The sacred method of saving humane souls by Jesus Christ by Henry Hallywell ...
         Hallywell, Henry, d. 1703?
      
       
         
           1677
        
      
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             The sacred method of saving humane souls by Jesus Christ by Henry Hallywell ...
             Hallywell, Henry, d. 1703?
          
           [8], 116 p.
           
             Printed for Walter Kettilby ...,
             London :
             1677.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library.
             Marginal notes.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           THE
           SACRED
           METHOD
           OF
           
             Saving
             Humane
             Souls
          
           BY
           JESUS
           CHRIST
           .
           By
           
             Henry
             Hallywell
          
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           at
           Ifeild
           in
           Sussex
           .
        
         
           1
           Cor.
           II.
           vii
           .
        
         
           But
           we
           speak
           the
           wisdome
           of
           God
           in
           a
           mystery
           ,
           even
           the
           hidden
           wisdome
           which
           God
           ordained
           before
           the
           World
           unto
           our
           Glory
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Walter
             Kettilby
          
           at
           the
           
           Bishop's
           Head
           in
           S.
           
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           ,
           1677.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           PREFACE
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           
             Reader
             ,
          
        
         
           THere
           are
           very
           few
           Books
           of
           what
           quality
           soever
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           but
           an
           ordinary
           Pamphlet
           that
           passes
           the
           Press
           ,
           without
           some
           fair
           bespeaking
           the
           Reader
           ;
           wherefore
           in
           conformity
           to
           the
           Custome
           ,
           I
           am
           to
           advertise
           Thee
           that
           the
           Design
           of
           these
           following
           Papers
           is
           to
           shew
           the
           excellency
           of
           the
           frame
           and
           constitution
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           or
           that
           
             Sacred
             Method
          
           by
           which
           God
           brings
           Men
           to
           Heaven
           by
           his
           Son
           
             Jesus
             
             Christ
          
           ;
           which
           very
           thing
           to
           the
           considering
           and
           judicious
           ,
           is
           a
           testimony
           sufficient
           of
           the
           Divinity
           of
           it
           ,
           there
           being
           such
           abundant
           evidence
           of
           the
           choicest
           Attributes
           of
           the
           Deity
           ,
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           Wisdome
           and
           Power
           in
           the
           contexture
           of
           it
           .
           For
           when
           I
           consider
           (
           who
           is
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           
             Evangelical
             Oeconomy
          
           ,
           namely
           ,
           the
           Blessed
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           Eternal
           Logos
           ,
           who
           has
           expressed
           such
           an
           Infinite
           Wisdome
           in
           the
           frame
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           I
           cannot
           but
           think
           ,
           that
           what
           is
           there
           so
           largely
           diffused
           and
           spread
           abroad
           ,
           is
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           summ'd
           up
           and
           contracted
           into
           a
           living
           Image
           ,
           and
           beautiful
           Representation
           in
           the
           frame
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           And
           certainly
           the
           Introduction
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           regenerating
           the
           World
           by
           it
           ,
           being
           set
           off
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           by
           the
           glorious
           Appellative
           of
           Creation
           ,
           and
           Jesus
           the
           Blessed
           Author
           and
           Finisher
           of
           it
           ,
           
           stiling
           himself
           
             the
             beginning
             of
             the
             Creation
             of
             God
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           
           of
           the
           Evangelical
           Dispensation
           ,
           the
           spirit
           of
           God
           does
           clearly
           intimate
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           Goodness
           ,
           Wisdome
           and
           Power
           of
           the
           Divinity
           ,
           are
           more
           eminently
           and
           transcendently
           displayed
           in
           the
           Recovery
           of
           Mankind
           by
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           than
           in
           their
           first
           Production
           .
           So
           that
           if
           it
           be
           a
           Piece
           of
           our
           Duty
           (
           as
           certainly
           it
           is
           )
           to
           think
           the
           most
           honourably
           and
           magnificently
           of
           the
           works
           of
           God's
           hands
           ,
           it
           were
           a
           sinful
           debasing
           that
           sacred
           Project
           and
           Contrivance
           ,
           which
           was
           laid
           before
           the
           Foundation
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           to
           let
           our
           conceptions
           of
           it
           dwindle
           into
           some
           poor
           and
           trifling
           Design
           ,
           and
           make
           such
           a
           pitiful
           Representation
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           shall
           be
           unworthy
           that
           Eternal
           Wisdome
           ,
           the
           Creatress
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           to
           interess
           it self
           withal
           .
           For
           nothing
           is
           more
           sure
           ,
           than
           that
           the
           Gospel
           is
           so
           contrived
           ,
           as
           may
           most
           of
           all
           do
           honour
           
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           promote
           the
           welfare
           and
           happiness
           of
           Mankind
           .
           And
           upon
           this
           Ground
           and
           Foundation
           ,
           I
           have
           built
           the
           following
           Discourse
           ,
           which
           whoever
           will
           take
           the
           pains
           to
           peruse
           ,
           I
           desire
           him
           to
           lay
           aside
           his
           Prejudices
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           charge
           every
           thing
           that
           he
           shall
           find
           disagreeing
           with
           his
           present
           sentiments
           and
           perswasions
           ,
           with
           the
           opprobrious
           and
           invidious
           term
           of
           Heresie
           :
           For
           by
           this
           means
           ,
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           ,
           that
           Religion
           is
           made
           only
           to
           serve
           an
           Interest
           ,
           and
           wait
           upon
           a
           Faction
           ,
           and
           the
           grand
           Interest
           of
           Christianity
           is
           indeed
           hugely
           disserved
           by
           such
           oblique
           Arts
           and
           unwarrantable
           Insinuations
           .
           It
           shews
           Men
           indeed
           to
           be
           affected
           with
           a
           mighty
           Zeal
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           that
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           that
           bitter
           zeal
           ,
           which
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           is
           an
           effect
           of
           that
           
             wisdome
             that
             descends
             not
             from
             above
             ,
          
           
           but
           is
           
             earthly
             ,
             sensual
             ,
             devilish
          
           .
           But
           I
           am
           very
           incurious
           of
           the
           censures
           
           of
           angry
           and
           peevish
           Men
           ,
           being
           secure
           in
           the
           sense
           of
           having
           endeavoured
           to
           do
           honour
           to
           God
           ,
           by
           begetting
           in
           Men
           right
           Apprehensions
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           my
           mean
           Ability
           ,
           promoted
           the
           Offices
           and
           Duties
           of
           a
           Virtuous
           life
           ,
           by
           shewing
           the
           necessity
           of
           them
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           our
           everlasting
           Happiness
           .
           And
           with
           this
           Advertisement
           ,
           I
           remit
           the
           Reader
           to
           the
           Discourse
           it self
           .
        
         
           Farewell
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           IMPRIMATUR
           Hic
           Liber
           (
           cui
           Titulus
           ,
           The
           Sacred
           Method
           of
           ,
           &c.
           )
        
         
           
             GEO.
             HOOPER
             
               R
               mo
               D
               no
               Arch.
               Cant.
               à
               Sac.
               Dom.
               
            
          
           
             
               21.
               
               Nov.
               1676.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           SACRED
           METHOD
           OF
           
             Saving
             Humane
             Souls
          
           BY
           JESUS
           CHRIST
           .
        
         
           THE
           Christian
           Religion
           is
           frequently
           called
           by
           Saint
           Paul
           a
           Mystery
           ,
           wherein
           it
           is
           very
           probable
           he
           might
           allude
           to
           the
           Mysterious
           Rites
           of
           the
           Gentile
           Superstition
           ,
           as
           the
           Eleusynia
           ,
           or
           some
           such
           secret
           and
           mysterious
           Actions
           of
           the
           Pagan
           Religion
           .
           And
           in
           opposition
           to
           these
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           declares
           to
           the
           World
           a
           higher
           Mystery
           ,
           and
           teaches
           us
           that
           
           Christianity
           in
           all
           respects
           exceeds
           the
           most
           sacred
           and
           venerable
           Actions
           of
           Paganisme
           .
           For
           although
           the
           Heathen
           Mystagogi
           pretended
           a
           high
           and
           noble
           design
           ,
           and
           boasted
           the
           end
           of
           their
           Sacred
           Mysteries
           to
           be
           the
           leading
           and
           conducting
           the
           Initiati
           to
           the
           Presence
           and
           Fruition
           of
           the
           worshipped
           Deity
           ,
           or
           in
           plainer
           terms
           ,
           the
           everlasting
           Blessedness
           of
           Mens
           Immortal
           Souls
           (
           the
           sole
           priviledge
           and
           prerogative
           of
           the
           Christian
           Mystery
           ,
           the
           Gospel
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           )
           yet
           they
           failed
           infinitely
           in
           the
           way
           and
           means
           of
           accomplishing
           this
           so
           excellent
           a
           purpose
           ,
           the
           whole
           procedure
           being
           bottom'd
           upon
           an
           uncertain
           Foundation
           and
           doubtful
           evidence
           ,
           and
           no
           better
           than
           an
           Histrionical
           Representation
           brought
           on
           by
           those
           delusive
           Spirits
           ,
           who
           affected
           a
           Divine
           Honour
           ,
           whereby
           instead
           of
           perfecting
           and
           bettering
           ,
           they
           really
           vitiated
           and
           debauched
           the
           minds
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           made
           their
           most
           recondite
           and
           sacred
           Rites
           little
           better
           than
           practices
           of
           Filthiness
           and
           Uncleanness
           .
           In
           which
           regard
           the
           Christian
           Oeconomy
           is
           justly
           stiled
           by
           the
           Apostle
           a
           
             Mystery
             of
             Godliness
          
           ,
           
           whose
           end
           is
           not
           only
           the
           highest
           perfection
           of
           Humane
           Souls
           ,
           but
           every
           
           where
           in
           all
           its
           parts
           breathes
           the
           exactest
           holiness
           and
           purity
           of
           Body
           and
           Soul
           ,
           as
           the
           only
           way
           to
           attain
           an
           Immortal
           Blessedness
           and
           Felicity
           .
        
         
           By
           this
           Mystery
           then
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           to
           understand
           a
           dark
           and
           intricate
           Riddle
           ,
           contrived
           only
           to
           amuze
           and
           dazle
           the
           minds
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           which
           when
           explicated
           and
           unfolded
           ,
           has
           no
           greater
           likelihood
           of
           benefiting
           the
           knower
           ,
           than
           
           Samson's
           Riddle
           of
           feeding
           the
           Philistines
           :
           but
           we
           are
           to
           conceive
           by
           it
           a
           sacred
           and
           recondite
           Method
           of
           saving
           Humane
           Souls
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           of
           purifying
           their
           minds
           to
           such
           degrees
           and
           measures
           ,
           as
           may
           render
           them
           capable
           of
           an
           entrance
           into
           the
           highest
           Heavens
           .
        
         
           
             Great
             is
             the
             Mystery
             of
             Godliness
             ,
          
           i.
           e.
           the
           Way
           and
           Method
           of
           saving
           Mankind
           by
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           is
           indeed
           wonderful
           and
           admirable
           .
           For
           the
           sacred
           plot
           of
           the
           Gospel
           was
           not
           then
           framed
           or
           laid
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           promulgated
           and
           manifested
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           lay
           hid
           in
           the
           bosome
           of
           an
           Infinite
           Understanding
           ,
           
           
             from
             ages
             and
             generations
          
           ,
           and
           is
           expresly
           called
           by
           the
           same
           Apostle
           ,
           
             the
             mysterious
             and
             recondite
             wisdome
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             he
             ordained
             
             before
             the
             World
             ,
          
           
           whose
           projection
           and
           contrivance
           was
           from
           the
           out-goings
           of
           Eternity
           .
           So
           that
           in
           this
           Affair
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           to
           look
           for
           any
           thing
           mean
           ,
           low
           and
           shallow
           ,
           but
           for
           something
           which
           may
           be
           worthy
           of
           God
           ,
           an
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           a
           design
           which
           may
           evidently
           and
           clearly
           display
           the
           highest
           Perfections
           of
           God
           its
           Author
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           better
           illustration
           of
           which
           ,
           we
           may
           consider
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           contrivance
           ,
           conduct
           and
           management
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           clear
           and
           manifest
           demonstration
           of
           the
           Infinite
           Goodness
           ,
           Wisdome
           and
           Power
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           I.
           A
           manifestation
           of
           Infinite
           Goodness
           .
        
         
           The
           Heavens
           and
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           capacities
           of
           Immense
           space
           ,
           declare
           an
           Infinite
           Goodness
           ,
           but
           the
           clearest
           and
           most
           sensible
           demonstration
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           in
           this
           
             Mystery
             of
             the
             Gospel
          
           ,
           wherein
           that
           boundless
           love
           which
           has
           dispersed
           it self
           through
           all
           the
           orders
           and
           degrees
           of
           life
           ,
           shines
           forth
           with
           a
           full
           and
           perfect
           lustre
           and
           glory
           .
           Here
           it
           is
           that
           we
           behold
           that
           Love
           ,
           which
           liberally
           fills
           and
           sustains
           all
           things
           ,
           more
           powerfully
           exerting
           its
           Blessed
           Nature
           ,
           in
           cementing
           
           the
           Ruines
           ,
           and
           rearing
           up
           the
           Foundations
           of
           a
           new
           World
           ;
           for
           as
           in
           the
           first
           Creation
           ,
           an
           Eternal
           and
           Energetical
           love
           diffused
           it self
           in
           the
           Production
           of
           whatever
           was
           made
           ,
           so
           the
           same
           Goodness
           moves
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           a
           second
           time
           in
           the
           stupendious
           renovation
           of
           lapsed
           Souls
           ,
           in
           the
           Evangelical
           Mystery
           and
           Oeconomy
           .
        
         
           Which
           Truth
           may
           yet
           receive
           a
           further
           Evidence
           by
           these
           Gradations
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           more
           perfect
           any
           life
           is
           ,
           the
           more
           it
           desires
           to
           diffuse
           and
           communicate
           it self
           .
           
             God
             is
             love
          
           ,
           says
           St.
           John
           ,
           
           and
           he
           is
           the
           highest
           and
           most
           perfect
           life
           ;
           now
           love
           is
           the
           most
           diffusive
           and
           communicative
           Principle
           in
           all
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           firmer
           any
           being
           is
           radicated
           in
           love
           ,
           the
           nearer
           approaches
           it
           makes
           to
           that
           most
           excellent
           life
           and
           nature
           of
           God
           ,
           whose
           beneficence
           and
           kindness
           the
           whole
           Creation
           tastes
           of
           Self-love
           ,
           or
           the
           love
           of
           the
           Carkass
           ,
           the
           Bodily
           life
           restrains
           and
           contracts
           the
           free
           Exertions
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           
           and
           therefore
           the
           Apostle
           sets
           it
           as
           a
           note
           of
           degeneracy
           ,
           narrowness
           and
           anxiety
           ,
           when
           Men
           shall
           be
           
             lovers
             of
             themselves
          
           and
           
             corporeal
             pleasures
          
           ,
           in
           opposition
           
           to
           that
           Universal
           and
           Intellectual
           love
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           great
           Law
           of
           Rational
           Beings
           ,
           and
           by
           which
           our
           Minds
           are
           made
           wide
           as
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           carried
           forth
           in
           Benignity
           and
           Kindness
           to
           all
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           as
           they
           more
           or
           less
           partake
           of
           the
           Divine
           Life
           and
           Nature
           .
           God
           is
           infinite
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Creatures
           are
           but
           the
           issues
           and
           emanations
           of
           his
           exuberant
           Fecundity
           and
           Life
           ,
           and
           do
           more
           intimately
           depend
           upon
           him
           ,
           than
           Faculties
           and
           Actions
           upon
           the
           Principles
           from
           whence
           they
           flow
           .
           It
           was
           not
           necessity
           or
           need
           ,
           nor
           any
           greedy
           and
           thirsty
           desire
           of
           receiving
           praise
           and
           glory
           from
           them
           ,
           that
           was
           the
           cause
           of
           the
           production
           of
           Men
           and
           Angels
           ,
           but
           only
           the
           Fulness
           of
           God's
           own
           Goodness
           ,
           which
           alone
           moved
           him
           to
           that
           chearful
           Approbation
           of
           the
           Works
           of
           his
           Hands
           ,
           when
           he
           saw
           his
           own
           life
           diffused
           in
           such
           variety
           of
           Beings
           .
           And
           if
           we
           will
           do
           honour
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           speak
           according
           to
           our
           own
           faculties
           ,
           we
           may
           add
           life
           to
           this
           Demonstration
           ,
           from
           the
           inward
           sense
           and
           experience
           of
           every
           good
           Man
           ,
           who
           never
           finds
           a
           more
           inward
           joy
           and
           satisfaction
           of
           spirit
           ,
           than
           when
           he
           is
           carried
           out
           in
           desires
           ,
           and
           
           aspirations
           of
           Benignity
           and
           Kindness
           towards
           the
           whole
           Creation
           .
           Nor
           does
           he
           look
           upon
           this
           ,
           as
           any
           Argument
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           at
           any
           time
           ,
           in
           a
           more
           happy
           state
           and
           condition
           than
           others
           ,
           for
           he
           could
           be
           willing
           that
           all
           the
           World
           were
           as
           happy
           as
           himself
           ,
           did
           he
           not
           see
           strong
           and
           evident
           Reasons
           in
           the
           wise
           Administration
           of
           Providence
           ,
           why
           it
           should
           not
           be
           so
           .
           Something
           of
           this
           excellent
           Temper
           ,
           we
           find
           in
           those
           Passionate
           Eruptions
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           recorded
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           Holy
           men
           ,
           who
           seem
           to
           be
           altogether
           transformed
           into
           love
           :
           
             Blot
             me
             out
             of
             thy
             Book
             ,
          
           (
           says
           Moses
           :
           )
           and
           
             I
             could
             be
             content
             to
             be
             accursed
             from
             Christ
          
           (
           says
           St.
           
             Paul
             )
             for
             my
             Brethrens
             sake
             :
          
           Nay
           ,
           I
           am
           verily
           perswaded
           ,
           that
           he
           who
           is
           once
           throughly
           baptized
           into
           this
           spirit
           of
           Universal
           love
           ,
           would
           be
           contented
           to
           be
           eternally
           separated
           from
           the
           Presence
           of
           God
           ,
           so
           that
           he
           might
           be
           without
           sin
           ,
           if
           by
           that
           means
           the
           whole
           Intellectual
           Creation
           might
           be
           made
           happy
           .
           Now
           if
           we
           can
           reason
           any
           thing
           of
           God
           from
           those
           Perfections
           we
           find
           in
           our selves
           ,
           we
           must
           needs
           conclude
           the
           highest
           and
           most
           perfect
           life
           to
           be
           most
           diffusive
           
           and
           communicative
           of
           it self
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Goodness
           is
           so
           much
           the
           more
           excellent
           ,
           as
           the
           Objects
           are
           more
           noble
           ,
           about
           which
           it
           is
           conversant
           .
           All
           things
           feel
           the
           effects
           of
           Divine
           Goodness
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           different
           Measures
           and
           Proportions
           ,
           and
           by
           how
           much
           the
           Rational
           life
           hath
           more
           objective
           reality
           than
           the
           sensitive
           ,
           by
           so
           much
           are
           the
           Emanations
           of
           Goodness
           of
           more
           worth
           and
           excellency
           communicated
           to
           the
           one
           ,
           than
           those
           diffused
           upon
           the
           other
           .
           As
           a
           Man
           is
           a
           more
           noble
           Creature
           than
           a
           Brute
           ,
           so
           is
           the
           Goodness
           concerned
           with
           him
           ,
           higher
           and
           of
           greater
           value
           ,
           than
           that
           exercised
           upon
           a
           Beast
           .
           God
           is
           the
           Father
           of
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           for
           that
           very
           Reason
           will
           not
           be
           implacable
           and
           irreconcileable
           to
           his
           own
           dear
           off-spring
           ,
           but
           though
           he
           chastise
           and
           scourge
           them
           for
           their
           bold
           and
           audacious
           revolt
           from
           his
           blessed
           Nature
           ,
           yet
           will
           not
           cast
           off
           for
           ever
           ,
           but
           in
           his
           sorest
           corrections
           remembers
           mercy
           .
           Hence
           is
           that
           Prophetical
           Speech
           of
           the
           end
           of
           Christ's
           Death
           ,
           that
           it
           should
           be
           for
           the
           gathering
           together
           the
           
             scattered
             Sons
             of
             God
          
           :
           
           though
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men
           had
           voluntarily
           forsaken
           God
           ,
           and
           travelled
           
           into
           a
           strange
           Land
           ,
           though
           their
           Iniquities
           had
           scattered
           them
           into
           far
           distant
           places
           from
           their
           own
           Home
           ,
           yet
           an
           everlasting
           Goodness
           followed
           them
           still
           ,
           and
           carefully
           sought
           the
           Reduction
           of
           those
           disobedient
           Sons
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           had
           divided
           and
           separated
           themselves
           from
           him
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           By
           how
           much
           the
           more
           fatal
           ,
           desperate
           and
           universal
           the
           evil
           is
           ,
           by
           so
           much
           the
           more
           glorious
           is
           the
           Goodness
           imployed
           in
           the
           recovery
           of
           the
           Creature
           from
           it
           .
           Sin
           and
           wickedness
           is
           the
           misery
           ,
           not
           of
           a
           part
           only
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           whole
           Race
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           and
           this
           their
           Degeneracy
           became
           so
           fatal
           ,
           that
           it
           brought
           Darkness
           and
           Death
           it self
           upon
           all
           their
           better
           Faculties
           ,
           and
           placed
           them
           in
           an
           utter
           Incapacity
           for
           ever
           of
           recovering
           themselves
           by
           their
           own
           solitary
           power
           and
           effort
           ,
           into
           that
           state
           of
           immortality
           and
           life
           ,
           which
           sin
           had
           deprived
           them
           of
           .
           —
           
             Death
             passed
             upon
             all
             men
          
           ,
           (
           says
           St.
           
             Paul
             )
             for
             that
          
           [
           or
           forasmuch
           as
           ]
           
             all
             have
             sinned
          
           .
           So
           that
           all
           Mankind
           ,
           by
           their
           fall
           from
           God
           ,
           were
           under
           the
           Reign
           ,
           Dominion
           and
           Power
           of
           sin
           and
           death
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           this
           thraldome
           and
           captivity
           ,
           no
           Man
           could
           
           extricate
           and
           deliver
           himself
           ,
           whereby
           their
           condition
           became
           very
           deplorable
           and
           desperate
           .
           But
           Divine
           Goodness
           ,
           that
           it
           might
           shew
           it self
           more
           conspicuously
           and
           gloriously
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           has
           brought
           on
           a
           more
           chearful
           scene
           of
           things
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           rescuing
           Men
           from
           the
           Power
           of
           sin
           and
           death
           ,
           and
           delivering
           them
           from
           the
           Tyranny
           of
           the
           Devil
           ,
           through
           the
           meritorious
           Death
           and
           Passion
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           who
           by
           his
           Glorious
           Resurrection
           hath
           fully
           declared
           himself
           a
           Powerful
           Conqueror
           of
           all
           his
           Enemies
           ,
           assuring
           Mankind
           of
           their
           re-enjoyment
           of
           Immortality
           ,
           and
           redeeming
           them
           from
           their
           Captivity
           under
           the
           Empire
           of
           Sin
           and
           Death
           ,
           and
           translating
           them
           into
           the
           peaceful
           Kingdome
           of
           Life
           and
           Righteousness
           .
           Now
           as
           the
           desperateness
           of
           the
           Disease
           magnifies
           the
           skill
           of
           the
           Physician
           ,
           so
           the
           fatal
           and
           universal
           Degeneracy
           of
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           ,
           commends
           the
           transcendent
           love
           of
           God
           in
           their
           Recovery
           and
           Redemption
           .
           Greater
           love
           than
           this
           can
           no
           Man
           show
           ,
           than
           to
           lay
           down
           his
           Life
           for
           his
           Friend
           ,
           but
           herein
           has
           God
           commended
           his
           love
           to
           us
           ,
           in
           that
           while
           we
           were
           Enemies
           to
           God
           and
           righteousness
           ,
           
           and
           strangers
           to
           his
           life
           ,
           Christ
           dyed
           for
           us
           .
           Such
           is
           that
           Testimony
           and
           Witness
           ,
           which
           our
           Saviour
           bears
           to
           Divine
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           ;
           every
           word
           of
           which
           is
           strangely
           emphatical
           :
           
           So
           [
           in
           such
           a
           wonderful
           and
           transcendent
           manner
           ]
           God
           [
           the
           great
           Lord
           of
           all
           Beings
           ,
           who
           stands
           not
           in
           need
           of
           any
           of
           his
           Creatures
           ,
           but
           is
           Infinite
           Fulness
           and
           Happiness
           to
           Himself
           ]
           loved
           [
           first
           and
           without
           any
           Motive
           or
           Occasion
           of
           this
           love
           given
           from
           us
           ;
           
             herein
             is
             love
             ,
             not
             that
             we
             loved
             God
             ,
          
           
           
             but
             that
             he
             loved
             us
             ]
             the
             World
          
           [
           not
           only
           the
           particular
           Nation
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           with
           whom
           formerly
           he
           entred
           into
           Covenant
           ,
           but
           the
           whole
           Race
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           Christ
           becoming
           a
           Propitiation
           for
           our
           sins
           (
           says
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           the
           best
           Interpreter
           of
           himself
           ,
           1
           Joh.
           2.2
           .
           )
           
             and
             not
             for
             ours
             only
             ,
             but
             also
             for
             the
             sins
             of
             the
             whole
             World
             ]
             that
             he
             gave
          
           [
           delivered
           unto
           Death
           freely
           ,
           and
           that
           upon
           no
           other
           Motive
           or
           Invitation
           ,
           but
           that
           of
           his
           own
           Eternal
           Goodness
           and
           Love
           ]
           
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           [
           not
           a
           Servant
           ,
           or
           an
           Angel
           ,
           not
           an
           adopted
           ,
           but
           his
           own
           Natural
           Son
           ,
           that
           Son
           who
           is
           one
           with
           himself
           ,
           and
           in
           whom
           he
           is
           well
           pleased
           ,
           as
           the
           obedience
           of
           Abraham
           
           was
           more
           grateful
           to
           God
           ,
           when
           
             he
             with-held
             not
             his
             Son
          
           ,
           
           
             his
             only
             Son
             from
             him
          
           .
           ]
           The
           whole
           Gospel
           is
           a
           Design
           and
           Contrivance
           of
           Infinite
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           ;
           a
           palpable
           Pledge
           and
           Assurance
           of
           which
           ,
           was
           ,
           the
           sending
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           from
           Heaven
           :
           
             He
             that
             spared
             not
             his
             own
             Son
             ,
          
           says
           the
           Apostle
           ;
           as
           if
           he
           had
           said
           ,
           The
           delivering
           up
           of
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           to
           be
           an
           Expiatory
           Sacrifice
           for
           the
           sins
           of
           Men
           ,
           is
           so
           high
           a
           Demonstration
           of
           Infinite
           Love
           ,
           that
           it
           begets
           in
           us
           a
           confident
           Assurance
           and
           full
           Perswasion
           ,
           that
           the
           same
           goodness
           will
           not
           fail
           of
           bestowing
           upon
           us
           ,
           whatever
           may
           possibly
           contribute
           to
           our
           everlasting
           Happiness
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           our
           Natures
           are
           capable
           of
           .
        
         
           The
           summe
           of
           all
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           to
           Infinite
           Goodness
           we
           owe
           not
           only
           the
           Production
           ,
           but
           the
           continual
           Preservation
           of
           our
           Beings
           ,
           not
           only
           the
           freeing
           us
           from
           a
           certain
           Misery
           ,
           and
           a
           just
           and
           deserved
           Punishment
           ,
           but
           the
           receiving
           us
           into
           grace
           and
           favour
           ,
           and
           investing
           us
           with
           a
           Happiness
           much
           bigger
           than
           our
           hopes
           and
           expectations
           ,
           even
           the
           Eternal
           enjoyment
           of
           Himself
           in
           Heaven
           .
           And
           that
           this
           should
           be
           
           wrought
           and
           effected
           by
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           the
           only
           begotten
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           left
           the
           Sacred
           Mansions
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           veiled
           his
           Glory
           under
           a
           clould
           of
           Flesh
           and
           Blood
           ,
           and
           while
           he
           lived
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           endured
           the
           contradictions
           of
           sinners
           ,
           the
           bitter
           reproaches
           of
           vile
           and
           ungodly
           Men
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           suffered
           an
           Ignominious
           and
           accursed
           Death
           upon
           the
           Cross
           ,
           What
           is
           it
           but
           an
           everlasting
           Monument
           of
           Divine
           Goodness
           ?
           such
           a
           high
           Demonstration
           of
           Infinite
           Love
           ,
           as
           may
           well
           make
           us
           cry
           out
           with
           wonder
           and
           amazement
           ,
           
             Behold
             what
             manner
             of
             love
             the
             Father
             hath
             bestowed
             upon
             us
             !
          
        
         
           2.
           
           Secondly
           ,
           in
           the
           Frame
           and
           Mystery
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           clear
           Demonstration
           of
           Infinite
           Wisdome
           .
           
           
             To
             them
             who
             are
             called
          
           (
           says
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             Christ
             the
             Power
             and
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             :
          
           i.
           e.
           Though
           the
           preaching
           of
           the
           Gospel
           were
           a
           stumbling
           block
           to
           the
           Jews
           ,
           and
           accounted
           but
           foolishness
           by
           the
           Greeks
           ,
           the
           one
           expecting
           their
           Messiah
           to
           be
           an
           earthly
           Prince
           ,
           and
           dreaming
           of
           nothing
           but
           worldly
           Felicity
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           counting
           it
           not
           worth
           the
           hearing
           ,
           because
           not
           agreeing
           with
           the
           Principles
           
           of
           that
           vain
           Philosophy
           they
           had
           addicted
           themselves
           to
           ;
           yet
           to
           those
           who
           were
           docible
           ,
           tractable
           and
           obedient
           ,
           there
           appeared
           an
           Infinite
           Wisdome
           ,
           and
           an
           Eternal
           Understanding
           :
           they
           could
           not
           look
           into
           it
           ,
           but
           they
           beheld
           (
           as
           the
           same
           Apostle
           speaks
           )
           
             the
             mysterious
             and
             recondite
             wisdome
             of
             God
             ,
          
           
           
             which
             he
             ordained
             before
             the
             World
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           whose
           sacred
           plot
           and
           contrivance
           was
           not
           then
           framed
           or
           laid
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           first
           promulgated
           and
           manifested
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           lay
           hid
           in
           the
           bosome
           of
           an
           Infinite
           Understanding
           from
           all
           Eternity
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           the
           loveliness
           and
           glory
           of
           this
           great
           Wisdome
           appears
           not
           so
           evidently
           to
           all
           ,
           partly
           from
           their
           own
           carelesness
           and
           negligence
           ,
           in
           not
           arriving
           to
           that
           measure
           and
           degree
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           which
           may
           fit
           and
           qualifie
           them
           for
           a
           clear
           discerning
           of
           it
           :
           Hence
           the
           Apostle
           says
           ,
           
           that
           
             he
             speaks
             wisdome
             among
             them
             that
             are
             perfect
             ,
          
           such
           as
           were
           well
           grown
           in
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           Offices
           and
           Duties
           of
           Christianity
           ;
           such
           as
           had
           
             senses
             exercised
             to
             discern
             good
             and
             evil
             ,
             Heb.
          
           5.14
           .
           and
           partly
           ,
           through
           the
           great
           Corruption
           ,
           Depravity
           and
           Degeneracy
           of
           the
           minds
           of
           others
           ,
           which
           
           put
           them
           into
           an
           utter
           Incapacity
           and
           Impossibility
           (
           while
           they
           remain
           such
           )
           of
           understanding
           Divine
           and
           Heavenly
           Truths
           ;
           for
           
             the
             natural
          
           [
           animal
           or
           sensual
           ]
           
             man
             receives
             not
             the
             things
             of
             the
             spirit
             of
             God.
          
           
           But
           where
           these
           Impediments
           are
           removed
           ,
           and
           the
           spirits
           of
           Men
           aptly
           disposed
           for
           the
           Reception
           of
           so
           great
           a
           Blessing
           ,
           such
           Persons
           behold
           with
           enravishment
           and
           joy
           the
           exact
           strokes
           and
           perfect
           lineaments
           of
           an
           Eternal
           Wisdome
           .
        
         
           Which
           Wisdome
           appears
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           In
           the
           Admirableness
           of
           the
           Contrivance
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           Christianity
           carries
           with
           it
           such
           evident
           Proofs
           of
           an
           Incomprehensible
           Wisdome
           ,
           that
           those
           sagacious
           Creatures
           ,
           the
           Angels
           ,
           imploy
           themselves
           in
           searching
           into
           it
           :
           And
           surely
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           an
           admirable
           piece
           of
           Wisdome
           ,
           and
           a
           wonderful
           Contrivance
           ,
           
           that
           must
           draw
           those
           Blessed
           Creatures
           
             to
             look
             into
             it
          
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           Wonderfulness
           and
           Admirableness
           of
           the
           Evangelical
           Plot
           and
           Contrivance
           ,
           for
           the
           Salvation
           of
           Humane
           Souls
           ,
           shews
           it self
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           In
           finding
           out
           a
           way
           ,
           whereby
           God
           might
           demonstrate
           ,
           both
           his
           just
           
           and
           implacable
           hatred
           of
           sin
           ,
           and
           his
           exuberant
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           in
           saving
           Men.
           Sin
           is
           no
           part
           of
           God's
           Creation
           ,
           nor
           any
           thing
           of
           the
           true
           Nature
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           but
           an
           extraneous
           and
           adventitious
           Being
           ,
           brought
           first
           into
           the
           World
           by
           the
           Devil
           ,
           the
           great
           Enemy
           of
           Mankind
           .
           It
           is
           the
           Destruction
           and
           Ruine
           of
           the
           Workmanship
           of
           God's
           own
           hands
           ,
           and
           being
           so
           infinitely
           contrary
           to
           his
           Sacred
           Life
           and
           Nature
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           wonder
           ,
           if
           he
           bear
           an
           irreconcileable
           hatred
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           seek
           by
           all
           means
           ,
           the
           driving
           it
           quite
           out
           of
           the
           World.
           But
           although
           God
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           Infinite
           Purity
           and
           Holiness
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           could
           not
           look
           with
           any
           favourable
           eye
           upon
           sin
           ,
           yet
           his
           Almighty
           Love
           pitied
           his
           Creatures
           ,
           
           and
           
             his
             bowels
             yerned
             over
             them
          
           ,
           being
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           grieved
           and
           troubled
           at
           the
           heart
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           be
           miserable
           for
           ever
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
           God
           ,
           through
           his
           Eternal
           Wisdome
           ,
           resolved
           upon
           a
           course
           ,
           which
           should
           both
           effectually
           extirpate
           and
           eradicate
           sin
           and
           evil
           out
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           yet
           reduce
           those
           strayed
           souls
           ,
           which
           through
           it
           ,
           had
           revolted
           from
           his
           blessed
           Life
           and
           Nature
           ,
           to
           a
           participation
           of
           it
           again
           .
           And
           this
           he
           
           hath
           done
           ,
           by
           sending
           his
           own
           Son
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           to
           become
           an
           Expiatory
           Sacrifice
           for
           the
           sins
           of
           all
           Mankind
           .
           For
           should
           God
           have
           cast
           Men
           off
           for
           ever
           ,
           and
           thrown
           them
           into
           Hell
           ,
           though
           he
           had
           still
           been
           Just
           and
           Righteous
           in
           his
           Actions
           ,
           and
           declared
           but
           a
           high
           dislike
           of
           that
           ,
           which
           his
           Essential
           Holiness
           could
           never
           patronize
           or
           countenance
           ,
           yet
           his
           Goodness
           and
           Love
           had
           not
           so
           conspicuously
           and
           gloriously
           appeared
           .
           *
           On
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           should
           God
           have
           received
           the
           World
           into
           grace
           and
           favour
           ,
           forgiving
           their
           Iniquities
           ,
           without
           any
           previous
           satisfaction
           for
           sin
           ,
           though
           he
           might
           have
           done
           this
           ,
           without
           any
           breach
           of
           the
           Eternal
           Purity
           and
           Justice
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           yet
           he
           had
           not
           so
           sensibly
           affected
           the
           minds
           of
           Men
           ,
           with
           his
           just
           aversation
           of
           sin
           ,
           nor
           so
           effectually
           discovered
           to
           them
           ,
           his
           Anger
           and
           Displeasure
           against
           all
           evil
           and
           wickedness
           .
           But
           now
           in
           the
           Death
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           God
           has
           reconciled
           Goodness
           
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           Justice
           and
           Mercy
           ,
           punishing
           sin
           ,
           and
           yet
           saving
           the
           sinner
           .
        
         
           Behold
           therefore
           ,
           and
           wonder
           at
           the
           Ineffable
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           Transcendent
           love
           of
           God!
           Could
           not
           Man
           redeem
           his
           Brother
           ,
           and
           give
           unto
           God
           a
           Ransome
           for
           him
           ?
           No
           surely
           ,
           for
           that
           Sacrifice
           ,
           that
           is
           presented
           and
           offered
           up
           to
           God
           ,
           must
           be
           without
           spot
           and
           blemish
           ;
           but
           when
           the
           Lord
           looked
           down
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           upon
           the
           Children
           of
           Men
           ,
           he
           beheld
           them
           all
           gone
           aside
           ,
           and
           become
           filthy
           ,
           so
           that
           there
           was
           not
           one
           that
           did
           good
           ,
           no
           not
           one
           .
           But
           if
           this
           might
           not
           be
           ,
           yet
           ,
           could
           not
           God
           have
           declared
           his
           will
           to
           us
           by
           an
           Angel
           ,
           by
           a
           Voice
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           or
           by
           uniting
           himself
           to
           the
           Angelical
           Nature
           ?
           Certainly
           he
           might
           ,
           but
           none
           of
           these
           ways
           could
           have
           been
           with
           such
           endearing
           circumstances
           ,
           with
           such
           sensible
           Testimonies
           of
           dear
           Compassion
           and
           Benignity
           ,
           as
           enravish
           ingenuous
           Minds
           into
           sutable
           Returns
           and
           expressions
           of
           love
           .
           Jesus
           Christ
           therefore
           ,
           the
           Delights
           of
           his
           Father
           ,
           the
           Brightness
           of
           his
           Glory
           ,
           and
           the
           express
           Image
           and
           character
           of
           his
           Person
           ,
           took
           flesh
           and
           dwelt
           among
           us
           .
           He
           that
           was
           
             in
             the
             form
             of
             God
          
           ,
           
           clothed
           with
           all
           the
           Majesty
           and
           Glory
           of
           the
           supramundane
           life
           ,
           
           yet
           emptyed
           himself
           of
           all
           this
           unspeakable
           Felicity
           ,
           
             and
             took
             upon
             him
             the
             form
             of
             a
             Servant
             ,
          
           
           i.
           e.
           an
           Earthly
           ,
           or
           a
           body
           of
           flesh
           and
           blood
           ,
           in
           opposition
           to
           that
           state
           ,
           which
           he
           before
           called
           ,
           
             the
             form
             of
             God
          
           ;
           
           and
           being
           found
           in
           that
           servile
           scheme
           ,
           
             he
             humbled
             himself
             ,
             and
             became
             obedient
             unto
             Death
             ,
             even
             the
             Death
             of
             the
             Cross
             .
          
           What
           higher
           expressions
           of
           love
           ,
           can
           Humane
           Understandings
           possibly
           conceive
           ,
           than
           these
           ?
           The
           endearing
           love
           of
           Friends
           could
           never
           give
           any
           greater
           evidence
           of
           it self
           ,
           than
           that
           they
           lay
           down
           their
           lives
           one
           for
           another
           :
           but
           such
           was
           the
           transcendent
           love
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           that
           he
           dyed
           for
           Rebels
           ,
           for
           Apostates
           from
           that
           sacred
           life
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           which
           alone
           the
           Soveraign
           Command
           and
           Rule
           both
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           does
           of
           right
           belong
           .
           Behold
           him
           a
           Man
           of
           sorrows
           ,
           exposed
           to
           the
           envy
           ,
           hatred
           and
           malice
           of
           the
           cruel
           and
           unbelieving
           Jews
           ,
           and
           yet
           ,
           so
           inwardly
           affected
           with
           tenderness
           and
           commiseration
           towards
           them
           ,
           that
           he
           omits
           nothing
           ,
           which
           a
           Heart
           enflamed
           with
           love
           and
           compassion
           ,
           could
           do
           to
           make
           them
           happy
           .
           And
           though
           God
           ,
           
           in
           his
           Eternal
           Wisdome
           ,
           foresaw
           the
           accursed
           Disposition
           of
           the
           Jewish
           Nation
           ,
           who
           ,
           as
           they
           had
           been
           heretofore
           thirsty
           after
           the
           blood
           of
           the
           Prophets
           and
           righteous
           Men
           ,
           so
           now
           would
           never
           leave
           ,
           till
           they
           had
           satiated
           their
           Revenge
           ,
           in
           the
           Blood
           of
           his
           only
           begotten
           Son
           ,
           yet
           he
           delivers
           him
           up
           into
           their
           hands
           :
           for
           ,
           so
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           ,
           that
           
             they
             had
             taken
             ,
             and
             by
             wicked
             hands
             crucified
             and
             slain
             [
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ]
             him
             ,
          
           
           that
           was
           given
           out
           of
           the
           protecting
           hand
           and
           providence
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           the
           will
           of
           his
           Enemies
           .
           A
           love
           which
           the
           Tongues
           of
           Men
           and
           Angels
           are
           never
           able
           sufficiently
           to
           express
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           the
           Infinite
           love
           of
           God
           appears
           ,
           in
           this
           way
           of
           saving
           Men
           by
           Christ
           Jesus
           ,
           so
           his
           severity
           and
           hatred
           against
           sin
           ,
           is
           no
           less
           manifest
           and
           conspicuous
           ;
           for
           in
           that
           ,
           
             God
             spared
             not
             his
             own
             Son
             ,
          
           but
           delivered
           him
           up
           to
           Death
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           sufficient
           proof
           and
           Argument
           of
           his
           utter
           Detestation
           of
           all
           sin
           and
           evil
           .
           No
           circumstance
           of
           his
           bitter
           Passion
           ,
           but
           speaks
           forth
           the
           heavy
           wrath
           and
           indignation
           of
           God
           against
           sin
           .
           When
           he
           came
           into
           the
           Garden
           of
           Gethsemane
           ,
           where
           began
           the
           first
           Scene
           of
           his
           Tragical
           
           Passion
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             he
             was
             sore
             amazed
             and
             very
             heavy
             ,
          
           
           and
           this
           inward
           grief
           ,
           and
           ineffable
           trouble
           of
           his
           soul
           ,
           he
           expresses
           in
           that
           Passionate
           speech
           to
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             My
             Soul
             is
             exceeding
             sorrowful
             ,
             even
             unto
             Death
             ,
          
           
           not
           only
           extensively
           ,
           such
           as
           must
           last
           ,
           till
           Death
           it self
           do
           end
           it
           ,
           but
           likewise
           intensively
           ,
           so
           great
           ,
           as
           is
           usually
           at
           the
           very
           point
           of
           Death
           .
           And
           whence
           arose
           this
           sorrow
           ?
           It
           was
           not
           out
           of
           any
           cowardly
           fear
           of
           pain
           and
           death
           ,
           for
           knowing
           all
           things
           that
           should
           come
           upon
           him
           ,
           yet
           with
           a
           firm
           constancy
           and
           sedate
           Resolution
           of
           mind
           ,
           he
           comes
           to
           his
           implacable
           Enemies
           at
           Jerusalem
           ;
           
           and
           when
           he
           was
           betrayed
           in
           the
           Garden
           ,
           he
           willingly
           offers
           himself
           into
           their
           hands
           ,
           
             I
             am
             he
          
           .
           Though
           certain
           it
           is
           ,
           
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           bearing
           about
           him
           our
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           was
           likewise
           subject
           to
           all
           the
           harmless
           Passions
           and
           affections
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           was
           so
           far
           from
           that
           Stoical
           stubbornness
           and
           insensibility
           ,
           that
           his
           Passive
           and
           tender
           Constitution
           filled
           him
           with
           grief
           ,
           and
           yielded
           to
           the
           fear
           of
           pain
           and
           Death
           .
           Nor
           did
           his
           sorrow
           proceed
           from
           any
           displeasure
           of
           God
           against
           his
           Person
           ;
           for
           he
           being
           
           perfectly
           obedient
           ,
           and
           fully
           and
           exactly
           conformable
           to
           his
           Fathers
           will
           ;
           it
           could
           not
           be
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           groan
           under
           the
           anger
           and
           wrath
           of
           God.
           Nor
           was
           it
           altogether
           Bodily
           pains
           that
           made
           him
           so
           ,
           but
           there
           was
           something
           extraordinary
           ;
           As
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           A
           withdrawing
           the
           sensibleness
           of
           Divine
           Assistance
           from
           him
           .
           As
           the
           Sun
           at
           our
           Saviour's
           Crucifixion
           ,
           though
           not
           disjoyned
           from
           the
           World
           ,
           yet
           for
           a
           time
           deserted
           the
           World
           ,
           by
           withdrawing
           his
           light
           from
           it
           .
           And
           although
           this
           withholding
           the
           sensibleness
           of
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           ,
           was
           done
           without
           any
           Aversation
           and
           dislike
           of
           the
           Person
           of
           our
           blessed
           Lord
           ,
           which
           not
           only
           before
           ,
           but
           at
           that
           very
           instant
           ,
           was
           tenderly
           beloved
           of
           God
           ,
           yet
           the
           Apprehension
           of
           it
           could
           not
           but
           make
           him
           bemoan
           his
           case
           ,
           in
           that
           sad
           exclamation
           ;
           
             My
             God
             ,
             my
             God
             ,
             why
          
           [
           or
           how
           ]
           
             hast
             thou
             forsaken
             me
          
           !
        
         
           2.
           
           Because
           ,
           then
           all
           the
           Powers
           of
           Hell
           and
           darkness
           were
           let
           loose
           upon
           him
           .
           The
           Prince
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           with
           his
           accursed
           Legions
           ,
           did
           then
           (
           as
           we
           may
           reasonably
           suppose
           )
           appear
           to
           him
           ,
           in
           the
           most
           affrighting
           and
           dreadful
           forms
           ,
           and
           by
           
           the
           Permission
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           exerted
           and
           tryed
           the
           utmost
           of
           their
           Insulting
           Rage
           ,
           in
           these
           their
           last
           and
           most
           furious
           Assaults
           ;
           the
           Conquest
           and
           Victory
           over
           whom
           being
           to
           be
           atchieved
           ,
           not
           by
           the
           Divine
           Power
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           Piety
           and
           Obedience
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           he
           falls
           into
           an
           Agony
           ,
           and
           an
           Angel
           descends
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           to
           strengthen
           and
           comfort
           his
           fainting
           Soul
           in
           these
           horrendous
           Conflicts
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Christ
           suffering
           for
           Men's
           sins
           ,
           must
           needs
           have
           a
           distinct
           Apprehension
           of
           the
           manner
           ,
           measure
           and
           odiousness
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           beheld
           all
           this
           with
           a
           bleeding
           heart
           ,
           forasmuch
           as
           he
           saw
           himself
           cast
           into
           those
           sad
           circumstances
           ,
           bruised
           for
           the
           iniquities
           ,
           and
           wounded
           for
           the
           transgressions
           of
           Mankind
           .
           All
           which
           put
           together
           were
           sufficient
           Causes
           of
           the
           highest
           grief
           and
           sorrow
           .
           Consider
           now
           ,
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           the
           eternally
           beloved
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           sorrowful
           and
           amazed
           ,
           sweating
           drops
           of
           Blood
           in
           his
           Agony
           ,
           bereaved
           of
           the
           sensibleness
           of
           Divine
           Assistance
           ,
           conflicting
           with
           the
           utmost
           Rage
           and
           Insultation
           of
           the
           Devil
           ,
           and
           dying
           a
           Painful
           and
           Ignominious
           Death
           upon
           the
           Cross
           ,
           and
           it
           gives
           the
           highest
           
           Demonstration
           of
           God's
           implacable
           Hatred
           against
           all
           sin
           ,
           that
           possibly
           can
           be
           imagined
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           admirableness
           and
           wonderfulness
           of
           the
           Evangelical
           plot
           and
           contrivance
           ,
           declares
           it self
           ,
           in
           rendring
           this
           Way
           and
           Method
           effectual
           for
           the
           salvation
           of
           Men.
           That
           it
           should
           not
           be
           lost
           labour
           ,
           or
           a
           work
           to
           no
           purpose
           ,
           alarming
           the
           World
           with
           great
           hopes
           and
           expectations
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           become
           abortive
           ,
           or
           prove
           nothing
           but
           a
           windy
           birth
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           should
           really
           attain
           the
           end
           ,
           for
           which
           it
           was
           designed
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           men
           should
           receive
           benefit
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           be
           eternally
           saved
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           purpose
           three
           things
           are
           necessary
           ;
           
             
               1.
               
               That
               what
               God
               requires
               ,
               be
               in
               it self
               possible
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               Man
               be
               endued
               with
               a
               sufficient
               power
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               some
               allowance
               be
               made
               for
               our
               Infirmities
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           First
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           Commands
           of
           the
           Gospel
           be
           possible
           :
           For
           it
           were
           the
           most
           unreasonable
           and
           Tyrannical
           thing
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           to
           exact
           that
           of
           another
           ,
           which
           we
           know
           he
           is
           in
           no
           Possibility
           of
           
           performing
           ;
           and
           therefore
           ,
           being
           a
           thing
           so
           abhorrent
           and
           repugnant
           to
           the
           natural
           reason
           and
           equity
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           it
           is
           at
           no
           hand
           to
           be
           attributed
           to
           God
           ,
           whose
           very
           Nature
           is
           the
           most
           perfect
           and
           living
           Law
           of
           Justice
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
           the
           Gospel
           being
           given
           to
           be
           the
           Religion
           of
           all
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           for
           no
           other
           end
           ,
           but
           their
           everlasting
           Benefit
           and
           Blessedness
           ,
           we
           cannot
           but
           imagine
           all
           the
           duties
           and
           commands
           required
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           be
           possible
           to
           be
           done
           ;
           for
           otherwise
           it
           would
           be
           so
           far
           from
           contributing
           to
           their
           advantage
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           be
           but
           an
           Exprobration
           of
           their
           misery
           ,
           and
           a
           Tyrannical
           and
           Arbitrarious
           Insultation
           over
           their
           calamitous
           condition
           .
           Nay
           ,
           we
           are
           assured
           ,
           that
           the
           laws
           of
           Righteousness
           required
           of
           us
           by
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           are
           not
           only
           possible
           ,
           but
           gracious
           and
           easie
           ,
           and
           that
           from
           the
           mouth
           of
           the
           Blessed
           Author
           and
           giver
           of
           them
           ;
           
             My
             yoke
          
           (
           says
           he
           )
           
             is
             easie
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             my
             burden
             is
             light
          
           :
           and
           the
           beloved
           Apostle
           has
           left
           it
           upon
           Record
           ,
           that
           
             the
             commands
             of
             God
             are
             not
             grievous
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           
           they
           are
           not
           insupportable
           burdens
           ,
           too
           heavy
           for
           the
           nature
           of
           Man
           to
           bear
           ,
           nor
           are
           they
           fetters
           and
           shackles
           of
           Iron
           ,
           
           contrived
           only
           to
           ensnare
           and
           make
           the
           Creation
           miserable
           ,
           but
           such
           gracious
           Precepts
           and
           Constitutions
           ,
           as
           are
           in
           themselves
           immutably
           good
           ,
           and
           so
           infinitely
           agreeable
           to
           the
           true
           and
           proper
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           Intellectual
           Nature
           of
           Man
           ,
           that
           he
           can
           no
           sooner
           understand
           his
           own
           happiness
           ,
           but
           he
           would
           chuse
           them
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           never
           been
           commanded
           .
           The
           Wisdome
           of
           God
           never
           interesses
           it self
           in
           unprofitable
           things
           ,
           which
           surely
           this
           must
           have
           been
           ,
           if
           the
           Observance
           and
           Practice
           of
           the
           Injunctions
           of
           the
           Gospel
           had
           been
           in
           it self
           impossible
           .
           Besides
           ,
           supposing
           such
           intolerable
           and
           impracticable
           things
           imposed
           upon
           the
           reason
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           it
           would
           subvert
           all
           future
           rewards
           and
           punishments
           .
           As
           for
           Rewards
           ,
           there
           could
           be
           no
           such
           thing
           ,
           for
           Rewards
           are
           only
           upon
           the
           consideration
           of
           Duty
           ,
           and
           there
           can
           be
           no
           duty
           ,
           where
           the
           commands
           are
           impossible
           :
           Nor
           can
           there
           be
           any
           equitable
           exaction
           of
           Punishment
           ,
           because
           the
           Law
           it self
           is
           not
           feasible
           and
           practicable
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           transgression
           becomes
           necessary
           and
           inevitable
           ,
           and
           no
           more
           in
           the
           power
           of
           Men
           to
           help
           ,
           than
           to
           hinder
           their
           being
           born
           into
           the
           World.
           Wherefore
           ,
           
           upon
           the
           whole
           matter
           ,
           unless
           the
           Gospel
           contain
           only
           such
           things
           as
           are
           possible
           ,
           it
           is
           certain
           ,
           no
           man
           can
           be
           accountable
           for
           them
           ,
           unless
           we
           will
           suppose
           God
           such
           an
           Arbitrarious
           Being
           ,
           as
           acts
           by
           no
           other
           Law
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           his
           own
           Will
           and
           Authority
           ,
           which
           is
           all
           one
           ,
           as
           for
           a
           Man
           to
           think
           to
           get
           himself
           a
           name
           of
           Power
           and
           Soveraignty
           ,
           by
           going
           about
           all
           day
           ,
           and
           treading
           upon
           a
           few
           poor
           Worms
           .
           And
           certainly
           it
           is
           all
           one
           to
           have
           no
           notion
           and
           apprehension
           of
           God
           at
           all
           ,
           and
           to
           think
           so
           meanly
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           below
           the
           excellency
           and
           dignity
           of
           his
           Blessed
           Nature
           and
           ●erfections
           .
        
         
           But
           here
           it
           will
           be
           objected
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           commands
           of
           the
           Gospel
           be
           not
           only
           possible
           ,
           but
           easie
           and
           gracious
           ,
           how
           comes
           it
           then
           ,
           that
           Men
           are
           not
           presently
           made
           good
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           World
           become
           true
           Christians
           ?
        
         
           To
           this
           ,
           I
           have
           these
           things
           to
           reply
           .
           1.
           
           That
           God
           forces
           none
           to
           be
           good
           ,
           but
           having
           made
           us
           Rational
           Creatures
           ,
           he
           has
           endued
           us
           with
           a
           free
           Principle
           .
           And
           without
           this
           ,
           there
           would
           be
           no
           such
           thing
           as
           Moral
           Goodness
           upon
           Earth
           ;
           for
           that
           which
           a
           man
           is
           compelled
           and
           
           forced
           to
           ,
           by
           the
           irresistible
           Determination
           of
           an
           exterior
           Principle
           ,
           is
           neither
           good
           nor
           evil
           in
           reference
           to
           him
           because
           it
           was
           not
           a
           true
           exertion
           of
           his
           will
           ,
           but
           an
           act
           of
           something
           without
           him
           .
           And
           therefore
           should
           God
           irresistibly
           bend
           and
           incline
           the
           wills
           of
           Men
           to
           the
           Laws
           and
           Practice
           of
           Vertue
           ,
           it
           would
           take
           away
           the
           distinction
           of
           good
           and
           evil
           ,
           and
           Men
           would
           be
           what
           they
           are
           ,
           by
           a
           fatal
           necessity
           ,
           and
           not
           by
           choice
           .
           Moreover
           ,
           should
           God
           forcibly
           make
           Men
           good
           ,
           it
           would
           rather
           destroy
           ,
           than
           recover
           the
           Nature
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           more
           imperfect
           Creatures
           ,
           than
           they
           are
           already
           .
           It
           is
           the
           glory
           of
           our
           faith
           ,
           that
           being
           tryed
           ,
           it
           be
           found
           unto
           praise
           and
           honour
           ;
           but
           what
           praise
           can
           be
           due
           to
           that
           ,
           which
           is
           performed
           by
           the
           violent
           constraint
           of
           an
           uncontroulable
           Power
           ?
           
             There
             would
             be
             little
             reason
             for
             the
             Scripture
             (
             says
             a
             worthy
             Prelate
             )
             so
             much
             to
             magnify
             the
             grace
             of
             faith
             ,
             
             as
             being
             so
             great
             a
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             so
             acceptable
             to
             God
             ,
             if
             every
             one
             were
             necessitated
             to
             it
             ,
             whether
             he
             would
             or
             no.
             
          
           2.
           
           True
           Religion
           has
           a
           great
           disagreement
           with
           our
           present
           sinful
           Natures
           .
           Christianity
           
           came
           into
           the
           World
           to
           curb
           our
           extravagant
           desires
           ,
           to
           restrain
           the
           sinful
           and
           exorbitant
           affections
           of
           the
           Animal
           life
           ,
           and
           to
           draw
           off
           our
           minds
           from
           the
           fading
           and
           inchanting
           Beauties
           of
           sense
           ,
           to
           the
           living
           and
           Immortal
           forms
           of
           righteousness
           and
           truth
           .
           And
           it
           is
           no
           wonder
           if
           it
           be
           accounted
           troublesome
           and
           uneasie
           to
           a
           carnal
           mind
           ,
           when
           its
           whole
           design
           is
           to
           let
           out
           the
           corrupt
           life
           and
           blood
           of
           the
           old
           man
           ,
           and
           to
           renew
           men
           into
           that
           faultless
           nature
           ,
           sin
           and
           wickedness
           had
           destroyed
           .
           Religion
           is
           not
           such
           a
           formidable
           and
           difficult
           thing
           ,
           such
           an
           insuperable
           task
           in
           it self
           ,
           but
           because
           't
           is
           an
           affliction
           to
           our
           natural
           life
           ,
           to
           do
           violence
           to
           our
           lusts
           and
           bodily
           Passions
           ,
           therefore
           sensual
           and
           hypocritical
           Persons
           judge
           it
           to
           be
           hard
           ,
           troublesome
           and
           uneasie
           .
           But
           3dly
           ,
           Men
           generally
           distempered
           as
           they
           are
           ,
           have
           no
           mind
           to
           set
           upon
           Religion
           in
           good
           earnest
           .
           They
           are
           for
           the
           most
           part
           in
           love
           with
           sin
           ,
           and
           Vice
           is
           become
           customary
           and
           natural
           ,
           and
           because
           't
           is
           some
           trouble
           to
           root
           out
           and
           extirpate
           an
           habitual
           corruption
           ,
           therefore
           they
           fairly
           lay
           Religion
           by
           ,
           as
           a
           thing
           too
           austere
           and
           unpleasant
           .
           So
           that
           there
           is
           not
           so
           much
           
           difficulty
           in
           Religion
           ,
           as
           in
           bringing
           men
           to
           entertain
           firm
           purposes
           and
           resolutions
           of
           embracing
           it
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           of
           bettering
           their
           lives
           by
           it
           .
           Were
           but
           Men
           sincere
           in
           their
           endeavours
           after
           holiness
           ,
           and
           the
           participation
           of
           the
           nature
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           pretended
           roughness
           and
           asperity
           of
           Religion
           would
           quickly
           wear
           off
           ,
           and
           they
           would
           see
           ,
           that
           
             its
             ways
             are
             ways
             of
             pleasantness
             ,
             and
             all
             its
             paths
             peace
             .
          
           By
           which
           it
           appears
           ,
           that
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           objections
           of
           our
           sensual
           and
           animal
           life
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           possible
           ,
           nay
           easie
           for
           us
           to
           become
           sincere
           Christians
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           commands
           of
           God
           are
           so
           far
           from
           being
           Tyrannical
           and
           grievous
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           the
           most
           agreeable
           to
           our
           Intellectual
           and
           Rational
           Natures
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           is
           necessary
           that
           Man
           be
           endued
           with
           a
           sufficient
           Power
           .
           For
           though
           the
           conditions
           of
           salvation
           be
           in
           themselves
           possible
           ,
           yet
           if
           we
           be
           not
           put
           into
           a
           capacity
           ,
           and
           endued
           with
           power
           from
           on
           high
           ,
           sufficient
           for
           the
           performance
           of
           them
           ,
           we
           are
           never
           the
           better
           .
           Though
           the
           walking
           of
           a
           Mile
           be
           a
           thing
           possible
           and
           feasible
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           impossible
           for
           him
           that
           has
           lost
           the
           use
           of
           his
           Legs
           .
           If
           
           Christ
           ,
           when
           he
           cured
           the
           Impotent
           and
           Lame
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           by
           bidding
           them
           ,
           
             Rise
             up
             and
             walk
          
           ,
           had
           not
           at
           the
           same
           time
           confirmed
           and
           strengthned
           their
           feeble
           Limbs
           ,
           his
           command
           had
           been
           utterly
           ineffectual
           .
           So
           although
           we
           ,
           through
           our
           own
           fault
           ,
           are
           fallen
           into
           a
           state
           of
           sin
           and
           misery
           ,
           weakness
           and
           imperfection
           ,
           yet
           if
           God
           intend
           to
           better
           our
           condition
           ,
           and
           to
           recover
           us
           to
           our
           former
           life
           and
           health
           ,
           he
           must
           confer
           upon
           us
           such
           a
           Power
           ,
           as
           may
           make
           his
           Design
           effectual
           .
           It
           is
           confessed
           ,
           that
           all
           Mankind
           have
           utterly
           disabled
           themselves
           for
           the
           attainment
           of
           everlasting
           Blessedness
           ,
           by
           their
           own
           naked
           and
           solitary
           endeavours
           ;
           but
           God
           ,
           out
           of
           his
           free
           goodness
           and
           love
           ,
           making
           a
           new
           Covenant
           with
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           propounding
           certain
           terms
           and
           conditions
           ,
           upon
           which
           they
           may
           again
           be
           made
           happy
           ,
           it
           is
           altogether
           repugnant
           with
           his
           Infinite
           Wisdome
           and
           Justice
           to
           require
           of
           Men
           the
           performance
           of
           these
           Conditions
           ,
           without
           enduing
           them
           with
           a
           sufficient
           strength
           for
           that
           purpose
           .
           Should
           God
           offer
           life
           and
           salvation
           upon
           the
           terms
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           yet
           never
           endue
           us
           with
           an
           ability
           to
           embrace
           and
           accept
           
           of
           them
           ,
           it
           would
           not
           be
           a
           design
           worthy
           of
           him
           ,
           nor
           agreeable
           with
           those
           serious
           professions
           and
           Desires
           of
           our
           Immortal
           Happiness
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           fuller
           Illustration
           of
           this
           ,
           we
           must
           know
           ,
           that
           God
           hath
           always
           declared
           his
           delight
           in
           the
           Felicity
           ,
           and
           his
           aversation
           of
           the
           misery
           and
           destruction
           of
           his
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           lest
           we
           should
           question
           the
           reality
           of
           this
           his
           love
           ,
           he
           has
           confirmed
           it
           with
           an
           Oath
           :
           
             As
             I
             live
          
           ,
           
           
             saith
             the
             Lord
             God
             ,
             I
             have
             no
             pleasure
             in
             the
             death
             of
             the
             wicked
             .
          
           And
           this
           fervent
           desire
           of
           the
           good
           and
           welfare
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           moved
           him
           to
           enter
           into
           a
           Covenant
           with
           them
           in
           Christ
           Jesus
           .
           Now
           ,
           as
           in
           all
           mutual
           compacts
           ,
           and
           stipulations
           between
           Parties
           ,
           there
           are
           terms
           and
           conditions
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           and
           each
           Party
           obliges
           himself
           to
           the
           performance
           of
           something
           :
           So
           in
           this
           great
           Indenture
           or
           Covenant
           ,
           which
           God
           has
           made
           with
           the
           World
           ,
           he
           is
           graciously
           pleased
           to
           oblige
           himself
           to
           do
           something
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           likewise
           tyed
           to
           the
           observation
           of
           certain
           Articles
           and
           conditions
           required
           on
           our
           part
           .
           And
           this
           notion
           of
           the
           Gospel
           seems
           to
           be
           intimated
           by
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           2
           Tim.
           2.19
           .
           
           
             The
             Foundation
             of
             God
             standeth
             sure
             ,
             having
             this
             Seal
             ,
             the
             Lord
             knows
             who
             are
             his
             .
             And
             let
             every
             one
             that
             names
             the
             Name
             of
             Christ
             ,
             depart
             from
             iniquity
             .
          
           Where
           ,
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           insert
           ,
           what
           a
           very
           learned
           Man
           observes
           ,
           concerning
           the
           signification
           of
           the
           word
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
           which
           our
           Translation
           renders
           [
           foundation
           .
           ]
           
             That
             the
             Hebrew
             word
             ,
             to
             which
             it
             answers
             in
             the
             Rabbinical
             Dialect
             ,
             is
             used
             for
             
               Tabulae
               contractûs
            
             ,
             a
             Bill
             of
             contract
             ,
             and
             so
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             here
             signifies
             ,
             the
             Compact
             or
             Covenant
             of
             God
             ;
             for
             the
             very
             mentioning
             of
             a
             Seal
             here
             ,
             implyes
             a
             Bill
             of
             Contract
             :
             for
             Bills
             of
             Contract
             had
             their
             Seals
             appendant
             to
             them
             ;
             each
             side
             whereof
             had
             his
             Motto
             ,
             the
             one
             suiting
             with
             the
             one
             party
             contrahent
             ,
             the
             other
             with
             the
             other
             .
             To
             this
             the
             Apostle
             here
             alludes
             ,
             God's
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             says
             he
             ,
             standeth
             sure
             ,
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             God's
             Bill
             of
             Contract
             ,
             or
             his
             Chirographum
             )
             having
             a
             Seal
             according
             to
             the
             manner
             ;
             the
             one
             side
             whereof
             carries
             this
             Motto
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               knows
               them
               that
               are
               his
               ,
               i.
               e.
            
             he
             will
             never
             fail
             to
             own
             those
             who
             continue
             faithful
             to
             him
             ;
             the
             other
             this
             ,
             
               Let
               every
               man
               that
               names
               
               the
               name
               of
               Christ
               ,
               depart
               from
               iniquity
               :
            
          
           which
           if
           he
           do
           not
           ,
           he
           forfeits
           all
           the
           Priviledges
           ,
           which
           he
           might
           otherwise
           hope
           for
           ,
           from
           this
           Covenant
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           And
           this
           God's
           entring
           into
           a
           Covenant
           ,
           is
           in
           other
           terms
           expressed
           ,
           by
           being
           reconciled
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           
             God
             was
             in
             Christ
          
           ,
           
           
             reconciling
             the
             World
             unto
             himself
          
           ,
           not
           so
           ,
           as
           to
           take
           all
           Men
           immediately
           into
           Heaven
           ,
           but
           so
           far
           as
           to
           put
           all
           Mankind
           ,
           by
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           into
           a
           capacity
           of
           salvation
           .
           To
           which
           end
           and
           purpose
           ,
           amongst
           other
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           or
           Gratuitous
           Donations
           which
           God
           hath
           freely
           engaged
           himself
           to
           bestow
           ,
           this
           is
           one
           very
           considerable
           ,
           
             the
             giving
             of
             all
             men
             sufficient
             power
             and
             strength
             to
             inable
             them
             to
             perform
             his
             will
             and
             commands
             ,
             so
             as
             he
             will
             accept
             of
             .
          
           Which
           very
           thing
           is
           made
           a
           part
           of
           
             God's
             holy
             Covenant
          
           ,
           
           
             that
             he
             would
             grant
             unto
             us
             ,
          
           i.
           e.
           that
           
             he
             would
             give
             us
             power
          
           ,
           as
           the
           word
           is
           used
           ,
           Revel
           .
           11.3
           .
           or
           qualify
           us
           with
           a
           sufficient
           strength
           and
           ability
           ,
           
             to
             serve
             him
             in
             holiness
             and
             righteousness
             ,
             before
             him
             ,
             all
             the
             days
             of
             our
             lives
             .
          
           For
           the
           further
           proof
           of
           this
           ,
           I
           shall
           offer
           these
           two
           Arguments
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           it
           is
           necessary
           that
           God
           should
           
           impower
           all
           Men
           to
           whom
           the
           Gospel
           is
           preached
           ,
           with
           a
           sufficient
           ability
           to
           perform
           what
           is
           required
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           manifest
           his
           Intentions
           of
           saving
           all
           the
           World
           to
           be
           real
           .
           The
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             God
             is
             the
             Saviour
             of
             all
             men
             ,
          
           
           and
           how
           he
           can
           be
           so
           ,
           unless
           he
           put
           all
           Men
           ,
           some
           way
           or
           other
           into
           a
           capacity
           of
           salvation
           ,
           I
           profess
           my self
           not
           able
           to
           understand
           :
           Now
           what
           is
           it
           to
           put
           any
           one
           into
           a
           capacity
           of
           salvation
           ,
           but
           to
           place
           him
           in
           that
           way
           ,
           and
           to
           provide
           for
           him
           all
           those
           means
           which
           shall
           be
           necessary
           and
           effectual
           for
           the
           obtaining
           that
           glorious
           end
           ?
           Hence
           the
           same
           Apostle
           informs
           us
           ,
           that
           
             God
             would
             have
             all
             men
             to
             be
             saved
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           
           as
           far
           as
           lyes
           in
           him
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           consistent
           with
           the
           Nature
           of
           Rational
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           may
           appear
           there
           is
           nothing
           wanting
           on
           God's
           part
           to
           make
           them
           happy
           .
           Wherefore
           those
           who
           deny
           to
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           Mankind
           such
           a
           Participation
           of
           the
           assistance
           and
           grace
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           may
           place
           them
           under
           a
           capacity
           of
           obtaining
           Heaven
           ,
           seem
           to
           me
           to
           question
           the
           reality
           and
           sincerity
           of
           God's
           Design
           and
           Intention
           of
           saving
           all
           the
           World
           by
           Christ
           Jesus
           .
           For
           if
           the
           purpose
           
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           sending
           Jesus
           Christ
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           was
           ,
           that
           he
           
             should
             tast●
             death
             for
             every
             man
             ,
          
           
           and
           
             that
             the
             World
             through
             him
             might
             be
             saved
             ,
          
           it
           was
           likewise
           undoubtedly
           a
           part
           of
           this
           purpose
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           all
           be
           qualified
           and
           impowered
           with
           such
           ability
           ,
           the
           faithful
           actuating
           of
           which
           should
           certainly
           attain
           that
           end
           for
           which
           it
           was
           designed
           .
           And
           that
           God
           should
           intend
           the
           salvation
           of
           all
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           promulgate
           this
           his
           Intention
           ,
           and
           alarm
           the
           hopes
           and
           expectations
           of
           all
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           yet
           deny
           them
           that
           ,
           without
           which
           they
           cannot
           be
           saved
           ,
           is
           utterly
           irreconcileable
           with
           those
           apprehensions
           ,
           which
           we
           ought
           to
           have
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           all
           Men
           might
           thereby
           be
           accountable
           to
           God.
           No
           Man
           can
           be
           accountable
           for
           any
           more
           than
           he
           has
           received
           ,
           and
           if
           there
           were
           any
           number
           of
           Men
           to
           whom
           the
           Gospel
           were
           faithfully
           preached
           ,
           and
           the
           means
           of
           salvation
           made
           known
           ,
           and
           yet
           were
           always
           left
           destitute
           of
           a
           power
           and
           ability
           of
           believing
           and
           acting
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           prescriptions
           of
           it
           ,
           they
           would
           be
           so
           far
           from
           being
           left
           without
           excuse
           ,
           or
           having
           their
           mouths
           stopped
           ,
           that
           their
           
           Apology
           would
           be
           as
           reasonable
           ,
           as
           if
           God
           should
           expostulate
           with
           them
           for
           not
           creating
           the
           World
           ,
           or
           raising
           the
           Dead
           .
           For
           if
           they
           never
           were
           so
           much
           as
           put
           ●nto
           a
           capacity
           of
           believing
           ,
           how
           can
           they
           be
           justly
           punished
           as
           Infidels
           ?
           But
           because
           the
           righteous
           Governor
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           cannot
           but
           do
           that
           which
           is
           just
           and
           equal
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           men
           to
           whom
           God
           has
           communicated
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           shall
           be
           accountable
           to
           him
           for
           it
           ,
           therefore
           we
           are
           assured
           that
           all
           of
           them
           ,
           at
           some
           time
           or
           other
           ,
           were
           endued
           with
           such
           a
           measure
           and
           degree
           of
           God's
           powerful
           assistance
           ,
           as
           should
           inable
           them
           to
           do
           what
           he
           required
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           as
           he
           would
           accept
           of
           .
           
             This
             is
             the
             condemnation
          
           ,
           (
           says
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           Joh.
           3.19
           .
           )
           not
           that
           all
           the
           World
           was
           in
           a
           state
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           but
           
             that
             Light
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
             is
             come
             amongst
             them
          
           ,
           and
           by
           It
           they
           are
           put
           into
           a
           capacity
           ,
           not
           only
           of
           discovering
           ,
           but
           of
           coming
           out
           of
           their
           sins
           ,
           and
           
             they
             loved
             darkness
             rather
             than
             light
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           preferred
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           their
           own
           corrupt
           lusts
           ,
           before
           a
           sincere
           obedience
           to
           the
           will
           of
           God.
           And
           methinks
           ,
           the
           Righteousness
           of
           God's
           Dispensation
           
           with
           Men
           in
           this
           kind
           is
           evidently
           prefigured
           ,
           in
           that
           Parable
           of
           the
           Vineyard
           ,
           Isai
           .
           5.
           which
           is
           alike
           applicable
           to
           the
           state
           of
           things
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           then
           to
           the
           Jewish
           Church
           :
           the
           planting
           it
           in
           a
           fruitful
           soil
           ,
           the
           careful
           manuring
           and
           cultivation
           of
           it
           ,
           implying
           all
           necessary
           means
           for
           the
           increase
           and
           growth
           of
           Men
           in
           grace
           and
           vertue
           ,
           whereby
           might
           very
           well
           have
           been
           expected
           such
           Wine
           ,
           as
           might
           chear
           and
           exhilarate
           the
           heart
           of
           God
           and
           man
           ,
           but
           when
           ,
           after
           all
           this
           pains
           ,
           it
           brought
           forth
           nothing
           but
           wild
           Grapes
           ,
           then
           God
           determines
           upon
           the
           just
           destruction
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Equity
           and
           Justice
           of
           this
           Procedure
           ,
           appeals
           to
           the
           Consciences
           of
           Men
           ,
           
             What
             could
             have
             been
             done
             more
             that
             I
             have
             not
             done
             ?
          
        
         
           But
           against
           this
           it
           is
           objected
           ,
           that
           if
           all
           Men
           under
           the
           Gospel
           are
           put
           into
           a
           capacity
           of
           salvation
           ,
           whence
           then
           comes
           the
           different
           entertainment
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           Why
           is
           it
           that
           all
           Men
           are
           not
           effectually
           convinced
           and
           wrought
           upon
           by
           it
           ?
        
         
           For
           the
           solution
           of
           this
           difficulty
           ,
           I
           shall
           return
           ,
           
           1.
           
           That
           of
           Origen
           ,
           that
           to
           an
           effectual
           perswasion
           there
           is
           required
           
           not
           only
           that
           the
           Perswader
           offer
           such
           things
           as
           are
           apt
           to
           beget
           belief
           ,
           but
           likewise
           a
           sutable
           disposition
           and
           tractable
           frame
           in
           him
           that
           is
           to
           be
           perswaded
           .
           So
           that
           the
           Reason
           why
           many
           Men
           do
           not
           entertain
           and
           believe
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           is
           not
           that
           the
           Gospel
           is
           unfurnished
           of
           perswasory
           Arguments
           ,
           or
           that
           God
           is
           wanting
           in
           any
           thing
           on
           his
           part
           ,
           but
           because
           they
           reject
           and
           refuse
           those
           things
           which
           do
           in
           others
           ,
           and
           might
           in
           them
           (
           if
           it
           were
           not
           for
           their
           own
           obstinacy
           )
           produce
           faith
           and
           belief
           .
           As
           (
           says
           the
           Father
           )
           the
           most
           eloquent
           Orator
           that
           ever
           spake
           may
           perswade
           in
           vain
           where
           he
           meets
           with
           a
           stubborn
           and
           refractory
           disposition
           .
           It
           is
           sufficient
           therefore
           that
           the
           Gospel
           suggests
           and
           offers
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           such
           rational
           Arguments
           and
           Motives
           as
           are
           proper
           to
           beget
           Belief
           in
           Moral
           Agents
           ,
           but
           the
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           perswasibility
           ,
           or
           the
           Act
           of
           being
           perswaded
           is
           a
           work
           of
           Mens
           own
           .
           For
           proof
           of
           which
           the
           Father
           cites
           these
           Scriptures
           ,
           Gal.
           5.8
           .
           
             Perswasion
             cometh
             not
             of
             him
             that
             calleth
             you
             .
          
           And
           Isai
           .
           1.19
           ,
           20.
           
           
             If
             ye
             be
             willing
             and
             obedient
             ,
             ye
             shall
             eat
             the
             good
             of
             the
             Land
             :
             but
             if
             ye
             refuse
             and
             rebel
             ,
             ye
             shall
             be
             devoured
             
             with
             the
             Sword.
          
           Which
           account
           Origen
           seems
           to
           have
           taken
           out
           of
           Irenaeus
           ,
           
           
             Facere
             enim
             proprium
             est
             benignitatis
             Dei
             ,
             fieri
             autem
             proprium
             est
             hominis
             Naturae
             .
             Si
             igitur
             tradideris
             ei
             quod
             est
             tuum
             ,
             id
             est
             fidem
             in
             eum
             &
             subjectionem
             ,
             percipies
             ejus
             artem
             ,
             &
             eris
             perfectum
             opus
             Dei.
             Si
             autem
             non
             credideris
             ei
             ,
             &
             fugeris
             manus
             ejus
             ,
             erit
             causa
             imperfectionis
             in
             te
             ,
             qui
             non
             obedisti
             ,
             sed
             non
             in
             illo
             qui
             vocavit
             .
          
           2.
           
           The
           Assistance
           and
           aid
           of
           the
           grace
           and
           spirit
           of
           God
           under
           the
           Gospel
           is
           not
           by
           Omnipotency
           or
           Power
           at
           large
           ,
           but
           such
           a
           concurrence
           as
           leaves
           to
           Men
           the
           liberty
           of
           their
           own
           wills
           ,
           as
           is
           manifest
           from
           several
           places
           of
           the
           sacred
           Scriptures
           ,
           Joh.
           5.40
           .
           
             Ye
             will
             not
             come
             unto
             me
             that
             ye
             may
             have
             life
             .
          
           Though
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           spake
           as
           never
           Man
           spake
           ,
           and
           wrought
           such
           Miracles
           as
           never
           Man
           did
           ,
           beyond
           which
           nothing
           can
           be
           offered
           to
           make
           the
           Gospel
           credible
           ,
           yet
           those
           contumacious
           Jews
           would
           not
           receive
           him
           .
           And
           of
           the
           Pharisees
           and
           Lawyers
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           Luk.
           7.30
           .
           
             That
             they
             rejected
             the
             counsel
             of
             God
             against
             themselves
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           merciful
           purpose
           or
           design
           of
           God
           towards
           them
           in
           making
           provision
           for
           
           their
           salvation
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Jews
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           It
           is
           necessary
           that
           some
           allowance
           be
           made
           for
           our
           infirmities
           .
           For
           though
           a
           mighty
           Power
           engage
           it self
           on
           our
           behalf
           ,
           yet
           if
           God
           should
           be
           extreme
           to
           mark
           what
           is
           done
           amiss
           ,
           if
           he
           should
           take
           advantage
           of
           every
           frailty
           and
           miscarriage
           ,
           who
           then
           could
           be
           saved
           ?
           Hence
           it
           is
           that
           our
           merciful
           God
           considering
           our
           frame
           ,
           and
           remembring
           the
           imperfection
           of
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           is
           willing
           to
           abate
           and
           strike
           off
           much
           of
           our
           account
           upon
           that
           stock
           ,
           and
           treats
           with
           us
           not
           according
           to
           the
           degrees
           of
           an
           Angel
           ,
           but
           the
           measures
           of
           a
           Man
           ,
           not
           after
           the
           highest
           rigor
           ,
           but
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           according
           to
           equity
           which
           is
           the
           truest
           and
           most
           perfect
           Justice
           .
           For
           herein
           consists
           the
           excellency
           of
           the
           Gospel
           Covenant
           ,
           in
           that
           under
           it
           1.
           
           God
           allows
           of
           our
           Repentance
           for
           past
           sins
           .
           2.
           
           Accepts
           of
           our
           sincerity
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           .
           It
           was
           part
           of
           that
           Commission
           which
           Christ
           gave
           his
           Apostles
           before
           his
           Ascension
           into
           Heaven
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           Preach
           
             repentance
             and
             remission
             of
             sins
             in
             his
             Name
             among
             all
             Nations
             :
          
           which
           they
           faithfully
           observed
           ,
           
           offering
           
           life
           and
           salvation
           to
           those
           that
           crucified
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           provided
           they
           would
           repent
           of
           this
           their
           heinous
           crime
           and
           become
           new
           Creatures
           .
           
             Repent
             and
             be
             converted
             ,
             that
             your
             sins
             may
             be
             blotted
             out
             .
          
           
           It
           is
           the
           great
           comfort
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           brings
           guilty
           sinners
           ,
           in
           that
           it
           assures
           them
           of
           the
           love
           of
           an
           offended
           God
           ,
           that
           their
           past
           sinful
           lives
           shall
           not
           ruine
           or
           exclude
           them
           from
           his
           favour
           ,
           but
           that
           now
           in
           this
           day
           of
           mercy
           and
           peace
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           return
           unto
           him
           by
           a
           speedy
           Repentance
           ,
           he
           will
           be
           merciful
           to
           their
           Unrighteousness
           ,
           and
           will
           remember
           their
           iniquities
           no
           more
           .
           The
           Conscience
           of
           Mens
           own
           guilt
           makes
           them
           afraid
           ,
           and
           like
           Adam
           ,
           run
           from
           the
           Presence
           of
           God
           ;
           wherefore
           to
           prevent
           those
           misgiving
           thoughts
           of
           the
           Nature
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           Mens
           sinful
           hearts
           possessed
           them
           withall
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           future
           to
           take
           away
           all
           jealousies
           and
           suspicious
           fears
           out
           of
           their
           Minds
           ,
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           publish
           a
           Declaration
           of
           Pardon
           and
           Indulgence
           to
           all
           Penitent
           Persons
           ,
           giving
           them
           all
           imaginable
           security
           of
           his
           Propensity
           and
           readiness
           to
           be
           reconciled
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           unfeigned
           desire
           and
           willingness
           to
           accept
           of
           their
           
           Persons
           upon
           their
           serious
           and
           hearty
           detestation
           of
           their
           former
           sins
           and
           evil
           courses
           .
           And
           to
           the
           end
           that
           Men
           may
           be
           perfectly
           convinced
           that
           God
           is
           not
           inexorable
           and
           implacable
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           consults
           not
           his
           own
           Glory
           in
           any
           other
           way
           than
           that
           of
           the
           Creatures
           good
           and
           advantage
           ,
           he
           vouchsafes
           out
           of
           his
           undeserved
           favour
           and
           grace
           to
           accept
           of
           our
           Sincerity
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           ;
           the
           knowledge
           of
           which
           is
           therefore
           imparted
           unto
           Men
           by
           the
           Gospel
           to
           settle
           their
           Minds
           and
           quiet
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           which
           otherwise
           upon
           every
           failure
           in
           their
           Duty
           would
           perpetually
           torment
           them
           with
           the
           fear
           of
           God's
           everlasting
           Anger
           and
           Displeasure
           .
           By
           sincerity
           ,
           I
           mean
           such
           a
           frame
           and
           constitution
           of
           spirit
           ,
           whereby
           our
           whole
           Souls
           are
           faithfully
           carried
           out
           in
           obedience
           to
           the
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           it
           is
           made
           known
           to
           us
           .
           
           
             These
             things
             I
             write
             unto
             you
          
           (
           says
           the
           beloved
           Apostle
           )
           
             that
             ye
             sin
             not
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           It
           is
           the
           design
           of
           the
           Gospel
           perfectly
           to
           abolish
           all
           sin
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           requires
           Mens
           utmost
           caution
           and
           endeavour
           against
           it
           .
           But
           because
           Men
           may
           fall
           into
           sin
           through
           the
           improvidence
           and
           short-sightedness
           of
           
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           or
           through
           the
           sudden
           incursion
           of
           a
           Temptation
           ,
           and
           the
           Violence
           and
           importunity
           of
           it
           ;
           yet
           let
           them
           not
           cast
           away
           their
           confidence
           ,
           nor
           sink
           under
           their
           load
           and
           dye
           ,
           for
           
             if
             any
             man
          
           thus
           
             sin
             ,
             we
             have
             an
             Advocate
             with
             the
             Father
             ,
          
           a
           royal
           Agent
           at
           the
           right
           hand
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           makes
           intercession
           for
           us
           ,
           not
           as
           in
           the
           days
           of
           his
           flesh
           by
           offering
           up
           Prayers
           with
           strong
           crying
           and
           tears
           ,
           but
           by
           Virtue
           of
           that
           Power
           and
           Authority
           of
           ruling
           his
           Church
           according
           to
           his
           own
           Pleasure
           ,
           dispensing
           his
           favours
           and
           saving
           Men
           by
           the
           mercies
           and
           compassions
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           Prerogative
           he
           purchased
           and
           merited
           for
           himself
           by
           his
           bitter
           Death
           and
           Passion
           .
           For
           God
           does
           not
           exact
           of
           us
           a
           perfect
           ,
           unsinning
           Obedience
           ,
           so
           as
           never
           to
           fail
           in
           our
           duty
           ,
           or
           offend
           in
           the
           least
           tittle
           or
           circumstance
           ,
           but
           he
           requires
           of
           us
           a
           perfection
           of
           sincerity
           ,
           the
           not
           giving
           way
           to
           any
           known
           sin
           ,
           or
           doing
           that
           upon
           deliberation
           ,
           which
           a
           Man's
           conscience
           tells
           him
           is
           a
           breach
           and
           violation
           of
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           though
           there
           be
           never
           so
           great
           Temptations
           to
           it
           .
           This
           is
           that
           which
           the
           Scripture
           calls
           by
           the
           Names
           of
           the
           
             New
             Man
          
           and
           the
           
             New
             
             Creature
          
           ,
           when
           we
           love
           and
           serve
           God
           with
           our
           whole
           hearts
           ,
           and
           retain
           such
           a
           clear
           sense
           of
           the
           deformity
           of
           sin
           ,
           and
           the
           loveliness
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           as
           makes
           us
           studiously
           prosecute
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           detest
           and
           abhor
           the
           other
           .
           And
           though
           this
           sincerity
           of
           heart
           may
           be
           accompanied
           with
           meekness
           and
           imperfection
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           such
           as
           God
           has
           graciously
           promised
           to
           accept
           of
           ,
           and
           to
           wash
           away
           those
           lesser
           frailties
           and
           infirmities
           in
           the
           Blood
           of
           Christ
           .
           This
           state
           of
           mind
           is
           an
           everlasting
           Fountain
           of
           Peace
           and
           Joy
           ,
           a
           spring
           of
           Eternal
           contentment
           and
           satisfaction
           .
           It
           supports
           us
           in
           all
           dangers
           ,
           carries
           us
           undauntedly
           through
           all
           difficulties
           ,
           and
           fills
           our
           souls
           with
           an
           enravishing
           calmness
           and
           tranquillity
           .
           It
           is
           certainly
           the
           best
           Companion
           and
           the
           surest
           Friend
           in
           all
           the
           World
           :
           for
           when
           the
           Clouds
           gather
           and
           a
           storm
           arises
           ,
           and
           the
           face
           of
           things
           in
           this
           lower
           Region
           becomes
           troubled
           and
           confused
           ,
           yet
           our
           sincerity
           never
           leaves
           us
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           most
           formidable
           and
           dismal
           appearance
           of
           Nature
           puts
           on
           a
           chearful
           countenance
           ,
           and
           looks
           abroad
           and
           meets
           the
           greatest
           dangers
           with
           a
           high
           and
           generous
           resolution
           ,
           being
           confident
           of
           this
           ,
           that
           that
           
           everlasting
           goodness
           which
           folds
           the
           whole
           Creation
           in
           tender
           Arms
           ,
           will
           never
           disdain
           or
           cast
           away
           a
           sincere
           Person
           ,
           nor
           despise
           him
           who
           unfeignedly
           and
           bewailing
           his
           weakness
           prosecutes
           that
           which
           is
           simply
           and
           absolutely
           the
           best
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           A
           second
           thing
           wherein
           the
           Excellency
           of
           Divine
           Wisdome
           appears
           ,
           lyes
           in
           the
           manner
           of
           the
           manifestation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           to
           us
           .
           
             God
             was
             manifest
             in
             the
             flesh
             ,
          
           says
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           wonderfulness
           of
           the
           mystery
           of
           the
           Gospel
           consisted
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           God
           took
           upon
           him
           our
           flesh
           and
           blood
           .
           God
           communicated
           his
           will
           to
           us
           by
           sending
           down
           his
           
             Son
             in
             the
             likeness
             of
             sinful
             flesh
             ,
          
           (
           Rom.
           8.3
           .
           )
           that
           is
           ,
           in
           a
           body
           of
           flesh
           and
           blood
           .
           I
           shall
           not
           here
           insist
           upon
           those
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           those
           various
           ways
           and
           divers
           manners
           by
           which
           God
           spake
           to
           the
           Fathers
           of
           old
           ,
           communicating
           his
           will
           to
           them
           sometimes
           by
           Dreams
           and
           Visions
           ,
           by
           a
           Voice
           from
           Heaven
           and
           the
           Apparitions
           of
           Angels
           ,
           but
           consider
           that
           way
           which
           God
           hath
           chosen
           of
           manifesting
           himself
           to
           the
           World
           in
           these
           last
           days
           by
           his
           Son
           ,
           which
           as
           it
           best
           sutes
           with
           the
           Evangelical
           
           Dispensation
           ,
           so
           it
           discovers
           to
           us
           that
           
             manifold
             wisdome
          
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           of
           ,
           Eph.
           3.10
           .
           a
           Wisdome
           that
           displays
           it self
           in
           several
           ways
           and
           manners
           ,
           and
           yet
           all
           tending
           to
           one
           great
           end
           and
           purpose
           ,
           namely
           the
           recovery
           of
           Men
           from
           sin
           to
           a
           state
           of
           Purity
           and
           Holiness
           .
           For
           in
           this
           great
           design
           of
           instructing
           the
           World
           by
           the
           Incarnation
           of
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           we
           discover
           the
           evident
           Traces
           and
           Footsteps
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           Of
           a
           condescending
           Wisdome
           accommodating
           things
           to
           our
           Apprehensions
           and
           Capacities
           .
           The
           delivery
           of
           the
           Law
           on
           Mount
           Sinai
           was
           usher'd
           in
           with
           a
           terrible
           and
           amazing
           solemnity
           ,
           the
           Mountain
           quaking
           and
           vomiting
           out
           pitchy
           Clouds
           of
           smoke
           and
           globes
           of
           Flame
           ,
           a
           fiery
           Tempest
           or
           Whirlwind
           roaring
           with
           formidable
           peals
           and
           claps
           of
           Thunder
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           prodigious
           sound
           of
           a
           Trumpet
           rending
           and
           tearing
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           so
           that
           Moses
           himself
           exceedingly
           fear'd
           and
           trembled
           :
           But
           the
           Gospel
           being
           wholly
           a
           design
           of
           Mercy
           and
           Love
           carries
           with
           it
           no
           terrors
           and
           affrightments
           ,
           but
           is
           composed
           of
           the
           kind
           invitations
           of
           Peace
           and
           
           comfort
           ,
           the
           Mount
           Sion
           wherein
           the
           resplendent
           glory
           of
           the
           first-born
           is
           displayed
           ,
           shining
           only
           with
           the
           gentle
           beams
           of
           an
           attractive
           and
           pleasing
           light
           ,
           and
           Jesus
           the
           blessed
           Mediator
           of
           this
           New
           Covenant
           with
           his
           extended
           Arms
           proclames
           his
           willingness
           to
           embrace
           and
           receive
           the
           World
           which
           he
           has
           reconciled
           to
           God
           with
           his
           own
           blood
           .
           This
           is
           that
           Oeconomy
           which
           the
           Apostle
           calls
           
             the
             foolishness
             of
             preaching
          
           ,
           
           not
           as
           if
           it
           were
           so
           in
           it self
           ,
           but
           because
           't
           is
           a
           way
           of
           condescending
           wisdome
           ,
           wherein
           God
           stoops
           down
           to
           our
           apprehensions
           ,
           and
           frames
           things
           so
           as
           we
           may
           understand
           them
           ,
           and
           receive
           an
           infinite
           benefit
           by
           them
           .
           For
           Man
           ,
           partly
           from
           the
           frame
           and
           constitution
           of
           his
           Nature
           consisting
           of
           Body
           as
           well
           as
           Soul
           ,
           but
           much
           more
           from
           his
           fall
           and
           descent
           into
           this
           lower
           life
           becomes
           wonderfully
           affected
           with
           gross
           Phantasms
           and
           Exterior
           Representations
           .
           Whence
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           that
           we
           do
           more
           easily
           and
           frequently
           conceive
           of
           things
           as
           they
           appear
           to
           sense
           than
           as
           they
           are
           in
           themselves
           ,
           when
           apprehended
           by
           a
           more
           discerning
           Principle
           .
           Wherefore
           the
           Infinite
           Wisdome
           of
           God
           that
           makes
           not
           
           its
           Operations
           in
           a
           way
           of
           Absolute
           soveraignty
           and
           immensity
           of
           Power
           ,
           forcing
           the
           Creatures
           against
           those
           inbred
           Principles
           she
           hath
           placed
           in
           them
           ,
           but
           sweetly
           and
           powerfully
           directs
           them
           in
           a
           steady
           way
           of
           congruity
           and
           proportionateness
           to
           the
           natures
           of
           things
           ,
           being
           to
           work
           out
           Man
           from
           this
           low
           contracted
           state
           ,
           the
           sad
           Region
           of
           sin
           and
           Death
           ,
           to
           a
           participation
           of
           Immortality
           and
           more
           free
           emanations
           of
           Divine
           life
           ,
           contrived
           a
           way
           most
           sutable
           and
           agreeable
           to
           the
           shallow
           capacities
           and
           faculties
           of
           Humane
           Souls
           .
           God
           would
           not
           appear
           to
           us
           in
           a
           flame
           of
           fire
           ,
           nor
           speak
           by
           an
           Angel
           in
           a
           body
           of
           pure
           Air
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           
             Form
             of
             a
             Servant
          
           clothed
           with
           our
           Humane
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           subject
           to
           all
           the
           harmless
           Passions
           of
           our
           Nature
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           more
           kindly
           disenslave
           us
           from
           the
           cruel
           Tyranny
           of
           sin
           and
           Satan
           .
           For
           let
           us
           but
           consult
           with
           our
           own
           Reasons
           ,
           whether
           this
           be
           not
           a
           greater
           Incitation
           and
           more
           powerful
           inducement
           to
           Men
           to
           believe
           and
           obey
           the
           Declarations
           of
           the
           Divine
           Will
           ,
           to
           exhibit
           to
           them
           some
           extraordinary
           and
           remarkable
           Person
           that
           should
           by
           the
           fullest
           demonstrations
           and
           sensible
           signs
           prove
           himself
           to
           be
           
           the
           Eternal
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           by
           sweetly
           compulsive
           Motives
           even
           to
           the
           suffering
           a
           barbarous
           and
           shameful
           Death
           attract
           Humane
           Minds
           to
           the
           Imitation
           of
           his
           Virtues
           and
           following
           his
           steps
           ,
           than
           that
           God
           should
           by
           any
           of
           those
           forementioned
           ways
           manifest
           himself
           in
           effects
           of
           Benignity
           or
           Displeasure
           .
           The
           whole
           Nation
           of
           the
           Jews
           discover
           the
           sense
           of
           Mankind
           in
           such
           a
           case
           ,
           when
           being
           affrighted
           with
           the
           terrors
           accompanying
           the
           descent
           of
           God
           upon
           the
           Mount
           ,
           they
           said
           unto
           Moses
           ,
           
           
             speak
             thou
             with
             us
             and
             we
             will
             hear
             ,
             but
             let
             not
             God
             speak
             with
             us
             lest
             we
             dye
             .
          
           For
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           Considering
           the
           world
           partly
           from
           themselves
           ,
           and
           partly
           from
           the
           cunning
           of
           Satan
           ,
           so
           much
           addicted
           and
           given
           over
           to
           the
           belief
           of
           sense
           ,
           had
           not
           Christ
           visibly
           appeared
           and
           conversed
           with
           Men
           ,
           the
           Gospel
           could
           never
           have
           captivated
           Humane
           Understandings
           with
           such
           irresistible
           evidence
           ,
           or
           wrought
           in
           them
           such
           a
           full
           perswasion
           of
           the
           things
           it
           taught
           ,
           as
           we
           see
           it
           hath
           done
           .
           Should
           the
           great
           Pillars
           of
           the
           Christian
           Faith
           ,
           I
           mean
           the
           Apostles
           and
           Disciples
           of
           the
           Holy
           Jesus
           have
           laid
           its
           first
           ground-work
           upon
           the
           hearing
           of
           some
           
           voice
           ,
           or
           perswaded
           their
           Auditors
           (
           as
           
             Numa
             Pompilius
          
           and
           some
           other
           Heathen
           Law-givers
           )
           from
           the
           converse
           they
           had
           with
           some
           Angel
           ,
           that
           their
           Doctrine
           was
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           delivered
           to
           them
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           had
           God
           for
           its
           Author
           ,
           yet
           how
           hardly
           would
           Men
           have
           embraced
           it
           upon
           these
           accounts
           ,
           especially
           considering
           those
           imminent
           and
           apparent
           Dangers
           they
           were
           likely
           to
           incur
           upon
           the
           profession
           of
           it
           .
           How
           ill
           resented
           is
           that
           great
           Doctrine
           of
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           Self-denyal
           and
           Resignation
           among
           vulgar
           spirits
           ,
           and
           how
           difficult
           a
           thing
           is
           it
           to
           bring
           off
           degenerated
           Hearts
           from
           the
           Interests
           of
           the
           World
           ?
           and
           is
           it
           likely
           then
           that
           Men
           should
           be
           so
           prodigal
           of
           their
           dearest
           Blood
           ,
           as
           to
           sacrifice
           it
           to
           an
           uncertain
           Rumour
           and
           Report
           ,
           which
           every
           Impostor
           is
           able
           to
           pretend
           ?
           But
           to
           see
           the
           meek
           Lamb
           of
           God
           made
           in
           our
           own
           likeness
           ,
           having
           left
           the
           sacred
           Mansions
           of
           Light
           and
           Glory
           ,
           and
           clothed
           himself
           with
           our
           frail
           Mortality
           ,
           to
           behold
           him
           (
           I
           say
           )
           testifying
           by
           many
           Miracles
           and
           irrefragable
           Arguments
           through
           the
           whole
           course
           of
           his
           abode
           on
           Earth
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           taking
           it
           upon
           his
           Death
           ,
           
           that
           he
           was
           the
           Son
           of
           the
           ever-living
           God
           ,
           and
           came
           down
           from
           Heaven
           to
           make
           known
           to
           Men
           that
           God
           was
           reconciled
           to
           the
           World
           through
           him
           ,
           this
           must
           needs
           strike
           our
           Imaginations
           more
           forcibly
           than
           whatever
           else
           the
           wit
           of
           Man
           could
           possibly
           conceive
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Gospel
           was
           intended
           to
           transform
           and
           work
           our
           Natures
           into
           that
           which
           is
           the
           flower
           and
           perfection
           of
           the
           Divine
           life
           ,
           that
           is
           an
           universal
           love
           :
           to
           call
           off
           our
           minds
           from
           those
           little
           Interests
           they
           are
           apt
           to
           espouse
           by
           looking
           upon
           themselves
           as
           so
           many
           particular
           Beings
           divided
           and
           separated
           from
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           created
           only
           for
           themselves
           and
           their
           Private
           concernments
           ,
           and
           to
           beget
           in
           them
           an
           universally
           extensive
           charity
           by
           widening
           their
           Capacities
           to
           the
           Dimensions
           of
           the
           whole
           Creation
           .
           By
           which
           we
           are
           taught
           not
           to
           think
           it
           enough
           that
           our
           love
           ascend
           in
           copious
           flames
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           unless
           it
           likewise
           descend
           in
           due
           measures
           and
           degrees
           upon
           all
           Mankind
           .
           And
           indeed
           it
           is
           impossible
           for
           a
           Man
           that
           is
           throughly
           baptized
           into
           this
           spirit
           of
           Universal
           love
           ,
           to
           have
           any
           self
           designs
           
           in
           opposition
           to
           the
           general
           good
           of
           the
           whole
           World
           ,
           but
           he
           must
           needs
           be
           infinitely
           desirous
           and
           pleased
           to
           see
           the
           life
           and
           nature
           of
           God
           communicated
           to
           all
           Beings
           capable
           of
           receiving
           of
           it
           .
           And
           this
           love
           is
           so
           strong
           and
           vigorous
           that
           it
           firmly
           unites
           it self
           to
           all
           in
           whom
           it
           finds
           any
           true
           likeness
           and
           resemblance
           of
           the
           Divine
           Image
           ,
           and
           so
           far
           endears
           them
           to
           it self
           ,
           as
           to
           constrain
           us
           
             to
             lay
             down
             our
             lives
             for
             the
             Brethren
             .
          
           
           But
           certainly
           this
           Flame
           could
           never
           have
           burnt
           so
           bright
           if
           it
           had
           not
           been
           raised
           and
           quickned
           by
           that
           sensible
           demonstration
           of
           inimitable
           affection
           in
           the
           Death
           of
           the
           Holy
           Jesus
           .
           For
           what
           greater
           incouragement
           could
           there
           be
           to
           oblige
           and
           unite
           Mens
           souls
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           than
           that
           their
           love
           should
           first
           be
           kindled
           from
           Heaven
           by
           that
           great
           and
           unparallel'd
           Exemplar
           of
           noble
           Charity
           ,
           who
           laid
           down
           his
           life
           to
           expiate
           the
           crimes
           of
           his
           own
           and
           his
           Fathers
           Enemies
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Of
           a
           congruity
           and
           complyance
           with
           the
           state
           and
           condition
           of
           Mankind
           both
           in
           respect
           of
           
             
               1.
               Moral
            
             
               2.
               Natural
            
          
           Evils
           .
        
         
         
           First
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           Moral
           Evils
           :
           The
           degeneracy
           and
           fall
           of
           Mankind
           from
           God
           made
           them
           Slaves
           and
           Vassals
           to
           sin
           and
           Satan
           ;
           for
           the
           busie
           Tempter
           being
           not
           able
           to
           work
           upon
           them
           by
           external
           force
           and
           violence
           ,
           drew
           their
           wills
           into
           consent
           by
           craft
           and
           specious
           solicitations
           ,
           till
           at
           last
           he
           had
           so
           far
           enlarged
           his
           Kingdom
           ,
           as
           to
           bring
           the
           whole
           Race
           of
           Mankind
           under
           his
           Dominion
           .
           Wherefore
           the
           Gospel
           being
           designed
           to
           free
           Men
           from
           that
           unnatural
           Bondage
           ,
           and
           to
           restore
           them
           to
           their
           true
           liberty
           ,
           it
           does
           in
           all
           points
           confront
           the
           ways
           and
           methods
           by
           which
           their
           Captivity
           was
           compassed
           and
           effected
           .
           It
           had
           been
           a
           small
           matter
           by
           a
           high
           hand
           ,
           and
           by
           an
           Infinite
           Power
           at
           large
           ,
           to
           have
           destroyed
           the
           Devils
           Kingdom
           ,
           but
           herein
           appeared
           an
           excellent
           Wisdome
           ,
           so
           to
           lay
           the
           Ground
           and
           Foundation
           of
           this
           glorious
           purpose
           of
           the
           salvation
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           the
           Politick
           Prince
           of
           Darkness
           might
           be
           taken
           in
           his
           own
           craftiness
           ,
           and
           lose
           this
           his
           Empire
           and
           Dominion
           by
           the
           same
           methods
           by
           which
           he
           at
           first
           obtained
           it
           .
           The
           Woman
           being
           first
           in
           the
           Transgression
           ,
           and
           bringing
           sin
           and
           Death
           upon
           all
           her
           Off-spring
           ,
           that
           Divine
           
           Wisdome
           that
           draws
           light
           out
           of
           darkness
           ,
           and
           Order
           out
           of
           Confusion
           ,
           decreed
           that
           
             the
             seed
             of
             the
             Woman
             should
             break
             the
             Serpents
             head
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           
           that
           Christ
           who
           is
           the
           Seed
           of
           the
           Woman
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           by
           Nature
           ,
           and
           his
           Members
           ,
           who
           are
           so
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           by
           spiritual
           engraftment
           into
           him
           ,
           should
           dispossess
           the
           Devil
           of
           that
           Power
           ,
           Soveraignty
           and
           Principality
           which
           he
           holds
           over
           the
           World
           by
           sin
           .
           According
           to
           this
           early
           Declaration
           of
           Men's
           Recovery
           ,
           Jesus
           Christ
           the
           true
           Seed
           of
           the
           Woman
           comes
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           by
           walking
           exactly
           contrary
           to
           his
           Enemy
           ,
           restores
           to
           the
           World
           what
           they
           lost
           by
           the
           first
           Adam
           .
           And
           whereas
           the
           Devil
           managed
           his
           Kingdom
           of
           sin
           and
           Death
           with
           all
           imaginable
           Tyranny
           and
           Insultation
           over
           poor
           Mortals
           ,
           our
           Blessed
           Jesus
           was
           so
           far
           from
           requiring
           Humane
           Blood
           to
           be
           sacrificed
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           out
           of
           a
           deep
           sense
           of
           our
           Calamity
           he
           parted
           with
           his
           own
           Blood
           for
           the
           life
           of
           the
           World.
           A
           more
           effectual
           and
           agreeable
           course
           could
           never
           have
           been
           taken
           than
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           Captain
           of
           our
           salvation
           should
           visibly
           appear
           and
           conquer
           the
           Kingdom
           and
           Powers
           of
           Darkness
           in
           that
           Nature
           
           which
           the
           first
           Adam
           ruin'd
           and
           destroyed
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           Natural
           Evils
           :
           Though
           it
           be
           no
           disgrace
           nor
           shame
           to
           be
           made
           a
           Man
           ,
           yet
           he
           that
           deeply
           reflects
           upon
           Humane
           life
           ,
           shall
           find
           it
           at
           the
           best
           very
           calamitous
           and
           standing
           in
           need
           of
           much
           Pity
           and
           Compassion
           .
           We
           are
           born
           into
           the
           World
           helpless
           and
           weak
           ,
           and
           as
           if
           we
           did
           presage
           our
           own
           future
           miseries
           ,
           the
           first
           actions
           of
           our
           life
           are
           spent
           in
           crying
           and
           tears
           :
           Our
           very
           Bodies
           are
           a
           sad
           load
           and
           burden
           upon
           our
           Spirits
           ,
           inclining
           them
           to
           many
           foolish
           lusts
           and
           passions
           ,
           subject
           to
           many
           Pains
           ,
           Diseases
           and
           Death
           ,
           insomuch
           that
           many
           good
           and
           holy
           Men
           have
           in
           passionate
           streins
           bewailed
           their
           stay
           and
           continuance
           here
           on
           Earth
           ,
           
             Woe
             is
             me
             that
             I
             sojourn
             in
             Meseck
             ,
             and
             have
             my
             habitation
             in
             the
             Tents
             of
             Kedar
             !
          
           and
           ,
           
             O
             wretched
             man
             that
             I
             am
             ,
             who
             shall
             deliver
             me
             from
             this
             body
             of
             Death
             !
          
           Now
           none
           can
           so
           affectionately
           pity
           ,
           nor
           so
           intimately
           resent
           the
           distress
           of
           another
           ,
           as
           he
           that
           hath
           smarted
           and
           suffered
           under
           the
           same
           calamity
           :
           Therefore
           says
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
           
             We
             have
             not
             an
             High-Priest
             that
             cannot
             be
             touched
             with
             the
             feeling
             of
             
             our
             infirmities
             ,
          
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           great
           distance
           ,
           disproportion
           and
           sublimity
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           
             but
             was
             in
             all
             points
             tempted
             like
             as
             we
             are
             ,
             yet
             without
             sin
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           manifested
           and
           declared
           himself
           to
           be
           a
           true
           Man
           ,
           by
           being
           subject
           to
           all
           the
           harmless
           affections
           and
           infirmities
           of
           humane
           flesh
           and
           blood
           ;
           forasmuch
           therefore
           as
           he
           became
           our
           Brother
           ,
           by
           taking
           upon
           him
           the
           same
           Natural
           condition
           ,
           he
           must
           needs
           be
           throughly
           apprehensive
           and
           sensible
           of
           our
           state
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           more
           apt
           to
           sympathize
           with
           and
           commiserate
           poor
           Mortals
           ,
           and
           by
           that
           powerful
           soveraignty
           to
           which
           he
           is
           exalted
           ,
           act
           for
           us
           and
           send
           down
           relief
           from
           Heaven
           to
           us
           .
           For
           though
           the
           Infinite
           Essence
           of
           God
           pervade
           the
           whole
           World
           and
           all
           the
           Creatures
           live
           within
           it
           ,
           and
           therefore
           must
           needs
           feel
           and
           know
           the
           inmost
           Energies
           ,
           Motions
           and
           stillest
           Actings
           of
           all
           Beings
           ;
           yet
           it
           affords
           not
           such
           a
           sensible
           comfort
           to
           Humane
           minds
           ,
           as
           to
           behold
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           taking
           upon
           him
           our
           Nature
           ,
           and
           by
           that
           Union
           and
           Proximity
           assuring
           us
           of
           his
           Tenderness
           and
           Compassion
           towards
           us
           .
           For
           
             he
             took
             not
             on
             him
             the
             nature
             of
             Angels
             ,
          
           being
           unwilling
           to
           be
           so
           far
           removed
           from
           us
           ,
           
           
             but
             took
             on
             him
             the
             Seed
             of
             Abraham
             .
          
           
           
             Wherefore
             in
             all
             things
             it
             behoved
             him
             to
             be
             made
             like
             unto
             his
             brethren
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             be
             a
             merciful
             and
             faithful
             High-Priest
             —
             for
             in
             that
             he
             himself
             hath
             suffered
             being
             tempted
             ,
             he
             is
             able
             to
             succour
             them
             that
             are
             tempted
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           A
           third
           thing
           ,
           which
           demonstrates
           the
           excellency
           of
           Divine
           Wisdome
           in
           the
           dispensation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           consists
           in
           the
           fitness
           and
           sutableness
           of
           it
           to
           the
           end
           for
           which
           it
           was
           designed
           .
           For
           things
           are
           so
           much
           the
           more
           excellent
           ,
           by
           how
           much
           the
           congruity
           and
           fitness
           is
           greater
           for
           the
           accomplishing
           their
           end
           and
           purpose
           .
           Now
           the
           great
           intent
           and
           design
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Gospel
           being
           (
           as
           I
           have
           said
           )
           the
           everlasting
           blessedness
           of
           Humane
           Souls
           ,
           the
           more
           congruously
           and
           fitly
           disposed
           it
           shall
           be
           found
           to
           be
           for
           the
           obtaining
           this
           effect
           ,
           the
           greater
           is
           the
           glory
           of
           the
           Divine
           Wisdome
           interessing
           and
           concerning
           it self
           about
           it
           .
           This
           aptness
           and
           sutableness
           is
           seen
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           In
           that
           the
           Gospel
           is
           furnished
           with
           all
           those
           Arguments
           that
           are
           requisite
           to
           approve
           it self
           worthy
           of
           Belief
           to
           all
           Rational
           Persons
           .
           To
           this
           two
           things
           are
           necessary
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           The
           attestation
           of
           God
           himself
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Rational
           evidence
           and
           conviction
           .
           For
           whatever
           is
           attested
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           hath
           his
           Seal
           affixed
           to
           it
           ,
           is
           by
           the
           general
           consent
           of
           all
           Men
           to
           be
           looked
           upon
           and
           entertained
           as
           infallibly
           true
           :
           Veracity
           being
           an
           Essential
           Attribute
           and
           Perfection
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           .
           St.
           Paul
           discoursing
           of
           the
           mystery
           of
           Godliness
           tells
           us
           that
           Christ
           and
           Christianity
           was
           
             justified
             by
             the
             spirit
          
           ,
           i.
           e.
           owned
           ,
           approved
           and
           recommended
           to
           the
           World
           by
           the
           spirit
           of
           God.
           And
           this
           God's
           recommendation
           of
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           a
           Person
           commissioned
           and
           invested
           with
           full
           Authority
           to
           declare
           his
           will
           unto
           Mankind
           ,
           was
           done
           at
           several
           Times
           and
           in
           divers
           manners
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           At
           the
           Baptism
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           Mat.
           3.16
           ,
           17.
           when
           the
           Heavens
           were
           opened
           ,
           and
           the
           spirit
           of
           God
           descended
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           a
           Voice
           from
           Heaven
           proclaiming
           him
           the
           
             beloved
             Son
             of
             God
             in
             whom
             he
             was
             well
             pleased
             .
          
           And
           this
           manner
           of
           Divine
           Revelation
           by
           a
           Voice
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           the
           most
           ancient
           ,
           
           so
           the
           most
           honourable
           way
           of
           God's
           communicating
           his
           will
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           
           Exod.
           20.22
           .
           
             Ye
             have
             seen
             that
             I
             have
             talked
             with
             you
             from
             Heaven
             .
          
           
           For
           what
           the
           Jews
           relate
           of
           the
           Bath-kol
           ,
           are
           for
           the
           most
           part
           fabulous
           ,
           or
           else
           Magical
           and
           Satanical
           Delusions
           .
           Certain
           it
           is
           (
           as
           a
           very
           learned
           Author
           observes
           )
           there
           is
           not
           the
           least
           mention
           in
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           of
           a
           Voice
           speaking
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           
           between
           the
           giving
           of
           the
           Law
           and
           the
           Baptism
           of
           our
           Saviour
           .
           And
           it
           were
           very
           strange
           if
           God
           withdrawing
           those
           ordinary
           ways
           of
           revealing
           his
           Will
           under
           the
           second
           Temple
           ,
           should
           yet
           continue
           the
           most
           noble
           of
           all
           ,
           by
           speaking
           to
           Men
           from
           Heaven
           .
           And
           that
           we
           may
           not
           think
           there
           was
           any
           plot
           or
           combination
           between
           John
           the
           Baptist
           and
           our
           Saviour
           Christ
           ,
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           Joh.
           1.33
           .
           that
           
             John
             knew
             him
             not
          
           ,
           but
           had
           this
           sign
           given
           him
           ,
           that
           
             upon
             whom
             he
             should
             see
             the
             spirit
             descending
             and
             remaining
             on
             him
             ,
          
           that
           same
           was
           the
           true
           Messias
           and
           Saviour
           of
           the
           World.
           And
           to
           this
           Voice
           our
           Lord
           himself
           appeals
           ,
           Joh.
           6.27
           .
           
             Him
             hath
             God
             the
             Father
             sealed
             ,
          
           i.
           e.
           visibly
           approved
           and
           owned
           Christ
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           to
           the
           end
           that
           he
           having
           this
           wonderful
           attestation
           of
           God
           himself
           might
           be
           believed
           on
           in
           the
           
           World
           ,
           and
           his
           Doctrine
           as
           unquestionably
           received
           as
           the
           Letters
           of
           a
           King
           ,
           when
           his
           Seal
           is
           affixed
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Another
           confirmation
           of
           Christ
           and
           his
           Doctrine
           was
           at
           his
           Transfiguration
           .
           Mat.
           17.5
           .
           
             A
             Voice
          
           comes
           
             out
             of
             the
             cloud
             ,
             which
             said
             ,
             This
             is
             my
             beloved
             Son
             in
             whom
             I
             am
             well
             pleased
             ,
             hear
             ye
             him
             .
          
           And
           this
           St.
           Peter
           brings
           as
           a
           Demonstration
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
           
             For
             we
             have
             not
             followed
             cunningly
             devised
             Fables
             ,
             when
             we
             made
             known
             unto
             you
             the
             power
             and
             coming
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             q.
             d.
          
           We
           have
           not
           imposed
           upon
           the
           Minds
           and
           Spirits
           of
           Men
           ,
           as
           the
           manner
           of
           cheaters
           and
           deceivers
           is
           ,
           but
           have
           delivered
           to
           you
           such
           things
           as
           we
           have
           seen
           and
           heard
           ,
           being
           
             eye-witnesses
             of
             his
             Majesty
             ;
             For
             he
             received
             from
             God
             the
             Father
             honour
             and
             glory
             ,
             when
             there
             came
             such
             a
             Voice
             to
             him
             from
             the
             excellent
             Glory
             ,
             This
             is
             my
             beloved
             Son
             in
             whom
             I
             am
             well
             pleased
             :
             And
             this
             Voice
             which
             came
             from
             Heaven
             we
             heard
             ,
             when
             we
             were
             with
             him
             in
             the
             Holy
             Mount.
             
          
        
         
           3.
           
           God
           approved
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           by
           inabling
           him
           to
           work
           Miracles
           ,
           which
           is
           such
           a
           clear
           Testimony
           of
           the
           Divine
           
           Mission
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           that
           both
           Jews
           and
           Gentiles
           ought
           to
           be
           convinced
           by
           it
           .
           To
           the
           Jews
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           Convictive
           from
           their
           own
           Law
           ,
           Deut.
           18.22
           .
           
             When
             a
             Prophet
             speaks
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             if
             the
             thing
             follow
             not
             nor
             come
             to
             pass
             ,
             that
             is
             the
             thing
             which
             the
             Lord
             hath
             not
             spoken
             —
          
           Which
           Rule
           was
           given
           them
           to
           discern
           true
           Prophets
           from
           false
           ;
           for
           if
           the
           Prophet
           brought
           to
           them
           a
           New
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           confirmed
           it
           by
           supernatural
           and
           miraculous
           Operations
           ,
           though
           he
           commanded
           them
           something
           contrary
           to
           the
           Law
           ,
           yet
           if
           he
           perswaded
           nothing
           but
           the
           worship
           of
           the
           One
           true
           God
           of
           Israel
           ,
           they
           ought
           to
           obey
           him
           ,
           forasmuch
           as
           there
           could
           be
           no
           greater
           Evidence
           of
           the
           Divine
           Testimony
           and
           Approbation
           ,
           than
           by
           inabling
           such
           a
           Man
           to
           work
           Miracles
           .
           And
           though
           this
           General
           Rule
           might
           be
           applyed
           to
           all
           the
           Jewish
           Prophets
           ,
           yet
           did
           it
           more
           particularly
           respect
           the
           coming
           of
           the
           Messias
           ,
           there
           being
           none
           more
           conspicuous
           and
           illustrious
           for
           all
           those
           signs
           by
           which
           God
           would
           have
           the
           Prophet
           that
           speaks
           in
           his
           Name
           to
           be
           known
           than
           Jesus
           Christ
           .
           Nor
           is
           it
           of
           less
           moment
           and
           argument
           to
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           
           for
           Miracles
           being
           such
           unquestionable
           evidences
           of
           the
           Interposition
           of
           a
           Divine
           Power
           ,
           it
           follows
           that
           whoever
           shall
           lead
           a
           sincere
           and
           unblameable
           life
           ,
           and
           teach
           nothing
           but
           the
           worship
           of
           the
           true
           God
           and
           the
           conscientious
           practice
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           confirmation
           of
           this
           his
           Doctrine
           shall
           work
           Miracles
           ,
           we
           ought
           to
           believe
           him
           sent
           from
           God.
           This
           was
           it
           which
           convinced
           
             Nicodemus
             ,
             We
             know
             that
             thou
             art
             a
             Teacher
             come
             from
             God
             ,
          
           
           
             for
             no
             man
             can
             do
             these
             Miracles
             that
             thou
             doest
             except
             God
             be
             with
             him
             .
          
           He
           saw
           that
           Jesus
           Christ
           professed
           and
           commanded
           only
           the
           worship
           of
           the
           true
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           exhorted
           only
           to
           the
           practice
           of
           real
           Righteousness
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           therefore
           that
           those
           great
           Miracles
           which
           he
           wrought
           ,
           exceeding
           the
           power
           of
           evil
           spirits
           ,
           were
           a
           sensible
           Demonstration
           that
           he
           was
           sent
           from
           God.
           
        
         
           It
           may
           now
           not
           improperly
           be
           inquired
           ,
           
             Whether
             Miracles
             are
             always
             necessary
             to
             beget
             belief
             of
             the
             Divine
             Authority
             of
             a
             Doctrine
             :
             and
             how
             far
             they
             are
             so
             ?
          
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           Miracles
           to
           some
           Persons
           and
           in
           some
           Circumstances
           
           are
           proper
           means
           to
           beget
           assent
           ;
           for
           that
           they
           are
           not
           always
           convictive
           ,
           appears
           from
           the
           Incredulity
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           whom
           neither
           the
           frequent
           and
           stupendious
           Miracles
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           nor
           of
           his
           Apostles
           could
           perswade
           ,
           but
           notwithstanding
           this
           powerful
           way
           of
           conviction
           ,
           they
           put
           the
           Master
           to
           death
           as
           a
           Malefactor
           ,
           and
           murder
           his
           Servants
           :
           I
           say
           therefore
           that
           to
           some
           Persons
           and
           in
           some
           circumstances
           ,
           Miracles
           are
           proper
           means
           to
           beget
           Faith.
           1.
           
           They
           are
           necessary
           means
           to
           them
           who
           have
           been
           constantly
           used
           and
           trained
           up
           by
           Miracles
           .
           Such
           were
           the
           Jewes
           ,
           who
           received
           their
           Law
           in
           a
           miraculous
           manner
           ,
           the
           Divinity
           of
           which
           was
           frequently
           afterwards
           attested
           by
           Miracles
           ,
           and
           upon
           any
           great
           and
           notable
           defection
           of
           the
           People
           to
           Idolatry
           ,
           God
           was
           pleased
           to
           reduce
           them
           by
           sending
           and
           inabling
           a
           Prophet
           to
           work
           Miracles
           .
           Now
           it
           is
           very
           unreasonable
           to
           think
           that
           the
           Gospel
           which
           should
           introduce
           and
           make
           so
           mighty
           a
           change
           in
           the
           Judaical
           Oeconomy
           should
           gain
           belief
           of
           them
           ,
           unassisted
           of
           miraculous
           evidence
           and
           testimony
           ,
           who
           were
           already
           in
           possession
           of
           a
           Law
           which
           God
           himself
           had
           
           so
           often
           owned
           and
           set
           his
           Seal
           to
           by
           Miracles
           and
           supernatural
           Operations
           .
           Hence
           it
           came
           to
           pass
           that
           the
           Jews
           demanded
           of
           Christ
           a
           sign
           ,
           Joh.
           2.18
           .
           forasmuch
           as
           he
           called
           God
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           carried
           himself
           in
           the
           way
           of
           a
           Prophet
           ,
           they
           require
           him
           to
           evidence
           this
           his
           Authority
           by
           some
           miraculous
           Actions
           ,
           which
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           both
           promises
           and
           fulfils
           by
           raising
           himself
           from
           the
           Dead
           .
           2.
           
           Miracles
           do
           more
           powerfully
           strike
           the
           senses
           ,
           and
           so
           are
           more
           apt
           to
           beget
           belief
           in
           them
           ,
           who
           are
           not
           capable
           of
           a
           rational
           apprehension
           and
           dijudication
           of
           Truth
           .
           Hitherto
           we
           may
           refer
           Christ's
           upbraiding
           Chorazin
           and
           
             Bethsaida
             ,
             If
             the
             mighty
             works
             which
             were
             done
             in
             them
             ,
          
           
           
             had
             been
             done
             in
             Tyre
             and
             Sidon
             ,
             they
             would
             have
             repented
             long
             ago
             in
             sackcloth
             and
             ashes
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           they
           would
           very
           probably
           have
           done
           so
           :
           for
           they
           lying
           under
           a
           great
           and
           inveterate
           Ignorance
           ,
           and
           being
           so
           perfectly
           enslaved
           to
           sense
           ,
           were
           more
           likely
           to
           have
           been
           rouzed
           out
           of
           their
           blockishness
           and
           stupidity
           by
           miracles
           which
           so
           forcibly
           strike
           the
           imagination
           ,
           than
           by
           the
           most
           Rational
           Discourse
           to
           which
           they
           had
           so
           little
           vital
           congruity
           and
           agreeableness
           .
           
           And
           it
           is
           very
           observable
           ,
           that
           the
           Apostles
           never
           wrought
           a
           Miracle
           ,
           but
           upon
           an
           urgent
           occasion
           and
           great
           necessity
           ,
           where
           they
           found
           their
           Auditors
           capable
           and
           apprehensive
           :
           When
           the
           great
           Apostle
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           S.
           Paul
           ,
           came
           to
           Athens
           ,
           a
           place
           long
           famous
           for
           all
           Polite
           Learning
           ,
           
           he
           makes
           an
           excellent
           Metaphysical
           Discourse
           ,
           and
           proves
           the
           Unnaturalness
           and
           Unreasonableness
           of
           Idolatry
           ,
           by
           such
           Principles
           as
           were
           common
           to
           ,
           and
           Universally
           received
           by
           the
           Intellectual
           nature
           of
           Man.
           And
           indeed
           a
           Rational
           conviction
           seems
           more
           clear
           and
           evident
           than
           a
           miraculous
           One
           ,
           by
           how
           much
           the
           Innate
           Idea's
           and
           Dictates
           of
           the
           Understanding
           are
           more
           sure
           and
           constant
           ,
           than
           the
           perplexed
           motions
           of
           a
           Versatile
           Imagination
           .
           And
           we
           find
           that
           the
           Jews
           evaded
           the
           force
           of
           our
           Saviour's
           Miracles
           ,
           by
           saying
           they
           were
           done
           by
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Devil
           ,
           and
           though
           Lazarus
           come
           to
           them
           from
           the
           Dead
           ,
           yet
           they
           did
           not
           believe
           ,
           but
           sought
           to
           murder
           him
           ,
           and
           a
           perverse
           spirit
           will
           find
           various
           Artifices
           to
           elude
           the
           Assent
           which
           a
           Miracle
           commands
           from
           us
           .
           But
           now
           Humane
           Reason
           being
           in
           all
           Men
           one
           and
           the
           
           same
           ,
           it
           is
           more
           likely
           to
           prevail
           when
           advantageously
           propounded
           ,
           from
           that
           antecedent
           sutableness
           and
           Harmony
           there
           is
           between
           it
           and
           all
           Truth
           .
           And
           without
           doubt
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           himself
           seems
           to
           intimate
           ,
           that
           the
           Assent
           which
           is
           extorted
           upon
           the
           working
           of
           Miracles
           ,
           is
           much
           less
           generous
           and
           Noble
           ,
           than
           that
           which
           is
           gained
           from
           the
           Understanding
           ,
           by
           the
           Native
           evidence
           and
           beauty
           of
           Truth
           :
           
             Except
             ye
             see
             signs
             and
             wonders
             ,
             ye
             will
             not
             believe
          
           ;
           
           whereas
           the
           Facility
           of
           the
           Samaritanes
           is
           commended
           ,
           who
           believed
           on
           Jesus
           upon
           his
           own
           Discourse
           ,
           
           though
           he
           did
           no
           Miracle
           among
           them
           .
           And
           besides
           all
           this
           ,
           Christ
           says
           expresly
           ,
           that
           the
           very
           Nature
           and
           frame
           ,
           the
           Sanctity
           and
           Majesty
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           he
           propounded
           ,
           was
           alike
           sufficient
           to
           render
           the
           Jews
           inexcusable
           ,
           as
           the
           unparallel'd
           Works
           he
           performed
           in
           their
           Presence
           .
           
             If
             I
             had
             not
             come
             and
             spoken
             to
             them
             ,
             they
             had
             not
             had
             sin
             ;
             but
             now
             they
             have
             no
             cloak
             for
             their
             sin
             .
          
           Again
           ,
           
           
             If
             I
             had
             not
             done
             amongst
             them
             the
             works
             which
             none
             other
             man
             did
             ,
             they
             had
             not
             had
             sin
             .
          
        
         
           Wherefore
           to
           us
           who
           have
           Moses
           and
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           the
           Discourses
           of
           our
           
           Blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           the
           Writings
           of
           his
           Apostles
           transmitted
           ,
           if
           we
           shall
           yet
           be
           incredulous
           ,
           it
           is
           as
           likely
           and
           probable
           we
           shall
           still
           continue
           so
           ,
           though
           one
           come
           to
           Us
           from
           the
           Dead
           .
           For
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           We
           have
           already
           all
           things
           ,
           pertaining
           to
           life
           and
           godliness
           ,
           perspicuously
           delivered
           in
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           this
           Doctrine
           at
           the
           first
           delivery
           of
           it
           ,
           was
           sufficiently
           confirmed
           and
           attested
           by
           Miracles
           and
           Supernatural
           Actions
           ,
           the
           History
           of
           which
           is
           made
           as
           credible
           to
           us
           ,
           as
           any
           Records
           of
           things
           can
           be
           ,
           which
           we
           our selves
           were
           not
           Spectators
           of
           .
           Now
           ,
           if
           we
           can
           believe
           any
           Histories
           of
           former
           Ages
           ,
           any
           Records
           of
           Times
           past
           ,
           we
           have
           the
           same
           Reason
           to
           believe
           the
           History
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           sincerely
           credits
           that
           ,
           will
           be
           as
           much
           confirmed
           in
           the
           Religion
           he
           professes
           ,
           by
           those
           Miracles
           he
           finds
           long
           ago
           wrought
           to
           evidence
           its
           Divine
           Authority
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           done
           now
           at
           this
           present
           before
           his
           eyes
           .
           
             Blessed
             are
             they
             who
             have
             not
             seen
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             yet
             have
             believed
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           To
           desire
           new
           Miracles
           for
           the
           begetting
           of
           Faith
           ,
           is
           to
           question
           the
           Wisdome
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Contrivance
           of
           the
           
           Gospel
           .
           For
           either
           the
           Scriptures
           are
           sufficiently
           confirmed
           and
           attested
           ,
           by
           the
           Miracles
           wrought
           by
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           to
           beget
           Faith
           and
           Credence
           in
           any
           unprejudiced
           and
           disinteressed
           Person
           ,
           or
           they
           are
           not
           .
           If
           they
           are
           ,
           it
           is
           in
           vain
           to
           require
           the
           Reproduction
           of
           Miracles
           in
           its
           behalf
           .
           If
           they
           are
           not
           ,
           we
           then
           call
           in
           question
           the
           wisdome
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           either
           knew
           not
           the
           Natures
           and
           Constitutions
           of
           Men
           ,
           or
           did
           not
           foresee
           what
           was
           sufficient
           to
           work
           belief
           in
           them
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           perpetuating
           Miracles
           for
           every
           Man's
           Conviction
           ,
           would
           destroy
           and
           make
           useless
           their
           Rational
           Faculties
           .
           For
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           is
           a
           manifestation
           of
           the
           highest
           Reason
           that
           ever
           the
           World
           had
           any
           cognizance
           of
           ,
           and
           all
           its
           Parts
           and
           Doctrines
           are
           every
           way
           fitted
           to
           Rational
           Capacities
           :
           But
           now
           Miracles
           being
           only
           Convictive
           to
           sense
           ,
           if
           for
           the
           confirmation
           of
           every
           Article
           of
           Religion
           ,
           there
           must
           be
           the
           concurrent
           Testimony
           of
           a
           Miracle
           ,
           all
           Appeal
           to
           our
           Reason
           and
           Intellectual
           Faculties
           were
           useless
           and
           supervacaneous
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           The
           Resurrection
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           from
           the
           Dead
           ,
           was
           a
           notable
           suffrage
           
           and
           testimony
           of
           his
           Divine
           Mission
           .
           It
           is
           the
           highest
           instance
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           watching
           over
           and
           carefully
           superintending
           the
           Person
           of
           our
           Holy
           Lord
           and
           Master
           ,
           which
           though
           it
           permitted
           Him
           to
           fall
           into
           the
           Hands
           of
           wicked
           and
           cruel
           Men
           ,
           who
           bereaved
           him
           of
           his
           Innocent
           Life
           ,
           yet
           forsook
           him
           not
           in
           Death
           and
           the
           Grave
           ,
           but
           justified
           and
           approved
           the
           Design
           and
           Cause
           he
           managed
           in
           the
           World
           by
           dismantling
           those
           Infernal
           Prisons
           ,
           and
           bringing
           Him
           up
           to
           life
           again
           .
           And
           this
           the
           Apostle
           takes
           as
           an
           eminent
           Declaration
           of
           the
           Divinity
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           who
           though
           according
           to
           that
           mortal
           and
           frail
           state
           he
           took
           upon
           him
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           became
           a
           Man
           of
           the
           Seed
           of
           David
           ,
           
           yet
           in
           regard
           of
           that
           Spiritual
           and
           Celestial
           condition
           ,
           which
           he
           obtained
           by
           the
           Resurrection
           from
           the
           Dead
           ,
           was
           manifestly
           declared
           the
           glorious
           and
           powerful
           Son
           of
           God.
           For
           we
           cannot
           think
           that
           God
           would
           do
           so
           much
           for
           an
           Impostor
           ,
           or
           that
           the
           Divine
           Power
           would
           so
           highly
           concern
           it self
           in
           raising
           him
           from
           the
           Dead
           ,
           and
           thereby
           owning
           him
           in
           so
           singular
           and
           eminent
           a
           manner
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           not
           spoken
           in
           his
           Name
           ,
           and
           done
           all
           things
           by
           his
           Authority
           and
           Commission
           .
        
         
         
           5.
           
           Another
           Instance
           of
           the
           Divine
           Approbation
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           appears
           in
           sending
           down
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           after
           his
           Ascension
           into
           Heaven
           .
           This
           Mission
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           Christ
           promised
           his
           Disciples
           before
           he
           left
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           signally
           performs
           it
           upon
           the
           Day
           of
           Pentecost
           .
           And
           this
           very
           thing
           is
           brought
           by
           the
           Author
           to
           the
           Hebrews
           ,
           as
           an
           Indubitable
           Confirmation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           :
           
             How
             shall
             we
             escape
             ,
             if
             we
             neglect
             so
             great
             salvation
             ,
             which
             at
             the
             first
             began
             to
             be
             spoken
             by
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             was
             confirmed
             unto
             us
             by
             them
             that
             heard
             him
             :
             God
             also
             bearing
             them
             witness
          
           (
           approving
           and
           owning
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           his
           Son
           Jesus
           )
           
             both
             with
             signs
             and
             wonders
             ,
             and
             with
             divers
             miracles
             and
             gifts
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             according
             to
             his
             own
             will.
          
           God
           is
           brought
           in
           here
           as
           a
           Witness
           to
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           his
           Testimony
           is
           the
           Mission
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           by
           whom
           the
           Apostles
           were
           inabled
           and
           furnished
           with
           divers
           gifts
           and
           miraculous
           Powers
           for
           the
           conviction
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           Jesus
           was
           the
           beloved
           Son
           of
           God
           and
           Saviour
           of
           Mankind
           .
           And
           this
           Redargution
           of
           the
           World
           was
           made
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Advocateship
           of
           the
           
           Holy
           Spirit
           by
           our
           Lord
           ,
           
             When
             he
             is
             come
             he
             will
             reprove
             the
             World
             of
             sin
             ,
          
           
           
             because
             they
             believe
             not
             on
             me
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           he
           shall
           take
           upon
           him
           the
           defence
           of
           my
           cause
           ,
           and
           convince
           the
           World
           of
           their
           great
           sin
           in
           slaying
           me
           a
           true
           Prophet
           ,
           who
           came
           to
           declare
           the
           will
           of
           God
           unto
           them
           .
           
             Of
             righteousness
             ,
             because
             I
             go
             to
             my
             Father
             ,
             and
             ye
             see
             me
             no
             more
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           he
           should
           make
           it
           appear
           that
           I
           was
           just
           and
           innocent
           ,
           though
           condemned
           as
           a
           Malefactor
           ,
           and
           that
           I
           was
           owned
           and
           approved
           of
           God
           in
           that
           he
           visibly
           took
           me
           up
           into
           Heaven
           .
           Which
           plentiful
           effusion
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           in
           such
           a
           wonderful
           manner
           ,
           whenas
           he
           had
           been
           withdrawn
           from
           the
           Jews
           as
           to
           those
           extraordinary
           and
           Prophetical
           gifts
           for
           the
           space
           of
           four
           hundred
           years
           ,
           was
           a
           Testimony
           clear
           as
           the
           Sun
           that
           Jesus
           was
           the
           true
           Messias
           ,
           the
           beloved
           Son
           of
           GOD
           ,
           and
           therefore
           that
           they
           ought
           to
           have
           believed
           on
           Him.
           
        
         
           6.
           
           Lastly
           ,
           Christ
           was
           approved
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Prophecy
           .
           Their
           want
           of
           understanding
           and
           incredulity
           of
           the
           Prophetick
           Oracles
           ,
           was
           that
           for
           which
           our
           Saviour
           upbraided
           his
           two
           Disciples
           ,
           
           
             O
             Fools
             and
             slow
             of
             heart
             to
             believe
             all
             that
             the
             Prophets
             have
             spoken
             .
          
           
           Whereby
           we
           are
           informed
           that
           the
           Prophets
           had
           long
           ago
           given
           ,
           not
           only
           a
           character
           and
           description
           of
           the
           Person
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           ,
           Death
           ,
           Burial
           and
           Resurrection
           of
           the
           Messiah
           ;
           and
           these
           Prophecies
           being
           so
           directly
           applicable
           to
           Jesus
           and
           to
           none
           else
           ,
           it
           was
           an
           unquestionable
           proof
           that
           he
           was
           the
           true
           Messiah
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           World
           ought
           to
           believe
           on
           him
           .
           This
           Argument
           St.
           Peter
           makes
           use
           of
           against
           the
           Jewes
           ;
           
           
             To
             him
             give
             all
             the
             Prophets
             witness
             —
             q.d.
          
           If
           you
           believe
           not
           us
           the
           Apostles
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           yet
           believe
           your
           own
           Prophets
           ,
           who
           unanimously
           point
           out
           and
           refer
           to
           this
           Jesus
           ,
           whom
           we
           preach
           to
           you
           .
           And
           thus
           St.
           Paul
           pleads
           for
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           Act.
           26.22
           .
           that
           he
           taught
           
             no
             other
             things
             than
             those
             which
             the
             Prophets
             and
             Moses
             did
             say
             should
             come
             .
          
           By
           all
           these
           several
           ways
           ,
           it
           is
           very
           apparent
           that
           God
           hath
           born
           witness
           to
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           approved
           and
           owned
           the
           Person
           and
           Doctrine
           of
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           first
           thing
           required
           to
           the
           credibility
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           namely
           the
           Attestation
           of
           God
           himself
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           The
           Second
           is
           Rational
           Evidence
           and
           Conviction
           .
        
         
           The
           most
           Noble
           Faculties
           of
           the
           Soul
           of
           Man
           are
           the
           Understanding
           and
           the
           Will
           ,
           and
           that
           Religion
           bear
           a
           Rational
           Evidence
           and
           Conviction
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           fitted
           with
           Arguments
           that
           must
           convince
           the
           Understanding
           ,
           and
           perswade
           the
           Will
           to
           a
           due
           Reception
           and
           entertainment
           of
           it
           .
           Now
           the
           proper
           Object
           of
           the
           Understanding
           is
           Truth
           ,
           from
           whence
           it
           follows
           that
           Christianity
           must
           be
           true
           that
           it
           may
           be
           believed
           .
           For
           the
           Truth
           of
           Religion
           ,
           I
           shall
           refer
           to
           those
           Learned
           Authors
           ,
           who
           have
           purposely
           handled
           that
           Argument
           ,
           and
           brought
           as
           clear
           Evidence
           as
           the
           thing
           it self
           is
           capable
           of
           :
           And
           he
           that
           cannot
           believe
           without
           a
           Mathematical
           certainty
           ,
           declares
           himself
           to
           be
           very
           absurd
           and
           disingenuous
           ,
           and
           may
           upon
           the
           same
           grounds
           as
           well
           expect
           the
           same
           Demonstrative
           Evidence
           for
           the
           affairs
           of
           Humane
           life
           ,
           or
           to
           prove
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Chronicles
           of
           the
           Kings
           of
           England
           ,
           or
           France
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           he
           is
           so
           strangely
           unreasonable
           ,
           as
           to
           desire
           such
           proof
           ,
           as
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           things
           will
           not
           bear
           ,
           though
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           he
           have
           the
           highest
           evidence
           ,
           
           and
           most
           unquestionable
           assurance
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           the
           thing
           it self
           is
           capable
           of
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           a
           Moral
           certainty
           .
           For
           the
           Mind
           of
           Man
           may
           be
           as
           indubitably
           assured
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           a
           Moral
           Proposition
           ,
           as
           of
           a
           Mathematical
           or
           Physical
           one
           ,
           although
           there
           be
           not
           the
           same
           way
           of
           Probation
           in
           all
           .
           As
           for
           Example
           ,
           This
           is
           a
           self-evident
           Truth
           in
           Morals
           ,
           and
           needs
           no
           other
           light
           ,
           but
           that
           of
           its
           own
           to
           gain
           Assent
           ;
           
             That
             in
             those
             things
             which
             we
             have
             not
             seen
             nor
             experienced
             our selves
             ,
             
             we
             ought
             to
             believe
             them
             that
             say
             they
             have
             seen
             and
             experienced
             ,
             provided
             they
             live
             up
             to
             their
             profession
             ,
             and
             are
             not
             moved
             to
             it
             by
             secular
             respect
             .
          
           Which
           if
           it
           be
           not
           assented
           to
           ,
           we
           must
           be
           Scepticks
           even
           in
           ordinary
           affairs
           and
           transactions
           of
           Humane
           life
           ,
           we
           must
           not
           believe
           there
           is
           such
           a
           Place
           as
           Constantinople
           ,
           nor
           credit
           any
           thing
           but
           our
           own
           Eyes
           and
           Ears
           ,
           and
           say
           in
           a
           larger
           sense
           than
           ever
           the
           Psalmist
           did
           ,
           that
           
             all
             men
             are
             lyars
          
           .
           See
           more
           of
           this
           in
           Bishop
           Wilkins
           Principles
           of
           Natural
           Religion
           .
        
         
           Now
           for
           the
           Will
           ,
           that
           Religion
           may
           have
           a
           full
           and
           compleat
           entertainment
           
           in
           the
           Soul
           of
           Man
           ,
           there
           must
           be
           something
           likewise
           to
           work
           upon
           that
           Wherefore
           to
           make
           a
           thing
           eligible
           ,
           it
           must
           have
           the
           appearance
           of
           Good
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           it
           must
           have
           a
           sutableness
           ,
           congruity
           and
           harmony
           with
           the
           Intellectual
           Nature
           of
           Man
           ,
           and
           a
           tendency
           to
           promote
           the
           perfection
           thereof
           ;
           And
           such
           is
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           in
           its
           whole
           Frame
           and
           Contexture
           .
           For
           let
           us
           consider
           ,
           who
           it
           is
           that
           owns
           ,
           and
           has
           interessed
           himself
           ,
           as
           the
           Blessed
           Author
           of
           the
           Evangelical
           Oeconomy
           ,
           even
           the
           Eternal
           Logos
           and
           Wisdome
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           Almighty
           Mind
           which
           has
           closely
           contracted
           ,
           and
           deeply
           seal'd
           upon
           all
           Intellectual
           Agents
           ,
           that
           large
           and
           diffusive
           wisdome
           ,
           that
           is
           seen
           in
           all
           the
           Parts
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           .
           And
           to
           think
           that
           Christianity
           should
           be
           in
           any
           of
           its
           Parts
           unreasonable
           ,
           is
           to
           imagine
           this
           to
           be
           the
           only
           Unreasonable
           thing
           ,
           that
           ever
           the
           Divine
           Wisdome
           was
           the
           Author
           of
           ,
           and
           this
           alone
           of
           all
           his
           numerous
           Off-spring
           to
           be
           unlike
           the
           Father
           .
           The
           Gospel
           does
           in
           the
           most
           intimate
           manner
           derive
           it self
           from
           Christ
           the
           Eternal
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           is
           especially
           owned
           and
           superintended
           by
           him
           ,
           as
           being
           the
           repairing
           that
           work
           
           which
           he
           alone
           made
           ,
           and
           which
           he
           alone
           can
           rectifie
           :
           and
           to
           imagine
           that
           an
           Infinite
           Reason
           should
           propound
           any
           thing
           to
           us
           that
           were
           unreasonable
           ,
           is
           as
           fond
           as
           to
           say
           that
           cold
           can
           flow
           from
           fire
           ,
           or
           darkness
           positively
           ray
           from
           the
           bosome
           of
           light
           .
           Jesus
           Christ
           did
           not
           bring
           a
           Religion
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           to
           perplex
           our
           minds
           and
           dazle
           our
           understandings
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           real
           good
           and
           behoof
           of
           the
           lapsed
           Creation
           ,
           to
           form
           our
           minds
           according
           to
           his
           own
           Image
           ,
           and
           to
           regenerate
           our
           spirits
           into
           a
           living
           nature
           of
           Truth
           and
           Righteousness
           ,
           which
           Design
           were
           utterly
           lost
           ,
           if
           there
           were
           not
           in
           Christianity
           a
           perfect
           symphony
           ,
           congruity
           and
           agreeableness
           with
           our
           Intellectual
           Natures
           .
           Besides
           ,
           let
           any
           Man
           but
           consider
           ,
           how
           the
           Will
           is
           allured
           and
           solicited
           to
           Action
           ,
           and
           he
           shall
           find
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           then
           the
           most
           vigorously
           tempted
           forth
           ,
           when
           something
           is
           propounded
           ,
           which
           has
           a
           Natural
           sutableness
           and
           harmony
           with
           those
           Constitutive
           Principles
           ,
           of
           which
           we
           are
           made
           :
           but
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           it
           is
           naturally
           averse
           to
           ,
           and
           not
           at
           all
           concerned
           with
           that
           ,
           to
           which
           it
           hath
           no
           vital
           sympathy
           or
           concord
           .
           Which
           is
           an
           evident
           
           sign
           that
           Christianity
           is
           not
           only
           agreeable
           to
           ,
           but
           perfective
           of
           our
           Rational
           Powers
           .
           What
           can
           be
           more
           agreeable
           to
           the
           true
           Nature
           of
           Man
           than
           Righteousness
           ?
           What
           more
           sutable
           to
           his
           higher
           and
           Diviner
           Faculties
           than
           Truth
           and
           Goodness
           ?
           These
           beautiful
           and
           glorious
           Forms
           shone
           bright
           in
           our
           Souls
           ,
           before
           Vice
           and
           Sin
           had
           covered
           and
           overspread
           them
           ,
           and
           forced
           our
           Minds
           into
           a
           Preternatural
           state
           .
           Now
           Christianity
           is
           design'd
           for
           the
           Recovery
           of
           Us
           to
           our
           Pristine
           Health
           and
           Rectitude
           ,
           and
           tends
           to
           the
           enlargement
           of
           our
           better
           Powers
           ,
           and
           the
           Recovery
           of
           them
           from
           that
           narrow
           and
           contracted
           state
           ,
           sin
           and
           evil
           had
           brought
           them
           to
           .
           Vice
           and
           Wickedness
           are
           none
           of
           God's
           Creation
           ,
           but
           are
           Obliquities
           and
           Aberrations
           from
           those
           Rules
           and
           Laws
           he
           implanted
           in
           us
           ,
           and
           therefore
           as
           it
           is
           impossible
           the
           Soul
           should
           have
           any
           proper
           agreement
           with
           sin
           ,
           because
           't
           is
           none
           of
           its
           Nature
           ,
           so
           she
           must
           needs
           ,
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           sensibly
           embrace
           and
           acquiesce
           in
           the
           Principles
           and
           Precepts
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           from
           that
           Vital
           Cognation
           they
           bear
           to
           her
           own
           Moral
           Being
           .
           There
           is
           no
           capacious
           and
           generous
           Mind
           ,
           but
           
           will
           find
           it self
           wonderfully
           affected
           and
           inamour'd
           with
           the
           loveliness
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           there
           being
           nothing
           found
           ,
           but
           Principles
           of
           the
           highest
           worth
           and
           nobility
           ,
           and
           whatever
           else
           may
           speak
           true
           excellency
           and
           perfection
           .
           The
           Gospel
           is
           nothing
           ,
           but
           God
           manifested
           in
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           an
           eternal
           Mind
           clothed
           with
           the
           condescensions
           of
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           shewing
           us
           the
           Beauty
           and
           Pulchritude
           of
           that
           life
           ,
           from
           which
           we
           had
           so
           foully
           apostatiz'd
           and
           degenerated
           ,
           and
           confirming
           and
           re-establishing
           that
           Happy
           league
           ,
           which
           was
           once
           between
           our
           Souls
           and
           Righteousness
           .
           By
           the
           tenor
           of
           which
           sacred
           Institute
           ,
           we
           are
           obliged
           to
           great
           measures
           and
           degrees
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           to
           Sobriety
           and
           Temperance
           ,
           Chastity
           and
           Purity
           ,
           to
           be
           strict
           observers
           of
           the
           Rules
           of
           Justice
           and
           Equity
           ,
           full
           of
           good
           nature
           and
           the
           desirable
           fruits
           of
           tenderness
           and
           compassion
           ;
           in
           a
           word
           ,
           we
           are
           injoyned
           no
           other
           things
           in
           Religion
           ,
           than
           what
           the
           best
           and
           bravest
           spirits
           the
           World
           ever
           knew
           ,
           have
           always
           accounted
           the
           flower
           and
           summity
           of
           Rational
           Natures
           .
           And
           do
           not
           all
           considering
           Men
           ,
           find
           the
           greatest
           ease
           and
           satisfaction
           of
           Mind
           ,
           in
           the
           exercise
           
           of
           these
           things
           ?
           And
           whence
           comes
           this
           Heavenly
           calm
           and
           serenity
           of
           Soul
           ,
           but
           only
           from
           that
           gratefulness
           and
           symmetry
           ,
           that
           is
           between
           such
           things
           and
           our
           Intellectual
           Man
           ?
           so
           that
           the
           more
           earnestly
           we
           attend
           to
           them
           ,
           the
           more
           fully
           are
           we
           transformed
           into
           their
           lovely
           Image
           and
           likeness
           .
           True
           Christianity
           is
           so
           far
           from
           debasing
           ,
           that
           on
           the
           contrary
           it
           infinitely
           exalts
           them
           ,
           by
           setting
           them
           at
           a
           true
           proportion
           to
           their
           proper
           Objects
           ,
           and
           raising
           them
           to
           such
           a
           state
           ,
           as
           all
           wise
           Men
           have
           ever
           acknowledged
           the
           highest
           Happiness
           and
           Perfection
           of
           the
           Soul
           of
           Man.
           
        
         
           I
           have
           now
           shown
           the
           fitness
           and
           sutableness
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           the
           end
           for
           which
           it
           was
           designed
           ,
           in
           that
           it
           is
           furnished
           with
           all
           those
           Arguments
           of
           Credibility
           ,
           that
           may
           beget
           Assent
           in
           Rational
           Persons
           :
           but
           its
           aptness
           and
           accomodateness
           to
           that
           great
           purpose
           of
           Men's
           salvation
           ,
           may
           further
           be
           demonstrated
           in
           that
           ,
        
         
           2.
           
           Secondly
           ,
           It
           is
           so
           attemper'd
           to
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           that
           Men
           shall
           certainly
           believe
           ,
           and
           yet
           no
           violence
           done
           to
           their
           Wills.
           For
           Men
           being
           Moral
           Agents
           ,
           must
           be
           dealt
           withall
           according
           
           to
           their
           Natural
           Powers
           and
           Faculties
           ,
           and
           this
           makes
           the
           Method
           of
           saving
           Humane
           Souls
           by
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           be
           indeed
           a
           Work
           of
           Wisdom
           and
           Counsel
           ,
           whereas
           if
           God
           should
           by
           his
           Omnipotency
           force
           them
           to
           a
           Belief
           and
           Obedience
           of
           it
           ,
           it
           would
           not
           have
           been
           so
           much
           an
           effect
           of
           Wisdome
           ,
           as
           of
           absolute
           and
           uncontrollable
           Power
           .
           Now
           herein
           appears
           the
           Glory
           of
           Divine
           Wisdome
           ,
           in
           the
           choice
           of
           such
           means
           and
           ways
           ,
           as
           shall
           effectually
           bring
           to
           pass
           its
           end
           and
           purpose
           ,
           and
           yet
           no
           violence
           and
           force
           offered
           to
           that
           Nature
           in
           whose
           behalf
           it
           acts
           .
           As
           therefore
           to
           assert
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           necessity
           of
           the
           assistance
           of
           the
           grace
           and
           spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           our
           progress
           in
           Virtue
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           but
           that
           Men
           may
           be
           good
           by
           the
           strength
           of
           the
           Powers
           of
           Nature
           ,
           is
           directly
           repugnant
           to
           the
           frame
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           delineated
           in
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           the
           sense
           of
           the
           Universal
           Apostolick
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ;
           so
           to
           think
           that
           the
           Operation
           of
           God's
           Spirit
           upon
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men
           ,
           is
           by
           an
           External
           Impetus
           and
           Force
           ,
           is
           no
           less
           precarious
           and
           absurd
           ,
           than
           the
           other
           is
           wicked
           and
           abominable
           .
           I
           shall
           therefore
           wave
           the
           first
           of
           these
           ,
           as
           not
           
           being
           at
           all
           concerned
           with
           it
           ,
           but
           directly
           supposing
           the
           contrary
           ;
           and
           only
           discourse
           so
           far
           of
           the
           concourse
           and
           energy
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           upon
           the
           minds
           ,
           will
           and
           affections
           of
           Men
           ,
           as
           is
           evidently
           declared
           in
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           .
           And
           here
           I
           humbly
           conceive
           ,
           that
           the
           Sacred
           Writings
           do
           no
           where
           declare
           the
           concurrence
           ,
           or
           operation
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           upon
           Men's
           Souls
           ,
           to
           be
           by
           an
           Omnipotent
           Power
           at
           large
           ,
           such
           as
           was
           shown
           in
           the
           Creation
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           or
           Resurrection
           of
           the
           Dead
           ,
           and
           which
           supposes
           us
           so
           altogether
           passive
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           in
           the
           least
           measure
           capable
           of
           promoting
           ,
           or
           hindring
           our
           own
           good
           ;
           for
           this
           were
           to
           destroy
           that
           noble
           faculty
           of
           Humane
           Souls
           their
           Will
           ,
           and
           render
           all
           their
           Actions
           fatal
           and
           necessary
           :
           Whereas
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           was
           intended
           to
           heal
           and
           cement
           ,
           to
           joyn
           and
           confirm
           the
           dislocated
           and
           disordered
           powers
           of
           our
           Souls
           ,
           not
           to
           take
           them
           away
           ,
           to
           perfect
           and
           compleat
           ,
           not
           to
           extirpate
           and
           eradicate
           their
           very
           Nature
           and
           Being
           .
           No
           Man
           acknowledges
           the
           actions
           of
           Brutes
           or
           Engines
           ,
           or
           the
           results
           of
           our
           Animal
           and
           irrational
           powers
           capable
           of
           Moral
           
           Goodness
           ;
           because
           they
           act
           fatally
           and
           necessarily
           ;
           and
           such
           would
           the
           actions
           of
           Mankind
           be
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           produced
           by
           an
           irresistible
           Power
           .
           A
           power
           and
           assistance
           then
           it
           is
           certain
           God
           has
           given
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           of
           his
           Holy
           Spirit
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           but
           the
           manner
           of
           his
           Operation
           is
           not
           absolute
           and
           unconditionate
           ,
           but
           hypothetical
           ,
           like
           the
           great
           conciliating
           and
           formative
           Principle
           of
           God
           in
           Nature
           ,
           requiring
           certain
           terms
           and
           previous
           Dispositions
           and
           Qualifications
           ,
           without
           which
           it
           is
           as
           vain
           to
           hope
           for
           the
           compleat
           efformation
           of
           Christ
           within
           us
           ,
           as
           to
           expect
           the
           Rudiments
           of
           the
           Body
           of
           an
           Animal
           ,
           to
           be
           formed
           out
           of
           a
           piece
           of
           Brass
           or
           Marble
           .
           For
           though
           we
           do
           not
           distrust
           the
           Power
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           believe
           he
           is
           able
           to
           raise
           himself
           up
           Children
           out
           of
           the
           very
           stones
           of
           the
           Fields
           ,
           and
           to
           change
           and
           alter
           the
           Natures
           of
           things
           as
           he
           pleases
           ;
           yet
           since
           we
           find
           him
           framing
           and
           guiding
           them
           ,
           not
           according
           to
           Will
           and
           Power
           alone
           ,
           but
           according
           to
           the
           
             Counsel
             of
             his
             Will
          
           ,
           
           we
           are
           likewise
           ascertain'd
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           conducting
           Humane
           Souls
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           God
           works
           sutably
           to
           their
           Natures
           and
           Capacities
           ,
           and
           in
           such
           
           an
           orderly
           Way
           and
           congruous
           Method
           ,
           as
           supposes
           the
           Presence
           of
           an
           Infinite
           Wisdome
           and
           Counsel
           in
           the
           Management
           of
           it
           .
           And
           this
           not
           only
           appears
           from
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           frame
           of
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           which
           in
           its
           choicest
           part
           is
           wholly
           Intellectual
           ,
           and
           therefore
           not
           to
           be
           forced
           by
           an
           outward
           violence
           ,
           but
           moved
           and
           drawn
           (
           as
           the
           Scriptures
           speak
           )
           
             with
             bands
             of
             love
             ,
             and
             cords
             of
             a
             man
             ,
          
           
           that
           is
           ,
           by
           Rational
           means
           and
           perswasive
           Arguments
           ,
           whose
           force
           and
           strength
           must
           lye
           in
           their
           Congenerousness
           and
           sutableness
           with
           the
           Ancient
           Idea's
           and
           Inscriptions
           of
           Truth
           upon
           our
           Souls
           ,
           but
           is
           likewise
           manifest
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           From
           the
           resistibility
           of
           the
           Operations
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God.
           And
           for
           a
           demonstrative
           and
           convictive
           Evidence
           of
           this
           ,
           we
           need
           look
           no
           further
           than
           the
           preaching
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           while
           he
           conversed
           with
           the
           World
           and
           dwelt
           amongst
           us
           ,
           who
           though
           he
           were
           the
           Essential
           wisdome
           of
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           his
           Discourses
           full
           of
           Life
           and
           Power
           ,
           who
           himself
           was
           transcendently
           anointed
           with
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           able
           and
           willing
           to
           bestow
           the
           same
           ,
           according
           as
           the
           needs
           and
           necessities
           of
           Men
           required
           ,
           
           yet
           Jesus
           ,
           the
           Author
           and
           finisher
           of
           the
           salvation
           of
           Men
           ,
           was
           not
           always
           succesful
           ,
           but
           oft-times
           that
           precious
           and
           Immortal
           seed
           ,
           which
           he
           sow'd
           ,
           fell
           upon
           a
           Rock
           ,
           and
           there
           were
           some
           that
           
             rejected
             the
             Counsel
             of
             God
             against
             themselves
             ,
          
           
           and
           
             Many
             believed
             not
             on
             him
          
           ,
           
           and
           others
           
             went
             back
             ,
             and
             walked
             no
             more
             with
             him
             .
          
           
           Shall
           we
           say
           now
           that
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           did
           not
           accompany
           those
           excellent
           Sermons
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ?
           If
           it
           did
           ,
           his
           Energy
           and
           Operation
           was
           not
           Absolute
           and
           Unconditionate
           ,
           since
           it
           was
           repulsed
           ,
           and
           took
           no
           effect
           on
           many
           .
           Or
           is
           it
           not
           rather
           plain
           ,
           that
           the
           cause
           lay
           in
           the
           stubborness
           and
           obstinacy
           of
           their
           own
           wills
           ,
           according
           as
           Christ
           himself
           tells
           the
           
             Jews
             ,
             I
             would
             ,
             but
             ye
             would
             not
             ?
          
           
           A
           like
           form
           of
           Speech
           God
           uses
           to
           their
           rebellious
           Ancestors
           ,
           
           
             Because
             I
             have
             purged
             thee
             ,
             and
             thou
             wast
             not
             purged
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           I
           have
           done
           my
           part
           towards
           it
           ,
           but
           thou
           wouldst
           not
           do
           thine
           .
           Nor
           can
           I
           imagine
           ,
           if
           the
           work
           of
           Men's
           Conversion
           depended
           so
           wholly
           upon
           the
           Power
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           no
           precedent
           Qualifications
           were
           necessary
           to
           invite
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           to
           fall
           to
           work
           ,
           why
           Men's
           obstinate
           incredulity
           should
           debar
           Christ
           from
           
           working
           Miracles
           ,
           
           as
           we
           find
           it
           did
           ;
           or
           why
           he
           should
           not
           require
           a
           tractable
           frame
           of
           mind
           ,
           as
           a
           precedent
           Qualification
           ,
           for
           the
           exertion
           of
           his
           Almighty
           Power
           in
           the
           cure
           of
           spiritual
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           corporal
           diseases
           .
           Nay
           ,
           the
           Apostles
           and
           Disciples
           of
           our
           Saviour
           were
           so
           far
           from
           imagining
           an
           irresistible
           Power
           ,
           accompanying
           the
           outward
           Word
           ,
           that
           St.
           Stephen
           tells
           the
           
             Jews
             ,
             they
             did
             resist
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             even
             as
             their
             Fathers
             did
             .
          
           
        
         
           2.
           
           From
           those
           Arguments
           ,
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           makes
           use
           of
           ,
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           wherein
           Men
           are
           treated
           with
           according
           to
           their
           Rational
           Natures
           ,
           and
           wrought
           off
           from
           Vice
           and
           sin
           ,
           to
           a
           firm
           and
           permanent
           adhesion
           to
           Virtue
           ,
           by
           kindness
           and
           love
           ,
           by
           hopes
           and
           fears
           ,
           by
           the
           inevitableness
           of
           impendent
           mischiefs
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           security
           of
           future
           rewards
           .
           Which
           Oeconomy
           had
           been
           altogether
           supervacaneous
           ,
           if
           God
           had
           engaged
           his
           Omnipotent
           Power
           to
           make
           Men
           good
           .
           Under
           the
           Gospel
           we
           are
           perswaded
           to
           Holiness
           and
           Righteousness
           ,
           by
           the
           easiness
           ,
           pleasantness
           and
           satisfaction
           of
           such
           a
           state
           ,
           to
           which
           our
           minds
           being
           once
           arrived
           ,
           they
           feel
           a
           full
           and
           entire
           Acquiescence
           
           and
           ineffable
           joy
           ;
           a
           Pleasure
           resulting
           from
           the
           connaturality
           and
           agreeableness
           of
           those
           Beautiful
           Forms
           ,
           with
           the
           inmost
           sense
           of
           our
           own
           Souls
           .
           And
           because
           the
           dispositions
           of
           Mankind
           are
           various
           and
           different
           ,
           some
           being
           incouraged
           to
           Action
           ,
           out
           of
           a
           Principle
           of
           Gratitude
           and
           innate
           Nobility
           ;
           others
           not
           easily
           won
           ,
           but
           by
           Advantage
           and
           Interest
           ;
           others
           again
           not
           without
           menaces
           of
           a
           severe
           and
           uneasie
           Discipline
           :
           therefore
           God
           in
           the
           Evangelical
           Dispensation
           ,
           hath
           interwoven
           the
           most
           effectual
           and
           cogent
           Arguments
           ,
           to
           meet
           with
           each
           of
           these
           tempers
           in
           Men.
           To
           the
           first
           ,
           he
           propounds
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           Death
           and
           Passion
           of
           his
           only
           begotten
           Son
           ,
           who
           being
           in
           the
           form
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           dwelling
           in
           the
           Immortal
           Mansions
           of
           Light
           and
           Glory
           ,
           yet
           out
           of
           that
           dear
           and
           ineffable
           love
           and
           compassion
           ,
           which
           he
           always
           bare
           to
           the
           race
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           was
           content
           to
           banish
           himself
           from
           those
           Blessed
           Regions
           ,
           and
           put
           on
           our
           Servile
           Scheme
           ,
           being
           born
           into
           the
           World
           a
           helpless
           Infant
           ,
           subject
           to
           perpetual
           sorrows
           and
           afflictive
           circumstances
           ,
           leading
           an
           obscure
           and
           contemptible
           life
           ,
           befriended
           of
           few
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           
           dying
           upon
           that
           uneasie
           Bed
           of
           sorrows
           ,
           the
           Cross
           ,
           that
           so
           his
           Death
           might
           be
           an
           Expiatory
           Sacrifice
           for
           the
           sins
           of
           the
           World.
           Which
           cannot
           but
           enravish
           every
           Ingenuous
           Breast
           ,
           and
           fill
           it
           with
           the
           highest
           and
           most
           faithful
           love
           ,
           to
           so
           kind
           and
           compassionate
           a
           Saviour
           .
           But
           there
           being
           almost
           as
           few
           of
           this
           sort
           of
           Men
           ,
           as
           there
           were
           of
           old
           of
           those
           that
           embraced
           Virtue
           for
           it self
           ,
           and
           esteemed
           it
           eligible
           ,
           though
           divested
           of
           all
           appendant
           Rewards
           ,
           therefore
           that
           Eternal
           Wisdome
           which
           has
           interessed
           it self
           in
           the
           Frame
           and
           Conduct
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           propounds
           an
           advantageous
           Portion
           to
           the
           sincere
           and
           unblameable
           Professors
           of
           Piety
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           assures
           them
           that
           their
           labour
           shall
           not
           be
           in
           vain
           ,
           but
           that
           their
           sorrows
           shall
           find
           refreshment
           ,
           their
           hardships
           and
           difficult
           enterprises
           ,
           ease
           and
           pleasure
           ,
           and
           their
           faithful
           Perseverance
           in
           Righteousness
           be
           recompenced
           with
           the
           Happiness
           of
           possessing
           glorified
           and
           Immortal
           Bodies
           in
           the
           highest
           Heavens
           .
           And
           if
           it
           shall
           happen
           ,
           the
           minds
           of
           Men
           to
           be
           deaf
           to
           all
           the
           charms
           of
           Gratitude
           and
           Advantage
           ,
           to
           the
           Allectives
           of
           good
           Nature
           and
           Interest
           ,
           and
           there
           be
           no
           
           way
           left
           to
           awake
           them
           out
           of
           their
           stupidity
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           Voice
           of
           Thunder
           ,
           then
           Jesus
           Christ
           the
           Soveraign
           of
           Men
           and
           Angels
           ,
           is
           represented
           to
           Us
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           coming
           in
           the
           Clouds
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           attended
           with
           Thousands
           of
           Angels
           ,
           to
           take
           Vengeance
           on
           those
           that
           have
           not
           known
           God
           ,
           nor
           obeyed
           his
           Laws
           and
           Commands
           :
           And
           by
           his
           Powerful
           Operation
           ,
           the
           Seeds
           and
           Principles
           of
           Fire
           shall
           be
           excited
           ,
           and
           that
           quick
           and
           Active
           Element
           insinuate
           and
           pervade
           all
           the
           Commissures
           and
           Parts
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           a
           Deluge
           of
           Flame
           ,
           as
           once
           of
           Waters
           ,
           shall
           overspread
           the
           Face
           of
           the
           World.
           Into
           which
           sulphureous
           and
           burning
           Lake
           ,
           the
           Devil
           and
           his
           Angels
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           who
           in
           this
           life
           delight
           in
           wickedness
           ,
           and
           cast
           the
           fear
           of
           God
           behind
           their
           backs
           ,
           shall
           be
           plunged
           to
           Eternal
           Ages
           .
        
         
           These
           are
           the
           Arguments
           which
           are
           dispersed
           up
           and
           down
           ,
           and
           urged
           in
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           as
           so
           many
           tyes
           and
           bands
           ,
           to
           engage
           us
           to
           a
           faithful
           and
           peremptory
           prosecution
           of
           the
           indispensable
           Laws
           of
           Righteousness
           and
           Truth
           ,
           and
           which
           as
           well
           in
           their
           own
           Nature
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           manner
           and
           way
           of
           their
           Proposal
           ,
           
           do
           evidently
           declare
           that
           they
           are
           not
           fatal
           and
           necessary
           ,
           but
           moral
           Instruments
           of
           propagating
           and
           diffusing
           the
           Life
           and
           Nature
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           as
           all
           other
           Rational
           means
           of
           Perswasion
           ,
           may
           by
           an
           obstinate
           and
           perverse
           spirit
           be
           slighted
           and
           contemned
           .
           And
           certainly
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           thing
           it self
           requires
           it
           should
           be
           so
           ;
           for
           if
           the
           whole
           conduct
           of
           Mens
           souls
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           their
           salvation
           ,
           were
           nothing
           but
           the
           effects
           and
           emanations
           of
           a
           peremptory
           and
           uncontrollable
           Power
           ,
           there
           would
           be
           no
           place
           left
           for
           those
           large
           Encomium's
           of
           Wisdome
           in
           this
           great
           affair
           ,
           Wisdome
           being
           
             Inventrix
             Mediorum
          
           ,
           and
           then
           most
           of
           all
           discovers
           its
           excellency
           ,
           in
           fixing
           and
           determining
           upon
           such
           ways
           ,
           as
           shall
           operate
           effectually
           ,
           and
           yet
           congruously
           and
           agreeably
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           Men
           ,
           Moral
           Agents
           requiring
           Moral
           Instruments
           ,
           to
           allure
           and
           invite
           them
           to
           Action
           .
           But
           lest
           any
           Man
           should
           carelesly
           mistake
           me
           ,
           and
           think
           that
           what
           I
           have
           said
           ,
           tends
           to
           the
           invalidating
           and
           weakning
           our
           belief
           of
           the
           Powerful
           Assistance
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           I
           do
           confidently
           affirm
           ,
           
             That
             no
             Man
             ought
             ,
             or
             can
             attribute
             his
             beginning
             ,
             progress
             
             and
             continuance
             in
             goodness
             ,
             to
             his
             own
             solitary
             effort
             or
             powers
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             benign
             and
             auspicious
             influence
             of
             the
             Divine
             grace
             and
             spirit
             .
          
           It
           is
           he
           that
           forms
           in
           us
           the
           Life
           and
           Nature
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           makes
           us
           Holy
           ,
           Righteous
           and
           Good
           ,
           enlightning
           the
           Eyes
           of
           our
           Minds
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           see
           the
           inestimable
           riches
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           convinces
           us
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Great
           Promises
           of
           Salvation
           .
           It
           is
           He
           that
           daily
           by
           a
           Vital
           Energy
           purges
           and
           refines
           the
           minds
           of
           Men
           from
           all
           filthiness
           and
           uncleanness
           ,
           and
           consecrates
           their
           hearts
           as
           Holy
           Temples
           unto
           God.
           It
           is
           he
           that
           continually
           burns
           up
           and
           consumes
           our
           unruly
           lusts
           ,
           and
           breathes
           upon
           the
           Sacred
           Life
           of
           God
           in
           our
           Souls
           ,
           fanning
           it
           into
           a
           flame
           of
           love
           ,
           that
           we
           dwell
           in
           God
           and
           God
           in
           Us.
           Through
           his
           mighty
           Power
           we
           are
           secured
           from
           our
           Spiritual
           Enemies
           ,
           leading
           us
           with
           a
           Pillar
           of
           a
           Cloud
           by
           Day
           ,
           and
           a
           light
           of
           Fire
           by
           Night
           ,
           till
           he
           bring
           us
           to
           Heaven
           the
           true
           Land
           of
           Canaan
           .
           But
           in
           all
           this
           ,
           the
           Divine
           Spirit
           does
           not
           pull
           and
           draw
           us
           like
           stocks
           and
           stones
           ,
           nor
           offer
           any
           irresistible
           violence
           to
           our
           wills
           ,
           nor
           must
           we
           expect
           that
           God
           should
           do
           all
           the
           work
           for
           us
           while
           
           we
           sit
           still
           ,
           but
           we
           must
           do
           it
           for
           our selves
           ,
           only
           he
           has
           graciously
           promised
           to
           concur
           and
           lend
           us
           his
           hand
           and
           his
           assistance
           .
           
           
             Work
             out
             your
             salvation
          
           (
           says
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             with
             fear
             and
             trembling
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             God
             who
             works
             in
             you
             both
             to
             will
             and
             to
             do
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             of
             his
             good
             pleasure
             ,
          
           or
           according
           to
           your
           desire
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           God
           stands
           ready
           to
           help
           you
           with
           Power
           and
           Ability
           to
           do
           it
           according
           to
           your
           desire
           ,
           or
           as
           you
           desire
           it
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           to
           take
           care
           that
           we
           actuate
           that
           Power
           ,
           which
           of
           his
           gracious
           bounty
           he
           confers
           upon
           us
           .
           Which
           very
           thing
           makes
           us
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           cooperate
           with
           God
           ,
           
           as
           the
           Apostles
           are
           called
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           
             labourers
             together
             with
             God
          
           in
           the
           Dispensation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           
        
         
           Having
           now
           discovered
           the
           Great
           Influence
           of
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           and
           Wisdome
           in
           the
           Work
           of
           Man's
           Salvation
           ,
           it
           remains
           likewise
           that
           I
           now
           shew
           ,
           how
           the
           Power
           of
           God
           has
           interessed
           and
           concerned
           it self
           in
           the
           same
           :
           For
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           the
           Corinthians
           ,
           that
           he
           Preached
           Christ
           to
           them
           ,
           not
           only
           
             the
             Wisdome
          
           ,
           but
           the
           
             Power
             of
             God.
          
           And
           again
           ,
           
             to
             them
             who
             are
             saved
             ,
             the
             preaching
             of
             the
             Cross
             is
             the
             Power
             of
             God.
             
          
        
         
         
           Now
           this
           Power
           manifested
           it self
           ,
           1.
           
           In
           raising
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           from
           the
           Dead
           .
           Thus
           St.
           Paul
           says
           ,
           that
           Jesus
           was
           
             declared
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             with
             power
             ,
          
           
           
             by
             the
             Resurrection
             from
             the
             Dead
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           God
           did
           own
           and
           publickly
           declare
           him
           to
           be
           his
           beloved
           Son
           ,
           in
           that
           powerful
           manner
           of
           raising
           Him
           from
           the
           Dead
           .
           And
           again
           ,
           he
           calls
           it
           
             the
             mighty
             power
             of
             God
             which
             he
             wrought
             in
             Christ
             when
             he
             raised
             him
             from
             the
             Dead
             .
          
           
           For
           when
           the
           Jews
           had
           crucified
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           the
           Cause
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           to
           all
           Humane
           Appearance
           lay
           dead
           and
           buried
           with
           him
           as
           a
           lost
           and
           undone
           Cause
           ,
           insomuch
           that
           the
           Disciples
           themselves
           were
           brought
           to
           this
           ,
           
             We
             trusted
             it
             had
             been
             he
             that
             should
             have
             redeemed
             Israel
             ,
          
           so
           little
           hopes
           and
           expectations
           had
           they
           of
           a
           new
           state
           of
           things
           ,
           when
           they
           saw
           their
           great
           Master
           dead
           upon
           the
           Cross
           .
           But
           suffering
           Virtue
           being
           so
           illustrious
           an
           object
           of
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           God
           who
           owned
           and
           approved
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           all
           the
           time
           of
           his
           life
           ,
           would
           not
           now
           suffer
           his
           Credit
           and
           Reputation
           to
           lye
           at
           stake
           being
           dead
           ,
           and
           therefore
           notwithstanding
           the
           malice
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           and
           the
           envious
           diligence
           of
           the
           spirits
           
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           asserts
           and
           maintains
           the
           Truth
           of
           his
           Mission
           ,
           by
           bringing
           him
           up
           to
           life
           again
           .
           The
           impious
           care
           and
           industry
           of
           his
           Enemies
           ,
           made
           the
           glory
           of
           our
           Saviour's
           Innocence
           so
           much
           the
           more
           clear
           and
           conspicuous
           :
           they
           look
           upon
           him
           as
           an
           Impostor
           ,
           and
           having
           heard
           him
           afore
           speak
           of
           his
           Resurrection
           ,
           they
           endeavour
           by
           all
           means
           to
           hinder
           it
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           blast
           his
           Memory
           and
           bury
           his
           Honour
           with
           Disgrace
           ;
           therefore
           they
           roll
           a
           great
           Stone
           to
           the
           Mouth
           of
           the
           Sepulchre
           ,
           sealing
           it
           ,
           (
           probably
           with
           the
           Signet
           of
           Pilate
           )
           and
           setting
           a
           Band
           of
           Souldiers
           to
           watch
           about
           his
           Grave
           .
           But
           God
           that
           loved
           his
           Son
           Jesus
           to
           his
           Death
           ,
           and
           took
           the
           care
           of
           Him
           when
           he
           was
           laid
           in
           the
           Grave
           ,
           disappointed
           the
           hopes
           and
           expectations
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           and
           made
           their
           malicious
           contrivances
           subservient
           Testimonies
           to
           the
           Truth
           of
           his
           Resurrection
           .
           A
           mighty
           Angel
           comes
           down
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           at
           whose
           Presence
           and
           awful
           Majesty
           the
           Keepers
           trembled
           ,
           and
           the
           Earth
           it self
           was
           moved
           ,
           and
           rolls
           away
           the
           Stone
           and
           sits
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           stupendious
           Power
           of
           the
           Divinity
           shakes
           the
           Territories
           of
           Night
           and
           slumber
           ,
           and
           
           dismantles
           the
           Prisons
           of
           the
           Grave
           ,
           and
           restores
           to
           our
           Saviour
           that
           Life
           the
           Jews
           bereaved
           him
           of
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           their
           fraudulent
           Practices
           and
           Machinations
           .
           A
           palpable
           Indication
           of
           the
           mighty
           and
           efficacious
           Power
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           alone
           can
           call
           the
           things
           that
           are
           not
           ,
           and
           quicken
           and
           enliven
           the
           Dead
           ,
           beyond
           all
           Humane
           Thoughts
           and
           Apprehensions
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Power
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           has
           been
           very
           notable
           in
           the
           Destruction
           of
           the
           Devils
           Kingdom
           .
           When
           Mankind
           began
           to
           apostatize
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           fall
           into
           Idolatry
           ,
           he
           gave
           them
           over
           to
           the
           Tyranny
           and
           Dominion
           of
           the
           Prince
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           as
           a
           just
           Punishment
           of
           their
           wilful
           Adhesion
           to
           his
           Counsels
           and
           Inspirations
           ,
           and
           for
           Reasons
           reserved
           in
           the
           Depth
           and
           Abyss
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           permitted
           all
           the
           World
           (
           save
           that
           he
           selected
           himself
           a
           Church
           out
           of
           the
           Posterity
           of
           Abraham
           )
           to
           be
           abused
           by
           the
           Devil
           ,
           and
           to
           lye
           under
           that
           servitude
           and
           slavery
           ,
           till
           the
           coming
           of
           Christ
           into
           the
           World.
           But
           when
           the
           Son
           of
           Righteousness
           was
           risen
           ,
           the
           Nations
           of
           the
           Earth
           soon
           saw
           and
           walked
           in
           his
           light
           ,
           and
           the
           Prediction
           of
           
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           became
           verified
           and
           fulfilled
           in
           the
           Ruine
           of
           the
           Devils
           Kingdome
           ,
           whose
           lapse
           and
           fall
           was
           like
           lightning
           from
           Heaven
           .
           For
           notwithstanding
           the
           mutual
           Combinations
           and
           Confederacies
           of
           the
           Kings
           and
           Potentates
           of
           the
           Earth
           against
           the
           Lords
           anointed
           ,
           and
           his
           Disciples
           and
           Followers
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           furious
           Rage
           of
           Satan
           ,
           in
           stirring
           up
           and
           raising
           many
           cruel
           and
           bloody
           Persecutions
           against
           the
           Church
           ,
           yet
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           grew
           mightily
           and
           prevailed
           so
           far
           that
           the
           whole
           Roman
           Empire
           at
           last
           became
           Christian
           ,
           whereby
           the
           Devil
           utterly
           lost
           his
           hold
           ,
           his
           Oracles
           being
           silent
           ,
           and
           his
           whole
           Worship
           destroyed
           .
           And
           surely
           had
           not
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           been
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           could
           never
           have
           so
           Universally
           prevailed
           against
           such
           Potent
           opposition
           of
           Men
           and
           Devils
           .
           The
           hand
           and
           Power
           of
           God
           was
           visibly
           and
           eminently
           discovered
           in
           the
           ample
           Diffusion
           and
           high
           success
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           from
           such
           weak
           and
           small
           Beginnings
           ran
           and
           was
           glorious
           ,
           captivating
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           to
           the
           obedience
           of
           Christ's
           Laws
           ,
           and
           bringing
           the
           World
           under
           the
           Scepter
           of
           his
           Kingdome
           .
           Which
           Destruction
           
           of
           the
           Devils
           Rule
           and
           Dominion
           over
           Mankind
           ,
           being
           in
           so
           great
           a
           measure
           already
           accomplished
           by
           the
           preaching
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           that
           Powerful
           Assistance
           that
           attended
           it
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           shall
           receive
           its
           full
           and
           final
           completion
           ,
           when
           
             the
             Mountain
             of
             the
             Lord's
             house
             is
             exalted
             upon
             the
             tops
             of
             the
             Mountains
             ,
             and
             all
             Nations
             flow
             unto
             it
             :
          
           that
           is
           ,
           when
           both
           Jews
           and
           Gentiles
           shall
           unite
           themselves
           under
           the
           Banner
           of
           the
           crucified
           Jesus
           .
           And
           now
           that
           I
           am
           discoursing
           of
           that
           signal
           overthrow
           of
           the
           Devil's
           Kingdome
           by
           Christianity
           ,
           or
           the
           Gospel
           under
           the
           Powerful
           conduct
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           whereby
           he
           became
           dispossessed
           of
           his
           Usurped
           Dominions
           ,
           and
           those
           who
           had
           so
           long
           time
           been
           his
           Slaves
           and
           Vassals
           ,
           returned
           to
           the
           Loyalty
           and
           Obedience
           they
           owed
           to
           their
           Natural
           Soveraign
           ,
           I
           cannot
           forbear
           to
           insert
           a
           Conjecture
           of
           the
           Pious
           and
           Learned
           Mr.
           Mede
           ,
           concerning
           the
           American
           ,
           or
           New
           World.
           
           
           
             That
             those
             Countries
             were
             first
             Inhabited
             since
             our
             Saviour
             and
             his
             Apostles
             times
             ,
             and
             not
             before
             ;
             yea
             perhaps
             some
             Ages
             after
             :
             there
             being
             no
             signs
             or
             foot-steps
             found
             amongst
             them
             ,
             or
             any
             Monuments
             of
             older
             Habitation
             ,
             
             as
             there
             is
             with
             us
             .
             That
             the
             Devil
             being
             impatient
             of
             the
             sound
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             the
             Cross
             of
             Christ
             in
             every
             part
             of
             this
             old
             World
             ,
             so
             that
             he
             could
             in
             no
             place
             be
             quiet
             for
             it
             ,
             and
             foreseeing
             that
             he
             was
             like
             at
             length
             to
             lose
             all
             here
             ,
             bethought
             himself
             to
             provide
             him
             of
             a
             Seed
             ,
             over
             which
             he
             might
             reign
             securely
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             Place
             ,
             
               Vbi
               nec
               Pelopidarum
               facta
               neque
               nomen
               audiret
               .
            
             That
             accordingly
             he
             drew
             a
             Colony
             out
             of
             some
             of
             those
             barbarous
             Nations
             ,
             dwelling
             upon
             the
             Northern
             Ocean
             ,
             (
             whither
             the
             sound
             of
             Christ
             had
             not
             yet
             come
             )
             and
             promising
             them
             by
             some
             Oracle
             to
             shew
             them
             a
             Country
             far
             better
             than
             their
             own
             ,
             (
             which
             he
             might
             soon
             do
             )
             pleasant
             ,
             large
             ,
             where
             never
             Man
             yet
             inhabited
             ,
             he
             conducted
             them
             over
             those
             Desart
             Lands
             and
             Islands
             (
             which
             are
             many
             in
             that
             Sea
             )
             by
             the
             way
             of
             the
             North
             into
             America
             ;
             which
             none
             would
             ever
             have
             gone
             ,
             had
             they
             not
             first
             been
             assured
             there
             was
             a
             passage
             that
             way
             into
             a
             more
             desirable
             Country
             .
             Namely
             as
             when
             the
             World
             Apostatized
             from
             the
             Worship
             of
             the
             true
             God
             ,
             God
             called
             Abraham
             out
             of
             Chaldee
             into
             the
             Land
             of
             Canaan
             ,
             of
             
             him
             to
             raise
             him
             a
             Seed
             to
             preserve
             a
             light
             unto
             his
             Name
             :
             So
             the
             Devil
             when
             he
             saw
             the
             World
             Apostatizing
             from
             him
             ,
             laid
             the
             Foundations
             of
             a
             new
             Kingdome
             ,
             by
             deducting
             this
             Colony
             from
             the
             North
             into
             America
             ,
             where
             since
             they
             have
             increased
             into
             an
             innumerable
             Multitude
             .
             And
             where
             did
             the
             Devil
             reign
             more
             Absolutely
             and
             without
             Controll
             ,
             since
             Mankind
             fell
             first
             under
             his
             clutches
             ?
             And
             here
             it
             is
             to
             be
             noted
             ,
             that
             the
             story
             of
             the
             Mexican
             Kingdome
             ,
             (
             which
             was
             not
             founded
             above
             400.
             
             Years
             before
             ours
             came
             thither
             )
             relates
             out
             of
             their
             own
             Memorials
             and
             Traditions
             ,
             that
             they
             came
             to
             that
             Place
             from
             the
             North
             ,
             whence
             their
             God
             Vitzliliputzli
             led
             them
             ,
             going
             in
             an
             Ark
             before
             them
             :
             and
             after
             divers
             Years
             Travel
             ,
             and
             many
             stations
             (
             like
             enough
             after
             some
             Generations
             )
             they
             came
             to
             a
             Place
             which
             the
             sign
             he
             had
             given
             them
             at
             their
             first
             setting
             forth
             pointed
             out
             ,
             where
             they
             were
             to
             finish
             their
             Travels
             ,
             build
             themselves
             a
             City
             and
             their
             God
             a
             Temple
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             Place
             where
             Mexico
             was
             built
             .
          
           And
           though
           the
           Devil
           in
           those
           Quarter
           ,
           and
           such
           other
           Parts
           of
           the
           World
           seem
           
           to
           Lord
           it
           alone
           over
           abused
           Mankind
           without
           any
           controll
           and
           opposition
           ,
           yet
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           to
           whom
           the
           uttermost
           Parts
           of
           the
           Earth
           are
           promised
           for
           an
           Inheritance
           ,
           will
           at
           length
           lay
           a
           Powerful
           claim
           to
           his
           own
           Possessions
           ,
           and
           take
           out
           of
           the
           hands
           of
           his
           Grand
           Enemy
           ,
           by
           the
           pure
           and
           uncorrupt
           Propagation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           that
           Soveraignty
           which
           he
           exercises
           over
           those
           Desolate
           People
           .
           For
           as
           Christ
           in
           the
           Days
           of
           his
           Flesh
           by
           his
           Powerful
           and
           efficacious
           Word
           ,
           commanded
           the
           Devils
           out
           of
           their
           usurped
           Habitations
           in
           the
           Bodies
           of
           Men
           ,
           as
           a
           Praeludium
           of
           that
           Universal
           Conquest
           he
           should
           hereafter
           obtain
           ;
           so
           will
           he
           after
           such
           Periods
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           fixed
           and
           determined
           by
           his
           All-comprehensive
           Wisdome
           ,
           go
           forth
           with
           his
           Legions
           of
           Light
           ,
           and
           recover
           those
           wretched
           Mortals
           out
           of
           the
           Hands
           of
           the
           spirits
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           by
           whom
           they
           have
           been
           captivated
           and
           seduced
           at
           their
           Will.
           Nor
           is
           this
           a
           bare
           Airy
           Notion
           or
           Fancy
           ,
           but
           a
           thing
           to
           be
           hoped
           and
           prayed
           for
           upon
           very
           Rational
           Grounds
           ,
           it
           being
           nothing
           but
           the
           enlargement
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           Truth
           and
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           the
           Dissemination
           of
           that
           Holy
           
           and
           Blessed
           Life
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           which
           Mens
           Souls
           have
           a
           Natural
           Cognation
           ,
           though
           for
           the
           present
           bent
           and
           forced
           out
           of
           their
           true
           state
           and
           Position
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Power
           of
           God
           will
           Discover
           it self
           in
           a
           very
           eminent
           manner
           ,
           in
           raising
           all
           Holy
           Men
           from
           the
           Dead
           ,
           and
           rewarding
           their
           faithful
           services
           with
           Immortality
           and
           Life
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           .
           
             The
             last
             enemy
             that
             shall
             be
             destroyed
          
           (
           says
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             is
             Death
          
           :
           And
           when
           God
           shall
           think
           fit
           to
           put
           an
           end
           to
           the
           Generations
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           conclude
           the
           Scene
           of
           the
           affairs
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           then
           shall
           the
           Holy
           Jesus
           descend
           from
           Heaven
           with
           a
           shout
           ,
           with
           the
           Voice
           of
           the
           Archangel
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           Trumpet
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Dead
           shall
           be
           raised
           and
           presented
           each
           one
           in
           the
           Visible
           and
           Individual
           Personality
           they
           bare
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           before
           the
           Judgment-Seat
           of
           Christ
           ,
           to
           receive
           for
           the
           things
           done
           in
           their
           Bodies
           ,
           whether
           good
           or
           bad
           :
           
           
             and
             they
             that
             have
             done
             good
             shall
             come
             forth
             to
             the
             Resurrection
             of
             life
             ,
             and
             they
             that
             have
             done
             evil
             to
             the
             Resurrection
             of
             Damnation
             .
          
           Which
           final
           sentence
           at
           the
           Conclusion
           of
           that
           dreadful
           Appearance
           shall
           be
           executed
           accordingly
           ,
           the
           Wicked
           being
           
           plunged
           into
           the
           Lake
           of
           Fire
           and
           Brimstone
           ,
           but
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           through
           the
           gracious
           Bounty
           and
           stupendious
           Operation
           of
           their
           merciful
           Redeemer
           ,
           shall
           be
           taken
           up
           into
           the
           Regions
           of
           Immortality
           and
           life
           ,
           where
           their
           Corruptible
           Bodies
           shall
           put
           on
           Incorruption
           ,
           and
           be
           transformed
           into
           the
           similitude
           of
           the
           Glorious
           Body
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           GOD
           ,
           through
           that
           mighty
           Power
           whereby
           he
           is
           able
           to
           subdue
           all
           things
           unto
           himself
           .
           And
           though
           this
           Transcendent
           state
           and
           Portion
           may
           very
           well
           be
           thought
           too
           big
           for
           our
           humble
           Hopes
           and
           Expectations
           ,
           and
           exceed
           all
           that
           we
           can
           do
           or
           suffer
           ,
           yet
           since
           God
           is
           pleased
           of
           his
           Infinite
           Bounty
           to
           promise
           ,
           we
           have
           no
           Reason
           to
           distrust
           his
           Faithfulness
           and
           Truth
           in
           the
           Performance
           of
           it
           ,
           since
           he
           has
           moreover
           given
           us
           a
           palpable
           Pledge
           and
           Assurance
           of
           it
           in
           the
           Resurrection
           of
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           from
           the
           Dead
           ,
           and
           because
           
             he
             lives
          
           we
           may
           be
           confident
           
             we
             shall
             live
             also
          
           .
           Christ
           is
           risen
           from
           the
           Grave
           ,
           having
           conquered
           Death
           by
           dying
           ,
           and
           is
           ascended
           into
           the
           pure
           and
           peaceable
           Habitations
           of
           Glory
           ,
           therefore
           all
           his
           Members
           who
           are
           united
           to
           Him
           in
           the
           inseparable
           bands
           of
           Faith
           
           and
           Love
           ,
           shall
           feel
           the
           effects
           of
           his
           Powerful
           Life
           in
           immortalizing
           their
           very
           Bodies
           ,
           which
           shall
           then
           be
           absorpt
           into
           the
           Great
           Vortex
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           where
           both
           Body
           and
           Soul
           shall
           be
           deckt
           with
           such
           a
           refulgent
           Light
           and
           Glory
           ,
           as
           shall
           cause
           them
           to
           shine
           as
           the
           Sun
           and
           Stars
           for
           evermore
           .
           So
           that
           what
           the
           Poet
           fabulously
           speaks
           of
           the
           Apotheosis
           of
           Daphnis
           ,
           shall
           much
           more
           be
           verified
           in
           the
           Translation
           of
           every
           good
           Man
           into
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           
             Candidus
             insuetum
             miratur
             limen
             Olympi
             ,
          
           
             Sub
             pedibusque
             videt
             nubes
             &
             sidera
             Daphnis
             .
          
        
         
           Having
           thus
           far
           brought
           this
           Discourse
           towards
           an
           end
           ,
           and
           displayed
           the
           Goodness
           ,
           Wisdome
           and
           Power
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           the
           great
           Instrument
           of
           the
           blessedness
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           it
           becomes
           our
           duty
           to
           receive
           it
           with
           the
           highest
           and
           most
           honourable
           thoughts
           and
           apprehensions
           ;
           not
           to
           let
           our
           Conceptions
           dwindle
           into
           something
           low
           and
           mean
           ,
           and
           unworthy
           of
           the
           Nature
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           hath
           so
           intimately
           concerned
           himself
           in
           it
           .
           For
           
           whatever
           ,
           whether
           Opinion
           or
           Practice
           ,
           lessens
           that
           esteem
           and
           veneration
           Men
           ought
           to
           have
           of
           the
           Works
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           a
           high
           Affront
           and
           Injury
           ,
           and
           an
           Unworthy
           Derogation
           from
           the
           Perfections
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ;
           whereas
           nothing
           shallow
           ,
           trifling
           and
           contemptible
           can
           ever
           be
           a
           sutable
           Object
           of
           Divine
           Goodness
           ,
           Wisdome
           and
           Power
           :
           much
           less
           can
           there
           be
           any
           thing
           such
           in
           the
           Evangelical
           Oeconomy
           ,
           which
           was
           designed
           for
           so
           great
           a
           Work
           and
           so
           Universal
           and
           general
           a
           Good
           ,
           as
           the
           Immortal
           Happiness
           of
           Humane
           Souls
           .
           The
           very
           light
           of
           Reason
           it self
           teaches
           us
           ,
           that
           we
           ought
           to
           speak
           worthily
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           due
           and
           right
           Apprehensions
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           the
           Excellency
           of
           which
           ,
           though
           it
           were
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           stamped
           and
           ingraved
           upon
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           at
           their
           first
           Creation
           ,
           yet
           is
           more
           clearly
           and
           sensibly
           discovered
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           than
           by
           any
           other
           Dispensation
           since
           the
           World
           began
           .
           And
           as
           we
           are
           to
           take
           care
           that
           our
           thoughts
           and
           expressions
           be
           agreeabe
           and
           becoming
           so
           great
           a
           Mystery
           ,
           so
           are
           we
           concerned
           vigorously
           to
           prosecute
           that
           which
           is
           the
           Grand
           Intent
           ,
           scope
           and
           
           aim
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           that
           is
           our
           progress
           and
           growth
           in
           Virtue
           and
           Holiness
           ;
           to
           perfect
           our
           Minds
           in
           true
           Goodness
           ,
           by
           a
           sincere
           Practice
           of
           all
           the
           indispensable
           Laws
           and
           Rules
           of
           Righteousness
           .
           For
           however
           Men
           may
           please
           themselves
           in
           expounding
           Christianity
           in
           an
           Opinionative
           and
           Notional
           way
           ,
           in
           peculiar
           Phrases
           and
           Terms
           of
           Art
           ,
           as
           if
           Religion
           were
           a
           thing
           deduced
           and
           borrowed
           from
           the
           Schools
           ;
           yet
           certain
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           true
           Life
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           our
           Holy
           Lord
           and
           Master
           Jesus
           Christ
           came
           to
           disseminate
           and
           propagate
           by
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           is
           not
           a
           bare
           sound
           of
           Words
           ,
           but
           an
           inward
           Principle
           of
           Life
           and
           Power
           ,
           elevating
           and
           raising
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men
           from
           all
           childish
           toyes
           and
           follies
           ,
           to
           a
           manly
           and
           generous
           Apprehension
           of
           Righteousness
           and
           Virtue
           ,
           advancing
           their
           Rational
           to
           a
           compleat
           and
           entire
           command
           and
           superiority
           over
           their
           sensual
           and
           Animal
           Powers
           and
           Faculties
           ,
           and
           begetting
           in
           them
           such
           a
           lively
           sense
           of
           whatever
           is
           absolutely
           good
           and
           holy
           ,
           as
           may
           at
           last
           reduce
           their
           thoughts
           ,
           words
           and
           actions
           into
           an
           
           entire
           conformity
           to
           the
           Divine
           Will.
           And
           forasmuch
           as
           this
           Heavenly
           Life
           consists
           in
           the
           sincere
           Prosecution
           and
           Practice
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           that
           Morality
           and
           Virtue
           are
           depressed
           beneath
           the
           concerns
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           by
           those
           who
           pretend
           a
           more
           free
           Exaltation
           of
           Grace
           ,
           as
           it
           will
           not
           be
           Impertinent
           to
           the
           present
           Discourse
           ,
           so
           I
           am
           sure
           't
           is
           infinitely
           necessary
           for
           every
           Man
           to
           contribute
           his
           Pains
           ,
           in
           stopping
           and
           damming
           up
           that
           Flood
           of
           Wickedness
           and
           Immorality
           ,
           that
           has
           broken
           in
           upon
           the
           World
           ,
           by
           shewing
           the
           Indispensable
           Necessity
           of
           the
           Practice
           of
           Morality
           ,
           that
           true
           Religion
           and
           Virtue
           are
           at
           no
           such
           Mortal
           Jarrs
           ,
           but
           that
           whoever
           is
           false
           and
           Hypocritical
           ,
           to
           the
           sincere
           and
           Conscientious
           Practice
           of
           it
           ,
           though
           he
           flie
           to
           Heaven
           in
           his
           vain
           Dreams
           and
           Imaginations
           ,
           and
           talk
           of
           the
           Vision
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           an
           Immediate
           Communion
           and
           Converse
           with
           Him
           ,
           yet
           he
           has
           neither
           seen
           nor
           known
           Him
           ,
           and
           is
           so
           far
           from
           being
           a
           true
           Christian
           ,
           that
           he
           has
           very
           little
           of
           the
           Life
           of
           Christianity
           dwelling
           in
           him
           .
        
         
         
           As
           I
           desire
           not
           therefore
           to
           charge
           any
           Man
           with
           the
           Evil
           Consequences
           of
           his
           Opinion
           ,
           but
           charitably
           suppose
           that
           he
           holds
           fast
           to
           the
           Foundation
           ,
           and
           whatever
           Tendency
           his
           Opinions
           may
           have
           in
           their
           Consecutions
           ,
           that
           yet
           in
           their
           Primary
           Intention
           ,
           he
           designs
           not
           the
           discountenancing
           of
           unfeigned
           Piety
           ;
           so
           neither
           would
           I
           ,
           nor
           can
           by
           any
           considering
           Person
           be
           upbraided
           ,
           with
           setting
           and
           exalting
           Works
           above
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           will
           appear
           ,
           when
           I
           have
           a
           little
           explicated
           and
           unfolded
           those
           Termes
           ,
           which
           have
           of
           late
           raised
           such
           hideous
           storms
           and
           Tragedies
           .
        
         
           By
           [
           Virtue
           ]
           therefore
           I
           mean
           that
           Power
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           which
           so
           rules
           and
           governs
           all
           the
           Animal
           motions
           and
           inclinations
           ,
           that
           she
           does
           every
           where
           ,
           and
           in
           every
           thing
           constantly
           and
           unmoveably
           follow
           that
           which
           is
           best
           .
           As
           for
           the
           word
           
             [
             Grace
          
           ]
           all
           the
           Notions
           of
           it
           in
           the
           Sacred
           Dialect
           (
           as
           a
           Learned
           Critick
           observes
           )
           spring
           from
           that
           Primary
           Notion
           of
           it
           for
           
             Charity
             or
             Liberality
          
           .
           
           Wherefore
           
           the
           Participation
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           being
           the
           highest
           Perfection
           and
           Accomplishment
           of
           the
           Soul
           of
           Man
           ,
           and
           the
           ultimate
           end
           of
           Christianity
           it self
           ,
           all
           those
           Acts
           which
           have
           a
           Natural
           Tendency
           to
           the
           furtherance
           and
           attainment
           of
           so
           high
           and
           glorious
           a
           purpose
           are
           stiled
           Virtues
           ,
           they
           being
           nothing
           but
           the
           Powerful
           Exertions
           of
           the
           Soul
           in
           the
           subjugation
           of
           its
           Corporeal
           Passions
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           with
           ease
           and
           constancy
           follow
           that
           which
           is
           simply
           Best
           :
           and
           Graces
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           the
           free
           ,
           undeserved
           and
           Gratuitous
           Donations
           of
           him
           ,
           whose
           Almighty
           and
           Beneficent
           Spirit
           pervades
           the
           whole
           Order
           and
           Comprehension
           of
           Intellectual
           Agents
           ,
           refining
           and
           purifying
           the
           Minds
           and
           Spirits
           of
           the
           lapsed
           Creation
           ,
           and
           every
           where
           attempting
           the
           Replantation
           of
           that
           Beautiful
           Image
           ,
           Sin
           and
           Vice
           had
           obliterated
           and
           defaced
           .
           Now
           for
           the
           Term
           [
           Moral
           ]
           remaining
           to
           be
           explained
           ,
           I
           conceive
           it
           may
           signifie
           ,
           
             Whatever
             contains
             in
             it
             an
             Eternal
             ,
             Immutable
             and
             Indispensable
             Obligation
             .
          
           By
           Eternal
           ,
           Immutable
           
           and
           Indispensable
           ,
           I
           exclude
           from
           it
           all
           Temporary
           Constitutions
           and
           Positive
           Sanctions
           ,
           though
           deriving
           their
           Authority
           from
           GOD
           Himself
           .
           I
           add
           Obligation
           ,
           to
           difference
           Moral
           Truths
           from
           Speculative
           and
           Theoretical
           ;
           for
           there
           may
           be
           many
           Physical
           and
           Mathematical
           Notions
           ,
           which
           may
           properly
           be
           called
           
             Eternal
             and
             Immutable
             Verities
          
           ,
           which
           yet
           lay
           no
           necessary
           Obligation
           upon
           Us.
           
             That
             what
             is
             once
             moved
             will
             continue
             to
             move
             till
             something
             hinder
             it
             ,
          
           is
           alike
           an
           Eternal
           and
           Immutable
           Verity
           with
           this
           ,
           
             That
             every
             Man
             is
             to
             honour
             his
             Parents
             ,
          
           but
           the
           One
           layes
           a
           necessary
           Obligation
           upon
           the
           Soul
           ,
           whereas
           the
           other
           does
           not
           .
           Wherefore
           though
           the
           subject
           of
           all
           Truths
           whatever
           ,
           and
           so
           of
           Moral
           Ones
           ,
           be
           the
           Perceptive
           and
           Intellectual
           Part
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           yet
           the
           sole
           and
           Adequate
           Object
           of
           Morality
           seems
           to
           be
           the
           Immutable
           Idea's
           and
           Reasons
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil.
           And
           so
           far
           forth
           as
           the
           Soul
           exercises
           it self
           in
           the
           Discrimination
           of
           Moral
           Entities
           ,
           it
           is
           called
           by
           the
           Name
           of
           Conscience
           .
           So
           that
           
           the
           mistake
           seems
           to
           arise
           from
           hence
           ,
           that
           Men
           distribute
           Humane
           Actions
           ,
           in
           reference
           to
           Religion
           ,
           into
           Moral
           and
           Evangelical
           ,
           whereas
           Moral
           is
           not
           opposed
           to
           Evangelical
           ,
           but
           to
           Thetical
           or
           Positive
           .
           But
           to
           give
           some
           further
           light
           to
           this
           business
           ,
           we
           may
           consider
           these
           two
           things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           the
           sincere
           Practice
           of
           Morality
           is
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Condition
           required
           of
           us
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           our
           Justification
           .
           For
           unless
           the
           Practice
           of
           Moral
           Virtue
           be
           no
           part
           of
           the
           Divine
           Will
           revealed
           to
           Us
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           it
           must
           necessarily
           follow
           ,
           that
           so
           far
           as
           it
           is
           made
           a
           Condition
           of
           the
           Covenant
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           so
           far
           it
           is
           required
           in
           order
           to
           the
           Justification
           and
           Acceptation
           of
           our
           Persons
           before
           God.
           For
           though
           we
           are
           said
           in
           Scripture
           to
           be
           justified
           by
           Faith
           in
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           yet
           we
           are
           not
           to
           understand
           by
           this
           ,
           an
           empty
           ,
           bare
           and
           naked
           Faith
           ,
           but
           such
           a
           Faith
           as
           is
           perfected
           and
           consummated
           by
           Love
           ,
           which
           the
           Apostle
           Saint
           James
           expresses
           by
           Works
           ,
           that
           
           is
           ,
           such
           a
           Faith
           as
           is
           not
           meerly
           Notional
           and
           inactive
           ,
           but
           productive
           in
           the
           Soul
           of
           a
           New
           and
           sincere
           Obedience
           .
           And
           what
           more
           frequent
           Instances
           does
           the
           Scripture
           bring
           of
           our
           Faithful
           Conformity
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           than
           in
           our
           Constant
           Exercise
           and
           Practice
           of
           Moral
           Virtue
           ?
           Insomuch
           that
           Saint
           Paul
           sayes
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           neglect
           the
           sincere
           observance
           of
           Morality
           and
           Virtue
           ,
           will
           easily
           be
           induced
           to
           turn
           Hereticks
           ,
           
           and
           deny
           the
           Faith
           ,
           
             Holding
             faith
             and
             a
             good
             conscience
             ,
             which
             some
             having
             put
             away
             ,
             concerning
             faith
             have
             made
             shipwrack
             .
          
           So
           indispensably
           necessary
           is
           a
           Virtuous
           Conversation
           to
           our
           Participation
           of
           the
           Blessed
           Life
           and
           Nature
           of
           GOD
           ,
           that
           no
           Man
           can
           be
           understood
           to
           be
           a
           Partaker
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           who
           does
           not
           live
           soberly
           ,
           righteously
           and
           godly
           in
           the
           World.
           For
           what
           sign
           does
           he
           give
           of
           a
           Spirit
           renewed
           and
           changed
           into
           the
           Compassionate
           Nature
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           who
           can
           willingly
           pain
           and
           grieve
           and
           afflict
           his
           Brother
           ?
           What
           Specimen
           does
           he
           produce
           of
           a
           
           sincere
           Conformity
           to
           the
           Eternal
           Laws
           of
           Justice
           and
           Righteousness
           ,
           who
           can
           knowingly
           and
           wittingly
           over-reach
           and
           defraud
           his
           Neighbour
           ?
           Or
           what
           Evidence
           does
           he
           offer
           of
           a
           Mind
           desirous
           to
           be
           renewed
           into
           a
           state
           of
           Angelical
           Purity
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           who
           makes
           it
           his
           business
           and
           seeks
           for
           all
           Occasions
           to
           gratifie
           his
           Carnal
           Appetite
           in
           the
           full
           enjoyment
           of
           all
           Sensual
           Pleasures
           ,
           that
           may
           be
           had
           without
           manifest
           Diseases
           ?
           Or
           is
           it
           possible
           to
           conceive
           the
           Life
           and
           Nature
           of
           GOD
           ,
           that
           Life
           of
           Universal
           Holiness
           and
           Purity
           ,
           Justice
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           without
           the
           Exercise
           of
           these
           and
           such
           like
           Virtues
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           the
           Maturity
           and
           Ripeness
           of
           Religion
           ,
           consists
           in
           having
           a
           sensible
           Discernment
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil
           in
           a
           Moral
           sense
           .
           The
           full
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Mysteries
           of
           Christianity
           (
           as
           the
           Author
           to
           the
           Hebrews
           tells
           Us
           )
           
             belongs
             to
             them
             that
             are
             of
             full
             age
             ,
          
           
           that
           is
           ,
           such
           as
           are
           arrived
           to
           the
           Perfection
           and
           Maturity
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           these
           Persons
           he
           describes
           in
           the
           
           next
           words
           ,
           to
           be
           such
           as
           have
           a
           Vital
           relish
           and
           sensible
           Discernment
           of
           good
           and
           evil
           ,
           
             Who
             by
             reason
             of
             use
             have
             their
             senses
             exercised
             to
             discern
             both
             good
             and
             evil
             .
          
           That
           there
           are
           Natural
           Differences
           between
           good
           and
           evil
           ,
           is
           as
           evident
           and
           apparent
           as
           the
           Difference
           between
           health
           and
           sickness
           :
           For
           as
           health
           is
           nothing
           but
           the
           right
           and
           Natural
           Constitution
           of
           all
           the
           Parts
           of
           the
           Body
           ;
           and
           Sickness
           the
           Oppression
           ,
           Distortion
           and
           Deviation
           from
           it
           :
           So
           is
           it
           in
           the
           Soul
           of
           Man.
           It
           s
           true
           and
           proper
           Nature
           ,
           is
           that
           healthful
           Temper
           and
           Constitution
           wherein
           God
           at
           first
           Created
           it
           :
           But
           now
           Sin
           and
           Evil
           is
           a
           forcing
           it
           into
           a
           Preternatural
           State
           ,
           the
           driving
           it
           into
           a
           Disease
           and
           Distemper
           ,
           and
           the
           putting
           its
           Powers
           and
           Faculties
           into
           Jarring
           and
           Discord
           .
           And
           that
           these
           Differences
           are
           nothing
           but
           the
           Vital
           relishes
           and
           sensations
           of
           the
           Soul
           of
           Man
           ,
           in
           that
           double
           Capacity
           and
           Resolution
           of
           Rational
           and
           Animal
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           Sacred
           Dialect
           of
           the
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           and
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           the
           inward
           and
           outward
           Man
           ,
           or
           the
           
           Flesh
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           I
           think
           is
           as
           evident
           to
           any
           Considering
           and
           Judicious
           Person
           .
           Now
           this
           Maturity
           and
           Ripeness
           of
           Religion
           discovers
           it self
           ,
           1.
           
           In
           a
           particular
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Difference
           between
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           be
           able
           to
           distinguish
           what
           is
           from
           the
           Flesh
           and
           Animal
           ,
           and
           what
           from
           the
           Spirit
           and
           Rational
           Life
           .
           2.
           
           In
           a
           ready
           Application
           of
           this
           to
           all
           the
           Passages
           of
           our
           Lives
           .
           For
           that
           
             Blindness
             of
             mind
          
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           of
           ,
           
           to
           which
           the
           Gentiles
           as
           a
           just
           Punishment
           of
           their
           former
           carelesness
           were
           given
           up
           ,
           does
           fully
           express
           the
           Necessity
           of
           this
           Discriminative
           Sense
           and
           Discerning
           between
           Good
           and
           Evil.
           For
           when
           once
           the
           Criterion
           ,
           or
           Perceptive
           Faculty
           has
           lost
           its
           Tenderness
           and
           Sensibility
           ,
           and
           the
           Mind
           becomes
           Reprobate
           ,
           
           then
           Darkness
           and
           Light
           ,
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           Bitter
           and
           Sweet
           are
           all
           one
           .
           Then
           it
           is
           (
           as
           in
           the
           above
           mentioned
           place
           )
           Men
           are
           dedolent
           and
           
             past
             feeling
          
           ,
           
           and
           having
           no
           other
           Law
           ,
           but
           that
           of
           the
           Corporeal
           Life
           ,
           become
           insatiable
           in
           Impiety
           ,
           and
           
             work
             Wickedness
             
             with
             greediness
          
           :
           which
           surely
           as
           it
           is
           the
           most
           deplorable
           condition
           the
           Soul
           of
           Man
           can
           fall
           into
           ,
           so
           ought
           most
           carefully
           to
           be
           avoided
           by
           endeavouring
           after
           a
           particular
           Distinction
           ,
           and
           clear
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Notices
           ,
           Emanations
           and
           Suggestions
           of
           the
           Flesh
           and
           Spirit
           .
           And
           as
           this
           inward
           Sense
           is
           not
           to
           be
           stifled
           ,
           so
           neither
           to
           remain
           useless
           and
           idle
           ,
           but
           to
           extend
           it self
           and
           have
           an
           Influence
           upon
           all
           our
           Actions
           .
           It
           must
           be
           fanned
           and
           kept
           alive
           by
           sincere
           Devotion
           ,
           and
           a
           constant
           and
           Habitual
           Practice
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           by
           which
           at
           length
           it
           will
           become
           a
           Powerful
           and
           Vital
           Principle
           ,
           begetting
           in
           us
           a
           true
           relish
           of
           Righteousness
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           not
           only
           talk
           and
           maintain
           an
           Artificial
           and
           Mechanical
           Religion
           consisting
           of
           Words
           ,
           or
           the
           running
           the
           same
           Circle
           of
           outward
           Performances
           and
           Duties
           ,
           but
           may
           be
           really
           regenerated
           and
           formed
           into
           a
           new
           Nature
           ,
           and
           act
           out
           of
           choice
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           innate
           Loveliness
           and
           Beautifulness
           of
           Virtue
           .
           For
           by
           bringing
           our
           Actions
           to
           this
           Test
           and
           Rule
           ,
           and
           applying
           
           them
           to
           the
           Natural
           Difference
           and
           Distinction
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           it
           will
           keep
           us
           from
           all
           deliberate
           Violations
           of
           the
           Laws
           and
           Prescriptions
           of
           Holiness
           .
           By
           this
           ,
           Wickedness
           and
           Sin
           will
           appear
           in
           its
           Natural
           Dress
           and
           Genuine
           Colours
           ,
           and
           its
           Ugliness
           and
           Deformity
           be
           rendred
           so
           manifest
           ,
           that
           our
           Wills
           and
           Affections
           will
           not
           easily
           be
           drawn
           into
           a
           Compliance
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           various
           Passages
           of
           our
           Lives
           freed
           and
           discharged
           from
           the
           least
           Appearance
           of
           Evil.
           
        
         
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             Continuation
             of
             the
             Discourse
             ,
             &c.
             Octavo
             .
          
           
             Answer
             to
             a
             scandalous
             Pamphlet
             ,
             entituled
             a
             Dialogue
             between
             Satan
             and
             Sherlock
             .
             Quarto
             .
          
           
             Dr.
             
             Worthington's
             Great
             Duty
             of
             Self-resignation
             to
             the
             Divine
             Will.
             Oct.
             
          
           
             Mr.
             Hotchkis
             Discourse
             of
             the
             Imputation
             of
             
             Christ's
             Righteousness
             to
             Us
             ,
             and
             our
             Sins
             to
             Him.
             Oct.
             
          
           
             
             
             Gage's
             Survey
             of
             the
             West
             Indies
             .
             8
             o.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             
             Goodall's
             Vindication
             of
             the
             Colledge
             of
             Physicians
             .
             Oct.
             
          
           
             
             Smith's
             Pourtract
             of
             old
             Age.
             Oct.
             
          
           
             
             Webster's
             History
             of
             Metals
             .
             Quar.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             
             More
             's
             Remarques
             upon
             two
             late
             Ingenious
             Discourses
             ,
             the
             one
             an
             Essay
             of
             the
             Gravitation
             and
             Non-gravitation
             of
             fluid
             Bodies
             ,
             the
             other
             Observations
             touching
             the
             Torricellian
             experiment
             .
             8
             o.
             
          
           
             
             Sydenham's
             
               Observationes
               Medicae
            
             .
             8
             o.
             
          
           
             An
             Account
             of
             Mr.
             
             Ferguson's
             Common-Place-Book
             in
             two
             Letters
             between
             Mr.
             Sherlock
             and
             Mr.
             Glanvil
             .
             Quar.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             
             Grew's
             Comparative
             Anatomy
             of
             Trunks
             ,
             together
             with
             an
             Account
             of
             their
             Vegetation
             grounded
             thereupon
             :
             Octavo
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A45360-e140
           
             Rev.
             3.14
             .
          
           
             Jam.
             3.14
             ,
             15.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A45360-e430
           
             1
             Tim.
             3.16
             .
          
           
             Col.
             1.26
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             2.7
             .
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             4.8
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             &
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             2
             Tim.
             3.2
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             11.52
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             3.16
             .
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             4.10
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             22.12
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             1.24
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             2.7
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             2.6
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             2.14
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.12
             
          
           
             Isai
             .
             63.15
             .
          
           
             *
             Sine
             hoc
             holocausto
             poterat
             Deus
             tantum
             condonasse
             peccatum
             ;
             sed
             facilitas
             veniae
             laxaret
             habenas
             peccatis
             effrenibus
             quae
             etiam
             Christi
             vix
             cohibent
             passiones
             ,
             quae
             vix
             sceleratos
             animos
             à
             voluptatum
             faece
             avellunt
             .
             Cyprian
             .
             sive
             Author
             libri
             de
             Cardinal
             .
             Christi
             Oper.
             Serm.
             14.
             
             Sic
             Zanch.
             lib.
             2
             de
             Incarnat
             .
             c.
             3.
             q.
             1.
             
             Etsi
             verò
             Deus
             servare
             nos
             poterat
             solo
             suo
             Imperio
             ,
             peccata
             simpliciter
             ex
             suâ
             misericordiâ
             condonando
             :
             noluit
             tamen
             —
          
           
             Phil.
             2.6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Act.
             2.23
             .
          
           
             Mar.
             14.33
             
          
           
             Mat.
             26.38
             
          
           
             Luk.
             9.51
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             18.5
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             11.28
             
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             5.3
             .
          
           
             Princ.
             of
             Nat.
             Rel.
             lib.
             1.
             c.
             3.
             
          
           
             Ezek.
             33.11
             .
          
           
             Mr.
             Mede
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.19
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             1.74
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             4.10
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             2.4
             
          
           
             Heb.
             2.9
             .
             Joh.
             3.17
             .
          
           
             lib.
             6.
             contr
             .
             Cels
             .
             p.
             315
          
           
             lib.
             4.
             c.
             76.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             24.47
             .
          
           
             Act.
             3.19
             .
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             2.1
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             1.21
             
          
           
             Exod.
             20.19
             .
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             3.16
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             3.15
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             4.15
             .
          
           
             Heb
             2.16
             ,
             17
             ,
             18.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             21.17
             .
          
           
             Vid.
             Deut.
             4.33.36
             .
          
           
             Dr.
             Lightfoot
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             1.16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             3.2
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             11.21
             
          
           
             Acts
             17.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             4.18
             .
          
           
             v.
             42.
             
          
           
             Joh
             15.22
             ,
             24.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             20.29
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             1.4
             .
          
           
             Ch.
             2.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             16.8
             ,
             9
             ,
             10.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             24.25
             .
          
           
             Act.
             10.43
             .
          
           
             See
             Dr.
             
             More
             's
             Enchiridion
             Ethicum
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             1.11
             .
          
           
             Hos
             .
             11.4
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             7.30
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             12.37
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             6.66
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             23
             37
             
          
           
             Ezek.
             24.13
             .
             vid.
             Isai
             .
             65.12
             .
          
           
             Mar.
             6.5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             Act.
             7.51
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             2.12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             6.1
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             3.9
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             1.4
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             1.20
             .
          
           
             Lib.
             4.
             
             Epist
             .
             43.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             5.29
             .
          
           
             Dr.
             Hammond
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             1.19
             
          
           
             Heb.
             5.14
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             4.18
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Rom.
             1.28
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Eph.
             4.19
             .