doth us with fine linen gird1 ,that maketh us ofttimes live as a bird4 ,that cureth us of all our doubts and fears1 ,puts bracelets on our hands1 rings on our ears2 ,he sanctifies our persons1 he perfumes ,our spirits also2 he our lust consumes2 ,our stinking breath he sweetens1 so that we ,to ,god and all good men sweet-scented be2 ,he sets ,god's mark upon us1 and doth seal ,us unto life1 and life to us reveal4 ,,viii4 ,,under ,,officers4 #c4 ,another sort of officers here are1 ,but such as must not with these first compare2 ,they're under-officers1 but serviceable1 ,not only here to rule1 but wait at table4 ,those clothed are with linen1 fine and white1 ,they glitter as the stars of darksome night4 ,they have ,saint ,peter's keys1 and ,aaron's rod2 ,they ope and shut1 they bind and loose for ,god4 ,the chief of these are watchmen1 they have power ,to mount on high and to ascend the tower ,of this brave fabric1 and from thence to see ,who keeps their ground1 and who the stragglers be4 ,these have their trumpet1 when they do it sound ,the mountains echo1 yea it shakes the ground4 ,with it they also sound out an alarm1 ,when they perceive the least mischief or harm ,is coming1 so they do this house secure ,there from1 or else prepare it to endure ,most manfully the cross1 and so attain ,the crown which for the victor doth remain4 ,this officer is call'd a steward too1 ',cause with his master's cash he has to do1 ,and has authority it to disburse ,to those that want1 or for that treasure thirst4 ,the distributor of the word of grace ,he is1 and at his mouth1 when he's in place1 ,they seek the law1 he also bids them do it2 ,he shews them sin1 and learns them to eschew it4 ,by this example too he shews them how ,to keep their garments clean1 their knees to bow ,before the king1 when he comes into place2 ,and when they do him supplicate for grace4 ,another bade this officer doth wear1 ,is that of overseer2 because the care ,of the whole house is with him1 he's to see ,they nothing want1 nor yet abused be ,by false intruders1 doctrines1 or 7perchance7 ,by the misplacing of an ordinance4#g ,these also are to see they wander not ,from place or duty1 lest they get a blot ,to their profession1 or bring some disease ,upon the whole1 or get a trick to lease1 ,or lie unto their ,god1 by doing what ,by sacred statutes he commanded not4 ,call them your cooks1 they're skill'd in dressing food ,to nourish weak1 and strong1 and cleanse the blood3 ,they've milk for babes1 strong meat for men of age2 ,food fit for who are simple1 who are sage1 ,when the great pot goes on1 as oft it doth1 ,they put not coloquintida#h in broth1 ,as do those younglings1 fondlings of their skill1 ,who make not what's so apt to cure as kill4 ,they are your sub-physicians1 and know ,what sickness you are incident unto2 ,let them but feel your pulse1 and they will tell ,you quickly whether you are sick or well4 ,have you the staggers8 ,they can help you there2 ,or if the falling-sickness1 or do fear ,a lethargy1 a fever1 or the gout1 ,god blessing of their skill1 you need not doubt ,a cure1 for long experience has made ,these officers the masters of their trade4#i ,their physic works by purge and vomit too1 ,fear not1 nor full nor fasting but 'twill do1 ,have but a care1 and see you catch no cold1 ,and with their physic then you may be bold4 ,you may them ,prophets call1 for they can tell ,of things to come1 yea1 here they do excel4 ,they prophesy of man's future event1 ,whether to weal or woe his mind is bent1 ,yea1 so expert are they in their predictions1 ,their arguments so full are of convictions1 ,that none who hear them1 but are forced to say1 ,woe unto them who wander from the way4 ,art bound for hell against all wind and weather8 ,or art thou one a going backward thither8 ,or dost thou wink1 because thou would'st not see8 ,or dost thou sideling go1 and would'st not be ,suspected8 ,yet these prophets can thee tell1 ,which way thou art a going down to hell4 ,for him that would eternal life attain1 ,yet will not part with all1 that life to gain1 ,but keepeth some thing close1 he should forsake1 ,or slips the time1 in which he should awake2 ,or saith he lets go all1 yet keepeth some ,of what will make him lose the world to come4 ,these prophets can tell such a man his state1 ,and what at last will surely be his fate4 ,if thou art one who tradeth in both ways1 ,god's now1 the devil's then2 or if delays ,thou mak'st of coming to thy ,god for life2 ,or if thy light1 and lusts are at a strife ,about who should be master of thy soul1 ,and lovest one1 the other dost control2 ,these prophets tell thee can1 which way thou bendest1 ,on which thou frown'st1 to which a hand thou lendest4 ,art one of those whose fears do go beyond ,their faith8 when thou should'st hope1 dost thou despond8 ,dost keep thine eye upon what thou hast done1 ,and yet hast licence to look on the sun8 ,dost thou so covet more1 as not to be ,affected with the grace bestowed on thee8 ,art like to him1 that needs must step a mile ,at every stride1 or think it not worth while ,to follow ,christ8 ,these prophets they can tell ,to cure this thy disease1 and make thee well4 ,this officer is also call'd a guide1 ,nor should the people but keep by his side2 ,or tread his steps in all the paths they walk1 ,by his example they should do and talk4 ,he is to be to them instead of eyes1 ,he must before them go in any wise2 ,and he must lead them by the water side1 ,this is the work of this our ,faithful ,guide4 ,since snares1 and traps1 and gins are for us set1 ,since here's a hole1 and there is spread a net1 ,o let no body at my muse deride1 ,no man can travel here without a guide4 ,here's tempting apples1 here are baited hooks1 ,with turning1 twisting1 cramping1 tangling crooks ,close by the way2 woe then to them betide1 ,that dare to venture here without a guide4 ,here haunt the fairies with their chanting voice2 ,fiends like to angels1 to bewitch our choices2 ,baits for the flesh lie here on every side3 ,who dares set here one foot without a guide ,master delusion dwelleth by our walks1 ,who with confusion1 sings and prays and talks2 ,he says the straight path's his1 and ours the wide3 ,what then can we do here without a guide ,let ,god then give our leaders always eyes2 ,yea1 let him make them holy1 bold1 and wise2 ,and help us fast by them for to abide1 ,and suffer not the blind to be our guide4#aj #d4 ,here are of rulers1 yet another sort1 ,such as direct our manners to comport ,with our professed faith1 that we to view1 ,may let beholders know that we are new4 ,these are our conversations to inspect1 ,and us in our employments to direct1 ,that we in faith and love do every thing1 ,that reacheth from the peasant to the king4 ,that there may be no scandal in our ways1 ,nor yet in our profession all our days4 ,these should after our busy-bodies look1 ,tale-bearers also1 they have undertook ,to keep in order1 also they must see ,none that can work among us idle be2 ,jars1 discords1 frauds1 with grievances and wrongs1 ,these they're to regulate2 to them belongs ,the judgment of all matters of this kind1 ,and happy is the house thus disciplined4 #e4 ,another sort of officers we have1 ,deacons we call them 'cause their work's to save ,and distribute those crumbs of charity ,unto the poor1 for their subsistency1 ,that contributed is for their relief1 ,which of their bus'ness is indeed the chief4 ,these must be grave1 not of a double tongue1 ,not given to wine1 not apt to do a wrong ,unto the poor1 through love to lucre4 7,just ,in this their office1 faithful to their trust7 ,the wife must answer here as face doth face2 ,the husband's fitness to his work and place1 ,that ground of scandal or of jealousy ,obstructs not proof that he most zealously ,performs his office well1 for then shall he ,be bold in faith1 and get a good degree ,of credit with the church2 yea what is more1 ,he shall possess the blessings of the poor4 ,his wisdom teach him will1 to find out who ,is poor of idleness1 and who comes to ,a low estate by sickness1 age1 or 'cause ,the want of limbs1 or sight1 or work it was ,that brought them to it2 or such destiny ,as sometimes maketh low1 who once were high4 ,they must remember too1 that some there are ,who halt before they're lame1 while others care ,not to make known their want1 they'll rather die1 ,than charge the churches with their poverty4 ,this done1 they must bestow as they see cause2 ,making the word the rule1 and want the laws ,by which they act1 and then they need not pause4 ,the table of the ,lord1 he also must ,provide for1 'tis his duty and his trust4 ,the teacher too should have his table spread ,by him2 thus should his house be clad and fed2 ,thus he serves tables with the church's stock1 ,and so becomes a blessing to the flock4#aa ,i read of widows also that should be ,employed here for further decency2 ,i dare not say they are in office1 though ,a service here they are appointed to3 ,they must be very aged1 trusty1 meek1 ,such who have done much good1 that do not seek ,themselves2 they must be humble1 pitiful1 ,or they will make their service void and null4 ,these are to teach the younger women what ,is proper to their sex and state1 what not3 ,to be discreet1 keepers at home1 and chaste2 ,to love their husbands1 to be good2 shamefac'd3 ,children to bear1 to love them1 and to fly ,what to the gospel would be infamy4 ,i think those to the sick should look also1 ,a work unfit for younger ones to do4 ,wherefore he saith1 ,the younger ones refuse2 ,perhaps because their weakness would abuse ,them1 and subject them unto great disgrace1 ,when such a one as ,amnon is in place4 ,and since the good old woman this must do ',tis fit she should be fed and clothed too1 ,out of the deacon's purse1 let it so be2 ,and let this be her service constantly4#ab ,,ix4 ,,the ,,order ,,and ,,manner ,,of ,,the ,,government ,,here4 ,as ,i have shew'd you who in office are1 ,so ,i will tell you how1 and with what care ,those here intrusted with the government1 ,keep to the statutes made to that intent4 ,by rules divine this house is governed2 ,not sanguinary ones1 nor taught nor fed ,by human precepts3 for the scripture saith1 ,the word's our ghostly food2 food for our faith4 ,nor are all forced to the same degree ,in things divine1 tho' all exhorted be ,to the most absolute proficiency ,that law or duty can to them descry4 ,alas6 here's children1 here are great with young2 ,here are the sick and weak1 as well as strong4 ,here are the cedar1 shrub1 and bruised reed2 ,yea1 here are such who wounded are1 and bleed4 ,as here are some who in their grammar be1 ,so here are others in their ,a1 ,b1 ,c4 ,some apt to teach1 and others hard to learn2 ,some see far off1 others can scarce discern ,that which is set before them in the glass2 ,others forgetful are1 and so let pass1 ,or slip out of their mind what they did hear ,but now2 so great our differences appear ,wherefore our ,jacob's must have special care ,they drive their flocks1 but as their flocks can bear2 ,for if they be o'erdriven1 presently ,they will be sick1 or cast their young1 or die4 ,the laws therefore are more and less of force1 ,according as they bring us to the source1 ,or head1 or fountain1 or are more remote ,to what at first we should ourselves devote4 ,be we then wise in handling of the laws1 ,not making a confused noise like daws ,in chambers1 yea let us seek to excel1 ,to each man's profit2 this is ruling well4 ,with fundamentals then let us begin1 ,for they strike at the very root of sin4 ,so the foundation being strongly laid1 ,let us go on1 as the wise builder said1 ,for ,i don't mean1 we should at all disdain ,those that are less1 we always should maintain ,that due respect to either which is meet2 ,this is the way to sit at ,jesus' feet4 ,repent ,i must1 or ,i am cast away2 ,believe ,i must1 or nothing ,i obey3 ,love ,god ,i must1 or nothing ,i can do1 ,that's worth so much as loosing of my shoe4 ,if ,i do not1 bear after ,christ1 my cross2 ,if love to holiness is at a loss2 ,if ,i my lusts seek not to mortify2 ,if to myself1 my flesh1 ,i do not die2 ,what law1 should ,i observe't1 can do me good8 ,in little duties life hath never stood4 ,one reads1 he prays1 he catechises too2 ,but doth he nothing else1 what doth he do8 ,i read to know my duty1 ,i do pray ,to ,god to help me do it day by day2 ,if this be not my end in what ,i do1 ,i am a sot1 an hypocrite also4 ,i am baptiz'd1 what then8 unless ,i die ,to sin1 ,i cover folly with a lie4 ,at the ,lord's table1 ,i do eat2 what though8 ,there some have eat their own damnation too4 ,i will suppose1 ,i hear1 ,i sing1 ,i pray1 ,and that ,i am baptiz'd without delay1 ,i will suppose ,i do much knowledge get1 ,and will also suppose that ,i am fit ,to be a preacher1 yet nought profits me ,if to the first1 poor ,i a stranger be3 ,they are more weighty therefore2 in compare ,these unto them1 but mint and anise are4 ,not that ,i would the least of duty slight1 ,because the least command1 of divine right1 ,requires that ,i myself subject thereto2 ,willful resisters do themselves undo4 ,but let's keep order1 let the first be first2 ,repent1 believe1 and love2 and then ,i trust ,i have that right1 which is divine1 to all ,that is enjoined2 be they great or small4 ,only ,i must as cautionary speak1 ,in one word more1 a little to the weak2 ,thou must not suffer men so to enclose ,thee in their judgments1 as to discompose ,thee in that faith and peace thou hast with him2 ,this would be like the losing of a limb2 ,or like to him who thinks he doth not well1 ,unless he lose the kernel for the shell4 ,thou art no captive1 but a child and free2 ,thou wast not made for laws1 but laws for thee2 ,and thou must use them as thy light will bear it2 ,they that say otherwise1 do rend and tear it1 ,more like to wicked tyrants1 who are cruel1 ,and add unto a little fire1 more fuel4 ,but those who are true shepherds of the sheep1 ,to quench such burnings would most gladly weep4 ,but ,i am yet but upon generals2 ,particulars our legislator calls ,for at our hands1 and that in order to ,consummate what we have begun to do4 #a4 ,my brother ,i must love1 in very deed4 ,i'm taught of ,god to do it3 let me heed ,this divine duty1 and perform it well1 ,who loves his brother1 ,god in him doth dwell2 ,the argument which on me this imposes1 ,smells like to ointment1 or the sweetest roses4 ,shall ,god love1 shall he keep his faith to me8 ,and shall not ,i8 shall ,i unfaithful be8 ,shall ,god love me a sinner8 and shall ,i ,not love a saint8 ,yea1 shall my ,jesus die ,to reconcile me to my ,god8 and shall ,i hate his child1 nor hear his wants that call ,for my little assisting of him8 fie ,on such a spirit1 on such cruelty2 ,fie on the thought that would me alienate1 ,or tempt me my worst enemy to hate4#ac #b4 ,he that dwells here1 must also be a sharer ,in others' griefs2 must be a burden-bearer ,among his brethren1 or he cannot do ,that which the blessed gospel calls him to4 ,in order hereunto1 humility ,must be put on1 it is our livery1 ,we must be clothed with it1 if we will ,the law obey1 our master's mind fulfil4 ,if this be so1 then what should they do here1 ,who in their antic pranks of pride appear8 ,let lofty men among you bear no sway1 ,the ,lord beholds the proud man far away4 ,it is not fit that he inhabit there ,where humbleness of mind should have the chair4 ,can pride be where a soul for mercy craves8 ,shall pride be found among redeemed slaves8 ,shall he who mercy from the gallows brought1 ,look high1 or strut1 or entertain a thought ,that tends to tempt him to forget that fate1 ,to which for sin he destin'd was of late1 ,and could not then at all delivered be1 ,but by another's death and misery8 ,pride is the unbecoming'st thing of all3 ,besides1 'tis the forerunner of a fall4 ,he that is proud1 soon in the dirt will lie1 ,but honour followeth humility4 ,let each then count his brother as his better1 ,let each esteem himself another's debtor4 ,christ bids us learn of him1 humble to be1 ,profession's beauty is humility4 #c4 ,forgive1 is here another statute law2 ,to be revenged is not worth a straw1 ,he that forgives shall also be forgiven1 ,who doth not so1 must lose his part in heaven2 ,nor must thou weary of this duty be ',cause ,god's not weary of forgiving thee4 ,thou livest by forgiveness2 should a stop ,be put thereto one moment1 thou wouldst drop ,into the mouth of hell4 ,then let this move ,thee thy dear brother to forgive in love4 ,and we are bid in our forgivenesses ,to do as ,god doth in forgiving his4 ,if any have a quarrel against any1 7,as quarrels we have oft against a many7 ,why then1 as ,god1 for ,christ's sake1 pardons you1 ,for ,christ's sake1 pardon thou thy brother too4 ,we say1 ,what freely comes1 doth freely go2 ,then let all our forgivenesses be so4 ,i'm sure ,god heartily forgiveth thee1 ,my loving brother1 prithee forgive me2 ,but then in thy forgiveness be upright2 ,do't with thine heart1 or thou'rt an hypocrite4 #d4 ,as we forgive1 so we must watch and pray2 ,for enemies we have1 that night and day1 ,should we not watch1 would soon our graces spoil1 ,should we not pray1 would our poor souls defile4 ,without a watch1 resist a foe who can8 ,who prays not1 is not like to play the man8 ,complaint that he is overcome1 he may2 ,but who would win the field1 must watch and pray4 ,who watches1 should know who and who's together3 ,know we not friends from foes1 how know we whether ,of them to fight1 or which to entertain8 ,some have instead of foes1 familiars slain4 ,sometimes a lust will get into the place1 ,or work1 or office1 of some worthy grace2 ,till it has brought our souls to great decay4 ,unless we diligently watch and pray1 ,our pride will our humility precede3 ,by th' nose1 our unbelief our faith will lead4 ,self-love will be where self-denial should2 ,and passion heat1 what patience sometime cool'd4 ,and thus it will be with us night and day1 ,unless we diligently watch and pray4 ,besides what these domestics do1 there are ,abroad such foes as wait us to ensnare2 ,yea1 they against us stand in battle-'ray1 ,and will us spoil1 unless we watch and pray4 ,there is the world with all its vanities1 ,there is the devil with a thousand lies2 ,there are false brethren with their fair collusions1 ,also false doctrines with their strong delusions2 ,these will us take1 yea carry us away ,from what is good1 unless we watch and pray4 ,long life to many1 is a fearful snare2 ,of sudden death we also need beware2 ,the smiles and frowns of men1 temptations be2 ,and there's a bait in all we hear and see4 ,let them who can1 to any shew a way1 ,how they should live1 that cannot watch and pray4 ,nor is't enough to keep all well within1 ,nor yet to keep all out that would be sin1 ,if entertained2 ,i must myself concern ,with my dear brother1 as ,i do discern ,him tempted1 or a wand'ring from the way2 ,else as ,i should1 ,i do not watch and pray4 ,pray then1 and watch1 be thou no drowsy sleeper1 ,grudge1 nor refuse1 to be thy brother's keeper1 ,seest thou thy brother's graces at an ebb8 ,is his heel taken in the spider's web8 ,pray for thy brother2 if that will not do1 ,to him1 and warn him of the present woe ,that is upon him2 if he shall thee hear ,thou wilt a saviour unto him appear4#ad #e4 ,sincerity1 to that we are enjoined1 ,for ,i do in our blessed law-book find1 ,that duties1 how well done soe'er they seem1 ,with our great ,god1 are but of small esteem ,if not sincerely done2 then have a care ,for hypocrites are hateful everywhere4 ,things we may do1 yea1 and may let men see ,us do them too1 design but honestly2 ,vain-gloriously let us not seek for praise1 ,vain-glory's nothing worth in gospel days4 ,sincerity seeks not an open place1 ,to do1 tho' it does all with open face2 ,it loves no guises1 nor disfigurations4 ',tis plain1 'tis simple1 hates equivocations4 ,sincerity's that grace by which we poise1 ,and keep our duties even3 nor but toys ,are all we do1 if no sincerity ,attend our works1 lift it up ne'er so high4 ,sincerity makes heav'n upon us smile1 ,lo1 here's a man in whom there is no guile6 ,nathaniel1 an ,israelite indeed6' ,with duties he sincerely doth proceed2 ,under the fig-tree heav'n saw him at prayer1 ,there is but few do their devotions there4 ,sincerity6 ,grace is thereto entailed1 ,the man that was sincere1 ,god never fail'd4 ,one tear that falleth from sincerity1 ,is worth ten thousand from hypocrisy4 #f4 ,meekness is also here imposed by law1 ,a froward spirit is not worth a straw4 ,a froward spirit is a bane to rest1 ,they find it so1 who lodge it in their breast4 ,a froward spirit suits with self-denial1 ,with taking up the cross1 and ev'ry trial1 ,as cats and dogs1 together by the ears2 ,as scornful men do suit with frumps#ae and jeers4 ,meek as a lamb1 mute as a fish1 is brave1 ,when anger boils1 and passions vent do crave4 ,the meek1 ,god will in paths of judgment guide2 ,good shall the meek eat1 and be satisfied2 ,the ,lord will lift the meek to highest station2 ,will beautify the meek with his salvation4 ,the meek are blest1 the earth they shall inherit3 ,the meek is better than the proud in spirit4 ,meekness will make you quiet1 hardy1 strong1 ,to bear a burden1 and to put up wrong4 ,meekness1 though divers troubles you are in1 ,will bridle passion1 be a curb to sin4 ,thus ,god sets forth the meek before our eyes2 ,a meek and quiet spirit ,god doth prize4 #g4 ,temp'rance also1 is on this house imposed1 ,and whoso has it not1 is greatly nosed#af ,by standers by1 for greedy1 lustful men3 ,nor can all we can say1 excuse us1 when ,intemp'rance any where to them shall be ,apparent2 though we other vices flee4 ,temperance1 the mother is of moderation1 ,the beauty also of our conversation4 ,temperance will our affections moderate1 ,and keep us from being inordinate ,in our embraces1 or in our salutes ,of what we have1 also in our pursuits ,of more1 and in a sedate settlement ,of mind1 will make's in all states be content4 ,nor want we here an argument to prove ,that who1 inordinate is1 in his love ,of worldly things1 doth better things defy1 ,and slight salvation for the butterfly4 ,what argument can any man produce1 ,why we should be intemperate in the use ,of any worldly good8 ,do we not see ,that all these things from us a fleeting be8 ,what can we hold8 ,what can we keep from flying ,from us8 ,is not each thing we have a dying8 ,my house1 my wife1 my child1 they all grow old1 ,nor am ,i e'er the younger for my gold2 ,here's none abiding1 all things fade away1 ,poor ,i at best am but a clod of clay4 ,if that be true1 man doth not live by bread1 ,he that has nothing else1 must needs be dead2 ,take bread for what can in this world be found1 ,yet all that therein is1 is but a sound1 ,an empty sound1 there is no life at all1 ,it cannot save a sparrow from her fall4 ,let us then use this world as we are bid1 ,and as in olden times1 the godly did4 ,who buy1 should be as if they did possess ,none of their purchase1 or themselves did bless ,in what they have2 and he that doth rejoice ,in what he hath1 should rather out of choice1 ,withdraw his mind from what he hath below1 ,and set his heart on whither he must go4 ,for those that weep under their heavy crosses1 ,or that are broken with the sense of losses1 ,let them remember1 all things here are fading1 ,and as to nature1 of a self-degrading ,and wasting temper2 yea1 both we and they ,shall waste1 and waste1 until we waste away4 ,let temperance then1 with moderation be ,as bounds to our affections1 when we see1 ,or feel1 or taste1 or any ways enjoy ,things pleasing to the flesh1 lest we destroy ,ourselves therewith1 or bring ourselves thereby ,to surfeits1 guilt1 or ,satan's slavery4 #h4 ,patience1 another duty1 as we find ,in holy writ1 is on this house enjoined2 ,her state1 while here1 is such1 that she must have ,this grace abounding in her1 or a slave ,she'll quickly be unto their lusts and will1 ,that seek the mind of ,satan to fulfil4 ,he who must bear all wrongs without resistance1 ,and that with gladness too1 must have assistance ,continually from patience1 thereunto1 ,or he will find such work too hard to do4 ,who meets with taunts1 with mocks1 with flouts and squibs1 ,with raileries1 reproaches1 checks1 and snibs2 ,yea1 he who for well-doing is abused1 ,robb'd1 spoiled1 and goal'd1 and ev'ry way misused2 ,has he not patience soon will be offended1 ,yea his profession too will soon be ended4 ,a ,christian for religion must not fight1 ,but put up wrongs1 though he be in the right2 ,he must be merciful1 loving1 and meek1 ,when they smite one1 must turn the other cheek4 ,he must not render railing for reviling ,nor murmur when he sees himself a spoiling1 ,when they shall curse1 he must be sure to bless1 ,and thus with patience must his soul possess4 ,i doubt our frampered#ag ,christians will not down ,with what ,i say1 yet ,i dare pawn my gown1 ,do but compare my notes with sacred story1 ,and you will find patience the way to glory4 ,patience under the cross1 a duty is1 ,whoso possess it1 belongs to bliss2 ,if it is present work accomplisheth2 ,if it holds out1 and still abideth with ,the ,truth2 then may we look for that reward1 ,promised at the coming of the ,lord4 #i4 ,to entertain good men let's not forget ,some by so doing have had benefit2 ,yea for to recompense this act of theirs1 ,angels have lodged with them unawares4 ,yea to encourage such a work as this1 ,the ,lord himself makes it a note of his1 ,when hungry or when thirsty ,i have been1 ,or when a stranger1 you did take me in4 ,strangers should not to strangers but be kind ,specially if conferring notes1 they find ,themselves1 though strangers here1 one brotherhood1 ,and heirs1 joint heirs1 of everlasting good2 ,these should as mother's sons1 when they do meet ,in a strange country1 one another greet ,with welcome2 come in1 brother1 how dost do8 ,whither art wand'ring8 ,prithee let me know ,thy state8 ,dost want or meat1 or drink1 or cloth8 ,art weary8 ,let me wash thy feet1 ,i'm loth ,thou shouldst depart1 abide with me all night2 ,pursue thy journey with the morning light4 ,x4 ,,the ,,way ,,of ,,reducing ,,what',s ,,amiss1 ,,into ,,order ,,here4 ,although this house thus honourable is1 ,yet 'tis not sinless1 many things amiss ,do happen here1 wherefore them to redress1 ,we must keep to our rules of righteousness2 ,nor must we think it strange1 if sin shall be ,where virtue is2 don't all men plainly see ,that in the holy temple there was dust1 ,that to our very gold1 there cleaveth rust8 ,in ,abraham's family was a derider ,i' th' palace of a king will be the spider4 ,who saith1 we have no sin1 doth also say ,we have no need at all to watch and pray2 ,to live by faith1 the flesh to mortify1 ,or of more of the spirit to sanctify ,our nature4 ,all this wholly needless is ,with him1 who as to this1 has nought amiss4 ,but we confess1 'cause we would not be liars1 ,that we still feel the motions and desires ,of sin within us1 and should fall away1 ,did not ,christ intercede and for us pray4 ,we therefore do conclude that sin is here1 ,but that it may not to our shame appear1 ,we have our rules1 thereby with it to deal1 ,and plaisters too1 our deadly wounds to heal4 ,and seeing idleness gives great occasions ,to th' flesh1 to make its rude and bold invasions ,upon good orders1 'tis ordained we see1 ,that none dwell here1 but such as workers be3 ,so plain's the law for this1 and so complete1 ,it bids who will not work1 forbear to eat2 ,let then each one be diligent to do ,what grace or nature doth oblige them to4 ,who have no need to work for meat or clothes1 ,should work for those that want4 ,not that the sloth ,of idleness should be encouraged1 ,but that those1 poor indeed1 be clad and fed4 ,dorcas did thus1 and 'tis to sacred story ,committed for her praise and lasting glory4 ,this house then is no nurse to idleness2 ,fig-trees are here to keep1 and vines to dress2 ,here's work for all2 yea1 work that must be done2 ,yet work1 like that1 to playing in the sun2 ,the toil's a pleasure1 and the labour sweet1 ,like that of ,david's dancing in the street2 ,the work is short1 the wages are for ever1 ,the work like me1 the wages like the giver ,no drone must hide himself under those eaves2 ,who sows not1 will in harvest reap no sheaves4 ,the slothful man himself1 may plainly see1 ,that honey's gotten by the working bee4 ,but here's no work for life1 that's freely given2 ,meat1 drink1 and cloths1 and life1 we have from heav'n2 ,work's here enjoined1 'cause it is a pleasure1 ,vice to suppress1 and augment heavenly treasure ,moreover1 'tis to shew1 if men profess ,the faith1 and yet abide in idleness1 ,their faith is vain1 no man can ever prove ,he's right1 but by the faith that works by love4 ,if this good counsel is by thee rejected2 ,if work and labour is by thee neglected2 ,if thou1 like ,david1 lollest on thy bed2 ,or art like to a horse1 pamper'd and fed ,with what will fire thy lusts1 and so lay snares ,for thine own soul1 when thou shalt be i' th' wars3 ,then take what follows1 sin must be detected1 ,and thou without repentance quite rejected4 ,this is the house of ,god1 his dwelling-place1 ',tis here that we behold his lovely face2 ,but if it should polluted be with sin1 ,and so abide1 he quickly will begin ,to leave it desolate1 and then woe to it1 ,sin and his absence quickly will undo it4 ,and since sin is1 of things the worst of all1 ,and watcheth like a serpent on a wall1 ,or flyeth like an eagle in the air1 ,or runs as desperate ships1 void of all care1 ,or1 7as great ,solomon hath wisely said7 ,is as the way of wantons with a maid1 ,who tick1 and toy1 and with a tempting giggle ,provoke to lust1 and by degrees1 so wriggle ,them into their affections1 that they go ,the way to death1 so do themselves undo3 ,as it is said1 this mischief to prevent1 ,let all men watch1 yea1 and be diligent ,observers of its motions1 and then fly1 ,this is the way to live1 and not to die4 ,he that would never fall1 must never slip1 ,who would obey the call1 must fear the whip4 ,god would also that every stander by ,that in the grass doth see the adder lie1 ,should cry as he did1 death is in the pot1 ,that many by its poison perish not4 ,but if that beastly thing shall hold its hold1 ,and make the man possessed basely bold ,in pleading for it1 or shall it deny1 ,or it shall seek to cover with a lie2 ,then take more aid1 and make a fresh assault ,at it again1 diminish not the fault1 ,but charge it home4 ,if yet he will not fear1 ,but still unto his wickedness adhere1 ,then tell the house thereof4 ,but if he still ,persist in his abomination will1 ,then fly him1 'cause he is a leprous man1 ,count him with heathens and the publican4 ,but if he falls before thee at the first1 ,then be thou to him faithful1 loving1 just4 ,forgive his sin1 tell it not to a brother1 ,lest thou thyself be served so by another4 ,if he falls not1 but in the second charge1 ,spread not his wickedness abroad at large4 ,but1 if thou think his sorrow to be sound1 ,forgive his sin1 and hide it under ground4 ,if he shall stand the first and second shot2 ,if he before the church1 repenteth not1 ,deal with him as the matter shall require1 ,let not the house for him be set on fire4 ,if after all1 he shall repent and turn ,to ,god1 and you1 you must not let him burn ,for ever under sense of sin and shame1 ,you must his sin forgive in ,christ his name4 ,confirm your love to him in ,christ1 you must1 ,by all such ways as honest are1 and just4 ,shy be not of him1 carry't not aloof1 ,but rather give him of your love such proof1 ,that he may gather thence1 ye do believe ,to mercy ,christ again doth him receive4 ,two things1 monish you1 as to this1 ,i would2 ,the first1 to shew the church wherein she should ,in all her actions so herself behave1 ,as to convince the fault1 she would save ,his soul2 and that 'tis for this very thing1 ,she doth him unto open judgment bring4 ,then would ,i shew the person they reject1 ,what will1 without repentance1 be th' effect ,of this tremendous censure1 so conclude2 ,leaving my judgment to the multitude ,of those who sober and judicious be1 ,begging of each of them a prayer for me4 #a4 ,this house1 in order to this work1 must be ,affected with the sin and misery1 ,of this poor creature1 yea1 must mourn and weep1 ,to think such tares1 in your neglect1 or sleep1 ,should spring up here1 nor must they once invent ,to think1 till he's cast out1 you're innocent4 #b4 ,thus leaven1 the whole lump has leavened2 ,israel was guilty of what ,achan did2 ,and so must stand1 until they purged are1 ,till ,achan doth1 for sin1 his burden bear4 ,the reason is1 ,achan a member was ,of that great body1 and by nature's laws1 ,the hand1 foot1 eye1 tongue1 ear1 or one of these1 ,may taint the whole with ,achan's foul disease4 ,the church must too be sensible of this1 ,some lep'rous stones make all the house amiss3 ,and as the stones must thence removed be1 ,in order to the house's sanctity1 ,so it must purged be 7in any wise7 ,before 'tis counted clean 7by sacrifice74 #c4 ,next have a care1 lest sin1 which you should purge ,becomes not unto you a farther scourge1 ,the which it will1 if such shall judges be1 ,which from its spots and freckles are not free2 ,pluck thou the beam first out of thine own eye1 ,else the condemned will thee vilify ,and say1 let not the pot the kettle judge2 ,if otherwise1 it will beget a grudge1 ,a great one 'twixt the church and him that sinned1 ,nor by such means1 can ever such be winned ,to a renew'd embrace of holiness2 ,more like be tempted further to transgress4 #d4 ,again1 let those that loud against it cry1 ,see they don't entertain it inwardly2 ,sin1 like to pitch1 will to the fingers cleave1 ,look to it then1 let none himself deceive2 ',tis catching2 make resistances afresh1 ,abhor the garment spotted by the flesh4 ,some at the dimness of the candle puff1 ,who yet can daub their fingers with the snuff4 #e4 ,beware1 likewise1 lest rancour should appear ,against the person1 do in all things fear3 ,bewail the man1 while you abhor his sin2 ,pity his soul2 the flesh you still are in2 ,thyself consider thou may'st tempted be1 ,hast thou no pity1 who will pity thee8 #f4 ,see that the ground be good on which you go3 ,sin1 but not virtue show dislike unto4 ,take heed of hypocritical intentions1 ,and quarrel not at various apprehensions ,about some smaller matter1 lest it breed ,needless debates1 and lest that filthy seed ,contention1 should o'errun your holy ground1 ,and lest not love1 but nettles there are found4 #g4 ,you must likewise allow each man his grains1 ,for that none perfect are1 sin yet remains1 ,and human frailties do attend the best2 ,to bear and forbear here1 will tend to rest4 ,vain jangling1 jars1 and strifes will there abound1 ,where moles are mountains made1 or fault is found1 ,with every little1 trivial1 petty thing2 ,this spirit snib1 or 'twill much mischief bring ,into this house1 and 'tis for want of love1 ',tis entertain'd3 it is not of the dove4 #h4 ,for those that have private opinions too ,we must make room1 or shall the church undo3 ,provided they be such as don't impair ,faith1 holiness1 nor with good conscience jar3 ,provided also those that hold them shall ,such faith hold to themselves1 and not let fall ,their fruitless notions in their brother's way1 ,do this1 and faith and love will not decay4 #i4 ,we must also in these our dealings shew ,we put a difference 'twixt those sins that do ,clash with the light of nature1 and what we ,perceive against the faith of ,christ to be4 ,those against nature1 nature will detect2 ,those against faith1 faith from them must direct ,the judgment1 conscience1 understanding too1 ,or there will be no cure1 whate'er you do4 ,when men are caught in immoralities1 ,nature will start1 the conscience will arise ,to judgment2 and if impudence doth recoil1 ,yet guilt1 and self-condemnings will embroil ,the wretch concerned1 in such unquietness ,or shame1 as will induce him to confess ,his fault1 and pardon crave of ,god and man1 ,such men with ease therefore we conquer can4 ,but 'tis not thus with such as swerve in faith ,with them1 who1 as our wise ,apostle saith1 ,entangled are at unawares1 with those ,cunning to trap1 to snare1 and to impose ,by falsifyings1 their prevarications3 ,no1 these are slyly taken from their stations1 ,unknown to nature2 yea1 in judgment they ,think they have well done to forsake the way4 ,their understanding1 and their judgment too ,doth like1 or well approve of what they do4 ,these are1 poor souls1 beyond their art and skill1 ,ta'en captive by the devil1 at his will1 ,here therefore you must patience exercise1 ,and suffer long1 ye must not tyrannize ,it over such1 but must all meekness shew2 ,still dropping of good doctrine as the dew1 ,against their error2 so its churlishness ,you conquer will1 and may their fault redress4 ,the reason why we must not exercise ,that roughness here1 as where conviction lies ,in nature1 is because those thus ensnared ,want nature's light and help to be repair'd4 ,a spirit hath them taken1 they are gone1 ,delusions supernat'ral they're on ,the wing of2 ,they are out o' th' reach of man ,nothing but ,god1 and gospel reach them can4 ,now since we cannot give these people eyes1 ,nor regulate their judgment1 wherein lies1 ,our work with them1 if not1 as has been said1 ,in exercising patience4 ,while display'd ,the holy word before their faces is1 ,by which alone they must see what's amiss ,with their poor souls1 and so convert again1 ,to him with whom salvation doth remain4 ,obj4 ,but they are turbulent1 they would confound ,the truth1 and all in their perdition drown'd4 ,ans4 ,if turbulent and mischievous they are1 ,imposing their opinions without care ,who they offend1 or do destroy thereby4 ,then must the church deal with them presently1 ,lest tainted be the whole with their delusion1 ,and brought into disorder and confusion4 ,,xi4 ,,the ,,present ,,condition ,,of ,,those ,,thus ,,dealt ,,with4 ,the man that worthily rejected is1 ,and cast out of this house1 his part in bliss ,is lost for ever1 turns he not again1 ,true faith and holiness to entertain4 ,nor is it boot1 for who are thus cast out1 ,themselves to flatter1 or to go about ,to shift the censure2 nothing here will do1 ,except a new conversion thou come to4 ,he that is bound on earth1 is bound in heaven1 ,nor is his loosing1 but the sin forgiven2 ,repentance too1 forgiveness must precede1 ,or thou must still abide among the dead4 ,,xii4 ,,an ,,expostulation ,,with ,,such ,,to ,,return4 ,o shame6 ,is't not a shame for men to be ,for sin1 spu'd out from good society6 ,for man enlightened to be so base6 ,to turn his back upon the ,god of grace6 ,for one who for his sins has mourn'd and cry'd1 ,to slight him1 who for sin hath bled and died6 ,what fool would sell his part in paradise1 ,that has a soul1 and that of such a price8 ,what parallel can suit with such so well1 ,as those1 for sin cast down from heaven to hell6 ,but let me tell thee1 here is aggravation2 ,the angels1 though they did fall from their station ,had not the caution thou hast had2 they fell2 ,this thou hast seen1 and seeing1 didst rebel4 ,one would a thought1 the noise of this their fall1 ,a warning2 yea1 a warning1 and a call1 ,should unto thee have been1 to have a care ,of falling too3 ,o how then didst thou dare1 ,since ,god did not spare them1 thus to presume ,to tempt him in his wrath1 thee to consume4 ,nor did the angels from a ,jesus fall1 ,redeemed they were not1 from a state of thrall2 ,but thou6 as one redeem'd1 and that by blood1 ,redemption hast despised2 and the mud ,or mire of thine own filth again embracest3 ,a dying bleeding ,jesus thou disgracest6 ,what wilt thou do8 see's not how thou hast trod ,under thy foot1 the very ,son of ,god8 ,o fearful hand of ,god6 ,and fearful will ,thy doom be1 when his wrath thy soul shall kill4 ,yea1 with a signal these must hear their sin1 ,this dirty sow from mire has washed been1 ,yet there did wallow1 after wash'd she was2 ,so to procure a lust1 obtain'd this loss4 ,o shame6 is't not a shame for man to be1 ,so much averse to his felicity1 ,that none can make him leave to play the fool1 ,till to the devil he be put to school1 ,to learn his own salvation to prize8 ,o fool6 must now the devil make thee wise8 ,o sot6 that will in wickedness remain1 ,unless the devil drives thee back again4 ,hast quite forgot how thou wast wont to pray1 ,and cry out for forgiveness night and day8 ,or dost thou count they were but painted fears ,which from thine eyes did squeeze so many tears8 ,remember man1 thy prayers and tears will cry ,thee down to hell1 for thine apostacy4 ,who will not have what he has prayed for1 ,must die the death1 his prayer shall him abhor4 ,hast thou forgotten that most solemn vow ,thou mad'st to ,god1 when thou didst crave he bow ,his ear unto thee would1 and give thee grace1 ,and would thee also in his arms embrace8 ,that vow1 ,i say1 whereby thou then didst bind ,thyself to him1 that now thy roving mind ,recoil against him should1 and fling away ,from him1 and his commandments disobey4 ,what has he done8 wherein has he offended8 ,thou actest now1 as if thou wast intended ,to prove him guilty of unrighteousness1 ,of breach of promise1 or that from distress ,he could1 or would not save thee1 or that thou ,hast found a better good than he2 but how ,thou wilt come off1 or how thou wilt excuse ,thyself1 'cause thou art gone1 and did refuse ,to wait upon him that consider well2 ,thou art as yet alive1 on this side hell4 ,is't not a shame1 a stinking shame to be ,cast forth ,god's vineyard as a barren tree8 ,to be thrown o'er the pales1 and there to lie1 ,or be pick'd up by th' next that passeth by8 ,well1 thou hast turn'd away1 return again2 ,bethink thyself1 thy foot from sin refrain2 ,hark6 thou art call'd upon1 stop not thine ear3 ,return1 backsliding children1 come1 draw near ,unto your ,god2 repent1 and he will heal ,your base backslidings1 to you will reveal ,that grace and peace which with him doth remain1 ,for them that turn away1 and turn again4 ,take with thee words1 come to the throne of grace ,there supplicate thy ,god1 and seek his face2 ,like to the prodigal1 confess thy sin1 ,tell him where1 and how vicious thou hast been4 ,suppose he shall against thee shut the door1 ,knock thou the louder1 and cry out the more2 ,what if he makes thee there to stand a while8 ,or makes as if he would not reconcile ,to thee again8 ,yet take thee no denial1 ,count all such carriages but as a trial ,whether thou art in earnest in thy suit1 ,as one truly forlorn and destitute2 ,but hide thou nought of all that thou hast done1 ,open thy bosom1 make confession ,of all thy wickedness1 tell every whit2 ,hast thou a secret sin8 don't cover it2 ,confess1 thyself judge1 if thou wouldst not die2 ,who doth himself judge1 ,god doth justify4 ,to sin1 and stand in't1 is the highest evil2 ,this makes a man most like unto the devil2 ,this bids defiance unto ,god and grace2 ,this man resists him spitteth in his face1 ,scorns at his justice1 mocketh at his power1 ,tempts him1 provokes him1 grieves him every hour3 ,when he ariseth1 he will recompense ,this sturdy rebel for his impenitence3 ,be not incorrigible then1 come back again1 ,there's hope1 beg mercy while life doth remain4 ,obj4 ,but ,i fear ,i am lost and cast away1 ,sentence is past1 and who reverse it may8 ,ans4 ,the sentence past1 admitteth or reprieve2 ,yea1 of a pardon1 canst thou but believe4 ,,turn ,,again ,,sinner1 ,,never ,,make ,a ,,doubt1 ,,come1 ,,the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,will ,,not ,,cast ,,thee ,,out4 ,,footnotes3 #a4 #dto1 ,london1 #afdb4 ,in the editor's library4 #b4 ',that advance1' preferment1 or progress towards perfection4--,ed4 #c4 ',mo1' a usual contraction for more in former times1 now obsolete4--,ed4 #d4 ,probably referring to the parable of the prodigal son1 ,luke #ae4--;,ed4 #e4 ,this may refer to the ,levitical law1 ,exodus #ba3bh-cf4 ,the ox that had gored any one to death1 'shall be surely stoned' without possibility of escape1 but the backslider or manslayer1 although he lie equally under the sentence of death1 yet may escape to the city of refuge4--,ed4 #f4 ,these stanzas afford an excellent illustration to the meaning of ,bunyan in his ,pilgrim's ,progress1 where ,christian1 before the cross1 receives the roll or certificate--loses it for a season in the arbour on the hill ,difficulty1 when loitering and sleeping on his way to the ,interpreter's house1 but regains it by repentance and prayers1 and eventually1 having crossed the river1 gives it in at the gate of the ,celestial ,city1 and is admitted4--,ed4 #g4 ,bunyan considered that baptism is to follow belief1 and that christening a child was a misplacing the ordinance4 ,so also with he ,lord's ,supper--that it was to be a public showing forth the death of the ,saviour1 and if administered in private1 or with any other view1 it was misplaced4--,ed4 #h4 ,it is a rare thing for ,bunyan to use a foreign word2 but all pious persons in his time were familiar with1 and generally used1 the ,puritan or ,genevan ,bible1 vulgarly called the ,breeches ,bible1 an extremely valuable book2 in the marginal notes of which1 on this passage is the following explanation1 'wilde gourdes1 which the apoticaries call coloquintida1 and is most vehement and dangerous in purging4'--,ed4 #i4 ,the university or college in which ,bunyan so highly graduated1 is the only one where ministers can be instructed in this spiritual physic4 ,it is ,christ's college or school1 neither at ,oxford or ,cambridge1 but in the ,bible4 ,there1 and there only1 under the teaching of the ,holy ,spirit1 can the ,christian bishop or under shepherd receive instruction in the precious remedies against ,satan's devices1 or in specifics to cure spiritual maladies4--,ed4 #aj4 ',he had in his pocket ,a ,,map of all ways leading to or from the celestial city2 wherefore he struck a light1 for he never went without his tinder box1 and took a view of his book or map2 which bid him be careful1 in that place1 to turn to the right hand way4 ,and had he not here been careful to look in his map1 they had1 in all probability1 been smothered in the mud2 for just before them1 and that in the cleanest way1 was a pit1 and none knows how deep1 full of nothing but mud1 there made on purpose to destroy pilgrims in4 ,then thought ,i with myself1 who that goeth on pilgrimage1 but would have one of these maps about him1 that he may look when he is at a stand which is the way he must take4'--,pilgrim's ,progress1 ,part ,second4 #aa4 ,these hints to deacons are invaluable4 ,they must have been the result of long intimacy and enlightened watchfulness over the conduct of the poor4 ,to distinguish between the noisy beggar and the unobtrusive sufferer--to administer relief in just proportions1 'the word the rule1 and want the law1' in spite of all that influence which is constantly brought to bear upon those who distribute any common charity fund4 ,it requires much of the fear of ,god in the heart1 and a solemn sense of responsibility at the great day4 ,the terms1 'crumbs of charity1' are beautifully expressive of the general poverty of ,christian churches4--,ed4 #ab4 ,bunyan's idea of this scriptural order of female deacons is very striking1 and worthy the solemn consideration of all ,christian churches4 ,they are to be chosen from such as are 'widows indeed1 who trust in ,god1 and continue in supplications and prayers night and day1' #a ,timothy #e3e4 ,they are to devote themselves to the sick--to be patterns of good works--and1 if needful1 to be fed and clothed at the expense of the church1 verse #af4 ,if to this were added to examine and educate the children1 they might be most eminently useful4--,ed4 #ac4 ,these instructions are like 'apples of gold in pictures of silver4' ,thrice happy are those churches whose members act in conformity with these scriptural rules4 ,but is there a member who dares to violate them8 ,poor wretched creature1 the ,lord have mercy on thee4--,ed4 #ad4 ,happy is that ,christian1 who1 in obedience to his ,lord's command1 is so humble as to seek out the brother who has offended him2 ',go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone1' is the divine command4 ,is it not at the peril of our souls wilfully to violate this self-humiliating but imperative law8--,ed4 #ae4 ,to 'frump1' to mock or browbeat4--,ed4 #af4 ',greatly nosed1' taken by the nose1 ridiculed4--,ed4 #ag4 ',frampered' or frampold1 peevish1 crossgrained1 rugged2 now obsolete4--,ed4 999999 ,,john ,,bunyan ,,on ,,the ,,terms ,,of ,,communion ,,and ,,fellowship ,,of ,,christians ,,at ,,the ,,table ,,of ,,the ,,lord2 ,,comprising ,i4 ,,his ,,confession ,,of ,,faith1 ,,and ,,reason ,,of ,,his ,,practice2 ,,ii4 ,,differences ,,about ,,water ,,baptism ,,no ,,bar ,,to ,,communion2 ,,and ,,iii4 ,,peaceable ,,principles ,,and ,,true#a ,,advertisement ,,by ,,the ,,editor4 ,reader1 these are extraordinary productions that will well repay an attentive perusal4 ,it is the confession of faith of a ,christian who had suffered nearly twelve years' imprisonment1 under persecution for conscience sake4 ,shut up with his ,bible1 you have here the result of a prayerful study of those holy oracles4 ,it produced a difference in practice from his fellow ,christians of ,,all denominations1 the reasons for which are added to this confession2 with a defence of his principles and practice1 proving them to be peaceable and true4 ,in all this an unlettered man displays the acumen of a thoroughly educated polemical theologian4 ,the author was driven to these publications to defend himself from the slanders which were showered down upon him1 by all parties1 for nearly eighteen years1 and by the attempts which were made to take away his members1 injure the peace of his congregation1 and alienate him from the church to which he was tenderly attached4 ,his first inquiry is1 ,who are to be admitted to the ,lord's table2 and his reply is1 ,those whom ,god has received3 they have become his children1 and are entitled to sit at their ,father's table3 such only as have examined themselves1 and by their conduct lead the church to hope that they have passed from death unto life4 ,the practice of those who admit ungodly persons because they have submitted to some outward ceremonies1 he severely condemns4 ,the mixture of the church and the world he deems to be spiritual adultery1 the prolific source of sin1 and one of the causes of the deluge4 ,the ,lord's table is scripturally fenced around3 ',be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers'2 'what communion hath light with darkness2 ,christ with ,belial2 the temple of ,god with idols8 be ye separate1 touch not the unclean thing1 and ,i will receive you4' ',receive ye one another1 as ,christ also received us to the glory of ,god1 not to doubtful disputations4' ',withdraw from them that walk disorderly1 working not2 but busy bodies2 unless with quietness they work and eat their own bread4 ,if any are proud1 doting about questions and strifes of words1 evil surmisings1 perverse disputings1 supposing that gain is godliness2 from such withdraw4' ,bunyan rests all upon the word1--the characters are described who are to be excluded from the ,lord's table2 but in no instance is it upon record that any one was excluded because he had not been baptized in water4 ,and who will dare to make any addition to holy writ8 ,the practice of making the mode in which water baptism was administered a term of communion1 existed among the ,independents long before ,bunyan's time4 ,crosby1 in his ,history of the ,baptists1 makes some long extracts from a book entitled1 ',the sin and danger of admitting ,anabaptists to continue in the congregational churches1 and the inconsistency of such a practice with the principles of both4' ,in ,america1 ,cotton and the ,independents severely persecuted their ,baptist brethren1 even to deportation4 ,as the ,baptists increased in numbers1 they refused to admit any to the ,lord's table1 even to occasional communion1 who had not been baptized in water upon a profession of faith3 in fact1 the difference between those who consider baptism to be a relative duty to be performed by parents in having their infants sprinkled1 and those who deem it a personal duty to be immersed in water1 as a public putting on of ,christ1 is so great1 as to require the utmost powers of charity to preserve peace4 ,thus it was in the primitive churches1 where great differences prevailed even as to the duty of preaching the gospel to the ,gentiles2 the keeping of days probably extending to the ,jewish sabbath1 and to the abstaining from certain meats1 with other ordinances of the ,jewish law4 ,bunyan saw all the difficulties of this question3 he was satisfied that baptism is a personal duty1 in respect to which every individual must be satisfied in his own mind1 and over which no church had any control2 and that the only inquiry as to the fitness of a candidate for church fellowship should be1 whether the regenerating powers of the ,holy ,ghost had baptized the spirit of the proposed member into newness of life4 ,this is the only livery by which a ,christian can be known4 ,bunyan very justly condemns the idea of water baptism being either the ,christian's livery or his marriage to the ,saviour4 ,we do well1 in our examinations into this subject1 to note carefully the various applications of the word baptize1 and not always attach the use of water to the term4 ,there is a being baptized in a cloud1 and in the sea1 to protect ,god's ,israel from their deadly foes2 a baptism in sufferings2 a baptism in water unto repentance2 a baptism in fire1 or the ,holy ,ghost2 a baptism into the doctrine of the ,trinity 7,matt #bh3ai74 ,bunyan had no doubt upon this subject2 he deemed water baptism an important personal duty2 and that a death to sin1 and resurrection to newness of life--a different tint1 or dye1 given to the character--was best figured by immersion in water3 still he left it to every individual to be satisfied in his own mind as to this outward sign of the invisible grace4 ',strange1' he says1 'take two ,christians equal on all points but this2 nay1 let one go far beyond the other for grace and holiness2 yet this circumstance of water shall drown and sweep away all his excellencies2 not counting him worthy of that reception that with hand and heart shall be given to a novice in religion1 because he consents to water4' ,for these catholic principles he was most roughly handled4 ,deune1 in a pamphlet in the ,editor's possession1 called him a devil2 and likened him to ,timri1 who slew his master4 ,the most learned of the ,baptist ministers entered upon the controversy4 ,they invited him to a grand religious tournament1 where he would have stood one against a legion4 ,a great meeting was appointed1 in ,london1 for a public disputation--as was common among the puritans--and in which the poor country mechanic was to be overwhelmed with scholastic learning and violence2 but ,bunyan wisely avoided a collision which could have answered no valuable purpose1 and which bid fair to excite angry feelings4 ,he had appealed to the press as the calmest and best mode of controversy2 and to that mode of appeal he adhered4 ,three learned men undertook the cause against ,bunyan3 these were1 ,d',anvers1 ,w4 ,kiffin1 and ,t4 ,paul4 ,when these lettered1 able1 and distinguished disputants published their joint answer1 it contained much scurrilous abuse4 ,their brother1 ,bunyan1 was in prison1 and they visited him with gall and wormwood4 ,he closes his reply with these remarkable words1 ',thine to serve thee1 ,christians1 so long as ,i can look out at those eyes that have had so much dirt thrown at them by many4' ,the late ,mr4 ,robert ,hall1 in his controversy upon this subject with ,mr4 ,kinghorn1 in which--having demolished ,kinghorn's castle in a few pages--he1 in order to make a book1 amused the public by kicking the ruins about1 thus adverts to these treatises3 ',the most virulent reproaches were cast upon the admirable ,bunyan1 during his own time1 for presuming to break the yoke2 and whoever impartially examines the spirit of ,mr4 ,booth's ,apology1 will perceive that its venerable author regards him1 together with his successors1 much in the light of rebels and insurgents1 or1 to use the mildest terms1 as contumacious despisers of legitimate authority4'#b ,we cannot have a more decided proof of ,bunyan's great powers1 and of his being much in advance of his times1 than by the opinions of which he was the ,christian pioneer having spread so extensively through the ,baptist denomination4 ,in this his predictions were fully verified4 ,it is surprising that pious dissenters should ever have made uniformity in outward ceremonies of more importance than inward holiness1 as a term of communion4 ,such sentiments naturally attach to state churches2 and ought to be found only with those bodies which exist merely for political purposes1 and for it are rewarded with earthly power1 pomp1 and wealth4 ,i close these observations by quoting the words of ,bunyan's learned antagonists1 published within a few years of this controversy1 and during his lifetime4 his sentiments appear to have had a hallowed effect even upon their minds1 and produced an apology for their conduct4 ,it is in the appendix to the ,baptist confession of faith1 republished in #afgg3 ',we would not be misconstrued1 as if the discharge of our consciences did any way disoblige or alienate our affections or conversations from any others that fear the ,lord3 earnestly desiring to approve ourselves to be such as follow after peace with holiness4 ,we continue our practice1 not out of obstinacy1 but we do therein according to the best of our understandings1 in that method which we take to be most agreeable to the scriptures4 ,the christening of infants1 we find by church history1 to have been a very ancient practice2 still we leave every one to give an account of himself to ,god4 ,and if in any case debates between ,christians are not plainly determinable by the scriptures1 we leave it to the second coming of ,christ4' ,in #afhi1 the year after ,bunyan's death1 this appendix was omitted from the ,baptist confession of faith4 ,may the time soon arrive when water shall not quench love1 but when all the churches militant shall form one army1 with one object1--that of extending the ,redeemer's kingdom4--,,geo4 ,,offor4 ,a ,,confession ,,of ,,my ,,faith1 ,,and ,a ,,reason ,,of ,,my ,,practice2 ,,or1 ,,with ,,who1 ,,and ,,who ,,not1 ,i ,,can ,,hold ,,church ,,fellowship1 ,,or ,,the ,,communion ,,of ,,saints4 ,,shewing1 ,,by ,,diverse ,,arguments1 ,,that ,,though ,i ,,dare ,,not ,,communicate ,,with ,,the ,,openly ,,profane1 ,,yet ,i ,,can ,,with ,,those ,,visible ,,saints ,,that ,,differ ,,about ,,water-,,baptism4 ,,wherein ,,is ,,also ,,discoursed1 ,,whether ,,that ,,be ,,the ,,entering ,,ordinance ,,into ,,fellowship1 ,,or ,,no4 ',i believed1 therefore have ,i spoken4'--,psalm #aaf3aj ,,to ,,the ,,reader4 ,sir1 ,i marvel not that both you and others do think my long imprisonment strange1 7or rather strangely of me for the sake of that7 for verily ,i should also have done it myself1 had not the ,holy ,ghost long since forbidden me 7#a ,peter #d3ab2 #a ,john #c3ac74 ,nay1 verily1 that notwithstanding1 had the adversary but fastened the supposition of guilt upon me1 my long trials might by this time have put it beyond dispute2 for ,i have not hitherto been so sordid1 as to stand to a doctrine right or wrong2 much less when so weighty an argument as above eleven years' imprisonment1 is continually dogging of me to weigh and pause1 and pause again1 the grounds and foundation of those principles1 for which ,i thus have suffered2#c but having not only at my trial asserted them1 but also since1 even all this tedious tract of time1 in cool blood1 a thousand times1 by the word of ,god1 examined them1 and found them good2 ,i cannot1 ,i dare not now revolt or deny the same1 on pain of eternal damnation4 ,and that my principles and practice may be open to the view and judgment of all men1 though they stand and fall to none but the word of ,god alone1 ,i have in this small treatise presented to this generation1 ',a ,confession of my ,faith1 and a ,reason of my ,practice in the ,worship of ,god'2 by which1 although it be brief1 candid ,christians may1 ,i hope1 without a violation to faith or love1 judge that ,i may have the root of the matter found in me4 ,neither have ,i in this relation abusively presented my reader1 with other doctrines or practices1 than what ,i held1 professed1 and preached when apprehended1 and cast in prison4 ,nor did ,i then or now retain a doctrine besides1 or which is not thereon grounded4 ,the subject ,i should have preached upon1 even then when the constable came1 was1 ',dost thou believe on the ,son of ,god8' ,from whence ,i intended to shew1 the absolute need of faith in ,jesus ,christ2 and that it was also a thing of the highest concern for men to inquire into1 and to ask their own hearts whether they had it or no4 ,faith and holiness are my professed principles1 with an endeavour1 so far as in me lieth1 to be at peace with all men4 ,what shall ,i say1 let mine enemies themselves be judges1 if anything in these following doctrines1 or if ought that any man hath heard me preach1 doth savour1 or hath according to the true intent of my words1 savoured either of heresy or rebellion4 ,i say again1 let they themselves be judges1 if ought they find in my writing or preaching1 doth render me worthy of almost twelve years' imprisonment1 or one that deserveth to be hanged1 or banished for ever1 according to their tremendous sentence4 ,indeed my principles are such1 as lead me to a denial to communicate in the things of the kingdom of ,christ1 with the ungodly and openly profane2 neither can ,i in or by the superstitious inventions of this world1 consent that my soul should be governed in any of my approaches to ,god1 because commanded to the contrary1 and commended for so refusing4 ,wherefore excepting this one thing1 for which ,i ought not to be rebuked2 ,i shall1 ,i trust1 in despite of slander and falsehood1 discover myself at all times a peaceable and an obedient subject4 ,but if nothing will do1 unless ,i make of my conscience a continual butchery1 and slaughter-shop1 unless putting out my own eyes1 ,i commit me to the blind to lead me1 as ,i doubt is desired by some1 ,i have determined1 the ,almighty ,god being my help and shield1 yet to suffer1 if frail life might continue so long1 even till the moss shall grow on mine eyebrows1 rather than thus to violate my faith and principles4 ',will a man leave the snow of ,lebanon1 which cometh from the rock of the field8 or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken8' 7,jer #ah3ad74 ',hath a nation changed their gods1 which are yet no gods8' 7,jer #b3aa74 ',for all people will walk every one in the name of his god1 and we will walk in the name of the ,,lord our ,god for ever and ever' 7,micah #d3e74 ,touching my practice as to communion with visible saints1 although not baptized with water2 ,i say it is my present judgment so to do1 and am willing to render a farther reason thereof1 shall ,i see the leading hand of ,god thereto4 ,thine in bonds for the gospel1 ,,john ,,bunyan4 ,a ,,confession ,,of ,,my ,,faith1 ,,and ,a ,,reason ,,of ,,my ,,practice1 ,,etc4 ',be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear3 having a good conscience2 that whereas they speak evil of you1 as of evil-doers1 they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in ,christ4'--#a ,peter #c3ae1 #af4 #a4 ,i believe1 that there is but one only true ,god1 and there is none other but he4 ',to us there is but one ,god1 the ,father1 of whom are all things' 7#a ,cor #h3f74 ',and this is life eternal1 that they might know thee the only true ,god' c4 7,john #ag3c1 see also ,mark #ab3cb2 ,acts #ag3bd74 #b4 ,i believe1 that this ,god is almighty1 eternal1 invisible1 incomprehensible1 c4 ',i am the ,almighty ,god2 walk before me1 and be thou perfect' 7,gen #ag3a74 ',the eternal ,god is thy refuge' 7,deut #cc3bg74 ',now unto the ,king eternal1 immortal1 invisible1 the only wise ,god1 be honour and glory for ever and ever' 7#a ,tim #a3ag1 see also ,job #aa3g2 ,rom #aa3cc74 #c4 ,i believe1 that this ,god is unspeakably perfect in all his attributes of power1 wisdom1 justice1 truth1 holiness1 mercy1 love1 c4 his power is said to be eternal 7,rom #a3bj71 his understanding and wisdom infinite 7,psa #adg3e72 he is called the just ,lord in opposition to all things 7,zeph #c3e74 ,he is said to be truth itself and the ,god thereof 7#b ,thess #b3aj2 ,deut #cb3d74 ,there is none holy as the ,lord4 ',god is love4' ',canst thou by searching find out ,god8 canst thou find out the ,almighty unto perfection8' 7,job #aa3g74 #d4 ,i believe1 that in the ,godhead1 there are three persons or subsistances4 ',there are three that bear record in heaven3 the ,father1 the ,word1 and the ,holy ,ghost' 7#a ,john #e3g1 see also ,gen #a3bf1 #c3bb1 #aa3g2 ,isa #f3h74 #e4 ,i believe1 that these three are in nature1 essence1 and eternity1 equally one4 ',these three are one' 7#a ,john #e3g74 #f4 ,i believe1 that there is 'a world to come' 7,heb #b3e1 #f3e74 #g4 ,i believe1 that there shall be 'a resurrection of the dead1 both of the just and unjust' 7,acts #bd3ae74 ',many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake1 some to everlasting life1 and some to shame and everlasting contempt' 7,dan #ab3b74 ',marvel not at this3 for the hour is coming1 in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice1 and shall come forth2 they that have done good1 unto the resurrection of life2 and they that have done evil1 unto the resurrection of damnation' 7,john #e3bh74 #h4 ,i believe1 that they that 'shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world1 and the resurrection from the dead1 neither marry nor are given in marriage3 neither can they die any more3 for they are equal unto the angels2 and are the children of ,god1 being the children of the resurrection' 7,luke #bj3cd-cf1 see also ,john #aj3bg-bi2 ,rev #g3af1 #bj3f74 #i4 ,i believe1 that those that die impenitent1 shall be tormented with the devil and his angels1 and shall be cast with them into 'the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone' 7,rev #ba3h74 ',where their worm dieth not1 and the fire is not quenched' 7,mark #i3dc1dh1 see also ,matt #be3da1df2 ,john #e3bi74 #aj4 ,i believe1 that because ,god is naturally holy and just1 even1 as he is good and merciful2 therefore1 all having sinned1 none can be saved1 without the means of a redeemer4 ',then he is gracious unto him1 and saith1 ,deliver him from going down to the pit3 ,i have found a ransom' 7,job #cc3bd74 ',we have redemption through his blood1 even the forgiveness of sins' 7,col #a3ad74 ,for which 'without shedding of blood1 is no remission' 7,heb #i3bb74 #aa4 ,i believe that ,jesus ,christ our ,lord himself is the redeemer4 ',they remembered that ,god was their rock1 and the high ,god their redeemer' 7,psa #gh3ce74 ',forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things1 as silver and gold1 from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers2 but with the precious blood of ,christ1 as of a lamb without blemish1 and without spot' 7#a ,peter #a3ah1ai74 #ab4 ,i believe1 that the great reason why the ,lord1 the second person in the ,godhead1 did clothe himself with our flesh and blood1 was that he might be capable of obtaining the redemption1 that before the world1 was intended for us4 ',forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood1 he also himself likewise took part of the same2 mark that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death1 that is1 the devil2 and deliver them who through fear of death1 were all their lifetime subject to bondage' 7,heb #b3ad1ae74 ',when the fulness of time was come1 ,god sent forth his ,son1 made of a woman1 made under the law1 to redeem them that were under the law' 7,gal #d3d1e74 ',wherefore it behoved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren1 and that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to ,god1 to make reconciliation for the sins of the people4 ,for in that he himself hath suffered being tempted1 he is able to succour them that are tempted' 7,heb #b3ag1ah74 ',christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law1 being made a curse for us3 for it is written1 ,cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree3 ,that the blessing of ,abraham might come on the ,gentiles through faith in ,jesus ,christ' 7,gal #c3ac1ad74 #ac4 ,i believe1 that the time when he clothed himself with our flesh1 was in the days of the reign of ,caesar ,augustus2 then1 ,i say1 and not till then1 was the ,word 'made flesh1' or clothed with our nature 7,john #a3ad2 #a ,tim #c3af74 ',and it came to pass in those days1 that there went out a decree from ,caesar ,augustus1 that all the world should be taxed4 ,and ,joseph also went up from ,galilee1 out of the city of ,nazareth1 into ,judea1 unto the city of ,david1 which is called ,bethlehem2 7because he was of the house and lineage of ,david37 ,to be taxed with ,mary his espoused wife1 being great with child4 ,and so it was1 that1 while they were there1 the days were accomplished that she should be delivered' 7,luke #b3a1d-f74 ,this child was he of whom godly ,simeon was told by the ,holy ,ghost1 when he said1 ,that he should not see death until he had seen the ,lord's ,christ 7vv #be-bg74 #ad4 ,i believe1 therefore1 that this very child1 as afore is testified1 is both ,god and man2 the ,christ of the living ,god4 ',and she brought forth her firstborn son1 and wrapped him in swaddling clothes1 and laid him in a manger2 because there was no room for them in the inn4 ,and there were in the same country shepherds--keeping watch over their flock by night4 ,and1 lo1 the angel of the ,lord came upon them1 and the glory of the ,lord shone round about them3 and they were sore afraid4 ,and the angel said unto them1 ,fear not3 for1 behold1 ,i bring you good tidings of great joy1 which shall be to all people4 ,for unto you is born this day in the city of ,david a ,saviour1 which is ,christ the ,lord4 ,and this shall be a sign unto you2 ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger' 7,luke #b3g-ab74 ,again1 ',but while he thought on these things1 behold1 the angel of the ,lord appeared unto him2--saying1 ,joseph1 thou son of ,david1 fear not to take unto thee ,mary thy wife3 for that which is conceived in her is of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,and she shall bring forth a son1 and thou shalt call his name ,,jesus3 for he shall save his people from their sins4 ,now all this was done1 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the ,lord by the prophet1 saying1 ,behold1 a virgin shall be with child1 and shall bring forth a son1 and they shall call his name ,emmanuel1 which being interpreted is1 ,god with us' 7,matt #a3ba1bb74 #ae4 ,i believe1 therefore1 that the righteousness1 and redemption1 by which we that believe1 stand just before ,god1 as saved from the curse of the law1 is the righteousness1 and redemption1 that consists in the personal acts and performances of this child ,jesus2 this ,god-man the ,lord's ,christ3 it consisteth1 ,i say1 in his personal fulfilling the law for us1 to the utmost requirement of the justice of ,god4 ',think not saith he that ,i am come to destroy the law1 or the prophets3 ,i am not come to destroy1 but to fulfil' 7,matt #e3ag74 ,by which means he became 'the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth' 7,rom #aj3d74 ',for what the law could not do1 in that it was weak through the flesh1 ,god sending his own ,son in the likeness of sinful flesh1 and for sin1 condemned sin in the flesh' 7,rom #h3c74 ,so finishing transgressions1 and making an end of sins1 and making reconciliation for iniquity1 ,he brought in everlasting righteousness 7#a ,john #c3h2 #b ,tim #a3i2 ,heb #aj3e-aj2 ,dan #i3bd74 #af4 ,i believe1 that for the completing of this work1 he was always sinless 7,heb #d3ae72 did always the things that pleased ,god's justice 7,john #h3bi71 that every one of his acts1 both of doing and suffering1 and rising again from the dead1 was really and infinitely perfect1 being done by him as ,god-man 7,heb #g3bf-bh73 wherefore his acts before he died1 are called1 'the righteousness of ,god' 7,rom #c3ba1bb71 his blood1 'the blood of ,god' 7,acts #bj3bh71 and 'hereby perceive we the love of ,god1 because he laid down his life for us' 7#a ,john #c3af74 ,the ,godhead which gave virtue to all the acts of the human nature1 was then in perfect union with it1 when he hanged upon the cross for our sins 7,acts #aj3cf2 ,john #bj3bh2 ,rom #a3d74 #ag4 ,i believe then1 that the righteousness that saveth the sinner from the wrath to come1 is properly and personally ,christ's1 and ours but as we have union with him2 ,god by grace imputing it to us4 ',yea doubtless1 and ,i count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of ,christ ,jesus my ,lord3 for whom ,i have suffered the loss of all things1 and do count them but dung that ,i may win ,christ1 and be found in him1 not having mine own righteousness1 which is of the law1 but that which is through the faith of ,christ1 the righteousness which is of ,god by faith' 7,phil #c3h1i74 ',but of him are ye in ,christ ,jesus1 who of ,god is made unto us wisdom1 and righteousness1 and sanctification1 and redemption' 7#a ,cor #a3cj74 ',for he hath made him to be sin for us1 who knew no sin2 that we might be made the righteousness of ,god in him' 7#b ,cor #e3ba7 ',,in the ,,lord have ,i righteousness and strength' 7,isa #de3bd74 #ah4 ,i believe1 that ,god1 as the reward of ,christ's undertakings for us1 hath exalted him to his own right-hand1 as our mediator1 and given him a name above every name2 and hath made him ,lord of all1 and judge of quick and dead3 and all this that we who believe might take courage to believe1 and hope in ,god 7,eph #a3ag-bb74 ',and being found in fashion as a man1 he humbled himself--unto death1 even the death of the cross1 where he died for our sins4 ,wherefore ,god also hath highly exalted him2 and given him a name--above every name3 ,that at the name of ,jesus every knee should bow1 of things heaven1 and things in earth1 and things under the earth2 ,and that every tongue should confess that ,jesus ,christ is ,lord1 to the glory of ,god the ,father' 7,phil #b3h-aa74 ',and he commanded us to preach unto the people1 and to testify that it is he which was ordained of ,god to be the ,judge of quick and dead' 7,acts #aj3db1 #ag3ca74 ',who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world1 but was manifest in these last times for you1 who by him do believe in ,god that raised him up from the dead1 and gave him glory2 that your faith and hope might be in ,god' 7#a ,peter #a3ai-ba74 #ai4 ,i believe1 that being at the right hand of ,god in heaven1 he doth there effectually exercise the offices of his excellent priesthood1 and mediatorship1 presenting himself continually before ,god1 in the righteousness which is accomplished for us1 when he was in the world4 ,for by the efficacy of his blood1 he not only went into the holy place1 but being there1 and having by it obtained eternal redemption for us2 now1 as receiving the worth and merit thereof from the ,father2 doth bestow upon us grace1 repentance1 faith1 and the remission of sins3 yea he also received for us1 the ,holy ,ghost to be sent unto us1 to ascertain#d us of our adoption and glory3 ',for if he were on earth1 he should not be a priest' 7,heb #h3d74 ',seeing then that we have a great high priest1 that is passed into the heavens1 ,jesus the ,son of ,god1 let us hold fast our profession' 7,heb #d3ad74 ',for there is one ,god1 and one mediator between ,god and men1 the man ,christ ,jesus' 7#a ,tim #b3e74 ,for 'by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place1 having obtained eternal redemption for us4--,for ,christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands1 which are the figures of the true2 but into heaven itself1 now to appear in the presence of ,god for us' 7,heb #i3ab1bd74 ',therefore being by the right hand of ,god exalted1 and having received of the ,father the promise of the ,holy ,ghost1 he hath shed forth this1 which ye now see and hear' 7,acts #b3bc1 #e3ca74e #bj4 ,i believe1 that being there1 he shall so continue till the restitution of all things1 and then he shall come again in glory1 and shall sit in judgment upon all flesh4 ,and ,i believe1 that according to his sentence so shall their judgment be4 ',repent ye therefore and be converted1 that your sins may be blotted out1 when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the ,lord2 and he shall send ,jesus ,christ1 which before was preached unto you3 whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things1--spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began' 7,acts #c3ai-ba74 ,for 'this same ,jesus1 which is taken up from you into heaven1 shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heave' 7,acts #a3aa74 ',for the ,lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout1 with the voice of the archangel1 and with the trump of ,god'2 c4 7#a ,thess #d3af74 ',when the ,son of man shall come in his glory1 and all the holy angels with him1 then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory3 ,and before him shall be gathered all nations3 and he shall separate them one from another1 as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats4 ,and he shall set the sheep on his right hand1 but the goats on the left4 ,then shall the king say unto them on his right hand1 ,come1 ye blessed of my ,father1 inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world4 ,then shall he say also unto them on the left hand1 ,depart from me1 ye cursed1 into everlasting fire1 prepared for the devil and his angels3 ,and these shall go away into everlasting punishment3 but the righteous into life eternal' 7,matt #be3ca-cc1da1df74 ,for 'the day of the ,lord will come as a thief in the night1 in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise1 and the elements shall melt with fervent heat1 the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up4 ,seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved1 what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness1 looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of ,god1 wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved1 and the elements shall melt with fervent heat' 7#b ,peter #c3aj-ab74 #ba4 ,i believe that when he comes1 his saints shall have a reward of grace1 for all their work and labour of love which they showed to his name in the world4 ',and every man shall receive his own reward1 according to his own labour' 7#a ,cor #c3h74 ',and then shall every man have praise of ,god' 7#d3e74 ',and behold1 ,i come quickly2 and my reward is with me1 to give every man according as his work shall be' 7,rev #bb3ab74 ',therefore1 my beloved brethren1 be ye stedfast1 unmovable1 always abounding in the work of the ,lord1 forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the ,lord' 7#a ,cor #ae3eh74 ',knowing that of the ,lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance3 for ye serve the ,lord ,christ' 7,col #c3bd74 ,how ,christ is made ours2 or by what means this or that man1 hath that benefit by him1 as to stand just before ,god now1 and in the day of judgment4 ,of ,justification4 #a4 ,i believe1 we being sinful creatures in ourselves1 that no good thing done by us1 can procure of ,god the imputation of the righteousness of ,jesus ,christ4 ,but that the imputation thereof is an act of grace1 a free gift without our deserving4 ',being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in ,christ ,jesus' 7,rom #c3bd1 #e3ag74 ',who hath saved us1 and called us with an holy calling1 not according to our works1 but according to his own purpose and grace1 which was given us in ,christ ,jesus' 7#b ,tim #a3i74 #b4 ,i believe also1 ,that the power of imputing righteousness resideth only in ,god by ,christ3 #a4 ,sin being the transgression of the law4 #b4 ,the soul that hath sinned being his creature1 and the righteousness also his1 and his only4 ',even as ,david also describeth the blessedness of the man1 unto whom ,god imputeth righteousness without works1 saying1 ,blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven1 and whose sins are covered4 ,blessed is the man to whom the ,lord will not impute sin' 7,rom #d3f-h74 ,hence therefore it is said again1 ,that men 'shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness1 and shall sing of thy righteousness' 7,psa #ade3g74 ',for he saith to ,moses1 ,i will have mercy on whom ,i will have mercy1 and ,i will have compassion on whom ,i will have compassion4 ,so then it is not of him that willeth1 nor of him that runneth1 but of ,god that showeth mercy' 7,rom #i3ae1af74 #c4 ,i believe1 that the offer of this righteousness1 as tendered in the gospel1 is to be received by faith2 we still in the very act of receiving it1 judging ourselves sinners in ourselves4 ',oh wretched man that ,i am6 who shall deliver me from the body of this death8 ,i thank ,god through ,jesus ,christ' 7,rom #g3bd1be74 ',believe on the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and thou shalt be saved' 7,acts #af3ca74 ,the gospel is preached in all nations for the obedience of faith4 ',being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in ,christ ,jesus2 whom ,god hath set forth to be a propitiation1 a sacrifice to appease the displeasure of ,god through faith in his blood4 ,to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of ,god2 to declare ,i say1 at this time his righteousness3 that he might be just1 and the justifier of him which believeth on ,jesus' 7,rom #c3bd-bf74 ',be it known unto you therefore1 men and brethren1 that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins3 ,and by him all that believe are justified from all things1 from which ye could not be justified by the law of ,moses' 7,acts #ac3ch1ci74 #d4 ,i believe1 that this faith1 as it respecteth the imputation of this righteousness1 for justification before ,god1 doth put forth itself in such acts1 as purely respect the offer of a gift4 ,it receiveth1 accepteth of1 embraceth1 or trusteth to it4 ',as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of ,god1 even to them that believe on his name' 7,john #a3ab74 ',this is a faithful saying1 and worthy of all acceptation1 that ,christ ,jesus came into the world to save sinners2 of whom ,i am chief' 7#a ,tim #a3ae2 ,heb #aa3ac74 ',in whom ye also trusted1 after that ye heard the word of truth1 the gospel of your salvation3 ,in whom also after that ye believed1 ye were sealed with that holy spirit of promise' 7,eph #a3ac74 ,i believe therefore1 that as to my justification from the curse of the law1 ,i am1 as ,i stand in myself1 ungodly1 to receive1 accept of1 embrace1 and trust to the righteousness1 that is already provided by1 and wrapt up in the personal doings and sufferings of ,christ2 it being faith in that1 and that only1 that can justify a sinner in the sight of ,god4#f #e4 ,i believe1 that the faith that so doth1 is not to be found with any but those1 in whom the ,spirit of ,god by mighty power doth work it3 all others being fearful and incredulous1 dare not venture their souls and eternity upon it4 ,and hence it is called the faith that is wrought by the exceeding great and mighty power of ,god2 the faith of the operation of ,god4 ,and hence it is that others are said to be fearful1 and so unbelieving4 ,these with other ungodly sinners must have their part in the lake of fire 7,eph #a3ah1ai2 ,col #b3ab2 ,eph #b3h2 ,phil #a3ai2 ,rev #ba3h74 #f4 ,i believe1 that this faith is effectually wrought in none1 but those which before the world were appointed unto glory4 ',and as many as were ordained unto eternal life believed' 7,acts #ac3dh74 ',that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy1 which he had afore prepared unto glory' 7,rom #i3bc74 ',we give thanks to ,god always for you all1 making mention of you in our prayers2 remembering without ceasing your work of faith1 and labour of love1 and patience of hope in our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 in the sight of ,god2--knowing1 brethren beloved1 your election of ,god' 7#a ,thess #a3b-d74 ,but of the rest he saith1 'ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep1 as ,i said' 7,john #aj3bf71 which latter words relate to the #afth verse1 which respecteth the election of ,god4 ',therefore they could not believe1 because that ,esaias said again1 ,he hath blinded their eyes1 and hardened their heart2 that they should not see with their eyes1 nor understand with their heart1 and ,i should heal them' 7,john #ab3ci1dj74 ,of ,election4 #a4 ,i believe that election is free and permanent1 being founded in grace1 and the unchangeable will of ,god4 ',even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace4 ,and if by grace1 then it is no more of works3 otherwise grace is no more grace4 ,but if it be of works1 then is it no more of grace3 otherwise work is no more work' 7,rom #aa3e1f74 ',nevertheless the foundation of ,god standeth sure1 having this seal1 the ,lord knoweth them that are his' 7#b ,tim #b3ai74 ',in whom also we have obtained an inheritance1 being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will' 7,eph #a3aa74 #b4 ,i believe1 that this decree1 choice or election1 was before the foundation of the world2 and so before the elect themselves1 had being in themselves3 ,for ',god who quickeneth the dead1 and calleth those things which be not as though they were' 7,rom #d3ag71 stays not for the being of things1 to determine his eternal purpose by2 but having all things present to him1 in his wisdom1 he made his choice before the world was 7,eph #a3d2 #b ,tim #a3i74 #c4 ,i believe1 that the decree of election is so far off from making works in us foreseen1 the ground or cause of the choice3 that it containeth in the bowels of it1 not only the persons1 but the graces that accompany their salvation4 ,and hence it is1 that it is said2 we are predestinated 'to be conformed to the image of his ,son' 7,rom #h3bi72 not because we are1 but 'that we ,,should be holy and without blame before him in love' 7,eph #a3d74 ',for we are his workmanship1 created in ,christ ,jesus unto good works1 which ,god hath before ordained that we should walk in them' 7,eph #b3aj74 ,he blessed us according as he chose us in ,christ4 ,and hence it is again that the salvation and calling of which we are now made partakers1 is no other than what was given us in ,christ ,jesus before the world began2 according to his eternal purpose which he purposed in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord 7,eph #c3h-aa2 #b ,tim #a3i2 ,rom #h3bi74 #d4 ,i believe that ,christ ,jesus is he in whom the elect are always considered1 and that without him there is neither election1 grace1 nor salvation4 ',having predestinated us unto the adoption of children1 by ,jesus ,christ to himself1 according to the good pleasure of his will1 to the praise of the glory of his grace3 wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved4 ,in whom we have redemption through his blood1 the forgiveness of sins1 according to the riches of his grace4--,that in the dispensation of the fulness of times1 he might gather together in one all things in ,christ1 both which are in heaven1 and which are in earth1 even in him' 7,eph #a3e-g1aj74 ',neither is there salvation in any other3 for there is none other name under heaven given among men1 whereby we must be saved' 7,acts #d3ab74 #e4 ,i believe1 that there is not any impediment attending the election of ,god1 that can hinder their conversion1 and eternal salvation4 ',moreover whom he did predestinate1 them he also called3 and whom he called1 them he also justified3 and whom he justified1 them he also glorified4 ,what shall we then say to these things8 ,if ,god be for us1 who can be against us8--,who shall lay any thing to the charge of ,god's elect8 ,it is ,god that justifieth4 ,who is he that condemneth8' c4 7,rom #h3cj-ce74 ',what then8 ,israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for2 but the election hath obtained it1 and the rest were blinded' 7,rom #aa3g74 ',for ,israel hath not been forsaken1 nor ,judah of his ,god1 of the ,,lord of hosts3 though their land was filled with sin1 against the holy one of ,israel' 7,jer #ea3e74 ,when ,ananias made intercession against ,saul1 saying1 ',lord1 ,i have heard by many of this man1 how much evil he hath done to thy saints at ,jerusalem3 and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name4' ,what said ,god unto him8 ',go thy way1 for he is a chosen vessel unto me1 to bear my name before the ,gentiles1 and kings1 and the children of ,israel' 7,acts #i3ab1ae74 #f4 ,i believe that no man can know his election1 but by his calling4 ,the vessels of mercy1 which ,god afore prepared unto glory1 do thus claim a share therein3 ',even us1 say they1 whom he hath called1 not of the ,jews only1 but also of the ,gentiles8 ,as he saith also in ,hosea2 ,i will call them my people1 which were not my people1 and her beloved1 which was not beloved' 7,rom #i3bd1be74 #g4 ,i believe therefore1 that election doth not forestal or prevent the means which are of ,god appointed to bring us to ,christ1 to grace and glory2 but rather putteth a necessity upon the use and effect thereof2 because they are chosen to be brought to heaven that way3 that is1 by the faith of ,jesus ,christ1 which is the end of effectual calling4 ',wherefore the rather1 brethren1 give diligence to make your calling and election sure' 7#b ,peter #a3aj2 #b ,thess #b3ac2 #a ,peter #a3ab74 ,of ,calling4 ,i believe1 that to effectual calling1 the ,holy ,ghost must accompany the word of the gospel1 and that with mighty power3 ,i mean that calling1 which of ,god is made to be the fruit of electing love4 ',knowing1' saith ,paul to the ,thessalonians1 'brethren beloved1 your election of ,god4 ,for our gospel came not unto you in word only1 but also in power1 and in the ,holy ,ghost1 and in much assurance1' c4 7#a ,thess #a3d1e74 ,otherwise men will not1 cannot1 hear and turn4 ,samuel was called four times1 before he knew the voice of him that spake from heaven 7#a ,sam #c3-faj74 ,it is said of them in ,hosea1 ,that as the prophets called them so they went from them2 and instead of turning to them1 'sacrificed to ,baalim1 and burned incense to graven images' 7,hosea #aa3b74 ,the reason is1 because men by nature are not only dead in sins1 but enemies in their minds by reason of wicked works3 the call then is1 ',awake thou that sleepest1 and arise from the dead1 and ,christ shall give thee light' 7,eph #e3ad74 ,understand1 therefore1 that effectual calling is like that word of ,christ that raised ,lazarus from the dead2 a word attended with an arm that was omnipotent4 ',lazarus1 come forth' 7,john #aa3dc74 ,it was a word to the dead2 but not only so3 it was a word for the dead2 a word that raised him from the dead2 a word that outwent all opposition2 and that brought him forth of the grave1 though bound hand and foot therein 7,gal #a3ae74 ,and hence it is1 that calling is sometimes expressed by quickening 7,eph #b3a1b71 awakening1 illuminating1 or bringing them forth of darkness to light1 that amazeth and astonisheth them 7,heb #aj3cb2 ,acts #i3f74 ,for as it is a strange thing for a man that lay long dead1 or never saw the light with his eyes1 to be raised out of the grave1 or to be made to see that which he could not so much as once think of before1 so it is with effectual calling4 ,hence it is that ,paul1 when called1 stood 'trembling and was astonished'3 and that ,peter saith1 'he hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light' 7#a ,peter #b3i2 ,eph #d3bd2 ,acts #i3f74 ,in effectual calling the voice of ,god is heard1 and the gates of heaven are opened3#g when ,god called ,abraham1 he appeared to him in glory4 ,that of ,ananias to ,saul is experienced but by few4 ',the ,god of our fathers hath chosen thee1 saith he1 that thou shouldest know his will1 and see that just one1 and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth' 7,acts #bb3ad74 ,true1 ,saul's call was out of the ordinary way1 but yet as to the matter1 and truth of the work1 it was no other than all the chosen have1 viz4 7#a47 ,an effectual awakening about the evil of sin2 and especially of unbelief 7,john #af3i74 ,and therefore when the ,lord ,god called ,adam1 he also made unto him an effectual discovery of sin2 insomuch that he stript him of all his righteousness 7,gen #c74 ,thus he also served the gaoler 7,acts #af3bi1cj74 ,yea it is such an awakening1 as by it1 he sees he was without ,christ1 without hope1 and a stranger to the commonwealth of ,israel1 'and without ,god in the world' 7,eph #b3ab74 ,oh the dread and amazement that the guilt of sin brings with it1 when it is revealed by the ,god of heaven2 and like to it is the sight of mercy1 when it pleaseth ,god1 who calleth us by his grace1 to reveal his ,son in us4 7#b47 ,in effectual calling there is great awakenings about the world to come1 and the glory of unseen things2 the resurrection of the dead1 and eternal judgment2 the salvation that ,god hath prepared for them that love him2 with the blessedness that will attend us1 and be upon us1 at the coming of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 are great things in the soul that is under the awakening calls of ,god4 ,and hence we are said to be called to glory 7#a ,thess #b3ab74 ',to the obtaining of the glory of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ' 7#b ,thess #b3ad74 7#c47 ,in effectual calling there is also a sanctifying virtue2 and hence we are said to be called with an holy calling 7#a ,thess #d3g71 with an 'heavenly calling' 7,heb #c3a74 ,called to glory and virtue4 ',but ye are a chosen generation1 a royal priesthood1 an holy nation1 a peculiar people2 that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light' 7#a ,peter #b3i74 ,yea1 effectual calling hath annexed to it1 as its inseparable companion1 the promise of thorough sanctification4 ',faithful is he that calleth you1 who also will do it' 7#a ,thess #e3bd74 ,of ,faith4 ,i believe1 that effectual calling doth therefore produce1 #a4 ,,faith2 and therefore it is said1 that 'faith cometh by hearing' 7,rom #aj3ag72 by hearing the word that calleth us 'unto the grace of ,christ' 7,gal #a3f74 ,for by the word that calleth us1 is ,jesus ,christ held forth to us2 and offered to be our righteousness2 and therefore the apostle saith again1 that ,god hath called us 'unto the fellowship of his ,son ,jesus ,christ' 7#a ,cor #a3i72 that is1 to be made partakers of the riches of grace1 and the righteousness that is in him4 #b4 ,it produceth hope4 ,it giveth a ground to hope2 and therefore hope is said to be the hope of our calling 7,eph #a3ah74 ,and again1 ',even as ye are called in one hope of your calling' 7,eph #d3d74 ,now the godly wise know1 whoso misseth of effectual calling1 misseth of eternal life2 because ,god justifieth none but them whom he calleth2 and glorifies none but those whom he justifies3 and therefore it is that ,peter said before1 ',make your calling1 and so your election sure'3 make it sure1 that is1 prove your calling right1 by the word of ,god4 ,for whoso staggereth at the certainty of his calling1 cannot comfortably hope for a share in eternal life4 ',remember the word unto thy servant1 upon which thou hast caused me to hope4 ,my soul fainteth for thy salvation1 but ,i hope in thy word' 7,psa #aai3di1ha74 #c4 ,it produceth repentance2 for when a man hath heaven and hell before his eyes 7as he will have if he be under the power of effectual calling7 or when a man hath a revelation of the mercy and justice of ,god1 with an heart-drawing invitation to lay hold on the tender forgiveness of sins2 and being made also to behold the goodly beauty of holiness2 it must needs be1 that repentance appears1 and puts forth itself1 unto self-revenging acts1 for all its wickedness which in the days of ignorance it delighted in4 ,and hence is that saying1 ',i came not to call the righteous1 but sinners to repentance' 7,mark #b3ag74 ,for the effecting of which1 the preaching of the word of the kingdom1 is most proper3 ',repent3 for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' 7,matt #d3ag74 ,of ,repentance4 ,repentance is a turning the heart to ,god in ,christ3 a turning of it from sin1 and the devil1 and darkness2 to the goodness1 and grace1 and holiness that is in him4 ,wherefore1 they that of old are said to repent1 are said to loath and abhor themselves1 for all their abominations4 ',i abhor myself1' said ,job1 'and repent in dust and ashes' 7,job #db3f1 see also ,eze #f3i1 #bj3dc1 #cf3ca1 #db3f1 #af3fc74 ,godly repentance doth not only affect the soul with the loathsome nature of sin that is past2 but filleth the heart with godly hatred of sins that yet may come4 ,when ,moses feared that through his being overburthened with the care of the children of ,israel1 some unruly or sinful passions might show themselves in him1 what saith he8 ',kill me1 ,i pray thee1 out of hand1 if ,i have found favour in thy sight1 and let me not see my wretchedness' 7,num #aa3ae74 ,see also how that which ,paul calleth godly repentance1 wrought in the upright ,corinthians1 ',behold1' saith he1 this self same thing1 that ye sorrowed after a godly sort1 what carefulness it wrought in you1 yea1 what clearing of yourselves1 yea1 what indignation1 yea1 what fear1 yea1 what vehement desire1 yea1 what zeal1 yea1 what revenge6 ,in all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter 7#b ,cor #g3aa74 ,of ,love4 ,it effectual calling produceth also love3 wherefore ,paul1 when he had put the church in remembrance that they were called of ,god1 adds1 ,that concerning brotherly love1 they had no need that he should write unto them 7#a ,thess #d3i74 ,as who should say1 ,if ,god be so kind to us1 to forgive us our sins1 to save our souls1 and to give us the kingdom of heaven2 let these be motives beyond all other to provoke us to love again4 ,farther1 if we that are thus beloved of ,god1 are made members of one man's body1 all partakers of his grace1 clothed all1 with his glorious righteousness1 and are together appointed to be the children of the next world2 why should we not love one another8 ',beloved1 if ,god so loved us1 we ought also to love one another' 7#a ,john #d3aa74 ,and truly so we shall1 if the true grace of ,god be upon us2 because we also see them to be the called of ,jesus4 ,travellers1 that are of the same country1 love and take pleasure one in another1 when they meet in a strange land4#h ,why1 we sojourn here in a strange country1 with them that are heirs together with us of the promised kingdom and glory 7,heb #aa3i74 ,now1 as ,i said1 this holy love worketh by love3 mark1 love in ,god and ,christ when discovered1 constraineth us to love one another 7#b ,cor #e3ad74 ,the name1 therefore1 and word1 and truth of ,god in ,christ1 together with the sincerity of grace1 of faith1 and holiness in us1 are the delightful objects of this love 7,psa #aai3dg1abg1acb1aei1 #e3aa1 #fi3cf1 #aja3f74 ,for it embraceth with delight and complacency1 but as it discerneth the image of ,god1 and of ,christ in the soul1 his presence in the ministry1 and a suitableness in our worship to the word and mind of ,christ 7,psa #bf3h1 #bg3d1 #hd3a-d2 #a ,thess #e3ac2 ,phil #a3c-g2 ,eph #d3cb74 ,love also hath a blessed faculty1 and heavenly1 in bearing and suffering afflictions1 putting up wrongs1 overlooking the infirmities of the brethren1 and in serving in all ,christian offices the necessities of the saints4 ',charity suffereth long and is kind2 charity envieth not2 charity vaunteth not itself1 is not puffed up1 doth not behave itself unseemly1 seeketh not her own1 is not easily provoked1 thinketh no evil2 rejoiceth not in iniquity1 but rejoiceth in the truth2 beareth all things1 believeth all things1 hopeth all things1 endureth all things4 ,charity never faileth' 7#a ,cor #ac3d-h1 also #a ,peter #d3h2 ,gal #e3ac74 ,in a word1 it designeth a holy conversation in this world2 that ,god1 and ,christ1 and the word of ,christ1 'may be glorified thereby' 7#b ,cor #aa3aj-ab2 #a ,peter #a3ab1 #c3af74 ,of the ,scriptures4 ,touching which word of ,god ,i thus believe and confess1 #a4 ,that all the holy scriptures are the words of ,god4 ',all scripture is given by inspiration of ,god' 7#b ,tim #c3af74 ,for the prophecy of the scripture came not in old time by the will of man3 but holy men of ,god spake as they were moved by the ,holy ,ghost 7#b ,peter #a3ba74 #b4 ,i believe that the holy scriptures1 of themselves1 without the addition of human inventions1 are able to make the man of ,god perfect in all things2 and 'thoroughly to furnish him unto all good works4' ,they are able 'to make thee wise unto salvation1 through faith which is in ,christ ,jesus' 7#b ,tim #c3ae74 ,and to instruct thee in all other things1 that either respect the worship of ,god1 or thy walking before all men 7#b ,tim #c3ag2 #b ,peter #a3ai-ba74 #c4 ,i believe the great end why ,god committed the scriptures to writing was2 that we might be instructed to ,christ1 taught how to believe 7#a ,john #e3ac71 and be encouraged to patience and hope1 for the grace that is to be brought unto us at the revelation of ,jesus ,christ 7,john #bj3ca2 ,rom #ae3d74 ,also that we might understand what is sin1 and how to avoid the commission thereof4 ',concerning the works of men said ,david by the word of thy lips1 ,i have kept me from the paths of the destroyer' 7,psa #ag3d74 ',through thy precepts ,i get understanding3 therefore ,i hate every false way' 7,psa #aai3ajd74 ',thy word have ,i hid in mine heart1 that ,i might not sin against thee' 7,psa #aai3aa74 #d4 ,i believe that they cannot be broken1 but will certainly be fulfilled in all the prophecies1 threatenings1 and promises1 either to the salvation or damnation of men4 ,they are like that flying roll1 that will go over all the earth to cut off and curse 7,ze #e3b-d74 ,in them is contained also the blessing1 they preach to us also the way of salvation 7,gal #c3h74 ',beware1 therefore1 lest that come upon you1 which is spoken of in the prophets2 ,behold1 ye despisers1 and wonder1 and perish3#i for ,i work a work in your days1 a work which ye shall in no wise believe1 though a man declare it unto you' 7,acts #ac3dj1da1 see also ,john #aj3ce1 #ab3cg-da1 #c3ag-ai74 #e4 ,i believe that ,jesus ,christ1 by the word of the scriptures1 will judge all men at the day of doom2 for that is the book of the law of the ,lord1 according to ,paul's gospel 7,john #ab3dd-ej2 ,rom #b3af74 #f4 ,i believe1 that this ,god 'made the world and all things that are therein' 7,acts #ag3bd71 for 'in six days the ,lord made heaven and earth1 the sea1 and all that in them is' 7,exo #bj3aa74 ,also1 that after the time of the making thereof1 he disposed of it to the children of men1 with a reserve thereof for the children of ,god1 that should in all ages be born thereunto4 ',when the ,most ,high divided to the nations their inheritance1 when he separated the sons of ,adam1 he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of ,israel' 7,deut #cb3h71 for as he 'made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth1 so he hath determined the times before appointed1 and the bounds of their habitation' 7,acts #ag3bf74 ,of ,magistracy4 ,i believe1 that magistracy is ,god's ordinance1 which he hath appointed for the government of the whole world2 and that it is a judgment of ,god1 to be without those ministers of ,god1 which he hath ordained to put wickedness to shame 7,ju #ah3g74 ',whosoever therefore resisteth the power1 resisteth the ordinance of ,god3 and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation4 ,for rulers are not a terror to good works1 but to the evil4 ,wilt thou not then be afraid of the power8 do that which is good1 and thou shalt have praise of the same3 for he is the minister of ,god to thee for good4 ,but if thou do that which is evil1 be afraid2 for he beareth not the sword in vain3 for he is the minister of ,god1 a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil4 ,wherefore ye must needs be subject1 not only for wrath1 but also for conscience sake4 ,for this cause pay ye tribute also3 for they are ,god's ministers1 attending continually upon this very thing' 7,rom #ac3b-f74 ,many are the mercies we receive1 by a well qualified magistrate1 and if any shall at any time be otherwise inclined1 let us shew our ,christianity in a patient suffering1 for well doing1 what it shall please ,god to inflict by them4#aj ,a ,,reason ,,of ,,my ,,practice ,,in ,,worship4 ,having thus made confession of my faith1 ,i now come to shew you my practice in worship1 with the reasons thereof4 ,the which ,i shall have occasion to touch1 under two distinct heads4 ,i4 ,with whom ,i dare not hold communion4 ,,ii4 ,with whom ,i dare4 ,only1 first1 note1 that by the word communion1 ,i mean fellowship in the things of the kingdom of ,christ1 or that which is commonly called church communion1 the communion of saints4 ,for in civil affairs1 and in things of this world that are honest1 ,i am not altogether tied up from the fornicators thereof 7#a ,cor #e3i1aj72 wherefore in my following discourse understand me in the first sense3--,now1 then1 ,,first1 ,i dare not have communion with them that profess not faith and holiness2 or that are not visible saints by calling3 but note1 that by this assertion1 ,i meddle not with the elect2 but as he is a visible saint by calling2 neither do ,i exclude the secret hypocrite1 if he be hid from me by visible saintship4 ,wherefore ,i dare not have communion with men from a single supposition1 that they may be elect1 neither dare ,i exclude the other from a single supposing that he may be a secret hypocrite4 ,i meddle not here with these things2 ,i only exclude him that is not a visible saint4 ,now he that is visibly or openly profane1 cannot be then a visible saint2 for he that is a visible saint must profess faith1 and repentance1 and consequently holiness of life3 and with none else dare ,i communicate4 ,first1 ,because ,god himself hath so strictly put the difference1 both by word and deed2 for from the beginning1 he did not only put a difference between the seed of the woman and the children of the wicked 7,gen #c3ae71 only the instinct of grace and change of the mind is his own1 but did cast out from his presence the father of all the ungodly1 even cursed ,cain1 when he shewed himself openly profane1 and banished him to go into the land of the runnagate1 or vagabond1 where from ,god's face1 and so the privileges of the communion of saints1 he was ever after hid 7,gen #d3h-af74 ,besides1 when after this1 through the policy of ,satan1 the children of ,cain1 and the seed of ,seth1 did commix themselves in worship1 and by that means had corrupted the way of ,god3 what followed1 but first1 ,god judged it wickedness1 raised up ,noah to preach against it1 and after that1 because they would not be reclaimed1 he brought the flood upon the whole world of these ungodly2 and saved only ,noah alive1 and his because he had kept himself righteous 7,gen #f3a-ac7aa4 ,here ,i could enlarge abundantly1 and add many more instances of a like nature1 but ,i am here only for a touch upon things4 ,second1 ,because it is so often commanded in the scriptures1 ,that all the congregation should be holy4 ',i am the ,lord your ,god3 ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves1 and ye shall be holy2 for ,i am holy' 7,lev #aa3dd74 ',ye shall be holy1 for ,i the ,lord your ,god am holy' 7#ai3b74 ',sanctify yourselves therefore1 and be ye holy3 for ,i am the ,lord your ,god' 7#bj3g2 #a ,peter #a3ae1af74 ,besides1 #a4 ,the gates of the temple were to be shut against all other4 ',open ye the gates1 that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in' 7,isa #bf3b74 ',this gate of the ,lord1 into which the righteous shall enter' 7,psa #aah3bj74 ',thus saith the ,lord ,god3 ,no stranger1 uncircumcised in heart1 nor uncircumcised in flesh1 shall enter into my sanctuary1 of any stranger that is among the children of ,israel' 7,eze #dd3i74 #b4 ,because the things of worship are holy2 ',be ye clean that bear the vessels of the ,lord' 7,isa #eb3aa74 #c4 ,because all the limits and bounds of communion are holy4 ',this is the law of the house2 ,upon the top of the mountain1 the whole limit thereof--shall be most holy4 ,behold1 this is the law of the house' 7,eze #dc3ab7ab4 ,third1 ,i dare not have communion with them2 because the example of ,new ,testament churches before us1 have been a community of visible saints4 ,paul1 to the ,romans1 writes thus3 ',to all that be in ,rome1 beloved of ,god1 called to be saints' 7#a3g74 ,and to the rest of the churches thus3 ',unto the church of ,god which is at ,corinth1 to them that are sanctified in ,christ ,jesus2 called to be saints' 7#a ,cor #a3b74 ',to the saints which are at ,ephesus1 and to the faithful in ,christ ,jesus' 7,eph #a3a74 ',to all the saints which are at ,philippi1 with the bishops and deacons' 7,phil #a3a74 ',to the saints and faithful brethren in ,christ which are at ,colosse' 7,col #a3b74 ',to the church of the ,thessalonians1 which is in ,god the ,father1 and in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1' c4 7#a ,thess #a3a74,thus you see under what denomination those persons went of old1 who were counted worthy to be members of a visible church of ,christ4 ,besides1 the members of such churches go under such characters as these4 7#a47 ',the called of ,christ ,jesus' 7,rom #a3f74 7#b47 ,men that have drank into the ,spirit of ,jesus ,christ 7#a ,cor #ab3ac74 7#c47 ,persons in whom was ,god the ,father 7,eph #d3f74 7#d47 ,they were all made partakers of the joy of the gospel 7,phil #a3g74 7#e47 ,persons that were circumcised inwardly 7,col #b3aa74 7#f47 ,persons that turned from idols to serve the living and true ,god 7#a ,thess #a3i74 7#g47 ,those that were the body of ,christ1 and members in particular1 that is1 those that were visibly such2 because they made profession of faith1 of holiness1 of repentance1 of love to ,christ1 and of self-denial1 at their receiving into fellowship4 ,fourth1 ,i dare not hold communion with the open profane4 7#a47 ,because it is promised to the church1 that she shall dwell by herself2 that is1 as she is a church1 and spiritual2 ,lo1 the people shall dwell alone1 and shall not be reckoned among the nations 7,num #bc3i74 7#b47 ,because this is their privilege4 ',but ye are a chosen generation1 a royal priesthood1 an holy nation1 a peculiar people2 that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light' 7#a ,peter #b3i1aj74 7#c47 ,because this is the fruit of the death of ,christ1 'who gave himself for us1 that he might redeem us from all iniquity1 and purify unto himself a peculiar people1 zealous of good works' 7,titus #b3ad74 7#d47 ,because this is the commandment3 ',save yourselves from this untoward generation' 7,acts #b3dj74 7#e47 ,because with such it is not possible we should have true and spiritual communion4 ,be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers3 for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness8 and what communion hath light with darkness8 ,and what concord hath ,christ with ,belial8 or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel8 ,and what agreement hath the temple of ,god with idols8 for ye are the temple of the living ,god1 as ,god hath said1 ,i will dwell in them and walk in them2 and ,i will be their ,god1 and they shall be my people4 ,wherefore come out from among them1 and be ye separate1 saith the ,lord1 and touch not the unclean thing2 and ,i will receive you1 and will be a ,father unto you1--saith the ,lord ,almighty 7#b ,cor #f3ad-ah74 ,fifth1 ,i dare not hold communion with the open profane4 ,because 7#a47 ,this would be ploughing with an ox1 and an ass together 7,deut #bb3aj73 heavenly persons suit best for communion in heavenly matters4 7#b47 ,it subjecteth not the nature of our discipline1 which is not forced1 but free1#ac in a professed subjection to the will and commandment of ,christ3 others being excluded by ,god's own prohibition 7,lev #a3c2 ,rom #f3ag2 #b ,cor #h3ab1 #i3g1ac1 #h3e74 ,paul also1 when he exhorteth ,timothy to follow after righteousness1 faith1 charity1 peace1 c41 7which are the bowels of church communion17 he saith1 do it 'with them that call on the ,lord1 out of a pure heart' 7#b ,tim #b3bb74 ,sixth1 ,in a word1 to hold communion with the open profane1 is most pernicious and destructive4 7#a47 ',twas the wicked multitude that fell a lusting1 and that tempted ,christ in the desert 7,num #aa3d74 7#b47 ,it was the profane heathen1 of whom ,israel learned to worship idols4 ,they 'were mingled among the heathen1 and learned their works4 ,and served their idols2 which were a snare unto them' 7,psa #ajf3ce1cf74 7#c47 ,it is the mingled people that ,god hath threatened to plague with those deadly punishments of his1 with which he hath threatened to punish ,babylon itself2 saying1 ,when a sword is upon her liars1 her mighty1 her chariots1 and treasures2 a sword also shall be upon the mingled people that are in the midst of her4 ,and no marvel3 for1 7#a47 ,mixed communion polluteth the ordinances of ,god4 ,say to the rebels1 saith the ,lord ,god1 ',let it suffice you of all your abominations1 in that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers1 uncircumcised in heart1 and uncircumcised in flesh1 to be in my sanctuary1 to pollute it1 even my house1 when ye offer my bread1 the fat and the blood1 and they have broken my covenant1 because of all your abominations' 7,eze #dd3f1g74 7#b47 ,it violateth he law4 ',her priests have violated my law1 and have profaned mine holy things3 how ,they have put no difference between the holy and profane1 neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean' 7,eze #bj3bf74 7#c47 ,it profaneth the holiness of ,god4 ',judah hath dealt treacherously1 and an abomination is committed in ,israel and in ,jerusalem2 for ,judah hath profaned the holiness of the ,lord which he loved1 and hath married the daughter of a strange god' 7,mal #b3aa74 7#d47 ,it defileth the truly gracious4 ',know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump8' 7#a ,cor #e3f74 ,look diligently therefore1 'lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you1 and thereby many be defiled' 7,heb #ab3ae74 ,lastly1 ,to conclude1 it provoketh ,god to punish with severe judgments3 ,and therefore heed well4 7#a47 ,as ,i said before1 ,the drowning of the whole world was occasioned by the sons of ,god commixing themselves with the daughters of men2 and the corruption of worship that followed thereupon 7,gen #f1 #g74 7#b47 ,he sent a plague upon the children of ,israel1 for joining themselves unto the people of ,moab2 and for following their abominations in worship 7,num #be3a-e2 ,josh #bb3ag73 and let no man think1 that now ,i have altered the state of the question3 for it is all one with the church to communicate with the profane2 and to sacrifice and offer their gifts to the devil 7,deut #cb3af-ai2 ,psa #ajf3cf-dj7ad3 the reason is1 because such have by their sin forsaken the protection of heaven1 and are given up to their own heart-lusts2 and left to be overcome of the wicked1 to whom they have joined themselves 7,deut #ab1 #g3a-f74 join not yourselves1 said ,god1 to the wicked1 neither in religion nor marriages2 ',for they will turn away thy son from following me1 that they may serve other gods3 so will the anger of the ,lord be kindled against you1 and destroy thee suddenly' 7,deut #g3e74 ',did not ,solomon king of ,israel sin by these things8 yet among many nations was there no king like him who was beloved of his ,god' 7,neh #ac3bf74 ,hear how ,paul handleth the point2 ',but ,i say1 that the things which the ,gentiles or openly profane sacrifice1 they sacrifice to devils1 and not to ,god2 and ,i would not that ye should have fellowship with devils4 ,ye cannot drink the cup of the ,lord1 and the cup of devils3 ,ye cannot be partakers of the table of the ,lord1 and of the table of devils4 ,do we provoke the ,lord to jealousy8 ,are we stronger than he8' 7#a ,cor #aj3bj-bb74 ,i conclude1 that therefore it is an evil1 and a dangerous thing to hold church communion with the openly profane and ungodly4 ,it polluteth his ordinances3 it violateth his law3 it profaneth his holiness3 it defileth his people2 and provoketh the ,lord to severe and terrible judgments4 ,object4 ,but we can prove in all ages that there have been the open profane in the church of ,god4 ,ans4 ,in many ages indeed it hath been so3 but mark1 they appeared not such1 when first they were received unto communion 7,exo #ab3dh71 neither were they with ,god's liking1 as such1 to be retained among them1 but in order to their admonition1 repentance and amendment of life3 of which1 if they failed1 ,god presently threatened the church2 and either cut them off from the church1 as he did the idolators1 fornicators1 murmurers1 tempters1 sabbath breakers2 with ,korah1 ,dathan1 ,achan1 and others 7#b ,cor #f2 #a ,cor #e2 ,exo #cb3be2 ,num #be3a-i1 #ba3e1f1 #ad3cg1 #af1 #ae3cb-cf2 ,josh #g2 #b ,kings #ag2 ,eze #bb1 #bc7 or else cut off them with the church and all1 as he served the ten tribes at one time1 and the two tribes at another4 ',my ,god will cast them away1 because they did not hearken unto him3 and they shall be wanderers among the nations' 7,hosea #i3ag74 ,i might here greatly enlarge1 but ,i intend brevity2 yet let me tell you1 that when ,nehemiah understood by the book of the law of the ,lord1 that the ,ammonite and the ,moabite should not come into the congregation of ,god3 ',they separated from ,israel all the mixed multitude' 7,neh #ac3a-c74 ,many have pleaded for the profane1 that they should abide in the church of ,god2 but such hath not considered1 that ,god's wrath at all times hath with great indignation been shewed against such offenders and their conceits4 ,indeed they like not for to plead for them under that notion1 but rather as ,korah1 and his company3 ',all the congregation are holy every one of them' 7,num #af3c74 ,but it maketh no matter by what name they are called2 if by their deeds they shew themselves openly wicked3 for names and notions sanctify not the heart and nature2 they make not virtues of vice1 neither can it save such advocates from the heavy curse both of ,god and men 7,prov #ag3ae1 #bd3bd74 ',the righteous men1 they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses1 and after the manner of women that shed blood2 because they are adulteresses1 and blood is in their hands' 7,eze #bc3de74 ,,second1 ,thus have ,i shewed you with whom ,i dare not have communion3 and now to shew you with whom ,i dare4 ,but in order thereto1 ,i desire you ,first1 ,to take notice2 ,that touching shadowish1 or figurative ordinances2 ,i believe that ,christ hath ordained but two in his church1 viz41 ,water baptism and the supper of the ,lord3 both which are of excellent use to the church in this world2 they being to us representations of the death and resurrection of ,christ2 and are1 as ,god shall make them1 helps to our faith therein4 ,but ,i count them not the fundamentals of our ,christianity1 nor grounds or rule to communion with saints3 servants they are1 and our mystical ministers1 to teach and instruct us in the most weighty matters of the kingdom of ,god3 ,i therefore here declare my reverent esteem of them2 yet dare not remove them1 as some do1 from the place and end1 where by ,god they are set and appointed2 nor ascribe unto them more than they were ordered to have in their first and primitive institution4 ,it is possible to commit idolatry even with ,god's own appointments3 but ,i pass this1 and come to the thing propounded4 ,second1 then1 ,i dare have communion1 church communion1 with those that are visible saints by calling3 with those that1 by the word of the gospel1 have been brought over to faith and holiness3 and it maketh no matter to me1 what their life was heretofore1 if they now be 'washed1' if they be 'sanctified1' if they be 'justified in the name of the ,lord ,jesus1 and by the ,spirit of our ,god' 7#a ,cor #f3aa74 ,now in order to the discovery of this faith and holiness1 and so to fellowship in church communion3 ,i hold it requisite that a faithful relation be made thereof by the party thus to be received2 yea1 if need be1 by witnesses also1 for the satisfaction of the church1 that she may receive in faith and judgment1 such as best shall suit her holy profession 7,acts #i3bf-bh2 #a ,cor #af3aj2 #b ,cor #h3bc74 ,observe it2 these texts do respect extraordinary officers2 and yet see1 that in order to their reception by the church1 there was made to them a faithful relation of the faith and holiness of those very persons2 for no man may intrude himself upon1 or thrust himself upon1 or thrust himself into a church of ,christ2 without the church have first the knowledge and liking of the person to be received3 if otherwise1 there is a door opened for all the heretics in the world2 yea1 for devils also if they appear in human shapes4 ,but ,paul shows you the manner of receiving1 by pleading 7after some disgrace thrown upon him by the false apostles7 for his own admission of his companions3 ',receive us1 saith he1 we have wronged no man1 we have corrupted no man2 we have defrauded no man' 7#b ,cor #g3b74 ,and so concerning ,timothy3 ',if ,timotheus come1 saith he1 see that he may be with you without fear3 for he worketh the work of the ,lord1 as ,i also do' 7#a ,cor #af3aj74 ,also1 when ,paul supposed that ,titus might be suspected by some2 see how he pleads for him3 ,if 'any do enquire of ,titus1 he is my partner and fellow-helper concerning you3 or our brethren be enquired of1 they are the messengers of the churches1 and the glory of ,christ' 7#b ,cor #h3bc74 ,phebe also1 when she was to be received by the church at ,rome2 see how he speaketh in her behalf3 ',i commend unto you ,phebe our sister1 which is a servant of the church which is sat ,cenchrea3 that ye receive her in the ,lord1 as becometh saints1 and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you2 for she hath been a succourer of many1 and of myself also' 7,rom #af3a1b74 ,yea1 when the apostles and brethren sent their epistles from ,jerusalem to ,antioch2 under what characters do those go1 that were the messengers to them8 ',it seemed good unto the ,holy ,ghost and to us1--to send chosen men unto you with our beloved ,barnabas and ,paul1 men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1' c4 7,acts #ae3be-bg74 ,now though the occasions upon which these commendations were written were not simply1 or only1 in order to church relation1 but also for other causes2 yet because the persons concerned were of the churches to be received as faithful1 and such who would partake of church privileges with them1 they have1 therefore1 their faith and faithfulness related to the churches1 as those that were particularly embodied there4 ,besides ,timothy and ,titus being extraordinary officers1 stood as members and officers in every church where they were received4 ,likewise ,barnabas and ,saul1 ,judas and ,silas1 abode as members and officers where they were sent4 ,it was requisite1 therefore1 that the letters of recommendation should be in substance the same with that relation that ought to be made to the church1 by or for the person that is to be embodied there4 ,but to return1 ,i ,,dare ,,have ,,communion1 ,,church ,,communion1 ,,with ,,those ,,that ,,are ,,visible ,,saints ,,by ,,calling4 ,quest4 ,but by what rule would you receive them into fellowship with yourselves8 ,ans4 ,even by a discovery of their faith and holiness1 and their declaration of willingness to subject themselves to the laws and government of ,christ in his church4 ,quest4 ,but do you not count that by water baptism1 and not otherwise1 that being the initiating and entering ordinance2 they ought to be received into fellowship8 ,ans4 ,no2 ,but tarry1 and take my sense with my word4 ,for herein lies the mistake1 ,to think that because in time past baptism was administered upon conversion1 that therefore it is the initiating and entering ordinance into church communion3 when by the word no such thing is testified of it4 ,besides1 that it is not so will be manifest1 if we consider the nature and power of such an ordinance4 ,that ordinance then1 that is1 the initiating or entering ordinance as before doth give to them that partake thereof a right to1 and a being of1 membership with that particular church by which it is administered4 ,i say1 a right to1 and a being of1 membership1 without the addition of another church act4 ,this is evident by the law of circumcision1 which was the initiating law of old2 for by the administration of that very ordinance1 the partaker thereof was forthwith a member of that congregation1 without the addition of another church act 7,gen #ag74 ,this is declared in its first institution1 and therefore it is called the token of the covenant4 ,the token or sign of righteousness1 of ,abraham's faith1 and of the visible membership of those that joined themselves to the church with him2 the very inlet into church communion that gave a being of membership among them4 ,and thus ,moses himself expounds it2 'every man's servant1 that is bought for money1 when thou hast circumcised him1 then shall eat' of the passover 7,exo #ab3dd71 without the addition of another church act1 to empower him thereunto2 his circumcision hath already given him a being there1 and so a right to1 and privilege in church relation3 ',a foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof1 because not circumcised4 ,and when a stranger shall sojourn with thee1 and will keep the passover to the ,,lord1 let all his males be circumcised1 and then let him come near and keep it2 ,for then he is one of the church and he shall be as one born in the land3 for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof' 7,exo #ab3dh74 ,neither could any other thing1 according to the law of circumcision1 give the devoutest person that breathed a being of membership with them4 ',he that is born in thy house1 and he that is bought with thy money1 must needs be circumcised3--and the uncircumcised man child1 whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised1 that soul shall be cut off from his people' 7,gen #ag3ac1ad74 ,note then1 that that which is the initiating ordinance admitteth none into church communion but these that first partake thereof4 ,the angel sought to kill ,moses himself1 for attempting to make his child a member without it 7,exo #d3bd-bf74 ,note again1 that as it admitteth of none to membership without it2 so as ,i said1 the very act of circumcising them1 without the addition of another church act1 gave them a being of membership with that very church1 by whom they were circumcised4 ,but none of this can be said of baptism4 ,first1 there is none debarred or threatened to be cut off from the church1 if they be not first baptized4 ,secondly1 ,neither doth it give to the person baptized a being of membership with this or that church1 by whose members he hath been baptized4 ,john gathered no particular church1 yet was he the first and great baptizer with water2 he preached ,christ to come1 and baptized with the baptism of repentance1 and left his disciples to be gathered by him 7,acts #ai3c-e74 ',and unto him shall the gathering of the people be' 7,gen #di3aj74 ,besides1 after ,christ's ascension1 ,philip baptized the eunuch1 but made him by that no member of any particular church14 ,we only read1 that ,philip was caught away from him1 and that the eunuch saw him no more1 but went on his way rejoicing to his master and country of ,ethiopia 7,acts #h3ce-dj74 ,neither was ,cornelius made a member of the church at ,jerusalem1 by his being baptized at ,peter's command at ,cesarea 7,acts #aj1 #aa74 ,neither were they that were converted at ,antioch1 by them that were scattered from the church at ,jerusalem1 by their baptism1 if they were baptized in water at all1 joined to the church at ,jerusalem 7,acts #aa3ai74 ,no1 they were after gathered and embodied among themselves by other church acts 7,acts #af74 ,what shall ,i say8 into what particular church was ,lydia baptized by ,paul1 or those first converts at ,philippi8 ,yea even in the second of the ,acts1 baptizing and adding to the church appear to be acts distinct3 but if baptism were the initiating ordinance1 then was he that was baptized made a member2 made a member of a particular church1 by the very act of water baptism4 ,neither ought any by ,god's ordinance to have baptized any1 but with respect to the admitting them by that act to a being of membership in this particular church4 ,for if it be the initiating ordinance1 it entereth them into the church3 ,what church8 ,into a visible church4 ,now there is no church visible but that which is particular2 the universal being utterly invisible1 and known to none but ,god4 ,the person then that is baptized stands by that a member of no church at all1 neither of the visible1 nor yet of the invisible4 ,a visible saint he is1 but not made so by baptism2 for he must be a visible saint before1 else he ought not to be baptized 7,acts #h3cg1 #i3ag1 #af3cc74 ,take it again2 ,baptism in water makes thee no member of the church1 neither particular nor universal3 neither doth it make thee a visible saint3 ,it therefore gives thee neither right to nor being of membership at all4 ,quest4 ,but why then were they baptized8 ,ans4 ,that their own faith by that figure might be strengthened in the death and resurrection of ,christ4 ,and that themselves might see1 that they have professed themselves dead1 and buried1 and risen with him to newness of life 7,col #b3ab2 ,rom #f3d74 ,it did not seal to the church that they were so 7their satisfaction as to that arose from better arguments7 but taught the party himself that he ought so to be4 ,farther1 it confirmed to his own conscience the forgiveness of sins1 if by unfeigned faith he laid hold upon ,jesus ,christ 7,gal #c3bf2 #a ,cor #ae3bi2 ,acts #b3ch1 #bb3af2 #a ,peter #c3ba74 ,now then1 if baptism be not the initiating ordinance1 we must seek for entering some other way1 by some other appointment of ,christ1 unless we will say that without rule1 without order1 and without an appointment of ,christ1 we may enter into his visible kingdom4 ,the church under the law had its initiating and entering ordinance3 it must not therefore be1 unless we should think that ,moses was more punctual and exact than ,christ1 but that also our ,lord hath his entering appointment4 ,now that which by ,christ is made the door of entrance into the church1 by that we may doubtless enter2 and seeing baptism is not that ordinance1 we ought not to seek to enter thereby1 but may with good conscience enter without it4 ,quest4 ,but by what rule then would you gather persons into church communion8 ,ans4 ,even by that rule by which they are discovered to the church to be visible saints2 and willing to be gathered into their body and fellowship4 ,by that word of ,god therefore1 by which their faith1 experience and conversation1 being examined1 is found good2 by that the church should receive them into fellowship with them4 ,mark2 not as they practice things that are circumstantial1 but as their faith is commended by a word of faith1 and their conversation by a moral precept4 ,wherefore that is observable1 that after ,paul had declared himself sound of faith1 he falls down to the body of the law3 ',receive us1 saith he1 we have wronged no man1 we have corrupted no man1 we have defrauded no man4' ,he saith not1 ,i am baptized1 but ,i have wronged no man1 c4 7#b ,cor #g3b1 see also #e3ah-ba74 ,and if churches after the confession of faith made more use of the ten commandments1 to judge of the fitness of persons by2 they might not exceed by this seeming strictness1 ,christian tenderness towards them they receive to communion4 ,i will say therefore1 that by the word of faith1 and of good works1 moral duties gospelized1 we ought to judge of the fitness of members by1 by which we ought also to receive them to fellowship3 ,for he that in these things proveth sound1 he hath the antitype of circumcision1 which was before the entering ordinance4 ',for he is not a ,jew1 which is one outwardly2 neither is that circumcision1 which is outward in the flesh4 ,but he is a ,jew1 which is one inwardly2 and circumcision is that of the heart1 in the spirit1--whose praise is not of men1 but of ,god' 7,rom #b3bh1bi3 ,phil #c3a-d74 ,now a confession of this by word and life1 makes this inward circumcision visible2 when you know him therefore to be thus circumcised1 you ought to admit him to the ,lord's passover3 he1 if any1 hath a share not only in church communion1 but a visible right to the kingdom of heaven4 ,again1 ',for the kingdom of ,god1 or our service to ,christ is not meat and drink1 but righteousness1 peace and joy in the ,holy ,ghost4 ,for he that in these things serveth ,christ1 is acceptable to ,god1 and approved of men' 7,rom #ad3ag1ah2 ,deut #bh3dg74 ,by which word ,righteousness1 he meaneth as ,james doth1 the royal law1 the perfect law1 which is the moral precept evangelized1 or delivered to us by the hand of ,christ 7,john #b3h4i74 ,the law was given twice on ,sinai3 the last time it was given with a proclamation of grace and mercy of ,god1 and of the pardon of sins going before 7,exo #ai1 #cd3a-aj74 ,the second giving is here intended2 for so it cometh after faith1 which first receiveth the proclamation of forgiveness2 hence we are said to do this righteousness in the joy and peace of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,now he that in these things serveth ,christ1 is accepted of ,god1 and approved of men4 ,for who is he that can justly find fault with him1 that fulfilleth the royal law from a principle of faith and love4 ',if ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture1 ,thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself1 ye do well'2 ye are approved of men4 ,again1 he that hath loved another hath fulfilled the law1 for love is the fulfilling of the law4 ,he then that serveth ,christ according to the royal law1 from faith and love going before1 he is a fit person for church communion2 ,god accepteth him1 men approve him4 ,now that the royal law is the moral precept1 read the place 7,john #b3h-ab74 ,it is also called the law of liberty1 because the bondage is taken away by forgiveness going before2 and this is it by which we are judged1 as is said1 meet or unmeet for church communion1 c4 ,therefore ,i say1 the rule by which we receive church-members1 it is the word of the faith of ,christ1 and of the moral precept evangelized1 as ,i said before1 ,i am 'under the law to ,christ1' saith ,paul 7#a ,cor #i3ba74 ,so when he forbiddeth us communion with men1 they be such as are destitute of the faith of ,christ1 and live in the transgression of a moral precept3 ',i have written unto you1 saith he1 not to keep company1 if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator1 or covetous1 or an idolater1 or a railer1 or a drunkard1 or an extortioner1 with such an one no not to eat' 7#a ,cor #e3aa74 ,he saith not1 if any man be not baptized in water1 have not hands laid on him1 or join with the unbaptized1 these are fictious1 scriptureless notions4 ',for this1 ,thou shalt not commit adultery1 ,thou shalt not kill1 ,thou shalt not steal1 thou shalt not bear false witness1 ,thou shalt not covet2 ,and if there be any other commandment1 it is briefly comprehended in this saying1 namely1 ,thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself4 ,love worketh no ill to his neighbour3 therefore love is the fulfilling of the law' 7,rom #ac3i1aj74 ,the word of faith1 and the moral precept1 is that which ,paul enjoins the ,galatians and ,philippians1 still avoiding outward circumstances3 hence therefore when he had to the ,galatians treated of faith1 he falls point blank upon moral duties4 ',for in ,christ ,jesus neither circumcision availeth anything1 nor uncircumcision1 but a new creature4 ,and as many as walk according to this rule1 peace be on them1 and mercy1 and upon the ,israel of ,god' 7,gal #f3ae1af74 ,as many as walk according to this rule3 ,what rule8 ,the rule by which men are proved new creatures3 ,the word of faith1 and the moral precept4 ,wherefore ,paul exhorteth the ,ephesians not to walk1 'as other ,gentiles1 in the vanity of their mind'2 seeing they had received ,christ1 and had 'heard him1 and had been taught by him as the truth is in ,jesus4' ,that they would put off the old man2 what is that8 ,why1 'the former conversation1' which is 'corrupt according to the deceitful lusts'2 lying1 anger1 sin1 giving place to the devil1 corrupt communication1 all bitterness1 wrath1 clamour1 evil-speaking1 with all malice4 ,and that they would 'put on the new man4' ,what is that8 ,that which is 'created in righteousness and true holiness'2 a being 'renewed in the spirit' of their mind1 and a putting away all these things 7,eph #d74 ',for in ,christ ,jesus'2 these words are put in1 on purpose to shew us the nature of ,new ,testament administrations1 and how they differ from the old4 ,in ,moses an outward conformity to an outward and carnal ordinance1 was sufficient to give 7they subjecting themselves thereto7 a being of membership with the ,jews2 but in ,christ ,jesus it is not so2 of ,abraham's flesh was the national ,jewish congregation2 but it is ,abraham's faith that makes ,new ,testament churches3 ,they that are of faith1 are the children of faithful ,abraham4 ,they that are of faith1 the same are the children of ,abraham 7,gal #c3g-i74 ,so then the seed being now spiritual1 the rule must needs be spiritual also1 viz4 ,the word of faith and holiness4 ,this is the gospel concision knife1 sharper than any two-edged sword2 and that by which ,new ,testament saints are circumcised in heart1 ears1 and lips4 ',for in ,christ ,jesus1' is no outward and circumstantial thing1 but the new creature2 none are subjects of the visible kingdom of ,christ but visible saints by calling3 now that which manifesteth a person to be a visible saint1 must be conformity to the word of faith and holiness4 ',and they that are ,christ's1 have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts' 7,gal #e3bd74 ,hearken how delightfully ,paul handleth the point3 ,the new creatures are the ,israel of ,god4 ,the new creature hath a rule by himself to walk by2 and as many as walk according to this rule1 peace be on them1 and mercy1 and upon the ,israel of ,god4 ,paul to the ,philippians commandeth as much2 where treating of his own practice in the doctrine of faith and holiness1 requireth them to walk by the same rule1 to mind the same thing4 ,i desire to be found in ,christ1 saith he1 ,i reach forward toward the things that are before2 my conversation is in heaven1 and flatly opposite to them whose ,god is their belly1 who glory in their shame1 and who mind earthly things4 ,brethren1 saith he1 'be followers together of me1 and mark them which walk so' 7,phil #c3ag74 ,mark them2 for what8 ,for persons that are to be received into fellowship1 and the choicest communion of saints4 ,and indeed this is the safest way to judge of the meetness of persons by3 for take away the confession of faith and holiness2 and what can distinguish a ,christian from a ,turk8 ,he that indeed receiveth faith1 and that squareth his life by the royal1 perfect1 moral precept2 and that walketh therein1 in the joy and peace of the ,holy ,ghost1 no man can reject him2 he cannot be a man if he object against him2 not a man in ,christ2 not a man in understanding4 ',the law is not made for a righteous man'2 neither to debar him the communion of saints if he desire it1 nor to cast him out if he were in4 ',but for the lawless and disobedient1 for the ungodly and for sinners1 for unholy and profane1 for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers1 for manslayers1 for whoremongers1 for them that defile themselves with mankind1 for men-stealers1 for liars1 for perjured persons1 and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine2 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed ,god1 which was committed to my trust' 7#a ,tim #a3i-aa74 ,paul also1 when he would leave an everlasting conviction upon the ,ephesians1 concerning his faith and holiness1 treating first of the sufficiency of ,christ's blood1 and the grace of ,god to save us2 he adds1 ',i have coveted no man's silver1 or gold1 or apparel1' he bringeth them to the moral precept1 to prove the sincerity of his good conversation by 7,acts #bj3cc74 ,and when men have juggled what they can1 and made never such a prattle about religion2 yet if their greatest excellency1 as to the visibility of their saintship1 lieth in an outward conformity to an outward circumstance in religion1 their profession is not worth two mites4 ',let us walk honestly1 as in the day2 not in rioting and drunkenness1 not in chambering and wantonness1 not in strife and envying4 ,but put ye on the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and make not provision for the flesh1 to fulfil the lusts thereof' 7,rom #ac3ac1ad74 ,and it is observable1 that after the apostle had in the #ith and #ajth verses of this chapter told us1 that the moral precept is the rule of a good conversation1 and exhorted us to make no provision for the flesh2 he adds1 these things provided1 we may receive any that believe in ,christ ,jesus unto communion with us2 how weak soever and dark in circumstantials2 and chiefly designs the proof thereof in the remaining part of his epistle4 ,for he that is of sound faith1 and of conversation honest in the world2 no man1 however he may fail in circumstantials1 may lightly reproach or vilify him4 ,and indeed such persons are the honour of ,christian congregations4 ,indeed he is prejudiced1 for want of light in these things about which he is dark1 as of baptism1 or the like2 but seeing that is not the initiating ordinance1 or the visible character of a saint2 yea1 seeing it maketh no breach in a good and holy life3 nor intrencheth upon any man's right but his own2 and seeing his faith may be effectual without it1 and his life approved by the worst of his enemies2 why should his friends1 while he keeps the law1 dishonour ,god by breaking of the same8 ',speak not evil one of another1 brethren4 ,he that speaketh evil of his brother1 and judgeth his brother1 speaketh evil of the law1 and judgeth the law3 ,but if thou judge the law1 thou art not a doer of the law1 but a judge' 7,james #d3aa74 ,he that is judged1 must needs fail somewhere in the apprehension of him that judgeth him1 else why is he judged4 ,but he must fail in substance1 for then he is worthy to be judged 7#a ,cor #e3ab74 ,his failure is then in a circumstance1 for which he ought not to be judged4 ,object4 ,but notwithstanding all that you have said1 water baptism ought to go before the church-membership2 shew me one in all the ,new ,testament1 that was received into fellowship without it4 ,ans4 #a4 ,that water baptism hath formerly gone first is granted3 but that it ought of necessity so to do1 ,i never saw proof4 #b4 ,none ever received it without light going before1 unless they did play the hypocrite3 and besides no marvel though in the primitive times it was so generally practised first1 for the unconverted themselves know1 it belonged to the disciples of ,jesus ,christ 7,john #a3bd-bg74 ,yet that all that were received into fellowship were even then baptized first1 would strain a weak man's wit to prove it1 if arguments were closely made upon these three texts of holy scripture 7#a ,cor #a3ad-af2 ,gal #c3bg2 ,rom #f3c74 ,but ,i pass them1 and say1 ,if you can shew me the ,christian1 that in the primitive times remained dark about it1 ,i will shew you the ,christian that was received without it4 ,but should ,i grant more than can be proved1 viz4 ,that baptism was the initiating ordinance2 and that it once did1 as circumcision of old1 give a being of membership to the partakers2 yea set the case that men were forbidden then to enter into fellowship without it3 yet the case may so be1 that these things notwithstanding1 men might be received into fellowship without it4 ,all these things intailed to circumcision2 that was the initiating ordinance2 that gave being of membership2 that was it without which it was positively commanded none should be received into fellowship 7,josh #e74 ,yet for all this more than six hundred thousand were received into the church without it1 yea received1 and also retained there1 and that by ,moses and ,joshua1 even those to whom the land was promised1 when the uncircumcised were cut off4 ,but why then were they not circumcised8 ,doubtless there was a reason2 either they wanted time1 or opportunity1 or instruments1 or something4 ,but they could not render a bigger reason than this1 ,i have no light therein3 which is the cause at this day that many a faithful man denieth to take up the ordinance of baptism3 but ,i say whatever the hindrance was1 it mattereth not2 our brethren have a manifest one1 an invincible one1 one that all the men on earth1 nor angels in heaven can remove3 ,for it is ,god that createth light2 and for them to do it without light would but prove them unfaithful to themselves1 and make them sinners against ,god2 ',for whatsoever is not of faith is sin' 7,rom #ad3bc74 ,if therefore ,moses and ,joshua thought fit to communicate with six hundred thousand uncircumcised persons2 when by the law not one such ought to have been received among them2 why may not ,i have communion1 the closest communion with visible saints as afore described1 although they want light in1 and so cannot submit to that1 which of ,god was never made the wall of division betwixt us4 ,i shall therefore hold communion with such4 ,first1 ,because the true visible saint hath already been subjected to that which is better2 even to the righteousness of ,god1 which is by faith of ,jesus ,christ2 by which he stands just before ,god2 he also hath made the most exact and strict rule under heaven1 that whereby he squares his life before men4 ,he hath like precious faith with the best of saints1 and a conversation according to light received1 becoming the gospel of ,christ4 ,he is therefore to be received1 received ,i say1 not by ,,thy light1 not for that in circumstances he jumpeth with thy opinion2 but according to his own faith which he ought to keep to himself before ,god4 ',conscience1 ,i say1 not thine own1 but of the other2 for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience' 7#a ,cor #aj3bi74 ,some indeed do object1 that what the apostles wrote1 they wrote to gathered churches1 and so to such as were baptized4 ,and therefore the arguments that are in the epistles about things circumstantial1 respect not the case in hand4 ,but ,i will tell such1 that as to the first part of their objection1 they are utterly under a mistake4 ,the first to the ,corinthians1 the epistle of ,james1 both them of ,peter1 and the first epistle of ,john1 were expressly written to all the godly1 as well as particular churches4 ,again2 if water baptism1 as the circumstances with which the churches were pestered of old1 trouble their peace1 wound the consciences of the godly1 dismember and break their fellowship2 it is1 although an ordinance1 for the present to be prudently shunned2 for the edification of the church1 as ,i shall shew anon1 is to be preferred before it4 ,second1 and observe it2 ',one ,spirit1--one hope1--one ,lord1 one faith1 one baptism not of water1 for by one ,spirit are we all baptized into one body one ,god and ,father of all1 who is above all1 and through all1 and in you all' 7,eph #d3a-f74 ,this is a sufficient rule for us to hold communion by1 and also to endeavour the maintaining that communion1 and to keep it in unity1 within the bond of peace against all attempts whatsoever 7#a ,cor #ab3af74 ,third1 ,i am bold therefore to have communion with such 7,heb #f3a1b74 ,because they also have the doctrine of baptism3 ,i say the doctrine of them4 ,for here you must note1 ,i distinguish between the doctrine and practice of water baptism2 ,the doctrine being that which by the outward sign is presented to us1 or which by the outward circumstance of the act is preached to the believer3 viz4 ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,christ2 ,,my ,,death ,,with ,,christ2 also his resurrection from the dead1 and mine with him to newness of life4 ,this is the doctrine which baptism preacheth1 or that which by the outward action is signified to the believing receiver4 ,now ,i say1 he that believeth in ,jesus ,christ hath richer and better than that of baptism in water1 viz4 is dead to sin1 and that lives to ,god by him1 he hath the ,,heart1 ,,power and ,,doctrine of baptism3 all then that he wanteth1 is but the sign1 the shadow1 or the outward circumstances thereof4 ,nor yet is ,,that despised but forborne for want of light4 ,the best of baptisms he hath2 he is baptized by that one ,spirit2 he hath the heart of water baptism1 he wanteth only the outward shew1 which if he had would not prove him a truly visible saint2 it would not tell me he had grace in his heart4 ,it is no characteristical note to another1 of my sonship with ,god4 ,indeed it is a sign to the person baptized1 and an help to his own faith4 ,he should know by that circumstance1 that he hath received remission of sins2 if his faith be as true1 as his being baptized is felt by him4 ,but if for want of light1 he partake not of that sign1 his faith can see it in other things1 exceeding great and precious promises4 ,yea1 as ,i also have hinted already1 if he appear not a brother before1 he appeareth not a brother by that3 ,and those that shall content themselves to make that the note of visible church-membership2 ,i doubt make things not much better1 the note of their sonship with ,god4 ,fourth1 ,i am bold to hold communion with visible saints as afore described2 because ,god hath communion with them2 whose examples in the case1 we are straitly commanded to follow4 ',receive ye one another as ,christ also received us saith ,paul1 to the glory of ,god' 7,rom #ae3a-g74 ,yea1 though they be saints of opinions contrary to you2 though it goeth against the mind of them that are strong4 ',we then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak1 and not to please ourselves' 7,rom #ae3a74 ,what infirmities8 ,those that are natural are incident to all1 they are infirmities then that are sinful1 that cause a man1 for want of light1 to err in circumstantials2 ,and the reason upon which he grounds this admonition is1 that ',christ pleased not himself2 but1 as it is written1 ,the reproaches of them that reproached thee1 fell on me4' ,you say1 to have communion with such weak brethren1 reproacheth your opinions1 and practice4 ,grant it1 your dulness and deadness1 and imperfections also reproach the holiness of ,god2 if you say no1 for ,christ hath borne our sins2 the answer is still the same1 ,their sins also are fallen upon ,christ2 he then that hath taken away thy sins from before the throne of ,god2 hath taken away their shortness in conformity to an outward circumstance in religion4 ,both your infirmities are fallen upon ,christ2 yea1 if notwithstanding thy great sins1 thou standest by ,christ complete before the throne of ,god2 why may not thy brother1 notwithstanding his little ones1 stand complete before thee in the church4 ,vain man6 think not by the straitness of thine order1 in outward and bodily conformity1 to outward and shadowish circumstances1 that thy peace is maintained with ,god1 for peace with ,god is by faith in the blood of his cross2 who hath borne the reproaches of you both4 ,wherefore he that hath communion with ,god for ,christ's sake1 is as good and as worthy of the communion of saints as thyself4 ,he erreth in ,a ,,circumstance1 thou errest in ,a ,,substance2 who must bear these errors8 ,upon whom must these reproaches fall8 7,phil #a3aj74 ,some of the things of ,god that are excellent1 have not been approved by some of the saints3 ,what then8 must these for this be cast out of the church8 ,no1 these reproaches by which the wisdom of heaven is reproached have fallen upon me1 saith ,christ4 ,but to return2 ,,god ,,hath ,,received ,,him1 ,christ hath received him1 therefore do you receive him4 ,there is more solidity in this argument1 than if all the churches of ,god had received him4 ,this receiving then1 because it is set as an example to the church1 is such as must needs be visible to them2 and is best described by that word which discovereth the visible saint4 ,whoso1 therefore1 you can by the word1 judge a visible saint1 one that walketh with ,god2 you may judge by the selfsame word that ,god hath received him4 ,now him that ,god receiveth and holdeth communion with1 him you should receive and hold communion with4 ,will any say we cannot believe that ,god hath received any but such as are baptized in water8 ,i will not suppose a brother so stupefied2 and therefore to that ,i will not answer4 ,receive him ',,to ,,the ,,glory ,,of ,,god4' ,to the glory of ,god1 is put in on purpose1 to show what dishonour they bring to ,god1 who despise to have communion with them2 who yet they know have communion with ,god4 ,for how doth this man1 or that church1 glorify ,god1 or count the wisdom and holiness of heaven beyond them1 when they refuse communion with them1 concerning whom1 they are by the word convinced1 that they have communion with ,god4 ',now the ,god of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one towards another according to ,christ ,jesus' 7,rom #ae3e74 ,by this word patience1 ,paul insinuateth how many imperfections1 the choicest ,christians do mingle their best performances with4 ,and by this of consolation1 how readily ,god overlooks1 passeth by them1 and comforteth you notwithstanding4 ,now that this mind should be in ,christians one to another1 is manifest2 because ,paul prays that it might be so4 ,but this is an heavenly gift1 and therefore must be fetched from thence4 ,but let the patience of ,god1 and the willingness of ,christ1 to bear the reproaches of the weak2 and the consolations that they have in ,god1 notwithstanding1 moderate your passions1 and put you upon prayer1 to be minded like ,jesus ,christ4 ,fifth1 ,because a failure in such a circumstance as water1 doth not unchristian us4 ,this must needs be granted1 not only from what was said before2 but for that thousands of thousands that could not consent thereto as we have1 more gloriously than we are like to do1 acquitted themselves and their christianity before men1 and are now with the innumerable company of angels and the spirits of just men made perfect4 ,what is said of eating1 or the contrary1 may as to this be said of water baptism4 ,neither if ,i be baptized1 am ,i the better1 neither if ,i be not1 am ,i the worse3 not the better before ,god3 not the worse before men3 still meaning as ,paul doth1 provided ,i walk according to my light with ,god3 otherwise it is false2 for if a man that seeth it to be his duty shall despisingly neglect it2 or if he that hath no faith therein shall foolishly take it up2 both these are for this the worse1 being convicted in themselves for transgressors4 ,he therefore that doth it according to his light1 doth well1 and he that doth it not1 or dare not do it for want of light1 doth not ill2 for he approveth his heart to be sincere with ,god2 he dare not do any thing but by light in the word4 ,if therefore he be not by grace a partaker of light1 in that circumstance which thou professest2 yet he is a partaker of that liberty and mercy by which thou standest4 ,he hath liberty to call ,god father1 as thou3 and to believe he shall be saved by ,jesus3 his faith1 as thine1 hath purified his heart3 he is tender of the glory of ,god as thou art3 and can claim by grace an interest in heaven2 which thou must not do because of water3 ye are both then ,christians before ,god and men without it3 he that can1 let him preach to himself by that3 he that cannot1 let him preach to himself by the promises2 but yet let us rejoice in ,god together3 let us exalt his name together4 ,indeed the baptized can thank ,god for that1 for which another cannot2 but may not he that is unbaptized thank ,god for that which the baptized cannot8 ,wouldest thou be content that ,i should judge thee1 because thou canst not for my light give thanks with me8 why then should he judge me1 for that ,i cannot give thanks with him for his8 ',let us not therefore judge one another any more3 but judge this rather1 that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way' 7,rom #ad3ac74 ,and seeing the things wherein we exceed each other1 are such as neither make nor mar ,christianity2 let us love one another and walk together by that glorious rule above specified1 leaving each other in all such circumstances to our own master1 to our own faith4 ',who art thou that judgest another man's servant8 to his own master he standeth or falleth4 ,yea1 he shall be holden up3 for ,god is able to make him stand' 7,rom #ad3d74 ,sixth1 ,i am therefore for holding communion thus1 because the edification of souls in the faith and holiness of the gospel1 is of greater concernment than an agreement in outward things2#af ,i say1 it is of greater concernment with us1 and of far more profit to our brother2 than our agreeing in1 or contesting for the business of water baptism 7,john #af3ac2 #a ,cor #ad3bf2 #b ,cor #aj3h1 #ab3ai2 ,eph #d3ab2 #b ,tim #c3ag2 #a ,cor #h3a1 #ac3a-d74 ,that the edification of the soul1 is of the greatest concern1 is out of measure evident because heaven and eternal happiness are so immediately concerned therein4 ,besides1 this is that for which ,christ died1 for which the ,holy ,ghost was given1 yea for which the scriptures and the gifts of all the godly are given to the church2 yea1 and if gifts are not bent to this very work1 the persons are said to be proud or uncharitable that have them2 and stand but for cyphers or worse among the churches of ,god4 ,farther1 edification is that that cherisheth all grace1 and maketh the ,christians quick and lively1 and maketh sin lean and dwindling1 and filleth the mouth with thanksgiving to ,god4 ,but to contest with gracious men1 with men that walk with ,god2 to shut such out of the churches2 because they will not sin against their souls1 rendereth thee uncharitable 7,rom #ad3ae1bj74 ,thou seekest to destroy the word of ,god2 thou begettest contentions1 janglings1 murmurings1 and evil surmisings1 thou ministerest occasion for whisperings1 backbitings1 slanders and the like1 rather than godly edifying2 contrary to the whole current of the scriptures and peace of all communities4 ,let us therefore leave off these contentions1 'and follow after the things that make for peace1 and things wherewith one may edify another' 7,rom #ad3ai74 ,and know that the edification of the church of ,god dependeth not upon1 neither is tied to this or that circumstance4 ,especially when there are in the hearts of the godly1 different persuasions about it2 then it becometh them in the wisdom of ,god1 to take more care for their peace and unity2 than to widen or make large their uncomfortable differences4 ,although ,aaron transgressed the law1 because he ate not the sin-offering of the people2 yet seeing he could not do it with satisfaction to his own conscience1 ,moses was content that he left it undone 7,lev #aj3af-bj74 ,joshua was so zealous against ,eldad and ,medad1 for prophesying in the camp1 without first going to the ,lord to the door of the tabernacle1 as they were commanded1 that he desired ,moses to forbid them 7,num #aa3bg1bh74 ,but ,moses calls his zeal envy1 and prays to ,god for more such prophets2 knowing that although they failed in a circumstance1 they were right in that which was better4 ,the edification of the people in the camp was that which pleased ,moses4 ,in ,hezekiah's time1 though the people came to the passover in an undue manner1 and 'did eat it otherwise than it was written'2 yet the wise king would not forbid them1 but rather admitted it1 knowing that their edification was of greater concern1 than to hold them to a circumstance or two 7#b ,chron #cj3ac-bg74 ,yea1 ,god himself did like the wisdom of the king1 and healed1 that is1 forgave1 the people at the prayer of ,hezekiah4 ,and observe it1 notwithstanding this disorder1 as to circumstances1 the feast was kept with great gladness2 and the ,levites and the priests praised the ,lord day by day1 singing with loud instruments unto the ,lord2 yea1 there was not the like joy in ,jerusalem from the time of ,solomon unto that same time4 ,what shall we say1 all things must give place to the profit of the people of ,god4 ,yea1 sometimes laws themselves1 for their outward preservation1 much more for godly edifying4 ,when ,christ's disciples plucked the ears of corn on the sabbath1 no doubt for very hunger1 and were rebuked by the ,pharisees for it1 as for that which was unlawful2 how did their ,lord succour them8 ,by excusing them1 and rebuking their adversaries4 ',have ye not read1' said he1 'what ,david did when he was an hungered1 and they that were with him2 how he entered into the house of ,god1 and did eat the shew bread1 which was not lawful for him to eat1 neither for them which were with him1 but only for the priests8 ,or have ye not read in the law1 how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profaned the sabbath1 and are blameless8' 7,matt #ab3a-e74 ,why blameless8 because they did it in order to the edification of the people4 ,if laws and ordinances of old have been broken1 and the breach of them borne with1 when yet the observance of outward things was more strictly commanded than now1 when the profit and edification of the people came in competition1 how much more may not we have communion1 church communion1 where no law is transgressed thereby4 ,seventh1 ,therefore ,i am for holding communion thus1 because love1 which above all things we are commanded to put on1 is of much more worth than to break about baptism2 ,love is also more discovered when it receiveth for the sake of ,christ and grace1 than when it refuseth for want of water3 and observe it1 as ,i have also said before1 this exhortation to love is grounded upon the putting on of the new creature2 which new creature hath swallowed up all distinctions1 that have before been common among the churches4 ,as ,i am a ,jew1 you are a ,greek2 ,i am circumcised1 you are not3 ,i am free1 you are bound4 ,because ,christ was all in all these1 ',put on therefore1' saith he1 'as the elect of ,god1 holy and beloved1 bowels of mercies1 kindness1 humbleness of mind1 meekness1 long-suffering1' that is1 with reference to the infirmities of the weak1 'forbearing one another1 and forgiving one another1 if any man have a quarrel against any3 even as ,christ forgave you1 so also do ye3 and above all these things put on charity1 which is the bond of perfectness' 7,col #c3ab-ad74 ,which forbearing and forgiving respecteth not only private and personal injuries1 but also errors in judgment about inclinations and distinctions tending to divisions1 and separating upon the grounds laid down in verse #aa which how little soever they now seem to us1 who are beyond them1 were strong1 and of weight to them who in that day were entangled with them4 ,some saints then were not free to preach to any but the ,jews3 denying the word of life to the ,gentiles1 and contending with them who preferred it to them3 which was a greater error than this of baptism 7,acts #aa3a-ai74 ,but what should we do with such kind of saints8 ,why love them still1 forgive them1 bear with them1 and maintain church communion with them4 ,why8 because they are new creatures1 because they are ,christ's3 for this swallows up all distinctions4 ,farther1 because they are elect and beloved of ,god4 ,divisions and distinctions are of shorter date than election2 let not them therefore that are but momentary1 and hatched in darkness1 break that bond that is from everlasting4 ,it is love1 not baptism1 that discovereth us to the world to be ,christ's disciples4 ,it is love1 that is the undoubted character of our interest in1 and sonship with ,god3 ,i mean when we love as saints1 and desire communion with others1 because they have fellowship one with another1 in their fellowship with ,god the ,father1 and his ,son ,jesus ,christ 7#a ,john #a3c74 ,and now though the truth and sincerity of our love to ,god1 be then discovered when we keep his commandments1 in love to his name2 yet we should remember again1 that the two head and chief commandments1 are faith in ,jesus1 and love to the brethren 7#a ,john #c3bc74 ,so then he that pretendeth to love1 and yet seeks not the profit of his brother in chief2 he loveth1 but they are his own opinions and froward notions 7,james #d3aa2 ,rom #ad3ba74 ',love is the fulfilling of the law'2 but he fulfils it not who judgeth and setteth at nought his brother2 that stumbleth1 offendeth1 and maketh weak his brother2 and all for the sake of a circumstance1 that to which he cannot consent1 except he sin against his own soul1 or ,papist like1 live by an implicit faith4#ag ,love therefore is sometimes more seen and showed1 in forbearing to urge and press what we know1 than in publishing and imposing4 ',i could not1' 7saith ,paul1 love would not let me7 'speak unto you as unto spiritual1 but as unto carnal1 even as unto babes in ,christ4 ,i have fed you with milk1 and not with meat3 for hitherto ye were not able to bear it1 neither yet now are ye able' 7#a ,cor #c3a1b74 ,the apostle considered not only the knowledge that he had in the mysteries of ,christ2 but the temper1 the growth1 and strength of the churches1 and accordingly kept back1 or communicated to them1 what might be for their profit 7,acts #bj3ah-bj74 ,so ,christ1 ',i have yet many things to say unto you1 but ye cannot bear them now' 7,john #af3ab74 ,it may be some will count these old and threadbare texts2 but such must know1 that the word of the ,lord must stand for ever 7,isa #dj3h74 ,and ,i should dare to say to such1 if the best of thy new shifts1 be to slight1 and abuse old scriptures2 it shews thou art more fond of thy unwarrantable opinion1 than swift to hear1 and ready to yield to the authority that is infallible4 ,but to conclude this1 when we attempt to force our brother beyond his light1 or to break his heart with grief2 to thrust him beyond his faith1 or to bar him from his privilege3 how can we say1 ,i love8 ,what shall ,i say8 ,to have fellowship one with another for the sake of an outward circumstance1 or to make that the door to fellowship which ,god hath not2 yea to make that the including1 excluding charter2 the bounds1 bar1 and rule of communion2 when by the word of the everlasting testament there is no warrant for it2 to speak charitably1 if it be not for want of love1 it is for want of knowledge in the mysteries of the kingdom of ,christ4 ,strange6 take two ,christians equal in all points but this1 nay1 let one go beyond the other far1 for grace and holiness2 yet this circumstance of water shall drown and sweep away all his excellencies1 not counting him worthy of that reception1 that with hand and heart shall be given to a novice in religion1 because he consents to water4 ,eighth4 ,but for ,god's people to divide into parties1 or to shut each other from church communion2 though from greater points1 and upon higher pretences1 than this of water baptism2 hath heretofore been counted carnal1 and the actors herein babyish ,christians4 ,paul and ,apollos1 ,cephas and ,christ1 were doubtless higher things than those about which we contend3 yet when they made divisions for them2 how sharply are they rebuked8 ,are ye not ,,carnal1 ,,carnal1 ,,carnal8 ,for whereas there are among you1 envyings1 strife1 divisions1 or factions3 'are ye not carnal' 7#a ,cor #a3aa1ab1 #c3a-d74 ,while one saith1 ,i am of ,paul1 and another ,i am of ,apollos1 are ye not carnal8 ,see therefore from whence arise all they endeavours1 zeal1 and labour1 to accomplish divisions among the godly3 let ,paul or ,cephas1 or ,christ himself1 be the burthen of thy song1 yet the heart from whence they flow is carnal2 and thy actions1 discoveries of childishness4 ,but1 doubtless when these contentions were among the ,corinthians1 and one man was vilified1 that another might be promoted2 a lift with a carnal brother1 was thought great wisdom to widen the breach4 ,but why should ,,he be rebuked1 that said he was for ,christ8 ,because he was for him in opposition to his holy apostles4 ,hence he saith1 ',is ,christ divided1' or separate from his servants8 ,note therefore that these divisions are deserted by the persons the divisions were made about2 neither ,paul1 nor ,apollos1 nor ,cephas1 nor ,christ is here4 ,let the cry be never so loud1 ,christ1 order1 the rule1 the command1 or the like2 carnality is but the bottom1 and they are but babes that do it2 their zeal is but a puff 7#a ,cor #d3f74 ,and observe it1 the great division at ,corinth1 was helped forward by water baptism3 this the apostle intimates by1 ',were ye baptized in the name of ,paul8' ,ah1 brethren6 ,carnal ,christians with outward circumstances1 will1 if they be let alone1 make sad work in the churches of ,christ1 against the spiritual growth of the same4 ,but ',i thank ,god1' saith ,paul1 'that ,i baptized none of you1' c4 ,not but that it was then an ordinance of ,god1 but they abused it1 in making parties thereby4 ',i baptized none of you1 but ,crispus and ,gaius1--and the household of ,stephanus'3 men of note among the brethren1 men of good judgment1 and reverenced by the rest2 they can tell you ,i intended not to make a party to myself thereby4 ',besides1 ,i know not whether ,i baptized any other4' ,by this negligent relating1 who were baptized by him2 he showeth that he made no such matter of baptism1 as some in these days do2 nay1 that he made no matter at all thereof1 with respect to church communion2 for if he did not heed who himself had baptized2 he much less heeded1 who were baptized by others2 but if baptism had been the initiating1 or entering ordinance1 and so appointed of ,god2 no doubt he had made more conscience thereof1 than so lightly to pass it over4 ',for ,christ sent me not to baptize1 but to preach the gospel4' ,the gospel then may be effectually preached1 and yet baptism neither administered nor mentioned4 ,the gospel being good tidings to sinners1 upon the account of free grace through ,christ2 but baptism with things of like nature1 are duties enjoined such a people who received the gospel before4 ,i speak not this1 because ,i would teach men to break the least of the commandments of ,god2 but to persuade my brethren of the baptized way1 not to hold too much thereupon1 not to make it an essential of the gospel of ,christ1 nor yet of communion of saints4 ',he sent me not to baptize'3 these words are spoken with holy indignation against them that abuse this ordinance of ,christ4 ,so when he speaketh of the ministers themselves1 which also they had abused2 in his speaking1 he as it were trampleth upon them1 as if they were nothing at all4 ',who then is ,paul1 and who is ,apollos8' ',he that planteth is not any thing1 neither is he that watereth1 but ,god that giveth the increase' 7#a ,cor #c3e1g74 ,yet for all this1 the ministers and their ministry are a glorious appointment of ,god in the world4 ,baptism also is a holy ordinance1 but when ,satan abuseth it1 and wrencheth it out of its place2 making that which was ordained of ,god for the edification of believers1 the only weapon to break in pieces the love1 the unity1 the concord of saints2 then ,what is baptism8 then neither is baptism anything4 ,and this is no new doctrine2 for ,god by the mouth of his prophets of old1 cried out against his own institutions1 when abused by his people3 ',to what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me1' saith the ,,lord3 ',i am full of the burnt-offerings of rams1 and the fat of fed beasts2 and ,i delight not in the blood of bullocks1 or of lambs1 or of he goats4 ,when ye come to appear before me1 who hath required this at your hands1 to tread my courts8 ,bring no more vain oblations1 incense is an abomination to me2 the new moons and sabbaths1 the calling of assemblies1 ,i cannot away with it2 it is iniquity1 even the solemn meeting4 ,your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth3 they are a trouble unto me1 ,i am weary to bear them' 7,isa #a3aa-ad74 ,and yet all these were his own appointments4 ,but why then did he thus abhor them8 ,because they retained the evil of their doings1 and used them as they did other of his appointments1 viz41 ',for strife and debate1 and to strike with the fist of wickedness' 7#eh3d73 ,wherefore when that of ,god that is great1 is overweighed by that which is small2 it is the wisdom of them that see it1 to put load to the other end of the scale2 until the things thus abused1 poise in their own place4 ,but to pass this and proceed4 ,ninth1 ,if we shall reject visible saints by calling saints that have communion with ,god1 that have received the law at the hand of ,christ1 that are of an holy conversation among men2 they desiring to have communion with us1 as much as in us lieth1 we take from them their very privileges1 and the blessings to which they were born of ,god4 ,for ,paul saith not only to the gathered church at ,corinth1 but to all scattered saints that in every place call upon the name of the ,lord2 ,that ,jesus ,christ is theirs1 ,that ,paul1 and ,apollos1 and the world1 and life1 and death1 and all things are theirs1 because they are ,christ's1 and ,christ is ,god's4 ,but saith he1 let no man glory in men1 such as ,paul and ,cephas1 though these were excellent3 because this privilege comes to you upon another bottom1 even by faith of ,jesus ,christ1 ',drink you all of this1' is entailed to faith1 not baptism3 nay1 baptized persons may yet be excluded this2 when he that discerneth the ,lord's body hath right and privilege to it 7#a ,cor #aa3bh1bi74 ,but to exclude ,christians from church communion and to debar them their heaven-born privileges1 for the want of that which yet ,god never made a wall of division between us4 7#a47 ,this looks too like a spirit of persecution 7,job #ai3bh74 7#b47 ,it respecteth more a form1 than the spirit and power of godliness 7#b ,tim #c3e74 7#c47 ,this is to make laws1 where ,god hath made none1 and to be wise above what is written1 contrary to ,god's word1 and our own principles4 7#d47 ,it is a directing of the ,spirit of ,god4 7#e47 ,it bindeth all men's faith and light to mine opinion4 7#f47 ,it taketh away the children's bread4 7#g47 ,it withholdeth from them the increase of faith4 7#h47 ,it tendeth to harden the hearts of the wicked4 7#i47 ,it tendeth to make wicked the hearts of weak ,christians4 7#aj47 ,it setteth open a door to all temptations4 7#aa47 ,it tempteth the devil to fall upon those that are alone1 and have none to help them4 7#ab47 ,it is the nursery of all vain janglings1 back-bitings1 and strangeness among the ,christians4 7#ac47 ,it occasioneth the world to reproach us4 7#ad47 ,it holdeth staggering consciences1 in doubt of the right way of the ,lord4 7#ae47 ,it giveth occasion to many to turn aside to most dangerous heresies4 7#af47 ,it abuseth the holy scriptures2 ,it wresteth ,god's ordinances out of their place4 7#ag47 ,it is a prop to antichrist4 7#ah47 ,shall ,i add1 ,is it not that which greatly prevailed to bring down these judgments1 which at present we feel and groan under2#ah ,i will dare to say1 it was#ai a cause thereof4 ,tenth1 and lastly1 ,bear with one word farther4 ,what greater contempt can be thrown upon the saints than for their brethren to cast them off1 or to debar them church communion8 ,think you not that the world may groundly say1 ,some great iniquity lies hid in the skirts of your brethren2 when in truth the transgression is yet your own8 ,but ,i say1 what can the church do more to the sinners or open profane8 ,civil commerce you will have with the worst1 and what more have you with these8 ,perhaps you will say we can pray and preach with these2 and hold them ,christians1 saints1 and godly4 ,well1 but let me ask you one word farther3 ,do you believe1 that of very conscience they cannot consent1 as you1 to that of water baptism8 ,and that if they had light therein1 they would as willingly do it as you8 ,why then1 as ,i have shewed you1 our refusal to hold communion with them is without a ground from the word of ,god4 ,but can you commit your soul to their ministry1 and join with them in prayer2 and yet not count them meet for other gospel privileges8 ,i wold know by what scripture you do it8 ,perhaps you will say1 ,i commit not my soul to their ministry1 only hear them occasionally for trial4 ,if this be all the respect thou hast for them and their ministry1 thou mayest have as much for the worst that pisseth against the wall4 ,but if thou canst hear them as ,god's ministers1 and sit under their ministry as ,god's ordinance2 then shew me where ,god hath such a gospel ministry1 as that the persons ministering may not1 though desiring it1 be admitted with you to the closest communion of saints4 ,but if thou sittest under their ministry for fleshly politic ends1 thou hearest the word like an atheist1 and art thyself1 while thou judgest thy brother1 in the practice of the worst of men4 ,but ,i say1 where do you find this piece-meal communion with men that profess faith and holiness as you1 and separation from the world4 ,if you object1 that my principles lead me to have communion with all2 ,i answer with all as afore described2 if they will have communion with me4 ,object4 ,then you may have communion with the members of antichrist4 ,ans4 ,if there be a visible saint yet remaining in that church2 let him come to us1 and we will have communion with him4 ,quest4 ,what1 though he yet stand a member of that sinful number1 and profess himself one of them4 ,ans4 ,you suppose an impossibility2 for it cannot be that1 at the same time1 a man should visibly stand a member of two bodies diametrically opposite one to another4 ,wherefore it must be supposed1 that he who professeth himself a member of a church of ,christ1 must forthwith1 nay before1 forsake the antichristian one4 ,the which if he refuseth to do1 it is evident he doth not sincerely desire to have fellowship with the saints4 ,quest4 ,but he saith he cannot see that that company to which you stand opposite1 and conclude antichristian1 is indeed the antichristian church4 ,ans4 ,if so1 he cannot desire to join with another1 if he know them to be professedly and directly opposite4 ,i hold therefore to what ,i said at first2 ,that if there be any saints in the antichristian church1 my heart1 and the door of our congregation is open to receive them1 into closest fellowship with us4 ,object4 ,but how if they yet retain some antichristian principles4 ,ans4 ,if they be such as eat out the bowels of a church1 so soon as they are detected he must either be kept out1 while out1 or cast out1 if in3 for it must be the prudence of every community to preserve its own unity with peace and truth3 the which the churches of ,christ may do2 and yet as ,i have shewed already1 receive such persons as differ upon the point of water baptism4 ,for the doing or not doing of that neither maketh nor marreth the bowels or foundation of church communion4 ,object4 ,but this is receiving for opinion sake2 as before you said of us4 ,ans4 ,no2 we receive him for the sake of ,christ1 and grace1 and for our mutual edification in the faith2 and that we respect not opinions1 ,i mean in lesser matters1 'tis evident2 for things wherein we differ are no breach of communion among us2 we let every man have his own faith in such things to himself before ,god4 ,i ,,now ,,come ,,to ,a ,,short ,,application4 ,i4 ,keep a strict separation1 ,i pray you1 from communion with the open profane2 and let not man use his liberty in church relation as an occasion to the flesh2 but in love serve one another4 ',looking diligently--lest any root of bitterness--any poisonful herb 7,deut #bi3ah7 spring up trouble you1 and thereby many be defiled' 7,heb #ab3ae74 ,and let those that before were reasons for my separation1 be motives to you to maintain the like3 and remember that when men have said what they can for a sinful mixture in the worship of ,god2 the arm of the ,lord is made bare against it4 ,,ii4 ,in the midst of your zeal for the ,lord1 remember that the visible saint is his2 and is privileged in all those spiritual things that you have in the word and live in the practice of1 and that he is to partake thereof1 according to his light therein4 ,quarrel not with him about things that are circumstantial2 but receive him in the ,lord1 as becometh saints3 if he will not have communion with you1 the neglect is his1 not yours4 ,but saith the open profane1 why cannot we be reckoned saints also8 ,we have been christened1 we go to church1 we take the communion4#bj ,poor people6 ,this will not do2 for so long as in life and conversation you appear to be open profane1 we cannot1 unless we sin1 receive you into our fellowship3 for by your ungodly lives you shew that you know not ,christ2 and while you are such by the word1 you are reputed but beasts3 now then judge yourselves1 if it be not a strange community that consisteth of men and beasts3 let beasts be with the beasts1 you know yourselves do so2 you receive not your horse nor your hog to your table1 you put them in a room by themselves4 ,besides ,i have shewed you before1 that for many reasons we cannot have communion with you4 7#a47 ,the church of ,god must be holy 7,lev #aa3dd1 #ai3b1 #bj3g2 #a ,peter #a3ae1af2 ,isa #bf3b2 ,psa #aah3bj2 ,eze #dc3ab1 #dd3i2 ,isa #eb3aa74 7#b47 ,the example of the churches of ,christ before1 hath been a community of visible saints 7,rom #a3g2 #a ,cor #a3b2 ,eph #a3a2 ,col #a3b2 #a ,thess #a3a2 #b ,thess #a3a-e74 ,poor carnal man1 there are many other reasons urged in this little book1 that shew why we cannot have communion with thee3 not that we refuse of pride or stoutness1 or because we scorn you as men4 ,no1 we pity you1 and pray to ,god for you2 and could1 if you were converted1 with joy receive you to fellowship with us3 ,did you never read in ,daniel1 ,that iron is not mixed with miry clay8 7#b3dc74 ,no more can the saints with you1 in the worship of ,god1 and fellowship of the gospel1 ,when those you read of in the fourth of ,ezra1 attempted to join in temple work with the children of the captivity2 what said the children of ,judah8 ',ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our ,god2 but we ourselves together will build unto the ,lord ,god of ,israel1' c 7,eze #d3c74 ,i return now to those that are visible saints by calling1 that stand at a distance one from another1 upon the accounts before specified3 ,brethren2 ,,close2 ,,close2 be one1 as the ,father in ,christ is one4 #a4 ,this is the way to convince the world that you are ,christ's1 and the subjects of one ,lord2 whereas the contrary makes them doubt it 7,john #ac3cd1ce1 #ag3bc74 #b4 ,this is the way to increase love2 that grace so much desired by some1 and so little enjoyed by others 7#b ,cor #g3ae74 #c4 ,this is the way to savour and taste the ,spirit of ,god in each other's experience2 for which if you find it in truth you cannot but bless1 if you be saints1 the name of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ 7#a ,thess #a3b-d74 #d4 ,this is the way to increase knowledge1 or to see more in the word of ,god3 for that may be known by two2 that is not seen by one 7,isa #eb3h74 #e4 ,this is the way to remove secret jealousies and murmurings one against the other3 yea this is the way to prevent much sin1 and greatly to frustrate that design of hell 7,prov #f3af-ai74 #f4 ,this is the way to bring them out of the world into fellowship that now stand off from our gospel privileges1 for the sake of our vain janglings4 #g4 ,this is the way to make antichrist shake1 totter1 and tremble 7,isa #aa3ac1ad74 #h4 ,this is the way to leave ,babylon as an habitation for devils only2 and to make it a hold for foul spirits1 and a cage only for every unclean and hateful bird4 #i4 ,this is the way to hasten the work of ,christ's kingdom in the world2 and to forward his coming to the eternal judgment4 #aj4 ,and this is the way to obtain much of that1 ,,well ,,done1 ,,good ,,and ,,faithful ,,servant1 when you stand before his face4 ,in the words of ,paul ',i beseech you1 brethren1 suffer the word of exhortation3 for ,i have written a letter unto you in a few words' 7,heb #ac3bb74 ,,footnotes3 #a4 ,it is much to be regretted that these books1 in common withall ,mr4 ,bunyan's ,works1 were grossly corrupted in the text in all the editions published since #agcg1--'poor peace indeed1' was changed to 'pure peace indeed'2 'here is ,rome enough1' meaning popery enough1 was altered to 'here is room enough'2 ',baptist1' was printed ',papist1' c41 c43 all the typographical errors have now been carefully corrected by ,bunyan's editions4 #b4 ,reply to ,kinghorn4 #ahah1 p4 xii4 #c4 ,king ,charles the #bnd1 about a year after this time1 pardoned near five hundred ,quakers1 who had been languishing in prison for not attending the church service4 ,upon this ,mr4 ,bunyan1 and his fellow prisoners at ,bedford1 petitioned for liberty1 and at a court of privy council at ,whitehall1 the #agth ,may1 #afgb1 present1 the ,king and twenty-four of his councillors1 the following minute was made3--',whereas1 by order of the ,board of the #hth instant1 the humble petition of ,john ,penn1 ,john ,bunyan1 ,john ,dunn1 ,thomas ,haynes1 ,simon ,haynes1 and ,george ,parr1 prisoners in the goale of ,bedford1 convicted upon several statutes for not conforming to the rights and ceremonyes of the church of ,england1 and for being at unlawful meetings1 was referred to the ,sheriff of the county of ,bedford1 who was required to certify this ,board whether the said persons were committed for the crimes in the said petition mentioned1 ,,and ,,for ,,no ,,other2 which he having accordingly done1 by his certificate dated the #aath instant4 ,it was thereupon1 this day1 ordered by his ,ma7tie7 in council1 ,that the said petition and certificate be 7and are herewith7 sent to his ,ma7tie's7 ,attorney ,general1 who is authorized1 and required1 to insert them into the general pardon to be passed for the ,quakers4' ,this fully confirms what ,bunyan says as to the cause of his long and dangerous imprisonment4 ,it was for being absent from the state church and worshipping ,god according to ,his will1 as expressed in the ,bible4 ,see ,introduction to ,pilgrim's ,progress1 ,hansard ,knollys edition4 #d4 ',to ascertain us1' in the #agth century meant 'to make us confident1' 'to assure us4' ',it ascertaining me that ,i am one of ,god's children4'--,hammond4 ,ed4 #e4 ,eternal blessings on our ,emmanuel1 who faithfully performed ,his promise of sending the ,comforter to unlock the mysteries of the kingdom of grace1 and guide us into all truth3 without ,his powerful aid we can neither know or perform any thing to a good or saving purpose4--,mason4 #f4 ,the gracious soul believes in ,christ for justification1 from a sense of utter inability to obtain justification by works4 ,this is effected by the power of the ,holy ,spirit1 the glorifier of ,jesus4--,mason4 #g4 ,effectual calling is evidenced by the soul's love to ,god1 in his dear ,son2 a superior delight in ,him1 as a reconciled ,father1 cleaving to ,him1 ,his ways1 and people2 and longing for the full fruition and final enjoyment of ,him in glory4--,mason4 #h4 ,how great is the delight of meeting in a foreign country1 after a long absence from home1 with one who speaks your own language and sympathizes with your national feelings4 ,how much more strong are those enjoyments arising from the communion of saints1 while travelling through an enemy's country1 with difficult duties to perform1--animated by a kindred spirit1 and seeking the same eternal home4--,ed4 #i4 ,the despising and disregarding the ,holy ,scriptures1 rejecting ,jesus and the way of salvation by ,him1 especially after having attained to the knowledge and conviction of the truth of it by the gospel1 is the unpardonable sin1 and renders men obdurate and impenitent4--,mason4 #aj4 ,how strongly must have been the principle of humble submission to the will of ,god implanted and rooted in ,bunyan's mind4 ,he writes this peaceful advice from his dungeon1 after twelve years' cruel imprisonment for his love and obedience to the ,saviour4 ,it requires a holy flame of ,divine love to enable us to take the spoiling of our goods joyfully2 but how much more strongly must this principle pervade the heart to enable us to suffer the loss of liberty1 deprived of the society of a much loved wife and family1 and in daily fear of an ignominious death6 ,we cannot sufficiently admire the grace of ,god in the sufferer1 nor abhor the tyranny under which he suffered4--,ed4 #aa4 ,this idea is found in other of ,bunyan's ,works4 ,certainly the mixture of saints and sinners in a national church established for worldly purposes1 must engender hypocrisy and pride1 intolerance and persecution4 ,such leaders in ,satan's army were calculated mightily to assist1 if they were not the original cause1 of the overspreading of sin which called forth the flood to wash away4--,ed4 #ab4 ,bishop ,hall describes a ,christian indeed as 'having white hands and a clean soul1 fit to lodge ,god in2 all the rooms whereof are set apart for his holiness4'--,ed4 #ac4 ,submission to the disciples of a ,christian church must be voluntary1 and not by the constraint of force or hypocrisy4 ,in ,christ's church ,,all must be free1 and not a mixture of free-men and the slaves of sin4--,ed4 #ad4 ,what faithfulness and plain dealing is here4 ,if any church communicates with the profane it is offering sacrifice to the devil4--,ed4 #ae4 ,one of the most touching scenes in the ,pilgrim's ,progress beautifully illustrates this fact4 ,when ,christian led ,hopeful into ,bye-path ,meadow1 so that they fell into the hands of ,giant ,despair1 ,hopeful says1 ',i wold have spoke plainer1 but that you are older than ,i4' ,that whole scene manifests the most delicate sensibility and christian feeling4--,ed4 #af4 ,how strange that pious men should have been prone to punish their fellows for non-conformity in an outward sign4 ,they themselves were suffering inconceivable miseries under acts of uniformity in rites and ceremonies4 ,how applicable to the framers of such acts of parliament are our ,lord's words1 ',woe unto you1 pharisees1 who whiten and garnish the outside of a sepulchre1 while within it is full of uncleanness1 hypocrisy1 and iniquity' 7,matt #bc74--;,ed4 #ag4 ',an implicit faith'2 faith in things without inquiry1 or in things not expressed4--,ed4 #ah4 ',these judgments we feel and groan under4' ,so frightful were the persecutions of the dissenters by the church in #afgj1 that the narrative says1 ',the town of ,bedford was so thin of people1 and the shops shut down1 that it seemed like a place visited with the pest1 where usually is written upon the door1 ,lord1 have mercy upon us4' ,had the dissenters been united1 the church would not have dared to exercise such barbarities--men and women in jails--some hanged for not going to church--all their goods swept away1 and their children perishing4--,ed4 #ai4 ,the printer had inserted 'the cause'2 ,bunyan's manuscript was 'a cause4' ,see marginal note1 in his ,differences in ,judgment4--,ed4 #bj4 ,this is a much more extensive evil than many would credit4 ,i have met with these very expressions not only among the poor but the rich4 ,it is an awful delusion4--,ed4 999999 ,,differences ,,in ,,judgment ,,about ,,water ,,baptism1 ,,no ,,bar ,,to ,,communion3 ,,or1 ,,to ,,communicate ,,with ,,saints1 ,,as ,,saints1 ,,proved ,,lawful4 ,,in ,,answer ,,to ,a ,,book ,,written ,,by ,,the ,,baptists1 ,,and ,,published ,,by ,,mr4 ,t4 ,,paul ,,and ,,mr4 ,w4 ,,kiffin1 ,,entitled1 ',,some ,,serious ,,reflections ,,on ,,that ,,part ,,of ,,mr ,,bunyan',s ,,confession ,,of ,,faith1 ,,touching ,,church ,,communion ,,with ,,unbaptized ,,believers4' ,,wherein ,,their ,,objections ,,and ,,arguments ,,are ,,answered1 ,,and ,,the ,,doctrine ,,of ,,communion ,,still ,,asserted ,,and ,,vindicated4 ,,here ,,is ,,also ,,mr4 ,,henry ,,jesse',s ,,judgment ,,in ,,the ,,case1 ,,fully ,,declaring ,,the ,,doctrine ,i ,,have ,,asserted4 ,,by ,,john ,,bunyan4 ',should not the multitude of words be answered8 and should a man full of talk be justified8 should thy lies make men hold their peace8 and when thou mockest1 shall no man make thee an answer unashamed8'--,job #aa3b1 #c ,london3 ,printed for ,john ,wilkins1 and are to be sold at his shop in ,exchange ,alley1 next door to the ,exchange ,coffee ,house1 over against the ,royal ,exchange1 #afgc4 ,courteous ,reader1 ,be intreated to believe me1 ,i had not set pen to paper about this controversy1 had we been let alone at quiet in our ,christian communion4 ,but being assaulted for more than sixteen years1 wherein the brethren of the baptized way1 as they had their opportunity1 have sought to break us in pieces1 merely because we are not1 in their way1 all baptized first3 ,i could not1 ,i durst not1 forbear to do a little1 if it might be1 to settle the brethren1 and to arm them against the attempts1 which also of late they begin to revive upon us4 ,that ,i deny the ordinance of baptism1 or that ,i have placed one piece of an argument against it1 though they feign it1 is quite without colour of truth4 ,all ,i say is1 ,that the church of ,christ hath not warrant to keep out of their communion the ,christian that is discovered to be a visible saint by the word1 the ,christian that walketh according to his light with ,god4 ,i will not make reflections upon those unhandsome brands that my brethren have laid upon me for this1 as that ,i am a machivilian1 a man devilish1 proud1 insolent1 presumptuous1 and the like1 neither will ,i say as they1 ,the ,lord rebuke thee2 ,words fitter to be spoken to the devil than a brother4 ,but reader1 read and compare2 lay aside prejudice and judge4 ,what ,mr4 ,kiffin hath done in the matter ,i forgive1 and love him never the worse1 but must stand by my principles because they are peaceable1 godly1 profitable1 and such as tend to the edification of my brother1 and as ,i believe will be justified in the day of judgment4 ,i have also here presented thee with the opinion of ,mr4 ,henry ,jesse1 in the case1 which providentially ,i met with as ,i was coming to ,london to put my papers to the press2 and that it was his judgment is asserted to me1 known many years since to some of the ,baptists1 to whom it was sent1 but never yet answered2 and will yet be attested if need shall require4 ,farewell4 ,thine in all ,christian service1 according to my light and power1 ,,john ,,bunyan4 ,,differences ,,in ,,judgment ,,about ,,water ,,baptism1 ,,no ,,bar ,,to ,,communion4 ,sir1 ,your seemingly serious reflections upon that part of my plain-hearted confession of faith1 which rendereth a reason of my freedom to communicate with those of the saints and faithful who differ from me about water baptism2 ,i have read and considered1 and have weighed them so well as my rank and abilities will admit me to do4 ,but finding yours1 if ,i mistake not1 far short of a candid replication1 ,i thought it convenient1 not only to tell you of those impertinencies everywhere scattered up and down in your book2 but also1 that in my simple opinion1 your rigid and church-disquieting principles are not fit for any age and state of the church4 ,but before ,i enter the body of your book1 give me leave a little to discourse you about your preamble to the same1 wherein are two miscarriages unworthy your pretended seriousness1 because void of love and humility4 ,the first is1 ,in that you closely disdain my person because of my low descent among men1 stigmatising me for a person of ,,that rank1 that need not to be heeded or attended unto4#a ,ans4 ,what it is that gives a man reverence with you1 ,i know not2 but for certain4 ,he that despiseth the poor reproacheth his ,maker2 yet1 'a poor man is better than a liar4' ,to have gay clothing1 or gold rings1 or the persons that wear them in admiration2 or to be partial in your judgment1 or respects1 for the sake1 or upon the account of1 flesh and blood1 doubtless convicteth you to be of the law a transgressor1 and not without partiality1 c41 in the midst of your seeming sanctity4 ,again1 you say1 ',i had not meddled with the controversy at all1 had ,i found any of parts that would divert themselves to take notice of ,,you4' ,ans4 ,what need you1 before you have shewed one syllable of a reasonable argument in opposition to what ,i assert1 thus trample my person1 my gifts1 and grace1 have ,i any1 so disdainfully under your feet8 ,what kind of a ,,you am ,i8#b ,and why is ,,my rank so mean1 that the most gracious and godly among you1 may not duly and soberly consider of what ,i have said8 ,was it not the art of the false apostles of old to say thus8 ,to bespatter a man1 that his doctrine might be disregarded4 ',is not this the carpenter8' ,and1 ',his bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible' 7#a ,cor #aj3aj71 did not use to be in the mouths of the saints2 for they knew that 'the wind bloweth where it listeth' 7,john #c3h74 ,neither is it high birth1 worldly breeding1 or wealth2 but electing love1 grace1 and the wisdom that comes from heaven1 that those who strive for strictness of order in the things and kingdom of ,christ1 should have in regard and esteem 7,james #c3ag74 ,need ,i read you a lecture8 ',hath not ,god chosen the foolish1--the weak1--the base1 yea1 and things which are not1 to bring to nought things that are8' 7#a ,cor #a3bg1bh74 ,why then do you despise my rank1 my state1 and quality in the world8 ,as for my confession of faith1 which you also secretly despise4 ,if it be good and godly1 why may it not be accepted8 ,if ,i have spoken evil1 bear witness of the evil2 but if well1 why smitest thou me8 ,if you1 and the brethren of your way1 did think it convenient to shew to the world what you held2 if perhaps by that means you might escape the person3 why might not ,i1 after above eleven years' endurance there1 give the world a view of my faith and practice2 if peradventure1 wrong thoughts1 and false judgments of me1 might by that means be abated1 and removed4 ,but you suggest2 ,i did it1 because ,i was so willing to be known in the world by my ,,singular faith and practice4#c ,how singular my faith and practice is1 may be better known to you hereafter3 but that ,i did it for a popular applause and fame1 as your words seem to bear1 for they proceed from a taunting spirit1 that will be known to you better in the day of ,god1 when your evil surmises of your brother1 and my designs in writing my book1 will be published upon the house-tops 7,luke #ab3a-d74 ,and even now1 before ,i go any further1 ,i will give you a touch of the reason of my publishing that part thereof which you so hotly oppose4 ,it was because of those continual assaults that the rigid brethren of your way1 made1 not only upon this congregation1 to rend it2 but also upon many others about us4 ,if peradventure they might break us in pieces1 and draw from us disciples after them4 ,assaults1 ,i say1 upon this congregation by times1 for no less than these sixteen or eighteen years4 ,yea1 myself they have sent for1 and endeavoured to persuade me to break communion with my brethren2 also with many others they have often tampered1 if haply their seeds of division might take4 ,neither did they altogether fail of their purpose1 for some they did rend and dismember from us2 but none but those1 of whom now they begin to be ashamed4 ,the judgment of ,god so following their design1 that the persons which then they prevailed upon1 are now a stink1 and reproach to religion4 ,neither were these spirits content with that discord they did sow among us1 but they proceeded to seize upon others4 ,but to pass these4 ,the wild1 and unsound positions they have urged to maintain their practice1 would be too large here to insert4 ,now1 ,sir1 to settle the brethren1 the brethren of our community1 and to prevent such disorders among others1 was the cause of my publishing my papers3 and considering my concern in the house of ,god1 ,i could do no less than to give them warning1 ',that every man might deliver his soul4' ,you proceed1 saying1 ',it is my liberty1 as well as others into whose hands it falls1 to weigh what you have said in truth's balance1 and if it be found too light1 to reject it whether you will or no4' ,ans4 ,do but grant me1 without mocking of me1 the liberty you desire to take1 and ,god helping me1 ,i desire no more than to shift for myself among you4 ,as to your saying1 that ,i proudly and imperiously insult1 because ,i say they are 'babes and carnal1 that attempt to break the peace and communion of churches1 though upon better pretences than water4' ,you must know ,i am still of that mind1 and shall be1 so long as ,i see the effects that follow1 viz4 ,the breach of love1 taking off ,christians from the more weighty things of ,god2 and to make them quarrel and have heart-burnings one against another4 ,where you are pleased to charge me with raging1 for laying those eighteen particular crimes to the charge of such who exclude ,christians from church communion1 and debar them their heaven-born privileges1 for the want of that1 which yet ,god never made the wall of division between us4 ,i say1 when you can prove1 ,that ,god hath made water baptism that wall1 and that the stress of the after eighteen charges lie wholly and only in that2 then you may1 time enough1 call my language such as wanteth charity3 but ,i question though that was granted1 whether your saying1 ,i ,,rage1 will be justified in the day of judgment4 ,my great noise1 as you call it1 about an initiating ordinance1 you say1 you shall take no notice of4 ,ans4 #a4 ,although you do not1 ,i must3 ,for if baptism be not that1 but another2 and if visible saints may enter into fellowship by that other1 and are nowhere forbidden so to do1 because they have not light into water baptism3 it is of weight to be considered by me2 yea1 and of others too who are unprejudiced4 #b4 ,how ignorant you are of such as hold it the initiating ordinance ,i know not3 nor how long you have been of that persuasion ,i know not4 ,this ,i know1 that men of your own party1 as serious1 godly1 and it may be1 more learned than yourself1 have within less than this twelve-month urged it4 ,mr4 ,d4 in my hearing1 did from ,romans #f3a1 #b in the meeting in ,lothbury affirm it3 also my much esteemed ,mr4 ,d4 ,a4#d did twice in a conference with me assert it4 #c4 ,but whatever you say1 whether for1 or against1 'tis no matter2 for while you deny it be the entering ordinance1 you account it the wall1 bar1 bolt1 and door2 even that which must separate between the righteous and the righteous2 nay1 you make want of light therein1 a ground to exclude the most godly your communion1 when every novice in religion shall be received into your bosom1 and be of esteem with you because he hath1 and from what ground ,god knows1 submitted to water baptism4 ,i am glad that you conclude with me what is the initiating ordinance3 but withal1 give me leave to correct1 as ,i think1 one extravagant expression of yours4 ,you say1 ',it is ,,consent on all hands and ,,nothing else1 that makes them members of particular churches1 and not faith and baptism4' ,you might have stopped at1 and nothing else1 you need not in particular have rejected faith3 your first error was bad enough3 what1 ,,nothing else but consent8 ,what1 not so much as a respect to the matter or end8 ,why then are not all the communities of all the highwaymen in the land1 truly constituted churches of ,christ2 unless you can prove that they hold together1 but not by consent8 ,what8 consent and nothing else8 ,but why do ,,you throw out ,,faith8 why1 ,i throw out baptism2 which because you cannot as to the case in hand fetch in again1 therefore out must faith go too4 ,your action is much like that harlot's1 that stood to be judged by ,solomon1 who because her own child was dead1 would have her neighbour's killed also 7#a ,kings #c3bf74 ,faith1 ,sir1 both in the profession and confession of it1 is of immediate and also absolute concern1 even in the very act of the church's reception1 of this or another member4 ,throw out faith1 and there is no such thing as a ,christian1 neither visible nor invisible4 ,you ought to receive no man1 but upon a comfortable satisfaction to the church1 that you are now receiving a believer4 ,faith1 whether it be savingly there or no1 is the great argument with the church in receiving any3 we receive not men as men1 but the man immediately under that supposition2 ,he hath faith1 he is a ,christian4 ,sir1 consent simply1 without faith1 makes no man a member of the church of ,god3 because then would a church not cease to be a church1 whoever they received among them4 ,yea1 by this assertion you have justified the church of ,rome itself1 to be to this day both good1 and godly1 unless you can prove that they did at first1 and do now receive their unbelieving members1 without their own consent4 ,the church hath no such liberty to receive men without respect to faith2 yea1 faith and holiness must be the essentials1 or basis1 upon1 and for the sake of which you receive them3 holiness1 ,i say1 yet not such as is circumstantial1 but that which is such in the very heart of it3 pray you in your next therefore word it better1 lest while you slight and trample upon me1 you stand before all1 blame-worthy yourself4 ,the scriptures you speak of1 ,i did not in my first produce to shew persons unbaptized in water might hold communion with the church1 though ,i am fully convinced they may1 but to shew1 that knowledge of those persons1 of their faith and holiness in general1 ought first to be shewed to the church1 before she can lawfully receive them 7,acts #i3bf-ca2 #a ,cor #af3aj2 #b ,cor #h3bc74 ,as to my answer to a question which you have of your's corrupted1 and then abused3 ,i tell you again1 ,that a discovery of the faith and holiness1 and a declaration of the willingness of a person to subject himself to the laws and government of ,christ in his church1 is a ground sufficient to receive such a member4 ,but you descant2 ,is baptism one of the laws of ,christ8 ,ans4 ,it is none of those laws1 neither any part of them1 that the church1 as a church1 should shew her obedience by4 ,for albeit that baptism be given by ,christ our ,lord to the church1 yet not for them to worship him by as a church4 ,shew me what church-ordinance it is2 and when1 or where the church1 as a church1 is to practise it1 as one of those laws and appointments that he hath commanded his church to shew to him her obedience by4 ,again1 ,that submitting to water baptism1 is a sign or note1 that was ever required by any of the primitive churches1 of him that would hold fellowship with them2 or that it infuseth such grace and holiness into those that submit thereto1 as to capacitate them for such a privilege2 or that they did acknowledge it a sign thereof1 ,i find not in all the ,bible4 ,i find not1 as ,i told you in my first1 that baptism is a sign to any1 but the person that is baptized 7,col #b3ab2 ,rom #f3a-d2 #a ,cor #ae3bi2 ,acts #b3ch1 #bb3af74 ,the church hath her satisfaction of the person1 from better proof 7#a ,peter #c3ba74 ,i told you also1 ,that baptism makes thee no member of the church1 neither doth it make thee a visible saint3 ,it giveth thee therefore1 neither right to1 nor being of membership at all4 ,why1 ,sir1 did you not answer these things8 but slip them with others1 as if you were unconcerned2 troubling your reader with such kind of insinuations1 as must needs be unsavoury to godly ears4 ,you make the moral law none of ,christ's but ,moses'2 not the son's but the servant's2 and tell me1 because ,i plead for faith and holiness1 according to moral duties gospelized1 7they are my words7 whereby we ought to judge of the fitness of members2 that therefore ,moses is more beholden to me than ,christ4 ,sir1 know you not yet1 that a difference is to be put betwixt those rules that discover the essentials of holiness1 and those that in themselves are not such2 and that that of faith and the moral law is the one1 and baptism1 c4 the other4 ,is not love to ,god1 abhorrence of idols1 to forbear blaspheming1 to honour our parents1 to do no murder1 to forbear theft1 not to bear false witness1 nor covet1 c4 are not 7,i say7 these the precepts of the ,lord ,jesus1 because delivered by ,moses8 ,or1 are these such as may better be broken1 than for want of light to forbear baptism with water8 ,or1 doth a man while he liveth in the neglect of these1 and in the mean time bustle about those you call gospel commands1 most honour ,christ1 or best fit himself for fellowship with the saints8 ,need ,i tell you1 ,that the faith of ,christ1 with the ten commandments1 are as much now gospel commands as baptism2 and ought to be in as much1 and far more respect with the holy ones than that1 or other the like4#e ,yea1 shall ,i tell you1 ,that baptism will neither admit a man into fellowship1 nor keep him there1 if he be a transgressor of a moral precept2 and that a man who believeth in ,jesus1 and fulfilleth the royal law1 doth more glorify ,god1 and honour religion in the world1 than he that keepeth1 if there were so many1 ten thousand figurative laws4 ,as to those commands that respect ,god's instituted worship in a church1 as a church1 ,i have told you that baptism is none of them1 and you have been driven to confess it4 ,the church then must first look to faith1 then to good living according to the ten commandments2 after that she must respect those appointments of our ,lord ,jesus that respects her outward order and discipline1 and then she walks as becomes her1 sinning if she neglecteth either2 sinning if she overvalueth either4 ,but why did you not answer those tests ,i produced for the strengthening of my argument 7,rom #ad3ag1ah2 ,deut #bg3dg2 ,james #b3h-ab2 #a ,cor #i3ba1 #e3i-aa2 ,gal #f3ae1af2 ,phil #c2 #a ,tim #a3i-aa2 ,acts #bj3bh-cb2 ,rom #ac3ac2 ,james #d3aa2 #a ,cor #e3ab74 ,deal fairly2 ,answer those texts1 with the argument made upon them2 and when you have after a godly manner done that1 you may the more boldly condemn4 ,you tell me1 that ,i say1 ',none ever received baptism without light therein4' ,what if ,i did8 7as ,i did not7 but you grant it3 and now ,i will ask you1 and pray deal fairly in your answer4 ,may a man be a visible saint without light therein8 ,may he have a good conscience without light therein8 ,and seeing that baptism is none of the worship that ,christ instituted in his church for them to practice as a church1 must he be kept dark about all other things concerning the worship of ,god in his church1 until he receive light therein8 ,you have answered already1 ',that they ought to be ashamed1 and to repent of that abomination their sprinkling ,,before they come to have a sight of the pattern of the house of ,god1 the goings in and the comings out thereof' 7,eze #dc3aj1aa74 ,but1 ,sir1 where do you find that want of light in water baptism1 or because a man hath been sprinkled1 that he is to be kept dark in all other temple-institutions1 till he be ashamed and repent of that8 ,pray produce the texts1 for ,ezekiel helps you nothing3 he speaks only of the pattern of the house1 the goings out1 and comings in thereof4 ,as for the coming in1 you have already confessed1 ,that baptism is not the entering ordinance4 ,and as for the worship that ,christ hath instituted in his church1 as a church1 ,i say1 7and you also have said it7 baptism is none of the forms thereof1 none of the ordinances thereof1 none of the laws thereof2 for baptism is1 as to the practice of it1 that which is without the church1 without the house of ,god4#f ,then by your own text1 if a man do repent him of his christening in his childhood1 he may be received into fellowship without submitting to baptism3 but ,i will not strain you too far4 ,you add1 ',is it a person's light that giveth being to a precept8' ,ans4 ,who said it8 ,yet it is his light and faith about it1 that can make him to do it acceptably4 ,you ask again1 ',suppose men plead want of light in other commands8' ,ans4 ,if they be not such1 the forbearance of which1 discapacitates him of membership1 he may yet be received to fellowship4 ',but what if a man want light in the supper8' ,ans4 ,there is more to be said in that case than in the other3 for that is a part of that worship which ,christ hath instituted for his church1 to be conversant in as a church2 presenting them as such1 with their communion with their ,head1 and with one another as members of him4 ',the cup of blessing which we bless1 is it not the communion of the blood of ,christ8 ,the bread which we break1 is it not the communion of the body of ,christ8 ,for we being many are one bread1 and one body2 for we are all partakers of that one bread' 7#a ,cor #aj3af1ag74 ,wherefore this being a duty incumbent on the church1 as a church2 and on every member of that body as such1 they are obliged in that case more closely to deal with the members1 than in that wherein they are not so concerned2 and with which as such1 they have nothing to do4 ,no man baptizeth by virtue of his office in the church2 no man is baptized by virtue of his membership there4 ',but what if a man want light in his duty to the poor8' ,ans4 ,if he doth1 ,god must give it him2 ,i mean to know his duty as a church member4 ,now ,i will add1 but what if he that can give a shilling1 giveth nothing8 ,i suppose all that the church can do in that case1 is but to warn1 to exhort1 and charge him1 and to shew him his duty3 and if he neglect1 to shew him1 that ',he which soweth sparingly1 shall reap also sparingly' 7#b ,cor #i3f74 ,but to cut a man off for this1 as you forwardly urge1 would argue that church1 at least ,i think so1 a little too bold with so high and weighty a censure4 ,i plead not here for the churl1 but seek to allay your heat3 and should it be granted that such deserve as you would have it1 this makes no matter to the case in hand4 ,now whereas you suggest1 ',that moral evils are but sins against men1' you are too much unadvised3 the moral evil1 as you call it1 whether you respect the breach of the first or second table1 is first and immediately a sin against ,god2 and more insufferable1 yea and damnable1 than for a man for want of light to forbear either baptism or the ,lord's ,supper4 ,but say you1 ',we have now found an advocate for sin against ,god1 in the breach of one of ,,his holy commands8' ,ans4 ,as if none of the moral precepts were ,,his4 ,but1 ,sir1 who have ,i pleaded for1 in the denial of any one ordinance of ,god8 ,yea1 or for their neglect of it either8 ,what ,i say1 is but that men must have light1 that they may not do in darkness1 or ,papist-like1 live by an implicit faith4 ,but ,i see you put no difference between an open breach of the law1 and a forbearing that which to him is doubtful4 ,but ,i will suppose a case3 ,there is a man wants light in baptism1 yet by his neighbour is pressed to it3 he saith he seeth it not to be his duty2 the other saith1 he sins if he doth it not3 now seeing 'whatsoever is not of faith is sin' 7,rom #ad3bc72 what should this man do8 ,if you say1 let him use the means3 ,i say so too4 ,but what1 if when he hath used it1 he still continueth dark about it2 what will you advise him now8 ,if you bid him wait1 do you not encourage him to live in sin1 as much as ,i do8 ,nay1 and seeing you will not let him for want of light in that1 obey ,god in other his institutions2 what is it but to say1 ,seeing you live for want of light in the neglect of baptism1 we will make you1 while you continue so1 live1 though quite against your light1 in the breach of all the rest4 ,and ,,where you are commanded thus1 you may shew the place when you find it4 ,now where you urge1 that you are one of them that say1 ',the epistles were writ to particular churches1 and so serve nothing at all for our kind of communion4' ,urging further1 ',that it will be difficult for me to prove1 that they were also directed to particular saints4' ,ans4 ,i wish there were nothing harder1 that were good for me to do4 ,but what should be the reason that our author1 with others of his opinion1 should stickle so hard to prove that all the epistles were wrote to particular churches8 ,why1 because those members were1 as they think1 every one baptized2 and so the epistles from which we fetch our arguments for the love and concord of saints1 to be only proper to themselves4#g ,but if this be true1 there is virtue indeed1 and more than ever ,i dreamed of1 in partaking of water baptism3 for if that shall take away the epistles1 and consequently the whole ,bible1 from all that are not baptized2 then are the other churches1 and also particular saints1 in a very deplorable condition4 ,for he asketh me very devoutly1 ',whether any unbaptized persons were concerned in these epistles8' ,but why would they take from us the ,holy ,scriptures8 ,verily1 that we might have naught to justify our practice withal3 for if the ,scriptures belong only to baptized believers1 they then belong not to the rest2 and in truth1 if they could persuade us to yield them this grant1 we should but sorrily justify our practice4 ,but ,i would ask these men1 ',if the word of ,god came out from them8 ,or if it came to them only8' 7#a ,cor #ad3cf74 ,or1 whether ,christ hath not given his whole word to every one that believeth1 whether they be baptized1 or in1 or out of church fellowship 7,james #ag3ad74 ,or1 whether every saint in some sort1 hath not the keys of the kingdom of heaven1 which are the ,scriptures and their power8 ,would to ,god they had learned more modesty1 than thus to take from all others1 and appropriate to themselves1 and that for the sake of their observing a circumstance in religion1 so high1 and glorious a privilege4 ,but we will come a little to proof3 what church will this author find in ,rome1 that time the epistle was sent to the brethren there1 besides that church that was in ,aquila's house1 although many more saints were then in the city8 7,rom #af3e74 ,yea1 the apostle in his salutation at the beginning1 embraceth them only as brethren1 without the least intimation of their being gathered into fellowship3 ',to all that be in ,rome1 beloved of ,god1 called to be saints3 ,grace to you1' c4 7#a3g74 ,to all there1 to all in that city1 beloved of ,god1 and that are converted to the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,a church there was in ,aquila's house1 and that there were many more saints besides1 is1 and that by the text1 as manifest4 ,besides1 considering the rules that are given them in the #adth and #aeth chapters about their receiving one another1 doth yet strongly suggest to me1 that they were not yet in fellowship1 but as it were now about it1 when ,paul wrote his epistle to them4 ,the first epistle written to ,corinth1 was also wrote to all them 'that in every place call upon the name of ,jesus ,christ our ,lord' 7#a3b74 ,but it will be hard work for our author to make it manifest1 that none in those days did call on the name of our ,lord1 but those that were first baptized4 ,the second epistle also1 was not only written to the church at ,corinth1 but also to 'all the saints which were in all ,achaia' 7#b ,cor #a3a74 ,to the ,galatians and ,thessalonians indeed1 his salutation was only to the churches there3 ,but the three epistles before were as well to all other saints3 ,as also that to the ,ephesians1 ,philippians1 and ,colossians1 in which the faithful and ,,saints in ,christ ,jesus were also every one comprehended4 ,besides1 to what particular church was the epistle to the ,hebrews wrote8 ,or the epistle of ,james8 ,both those of ,peter1 and the first of ,john8 ,nay1 that of ,john was wrote to some at that time out of fellowship1 'that also may have fellowship with us' the church 7#a3a-d74 ,so that these brethren must not have all the scriptures4 ,we have then a like privilege with all saints1 to use the scriptures for our godly edifying1 and to defend ourselves thereby1 from the assaults of those that would make spoil of us4 ,but to pass this1 and come to the next4 ,you object for that ,i said1 ',if water baptism as the circumstances with which the church was pestered of old trouble the peace1 and wound the consciences of the godly1 dismember and break their fellowships2 it is1 although an ordinance1 for the present prudently to be shunned4' ,at this 7as ,i said7 you object1 and say1 ',did ,i ever find baptism a pest or plague to churches8 ,and did ever ,god send an ordinance to be a pest and plague to his people8' ,i answer3 ,i said not that ,god did send it for any such end at all2 ,god's ordinances are none of this in themselves3 nor if used as1 and for the end for which ,god sent them4 ,but yet both baptism1 and the supper of the ,lord1 have1 by being wrested out of their place1 been a great affliction to the godly both in this and other ages4 ,what say you to breaking of bread1 which the devil1 by abusing1 made an engine in the hand of ,papists1 to burn1 starve1 hang and draw thousands8 ,what say you to ,john of ,leyden8 ,what work did he make by the abuse of the ordinance of water baptism8 ,and ,i wish this age had not given cause1 through the church-rending spirits that some are possessed with1 to make complaint of this matter2 who have also had for their engine the baptism with water4 ,yea1 yourself1 ,sir1 so far as ,i can perceive1 could you get but the opportunity2 yourself 7,i say7 under pretence of this innocent ordinance1 as you term it1 would not stick to make inroads1 and outroads too1 in all the churches1 that suit not your fancy1 in the land4 ,for you have already been bold to affirm1 ',that all those that have baptized infants1 ought to be ashamed and repent1 before they be showed the pattern of the house4' ,and what is this but to threaten1 that could you have your will of them1 you would quickly take from them their present church privileges1 and let them see nothing thereof1 till those qualifications1 especially subjection to water baptism1 was found to attend each of them4 ,as to the persons you speak of1 ',who have rent churches in pieces1 by making preaching by method1 doctrine1 reason and use1 to be anti-christian'3 ,or1 because they could not have other ministrations performed after their fancies 'the imprudence of such with yourselves1 hath been heart-breaking to many a gracious soul2 an high occasion of stumbling to the weak1 and a reproach to the ways of the ,lord4' ,that it may be prudently shunned1 ,i referred you then for proof1 to what should be offered after3 but at this you cry out1 and so pass it4 ,and now1 reader1 although this author hath thus objected against some passages in this my first argument for communion with persons unbaptized2 yet the body of my argument he misseth and passeth over1 as a thing not worth the answering2 whether because he forgot1 or because he was conscious to himself1 that he knew not what to do therewith1 ,i will not now determine4 #a4 ,i effectually prove1 ',that baptism is not the initiating ordinance4' #b4 ,i prove1 ',that though it was1 yet the case may so fall out1 that members might be received without it4' #c4 ,i prove1 ',that baptism makes no man a visible saint1 nor giveth any right to church fellowship4' #d4 ,i prove1 ',that faith1 and a life becoming the law of the ten commandments1 should be the chief and most solid argument with true churches to receive saints to fellowship4'#h #e4 ,i prove1 ',that circumcision in the flesh1 which was the entering ordinance of old1 was a type of circumcision in the heart1' c4 ,these things1 with others1 our author letteth pass2 although in the proof of them abideth the strength of this first argument2 to which ,i must entreat him in his next1 to cast his eye1 and give fair answer2 as also to the scriptures on which each are built1 or he must suffer me to say1 ,i am abused4 ,further1 ,i make a question upon three scriptures1 ,whether all the saints1 even in the primitive times1 were baptized with water8 to which also he answereth nothing2 whereas he ought to have done it1 if he will take in hand to confute4 ,the scriptures are #a ,corinthians #a3ad-af2 ,romans #f3c2 ,galatians #c3bg4 ,yet were they effectually answered1 my argument is nothing weakened4 ,you come to my second argument1 drawn from ,ephesians #d3d-f4 ,upon which a little more now to enlarge1 and then to take notice of your objection4 ,the apostle then in that fourth of the ,ephesians1 exhorteth the church there 'with all lowliness and meekness1 with long suffering1 forbearing one another in love2 endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace' 7vv #b1c74 ,this done1 he presents them with such arguments1 as might fasten his exhortation to purpose upon them4 #a4 ,the first is1 because the body is ,,one2 ,there is 'one body'2 therefore they should not divide4 ,for if the church of ,christ be a body1 there ought not to be a rent or schism among them 7#a ,cor #ab74 #b4 ,his second argument is1 ,there is 'one spirit1' or one quickening principle by which the body is made to live2 for having asserted before that ,christ hath indeed a body1 it was meet that he showed also1 that this body hath life1 and motion4 ,now that life1 being none other1 than that nourishment1 or spirit of life1 from which 'the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth1 according to the effectual working of the measure in every part1 maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love' 7,eph #d3af74 ,now this spirit1 being first1 and chiefly1 in the head1 therefore none other but those that hold the head can have this nourishment ministered to them3 besides1 this is the spirit that knits the body together1 and makes it increase with the increase of ,god 7,col #b3ai74 ,this is 'the unity of the spirit' which he before exhorts them to keep4 #c4 ,the third argument is1 ,because their hope is also but one4 ',even as ye are called saith he in one hope of your calling'3 as who should say1 ,my brethren1 if you are called with one calling1 if your hope1 both as to the grace of hope1 and also the object1 be but one3 if you hope for one heaven1 and for one eternal life3 then maintain that unity of the spirit1 and hope1 while here1 in love1 'and the bond of peace' 7,eph #d3c74 #d4 ,the fourth argument is1 ,there is 'one ,lord1' or husband1 or prince1 to whom this church belongs3 therefore if we have husbands1 but one1 ,lord and prince but one1 let us not read into many parties1 as if we had many husbands1 lords1 and princes1 to govern us1 as his wife1 his house1 and kingdom4 ',is ,christ divided8' 7#a ,cor #a3ac74 #e4 ,the fifth argument is1 ,there is 'one faith1' by which we all stand justified by one ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 'one faith' by which we escape the wrath of ,god2 'one faith' by which only they that have it are blessed2 yea1 seeing there is but 'one faith1' by which we are all put into one way of salvation1 let us hold together as such4 #f4 ,the sixth argument is1 ,there is 'one baptism4' ,now we are come to the pinch1 viz41 ,whether it be that of water1 or no8 which ,i must positively deny4 7#a47 ,because water baptism hath nothing to do in a church1 as a church2 it neither bringeth us into the church1 nor is any part of our worship when we come there2 how then can the peace and unity of the church depend upon water baptism8 ,besides1 he saith expressly1 ,it is the 'unity of the spirit1' not water1 that is here intended3 and the arguments brought to enforce it1 are such as wholly and immediately relate to the duty of the church1 as a church4 7#b47 ,further1 ,that other text1 that treateth of our being baptized into a body1 saith expressly it is done by the spirit3 ',for by one spirit are we all baptized into one body' 7#a ,cor #ab3ac74 ,here is the church presented as under the notion of 'one body'2 here is a baptism mentioned1 by which they are brought1 or initiated into this body3 ,now that this is the baptism of water1 is utterly against the words of the text2 ',for by one spirit are we all baptized into one body4' ,besides1 if the baptism here be of water1 then is it the initiating ordinance2 but the contrary ,i have proved1 and this author stands by my doctrine4 ,so then1 the baptism here respecting the church as one body1 and water1 having nothing to do to enter men into the church1 nor to command them to practise it as a church1 in order to their peace or communion1 or respecting the worship of ,god as such3 and 7,i say again7 the baptism in the sixth argument1 being urged precisely for no other purpose1 but with respect to the church's peace as a body2 it must needs be ,,that baptism1 by virtue of which1 they were initiated1 and joined together in one2 and that baptism being only that which the ,spirit executeth2 this therefore is that one baptism4 #g4 ,the other argument is also effectual2 there is ',one ,god and ,father of all1 who is above all1 and through all1 and in you all' 7,eph #d3f74 ,if we are 'one body'2 if to it there be but 'one spirit'2 if we have but 'one hope1 one faith1' and be all baptized by 'one spirit' into that 'one' body2 and if we have but 'one ,lord1 one ,god1' and he in every one of us2 let us be also 'one'3 and let them that are thus qualified1 both join together1 and hold in one4 ,but our author against this1 objecteth1 ,that1 'now ,i employ my pen against every man2 and give the lie to all expositors1 for they hold this one baptism1 to be none other than that of water4'#i ,ans4 ,what if ,i should also send you to answer those expositors that expound certain scriptures for infant baptism1 and that by them brand us for anabaptists2 must this drive you from your belief of the truth8 ,,expositors ,i reverence1 but must live by mine own faith 7,habb #b3d74 ,god hath no where bound himself to them more than to others1 with respect to the revelation of his mind in his word4 ,but it becomes not you to run thus to expositors1 who are1 as to your notions in many things1 but of yesterday3 'to the law1 and to the testimony' 7,isa #h3bj73 for ',out of the mouth of babes' the ,lord hath 'ordained strength' 7,psa #h3b74 ,but you bid me tell you1 ',what ,i mean by spirit baptism8' ,ans4 ,sir1 you mistake me1 ,i treat not here of our being baptized with the ,spirit1 with respect to its coming from heaven into us2 but of that act of the spirit1 when come1 which baptizeth us into a body or church4 ,it is one thing to be baptized with the ,spirit in the first sense2 and another to be baptized by it in the sense ,i treat of3 for the ,spirit to come upon me1 is one thing2 and for that when come1 to implant1 embody1 or baptize me into the body of ,christ1 is another4 ,your question therefore is grounded on a mistake1 both of my judgment1 and the words of the apostle4 ,wherefore thus ,i soon put an end to your objections4 ,for the ,spirit to come down upon me1 is one thing2 and for the ,spirit to baptize1 or implant me into the church1 is another3 for to be possessed with the spirit1 is one thing2 and to be led by that spirit1 is another4 ,i conclude then2 seeing the argument taken from that one baptism1 respecteth church fellowship properly2 and seeing water baptism meddleth not with it as such2 it is the other1 even that in #a ,corinthians #ab3af that is here intended1 and no other4 ,but you add1 ',if nothing but extraordinary gifts are called the baptism of the ,spirit in a strict sense2 then that baptism 7#a ,cor #ab7 must be water baptism1 as well as that in the ,ephesians4' ,hold3 you make your conclusions before you have cause2 first1 prove that in the ,ephesians to be meant of water baptism1 and that the baptism in #a ,corinthians #ab3af is the baptism you would have it2 and then conclude my argument void4 ,that it is the baptism of the ,holy ,ghost according to the common notion1 ,i say not2 for you to assert it is the baptism of water1 gives the lie to the text3 but that it is an act of the ,holy ,ghost1 baptizing the saints into a body1 or church1 you will hardly be able to make the contrary appear to be truth4 ',but behold1 while here you would have this to be baptism with water1 how you contradict and condemn your own notion3 you say water baptism is not the entering ordinance2 yet the baptism here is such as baptizeth us into a body3 wherefore before you say next time that this in #a ,corinthians #ab3af is meant of water baptism2 affirm that water baptism is the initiating or entering ordinance1 that your opinion and doctrine may hang better together4' ,we come to my third argument2 which is to prove1 that it is lawful to hold church communion with the godly sincere believer1 though he hath not be baptized with water1 because he hath the ,,doctrine of baptisms 7,heb #f3b74 ,which doctrine ,i distinguish from the practice of it2 the doctrine being that which by the outward sign is presented to us2 or which by the outward circumstance of the act is preached to the believer1 viz41 the death of ,christ1 my death with ,christ2 also his resurrection from the dead1 and mine with him to newness of life4 ',this our author calleth one of the strangest paradoxes that he hath ,,lightly observed4' ,ans4 ,how light he is in his observation of things1 ,i know not2 this ,i am sure1 the apostle makes mention of the doctrine of baptisms2 now that the doctrine of a man1 or ordinance1 is the signification of what is preached1 is apparent to very sense4 ,what is ,christ's doctrine1 ,paul's doctrine1 scripture doctrine1 but the truth couched under the words that are spoken8 so the doctrine of baptism1 yea and the doctrine of the ,lord's supper1 are those truths or mysteries that such ordinances preach unto us4 ,and that the doctrine of baptism1 in this sense1 is the great end for which that1 and the ,lord's supper1 was instituted1 is apparent from all the scriptures3 it is that which the apostle seeketh for in that eminent sixth of the ,romans1 ',know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into ,jesus ,christ1 were baptized into his death8 ,therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death3 that like as ,christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the ,father1 even so we also should walk in newness of life4 ,for if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death1 we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection' 7#c-e74 ,what is here discoursed1 but the doctrine of or that which baptism teacheth2 with an intimation2 that that was the chief1 for the sake of which that shadow was instituted2 as also that they that have the doctrine1 or that which is signified thereby1 they only must reign with ,christ4 ,again1 ,this is that which he seeketh for among the ,corinthians2 ',if the dead rise not at all1' saith he1 'why then were you baptized for the dead8' 7#a ,cor #ae3bi74 ,why then were you baptized8 ,what did baptism teach you8 ,what doctrine did it preach to you8 further1 ',buried with him in baptism1 wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of ,god1 who hath raised him from the dead' 7,col #b3ab74 ,what is here in chief asserted1 but the doctrine only which water baptism preacheth8 with an intimation1 that they1 and they only1 are the saved of the ,lord1 that have heard1 received1 and that live in this doctrine4 ,the same may be said of the ,lord's supper1 it also hath its doctrine4 ,but against this our author objecteth1 saying1 ',that this is called the doctrine of baptism1 ,i am yet to learn4' ,ans4 ,your ignorance of the truth makes it not an error3 but ,i pray you1 what is the doctrine of baptism1 if not that which baptism teacheth1 even that which is signified thereby8 ,as that is the doctrine of ,christ1 and the scriptures2 which he and they teach as the mind of ,god4 ,but you say1 ',i took the doctrine of baptism to be the command that a believer should be baptized1 for such ends as the gospel expresseth4' ,ans4 ,to assert that a figurative ordinance is of ,god1 is one thing2 but the doctrinal signification of that ordinance is another4 ,a man may preach the command1 yet none of the doctrine which baptism preacheth4 ,the doctrine lieth not in the command1 but the mystery discovered to faith1 by the act4 ,you object1 ',if the resurrection be the doctrine of baptism1 why doth the apostle make that1 and the doctrine of baptism1 things distinct1 in ,hebrews #f4' ,ans4 ,the resurrection simply considered1 is not the doctrine of baptism1 but ,christ's1 and mine by him4 ,besides1 there is more in it than the mystery of this resurrection2 there is my death first1 and then my rising with him4 ,but you add1 ',under the law1 all the sacrifices of that dispensation1 with their sabbaths1 were types of that ,christ1 who was the substance of all those ceremonies4 ,if any of them then that professed faith in the ,messias to come1 should upon scruples1 or want of pretended light1 neglect the whole1 or part of that typical worship2 why may not a man say of them1 as this advocate of the practice under debate1 they had the richer and better sacrifice4' ,ans4 ,first1 that the brethren which refuse to be baptized1 as you and ,i would have them1 refuse it for want of pretended light1 becomes you not to imagine1 unless your boldness will lead you to judge1 that all men want sincerity1 that come not up to our judgment4 ,their conscience may be better than either yours or mine2 yet ,god1 for purposes best known to himself1 may forbear to give them conviction of their duty in this particular4 ,but what1 because they are not baptized1 have they not ,jesus ,christ8 ,or1 must we now be afraid to say that ,christ is better than water baptism8#aj ,yea1 ,god himself for the sake of this better thing1 hath suffered in his church a suspension of some of his ordinances1 yet owned them for his truly constituted congregation4 ,what say you to the church in the wilderness8 ,i touched you with it in my first1 but perceive you listed not to meddle therewith4 ,that church received members1 the way which was not prescribed by1 but directly against the revealed mind of ,god2 yet stood a true church1 their members true members2 also that church in that state1 was such before whom1 among whom1 and to whom ,god continually made known himself to be their ,god1 and owned them for his peculiar treasure4 ,and now ,i am fallen upon it1 let me a little enlarge3 this church1 according to the then instituted worship of ,god1 had circumcision for their entering ordinance 7,gen #ag3ac1ad71 without which it was unlawful to receive any into fellowship with them3 yea1 he that without it was received1 was to be cut off1 and cast out again4 ,further1 as to the passover1 the uncircumcised were utterly forbidden to eat it 7,exo #ab3dh74 ,now if our brethren had as express prohibition to justify their groundless opinion1 as here is to exclude the uncircumcised from the communion of the church and the passover3 ,i say1 if they could find it written1 ',no unbaptized person shall enter1 no unbaptized person shall eat of the supper'2 what a noise would they make about it8 ,but yet let the reader observe1 that although circumcision was the entering ordinance1 and our author saith baptism is not2 yea1 though this church was expressly forbidden to receive the uncircumcised1 and we have not a syllable now to forbid the unbaptized1 yet this church received members without1 and otherwise than by this entering ordinance4 ,they also admitted them to the passover2 yea1 entertained1 retained1 and held communion with them so long as forty years without it4 ,i say again1 ,that the number of this sort of communicants was not so few as six hundred thousand4 ,moreover1 to these uncircumcised was the land of ,canaan given1 yea1 a possession of part thereof before they were circumcised2 but the old circumcised ones might not enter therein4 ,i am the larger in this1 because our author hath overlooked my first mention thereof4 ,and now ,i ask1 ,what was the reason that ,god continued his presence with this church notwithstanding this transgression8 ,was it not because they had that richer and better thing1 'the ,lord ,jesus ,christ8' ,for they did all eat of that spiritual bread1 and drink of that 'spiritual rock that followed them3 and that rock was ,christ' 7#a ,cor #aj3c1d74 ,i confess ,i find them under rebukes and judgments in the wilderness1 and that they were many times threatened to be destroyed2 but yet ,i find not so much as one check for their receiving of members uncircumcised4 ,further1 in the ,new ,testament1 where we have a catalogue of their sins1 and also of their punishment for them2 we find not a word about circumcision1 nor the smallest intimation of the least rebuke for neglecting the entering ordinance 7#a ,cor #aj3e-aj74 ,i will therefore say of them1 as ,i have also said of my brethren1 ',they had the richer and better thing4' ,but you object1 ',that this putteth the whole of ,god's instituted worship both under the law and gospel1 to the highest uncertainties4' ,ans4 ,this putteth our opposers out of their road1 and quencheth the flame of their unwarrantable zeal4 ,for if the entering ordinance1 if the ordinance without which no man might be added to the church1 was laid aside for forty years2 yea1 if more than six hundred thousand did communicate with them without it3 ,i say again1 ,if they did it1 and held communion with ,god1 that notwithstanding2 yea1 and had not1 that we read of1 all that time one small check for so doing2 why may not we now enter communion1 hold communion1 maintain communion1 church communion1 without being judged1 and condemned by you8 because we cannot for want of light be all baptized before2 especially considering baptism makes no man a saint1 is not the entering ordinance1 is no part of the worship of ,god enjoined the church as a church4 ,to conclude1 although we receive members unbaptized in after1 we leave not ,god's instituted worship at uncertainties1 especially what he hath commanded us as his church2 we only profess our want of light in some things2 but see no word to warrant the forbearance of our duty in all1 for want of persuasion in one4 ,you object1 ',i call baptism a circumstance1 an outward-shew ,i ,,nickname it4' ,ans4 ,deep reproof6 but why did you not shew me my evil in thus calling it1 when opposed to the substance1 and the thing signified8 ,is it the substance1 is it the thing signified8 ,and why may not ,i give it the name of a shew2 when you call it a symbol1 and compare it to a gentleman's livery8 ,but you say1 ,i call it an outward shew4 ,ans4 ,is it an inward one8 ,what is it8 ',it is a command4' ,ans4 ,but doth that install it in that place and dignity1 that was never intended for it8 ,you object further1 ',they cannot have the doctrine of baptism that understand not our way of administering it4' ,this is your mistake1 both of the doctrine and thing itself4 ,but if you will not ,,scorn to take notice of me1 ,i advise you again to consider1 ,that a man may find baptism to be commanded1 may be informed who ought to administer it2 may also know the proper subject2 and that the manner of baptizing is dipping2 and may desire to practise it because it is commanded1 and yet know nothing of what water baptism preacheth2 or of the mystery baptism sheweth to faith4 ,but that the doctrine of baptism is not the practice of it1 not the outward act1 but the thing signified2 and that every believer hath that1 must argue you more than too bold to deny it4 ,but say you1 ',who taught you to divide betwixt ,christ and his precepts1 that you word it at such a rate8 ,that he that hath the one1' c4 ,ans4 ,to say nothing of faith1 and the word2 verily reason itself teacheth it4 ,for if ,christ be my righteousness1 and not water2 if ,christ be my advocate1 and not water2 if there be that good and blessedness in ,christ1 that is not in water2 then is ,jesus ,christ better than water2 and also in these to be eternally divided from water2 unless we will make them co-saviours1 co-advocates1 and such as are equally good and profitable to men4 ,but say you1 ',i thought that he that hath ,christ1 had an orderly right to all ,christ's promises and precepts2 and that the precepts of ,christ1 are part of the riches that a believer hath in and by ,christ4' ,ans4 ,a believer hath more in ,christ than either promise or precept2 but all believers know not all things1 that of ,god are given to them by ,christ4 ,but must not they use1 and enjoy what they know1 because they know not all4 ,or must they neglect the weightier matters1 because they want mint1 and anise1 and cummin8 ,your pretended orderly right is your fancy2 there is not a syllable in the whole bible1 that bids a ,christian to forbear his duty in other things1 because he wanteth1 as you term it1 the symbol1 or water baptism4 ,but say you1 ',he that despiseth his birthright of ordinances1 our church privileges1 will be found to be a profane person1 as ,esau in ,god's account4' ,baptism is not the privilege of a church as such4 ,but what8 are they all ,esau's indeed8 ,must we go to hell1 and be damned1 for want of faith in water baptism8 ,and take notice1 ,i do not plead for a despising of baptism1 but a bearing with our brother1 that cannot do it for want of light4 ,the best of baptism he hath1 viz4 the signification thereof3 he wanteth only the outward shew1 which if he had1 would not prove him a truly visible saint2 it would not tell me he had the grace of ,god in his heart2 it is no characteristical note to another of my ,sonship with ,god4 ,but why did you not answer these parts of my argument8 ,why did you only cavil at words8 which if they had been left out1 the argument yet stands good4 ',he that is not baptized in water1 if yet a true believer1 hath the ,,doctrine of baptism2 yea1 he ought to have it before he be convicted1 it is his duty to be baptized1 or else he playeth the hypocrite4 ,there is therefore no difference between that believer that is1 and he that is not yet baptized with water2 but only his going down into the water1 there to perform an outward ceremony1 the substance of which he hath already2 which yet he is not commanded to do with respect to membership with the church2 but to obtain by that1 further understanding of his privilege by ,christ1 which before he made profession of1 and that as a visible believer4'#aa ,but to come to my fourth argument1 which you so tenderly touch as if it burnt your fingers3 ',i am bold say ,i to have communion with visible saints as before1 because ,god hath communion with them1 whose example in the case we are strictly commanded to follow4' ',receive ye one another1 as ,christ also received us to the glory of ,god' 7,rom #ae3g74 ,yea1 though they be saints1 in opinion contrary to you1 or ,i4 ',we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak1 and not to please ourselves' 7,rom #ae3a74 ,infirmities that are sinful3 for they that are natural are incident to all4 ,infirmities therefore they are1 that for want of light1 cause a man to err in circumstantials3 and the reason upon which ,paul groundeth this admonition is2 ',for even ,christ pleased not himself1 but1 as it is written1 ,the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me' 7,rom #ae3c74 ,you say to this1 ',that it is ,paul's direction to the church at ,rome how to receive their brethren church members4' ,i answer1 #a4 ,what8 are not the poor saints now in this city8 are not they concerned in these instructions8 or is not the church by these words at all directed how to carry it to those that were not yet in fellowship8 ,a bold assertion6 but grounded upon nothing1 but that you would have it so4 #b4 ,but how will you prove that there was a church1 a rightly constituted church1 at ,rome1 besides that in ,aquila's house8 7chap4 #af74 ,neither doth this epistle1 nor any other in the whole book of ,god affirm it4 ,besides1 since ,paul in this last chapter saluteth the church1 as in this man's house1 but the other1 only as particular saints1 it giveth further ground of conviction to you1 that those others were not as yet imbodied in such a fellowship4 #c4 ,but suppose there was another church besides2 it doth not therefore follow1 that the apostle exhorteth them only to receive persons already in fellowship2 but ',him1' even every ',him that is weak in the faith receive ye1 but not to doubtful disputations' 7#ad3a74 #d4 ,suppose again1 the receiving here exhorted to1 be such as you would have it1 yet the rule by which they are directed to do it1 is that by which we perceive that ,christ hath received them4 ,but ,christ did not receive them by water baptism1 but as given to him by the ,father4 ,him1 therefore1 concerning whom we are convinced1 that he by the ,father is given to ,christ1 ',him should we receive4' #e4 ,but what need ,i grant you1 that which cannot be proved8 yet if you could prove it1 it availeth nothing at all2 because you may not1 cannot1 ought not to dare to limit the exhortation to receiving of one another into each other's affections only2 and not also receiving saints into communion4 ,but you object3 ',to make ,god's receiving the rule of our receiving1 in all cases will not hold4' ,ans4 ,keep to the thing1 man3 if it hold in the case in hand1 it is enough1 the which you have not denied4 ,and that it holds thus1 is plain1 because commanded4 ,but let the reader know1 that your putting in that way of his receiving which is invisible to us2 is but an unhandsome straddling over my argument1 which treateth only of a visible receiving2 such as is manifest to the church4 ,this you knew1 but sought by evading to turn the reader from considering the strength of this my argument4 ',the receiving then said ,i because it is set as an example to the church1 is such as must needs be visible unto them2 and is best discovered by that word that describeth the visible saint4 ,whoso then you can judge a visible saint1 one that walketh with ,god1 you may1 nay ought to judge by the same word1 that ,god hath received him4 ,now him that ,god receiveth1 him should you receive4' ,but will any object2 they cannot believe that ,god receiveth the unbaptized saints2 ,i will not suppose you so much stupefied1 and therefore shall make no answer4 ,but you seem to be much offended1 because ,i said1 ',vain man6 ,think not by the straightness of thine order in outward1 and bodily conformity to outward and shadowish circumstances1 that thy peace is maintained with ,god8' ,but why so much offended at this8 ,it is say you ',because you intend by this the brethren of the baptized way4' ,ans4 ,if they be vain men1 and set up their ,,own order1 how straight soever they make it1 they are worthy to be reproved2 if 'they have rejected the word of the ,lord2 what wisdom is in them8' 7,jer #h3i74 ,and as you suggest the first1 ,i affirm the second4 ,but if you would be justified in excluding those1 with whom yet you see ,god hath communion1 because they yet see not a shadow with you2 produce the scripture for such order1 that we may believe it is the order of ,god4 ,but deal fairly1 lest we shew your nakedness1 and others see your shame4 ,you tell me of the order of the ,colossians 7#b3e74 ,but if you can prove that that church refused to hold communion with that saint whom they knew to be received by ,christ1 and held communion with him ,christ1 or that none but those that are baptized in water are received by and hold communion with him1 then you justify your order4 ,in the mean while the whole of mine argument stands firm against you2 ',you must have communion with visible saints1 because ,god hath communion with them1 whose example in the case we are strictly commanded to follow4' ,but you ask me1 ',if outward and bodily conformity be become a crime8' ,ans4 ,i nowhere said it2 but know that to glorify ,god with our bodies1 respecteth chiefly far higher and more weighty things1 than that of water baptism2 ',whatsoever is not of faith is sin' 7,rom #ad3bc72 and to set up an ordinance1 though an ordinance of ,god1 that by it the church may be pulled in pieces1 or the truly visible saints excluded communion with their brethren2 ,i say again1 to make water baptism a bar and division between saint and saint1 every whit otherwise gracious and holy alike3 ,this is like fasting 'for strife and debate1 and to smite with the fist of wickedness' 7,isa #eh3d72 and is not to be found within the whole bible1 but is wholly an order of your own devising4 ,as to the peace you make an objection about you have granted me what ,i intended2 and now ,i add further1 that for church peace to be founded in water baptism1 or any other external rite1 not having to do with the church1 as a church1 is poor peace indeed3 ,church peace is founded in blood2 and love to each other for ,jesus' sake 7,phil #b3a-d74 ,bearing with1 and forbearing one another1 in all things circumstantial1 that concern not church worship as such 7,eph #d3ca1cb74 ,and in my other treatise ,i have proved that baptism is not such1 and therefore ought not to be urged to make rents and divisions among brethren4 ,but you ask1 ',is my peace maintained in a way of disobedience8 and conclude if it be1 you fear it is false4' ,ans4 ,if the first were true2 you need not to doubt of the second2 but it may be thought he hath little to say in the controversy1 who is forced to stuff out his papers1 with such needless prattles as these4 ,my fifth argument is1 ',that a failure in such a circumstance as water baptism1 doth not unchristian us'2 this you are compelled to grant4 ,and ,i conclude with your words1 persons ought to be ,christians before visible ,christians2 such as any congregation in the land may receive to communion with themselves1 because ,god hath shewed us that he has received them4 ',receive him to the glory of ,god4' ,to the glory of ,god1 is put in on purpose1 to shew what dishonour they bring to him1 who despise to have communion with such1 whom they know do maintain communion with ,god4 ,i say again1 ,how doth this man1 or that church1 glorify ,god1 or count the wisdom and holiness of heaven beyond them1 when they refuse communion with them1 concerning whom yet they are convinced1 that they have communion with ,god8 ,but my argument you have not denied2 nor meddled with the conclusion at all2 which is1 ',that therefore1 even because a failure here1 doth not unchristian us1 doth not make us insincere'2 and ,i add1 doth not lay us open to any revealed judgment or displeasure of ,god 7if it doth1 shew where7 therefore it should not1 it ought not to make us obnoxious to the displeasure of the church of ,god4 ,but you say1 ',i rank gospel precepts1 with ,old ,testament abrogated ceremonies4' ,ans4 ,you should have given your reader my words1 that he might have judged from my own mouth3 ,i said then1 speaking before of ,christianity itself1 'that thousands of thousands that could not consent to water1 as we1 are now with the innumerable company of angels1 and the spirits of just men made perfect4' ,what was said of eating1 or the contrary1 may as to this be said of water baptism3 neither if ,i be baptized1 am ,i the better8 neither if ,i be not1 am ,i the worse8 not the better before ,god1 not the worse before men3 still meaning as ,paul1 provided ,i walk according to my light with ,god2 otherwise it is false4 ,for if a man that seeth it to be his duty1 shall despisingly neglect it2 or if he that hath not faith about it1 shall foolishly take it up3 both these are for this the worse2 ,i mean1 as to their own sense1 being convicted in themselves1 as transgressors4 ,he therefore that doth it according to his light1 doth well2 and he that doth it not1 for want of light1 doth not ill2 for he approveth his heart to be sincere with ,god1 even by that his forbearance4 ,and ,i tell you again1 ,it is nowhere recorded1 that this man is under any revealed threatening of ,god1 for his not being baptized with water1 he not having light therein1 but is admitted through his grace to as many promises as you4 ,if therefore he be not a partaker of that circumstance1 yet he is of that liberty1 and mercy1 by which you stand with ,god4 ,but that ,i practise instituted worship1 upon the same account as ,paul did circumcision1 and shaving1 is too bold for you to presume to imagine4 ,what8 because ,i will not suffer water to carry away the epistles from the ,christians2 and because ,i will not let water baptism be the rule1 the door1 the bolt1 the bar1 the wall of division between the righteous1 and the righteous2 must ,i therefore be judged to be a man without conscience to the worship of ,jesus ,christ8 ,the ,lord deliver me from superstitious and idolatrous thoughts about any of the ordinances of ,christ and of ,god4 ,but my fifth argument standeth against you untouched2 you have not denied1 much less confuted the least syllable thereof4 ,you tell me my sixth argument is1 ,edification4 ,ans4 ,if it be1 why is it not embraced8 ,but my own words are these3 ',i am for holding communion thus4 ,because the edification of souls in the faith and holiness of the gospel1 is of greater concern than an agreement in outward things2 ,i say1 it is of greater concern with us1 and of far more profit to our brother1 than our agreeing in1 or contesting for1 water baptism' 7,john #af3ac2 #a ,cor #ad3ab2 #b ,cor #aj3h1 #ab3ai2 ,eph #d3ab2 #a ,cor #ac3a1b2 #h3a74 ,now why did you not take this argument in pieces1 and answer those scriptures1 on which the strength thereof depends2 but if to contest1 and fall out about water baptism1 be better than to edify the house of ,god1 produce the texts1 that we may be informed4 ,you say1 ',edification is the end of all communion1 but all things must be done in order1 orderly4' ,ans4 ,when you have proved that there is no such thing as an orderly edifying of the church1 without water baptism precede1 then it will be time enough to think you have said something4 ,you add1 ',edification as to church fellowship being a building up1 doth suppose the being of a church2 but pray you shew us a church without baptism4' ,ans4 ,see here the spirit of these men1 who for the want of water baptism1 have at once unchurched all such congregations of ,god in the world2 but against this ,i have1 and do urge1 ,that water baptism giveth neither being1 nor well-being to a church1 neither is any part of that instituted worship of ,god1 that the church1 as such1 should be found in the practice of4 ,therefore her edification as a church may1 yea and ought to be attained unto without it4 ,but you say1 ',shew us a ,new ,testament church without baptism4' ,ans4 ,what say you to the church all along the ,revelation quite through the reign of ,antichrist8 ,was that a ,new ,testament church1 or no8 ,again1 ,if baptism be without the church1 as a church1 if it hath nothing to do in the constituting of a church2 if it be not the door of entrance into the church1 if it be no part of church-worship as such2 then1 although all the members of that church were baptized1 yet the church is a church without water baptism4 ,but all the churches in the ,new ,testament were such3 therefore1 c4 ,again1 ,if baptism respect believers1 as particular persons only2 if it respects their own conscience only2 if it make a man no visible believer to me1 then it hath nothing to do with church-membership4 ,because1 that which respects my own person only1 my own conscience only3 that which is no character of my visible saintship to the church1 cannot be an argument unto them to receive me into fellowship with themselves4 ,but this is true4 ,therefore1 c4 ,you proceed1 ',if by edification1 be meant the private increase of grace1 in one another1 in the use of private means1 as private ,christians in meeting together2 how doth the principle you oppose hinder that8 ,endeavour to make men as holy as you can1 that they may be fitted for church-fellowship1 when ,god shall shew them the orderly way to it4' ,ans4 ,what a many private things have we now brought out to public view8 ,private ,christians1 private means1 and a private increase of grace4 ,but1 ,sir1 ,are none but those of your way the public ,christians8 ,or1 ought none but them that are baptized to have the public means of grace8 ,or1 must their graces be increased by none but private means8 ,was you awake now8 ,or1 are you become so high in your own phantasies1 that none have1 or are to have but private means of grace8 ,and1 are there no public ,christians1 or public christian meetings1 but them of your way8 ,i did not think that all but baptists1 should only abide in holes4 ,but you find fault because ,i said1 ',edification is greater than contesting about water baptism4' ,ans4 ,if it be not1 confute me2 if it be1 forbear to cavil3 water baptism1 and all ,god's ordinances1 are to be used to edification2 not to beget heats and contentions among the godly1 wherefore edification is best4 ,object4 ',i had thought that the preaching1 and opening baptism1 might have been reckoned a part of our edification4' ,ans4 ,the act of water baptism hath not place in church worship1 neither in whole nor in part2 wherefore pressing it upon the church is to no purpose at all4 ,object4 ',why may you not as well say1 that edification is greater than breaking of bread4' ,ans4 ,so it is1 else that should never have been instituted to edify withal2 that which serveth1 is not greater than he that is served thereby4 ,baptism and the ,lord's supper both1 were made for us1 not we for them2 wherefore both were made for our edification1 but no one for our destruction4 ,but again1 ,the ,lord's supper1 not baptism1 is for the church1 as a church2 therefore as we will maintain the church's edifying1 that must be maintained in it2 yea1 sued oft1 to shew the ,lord's death till he come 7#a ,cor #aa3bb-bf74 ,besides1 because it is a great part of church worship1 as such1 therefore it is pronounced blessed1 the ,lord did openly bless it before he gave it2 yea and we ought to bless it also2 ',the cup of blessing which we bless1' not to say more4 ,therefore your reasoning from the one to the other will not hold4 ,object4 ',how comes contesting for water baptism to be so much against you8' ,ans4 ,first1 ,because weak brethren cannot bear it2 whom yet we are commanded to receive1 but not to doubtful disputation2 doubtful to them1 therefore for their sakes1 ,i must forbear it 7,rom #ad3a74 ,secondly1 ,because ,i have not seen any good effect1 but the contrary1 wherever such hot spirits have gone before me3 ',for where envying and strife is1 there is confusion1' or tumults1 'and every evil work' 7,james #c3af74ab ,thirdly1 ,because by the example of the ,lord1 and ,paul1 we must consider the present state of the church1 and not trouble them with what they cannot bear 7,john #af3ac2 #a ,cor #c3a-c74 ,i conclude then1 edification in the church is to be preferred above what the church1 as a church1 hath nothing to do withal4 ',all things1 dearly beloved1 are for our edifying' 7#a ,cor #ad3e1 #ab3bf2 #b ,cor #ab3ai2 ,eph #d3af2 ,rom #ae3b2 #a ,cor #ad3c2 #b ,cor #aj3h1 #ac3aj2 ,rom #ad3ai74 ,before ,i wind up this argument1 ,i present you with several instances1 shewing that the breach of some of ,god's precepts have been borne with1 when they come in competition with edification4 ,as first1 ,that of ,aaron1 who let the offering for sin be burnt1 that should have indeed been eaten 7,lev #aj3af-bj74 ,yet because he could not do it to his edification1 ,moses was content4 ,but the law was thereby transgressed1 ',the priest that offereth it for sin1 shall eat it' 7#f3bf74 ,to this you reply1 ',that was not a constant1 continued forbearing of ,god's worship1 but a suspending of it for a season4' ,ans4 ,we also suspend it but for a season2 when persons can be baptized to their edification1 they have the liberty4 ,but1 ,this was not a bare suspension1 but a flat transgression of the law4 ',ye should indeed have eaten it4' ,yet ,moses was content 7,lev #aj3af-bj74 ,but say you1 ',perhaps it was suspended upon just and legal grounds1 though not expressed4' ,ans4 ,the express rule was against it2 ',ye should indeed said ,moses have eaten it in the holy place3 as ,i commanded' 7v #ah74 ,but good ,sir1 are you now for unwritten verities8 for legal grounds1 though not expressed8 ,i will not drive you further1 here is ,rome enough4 ,as for ,eldad and ,medad1 it cannot be denied1 but that their edifying of the people1 was preferred before their conforming to every circumstance 7,num #aa3af-bf74 ,you add1 ',that ,paul for a seeming low thing did withstand ,peter4' ,sir1 ,if you make but a seeming low thing of dissembling1 and teaching others so to do1 especially where the doctrine of justification is endangered1 ,i cannot expect much good conscience from you 7,gal #b3aa-ac74 ,as for your answer to the case of ,hezekiah1 it is faulty in two respects3 #a4 ,for that you make the passover a type of the ,lord's supper1 when it was only a type of the body and blood of the ,lord3 ',for even ,christ our passover is sacrificed for us' 7#a ,cor #e3g74 #b4 ,in that you make it an example to you to admit persons unprepared to the ,lord's supper4 ,ans4 ,may you indeed receive persons into the church unprepared for the ,lord's supper2 yea1 unprepared for that1 with other solemn appointments8 ,for so you word it4 ,o what an engine have you made of water baptism4 ,thus1 gentle reader1 while this author teareth us in pieces for not making water baptism the orderly rule for receiving the godly and conscientious into communion2 he can receive persons if baptized1 though unprepared for the supper1 and other solemn appointments8 ,i would have thee consult the place1 and see if it countenanceth such an act4 ,that a man who pleadeth for a water baptism above the peace and edification of the church1 ought to be received1 although unprepared1 into the church to the ,lord's supper1 and other solemn appointments2 especially considering the nature of right church constitution1 and the severity of ,god towards those that came unprepared to his table of old 7#a ,cor #aa3bh-cj74 ,a riddle indeed1 ,that the ,lord should1 without a word1 so severely command1 that all which want light in baptism1 be excluded church privileges2 and yet against his word1 admit of persons unprepared1 to the ,lord's table1 and other solemn appointments4 ,but good ,sir1 why so short-winded8 why could not you make the same work with the other scriptures1 as you did with these8 ,i must leave them upon you unanswered2 and standing by my argument conclude1 ,that if laws and ordinances of old have been broken1 and the breach of them born with1 when yet the observation of outward things was more strictly commanded than now1 if the profit and edification of the church come in competition2 how much more1 may not we have communion1 church communion1 when no law of ,god is transgressed thereby4 ,and note1 ,that all this while ,i plead not1 as you1 for persons unprepared1 but godly1 and such as walk with ,god4 ,we come now to my seventh argument1 for communion with the godly1 though unbaptized persons2 which you say is ,,love4 ,my argument is this2 ',therefore ,i am for communion thus2 because love1 which above all things we are commanded to put on1 is of much more worth than to break about baptism4' ,and let the reader note1 ,that of this argument you deny not so much as one syllable1 but run to another story2 but ,i will follow you4 ,i add further1 ,that love is more discovered when we receive for the sake of ,christ1 than when we refuse his children for want of water3 ,and tell you again1 ,that this exhortation to love is grounded not upon water baptism1 but the putting on of the new creature1 which hath swallowed up all distinctions 7,col #c3i-ad74 ,yea1 there are ten arguments in this one1 which you have not so much as touched2 but thus object1 ',that man that makes affection the rule of his walking1 rather than judgment1 it is no wonder if he go out of the way4' ,ans4 ,love to them1 we are persuaded that ,god hath received1 is love that is guided by judgment2 and to receive them that are such1 because ,god hath bidden us 7,rom #ad71 is judgment guided by rule4 ,my argument therefore hath forestalled all your noise1 and standeth still on its legs against you4 ,as to the duties of piety and charity1 you boast of1 sound not a trumpet1 tell not your left hand of it2 we are talking now of communion of saints1 church communion1 and ,i plead1 that to love1 and hold together as such1 is better than to break in pieces for want of water baptism4 ,my reason is1 because we are exhorted in all things to put on love2 the love of church communion3 contrariwise you oppose1 ,above all things put on water4 ,for the best saint under heaven that hath not that1 with him you refuse communion4 ,thus you make baptism1 though no church ordinance1 a bar to shut out the godly1 and a trap-door to let the unprepared into churches1 to the ,lord's supper1 and other solemn appointments4 ,but you object1 ',must our love to the unbaptized indulge them in an act of disobedience8 ,cannot we love their persons1 parts1 graces1 but we must love their sins8' ,ans4 ,we plead not for indulging1 ',but are there not with you1 even with you1 sins against the ,lord your ,god8' 7#b ,chron #bh3aj74 ,but why can you indulge the baptists in many acts of disobedience8 ,for to come unprepared into the church1 is an act of disobedience3 ,to come unprepared to the supper is an act of disobedience2 and to come so also to other solemn appointments1 are acts of disobedience4 ',but for these things1' you say1 'you do not cast1 nor keep any out of the church4' ,ans4 ,but what acts of disobedience do we indulge them in8 ',in the sin of infant baptism4' ,ans4 ,we indulge them not2 but being commanded to bear with the infirmities of each other1 suffer it2 it being indeed in our eyes such2 but in theirs they say a duty1 till ,god shall otherwise persuade them4 ,if you be without infirmity1 do you first throw a stone at them3 ,they keep their faith in that to themselves1 and trouble not their brethren therewith3 we believe that ,god hath received them2 they do not want to us a proof of their sonship with ,god2 neither hath he made water a wall of division between us1 and therefore we do receive them4 ,object4 ',i take it to be the highest act of friendship to be faithful to these professors1 and to tell them they want this one thing in gospel order1 which ought not to be left undone4' ,ans4 ,if it be the highest piece of friendship1 to preach water baptism to unbaptized believers1 the lowest act thereof must needs be very low4 ,but contrariwise1 ,i count it so far off from being any act of friendship1 to press baptism in our notion on those that cannot bear it2 that it is a great abuse of the peace of my brother1 the law of love1 the law of ,christ1 or the society of the faithful4 ,love suffereth long1 and is kind1 is not easily provoked3 let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace1 and things wherewith one may edify another3 let every one of us please his neighbour1 for his good to edification3 ,bear you one another's burdens1 and so fulfil the law of ,christ 7#a ,cor #ac2 ,rom #ad3ai1 #ae3b2 ,gal #f3b74 ,but say you1 ',i doubt when this comes to be weighed in ,god's balance1 it will be found no less than flattery1 for which you will be reproved4' ,ans4 ,it seems you do but doubt it1 wherefore the principles from which you doubt it1 of that methinks you should not be certain2 but this is of little weight to me2 for he that will presume to appropriate the epistles to himself and fellows1 for the sake of baptism1 and that will condemn all the churches of ,christ in the land for want of baptism1 and that will account his brother as profane ,esau and rejected1 as idolatrous ,ephraim because he wanteth his way of water baptism2 he acts out of his wonted way1 of rigidness1 when he doth but doubt1 and not affirm his brother to be a flatterer4 ,i leave therefore this your doubt to be resolved at the day of judgment1 and in the mean time trample upon your harsh and unchristian surmises4 ,as to our love to ,christians in other cases1 ,i hope we shall also endeavour to follow the law of the ,lord2 but because it respects not the matter in hand1 it concerns us not now to treat thereof4 ,my argument treateth of church communion2 in the prosecution of which ,i prove4 #a4 ,that love is grounded upon the new creature 7,col #c3aj-ae74 #b4 ,upon our fellowship with the ,father and ,son 7#a ,john #a3b1c74 #c4 ,that with respect to this1 it is the fulfilling of the royal law 7,james #d3aa2 ,rom #ad3ba74 #d4 ,that it shews itself in acts of forbearing1 rather than in publishing some truths3 communicating only what is profitable1 forbearing to publish what cannot be born 7#a ,cor #c3a1b2 ,acts #bj3ah-bj2 ,john #c3af1ag74 #e4 ,i shew further1 ,that to have fellowship for1 to make that the ground of1 or to receive one another chiefly upon the account of an outward circumstance2 to make baptism the including and excluding charter3 the bounds1 bar1 and rule of communion1 when by the word of the everlasting testament1 there is no word for it1 to speak charitably1 if it be not for want of love1 it is for want of light in the mysteries of the kingdom of ,christ4 ,strange6 ,take two ,christians equal in all points but this2 nay1 let one go beyond the other in grace and goodness1 as far as a man is beyond a babe1 yet water shall turn the scale1 shall open the door of communion to the less2 and command the other to stand back3 yet is no proof to the church of this babe's faith and hope1 hath nothing to do with his entering into fellowship1 is no part of the worship of the church4#ac ,these things should have been answered1 seeing you will take upon you so roundly to condemn our practice4 ,you come now to my eighth argument2 which you do not only render falsely1 but by so doing abuse your reader4 ,i said not that the church at ,corinth did shut each other out of communion2 but1 for ,god's people to divide into parties1 or to shut each other from church communion1 though for greater points1 and upon higher pretences1 than that of water baptism1 hath heretofore been counted carnal1 and the actors therein babyish ,christians3 and then bring in the factions1 that was in the church at ,corinth4 ,but what6 ,may not the evil of denying church communion now1 if proved naught by a less crime in the church at ,corinth1 be counted carnal and babyish2 but the breach of communion must be charged upon them at ,corinth also8 ,that my argument is good you grant1 saying1 ',the divisions of the church at ,corinth were about the highest fundamental principles1 for which they are often called carnal'2 yet you cavil at it4 ,but if they were to be blamed for dividing1 though for the highest points2 are not you much more for condemning your brethren to perpetual banishment from church communion1 though sound in all the great points of the gospel1 and right in all church ordinances also1 because for want of light they fail only in the point of baptism8 ,as to your quibble about ,paul and ,apollos1 whether they1 or others1 were the persons1 though ,i am satisfied you are out1 yet it weakeneth not my argument2 for if they were blame worthy for dividing1 though about the highest fundamental principles1 as you say1 how ought you to blush for carrying it as you do to persons1 perhaps1 more godly than ourselves1 because they jump not with you in a circumstance8 ,that the divisions at ,corinth were helped on by the abuse of baptism1 to me is evident1 from ,paul's so oft suggesting it3 ',were ye baptized in the name of ,paul8 ,i thank ,god that ,i baptized none of you1--lest any should say1 ,i had baptized in mine own name' 7#a3ac-ae74 ,i do not say1 that they who baptized them designed this1 or that baptism in itself effected it2 nor yet1 though our author feigns it1 'that they were most of them baptized by their factious leaders4' ,but that they had their factious leaders1 is evident2 and that these leaders made use of the names of ,paul1 ,apollos1 and ,christ1 is as evident2 for by these names they were beguiled by the help of ,,abused baptism4 ,but say you1 ',wherein lies the force of this man's argument against baptism as to its place1 worth1 and continuance8' ,i answer3 ,i have no argument against its place1 worth or continuance1 although thus you seek to scandalize me4 ,but this kind of sincerity of yours1 will never make me one of your disciples4 ,have not ,i told you even in this argument1 ',that ,i speak not as ,i do1 to persuade or teach men to break the least of ,god's commandments2 but that my brethren of the baptized way may not hold too much thereupon1 may not make it an essential of the gospel1 nor yet of the communion of saints4' ,yet he feigns that ,i urge two arguments against it4 ,but reader1 thou mayest know ,i have no such reason in my book4 ,besides1 ,i should be a fool indeed1 were ,i against it1 should ,i make use of such weak arguments4 ,my words then are these3 ',i thank ,god1' said ,paul1 'that ,i baptized none of you but ,crispus1' c4 ',not but that then it was an ordinance1 but they abused it in making parties thereby1 as they abused also ,paul1 and ,cephas4 ,besides1 said he1 ,i know not whether ,i baptized any other4 ,by this negligent relating who were baptized by him1 he sheweth that he made no such matter thereof1 as some in these days do4 ,nay1 that he made no matter at all thereof with respect to a church communion4 ,for if he did not heed who himself had baptized1 much less did he heed who were baptized by others8 ,but if baptism had been the initiating ordinance1 and ,i now add1 essential to church communion2 then no doubt he had made more conscience of it1 than thus lightly to pass it by4' ,i add further1 where he saith1 ,he 'was not sent to baptize'2 that he spake with an holy indignation against those that had abused that ordinance4 ',baptism is an holy ordinance1 but when ,satan abuseth it1 and wrencheth it out of its place1 making that which is ordained of ,god1 for the edification of believers1 the only weapon to break in pieces the love1 unity1 and concord of the saints2 than as ,paul said of himself and fellows 7#a ,cor #c3e-g74 ,what is baptism8 ,neither is baptism any thing8 ,this is no new doctrine1 for ,god by the mouth of the prophet of old1 cried out against his own appointments1 when abused by his own people 7,isa #a3aa-ae72 because they used them for strife1 and debate1 and to smite with the fist of wickedness' 7#eh3d74 ,but to forbear1 to take notice thus of these things1 my argument stands firm against you3 ',for if they at ,corinth were blame worthy for dividing1 though their divisions were1 if you say true1 about the highest fundamentals1 you ought to be ashamed1 thus to banish your brethren from the privileges of church communion for ever1 for the want of so low a thing as water baptism4' ,i call it not low1 with respect to ,god's appointment1 though so1 it is far from the highest place1 but in comparison of those fundamentals1 about which you say1 'the ,corinthians made their divisions4' ,you come next to my ninth argument1 and serve it as ,hanun served ,david's servants 7#b ,sam #aj3d71 you have cut off one half of its beard1 and its garments to its buttocks1 thinking to send it home with shame4 ,you state it thus3 ',that by denying communion with unbaptized believers1 you take from them their privileges to which they are born4' ,ans4 ,have ,i such an argument1 in all my little book8 ,are not my words verbatim these8 ',if we shall reject visible saints by calling1 saints that have communion with ,god2 that have received the law at the hand of ,christ2 that are of an holy conversation among men1 they desiring to have communion with us2 as much as in us lieth1 we take from them their very privileges1 and the blessings to which they were born of ,god4' ,this is mine argument3 now confute it4 ,paul saith1 not only to the gathered church at ,corinth1 but to all scattered saints1 that in every place call upon the name of the ,lord 7#a ,cor #a3b74 ,that if ,jesus ,christ is theirs2 that ,paul and ,apollos1 and ,cephas1 and the world1 and all things else was theirs 7#c3bb74 ,but you answer1 ',we take from them nothing1 but we keep them from a disorderly practice of gospel ordinances1 we offer them their privileges1 in the way of gospel order4' ,ans4 ,where have you one word of ,god1 that forbiddeth a person1 so qualified1 as is signified in mine argument1 the best communion of saints for want of water8 ,there is not a syllable for this in all the book of ,god4 ,so then1 you in this your plausible defence1 do make your scriptureless light1 which in very deed is darkness 7,isa #h3bj71 the rule of your brother's faith2 and how well you will come off for this in the day of ,god1 you might1 were you not wedded to your wordless opinion1 soon begin to conceive4 ,i know your reply1 ',new ,testament saints are all baptized first4' ,ans4 ,suppose it granted3 ,were they baptized1 that thereby they might be qualified for their right to communion of saints1 so that1 without their submitting to water1 they were to be denied the other8 ,further1 suppose ,i should grant this groundless notion1 ,were not the ,jews in ,old ,testament times to enter the church by circumcision8 7,gen #ag2 ,exo #ab74 ,for that1 though water is not1 was the very entering ordinance4 ,besides1 as ,i said before1 there was a full forbidding of all that were not circumcised from entering into fellowship1 with a threatening to cut them off from the church if they entered in without it3 yet more than six hundred thousand entered that church without it4 ,but how now1 if such an one as you had then stood up and objected1 ,sir ,moses1 ,what is the reason that you transgress the order of ,god1 to receive members without circumcision8 ,is not that the very entering ordinance8 ,are not you commanded to keep out of the church all that are not circumcised8 ,yea1 and for all those that you thus received1 are you not commanded to cast them out again1 to cut them off from among this people 7,gen #ag3ac1ad2 ,exo #ab3dd-df74 ,i say1 ,would not this man have had a far better argument to have resisted ,moses1 than you1 in your wordless notion1 have to shut out men from the church1 more holy than many of ourselves8 ,but do you think that ,moses and ,joshua1 and all the elders of ,israel1 would have thanked this fellow1 or have concluded that he spake on ,god's behalf8 ,or1 that they should then1 for the sake of a better than what you call order1 have set to the work that you would be doing1 even to break the church in pieces for this8 ,but say you1 ',if any will find or force another way into the sheep fold than by the footsteps of the flock1 we have no such custom nor the churches of ,god4' ,ans4 ,what was done of old ,i have shewed you1 that ,christ1 not baptism1 is the way to the sheep fold1 is apparent3 and that the person who thus enters1 in mine argument1 is entitled to all these1 to wit1 ,christ1 grace1 and all the things of the kingdom of ,christ in the church1 is1 upon the scriptures urged1 as evident4 ,but you add1 ',that according to mine old confidence1 ,i affirm1 ,that drink ye all of this is entailed to faith1 not baptism3 a thing1' say you1 'soon said1 but yet never proved4' ,ans4 #a4 ,that it is entailed to faith1 must be confessed of all hands4 #b4 ,that it is the privilege of him that discerneth the ,lord's body1 and that no man is to deny him it1 is also by the text as evident1 'and so let him eat1' because he is worthy4 ,wherefore he1 and he only1 that discerneth the ,lord's body1 he is the worthy receiver1 the worthy receiver in ,god's estimation2 but that none discern the ,lord's body but the baptized in water1 is both fond and ridiculous once to surmise4 ,wherefore to exclude ,christians1 and to debar them their heaven-born privileges1 for want of that which yet ,god never made the wall of division betwixt us3 ,this looks too like a spirit of persecution 7,job #ai3bh71 and carrieth in it those eighteen absurdities which you have so hotly cried out against4 ,and ,i do still add1 ',is it not that which greatly prevailed with ,god to bring down those judgments which at present we the people of ,god groan under1 ,i will dare to say it was1#ad ,a cause thereof4' ,yea1 ,i will yet proceed2 ,i fear1 ,i strongly fear1 that the rod of ,god is not yet to be taken from us2 for what is a more provoking sin among ,christians than to deny one another their rights and privileges1 to which they are born of ,god8 ,and then to father these their doings upon ,god1 when yet he hath not commanded it1 neither in the ,new ,testament nor the ,old4 ,but ,i may not lightly pass this by1 for because ,i have gathered eighteen absurdities from this abuse of ,god's ordinances1 or from the sin of binding the brethren to observe order1 not founded on the command of ,god2 and ,i am sure you have none to shut out men as good1 as holy1 and as sound in faith as ourselves1 from communion4 ,therefore you call my conclusion devilish1 top-full of ignorance and prejudice1 and me1 one of ,machiavel's scholars1 also proud1 presumptuous1 impeaching the judgment of ,god4 ,ans4 ,but what is there in my proposition1 that men1 considerate1 can be offended at8 ,these are my words3 ',but to exclude ,christians from church communion1 and to debar them their heaven-born privileges1 for the want of that which yet ,god never made a wall of division between us3 this looks too like a spirit of persecution3 this respecteth more the form than the spirit and power of godliness1 c4 ,shall ,i add1 ,is it not that which greatly prevailed to bring down those judgments which at present we feel and groan under8 ,i will dare to say1 it was a cause thereof4' ,a was in my copy1 instead whereof the printer put in the2 for this1 although ,i speak only the truth1 ,i will not beg of you belief2 besides1 the bookseller desired me1 because of the printer's haste1 to leave the last sheet to be overlooked by him1 which was the cause it was not among the erratas4 ,but ,i say1 wherein is the proposition offensive8 ,is it not a wicked thing to make bars to communion1 where ,god hath made none8 ,is it not a wickedness to make that a wall of division betwixt us which ,god never commanded to be so8 ,if it be not1 justify your practice2 if it be1 take shame4 ,besides1 the proposition is universal1 why then should you be the chief intended8 ,but you have in this done like to the lawyers of old1 who1 when ,christ reproved the pharisees of wickedness before them1 said1 ',master1 thus saying thou reproachest us also' 7,luke #aa3de74 ,but you feign1 and would also that the world should believe1 that the eighteen absurdities which naturally flow from the proposition ,i make1 to be the effects of baptism1 saying to me1 ',none but yourself could find an innocent truth big with so many monstrous absurdities4' ,i answer3 ,this is but speaking wickedly for ,god1 or rather to justify your wordless practice4 ,i say not that baptism hath any absurdity in it1 though your abusing it1 hath them all1 and many more1 while you make it1 without warrant from the word1 as the flaming sword1 to keep the brotherhood out of communion1 because they1 after your manner1 cannot consent thereto4 ,and let no man be offended1 for that ,i suggest that baptism may be abused to the breeding such monstrous absurdities1 for greater truths than that have been as much abused4 ,what say you to1 ',this is my body8' ,to instance no more1 although ,i could instance many1 are not they the words of our ,lord8 ,are not they part of the scriptures of truth8 and yet behold1 even with those words1 the devil1 by abusing them1 made an engine to let out the heart-blood of thousands4#ae ,baptism also may be abused1 and is1 when more is laid upon it by us than is commanded by ,god4 ,and that you do so1 is manifest by what ,i have said already1 and shall yet say to your fourteen arguments4 ,my last argument1 you say1 is this3 ',the world may wonder at your carriage to these unbaptized persons1 in keeping them out of communion8' ,ans4 ,you will set up your own words1 and then fight against them2 but my words are these3 ',what greater contempt can be thrown upon the saints1 than for their brethren to cut them off from1 or to debar them church communion4' ,and now ,i add1 ,is not this to deliver them to the devil 7#a ,cor #e71 or to put them to shame before all that see your acts8 ,there is but one thing can hinder this1 and that is1 by-standers see that these1 your brethren1 that you thus abuse1 are as holy men as ourselves4 ,do you more to the openly prophane1 yea1 to all wizards and witches in the land8#af ,for all you can do to them1 ,i speak now as to church acts1 is no other than to debar them the communion of saints4 ,and now ,i say again1 the world may well wonder1 when they see you deny holy men of ,god that liberty of the communion of saints which you monopolise to yourselves3 and though they do not understand the grounds of profession1 or communion1 yet they can both see and say1 these holy men of ,god1 in all visible acts of holiness1 are not one inch behind you4 ,yea1 ,i will put it to yourselves1 ,if those many1 yea1 very many1 who thus severely1 but with how little ground1 is seen by men of ,god1 you deny communion with2 are not of as good1 as holy1 as unblameable in life1 and as sound1 if not sounder in the faith than many among ourselves3 ,here only they make the stop1 they cannot1 without light1 be driven into water baptism1 ,i mean after our notion of it3 but what if they were1 it would be little sign to me1 that they were sincere with ,god4 ,to conclude this2 when you have proved that water baptism1 which you yourself have said is not a church ordinance1 is essential to church communion1 and that the church may1 by the word of ,god1 bolt1 bar1 and for ever shut out those1 far better than ourselves1 that have not1 according to our notion1 been baptized with water2 then it will be time enough to talk of ground for so doing4 ,in the mean time ,i must take leave to tell you1 ',there is not in all the ,bible one syllable for such a practice1 wherefore your great cry about your order is wordless1 and therefore faithless1 and is a mere human invention4' ,i ,,come ,,now ,,to ,,your ,,fourteen ,,arguments1 ,,and ,,shall ,,impartially ,,consider ,,them4 ,your first argument to prove it lawful to reject the unbaptized saint1 is1 ',because the great commission of ,christ 7,matt #bh71 from which all persons have their authority for their ministry1 if any authority at all1 doth clearly direct the contrary4 ,by that commission ministers are first to disciple1 and then to baptize them so made disciples1 and afterwards to teach them to observe all that ,christ commanded them1 as to other ordinances of worship4 ,if ministers have no other authority to teach them other parts of gospel worship1 before they believe and are baptized1 it may be strongly supposed they are not to admit them to other ordinances before they have passed this first enjoined in the commission4' ,ans4 #a4 ,that the ministers are to disciple and baptize1 is granted4 ,but that they are prohibited1 by the commission 7,matt #bh71 to teach the disciples other parts of gospel worship that have not light in baptism1 remains for you to prove4 ,shall ,i add1 this position is so absurd and void of truth1 that none that have ever read the love of ,christ1 the nature of faith1 the end of the gospel1 or of the reason of instituted worship 7which is edification7 with understanding1 should so much as once imagine4 ,but where are they here forbidden to teach them other truths before they be baptized8 ,this text as fairly denieth to the unbaptized believer heaven and glory4 ,nay1 our author1 in the midst of all his flutter about this #bhth of ,matthew1 dare venture to gather no more therefrom1 but that it may be strongly supposed4 ,behold therefore1 gentle reader1 the ground on which these brethren lay the stress of their separation from their fellows1 is nothing else but a supposition1 without warrant1 screwed out of this blessed word of ,god4 ,strongly supposed6 but may it not be as strongly supposed that the presence and blessing of the ,lord ,jesus1 with his ministers1 is laid upon the same ground also8 for thus he concludes the text1 ',and lo1 ,i am with you alway even unto the end of the world4' ,but would1 ,i say1 any man from these words conclude1 that ,christ ,jesus hath here promised his presence only to them that1 after discipling1 baptize those that are so made2 and that they that do not baptize shall neither have his presence nor his blessing8 ,i say again1 should any so conclude hence1 would not all experience prove him void of truth8 ,the words therefore must be left1 by you1 as you found them1 they favour not at all your groundless supposition4 ,to conclude1 these words have not laid baptism in the way to debar the saint from fellowship of his brethren1 no more than to hinder his inheritance in life and glory4 ,mark reads it thus3 ',he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved2 but he that believeth not shall be damned' 7,mark #af3af74 ,letting baptism1 which he mentioned in the promise1 fall1 when he came at the threatening4 ,god also doth thus with respect to his worship in the church1 he commands all and every whit of his will to be done1 but beareth with our coming short in this1 and that1 and another duty4 ,but let's go on4 ,your second argument is1 ',that the order of ,christ's commission1 as well as the matter therein contained to be observed1 may easily be concluded1 from ,god's severity towards them that sought him not according to due order 7#a ,chron #ae3ac74 ,was ,god so exact with his people then1 that all things to a pin must be according to the pattern in the mount 7,heb #h3e1 #i3aa71 whose worship then comparatively1 to the gospel1 was but after the law of a carnal commandment2 and can it be supposed he should be so indifferent now to leave men to their own liberty1 to time and place his appointments1 contrary to what he had given an express rule for in his word as before8 7,eze #dd3g1i1aj74 ,it was the priest's sin1 formerly to bring the uncircumcised in heart and flesh into his house4' ,ans4 ,that there is no such order in that commission as you feign1 ,i have proved4 ,as for your far-fetch'd instance 7#a ,chron #ae71 it is quite beside your purpose4 ,the express word was1 ,that the priest1 not a cart1 should bear the ark of ,god4 ,also they were not to touch it1 and yet ,uzza did 7,exo #be3ad2 #a ,chron #ae3ab-af2 ,num #d3ae2 #a ,chron #ac74 ,now1 if you can make that #bhth of ,matthew say1 ,receive none that are not baptized first2 or that ,christ would have them of his1 that are not yet baptized1 kept ignorant of all other truths that respect church communion2 then you say something1 else you do but raise a mist before the simple reader3 but whoso listeth may hang on your sleeve4 ,as for the pins and tacks of the tabernacle1 they were expressly commanded2 and when you have proved by the word of ,god1 ,that you ought to shut saints out of your communion for want of baptism1 then you may begin more justly to make your parallel4 ,how fitly you have urged 7,eze #dd7 to insinuate that unbaptized believers are like the uncircumcised in heart and flesh1 ,i leave it to all gospel-novices to consider4 ,your third argument is1 ',the practice of the first gospel-ministers1 with them that first trusted in ,christ1 discovers the truth of what ,i assert4 ,certainly they that lived at the spring-head1 or fountain of truth1 and had the law from ,christ's own mouth1 knew the meaning of his commission better than we3 but their constant practice in conformity to that commission1 all along the ,acts of the ,apostles1 discovers that they never arrived to such a latitude as men plead for now-a-days4 ,they that gladly received the word were baptized1 and they1 yea they only1 were received into the church4' ,ans4 ,how well you have proved what you have asserted1 is manifest by my answer to the two former arguments4 ,i add1 ,that the ministers and servants of ,jesus ,christ in the first churches1 for that you are to prove1 were commanded to forbear to preach other truths to the unbaptized believers2 or that they were to keep them out of the church2 or that the apostles1 and first fathers1 have given you to understand by their example1 that you ought to keep as good out of churches as yourselves1 hath not yet been shewed by the authority of the word4 ,the second of the ,acts proveth not1 ,that the three thousand were necessitated to be baptized in order to their fellowship with the church1 neither doth it say ,,they1 yea they only1 were received into the church4 ,but suppose all this1 as much was done at the first institution of circumcision1 c41 yet afterwards thousands were received without it4 ,your fourth argument is1 ',none of the scripture saints ever attempted this church privilege without baptism1 if they did1 let it be shewn4 ,the eunuch first desired baptism before anything else2 ,paul was first baptized before he did essay to join with the church4 ,our ,lord ,christ1 the great example of the ,new ,testament1 entered not upon his public ministry1 much less any other gospel ordinance of worship1 till he was baptized4' ,ans4 ,that none of the scripture saints1 if there be any unscripture ones1 so much as attempted this church-privilege first1 remains for you to prove4 ,but suppose they were all baptized1 because they had light therein1 what then8 ,doth this prove that baptism is essential to church communion8 ,or1 that ,christ commanded in the #bhth of ,matthew1 or gave his ministers by that1 authority1 not to make known to believers other parts of gospel-worship1 if they shall want light in baptism8 ,the eunuch1 ,paul1 and our blessed ,lord ,jesus1 did none of them1 by their baptism1 set themselves to us examples how to enter into church communion2 what church was the eunuch baptized into1 or made a member of2 but where is it said1 that the unbaptized believer1 how excellent soever in faith and holiness1 must1 for want of water baptism1 be shut out from the communion of saints1 or be debarred the privilege of his ,father's house8 ,this you are to prove4 ,your fifth argument is1 ',if ,christ himself was made manifest to be the ,,sent of ,god by baptism1 as appears 7,mark #a3i1aj71 then why may not baptism1 as the first fruits of faith1 and the first step of gospel-obedience1 as to instituted worship1 be a manifesting discovering ordinance upon others who thus follow ,christ's steps4' ,ans4 ,that ,jesus ,christ was manifested as the ,,sent of ,god by baptism1 or that baptism is the first fruit of faith and the first step to gospel-obedience1 as to instituted worship1 is both without proof and truth2 the text saith not1 he was manifest to be the 'sent' of ,god by baptism2 nay it saith not1 that by that he was manifest to others to be anything thereby3 you have therefore but wronged the text to prove your wordless practice by4 ,yea1 ,john himself1 though he knew him before he was baptized1 to be a man of ,god1 for1 saith he1 ',i have need to be baptized of thee1 and comest thou to me' 7,matt #c3ad71 and knew him after to be the 'sent' of ,god2 yet not in1 or by1 but after he was baptized1 to wit1 by the descending of the ,holy ,ghost1 after he was come out of the water1 as he was in prayer1 for the heavens were opened to ,john 7,john #a3cj-cd71 and he saw1 and bare record1 because he saw the ,spirit descend from heaven1 and abide upon ,jesus1 after his baptism1 as he was in prayer 7,matt #c3ac-ag2 ,luke #c3ba1bb74 ,thus we find him made known before and after1 but not at all by baptism1 to be the 'sent' of ,god4 ,and that baptism is the fruit of faith1 or that faith ought to be tied to take its first step in water baptism1 in the instituted worship of ,god2 this you must prove1 it is not found expressed within the whole ,bible4 ,faith acts according to its strength and as it sees1 it is not tied or bound to any outward circumstance2 one believeth he may1 and another believeth he may not1 either do this or that4 ,your sixth argument is1 ',if baptism be in any sense any part of the foundation of a church1 as to order 7,heb #f3a1b71 it must have place here or no where3 why are those things called first principles1 if not first to be believed and practised8 ,why are they rendered by the learned the ,a1 ,b1 ,c1 of a ,christian1 and the beginning of ,christianity1 milk for babes1 if it be no matter whether baptism be practised or no8 ,if it be said water baptism is not there intended1 let them shew me how many baptisms there are besides water baptism8 ,can you build and leave out a stone in the foundation8 ,i intend not baptism a foundation any other ways but in respect of order1 and it is either intended for that or nothing4' ,ans4 ,baptism is in no sense the foundation of a church4 ,i find no foundation of a church but ,jesus ,christ himself 7,matt #af3ah2 #a ,cor #c3aa74 ,yea1 the foundation mentioned 7,heb #f3a1b7 is nothing else but this very ,christ4 ,for he is the foundation1 not only of the church1 but of all that good that at any time is found in her4 ,he is the foundation ,,of our repentance1 and ,,of our faith towards ,god 7vv #a1b74 ,further1 baptisms are not here mentioned with respect to the act in water1 but of the doctrine2 that is1 the signification thereof4 ',the doctrine of baptisms4' ,and observe1 neither faith1 nor repentance1 nor baptisms1 are called here foundations3 ,another thing1 for a foundation1 is here by the ,holy ,ghost intended1 even a foundation for them all3 a foundation of faith1 of repentance1 of the doctrine of baptisms1 of the resurrection of the dead1 and of eternal judgment4 ,and this foundation is ,jesus ,christ himself1 and these are the first principles1 the milk1 the ,a1 ,b1 ,c1 and the beginning of ,christian religion in the world4 ,i dare not say1 ,no matter whether water baptism be practised or no4 ,but it is not a stone in the foundation of a church1 no not respecting order2 it is not1 to another1 a sign of my sonship with ,god2 it is not the door into fellowship with the saints1 it is no church ordinance1 as you1 yourself1 have testified4 ,so then as to church work1 it hath no place at all therein4 ,your seventh argument is1 ',if ,paul knew the ,galatians only upon the account of charity1 ,no other ways to be the sons of ,god by faith2 but by this part of their obedience1 as he seems to import1 then the same way we judge of the truth of men's profession of faith1 when it shows itself by this selfsame obedience4 ,baptism being an obligation to all following duties' 7,gal #c3bf1bg74 ,ans4 ,this your argument1 being builded upon no more than a ,,seeming import1 and having been above ten times overthrown already2 ,i might leave still with you1 till your seeming import is come to a real one1 and both to a greater persuasion upon your own conscience4 ,but verily ,sir1 you grossly abuse your reader2 must imports1 yea1 must seeming imports now stand for arguments1 thereby to maintain your confident separation from your brethren8 ,yea1 must such things as these1 be the basis on which you build those heavy censures and condemnations you raise against your brethren1 that cannot comply with you1 because you want the word8 ,a seeming import4 ,but are these words of faith8 or do the scriptures only help you to seeming imports1 and me-hap-soes#ag for your practice8 ,no1 nor yet to them neither1 for ,i dare boldly affirm it1 and demand1 if you can1 to prove1 that there is so much as a seeming import in all the word of ,god1 that countenanceth your shutting men1 better than ourselves1 from the things and privileges of our ,father's house4 ,that to the ,galatians1 saith not1 that ,paul knew them to be the sons of ,god by faith1 no other way1 but by ,,this part of their obedience2 but puts them upon concluding themselves the sons of ,god1 if they were baptized into the ,lord ,jesus1 which could not1 ordinarily1 be known but unto themselves alone2 because1 being thus baptized1 respecteth a special act of faith1 which only ,god and him that hath1 and acteth it1 can be privy to4 ,it is one thing for him that administereth1 to baptize in the name of ,jesus1 and another thing for him that is the subject1 by that to be baptize ,,into ,jesus ,christ3 ,baptizing into ,christ1 is rather the act of the faith of him that is baptized1 than his going into water and coming out again4 ,but that ,paul knew this to be the state of the ,galatians no other way1 but by their external act of being baptized with water1 is both wild and unsound1 and a miserable ,,import indeed4 ,your eighth argument is1 ',if being baptized into ,christ1 be a putting on of ,christ1 as ,paul expressed1 then they have not put on ,christ1 in that sense he means1 that are not baptized2 if this putting on of ,christ1 doth not respect the visibility of ,christianity2 assign something else as its signification2 great men's servants are known by their master's liveries1 so are gospel believers by this livery of water baptism1 that all that first trusted in ,christ submitted unto2 which is in itself as much an obligation to all gospel obedience1 as circumcision was to keep the whole law4' ,ans4 ,for a reply to the first part of this argument1 go back to the answer to the seventh4 ,now that none have put on ,christ in ,paul's sense2 yea1 in a saving1 in the best sense2 but them that have1 as you would have them1 gone into water1 will be hard for you to prove1 yea1 is ungodly for you to assert4 ,your comparing water baptism to a gentleman's livery1 by which his name is known to be his1 is fantastical4 ,go you but ten doors from where men have knowledge of you1 and see how many of the world1 or ,christians1 will know you by this goodly livery1 to be one that hath put on ,christ4 ,what6 known by water baptism to be one that hath put on ,christ1 as a gentleman's man is known to be his master's servant1 by the gay garment his master gave him4 ,away fond man1 you do quite forget the text4 ',by ,,this shall all men know that ye are my disciples1 if ye have love one to another' 7,john #ac3ce74 ,that baptism is in itself obliging1 to speak properly1 it is false1 for set it by itself1 and it stands without the stamp of heaven upon it1 and without its signification also3 and how1 as such1 it should be obliging1 ,i see not4 ,where you insinuate1 it comes in the room of1 and obligeth as circumcision3 you say1 you know not what 7,acts #ae3a1b74 ,circumcision was the initiating ordinance1 but this you have denied to baptism4 ,further1 circumcision then bound men to the whole obedience of the law1 when urged by the false apostles1 and received by an erroneous conscience 7,gal #e3a-d74 ,would you thus urge water baptism6 would you have men to receive it with such consciences8 ,circumcision in the flesh1 was a type of circumcision in the heart1 and not of water baptism 7,rom #b3bh1bi2 ,phil #c3c74 ,your ninth argument is1 ',if it were commendable in the ,thessalonians1 that they followed the footsteps of the church of ,judea 7#a ,thess #b3ad71 who it appears followed this order of adding baptized believers unto the church2 then they that have found out another way of making church members1 are not by that rule praiseworthy1 but rather to be blamed2 it was not what was since in corrupted times1 but that which was from the beginning3 the first churches were the purest pattern4' ,ans4 ,that the text saith there was a church of ,judea1 ,i find not in #a ,thessalonians #b3ad4 ,and that the ,thessalonians are commended for refusing to have communion with the unbaptized believers1 for that is our question1 prove it by the word1 and then you do something4 ,again1 that the commendations 7#a ,thess #b3ad7 do chiefly1 or at all1 respect their being baptized3 or1 because they followed the churches of ,god1 which in ,judea were in ,christ ,jesus1 in the example of water baptism is quite beside the word4 ,the verse runs thus3 ',for ye1 brethren1 became followers of the churches of ,god which in ,judea are in ,christ ,jesus3 for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen1 even as they have of the ,jews4' ,this text then commends them1 not for that they were baptized with water1 but1 for that they stood their ground1 although baptized with suffering1 like them in ,judea1 for the name of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,for suffering like things of their own countrymen1 as they did of the ,jews4 ,will you not yet leave off to abuse the word of ,god1 and forbear turning it out of its place1 to maintain your unchristian practice of rejecting the people of ,god1 and excluding them their blessed privileges4 ,the unbaptized believer1 instead of taking shame for entering into fellowship without it1 will be ready1 ,i doubt1 to put you to shame for bringing scriptures so much beside the purpose1 and for stretching them so miserably to uphold you in your fancies4 ,your tenth argument is1 ',if so be1 that any of the members at ,corinth1 ,galatia1 ,colosse1 ,rome1 or them that ,peter wrote to1 were not baptized1 then ,paul's arguments for the resurrection to them1 or to press them to holiness from the ground 7,rom #f2 ,col #b2 #a ,cor #ae7 was out of doors1 and altogether needless1 yea1 it bespeaks his ignorance1 and throweth contempt upon the ,spirit's wisdom 7,heb #f2 #a ,peter #c3ba7 by which he wrote2 if that must be asserted as a ground to provoke them to such an end1 which had no being3 and if all the members of all those churches were baptized1 why should any plead for an exemption from baptism1 for any church member now8' ,ans4 ,suppose all1 if all these churches were baptized1 what then8 that answereth not our question4 ,we ask where you find it written1 that those that are baptized1 should keep men as holy1 and as much beloved of the ,lord ,jesus as themselves1 out of church communion1 for want of light in water baptism4 ,why we plead for their admission1 though ye see not yet1 that this is their duty1 is because we are not forbidden1 but commanded to receive them1 because ,god and ,christ hath done it 7,rom #ad1 #ae74 ,your eleventh argument is1 ',if unbaptized persons must be received into churches1 only because they are believers1 though they deny baptism2 then why may not others plead for the like privilege1 that are negligent in any other gospel ordinance of worship1 from the same ground of want of light1 let it be what it will4 ,so then as the consequence of this principle1 churches may be made up of visible sinners1 instead of visible saints4' ,ans4 #a4 ,i plead not for believers simply because they are believers1 but for such believers of whom we are persuaded by the word1 that ,god hath received them4 #b4 ,there are some of the ordinances1 that be they neglected1 the being of a church1 as to her visible gospel constitution1 is taken quite away2 but baptism is none of them1 it being no church ordinance as such1 nor any part of faith1 nor of that holiness of heart1 or life1 that sheweth me to the church to be indeed a visible saint4 ,the saint is a saint before1 and may walk with ,god1 and be faithful with the saints1 and to his own light also though he never be baptized4 ,therefore to plead for his admission1 makes no way at all for the admission of the open prophane1 or to receive1 as you profess you do1 persons unprepared to the ,lord's table1 and other solemn appointments4 ,your twelfth argument is1 ',why should professors have more light in breaking of bread1 than baptism8 ,that this must be so urged for their excuse3 ,hath ,god been more sparing in making out his mind in the one1 rather than the other8 ,is there more precepts or precedents for the supper1 than baptism8 ,hath ,god been so bountiful in making out himself about the supper1 that few or none that own ordinances scruple it8 ,and must baptism be such a rock of offence to professors1 that very few will enquire after it1 or submit to it8 ,hath not man's wisdom interposed to darken this part of ,god's counsel8 ,by which professors seem willingly led1 though against so many plain commands and examples1 written as with a sun beam1 that he that runs may read8 ,and must an advocate be entertained to plead for so gross a piece of ignorance1 that the meanest babes of the first gospel times were never guilty of8' ,ans4 ,many words to little purpose4 #a4 ,must ,god be called to an account by you1 why he giveth more light about the supper than baptism8 ,may he not shew to1 or conceal from this1 or another of his servants1 which of his truths he pleaseth4 ,some of the members of the church at ,jerusalem had a greater truth than this kept from them1 for ought ,i know1 as long as they lived 7,acts #aa3ai71 yet ,god was not called in question about it4 #b4 ,breaking of bread1 not baptism1 being a church ordinance1 and that such also as must be often reiterated2 yea1 it being an ordinance so full of blessedness1 as lively to present union and communion with ,christ to all the members that worthily eat thereof3 ,i say1 the ,lord's supper being such1 that while the members sit at that feast1 they shew to each other the death and blood of the ,lord1 as they ought to do1 till he comes 7#a ,cor #aj3ae-ag1 #aa3be1bf74 ,the church as a church1 is much more concerned in that1 than in water baptism1 both as to her faith and comfort2 both as to her union and communion4 #c4 ,your supposition1 that very few professors will seriously inquire after water baptism1 is too rude4 ,what1 must all the children of ,god1 that are not baptized for want of light1 be still stigmatised with want of serious inquiry after ,god's mind in it4 #d4 ,that ,i am an advocate1 entertained to plead for so gross a piece of ignorance1 as want of light in baptism1 is but like the rest of your jumbling4 ,i plead for communion with men1 godly and faithful1 ,i plead that they may be received1 that ,god hath shewed us he hath received1 and commanded we should receive them4 ,your thirteenth argument is1 ',if obedience must discover the truth of a man's faith to others1 why must baptism be shut out1 as if it was no part of gospel obedience8 ,is there no precept for this practice1 that it must be thus despised1 as a matter of little use8 ,or shall one of ,christ's precious commands be blotted out of a ,christian's obedience1 to make way for a church fellowship of man's devising4' ,ans4 #a4 ,this is but round1 round1 the same thing over and over4 ,that my obedience to water1 is not a discovery of my faith to others1 is evident1 from the body of the ,bible1 we find nothing that affirms it4 ,and ,i will now add1 ,that if a man cannot shew himself a ,christian without water baptism2 he shall never shew either saint or sinner1 that he is a ,christian by it4 #b4 ,who soever they are that despise it1 ,i know not but that church membership may be without it1 7seeing even you yourself have concluded it is no church ordinance1 nor the entering ordinance7 standeth both with scripture and reason1 as mine arguments make manifest4 ,so that all your arguments prove no more but this1 ',that you are so wedded to your wordless notions1 that charity can have no place with you4' ,have you all this while so much as given me one small piece of a text to prove it unlawful for the church1 to receive those whom she1 by the word1 perceiveth the ,lord ,god and her ,christ hath received8 ,no3 and therefore you have said so much as amounts to nothing4 ,your last argument is1 ',if the baptism of ,john was so far honoured and dignified1 that they that did submit to it1 are said to justify ,god2 and those that did it not1 are said to reject his counsel against themselves3 so that their receiving1 or rejecting the whole doctrine of ,god1 hath its denomination from this single practice4 ,and is there not as much to be said of the baptism of ,christ1 unless you will say it is inferior to ,john's in worth and use4' ,ans4 #a4 ,that our denomination of believers1 and of our receiving the doctrine of the ,lord ,jesus1 is not to be reckoned from our baptism1 is evident2 because according to our notion of it1 they only that have before received the doctrine of the gospel1 and so shew it us by their confession of faith1 they only ought to be baptized4 ,this might serve for an answer for all3 but1 #b4 ,the ,baptism of ,john was 'the baptism of repentance1 for the remission of sins' 7,mark #a3d2 ,matt #c2f2 ,luke #c3c71 of which water was but an outward signification4 ,now what is the baptism of repentance1 but an unfeigned acknowledgment that they were sinners1 and so stood in need of a ,saviour1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,this baptism1 or baptism under this notion1 the ,pharisees would not receive 7,luke #g3bi1cj74 ,for they 'trusted in themselves that they were righteous1' that they were 'not as other men1' that they had need of no repentance 7,luke #ah3i1 #aj3bi1 #ae3g74 ,not but that they would have been baptized with water1 might that have been without an acknowledgment that they were sinners 7,matt #c3g72 wherefore seeing the counsel of ,god respected rather the remission of sins by ,jesus ,christ1 than the outward act of water baptism1 ye ought not1 as you do1 by this your reasoning1 to make it rather1 at least in the revelation of it1 to terminate in the outward act of being baptized1 but in unfeigned and sound repentance1 and the receiving of ,jesus ,christ by faith 7,eph #a3g1h1aa74 ,further1 ,a desire to submit to ,john's water baptism1 or of being baptized by him in water1 did not demonstrate by that single act1 the receiving of the whole doctrine of ,god as you suggest4 ',why did ,john reject the ,pharisees that would have been baptized 7,matt #c3g71 and ,paul examine them that were8' 7,acts #ai3b1c74 ,if your doctrine be true1 why did they not rather say1 ,oh6 seeing you desire to be baptized1 seeing you have been baptized1 you need not to be questioned any further2 your submitting to ,john's water1 to us is a sufficient testimony1 even that single act1 that you have received the whole doctrine of ,god4 ,but ,i say1 why did ,john call them vipers8 ,and ,paul asked them1 ,whether they had yet 'received the ,holy ,ghost8' ,yea1 it is evident1 that a man may be desirous of water1 that a man may be baptized1 and neither own the doctrine of repentance1 nor know on whom he should believe2 evident1 ,i say1 and that by the same texts 7,matt #c3g2 ,acts #ai3b-d74 ,you have grounded therefore this your last argument1 as also the rest1 upon an utter mistake of things4 ,i ,,come ,,now ,,to ,,your ,questions2 ,,which ,,although ,,they ,,be ,,mixed ,,with ,,gall1 ,i ,,will ,,with ,,patience ,,see ,,if ,i ,,can ,,turn ,,them ,,into ,,food4 ,quest4 #a4 ,your first question is1 ',i ask your own heart1 whether popularity and applause of variety of professors1 be not in the bottom of what you have said2 that hath been your snare to pervert the right ways of the ,lord1 and to lead others into a path wherein we can find none of the footsteps of the flock in the first ages8' ,ans4 ,setting aside a retaliation1 like your question1 ,i say1 and ,god knows ,i speak the truth1 ,i have been tempted to do what ,i have done1 by a provocation of sixteen years long2 tempted1 ,i say1 by the brethren of your way3 who1 whenever they saw their opportunity1 have made it their business to seek to rend us in pieces2 mine ownself they have endeavoured to persuade to forsake the church2 some they have rent quite off from us1 others they have attempted and attempted to divide and break off from us1 but by the mercy of ,god1 have been hitherto prevented4 ,a more large account you may have in my next1 if you think good to demand it2 but ,i thank ,god that ,i have written what ,i have written4 ,quest4 #b4 ',have you dealt brotherly1 or like a ,christian1 to throw so much dirt upon your brethren1 in print1 in the face of the world1 when you had an opportunity to converse with them of reputation amongst us1 before printing1 being allowed the liberty by them1 at the same time for you to speak among them8' ,ans4 ,i have thrown no dirt upon them1 nor laid any thing to their charge1 if their practice be warrantable by the word2 but you have not been offended at the dirt yourselves have thrown at all the godly in the land that are not of our persuasion1 in counting them unfit to be communicated with1 or to be accompanied with in the house of ,god4 ,this dirt you never complained of1 nor would1 ,i doubt1 to this day1 might you be still let alone to throw it4 ,as to my book1 it was printed before ,i spake with any of you1 or knew whether ,i might be accepted of you4 ,as to them of reputation among you1 ,i know others not one tittle inferior to them1 and have my liberty to consult with who ,i like best4 ,quest4 #c4 ',doth your carriage answer the law of love or civility1 when the brethren used means to send for you for a conference1 and their letter was received by you1 that you should go out again from the city after knowledge of their desires1 and not vouchsafe a meeting with them1 when the glory of ,god1 and the vindication of so many churches is concerned4' ,ans4 ,the reason why ,i came not amongst you1 was partly because ,i consulted mine own weakness1 and counted not myself1 being a dull headed man1 able to engage so many of the chief of you1 as ,i was then informed intended to meet me4 ,i also feared1 in personal disputes1 heats and bitter contentions might arise1 a thing my spirit hath not pleasure in3 ,i feared also1 that both myself and words would be misrepresented2 and that not without cause1 for if they that answer a book will alter1 and screw arguments out of their place1 and make my sentences stand in their own words1 not mine1 when ,i say my words are in a book to be seen1 what would you have done1 had ,i in the least1 either in matter or manner1 though but seemingly miscarried among you4 ,as for the many churches which you say are concerned1 as also the glory of ,god1 ,i doubt not to say they are only your wordless opinions that are concerned2 the glory of ,god is vindicated3 ,we receive him that ,god hath received1 and that 'to the glory of ,god' 7,rom #ae3g74 ,quest4 #d4 ',is it not the spirit of ,diotrephes of old1 in you1 who loved to have the pre-eminence1 that you are so bold to keep out all the brethren1 that are not of your mind in this matter1 from having any entertainment in the churches or meetings to which you belong1 though you yourself have not been denied the like liberty1 among them that are contrary minded to you8 ,is this the way of your retaliation8 ,or are you afraid lest the truth should invade your quarters8' ,ans4 ,i can say1 ,i would not have the spirit you talk of2 what ,i have of it1 ,god take it from me4 ,but what was the spirit of ,diotrephes8 ,why1 not to receive the brethren into the church1 and to forbid them that would 7#c ,john #i1aj74 ,this do not ,i2 ,i am for communion with saints1 because they are saints3 ,i shut none of the brethren out of the churches1 nor forbid them that would receive them4 ,i say again1 shew me the man that is a visible believer1 and that walketh with ,god2 and though he differ with me about baptism1 the doors of the church stand open for him1 and all our heaven-born privileges he shall be admitted to them4 ,but how came ,diotrephes so lately into our parts8 ,where was he in those days that our brethren of the baptized way1 would neither receive into the church1 nor pray with men as good as themselves1 because they were not baptized2 but would either1 like ,quakers1 stand with their hats on their heads1 or else withdraw till we had done4 ,as to our not suffering those you plead for to preach in our assemblies1 the reason is1 because we cannot yet prevail with them1 to repent of their church-rending principles4 ,as to the retaliation1 mind the hand of ,god1 and remember ,adonibezek 7,judg #a3g74 ,let the truth come into our quarters and welcome1 but sowers of discord1 because the ,lord hates it 7,prov #f3ai71 we also ourselves will ,,avoid them 7,rom #af3ag1ah74 ,quest4 #e4 ',is there no contempt cast upon the brethren1 who desired your satisfaction1 that at the same time1 when you have opportunity to speak to them1 instead of that1 you committed the letters to others1 by way of reflection upon them8' ,ans4 ,it is no contempt at all to consult men more wise and judicious than him that wrote1 or myself either4 ,but why not consult with others4 ,is wisdom to die with you8 ,or do you count all that yourselves have no hand in1 done to your disparagement8 ,quest4 #f4 ',did not your presumption prompt you to provoke them to printing1 in your letter to them1 when they desired to be found in no such practice1 lest the enemies of truth should take advantage by it8' ,ans4 ,what provoked you to print1 will be best known at the day of judgment1 whether your fear of losing your wordless opinion1 or my plain answer to your letter3 ,the words in my letter are1 ',as for my book never defer its answer till you speak with me1 for ,i strive not for mastery but truth4' ,though you did not desire to write1 yet with us there was continual labour to rend us to pieces1 and to prevent that1 was my first book written4 ,and let who will take advantage1 so the truth of ,god1 and the edification of my brother be promoted4 ,quest4 #g4 ',whether your principle and practice is not equally against others as well as us1 viz4 ,episcopal1 ,presbyterians1 and ,independents1 who are also of our side1 for our practice1 though they differ with us about the subject of baptism4 ,do you delight to have your hand against every man8' ,ans4 ,i own water baptism to be ,god's ordinance1 but ,i make no idol of it4 ,where you call now the ,episcopal to side with you1 and also the ,presbyterian1 c4 you will not find them easily persuaded to conclude with you against me4 ,they are against your manner of dipping1 as well as the subject of water baptism2 neither do you1 for all you flatter them1 agree together in all but the subject4 ,do you allow their sprinkling8 ,do you allow their signing with the cross8 ,why then have you so stoutly1 an hundred times over1 condemned these things as antichristian4 ,i am not against every man1 though by your abusive language you would set every one against me2 but am for union1 concord1 and communion with saints1 as saints1 and for that cause ,i wrote my book4 ,to conclude1--#a4 ,in all ,i have said1 ,i put a difference between my brethren of the baptized way2 ,i know some are more moderate than some4 #b4 ,when ,i plead for the unbaptized1 ,i chiefly intend those that are not so baptized as my brethren judge right1 according to the first pattern4 #c4 ,if any shall count my papers worth the scribbling against1 let him deal with my arguments1 and things immediately depending upon them1 and not conclude that he hath confuted a book1 when he hath only quarrelled at words4 #d4 ,i have done when ,i have told you1 that ,i strive not for mastery1 nor to shew myself singular2 but1 if it might be1 for union and communion among the godly4 ,and count me not as an enemy1 because ,i tell you the truth4 #e4 ,and now1 dissenting brethren1 ,i commend you to ,god1 who can pardon your sin1 and give you more grace1 and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in ,jesus ,christ4 ,amen4 ,,here ,,followeth ,,mr4 ,,henry ,,jessey',s ,,judgment ,,upon ,,the ,,same ,,argument4 ',him that is weak in the faith receive ye1' c4--,romans #ad3a ,whereas some suppose the receiving there mentioned1 was but receiving into brotherly affection1 such as were in church fellowship2 but not a receiving of such as were weak into the church4 ,for answer unto which consider1 ,that in the texts are two things to be inquired into4 ,first1 ,what weakness of faith this is1 that must not hinder receiving4 ,secondly1 by whom1 and to what1 he that is weak in the faith is to be received8 ,first1 ,to the first1 ,what weakness of faith this is that must not hinder receiving1 whether was it weakness in the graces of faith1 or in the doctrine of faith8 ,it is conceived that the first is included1 but the second principally intended4 #a4 ,that some of the ,lord's people are weak in the graces of faith1 will be confessed by all 7,mark #i3bd2 ,luke #bd3be7 and that the ,lord would have his lambs fed as well as his sheep1 and his children as well as grown men1 and that he hath given the right to gospel privileges1 not to degrees of grace1 but to the truth2 'him that is weak in the faith receive ye'3 or unto you1 as some ,,good translations read it 7,rom #ad3a74ah #b4 ,it is supposed1 that this command of receiving him that is weak in the faith1 doth principally intend1 that is weak in the doctrine of faith1 and that not so much in the doctrine of justification1 as in gospel institutions1 as doth appear by the second and sixth verses3 which shew1 that it was in matters of practice1 wherein some were weak1 and at which others were offended2 notwithstanding the glorious ,lord who bears all his ,israel upon his heart receives them 7v #c7 and commandeth1 'him that is weak in the faith receive ye1' or unto you4 ,second1 ,therefore1 here we are to inquire of the receiving in the text1 ,by whom1 and to what he that is weak in the faith1 should be received4 ,in which inquiry there are two parts4 #a4 ,by whom4 #b4 ,to what4 #a4 ,to the first4 ,the text makes answer1 ',him that is weak in the faith receive ye1' or unto you2 which must be the church at ,rome1 to whom the epistle was writ2 as also to all 'beloved of ,god1 called to be saints' 7,rom #a3g74 ,and as to them1 so unto all churches and saints1 ,beloved and called throughout the world4 ,note1 ,that epistles are as well to direct how churches are to carry things towards saints without1 as to saints within2 and also toward all men so as to give no offence to ,jew or ,gentile1 nor to the church of ,god 7#a ,cor #aj3cb74 #b4 ,the second part of the inquiry is1 to what he that is weak in the faith is to be received8 whether only unto mutual affection1 as some affirm1 as if he were in church fellowship before1 that were weak in the faith8 ,or whether the text doth as well1 if not rather intend1 the receiving such as were1 and are weak in the faith1 ,not only unto mutual affection if in the church1 but unto church fellowship also1 if they were out4 ,for clearing of which consider1 to whom the epistle was written 7,rom #a3g74 ,not only to the church there1 but unto all that were beloved of ,god1 and called to be saints in all ages4 ,and as at ,rome it is like there then were1 and in other places now are1 saints weak in the faith1 both in and out of church fellowship2 and it is probable there then were1 and elsewhere now are1 those that will cast such out of their mutual affection4 ,and if they will cast such out of their mutual affection that are within1 no doubt they will keep out of their church fellowship those that are without4 ,arg4 #a4 ,whereas the ,lord's care extends to all his1 and if it were a good argument in the third verse1 for them to receive those within1 because ,god hath received them1 it would be as good an argument to receive in those without1 for ,god hath received them also3 unless it could be proved1 that all that were and are weak in the faith1 were and are in church fellowship1 which is not likely3 for if they would cast such out of their affection that are within1 they would upon the same account keep them out of church fellowship that were without3 therefore as it is a duty to receive those within unto mutual affection1 so it is no less a duty1 by the text1 to receive such weak ones as are without1 into church fellowship4 ,arg4 #b4 ,is urged from the words themselves1 which are1 ',receive him that is weak in the faith'2 wherein the ,lord puts ,,no limitation in this text or in any other2 and who is he then that can restrain it1 unless he will limit the ,holy ,one of ,israel8 ,and how would such an interpretation foolishly charge the ,lord1 as if he took care ,,only of those within1 but not like care of those without2 whereas he commandeth them to receive them1 and useth this motive1 he had received them1 and he receiveth those that are weak in the faith1 if without1 as well as those within4 ,from the example1 to wit1 ,that ,god had received them2 whereas had he been of the church1 they would have been persuaded of that before the motive was urged3 for no true church of ,christ's would take in1 or keep in any1 whom they judged the ,lord had not received2 but those weak ones were such as they questioned whether the ,lord had received them1 else the text had not been an answer sufficient for their receiving them3 ,there might have been objected1 they hold up ,jewish observations of meats and days1 which by the death of ,christ were abolished1 and so did deny some of the effects of his death2 yet the ,lord who was principally wronged could pass this by1 and commandeth others to receive them also4 ,and if it be a good argument to receive such as are weak in any thing1 whom the ,lord hath received1 then there can be no good argument to reject for any thing for which the ,lord will not reject them3 for else the command in the first verse1 and his example in the third verse were insufficient1 without some other arguments unto the church1 besides his command and example4 ,some object1 ',receive ye one another1 as ,christ also received us to the glory of ,god' 7,rom #ae3g74 ,and from thence supposing they were all in church fellowship before1 whereas the text saith not so3 for if you consider the eighth and ninth verses1 you may see he speaks unto ,jews and ,gentiles in general1 that if the ,jews had the receiving1 they should receive ,gentiles2 and if the ,gentiles had the receiving1 they should receive ,jews1 for had they not been on both sides commanded3 the ,jews might have said to the ,gentiles1 you are commanded to receive us1 but we are not commanded to receive you2 and if the weak had the receiving1 they should receive the strong2 and if the strong had the receiving1 they should not keep out the weak2 and the text is reinforced with the example of the ,son's receiving us unto the glory of ,god1 that as he receiveth ,jews and poor ,gentiles1 weak and strong1 in church fellowship1 or out of church fellowship2 so should they to the glory of ,god4 ,and as the ,lord ,jesus received some1 though they held some things more than were commanded1 and some things less than were commanded1 and as those that were weak and in church fellowship1 so those that were weak and out of church fellowship2 and that not only into mutual affection1 but unto fellowship with himself2 and so should they1 not only receive such as were weak within into mutual affection1 but such as were without1 both to mutual affection and to church fellowship3 or else such weak ones as were without1 had been excluded by the text4 ,oh6 how is the heart of ,god the ,father and the ,son set upon this1 to have his children in his house1 and in one another's hearts as they are in his1 and are borne upon the shoulders and breasts of his ,son their high priest8 and as if all this will not do it1 but the devil will divide them still1 whose work it properly is2 ,but 'the ,god of peace' will come in shortly1 'and bruise ,satan under their feet1' as in ,romans #af3bj4 ,and they will agree to be in one house1 when they are more of one heart2 in the mean time prays1 as in chapter #ae3e1 ',now the ,god of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to ,christ ,jesus4' ,i shall endeavour the answering of some objections1 and leave it unto consideration4 ,object4 ,some say this bearing or receiving1 were but in things indifferent4 ,ans4 ,that eating1 or forbearing upon a civil account1 are things indifferent1 is true3 but not when done upon the account of worship1 as keeping of days1 and establishing ,jewish observations about meats1 which by the death of ,christ are taken away2 and it is not fairly to be imagined the same church at ,rome looked so upon them as indifferent2 nor that the ,lord doth2 that it were all alike to him to hold up ,jewish observations1 or to keep days or no days1 right days or wrong days1 as indifferent things1 which is a great mistake1 and no less than to make ,god's grace little in receiving such4 ,for if it were but in things wherein they had not sinned1 it were no great matter for the ,lord to receive1 and it would have been as good an argument or motive to the church1 to say the things were indifferent1 as to say the ,lord had received them4 ,whereas the text is to set out the riches of grace to the vessels of mercy1 as ,romans #i3ae4 ,that as at first he did freely choose and accept them2 so when they fail and miscarry in many things1 yea about his worship also1 although he be most injured thereby1 yet he is first in passing it by1 and persuading others to do the like4 ,that as the good ,samaritan did in the ,old ,testament1#ai so our good ,samaritan doth in the ,new1 when priest and ,levite passed by1 pastor and people pass by1 yet he will not1 but pours in oil1 and carries them to his inn1 and calls for receiving1 and setting it upon his account4 ,object4 ,that this bearing with1 and receiving such as are weak in the faith1 must be limited to meats and days1 and such like things that had been old ,jewish observations1 but not unto the being ignorant in1 or doubting of any ,new ,testament institution4 ,ans4 ,where the ,lord puts no limitation1 men should be wary how they do it1 for they must have a command or example1 before they can limit this command2 for although the ,lord took this occasion from their difference about meats and days to give this command1 yet the command is not limited there1 no more than ,matthew #ab3a-h4 ,that when they made use of his good law rigorously in the letter1 he presently published an act of grace in the #gth verse1 and tells them1 ,had they known what this meaneth1 ',i will have mercy and not sacrifice1' they would not have condemned the guiltless2 as also ,matthew #i3ac1 ',go ye and learn what that meaneth1 ,i will have mercy and not sacrifice1' which is not to be limited unto what was the present occasion of publishing the command1 but observed as a general rule upon all occasions1 wherein mercy and sacrifice comes in competition1 to shew the ,lord will rather have a duty omitted that is due to him1 than mercy to his creatures omitted by them4 ,so in the text1 when some would not receive such as were weak in the faith1 as to matters of practice1 the ,lord was pleased to publish this act of grace3 ',him that is weak in the faith receive ye1 but not to doubtful disputations4' ,now unless it be proved1 that no saint can be weak in the faith in any thing but meats and days1 or in some ,old ,testament observations1 and that he ought not to be judged a saint that is weak in the faith as it relates to gospel institutions1 in matters of practice2 you cannot limit the text1 and you must also prove his weakness ,,such1 as that the ,lord will not receive him2 else the command in the first verse1 and the reason or motive in the third verse1 will both be in force upon you2 to wit1 ',him that is weak in the faith receive ye1' or unto you1--'for ,god hath received him4' ,object4 ,but some may object from #a ,corinthians #ab3ac1 ',for by one spirit are we all baptized into one body1 whether we be ,jews or ,gentiles4' ,some there are that affirm this to be meant of water baptism1 and that particular churches are formed thereby1 and all persons are to be admitted and jointed unto such churches by water baptism4 ,ans4 ,that the baptism intended in the text is the ,spirit's baptism1 and not water baptism2 and that the body the text intends1 is not principally the church of ,corinth1 but all believers1 both ,jews and ,gentiles1 being baptized into one mystical body1 as ,ephesians #d3d1 ',there is one body and one ,spirit1' wherein there is set out the uniter and the united2 therefore in the third verse they are exhorted to keep the unity of the ,spirit in the bond of peace4 ,the united are all the faithful in one body2 into whom8 in the fifth verse1 in one ,lord ,jesus ,christ3 by what8 one faith1 one baptism1 which ,,cannot be meant of water baptism2 for water baptism doth not unite all this body1 for some of them never had water baptism1 and are yet of this body1 and by the ,spirit gathered into one ,lord ,jesus ,christ 7,eph #a3aj71 'both which are in heaven and in earth1' ,jew and ,gentile 7,eph #b3af71 'that he might reconcile both unto ,god in one body by the cross4' ,the instrument you have in verse #ah1 'by one spirit' 7,eph #c3f74 ',that the ,gentiles should be fellow-heirs1 and of the same body' 7v #ae74 ',of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named4' ,and the reasons of their keeping 'the unity of the ,spirit1' in ,ephesians #d3c is laid down in verses #d1 #e being 'one body1' 'one ,spirit1' having 'one hope1' 'one ,lord1' 'one faith1' 'one baptism1' whether they were ,jews or ,gentiles1 such as were in heaven or in earth1 which ,,cannot be meant of water baptism1 for in that sense they had not all one baptism1 nor admitted and united thereby4 ,so in #a ,corinthians #ab3ac1 ',for by one ,spirit we are all baptized into one body1 whether we be ,jews or ,gentiles1 whether we be bond or free2 and have been all made to drink into one ,spirit'2 which cannot be meant of water baptism1 in regard all the body of ,christ1 ,jews and ,gentiles1 bond and free1 partook not thereof4 ,object4 ,but ,ephesians #d3e saith1 there is but 'one baptism'2 and by what hath been said1 if granted1 water baptism will be excluded1 or else there is more baptisms than one4 ,ans4 ,it followeth not that because the ,spirit will have no corrival1 that therefore other things may not be in their places4 ,that because the ,spirit of ,god taketh the pre-eminence1 therefore other things may not be subservient 7#a ,john #b3bg74 ,the apostle tells them1 ,that the anointing which they have received of him1 abideth in them2 and you need not1 saith he1 'that any man teach you1 but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things4' ,by this some may think ,john excludes the ministry2 no such matter1 though the ,holy ,ghost had confirmed and instructed them so in the truth of the gospel1 as that they were furnished against seducers in verse #bf yet you see ,john goes on still teaching them in many things3 as also in ,ephesians #d3aa-ac1 ',he gave some1 apostles2--some evangelists1 and some pastors1 and teachers2 for the perfecting of the saints1 for the work of the ministry1 for the edifying of the body of ,christ3 ,till we all come in the unity of the faith1 and of the knowledge of the ,son of ,god1 unto a perfect man1 unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of ,christ4' ,so in the ,spirit's baptism1 though it have the pre-eminence1 and appropriateth some things1 as peculiar to itself1 it doth not thereby destroy the use and end of water baptism1 or any other ordinance in its place3 for water baptism is a means to increase grace1 and in it1 and by it sanctification is forwarded1 and remission of sins more cleared and witnessed2 yet the giving grace1 and regenerating and renewing1 is the ,holy ,spirit's peculiar4 ,consider 7,titus #c3e71 ',by the washing of regeneration1 and renewing of the ,holy ,ghost'2 ,baptism being the outward sign of the inward graces wrought by the ,spirit1 a representation or figure1 as in #a ,peter #c3ba1 ',the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh1 but the answer of a good conscience toward ,god1 by the resurrection of ,jesus ,christ'2 not excluding water baptism2 but shewing1 ,that the spiritual part is chiefly to be looked at3 though such as slight water baptism1 as the ,pharisees and lawyers did 7,luke #g3cj71 reject the counsel of ,god against themselves1 not being baptized4 ,and such as would set water baptism in the ,spirit's place1 exalt a duty against the deity and dignity of the ,spirit1 and to give the glory due unto him1 as ,god blessed for ever1 unto a duty4 ,by which mistake of setting up water baptism in the ,spirit's place1 and assigning it a work1 which was never appointed unto it2 of forming the body of ,christ1 either in general1 as in #a ,corinthians #ab3ac2 ,ephesians #d3e or as to particular churches of ,christ1 we may see the fruit2 that instead of being the means of uniting as the ,spirit doth2 that it hath not only rent his seamless coat1 but divided his body which he hath purchased with his own blood1 and opposed that great design of ,father1 ,son1 and ,spirit1 in uniting poor saints1 thereby pulling in pieces what the ,spirit hath put together4 ',him that is weak in the faith receive ye1--for ,god hath received him'2 being such as the ,spirit had baptized and admitted of the body of ,christ1 he would have his churches receive them also3 whose baptism is the ,,only baptism1 and so is called the ,,one baptism4 ,therefore consider1 whether such a practice1 hath a command or an example1 that persons must be joined into church fellowship by water baptism2 for ,john baptized many1 yet he did not baptize some into one church1 and some into another1 nor all into one church1 as the church of ,rome doth4 ,and into what church did ,philip baptize the eunuch1 or the apostle the jailor and his house8 ,and all the rest they baptized1 were they not left free to join themselves for their convenience and edification8 ,all which ,i leave to consideration4 ,i might have named some inconveniences1 if not absurdities that would follow the assertion3 as to father the mistakes of the baptizers on the ,spirit's act1 who is not mistaken in any ,,he baptizeth2 no false brethren creep in unawares into the mystical body by him2 and also1 how this manner of forming churches would suit a country1 where many are converted1 and willing to be baptized2 but there being no church to be baptized into1 how shall such a church state begin8 ,the first must be baptized into no church1 and the rest into him as the church1 or the work stand still for want of a church4 ,object4 ',but ,god is a ,god of order1 and hath ordained order in all the churches of ,christ2 and for to receive one that holds the baptism he had in his infancy1 there is no command nor example for1 and by the same rule children will be brought in to be church members4' ,ans4 ,that ,god is a ,god of order1 and hath ordained orders in all the churches of ,christ is true2 and that this is one of the orders to receive him that is weak in the faith1 is as true4 ,and though there be no example or command1 in so many words1 receive such an one that holds the baptism he had in his infancy1 nor to reject such a one3 but there is a command to receive him that is weak in the faith1 without limitation1 and it is like this might not be a doubt in those days1 and so not spoken of in particular4 ,but the ,lord provides a remedy for all times in the text1 ',him that is weak in the faith receive ye'2 for else receiving would not be upon the account of saintship2 but upon knowing1 and doing all things according to rule and order1 and that must be perfectly1 else for to deny any thing1 or to affirm too much is disorderly1 and would hinder receiving3 but the ,lord seals not so with his people1 but accounts ',,love the fulfilling of the law1' though they be ignorant in many things both as to knowing and doing2 and receives them into communion and fellowship with himself1 and would have others do the same also4 ,and if he would have so much bearing in the apostle's days1 when they had infallible helps to expound truths unto them1 much more now1 the church hath been so long in the wilderness and in captivity1 and not that his people should be driven away in the dark day1 though they are sick and weak 7,eze #cd3af1ba74 ,and that it should be supposed such tenderness would bring in children in age to be church members1 yea and welcome1 if any body could prove them in the faith1 though never so weak2 for the text is1 ',him that is weak in the faith1 receive ye'3 ,it is not ,he1 and his wife and children1 unless it can be proved they are ,,in ,,the ,,faith4 ,object4 ',by this1 some ordinances may be lost or omitted1 and is it to be supposed the ,lord would suffer any of his ordinances to be lost or omitted in the ,old or ,new ,testament1 or the right use of them1 and yet own such for true churches1 and what reason can there be for it48' ,ans4 ,the ,lord hath suffered some ordinances to be omitted and lost in the ,old ,testament1 and yet owned the church4 ,though circumcision were omitted in the wilderness1 yet he owned them to be his church 7,acts #g3ch72 and many of the ordinances were lost in the captivity3 see ,ainsworth upon ,exodus #bh1 #cj c4 which shewed what the high-priest was to put on1 and were not to be omitted upon pain of death1 as the ,urim and ,thummim1 yet being lost1 and several other ordinances1 the ark1 with the mercy-seat and cherubims1 the fire from heaven1 the majesty and divine presence1 c4 yet1 he owns the second temple1 though short of the first1 and filled it with his glory1 and honoured it with his ,son1 being a member and a minister therein 7,mal #c3a71 ',the ,lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple'3 ,so in the ,new ,testament1 since their wilderness condition1 and great and long captivity1 there is some darkness and doubts1 and want of light in the best of the ,lord's people1 in many of his ordinances1 and that for several ages1 and yet how hath the ,lord owned them for his churches1 wherein he is to have glory and praise 'throughout all ages' 7,eph #c3ba74 ,and so should we own them1 unless we will condemn the generation of the just4 ,it must be confessed1 ,that if exact practice be required1 and clearness in gospel institutions before communion2 who dare be so bold as to say his hands are clean1 and that he hath done all the ,lord's commands1 as to institutions in his worship8 and must not confess the change of times doth necessitate some variation1 if not alteration1 either in the matter or manner of things according to primitive practice2 yet owned for true churches1 and received as visible saints1 though ignorant either wholly1 or in great measure1 in laying on of hands1 singing1 washing of feet1 and anointing with oil1 in the gifts of the ,spirit1 which is the ,urim and ,thummim of the gospel4 ,and it cannot be proved1 that the churches were so ignorant in the primitive times1 nor yet that such were received into fellowship2 yet now herein it is thought meet their should be bearing1 and why not in baptism1 especially in such as own it for an ordinance1 though in some things miss it1 and do yet shew their love unto it1 and unto the ,lord1 and unto his law therein1 that they could be willing to die for it rather than to deny it2 and to be baptized in their blood2 which sheweth1 they hold it in conscience their duty1 while they have further light from above1 and are willing to hear and obey as far as they know1 though weak in the faith1 as to clearness in gospel institutions3 surely the text is on their side1 or else it will exclude all the former1 ',him that is weak in the faith receive ye1--but not to doubtful disputations' 7,rom #ad3e74 ,let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind1 and such the ,lord hath received4 ,as to the query1 ,what reason is there1 why the ,lord should suffer any of his ordinances to be lost8 ,ans4 ,if there were no reason to be shewn1 it should teach us silence1 for he doth nothing without the highest reason2 and there doth appear some reasons in the ,old ,testament1 why those ordinances of ,urim and ,thummim1 c4 were suffered to be lost in the captivity1 that they might long and look for the ,lord ,jesus1 the priest1 that was to stand up with ,urim and ,thummim 7,ezra #b3fc2 ,neh #g3fe71 which the ,lord by this puts them upon the hoping for1 and to be in the expectation of so great a mercy1 which was the promise of the ,old ,testament1 and all the churches losses in the ,new ,testament4 ,by all the dark night of ignorance she hath been in1 and long captivity she hath been under1 and in her wandering wilderness state1 wherein she hath rather been fed with manna from heaven1 than by men upon earth2 and after all her crosses and losses1 the ,lord lets light break in by degrees1 and deliverance by little and little2 and she is 'coming out of the wilderness leaning upon her beloved'2 and the ,lord hath given the valley of ,achor for a door of hope1 that ere long she may receive the promise of the gospel richly1 by the ,spirit1 to be poured upon us from on high 7,isa #cb3ae71 and the wilderness be a fruitful field1 and the fruitful field become a forest1 and then the ,lord will take away the covering cast over all people 7,isa #be3g71 and the vail that is spread over all nations 7,isa #aa3i72 ',for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the ,lord1 as the waters cover the sea' 7v #ac74 ,then ',ephraim shall not envy ,judah1 and ,judah shall not vex ,ephraim4' ,thus will the ,god of peace bruise ,satan under foot shortly2 and one reason why the ,lord may suffer all this darkness and differences that have been1 and yet are1 is1 that we might long and look for this blessed promise of the gospel1 the pourings out of the ,spirit4 ,object4 ,but many authors do judge1 that the weak and strong were all in church fellowship before1 and that the receiving 7,rom #ad3a7 was but into mutual affection4 ,ans4 ,it ought to be seriously weighed how any differ from so many worthy authors1 is confessed2 to whom the world is so much beholden for their help in many things2 but it would be of dangerous consequence to take all for granted they say1 and unlike the noble ,bereans 7,acts #ag3aa74 ,though they had some infallible teachers1 yet they took not their words or doctrine upon trust2 and there may be more ground to question expositors on this text1 in regard their principles necessitate them to judge that the sense2 for if it be in their judgments a duty to compel all to come in1 and to receive all1 and their children1 they must needs judge by that text1 they were all of the church1 and in fellowship1 before their scrupling meats and days1 because that is an act of grown persons at years of discretion2 and therefore the receiving is judged by them to be only into mutual affection1 for it is impossible for them to hold their opinion1 and judge otherwise of the text2 for in baptism1 they judge infants should be received into church fellowship2 and then scrupling meats and days must needs be after joining4 ,their judgments might as well be taken1 that it is a duty to baptize infants1 as that they can judge of this text rightly1 and hold their practice4 ,object4 ,but no uncircumcised person was to eat the passover 7,exo #ab74 ,and doth not the ,lord as well require the sign of baptism now1 as of circumcision then8 and is there not like reason for it8 ,ans4 ,the ,lord1 in the ,old ,testament1 expressly commanded no uncircumcised person should eat the passover 7,exo #ab3dh2 ,eze #dd3i71 that no stranger1 uncircumcised in heart1 or uncircumcised in flesh1 should enter into his sanctuary4#bj ,and had the ,lord commanded1 that no unbaptized person should enter into his churches1 it had been clear4 ,and no doubt1 ,christ was as faithful as a son in all his house1 as ,moses was as a servant2 and although there had been little reason1 if the ,lord had commanded it so to be1 yet in ,god's worship we must not make the likeness of any thing in our reason1 but the will of ,god1 the ground of duty2 for upon such a foundation some would build the baptizing of infants1 because it would be like unto circumcision1 and so break the second commandment1 in making the likeness of things of their own contrivance1 of force with institutions in the worship of ,god4 ,the most that ,i think can be said is1 ,that we have no gospel example for receiving without baptism1 or rejecting any for want of it4 ,therefore it is desired1 what hath been said1 may be considered2 lest while we look for an example1 we do not overlook a command upon a mistake1 supposing that they were all in church fellowship before2 whereas the text saith not so1 but ',him that is weak in the faith receive ye1' or unto you4 ,we may see also how the ,lord proceeds under the law1 though he accounts those things that were done contrary to his law1 sinful1 though done ignorantly2 yet never required the offender to offer sacrifice till he knew thereof 7,lev #e3e compared with vv #ae1af74 ,and that may be a man's own sin through his ignorance2 that though it may be another's duty to endeavour to inform him in1 yet not thereupon to keep him out of his ,father's house2 for surely the ,lord would not have any of his children kept out1 without we have a word for it4 ,and though they scruple some meats in their ,father's house1 yet it may be dangerous for the stronger children to deny them all the rest of the dainties therein1 till the weak and sick can eat strong meat2 whereas ,peter had meat for one1 and milk for another2 and ,peter must feed the poor lambs as well as the sheep2 and if others will not do it1 the great shepherd will come ere long and look up what hath been driven away 7,eze #cd3d1aa2 ,isa #dj3aa74 ,he will feed his flock like a shepherd2 he shall gather the lambs into his bosom1 and gently lead those that are with young4 ,,footnotes3 #a4 ,who is there that reads these revilings of ,bunyan for his poverty and mean descent1 but must be struck with the unsearchable wisdom of the ,almighty4 ,the salvation of the church requires that ',,god should be manifest in the flesh4' ,does he appear in his glory8 ,does he honour riches1 and power1 and wisdom1 by descending in one of these classes8 ,no2 the poor1 the despised in this world1 claim kindred with him--',is not this the carpenter's son8' ',have any of the rulers or pharisees believed on him8' ,even with these examples before them1 his ,baptist ministerial brethren1 who sat at his feet when he came to ,london1 and listened to his eloquence1 now1 in their hot dispute1 revile and taunt him with his imprisonment--his poverty--his want of book learning4 ,refused the communion of some eminent earthly saints1 it drove him to closer communion with his ,god1 and the prison1 became a ,bethel--none other than the house of ,god1 and the very gate of heaven2 and in a holy1 happy frame of soul1 he breathes forgiveness3 ',what ,mr4 ,kiffin hath done in the matter ,i forgive1 and love him never the worse'66--,ed4 #b4 ,how do these verses cut down all the carnal pride of man4 ,who is ,,the ,,blessed8 not the rich1 or powerful1 or worldly wise1 but those that delight in the word of ,god4--,ed4 #c4 ,nearly all the ,baptist churches of that day limited communion to them who had been baptized in water on a profession of their faith4 ,it is very different now2 ,bunyan's principles have spread1 are spreading1 and must soon become universal4--,ed4 #d4 ,mr4 ,h4 ,d',anvers3 ',a seventh end of baptism is1 that the baptized person may orderly thereby have an entrance into the visible church4 ,none were esteemed members1 or did partake of its ordinances1 before they were baptized1 being so ,god's hedge or boundary4'--,treatise of ,baptism1 p4 #bj1 ed4 #afgd4 #e4 ,a modern writer1 in a critique on ,bunyan1 says that he did as much justice to grace as his ,calvinism would allow him66 ,may all the world be such ,calvinists4--,ed4 #f4 ',without the church1' previous to having entered into the church1 a personal obedience to the divine command2 having repented1 then be baptized3 neither of these are duties to be performed by the church1 as such1 but individually4--,ed4 #g4 ',to themselves1' to the particular churches only to which they were written4 ,contrary to the word1 ',all scripture is given--to be profitable to the man of ,god' in every church 7#b ,tim #c3af74--;,ed4 #h4 ,to these ten commandments must be added that new command given by the ,saviour1 ',that ye love one another' 7,john #ab3cd72 or rather the evangelical sum of the whole law1 ',thou shalt love the ,lord thy ,god with all thy heart1 and thy neighbour as thyself4' ,this happy state of mind can only be attained by the baptism of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,how awful the thought that multitudes of professing ,christians rely upon outward ceremonies1 a fleshly carnal confidence in ordinances1 while they are dead as to union with ,god and to spiritual communion with his saints4 ,reader1 how is it with your own soul4--,ed4 #i4 ,bunyan's adversaries were wrong in stating that all the expositors agreed in referring this 'one baptism' to be that in or with water4 ,john ,caime1 #affb1 refers to #a ,corinthians #ab3ac1 as an illustration of ,ephesians #d3e1 ',one baptism1' 'by one ,,spirit are we all baptized4' ,the ,assembly's ,annotations1 #afeg1 infers that 'one' means 'once1' and refers to the ,nicene creed1 which says1 'one baptism for the remission of sins'2 this surely cannot mean that the application of water remits sins4 ,diodati1 #afdh1 is silent on this subject4 ,dr4 ,hammond1 #afec1 says1 'the same vow to be administered to all4' ,very similar to this is the ,dutch annotations of ,theodore ,haak4--,ed4 #aj4 ,heaven forbid that we should be afraid or ashamed of saying that ,christ is better than water baptism4 ,christ is the heavenly manna1 the sweet1 pleasant1 nourishing food of the soul4 ,baptism is only once for life1 but ,christ is our essential food all through the wilderness--every hour of life until we enter the gates of the celestial and eternal city4--,ed4 #aa4 ,while we acknowledge the importance of water baptism1 to which ,christ submitted1 yet we do well to consider that it was not intended as a means of purifying his infinite purity2 no more does it purify the believer who follows his ,redeemer in this ordinance4 ,he was as much a believer before as he is after the ceremony4 ,he submits to it as an act of obedience to the divine command1 in the humble hope that his faith may be strengthened and his soul refreshed4--,ed4 #ab4 ',the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of ,god' 7,james #a3bj74 ,the angry passions of man work evil4 ,such fiery zeal is contrary to the spirit of ,christ4 ,the ignorant must be won by meekness to embrace the truth4--,ed4 #ac4 ,it becomes all prayerfully to follow divine commands in ,,all ,,things4 ,nothing is indifferent or non-essential that ,god hath ordained for the believer4 ,but if disciples differ about days1 or meats1 or water1 ought such differences to prevent their communion and fellowship more than differences in personal stature1 or beauty1 or in mental powers4 ,uniformity in anything but love to ,god and to each other is a fool's paradise1 contrary to the experience of the apostolic and all ages1 and opposed to every law of nature4--,ed4 #ad4 ,this typographical error in ',the ,reasons of my ,practice' is corrected in this edition for the first time4--,ed4 #ae4 ,the doctrine of the real presence1 called transubstantiation1 was the test of adherence to the ,romish church1 which unless all persons pretended to believe they were sacrificed with brutal ferocity4--,ed4 #af4 ,in ,bunyan's days1 both the laws of the land1 the judges1 and the commonalty1 gave credence to the wicked gambols of wizards and witches4 ,many a poor iniquitous old woman1 from some mysterious hints of her power to tell fortunes1 or to gratify the revengeful feelings of her neighbours1 was put to a cruel death4 ,more enlightened times have dissipated this illusion1 and driven these imaginary imps of darkness into benighted countries4--,ed4 #ag4 ',me-hap-soes1' a contraction of 'it may so happen4'--,ed4 #ah4 ,tyndale1 and all the early ,english translations1 rend it 'unto you1' until the ,elisabethan ,state ,bible1 called the ,bishop's1 in #aefh4 ,do not the words mean that ,christians are to receive such as are weak in the faith into their hearts by love1 without troubling their heads with perplexing disputes8--,ed4 #ai4 ,under the ,old ,testament dispensation2 the parable or history is recorded in ,luke #aj4--;,ed4 #bj4 ,we cannot offer to ,god any acceptable sacrifice until spiritually baptized4 ,first joined to ,god by a living faith in the atoning sacrifice of ,christ1 and then bringing forth the fruits of this internal and purifying baptism1 we must give ourselves to his church in the bonds of the gospel4--,ed4 999999 ,,peaceable ,,principles ,,and ,,true3 ,,or1 ,a ,,brief ,,answer ,,to ,,mr4 ,d',,anver',s ,,and ,,mr4 ,,paul',s ,,books ,,against ,,my ,,confession ,,of ,,faith1 ,,and ,,differences ,,in ,,judgment ,,about ,,baptism ,,no ,,bar ,,to ,,communion4 ,,wherein ,,their ,,scriptureless ,,notions ,,are ,,overthrown1 ,,and ,,my ,,peaceable ,,principles ,,still ,,maintained4 ',do ye indeed speak righteousness1 ,o congregation8 do ye judge uprightly1 ,o ye sons of men8'--,psalm #eh3a ,,sir1 ,i have received and considered your short reply to my differences in judgment about water baptism no bar to communion2 and observe1 that you touch not the argument at all3 but rather labour what you can1 and beyond what you ought1 to throw odiums upon your brother for reproving you for your error1 viz4 ',that those believers that have been baptized after confession of faith made by themselves1 ought and are in duty bound to exclude from their church fellowship1 and communion at the table of the ,lord1 those of their holy brethren that have not been so baptized4' ,this is your error4 ,error1 ,i call it1 because it is not founded upon the word1 but a mere human device2 for although ,i do not deny1 but acknowledge1 that baptism is ,god's ordinance2 yet ,i have denied1 that baptism was ever ordained of ,god to be a wall of division between the holy and the holy2 the holy that are1 and the holy that are not1 so baptized with water as we4 ,you1 on the contrary1 both by doctrine and practice1 assert that it is2 and therefore do separate yourselves from all your brethren that in that matter differ from you2 accounting them1 notwithstanding their saving faith and holy lives1 not fitly qualified for church communion1 and all because they have not been1 as you1 baptized4 ,further1 you count their communion among themselves unlawful1 and therefore unwarrantable2 and have concluded1 'they are joined to idols1 and that they ought not to be shewed the pattern of the house of ,god1 until they be ashamed of their sprinkling in their infancy1 and accept of and receive baptism as you4' ,yea1 you count them as they stand1 not the churches of ,god2 saying1 ',we have no such custom1 nor the churches of ,god4' ,at this ,i have called for your proofs1 the which you have attempted to produce2 but in conclusion have shewed none other1 but ',that the primitive churches had those they received1 baptized before so received4' ,i have told you1 that this1 though it were granted1 cometh not up to the question2 for we ask not1 'whether they were so baptized8 ,but whether you find a word in the ,bible that justifieth your concluding that it is your duty to exclude those of your holy brethren that have not been so baptized8' ,from this you cry out1 that ,i take up the arguments of them that plead for infant baptism3 ,i answer1 ,i take up no other argument but your own1 viz4 ',that there being no precept1 precedent1 nor example in all the scripture1 for our excluding our holy brethren that differ in this point from us1 therefore we ought not to dare to do it1' but contrariwise to receive them2#a because ,god hath given us sufficient proof that himself hath received them1 whose example in this case he hath commanded us to follow 7,rom #ad3c1ae74 ,this might serve for an answer to your reply4 ,but because1 perhaps1 should ,i thus conclude1 some might make an ill use of my brevity2 ,i shall therefore briefly step after you1 and examine your short reply2 at least1 where shew of argument is4 ,your first five pages are spent to prove me either proud or a liar2 for inserting in the title-page of my ',differences1' c4 that your book was written by the ,baptist1 or brethren of your way4 ,in answer to which2 whoso readeth your second1 your fifth and sixth questions to me1 may not perhaps be easily persuaded to the contrary2 but the two last in your reply1 are omitted by you2 whether for verity's sake1 or because you were conscious to yourself1 that the sight of them would overthrow your insinuations1 ,i leave to the sober to judge4 ,but put the case ,i had failed herein1 ,doth this warrant your unlawful practice8 ,you ask me next1 ',how long is it since ,i was a ,baptist8' and then add1 ',it is an ill bird that bewrays his own nest4' ,ans4 ,i must tell you1 avoiding your slovenly language1 ,i know none to whom that title is so proper as to the disciples of ,john4 ,and since you would know by what name ,i would be distinguished from others2 ,i tell you1 ,i would be1 and hope ,i am1 ,a ,,christian2 and choose1 if ,god should count me worthy1 to be called a ,christian1 a ,believer1 or other such name which is approved by the ,holy ,ghost 7,acts #aa3bf74 ,and as for those factious titles of ,anabaptists1 ,independents1 ,presbyterians1 or the like1 ,i conclude1 that they came neither from ,jerusalem1 nor ,antioch1 but rather from hell and ,babylon2 for they naturally tend to divisions1 'you may know them by their fruits4' ,next1 you tell us of your goodly harmony in ,london2 or of the 'amicable christian correspondency betwixt those of divers persuasions there1 until my turbulent and mutineering spirit got up4' ,ans4 ,the cause of my writing1 ,i told you1 which you have neither disapproved in whole1 nor in part4 ,and now ,i ask what kind of christian correspondency you have with them8 ,is it such as relateth to church communion2 or such only as you are commanded to have with every brother that walketh disorderly1 that they may be ashamed of their church communion1 which you condemn8 if so1 your great flourish will add no praise to them2 and why they should glory in a correspondency with them as ,christians1 who yet count them under such deadly sin1 which will not by any means1 as they now stand1 suffer you to admit them to their ,father's table1 to me is not easy to believe4 ,farther1 ,your christian correspondency1 as you call it1 will not keep you now and then1 from fingering some of their members from them2 nor from teaching them that you so take away1 to judge and condemn them that are left behind3 ,now who boasteth in this besides yourself1 ,i know not4 ,touching ,mr4 ,jesse's judgment in the case in hand1 you know it condemneth your practice2 and since in your first1 you have called for an author's testimony1 ,i have presented you with one1 whose arguments you have not condemned4 ,for your insinuating my abusive and unworthy behaviour1 as the cause of the brethren's attempting to break our ,christian communion2 it is not only false but ridiculous4 ,false2 for they have attempted to make me also one of their disciples1 and sent to me1 and for me for that purpose4 ,besides1 it is ridiculous2 surely their pretended order1 and as they call it1 our disorder1 was the cause2 or they must render themselves very malicious1 to seek the overthrow of a whole congregation1 for1 if it had been so1 the unworthy behaviour of one4 ,now1 since you tell me ',that ,mr4 ,kiffin hath no need of my forgiveness for the wrong he hath done me in his epistle4' ,i ask1 did he tell you so8 ,but let it lie as it doth2 ,i will at this time turn his argument upon him1 and desire his direct answer3 ,there being no precept1 precedent or example for ,mr4 ,kiffin to exclude his holy brethren from ,christian communion that differ with him about baptism1 he ought not to do it2 but there is neither precept1 precedent1 nor example2 therefore1 c4 ,you blame me for writing his name at length3 but ,i know he is not ashamed of his name3 and for you1 though at the remotest rate1 to insinuate it1 must needs be damage to him4 ,your artificial squibbling#b suggestions to the world about myself1 imprisonment1 and the like ,i freely bind unto me as an ornament among the rest of my reproaches1 till the ,lord shall wipe them off at his coming4 ,but they are no argument that you have a word that binds you to exclude the holy brethren communion4 ,now what if1 as you suggest1 the sober ,dr4 ,owen1 though he told me and others at first he would write an epistle to my book1 yet waved it afterwards2 this is also to my advantage2 because it was through the earnest solicitations of several of you that at that time stopped his hand2 ,and perhaps it was more for the glory of ,god that truth should go naked into the world1 than as seconded by so mighty an armour-bearer as he4 ,you tell me also1 that some of the sober ,independents have shewed dislike to my writing on this subject3 ,what then8 ,if ,i should also say1 as ,i can without lying1 that several of the ,baptists have wished yours burnt before it had come to light2 is your book ever the worse for that8 ,you tell us1 you meddle not with ,presbyterians1 ,independents1 mixed ,communionists 7a new name71 but are for liberty for all according to their light4 ,ans4 ,i ask then1 suppose an holy man of ,god1 that differeth from you1 as those above-named do1 in the manner of water baptism2 ,i say1 suppose such an one should desire communion with you1 yet abiding by his own light1 as to the thing in question1 ,would you receive him to fellowship8 ,if no1 do you not dissemble8 ,but you add1 ',if unbaptized believers do not walk with us1 they may walk with them with whom they are better agreed4' ,ans4 ,then it seems you do but flatter them4 ,you are not1 for all you pretend to give them their liberty1 agreed they should have it with you4 ,thus do the ,papists give the ,protestants their liberty1 because they can neither will nor choose4 ,again1 ,but do you not follow them with clamours and out-cries1 that their communion1 even amongst themselves1 is unwarrantable8 ,now1 how then do you give them their liberty8 ,nay1 do not even these things declare that you would take it away if you could8 ',for the time that ,i have been a ,baptist 7say you 7 ,i do not remember that ever ,i knew that one unbaptized person did so much as offer themselves to us for church fellowship4' ,ans4 ,this is no proof of your love to your brethren2 but rather an argument that your rigidness was from that day to this so apparent1 that those good souls despaired to make such attempts2 we know they have done it elsewhere1 where they hoped to meet with encouragement4 ,you seem to retract your denial of baptism to be the initiating ordinance4 ,and indeed ,mr4 ,d',anvers told me1 that you must retract that opinion1 and that he had1 or would speak to you to do it2 yet by some it is still so acknowledged to be2 and in particular1 by your great helper1 ,mr4 ,denne1 who strives to maintain it by several arguments2 but your denial may be a sufficient confutation to him2 so ,i leave you together to agree about it1 and conclude you have overthrown him4 ,but it seems though you do not now own it to be the inlet into a particular church2 yet1 as you tell us of your last1 'you never denied that baptism doth not make a believer a member of the universal1 orderly1 church visible4 ,and in this ,mr4 ,d',anvers and you agree4' ',persons enter into the visible church thereby1' saith he4 ,ans4 ,universal1 that is1 the whole church3 ,this word now comprehendeth all the parts of it1 even from ,adam to the very world's end1 whether in heaven or earth1 c4 ,now that water baptism makes a man a member of this church1 ,i do not yet believe1 nor can you shew me why ,i should4 #b4 ,the universal1 orderly church4 ,what church this should be1 if by orderly you mean harmony or agreement in the outward parts of worship1 ,i do not understand neither4 ,and yet thus you should mean1 because you add the word visible to all at the last2 ',the universal1 orderly1 visible church4' ,now ,i would yet learn of this brother where this church is2 for if it be visible1 he can tell and also shew it4 ,but1 to be short1 there is no such church3 the universal church cannot be visible2 a great part of that vast body being already in heaven1 and a great part as yet1 perhaps1 unborn4 ,but if he should mean by universal1 the whole of that part of this church that is on earth1 then neither is it 'visible' nor 'orderly4' #a4 ,not visible2 for the part remains always to the best man's eye utterly invisible4 #b4 ,this church is not orderly2 that is1 hath not harmony in its outward and visible parts of worship2 some parts opposing and contradicting the other most severely4 ,yea1 would it be uncharitable to believe that some of the members of this body could willingly die in opposing that which others of the members hold to be a truth of ,christ8 ,as for instance at home2 could not some of those called ,baptists die in opposing infant baptism8 ,and again1 some of them that are for infant baptism die for that as a truth8 ,here therefore is no order1 but an evident contradiction3 and that too in such parts of worship1 as both count visible parts of worship indeed4 ,so then by 'universal1 orderly1 visible church1' this brother must mean those of the saints only that have been1 or are baptized as we2 this is clear1 because baptism1 saith he1 maketh a believer a member of this church2 his meaning then is1 that there is an universal1 orderly1 visible church1 and they alone are the ,baptists2 and that every one that is baptized is by that made a member of the universal1 orderly1 visible church of ,baptists1 and that the whole number of the rest of saints are utterly excluded4 ,but now if other men should do as this man1 how many universal churches should we have8 ,an 'universal1 orderly1 visible church of ,independents'2 an 'universal1 orderly1 visible church of ,presbyterians1' and the like4 ,and who of them1 if as much confused in their notions as this brother1 might not1 they judging by their own light1 contend for their universal church1 as he for his8 ,but they have more wit4 ,but suppose that this unheard of fictitious church were the only true universal church2 yet whoever they baptize must be a visible saint first1 and if a visible saint1 then a visible member of ,christ2 and if so1 then a visible member of his body1 which is the church1 before they be baptized2 now he which is a visible member of the church already1 that which hath so made him1 hath prevented all those claims that by any may be made or imputed to this or that ordinance to make him so 7,acts #h3cg1 #ai3ag1 #af3cc74 ,his visibility is already2 he is already a visible member of the body of ,christ1 and after that baptized4 ,his baptism then neither makes him a member nor a visible member of the body of ,jesus ,christ4 ,you go on1 ',that ,i said it was consent that makes persons members of particular churches is true4' ,ans4 ,but that it is consent and nothing else1 consent without faith1 c41 is false4 ,your after-endeavour to heal your unsound saying will do you no good3 ',faith gives being to1 as well as probation for membership4' ,what you say now of the epistles1 that they were written to particular saints1 and those too out of churches as well as in1 ,i always believed3 but in your first you were pleased to say1 ',you were one of them that objected against our proofs out of the epistles1 because they were written to particular churches1 intending these baptized and that they were written to other saints1 would be hard for me to prove'3 but you do well to give way to the truth4 ,what ,i said about baptism's being a ,,pest1 take my words as they lie1 and ,i stand still thereto3 ',knowing that ,satan can make any of ,god's ordinances a ,,pest and plague to his people1 even baptism1 the ,lord's table1 and the holy scriptures2 yea1 the ministers also of ,jesus ,christ may be suffered to abuse them1 and wrench them out of their place4' ,wherefore ,i pray1 if you write again1 either consent to1 or deny this position1 before you proceed in your outcry4 ,but ,i must still continue to tell you1 though you love not to hear thereof1 ,that supposing your opinion hath hold of your conscience1 if you might have your will1 you would make inroads and outroads too in all the churches that are not as you in the land4 ,you reckon that church privileges belong not to them who are not baptized as we1 saying1 ',how can we take these privileges from them before they have them1 we keep them from a disorderly practice of ordinances1 especially among ourselves'2 intimating you do what you can also among others3 and he that shall judge those he walketh not with1 or say1 as you1 that they1 like ,ephraim1 are 'joined to an idol1 and ought to repent and be ashamed of that idol before they be shewed the pattern of the house'2 and then shall back all with the citation of a text2 doth it either in jest or in earnest2 if in jest it is abominable2 if in earnest his conscience is engaged2 and being engaged1 it putteth him upon doing what he can to extirpate the thing he counteth idolatrous and abominable1 out of the churches abroad1 as well as that he stands in relation unto4 ,this being thus1 it is reasonable to conclude1 you want not an heart1 but opportunity for your inroads and outroads among them4 ,touching those five things ,i mentioned in my second2 you should not have counted they were found no where1 because not found under that head which ,i mention3 and now lest you should miss them again1 ,i will present you with them here4 #a4 ',baptism is not the initiating ordinance4 #b4 ,that though it was1 the case may so fall out1 that members might be received without it4 #c4 ,that baptism makes no man a visible saint4 #d4 ,that faith1 and a life becoming the ten commandments1 should be the chief and most solid argument with churches to receive to fellowship4 #e4 ,that circumcision in the flesh was a type of circumcision in the heart1 and not of water baptism4' ,to these you should have given fair answers1 then you had done like a workman4 ,now we are come where you labour to insinuate1 'that a transgression against a positive precept1 respecting instituted worship1 hath been punished with the utmost severity that ,god hath executed against men1 on record1 on this side hell4' ,ans4 ,mr4 ,d',anvers says1 ',that to transgress a positive precept respecting worship1 is a breach of the first and second commandments4' ,if so1 then it is for the breach of them1 that these severe rebukes befall the sons of men4 #b4 ,but you instance the case of ,adam his eating the forbidden fruit2 yet to no great purpose4 ,adam's first transgression was1 that he violated the law that was written in his heart2 in that he hearkened to the tempting voice of his wife2 and after1 because he did eat of the tree3 he was bad then before he did eat of the tree2 which badness was infused over his whole nature2 and then he bare this evil fruit of eating things that ,god hath forbidden 7,gen #c74 ,either make the tree good1 and his fruit good2 or the tree bad1 and his fruit bad 7,matt #g3ag2 ,luke #f3dc1dd74 ,men must be bad1 ere they do evil2 and good1 ere they do good4 ,again1 which was the greatest judgment1 to be defiled and depraved1 or to be put out of paradise1 do you in your next determine4 ,but as to the matter in hand1 ,what positive precept do they transgress that will not reject him that ,god bids us receive1 if he want light in baptism8 ,as for my calling for scripture to prove it lawful thus to exclude them2 blame me for it no more2 verily ,i still must do it2 and had you but one to give1 ,i had had it long before this4 ,but you wonder ,i should ask for a scripture to prove a negative4 ,ans4 #a4 ,are you at that door1 my brother8 ,if a drunkard1 a swearer1 or whoremonger should desire communion with you1 and upon your refusal1 demand your grounds2 would you think his demands such you ought not to answer8 would you not readily give him by ,,scores8 ,so1 doubtless would you deal with us1 but that in this you are without the lids#c of the ,bible4 #b4 ,but again1 you have acted as those that must produce a positive rule4 ',you count it your duty1 a part of your obedience to ,god1 to keep those out of church fellowship that are not baptized as you4' ,i then demand what precept bids you do this8 where are you commanded to do it8 ,you object1 ,that in ,ephesians #d3e and #a ,corinthians #ab3ac is not meant of ,spirit baptism3 but ,mr4 ,jesse says it is not1 cannot be the baptism with water3 and you have not at all refuted him4 ,and now for the church in the wilderness2 ',you thought1 as you say1 ,i would have answered myself in the thing'2 but as yet ,i have not1 neither have you4 ,but let us see what you urge for an answer4 ,i4 ,say you1 ',though ,god dispensed with their obedience to circumcision in that time 7,gen #ag2 ,exo #ab7 it follows not that you or ,i should dispense with the ordinance of water baptism now4' ,ans4 ,god commanded it1 and made it the initiating ordinance to church communion4 ,but ,moses1 and ,aaron1 and ,joshua1 and the elders of ,israel1 dispensed with it for forty years2 therefore the dispensing with it was ministerial1 and that with ,god's allowance1 as you affirm4 ,now if they might dispense with circumcision1 though the initiating ordinance2 why may not we receive ,god's holy ones into fellowship1 since we are not forbidden it1 but commanded2 yea1 why should we make water baptism1 which ,god never ordained to that end1 a bar to shut out and let in to church communion8 ,,ii4 ,you ask1 ',was circumcision dispensed with for want of light1 it being plainly commanded8' ,ans4 ,whatever was the cause1 want of light is as great a cause3 and that it must necessarily follow1 they must needs see it1 because commanded1 favours too much of a tang of free will1 or of the sufficiency of our understanding1 and intrencheth too hard on the glory of the ,holy ,ghost2 whose work it is 'to bring all things to our remembrance1 whatsoever ,christ hath said to us' 7,john #ad3bf74 ,,iii4 ,you ask1 ',cannot you give yourself a reason1 that their moving1 travelling state made them incapable1 and that ,god was merciful8 ,can the same reason1 or anything like it1 for refusing baptism1 be given now8' ,ans4 ,i cannot give myself this reason1 nor can you by it give me any satisfaction4 ,because their travelling state could not hinder2 if you consider that they might1 and doubtless did lie still in one place years together4 #a4 ,they were forty years going from ,egypt to ,canaan3 and they had but forty-two journies thither4 #b4 ,they at times went several of these journies in one and the same year4 ,they went1 as ,i take it1 eleven of them by the end of the third month after they came out of the land of ,egypt4 ,compare ,exodus #ai3a with ,numbers #cc3ae4 #c4 ,again1 in the fortieth year1 we find them in ,mount ,hor1 where ,aaron died1 and was buried4 ,now that was the year they went into ,canaan2 and in that year they had nine journies more1 or ten1 by that they got over ,jordan 7,num #cc3ch71 c4 ,here then were twenty journies in less than one year and an half4 ,divide then the rest of the time to the rest of the journies1 and they had above thirty-eight years to go their two and twenty journies in4 ,and how this should be such a traveling moving state1 as that it should hinder their keeping this ordinance in its season1 to wit1 to circumcise their children the eighth day2 especially considering to circumcise them in their childhood1 as they were born1 might be with more security1 than to let them live while they were men1 ,i see not4 ,if you should think that their wars in the wilderness might hinder them2 ,i answer1 ,they had1 for ought ,i can discern1 ten times as much fighting in the land of ,canaan1 where they were circumcised1 as in the wilderness where they were not4 ,and if carnal or outward safety had been the argument1 doubtless they would not have circumcised themselves in the sight1 as it were1 of one and thirty kings 7,josh #e1 #ab74 ,i say1 they would not have circumcised their six hundred thousand warriors1 and have laid them open to the attempts and dangers of their enemies4 ,no such thing1 therefore1 as you are pleased to suggest1 was the cause of their not being as yet circumcised4 ,,vi4 ',an extraordinary instance to be brought into a standing rule1 are no parallels'3 ,that is the sum of your fourth4 ,ans4 ,the rule was ordinary2 which was circumcision2 the laying aside of this rule became as ordinary1 so long a time as forty years1 and in the whole church also4 ,but this is a poor shift1 to have nothing to say1 but that the case was extraordinary1 when it was not4 ,but you ask1 ',might they do so when they came into ,canaan8' ,ans4 ,no1 no4 ,no more shall we do as we do now 'when that which is perfect is come4' ,you add1 ',because the church in the wilderness 7,rev #ab7 could not come by ordinances1 c4 therefore when they may be come at1 we need not practise them4' ,ans4 ,no body told you so4 ,but are you out of that wilderness mentioned8 7,rev #ab74 ,is ,antichrist down and dead to ought but your faith8 ,or are we only out of that ,egyptian darkness1 that in baptism have got the start of our brethren8 ,for shame be silent3 yourselves are yet under so great a cloud1 as to imagine to yourselves a ,rule of ,practice not found in the ,bible2 that is1 to count it a sin to receive your holy brethren1 though not forbidden but commanded to do it 7,rom #ad1 #ae74 ,your great flourish against my fourth argument1 ,i leave to them that can judge of the weight of your words2 as also what you say of the fifth or sixth4 ,for the instance ,i give you of ,aaron1 ,david1 and ,hezekiah1 who did things not commanded1 and that about holy matters1 and yet were held excusable2 you1 nor yet your abettors for you1 can by any means overthrow4 ,aaron transgressed the commandment 7,lev #f3bf1 #aj3ah72 ,david did what was not lawful2 and they in ,hezekiah's time1 'did eat the passover otherwise than it was written' 7#b ,chron #cj3ah74 ,but here ,i perceive the shoe pincheth2 which makes you glad of ,mr4 ,denne's evasion for help ,at this also ,mr4 ,d',anvers cries out1 but yet to no purpose1 charging me with asserting1 that ignorance absolves from sin of omission and commission4 ,but1 ,sirs1 fairly take from me the texts1 with others that ,i can urge2 and then begin to accuse4 ,you have healed your suggestion of unwritten verities poorly4 ,but any shift to shift off the force of truth4 ,after the same manner also you have helped your asserting1 'that you neither keep out1 nor cast out from the church1 if baptized1 such as come unprepared to the supper1 and other solemn appointments4' ,let us leave yours and mine to the pondering of wiser men4 ,my seventh argument1 as ,i said1 you have not so much as touched2 nor the ten in that one1 but only derided at the ten4 ,but we will show them to the reader4 #a4 ,love1 which above all other things we are commanded to put on1 is much more worth1 than to break about baptism 7,col #c3ad74 #b4 ,love is more discovered1 when we receive for the sake of ,christ and grace1 than when we refuse for want of water4 #c4 ,the church at ,colosse was charged to receive and forbear the saints1 because they were new creatures4 #d4 ,some saints were in the church at ,jerusalem1 that opposed the preaching of salvation to the ,gentiles2 and yet retained their membership4 #e4 ,divisions and distinctions among saints are of later date than election1 and the signs of that2 and therefore should give place4 #f4 ,it is love1 not baptism1 that discovereth us to the world to be ,christ's disciples 7,john #ac3ce74 #g4 ,it is love that is the undoubted character of our interest in1 and fellowship with1 ,christ 7,rom #ab3aj1 #af3aj74 #h4 ,fellowship with ,christ is sufficient to invite to1 and the new creature the great rule of our fellowship with1 ,christ 7#a ,john #a3b74 #i4 ,love is the fulfilling of the law1 wherefore he that hath it is accepted with ,god1 and ought to be approved of men2 but he fulfils it not1 who judgeth and setteth at nought his brother 7,gal #f3af2 ,phil #c3af2 ,rom #ad2 ,james #d3aa74 #aj4 ,love is sometimes more seen1 and showed in forbearing to urge and press what we know1 than in publishing and imposing 7,john #af3ab2 #a ,cor #c3a1b74 #aa4 ,when we attempt to force our brother beyond his light1 or to break his heart with grief1 to trust him beyond his faith1 or bar him from his privileges1 how can we say ,i love8 #ab4 ,to make that the door to communion which ,god hath not2 to make that the including1 excluding charter1 the bar1 bounds1 and rule of communion1 is for want of love4 ,here are two into the bargain4 ,if any of these1 ,sir1 please you not in this dress2 give me a word2 and ,i shall1 as well as my wit will serve1 give you them in a syllogistical mode4 ,now that you say 7practically7 for some speak with their feet 7their walking 7,prov #f3ac77 that water is above love2 and all other things are evident2 because have they all but water1 you refuse them for want of that2 yea1 and will be so hardy1 though without ,god's word1 to refuse communion with them4 ,in our discourse about the carnality that was the cause of the divisions that were at ,corinth1 you ask1 ,who must the charge of carnality fall upon1 them that defend1 or them that oppose the truth8 ,ans4 ,perhaps on both2 but be sure upon them that oppose1 wherefore look you to yourselves1 'who without any command of ,god to warrant you1 exclude your brother from communion2 your brother whom ,god hath commanded you to receive4' ,my ninth argument1 you make yourself merry with in the beginning3 but why do you by and by so cut and hack1 and cast it as it were in the fire4 ,those seventeen absurdities you can by no means avoid4 ,for if you have not1 as indeed you have not1 though you mock me for speaking a word in ,latin1 one word of ,god that commands you to shut out your brethren for want of water baptism1 from your communion2 ,i say1 if you have not one word of ,god to make this a duty to you1 then unavoidably1 #a4 ,you do it by a spirit of persecution4 #b4 ,with more respect to a form1 than the spirit and power of godliness4 #c4 ,this also1 makes laws1 where ,god makes none2 and is to be wise above what is written4 #d4 ,it is a directing the ,spirit of the ,lord4 #e4 ,and bindeth all men's consciences to our light and opinion4 #f4 ,it taketh away the children's bread4 #g4 ,and withholdeth from them the increase of faith4 #h4 ,it tendeth to make wicked the hearts of weak ,christians4 #i4 ,it tendeth to harden the hearts of the wicked4 #aj4 ,it setteth open a door to all temptations4 #aa4 ,it tempteth the devil to fall upon them that are alone4 #ab4 ,it is the nursery of all vain janglings4 #ac4 ,it occasioneth the world to reproach us4 #ad4 ,it holdeth staggering consciences in doubt1 of the right ways of the ,lord4 #ae4 ,it abuseth the holy scriptures4 #af4 ,it is a prop to ,antichrist4 #ag4 ,and giveth occasion to many to turn aside to most dangerous errors4 ,and though the last is so abhorred by you1 that you cannot contain yourselves when you read it3 yet do ,i affirm1 as ,i did in my first ',that to exclude ,christians from church communion1 and to debar them their heaven-born privileges1 for the want of that which ,god never yet made a wall of division between us2 did1 and doth1 and will prevail with ,god to send those judgments we have1 or may hereafter feel4' ,like me yet as you will4 ,i come next to what you have said in justification of your fourteen arguments4 ',such as they were1' say you1 ',i am willing to stand by them3 ,what ,i have offered1 ,i have offered modestly3 according to the utmost light ,i had into those scriptures upon which they are bottomed2 having not arrived unto such a peremptory way of dictatorship1 as what ,i render must be taken for laws binding to others in faith and practice2 and therefore express myself by suppositions1 strong presumptions1 and fair seeming conclusions from the premises4' ,ans4 ,your arguments1 as you truly say1 are builded upon1 or drawn from suppositions and presumptions2 and all because you want for your help the words of the holy scripture4 ,and let the reader note4 ,for as ,i have often called for the word1 but as yet could never get it1 because you have it not1 neither in precept1 precedent1 nor example1 therefore come you forth with your seeming imports and presumptions4 ,the judicious reader will see in this last1 that not only here1 but in other places1 what poor shifts you are driven to1 to keep your pen going4 ,but1 ,sir1 since you are not peremptory in your proof2 how came you to be so absolute in your practice8 ,for notwithstanding all your seeming modesty1 you will neither grant these communion with you2 nor allow their communion among themselves1 that turn aside from your 'seeming imports'2 and that go not with you in your strong presumptions4 ,you must not2 you dare not2 lest you countenance their idolatry2 and nourish them up in sin2 they live in the breach of gospel-order2 and ,ephraim-like are joined to an idol4 ,and as for your love1 it amounts to this1 you thus deal with them1 and withdraw from them1 and all because of some strong presumptions and suppositions4 ,but you tell me1 ',i use the arguments of the paedo-baptist1 to wit1 ,but where are infants forbidden to be baptized8' ,but ,i ingenuously tell you1 ,i know not what paedo means3 and how then should ,i know his arguments4 #a4 ,i take no man's argument but ,mr4 ,k4's1 ,i must not name him farther1 ,i say ,i take no man's argument but his now1 viz4 ',that there being no precept1 precedent or example1 for you to shut your holy brethren out of church communion2 therefore you should not do it4' ,that you have no command to do it1 is clear1 and you must of necessity grant it4 ,now where there is no precept for a foundation2 it is not what you by all your reasonings can suggest2 can deliver you from the guilt of adding to his word4 ,are you commanded to reject them2 ,if yea1 where is it8 ,if nay1 for shame be silent4 ',let us say what we will1' say you1 'for our own practice2 unless we bring positive scriptures that yours is forbidden1 though nowhere written2 you will be as a man in a rage without it2 and would have it thought you go away with the garland4' ,ans4 #a4 ,i am not in a rage1 but contend with you earnestly for the truth4 ,and say what you will or can1 though with much more squibbing frumps#d and taunts than hitherto you have mixed our writing with1 ,scripture1 scripture1 we cry still4 ,and it is a bad sign that your cause is naught2 when you snap and snarl because ,i call for scripture4 #b4 ,had you a scripture for this practice1 that you ought to shut your brethren out of communion for want of water baptism ,i had done2 but you are left of the word of ,god1 and confess it6 #c4 ,and as you have not a text that justifies your own2 so neither that condemns our holy and ,christian communion4 ,we are commanded also to receive him that is weak in the faith1 for ,god hath received him4 ,i read not of garlands1 but those in the ,acts2 take you them4 ,and ,i say moreover1 that honest and holy ,mr4 ,jesse hath justified our practice1 and you have not condemned his arguments4 ,they therefore stand all upon their feet against you4 ,i leave your #b1 #c1 #d1 #e and #f arguments under my answers where they are suppressed4 ,in your seventh you again complain1 for that ,i touch your 'seeming imports'2 saying1 ',i do not use to say as ,john ,bunyan1 this ,i say1 and ,i dare to say4 ,i please myself by commending my apprehensions soberly1 and submissively to others much above me4' ,ans4 #a4 ,seeming imports are a base and unworthy foundation for a practice in religion2 and therefore ,i speak against them4 #b4 ,where you say1 you submit your apprehensions soberly to those much above you2 it is false2 unless you conclude none are above you1 but those of your own opinion4 ,have you soberly1 and submissively commended your apprehensions to those congregations in ,london1 that are not of your persuasion in the case in hand8 and have you consented to stand by their opinion8 ,have you commended your apprehensions soberly and submissively to those you call ,independents and ,presbyters8 ,and are you willing to stand by their judgment in the case8 ,do you not reserve to yourself the liberty of judging what they say8 and of choosing what you judge is right1 whether they conclude with you or no8 ,if so2 why do you so much dissemble with all the world1 in print2 to pretend you submit to others' judgment1 and yet abide to condemn their judgments8 you have but one help3 perhaps you think they are not above you2 and by that proviso secure yourself2 but it will not do4 ,for the offence you take at any comment upon your calling baptism1 'a livery'3 and for your calling it 'the ,spirit's metaphorical description of baptism'3 both phrases are boldness1 without the word4 ,neither do ,i find it called a listing ordinance1 nor the solemnization of the marriage betwixt ,christ and a believer4 ,but perhaps you had this from ,mr4 ,d',anvers1 who pleaseth himself with this kind of wording it3 and says moreover in justification of you1 ',that persons entered into the visible church thereby by baptism1 which is untrue1 though ,mr4 ,baxter also saith it are by consent admitted into particular congregations1 where they may claim their privileges due to baptized believers1 being orderly put into the body1 and put on ,christ by their baptismal vow and covenant3 for by that public declaration of consent1 is the marriage and solemn contract made betwixt ,christ and a believer in baptism4 ,and1 saith he1 if it be preposterous and wicked for a man and woman to cohabit together1 and to enjoy the privileges of a married state without the passing of that public solemnity3 ,so it is ,,no less disorderly upon a spiritual account1 for any to claim the privileges of a church1 or be admitted to the same1 till the passing of this solemnity by them4' ,ans4 ,but these words are very black4 ,first1 ,here he hath not only implicitly forbidden ,jesus ,christ to hold communion with the saints that are not yet his by water baptism2 but is bold to charge him with being as preposterous and wicked if he do1 as a man that liveth with a woman in the privileges of a married state1 without passing that public solemnity4 ,secondly1 ,he here also chargeth him as guilty of the same wickedness1 that shall but dare to claim church communion without it2 yea1 and the whole church too1 if they shall admit such members to their fellowship4 ,and now since cleaving to ,christ by vow and covenant1 will not do without baptism1 after personal confession of faith2 what a state are all those poor saints of ,jesus in1 that have avowed themselves to be his a thousand times without ,,this baptism8 ,yea1 and what a case is ,jesus ,christ in too1 by your argument1 to hold that communion with them1 that belongeth only unto them that are married to him by this solemnity6 ,brother1 ,god give him repentance4 ,i wot that through ignorance and a preposterous zeal he said it3 unsay it again with tears1 and by a public renunciation of so wicked and horrible words2 but ,i thus sparingly pass you by4#e ,i shall not trouble the world any farther with an answer to the rest of your books3 ,the books are public to the world3 let men read and judge4 ,and had it not been for your endeavouring to stigmatize me with reproach and scandal1 a thing that doth not become you1 ,i needed not have given you two lines in answer4 ,and now1 my angry brother1 if you shall write again1 pray keep to the question1 namely1 ',what precept1 precedent1 or example have you in ,god's word to exclude your holy brethren from church communion for want of water baptism4' ,mr4 ,denne's great measure1 please yourself with it1 and when you shall make his arguments your own1 and tell me so1 you perhaps may have an answer1 but considering him1 and comparing his notions with his conversation1 ,i count it will be better for him to be better in morals1 before he be worthy of an answer4 ,,the ,,conclusion4 ,reader1 when ,moses sought to set the brethren that strove against each other1 at one1 he that did the wrong thrust him away1 as unwilling to be hindered in his ungodly attempts2 but ,moses continuing to make peace betwixt them1 the same person attempted to charge him with a murderous and bloody design1 saying1 ',wilt thou kill me as thou didst the ,egyptian yesterday8' 7,exo #b3ad7 a thing too commonly thrown upon those that seek peace1 and ensue it 7,acts #g3bd-bi74 ',my soul1' saith ,david1 'hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace4 ,i am for peace1 said he but when ,i speak1 they are for war' 7,psa #abj3f1g74 ,one would think that even nature itself should count peace and concord a thing of greatest worth among saints1 especially since they1 above all men1 know themselves2 for he that best knoweth himself is best able to pity and bear with another 7,heb #e3b72 yet even amongst these1 such will arise1 as will make divisions among their brethren1 and seek 'to draw away disciples after them' 7,acts #bj3cj71 crying still that they1 even they are in the right1 and all that hold not with them in the wrong1 and to be withdrawn from 7,rom #af3ag74 ,but when every ,,he1 hath said all that he can1 it is one of the things which the ,lord hateth1 to sow 'discord among brethren' 7,prov #f3ai74f ,yet many years' experience we have had of these mischievous attempts1 as also have others in other places1 as may be instanced if occasion requireth it1 and that especially by those of the rigid way of our brethren1 the ,baptists so called1 whose principles will neither allow them to admit to communion1 the saint that different from them about baptism1 nor consent they should communicate in a church-state among themselves3 but take occasion still ever as they can1 both to reproach their church-state1 and to finger from amongst them who they can to themselves4 ,these things being grievous to those concerned1 as we are1 though perhaps those at quiet are too little concerned in the matter1 therefore when ,i could no longer forbear1 ,i thought good to present to public view the warrantableness of our holy communion1 and the unreasonableness of their seeking to break us to pieces4 ,at this ,mr4 ,william ,kiffin1 ,mr4 ,thomas ,paul1 and ,mr4 ,henry ,d',anvers1 and ,mr4 ,denne1 fell with might and main upon me2 some comparing me to the devil1 others to a bedlam1 others to a sot1 and the like1 for my seeking peace and truth among the godly4 ,nay1 further1 they began to cry out murder1 as if ,i intended nothing less than to accuse them to the magistrate1 and to render them incapable of a share in the commonwealth1 when ,i only struck at their heart-breaking1 church-rending principles and practice2 in their excluding their holy brethren's communion from them1 and their condemning of it eve among themselves4 ,they also follow me with slanders and reproaches1 counting1 it seems1 such things arguments to defend themselves4 ,but ,i in the meantime call for proof1 scripture proof1 to convince me it is a duty to refuse communion with those of the saints that differ from them about baptism3 at this ,mr4 ,paul takes offence1 calling my demanding of proof for their rejecting the unbaptized believer1 how excellent soever in faith and holiness1 a clamorous calling for proof1 with high and swelling words1 which he counteth not worthy of answer2 but ,i know the reason1 he by this demand is shut out of the ,bible1 as himself also suggesteth3 wherefore when coming to assault me with arguments1 he can do it but by seeming imports1 suppositions1 and strong presumptions1 and tells you farther in his reply1 ',that this is the utmost of his light in the scriptures urged for his practice'2 of which light thou mayest easily judge1 good reader1 that hast but the common understanding of the mind of ,god1 concerning brotherly love4 ,strange6 that the scripture that everywhere commandeth and presseth to love1 to forbearance1 and bearing the burden of our brother2 should yet imply1 or implicitly import that we should shut them out of our ,father's house2 or that those scriptures that command us to receive the weak1 should yet command us to shut out the strong6 ,thinkest thou1 reader1 that the scripture hath two faces1 and speaketh with two mouths8 yet it must do so1 by these men's doctrine4 ,it saith expressly1 ',receive one another1 as ,christ also received us to the glory of ,god' 7,rom #ae3g74 ,but these men say1 it is not duty1 it is preposterous1 and idolatrous2 concluding that to receive this brother1 is not a custom of them1 not yet of the churches of ,god3 consequently telling thee1 that those that receive such a brother are not 7let them talk while they will7 any of the churches of ,god3 see their charity1 their candour and love1 in the midst of their great pretensions of love4 ,but be thou assured1 christian reader1 that for these their uncharitable words and actions1 they have not footing in the word of ,god1 neither can they heal themselves with suggesting their amicable correspondence to the world4 ,church communion ,i plead for1 church communion they deny them1 yet church communion is scripture communion1 and we read of none other among the saints4 ,true1 we are commanded to withdraw 'from every brother that walketh disorderly1--that he may be ashamed1 yet not to count him as an enemy1 but to admonish him as a brother' 7#b ,thess #c3f1ad1ae74 ,if this be that they intend1 for ,i know not of another communion1 that we ought to have with those1 to whom we deny church communion2 then what ground of rejoicing those have that are thus respected by their brethren1 ,i leave it to themselves to consider of4 ,in the meanwhile1 ,i affirm1 'that baptism with water1 is neither a bar nor bolt to communion of saints1 nor a door nor inlet to communion of saints4' ,the same which is the argument of my books2 and as some of the moderate among themselves have affirmed1 that neither ,mr4 ,k41 ,mr4 ,p4 nor ,mr4 ,d',anvers1 have made invalid1 though sufficiently they have made their assault4 ,for ,mr4 ,denne1 ,i suppose they count him none of themselves1 though both he1 and ,mr4 ,lamb1 like to like1 are brought for authors and abetters of their practice1 and to refel my peaceable principle4 ,for ,mr4 ,denne1 if either of the three will make his arguments their own1 they may see what their servant can do3 but ,i shall not bestow paper and ink upon him1 nor yet upon ,mr4 ,lamb2 the one already1 having given his profession the lie1 and for the other perhaps they that know his life1 will see little of conscience in the whole of his religion1 and conclude him not worth the taking notice of4 ,besides ,mr4 ,p4 hath also concluded against ,mr4 ,denne1 ,that baptism is not the initiating ordinance1 and that his utmost strength for the justification of his own practise is1 'suppositions1 imports1 and strong presumptions1' things that they laugh at1 despise and deride1 when brought by their brethren to prove infant baptism4 ,railing for railing1 ,i will not render1 though one of these opposers1 ,mr4 ,dan4 by name1 did tell me1 that ,mr4 ,paul's reply when it came out1 would sufficiently provoke me to so beastly a work3 but what is the reason of his so writing1 if not the peevishness of his own spirit1 or the want of better matter4 ,this ,i thank ,god for1 that some of the brethren of this way1 are of late more moderate than formerly1 and that those that retain their former sourness still1 are left by their brethren1 to the vinegar of their own spirits1 their brethren ingeniously confessing1 that could these of their company bear it1 they have liberty in their own souls to communicate with saints as saints1 though they differ about water baptism4 ,well1 ,god banish bitterness out of the churches1 and pardon them that are the maintainers of schisms and divisions among the godly4 ',behold1 how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity6 ,it is like the precious ointment upon the head1 that ran down upon the beard1 even ,aaron's beard3 that went down to the skirts of his garments2 farther it is ,as the dew of ,hermon1 that descended upon the mountains of ,zion3 ,mark for there the ,,lord commanded the blessing1 even life for evermore' 7,psa #acc74 ,i was advised by some1 who considered the wise man's proverb1 not to let ,mr4 ,paul pass with all his bitter invectives1 but ,i consider that the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of ,god2 therefore ,i shall leave him to the censure and rebuke of the sober1 where ,i doubt not but his unsavoury ways with me will be seasonably brought to his remembrance4 ,farewell4 ,i am thine to serve thee1 ,christian1 so long as ,i can look out at those eyes1 that have had so much dirt thrown at them by many4 ,j4 ,,bunyan ,,of ,,the ,,love ,,of ,,christ ,the love of ,christ1 poor ,i may touch upon3 ,but 'tis unsearchable4 ,oh6 there is none ,its large dimensions can comprehend1 ,should they dilate thereon1 world without end4 ,when we had sinned1 in his zeal he sware1 ,that he upon his back our sins would bear4 ,and since unto sin is entailed death1 ,he vowed1 for our sins he'd lose his breath4 ,he did not only say1 vow1 or resolve1 ,but to astonishment did so involve ,himself in man's distress and misery1 ,as for1 and with him1 both to live and die4 ,to his eternal fame in sacred story1 ,we find that he did lay aside his glory1 ,stept from the throne of highest dignity2 ,became poor man1 did in a manger lie2 ,yea was beholden upon his1 for bread2 ,had of his own not where to lay his head3 ,though rich1 he did1 for us1 become thus poor1 ,that he might make us rich for evermore4 ,nor was this but the least of what he did2 ,but the outside of what he suffered4 ,god made his blessed ,son under the law2 ,under the curse1 which1 like the lion's paw1 ,did rend and tear his soul1 for mankind's sin1 ,more than if we for it in hell had been4 ,his cries1 his tears1 and bloody agony1 ,the nature of his death doth testify4 ,nor did he of constraint himself thus give ,for sin1 to death1 that man might with him live4 ,he did do what he did most willingly1 ,he sung1 and gave ,god thanks1 that he must die4 ,but do kings use to die for captive slaves8 ,yet we were such1 when ,jesus died to save us4 ,yea1 when he made himself a sacrifice1 ,it was that he might save his enemies4 ,and1 though he was provoked to retract ,his blest resolves1 for such1 so good an act1 ,by the abusive carriages of those1 ,that did both him1 his love1 and grace oppose3 ,yet he1 as unconcerned with such things ,goes on1 determines to make captives kinds ,yea1 many of his murderers he takes ,into his favour1 and them princes makes4 ,,footnotes3 #a4 ,a tender conscience1 jealous of grieving or offending the ,holy ,spirit1 is of an inestimable value4 ,if in our conscientious conclusions we offend others1 we must leave to them an equal right to their own conclusions without harsh judgment4--,ed4 #b4 ',squibbling1' feeble1 ill-natured ridicule2 now obsolete4--,ed4 #c4 ',without the lids of the ,bible1' not within it2 a popular ,puritan saying4--,ed4 #d4 ',frump1' to mock1 flout1 scoff4 ',you must learn to mock2 to frump your own father on occason4' ,ironically used in ,ruggle's ,ignoramus4--,ed4 #e4 ,mr4 ,d',anvers1 in a postscript to his ,history of ,baptism1 the first edition1 #afgc1 thus violently attacks his brother ,bunyan3--',having read his book1 ,i took myself concerned to give some short return to it1 leaving his manifold absurdities1 contradictions1 unbrotherly tauntings and reflections1 contemptions1 traducings the wisdom of ,christ1 and his holy appointments1 to be called to account by that band that hath so well begun to reckon with him4' ,he was in prison1 and his brother thus visits him with gall and wormwood instead of consoling cordials4 ,he goes on to confound water baptism with that of the ,spirit1 and charges ,bunyan with 'ignorance and folly--dangerous and destructive to religion itself1' 'contradicting the authority of ,christ1' calls him 'egregiously ignorant1' 'self-condemning4' ,all this uncharitable vituperation was because ,mr4 ,bunyan would hold communion with all those who had been baptized into1 and put on1 ,christ4 ,the passage quoted is correct1 except that 'married estate' should be 'marriage state4' ,so satisfied was ,d',anvers with the just and ,christian correction given him for so egregious a blunder1 that if he did not repent with tears1 he took special care to leave out all this absurd reference to the marriage ceremony performed in water from his second edition4--,ed4 #f4 ,strife and contention--evil speaking of surmisings among professors1 are tokens of a carnal mind1 injurious to spiritual peace1 and abominable to ,god4 ,the envious1 discontented1 and malicious1 are the devil's working tools4 ,if such die unsubdued by divine grace1 they plunge themselves into the bottomless pit4 ,true wisdom avid strife and contention1 is moderate in doubtful opinions1 patient and cautious in judging others4--,ed4 999999 ,a ,,case ,,of ,,conscience ,,resolved2 ,,viz41 ,,whether1 ,,where ,a ,,church ,,of ,,christ ,,is ,,situate1 ,,it ,,is ,,the ,,duty ,,of ,,the ,,women ,,of ,,that ,,congregation1 ,,ordinarily1 ,,and ,,by ,,appointment1 ,,to ,,separate ,,themselves ,,from ,,their ,,brethren1 ,,and ,,so ,,to ,,assemble ,,together1 ,,to ,,perform ,,some ,,parts ,,of ,,divine ,,worship1 ,,as ,,prayer1 ,,etc41 ,,without ,,their ,,men8 ,,and ,,the ,,arguments ,,made ,,use ,,of ,,for ,,that ,,practice1 ,,examined4 ,,by ,,john ,,bunyan4 ,,editor',s ,,advertisement4 ,this exceedingly rare tract was first published in #afhc1 and was not reprinted1 either separately1 or in any edition of ,bunyan's works4 ,the public are indebted to the owner of a copy in perfect preservation1 who kindly lent it1 with a painful prohibition that he is to remain unknown2 but with full allowance to any one who wishes to collate it with this new edition1 by applying to the editor4 ,at the time this case was drawn and submitted to ,mr4 ,bunyan for his opinion1 he was one of the most popular preachers in the kingdom1 and universally esteemed in all the churches of ,christ1 for his profound knowledge of the sacred ,scriptures4 ,this may account for such a case being sent to him1 in preference to those illustrious divines1 who for learning and talent have been unrivalled in any age4 ,the ,reformation had progressed through state impediments so slowly1 that the masses of the people were involved in the grossest darkness4 ,so ,mr4 ,keach complained--,the church is but newly come out of the wilderness of popish darkness2 and not so fully neither as to be as clear as the sun2 as in due time she shall4#a,the era of the commonwealth let loose a flood of religious light and liberty3 those who had just emerged from the darkness of ,popery1 and those who had received1 implicitly1 and without investigation1 their religion from the formal services of the ,liturgy1 were now alarmed with the thunder of faithful exhortations1 personally and prayerfully to examine the sacred ,scriptures1 upon pain of everlasting death4 ,a light so new1 and so marvellous1 dazzled and perplexed those who rushed into it1 without earnest prayer for divine guidance4 ,they were like men who had been born and brought up in a dark1 a deep1 a noisome mine1 when1 suddenly emerging into light1 are overpowered by its splendour4 ,long and sharp was the controversy whether singing ought to be used in public worship2 whether the seventh day of the week or the first was to be consecrated2 whether ministers were to be paid for their services2 and in this case1 to define the privileges and duties of women as helpers in the gospel2 and it is surprising that this question is almost as new now as it was then4 ,it is thus stated--,whether it is the duty of the women of the churches of ,christ to separate themselves from their brethren1 and1 as so separate1 to perform divine worship by themselves4 ,it appears that some females in ,bedford were in the habit of thus meeting1 under the advice of a ,mr4 ,k4 ,they held prayer meetings for special purposes1 at the imminent risk of imprisonment2 but whether1 in these meetings1 they exhorted1 or preached to each other1 does not appear4 ,john ,bunyan was applied to for advice1 which he plainly gives4 ,he was a stern advocate for scriptural authority in all things pertaining to divine worship2 and one who1 in regarding the invaluable virtues of women1 most admired retiring modesty as the loveliest adornment of the female character4 ,the terms he uses1 and the spirit in which he writes1 intimate plainly that his own wife1 who was remarkable for her devotion to ,god and her affectionate attachment to her husband1 was also the most obedient of her sex4 ,in this tract we find no unmeaning gallant fribbling1 but the solemn language of one who had death and judgment before his face4 ,he conducts the inquiry with great care1 as becomes a subject of such universal interest3 and the great majority of ,christians remain to this day his disciples4 ,the ,society of ,friends is an exception1 as to females being admitted to the ministry2 while the ,wesleyan ,methodists have gained a most beneficial influence1 by embracing1 to the full extent1 ,bunyan's notions of rendering available the tender zeal1 in comparatively private labours1 of their pious females1 in spreading the hallowed influences of ,christianity4 ,the ,society of ,friends stands upon high ground in justifying its practice in allowing females to minister in holy things4 ,j4 ,j4 ,gurney says--,friends believe it right1 freely and equally to allow the ministry of both sexes4 ,his reason is--,that all true ministry is under the immediate spirit of the influence of ,christ3 therefore we are bound to make way for the exercise of the gift of all persons that the ,spirit may direct into this service4 ,we dare not say to the modest and pious female1 ',thou shalt not declare the word of the ,lord1' when we believe that an infinitely higher authority has issued a directly opposite injunction4#b ,the difference arises as to the more public work of the ministry in proclaiming or preaching the kingdom of ,christ to the world4 ,in the ordinary ministry1 by teaching the young--by a godly conversation--by visiting and praying with the sick and afflicted--by encouraging the inquirers and directing their way to the kingdom of heaven1--in these important duties there appears to be neither male nor female in ,christ ,jesus--all are equal4 ,john ,bunyan would have united to a great degree with ,john ,gurney in these sentiments4 ,but as our ,lord appointed no female evangelists1 or apostles1 or missionaries2 and as the ,holy ,ghost has directed1 that all bishops or elders should be married ,,men1 it would appear a strange innovation to place a female in the pastoral office4 ,bunyan believed that ,god usually commissions men and not women to this important work4 ,j4 ,j4 ,gurney fully admits that women are forbidden to usurp authority over the man1 and therefore no active part is assigned to them in public assemblies for the settlement of the affairs of the church4 #c ,the women's meetings were established for the purpose of exercising a wholesome care over their own sex4 #d ,that faithful women should be helps to the men in the service of truth1 as they are outwardly in civil and temporal things4 #e ,and to this who can refuse his hearty ,,amen4 ,there is too much sectarian spirit in all our controversies4 ,reader1 in considering this subject1 endeavour to forget for the time those opinions in which you have been trained4 ,examine the question by the ,word alone1 and may the ,holy ,spirit inscribe upon your hearts that divine record1 which is to be found only in the ,christian system3 ,there is neither male nor female3 for ye are all one in ,christ ,jesus 7,gal #c3bh74 ,g4 ,,offor4 ,,the ,,epistle ,,dedicatory ,,to ,,those ,,godly ,,women ,,concerned ,,in ,,the ,,following ,,treatise4 ,,honoured ,,sisters1 ',tis far from me to despise you1 or to do anything to your reproach4 ,i know you are beloved of ,god for the sake of ,christ1 and that you stand fixed for ever by faith upon the same foundation with ,,us4 ,i also know that the ,lord doth put no difference betwixt male and female1 as to the communications of his saving graces1 but hath often made many of your sex eminent for piety2 yea1 there hath been of you1 ,i speak now of ordinary ,christians1 that for holiness of life have outgone many of the brethren3 ,nor can their virtuous lives but be renown and glory to ,,you1 and conviction to those of ,,us that have come behind you in faith and holiness4 ,the love of women in spirituals1 as well as naturals1 ofttimes outgoes that of men4 ,when ,christ was upon earth1 we read not that any man did to1 and for him1 as did the woman that was a sinner1 ,joanna1 ,susanna1 and many others 7,luke #g3cf-ch1 #h3a-c74 ,and as they have shewed themselves eminent for piety1 so for ,christian valour and fortitude of mind1 when called of ,god to bear witness to1 and for his name in the world3 as all histories of that nature doth sufficiently testify4 ,they were ,,women1 as ,i take it as well as men1 that were tortured1 and that would not accept of deliverance1 that they might obtain a better resurrection 7,heb #aa3ce74 ,wherefore ,i honour and praise your eminency in virtue2 and desire to be provoked by the exceeding piety of any of you1 in all holy conversation and godliness4 ,and although1 as you will find1 ,i have not without a cause1 made a question of the lawfulness of your assembling together1 by yourselves1 to perform1 without your men1 solemn worship to ,god3 yet ,i dare not make you yourselves the authors of your own miscarriage in this4 ,i do therefore rather impute it to our leaders1 who whether of a fond respect to some seeming abilities they think is in you for this1 or from a persuasion that you have been better than themselves in other things2 or whether from a preposterous zeal1 they have put you upon a work so much too heavy for you3 ,i shall not at this time concern myself to inquire into4 ,but this is certain1 at least it is so in my apprehension1 that in this matter you are tempted by them to take too much upon you4 ,i am not insensible but that for my thus writing1 though ,i thereby have designed your honour and good order2 ,i am like enough to run the gauntlet among you1 and to partake most smartly of the scourge of the tongues of some1 and to be soundly brow-beaten for it by others3 specially by our author1 who will find himself immediately concerned1 for that ,i have blamed him for what he hath irregularly done1 both with the ,word1 to you1 and me4 ,i look also to be sufficiently scandalized1 and counted a man not for prayer1 and meetings for prayer1 and the like2 but ,i will labour to bear them with patience1 and seek their good that shall be tempted to abuse me4 ,i had not1 indeed ,i had not1 spoke a word to this question in this manner1 had not ,mr4 ,k4 sent his paper abroad1 and amongst us1 for the encouraging this practice with us1 in opposition to our peace4 ,i do not say he designed our breach1 but his arguments tended thereto2 and had not our people been of a wise and quiet temper1 his paper might have set us into a flame4 ,but thanks be to ,god1 we are at quiet1 and walk in love1 notwithstanding the ,,lifts that have been to make us do otherwise4 ,there are also the mouths of some opened against me for this1 who lie at wait for occasions1 and shew that they are glad to take them before they are given by me3 to whom ,i now shew by this ensuing discourse1 that ,i had a reason to do what ,i did4 ,i commend you to ,god1 and to the word of his grace1 which is able to build you up1 and to give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in ,jesus ,christ3 to whom be honour and glory for ever4 ,and remain1 your faithful friend and brother to pray for you1 to love you in the gospel1 and to do you what ,christian service ,i can1 ,,john ,,bunyan4 ,the ,women's ,prayer ,meeting ,a ,,case ,,of ,,conscience ,,resolved1 c4 ,the occasion of my meddling in this manner with this controversy1 is this4 ,after ,i had1 for reasons best known to myself1 by searching found1 that those called the women's meetings wanted for their support1 a bottom in the word3 ,i called them in our fellowship into question4 ,now having so done1 my reasons for so doing1 as was but reason1 were demanded2 and ,i gave them1 to the causing of that practice with us to cease4 ,so subject to the word were our women1 and so willing to let go what by that could not be proved a duty for them to be found in the practice of4 ,but when ,i had so done1 by what means ,i know not1 ,mr4 ,k41 hearing of my proceeding in this matter1 though ,i think he knew little of question or answer1 sets pen to paper1 and draws up four arguments for the justification of these meetings4 ,the which1 when done1 were sent down into our parts2 not to me1 but to some of his own persuasion1 who kept them1 or sent them1 or lent them whither they thought good3 ,and so about two years after1 with this note immediately following1 they were conveyed to my hand4 ,bro3 ,bunyan1 ,this enclosed1 was sent to me from godly women1 whose custom for a long time hath been to meet together to pray3 who hearing of your contrary opinion1 sent this4 ,it came from ,mr4 ,k41 who would desire to know what objections you have against it3 and he is ready to give his further advice4 ,pray be pleased to give your answer in writing1 for ,mr4 ,k4 expects it4 ,your friends in the ,lord1 ,s4 ,b4 ,s4 ,f4 ,pray be pleased to leave your answer with ,s4 ,f4 #f;in ,bedford4 ,now having received the papers1 and considering the contents thereof3 ,i was at first at a question with myself1 whether the thing was feigned1 or true2 and to that purpose1 writ to these women again3 but calling to mind1 that ,i had heard something of this before1 ,i concluded there was ground to believe1 as ,i do1 that it was true1 and not feigned3 ,and so resolved to answer his demand and expectation4 ,but to say nothing more as to this1 ,i will next present you with the arguments he sent1 and then with my manner of handling of them4 ,mr4 ,k4's ,arguments for ,female ,prayer ,meetings4 ,he begins with this question1 ,whether women fearing ,god may meet to pray together1 and whether it be lawful for them so to do8 ,which done1 he falls to a wonderment1 saying1 ,it seems very strange to me1 that any who profess the fear of ,god1 can make any question touching the lawfulness thereof3 ,the rule for praying being so general to all1 and there being so many instances for the practice thereof1 upon several occasions in the word of ,god1 for their encouragement therein4 ,he next presents us with his arguments1 which are in number four1 but in verity not one1 to prove that thing for the which he urgeth them3 as ,i hope to make appear by that ,i have done4 ,first1 saith he1 ,if women may praise ,god together for mercies received for the church of ,god1 or for themselves8 then they may pray together3 ,the proof whereof is plain 7,exo #ae3bj1ba74 ,if it be objected the case was extraordinary1 and that ,miriam was a prophetess2 ,to which ,i answer1 ,that the danger of ruin and destruction1 and our deliverance from it1 if the ,lord grant it1 cannot be looked at but as extraordinary4 ,the designs of ruin to the church1 and servants of ,god1 being as great as at that time when ,god delivered his people from the hand of ,pharaoh4 #g ,and will call for praises1 if the ,lord please to send it1 as then4 ,and whereas it is further objected1 that ,miriam was an extraordinary person4 ,to which ,i answer1 ,that the duty itself of praising ,god for the mercy1 was incumbent upon all1 in as much as they were partakers of the mercy4 ,and the same spirit of ,christ that was in her1 is also in all his servants3 given for the same end1 both to pray for mercies we stand in need of1 and to praise ,god for them4 ,second1 ,if women have in imminent danger to themselves and the church of ,god1 prayed jointly together for deliverance1 and ,god hath answered and approved of the same3 then may women jointly pray together4 ,the instance we have is famous 7,esth #d3af74 ,we there see she and her maidens did pray and fast together1 and the ,lord gave a gracious answer and deliverance4 ,third1 ,if ,god hath in gospel times promised the pouring out of his ,spirit to women1 to that very end that they may pray together apart from men2 then it is not only their liberty1 but duty to meet and pray together4 ,but ,god hath promised his ,spirit to that end 7,zech #ab3aj-ac74 ,which ,scripture is plain is a promise of gospel times4 ,and it is to be noted that the text doth not in the singular number1 say ,he shall pray apart1 and his wife apart2 but ,,they shall pray apart1 and ,,their wives apart4 ,and 7,mal #c3af7 ,god takes notice of all them that speak often together1 and call upon his name4 ,fourth1 ,if ,god hath so approved of women's meeting together to pray in gospel times1 as then1 and at that time to take an advantage to make known to them his mind and will concerning ,jesus ,christ3 then it is lawful for women to pray together4 ,but ,god hath so approved of their meeting to pray together 7,acts #af3ac74 ,by which text it appeareth it was a frequent practice for women to meet and pray together4 ,these are ,mr4 ,k4's arguments2 the conclusion of his paper follows4 ,and besides all these particular instances1 says he1 what means those general rules to build up one another in our most holy faith1 and pray in the ,holy ,ghost 7,jude #bj74 ,but it extends to all that believe1 both men and women2 unless any will say women are not to be built up in their most holy faith4 ,therefore let not any hinder you from a duty so incumbent upon you in a special manner1 in such a day as this is4 ,cannot many women that have used this practice1 by experience1 say1 they have met with the ,lord in it1 and have found many blessed returns of prayer from ,god1 both to themselves and the church1 wherein ,god hath owned them8 ,therefore what ,god hath borne witness to1 and approved of1 let no man deter you from4 ,pray turn to the ,scriptures quoted1 which ,i hope will give you full satisfaction4 ,mr4 ,bunyan's ,answer4 ,these are his arguments1 and this his conclusion1 in which ,i cannot but say1 there is not only boldness1 but flattery4 ,boldness1 in fathering of his misunderstanding upon the authority of the word of ,god3 and flattery1 in soothing up persons in a way of their own1 by making of them the judges in their own cause3 the which ,i hope to make farther appear anon4 ,for since his women in their letter told me that ,mr4 ,k4 expects my answer1 ,i count myself called to shew the unsoundness of his opinion4 ,indeed he would1 as they insinuate1 confine me to answer by writing4 ,but his papers have been ,i know not where1 and how to put check to his extravagancies1 that also1 ,i know not1 but by scattering mine answer abroad4 ,and as ,i will not be confined to an answer in writing3 so neither to his methods of argumentation4 ,what scholar he is1 ,i know not2 for my part1 ,i am not ashamed to confess1 that ,i neither know the mode nor figure of a syllogism1 nor scarce which is major or minor4 ,methinks ,i perceive but little sense1 and far less truth in his arguments3 also ,i hold that he has stretched and strained the holy ,word out of place1 to make it1 if it might have been1 to shore up his fond conceits4 ,i shall therefore1 first take these texts from the errors to which he hath joined them1 and then fall to picking the bones of his syllogisms4 #h ,but as ,i shall not confine myself to his mode and way of arguing1 so neither shall ,i take notice of his question upon which he stateth the matter in controversy4 ,but shall propound the same question here1 which1 for the substance of it1 was handled among us1 when the thing itself was in doubt among us1 namely1 ,whether1 where a church of ,christ is situate1 it is the duty of the women of that congregation1 ordinarily1 and by appointment1 to separate themselves from their brethren1 and so to assemble together1 to perform some parts of divine worship1 as prayer1 c4 without their men8 ,this was our question1 this we debated1 and this ,mr4 ,k4 might have sent for1 and have spoken to1 since he will needs be a confuter4 ,and1 courteous reader1 since ,i have here presented thee with the question1 ,i will also present thee with the method which ,i took when ,i handled it among my brethren4 ,first1 ,i opened the terms of the question4 ,second1 ,then shewed what assemblies they were that used to perform divine worship to ,god4 ,third1 ,and so shewed whose prayers in such worship was used1 or by ,paul and others desired4 ,first1 ,by church of ,christ1 ,i mean1 one gathered or constituted by1 and walking after the rule of the ,word of ,god4 ,by situate1 ,i mean1 where such church shall happen to be1 in whole1 or in the parts thereof4 ,by separating1 ,i mean1 their meetings together by appointment of their own1 and as so met1 to attempt to perform divine worship by prayer without their men4 ,second1 ,to shew what manner of assemblies they were that used to perform divine worship to ,god of old4 ,now ,i find that there have been three sorts of assemblies1 in which divine worship has been performed4 #a4 ,it has been performed in mixed assemblies2 in assemblies made up of saints and sinners4 ,i say divine worship has been performed in such assemblies1 for1 that there1 the saints have been edified1 sinners convinced and converted1 and made to confess their sins1 to the glory of ,god4 ,of these assemblies we read 7,matt #e3a1 #ac3a1 #bc3a2 ,mark #d3a1 #b3a1 #f3b1 #aj3a2 ,luke #e3a1 #h1 #ab3a1 #ac3a1 #ae3a1 #bj3a2 #a ,cor #ad3bc74 ,and in many other scriptures4 #b4 ,i also find that the church1 by herself1 or as distinct from the world1 have met together to perform it by themselves 7,mark #d3cd2 ,acts #b3a-d1 #ac3a1b2 #ae3d1 #bj3g2 ,john #bj3ai-bf74 #c4 ,i find also that assemblies for divine worship have been made up of the elders1 and principal brethren of the church1 none of the rest of the congregation being present 7,matt #aj3a2 ,luke #i3a2 ,acts #a3c1 #b3ag1ah2 ,gal #b3a1b7 with several other scriptures beside4 ,but in all the ,scripture1 ,i find not that the women of the churches of ,christ1 did use to separate themselves from their brethren1 and as so separate1 perform worship together among themselves1 or in that their congregation3 or that they made1 by allowance of the ,word1 appointment so to do4 ,thus far therefore this must stand for a human invention1 and ,mr4 ,k4 for the promoter thereof4 ,third1 ,this done1 in the third place1 ,i come to shew you whose prayers1 or by whose mouth prayer in such assemblies1 as are above proved lawful1 used to be made1 or by ,paul or others were desired4 #a4 ,whose prayers were used1 or who was the mouth8 and ,i find them called the prayers of the church in general1 or of the principal men thereof in particular 7,judg #b3d1e1 #bj3h1bf2 ,joel #a3ad1 #b3ae-ag2 ,acts #ab3e1 #ac3a-c74 #b4 ,also when ,paul1 or others1 desired that prayers should be made of others for them4 ,they either desired the prayers of the church in general1 or of the brethren in particular 7but never desireth1 or biddeth a woman's meeting1 that prayers might there be made for them74 7#a47 ,he desireth the prayers of the church in general 7,col #d3b2 ,phil #a3ai1 #d3f2 #a ,thess #e3ag2 ,heb #ac3ah74 7#b47 ,or if he desireth prayers of certain persons1 he only calls upon the men and brethren in particular2 but never upon a woman by name nor sex to do it 7#a ,thess #e3be2 #b ,thess #c3a2 ,rom #ae3cj2 #a ,tim #b3h74 ,nor was1 as ,i said1 the apostle alone in this thing4 ,christ speaks a parable to this end1 that ,,men ought always to pray 7,luke #ah3a74 ,james saith1 the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous ,,man 7#e3af74 ,moses sent the young men to sacrifice 7,exo #bd3e74 ,and the people in the time of ,zacharias1 sent their ,,men to pray before the ,lord 7,zech #g3b74 ,i do not believe that by any of these the prayers of women are despised1 but by these we are taught1 who1 as the mouth in assemblies to pray1 is commended unto us4 ,one word more1 ,the women in the time of ,jeremiah the prophet1 when they had made their cakes to the queen of heaven1 7though the thing which they did was as right in their own eyes1 as if they had done true worship indeed7 and was questioned by the prophet for what they had done1 could not justify what they had done as to the act1 but by pleading1 ,they did it not without their men 7,jer #dd3ag-ai74 ,thus having premised these few things1 ,i shall now come more directly to discourse of the question itself1 ,,to ,,wit1 ,whether1 where a church of ,christ is situate1 it is the duty of the women of that congregation1 ordinarily1 and by appointment1 to separate themselves from their brethren1 and as so separate1 to assemble together to perform divine worship1 by prayer1 without their men8 ,this was our question1 and this ,i will now give a negative answer unto4 ,for ,i find not in ,christ's testament any command so to do2 no nor yet example3 and where there is none of these1 it cannot be a duty upon them2 no1 nor yet liberty1 but presumption to attempt it4 ,the command1 says ,mr4 ,k41 is general to all4 ,but ,i answer1 yet limited1 and confined to order and manner of performance4 ,women may1 yea ought to pray2 what then8 ,is it their duty to help to carry on prayer in public assemblies with men1 as they8 ,are they to be the audible mouth there1 before all1 to ,god8 ,no verily1 and yet the command is general to all to pray4 ,women of the respective churches of ,christ1 have no command to separate themselves from the men of their congregations1 to perform prayer in their own company without them1 and yet the command is general to all to pray4 ,we must therefore distinguish of between persons and performances1 though we may not exclude either4 ,the manner also1 and order in which such and such duties must be done1 ,mr4 ,k4 knows is as essential1 in some cases1 as the very matter of worship4 ,but we will come to my reasons for my dissenting from ,mr4 ,k4 in this4 ,after which ,i will consider his arguments1 and the scriptures that he would under-prop them with4 ,as for my reasons for my dissenting from him1 they are these3-- ,first1 ,to appoint meetings for divine worship1 either in the whole church or in the parts of it1 is an act of power3 which power1 resideth in the elders in particular1 or in the church in general4 ,but never in the women as considered by themselves4 ,mr4 ,k4 indeed doth insinuate that this power also resided in them2 for he saith1 ,god hath in gospel times promised the ,spirit to women to that very end1 that they may pray together1 apart from men4 ,now if the ,spirit is given them to ,,this very end1 that they may do it apart from men1 then they have a power residing in themselves to call their own sex together to do it4 ,and what brave doings will such a conclusion make1 even the blind himself will perceive4 ,but further of this anon2 meanwhile we will attend to our own assertion4 ,namely1 that to call the church1 or parts thereof together1 to perform divine worship to ,god1 is an ,,act of ,,power1 which power resideth in the church in general1 or in the elders in particular4 ,we will treat of the last first4 #a4 ,for the eldership1 ,moses and ,aaron of old were they1 with the priests1 that were to call the church together to perform divine worship to ,god1 and that both as to the whole1 or as to the parts of it 7,num #aj3g1h2 ,deut #d3ad1 #ca3aa1ab2 ,exo #d3bi1 #ab3ba1 #ag3e74 ,also1 in after times1 they were the elders and chief of the church1 that did it 7,josh #bd3a2 ,ezra #aj3e-i2 ,acts #ad3bg1 #ae3c74 ,or1 #b1 if their calling together to perform divine worship1 was not by the elders alone3 yet it was by the power that resided in the church for that thing1 who jointly ordered the same 7,judg #bj3h1ah3 ,ezra #c3a2 ,zeph #b3a-c2 ,acts #ab3ab2 #a ,cor #e3d1 #aa3bj74 ,all these are plain cases4 ,but never1 as ,i ever did read of in the ,bible1 did women1 ordinary believing ones1 assume this power of the elders1 or of the church1 to themselves4 ,if it be asked1 ,who did appoint that meeting made mention of in ,acts #ab3ab8 ,i answer1 ,it was appointed by the power of the church1 who1 for her own conveniency1 if she cannot come all into one place at once to perform the duty1 as it is not likely four or five thousand should1 in times of persecution1 which was their case1 they may meet some here1 some there1 for their edification and comfort4 ,compare verse #e with #ab and #ag4 ,nor do ,i question the lawfulness of this or that part of the church's assembling together for prayer3 though the elders1 and greatest part of the brethren1 be absent4 ,if1 first1 such ,,men that call such assemblies are countenanced by the elders1 or church1 to do it 7#a ,tim #b3h2 #b ,tim #b3bb74 ,but that the sisters of this or that church1 may call their own sex together to perform such worship by themselves to ,god 7for this is the thing in debate7 ,i find no warrant for4 ,second1 ,because this kind of worship1 when done in and by a company1 is ,,ministerial to that company1 as well as petitionary to ,god4 ,that is1 they that1 as the mouth in assemblies pray to ,god1 teach that assembly1 as well as beg mercies of him4 ,and ,i find not that women may assemble to do thus4 ,that such prayer is a kind of ministering in the word to standers by1 consider well #a ,corinthians #ad3ae-ai4 ,wherefore let them keep silence in the church1 and in the parts thereof1 when assembled to worship ,god4 ,in all public worship by prayer1 teaching is set on foot1 two ways3 #a4 ,by propounding to that assembly the things that must1 by agreement1 be prayed for4 #b4 ,and by proving them to suit with the will of ,god1 that prayer may be made in faith 7#a ,john #e3ad74 #a4 ,for all such prayer must be made for the things agreed upon first2 and consequently for things that by the word are proved good1 and suitable for the seasons1 persons1 or things1 for or about which such prayers are made4 ,for they that have meetings for prayer1 without this1 pray at random1 and not by rule4 ,if two of you shall agree on earth1 as touching anything that they shall ask according to ,god's will it shall be done for them1 saith ,christ1 of my ,father which is in heaven 7,matt #ah3ai74 ,now1 ,i say1 if things prayed for in assemblies must first be jointly agreed upon1 then must such things1 by some one1 or more of that assembly1 be first propounded1 expounded1 and proved to be good by the word4 ,good for such persons1 seasons1 or things1 for which such prayer is made4 ,and1 besides1 the gifts required to do this1 if this is not teaching ,i am out4 ,and yet this must first be done to instruct all present1 to help their faith1 and to quicken their spirits to1 and in that worship4 ,that they may as one man have their eyes unto the ,lord 7,zech #i3a74 ,but that this power is given to women1 to ordinary believing ones that are in the highest account in churches1 ,i do not believe4 ,i do not believe they should minister to ,god in prayer before the whole church1 for then ,i should be a ,ranter or a ,quaker2 nor do ,i believe they should do it in their own womanish assembly1 for the reason urged before4 ,and ,i will add1 if brethren not heretofore called by the church to open scriptures1 or to speak in the church to ,god in prayer1 #i are not at first to be admitted to do this1 but before the elders or principal brethren1 that they may hear and judge 7#a ,cor #ad3bf-bi74 ,how can it be thought to be meet or lawful for women1 of whom it must be supposed1 that they have received no such gifts1 that they should use this power8 ,i say1 how can it be imagined that the women should be bound of ,god to do this in such sort as doth utterly exclude the elders and all the men in the congregation from a possibility of understanding and of judging of what they do8 ,and yet this is the doctrine of ,mr4 ,k42 for he saith1 ,that the ,spirit of ,god is promised to women to this very end1 that they may pray together1 apart from men4 ,but ,god is not the author of this confusion in the churches4 #b4 ,but secondly1 ,as teaching by prayer in assemblies1 is thus set on foot2 so every one also that shall in such meetings be the mouth of the whole1 to ,god1 ministereth so1 doctrine to that assembly1 as well as presenteth petitions to ,god4 ,else how can that assembly say ,,amen at their prayer or giving of thanks8 ,for to say ,,amen is an effect of conviction1 or of edification received of the stander by1 from him that now is so ministering in that assembly before ,god 7#a ,cor #ad3ae-ag74 ,yea1 ,i believe that they that pray in assemblies1 or that shall give thanks for mercies received there1 ought to labour to speak1 not only with fervency of words1 but with such soundness of doctrine while they mention1 urge1 or plead the promise with ,god1 that that whole assembly may be enlightened1 taught1 taken1 and carried away in their spirits1 on the wing of that prayer1 and of faith1 to ,god1 whose face they are come to seek1 and whose grace they are gathered together to beg4 ,now this is called praying and praising1 to the teaching and edifying of others1 as by the scripture afore named is made appear 7#a ,cor #ad3ad-ai74 ,but by what word of ,god the sisters of the respective churches may set up this way of teaching of one another in their assemblies1 ,i am ignorant of4 ,third1 ,the ,holy ,ghost doth particularly insist upon the inability of women1 as to their well managing of the worship now under consideration1 and therefore it ought not to be presumed upon by them4 ,they are forbidden to teach1 yea to speak in the church of ,god4 ,and why forbidden1 but because of their inability4 ,they cannot orderly manage that worship to ,god1 that in assemblies is to be performed before him2 ,i speak now of our ordinary believing ones1 and ,i know none extraordinary among the churches4 ,they are not builded to manage such worship1 they are not the image and glory of ,god1 as the men are 7#a ,cor #aa3g74 ,they are placed beneath1 and are called the glory of the man4 ,wherefore they are weak1 and not permitted to perform public worship to ,god4 ,when our first mother1 who was not attended with those weaknesses1 either sinful or natural1 as our women now are1 stept out of her place but to speak a good word for worship1 you see how she was baffled1 and befooled therein2 she utterly failed in the performance1 though she briskly attempted the thing4 ,yea she so failed thereabout1 that at one clap she overthrew1 not only1 as to that1 the reputation of women for ever1 but her soul1 her husband1 and the whole world besides 7,gen #c3a-g74 ,the fallen angel knew what he did when he made his assault upon the woman4 ,his subtilty told him that the women was the weaker vessel4 ,he knew also that the man was made the head in worship1 and the keeper of the garden of ,god4 ,the ,lord ,god took the man1 said unto the man1 commanded the man1 and made him keeper of the garden 7,gen #b3ae-ag74 ,wherefore the management of worship belonged to him4 ,this1 the serpent1 as ,i said1 was aware of4 ,and therefore he comes to the woman1 says to the woman1 and deals with the woman about it1 and so overcomes the world4 ,wherefore it is from this consideration that ,paul tells ,timothy that he permitted not a woman to teach1 nor to usurp authority over the man1 but to be in silence4 ,but to call the church or parts thereof together1 to perform solemn worship1 and in such a call to exclude or shut out the men1 is an usurping of that authority over them to a high degree4 ,and he renders the reason of this his prohibition thus1 ,for ,adam was first formed1 then ,eve1 and therefore had the headship in worship4 ,and ,adam was not deceived1 but the woman being deceived1 was in the transgression 7#a ,tim #b3ac1ad74 ,but again1 it should seem1 methinks1 if women must needs be managers of worship in assemblies1 they should do it1 as ,eve1 before ,adam1 in presence of the men3 ,but that ,i think none will allow1 though that would be the way best to correct miscarriages2 how then should it be thought convenient for them to do it alone4 ,if children are not thought fit to help to guide the ship with the mariners1 shall they be trusted so much as with a boat at sea alone4 ,the thing in hand is a parallel case4 ,fourth1 ,if the weightiness of this worship be1 as indeed it is1 so great1 that the strongest and best able to perform it do usually come off with blushing1 and with repentance for their shortness1 as to the well performance thereof2 though they engage therein by good and lawful authority2 what will they do who are much weaker here1 and when1 as ,eve1 they set to it in a way of usurping of authority1 and of their own head and will4 ,to offer strange fire with incense1 which was a type of prayer1 you know what it cost ,nadab and ,abihu1 though men1 and the sons of ,aaron4 ,yet ,mr4 ,k4 cries the sisters1 the women1 the women's meetings1 and the like1 and how they have prevailed with heaven4 ,poor man1 ,i am sorry for his weakness1 and that he should show that himself is so nunnish#aj in such a day as this4 ,but to return1 as all worship in assemblies ought to be performed with the most exact order and solemnity2 so this of prayer with that1 if possible1 that is more than all the rest2 and therefore this makes it more heavy still4 ,when men preach they have to do with men1 but when they pray in assemblies they have to do both with men and with ,god at once4 ,and ,i say1 if it be so great a matter to speak to men before ,god2 how great a matter is it to speak to men and ,god at once2 to ,god by way of petition1 and to men by way of instruction4 ,but ,i am persuaded if those most fond of the women's meetings for prayer were to petition the king for their lives1 they would not set women to be their advocates to him2 specially if the king should declare beforehand by law1 that he permitted not a woman in an open auditory to speak before him4 ,there are also many temptations that attend the duty of praying in assemblies1 especially those that are immediately employed therein4 ,these temptations1 they awake1 are aware of1 are forced to wrestle with1 and greatly to groan under4 ,wherefore we put not the weak upon this service2 not the weak1 though they be men2 not they in the presence of the strong4 ,how then should the weakest of all be put upon it1 and that when together by themselves4 ,men1 though strong1 and though acting by lawful authority in this1 are not able1 but with unutterable groans1 to do it3 how then shall all those that attempt it without that authority1 perform it as acceptable worship to ,god8 ,this work1 therefore1 is as much too heavy for our women now1 as that about which ,eve engaged in at first1 was too heavy for her4 ,but1 ,fifth1 ,if this worship may be managed by the sisterhood of the churches1 being congregated together in the absence of their men3 of what signification is it that man is made head of the woman as well in worship as in nature8 7#a ,cor #aa3c1g74 ,yea more1 why are the elders of the churches called watchmen1 overseers1 guides1 teachers1 rulers1 and the like8 ,if this kind of worship may be performed1 without their conduct and government8 7,eze #c3ag1 #cc3g2 ,acts #bj3bh2 ,eph #d3aa2 ,psa #bh3gb2 ,heb #ac3ag74 #a4 ,why is man made the head of the woman in worship1 in the worship now under debate1 in that worship that is to be performed in assemblies8 ,and why are the women commanded silence there1 if they may congregate by themselves1 and set up and manage worship there8 ,worship was ordained before the woman was made1 wherefore the word of ,god at the first did not immediately come to her1 but to him that was first formed1 and made the head in worship 7,gen #b3af-ah2 #a ,cor #ad3ce1cf74 ,and hence it is that women are so strictly tied up to this headship2 that if they will learn1 they must ask their husbands at home 7v #ce71 not appoint meetings of their own sex to teach one another4 ,but what must they do that have unbelieving ones8 and what must they do that have none8 ,answer1 ,let them attend upon those ordinances that ,god has appointed for the building up and perfecting of the body of ,christ 7,eph #d3aa-ac71 and learn as the angels do 7,eph #c3aj2 #a ,peer #a3ab74 #b4 ,but ,i say1 if they must do as ,mr4 ,k4 says1 they are in duty bound1 to wit1 meet by themselves apart from their men1 and as so met1 perform this most solemn worship to ,god3 how shall the elders and overseers1 the watchmen1 rulers1 and guides in worship1 perform their duty to ,god1 and to the church of ,god1 in this1 since from this kind of worship they are quite excluded1 and utterly shut out of doors3 unless it be said1 that to watch1 to oversee1 and to guide1 in the matter and manner of performance of this worship in assemblies1 is no part of the watchman or overseer's work2 or in their lawful absence1 the work of the principal men of the church4 ,nor will the faithful and dutiful overseer leave worship1 no1 not in the best part of the congregation assembled to worship1 to be performed by every weak brother1 though ,i believe it might with more warrant be left to them1 than to the strongest among our ordinary ones of the other sex4 ,also our elders and watchmen covet1 if we have unbelievers to behold1 that our worship be performed by the most able4 ,how then shall it be thought that they should be so silly1 to turn a company of weak women loose to be abused by the fallen angels8 ,can it be thought that their congregation1 since they have it without a command1 shall fare better among those envious spirits than those that are lawfully called shall fare before the world8 ,watchman1 watchman1 see to thy duty1 look well to the manner of worship that is to be performed according to thy commission4 ,trust not ,eve1 as ,adam did1 with worship1 and with its defence4 ,look that all things be done in worship as becomes thee--a head1 both in nature and by office--and leave not so solemn a part of worship as prayer1 in company1 is1 and ought to be accounted to be done2 thou canst by no means tell how4 ,watch in and over all such worship thyself4 ,be diligent to know the state of thy flocks1 whether they be flocks of men1 or women2 and look well to thy herds1 and thou shalt have milk enough1 not only for men and babes1 but also for the maintenance and life of thy maidens4 ,so that they need not go with their pitchers to seek water there where their ,god has not sent them 7,prov #bg3bc-bg74 ,besides the shepherds' tents is provision sufficient for them 7,cant #a3h74 ,but1 for a conclusion of this1 ,i will ask this man1 ,if he doth not1 by pleading for these women's meetings1 declare1 that the women1 without their men1 are better able by themselves to maintain divine worship1 than the men are without their elders8 forasmuch as he himself will not allow that the men should always perform worship without his oversight and inspection1 and yet will plead for the women to have such worship in their congregation1 among themselves1 excluding for ever the men therefrom4 ,for1 saith he1 the ,spirit is promised to be given to them to that very end1 that they may meet together to pray apart without their men4 ,and now for ,mr4 ,k4's arguments1 which1 as ,i said1 are in number four4 #a4 ,we will take the scriptures from them2 and1 #b4 ,then pick the bones of their carcasses4 ,yet in my taking of the scriptures from his arguments1 ,i will do it in a way that is most to his advantage1 making of each of them as formidable an objection as ,i can against myself4 ,objection4 ,miriam took a timbrel in her hand1 and went out1 and all the women went out after her1 praising ,god with timbrels and dances for their deliverances4 ,therefore the women of the churches of ,christ may appoint meetings of their own1 as separate from their brethren1 and then and there perform divine worship1 by prayer1 in that1 their congregation1 without their men 7,exo #ae3bj1ba74 ,answer #a4 ,miriam was a prophetess3 and1 ,i suppose1 that none of our women will pretend to be such4 ,and though ,mr4 ,k4 labours to get over this1 by saying that the work of praising was incumbent upon all3 yet by his leave1 judgment1 and discretion1 and a spirit of conduct suitable to the duty1 as we read of1 was found among the women in none but she4 ,why is it else said1 ,miriam led them forth2 ,miriam the prophetess did it4 ,another1 by ,mr4 ,k4's argument1 might have done it as well4 ,thus degrades he the prophetess1 that he may get favour with the ordinary women1 and prompt them on to a work that he has a superstitious affection for4 #b4 ,but his assertion is of no weight4 ,the women were not left in that extraordinary service to the spirit of ordinary believers4 ,nor can ,i count it but crooked dealing to bring in extraordinary persons1 in their extraordinary acts1 to prove it lawful for ordinary persons to do that which is not commanded them4 #c4 ,but though ,miriam did go forth1 or come out with the women1 yet not from the men1 into some remote place in the wilderness to worship by themselves4 ,she rather went or came out1 and the women followed her from the place by the sea1 where now they were1 after ,moses1 to sing as her sex became her2 for she1 though an extraordinary woman1 might not make herself an equal with ,moses and ,aaron1 therefore she came behind in worship1 yet with the body of the people1 as it is said1 ,so ,moses brought ,israel from the ,red ,sea 7,exo #ae3bb74 ,women1 though prophetesses1 must wear some badge or other of inferiority to those that are prophets indeed 7#a ,cor #aa3c-i74 ,and ,i choose to understand that ,miriam did this4 7#a47 ,because the text last mentioned says so4 7#b47 ,because ,miriam1 and all the women1 did sing with the words of the men1 verse #a compared with #ba4 7#c47 ,for that they did sing them after the men1 as taking them from their mouth4 ,for1 saith the text1 ,miriam answered them1 and so handed it down to them of her sex1 saying1 ,sing ye to the ,lord1 for he hath triumphed gloriously 7vv #a1ba74 7#d47 ,for that she commanded the women that they should sing the same song3 hence it is called the song of ,moses1 not of ,miriam 7,rev #ae3c74 7#e47 ,from all which ,i conclude1 that ,miriam did not draw the women away into some such place where neither ,moses1 nor ,aaron1 nor the elders of ,israel could see1 behold1 and observe their manner of worship4 ,but that she1 as her modesty became her1 did lead them out from that place where they were1 to sing1 and to dance1 and to praise ,god1 after the men4 7#f47 ,this scripture therefore favoureth not this man's opinion1 to wit1 ,that it is the duty of the women of the churches of ,christ to separate themselves from their brethren1 and as so separate1 to perform divine worship by themselves4 ,objection4 ,esther1 the queen1 performed1 with her maidens1 this duty of prayer1 without their men3 therefore the women of gospel churches may separate themselves from their brethren1 and perform it among themselves 7,esth #d3af74 ,answer4 #a4 ,esther was in the house of the king's chamberlain1 and could not at this time come to her brethren2 ,no1 not to her uncle1 ,mordecai1 to consult how to prevent an approaching judgment4 ,yea1 ,mordecai and she were fain to speak one to another by ,hatach1 whom the king had appointed to attend upon the queen 7vv #e-i74 ,so she could by no means1 at that time1 have communion with the church4 ,no marvel1 therefore1 if she fasted with her maidens alone3 for so she must now do1 or not do it at all4 ,but ,i will here ask this1 our argumentator1 whether ,esther did count it a burden or a privilege thus now to be separated form her brethren1 and so forced to perform this work as she did8 ,if a privilege1 let him prove it4 ,if a burden1 he has little cause to make use of it to urge that1 her practice then1 for a ground to women that are at liberty1 to separate from their brethren to perform such worship by themselves in their company1 without their men4 #b4 ,we do not read that she desired that any of the women that were at liberty should come from the men to be with her2 whence we may gather1 that she preferred their liberty to worship with men1 far beyond a woman's meeting4 ,she counted that too many1 by herself and her maidens1 were in such bondage already4 #c4 ,neither did she attempt to take that unavoidable work upon herself1 but as begging of the men that she might1 by their faith and prayers1 be borne up therein2 clearly concluding that she did count such work too hard for women to perform by themselves1 without the help of men 7vv #ae1af74 #d4 ,besides this woman's meeting1 as ,mr4 ,k4 would have it1 was made up of none but the queen and her household maids1 and with but few of them2 nor will we complain of our honest women when the case is so that they cannot go out to the church to do this1 if they pray with their maids at home4 #e4 ,but what if ,esther did pray with her maids in her closet1 because she could not come out to her brethren4 ,is it fair to make the necessity of a woman in bondage a law to women at liberty8 ,this argument1 therefore1 is erroneous1 and must not have this text to show it up2 we therefore take it away from his words and proceed to a sight of his next4 ,objection4 ,but it is said by the prophet ,zecharias1 that the ,spirit is promised to be given1 in ,new ,testament times1 to women1 that they may pray together apart from men 7,zech #ab3aa-ac74 ,answer4 ,the text says nothing so1 but is greatly abused by this man4 ,indeed1 it says their wives shall mourn apart1 but it saith not1 they shall do so together4 ,yea1 that they shall separate themselves by the dictate of ,god1 from their brethren1 to do so1 is that which this text knows nothing of4 ,sometimes many may be together1 apart from others2 but why ,mr4 ,k41 to serve his purpose1 should rack and strain this text to justify his woman's meeting1 ,i see no reason at all4 ,my reason against him is1 for that the look here upon him whom we have pierced1 which is to be the cause of this mourning1 is to be by an immediate revelation of the ,holy ,ghost1 who doth not use to tell before hand when he will so come down upon us4 ,but such a meeting as ,mr4 ,k4 intends must be the product of consultation and time4 ,i will pour1 saith ,god1 upon the house of ,david--the spirit of grace and of supplications3 and then they shall look2 that is1 when that spirit so worketh with them as to enable them so to do4 ,now1 ,i say1 ,i would know1 since this mourning is to be the effect of this look1 and so before one is aware 7,cant #f3ab71 whether ,mr4 ,k4 can prove that these women were to have an item beforehand1 when they should have this look4 ,but as it would be ridiculous thus to conclude1 so as ridiculous is it to think to prove his women's meetings from hence4 ,nor doth the conclusion that he hath made hereupon prove more but that he is ignorant of the work of the ,spirit in this matter1 or that his fondness for the women's meetings hath made him forget his own experience4 ,for how can one that never had but one such look upon ,jesus ,christ1 draw such a conclusion from hence4 ,and that all those women should have this look at the same time1 even all the women of the house of ,david and of the inhabitants of ,jerusalem1 that they might1 all of them1 by the direction of the ,holy ,ghost1 separate themselves from their men to hold a woman's meeting or meetings by themselves for this1 is more fictitious than one would imagine a man should dream4 ,if he says that the women have a promise to have this look when they please1 or that they are sure to have it because it is entailed to ,,their meeting1 for this seems to come nearest his conclusion3 yet what unavoidable inconveniences will flow therefrom1 ,i leave to any to judge4 ,but ,i take this mourning to be according as another of the prophets says1 ,they shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys1 all of them mourning1 every one for his iniquity 7,eze #g3af74 ,all those souls1 therefore1 that shall be counted worthy to have this look shall mourn apart1 or by themselves1 when they have it4 ,for though a man cannot appoint to himself when he will repent of his sins1 or when the ,holy ,ghost will work1 yet he shall repent indeed2 he shall do it1 ,i say1 when ,,he doth so work1 not staying till another can do so too4 ,and since our own iniquity will then make us best consider our own case1 mourning apart1 or every one for their own iniquity1 is most naturally proper thereto4 ,and this is the mourning that shall be in the house of ,david1 ,jerusalem1 the church1 both with men and women1 at all times when the ,holy ,ghost shall help us to look upon him whom we have pierced4 ,pray ,god give ,mr4 ,k4 and myself more of these looks upon a crucified ,christ1 for then we shall understand this and other such like scriptures otherwise than to draw such incoherent inferences from them as he doth4 ,objection4 ,women were wont in gospel times to meet together to pray4 ,therefore the women in gospel churches may separate themselves from their brethren to perform divine worship by themselves without their men 7,acts #af3ac74 ,this is another of his scriptures1 brought to uphold this fancy3 ,but1 ,answer #a4 ,it is not said that the women of churches met together alone to pray4 ,but that ,paul went down to a river-side where prayer was wont to be made1 and spake unto the women that resorted thither4 ,it looks therefore most agreeable to the word1 to think that there the law was read by the ,jewish priests to the proselyted women of that city1 and that prayer1 as was their custom in all such service1 was intermixed therewith4 ,but this is but conjectural4 ,and yet1 for all that1 it is better grounded1 and hath more reason on its side1 than hath any of this man's arguments for the opinion of his women's meetings4 ,but1 #b4 ,there was there at that time no gospel church of ,christ1 nor before that any gospel ministry1 consequently no church obedience4 ,should it then be granted1 that there were none but women at that meeting1 and that their custom was to meet at that river-side to pray1 it doth not therefore follow1 that their practice was to be a pattern1 a rule1 a law to women in churches1 to separate from their brethren1 to perform divine worship1 in their own woman's congregation without their men4 #c4 ,there was there no gospel believer4 ,lydia herself1 before ,paul came thither1 had her heart shut up against the faith of ,jesus ,christ2 and how a company of strangers to gospel faith1 should in that their doing1 be a pattern to the women in churches1 a pattern of ,christian worship1 ,i do not understand4 #d4 ,if ,paul's call to ,philippi had been by the vision of a woman1 or woman's meeting3 what an argument would this man have drawn from thence to have justified his women's meetings8 ,but since it was by a man1 he hath lost an argument thereby4 ,though he1 notwithstanding1 doth adventure to say1 that ,god so approved of that meeting1 as then1 and at that time1 to take advantage to make known his mind and will to them concerning ,jesus ,christ4 #e4 ,and now ,i am in1 since ,mr4 ,k4 will needs have this scripture to justify such a practice1 ,i wonder that he so lightly overlooked ,paul's going to that meeting1 for thither he went to be sure 7,acts #af3ac-af74 ,yea how fairly1 to his thinking1 might he have pleaded1 that ,paul by this act of his1 was a great lover1 countenancer and commender of those he calls the women's meetings4 ,paul went to the women's meeting at ,philippi1 therefore it is lawful for the women of gospel churches to separate from their brethren1 and to congregate by themselves for the performance of some parts of divine worship4 ,i say how easily might he have said this1 and then have popt in those two verses above quoted1 and so have killed the old one8 #aa;,for the word lies liable to be abused by the ignorance of men1 and it had been better than it is1 if this had been the first time that this man had served it so1 for the justification of his rigid principles2 but when men1 out of a fond conceit of their own abilities1 or of prejudice to them that contradict their errors1 are tempted to shew their folly1 they will not want an opportunity from false glosses put upon the text1 to do it4 #f4 ,but ,paul went to that company to preach ,christ's gospel to them1 not for that they merited his coming1 but of the grace of ,god1 as also did ,peter and ,john1 when at the hour of prayer they went up into the temple1 and ,paul into the synagogue at ,antioch 7,acts #c3a-c1 #ac3ad-af74 ,but as fairly might this man have urged1 that the healing of the lame man that lay at that time at the gate of the temple1 and the conversion of them by ,paul at ,antioch1 was by the procurement of the prayers of the sisters and by their reading of the law in that synagogue at ,antioch1 as to argue as he has done1 that ,god was so well pleased1 or so well approved of that woman's meeting as he feigns it at ,philippi1 as to send1 c4 to them his minister4 #g4 ,but again1 that this woman's meeting should be so deserving1 and that while they were without the faith of ,christ1 as to procure a gospel minister to be sent unto them1 that ,christ might to them be made known1 and yet that so few of them should be converted to the faith1 seems a greater paradox to me4 ,for we read not that one of the women then1 or of them of the town1 that did use to go to that meeting 7for ,lydia was of ,thyatira71 was ever converted to ,christ2 brethren we read of several1 but we hear not of any one more of those women 7v #dj74 ,but ,lydia worshipped ,god1 therefore her practice might prevail4 ,although it is said she worshipped ,god1 yet she was but a proselyte1 as those ,acts #ac were1 and knew no more of ,christ than the eunuch did 7,acts #h74 ,but hold1 she had faith1 will that make all practice acceptable2 yea1 law and commandment to others1 and the work of those that have none1 meritorious8 ,but we must touch upon these things anon4 ,objection4 ,but 7saith ,mr4 ,k47 ,malachi #c3af doth countenance these meetings4 ,answer4 ,not at all2 though ,mr4 ,k4 has pleased to change a term in the text1 to make it speak his mind2 for he has put out thought1 and put in call2 but all will not do his work2 for when he has done what he can1 it will be difficult to make that scripture say1 ,it is the duty of women in gospel churches to separate from their brethren1 to perform divine worship among themselves4 ,objection4 ,but ,jude #bj doth justify these meetings1 except1 saith he1 any will say1 women are not to be built up in their most holy faith4 ,answer4 ,how fain would the man lay hold on something1 only he wants divine help1 that is1 the word of ,god1 to bottom his things upon4 ,but doth the apostle here at all treat of the women and their meetings1 or are they only the beloved2 and to be built up1 c4 speaks he not there to the church1 which consisteth of men and women8 and are not men the more noble part in all the churches of ,christ8 ,but can women no other way be built up in their most holy faith1 but by meetings of their own without their men8 ,but1 ,building up ,,yourselves1 ,i suppose is the thing he holds by4 ,but cannot the church1 and every woman in it1 build up themselves without their woman's meetings8 wherefore have they the word1 their closet1 and the grace of meditation1 but to build up themselves withal8 ,he saith not1 ,build up one another1 but if he had1 it might well have been done without a woman's meeting4 ,but anything to save a drowning man4 ,this text then is written to the church of ,christ1 by which it is exhorted to faith and prayer2 but it speaks not a word of a woman's meeting1 and therefore it is fooling with the word to suggest it4 ,i cannot therefore1 while ,i see this impertinent dealing1 but think our argumentator dotes1 or takes upon him to be a head of those he thinks to rule over4 ,the woman's letter to me also seems to import the same1 when they say1 ,mr4 ,k4 would desire to know what objections you have against it 7his arguments71 and he is ready to give his further advice4 ,thus having taken from his arguments those holy words of ,god which he has abused1 to make them stand2 ,i come next to the arguments themselves1 and intend to pick their bones for the crows4 #astly1 ,he saith1 ,that the same spirit that was in ,miriam1 is also in all ,god's servants for the same end1 both to pray for mercies we stand in need of1 and to praise ,god for mercies received4 ,answer4 #a4 ,but the question is1 whether ,miriam did1 as she led out the women to dance1 act only as an ordinary saint4 ,and if you evade this1 you choose the tongue of the crafty1 and use the words of deceit2 for she managed that work as she was ,miriam the prophetess2 and in your next1 pray tell your women so4 #b4 ,but as ,miriam the prophetess1 she did not lead the women from their men1 to worship in some place remote by themselves1 as we have shewed before4 #b;dly1 ,he saith1 ,that ,god hath promised to pour out his ,spirit in gospel times to that very end1 that women might pray together apart from men4 ,answer4 #a4 ,not mentioning again what was said before3 ,i add1 if by men1 he means the brethren1 the prophet will not be his voucher1 for he neither saith nor intimates such a thing4 #b4 ,and how far short this saying is1 of making of ,god and his holy prophet1 the author of schism in worship1 and an encouragement unto schism therein1 it is best in time that he looks to it4 ,for if they may withdraw to do thus at one time1 they may withdraw to do thus at another4 ,and if the ,spirit is given to them to this very end1 that they may go by themselves from the church1 to perform this divine worship at one time1 they may1 for what bounds this man has set them1 go by themselves to do thus always4 ,but1 as ,i said1 the whole of this proposition being false1 the error is still the greater4 #c;dly1 ,god1 saith he1 hath so well approved of women meeting together to pray in gospel times1 as then1 and at that time1 to take occasion to make known his mind and will to them concerning ,jesus ,christ 7,acts #af3ac74 ,answer4 ,let the reader consider what was said before1 and now it follows2 if this assertion be true1 then the popish doctrine of merit is good1 yea the worst sort of it1 which is1 works done before faith4 ,for that we read of none of these women save ,lydia feared or worshipped ,god2 and yet saith he1 ,god so approved of that meeting as then1 and at that time1 to send them his gospel1 which is one of the richest blessings2 nor will it help to lay ,cornelius1 now in my way1 for the deservings here were1 for ought we read1 of women that feared not ,god4 ,here ,lydia only bare that character2 it is said ,,she worshipped ,god1 but she was not all the women4 ,but ,mr4 ,k4 saith thus of them all4 ,i know also there was faith in some in ,messias to come1 though when he came1 they knew not his person2 but this is not the case neither2 these women1 who held up as he feigned1 this meeting1 were not as we read of1 of this people4 #dthly1 ,he said1 ,that ,esther and her maids fasted and prayed1 and the ,lord gave a gracious return1 or answer and deliverance4 ,that is1 to the church1 that then was under the rage of ,haman4 ,answer4 ,let the reader remember what was said before1 and now ,i ask this man1 #a4 ,whether ,mordecai and the good men then did not pray and fast as well as she8 ,and if so1 ,whether they might not obtain at least1 some little of the mercy1 as well as those women8 ,if so1 #b4 ,whether ,mr4 ,k41 in applying the deliverance of this people to the prayer of the queen and her maids1 for he lays it only there1 be not deceitfully arguing1 and do not tend to puff up that sex1 to their hurt and damage6 ,yea whether it doth not tend to make them unruly and headstrong8 ,but if they be more gently inclined to obedience1 no thanks to ,mr4 ,k4 #c4 ,and if ,i should ask ,mr4 ,k4 who gave him authority to attribute thus the deliverance of this people1 to who and what prayers he please1 ,i suppose it would not be easy for him to answer4 ,the text saith not that the prayers of these women procured the blessing4 ,but ,mr4 ,k4 hath here a woman's meeting to vindicate1 and therefore it is that he is thus out in his mind4 ,prayers were heard and the church was delivered4 ,and ,i doubt not but that these good women had hand and heart in the work4 ,but should all be admitted that ,mr4 ,k4 hath said as to this also1 yet this scripture1 as hath already been proved1 will not justify his woman's meeting4 #ethly1 ,he makes his appeal to the women1 if they have not obtained1 by their prayers in these their meetings1 many blessed returns of prayer from ,god1 both to themselves and the church of ,god4 ,answer4 ,i count this no whit better than the very worst of his paper1 for besides the silliness of his appeal1 by which he makes these good women to be judges in their own cause1 his words have a direct tendency in them to puff them up to their destruction4 ,i have wondered sometimes1 to see when something extraordinary hath happened to the church of ,god for good1 that a few women meeting together to pray1 should be possessed with a conceit1 that they fetched the benefit down from heaven1 when perhaps ten thousand men in the land prayed for the mercy as hard as they4 ,yea ,i have observed1 that though the things bestowed1 were not so much as thought of by them1 yet they have been apt to conclude that their meeting together has done it4 ,but poor women1 you are to be pitied2 your tempter is to bear the blame1 to wit1 this man and his fellows4 ,i come now to some objections that may yet be thought on3 and will speak a word to them4 ,objection4 ,it is said1 ,where two or three are gathered together in my name1 there am ,i in the midst of them 7matt #ah3bj74 ,answer4 ,to gather together in ,christ's name1 is to gather together by his authority2 ,that is1 by his law and commandment 7,acts #d3ag1ah1cj1 #e3bh1dj2 ,col #c3ag74 ,but we have no law of ,christ1 nor commandment1 that the women of this or that church1 should separate themselves from their brethren1 to maintain meetings among themselves1 for the performing of divine worship3 and therefore such meetings cannot be in his name2 that is1 by his authority1 law1 and commandment2 and so ought not to be at all4 ,objection4 ,but women may1 if sent for by them of their own sex1 come to see them when they are sick1 and when so come together1 pray in that assembly before they part4 ,answer4 ,the law of ,christ is1 ,is any sick among you8 let him and the woman is included in the man call for the elders of the church2 and let them pray over him1 c4 ,and to this injunction there is a threefold promise made4 7#a47 ,and the prayer of faith shall save the sick4 7#b47 ,and the ,lord shall raise him up4 7#c47 ,and if he have committed sins1 they shall be forgiven him 7,john #e3ad1ae74 ,and considering1 that this advice is seconded with so much grace3 ,i think it best in all such cases1 as in all other1 to make the word of ,god our rule4 ,objection4 ,but women have sometimes cases1 which modesty will not admit should be made known to men1 what must they do then8 ,answer4 ,their husbands and they are one flesh1 and are no more to be accounted two4 ,let them tell their grief to them4 ,thus ,rachel asked children of her husband1 and went not to a nest of women to make her complaint to them 7,gen #cj3a74 ,or let them betake themselves to their closets1 with ,rebecca 7,gen #be3bj-bc74 ,or if they be in the assembly of the saints1 let them pray in their hearts1 with ,hannah4 ,and if their petition be lawful1 ,i doubt not but they may be heard 7#a ,sam #a3ac74 ,our author1 perhaps1 will say1 ,i have not spoken to his question2 which was1 ,whether women1 fearing ,god1 may meet to pray together8 ,and whether it be lawful for them so to do8 ,but ,i answer1 ,i have3 with respect to all such godly women as are in the churches of the saints 7#a ,cor #ad3cc-ce compared with vv #ae-ag74 ,and when he has told us1 that his question respected only those out of churches1 then will ,i confess that ,i did mistake him4 ,yet he will get nothing thereby1 forasmuch as his question1 to be sure1 intends those in special4 ,also his arguments are for the justifying of that their practice4 ,now the reason why ,i waved the form of his question1 was1 because it was both scanty and lean of words1 as to the matter of the controversy in hand3 also ,i thought it best to make it more ample1 and distinct1 for the edification of our reader4 ,and if after all1 ,mr4 ,k4 is not pleased at what ,i have done1 let him take up the question1 and answer it better4 ,the man perhaps may fly to the case of utter necessity1 and so bring forth another question1 to wit1 whether1 if the men of a church should all die1 be murdered1 or cast into prison3 the women of that church may not meet together to pray8 ,and whether it be not lawful for them so to do8 ,but when he produceth a necessity for the putting of such a question1 and then shall put it to me2 ,i will1 as ,god shall help me1 give him an answer thereto4 ,but1 may some say1 ,our women in this do not what they do of their own heads1 they are allowed to do what they do by the church4 ,i answer1 ,no church allowance is a foundation sufficient to justify that which is neither commanded nor allowed by the word4 ,besides1 who knows not1 that have their eyes in their heads1 what already has1 and what further may1 come into the churches1 at such a gap as this4 ,and now to give the reader a cautionary conclusion4 ,caution #a4 ,take heed of letting the name1 or good show of a thing1 beget in thy heart a religious reverence of that thing2 but look to the word for thy bottom1#ab for it is the word that authorizeth1 whatever may be done with warrant in worship to ,god2 without the word things are of human invention1 of what splendour or beauty soever they may appear to be4 ,without doubt the ,friars and ,nuns1 and their religious orders1 were of a good intent at first1 as also compulsive vows of chastity1 single life1 and the like4 ,but they were all without the word1 and therefore1 as their bottom wanted divine authority1 so the practice wanted sanctity by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the word prayer is1 of itself1 in appearance so holy1 that he forthwith seems to be a devil that forbids it4 ,and yet we find that prayers have been out of joint1 and disorderly used2 and therefore may by one1 without incurring the danger of damnation1 be called into question2 and if found without order by him1 he may labour to set them in joint again 7,matt #f3e-h1 #bc3ad2 ,james #d3c74 ,i am not of the number of them that say1 ,what profit should we have if we pray unto ,god8 7,job #ba3ae74 ,but finding no good footing in the word for that kind of service we have treated about above1 and knowing that error and human inventions in religion will not offer themselves1 but with wiped lips1 and a countenance as demure as may be1 and also being persuaded that this opinion of ,mr4 ,k4 is vagrant1 yea a mere alien as to the scriptures1 ,i being an officer1 have apprehended it1 and put it in the stocks1 and there will keep it1 till ,i see by what authority it has leave to pass and repass as it lists1 among the godly in this land4 ,caution #b4 ,yet by all that ,i have said1 ,i never meant to intimate in the least1 but that believing women are saints as well as men3 and members of the body of ,christ4 ,and ,i will add1 that as they1 and we1 are united to ,christ1 and made members of his mystical body1 the fulness of him that fills all in all1 so there is no superiority1 as ,i know of1 but we are all one in ,christ4 ,for1 the man is not without the woman1 nor the woman without the man1 in the ,lord1 7#a ,cor #aa3aa7 nor are we counted as male or female in him 7,gal #c3bh2 ,eph #a3bc74 ,only we must observe that this is spoken of that church which is his true mystical body1 and not of every particular congregation of professing ,christians4 ,the churches of ,christ here and there are also called his body4 ,but no church here1 though never so famous1 must be taken for that of which mention was made afore4 #ac;,as ,christ then has a body mystical1 which is called his members1 his flesh1 and his bones 7,eph #e3cj71 so he has a body politic1 congregations modelled by the skill that his ministers have in his word1 for the bearing up of his name1 and the preserving of his glory in the world against ,antichrist4 ,in this church1 order and discipline1 for the nourishing up of the true mystical body of ,christ1 has been placed from the foundation of the world4 ,wherefore in this1 laws1 and statutes1 and government1 is to be looked after1 and given heed unto1 for the edification of that which is to arrive at last to a perfect man3 to the measure of the stature of the fulness of ,christ 7#a ,cor #ab3bg-cj2 ,eph #d3aa-ac74 ,now1 where there is order and government by laws and statutes1 there must1 of necessity1 be also a distinction of sex1 degrees1 and age4 ,yea1 offices and officers must also be there1 for our furtherance and joy of faith4 ,from which government and rule our ordinary women are excluded by ,paul2 nor should it1 since it is done by the wisdom of ,god1 be any offence unto them4 ,in this church there are ofttimes many hypocrites1 and formal professors1 and heresies1 ,that they which are approved may be made manifest 7#a ,cor #aa3ai74 ,these therefore being there1 and being suffered to act as they many times do1 provoke the truly godly to contend with them by the word2 for that these hypocrites1 and formal professors1 naturally incline to a denial of the power of godliness1 and to set up forms of their own in the stead thereof 7,mar #g3f-i2 #b ,tim #c3e74 ,and this is done for the sake and for the good of those that are the true members of the body of ,christ1 and that are to arrive at his haven of rest3 from whom those others at last shall be purged1 and with them1 all their things that offend4 ,then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their ,father4 ,who hath ears to hear let him hear 7,matt #ac3dc74 ,this church1 that thus consisteth of all righteous1 that are so in ,god's account3 they are to have a house in heaven1 and to be for ,god's habitation there4 ,who1 then1 shall be governed by their head without those officers and laws that are necessary here4 ,and both at last shall be subject to him1 that sometime did put all things under ,christ1 that ,god may be all in all 7,john #ad3a-c2 ,eph #b3ba2 #a ,cor #ae3bc-bg74 ,wherefore1 my beloved sisters1 this inferiority of yours will last but a little while4 ,when the day of ,god's salvation is come1 to wit1 when our ,lord shall descend from heaven1 with a shout1 with the voice of the archangel1 and the trump of ,god1 these distinctions of sexes shall be laid aside1 and every pot shall be filled to the brim4 ,for with a notwithstanding you shall be saved1 and be gathered up to that state of felicity if you continue in faith1 and charity1 and holiness1 with sobriety 7#a ,tim #b3ae74 ,caution #c4 ,i doubt not at all of the lawfulness of women's praying1 and that1 both in private and public3 only when they pray publicly1 they should not separate from1 but join with the church in that work4 ,they should also not be the mouth of the assembly1 but in heart1 desires1 groans1 and tears1 they should go along with the men4 ,in their closets they are at liberty to speak unto their ,god1 who can bear with1 and pity them with us2 and pardon all our weakness for the sake of ,jesus ,christ4 ,and here ,i will take an occasion to say1 there may be a twofold miscarriage in prayer1 one in doctrine1 the other in the frame of the heart4 ,all are too much subject to the last1 women more easily to the first4 ,and for this cause it is1 at least so ,i think1 that women are not permitted to teach1 nor speak in assemblies1 for divine worship1 but to be and to learn in silence 7#a ,cor #ad3cc-ce1 #ae3cc74 ,for he that faileth as to the frame of his spirit1 hurteth only himself3 but he that faileth in doctrine corrupteth them that stand by4 ,let the women be alone with ,rebecca in the closet2 or1 if in company1 let her1 with ,hannah1 speak to herself and to ,god2 and not doubt1 but if she be humble1 and keep within compass1 she shall be a sharer with her brethren in the mercy4 ,caution #d4 ,nor are women1 by what ,i have said1 debarred from any work or employ1 unto which they are enjoined by the word4 ,they have often been called forth to be ,god's witnesses1 and have borne famous testimony for him against the sons of the sorceress and the whore4#ad ,i remember many of them with comfort1 even of these eminent daughters of ,sarah1 whose daughters you also are1 so long as you do well1 and are not afraid with any amazement 7#a ,peter #c3a-f74 ,what by the word of ,god1 you are called unto1 what by the word is enjoined you do2 and the ,lord be with you4 ,but this of the women's meetings2 since1 indeed1 there is nothing for its countenance in the word1 and since the calling together of assemblies for worship is an act of power1 and belongeth to the church1 elders1 or chief men of the same3 let me intreat you to be content1 to be under subjection and obedience1 as also saith the law4 ,we hold that it is ,god's word that we are to look to1 as to all things pertaining to worship1 because it is the word that authorizeth and sanctifieth what we do4 ,caution #e4 ,,women6 ,they are an ornament in the church of ,god on earth1 as the ,,angels are in the church in heaven4 ,betwixt whom also there is some comparison1 for they cover their faces in acts of worship 7,isa #f3b2 #a ,cor #aa3aj74 ,but as the angels in heaven are not ,christ1 and so not admitted to the mercy-seat to speak to ,god1 so neither are women on earth1 but the man2 who is to worship with open face before him1 and to be the mouth in prayer for the rest4 ,as the angels then cry1 ,holy1 ,holy1 ,holy1 with faces covered in heaven3 ,so let the women1 cry1 ,holy1 ,holy1 ,holy1 with their faces covered on earth3 ,yea1 thus they should do1 because of the angels4 ,for this cause ought the woman to have power1 that is a covering1 on her head1 because of the angels 7#a ,cor #aa3aj74 ,not only because the angels are present1 but because women and angels1 as to their worship1 in their respective places1 have a semblance4 ,for the angels are inferior to the great man ,christ1 who is in heaven2 and the woman is inferior to the man1 that truly worships ,god in the church on earth4 ,methinks1 holy and beloved sisters1 you should be content to wear this power1 or badge of your inferiority1 since the cause thereof arose at first from yourselves4 ,it was the woman that at first the serpent made use of1 and by whom he then overthrew the world3 wherefore the women1 to the world's end1 must wear tokens of her underlingship in all matters of worship4 ,to say nothing of that which she cannot shake off1 to wit1 her pains and sorrows in child-bearing1 which ,god has riveted to her nature1 there is her silence1 and shame1 and a covering for her face1 in token of it1 which she ought to be exercised with1 whenever the church comes together to worship 7,gen #c3af2 #a ,tim #b3ae2 #a ,cor #aa3ac2 #a ,tim #b3i74 ,do you think that ,god gave the woman her hair1 that she might deck herself1 and set off her fleshly beauty therewith8 ,it was given her to cover her face with1 in token of shame and silence1 for that by the woman sin came into the world 7#a ,tim #b3i74 ,and perhaps the reason why the angels cover their faces when they cry1 ,holy1 ,holy1 ,holy1 in heaven1 is to shew that they still bear in mind1 with a kind of abhorrence1 the remembrance of their fellows falling from thence4 ,modesty1 and shame-facedness1 becomes women at all times1 especially in times of public worship1 and the more of this is mixed with their grace and personage1 the more beautiful they are both to ,god and men4 ,but why must the women have shame-facedness1 since they live honestly as the men8 ,i answer1 ,in remembrance of the fall of ,eve1 and to that the apostle applies it4 ,for a woman1 necessity has no law1 to shave her head1 and to look with open face in worship1 as if she could be a leader there1 is so far from doing that which becomes her1 that it declares her to have forgot what ,god would have her for ever with shame remember4 ,caution #f4 ,in what ,i have said about the women's meetings1 ,i have not at all concerned myself about those women1 that have been extraordinary ones1 such as ,miriam1 ,deborah1 ,huldah1 ,anna1 or the rest1 as the daughters of ,philip the evangelist1 ,priscilla1 the women that ,paul said laboured with him in the gospel1 or such like2 for they might teach1 prophecy1 and had power to call the people together so to do4 ,though this ,i must say concerning them1 they ought to1 and did1 notwithstanding so high a calling1 still bear about with them the badge of their inferiority to them that were prophets indeed4 ,and hence it is said1 under pain of being guilty of disorder1 that if they prayed in the church1 or prophesied there1 with their head uncovered1 they then dishonoured their head 7#a ,cor #aa3e74 ,the prophetesses were below the prophets1 and their covering for their heads was to be worn in token thereof1 and perhaps it was for want of regard to this order1 that when ,miriam began to perk it #ae before ,moses1 that ,god covered her face with a leprous-scab 7,num #ab3aj74 ,hence these women1 when prophets were present1 did use to lie still as to acts of power1 and leave that to be put forth by them that were higher than they4 ,and even ,miriam herself1 though she was one indeed1 yet she came always behind1 not only in name but worship1 unless when she was in her own disorders 7,num #ab3a74 ,and it is worth your farther noting1 that when ,god tells ,israel that they should take heed in the plague of leprosy1 that they diligently observed to do what the priest and ,levites taught them1 that he conjoins with that exhortation1 that they should remember what ,god did unto ,miriam by the way 7,deut #bd3h1i74 ,intimating surely that they should not give heed to women1 that would be perking up in matters of worshipping ,god4 ,much less should we invest them with power to call congregations of their own1 there to perform worship without their men4 ,yet1 will ,i say1 notwithstanding all this1 that if any of these high women had1 but we never read that they did1 separate themselves1 and others of their own sex with them1 apart to worship by themselves3 or if they had given out commandment so to do1 and had joined ,god's name to that commandment1 ,i should have freely consented that our women should do so too1 when led out1 and conducted in worship1 by so extraordinary a one4 ,yea more1 ,if any of these high women had given it out for law1 that the women of the churches in ,new ,testament times1 ought to separate themselves from their men1 and as so separate1 perform divine worship among themselves3 ,i should have subscribed thereto4 ,but finding nothing like this in the word of ,god1 for the sanctifying of such a practice3 and seeing so many scriptures wrested out of their place to justify so fond a conceit3 and all this done by a man of conceit1 and of one that1 as his sisters say1 expects my answer3 ,i found myself engaged to say something for the suppressing of this his opinion4 ,but to return to the good women in the churches1 and to make up my discourse with them4 ,first1 ,these meetings of yours1 honourable women1 wherein you attempt to perform divine worship by yourselves1 without your men1 not having the authority of the word to sanctify them1 will be found will-worship1 in the day when you1 as to that1 shall be measured with that golden reed1 the law of ,god4 ,and who hath required this at your hand8 may put you to your shifts for an answer1 notwithstanding all ,mr4 ,k4 has said to uphold you 7,isa #a3ab2 ,rev #aa3a74 ,secondly1 ,these meetings of yours need not be2 there are elders or brethren in all churches1 to call to1 and manage this worship of ,god1 in the world3 if you abide in your subjection and worship as you are commanded4 ,thirdly1 ,these meetings of yours1 instead of being an ornament to the church in which you are1 are a shame and blemish to those churches4 ,for they manifest the unruliness of such women1 or that the church wants skill to govern them 7#a ,cor #ad3bc74 ,have you not in your flock a male8 7,mal #a3ad74 ,fourthly1 ,suppose your meetings in some cases were lawful1 yet since by the brethren they may be managed better1 you and your meetings ought to give place4 ,that the church together1 and the brethren1 as the mouth to ,god1 are capable of managing this solemn worship best3 consider--#a4 ,the gifts for all such service are most to be found in the elders and leading men in the church3 and not in the women thereof4 #b4 ,the spirit for conduct and government in that worship1 is not in the women1 but in the men4 #c4 ,the men are admitted in such worship1 to stand with open face before ,god1 a token of much admittance to liberty and boldness with ,god1 a thing denied to the women 7#a ,cor #aa3d1e74 #d4 ,for that when meetings for prayers are commanded1 the men1 to be the mouth to ,god1 are mentioned1 but not in ordinary women1 in all the ,scriptures4 ,where the women and children1 and them that suck the breasts are called1 with the bride and bridegroom1 and the whole land1 to mourn3 yet the ministers1 and elders1 and chiefest of the brethren1 are they1 and they only1 that are bid to say1 ,spare thy people1 ,o ,lord6 and give not thine heritage to reproach 7,joel #a3ac1ad1 #b3ae-ag74 #e4 ,the word for encouragement to pray believingly in assemblies is given to men4 ,and it is the word that makes1 and that sanctifies an ordinance of ,god3 men1 therefore1 in all assemblies for worship1 should be they that should manage it1 and let others join in their places4 ,objection4 ,but the women is included in the man1 for the same word signifies both4 ,answer4 #a4 ,if the woman is included here1 let her not exclude the man4 ,but the man is by them excluded3 ,the man is excluded by this woman's meeting from worship2 from worship1 though he be the head in worship over the women1 and by ,god's ordinance appointed to manage it1 and this is an excluding of the worst complexion 7#a ,cor #aa3c74 #b4 ,though the woman is included1 when the man sometimes is named1 yet the man is not excluded1 when himself as chief is named4 ,but to cut him off from being the chief in all assemblies for worship1 is to exclude him1 and that when he for that in chief is named4 #c4 ,the woman is included when the man is named1 yet but in her place1 and if she worships in assemblies1 her part is to hold her tongue1 to learn in silence2 and if she speaks1 she must do it1 ,i mean as to worship1 in her heart to ,god4 #d4 ,nor1 do ,i think1 that any woman that is holy and humble1 will take offence at what ,i have said2 for ,i have not in anything sought to degrade them1 or to take from them what either nature or grace1 or an appointment of ,god hath invested them with3 but have laboured to keep them in their place4 ,and doubtless to abide where ,god has put us1 is that which not only highly concerns us1 but that1 which becomes us best4 ,sisters1 ,i have said what ,i have said to set you right1 and to prevent your attempting to do things in such sort unto which you are not appointed4 ,remember what ,god did to ,miriam1 and be afraid4 ,be as often in your closets as you will2 the oftener there the better4 ,this is your duty1 this is your privilege3 this place is sanctified to you for service by the holy ,word of ,god4 ,here you may be1 and not make ordinances interfere1 and not presume upon the power of your superiors1 and not thrust out your brethren1 nor put them behind your backs in worship4 ,be also as often as possibly you can1 in worship1 when the church1 or parts thereof1 are assembled for that end1 according to ,god's appointment4 ,and when you are there1 join with heart and soul with your brethren in all holy petitions to ,god4 ,let the men in prayer be the mouth to ,god1 and the women list after with groans and desires4 ,let the men stand with open face in this worship1 for that they are the image and glory of ,god1 and let the women be clothed in modest apparel1 with shame-facedness1 in token of the remembrance of what has been touched afore4 ,when women keep their places1 and men manage their worshipping of ,god as they should1 we shall have better days for the church of ,god1 in the world 7,jer #bi3aj-ad74 ,women are not to be blamed for that they are forward to pray to ,god1 only let them know their bounds2 and ,i wish that idleness in men be not the cause of their putting their good women upon this work4 ,surely they that can scarce tie their shoes1 and their garters1 before they arrive at the tavern1 or get to the coffee-house door in a morning1 can scarce spare time to be a while in their closets with ,god4 ,morning closet-prayers are now1 by most ,london professors1 thrown away2 and what kind of ones they make at night1 ,god doth know1 and their conscience1 when awake1 will know2 however ,i have cause1 as to this1 to look at home3 ,and ,god mend me and all his servants about it1 and wherein we else are out4 ,i have done1 after ,i have said1 that there are some other things1 concerning women1 touching which1 when ,i have an opportunity1 ,i may also give my judgment4 ,but at present1 ,i intreat that these lines be taken in good part1 for ,i seek edification1 not contention4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,breach ,repaired1 a defence of singing in public worship1 then newly and partially introduced4 #agjj1 p4 #b4 #b ,distinguishing ,practices of ,friends1 p4 #bhj-a4 #c ,p4 #die4 #d ,p4 #eji4 #e ,sketch of ,friends' ,discipline1 p4 #ce4 #f ,probably a female branch of the family of ,john or ,samuel ,fenn1 hatters at ,bedford1 who1 in #afgj1 were cruelly persecuted for suffering a meeting for religious worship to take place in the house of ,john ,fenn4 ,not only all their stock of hats1 materials1 and tools1 but the whole of their household furniture was seized and carried off to satisfy ruinous fines4 ,one ,john ,bardolf was also cruelly persecuted for ,christ's sake at the same time4--,vide ,narrative of ,arbitrary ,proceedings at ,bedford1 #dto1 #afgj1 in the editor's possession4 #g ,in times of such severe trial and suffering to our pilgrim forefathers1 they knew the value of prayer2 and at the risk of property1 liberty1 and even life1 held frequent meetings to implore their ,god and ,father to mitigate their sufferings1 and to have mercy upon their cruel persecutors4 ,not only working tools and stock1 but commonly all the furniture1 was taken from the ,christians1 while their ministers and members1 both men and women1 were imprisoned in miserable jails4 ,one of these1 ,mr4 ,robert ,kalder1 dying1 was buried in the churchyard2 but those furious bigots dug up his naked body1 and dragged it to the gates of his former residence1 leaving it there1 a frightful spectacle to his widow and family4 ,they had meetings for prayer2 and how does it become their descendants in the faith to have days of thanksgiving and nights of praise8--,see ,broadmead ,records and ,crosby's ,history of ,baptists1 vol4 ii41 p4 #bdj4--;,ed4 #h ,syllogism1 a form of reasoning1 consisting of three propositions1 having this property2 that the conclusion necessarily follows from the two premises3 so that if the first and second be granted1 the conclusion must be granted in like manner4 ,no wonder that ,bunyan neither understood nor was awed by this hard word4 ,armed with holy ,writ1 he goes to work to pick the bones of the syllogism4--,ed4 #i ,much stress was1 and is now1 laid in many churches upon the necessity of all persons1 before praying or preaching in public1 being guided by the opinion of the church4 ,the taking advice in so important a step must be proper2 but any pledge to abide by it1 contrary to the conscientious conviction of the individual1 would be a violation of the duty of private judgment4 ,if in their ministrations they were false or foolish1 the church must exercise discipline2 but if they became useful1 surely no objection could be urged as to the validity of their call to the ministry1 because the church had not been first consulted or had advised them not to proceed4 ,the desire--the ability1 by sound views of divine truth1 and a happy way of illustrating and enforcing them--with the opportunity of so doing1 is the divine call to this holy work4--,ed4 #aj ,so nunnish1 a singular mode of expression1 alluding to the nuns being separated from the world1 and shut up by themselves4 ,they were not permitted to exercise the priestly office4 ,father confessors and chaplains were appointed for these duties4--,ed4 #aa ,to have said that the spirit of divination1 which was cast out1 was so far killed by virtue of a female prayer meeting1 would have been as true as to have said1 that these meetings were limited to females only4--,ed4 #ab ,bottom1 or foundation4 #ac ,a dangerous error1 originating in the sectarian pride of ,antichrist1 prevails to a very great extent4 ,it is that some one visible church1 or set of united churches1 is the mystical body of ,christ1 and entitled to be called ,t,h,e,c,h,u,r,c,h,every congregation of pious men and women1 united together in the faith1 is a church of ,christ4 ,but ,,the church comprises all the saints of ,god who ever lived--live now1 or will live on the earth2 until their number is completed1 and this creation shall give place to the new heavens and the new earth4 ,every church is as distinct as it is equal2 whether it meet at ,corinth1 ,rome1 or ,ephesus1 at ,london or ,edinburgh4 ,be it ,episcopalian1 ,independent1 ,presbyterian1 ,baptist1 or a church of the ,society of ,friends2 each is entitled1 according to the ,new ,testament1 to equal honour and privilege4--,ed4 #ad ,the usual appellations of ,popery4--,ed4 #ae ,to perk it1 to hold up her head with affected superiority or spiritual pride4--,ed4 999999 ,,instruction ,,for ,,the ,,ignorant3 ,,being ,a ,,salve ,,to ,,cure ,,that ,,great ,,want ,,of ,,knowledge1 ,,which ,,so ,,much ,,reigns ,,both ,,in ,,young ,,and ,,old4 ,,prepared ,,and ,,presented ,,to ,,them ,,in ,a ,,plain ,,and ,,easy ,,dialogue1 ,,fitted ,,to ,,the ,,capacity ,,of ,,the ,,weakest4 ',my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge4'--,hosea #d3f ,,advertisement ,,by ,,the ,,editor4 ,this little catechism is upon a plan perfectly new and unique4 ,it was first published as a pocket volume in #afge1 and has been republished in every collection of the author's works2 and recently in a separate tract4 ,the earliest edition that has been discovered bears the date of #afia2 from which our copy has been prepared for the press4 ,this is the first book of this class that was composed upon the broad basis of ,christianity1 perfectly free from sectarian bias or peculiarity4 ,it is an exhibition of scriptural truths1 before which error falls without the trouble of pulling it down4 ,it is in the world1 like the ark of ,god in the temple of ,dagon4 ,it is alike admirably calculated to convey the most important truths to the inmates of a palace or of a workhouse1--to the young or to the aged1--to the ignorant ,roman ,catholic1 or to the equally ignorant ,protestant4 ,its broad catholicity is its distinguishing excellence4 ,in the separate communions included within the general church of ,christ are various1 and in many respects1 inestimable compendiums of ,christian truth1 arranged for the catechetical instruction of the young and ignorant2 but it cannot be denied that these1 one and all1 exhibit some marks of sectarian feeling and dogmatic teaching in the details that relate to the special views which each communion takes of certain scriptural doctrines4 ,the reason why this should be the case is very obvious3 there would be no differences of opinion amongst ,christians except from conviction that these differences are essential1 and such conviction naturally leads to these points of disagreement being 7may we not say87 rather too obtrusively enforced as part and portion of a saving belief4 ,all ,bunyan's efforts were to awaken sinners to a sense of their degradation1 misery1 and danger1 and to direct them to the only refuge from the wrath to come--the hope set before them in the gospel2 and then leaving the pious convert to the guidance of his ,bible in forming his connections in the pilgrimage of life4 ,bunyan is solemnly in earnest2 his desire is1 that poor sinners should be relieved from ignorance1 darkness1 and destruction1 and be introduced into the glorious liberty of the sons of ,god4 ,may his impressive injunction be indelibly fixed upon our souls1 ',to read1 ponder over1 and receive the wholesome medicine as we shall answer in the day of the terrible judgment4'--,,geo4 ,,offor4 ,,to ,,the ,,church ,,of ,,christ ,,in ,,and ,,about ,,bedford1 ,,walking ,,in ,,the ,,faith ,,and ,,fellowship ,,of ,,the ,,gospel1 ,,your ,,affectionate ,,brother ,,and ,,companion ,,in ,,the ,,kingdom ,,and ,,patience ,,of ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,,wisheth ,,all ,,grace ,,and ,,mercy ,,by ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,,amen4 ,holy and beloved1 ,although ,i have designed this little treatise for public and common benefit1 yet considering that ,i am to you a debtor not only in common charity2 but by reason of special bonds which the ,lord hath laid upon me to you-ward1 ,i could do no less1 being driven from you in presence1 not affection1 but first present you with this little book2 not for that you are wanting in the things contained herein1 but to put you again in remembrance of first things1 and to give you occasion to present something to your carnal relations1 that may be1 if ,god will1 for their awakening and conversion3 accept it therefore as a token of my christian remembrance of you4 ,next ,i present it to all those unconverted1 old and young1 who have been at any time under my preaching1 and yet remain in their sins3#a and ,i entreat them also that they receive it as a token of my love to their immortal souls2 yea1 ,i charge them as they will answer it in the day of terrible judgment1 that they read1 ponder over1 and receive this wholesome medicine prepared for them4 ,now the ,god of blessing bless it to the awakening of many sinners1 and the salvation of their souls by faith in ,jesus ,christ4 ,amen4 ,yours1 to serve you by my ministry1 when ,i can1#b to your edification and consolation1 ,,john ,,bunyan4 ,,instruction ,,for ,,the ,,ignorant ,quest4 ,how many gods are there8--,answ4 ,to the ,christians there is but one ,god1 the ,father of whom are all things1 and we of him 7#a ,cor #h3f74 ,q4 ,why is not the ,god of the ,christians the ,god of them that are no ,christians8--,a4 ,he is their maker and preserver2 but they have not chosen him to be their ,god 7,acts #ag3bd2 ,psa #cf3f2 ,ju #aj3ad74 ,q4 ,are there then other gods besides the ,god of the ,christians8--,a4 ,there is none other true ,god but ,,he2 but because they want the grace of ,christians1 therefore they choose not him1 but such gods as will suit with and countenance their lusts 7,john #h3dd74 ,q4 ,what gods are they that countenance the lusts of wicked men8--,a4 ,the devil1 who is the god of this world2 the belly1 that god of gluttons1 drunkards1 and riotous persons2 and idle pleasures and vanities1 which are1 for the most part1 the gods of the youth 7,job #h3d2 #b ,cor #d3d2 ,phil #c3ai2 ,exo #cb3f2 #a ,cor #aj3g2 #b ,tim #b3b2 #a ,john #e3ba74 ,q4 ,who is a ,christian8--,a4 ,one that is born again1 a new creature2 one that sits at ,jesus' feet to hear his word2 one that hath his heart purified and sanctified by faith1#c which is in ,christ 7,john #c3c1e1g2 ,acts #aa3bd1 #ae3i1 #bf3ah2 #b ,cor #e3ag74 ,q4 ,how do you distinguish the ,god of the ,christians from the gods of other people8--,a4 ,he is a ,spirit 7,john #d3bd74 ,q4 ,is there no other spirit but the true ,god8--,a4 ,yes1 there are many spirits 7#a ,john #d3a74 ,q4 ,what spirits are they8--,a4 ,the good angels are spirits2 the bad angels are spirits2 and the souls of men are spirits 7,heb #a3g1ad2 #a ,kings #bb3ba1bb2 ,rev #af3ac1ad2 ,acts #g3ei2 ,heb #ab3bc74 ,q4 ,how then is the true ,god distinguished from other spirits8--,a4 ,thus3 ,no ,spirit is eternal but ,,he1 no ,spirit is almighty but ,,he1 no ,spirit is incomprehensible and unsearchable but ,,he3 ,,he is also most merciful1 most just1 most holy 7,deut #cc3bg2 ,gen #ag3a2 ,psa #ade3c2 ,micah #g3ah2 ,job #cd3ag2 #a ,sam #b3b74 ,q4 ,is this ,god1 being a ,spirit1 to be known8--,a4 ,yes1 and that by his works of creation1 by his providences1 by the judgments that he executeth1 and by his word4 ,q4 ,do you understand him by the works of creation8--,a4 ',the heavens declare the glory of ,god2 and the firmament sheweth his handy work' 7,psa #ai3a74 ',for the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen1 being understood by the things that are made1 even his eternal power and ,godhead' 7,rom #a3bj74 ,q4 ,do his works of providence also declare him8--,a4 ,they must needs do it1 since through his providence the whole creation is kept in such harmony as it is1 and that in despite of sin and devils2 also1 if you consider that from an angel to a sparrow1 nothing falls to the ground without the providence of our heavenly ,father 7,matt #aj3bi74 ,q4 ,is he known by his judgments8--,a4 ',the ,lord is known by the judgments which he executeth2 the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands' 7,psa #i3af74 ,q4 ,is he known by his word8--,a4 ,yes1 most clearly3 for by that he revealeth his attributes1 his decrees1 his promises1 his way of worship1 and how he is to be pleased by us4 ,q4 ,of what did ,god make the world8--,a4 ',things which are seen were not made of things which do appear' 7,heb #aa3c74 ,q4 ,how long was he in making the world8--,a4 ',in six days the ,lord made heaven and earth1 the sea1 and all that in them is' 7,exo #bj3aa74 ',and on the seventh day ,god ended his work which he had made' 7,gen #b3b74 ,q4 ,of what did ,god make man8--,a4 ',the ,,lord ,god formed man of the dust of the ground1 and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life2 and man became a living soul' 7,gen #b3g74 ,q4 ,why doth it say1 ,god breathed into him the breath of life2 is man's soul of the very nature of the ,godhead8--,a4 ,this doth not teach that the soul is of the nature of the ,godhead1 but sheweth that it is not of the same matter as his body1 which is dust 7,gen #ah3bg74 ,q4 ,is not the soul then of the nature of the ,godhead8--,a4 ,no1 for ,god cannot sin1 but the soul doth2 ,god cannot be destroyed in hell1 but the souls of the impenitent shall 7,eze #ah3d2 ,matt #aj3bh74 ,q4 ,how did ,god make man in the day of his first creation8--,a4 ,god made man upright 7,eccl #g3bi74 ',in the image of ,god created he him' 7,gen #a3bg74 ,q4 ,did ,god1 when he made man1 leave him without a rule to walk by8--,a4 ,no3 he gave him a law in his nature1 and imposed upon him a positive precept1 but he offered violence to them1 and brake them both 7,gen #c3c1f74 ,q4 ,what was the due desert of that transgression8--,a4 ,spiritual death in the day he did it1 temporal death afterwards1 and everlasting death last of all 7,gen #b3ag1 #c3ai2 ,matt #be3df74 ,q4 ,what is it to be spiritually dead8--,a4 ,to be alienate from ,god1 and to live without him in the world1 through the ignorance that is in man1 and through the power of their sins 7,eph #d3ah1ai74 ,q4 ,wherein doth this alienation from ,god appear8--,a4 ,in the love they have to their sins1 in their being loth to come to him1 in their pleading idle excuses for their sins1 and in their ignorance of the excellent mysteries of his blessed gospel 7,eph #b3b1c1aa1ab1 #d3ah1ai2 ,rom #a3bh74 ,q4 ,what is temporal death8--,a4 ,to have body and soul separated asunder1 the body returning to the dust as it was1 and the spirit to ,god that gave it 7,gen #c3ai2 ,eccl #ab3g74 ,q4 ,what is everlasting death8--,a4 ,for body and soul to be separate for ever from ,god1 and to be cast into hell fire 7,luke #ac3bg2 ,mark #i3dc74 ,q4 ,do men go body and soul to hell so soon as they die8--,a4 ,the body abideth in the grave till the sound of the last trump2 but the soul1 if the man dies wicked1 goes presently from the face of ,god into hell1 as into a prison1 there to be kept till the day of judgment 7#a ,cor #ae3eb2 ,isa #bd3bb2 ,luke #ab3bj74 ,q4 ,do we come into the world as upright as did our first parent8--,a4 ,no3 he came into the world sinless1 being made so of ,god ,almighty1 but we came into the world sinners1 being made so by his pollution4#d ,q4 ,how doth it appear that we came into the world polluted8--,a4 ,we are the fruit of an unclean thing1 are defiled in our very conception1 and are by nature the children of wrath 7,job #ad3d2 ,psa #ea3e2 ,eph #b3c74 ,q4 ,can you make further proof of this8--,a4 ,yes1 it is said1 ,that by one man came sin1 death1 judgment1 and condemnation upon all men 7,rom #e3ab-ai74 ,q4 ,do we then come sinners into the world8--,a4 ,yes1 we are transgressors from the womb1 and go astray as soon as we are born1 speaking lies 7,isa #dh3h2 ,psa #eh3c74 ,q4 ,but as ,adam fell with us in him1 so did he not by faith rise with us in him8 for he had no seed until he had the promise4--,a4 ,he fell as a public person1#e but believed the promise as a single person4 ,adam's faith saved not the world1 though ,adam's sin overthrew it4 ,q4 ,but do not some hold that we are sinners only by imitation8--,a4 ,yes1 being themselves deceived4 ,but ,god's word saith1 we are children of wrath by nature1 that is1 by birth and generation4 ,q4 ,can you bring further proof of this8--,a4 ,yes3 in that day that we were born1 we were polluted in our own blood1 and cast out to the loathing of our persons4 ,again1 the children of old that were dedicated unto the ,lord1 a sacrifice was offered for them at a month old1 which was before they were sinners by imitation 7,eze #af3d-i2 ,num #ah3ad-af74 ,q4 ,can you make this appear by experience8--,a4 ,yes3 the first things that bloom and put forth themselves in children1 shew their ignorance of ,god1 their disobedience to parents1 and their innate enmity to holiness of life2 their inclinations naturally run to vanity4 ,besides little children die1 but that they could not1 were they not of ,god counted sinners2 for death is the wages of sin 7,rom #f3bc74 ,q4 ,what is sin8--,a4 ,it is a transgression of the law 7#a ,john #c3d74 ,q4 ,a transgression of what law8--,a4 ,of the law of our nature1 and of the law of the ten commandments as written in the holy scriptures 7,rom #b3ab-ae2 ,exo #bj74 ,q4 ,when doth one sin against the law of nature8--,a4 ,when you do anything that your conscience tells you is a transgression against ,god or man 7,rom #b3ad1ae74 ,q4 ,when do we sin against the law as written in the ten commandments8--,a4 ,when you do anything that they forbid1 although you be ignorant of it 7,psa #ai3ab74 ,q4 ,how many ways are there to sin against this law8--,a4 ,three3 by sinful thoughts1 by sinful words1 and also by sinful actions 7,rom #g3g1 #b3f2 ,matt #e3bh1 #ab3cg74 ,q4 ,what if we sin but against one of the ten commandments8--,a4 ,whosoever shall keep the whole law1 and yet offend in one point1 he is guilty of all2 ',for he that said1 ,do not commit adultery1 said also1 ,do not kill4 ,now1 if thou commit no adultery1 yet if thou kill1 thou art become a transgressor of the law' 7,james #b3aj1aa74 ,q4 ,where will ,god punish sinners for their sins8--,a4 ,both in this word and in that which is to come 7,gen #c3bd1 #d3aj-ab2 ,job #ba3cj74 ,q4 ,how are men punished in this world for sin8--,a4 ,many ways1 as with sickness1 losses1 crosses1 disappointments and the like3 sometimes also ,god giveth them up to their own heart's lusts1 to blindness of mind also1 and hardness of heart2 yea1 and sometimes to strong delusions that they might believe lies1 and be damned 7,lev #bf3ae1bf2 ,amos #d3g1aj2 ,rom #a3bd1bh2 ,exo #d3ba1 #i3ab-ad2 ,zeph #a3ag2 ,rom #aa3g1h2 #b ,thess #b3aa1ab74 ,q4 ,how are sinners punished in the world to come8--,a4 ,with a worm that never dies1 and with a fire that never shall be quenched 7,mark #i3dd74 ,q4 ,whither do sinners go to receive this punishment8--,a4 ',the wicked shall be turned into hell1 and all the nations that forget ,god' 7,psa #i3ag74 ,q4 ,what is hell8--,a4 ,it is a place and a state most fearful 7,luke #ac3bh1 #af3bh2 ,acts #a3be74 ,q4 ,why do you call it a place8--,a4 ,because in hell shall all the damned be confined as in a prison1 in their chains of darkness for ever 7,luke #ab3e1eh1 #af3bf2 ,jude #f74 ,q4 ,what kind of place is hell8--,a4 ,it is a dark bottomless burning lake of fire1 large enough to hold all that perish 7,matt #bb3ac2 ,rev #bj3a1ae2 ,isa #cj3ce2 ,prov #bg3bj74 ,q4 ,what do you mean when you say it is a fearful state8--,a4 ,i mean1 that it is the lot of those that are cast in thither to be tormented in most fearful manner1 to wit1 with wrath and fiery indignation 7,rom #b3i2 ,heb #aj3bf1bg74 ,q4 ,in what parts shall they be thus fearfully tormented8--,a4 ,in body and soul3 for hell-fire shall kindle upon both beyond what now can be thought 7,matt #aj3bh2 ,luke #af3bd2 ,james #e3c74f ,q4 ,how long shall they be in this condition8--,a4 ',these shall go away into everlasting punishment' 7,matt #be3df74 ',and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever1 and they have no rest day nor night' 7,rev #ad3aa74 ,for they 'shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the ,lord1 and from the glory of his power' 7#b ,thess #a3i74 ,q4 ,but why might not the ungodly be punished with this punishment in this world1 that we might have seen it and believe8--,a4 ,if the ungodly should with punishment have been rewarded in this world1 it would in all probability have overthrown the whole order that ,god hath settled here among men4 ,for who could have endured here to have seen the flames of fire1 to have heard the groans1 and to have seen the tears1 perhaps1 of damned relations1 as parents or children8 ,therefore as ,tophet of old was without the city1 and as the gallows and gibbets are built without the towns2#g so ,christ hath ordered that they who are to be punished with this kind of torment1 shall be taken away3 ',take him away1' saith he 7out of this world7 'and cast him into outer darkness1' and let him have his punishment there 'there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth' 7,matt #bb3ac74 ,besides1 faith is not to be wrought by looking into hell1 and seeing the damned tormented before our eyes1 but by 'hearing the word of ,god' 7,rom #aj3ag74 ,for he that shall not believe ,moses and the prophets1 will not be persuaded should one come from the dead1 yea should one come to them in flames to persuade them 7,luke #af3bg-ca74 ,q4 ,are there degrees of torments in hell8--,a4 ,yes1 for ,god will reward every one according to their works4 ',wo unto the wicked1 it shall be ill with him1 for the reward of his hands shall be given him' 7,isa #c3aa74 ,q4 ,who are like to be most punished there1 men or children8--,a4 ,the punishment in hell comes not upon sinners according to age1 but sin2 so that whether they be men or children1 the greater sin1 the greater punishment2 ',for there is no respect of persons with ,god' 7,rom #b3aa74h ,q4 ,how do you distinguish between great sins and little ones8--,a4 ,by their nature1 and by the circumstances that attend them4 ,q4 ,what do you mean by their nature8--,a4 ,i mean when they are very gross in themselves 7#b ,chron #cc3b2 ,eze #af3db74 ,q4 ,what kind of sins are the greatest8--,a4 ,adultery1 fornication1 murder1 theft1 swearing1 lying1 covetousness1 witchcraft1 sedition1 heresies1 or any the like 7#a ,cor #f3i1aj2 ,eph #e3c-f2 ,col #c3e1f2 ,gal #e3ai-ba2 ,rev #ba3h74 ,q4 ,what do you mean by circumstances that attend sin8--,a4 ,i mean light1 knowledge1 the preaching of the ,word1 godly acquaintance1 timely caution1 c4 ,q4 ,will these make an alteration in the sin8--,a4 ,these things attending sinners1 will make little sins great1 yea greater than greater sins that are committed in grossest ignorance4 ,q4 ,how do you prove that8--,a4 ,sodom and ,gomorrah wallowed in all or most of those gross transgressions above mentioned3 yea1 they were said to be sinners exceedingly1 they lived in such sins as may not be spoken of without blushing1 and yet ,god swears that ,israel1 his church1 had done worse than they 7,eze #af3dh71 and the ,lord ,jesus also seconds it in that threatening of his1 ',i say unto you1 ,that it shall be more tolerable for the land of ,sodom in the day of judgment than for thee' 7,matt #aa3bd2 ,luke #aj3ab74 ,q4 ,and was this the reason1 namely1 because they had such circumstances attending them as ,sodom had not8--,a4 ,yes1 as will plainly appear1 if you read the three chapters above mentioned4 ,q4 ,when do ,i sin against light and knowledge8--,a4 ,when you sin against convictions of conscience1 when you sin against a known law of ,god1 when you sin against counsels1 and dissuasion of friends1 then you sin against light and knowledge 7,rom #a3cb74 ,q4 ,when do ,i sin against preaching of the word8--,a4 ,when you refuse to hear ,god's ministers1 or hearing them1 refuse to follow their wholesome doctrine 7#b ,chron #cf3af2 ,jer #be3d-g1 #ce3ae74 ,q4 ,when else do ,i sin against preaching of the ,word8--,a4 ,when you mock1 or despise1 or reproach the ministers2 also when you raise lies and scandals of them1 or receive such lies or scandals raised2#i you then also sin against the preaching of the ,word1 when you persecute them that preach it1 or are secretly glad to see them so used 7#b ,chron #cj3a1aj2 ,rom #c3h2 ,jer #bj3aj2 #a ,thess #b3ae1af74 ,q4 ,how will godly acquaintance greaten my sin8--,a4 ,when you sin against their counsels1 warnings1 or persuasions to the contrary2 also when their lives and conversations are a reproof to you1 and yet against all you will sin4 ,thus sinned ,ishmael1 ,esau1 ,eli's sons1 ,absalom and ,judas1 they had good company1 good counsels1 and a good life set before them by their godly acquaintance1 but they sinned against all1 and their judgment was the greater4 ,ishmael was cast away 7,gen #ba3aj71 ,esau hated 7,gal #d3cj71 ,eli's sons died suddenly 7,mal #a3b2 #a ,sam #b3be1cd1 #d3aa71 ,absalom and ,judas were both strangely hanged 7#b ,sam #ah2 ,matt #bg74 ,q4 ,are sins thus heightened1 distinguished from others by any special name8--,a4 ,yes2 they are called rebellion1 and are compared to the sin of witchcraft 7#a ,sam #ae3bc71 they are called willful sins 7,heb #aj3bf71 they are called briars and thorns1 and they that bring them forth are 'nigh unto cursing1 whose end is to be burned' 7#f3g1h74 ,q4 ,are there any other things that can make little sins great ones8--,a4 ,yes2 as when you sin against the judgments of ,god4 ,as for example1 you see the judgments of ,god come upon some for their transgressions1 and you go on in their iniquities2 as also when you sin against the patience1 long-suffering1 and forbearance of ,god1 this will make little sins great ones 7,dan #e3ba-bd2 ,rom #b3d1e74 ,q4 ,did ever ,god punish little children for sin against him8--,a4 ,yes2 when the flood came1 he drowned all the little children that were in the old world3 he also burned up all the little children which were in ,sodom2 and because upon a time the little children at ,bethel mocked the prophet as he was a going to worship ,god1 ,god let loose two she-bears upon them1 which tore forty and two of them to pieces 7#b ,kings #b3bc1bd74 ,q4 ,alas6 what shall we little children do8#aj--;,a4 ,either go on in your sins1 or remember now your ,creator in the days of your youth1 before the evil days come 7,eccl #ab3a74 ,q4 ,why do you mock us1 to bid us go on in our sins8 you had need pray for us that ,god would save us4--,a4 ,i do not mock you1 but as the wise man doth2 and besides1 ,i pray for you and wish your salvation4 ,q4 ,how doth the wise man mock us8--,a4 ,thus2 ',rejoice1 ,o young man1 in thy youth2 and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth1 and walk in the ways of thine heart1 and in the sight of thine eyes3 but know thou1 that for all these things ,god will bring thee into judgment' 7,eccl #aa3i74 ,q4 ,what a kind of mocking is this8--,a4 ,such an one as is mixed with the greatest seriousness2 as if he should say1 ,ay1 do1 sinners1 go on in your sins if you dare2 do1 live in your vanities1 but ,god will have a time to judge you for them4 ,q4 ,is not this just as when my father bids me be naught if ,i will3 but if ,i be naught he will beat me for it8--,a4 ,yes2 or like that saying of ,joshua1 ',if it seem evil unto you to serve the ,lord1 choose you this day whom ye will serve'2 serve your sins at your peril 7,josh #bd3ae74 ,q4 ,is it not best then for me to serve ,god8--,a4 ,yes2 for they that serve the devil must be where he is1 and they that serve ,god and ,christ1 must be where they are 7,john #ab3bf2 ,matt #be3da74 ,q4 ,but when had ,i best begin to serve ,god8--,a4 ,just now3 ',remember ,,now thy ,creator1' ,,now thou hast the gospel before thee1 ,,now thy heart is tender and will be soonest broken4 ,q4 ,but if ,i follow my play and sports a little longer1 may ,i not come time enough8--,a4 ,i cannot promise thee that1 for there be little graves in the churchyard2 and who can tell but that thy young life is short2 or if thou dost live1 perhaps thy day of grace may be as short as was ,ishmael's of old3 read also ,proverbs #a3bd-bf4 ,q4 ,but if ,i stay a little longer before ,i turn1 ,i may have more wit to serve ,god than now ,i have1 may ,i not8--,a4 ,if thou stayest longer1 thou wilt have more sin1 and perhaps less wit3 for the bigger sinner1 the bigger fool 7,prov #a3bb74 ,q4 ,if ,i serve ,god sometimes1 and my sin sometimes1 how then8--,a4 ',no man can serve two masters4' ,thou canst not serve ,god and thy sins 7,matt #f3bd74 ,god saith1 ',my ,son1 give me thine heart' 7,prov #bc3bf74 ,also thy soul and body are his2 but the double-minded man is forbidden to think that he shall receive any thing of the ,lord 7#a ,cor #f3bj2 ,james #a3g1h74 ,q4 ,do you find many such little children as ,i am1 serve ,god8--,a4 ,not many2 yet some ,i do1 ,samuel served him being a child 7#a ,sam #c3a74 ,when ,josiah was young he began to seek after the ,god of his father ,david 7#b ,chron #cd3c74 ,and how kindly did our ,lord ,jesus take it1 to see the little children run tripping before him1 and crying1 ,hosannah to the ,son of ,david8 7,matt #ba3ae1af74 ,q4 ,then ,i am not like to have many companions if ,i thus young begin to serve ,god1 am ,i8--,a4 ',strait is the gate1 and narrow is the way1 which leadeth unto life1 and few there be that find it' 7,matt #g3ad74 ,yet some companions thou wilt have4 ,david counted himself a companion of all them that love ,god's testimonies 7,psa #aai3fc74 ,all the godly1 though grey-headed1 will be thy companions2 yea1 and thou shalt have either one or more of the angels of ,god in heaven to attend on1 and minister for thee 7,matt #ah3aj74 ,q4 ,but ,i am like to be slighted1 and despised by other little children1 if ,i begin already to serve ,god1 am ,i not8--,a4 ,if children be so rude as to mock the prophets and ministers of ,god1 no marvel if they also mock thee2 but it is a poor heaven that is not worth enduring worse things than to be mocked for the seeking and obtaining of 7#b ,kings #b3bc1bd74 ,q4 ,but how should ,i serve ,god8 ,i do not know how to worship him4--,a4 ,the true worshippers1 worship ,god in spirit and truth 7,john #d3bd2 ,phil #c3c74 ,q4 ,what is meant by worshipping him in the spirit8--,a4 ,to worship him in ,god's ,spirit and in mine own2 that is1 to worship him1 being wrought over in my very heart by the good ,spirit of ,god1 to an hearty compliance with his will 7,rom #a3i1 #f3ag2 ,psa #aja3a-c74 ,q4 ,what is it to worship him in truth8--,a4 ,to do all that we do in his worship according to his word1 for his word is truth1 and to do it without dissimulation 7,heb #h3e2 ,john #ag3ag2 ,psa #bf3f1 #ajh3ai1bj74 ,you may take the whole thus1 ,then do you worship ,god aright1 when in heart and life you walk according to his word4 ,q4 ,how must ,i do to worship him with my spirit and heart8--,a4 ,thou must first get the good knowledge of him4 ',and thou1 ,solomon my son1' said ,david1' know thou the ,god of thy father1 and serve him with a perfect heart' 7#a ,chron #bh3i74 ,mind you1 he first bids know him1 and then serve him with a perfect heart4 ,q4 ,is it easy to get a true knowledge of ,god8--,a4 ,no2 ,thou must cry after knowledge1 and lift up thy voice for understanding4 ',if thou seekest her as silver1 and searchest for her as for hid treasures2 then shalt thou understand the fear of the ,lord1 and find the knowledge of ,god' 7,prov #b3d1e74 ,q4 ,how comes it to be so difficult a thing to attain the true knowledge of ,god8--,a4 ,by reason of the pride and ignorance that is in us1 as also by reason of our wicked ways 7,psa #aj3d2 ,eph #d3ah1ai2 ,titus #a3af74 ,q4 ,but do not every one profess that they know ,god8--,a4 ,yes2 but their supposed knowledge of him varieth as much as do their faces or complexions1 some thinking he is this1 and some that4 ,q4 ,will you shew me a little how they vary in their thoughts about him8--,a4 ,yes2 ,some count him a kind of an heartless ,god1 that will neither do evil nor good 7,zeph #a3ab74 ,some count him a kind of an ignorant and blind ,god1 that can neither know nor see through the clouds 7,job #bb3ac74 ,some again count him an inconsiderable ,god1 not worth the enjoying1 if it must not be but with the loss of this world1 and their lusts 7,job #ba3i-ae74 ,moreover1 some think him to be altogether such an one as themselves1 one that hath as little hatred to sin as themselves1 and as little love to holiness as themselves 7,psa #ej3ba74 ,q4 ,are there any more false opinions of ,god8--,a4 ,yes2 ,there are three other false opinions of ,god4 #a4 ,some think he is all mercy and no justice1 and that therefore they may live as they list 7,rom #c3h74 #b4 ,others think he is all justice and no mercy1 and that therefore they had as good go on in their sins and be damned1 as turn and be never the better 7,jer #b3be74 #c4 ,others think he is both justice and mercy1 but yet think also1 that his justice is such as they can pacify with their own good works1 and save themselves with their own right hand 7,job #dj3ad72 contrary to these scriptures 7,habb #a3ac2 ,isa #de3ba74 ,q4 ,how then shall ,i know when ,i have the true knowledge of ,god8--,a4 ,when thy knowledge of him and the holy ,scriptures agree4 ,q4 ,the ,scriptures6 ,do not all false opinions of him flow from the ,scriptures8--,a4 ,no1 in no wise2 it is true1 men father their errors upon the ,scriptures1 when indeed they flow from the ignorance of their hearts 7,eph #d3ah74 ,q4 ,but how if ,i do not understand the holy ,bible1 must ,i then go without the true knowledge of ,god8--,a4 ,his name is manifested by his ,word3 the ,scriptures are they that testify of him 7,john #ag3f-h1 #e3ci74 ,and they are able to make the man of ,god perfect in all things1 and wise unto salvation through faith in ,jesus ,christ 7#b ,tim #c3ae1af74 ,q4 ,but what must one that knoweth not ,god do1 to get the knowledge of ,god8--,a4 ,let him apply his heart unto the ,scriptures 7,prov #bb3ag1 #bc3ab74 ',as unto a light that shineth in a dark place1' even this world1 'until the day dawn1 and the day star arise in his heart' 7#b ,peter #a3ai1bj74 ,q4 ,but how shall ,i know when ,i have found by the ,scriptures the true knowledge of ,god8--,a4 ,when thou hast also found the true knowledge of thyself 7,isa #f3e2 ,job #db3e74 ,q4 ,what is it for me to know myself8--,a4 ,then thou knowest thyself1 when thou art in thine own eyes1 a loathsome1 polluted1 wretched1 miserable sinner2 and that not anything done by thee1 can pacify ,god unto thee 7,job #db3e2 ,eze #bj3dc1dd2 ,rom #g3bd74aa ,of ,confession of ,sin4 ,q4 ,you have shewed me1 if ,i will indeed worship ,god1 ,i must first know him aright1 now then to the question in hand1 pray how must ,i worship him8--,a4 ,in confessing unto him 7,neh #i3a-c74 ,q4 ,what must ,i confess8--,a4 ,thou must confess thy transgressions unto the ,lord 7,psa #cb3e74 ,q4 ,was this the way of the godly of old8--,a4 ,yes2 ,nehemiah confessed his sins 7,neh #a3f74 ,david confessed his sins 7,psa #cb3e74 ,daniel confessed his sins 7,dan #i3d74 ,and they that were baptized by ,john in ,jordan confessed their sins 7,matt #c3f74 ,q4 ,what sins must ,i confess to ,god8--,a4 ,all sins whatsoever3 for ',he that covereth his sins shall not prosper1 but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy' 7,prov #bh3ac2 #a ,john #a3i74 ,q4 ,but how if ,i do neither know nor remember all my sins8--,a4 ,thou must then search and try thy ways by the holy ,word of ,god 7,lam #c3dj2 ,psa #gg3f74 ,q4 ,but how if ,i do not make this search after my sins8--,a4 ,if thou dost not1 ,god will2 if thou dost not search them out and confess them1 ,god will search them out and charge them upon thee1 and tear thee in pieces for them 7,psa #ej3ba1bb74 ,q4 ,where must ,i begin to confess my sins8--,a4 ,where ,god beginneth to shew thee them4 ,observe1 then1 where ,god beginneth with conviction for sin1 and there begin thou with confession of it4 ,thus ,david began to confess1 thus ,daniel began to confess 7#b ,sam #ab3g-ad2 ,dan #i3c-i74 ,q4 ,what must ,i do when ,god hath shewed me any sin1 to make right confession thereof8--,a4 ,thou must follow that conviction until it shall bring thee to the original and fountain of that sin1 which is thine own heart 7#a ,kings #h3ch2 ,psa #ee3e74 ,q4 ,is my heart then the fountain and original of sin8--,a4 ,yes2 ',for from within1 out of the heart of men1 proceed evil thoughts1 adulteries1 fornications1 murders1 thefts1 covetousness1 wickedness1 deceit1 lasciviousness1 an evil eye1 blasphemy1 pride1 foolishness4 ,all these evil things come from within1 and defile the man' 7,mark #g3ba1bc74 ,q4 ,when a man sees this1 what will he think of himself8--,a4 ,then he will not only think but conclude1 that he is an unclean thing1 that his heart has deceived him1 that it is most desperate and wicked1 that it may not be trusted by any means1 that every imagination and thought of his heart1 naturally1 is only evil1 and that continually 7,isa #fd3f2 ,prov #bh3bf2 ,isa #dd3bj2 ,gen #f3e74 ,q4 ,you have given me a very bad character of the heart1 but how shall ,i know that it is so bad as you count it8--,a4 ,both by the text and by experience4 ,q4 ,what do you mean by experience8--,a4 ,keep thine eyes upon thy heart1 and also upon ,god's word1 and thou shalt see with thine own eyes1 the desperate wickedness that is in thine heart1 for thou must know sin by the law1 that bidding1 thee do one thing1 and thy heart inclining to another 7,rom #g3g-aj74 ,q4 ,may ,i thus then know my heart8--,a4 ,yes1 that is something of it1 especially the carnality of thy mind1 ',because the carnal mind is enmity against ,god2 for it is not subject to the law of ,god1 neither indeed can be' 7,rom #h3g74 ,q4 ,can you particularize some few things wherein the wickedness of the heart of man shews itself8--,a4 ,yes2 by its secret hankering after sin1 although the ,word forbids it2 by its deferring of repentance2 by its being weary of holy duties2 by its aptness to forget ,god1 by its studying to lessen and hide sin2 by its feigning itself to be better than it is2 by being glad when it can sin without being seen of men2 by its hardening itself against the threatenings and judgments of ,god2 by its desperate inclinings to unbelief1 atheism1 and the like 7,prov #a3bd-bf2 ,isa #dc3bb2 ,mal #a3ab1ac2 ,ju #c3g2 ,jer #b3cb2 ,psa #ajf3ba2 ,hosea #b3ac2 ,prov #cj3bj2 ,jer #b3be2 ,rom #a3cb1 #b3e2 ,zeph #a3aa-ac74ab ,q4 ,is there any thing else to be done in order to a right confession of sin8--,a4 ,yes3 ,let this conviction sink down into thy heart1 that ,god sees much more wickedness in thee than thou canst see in thyself4 ',if our heart condemn us1 ,god is greater than our heart1 and knoweth all things' 7#a ,john #c3bj72 besides1 he hath set thy secret sins in the light of his countenance 7,psa #ij3h74 ,q4 ,is there any thing else that must go to a right confession of sin8--,a4 ,yes2 ,in thy confessions thou must greaten and aggravate thy sin by all just circumstances4 ,q4 ,how must ,i do that8--,a4 ,by considering against how much light and mercy thou hast sinned1 against how much patience and forbearance thou hast sinned2 also against what warnings and judgments thou hast sinned2 and against how many of thine own vows1 promises and engagements1 thou hast sinned3 these things heighten and aggravate sin 7,ezra #i3aj-ad74 ,q4 ,but what need ,i confess my sins to ,god1 seeing he knows them already8--,a4 ,confession of sin is necessary1 for many reasons4 ,q4 ,will you show me some of those reasons8--,a4 ,yes2 ,one is1 by a sincere and hearty confession of sin thou acknowledgest ,god to be thy ,sovereign ,lord1 and that he hath right to impose his law upon thee 7,exo #bj74 ,q4 ,can you show me another reason8--,a4 ,yes2 ,by confessing thy sin1 thou subscribest to his righteous judgments that are pronounced against it 7,psa #ea3c1d74 ,q4 ,can you show me another reason8--,a4 ,yes2 ,by confessing of sin1 thou showest how little thou deservest the least mercy from ,god4 ,q4 ,have you yet another reason why ,i should confess my sins8--,a4 ,yes2 ,by so doing thou showest whether thy heart loves it1 or hates it4 ,he that heartily confesseth his sin1 is like him who having a thief or a traitor in his house1 brings him out to condign punishment2 but he that forbears to confess1 is like him who hideth a thief or traitor against the laws and peace of our ,lord the ,king4 ,q4 ,give me one more reason why ,i should confess my sins to ,god8--,a4 ,he that confesseth his sin1 casteth himself at the feet of ,god's mercy1 utterly condemns and casts away his own righteousness1 concludeth there is no way to stand just and acquit before ,god1 but by and through the righteousness of another2 whether ,god is resolved to bring thee1 if ever he saves thy soul 7,psa #ea3a-c2 #a ,john #a3i2 ,phil #c3f-h74 ,q4 ,what frame of heart should ,i be in when ,i confess my sins8--,a4 ,do it ,,heartily1 and to the best of thy power thoroughly4 ,for to feign1 in this work1 is abominable2 to do it by the halves1 is wickedness2 to do it without sense of sin cannot be acceptable4 ,and to confess it with the mouth1 and to love it with the heart1 is a lying unto ,god1 and a provocation of the eyes of his glory4 ,q4 ,what do you mean by feigning and dissembling in this work8--,a4 ,when men confess it1 yet know not what it is2 or if they think they know it1 do not conclude it so bad as it is2 or when men ask pardon of ,god1 but do not see their need of pardon2 this man must needs dissemble4 ,q4 ,what do you mean by doing it by the halves8--,a4 ,when men confess some1 but not all that they are convinced of2 or if they confess all1 yet labour in their confession to lessen it 7,prov #bh3ac2 ,job #ca3cc74 ,or when in their confession they turn not from all sin to ,god1 but from one sin to another 7,james #c3ab74 ,they turned1 'but not to the most ,high1' none of them did exalt him 7,hosea #g3af74 ,q4 ,what is it to confess sin without the sense of sins8--,a4 ,to do it through custom1 or tradition1 when there is no guilt upon the conscience1 now this cannot be acceptable4 ,q4 ,what is it to confess it with the mouth and to love it with the heart8--,a4 ,when men condemn it with their mouth1 but refuse to let it go 7,job #bj3ab1ac2 ,jer #h3e72 when 'with their mouth they show much love1 but their heart goeth after their covetousness' 7,eze #cc3ca74 ,q4 ,but ,i asked you what frame of heart ,i should be in1 in my confessions8--,a4 ,i have showed you how you should not be4 ,well1 ,i will show you now what frame of heart becomes you in your confessions of sin4 ,labour by all means for a sense of the evil that is in sin4 ,q4 ,what evil is there in sin8--,a4 ,no man with tongue can express what may by the heart be felt of the evil of sin2#ac but this know1 it dishonoureth ,god 7,rom #b3bc74 ,it provoketh him to wrath 7,eph #e3e1f74 ,it damneth the soul 7#b ,thess #b3ab74 ,q4 ,what else would you advise me to in this great work8--,a4 ,when we confess sin1 tears1 shame1 and brokenness of heart becomes us 7,jer #ej3d2 ,isa #bb3ab2 ,psa #ea3ag2 ,jer #ca3ai74 ,q4 ,what else becomes me in my confessions of sin8--,a4 ,great detestation of sin1 with unfeigned sighs and groans1 that express thou dost it heartily 7,job #db3f2 ,eze #i3d2 ,jer #ca3i74 ,q4 ,is here all8--,a4 ,no2 ,tremble at the word of ,god2 tremble at every judgment1 lest it overtake thee2 tremble at every promise1 lest thou shouldest miss thereof3 for1 saith ,god1 ',to this man will ,i look1 even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit1 and trembleth at my word' 7,isa #ff3b2 ,heb #d3a1b74 ,q4 ,what if ,i cannot thus confess my sins8--,a4 ,bewail the hardness of thy heart1 keep close to the best preachers1 remember that thou hangest over hell1 by the weak thread of an uncertain life4 ,and know1 ,god counts it a great evil1 not to be ashamed of1 not to blush at sin 7,isa #fc3ag2 ,jer #f3ae1 #h3ab74 ,q4 ,are there no thanks to be rendered to ,god in confessions8--,a4 ,o ,yes4 ,thank him that he hath let thee see thy sins1 thank him that he hath given thee time to acknowledge thy sins2 thou mightest now have been confessing in hell3 thank him also that he hath so far condescended as to hear the self-bemoaning sinner1 and that he hath promised1 ,,surely to have mercy upon such 7,jer #ca3ah-bj74 ,of ,faith in ,christ4 ,q4 ,i am glad that you have instructed me into this part of the worship of ,god1 ,i pray tell me also how else ,i should worship him8--,a4 ,thou must believe his word4 ,q4 ,is that worshipping of ,god8--,a4 ,yes2 ',after the way which they call heresy1 so worship ,i the ,god of my fathers1 believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets1' c4 7,acts #bd3ad74 ,q4 ,why should believing be counted a part of ,god's worship8--,a4 ,because without faith it is impossible to please him 7,heb #aa3f74 ,q4 ,why not possible to please him without believing8--,a4 ,because in all true worship1 a man 'must believe that ,god is1 and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him4' ,besides1 he that worships ,god1 must also of necessity believe his word1 else he cannot worship with that reverence and fear that becomes him1 but will do it in a superstitious profane manner3 ',for whatsoever is not of faith is sin' 7,rom #ad3bc74 ,q4 ,but do not all believe as you have said8--,a4 ',that which is born of the flesh is flesh3 and that which is born of the ,spirit is ,spirit' 7,john #c3f74 ,and again 'the children of the flesh1 these are not the children of ,god3 but the children of the promise are counted for the seed' 7,rom #i3h74 ,q4 ,what do you mean by that8--,a4 ,thou must be born twice before thou canst truly believe once 7,john #c3c1e74 ,q4 ,how do you prove that8--,a4 ,because believing is a christian act1 and none are true ,christians but those that are born again4 ,but ,i mean by believing1 believing unto salvation4 ,q4 ,can you prove this8--,a4 ,yes4 ,they that believe in the name of ,christ are such which are born 'not of blood1 nor of the will of the flesh1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god' 7,john #a3ac74 ,q4 ,what is believing8--,a4 ,it is such an act of a gracious soul1 as layeth hold on ,god's mercy through ,christ 7,acts #ae3aa74 ,q4 ,why do you call it an act of a gracious soul8--,a4 ,because their minds are disposed that way1 by 'the power of the ,holy ,ghost' 7,rom #ae3ac74 ,q4 ,if such a poor sinner as ,i am would be saved from the wrath to come1 how must ,i believe8--,a4 ,thy first question should be on whom must ,i believe8 7,john #i3ce1cf74 ,q4 ,on whom then must ,i believe8--,a4 ,on the ,lord ,jesus ,christ 7,acts #af3ca74 ,q4 ,who is ,jesus ,christ that ,i might believe in him8--,a4 ,he is the only begotten ,son of ,god 7,john #c3af74 ,q4 ,why must ,i believe on him8--,a4 ,because he is the ,saviour of the world 7#b ,peter #a3a2 #a ,john #d3ad74 ,q4 ,how is he the ,saviour of the world8--,a4 ,by the ,father's designation and sending3 ',for ,god sent not his ,son into the world to condemn the world1 but that the world through him might be saved' 7,john #c3ag74 ,q4 ,how did he come into the world8--,a4 ,in man's flesh1 in which flesh he fulfilled the law1 died for our sins1 conquered the devil and death1 and obtained eternal redemption for us 7,gal #d3d2 ,rom #aj3d1 #h3c2 ,heb #b3ad1ae1 #f3bj74 ,q4 ,but is there no other way to be saved but by believing in ,jesus ,christ8--,a4 ',there is none other name under heaven1 given among men1 whereby we must be saved' 7,acts #d3ab72 and therefore 'he that believeth not1 shall be damned' 7,mark #af3af2 ,john #c3ah1cf74 ,q4 ,what is believing on ,jesus ,christ8--,a4 ,it is a receiving of him with what is in him1 as the gift of ,god to thee a sinner 7,john #a3ab74 ,q4 ,what is in ,jesus ,christ to encourage me to receive him8--,a4 ,infinite righteousness to justify thee1 and the ,spirit without measure to sanctify thee 7,isa #de3bd1be2 ,dan #i3bd2 ,phil #c3g-i2 ,john #c3cd74 ,q4 ,is this made mine if ,i receive ,christ8--,a4 ,yes2 ,if thou receive him as ,god offereth him to thee 7,john #c3af74 ,q4 ,how doth ,god offer him to me8--,a4 ,even as a rich man freely offereth an alms to a beggar1 and so must thou receive him 7,john #f3cb-ce74 ,q4 ,hath he indeed made amends for sin8 and would he indeed have me accept of what he hath done8--,a4 ,that he hath made amends for sin it is evident1 because ,god1 for ,christ's sake1 forgiveth thee4 ,and it is as evident that he would have thee accept thereof1 because he offereth it to thee1 and hath sworn to give thee the utmost benefit1 to wit1 eternal life1 if thou dost receive it2 yea1 and hath threatened thee with eternal damnation1 if1 after all this1 thou shalt neglect so great salvation 7,eph #d3cb2 ,rom #c3bd2 ,matt #bh3ah-bj2 ,acts #ac3cb-ci2 ,heb #f3ag1ah1 #b3c2 ,mark #af3af74 ,q4 ,but how must ,i be qualified before ,i shall dare to believe in ,christ8--,a4 ,come sensible of thy sins1 and of the wrath of ,god due unto them1 for thus thou art bid to come 7,matt #aa3bh74 ,q4 ,did ever any come thus to ,christ8--,a4 ,david came thus 7,psa #ea3a-c72 ,paul and the jailor came thus 7,acts #i3f1 #af3cj72 also ,christ's murderers came thus 7,acts #b3cg74 ,q4 ,but doth it not seem most reasonable that we should first mend and be good8--,a4 ,the 'whole have no need of the physician1 but they that are sick'2 ,christ came 'not to call the righteous1 but sinners to repentance' 7,mark #b3ag74 ,q4 ,but is it not the best way1 if one can1 to mend first8--,a4 ,this is just as if a sick man should say1 ,is it not best for me to be well before ,i go to the physician2 or as if a wounded man should say1 ,when ,i am cured ,i will lay on the plaster4#ad ,q4 ,but when a poor creature sees its vileness1 it is afraid to come to ,christ1 is it not8--,a4 ,yes2 but without ground1 for he hath said1 ',say to them that are of a fearful heart1 ,be strong1 fear not'3 and 'to this man will ,i look1 even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit1 and trembleth at my word' 7,isa #ce3d1 #ff3b74 ,q4 ,what encouragement can be given us thus to come8--,a4 ,the prodigal came thus1 and his father received him1 and fell upon his neck and kissed him 7,luke #ae74 ,thus he received the ,colossians1 and consequently all that are saved 7,col #b3ac74 ,q4 ,will you give me one more encouragement8--,a4 ,the promises are so worded1 that they that are scarlet sinners1 crimson sinners1 blasphemous sinners1 have encouragement to come to him with hopes of life 7,isa #a3ah2 ,mark #c3bh2 ,john #f3cg2 ,luke #bd3db1dc2 ,acts #ac3bf74 ,q4 ,shall every one that believeth be saved8--,a4 ,if they believe as the ,scriptures have said1 if the ,scriptures be fulfilled in their believing 7,john #g3ch2 ,james #b3bc74 ,q4 ,what do you mean by that8--,a4 ,when faith1 which a man saith he hath1 proveth itself to be of the right kind by its acts and operations in the mind of a poor sinner 7,james #b3ai-bc74 ,q4 ,why1 are there many kinds of faith8--,a4 ,yes4 ,there is a faith that will stand with a heart as hard as a rock2 a short-winded faith1 which dureth for a while1 and in time of temptation such fall away 7,luke #h3ac74 ,q4 ,is there any other kind of faith8--,a4 ,yes4 ,there is a faith that hath no more life in it than hath the body of a dead man 7,james #b3bf74 ,q4 ,is there yet another of these unprofitable faiths8--,a4 ,yes4 ,there is a faith that is of ourselves1 and not of the special grace of ,god 7,eph #b3h74 ,q4 ,tell me if there be yet another8--,a4 ,there is a faith that standeth 'in the wisdom of men1' and not 'in the power of ,god' 7#a ,cor #b3e74 ,q4 ,is here all8--,a4 ,no4 ,there is a faith that seems to be holy1 but it will not do1 because it is not the most holy faith 7#b ,peter #b3i2 ,jude #bj74 ,q4 ,alas6 if there be so many kinds of faith that will not profit to salvation1 how easy is it for me to be deceived8--,a4 ,it is easy indeed1 and therefore the ,holy ,ghost doth in this thing so often caution us1 ',be not deceived' 7#a ,cor #f3i74 ',let no man deceive you' 7,eph #e3f71 and ',if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing1 he deceiveth himself' 7,gal #f3c74 ,q4 ,but is there no way to distinguish the right faith from that which is wrong8--,a4 ,yes2 and that by the manner of its coming and operation4 ,q4 ,what do you mean by the manner of its coming8--,a4 ,nay1 you must make two questions of this one2 that is1 what is it for faith to come1 and in what manner doth it come8 ,q4 ,well then1 what is it for faith to come8--,a4 ,this word1 faith comes1 supposeth thou wert once without it2 it also supposeth that thou didst not fetch it whence it was2 it also supposeth it hath a way of coming 7,gal #c3bc-be74 ,q4 ,that ,i was once without it1 you intimated before1 but must ,i take it without proof for granted8--,a4 ,i will give you a proof or two3 ',god hath concluded them all in unbelief' 7,rom #aa3cb74 ,and again it is said1 'faith cometh' 7,rom #aj3ag74 ,and again1 the ,holy ,ghost insinuateth our estate to be dreadful 'before faith came' 7,gal #c3bc74 ,q4 ,why1 how is it with men1 before faith comes8--,a4 ,without faith1 or before faith comes1 it is impossible to please ,god1 for whether their actions be civil or religious1 they sin in all they do4 ,the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination1 and the ploughing of the wicked is sin 7,prov #ba3d1bg74 ,q4 ,is not this a very sad condition8--,a4 ,yes2 but this is not all1 for their present unbelief bindeth them over to wrath1 by shutting them up to the law2 it also draweth them away from ,god1 and will drown them in everlasting damnation1 if the grace of ,god prevent not 7,gal #c3bc2 ,heb #c3ag1ah2 ,john #c3cf74 ,q4 ,what if a man saw himself in this condition8--,a4 ,there are many see themselves in this condition4 ,q4 ,how came they to see it8--,a4 ,by the preaching and hearing the ,word of ,god 7,john #af3h1i74 ,q4 ,and what do such think of themselves8--,a4 ,they do not only think1 but know that in this condition they are 'without ,christ1 without hope1 and without ,god in the world' 7,eph #b3ab74 ,q4 ,are not they happy that see not themselves in this condition8--,a4 ,yes4 ,if they have seen themselves delivered therefrom by a work of faith in their souls1 else not4 ,q4 ,how do you mean8--,a4 ,i mean if they have seen themselves delivered from this state1 by being by the ,word and ,spirit of ,god implanted into the faith of ,christ 7,rom #aa3ag-ai74 ,q4 ,are not they happy that are never troubled with this sad sight of their condition8--,a4 ,they are just so happy as is that man who lieth fast asleep in his house while it is on fire about his ears4 ,can a man be happy1 that is ignorant that he is without ,god and ,christ1 and hope8 ,can a man be happy that is ignorant that he is hanging over hell by the poor weak thread of an uncertain life8 ,for this is the state of such an one4#ae ,q4 ,but may not faith come to a man without he see himself to be first in this condition8--,a4 ,it is ,god's ordinary way to convince men of this their sad condition before he revealeth to them the righteousness of faith1 or work faith in them to lay hold of that righteousness 7,john #af3i-aa2 ,gal #c3bc-be74 ,q4 ,how then do you conclude of them that never saw themselves shut up by unbelief under sin and the curse of ,god8--,a4 ,i will not judge them for the future1 ,god may convert them before they die2 but at present their state is miserable3 for because they are shut up and held prisoners by the law1 by their lusts1 and by the devil1 and unbelief2 therefore they cannot so much as with their hearts desire that ,god would have mercy upon them1 and bring them out of their snares and chains4 ,q4 ,then do you count it better for a man to see his condition by nature than to be ignorant thereof8--,a4 ,better a thousand times to see it in this world than to see it in hell fire1 for he must see it there or here3 now if he sees it here1 this is the place of prayer2 here is the preaching of the word1 which is ,god's ordinance1 to beget faith4 ,besides1 here ,god applieth promises of mercy to the desolate1 and ,christ also hath protested that he that cometh to him he 'will in no wise cast out' 7,john #f3cg74 ,q4 ,i am convinced that ,i was once without faith1 and also that ,i cannot fetch it1 but pray tell me the way of its coming8--,a4 ',faith cometh by hearing1 and hearing by the ,word of ,god' 7,rom #aj3ag74 ,q4 ,how by hearing8--,a4 ,god mixeth it with the ,word when he absolutely intendeth the salvation of the sinner 7,heb #d3b2 ,acts #ac3dh74 ,q4 ,and how do men hear when faith is mixed with the ,word8--,a4 ,they hear the ,word1 'not as the word of men1 but1 as it is in truth1 the ,word of ,god1 which effectually worketh also in you that believe' 7#a ,thess #b3ac74 ,q4 ,pray tell me now the manner of its coming8--,a4 ,it comes through difficulty1 it comes gradually4 ,q4 ,what are the difficulties which oppose it at its coming8--,a4 ,sense of unworthiness1 guilt of conscience1 natural reason1 unbelief1 and arguments forged in hell1 and thence suggested by the devil into the heart against it 7,luke #e3h2 ,mark #i3bd2 ,isa #f3e2 ,rom #d3ah-ba74 ,q4 ,how doth faith come gradually8--,a4 ,perhaps at first it is but like a grain of mustard-seed1 small1 and weak 7,matt #ag3bj74 ,q4 ,will you explain it further8--,a4 ,faith1 at first1 perhaps may have its excellency lie in view only1 that is1 in seeing where justification and salvation is2 after that it may step a degree higher1 and be able to say1 it may be1 or who can tell but ,i may obtain this salvation8 again1 it may perhaps go yet a step higher and arrive to some short and transient assurance 7,heb #aa3ac2 ,joel #b3ac1ad2 ,zeph #b3c2 ,psa #cj3g74af ,q4 ,but doth faith come only by hearing8--,a4 ,it is usually begotten by the word preached1 but after it is begotten1 it is increased several ways4 ,it is increased by prayer 7,luke #ag3e2 ,mark #i3bd74 ,it is increased by christian conference 7,rom #a3ab74 ,it is increased by reading 7,rom #af3be1bf74 ,it is increased by meditation 7#a ,tim #d3ab-af74 ,it is increased by the remembrance of former experiences 7,matt #af3h1i74 ,q4 ,what do these things teach us8--,a4 ,they teach us1 that the men of this world are very ignorant of1 and as much without desire after faith3 they neither hear1 nor pray1 confer1 nor read1 nor meditate for the sake of faith4 ,q4 ,but you said even now1 that this faith was distinguished from that which profiteth not to salvation1 as by the manner of its coming1 so by its operation3 pray what is its operation8--,a4 ,it causeth the soul to see in the light thereof1 that there is no righteousness in this world that can save the sinner 7,isa #fd3f74 ,q4 ,how doth it give the soul this sight8--,a4 ,by giving him to understand the law1 and his own inability to fulfil it 7,gal #b3af74 ,q4 ,and doth it always shew the soul where justifying righteousness is8--,a4 ,yes4 ,it shews that justifying righteousness is only to be found in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 in what he hath done and suffered in the flesh 7,isa #de3bd1be2 ,phil #c3c-i74 ,q4 ,how doth faith find this righteousness in ,christ8--,a4 ,by the word1 which is therefore called the word of faith1 because faith1 by that1 findeth sufficient righteousness in him 7,rom #aj3f-i74 ,q4 ,how else doth it operate in the soul8--,a4 ,it applieth this righteousness to the sinner1 and also helps him to embrace it 7,rom #c3ba1bb2 #a ,cor #a3cj2 ,gal #b3bj74 ,q4 ,how else doth it operate8--,a4 ,by this application of ,christ1 the soul is quickened to life1 spiritualized and made heavenly4 ,for right faith quickeneth to spiritual life1 purifies and sanctifies the heart2 and worketh up the man that hath it1 into the image of ,jesus ,christ 7,col #b3ab1ac2 ,acts #ae3i1 #bf3ah2 #b ,cor #c3ah74 ,q4 ,how else doth it operate8--,a4 ,it giveth the soul peace with ,god through ,jesus ,christ 7,rom #e3a74 ,q4 ,surely ,christ is of great esteem with them that have this faith in him1 is he not8--,a4 ,yes1 ,yes4 ,unto them therefore which believe he is precious1 precious in his person1 precious in his undertakings1 precious in his ,word 7#a ,peter #b3g1 #a3ah1ai2 #b ,peter #a3c1d74 ,q4 ,can these people then1 that have this faith1 endure to have this ,christ spoken against8--,a4 ,o6 ,no6 ,this is a sword in their bones1 and a burden that they cannot bear 7,psa #db3aj2 ,zeph #c3ai74ag ,q4 ,doth it not go near them when they see his ways and people discountenanced8--,a4 ,yes2 and they also choose rather to be despised and persecuted with them1 than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season 7,heb #aa3bd1be74 ,q4 ,do they not pray much for his second coming8--,a4 ,yes1 yes2 they would fain see him on this side the clouds of heaven1 their 'conversation is in heaven1 from whence also they look for the ,saviour1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ' 7,phil #c3bj74 ,q4 ,and do they live in this world as if he were to come presently8--,a4 ,yes2 for his coming will be glorious and dreadful1 full of mercy and judgment4 ',the day of the ,lord will come as a thief in the night2 in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise1 and the elements shall melt with fervent heat1 the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up4 ,seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved1 what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness' 7#b ,peter #c3aj1aa74 ,of ,prayer4 ,q4 ,well1 ,i am glad that you have shewed me that ,i must worship ,god by confession of sin1 and faith in ,jesus ,christ3 ,is there any other thing a part of the true worship of ,god8--,a4 ,yes1 several2 ,i will mention only two more at this time4 ,q4 ,what are they8--,a4 ,prayer and self-denial4 ,q4 ,is prayer then a part of the worship of ,god8--,a4 ,yes2 a great part of it4 ,q4 ,how do you prove that8--,a4 ',o come let us worship and bow down3 let us kneel before the ,lord our maker' 7,psa #ie3f74 ,q4 ,is there another scripture proves it8--,a4 ,yes2 ',then came she and worshiped him1 saying1 ,lord1 help me' 7,matt #ae3be74 ,q4 ,what is prayer8--,a4 ,a sincere1 sensible1 affectionate pouring out of the soul to ,god in the name of ,christ for what ,god hath promised 7,prov #ae3h2 ,jer #ca3ah1ai2 ,psa #db3b-e2 ,john #ad3ac1ad2 #a ,john #e3ad74 ,q4 ,doth not every body pray8--,a4 ,no2 ',the wicked1 through the pride of his countenance1 will not seek after ,god3 ,god is not in all his thoughts' 7,psa #aj3d74 ,q4 ,what will become of them that do not pray8--,a4 ,they do not worship ,god1 and he will destroy them2 ',pour out thy fury said the prophet upon the heathen1--and upon the families that call not on thy name' 7,jer #aj3be2 ,psa #gi3f74 ,q4 ,but seeing ,god knoweth what we want1 why doth he not give us what we need1 without praying8--,a4 ,his counsel and wisdom leadeth him otherwise4 ',thus saith the ,lord ,god1 ,i will yet for this be enquired of by the house of ,israel1 to do it for them' 7,eze #cf3cg74 ,q4 ,why will ,god have us pray8--,a4 ,because he would be acknowledged by thee1 that he is above thee1 and therefore would have thee come to him as the mean come to the mighty4 ,thus ,abraham came unto him 7,gen #ah3bg1cj74 ,q4 ,is there another reason why ,i should pray8--,a4 ,yes4 ,for by prayer thou acknowledgest1 that help is not in thine own power 7#b ,chron #bj3f1ab74 ,q4 ,what reason else have you why ,i should pray8--,a4 ,by prayer thou confessest that help is only in him 7,psa #fb3a74 ,q4 ,what other reason have you8--,a4 ,by prayer thou confessest thou canst not live without his grace and mercy 7,matt #ad3cj2 ,heb #d3af74 ,q4 ,are all that pray heard of the ,lord8--,a4 ,no2 ',they looked1' that is prayed1 'but there was none to save2 even unto the ,lord1 but he answered them not' 7#b ,sam #bb3db74 ,q4 ,to what doth ,god compare the prayers which he refuseth to answer8--,a4 ,he compareth them to the howling of a dog 7,hosea #g3ad74 ,q4 ,who be they whose prayers ,god will not answer8--,a4 ,theirs1 who think to be heard for their much speaking1 and vain repetition 7,matt #f3g74 ,q4 ,is there any other whose prayer ,god refuseth8--,a4 ,yes2 ,there are that ask and have not1 because what they ask1 they would spend upon their lusts 7,james #d3c74 ,q4 ,is there any other whose prayer ,god refuseth8--,a4 ,yes2 ',if ,i regard iniquity in my heart1 the ,lord will not hear me' 7,psa #ff3ah74ah ,q4 ,is the regarding of sin in our heart such a deadly hinderance to prayer8--,a4 ',son of man1' saith ,god1 'these men have set up their idols in their heart1 and have put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face2 should ,i be enquired of at all by them8 ,i will set my face against that man1 and will make him a sign and a proverb4 ,and ,i will cut him off from the midst of my people' 7,eze #ad3c1h74 ,q4 ,whose prayers be they that ,god will hear8--,a4 ,the prayers of the poor and needy 7,psa #cd3f2 ,isa #da3ag74 ,q4 ,what do you mean by the poor8--,a4 ,such as have poverty in spirit 7,matt #e3c74 ,q4 ,who are they that are poor in spirit8--,a4 ,they that are sensible of the want and necessity of all those things of ,god1 that prepare a man to the kingdom of heaven4 ,q4 ,what things are they8--,a4 ,faith1 hope1 love1 joy1 peace1 a new heart1 the ,holy ,ghost1 sanctification4 ,see ,james #b3e2 #b ,thessalonians #b3af2 ,ezekiel #cf3bf1bg4 ,q4 ,what do you mean by the needy8--,a4 ,those whose souls long and cannot be satisfied without the enjoyment of these blessed things 7,psa #fc3a1 #aai3bj74 ,q4 ,will ,god hear the prayers of such8--,a4 ,yes2 ',for he satisfieth the longing soul1 and filleth the hungry soul with goodness' 7,psa #ajg3i74 ,q4 ,how shall ,i know that ,i am one of those to whom ,god will give these things8--,a4 ,if thou seest a beauty in them beyond the beauty of all other things 7,psa #aaj3c74 ,q4 ,how else shall ,i know that he heareth me8--,a4 ,if thou desirest them for their beauty's sake 7,psa #ij3ad1ag74 ,q4 ,how else should ,i know ,i shall have them8--,a4 ,when thy groanings after them are beyond expression 7,rom #h3bf74ai ,q4 ,how else should ,i know1 and so be encouraged to pray8--,a4 ,when thou followest hard after ,god in all his ordinances for the obtaining of them 7,isa #d3a1c1 #fd3e74 ,q4 ,how else should ,i know8--,a4 ,when thou makest good use of that little thou hast already 7,rev #c3h74 ,q4 ,are here all the good signs that my prayers shall be heard8--,a4 ,no2 there is one more without which thou shalt never obtain4 ,q4 ,pray what is that8--,a4 ,thou must plead with ,god1 the name and merits of ,jesus ,christ1 for whose sake only ,god giveth thee these things4 ,if we ask any thing in his name1 he heareth us1 and whatsoever you ask the ,father in my name1 saith ,christ ,i will do it 7,john #ad3ac1ad74 ,q4 ,doth ,god always answer presently8--,a4 ,sometimes he doth1 and sometimes he doth not 7,isa #cj3ai2 ,dan #aj3ab74 ,q4 ,is not ,god's deferring1 a sign of his anger8--,a4 ,sometimes it is not1 and sometimes it is4 ,q4 ,when is it no sign of his anger8--,a4 ,when we have not wickedly departed from him by our sins 7,luke #ah3g74 ,q4 ,when is it a sign of his anger8--,a4 ,when we have backslidden1 when we have not repented some former miscarriages 7,hosea #e3ad1ae74 ,q4 ,why doth ,god defer to hear their prayers that hath not wickedly departed from him8--,a4 ,he loves to hear their voice1 to try their faith1 to see their importunity1 and to observe how they can wrestle with him for a blessing 7,cant #b3ad2 ,matt #ae3bb-bh2 ,luke #aa3e-h2 ,gen #cb3be-bh74 ,q4 ,but is not deferring to answer prayer a great discouragement to praying8--,a4 ,though it is1 because of our unbelief1 yet it ought not1 because ,god is faithful4 ,therefore 'men ought always to pray1 and not to faint' 7,luke #ah3a-h74bj ,of ,self-,denial4 ,q4 ,i am glad you have thus far granted my request3 but you told me that there was another part of ,god's worship2 pray repeat that again8--,a4 ,it is self-denial4 ,q4 ,now ,i remember it well2 pray how do you prove that self-denial is called a part of ,god's worship8--,a4 ,it is said of ,abraham1 that when he went to offer up his son ,isaac upon the altar for a burnt-offering1 which was to him a very great part of self-denial1 that he counted that act of his worshipping ,god4 ,q4 ,will you be pleased to read the text8--,a4 ,yes2 ',and ,abraham said unto his young men1 ,abide ye here with the ass2 and ,i and the lad will go yonder and worship1' c4 ,this now was when he was a-going to slay ,isaac 7,gen #bb3e74 ,q4 ,what is self-denial8--,a4 ,it is for a man to forsake his ,,all1 for the sake of ,jesus ,christ4 ,q4 ,will you prove this by a scripture or two8--,a4 ,yes2 ',whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath1 he cannot be my disciple' 7,luke #ad3cc74 ,q4 ,indeed this is a full place1 can you give me one more8--,a4 ,yes2 ',what things were gain to me1 those ,i counted loss for ,christ4 ,yea1 doubtless1 and ,i count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of ,christ ,jesus my ,lord3 for whom ,i have suffered the loss of all things1 and do count them but dung1 that ,i may win ,christ1' c4 7,phil #c3g1h74 ,q4 ,these two are indeed a sufficient answer to my question2 but pray will you now give me some particular instances of the self-denial of them that have heretofore been the followers of ,christ8--,a4 ,yes2 ,abel denied himself to the losing of his blood 7,gen #d3h74 ,abraham denied himself to the losing of his country and his father's house 7,gen #ab3a-d74 ,moses denied himself of a crown and a kingdom1 and of ease and tranquility 7,heb #aa3bd-bg74 ,joseph denied himself of fleshly lusts 7,gen #ci3g-i74 ,q4 ,but these men each of them denied themselves but of some things1 did they8--,a4 ,you see ,abel lost all1 his blood and all2 ,abraham lost his country to the hazard of his life 7,gen #ab3ac74 ,so did ,moses in leaving the crown and kingdom 7,heb #aa3bg74 ,and ,joseph in denying his mistress 7,gen #ci3aj-ae74 ,q4 ,will you discourse a little particularly of self-denial8--,a4 ,with all my heart4 ,q4 ,first then1 pray in what spirit must this self-denial be performed8--,a4 ,it must be done in the spirit of faith1 of love1 and of a sound mind4 ,otherwise1 if a man should sell all that he hath and give to the poor1 and his body to be burnt besides1 it would profit him nothing 7#a ,cor #ac3a-c74 ,q4 ,who are like to miscarry here8--,a4 ,they whose ends in self-denial are not according to the proposals of the gospel4 ,q4 ,who are they8--,a4 ,they that suffer through strife and vain-glory2 or thus1 they who seek in their sufferings the praise of men more than the glory of ,christ1 and profit of their neighbour4 ,q4 ,who else are like to miscarry here8--,a4 ,they that have designs like ,ziba to ingratiate themselves by their pretended self-denial into the affections of the godly1 and to enrich themselves by this means 7#b ,sam #af3a-d74 ,q4 ,are there any other like to miscarry here8--,a4 ,yes4 ,they that by denying themselves think with the ,pharisee1 to make themselves stand more righteous in ,god's eyes than others 7,luke #ah3aa1ab74 ,q4 ,who else are in danger of miscarrying here8--,a4 ,they who have fainted in their works1 they whose self-denial hath at last been overcome by self-love 7,gal #c3d1 #f3i74 ,q4 ,shall ,i propound a few more questions8--,a4 ,if you please4 ,q4 ,what then if a man promiseth to deny himself hereafter and not now1 is not this one step to this kind of worship8--,a4 ,no1 by no means2 for the reason why this man refuseth to deny himself now1 is because his heart at present sticks closer to his lusts and the world1 than to ,god and ,christ4#ba ,q4 ,can you give me a ,scripture instance to make this out8--,a4 ,yes2 ,esau never intended for ever to part with the blessing1 he intended to have it hereafter2 but ,god counted his not choosing of it at present1 a despising of it1 and a preferring of his lusts before it3 and therefore when he would1 ,god would not1 but reject both him and his tears 7,gen #be3cj-cd2 ,heb #ab3ad-af74 ,q4 ,how and if a man shall say thus1 ,i am willing to deny myself in many things1 though he cannot deny himself in all1 is not this one step in this part of this worship of ,god8--,a4 ,no1 in no wise2 for this man doth1 just like ,saul1 he will slay a part1 and will keep a part alive2 the kingdom must be taken from him also 7#a ,sam #ae74 ,q4 ,how if a man he willing to lose all but his life8--,a4 ,he that 'will save his life shall lose it1' but he that 'will lose his life for my sake1' saith ,christ1 'shall keep it unto life eternal' 7,matt #af3be2 ,john #ab3be74 ,q4 ,how if a man has been willing to lose all that he hath1 but is not now1 will not ,god accept of his willingness in time past1 though he be otherwise now8--,a4 ,no2 for the true disciple must deny himself daily1 take up his cross daily1 and go after ,jesus ,christ 7,luke #i3bc74 ,q4 ,but how if a man carrieth it well outwardly1 so that he doth not dishonour the gospel before men1 may not this be counted self-denial8--,a4 ,no1 if he be not right at heart2 for though man looketh on the outward appearance1 ,god looketh at the heart 7#a ,sam #af3g74 ,q4 ,but if ,i be afraid my heart may deceive me in this great work1 if hard things come upon me hereafter1 is there no way to find out whether it will deceive me then or no8--,a4 ,i will give you a few answers to this question1 and will shew you first whose heart is like to deceive him in this work4 ,q4 ,will you befriend me so much8--,a4 ,yes4 #a4 ,he that makes not daily conscience of self-denial1 is very unlike to abide a disciple for times to come1 if difficult4 ,judas did not deny himself daily1 and therefore fell when the temptation came 7,john #ab3f74 ,q4 ,will you give me another sign8--,a4 ,yes4 ,he that indulgeth any one secret lust under a profession1 is not like to deny himself in all things for ,christ4 ,q4 ,who are they that indulge their lusts8--,a4 ,they that make provision for them1 either in apparel1 or diet1 or otherwise 7,rom #ac3ab-ad2 ,isa #c3f-bd2 ,amos #f3c-f74 ,q4 ,who else do so8--,a4 ,they that excuse their sins1 and keep them disguised that they may not be reprehended1 as ,saul did1 c4 7#a ,sam #ae3ah-bb74 ,q4 ,who else are they that indulge their lusts8--,a4 ,they that heap up to themselves such teachers as favour their lusts 7#b ,tim #d3c1d2 ,isa #cj3aj74 ,q4 ,who else do indulge their sins8--,a4 ,they that choose rather to walk by the imperfect lives of professors than by the holy ,word of ,god3 or thus1 they that make the miscarriages of some good men an encouragement unto themselves to forbear to be exact in self-denial1 these eat up the sins of ,god's people as men eat bread 7,hosea #d3g-i74 ,q4 ,will you now shew me who are like to do this part of ,god's worship acceptably8--,a4 ,yes2 he whose heart is set against sin as sin1 is like to deny himself acceptably 7,rom #g3ac1ad74 ,q4 ,who else8--,a4 ,he that hath the sense and savour of forgiveness of sins upon his heart 7#b ,cor #e3ad74 ,q4 ,who else is like to deny himself well8--,a4 ,he that hath his affections set upon things above1 where ,christ sitteth at the right hand of ,god 7,col #c3a-e74 ,q4 ,who else is like to deny himself well for ,christ8--,a4 ,he that seeth a greater treasure in self-denial1 than in self-seeking 7#b ,cor #ab3i-aa2 ,heb #aa3bd-bf74 ,q4 ,are there none other signs of one that is like to do this part of ,god's worship acceptably8--,a4 ,yes2 he that takes up his cross daily1 and makes ,christ's doctrine his example 7,luke #f3dg1dh2 ,john #ab3be1bf74 ,q4 ,but how do you discover a man to be such a one8--,a4 ,he keepeth this heart with all diligence1 he had rather die than sin2 ill carriages of professors break his heart1 nothing is so dear to him as the glory of ,christ 7,prov #d3bc2 ,num #aa3ae2 ,phil #c3ah2 ,acts #bj3bd74bb ,q4 ,pray1 can yo give me some motive to self-denial8--,a4 ,yes2 the ,lord ,jesus denied himself for thee2 what sayest thou to that8 ,q4 ,wherein did ,christ deny himself for me8--,a4 ,he left his heaven for thee1 he denied for thy sake to have so much of this world as hath a fox or a bird1 and he spilt his most precious blood for thee 7,john #f3ch2 ,luke #i3eh2 #b ,cor #h3i2 ,rev #a3e74 ,q4 ,can you give another motive to self-denial8--,a4 ,yes2 ',what shall it profit a man1 if he shall gain the whole world1 and lose his own soul8' 7,mark #h3cf74 ,q4 ,but why doth ,god require self-denial of them that will be saved8--,a4 ,god doth not require self-denial as the means to obtain salvation1 but hath laid it down as a proof of the truth of a man's affections to ,god and ,christ4 ,q4 ,how is self-denial a proof of the truth of a man's affections to ,god8--,a4 ,in that for the sake of his service1 he leaveth all his enjoyments in this world4 ,thus he proved ,abraham's affections 7,gen #bb3ab74 ,thus he proved ,peter's affections 7,matt #d3ah-bb7 and thus he proved their affection that you read of in the gospel 7,luke #i3eg-gc74 ,q4 ,what reason else can you produce why ,god requireth self-denial8--,a4 ,self-denial is one of the distinguishing characters by which true ,christians are manifested from the feigned ones3 for those that are feigned1 flatter ,god with their mouths1 but their hearts seek themselves2 but the sincere1 for the love that he hath to ,christ1 forsaketh all that he hath for his sake 7,psa #gh3cf1cg2 ,eze #cc3ca1cb74bc ,q4 ,is there yet another reason why ,god requireth self-denial of them that profess his name8--,a4 ,yes2 because by self-denial the power and goodness of the truths of ,god are made manifest to the incredulous world4 ,for they cannot see but by the self-denial of ,god's people1 that there is such power1 glory1 goodness1 and desirableness in ,god's truth as indeed there is 7,dan #c3af1bh2 ,phil #a3ab1ac74 ,q4 ,have you another reason why ,god requireth self-denial8--,a4 ,yes2 because self-denial prepareth a man1 though not for the pardon of his sin1 yet for that far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory1 that is laid up only for them that deny all that they have for the ,lord ,jesus1 his name1 and cause in this world 7#b ,cor #d3h-aj1ag2 #b ,thess #a3e1f74 ,q4 ,before you conclude1 will you give me a few instances of the severity of ,god's hand upon some professors1 that have not denied themselves when called thereto by him8--,a4 ,yes1 willingly2 ,lot's wife for but looking behind her towards ,sodom1 when ,god called her from it1 was stricken from heaven1 and turned into a pillar of salt2 therefore remember ,lot's wife 7,gen #ai3ag1bf2 ,luke #ag3ca1cb74 ,q4 ,can you give me another instance8--,a4 ,yes2 ,esau for not denying himself of one morsel of meat was denied a share in the blessing1 and could never obtain it after1 though he sought it carefully with tears 7,gen #be3cb-cd2 ,heb #ab3af1ag74 ,q4 ,have you at hand another instance8--,a4 ,yes2 ,judas for not denying himself1 lost ,christ1 his soul1 and heaven3 and is continued the great object of ,god's wrath among all damned souls 7,john #ab3e1f2 ,luke #bb3c-f2 ,matt #bf3ad-af2 ,acts #a3be74 ,q4 ,will you give me one more instance1 and so conclude8--,a4 ,yes2 ,ananias and ,sapphira his wife1 did for the want of self-denial1 pull upon themselves such wrath of ,god1 that he slew them1 while they stood in the midst before the apostles 7,acts #e3a-aa74 ,the ,conclusion4 ,before ,i wind up this discourse1 ,i would lay down these few things for you to consider of1 and meditate upon4 ,i4 ,consider1 that seeing every one by nature are accounted sinners2 it is no matter whether thy actual sins be little or great1 few or many1 thy sinful nature hath already lain thee under the curse of the law4 ,,ii4 ,consider1 ,that therefore thou hast already ground for humiliation1 sins to repent of1 wrath to fly from1 or a soul to be damned4 ,,iii4 ,consider1 ,that time stays not for thee1 and also that as time goes1 sin increaseth2 so that at last the end of thy time1 and the completing of thy sin1 are like to come upon thee in one moment4 ,,iv4 ,bring thy last day often to thy bedside1 and ask thy heart1 if this morning thou wast to die1 if thou be ready to die or no4 ,v4 ,know it is a sad thing to lie a dying1 and to be afraid to die2 to lie a dying and not to know whither thou art going2 to lie a dying1 and not to know whether good angels or bad must conduct thee out of this miserable world4 ,,vi4 ,be often remembering what a blessed thing it is to be saved1 to go to heaven1 to be made like angels1 and to dwell with ,god and ,christ to all eternity4 ,,vii4 ,consider how sweet the thought of salvation will be to thee when thou seest thyself in heaven1 whilst others are roaring in hell4#bd ,the ,lord ,jesus ,christ be with thy spirit4 ,,footnotes3 #a4 ,how awful the thought that persons should sit under so faithful and searching a ministry1 and still remain in their sins4 ,is it so to the present day under a faithful ministry8 then1 ,oh my soul1 how is it with thee8--,ed4 #b4 ,a painful recollection of his long and cruel imprisonment for conscience sake led ,bunyan to feel the value of liberty4 ,still he forcibly appeals to his reader on the necessity of private judgment in divine things4 ,his twelve years' converse with ,god and his word in prison had confirmed his principles2 while divine love had swallowed up the fear of man4--,ed4 #c4 ,faith is the only principle that1 by the power of the ,holy ,ghost1 can purify the heart4 ,it leads the soul into holy communion with a pure and holy ,god1 and thus cleanses the heart4--,ed4 #d4 ,all mankind1 as born into the world1 show1 as soon as the mental powers open1 aversion to ,god1 to his purity1 his law1 his gospel2 the doctrines of grace and the work of the ,spirit upon the heart4 ,a solemn proof of the universal taint given by original sin4--,ed4 #e4 ,by the word 'public' is to be understood a federal head1 or the representative of all his posterity4 ,adam's faith can only save his own soul2 his sin taints all his seed4--,ed4 #f4 ,a state of hostility to ,god plunges the soul into mental darkness1 rage1 horror1 anguish1 despair1 and endless and unutterable misery and woe4 ,how ought we to love the ,lord ,jesus for his ,,great salvation6--,ed4 #g4 ,it is a very modern custom to have the place of execution within a city--formerly they were always without--their position being still noted by the name ',gallow ,knowe1' the knoll or mound of the gallows2 ',gallowgate1' the gate or way leading to the gallows2 and so on4 ,happily for the well-being of society1 these exhibitions are less frequent than they formerly were4 #h4 ',that servant which knew his lord's will1 and prepared not himself1 neither did according to his will1 shall be beaten with many stripes' 7,luke #ab3dg7--;,ed4 #i4 ,which is the greatest sinner2 he who invents scandal1 or he who encourages the inventor to retail it8 ,if there were no receivers1 there would be no thieves4--,ed4 #aj4 ,the terms in which this question is put1 shows that the little children here intended were capable of repentance and faith4 ,that ,bunyan believed1 as ,toplady did1 the salvation of all that die in infancy by the atonement of ,christ1 there can be no doubt4 ',in my remarks on ,dr4 ,rowell1 ,i testified my firm belief that the souls of all departed infants are with ,god in glory4' ,see the ,introduction to ,toplady's ,historic ,proof4--,ed4 #aa4 ,the knowledge of ourselves as vile and abominable1 hopeless and helpless1 is an essential step towards our recovery4 ,the next step that leads to heaven1 and lands us there1 is to 'know the only true ,god1 and ,jesus ,christ whom he has sent1' as revealed in the word of truth4 ',this is eternal life4'--,ed4 #ab4 ,the unrenewed heart is the sink of sin1 the fountain of pollution4 ',out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts1 murders1 adulteries1 fornications1 thefts1 false witness1 blasphemies2 these defile a man4' ,create in us a clean heart1 ,o ,god6--,ed4 #ac4 ,no poor soul was more severely visited with these feelings than ,bunyan4 ',now ,i beheld the condition of the dog and toad2 and counted the state of every thing that ,god had made far better than this state of mine4'--,grace ,abounding1 ,no4 #ajd4--;,ed4 #ad4 ,how pointed and forcible is this illustration of the absurdity of neglecting the ,physician of souls1 when the malady of sin is felt4 ,the more desperate our disease1 the faster we should fly to ,christ for cure4--,ed4 #ae4 ,the awful condition of the unconverted consists in their being in a state of separation from ,god1 insensible of that dismal state1 utterly unable to extricate themselves out of it1 and loathsome to ,god while they continue in it4 ,reader1 do you recollect when this was your state2 if not1 what hope is there that you have passed from death unto life8--,ed4 #af4 ,the operation of faith is by steps4 ',to open their eyes1' 'to turn them from darkness to light1' 'from power of ,satan to ,god1' 'forgiveness of sins1' 'the heavenly inheritance' 7,acts #bf3ah74--;,ed4 #ag4 ,under a fear lest he had spoken against ,christ1 ,bunyan thus expresses his misery2 ',i fell into a very deep pause about the most fearful state my sin had brought me to2 and1 lifting up my head1 ,i saw as if the sun did grudge to give me light1 and as if the very stones in the street1 and tiles upon the houses1 did bend themselves against me4'--,grace ,abounding1 ,no4 #ahf4--;,ed4 #ah4 ',the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the ,lord2 but the prayer of the upright is his delight4 ,he loveth him that followeth after righteousness' 7,prov #ae3h1i74 ,that our prayers may be heard1 the heart should be right with ,god1 and our souls at peace with him through the ,son of his love4--,mason4--,ed4 #ai4 ,these are parts of a ,christian's experience1 admirably illustrated in that extraordinary book by ,bunyan1 ',grace ,abounding to the ,chief of ,sinners4'--,ed4 #bj4 ,all-prevailing prayers must be offered up through the mediation of ,christ1 in obedience to ,god's command1 with an eye to his glory1 and for what is agreeable to his will and heavenly wisdom to grant4 ',lifting up holy hands1 without wrath and doubting' 7#a ,tim #b3h74 ,god's service must be in faith1 love1 and purity of heart4--,ryland4--,ed4 #ba4 ,how debased is the human heart1 to delay one moment in giving up its poor all for ,christ4 ,in him dwells the fulness of the ,godhead2 he has unsearchable riches of wisdom and knowledge to bestow2 all-sufficient grace and strength1 to enable us to do and suffer his will2 and everlasting glory at the close of our pilgrimage4--,ed4 #bb4 ,no tongue can utter1 or heart conceive1 the unspeakable reward which an unwearied1 unfainting diligence in well-doing1 attends the humble believer2 it begins in this world1 and is consummated in endless glory4--,ed4 #bc4 ,christian1 you are not your own1 you are bought with a price far above all the treasures of the earth4 ,you must not do as you please1 but study to do the will of your heavenly ,father4 ,the man who is bent upon doing his own will1 renounces the name of ,christian4 ,,rebel against ,god is inscribed upon all who do not his will4--,ed4 #bd4 ,how blessed is the hope of the ,christian2 full of life1 power1 and much assurance4 ,the salvation by ,christ is infinitely precious2 it redeems the souls from all possible misery1 and introduces it to the favour1 love1 and protection of almighty ,god1 who will save it from the ruins of time1 till possessed of the riches of eternity4--,ed4 999999 ,,seasonable ,,counsel3 ,,or1 ,,advice ,,to ,,sufferers4 ,,by ,,john ,,bunyan4 ,london3 ,printed for ,benjamin ,alsop1 at the ,angel and ,bible in the ,poultry1 #afhd4 ,,advertisement ,,by ,,the ,,editor4 ,,this valuable treatise was first published in a pocket volume in #afhd1 and has only been reprinted in ,whitfield's edition of ,bunyan's works1 #b vols4 folio1 #agfg4 ,no man could have been better qualified to give advice to sufferers for righteousness' sake1 than ,john ,bunyan3 and this work is exclusively devoted to that object4 ,shut up in a noisome jail1 under the iron hand of persecution1 for nearly thirteen years1 in the constant fear of being hanged as a malefactor1 for refusing conformity to the national liturgy1 he well knew what sufferings were1 and equally well did he know the sources of consolation4 ,it was wisely ordered by ,divine ,providence1 that before the king pardoned him1 he had a legal return under the hand and seal of the sheriff of ,bedfordshire1 certifying the reasons of this frightful imprisonment4 ,this is entered in the minutes of the ,privy ,council on the #hth and #aeth of ,may1 #afgb2 and it proves that he was thus cruelly punished for being at conventicles for nonconformity and for no other cause4 ,in this ,advice we find his opinion on the origin of persecution--the instruments--the motives--its cruelty--with cautions1 counsels1 and support to the persecuted4 ,he considers persecution a strange anomaly1--,the reason is that ,christianity is a harmless thing--that be it never so openly professed it hurts no man4 ,simple-hearted1 honest ,john1 thou dreamest4 ,what wouldest thou have thought of a system by which all would have been taught to tag their laces and mend their own pots and kettles8 ,what would have become of thy trade as a brazier8 ,christianity teaches all mankind not to trust in those empirics who profess to cure souls for ,peter's pence1 tithes1 mortuaries1 and profits2 but to go by themselves to the ,great ,physician1 and he will pour in his wine and oil1 his infallible remedies for a sin-sick soul1 without money and without price4 ,to ,bunyan this was not only harmless to others1 but the most boundless mercy that ,god could bestow upon man4 ,what could be more destructive to the hierarchy of popes1 cardinals1 and papal nuncios of the ,latin1 with the patriarchs1 archimandrites1 and papas of the ,greek churches8 ,a system by which all their services are dispensed with1 and priestly and prelatic pride is leveled with the dust4 ,can we wonder that those who preached the holy1 humbling1 self-denying doctrines of the cross1 were persecuted to the death8 ,bunyan's opinion is1 that ,satan is the author of persecution1 by which he intended to root out ,christianity4 ,the whirlwind and the tempest drives away those who are not rooted and grounded in the faith1 some of whom may have stood like stately cedars until the trying time of trial came4 ,but the humble ,christian in such a season takes deeper root--a stronger grasp4 ,faith1 his anchor1 is sure and steadfast2 it enters eternity and heaven1 where ,satan can find no entrance to disturb its hold4 ,in persecution1 men are but the devil's tools1 and little think that they are doing his drudgery4 ,the man of ,god declares the truth in plain terms1 ,no one is a ,christian except he is born of ,god by the anointing of the ,holy ,one4 ,carnal men cannot endure this2 and then the game begins1 how such troublesome fellows may be put out of the way1 and their families be robbed of their possessions to enrich the persecutors4 ,the holy places1 vestures1 gestures--the shows and outward greatness of false religion1 are in danger4 ,their sumptuous ceremonies1 glorious ornaments1 new-fashioned carriages1#a will fall before the simplicity and majesty of truth4 ,the ,christian falls out with sin at home1 and then with sinful ceremonies in divine worship4 ,with him all that is not prescribed in the word of ,god is forbidden4 ,sentiments like these are a blow at the root of superstition with all its fraudful emoluments4 ,hence the storms of persecution which fall on the faithful followers of ,christ4 ,antichrist declares the excellency of human inventions to supply what he considers defects in ,god's system4 ,such is the mad folly of the human heart6 ,dust and ashes find fault with a system which is the perfection of wisdom1 mercy1 and love4 ,and such their infatuation1 that none must be suffered to live and breathe that refuseth conformity thereto4 ,mr4 ,bunyan's cautions and counsels are full of peace--submission to the powers that be4 ,pray for the persecutor--return good for his evil4 ,he is in the hand of ,god1 who will soon level him with the dust1 and call his soul to solemn judgment4 ,although the sufferer's cause is good1 do not run yourself into trouble--,christ withdrew himself--,paul escaped by being lowered down the city wall in a basket4 ,if they persecute you in one city1 flee to another4 ,a minister can quickly pack up and carry his religion with him1 and offer what he knows of his ,god to another people4 ,god is the support of his persecuted ones4 ,his power in holding up some1 his wrath in leaving of others2 his making of shrubs to stand1 and his suffering of cedars to fall2 his infatuating of the counsels of men1 and his making of the devil to outwit himself2 his giving of his presence to his people1 and his leaving of his foes in the dark2 his discovering the uprightness of the hearts of his sanctified ones1 and laying open the hypocrisy of others1 is a working of spiritual wonders in the day of his wrath1 and of the whirlwind and storm4 ,alas6 we have need of these bitter pills at which we so much winch and shuck4 ,the physician has us in hand4 ,may ,god by these try and judge us as he judges his saints1 that we may not be condemned with the world4 ,such were the feelings of ,john ,bunyan after his long sufferings2 they are the fruits of a sanctified mind4 ,reader1 great are our mercies--the arm of the persecutor is paralysed by the extension of the knowledge of ,christ4 ,still we have to pass through taunts and revilings1 and sometimes the loss of goods2 but we are saved from those awful trials through which our pilgrim forefathers passed4 ,may our mercies be sanctified1 and may grace be bestowed upon us in rich abundance1 to enable us to pity and forgive those sects who1 in a bye-gone age1 were the tools of ,satan1 and whose habitations were full of cruelty4--,,geo4 ,,offor4 ,,to ,,the ,,christian ,,reader4 ,,beloved1 ,i thought it convenient1 since many at this day are exposed to sufferings1 to give my advice touching that to thee4 ,namely1 that thou wouldest take heed to thyself1 and keep thy soul diligently1 and not suffer thyself to be entangled in those snares that ,god hath suffered to be laid in the world for some4 ,beware of men in the counsel of ,christ for they will deliver you up 7,matt #aj3ag74 ,keep thou therefore within the bounds of uprightness and integrity towards both ,god and man3 for that will fortify1 that will preserve thee1 if not from1 yet under the rage of men1 in a comfortable and quiet frame of heart4 ,wherefore do that1 and that only1 that will justify thy innocency1 and that will help thee1 not with forced speech1 but with good conscience1 when oppressed1 to make thy appeals to ,god1 and to the consciences of all men4 ,this is the advice that1 ,i thank ,god1 ,i have taken myself3 for ,i find that there is nothing1 next to ,god and his grace by ,christ1 that can stand one in such stead1 as will a good and harmless conscience4#b ,i hope ,i can say that ,god has made me a ,christian3 and a ,christian must be a harmless man1 and to that end1 must embrace nothing but harmless principles4 ,a ,christian's business1 as a ,christian1 is to believe in ,jesus ,christ1 and in ,god the ,father by him2 and to seek the good of all about him1 according as his place1 state and capacity in this world will admit1 not meddling with other men's matters1 but ever following that which is good4 ,a ,christian is a child of the kingdom of ,god1 and that kingdom1 take it as it begins in grace1 or as it is perfected in glory1 is not of this world but of that which is to come3 and though men of old1 as some may now1 be afraid of that kingdom3 yet that kingdom will hurt no man1 neither with its principles1 nor by itself4 ,to instance somewhat1 ,faith in ,christ3 what harm can that do8 ,a life regulated by a moral law1 what hurt is in that8 ,rejoicing in spirit for the hope of the life to come by ,christ1 who will that harm8 ,nor is the instituted worship of our ,lord of any evil tendency1 ,christianity teaches us also to do our enemies good1 to ,bless them that hate us1 and to pray for them that despitefully use us and persecute us1 and what evil can be in that8 ,this is the sum of the ,christian religion1 as by the word may be plainly made appear3 wherefore ,i counsel thee to keep close to these things1 and touch with nothing that jostleth therewith4 ,nor do thou marvel1 thou living thus1 if some should be so foolish as to seek thy hurt1 and to afflict thee1 because thy works are good 7#a ,john #c3ab1ac74 ,for there is need that thou shouldest at sometimes be in manifold temptations1 thy good and innocent life notwithstanding 7#a ,peter #a3f74 ,for1 to omit other things1 there are some of the graces of ,god that are in thee1 that as to some of their acts1 cannot shew themselves1 nor their excellency1 nor their power1 nor what they can do3 but as thou art in a suffering state4 ,faith and patience1 in persecution1 has that to do1 that to shew1 and that to perform1 that cannot be done1 shewed1 nor performed any where else but there4 ,there is also a patience of hope2 a rejoicing in hope1 when we are in tribulation1 that is1 over and above that which we have when we are at ease and quiet4 ,that also that all graces can endure1 and triumph over1 shall not be known1 but when1 and as we are in a state of affliction4 ,now these acts of our graces are of that worth and esteem with ,god1 also he so much delighteth in them3 that occasion through his righteous judgment1 must be ministered for them to shew their beauty1 and what bravery #c there is in them4 ,it is also to be considered that those acts of our graces1 that cannot be put forth1 or shew themselves in their splendour1 but when we ,christianly suffer1 will yield such fruit to those whose trials call them to exercise1 that will1 in the day of ,god1 abound to their comfort1 and tend to their perfection in glory 7#a ,peter #a3g2 #b ,cor #d3ag74 ,why then should we think that our innocent lives will exempt us from sufferings1 or that troubles shall do us such harm8 ,for verily it is for our present and future good that our ,god doth send them upon us4 ,i count therefore1 that such things are necessary for the health of our souls1 as bodily#d pains and labour are for the health of the body4 ,people that live high1 and in idleness1 bring diseases upon the body3 and they that live in all fullness of gospel-ordinances1 and are not exercised with trials1 grow gross1 are diseased and full of bad humours in their souls4 ,and though this may to some seem strange3 yet our day has given us such an experimental proof of the truth thereof1 as has not been known for some ages past4 ,alas6 we have need of those bitter pills1 at which we so winch and shuck3#e and it will be well if at last we be purged as we should thereby4 ,i am sure we are but little the better as yet1 though the physician has had us so long in hand4 ,some bad humours may possibly ere long be driven out3 but at present the disease is so high1 that it makes some professors fear more a consumption will be made in their purses by these doses1 than they desire to be made better in their souls thereby4 ,i see that ,i still have need of these trials2 and if ,god will by these judge me as he judges his saints1 that ,i may not be condemned with the world1 ,i will cry1 ,grace1 grace for ever4 ,the consideration also that we have deserved these things1 much#f silences me as to what may yet happen unto me4 ,i say1 to think that we have deserved them of ,god1 though against men we have done nothing1 makes me lay my hand upon my mouth1 and causes me to hold my tongue4 ,shall we deserve correction8 ,and be angry because we have it6 ,or shall it come to save us8 and shall we be offended with the hand that brings it6 ,our sickness is so great that our enemies take notice of it2 let them know too that we also take our purges patiently4 ,we are willing to pay for those potions that are given us for the health of our body1 how sick soever they make us3 and if ,god will have us pay too for that which is to better our souls1 why should we grudge thereat8 ,those that bring us these medicines have little enough for their pains3 for my part1 ,i profess1 ,i would not for a great deal1 be bound1 for their wages1 to do their work4 ,true1 physicians are for the most part chargeable1 and the niggards are too loth to part with their money to them3 but when necessity says they must either take physic1 or die3 of two evils they desire to choose the least4 ,why1 affliction is better than sin1 and if ,god sends the one to cleanse us from the other1 let us thank him1 and be also content to pay the messenger4 ,and thou that art so loth to pay for thy sinning1 and for the means that puts thee upon that exercise of thy graces1 as will be for thy good hereafter3 take heed of tempting of ,god lest he doubleth this potion unto thee4 ,the child1 by eating of raw fruit1 stands in need of physic1 but the child of a childish humour refuseth to take the potion1 what follows but a doubling of the affliction1 to wit1 frowns1 chides1 and further threatenings and a forcing of the bitter pills upon him4 ,but let me1 to persuade thee to lie down and take thy potion1 tell thee1 it is of absolute necessity1 to wit1 for thy spiritual and internal health4 ,for1 ,first1 ,is it better that thou receive judgment in this world1 or that thou stay for it to be condemned with the ungodly in the next8 ,second1 ,is it better that thou shouldest1 as to some acts of thy graces1 be foreign1 and a stranger1 and consequently that thou shouldest lose that far more exceeding1 and eternal weight of glory that is prepared as the reward thereof8 or that thou shouldest receive it at the hand of ,god1 when the day shall come that every man shall have praise of him for their doings8 ,third1 ,and ,i say again1 since chastisements are a sign of sonship1 a token of love3 and the contrary a sign of bastardy1 and a token of hatred 7,heb #ab3f-h2 ,hosea #d3ad74 ,is it not better that we bear those tokens and marks in our flesh that bespeak us to belong to ,christ1 than those that declare us to be none of his8 ,for my part1 ,god help me to choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of ,god1 than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season3 and ,god of his mercy prepare me for his will4 ,i am not for running myself into sufferings1 but if godliness will expose me to them1 the ,lord ,god make me more godly still3 for ,i believe there is a world to come4 ,but1 ,christian reader1 ,i would not detain thee from a sight of those sheets in thy hand3 only let me beg of thee1 that thou wilt not be offended either with ,god1 or men1 if the cross is laid heavy upon thee4 ,not with ,god1 for he doth nothing without a cause1 nor with men1 for they are the hand of ,god3 and will they1 nill they2 #g they are the servants of ,god to thee for good 7,psa #ag3ad2 ,jer #bd3e74 ,take therefore what comes to thee from ,god by them1 thankfully4 ,if the messenger that brings it is glad that it is in his power to do thee hurt1 and to afflict thee2 if he skips for joy at thy calamity3 be sorry for him2 pity him1 and pray to thy ,father for him3 he is ignorant and understandeth not the judgment of thy ,god1 yea he sheweth by this his behavior1 that though he1 as ,god's ordinance1 serveth thee by afflicting of thee3 yet means he nothing less than to destroy thee3 by the which also he prognosticates before thee that he is working out his own damnation by doing of thee good4 ,lay therefore the woeful state of such to heart1 and render him that which is good for his evil2 and love for his hatred to thee2 then shalt thou shew that thou art acted by a spirit of holiness1 and art like thy heavenly ,father4 ,and be it so1 that thy pity and prayers can do such an one no good1 yet they must light some where1 or return again1 as ships come loaden from the ,indies1 full of blessings into thine own bosom4 ,and besides all this1 is there nothing in dark providences1 for the sake of the sight and observation of which1 such a day may be rendered lovely1 when it is upon us8 ,is there nothing of ,god1 of his wisdom and power and goodness to be seen in thunder1 and lightning1 in hailstones8 in storms8 and darkness and tempests8 ,why then is it said1 he hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm 7,nahum #a3c74 ,and why have ,god's servants of old made such notes1 and observed from them such excellent and wonderful things4 ,there is that of ,god to be seen in such a day as cannot be seen in another4 ,his power in holding up some1 his wrath in leaving of others2 his making of shrubs to stand1 and his suffering of cedars to fall2 his infatuating of the counsels of men1 and his making of the devil to outwit himself2 his giving of his presence to his people1 and his leaving of his foes in the dark2 his discovering the uprightness of the hearts of his sanctified ones1 and laying open the hypocrisy of others1 is a working of spiritual wonders in the day of his wrath1 and of the whirlwind and storm4 ,these days6 these days are the days that do most aptly give an occasion to ,christians1 of any1 to take the exactest measures and scantlings of ourselves4 ,we are apt to overshoot1 in days that are calm1 and to think ourselves far higher1 and more strong than we find we be1 when the trying day is upon us4 ,the mouth of ,gaal and the boasts of ,peter were great and high before the trial came1 but when that came1 they found themselves to fall far short of the courage they thought they had 7,judg #i3ch74 ,we also1 before the temptation comes1 think we can walk upon the sea1 but when the winds blow1 we feel ourselves begin to sink4 ,hence such a time is rightly said to be a time to try us1 or to find out what we are1 and is there no good in this8 ,is it not this that rightly rectifies our judgment about ourselves1 that makes us to know ourselves1 that tends to cut off those superfluous sprigs of pride and self-conceitedness1 wherewith we are subject to be overcome8 ,is not such a day1 the day that bends us1 humbleth us1 and that makes us bow before ,god1 for our faults committed in our prosperity8 and yet doth it yield no good unto us8 we cold not live without such turnings of the hand of ,god upon us4 ,we should be overgrown with flesh1 if we had not our seasonable winters4 ,it is said that in some countries trees will grow1 but will bear no fruit1 because there is no winter there4 ,the ,lord bless all seasons to his people1 and help them rightly to behave themselves1 under all the times that go over them4 ,farewell4 ,i am thine to serve thee in the gospel1 ,,john ,,bunyan4 ,,advice ,,to ,,sufferers4 ,,wherefore ,,let ,,them ,,that ,,suffer ,,according ,,to ,,the ,,will ,,of ,,god1 ,,commit ,,the ,,keeping ,,of ,,their ,,souls ,,to ,,him ,,in ,,well ,,doing1 ,,as ,,unto ,a ,,faithful ,,creator--#a ,,peter #d3ai4 ,this epistle was written to saints in affliction1 specially those of the circumcision1 for whom this ,peter was an apostle4 ,and it was written to them to counsel1 and comfort them in their affliction4 ,to counsel them as to the cause1 for which they were in afflictions1 and as to the right management of themselves1 and their cause1 under their affliction4 ,to comfort them also both with respect to their present help from ,god1 and also with reference to the reward that 7they faithfully continuing to the end7 should of ,god be bestowed upon them3 all which we shall have occasion1 more distinctly1 to handle in this following discourse4 ,the text is a conclusion1 drawn from the counsel and comfort which the apostle had afore given them in their suffering state4 ,as who should say1 my brethren1 as you are now afflicted1 so sufferings are needful for you1 and therefore profitable and advantageous3 wherefore be content to bear them4 ,and that you may indeed bear them with such ,christian contentedness1 and patience as becomes you2 commit the keeping of your souls to your ,god as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,let them that suffer according to the will of ,god1 commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,in this conclusion1 therefore1 we have three things very fit for sufferers to concern themselves with4 ,,first1 ,a direction to a duty of absolute necessity4 ,,second1 ,a description of the persons1 who are unto this1 so necessary a duty1 directed4 ,,third1 ,an insinuation of the good effect that will certainly follow to those that after a due manner shall take this blessed advice4 ,the duty so absolutely necessary is1 that sufferers commit the keeping of their souls to ,god4 ,the sufferers here intended1 are those that suffer according to the will of ,god4 ,the good insinuated1 that will be the effect of our true doing of this1 is1 we shall find ,god a faithful ,creator4 ,,first--,,the ,,duty ,,to ,,which ,,sufferers ,,are ,,directed4 ,we will first begin with the duty1 that sufferers are here directed to1 namely1 the committing of their souls to ,god4 ,let them--commit the keeping of their souls to him1 in well doing4 ,and ,i find two things in it that first call for explaining before ,i proceed4 #a4 ,what we must here understand by the soul4 #b4 ,what by committing the soul to ,god4 #a4 ,for the first3 ,the soul1 here1 is to be taken for that most excellent part of man1 that dwelleth in the body2 that immortal1 spiritual substance1 that is1 and will be capable of life1 and motion1 of sense and reason2 yea1 that will abide a rational being1 when the body is returned to the dust as it was4 ,this is that great thing1 that our ,lord ,jesus intends1 when he bids his disciples in a day of trial1 fear him that can destroy both body and soul in hell 7,luke #ab3e74 ,that great thing1 ,i say1 that he there cautions them to take care of4 ,according to ,peter here1 ,let them commit the keeping of their soul to him in well doing4 #b4 ,now to commit this soul to ,god1 is to carry it to him1 to lift it to him1 upon my bended knees1 and to pray him for the ,lord ,jesus ,christ's sake1 to take it into his holy care1 and to let it be under his keeping4 ,also1 that he will please to deliver it from all those snares that are laid for it1 betwixt this and the next world1 and that he will see that it be forthcoming1 safe and sound1 at the great and terrible judgment1 notwithstanding so many have engaged themselves against it4 ,thus ,david committed his soul to ,god1 when he said ,arise1 ,o ,lord1 disappoint him1 cast him down3 deliver my soul1 ,o ,lord1 from the wicked1 which is thy sword 7,psa #ag3ac74 ,and again1 ,be pleased1 ,o ,lord1 to deliver me3 ,o ,lord1 make hast to help me4 ,let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it 7,psa #dj3ac1ad74 ,thus1 ,i have shewed you what the soul is1 and what it is to commit the soul to ,god4 ,this then is the duty that the apostle here exhorteth the sufferers to1 namely1 to carry their soul to ,god1 and leave it with him while they engage for his name in the world4 ,now from the apostle's exhortation to this great duty1 ,i will draw these following conclusions4 ,conclusion ,first1 ,that when persecution is raised against a people1 there is a design laid for the ruin of those people's souls4 ,this1 ,i say1 doth naturally follow from the exhortation4 ,why else1 need they to commit the keeping of their souls to ,god4 ,for by this word1 ,unto ,god to keep them1 is suggested2 there is that would destroy them1 and that therefore persecution is raised against them4 ,i am not so uncharitable1 as to think1 that persecuting men design this4 #h;,but ,i verily believe that the devil doth design this1 when he stirs them up to so sorry a work4 ,in times of trial1 says ,peter1 your adversary the devil walketh about as a roaring lion1 seeking whom he may devour 7#a ,peter #e3h74 ,alas6 men in their acts of this nature1 have designs that are lower1 and of a more inferior rank4 ,some of them look no higher than revenge upon the carcass2 than the spoiling of their neighbour of his estate1 liberty1 or life2 than the greatening of themselves in this world1 by the ruins of those that they have power to spoil4 ,their possessors slay them1 and hold themselves not guilty3 and they that sell them say1 ,blessed be the ,lord1 for ,i am rich 7,zech #aa3e74 ,ay6 ,but ,satan will not be put off thus3 it is not a bag of money1 or the punishing of the carcass of such a people1 that will please or satisfy him4 ,it is the soul that he aims at2 the ruin of the precious soul that he hath bent himself to bring to pass4 ,it is this therefore that ,peter here hath his heart concerned with4 ,as1 who should say1 ,my brethren1 are you troubled and persecuted for your faith8 look to it1 the hand of ,satan is in this thing1 and whatever men drive at by doing as they do1 the devil designs no less than the damnation of your souls4 ,ware hawk1 saith the falconer1 when the dogs are coming near her3 especially if she be too much minding of her belly1 and too forgetful of what the nature of the dog is4 ,beware ,christian1 take heed ,christian2 the devil is desirous to have thee4 ,and who could better give this exhortation than could ,peter himself4 ,who for not taking heed as to this very thing1 had like by the devil to have been swallowed up alive3 as is manifest to them that heedfully read1 and consider how far he was gone1 when that persecution was raised against his ,master 7,luke #bb74 ,when a tyrant goes to dispossess a neighbouring prince of what is lawfully his own3 the men that he employeth at arms to overcome1 and get the land1 they fight for half-crowns1 and the like1 and are content with their wages3 ,but the tyrant is for the kingdom1 nothing will serve him but the kingdom4#i ,this is the case3 ,men when they persecute1 are for the stuff1 but the devil is for the soul1 nor will any thing less than that satisfy him4 ,let him then that is a sufferer commit the keeping of his soul to ,god3 lest stuff1 and soul1 and all be lost at once4 ,conclusion ,second1 ,a second conclusion that followeth upon these words1 is this3 ,that sufferers1 if they have not a care1 may be too negligent as to the securing of their souls with ,god1 even when persecution is upon them4 ,for these words1 as they are an instruction1 so they are an awakening instruction2 they call as to people in danger2 as to people1 not so aware of the danger2 or as unto a people that forget1 too much1 that their souls1 and the ruin of them1 are sought after by ,satan1 when trouble attends them for the gospel sake4 ,as1 who should say1 when troubles are upon you for the gospel's sake1 then take heed that you forget not to commit your souls to the keeping of ,god4 ,we are naturally apt with that good man ,gideon1 to be threshing out our wheat1 that we may hide it from the ,midianites 7,judg #f3aa74 ,but we are not so naturally apt to be busying ourselves to secure our souls with ,god4 ,the reason is1 for that we are more flesh than spirit1 and because the voice of the world makes a bigger sound in our carnal mind1 than the word of ,god doth4 ,wherefore ,peter1 here1 calls upon us as upon men of forgetful minds1 saying1 ,let them that suffer according to the will of ,god1 have a care of their souls1 and take heed1 that the fears of the loss of a little of this world1 do not make them forget the fear of the losing of their souls4 ,that sufferers are subject to this1 may appear by the stir and bustle that at such a time they make to lock all up safe that the hand of man can reach1#aj while they are cold1 chill1 remiss1 and too indifferent about the committing of their soul to ,god to keep it4 ,this is seen also1 in that many1 in a time of trouble for their profession1 will study more to deceive themselves by a change of notions1 by labouring to persuade their consciences to admit them to walk more at large1 by hearkening to opinions that please and gratify the flesh1 by adhering to bad examples1 and taking evil counsels1 than they will to make straight steps for their feet3 and to commit the keeping of their souls to ,god4 ,what shall ,i say1 have there not been many1 that so long as peace has lasted1 have been great swaggerers for religion1 who yet so soon as the sun has waxed warm1 have flagged1 have been discontented1 offended1 and turned away from him that speaketh from heaven8 ,all which is because men are naturally apt to be more concerned for their goods1 carnal peace1 and a temporal life1 than they are about securing of their souls with ,god4 ,wherefore ,i say1 these words are spoken to awaken us to the consideration of soul-concerns1 and how that should be safely lodged under the care1 protection1 and mercy of ,god1 by our committing of it to him1 for that purpose1 by ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,conclusion ,third1 ,another conclusion that followeth upon this exhortation1 is this3 ,that persecution doth1 sometimes1 so hotly follow ,god's people1 as to leave them nothing but a soul to care for4 ,they have had no house1 no land1 no money1 no goods1 no life1 no liberty1 left them to care for4 ,,all ,,is ,,gone ,,but ,,the ,,soul4 ,goods have been confiscated1 liberty has been in irons1 the life condemned1 the neck in a halter1 or the body in the fire4 ,so then all1 to such1 has been gone1 and they have had nothing left them to care for1 but their soul4 ,let them commit the keeping of their soul to ,god4 ,this conclusion1 ,i say1 doth naturally flow from the words4 ,for that the apostle here doth make mention only of the soul1 as of that which is left1 as of that which yet remains to the sufferer of all that ever he had4 ,thus they served ,christ2 they left him nothing but his soul to care for4 ,thus they served ,stephen2 they left him nothing but his soul to care for1 and they both cared for that1 ,father1 into thy hands ,i commend my spirit1 said ,jesus 7,luke #bc3df74 ,and1 ,lord ,jesus1 receive my spirit1 said ,stephen 7,acts #g3ei74 ,as for all other things1 they were gone4 ,they parted the very clothes of ,christ among themselves before his face1 even while he did hang pouring out his life before them1 upon the tree4 ,they parted my garments among them1 said he1 and upon my vesture did they cast lots 7,matt #bg3ce2 ,mark #ae3bd2 ,john #ai3bd74 ,this also has oftentimes been the condition of later ,christians1 all has been gone1 they have been stripped of all1 nothing has been left them but soul to care for4 ,job said that he had escaped with the skin of his teeth2 and that is but a little3 but he doth not escape with so much1 that loses all that he has1 life and all1 we now except the soul4 ,but1 ,conclusion ,fourth1 ,another thing that followeth from the words is this2 namely1 ,that when the devil and wicked men have done what they could1 in their persecuting of the godly2 they have yet had their souls at their own dispose4 #aa ,they have not been able to rob them of their souls1 they are not able to hurt their souls4 ,the soul is not in their power to touch1 without the leave of ,god1 and of him whose soul it is4 ,and fear not them1 saith ,christ1 which kill the body1 but are not able to kill the soul 7,matt #aj3bh74 ,this1 ,i say1 lies clear also in the text2 for the exhortation supposes1 that whatever the sufferers1 there made mention of1 had lost1 they had yet their souls at their own dispose4 ,let them that suffer1 even to the loss of goods1 liberty1 or life1 commit the keeping of their souls to ,god4 ,as1 who should say1 though the enemy hath reached them to their all1 and stripped them of their all1 yet ,i know1 that their soul is not among that all3 ,for their soul is yet free from them1 at liberty1 and may be disposed of1 even as the sufferer will4 ,wherefore1 let him commit the keeping of his soul to ,god1 lest he also through his negligence or carelessness be also spoiled of that4 ,the sufferer1 therefore1 hath his soul at his own dispose1 he may give that away to ,god ,almighty1 in spite of all that the devil and the world can do4 ,he may1 indeed1 see men parting his land1 his household stuff1 yea1 his very raiment among themselves1 but they cannot so dispose of his soul4#ab ,they have no more that they can do 7,luke #ab3d74 ,conclusion ,fifth1 ,another conclusion that followeth from these words is this1 ,that a man1 when he is a sufferer1 is not able to secure his own soul from the hand of hell by any other means1 but by the committing of the keeping thereof to ,god4 ,do you suffer8 ,are you in affliction for your profession8 ,then keep not your soul in your own hand1 for fear of losing that with the rest4 ,for no man can keep alive his own soul 7,psa #bb3bi74 ,no1 not in the greatest calm2 no1 not when the lion is asleep3 how then should he do it at such a time1 when the horrible blast of the terrible ones shall beat against his wall4 ,the consideration of this was that that made holy ,paul1 who was a man upon whom persecution continually attended1 commit his soul to ,god 7,acts #bj3bb-bd2 #b ,tim #a3ab74 ,god1 as ,i shall shew you by and by1 is he1 and he alone that is able to keep the soul1 and deliver it from danger4 ,man is naturally a self-deceiver1 and therefore is not to be trusted1 any farther than as the watchful eye of ,god is over him4 ,but as to his soul1 he is not to be trusted with that at all1 that must be wholly committed to ,god1 left altogether with him2 laid at his feet1 and he also must take the charge thereof1 or else it is gone1 will be lost1 and will perish for ever and ever4 ,wherefore it is a dangerous thing for a man that is a sufferer1 to be a senseless man1 as to the danger that his soul is in1 and a prayerless man1 as to the committing of the keeping of it to ,god4 ,for he that is such1 has yet his soul1 and the keeping thereof1 in his own deceitful hand4 ,and so has he also that stays himself upon his friends1 upon his knowledge1 the promise of men1 or the mercy of his enemies1 or that has set in his mind a bound to himself1 how far he will venture for religion1 and where he will stop4 ,this is the man that makes not ,god his trust1 and that therefore will surely fall in the day of his temptation4 ,satan1 who now hunteth for the precious soul to destroy it1 has power1 as well as policy1 beyond what man can think4 ,he has power to blind1 harden1 and to make insensible1 the heart4 ,he also can make truth in the eyes of the suffering man1 a poor1 little1 and insignificant thing4 ,judas had not committed the keeping of his soul to ,god1 but abode in himself1 and was left in his tabernacle3 and you by and by see what a worthy price he set upon himself1 his ,christ1 and heaven1 and all4 ,all to him was not now worth thirty pieces of silver4 ,and as he can make truth in thy esteem to be little1 so he can make sufferings great1 and ten times more terrible1 than he that hath committed the keeping of his soul to ,god shall ever find them4 ,a jail shall look as black as hell1 and the loss of a few stools and chairs1 as bad as the loss of so many bags of gold4 #ac ,death for the ,saviour of the world1 shall seem to be a thing both unreasonable and intolerable4 ,such will choose to run the hazard of the loss of a thousand souls1 in the way of the world1 rather than the loss of one poor1 sorry1 transitory life for the holy ,word of ,god4 ,but the reason1 as ,i said1 is1 they have not committed the keeping of their soul to ,god4 ,for he that indeed has committed the keeping of his soul to that great one1 has shaken his hands of all things here4 ,has bid adieu to the world1 to friends1 and life3 and waiteth upon ,god in a way of close keeping to his truth1 and walking in his ways1 having counted the cost1 and been persuaded to take what cup ,god shall suffer the world to give him for so doing4 ,conclusion ,sixth1 ,another conclusion that followeth from these words1 is1 ,that ,god is very willing to take the charge and care of the soul 7that is committed unto him7 of them that suffer for his sake in the world4 ,if this were not true1 the exhortation would not answer the end4 ,what is intended by1 ,let him commit the keeping of his soul to ,god1 but that the sufferer should indeed leave that great care with him2 but if ,god be not willing to be concerned with such a charge1 what bottom#ad is there for the exhortation8 ,but the exhortation has this for its bottom1 therefore ,god is willing to take the charge and care of the soul of him that suffereth for his name in this world4 ,the ,lord redeemeth the soul of his servants3 and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate 7,psa #cd3bb2 #a ,sam #be3bh1bi74 ,none1 not one that committeth his soul to ,god's keeping in a way of well doing1 but shall find him willing to be concerned therewith4 ,ay1 this1 saith the sufferer1 if ,i could believe this1 it would rid me of all my fears4 ,but ,i find myself engaged for ,god1 for ,i have made a profession of his name1 and cannot arrive to this belief that ,god is willing to take the charge and care of my soul4 ,wherefore ,i fear1 that if trials come so high1 as that life1 as well as estate1 must go1 that both life1 and estate1 and soul1 and all will be lost at once4 ,well1 honest heart1 these are thy fears1 but let them fly away1 and consider the text again1 ,let them that suffer according to the will of ,god1 commit the keeping of their souls to him1--as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,these are ,god's words1 ,christ's words1 and the invitation of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,when1 therefore1 thou readest them1 be persuaded that thou hearest the ,father1 and the ,son1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 all of them jointly and severally speaking to thee and saying1 ,poor sinner1 thou art engaged for ,god in the world1 thou art suffering for his ,word3 leave thy soul with him as with one that is more willing to save it1 than thou art willing he should3 act faith1 trust ,god1 believe his ,word1 and go on in thy way of witness-bearing for him1 and thou shalt find all well1 and according to the desire of thy heart at last4 ,true1 ,satan will make it his business to tempt thee to doubt of this1 that thy way be made yet more hard and difficult to thee4 ,for he knows that unbelief is a soul-perplexing sin1 and makes that which would otherwise be light1 pleasant1 and easy1 unutterably heavy and burdensome to the sufferer4 ,yea1 this he doth in hope to make thee at last1 to cast away thy profession1 thy cause1 thy faith1 thy conscience1 thy soul1 and all4 ,but hear what the ,holy ,ghost saith again3 ,he shall spare the poor and needy1 and shall save the souls of the needy4 ,he shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence3 and precious shall their blood be in his sight 7,psa #gb3ac1ad74 ,these words also are spoken for the comfort of sufferers1 ver4 #ab4 ,for he shall deliver the needy when he crieth2 the poor also1 and him that hath no helper4 ,wherefore1 let them that are ,god's sufferers1 pluck up a good heart2 let them not be afraid to trust ,god with their souls1 and with their eternal concerns4 ,let them cast all their care upon ,god1 for he careth for them 7#a ,peter #e3g74 ,but ,i am in the dark4 ,i answer1 never stick at that4 ,it is most bravely done1 to trust ,god with my soul in the dark1 and to resolve to serve ,god for nothing1 rather than give out4 ,not to see1 and yet to believe1 and to be a follower of the ,lamb1 and yet to be at uncertainty1 what we shall have at last1 argues love1 fear1 faith1 and an honest mind1 and gives the greatest sign of one that hath true sincerity in his soul4 ,it was this that made ,job and ,peter so famous1 and the want of it that took away much of the glory of the faith of ,thomas 7,job #a3h-aj1ba2 ,matt #ai3bg2 ,john #bj3bi74 ,wherefore believe1 verily1 that ,god is ready1 willing1 yea1 that he looks for1 and expects that thou who art a sufferer shouldest commit the keeping of thy soul to him1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,conclusion ,seventh4 ,another conclusion that followeth from these words is this1 namely1 ,that ,god is able1 as well as willing1 to secure the souls of his suffering saints1 and to save them from the evil of all their trials1 be they never so many1 divers1 or terrible4 ,let him commit the keeping of his soul to ,god1 but to what boot1 if he be not able to keep it in his hand1 and from the power of him that seeks the soul to destroy it8 ,but my ,father which gave them me1 saith ,christ1 is greater than all2 and no man is able to pluck them out of my ,father's hand 7,john #aj3bi74 ,so then there can be no sorrow1 affliction1 or misery invented1 by which the devil may so strongly prevail1 as thereby to pluck the soul out of the hand of him who has received it1 to keep it from falling1 and perishing thereby4 ,the text therefore supposeth a sufficiency of power in ,god to support1 and a sufficiency of comfort and goodness to embolden the soul to endure for him3 let ,satan break out1 and his instruments too1 to the greatest degree of their rage and cruelty4 #a4 ,there is in ,god a sufficiency of power to keep them that have laid their soul at his foot to be preserved4 ,and hence he is called the soul-keeper1 the soul-preserver1 7,prov #bd3ab7 ,the ,lord is thy keeper3 the ,lord is thy shade upon thy right hand4 ,the sun shall not smite thee by day1 nor the moon by night4 ,the ,lord shall preserve thee from all evil3 he shall preserve thy soul 7,psa #aba3e-g74 ,the sun shall not smite thee3 that is1 persecution shall not dry and wither thee away to nothing 7,matt #ac3f1ba74 ,but that notwithstanding1 thou shalt be kept and preserved1 carried through and delivered from all evil4 ,let him therefore commit the keeping of his soul to him1 if he is in a suffering condition1 that would have it secured and found safe and sound at last4 ,for1 7#a47 ,then thine own natural weakness1 and timorousness shall not overcome thee4--,for it shall not be too hard for ,god4 ,god can make the most soft spirited man as hard as an adamant1 harder than flint1 yea harder than the northern steel4 ,shall iron break the northern iron and the steel8 7,jer #ae3ab74 ,the sword of him is used in vain that lays at a ,christian1 when he is in the way of his duty to ,god3 if ,god has taken to him the charge and care of his soul1 he can shoe him with brass1 and make his hoofs of iron 7,deut #cc3be74 ,he can strengthen the spoiled against the strong1 so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress 7,amos #e3h2 ,eze #ac3i74 ,he can turn thee into another man1 and make thee that which thou never wast4 ,timorous ,peter1 fearful ,peter1 he could make as bold as a lion4 ,he that at one time was afraid of a sorry girl1 he could make at another to stand boldly before the council 7,matt #bf2 ,acts #d3ac74 ,there is nothing too hard for ,god4 ,he can say to them that are of a fearful heart1 ,be strong1 fear not 7,isa #ce3d74 ,he can say1 ,let the weak say ,i am strong2 by such a word1 by which he created the world 7,zech #ab3h74 7#b47 ,thine own natural darkness and ignorance shall not cause thee to fall2 thy want of wit he can supply4--,he can say to the fools1 be wise2 not only by way of correction1 but also by way of instruction too4 ,he hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise2--yea1 things which are despised1--and things which are not1 hath ,god chosen to bring to nought things that are 7#a ,cor #a3bg1bh74 ,wisdom and might are his3 and when1 and where he will work1 none can at all withstand him4 ,he can give thee the ,spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of his ,son 7,eph #a3ag74 ,yea1 to do this1 is that which he challengeth1 as that which is peculiar to himself4 ,who hath put wisdom in the inward parts8 or who hath given understanding to the heart8 7,job #ch3cf74 ,and that he will do this that he hath promised1 yea1 promised to do it to that degree1 as to make his1 that shall be thus concerned for him1 to top1 and overtop all men that shall them oppose4 ,i1 saith he1 will give you a mouth and wisdom1 that all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist 7,luke #ba3ae74 7#c47 ,thine own doubts and mistrusts about what he will do1 and about whither thou shalt go1 when thou for him hast suffered awhile1 he can resolve1 yea1 dissolve1 crush1 and bring to nothing4--,he can make fear flee far away3 and place heavenly confidence in its room4 ,he can bring invisible and eternal things to the eye of thy soul1 and make thee see that in those things in which thine enemies shall see nothing1 that thou shalt count worth the loss of ten thousand lives to enjoy4 ,he can pull such things out of his bosom1 and can put such things into thy mouth2 yea1 can make thee choose to be gone1 though through the flames1 than to stay here and die in silken sheets4 ,yea1 he can himself come near and bring his heaven and glory to thee4 ,the ,spirit of glory and of ,god resteth upon them that are but reproached for the name of ,christ 7#a ,peter #d3ad74 ,and what the ,spirit of glory is1 and what is his resting upon his sufferers1 is quite beyond the knowledge of the world1 and is but little felt by saints at peace4 ,they be they that are engaged1 and that are under the lash of ,christ2 they are they1 ,i say1 that have it and that understand something of it4 ,when ,moses went up the first time into the mount to ,god1 the people reproached him for staying with him so long1 saying1 ,as for this ,moses1--we wot not what is become of him 7,exo #cb3a74 ,well1 the next time he went up thither1 and came down1 the ,spirit of glory was upon him2 his face shone1 though he wist it not1 to his honour1 and their amazement 7,exo #cd3bi-ce74 ,also while ,stephen stood before the council to be accused1 by suborned men1 ,all that sat in the council1 looking steadfastly on him1 saw his face as it had been the face of an angel 7,acts #f3ae74 ,those that honour ,god1 he will honour1 yea1 will put some of his glory upon them1 but they shall be honoured4 ,there is none can tell what ,god can do4 ,he can make those things that in themselves are most fearful and terrible to behold1 the most pleasant1 delightful1 and desirable things4 ,he can make a jail more beautiful than a palace2 restraint1 more sweet by far than liberty4 ,and the reproach of ,christ greater riches than the treasures in ,egypt 7,heb #aa3bf74 ,it is said of ,christ1 ,that for the joy that was set before him1 he endured the cross1 despising the shame 7,heb #ab3b74 ,but1 #b4 ,as there is in ,god a sufficiency of power to uphold1 so there is in him also a sufficiency of comfort and goodness to embolden us3 ,i mean communicative comfort and goodness4 ,variety of1 and the terribleness that attends afflictions1 call1 not only for the beholding of things1 but also a laying hold of them by faith and feeling2 now this also is with ,god to the making of ,,his to sing in the night4 ,paul and ,silas sang in prison1 the apostles went away from the council rejoicing1 when they had shamefully beaten them for their preaching in the temple 7,acts #e74 ,but whence came this but from an inward feeling by faith of the love of ,god1 and of ,christ1 which passeth knowledge8 ,hence he says to those under afflictions1 ,fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer 7,rev #b3aj74 ,there are things to be suffered1 as well as places to suffer in2 and there are things to be let into the soul for its emboldening1 as well as things to be showed to it 7,rom #e3e74 ,now the things to be suffered are many1 some of which are thus counted up3 ,they were tortured1--had cruel mockings and scourgings2--they were stoned1 were sawn asunder1 were slain with the sword1--were tempted2--they wandered about in sheep-skins1 and goat-skins1 being destitute1 afflicted1 tormented 7,heb #aa3ce-cg74 ,these are some of the things that good men of old have suffered for their profession of the name of ,jesus ,christ4 ,all which they were enabled by him to bear1 to bear with patience2 to bear with rejoicing2 knowing in themselves that they had in heaven a better1 and an enduring substance 7,heb #aj3cb-cd74 ,and it is upon this account that ,paul doth call to mind the most dreadful of his afflictions1 which he suffered for the gospel sake with rejoicing2 and that he tells us that he was most glad1 when he was in such infirmities4 ,yea1 it is upon this account that he boasteth1 and vaunteth it over death1 life1 angels1 principalities1 powers1 things present1 things to come1 height1 depth1 and every other creature3 for he knew that there was enough in that love of ,god1 which was set on him through ,christ1 to preserve him1 and to carry him through all 7#b ,cor #ab3i1aj2 ,rom #h3cg-ci74 ,that ,god has done thus1 a thousand instances might be given2 and that ,god will still do thus1 for that we have his faithful promise 7,isa #dc3b2 #a ,cor #aj3ac74 ,to the adversaries of the church these things have also sometimes been shewed1 to their amazement and confusion4 ,god shewed to the king of ,babylon that he was with the three children in the fiery furnace 7,dan #c3bd74 ,god shewed to the king of ,babylon again1 that he would be where ,,his were1 though in the lion's den 7#f3bd74 ,also1 in later days1 whoso reads ,mr4 ,fox's ,acts and ,monuments1 will also find several things to confirm this for truth4 ,god has power over all plagues1 and therefore can either heighten1 or moderate and lessen them at pleasure4 ,he has power over fire1 and can take away the intolerable heat thereof4 ,this those in the ,marian days could also testify1 namely1 ,hauks and ,bainham1 and others1 who could shout for joy1 and clap their hands in the very flames for joy4 ,god has power over hunger1 and can moderate it1 and cause that one meal's meat shall go as far as forty were wont to do4 ,this is witness in ,elias1 when he went for his life to the mount of ,god1 being fled from the face of ,jezebel 7#a ,kings #ai3h74 ,and what a good night's lodging had ,jacob when he fled from the face of his brother ,esau3 when the earth was his couch1 the stone#ae his pillow1 the heavens his canopy1 and the shades of the night his curtains#af 7,gen #bg3ab-af74 ,i can do all things1 said ,paul1 through ,christ strengthening me4 ,and again1 ,i take pleasure in infirmities1 in reproaches1 in necessities1 in persecutions1 in distresses for ,christ's sake4 ,but how can that be1 since no affliction for the present seems joyous8 ,i answer1 though they be not so in themselves1 yet ,christ1 by his presence1 can make them so3 for then his power rests upon us4 ,when ,i am weak1 saith he1 then ,i am strong2 then ,christ doth in me mighty things3 for my strength1 saith ,christ1 is made perfect in weakness2 in affliction1 for the gospel sake4 ,for when my people are afflicted and suffer great distress for me1 then they have my comforting1 supporting1 emboldening1 and upholding presence to relieve them3 an instance of which you have in the three children and in ,daniel1 made mention of before4 ,but what1 think you1 did these servants of the ,god of ,jacob feel1 feel in their souls1 of his power and comforting presence when they1 for his name1 were suffering of the rage of their enemies1--while1 also1 one1 like the ,son of ,god1 was walking in the fire with the three2 and while ,daniel sat and saw that the hands of the angels were made muzzles for the lions' mouths4 ,i say1 was it not worth being in the furnace and in the den to see such things as these8 ,o6 the grace of ,god1 and his ,spirit and power that is with them that suffer for him1 if their hearts be upright with him2 if they are willing to be faithful to him2 if they have learned to say1 here am ,i1 whenever he calls them1 and whatever he calls them to4 ,wherefore1 when ,peter saith1 let them that suffer according to the will of ,god1 commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,he concludes1 that how outrageous1 furious1 merciless1 or cruel soever the enemy is1 yet there1 with him1 they shall find help and succour1 relief and comfort2 for ,god is able to make such as do so1 stand4 ,conclusion ,eighth4 ,we will now come to touch upon that which may more immediately be called the reason of this exhortation2 for1 although all these things that have been mentioned before may1 or might be called reasons of the point1 yet there are those1 in my judgment1 that may be called reasons1 which are yet behind4 ,as1 #a4 ,because1 when a man has1 by faith and prayer1 committed the keeping of his soul to ,god1 he has the advantage of that liberty of soul to do and suffer for ,god that he cannot otherwise have4 ,he that has committed his soul to ,god to keep is rid of that care1 and is delivered from the fear of its perishing for ever4 ,when the ,jews went to stone ,stephen they laid their clothes down at a distance from the place1 at a young man's feet1 whose name was ,saul1 that they might not be a cumber or a trouble to them1 as to their intended work4 ,so we1 when we go about to drive sin out of the world1 in a way of suffering for ,god's truth against it1#ag we should lay down our souls at the feet of ,god to care for1 that we may not be cumbered with the care of them ourselves2 also1 that our care of ,god's truth may not be weakened by such sudden and strong doubts as will cause us faintingly to say1 ,but what will become of my soul8 ,when ,paul had told his son ,timothy that he had been before that lion ,nero1 and that he was at present delivered out of his mouth1 he adds1 ,and the ,lord shall deliver me from every evil work1 and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom4 ,he shall and will4 ,here is a man at liberty1 here are no cumbersome fears4 ,but how came the apostle by this confidence of his well-being and of his share in another world8 ,why1 he had committed the keeping of his soul to ,god1 compare #b ,timothy #a3ab with #d3ah4 ,for to commit the keeping of the soul to ,god1 if it be done in faith and prayer1 it leaves1 or rather brings this holy boldness and confidence into the soul4 ,suppose a man in the country were necessitated to go to ,london1 and had a great charge of money to pay in there2 suppose1 also1 that the way thither was become exceeding dangerous because of the highwaymen that continually abide therein1--what now must this man do to go on his journey cheerfully8 ,why1 let him pay in his money to such an one in the country as will be sure to return it for him at ,london safely4 ,why1 this is the case1 thou art bound for heaven1 but the way thither is dangerous4 ,it is beset everywhere with evil angels1 who would rob thee of thy soul1 ,what now8 ,why1 if thou wouldest go cheerfully on in thy dangerous journey1 commit thy treasure1 thy soul1 to ,god to keep2 and then thou mayest say1 with comfort1 ,well1 that care is over3 for whatever ,i meet with in my way thither1 my soul is safe enough3 the thieves1 if they meet me1 can not come at that2 ,i know to whom ,i have committed my soul1 and ,i am persuaded that he will keep that to my joy and everlasting comfort against the great day4#ah ,this1 therefore1 is one reason why we should1 that suffer for ,christ1 commit the keeping of our souls to ,god2 because a doubt about the well-being of that will be a clog1 a burden1 and an affliction to our spirit3 yea1 the greatest of afflictions1 whilst we are taking up our cross and bearing it after ,christ4 ,the joy of the ,lord is our strength1 and the fear of perishing is that which will be weakening to us in the way4 #b4 ,we should commit the keeping of our souls to ,god1 because the final conclusion that merciless men do sometimes make with the servants of ,god is all on a sudden4 ,they give no warning before they strike4 ,we shall not need here to call you to mind about the massacres that were in ,ireland1 ,paris1 ,piedmont1 and other places1 where the godly1 in the night before they were well awake1 had1 some of them1 their heart blood running on the ground4 ,the savage monsters crying out1 ,kill1 kill1 from one end of a street or a place to the other4 ,this was sudden2 and he that had not committed his soul to ,god to keep it was surely very hard put to it now2 but he that had done so was ready for such sudden work4 ,sometimes1 indeed1 the axe1 and halter1 or the faggot is shewed first2 but sometimes1 again1 it is without that warning4 ,up1 said ,saul to ,doeg1 the ,edomite1 and slay the priests of the ,lord 7#a ,sam #bb3aa1ah1ai74 ,here was sudden work3 fall on1 said ,saul1 and ,doeg fell upon them1 and slew on that day four score and five persons that did wear a linen ephod4 ,nob1 also1 the city of the priests1 smote he with the edge of the sword1 both men and women1 children and sucklings1 c4 ,here was but a word and a blow4 ,thinkest thou not1 who readest these lines1 that all of these who had before committed their soul to ,god to keep were the fittest folk to die8 ,and immediately the king sent an executioner1 and commanded his head to be brought 7,mark #f3bg74 ,the story is concerning ,herod and ,john the ,baptist3 ,herod's dancing girl had begged ,john the ,baptist's head1 and nothing but his head must serve her turn2 well1 girl1 thou shalt have it4 ,have it8 ,ay1 but it will be long first4 ,no2 thou shalt have it now1 just now1 immediately4 ,and immediately he sent an executioner1 and commanded his head to be brought4 ,here is sudden work for sufferers2 here is no intimation beforehand4 ,the executioner comes to ,john2 now1 whether he was at dinner1 or asleep1 or whatever he was about1 the bloody man bolts in upon him1 and the first word he salutes him with is1 ,sir1 strip1 lay down your neck1 for ,i am come to take away your head4 ,but hold1 stay2 wherefore8 pray1 let me commit my soul to ,god4 ,no1 ,i must not stay2 ,i am in haste3 slap1 says his sword1 and off falls the good man's head4 ,this is sudden work2 work that stays for no man2 work that must be done by and by2 immediately1 or it is not worth a rush4 ,i will1 said she1 that thou give me1 by and by1 in a charger1 the head of ,john the ,baptist4 ,yea1 she came in haste1 and hastily the commandment went forth1 and immediately his head was brought4 #c4 ,unless a man commits the keeping of his soul to ,god1 it is a question whether he can hold out and stand his ground1 and wrestle with all temptations4 ,this is the victory1--even our faith2 and who is he that overcometh the world1 but he that believeth8 ,and what encouragement has a man to suffer for ,christ1 whose heart cannot believe1 and whose soul he cannot commit to ,god to keep it8 ,and our ,lord ,jesus intimates as much when he saith1 ,be thou faithful unto death and ,i will give thee a crown of life4 ,wherefore saith he thus8 but to encourage those that suffer for his truth in the world1 to commit the keeping of their souls to him1 and to believe that he hath taken the charge and care of them4 ,paul's wisdom was1 that he was ready to die before his enemies were ready to kill him4 ,i am now ready1 saith he1 to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand 7#b ,tim #d3f74 ,this is1 therefore1 a thing of high concern2 to wit1 the committing of the soul to ,god to keep it4 ,it is1 ,i say1 of concern to do it now1 just now1 quickly1 whether thou art yet engaged or no2 for it is a good preparatory to1 as well as profitable in1 a time of persecution3 consider it1 ,i say4 ,the apostle ,paul saith that he and his companions were bold in their ,god1 to profess and stand to the word of ,god 7#a ,thess #b3b74 ,but how could that be if they had the salvation of their souls to seek1 and that to be sure they would have had1 had they not committed the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing8 ,quest4 ,but what is committing of the soul to ,god8 ,answ4 ,i have1 in general1 briefly spoken to that already1 and now1 for thy further help1 we will a little enlarge4 ,wherefore1 7#a47 ,to commit is to deliver up to custody to be kept4 ,hence prisoners1 when sent to the jail1 are said to be committed thither4 ,thus ,paul1 haling men and women1 committing them to prison 7,acts #h3c74 ,and thus ,joseph's master committed all his prisoners to him1 to his custody1 to be kept there according to the law 7,gen #ci3bb74 7#b47 ,to commit1 is not only to deliver up to custody1 but to give in charge2 that that which is committed be kept safe1 and not suffered to be lost 7,luke #af3aa74 ,thus ,paul was committed to prison1 the jailor being charged to keep him safely 7,acts #af3bc74 7#c47 ,to commit1 is to leave the whole disposal1 sometimes1 of that which is committed to those to whom such thing is committed4 ,thus were the shields of the temple committed to the guard 7#a ,kings #ad3bg7 ,and ,jeremiah to the hands of ,gedaliah 7,jer #ci3ad74 ,and thus thou must commit thy soul to ,god and to his care and keeping4 ,it must be delivered up to his care and put under his custody4 ,thou mayest also1 though ,i would speak modestly1 give him a charge to take the care of it4 ,concerning my sons and concerning my daughters and concerning the work of my hands1 command ye me 7,isa #de3aa74 ,thou must also leave all the concerns of thy soul and of thy being an inheritor of the next world wholly to the care of ,god4 ,he that doth this in the way that ,god has bid him is safe1 though the sky should fall4 ,the poor committeth himself unto thee1 thou art the helper of the fatherless 7,psa #aj3ad74 ,and for encouragement to do this1 the ,lord has bidden us1 the ,lord has commanded us1 the ,lord expecteth that we should thus do4 ,yea1 thou art also bidden to commit thy way unto him 7,psa #cg3e74 ,thy work unto him 7,prov #af3c74 ,thy cause unto him 7,job #e3h74 ,thy soul to him1 and he will take care of all4 ,and if we do this1 as we should1 ,god will not only take care of us and of our souls in the general1 but that our work and ways be so ordered that we may not fail in either4 ,i have trusted1 said ,david1 in the ,lord1 therefore ,i shall not slide 7,psa #bf3a74 ,before ,i leave this1 ,i will speak something of the way in which this commitment of the soul to ,god must be2 and that is1 in a way of well-doing4 ,let them commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing2 or1 in a way of well-doing4 ,that is1 therefore1 the course that a godly man should be found in1 at1 in1 and after he hath committed his soul to ,god to keep4 ,and1 as the apostle says in another place1 this is but a reasonable service 7,rom #ab3a74 ,for if ,god be so gracious as to take care of my soul at my request1 why should not ,i also be so gracious as to be found in a way of well-doing at his bidding8 ,take care1 master1 of me for meat and wages1 and ,i will take care1 master1 that thy work shall be faithfully done4 ,this is honest1 and thus should ,christians say to ,god3 and he that heartily1 in this1 shall mean as he saith1 shall find that ,god's ways shall be strength unto him4 ,a ,christian is not to commit his soul unto ,god to keep1 and so to grow remiss1 carnal1 negligent1 cold1 and worldly2 concluding as if he had now bound ,god to save him1 but sets himself at liberty whether he will longer serve him in trying and troublesome times or no4 ,he must commit the keeping of his soul to him in well-doing4 ,he may not now relinquish ,god's cause1 play the apostate1 cast off the cross1 and look for heaven notwithstanding4 ,he that doth thus will find himself mistaken1 and be made to know at last that ,god takes the care of no such souls4 ,if any man draws back1 saith he1 my soul shall have no pleasure in him4 ,wherefore1 he that committeth the keeping of his soul to ,god must do it in that way which ,god has prescribed to him1 which is in a way of well-doing4 ,alas6 alas6 there is never such a word in it2 it must be done in a way of well-doing4 ,you must think of this that would commit your souls to ,god in suffering and troublesome times4 ,you must do it in well-doing4 ,in well-doing1 that is1 in persevering in ways of godliness1 both with respect to morals and also instituted worship4 ,thou1 therefore1 that wouldest have ,god take care of thy soul1 as thou believest1 so thou must do well2 that is1 do good to the poor1 to thy neighbour1 to all men1 especially to the household of faith4 ,benjamin must have a ,benjamin's mess2 and all others1 as thou art capable1 must feel and find the fruit of thy godliness4 ,thou must thus serve the ,lord with much humility of mind1 though through many difficulties and much temptation4 ,thou must also keep close to gospel worship1 public and private2 doing of those things that thou hast warrant for from the word1 and leaving of that or those things for others that will stick to them--that have no stamp of ,god upon them4 ,thou must be found doing of all with all thy heart1 and if thou sufferest for so doing1 thou must bear it patiently4 ,for what ,peter saith to the women he spake to1 may be applied to all believers1 whose daughters ye are1 saith he1 meaning ,sarah's1 as long as ye do well1 and are not afraid with any amazement 7#a ,peter #c3f74 ,so then1 the man that has committed his soul to ,god to keep has not at all disengaged himself from his duty1 or took himself off from a perseverance in that good work that1 under a suffering condition1 he was bound to do before4 ,no2 his very committing of his soul to ,god to keep it has laid an engagement upon him to abide to ,god in that calling wherein he is called of ,god4 ,to commit my soul to ,god1 supposes my sensibleness of hazard and danger2 but there is none no danger among men when the offence of the cross is ceased4 ,to commit my soul to ,god to keep1 concludes my resolution to go on in that good way of ,god that is so dangerous to my soul1 if ,god taketh not the charge and care thereof4 ,for he that saith in his heart1 ,i will now commit my soul to ,god1 if he knows what he says1 says thus3 ,i am for holding on in a way of bearing of my cross after ,christ1 though ,i come to the same end for so doing as he came to before me4 ,this is committing the soul to him in well-doing4 ,look to yourselves1 therefore1 whoever you are that talk of leaving your souls with ,god1 but do live loose1 idle1 profane1 and wicked lives4 ,god will not take care of such men's souls2 they commit them not unto him as they should4 ,they do but flatter him with their lips and lie unto him with their tongue1 and think to deceive the ,lord2 but to no purpose4 ,he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption4 ,it is he that sows to the ,spirit that shall reap life everlasting 7,gal #f3g1h74 ,,second--,a ,,description ,,of ,,the ,,persons ,,who ,,are ,,directed ,,to ,,commit ,,the ,,keeping ,,of ,,their ,,souls ,,to ,,god4 ,i shall now come to the second thing contained in the text1 namely1 to give you a more distinct description of the men that are thus bid to commit the keeping of their souls to ,god4 ,and they are thus described3 they that suffer according to the will of ,god4 ,let them that suffer according to the will of ,god commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,two things are here to be inquired into4 ,,first1 ,what the apostle here means by the will of ,god4 ,,second1 ,what suffering according to the will of ,god is4 ,,first1 ,for the will of ,god1 it is divers ways taken in the scriptures2 as1 sometimes1 for electing1 justifying1 sanctifying acts of ,god2 sometimes for faith1 good life1 and sometimes for suffering for his name 7,rom #i2 ,eph #a3aa2 ,john #g3ag2 #a ,john #c3bc2 #a ,thess #d3c2 ,matt #g3ba74 ,but1 by will of ,god here we must1 ,first1 ,understand ,,his ,,law ,,and ,,testament4 ,second1 ,,his ,,order ,,and ,,designment4 ,,the ,,will ,,of ,,god ,,means ,,his ,,law ,,and ,,testament4 ,first1 ,by his will ,i understand his law and testament4 ,this is called the revealed will of ,god1 or that by which he has made himself1 and how he will be worshiped1 known unto the children of men4 ,now1 ,i1 understanding these words thus1 must1 before ,i go further1 make this distinction1 to wit1 that there is a difference to be put betwixt them that suffer for the breach and those that suffer for keeping of this law and testament2 for though both of them may suffer by the will of ,god1 yet they are not both concerned in this text4 ,a malefactor that suffereth for his evil deeds the due punishment thereof1 suffereth1 as other texts declare1 according to the will of ,god4 ,but1 ,i say1 this text doth not concern itself with them2 for both this text and this epistle is writ for the counsel and comfort of those that suffer for keeping the law and testament of ,god2 that suffer for well-doing 7#a ,peter #c3ac1ad1ag2 #d3ac1ad74 ,the man then that is concerned in this advice is he that suffereth from the hands of men for keeping of the word of ,god2 and this is he that has licence1 leave1 yea1 a command to commit the keeping of his soul to ,god in well-doing1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,we will a little enlarge upon this4 ,what it is to suffer according to the will of ,god1 or his law and testament4 ,he that keepeth the word of ,god is such an one that has regard to both the matter and manner thereof4 ,the matter is the truth1 the doctrine contained therein2 the manner is that comely1 godly1 humble1 faithful way of doing it which becomes a man that has to do with the law and testament of ,god2 and both these are contained in the text4 ,for1 first1 here is the will of ,god to be done2 and then1 secondly1 to be done according to his will4 ,let them that suffer according to his will3 which words1 ,i say1 take in both matter and manner of doing4 ,so then1 the man that here we have to do with1 and to discourse of1 is a man that1 in the sense now given1 suffereth4 ,that which makes a martyr1 is suffering for the word of ,god after a right manner2 and that is1 when he suffereth1 not only for righteousness1 but for righteousness' sake2 not only for truth1 but of love to truth2 not only for ,god's word1 but according to it1 to wit1 in that holy1 humble1 meek manner as the word of ,god requireth4 ,a man may give his body to be burned for ,god's truth1 and yet be none of ,god's martyrs 7#a ,cor #ac3a-c74 ,yea1 a man may suffer with a great deal of patience1 and yet be none of ,god's martyrs 7#a ,peter #b3bj74 ,the one1 because he wanteth that grace that should poise his heart1 and make him right in the manner of doing2 the other1 because he wanteth that word of the ,holy ,one that alone can make his cause good1 as to matter4 ,it is1 therefore1 matter and manner that makes the martyr2 and it is this man that is intended in the text which is aforesaid described4 ,so then1 they that suffer for the law and testament of ,god in that holy and humble manner that the ,word requires1 they are they that1 by this ,word of ,god1 are commanded to commit the keeping of their souls to ,god4 ,from this consideration1 two things present themselves to our sight4 #a4 ,that a man may be a ,christian1 and suffer1 and yet not suffer1 in the sense last given1 according to the will of ,god4 #b4 ,there have been1 and may yet be a people in the world that have1 and may suffer in the sense of the apostle here1 according to the will of ,god4 #a4 ,a ,christian may suffer1 but not in the sense of the apostle1 according to the will of ,god4 ,a few words to the first of these1 namely1 that a man may be a ,christian1 and suffer1 and yet not suffer1 in the sense of the apostle in the text1 according to the will of ,god4 ,he may be a ,christian and yet not suffer as a ,christian4 ,he may want the matter1 or1 he may want the manner1 of suffering as a ,christian4 ,this is evident from what this apostle suggests in several places of this epistle4 ,for1 ,saith he1 ,if ye be buffeted for your faults 7#a ,peter #b3bj74 ,this supposeth that a ,christian may so be2 for he speaketh here to the same people1 unto whom he speaketh in the text1 though he putteth them not under the same circumstance1 as suffering for well-doing4 ,if ye be buffeted for your faults1 for what ,god's word calls faults1 what thank have you from ,god1 or good men1 though you take it patiently8 ,so again1 ,for it is better1 if the will of ,god be so1 that ye suffer for well-doing1 than for evil-doing 7#a ,peter #c3ag74 ,here it is plainly supposed that a ,christian man may suffer for evil-doing1 yea1 that the will of ,god may be1 that he should suffer for evil-doing4 ,for ,god1 if ,christians do not well1 will vindicate himself by punishing of them for their doing ill4 ,yea1 and will not count them worthy1 though they be his own1 to be put among the number of those that suffer for doing well4 ,again1 ,but let none of you suffer as a murderer1 or as a thief1 or as an evildoer1 or as a busybody in other men's matters 7#a ,peter #d3ae74 ,these are cautions to ,christians to persuade them to take heed to themselves1 their tongues and their actions1 that all be kept within the bounds of the ,word4 ,for it would be a foolish thing to say1 that these are cautions to persuade to take heed of that1 into which it is not possible one should fall4 ,it is possible for ,christians to suffer for evil-doing1 and therefore let ,christians beware2 it is possible for ,christians to be brought to public justice for their faults1 and therefore let ,christians beware4 ,it is possible for ,christians to suffer justly by the hand of the magistrate1 and therefore let ,christians beware4 ,this also is insinuated in the text itself1 and therefore let ,christians beware4 ,the causes of this are many1 some of which ,i shall now briefly touch upon4 7#a47 ,sin is in the best of men3 and as long as it is so1 without great watchfulness1 and humble walking with ,god1 we may be exposed to shame and suffering for it4 ,what sin is it that a child of ,god is not liable to commit1 excepting that which is the sin unpardonable8 ,nor have we a promise of being kept from any other sin1 but on condition that we do watch and pray 7,matt #bf3da74 7#b47 ,it is possible for a ,christian to have an erroneous conscience in some things1 yea1 in such things as1 if ,god by his grace prevents not1 may bring us to public justice and shame4 ,abishai1 though a good man1 would have killed the king1 and that of conscience to ,god1 and love to his master 7#a ,sam #bf3g1h74 ,and had ,david delivered him up to ,saul for his attempt1 he had in all likelihood died as a traitor4 ,peter drew his sword1 and would have fought therewith1 a thing for which he was blamed of his ,master1 and bid with a threatening1 to put it up again 7,matt #bf3eb74 ,besides1 oppression makes a wise man mad2 and when a man is mad what evils will he not do8 ,further1 ,the devil1 who is the great enemy of the ,christians1 can send forth such spirits into the world as shall not only disturb men1 but nations1 kings1 and kingdoms1 in raising divisions1 distractions and rebellions4 ,and can so manage matters that the looser sort of ,christians#ai may be also dipped and concerned therein4 ,in ,absalom's conspiracy against his father1 there were two hundred men called out of ,jerusalem to follow him1 and they went in their simplicity1 not knowing any thing 7#b ,sam #ae3aa74 ,i thank ,god ,i know of no such men1 nor thing3 but my judgment tells me1 that if ,christians may be drawn into fornication1 adultery1 murder1 theft1 blasphemy or the like1 as they may2 why should it be thought impossible for them to be drawn in here4 ,wherefore ,i say again1 watch and pray1 fear ,god1 reverence his ,word1 approve of his appointments1 that you may be delivered from every evil work and way4 ,i said afore that the will of ,god may be1 that a ,christian should suffer as an evil-doer2 but then it is because he keepeth not within the bounds of that1 which is also called the will of ,god4 ,the will of ,god is1 that sin should be punished1 though committed by the ,christians2 punished according to the quality of transgressions3 and therefore it is that he hath ordained magistrates4 ,magistrates1 to punish sin1 though it be the sin of ,christians4 ,they are the ministers of ,god1 revengers1 to execute wrath1 the wrath of ,god upon them that do evil 7,rom #ac74 ,wherefore1 though the ,christian as a ,christian is the only man at liberty1 as called thereunto of ,god2 yet his liberty is limited to things that are good3 he is not licensed thereby to indulge the flesh4 ,holiness and liberty are joined together1 yea our call to liberty1 is a call to holiness4#bj ,seek1 and you shall find1 that a quiet and peaceable life1 in our respective places1 under the government1 is that which we should pray for1 to wit1 that we may without molestation1 if it were the will of ,god1 spend our days in all godliness and honesty among our neighbours4 ,see #a ,timothy #b3a-h2 #a ,peter #b3ac-ag4 ,first4 ,caution to ,christians as ,christians4--,i would improve this a little1 and first1 to ,christians as ,christians3 beware the cautions1 that are here presented to you1 be not neglected by you4 ,the evils are burning hot1 as hot as a red hot iron4 ,it is the greatest blemish that can be to a ,christian1 to suffer as an evil-doer4 ,to say nothing of the reproach that such do bring to the name of ,christ1 their ,lord2 to his law1 their rule2 and to the ,christian profession1 which should be their glory3 the guilt and shame that evil actions will load the conscience with at such a time1 can hardly be stood under4 ,the man that suffereth as an evil-doer1 and yet weareth the name of a ,christian1 what stumbling blocks doth he lay in the way of the ignorant in a kingdom8 ,the devil told them before1 that a ,christian was a mischievous man2 and to suffer for evil-doing1 confirms them in that belief4 ,consider also the difficulties that surely such must meet with in the last minutes of their life4 ,for can it be imagined but that such an one must have combats and conflicts at the last1 who carry in their consciences the guilt and condemnation that is due to their deeds1 to the place which magistrates have appointed for them to receive the reward of their works at4 ,such an one bereaves not only his own soul of peace1 and his name of credit1 but himself of life1 his friends of all cause of rejoicing1 and casteth reproach upon religion1 as he is stepping out of the world4 ,what shall ,i say1 ,christians as ,christians have other things to do than to concern themselves in evil things1 or to meddle in other men's matters4 ,let us mind our own business1 and leave the magistrate to his work1 office and calling among men also4 ,i speak now to them that are not by the king called to that employ4 ,a ,christian as such has enough to do at home1 in his heart1 in his house1 in his shop1 and the like4 ,but if thou must needs be meddling1 consider what place1 office1 calling or relation1 ,god has put thee in1 and busy thyself by the rule of the ,word to a conscientious performance of that4 ,nor shalt thou want dignity1 though thou art but a private ,christian4 ,every ,christian man is made a king by ,christ 7,rev #e3aj74 ,but then1 his dominion as such1 doth reach no further than to himself4 ,he has not dominion over another's faith 7#b ,cor #a3bd74 ,his office is to govern1 and bridle1 and keep under1 himself2 to watch over himself1 and to bring his body into subjection to the will of ,god4 ,the weapons that he has for this purpose are not carnal1 but spiritual1 and mighty through ,god4 ,let him govern then1 if he will be a governor1 his whole man by the ,word4 ,let him bring down1 if he must be bringing down1 his own high imaginations1 and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of ,god4 ,if he must be a warrior1 let him levy war against his own unruly passions1 and let him fight against those lusts that war against his soul#ba 7#b ,cor #aj3c-e2 ,gal #e3ag2 ,james #c3c-h2 #a ,peter #b3aa74 ,i say therefore1 if thou wilt needs be a ruler1 thou hast a tongue1 rule that2 lusts1 rule them2 affections1 govern them2 yea1 thou hast excellent graces1 manage them1 cherish1 strengthen and replenish them according to the mind of that great one who has bestowed such power to rule1 upon thee4 ,mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth2 fornication1 uncleanness1 inordinate affection1 evil concupiscence1 and covetousness1 which is idolatry 7,col #c3e74 ,nor do ,i think that murmuring1 shrinking1 wincing1 complaining1 and the like1 when men1 governors1 lay a yoke upon our necks1 flow from any thing else1 but love to our flesh1 and distrust of the faithfulness of ,god to manage men1 things1 and actions for his church4 ,the powers that be are ordered as well as ordained of ,god4 ,they are also always in ,god's hand1 as his rod or staff for the good and benefit of his people4 ,wherefore we ought with all meekness and humbleness of mind to accept of what our ,god by them shall please to lay upon us 7#a ,peter #e3f74 ,by what ,i now say1 ,i do not forbid groaning and crying to ,god under affliction4 ,i speak against striving to deliver ourselves from the affliction4 ,and since men are1 as ,i said1 the rod1 staff or sword in ,god's hand1 we should apply ourselves unto him in faith in a way of prayer1 intercession1 supplication and giving of thanks for governors4 ,for since they are sent of ,god1 they must needs come with some good in their hand for us1 also our prayers may make them more profitable to us4 ,and this we ought to do without wrath and doubting2 for this is that which is good1 and acceptable unto ,god 7#a ,tim #b74 ,besides1 it is a sign that we forget ourselves when we complain for the punishment of our sins4 ,if we look into ourselves1 and ways1 we shall see cause of more heavy stripes than yet ,god by men has laid upon us4 ,what sin has yet been suppressed by all that has happened to us3 if pride1 covetousness1 looseness1 treacherous dealing1 schisms1 and other things1 redressed by all the affliction that we have had8 ,yea1 do we not grow worse and worse8 ,wherefore then should we complain8 ,where is repentance1 reformation1 and amendment of life amongst us8 ,why1 then1 do we shrink and winch4 ,for my part1 ,i have ofttimes stood amazed both at the mercy of ,god1 and the favour of the ,prince towards us2 and can give thanks to ,god for both3 and do make it my prayer to ,god for the king1 and that ,god will help me with meekness and patience to bear whatever shall befall me for my professed subjection to ,christ1 by men4 ,we are bid1 as ,i said afore1 to give thanks to ,god for all men1 for kings1 and for all that are in authority4 ,because1 as ,i said1 there is no man with whom we have to do1 we doing as we should1 but he bringeth some good thing to us1 or doth some good thing for us4 ,we will now descend from them that are supreme in authority1 and will come to inferior men3 and suppose some of them to act beyond measure1 cruelly4 ,what8 ,can no good thing come to us out of this8 ,do not even such things as are most bitter to the flesh1 tend to awaken ,christians to faith and prayer1 to a sight of the emptiness of this world1 and the fadingness of the best it yields8 ,doth not ,god by these things ofttimes call our sins to remembrance1 and provoke us to amendment of life8 how then can we be offended at things by which we reap so much good1 and at things that ,god makes so profitable for us8 ,doth not ,god1 ofttimes1 even take occasions by the hardest of things that come upon us1 to visit our souls with the comforts of his ,spirit1 to lead us into the glory of his word1 and to cause us to savour that love that he has had for us1 even from before the world began1 till now4 ,a nest of bees and honey did ,samson find1 even in the belly of that lion that roared upon him4 ,and is all this no good8 or can we be without such holy appointments of ,god8 ,let these things be considered by us1 and let us learn like ,christians to kiss the rod1 and love it4 ,i have thought1 again1 my brethren1 since it is required of us that we give thanks to ,god for all these men1 it follows that we do with quietness submit ourselves under what ,god shall do to us by them4 ,for it seems a paradox to me1 to give thanks to ,god for them1 that yet ,i am not willing should abide in that place that ,god has set them in for me4 ,i will then love them1 bless them1 pray for them1 and do them good4 ,i speak now of the men that hurt me as was hinted afore4 ,and ,i will do thus1 because it is good so to do1 because they do me good by hurting of me1 because ,i am called to inherit a blessing1 and because ,i would be like my heavenly ,father4 ,therefore if mine enemy hunger1 let me feed him2 if he thirst1 let me give him drink #bb 7,matt #e3dc-dh2 #a ,peter #c3i2 ,rom #ab3ag-bj74 7#a47 ,we must see good in that1 in which other men can see none4 7#b47 ,we must pass by those injuries that other men would revenge4 7#c47 ,we must shew we have grace1 and that we are made to bear what other men are not acquainted with4 7#d47 ,many of our graces are kept alive by those very things that are the death of other men's souls4 ,where can the excellency of our patience1 of our meekness1 of our long-suffering1 of our love1 and of our faith appear1 if it be not under trials1 and in those things that run cross to our flesh8 ,the devil1 they say1 is good when he is pleased4 ,but ,christ and his saints1 when displeased4#bc ,let us therefore covet to imitate ,christ and the scripture saints4 ,let us shew out of a good conversation1 our works with meekness of wisdom4 ,let us take heed of admitting the least thought in our minds of evil1 against ,god1 the king1 or them that are under him in employ1 because1 the cup1 the king1 all men1 and things are in the hand of ,god 7,psa #ge3h2 ,prov #h3ae2 #ba3a2 ,lam #c3cg74 ,and he can make them better to us1 than if they were as our flesh desireth they should4 ,i have often thought that the best ,christians are found in the worst of times3 and ,i have thought again1 that one reason why we are no better1 is because ,god purges us no more 7,john #ae74 ,i know these things are against the grain of the flesh1 but they are not against the graces of the ,spirit4 ,noah and ,lot1 who so holy as they1 in the day of their affliction8 ,noah and ,lot1 who so idle as they in the day of their prosperity8 ,i might have put in ,david too1 who1 while he was afflicted1 had ways of serving ,god that were special2 but when he was more enlarged1 he had ways that were not so good4 ,wherefore the first ways of ,david are the ways that ,god has commended3 but the rest of his ways1 such as had not pre-eminence 7#b ,chron #ag3c74 ,we have need of all1 and of more than all that has yet befallen us3 and are to thank ,god1 since his word and patience have done no more good to us1 that he hath appointed men to make us better4#bd ,wherefore for a conclusion1 as we are to receive with meekness the engrafted word of ,god1 so also we are with patience to bear what ,god1 by man1 shall lay upon us4 ,o that saying of ,god to them of old1 ,why criest thou for thine affliction8 thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity3 because thy sins were increased1 ,i have done these things unto thee 7,jer #cj3ae74 ,we have need to consider of1 and to sit still and be quiet1 and reverence the ordinance of ,god3 ,i mean affliction4 ,and until we can in truth get hither in our spirits1 ,i neither look to find very right ,christianity amongst us1 nor much of ,god among professors4 ,when ,i think of ,mordecai1 and ,daniel1 yea1 and of ,david too1 and of the behaviour of them all with respect to the powers that they were under1 ,i cannot but think that a sweet1 meek1 quiet1 loving1 godly submission unto men for the ,lord's sake1 is an excellent token of the grace of ,god in us4 ,but1 ,second ,caution to ,weak ,christians4--,as ,i cannot but condemn the actions of such ,christians as have been touched before1 so ,i would caution weak ,christians not to be offended with true religion for the miscarriages of their fellows4 ,there are two things that are very apt to be an occasion of offence to the weak3 one is1 when the cross attends religion2 the other is1 when others that profess religion do suffer for evil-doing4 ,to both these ,i would say this3-- #a4 ,though the cross1 indeed1 is grievous to the flesh1 yet we should with grace bear up under it1 and not be offended at it4 #b4 ,and as to the second1 though we should and ought to be offended with such miscarriage2 yet not with religion1 because of such miscarriage4 ,some1 indeed1 when they see these things1 take offence against religion itself2 yea1 perhaps1 are glad of the occasion1 and so fall out with ,jesus ,christ1 saying to him1 because of the evils that attend his ways1 as the ten tribes said to ,rehoboam1 the son of ,solomon the king1 ,what portion have we in ,david8 neither have we inheritance in the son of ,jesse2 to your tents1 ,o ,israel3 now see to thine own house1 ,david1 7#a ,kings #ab3af72 and so go quite away from him1 and cleave no more unto him1 to his people1 or to his ways3 but this is bad4 ,shun1 therefore1 the evil ways of ,christians1 but cleave to the way that is ,christian3 cast away that bad spirit that thou seest in any1 but hold fast to thy ,head and ,lord4 ,whither canst thou go8 the ,lord ,jesus has the words of eternal life 7,john #f3fh74 ,whither wilt thou go8 there is not salvation in any other 7,acts #d3ab74 ,take heed1 therefore1 of picking a quarrel with ,jesus ,christ1 and with his ways1 because of the evil-doings of some of his followers4 ,judas sold him1 ,peter denied him1 and many of his disciples went back and did walk no more with him2 but neither himself nor his ways were the worse for that4 ,beware1 therefore1 that thou truly distinguish between the good ways of ,jesus ,christ and the evil ways of them that profess him2 and take not an occasion to throw away thy own soul down the throat of hell1 because others have vilely cast away their lives by transgressing of the law of ,god4 ,nay1 let other men's faults make thee more wary2 let other men's falls make thee look better to thy goings3 shun the rock that he that went before thee did split his ship against2 and cry to ,god to lead thee in a path that is plain and good1 because of thy observers4 ,further1 ,let not opposite ,christians rejoice when they see that evil hath taken their brother by the heel4 ,hate the garment1 the thing that is bad1 and by which the name1 and fame1 and life of thy brother is so vilely cast away1 thou shouldest2 and take good heed lest it also touch thee1 but yet thou shouldest pity thy brother1 mourn for his hard hap1 and grieve that a thing so much unbecoming ,christianity should be suffered to show the least part of itself among any of those that profess the gospel4 ,directions for the shunning of suffering for evil-doing1 are they that come next to hand4 ,direction #a4 ,therefore1 wouldest thou not suffer as an evil-doer1 then take heed of committing of evil4 ,evil courses bring to evil ends2 shun all appearance of evil1 and ever follow that which is good4 ,and if ye be followers of that which is good1 who will harm you 7#a ,peter #c3ac78 ,or if there should be such enemies to goodness in the world as to cause thee for that to suffer1 thou needest not be ashamed of thy suffering for well-doing1 nor can there be a good man1 but he will dare to own and stand by thee in it4 ,yea1 thy sufferings for that will make thee happy1 so that thou canst by no means be a loser thereby4 ,direction #b4 ,wouldest thou not suffer for evil-doing1 then take heed of the occasions of evil4 ,take heed of tempting company4 ,beware of men1 for they will deliver thee up4 ,there have been men in the world that have sought to make themselves out of the ruins of other men4 ,this did ,judas1 and some of the ,pharisees 7,matt #aj3ag2 ,luke #bj3ai1bj74 ,take heed to thy mouth3 ,a fool's mouth calleth for strokes1--and his lips are the snare of his soul 7,prov #ah3g74 ,take heed of indulging1 and hearkening to the ease of the flesh1 and of carnal reasonings1 for that will put thee upon wicked things4 ,direction #c4 ,wouldest thou not suffer as an evil-doer1 then take heed of hearing of any thing spoken that is not according to sound doctrine3 thou must withdraw thyself from such in whom thou perceivest not the words of knowledge4 ,let not talk against governors1 against powers1 against men in authority be admitted2 keep thee far from an evil matter4 ,my son1 says ,solomon1 fear thou the ,lord1 and the ,king1 and meddle not with those that are given to change4 ,direction #d4 ,wouldest thou not suffer as an evil-doer1 addict not thyself to play with evil1 #be to joke and jest1 and mock at men in place and power4 ,gaal mocked at ,abimelech1 and said1 ,who is ,abimelech that we should serve him8 ,but he paid for his disdainful language at last 7,judg #i74 ,i have heard of an innkeeper here in ,england1 whose sign was the crown1 and he was a merry man4 ,now he had a boy1 of whom he used to say1 when he was jovial among his guests1 ,this boy is heir to the crown1 or this boy shall be heir to the crown2 and if ,i mistake not the story1 for these words he lost his life4#bf ,it is bad jesting with great things1 with things that are ,god's ordinance1 as kings and governors are4 ,yea1 let them rather have that fear1 that honour1 that reverence1 that worship1 that is due to their place1 their office1 and dignity4 ,how ,paul gave honour and respect unto those that were but deputy-kings and heathen magistrates1 will greatly appear1 if you do but read his trials before them in the book called1 ,the ,acts of the ,apostles4 ,and what a charge both he and ,peter have left behind them to the churches to do so too1 may be found to conviction1 if we read their epistles4 ,direction #e4 ,wouldest thou not suffer for evil-doing1 then take heed of being offended with magistrates1 because by their state acts they may cross thy inclinations4 ,it is given to them to bear the sword1 and a command is to thee1 if thy heart cannot acquiesce with all things with meekness and patience1 to suffer4 ,discontent in the mind sometimes puts discontent into the mouth2 and discontent in the mouth doth sometimes also put a halter about the neck4 ,for as a man1 by speaking a word in jest may for that be hanged in earnest2 so he that speaks in discontent may die for it in sober sadness4 ,adonijah's discontent put him upon doing that which cost him his life 7#a ,kings #b3ac1bc74 ,great peace have they that love thy law1 and nothing shall offend them2 for they are subjected to the will and foot of ,god4 ,direction #f4 ,but1 above all1 get thy conscience possessed yet more with this1 that the magistrate is ,god's ordinance1 and is ordered of ,god as such3 that he is the minister of ,god to thee for good1 and that it is thy duty to fear him1 and pray for him1 to give thanks to ,god for him1 and to be subject to him as both ,paul and ,peter admonish us2 and that not only for wrath1 but for conscience sake 7,rom #ac3e74 ,for all other arguments come short of binding the soul1 where this argument is wanting2 until we believe that of ,god we are bound thereto4 ,i speak not these things1 as knowing any that are disaffected to the government2 for ,i love to be alone1 if not with godly men1 in things that are convenient4 ,but because ,i appear thus in public1 and know not into whose hands these lines may come1 therefore thus ,i write4 ,i speak it also to show my loyalty to the king1 and my love to my fellow-subjects2 and my desire that all ,christians should walk in ways of peach and truth4 #b4 ,that ,christians may1 and have1 suffered according to the will of ,god4 ,i come now to the second thing propounded to be spoken to1 as to suffering1 which is this4--,that there have been1 and yet may be1 a people in the world that have1 and may1 suffer in the sense of the apostle here1 according to the will of ,god1 or for righteousness' sake4 ,that there have been such a people in the world1 ,i think nobody will deny1 because many of the prophets1 ,christ1 and his apostles1 thus suffered4 ,besides1 since the ,scriptures were written1 all nations can witness to this1 whose histories tell at large of the patience and goodness of the sufferers1 and of the cruelty of those that did destroy them4 ,and that the thing will yet happen1 or come to pass again1 both ,scripture and reason affirm4 ,first1 ,scripture4 ,the text tells us1 ,that ,god hath put enmity betwixt the woman and her seed1 and the serpent and his seed 7,gen #c3ae74 ,this enmity put1 is so fixed that none can remove it so1 but that it still will remain in the world4 ,these two seeds have always had1 and will have1 that which is essentially opposite to one another1 and they are the spirit of truth and the spirit of error 7#a ,john #d3f71 sin and righteousness 7#c3g1h71 light and darkness 7#a ,thess #e3e74 ,hence an unjust man is an abomination to the just2 and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked 7,prov #bi3bg74 ,so that unless you could sanctify and regenerate all men1 or cause that no more wicked men should any where be in power for ever1 you cannot prevent but that sometimes still there must be sufferers for righteousness' sake4 ,yea1 and all that will live godly in ,christ ,jesus shall suffer persecution 7#b ,tim #c3ab74 ,second1 ,to prove this by reason is easy4 ,the devil is not yet shut up in the bottomless pit--,antichrist is yet alive4 ,the government in all kingdoms is not yet managed with such light1 and goodness of mind1 as to let the saints serve ,god1 as he has said1 whatever it is in some4 ,and until then there will be in some places1 though for my part ,i cannot predict where1 a people that will yet suffer for well-doing1 or for righteousness' sake4 ,in order to a right handling of this matter1 ,i shall divide this head into these two parts--,a4 ,show you what it is to suffer for well-doing1 or for righteousness4 ,b4 ,show you what it is to suffer for righteousness' sake4 ,i put this distinction1 because ,i find that it is one thing to suffer for righteousness1 and another to suffer for righteousness' sake4 ,a4 ,what it is to suffer for righteousness4 ,to begin with the first1 namely1 to show you what it is to suffer for righteousness4 ,now that may be done either passively or actively4 #a4 ,passively1 as when any suffer for righteousness without their own will1 or consent thereto4 ,thus1 the little children at ,bethlehem suffered by the hands of bloody ,herod1 when they died for1 or in the room and stead of1 ,jesus ,christ 7,matt #b3af74 ,every one of those children died for righteousness1 if ,christ is righteousness2 for they died upon his account1 as being supposed to be he himself4 ,thus also the children of ,israel's little ones1 that were murdered with their parents1 or otherwise1 because of the religion of them that begat and bare them1 died for righteousness4 ,the same may be said concerning those of them that suffered in the land of the ,chaldeans upon the same account4 ,i might here also bring in those poor infants that in ,ireland1 ,piedmont1 ,paris1 and other places1 have had their throats cut1 and their brains dashed out against the walls1 for none other cause but for the religion of their fathers4 ,many1 many have suffered for righteousness after this manner4 ,their will1 nor consent1 has been in the suffering1 yet they have suffered for religion1 for righteousness4 ,and as this hath been1 so it may be again2 for if men may yet suffer for righteousness1 even so1 for ought ,i know1 even in this sense1 may their children also4 ,now1 although this is not the chief matter of my text1 yet a few words here may do no harm4 ,the children that thus suffer1 though their own will and consent be not in what they undergo1 may yet1 for all that1 be accepted as an offering unto the ,lord4 ,their cause is good2 it is for religion and righteousness4 ,their hearts do not recoil against the cause for which they suffer2 and although they are children1 ,god can deal with them as with ,john the ,baptist1 cause them in a moment to leap for joy of ,christ2 or else can save them by his grace1 as he saveth other his elect infants1 and thus comprehend them1 though they cannot apprehend him2 yea1 why may they not only be saved1 but in some sense be called martyrs of ,jesus ,christ1 and those that have suffered for ,god's cause in the world8 ,god comforted ,rachel concerning her children that ,herod murdered in the stead1 and upon the account of ,christ4#bg ,he bids her refrain herself from tears1 by this promise1 that her children should come again from the land of the enemy1 from death4 ,and again1 said he1 ,thy children shall come again to their own border2 which ,i think1 if it be meant in a gospel sense1 must be to the heavenly inheritance4 ,compare ,jeremiah #ca3ae-ag with ,matthew #b3ah4bh ,and methinks this should be mentioned1 not only for her and their sakes1 but to comfort all those that either have had1 or yet may have1 their children thus suffer for righteousness4 ,none of these things1 as shall be further showed anon1 happen without the determinate counsel of ,god4 ,he has ordered the sufferings of little children as well as that of persons more in years4 ,and it is easy to think that ,god can as well foresee which of his elect shall suffer by violent hands in their infancy1 as which of them shall then die a natural death4 ,he has saints small in age as well as in esteem or otherwise and sometimes the least member of the body suffereth violence1 as well as the head or other chief parts4 ,and although ,i desire not to see these days again1 yet methinks it will please me to see those little ones that thus have already suffered for ,jesus1 to stand in their white robes with the elders of their people1 before the throne1 to sing unto the ,lamb4 #b4 ,actively4 ,but to pass this1 and to come to that which is more directly intended to be spoken to1 namely1 to show you who doth actively suffer for righteousness4 ,and1 7#a47 ,it is he that chooseth by his own will and consent to suffer for it4 ,all suffering that can be called active suffering1 must be by the consent of the will2 and that is done when a man shall have sin and suffering set before him1 and shall choose suffering rather than sin4 ,he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of ,god1 than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season 7,heb #aa3be74 ,and again1 ,they did not accept of deliverance1 that is1 of base and unworthy terms1 that they might obtain a better resurrection 7verse #ce74 ,indeed1 no man can force a ,christian to suffer as a ,christian1 without his own consent4 ,all ,christians are sufferers of will and consent4 ,hence it is said1 they must take up their cross1 by which taking up1 an act of their will is intended 7,matt #aj3ch2 #af3bd74 ,so again1 ,take my yoke upon you1 which also intends an act of the will 7#aa3bi74 ,this1 therefore1 is the first thing that ,i would present you with4 ,not that an act of the will is enough to declare a man a sufferer for righteousness1 it standing alone2 for a man1 through the strength of delusion1 and the power of an erroneous conscience1 may be willing to suffer for the grossest opinions in the world4 ,but ,i bring it to show that actual suffering for righteousness must also be by the consent of the will--the mind of the man must be in it4 7#b47 ,he that suffereth for righteousness thus1 must also have a good cause4 ,a good cause is that which is essential to suffering for righteousness4 ,a good cause1 what is that8 ,why1 verily1 it is the truth of ,god1 either in the whole of it1 as contained in the ,scriptures of truth1 or in the parts of it1 as set before me to believe1 or do1 by any part of that holy ,word4 ,this may be called the matter for which one suffereth2 or1 as it is called in another place1 the word of righteousness 7,heb #e3ac74 ,it may also be called the form of sound doctrine1 or the like4 ,because without this ,word1 the matter and nature of ,god's truths cannot be known4 ,pilate's question1 ,what is truth8 will still abide a question1 to those that have not1 or regard not the ,word1 the rule of righteousness 7,john #ah3ch74 ,see then that thy cause be good1 thou that wouldest know what it is to suffer for righteousness2 step not an hair's breadth without the bounds of the ,word of truth2 also take heed of misunderstanding1 or of wringing out of its place1 any thing that is there4 ,let the words of the upright stand upright1 warp them not1 to the end they may comply in show with any crooked notion4 ,and to prevent this1 take these three words as a guide1 in this matter to thee4 ,they show men their sins1 and how to close with a ,saviour2 they enjoin men to be holy and humble2 they command men to submit themselves to authority4 ,and whatever is cross to these1 comes from ignorance of1 or from wresting1 the rule of righteousness out of its place4 ,but more particularly1 the word of righteousness--thy cause1 within the bounds of which thou must keep1 if thou wilt suffer for righteousness1 is to be divided into two parts4 7#a47 ,it containeth a revelation of moral righteousness4 7#b47 ,it containeth a revelation of evangelical righteousness4 ,as for moral righteousness1 men seldom suffer2 only1 for that4 ,because that is the righteousness of the world1 and that1 simply as such1 that sets itself up in every man's conscience1 and has a testimony for itself1 even in the light of nature4 ,besides1 there is nothing that maketh head against that2 but that which every man is ashamed1 by words to plead for1 and that is immorality4 ,and this is that which ,peter intends when he saith1 ,and if ye be followers of that which is good1 who will harm you8 7#a ,peter #c3ac74 ,if ye be followers of moral goodness4 ,but if it should so happen1 for the case is rare1 that any man should make you sufferers because you love ,god1 and do good to your neighbour1 happy are ye4 ,though ,i do not think that the apostle's conclusion terminates there4 ,but more of these things anon4 ,for let a man be a good neighbour in morals2 let him feed the hungry1 clothe the naked1 give freely out of his purse to the poor1 and do that which he would another should do to him2 and stop there1 and not meddle with the name of ,christ1 and he shall have but few enemies in the world4 ,for it is not the law1 but ,christ1 that is the stumbling-block1 and the rock of offence to men 7,isa #h3ad1ae2 ,rom #i3ca-cc74 ,wherefore1 there is in ,god's ,word a revelation of another righteousness--a righteousness which is not so visible to1 yea1 and that suiteth not so with1 the reason of man as that moral righteousness doth4 ,wherefore this righteousness makes men righteous in principle1 and practise so1 as is foreign to natural men4 ,hence it is said to be foolishness to them 7#a ,cor #b3ad74 ,and again1 ,its praise is not of men 7,rom #b3bi74 ,this righteousness is also revealed in the ,scriptures1 but the blind cannot see it4 ,it is the work of the ,holy ,ghost in the heart1 and is therefore called the fruits of the ,spirit2 and the grace1 which in the head and fullness of it1 is only to be found in ,christ 7,john #a3af2 ,col #a3ai2 #a ,tim #a3ad74 ,this righteousness being planted in the heart1 leads a man out by the ,word of ,god1 to seek for another righteousness1 as invisible to1 and foreign from1 the natural man1 as this4 ,and that righteousness is that which properly is the righteousness of ,jesus ,christ--a righteousness that standeth in his obedience to his ,father's law1 as he was considered a common or public person--a righteousness which he brought into the world1 not for himself1 as considered in a private capacity1 but for those that shall by faith venture themselves upon him1 to obtain by him life eternal 7,rom #e3ai2 ,phil #c3g-aj74 ,again1 ,this closing by faith1 with this righteousness thus found in ,christ1 and being taken therewith1 leads me yet to another righteousness1 which is instituted worship1 appointed by ,christ1 for all his followers to be conversant in2 this worship is grounded on positive precepts1 and so on words of righteousness1 called ,christ's words1 ,christ's sayings1 c4 ,now1 upon this bottom begins the difference betwixt the men of ,god and the world4 ,for1 first1 by this inward principle of righteousness we come to see1 and say1 that men by nature are not ,christians1 what privileges soever they may account themselves partakers thereof4 ,but whosoever is a ,christian1 of ,god's making so1 is begotten and born of ,god1 and made a new creature by the anointing received from the ,holy ,one 7,james #a3ah2 ,john #c3c1e2 #b ,cor #e3ag1ah2 #a3ba2 #a ,john #b3bj1bd1bg74 ,now1 this these carnal men cannot endure to hear of2 because it quite excludes them1 as such1 from a share in the kingdom of heaven4 ,to this1 again1 the ,christian stands and backs what he says by the ,word of ,god4 ,then the game begins1 and the men of the world are thoughtful how they may remove such troublesome fellows out of the way4 ,but because the ,christians love their neighbours1 and will not let them thus easily die in their sins1 therefore they contend with them1 both by reasonings1 writings1 sermons1 and books of gospel divinity2 and stand to what they say4 ,the world1 again1 are angry with these sayings1 sermons1 and books1 for that by them they are concluded to be persons that are without repentance1 and the hope of eternal life4 ,here again1 the carnal world judges that these people are proud1 self-willed1 pragmatical1 contentious1 self-conceited1 and so unsufferable people4 ,the ,christian yet goes on and stands to what he has asserted4 ,then the poor world at their last shift begins to turn1 and overturn the gospel-man's sayings2 perverting1 forcing1 stretching1 and dismembering of them2 and so making of them speak what was never thought1 much less intended by the believer4 ,thus they served our ,lord2 for1 not being able to down with#bi his doctrine1 they began to pervert his words1 and to make1 as also they said afterwards of ,luther's1 some offensive1 some erroneous1 some treasonable1 and that both against ,god and ,caesar1 and so they hanged him up1 hoping there to put an end to things4 ,but this is but the beginning of things2 for the ,christian man1 by the word of the gospel1 goes further with his censure4 ,for he also findeth fault with all that this man1 by the ability of nature1 can do for the freeing himself from the law of sin and death4 ,he condemns him by the ,word1 because he is in a state of nature1 and he condemneth also whatever1 while in that state1 he doth1 as that which by no means can please ,god 7,rom #ad3bc2 ,heb #aa3f74 ,this now puts him more out2 this is a taking of his gods away from him4 ,this is to strip him of his raiment1 such as it is1 and to turn him naked into the presence of ,god4 ,this1 ,i say1 puts him out and out4 ,these wild-brained fellows1 quote he1 are never content1 they find fault with us as to our state2 they find fault with us as to our works1 our best works4 ,they blame us because we are sinners1 and they find fault with us1 though we mend2 they say1 by nature we are no ,christians1 and that our best doings will not make us such4 ,what would they have us do8 ,thus1 therefore1 they renew their quarrel2 but the ,christian man cannot help it1 unless he would see them go to hell1 and saying nothing4 ,for the ,word of ,god doth as assuredly condemn man's righteousness1 as it doth condemn man's sin2 it condemneth not man's righteousness among men1 for there it is good and profitable 7,job #ce3f-h71 but with ,god1 to save the soul1 it is no better than filthy rags 7,isa #fd3f74 ,nor will this ,christian man suffer these carnal ones to delude themselves with a change of terms2 for the devil1 who is the great manager of carnal men in things that concern their souls1 and in the plea that they make for themselves1 will help them to tricks and shifts to evade the power of the ,word of ,god4 ,teaching them to call the beauties of nature grace1 and the acts of natural powers the exercise of the graces of the ,spirit1 he will embolden them also to call man's righteousness the righteousness of ,christ1 and that by which a sinner may be justified in the sight of ,god from the law4 ,these tricks the ,christian sees1 and being faithful to ,god's truth1 and desiring the salvation of his neighbour1 he laboureth to discover the fallacy of1 and to propound better terms for this poor creature to embrace1 and venture his soul upon2 which terms are warranted by the ,new ,testament1 a stranger to which the natural man is4 ,but1 ,i say1 the things which the ,christian presseth1 being so foreign to nature1 and lying so cross to man's best things1 are presently judged by the natural man to be fables or foolishness 7#a ,cor #b3ad74 ,wherefore here again1 he takes another occasion to maintain his strife1 and contention against the righteous man2 raising of slanders upon him1 and laying things to his charge that he understandeth not2 charging also his doctrine with many grievous things4 ,namely1 that he holdeth that man was made to be damned2 that man's righteousness is no better than sin2 that a man had as good to do ill as well2 that we may believe1 and do what we list2 that holiness pleaseth not ,god2 and that sinning is the way to cause grace to abound4 ,besides1 say they1 he condemneth good motions1 and all good beginnings of heart to ,god-ward2 he casteth away that good we have1 and would have us depend upon a justice to save us by1 that we can by no means approve of4 ,and thus the quarrel is made yet wider between the men of the world and ,christian man4 ,but there is not a stop put here4 ,for it is possible for the carnal man to be beaten out of all his arguments for himself and his own things1 by the power and force of the ,word2 and to be made to consent to what the ,christian has said as to the notion of the truth4 ,i must not speak this of all4 ,but yet the breach doth still abide2 for that yet there appears to be no more with the man1 but only the notion of things4 ,for though the notion of things are those that of ,god are made the means of conveying of grace into the heart1 yet grace is not always with the notion of things2 the ,word ofttimes standeth in man's understanding alone1 and remaineth there1 as not being accompanied with such grace as can make it the power of ,god to salvation4 ,now1 when it is thus with the soul1 the danger is as great as ever1 because there is a presumption now begotten in the heart that the man is in a saved condition1--a presumption1 ,i say1 instead of faith1 which puffeth up1 instead of enabling the soul after a godly manner to depend upon ,god for mercy through ,christ4 ,this is called the word of them that are puffed up2 the word only1 because not accompanied with saving grace 7#a ,cor #d3ai2 #h3a2 #a ,thess #a3e74 ,this the ,christian also sees1 and says it is too weak to conduct the soul to glory4 ,and this1 indeed1 he says1 because he would not that his neighbour should come short home4 ,but neither can this be borne2 but here again1 the natural man with his notion of things is offended2 and takes pet against his friend1 because he tells him the truth1 and would that he so should digest the truth1 that it may prove unto him eternal life4 ,wherefore he now begins to fall out again1 for as yet the enmity is not removed2 he therefore counts him an unmerciful man1 one that condemneth all to hell but himself2 and as to his singularity in things1 those he counteth for dreams1 for enthusiasms1 for allegorical whimsies1 vain revelations1 and the effects of an erroneous judgment4 ,for the ,lord has put such darkness betwixt ,egypt and ,israel1 as will not suffer them to come together4 ,but this is not all4 ,for it is possible for these carnal men to be so much delighted in the notion of things1 as to addict themselves to some kind of worship of ,christ1 whose notions of truth have by them been received4 ,and because their love is yet but carnal1 and because the flesh is swelling1 and is pleased with pomp and sumptuousness1 therefore1 to show how great an esteem such have for ,christ1 whom they are now about to worship1 they will first count his testament1 though good1 a thing defective1 and not of fullness sufficient to give1 in all particular things1 direction how they should1 to their own content1 perform their glorious doctrine4 ,for here and there1 and in another place1 cry they1 there is something wanting4 ,here1 say they1 is nothing said of those places1 vestures1 gestures1 shows1 and outward greatness that we think seemly to be found in and with those that worship ,jesus4 ,here wants sumptuous ceremonies1 glorious ornaments1 new fashioned carriages1 #cj all which are necessary to adorn worship withal4 ,but now here again1 the truly godly1 as he comes to see the evil of things1 maketh his objections1 and findeth fault1 and counts them unprofitable and vain 7,isa #bi2 ,matt #ae2 ,mark #g74 ,but they again1 seeing the things they have made are the very excellencies of human invention1 and things added as a supplement to make up what1 and wherein1 as they think1 that man that was faithful over his own house as a son was defective4 ,they are resolved to stand upon their points1 and not to budge an inch from the things that are so laudable1 so necessary1 so convenient1 and so comely2 the things that have been judged good1 by so many wise1 learned1 pious1 holy1 reverend1 and good men4 ,nay1 if this were all1 the godly would make a good shift2 but their zeal is so great for what they have invented1 and their spirits so hot to make others couch and bend thereto1 that none must be suffered to their power to live and breathe1 that refuseth to conform thereto4#ca ,this has been proved too true1 both in ,france1 ,spain1 ,germany1 ,italy1 and other places2 and upon this account it is that persecution has been kept alive so many hundred years in some places against the church of ,god4 ,from what has been said as to these things1 this ,i collect as the sum--,first1 ,that man by nature is in a state of wrath and condemnation 7,eph #b3a-d2 ,john #c3ah74 ,secondly1 ,that the natural man1 by all his natural abilities1 is not able to recover himself from this his condemned condition 7,john #f3dd2 ,eph #a3ai1bj74 ,thirdly1 ,that a man may have right notions of gospel things1 that hath no grace in his heart 7#a ,cor #ac3b1c74 ,fourthly1 ,that to add human inventions to ,christ's institutions1 and to make them of the same force and necessity1 of the same authority and efficacy1 is nought2 and not to be subjected to 7,isa #bi3ac2 ,matt #ae3h1i2 ,mark #g3f1g74 ,so then1 he that saith these things1 saith true2 for the ,scriptures say the same4 ,this1 then1 is a good cause to suffer for1 if men will that ,i shall suffer for saying so2 because it is that which is founded upon the ,word of ,god2 and the ,word is the ground and foundation of all true doctrine4 ,let him1 then1 that believeth what is here discoursed1 and that liveth soberly and peaceably in this belief among his neighbours1 stand by what he hath received1 and rejoice that he hath found the truth4 ,and if any shall afflict or trouble him for holding of these things1 they afflict or trouble him for holding to good things2 and he suffereth at their hands because his cause is good4 ,and such an one may with boldness1 as to this1 make his appeal to the ,bible1 which is the foundation of his principles1 and to ,god the author of that foundation1 if what he holds is not good4 ,he may say1 ,lord1 ,i have said1 that man by nature is in a state of condemnation1 and they make me suffer for that4 ,lord1 ,i have asserted that man1 by all his natural abilities1 is not able to recover himself from this his condemned state1 and they make me suffer for that4 ,lord1 ,i have said that a natural man may have right notions of the gospel1 and yet be without the saving grace thereof1 and they make me suffer for that4 ,lord1 ,i cannot consent that human inventions and doctrines of men should be joined with thy institution as matters of worship1 and imposed upon my conscience as such1 and they make me suffer for that4 ,lord1 ,i own the government1 pray for my superiors1 live quietly among my neighbours1 give to all their dues1 feed the hungry1 clothe the naked1 relieve the afflicted1 and show myself1 by my faith and life1 to be a true ,christian man1 and yet my neighbours will not let me alone4 ,true1 ,i cannot comply with all that some men would have me comply with2 no more did ,daniel1 no more did ,paul2 and yet ,daniel said1 that he had to the king done no hurt 7,dan #f3bb71 and ,paul said1 'neither against the law of the ,jews1 neither against the temple1 nor yet against ,caesar1 have ,i offended anything at all' 7,acts #be3h74 ,for he that keeps within the compass of ,god's ,word1 hurts no man1 gives just offence to no man1 though he complieth not with all that are modes and ways of worship in the world4 ,nor can this appeal be judged injurious1 if it be not attended with intercessions against them that hate us4 ,but we will pass this1 and come to a second thing4 7#c47 ,as he that suffereth for righteousness must have a good cause1 so he that suffereth for righteousness must have a good call4 ,a man1 though his cause be good1 ought not by undue ways to run himself into suffering for it2 nature teaches the contrary1 and so doth the law of ,god4 ,suffering for a truth ought to be cautiously took in hand1 and as warily performed4 ,i know that there are some men that are more concerned here than some2 the preacher of the ,word is by ,god's command made the more obnoxious man1 for he must come off with a woe1 if he preaches not the gospel 7#a ,cor #i3af74 ,he1 therefore1 ,i say1 doth and ought more to expose himself than other ,christians are called to do4 ,yet it behoveth him also to beware1 because that ,christ has said to him1 ,behold1 ,i send you forth as sheep1 or lambs1 in the midst of wolves3 be ye therefore wise as serpents1 and harmless as doves 7,matt #aj3af2 ,luke #aj3c74 ,a man is not bound by the law of his ,lord1 to put himself into the mouth of his enemy4 ,christ withdrew himself2 ,paul escaped the governor's hands1 by being let down in a basket over the wall of the city 7#b ,cor #aa3cb1cc74 ,and ,christ hath said1 ,if they persecute you in one city1 flee ye to another4 ,if they will not let me preach here1 ,i will take up my ,bible1 and be gone4 ,perhaps this is because ,i must preach in some other place4 ,a minister can quickly pack up1 and carry his religion with him1 and offer what he knows of his ,god to another people#cb 7,acts #ac3dd-dg74 ,nor should a minister strive1 ,i think1 with the magistrate for place1 or time4 ,but let him hearken to hear what ,god shall say by such opposition4 ,perhaps the magistrate must drive thee out of this place1 because the soul is in another place that is to be converted1 or helped by thy sermon today4 ,we must also in all things1 show ourselves to be such as by our profession we would that men should believe we are1 to wit1 meek1 gentle1 not strivers1 but take our ,lord and our brethren the prophets for our examples4 ,but ,i will not here presume to give instructions to ministers2 but will speak a few words in the general about what ,i think may be a sufficient call to a man to suffer for righteousness4 ,first1 ,every ,christian man is bound by ,god's ,word to hold to1 or stand by his profession1 his profession of faith1 and to join to that profession an holy godly life2 because the ,apostle and ,high priest of his profession is no less a one than ,christ ,jesus 7,heb #c3a2 #aj3bc74 ,this by ,christ himself is expressed thus1 ,let your light so shine 7,matt #e3af74 ,no man lighteth a candle to put it under a bushel4 ,let your loins be girded about1 and your lights burning 7,luke #ab3ce74 ,and ,paul bids the ,philippians hold forth the word of life 7,phil #b3af74 ,and more particularly1 by all this1 this is intended1 that we should hide our faith in ,christ from no man1 but should rather make a discover of it by a life that will do so2 for our profession1 thus managed1 is the badge1 and the ,lord's livery1 by which we are distinguished from other men4#cc ,so then1 if1 while ,i profess the truth of ,christ1 and so walk as to make my profession of it more apparent1 ,i be made a sufferer for it1 my call is good1 and ,i may be bold in ,god and in my profession4 ,this1 ,peter intends when he saith1 ,but and if ye suffer for righteousness sake1 happy are ye1 and be not afraid of their terror1 neither be troubled2 but sanctify the ,lord ,god in your hearts1 and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you1 with meekness and fear 7#a ,peter #c3ad1ae74 ,here1 then1 is a call not to meddle with the other1 but to mind our own business2 to walk in our ,christian profession1 and to adorn it with all good works2 and if any man will meddle with me1 and ask me a reason of the hope that ,i have1 to give it him with meekness and fear1 whatever follows thereupon4 ,this1 ,peter should have done himself there1 where he denies his ,master thrice4 ,the reason is1 for that ,christianity is so harmless a thing1 that1 be it never so openly professed1 it hurts no man4 ,i believe that ,christ will save me2 what hurt is this to my neighbour8 ,i love ,christ because he will save me2 what hurt is this to any8 ,i will for this worship ,christ as he has bid me2 what hurt is this to anybody8 ,i will also tell my neighbours what a loving one my ,christ is1 and that he is willing to be good to them as he has been good to me2 and what hurt is this to the governor of a kingdom8 ,but and if any man will afflict me for this1 my cause is good1 and also my call to stand full godly to my profession4 ,secondly1 ,there is sometimes a call to suffer for righteousness1 even from the voice of necessity4 ,that is1 either when1 by my silence1 the truth must fall to the ground2 or when1 by my shrinking1 the souls of other men are in danger4 ,this1 ,i say1 is a call to suffer even by the voice of necessity4 ,the case may be when ,god's ways may be trodden under foot2 yea1 his ,word1 and ways1 and name1 and people1 and all4 ,thus ,goliath did do1 for several days together 7#a ,sam #ag71 and vaunted in his doing2 and there was not a man1 no1 not in ,israel1 that durst answer him a word4 ,and now was the spirit of ,david stirred in him1 and he would put his life in his hand1 and give this man an answer2 and he saw there was reason for it--necessity gave him a call4 ,is there not a cause1 saith he1 lies bleeding upon the ground1 and no man of heart or spirit to put a check to the bold blasphemer8 ,i will go fight with him2 ,i will put my life in my hand2 if ,i die1 ,i die4 ,consider also what ,daniel did when the law was gone out to forbid1 for thirty days1 petitioning any god or man1 save the king only4 ,at that time1 also1 not a man of ,israel peeped 7,dan #f3g74 ,now necessity walks about the streets1 crying1 ,who is on the ,lord's side8 ,who1 c4 ,and ,daniel answers1 ,i am1 by opening of his window1 and praying1 as at other times1 three times a day1 with his face towards ,jerusalem 7verse #aj74 ,he heard this voice of necessity1 and put his life in his hand1 and complied with it1 to the hazard of being torn in pieces by the lions4 ,much like this was that of the three children2 for when that golden image was set up1 and worship commanded to be done unto it1 not one1 that we read of1 durst stand upright when the time was come that bowing was the sign of worship4 ,only the three children would not bow3 it was necessary that some should show that there was a ,god in heaven1 and that divine worship was due alone to him 7,dan #c3aj-ab74 ,but they run the hazard of being turned to ashes1 in a burning fiery furnace1 for so doing4 ,but necessity has a loud voice1 and shrill in the ears of a tender conscience3 this voice will awake jealousy and kindle a burning fire within1 for the name1 and cause1 and way1 and people1 of the ,god of heaven4 ,thirdly1 ,there is sometimes a call to suffer for righteousness by the voice of providence4 ,that is1 when1 by providence1 ,i am cast for my profession into the hands of the enemies of ,god and his truth2 then ,i am called to suffer for it what ,god shall please to let them lay upon me4 ,only1 for the making of my way more clear in this matter1 ,i will deliver what ,i have to say1 with a caution or two4 #a4 ,thou must take heed that thy call be good to this or that place1 at which1 by providence1 thou art delivered up4 #b4 ,thou must also take heed that1 when thou art there1 thou busiest thyself in nothing but that that good is4 #c4 ,thou must also take heed that thou stay there no longer than while thou mayest do good or receive good there4 #d4 ,thus far a man is in the way of his duty1 and therefore may conclude that the providence of ,god1 under which now he is1 is such as has mercy and salvation in the bowels of it1 whatsoever is by it1 at the present1 brought upon him4 ,christ ,jesus1 our ,lord1 though his death was determined1 and of absolute necessity1 and that chiefly for which he came into the world1 chose rather to be taken in the way of his duty than in any other way or anywhere else4 ,wherefore1 when the hour was come1 he takes with him some of his disciples1 and goeth into a garden1 a solitary place1 to pray2 which done1 he sets his disciples to watch1 and falleth himself to prayer4 ,so he prays once2 he prays twice2 he prays thrice3 and he giveth also good doctrine to his disciples4 ,and now1 behold1 while he was here1 in the way of his duty1 busying himself in prayer to ,god1 and in giving of good instruction to his followers1 upon him comes ,judas and a multitude with swords and staves1 and weapons1 to take him2 to which providence he1 in all meekness1 submits1 for he knew that by it he had a call to suffer 7,matt #bf3cf-dg74 ,in this way1 also1 the apostles were called to suffer1 even while they were in the way of their duty4 ,yea1 ,god bid them go into the temple to preach1 and there delivered them into the hands of their enemies 7,acts #d3a-c2 #e3bj-bf74 ,be we in the way of our duty1 in the place and about the work unto which we are called of ,god1 whether that work be religious or civil1 we may1 without fear1 leave the issue of things to ,god1 who only doth wonderful things4 ,and he who lets not a sparrow fall to the ground without his providence1 will not suffer a hair of our head to perish but by his order 7,luke #ab3f1g74 ,and since he has engaged us in his work1 as he has if he has called us to it1 we may expect that he will manage1 and also bear us out therein2 either so as by giving of us a good deliverance by way of restoration to our former liberty and service for him1 or so as to carry us well out of this world to them that1 under the altar1 are crying1 ,how long1 holy and true3 nor shall we1 when we come there1 repent that we suffered for him here4 ,oh6 how little do saints1 in a suffering condition1 think of the robes1 the crowns1 the harps1 and the ,son that shall be given to them2 and that they shall have when they come upon mount ,zion 7,rev #f3aa2 #ad3a-g74 ,fourthly1 ,there is sometimes a call to suffer for righteousness by an immediate and powerful impulse of the ,spirit of ,god upon the heart4 ,this1 ,i say1 is sometimes1 and but sometimes2 for this is not ,god's ordinary way1 nor are many of his servants called after this manner to suffer for righteousness4 ,moses was called thus to suffer when he went so often unto ,pharaoh with the message of ,god in his mouth4 ,and he endured1 as seeing him who is invisible 7,heb #aa3be-bg74 ,paul was called thus to suffer1 and he obeyed1 and went1 and performed that work1 according to the will of ,god4 ,this kind of call ,paul calls a binding1 or a being bound in the ,spirit1 because the ,holy ,ghost had laid such a command upon him to do so1 that he could not1 by any means1 get from under the power of it4 ,and now1 behold1 saith he1 ,i go bound in the ,spirit unto ,jerusalem1 not knowing the things that shall befal me there 7,acts #bj3bb74 ,for he that is under this call has1 as ,i said1 bonds laid upon his spirit1 which carry him to the place where his testimony is to be borne for ,god2 nor shall he1 if he willingly submits and goes1 as ,paul did1 but have an extraordinary presence of ,god with him1 as he4 ,and see what a presence he had2 for after the second assault was given him by the enemy1 even the night following1 the ,lord stood by him1 and said1 ,be of good cheer1 ,paul2 for as thou hast testified of me in ,jerusalem1 so must thou bear witness also at ,rome 7,acts #bc3aa74 ,thus ,god meeteth his people in their service for him1 when he calls them aloud to do great service for him4 ,the power of such a call as this1 ,i say1 is great1 and men of ordinary spirits must needs give place thereto1 and leave a man thus bound to the ,god that thus has bound him4 ,all the help such can afford him is to follow him with our prayers1 not to judge him or grieve him1 or lay stumbling-blocks before him4 ,no2 they must not weep nor mourn for him1 so as to make him sorrowful 7,acts #ba3ab-ad74 ,his friends may suggest unto him what is like to attend his present errand1 as ,agabus did by the ,spirit to ,paul when he took his girdle and bound himself therewith1 to show him how his enemies should serve him whither he went4 ,thus said the ,holy ,ghost1 said he1 so shall the ,jews at ,jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle1 and shall deliver him into the hands of the ,gentiles 7,acts #ba74 ,but if this call be indeed upon a man1 all sorrow is turned into joy before him2 for he is ready1 not only to be bound1 but also to die at ,jerusalem for the name of the ,lord ,jesus 7,acts #ba3ac74 ,instances1 also1 of later times might be given of a call extraordinary to suffer for righteousness4 ,for many1 in the first three hundred years' persecution1 when nobody knew what they were1 would boldly come up to the face of their enemies and tell what they were1 and suffer for what they professed1 the death4 ,i remember1 also1 the woman who1 when her friends were gone before to suffer1 how she came running and panting after1 for fear she should not come thither time enough to suffer for ,jesus ,christ4 ,but ,i will give you an instance of later times1 even in the beginning of ,queen ,elizabeth's reign1 of an ,hertfordshire man that went as far as ,rome to bear his testimony for ,god against the wickedness of that place4 ,this man1 when he was arrived there1 and had told them wherefore he was come1 they took and condemned him to death1 to wit1 to be burned for an heretic4 ,now he was to ride from the prison to the place of execution upon an ass1 with his face to the beast's tail1 and was to be stripped from the shoulders to the waist1 that he might be tormented all the way he went with burning torches continually thrust to his sides2 but he1 nothing at all afraid1 spake in his exhortation to the people to fly from their sin and idolatry2 he would also catch hold of the torches and put them to his sides1 to show how little he esteemed the worst that they could do4 ,also1 when he was come to the place of execution1 he suffered there such cruelty1 with so unconcerned a mind1 and with such burning zeal for ,god's truth1 testified against them while he could speak2 that1 all amazed1 his enemies cried1 he could not have suffered as he did but by the help of the devil4 ,his name ,i have now forgot1 but you will find it1 with the story at large1 in the third volume of ,acts and ,monuments1 at the #ajbb page4 #cd ,but we will pass this1 and come to our second particular1 namely1 ,b4 ,what it is to suffer for righteousness' sake4 ,to show when it may be said a man doth not only suffer for righteousness1 but also for righteousness' sake4 ,to suffer for righteousness' sake must be either with the intention of the persecutor or else of the persecuted4 ,the persecutor1 whatever the person's suffering is1 if he afflicteth this person for a supposed good that he thinketh he hath or professeth1 he make him suffer for righteousness' sake4 ,so that1 in this sense1 a man that hath no grace may not only suffer for righteousness1 but also for righteousness' sake4 ,but this ,i intend not1 because the text is not concerned with it4 ,the thing1 therefore1 now intended to be spoken to1 is this1 namely1 when a man may be said to suffer what he suffereth upon a religious account1 of love to1 or for the sake of1 that good that he finds in the truths of ,god1 or because his heart is joined and espoused to the good of the truths that he professeth2 not that there is any thing in any truth of ,god that is not good2 but a man may profess truth1 not for the sake of the goodness that is in it1 but upon a remote account4 ,judas professed truth1 not of love to the truth1 but of love to the bag1 and to the money that was put therein4 ,men may profess for a wife1 for a trade1 for friendship1 or because profession is at such a time or in such a place1 in fashion4 ,i wish that there were no cause to say this4 ,now there is not any of these that profess the truth for the truth's sake1 that profess the truth of love to it2 nor shall they1 should they suffer as professors1 never so long1 never so much1 never so grievously1 be counted of ,god among them that suffer for righteousness' sake2 that is1 of unfeigned love to righteousness4 ,wherefore1 that ,i may show you who may be said to suffer for righteousness' sake1 ,i will propound and speak to several things4 #a4 ,then1 he that suffereth in the apostle's sense1 for well-doing1 or for righteousness' sake1 sets his face against nothing but sin4 ,he resisteth unto blood1 striving against sin4 ,sin is the object of his indignation1 because it is an enemy to ,god1 and to his righteous cause in the world 7,heb #ab3c1d74 ,sin1 ,i say1 is that which such a man singleth out as his opposite1 as his antagonist1 and that against which his heart is set4 ,it is a rare thing to suffer aright1 and to have my spirit1 in my suffering1 bent only against ,god's enemy--sin2 sin in doctrine1 sin in worship1 sin in life1 sin in conversation4 ,now then1 he that suffereth for righteousness' sake has singled out sin to pursue it to death1 long before he comes to the cross4 ,it is sin1 alas1 and his hatred to it that have brought him into this condition4 ,he fell out with sin at home1 in his own house1 in his own heart1 before he fell out with sin in the world1 or with sin in public worship4 ,for he that can let sin go free and uncontrolled at home within1 let him suffer while he will1 he shall not suffer for righteousness' sake4 ,and the reason is1 because a righteous soul1 as the phrase is1 #b ,peter #b3h1 has the greatest antipathy against that sin that is most ready to defile it1 and that is1 as ,david calls it1 one's own iniquity1 or the sin that dwelleth in one's own flesh4 ,i have kept me1 says he1 from mine iniquity1 from mine own sin4 ,people that are afraid of fire are concerned most with that that burneth in their own chimney2 they have the most watchful eye against that that is like to burn down their own house first4 ,he also that suffereth for righteousness' sake1 doth it also because he would not that sin should cleave to the worship of ,god2 and1 indeed1 this is mostly the cause of the sufferings of the godly4 ,they will not have to do with that worship that hath sinful traditions commixed with ,god's appointments1 because they know that ,god is jealous of his worship2 and has given a strict charge that all things be done according to the pattern showed to us in the mount4 ,he knows also that ,god will not be with that worship1 and those worshippers1 that have not regard to worship by the rule of the testament of ,christ4 ,he is also against the sin that is apt to cleave to himself while he standeth in the presence of ,god4 ,i will wash mine hands in innocency1 so will ,i compass thine altar1 ,o ,lord4 ,this man also chooses to be in the practical parts of worship1 if possible1 for he knows that to have to do about holy things sincerely is the way to be at the remotest distance from sin4 ,he chooses also to be with those holy ones that are of the same mind with him against sin2 for he knows that two are better than one1 and that a threefold cord is not easily broken4 ,wherefore look to yourselves1 you that do1 or may be called to suffer for religion3 if you bend not yourselves against sin1 if to be revenged of sin be not the cause of your suffering1 you cannot be said to suffer for righteousness' sake4 ,take heed1 therefore1 that something else be not an inducement to thee to suffer4 ,a man may suffer to save what he has3 there is credit also and an applause2 there is shame to conform2 there is carnal stoutness of spirit2 there is hatred of persecutors and scorn to submit2 there is fear of contempt and of the reproach of the people1 c4 ,these may be motives and arguments to a suffering state1 and may really be the ground of a man's being in the jail2 though he cries out in the meanwhile of popery1 of superstition1 and idolatry1 and of the errors that attend the common modes of the religions of the world4 ,i charge no man as though ,i knew any such thing by any2 but ,i suggest these things as things that are possible1 and mention them because ,i would have sufferers have a care of themselves2 and watch and pray1 because no man can be upright here that is not holy1 that cannot pray1 and watch1 and deny himself for the love that he has to righteousness4 ,i said it before1 and will say it again1 it is a rare thing to be set in downrightness of heart against sin4 #b4 ,is it for the sake of righteousness that thou sufferest8 ,then it is because thou wouldest have righteousness promoted1 set up1 and established in the world2 also thou art afflicted at those advantages that iniquity gets upon men1 upon things1 and against thyself4 ,i beheld1 said ,david1 the transgressors1 and was grieved2 because men kept not thy word 7,psa #aai3aeh74 ,and again1 ,these are they that mourn for the abominations that are done among men 7,eze #i3d74 ,there is a great deal of talk about religion1 a great deal of pleading for religion1 namely1 as to the formalities of this and the other way4#ce ,but to choose to be religious1 that ,i might be possessed with holiness1 and to choose that religion that is most apt to possess me with it1 if ,i suffer for this1 ,i suffer for righteousness' sake4 ,wherefore say thus to thy soul1 thou that art like to suffer for righteousness1 ,how is it with the most inward parts of my soul8 ,what is there8 ,what designs1 desires1 and reachings out are there8 ,why do ,i pray8 ,why do ,i read8 ,why do ,i hear8 ,why do ,i haunt and frequent places and ordinances appointed for worship8 ,is it because ,i love holiness8 would promote righteousness1 because ,i love to see godliness show itself in others1 and because ,i would feel more of the power of it in myself8 ,if so1 and if thou sufferest for thy profession1 thou sufferest1 not only for righteousness1 but also for righteousness' sake4 ,dost thou thus practise1 because thou wouldest be taught to do outward acts of righteousness1 and because thou wouldest provoke others to do so too8 ,dost thou show to others how thou lovest righteousness1 by taking opportunities to do righteousness8 ,how is it1 dost thou show most mercy to thy dog1 #cf or to thine enemy1 to thy swine1 or to the poor8 ,whose naked body hast thou clothed8 ,whose hungry belly hast thou fed8 ,hast thou taken delight in being defrauded and beguiled8 ,hast thou willingly sat down by the loss with quietness1 and been as if thou hadst not known1 when thou hast been wronged1 defamed1 abused1 and all because thou wast not willing that black-mouthed men should vilify and reproach religion upon thy account 7#a ,cor #f3g78 ,he that loveth righteousness will do thus1 yea1 and do it as unto ,god1 and of tenderness to the ,word of ,god which he professeth4 ,and he that thinks to make seeing men believe1 that when he suffereth1 he suffereth for righteousness' sake1 and yet is void in his life of moral goodness1 and that has no heart to suffer and bear1 and put up1 and pass by injuries in his conversation among his enemies at home1 is deceived4 ,there are some ,scriptures that are as if they were out of date among some professors1 specially such as call for actual holiness and acts of self-denial for ,god2 but it will be found1 at the day of judgment1 that they only are the peculiar people that are zealous of good works 7,titus #b3ad74 ,god help us1 it is hard now to persuade professors to come up to negative holiness1 that is1 to leave undone that which is bad2 and yet this of itself comes far short of ones being found in practical goodness4 ,but this is the man that suffereth1 when he suffereth for righteousness' sake1 that makes it his business1 by all lawful means1 according to the capacity that ,god has put him in1 to promote1 set up1 and establish righteousness in the world2 ,i say this is the man that suffereth for righteousness' sake1 that suffereth for so doing2 and ,i am sure that a life that is moral1 when joined to the profession of the faith of the things that are of the ,spirit of ,god1 is absolutely necessary to the promoting of righteousness in the world4 ,hence ,peter tells them that suffer for righteousness' sake1 that they must have a good conscience--a good conscience towards ,god1 towards men1 towards friends1 towards enemies 7#a ,peter #c3ad-af2 ,acts #bd3af2 #bc3a74 ,they must have a good conscience in all things1 being willing1 ready1 desirous to live honestly1 godly1 and righteously in this world1 or else they cannot1 though they may suffer for the best doctrine under heaven1 suffer for righteousness' sake 7,heb #ac3ah74 ,wherefore1 #c4 ,is it for righteousness' sake that thou sufferest8 then thy design is the ruin of sin4 ,this depends upon what was said before2 for he that strives against sin1 that seeks to promote righteousness1 he designs the ruin of sin4 ,be not1 said ,paul to the suffering ,romans1 overcome of evil1 but overcome evil with good 7,rom #ab3ba74 ,to overcome evil with good is a hard task4 ,to rail it down1 to cry it down1 to pray kings1 and parliaments1 and men in authority to put it down1 this is easier than to use my endeavour to overcome it with good1 with doing of good1 as ,i said before4#cg ,and sin must be overcome with good at home1 before thy good can get forth of doors#ch to overcome evil abroad4 ,abraham overcame evil with good1 when he quieted the discontent of ,lot and his herdsmen1 with allowing of them to feed their cattle in the best of what ,god had given him 7,gen #ac3g1h74 ,david overcame evil with good1 when he saved the life of his bloody enemy that was fallen into his hand2 also when he grieved that any hurt should come to them that sought nothing so much as his destruction4 ,they rewarded me1 saith he1 evil for good1 to the spoiling of my soul4 ,but as for me1 when they were sick1 my clothing was sackcloth4 ,i humbled my soul with fasting1 ,i behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother2 ,i bowed down heavily1 as one that mourneth for his mother4 ,this is to overcome evil with good 7,psa #ce3ab-ad74 ,job saith concerning his enemy1 that he did not rejoice when evil found him2 neither have ,i1 said he1 suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul4 ,he means he did the quite contrary1 and so overcame evil with good 7,job #ca3bi1cj74 ,elisha overcame evil with good1 when he received the men that came for his life1 and had them where he might feast1 and comfort them1 and sent them home in peace to their master 7#b ,kings #f3ai-bc74 ,the ,new ,testament also is full of this1 both in exhortations and examples1 ,in exhortations where it is said1 resist not evil1 that is1 with evil1 but overcome evil with good 7,prov #bd3bi74 ,but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek1 turn to him the other also4--,and whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile1 go with him twain4 ,give to him that asketh thee2 and from him that would borrow of thee1 turn not thou away4--,love your enemies1 bless them that curse you1 do good to them that hate you1 and pray for them which despitefully use you1 and persecute you2 that ye may be the children of your ,father which is in heaven1 for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil1 and on the good--on the just1 and on the unjust 7,matt #e3ci-de74 ,bless them that persecute you3 bless and curse not 7,rom #ab3ad74 ,not rendering evil for evil1 or railing for railing1 but contrariwise1 blessing2 knowing that ye are thereunto called1 that ye should inherit a blessing 7#a ,peter #c3i2 ,rom #ab3ad74 ,this is righteousness--these are righteous courses4 ,and as these are preceptively propounded1 so they were as practically followed by them that were eminently godly in the primitive church4 ,we are fools for ,christ's sake1 said ,paul1 we are despised1 we are hungry1 thirsty1 naked1 and buffeted4--,being reviled1 we bless2 being persecuted1 we suffer it2 being defamed1 we entreat3 we are made as the filth of the earth1 and are the offscouring of all things unto this day 7#a ,cor #d3aj-ac74 ,this is overcoming of evil with good1 and he that has chosen to himself that religion that teaches these things1 and that loves that religion because it so teacheth him2 if he suffereth for it1 he suffereth for righteousness' sake4 #d4 ,he that suffereth for righteousness' sake1 will carry righteousness whithersoever he goes4 ,neither the enemy1 nor thy sufferings1 shall be able to take righteousness from thee4 ,righteousness must be thy chamber mate1 thy bed companion1 thy walking mate3 it is that without which thou wilt be so uncouth1 as if thou couldest not live 7,psa #bf3 #be3ba74 ,paul in his sufferings would have righteousness with him1 for it must be as it were his armour-bearer2 yea1 his very armour itself 7#b ,cor #f3g74 ,it is an excellent saying of ,job1 ,i put on righteousness1 and it clothed me2 my judgment was as a robe and a diadem4 ,i was eyes to the blind1 and feet was ,i to the lame2 ,i was a father to the poor1 c4 7,job #bi3aa-af74 ,princes1 said ,david also1 did sit and speak against me1 but thy servant did meditate in thy statues 7,psa #aai3bc74 ,a man that loves righteousness doth as ,abraham did with his ,sarah1 carry it every where with him1 though he goes1 because of that1 in danger of his life4 ,righteousness6 ,it is the only intimate that a ,christian has4 ,it is that by which he takes his measures1 that with which he consults1 with respect to what he doth1 or is to do1 in the world4 ,thy testimonies1 said ,david also1 are my delight1 and my counsellors4 ,the men of my counsel1 in the margin 7,psa #aai3bd74 ,david6 ,he was the man of affliction2 the suffering man in his day2 but in all places where he came1 he had righteousness1 the law and godly practice with him4 ,it was his counsellor1 as he was a man1 a saint1 a king4 ,i dare say1 for the man that suffers righteousness to be rent away from him by the violence and rage of men1 and that casts it away1 as ,david did ,saul's armour1 that he may secure himself2 he has no great love for righteousness1 nor to the cross for righteousness' sake4 ,my righteousness ,i hold fast1 said ,job1 and will not let it go3 my heart shall not reproach me so long as ,i live 7,job #bg3f74 ,what8 part with righteousness6 ,a righteous ,lord6 ,a righteous ,word6 ,a righteous profession6 ,a righteous life6 to sleep in a whole skin3 the ,lord forbid it me1 and all that he has counted worthy to be called by his name4 ,let us carry it with us from the bed to the cross1 and then it shall carry us from thence to the crown4 ,let it be our companion to prison and death1 then shall we show that we are lovers of righteousness1 and that we choose to suffer for righteousness' sake4 #e4 ,dost thou suffer for righteousness' sake8 why then1 thy righteousness is not diminished1 but rather increased by thy sufferings4 ,righteousness thriveth best in affliction1 the more afflicted1 the more holy man2 the more persecuted1 the more shining man 7,acts #f3ae74 ,the prison is the furnace1 thy graces are the silver and the gold2 wherefore1 as the silver and the gold are refined by the fire1 and so made more to show their native brightness1 so the ,christian that hath1 and that loveth righteousness1 and that suffereth for its sake1 is by his sufferings refined and made more righteous1 and made more ,christian1 more godly 7,zech #ac3i74 ,some1 indeed1 when they come there1 prove lead1 iron1 tin1 and at the best1 but the dross of silver2 and so are fit for nothing1 but there to be left and consumed1 and to bear the badge1 if ever they come from thence1 of reprobate silver from the mouth and sentence of their neighbours 7,eze #bb3ah-bb2 ,jer #f3bh-cj74 ,but when ,i1 says ,job1 am tried1 ,i shall come forth as gold 7,job #bc3aj74 ,when ,saul had cast one javelin at ,david1 it made him walk wisely in all his ways4 ,but when he added to his first fury1 plots to take away his life1 then ,david behaved himself yet more wisely 7#a ,sam #ah3aj-cj74 ,the hotter the rage and fury of men are against righteous ways1 the more those that love righteousness grow therein4 ,for they are concerned for it1 not to hide it1 but to make it spangle2 not to extinguish it1 but to greaten it1 and to show the excellency of it in all its features1 and in all its comely proportion4 ,now such an one will make straight steps for his feet1 let that which is lame be turned out of the way 7,heb #ab3ac74 ,now he shows to all men what faith is1 by charity1 by self-denial1 by meekness1 by gentleness1 by long-suffering1 by patience1 by love to enemies1 and by doing good to them that hate us2 now he walketh upon his high places4 ,yea1 will not now admit that so slovenly a conversation should come within his doors1 as did use to haunt his house in former times4 ,now it is ,christmas1#ci now it is suffering time1 now we must keep holy day every day4 ,the reason is1 for that a man1 when he suffereth for ,christ1 is set upon a hill1 upon a stage1 as in a theatre1 to play a part for ,god in the world4 ,and you know when men are to play their parts upon a stage1 they count themselves1 if possible1 more bound to circumspection2 and that for the credit of their master1 the credit of their art1 and the credit of themselves4 ,for then the eyes of every body are fixed1 they gape and stare upon them 7,psa #bb3ag74 ,and a trip here is as bad as a fall in another place4 ,also now ,god himself looks on4 ,yea1 he laugheth1 as being pleased to see a good behaviour attending the trial of the innocent4 7#a47 ,he that suffereth for righteousness' sake suffereth for his goodness1 and he is now to labour by works and ways to convince the world that he suffereth as such an one4 7#b47 ,he that suffereth for righteousness' sake has many that are weak to strengthen by his sweet carriages under the cross1 wherefore he had need to exceed in virtue4 7#c47 ,he also is by well-doing to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men1 he had need be curious and circumspect in all his actions4 7#d47 ,he is to come in1 and to be a judge1 and to condemn1 by his faith and patience in his sufferings1 the world1 with his ,lord and fellows1 at the appearing of ,jesus ,christ2 he had need be holy himself4 ,this1 therefore1 is the fit sign of suffering for righteousness' sake 7#a ,cor #f3a-e2 ,heb #aa3g2 #b ,thess #a3e1f2 #a ,peter #d3c-e74 #f4 ,he that suffereth1 not only for righteousness1 but also for righteousness' sake1 will not exchange his cause1 though for it in a jail1 for all the ease and pleasure in the world4 ,they that suffered for righteousness' sake of old1 were tempted before they were sawn asunder 7,heb #aa74 ,tempted1 that is1 allured1 to come out of their present sufferings1 and leave their faith and profession in irons behind them4 ,tempted with promises of promotion1 of ease1 of friendship1 of favour with men4 ,as the ,devil said to ,christ1 so persecutors of old did use to make great promises to sufferers1 if they would fall down and worship4 ,but his is alone as if they should say1 ,butcher1 make away with your righteousness1#dj and a good conscience1 and you shall find the friendship of the world4 ,for there is no way to kill a man's righteousness but by his own consent4 ,this1 ,job's wife knew full well1 hence she tempted him to lay violent hands upon his own integrity 7,job #b3i74 ,the ,devil1 nor men of the world can kill thy righteousness or love to it1 but by thy own hand2 or separate that and thee asunder1 without thine own act4 ,nor will he that doth indeed suffer for the sake of it1 or of love he bears thereto1 be tempted to exchange it for the goods of all the world4 ,it is a sad sight to see a man that has been suffering for righteousness1 restored to his former estate1 while the righteousness for which he suffered1 remains under locks and irons1 and is exposed to the scorn1 contempt1 reproach of the world1 and trodden under the foot of men4#da ,it is better1 said ,paul1 for me to die1 than that any man should make my glorying void4 ,and it had been a hundred times better for that man1 if he had never known the way of righteousness1 than after he has known it1 to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto him4 ,the striving is1 in persecution1 for righteousness2 to wit1 whether it shall be set up1 or pulled down4 ,the sufferer1 he is for setting up1 and the persecutors are for pulling down4 ,thus they strive for the mastery4 ,now1 if a man stands by his righteousness1 and holds fast his good profession1 then is righteousness set up2 nor can it1 so long1 be pulled down4 ,hence1 so long a man is said to overcome2 and overcome he doth1 though he be killed for his profession4 ,but if he starts back1 gives place1 submits1 recants1 or denieth any longer to own that good thing that he professed1 and exposed himself to suffering for2 then he betrays his cause1 his profession1 his conscience1 his righteousness1 his soul1 and all2 for he has delivered up his profession to be murdered before his face3 ,a righteous man falling down before the wicked1 is as a troubled fountain1 and a corrupt spring 7,prov #be3bf74 ,but this1 ,i hope1 will not he do that loveth righteousness1 and that suffereth for righteousness' sake4 ,i do not say but that a man may slip here1 with ,peter1 ,origen1 ,hierom1 ,cranmer1 ,baynham1 ,ormis1#db and other good folk2 but be he one of the right kind1 a lover of righteousness indeed1 he will return1 and take revenge upon himself in a godly way1 for so ungodly a fact4 #g4 ,he that suffereth not only for righteousness1 but also for righteousness sake1 is not so wedded to his own notions as to slight or overlook the good that is in his neighbour4 ,but righteousness he loves wherever he finds it1 though it be in him that smiteth him 7,psa #ada3e74 ,yea1 he will own and acknowledge it for the only thing that is of beauty and glory in the world4 ,with the excellent in the earth is all such a man's delight4 ,wherefore ,i put a difference betwixt suffering for an opinion and suffering for righteousness2 as ,i put a difference between suffering for righteousness and suffering for righteousness' sake4 ,if righteousness1 if the stamp of ,god1 if divine authority1 is not found upon that thing which ,i hold1 let men never suffer for it under the notion of righteousness4 ,if sin1 if superstition1 if idolatry1 if derogation from the wisdom of ,christ1 and the authority and perfection of his ,word1 be not found in1 nor joined to that thing that ,i disown in worship1 let me never open my mouth against it4 ,i had rather fall in with1 and be an associate of a righteous man that has no true grace1 than with a professor that has no righteousness4 ,it is said of the young man1 though he went away from ,christ1 that he looked upon him and loved him 7,mark #aj3ag-bb74 ,but it is not said that ever he loved ,judas4 ,i know that the righteousness for which a good man suffereth1 is not then embraced of the world1 for that at such a time it is under a cloud4 ,but yet there is righteousness also in the world1 and wherever ,i see it1 it is of a high esteem with me4 ,david acknowledged some of his enemies to be more righteous than he acknowledged some of his servants to be 7#b ,sam #d3i-aa2 #c3ca-ce74 ,it is a brave thing to have righteousness1 as righteousness1 to be the top-piece in mine affections4 ,the reason why ,christ was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows1 was1 because he loved righteousness1 and hated iniquity more than they 7,heb4 #a3i74 ,love to righteousness flows from golden graces1 and is that1 and that only1 that can make a man capable of suffering1 in our sense1 for righteousness' sake4 #h4 ,he that suffereth not only for righteousness1 but also for righteousness' sake1 will take care that his sufferings be so managed with graciousness of words and actions1 that it may live when he is dead2 yea1 and it will please him too1 if righteousness flourishes1 though by his loss4 ,hence it is that ,paul said1 he rejoiced in his suffering1 ,colossians #a3bd2 namely1 because others got good thereby4 ,and that he said1 ,yea1 and if ,i be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith1 ,i joy1 and rejoice with you all 7,phil #b3ag74 ,but why rejoice in this8 ,why1 because though his sufferings were to the distressing of his flesh1 yet they were to the refreshing1 comfort1 and stability of others4 ,this was it also that made him jostle with the false brethren among the churches2 to wit1 that the truth of the gospel might continue with them 7,gal #b3e74 ,when a man shall run the hazard of the ruin of what he has1 and is1 for righteousness1 for the good and benefit of the church of ,god2 that man1 he managing himself by the rule1 if he suffers for so doing1 suffers not only for righteousness1 but also for righteousness' sake4 ,i endure all things1 said ,paul1 for the elect's sake1 that they may also obtain the salvation which is in ,christ ,jesus with eternal glory 7#b ,tim #b3aj74 ,here was love1 you will say1 to persons2 and ,i will say also1 to things2 to all the righteousnesses of ,god that are revealed in the world1 that all the elect might enjoy them to their eternal comfort and glory1 by ,christ ,jesus4 ,for whether we be afflicted1 says he1 it is for your consolation and salvation1 which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer3 or whether we be comforted1 it is for your consolation and salvation 7#b ,cor #a3f74 ,the end of a man and his design1 if that be to promote righteousness1 he using lawful means to accomplish it1 is greatly accepted of ,god by ,christ2 and it is a sign he is a lover of righteousness2 and that if he suffereth for so doing1 he suffereth not for well-doing1 only as to matter of fact1 but also for his love to the good thing done1 and for its sake4 ,i have now done with that first head that was to be spoken to1 as touching the law and testament2 which we have said was to be understood of the will of ,god spoken of in the text3 ,let them that suffer according to the will of ,god1 that is1 according to his law and testament4 ,now we have showed what it is to suffer according to that2 we come to another thing1 namely3-- ,,the ,,will ,,of ,,god ,,means ,,his ,,order ,,and ,,designment4 ,second1 ,that by the will of ,god1 we also understand his order and designment4 ,for the will of ,god is active1 to dispose of his people1 as well as preceptive1 to show unto us our duty4 ,he then that suffers for righteousness' sake1 as he suffers for that which is good as to the matter of it1 and as he suffers for that which is good1 after that manner as becomes that truth for which he suffereth2 so he that thus suffereth1 suffereth by the order and designment of ,god4 ,that1 then1 is the next thing that is to be spoken to1 namely3-- ,god is the great orderer of the battle that is managed in the world against antichrist4 ,hence that battle is called1 ,the battle of that great day of ,god ,almighty 7,rev #af3ad74 ,it is not what enemies will1 nor what they are resolved upon1 but what ,god will1 and what ,god appoints2 that shall be done4 ,this doctrine ,christ teacheth when he saith1 ,are not five sparrows sold for two farthings1 and not one of them is forgotten before ,god8 ,but even the very hairs of your head are all numbered4 ,fear not therefore3 ye are of more value than many sparrows 7,luke #ab3f1g74 ,he speaks in the verses before of killing1 and bids them that they should not be afraid for that4 ,be not afraid of them that kill the body1 and after that have no more that they can do4 ,but ,i will forewarn you whom ye shall fear3 ,fear him1 which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell2 yea1 ,i say unto you1 ,fear him4 ,then he leads them to the consideration of this1 that the will of ,god governs1 and disposes of his people to suffering2 as well as declares to them for what1 and how they should suffer1 saying1 ,are not five sparrows sold for two farthings1 c4 ,also in ,isaiah #h3i1aj and in ,isaiah #b3ab1ac1 you have in sum the same thing inserted again4 ,but we will not stay upon proof1 but will proceed to demonstration hereof4 ,pharaoh said he would1 ay1 that he would1 but he could not touch so much as a thread or a rag of ,israel1 because the will of ,god was in that thing contrary to him4 ,saul said that he would have ,david1 and to that end would search for him among the thousands of ,judah2 but ,david was designed for another purpose1 and therefore ,saul must go without him 7#a ,sam #bc3be7 ,rabshakeh said that he was come from ,assyria to ,jerusalem to make ,judah eat their own dung1 and drink their own piss 7,isa #cf3ab74 ,but ,god said he should not shoot an arrow there4 ,and it came to pass as ,god had said 7,isa #cg3cc2 #b ,kings #ah2 #b ,chron #bh74 ,jeremiah and ,baruch's enemies would have killed them1 but they could not1 for ,god hid them4 ,how many times had the ,jews a mind to have destroyed ,jesus ,christ2 but they could not touch a hair of his head until his hour was come4 ,those also that bound themselves in a curse1 that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed ,paul1 were forced to be foresworn1 for the will of ,god was not that ,paul should die as yet 7,acts #bc3ab74 ,this therefore should be well considered of ,god's church1 in the cloudy and dark day4 ,all his saints are in thy hand 7,deut #cc3c74 ,it is not the way of ,god to let the enemies of ,god's church do what they will2 no1 the ,devil himself can devour but whom he may 7#a ,peter #e3h74 ,and as no enemy can bring suffering upon a man when the will of ,god is otherwise1 so no man can save himself out of their hands when ,god will deliver him up for his glory4 ,it remaineth1 then1 that we be not much afraid of men1 nor yet be foolishly bold2 but that we wait upon our ,god in the way of righteousness1 and the use of those means which his providence offereth to us for our safety2 and that we conclude that our whole dispose1 as to liberty or suffering1 lieth in the will of ,god1 and that we shall1 or shall not suffer1 even as it pleaseth him4 ,for1 ,first1 ,god has appointed ,,who shall suffer4 ,suffering comes not by chance1 or by the will of man1 but by the will and appointment of ,god4 ,let no man1 said ,paul1 be moved by these afflictions2 for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto 7#a ,thess #c3c74 ,we are apt to forget ,god when affliction comes1 and to think it a strange thing that those that fear ,god should suffer indeed 7#a ,peter #d3ab74 ,but we should not1 for we suffer by the will and appointment of ,god4 ,hence they under the altar were bid to rest for a while1 even until their fellow-servants also1 and their brethren that should be killed--mark that--should be killed1 as they were1 should be fulfilled 7,rev #f3aa74 ,wherefore1 suffering for righteousness and for righteousness' sake1 is by the will of ,god4 ,god has appointed who shall suffer4 ,that is the first4 ,second1 ,as ,god has appointed who shall suffer1 so he has appointed ,,when they shall suffer for his truth in the world4 ,sufferings for such and such a man are timed1 as to when he shall be tried for his faith4 ,hence1 when ,paul was afraid1 at ,corinth1 that the heathens would fall about his ears1 the ,lord spake to him by night in a vision1 saying1 ,be not afraid1 but speak1 and hold not thy peace2 for ,i am with thee1 and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee 7,acts #ah3i1aj74 ,his time of suffering was not yet come there4 ,it is also said concerning ,jesus ,christ1 that even then when they sought to take him1 no man laid hands on him1 because his hour was not yet come 7,john #g3cj74 ,the times1 then1 and the seasons1 even for the sufferings of the people of ,god1 are not in the hands of their enemies1 but in the hand of ,god2 as ,david said1 ,my times are in thy hand4 ,by the will of ,god1 then1 it is that such shall suffer at1 but not until1 that time4 ,but1 ,third1 ,as ,god has appointed who and when1 so he has appointed ,,where this1 that1 or the other good man shall suffer4 ,moses and ,elias1 when they appeared on the holy mount1 told ,jesus of the sufferings which he should accomplish at ,jerusalem4 ,jerusalem was the place assigned for ,christ to suffer at2 also1 there must the whole of his sufferings be accomplished 7,luke #i3cj1ca74 ,the saints are sprinkled by the hand of ,god here and there1 as salt is sprinkled upon meat to keep it from stinking4 ,and as they are thus sprinkled1 that they may season the earth2 so1 accordingly1 where they must suffer is also appointed for the better confirming of the truth4 ,christ said1 it could not be that a prophet should perish out of ,jerusalem 7,luke #ac3cc74 ,but why could it not be that they should perish other where8 ,were there no enemies but in ,jerusalem8 ,were there no good men but at ,jerusalem8 ,no1 no2 that was not the reason4 ,the reason was1 for that ,god had appointed that they should suffer there4 ,so then1 who1 when1 and where1 is at the will of ,god1 and they1 accordingly1 are ordered by that will4 ,fourth1 ,as ,god has appointed who1 when1 and where1 so he has also appointed ,,what ,,kind of sufferings this or that saint shall undergo1 at this place and at such a time4 ,god said that he would show ,paul beforehand how great things he should suffer for his sake 7,acts #i3af74 ,and it is said that ,christ did signify to ,peter beforehand by what death he should glorify ,god 7,john #ba3ai74 ,when ,herod had beheaded ,john the ,baptist1 and when the ,jews had crucified ,christ1 it is said that they had but fulfilled what was written of them 7,mark #i3ac2 ,acts #ac3bi74 ,our sufferings1 as to the nature of them1 are all writ down in ,god's book2 and though the writing seem as unknown characters to us1 yet ,god understands them very well4 ,some of them they shall kill and crucify1 and some of them they shall scourge in their synagogue1 and persecute them from city to city 7,matt #bc3cd74 ,shall ,god1 think you1 say1 some of them they shall serve thus1 and some of them they shall do so to2 and yet not allot which some to this1 and which to that1 and which to the other trial8 ,doubtless our sufferings fall by the will of ,god unto us1 as they fell of old upon the people of ,jerusalem4 ,it was appointed by ,god who of them should die of hunger1 who with sword1 who should go into captivity1 and who should be eaten up of beasts 7,jer #ae3b1c74 ,so is the case here1 namely1 as ,god has appointed who1 when1 where1 and the like1 so he has1 also1 what manner of sufferings this or that good man shall undergo for his name4 ,let it then be concluded1 that hitherto it appears1 that the sufferings of saints are ordered and disposed by the will of ,god4 ,but1 ,fifth1 ,as all this is determined by the will of ,god1 so it is also appointed ,,for ,,what ,,truth this or that saint shall suffer this or that kind of affliction4 ,every saint has his course1 his work1 and his testimony1 as is allotted him of ,god 7,mark #ac3cd74 ,john had a course1 a testimony to fulfil for ,god 7,acts #ac3be71 and so had holy ,paul 7#b ,tim #d3f1g71 and so has every saint3 also1 he that is to suffer has his truth appointed him to suffer for4 ,christ had a truth peculiar to himself to bear witness to in a way of suffering 7,mark #ad3fa1fb74 ,john had a truth peculiar to himself to bear witness to in a way of suffering 7,mark #f3ag1ah74 ,stephen had also a truth1 divers from them both1 to which he bare a holy testimony1 and for which he bravely died 7,acts #g3ea-ec74 ,if you read the book of ,acts and ,monuments1 you may see a goodly variety as to this2 and yet in all a curious harmony4 ,some are there said to suffer for the ,godhead1 some for the manhood1 some for the ordinances of ,christ1 and some laid down their lives for the brethren4 ,and thus far we see that he that suffers for righteousness' sake1 suffers1 in this sense1 according to the will of ,god4 ,sixth1 ,as it is appointed who1 when1 where1 what kind1 and for what truth1 by the will of ,god1 this and that saint should suffer2 so also it is appointed ,,by ,,whose ,,hand this or that man shall suffer for this or that truth4 ,it was appointed that ,moses and ,israel should suffer by the hand of ,pharaoh4 ,and for this very purpose1 said ,god1 have ,i raised thee up1 that is1 to be a persecutor1 and to reap the fruits thereof 7,exo #i3af74 ,it was also determined that ,christ should suffer by the hand of ,herod and ,pontius ,pilate2 ,for of a truth1 said they1 against thy holy child ,jesus--both ,herod1 and ,pontius ,pilate1 with the ,gentiles1 and the people of ,israel1 were gathered together1 for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done 7,acts #d3bg74 ,these are great instances1 from which we may gather how all these things are ordered from thence down hitherto4 ,for if a sparrow falls not to the ground without ,god1 she shall not be killed without ,god2 not by he knows not who4 ,and if a ,christian man is better than many sparrows1 it follows1 that ,god concerns himself more with1 for1 and about him than with1 for1 or about many sparrows4 ,it follows1 therefore1 in right reason1 that as the person who is appointed to be the sufferer1 so the persons who are appointed to be the rod and sword thereby to afflict withal4 ,thus far1 therefore1 the will of ,god is it that ordereth and disposeth of us and of our sufferings4 ,seventh1 ,as all these pass through the hand of ,god1 and come not to us but by his will1 so ,,how as also ,,long is really determined as any of them all4 ,it is not in man1 but ,god1 to set the time how long the rod of the wicked shall rest upon the lot of the righteous4 ,abraham must be informed of this4 ,abraham1 says ,god1 know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs1 and shall serve them2 and they shall afflict them four hundred years 7,gen #ae3ac74 ,so the thraldom of ,israel in ,babylon was not only in the general appointed1 but the time prefixed1 how long 7,jer #be3aa1ab2 #bi3aj74 ,the time of the beast's reign and of the witnesses walking in sackcloth are punctually fixed1 and that beyond which they cannot go 7,rev #aa1 #ab1 #ac74 ,i know these are generals1 and respect the church in the bulk of it1 and not particular persons4 ,but1 as was hinted afore1 we must argue from the greater to the lesser1 that is1 from four hundred years to ten days1 from ten days to three1 and so from the church in general to each particular member1 and to the time and nature of their sufferings 7,rev #b3aj2 ,hosea #f3b2 ,acts #bc3aa74 ,and thus1 in a word or two1 ,i have finished the first two parts of the text1 and showed you what there is in ,peter's counsel and advice2 and showed you also1 to whom his advice is given3 in which last1 as you see1 ,i have showed you both what the will of ,god is1 and what to suffer according to it4 ,and particularly1 ,i have1 in a few words1 handled this last1 to show you that our sufferings are ordered and disposed by him1 that you might always1 when you come into trouble for his name1 not stagger nor be at a loss1 but be stayed1 composed1 and settled in your minds1 and say1 ,the will of the ,lord be done 7,acts #ba3ad74 ,i will also say unto you this by the way1 that the will of ,god doth greatly work1 even to order and dispose of the spirits of ,christians1 in order to willingness1 disposedness1 readiness1 and resignation of ourselves to the mind of ,god4 ,for with respect to this were those words last recited spoken4 ,paul saw that he had a call to go up to ,jerusalem1 there to bear his testimony for ,christ and his gospel2 but those unto whom he made know his purpose entreated him1 with much earnestness1 not to go up thither1 for that1 as they believed1 it would endanger his life4 ,but he answereth1 ,what1 mean ye to weep1 and to break my heart8 for ,i am ready1 not to be bound only1 but also to die at ,jerusalem for the name of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,and when he would not be persuaded1 says ,luke1 we ceased1 saying1 ,the will of the ,lord be done4 ,from what has been thus discoursed1 many things will follow2 as1 #a4 ,that the rod1 as well as the child1 is ,god's2 persecutors1 as well as the persecuted1 are his1 and he has his own designs upon both4 ,he has raised them up1 and he has ordered them for himself1 and for that work that he has for them to do4 ,hence ,habakkuk1 speaking of the church's enemies1 saith1 ,thou hast ordained them for judgment2 and1 ,o mighty ,god1 thou hast established them for correction 7,hab #a3ab74 ,and1 therefore1 they are in other places called the rod of ,god's anger2 his staff 7,isa #aj3e71 his hand2 his sword 7,psa #ag3ac1ad74 ,indeed1 to be thus disposed of1 is a sad lot2 the lot is not fallen to them in pleasant places1 they have not the goodly heritage2 but the judgments of ,god are a great deep4 ,the thing formed may not say to him that formed it1 ,why hast thou made me thus8 ,to be appointed1 to be ordained1 to be established to be a persecutor1 and a troubler of ,god's church--,o tremendous judgment6 ,o amazing anger6 ,three things the people of ,god should learn from hence4 7#a47 ,learn to pity and bewail the condition of the enemy2 ,i know thou canst not alter the counsel of ,god2 appointed they are1 established they are for their work1 and do it they must and shall4 ,but yet it becomes them that see their state1 and that their day is coming1 to pity and bewail their condition1 yea1 and to pray for them too2 for who knows whether it is determined that they should remain implacable to the end1 as ,herod2 or whether they may through grace obtain repentance of their doings1 with ,saul4 ,and ,i say again1 if thy prayer should have a casting hand in the conversion of any of them1 it would be sweet to thy thoughts when the scene is over4 7#b47 ,never grudge them their present advantages4 ,fret not thyself because of evil men1 neither be thou envious at the workers of iniquity 7,prov #bd3ai74 ,fret not1 though they spoil thy resting-place4 ,it is ,god that has bidden them do it1 to try thy faith and patience thereby4 ,wish them no ill with what they get of thine2 it is their wages for their work1 and it will appear to them ere long that they have earned it dearly4 ,their time is to rejoice but as in a moment1 in what thus is gotten by them2 and then they1 not repenting1 are to perish for ever1 like their own dung 7,job #bj3e-g74 ,poor man1 thou that hast thy time to be afflicted by them1 that thy golden graces may shine the more1 thou art in the fire1 and they blow the bellows4 ,but wouldest thou change places with them8 ,wouldest thou sit upon their place of ease8 ,dost thou desire to be with them 7,prov #bd3a78 ,o rest thyself contented2 in thy patience possess thy soul1 and pity and bewail them in the condition in which they are4 7#c47 ,bless ,god that thy lot did fall on the other side1 namely1 to be one that should know the truth1 profess it1 suffer for it1 and have grace to bear thee up thereunder1 to ,god's glory1 and thy eternal comfort4 ,this honour have not all his saints2 all are not counted worthy thus to suffer shame for his name4 ,do this1 ,i say1 though they get all1 and leave thee nothing but the shirt on thy back1 the skin on thy bones1 or an hole in the ground to be put in 7,heb #aa3bc-bf74 #b4 ,labour to be patient under this mighty hand of ,god1 and be not hasty to say1 ,when will the rod be laid aside8 mind thou thy duty1 which is to let patience have its perfect work4 ,and bear the indignation of the ,lord1 because thou hast sinned against him1 until he please to awake1 to arise1 and to execute judgment for thee 7,micah #g3i74 ,but to pass this4 ,are things thus ordered8 then this should teach us that there is a cause4 ,the rod is not gathered without a cause2 the rod is fore-determined1 because the sin of ,god's people is foreseen1 and ofttimes the nature of the sin1 and the anger of the ,father1 is seen in the fashion of the rod4 ,the rod of my anger1 saith ,god4 ,a bitter and hasty nation must be brought against ,jerusalem2 an enemy fierce and cruel must be brought against the land of ,israel4 ,their sins called for such a rod1 for their iniquities were grievous 7,hab #a3f74 ,this should teach us with all earnestness to be sorry for our sins1 and to do what we can to prevent these things1 by falling upon our face in a way of prayer before ,god4 ,if we would shorten such days1 when they come upon us1 let us be lovers of righteousness1 and get more of the righteousness of faith1 and of compliance with the whole will of ,god into our hearts4 ,then ,i say1 the days shall be shortened1 or we fare as well1 because the more harmless and innocent we are1 and suffer1 the greater will our wages1 our reward1 and glory be1 when pay-day shall come2 and what if we wait a little for that8 ,these things are sent to better ,god's people1 and to make them white1 to refine them as silver1 and to purge them as gold1 and to cause that they that bear some fruit1 may bring forth more3 we are afflicted1 that we may grow 7,john #ae3b74 ,it is also the will of ,god1 that they that go to heaven should go thither hardly or with difficulty4 ,the righteous shall scarcely be saved4 ,that is1 they shall1 but yet with great difficulty1 that it may be the sweeter4 ,now that which makes the way to heaven so strait1 so narrow1 so hard1 is the rod1 the sword1 the persecutor1 that lies in the way1 that marks where our haunt is1 that mars our path1 digs a pit1 and that sets a net1 a snare for us in the way 7#a ,sam #bc3bb2 ,job #cj3ab-ad2 ,psa #i3ae2 #ca3d2 #ce3g2 #aai3aaj2 #adj3e2 #adb3c74 ,this1 ,i say1 is that which puts us to it1 but it is to try1 as ,i said1 our graces1 and to make heaven the sweeter to us4 ,to come frighted and hard pursued thither1 will make the safety there the more with exceeding gladness to be embraced4 ,and ,i say1 get thy heart yet more possessed with the power of godliness2 that the love of righteousness may be yet more with thee4 ,for this blessedness1 this happiness1 he shall be sure of1 that suffereth for righteousness' sake4 #c4 ,since the rod is ,god's as well as the child1 let us not look upon our troubles as if they came from1 and were managed only by hell4 ,it is true1 a persecutor has a black mark upon him1 but yet the ,scriptures say that all the ways of the persecutor are ,god's 7,dan #e3bc74 ,wherefore as we should1 so again we should not1 be afraid of men3 we should be afraid of them1 because they will hurt us2 but we should not be afraid of them1 as if they were let loose to do to us1 and with us1 what they will4 ,god's bridle is upon them1 ,god's hook is in their nose3 yea1 and ,god has determined the bounds of their rage1 and if he lets them drive his church into the sea of troubles1 it shall be but up to the neck1 and so far it may go1 and not be drowned 7#b ,kings #ai3bh2 ,isa #cg3bi2 #h3g1h74 ,i say the ,lord has hold of them1 and orders them2 nor do they at any time come out against his people but by his licence and commission how far to go1 and where to stop4 ,and now for two or three objections3-- #a4 ,object4 ,but may we not fly in a time of persecution8 ,your pressing upon us1 that persecution is ordered and managed by ,god1 makes us afraid to fly4 ,answ4 ,first1 having regard to what was said afore about a call to suffer2 thou mayest do in this even as it is in thy heart4 ,if it is in thy heart to fly1 fly3 if it be in thy heart to stand1 stand4 ,any thing but a denial of the truth4 ,he that flies1 has warrant to do so2 he that stands1 has warrant to do so4 ,yea1 the same man may both fly and stand1 as the call and working of ,god with his heart may be4 ,moses fled 7,exo #b3ae71 ,moses stood 7,heb #aa3bg74 ,david fled 7#a ,sam #ai3ab71 ,david stood 7#bd3h74 ,jeremiah fled 7,jer #cg3aa1ab71 ,jeremiah stood 7#ch3ag74 ,christ withdrew himself 7,luke #i3aj71 ,christ stood 7,john #ah3a-h74 ,paul fled 7#b ,cor #aa3cc71 ,paul stood 7,acts #bj3bb1bc74 ,there are therefore few rules in this case4 ,the man himself is best able to judge concerning his present strength1 and what weight this or that argument has upon his heart to stand or fly4 ,i should be loath to impose upon any man in these things2 only1 if thou fliest1 take two or three cautions with thee3-- 7#a47 ,do not fly out of a slavish fear1 but rather because flying is an ordinance of ,god1 opening a door for the escape of some1 which door is opened by ,god's providence1 and the escape countenanced by ,god's ,word 7,matt #aj3bc74 7#b47 ,when thou art fled1 do as much good as thou canst in all quarters where thou comest1 for therefore the door was opened to thee1 and thou bid to make thy escape 7,acts #h3a-e74 7#c47 ,do not think thyself secure when thou art fled2 it was providence that opened the door1 and the ,word that did bid thee escape3 but whither1 and wherefore1 that thou knowest not yet4 ,uriah the prophet fled into ,egypt1 because there dwelt men that were to take him1 that he might be brought again to ,jerusalem to die there 7,jer #bf3ba74 7#d47 ,shouldest thou fly from where thou art1 and be taken in another place2 the most that can be made of it--thy taking the opportunity to fly1 as was propounded at first--can be but this1 thou wast willing to commit thyself to ,god in the way of his providence1 as other good men have done1 and thy being now apprehended has made thy call clear to suffer here or there1 the which before thou wert in the dark about4 7#e47 ,if1 therefore1 when thou hast fled1 thou art taken1 be not offended at ,god or man3 not at ,god1 for thou art his servant1 thy life and thy all are his2 not at man1 for he is but ,god's rod1 and is ordained1 in this1 to do thee good4 ,hast thou escaped8 ,laugh4 ,art thou taken8 ,laugh4 ,i mean1 be pleased which way soever things shall go1 for that the scales are still in ,god's hand4 7#f47 ,but fly not1 in flying1 from religion2 fly not1 in flying1 for the sake of a trade2 fly not1 in flying1 that thou mayest have ease for the flesh3 this is wicked1 and will yield neither peace nor profit to thy soul2 neither now1 nor at death1 nor at the day of judgment4 #b4 ,object4 ,but if ,i fly1 some will blame me3 what must ,i do now8 ,answ4 ,and so many others if thou standest2 fly not1 therefore1 as was said afore1 out of a slavish fear2 stand not1 of a bravado4 ,do what thou dost in the fear of ,god1 guiding thyself by his ,word and providence2 and as for this or that man's judgment1 refer thy case to the judgment of ,god4 #c4 ,object4 ,but if ,i be taken and suffer1 my cause is like to be clothed with scandals1 slanders1 reproaches1 and all manner of false1 and evil speakings2 what must ,i do8 ,answ4 ,saul charged ,david with rebellion 7#a ,sam #bb3h1ac74 ,amos was charged with conspiring against the king 7,amos #g3aj74 ,daniel was charged with despising the king2 and so also were the three children 7,dan #f3ac2 #c3ab74 ,jesus ,christ himself was accused of perverting the nation1 of forbidding to give tribute to ,caesar1 and of saying that himself was ,christ a king 7,luke #bc3b74 ,these things therefore have been4 ,but1 7#a47 ,canst thou1 after a due examination of thyself1 say that as to these things thou art innocent and clear8 ,i say1 will thy conscience justify thee here8 ,hast thou made it thy business to give unto ,god the things that are ,god's1 and unto ,caesar the things that are his1 according as ,god has commanded8 ,if so1 matter not what men shall say1 nor with what lies and reproaches they slander thee1 but for these things count thyself happy4 ,blessed are ye1 when men shall revile you--and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely 7lying7 for my sake 7saith ,christ74 ,rejoice1 and be exceeding glad3 for great is your reward in heaven3 for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you 7,matt #e3aa1ab74 ,comfort thyself therefore in the innocency of thy soul1 and say1 ,i am counted a rebel1 and yet am loyal2 ,i am counted a deceiver1 and yet am true 7#a ,sam #bd3h-ab1 #b ,cor #f3h74 ,also refer thy cause to the day of judgment2 for if thou canst rejoice at the thoughts that thou shalt be cleared of all slanders and evil speakings then1 that will bear up thy heart as to what thou mayest suffer now4 ,the answer of a good conscience will carry a man through hell to heaven4 ,count these slanders part of thy sufferings1 and those for which ,god will give thee a reward1 because thou art innocent1 and for that they are laid upon thee for thy profession's sake4 ,but if thou be guilty1 look to thyself2 ,i am no comforter of such4 ,,third1 ,,the ,,good ,,effect ,,of ,,committing ,,the ,,soul ,,to ,,god',s ,,keeping4 ,i come now to speak to the third and last part of the text1 namely1 of the good effect that will certainly follow to those that1 after a due manner1 shall take the advice afore given4 ,let them that suffer according to the will of ,god1 commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,two things from the last clause of the text lie yet before us4 ,and they are they by which will be shown what good effect will follow to those that suffer according to the will of ,god1 and that commit their souls to his keeping4 #a4 ,such will find him to themselves a ,creator4 #b4 ,they will find him a faithful ,creator4 ,let them commit the keeping of their souls to him1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,in this phrase1 a ,faithful ,creator1 behold the wisdom of the ,holy ,ghost1 how fitly and to the purpose he speaketh4 ,king is a great title1 and ,god is sometimes called a ,king2 but he is not set forth by this title here1 but by the title of a ,creator2 for it is not always in the power of a king to succour and relieve his subjects1 that are suffering for his crown and dignity4 ,father is a sweet title--a title that carrieth in it an intimation of a great deal of bowels and compassion1 and ,god is often set forth also by this title in the holy ,scriptures4 ,but so he is not here1 but rather as a ,creator4 ,for a father1 a compassionate father1 cannot always help1 succour1 or relieve his children1 though he knows they are under affliction6 ,oh6 but a ,creator can4 ,wherefore1 ,i say1 he is set forth here under the title of ,creator4 ,,first1 ,a ,creator6 nothing can die under a ,creator's hands4 ,a ,creator can sustain all4 ,a ,creator can1 as a ,creator1 do what he pleases4 ,the ,lord1 the everlasting ,god1 the ,creator of the ends of the earth1 fainteth not1 neither is weary 7,isa #dj3bh74 ,the cause of ,god1 for which his people suffer1 had been dead and buried a thousand years ago1 had it not been in the hand of a ,creator4 ,the people that have stood by his cause had been out of both as to persons1 name1 and remembrance1 had they not been in the hand of a ,creator4 ,who could have hoped1 when ,israel was going in1 even into the mouth of the ,red ,sea1 that ever his cause1 or that people1 should have revived again4 ,a huge host of the ,egyptians were behind them1 and nothing but death before and on every hand of them2 but they lived1 they flourished1 they outlived their enemies1 for they were in the hand of a ,creator4 ,who could have hoped that ,israel should have returned again from the land1 from the hand1 and from under the tyranny of the king of ,babylon8 ,they could not deliver themselves from going thither1 they could not preserve themselves from being diminished when they came there1 their power was gone1 they were in captivity1 their distance from home was far1 their enemies possessed their land1 their city of defence was ruined1 and their houses burned down to the ground2 and yet they came home again3 there is nothing impossible to a ,creator4 ,who could have thought that the three children could have lived in a fiery furnace8 that ,daniel could have been safe among the lions8 that ,jonah could have come home to his country1 when he was in the whale's belly8 or that our ,lord should have risen again from the dead8 ,but what is impossible to a ,creator8 ,this1 therefore1 is a rare consideration for those to let their hearts be acquainted with that suffer according to the will of ,god1 and that have committed the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing4 ,they have a ,creator to maintain and uphold their cause1 a ,creator to oppose its opposers4 ,and hence it is said1 all that burden themselves with ,jerusalem shall be cut in pieces1 though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it 7,zech #ab3c74 ,,second1 ,a ,creator6 ,a ,creator can not only support a dying cause1 but also fainting spirits4 ,for as he fainteth not1 nor is weary1 so he giveth power to the faint1 and to them that have no might he increaseth strength 7,isa #dj3bi74 ,he is the ,god of the spirits of all flesh1 and has the life of the spirit of his people in his own hand4 ,spirits have their being from him2 he is the ,father of spirits4 ,spirits are made strong by him1 nor can any crush that spirit that ,god the ,creator will uphold4 ,is it not a thing amazing to see one poor inconsiderable man1 in a spirit of faith and patience1 overcome all the threatenings1 cruelties1 afflictions1 and sorrows1 that a whole world can lay upon him8 ,none can quail#dc him1 none can crush him1 none can bend down his spirit4 ,none can make him to forsake what he has received of ,god--a commandment to hold fast4 ,his holy1 harmless1 and profitable notions1 because they are spiced with grace1 yield to him more comfort1 joy1 and peace1 and do kindle in his soul so goodly a fire of love to1 and zeal for ,god1 that all the waters of the world shall never be able to quench4 ,ay1 say some1 that is because his is headstrong1 obstinate1 and one that will hear no reason4 ,no1 say ,i1 but it is because his spirit is in the hand1 under the conduct and preservation1 of a ,creator4 ,a ,creator can make spirits1 uphold spirits1 and make one spirit stronger to stand1 than are all the spirits of the world to cast down4 ,to stand1 ,i say1 in a way of patient enduring in well-doing1 against all that hell can do to suppress4 ,,third1 ,a ,creator6 ,a ,creator can bring down the spirits that oppose1 and make them weak and unstable as water4 ,the ,lord1 the everlasting ,god1 the ,creator of the ends of the earth1 fainteth not1 nor is weary2 there is no searching of his understanding4 ,he gives power to the faint1 and to those that have no might1 he increaseth strength2 now mark1 even the young shall faint and be weary1 and the young men shall utterly fall4 ,a ,creator can dash the spirits of the enemies with fear4 ,god can put them in fear1 and make them know that they are men and not ,god1 and that their horses are flesh and not spirit4 ,when the enemy came to take ,jesus ,christ1 their spirits fainted1 their hearts died in them2 they went backwards1 and fell to the ground4 ,they had hard work to strengthen their spirits to a sufficiency of boldness and courage1 though they brought halberts1 and staves1 and swords1 and weapons with them1 to take a naked#dd man 7,john #ah3c-g74 ,and although this is that which is not so visible to the world as some other things are1 yet ,i believe that ,god treads down the spirits of men in a day when they afflict his people1 oftener than we are aware of1 or than they are willing to confess4 ,how was the hostile spirit of ,esau trod down of ,god1 when he came out to meet his poor naked brother1 with no less than four hundred armed men8 ,he fainted before his brother1 and instead of killing1 kissed him 7,gen #cc3d74 ,how was the bloody spirit of ,saul trod down1 when ,david met him at the mouth of the cave1 and also at the hill ,hachilah 7#a ,sam #bd2 #bf78 ,god is a ,creator1 and as a ,creator1 is a spirit maker1 a spirit reviver1 a spirit destroyer2 he can destroy body and soul in hell 7,luke #ab3e74 ,,fourth1 ,a ,creator6 ,as a ,creator1 he is over all arts1 inventions1 and crafts of men that are set on work to destroy ,god's people1 whether they be soldiers1 excellent orators1 or any other whatsoever2 we will single out one--the smith1 that roaring fellow1 who with his coals and his bellows makes a continual noise4 ,i have created the smith1 said ,god1 that bloweth the coals in the fire1 and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work2 and ,i have created the waster to destroy 7,isa #ed3af74 ,the smith1 what is he8 ,i answer1 an idol maker1 a promoter of false worship1 and one that makes instruments of cruelty1 therewith to help to suppress the true worship 7,isa #da3g2 #dd3ab2 #df3f74 ,i have created the smith1 saith ,god1 that bloweth the coals in the fire4 ,the idol inventor1 the idol maker1 the supporter of idol worship1 he is my creature1 saith ,god1 to teach that he has power to reach him1 and to command his sword to approach him at his pleasure1 notwithstanding his roaring with his bellows1 and his coals in the fire4 ,so then1 he cannot do what he will in the fire1 nor with his idol when he has made it2 the instrument1 also that he makes for the defence of his idol1 and for the suppressing of ,god's true worship1 shall not do the thing for the which it is designed by him4 ,and so the very next verse saith3 ,no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper1 and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn4 ,this is the heritage of the servants of the ,lord1 and their righteousness is of me1 saith the ,lord 7,isa #ed3ag74 ,and the text saith moreover1 ,i have created the waster to destroy4 ,the waster1 what is that8 ,why1 the smith makes an idol1 and ,god has made the rust2 the smith makes a sword1 and ,god has made the rust4 ,the rust eats them up1 the moth shall eat them up1 the fire shall devour them4 ,the wicked1 saith the ,psalmist1 have drawn out the sword1 and have bent their bow1 to cast down the poor and needy1 and to slay such as be of upright conversation4 ,their sword shall enter into their own heart1 and their bows shall be broken 7,psa #cg3ad1ae74 ,all this can ,god do1 because he is a ,creator1 and none but ,god can do it4 ,wherefore by this peculiar title of ,creator1 the apostle prepareth support for suffering saints1 and also shows what a good conclusion is like to be made with them that suffer for righteousness' sake1 according to his will2 and that commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,,fifth1 ,a ,creator6 ,a ,creator can make such provision for a suffering people1 in all respects1 as shall answer all their wants4 ,have they lost their peace with the world8 ,have they no more peace with this world8 ,why1 a ,creator can make1 create peace1 can create peace1 peace2 peace with ,god1 and peace with his conscience2 and that is better than all the peace that can be found elsewhere in the world 7,isa #eg3ai74 ,have they lost a good frame of heart8 ,do they want a right frame of spirit8 ,why1 though this is to be had no where in the world1 yet a ,creator can help them to it 7,psa #ea3aj74 ,have they lost their spiritual defence8 ,do they lie too open to their spiritual foes8 ,why1 this a ,creator can help4 ,and the ,lord will create upon every dwelling place of ,mount ,zion1 and upon her assemblies1 a cloud and smoke by day1 and the shining of a flaming fire by night3 for upon all the glory shall be a defence4 7,isa #d3e7 ,this is the work of the ,spirit2 for though the ,spirit itself be uncreated1 yet all the holy works of it in the heart are verily works of creation4 ,our new man is a creation2 our graces are a creation2 our joys and comforts are a creation#de 7#b ,cor #e3ag1ah2 ,eph #d3bd2 ,isa #fe3ag-ai74 ,now a creation none can destroy but a ,creator2 wherefore here is comfort4 ,but again1 ,god hath created us in ,christ ,jesus2 that is another thing4 ,the sun is created in the heavens2 the stars are created in the heavens2 the moon is created in the heavens4 ,who can reach them1 touch them1 destroy them1 but the ,creator8 ,why1 this is the case of the saint2 because he has to do with a ,creator1 he is fastened to ,christ2 yea1 is in him by an act of creation 7,eph #b3aj71 so that unless ,christ and the creation of the ,holy ,ghost can be destroyed1 he is safe that is suffering according to the will of ,god1 and that hath committed the keeping of his soul to him in well-doing1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,and this ,i would have you consider moreover2 the man that suffereth according to the will of ,god1 committeth not such a soul to this ,creator as dwells in carnal men--a naked soul1 a graceless soul1 a soul that has nothing in it but sin2 but he commits a converted soul1 a regenerate soul1 a soul adorned1 beautified1 and sanctified1 with the jewels1 and bracelets1 earrings1 and perfumes of the blessed ,spirit of grace4 ,and ,i say again1 this is the work of a ,creator1 and a ,creator can maintain it in its gallantry1 ,,footnote8 ,gallantry2 splendour of appearance1 grandeur1 nobleness4--,ed4 and he will do so1 but he will put forth acts of creating power for it every day4 ,,sixth1 ,a ,creator6 ,he that can create can turn and alter any thing1 to what himself would have it4 ,he that made the seven stars and ,orion1 and turneth the shadow of death into the morning 7,amos #e3h71 he can make the wilderness a pool of water1 and the dry land springs of water 7,isa #da3ah74 ,our most afflicted and desolate conditions1 he can make as a little haven unto us2 he can make us sing in the wilderness1 and can give us our vineyards from thence 7,hosea #b3ad1ae74 ,he can make ,paul sing in the stocks1 and good ,rowland ,taylor dance as he goeth to the burning stake4 ,jails1 and mocks1 and scourgings1 and flouts and imprisonments1 and hunger1 and nakedness1 and peril1 and sword1 and dens1 and caves1 and rocks1 and mountains1 ,god can so sweeten with the honey of his ,word1 and make so famous for situation by the glory of his presence1 and so rich and fruitful by the communications of the ,holy ,ghost1 and so easy by the spreading of his feathers over us1 that we shall not be able to say1 that in all the world a more commodious place1 or comfortable condition1 can be found4 ,some have know this1 and have been rather ready to covet to be here1 than to shun and fly from it1 as a most unsavoury condition4 #df ,all these things1 ,i say1 ,god doth as a ,creator4 ,he hath created antipathies1 and he can make antipathies close1 and have favour one for another4 ,the lion and the calf1 the wolf and the lamb1 the little boy and the cockatrice's den he can reconcile1 and make to be at agreement4 ,so1 sufferings and the saint2 the prison and the saint2 losses1 crosses1 and afflictions1 and the saint3 he can make to lie down sweetly together4 ,,seventh1 ,a ,creator6 ,a ,creator can make up all that thou hast or shalt lose for the sake of thy profession by the hands of the children of men1 be they friends1 relations1 a world1 life1 or what you can conceive of4 #a4 ,hast thou lost thy friend for the sake of thy profession8 ,is the whole world set against thee for thy love to ,god1 to ,christ1 his cause1 and righteousness8 ,why1 a ,creator can make up all4 ,here1 therefore1 is the advantage that he hath that suffereth for righteousness' sake4 ,jonathan1 the very son of bloody ,saul1 when ,david had lost the help of all his own relations1 he must fall in with him1 stick to him1 and love him as he loved his own soul 7#a ,sam #ah3a-c74 ,obadiah1 ,ahab's steward1 when the saints were driven even under ground by the rage of ,jezebel the queen1 he is appointed of ,god to feed them in caves and holes of the earth 7#a ,kings #ah3ac74 ,yea1 the very raven complied with the will of a ,creator to bring the prophet bread and flesh in the morning1 and bread and flesh at night 7#ag3f74 ,when ,jeremiah the prophet was rejected of all1 yea1 the church that then was1 could not help him2 he was cast into the dungeon1 and sunk to a great depth there in the mire4 ,god the ,creator1 who ruleth the spirits of all men1 stirred up the heart of ,ebed-melech the ,ethiopian both to petition for his liberty1 and to put him out of the dungeon by the help of thirty men 7,jer #ch3g-ac74 ,these now1 as ,christ says1 were both fathers1 mothers1 brothers1 sisters1 and as a loving wife or child 7,matt #ai3bi74 #b4 ,hast thou1 for the sake of thy faith and profession thereof1 lost thy part in the world8 ,why1 a ,creator can make thee houses as he did for the midwives of ,egypt 7,exo #a3bj1ba71 and can build thee a sure house as he did for ,david his servant1 who ventured all for the love that they had to the fear of ,god and his way 7#b ,sam #g74 ,david was thrust out of ,saul's house1 and driven from his own1 and ,god opened the heart of ,achisch the king of ,gath to receive him1 and to give him ,ziklag4 ,david1 when under the tyranny of ,saul1 knew not what to do with his father and his mother1 who were persecuted for his sake1 but a ,creator inclined the heart of the king of ,moab to receive them to house and harbour 7#a ,sam #bg3e2 #bb3c1d74 #c4 ,is thy life at stake--is that like to go for thy profession1 for thy harmless profession of the gospel8 ,why1 ,god the ,creator is ,lord of life1 and to ,god the ,lord belong the issues from death4 ,so then1 he can1 if he will1 hold thy breath in thy nostrils1 in spite of all the world2 or if he shall suffer them to take away this for his glory1 he can give thee another ten times as good for thy comfort4 ,he that loveth his life shall lose it2 and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal 7,john #ab3be74 #d4 ,is thy body to be disfigured1 dismembered1 starved1 hanged1 or burned for the faith and profession of the gospel8 ,why1 a ,creator can either prevent it1 or1 suffering it1 can restore it the very same to thee again1 with great and manifold advantage4 ,he that made thee to be now what thou art1 can make thee to be what thou never yet wast4 ,it doth not yet appear what we shall be1 further than only by general words 7#a ,john #c3b2 ,phil #c3ba74 ,,eighth1 ,a ,creator6 ,peter sets him before us here as a ,creator1 because he would have us live upon him as such2 as well as upon his grace1 love1 and mercy4 ,in ,job's day this was bewailed1 that none or but a few said1 ,where is ,god my maker1 who giveth songs in the night8 7,job #ce3aj74 ,creator1 as was hinted before1 is one of ,god's peculiar titles4 ,it is not given to him above five or six times in all the ,book of ,god2 and usually1 when given him1 it is either to show his greatness1 or else to convince us that of duty we ought to depend upon him2 and not to faint1 if he be on our side1 for or under any adversity1 according as we are bidden in the text3 ,let them that suffer according to the will of ,god1 commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing1 as unto a faithful creator4 ,shall ,god display his glory before us under the character and title of a ,creator1 and shall we yet fear man8 ,shall he do this to us when we are under a suffering condition1 and that on purpose that we might commit our souls to him in well-doing1 and be quiet1 and shall we take no notice of this8 ,who art thou1 that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die1 and of the son of man which shall be made as grass2 and forgettest the ,lord thy maker1 that hath stretched forth the heavens1 and laid the foundations of the earth8 c4 7,isa #ea3ab1ac74 ,had ,god concealed himself1 as to his being a ,creator1 yet since he presenteth himself unto us by his ,word under so many excellent titles as are given to no other ,god besides1 methinks it should make us bold in our ,god2 but when1 for our relief1 he shall add to all other that he verily is a ,creator1 this should make us rest in hope indeed4 ,every nation will have confidence for their own gods1 though but gods that are made with hands--though but the work of the smith and carpenter2 and shall not we trust in the name of the ,lord our ,god1 who is not only a ,god1 but a ,creator and former of all things 7,micah #d3e71 consequently1 the only living and true ,god1 and one that alone can sustain us8 ,we therefore are to be greatly blamed if we overlook the ground1 such ground of support and comfort as presenteth itself unto us under the title of a ,creator2 but then most of all1 if1 when we have heard1 believed1 and known that our ,god is such1 we shall yet be afraid of a man that shall die1 and forget the ,lord our maker4 ,we1 ,i say1 have heard1 seen1 known1 and believed1 that our ,god is the ,creator4 ,the heavens declare his glory1 and the firmament showeth his handy-work1 and thus he has showed unto us his eternal power and ,godhead 7,rom #a3bj74 ,behold1 then1 thou fearful worm1 ,jacob1 the heavens1 the sun1 the moon1 the stars2 behold the earth1 the sea1 the air1 the fire1 and vapours4 ,behold1 all living things1 from leviathan and behemoth to the least that creepeth in the earth and waters4 ,yea1 behold thyself1 thy soul1 thy body1 thy fashion1 thy building1 and consider2 thy ,god hath made even all these things1 and hath given to thee this being2 yea1 and all this also he made of that which doth not appear 7,heb #aa3a-c74 ,this is that which thou art called to the consideration of by ,peter1 in the text2 when he letteth fall from his apostolical meditation that thy ,god is the ,creator1 and commandeth that thou1 in thy suffering for him according to his will1 shouldest commit the keeping of thy soul to him as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,he that has the art thus to do1 and that can do it in his straits1 shall never be trodden down4 ,his ,god1 his faith2 his faith1 his ,god1 are able to make him stand4 ,for such a man will thus conclude1 that since the ,creator of all is with him1 what but creatures are there to be against him8 ,so1 then1 what is the axe1 that it should boast itself against him that heweth therewith8 or the saw1 that it should magnify itself against him that shaketh it8 as if the rod should shake itself against him that lifteth it up2 or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were not wood 7,isa #aj3ae74 ,read also ,isaiah #dj3ab-ca1 and then speak1 if ,god as ,creator is not a sure confidence to all the ends of the earth that trust in1 and wait upon him4 ,as ,creator1 he hath formed and upholdeth all things2 yea1 his hands have formed the crooked serpent1 wherefore he also is at his bay 7,job #bf3ac74 ,and thou hast made the dragon in the sea2 and therefore it follows that he can cut and wound him 7,isa #ea3i71 and give him for meat to the fowls1 and to the beasts inheriting the wilderness 7,psa #gd3ac1ad71 if he will seek to swallow up and destroy the church and people of ,god 7,eze #bi3c1d74 ,,ninth1 ,a ,creator is ,god6 the ,god unto whom they that suffer according to his will are to commit the keeping of their souls--the ,creator4 ,and doth he take charge of them as a ,creator8 ,then this should teach us to be far off from being dismayed1 as the heathens are1 at his tokens2 for our ,god1 the ,lord1 is the true ,god1 the living ,god1 the ,king of eternity 7,jer #aj3a1b1aj74 ,we should tremblingly glory and rejoice when we see him in the world1 though upon those that are the most terrible of his dispensations4 ,god the ,creator will sometimes mount himself and ride through the earth in such majesty and glory1 that he will make all to stand in the tent doors to behold him4 ,o how he rode in his chariots of salvation when he went to save his people out of the land of ,egypt6 ,how he shook the nations6 ,then his glory covered the heavens1 and the earth was full of his praise4 ,and his brightness was as the light2 he had horns coming out of his hand3 and there was the hiding of his power4 ,before him went the pestilence1 and burning coals went forth at his feet4 ,he stood1 and measured the earth3 he beheld1 and drove asunder the nations2 and the everlasting mountains were scattered1 the perpetual hills did bow3 his ways are everlasting4 ,then said the prophet1 ,i saw the tents of ,cushan in affliction3 and the curtains of the land of ,midian did tremble4 ,was the ,lord displeased against the rivers8 was thine anger against the rivers8 was thy wrath against the sea1 that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation8 7,hab #c3c-h74 ,so ,david3 ,the earth shook and trembled1 said he2 the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken1 because he was wroth4 ,there went up a smoke out of his nostrils1 and fire out of his mouth devoured3 coals were kindled by it4 ,he bowed the heavens also1 and came down3 and darkness was under his feet4 ,and he rode upon a cherub1 and did fly3 yea1 he did fly upon the wings of the wind4 ,he made darkness his secret place2 his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies4 ,at the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed1 hail stones and coals of fire4 ,the ,lord also thundered in the heavens1 and the ,highest gave his voice2 hail stones and coals of fire4 ,yea1 he sent out his arrows1 and scattered them2 and he shot out lightnings1 and discomfited them4 ,then the channels of waters were seen1 and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke1 ,o ,lord1 at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils 7,psa #ah3g-ae74 ,these are glorious things1 though shaking dispensations4 ,god is worthy to be seen in his dispensations as well as in his ,word1 though the nations tremble at his presence4 ,oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens1 that thou wouldest come down1 saith the prophet1 that the mountains might flow down at thy presence6 7,isa #fd3a74 ,we know ,god1 and he is our ,god1 our own ,god2 of whom or of what should we be afraid8 7,psa #df74 ,when ,god roars out of ,zion1 and utters his voice from ,jerusalem1 when the heavens and the earth do shake1 the ,lord shall be the hope of his people1 and the strength of the children of ,israel 7,joel #c3af74 ,every man stayeth up1 or letteth his spirit fail1 according to what he knoweth concerning the nature of a thing4 ,he that knows the sea1 knows the waves will toss themselves3 he that knows a lion1 will not much wonder to see his paw1 or to hear the voice of his roaring4 ,and shall we that know our ,god be stricken with a panic fear1 when he cometh out of his holy place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity8 ,we should stand like those that are next to angels1 and tell the blind world who it is that is thus mounted upon his steed1 and that hath the clouds for the dust of his feet1 and that thus rideth upon the wings of the wind3 we should say unto them1 ,this ,god is our ,god for ever and ever1 and he shall be our guide even unto death4 ,our ,god6 the ,creator6 ,he can turn men to destruction1 and say1 ,return1 ye children of men4 ,when our ,god shows himself1 it is worth the while to see the sight1 though it costs us all that we have to behold it4 ,some men will bless and admire every rascally juggler that can but make again that which they only seem to mar1 or do something that seems to outgo reason2 yea1 though they make thunderings and noise in the place where they are1 as though the devil himself were there4 ,shall saints1 then1 like slaves1 be afraid of their ,god1 the ,creator2 of their own ,god1 when he rendeth the heavens1 and comes down8 ,when ,god comes into the world to do great things1 he must come like himself--like him that is a ,creator3 wherefore the heavens and the earth must move at his presence1 to signify that they acknowledge him as such1 and pay him that homage that is due to him as their ,god and great ,creator4 ,we that are ,christians have been trained up by his ,son in his school this many a day1 and have been told what a ,god our ,father is1 what an arm he has1 and with what a voice he can thunder2 how he can deck himself with majesty and excellency1 and array himself with beauty and glory2 how he can cast abroad the rage of his wrath1 and behold every one that is proud1 and abase him 7,job #dj3i-aa74 ,have we not talked of what he did at the ,red ,sea1 and in the land of ,ham many years ago1 and have we forgot him now8 ,have we not vaunted and boasted of our ,god both in church1 pulpit1 and books2 and spake to the praise of them that1 instead of stones1 attempted to drive antichrist out of the world with their lives and their blood2 and are we afraid of our ,god8 ,he was ,god1 a ,creator1 then2 and is he not ,god now8 and will he not be as good to us as to them that have gone before us8 or would we limit him to appear in such ways as only smile upon our flesh2 and have him stay1 and not show himself in his heart-shaking dispensations until we are dead and gone8 ,what if we must go now to heaven1 and what if he is thus come down to fetch us to himself8 ,if we have been wise as serpents1 and innocent as doves--if we can say1 ,neither against the law of the ,jews1 neither against the temple1 nor against ,caesar1 have we offended anything at all1 of what should we be afraid8 ,let heaven and earth come together1 ,i dare say they will not hurt us4 ,our ,lord ,jesus1 when dilating upon some of the great and necessary works of our ,creator1 puts check beforehand to all uncomely fears2 to such fears as become not the faith and profession of a ,christian4 ,brother1 saith he1 shall deliver up the brother to death1 and the father the child3 and the children shall rise up against their parents1 and cause them to be put to death4 ,and ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake4 ,what follows8 7verse #bh71 ,fear them not2 and again1 in verse #ca1 ,fear ye not 7,matt #aj3ba1bb74 ,so again 7,matt #bd73 ,nation shall rise against nation--there shall be famines1 pestilences1 and earthquakes1 c4 ,they shall deliver you up to be afflicted1 and shall kill you4--,many shall be offended1 and shall betray one another4--,and many false prophets shall arise1 and deceive many4 ,and yet for all this we are bid not to be afraid1 for all these things1 with all other are ordered1 limited1 enlarged and straitened1 bounded and butted by the will1 and hand1 and power of that ,god unto whom ,peter bids us commit the keeping of our souls1 as unto a faithful ,creator 7verse #g-aa2 ,mark #ac3e-i74 ,to wait for ,god in the way of his judgments doth well become a ,christian4 ,to believe he loves us when he shows himself terrible to us1 is also very much becoming of us4 ,wherefore has he given us grace8 ,is it that we should live by sense8 ,wherefore has he sometimes visited us8 ,is it that our hearts might be estranged from him1 and that we still should love the world8 ,and ,i say again1 wherefore has he so plainly told us of his greatness1 and of what he can do8 ,is it not that we might be still when the world is disturbed2 and that we might hope for good things to come out of such providences that1 to sense1 look as if themselves would eat up and devour all8 ,let us wait upon ,god1 walk with ,god1 believe in ,god1 and commit ourselves1 our soul1 our body1 to ,god1 to be kept4 ,yea1 let us be content to be at the disposal of ,god1 and rejoice to see him act according to all his wondrous works4 ,for this is a posture highly becoming them that say of ,god he is their ,father1 and that have committed the keeping of their souls to him as unto a ,creator4 ,a comely thing it is for the soul that feareth ,god1 to love and reverence him in all his appearances4 ,we should be like the spaniel dog1 even lie at the foot of our ,god1 as he at the foot of his master2 yea1 and should be glad1 could we but see his face1 though he treads us down with his feet4 ,ay1 says one son1 so ,i could1 if ,i thought this high ,god would regard me1 and take notice of my laying of my soul at his foot1 while ,i suffer for his ,word and truth in the world4 ,why1 do but see now how the ,holy ,ghost1 for our help1 doth hedge up that way in at which unbelief would come1 that there might1 as to this1 be no room left for doubting4 ,for as he calleth the ,god unto whom we are bid to commit the keeping of our soul1 a ,creator1 so he saith that he is ,a ,,creator ,,that ,,is ,,faithful4 ,let them commit the keeping of their souls unto him in well-doing1 as unto a faithful ,creator--a ,creator that will concern himself with the soul committed to his trust1 and that will be faithful to it1 according to all that he has promised4 ,this1 therefore1 of ,god's faithfulness being added to his might and power1 is in itself a ground of great support to those that have in a way of well-doing committed themselves1 their souls1 to him to keep4 ,a ,creator2 what is it that a ,creator cannot do8 ,a faithful ,creator2 what is it that one that is faithful will not do1 that is1 when he is engaged8 ,and now he is engaged1 because thou hast committed thy soul to him to keep1 and because he has bid thee do so4 ,let them commit the keeping of their soul to him1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,i have sometimes seen an unfaithful man engaged1 when a thing has been committed to him to keep4 ,a man that is a thief1 a cheater1 a defrauder1 will yet be faithful to him that will commit a charge to him to keep4 ,and the reason is1 because1 though he can steal1 cheat1 defraud1 without being taken notice of2 yet he must be seen and known1 if he be false in that which is committed to him to keep4 ,i know the comparison is odious1 yet such have been made by a holier mouth than mine1 and as the case may be1 they may be aptest of all to illustrate that which a man is about to explain4 ,hark what the unjust judge saith1 says the ,lord ,jesus ,christ 7,luke #ah74 ,to commit thy soul to ,god is to trust him with it2 to commit thy soul to ,god is to engage him to look to it4 ,and if he should not be faithful now1 he will not be so in any case4 ,for himself has bidden thee do it2 he has also promised to keep it1 as has been already showed in the former part of this discourse4 ,besides1 he is here said to be faithful--to be a faithful ,creator4 ,he challenges this of faithfulness to himself alone3 ,yea1 let ,god be true1 but every man a liar 7,rom #c3d74 ,this1 therefore1 doth still help to encourage them that would be faithful to him1 to commit the keeping of our soul to him4 ,a faithful man will encourage one much2 how much more should the faithfulness of ,god encourage us8 ,here1 therefore1 we have a closing word indeed2 a word to wrap up the text with that is as full of good as the sun is of light4 ,what can be fitter spoken8 ,what can be added8 ,what now is wanting to the help of him that has committed his soul to ,god to keep it while he is suffering according to his will in the world8 ,he is engaged1 as ,i said1 by that act2 thou hast committed thy soul to him to keep2 he is engaged by his own ,word2 he has bidden thee commit thy soul to him to keep4 ,he is engaged by his declaring of himself to be faithful2 for that has encouraged thee to commit thy soul to him to keep4 ,besides1 he has promised to do it2 he has sworn to do it4 ,for when ,god made promise to ,abraham1 because he could swear by no greater1 he sware by himself1 saying1 ,surely blessing ,i will bless thee1 and multiplying ,i will multiply thee4 ,and so1 after he had patiently endured1 7as thou must do17 he obtained the promise4 ,for men verily swear by the great3 and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife4 ,wherein ,god1 willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel1 confirmed it by an oath3 that by two immutable things1 in which it was impossible for ,god to lie1 we might have a strong consolation1 who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us3 which hope we have as an anchor of the soul1 both sure and steadfast1 and which entereth into that within the veil2 whither the forerunner is for us entered1 even ,jesus1 made an ,high-priest for ever after the order of ,melchisedec 7,heb #f3ac-bj74 ,thus you see what ground we have who suffer according to the will of ,god1 and that have committed the keeping of our souls to him in well-doing1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,here1 therefore1 ,i might make a stop and conclude as to this advice2 but now we are in1 we will proceed a little further1 and will fall upon three or four more particulars4 ,first1 then1 ,he will be faithful to us in this3 ,he will keep us from those allurements of the world that a suffering saint is subject to4 ,they that suffer have other kinds of temptations upon this account than other ,christians have4 ,the liberty of others1 while they are in bonds1 is a temptation to them4 ,the peace of others1 while they are in trouble1 is a temptation to them4 ,the enjoyments of others1 while their houses are empty and their goods taken away1 while their own water is sold unto them1 and while they are buying their own wood1 is a great temptation to them 7,lam #e3d74 ,and this temptation1 were it not that we have to do with a ,god that is faithful1 would assuredly be a great snare unto them4 ,but ,god is faithful1 who will not suffer you to be tempted1 as to this1 above that ye are able 7#a ,cor #aj3ac74 ,nay1 a suffering man has not only these things lying before him as a temptation1 but perhaps the wife of the bosom lies at him1 saying1 ,o do not cast thyself away2 if thou takest this course1 what shall ,i do8 ,thou has said thou lovest me2 now make it manifest by granting this my small request4 ,do not still remain in thine integrity4 ,next to this come the children1 all which are like to come to poverty1 to beggary1 to be undone for want of wherewithal to feed1 and clothe1 and provide for them for time to come4 ,now also come kindred1 and relations1 and acquaintance2 some chide1 some cry1 some argue1 some threaten1 some promise1 some flatter1 and some do all1 to befool him for so unadvised an act as to cast away himself1 and to bring his wife and children to beggary for such a thing as religion4 ,these are sore temptations4#dg ,next to those come the terrors of men1 the gripes of the laws1 the shadow of death1 and no man can tell what4 ,all which are sufficient to pull a man from the gates of life1 were he there1 if the faithful ,creator stands not to him4 ,but ,god is faithful1 who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able2 but will with the temptation make a way to escape1 that ye may be able to bear it4--,but ,god is faithful4 ,it saith not1 that thou art3 but ,god is faithful--to his ,son1 to whom he has given thee2 to his promise1 the which he has given thee2 to his cause1 to which he has called thee2 and to thy soul1 the which thou hast committed to his trust1 and the which he also has taken the charge of1 as he is a faithful ,creator4 ,and will not suffer thee to be tempted4 ,how1 not tempted8 ,no2 not above what thou art able4 ,he that tempts thee doth not at all consider thy strength1 so as to stop when he sees thou art weak2 he would have thee overthrown1 for therefore it is that he tempteth thee4 ,but ,god will not suffer that1 because he is faithful1 and because thou hast committed the keeping of thy soul unto him in well-doing1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,not tempted above that ye are able4 ,he saith not1 above that ye are well able4 ,indeed1 thy strength shall be proportioned to the temptation1 but thou mayest have none over and above to spare2 thou shalt not have a bigger load than ,god will give thee shoulders to bear4 ,christ did bear his burden1 but it made him cry out1 and sweat as it were great drops of blood1 to carry it4 ,bear thy burden thou shalt1 and not be destroyed by it2 but perhaps thou mayest sometimes roar under it by reason of the disquietness of thy heart4 ,but he will with the temptation make a way of escape4 ,with the temptation1 not without it2 thou must be tempted1 and must escape too4 ,with the temptation4 ,as sure as ,satan is licensed1 so sure he is limited2 and when ,satan has ended all the temptation1 he shall depart from thee 7,luke #d3ac74 ,he will with the temptation--by such a managing of it as shall beak its own neck4 ,god can admit ,satan to tempt1 and make the ,christian wise to manage the temptation for his own escape4 ,make a way4 ,it may be thou seest no way of escape4 ,it may be there is no way--no way in all the world1 to escape4 ,well2 but ,god can make a way4 ,when ,israel was hemmed in at the ,red ,sea1 there was as then no way--no way in all the world1 to escape4 ,o6 but ,god made a way1 and a pathway too1 and that through the mighty waters 7,exo #ae3h1af2 ,psa #ajf3i2 #gh3ac74 ,he will make a way with the temptation1 or will with the temptation make a way to escape1 that ye may be able to bear it4 ,these are the words of the ,holy ,ghost1 who is ,god2 and they are spoken1 yea1 committed to record for this very purpose1 that those that are under affliction might commit the keeping of their soul to him in well-doing1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,that is the first4 ,second1 ,he will also be faithful to us as to this3 ,he will give us a competent measure of wisdom1 that in our suffering condition we may in all things be made able to manage our state with discretion4 ,we are perhaps weak of natural abilities1 parts of utterance1 or the like2 and our adversaries are learned1 eloquent1 and ripe of parts4 ,thou hast the disadvantage on thy side1 and they have what the world can afford to encourage them2 thou art weak of spirit1 they are bold and strong4 ,the great and the mighty are with thy enemies1 but on thy side there is no comforter 7,eccl #d3a74 ,why now here is1 as to this1 and to what else can it be objected1 the faithfulness of ,god engaged4 ,first1 in a general promise2 ,i will not fail thee1 nor forsake thee 7,heb #ac3e1f74 ,secondly1 we have an invitation to come to this faithful ,god for wisdom to assist and help4 ,for after he had said1 ,my brethren1 count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations--and let patience have her perfect work2 he adds1 ,if any man lack wisdom1 let him ask of ,god1 that giveth to all men liberally1 and upbraideth not1 and it shall be given him 7,james #a3b-e74 ,here is more than an invitation1 here is a promise--it shall be given him2 and all to show us what a faithful ,creator we have committed our souls unto4 ,doth any lack wisdom to know how to carry it in a time of trial3 let them ask it of ,god--of the ,god that is wisdom itself2 let him ask it of ,god1 the liberal giver1 who giveth to all men all that they have1 and upbraideth not for their unworthiness4 ,nor doth the ,holy ,ghost stop here1 but enlarges himself in a more particular way to those that suffer according to the text1 saying1 ,but when they deliver you up1 take no thought how or what ye shall speak3 for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak 7,matt #aj3ai74 ,i have often been amazed in my mind at this text1 for how could ,jesus ,christ have said such a word if he had not been able to perform it8 ,this text1 therefore1 declares him to be ,god4 ,it is also a proof of faithfulness to those that suffer for him4 ,for it is as if he should say1 ,try me and trust me2 if ,i stand not by you in a day of distress1 never believe me more2--you1 suffering according to the will of ,god1 and committing your souls to him in well-doing2 ,i will give you a mouth and wisdom1 which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist1 for so he has it in ,luke #ba3ae4 ,here is no consideration of what capacity the people might be of1 that were to be persecuted2 but what matters what they are8 if fools1 it is no matter2 if wise1 it helpeth nothing4 ,a mouth and wisdom is to be given2 that of itself shall do4 ,and this is according to that other scripture mentioned afore1 where it saith1 ,no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper2 and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn 7,isa #ed3ag74 ,although it may happen in this1 as in the former temptation1 the devil and his agents may give the saints1 in their pleading for the truth1 their bellies full both of cross answers1 equivocations1 sophistications1 wrong glosses and erroneous interpretations2 but truth shall prevail1 shall turn the scale1 and bear away the victory4 ,third1 ,he will also be faithful to us in this3 we shall not want spiritual support to help us to bear up under our particular parts of suffering4 ,i do not say that thou shalt be comforted all the while2 but ,i say he will be to thee so faithful as to comfort thee under those thodes1#dh gusts1 blasts1 or battering storms that beat against thy wall 7,isa #cb3b74 ,look then what present degrees or aggravating appearances are in thy afflictions2 to such a degree shalt thou at times be supported4 ,for as surely as ever the ,spirit of ,god moved ,samson at times in the camp of ,dan1 when he lay against the ,philistines2 so will the ,spirit of ,god move in and upon thee to comfort and to strengthen thee1 whilst thou sufferest for his name in the world4 ,as our afflictions abound for ,christ1 so shall our consolations abound by him 7#b ,cor #a3e74 ,i have observed that ,god lays this1 that he useth to comfort his people in a time of sufferings1 as an aggravation of sin upon them that did use to shuck#di and shrink under sufferings4 ,i1 saith he1 even ,i1 am he that comforteth you2 who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die 7,isa #ea3ab78 ,god1 says the wise man1 hath set the one over against the other1 the day of adversity and the day of prosperity1 to the end that man should find nothing after him to complain of 7,eccl #g3ad74 ,for as certainly as there is a time to mourn1 so certainly there is a time to rejoice3 set1 ,i say1 for them that suffer for ,god's cause according to ,god's will 7,eccl #c3d74 ,there are several degrees of suffering for righteousness2 there is the scourge of the tongue1 the ruin of an estate1 the loss of liberty1 a jail1 a gibbet1 a stake1 a dagger4 ,now1 answerable to these are the comforts of the ,holy ,ghost prepared1 like to like1 part proportioned to part1 only the consolations are said to abound 7#b ,cor #a74 ,but the lighter the sufferings are1 the more difficult it is to judge of the comforts of the ,spirit of ,god1 for it is common for a man to be comfortable under sufferings when he suffereth but little1 and knows also that his enemy can touch his flesh1 his estate1 or the like1 but little3 ,i say1 it is common for such a man to be comfortable in his sufferings1 from the consideration that his enemies can touch him no further4 ,and this may be the joy of the flesh--the result of reason1 and may be very much1 if not altogether1 without a mixture of the joy of the ,holy ,ghost therewith4 ,the more deep1 therefore1 and the more dreadful the sufferings are1 the more clearly are seen the comforts of the ,spirit1 when a man has comfort where the flesh is dead1 stirreth not1 and can do nothing4 ,when a man can be comfortable at the loss of all--when he is under the sentence of death1 or at the place of execution--when a man's cause1 a man's conscience1 the promise1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 have all one comfortable voice1 and do all1 together with their trumpets1 make one sound in the soul2 then the comforts are good1 of the right kinds1 of ,god and his ,spirit4 ,i told you before that there are several degrees of sufferings2 wherefore it is not to be expected that he that suffers but little should partake of the comforts that are prepared for them that suffer much4 ,he that has only the scourge of the tongue1 knows not what are the comforts that are prepared for him that meets with the scourge of the whip4 ,and how should a man know what manner of comforts the ,holy ,ghost doth use to give at the jail and the gibbet1 when himself1 for righteousness1 never was there8 ,but whether this or the other ,christian knows it1 ,god has his consolations for his suffering people2 and those1 too1 such as are proportioned to the nature or degree of their sufferings2 the which shall assuredly be made appear to them that shall after a godly manner stick to his truth1 and trust him with their souls4 ,joseph was cast into prison2 but ,god was with him4 ,john was banished into the isle called ,patmos1 for the ,word of ,god2 but what revelations of ,god had he there6 even such as he was a stranger to all his life before3 this1 therefore1 is to be well heeded4 ,for it is a demonstration of the faithfulness of ,god to those that1 suffering according to his will1 do commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing1 as unto a faithful ,creator4 ,fourth1 ,he will also be faithful to us in this3 ,he will not let the sharpness1 nor keenness1 nor venom of the arrows of the enemies of his people1 reach so far as to destroy both body and soul at once2 but he will preserve them1 when what can be done is done1 to his eternal kingdom and glory1 is a marvellous thing2 but it must be so1 because ,god has called them to it4 ,therefore1 after ,peter had told them that the devil their adversary sought to devour them1 and had bidden them resist him1 steadfast in the faith1 he saith1 ,but the ,god of all grace1 who hath called us unto his eternal kingdom and glory by ,christ ,jesus1 after that ye have suffered a while1 make you perfect1 stablish1 strengthen1 settle you 7#a ,peter #e3aj74 ,the truth is1 persecution of the godly was1 of ,god1 never intended for their destruction1 but for their glory1 and to make them shine the more when they are beyond this valley of the shadow of death4 ,indeed1 we ofttimes1 when we are persecuted1 do feel the terrors of our adversaries in our minds4 ,but it is not because they can shoot them thither1 nor because they of themselves have power to reach so far1 but we1 like fools1 by our ignorance and unbelief1 do admit them thither4 ,no suffering1 nor inflicter of suffering1 can reach the peace of the sufferer without his own consent4 ,this is provision of ,god's making2 yea1 and if through our folly their terror is admitted to touch us1 yet since we are not our own1 but are bought with a price1 we are not so at our own dispose1 but that ,god will have the butting and bounding of their rage1 as also a power to uphold and support our spirits4 ,when ,i said my foot slipped1 thy mercy1 ,o ,lord1 help me up4 ,and the reason why1 by ,god's ordinance1 the spirit is not to be touched in suffering1 is1 because that is it that is to sustain the infirmity of the sufferer2 therefore ,god will have the spirit of his servants kept sound1 and in good health 7,prov #ah3ad2 ,isa #eg3af74 ,the room1 therefore1 and the ground that the enemy has to play upon1 is the body and outward substance of the people of ,god1 but the spirit is reserved1 for the reason hinted before1 and also that it might be capable of maintaining of communion with ,god4 ,and how else could they obey that command that bids them rejoice in tribulation1 and glorify ,god in the fires8 as it is 7,rom #ab2 ,isa #bd3ae74 ,but1 ,i say1 if they have not power to touch1 much less to destroy body and soul for ever4 ,the body is ,god's1 and he gives that to them to destroy2 the spirit is ,god's1 and he keeps that to himself1 to show that he has both power to do with us what he pleases1 and that he will recover our body also out of their hand2 for if the spirit lives1 so must the body1 when men have done what they can therewith4 ,this is the argument of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ himself 7,luke #bj3cg1ch74 ,therefore the faithfulness of ,god not only is1 but also will be seen1 by them that dare trust him1 till the next world1 to his glory and their eternal comfort4 ,we will now conclude with a short word by way of ,,use4 ,you see how ,i have opened the text1 and what hath naturally followed thereupon2 from the whole of which may be gathered3-- ,use ,first1 ,that the people of ,god are a suffering people--a people subject to trouble for their faith and profession4 ,the reason is1 besides what hath been said already1 because the power of truth is in their hearts1 and shows itself in their lives--a thing which the devil and the world can by no means abide4 ,he that is born after the flesh persecuteth him that is born after the ,spirit 7,gal #d3bi74 ,for they cannot agree in religion2 the godly are so devout and the other are so profane1 that they cannot do4 ,not but that ,god's people1 as they are commanded1 are willing to let them alone2 but the other they cannot bear that they should serve ,god as they have said 7,matt #ae3ad71 and hence ariseth persecution4 ,the world also would have the religion of the godly to be counted false--a thing that the others can by no means endure1 but will stand by and maintain1 yet in all peaceable manner1 their own ways before them1 whatever it costs4 ,the ,christian and the carnal professor are like those two harlots that you read of in the book of ,kings1 who strove for the living child1 whose it should be1 whose contest could not be decided until it came to the sword of the king 7#a ,kings #c74 ,o1 but when the sword was drawn1 under a show as if the living child must now be cut in two1 then the true mother was known from the false2 for her bowels yearned upon her son 7verse #bf1bg74 ,the world1 what show soever they have for religion1 and however they urge it1 that the truth is with them1 have no yearning of bowels for it4 ,let it be neither mine nor thine1 said she1 but divide it2 but the woman whose the living child was1 had not a heart to say so4 ,religion may lie and die in a ditch for all those that are given to their sins2 nor doth their zeal appear1 except when they are gripping of the godly for his faith towards ,god4 ,bowels1 yearning of bowels over ,god's condemned religion1 is only found in the souls of those who own ,god has made it4 ,use ,second1 ,is it so8 ,are ,god's people a suffering people8 ,then this should inform them that will be religious1 to prepare themselves for what is like to attend them for their religion4 ,to prepare1 ,i say1 not with carnal weapons1 but with the graces of the ,spirit of ,god2 that will help them with meekness and patience to endure4 ,sit down then1 ,i say1 and count up the cost1 before for religion thou engagest too far2 lest thou take upon thee to meddle with that which thou wilt not know what to do with in the end 7,prov #be3h2 ,luke #ad3be-cj74 ,many there be that are faulty here2 they have taken upon them to profess1 not considering what they have taken in hand may cost them4 ,wherefore1 when troubles come indeed1 then they start and cry4 ,this they like not1 because they looked not for it2 and if this be the way to heaven1 let who will go on in it for them4 ,thus they take offence1 and leave ,christ's cause and people to shift for themselves in the world 7,matt #ac3bj1ba74 ,use ,third1 ,but let ,god's people think never the worse of religion1 because of the coarse entertainment it meeteth with in the world4 ,it is better to choose ,god and affliction than the world1 and sin1 and carnal peace4 ,it is necessary that we should suffer1 because that we have sinned4 ,and if ,god will have us suffer a little while here for his ,word1 instead of suffering for our sins in hell1 let us be content1 and count it a mercy with thankfulness4 ,the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction3 they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath 7,job #ba3cj74 ,how kindly1 therefore1 doth ,god deal with us1 when he chooses to afflict us but for a little1 that with everlasting kindness he may have mercy upon us 7,isa #ed3g1h74 ,and it is better1 if the will of ,god be so1 that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing 7#a ,peter #c3ag74 ,use ,fourth1 ,look not1 therefore1 upon the sufferings of ,god's people for their religion1 to be tokens of ,god's great anger4 ,it is1 to be sure1 as our heavenly ,father orders it1 rather a token of his love2 for suffering for the gospel1 and for the sincere profession of it1 is indeed a dignity put upon us--a dignity that all men are not counted worthy of4 ,count it1 therefore1 a favour that ,god has bestowed upon thee his truth1 and graces to enable thee to profess it1 though thou be made to suffer for it 7,acts #e3da74 ,thou mightest have been a sufferer for thy sins in hell1 but thou art not2 but contrariwise art1 perhaps1 suffering for conscience to ,god2 this is a dignity4 ,for that thou dost thus by virtue of a heavenly gift1 on the behalf of ,christ1 for the gospel's sake1 and according to the will of ,god4 ,this is a dignity that a persecutor shall not be counted worthy of1 until he first convert to ,christ 7,phil #a3bi74 ,use ,fifth1 ,take thy affliction with meekness and patience1 though thou endurest grief wrongfully4 ,for this is thankworthy1 if a man for conscience toward ,god endure grief1 suffering wrongfully 7#a ,peter #b3ai74 ,lay thy hand1 then1 upon thy mouth1 and speak not a word of ill against him that doth thee wrong2 leave thy cause and thy enemy to ,god2 yea1 rather pray that his sin may not be laid to his charge2 wherefore1 as ,i said before1 now show thyself a good man1 by loving1 pitying1 praying for1 and by doing good1 as thou art commanded1 to them that despitefully use thee 7,matt #e3dd74 ,i know thy flesh will be apt to huff1 and to be angry1 and to wish1 would thou mightest revenge thyself4 ,but this is base1 carnal1 sensual1 devilish2 cast1 therefore1 such thoughts from thee1 as thoughts that are not fit for a ,christian's breast1 and betake thee to those weapons that are not carnal4 ,for the artillery of a ,christian is the ,word1 faith1 and prayer2 and in our patience we must possess our souls 7#b ,cor #aj3e2 ,luke #ba3af-ai74 ,use ,sixth1 ,be much in the consideration of the all-sufficiency of thy ,father1 whose cause thou hast espoused1 whose ,word thou hast chosen for thy heritage1 and whose paths thou delightest to walk in4 ,i say1 be much in considering how all the world is sustained by him1 and that all life and breath is in his hand1 to continue or diminish as he pleases4 ,think with thyself also how able he is to rescue thee from all affliction1 or to uphold thee in it with a quiet mind4 ,go to him continually1 as to a fountain of life that is open for the supply of the needy4 ,remember also1 if he comes not at thy call1 and comforteth thee not so soon as thou desirest1 it is not of want of love or compassion to thy soul1 but to try thy graces1 and to show to the fallen angels that thou wilt serve ,god for nought1 rather than give out4 ,also1 if it seemeth to thee1 as if ,god took no care of thee to help thee1 but that he hath rather turned thee over to the ungodly2 count this also as a sign that he delights to see thee hold fast his name1 though thou art laid under the greatest of disadvantages4 ,if the scourge slay suddenly1 that is more than it hath done to thee1 he will laugh at the trial of the innocent 7,job #i3bc74 ,it is a great delight to our ,god to see his people hold fast their integrity1 and not to deny his name1 when under such cloudy dispensations and discouraging circumstances4 ,and considerations that thy thus doing is pleasing in his sight through ,christ1 will be a support unto thee4 ,god sees thee1 though thou canst not now see him1 and he observeth now thy way1 though darkness is round about him2 and when he hath tried thee1 thou shalt come forth like gold4 ,use ,seventh1 ,take heed of setting of thyself a bound and period to thy sufferings1 unless that period be the grave4 ,say not to thy afflicters1 ,hitherto1 and no further1 and here shall your proud waves be stayed4 ,i say1 take heed of doing thus1 for fear ,god should let them go beyond thee4 ,for a man is not prepared to suffer1 further than he thinketh the enemy may be permitted to go4 ,hence ,christ sets their bounds at the loss of life1 and no nearer4 ,so then1 so far as they go beyond thee1 so far they will find thee unprovided1 and so not fortified for a reception of their onset with that ,christian gallantry which becomes thee4 ,observe ,paul2 he died daily1 he was always delivered unto death1 he despaired of life2 and this is the way to be prepared for any calamity4 ,when a man thinks he has only to prepare for an assault by footmen1 how shall he contend with horses8 ,or if he looks no further than to horses1 what will he do at the swellings of ,jordan 7,jer #ab3e78 ,wherefore1 set thine enemies no bounds3 say not1 ,they shall not pursue me to the death2 have the sentence of death in thyself4 ,for though they may but tick and toy with thee at first1 their sword may reach thy heart-blood at last4 ,the cat at play with the mouse is sometimes a fit emblem of the way of the wicked with the children of ,god4 ,wherefore1 as ,i said1 be always dying2 die daily3 he that is not only ready to be bound1 but to die1 is fit to encounter any amazement4 ,use ,eighth1 ,if thine enemies would1 or do1 put thee under a cloud1 if they wrap thee up in a bear's skin1 and then set the dogs upon thee1 marvel not at the matter2 this was ,joseph's1 ,david's1 ,christ's1 ,stephen's portion1 only be thou innocent2 say nothing1 do nothing that should render thee faulty2 yea1 say and do always that that should render thee a good neighbour1 a good ,christian1 and a faithful subject4 ,this is the way to help thee to make with boldness thy appeals to ,god2 this is the way to embolden thy face against the faces of thine enemies2 this is the way to keep thy conscience quiet and peaceable within thee2 and this is the way to provoke ,god to appear for thy rescue1 or to revenge thy blood when thou art gone4 ,and do this because it is thy duty--we must fear ,god and honour the king--and because this is the way to make the rock of thy enemies hard3 few men have that boldness as to say1 ,this ,i do against you1 because you profess ,christ4 ,when they persecuted the ,lord himself1 they said to him1 ,for a good work we stone thee not 7,john #aj3cc74 ,religion that is pure is a hot thing1 and it usually burns the fingers of those that fight against it2 wherefore it is not common for men to oppose religion under its own naked complexion3 wherefore the ,jews sought to fasten other matters upon ,christ to kill him for them2 though the great spite they had against him was for his doctrine and miracles4 ,it was for envy to that that they set themselves against him1 and that made them invent to charge him with rebellion and treason 7,matt #bg3ah2 ,luke #bc3b74 ,use ,ninth1 ,wherefore it becomes all godly men to study to be quiet1 to mind their own business1 and as much as in them lies1 to be at peace with all men2 to owe no man any thing but love4 ,pray1 therefore1 for all that are in authority2 pray for the peace of the country in which thou dwellest2 keep company with holy1 and quiet1 and peaceable men4 ,seek by all good ways the promotion of godliness1 put up injuries1 be good to the poor1 do good against evil1 be patient towards all men2 for these things are good and profitable unto men 7,titus #c3h74 ,be not inclining to injure men behind their backs1 speak evil of no man1 reproach not the governor nor his actions1 as he is set over thee2 all his ways are ,god's1 either for thy help or the trial of thy graces4 ,wherefore he needs thy prayers1 not thy revilings2 thy peaceable deportment1 and not a troublesome life4 ,i know that none of these things can save thee from being devoured by the mouth of the sons of ,belial 7#a ,kings #ba3ab1ac74 ,only1 what ,i say is duty1 is profitable1 is commendable1 is necessary2 and that which will1 when the devil has done his worst1 render thee lovely to thy friends1 terrible to thine enemies1 serviceable in thy place as a ,christian1 and will crown the remembrance of thy name1 to them that survive thee1 with a blessing2 ,the memory of the just is blessed3 but the name of the wicked shall rot 7,prov #aj3g74 ,use ,tenth1 ,i will conclude1 then1 with a word to those professors1 if there be any such1 that are of an unquiet and troublesome spirit4 ,friends1 ,i may say to you1 as our ,lord said once to his disciples1 ,ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of4 ,to wish the destruction of your enemies doth not become you4 ,if ye be born to1 and are called1 that you may inherit a blessing1 pray be free of your blessing3 ,bless1 and curse not4 ,if you believe that the ,god whom you serve is supreme governor1 and is also wise enough to manage affairs in the world for his church1 pray keep fingers off1 and refrain from doing evil4 ,if the counsel of ,gamaliel was good when given to the enemies of ,god's people1 why not fit to be given to ,christians themselves8 ,therefore refrain from these men1 and let them alone4 ,if the work that these men do is that which ,god will promote and set up for ever1 then you cannot disannul it2 if not1 ,god has appointed the time of its fall4 ,a ,christian6 and of a troublesome spirit2 for-shame1 forbear2 show1 out of a good conversation1 thy works1 with meekness of wisdom2 and here let me present thee with three or four things4 #a4 ,consider1 ,that though ,cain was a very murderer1 yet ,god forbade any man's meddling with him1 under a penalty of revenging his so doing upon his own head sevenfold4 ,and the ,lord said unto him1 ,therefore1 whosoever slayeth ,cain1 vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold 7,gen #d3ae74 ,but why not meddle with ,cain1 since he was a murderer8 ,the reason is1 because he persecuted his brother for righteousness' sake1 and so espoused a quarrel against ,god2 for he that persecutes another for righteousness' sake sets himself against ,god1 fights against ,god1 and seeks to overthrow him4 ,now1 such an one the ,christian must let alone and stand off from1 that ,god may have his full blow at him in his time4#ej ,wherefore he saith to his saints1 and to all that are forward to revenge themselves1 ,give place1 stand back1 let me come1 leave such an one to be handled by me4 ,dearly beloved1 avenge not yourselves1 but rather give place unto wrath2 for it is written1 ,vengeance is mine1 ,i will repay1 saith the ,lord 7,rom #ab3ai74 ,wherefore the ,lord set a mark upon ,cain1 lest any finding him should slay him4 ,you must not1 indeed1 you must not avenge yourselves of your enemies4 ,yea1 though it was lawful once so to do1 it is not lawful now4 ,ye have heard that it hath been said to them of old time1 ,thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy2 but ,i say1 said our ,lord1 ,love them1 bless them1 do good to them1 and pray for them that hate you 7,matt #e3dc1dd74 #b4 ,consider1 ,revenge is of the flesh1--,i mean this our revenge of ourselves2 and it proceeds from anger1 wrath1 impatience under the cross1 unwillingness to suffer1 from too much love to carnal ease1 to estates1 to enjoyments1 to relations1 and the like4 ,it also flows from a fearful1 cowardly spirit2 there is nothing of greatness in it1 except it be greatness of untowardness4 ,i know there may1 for all this1 be pretences to justice1 to righteousness1 to the liberty of the gospel1 the suppressing of wickedness1 and the promoting of holiness2 but these can be but pretences1 or1 at best1 but the fruits of a preposterous zeal4 ,for since1 as has been often said in this treatise1 the ,lord hath forbidden us to do so1 it cannot be imagined that he should yet animate any to such a thing by the ,holy ,ghost and the effects of the graces thereof4 ,let them1 then1 if any such be1 that are thus minded1 be counted the narrow-spirited1 carnal1 fleshly1 angry1 waspish-spirited professors--the professors that know more of the ,jewish than of the ,christian religion1 and that love rather to countenance the motions1 passions1 and gross motions of and angry mind1 that with meekness to comply with the will of a heavenly ,father4 ,thou art bid to be like unto him1 and also thou art showed wherein 7,matt #e3de-dh74 ,there is a man hates ,god1 blasphemes his name1 despises his being2 yea1 says there is no ,god4 ,and yet the ,god that he carrieth it thus towards doth give him his breakfast1 dinner1 and supper2 clothes him well1 and when night comes1 has him to bed1 gives him good rest1 blesses his field1 his corn1 his cattle1 his children1 and raises him to high estate4 #ea ,yea1 and this our ,god doth not only once or twice1 but until these transgressors become old2 his patience is thus extended1 years after years1 that we might learn of him to do well4 #c4 ,consider1 ,a professor6 and unquiet and troublesome1 discontented1 and seeking to be revenged of thy persecutors2 where is1 or what kind of grace hast thou got8 ,i dare say1 they1 even these in which thou thus actest1 are none of the graces of the ,spirit4 ,the fruits of the ,spirit are love1 joy1 peace1 long-suffering1 gentleness1 goodness1 faith1 meekness1 temperance2 against such there is no law2 but wrath1 strife1 seditions1 traitors1 and inventors of evil things are reckoned with the worst of sins1 and sinners1 and are plainly called the works of the flesh 7,rom #a3bi-ca2 #b ,tim #c3c1d2 ,gal #e3ai-ba74 ,but ,i say1 where is thy love to thine enemy8 where is thy joy under the cross8 where is thy peace when thine anger has put thee upon being unquiet8 ,where is thy long-suffering8 for1 as thou actest1 not ought but thy waspishness can be seen4 ,where1 also1 is thy sweet1 meek1 and gentle spirit8 and is goodness seen in thy seeking the life or the damage of thy enemy8 ,away1 away2 thy graces1 if thou hast any1 are by these1 thy passions1 so jostled up into corners1 and so pent for want of room and liberty to show themselves1 that1 by the ,word of ,god1 thou canst not be known to be of the right kind1 what a noise soever thou makest4 ,a ,christian1 when he sees trouble coming upon him1 should not fly in the face of the instrument that brings it1 but in the face of the cause of its coming4 ,now the cause is thyself1 thy base self1 thy sinful self1 and thy unworthy carriages towards ,god under all the mercy1 patience1 and long-suffering that ,god has bestowed upon thee1 and exercised towards thee4 ,here thou mayest quarrel and be revenged1 and spare not1 so thou take vengeance in a right way1 and then thou wilt do so when thou takest it by godly sorrow 7#b ,cor #g3aj1aa74 ,a ,christian1 then1 should bewail his own doings1 his own unworthy doings1 by which he has provoked ,god to bring a cloud upon him1 and to cover him with it in anger4 ,a ,christian should say1 ,this is my wickedness1 when a persecutor touches him2 yea1 he should say it1 and then shut up his mouth1 and bear the indignation of the ,lord1 because he has sinned against him4 ,thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee2 this is thy wickedness1 because it is bitter1 because it reacheth unto thine heart 7,jer #d3ah74 #d4 ,consider1 ,what conviction of thy goodness can the actions that flow from such a spirit give unto observers8 ,none at all2 yea1 a spirit of unquietness under sufferings1 and that seeketh to be revenged of those that do1 for thy faith and the profession thereof1 persecute thee1 is so far off of giving conviction to beholders that thou art right1 that it plainly tells them that thou art wrong4 ,even ,julian the apostate1 when he had cast away whatever he could of ,christ1 had this remaining with him--that a ,christian ought to take with patience what affliction fell upon him for his ,master's sake2 and would hit them in the teeth with an unbecoming behavior1 that complained or that sought redress of them that had abused them for their faith and godly profession4 ,what will men say if you shrink and winch1 and take your sufferings unquietly1 but that if you yourselves were uppermost1 you would persecute also8 ,much more have they ground to say so1 when you will fight lying on your backs4 ,be quiet1 then1 and if thine enemy strike thee on one check1 turn to him the other2 and if he also revile and curse thee1 down upon thy knees and pray for him4 ,this is the way to convince thy observers that thou art a godly man4 ,father1 forgive them1 for they know not what they do1 was one of those things that convinced the centurion that ,jesus was a righteous man2 for he stood by the cross to watch and see how ,jesus carried it in these his sufferings1 as well as to see execution done 7,matt #bg3ed2 ,luke #bc3cd-dg74 #e4 ,consider1 ,a professor1 unquiet and turbulent under sufferings1 and seeking his own revenge1 cannot be a victor over what he should1 nor a keeper of ,god's commandments4 7#a47 ,how can he be a victor over himself that is led up and down by the nose by his own passions8 ,there is no man a ,christian victor but he that conquers himself1 but he that beats down and keeps under this body1 his lusts1 his passions1 in the first place4 ,is he that is led away with divers lusts a victor8 ,is he that is a servant to corruption a victor8 ,and if he that is captivated by his anger1 wrath1 passion1 discontent1 prejudice1 c41 be not led away by them1 ,i am under a mistake4 ,so then1 to quarrel with superiors1 or with any that are troublesome to thee for thy faith and thy profession1 bespeaks thee over-mastered and captive1 rather than a master and a conqueror4 7#b47 ,the same may be said upon the second head4 ,he keepeth not the commandments of ,god2 for those teach him other things1 as ,i have also showed4 ,the great gospel commands terminate in self-denial2 but if self-revenge is self-denial1 ,i am besides the ,book4 ,christ1 in the book of the ,revelation1 sets him that keeps the commandments of ,god a great way off from him that taketh and smiteth with the sword3 ,he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword4 ,here is the patience and the faith of the saints 7,rev #ac3aj74 ,that is1 in that they forbear to do thus1 and quietly suffer under those that thus take it and afflict the godly with it4 ,again1 ,here is the patience of the saints1 here are they that keep the commandments of ,god and the faith of ,jesus 7#ad3ab74 ,a patient continuing in well-doing2 and if suffering for righteousness be well-doing1 then a patient continuing in that1 as in other things1 is the way to keep ,god's commandments 7,rom #b3g74 ,so that1 ,i say1 he keepeth not ,god's commandments that is angry with his enemies1 and that seeks to be revenged of him that doth him ill4 ,you know the subject ,i am upon4 ,the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of ,god 7,james #a3bj74 ,wherefore1 professors1 beware1 and take heed to your spirits1 and see that you let not out yourselves under your sufferings in such extravagancies of spirit against your enemies as is no way seemly nor convenient4 #f4 ,consider1 ,men that are unquiet and discontented1 and that seek revenge upon them that persecute them for their profession1 do1 by so doing1 also put themselves upon the brink of those ruins that others are further from4 ,these men are like the fly that cannot let the candle alone until she hath burned herself in the flame4 ,magistrates and men in power have fortified themselves from being attacked with turbulent and unruly spirits by many and wholesome laws4 ,and1 indeed1 should they not do so1 one or other1 perhaps1 would be quickly tempted to seek to disturb them in the due exercise of their authority4 ,now the angry man1 he is the fly that must be tripping and running himself upon the point of these laws2 his angry spirit puts him upon quarrelling with his superiors1 and his quarrelling brings him1 by words spoke in heat1 within the reach of the net1 and that1 with the help of a few more1 brings his neck to the halter4 ,nor is this1 whatever men think1 but by the just judgment of ,god4 ,whosoever1 therefore1 resisteth the power1 resisteth the ordinance of ,god2 and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation 7,rom #ac3b2 ,esth #b3ba-bc74 ,wherefore1 let the angry man take heed2 let the discontented man take heed4 ,he that has a profession1 and has not grace to know1 in this matter1 to manage it1 is like to bring his profession to shame4 ,wherefore1 ,i say1 let such take heed2 and the graces afore mentioned1 and the due exercise of them1 are they and that which can keep us out of all such dangers4 #g4 ,consider1 ,and what comfort can such a man have who has1 by his discontent and unruly carriages1 brought himself1 in this manner1 to his end2 he has brought himself to shame1 his profession to shame1 his friends to shame1 and his name to contempt and scorn4 ,bad men rejoice at his fall2 good men cannot own him1 weak men stumble at him2 besides1 his cause will not bear him out2 his heart will be clogged with guilt2 innocency and boldness will take wings and fly from him4 ,though he talketh of religion upon the stage#eb or ladder1 that will blush to hear its name mentioned by them that suffer for evil-doing4 ,wherefore1 my brethren1 my friends1 my enemies1 and all men1 what religion1 profession1 or opinion soever you hold1 fear ,god1 honour the king1 and do that duty to both which is required of you by the ,word and law of ,christ1 and then1 to say no more1 you shall not suffer by the power for evil-doing4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,not equipages to ride1 but dainty formalities4--,ed4 #b ,a good and harmless conscience2 not as the procuring cause of confidence in ,god's tender care of us1 but as the strong evidence of our election and regeneration4--,ed4 #c ,bravery2 magnificence or excellence4 ,like a stately ship1 with all her bravery on1 and tackle trim1 sails filled1 c4--,samson ,agonistes4--,ed4 #d ,bodily pains2 bodily industry or painstaking4--,ed4 #e ,winch2 to wince or kick with impatience4 ,shuck2 to shrug up the shoulders1 expressive of dislike or aversion4--,ed4 #f ,much2 in a great degree4 #g ,will they1 nill they2 nillan1 a ,saxon word1 meaning not will or contrary to the will--whether with or against their will4 ,need hath no law2 will ,i1 or nill ,i1 it must be done4--,damon and ,pathias1 #aega4 ,if now to man and wife to will and nill ,the self-same thing1 a note of concord be1 ,i know no couple better can agree4--,ben ,johnson4--,ed4 #h ,how little do persecutors imagine that they are mere tools for the devil to work with1 whether they are harassing ,christians by taking their goods1 or are hunting down their liberties or lives4 ,all works together for good to the ,christian1 but for unutterable woe to the persecutor4 ,god give them repentance4--,ed4 #i ,wicked men sell themselves to do the devil's work4 ,how degrading to the dignity of man6 ,enlisting under a foreign prince to destroy their own nation1 and in so doing to destroy themselves4 ,for an account of the atrocities and horrors of this war1 read the history of the ,waldenses4--,ed4 #aj ,this frequently happened4 ,in ,bedford1 ,nic4 ,hawkins attended a meeting1 and was fined two pounds2 but when the harpies went to take away his goods1 finding that they had been removed beforehand1 and his house visited with the small pox1 the officers declined entering4--,persecution in ,bedford1 #afgj1 p4 #f4--;,ed4 #aa ,dispose2 power1 disposal4 ,all that is mine1 ,i leave at thy dispose4--,shakespeare4--,ed4 #ab ,in ,ireland1 whole provinces were desolated1 both by ,protestants and ,papists1 with a ferocity scarcely credible4 ,in ,england1 the state awfully tormented its pious ,christian subjects1 to whom their ,lord's words must have been peculiarly consoling3 ,fear not them which kill the body4 ,did they suffer8 ,how holy were their enjoyments6--,ed4 #ac ,an awful instance occurred soon after the publication of this ,advice4 ,john ,child1 a ,baptist minister1 one of ,bunyan's friends1 to escape persecution1 conformed1 and became terrified with awful compunction of conscience4 ,his cries were fearful3 ,i shall go to hell2 ,i am broken in judgment2 ,i am as it were in a flame4 ,in a fit of desperation he destroyed himself on the #aeth ,october1 #afhd4--;,ed4 #ad ,what bottom2 what ground or foundation4--,ed4 #ae ,this identical stone is said to be in the chair on which our monarchs are crowned in ,westminster ,abbey4--,ed4 #af ,in so unbounded1 eternal and magnificent a mansion1 well might he exclaim1 ,this is none other but the house of ,god1 and this is the gate of heaven4 ,where ,god meets us with his special presence1 we ought to meet him with the most humble reverence2 remembering his justice and holiness1 and our own meanness and vileness4--,ed4 #ag ,the only way of driving sin out of the world is to make known the ,saviour4 ,reader1 can you solve ,mr4 ,bunyan's riddle8 ,when fierce persecution rages--when the saints are tormented with burning1 hanging1 and imprisonment--then1 like ,stephen1 to fix our eyes upon ,jesus1 and the gates of heaven open to receive us1 submitting with patience to the will of ,god4 ,this is the way to drive out sin4--,ed4 #ah ,how indescribably blessed is the ,christian4 ,it is true that he has to perform his pilgrimage through an enemy's country1 beset with snares1 pit-falls1 and temptations2 but in all his buffetings and storms of sorrow1 his soul is safe2 ,god is a wall of fire round about it1 and the glory in the midst of it4 ,he will guide us by his counsel1 and then receive us to his glory4--,ed4 #ai ,looser sort of ,christians2 among ,christians there are gradations of character4 ,some are fixed upon the ,saviour1 and can say1 ,for me to live is ,christ4 ,such decision ensures safety and happiness2 while the looser sort are subject to many sorrows and continual danger4 ,may we press on towards the mark4 ,lord1 ,i believe1 help thou my unbelief4--,ed4 #bj ,this truth ought to be imprinted on every heart4 ,as the absence of darkness is light1 so liberty from the thraldom of sin1 and from the slavery of ,satan1 essentially induces holiness of life4 ,thus holiness and liberty are joined together4--,ed4 #ba ,the whole of this beautiful passage is worthy our careful study and prayerful obedience4 ,are we ambitious to govern3 be it our honour to rule our own spirits and tongues4 ,are we for war8 let it be levied upon our unruly passions4 ,this is laudable ambition4 ,this is honourable war1 producing the peace and happiness of man4 ,this is real glory to ,god and man1 the very opposite to those horrors of desolation which gives joy among the devils of hell--the burning cities1 the garments rolled in blood1 the shrieks of the wounded1 and the sickening miseries of the widows and orphans of the slain4--,ed4 #bb ,if this was our conduct1 how soon should we get rid of our enemies3 for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head4 ,who would risk such punishment a second time8--,ed4 #bc ,this old proverb is a very striking illustration of the words of ,paul3 ,be not overcome of evil1 but overcome evil with good4--,ed4 #bd ,the saint must be made meet for the inheritance4 ,if he neglects the means given in the ,word1 his ,father1 in mercy1 will chasten him with the rod of men1 and with the stripes of the children of men 7#b ,sam #g3ad74--;,ed4 #be ,but if you give sin entrance at the door1 ,it's sting will in1 and may come out not more4 ,bunyan's ,caution4 #bf ,an equally cruel scene took place in the presence of ,stow1 the historian1 in the reign of ,elizabeth4 ,the bailiff of ,romford coming to ,london1 was asked by the curate of ,aldgate the news3 he replied1 ,many men be up in ,essex1 ,qu4 not in bed84 ,for this he was hung the next morning in front of ,mr4 ,stow's house4 ,how grateful ought we to be that such sanguinary laws have fled1 with the dark mists of error and cruelty1 before the spreading light of the gospel4--,ed4 #bg ,they shed their blood for ,him who afterwards shed his blood for them4 ,these were the infantry of the noble army of martyrs4 ,if these infants were thus baptized with blood1 though their own1 into the church triumphant1 it could be said that what they got in heaven abundantly compensated for what they lost on earth4--,henry4 #bh ,nearly all ,protestants agree as to the salvation of infants dying in their infancy--,toplady and the ,calvinists on the ground of their being in the covenant of grace2 others because they had not personally transgressed2 supposing that the sufferings and death of the body is the penalty of original sin4 ,holy ,scripture appears to settle this question very satisfactorily1 by requiring childlike docility as a preparation for the ,spirit's working4 ,the language of the ,saviour is1 ,suffer little children to come unto me1 and forbid them not2 for of such is the kingdom of ,god 7,luke #ah3af74 ,such as die in infancy--such adults as1 with childlike simplicity1 search the ,scriptures1 and fly for refuge to the ,saviour4 ,it is ,,not the will of your ,father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish 7,matt #ah3ad74 ,it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck1 and be cast into the sea1 than that he should offend one of these little ones 7,luke #ag3b74--;,ed4 #bi ,to down with2 to receive1 to swallow4 ,probably it will hardly down with any body at first hearing4--,locke4--,ed4 #cj ,new-fashioned carriages2 not equipages to ride in1 but dainty formalities4 ,nor in my carriage a feigned niceness shown4--,dryden4 ,trades in the carriage of a holy saint4--,shakespeare4--,ed4 #ca ,bunyan1 when sent to prison1 was thus threatened3 ,if you do not go to church1 or transport yourself1 you must stretch by the neck for it4 ,this led to those painful reflections3 ,if ,i should make a scrabbling shift to clamber up the ladder1 yet ,i should1 either with quaking or other symptoms of faintings1 give occasion to the enemy to reproach the way of ,god and his people for their timorousness4--,grace ,abounding1 ,no4 #ccd4--;,ed4 #cb ,this is a truly ,bunyanish mode of expression--clear1 comprehensive1 quaint2 but so striking as to make an indelible impression4--,ed4 #cc ,a life of faith and holiness is the ,christian's badge and livery4 ,no particular costume1 that may conceal a carnal heart--not a baptismal profession1 that may be made by a hypocrite2 but it is the hidden man of the heart1 evidenced by a meek and quiet spirit--in all holy conversations and godliness4 ,this is the ,christian's badge and livery1 by which he becomes a living epistle1 known and read of all men4--,ed4 #cd ,these awful cruelties were practised upon ,richard ,atkins1 in ,july1 #aeha4 ,he went to ,rome to reprove the people of idolatry4 ,in ,st4 ,peter's ,church1 he knocked the chalice out of the priest's hand1 and spilt the wine2 he then endeavoured to seize the host1 but was prevented4 ,for these mad pranks he suffered savage torments4--,fox1 edit4 #afca1 vol4 #c1 p4 #ajbb4--;,ed4 #ce ,every ,christian must be decided in his own conscience as to the formalities of religion2 but he who prefers talking of forms and ceremonies to communion in the substance1 is in a melancholy state4--,ed4 #cf ,what a severe reproach it is to human nature1 to see a lovely child in rags and shoeless1 running the streets1 exposed to the pitiless weather1 while a splendid equipage passes1 in which a lady holds up her lapdog at the window to give it an airing66 ,is not this a greater crime than sends many a poor wretch to the treadmill8--,ed4 #cg ,revenge naturally rises in the mind of man under a sense of injury4 ,to return good for evil is one of the effects of the new birth4 ,but while this is done1 it is also our duty to petition kings and parliaments to remove evils4--,ed4 #ch ,forth of doors2 out of doors1 public4--,ed4 #ci ,now it is ,christmas2 instead of keeping one day in the year to commemorate the nativity of ,christ in excessive feasting1 every day must be kept holy1 in the recollection both of the birth and death of the ,saviour4 ,all eyes are upon the young convert1 watching for his halting2 therefore1 let every day be holy4--,ed4 #dj ,a striking expression4 ,if a man's righteousness be killed1 it must be by his own will4 ,he must be the butcher to kill himself4--,ed4 #da ,it is indeed sad to see professors1 for the sake of paltry pelf1 or to escape from persecution1 denying the ,lord ,jesus4 ,it subjects religion to scorn and contempt1 and doubles the sorrows and sufferings of real ,christians4 ,bunyan expresses himself here in a most admirable manner4--,ed4 #db ,bunyan's familiarity with these illustrious men was obtained by reading ,fox's ,acts and ,monuments1 when in prison4--,ed4 #dc ,quail2 to overpower4 ,well might the abettors of ,antichrist wonder at the ,christian's support under the most cruel tortures4 ,while looking unto ,jesus and the bright visions of eternal glory1 like ,stephen1 he can pray of his enemies1 and tranquilly fall asleep while undergoing the most frightful sufferings4--,ed4 #dd ,a naked man2 unarmed1 or defenceless4 ,had ,i but serv'd my ,god with half the zeal ,i serv'd my king1 he would not in mine age ,have left me naked to mine enemies4 ,shakespeare's ,wolsey4--,ed4 #de ,how impossible is it for a natural man to understand this new creation--a new heart1 a new birth4 ,how different is regeneration to water-baptism4 ,how awful the delusion to be mistaken in this1 the foundation of all hope of a blessed immortality4 ,create in me a clean heart1 ,o ,god6 ,how consoling the fact3 ,now a creation none can destroy but a ,creator6 and changes not1 therefore we are not consumed4--,ed4 #df ,o happie he who doth possesse ,christ for his fellow-prisoner1 who doth gladde ,with heavenly sunbeames jails that are most sad4 ,written on the prison walls of the ,tower of ,london by ,william ,prynne4--,ed4 #dg ,sore temptations poor ,bunyan found them4 ,when dragged from his home to prison1 he speaks of his poor blind daughter in language of impassioned solicitude3 ,poor child1 thought ,i1 what sorrow art thou like to have for thy portion in this world6 ,thou must be beaten1 must beg1 suffer hunger1 cold1 nakedness1 and a thousand calamities1 though ,i cannot now endure the wind shall blow upon thee6 ,oh6 the hardships ,i thought my blind one might go under would break my heart to pieces4--,the parting with my wife and poor children hath oft been to me in this place as the pulling my flesh from my bones4--,grace ,abounding1 #cbg1 #cbh4--;,ed4 #dh ,thodes2 whirlwinds4 ,this word does not occur in any ,english dictionary or glossary4 ,it gave me much trouble1 and a walk of seven miles1 to discover its meaning4 ,it is the ,saxon for noise1 whirlwind1 turbulence4 ,this provincial word was probably derived from some ,saxon tribe that settled in ,bedfordshire4--,ed4 #di ,to shuck2 to shake violently--from which is the noun1 a pea-shuck1 the shell from which peas have been shaken4--,ed4 #ej ,how correct1 but how dismal a picture is here drawn of the persecutor6 ,god has wise and holy ends in protecting and prolonging the lives even of very wicked men4 ,slay them not1 lest my people forget2 scatter them by thy power4 ,compare ,ecclessiastes #h3aj4 ,pity the persecutor--pray for him2 but if he repent not1 stand off2 ,god will have his full blow at him in his time1 and crush him down into misery and despair4--,ed4 #ea ,like a multitude of passages in ,bunyan's writings1 this passage is exceedingly striking4 ,it illustrates our ,lord's words in ,matthew #e3dd1de3 ,love your enemies--that ye may be the children of your ,father which is in heaven4--,ed4 #eb ,stage2 upon which many a ,nonconformist stood with his head in the pillory4 ,ladder to the gallows1 upon which victims suffered death by hanging4--,ed4 999999 ,,an ,,exhortation ,,to ,,peace ,,and ,,unity ,,advertisement ,,by ,,the ,,editor ,this treatise was first published in #afhh1 after ,bunyan's death1 at the end of the second edition of the ,barren ,fig ,tree1 with a black border round the title4 ,it was continued in the third edition #afib1 but was subsequently omitted1 although the ,barren ,fig ,tree was printed for the same publisher4 ,it has been printed in every edition of ,bunyan's ,works4 ,respect for the judgment of others leads me to allow it a place in the first complete edition1 although ,i have serious doubts whether it was written by him1 for these reasons3-- #a4 ,it appears to have been totally unknown to his personal friends1 ,charles ,doe and others1 who very carefully gathered up1 not only all his published works1 but his manuscripts also4 ,an interesting list of these was given in the ',struggler1' #afia4 ,nor is it found in any publisher's list of ,bunyan's ,works4 #b4 ,the style is not that of ,bunyan1 nor is it even ,bunyanish4 ,it has none of those striking remarks that render all his treatises so deeply interesting4 #c4 ,the author introduces scraps of ,latin references to ',machiavel1' to the 'learned ,stillingfleet1' and to ancient heathen writers4 ,the frequent recurrence of the words1 'as a certain learned man observes1' is very foreign to ,bunyan's manner of confirming his sentiments4 ',thus saith the ,lord1' is the seal of his testimony4 #d4 ,misapplication of ,scripture 7,acts #i3ca7 as if the 'rest' was from internal dissensions1 when in fact it was from external persecution4 #e4 ,the terms 'infallible1' 'excommunication1' and 'reason1' are used in a way not at all ,bunyanish4 #f4 ,how would his spirit have been grieved at a sentence which occurs3 ',would a heathen god refuse to answer such prayers in which the supplicants were not agreed2 and shall we think the true ,god will answer them8' ,do stocks or stones answer prayers8 #g4 ,bunyan's peculiar practice of admitting all the ,lord's children to the ,lord's table2 all such as he hoped were spiritually baptized1 without reference to water-baptism1 is here directly opposed4 ,the author refers to #a ,corinthians #ab3ac on which text he says--',i need not go about to confute that notion that some of late have had of this text1 viz41 that the baptism here spoken of is the baptism of the ,spirit1 because you have not owned and declared that notion as your judgment1 but on the contrary4' ,the fact is1 that ,bunyan is one of those here noticed as 'some of late1' and his church did hold that judgment4 ,his comment on this text is1 'not of water1 for by one ,,spirit are we all baptized into one body4'--,reason of my ,practice4 ,and in his ',differences about ,water-,baptism no ,bar to ,communion1' he thus argues upon that text1 ',here is a baptism mentioned by which they are initiated into one body2 now that this is the baptism of water is utterly against the words of the text2 for by one ,,spirit we are all baptized into one body4'--',it is the unity of the ,spirit1 not water1 that is intended4' ,bunyan was the great champion for the practice of receiving all to church-communion whom ,god had received in ,christ1 without respect to water-baptism2 and had he changed his sentiments upon a subject which occasioned him so much hostility1 even from his ,baptist brethren1 it would have been heralded forth as a triumph4 ,in #afhd1 four years prior to his death1 he republished these sentiments in the first edition of ',a ,holy ,life the ,beauty of ,christianity'2 his words are--',men are wedded to their opinions more than the law of grace and love will permit4 ,here is a ,presbyter1 here an ,independent1 a ,baptist1 so joined each man to his own opinions1 that they cannot have that communion one with another1 as by the testament of the ,lord ,jesus they are commanded and enjoined4' ,bunyan1 there can be no doubt1 lived and died in the conviction1 that differences were permitted among ,christians to stimulate them to search the ,scriptures1 and to exercise the grace of forbearance1 as was the case in the primitive churches1 in their disputes about meats and days1 and even as to whether the ,gentiles were to be visited with the gospel4 #h4 ,bunyan is ever pressing the duty of private judgment in all the affairs of religion2 not to be scared with the taunts of 'schism1' 'division-makers1' 'new separatists1' 'wiser than your teachers1' and similar arrows1 drawn from ,satan's quiver1 which occur in this exhortation4 ,judging from the style--the reference to the laying on of hands--the ,latin quotations1 and those from learned men1 it appears somewhat like the pen of ,d',anvers1 who answered ,bunyan upon the question--,whether water-baptism is a scriptural term of communion8 ,it is1 however1 now faithfully reprinted1 that our readers may form their own judgment4 ,hackney1 ,new-,year's ,day1 #ahej ,,george ,,offor4 ,an ,exhortationto ,peace and ,unity ',endeavouring to keep the unity of the ,spirit in the bond of peace4'--,ephesians #d3c ,beloved1 religion is the great bond of human society1 and it were well if itself were kept within the bond of unity2 and that it may so be1 let us1 according to the text1 use our utmost endeavours 'to keep the unity of the ,spirit in the bond of peace4' ,these words contain a counsel and a caution3 the counsel is1 ',that we endeavour the unity of the ,spirit'2 the caution is1 ',that we do it in the bond of peace'3 as if he should say1 ,i would have you live in unity2 but yet ,i would have you to be careful that you do not purchase unity with the breach of charity4 ,let us1 therefore1 be cautioned that we do not so press after unity in practice and opinion1 as to break the bond of peace and affection4 ,in the handling of these words1 ,i shall observe this method3--,first1 ,i shall open the sense of the text4 ,second1 ,i shall show wherein this unity and peace consists4 ,third1 ,i shall show you the fruits and benefits of it1 together with nine inconveniencies and mischiefs that attend those churches where unity and peace is wanting4 ,fourth1 and lastly1 ,i shall give you twelve directions and motives for the obtaining of it4 ,first1 ,as touching the sense of the text2 when we are counselled to keep the unity of the ,spirit1 we are not to understand the ,spirit of ,god as personally so considered2 because the ,spirit of ,god1 in that sense1 is not capable of being divided2 and so there would be no need for us to endeavour to keep the unity of it4 ,by the unity of the ,spirit1 then1 we are to understand that unity of mind which the ,spirit of ,god calls for1 and requires ,christians to endeavour after2 hence it is that we are exhorted by 'one spirit1 with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel' 7,phil #a3bg74 ,but farther1 the apostle in these words alludes to the state and composition of a natural body2 and doth thereby inform us that the mystical body of ,christ holds an analogy with the natural body of a man4 ,as1 #a4 ,in the natural body there must be a spirit to animate it2 for 'the body without the spirit is dead' 7,james #b3bf74 ,so it is in the mystical body of ,christ2 the apostle no sooner tells us of that one body1 but he minds us of that 'one spirit' 7,eph #d3d74 #b4 ,the body hath 'joints and bands' to unite all the parts2 so hath the mystical body of ,christ 7,col #b3ai74 ,this is that bond of peace mentioned in the text1 as also in ,ephesians #d3af1 where 'the whole body' is said to be 'fitly joined together1 and compacted by that which every joint supplieth4' #c4 ,the natural body receives counsel and nourishment from the head2 so doth the mystical body of ,christ4 ,he is their counsellor1 and him they must hear2 he is their head1 and him they must hold3 hence it is that the apostle complaineth 7,col #b3ai71 of some that did 'not hold the head1 from which all the body by joints and bands hath nourishment4' #d4 ,the natural body cannot well subsist1 if either the spirit be wounded or the joints broken or dislocated2 the body cannot bear a wounded or broken spirit2 ',a broken spirit drieth the bones' 7,prov #ag3bb71 and 'a wounded spirit who can bear8' 7,prov #ah3ad74 ,and on the other hand1 how often has the disjointing of the body1 and the breakings thereof1 occasioned the expiration of the spirit8 ,in like manner it fares with the mystical body of ,christ3 how do divided spirits break the bonds of peace1 which are the joints of this body6 ,and how doth the breakings of the body and church of ,christ wound the spirit of ,christians1 and oftentimes occasion the spirit and life of ,christianity to languish1 if not to expire6 ,how needful is it1 then1 that we endeavour 'the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace8' ,second1 ,i now come to show you wherein this unity and peace consists1 and this ,i shall demonstrate in five particulars4 #a4 ,this unity and peace may consist in the ignorance of many truths1 and in the holding of some errors2 or else this duty of peace and unity could not be practicable by any on this side perfection4 ,but we must now endeavour the unity of the ,spirit1 'till we all come in the unity of the faith1 and of the knowledge of the ,son of ,god' 7,eph #d3ac74 ,because now1 as the apostle saith1 'we know in part1 and we prophesy in part1' and 'now we see through a glass1 darkly' 7#a ,cor #ac3ab74 ,and as this is true in general1 so we may find it true if we descend to particular instances3 the disciples seemed to be ignorant of that great truth which they had often1 and in much plainness1 been taught by their ,master once and again1 viz41 that his kingdom was not of this world1 and that in the world they should suffer and be persecuted1 yet in ,acts #a3f we read1 that they asked of him if he would 'at this time restore again the kingdom to ,israel8' thereby discovering that ,christ's kingdom1 as they thought1 should consist in his temporal jurisdiction over ,israel1 which they expected should now commence and take place amongst them4 ,again1 our ,lord tells them that he had many things to say1 and these were many important truths which they could not now bear 7,john #af3ab74 ,and that these were important truths appears by the #ajth and #aath verses1 where he is discoursing of righteousness and judgment2 and then adds1 that he had yet many things to say which they could not bear2 and thereupon promises the ,comforter to lead them into ,,all ,,truth2 which implies that they were yet ignorant of many truths1 and consequently held divers errors2 and yet for all this he prays for1 and presses them to their great duty of peace and unity 7,john #ad3bg2 #ag3ba74 ,to this may be added that of ,hebrews #e3aa1 where the author saith1 ,he had many things to say of the priestly office of ,christ1 which1 by reason of their dulness1 they were not capable to receive2 as also that in ,acts #aj1 where ,peter seems to be ignorant of that truth1 viz41 that the gospel was to be preached to all nations2 and contrary hereunto1 he erred in thinking it unlawful to preach amongst the ,gentiles4 ,i shall add two texts more2 one is ,acts #ai3b1 where we read1 ,that those disciples which had been discipled and baptized by ,john1 were yet ignorant of the ,holy ,ghost1 and knew not1 as the text tells us1 'whether there be any ,holy ,ghost1' or no2 though ,john did teach constantly1 that he that should come after him1 should baptize with the ,holy ,ghost and fire4 ,from hence we may easily and plainly infer1 that ,christians may be ignorant of many truths1 by reason of weak and dull capacities1 and other such like impediments1 even while those truths are with much plainness delivered to them4 ,again1 we read 7,heb #e3ac7 of some that were 'unskillful in the word of righteousness1' who nevertheless are called babes in ,christ1 and with whom unity and peace is to be inviolably kept and maintained4 #b4 ,as this unity and peace may consist in the ignorance of many truths1 and in the holding some errors1 so it must consist with1 and it cannot consist without1 the believing and practising those things which are necessary to salvation and church communion2 and they are1 7#a47 ,believing that ,christ the ,son of ,god died for the sins of men4 7#b47 ,that whoever believeth ought to be baptized4 7#c47 ,the third thing essential to this communion is a holy and a blameless conversation4 7#a47 ,that believing that the ,son of ,god died for the sins of men is necessary to salvation1 ,i prove by these texts1 which tell us that he that doth not believe shall be damned 7,mark #af3af2 ,john #c3ah2 #b ,thess #b3ab2 ,rom #aj3aj74 ,that it is also necessary to church-communion1 appears from ,matthew #af3af-ah4 ,peter having confessed that ,christ was the ,son of the living ,god1 ,christ thereupon assures ,peter1 that upon this rock1 viz41 this profession of faith1 or this ,christ which ,peter had confessed1 he would build his church1 and the gates of hell should not prevail against it4 ,and 7#a ,cor #c3aa71 the apostle having told the ,corinthians they were ,god's building1 presently adds1 that they could not be built upon any foundation but upon that which was laid1 which was ,jesus ,christ4 ,all which proves1 that ,christian society is founded upon the profession of ,christ2 and not only ,scripture1 but the laws of right reason1 dictate this1 that some rules and orders must be observed for the founding all society1 which must be consented to by all that will be of it4 ,hence it comes to pass1 that to own ,christ as the ,lord and head of ,christians1 is essential to the founding ,christian society4 7#b47 ,the ,scriptures have declared that this faith gives the professors of it a right to baptism1 as in the case of the eunuch 7,acts #h71 when he demanded why he might not be baptized8 ,philip answereth1 that if he believed with all his heart1 he might2 the eunuch thereupon confessing ,christ1 was baptized4 ,now1 that baptism is essential to church-communion1 ,i prove from #a ,corinthians #ab1 where we shall find the apostle labouring to prevent an evil use that might be made of spiritual gifts1 as thereby to be puffed up2 and to think that such as wanted them1 were not of the body1 or to be esteemed members2 he thereupon resolves1 that whoever did confess ,christ1 and own him for his head1 did it by the ,spirit 7v #c71 though they might not have such a visible manifestation of it as others had2 and therefore they ought to be owned as members1 as appears 7v #bc74 ,and not only because they have called him ,lord by the ,spirit1 but because they have1 by the guidance and direction of the same ,spirit1 been baptized 7v #ac73 ',for by one ,spirit we are all baptized into one body1' c4 ,i need not go about to confute that notion that some of late have had of this text1 viz41 that the baptism here spoken of is the baptism of the ,spirit1 because you have not owned and declared that notion as your judgment2 but on the contrary1 all of you that ,i have ever conversed with1 have declared it to be understood of baptism with water1 by the direction of the ,spirit4 ,if so1 then it follows1 that men and women are declared members of ,christ's body by baptism1 and cannot be by ,scripture reputed and esteemed so without it2 which farther appears from ,romans #f3e1 where men1 by baptism1 are said to be planted into 'the likeness of his death4' ,and 7,col #b3ab71 we are said to be 'buried with him by baptism4' ,all which1 together with the consent of all ,christians1 7some few in these late times excepted17 do prove that baptism is necessary to the initiating persons into the church of ,christ4 7#c47 ,holiness of life is essential to church-communion1 because it seems to be the reason why ,christ founded a church in the world1 viz41 that men might thereby be watched over and kept from falling2 and that if any be overtaken with a fault1 he that is spiritual might restore him4 ,that by this means men and women might be preserved1 without blame1 to the coming of ,christ2 and 'the grace of ,god teacheth us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts1 and to live soberly and uprightly in this present evil world' 7,titus #b3aa1ab74 ',and let every one that nameth the name of ,christ depart from iniquity' 7#b ,tim #b3ai74 ,and ,james tells us1 speaking of the ,christian religion1 that 'pure religion1 and undefiled1 before ,god--is to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction1 and to keep himself unspotted from the world' 7,james #a3bg74 ,from all which1 together with many more texts that might be produced1 it appears that an unholy and profane life is inconsistent with ,christian religion and society1 and that holiness is essential to salvation and church-communion2 so that these three things--faith1 baptism1 and a holy life1 as ,i said before1 all churches must agree and unite in1 as those things which1 when wanting1 will destroy their being4 ,and let not any think1 that when ,i say believing the ,son of ,god died for the sins of men is essential to salvation and church-communion1 that ,i hereby would exclude all other articles of the ,christian creed as not necessary1 as the belief of the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment1 c42 which1 for want of time1 ,i omit to speak particularly to1 and the rather because ,i understand this great article1 of believing the ,son of ,god died for the sins of men1 is comprehensive of all others1 and is that from whence all other articles may easily be inferred4 ,and here ,i would not be mistaken1 as though ,i held there were nothing else for ,christians to practise1 when ,i say this is all that is requisite to church-communion2 for ,i very well know that ,christ requires many other things of us after we are members of his body1 which1 if we knowingly or maliciously refuse1 may be the cause1 not only of excommunication1 but damnation4 ,but yet these are such things as relate to the wellbeing1 and not to the being1 of churches2 as laying on of hands1 in the primitive times1 upon believers1 by which they did receive the gifts of the ,spirit--this1 ,i say1 was for the increase and edifying of the body1 and not that thereby they might become of the body of ,christ1 for that they were before4 ,and do not think that ,i believe laying on of hands was no apostolical institution1 because ,i say men are not thereby made members of ,christ's body1 or because ,i say that it is not essential to church-communion4 ,why should ,i be thought to be against a fire in the chimney1 because ,i say it must not be in the thatch of the house8 ,consider1 then1 how pernicious a thing it is to make every doctrine1 though true1 the bound of communion2 this is that which destroys unity2 and1 by this rule1 all men must be perfect before they can be in peace4 ,for do we not see daily1 that as soon as men come to a clearer understanding of the mind of ,god1 to say the best of what they hold1 that presently all men are excommunicable1 if not damnable1 that do not agree with them4 ,do not some believe and see that to be pride and covetousness1 which others do not1 because1 it may be1 they have more narrowly and diligently searched into their duty of these things than others have8 ,what then8 must all men that have not so large acquaintance of their duty herein be excommunicated8 ,indeed1 it were to be wished that more moderation in apparel and secular concernments were found among churches2 but ,god forbid1 that if they should come short herein1 that we should say1 as one lately said1 that he could not communicate with such a people1 because they were proud and superfluous in their apparel4 ,let me appeal to such1 and demand of them1 if there was not a time1 since they believed and were baptized1 wherein they did not believe laying on of hands a duty2 and did they not then believe1 and do they not still believe1 they were members of the body of ,christ8 ,and was not there a time when you did not so well understand the nature and extent of pride and covetousness as now you do8 ,and did you not then believe1 and do you not still believe1 that you were true members of ,christ1 though less perfect8 ,why1 then1 should you not judge of those that differ from you herein1 as you judged of yourselves when you were as they now are8 ,how needful1 then1 is it for ,christians to distinguish1 if ever they would be at peace and unity1 between those truths which are essential to church-communion1 and those that are not6 #c4 ,unity and peace consists in our making one shoulder to practise and put in execution the things we do know4 ',nevertheless1 whereto we have--attained1 let us walk by the same rule1 and mind the same thing' 7,phil #c3af74 ,how sad is it to see our zeal consume us1 and our precious time1 in things doubtful and disputable1 while we are not concerned nor affected with the practice of those indisputable things we all agree in6 ,we all know charity to be the great command1 and yet how few agree to practise it6 ,we all know they that labour in the ,word and doctrine are worthy of double honour2 and that ,god hath ordained1 that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel2 these duties1 however others have cavilled at them1 ,i know you agree in them1 and are persuaded of your duty herein2 but where is your zeal to practise8 ,o how well would it be with churches if they were but half as zealous for the great1 and plain1 and indisputable things1 and the more chargeable and costly things of religion1 as they are for things doubtful or less necessary1 or for things that are no charge to them1 and cost them nothing but the breath of contention1 though that may be too great a price for the small things they purchase with it4 ,but further3 ,do we not all agree1 that men that preach the gospel should do it like workmen that need not be ashamed8 and yet how little is this considered by many preachers1 who never consider1 before they speak1 of what they say1 or whereof they affirm6 ,how few give themselves to study that they may be approved6 ,how few meditate1 and give themselves to these things1 that their profiting may appear to all6 ,for the ,lord's sake1 let us unite to practise those things we know2 and if we would have more talents1 let us all agree to improve those we have4 ,see the spirit that was among the primitive professors1 that knowing and believing how much it concerned them1 in the propagating of ,christianity1 to show forth love to one another1 that so all might know them to be ,christ's disciples1 rather than there should be any complainings among them1 they sold all they had4 ,oh how zealous were these to practise1 and1 with one shoulder1 to do that that was upon their hearts for ,god6 ,i might further add1 how often have we agreed in our judgment8 and hath it not been upon our hearts1 that this and the other thing is good to be done to enlighten the dark world1 and to repair the breaches of churches1 and to raise up those churches that now lie agasping1 and among whom the soul of religion is expiring8 ,but what do we more than talk of them8 ,do not most decline these things when they either call for their purses or their persons to help in this and such like works as these8 ,let us then1 in what we know1 unite1 that we may put it in practice1 remembering that1 if we know these things1 we shall be happy if we do them4 #d4 ,this unity and peace consists in our joining and agreeing to pray for1 and to press after1 those truths we do not know4 ,the disciples in the primitive times were conscious of their imperfections1 and1 therefore1 they1 with one accord1 continued in prayer and supplications4 ,if we were more in the sense of our own ignorances and imperfections1 we should carry it better towards those that differ from us2 then we should abound more in the spirit of meekness and forbearance1 that thereby we might bring others1 or be brought by others1 to the knowledge of the truth2 this would make us go to ,god1 and say with ,elihu1 ,that which we know not1 teach thou us 7,job #cd3cb74 ,brethren1 did we but all agree that we were erring in many things1 we should soon agree to go to ,god1 and pray for more wisdom and revelation of his mind and will concerning us4 ,but here is our misery1 that we no sooner receive any thing for truth1 but we presently ascend the chair of infallibility with it1 as though in this we could not err2 hence it is we are impatient of contradiction1 and become uncharitable to those that are not of the same mind2 but now a consciousness that we may mistake1 or that if my brother err in one thing ,i may err in another--this will unite us in affection1 and engage us to press after perfection1 according to that of the apostle1 ',brethren1 ,i count not myself to have apprehended3 but this one thing ,i do1 forgetting those things which are behind1 and reaching forth to those things which are before1 ,i press toward the mark1 for the prize of the high calling of ,god in ,christ ,jesus1' 'and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded1 ,god shall reveal even this unto you' 7,phil #c3ac-ae74 ,o then1 that we could but unite and agree to go to ,god for one another1 in confidence that he will teach us2 and that if any one of us want wisdom1 as who of us does not1 we might agree to ask of ,god1 who giveth to all men liberally1 and upbraideth no man4 ,let us1 like those people spoken of in ,isaiah #b1 say one to another1 ,come1 let us go to the ,lord1 for 'he will teach us of his ways1 and we will walk in his paths4' #e4 ,this unity and peace mainly consists in unity of love and affection2 this is the great and indispensable duty of all ,christians2 by this they are declared ,christ's disciples2 and hence it is that love is called the great commandment1 the old commandment1 and the new commandment--that which was commanded in the beginning1 and will remain to the end2 yea1 and after the end4 ',charity never faileth3 but--whether there be tongues1 they shall cease2 whether there be knowledge1 it shall vanish away' 7#a ,cor #ac3h74 ',and now abideth faith1 hope1 charity--but the greatest of these is charity' 7v #ac74 ',above all these things put on charity1 which is the bond of perfectness' 7,col #c3ad74 ,because charity is 'the end of the commandment' 7#a ,tim #a3e74 ,charity is therefore called the royal law2 and though it had a superintendency over other laws1 and1 doubtless1 is a law to which other laws must give place when they come in competition with it4 ',above all things1 therefore1 have fervent charity among yourselves1 for charity shall cover the multitude of sins' 7#a ,peter #d3h74 ,let us1 therefore1 live in unity and peace1 and the ,god of love and peace will be with us4 ,that you may so do1 let me remember you1 in the words of a learned man1 that the unity of the church is a unity of love and affection1 and not a bare uniformity of practice and opinion4 ,third1 ,having shown you wherein this unity consists1 ,i now come to the third general thing propounded1 and that is1 to show you the fruits and benefits of unity and peace2 together with the mischiefs and inconveniences that attend those churches where unity and peace are wanting4 #a4 ,unity and peace is a duty well-pleasing to ,god1 who is styled the author of peace1 and not of confusion1 in all the churches4 ,god's ,spirit rejoiceth in the unity of our spirits2 but1 on the other hand1 where strife and divisions are1 there the ,spirit of ,god is grieved4 ,hence is it that the apostle no sooner calls upon the ,ephesians not to grieve the ,spirit of ,god1 but he presently subjoins us a remedy against that evil3 that they put away bitterness and evil speaking1 'and be ye kind one to another1 tender-hearted1 forgiving one another1 even as ,god for ,christ's sake hath forgiven you' 7,eph #d3cb74 #b4 ,as unity and peace is pleasing to ,god1 and rejoiceth his ,spirit1 so it rejoiceth the hearts and spirits of ,god's people--unity and peace brings heaven down upon earth among us4 ,hence it is that the apostle tells us 7,rom #ad3ag7 that 'the kingdom of ,god is not meat and drink2 but righteousness1 and peace1 and joy in the ,holy ,ghost4' ,where unity and peace is1 there is heaven upon earth2 by this we taste the first fruits of that blessed estate we shall one day live in the fruition of1 when we shall come 'to the general assembly and church of the first-born1' whose names are written in heaven1 'and to ,god1 the judge of all1 and to the spirits of just men made perfect' 7,heb #ab3bc74 ,this outward peace of the church1 as a learned man observes1 distils into peace of conscience1 and turns writings and readings of controversy into treatises of mortification and devotion4 ,and the psalmist tells us1 that it is not only good1 but pleasant 'for brethren to dwell together in unity' 7,psa #acc71 but where unity and peace is wanting1 there are storms and troubles2 'where envy and strife is1 there is confusion and every evil work' 7,james #c3af74 ,it is the outward peace of the church that increaseth our inward joy1 and the peace of ,god's house gives us occasion to eat our meat with gladness in our houses 7,acts #b3df74 #c4 ,the unity and peace of the church makes communion of saints desirable4 ,what is it that embitters church-communion1 and makes it burdensome1 but divisions8 ,have you not heard many complain that they are weary of church-communion1 because of church contention8 but now1 where unity and peace is1 there ,christians long for communion4 ,david saith that he was glad when they said unto him1 ',let us go into the house of the ,lord' 7,psa #abb3a74 ,why was this1 but because1 as the third verse tells us1 ,jerusalem was a city compact together1 where the tribes went up1 the tribes of the ,lord1 to give thanks to his name4 ,and ,david1 speaking of the man that was once his friend1 doth thereby let us know the benefit of peace and unity 7,psa #ee3ad73 ',we1' saith he1 'took sweet counsel together1 and walked unto the house of ,god in company4' ,where unity is strongest1 communion is sweetest and most desirable4 ,you see1 then1 that peace and union fill the people of ,god with desires after communion2 but1 on the other hand1 hear how ,david complains 7,psa #abj3e71 ',woe is me that ,i sojourn in ,meshech1 that ,i dwell in the tents of ,kedar6' ,the psalmist here is thought to allude to a sort of men that dwelt in the deserts of ,arabia1 that got their livings by contention2 and1 therefore1 he adds 7v #f71 that his soul had long dwelt with them that hated peace3 this was that which made him long for the courts of ,god1 and esteem one day in his house better than a thousand4 ,this made his soul even faint for the house of ,god1 because of the peace of it2 ',blessed are they1' saith he1 'that dwell in thy house3 they will be still praising thee' 7,psa #hd3d74 ,there is a certain note of concord1 as appears 7,acts #b7 where we read of primitive ,christians1 meeting with one accord1 praising ,god4 #d4 ,where unity and peace is1 there many mischiefs and inconveniences are prevented which attend those people where peace and unity are wanting2 and of those many that might be mentioned1 ,i shall briefly insist upon these nine3-- 7#a47 ,where unity and peace are wanting1 there is much precious time spent to no purpose4 ,how many days are spent1 and how many fruitless journeys made to no profit1 where the people are not in peace6 ,how often have many redeemed time1 even in seed-time and harvest1 when they could scarce afford it to go to church1 and by reason of their divisions1 come home worse than they went1 repenting they have spent so much precious time to so little benefit6 ,how sad is it to see men spend their precious time1 in which they should work out their salvation1 by labouring1 as in the fire1 to prove an uncertain and doubtful proposition1 and to trifle away their time1 in which they should make their calling and election sure1 to make sure of an opinion which1 when they have done all1 they are not infallibly sure whether it be true or no2 because all things necessary to salvation and church-communion are plainly laid down in ,scripture1 in which we may be infallibly sure of the truth of them2 but for other things that we have no plain texts for1 but the truth of them depends upon our interpretations1 here we must be cautioned that we do not spend much time in imposing those upon others1 or venting those among others1 unless we can assume infallibility--otherwise1 we spend time upon uncertainty2 and whoever casts their eyes abroad1 and doth open their ears to intelligence1 shall both see1 and1 to their sorrow1 hear that many churches spend most of their time in jangling and contending about those things which are neither essential to salvation or church-communion1 and that which is worse1 about such doubtful questions which they are never able to give an infallible solution of2 but now1 where unity and peace is1 there our time is spent in praising ,god1 and in those great questions--what we should do to be saved8 and how we may be more holy and more humble towards ,god1 and more charitable and more serviceable to one another8 7#b47 ,where unity and peace is wanting1 there is evil surmising and evil speaking1 to the damage and disgrace1 if not to the ruining of one another 7,gal #e3ad1ae73 ',the whole law is fulfilled in one word1 ,thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself2 but if ye bite and devour one another1 take heed that ye be not consumed one of another4' ,no sooner the bond of charity is broken1 which is as a wall about ,christians1 but soon they begin to make havoc and spoil of one another2 then there is raising evil reports1 and taking up evil reports against each other4 ,hence it is that whispering and backbiting proceeds1 and going from house to house to blazon the faults and infirmities of others3 hence it is that we watch for the haltings of one another1 and do inwardly rejoice at the miscarriages of others1 saying in our hearts1 ,ah1 ah1 so we would have it2 but now1 where unity and peace is1 there is charity2 and where charity is1 there we are willing to hide the faults1 and cover the nakedness of our brethren4 ',charity thinketh no evil' 7#a ,cor #ac3e71 and1 therefore1 it cannot surmise1 neither will it speak evil4 7#c47 ,where unity and peace is wanting1 there can be no great matters enterprised2 we cannot do much for ,god nor much for one another4 ,when the devil would hinder the bringing to pass of good in nations and churches1 he divides their councils2 and1 as one well observes1 he divides their heads1 that he may divide their hands2 when ,jacob had prophesied of the cruelty of ,simeon and ,levi1 who were brethren1 he threatens them with the consequent of it 7,gen #di3g73 ',i will divide them in ,jacob1 and scatter them in ,israel4' ,the devil is not to learn that maxim he hath taught the ,machiavellians of the world1 divide et impera--divide and rule2 it is a united force that is formidable3 hence the spouse1 in the ,canticles1 is said to be 'but one1' 'and the only one of her mother' 7,cant #f3i74 ,hereupon it is said of her 7v #aj7 that she is 'terrible as an army with banners4' ,what can a divided army do1 or a disordered army1 that have lost their banners1 or1 for fear or shame1 thrown them away8 ,in like manner1 what can ,christians do for ,christ1 and the enlarging his dominions in the world1 in bringing men from darkness to light1 while themselves are divided and disordered8 ,peace is1 to ,christians1 as great rivers are to some cities1 which1 besides other benefits and commodities1 are natural fortifications1 by reason whereof those places are made impregnable2 but when1 by the subtilty of an adversary or the folly of the citizens1 these waters come to be divided into little petty rivulets1 how soon are they assailed and taken6 ,thus it fares with churches2 when once the devil1 or their own folly divides them1 they will be so far from resisting of him1 that they will be soon subjected by him4 ,peace is to churches as walls to cities2 nay1 unity hath defended cities that had no walls4 ,it was once demanded of ,agesilaus why ,lacedemon had no walls2 he answers1 pointing back to the city1 that the concord of the citizens was the strength of the city4 ,in like manner1 ,christians are strong when united2 then they are more capable to resist temptation1 and to succour such as are tempted4 ,when unity and peace is among the churches1 then are they like a walled town2 and when peace is the church's walls1 salvation will be her bulwarks4 ,plutarch tells us of one ,silurus that had eighty sons1 whom he calls to him as he lay upon his death-bed1 and gave them a sheaf of arrows2 thereby to signify1 that if they lived in unity they might do much2 but1 if they divided1 they would come to nothing4 ,if ,christians were all of one piece--if they were all but one lump1 or but one sheaf or bundle1 how great are the things they might do for ,christ and his people in the world1 whereas1 otherwise1 they can do little but dishonour him1 and offend his4 ,it is reported of the leviathan1 that his strength is in his scales 7,job #da3ae-ag73 ',his scales are his pride1 shut up together1 as with a close seal4 ,one is so near to another1 that no air can come between them4 ,they are joined one to another1 they stick together1 that they cannot be sundered4' ,if the church of ,god were united like the scales of leviathan1 it would not be every brain-sick notion1 nor angry speculation1 that would cause their separation4 ,solomon saith1 ,two are better than one1 because if one fail1 the other may raise him2 then surely twenty are better than two1 and an hundred are better than twenty1 for the same reason--because they are more capable to help one another4 ,if ever ,christians would do any thing to raise up the fallen tabernacles of ,jacob1 and to strengthen the weak1 and comfort the feeble1 and to fetch back those that have gone astray1 it must be by unity4 ,we read of the men of ,babel 7,gen #aa3f71 ',the ,lord said1 ,behold the people is one--,and now nothing will be restrained from them which they have imagined to do4' ,we learn1 by reason1 what great things may be done in worldly achievements where unity is4 ,and shall not reason1 assisted with the motives of religion1 teach us that unity among ,christians may enable them to enterprise greater things for ,christ8 ,would not this make ,satan fall from heaven like lightning8 ,for as unity built literal ,babel1 it is unity that must pull down mystical ,babel4 ,and1 on the other hand1 where divisions are1 there is confusion2 by this means1 a ,babel hath been built in every age4 ,it hath been observed by a learned man1 and ,i wish ,i could not say truly observed1 that there is most of ,babel and confusion among those that cry out most against it4 ,would we have a hand to destroy ,babylon1 let us have a heart to unite one among another4 ,our ,english histories tell us1 that after ,austin the monk had been some time in ,england1 that he heard of some of the remains of the ,british ,christians1 which he convened to a place1 which ,cambden1 in his ,britannia1 calls ,austin's ,oak4 ,here they met to consult about matters of religion2 but such was their division1 by reason of ,austin's imposing spirit1 that our stories tell us that synod was only famous for this1 that they only met1 and did nothing4 ,this is the mischief of divisions1 they hinder the doing of much good2 and if ,christians that are divided be ever famous for any thing1 it will be that they have often met together1 and talked of this and the other thing1 but they did nothing4 7#d47 ,where unity and peace is wanting1 there the weak are wounded1 and the wicked are hardened4 ,unity may well be compared to precious oil 7,psa #acc3b74 ,it is the nature of oil to heal that which is wounded1 and to soften that which is hard4 ,those men that have hardened themselves against ,god and his people1 when they shall behold unity and peace among them1 will say1 ,god is in them indeed2 and1 on the other hand1 are they not ready to say1 when they see you divided1 that the devil is in you1 that you cannot agree8 7#e47 ,divisions1 and want of peace1 keep those out of the church that would come in2 and cause many to go out that are in4 ',the divisions of ,christians 7as a learned man observes7 are a scandal to the ,jews1 an opprobrium to the ,gentiles1 and an inlet to atheism and infidelity4' ,insomuch that our controversies about religion1 especially as they have been of late managed1 have made religion itself become a controversy4 ,o1 then1 how good and pleasant a thing is it for brethren to dwell together in unity6 ,the peace and unity that was among the primitive ,christians drew others to them4 ,what hinders the conversion of the ,jews1 but the divisions of ,christians8 ,must ,i be a ,christian1 says the ,jew8 ,what ,christian must ,i be2 of what sect must ,i be of8 ,the ,jews1 as one observes1 glossing upon that text in ,isaiah #aa3f1 where it is prophesied1 that the lion and the lamb shall lie down together1 and that there shall be none left to hurt nor destroy in all ,god's holy mountain2 they interpreting these sayings to signify the concord and peace that shall be among the people that shall own the ,messiah1 do from hence conclude that the ,messiah is not yet come1 because of the contentions and divisions that are among those that profess him2 and the apostle saith 7#a ,cor #ad3bc71 that if an unbeliever should see their disorders1 he would say they were mad2 but where unity and peace is1 there the churches are multiplied4 ,we read 7,acts #i2ca7 that when the churches had rest1 they multiplied2 and 7,acts #b3df1dg7 when the church was serving ,god 'with one accord1' the ,lord added to them 'daily such as should be saved4' ,it is unity brings men into the church1 and divisions keep them out4 ,it is reported of an ,indian1 passing by the house of a ,christian1 and hearing them contending1 being desired to turn in1 he refused1 saying ,habamach dwells there--meaning that the devil dwelt there2 but where unity and peace is1 there ,god is2 and he that dwells in love1 dwells in ,god4 ,the apostle tells the ,corinthians1 that if they walked orderly1 even the unbeliever would hereby be enforced to come and worship1 and say1 ,god was in them indeed2 and we read 7,zech #h3bc7 of a time when ten men shall take hold of a ,jew1 and say1 ',we will go with you2 for we have heard that ,god is with you4' ,and hence it is that ,christ prays 7,john #ag3ba7 that his disciples might be one1 as the ,father and he were one1 that the world might believe the ,father sent him4 ,as if he should say1 you may preach me as long as you will1 and to little purpose1 if you are not at peace and unity among yourselves4 ,such was the unity of ,christians in former days1 that the intelligent heathen would say of them1 that though they had many bodies1 yet they had but one soul4 ,and we read the same of them 7,acts #d3cb7 that 'the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul4' ,and as the learned ,stillingfleet observes1 in his ,irenicum1--',the unity and peace that was then among ,christians1 made religion amiable in the judgment of impartial heathens4 ,christians were then known by the benignity and sweetness of their dispositions1 by the candour and ingenuity of their spirits1 by their mutual love1 forbearance1 and condescension to one another3 but either this is not the practice of ,christianity1' viz41 a duty that ,christians are now bound to observe1 'or else it is not calculated for our meridian1 where the spirits of men are of too high an elevation for it2 for if pride and uncharitableness1 if divisions and strifes1 if wrath and envy1 if animosities and contentions1 were but the marks of true ,christians1 ,diogenes need never light his lamp at noon to find out such among us2 but if a spirit of meekness1 gentleness1 and condescension2 if a stooping to the weaknesses and infirmities of one another2 if pursuit after peace1 when it flies from us1 be the indispensable duties and characteristical notes of ,christians1 it may possibly prove a difficult inquest to find out such among the crowds of those that shelter themselves under that glorious name4' ,it is the unity and peace of churches that brings others to them1 and makes ,christianity amiable4 ,what is prophesied of the church of the ,jews1 may in this case be applied to the ,gentile church 7,isa #ff3ab7 that when once ,god extends peace to her like a river1 the ,gentiles shall come in like a flowing stream2 then1 and not till then1 the glory of the ,lord shall arise upon his churches1 and his glory shall be seen among them2 then shall their hearts fear and be enlarged1 because the abundance of the nations shall be converted to them4 7#f47 ,as want of unity and peace keeps those out of the church that would come in1 so it hinders the growth of those that are in4 ,jars and divisions1 wranglings and prejudices1 eat out the growth1 if not the life1 of religion4 ,these are those waters of ,marah that embitter our spirits1 and quench the ,spirit of ,god4 ,unity and peace is said to be like the dew of ,hermon1 and as a dew that descended upon ,zion1 where the ,lord commanded his blessing 7,psa #acc3c74 ,divisions run religion into briers and thorns1 contentions and parties4 ,divisions are to churches like wars in countries4 ,where war is1 the ground lieth waste and untilled2 none takes care of it4 ,it is love that edifieth1 but division pulleth down4 ,divisions are1 as the northeast wind to the fruits1 which causeth them to dwindle away to nothing2 but when the storms are over1 every thing begins to grow4 ,when men are divided1 they seldom speak the truth in love2 and then1 no marvel they grow not up to him in all things1 which is the head4 ,it is a sad presage of an approaching famine1 as one well observes1 not of bread nor water1 but of hearing the ,word of ,god2 when the thin ears of corn devour the plump full ones2 when the lean kine devour the fat ones2 when our controversies about doubtful things1 and things of less moment1 eat up our zeal for the more indisputable and practical things in religion2 which may give us cause to fear that this will be the character by which our age will be known to posterity1 that it was the age that talked of religion most and loved it least4 ,look upon those churches where peace is1 and there you shall find prosperity4 ,when the churches had rest1 they were not only multiplied1 but1 walking in the fear of the ,lord1 and the comforts of the ,holy ,ghost1 they were edified2 it is when the whole body is knit together1 as with joints and bands1 that they increase with the increase of ,god4 ,we are at a stand sometimes why there is so little growth among churches2 why men have been so long in learning1 and are yet so far from attaining the knowledge of the truth4 ,some have given one reason1 and some another2 some say pride is the cause1 and others say covetousness is the cause2 ,i wish ,i could say these were no causes4 ,but ,i observe that when ,god entered his controversy with his people of old1 he mainly insisted upon some one sin1 as idolatry1 and shedding innocent blood1 c41 as comprehensive of the rest2 not but that they were guilty of other sins1 but those that were the most capital are particularly insisted on2 in like manner1 whoever would but take a review of churches that live in contentions and divisions1 may easily find that breach of unity and charity is their capital sin1 and the occasion of all other sins4 ,no marvel1 then1 that the ,scripture saith the whole law is fulfilled in love2 and if so1 then1 where love is wanting1 it must needs follow the whole law is broken4 ,it is where love grows cold that sin abounds2 and therefore the want of unity and peace is the cause of that leanness and barrenness that is among us3 it is true in spirituals as well as temporals1 that peace brings plenty4 7#g47 ,where unity and peace is wanting1 our prayers are hindered4 ,the promise is1 that what we shall agree to ask shall be given us of our heavenly ,father4 ,no marvel we pray and pray1 and yet are not answered2 it is because we are not agreed what to have4 ,it is reported that the people in ,lacedemonia1 coming to make supplications to their idol-god1 some of them asked for rain1 and others of them asked for fair weather2 the oracle returns them this answer1 ,that they should go first and agree among themselves4 ,would a heathen god refuse to answer such prayers in which the supplicants were not agreed2 and shall we think the true ,god will answer them8 ,we see1 then1 that divisions hinder our prayers1 and lay a prohibition on our sacrifice4 ',if thou bring thy gift to the altar1' saith ,christ1 'and there remeberest that thy brother hath ought against thee2 leave there thy gift--and go--and first be reconciled to thy brother1 and then come and offer it' 7,matt #e3bd74 ,so that want of unity and charity hinders even our particular prayers and devotions4 ,this hindered the prayers and fastings of the people of old from finding acceptance 7,isa #eh3c72 the people ask the reason wherefore they fasted1 and ,god did not see1 nor take notice of them4 ,he gives this reason1 because they fasted for strife and debate1 and hid their face from their own flesh4 ,again 7,isa #ei71 the ,lord saith1 ,his hand was not shortened1 that he could not save2 nor his ear heavy1 that he could not hear3 but their sins had separated between their ,god and them4 ,and among those many sins they stood chargeable with1 this was none of the least1 viz41 that the way of peace they had not known4 ,you see where peace was wanting1 prayers were hindered1 both under the ,old and ,new ,testament4 ,the sacrifice of the people in ,isaiah #fe1 that said1 ,stand farther off1 ,i am holier than thou1 was as smoke in the nostrils of the ,lord4 ,on the other hand1 we read how acceptable those prayers were that were made 'with one accord' 7,acts #d3bd1 compared with verse #ca74 ,they prayed with one accord1 and they were all of one heart and of one soul4 ,and see the benefit of it2 'they were all filled with the ,holy ,ghost1 and they spake the ,word with boldness'3 which was the very thing they prayed for1 as appears 7v #bi74 ,and the apostle exhorts the husband to dwell with his wife1 that their prayers might not be hindered 7#a ,peter #c3g74 ,we see1 then1 want of unity and peace1 either in families or churches1 is a hindrance of prayers4 7#h47 ,it is a dishonour and disparagement to ,christ that his family should be divided4 ,when an army falls into mutiny and division1 it reflects disparagement on him that hath the conduct of it4 ,in like manner1 the divisions of families are a dishonour to the heads and those that govern them4 ,and if so1 then how greatly do we dishonour our ,lord and ,governor1 who gave his body to be broken1 to keep his church from breaking1 who prayed for their peace and unity1 and left peace at his departing from them for a legacy1 even a peace which the world could not bestow upon them4 7#i47 ,where there is peace and unity1 there is a sympathy with each other2 that which is the want of one will be the want of all1--,who is afflicted1 saith the apostle1 and ,i burn not8#a we should then remember them that are in bonds1 as bound with them2 and them which suffer adversity1 as being ourselves also of the body 7,heb #ac3c74 ,but where the body is broken1 or men are not reckoned or esteemed of the body1 no marvel we are so little affected with such as are afflicted4 ,where divisions are1 that which is the joy of the one is the grief of another2 but where unity1 and peace1 and charity abounds1 there we shall find ,christians in mourning with them that mourn1 and rejoicing with them that rejoice2 then they will not envy the prosperity of others1 nor secretly rejoice at the miseries or miscarriages of any4 ,fourth1 ,last of all1 ,i now come to give you twelve directions and motives for the obtaining peace and unity4 ,if ever we would live in peace and unity1 we must pray for it4 ,we are required to seek peace3 of whom1 then1 can we seek it with expectation to find it1 but of him who is a ,god of peace1 and hath promised to bless his people with peace8 ,it is ,god that hath promised to give his people one heart1 and one way2 yet for all these things he will be sought unto4 ,o then let us seek peace1 and pray for peace1 because ,god shall prosper them that love it4 ,the peace of churches is that which the apostle prays for in all his epistles2 in which his desire is1 that grace and peace may be multiplied and increased among them4 #a4 ,they that would endeavour the peace of the churches1 must be careful who they commit the care and oversight of the churches to2 as1 first1 over and besides those qualifications that should be in all ,christians1 they that rule the church of ,god should be men of counsel and understanding2 where there is an ignorant ministry1 there is commonly an ignorant people1--according as it was of old1 ,like priest1 like people4 ,how sad is it to see the church of ,god committed to the care of such that pretend to be teachers of others1 that understand not what they say1 or whereof they affirm4 ,no marvel the peace of churches is broken1 when their watchmen want skill to preserve their unity1 which of all other things is as the church's walls2 when they are divided1 no wonder they crumble to atoms1 if there is no skilful physician to heal them4 ,it is sad when there is no balm in ,gilead1 and when there is no physician there4 ,hence it is1 that the wounds of churches become incurable1 like the wounds of ,god's people of old2 either not healed at all1 or else slightly healed1 and to no purpose4 ,may it not be said of many churches at this day1 as ,god said of the church of ,israel1 that he sought for a man among them that should stand in the gap1 and make up the breach1 but he found none8 ,remember what was said of old 7,mal #b3g71 ,the priest's lips should preserve knowledge2 and the people 'should seek the law at his mouth4' ,but when this is wanting1 the people will be stumbling and departing from ,god and one another2 therefore ,god complains 7,hosea #d3f7 that his people were 'destroyed for want of knowledge'2 that is1 for want of knowing guides2 for if the light that is in them that teach be darkness1 how great is that darkness2 and if the blind lead the blind1 no marvel both fall into the ditch4 ,how many are there that take upon them to teach others1 that had need be taught in the beginning of religion2 that instead of multiplying knowledge1 multiply words without knowledge2 and instead of making known ,god's counsel1 darken counsel by words without knowledge8 ,the apostle speaks of some that did more than darken counsel1 for they wrested the counsel of ,god 7#b ,peter #c3af74 ,in ,paul's epistles1 saith he1 are 'some things hard to be understood1 which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest1 as they do also the other scriptures unto their own destruction4' ,some things in the ,scripture are hard to be known1 and they are made harder by such unlearned teachers as utter their own notions by words without knowledge4 ,none are more bold and adventurous to take upon them to expound the dark mysteries and sayings of the prophets and revelations1 and the #ith of the ,romans1--which1 ,i believe1 contains some of those many things which1 in ,paul's epistles1 ,peter saith were 'hard to be understood4' ,i say1 none are more forward to dig in these mines than those that can hardly give a sound reason for the first principles of religion2 and such as are ignorant of many more weighty things that are easily to be seen in the face and superficies of the ,scripture2 nothing will serve these but swimming in the deeps1 when they have not yet learned to wade through the shallows of the ,scriptures4 ,like the ,gnostics of old1 who thought they knew all things1 though they knew nothing as they ought to know4 ,and as those ,gnostics did of old1 so do such teachers of late break the unity and peace of churches4 ,how needful1 then1 is it1 that if we desire the peace of churches1 that we choose out men of knowledge1 who may be able to keep them from being shattered and scattered with every wind of doctrine2 and who may be able to convince and stop the mouths of gainsayers6 #b4 ,you must not only choose men of counsel2 but if you would design the unity and peace of the churches1 you must choose men of courage to govern them2 for as there must be wisdom to bear with some1 so there must be courage to correct others2 as some must be instructed meekly1 so others must be rebuked sharply1 that they may be sound in the faith2 there must be wisdom to rebuke some with long-suffering1 and there must be courage to suppress and stop the mouths of others4 ,the apostle tells ,titus of some 'whose mouths must be stopped1' or else they would 'subvert whole houses' 7,titus #a3aa74 ,where this courage hath been wanting1 not only whole houses1 but whole churches have been subverted4 ,and ,paul tells the ,galatians1 that when he saw some endeavour to bring the churches into bondage1 that he did not give place to them1 'no1 not for an hour1' c4 7,gal #b3e74 ,if this course had been taken by the rulers of churches1 their peace had not been so often invaded by unruly and vain talkers4 ,in choosing men to rule1 if you would endeavour to keep the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace thereby1 be careful you choose men of peaceable dispositions4 ,that which hath much annoyed the peace of churches1 hath been the froward and perverse spirits of the rulers thereof4 ,solomon therefore adviseth1 that 'with a furious man we should not go1 lest we learn his ways1 and get a snare to our souls' 7,prov #bb3bd1be74 ,and with the froward we learn frowardness4 ,how do some men's words eat like a canker2 who instead of lifting up their voices like a trumpet1 to sound a parley for peace1 have rather sounded an alarm to war and contention4 ,if ever we would live in peace1 let us reverence the feet of them that bring the glad tidings of it4 ,o how have some men made it their business to preach contentions1 and upon their entertainment of every novel opinion1 to preach separation6 ,how hath ,god's ,word been stretched and torn1 to furnish these men with arguments to tear churches6 ,have not our ears heard those texts that saith1 ',come out from among them1 and be separate1' c42 and1 ',withdraw from every brother that walks disorderly8' ,i say1 have we not heard these texts1 that were written to prevent disorder1 brought to countenance the greatest disorder that ever was in the church of ,god1 even schism and division8 whereas one of these exhortations was written to the church of ,corinth1 to separate themselves from the idol's temple1 and the idol's table1 in which many of them lived in the participation of1 notwithstanding their profession of the true ,god1 as appears #b ,corinthians #f3af1 #ag1 compared with #a ,corinthians #h3g1 and #a ,corinthians #aj3ad1 #bj1 #bb recites3 and not for some few or more members1 who shall make themselves both judges and parties1 to make separation1 when and as often was they please1 from the whole congregation and church of ,god where they stood related2 for by the same rule1 and upon the same ground1 may others start some new question among these new separatists1 and become their own judges of the communicableness of them1 and thereupon make another separation from these1 till at last two be not left to walk together4 ,and for that other text mentioned 7#b ,thess #c3f7 where ,paul exhorts the church of ,thessalonica to withdraw themselves from every brother that walks disorderly1 ,i cannot but wonder that any should bring this to justify their separation1 or withdrawing from the communion of a true1 though a disorderly1 church4 ,for1 7#a47 ,consider that this was not writ for a few members to withdraw from the church1 but for the church to withdraw from disorderly members4 7#b47 ,consider that if any offended members1 upon pretence of error1 either in doctrine or practice1 should by this text become judges1 as well as parties1 of the grounds and lawfulness of their separation1 then it will follow1 that half a score notorious heretics1 or scandalous livers1 when they have walked so as they foresee the church are ready to deal with them1 and withdraw from them1 shall anticipate the church1 and pretend somewhat against them1 of which themselves must be judges1 and so withdraw from the church1 pretending either heresy or disorder2 and so condemn the church1 to prevent the disgrace of being condemned by the church4 ,how needful1 then1 is it that men of peaceable dispositions1 and not of froward and factious and dividing spirits1 be chosen to rule the church of ,god1 for fear lest the whole church be leavened and soured by them4 #d4 ,as there must be care used in choosing men to rule the church of ,god1 so there must be a consideration had that there are many things darkly laid down in ,scripture2 this will temper our spirits1 and make us live in peace and unity the more firmly in things in which we agree2 this will help us to bear one another's burden1 and so fulfil the law of ,christ1 inasmuch as all things necessary to salvation and church-communion are plainly laid down in ,scripture4 ,and where things are more darkly laid down1 we should consider that ,god intended hereby to stir up our diligence1 that thereby we might increase our knowledge1 and not our divisions2 for it may be said of all discoveries of truth we have made in the ,scriptures1 as it is said of the globe of the earth1 that though men have made great searches1 and thereupon great discoveries1 yet there is still a terra incognita--an unknown land2 so there is in the ,scriptures2 for after men have travelled over them1 one age after another1 yet still there is1 as it were1 a terra incognita1 an unknown tract to put us upon farther search and inquiry1 and to keep us from censuring and falling out with those who have not yet made the same discoveries2 that so we may say with the ,psalmist1 when we reflect upon our short apprehensions of the mind of ,god1 that we have seen an end of all perfections1 but ,god's commands are exceeding broad2 and as one observes1 speaking of the ,scriptures1 that there is a path in them leading to the mind of ,god1 which lieth a great distance from the thoughts and apprehensions of men4 ,and on the other hand1 in many other places1 ,god sits1 as it were1 on the superficies and the face of the letter1 where he that runs may discern him speaking plainly1 and no parable at all4 ,how should the consideration of this induce us to a peaceable deportment towards those that differ4 #e4 ,if we would endeavour peace and unity1 we must consider how ,god hath tempered the body1 that so the comely parts should not separate from the uncomely1 as having no need of them 7#a ,cor #ab3bb-be74 ,there is in ,christ's body and house some members and vessels less honourable 7#b ,tim #b3bj72 and therefore we should not1 as some now-a-days do1 pour the more abundant disgrace1 instead of putting the more abundant honour1 upon them4 ,did we but consider this1 we should be covering the weakness and hiding the miscarriages of one another1 because we are all members one of another1 and the most useless member in his place is useful4 #f4 ,if we would live in peace1 let us remember our relations to ,god--as children to a father1 and to each other as brethren4 ,will not the thoughts that we have one ,father quiet us1 and the thoughts that we are brethren unite us8 ,it was this that made ,abraham propose terms of peace to ,lot 7,gen #ac73 ',let there be no strife1' saith he1 'between us1 for we are brethren4' ,and we read of ,moses1 in ,acts #g3bf1 using this argument to reconcile those that strove together1 and to set them at one again3 ',sirs1' saith he1 'ye are brethren2 why do ye wrong one to another8' ,a deep sense of this relation1 that we are brethren1 would keep us from dividing4 #g4 ,if we would preserve peace1 let us mind the gifts1 and graces1 and virtues that are in each other2 let these be more in our eye than their failings and imperfections4 ,when the apostle exhorted the ,philippians to peace1 as a means hereunto1 that so the peace of ,god might rule in their hearts1 he tells them 7#d3h71 that if there were any virtue1 or any praise1 they should think of these things4 ,while we are always talking and blazoning the faults of one another1 and spreading their infirmities1 no marvel we are so little in peace and charity2 for as charity covereth a multitude of sins1 so malice covereth a multitude of virtues1 and makes us deal by one another as the heathen persecutors dealt with ,christians1 viz41 put them in bears' skins1 that they might the more readily become a prey to those dogs that were designed to devour them4 #h4 ,if we would keep unity and peace1 let us lay aside provoking and dividing language1 and forgive those that use them4 ,remember that old saying1 ,evil words corrupt good manners4 ,when men think to carry all afore them1 with speaking uncharitably and disgracefully of their brethren or their opinions1 may not such be answered as ,job answered his unfriendly visitants 7,job #f3be71 ',how forcible are right words6 ,but what doth your arguing reprove8' ,how healing are words fitly spoken6 ,a word in season1 how good is it6 ,if we would seek peace1 let us clothe all our treaties for peace with acceptable words2 and where one word may better accommodate than another1 let that be used to express persons or things by1 and let us not1 as some do1 call the different practices of our brethren will-worship1 and their different opinions doctrines of devils1 and the doctrine of ,balaam1 who taught fornication1 c41 unless we can plainly1 and in expressness of terms1 prove it so2 such language as this hath strangely divided our spirits1 and hardened our hearts one towards another4 #i4 ,if we would live in peace1 let us make the best constructions of one another's words and actions4 ,charity judgeth the best1 and it thinks no evil2 if words and actions may be construed to a good sense1 let us never put a bad construction upon them4 ,how much hath the peace of ,christians been broken by an uncharitable interpretation of words and actions8 ,as some lay to the charge of others that which they never said1 so1 by straining men's words1 others lay to their charge that they never thought4 #aj4 ,be willing to hear and learn1 and obey those that ,god by his providence hath set over you2 this is a great means to preserve the unity and peace of churches4 ,but when men1 yea1 and sometimes women1 shall usurp authority1 and think themselves wiser than their teachers1 no wonder if these people run into contentions and parties1 when any shall say they are not free to hear those whom the church thinks fit to speak to them4 ,this is the first step to schism1 and is usually attended1 if not timely prevented1 with a sinful separation4 #aa4 ,if you would keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace1 be mindful that the ,god whom you serve is a ,god of peace1 and your ,saviour is a ,prince of peace1 and that his ways are ways of pleasantness1 and all his paths are peace2 and that ,christ was sent into the world to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death1 and to guide our feet in the way of peace4 #ab4 ,consider the oneness of spirit that is among the enemies of religion2 though they differ about other things1 yet to persecute religion1 and extirpate religion out of the earth1 here they will agree3 the devils in the air1 and the devils in the earth1 all the devils in hell1 and in the world1 make one at this turn4 ,shall the devil's kingdom be united1 and shall ,christ's be divided8 ,shall the devils make one shoulder to drive on the design of damning men1 and shall not ,christians unite to carry on the great design of saving of them8 ,shall the ,papists agree and unite to carry on their interest1 notwithstanding the multitudes of orders1 degrees1 and differences1 that are among them1 and shall not those that call themselves reformed churches unite to carry on the common interest of ,christ in the world1 notwithstanding some petty and disputable differences that are among them8 ,quarrels about religion1 as one observes1 were sins not named among the ,gentiles4 ,what a shame is it1 then1 for ,christians to abound in them1 especially considering the nature of the ,christian religion1 and what large provisions the author of it hath made to keep the professors of it in peace2 insomuch1 as one well observes1 it is next to a miracle that ever any1 especially the professors of it1 should fall out about it4 #ac4 ,consider and remember that the ,judge stands at the door2 let this moderate our spirits1 that the ,lord is at hand4 ,what a sad account will they have to make when he comes1 that shall be found to smite their fellow-servants1 and to make the way to his kingdom more narrow than ever he made it8 ,let me close all in the words of that great apostle 7#b ,cor #ac3aa73 ',finally1 brethren1 farewell4 ,be perfect1 be of good comfort1 be of one mind1 live in peace2 and the ,god of love and peace shall be with you4' ,,postscript4 ,reader1 ,i thought good to advertise thee that ,i have delivered this to thy hand in the same order and method in which it was preached1 and almost in the same words1 without any diminishings or considerable enlargings1 unless it be in the thirteen last particulars1 upon some of which ,i have made some enlargements1 which ,i could not then do for want of time2 but the substance of every one of them was then laid down in the same particular order as here thou hast them3 and now ,i have done1 ,i make no other account1 to use the words of a moderate man upon the like occasion1 but it will fall out with me1 as doth commonly with him that parts a fray1 both parties may perhaps drive at me for wishing them no worse than peace4 ,my ambition of the public tranquility of the church of ,god1 ,i hope1 will carry me through these hazards4 ,let both beat me1 so their quarrels may cease2 ,i shall rejoice in those blows and scars ,i shall take for the church's safety4 ,,footnote3 #a ',who is weak1 and ,i am not weak8 ,who is offended1 and ,i burn not8'--,ed4 999999 ,,mr4 ,,bunyan',s ,,last ,,sermon3 ,preached ,august #ai,,th1 #afhh ,,advertisement ,,by ,,the ,,editor ,this sermon1 although very short1 is peculiarly interesting3 how it was preserved we are not told2 but it bears strong marks of having been published from notes taken by one of the hearers4 ,there is no proof that any memorandum or notes of this sermon was found in the autograph of the preacher4 ,in the list of ,bunyan's works published by ,chas4 ,doe1 at the end of the ',heavenly ,footman1' ,march #afij1 it stands ,no4 #dd4 ,he professes to give the title-page1 word for word1 as it was first printed1 ,it is1 ',mr4 ,john ,bunyan's last sermon1 at ,london1 preached at ,mr4 ,gamman's meeting-house1 near ,whitechapel1 ,august #aith1 #afhh1 upon ,john #a3ac3 showing a resemblance between a natural and a spiritual birth2 and how every man and woman may try themselves1 and know whether they are born again or not4' ,published #afhi1 in about one sheet in #abmo4 ,from this it appears to have been preached only two days before his fatal illness1 and twelve days before his decease1 which took place ,august #cast1 #afhh4 ,the disease which terminated his invaluable life1 was brought on by a journey to ,reading on horseback1 undertaken with the benevolent design of reconciling an offended father to his son4 ,having accomplished his object1 he rode to ,london2 on his way home1 through a heavy rain1 the effects of which appeared soon after this1 his last sermon was preached4 ,he bore1 with most exemplary patience and resignation1 the fever which invaded his body2 and1 at a distance from his wife and family1 in the house of his friend ,mr4 ,strudwick1 at ,snow ,hill1 his pilgrimage was ended1 and he fell asleep in perfect peace1 to awake amidst the harmonies and glory of the celestial city4 ,,geo4 ,,offor4 ,mr4 ,bunyan's ,last ,sermon ',which were born1 not of blood1 nor of the will of the flesh1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god4'--,john #a3ac ,the words have a dependance on what goes before1 and therefore ,i must direct you to them for the right understanding of it4 ,you have it thus3 ',he came unto his own1 and his own received him not2 but as many as received him1 to them gave he power to become the sons of ,god1 even to them that believe on his name3 which were born1 not of blood1 nor of the will of the flesh--but of ,god4' ,in the words before1 you have two things4 ,first1 ,some of his own rejecting him1 when he offered himself to them4 ,second1 ,others of his own receiving him1 and making him welcome2 those that reject him1 he also passes by2 but those that receive him1 he gives them power to become the sons of ,god4 ,now1 lest any one should look upon it as good luck or fortune1 says he1 they 'were born1 not of blood1 nor of the will of the flesh1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god4' ,they that did not receive him1 they were only born of flesh and blood2 but those that receive him1 they have ,god to their ,father2 they receive the doctrine of ,christ with a vehement desire4 ,,to ,,explain ,,the ,,text4 ,,first1 ,i will show you what he means by blood4 ,they that believe are born to it1 as an heir is to an inheritance--they are born of ,god1 not of flesh1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god2 not of blood1 that is1 not by generation1 not born to the kingdom of heaven by the flesh1 not because ,i am the son of a godly man or woman--that is meant by blood 7,acts #ag3bf72 ,he 'hath made of one blood all nations4' ,but when he says here1 'not of blood1' he rejects all carnal privileges they did boast of3 they boasted they were ,abraham's seed2 no1 no says he1 it is not of blood2 think not to say you have ,abraham to your father2 you must be born of ,god1 if you go to the kingdom of heaven4 ,,second1 ',nor of the will of the flesh4' ,what must we understand by that8 ,it is taken for those vehement inclinations that are in man1 to all manner of looseness1 fulfilling the desires of the flesh3 that must not be understood here2 men are not made the children of ,god by fulfilling their lustful desires4 ,it must be understood here in the best sense3 there is not only in carnal men a will to be vile1 but there is in them a will to be saved also2 a will to go to heaven also4 ,but this it will not do2 it will not privilege a man in the things of the kingdom of ,god3 natural desires after the things of another world1 they are not an argument to prove a man shall go to heaven whenever he dies4 ,i am not a free-willer1 ,i do abhor it2 yet there is not the wickedest man but he desires1 some time or other1 to be saved2 he will read some time or other1 or1 it may be1 pray1 but this will not do3 ',it is not of him that willeth1 nor of him that runneth1 but of ,god that sheweth mercy4' ,there is willing and running1 and yet to no purpose 7,rom #i3af74 ,israel1 which followed after the law of righteousness1 have not obtained it 7v #cj74 ,here1 ,i do not understand1 as if the apostle had denied a virtuous course of life to be the way to heaven2 but that a man without grace1 though he have natural gifts1 yet he shall not obtain privilege to go to heaven1 and be the son of ,god4 ,though a man without grace may have a will to be saved1 yet he cannot have that will ,god's way4 ,nature1 it cannot know any thing but the things of nature--the things of ,god knows no man but by the ,spirit of ,god2 unless the ,spirit of ,god be in you1 it will leave you on this side the gates of heaven4 ',not of blood1 nor of the will of the flesh1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god4' ,it may be1 some may have a will1 a desire that ,ishmael may be saved2 know this1 it will not save thy child4 ,if it was our will1 ,i would have you all go to heaven4 ,how many are there in the world that pray for their children1 and cry for them1 and are ready to die for them8 and this will not do4 ,god's will is the rule of all2 it is only through ,jesus ,christ3 'which were born1 not of flesh1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god4' ,now ,i come to the doctrine4 ,men that believe in ,jesus ,christ1 to the effectual receiving of ,jesus ,christ1 they are born to it4 ,he does not say they shall be born to it1 but they are born to it--born of ,god unto ,god and the things of ,god1 before he receives ,god to eternal salvation4 ',except a man be born again1 he cannot see the kingdom of ,god4' ,now1 unless he be born of ,god1 he cannot see it3 suppose the kingdom of ,god be what it will1 he cannot see it before he be begotten of ,god4 ,suppose it be the gospel1 he cannot see it before he be brought into a state of regeneration4 ,believing is the consequence of the new birth2 'not of blood1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god4' ,first1 ,i will give you a clear description of it under one similitude or two4 ,a child1 before it be born into the world1 is in the dark dungeon of its mother's womb3 so a child of ,god1 before he be born again1 is in the dark dungeon of sin1 sees nothing of the kingdom of ,god2 therefore it is called a new birth3 the same soul has love one way in its carnal condition1 another way when it is born again4 ,second1 ,as it is compared to a birth1 resembling a child in his mother's womb1 so it is compared to a man being raised out of the grave2 and to be born again1 is to be raised out of the grave of sin2 ',awake1 thou that sleepest1 and arise from the dead1 and ,christ shall give thee light4' ,to be raised from the grave of sin is to be begotten and born 7,rev #a3e72 there is a famous instance of ,christ2 ,he is 'the first begotten of the dead'2 he is the first-born from the dead1 unto which our regeneration alludeth2 that is1 if you be born again by seeking those things that are above1 then there is a similitude betwixt ,christ's resurrection and the new birth2 which was born1 which was restored out of this dark world1 and translated out of the kingdom of this dark world1 into the kingdom of his dear ,son1 and made us live a new life--this is to be born again3 and he that is delivered from the mother's womb1 it is the help of the mother2 so he that is born of ,god1 it is by the ,spirit of ,god4 ,i must give you a few consequences of a new birth4 7#a47 ,first of all1 ,a child1 you know1 is incident to cry as soon as it comes into the world2 for if there be no noise1 they say it is dead4 ,you that are born of ,god1 and ,christians1 if you be not criers1 there is no spiritual life in you--if you be born of ,god1 you are crying ones2 as soon as he has raised you out of the dark dungeon of sin1 you cannot but cry to ,god1 ,what must ,i do to be saved8 ,as soon as ever ,god had touched the jailer1 he cries out1 ',men and brethren1 what must ,i do to be saved8' ,oh6 how many prayerless professors is there in ,london that never pray6 ,coffee-houses will not let you pray1 trades will not let you pray1 looking-glasses will not let you pray2 but if you was born of ,god1 you would4 7#b47 ,it is not only natural for a child to cry1 but it must crave the breast2 it cannot live without the breast--therefore ,peter makes it the true trial of a new-born babe3 the new-born babe desires the sincere milk of the ,word1 that he may grow thereby3 if you be born of ,god1 make it manifest by desiring the breast of ,god4 ,do you long for the milk of the promises8 ,a man lives one way when he is in the world1 another way when he is brought unto ,jesus ,christ 7,isa #ff74 ,they shall suck and be satisfied2 if you be born again1 there is no satisfaction till you get the milk of ,god's ,word into your souls 7,isa #ff3aa74 ,to 'suck and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolation4' ,oh6 what is a promise to a carnal man8 ,a whore-house1 it may be1 is more sweet to him2 but if you be born again1 you cannot live without the milk of ,god's ,word4 ,what is a woman's breast to a horse8 ,but what is it to a child8 there is its comfort night and day1 there is its succour night and day4 ,o how loath are they it should be taken from them3 minding heavenly things1 says a carnal man1 is but vanity2 but to a child of ,god1 there is his comfort4 7#c47 ,a child that is newly born1 if it have not other comforts to keep it warm than it had in its mother's womb1 it dies2 it must have something got for its succour3 so ,christ had swaddling clothes prepared for him2 so those that are born again1 they must have some promise of ,christ to keep them alive2 those that are in a carnal state1 they warm themselves with other things2 but those that are born again1 they cannot live without some promise of ,christ to keep them alive2 as he did to the poor infant in ,ezekiel #af3h3 ,i covered thee with embroidered gold3 and when women are with child1 what fine things will they prepare for their child6 ,oh1 but what fine things has ,christ prepared to wrap all in that are born again6 ,oh what wrappings of gold has ,christ prepared for all that are born again6 ,women will dress their children1 that every one may see them how fine they are2 so he in ,ezekiel #af3aa3 ',i decked thee also with ornaments1 and ,i put bracelets upon thine hands1 and a chain on thy neck2 and ,i put a jewel on thy forehead1 and ear-rings in thine ears1 and a beautiful crown upon thine head4' ,and1 says he in verse #ac1 ',thou didst prosper into a kingdom4' ,this is to set out nothing in the world but the righteousness of ,christ and the graces of the ,spirit1 without which a new-born babe cannot live1 unless they have the golden righteousness of ,christ4 7#d47 ,a child1 when it is in its mother's lap1 the mother takes great delight to have that which will be for its comfort2 so it is with ,god's children1 they shall be kept on his knee 7,isa #ff3aa73 ',they shall suck and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations'2 verse #ac3 ',as one whom his mother comforteth1 so will ,i comfort you4' ,there is a similitude in these things that nobody knows of1 but those that are born again4 7#e47 ,there is usually some similitude betwixt the father and the child4 ,it may be the child looks like its father2 so those that are born again1 they have a new similitude--they have the image of ,jesus ,christ 7,gal #d74 ,every one that is born of ,god has something of the features of heaven upon him4 ,men love those children that are likest them most usually2 so does ,god his children1 therefore they are called the children of ,god2 but others do not look like him1 therefore they are called ,sodomites4 ,christ describes children of the devil by their features--the children of the devil1 his works they will do2 all works of unrighteousness1 they are the devil's works3 if you are earthly1 you have borne the image of the earthly2 if heavenly1 you have borne the image of the heavenly4 7#f47 ,when a man has a child1 he trains him up to his own liking--they have learned the custom of their father's house2 so are those that are born of ,god--they have learned the custom of the true church of ,god2 there they learn to cry ',my ,father' and ',my ,god'2 they are brought up in ,god's house1 they learn the method and form of ,god's house1 for regulating their lives in this world4 7#g47 ,children1 it is natural for them to depend upon their father for what they want2 if they want a pair of shoes1 they go and tell him2 if they want bread1 they go and tell him2 so should the children of ,god do4 ,do you want spiritual bread8 go tell ,god of it4 ,do you want strength of grace8 ask it of ,god4 ,do you want strength against ,satan's temptations8 go and tell ,god of it4 ,when the devil tempts you1 run home and tell your heavenly ,father--go1 pour out your complaints to ,god2 this is natural to children2 if any wrong them1 they go and tell their father2 so do those that are born of ,god1 when they meet with temptations1 go and tell ,god of them4 ,,the ,,application4 ,the first use is this1 ,to make a strict inquiry whether you be born of ,god or not2 examine by those things ,i laid down before1 of a child of nature and a child of grace4 ,are you brought out of the dark dungeon of this world into ,christ8 ,have you learned to cry1 ',my ,father8' 7,jer #c3d74 ',and ,i said1 ,thou shalt call me1 ,my ,father4' ,all ,god's children are criers--cannot you be quiet without you have a bellyful of the milk of ,god's ,word8 cannot you be satisfied without you have peace with ,god8 ,pray you1 consider it1 and be serious with yourselves2 if you have not these marks1 you will fall short of the kingdom of ,god--you shall never have an interest there2 'there' is no intruding4 ,they will say1 ',lord1 ,lord1 open to us2 and he will say1 ,i know you not4' ,no child of ,god1 no heavenly inheritance4 ,we sometimes give something to those that are not our children1 but we do not give them our lands4 ,o do not flatter yourselves with a portion among the sons1 unless you live like sons4 ,when we see a king's son play with a beggar1 this is unbecoming2 so if you be the king's children1 live like the king's children2 if you be risen with ,christ1 set your affections on things above1 and not on things below2 when you come together1 talk of what your ,father promised you2 you should all love your ,father's will1 and be content and pleased with the exercises you meet with in the world4 ,if you are the children of ,god1 live together lovingly2 if the world quarrel with you1 it is no matter2 but it is sad if you quarrel together2 if this be amongst you1 it is a sign of ill-breeding2 it is not according to the rules you have in the ,word of ,god4 ,dost thou see a soul that has the image of ,god in him8 ,love him1 love him2 say1 ,this man and ,i must go to heaven one day2 serve one another1 do good for one another2 and if any wrong you1 pray to ,god to right you1 and love the brotherhood4 ,lastly1 ,if you be the children of ,god1 learn that lesson--,gird up the loins of your mind1 as obedient children1 not fashioning yourselves according to your former conversation2 but be ye holy in all manner of conversation4 ,consider that the holy ,god is your ,father1 and let this oblige you to live like the children of ,god1 that you may look your ,father in the face1 with comfort1 another day4